The Voice: April 8th, 2025
Tourism Week 2025, Powering Life in Rural Alberta, and Government Released the Mature Asset Strategy all in this week's edition of The Voice.
Business News
Tourism Week 2025
This Tourism Week (April 7-11, 2025) we are celebrating Alberta's vibrant tourism industry and the real benefits it gives communities across our province and the country. Tourism is a powerful economic driver, and research shows that tourism-based economies thrive. From lower residential taxes to enhanced local amenities and environments rich for entrepreneurship, the visitor economy supports so much more than we think. Check out Travel Alberta's Tourism Week page.
New research shows that communities with strong visitor economies see real benefits:
- Lower residential taxes: Residents in tourism-driven communities on average 70% less in residential property taxes compared to those in non-tourism towns.
- Better infrastructure & services: Visitor spending helps fund roads, parks, and public spaces.
- More jobs & economic growth: Tourism creates a steady customer base for local businesses, fostering a thriving entrepreneurial environment and boosting local job opportunities. In 2023, a tourism-driven community had nearly 200% more business licenses (new and renewals) than its comparable non-tourism-driven town.
- Enhanced quality of life: Vibrant communities attract both visitors and new residents.
Check out what there is to experience and promote in your area!
Medicine Hat Tourism | Brooks Region Tourism | Cypress County Recreation | County of Newell Tourism | Explore Redcliff | Town of Bassano History & Tourism | Village of Duchess Recreation | Village of Rosemary Tourism
Powering life in rural Alberta
Rural and remote Albertans face unique challenges when it comes to accessing affordable utilities and heating costs. Budget 2025 provides $8.5 million for the Rural Utilities Program – which consists of the Rural Electric Program, Rural Gas Program and Rural Water Program – and the Remote Area Heating Allowance. A total of $700,000 is allocated to the Rural Electric Program, recognizing the increasing role electricity plays in modern farming and ranching. Under this program, grants are administered by the Alberta Federation of Electrification Associations and support the construction of electrical services for farms and ranches.
Budget 2025 commits $5.7 million to the Natural Gas Program, to be administered by the Federation of Alberta Gas Co-ops, to expand and update natural gas infrastructure. For those who are unable to access the natural gas system, Budget 2025 also commits $1.6 million for the Remote Area Heating Allowance program. Direct financial relief is provided to more than 2,000 households, the majority from Indigenous communities, to help with the high cost of alternative heating fuels, such as heating oil and propane. Find out more.
Government released the Mature Asset Strategy
The government released the Mature Asset Strategy: What We Heard and Recommendations Report, which outlines 21 recommendations to help manage the growing number of oil and gas assets nearing or at the end of their productive life. It focuses on the long-term management of inactive wells, orphan wells and other legacy infrastructure. Alberta’s government is reviewing the recommendations and will provide more information on which recommendations it intends to implement and how, in the coming months. Find out more.
Medicine Hat-Cypress News
Community Spirit Award nominations
The City of Medicine Hat recognizes individuals, groups, teams, organizations and businesses who have made an extraordinary contribution to the community, and who by their dedication, activities and/or accomplishments have enhanced the quality of life in Medicine Hat. If you know someone in the community who has made a major contribution to arts/culture, civic pride, community inclusion, compassion, environment, sports/recreation, or volunteerism consider nominating them today! Nominations are open until Monday, June 16, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. You can read the nomination procedures and submit your nomination here. Since 1979, more than 160 Civic Awards have been awarded, recognizing dedicated community contributors and their enhancements of the quality of life in Medicine Hat. You can view all past recipients here
Expanded intensive care units for Medicine Hat
Budget 2025 supports plans to redevelop and expand intensive care units and diagnostic capabilities at both the Lethbridge hospital and the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital. Pending the completion of the planning process, it’s anticipated that about eight new beds will be added at the Medicine Hat hospital. Find out more.
Brooks-Newell News
New Housing and Apartment units in the works
Brooks is expecting 330 new housing units to be added, according to Mayor John Petrie. Petrie said that the city has been working to increase housing availability to keep up with the population and workforce growth in the area.
