Your Weekly Tune Up
A Time to Observe the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Each year, September 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The day honours the children who never returned home and Survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities. Public commemoration of the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process. Below are a few additional resources to help with ReconciliAction:
- Review the TRC's Calls to Action and learn how your organization can contribute to meaningful change.
- Explore Beyond 94: This site provides up-to-date status reports on each call to action, as well as extensive summaries explaining those status reports.
- Participate in the University of Alberta free 12-lesson open online course from the Faculty of Native Studies.
- Find out more from the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation.
Find out about our local history and discover our history and Indigenous culture by getting involved and gathering together and connecting with local organizations such as the Miywasin Friendship Centre
Canada Confirms 2025 EI Premium Rate
Canada Employment Insurance Commission confirmed the 2025 Employment Insurance (EI) premium rate at $1.64 per $100 of insurable earnings for employees and $2.30 for employers, who pay 1.4 times the employee rate. This is a two-cent decrease from the 2024 EI premium rate. Learn more
Alberta Tourism Soars to New Heights
Tourism is Alberta’s number one service export sector, bringing jobs, dollars and prosperity into the province’s economy. According to the latest data from Statistics Canada, in 2023 visitors spent $12.7 billion in Alberta, surpassing 2022’s record-setting $10.7 billion by nearly 20 percent.
Learn More
Introducing the Rate of Last Resort
Alberta’s government is helping Albertans take control of their electricity options. In Alberta’s competitive electricity market, consumers can purchase their power from over 50 competitive retailers, with the choice of either fixed or variable rate contracts. Albertans who don’t sign a competitive contract are automatically enrolled on the Rate of Last Resort from their local provider, which in the past has tended to be more expensive and volatile than competitive options. Alberta’s government is taking action to protect Alberta’s ratepayers and lower utility bills by helping consumers be better informed of their energy options. New regulations and legislation are set to come into effect on January 1, 2025, to help Albertans better understand their energy options and encourage them to find the rate best-suited to meet their needs.
Following the Utilities Affordability Statutes Amendment Act, 2024, the default electricity rate is being renamed from the Regulated Rate Option (RRO) to the Rate of Last Resort (ROLR). To ensure Albertans are better informed about their electricity rate options, Alberta’s government has also introduced a rate confirmation requirement. The Utilities Consumer Advocate, under the Ministry of Affordability and Utilities, will contact all customers on the Rate of Last Resort every 90 days to confirm whether they would like to stay on the Rate of Last Resort and encourage them to explore their options. Learn more. . Albertans who are looking for help with their utility bills or are experiencing a dispute with their provider should contact the Utilities Consumer Advocate at 310-4855 or through their website.
Helping Alberta Communities Lower Costs
Alberta is offering a new $3-million Municipal Electricity Generation Program to help municipalities lower the costs of powering and heating recreation centres, town halls, libraries and other community buildings. Communities can now apply for rebates to help improve their electricity systems, reduce operational costs and lower emissions. Learn More. In addition, the Government of Alberta is also lowering the cost of borrowing for municipalities. These entities will now pay the same interest rate as the province on money borrowed for infrastructure and other capital projects. More Here
Community Survey 2024 Report Now Available
The City of Medicine Hat has posted the final report on the 2024 community survey conducted by IPSOS in May 2024.
This is the second community survey conducted by IPSOS, the first of which occurred in May of 2022. This biennial community survey targeting Medicine Hat residents aged 18 and older is intended to provide City Council and administration reliable data to better understand community sentiment around a variety of City topics, in turn supporting decision-making. Learn More
Advocacy in Action
One Week Left! Help Shape Local Business Priorities and Supports
In advance of the 2025 municipal election, let's focus on business priorities and supports at the local level. With enough responses from our region, our Chamber of Commerce can use the insights through this Alberta Perspective Survey to inform local government decisions. Participation will take approximately 5 minutes and is open until 5:00 p.m. on October 4th.
