Thank you for supporting the Grande Prairie & District Chamber of Commerce! Read on for information from our Chamber network. 

Our Member Marketplace on Thursdays highlights our Chamber businesses. Email tom@gpchamber.com with your ads. 
The most recent issue can be accessed here.
Connecting Business. Creating Opportunity.
On behalf of the Chamber Accreditation Council of Canada (CACC), we are pleased to announce our chamber’s application for reaccreditation has passed the Council’s examination and our Chamber has been accredited for a period of three years – 2021-23.

In 2004, the chamber accreditation program was launched. To achieve accreditation, a chamber must meet minimum standards in critical areas pivotal to a Chamber’s success. Accreditation is the acknowledgement that a chamber has been successfully evaluated against a rigorous set of national standards and has demonstrated excellence in chamber management. We’ve now achieved 10 years continuous accredited status!

"You are part of a group of elite chambers of commerce in Canada that can verify to the business community locally and nationally that your organization is run in a strategic and professional way and has reached the standard in Chamber excellence." - Shelley Morris, Chamber Accreditation Council of Canada. 
The Grande Prairie & District Chamber of Commerce thanks EVERYONE who participated in our first-ever State of the Region with City of Grande Prairie Mayor Jackie Clayton, County of Grande Prairie Reeve Leanne Beaupre and Municipal District of Greenview Reeve Dale Smith.

The 2021 Chamber Member Golf Classic presented by HUB International is set for Tuesday, August 17 at the Dunes Golf & Winter Club. Registration and sponsorship applications are available by CLICKING HERE or by contacting our office by phone at 780-532-5340 or emailing info@gpchamber.com.

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS TO DATE:
TITLE SPONSOR:
HUB International
WATERING HOLE SPONSOR:
GOLF CART SPONSORS:
(TWO STILL AVAILABLE)
BEVERAGE CART SPONSORS:
HOLE SPONSORS:
(TWO STILL AVAILABLE as well as THREE HOLE-IN-ONE Sponsorships)
ATB (Hole-in-One sponsor)
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. 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 current availability of kits, please call 780-532-5340 or email info@gpchamber.com
Contact our office for more information on the Partnership Plan:
email connectgp@getintheloop.ca or phone 780-831-0362
BDC Small Business Week is set for October 17-23 across Canada. Watch for details on our celebration coming soon including nomination information for our Grande Prairie Chamber Awards of Distinction; Proclamation Breakfast; Women in Business Lunch; and more.
RETURNING THIS SEPTEMBER!
More operating rooms and surgeries for Grande Prairie

Two additional operating rooms have been built in the new Grande Prairie Regional Hospital to offer thousands more surgeries to people in northern Alberta. Once the new hospital opens to the public later this year, a total of 11 operating rooms will allow the region to schedule 3,000 to 4,000 more surgeries each year. Increasing the surgical volume will help drive down wait times for procedures such as hip, knee or cataract surgeries.
Rural crime town hall meetings

Rural Albertans can share their concerns about crime in their communities in a series of upcoming town halls with the Minister of Justice and Solicitor General Kaycee Madu. This is a chance to voice concerns, discuss current initiatives and share ideas on ongoing work. Grande Prairie is scheduled for July 29 from 6:30-9:00 PM at the Holiday Inn & Suites Conference Centre.
Town Halls with MLA Toews

The first of this summer's town halls with the Honourable Travis Toews, MLA for Grande Prairie - Wapiti are scheduled for TONIGHT in Sexsmith and Thursday in Beaverlodge. 
 
MLA Toews will be available to take questions and receive feedback regarding constituent concerns and the issues relevant to today.
 
As space is limited, please RSVP by email to grandeprairie.wapiti@assembly.ab.ca.
 
