Thanks for supporting the Grande Prairie & District Chamber of Commerce! Read on for information from our Chamber and partners. 

PLEASE NOTE: The Chamber News will not be published June 22 or 29 but will resume on July 5.

Our Member Marketplace newsletter on Thursdays highlights our Chamber businesses. Email tom@gpchamber.com with your ads. 
Last week's issue can be accessed here.
Connecting Business. Creating Opportunity.
COVID-19 RAPID TESTING KITS FOR BUSINESSES

The Grande Prairie & District Chamber of Commerce has partnered with the Government of Alberta and the Alberta Chambers of Commerce to provide complimentary COVID-19 rapid testing kits to small and medium-sized businesses. By frequently testing employees, businesses can stop outbreaks before they happen, keeping employees and customers safe.
* A Chamber membership is NOT required.

Rapid testing kits will be available for pick up only at our office in Centre 2000, located at 11330 106 Street, Grande Prairie, AB T8V 7X9, Unit 127.
Designated pick-up times are between 8:30 AM and 4:30 PM Monday to Friday (excluding holidays), where businesses can send one representative to collect their rapid testing kits during those select hours.

For further information including current availability of kits,
please call 780-532-5340 or email info@gpchamber.com

The following documents provide an overview of the Rapid Testing Program and the requirements organizations must follow for a screening program:

What are your top priorities for Alberta's reopening?
We want to hear from you!

The Alberta Chambers of Commerce network has launched the latest business survey in their Alberta Perspectives market research program—this one focused on economic recovery and priorities following the COVID-19 pandemic. It will remain open until June 25.

Your opinions and feedback mean a lot to us. The survey only takes approximately 10 minutes to complete.


This is the third provincial priorities survey in the network’s Alberta Perspectives market research initiative. Gathering insights from our members helps our chamber and the ACC network advocate to provincial and local governments on your behalf. 
Chamber Community Pulse Series

The Grande Prairie area has a robust and diverse economy. The Community Pulse series is designed to provide updates and insights from a variety of the industries, sectors, and organizations that make up the fabric of our unique and incredible community.

In this session on Wednesday, June 16 at 10:00 AM, we will hear an update from the Interim President and CEO of Grande Prairie Regional College, Dr. Glenn Feltham who will discuss GPRC’s historic polytechnic announcement and how the institution’s evolution will deliver benefits for students, communities and the broader region. 

There is no cost to participate but registration is required to receive the Zoom link.

Wednesday, June 16
3:00-4:00 PM

Registration is also open for our June 23 session featuring an economic update from the Municipal District of Greenview. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

THANK YOU TO OUR PRESENTING PARTNERS: City of Grande Prairie Economic Development, County of Grande Prairie Economic Development, Grande Prairie Regional Innovation Network and TC Energy; AND OUR SUPPORTING PARTNERS: Chambers Plan represented by local broker HUB International, Community Futures Grande Prairie & Region, GetintheLoop Grande Prairie and the Municipal District of Greenview.
CPP Investments – A global powerhouse, working on behalf of Albertans

The Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPP Investments) plays a critical role in the lifetime retirement security of more than 2.8 million Albertans. It is also a major investor in some of the province’s largest companies and major projects, with over $10.2 billion invested in Alberta. Join Jeffrey Hodgson, Director, Global Stakeholder Affairs on Thursday, June 17 at 3:00 PM for a discussion on what’s ahead for the pension fund investment manager and its role in supporting Alberta’s economy, including the evolution of key sectors like energy and technology.

No cost to attend but registration is required to receive the Zoom link
CHAMBER MEMBER ORIENTATION - YOUTUBE LINK

The Grande Prairie & District Chamber of Commerce thanks everyone who participated in our Chamber Member Orientation last week. The event featured Chamber Board Members and staff as well as representatives from HUB International: the local broker for Chambers Plan; ATB and Vexxit who provided information about our products, services and initiatives. To view or review the presentation, PLEASE CLICK HERE.
CHAMBER COFFEE BREAK

The next Grande Prairie & District Chamber of Commerce Chamber Coffee Break for members is Friday, June 25 at 10:00 AM

These regular virtual networking events offer an opportunity for our members to meet or reconnect online.

