AIR TRANSPORTATION SURVEY

We want to hear from you regarding air transportation in Grande Prairie. Please take a few minutes to answer the attached questions. Your responses will help our advocacy on behalf of the Grande Prairie Airport and our business community.

THE SURVEY WILL CLOSE THIS FRIDAY. MARCH 14!

TAKE THE SURVEY

2025 Alberta Budget Discussion *Chamber Member Exclusive*

Friday, March 21, 2025 (10:00 AM - 12:00 PM)

The Grande Prairie & District Chamber of Commerce invites you to a 2025 Alberta Budget Presentation on Friday, March 21 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Centre 2000.

Leading this Chamber member exclusive discussion will be Grande Prairie MLA Nolan Dyck and Grande Prairie-Wapiti MLA Ron Wiebe.

The presentation will include a question period.

There is no cost to attend but registration is required using your info hub login.

For questions or more information, please contact our office.

BUDGET DISCUSSION REGISTRATION FOR MEMBERS

Workshop Your Business Series - Managing People, Maximizing Results

Tuesday, March 18, 2025 (1:30 - 3:30 PM)

Centre 2000

A huge thank you to our 2025 Chamber Champions for making this series possible:

Massage Therapy Collective
RIVR Solutions Ltd
Nitrogen Technologies of Canada
Two Twelve Consulting
Empire Oilfield Solutions
Mr.Mikes Steakhouse

What’s in Store?

This 2-hour workshop is designed to equip business owners, managers and HR professionals with practical strategies to enhance leadership, boost team performance, and navigate recruitment challenges in the context of the current labor market shortage.

The session will be interactive, with discussions, activities, and actionable tools that can be applied to improve people management and team outcomes. By the end of the workshop, participants will leave with a clear action plan and the confidence to lead teams that deliver exceptional results.

Danielle Hessler, CEO and Principal Consultant with Two Twelve Consulting and The Agency will be joining us to deliver this presentation.

Limited spots available—secure yours today!

WORKSHOP YOUR BUSINESS REGISTRATION

Ribbon Cutting - Peak Beauty Academy

Wednesday, March 19, 2025 (2:00 - 6:00 PM)

Please join us in celebrating the re-branding of Peak Beauty Academy, now locally owned and operated! The Chamber Event will run from 2:00 - 3:00 PM, with refreshments, networking, complimentary hair services, and a chance to learn more about the host. The Ribbon Cutting ceremony will take place at 2:30 PM, followed by an open house for alumni, prospective students [and their families], and community members from 3:00 - 6:00 PM.

Peak Beauty Academy is committed to nurturing passionate individuals, providing top-tier education in the beauty industry, and empowering students to thrive in fulfilling careers. For more information, visit www.peakbeauty.ca.

Business After 5 Mixer - Northwestern Polytechnic Students' Association

Thursday, March 27, 2025 (5:00 - 7:00 PM)

The Grande Prairie & District Chamber of Commerce welcomes our members and invited guests to a Business After 5 Mixer hosted by the Students' Association at Northwestern Polytechnic. This Mixer will be held in Howler's Lounge, located on the main floor of the college, just past the cafeteria. We recommend parking in Lot B and following the Chamber signage. This is an excellent opportunity to connect with our current business community as well as it's future leaders - college students! Join us for an evening of networking, appetizers, refreshments and door prizes as well as finding out more about the host.

NWPSA is a non-profit organization that is student-led and focuses on representing the students of Northwestern Polytechnic. They strive to have student voices represented at every decision-making table regarding Northwestern Polytechnic's path forward. They are committed to ensuring that every student at Northwestern Polytechnic has the tools they need to reach their definition of success. This includes having a sense of community, access to financial assistance, access to food assistance and access to mental, physical, sexual and spiritual supports for their health and wellbeing.

For questions or more information, please contact the office at (780) 532-5340 or email info@gpchamber.com. There is no cost to attend but registration is required for catering and capacity purposes.

