Your Weekly Tune Up
Prioritizing water
Alberta’s government has chosen Hatch Ltd. to study the feasibility of building the Eyremore Dam on the Bow River. The project would be potentially located about 43 km downstream of the Bassano Dam, east of Brooks and Lake Newell. Hatch will begin the study immediately. The report is due in spring 2025. Find out more.
Investments into Water Innovation programs are finding ways to maximize water supply. One technology developed at the University of Alberta uses a granular sludge reactor to increase the amount of processed water that can be reused and recycled. It will also increase the performance and capacity of municipal water treatment facilities. The project is currently being piloted at a City of Calgary wastewater treatment plant and is showing promise. Find out more.
Chamber of Commerce Board Applications
As part of the Board of Director’s succession planning for the Medicine Hat & District Chamber of Commerce, nominations are held each year to actively seek out dedicated, community-minded individuals whose common goals and principles coincide with the Chamber of Commerce and the organization’s mandate. The Board of Directors assist in stimulating a strengthened and vibrant economy in our region through our connections, support & influence and help further our mission in the Medicine Hat & District area.
We are currently looking for energetic, enthusiastic and progressive Board members who have the desire to sustain and grow a strong business environment in our community. Successful candidates should be prepared to assist the Chamber of Commerce in accomplishing its goals and objectives and be willing to contribute to formulating policies for the betterment of our business community and advocating for those positions on behalf of our region.
The Board is looking for individuals who are keenly aware of local, provincial and federal issues that affect our business climate and are able to respond to them in a reasonable, professional and discreet manner.
In addition, we encourage individuals who are interested in becoming involved in the Chamber of Commerce to volunteer by sitting on a committee or task force as a way to gain experience and become familiar with our organization and our mandate prior to becoming a Board of Director.
If you are interested in volunteer opportunities with the Chamber of Commerce, please take a moment to fill out our Volunteer Form.
To ensure the Chamber maintains a fair and democratic process, we rely on and encourage our members to provide us with potential nominees for our Board, which are then elected by our members. If you or someone you know is interested in working with the Chamber of Commerce Board to accomplish our vision and mission and would like to submit their name for election to the Board, please fill out the online nomination form or download the nomination package HERE.
Any nominee shall be a member in good standing for a minimum of two years, free of any conflict of interest and be willing and able to attend board meetings. In addition, it is highly desirable that candidates should be able to demonstrate a familiarity with the Chamber of Commerce’s activities and a level of involvement that demonstrates an ongoing commitment to the Chamber of Commerce’s goals and objectives.
All nominations are due by Wednesday, May 1, 2024 at 12:00 noon. Should you have any questions, please contact the Chamber office at 403.527.5214 ext 222 or president@medicinehatchamber.com.
Recognizing Alberta's agricultural leaders
Every two years, Alberta’s Agriculture Hall of Fame recognizes up to three individuals whose outstanding leadership, innovation and business practices have advanced Alberta’s agriculture and food industry at the provincial level or beyond.
Susan Lacombe, program coordinator with the Hall of Fame, says the 141 men and women named to the Hall of Fame since its inception in 1951 exemplify agricultural leadership and accomplishment. The nomination deadline is May 3, 2024.
Advocacy in Action
More control over provincial immigration system
Premier Smith has written to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau urging a reconsideration of the federal government's decision to limit Alberta's Provincial Nominee Program allocations for 2024 to 9,750, the same as in 2023 and fewer than the originally allocated 10,140. Alberta, despite comprising just under 12% of Canada's population, leads the nation in net employment growth.
Learn more ACC Refining Immigration Programs to Supercharge Economic Growth Policy
Progress for Class 1 drivers
Alberta’s government is improving Class 1 licensing and training with a new, made-in-Alberta learning pathway for professional truck drivers. Mandatory Entry Level Training (MELT) became a new pre-licensing requirement for Class 1 commercial drivers in Alberta on March 1, 2019. Since then, insurance claims have risen for Class 1 drivers and MELT has been identified by the trucking industry as one of the leading factors contributing to the ongoing commercial driver shortage, increasing time and costs for the driver recruitment process.
The Medicine Hat & District Chamber of Commerce has been advocating to Government on our recommendations to Address the Truck Driver Shortage Through a Redesign of Class 1 Driver Training with many of our recommendations adopted by the Government.
Our Chamber consulted with several businesses and industry professionals in the creation of our recommendations including the insurance industry, training providers, companies that employ truck drivers, agriculture, as well as the Alberta Motor Transport Association and the Insurance Bureau of Canada.
We are pleased to see that in addition to creating an apprenticeship-style training, the new learning pathway also responds to the unique needs of Alberta farmers by exempting them and their immediate family from the requirement for pre-licence training and providing them a farm-restricted Class 1 driver’s licence.
This new farm-restricted Class 1 driver’s licence will allow farmers and their immediate family members to operate Class 1 vehicles within Alberta only, and for authorized farm purposes only. Farmers who are eligible for the new farm restricted Class 1 driver’s licence must still complete a knowledge test, road test and vision screening, and submit a driver medical assessment to demonstrate they can safely drive Class 1 vehicles. The farmer exemption will be implemented April 1.
