Your Weekly Tune Up

New Medicine Hat Economic Development Department approved

Selena McLean-Moore, Director of Economic Development, presented to City Council on September 18 on the proposed structure of the City’s economic development department. Following the presentation, City Council approved the new structure and name. Medicine Hat Economic Development will support four key pillars; Business Retention and Expansion; Workforce Development; Investment Attraction; and Investment and Growth Readiness. The department will employ 6.5 staff dedicated to the four pillars. If you are interested in learning more about the department framework and pillars you can view the council presentation here at the 1:08 mark. They are also moving forward on a Southeast Alberta Economic Opportunity Strategy and Implementation Framework (Regional Strategy)with five other

partner municipalities. Each municipality will have a member on the Steering Committee who will support the planning and implementation of the project. The RFP was posted for the Regional Strategy and submissions will be accepted until October 31, 2023.

Enhanced GST Rental Rebate to build more apartments for renters

The government of Canada will introduce legislation to enhance the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Rental Rebate on new purpose-built rental housing, to incentivize construction of much-needed rental homes for Canadians.

To build more rental housing, the removal of GST will apply to new purpose-built rental housing, such as apartment buildings, student housing, and senior residences built specifically for long-term rental accommodation.

This enhancement increases the GST Rental Rebate from 36 per cent to 100 per cent and removes the existing GST Rental Rebate phase-out thresholds for purpose-built rental housing projects. The enhanced GST Rental Rebate will apply to projects that begin construction on or after September 14, 2023, and on or before December 31, 2030, and complete construction by December 31, 2035.

Commemorating the signing of Treaty 7

On September 22, 1877, Treaty 7 was signed at the site of Soyopowahko on the Bow River, which is now commonly called Blackfoot Crossing. As the basis of the formal relationship between the Crown and the Siksika, Kainai, Piikani, Stoney Nakoda and Tsuut’ina First Nations, Treaty 7 is a historic agreement.

Treaty 7 is one of 11 treaties signed in Canada, and one of seven treaties signed in the West between 1871 and 1877. While Treaty 7 was initially signed on Sept. 22, 1877, some Blackfoot leaders who were not present signed on Dec. 4, 1877.

Treaty 7 territory stretches across 130,000 square kilometres of land in southern Alberta, from the Rocky Mountains in the west to Cypress Hills in the east, and from Red Deer River in the north to the U.S border in the south. The treaty signifies a pact to share the land and a commitment to foster mutually respectful relationships.

In 2007, 130 years after the treaty was first signed, the Blackfoot Crossing Interpretive Centre opened on this site, bringing ancient culture to new audiences and provides incredible information, history and experiences. Our Chamber had the opportunity to visit Blackfoot Crossing for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in 2022 and had the opportunity to learn from Elders and visit the site of the signing of Treaty 7. It is definitely an opportunity to experience in Southeast Alberta!

Changes to Express Entry through category-based selection

Canada announced the first round of invitations for transport occupations through category-based selection in Express Entry. This focus on candidates with experience in the transport sector-including commercial truck drivers, pilots and aircraft assembly workers-will help the sector attract the skilled talent it needs across the country.

Advocacy in Action

Housing Accelerator Fund

City Council approved a resolution to support the City of Medicine Hat’s Housing Accelerator Fund application, including proposed action plan initiatives, as presented. The Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) is a new $4 billion federal funding program administered by Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation for municipalities to incentivize the implementation of local initiatives that remove barriers and accelerate the growth of housing supply. See this and other Council highlights from the September 18 meeting.

Your pension, your choice

Albertans will be able to review an independent report on the potential creation of an Alberta Pension Plan ahead of provincewide engagement. The government is asking Albertans to review the report findings, ask questions and provide feedback on what the next steps should be.

Over the fall and into spring 2024, an engagement panel will gather feedback from Albertans on their thoughts, suggestions and concerns about a provincial pension plan. The panel will submit a report to government based on the provincewide engagement. A referendum indicating support from a majority of Albertans would be required to pursue an APP.

The government also plans to introduce legislation in the fall 2023

session that, if passed, would require a referendum before the province could withdraw assets from the CPP to establish an APP. It would also guarantee the same or lower contributions, and the same or better benefits for seniors. It would ensure the assets transferred can only be used to provide a pension. Having legislation in place will safeguard Albertans’ pensions and benefits for generations to come. Learn more.

