The Voice: December 16th, 2025
Happy Holidays from the Chamber, Alberta Legislature Fall Session Comes to an End, Statistics Canada Releases 'Immigrants in Alberta' Economic Outcomes Report, Aurora AI, and more all in this week's edition of The Voice.
Business News
Happy Holidays from Your Chamber Team!
As we wrap up an incredible year, we want to send a big THANK YOU to our amazing members and community for making 2025 so special. Your energy, ideas, and collaboration keep us inspired every day!
May your holidays be filled with laughter, joy, and maybe just a little too much dessert. 
Here’s to a bright and prosperous New Year—we can’t wait to keep growing together in 2026!
Stay merry, stay connected, and let’s make next year even better!
Warm wishes from the Chamber Team,
Lisa, Kerry, Morgan, Brad, Naomi, Danielle, and Kaila
ALBERTA LEGISLATURE FALL SESSION COMES TO AN END
Throughout the fall sitting, Alberta’s government introduced, debated and passed 14 pieces of legislation. Looking ahead, Alberta’s government is preparing for the return to the Legislature in the spring to continue delivering results on the issues that matter to Albertans.
STATISTICS CANADA RELEASES ‘IMMIGRANTS IN ALBERTA’ ECONOMIC OUTCOMES REPORT
Statistics Canada’s latest IMDB release has put immigrant economic outcomes in the spotlight. Building on that momentum, they have published an analysis examining how economic immigrants integrate into Alberta’s labour market over time.
Read the FULL REPORT for the following information:
- Five-year wage trends for economic immigrants in Alberta
- Comparisons of principal applicants and dependents across programs and provinces
- Entry wages and growth patterns
- Immigration stream differences
- National benchmarks and comparisons with previous cohorts
Meet Aurora AI: Canada’s New Edge in Tourism Insight
Destination Canada unveiled Aurora AI: a new suite of AI-powered tools that makes advanced tourism insight simple, practical, and usable for every organization in Canada’s visitor economy. Powered by the Canadian Tourism Data Collective, Aurora AI turns verified tourism data into plain-language answers you can use immediately. This new tool:
- Puts insight in reach for Canada’s 265,000 tourism businesses, no analyst or large team required.
- Helps small teams uncover new revenue paths from existing capacity – from product ideas and seasonal offers to more resonant messaging. At Congress, operators saw how four prompts in four minutes could surface under-used potential.
- Grounds brand storytelling, investor pitches and partnership proposals in behaviour, not assumptions.
Anyone in the Canadian travel sector can try Aurora AI, Traveller Twin and Aurora Search for free
Destination Canada has also released a new Generative AI Search Playbook – a practical 17-page guide built from deeper research. It’s designed so you can move from curiosity to action quickly, and then share the essentials across your teams and partners. Access the Generative AI Search Playbook Here
The .CA gift guide is back.
Hear those faint sleigh bells jingling? Santa’s workshop is busy building he 2025 .CA Small business gift guide and need your help. Think your .CA business would be a good fit? Know a small .CA business that deserves to be showcased? Submit a business and it just may be featured.
Medicine Hat-Cypress News
Cypress County Updates Council Titles to Mayor and Deputy Mayor
Cypress County Council has approved a change to the titles of its chief elected officials. Effective immediately, the position of Reeve is now titled Mayor, and the position of Deputy Reeve is Deputy Mayor.
This update modernizes Cypress County’s governance terminology and aligns the county with commonly used municipal titles across Alberta and Canada. The change reflects a commitment to clarity in communication and consistency in intermunicipal, provincial, and federal interactions.
Municipal Matters: Medicine Hat Economic Development marks a year of growth, strategy and momentum
Selena McLean-Moore, Director of Medicine Hat Economic Development, shared highlights of the department’s progress and priorities through 2025 in this week’s edition of Municipal Matters.
From launching the Southeast Alberta Economic Opportunity Strategy, which was developed in partnership with municipalities across the region, to reinforcing our position as a national hub for aerospace innovation, MHED remains committed to positioning Medicine Hat among the top economic performers in Alberta and ensuring sustained, long-term prosperity for the region.
City Land Opportunities in 2026
The City of Medicine Hat was able to sell out of all their single-family and duplex lots, purchased by both builders and individual buyers, boosting the local economy and facilitating a diversity of new housing opportunities. The year started off with strong interest in single-family and duplex lots, which continued throughout the year, demonstrating high levels of confidence from both local homeowners and the development community.
In early 2026, the City Land and Real Estate Department will be introducing 10 new lots - collectively known as "The Spur" - as an addition to the Ranchlands. While details are still limited, it will be an opportunity for our local builders and developers as they release more information ahead of the 2026 construction season.
