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Fuelling Our Business Community
We look forward to partnering with the Kiwanis Club every year to present the State of the City Address.

Thank you to everyone who attended and we appreciate the time that you took to listen to the Mayor's message.

We've provided a video on our YouTube channel and if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to us!
We shared some of the results of our business survey this past week in an interview with the Medicine Hat News. We conducted a business research project from September through December and reached out to over 500 businesses in our community to measure how they have been impacted by the COVID pandemic and also to see how we can best serve our community.

Quick Check Up
Your Weekly Tune Up
Easing of provincewide health measures will occur in steps based on COVID-19 hospitalization benchmarks. These steps and benchmarks will provide a transparent approach to easing restrictions for businesses and individuals while protecting the health-care system.

Each step has an associated benchmark of hospitalized COVID-19 patients, including intensive care patients. Changes to restrictions will be considered once a benchmark is reached. See the benchmarks and more information.
Additional health measures will be eased for restaurants, indoor fitness and some children’s activities, effective Feb. 8. More information.

Step 1 of Alberta’s four-step framework to ease restrictions is based on a COVID-19 hospitalization benchmark of 600, including intensive care patients. This benchmark was reached on Jan. 28. The full, four-step framework for easing restrictions can be viewed here.
The Government of Canada announced new rules on international travel. The government and Canada’s airlines have agreed to suspend all flights to and from Mexico and Caribbean countries until April 30, 2021. This will be in effect as of January 31, 2021. More information.
Statistics Canada is currently hiring approximately 32,000 people for census enumerator and crew leader positions across Canada. For more information on the jobs available for the 2021 Census and the hiring process, please visit the 2021 Census jobs FAQ. For any questions regarding the online recruitment application, please refer to the Online job application FAQ. Find more information
The federal government announced the launch of the Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program, or HASCAP. Through HASCAP, the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) will work with participating Canadian financial institutions to offer government-guaranteed, low-interest loans of up to $1 million. Hard-hit businesses, like a chain of hotels or restaurants with multiple locations under one related entity, could be eligible for up to $6.25 million. More information.
Alberta’s government is investing $17 million to ensure the stabilization of performing arts, sports and rodeo organizations. Alberta’s live experience organizations have been hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. They have lost a full season of programming and revenue but still have ongoing overhead costs. The Stabilize Program will provide one-time grant funding to support live experience presenting and performing arts, sport and rodeo organizations. The funding will help these organizations continue to operate and reopen when it is safe to do so. More information.
Want to know what else happened that you need to know?
Next Level Events
Energy Savings for Business Webinar
February 2, 2021
1 - 2 PM
Business Telephone Town Hall
February 3, 2021
5 - 6:30 PM
Regional Vitality Action Planning Summit
February 12, 2021
9 - 10:30 AM
Canada 360 Economic Summit
February 17, 2021
6:45 AM - 3:00 PM
Advocacy in Action
Alberta Chambers of Commerce (ACC) sent a letter to the Prime Minister supporting the continued operation of the Enbridge Line 5 pipeline. The state of Michigan has signalled its intention to revoke the easement which allows this pipeline to operate.

Have Your Say
The federal government has launched its public consultations ahead of the 2021 budget. Canadians, including businesses and organizations, can participate directly by completing an online questionnaire or uploading a submission. Participate now.
Glen Motz, Member of Parliament for Medicine Hat - Cardston - Warner is asking businesses to complete a brief business survey (4 -5 minutes) to understand the priorities of the business community ahead of the upcoming Budget 2021 and beyond. A single survey should be completed for each business no later than Tuesday, February 16, 2021. Complete the survey.
Fill up on Funding
Over the past nine months, we have seen trades and technology educators do what they do best: Assess the situation, figure out a solution, and then get to work. Several trades and technology instructors saw this as a “challenge-accepted” situation and subsequently proved the naysayers wrong. Read more.
Power of Community
Local First YXH
During this month of love share yours with some of our amazing local businesses!

Shop LOCAL FIRST YXH for that special gift:
Helpful Webinars
Women Entrepreneurs in STEM
Breaking Down Barriers Webinars
Find more webinars in our Weekly Update
Sparking Conversation
Would having a downtown waterfront district encourage you to spend more time downtown?
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Useful Links
Find more updates on our social media