Advocacy Insights

Thought-provoking articles on business advocacy and its impact on Southeast Alberta’s economic landscape.

Business advocacy is more than just representing interests—it’s about shaping policies that propel our entire region forward. Informed, collaborative advocacy is a pillar of a thriving business ecosystem.

Policy Win: Predictable and Fair Market Value Assessments

One of the central purposes of a Chamber of Commerce is to act as a conduit for conversation between the business community and all levels of government. In Medicine Hat, our business community shares the challenges they are experiencing through our regular Policy Council meetings and ad hoc task force meetings. During and following these…

Federal Election Update

August 31, 2021 The Canadian Chamber of Commerce released its Election 2021 recommendations. Find out what it takes to grow through the priorities they have laid out for the next parliament. There are already several policy wins for the Chamber announced so far, such as support for the hardest hit sectors, investment incentives, broadband, value-based…

Weekly Update: August 20 – 27

Weekly Update: August 20 – August 27, 2021 A number of provinces in Canada have implemented mandates to require proof of vaccination to access businesses providing non-essential services. Many businesses in Alberta are expressing concerns about the issues surrounding the mandated proof of vaccinations, including implications for Employment Standards, hiring and retention, customer relationships and…

Weekly Update: July 24 – 30, 2021

Your Weekly Tune Up: July 24 – 30, 2021 Quarantine for close contacts will shift from mandatory to recommended. All positive cases will continue to be notified. Contact tracer will no longer notify close contacts of exposure. Outbreak management and identification will focus on high-risk locations. Asymptomatic testing is no longer recommended. Mandatory masking remains…

Weekly Update: June 19 – 25, 2021

Your Weekly Tune Up: June 19-25, 2021 Alberta 2030: Building Skills for Jobs Expanding apprenticeship education The Government of Canada announced the details of the first phase of its approach to easing border measures for travellers entering Canada. These cautious adjustments are now possible because of the successes of the vaccine roll out in Canada…

Weekly Update: May 14 – May 31, 2021

Supports for Business Open for Summer Plan Alberta’s Open for Summer Plan is a three-stage road map to lifting health restrictions and safely getting back to normal as vaccine targets are met. Based on current numbers, the province will enter Stage 1 on June 1. As of May 27, 60.3 percent of eligible Albertans received…

Weekly Update: April 23 – 29, 2021

Supports for Business ICYMI: SMERG – Spring payment portal is now open The application portal for the third Small and Medium Enterprise Relaunch Grant (SMERG) is open! SMERG offers financial assistance to Alberta businesses, cooperatives and non-profit organizations with fewer than 500 employees that have faced restrictions or closures due to COVID-related public health orders,…

Weekly Update: April 9 – 15, 2021

Supports for Business Alberta’s government is expanding the small business relaunch grant The Alberta government is offering small businesses affected by the most recent public health orders another payment of up to $10,000 from the Small and Medium Enterprise Relaunch Grant. Alberta businesses affected by the latest public health orders will be eligible to apply…

Weekly Update: April 1 – 8, 2021

Supports for Business Step 1 Restrictions in place again Additional restrictions were announced on Tuesday, April 6th. Effective at 11:59 p.m. on April 6, updated mandatory health measures go into effect for retail, fitness and performance activities. Effective at noon on Friday, April 9, restaurants will be restricted to providing only takeout, delivery and patio…