Your Weekly Tune Up

linkedin-sales-solutions-4nu1d0HYwAg-unsplash

New Portal to Support Small and Medium-sized Businesses with Health and Safety

The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) has launched a new online portal to help small businesses across Canada meet their health and safety responsibilities. Small and medium-sized businesses can be challenged by competing priorities, time constraints, financial pressures and limited resources. They often don't have staff dedicated to health and safety. The Business Safety Portal offers an accessible, scalable, low-cost solution for owners and employers to help them understand their legal obligations for protecting their workers from injuries and illnesses and keep up to date with their health and safety policies, training, and other regulatory requirements.

The Portal provides businesses with health and safety guidance specific to their industry and location. It features templates and checklists to guide them through identifying health and safety hazards and concerns, assessing the risks to their workers, and developing policies and programs to help protect them. The Portal also includes relevant online courses, practical manuals, fact sheets, and a digital file cabinet to store, update and share important documentation, such as health and safety plans, training certificates and inspection records.

Annual subscriptions start from $100. More information about the Business Safety Portal is available on the CCOHS website. Find out more

Mail delivery during Postal Service Disruption

The Government of Alberta's has a plan to ensure critical government mail continues to be delivered during the service interruption at Canada Post. Starting Tuesday, Nov. 19, mail can be accepted from Albertans at designated Alberta government offices across the province to ensure it reaches the proper destination. No stamps are required. The full list of designated buildings is available on Alberta.ca. Albertans who receive mail from the provincial government will receive a notification by email or phone indicating where and when they can pick-up/drop-off their mail. Alberta's government will never ask for personal information over the phone or for anyone to click on a link in an email. Non-critical mail will be held by the originating department until Canada Post mail service resumes. Find out more.

The City of Medicine Hat is promoting its diverse set of options available to ensure continued customer service and business operations. No invoices will be delivered during the initial week of the postal disruption. However, this will be reassessed as information regarding the length of the strike action becomes available. Customers remain responsible for paying bills throughout any postal disruption.Please note the following existing options to consider for receiving statements, balance and due date inquiries.

Visit medicinehat.ca/paperless for the following actions and more information on each:

Utilities - View bills and account balances and sign up for eBilling. First-time registrants will need the access code from their latest statement.

Taxation - Access account balances. First-time registrants will need the access code from their latest statement.

Accounts Receivable - Sign up for paperless billing.

Customers may also call 403-529-8111 for more information on these options, or by email:

Utilities or Accounts Receivable - customer_accounts@medicinehat.ca

Taxation - tax@medicinehat.ca

Other payment options include the following:

Online through telephone or internet banking

After-hours drop box for payments made by cheque (located at the west entrance to City Hall)

In-person at Cashiers, Main Floor, City Hall between 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Alberta's launches a new Stop Housing Delays online portal

The Stop Housing Delays online portal is now available for developers and municipal authorities to help identify areas that are preventing fast and efficient residential construction. This portal will help government identify and address barriers to building homes across the province. Once developers, municipalities or industry partners have submitted their issue using the online form, government will collect and assess the information provided. Alberta's government will be taking a collaborative, cross-ministry approach to ensure the appropriate departments are working together to find solutions where possible. Solutions may range from minor changes to policy reform. Find out more and explore the portal.

Government of Canada boosts innovation to accelerate homebuilding in the Prairie provinces

Through the Regional Homebuilding Innovation Initiative, the Government of Canada will invest $50 million over two years, beginning this year, to provide support to the residential home construction sector and its supply chain. Delivered through Canada's Regional Development Agencies, including PrairiesCan, these investments will advance innovative homebuilding solutions and boost manufacturing efficiency and output to improve capacity within the homebuilding sector in the Prairie provinces and across Canada. Find out more and apply. All projects must be completed by March 31, 2026

Advocacy in Action

Chamber Background and Recommendation Updates

The Chamber of Commerce will be updating our background and recommendations in our policy resolution focused on Creating a Business-Friendly Regulatory Environment - related to our recommendations around red tape reduction and we would like to hear from you. This policy was last updated in 2022 and is due for renewal in 2025. We'll review the recommendations to find out what issues still exist, what new issues have surfaced, and if our members would like to see updates to the policy and recommendations.

