The Voice: June 23rd, 2026
Chamber Renewal Season, Legislation Passes to Implement Measures from the Spring Economic Updates 2026, Destination Canada Launches National Tourism Investment Hub, Tips for Surviving Construction Season, and more all in this week's edition of The Voice.
Business News
It's Renewal Season!
We're entering Chamber renewal season as it gets closer to September 1st! If you haven't already seen an email with next steps, you should be getting one soon. Your investment makes a difference - not just for your business, but for our entire region.
If you pay before August 31st, you will be entered into a draw to earn 5 promotional credits (a value of $175), to use to advertise your business. Learn more about what advertising options are available here.
If you've signed up for auto-renewal, no action is needed on your part - your membership will automatically renew.
If you have any questions about your level, billing or auto-renewal, you can email Kerry at info@southeastalbertachamber.ca.
LEGISLATION PASSES TO IMPLEMENT MEASURES FROM THE SPRING ECONOMIC UPDATE 2026
Bill C‑30, An Act to implement certain provisions of the Spring Economic Update tabled in Parliament on April 28, 2026, received Royal Assent. This important legislation delivers targeted measures to support Canadians, build a strong economy and ensure that Canada is well positioned to navigate current global challenges and achieve long-term prosperity.
Bill C-30 takes steps to support Canadian businesses and create a positive investment climate:
- Encouraging employee ownership by making permanent the $10 million capital gains exemption for qualifying business transfers to employee ownership trusts and worker co‑operatives, supporting succession planning and preserving local jobs.
- Expanding agricultural production by allowing immediate expensing for greenhouses, helping expand domestic food production and strengthen food security.
DESTINATION CANADA LAUNCHES NATIONAL TOURISM INVESTMENT HUB
With tourism revenue projected to reach $216 billion by 2035, this next phase of growth will require significant investment in tourism infrastructure, experiences and destination assets.
To support this growth, Destination Canada has launched the Tourism Investment Hub, a national platform designed to connect investors with investment-ready opportunities across the country and provide the insights needed to support informed investment decisions.
A key feature of the platform is an AI-powered Funding Identification System, developed in partnership with Fundica, which maps grants, tax credits and financing programs, helping investors, communities and tourism partners assess opportunities, understand available incentives and make informed decisions that support capital deployment and the growth of Canada’s visitor economy.
Tips & Tricks to Surviving Construction Season
Construction Season Got Your Foot Traffic Down? Summer construction is a familiar headache for small businesses—blocked sidewalks, loud machinery, and disrupted signage can all take a serious toll on in-store traffic. But just because the road is closed doesn’t mean your business has to be. With a few smart digital strategies, you can keep customers engaged and sales moving.
From hyper-local ads to creative promos and easy online tools, this blog breaks down simple, effective ways to stay visible, drive sales, and make construction season work in your favour. No neon vest required. Continuing reading here.
Medicine Hat-Cypress News
City announces third-party whistleblower service
Employees, contractors, suppliers, and members of the public now have a confidential third-party hotline and online portal through MNP Ethics Alert to report suspected wrongdoing involving the City of Medicine Hat. On May 4, 2026, Medicine Hat City Council approved Whistleblower Policy 8051-2026. The policy intends to reinforce trust in City governance by clearly defining a method to receive and address concerns through an impartial, third-party service.
Anyone wishing to make a whistleblower complaint may call 1-866-529-9589 or visit https://whistleblower.mnp.ca/medicinehat to access the online portal. A link to MNP’s Ethics Alert portal is also available on the City’s website. Reporters will receive a 16-digit number they can use to anonymously track the status of the complaint going forward. Read the news release here.
Medicine Hat will host a national student drone competition for a second time in 2027
Medicine Hat will once again host Canada’s premier student drone competition in 2027, as the Aerial Evolution Association of Canada (AEAC) brings its National Student Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Competition back to the city.
The 18th annual event is scheduled for May 14 to 16, 2027, and will feature university and college teams from across the country designing, building and demonstrating advanced uncrewed aerial systems in a real-world mission scenario.
