Your Weekly Tune Up
Nominations open for Alberta’s highest honour
Albertans are encouraged to nominate remarkable community members, leaders and innovators for membership in the Alberta Order of Excellence. The Order is the province’s highest honour and recognizes citizens who have made a significant and lasting contribution to their communities. Nominations are accepted year-round, but must be received by Feb. 15 to be considered for investiture this year. Information about the Order, including nomination guidelines, nomination forms and biographies of previous inductees is available on the Alberta Order of Excellence website.
New and updated OHS resources
Visit the OHS Resource Portal for bulletins, infographics and recorded webinars supporting workplace health and safety in Alberta. Updated resources include:
Check out the additional resources on mental health in the workplace, working in the cold and employment standards webinars in the recent OHS News.
Are you running a multilevel marketing business? Beware of potential tax schemes!
The CRA is always on the lookout for tax schemes and opportunities to warn Canadians about them. Has someone encouraged your small business to deduct personal expenses and claim business losses to offset taxable income? If so, this might be related to a tax scheme involving multilevel marketing (MLM). For more information on tax schemes and MLM tax schemes, visit this CRA tax tip.
Update on Alberta’s fuel tax relief program
Alberta’s government paused the collection of the provincial fuel tax on gasoline and diesel from January to the end of 2023 and committed to providing relief after that when oil prices are high. The provincial oil price-based fuel tax relief program will be reinstated on Jan. 1, with a rule limiting rate increases to a maximum of nine cents per litre each quarter. As a result, Albertans will continue to save four cents per litre on gas and diesel in the first three months of 2024, with the fuel tax applied at a reduced rate of nine cents per litre. After that, Albertans will save some or all of the provincial fuel tax when WTI prices average $80 per barrel or higher in each quarterly review period. Find out more.
Advocacy in Action
Municipal Red Tape Research Results
The Municipal Red Tape and Business Supports report was released earlier this week. Between September 27th and October 13th, 2023, an online survey was completed by local businesses through the province’s 108 local Chambers of Commerce. In all, 450 businesses participated in the research. Key findings:
- Almost two-thirds of businesses have a positive outlook on Alberta's long-term future.
- Nearly all businesses express concern over electricity prices
- Business investment to grow operations is on the rise
- Business operators find planning and development bylaws complex
The Labour Force Survey (LFS) reports for December 2023 have been released.
Key Highlights: Alberta labour market remains resilient
- Employment in Alberta increased by 6,700 in December compared to the previous month and was 93,600 greater than the same time last year.
- The unemployment rate rose to 6.3 per cent as 17,200 more people participated in the labour market.
- Part-time employment rose by 35,600, exceeding the decline in full-time employment (-28,700).
- Month-over-month increase was driven by increase in the private sector (23,100, 1.4 per cent). However, the number of self-employed and public sector employees declined over the same period.
Alberta Labour Force Highlights - December 2023: https://open.alberta.ca/publications/1205-0709
Alberta Indigenous Labour Force Highlights - December 2023: https://open.alberta.ca/publications/3094714-highlights
Curious about what we were up to last year for Advocacy in Action?
As an organization, we know that the relationships we have with our government bodies can lead to fruitful collaboration, ultimately resulting in a better overall environment that will allow our businesses to thrive. We aim to ensure that our member's voices are heard while knowing that our influence with government, earned through mutual respect, integrity, and authenticity, can be precarious, so we continue to collaborate with government to effectively advocate for our members and create balanced solutions. With over 2000 hours spent in advocacy and 31 Government meetings, along with 9 advocacy related events and various committee meetings, we are seeking to further this work and the relationships build in 2024. Find out more here!
Next Level Events
New Members Night - Member 101
New to the Chamber? It's time to blast off and get you started!
Join us at The Cypress Club of Medicine Hat for the inaugural New Members Welcome Night and Member 101. Network with your peers, meet other business owners and enjoy this historic ambience of the Club with us on January 30th.
This is for members that have signed up in 2023, or new owners of an existing business, or new managers in their position, or even if you just need a refresh on what the chamber can offer your business and how you can get more involved. More details and registration here (spots are limited)!
