Your Weekly Tune Up: July 10 - 16, 2021
New vaccine lottery has great outdoor adventure prizes
The Outdoor Adventure Vaccine Lottery gives Albertans another incentive to get vaccinated as soon as possible. This includes fishing licences, Canmore Nordic Centre ski passes and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a special licence hunting tag for bighorn sheep, trophy pronghorn, elk or turkey.
Albertans can have a chance to win these outdoor prizes by receiving their first and second dose of COVID-19 vaccine and registering in the Outdoor Adventure Vaccine Lottery by 11:59 p.m. Sept. 10. Anyone who already registered for the Open for Summer Lottery will need to register again specifically for the Outdoor Adventure Vaccine Lottery if they want to win these prizes. Winners are expected to be announced on Sept. 17. These prizes are in addition to the cash and additional prizes previously announced in the Open for Summer Lottery. Albertans need to register separately for the Outdoor Adventure Vaccine Lottery by visiting alberta.ca/outdoorlottery. To book your COVID-19 vaccine, visit alberta.ca/vaccine to find available appointments with AHS or participating pharmacies. Select locations across the province are offering first-dose walk-in clinics. Find out more.
Albertan to Vote on Senators, Equalization, Daylight Saving Time
Albertans will have an opportunity to have their say on equalization and daylight saving time and elect nominees to the Senate when they vote on the fall municipal elections.
Over the past 25 years, Albertans have contributed more than $400 billion more to the nation in tax dollars than they have received in federal spending. Albertans make an immense contribution to equalization through federal tax contributions, which are transferred by the federal government to other provinces for programs and services. The current program has many issues, including a formula that requires it to grow automatically with Canada’s economy, even if contributing provinces like Alberta are experiencing immense economic challenges.
Across Canada and the United States, more governments are bringing forward legislation to move to permanent daylight saving time, also known as summer hours. In 2019, Service Alberta asked Albertans if they thought we should make a similar shift. More than 141,000 Albertans responded, of which 91 percent were in favour of year-round summer hours. Read More.
Alberta Education is enhancing student financial literacy for grades 7-12
In April 2021, Alberta’s government released a call for proposals totalling $1 million to deliver financial literacy programming to junior and senior high school students in the fall. As the successful applicants, Enriched Academy and Canadian Foundation for Economic Education will provide grades 7-12 students with a variety of opportunities to learn about financial literacy topics, such as money management, budgeting, credit and student loans. The programming will serve Alberta’s diverse student populations in both urban and rural communities, including First Nations, Métis and Inuit students. Both organizations will also provide professional learning opportunities for teachers and school leaders, including additional resources to facilitate financial literacy learning. Find out more.
Alberta to Start Lifting Remaining Continuing Care Restrictions
Thanks to vaccines, Alberta can take the next steps in safely lifting restrictions in continuing care while keeping some rules in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
To support the health and safety of residents and staff, Alberta’s government will take a two-phase approach for easing remaining measures provincewide. Read More.
Government of Canada Provides Additional Funding to Invest in Trade Corridor Projects
The Government of Canada is committed to strengthening Canada’s trade corridors, which helps to grow our economy, ensure its recovery, as well as create good middle class jobs.
On July 14th, the Minister of Transport, the Honourable Omar Alghabra, announced that the National Trade Corridors Fund has officially received additional funding of $1.9 billion and that projects can now be financed. Applications are now being accepted and assessed under the fund’s continuous call for proposals. Read More.
Government of Canada launches Task Force to review the Employment Equity Act
The Employment Equity Act is an important tool for Canada to promote fairness, equality and diversity in federally regulated workplaces. Since its introduction in 1986, continued progress has been made for the four designated groups covered by the Act. However, there is still work ahead to address inequalities and long-standing barriers that limit workers from reaching their full potential. The COVID-19 pandemic, recent tragedies and movements for social change have made this event clearer. Read More.
FCAC releases Make Change that Counts: National Financial Literacy Strategy
Strengthening the financial literacy of Canadians is essential to protect financial consumers and central to the mandate of the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC). On July 14, FCAC released a renewed National Financial Literacy Strategy - a five year plan to help Canadians build financial resilience. Learn More.
Federal Government delivers $5 billion in pandemic support to Provinces and Territories for Vaccines and Health Care
On July 14, the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, announced the payment of $5 billion to the provinces and territories, distributed equally per capita, to further support vaccination campaigns and ensure our health care systems remain resilient and responsive to Canadians’ needs. Read More.
Government of Canada launches Jobs and Growth Fund to Create Jobs and Foster Economic Activity in Canada’s Communities
As Canada works to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, the vitality of businesses and communities is key to our economic recovery. The Government of Canada has made the commitment to create 1 million jobs. Today’s investment aims to support the transition to a green economy, foster an inclusive recovery, enhance competitiveness and create jobs in every corner of the country. Read More.
