CHANGES TO GENERAL HOLIDAY PAY AND BANKED OVERTIME TAKE EFFECT SEPTEMBER 1
The Government of Alberta passed the Open for Business Act in the spring, which included changes to employment standards rules that are intended to reduce burdens on employers.

Effective September 1, employers and employees will be able to agree to straight-time banked overtime hours agreements. Flexible Averaging Agreements are being repealed, as straight-time overtime agreements mean they are no longer needed.

Also effective September 1, changes to general holiday pay will take effect, including a return to a qualifying period of 30 days in the last 12 months before a general holiday, and a return to regular and irregular workday distinctions when calculating general holiday pay.
FREE ONLINE TRAINING ON EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS
Learn about the new rules for banked overtime, general holiday pay, and the job creation student wage , which took effect June 26.

Alberta's Employment Standards team will be hosting free webinars in September to help employers understand the changes. The webinars will cover what happens to existing banked overtime agreements and Flexible Averaging Agreements. Webinars focused on the job creation student wage and the new rules for banked overtime and general holiday pay will occur on the following dates:

Wednesday Sept. 4, 2019
Thursday Sept. 12, 2019
Tuesday Sept. 24, 2019

The Alberta Government is also hosting webinars providing a broad overview of Alberta's employment standards rules, including overtime and general holiday pay on the following dates:

Tuesday Sept. 10, 2019
Wednesday Sept. 18, 2019

Each webinar includes a live Q&A session to give participants a chance to discuss their own situations with the group.

Sign up for a webinar on the registration page.
PROCUREMENT OPPORTUNITIES @ WAINWRIGHT GARRISON...
In order to assist local business in gaining information on business opportunities at Wainwright Garrison and other local areas, the Wainwright Economic Development Office will periodically send out business opportunities featured on merx.com and buyandsell.gc.ca t hat pertain particularly to Wainwright and area.

These are systems used by the Government for procurement of goods and services over $25,000.

Click here for the list of WAINWRIGHT BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES.
RETAIL BUSINESS VIDEO
Please view the first video HERE of Daines & Daubney , completed as part of the Town of Wainwright Retail Business Video project. 

Daines & Daubney is a brick-and-mortar store with two locations in eastern Alberta. Daines opened their first shop at 119 – 10 Street in Wainwright, AB in February 2014, and at 4902-50 Ave Suite B in March of 2018 a second location in Vermilion, AB. Daines is now excited to be offering a curated selection of items available online, with shipping for customers out of town, or in-store pickup for those making the trip in.

They love modern farmhouse style, with an industrial edge, and carry a selection of decor items for every room in your home. Whether you are looking for something to refresh your living room, a kitchen gadget to make dinner more fun, or a unique and meaningful housewarming or wedding gift- you are sure to find something special.  

Daines & Daubney: Home. Lifestyle. Fashion.

We will continue to promote these videos as they are completed. Thank you to all of the businesses that took part in this pilot project!
WOMEN'S BUSINESS LUNCHEON
FARM CREDIT CANADA WOMEN ENTREPRENEUR PROGRAM
DEPARTMENT FOR WOMEN AND GENDER EQUITY
The Department for Women and Gender Equality has provided $4 million in funding through its Women's Program since 2016-17 for projects working to strengthen economic opportunities for entrepreneurial women. Budget 2019 announced $160 million over 5 years for the Women's Program.
Are you a women entrepreneur in the agriculture and agri-food sector? Farm Credit Canada unveiled a Women Entrepreneur Program - an investment of $500 million over the next three years -to provide financing, events & resources specifically for women entrepreneurs to start or grow their businesses.
VENTURE CAPITAL CATALYST INITIATIVE
Curious about how the venture capital ecosystem is being made more inclusive? The $400-million Venture Capital Catalyst Initiative (VCCI) aims to improve financing opportunities for women and under-represented groups. A portion of the funds made available under this initiative are dedicated to enhancing diversity and increasing women's participation in the venture capital ecosystem.
EXPORT DEVELOPMENT CANADA
Need help exporting?
Export Development Canada (EDC) committed $250 million over three years to provide financing and insurance solutions for women-owned and women-led businesses that are exporting or looking to begin exporting. To complement this commitment, EDC has announced a $50 million Women in Trade Investments Program to offer equity capital specifically designed to help Canadian women entrepreneurs.
ALBERTA INNOVATES PROGRAMS REOPENED
Alberta Innovates manages a number of high-demand technology entrepreneurial investment programs with a growing number of subscribers. Due to the competitive nature of these programs, Alberta Innovates searches to invest in high-potential, high-growth companies that will provide economic and social benefits for Alberta. While Alberta Innovates doesn’t yet have final budget, we recognize the importance of the Entrepreneurial Investments programs in accelerating technology and knowledge-based companies. AI is keen to continue the momentum and excellent work of the small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) community and the activities entrepreneurs are engaged in. Resources have been reallocated to keep these programs operating while continuing to work on longer term solutions.
BUSINESS & INVESTMENT TOOLS
Our Business & Investment Assistant helps you navigate your way through useful business and investment information.
FREE SMALL BUSINESS ADVISING SESSIONS
Meet with a small business development specialist to evaluate your business ideas and receive valuable coaching and advice

To book your FREE confidential appointment:
contact Linda @ the Town Office 780.842.3381 or receptionist@wainwright.ca
DOWNLOAD THE TOWN OF WAINWRIGHT APP!
ALBERTA GOVERNMENT STATISTICS, PUBLICATIONS AND HIGHLIGHTS
The unemployment rate for July in the area is 6.4%. For more details visit Monthly Labour Force Statistics .

The next Labour Force Survey release date is September 6, 2019.