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Fuelling Our Business Community
We visited our member Zenith Engraving this week and we were so grateful to see our new membership decal in the window. If you'd like your decal please make sure to get your membership renewal in to Chantel.

Your investment in us allows us to support you! If you have renewed your membership, thank you!!
With the weather turning cooler it reminds us that holiday season will be just around the corner. Make sure you have your #LocalFirstYXH decal in your store window as the shopping season kicks into gear.

You can also rev up your marketing by taking part in our Christmas Coupon campaign.

Find out more about these opportunities by emailing Chantel.
Supporting our businesses and creating connections to our local business community is a key role in what we do. When our business community is thriving, they support the growth of our community by contributing to the tax base that supports the services we benefit from collectively. This economic ecosystem is essential for a vibrant economy.

Quick Check Up
Essential Business Services
We want to make sure that you have everything you need to operate in these
challenging times. We have all had to adapt to a “new normal” and we know
that many of your needs have changed too.
The Canadian Chamber of Commerce has launched a survey to understand
how your needs have changed and what programs and services they can
provide to help your business persevere, and ultimately prosper, through the
COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. The survey is completely anonymous and will
take no more than 5 minutes
Your Weekly Tune Up
On September 23, 2020, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Julie Payette, Governor General of Canada, delivered the Speech from the Throne to open the second session of the 43rd Parliament and outline the government’s agenda. The Canadian Chamber of Commerce responded with their statement: Throne Speech a Start, But Much More is Needed to Get Canadians Back to Work and President & CEO, the Honourable Perrin Beatty, also gave this interview. Alberta Premier Jason Kenney reacted with this statement.

Workers not eligible for EI will be able to access income support through new Recovery Benefits. The federal government introduced Bill C-2, to create three new temporary Recovery Benefits to support Canadians who are unable to work for reasons related to COVID-19. As announced on August 20, temporary measures to help Canadians access EI benefits more easily are effective September 27, 2020, for one year. These changes will also establish a minimum weekly benefit payment of $500 for all EI recipients, at the same level as the CRB. More information.

As a result of the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government of Canada used its authority under the Employment Insurance Act to temporarily limit the change in the premium rate to zero in order to freeze the EI premium rate for 2021 and 2022 at the 2020 level. The EI premium rate is $1.58 per $100 of insurable earnings for employees and $2.21 for employers who pay 1.4 times the employee rate. More information.

Licensed child care programs will receive $87 million in new funding as part of Alberta’s Recovery Plan and the federal Safe Restart agreement. Licensed day care, out-of-school care, family day homes, group family child care, innovative child care and preschool programs will benefit from grant payments. More information.

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is gradually resuming additional activities, and it may legitimately be us calling Canadians to discuss their tax and benefit situations. However, you should be aware of scammers pretending to be CRA employees. To protect yourself from scams, it’s important to know when and how the CRA might contact you. Read additional tips on how to recognize when the CRA is trying to contact you.

Want to know what else happened that you need to know?
The Power of Community
There are those in our community who see a need and fill it because that is just who they are. These heroes walk among us everyday and would never call attention to their efforts. That is why it's up to those around them to recognize the difference they make in our community and right now there are two volunteer awards opportunities to help us.
Stars of Alberta Awards was expanded and the deadline extended to October 6th.
Canada's Volunteer Awards are accepting nominations until September 30th.
Advocacy in Action
We are proud of our agriculture industry and what they contribute to this region and we continue to work with them on the challenges they face and new issues that surface so that they have the supports needed to keep a strong, stable, sustainable and competitive industry.

Enriching Your Business
Exclusive Marketing Opportunities
Driving through a community those blue highway signs are a magnet that draws your eyes whether you're a visitor or you live locally. If you want that kind of exposure and the ability to have your business seen then we can make that happen!

We have limited openings on our signs located on Highways 1 and 3. Interested? Are you a Chamber member? Then you get special discounted pricing!
Deals
Do you have a sale or promotion you would like to feature? Are you interested in getting seen on a highway sign? Find out more by emailing Chantel at: membership@medicinehatchamber.com.
Turning the Ignition
Canada Starts is a newly-established $200,000 grant fund to help Canadian entrepreneurs start their business. Individual grants of up to $5,000 each will be awarded to eligible new businesses across Canada. More information.
Startup Canada Podcasts speaks with the movers and shakers of Canada’s entrepreneurship community to give a glimpse into the future of business. Tune in weekly for new episodes airing every Tuesday.
Helpful Webinars
Canada Pension Plan Investments Public Meeting

October 5
7 Work from Home Tips Startups Should Know


October 6
Digital Tools to Drive Efficiency and Revenue


On demand
Next Level Events
2020 Business Awards: Driving Business Forward

Join the chamber network, nominees and sponsors for a celebration to kick off Small Business Week. Make sure to register today and set up your online profile to Join us for an award winning night full of music, fun and connections.

Calgary Chamber Small Business Summit

The Calgary Chamber is hosting a full day summit full of inspiring keynotes, workshops, panels and networking sessions and a few surprises. This event will benefit anyone who is running or working in a small business and will offer content and learning around business continuity, ecommerce growth, pivoting your business, growing a network and more. As a member of the chamber there is a special offer for registration for only $20.00 by using the code 'EARLYMEMBER'.
See our events calendar for more opportunities to connect.
Sparking Conversation
Are you satisfied with the actions proposed in the Speech from the Throne?
Yes
No
Last week: Have you applied for the Canada Emergency Business Account?
Yes: 50%
No, I do not require assistance: 28.6%
No, I do not know about this business support: 7.1%
I do not qualify for this business support: 14.3%
Useful Links
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