The Voice: January 6th, 2026
Top 5 OHS Portal Resources of 2025, Bank of Canada Leaves Rates Unchanged, Congratulations to MLA Justin Wright on his New Leadership Role, Government of Canada Implements Buy Canadian Policy, Child-Care Agreement Extended, and more all in this week's edition of The Voice.
Welcome 2026, Happy New Year!
Business News
Top 5 OHS Portal Resources of 2025
Let’s look back at the most popular OHS resources of 2025. The OHS Resource Portal hosts hundreds of occupational health and safety resources that are freely available to the public and other stakeholders. In 2025, these were the top five most-viewed resources among visitors to the portal:
- Approved first aid training agencies
- Health and safety committees and representatives
- Hazard assessment and control: a handbook for Alberta employers and workers
- Violence and harassment in the workplace
- First aid in the workplace
If you’d like to provide comments or suggestions, please take the OHS Resource Portal survey or OHS resource feedback survey.
The Bank of Canada Leaves Rates Unchanged
On December 10th, The Bank of Canada held its target for the overnight rate at 2.25%, with the Bank Rate at 2.5% and the deposit rate at 2.20%. Major economies around the world continue to show resilience to US trade protectionism, but uncertainty is still high. Canada’s labour market is showing some signs of improvement.
Employment has shown solid gains in the past three months and the unemployment rate declined to 6.5% in November. Nevertheless, job markets in trade-sensitive sectors remain weak and economy-wide hiring intentions continue to be subdued.
Canadian Chamber of Commerce Principal Economist, Andrew DiCapua, joined BNN Bloomberg to unpack the decision, share his key takeaways from the Governor’s remarks, and explain what this could mean for Canada’s economy and for our Canadian businesses in 2026. See the interview here
The next scheduled date for announcing the overnight rate target is January 28, 2026. The Bank’s next MPR will be released at the same time.
Congratulations to MLA Justin Wright on His New Leadership Role
The Chamber congratulates Cypress-Medicine Hat MLA Justin Wright on his appointment as Chief Government Whip for the United Conservative Caucus - a role announced as part of Premier Danielle Smith’s year-end leadership updates. Wright will take on this important caucus leadership position while continuing in his existing roles as Parliamentary Secretary for Rural Health (South) and Alberta’s military liaison, where he has been a strong advocate for improving rural health care access and supporting military families.
We congratulate MLA Wright on this well-deserved appointment and look forward to the continued impact of his leadership in southern Alberta.
Government of Canada Implements Buy Canadian Policy to Strengthen Canada's Economy and Support Homegrown Industries
Effective on December16, 2025, the Government of Canada implemented the Policy on Prioritizing Canadian Suppliers and Canadian Content in Strategic Federal Procurement. This policy gives a clear and measurable advantage to companies with a real footprint in Canada: businesses that invest here, employ Canadians and contribute to local economies.
Federal procurements will prioritize bids that feature greater Canadian content, which includes manufacturing, research and development, and other economic activities that occur domestically.
Under this policy, priority will be given to Canadian businesses and Canadian content for major federal procurements. This applies immediately to large, strategic procurements valued at $25 million and over, and will expand to contracts valued at $5 million and above by spring 2026.
Also effective on December 16, 2025, the Government of Canada will require the use of Canadian-produced steel, aluminum and wood products in large federal construction and defence projects. These materials must be manufactured or processed in Canada, not simply sold by Canadian companies, so that federal investments directly drive demand for materials produced here at home. This requirement applies to projects valued at $25 million or more, where at least $250,000 worth of these materials is required and a Canadian source of supply is available. Read more
CHILD-CARE AGREEMENT EXTENDED
The Government of Canda and the Government of Alberta have signed a one-year extension of the current was set to expire on March 31, 2026. Over the next year, Alberta and the federal government will continue to work toward a new child-care deal. This extension keeps parent fees at $15-a-day beyond March 31, 2026, for children kindergarten age and younger in daycare and family day-home programs.
