The Voice: December 9th, 2024
Conference Speakers for the Chamber's 125th Anniversary, Energy Business Review: Recommendations, Additional Insights on Economic Development, Did You Know You Can Promote Your Business Through Travel Alberta, and Seacans Removed all in this week's edition of The Voice.
Your Weekly Tune Up
Conference Speakers: Chamber of Commerce 125th Anniversary
The Southeast Alberta Chamber of Commerce is commemorating our Chamber's 125th Anniversary by hosting the Alberta Chambers of Commerce Provincial conference in Medicine Hat May 29-31, 2025.
We are looking for interested chamber member speakers to present at the conference in May to provide exposure to our many talented speakers in our region. The audience will be approximately 125-150 Chamber professionals, volunteer Board members, business leaders and various sponsors from across the province.
We are requesting proposals and topics that would be relevant and timely to this specific audience and focused on themes pertinent to businesses right now. Topics, may include, but are not limited to:
- Building business resilience in the workplace
- Workforce strategies for business owners and managers
- Artificial Intelligence and technology adoption in business
- Strategic and business planning masterclass
- Creating a memorable brand in your community
- Future forecasting and adapting business models for the future (addressing what keeps you up at night)
Please send your presentation overview, key participant takeaways, session length and any potential costs/fees associated or contra/in-kind offer in your proposal. All proposals will be reviewed by an adjudication committee and weighed against budget considerations.
Submissions can be sent to admin@southeastalberta.ca by January 10, 2025.
Energy Business Review: Recommendations
Representatives from KPMG LLP (KPMG) presented their analysis of Medicine Hat’s energy business at a special open City Council meeting on Monday, November 25. The review recommends four strategic actions:
1. Establish a rate review committee to support Council in its role of approving energy distribution and commodity rates
2. Expedite the abandonment or sale of the natural gas production assets
3. Establish an independently governed Municipally Controlled Corporation (MCC) to own and operate the distribution businesses (both natural gas and electricity) and electricity generation business
4. Develop an MCC dividend policy
Following the presentation, Council passed a motion to request staff to consider and evaluate the KPMG review and bring recommendations forward with a special open City Council meeting held on Thursday, December 5. Learn more, including FAQs about the recommendations, on Shape Your City at the link below: medicinehat.ca/EnergyBusiness
Additional Insights on Economic Development
Did you know – the City launched additional data on the Medicine Hat Economic Development Website? The Medicine Hat Community Profile is a data-driven tool designed to support businesses, site selectors, and potential investors to make informed decisions and evaluate local opportunities. Explore the following key indicators that make Medicine Hat unique and don’t hesitate to contact Medicine Hat Economic Development for additional insights or support. Check it out.
Whether you are looking for insights on moving to Southeast Alberta to Live, Work, Play or Learn, there’s also some great insights here for Southern Alberta: https://www.southernalbertaiscalling.ca/
Did you know, you can promote your business through Travel Alberta?
Promoting your business online (for free) is one less thing on your holiday to-do list! Travel Alberta has upgraded ATIS platform and it’s now live, ready for Alberta operators to list their tourism experience to millions of potential travellers on travelalberta.com. Signing up is the perfect gift for your business this holiday season! Find out more and list your business today.
Seacans Removed - What's Next? Sign up!
On Monday, November 18, 2024 Council approved the removal of the seacans to revert the Towne Square area to a public programming area. Administration has moved the seacans offsite. Work will begin by developing a rubric to evaluate community benefit and value to the tax payer. The City will then begin a formalized submission process to accept and evaluate proposals to repurpose the seacans. You can read the What We Heard report below for information about the initial input suggested by the community. If you are a community organization who would like to receive notification when the process to submit a formal proposal is ready, please sign up to the seacan contact list below. What We Heard report Sign up - Seacan contact list
Advocacy in Action
Fueling Innovation through AI Data Centre Attraction
Alberta’s government is aiming for Alberta to become North America’s destination of choice for Artificial Intelligence (AI) data centre investment. The AI data centre attraction strategy identifies three pillars that create the foundation of Alberta’s work to position itself as a competitive player in the global AI landscape: power capacity, sustainable cooling and economic diversification. In each of these strategic areas, there are policy and regulatory levers required in addition to other steps Alberta’s government is taking to ensure Alberta is the most attractive and competitive destination for this emerging sector. The entire approach prioritizes competitive advantages, economic integration, market stability and keeping utilities reliable and affordable. Read more here: Fueling innovation through AI data centre attraction | alberta.ca
Photo Radar Changes Coming
Many Albertans have expressed growing frustration with photo radar, questioning its focus on revenue rather than safety. In response to these concerns, Alberta’s government paused the introduction of new photo radar equipment and locations on Dec. 1, 2019. Now, effective April 1, 2025, ticketing on numbered provincial highways will end as photo radar will be restricted to school, playground and construction zones. Intersection safety devices in Alberta will also be restricted to red light enforcement only, ending the ‘speed-on-green’ ticketing function.
