The Voice: June 2nd, 2025
Local Government 101, Businesses are you ready for CRA mail to go online, Exploring a Municipally controlled corporation (MCC), and new Economic Development Tool all in this week's edition of The Voice.
Business News
Southeast Alberta Chamber of Commerce Celebrates 125 Years of Advocacy and Leadership by Hosting 2025 Alberta Chambers of Commerce AGM
The Southeast Alberta Chamber of Commerce commemorated its 125th anniversary by hosting the 87th Alberta Chambers of Commerce (ACC) Annual General Meeting and Policy Plenary Session in Medicine Hat from May 29 to 31. This milestone event brought close to 200 delegates from across Alberta with 31 Chambers to celebrate a legacy of business leadership and to shape the province’s economic future.
The three-day event featured a dynamic mix of networking, policy debate, and community celebration, including the ceremonial unveiling of “Commerce Way” and a gala at Medalta in the historic Clay District. The Chamber’s legacy, dating back to 1900, was honored alongside its continued role as a catalyst for regional economic growth.
Within the event's policy leadership and advocacy agenda, there were a total of 29 policy resolutions that were adopted during the 2025 Policy Plenary Session, reinforcing the ACC’s commitment to business-focused policy development. The Southeast Alberta Chamber of Commerce played a leading role, sponsoring or co-sponsoring five key policies that address critical issues facing Alberta’s communities and industries:
- Supporting Communities in Managing Crime, Homelessness, and Property Damage (Sponsor), advocates for equitable funding and coordinated provincial strategies to address public safety and social challenges in rural and mid-sized communities.
- Creating Jobs through Remediating and Redeveloping Brownfields (Sponsor), calls for streamlined regulations and financial incentives to revitalize contaminated sites and stimulate local job creation.
- Improvements to Regional Air Service (Sponsor), recommends increased provincial support and funding for regional air carriers to improve flight frequency, connectivity, and reliability—critical for economic development in underserved areas like Southeast Alberta.
- Domestic Reclaimed Water Use (Co-Sponsor), supports the adoption of guidelines to enable the use of greywater for non-potable purposes, promoting sustainability and water conservation.
- Establishment of a Pre-Approved Trade Corridor for Economic Growth and Investment (Co-Sponsor), proposes a national infrastructure corridor to diversify trade routes and reduce reliance on U.S. markets.
- Alberta’s Role in Enhancing Interprovincial Collaboration (Co-Sponsor), encourages streamlined credential recognition and regulatory harmonization to improve labour mobility and economic integration across provinces.
“These policies reflect the Southeast Alberta Chamber’s deep commitment to practical, forward-thinking solutions that support both local businesses and Alberta’s broader economic resilience,” said Steven Pudwell, President of the Southeast Alberta Chamber of Commerce.
The local Chamber also was able to celebrate the Chamber's legacy of impact. From its origins as the Medicine Hat Board of Trade in 1900 to its current role as a regional economic driver, the Chamber has consistently championed business interests, community development, and policy innovation. Hosting the 2025 AGM and Policy Session is a fitting tribute to 125 years of service and a bold step into the future.
For more information, visit southeastalbertachamber.ca or abchamber.ca.
Next stop for free trade: Ontario!
Premier Danielle Smith and Ontario Premier Doug Ford signed the memorandum of understanding (MOU) while in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan for a meeting of Canada’s First Ministers June 1 to 2.
The agreement will see Alberta and Ontario partner to improve the free flow of goods and services between the two provinces. It will also simplify requirements for regulated professions such as skilled trades, making it easier and faster for professionals to work across provincial borders. In addition, the agreement will allow direct-to-consumer sales of Ontario-made and Alberta-made alcohol between the provinces.
Pride Month
June is Pride Month. Celebrated in Canada and around the world, this month celebrates the accomplishments of the two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, asexual, and other (2SLGBTQ+) communities. This day also recognizes the ongoing struggle and the continued work towards equal justice for 2SLGBTQ+ individuals and communities.
Learn more and access the Pride Season toolkit on the Government of Canada's website | AB Human Rights Commission
National Indigenous History Month
June is National Indigenous History Month in Canada, an opportunity to learn about the unique cultures, traditions and experiences of First Nations, Inuit and Métis. It's a time to honour the stories, achievements and resilience of Indigenous Peoples, who have lived on this land since time immemorial and whose presence continues to impact the evolving Canada.