Medicine Hat-Cypress News
MEDICINE HAT SOUTHWEST SUBSTATION – UPDATE
Earlier this year the Alberta Utilities Commission approved the preferred substation location for the project located west of Highway 3 and north of Township Road 122. With approval in hand, construction activities will begin this upcoming spring. They would like to make residents aware and keep them informed regarding construction activities.
The Project website will be updated as new information becomes available and the team can be contacted by email or phone.
MEDICINE HAT AIRPORT SEES BOOST IN AIR TRAFFIC THANKS TO FLIGHT ACADEMY
A flight school in Medicine Hat, Alta., is fueling a big boost in air traffic at the local airport. Data from Statistics Canada says the number of takeoffs and landings have gone up almost 50 per cent over the past 12 months, and that growth could continue into 2026
Brooks-Newell News
CITY OF BROOKS APPROVED 2026 BUDGET
Brooks City Council has approved the 2026 Budget, which includes $41.1 million in operating expenses to maintain essential services and utilities. To meet rising costs, the approved budget includes a tax increase equivalent to approximately $9.99 per month for a home assessed at $300,000 (not including Alberta Education and Seniors Housing requisitions).
Utility rates will also change in 2026, resulting in an average increase of $10.78 per bi-monthly bill for a typical household. This adjustment is primarily due to rising costs for treated water purchases under the NRSC contract, higher landfill requisition fees, and inflationary impacts on electricity and insurance. Find out more
COUNCIL SCHEDULES FOR THE NEW YEAR
Brooks City Council Regular Meetings
- 1st & 3rd Mondays of each month at 4:30 p.m.
- Council Chambers, open to the public.
Brooks City Council Committee Meetings
- 2nd & 4th Tuesday of each month at 4:30 p.m.
- Hayes Room, open to the public.
View the most recent Agendas and Minutes | Watch the Livestreams
Newell County:
The schedule below includes regular meetings of the Municipal Planning Commission (MPC) and Council as well as Committee of the Whole and Budget meetings for 2026. Links to access the livestream, agendas, minutes, and video recordings will be included as they become available. Full Schedule | Watch the Livestreams
Crop Diversification Centre Update
In under a year, staff have restored functionality of CDC by deploying $3.5 million in provincial capital funding. The Griffin Building is now renovated and fully occupied, greenhouse bays are back in use, and initial farming activity has begun generating early revenue. Source: Larkspur
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 ADDRESSES SENATE COMMITTEE ON BUDGET 2025 IMPLEMENTATION
On December 9, 2025, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce’s Senior Director of Natural Resources, Environment and Sustainability, Bryan Detchou, and Senior Director of Manufacturing and Value Chains, Alex Greco, appeared before the Senate Standing Committee on National Finance to provide the business community’s perspective on Budget 2025.
They emphasized that the Budget makes meaningful progress in strengthening Canada’s strategic economic and industrial capacity — from critical minerals and clean energy to advances in AI, defence, and LNG’s role in global energy security. They also stressed the need to improve regulatory efficiency, accelerate project development, and ensure Canada is positioned to compete globally.
What matters next is implementation — and doing it quickly. To capture global opportunities and reinforce Canada’s economic security, governments must move with speed, coordination, and urgency. Full remarks and appearance can be viewed here.
Alberta and Manitoba Chambers Advancing Interprovincial Trade Opportunities
The Alberta Chambers of Commerce (ACC) is facilitating business opportunities by leading an interprovincial trade mission of Alberta delegates to Winnipeg.
Hosted by the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce (MCC), the Alberta delegation will tour advanced manufacturing and logistics facilities and meet with federal ministers to highlight opportunities for trade, investment, and made-in-Canada procurement. The delegation includes senior representatives from Alberta tariff-impacted businesses, municipalities, and regional economic development organizations.
See how the Southeast Alberta Chamber of Commerce is advocating for improvement through our active policies regarding Interprovincial Trade barriers.
For more information on Trade and Tariffs, see our compiled list of resources here.