Municipalities will also be able to request that the province approve additional photo radar locations on an exceptional basis, for high collision areas and where other safety measures cannot be implemented effectively. These types of exceptions will be subject to an audit every two years to assess the effectiveness of photo radar at the site in reducing collisions. Read more here: Putting an end to the photo radar cash cow | alberta.ca
Next Level Events
Brooks Business Roundtables
This is a great opportunity to meet with the Southeast Alberta Chamber of Commerce, and talk about business topics you feel are important and relevant to the Brooks and Newell area. Our Executive Director, Lisa Dressler will be in attendance!
December 10th | Morning Roundtable | Free Registration
December 11th | Evening Roundtable | Free Registration
Business, Brainstorming & Beers
Join us for our final event of the year, and spread some holiday cheer with your fellow members and Chamber Team! ❄️✨ We look forward to celebrating with you and closing out the year on a high note!
Date: Thursday, December 19th
Time: 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Location: The Cypress Club of Medicine Hat
Let us know your coming by registering here!
-Dinner Service will be available for anyone wishing to stay and extend the evening-
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
Fuelling the Business Community
New Chamber Members
We would like to welcome Shoppers Drug Mart - Brooks, Shoppers Drug Mart - Northlands, and Brooks Town Centre Revitalization Zone (BRZ) 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!
Seeking CPHRs and Public Board Members
Chartered Professionals in Human Resources of Alberta (CPHR Alberta) is seeking up to two public members to join our Board of Directors with expertise in strategic business leadership, financial management, legal matters, or Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) within an Indigenous lens. Candidates should be board-ready and committed to contributing their time and talent to shape the organization’s future. Applications close January 6, 2025.
Learn more about the application process and view the position profile here: https://www.cphrab.ca/become-a-cphr-alberta-champion
Fill Up On Funding
Regional Homebuilding Innovation Initiative (RHII) in the Prairie Provinces
Through the Regional Homebuilding Innovation Initiative (RHII), the federal government is investing $50 million over 2 years, starting in 2024-25, to support local innovative housing solutions across the country. PrairiesCan will invest $9.6M in projects such as designing and upscaling of modular homes, the use of 3D printing, mass timber construction, panelized construction, as well as implementing net-zero and climate resilient housing practices. Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis until the end of the program on March 31, 2026, or until funding has been fully committed, or until otherwise announced here. Applicants are encouraged to submit their proposals as soon as possible for consideration under this program. All projects must be completed by March 31, 2026. For further information, click here.
Settlement, Integration and Language Projects Grants - Opening December 8th, 2024
Part of Alberta Immigration and Multiculturalism's Alberta Settlement and Integration Program, funding for projects with two streams, Building Community Capacity and Supporting Labour Market Integration, will be available. Eligible applicants include non-profit organizations, municipalities, economic development organizations, post-secondary institutions. For more information, click here.
Brooks-Newell Region News
2025 Municipal Election
Preparations for the October 20, 2025, Municipal Election are underway to ensure voting is accessible to everyone. Council is reviewing the option for an elector to vote from their residence if they cannot attend a voting station or an advance voting station because of physical disability.
Welcoming and Inclusive Community (WIC) Committee
Welcoming and Inclusive Community (WIC) Committee will be an interagency alliance with one full-time staff person. Their work will be to develop a sense of belonging in Brooks by supporting the ongoing efforts of connectivity, integration and participation for residents. The committee will develop a community partnership plan, host events, provide policy input, and coordinate diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Local stakeholders - the Francophone Association, Grasslands School Division, SPEC, REDI, and Members at Large strongly support the initiative, highlighting its potential to improve collaboration and impact. The City has budgeted $4,000 for WIC programming. Find out more abut the City of Brooks Parntership Plan on the Welcoming & Inclusive webpage.
Crossword Puzzle
Crossword Puzzle Answers
Did you figure it out? Here are the answers for the December 2nd 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 Resources
Other Events
Interested in sponsoring a Chamber event?
Dec 10 | Grow your global business with Canada’s trade team | Register
Dec 12 | Driving Digital Success: Strategies for Small Businesses to Succeed Online | Register
Useful Links
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The Voice: December 16th, 2024
Next steps for energy business strategic review, Regional collaboration aims to invigorate industry, Medicine Hat southwest substation – project update, Canada introduces a number of mortgage reforms to make housing more affordable, and 25% tariff threat: New analysis reveals severe economic fallout for both Canada and US all in this week’s edition of The Voice.…
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Conference Speakers for the Chamber’s 125th Anniversary, Energy Business Review: Recommendations, Additional Insights on Economic Development, Did You Know You Can Promote Your Business Through Travel Alberta, and Seacans Removed all in this week’s edition of The Voice. Your Weekly Tune Up Conference Speakers: Chamber of Commerce 125th Anniversary The Southeast Alberta Chamber of Commerce…
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