The House of Commons designated June as National Aboriginal History Month in 2009. The name was changed to National Indigenous History Month in 2017. Learn more about the month and about how you can participate.
Men's Mental Health Month
June is a time dedicated to raising awareness and reducing stigma surrounding men's mental health. It encourages men and boys to prioritize their well-being and seek support if needed. 1 in 2 Canadian men are at risk of social isolation. Not having people to confide in is associated with higher stress and risk of depression. This June, join guys across Canada talking about the tough stuff and getting tools to build better mental health.
Medicine Hat-Cypress News
Go paperless and win: eTax edition!
Register for eTax before June 20 for a chance to win a $500 City of Medicine Hat gift card! You're automatically entered when you set up your account.
To add properties to your eTax account, you’ll need the access code printed on your tax notice - or contact us at tax@medicinehat.ca or 403-529-8111 and we can provide it to you.
Learn more at medicinehat.ca/paperless.
Exploring a Municipally Controlled Corporation: Public Q and A sessions
Our energy business has been central to Medicine Hat’s identity since the early 1900s and is a significant source of community pride. While we explore the possibility of shifting part of our energy business to a municipally controlled corporation, let’s talk about it!
Join us in person on June 6 or virtually on June 11 to ask questions of our project team before attending the public hearing on June 24 to have your say. Prepare in advance by:
Q1 Economic Development update
In a Council Committee of the Whole meeting on Monday, May 26, Director of Medicine Hat Economic Development Selena McLean-Moore presented the first quarter management report on the City’s economic development efforts.
The presentation highlighted activities and achievements in each of its four pillars of focus: Business and Industry Development, Workforce Development, Investment Attraction ,and Investment and Growth Readiness.
Community Vibrancy Grant application window open for 2026 projects
The City of Medicine Hat has begun accepting applications for its Community Vibrancy Grant. The application window is open from Monday, June 2, 2025 until Friday, July 18 at 3 p.m.
The 2026 Community Vibrancy Grant application intake has two funding streams – Community Project and Activities, and Annual Festivals and Special Events. The Community Project and Activities stream has $52,000 in available funds for 2026. The Annual Festivals and Special Events stream, for larger-scale events, has two-years of funding available. There is $83,000 available for 2026, and $83,000 is available for 2027.
For more information on the Community Vibrancy Grant program and the application process, visit medicinehat.ca/grants. Interested applicants can also email cdvgrants@medicinehat.ca.
Brooks-Newell News
Last call for NewGrow Spring - 2025
If you want to receive up to $10,000 for a new business idea, time is running out! This funding is a grant (not a loan) and is intended to break down barriers and stimulate business growth in the Region, hopefully leading towards better business retention and expansion. Application Deadline is June 6th.
Apply now: https://www.brooksregion.ca/business-supports/grants
Succession Planning
Succession planning is key to protecting your business or farm and ensuring a smooth transition when the time comes. It’s not just about the future—it’s a smart move for today that can help you gradually step back and even begin accessing retirement income.
We’re offering up to $5,000 in funding to cover professional fees for succession planning.
Take control of your future and protect your legacy—apply today!
Rodeo Week: Pancake Breakfasts | 7am-9am
Monday, June 2 - LMSPC Accounting
Tuesday, June 3 - Boom 101.1
Wednesday, June 4 - BCIS
Thursday, June 5 - CDN Controls
Friday, June 6 - City Hall
Advocacy in Action
Concerns around Development and Infrastructure Division Fees and Charges
Similar to what was experienced in 2011, new development and infrastructure fees were adopted in December 2024 for 2025 and 2026, resulting in some significant increases in several fees and charges.
The proposed increases are in an attempt to recover costs of the Planning & Development Services department. While many of the development fees see modest to moderate increases, the significant variances were most notable in the business license fee changes with increases ranging up to over 600% for some of the new tiered classifications.
With many of the challenges our businesses are facing with increased costs and declining business activity, the Southeast Alberta Chamber of Commerce recommends that the City of Medicine Hat re-evaluate options for implementing the new tiered business licenses structure and consult with industry, key stakeholders and organizations for implementation of the fee structures that can be more reasonably implemented over a period of time.
