eNews: January 26, 2021

eNews

January 26, 2021

News and Updates

ACC statement on Keystone XL decision

Alberta Chambers of Commerce (ACC) President and CEO Ken Kobly issued a statement on the decision to cancel the Keystone XL pipeline project.

Read Premier Kenney's statement

Read Prime Minister Trudeau's statement

Expanding funding to support new businesses

To better support Alberta’s small business community through the ongoing public health crisis, the Alberta government is expanding the Small and Medium Enterprise Relaunch Grant to allow new businesses to apply. By expanding applications to businesses that started operating between March 1 and October 31, 2020, up 5,000 more Alberta businesses will be eligible for this funding.

COVID-19 vaccine shortage: Minister Shandro

Minister of Health Tyler Shandro issued a statement on the latest changes in the amount of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine coming to Canada.

You may recall that on Nov. 2, 2020, the Government of Alberta announced up to $55 million in funding for the Energy Savings for Business Program (ESB). ESB meets a known market need and focuses on supporting a critical component of the economy – small- and medium-sized businesses. The program objectives are to stimulate investment, create jobs and address longer-term environmental sustainability priorities.

Recognizing that time is money to Alberta’s businesses, we have applied learnings from past energy efficiency programs to offer a streamlined application process, quick turnaround times for standard applications, as well as an expanded technology list with clear and comprehensive information.

On February 1, we will open ESB for applications and full program details will be provided on our website. In addition, we invite you to join our webinar at 1 p.m., on February 2 where we will review program information in more detail and provide an opportunity for questions in areas such as:

Who is eligible to participate;
What measures are eligible for funding through the program;
Incentive levels by measure type;
Where to find necessary program information; and
How to access the incentives available.

Through this program, businesses such as manufacturing facilities, agricultural operations, office buildings and fabrication shops can cut costs and reduce emissions by adopting modern building systems and updating facility operations, enabling smarter energy use and less waste. These projects will re-invigorate the economy, helping businesses become more competitive, hire more staff, and grow their operations. The projects will rely on local contractors and a skilled workforce, including HVAC businesses, insulation companies, solar installers and electricians, to name a few.

FAQ on Claiming Work-from-home Expenses

The Canadian Payroll Association, has made a Q&A document available for download that answers commonly asked questions about the simplified process for claiming workspace-in-the-home expenses on your 2020 tax return.

Access the Document

For up-to-date local news and updates from the City of Fort Saskatchewan, visit HERE to read the CityPage.

Advocacy Updates

1.25.2021 Transparency Letter to the Premier

The Fort Saskatchewan and District Chamber of Commerce represents hundreds of local businesses, and the thousands of hard-working entrepreneurs and employees.

The Chamber of Commerce extends its most heartfelt sympathies to all those affected by the scourge of Covid19, especially to those that have lost family and friends to this heart-wrenching pandemic.

Recognizing the incredible challenge that the pandemic has presented to the province, we understand the impossible choices to be made, as the government attempts to battle the disease, while balancing the needs of a devastated economy. Part of this balance was the need to keep essential services open and support non-essential businesses while under public health orders.

You can continue reading this letter at the link above.

Please connect with us. We are here to support YOU and your business!

The Fort Saskatchewan & District Chamber of Commerce policy committee would like to encourage members to contact the Chamber if they have an idea to save their business money or reduce red tape. If there is an issue affecting your business, that you need support with, please connect with please contact with Tamara Dabels at tamara@fortsaskchamber.com.

Property Tax Sub-Committee is looking for members! If you have concerns about property taxes or would like to support the Chamber and other local businesses in reviewing the City's Property Tax Policy, connect with Tamara Dabels at tamara@fortsaskchamber.com.

For more information about available Local, Provincial, and Federal Grants, Incentives, and Programs, visit HERE!

Members' Meetings

Members' Meeting: State of the City

February 3, 2021 | 11:30am-1:00pm | Virtual

Featured Speaker:

Mayor Gale Katchur, City of Fort Saskatchewan

2020 was a crazy year with constant change and uncertainty for our business community. The City of Fort Saskatchewan implemented a number of business support programs including the collaboration with the Chamber on #SupportYourFort.

Once again, Mayor Katchur will be joining us for the Annual State of the City Address. We have heard from the business community that this is a much-anticipated presentation and so we welcome you to join us.

Thank you to our sponsor, Givens LLP.

Registration required to receive ZOOM link.

Members' Meeting: The Future of Oil

March 3, 2021 | 11:30am-1:00pm | Virtual

Featured Speaker:

David Yager, Energy Policy Analyst/Oil & Gas Writer/Author

Join us to learn from David Yager, Energy Policy Analyst/Oil & Gas Writer/Author of Miracle to Menace: Alberta, A Carbon Story. His presentation THE FUTURE OF OIL will sort the fact from the fiction and show why the world isn't going out of the oil business anytime soon.