Road Improvements in the County of Newell
Alberta’s government is providing $1.8 million for a new road connection between Highway 873 and the JBS Food plant. Providing alternative access to and from the JBS Food plant will improve safety and efficiency for thousands of County of Newell residents while also saving workers up to an hour and a half a day getting to and from the plant. With about 8,500 vehicles use Highway 1 in this area, daily and about 5,500 vehicles that use Highway 873 in this area, daily, the funding for Township Road 192 North and Highway 873 will improve safety and reduce travel times for staff and motorists accessing the JBS Foods Canada plant and other local businesses and residences in the area. Find out more.
Strengthening rural health care facilities
Budget 2025 will provide $15 million to support project planning, which includes conducting facility and functional assessments of rural hospitals to determine what capital planning solutions and services are required to maximize each facility’s potential and better meet the needs of rural communities. The first phase of planning under the Rural Hospital Enhancement Program will evaluate 20 facilities across the province including the Brooks Health Centre. Find out more.
Advocacy in Action
B7 Chair’s Statement on Recent Tariffs and Unilateral Trade Actions
As the 2025 Chair of the B7 Summit, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce is deeply concerned by the recent proliferation of tariffs and other unilateral trade actions impacting G7 economies. "Continued escalation will harm the businesses, workers, and communities within each of our countries that depend on the benefits of international commerce and will also weaken the G7 at a time when the shared economic and geopolitical challenges we face call for greater cooperation,” said Candace Laing, President and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. With the U.S. administration 25% tariffs on auto part imports from Canada it’s “throwing away tens of thousands of jobs on both sides of the border [and] giving up North America’s auto leadership role, instead encouraging companies to build and hire anywhere else but here. This tax hike puts plants and workers at risk for generations, if not forever,” further commented Laing, in a statement.
New learning pathway to a career as a truck driver
Starting April 1, drivers are required to complete Class 1 driver’s licence training through the new made-in-Alberta Class 1 Learning Pathway, which uses a flexible, apprenticeship-style approach to training. The complete Class 1 Learning Pathway includes up to 133 hours of instruction, including air brake training, offering more hands-on skills and safety training than the former 113-hour Mandatory Entry Level Training Program. Enhanced in-cab training will provide learners with more hands-on experience and practical, competency-based learning. A total of $30 million over three years is allocated for the Employment Pathway Grant which provides funding for eligible employers in the commercial driving industry to cover the costs of training and onboarding for new and future Class 1 drivers, leading to the direct employment of new Class 1 drivers in Alberta’s commercial transportation industry.
The Industry Advancement Grant will provide $24.1 million over three years in funding for eligible projects from organizations in the commercial transportation industry to support industry-driven solutions to increase employment, attraction and retention. These projects will provide solutions while improving employer hiring practices and building partnerships with Indigenous communities. This funding also includes $1.5 million over three years for education grants to support Class 2 and Class 4 school bus driver competencies. Find out more.
Application intake for the Employment Pathway Grant will open on April 1. This program will:
- reimburse eligible employers for up to $10,000 for their training costs for new Class 1 drivers
- offer an onboarding incentive of up to $10,000 for hiring new Class 1 drivers with less than two years of experience in a Class 1 driving position
- provide an additional $5,000 for Class 1 driver professional development to ensure Alberta’s commercial drivers are the best on the road
The Industry Advancement Grant launches April 15, with the 2025 call for expressions of interest closing May 16.
- Eligible industry projects targeting Class 3 commercial driving are included in this grant stream as Class 1 drivers often begin their careers driving Class 3 trucks (vehicles which have three or more axles).
- An education grant of $500,000 is included in this program to support Class 2 and 4 school bus driver competencies.
This is a win for our business community and aligns with the Chamber’s recommendations on Addressing the Truck Driver Shortage Through a Redesign of Class 1 Driver Training. Some of the recommendations we made included :
- Allow some flexibility, based on the instructor’s discretion, in practical driving hours spent on specific modules;
- Consider incorporating simulated driving hours to be included as a requirement for a portion of the in-cab hours of the MELT program so new drivers can experience conditions they may not otherwise encounter (including wildlife, snow and ice, erratic drivers, etc.);
- Incentivize companies to implement an apprenticeship or internship style program whereby new drivers are trained under experienced drivers for a certain period of time;
- Immediately look to implement a hiring credit for organizations hiring new drivers, with the intention of helping to offset high insurance costs related to the first three years of a new driver’s experience.
