Your Weekly Tune Up

New Feature on ePortal Permit Site

The City of Medicine Hat is pleased to announce a new feature on the ePortal Permit site. Effective immediately, you can log in at any time to conduct property searches and access permit history information.

The information available includes details such as:

Type of permit (Development, Building, Electrical, Plumbing, Gas, Heating, Demolition)

Purpose of the permit (New Construction, Addition, Alteration, etc)

Permit number

Issue date

Current status of the permit (Closed, In Progress, Expired, etc)

The ePortal site is accessible 24/7, providing instant access to property information. This feature compliments the existing eServices site, which contains Assessment information. City of Medicine Hat - eServices

Please see below for brief instructions on how to search a property for permit records.

Log into your ePortal account. If you have not yet registered, please do so. Instructions can be found here - pdf

Select 'Search for a Property'. This can be found on the top left of the home page, or at the bottom under 'Property Information' OR

Input the address of interest into the search bar and push search to obtain the results

With this information being publicly available and more accurate, the City of Medicine Hat will be discontinuing the issuance of Site Cards January 1, 2025

If you need help searching property records, please contact our Planning & Development staff. They will be happy to assist you.

Invest Alberta Features Medicine Hat as an area for diverse investment opportunities

Invest Alberta explored the diverse investment opportunities in Medicine Hat during the OpporTOURnity event and had a front-row seat to explore the wealth of opportunities emerging in Medicine Hat. Medicine Hat Economic Development hosted economic development professionals from across the province for "OpporTOURnity," which included a lunch with Premier Danielle Smith. Whether it's the established agriculture and petrochemicals sectors, the burgeoning film and culinary industries, or the leading-edge hydrogen market, Medicine Hat is shining bright with potential for sustainable economic growth.

The results of the public survey for the Transportation Master Plan are in

The survey was conducted in three parts and was available for several weeks across February and March 2024, and was hosted on the Shape Your City webpage. A total of 782 responses were received for the online public survey. Feedback from the survey helped guide the refinement of the Guiding Principles and the development of policies and action items in the Transportation Master Plan. A high-level summary of the survey results is presented below and is also available on webpage Transportation Master Plan | Shape Your City Medicine Hat, under the Stakeholder and Community Engagement section. The Top 3 Desired Outcomes were as follows:

Transportation Master Plan (TMP) Survey Highlights

Reducing travel times and congestion

Enhancing the active transportation network

Reducing speed in certain areas of the city

Active Transportation Strategy (ATS) Survey Highlights

Improving the safety of active transportation at intersections

Building missing sidewalks

Improving the universal accessibility of sidewalks and trails

Transportation Safety Strategy (TSS) Survey Highlights

Enhancing infrastructure at key intersections for pedestrians and cyclists

Increasing lighting in key areas

Enhancing safety around Medicine Hat College

Growing Alberta's aerospace and aviation industry

The federal government has announced $4.3 million investment to grow Alberta's aerospace and aviation industry. The five projects receiving funding through PrairiesCan include a new aviation conference, a mentorship initiative, a new laboratory, an ecosystem map, and the development and commercialization of an electric fixed-wing uncrewed aerial vehicle.

This investment is expected to benefit 330 small and medium-sized businesses and support more than 360 jobs.

"Funding received by UVAD Technologies Inc. through PrairiesCan and the Aerospace Regional Recovery Initiative is critically important to our efforts in developing and commercializing an industry-leading Uncrewed Aircraft Vehicle (UAV) on a global scale.

The Alpine Swift, UVAD's all-electric UAV, has progressed significantly through the support of this program. Government support has also enabled Southern Alberta to attract world-leading experts in the UAV field, and UVAD is strategically positioned to build on this expertise. UVAD has grown exponentially since establishing our facility in Medicine Hat, Alberta." -David Birkett, President and CEO, UVAD Technologies Inc.

Advocacy in Action

What do Trade Tariffs mean for you

As a Chamber we know that with an impressive $3.6 billion in daily trade, Canada and the United States are each other's closest international partners. The secure and efficient flow of goods and people across our border−enabled by the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA)−remains essential for the economies of both countries. President-Elect Trump's proposed trade tariffs will undoubtedly impact Canada upon implementation and there are concerns with a proposed 10% across-the-board tariff on US imports. Read more about the pre-election summary here and what we were watching for.

