Thank you to everyone who attended last week's Political Action Day (PAD)—it was wonderful to see so many familiar faces and some new ones, too! Thank you for taking the time to join us at our first in-person event since 2019.

Registration is now open for the 2022 AGM and Policy Plenary session, taking place May 26 through 28. We hope to see you in Lethbridge!

The ACC is accepting submissions for the 2021 Chamber(s) of the Year. EVERY ALBERTA CHAMBER is eligible!

We would love to share your story and inspire others so share accomplishments and the challenges you overcame in 2021. Award winners will be presented at the AGM and Policy Plenary in Lethbridge.

Submission Deadline: April 14, 2022.

Nominations are now open for the 2021 ACE Executive of the Year and will be accepted until April 5, 2022. All members of Alberta Chamber Executives (ACE) are eligible.

New legislation: Financial Innovation Act

If passed, Bill 13, the Financial Innovation Act, will create a regulatory sandbox for financial services and fintech companies. Regulatory sandboxes offer businesses temporary relief from certain legislative and regulatory requirements.

If passed, the new Trustee Act would replace existing legislation and improve the management of trusts by setting clear provisions to support improved day-to-day function of all trusts for Albertans, such as charities, businesses and people with trusts in wills.

The governments of Alberta, Ontario, Saskatchewan and New Brunswick have agreed to a joint strategic plan outlining the path forward on small modular reactors (SMRs).

Six new proposals will begin exploring how to develop environmentally safe carbon storage hubs to reduce emissions from the industrial heartland around Edmonton.

Medicine Hat-based Helicopter Air Lift Operation (HALO) will be offered guaranteed funding and a contract with Alberta Health Services, moving from a fee-for-service model. HALO will get more than $1 million in annual funding. Fort McMurray-based Helicopter Emergency Rescue Operation (HERO) will get almost $2 million under a new five-year contract, which is double its current annual funding.

Starting April 1, more pharmacies can supply COVID-19 antiviral medication to eligible Albertans.

This week the Government of Canada released its 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan, which describes the actions government is currently taking as well as new measures to help Canada meet its emissions reduction goals.

The CRTC announced that seven projects will receive up to $19.5 million in funding from the Broadband Fund. The projects will benefit approximately 1,255 households in 10 communities, including seven Indigenous communities, in British Columbia and Alberta.

PAD speaker Janet Lane of the Canada West Foundation has kindly provided her slide deck from last week's presentation for reference.

Janet co-authored two new reports examining interprovincial youth mobility trends in western Canada:

Chris Doornbos of E3 Metals has also provided his slide deck from his highly-topical PAD presentation.

The Canadian Payroll Association rebranded as the National Payroll Institute on March 7, 2022.