Your Weekly Tune Up
Federal budget 2022
The federal government presented its 2022 budget on April 7. Some highlights identified by the Canadian Chamber include:
- The gradual phase out of the small business tax rate when taxable capital reaches $50 million instead of $15 million.
- Investments in the critical minerals industry to support the full development of supply chains, from extraction through to processing and recycling.
- Various measures to support the net-zero transition, including the introduction of a tax credit for carbon capture, utilization and storage, incentives for Zero Emissions Vehicles, and investment tax credits for net-zero technologies.
- Funding towards a trusted employer program for Temporary Foreign Workers that will address labour shortages.
- Support for exploiting the opportunities from the legal cannabis sector.
Read the Canadian Chamber's full statement and budget summary and key takeaways by Canadian Chamber Chief Economist, Stephen Tapp
Read the Government of Alberta statement
Read Destination Canada's Tourism summary
View the 2022 Budget Summary from MNP
View how the budget is making housing more affordable with the following associated links:
Two new web applications give Albertans easier access important wildfire information
The new wildfire dashboard provides up-to-date wildfire information at the click of a button. This interactive tool displays important statistics on the number of active wildfires in the province, sizes, locations, suspected causes and more.
Albertans living or recreating in the Forest Protection Area of the province can now request a free fire permit using the new, convenient online fire permit portal using their Alberta digital ID. Permits are required for burning activities other than campfires during wildfire season. Fire permits can still be requested over the phone by calling your local forest area office. Anyone living outside of the Forest Protection Area should contact their local municipality for more information about fire permits in their area. Read more.
Chambers Plan Lunch and Learn Event will be held in the Chamber Boardroom: Thursday, April 14th 2022 from 12:00-1:00pm.
Is your small or medium-sized business currently looking into a Group Health & Dental Benefit program? Or perhaps you are already enrolled in one but would like to research all of your options?
Are you experiencing rate fluctuations with your current carrier? If so, then this session is for you!
Come enjoy lunch on us and learn about the Chambers Employee Plan - the #1 Plan in Canada for Small Business.
We'll have you in and out in an hour! Limited Seating so register early.
Hosted by: JoAnne Letkeman, Advisor, Brightan Financial Strategies Inc.
Fuelling Our Business Community
Chamber holds Strategic Planning Session
The Medicine Hat & District Chamber Board of Directors and Operations team gathered on Saturday, April 9th to discuss strategies it would like to implement in the upcoming year. While there was a long list of opportunities we would like to tackle, there were three in particular that emerged, including:
- how we can make it easier for business to do business in our region
- how we connect with our youth and future leaders; and
- how we work towards regional collaboration.
We'll have more exciting things to come and we look forward to your engagement and feedback as we move forward.
We were grateful for the opportunity to have focused conversations about how we further support and connect with our business community. The passion this group has for our business community was evident and we are energized to help shape our community moving forward. Find out more about us online.
The Power of Community
State of Women's Entrepreneurship Report Published
The full report is available here. The report is a combination of analysis from previous data collected, as well as new data collected specifically for this report. The information covered includes the state of societal, organizational and individual levels of factors affecting women. The content specifically focuses on market barriers, underrepresented groups in the workplace, and perseverance through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Save the Date for Vital Conversations: June 21
Each year, the Community Foundation of Southeast Alberta (CFSEA) hosts a Vital Event which is a periodic check-up that measures the vitality of our community. This year, CFSEA is hosting the 2022 Vital Conversation on June 21st from 11 am to 1 pm to facilitate a discussion with community members to learn more about trends impacting local quality of life. In advance of this session CFSEA is encourage you to complete a survey and be entered to win a $100 gift card.
Enriching Your Business
See all our Value Added Benefits!
Fill Up On Funding
Free Support from the Digital Service Squad
The Digital Service Squad is your community’s team that delivers FREE personalized, 1-on-1 assistance to local small businesses. They will provide the support you need to adopt & optimize new digital tools that help you reach potential customers. Some of these supports could include:
- Website Development
- Google my Business Profile
- Social Media Planning & Strategy
- And much more: https://bit.ly/DSS-Menu-CFEC
To learn more about the Digital Service Squads or Sign Up, call at (403) 528-2824 or visit our website https://entre-corp.albertacf.com/dep
Travel Alberta Investment Funding now Open for Applications
Under the new investment framework, more than $15 million dollars will be invested annually over the next three years to enhance and grow visitor products and experiences. Apply for one of the following funds before May 13:
1. Product Development Fund: Three funding streams up to $500,000 to assist Alberta businesses and municipalities with launching new tourism infrastructure initiatives, acquiring experience assets, and assisting with visitor program development.
2. Cooperative Investment Fund: Two funding streams up to $100,000 to empower communities to grow tourism revenue through destination development, promotion, and cultural events and festivals.
Investment Readiness Program
The Canadian Women’s Foundation is launching a round of IRP funding to help build the capacity and investment readiness of social purpose organizations and boost women’s sector participation in the social finance market, so they are better able to access the Government of Canada’s proposed Social Finance Fund or other investment opportunities. Deadline to register: April 27
Funding civil society to support economic recovery
Civil Society Fund will support 37 projects, helping vulnerable Albertans and contributing to the province’s social and economic recovery with some recipients from right here in our region. A full list of the successful grant recipients can be found online.
Advocacy in Action
Medicine Hat & District Chamber of Commerce Policy Council Meeting
The Medicine Hat & District Chamber of Commerce held our Policy Council meeting on April 6th, taking a look at our policy process, current policies and issues submissions. Also mentioned during the meeting was our completed policies list and our 2021 Annual Report that lists our successes during the previous year and what our Chamber is able to accomplish the the work of our Policy Council, Board of Directors and operations team.
The Chamber will be evaluating some emerging issues and encouraging members to submit their concerns via the business issue submission form on our website. This enables us to continue our work in identifying issues or barriers to business success and growth within our region and allows us to create recommendations and facilitate conversations to create an atmosphere that is conducive to business and sustainable community growth.
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
Employment Standards webinars (including live Q&As) are scheduled for the following topics:
- Employment Standards in Alberta – Administration and Enforcement: Wednesday, April 13, 2022 at 10:30 a.m.
- Overview of Employment Standards in Alberta: Wednesday, April 27,
- 2022 at 1:30 p.m.
- Employment Standards in Alberta – Vacation Pay and General Holiday Pay: Tuesday, May 10, 2022 at 1:30 p.m.
- Employment Standards in Alberta – Averaging Arrangements: Wednesday, May 25, 2022 at 10:30 a.m.
For more information, or to register for one of the sessions, please visit alberta.ca/employment-standards-webinars.aspx.
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