Would you like to share your thoughts as a business owner on the impacts this may have on you? Email us, as we would like to hear your input and how this may impact your business.

Concerns and ongoing advocacy related to Port Disruptions

The ongoing work stoppage at British Columbia's ports has serious repercussions for our country's global reputation as a reliable trade partner. Shutting down our West Coast ports two years in a row would have once seemed unthinkable, yet here we are, facing increasingly frequent labour disruptions that harm Canadian businesses and workers alike.

The Vancouver port facilitates the movements of $300 billion in goods each year, directly employs 52,700 people, indirectly accounts for 132,000 jobs, and contributes to $32.7 billion in economic output and $16.3 billion in GDP. We are urging the government to take immediate action and have signed on to a joint letter to Ministers MacKinnon and Anand Regarding the Shutdown.

On October 31, we also sent a joint letter to the Minister of Labour and Seniors, the Honourable Steven MacKinnon, expressing our deep concern regarding the indefinite strike by CUPE 375 at the Port of Montreal. As representatives of the Canadian business community, we are calling on the government to take immediate action to facilitate negotiations, use every tool at its disposal to ensure the Port remains fully operational, and protect Canada's crucial Eastern Gateway. Read the letter.

Here's some additional work that the Canadian Chamber is doing to advocate for our businesses:

Appearance Before Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Veterans Affairs on Bill C-26, an Act Respecting Cyber Security

Submission to the Canadian Transportation Agency's (CTA) on the Air Travel Complaints Fee Proposal

Trade Mission: Critical Minerals Mission to the United States

New Emissions Cap Proposal Threatens Canada's Energy Sector and Economic Stability

Have an Issue? Click Here

Next Level Events

Stronger Together

When local businesses work together, the results are more like multiplication than addition. After all, as Steve Jobs said, "Great things in business are never done by one person. They're done by a team of people."

A great thing about connecting with other businesses is that you'll discover shared common interests and projects or a common challenge that you're facing. Chambers are a great connector for these conversations and to come up with solutions.

Getting to know other local businesses can also create unexpected opportunities. It's not only who you're able to connect to, but also who those individuals are connected to, as you gain connections to their network. You just need to listen, be present, help others in turn, and recognize and act on the opportunities that come up for your business. Want to read more from the recent ChamberPlan Fall Update? Click here to read more

Want to put this advice into action? Join us at our next Business Advisory Committee meeting on November 14 or join us for Coffee and Conversations on November 21.

2024 Midnight Madness

Midnight Madness is a yearly event that usually takes place a week before Black Friday to encourage people to shop early and support the local shops and owners within the downtown core. Come on down and enjoy all that downtown has to offer with live entertainment, giveaways, retail sales & specials, food and beverage offerings from your favourite local hot spots, a petting zoo, buskers, and so much more.

We can't wait to see you for another year of Midnight Madness, on November 22nd in beautiful Downtown Medicine Hat!

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2024 Presidents' Reception, Membership Appreciation & AGM

See what we've been up to in the past year all while getting a chance to eat, drink and connect with others at this annual event! Join us for an opportunity to meet and network with the Chamber of Commerce members, current/ past Directors and Presidents of the Board, and the Chamber operations team.

DATE: November 28th, 2024
TIME: 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Registration here

Redcliff Moonlight Madness - November 29th

Tree Lighting Ceremony in Redcliff Memorial Park@ 7:00pm

Holiday Hay Ride - Decorated 20ft flat deck, special "Christmas guest" to join the hayride around the perimeter of the park.

Santa & Mrs Claus under gazebo

Free hot dogs, hot chocolate & s'mores

Fire tables with Redcliff/Box Springs Fire Department (Trucks on site for viewing)

Music by Redcliff Margaret Wooding & I.F Cox School Choir

Potential speech by Redcliff Mayor, Dwight Kilpatrick

CLICK TO VIEW ALL EVENTS!

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

Look at what else your Chambers Plan includes here!

Value Added Benefits

Find a Job!

Post a Job!

Fueling the Business Community

• NEW MEMBERS •

We would like to welcome RMZ Construction LTD, Papi's Country Kitchen, and the County of Newell 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!

