Your Weekly Tune Up
2024 Tax Rates Approved by Council
The 2024 tax rates were passed at last week’s Medicine Hat City Council meeting, two weeks ahead of schedule. The City is updating the tax estimator tool (so you'll see an "under construction" message if you try to access it), but you can check out the mill rates on the City website. Property tax notices are scheduled to be mailed May 21. Medicinehat.ca/tax Read more Council Highlights from April 22, 2024
It’s Construction Season!
With spring thaw complete, the City of Medicine Hat is gearing up for another busy construction season to enhance road and utility infrastructure around town. The 2024 budget includes more than $40 million in capital infrastructure upgrades. While many projects are taking place in localized areas with impacts to neighbourhood residents only, three major projects are planned on main thoroughfares that will impact the general travelling public. Find out more. The phase 1 water conservation measures continue.
Sustainable Action
On Earth Day the City of Medicine Hat launched a webpage to highlight the various practices and technologies used to safeguard the natural environment and respond to ever-changing climate conditions. Visit medicinehat.ca/SustainableAction. You can also find more on water conservation, shortage and drought, as well as current water conditions here.
The Federal Plastics Registry
The Federal Plastics Registry will require companies (including resin manufacturers, service providers, and producers of plastic products) to report annually on the quantity and types of plastic they manufacture, import, and place on the market. Producers of plastic products and service providers will also be required to report on the quantity of plastic collected and diverted, reused, repaired, remanufactured, refurbished, recycled, processed into chemicals, composted, incinerated, and landfilled. They will also be required to report on the amount of plastic waste generated on their industrial, commercial, and institutional premises. Find out more
Minister of Environment and Protected Areas Rebecca Schulz issued the following statement:
“Every modern convenience and necessity is either made from or contains plastic, from surgical gloves to your iPhone. Despite this, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Canada Steven Guilbeault has announced that he intends to cap the production of plastics in Canada
Funding for Affordable Housing System
The provincial government is increasing operating funding for housing providers by $21 million in Budget 2024, totaling $75 million for 2024-25. This investment aims to support vulnerable and low-income individuals and families in accessing safe, stable, and affordable housing. With over 110,000 Albertans living in subsidized homes and demand rising, the funding will help cover rising day-to-day expenses such as utilities and staffing. Learn more
Advocacy in Action
2024 Federal Budget
Following the 2024 federal budget the Canadian Chamber of Commerce shared their insights – view the summary here. The Alberta Chambers of Commerce has provided an overview of the potential impacts on business in Alberta here
Have Your Say on Auto Insurance
Albertans need a simpler, more affordable and stable insurance system that protects them and their families on the road. The government is launching an online public engagement survey to collect feedback from Albertans on what they value and need from their auto insurance. The survey will be open until Wednesday, June 26, 2024. Take the survey and learn more.
Next Level Events
Thrive Physiotherapy & Wellness Grand Opening
Join us in celebrating the grand opening of Thrive Physiotherapy & Wellness! Snacks, juice, coffee and time to explore their space while learning what they can do for you! Ribbon cutting at 1:15 pm.
Friday, May 3, 2024 (1:00 PM - 3:00 PM) (MDT) Register Here
Downtown Collective Town Hall
The Town Hall is an opportunity to hear from the Downtown Collective Committee on progress and plans, as well as to learn about the various events and initiatives. We will also use this as an opportunity to engage with City Council. Please Submit Questions Online. We will prioritize pre-submitted questions and will provide these to the Medicine Hat City Council in advance. Wednesday, May 8, 2024 (7:00 PM - 9:00 PM) (MDT)
We are also asking you to help us determine what the priorities are for our downtown core in the upcoming year. Please submit your priorities online here.
Air Service Workshop
Join us May 9th from 11:30 am - 1:30 pm, in the Chamber Boardroom, for an Air Service Workshop along side the Medicine Hat Regional Airport.
AGENDA
11:30 am - Lunch (included)
1. Overview of Business Cases - Presented to Air Canada and Westjet
2. Outcome of Airline Meetings
3. Overview of Air Service Strategic Plan
4. Next Steps & Question
Coffee & Conversations
Join the Chamber Thursday morning to enjoy coffee and conversations about your business, our business, or life in general! This is a great opportunity to connect in the mornings if your afternoons and evenings are too busy. You can stop by for a quick hello or stay and chat for a while; everyone is welcome!
