Your Weekly Tune Up
Congratulations to new City Manager, Ann MitchellÂ
Mitchell will vacate her current position as Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) of Lethbridge County where she has served in the role since 2018. Prior to that, she was the CAO in the Municipality of Sioux Lookout from 2012-2018, the Township of Pelee, Ontario, from 2008-2012 and the Township of Prince, Ontario from 2005-2008. She holds a Master of Arts in Leadership from Royal Roads University, as well as a Master Certificate in Municipal Management from the Schulich School of Business at York University, an Executive Diploma in Municipal Management, a Diploma in Municipal Administration, and is a Certified Municipal Officer.
Updates to Alberta’s Occupational Health and Safety CodeÂ
After consulting with employers, workers and health and safety professionals, Alberta’s government will implement changes to parts of the Occupational Health and Safety Code (OHS Code). Updates to the OHS code include harmonizing language, reducing duplication and adopting best practices in the eight updated parts. The changes will take effect on March 31, 2023. A three-year review plan is now in place to chart out which parts of the OHS Code will be reviewed next and to ensure the OHS Code is kept current. Learn moreÂ
Maximum pensionable earnings for 2023Â
The maximum pensionable earnings under the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) for 2023 will be $66,600—up from $64,900 in 2022. The new ceiling was calculated according to a CPP legislated formula that takes into account the growth in average weekly wages and salaries in Canada.Â
For more information check out CPP contribution rates, maximums and exemptions.Â
Business Council of Alberta: Priorities for Managing Alberta’s Future Revenue Alberta’s Future Revenue SurplusesÂ
The BCA has created a proposal to allocate Alberta's surpluses that balance short-term opportunities with long-term sustainability. In this report, BCA recommends Three key priorities that do just that. These Three Big Rocks are:Â Â
- Investment: $1 billion in the Heritage Fund each year for the next two yearsÂ
- Debt: Use 80% of the remaining surplus to pay down the provincial debtÂ
- Strategy: Use 20% of the remaining surplus to invest in a fund for strategic priorities and projectsÂ
Building up the rural Alberta economyÂ
Rural Alberta is a driving force in the economy. The new Economic Development in Rural Alberta Plan will complement current government initiatives while supporting diversification and job opportunities in rural communities.Â
The five-year plan focuses on key issues in rural Alberta, including economic development-enabling infrastructure, rural business support and entrepreneurship, support for the labour force and skills development, marketing and promoting rural tourism, and rural economic development capacity building. Learn moreÂ
Advocacy in Action
Alberta Budget 2023 consultation
Albertans can provide feedback to help set the direction of the provincial budget. Your input will help inform the development of Budget 2023, which will be released in February 2023. You can provide your insight by completing the survey or via written submission, the links to both are available in the chat.
Chambers of commerce, industry associations, community organizations, municipalities and other groups can also submit letters or reports online outlining their budget priorities. Submissions will not be shared publicly.
Next Level Events
2023 State of the City
The annual State of the City event is where you can learn about the City's progress over the past year and get informed about what's in store for the community in 2023. Join us as we reflect on the accomplishments of our community during a tumultuous 2022, and be the first to hear what the City of Medicine Hat has in store for the coming year including exciting new projects, opportunities for development, and vision for the future. This event will be held at the Medicine Hat Lodge Janurary 24th 2023. Doors will open at 11:00am followed by lunch and the event from 12:00-1:30 pm. Tickets for this event are $64 + gst which includes your meal and registration. If you are a Chamber Member please remember to log in during registration to take advantage of your discount! Register Here
Drone Conference: Alberta’s Economy Taking Flight
Hybrid 1-day event. Live in Medicine Hat with satellite events hosted across Alberta. Save The Date: FEB 16, 2023.
Projections put the global commercial drone market on track to grow from $8.15 billion in 2022 to $47.38 billion by 2029 (Fortune Business Insights, 2022). Alberta is a Canadian leader in Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS), often called drones. But how do we capitalize on this growing, multi-billion-dollar sector? Drone Conference Brings together RPAS (drone) stakeholders, industry (such as Ag, Energy, Mining, Forestry, and Safety), municipalities, policymakers, post-secondary institutions and regional innovation networks across Alberta to highlight the projects and growth opportunities in the RPAS (drone) sector.
Powered by Alberta Innovates, APEX Alberta and the Regional Innovation Networks across the province. Speakers and conference agenda will be released soon—signup to receive conference updates and save your seat at apexalberta.ca/drones.