Congratulations to our Member, Strongwood Construction

Strongwood Construction was recently awarded for a Kitchen Renovation Over $100,000 and a Home Renovation under $300,000 by BILD Alberta. Check out the beautiful renovation. Congratulations on being recognized at the provincial level!

Limited-Time Promotion: $150 Statement Credit Offer for New Chamber Members

Throughout the upcoming month of November, any new member who signs up through our Chamber Referral Program will receive a $150 statement credit! Promotion Period: November 1^st ~ November 30^th, 2024.

How You 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 November 30^th, 2024, and members will be qualified to receive $150 Statement credit

Fill Up On Funding

Applications for the Housing Infill and Redevelopment Incentive Program now open

The fourth intake of the Housing Infill and Redevelopment Incentive program opened on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024 and will close on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024, at 5 p.m. Owners of an infill property can apply and may be eligible for an incentive of $15,000 per dwelling unit for new residential development on a single site and $7,500 for the development of a backyard suite. Learn more and apply here: Medicine Hat Economic Development - Incentives - City of Medicine Hat.

Alberta's ethnocultural and anti-racism grant programs to support community-driven initiatives

Up to $13.5 million over three years has been dedicated to helping support community organizations and Indigenous communities promote the value and benefit of multiculturalism and intercultural connections through two grant programs.

Alberta's Ethnocultural Grant program has two streams to support community-led initiatives that promote Alberta's multicultural diversity and foster inclusivity, including by supporting Indigenous community organizations in celebrating and sharing their rich culture and heritage.

Stream 1 provides up to $50,000 for projects that create opportunities for intercultural connections with ethnocultural and Indigenous groups.

Stream 2 provides up to $15,000 for projects that create opportunities to celebrate diversity.

Alberta's Anti-Racism Grant program has two streams to support community-led initiatives that help address and prevent racism and promote more inclusive and accepting multicultural communities across Alberta.

Stream 1 provides up to $5,000 for projects that promote awareness and the impacts of racism faced by Indigenous and racialized groups.

Stream 2 provides up to $10,000 to support community-led anti-racism projects.

PrairiesCan funding of $20 million for performing arts organizations

PrairiesCan will support not-for-profit professional performing arts institutions that have a mandate to create, produce, and perform works, improving the quality of life for residents on the Prairies and making their communities more attractive to tourism and investment. Expressions of Interest Prairies Performing Arts Initiative (PPAI) will be accepted on a timed intake until February 1, 2025, or until funding has been fully committed or otherwise announced. Find out more and apply.

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Unlock growth with TalentED YYC: Empower your business with student talent

Are you an organization based in Alberta? Engage with local student talent from Mount Royal University to achieve your quarterly business goals at no cost. The Riipen and TalentED YYC collaboration enables you to turn your to-dos into projects for students to complete. Post your project by December 10^th. Find out more here

Brooks-Newell Region News

New School Site Safety Concerns

At the October 21 public hearing to consider redesigning the Old Rodeo Grounds as a location for a new school residents expressed safety concerns. They shared worries about the Old Rodeo Grounds' proximity to a truck route and train tracks. City representatives acknowledged these concerns and emphasized that redesignation of the land is just the beginning of the process. A Transportation Impact Assessment (TIA), is required before construction begins. It was noted that provincial support may assist with a future truck bypass at this location. If you are interested in the full summary of information collected and our FAQ document, reach out to the Chamber at info@southeastalbertachamber.ca

Find out more in the November 5 issue of LarkSPUR.

Farm & Business Succession Workshop - November 14th, 2024

One of the most challenging aspects of owning a business is how to successfully pass it along to the next owner. Whether it's a son or daughter, brother or sister, or even a large corporation, making sure your investment is protected while treating all parties fairly is a complex process.

This FREE full-day event will provide valuable information on the technical aspects of successful business transition, including the legal, financial, and insurance ramifications. Importantly, we will also be exploring strategies to openly communicate and resolve conflict with those who will be carrying on your legacy, especially in the case of family businesses. Grab your tickets here

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Crossword Puzzle

Crossword Puzzle Answers

Did you figure it out? Here are the answers for the November 4th 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.