Your Weekly Tune Up
Investing in the future
Alberta's 10-year affordable housing plan, Stronger Foundations, recommended the creation of a long-term maintenance strategy to help ensure existing government-owned assets continue to provide suitable housing that meets the needs of the community and make effective use of taxpayer dollars. In 2022-23, Alberta's government undertook an external review of the Capital Maintenance and Renewal Program to ensure government-owned affordable housing remains safe and identify ways to further improve the program. A summary of the review's recommendations can be found online. Alberta's government will continue to implement these recommendations.
To help continue this work, the government is now issuing a request for proposal to help improve the program with a future-focused maintenance strategy. This strategy will be based on engagement with housing providers and operators to ensure that the maximum longevity and availability of housing units. The request for proposals is open from Oct. 7 to Nov. 4. Find out more.
Funding Boost for Municipal Infrastructure
Municipalities across Alberta will receive a 13 per cent increase from Budget 2024 in infrastructure funding for 2025-26 through the Local Government Fiscal Framework Act (LGFF). The LGFF was introduced in 2024 in response to municipalities requesting a funding model tied to provincial revenues, and replaced the Municipal Sustainability Initiative. Learn more.
In addition, Municipalities and Indigenous communities can now apply for $19 million in funding to help protect homes, businesses and lives from floods and droughts with the application deadline on November 29.
New incentives to attract and retain physicians
Alberta's rural and remote communities face unique challenges in accessing high-quality, sustainable health care. To address these challenges, Alberta has launched the Rural Health Action Plan. Key components include a bursary pilot program to attract and retain family medicine residents to rural and remote Alberta, a grant to create new Medical First Responder agencies in communities with limited health care access, and a grant to help existing EMS stations recruit and train local emergency responders in rural areas. The Rural Health Action Plan is well-aligned with the Alberta Chamber's policy, Access to Physicians and Licensed Health Care Professionals Supports Rural Economic Development. Learn more.
Additionally, a new four-year agreement will provide regular wage increases to resident physicians, putting Alberta on par with other Western Canadian medical schools provide competitive and fair-market compensation for physicians in training. Learn more
Albertans' input shapes health care refocus
Between January and June of this year, more than 30,000 patients, health care workers, caregivers and others shared their views on the refocusing of Alberta's health system. A summary of the engagement activities, along with an analysis of the conversations, has been compiled in the What We Heard report, now available online. A second round of engagement sessions is also being planned, with details on future in-person and virtual engagement sessions to be posted on alberta.ca. Those interested in keeping up to date on the health system refocusing work and new engagement opportunities can also sign up for an e-newsletter.
Advocacy in Action
Insights into local purchasing
The Southeast Alberta Chamber of Commerce has been pleased to work with the Supply Chain department with the City of Medicine Hat over the last 5 years around some of the concerns expressed by our members related to procurement and purchasing. We were pleased to see the procurement policy and protocols reviewed and updated in August 2023. There was additional work on the procurement bylaw, internal training and annual reporting, along with updates to the City's procurement landing page to provide more transparent information on City purchasing.
We have been pleased to see process improvements, highlighting successes such as changes to the policy, processes and timelines that have been implemented.
The annual report highlights contract values showing volume of work contracted out, along with the percentage of work that is done regionally and provincially. The report highlights close to 70% of the contractual values are awarded regionally and also features information about low-value contracts, competitive contracts and invitational contracts.
As an example of the progress made, our vendors have stated that they have seen a noticeable difference since 2019 on SOAs and the department has been open to ongoing and regular conversations over the past five years.
We encourage businesses to check out the annual report and view the updated purchasing and procurement landing page here: www.MedicineHat.ca/procurement. The page was redesigned with updated content published on October 10. The page includes a step by step guide on how to bid on opportunities with the City of Medicine Hat, as well as how to get paid once you are awarded a contract. It also includes detailed insights on many of the frequently asked questions received by the City, the Construction Association and the Chamber that we've worked to answer.
Small businesses to receive five years' worth of carbon rebates in December
In Budget 2024, the government announced an accelerated and automated return process to directly return over $2.5 billion to small- and medium-sized businesses in the provinces where the federal fuel charge applies through the new Canada Carbon Rebate for Small Businesses. By the end of this year, a portion of fuel charge proceeds from 2019-20 through 2023-24 will be returned to approximately 600,000 Canadian-controlled private corporations with 1 to 499 employees through this new refundable tax credit.
In December 2023, the Southeast Alberta Chamber sent a letter to the federal Minister of Finance, the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources and the Minister of Environment and Climate Change asking for an expedited rollout of the Fuel Charge Proceeds Return Program (FCPRP) and its associated cost pressure relief early in 2024. While later than hoped, we are pleased to hear that these rebates will finally be returned to small business!
Job Attraction in Alberta
The Government of Alberta is developing a cross-ministry strategy to advance job attraction in Alberta. The strategy is aimed at raising awareness of skilled trades and professions in all sectors of the economy and their related pathways for education, apprenticeship and training. This work is intended to help support your recruitment and retention efforts. As a part of this strategy, there is a province-wide Employer Survey to understand the constantly evolving workforce needs of employers in the province.
Your input will be crucial to help understand any emerging gaps that exist within your sector and the provincial economy as a whole. We request you take 15 minutes to participate online: https://deloitte-survey.com/GoAEmployerSurvey Responses will be anonymous and kept strictly confidential.
The survey will be open until Sunday, October 27th, 2024. If you have any questions or concerns about this survey, please contact: GoA.EmployerSurvey@gov.ab.ca
Next Level Events
Business Brainstorming & Beers THIS Thursday
Join the Chamber at locations around Medicine Hat to discuss whatever needs discussing at your business. 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!
