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.
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The Grande Prairie & District Chamber of Commerce 2021 Annual General Meeting, Awards and Chair Salute is scheduled for Thursday, December 2.
The hybrid meeting will include a review of our activities in 2021 and election of our 2022 Board of Directors.
The AGM will be followed by networking and then our Chamber Awards and Chair Salute supported by Chambers Plan represented by local broker HUB International.
The Pomeroy Hotel & Conference Centre has implemented the Government of Alberta Restrictions Exemptions Program. Proof of vaccination or negative test result, plus mandatory masking is required from all guests.
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The Grande Prairie & District Chamber of Commerce thanks you for your support of the ThinkLocalGP.ca Prepaid VISA card program.
Contact our office at 780-532-5340 to make arrangements for pick up.
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The Grande Prairie & District Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Government of Alberta Budget Update and Consultation for our Members on Friday, December 10 at Centre 2000. Members of the Beaverlodge and Sexsmith Chambers of Commerce are also invited to attend.
Doors open at 7:30 AM; light refreshments will be available. The Government of Alberta Restrictions Exemptions Program will be in effect. Proof of vaccination or negative test result is required for entry; mandatory masking is required from all guests when not actively eating or drinking.
The budget update and consultation will begin at 8:00 AM with the Hon. Travis Toews, President of the Treasury Board, Minister of Finance, and Member of the Legislative Assembly for Grande Prairie-Wapiti.
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Thank you to everyone who participated in this event. To view the recording of the session on our YouTube channel, PLEASE CLICK HERE. |
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Thank you to everyone who participated in this event. To view the recording of the session on our YouTube channel, PLEASE CLICK HERE. |
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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.
Register for the Program
Please download the Alberta Rapid Screening Tests Business Application form, carefully read the form as well as the terms and conditions, and should you wish to proceed, complete the form in full and email to info@gpchamber.com with the email subject line: Rapid test program participant application
Once we have received your completed form we will review and return a signed copy for your records, along with instructions on how and when to pick up your testing kits.
THIS PROGRAM HAS BEEN EXTENDED UNTIL MARCH 31, 2022.
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The Grande Prairie Regional Tourism Association, Grande Prairie & District Chamber of Commerce, and GetintheLoop are pleased to announce an exciting new opportunity for tourism-based companies to promote their business. Apply now to receive six months free access to GetintheLoop’s premium Partnership Plan and expanded awareness across the Grande Prairie region.
Through this partnership, Grande Prairie Tourism and GetintheLoop will create a unique Discover GP “Loop”. It will be established to help bring together local businesses and new customers, on one established app. This will make it easier for local residents and visitors to connect with businesses online, by phone, or in-person. Local business offers will also be visible on the Grande Prairie Regional Tourism website and getintheloop.ca.
There are only 20 spots available, so fill out the application form today - it’s quick and easy. This project is also supported by the Alberta Chambers of Commerce and the Government of Canada Shop Local Fund.
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Get your business licence before the grace period ends on December 1 to avoid penalties. Business licenses are free for industrial and commercial businesses operating within City limits.
A six-month grace period has been in effect since May 1, eliminating penalties for businesses operating without a business licence to allow businesses time to adjust to the new requirements, application processes, and guidelines.
After December 1, businesses required to have a license, but without one, may be fined.
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REP safety training now available
The Restrictions Exemption Program Safety Training is available to employees of Alberta-based businesses and organizations who are implementing the REP and other COVID-19 safety requirements. The 45-minute online training is available to employers and staff at no cost to help them assess and manage challenging situations that may arise during their daily operations.
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Restrictions Exemption Program updated
Starting Nov. 29, ski hills can operate outdoor activities without implementing the Restrictions Exemption Program (REP) and trade shows can opt into the program.
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QR code vaccine record updated for travel
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Pfizer pediatric vaccine rollout
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Accelerating the development of tech startups
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Softwood lumber: Minister Horner
Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Economic Development Nate Horner issued a statement on the results of the softwood lumber second administrative review.
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Government introduces COVID-19 business support legislation
- Extend the Canada Recovery Hiring Program until May 7, 2022, for eligible employers with current revenue losses above 10% and increase the subsidy rate to 50%.
- Deliver targeted support to businesses still facing significant pandemic-related challenges through three streams:
- Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program
- Hardest-Hit Business Recovery Program
- Local Lockdown Program
- Extend the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit and the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit until May 7, 2022, and increase the maximum duration of benefits by 2 weeks.
- Establish the Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit which would provide $300 a week in income support to eligible workers who are directly impacted by a COVID-19-related public health lockdown in their region
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Government of Canada announces adjustments to Canada’s border measures
The Government of Canada announced upcoming adjustments to Canada's border measures. Effective November 30, 2021, fully vaccinated individuals with right of entry to Canada who depart and re-enter the country within 72 hours of leaving Canada will not have to present a pre-entry molecular test.
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As an incorporated professional, your career is unlike many others. Your financial situation is unique and complicated — that’s why the planning process never stops.
If you're a doctor, dentist, lawyer, engineer, business owner—or any other incorporated person in Canada—you need to consider how incorporation impacts your financial plan and goals. Join a free webinar on December 9, 12PM ET for tips to use your corporation in the most efficient way.
