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Improving Alberta’s driver licensing system

Starting in spring 2023, Alberta will no longer require the advanced road test for Class 5 and Class 6 driver’s licences. Albertans who successfully complete a 24-month probationary period will automatically qualify for their full Class 5 or Class 6 driver’s licence and save $150 by not having to take a second road test. Furthermore, an additional road test will no longer be required to upgrade to a Class 4 licence. Read more.

Alberta’s natural gas rebate program

The natural gas rebate program runs from Oct. 1 to March 31. The exact rebate amount that Albertans will receive depends on the default natural gas rate each month.

If the monthly default natural gas rate from any of the regulated utility providers (ATCO Gas North and ATCO Gas South, as served by Direct Energy Regulated Services, or Apex Utilities) goes above $6.50 per gigajoule, the government will provide rebates to all eligible consumers that month covering the difference between $6.50 and the highest regulated rate. From Oct. 1 through March 31, any time the monthly default rate exceeds $6.50 per gigajoule, a rebate will be issued to all eligible Albertans to help cover the increased costs of the natural gas or other petroleum-based heating fuels they consume that month.

Photo by Doris Morgan
Photo by Doris Morgan

For example, if the highest regulated rate is $7.50, eligible consumers would get a rebate of $1 for every gigajoule used in that month. As October’s highest monthly default natural gas rate will be $5.632 per gigajoule, the rebate will not be triggered this month but the rebate program is ready and in place to support families and businesses should natural gas prices spike this winter. The monthly default natural gas rate will be posted on alberta.ca about five business days before the start of each month, letting Albertans know if the rebate will be triggered and how much they will receive per gigajoule that month.

Parks and Rec

City of Medicine Hat In-person surveys begin destination visioning project

Beginning Wednesday, September 28, consultants hired by the Parks and Recreation Department will begin the first phase of the destination parks visioning project. This includes conducting in-person engagement at Saamis Archaeological Site and Ranchlands Open Space, collecting feedback from residents and visitors to shape the future vision for each park. Staff wearing blue reflective vests will be in Ranchlands on Wednesday, September 28 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and in Saamis Archeological Site on Thursday, September 29 from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. Find out more.

Better access to publicly funded diagnostic imaging

Medically required Diagnostic Imaging services such as X-rays, ultrasounds and fluoroscopies referred by chiropractors, physiotherapists and audiologists will now be insured under the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan. This change only applies to DI services that chiropractors, physiotherapists and audiologists are eligible to refer for, such as X-rays, ultrasounds and fluoroscopies. DI services such as CT scans and MRIs are not affected by this change. Find out more.

Photo by National Cancer Institute
Photo by National Cancer Institute

Fuelling Our Business Community

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*LAST 48 HOURS OF TICKET SALES*

“A New Era of Roaring Success” was chosen as this year’s theme to signify the ‘Roaring 20’s’ of this century. Similarly, to the 1920’s, our 2020’s are the beginning of a united force in supporting and strengthening our local economic prosperity. 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.

This year the Chamber will be hosting the Business Awards at the Esplanade Arts & Heritage Centre, Friday, October 14th, 2022. The event will start around 5:30 pm where individuals can network, enjoy 1920’s Jazz, Cocktails, and Appetizers. Guests will then proceed to the Main Theatre room at 6:30 pm where the Award Ceremony will premier. Tickets are officially on sale; tickets will be priced at $97 per person (Membership discounts will be given via discount code). Save October 14th in your calendars and join us as we celebrate a New Era of Roaring Success within our businesses and the community.

Tickets on sale now!

The Power of Community

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The Community Involvement Award is sponsored by IG Wealth Management

We are very proud to feature the Community Involvement Award sponsor of the 2022 Business Awards - A New Era of Roaring Success: IG Wealth Management

IG aims to act responsibly in everything that they do, they emphasize client satisfaction, the development and support of clients, and positive involvement in the communities in which they operate. The time and effort that IG puts into serving the community over many years of being in Medicine Hat allow them to fit well in the sponsorship of the Community Involvement Award Category.