This month, we're heading to Ralph's Texas Bar & Steak House! Register here
2024 Leadership Breakfast - Limited Spots Left!
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.
We invite our MPs, MLAs, our Mayors and Reeves along with our CFB Suffield Base Commander within the region. This year, with an expanded region, we are looking to include additional representatives for a townhall style event that will offer our members an opportunity to connect with their elected representatives and gain insight into their activities.
Happening October 22nd - Limited spots left, so register now
Learn from the Experts: Level Up Your Business
We're inviting you back for another opportunity to meet with other industry experts with different focused topics to ask questions specific to your business. The format will be speed-dating-style conversations taking place over the course of two hours. Each attendee will have an opportunity to speak with each expert on the issues that will be most impactful to them.
Happening October 29th - Register now
Employee Benefits Presentation
Attention Business Owners!! Do you need help understanding Taxation of employee benefits? Learn about how to set up your payroll for employee deductions.
Ask questions and get answers! Want to know more about the Canadian Dental Care Plan? How does this affect my group plan? Are you taking advantage of Box 85 on T4's? Why is Box 45 so important?
Presentation by JoAnne Letkeman, Employee Benefits with Brightan Financial Strategies Inc and Paul Wieler, Sales Consultant with Payworks.
Register to attend, and join us at the Chamber in the boardroom on October 22nd @ 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM.
Workforce development in Alberta's information technology sector
The Ministry of Advanced Education has invited representatives within the IT industry to attend online information sessions to explain the flexible ways the apprenticeship learning model - a combination of classroom and on-the-job instruction - may assist workforce development in Alberta's IT sector.
Register for an information session:
October 16 | 2:00 - 3:00 pm
October 30 | 2:00 - 3:00 pm
SARRCon 2024: Southern Alberta's Premier Recovery Conference
Join us on November 6th & 7th, 2024, for SARRCon 2024, a conference dedicated to advancing resilience in recovery and supporting the mental well-being of Albertans. Held at the Medicine Hat Lodge, this two-day event brings together individuals, recovery professionals, and organizations to engage in powerful discussions, sessions, and networking.
Event Highlights:
- Dates: November 6th & 7th, 2024
- Location: Medicine Hat Lodge, Medicine Hat, Alberta
- Time: 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM (Both days)
- Registration: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sarrcon-tickets-950066322947?aff=oddtdtcreator
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 Friendly Neighborhood, Al's Audio, and Stitch Yarn Co. 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!
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.
Congratulations to our Chambers of Commerce Group Insurance Plan Advisors
At the Chambers Plan - Prairie Region Regional Conference in Calgary this past September, our Chambers of Commerce Group Insurance Plan advisors walked away with some impressive hardware.
Alberta Workplace Solutions, Scott & Patricia Walls and Karen Hansen were awarded the region's Connect. Evolve. Succeed Award. This is a remarkable achievement for Alberta Workplace Solutions as the award represents a concerted effort to connect with clients, evolving and growing their business and achieving outstanding results in both sales and retention.
Brightan Financial Services, JoAnne Letkeman won the Chambers Plan's most prestigious award. The Jim Fenrich Award recognizes excellence and commitment to Chamber Plan sales and growth, client service, leadership and inspiration, success in the face of adversity and business and personal integrity.
Please join us in congratulating both Brightan Financial Services and the Alberta Workplace Solutions team!
Fill Up On Funding
Free Shipping Tuesdays
Canada Post is celebrating small businesses all October long! Get the most out of the celebration by becoming a Canada Post Solutions for Small Business™ member. Sign up for free to unlock benefits designed to support the success of small businesses like yours and enjoy special promotions like Free Shipping Tuesdays in October! Find out more
CAREERS Awards of Excellence
These awards recognize and celebrate students, mentors, and Off-campus Coordinators whose passion, knowledge, and mentorship has created a positive impact on the futures of youth in Alberta. Students who receive the CAREERS Award of Excellence in Internships are awarded a $500 scholarship for post-secondary education. Nominate today
Futurpreneur $75,000 Loan for Youth Entrepreneurs
This past month, Futurpreneur announced that they've increased their loan offerings from $60,000 to $75,000 for youth entrepreneurs ages 18-39. Interested in exploring this financing option for your business? Learn more
Youth Internship Incentive Program
The new season of our Youth Internship Incentive Program is now under way. Last year employers ended up on a waitlist for the program starting in January, so we are encouraging employers to apply early this year. Even if employers are looking to hire for summer positions, they can apply early and have the funding secured for the summer. Find out more
Brooks-Newell Region News
Recipient of the Small Community Enhancement Award
Congratulations to Sabine Nasse, recipient of the Small Community Enhancement Award
A dedicated community leader and finance manager at the Society of Brooks Community Adult Learning Council, Sabine has been instrumental in enhancing local services and volunteer efforts in Bassano. With a rich background in finance and administration, she has been a vital part of recreation facility upgrades, support for local seniors, health care and businesses. Read more about the awards
Video | Meet Sabine
Brooks Budget 2025
Each year, we connect with residents to discuss the City's operational budget and gather feedback on the services we provide. Your municipal property tax helps fund essential services such as policing, fire, snow removal, economic development, playgrounds, recreation, road maintenance, and more.
This survey is your opportunity to let us know how you feel about these services and share your thoughts on how we can improve! https://www.engagebrooks.ca/en/brooks-budget-2025
Crossword Puzzle
Crossword Puzzle Answers
Did you figure it out? Here are the answers for the October 7th 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
Government of Alberta- Culture and Status of Women Grants
Labour Market InSight - Underlying strength in Albert's labour market
Labour Market Notes - Seasonal decline in employment
Other Resources
Alberta Economy - Indicators at a Glance
Alberta Population Projection 2024-2051 Data Tables
Alberta population projections dashboard
BDC: What is 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.
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