Thanks for supporting the Grande Prairie & District Chamber of Commerce! Read on for information from our Chamber and partners. 

Our Member Marketplace newsletter on Thursdays highlights our Chamber businesses. Email tom@gpchamber.com with your ads. 
Last week's issue can be accessed here.
Connecting Business. Creating Opportunity.
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.

Rapid testing kits will be available for pick up only at our office in Centre 2000, located at 11330 106 Street, Grande Prairie, AB T8V 7X9, Unit 127.
Designated pick-up times are between 8:30 AM and 4:30 PM Monday to Friday (excluding holidays), where businesses can send one representative to collect their rapid testing kits during those select hours.

For further information including current availability of kits,
please call 780-532-5340 or email info@gpchamber.com

The following documents provide an overview of the Rapid Testing Program and the requirements organizations must follow for a screening program:

What are your top priorities for Alberta's reopening?
We want to hear from you!

With Alberta entering Stage 1 reopening today, the Alberta Chambers of Commerce network is launching the latest business survey in our Alberta Perspectives market research program—this one focused on economic recovery and priorities following the COVID-19 pandemic. It will remain open until June 25.

Your opinions and feedback mean a lot to us. The survey only takes approximately 10 minutes to complete.


This is the third provincial priorities survey in the network’s Alberta Perspectives market research initiative. Gathering insights from our members helps our chamber and the ACC network advocate to provincial and local governments on your behalf. 
Chamber Community Pulse Series

The Grande Prairie area has a robust and diverse economy. The Community Pulse series is designed to provide updates and insights from a variety of the industries, sectors, and organizations that make up the fabric of our unique and incredible community.

In this session on Wednesday, June 9 at 3:00 PM, we will hear an economic update from the City of Grande Prairie's Rebecca Leigh. As Manager of Economic Development at the City of Grande Prairie, Rebecca oversees business investment attraction as well as business retention & expansion initiatives.

There is no cost to participate but registration is required to receive the Zoom link.

Wednesday, June 9
3:00-4:00 PM

THANK YOU TO OUR PRESENTING PARTNERS: City of Grande Prairie Economic Development, County of Grande Prairie Economic Development, and Grande Prairie Regional Innovation Network; AND OUR SUPPORTING PARTNERS: Chambers Plan represented by local broker HUB International, Community Futures Grande Prairie & Region, and GetintheLoop Grande Prairie.
The Grande Prairie & District Chamber of Commerce invites you to a Chamber Member Orientation on Thursday, June 10 from 2:30 - 4:00 PM on Zoom. This event is designed for first-and-second-year members to find out more about the Chamber and try to make the most of their membership, but anyone who has been a member for more than two years is also welcome to participate in this information session.

This event features Chamber Board Members and staff as well as representatives from HUB International: the local broker for Chambers Plan; ATB and Vexxit to provide information about our products, services and initiatives while also answering any questions you may have about our Chamber and partners.

There is no cost to participate but registration is required to receive the Zoom link. REGISTER HERE
CHAMBER COFFEE BREAK

The next Grande Prairie & District Chamber of Commerce Chamber Coffee Break for members is this Friday, June 11 at 10:00 AM

These regular virtual networking events offer an opportunity for our members to meet or reconnect online and share information about their businesses.

This informal event is intended to be a light-hearted discussion including ice-breaker introductions, questions of the day, current news topics of interest, and updates from our Chamber. 

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER. For more information, contact our office by phone at 780-532-5340 or email cindy@gpchamber.com.
CPP Investments – A global powerhouse, working on behalf of Albertans

The Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPP Investments) plays a critical role in the lifetime retirement security of more than 2.8 million Albertans. It is also a major investor in some of the province’s largest companies and major projects, with over $10.2 billion invested in Alberta. Join Jeffrey Hodgson, Director, Global Stakeholder Affairs on Thursday, June 17 at 3:00 PM for a discussion on what’s ahead for the pension fund investment manager and its role in supporting Alberta’s economy, including the evolution of key sectors like energy and technology.

No cost to attend but registration is required to receive the Zoom link
FEATURED CHAMBER MEMBER VALUE ADDED BENEFIT

Our highlighted Chamber Member value added benefit this week is Payworks.
Not just a service provider - your business partner!

Payworks is a leading expert in the field of total workforce management solutions, providing innovative cloud-based solutions for Payroll, Human Resources, Employee Time and Absence Management to more than 17,000 businesses across Canada.

CONTACT PAYWORKS:
Mark Stretch 1. 780.224.0928 / 1 866 788-3500
Visit payworks.ca | Facebook.com/Payworks | or follow @PayworksInc
Contact our office for more information on the Partnership Plan:
email connectgp@getintheloop.ca or phone 780-831-0362
Take the Vital Signs Survey today and speak out!

