Your Weekly Tune Up
Are you aware of the Utilities Consumer Advocate?
If you need help with your electricity or natural gas bill, the Utilities Consumer Advocate (UCA) is here to help you better understand Alberta's unique utility market and advocate on your behalf. For information on choosing utility services, to book an educational presentation, or to learn more about our services for Albertans, farms and small businesses, visit ucahelps.alberta.ca.
Alberta Perspectives Survey from the ACC
Is local crime affecting your business? What do you want your next municipal council to focus on? In advance of the 2025 municipal elections, we're focusing on local business priorities and supports in your community.
Sharing your insights will take approximately 5 minutes and help our network advocate on behalf of your business with local and provincial government for the year ahead.
The survey is open until 5:00 PM on October 4th: https://research.albertaperspectives.ca/jfe/form/SV_1KTfMFL3Xm2kuou?Q_DL=wpOY0SKHEfR4rup_1KTfMFL3Xm2kuou_CGC_Y1otJGrnmirasJd&Q_CHL=email
Your responses will remain anonymous and help us advocate in your local community. If you can't click the link, please copy and paste the URL below: https://research.albertaperspectives.ca/jfe/form/SV_1KTfMFL3Xm2kuou?Q_DL=wpOY0SKHEfR4rup_1KTfMFL3Xm2kuou_CGC_Y1otJGrnmirasJd&Q_CHL=email
Intermunicipal Committee Announces Update to Intermunicipal Development Plan
Members of the Intermunicipal Committee, which includes the City of Medicine Hat, Cypress County and Town of Redcliff, held a press conference today in Cypress County council chambers to announce an upcoming update to the Tri-Area Intermunicipal Development Plan (IDP). https://www.medicinehat.ca/en/news/intermunicipal-committee-announces-update-to-intermunicipal-development-plan.aspx
Advocacy in Action
Report released on public feedback to proposed OHS Code changes
Alberta's government periodically reviews and updates the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Code to ensure workplace health and safety rules keep pace with new best practices, standards and technology. This review process includes public engagement.
Earlier this year, Albertans shared their feedback on the latest group of proposed changes to the OHS Code. That feedback has been compiled into a "What we heard" report, which is now available online.
To see the report, visit open.alberta.ca/publications/ohs-code-review-engagement-what-we-heard.
More information about the code review is available at alberta.ca/ohs-code-review. Additionally, if you have questions, suggestions for upcoming OHS Code review topics or have identified errors with the legislation, you can send an email to OHSreview@gov.ab.ca
Growing mental health education across Alberta
Alberta's government is investing almost $10 million over three years to create more spaces to train mental health professionals at post-secondary institutions across the province, including in Southeast Alberta. Find out more.
The Southeast Alberta Chamber has been a strong advocate to increase mental wellness workplace supports, knowing that 33% of workers have a high mental health risk with 43% at a moderate mental health risk. Every week, 500,000 Canadians are unable to work due to mental health problems or illnesses. Find out more about the background and our recommendations here.
Opportunity: Industrial Relations Board Chairperson and Vice-Chairpersons
The Government of Canada is currently seeking applications for the appointment of a Chairperson and full-time and part-time Vice-Chairpersons to the Canada Industrial Relations Board. These roles manage and lead processes to resolve workplace disputes and ensure good industrial relations by interpreting and applying the Canada Labour Code and related standards.
The Application review is October 1, 2024. Learn more
Next Level Events
Brooks Tradeshow: Online Tickets Available NOW!
Our Fall tradeshow in Brooks is NEXT week and our online tickets are up now! Plus if you order online, not only do you skip the line but you can save some money thanks to our online ticket sponsor Xplore Business!
Get your tickets now: https://chamber.southeastalbertachamber.ca/ap/Events/Register/QZF9YodUdCnC0 See you there at the JBS Canada Centre, 323 1 St SE in Brooks.
October 4th - 6th, 2024Â |Â Friday: 12 pm - 8 pm | Saturday: 10 am - 6 pm | Sunday: 11 am - 4 pm
2024 Leadership Breakfast: Registration is OPEN
Join us for our annual Leadership Breakfast, bringing together our elected representatives in our region. Connect with us and our elected leaders, in an open dialogue and capitalize on the chance to influence the conversation. This event provides an avenue to have an open dialogue with those who are in decision-making positions.
