Your Weekly Tune Up
‘Tis the Season: Report a pot hole
Did you know you can report potholes online at reportaproblem.medicinehat.ca? Simply start typing 'pothole' into the keyword box and select the pot hole option that pops up.
You'll need to add a few details (like the location) and once you submit, a service request is immediately distributed to the appropriate department.
Report a problem portal can be used to report a variety of common concerns like sidewalk drainage, streetlight outages, vandalism/graffiti, and more. Can't remember the URL? You can always find the Report a Problem page from the top menu on our website. Report a problem
Check out more City news about some myths and misconceptions, work being done on Division Ave, and the differences between TIPP and TAPP in the City of Medicine Hat Neat to Know for March 19
Are you conducting R&D work in Canada?
The Scientific Research & Experimental Development (SR&ED) Tax Incentive Program is the largest Government of Canada program supporting research and development (R&D) in Canada, providing more than $3.4 billion in tax credits to over 17,000 businesses annually. To enhance support for innovative Canadian businesses, the government is reviewing the SR&ED program. The Department of Finance has launched public consultations on cost-neutral ways to modernize and improve the program, and on the suitability of creating a patent box regime, to encourage the development and retention of intellectual property stemming from R&D work. All Canadians and stakeholders are invited to share feedback by emailing SRED-PB-RSDE-RPB@fin.gc.ca by April 15, 2024, with either “SR&ED Review” or “Patent Box” as the subject line.
-Commercial Opportunities-
City of Medicine Hat Bid for Emissions Monitoring
CMH24-34 - 2024 Emissions Monitoring and Regulatory Reporting for the COMH Aggregate Conventional Oil & Gas Facility. Closing Date: Apr 9, 2024 2:00 PM. Find out more.
Chamber of Commerce: RFP’s
https://chamber.southeastalbertachamber.ca/rfp
Looking for business opportunities or land for sale
Check out the current listings from member companies who have real estate (both commercial & residential), office furniture, or commercial items they wish to sell or liquidate. If you are a member and have property, office space or office furniture or equipment you would like to sell, contact us or login to your member portal to post your items for free. https://chamber.southeastalbertachamber.ca/buyandsell
Advocacy in Action
Written Submission for the Study of Bill C-59, the Fall Economic Statement Implementation Act
Canada’s competitiveness is slipping. Our productivity continues to decline. This means Canadians are poorer overall, have fewer opportunities to pursue their personal goals, and have to pay more just to stay where they are. We must pursue growth if we are to maintain our standard of living and continue to provide the services Canadians require. Bill C-59 signals that the government heard the business community on issues such as addressing our housing needs and the importance of ensuring workers can work in any community where and when their skills are needed most. We all agree on the need for measures that will help build our homes, support businesses in finding the right talent, and ease the burden of doing business in Canada.
We welcome amendments to the Excise Tax Act that should assist in the creation of much needed housing supply. That said, C-59 presents an opportunity to go further to help Canada tackle the housing crisis and restore affordability for Canadian families. Read the recommendations.
The Canada-U.S. Regulatory Cooperation Council Is Back!
On Tuesday, March 12, Minister Anita Anand announced the reconvening of the Canada-U.S. Regulatory Cooperation Council, a positive development for Canadian businesses. This initiative will help reduce regulatory barriers to trade and ultimately cut unnecessary costs. This directly aligns with our February submission to the Treasury Board of Canada on Regulatory Review of Supply Chains, in which we explicitly recommended the reconvening of the Council to reflect Canada and United States business priorities. Read the Submission
Canadian Chamber Thought Leadership & Policy/Advocacy Initiatives
Read the recent interview on Canada's international relations and on the nature of our politics today.
Read recommendations for Bill C-59, the Fall Economic Statement Implementation Act.
Read the submission to the Treasury Board Secretariat on the Supply Chain Regulatory Review.
Read the blog on the Chamber's vision for the Federal Budget.
Read the Economic analysis of the new inflation numbers released on Tuesday by Statistics Canada and what they mean for the economy.
Read the analysis on the recent decision by the Bank of Canada to maintain its policy rate at 5% for the fifth consecutive time.
Read the analysis on Canada's labour market, which signals that while there's decent job growth, the economy struggles to absorb a growing population.
Read the recent interview with the Toronto Star on Bill C-27. Also, read the letter to the Standing Committee on Industry and Technology (INDU), as well as the brief on Minister Champagne's proposed amendments to Bill C-27.
Next Level Events
Art Room Gallery at RE/MAX Medalta Real Estate - Member Evening
The Medicine Hat & District Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with RE/MAX Medalta Real Estate and The Art Room, invites you to a member-exclusive evening of fine art created by local artists, networking, food & drink.
Visit the new Art Room gallery at RE/MAX Medalta Real Estate and meet the four contemporary southern Alberta Artists who make up this group. This collaboration is new to Medicine Hat and sure to be a destination for art lovers, local business supporters, and visitors to our City. The Artists will be in attendance along with RE/MAX Medalta Real Estate Realtors.