MIXER REGISTRATION

Spring Business Showcase & Mixer

Thursday, April 24, 2025 (5:00 - 7:00 PM, Jackpot Grill & Events Centre)

Get ready for the Chamber's Spring Business Showcase; a mini-trade show like no other! Join us on Thursday, April 24 , 2025, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at the Jackpot Grill & Events Centre for an evening of exploring the variety of booths, networking with fellow business owners, and enjoying complimentary snacks, door prizes and more.

Our Business Showcase highlights the unique services and products of our diverse Chamber Member businesses. So, come on down and join the fun! Whether you're looking for new business connections, trying to find a new supplier or just wanting to see what our Members have to offer, you won't want to miss this event.

To register for a booth - visit the link below.

BUSINESS SHOWCASE BOOTH REGISTRATION

https://worknwalberta.ca

City of Grande Prairie expands Development Incentives and Grants Program

Grande Prairie City Council has approved key updates to the Development Incentives and Grants (DIG) Program, expanding opportunities for businesses and developers to invest in broadband infrastructure, commercial development and multi-family housing.

Key updates include:

Expanded Municipal Fee Rebate – The budget has increased from to accommodate high demand, ensuring more multi-family housing projects qualify for fee reimbursements and supporting greater housing affordability.
Fibre Optics Fee Rebate – A new incentive now offers up to a 100 per cent rebate on municipal fees for fibre alignment projects between July 1, 2024, and December 31, 2025, promoting broadband expansion and digital infrastructure investment.
New Business Development Grant - The eligibility threshold has been lowered from $25 million to $18 million, making the grant more accessible to a wider range of businesses, including small-scale manufacturing, industrial processing and commercial warehouse projects.

To learn more about the DIG program, please visit - cityofgp.com/grants-incentives.

View on cityofgp.com

City hosts virtual info session for contractors on clean energy financing

The City of Grande Prairie is inviting contractors to a virtual information session on March 28 to learn how the Clean Energy Improvement Program (CEIP) can help their clients finance energy-efficient upgrades.

CEIP provides property-tied financing, allowing owners to repay costs through their property taxes. The financing stays with the property if it is sold, enabling deeper retrofits and bundling multiple upgrades at once.

The session, presented by Alberta Municipalities and the City of Grande Prairie, is open to contractors who are not yet enrolled in the program.

Session Details:

Date: Friday, March 28, 2025
Time: 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM (Virtual)

Participants will learn how CEIP works, its benefits and the application process. There will also be an opportunity for Q&A with program experts.

Boost your business by helping customers access CEIP. Learn more at ceip.abmunis.ca/contractor.

View on cityofgp.com

Nominate by March 13th: Alberta Business Awards of Distinction

The deadline has been EXTENDED to March 13th—don't miss this incredible opportunity to celebrate a business or organization that's making waves in your community! Is there a standout company that's been making a real difference? Now's your chance to nominate them for the recognition they deserve!

Nominate a deserving business

Submit your application

Chambers of the Federation proposed action

As Canada enters a trade conflict initiated by the United States, the nation’s provincial Chambers of Commerce have come together to present An Agenda for Economic Growth and Stability, a set of recommendations to Canada’s Premiers to drive economic growth, strengthen domestic trade, and elevate Canada’s global competitiveness.

The Chambers of the Federation initiative mirrors the Premiers’ Council of the Federation and lays out key priorities, including:

Removing barriers to interprovincial trade & labour mobility
Committing to a National Energy Corridor
Bolstering domestic procurement & supply chains
Strengthening Canada’s trade position with the U.S.

2025 Alberta Budget Summary

The 2025-2026 Alberta Budget responds to a complex financial landscape for businesses, emphasizing significant investments in infrastructure, health care, and education, while projecting a $5.2 billion deficit influenced by declining oil revenues and rising debt.

The Alberta Chambers of Commerce and businesses are encouraged to focus on risk mitigation, capitalizing on infrastructure, and advocating for measure that strengthen business competitiveness.

Budget 2025

Alberta pushes back on U.S. tariffs

In response to new U.S. tariffs, Alberta is introducing measures to protect local industries and strengthen trade. The province will prioritize Alberta and Canadian businesses in government procurement, while Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) will stop purchasing U.S. alcohol and video lottery terminals. A "Buy Alberta" campaign will promote local agricultural products, and the government is pushing to remove barriers to interprovincial trade. Alberta is also exploring new pipeline infrastructure to expand energy exports. Premier Danielle Smith emphasized the province’s commitment to defending its economy while supporting free and fair trade.