We are already close to max. attendees so register now to save your seat: https://chamber.southeastalbertachamber.ca/ap/Events/Register/YEFmZ5gSNCzCK
Business, Brainstorming & Beer in Brooks Tomorrow
Beers not required, it's just a fun name, and hints at the time of day. Come join us for some great business discussion! We will convene on Ricky's All Day Bar & Grill with discussion and introductions starting at 6:30, with networking to follow, wrapping up by around 7:30 PM. Register to join us: https://chamber.southeastalbertachamber.ca/ap/Events/Register/4lFVa1BhRCMCx
Food and beverages will be the responsibility of attendees.
Enriching Your Business
There's a reason Chambers Plan is Canada's #1 plan.
JoAnne Letkeman, Exclusive Chamber Group Advisor
Medicine Hat & District | (403) 504-2166 ext 1.
Scott Walls, Exclusive Chamber Group Advisor
Brooks-Newell Region | (403) 892-9675
Fueling the Business Community
• NEW MEMBERS •
We would like to welcome HomeTime Bar-B-Que & Bakery, Hometown Culinary Inc, and Andersen LLPÂ to the Chamber Family!Â
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!
Elavon Limited Time Promotion: $100 Statement Credit Offer for New Chamber Members
Accept payments, any time from anywhere! Elavon offer a variety of point-of-sale solutions that make it easy for your business to securely and efficiently accept payments the way that your customers want to pay. Open a new payment processing account for your business by October 31, 2024 and you will be eligible to receive a $100 statement credit.*
How Members Can Participate:
- Submit a web inquiry through the Elavon Chamber landing page (https://join.paymentstart.com/cachamber).
- Our dedicated sales representatives will promptly reach out for a consultation within 24- 48 hours
- Complete the sign-up process by October 31st, 2024, and members will be qualified to receive $100 Statement creditÂ
Visit join.paymentstart.com/cachamber to learn more.
Fill Up On Funding
Reminder - Alberta Export Expansion Program
Is your company in a solid export-ready position? Are you looking to find new markets for your products? Then the Alberta Export Expansion Program may be for you.
This Government of Alberta program provides funding to export-ready small and medium-sized businesses to travel to global markets to promote their products, make business connections and explore partnership opportunities. With clarified criteria, and reduced red tape in the application and reimbursement process, this might be for you.
Companies that meet eligibility criteria can receive a grant to attend formal international trade events. Funding is available to cover partial event registration costs as well as per diems for up to two travellers per organization per event. Organizations can receive up to a maximum of $15,000 through the AEEP program each fiscal year. For more information on eligibility criteria, program guidelines and the application process, visit https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-export-expansion-program
Opportunity to be featured in Canada Directory for CES 2025, Las Vegas
Companies interested in CES, January 7-10, 2025 in Las Vegas are now making their plans. The Profiles eBooklet that is created for this show tends to have between 100-150 Canadian company profiles. This means that Silicon Valley MNE tech scouts and investors have a lot of profiles to review. Your startup profile has a lot of competition and limited real estate to get someone's attention, therefore, your companies should write their profiles with a clear value proposition for their objectives at CES. The first step for Canadian startups who wish to have their profiles included in the shareable eBooklet is to register their company profiles with the TCS on this website: https://questionnaire.simplesurvey.com/f/LanguageSelection.aspx?s=13116342-010b-459d-8646-52d40cad22a8
Deadline to register: October 26, 2024
Brooks-Newell Region News
Skilled Trades Fair Event
On Wednesday, October 9th, BCHS and the City of Brooks will be hosting a Skilled Trades Event at Brooks Composite High School. Representatives from various trades-related businesses in our community will be in attendance and students from our local high schools will be able to ask questions about what it is like to be employed in various trades. Also in attendance will be a number of post-secondary institutions that offer trades programs, the Alberta Industry and Trading Board (AIT), Careers Next Generation, and a representative from the Dual Credit program of Grasslands Regional School Division. The event will run from 10:00 am - 2:30 pm in the BCHS Courtyard. If you have any questions, please contact Julie O'Farrell at BCHS.
Crossword Puzzle
Crossword Puzzle Answers
Did you figure it out? Here are the answers for the September 16th crossword puzzle.
Remember that subscribing to our weekly email gets you 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.
Other News
Other Resources
Alberta Economy - Indicators at a Glance
Alberta Population Projection 2024-2051 Data Tables
Labour Market Notes - Unemployment rate jumps despite job gains
BDC: Fall focus: Strategies to grow your business
14 Onboarding Best Practices (Forbes Advisor)
Onboard New Hires (The Inclusive Workplace)
21 tips for creating an Instagram marketing strategy
How does your financial literacy compare to that of other business owners? To find out, complete the BDC quiz to answer the same 10 questions we asked business owners in our report.
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