Your Weekly Tune Up

Photo by Clay Banks

Lowering Credit Card Transaction Fees for Small Businesses

The government intends to enter into negotiations with the payment card industry and businesses to lower credit card transaction fees for small businesses in a manner that does not adversely affect other businesses and protects existing reward points for consumers.

On November 3, the government published draft legislative amendments to the Payment Card Networks Act. Should the industry not come to an agreed solution in the months to come, the government will move forward with these draft legislative proposals in the new year and move forward on regulating credit card transaction fees.

Find out more

Doubling the GST Credit for Six Months

Starting November 4, 2022, an estimated 11 million low and modest-income current GST Credit recipients will automatically receive an additional payment. Single Canadians without children will receive up to an extra $234, and couples with two children will receive up to an extra $467. Seniors will receive an extra $225 on average.

Read the original press release.

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Eliminating Interest on Student Loans

The 2022 Fall Economic Statement proposes to eliminate interest on Canada Student Loans and Canada Apprentice Loans, including those currently being repaid, beginning on April 1, 2023, pending Royal Assent.

View the Government of Canada's 2022 Fall Economic Statement

Advocacy in Action

Canadian Chamber of Commerce - a letter from Canada’s business community

In an open letter signed by 32 business associations, the Canadian business community today called on the federal government to bring public sector employees back to their places of work as rapidly as possible. As COVID-19 transitions into an endemic phase, communities are seeking a return to normal economic activity and businesses are implementing return-to-work plans. However, some governments have been markedly slower in following suit. With inadequate public services regularly failing individual Canadians and businesses alike, the letter urges governments, starting with the federal government, to bring their employees back as quickly as possible. Read More about this news release.

Shot of a businesswoman delivering a presentation to her colleagues in the boardroom

South Zone Healthcare Planning

Alberta Health Services (AHS) is creating the South Zone Healthcare Plan to help shape the high-level strategic vision, direction, and clinical service plans for AHS’ South Zone for the next 10 to 15 years. The South Zone Healthcare Plan will be the road map for decision-making and prioritization to provide quality, accessible and sustainable health services. The development of this plan will require a zone-wide approach, reaching into the communities served by the zone to understand their unique perspectives and priorities.

To do that, AHS needs to hear from you. They invite everybody to share their ideas to service the health needs of the community now, and into the future. Start by taking their survey here, and register to receive updates - including when we will be meeting with communities - as this project progresses.

Have an Issue? Click Here

Next Level Events

Savour the Southeast - November 1st - 14th, 2022

Savour The Southeast celebrates our local food story one delicious bite — and sip at a time. From Nov. 1-14, participating restaurants celebrate their partnerships with local and regional producers. From farmers, ranchers, greenhouses and butcheries to breweries, distilleries and roasteries, local restaurants and cafes showcase the food and drink we have right here in Medicine Hat.

Presented by Verge Economic Development, Medicine Hat and District Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Medicine Hat, Savour The Southeast is in its 10th year. The two-week event is an opportunity to showcase our local food and drink. Importantly, it’s also an opportunity to highlight our regional producers and celebrate the restaurants and cafes who use local and regional producers. Working with local and regional producers is equal parts practical and sustainable. While these partnerships support our local economy, they also result in seasonal food and drinks that delight. Nothing brings people together, quite like a good meal! Strong coffee or a great beer tends to have the effect! So Savour The Southeast with us this November!

View Participating Eateries

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2022 Presidents' Reception + Membership Appreciation

Thursday, November 24, 2022 (5:00 PM - 7:00 PM)

Scott Lehr, President of the Medicine Hat & District Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors cordially invites you to attend our Annual General Meeting, Presidents' Reception and Membership Appreciation

Our Annual General Meeting, President’s Reception and Member Appreciation will feature appetizers, cash bar, and the opportunity to meet and network with Chamber of Commerce members, current/past Directors and Presidents of the Board, and the Chamber operations team and recognize members who are celebrating milestone anniversaries with the Chamber. Our Annual General Meeting follows the reception. Take a look back through the past year and learn how the Chamber of Commerce has played a pivotal role in our business community through our advocacy efforts, business engagement and member benefits programs.

CLICK TO VIEW ALL EVENTS!

Enriching Your Business

2022 Chambers Group Insurance Plan Lunch & Learn

Don’t miss out…..

Chambers Plan Lunch and Learn Event will be held in the Chamber Boardroom Wednesday, Nov 23, 2022, from 12:00-1:00 pm.

Is your small or medium-sized business currently looking into a Group Health & Dental Benefits 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 with 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 here early.

Hosted by: JoAnne Letkeman, Advisor, Brightan Financial Strategies Inc.

See all our Value Added Benefits!

Fuelling the Business Community

Provincial By-Election Forum: Brooks-Medicine Hat

Brooks-Medicine Hat will go to the polls on November 8th to elect the Brooks-Medicine Hat MLA. The Medicine Hat & District Chamber of Commerce has the opportunity and responsibility to provide an avenue to hear what your candidates have to say on issues affecting the business community. The Chamber hosted a moderated and business-focused Provincial By-Election Forum on Thursday, November 3rd for candidates running in Brooks-Medicine Hat Electoral District.

Make an informed decision and find out how to vote here

Watch the live recording of this forum here.

Leadership Breakfast

Wednesday, November 9th 2022 | 7:30 am - 9:30 am

Join us for our annual Leadership Breakfast bringing together representatives from all levels of government in our region. Connect with us, and our elected leaders, in an open dialogue and capitalize on the chance to influence the conversation. Evolving from the annual Mayor's Breakfast, we will bring together our MP, MLA, MLA elect, Mayor of Medicine Hat, Mayor of Redcliff, and the Reeve of Cypress County for a townhall style event that will offer our members an opportunity to connect with their elected representatives and gain insight into their activities. Learn More

Fill Up On Funding

Photo by Helena Lopes

Alberta Community Restorative Justice Grant

Apply for a grant to support and grow restorative justice initiatives and services in your community. The Alberta Community Restorative Justice (ACRJ) grant supports the delivery of direct restorative justice services. The grant may be used to finance the direct operation of a program. Grant uses include:

wages
program administration
training
associated operational costs

Find more about Eligible Applicants Here

Multiculturalism and anti-racism grant - Taking action against racism

Alberta’s Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Grant Program is intended to support community initiatives to increase cultural and cross-cultural awareness, and to educate Albertans to prevent and address racism.

The program promotes education and awareness about multiculturalism and anti-racism. It is not intended to address systemic racism and the barriers that limit full participation of Indigenous and racialized people in society, such as lack of affordable housing or barriers to accessing employment or healthcare.

Learn more about Alberta’s Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Grant Program.

Photo by Hannah Busing

Youth Internship Incentive Program (YIIP) Financial Incentive for Employers

The Youth Internship Incentive Program is designed to increase the number of employers supporting work-integrated learning internships in trades, technologies, and in-demand occupations. By providing a financial incentive for employers, this program will expand an employer’s ability to achieve their goals as well as to enhance opportunities for youth that align with Alberta’s skilled worker needs. Supporting employers who are new to offering CAREERS internships, supporting existing employers to expand their ability to provide more internships, and supporting employers across the province are the key targets.

Find out more here