CYPRESS COUNTY COUNCIL HOLDS PUBLIC HEARING ON THREE LAND-USE BYLAW AMENDMENTS
The public hearing focused on three land-use bylaw amendments that would rezone agricultural land for country residential development, including proposals south and east of Medicine Hat and near the Desert Blume area.
Public engagement begins for Alcohol in Parks Pilot
City Council recently authorized a pilot program that permits the consumption of alcohol at designated picnic tables in selected City parks.
The program period runs from July 2 to September 30, 2026. During the program, Kin Coulee, Echo Dale Regional Park and Strathcona Island Park will have designated picnic tables that allow park users 18 years and older to responsibly consume alcohol while seated at these tables.
As part of the pilot, public feedback is being collected before, during, and after to gauge impact, opinion, and concerns with the pilot. Complete the brief pre-pilot survey before July 1, 2026. Learn more about the program and take the survey
Brooks-Newell News
Rural Beautification Awards
Join the County of Newell for a celebration of local charm and eco-conscious gardening with the Rural Beautification Awards. If you or someone you know has a yard over one acre that's not just big, but also beautiful, it’s time to step into the spotlight!
Nominate a yard that captures the essence of Newell’s natural beauty. Call the Agricultural Services Department at 403-794-2311 or go online and nominate at > Rural Beautification Nomination Form
Hurry, the nomination deadline is noon on July 10th. On July 17, a group will judge the nominated yards and limit the awards to only three for the entire County.
Tech Night in Brooks
Tech Nights are a fun, relaxed networking environment where you can connect with the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) community in Southeast Alberta. They offer an opportunity for students and industry to engage with each other and include a Tech Talk where local experts share their stories to help inspire others.
Hear about the Brooks–Newell Hydrogen Hub, a project focused on advancing hydrogen production and fueling solutions for agriculture and commercial transportation.
Carpooling available | August 20th at 5:30pm – 7:30pm | Register here.
Advocacy in Action
Canadian Chamber Submission on 2026 Federal Budget
If the theme for 2025 was strengthening Canada’s resilience in the face of external trade threats, then our collective focus for 2026 must be on fostering Canadian competitiveness. Now more than ever, we cannot afford to burden businesses with excessive red tape and permitting delays, weak capital formation, prohibitive taxation, and a high-cost operating environment, especially with the United States presenting an attractive alternative.
The urgency we bring to this issue will determine not only our ability to preserve Canada’s economic security today, but also whether we establish the conditions for sustained growth that the next generation of Canadian business leaders will rely on.
To meet the moment, government must prioritize private sector growth by taking a hard look at the federal regulatory burden, accelerating project and government approvals, and dismantling internal trade barriers that continue to fragment our domestic market.
For small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in particular, reducing unnecessary complexity and improving the ease of doing business could make the difference between pursuing growth in Canada or looking elsewhere for opportunity.
While we commend the federal government’s action on many of these fronts, without a renewed focus stated clearly in Budget 2026, we risk losing momentum and undermining that progress. The Canadian Chamber stands ready to work with the government and all political parties to seize this moment. The challenges we face are significant, but so too is the opportunity and, with the right policy choices, Canada can strengthen its competitiveness, support national unity through economic growth, and position itself as a leader in an increasingly uncertain global economy. Read the full submission
Submission for the Government of Canada to Strengthen Labour Relations and Better Support Workers
The Canadian Chamber of Commerce has submitted recommendations to the federal government as part of consultations on strengthening labour relations and supporting workers. Representing more than 200,000 businesses, the Chamber emphasized that Canada’s economic competitiveness depends on stable, predictable labour frameworks that minimize disruptions and support reliable supply chains.
The submission highlights growing concerns around repeated labour disruptions, particularly in critical sectors like transportation, which have created uncertainty for businesses and impacted trade flow. With trade accounting for a significant share of Canada’s economy, the Chamber stresses that uninterrupted supply chains are essential for both businesses and workers.
