Your Weekly Tune Up
Fuel and utility relief
Alberta’s government will stop the collection of the provincial fuel tax to offer Albertans relief from current high fuel prices. Currently, Albertans pay 13 cents per litre in fuel tax. This change will come into effect April 1. The federal carbon tax rate on gasoline is set to increase again on April 1, from just under nine cents per litre to just over 11 cents per litre.
Canada-Alberta Broadband Partnership Announced
The Government of Canada committed to matching Alberta’s $390-million funding commitment for new high-speed internet infrastructure in rural, remote and Indigenous communities across Alberta. There is now $780 million in public sector funding to help eliminate the digital divide. This funding will be key to implementing the Alberta Broadband Strategy and helping Albertans and Alberta businesses reach their fullest potential, regardless of where they live. Related news: Alberta and Canada expand partnership to improve access to high-speed Internet for Albertans (March 9, 2022)
Fuelling Our Business Community
The Medicine Hat & District Chamber of Commerce launches Local Business Support Tool Kit
The Medicine Hat & District Chamber of Commerce launched a new Local Business Support Tool Kit to ensure all businesses have the resources to start and grow their business. This Tool Kit is intended to help promote the success and long-term prosperity of our local businesses and our region by connecting businesses with essential resources and information.
Brown Bag & Business
We would like to invite you to join us on March 15th, 2022 at 12 PM for our very first Brown Bag & Business event!
Brown Bag & Business is going to be held every second Tuesday and is a seminar focusing on information viable to businesses. These will be held in the Chamber boardroom and will provide information that may be beneficial to any and all businesses. Some topics include: Finances, Legality, Insurance, Licensing, Mental Health, and Teamwork.
The information provided will be specific to tools for all businesses. We are very excited to be hosting these seminars and would like to extend the offer to anyone that would like to present on a topic that they might find beneficial.
Looking to attend our next Brown Bag & Business? For more information and registration click here
Don't want to register? That is ok with us! Just bring a lunch and sit in on the seminar!
Looking to present at a Brown Bag & Business. Simply reply to this post with your business and topic of interest.
The Power of Community
Celebrate and recognize special dates
Proposed provincial legislation will create a new way for Alberta’s government to recognize dates that hold significant meaning for Albertans. Albertans will be able to request that significant dates be recognized with a Ministerial Declaration by writing to the relevant minister or by submitting a request through the request a declaration form on alberta.ca.
Nominations are now open for the 2022 Alberta Heritage Awards
The Alberta Heritage Awards recognize the outstanding achievements of Albertans engaged in heritage preservation, protection and promotion. Seventy awards have been presented since the program was reintroduced in 2005. Individuals, organizations, corporations and municipalities can be nominated for an award. The guidelines and nomination forms can be found on the Heritage Awards web page. We are so many incredible organizations and individuals who are engaged in heritage preservation, protection and promotion, take a moment to submit a nomination and make sure our region is recognized for the great work accomplished to recognize our heritage and history.
Enriching Your Business
See all our Value Added Benefits!
Fill Up On Funding
Boost Your Business Technology
Have you ever wondered about your digital technology delivery and how you could improve? Have you ever wondered how you measure up to your competition when it comes to technology? Have you wanted to increase your use of technology, but don't know where to start? Why not start with a digital technology needs assessment. By starting this process, you will be able to obtain a report at no cost to you, indicating your organization's digital maturity across eight key operational indicators, compared against the benchmark, that are critical for success in today's digital world. Your digital maturity score will represent your ability to respond to market change and take advantage of technological developments to remain relevant in your marketplace. The report also illustrates key imperatives and focus areas as you embark on your digital transformation journey.
The Medicine Hat & District Chamber of Commerce has started this journey and we invite you to test it out too. Click here to start. You can also check out the digital economy program through Community Futures Entre-Corp here.
$3-million to help support women seeking job opportunities in the transportation sector
Through a mix of supporting individual Class 1 driver’s licence training, program development tailored to women and promoting new career choices in transportation, the $3-million grant will provide women with new skills to achieve success in the industry. Find out more.
Don't forget about the Canada Recovery Hiring Program - extended to May 7
Advocacy in Action
Home-based business survey
Is your business based out of your home? We'd love to learn what your priorities are and how we can support you and your business. Please take 2 minutes or less to tell us how the chamber network can support you and your business. https://www.albertaperspectives.ca/c/r/homebased
Federal Budget 2022: Getting Serious about Economic Growth
For the past two years, Canada’s business community has been on the front line of COVID – coping, adapting to the pandemic’s impacts on employees, customers, trade, supply chains and bottom lines. In 2022, our asks for the upcoming budget look to the horizon beyond crisis management. Read more.
Labour shortages impacting the Canadian economy
Last week, our Senior Director, Workforce Strategies and Inclusive Growth for the Canadian Chamber, Leah Nord, appeared before the House Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities (HUMA). In addressing the Committee’s study of labour shortages impacting the Canadian economy, Nord spoke about data gaps, lacking social infrastructure, employment challenges women have been facing as a result of COVID-19 and more.
Recognized Employer Model (Trusted Employer Program) Guiding Principles
The Commissioner for Employers has received feedback from employer representatives in relation to a proposed Recognized Employer Model (formerly Trusted Employer system) over the course of several meetings and written briefs. The attached document outlines the guiding principles that employers request to see in the proposed Recognized Employer Model.
Next Level Events
2022 Home + Leisure Tradeshow
April 22nd - 24th
Each year the Chamber invests time and resources into creating a quality trade show for our community, and we are proud to host not only the longest-running, but the largest trade show in Medicine Hat. Bringing business together under one roof provides a fantastic experience for everyone. For businesses, the personal connections you can make with thousands of consumers and clients is unmatched. For consumers, you'll find fresh inspiration, helpful tips, innovative products and fantastic deals in remodeling, home improvement, design, gifts and services. Learn More
APEX Tech Talent: Featuring Technology Alberta FIRST Jobs Program
Need Tech Talent?
Join APEX on March 15th at Noon to hear about the Technology Alberta FIRST Jobs Program
Technology Alberta:
Technology Alberta exists to nurture a dedicated community of people and organizations whose coordinated and collaborative efforts help to make Alberta’s entrepreneurial advanced technology companies the global vendors of choice.
FIRST Jobs Program:
The FIRST Jobs Program offers a work placement and meaningful work experience for a current student or recent graduate of an Alberta post-secondary institution while supporting the growth of Alberta’s SME Tech Sector. The student placement is to be a remote integrated learning and work experience. Relevant professional topics are situated in the context of the workplace and are offered as a vehicle to enhance workplace performance – both for the young professionals and for the companies themselves.
Register Here: https://apextechtalenttechalberta.eventbrite.ca
Other Resources
The Foundations of Strategic Planning: A Guide for Entrepreneurs
A toolkit to help employers recruit, retain and promote more women and bring them onto boards
6 Essential Marketing Tactics to Employ in 2022
Labour Market Notes – Alberta labour market continues to make headway
Other Events
March 16: Virtual Town Hall on Understanding your Utility Bills | View
March 17: Facebook and Instagram Advertising on a Small Budget | Register
How to Create Content with Canva | Mar 23 https://chinook-createwithcanva.eventbrite.ca
Startup Women: Fundraising 101, hosted by Startup Canada | Mar 30 | Register
Startup Global: Entrepreneurs Going Global Panel #1: Early-Stage Advice | Apr 28 | Register
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