Our Vote Prosperity pillar 3 survey is now live on building healthy communities: https://www.albertaperspectives.ca/c/r/VP2021pillar3

If your chamber will not be taking part in the Canadian Chamber AGM, please complete the proxy submission form. This is critical for a strong Alberta voice at the national level!

Local chambers can submit a request form (Attachment 1) to [email protected] 

to receive the tests. Chambers will then receive an agreement (Attachment 2) explaining their requirements, including submitting weekly reporting to the Government of Alberta. After the chamber has signed the agreement, it will receive its requested number of tests.

Chambers will provide businesses with the application form which includes the rapid testing guidelines and terms and conditions (Attachment 3). As long as the business does not require any amendments to the guidelines, the chamber of commerce can approve the application form and provide the business with the tests. This application form also includes the terms and conditions so the chamber does not need to enter into agreements with each individual business. If modifications are required, the business should contact the Government of Alberta directly.

The business will be required to submit reporting to the chamber each week including the number of tests it used, the number of positive tests and positives were confirmed by PCR test (Attachment 4). The Government of Alberta is working on making this reporting digital to streamline the process, however until a digital solution is created, the report needs to be submitted each Wednesday at [email protected]. 

Attachments:

Attachment 1 – Chamber of commerce rapid testing request form

Attachment 2 – Sample of the agreement that the chamber will enter into with the Government of Alberta

Attachment 3 – Application form the chamber can send to businesses

Attachment 4 – Rapid testing reporting template

If you have further questions, please contact Ken Kobly.

On this week's chamber call, we were joined by representatives from Elavon payment processing. Chamber members looking to take advantage of the this program should fill out this form or call 1.844.935.3621.

Chamber leaders seeking to offer this exclusive program to your members should contact Philip Jung at [email protected]. 

Measures in workplaces, indoor private gatherings, places of worship, schools and children’s activities, as well as mandatory masking and physical distancing in all indoor public spaces begin Sept. 16.

Starting on Sept. 16, Albertans will be able to print a copy of their card-sized COVID-19 proof of vaccination or show it on their phone or tablet.

Eligible Albertans can now register to get a $100 debit card for receiving a first or second dose of COVID-19 vaccine.

Minister of Jobs, Economy and Innovation Doug Schweitzer issued a statement about the August 2021 Labour Force Survey.

The Canada Employment Insurance Commission (CEIC) made available the Actuarial Report and its summary for the 2022 Employment Insurance (EI) premium rate. The rate is set at $1.58 per $100 of insurable earnings for employees and $2.21 for employers who pay 1.4 times the employee rate, which is unchanged from the 2020 and 2021 premium rate.

Students across Canada are contributing to innovating small business by working on 7-week projects of up to 70 hours each (4-10 hours/week). Students work solo or in an interdisciplinary team of up to 5 students (up to 350 project hours per group). Employer commitment is 10-20 hours over 7 weeks. Venture for Canada foots the bill and provides each student with a stipend for their work with you. New projects accepted each month.  

Learn how your chamber can access this program to support ChamberMarket.ca in your region.

The Globe and Mail is seeking nominations for the 2022 Report on Business Changemakers. They're looking to honour people relatively new to the business world (less than 10 years into their careers) who are making a difference with their ideas, accomplishments and impact.

More information and nomination form: www.tgam.ca/Changemakers

The C.D Howe Institute is scheduled to release a report this month that supports fixing the Bitumen Valuation Methodology. They will be hosting a panel of policy experts on Thursday, September 30 from 12:30-1:30 p.m. MT.

If you'd like an invitation to this webinar, please email Kelly McTaggart, Community Engagement Advisor with CAPP.