Have your say: Rural Development Action Plan
Help shape the future of rural Canada – Moving from strategy to action: Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) is developing a Rural Development Action Plan. Your participation in this consultation will support the Government of Canada's efforts to reflect the needs and priorities of rural communities across Canada.
Next Level Events
Coffee & Conversations
WHEN: Thursday, January 15th at 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
WHERE: MT Nest Cafe & Market | Unit 104 266 4 St SW Medicine Hat, AB
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!
Brooks Newell State of the Region 2026
WHEN: Thursday, January 22nd at 7:30 AM - 9:00 AM
WHERE: Heritage Inn Hotel | 1217 2 St W, Brooks, AB
The Brooks Newell State of the Region is the annual opportunity to hear directly from our local elected officials on how they saw this past year's progress and to listen to their views on where they see us going in 2026. Come and join us at the Heritage Inn in Brooks for this breakfast presentation to listen to Brooks Medicine Hat MLA - Premier Danielle Smith, City of Brooks Mayor - Norm Gerestein, and County of Newell Reeve - Arno Doerksen.
Pre-registration is required, and the deadline is Jan. 19, 2026. Register here.
Sip and Learn - Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
Sharpen your decision-making skills in this one-hour Sip & Learn session. You’ll get a taste of Critical Thinking and Problem Solving, a Medicine Hat College Extended Learning Course designed to help you solve problems, make better decisions, and handle complex situations at work. Through engaging discussion and a short, practical activity, you’ll explore simple ways to spark new thinking and collaboration. Leave with insights you can apply right away and the curiosity to dive deeper in the full course.
*Appetizers are included in the price of admission, and a cash bar is available.
January 27, 2026 from 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM | 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 NuHome Window and Doors Calgary, SaskTel Business Solutions, and Revitalize Osteopathic Wellness Studio 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!
Medicine Hat Construction Association 2025-2026 Publication
The Medicine Hat Construction Association have released their annual magazine, available both in print and online. The Southeast Alberta Chamber of Commerce is highlighted in this edition, with focus on our 125th anniversary and key advocacy wins that directly impact the construction and development sectors highlighted on page 36-37.
We greatly value our partnership with the Construction Association and congratulate them on 70 years! Explore the full digital magazine and read more about their year here: https://flipbooks.delcommunications.com/MHCA_25-26
2026 UPDATES FROM THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
The new year holds a lot to look forward to at the Community Foundation. See their 2024/25 Impact Report to see how they have helped numerous Southeastern Alberta residents and organizations.
BDC RELEASES THEIR TOP 5 BUSINESS ARTICLES OF 2025
Economic uncertainty, shifting trade dynamics and rapid technological advancements marked Canada’s business landscape in 2025. Yet, amid and despite these headwinds, Canada’s entrepreneurs demonstrated remarkable resilience as they navigated economic turbulence and found ways to adjust to new realities. The top articles of 2025 show that Canadian business owners reimagined their strategies.
The list includes:
Rural Renewal Stream Updates
Updates to the Rural Renewal Stream will take effect on January 1, 2026, including changes to endorsement limits, eligibility requirements, and endorsement letter validity.
For more information regarding these changes, you can review the full summary of updates here: https://www.brooksregion.ca/business-supports/https-www-brooksregion-ca-aaip-rrs
New Year. New Savings: Elavon Promotion
From invoicing and managing inventory to staff scheduling, and analytics we have solutions to help your business run efficiently and securely accept payments, from anywhere that your customers are located – at the counter, in the aisle, online, or curbside.
To get you started we will give you a $150 statement credit* when you open a new payment processing account for your business by February 28, 2026.
* To qualify for the promotion, you must sign up for a new payment processing account with Elavon Canada between January 1 and February 28, 2026. Merchant accounts must be activated and actively processing payment transactions by March 15, 2026 for a minimum of one week and be in an open status at the time of the incentive credit. A one-time $150 credit will be applied to your Elavon statement within 90 days after the first deposit date. Limit one credit per customer. Cannot be combined with another offer. Elavon reserves the right in its sole discretion to modify, suspend or terminate the promotion at any time without additional notice. Restrictions may apply. Services provided by Elavon Canada Company.
