The Voice: January 27th, 2025
Notice of Public Hearing: Tri-Area Intermunicipal Development Plan, City of Brooks Utility Updates, Local Advocacy Initiatives and Grand Openings all in this week's edition of The Voice.
Medicine Hat-Cypress News
Notice Of Public Hearing – Tri-area Intermunicipal Development Plan
The Councils of Cypress County, the Town of Redcliff and the City of Medicine Hat are holding a Joint Public Hearing for the adoption of respective bylaws concerning the Tri-Area Intermunicipal Development Plan. The public is welcome to attend Wednesday, Feb. 12 at 6:30 p.m. at Medicine Hat College Theatre. A copy of the proposed Intermunicipal Development Plan (IDP) Bylaw may be viewed online.
Each Council in session will consider any oral or written submissions from interested persons or groups wishing to speak for or against the proposed bylaw. Unless otherwise allowed by the Chair, oral submissions will be limited to 5 minutes in length. All written submissions are treated as public documents and information and must be received by Date: Wednesday, February 5, 2025 by 12:00 noon through the City of Medicine Hat, City Clerk Department 580 1st Street SE, Medicine Hat AB T1A 8E6 or email clerk@medicinehat.ca.
Bids and Tenders with the City of Medicine Hat
Engineering Design Services – Influent Channel Screens and Grit Removal Upgrades
The City of Medicine Hat (the “City”) to prospective proponents to submit proposals for Engineering Design Services – Influent Channel Screens and Grit Removal Upgrades. Bid Closing Date: February 25, 2025
Consultant Engineering Services - Misc. Waste & Recycling Projects
The City of Medicine Hat requires engineering, design, and public engagement services to be used primarily with the Waste & Recycling department. The City of Medicine Hat operates a Class II Regional Landfill, a Class I composting facility both operating under the waste management facility. The City of Medicine Hat proudly runs and maintains our own fleet of collection trucks, offering both residential and commercial collection. Waste & Recycling initiates numerous projects and tasks each year which involve support from qualified consultants. The purpose of this RFP is to build a roster of up to three Approved Engineering Service Providers with substantial relevant Solid Waste experience that may be engaged to work on various tasks on an “if, as and when required” basis. Bid Closing Date: February 11, 2025
ePermitting with ease
The City of Medicine Hat Planning and Development Services has continually worked to improveme the user experience within the ePermit portal. Since the launch of the portal, they have invested time into simplifying the user experience while ensuring all vital parts of the permit process are included. Registered Users can now:
- Apply for Safety Codes Permits, Planning Applications and Business Licenses
- Submit and retrieve permit documents
- Receive updates on the status of applications
- Track corrections and conditions
- Pay online for permits and license renewals
- Apply for a Permit Search on a property (or properties)
- Search permit records by property address
- Search for licensed businesses within Medicine Hat
- Allow other specified users to view your permits and applications
Check out the portal at: https://epermit.medicinehat.ca/
Brooks-Newell News
City of Brooks Utility Updates
The City of Brooks has waived utility bill penalties incurred during the recent unanticipated Canada Post strike, citing the hardship it caused residents. Council unanimously agreed on the measure to ensure taxpayers feel valued. Residents are encouraged to subscribe to online payments, assistance is available at City Hall.
The City will also amend utility fees effective January 1, 2025, to align with the recently approved 2025 Operating Budget. Rates will increase by 10% each for water and sewer and 4% for waste management to cover rising service costs and future infrastructure needs. For a typical household, this will mean a bi-monthly increase of approximately $18, slightly lower than initial estimates of $20, due to anticipated customer growth. The amendments to the fee's bylaw will ensure the utility services costs are recovered from the users of the services. You can view the January 20th Brooks City Council meeting materials here
Fishing the Wild West TV show
Fishing the Wild West will be filming two episodes in our region, featuring fishing at Crawling Valley Reservoir, Rolling Hills Reservoir, and Lake Newell. Brooks Region Tourism will collaborate with them to highlight other local businesses and attractions to promote on the show!
Aqueduct Revitalization
Brooks Region Tourism has arranged a meeting with the Government Ministry responsible for the Aqueduct, along with representatives from the City, the County, the Museum, and the EID, to participate in discussions. The meeting will explore ideas and opportunities for the 2025 season, including potential grant funding for self-guided tour booklets, educational tours, maintenance and upkeep, washroom facilities, and events for Open Farm Days, themed around “water.”
