Fuelling Our Business Community |
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During this month of love share yours with these amazing local businesses! |
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Shop LOCAL FIRST YXH for that special gift: |
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February 14th is the deadline for nominations and submissions for the Alberta Business Awards of Distinction.
For any of our 2020 Business Awards nominees, we got you covered. We have nominated your business as part of our annual submission process.
If you would like to show your appreciation for your favourite Alberta businesses you can nominate them for the 2021 Alberta Business Awards of Distinction. More information. |
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Step 1 of Alberta’s four-step framework to ease restrictions is underway as pressure eases on the health system and hospitalizations remain below 600. School-related and limited indoor and outdoor children’s sport and performance activities, one-on-one indoor personal fitness with a trainer, and dine-in service at restaurants, cafés and pubs are now permitted provincewide. More information
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Limited school and minor sport training will be allowed under Step 1 of Alberta’s four-step framework to carefully ease restrictions as pressure on the health system declines. Starting Feb. 8, children and youth will be allowed to participate in lessons, practices and conditioning activities for indoor and outdoor team-based minor sports and athletics. All games continue to be prohibited. More information. More information
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In response to the increase in people needing support, the federal government announced EI regulations will be amended to temporarily waive the waiting period for EI claimants who establish a new claim between January 31, 2021, and September 25, 2021. This includes claimants of regular, fishing and special benefits. This temporary change will allow people who are applying for benefits to be paid for their first week of unemployment. More information
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Employers in Alberta now have an online service to verify the credentials of tradespersons and apprentices with just a few clicks of a mouse.
The Tradesperson Credential Verification Service gives employers streamlined, online access to verify the credentials of a skilled tradesperson or apprentice. The new online verification service can be accessed via tradesecrets.alberta.ca/check-credentials. |
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All Albertans are now eligible to receive self-isolation supports to help limit the spread of COVID-19. Prior to this expansion, only Albertans in Edmonton and Calgary were eligible for the $625 payment when they completed self-isolating in their assigned hotel. Now, Albertans across the province – including First Nations individuals living both on and off-reserve and people living on Metis Settlements who cannot isolate safely in their own home – are eligible. More information. |
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The new service enhancements for the 2021 tax season include: additional call agents to further increase call centre capacity, new automated callback service and extended call centre hours. Read more. |
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Want to know what else happened that you need to know?
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Regional Vitality Action Planning Summit
February 12, 2021
9 - 10:30 AM
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Canada 360 Economic Summit
February 17, 2021
6:45 AM - 3:00 PM
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A province-wide telephone town hall was held on February 3rd hosted by Premier Kenney, Dr. Deena Hinshaw - Chief Medical Officer of Health, Martin Long - Parliamentary Secretary for Small Business and Tourism and Doug Schweitzer - Minister of Jobs, Economy and Innovation. This call was specifically held to answer questions from the business community regarding business restrictions and stepped plan to re-opening businesses.
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Widespread vaccination of Canadians is many months away — with worrying supply concerns — while the real harm of the virus continues to be felt every day. The widespread use of rapid testing and enhanced contact tracing can play a significant, positive role in the fight against COVID-19.
Canadian governments at all levels have significant ground to make up on this front and must do so urgently. Read the op-ed.
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The federal government has launched its public consultations ahead of the 2021 budget. Canadians, including businesses and organizations, can participate directly by completing an online questionnaire or uploading a submission. Participate now. |
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Glen Motz, Member of Parliament for Medicine Hat - Cardston - Warner is asking businesses to complete a brief business survey (4 -5 minutes) to understand the priorities of the business community ahead of the upcoming Budget 2021 and beyond. A single survey should be completed for each business no later than Tuesday, February 16, 2021. Complete the survey. |
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New businesses and unregistered sole proprietors can now apply for Alberta’s small business relaunch grant. Expansions to the Small and Medium Enterprise Relaunch Grant program announced in January are now included on the Government of Alberta’s application portal. New businesses that began operating between March and October 2020, as well as unregistered sole proprietors, can now apply for COVID relief funding. More information
Southern Alberta Newspapers has begun the second round of the Community Marketing Grant program. $2.1 million in matching grant funds is available to help local businesses. Businesses can market in Medicine Hat and can reach additional consumers in southeastern Alberta and southwest Saskatchewan through this network of newspapers. Find more information and apply. |
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Special bonus for members! Are you re-opening once again? Or perhaps have been open and need some new signage, menus, or customized WeddingStar masks with your logo? Titanium Sign & Design wants to help! They know how tight money is right now and want to offer Chamber members discounted prices and payment options to have your businesses equipped with everything you need. Call the Titanium team today, let them know you are a member and see how they can help you. |
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During February, affectionately known as the month of love, we’re encouraging people to share some local love and share the incredible stories of our community. We know it’s easy to get caught up in all the bad news and negativity, but we want to use this opportunity to focus on the incredible things people are doing.
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Every year the Medicine Hat Construction Association publishes a magazine that includes highlights from the year past and a look forward. We value our relationship with the MHCA and were pleased to be asked to provide some content and encourage everyone to take a look!
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Women Entrepreneurs in STEM
Breaking Down Barriers Webinars
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Managing Your Time & Reaching More Clients
Feb 9
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To-Do-List for Business Success
Feb 11
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If your business was identified in Step 1 of the re-opening plan, are you opening this week?
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Last week's poll question: Would having a downtown waterfront district encourage you to spend more time downtown?
Yes: 80% No: 20%
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Find more updates on our social media |
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