Your Weekly Tune Up
Alberta to explore mutual recognition of provincial regulations
Since 2019, Alberta has been leading all provinces in knocking down barriers to internal trade and labour mobility. In 2019, Alberta eliminated 85 percent of its exemptions to the Canada Free Trade Agreement and passed the Labour Mobility Act to speed up the certification of professional credentials for Canadians coming to work in Alberta. Now, Alberta is commissioning a research study that will examine mutual regulatory recognition and its potential in Canada.
TIER fund is supporting carbon capture projects
Technology Innovation and Emissions Reduction (TIER) fund is supporting 11 carbon capture projects with $40 million delivered to Emissions Reduction Alberta’s Carbon Capture Kickstart program. If successful, the 11 projects could begin operation between 2024 and 2030, leading to more than $20 billion in capital expenditures, creating thousands of jobs and cutting almost 24 million tonnes of emissions each year. Read more.
Investing in new work-integrated learning opportunities
Advanced Education is investing $2.5 million towards the pilot, which will create a one-stop online portal for work-integrated learning opportunities that can be accessed by students at all seven post-secondary institutions in the Calgary region.
Students gain crucial workplace experience from industry experts through work-integrated learning placements while employers gain access to the talent they need to grow their businesses. Job placements through the program can be offered as co-ops, internships, applied research projects or field placements.Find out more.
Celebrating Alberta’s heritage
Alberta’s government is officially recognizing Sept. 1 as Alberta Day to celebrate Alberta’s rich cultural heritage and recognize its unique place in Confederation.
On Sept. 1, 1905, the Alberta Act came into effect, formally establishing the Province of Alberta. Recognizing this date in perpetuity as Alberta Day gives Albertans an opportunity every year to come together in a spirit of celebration and express their pride in all things that are uniquely Albertan. Read the News Release.
Fuelling Our Business Community
The Power of Community
Stories that Shape our Neighbourhood - Annegrets Chocolate
This is another small but mighty business that shares a unique style to the Medicine Hat Market. Local chocolatier, Annegret’s Fine European Chocolate, brings tastes of Europe to Medicine Hat. Their speciality chocolate is imported, but Annegret’s values supporting local Farmer’s Markets to source ingredients to enhance their rich delicacies.
When we shop local in Southern Alberta, we support the businesses and families that are our neighbours. Seek local and help to shape our neighbourhood.
The Seek Rural series uncovers some unique and interesting businesses in the surrounding rural communities that may not be commonly known. The videos and photos allow you a sneak peek which I am sure will convince you that a visit to explore them more is well worth it. View More
Enriching Your Business
See all our Value Added Benefits!
Fill Up On Funding
Apply now for the Civil Society Fund
All sectors and sizes of organizations can now apply for grants up to $500,000 through the third round of the Civil Society Fund. Alberta’s government is investing an additional $6 million through the fund to help address challenges Albertans are facing in the wake of the pandemic, including homelessness, unemployment, domestic violence and sexual violence. Funding is intended to help civil society transform how community organizations function, innovate and work together to address pressing social challenges. Read More
Any eligible Alberta organization with an innovative project supporting social recovery or increasing economic participation for Albertans is encouraged to apply. Information on how to submit a funding application is available on alberta.ca. The application deadline is Sept. 2.
$50M now available to create child-care spaces
Applications are open for $50 million in funding in 2022-23 for non-profit groups interested in creating new child-care spaces and providing child care in a licensed child-care program in Alberta. The $50 million is being invested to increase the number of non-profit child-care spaces, especially in communities with limited or no licensed child care, or in communities where there is a high demand for service.
This funding is provided through the Alberta Canada Early Learning and Child Care agreement. The made-in-Alberta agreement invests $3.8 billion of federal funding over five years to strengthen child care for families by improving access to quality child care and lowering fees for parents with children kindergarten-aged and younger who access licensed child care. Read More
Business Scale-up and Productivity in the Prairie Provinces
The Business Scale-up and Productivity program supports high-growth businesses that are scaling up and producing innovative goods, services or technologies. It offers interest-free, repayable funding to incorporated businesses. View more
Maximum project duration of 3 years focused on 1 or more of the following areas:
- Advanced manufacturing
- Clean resources
- Clean technology
- Digital industries
- Health/bio-sciences
- Natural resources value-added processing
- Value-added agriculture
Advocacy in Action
Advocacy In Action: Updated Livestock Transport Regulations And What You Need To Know
Changes to the Transport of Animals Regulations (Part XII of the Health of Animals Regulations) came into effect in February of 2020 and are being actively enforced.
There are four major changes in the new regulations focusing on:
- categorizing animals fit for transport,
- record keeping for transporters,
- required feed, water and rest times and
- contingency planning.
The Medicine Hat & District Chamber of Commerce has been advocating for amendments to these regulations since 2019. We will be following up for reviews of potential amendments in late July, 2022.
Advocacy Win: Ground Pork and Beef Given Exceptions to New Health Canada Labeling Requirements:
Health Canada has confirmed raw, single ingredient whole meats will be exempt from their front-of-package labelling.
Nate Horner, Minister of Agriculture Forestry and Rural Economic Development says "this is a big win for our livestock producers and all the groups that told Ottawa to re-think this policy."
Prior to the announcement, Health Canada’s proposed front-of-package regulations had a requirement for ground beef sold at retail to carry a “high in” saturated fat warning label, while other single ingredient foods were exempt.
Read more from Alberta Beef Producers
Learn more about front-of-package labelling
The Medicine Hat & District Chamber of Commerce joined with Chambers across Alberta in an advocacy campaign to ensure the packaging on ground meats reflect that it is a healthy choice for families, and a major economic staple in our region.
Next Level Events
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.
Tickets on sale August 2nd
Other News
- Alberta has reached key investment milestones, attracting almost $1.5 billion in new agri-food investment and creating about 3,000 jobs for Albertans since 2019.
- Nine provinces join Alberta on Bill C-69 appeal
- Key points in the final Council of the Federation
- Canadian Chamber op-ed: We need to improve Canada’s regulatory system
- Canadian Chamber analysis of Labour Force Survey for June 2022
Other Resources
Other Events
Jul 20: Women in Beauty and Wellness Industry Advisory Circle | Register
Jul 21: Ready. Set. Export - FITT Experts Demystify Trade Planning and Processes | Register
Jul 25: Phase 2 CANIE Awards | Apply
Jul 27: Building your Personal Brand as a Founder | Register
Aug 1: League of Innovators Accelerator Application | Apply
Aug 10-11: Traction Conference | Register
Oct 20: Startup Day | Learn More
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