The Voice: May 6th, 2025
May 5th was Red Dress Day, Congratulations to the Newly Elected Prime Minister Mark Carney, Governments Extend Agristability Enrolment Deadline for 2025 Program Year, and more all in this week's edition of The Voice.
Business News
May 5th was Red Dress Day
Red Dress Day honours the memories of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls across Canada. Métis artist Jaime Black helped inspire the red dress movement, where red dresses are hung from windows and trees to represent the pain and loss felt by loved ones and survivors.
Originally starting as the REDdress art installation, Red Dress Day became a grassroots movement across Canada. The project was made up of 600 community-donated red dresses, which were later placed in public spaces throughout Winnipeg and across Canada.
The artist chose the colour red after speaking with an Indigenous friend who told her that is the only colour spirits can see. Red dresses are used to call the spirits of missing and murdered women and girls back to their loved ones. The goal was to speak to the gendered and racialized nature of violent crimes against Indigenous women and to evoke a presence by marking absence. (Source: alberta.ca/red-dress-day)
Congratulations to the Newly Elected Prime Minister Mark Carney
The Southeast Alberta Chamber of Commerce joins the Canadian Chamber and other Chambers around Canada in congratulating newly elected Prime Minister Mark Carney.
We look forward to collaborating with the government to continue to fuel business growth and nurture a strong, healthy business community.
Governments extend AgriStability enrolment deadline for 2025 program year
Given the pressures and uncertainties facing the agricultural sector, federal, provincial and territorial governments have agreed to extend the AgriStability enrolment deadline from April 30, 2025 to July 31, 2025 for the 2025 program year.
Medicine Hat-Cypress News
ASSESSMENT REQUEST FOR INFORMATION PACKAGES
The City of Medicine Hat Tax Assessment department has mailed out Assessment Request for Information (ARFI) packages to property owners of improved non-residential and multi-family property classes.
This process of collecting property related data is the first step towards developing the 2025 assessment roll for tax year 2026. Collecting data annually ensures the assessment roll reflects current market information.
Completing the ARFI is an important part of the tax assessment process. Assessment values are established to allow for equitable distribution of taxes. Higher response rates will increase the statistical confidence level in the resulting assessment values.
It is important for property owners to retain their ability to participate in the assessment appeal process. For property owners to be eligible to appeal their 2025 assessment, they must respond completely to an ARFI by the July 9, 2025 deadline.
As always, property owners are encouraged to contact the Assessment department directly if they have questions regarding their property assessment or if they require any assistance in completing their request for information forms.
Dated this 9th day of May 2025. See the updated schedule on the City of Medicine Hat’s website: https://www.medicinehat.ca/en/home-property-and-utilities/assessment-and-property-taxes.aspx
Brooks-Newell News
City creating its own Municipal Policing Committee
Required under Alberta’s Police Amendment Act. Since Brooks’ population is expected to grow past 15,000—and has unique policing challenges—the City successfully requested exemption from the Southern Alberta District (SAD), which could have grouped Brooks with smaller communities like Taber, Coaldale, and High River under a regional committee. The new committee will oversee:
- The City's policing agreement with the federal government.
- Assist in selecting the Officer in Charge of the Brooks RCMP detachment.
- Report to the Minister on RCMP programs and services.
The long-standing Safe Communities Committee, which has a very different mandate and has been recognized for its contributions to youth safety and community initiatives, will be dissolved. However, the Safe Communities Facilitator could continue to support the new committee in a non-voting advisory role. Applications for citizen-at-large positions will open once the bylaw is passed, starting with an enhanced security clearance process funded by the Province.
Business Beautification Program
Brooks Newell Region Economic Development, along with Community Futures Chinook, is pleased to offer businesses in the Brooks Newell Region an opportunity to receive a beautification loan and grant to enhance the appearance of a business.
Businesses can apply for up to $15,000 in funding of which 80% would be an interest free loan and 20% would be a grant. Successful applicants could receive up to an $12,000 loan and a $3,000 grant. Click here for the brochure. https://www.brooksregion.ca/public/download/files/262043
Advocacy in Action
How to Undermine U.S. Manufacturing: Debunking Aluminum Tariff Myths
Canada supplies over 60% of the U.S.’s raw aluminum imports. That aluminum feeds essential downstream industries in the U.S., from automotive and aerospace to construction and packaging. Yet in March, the U.S. reimposed a 25% tariff on Canadian aluminum.
