ACC weekly update
December 15, 2022
Network News
ACC Closure for the Holiday Season

The Alberta Chambers of Commerce would like to wish everyone well this holiday season, and we look forward to a bright and prosperous 2023 full of business growth, advocacy, and new projects.

During the week of December 26th, Alberta Chambers of Commerce staff will be spending time with our families. We look forward to seeing everyone in the new year when we return on January 3rd!

Thank you for being part of the Chamber Network!
Policy win: Supporting skill development with micro-credentials

To make sure Albertans have the tools they need to succeed, Alberta’s government is investing $220,000 over the next three academic years to extend a pilot program at Portage College in Lac La Biche. The program provides professional development micro-credential programs for Community Adult Learning Program staff and volunteers.

This step is part of a larger GoA initiative called Alberta 2030: New micro-credential opportunities. This implementation of the strategy and the project as a whole both address Recommendation 3 of the ACC Policy "Creating an Effective Workforce for the Changing Economy".
Hiring Intentions survey closing soon

The Alberta Chambers of Commerce has launched its 4th Hiring Intentions survey. This survey takes around 4 minutes to complete and closes Tuesday, December 20 at 5:00 pm.

The 2021 Hiring Intentions survey was cited as a source of information in the Budget 2022 document from the Government of Alberta, and the report from the 2022 Municipal Red Tape Survey Report will be made available to the network next week.
Chambers Plan survey for Chambers

Chambers Plan has developed a survey for Chambers to gather information on their experience with advisors and the Chambers Plan program. Local Chambers within Alberta are encouraged to share their experience with delivering and using Chambers Plan.

Results will be kept anonymous. Chambers Plan advisors will not be informed of individual answers. The data will only be used in aggregate to make improvements to the overall affinity program.
Canada Summer Jobs Grant Applications Open!

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!
The deadline to apply is January 12, 2023. For support with your application or hiring talent, contact Sacha Knorr ([email protected]).

Alberta News
APSN Budget Submission 2023

The Alberta Post-Secondary Network, representing Alberta’s 26 publicly funded post-secondary institutions, has submitted its 2023 budget proposal to the Government of Alberta. This report has some key considerations that are a direct result of the partnership between APCN and the Alberta Chambers of Commerce to adjust programming in response to long-term labour demands, while also developing new experiential learning opportunities through work-integrated learning. The initiative aims to allow the post-secondary system to be informed by the best labour market information (LMI) in the country.

Among the budget's priorities is to continue to support the work of the APSN and ACC on the collection of labour market information, and investments into micro-credentials and work-integrated learning, which are two innovative new approaches to training Alberta’s workforce. These strategies provide alternatives to those seeking to upgrade their skills to meet new and evolving needs in the workplace.
Business Council of Alberta: Priorities for Managing Alberta’s Future Revenue Alberta’s Future Revenue Surpluses

The BCA has created a proposal to allocate Alberta's surpluses that balance short-term opportunities with long-term sustainability.

In this report, BCA recommends “Three Big Rocks” (or key priorities) that do just that.
These Three Big Rocks are: 

  • Investment: $1 billion in the Heritage Fund each year for the next two years
  • Debt: Use 80% of the remaining surplus to pay down the provincial debt
  • Strategy: Use 20% of the remaining surplus to invest in a fund for strategic priorities and projects
Building up the rural Alberta economy

Rural Alberta is a driving force in the economy. The new Economic Development in Rural Alberta Plan will complement current government initiatives while supporting diversification and job opportunities in rural communities.

The five-year plan focuses on key issues in rural Alberta, including economic development-enabling infrastructure, rural business support and entrepreneurship, support for the labour force and skills development, marketing and promoting rural tourism, and rural economic development capacity building.
Building healthier, safer workplaces for Albertans

Updates to Alberta’s Occupational Health and Safety Code will make regulations easier to understand while offering better support for Alberta workers and employers.

After extensively consulting with employers, workers and health and safety professionals, Alberta’s government will implement changes to parts of the Occupational Health and Safety Code (OHS Code). The changes will take effect on March 31, 2023.
Attorney general issues protocol to Crown prosecutors

With resources in place and the constitutional authority to deal with these matters, Alberta’s attorney general, Justice Minister Tyler Shandro, has directed that the Alberta Crown Prosecution Service handle charges involving the Firearms Act starting Jan. 1.

The new protocol states that it will not be in the public interest to proceed with prosecuting a charge of a possession of a banned firearm when:

  • The accused lawfully obtained the firearm or prohibited device prior to May 1, 2020.
  • The firearm or prohibited device was reclassified as prohibited on May 1, 2020.
  • The accused has not been charged with any other offences related to the possession or use of that firearm.

These new protocols may serve to protect recreational firearms businesses, farmers, and other stakeholders from forfeiture of legally acquired firearms.
Canada News
National average rent rose to a record $2,024 in November

The average monthly cost to rent a home in Canada rose to a record $2,024 in November, new data shows, and experts say this trend is showing no signs of stopping.

The National Rental Report published Tuesday said the average price for rent in November was up 2.5 percent compared with the month before.

On average, renters are paying $224 more per month compared with a year ago, for a gain of 12.4 percent. 
A majority of Canadians are choosing to shop at small businesses to support their communities

Two-thirds (66%) of respondents say they make efforts to buy from small businesses rather than ordering from large online retailers. The top reasons Canadians choose to shop at their favourite small and local businesses included:

  1. To support their community (56%)
  2. To help small businesses succeed (50%)
  3. The friendliness and vibe from the owner/staff (46%)
  4. Convenience, such as proximity to home or work (40%)
  5. Unique items and experiences and high-quality services or products (38%)
  6. Good prices (29%)
Business Events
Getting more Alberta products on the shelf
Thu, Jan 26, 2023 1:30 PM - 4:00 PM MST

Success for many in the food and beverage industry includes getting products on the shelf in retail. Margurite Thiessen, business development officer with the Alberta government, says a great product is only part of what is required.

Food processors need to understand what retailers are looking for and what they will be doing to create demand and deliver the sales required to stay on the shelf.

This upcoming webinar will help Alberta companies who have products in retail and are looking to expand either within Alberta or nationally.

This event is not affiliated with the Alberta Chambers of Commerce.
AFSC Input Advisory Group meetings: Market Gardens

Severe weather events, particularly hailstorms, have negatively affected market gardens in Central Alberta during the summer of 2022. Several operations faced extensive crop damage and have raised concerns about gaps in insurance coverage for market gardens.

We are holding input advisory group meetings in mid-January to gather information about the market garden industry. The virtual meetings will focus on collecting feedback on the risks facing market garden operations and potential programs to address those risks. The meetings will occur on January 17th and 19th at 6:00PM.

This event is not affiliated with the Alberta Chambers of Commerce.
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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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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