Much has been said and written how world oil demand will either peak shortly or never recover from the COVID-19 price collapse. Is this real or political? Is this factual or aspirational among the legion of fossil fuel opponents? Will society's priorities pre-COVID be the same once the pandemic is over and the economy recovers?

Registration required to receive ZOOM link.

Support Your Fort

Three Scholarships Awarded through the Support Your Fort Initiative

The Fort Saskatchewan & District Chamber of Commerce and the City of Fort Saskatchewan are excited to announce that the Support Your Fort Scholarship Committee has awarded three scholarships

to local students. The Scholarship Committee received numerous applications and was overwhelmed with the exceptional applicants, however, three stood out. Congratulations to the recipients!

Paige Kellington

Alexander Evans

Karissa Goulding

To learn more, please read the full Press Release HERE.

Due to the overwhelming support of the local community and businesses, we are excited to continue the Support Your Fort Scholarships annually.

Stuart Murray, First Memorial Riverview Chapel, and a member of the Support Your Fort scholarship committee continues, “I am honoured to be in a profession where we touch people’s lives in a meaningful way every day. Our vision at First Memorial – Riverview Chapel is to give back to the very community who has supported us all these years. It is now our privilege to bequeath an annual commitment to the Support Your Fort Scholarship Program.”

If other community members would like to contribute to the scholarship fund for 2021, please contact Tamara Dabels at tamara@fortsaskchamber.com.

Education

Mobile Video Workshop for Business

Wednesday, February 24, 2021 | 9:00 am - 3:30 pm

We are very excited to offer this Mobile Video Production Workshop from the same company that brought us the 2020 Business Awards which many described as the Fort Saskatchewan Oscars!

In only one day, you can learn how to produce professional-quality promotional videos for your business with technology you already own and use every day!

Imagine the impact professional videos produced in-house could have on your business. What would that look like for you as we move through 2021?

Mobile Video Production Workshops

1 day | 6 hours | Hands-on Learning

The day includes:

Lighting, Sound, Angles, Production Steps & Processes

Collaboration with Workshop Attendees

Hands-on Shooting & Mobile Editing

Investment:

$225 + GST: Members

$250 + GST: Non-Members

The City of Fort Saskatchewan offers a Small Business Education Grant that helps resident small business owners develop entrepreneurship skills through educational programs, courses, seminars, conferences, or workshops.

The Small Business Education Grant could be used to offset 50% of this cost. For more information, visit HERE.

Women in Business

Women in Business Speaker Series 2021:

Get Visible, Get Video

with Modern Muse media

Location: Zoom (a link will be provided upon registration)

Date/Time Information: Tuesday, February 16, 2021 | 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Fees/Admission: Members: FREE | Non Members: $20 +GST

When you’re used to looking people in the eyes, it’s awkward to have to eloquently emote into a tiny camera, but, like everything else, practice makes perfect as well as some tips and tricks to refine this art including framing, lighting, sound and equipment. With the entire business community taking to the internet to network, your video has to grab attention in a memorable, professional way and Jesse can show you how!

Join, award-winning television producer, Jesse, for a free webinar of tips of tricks on how to level up your video!

Women Uncorked (Virtual)

Please join us for our monthly Women in Business Uncorked, held on the 4th Wednesday of each month. We have missed you, and though we cannot meet in person, we have gone virtual and hope you will join us!

We had a trial virtual event in November and the overwhelming feedback from those who attended is that it was wonderful! We loved it! If you are feeling a bit disconnected, we would really encourage you to pull up a comfy chair, your laptop, a favourite beverage and visit with us!

Wednesday, January 27th, 4 – 6 p.m. | Register HERE

Wednesday, February 24th, 4 – 6 p.m. | Register HERE

Membership Updates

Once again, the Rotary Club of Fort Saskatchewan is working to help one of our far North neighbours. We have worked with the people, schools, and support staff up there for the past several years and they have recently sent a very specific request for certain items.

They are in need of 200 water bottles as the school kids are not able to use water fountains during the pandemic. I am hoping that one or more of our corporate supporters might have some leftover bottles in their storage that they could donate.

They also are in need of new sports bras for all shapes and sizes of young ladies, personal hygiene items, and creams to soothe the faces and hands that are raw from the cold winds.

If any of our supporters can help, contact: fortsaskrotaryclub@gmail.com

We can arrange pick up or drop off. We will be sending these items by mid-February so timing is important.

Thank you for your continued support!

Chamber 101

Are you new to the Chamber and want to learn more?

Have you been a member for a while and would like a refresher on your Chamber benefits?

Join us virtually for Chamber 101, and learn how to maximize your membership!

Tuesday, February 9 | 1:00pm-2:00pm

Welcome New Members!

Catalyst Communications

Boonstra Consulting

Fluid Art Canada