As previously recommended, any fees and charges should be based on a baseline structure, with incremental percentage increases over a period of time, taking into consideration cost of service delivery and taking into consideration natural inflationary costs.
What have we worked on for our members....
We have worked with the City of Medicine Hat since 2011 on not only fees, but also various other recommendations to create a more business-friendly regulatory environment and with the success in 2012, we have continued ongoing work. We were pleased to see the new 3-year license option, a reduced not-for-profit rate, and the elimination of an additional home-based business ‘surcharge’ that had previously been charged.
We provided a letter to City Council on March 26, 2025 with the knowledge that Council also had a motion for more information to be brought back to the City Council. Following the information that was presented to the Development and Infrastructure committee on April 3, we sent a follow-up letter on April 17, 2025, knowing the item was coming back to Council.
Our hope was that the City would identify potential adjustments that could alleviate some of the financial pressures on small businesses, while still ensuring continued development and financial sustainability and balancing the financial pressures of both the public and private sectors. In our last letter of April 17, we requested that the Council re-evaluate the 2025-2026 fee increases in consideration of the priority to create opportunities to incentivize business and reduce barriers to achieve a dynamic and thriving community economy.
There was a presentation to the City Council with a summary of 2025-2026 Business License Fees at the May 5 City Council meeting, but no further changes were proposed.
Based on the information provided in the business plans, we anticipate this will be reviewed again in 2026.
As a Chamber, we will keep our recommendations active and present our policy recommendations following the 2025 Municipal Election, as there is no further consideration that will be made during the remaining Council term. Read the full background and further insights here.
Next Level Events
Academy of Learning Grand Opening
Join us in celebrating Academy of Learning's brand new campus grand opening! From 3:00pm - 6:00pm, the ribbon cutting will be at 3:30 with celebratory cake to follow! Enjoy free Kona Ice, coffee, pop/ juice and water, PLUS free face painting by Crazy Paint by Katie. Make sure to pop by so you don't miss the opportunity to win a their draw... one of the prizes being a tuition scholarship giveaway!
Launch a career you love in Medicine Hat. In less than a year. Over 100,000 people have found their fresh start through Canada’s largest career college network, Academy of Learning Career College.
3:00 PM - 6:00 PM | Ribbon cutting @ 3:30 PM | More details and registration here
Manufacturing Forward: Talent, Technology, Trade and Tariffs
Manufacturers today face major challenges—supply chain disruptions, labour shortages, technological shifts, and global competition—requiring innovation, workforce development, and strategic adaptation to stay competitive.
The “Manufacturing Forward” event will help industry leaders navigate uncertainty, stay competitive, reduce risks, and pursue growth. Hear updates on tariffs, explore programs supporting market expansion, workforce, and innovation, and join a roundtable to share sector challenges and opportunities.
Learn from the Experts - Brooks Edition: Mastering Financial Planning For You and Your Business
Learn from the Experts is coming to Brooks with a session designed to empower business owners and executives to take control of their financial future, focusing on the unique challenges and opportunities you face in creating your own retirement and the critical role a Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) professional plays in this journey.
By attending this session, you will be better equipped to navigate the complexities of financial planning as a business owner and take decisive steps towards securing a prosperous future, both for your business and your personal life.
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 DSB Oilfield Contracting Ltd, Wellings of Brooks, and SKFitness 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 Jazzfest 2025
Now in its 29th year, Medicine Hat JazzFest continues to be one of the city’s most anticipated summer events—blending world-class music with a strong sense of community and place. From June 17–22, downtown venues, open-air patios, and even an airport hangar will come alive with jazz, funk, soul, Latin, and more.
This year, JazzFest introduces two exciting additions. First, the Youth Jazz Intensive, a new initiative that brings top Canadian jazz educators to mentor emerging Alberta talent, culminating in a public performance at the festival’s Hangar Dance Party.
Second, that Hangar Dance Party—always a festival favourite—is expanding, with a full afternoon and evening of music, dancing, and all-ages fun at Super T Aviation on Saturday, June 21 from 3–9 PM.
The festival continues to offer a mix of free and ticketed events, with a $20 Youth Ticket for attendees 25 and under, and affordable full-week passes. Performers this year range from JUNO-nominated drummer Sanah Kadoura to high-energy favourites Shuffle Demons, and celebrated Albertan talent Cheryl Fisher.