How to farm education guide for teachers unveiled

A Farm Ed Toolkit, created by the Rural Development Network, is now available. It is a how-to guide that allows teachers to incorporate more agricultural education into their classroom or the outdoor environments of their schools. The toolkit was funded by a grant through the agriculture literacy vein of the Canadian Agriculture Partnership.

Next Level Events

See you Thursday for Learn from the Experts!

Learn from the Experts, sponsored by McNally’s Tap House, is THIS WEEK and we want to see you there! We’re inviting you to meet with industry experts focused on different topics to ask questions specific to YOUR business. Leave satisfied not only with answers but from the delicious food and drink that we’ll have at McNally’s!

Register for the event this Thursday, September 28th, 2023 at 7:00 PM-9:00 PM for a drink and talk about how to make your business thrive!

Hurry and register here!

Don’t miss out on Business, Brainstorming & Beers!

Can’t wait until 7:00 PM for Learn from the Experts? Join us beforehand for Business, Brainstorming & Beers; same date, same place! Get warmed up for the experts by solving problems with the Chamber at 5:00 PM-7:00 PM at McNally’s Taphouse!

Business Growth Trade Show

We know you have a million things to do. Make finding free programs easy! Life as an entrepreneur can be a whirlwind. You can be so busy working in your business that you never have time to work on it. We hear you, and you’re not alone.

The Business Growth Trade Show is designed to be a one-stop information event where entrepreneurs like you can find grants, workforce support, business expertise, and more. We just need you to come and discover all that’s available for you. Take a step towards mastering the chaos of entrepreneurship by connecting with the right people and programs. We hope to see you there!

P.S. Sign up now to be entered for some amazing prizes at the event. Learn more | Sign up Now

Cypress County Ag Connections Conference

Calling All Cattle and Crop Producers in Southern Alberta! The Cypress County Ag Connections Conference Presented by MNP on November 22nd is tailor-made for YOU! Here’s what you can expect:

Industry Insights: Learn about the latest trends and innovations in cattle and crop production from our lineup of over 18 expert speakers.

Networking: Connect with fellow producers and industry leaders to share experiences, ideas, and opportunities.

Keynote Speaker: Be inspired by Lesley Kelly, grain farmer and mental health advocate.

Special Guest: Premier Danielle Smith will be there, discussing the future of agriculture in Alberta.

Tradeshow: Explore a bustling tradeshow featuring agricultural businesses, where you can discover new tools, technologies, and solutions for your operation.

Plus, we’ve got breakfast and lunch covered! For just $40, you’ll get access to all this and more.
Don’t miss out on this chance to supercharge your operation. Grab your tickets at www.cypresscountybusiness.ca and let’s grow together! CLICK TO VIEW ALL EVENTS!

Enriching Your Business

There’s a reason Chambers Plan is Canada’s #1 plan.

Contact JoAnne Letkeman,
Exclusive Chamber Group Advisor,
403-504-2166 ext 1.

Chambers Plan is much more than health insurance.

Alongside standard benefits like dental, health & life insurance, all Chambers Plan programs include free value-added services like access to HR, legal and financial professionals. Get a quote.

Ideal for businesses with 1-50 employees, our flexible and personalized group benefits are designed to meet your business’s changing needs and budget with:

Plans that hold Health options include Teladoc® telemedicine virtual care services.
Business Assistance Service (BAS), access to professional accounting, counselling, legal and human resource experts who understand the challenges faced by small business owners.
my-benefits health®, a health and wellness resource site for all employees provided through my-benefits, Chambers Plan’s online benefit management platform.
Best Doctors®, connecting individuals and their treating physician to world renowned specialists to obtain an expert medical opinion on an existing diagnosis and treatment plan.

Customizable coverage of benefits program to meet their needs. More here.

Find a Job Value Added Benefits Post a Job

Fueling the Business Community

• NEW MEMBERS •

We would like to welcome Red Rock HR Ltd. 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!

