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Partnership Presents Valuable Opportunity for Students and Businesses
The Medicine Hat & District Chamber of Commerce and Medicine Hat College (MHC) have partnered to connect local businesses and post-secondary students through a new Work Integrated Learning (WIL) collaboration. WIL experiences provide students with the opportunity to build connections with industry professionals and gain meaningful workplace experience as they complete their post-secondary education, two valuable assets setting them up for success upon graduation. “The Chamber’s vision for this project is
CHAMBER CELEBRATES “FIRST CLASS” BUSINESS ACHIEVEMENTS AT ANNUAL AWARDS
CHAMBER CELEBRATES “FIRST CLASS” BUSINESS achievements at annual AWARDS (Medicine Hat) – The Medicine Hat & District Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the winners of the 2019 Chamber of Commerce Business Awards. The annual awards were held on Friday, October 18th at the Cypress Centre Auditorium with a crowd of nearly 500 people. There were a total of 97 nominations in 14 categories with one business taking home the prized award, the Chamber of Commerce Award of Excellence. The Chamber holds
LOCAL CHAMBER TAKES SUCCESS TO THE NEXT LEVEL
(Medicine Hat) The Medicine Hat & District Chamber of Commerce represented the local business community at the Canadian Chamber of Commerce’s annual general meeting (AGM) and convention, held September 21st-23rd in Saint John, New Brunswick, marking the 200th anniversary of the Saint John Board of Trade and the location of the very first Canadian Chamber annual general meeting in 1926. The contingent from Medicine Hat attended the annual conference to engage with chambers from across the country. The
CITY BUSINESS SUPPORT INITIATIVES ALIGN WITH CHAMBER RECOMMENDATIONS
(Medicine Hat) After review of the City’s Land & Business Support department Annual Report, the Chamber commented on the many successes and challenges. The Chamber has worked with the City of Medicine Hat Land Development since 2014 working towards ensuring lot prices reflect market value and that regular consultation with stakeholders is held to discuss the annual reports, pricing strategies, land development strategies, along with discussing new opportunities and emerging issues. In addition, the
Canadian Chamber of Commerce launches National Cannabis Working Group to support sector’s global aspirations
(OTTAWA) – As the first G20 economy to legalize recreational cannabis for adult use, Canada must do more to take advantage of its first-mover status and realize the full economic potential of the country’s burgeoning industry. To support these global ambitions, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce has established the National Cannabis Working Group to develop and advocate for public policies that will improve the growth and competitiveness of the Canadian cannabis sector, and help governments achieve their
CHAMBER ANNOUNCES NOMINEES FOR THE 2019 BUSINESS AWARDS
(Medicine Hat) – The Medicine Hat & District Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the nominees for the 2019 Chamber Business Awards. Held as a kick-off event prior to National Small Business Week, which runs this year October 20-26, the annual awards provide an opportunity for Medicine Hat and Southeast Alberta to recognize the outstanding achievements of our business community. After a rigorous nomination process, our nominees have been finalized. This year’s event theme, “First Class”, was chosen
BROWNFIELD INCENTIVE TAX BYLAW A WIN FOR BUSINESS
The local Chamber of Commerce was encouraged by Land Use Bylaw 4585, the Brownfield Tax Incentive Bylaw that was read a first time in open Council on April 15, 2019 and passed by Council on July 2nd. As part of the recent updates to the Municipal Government Act (MGA), this bylaw is being used as a pilot for brownfield tax incentives and will grant multi-year tax exemptions to encourage infill development, environmental remediation and community revitalization. The two properties that the pilot will focus on
PROPOSED LEGISLATION SUPPORTS CHAMBER FOCUS ON CREATING A STRONG AND DIVERSE LOCAL ECONOMY
(Medicine Hat) – The Medicine Hat & District Chamber of Commerce is encouraged with the proposal of Bill 7 – The Municipal Government (Property Tax Incentives) Amendment Act. If passed, this legislation will give municipalities the power to offer stronger property tax incentives to business and industry. Since 2014, the chamber has encouraged the municipal government to consider competitive incentive plans in order to diversify our industry base and attract employers who offer skilled labour or
CHAMBER AND CANADIAN TAXPAYERS FEDERATION SOUND ALARM ON THE RISING COST OF PIPELINE DEFICIT
Pipeline deficit costing taxpayers and the business community (Medicine Hat, AB) - The Canadian Taxpayers Federations is making a stop in Medicine Hat, as part of its cross-country pipeline tour, to show how much money taxpayers are losing because Canadian oil is sold for less than its full value due to a lack of pipeline capacity. To illustrate losses to the taxpayer, in real time, a large digital clock keeps a tally of the deficit. The CTF’s analysis shows the federal government lost $6.2 billion between
LEGISLATIVE AGENDA REFLECTS SUCCESSFUL CHAMBER ADVOCACY
The Medicine Hat & District Chamber of Commerce was pleased to see a number of policy recommendations reflected in the legislative agenda set forth by the newly elected provincial government last week. All four bills brought forward in the legislature last week addressed numerous issues that the local Chamber has advocated for on behalf of their members. With tabling of Bill 1, An Act to Repeal the Carbon Tax, the provincial government took into account the impact the carbon tax had on Alberta’s business
News Release: AWARD WINNING CHAMBER RECOGNIZED PROVINCIALLY FOR ACHIEVEMENTS
(Medicine Hat) – The Alberta Chambers of Commerce (ACC) 81st Annual General Meeting and Policy Session wrapped up with recognition of the Medicine Hat & District Chamber of Commerce receiving the ‘2018 Chamber of the Year Award’. The Medicine Hat & District Chamber of Commerce competed against other chambers in the province of the same membership size, participating in similar activities and ultimately received the prestigious award in the largest chamber category of 651 members and above. Submissions
