ACC weekly update
December 1, 2022
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Hiring Intentions survey next week
The Alberta Chambers of Commerce will be launching its 4th Hiring Intentions survey next week from Monday, December 5th to Sunday, December 20th. We will circulate the invitation link with an e-blast invitation that chambers can share with their members.
We are looking to expand the Alberta Perspectives insight community for this survey, and so we are partnering with Canadian Professional Human Resources of Alberta, Electrical Contractors Association, Business Council of Alberta, Alberta Post Secondary Network, and potentially tourism associations to collect more impactful results.
The 2021 Hiring Intentions survey was cited as a source of information in the Budget 2022 document from the Government of Alberta.
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The Queens Platinum Jubilee Medals assigned |
The Alberta Chambers of Commerce appreciates the Chamber Network and the business community putting forward nominations for these awards, and we received nominations for many deserving candidates.
15 medals are currently set to be distributed among the nominees, and the winners have been selected.
The winners will be announced and the medals will be distributed in the near future.
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Alberta Sovereignty
If Bill 1 is passed, the provincial government will use the Alberta Sovereignty within a United Canada Act to make more decisions on the provincial level in areas including in the areas of private property, natural resources, agriculture, firearms, regulation of the economy and delivery of heath, education and other social programs.
Cabinet is only authorized to amend existing legislation as specifically outlined in a resolution brought under the act. The resolution, including any amendments to legislation, must first be introduced, debated, voted on and passed by the legislative assembly.
The Alberta Sovereignty within a United Canada Act does not permit cabinet to unilaterally amend legislation without those amendments being first authorized by the legislative assembly. If there is any dispute as to whether or not cabinet amended legislation outside of the specific recommendations contained in the resolution, including any amendments by the legislative assembly to the resolution, such actions would still be subject to both judicial review as well as review by the legislative assembly itself.
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Highway 3 Twinning
The province is committed to exploring options for twinning the remaining 215 kilometres of Highway 3 in Budget 2023. Now, the province is proceeding with a request for proposals for the first of eight sections of this stretch. The remaining seven sections are at various stages of project readiness.
This is a major policy win for Medicine Hat, Lethbridge and other municipalities in Southern Alberta, who have been advocating on this issue for years.
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Q2 reports show strong economic sustainability in Alberta
Continued high revenues from bitumen royalties, corporate income tax and other revenue streams have sustained a forecasted surplus of $12.3 billion this fiscal year.
With revenue forecast at $76.9 billion and expense at $64.6 billion, this surplus is allowing Alberta’s government to pay down debt by $13.4 billion this fiscal year.
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Supporting competitive financing for producer-run co-ops
The Feeder Association Loan Guarantee Program helps local, producer-run co-operatives obtain competitive financing. The government provides an overall loan guarantee and this is being increased to $150 million from $100 million. This increase will improve producers’ access to capital so they can grow their businesses and meet the demands of today’s marketplace.
Feeder association members use the guarantee to secure capital from lending institutions to buy beef calves and sheep to be fed for a number of months before being sold at market.
The program has been successful for more than 85 years. A larger loan guarantee is needed to reflect current cattle prices and greater demand for feeder cattle and to ensure eligible producers have access to the program.
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Launch of the Business Development Bank of Canada Legislative Review
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) has launched a Legislative Review of the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC). The purpose of the 2022 Legislative Review is to evaluate the provisions and operations of the Business Development Bank of Canada Act (BDC Act) and examine how the mandate of the BDC has evolved and might continue to evolve to support Canadian entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) over the coming decade.
The consultation period runs from November 29, 2022 until March 31, 2023 at 23:59 PST. Should you wish to submit a comment, please visit the Legislative Review website to read the consultation paper and complete the consultation survey.
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Canada Summer Jobs Grant
Are you ready to:
· create quality work experiences for youth?
· provide youth with opportunities to develop and improve their skills?
· respond to national and local priorities to improve access to the labour market for youth who face unique barriers?
If yes, then apply for the Canada Summer Jobs funding!
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Alberta Chambers of Commerce Fall Board Meeting
The Alberta Chambers of Commerce will hold its Fall Board Meeting virtually on Tuesday, December 6, 2022, at 10:30 am to conduct the legal business of the board and consider arising policies.
The meeting will take place during ACC's regular weekly network call and the link will be available to all Chamber staff and volunteers.
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Labour Shortage Solutions: Information on the Temporary Worker Program in Canada
Canada expands employer compliance requirements to increase protection for foreign workers while workers from 16 new occupations are now eligible for permanent residence. The Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program allows employers in Canada to hire a foreign worker when no Canadians or permanent residents are available, allowing employers to continue to grow and succeed.
Learn more about the Temporary Foreign Worker Program and compliance regime at our information session with Service Canada on December 5, 2022, at 2:00 PM.
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The Alberta Chambers of Commerce is a federation of 116 community-based chambers of commerce representing more than 22,500 job creators. |
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Subscribe to the Alberta Chambers of Commerce Newsletter
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Sacha Knorr
Alberta Chambers of Commerce
#714 Ledgeview, 9707 110 St NW
Edmonton, AB T5K 2L9
Phone: 780-425-4180 ext. 7
Toll Free: 1-800-272-8854
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