Your Weekly Tune Up
Canadians can now view their Social Insurance Number online
As part of modernization efforts, Service Canada has improved the online My Service Canada Account (MSCA) to allow anyone with an account to view their Social Insurance Number (SIN) or view the status of their new SIN application securely online.
Applications now open for National Seniors Council
The Government is seeking a wide diversity of applicants from across the country to ensure that the National Seniors Council represents the diversity of seniors in Canada and brings together members with varying and complementary experience and expertise. Individuals who identify as or have experience working with immigrants, 2SLGBTQI+ people, women, visible minorities, equity-deserving individuals, Indigenous people or persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
Labour Market Information
Check out Alberta’s Occupational Outlook 2021-2030. Are you hiring? Contact us to post your job.
The provincial unemployment rate for July 2023 is 6.1%, slightly higher than the national rate of 5.5%.
Alberta’s labour force participation rate increased to 69.9% in July 2023 relative to the previous month.
Employment gains were highest in manufacturing, natural resources, and agriculture, which overwhelmed a pullback in construction.
Alberta’s average hourly wage for July 2023 holds steady at $34.72; however, wages were up 6.0% year over year, reflecting the huge monthly dip in July 2022. In July 2023, the number of job postings in Alberta fell by 2.8% (-1,084 postings) from June 2023 and are down 5.9% (-2,366 postings) from July 2022.
The largest decrease in demand ranged from 7.8 per cent (business, finance and administration occupations) to 26.9 per cent (natural resources, agriculture and related production occupations). Over the past month, the largest gains in job postings were attributed to the following occupations: food counter attendants, kitchen helpers and related support occupations (+211); Retail salespersons and visual merchandisers (+185); Cooks (+165); Retail sales supervisors (+149); and Food service supervisors (+134).
Advocacy in Action
Local Spending Tracker: July 2023 data update
The Local Spending Tracker provides timely monitoring of spending patterns across Canada. Unlike other sources, the high-frequency data provide granular insights for 35 locations, using a robust methodology that accounts for seasonality, inflation and population changes. The tracker’s leading indicators are highly correlated with official consumer spending statistics, but are available one month earlier, at a higher frequency and for more cities.
July 2023 Consumer Price Index: Inflation got hotter in July, but it was mostly expected
"As frustrating as today’s headline inflation figure of 3.3% may be – given it was up from 2.8% in June and higher than market expectations – the change of trajectory from recent months was not entirely surprising. So much of the downward momentum and cooling that we’ve seen over the past few months has been overstated progress from soaring gas prices a year ago. While those effects have now peaked – and heftier grocery bills, mortgage interest rate costs and energy prices remaining a pain point for Canadian consumers – we’re now getting a chance to focus on the real work that remains ahead."
Marwa Abdou, Senior Research Director, CCC | Read moreÂ
Next Level Events
AG Connections Conference
The Cypress County Ag Connections Conference Presented by MNP will take place November 22, 2023. The producer-focused event aims to support the growth, diversification, and sustainability of the agriculture industry in the region, through innovation and education. It will be held at the Medicine Hat Exhibition and Stampede Grounds and will welcome farmers, ranchers, and those in agriculture from across southern Alberta and Saskatchewan.
The event will feature over 15 ag-focused speakers discussing topics relevant to beef and crop producers. More information about the event can be found at www.cypresscountybusiness.ca. Registration will open Friday, September 1st and can be done online or at the county office.
Canada Alberta Job Grant Insights
Have you used the Canada Alberta Job Grant for your organizations training needs? Has it been a while? Join us September 27, 2023 at 10:00am to learn about the program and whether or not your organization qualifies.Â
The Canada-Alberta Job Grant is a training program where an employer applies on behalf of their present or future employees for eligible training costs. Employers decide who gets training and what type of training may be needed for their employees.
Enriching Your Business
Fueling the Business Community
• NEW MEMBERS •
We would like to welcome Foundation Training Centre to the Chamber Family! Check out their New Member reel here!
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!
• TESTIMONIALS •
"Since joining the Chamber of Commerce, I have found it to be a very helpful and supportive community. The staff have been an incredible help. Their insight and experience are of benefit to everyone. They were always a phone call away and always made me feel welcome. I am so glad I joined!"
- Sammy's Kitchen + Bar | More Testimonials
• 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: Share your Insights
Small Business Week (October 15 to 21) is a week celebrating the small businesses that fuel Canada’s economy. Fill out this form before August 31st with what advice, tips and tricks, and inspiration you would give out as a business owner/ entrepreneur.
DYK - As of 2021 data, there were 1.21 million employer businesses in Canada, and of these 1.19 million (97.9%) were small businesses. If you are a small business, we want to pick your brain and find out what advice you would share with other SMEs. We want to hear from business owners who have either been at the game for a long time or are new to game. What is your advice and what have you learned over your entrepreneurial journey? During Small Business Week, we’ll share your insights! Contact us and let us know.
Fill Up On Funding
Initial list of Western producers where Livestock Tax Deferral has been authorized
The Livestock Tax Deferral provision allows livestock producers who are forced to sell all or part of their breeding herd due to drought or excess moisture to defer a portion of their income from sales until the following tax year. The criteria for identifying regions for Livestock Tax Deferral is forage yields of less than 50% of the long-term average caused by drought or excess moisture. Learn more and view the 2023 initial list
TELUS Is Searching for Game-changing Business Owners
Apply for your chance to win $125,000 in funding, advertising and technology to fuel your business growth in TELUS’s #StandWithOwners program. Since 2020, TELUS has committed $3.5 million to #StandWithOwners, providing funding, technology and recognition to help them thrive in a digital world. Application deadline is September 6. Apply today
Women Founder Showcase Food & Agtech Edition
Is your company female-founded? Do you have a wonderful story, impressive traction and looking to fundraise in late 2023? CWN is hosting Founded in Canada a virtual Food and Agtech showcase connecting promising companies with US investors. Applications are now open. The deadline to apply is September 12, 2023. The showcase takes place on November 2nd.
Our Crossword Puzzle
Crossword Puzzle Answers
Did you figure it out? Here are the answers for our August 21st crossword puzzle!
Remember that if you subscribe to our weekly email, you get 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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