Learn from the Experts: Social Media & Marketing
Learn from the Experts is back for 2024, this time focusing on Social Media and Marketing. Following up on a successful 2023 launch, we are back and better than ever! You will have the opportunity to make valuable connections, learn new skills to elevate your business and enjoy an evening with fellow Chamber members, staff, and our curated panel of Experts.
The format will be speed-networking-style conversations taking place over the course of two hours. Each attendee will have an opportunity to speak with each expert on the issues and opportunities facing themselves and their business.
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! Revive Inc., Silverado Country , Pet Park Boarding 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!
Chamber of Commerce Board Applications
As part of the Board of Director’s succession planning for the Medicine Hat & District Chamber of Commerce, nominations are held each year to actively seek out dedicated, community-minded individuals whose common goals and principles coincide with the Chamber of Commerce and the organization’s mandate. The Board of Directors assist in stimulating a strengthened and vibrant economy in our region through our connections, support & influence and help further our mission in the Medicine Hat & District area.
We are currently looking for energetic, enthusiastic and progressive Board members who have the desire to sustain and grow a strong business environment in our community. Successful candidates should be prepared to assist the Chamber of Commerce in accomplishing its goals and objectives and be willing to contribute to formulating policies for the betterment of our business community and advocating for those positions on behalf of our region.
In addition, we encourage individuals who are interested in becoming involved in the Chamber of Commerce to volunteer by sitting on a committee or task force as a way to gain experience and become familiar with our organization and our mandate prior to becoming a Board of Director.
If you are interested in volunteer opportunities with the Chamber of Commerce, please take a moment to fill out our Volunteer Form.
To ensure the Chamber maintains a fair and democratic process, we rely on and encourage our members to provide us with potential nominees for our Board, which are then elected by our members. If you or someone you know is interested in working with the Chamber of Commerce Board to accomplish our vision and mission and would like to submit their name for election to the Board, please fill out the online nomination form or download the nomination package HERE.
Any nominee shall be a member in good standing for a minimum of two years, free of any conflict of interest and be willing and able to attend board meetings. In addition, it is highly desirable that candidates should be able to demonstrate a familiarity with the Chamber of Commerce’s activities and a level of involvement that demonstrates an ongoing commitment to the Chamber of Commerce’s goals and objectives.
All nominations are due by Wednesday, May 1, 2024 at 12:00 noon. Should you have any questions, please contact the Chamber office at 403.527.5214 ext 222 or president@medicinehatchamber.com.
Fill Up On Funding
SheBoot | Applications close on April 30
Apply to join this cohort of SheBoot, an investment readiness program that prepares women in tech to pitch their business and secure investment. The program concludes in a pitch competition where you compete for $300,000 in investment from 30 women investors. Apply now
Investing in More Chapters of Alberta’s Stories
Alberta’s government is helping publishing and entertainment industries in the province thrive with an $8-million investment in the Alberta Media Fund. Find out more
Brooks-Newell Region News
Seeds of Change Rural Immigration Conference
Brooks - Newell Business Mixer
Join us on May 15th, 2024 for our inaugural Brooks-Newell Business mixer, held in the Atrium at the Heritage Inn and Convention Centre from 6pm-8pm.
Get to know your Chamber Staff and make valuable connections with your business community and City Leadership.
Space is limited for this event, so don't delay!
Charcuterie boards and canapes will be offered throughout the evening and bar service will be available.
Brooks Trade Show this Fall!
Each year, the Chamber invests time and resources into creating quality trade shows for our communities, and we are proud to host our inaugural trade show in Brooks. 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. As an added bonus, Chamber members receive 10% off the price of trade show booths! Bringing businesses together under the JBS Canada Centre roof provides a fantastic experience for everyone.
Take a look at more details regarding becoming an exhibitor here!
Crossword Puzzle
Crossword Puzzle Answers
Did you figure it out? Here are the answers for the April 22nd 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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