Small Business week: Share your Insights

In the spirit of Small Business Week (October 15-21) we are looking to celebrate small business owners. We want to pick their brains and find out what advice they would share from the SME trenches. We want to hear from business owners that have been at the game for a long time or those who are new to game. What is your advice and what have you learned over your entrepreneurial journey? During Small Business Week, we’ll share their insights! Email us at communications@medicinehatchamber.com and share any tips and advice that could help other entrepreneurs. Please share your tips and advice by September 29. Contact us and let us know.

Short-Term Employment Forecast Validation Project

The Short-Term Employment Forecast (STEF) is an annual publication providing a three-year overview of occupations expected to be in demand in Alberta. Businesses, governments, and the public use STEF to plan and build productive and effective workforces.
They are seeking your input to ensure the results of the 2023-2025 STEF accurately reflect the unique labour market conditions specific to each local or regional area. Your feedback will be used to flag occupations where demand prospects based on the STEF do not align with anecdotal experiences, informing us that further investigation may be required. Please share by end of September. Complete the survey here.

Medicine Hat’s Historic Monarch Theatre to Reopen Under New Ownership

The historic Monarch Theatre in Medicine Hat will soon light up its marquee once again. This iconic movie theatre, (built in 1911 and considered to be Canada’s oldest surviving movie theatre) and loved by the local community for generations, has been sold by the City of Medicine Hat to a newly formed non-profit organization known as the Monarch 1911 Society.

The Monarch 1911 Society, operates in conjunction with The Rotary Clubs of Medicine Hat, and the theatre will be managed by Plugged-In Media (A local live-video and podcast production company with deep roots in the art community). Together, the altruistic mission rests on giving back a portion of annual revenues generated from theatre operations, grant-funding and private donations directly into communities around Medicine Hat through grants made available to community organizations by the society.

While hosting a limited number of special events over recent years since the dissolution of the CCDA, this nostalgic building had seen more quiet days than bustling ones. Now under new management it stands ready to change its focus from only movies, to hosting regular cultural events and celebrations as a community arts center. These events will include (but are not limited to) classic and indy movie screenings, concert performances, spoken word presentations, commercial events as well as private functions like weddings and birthday parties.

Medicine Hatters can look forward to an exciting calendar filled with engaging experiences that will pay homage to the Monarch’s historic past. Fittingly, the grand opening, which is planned to be a screening of Luke Fandrich’s newly-completed “Your Cinema Needs You” documentary about the theatre itself, will be announced soon.

It’s clear that welcoming another century of memories inside the walls of Medicine Hat’s crown jewel remains the top priority for this incredible journey which has been in the works for a very long time and starts very soon!

For additional details or inquiries get in touch with Rob Pape, Theatre Manager, 403-928-8432, robpape@themonarch.net

Fill Up On Funding

Coming Soon: Free Shipping Tuesdays – Canada Post

Canada Post is celebrating small businesses throughout October with Free Shipping Tuesday! This small business month, small businesses can ship for free on Tuesdays, enjoy free pickups and earn chances to win a year of free shipping with Canada Post! Become a Canada Post Solutions for Small Business member today to take part in the festivities.

Founder’s Fund 2023 Pitch Fund Applications

The Founder’s Fund is accepting pitch applications for a chance to win first place ($7,000 grant & $5,000 services package), second place ($2,000 grant), or third place ($1,000 grant). Even if you’re not chosen as a finalist every applicant receives feedback on how they can improve for next time. Apply before October 12, 2023.

Alberta Mission to CES 2024: Deadline to Apply – October 31, 2023

The Registration Portal for Canadian companies to add their profile to the 2024 TCS CES B2B Profiles eBooklet is now open! The Profiles eBooklet will have between 100-150 companies that will ultimately register. The Trade Commissioners Services officers attending CES will distribute the booklet to local contacts who will be going to CES. Companies should write their profiles in a way that is clear and persuasive to have a value proposition for their targets. Investors will review the booklet, indicating which companies they want to meet in Las Vegas. Officers from Austria, South Korea, Taiwan, and the United States will be actively participating in the program, bringing with them a diverse group of buyers and investors from their respective regions. Please complete the registration form by Tuesday, October 31, 2023. Find out more about CES.

Crossword Puzzle

Crossword Puzzle Answers

Did you figure it out? Here are the answers for our September 18th 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!