We are also pleased that Budget 2024 invests $41 million over three years ($5 million in 2024-25 and $18 million in each of 2025-26 and 2026-27) in new funding to set up a commercial driver training grant that will support the implementation of a made-in-Alberta learning pathway. Read the full Government Press Release
Two ways to make the most of the Capital Cost Allowance program
The end is near for two temporary changes to the federal Capital Cost Allowance. As you file your personal tax returns for 2023 and 2024, it’s worth considering one last time how these enhancements can be used on your farms.
The temporary changes enacted in 2018 are the Accelerated Investment Incentive and the Immediate Expensing of Capital Expenditures. They were enacted to incentivize business owners, including farmers, to invest capital in their businesses and, therefore, stimulate the economy. The programs change how the CCA can be claimed on personal income tax returns in the first year of use for certain classes of capital assets.
Use of both programs is optional, but as you file your individual tax returns that include capital expenditures in 2023 and 2024, there are some details and considerations to keep in mind. Read more here.
Next Level Events
Construction Prompt Payment and Adjudication Seminar
When: Thursday, April 18, 2024 @ 10:30 am - 11:30 am
The seminar, hosted as a joint initiative between the Medicine Hat Construction Association and Medicine Hat & District Chamber of Commerce, will provide current information on construction adjudication, introduced to Alberta in August 2022 under the Prompt Payment and Construction Lien Act (PPCLA) and the Prompt Payment and Adjudication Regulation (the Regulation).
The focus will be to enhance awareness on some procedural fundamentals, the benefits of using adjudication, the operations of ARCANA (AB) (currently Alberta’s only appointed nominating authority), and some suggestions regarding possible amendments of the PPCLA and its regulations. Check out more details and register here
Art Room Gallery at RE/MAX Medalta Real Estate - Member Evening
The Medicine Hat & District Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with RE/MAX Medalta Real Estate and The Art Room, invites you to a member-exclusive evening of fine art created by local artists, networking, food & drink.
Visit the new Art Room gallery at RE/MAX Medalta Real Estate and meet the four contemporary southern Alberta Artists who make up this group. This collaboration is new to Medicine Hat and sure to be a destination for art lovers, local business supporters, and visitors to our City. The Artists will be in attendance along with RE/MAX Medalta Real Estate Realtors.
Chamber of Commerce Luncheon: Premier Danielle Smith
The Medicine Hat & District Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce a luncheon and presentation/ Q&A with Premier Danielle Smith on May 2nd at 11:00am - 1:30pm. Register here.
Event Agenda:
11:00 - Doors open and networking
11:30 - Welcome & Introductions
11:45 - Buffet Lunch served
12:15 - Premier Danielle Smith: Presentation followed by Q & A
1:00 - Closing Comments
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 three businesses to the Chamber Family! SafeLink Alberta Society | Rita's First Aid Training | VVS Mobile
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!
Check out Methanex’s 2023 Sustainability Report
Methanex Corporation is the world’s largest producer and supplier of methanol. Their top priority continues to be the safety and well-being of team members and communities where they do business.
Methanex’s 2023 Sustainability Report covers the company’s progress against their five sustainability commitments:
- Advancing low-carbon solutions
- Protecting people and the environment
- Fostering inclusion and community connection
- Transporting methanol safely and responsibly
- Working with integrity
Learn more in the 2023 Sustainability Report.
640 Professional Building rebranding to Regus Medicine Hat
Luc Beriault and his wife Jean, who started the hybrid workspace some 15 years ago, will remain on as management for the rebranded 640 Professional building. Read more on Chat TV here
-Commercial Opportunities-
City of Medicine Hat Bid for Emissions Monitoring
CMH24-34 - 2024 Emissions Monitoring and Regulatory Reporting for the COMH Aggregate Conventional Oil & Gas Facility. Closing Date: Apr 9, 2024 2:00 PM. Find out more.
Chamber of Commerce: RFP’s
https://chamber.medicinehatchamber.com/rfp
Looking for business opportunities or land for sale
Check out the current listings from member companies who have real estate (both commercial & residential), office furniture, or commercial items they wish to sell or liquidate. If you are a member and have property, office space or office furniture or equipment you would like to sell, contact us or login to your member portal to post your items for free. https://chamber.medicinehatchamber.com/buyandsell
Fill Up On Funding
Alberta Government: Funding for non-profits
Information, resources and financial assistance for non-profit organizations! On this page, there is information and resources to support non-profit and charitable organizations find, apply for or access funding opportunities.
Find funding opportunities or get help applying for a grant!
Alberta Business Grants Ltd: Grants are Open
170+ grants are open! As the government fiscal-year begins, you’ll see exciting things happening in grants. Check out the list of grants below to stay updated on grants in your space...
1. Federal and provincial fiscal years have begun April 1.
2. 15 days until the next Advanced Grant Writing Course starts.
3. An open-grant database with over 1,800 grants is available.
Crossword Puzzle
Crossword Puzzle Answers
Did you figure it out? Here are the answers for the March 25th 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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