Chamber of Commerce Luncheon: Premier Danielle Smith
The Medicine Hat & District Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce a luncheon and presentation/ Q&A with Premier Danielle Smith on May 2nd at 11:00am - 1:30pm. Register here.
Event Agenda:
11:00 - Doors open and networking
11:30 - Welcome & Introductions
11:45 - Buffet Lunch served
12:15 - Premier Danielle Smith: Presentation followed by Q & A
1:00 - Closing Comments
Grand Openings Galore
Supporting your community has never been so easy and fun! Be there for your local businesses by having a great time at their grand openings. See who we have coming up...
Couldn't fit the 2024 Ag-Advocacy Forum into your schedule?
Take a look at our YouTube channel where we have an Ag-Adovcacy Forum playlist with recordings from the event that happened in February. The playlist includes:
- Overview of current Government programs, funding and risk management solutions.
- Speaker Honourable RJ Sigurdson
- Premier Danielle Smith presenting
- Speaker Nichole Neubauer, Ag Education Workforce Development
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 three businesses to the Chamber Family! Blowers & Grafton | Agrigain | Excellence Tree Services Ltd.
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!
Berkshire Hathaway Energy supports local Chamber at Alberta Chambers Political Aciton Day
We were pleased to have Berkshire Hathaway Energy (BHE) sponsor our Chamber’s participation in this year’s Alberta Chambers Awards for Commerce Political Action Day.
From their roots in renewable energy, Berkshire Hathaway Energy's portfolio consists of locally managed businesses that share a vision for a secure and sustainable energy future. These businesses deliver low-cost, safe and reliable service each day to more than 12 million customers and end-users throughout the U.S., Great Britain and Alberta, Canada.
BHE Canada was established in 2015 after Berkshire Hathaway Energy (BHE) made its foray into the Canadian market with the purchase of AltaLink, Alberta’s largest independent transmission provider. BHE Canada is poised for growth in building a greener, more sustainable energy future for all Canadians.
Scott Riddell, Senior Vice President for BHE Canada Corporate Development, gave the opening remarks at the Alberta Chambers of Commerce Ministers Dinner and highlighted why BHE invested in Alberta. People in Alberta are those that believe “we know we are going to do well, by doing well.” As Albertans, we have that blend of entrepreneurship, with skill and solving problems with integrity. We have open, fair and transparent market systems and we get it right with policy and regulations that emulate our business community.
BHE is looking for new capital and investment opportunities and want to invest in Alberta, while preserving the culture and enthusiasm of business and growing the business climate.
We are thankful for BHE’s investment and interest in our region in Southeast Alberta and their support of our Chamber of Commerce.
Limited-Time Promotion: $200 Statement Credit Offer for New Chamber Members
Promotional period: March 1st - April 30th.
Throughout the months of March & April, any new member who signs up through our Chamber Referral Program will receive a $200 statement credit! This exclusive offer is available for a limited time, and we want to ensure that your members are among the first to take advantage.
How Members 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 April 30th, 2024, and members will be qualified to receive $200 Statement credit *please read flyer footers for more details
Fill Up On Funding
Canada Posts Tales of Triumph small business contest is back!
With more than $500,000 in prizes up for grabs across 5 categories, their 5th annual Tales of Triumph contest could help you start your next chapter. No matter where you are in your business journey – whether you’re new and at the beginning or developing growing each year they want to hear you story. Enter your story – and your tale could be a winner! Find out more.
2024 Startup Global Pitch Competition
Take note: All early-stage entrepreneurs who want to begin exporting, online applications for the Startup Global Pitch Competition are being accepted until April 8, 2024. Pitchers will verbally present their businesses to two judges in a three-minute pitch, followed by four minutes of Q&A.
You can pitch virtually, or at one of four in-person events on the Startup Canada tour. You may be eligible to pitch if your business meets these (and other) criteria:
- The intention/ability to export and expand your business internationally
- Less than $1 million in revenue
- Less than five years in business
- Have business/operations based in Canada
Funding for workers to upgrade or gain new skills for jobs in the low-carbon economy
Details about this new federal program can be found at https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/funding/sustainable-jobs-training-fund.html. Here are a few highlights:
- Application deadline is May 14, 2024
- Funding amount is between $8M and $15M per project. Total program fund is $99M
- Projects can run from 2024 to 2028
- Provincial and territorial governments are eligible applicants, along with not-for-profit, for-profit and Indigenous organizations
- Purpose is to provide free or low-cost training to help workers upgrade or gain new skills for the low carbon economy. Training priorities are:
- Low-carbon energy and carbon management
- Green buildings and retrofits
- Electric vehicle maintenance and charging infrastructure
Crossword Puzzle
Crossword Puzzle Answers
Did you figure it out? Here are the answers for the March 18th 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.
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