In a new analysis, our Business Data Lab debunks three myths about reshoring aluminum production in the U.S. and explains why this integrated supply chain makes sense for both countries. How to Undermine U.S. Manufacturing: Debunking Aluminum Tariff Myths - Business Data Lab
Investing to help Albertans get hired
Alberta’s government is doubling its investments to expand career and employment services across the province.
In these uncertain times – with tariffs and other economic challenges – Alberta’s government recognizes the need to expand employment services so more Albertans can connect to meaningful work and earn a paycheque. Employment services are critical to helping Albertans find and explore career paths, employment and training options so they can get reconnected to the job market. Through Budget 2025, Alberta’s government is investing $185 million – an increase of almost $89 million – to expand employment supports for Albertans and help employers find, hire and train workers.
https://www.alberta.ca/release.cfm?xID=932124C9177D1-0572-6961-376D5B83B1C762F7
Next Level Events
Be a part of the Brooks Fall Home & Leisure Tradeshow
The Brooks tradeshow is happening October 3rd-5th, and there are multiple opportunities to be a part of it! Book a booth space to showcase your business to thousands of attendees over the weekend, or sponsor a part of the show to get your business name out there.
Driving Business Success: City Insights, Future Plans & Collaboration to Succeed
You are invited to join us for a Business Round-Up with the City of Medicine Hat to discuss plans, progress and improvements within Development & Infrastructure; Energy, Land & Environment; Procurement as well as Economic Development and learn about the 2025-2026 capital budget plans recently adopted by City Council.
This will also be an opportunity for you to view some changes to website tools and participate in a roundtable discussion with the Chamber on some of the advocacy efforts, and proposed updates to existing recommendations and ongoing work-in-progress items for our municipal Government.
Coffee & Conversations
Join the Chamber Thursday morning to enjoy coffee and conversations about your business, our business, or life in general! This is a great opportunity to connect in the mornings if your afternoons and evenings are too busy. You can stop by for a quick hello or stay and chat for a while; everyone is welcome!
This round we will see you at Hometown Market | 1750 Gershaw Drive S.W. Medicine Hat
Register to let us know you're coming: https://chamber.southeastalbertachamber.ca/chamber-calendar/Details/coffee-conversations-1318722?sourceTypeId=Website
87th ACC AGM & Policy Plenary Session
You’re invited to experience the sunny southeast energy at the Alberta Chambers of Commerce’s three-day AGM, co-hosted by the Southeast Alberta Chamber of Commerce, May 29–May 31, 2025.
Engage with the region’s energy—both metaphorically and literally—as an energy-producing hub and a driver of progress and innovation. The southeast is a region deeply invested in its people and committed to economic vitality, making it the perfect host for this impactful event.
Find the Agenda here: https://www.abchamber.ca/agm-policy-plenary-session-agenda/
Enriching Your Business
There's a reason Chambers Plan is Canada's #1 plan.
JoAnne Letkeman, Exclusive Chamber Group Advisor
Medicine Hat & District | (403) 504-2166 ext 1.
Scott Walls, Exclusive Chamber Group Advisor
Brooks-Newell Region | (403) 892-9675
Fuelling the Business Community
New Chamber Members
We would like to welcome Taco Time - Medicine Hat Mall, Gas City Vapes, and Secondiak Ventures Ltd. to the Chamber Family!
We continually look forward to helping our members during their business journey and wish each the best in all future endeavors. We are extremely happy to have such amazing members, and are very glad that we can serve a part in that journey! Keep your eye out for more new member posts moving forward!
Rise-Up Hot Air Balloon Festival
Skyrocket your brand at the Rise Up Hot Air Balloon Festival, May 22-25, 2025!
With over 8,000 attendees and 200,000 social media views this month, your logo will soar alongside vibrant balloons, two stunning Balloon Glows, and a lively Community Day. Don’t let this opportunity float away—email sponsors@riseupmh.ca today to secure your sponsorship and elevate your business!