This informal event is intended to be a light-hearted discussion including ice-breaker introductions, questions of the day, current news topics of interest, and updates from our Chamber. 

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER. For more information, contact our office by phone at 780-532-5340 or email cindy@gpchamber.com.
MILESTONE MEMBERS! Thanks to the following businesses for their long-time Chamber support:

25 Years
Northern Doors
Fulcrum Group Chartered Professional Accountants

20 Years
Best Western Grande Prairie Hotel & Suites dba Armco Hotels LP
Gary Wood Holdings Ltd.
Wapiti-Community-Dorm-Society (Rotary House)

15 Years
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Grande Prairie & Area
Discovery Financial Group Inc.
Anodyne Chiropractic and Sports Therapy
SignCo Commercial Billboard Advertising
T.Sedore Photography

10 Years
1504012 Alberta Ltd.
Grande Prairie Public School Division Education Foundation
Jade Cash ATM
Kelly Therapeutic Massage Inc.
Willy's Trucking Services
I.T. Partners
Saltmedia

5 Years
Grant Berg Gallery
Status Energy
Dr. Steve Roberts
Encore Suites by Service Plus Inns
Energy 44

And please join us in welcoming our newest Chamber Members:
Drop the Shop Auto Inc.
RBN Supervision Ltd.
Solomon Okhifoh
The Eye Doctors at Grande Banks
D.R.L. Mechanical Ltd.
GAM Tech
CBH Real Estate
Onward Generator Maintenance Solutions
LandSolutions LP
MetCredit
FEATURED CHAMBER MEMBER VALUE ADDED BENEFIT

Our highlighted Chamber Member value added benefit this week is STAPLES.

STAPLES offers all Chamber members and their staff a 20% discount on inhouse printing services. Contact the Chamber office for your Discount Card or call Carrie Kanzig at 780-516-1461 for more information.
Contact our office for more information on the Partnership Plan:
email connectgp@getintheloop.ca or phone 780-831-0362
The City of Grande Prairie, County of Grande Prairie and Community Foundation of Northwestern Alberta have partnered to better connect residents across the region to vital social supports through the Community Compass Project
 
The Community Compass ties together hundreds of independent social services and programs across the Grande Prairie area into a coordinated system so residents can more easily navigate community support. The program is designed to better connect residents with the supports they need in a more efficient, effective and accessible way, improving co-ordination and use of resources across organizations in the area. 

CLICK HERE for more information.
Take the Vital Signs Survey today and speak out!
Digging Deep To Uncover Quality Of Life

Northwestern Alberta’s Vital Signs® provides a snapshot of quality of life in the City of Grande Prairie, the County of Grande Prairie, the MD of Greenview and local communities. This knowledge-driven tool uses research to highlight where our strengths are as communities and where the gaps lie. Vital Signs invites every citizen and leader to identify priorities, start conversations, and make informed decisions to drive positive change, where no one is left behind.

Attention Highway 40 Travellers!

Alberta Transportation, along with Castleglenn Consultants is hosting a Zoom workshop to discuss the Highway 40 corridor. In addition, they are looking for feedback on the future roadway requirements.

You are invited to attend this workshop tonight, Tuesday, June 15, 2021 at 6:00 pm.

For more information, please click here.
Open for Summer Lottery for first and second doses

Alberta’s government will hold three draws for $1 million each to incentivize Albertans to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

Any Alberta resident 18 and older who has received a first dose of vaccine can register to enter for the first $1-million prize. Eligibility for the first $1 million will close seven days after the province beats its Stage 3 target of 70 per cent first-dose vaccination of Albertans 12 and older. The first winner will be announced when Stage 3 of Alberta’s Open for Summer Plan begins.