Need tickets to the event? Click Here

Thinking of the People, Businesses and Our Colleagues in Atlantic Canada

If you would like to assist those in Atlantic Canada, the Red Cross has a donation page set up and the federal government has established a donation-matching program to support those impacted by the storm and will match donations Canadians and corporations make for the next 30 days with the possibility of extension

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Enriching Your Business

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Contact JoAnne Letkeman, Exclusive Chamber Group Advisor, 403-504-2166 ext 1.

See all our Value Added Benefits!

Fill Up On Funding

BDC Launches $500 Million Venture Fund and Lab for Women

BDC recently announced the launch of its $500 million Thrive Venture Fund and Lab for Women. The Thrive platform is comprised of three distinct components, providing a comprehensive approach to addressing barriers faced by women, be it through direct early-stage investment, strategic investment in women-led and focused funds, or emerging models for providing equity investments for women-led businesses in the earliest stages of development, all while continuing to develop a more robust and sustainable ecosystem for all. Learn more.

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$150,000 in grants

BMO Financial Group, in collaboration with Deloitte Canada, recently announced the continuation of its pledging $150,000 in grants to support the high-level growth plans of 12 women-owned businesses across Canada. BMO is inviting women business owners to share their high-level business growth plans and apply for one of 12 grants:

  • one grant of $20,000
  • four grants of $15,000
  • seven grants of $10,000

In addition to these grants, BMO offers a comprehensive package to all recipients that includes an exclusive webinar series focused on business growth, the opportunity to join certain organizations and/or advisory boards, a profile on bmoforwomen.com, and a BMO Celebrating Women Grant Recipient social badge. The application process is now open and closes October 17, 2022.

New Micro-loan Fund Announced for Indigenous Women Entrepreneurs

The National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association (NACCA) and participating Aboriginal Financial Institutions (AFIs) are pleased to announce the establishment of a new $5 million Women Entrepreneurship Loan Fund. AFIs across the country are now delivering the Women Entrepreneurship Loan Fund on behalf of Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada (ISED). First Nations, Inuit, and Métis women entrepreneurs from across the nation are now able to access loans up to $50,000 dollars to start or grow their business.

The Women Entrepreneurship Loan Fund builds on NACCA's existing Indigenous Women Entrepreneurship Program, which launched across 32 AFIs in spring 2022. The program currently includes training and workshops for Indigenous women entrepreneurs, as well as a micro-loan fund that provides up to $20,000 in loan funds for Indigenous women entrepreneurs. Learn more.

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Photo by Matheus Ferrero
Photo by Matheus Ferrero

Health-Care Aide (HCA) Bursaries to assist health-care aides

The HCA Education Funding program includes three streams of funding: the Financial Incentive program, the HCA Tuition Bursary program and the Workplace Tutor program. Students who were enrolled in a licensed HCA program between Jan. 1 and June 30, 2022, are eligible for up to $4,000 through the Financial Incentive program if they agree to work a minimum of 1,000 hours with an identified continuing care operator within one year of starting employment. The amount of funding depends on the geographic location of their continuing care operator. Eligible HCA students may receive up to $9,000 through the HCA Tuition Bursary program. Students must be enrolled in a licensed HCA program beginning after July 1, 2022. Preference will be given to students who are attending school full time or are already working for a continuing care operator.

The Workplace Tutor program provides funding for identified continuing care operators to educate HCAs at their workplace. Students may work as HCAs as they complete the program. Employers must have a regulated nurse to teach students in the lab and supervise formal clinical courses. Operators are eligible to receive up to $9,400 per tutor. View this announcement online.

Advocacy in Action

The Medicine Hat & District Chamber of Commerce is proud to have passed a new Municipal policy: Creating a Business-Friendly Regulatory Environment.