Enriching Your Business
See all our Value Added Benefits!
Fuelling the Business Community
Food and Beverage Expo
The Medicine Hat & District Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce its major sponsorship for the 2023 Alberta Food & Beverage Expo. The highly anticipated Food & Beverage Expo is set to return on February 25th, 2023. Read the full press release.
The Medicine Hat & District Chamber of Commerce is offering member businesses the opportunity to be promoted at the event and will be creating a Local First advertising book that will be handed out to attendees free of charge. These ad spots will allow any type of business to offer deals, coupons, or general promotions at the event. Interested members of the Chamber can reach out to communications@medicinehatchamber.com for information on pricing and details.
Our Home & Leisure Tradeshow is back! March 3rd, 4th, & 5th of 2023
Booth registration is officially open for our 2023 Home & Leisure Show! We will be running a FULL SHOW meaning we will be utilizing all 3 areas of the Cypress Centre as well as returning to our original date of the first weekend of March. Our tradeshow booths are always a high demand so please consider registering sooner rather than later to get the best spaces available as they fill quickly!
Chamber members receive -10% off their booth registration! Register Here. This year we have included amazing package add-ons for your booths like on site PSA Announcements, Social Media Packages, and even custom Drone videos of your booth to be used as promo for the weekend!
Looking to get involved in a different way? Perhaps sponsorship is the way to go!
In addition to exhibitors, we are looking for several sponsors. We have a lot of amazing sponsorship opportunities as it takes a big team to put on such a large-scale and well attended event. We would like to extend these offers out to our membership first, then to the public. By sponsoring you can receive amazing benefits such as, logo recognition on event marketing, at the event, ads in our show guides, complimentary show tickets, and the opportunity to hang your own banners in the show, and in our exclusive Exhibitor Lounge. View Sponsorship Opportunities!
Fill Up On Funding
Improving connectivity in AlbertaÂ
The Alberta Broadband Fund (ABF) is now accepting applications for its first funding stream. The ABF has two funding streams that each target a different priority: covering areas not experiencing minimal federal target speeds, despite federal service map claims, and communities who did not apply or qualify for the UBF. The ABF will accept applications in three intakes:Â Â
Stream 1 will focus on closing community connectivity gaps and will have two intakes:Â Â
- The Service Availability Challenges intake will support communities where delivered internet speeds are below the federal target of 50 megabits per second (Mbps) for downloads and 10 Mbps for uploads, despite federally mapped service availability claims indicating target speeds are available.Â
- The Community / Internet Service Provider (ISP) Applications intake will fund net-new applications in underserved communities that did not apply or were not eligible for the UBF.Â
Stream 2 will provide underserved households with a one-time grant to offset the costs of adopting high-speed internet. Find out moreÂ
Funding: Apprenticeship Incentive Grant for Women – What this grant offersÂ
The Apprenticeship Incentive Grant for Women (AIG-W) helps you pay for expenses while you train as an apprentice in a Designated Red Seal Trade where women are underrepresented.Â
- The AIG-W is a taxable grant worth $3,000 per level, awarded to registered apprenticesÂ
- You must complete your first year/level (or equivalent) to apply for the AIG‑WÂ
- You can apply for this grant twice during your training (for a maximum of $6,000)Â
- You can apply for your second AIG-W after completing your second year/level (or equivalent) of trainingÂ
$50 million Industrial Transformation Challenge  Â
The Government of Alberta is committing up to $50 million through Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA) for the Industrial Transformation Challenge, focused on technology solutions that are currently not in widespread commercial use and will need significant investment, testing, and scale-up. Funding is open to applicants from across Alberta’s industrial sectors, including petrochemical, agriculture, forest products, manufacturing, energy, and more. The application deadline is Thursday, January 19, 2023, at 5 p.mÂ
Other Resources
MNP 2022 year-end tax considerations
Business Owner's Toolbox: Top 19 Privacy Compliance Tips for SMBs: Find it in our Start up Canada Business Owner’s Toolbox: https://www.medicinehatchamber.com/localbusinesstoolkit/ Â
Other Events
A glimpse into the minds of our customers: Jan 24
99 Problems But Value Prop Ain't One: Jan 31
Drone Conference: Feb 16
Canadian Hydrogen Convention: April 25-27
Useful Links
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