Next Level Events
THIS WEEK - Learn from the Experts: AI Technology
Learn from the Experts is back and with a hot and popular topic to discuss... AI (Artificial Intelligence)! Make valuable connections, learn about how AI can elevate your business and enjoy an evening with fellow Chamber members, staff, and our curated panel of Experts.
The format will be a panel discussion with time to learn, ask your questions and network. Each expert will have 5-7 minutes to speak on their topic, and afterwards there will be an open question period where guests can ask questions to the panel. We'll follow all this up with some time at the end for networking! Register here.
Our Technology and AI topics and experts for the evening are:
Applications of AI | James Parsons, Partek IT Solutions
Learning AI Tools and Platforms | Ivan Long, Auto-Star
Human Interaction with AI | John Shoff, Reality Bytes
Future of AI | Steven Olmsted, Ten Four Technology
We will also have an open dinner for anyone interested at 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm before the event starts for extra time to network. *Please note, any dinner attendees are required to purchase their own meals time-of separate from registration.
Inclusive by Design Workshop Overview
Diversity in the workplace drives innovation, reduces turnover, and boosts business resilience. Employers can attract top talent and build stronger organizations by fostering inclusive environments. In partnership with Hire for Talent, this session equips employers and HR professionals with the tools to confidently recruit, retain, and support employees with disabilities.
In this 1-hour-long session, participants will learn about essential disability awareness concepts, implementing workplace accommodations, inclusive onboarding and recruitment techniques, and how to utilize workplace inclusion partnerships.
Registration here: https://chamber.southeastalbertachamber.ca/ap/Events/Register/2JF6ngZC3CNCz
WHEN: Wednesday, April 16th @ 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
What Employers Will Gain:
• Practical tips for recruiting, onboarding, and retaining employees from diverse backgrounds.
• Simple strategies for creating accessible and inclusive workplaces.
Meet the Speaker:
Sean McEwen is a Workplace Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Culture Consultant and a Director at RealEyes Capacity Consultants. Sean supports businesses and non-profit organizations to build workforce sustainability through diverse and inclusive workplaces.
Over the past 26 years Sean has been designing and overseeing Employment Inclusion services for groups underrepresented in employment, while providing leadership and coaching to teams of career practitioners serving jobseekers and employers. Sean has created and facilitated training for employers across Canada, and has helped develop regional, provincial and national networks dedicated to the employment inclusion of underrepresented groups. He is the 2018 recipient of the “Award of Excellence in Employment” granted by the Alberta Premier’s Council on the Status of Persons with Disabilities. Sean also designed and directed the GEDI-Hub, Western Canada’s first Employer Resource Centre for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.
Government of Alberta Workforce consultant Workshops
Join the Workforce Consultant team for a free one-hour webinar focused on emergency preparedness for small businesses, presented by Canadian Red Cross, Recovery Services. This webinar will focus on programming and available resources specifically developed for small business and not-for-profit to assist with preparing for an emergency, before it happens.
Date: April 29th, 2025 | Time: 10:00am – 11:00am | Register HERE
Join the Workforce Consultant Team with the Government of Alberta for a free 1.5-hour webinar to discuss mental health in the workplace. Employers and employees are reporting greater signs of stress impacting their lives and their work. This webinar will examine why chronic stress is so prevalent for Canadians, how it shows up and affects the workplace, and how we can manage the well-being of ourselves, our teams, and our clients.
Date: May 15, 2025 | Time: 1:30 – 3:00 pm | Register HERE
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 note: comfort food + drink, Vixen & co. Beauty Bar, and Medicine Hat Skateboard Association 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!
Get featured in StartUp Canada Community Spotlight
Startup Canada is looking for inspiring founders to feature in their weekly Startup Your Week newsletter! This is your chance to reach 35,000+ subscribers, and it gives you the limelight to showcase your business and share your journey with a wider audience. Whether you’ve overcome challenges, launched something exciting, or have insights to inspire fellow entrepreneurs, we want to hear from you! Apply now for a chance to be in the spotlight.