We are looking for businesses with expertise in planning and development, who have done business in the last two years with the municipality and also have experience doing business in other municipalities for comparison purposes. Please let us know if you are interested in joining this task force by Monday, December 2nd so we can establish our first meeting to review our next steps.

Update on Labour Disruptions at Canada's Ports

Minister of Labour Steven MacKinnon announced yesterday that the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) has been directed to impose final binding arbitration to resolve ongoing labour disputes at ports in British Columbia, Montreal, and Quebec. This decision aims to swiftly end disruptions and resume port operations, while extending current collective agreements until new ones are finalized.

Read the Canadian Chamber's latest statement regarding the labour disputes in Canadian Ports.

Read our letter to Ministers MacKinnon and Anand regarding the shutdown of British Columbia Ports

Read our letter to Minister MacKinnon regarding labour disruption at Port of Montreal.

Premier Danielle Smith joins Governors' Coalition for Energy Security

With $133.6 billion in energy exports within a total $188 billion bilateral trade portfolio between Alberta and the US in 2023, Alberta is expanding energy ties with the U.S. and promoting cross-border energy trade and participation, helping to build upon its North American Energy strategy. Alberta already accounts for 56 per cent of all oil imports to the U.S. - twice as much as Mexico, Saudi Arabia and Iraq combined - which is helping to drive job creation and prosperity on both sides of the border. Natural gas also plays an important role in North America's energy mix. Alberta is the largest producer of natural gas in Canada and remains positioned to support the U.S. in filling their domestic supply gaps. Find out more.

Have an Issue? Click Here

Next Level Events

2024 Midnight Madness THIS FRIDAY!

Midnight Madness is a yearly event that usually takes place a week before Black Friday to encourage people to shop early and support the local shops and owners within the downtown core. Come on down and enjoy all that downtown has to offer with live entertainment, giveaways, retail sales & specials, food and beverage offerings from your favourite local hot spots, a petting zoo, buskers, and so much more. Happening this Friday, November 22nd in beautiful Downtown Medicine Hat!

Check out the Member Businesses and their deals happening that night: https://chamber.southeastalbertachamber.ca/midnightmadness

2023MM_Media Kit_WIP_MidnightMadness_Sticker

2024 Presidents' Reception, Membership Appreciation & AGM

See what we've been up to in the past year all while getting a chance to eat, drink and connect with others at this annual event! Join us for an opportunity to meet and network with the Chamber of Commerce members, current/ past Directors and Presidents of the Board, and the Chamber operations team.

DATE: November 28th, 2024
TIME: 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Registration here

Redcliff Moonlight Madness - November 29th

Tree Lighting Ceremony in Redcliff Memorial Park@ 7:00pm

Holiday Hay Ride - Decorated 20ft flat deck, special "Christmas guest" to join the hayride around the perimeter of the park.

Santa & Mrs Claus under gazebo

Free hot dogs, hot chocolate & s'mores

Fire tables with Redcliff/Box Springs Fire Department (Trucks on site for viewing)

Music by Redcliff Margaret Wooding & I.F Cox School Choir

Potential speech by Redcliff Mayor, Dwight Kilpatrick

Grand Openings in the Business Community

Celebrate local businesses and their milestones with us! There are still a few in November so let's get out there and show some support.

Check out our grand opening calendar here: https://chamber.southeastalbertachamber.ca/grandopenings

CLICK TO VIEW ALL EVENTS!

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

Look at what else your Chambers Plan includes here!

Value Added Benefits

Find a Job!

Post a Job!

Fueling the Business Community

• NEW MEMBERS •

We would like to welcome Michaela Frey Consulting, Cypress View Foundation, and SureStay Plus by Best Western Brooks 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!

Limited-Time Promotion: $150 Statement Credit Offer for New Chamber Members

Throughout the upcoming month of November, any new member who signs up through our Chamber Referral Program will receive a $150 statement credit! Promotion Period: November 1^st ~ November 30^th, 2024.

How You 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 November 30^th, 2024, and members will be qualified to receive $150 Statement credit

Paterson Consulting - CMC-Canada Consulting Project of the Year Winner

The Chamber would like to congratulate Member Wes Paterson with Paterson Consulting on winning the CMC-Canada Consulting Project of the Year! Your hard work and perseverance have truly paid off, and we are incredibly proud to have you as a distinguished member of our community. We look forward to witnessing your continued success and the positive impact you will undoubtedly make in the industry.