This aligns with ACC's ongoing advocacy for eliminating interprovincial trade barriers to improve business competitiveness and economic resilience, ensuring Alberta businesses have better access to domestic markets.

Learn more

Read Premier Smith's Response to to US Tariffs

WORK INTEGRATED LEARNING Symposium

Hosted by NorQuest College in partnership with the AB WIL Practitioners and CEWIL Canada

Tuesday, June 10, 2025

9:00 AM to 4:00 PM

NorQuest's Career Centre

NorQuest College

10215 108 St. NW, Edmonton

NorQuest College - in partnership with the AB WIL Practitioners, CEWIL Canada and the Alberta Chambers of Commerce - will be hosting a one-day Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) Symposium on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at our Downtown Edmonton Campus.

This symposium will bring together WIL practitioners and leaders from post-secondary institutions to share best practices, explore innovative approaches, and discuss the future of WIL in Alberta.

The program will include expert-led panels, interactive sessions, and insightful discussions featuring leading voices from higher education and industry. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect, learn, and ignite new ideas in the world of Work-Integrated Learning.

Stay tuned for more details on speakers and program highlights!

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO REGISTER

Service Canada’s Work-Sharing Program

Work-Sharing Program Information Session for Employers

Join us for a brief overview of Service Canada's Work-Sharing Program and how it can help businesses facing temporary slowdowns, such as those caused by tariffs.

This session will discuss the program's basics, including eligibility and application steps, and how it assists employers in retaining staff while offering employees partial income replacement through EI benefits.

Designed for employers, this session includes a Q&A period and highlights additional resources, such as the Employer Contact Centre.

Thursday, March 13

10:30 to 11:30 AM

Online event

Women Entrepreneurs: Canada’s Biggest Missed Business Opportunity

Women entrepreneurs represent significant, untapped potential for Canada’s economy, but a new report from the Business Data Lab finds that Canada has a higher-than-average share of missing women entrepreneurs — those who could be included in the economic and business landscape if gender-based and intersectional barriers were addressed.

At this economically critical time for our nation, supporting established women entrepreneurs and helping new ones get started could increase GDP and drive innovation, productivity and growth.

Read the Report

How Can Canada Navigate a World of Trump-ed Trade?

U.S. tariffs are disrupting Canada’s $1.3 trillion trade relationship, straining supply chains and creating major uncertainty for businesses.

On the latest episode of Canada’s Economy, Explained, host Marwa Abdou sits down with Mairead Lavery, former President and CEO of Export Development Canada (EDC), to break down how tariffs drive up costs — and why small businesses feel the biggest squeeze.

Listen Now

Calling Newcomer Entrepreneurs!

If you’re new to Canada and thinking about starting a business, join our Business Startup Tips for Newcomers webinar on Thursday, March 13 at 11:00 AM. We’ll discuss essential topics like refining your idea, understanding legal requirements, and finding the resources you need to get started.

Get The Most Out Of Social Media

Social media is a powerful marketing tool for business success. Join us on Thursday, March 20, at 11:00 AM to learn how to create engaging content, grow your audience, and optimize your strategy to turn followers into customers.

Accessing Small Business Grants - Find And Secure Funding

Unlock the secrets to securing business grants. Learn where to find grants, how to apply, and stand out to increase your chances of success. Gain valuable tips to navigate the process and unlock funding to support your business growth and achieve your goals.

Read Now

Your audience has things to do. And their attention is dwindling

Recent research clocks the average attention span at around 47 seconds, a significant decrease from 75 seconds in 2012. Every day, we compete against a relentless barrage of notifications and distractions vying for our audience’s attention, amplifying the “attention recession” — a decline in the amount of attention consumers are willing or able to give any one thing.

But there’s no need to despair. While attention spans may be shrinking, thoughtfully created content can still capture, engage, and inspire an audience. From Google, here are five ways to help your marketing cut through.

