Your Weekly Tune Up: July 3 - 9, 2021
Cabinet Changes Support Economic Recovery and Renewal
Premier Jason Kenney has announced several changes to cabinet and welcomed six new members to further support Alberta’s economic recovery. Read more
Diversifying Alberta's Agricultural Sector
Alberta's government is focused on building a strong agriculture sector that creates jobs and attracts investment in sustainable value-added processing.
The governments of Canada and Alberta are supporting the Alberta Hemp Alliance (AHA) with a one-time grant to establish a provincial industry association for hemp processing with more than $300,000 over two years (2021-2023) through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership. Read more
Rent Support for 35,500 Alberta households in Need
The governments of Alberta and Canada will provide rent support to 35,500 low-income Alberta households in need through the Canada-Alberta Housing Benefit. Read More.
Emergency Protection for Communities Targeted by Hate
Emergency grant applications for the Alberta Security Infrastructure Program are now open to reduce the risk of hate and bias-motivated crimes targeting facilities used by groups of vulnerable Albertans.
In light of recent multiple acts of vandalism at places of worship and the suspected arson that burned a church to the ground, emergency funding will be immediately available to facilities at risk of hate or bias-related crimes. The funding is for cases where an immediate threat is identified and there is evidence to support that threat. Read More.
Expanding EMS Transport Locations to Reduce Wait Times.
Albertans requiring emergency medical services (EMS) can now be transported to alternative care locations instead of emergency departments so more ambulances can get back on the road faster. Read more.
Alberta 2030: Expanding work-integrated learning
Alberta’s government is helping fund new on-the-job learning opportunities for post-secondary students, helping to build job-ready skills and increase access to talent for employers. Read more.
Cheers to Cutting Red Tape
Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) will reach the Alberta government’s red tape reduction target of one-third, almost two years ahead of schedule. Cutting more than 7,500 pieces of red tape for this industry has removed unnecessary restrictions on liquor sales, promoted responsible and safe drinking in designated parks and helped many businesses survive the recent pandemic. Read More.
Diversifying Alberta’s Agricultural Sector
Alberta’s government is focused on building a strong agriculture sector that creates jobs and attracts investment in sustainable value-added processing. Read more.
Government of Canada accepting applications to fund clean technology for fisheries and aquaculture industries.
Clean technology and innovation are essential components of the government’s plan to boost sustainable economic growth while fighting climate change, including in our ocean sectors. Read more.
Government of Canada COVID-19 Update for Indigenous Peoples and Communities, week of July 5.
Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) is committed to supporting Indigenous communities in their response to COVID-19 and continues to work closely with Indigenous organizations and provincial and territorial governments. As of July 5, 2021, Canada and partners reported an incredible accomplishment in their vaccination efforts, with more than 49,454,782 COVID-19 vaccine doses being distributed across the country. As of July 6, 2021, in First Nations communities with available information, over 87% of individuals aged 18 and older have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and over 55% have received two doses. Read More.
Important Amendments to the Public Service Employment Act
On June 29, Bill C-30, an Act to implement certain provisions of the budget, received Royal Assent. The bill contains amendments to the Public Service Employment Act that aim to strengthen diversity and inclusion, and address biases and barriers by equity-seeking groups. Read More.
Funding Announcement Regarding the Revitalization of Indigenous Laws
Terry Dugid, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, on behalf of Honourable David Lametti, P.C., Q.C., Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, will make funding announcements related to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action 50. Parliamentary Secretary Duguid will be joined by Vice Chief Edward Lerat from Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations. Read More.
Government of Canada announces that the Pay Equity Act will come into force on August 31, 2021.
The implementation of the Pay Equity Act is an important part of the Government of Canada’s commitment to close the gender wage gap and ensure that workers will receive equal pay for work of equal value. It will put into place long-term, sustainable changes that will ensure that women’s work is valued and compensated fairly, now and into the future. This is especially significant as the Government of Canada works to ensure an inclusive economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Read More.
More Online Registry Services now Available
Albertans can now order specialty licence plates and renew their commercial and farm vehicle registrations online.
Alberta’s government brought four registry services online on June 27. In addition to specialty plates and commercial and farm vehicle renewals, Albertans can now conveniently order in-transit permits and duplicate vehicle registration certificates online.
The four new online services are available through the MyAlberta eServices portal, alongside other online registry services such as one-year passenger vehicle registration renewals, birth certificate ordering and fine payments. Albertans need to have a verified MyAlberta Digital ID to order the products online.
