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Your Weekly Tune Up
New Canada Recovery Hiring Program
The proposed Canada Recovery Hiring Program would help hard-hit businesses hire the workers they need to recover and grow as local economies reopen. The program would provide a subsidy of up to 50 per cent of eligible salary or wages. The Hiring Program is designed to interact with the Wage Subsidy. The programs overlap so that, as Wage Subsidy rates gradually decline, eligible employers would still be able to receive the maximum support from the Hiring Program this summer if they hire more workers or increase workers’ hours or wages. Read more

Alberta speeding up second-dose appointments
Albertans will be able to schedule second-dose appointments in the order they received their first doses.
  • Anyone vaccinated in March or earlier can book their second dose starting June 1.
  • Anyone vaccinated in April can book their second dose starting June 14.
  • Anyone vaccinated in May can book their second dose starting June 28.

New Prairie-focused Regional Development Agency investment announced in Budget 2021
Budget 2021 will establish a new agency for the Prairie provinces to play an enhanced role as convenor, pathfinder, partner, investor, and advisor to support economic development in more communities. Growing Western Economic Diversification Canada into two new separate agencies focused on the Prairies and British Columbia is recognition that economic drivers and conditions are different in each of the two regions, and entrepreneurs, innovators, institutions, and communities have unique needs linked to where they are located. Read more
Want to know what else happened that you need to know?
Quick Check Up
Fill Up on Funding
New Smart Renewables and Electrification Pathways Program
The Smart Renewables and Electrification Pathways Program (SREPs) supports building Canada’s low-emissions energy future and a renewable, electrified economy through projects that focus on non-emitting, cleaner energy technologies, such as storage, and modernizing electricity system operations.

Poultry and egg producers can now apply for compensation funds to boost competitiveness
The Poultry and Egg On-Farm Investment Program (PEFIP) is now accepting applications. Applications will be accepted until March 31, 2030, meaning producers can apply when they are ready to make an investment. Read more 

Black Entrepreneurship Fund is Now Accepting Applications
The Black Entrepreneurship Program fund provides financing of up to $250,000 for Black business owners and entrepreneurs. Read more

Indigenous SCO Student Bursary
The Safety Codes Council offers funding support for Indigenous safety codes officer students, including those applying with the support of a First Nations community, Metis Settlement, or Indigenous organization.
Applications close July 31
Fuelling Our Business Community
Grand Opening!
We love doing grand openings even if we don't get to hold the scissors!

Welcome to Medicine Hat, Mint Smartwash!
Welcome to the Chamber!
Next Level Events
Social Media Conference Series
June 8 - Learn practical ways to get started with social media that will save you time and make you more effective. With Joe Whitbread Co-founder and CEO of Jo(e) Social Media.

Tickets are $40 for all 4 sessions and event recordings! Register Now
Business Awards Nomination Package Deadline Soon
Nominated Business will have received a link to nomination packages. Deadline to complete is Monday June 21, 2021.

If you have any questions please reach out to Kristen Walsh.
Enriching Your Business
Looking for Employees? Hiring Persons with Disabilities Could Benefit Your Business!
Inclusive workplaces are good for business — research shows they are more innovative, more productive, enjoy lower turnover and have better employee morale. Would you like to be a more inclusive employer, but are not sure where to begin? The federal government has tools and resources for employers to help make your workplace more inclusive and hire persons with disabilities. Learn more
See all our Value Added Benefits!
Power of Community
Advocacy in Action
Canada's LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce
Canada’s LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce (CGLCC) is the only chamber of commerce uniting and advocating for the over 28,000 LGBT+ owned and operated businesses in Canada.
This group is a powerful one: they generate over $22 billion in economic activity and employ over 435,000 Canadians. Their impact on the economy is profound, but there are still barriers to accessing resources and partnerships to make Canada’s economy more inclusive. That’s where CGLCC and its network comes in. Learn More
Debt Is a Major Hurdle to Growth Indicated by the Latest Stats from Canadian Survey on Business Conditions
Last quarter, Statistics Canada’s CSBC found 40% of Canadian businesses could not take on additional debt and 26% of Canadian businesses were unsure about their ability to take on additional debt. The data shows that lack of confidence, uncertainty in future sales, cash flow and expectations of being turned down are the three biggest barriers to businesses for fueling business investment when the economy reopens. To counter the debt load hurdle and unlock business investment for growth, three things are required. Keep reading
Child and Youth Well-Being Review panel: COVID-19
Agriculture Census

Helpful Webinars
 
Navigating Support for LGBTQ2+-led Businesses

Working Together for Community Recovery 
Succession Planning: Taxation and Legal Considerations
Sparking Conversation
  • Last Week's Results: Will you be visiting a patio this week? Yes - 53.8%, No - 38.5%, Maybe - 7.7%
Will you be attending the Social Media Conference?
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