At the same time, the Chamber recognizes the need for modern labour policies that reflect the evolving nature of work, including pressures from global competition, technological change, and workforce expectations. The submission calls for balanced reforms that protect workers while ensuring employers can operate efficiently and invest with confidence.
Overall, the Chamber is advocating for a coordinated approach that strengthens labour relations, reduces economic risk, and positions Canada as a competitive place to do business. These recommendations will help inform future updates to the Canada Labour Code as the government works to build a resilient, modern workforce framework. Read the full submission.
Have Your Say: Surveys and Input
Deadline extended on Immigration Levels Plan
Every year, the Government of Canada engages with a wide range of stakeholders and partners from across the country to help shape Canada’s next Immigration Levels Plan. Review the questions and take the online survey. | Submit responses by June 30, 2026
Occupational Health and Safety Code changes
Jobs, Economy, Trade and Immigration is consulting on proposed changes to the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Code. The surveys can be accessed at alberta.ca/ohs-code-review | The surveys will close on July 8, 2026
Renewable Fuel Standards consultation
Alberta’s government is seeking stakeholder feedback on potential updates to the Renewable Fuels Standard to better reflect current technologies, market conditions, and fuel use. The deadline for input is July 17, 2026.
Next Level Events
Watch the Recording: A Small Business Guide to Winning Major Events
On May 13th, Digital Main Street and Google Canada hosted a live workshop “A Small Business Guide to Winning Major Events”. This free virtual webinar was designed to empower small businesses to capitalize during major event moments. With event season kicking off in Southeast Alberta, you can turn this attention into local foot traffic and new revenue. Watch the session now and learn how to optimize your Google Business Profile, share real-time updates to attract new customers, and ensure your business is discoverable when it matters most. In this recording, businesses will:
- Learn how to optimize your Google Business Profile to capture the attention of both locals and tourists.
- Understand how to leverage real-time updates, special hours, and posts to drive foot traffic on event days.
- Discover best practices for making your storefront easily discoverable when visitors search for nearby places to eat, shop, or visit.
- Get actionable strategies for turning a temporary surge in global event visitors into lasting local revenue.
ATB Regional Markets’ Fraud Prevention for Business Webinar
Aisha Kitchlew-Hydrie, ATB’s Senior Manager, Fraud and Cybercrime, will take you through the latest AI threats and the actions you need to take to stay one step ahead. Get the inside track on AI-driven deception including:
- Emerging industrialized scams like phantom hacker schemes.
- How to avoid falling victim to Vendor Email Compromise scams; with an average loss per incident of over $100,000 according to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
- Steps to safeguard passwords, spot AI scams and impersonators.
- Payment and transaction fraud.
June 25 | 12:00 – 12:30 | Register here to attend and/ or receive the recording.
Licensing, selling & leveraging your IP
Learn how to make your intellectual property (IP) work for you: deals, licensing & growth strategies. Panelists Nikita Stepin, IP transaction lawyer at Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP, and Alexandre Caya, engineer, IP lawyer and patent agent at Norton Rose Fulbright will discuss:
- effective ways to turn IP into a revenue-generating asset
- key terms or pitfalls that businesses often overlook in IP transactions
- how should companies align their IP strategy with their broader business goals
- what distinguishes a successful IP negotiation from a problematic one
Before You Launch: What Every Alberta Entrepreneur Should Know
On Thursday, July 2 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m., learn the key steps to set up your business with Matt Hill, Director of Client Services and Operations at Business Link Alberta. This session covers how to choose the right business structure, understand registration, license, and permit requirements, and set up essentials like your business number, taxes, and basic operations. Whether you’re planning your idea or ready to launch, you’ll gain the confidence to start with the right foundations in place.
Online webinar | 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
Chamber Members
Check out all the Chamber Members on our business directory!
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 new member posts moving forward!
Like father, like son, like grandpa: A family's legacy in aviation
The Little family was recently featured in the Calgary Herald as a lead up to Father’s day and the aviation tradition that began with Les Little.