A task force of interested businesses and committee members came together and identified key priorities for the revision of the former red tape policy (passed in 2013). Through consultation with the task force, along with various associations and members of the business community, 12 recommendations were determined to be of particular importance. The recommendations relate to matters such as customer service, bylaw administration, permitting, inspections, fees, and other issues.

See the full policy here

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COVID-19 measures at borders ended on October 1

As of Oct. 1, all travellers, regardless of citizenship, no longer have to:

  • Submit public health information through the ArriveCAN app or website;
  • Provide proof of vaccination;
  • Undergo pre- or on-arrival testing;
  • Carry out COVID-19-related quarantine or isolation;
  • Monitor and report if they develop signs or symptoms of COVID-19 upon arriving to Canada;
  • Undergo health checks for travel on air and rail;
  • Or wear masks on planes and trains.

Review the lessons learned report.

Municipal Red Tape and Business Supports

The Alberta Chambers network is conducting the fourth annual Municipal Red Tape and Business Supports survey. For business operators, this is your chance to be heard.

Help our advocacy efforts by providing insight on challenges and opportunities that you experience in your municipality.

More local responses means a stronger voice for business.

The survey will take less than 5 minutes to complete and is open until 5:00 P.M. on October 21. Survey Link

ALBERTA PERSPECTIVES

Next Level Events

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Reconciliation Education

Truth and Reconciliation

The University of Alberta’s Indigenous Canada course is a 12-lesson Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) from the Faculty of Native Studies that explores the different histories and contemporary perspectives of Indigenous peoples living in Canada. From an Indigenous perspective, this course explores complex experiences Indigenous peoples face today from a historical and critical perspective highlighting national and local Indigenous-settler relations.

BDC has partnered with the First Nations University of Canada and Reconciliation Education to offer the 4 Seasons of Reconciliation training for free to entrepreneurs across Canada. The training is a 3-hour online course with short modules that can be completed at the learner’s pace and provides a mix of learning tools such as slideshows, videos, films and quizzes.

Last Chance MHC Career Expo register for a booth before October 4th

The MHC Career Expo is the largest recruitment event in Medicine Hat. Promote your job opportunities as an exhibitor. Complete this registration form. Registration for the Career Expo is ongoing.

Wednesday, Oct. 26
10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Medicine Hat College

Learn more about the event

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Attend the Global Business Accelerator Open House. Stay for lunch + networking. And then, join us for an info session with Innovation & Economic Development Canada. 

Thursday, October 06, 2022.

Medicine Hat College, Ómahksípiitaa (Big Eagle, G120).

Free to attend. Registration required.

*Seats are limited and filling up fast. *Register for each session separately. Lunch is included for both sessions.

Global Business Accelerator - Open House 9 AM to 12 PM Register Here

Meet the teams running these world-class accelerator programs. Find out about investment opportunities, enrollment criteria and network. Hosted by APEX Alberta, presented by Alberta Innovates. Whether you're ready to enroll in an accelerator or curious about how the best of the best go about scaling and growing products and companies, you will want to attend this event.

Lunch & Networking at noon. 

Accelerated Growth Service for Entrepreneurs - Info Session 1 PM to 2 PM Register Here

Take the guesswork out of growth. The Accelerated Growth Service helps high-growth companies find the right programs and services at the right time so you can take advantage of everything the government offers. This session is for established companies looking to grow.

Who should attend?

Business owners, entrepreneurs, those with business ideas or plans to start a business and service providers. Whether you're ready to enroll in an accelerator or curious about how the best of the best go about scaling and growing products and companies, you will want to attend this event. If you're a service provider (lawyer, banker, accountant, business strategist, marketer, etc.), make connections on behalf of your clients. This is a fantastic opportunity to learn more about Alberta Innovates accelerator programs, world-class venture capital firms, mentors and founders behind these programs and the Government of Canada’s Accelerated Growth Service for Entrepreneurs.

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