Your Weekly Tune Up
Land Titles backlog eliminated
Between April 2021 and December 2022, requests at Alberta's Land Titles office increased by 86 per cent. This increase was a response to Alberta's growing population and economy, and wait times were exacerbated through the COVID-19 pandemic.
To tackle the delays, the provincial government increased funding and staffing to the office, and kept counter service closed past the pandemic to address the backlog. Now that processing times have been reduced, Albertans doing real estate transactions, and the professionals supporting them, can focus on investment and economic growth. Processing times are down to 10 to 12 days, the lowest in more than two years. With processing times back to normal, full front counter service has reopened to the public. View this announcement online
Download the 2024 Waste Collection Schedule
The 2024 Schedule is now online. Prefer a more digital approach? You're in luck, there are a variety of ways to be reminded of your pickup days:
Download the Recycle Coach App on your mobile device - you can customize the app to send notifications and reminders about collection day and schedule changes and even report issues or submit requests. Login to the MyMH Portal - just add your property address and the Garbage and Recycling widget will list your next three upcoming pickups for your collection zone.
Canadian privacy regulators launch principles for the responsible development and use of generative AI
Federal, provincial and territorial privacy authorities have launched a set of principles to advance the responsible, trustworthy and privacy-protective development and use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in Canada.
Smaller custodians that are more likely to buy AI products directly from vendors can refer to our Guidance for Small Custodians on the use of Artificial Intelligence, released last week. The Information and Privacy Commissioner's office places a high priority on assisting organizations which are using AI and other innovative technologies and hope to develop similar supports in the near future. Click here to read the Principles for Responsible, Trustworthy and Privacy-Protective Generative AI Technologies.
Curious about costs?
The Stats Canada Food Price data hub offers access to a centralized collection of information on food prices in Canada. Check it out: https://www.statcan.gc.ca/en/topics-start/food-price
Government of Canada announces supports to improve well-being of health workers and help internationally educated health professionals enter the workforce more quickly
The Government of Canada announced $3.5 million over 5 years to the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) to develop a National Plan for Health Workforce Well-Being to help improve health workforce retention. This plan will bring together a diverse group of partners to identify, develop and prioritize solutions to improve the well-being of Canada's health workers as well as provide a roadmap to develop a health care system in which care is delivered with joy, compassion and meaning. Read the release.
Advocacy in Action
Shape Your City
Have you visited Shape Your City recently? This is the City of Medicine Hat's online engagement hub to learn about projects and topics that affect your community. Here's what's currently in the works:
Transportation Master Plan - establishing the long-term vision for Medicine Hat's transportation network
East Ring Enhancement Project - upgrading Medicine Hat's electricity transmission lines
Environmental Framework - ingrain environmental considerations into City decision-making
Find more City News in the Neat to Know Newsletter or Council Highlights
Public Notification Process for Development Permits and Rezonings
In the December 7, 2023 Development & Infrastructure committee information, the City proposed a plan for notifications for Development Permits and Rezoning. Once the development and rezoning public notification options are approved by the City Manager, Planning staff will implement the following: 1. Create a signage template for major DP's and rezonings (complete). Planning staff will require any new major DP's or rezonings to have signage posted. 2. Create an updated website and comment form (partially completed). 3. Create an interactive webmap, showing proposed development projects on the City website (underway). 4. Revise Planning and Development standard operating procedures for DP's and rezonings to reflect the approved options.
5. Review the feedback received and impacts on administrations and applicants' time, to inform a new procedure for inclusion in the new Land Use Bylaw, as well as the costs of signage incurred to create an appropriate fee.
We are pleased to see this implementation plan proposed as it falls in line with our recommendations in conversations with the City at recent meetings.
Federal Policy Priorities
In October, we attended the Canadian Chamber AGM & Convention in Calgary, where we took part in our Policy Resolutions process, which culminated in a democratic vote on the Convention's debate floor. Â
The adopted resolutions are integral to helping the Canadian Chamber set their advocacy agenda for the upcoming year. With 66 policy resolutions debated and 62 passed by the membership, we are excited to share that the Policy Resolutions books are now final!Â
Port Strike Impact and Supply Chain StabilityÂ
On Thursday, November 30, the Canadian Chamber testified before the House of Commons' Standing Committee on International Trade to discuss the critical impact of the strike at the Port of Vancouver.