Les still works teaching ground school at his Medicine Hat flight training school and charter company, Super T Aviation Academy. He remembers, age six, getting into an airplane with his own dad when a barnstormer came to town, offering rides. “My interest was piqued; I craved more and more. The thrill of being in the air is like a disease. The urge goes on forever.”
What started as flight training, added light charter, and then pipeline inspection with the oil patch. In 1996 Air Canada asked Little’s company (Bar XH Air Inc.) to be the country’s first Tier Three air carrier, Alberta CityLink, feeding into Calgary and Edmonton from Medicine Hat, Lethbridge, Cranbrook, Grande Prairie, Lloydminster and Cold Lake.
More than 200 pilots and aircraft maintenance engineers, trained by Super T, have been hired by Air Canada, WestJet and other majors.
“My dad and his company have the reputation of producing the best pilots in Canada,” says son Doug, 58, and that includes Donald Bell, one of the founders of WestJet and a current Board member with the Southeast Alberta Chamber of Commerce.
This fall, Doug will celebrate 27 years with WestJet, flying all over the world including his favourite routes to London and Paris.
Doug still helps out at Super T when he can, especially proud of the seven-year partnership the family company has with Medicine Hat’s high school students. Registrants, over three years of training, can gain their private pilot’s license upon high school graduation.
Expand Your Reach Beyond Borders and SAVE
If your business is ready to think bigger, build new connections, and tap into international opportunity, ACABEX 2026 is an event you should not overlook.
The Africa-Canada-Asia Business Exchange (ACABEX) is more than a conference - it is a deal-making platform designed to connect businesses with real opportunities across three rapidly growing global markets. Bringing together government leaders, CEOs, investors, and innovators, ACABEX focuses on accelerating trade, investment, and partnerships that drive business growth. For Southeast Alberta businesses, this is a rare opportunity to step into a global conversation while staying grounded in practical outcomes.
Why This Matters for Your Business
ACABEX is built for results. Over the course of the event, participants gain access to:
- High-level panels and keynote insights from global leaders
- Structured B2B, B2G, and G2G meetings designed to create real deals
- A business expo showcasing companies, products, and investment-ready opportunities
- Direct connections into key sectors like energy, agriculture, and technology
In short, this is where conversations turn into partnerships, and partnerships turn into growth.For businesses in Southeast Alberta - especially those in agriculture, energy, innovation, or export-ready services - the alignment is clear.
To make this opportunity even more accessible, Chamber members have an exclusive incentive:
- Purchase 3 conference admissions and receive a booth at no additional cost.
That is a $1,100 value in savings - and a powerful way to maximize your presence at the event. Instead of just attending, you can showcase your business, meet prospects face-to-face, and position your brand alongside international companies and investors.
Attending as a group means you can:
- Cover more sessions and insights as a team
- Split meetings and networking opportunities for broader reach
- Build stronger visibility with a dedicated booth presence
- Turn one investment into multiple business development opportunities
Alberta has been positioned as a strategic hub for international collaboration - connecting energy, agriculture, technology, and investment on a global scale. [nextvia.ca] ACABEX brings that opportunity directly to you. If you are looking to:
- Grow beyond your current market
- Build strategic partnerships
- Explore export or investment opportunities
- Elevate your brand visibility
This is your moment to take that next step. Take Advantage of the Offer. Spots and booth availability are limited. Secure your team’s place, claim your complimentary booth, and position your business where global opportunity meets local ambition.
Cypress County Receives $222,000 to Strengthen Agrifood Resilience and Workforce Development
Cypress County has secured $222,000 in funding through the Canada-Alberta Workforce Resilience Initiative to help strengthen the region's agrifood sector in response to evolving trade conditions and tariff pressures.
The project will support a comprehensive strategy focused on two key areas: assessing value-added agri-food processing opportunities and developing a workforce strategy to support future industry growth within Cypress County.
The project is expected to provide actionable recommendations that support industry growth, encourage local value-added processing, strengthen workforce capacity, and position Cypress County for future economic success. Read more in Member News here.
