The Voice: August 26th, 2025
Chamber of Commerce Member Relations Coordinator, Community and Culture Celebration on Alberta Day, Are You Registered to Vote, Red Tape Review, and Introducing the Investor Services Website all in this week's edition of The Voice.
Business News
Chamber of Commerce Member Relations Coordinator
We are currently looking for an outgoing, positive individual interested in joining our team as our Member Relations Coordinator.
The Member Relations Coordinator leads the Chamber’s membership services, driving growth, retention, and engagement. This role builds strong relationships with members, delivers value-added programs, and ensures a high level of member satisfaction aligned with the Chamber’s strategic goals.
Softwood Lumber Sector - Employer Input
The federal government has announced a $50 million workforce support package to assist workers impacted by softwood lumber tariffs. As part of this effort, Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) is seeking Chamber's assistance in identifying employers that fall specifically within the 113, 321 and 322 NAICS categories.
Please help us gather this information by providing your contact information and NAICS confirmation here: https://forms.office.com/r/AhhnwaSgyR
Community, culture and celebration on Alberta Day
On Aug. 31, Albertans are invited to celebrate 120 years of culture, innovation and community spirit as Alberta marks a major milestone.
Alberta was established as a province on Sept. 1, 1905, through the Alberta Act. It is a province built on hard work, ambition and an unshakable belief in possibility. Today, we recognize Sept. 1 as Alberta Day, a chance to celebrate the people of this great province, to reflect on where we came from and show pride in all we have achieved.
Read the news release here: https://www.alberta.ca/release.cfm?xID=9368731F8E241-DACA-53A0-DFF97BE7BBBC62A3
Are you registered to vote?
To vote in the 2025 Municipal Election October 4 to 20, all voters must be on the permanent Electors Registry. There is a single voters list for Provincial and Municipal Elections. To register, or check to make sure you are registered, visit voterlink.ab.ca.
If you did not get onto the List of Electors by August 15, you can still vote at a polling station in advance or on election day by bringing ID that contains your photo, name and home address.
Red Tape Review: A Chance to Reclaim Lost Productivity
Canada’s federal regulatory burden has quietly ballooned — and the cost to business is no longer invisible.
Federal requirements rose 2.1% annually from 2006–2021, reducing GDP growth by 1.7% and business investment by 9%. According to our Business Data Lab, the total number of federal regulatory requirements reached ~348,700 in 2025, forcing businesses to spend 3.1M+ hours a year on compliance — that's 358 years of lost productivity! The government’s modernization push is a chance to cut red tape and give time back to Canadian businesses. Read the analysis
Introducing our Investor Services website!
We are excited to share the launch of our Investor Services website, a powerful platform that creates awareness of Alberta as the premier destination for tourism investment. Between the one-on-one support from our Investors Services team and this website, investors will be able to confidently navigate Alberta’s tourism landscape, identify promising ventures, and accelerate deal flow.
Check out the site and discover what makes Alberta an ideal destination for investment in the tourism sector.
Medicine Hat-Cypress News
Council Highlights August 18, 2025
At the August 18 City Council meeting, a motion was approved directing administration to initiate public engagement for the development of an outdoor aquatics facility on the south side of the community and the construction of sports fields in Brier Run. Opportunities for engagement are expected to commence as soon as possible.
Council also approved a motion to postpone a funding recommendation to support the Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede to the Regular Meeting of City Council on September 2, 2025 with an understanding that consultation will continue between the City and the Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede. The current recommendation is to provide a financial contribution of 50% of the total project cost, to a maximum of $15,896,250 (funded through Operating Reserves).
Council also gave first reading to Bylaw 4856 to Amend the Residential Tax Exemption Bylaw, along with a few other Council meeting items. Review the full council highlights here.
Brooks-Newell News
Southeast Brooks Gets an Update
The City is updating its Southeast Sector Area Structure Plan—the roadmap for how land east of 7th Street East will grow. Covering about 1,000 acres between the Old #1 Highway, Cassils Road, the Trans-Canada Highway, and the Horticultural Centre, roughly half of the area is already developed, with the City owning about 200 acres. The update refreshes the 2013 plan to reflect Council’s more recent decisions and align with big-picture goals like the Municipal Development Plan, parks and trails strategies, and infrastructure plans. Before it’s adopted, residents will be invited to an open house to review the changes and ask questions. Southeast Sector Area Structure Plan
Advocacy in Action
Requests for Input
Did you know you can access all Government of Alberta public engagements in one place? Public Engagement
There’s also a page for Medicine Hat input here: https://shapeyourcity.medicinehat.ca/ and Brooks has a platform for public feedback too: https://www.engagebrooks.ca/en
2025 livestock tax deferral
Federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Heath MacDonald, announced the initial list of regions eligible for the 2025 Livestock Tax Deferral Program. This measure allows producers forced to sell breeding herds due to drought, excess moisture, or flooding to defer a portion of income to the following tax year, easing herd replacement costs. Additional Alberta regions may be added as conditions are monitored. Learn more | View prescribed regions
Draft tax legislation released
The Federal Department of Finance released draft tax legislation for consultation on several previously announced measures. Proposals include changes to small business capital gains rules, exemptions for sales to worker co-ops and employee ownership trusts, updates to the SR&ED tax credit, new non-profit reporting requirements, adoption of the OECD’s crypto-asset reporting framework, and adjustments to EIFEL rules.
