Your Weekly Tune Up
Canadian Food Inspection Agency launches consultation on origin labelling of imported foods from contested territories.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has launched a consultation with consumers and other interested stakeholders to obtain feedback on how to label the origin of imported food from contested territories.
The CFIA would like to hear from you. Canadians and other interested stakeholders are encouraged to read the consultation document and provide feedback on this question:
- For food products from contested territories, would having the geographic region or territory where the food product was produced noted on the label help clarify where the product came from so that the label is not considered "false or misleading" under Canadian labelling regulations?
Learn more | Share your feedback
Canada announces First-Ever Express Entry invitations for French-speaking newcomers
Canada's Express Entry system is now tailored to provide a streamlined and efficient pathway for French-speaking immigrants.
This focus on French-speaking newcomers will help promote the French language and address labour shortages in communities outside of Quebec. Learn more here
$12 Million Federal Investment to Drive Environmental, Economic and Social Sustainability in Canada's Beef Sector
The Beef Cattle Research Council (BCRC) is welcoming more than $12 million in funding from the Government of Canada for Canada's Beef and Forage AgriScience Cluster under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership - AgriScience Program. The AgriScience Cluster funding will bolster the Canadian beef sector's environmental and economic sustainability and resilience as the sector adapts to changing climates and evolving marketplaces.
Alberta beef producer and BCRC Chair Craig Lehr said the results from this AgriScience Cluster will benefit farmers, ranchers, processors, retailers and consumers, as well as the broader Canadian population. Read more here
Advocacy in Action
Union, employer reach tentative 4-year deal to end B.C. port strike
The 13-day B.C. port strike appears to be over after the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada and the B.C. Maritime Employers Association agreed to a tentative four-year deal on Thursday morning, both parties have confirmed.
According to a statement from the union, the agreement came just 10 minutes before the 10:30 a.m. PT deadline for reviewing recommended settlement terms from a federal mediator.
Investing in strong regional economies
As part of Budget 2023, the Northern and Regional Economic Development (NRED) Program is receiving $9 million over the next three years to support more projects that help deliver business supports, boost labour force attraction and retention, enhance Alberta's tourism ad build capacity for economic growth.
The program provides up to 50 per cent of total eligible project costs. Projects led by Indigenous communities will receive up to 75 per cent of total eligible project costs. Find out more here.
As a Chamber of Commerce, we were pleased to see the City of Medicine Hat was on the recipient list for Southern Alberta, receiving a $200,000 grant to develop a regional economic development strategy.
The Chamber has been advocating for an economic development strategy since 2012 and we are pleased to see this announcement to assist the process to improve the regional capability to attraction and retain economic growth in southeast Alberta.Â
Next Level Events
You don't want to miss out! Stay updated!
Keep an eye out for what's happening around your community, you don't want to miss out on a grand opening or networking opportunity for your business! Coming up...
- Business Brainstorming & Beers | Thursday, July 27th
- Annual General Meeting (AGM) | November 30th
- Grand Openings | Support local businesses! | More Information
- Take a Look | Chamber Events Calendar
- See You There | Community Events Calendar
Enriching Your Business
Fuelling the Business Community
New Members!
We would like to welcome Vintage Iron E-Cycles Medicine Hat and Southern Rewind 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!
The 2023 Southeast Alberta Vital Signs survey is now live! :
Please help the Community Foundation circulate this far and wide! The survey will be open until the end of August and the report will be launched in October! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfHvi-T8jeQNewyenvWzEj8gxVTtsEGHeARWOzHWpuyJ75uTQ/viewform?usp=sf_link
Fill Up On Funding
SheBoot goes national: Evolution into a national non-profit organization
SheBoot is the investment-ready bootcamp that prepares women founders to pitch their businesses and secure investment. They just announced their official evolution into a national non-profit organization! The program is scaling more broadly to help fuel the growth and success of women founders across the country.
Read the press release and get ready for their intake in 2024: https://sheboot.ca/
Nomz $10,000 Grant
The Nomz is a grant for Indigenous Entrepreneurs or Businesses in Canada to receive funding that will go towards their business growth, marketing efforts, materials, and startup costs. Submissions close on September 8th, 2023.
The winning recipient will be selected based on their impact on the community, potential for business growth, and alignment with the values and goals of the grant and will be officially announced on September 22nd!
Other Events
July 26th | Start-Up Women: Content Marketing through Storytelling | Register
July 27th | Webinar: Exporting to Mexico and Latin America with free trade | Register
October 26th | 2023 CANIE Awards" Innovation & Entrepreneurs Foundation | Apply Now
Grand Openings | Support your local businesses | More Information
March 2024 | Home + Leisure Tradeshow | Register
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