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Chamber Connection Vol 37 (Jan 28)

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Valuesinfluencehowyoumakedecisions,howyouhandlepressure,howyoucommunicate expectations,andhowyourbusinessfeelstocustomers,teams,andpartners.Inthissession,youwill identifywherevaluestendtoslip,definewhat“livingthevalue”lookslikeinaction,andbuilda Start/Stop/Sustainplanthathelpsyoucloseonevaluesgaprightaway.

Understand.Heal.Grow. BSB Counselling offers professional support with a down-to-earth, strength based approach—designed especially for men navigating life’s challenges. Whether you're dealing with stress, relationship struggles, life transitions, or quiet battles with addiction, we’re here to help you find strength, clarity, and purpose. You’re not alone. Reach out today for a free consultation.

SERVICES:

Couples Therapy Family

https://bsbcounselling.ca/ 587-297-3757

UPCOMING RIBBON CUTTING

FRI, JAN 30 | 9:30AM

NORTHWESTERN ALBERTA FOUNDATION

Ribbon Cutting - Northwestern Alberta Foundation

Joinusaswecelebrate30yearsofgenerosity andimpactwithNorthwesternAlberta Foundation(NAF)attheirspecialribboncuttingevent!

Forthreedecades,NAFhasbroughttogether donors,localorganizations,andcommunity memberstocreatelastingchangethrough charitablegiving,grants,scholarships,and legacyfunds.Thismilestonemarksaproud historyofsupportingprogramsandinitiatives thatstrengthenNorthwesternAlberta.

Centre 2000 Main Floor 11330 106 Street Grande Prairie, AB

Chambers of Commerce Group Insurance

CHAMBER MEMBERS HAVE ACCESS TO CANADA'S LARGEST EMPLOYEE BENEFITS PLAN TARGETED TO SMALL-TO-MEDIUM SIZED BUSINESS.

Operating since the early 1970s, Chambers Plan now provides coverage to over 30,000 firms like yours. Regardless of the size of your organization Chambers Plan can be customized to meet your needs,requestafreequotetodayandletusshowyouhowwecan customizeaplanforyou.

Established

Your firm's rates will remain stable regardless of claims history. Additionally, Chambers Plan Group Health Insurance is noncancelable due to any claims experienced by your firm. Your companywillneverbesingledoutforarateincrease,ever.

Local

Your business is unique, so your business needs unique coverage. That is why a local Chambers Plan advisor administers your employee health benefits plan. A Chambers Plan advisor is a member of your community. Whether you want to add dental coverage,changeorupdate,orsimplyaskaquestion,youradvisor isthereforyou.

Customizable

Coverage can be tailored to suit your needs. Customize your plan selecting from a wide range of coverage – life, health, dental, disability, critical illness and much more! As well, Chambers Plan membershaveaccesstomy-benefits®anonlinemanagementtool. Thistoolallowsyoutoadministeryourplananywhere,anytime.

Local Agent - Cam Neil

Neil & Associates 10715-102 Street Grande Prairie Website: https://neilandassociates. ca

AtNeil&Associates,webelieve you deserve the best when it comes to group insurance— personalized service from a team of advisors and support staff who live and work right hereinyourcommunity.Asyour local provider of the Chamber Plan, we offer affordable, flexible, and stable benefits designed specifically for small andmedium-sizedbusinesses.

Whether you’re looking for comprehensive coverage for your team or just starting to explore your options, our experts are here to guide you every step of the way. Get the best deal on insurance and peaceofmindforyourbusiness —contact Neil & Associates today!

Greenview Launches

New Economic Development Website

GreenviewLaunchesNewEconomicDevelopment Website–HighlightsOpportunitiesAcrossGreenview

Greenviewispleasedtoannouncethelaunchofits refreshedEconomicDevelopmentwebsite, ExpandYourVision.ca.Thisupdatedplatformismodern, easytouse,anddesignedtosupportbusinessattraction, siteselection,andlong-termeconomicgrowthacrossthe region.

ThenewwebsitepositionsGreenviewas“Alberta’s GatewaytoOpportunity.”Itprovidesaclearandefficient experienceforbusinesses,developers,andentrepreneurs. Withimprovednavigation,focusedstorytelling,and straightforwarddigitaltools,thewebsitehighlights Greenview’seconomicstrengthsinaprofessionaland engagingway.

LearnMore

Alberta Export Expansion Program

FundingtohelpAlbertasmalland medium-sizedbusinessespromote exportsthroughinternationaltravel.As ofJanuary7,2026,$1.1millionoutofthe $2millionbudgetthisyearhasbeen requested.

Submityourapplicationwithintwo monthsoftravelling.

TAP 2026 cohorts now open for registration

TheTradeAcceleratorProgram(TAP) offersAlbertabusinessesexpert guidance,practicaltoolsandvaluable connections.In2026,cohortsarebeing heldinCalgary,Edmonton,Grande PrairieandMedicineHat,withupcoming sessionsstartingJanuary27inCalgary andFebruary25inEdmonton.

Learnmoreandregisterat alberta.ca/tap

Spend Smarter on Paid Ads in Alberta

Notsurewhereyouradvertisingdollarsshouldgo—orhowto knowifthey’reworking?Thispracticalguidebreaksdownhow Alberta businesses can build a strong ad foundation, choose therightchannels,anduseasimplebudgetframeworktoget betterreturnsfrompaidadvertising.

ReadNow

Is Your Business Ready to Succeed in Canada? Insights for Newcomer Entrepreneurs

JoinusonFebruary5at12p.m.forafreewebinarwithMarcelo Andrade,designedtohelpnewcomerentrepreneursnavigate theCanadianbusinesslandscapewithconfidence.Learn practicalstrategiesforbuildingcredibility,managingfinancial uncertainty,andpositioningyourbusinessforsustainable growthinCanada.

