Your Weekly Tune Up
Fuel tax paused until December 31
Alberta’s government first introduced a pause on fuel taxes in April of 2022 and paused taxes again in January to help combat high inflation. Now, Albertans will continue to save the full 13-cent tax on every litre of gas and diesel regardless of oil prices until at least Dec. 31, thanks to another extension of the fuel tax pause.
View this announcement online
City Council approved recommendation to award the two-year 2024-2025 Family and Community Support Services Contract Funding as presented for a total of $670,000.
City Council adopted the minutes of the Public Services Committee meeting of June 12, 2023 into the corporate record and approved “a recommendation to award the two-year 2024-2025 Family and Community Support Services Contract Funding as presented for a total of $670,000”. Seven establishments were awarded funding, including Medicine Hat Family Service and Community Food Association of South Eastern Alberta. Read more here.
Upgrades in South Ridge Community Park begin
A substantial upgrade to the South Ridge Community Park along Stratton Way SE has begun and will last until the end of the 2023 construction season. Crews will replace irrigation lines, upgrade the washroom building and enhance landscaping. To achieve sustainable maintenance practices, the City of Medicine Hat is integrating alternative landscape principals including ecological and aesthetic features to encourage more livable parks and reduce water use.
Work will take place generally from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday, and Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., weather permitting. Residents in the near vicinity of the park will be contacted directly by letter. Read more here.
Advocacy in Action
May 2023 Hiring Bulletin Highlights
The Hiring Demand Bulletins provide information on labour demand in Alberta and some highlights based on the most recent data are as follows:
- In May 2023, there were 39,708 new job openings advertised by employers in Alberta’s online media.
- The number of job postings in Alberta grew by 6.2% (+2,312 postings) from April 2023 and are down 11.2% (-5,024 postings) from May 2022.
- Job postings increased from the previous month in all economic regions. Growth ranged from 2.5% (for both Calgary and Banff – Jasper – Rocky Mountain House) to 16.8% (Red Deer).
- In May 2023, job postings for full-time and part-time job postings were up 9.8% and 5.7%, respectively, compared to the previous month.
On a year-over-year basis, job postings rose for two out of ten occupation categories. Increases were recorded for health occupations (+10.6%) and occupations in education, law and social, community and government services (+6.9%), while decreases ranged from 8.2% (occupations in art, culture, recreation, and sport) to 22.4% (occupations in manufacturing and utilities).
Hiring Intentions Survey
The ACC network launched its latest Alberta Perspectives Survey, and has partnered with industry partners and the Government of Alberta to identify hiring challenges employers may be facing and answer important questions like: Do businesses have access to the appropriate skills and talent? What challenges do employers face when hiring workers? The Survey will take 4 minutes and results will be publicly available in the #ABPerspectives insight community Hub. Take our survey before the June 30th deadline.
https://www.albertaperspectives.ca/c/r/ab-hisjune2023-chambers
Next Level Events
Be apart of the 2024 Spring Home & Leisure Tradeshow
Our 2024 Spring Home & Leisure Tradeshow Exhibitors is happening from March 1-3rd 2024 and booths are selling very, very quickly! Don’t forget that if you are a Chamber member, you will automatically be given an additional 10% off when you enter your name/business into the registration form online. Our Spring Home & Leisure Tradeshow is a great opportunity for past and/or new exhibitors for marketing and to gain exposure in the community. Here is the up to date map so you can view the available spaces, and the 2024 Spring Home & Leisure Tradeshow Registration link. Find more information about the event in the registration link.
If you have any questions and/or problems registering, let us know!
Don't Miss Out: Save the Date!
We have some exciting events happening coming up that you'll definitely want to attend! Here are the dates, so write them on your calendar! More details to come.
- Downtown Chili Cook-Off | Saturday, July 15th | More Information
- Business Brainstorming & Beers | Thursday, July 13th | More Information
- Annual General Meeting (AGM) | November 30th
- Grand Openings | Support your local businesses! | More Information
BDC: 4 Seasons of Reconciliation Training
Learning about the relationship between Canada, Indigenous Peoples, and reconciliation is important to Canada, to us, and to your business. BDC is proud to partner with the First Nations University of Canada and Reconciliation Education to offer the 4 Seasons of Reconciliation training, available now at no cost to Canadian entrepreneurs.
Sign up today
Enriching Your Business
Fuelling the Business Community
New Members!
We would like to welcome Lara's Authentic Cuisine, and Waikiki Window Clean to the Chamber Family!
We continually look forward to helping our members during their business journey and wish each the best in all future endeavors. We are extremely happy to have such amazing members, and are very glad that we can serve a part in that journey! Keep your eye out for more new member posts moving forward!
Fill Up On Funding
National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association (NACCA)
NACCA is a network of over 50 Aboriginal Financial Institutions (AFIs) dedicated to stimulating economic growth for all Indigenous people in Canada. The AFI network has provided 50,000 loans totaling $3 billion to businesses owned by First Nations, Métis, and Inuit people. NACCA’s goal is to provide opportunities for Indigenous entrepreneurs and increase prosperity – both socially and economically – for Indigenous people in Canada. Learn more
Raven Indigenous Capital Partners
Raven Indigenous Capital Partners is on a mission to provide the capital and expertise for Indigenous entrepreneurs to thrive. As an Indigenous owned and led firm, Raven seeks to decolonize the investment process through providing culturally safe equity and equity-like financing to early and growth stage entrepreneurs. They facilitate the flow of capital through impact investing and support the ongoing revitalization of the Indigenous economy in Canada and the United States. Learn more
Shea Moisture Dream Fund: $10,000 Grant
Applications for the SheaMoisture Canada Dream Fund Grant are now OPEN. This year, SheaMoisture Canada will award FIVE remarkable Black, female-identifying entrepreneurs with a $10,000 grant each!
Apply now
Other Events
Grand Openings | Support your local businesses | More Information
May 30th-June 28th | Tween & Teen Programs at MH Public Library | Register
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