Your Weekly Tune Up
Danielle Smith sworn in as Premier of AlbertaÂ
Danielle Smith was sworn in as Alberta’s 19th Premier during an official ceremony at Government House. Read More.
Our official congratulatory letter to the Premier
"The Medicine Hat & District Chamber of Commerce extends our sincerest congratulations to you on your appointment as Premier of Alberta."
"As the representative of more than 800 businesses in our region, our Chamber is looking forward to working with you and your Government on issues that are priorities for our members. We are confident that, through collaboration, we will see progress on our local priorities, as well as forward momentum in the growth of our region and province." - Scott Lehr
Cyber Security Awareness Month
Cyber Month is an internationally recognized campaign held each October to help the public learn more about the importance of cyber security. This campaign helps Canadians stay secure online by teaching them simple steps to protect themselves and their devices. This year, the focus of the awareness campaign is on ruining cyber criminals’ days by teaching Canadians how to fight back against phishing scams. Get Cyber Safe is a national public awareness campaign created to inform Canadians about cyber security and the simple steps they can take to protect themselves online. The campaign is led by the Communications Security Establishment, with advice and guidance from its Canadian Centre for Cyber Security, on behalf of the Government of Canada.
As cyber criminals get savvier, business owners and staff have a collective responsibility to stay one step ahead. A survey done by the Insurance Bureau of Canada revealed that seven in 10 employees of small and medium-sized businesses (72%) reported at least one behaviour that could allow a cybercriminal to gain access to their company’s computer systems.
The Canadian Chamber also has a campaign. The Cyber.Right.Now. campaign includes updates on advocacy, thought leadership in the field of cybersecurity and insights that can help you think about cybersecurity and your organization. Read more about how your organization can quantify and reduce your cyber risk.
Opportunity Alberta website and guide now available
If someone is thinking about coming to Alberta, the Opportunity Alberta website and guide is now available to help them decide. Newcomers will find their future in our province, and these translated resources will help them find the information they need. Whether they are coming to start a business, join our world-class schools, or find work, the support is here.
As part of the Alberta Advantage Immigration Strategy, the website and guide will help Alberta attract and support job-creating entrepreneurs and skilled graduates. Newcomers are an important part of Alberta’s economic future and supporting skilled workers with translated information is a critical step. Using the guide in their preferred language, people can learn more about initiatives like the government’s Alberta Advantage Immigration Program. There are many paths for the government to nominate people for permanent residency through streams focused on areas such as rural renewal, foreign graduates and temporary foreign workers. View this announcement online.
Alberta Bureau for International Education
The government is taking another step to implement Alberta’s International Education Strategy with a total investment of $1.5 million. From this funding, $1 million will be used to establish a new not-for-profit organization, the Alberta Bureau for International Education (ABIE). The ABIE will showcase the innovation and strength of our post-secondary system to talented students from around the world. It will also increase international learning opportunities for Alberta learners.
Fuelling Our Business Community
2022 Midnight Madness
The Medicine Hat & District Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with a downtown collective group of stakeholders, is pleased to launch Midnight Madness for 2022, taking place on November 18th, from 4:00 pm to 12:00 midnight. Midnight Madness is a yearly event that usually takes place a week before Black Friday to encourage people to shop early and support the local shops and owners within the downtown core.
The Medicine Hat & District Chamber of Commerce has focused its share of funding on reinvesting back into the business community to support business and promote and encourage the local first message. They will also be working with other partners, several downtown stakeholders, and community sponsors to bring this event to Medicine Hat again in 2022.
Check out activities, sales and promotions here:Â www.downtownmedicinehat.ca
The Power of Community
Labour Market Study Survey
Medicine Hat College is conducting a labour market study to provide key insight into the skills needed to fill positions in the current and changing labour market. According to the 2020 BREWD survey, 76% employers in this region have noted a gap between the skills they need from their workforce, and the skills that our region’s workforce currently possess. The labour market study seeks to identify which are skills needed for growing occupations in our region, and to quantify their demand.
To assist with identifying the skills required for employment, MHC and Academica Group, a national research firm specializing in higher education, have launched a survey to be completed by those employed in the Southeast Alberta region. The ten-minute survey asks participants about their current employment and the skills needed to stay in or advance their careers. On behalf of Medicine Hat College, please fill out this survey.
To encourage participation, those who complete the survey will be entered to win one of five $500 Amazon gift cards. The survey closes on October 12
Enriching Your Business
See all our Value Added Benefits!
Fill Up On Funding
Original Peoples Investment Program
This program is intended to provide one-time project funding to individual artists, collectives, and Indigenous-led and centred arts organizations in Treaty 7.
The Original Peoples Investment Program (OPIP) supports the preservation and revitalization of First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) art through art-based projects that are supported and validated by FNMI artists, community, Elders and Knowledge Keepers. We recognize and support both traditional and contemporary Indigenous artists and arts practices.
Total funding available for this program is $650,000.
Application Deadline: October 17, 2022: Original Peoples Investment Program
Engaging youth leaders to encourage organizations to apply for funding under the Youth Innovation Component of the Enabling Accessibility Fund.
The Enabling Accessibility Fund (EAF) Youth Innovation Component provides an opportunity for dynamic youth who want to demonstrate leadership and a commitment to their communities to have a direct impact in the lives of persons with disabilities. By becoming a Youth Accessibility Leader, you will promote the program and engage organizations to apply for its funding. You can do this by addressing accessibility barriers in public spaces or workplaces within your community. Through this work, you will volunteer your time to:
- create greater awareness about accessibility needs
- encourage organizations to apply for EAF funding to address existing accessibility barriers, and
- build a more inclusive and accessible Canada
Deadline: October 17, 2022 - Youth Innovation Component of the Enabling Accessibility Fund.
Alberta Export Expansion Program
The Alberta Export Expansion Program provides funding support to Alberta small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), municipalities, industry associations, Indigenous communities and economic development organizations promoting Alberta exports through:
- outbound international business travel
- bringing international buyers to Alberta
Eligible companies will be reimbursed in the form of a grant that may range from a minimum of $1,000 to a maximum of $25,000 per year for a select range of approved activities and expenses. Read More
Advocacy in Action
More dual credit opportunities for students
Alberta’s government is providing $4 million to school authorities across the province to create new dual credit opportunities or enhance existing dual credit courses for the 2022-23 school year. In June, school authorities were able to apply for one dual credit start-up grant of up to $50,000 and/or one dual credit enhancement grant of $100,000. Forty-three school authorities were successful in applying for the grants, including public, separate, First Nations, public charter, and accredited independent schools. A total of 61 grants will be allocated, of the 61 total grants, 18 school authorities will receive both grants, bringing the total number of school authorities receiving grants to 43. Read more
Read our advocacy efforts pertaining to this Provincial Policy
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
Next Level Events
2022 Startup Day
Join us on October 20th for Startup Canada’s #StartupDay2022 where we'll gather Canada's entrepreneurial ecosystem together in Ottawa. This flagship event will provide an opportunity to network with new individuals across Canada, hear from expert panelists, and cheer on the #StartupGlobal finalists as they compete to win from a prize pool of $75,000.
We have 25 Complimentary Tickets to give out, before registering please contact us for your code.
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