Federal Government Launches Tourism Relief Fund to Help Tourism Businesses and Organizations Recover and Grow
Since the beginning of the pandemic, the Government of Canada has provided over $15.4 billion in direct support to the tourism sector. Budget 2021 committed an additional $1 billion to help the tourism sector prepare to welcome domestic travelers and reposition Canada as a world-class destination. Today, the Honourable Melanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages, launched $500-million in funding for the new Tourism Relief Fund. Eligible organizations can now submit applications to support the tourism sector, prepare to welcome back domestic travelers and reposition Canada as a world-class destination. Read More.
Government of Canada Confirms Ambitious New Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Target
On July 12, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, formally submitted Canada’s enhanced Nationally Determined COntribution (NDC) to the United Nations, committing Canada to cut its greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by 40 45 percent below 2005 levels in 2030. Read More.
Highlighting Alberta's high-quality food
Programs under the new Agriculture and Food Sustainability Assurance Initiative will help Alberta busineses showcase their high-quality products. The initiative provides funding for programs that verify and showcase the quality, safety and sustainability of the food produced by the province's farmers and companies.
Find out more about the Agriculture and Food Sustainability Assurance Initiative
Enriching Your Business
Three tips to keep your business insurance effective
It’s a well-known adage that the worst time to review your insurance policy is when you need it. Here are three tips to make sure your coverage – and your premiums – perform the best for you now, during and after an event. Read more
The Power of Community
#WeThrive | A New Campaign Launches with a Focus on Indigenous-owned Businesses
The Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB), EntrepreNorth, Pow Wow Pitch and Raven Indigenous Capital Partners have come together with Facebook Canada and Shopify to spotlight and celebrate Indigenous-owned businesses in Canada through a new campaign titled, #WeThrive.
- What is #WeThrive? Short for “WeThrive: Indigenous Buying Guide”, #WeThrive is a nation-wide, shoppable ad campaign aimed at consumers on Facebook and Instagram. Indigenous-owned businesses with a Shopify e-commerce store are invited to apply to submit their products to be featured in the three-week campaign at no cost.
- How can Indigenous entrepreneurs apply? Indigenous-owned businesses in Canada can apply to submit up to five products for inclusion, and there is no limit to the number of businesses that can participate.
Applications have opened and close on July 30, 2021.
Canadian Tourism Awards 2021 Nominations are Now Open
The Tourism Industry Association of Canada’s 2021 Canadian Tourism Awards (CTA) recognize the success, leadership, and innovation in our industry, as well as showcase the nation's best tourism products, services, and experiences. Nominations are now open in the following four categories:
- Air Canada Business Excellence Award
- Indigenous Tourism Award
- Sustainable Tourism Award
- Tourism Employee Appreciation Award
Due to the devastating effects of the pandemic felt by the entire tourism sector, any Canadian tourism-related product, business, initiative, event or service that occurred from June 1, 2019 to July 31, 2021 is eligible.
If you know a business, organization, event or individual who is deserving of a nomination, make sure to submit your nomination before August 31st.
Fill Up On Funding
The Jobs and Growth Fund is Now Open for Applications
On July 13, 2021, the Government of Canada launched a fund to help job creators and the organizations that support them to future-proof their businesses, build resiliency, and prepare for long-term growth. Announced in Budget 2021, Canada’s Regional Development Agencies are delivering $700 million national initiatives across Canada. Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) will deliver this program to help position western Canadian small- and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) for long-term growth by investing in projects that will:
- Support the transition to a green economy.
- Foster an inclusive recovery;
- Preserve Canada’s competitiveness and future-proof SMEs through digital adoption; and;
- Strengthen capacity in sectors critical to Canada’s recovery and growth.
For more information about the program or how to apply, please visit WD’s Jobs and Growth Fund website or contact a regional office.
Online calculator launched to help businesses apply for the new Canada Recovery Hiring Program
The Government of Canada launched an online calculator to help eligible employers prepare their CRHP applications. This calculator integrates the new CRHP with the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS), automatically showing applicants which subsidy will provide them with more support, based on the information they enter.
Advocacy in Action
Canadian Chamber Unveils BIPOC and Inclusion Council
Our new council, approved by our Board of Directors in June, will inform our initiatives in supporting BIPOC, drive meaningful action to address the identified challenges and opportunities BIPOC face in participating in the Canadian economy, share and recognize best practices and advocate for changes that facilitate diversity and inclusion.