Brooks-Newell News
2026 BUDGET DISCUSSIONS FOR THE CITY OF BROOKS
Budget review meetings have been streamed live on Facebook and YouTube and if you missed any of the past sessions, you can view them online with additional information in the agenda centre online: https://www.brooks.ca/AgendaCenter
December 8, 2025: Part I
December 8, 2025: Part II
December 10, 2025: Part I
December 10, 2025: Part II
City of Brooks Development Process Improvement
The City has recognized that when the Municipal Planning Commission approval is required, it can delay the process, and become a barrier to development. Eliminating the Municipal Planning Commission as Development Authority would speed up the processing time for permits, create consistent and predictable decision making, provide a development friendly atmosphere for residents and developers, and ensure decisions are grounded in a clear understanding of the Land Use Bylaw. View the council package page 49-50 of the PDF for more.
THE COUNTY OF NEWELL IS ASKING FOR FEEDBACK
The County of Newell is collecting feedback through a short public survey to help guide future website improvements. This includes exploring tools like chatbots to help residents find answers faster. Your feedback will help shape future improvements.
Nominate Your Business for McMornings!
It’s our way of celebrating the amazing businesses that make Brooks thrive! Want to win a FREE McMorning for your team?
Engage with these posts Nominate your favorite local business; anyone can nominate!Advocacy in Action
CANADIAN CHAMBER REPRESENTS THE NETWORK AT B7, HILL DAY AND THROUGH THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
On December 8, the Canadian Chamber wrapped up the 2025 B7 Presidency with a high-energy event in Montréal, held alongside the G7 Industry, Digital and Technology Ministers’ Meeting. Close to 300 business leaders, innovators and policymakers came together to talk AI, digital transformation, competitiveness and supply chain strength.
On December 1–2, nearly 300 business leaders, local chambers and industry associations were brought to Ottawa for Hill Day — one of the country’s most impactful business advocacy events. Beyond the Hill Day, they convened leaders for three high-energy side events: the Red Tape Reduction Summit; and Agentic AI and the Evolution of Digital Services in Canada; and Unlocking Canada’s Arctic Economic Potential.
A new report from the Public Policy Forum (PPF), produced in partnership with the Canadian Chamber of Commerce Future of Business Centre, finds that expanding Canada’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) and oil exports could significantly reduce global greenhouse gas emissions.
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT THROUGH THE GOVERNMENT OF ALBERTA
The Government of Alberta is now publishing public engagement surveys on Alberta.ca instead of Your.Alberta.ca. At the end of December 2025, user accounts for the Your.Alberta.ca engagement website will be deactivated. The Government encourages participation in engagement opportunities as they are posted on https://www.alberta.ca/public-engagement.
REQUESTS FOR INPUT
GoA Budget 2026 consultation: Closes Jan. 15, 2026 - Albertans can provide feedback to help set the direction of the provincial budget. | Survey
HAVE YOUR SAY: ALBERTA ECOTRUST IS SEEKING YOUR FEEDBACK
Alberta Ecotrust Foundation wants to hear from building, construction and renovation industry professionals in Alberta.
To gain insights into the industry’s needs and continue to enhance their services, Alberta Ecotrust is seeking your feedback on emissions-neutral building practices and resources in Alberta. This anonymous survey is intended for individuals working in Alberta’s building, construction and renovation industries, as well as policymakers, educators and others connected to the sector.
This is their second year conducting this survey, helping them understand year-over-year trends and continue to tailor their services to industry needs. They encourage participation from those who did the survey last year, as well as those who didn't.
This survey takes 8–10 minutes to complete and includes an optional prize draw to win one of three $100 Visa gift cards. Complete the survey today
Next Level Events
Brooks - Christmas Social with the Chamber
WHEN: Wednesday, December 17th at 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
WHERE: Piston Broke Brewing | 350 9th Street East, Brooks, AB
Join us for an evening of festive networking at the Southeast Alberta Chamber of Commerce Christmas Social! Whether you’re a member or a non-member, this is the perfect opportunity to connect with local business professionals, share ideas, and celebrate the season together. The event is free to attend, but please note that refreshments and food will be at your own expense. See the event on our calendar here.
Chamber Holiday Open House
WHEN: Thursday, December 18th at 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
WHERE: Southeast Alberta Chamber of Commerce | 413 6 Avenue Southeast, Medicine Hat, AB
Join the Chamber at their Medicine Hat office for an Holiday Open House! Come have a drink with us, snoop around and see what our space is like, network in the boardroom, and discuss whatever needs discussing at your business. Free to attend (and with Christmas cheer)! See the event on our calendar here.
HOW TO DO BUSINESS WITH THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA: SUPPLY PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
This session provides you with key information to help you find and bid on opportunities to sell professional services to the Government of Canada, including:
- The basics of how the government buys services
- How to register as a supplier for the federal government
- How to register in sourcing tools for professional services, including the Centralized Professional Services System (CPSS) ePortal and SELECT
- Where to find information and resources for professional services providers
January 22, 2026 | Register Here
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 Avenue Coffee, Kookie Bites, and Between The Buns 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!
HOW TO USE SOCIAL MEDIA EFFECTIVELY: A COMPLETE GUIDE FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
Social media has steadily become a bigger and bigger part of daily life. Over five billion people, or more than 60% of the global population, use at least one social media platform. That kind of massive popularity presents a huge opportunity for business leaders.