Copyright © 2026 Elavon Canada Company. All rights reserved. Elavon is a trademark in the United States and/or other countries. All rights reserved. All features and specifications are subject to change without notice. This document is prepared by Elavon as a service for its customers. The information discussed is general in nature and may not apply to your specific situation.
Fill Up On Funding
COMMUNITY IMPACT AWARD: COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF SOUTHEASTERN ALBERTA
Are you a registered charity or non-profit with a game-changing project idea that has the potential to create positive, lasting change in our region?
The Community Impact Award is a $35,000 award to support agencies with bold, innovative projects that demonstrate creativity and leadership in building a vibrant, healthy, and caring community.
After applications close, all submissions will be reviewed by a CFSEA committee. Up to four finalists will be selected to provide additional information, including a presentation about their proposed project, before final selections are made.
January 5, 2026 - Applications Open | February 6, 2026 @ 4:30pm - Deadline
Taste of Western Canada
The Trade Commissioner Service (TCS) is pleased to invite you to apply to participate in the third edition of the "Taste of Western Canada," a premier tabletop event held in partnership with the Calgary Stampede. This free event provides Western Canadian food and beverage companies with an exclusive opportunity to showcase their products to qualified domestic and international buyers, distributors, and importers from the retail and food and beverage service sectors.
Date: Thursday, July 9, 2026
Location: BMO Centre | 1912 Flores Ladue Parade SE, Calgary, AB T2G 2W1
Showcase: 11:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. | Networking Reception: 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
THE ALBERTA YOUTH EMPLOYMENT INCENTIVE
This incentive makes it easier – and more rewarding – for employers to bring young talent into their business. Qualified employers can receive up to $7,500 to hire Albertans aged 15 to 24, helping you fill workforce needs today while investing in the skilled workforce of tomorrow.
This program is funded by the Government of Alberta and administered by CAREERS: The Next Generation, a non-profit with nearly 30 years of experience connecting youth and employers across the province. Apply Here
Drilling Technology Challenge
Do you know about the Drilling Technology Challenge? Don’t worry, you can still catch up on everything you need to know with our webinar recording, available now.
The online session featured Justin Riemer, ERA’s CEO, Christophe Owttrim, Executive Director of Technology & Innovation, and Isabella Tarasco, Technology Development Lead. Together, they shared an in-depth overview of this funding opportunity, including the scope and eligibility of the call, the submission process, and submission timelines. Participants also had the chance to ask questions and learn how to prepare strong applications for funding. The deadline to apply for the Drilling Technology Challenge is Thursday, January 29, 2026 by 5:00 p.m. MDT
Crossword Puzzle
Crossword Puzzle Answers
Tune in to next week's edition of the Voice for the answers!
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
Weekly Economic Review - December 19th
Alberta Economy Indicators at a Glance
Economics of Immigrants in Alberta
Access the report: Alberta housing
BDC: AI for Sales and Marketing
Longitudinal immigration database: retention rates and mobility, Alberta
Travel Alberta Report: Uncovering the far-reaching impacts of tourism
Labour Market Notes – Labour market gains momentum
For other publications on the Alberta Economy, click here.
Other Events
Events — APEX | Regional Innovation Network of Southeast Alberta
January 16 | Unlocking Global Growth: Supports for International Expansion | Calgary
January 14 & 28 | Dare to be Different: Finding Your Way in a Crowded Market | Virtual
January 30 | Sales Pipeline Mastery Start up Canada | Virtual
January 15 to March 7 | Grow Your Business with Automation & AI Start up Canada | Virtual
Useful Links
Follow us on social media for up-to-the-minute updates
The Voice: January 6th, 2026
Top 5 OHS Portal Resources of 2025, Bank of Canada Leaves Rates Unchanged, Congratulations to MLA Justin Wright on his New Leadership Role, Government of Canada Implements Buy Canadian Policy, Child-Care Agreement Extended, and more all in this week’s edition of The Voice. Welcome 2026, Happy New Year! Business News Top 5 OHS Portal Resources…
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