Your Weekly Tune Up
Natural gas rebate to support Albertans
The upcoming natural gas rebate will support more than 1.6 million homes, farms and businesses facing high heating bills next winter.
In Budget 2022, Alberta’s government committed to ensuring natural gas consumers are protected from European-style price spikes next fall and winter. Now, the government is providing additional information on the rebates, including clarity for natural gas customers who are not connected to the distribution system and customers who use other heating fuels, such as propane, kerosene or heating oils, all of which will also be eligible for rebates.
The rebates will provide critical support and cost certainty to at least 1.6 million homes, farms and businesses, including those in rural and remote areas, from Oct. 1, 2022, through March 31, 2023. Read More
New framework for Alberta’s skilled trades
The Skilled Trades and Apprenticeship Education Act has been proclaimed, raising the esteem of apprenticeship education and introducing a new Alberta Board of Skilled Trades.
The act separates the apprenticeship education and the regulation of skilled trades professionals.
Apprenticeship education programs can be created without the need for a trade designation, and vice versa. This opens the door for future use of the apprenticeship education model by industries that do not see themselves as a trade and do not require the designated trades framework to regulate the work within their profession.
Building a skilled and diverse workforce
Alberta’s government is funding projects that deliver innovative solutions to address labour and skills shortages and help get Albertans back to work. Read More
- To be eligible for a Workforce Strategies grant, organizations must have a minimum of two years’ experience related to one of the following streams they apply under:
- Skills Development Stream supports the re-skilling of unemployed Albertans by providing training and/or services resulting in new skills development and employment.?
- Regional and Employer-focused Stream supports regional and employer-led projects that address regional workforce challenges.
- Industry-focused Stream supports industry-led projects that address provincial workforce needs.
Organizations have until July 22 to submit an expression of interest for their project.
Fuelling Our Business Community
Grand Opening!
Moose & Squirrel Artisan Village opened up about a year ago and has been so busy! Since Ian and Carrie are such great people we wanted to ensure that they still got a Grand Opening even if they didn’t necessarily have time for an entire event! So we ambushed them!
Their space downtown is so cool and their food is even better! Make sure to visit them at 651 2nd Street SE!
If you are interested in organizing any type of Grand Opening please reach out to Pam our member relations manager at 403-527-5214 ext. 223
Stories that Shape our Community
A podcast about the stories that have shaped our business community and continue to shape our lives within the community.
Stories that Shape our Community is a reminder of the importance of putting local first and the positive impact it has on shaping our communities – now and into the future. The episodes will give listeners an inside perspective on the “Why” behind these local businesses. There is no “one size fits all” approach in business and these stories will highlight those who shape our community in business and ideally help other businesses who find themselves in similar situations. Our local business owners and their teams will share their stories, showcasing the resiliency and positive impacts they make to help shape our community. View More
The Power of Community
Paradise Valley Golfuture Range
Last week we got a fantastic opportunity to go and test out Paradise Valley's new Golfuture Range. The Golfuture Range at Paradise Valley is a technology-enhanced driving range with 8 smart bays and a 1000 sq. ft. indoor putting green. With lights, music, televisions, food, drinks, Toptracer Range technology and target games.
You can golf on some top PGA courses including the heavily sought-after Pebble Beach. We had so much fun and would like to Thank Paradise Valley for inviting us!
Enriching Your Business
See all our Value Added Benefits!
Fill Up On Funding
StartUp Southeast Alberta
Did you know the Medicine Hat & District Chamber is part of StartUp Canada? We pursued this partnership to bring more resources to you and connect you with another business network in Canada. Recently, StartUp Canada hosted Startup Gov with a roundtable discussion regarding government funding and support available to help Canadian businesses. Joel Adams (Senior Innovation Advisor, Ontario) and Audrey Allotey (Innovation Advisor, Prairies) provided an overview of Innovation Canada, the Business Benefits Finder and the Innovation Advisor service and how these services are uniquely positioned to support businesses across Canada. Please find the links below:
- Business Benefits Finder
- Innovation Advisors
- Other Innovation Canadaprograms, including:
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- Canada Digital Adoption Program
- Innovative Solutions Canada
- Canada’s Global Innovation Clusters (formerly Superclusters)
- BizPaL (Business Permits & Licences)
- Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF)
- ExploreIP
- ElevateIP (which is accepting applications until June 28!)
- Accelerated Growth Service
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If you would like to learn more about upcoming Innovation Canada webinars and information, please subscribe for updates.
Digital Adoption Grant
How Canadians do business has changed. To stay competitive and grow, small and medium-sized businesses need to adopt new digital tools.
In Budget 2021, the Government of Canada announced the $4 billion Canada Digital Adoption Program (CDAP) to help get your business online, give your e-commerce presence a boost or help digitalize your business's operations.
CDAP provides funding and support to businesses, as well as training and work opportunities for young Canadians.
Advocacy in Action
Alberta Perspectives Hiring Intentions Survey
As the labour market and economy heat up, the Alberta Chambers network has partnered with industry partners and the Government of Alberta to identify hiring challenges employers may be facing.
- Is Alberta’s labour market well positioned to respond?
- Do businesses have access to the appropriate skills and talent?
- What challenges do employers face when hiring workers?
Your participation in this 2-3 minute survey will help inform government workforce strategies. Survey results will be made publicly available on the Hub, ACC and BCA websites.
The survey is open until 5:00 P.M. on July 15. Take Survey Here
Next Level Events
Art In Motion - July 9th
Celebrate our city’s art and culture with Art in Motion!
Art is on the move at key downtown locations including the Esplanade Arts and Heritage Centre, Towne Square, Riverside Veteran’s Memorial Park and the broader downtown area. This multi-faceted event kicks off in the afternoon and moves into the evening and night. Enjoy all ages daytime activities, Mural Fest events, Downtown Art Walk, Midnight Madness and much more.
Take in live art demonstrations, get hands on and create it yourself, and support local artisans by checking out the Open Air Art Market at Towne Square.
Enjoy live music and cultural performances or get in motion with many community groups like the Medicine Hat Paddle Club with their Great Big Paddle happening on the river! Explore downtown, take in pop-up events and treat yourself to shopping and tasty eats!
There will be lots to see and do as you get on the move with Art In Motion! Visit the Website
2022 Business Awards - A New Era of Roaring Success
The ' Roaring 20’s ' was a period in history of dramatic social and political change, some freedoms were expanded while others were diminished. The 1920’s was an era of historical significance with monumental change that shaped the future.
We all recognize that businesses in the 2020’s have experienced significant social and political changes that have disrupted what our ‘normal’ life has looked like. This will leave many stories that will form part of our history, while playing a major role in the success of a new era.
As we navigate the ‘Roaring 20’s’ of this century, we celebrate our businesses, past and present, that have weathered the challenges and have emerged with new ideas, innovative practices, and even stronger connections.
Similarly, the 1920’s and our 2020’s are the beginning of a united force in supporting and strengthening our local economic prosperity.
It truly is, A New Era of Roaring Success.
Other News
Statistics Canada released population estimates for Q1 2022.
Alberta Components of Growth by Quarter, Data Tables (From 1971/72 on)
Other demographic data and analysis products are available online
Other Resources
Other Events
Useful Links
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