To encourage more people to get fully vaccinated, two additional lotteries will follow in August and September. Any Albertan over the age of 18 who receives two doses will be eligible to win one of these additional $1-million prizes. 

To opt-in for the lottery, visit alberta.ca/lottery 
To book your COVID-19 vaccine, visit alberta.ca/vaccine to find available appointments with AHS or participating pharmacies across the province.
Government collaboration supporting the future of Alberta’s clean hydrogen sector  
 
The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, the Honourable Jason Kenney, Premier of Alberta, and His Worship Don Iveson, Mayor of Edmonton, announced that their governments are working closely with Air Products Canada Ltd. to advance clean energy in Canada and jointly pursue a transformative $1.3 billion net-zero hydrogen production investment.
Helping farmers and agri-businesses adopt clean technologies to reduce emissions and enhance competitiveness
 
The federal government announced details of the new $165.7-million Agricultural Clean Technology Program.
 
Vexxit webinar: Business succession planning
 
Join Vexxit on Thursday, June 17, to learn the strategies and financial planning solutions that can help you minimize risk and ensure a smooth transfer of wealth to the next generation.
 
Working Together for Community Recovery, with Suncor
June 16 | 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. ET | Virtual

Business leaders across Canada have been stepping up to support Canadian business through the pandemic. Join Suncor and the Suncor Energy Foundation, Community Foundations of Canada and the Mikisew Group of Companies for this FREE event to learn about:
  • A pandemic response and recovery case study
  • How businesses and government can work together for community recovery
  • Opportunities ahead for Canadian business

Future of the Canada – U.S. Border
June 22 | 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. ET | Virtual

Join the Canadian Chamber of Commerce along with AmCham Canada for a dialogue with the Canadian Border Services Agency and U.S. Customs and Border Protection for a conversation with business executives on the post-pandemic future of the border as it relates to trusted trader and trusted traveller programs. 

This government-industry discussion will: 
  • Enable businesses to hear from governments on their forward-looking priorities for border programs and how policies impact companies. 
  • Provide Canadian and American government officials an opportunity to hear from companies on the key border issues affecting them. 

Women in Business Summit: Empowering an Inclusive Recovery
June 23 | 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET | Virtual

This is not just another conference for women. Our Summit is about mobilizing the entire Canadian business community to apply its ingenuity to find the bold solutions needed for Canada to compete in a changing economic landscape.   

The Summit will focus on ways to champion women, including:  
1. Professional transitions and new opportunities for upskilling and reskilling 
2. Creating more opportunities for BIPOC employees and equity seeking groups in the workplace 
3. Mental health supports 
4. Advancing female entrepreneurship 

Canadian Survey on Business Conditions Discussion
June 25 | 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. ET | Virtual

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce has produced business insights throughout the pandemic in collaboration with Deloitte Canada. We will both present our analysis of the Q2 results of the Canadian Survey on Business Conditions – an innovative Statistics Canada product of over 15,000 Canadian employers.

Join us to explore new insights and learn more about the Canadian Survey on Business Conditions from Statistics Canada.

Getting to Net Zero: Opportunities for SME Business Sector Leadership
June 30 | 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. ET | Virtual

Given that small-to-medium size enterprises (SMEs) represent 92% of Canadian businesses, we recognize the significant business, economic and environmental impact potential of helping more SMEs become climate leaders, reduce transition risk and future-proof their businesses.

Join us for this webinar as we discuss: 
  • SME sector role in climate leadership action in Canada: Climate Smart businesses. 
  • What’s driving businesses towards carbon neutrality and measuring their carbon footprint? 
  • How do businesses measure and manage their carbon footprint? 
  • What should you measure and why? International standards, climate accounting protocol and process. 
  • What are examples of SMEs that are finding innovative and profitable ways to demonstrate climate leadership?
  • What is “net zero”? What does it mean to achieve net-zero carbon emissions? 
  • Who’s pursuing it (business and governments) and why it is important. 
  • Carbon offsets – part of the net zero solution.