Enriching Your Business
Alberta’s Open for Summer Plan, Stage 3
Alberta’s Open for Summer Plan safely eased restrictions in 3 stages as vaccination targets were reached and hospitalizations declined.
Alberta entered Stage 3 on July 1. All public health measures have now been lifted except for isolation/quarantine requirements and masking requirements in health care settings and public transit. Read More.
Fuelling Our Business Community
The Medicine Hat & District Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the 2021 Chamber Business Awards nominees.
The Medicine Hat & District Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the 2021 Chamber Business Awards nominees. Held during National Small Business Week, which runs from October 17 - 23, the annual awards provide an opportunity for Medicine Hat and Southeast Alberta to recognize the outstanding achievements of our business community. After a rigorous nomination process, our nominees have been finalized.
A total of 14 awards, including the prestigious Award of Excellence, will be presented at the 21st annual Business Awards on October 22nd Additionally, our local categories align with the Alberta Business Awards of Distinction. Local nominees are submitted by the Medicine Hat & District Chamber of Commerce for recognition at this prestigious provincial awards ceremony. Read More.
The Power of Community
Customer Service & Sales Skills Certificate
The program will take place in September. The three day course will be delivered online.
Click Here to see the video clip and hear Customer Service & Sales Skills Instructor/Facilitator Darlene Jenkins talk about how improving your Customer Service can and will improve your Sales! Read More.
Fill Up On Funding
Canada Small Business Financing Program
The Canada Small Business Financing Program makes it easier for small businesses to get loans from financial institutions by sharing the risk with lenders. Read More.
First Responders’ Mental Health Grants
Apply for funding to provide or improve services for first responders living with or at risk for post-traumatic stress injuries (PTSI). Alberta’s firefighters, police officers, paramedics, sheriffs, corrections officers and emergency health care workers often deal with stressful, dangerous and traumatic situations. This stress has a negative impact on first responders and emergency health care workers. They often experience post-traumatic stress injuries (PTSI) at significantly higher rates than the general population. The deadline to apply is August 3, 2021 and successful applicants will be notified in eary 2022. Read More.
Canadian Agricultural Partnership Water Program Accepting Applications
This program supports primary producers enhancing agricultural water management to support continued growth and long-term success of the agriculture industry, with a focus on on-farm irrigation projects and on-farm water supply projects.
New programs under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership will support economic recovery and growth and reduce red tape. Read More.
Advocacy in Action
Levelling Up with Telus
In this first episode of our five-part series on the digital divide, Sam Andreyand Helaina Gaspard talk about the complications, challenges, and solutions in increasing digital access and adoption for all Canadians.
COVID-19 has exacerbated the digital divide—the gap between Canadians who have reliable, fast broadband Internet access and those who don’t. We discuss what we can do to close it. Listen Now.
Cyber. Right. Now. Campaign Launches
As hackers increasingly target pipelines, power grids, email accounts, and businesses, Canada is losing its tech leadership position. And time is of the essence. Recent data from the Canadian Survey on Business Conditions shows that 1 in 5 Canadian organizations experienced cybersecurity incidents in 2020. This includes 6.6% that experienced more cybersecurity incidents in 2020 compared to 2019. Further, 1 in 4 organizations reported that adopting technologies was “somewhat” or “extremely” challenging. Read More.
Next Level Events
Canada Recovery Hiring Program (CRHP) Q&A Session
With the recently announced Canada Recovery Hiring Program (CRHP), hard-hit businesses will be able to hire the workers they need to recover as local economies reopen. The CRHP supports payroll as businesses grow, whether it’s related to hiring staff, increasing shifts, or increasing overall pay. Read More.
Inventures 2021: Bold Ideas Unleashed
Inventures 2021 is 72 hours of nonstop creative collisions. From awe-inspiring keynotes and expert panels, to thrilling startup pitches and informal networking. Make connections, strike deals and launch creative ideas into overdrive!
Register now for the live Inventures experience in Calgary, September 22-24, 2021-just $199! Included is year-round access to live stream and local Inventures Unbound events and archived content. Read More.
July 13
2021: A Year of Economic Recovery, with RBC | Register
July 15
Diversity and Inclusion is Good for Business | Register
July 22
Establishing an Ownership Council and Policies | Register
July 29
Email Best Practices for non-profits | Register
August 10, 11
AgSmart at Olds College | Register
August 12
How Solar Can Participate in Alberta's Carbon Market | Register
Series
Succession Planning Webinar Series (May 11-June 22) | Register or watch again
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