They emphasized the significance of trade infrastructure for Canada, where two-thirds of every dollar earned relies on moving goods. The summer strike on the West Coast, affecting Vancouver and Prince Rupert, caused major disruptions and impacted sectors nationwide, from agriculture to manufacturing. Read what they had to say.Â
Next Level Events
Grand Re-Openings
Come support and celebrate a couple Medicine Hat businesses as they host their grand RE-openings! Check your calendars and we'll see you there!
Cliff Restaurant: Come check out the new menu and celebrate the Cliff's grand reopening while enjoying free East Indian and Western snacks! More info here
Oh My Fruit Creations: Oh My Fruit Creations has re-located! Come celebrate their grand re-opening by eating delicious chocolate dipped fruit and fruit juices. More info here
Perfecting Your Pitch with Craig Elias
Designed for aspiring entrepreneurs and early-stage business owners, this series shares the secrets to getting customers, investors, and mentors. The series will also cover some of the best ways to access Alberta's business incubators and accelerators.
Each week's session will feature fresh content and the opportunity to practice your pitch and get feedback from the facilitator and the other participants. Register here: https://lu.ma/perfecting-your-pitch-january?mc_cid=3374663e46
Book today! 2024 Home + Leisure Tradeshow
We all know how time flies, and though the Trade Show is still a few months away, its ONLY a few months away!! With over 50% booths sold, there are a few corner booths still available but going fast, along with some bulk space for large exhibitors and food truck space available. With thousands of consumers visiting the shows over the course of three days these trade shows give an incredible opportunity to gain exposure for your business, demonstrate and sell products, and showcase your services. Register now and save your space!
State of the City Address
The Annual State of the City Address is where you can learn about the City's progress over the past year and get informed about what's in store for the community in 2024. Join us as we reflect on the accomplishments of our community during 2023, and be the first to hear what the City of Medicine Hat has in store for the coming year including exciting new projects, opportunities for development, and vision for the future.
This event will be held at the Medicine Hat Lodge January 23rd, 2024. Doors will open at 11:00am followed by lunch and The State of the City Address from 12:00-1:30 pm. Tickets for this event are $70+ gst which includes your meal and registration. If you are a Chamber Member please remember to log in during registration to take advantage of your discount! Register here
Enriching Your Business
There's a reason Chambers Plan is Canada's #1 plan.
Contact JoAnne Letkeman,
Exclusive Chamber Group Advisor,
403-504-2166 ext 1.
Fueling the Business Community
• NEW MEMBERS •
We would like to welcome Dunmore Equestrian Society and Avance Creative 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!
Do you follow us on Social Media?
We are constantly posting about events, grand openings, new members, ticket giveaways, and Chamber activity so make sure you're following our accounts!Â
Oh and are you a member? Tag us on your posts and we'll repost your content!
Fill Up On Funding
Did you know you can get support through the Canada Digital Adoption Program in multiple ways?
The Business Link and the Canadian Council of Aboriginal Business facilitate part of the Digital Adoption Program to 'Grow Your Business' in the Province of Alberta. You can qualify for a $2,400 grant and the employment of recent graduates of a Marketing program. Find out more here: https://businesslink.ca/canada-digital-adoption-program/eligibility/
You can also 'Boost Your Business'. There are over 600+ of these agencies in Alberta that can assist you in your digital plans:
https://clutch.co/ca/agencies/digital-marketing/alberta
https://digitalmainstreet.ca/vendor-directory/
Plus you can get help through Community Futures Entre-Corp and their Digital Services squad.
Increasing support for non-profits
Alberta's non-profit and voluntary sector contributes to the well-being of communities and improves the lives of Albertans. To further support non-profits, organizations can launch campaigns on the Crowdfunding Alberta platform to boost their fundraising efforts during the giving season and receive up to $5,000 annually in government match-funding. Read more.
Canada Summer Jobs 2024: Application period open until January 10
Employers from not-for-profit organizations, the public sector, and private sector organizations with 50 or fewer full-time employees in Canada can apply for funding to hire young Canadians aged 15 - 30 next summer. The application deadline is January 10, 2024. Learn more
New Application Period for Low-Carbon Economy Challenge Fund OpenedÂ
The Federal Government has announced the opening of a new application period for the Low Carbon Economy Challenge, also known as the Challenge Fund.Â
The initiative will invest up to $170 million to support projects that deploy low-carbon technologies, including energy efficiency retrofits, waste diversion and fuel switching. Environment and Climate Change Canada is accepting applications for the Challenge Fund until February 8, 2024.
Crossword Puzzle
Crossword Puzzle Answers
Did you figure it out? Here are the answers for the December 4th crossword puzzle.
Remember that if you subscribe to our weekly email, you get 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!Â
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