Digging Deep To Uncover Quality Of Life
Northwestern Alberta’s Vital Signs® provides a snapshot of quality of life in the City of Grande Prairie, the County of Grande Prairie, the MD of Greenview and local communities. This knowledge-driven tool uses research to highlight where our strengths are as communities and where the gaps lie. Vital Signs invites every citizen and leader to identify priorities, start conversations, and make informed decisions to drive positive change, where no one is left behind.

Attention Highway 40 Travellers!

Alberta Transportation, along with Castleglenn Consultants is hosting a Zoom workshop to discuss the Highway 40 corridor. In addition, they are looking for feedback on the future roadway requirements.

You are invited to attend this workshop on Tuesday, June 15, 2021 at 6:00 pm.

For more information, please click here.
Greenview Fire-Rescue Services PTSD Awareness T-Shirt Campaign Launches

Now, more than ever, bringing awareness and supports to those who have post-traumatic stress disorder is essential. Even though Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) treatments work, most people who have PTSD don’t get the help they need.

In support of those living with PTSD and to help them have access to the resources and support groups they require, the Greenview Regional Fire-Rescue Services department has designed a custom “Help Fight PTSD T-shirt” to build awareness and raise funds to support The Heroes Project in Grande Prairie, AB, who work to help those in need within the region.

These exclusive t-shirts will be available during the month of June for $20.00 each. All profits from the sale of these t-shirts will go directly to The Heroes Project, a Grande Prairie organization that supports PTSD awareness and intervention. T-Shirts are $20.00 for adults and $15.00 for a child-size.

To learn more and order a T-Shirt to support this great initiative from the Greenview Fire-Rescue team, please click here: Greenview Fire-Rescue Services PTSD T-Shirts
Top 6 Canadian Small Business Grants

As COVID-19 continues, small businesses remain as the most strongly affected sector during the pandemic. Vexxit has outlined 6 small business grants that can help as times remain tough. Check out Vexxit business for more information on the grants and where to apply.
Apply for funding for the mid-sized projects under the Enabling Accessibility Fund

The Enabling Accessibility Fund’s Mid-Sized Projects support the social and labour market inclusion of persons with disabilities.

Apply with your proposal before July 29, 2021.    

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 now.
  • Anyone vaccinated in April can book their second dose starting June 14.
  • Anyone vaccinated in May can book their second dose starting June 28.

Albertans can now enjoy outdoor patios, haircuts and more physical activities as vaccination rates continue to climb and hospitalizations decline. Stage 2 of Alberta's Open for Summer Plan could begin on June 10.
Government of Canada Announces Details of the New Canada Recovery Hiring Program and Extension of Business Support Programs

The Government of Canada announced that the new Canada Recovery Hiring Program, would be available retroactively to June 6, 2021. The Government is also proposing to extend pandemic business support programs.


Minister Joly highlights new Prairie-focused Regional Development Agency investment announced in Budget 2021

The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and Minister responsible for Western Economic Diversification Canada, met with Prairie business leaders to discuss the new Prairie-focused Regional Development Agency investment from Budget 2021.
Government of Canada launches new pilot program aimed at removing barriers to women’s employment 

During National AccessAbility Week, the Government of Canada  announced the launch of a call for proposals for the new Women’s Employment Readiness (WER) pilot program.

Minister Ng announces the launch of the Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund

The Government of Canada announced that the Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund is now accepting loan applications.
Facilitating Safe Cross-border Travel Between the United States and Canada

Today, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, along with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and fellow business associations, released a joint statement addressing the need to revisit the restrictions on non-essential travel across the Canada-U.S. border.

Working Together for Community Recovery, with Suncor
June 16 | 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. ET | Virtual

Business leaders across Canada have been stepping up to support Canadian business through the pandemic. Join Suncor and the Suncor Energy Foundation, Community Foundations of Canada and the Mikisew Group of Companies for this FREE event to learn about:
  • A pandemic response and recovery case study
  • How businesses and government can work together for community recovery
  • Opportunities ahead for Canadian business

Women in Business Summit: Empowering an Inclusive Recovery
June 23 | 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET | Virtual

This is not just another conference for women. Our Summit is about mobilizing the entire Canadian business community to apply its ingenuity to find the bold solutions needed for Canada to compete in a changing economic landscape.   

The Summit will focus on ways to champion women, including:  
1. Professional transitions and new opportunities for upskilling and reskilling 
2. Creating more opportunities for BIPOC employees and equity seeking groups in the workplace 
3. Mental health supports 
4. Advancing female entrepreneurship