Your Weekly Tune Up
Changes to lab service delivery in Alberta
An agreement in principle has been reached with ownership of DynaLIFE to transfer staff, equipment and property in all regions of the province to Alberta Precision Laboratories. This work will be completed in phases with the full transition expected to be completed by December 2023. Albertans will continue to get their lab testing done at the same locations during this transition and additional appointments in Calgary and other areas will continue to be added as planned. All existing appointments and lab services will continue to be provided as scheduled and additional capacity will be added in the immediate future.
At this time, Albertans can continue to book their lab appointments online or by calling 1-877-702-4486. View this announcement.
BBB Business Tip: Top 10 scams targeting small businesses
Scams can impact every business, regardless of location, size, or industry. But they are especially a problem for small businesses. Local businesses and start-ups often don’t have the cyber security support or established accounting processes of larger companies. This can make them more vulnerable to scams. Fortunately, knowledge is the best protection. If you own or work for a small business, stay informed about these common scams and report them if your business is targeted.
Find out about these common Small Business Scams and tips to avoid them through the BBB.
Canada Border Services Agency Assessment and Revenue Management (CARM)
In October 2023, the CARM Release 2 system will be available for selected industry partners who want to test their own internal systems, and for software service providers to continue to certify their software with CARM. CARM will help to protect and grow trade and revenue collected at the border each year by providing Canadian businesses an online self-service tool and simplified importing processes. Learn more.
Advocacy in Action
Policy Matters: A Blueprint for a Stronger Economy.
Did you ever wonder how the government plans its spending?
Think of a Government budget as a financial map outlining a government’s priorities . But before provincial or federal budgets are finalized, there’s a consultation period when stakeholders representing every sector of the economy share their insights and recommendations. These insights are shared through Pre-Budget Submissions to the government, which allow stakeholders to share their sector-specific expertise and recommendations.
Each year, Chambers provincially and federally send a collective submission on behalf of Chambers, which is followed by a letter to the Minister of Finance. Check out the Canadian Chamber’s insights.
Technical Briefings: Recognized Employer PilotÂ
On August 8, 2023, the Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development, and Official Languages, announced the Recognized Employer Pilot (REP), a three-year pilot initiative to address labour shortages and how it will cut red tape for repeat employers who meet the highest standards of worker protections, while not undermining efforts to improve worker protections. Opportunities for technical briefing sessions will be available for interested stakeholders, who may convey their request for a briefing to: edsc.dgce.tet-tfw.seb.esdc@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
 REP is intended to help employers address current labour shortages across many sectors and occupations, create greater stability in the economy, and build a stronger Canadian workforce for today and tomorrow.
Have your Say: Powering Canada Forward
Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Jonathan Wilkinson, released Powering Canada Forward, the federal government’s vision for transforming Canada’s electricity sector, to decarbonize grids by 2035, keep electricity systems reliable and ensure household energy costs are affordable. Minister of Environment and Climate Change Steven Guilbeault in collaboration with Minister Wilkinson, announced draft Clean Electricity Regulations.
August 19, 2023, marked the beginning of a 75-day public consultation process. Final regulations are expected in 2024. Have your say.
Next Level Events
Medicine Hat Ribfest THIS WEEKEND
Medicine Hat Ribfest is an annual 3-day community fundraising event. It brings together food vendors, live music and family-friendly activities. This year we will have 4 AWESOME NATIONAL AWARD WINNING RIB VENDORS along with a variety of other food trucks on site offering delicious food. This should be the BIGGEST RIBFEST Medicine Hat has ever seen!
Check out their website here!
Have questions? Call (403) 487-4860 or email event@mhribfest.com
Business, Brainstorming & Beers
Join the Chamber this FRIDAY as we do Business, Brainstorming & Beers at the Ribfest Beer Gardens this week! Start off Ribfest weekend with a drink and conversation. Whether it's business growth, workforce challenges, new business opportunities, regulatory hurdles, or anything else, we are all about finding solutions. Come have a drink with us and solve the world's problems! Register here
Enriching Your Business
Fueling the Business Community
• NEW MEMBERS •
We would like to welcome Windmill Garden Centre and John's Butterfly House and Teas R Me 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!
• MEMBER REELS •
Interested in seeing more about our new members? We make a special reel for each one, posted to our Facebook and Instagram! We capture their space, what they do, and who they are and put it all together into a short video. Want to see some of the past ones? Check some of the summer ones here...
Platinum Beauty Bar | Windmill Garden Centre & John's Butterfly House | Holtom Tile & Renovations |  My Harmony Wellness
Cloud King | Virtunurse | The House on Second
Small Business Week: Feedback Due August 31st
The Canadian Chamber of Commerce is planning their Small Business Week for October 15-21 and want to hear from you, our members, to seek what small businesses to highlight. Fill out this form before August 31st with what advice, tips and tricks, and inspiration you would give out as a business owner/ entrepreneur.
Questions? You can reach out to jhagen@chamber.ca
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. The maximum loan amount for a borrower is $1.15 million.
Up to a maximum of $1,000,000 for term loans for any one borrower, of which no more than $500,000 can be used for purchasing leasehold improvements or improving leased property and purchasing or improving new or used equipment and of that amount, a maximum of $150,000 could be used for intangible assets and working capital costs. Up to a maximum of $150,000 for lines of credit. Financial institutions deliver the program and are solely responsible for approving the loan.  Pamphlet | Learn more
Funding to employ youth in natural and cultural heritage conservation
The Government of Canada announced $7.54 million in funding over two years to employ youth in natural and cultural heritage conservation with partner organizations. Through funding from the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy, more than 1150 youth across the country will be working with Parks Canada’s partners over two years, to promote conservation of natural and cultural heritage, restore healthy ecosystems and help address the impacts of climate change. Youth employment opportunities are now open. Youth and employers interested in this program can learn more at:
Project Learning Tree Canada  |  Canadian Parks and Recreation Association  |  Nature Canada  |  ICOMOS Canada
Innovation Catalyst Grant
The grant will provide $20 million over five years to not only support Alberta’s science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) PhD and Masters graduates with starting up their own cutting-edge company, it will also help create jobs, attract investment and continue Alberta’s economic momentum. The program awards up to $250,000 over two years to successful applicants to encourage company creation, technology commercialization and economic diversification while connecting them to business and technical mentorship and access to labs at Alberta universities.
The Innovation Catalyst Grant has annual intakes in 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025 and is administered by the University of Alberta,Â
University of Calgary and University of Lethbridge with participation and oversight by the Ministry of Technology and Innovation. The program is currently accepting a second round of applications. The deadline to apply is Sept.15. Find out more.
Other Events
August 24th | Canadian Greentech Mission to Hong Kong for Eco Expo Asia | Info Session
September 12th-14th | Carbon Capture Canada pan Canadian Convention | Register
September 13th | EDA Attracting Remote Workers - Why and How Webinar | More Information
September 16th | Women in Business: 2nd Annual WIB Expo | Register
September 27th | Startup Women: How I Raised My First 100K - And I What Did Next | Register
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