To request your space, please indicate on your RSVP the following information:
  • Name of attendee(s) along with address and phone number
  • Which event you would like to attend
  • An issue that is important to you
Made in Alberta, by Albertans

Agriculture and Forestry has developed a new Made in Alberta, by Albertans label that farmers and processors can use on their products. The label will help shoppers quickly identify food made in our province when choosing an item at their local farmers’ market or grocery store. 
Supporting sustainable beef sector growth

Alberta’s government is partnering with the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association, Alberta Beef Producers and Alberta Cattle Feeders’ Association to undertake a competitiveness study that will provide important insights and data for this essential industry.
Utility Payment Deferral Program: Minister Nally

Associate Minister of Natural Gas and Electricity Dale Nally issued a statement about the Utility Payment Deferral Program and the associated upcoming rate rider.
New open work permit available for recent permanent residency applicants

Beginning July 26, 2021, individuals who have applied for the recently opened pathway to permanent residence will be eligible for an open work permit while awaiting the results of their application.
Government of Canada launches Jobs and Growth Fund to create jobs and foster economic activity in Canada’s communities

The Government of Canada launched $500 million in funding for the new Tourism Relief Fund. Eligible organizations can now submit applications to support the tourism sector prepare to welcome back domestic travelers and reposition Canada as a world-class destination.  



Federal government delivers $5 billion in pandemic support to provinces and territories for vaccines and health care

The Government of Canada announced the payment of $5 billion to the provinces and territories, distributed equally per capita, to further support vaccination campaigns and ensure our health care systems remain resilient and responsive to Canadians’ needs.

Extended Critical Worker Benefit

Workers at quick-service and dine-in restaurants and taxi and limousine drivers are eligible to receive a one-time payment of $1,200 through the Critical Worker Benefit. Employers and self-employed workers must apply at www.alberta.ca/critical-worker-benefit.aspx.

Government of Alberta Self-Employment Training Program now offered online 

Are you ready to start your own business? Check out the Self-Employment Training Program at Microbusiness Training Centre.
Become a member of Vexxit 

Are you an accountant, lawyer, financial advisor, or consultant? Become a member of Vexxit’s professional community. Vexxit works with you to showcase your professional expertise and find your ideal audience through the right channels. With over 18K website views per month, a network of over 3.2 million Canadians, exclusive partnerships with corporations, and Chamber of Commerce, Vexxit is able to extend your reach. Check out the link for more information. 
Clarification on Bill C-208 provides much needed certainty for small businesses – Canadian Chamber of Commerce

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce’s President and CEO, Perrin Beatty, issued the following statement on today’s clarification from the government on the taxation of intergenerational transfers of small business shares:

“Today’s clarification from Finance Minister Freeland regarding Bill C-208 provides much needed certainty for small businesses by making clear the Bill is now part of the Income Tax Act. The unfair taxation of intergenerational transfers meant that until Bill C-208, it was more difficult and made less financial sense for small business owners to sell their company to their children and grandchildren versus a complete stranger. Small businesses make up 98% of all companies in Canada.

We commend the government of Canada and Parliamentarians from across party lines, including MPs Larry Maguire and Wayne Easter, for not only seeing that C-208 passed through Parliament, but also addressing the issue as soon as possible.

As we make our way from economic recovery to growth, it will be important for small businesses to know that they are being supported. Today’s announcement removes the legislative limbo facing small businesses, which will help facilitate succession planning and help contribute to the successful longevity of Canadian companies.

We look forward to working with the government as they consult with the business community on future amendments to the Income Tax Act and urge that any future changes to intergenerational transfers be closely studied in Parliament.”
Canadian Chamber encouraged by new border measures for fully vaccinated travelers, but questions remain

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce’s President and CEO, Perrin Beatty, issued the following statement on today’s new border measures for fully vaccinated travelers.

“As Canada moves from recovery into growth, having workable border measures for fully vaccinated travellers is critical for Canadian businesses. While many questions remain about how this partial reopening will work, we welcome today’s announcement as a positive step towards making safe international mobility a reality.

Businesses have been calling for predictable, science-based border measures. We are encouraged that the government is modifying quarantine rules for vaccinated travellers and enabling more airports to receive international travellers. However, we are concerned that the costly and cumbersome procedures that remain for fully vaccinated travellers will discourage short visits, including many business trips.

As these measures are implemented, we will need to address a number of outstanding issues for Canadians, including how to efficiently manage points of entry to avoid border congestion, what changes the U.S. government will make for Canadians travelling to that country and how the rules for unvaccinated minors will be applied. Most importantly, the ArriveCan app is a poor substitute for a secure system of interoperable digital health credentials.

We urgently need a secure system that will both help Canadians travel and ensure that others coming here are quickly assessed.”