- New leadership development approaches
- What a high value team looks like & why it’s important
- Environmental, social & governance trends
- Attracting, engaging & retaining staff
- Systemic team coaching
- Five critical areas of a high-value team
- Team coaching in action
Can't attend live? You should still register! We'll send out the recording after the webinar to all registrants.
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Latest Canadian Survey on Business Conditions (CSBC) Shows that a Robust Recovery Remains Elusive for Many Businesses
The indication in the latest CSBC data was that the long, slow road to a private sector-led recovery continues after nearly two years of challenges.
Rising input costs remain the number one concern for Canadian businesses, with 43% identifying them as the biggest near-term obstacle. At the same time, the vast majority of businesses (87%) don’t expect their profitability to improve in the next six months, with one-third expecting their profitability to fall into the new year. These results suggest a significant part of private sector businesses will be standing still or even sliding backwards in the months ahead.
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New Report: Remote and Cross-border Employment Trends – Is Canada Ready?
When COVID-19 arrived in March 2020, lockdowns caused a rapid and forced shift to working from home for many employees. Over a year and a half later, remote work, even across provincial/territorial and international borders, is becoming increasingly common. These trends have major implications for employers.
In this context, the Canadian Payroll Association engaged PwC Canada to study the impacts of remote and cross-border work, with a focus on implications for payroll. The results are now available in a new report entitled Remote and cross-border employment trends – is Canada ready?
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Mini-guide to Help Employees’ Mental Health through Winter
With the challenges brought on by cold weather and the holiday season, winter can often be a difficult time. But with COVID-19 lingering, this year’s winter may be even more demanding on our mental health and well-being. The Mental Health Commission of Canada has developed a mini-guide to help employers provide their employees with specific tools and resources during the winter months.
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Retail Council of Canada’s Holiday Shopping Survey 2021
In late October, our member the RCC released the result of its annual shopping survey which indicated, among other things, that most survey respondents say they faced challenges last year due to items being out of stock, long delivery times and shipping delays. This will motivate them to start shopping earlier this year or to shop in local stores. More consumers this year are also planning to take advantage of holiday shopping sales than they have previously.
The report of the survey’s findings covers Canadians’ perceptions on how the pandemic has affected their financial well-being, when, where and how they plan to shop, what they plan to buy, how promotions are affecting their purchase decisions, and general sentiments about holiday shopping.
If you are involved in retail, this may be required reading for the holiday season!
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Ship...Ship...Score!
Ship and score with our Chambers Shipping Program! Our members save BIG on shipping across Canada through our trusted partners. Access exclusive rates and all your shipping details through a simple platform. And just in time for the holidays!
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Holiday Travel? Save with Chamber Fuel Services!
If you are planning to drive during the holiday season, you will want to take advantage of our fuel savings program, in partnership with ESSO!
You and your team can enjoy a 3.5¢ per litre* discount on every fuel purchase at Canada’s largest retail fuel network of over 2,000 Esso and Mobil stations.
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Digital by Default: The Future of Digital Healthcare in Canada
December 8 | 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. ET | Virtual
Circle December 8 on your calendar for our final IR4 event in 2021!
2020 marked the year when virtual care and the adoption of digital health platforms went from being extremely rare to digital by default.
Once viewed as a complementary part of care, telehealth has increased significantly and has the potential to evolve into a long-term trend, expanding access to essential health services and healthcare delivery.
During our event, we will take a closer look at the acceleration and advancements of digital healthcare since the beginning of the pandemic and will discuss the future of health innovation as it pertains to digital adoption and implementation in Canada's healthcare system and the challenges and opportunities for all players involved.
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Global Economic Outlook: What You Need to Know
December 9 | 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. ET | Virtual
As the world’s most developed nations move closer to herd immunity, global trade has once again begun to boom. But as welcome as it is, this rapid economic acceleration is creating greater risk and uncertainty about what the future holds for Canadian exporters. A new surge of COVID-19 cases is calling into question whether the Canadian economy is resilient enough to maintain this pace of growth — and if we have the supply chains, labour force and industrial capacity to support it.
To make the smartest decisions for your business — now and in the future — you’ll need a thorough understanding of the evolving economic situation at home and around the world.
Find out what you need to know when our member EDC’s Vice-President and Chief Economist, Peter Hall, leads this webinar: Global Economic Outlook: What you need to know. He will share his analysis of the main economic developments impacting companies, like yours, as well as the biggest challenges and opportunities you’re likely to face as you grow your business.
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Statistics Canada: Intermediate Information Session “Considerations for Displaying Data–A Case Study
Statistics Canada is delighted to invite you to our free upcoming information session: Intermediate Session on Considerations for Displaying Data – A Case Study.
Please note: Advanced registration is required. We ask that you please register early, spaces are limited for the information sessions. If a session becomes full and you would like to attend a future session, please email us at WESTINFO@statcan.gc.ca. See below for more information.
Information Session: Intermediate Session on Considerations for Displaying Data – A Case Study
Description: Data visualizations are a powerful tool to explore and present ideas. In response to feedback from information session participants, this session uses a case study approach to illustrate how to explore your data and decide which visualizations help tell your audience a data story. Designed for a beginner to intermediate audience, the session focuses on one of the hardest parts of designing graphs and charts: knowing where to start.
Intended Target Audience: This is an introductory information session; it may be too basic for advanced data users.
Language, Dates, Times, and Registration Links
• English: December 9, 2021, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., Eastern Time
• French: December 16, 2021, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., Eastern Time
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