JazzFest brings significant cultural and economic value to Medicine Hat, drawing visitors from across the Prairies and boosting local businesses throughout the week.
Find the full schedule and tickets at medicinehatjazzfest.com. See how Medicine Hat makes a big impact—one note at a time.
Save Money and Grow Your Business - Evalon Promo
We provide payment processing solutions to help you save money, efficiently run your business and make it easy for your customers to pay any time, from anywhere. Here are a couple of ways that we can help your business grow:
- Credit Card Surcharge* helps you lower your payment acceptance costs.
- Dynamic Currency Conversion allows you to accept global currencies with ease.
Chat and find the solutions that work for you business: https://join.paymentstart.com/CAChamber
*Disclaimer: * Certain provincial or local laws may restrict or limit the amount or applicability of the merchants’ surcharge percentage. Although we offer credit card surcharging in most provinces, merchants are responsible for determining the legality of surcharging in their provinces, and merchants are solely liable if their surcharge practices are found to be unlawful. Credit card surcharge applies to credit card only, not available on debit card or prepaid card transactions. Credit card surcharge is not available in Quebec.
** Debit cards for the Plus network are not eligible for On Demand Funding. Established interchange and payment acceptances costs will be collected for transactions settled through On Demand Funding. Copyright © 2025 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
Student loan applications: Now Open
Students can start applying for Alberta and Canada student financial assistance for the 2025-26 academic year starting on June 2. Alberta Student Aid is an effective tool to reduce financial barriers to post-secondary education and helps students cover basic learning and living costs required for them to attend a post-secondary institution. Students are encouraged to apply at least 60 days in advance of their study period start date. Find out more
Futurpreneur Canada
Since 1996, Futurpreneur has fostered the entrepreneurial passions of Canada’s diverse startup founders ages 18-39. We are the only national non-profit organization that provides young aspiring entrepreneurs across Canada with the loan financing, mentorship and resources they need to start or buy a business. Their website also hosts many free tools and resources including an online business plan template for specific industries, cashflow plan template and more. Learn more here
BizpaL Alberta
BizPaL helps you find the permits and licences you may require when starting and/or operating your business. Filter permits based on your location, industry, and business activities and save the ones that apply to your situation. Learn more here
Crossword Puzzle
Crossword Puzzle Answers
Did you figure it out? Here are the answers for the May 27th 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
CUSMA Compliance Hotline: 1-833-760-1167
Leading the way on interprovincial trade: Newly launched GoA free trade website
Travel Alberta Emergency Management Resources
Preparedness Survey of Albertans, 2024 Results
Labour Market InSite – Divergent trends amongst Alberta’s regions
RDN Blog: Unlock Better Housing Solutions: Why a Housing Needs & Demands Assessment Matters
Other Events
Marketing Strategies in Foreign Markets
Unlocking Indo-Pacific Markets
June 3 | A New Era for the Canada-U.S. Relationship | Register
June 4 | Mental Health in the Workplace | Register
June 9-12 | Angel Investing
June 10 | Recruitment Revolution: Powering Up for the Future of Work | Register
Useful Links
Follow us on social media for up-to-the-minute updates
The Voice: June 2nd, 2025
Local Government 101, Businesses are you ready for CRA mail to go online, Exploring a Municipally controlled corporation (MCC), and new Economic Development Tool all in this week’s edition of The Voice. Business News Southeast Alberta Chamber of Commerce Celebrates 125 Years of Advocacy and Leadership by Hosting 2025 Alberta Chambers of Commerce AGM The…
Read More The Voice: May 27th, 2025
Local Government 101, Businesses are you ready for CRA mail to go online, Exploring a Municipally controlled corporation (MCC), and new Economic Development Tool all in this week’s edition of The Voice. Business News Businesses, are you ready for your CRA mail to go online? The CRA has started the transition to online mail as…
Read More The Voice: May 20th, 2025
Conclusion to Spring Session and Changes to Provincial Cabinet, Alberta’s Government is Freezing its Industrial Carbon Price, Water Availability Engagement, Building Alberta’s Future Workforce with Work Integrated Learning and Understanding CUSMA Compliance all in this week’s edition of The Voice. Business News Conclusion to Spring Session and Changes to Provincial Cabinet Following the conclusion of…
Read More