We have repeatedly advocated that inclusion is a key economic driver. Improved participation rates could add 2.2 million workers to the labour force by 2040, including more women, Indigenous peoples and persons with disabilities, thereby growing our economy by $101 billion.
The Council is part of our broader Inclusive Growth Initiative which also focuses on women’s advocacy, mental health, and Canadians with disabilities.
C-208: What’s with the Government’s Block of this Legislation?
Parliament has spoken and made its desire clear to make the sale of a small business to family members as easy as a sale to an unrelated buyer. Bill C-208 addressed this discriminatory tax policy, only to see the new legislation’s implementation blocked. Our feeling is that the decision to shelve the legislation of Bill C-208 is highly unusual and the government should reverse this decision immediately.
This legislation would make it easier for succession planning, but it has now become stuck in a legislative limbo that makes it impossible for small business owners to effectively plan. This issue is so critical to Canadian small businesses that 97% of nearly 450 local chambers of commerce voted to make it a major policy focus at our policy convention. Read our statement
Supporting sustainable beef sector growth
Alberta’s government is partnering with the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association, Alberta Beef Producers and Alberta Cattle Feeders’ Association to undertake a competitiveness study that will provide important insights and data for this essential industry. This study will help the beef industry identify challenges and opportunities in their supply chain, including:
- Promoting transparency in cattle and wholesale beef markets.
- Supporting processor resiliency and plant reinvestment strategies.
- Expanding harvest capacity for small to medium-sized processors and identifying the supports required for this growth.
- Planning for surge capacity when events like the COVID-19 pandemic put stress on the food supply chain.
Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Devin Dreeshen also issued a statement in support of Alberta’s farmers and ranchers, particularly with the dry agricultural conditions, urging the federal government to recognize the hardships faced by Alberta’s producers. The Medicine Hat & District Chamber of Commerce has been advocating for improved risk management programs both provincially and federally since 2020.
The Medicine Hat & District Chamber of Commerce also recently adopted a policy on Supporting Farms of the Future, which has been submitted to the national Chamber. We hope the findings of this study will further support our advocacy efforts and the support needed for our agricultural industry moving forward. View our agriculture priorities here. Find additional ag supports through our website and subscribe to receive our agriculture updates.
Canadian Entrepreneur Mental Health and Wellbeing Report
As COVID cases rise and fall, so do the mental health and mindset of entrepreneurs. Compared to last November, more entrepreneurs in March have reported feeling in control of their situation (70% compared to 57%).
Unfortunately, members of certain entrepreneur groups, including women, visible minorities, young entrepreneurs, and those who have only partially or have not resumed business were more likely to report mental health and well-being challenges. Among the greatest stressors are cash flow, COVID’s impact on business operations, and COVID’s health impact on the entrepreneurs themselves and their families. Read the report
Made in Alberta, by Alberta
Alberta’s government is supporting our province’s economic recovery by helping farmers sell and market their products.
Agriculture and Forestry has developed a new Made in Alberta, by Albertans label that farmers and processors can use on their products. This label will help shoppers quickly identify food made in our province when choosing an item at their local farmers’ market or grocery store. Watch for the Made in Alberta, by Albertans label on products in the future. Learn More.
Highway 3 Twinning Development Association Survey
The Highway 3 Twinning Development Association (H3TDA) is a Community and Industry led initative in Southern Alberta that has been advocating for the twinning of Highway 3 for over 20 years. Much of the progress that has happened along the corridor, from twinned sections to upgraded intersections and passing lanes, has been because of the influence our members have brought to bear on the issue in Edmonton. The Medicine Hat & District Chamber of Commerce has aligned and supported the Highway 3 Twinning Association and advocacy efforts for several years, supporting progress with our voice. We encourage you to complete their survey to add to our advocacy efforts and have your voice heard.
Government of Canada Justice Draft Consultations
Participate now through letstalkopengov.ca/participate.
| Commitment | Consultation Start Date | Consultation End Date |
| Climate Change and Sustainable Growth | July 12, 2021 | August 2, 2021 |
| Combatting Disinformation and Safeguarding Fair Elections | July 12, 2021 | August 2, 2021 |
| Fiscal, Financial and Corporate Transparency - Open Contracting/Beneficial Ownership | July 19, 2021 | August 9, 2021 |
| Open Data for Results | July 19, 2021 | August 9, 2021 |
Next Level Events
Co-op Place Hosting Hiring Fair in August
Co-op Place is hosting a hiring fair for part-time food and beverage workers ahead of the upcoming events season. The drop-in style event will be held at Co-op Place on the following dates: Learn More.
- Wednesday, August 4 from 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm
- Saturday, August 7 from 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm
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
Find out More:
Chamber Events| Community Events| Training Events
Check out additional webinar series and on-demand content here