Join us for an unforgettable festival, featuring seven breathtaking flight times, two mesmerizing Balloon Glows at Kin Coulee Park, and a vibrant Community Day in downtown Medicine Hat with the Rise Up Market, Hues for Humanity Colour Run, yoga, art parties, movies at the Monarch, and more. Check the full schedule at https://www.ourcollectivejourney.ca/rise-up/event-schedule and get ready to elevate your brand!
Prepping your RV for camping season
In partnership with the Southeast Alberta Chamber of Commerce, BrokerLink is proud to offer members exclusive insurance discounts on home and auto insurance. We’ve put together some tips to help you enjoy a safe and worry-free camping season.
Tips for prepping your RV:
- Prepare your water systems. If you used anti-freeze for the winter, clean out the water system. Ensure there are no traces of antifreeze to ensure you have safe, potable water.
- Check your tires pressure. Tires can lose pressure during the winter months. Inspect the tires for tread wear and cracks in the sidewalls.
- Test appliances. Turn on the stove, oven and fridge to ensure they are working. Test both the A/C unit and the furnace as well.
- Inspect the propane system. Propane leaks can be very dangerous. Open the valves to smell for leaks. Make a soapy mixture and put it in a spray bottle to test for leaks around the valves and regulator. The soapy mixture will bubble if there is a leak.
- Check your detectors / batteries / extinguishers. Ensure all of these are in good working order. Replace batteries in detectors.
Your RV is considered your second home, so it’s important to protect it like you do your house. Our advisors will work with you to ensure you have the right level of coverage against accident-related damages, theft, vandalism and liability.
Rest Assured, BrokerLink Has You Covered*
Call 1.833.998.3798, or visit BrokerLink.ca/MHCC
*Subject to policy conditions and exclusions. ©2025 Brokerlink Inc. ™BrokerLink & Design is a trademark of Brokerlink Inc. All rights reserved.
Fill Up On Funding
Helping small businesses get loans
The Canada Small Business Financing Program (CSBFP) makes it easier for small businesses to get loans from financial institutions by sharing the risk with lenders.
Over the past 10 years, small businesses have received over 53,000 CSBFP loans totalling $10 billion dollars. Learn more here: Helping small businesses get loans
Innovation Employment Grant
The Innovation Employment Grant encourages economic growth by supporting small and medium-sized businesses that invest in research and development (R&D) with a grant worth up to 20% of qualifying expenditures. The grant provides qualified corporations with up to $4 million in annual R&D spending. For details on continuous intake programs see Additional Funding Supports attachment.
https://www.alberta.ca/innovation-employment-grant
Crossword Puzzle
Crossword Puzzle Answers
Did you figure it out? Here are the answers for the April 29th crossword puzzle.
Remember that subscribing to our weekly email gets you access to the crossword puzzle. Anyone who sends us their answers will get their name put into our quarterly draw.
The prize? Receive 5 promotional credits with us (for members) or credit towards a membership (for non-members)! Oh and bragging rights that you're a crossword master.
Other News
April Alberta Community Development Newsletter
Critical Infrastructure Defense Act
Premier Danielle Smith’s meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney
Tourism pays off for communities, the data proves it
Exporting energy, importing opportunity in Illinois, Michigan and Ohio
Other Resources
Alberta Economy - Indicators at a Glance
Labour Market Notes – Employment falls amid tariff uncertainty
MNP: Tariff Exposure Risk Assessment
Hire employees (Government of Canada - Job Bank)
Occupations in Alberta (Government of Alberta - ALIS)
Environmental Public Health has resources on Coping with Emergencies
Other Events
AI for SMBs: A Free Google course
Marketing Strategies in Foreign Markets
Unlocking Indo-Pacific Markets
Tariffs & Trade: Building Resilience in Uncertain Times webinar | On-Demand
May 12 | MNP Understanding Canadian Indirect Tax Implications in E-Commerce | Register
May 21 | From Pitch to Profit: Insider Secrets to Securing Investment | Webinar
May 21-23 | Inventures Conference | Calgary
Free Training for the Building Industry: Various Courses up to May 29, 2025 | Register
Useful Links
Follow us on social media for up-to-the-minute updates
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