Special thanks to LarkSpur for the updates.
Advocacy in Action
Southeast Alberta Economic Opportunity Strategy, Implementation Framework
On Monday, January 20, Council received the Southeast Alberta Economic Opportunity Strategy, Implementation Framework, and Action Plan, and approved rezoning lots in the City's south to medium density. You can read the highlights from Council and watch the meeting. The Southeast Alberta Chamber of Commerce has been requesting a the development of a municipal economic development strategy since 2012, so we are pleased to see this work move forward and we’ll take a deeper dive into the framework and action plan with a view to see if our recommendations have been considered as part of the overall plan.
Local Advocacy Initiatives
Our Chamber has been working on a few things behind the scenes, including meeting with our aerospace sector to determine their challenges in this growing industry; looking at recommendations we can put forward to encourage and create a more business-friendly regulatory environment; highlighting business resources available to our businesses in the Brooks-Newell region; looking at interprovincial trade and the regulatory barriers around liquor sales; investigating revised recommendations and how we can get greater traction on brownfield developments; looking for solutions for safety and security for our business community; and evaluating the differences in recent development fees and charges and creating the comparisons from 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026.
Much of this work is behind the scenes, but we do have some active and engaged members and experts in these industries who help us identify the challenges and work towards solutions that we can recommend to Government at a local, provincial and federal level. If you are interested in getting involved in helping to influence change and find solutions that will make a difference, email us at policy@southeastalbertachamber.ca
Impacts of US-Canada Trade Relationship
Following the inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump, a series of executive orders have been signed to implement policy changes across areas such as immigration, energy and government operations. Instead of imposing tariffs on his first day in office, reports indicate that Trump is issuing a broad trade memo directing agencies to investigate and remedy persistent trade deficits and unfair trade practices by other nations. The memo is alleged to specifically single out China, Mexico and Canada. The Canadian Chamber continues to closely monitor the situation with updates to Chambers across Canada as necessary. The Canadian Chamber is engaging with key MINOs, government officials in Ottawa, the Canadian Embassy in Washington DC, and our U.S. partners, to stay informed and aware of the latest developments in the U.S. The Canadian Chamber’s leadership team, including Candace Laing, Canadian Chamber President and CEO, is presently in Washington DC meeting with partners and advocating on behalf of Canadian businesses.
Developments and potential implications for Canada
- Trump has confirmed that he will withdraw the US from the Paris climate accord and terminate the 'Green New Deal'. Less stringent climate policy could lower production costs for US producers and give them an advantage over foreign competitors.
- Trump has reaffirmed his intention to proceed with mass deportations of illegal immigrants. Given the importance of migrant labour for certain segments of the U.S. agri-food supply chain, mass deportations, if carried out, could result in acute labour shortages. Potential reduced production and upward pressure on wages as a result could lead to higher consumer prices, including in Canada given the integration of our supply chains.
- ‘America First’ trade and foreign policy. Related to this, President Trump has indicated that he will announce the America First Trade Policy, which will be an “overhaul of [America’s] trade system to protect American workers and families.” Additionally, on the President’s direction, the U.S. State Department will have an America-First foreign policy.
- External Revenue Service. President Trump will create an External Revenue Service to handle tariffs and duties on foreign trade partners of the United States. In his inauguration address, he reiterated that “Instead of taxing our citizens to enrich other countries, we will tariff and tax foreign countries to enrich [American] citizens.”
- Border security. President Trump will announce a slate of executive actions related to border security that are focused on the U.S.-Mexico border. It is expected that he will declare a national emergency at the U.S. southern border, designate criminal cartels as terror groups, and end birthright citizenship for children born to immigrant parents without legal status.
Canadian Chamber resources on Canada-U.S. trade
- Our report, Partners in Prosperity: Exploring the Significance of Canada-U.S. Trade, which provides a comprehensive look at the complexities of this relationship and the role of trade policy in both countries’ productivity. This modelled the potential impact of a 10% tariff on U.S. imports.
- Following the election, the Canadian Chamber Business Data Lab (BDL) updated their figures on the economic fallout of the 25% tariff on U.S. imports proposed by President-elect Donald Trump.