City Seeking Applicants for Advisory Body
The City of Medicine Hat is looking to fill vacancies for a variety of decision-making and advisory roles across its boards, commissions and working groups. These roles offer Medicine Hat residents a unique opportunity to contribute to their community by advising on key policy matters and decisions. Share Your Perspective and Learn More Here
Next Level Events
Grande Opening for Vossler Mechanical Inc
Join us in celebrating this milestone with Vossler Mechanical Inc. and Point-S! Vossler Mechanical now has the franchise Point-S added to their shop and is an option for tire sales; check out their website to purchase tires online, and then have them delivered and installed at Vossler.
There will be snacks, coffee and a ribbon cutting at 2:00 PM.
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, 2024 | Friday: 12 pm - 8 pm | Saturday: 10 am - 6 pm | Sunday: 11 am - 4 pm
Protect Your Business from Scams!
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is offering a free webinar to help you identify and avoid scams on October 9, 2024 Learn how to spot fake CRA communications, recognize legitimate contacts, and protect your business. Space is limited! Register today.
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 Rosenau Transport Brooks, Roy's Woodshop, and Brooks & County Immigration Services (BCIS) 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!
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 credit
Visit join.paymentstart.com/cachamber to learn more.
Petro-Canada Fuel Discount Program
Canada’s largest fuel network is offering Chamber members a PROMO: sign up for a SuperPass Account to get 6 cents off/litre on gasoline and diesel for the first 6 months, plus 25% off car washes. The SuperPass card is valid at retail and cardlock locations, providing significant savings. Learn more. Check out our fuel programs here.
Fill Up On Funding
Small Community Opportunity Program Funding Now Available
Alberta’s government is investing in the second round of grants through the Small Community Opportunity Program. Grant funding through the program will support Indigenous and small communities and help rural Alberta grow its economic footprint. The Small Community Opportunity Program (SCOP) provides grants of up to 90% of eligible program costs for Indigenous and small communities to tackle challenges and tap into opportunities to grow their local economic footprint. Applicants must be an incorporated non-profit organization in a rural community or a rural or Indigenous community. Applications will be accepted until December 20, 2024. Learn more
Regional Economic Development and Diversification Grants Now Available
The Northern and Regional Economic Development (NRED) Program is accepting applications until December 6, 2024. The NRED funds initiatives led by Alberta municipalities, Indigenous communities and non-profit organizations that promote regional economic development and diversification. Learn more
Enhancements to the Canada Small Business Financing Program (CSBFP)
The CSBFP offers the opportunity to secure much-needed funding by partnering with financial institutions and sharing the risk. Designed to enhance access to loans, the program allows maximum loan amounts of up to $1.15 million for various business needs, including improvement of leased property, equipment purchase, and working capital.
With enhanced terms, reduced administrative burden, and increased availability across financial institutions, this program is structured to make financing more accessible and flexible. Apply for CSBFP’s financial support today.
Brooks-Newell Region News
Brooks Immigration Serving Agencies Providing a Wide Range of Services
Congratulations to the SPEC Association on their AGM that took place on September 24. This community organization has a continuum of services, information, family support and community connections; they are invested in helping the community, regardless of your circumstances. They've been around since 1978 and have served 4337 individuals in the last year alone. Thank you to their wonderful team for everything they do and the welcome greeting for everyone that came out. We appreciate the investment SPEC has made through their membership and connection to the Chamber - bridging opportunities, connections and information sharing in the community. We also learned about the many partnerships and agencies that have been providing services for many years to help newcomers settle, adapt, adjust, and integrate in the community they call home.
These organizations are all committed to working together to create a sense of inclusion and belonging for newcomers in the Brooks Newell Region. Find out more about the immigration services in Brooks by downloading the PDF resource in our Member InfoHub
Did you know you can Report a Concern online within the City of Brooks?
If you have a concern related to City Services? Just use the Newell Connect App! They will look into your concern and follow up with you!
You can download Newell Connect: Apple Store | Google Play or join online: Newell Connect
Crossword Puzzle
Crossword Puzzle Answers
Did you figure it out? Here are the answers for the September 23rd 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
Alberta Population Projections Dashboard
BDC: What's the minimum down payment to buy a business?
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.
Other Events
Alberta Employment Standards Webinars | Register
BDC Financial Fundamentals | Register
October 2 International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS) for Employers | 10:30 am | Register
October 8 Protecting Our Future: Health, Safety, and Employment Standards for Young Workers | Register
Startup Global On Demand: Funding your Export Journey
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