Medicine Hat's 2026 Canada Day Festival
The fun-filled Canada Day festival is back for June 30th and July 1st this year! Food trucks, performances, family-friendly activities, and local vendors will all be waiting for you in Kin Coulee Park.
June 30th stop by for Glow Up the Globe from 8:30pm-11pm followed by a laser show and DJ until 1am! July 1st grab a pancake breakfast in-between 9am-11am then spend a day in the park before enjoying the fireworks at 11pm.
Want to get involved? Learn more about the volunteer and sponsorship opportunities available on their website at https://canadadaymedicinehat.ca/
Fill Up On Funding
Win Up to $200,000 to Grow Your Business with TELUS
TELUS #StandWithOwners is officially back for 2026, and the prizing is bigger than ever. Five Canadian businesses will each take home a $200,000 package of cash, advertising, technology, and health benefits, and 15 finalists will receive $20,000 each. If you're a registered, revenue-generating business with 1 to 100 employees, you're eligible to apply.
New Federal Supports for Tariff-Impacted Industries
The federal government is investing $1.5B to support businesses impacted by U.S. tariffs. Trade-related supports may be particularly relevant for Alberta businesses connected to manufacturing, agriculture, energy services, and export supply chains.
Together, these measures will help Canada’s strategic industries directly impacted by unfair tariffs adapt, compete and win in this new global environment. Learn more here.
PrairiesCan Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI)
With $1 billion in targeted support, the RTRI strengthens the competitiveness of impacted small and medium size enterprises (SMEs) by helping them diversify their markets, create new export revenue sources, adopt innovative technologies to boost productivity and competitiveness, and build more resilient supply chains. To that end, RTRI will equip businesses, and the organizations that support them, to seize new opportunities, adapt to global trade disruptions, and boost domestic trade. These investments will contribute to long-term economic resilience in the face of continued global uncertainty. You can find more information here: https://www.canada.ca/en/prairies-economic-development/services/funding/regional-tariff-response-initiative.html
Alberta Real Estate Foundation Funding
The Alberta Real Estate Foundation funds initiatives that support and advance education, research, law reform, and other activities related to real estate across our three Funding Priorities of Real Estate Leadership, Built Environment, and Land & Water.
- Investment Grant Intake | Application Deadline August 18th (EOI due three weeks in advance of deadline
- Development Grant Intake | Open to EOI's throughout the year
Crossword Puzzle
Crossword Puzzle Answers
Stay tuned next week for the crossword puzzle 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 Events
June 24 | Government of Alberta Temporary Foreign Workers and Employer Rights and Responsibilities
June 24 | Vision to Venture: Business Model Canvas
June 24 | Say It So It Sells: Clarify Your Message and Attract the Right Clients
June 25 | Building Global Relationships: Cultural Intelligence for Market Success
July 14 | DELIA Information Session
Useful Links
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The Voice: June 23rd, 2026
Chamber Renewal Season, Legislation Passes to Implement Measures from the Spring Economic Updates 2026, Destination Canada Launches National Tourism Investment Hub, Tips for Surviving Construction Season, and more all in this week’s edition of The Voice. Business News It’s Renewal Season! We’re entering Chamber renewal season as it gets closer to September 1st! If you…
Read More The Voice: June 16th, 2026
Meet Our New Membership Coordinator Mike Lecorps, National Indigenous Peoples Day, Business Tax Information, Is Canada in Recession, and more all in this week’s edition of The Voice. Business News Meet Mike Lecorps – Our New Member Relations Coordinator! Mike joined the Chamber in 2026, bringing with him deep roots in Medicine Hat after making…
Read More The Voice: June 9th, 2026
Steel and Aluminum Tariff Measure Extended, IRCC’s Online Survey on Immigration Levels, CCC 2026 Retail Sales Update, Canada Renews Support for the Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Program, June OHS Updates, and more all in this week’s edition of The Voice. Business News Steel and aluminum tariff measures extended Canada is extending key steel and aluminum tariff…
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