- BDL had recently launched the Canada-U.S. Trade Tracker—a new tool designed to illustrate the ties between our two economies
- The Canadian Chamber submission to Global Affairs Canada regarding the 2026 CUSMA agreement review, which highlights the importance of maintaining the continuity of the agreement amidst rising protectionist sentiment
Canadian Chamber Thought Leadership & Advocacy Initiatives
Read the Canadian Chamber statement regarding the Conservative Party’s commitment to reversing the Capital Gains Tax Hike.
Read the Canadian Chamber’s Senior Economist's commentary on Canada's headline inflation and more on Canada's unemployment rate and labour force data.
Next Level Events
Looking for qualified contractors: CEIP Lunch and Learn
Local Medicine Hat contractors are invited to attend a 45-minute presentation on the launch of the City of Medicine Hat Clean Energy Improvement Program (CEIP). You will learn about the program and how to become a CEIP Qualified Contractor. For those who are already qualified, learn what you can do to streamline CEIP projects. Property owners with CEIP projects will be searching the Qualified Contractor Directory for businesses specializing in the installation of upgrades such as:
- Heating, ventilation and air conditioning
- Windows, doors, insulation and air sealing
- Water heating
- Lighting
- Renewable Energy, Solar PV and Thermal
- Energy Advisors to conduct EnerGuide Home Energy Evaluations
Join us for the lunch and learn to learn how you can unlock new opportunities with CEIP. Wednesday, January 29, 2025 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. at the Desert Blume Golf Club, 107 Clubhouse Drive, Desert Blume, AB, (includes lunch upon arrival and 45 minute presentation with time for questions)
Small Business Supports - Free Webinar
The Workforce Consultant team is hosting a free webinar from the Small Business Supports team from Jobs, Economy and Trade. The Small Business Supports Team connects Alberta’s entrepreneurs with essential resources and services for success.
Key focus areas will be Biz Connect, Outreach, and Partner Support.
- Thursday, January 30, 2025, 10:00 - 11:30am
- To register, click here.
Hometown Culinary Inc. Grand Opening
Join us in celebrating the grand opening of Hometown Culinary Inc! With the ribbon cutting at 1:15 pm, there will also be refreshments, tester versions of their menu items, coffee, mocktail punch, a special on gift card purchases, and 10% off all merch!
Where: Hometown Culinary | 435 North Railway St. SE, Medicine Hat
When: February 6th @ 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM | Ribbon Cutting @ 1:15 PM
Let us know you're coming: https://chamber.southeastalbertachamber.ca/ap/Events/Register/OOFkd0DFaCqCD
Business Roundtable - Bassano
Join us for an engaging Business Roundtable in Bassano. Local business owners come together to discuss the challenges and concerns they face in today's dynamic market. This event provides a unique platform for open dialogue, allowing participants to share their experiences, seek advice, and explore solutions collaboratively.
Don't miss this opportunity to connect, share, and grow with your local business community. We look forward to seeing you there!
WHERE: Council Chambers, Town of Bassano | 502 2 Ave, Bassano AB
WHEN: February 7th @ 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Register: https://chamber.southeastalbertachamber.ca/ap/Events/Register/8EFVz4YFOCRC7
Urban Aesthetics Grand Opening
Join in on the fun and celebrate the grand opening of Urban Aesthetics! Refreshments, charcuterie, ribbon cutting at 1:30 PM, and any services booked during the event will be 20% off!
Where: Urban Aesthetics | 101 1201 Kingsway Avenue SE
When: February 8th @ 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM | Ribbon Cutting @ 1:30 PM
Let us know you're coming: https://chamber.southeastalbertachamber.ca/ap/Events/Register/G9Fj2QgSNCxCK
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 Pivot Pro Ag Ltd, Clear-Site Solutions Inc, and 12Twenty2 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!
Commissionaires HomeWatch Services
Planning your next vacation or preparing for an upcoming business trip? Whatever your travel plans may be, let us ease your mind by taking care of your home while you're away, with our reliable HomeWatch services!
Our dedicated guards will perform customized checks on your home that align with your specific needs. You can request regular home inspections, digital reports and photos of your property, mail collection, damage checks and more. You can trust us with your home's safety. All the guards on our HomeWatch program are security professionals with an Alberta Security Guard License and full Police Clearance. We are equipped to make your home our top priority, while you're out of town.
To learn more about our HomeWatch services, visit us at https://www.commissionairessouthernalberta.ca/or reach out to our friendly team at sales@cccsab.ca, today! As Canada's only national not-for-profit security company, we are committed to providing trusted and reliable security solutions for communities, businesses, people, and properties across the country, and Southern Alberta.