Learn more. Businesses are invited to submit feedback by September 12, 2025 by emailing consultation-legislation@fin.gc.ca.
Immigration Council
Immigration has traditionally been a core Canadian value and a critical driver of economic growth. For our collective prosperity, Canada needs a functional immigration system. Canada’s immigration system has lost its edge, and the country is becoming a less attractive destination for skilled workers. Learn more here
Feedback on CUSMA Review
The 2026 review of the Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) is approaching, and the Canadian Chamber is updating its priorities this summer. We’re seeking input on which elements of CUSMA are most important for your sector and should be preserved in the review. Please send feedback by September 1 to Ayat Ibrahim at aibrahim@chamber.ca
Update on U.S. tariffs slide deck
The Canadian Chamber of Commerce recently received an in-depth briefing from the Government of Canada on the latest U.S. tariff measures. The presentation highlighted potential impacts for Canadian businesses and outlined key considerations in the months ahead. See the full slides
Next Level Events
Northback Grassy Mountain Steel-Making Coal Project Site Tour
The Southeast Alberta Chamber of Commerce along with Northback is pleased to extend an invitation to an exclusive site tour of Northback’s Grassy Mountain Project—an innovative steelmaking coal initiative located in the historic Crowsnest Pass region. This opportunity is limited to 10 members, so please register promptly if you are interested in attending.
Location: Grassy Mountain Project Site, Crowsnest Pass
Date & Time: Friday, August 29th, 2025
Destination Dialogues Webinar and Workshop
Destination Dialogues is a virtual event designed to inspire, inform, and empower rural destination development professionals. Building on the success of the previous iterations, Destination Canada proudly presents the third edition, with a free 90-minute webinar on October 8, 2025. https://www.destinationcanada.com/en-ca/destination-dialogues
Over 80% SOLD!! Brooks Fall Home & Leisure Tradeshow
The Brooks tradeshow is happening October 3rd-5th, and there are multiple opportunities to be a part of it! With over 80% of booth sold out, book a your space to showcase your business to thousands of attendees over the weekend now, or sponsor a part of the show to get your business name out there.
Not registering as a vendor? Save the date and we will see you there as an attendee! Tickets coming soon 🙂
2025 Leadership Breakfast
Join us for our annual Leadership Breakfast, a signature event that brings together administrative leaders from across our region. This is your opportunity to engage directly with regional decision-makers, participate in open dialogue, and help shape the conversation that drives our communities forward. As a Municipal Election Year, we’ll explore how each municipality is managing transitions, onboarding new council members, maintaining momentum on current initiatives, and aligning strategic priorities going into 2025–2026.
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
Check-Out Our Chamber Members
We would like to welcome Alberta Meat Facilities Association 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!
One year countdown: Special Olympics Canada Summer Games!
The 2026 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games will take place in Medicine Hat from August 11-15, 2026, and will welcome approximately 1,700 participants including athletes, caregivers and officials, and engage more than 1,200 local volunteers. Special Olympics athletes from across Canada who have qualified to represent their home province or territory will gather in Medicine Hat to compete in ten sports for personal bests – and in some cases, the chance to represent Special Olympics Team Canada at the 2027 Special Olympics World Summer Games.
The countdown is on!
Watch their video on Facebook | Check out their website | View Opportunities through the Chamber
We see the person behind the business: Scotiabank
You work hard for your business and your business banking should work just as hard for you.
Work with a Business Advisor to review your credit and cash flow needs, with tools that can help your business succeed. Speak to your Scotiabank Business Advisor today or visit www.scotiabank.com/business
July & August Elavon Promo
Throughout the month of July and August, any new member who signs up through our Chamber Referral Program will receive $150 statement credit! Promotion Period: July 1st ~ August 31st, 2025.
