CANADA-ALBERTA PRODUCTIVITY GRANT | | |
The Canada-Alberta Productivity Grant (CAPG) is open for applications.
The CAPG helps eligible employers invest in training that focuses on enhancing productivity skills for their current and future employees that aligns with the needs of their business.
Applications are accepted year-round.
| | View an inventory of private and public sector projects in Alberta valued at $5 million or greater. | | |
Western Innovation Forum 2026 (WIF 2026) is a business-to-business (B2B) meeting event and will take place virtually on February 24-26, 2026. There is no cost to register.
Reasons to participate in WIF
- WIF 2026 is an industry-oriented event that connects western Canada’s defence industries, cutting-edge innovators, and researchers to innovation-driven investment, research, partnerships, and Industrial and Technological Benefits (ITB)-related business opportunities.
- Last year, WIF attracted 360 participants, including 32 defence prime contractors/tier 1 suppliers, and featured over 800 B2B meetings.
| | REGIONAL DEFENCE INVESTMENT INITIATIVE (RDII) | |
The Regional Defence Investment Initiative (RDII) is a $357.7 million, three-year national initiative delivered by Canada’s seven Regional Development Agencies (RDAs).
The RDII is part of a broader whole-of-government strategic approach to building sovereign defence capacity while reinforcing industrial strength across the country.
The RDII will help to accelerate the integration of businesses, focusing on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and regional ecosystems, into defence supply chains and strengthen their industrial and innovation capacity in support of Canada’s defence and security needs.
Eligible recipients include:
- Businesses, mainly small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), that are active or wish to position themselves in the defence industry supply chain, including through dual-use products or services.
- Not-for-profit organizations, including industry associations and consortia, business accelerators and incubators, etc. that support SMEs.
- Indigenous recipients.
- Provincial, territorial and municipal authorities.
| | LOCAL PROCUREMENT OPPORTUNITIES | | |
In order to assist local business in gaining information on business opportunities with local municipalities, CFB Wainwright etc., the Wainwright Economic Development Office will periodically send out business opportunities featured on merx.com and CanadaBuys that pertain particularly to Wainwright and area.
These are systems used by the Government for procurement of goods and services over $25,000.
| | STUDENT WORK PLACEMENT PROGRAM (SWPP) GOVERNMENT OF CANADA | | |
SWPP brings together employers, students, and post-secondary institutions to create quality work-integrated learning opportunities. The program provides employers with wage subsidies to hire post-secondary students for paid work experiences. Students benefit with quality work experience so they can secure employment in their chosen fields of study.
Eligible employers can receive:
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50% of the wages (to a maximum of $5,000) for each net new placement.
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70% of the wages (to a maximum of $7,000) for each net new placement for under-represented groups, including women in STEM, Indigenous students, newcomers, and persons with disabilities, visible minority as well as first-year students.
APPLY for funding for students during Winter 2026 (January 1 to March 31, 2026):
| | ALBERTA YOUTH EMPLOYMENT INCENTIVE | | |
The Alberta Youth Employment Incentive makes it easier - and more rewarding - for employers to bring young talent into their business. Qualified employers can receive up to $7,500 to hire Albertans aged 15 to 24, helping you fill workforce needs today while investing in the skilled workforce of tomorrow.
This program is funded by the Government of Alberta and administered by CAREERS: The Next Generation, a non-profit with nearly 30 years of experience connecting youth and employers across the province.
Applications ar eopen and funding is available on a first come first serve basis.
| | TRADE ACCELERATOR PROGRAM | | |
Ready to go global? Alberta’s Trade Accelerator Program (TAP) is a free, high-impact initiative designed to help small and medium-sized businesses expand into international markets.
Through expert-led workshops and personalized mentorship, TAP provides practical guidance on export strategy, marketing, sales, financing, legal, logistics and more. The Government of Alberta recently announced $2.8 million to fund TAP for Alberta to help 650+ companies access TAP over the next five years, because they know how important international trade is for the Alberta economy and how helpful this program is for businesses looking to grow.
Learn more at alberta.ca/tap, hear for yourself from Alberta companies who have taken TAP, check out the upcoming cohorts in Edmonton, Calgary, Grand Prairie and Medicine Hat and consider how TAP can support your company preparing for an international trade mission.
| | VIEW OUR HOLIDAY VIDEO BELOW | | |
The University of Calgary, in collaboration with Alberta Health Services, is offering the Rural Community Route – Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) program in Wainwright, with the next intake scheduled for September 2026.
Important: There will be no intake at the Wainwright site in 2027, so interested students are strongly encouraged to apply for the 2026 intake.
Applications are OPEN. The deadline to apply March 1, 2026.
For full program details and to apply, please visit: https://nursing.ucalgary.ca/undergraduate/rural
For questions about admission requirements, tuition, financial aid, or the application process, please contact: bnosinfo@ucalgary.ca
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General
Industry-Specific
Apprenticeship related Incentives for Employers:
Youth and Apprenticeships
| | If you would like to be featured as a Business Highlight in an upcoming newsletter, please email cherbert@wainwright.ca | | While every effort is made to ensure the currency, accuracy and completeness of the information provided, the Town of Wainwright (Wainwright Economic Development) is not liable for any loss, claim or demand arising directly or indirectly from any use or reliance upon the information provided. | | | | |