ADVOCACY PRIORITIES SET WITH LOCAL GRASSROOTS POLICIES GAINING PROVINCIAL SUPPORT
(Medicine Hat) –This weekend four representatives from the Medicine Hat & District Chamber of Commerce attended the Alberta Chambers of Commerce (ACC) Annual General Meeting and Policy Conference in Camrose, presenting the policy: Removing Provincial Tax on Medicinal Cannabis which was successfully adopted by the ACC. ‘The policy that we carried forward to the ACC Policy Session is an example of how policies are adopted from our grass-roots and member driven process,’ stated Sarah MacKenzie, President
CHAMBER ANNOUNCES BOARD NOMINATION RESULTS
(Medicine Hat) – The Medicine Hat & District Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the results of its recent board nominations, with four new Directors slated to join the board in 2019 and one returning director. The following nominees are slated to commence their 2019-2021 term following the annual general meeting in November: Trevor Anhel – RBC Mortgage SpecialistSarah Franchetto – RBC Royal BankSteve Heid – Lacey Homes Ltd.Scott Lehr – Short Grass Ranches Ltd.Steven Pudwell – Jim Pattison
CALL FOR BOARD OF DIRECTOR NOMINATIONS ANNOUNCED
(Medicine Hat) Today, the Medicine Hat & District Chamber of Commerce announced its call for nominations for its Board of Directors, with nominations being accepted from Monday, April 1st to Tuesday, April 30th, 2019. Each spring the Chamber of Commerce holds an election to fill expiring or vacant positions on the Board of Directors, which is comprised of 12 member representatives. Directors serve a two-year term which commences following the Chamber Annual General Meeting in November of each year.
A Royal Commission for a Royal Pain
The Medicine Hat & District Chamber of Commerce calls for a comprehensive review of the Canadian tax systemAccording to the Medicine Hat & District Chamber of Commerce local businesses and tax practitioners are frustrated by the need to commit significant time, often at considerable expense, to deal with taxation and filing issues. Canadian businesses spend 131 hours on average to prepare and pay their taxes. That is more than three weeks wasted productivity, when other countries do it in half the
Budget 2019 Puts Business on the Sidelines
(Medicine Hat) March 20, 2019 – Yesterday’s federal budget fails to address the fundamental issues undermining the ability of Canada’s business owners to provide economic prosperity for all Canadians, according to an analysis by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and the Medicine Hat & District Chamber of Commerce. “While the Budget delivers on some of our advocacy priorities, particularly in the areas of skills and infrastructure, it fails to provide concrete measures to address the tax and regulatory
CHAMBER TO HOST 2019 PROVINCIAL ELECTION FORUM
(Medicine Hat) –The Medicine Hat & District Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a business-focused public debate forum for provincial election candidates on Tuesday, April 2nd and Wednesday, April 3rd at the Medicine Hat College Theatre starting at 6:30 pm. April 2nd : Cypress-Medicine Hat CandidatesApril 3rd: Brooks-Medicine Hat Candidates Candidates will be given the opportunity to address concerns and issues relevant to the business community and the general public in a moderated debate. There will be
NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR 2019 CHAMBER BUSINESS AWARDS
(Medicine Hat) The Medicine Hat & District Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that nominations for the 2019 Business Awards are officially open, marking the 19th year that the chamber has hosted these prestigious local awards. Over the years the scope of these awards has grown from recognizing the Small Business and Large Business of the Year, to the 15 awards being presented on October 18, 2019, during National Small Business Week. In addition to each of the 14 award categories, nominees all have
Chamber of Commerce sounds alarm at Canada’s growing divisions over infrastructure project failures
(Medicine Hat) February 20, 2019 – According to the Medicine Hat & District Chamber of Commerce, the very fabric of our country is being threatened by the devastating impact of low oil prices, our inability to get energy resources to global markets and the increasing tensions between Canadians who live in resource-producing regions and other parts of Canada. The oil and gas industry has been a traditional economic driver in Medicine Hat and area with producers and service companies feeling the impact of a
News Release: LAST CHAMBER BOARD MEETING OF 2018 RESULTS IN TWO POLICIES APPROVED AND ONE COMPLETED
(Medicine Hat) The Medicine Hat & District Board of Directors held their last board meeting of 2018 on December 19th and finished the year with two new policies adopted and one completed. The Medicine Hat & District Chamber of Commerce is committed to ensuring that businesses are treated equally and receive fair tax treatment. With the recent legalization of cannabis on October 17, 2018, both federal and provincial governments have placed excise taxes on cannabis products, including medical cannabis
News Release: CHAMBER MARKS THE END OF 2018 WITH POLICY SUCCESS
(Medicine Hat) – The Medicine Hat & District Chamber of Commerce wrapped up 2018 with a number of policy successes with two recent achievements on a local level and one on a provincial level in December alone The Chamber was pleased with the decision by council to continue the Off-Site Levy Municipal Development Subsidy at the City Council meeting held on December 3, 2018. This is an issue that the chamber has been advocating on since 2012 and will continue to monitor and engage with council and
BUSINESS EXCELLENCE EXEMPLIFIED THROUGH LOCAL FINALISTS OF ALBERTA BUSINESS AWARDS
(Medicine Hat) The Medicine Hat & District Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that ten local companies are among the 44 finalists named for the 2019 Alberta Business Awards of Distinction, which is the highest number of total nominees from a single region within the province represented at these awards. The 2019 Awards will be held on March 1, 2019 and will feature 12 categories designed to recognize the best practices in numerous aspects of business operations. The highest honor of the evening will