How Members Can Participate:
- Submit a web inquiry through the Elavon Chamber landing page: https://join.paymentstart.com/cachamber
- Our dedicated sales representatives will promptly reach out for a consultation within 24- 48 hours
- Complete the sign-up process by August 31st, 2025, and members will be qualified to receive $150 Statement credit
Fill Up On Funding
City Centre Vibrancy Program
The City Centre Vibrancy Program launched on August 13, 2025 and applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis. This new program is designed to encourage improvement projects in our city centre by offering financial support through a combination of grant funding and interest-free loans, up to a maximum of $30,000 per applicant. Learn more about this program, including eligibility requirements and how to apply, below.
Made It In Canada
Don’t miss your chance to win* $200,000 in prizing. Canada's biggest small business contest is back, and we’re looking for owners who have made it in Canada! Applying is easy. Fill out an application and tell us how your business is:
- Innovating to help you stand out from your peers.
- Leveraging your team or support network to contribute to your success.
- Creating a meaningful social impact in your community.
Time is running out to apply. Complete your application by September 3, 2025. Apply now: Contact Information - #StandWithOwners | TELUS
Innovation Catalyst Grant Deadline: September 1, 2025
The Innovation Catalyst Grant (ICG) is a pan-Alberta entrepreneurial fellowship designed to support recent Master’s or PhD graduates in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines. This grant provides a 2-year runway for applicants to develop and commercialize innovative, science-based products and services that contain a hardware component. It is designed to provide aspiring entrepreneurs with:
- annual stipend
- seed funding
- lab and office access
- technical mentorship
- business development and networking
To review the program guidelines or submit your expression of interest, please visit: https://www.alberta.ca/innovation-catalyst-grant
CanExport Innovation Funding Program Opens: September 2, 2025
Innovators from Canadian organizations may access up to $75,000 in funding to assist with research and development (R&D) for a single technology. We cover up to 75% of costs to pursue and sign collaborative R&D agreements with international partners. The next intake period will open Sep 2, 2025. For detailed information, please visit this website.
Support for Canadian exporters faced with U.S. tariffs
Information, tools, and support to help your business navigate the tariffs imposed on Canada by the United States (U.S.). Guidance on how to export duty-free to the U.S. under the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA).
- Supporting Canadian exporters through U.S. tariff challenges
- Tools, updates, and programs to help your business navigate U.S. tariffs
- Self-serve resources for problem solving
- Answers to questions about U.S. tariffs
- Understanding CUSMA compliance
- Rules of origin, certification, and how to qualify for duty-free access to the U.S. under the CUSMA
- Step-by-step guide to CUSMA compliance
- Information on how to claim duty-free treatment under the CUSMA
Crossword Puzzle
Crossword Puzzle Answers
Did you figure it out? Here are the answers for the August 19th 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 Resources
Alberta Economy - Indicators at a Glance
Travel Alberta Investor Services Website
Highlights of the Alberta Economy - August 2025
The future of rural Canada: A report for the Federation of Canadian Municipalities
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Agri Innovate Program
Other Events
August 28 | Government Contracts 101: What Small Businesses Need to Know
September 17 | Free Cashflow Canvas Bootcamp
September 23-25 | Carbon Capture Canada
September 30 | Alberta’s Data Centre Roadmap Conference
October 7-8 | Food Leadership Summit | Calgary
October 8-9 | Food Tech Summit & Expo | Mexico
October 28 | Business Growth Tradeshow
October 29-30 | Economic Growth Forum
Useful Links
Follow us on social media for up-to-the-minute updates
The Voice: August 26th, 2025
Chamber of Commerce Member Relations Coordinator, Community and Culture Celebration on Alberta Day, Are You Registered to Vote, Red Tape Review, and Introducing the Investor Services Website all in this week’s edition of The Voice. Business News Chamber of Commerce Member Relations Coordinator We are currently looking for an outgoing, positive individual interested in joining…
Read More The Voice: August 19th, 2025
Steel Industry Employers Survey, Canada Strengthens Mexico Ties, Next Stop for West-East Energy Corridor, and more all in this week’s edition of The Voice. Business News Steel Industry Employers Survey The federal government is rolling out a $70 million workforce support package to assist steel workers impacted by tariffs. As part of this effort, Employment…
Read More The Voice: August 12th, 2025
Current Initiatives in Medicine Hat, Alberta Open Farm Days, Fuel Tax Exemption Consultation Open, and more all in this week’s edition of The Voice. Business News Next step for west-east energy corridor The Ontario government, in cooperation with Alberta and Saskatchewan, has issued a request for proposals (RFP) to conduct a feasibility study exploring options…
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