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Fuelling Our Business Community
Business - Student Matchmaking
We sent out an email to our members this week to help match them with a student to take on short term projects. Through our partnership with Magnet funds are available to cover 75% of a student's wage. However, applications must be in this week in order to take advantage of this opportunity.

Interested? Contact Chantelle at tradeshows@medicinehatchamber.com.
Quick Check Up
Check out some new resources in our weekly update - there’s a business model canvas for e-commerce, tax tips, a series on fraud protection and new information on procurement with the Government of Canada
Your Weekly Tune Up
The upcoming WIN (Workplace Integration for Newcomers) is a program developed to assist newcomers with employment readiness, language supports, and developing their ability to connect with employers. The next session will be April 12 - June 24, from 1 - 3:00 pm. Please contact Being Human Services to book an appointment: (403) 580-3338 or contact Marcie: marcie@beinghumanservices.ca.
Workers claiming EI regular benefits can now access up to a maximum of 50 weeks for claims established between September 27, 2020 to September 25, 2021. In addition, self-employed workers who have opted into the EI program to access special benefits are now able to use a 2020 earnings threshold of $5,000, compared to the previous threshold of $7,555. This change is retroactive for claims established as of January 3, 2021, and applies until September 25, 2021. More information.
All Albertans born between 1947 and 1956 will be able to book at an increasing number of participating pharmacies across Alberta including Medicine Hat and Redcliff, as well as by calling 811 or booking online. Participating Chamber member pharmacies include:

Bill 52, the Recall Act, would allow Albertans to initiate a process that could lead to removing and replacing elected officials including members of the legislative assembly (MLAs), municipal officials and school trustees during their term. Under the proposed Recall Act, recall of an elected official becomes an option 18 months after the respective provincial, municipal or school board election. More information.
Bill 51, the Citizen Initiative Act, would allow Albertans to bring their concerns and proposals forward to government for discussion or referendum. The proposed Citizen Initiative Act would allow any Albertan who is an eligible voter to bring forward an initiative for consideration. To bring an initiative forward, an Albertan would apply to the province’s chief electoral officer to start a petition for an initiative. More information.
Want to know what else happened that you need to know?
Enriching Your Business
Want to get your business or service noticed around town? Purchase a one-month Value Package from Sandfly Marketing Inc., which consists of one 5’x10’ portable sign, both sides, plus two 6’x10’ LED sign ads, and receive a second month at 50% off! Find out more.
Sales and Promotions
See all our Sales and Promotions.
Want to post your offer? Find out how!
Welcome to our Newest Members!
Power of Community
The awards, formerly known as the Civic Recognition Awards, honour individuals who have made an extraordinary contribution to the community and who by their dedication, activities and/or accomplishments have enhanced the quality of life in Medicine Hat.

Residents can nominate individuals for the 2021 Community Spirit Awards in the following categories: Arts/Culture, Sports/Recreation, Compassion, Environment, Community Inclusion, Volunteerism and Civic Pride.
Advocacy in Action
Letter to the Premier
We contacted the Premier to stress the importance of clarity of information and data used to make decisions, the increasing need for mental health supports in our community and ensuring that there is adequate funding to help support businesses hit hard by the ongoing pandemic and the uncertainty it has created.

Canada’s leading national industry associations have issued a statement regarding the threat of strike action by longshoremen at the Port of Montreal. It is with great urgency that we call on the federal Minister of Labour to take steps towards a resolution between the longshoremen and the Maritime Employers Association.

Have Your Say
The Alberta Chambers of Commerce is undertaking a comprehensive, province-wide survey about Alberta’s labour market and the skills we need to continue to grow. This annual survey helps compare trends year over year—a comparison that is more important than ever as the labour market continues to evolve in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. The survey is open until March 26.
Member Spotlight

Our local RIN is called APEX and it is a partnership between Alberta Innovates, Community Futures Entre-Corp, and Medicine Hat College. These core partners also work with other agencies, from Chambers to industry associations, when it can help foster innovation for the entrepreneurship community.

Next Level Events
Shop YXH: Training Session
March 25: 10 - 11 AM
Canadian Chamber Executive Series
March 25: 10:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Start-Up Essentials:
Online 8-week venture start-up program
April 6 - May 5
Scale-Up Essentials:
Online 6-week venture scale-up program
April 20 - May 25
2021 Employer Information Session for Student Wage Subsidy Program Assistance
Fill Up on Funding
Invest Medicine Hat and the City of Medicine Hat are now accepting applications for the Development Incentive Program. The application process opened Wednesday, March 17th.
Working parents have until March 31 to apply to receive a one-time $561 per child benefit to help with the cost of child care. More information.
Helpful Webinars
Canada-Alberta Job Grant: Updated and Explained


March 24
Simplifying Federal COVID-19 Relief for your Business


March 24
Growth through Brand & Purpose: Building an Identity You Can Rally Around

March 30
Find more webinars in our Webinar Calendar
Sparking Conversation
Has your mental health been negatively impacted by the ongoing pandemic?
Yes
No
If you answered yes, have you accessed mental health resources or sought help?
Yes
No
Useful Links
Find more updates on our social media