You can read the mini case study of Wes' award-winning project here and check out Wes' LinkedIn post with more details here.

Fill Up On Funding

City of Medicine Hat Housing Infill and Redevelopment Incentive Program now open

The fourth intake of the Housing Infill and Redevelopment Incentive program is now open and will close on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024, at 5 p.m. The Housing Infill and Redevelopment Incentive Program (HIRIP) aims to provide more multi-family housing options, diversify the housing market, and enhance the value of the City's urban areas.

The Housing Infill and Redevelopment Incentive provides financial assistance to developers and property owners to encourage the development and construction on infill properties. Owners of an infill property can apply and may be eligible for an incentive of $15,000 per dwelling unit for new residential development on a single site and $7,500 for the development of a backyard suite.

Applying does not guarantee approval. Funding is subject to the remaining funds available under this Incentive Program at the time of application. Learn more and apply here: Medicine Hat Economic Development - Incentives - City of Medicine Hat.

This giving season, earn up to $5,000 in match funding through Crowdfunding Alberta

With the giving season right around the corner, now is the perfect time to get started on your first or next Crowdfunding Alberta campaign. Crowdfunding Alberta is an online fundraising program developed specifically for Alberta's non-profit/voluntary sector organizations, such as agricultural societies. Through Crowdfunding Alberta, 50% of donations made to campaigns, within eight weeks of launching online, will be matched by the government up to $5,000 per organization per year (April 1 - March 31).

Crowdfunding Alberta uses government match funding to entice donors to support Alberta-based non-profit organizations and initiatives while connecting Alberta's non-profit organizations with a wider network of supporters. Match funding is proven to not only eZncourage people to give - but to give more generously. Since launching in November 2021, Crowdfunding Alberta has helped Alberta's non-profits earn over $1.5 million in donations and match funding.

For more information visit Crowdfunding Alberta or email crowdfundingalberta@gov.ab.ca.

Strategic Energy Management for Industry

ERA held an informational webinar on its new $50 million SEMI program on October 31, 2024, covering the program's four core activities, the submission process, eligibility, and timelines for decisions. If you missed the webinar, or want to review the content, check out the recording and PowerPoint presentation on the SEMI webpage or ERA's YouTube channel. Then register for the Facility Readiness Assessment (FRA) webinar on Thursday, December 5th. ERA is hosting a virtual webinar to help SEMI applicants with the Facility Readiness Assessment (FRA), the first step to help identify and recommend further eligible SEMI activities. This hour-long online session will take place on Thursday, December 5, 2024, from 1-2 p.m. (MST). You can also view the FAQs online.

Government of Alberta's investment through Emissions Reduction Alberta's Advanced Materials Challenge

The focus of the Advanced Materials Challenge is to help create technologies that turn resources into modern, new products. This includes emerging technologies extracting high value metals like vanadium, titanium and lithium found within natural resources such as bitumen and creating novel, carbon-absorbing materials. Applications are open to innovators, technology developers, commercial and industrial building owners, municipalities, Indigenous communities, small and medium-sized businesses, research and development organizations, universities, and not-for-profit organizations.

While technology solutions can originate from anywhere globally, they must be piloted, demonstrated or deployed in Alberta. Applications close on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, at 5 PM MST with successful applicants eligible for up to $5 million. Full details on the Advanced Materials Challenge can be found on Emissions Reduction Alberta's website.

ERA-AMC-DigitalAssets_Web-Banner-2048x587

Brooks-Newell Region News

Sense of Belonging and Employee Well-Being

City Council is reviewing 9 key projects in the Sense of Belonging and Employee Well-Being Focus Area of the Strategic Plan. Below is an update on the projects. Council reviews sections of its work plan regularly to guide budgetary decisions and staff plans.

Iconic sign visible from the TransCanada Highway

Muslim cemetery

Community beautification plan

Community spirit marketing campaign

Community events

CUPE negotiations and collective agreement

Compensation review

Recruiting plan for challenging positions

Employee engagement and satisfaction survey

Read more in the November 12 edition of LARKSpur

Crossword Puzzle

Crossword Puzzle Answers

Did you figure it out? Here are the answers for the November 12th 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.