Canadian Construction Association – Calls for Construction for Canadians
Canada’s construction industry has launched the Construction for Canadians campaign, supported by 57 national, provincial, and regional construction associations from coast to coast, including the Medicine Hat Construction Association. “To support long-term growth, the next federal government must make the necessary and overdue investments in trade-enabling infrastructure, workforce development, and modernized procurement.” stated Rodrigue Gilbert, President of the Canadian Construction Association (CCA).
Construction affects every Canadian. It shapes Canada’s physical landscape, grows our economy, connects communities, and plays a critical role in building a prosperous and resilient country. But underinvestment, workforce challenges, and outdated policies, combined with Donald Trump’s threats and tariffs, are barriers to the growth Canadians need.
To set Canada up for success, the next federal government must commit to supporting construction. Canada’s economy runs on construction. With over 1.6 million workers and $151 billion in economic impact, this industry is the foundation of our future. Learn more about Construction for Canadians at construction4cdns.ca. Canadians can help spread the word by sharing #construction4cdns on social media and sending a letter to their riding candidates at https://construction4cdns.ca/get-involved/
In addition, BuildForce Canada released its 2025–2034 Construction and Maintenance Looking Forward report for the province of Alberta. The report emphasizes construction employment growth, which is projected to grow by more than 11,000 workers over the forecast period, driven by non-residential sector activity. In addition to a peak of 46,400 units in 2025 before stabilizing above 40,000 units annually the investment in industrial, commercial, and institutional buildings is projected to increase by more than 37% over the forecast period.
Elavon Offer: Receive a $200 statement credit
Sign up for a new payment processing account today and receive a $200 statement credit!
From sales & inventory tracking and business analytics to invoice creation and staff scheduling, we will help you save time and simplify the way you run your business. This great offer ends on April 30, 2025. Visit join.paymentstart.com/cachamber to learn more.
Disclaimer: * To qualify for the promotion, you must sign up for a new payment processing account with Elavon Canada between March 1 and April 30, 2025. Merchant accounts must be activated and actively processing payment transactions by May 15, 2025 for a minimum of one week and be in an open status at the time of the incentive credit. A one-time $200 credit will be applied to your Elavon statement within 90 days after the first deposit date. 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
Community Futures
Community Futures provides financial supports, grants, loans, training and free resources for small business. Business plan and marketing strategy guidance. Whether you’re looking for funding to open a new location, business coaching to explore an idea you have, or an exit strategy to sell your successful business, we have the tools and experience to help you achieve your goals. CLICK HERE
Food Futures Program
Alberta Food Processors Association: AFPA has received funding from the Alberta Government to support work integrated learning placements in the food and beverage industry. Employers who meet the requirements can apply to receive wage subsidies of 50%.
Crossword Puzzle
Crossword Puzzle Answers
Did you figure it out? Here are the answers for the April 1st 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
Alberta Economy - Indicators at a Glance
Economic Spotlight: 2024: Labour market year-in-review
BDC: How to get a business loan in a few easy steps
BDC: Outlook for Canada’s Creative and Cultural Industries for 2025
BusinessLink: Accessing Grants for Your Small Business
7 Tips for Writing Job Posts that Attract Candidates (LinkedIn)
Hire employees (Government of Canada - Job Bank)
Occupations in Alberta (Government of Alberta - ALIS)
Environmental Public Health has resources on Coping with Emergencies
Other Events
AI for SMBs: A Free Google course
April 9 | Tariffs & Trade: Building Resilience in Uncertain Times | Register
April 10 | Business Continuity Planning Webinar Series | Keeping your organization running when disaster strikes| Register
April 14 | Federal Plastics Registry — What Manufacturers Need to Know, Supports for Next Steps | Register
April 15 | Digital Tools, Software and Apps to Effectively Manage your Small Business | Register
April 22 | Facebook and Instagram Advertising on a Small Budget | Register
April 23-25 | Local to Global Conference | Medicine Hat
May 21-23 | Inventures Conference | Calgary
Free Training for the Building Industry: Various Courses up to May 29, 2025 | Register
Useful Links
Follow us on social media for up-to-the-minute updates
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