By getting on social media and implementing the right marketing strategies, you can drive great results for your business. Some keywords you may see are:
- Reach: The number of unique users who see your content
- Engagement: The number of likes, shares, and comments you get on your posts
- Follower count: The number of people who follow your brand pages
- Click-through rate: The percentage of users who click on links in your posts
- Conversion rate: The percentage of users who complete a conversion, such as signing up for a contact list, making a call, or buying something
https://www.constantcontact.com/blog/use-social-media-effectively/
ESPLANADE AND INDIGENOUS ARTEFACT FEATURED ON BBC2 SERIES
In August of 2024, Historian David Olusoga and a production film crew from BBC2 flew from the UK to Medicine Hat to document the Mike Mountain Horse Story Robe. The Esplanade’s Galleries and Collections team invited Elder Charlie Fox from the Kainai Nation to guide and conduct a ceremonial blessing of the Story Robe for the Empire series.
The Mike Mountain Horse Story Robe was designed and painted by Ambrose Two Chiefs recounting 12 important events in Mike Mountain Horse’s service in the First World War. The Story Robe was gifted to The Esplanade (formally Medicine Hat Historical Museum, Medicine Hat Museum and Art Gallery) through the Medicine Hat and District Historical Society, who acquired the piece from Thyrza Burkitt, neighbour to the Kainai Nation and acquaintance of Mike Mountain Horse.
This past November the Empire series was finalized and aired on BBC2. You can watch the third episode of the series that features the story robe on Vimeo.
Watch the video here | Use password: Empire03
THE MEMBER BENEFIT: PAYWORKS PAYROLL & HR SERVICES DISCOUNTS
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 Canadian businesses of all kinds from coast to coast. Save 20% off with Payworks! View the Member Special Pricing here.
What’s New: The Payworks Self Service App
With the Payworks Self Service App, your team can access what they need when they need it, empowering them to manage their own time, pay, and personal details quickly and securely from their mobile phone. Available for download in the App Store and Google Play
Fill Up On Funding
GROWING ALBERTA’S FRESH FOOD FUTURE
The new three-year, $10-milllion Growing Greenhouses program, funded by the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, will accelerate expansion in Alberta greenhouses and vertical farms to stimulate industry growth and provide fresh fruit and vegetables to Albertans throughout the year.
This program supports the controlled environment agriculture sector with new construction or expansion improvements to existing greenhouses and vertical farms that produce food at a commercial scale. It also aligns with Alberta’s Buy Local initiative launched this year as consumers will be able to purchase more local produce all year-round.
SEMI'S CAPITAL RETROFITS APPLICATION PROCESS TO CHANGE ON JANUARY 7, 2026
Alberta's demand for capital retrofits is soaring. To manage increasing popularity and ensure funding is directed to the most impactful projects, ERA is transitioning the Capital Retrofits activity application process from first-come, first-served to a "fixed intake model" starting January 7, 2026. Under this new structure, all signed Capital Retrofits pre-applications received between January 7 and March 2, 2026, will be reviewed, scored, and ranked based on evaluation criteria. Funding will be awarded to the highest-ranked applications.
- Pre-applications submitted before January 7, 2026, will be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis—the same application process since SEMI began.
- Pre-applications submitted between January 7 and March 2, 2026, will be reviewed, scored, and ranked based on evaluation criteria—this is a new process.
- Pre-applications submitted after March 2, 2026, will be placed on a waitlist.
Visit the resource page with popular questions and answers to help you understand the new application process.
In January, ERA and Enerva will host a webinar about the changes to Capital Retrofits. Sign up for ERA's newsletter to stay in the loop about the webinar date and time. Still have questions about how this impacts you? Contact us at semi@enerva.ca. You can also learn more here.
CAPITAL GRANT FUNDING FOR NEW CONTINUING CARE SPACES
The New Capacity Stream provides one-time grant funding for eligible organizations to develop net-new continuing care spaces in communities across the province. The intake is funded up to $400 million, targeted to support communities with the greatest need. Target communities were identified based on population forecasts, aging trends, disease prevalence and waitlist validated by health corridor teams with Brooks-Bassano as one of the identified regions. Proposals to replace existing spaces are permitted only if they also add net-new capacity.
Only the net-new space will be funded. The application intake period for the 'New Capacity Stream – Intake One' will close on February 6, 2026.
ALBERTA EXPORT EXPANSION PROGRAM
Is your company in a solid export-ready position? Are you looking to find new markets for your products? Then the Alberta Export Expansion Program (AEEP) may be for you.
This Government of Alberta program provides funding to export-ready small and medium-sized businesses to travel to global markets to promote their products, make business connections and explore partnership opportunities.
Companies that meet eligibility criteria can receive grants to attend international trade events open to the public. Funding helps cover event registration costs and includes per diems for up to two travellers per organization per event. Organizations can receive up to $15,000 through the AEEP program each fiscal year.
The program operates on a first-come, first-served basis and has a budget of $2 million for the 2025-26 fiscal year.
Click Here for more information on available funding, eligibility criteria, program guidelines and to apply.
Crossword Puzzle
Crossword Puzzle Answers
Did you figure it out? Here are the answers for the December 9th 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.
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