2024 State of the City Address
The Annual State of the City Address 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 2024. Join us as we reflect on the accomplishments of our community during 2023, 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. More information, registration and details here!
2024 Home + Leisure Tradeshow is happening soon!
A few months away and coming up FAST!! With over 60% of booths sold, there is still prime space available and it's going fast. Bulk space for large exhibitors and food truck space are also available on a limited basis. With thousands of consumers visiting the shows over the course of three days these trade shows give an incredible opportunity to gain exposure for your business, demonstrate and sell products, and showcase your services. Register now and save your space!
Enriching Your Business
There's a reason Chambers Plan is Canada's #1 plan.
Contact JoAnne Letkeman,
Exclusive Chamber Group Advisor,
403-504-2166 ext 1.
Fueling the Business Community
• NEW MEMBERS •
We would like to welcome The Skin Studio 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!
Grand Openings happening soon
January has a couple grand openings (and re-openings) happening, so pop on over to support those local businesses around you! Check out which ones you can attend or see if you're interested in any other Chamber events:
Limited-Time Promotion for New Chamber Members!
$100 Statement Credit for New Chamber Members, promotion period: January 1st to 31st, 2024.
Throughout the month of January, any new member who signs up through our Chamber Referral Program will receive a $100 statement credit! This exclusive offer is available for a limited time!
How Members Can Participate:
- Submit a web inquiry through the Elavon Chamber landing page here,
- Our dedicated sales representatives will promptly reach out for a consultation within 24- 48 hours,
- Complete the sign-up process by January 31st, 2024, and members will be qualified to receive $100 Statement credit.
• WHY BECOME A MEMBER? •
Walking into a fresh new year, why not start it out by taking action in making your business the best it can be? Here's a fresh reminder for you on why your Chamber Membership is beneficial:
Your Chamber of Commerce is your local hub for TONS of business resources, funding, connections and networking, extra marketing to promote your business, member to member deals, the list goes on!! Need a more specific look at what we offer you? Check out the links below for what member benefits and deals look like! Need further convincing, want to connect with us, ready to utilize your resources or are ready to become a member? Connect with us!
Reasons to Become a Member | Member Benefits | Member Exclusive Deals
Fill Up On Funding
Community Vibrancy Grant is accepting applications for 2024
The City will begin accepting applications for its Community Vibrancy – Community Projects and Activities grant on Jan. 8 through to Feb. 7, 2024, at 3 p.m.
For more information on grant guidelines and to apply now visit, medicinehat.ca/grants.
The City values community activities and events as they bolster community spirit, emphasize opportunities that contribute to quality of life, and enhance a sense of belonging to a community that is welcoming, safe, resilient, and full of opportunity.
The Community Vibrancy Grant is available to non-profit organizations whose project or events support one or more of the following objectives:
- Promote vibrancy, energy, and enthusiasm in the community of Medicine Hat,
- Emphasize the community and celebrate living in the community,
- Promote recreation, leisure, social, arts, cultural, or opportunities that contribute to the well-being and quality of life in Medicine Hat,
- Create increase knowledge of community,
- Deepen awareness of opportunities and challenges, and the factors that impact change,
- Increase appreciation for the community,
- Generate interest for residents to get more actively involved in their community, and
- Promote a sense of belonging in the community.
The Ecosystem Fund
The Ecosystem Fund has been designed to assist non-profit organizations that collaborate with and support 2SLGBTQI+ entrepreneurs. These organizations are now eligible to apply individually or together with a partner organization for funding to fuel two core categories of projects. Find out more about the program and how to apply.
Canada Summer Jobs 2024: Application period open until January 10
Employers from not-for-profit organizations, the public sector, and private sector organizations with 50 or fewer full-time employees in Canada can apply for funding to hire young Canadians aged 15 - 30 next summer. The application deadline is January 10, 2024. Learn more
Crossword Puzzle
Crossword Puzzle Answers
Did you figure it out? Here are the answers for the January 2nd crossword puzzle.
Remember that subscribing to our weekly email gets you access to the crossword puzzle. Anyone who sends us their answers will get their name put into our quarterly draw.
The prize? Receive 5 promotional credits with us (for members) or credit towards a membership (for non-members)! Oh and bragging rights that you're a crossword master.
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