With a dedicated office in Medicine Hat where we offer identification services including fingerprinting, criminal record checks and more, we will help you with your security needs.
To learn more about our full range of services, which includes alarm response, video surveillance and much more, you can visit our website at www.commissionaires.ca.
Elavon Offer: No Monthly Equipment Fees for a Year!
Get your equipment fees credited for 1 year* when you establish a new merchant account between January 1 and February 28, 2025.
Our full suite of point-of-sale solutions provide the tools you need to run your business. From inventory management and staff timekeeping to invoicing and business analytics, and so much more. We offer innovative and reliable payment technology that allows you and your customers to feel at ease knowing that your payments are being processed securely.
Disclaimer: * To qualify for the promotion, you must sign up for a new payment processing account with Elavon Canada between January 1 and February 28, 2025. Merchant accounts must be activated and actively processing
payment transactions March 15, 2025 for a minimum of one week and be in an open status at the time of the incentive credit. This promotion is limited to two (2) point-of-sale devices per member. talech Register package rentals are
excluded from the promotion. The twelve-month equipment credit will be applied to the Elavon monthly statement within 90 days of the first deposit date. The value of the twelve-month statement credit will offset the Solution Service fees billed for one year. Limit one credit per customer. Cannot be combined with another offer. Elavon reserves the right in its sole discretion to modify, suspend or terminate the promotion at any time without additional notice. Restrictions may apply. Services provided by Elavon Canada Company. Copyright © 2025 Elavon Canada Company. All rights reserved. Elavon is a trademark in the United States and/or other countries. All rights reserved. All features and specifications are subject to change without notice. This document is prepared by Elavon as a service for its customers. The information discussed is general in nature and may not apply to your specific situation.
Fill Up On Funding
Indigenous Peerpreneur Sessions
Are you an Indigenous entrepreneur who has been in business for over one year and wants to connect with other Indigenous-led small businesses? Join Business Link's free Indigenous Peerpreneur Sessions in March. Over four weekly virtual sessions, you'll share experiences, learn from your peers, and gain access to a community of Indigenous entrepreneurs. Apply Now
Community Microgrants
Do you have an idea for an event that would foster/strengthen connections through neighbourhood or community gatherings and activities? Apply for a Community Microgrant in one of two funding categories - Neighbourhood Connections and Community Arts & Culture. The 2025 application window will remain open until the end of the year or until all available funds have been allocated. Read more and apply
HAT Smart opens January 31
HAT Smart program will open on January 31. While you have energy conservation on your mind, check out the Clean Energy Improvement Program to help finance your clean energy upgrades.
Co-op Community Spaces Fund
Community Spaces was developed to support projects in the communities across Western Canada in which we live, work, and operate. Projects can apply for between $25,000 and $150,000 in capital funding in three categories: recreation, environmental conservation, and urban agriculture. The Fund is open February 1 – March 3. For Further information, or to apply, click here.
Crossword Puzzle
Crossword Puzzle Answers
Did you figure it out? Here are the answers for the January 20th 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 Events
BDC Entrepreneur's Learning Centre – Online | Register
BusinessLink Digital Marketing Program – booking into March | Find out more
Jan 28 | Occupational health and safety and disability management | Register
Jan 30 | Understand Commercial Leasing | Register
Feb 13 | Understanding and Supporting ADHD in the Workplace | Register
Feb 13 | Understanding and Supporting ADHD in the Workplace | Register
Useful Links
Follow us on social media for up-to-the-minute updates
The Voice: January 27th, 2025
Notice of Public Hearing: Tri-Area Intermunicipal Development Plan, City of Brooks Utility Updates, Local Advocacy Initiatives and Grand Openings all in this week’s edition of The Voice. Medicine Hat-Cypress News Notice Of Public Hearing – Tri-area Intermunicipal Development Plan The Councils of Cypress County, the Town of Redcliff and the City of Medicine Hat are…
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Changes to City of Medicine Hat Safety Codes Services,8 Predications for Canada’s Economy in 2025, and 2025 Automobile Deduction Limits and Expense Benefits Announced all in this week’s edition of The Voice. Your Weekly Tune Up Changes to City of Medicine Hat Safety Codes Services Important Update: Please be advised that effective January 1, 2025,…
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