Learn More

Know Your Cyber Score

Test your knowledge with the complimentary Cybersecurity Assessment Tool from Mastercard for small businesses. Answer a few simple questions to receive a Cybersecurity Assessment Report, complete with recommendations based on your responses.

Learn More

The Future of Retail Report: 2025 Edition- by Square

The Square 2025 Future of Retail report sheds light on the new approaches retail leaders are taking and on what your customers want to see next. It’s also filled with in-depth insights and actionable strategies on how to grow your business and keep customers happy.

Inside the Future of Retail report you’ll find:

How the industry is leaning into in-store experiences while still catering to online shoppers
Retailers’ experiences on how personalization and loyalty programs are driving repeat business
The one communication method consumers said they prefer over all others
How advanced technology continues to shape the way retail businesses operate

Read the Report

Driving Digital Success: Strategies for Small Businesses to Succeed Online

Thursday March 13th, 11:30 AM ET Online

In this webinar, we'll explore essential digital strategies for attracting more customers and driving growth for your small business.

You will gain insights into key themes and trends crucial for building your online presence. We'll show you how to attract and keep more customers by building an authentic community, enabling personalization, staying at the forefront of innovation and more.

MORE RESOURCES FOR BUSINESS

Free Webinar: Staying Connected After Winter Rules Ends

The Utilities Consumer Advocate, part of the Ministry of Affordability and Utilities in the Government of Alberta, is offering a free webinar series to support Albertans as informed energy consumers. Topics include understanding Alberta’s utilities market, choosing a retailer, and managing utilities when moving or renting. Current webinar offerings are available here.

With the end of Winter Rules coming, we wanted to invite you to a presentation on Staying Connected After Winter Rules Ends. This presentation will include both what the program is, and what it means when it comes to an end.

The presentations are online, and sign up is available for:

Please feel free to share the presentation registration with your clients as well!

We hope you’ll join us!

Consumer Education and Awareness Team

Affordability and Utilities

Transitional period for updated 2024 OHS Code ends on March 30, 2025

A number of provisions in the OHS Code were updated on December 4, 2024. The changes included updates to Part 27 (Violence and harassment), Part 33 (Explosives), Part 37 (Oil, gas and geothermal energy) and miscellaneous amendments across the OHS Code.

Although the December 4 updates came into effect immediately, the Alberta government provided a transitional period during which work site parties could comply with either the updated or the previous provisions. This transitional period will be ending on March 30, 2025. Starting on March 31, 2025, work site parties must comply with the updated OHS Code.

To view the updated OHS Code, visit alberta.ca/occupational-health-and-safety-code. If you have questions about the December 2024 Code updates, please email OHSreview@gov.ab.ca. Resources containing highlights of the legislation changes can be found in the OHS legislation change highlights category on the OHS Resource Portal.

Free webinar on health, safety and employment standards for young workers

Alberta OHS and Employment Standards are inviting young workers under 25 years old, their parents or guardians, and employers to a free webinar where they can learn about:

young worker rights and responsibilities
employer responsibilities in protecting young workers
identifying and controlling workplace hazards young workers might face
helpful resources to support young workers, parents or guardians, and employers

Young workers face higher risks on the job and are more likely to be injured at work, so this webinar is a crucial opportunity to learn more about improving health and safety knowledge and practices.

The webinar will take place on March 25 from 3:00 to 4:00 PM. To register or get more details about the topics that will be presented, click here.

Upcoming live webinars on employment standards

Employment standards legislation sets out the rights and obligations of employers and employees in Alberta. These include the minimum standards that employers must provide to their employees.

Upcoming webinars (including live Q&A) are scheduled on the following topics:

Temporary Foreign Worker Advisory Office – TFW & Employer Rights and Responsibilities: March 26 at 1:30 p.m.
Employment Standards in Alberta – Construction Overview: March 27 at 1:30 p.m.

For more information, or to register for one of the sessions, visit alberta.ca/employment-standards-webinars.aspx. To request a presentation for your company or organization, please email EOP.Presentations@gov.ab.ca.

GrandePrairieChamber.com