ReadNow

Is Your Business Ready for 2026?

JoinusonJanuary29at10a.m.forafreewebinarwithColin Knoll, where you’ll learn practical strategies to strengthen yourbusiness,improveprofitability,andprepareforgrowth, financing,orafutureexit.Discoverwhatlenders,investors, and buyers look for, identify common capital-readiness gaps,andmake2026yourmostresilientyearyet.

Member ExclusiveDeals

Service Plus Grande Prairie

BothhotelsareconvenientlylocatedofftheHighway43Bypassonthe AlaskaHighway.Greatlocationforshopping,diningandentertainment.

Forbusinessorpleasure,wearetheplacetostay.

Usecode:GPChamber24 foradiscountedratewhenbooking

Booktoday1.888.875.4667

Best Western Plus West Edmonton

Conveniently located off Highway 2, our West Western Plus West Edmonton hotel is just 3min from West Edmonton Mall and just minutes from local attraction. With comfortable and convenient amenities, our hotel is the perfect choice for business and leisure travellersalike.

Usecode:CHAMBER for15%offallGrandePrairieChamberMembers

Kit Office Plus

10% off office furniture assembled or unassembled in our Grande PrairieShowroomorPeaceRiverStore

10% off unassembled furniture off our website, delivered to our ShowroominGP

Custom plans for stationary, office supply and janitorial. They can look at our website for options. For up to 20 of their most used SKU’s, we setup an account for them and offer the best price possible on those 20 items then full price after that. Great for schoolsaswell.

Please email gpsales@kitofficeplus.com or use in store/showroomcustomplanmustbeanemailtooksanam@kitofficeplus.com

Chamber Member Shout-out

Chris

BIPOC

“Behind every strong community is a network of resilient, passionate local businesses..”

Positive Accounting Solutions

Joined:December12,2025

We’re excited to welcome Amanda Roessler and Positive Accounting Solutions to our Chambernetwork!Welookforwardtoseeing this trusted local business continue to grow andsupportourbusinesscommunity.

Red Deer Ironworks Inc

Joined:December05,2025

We’reexcitedtowelcomeCody StricklandandRedDeerIronworksInc. toourChambernetwork!Welook forwardtoseeingthisskilledindustry businesscontinuetogrowand contributetoourregionalbusiness community.

TheJobBoard

Lookingforatrustedlocalbusinesstogetajobdone?Whetheryouneedprofessionalservices,skilledtrades, marketinghelp,orbusinesssupport,ourChamberMemberClassifiedshelpconnectyouwiththerightproviders fromournetwork!

DistributionandCollectionOperationsManager

AquateraishiringaDistributionandCollectionOperationsManagertolead ourwaterdistributionandwastewatercollectionsystems,ensuringsafe, efficientservicedelivery,regulatorycompliance,andastrongsafetyculture whileguidingandsupportingouroperationsteam.

Learnmoreandapplyat aquatera.ca/careers

ProjectManager

AquateraishiringaProjectManager–CapitalProjectstooverseethe deliveryofkeymunicipalinfrastructureprojectswhileensuringsafety,quality, andcollaborationeverystepoftheway.

Learnmoreandapplyat aquatera.ca/careers.

OperationsSupervisor

AquateraishiringanOperationsManagerresponsibletosuperviseall aspectsoftheoperationsandmaintenanceofthewaterdistributionand wastewatercollectionsystemsandinfrastructurewithinAquateraservice areas,andensurethesafedeliveryofhigh-qualitywaterandwastewater services.

Learnmoreandapplyat aquatera.ca/careers.

StatisticsCanadaishiring

Wearelookingforlocalpeopletohelpuscollectaccuratedatainyour community.Thesedataarevitalforplanningandevaluatingprogramsand servicessuchaseducation,healthcare,childcare,housing,emergency services,roads,publictransportationandjobtraining..

Learnmoreandapplyat census.gc.ca/jobs

Water/WastewaterTreatmentOperator

AquateraisrecruitingaTemporaryWater/WastewaterTreatmentOperator tojoinourteaminHinton,ABandbepartofateamcommittedtodelivering reliable,high-qualitywaterservices.

Learnmoreandapplyataquatera.ca/careers

D/COperatorTrainee-NAITorNWPWater-Wastewater TechStudent

AquateraisrecruitingD/COperatorTrainee-NAITorNWPWaterWastewaterTechStudentforourwaterdistributionandwastewater collectiondepartment.

Learnmoreandapplyataquatera.ca/careers

TWOTWELVECONSULTING-HRCONSULTANT

Learnmoreandapplyat https://www.careers-page.com/theagency212/job/93R957R4

INDOORELEMENTSMECHANICAL-

PLUMBER

Learnmoreandapplyat https://www.careers-page.com/theagency212/job/RYV64V7R

MembershipServicesManager(full-time)

ServicesManagerisresponsibleforMembershipSales,MemberRetention, AdvertisingSales,EventSponsorshipandDigitalSignSalesfortheGrande Prairie&DistrictChamberofCommerce.

Formoreinformation: https://ca.indeed.com/viewjob? jk=c4127f7c833a3b81&from=shareddesktop_copy

WorkforceDevelopment&Attraction–WorkNWAlberta Location

TheProjectManagerwillbeinstrumentalinadvancingthePartnership’smulti-year strategy,providingcoordinationacrosspartners,overseeingdeliverablesand budgets,andtrackingperformanceoutcomestoensureprojectsuccess.

Formoreinformation: https://ca.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=10ef439fe825a5b9&from=shareddesktop_copy

Federal consultation opportunities

TheGovernmentofCanadaisseekinginputonthe followingtopics.Yourparticipationintheseconsultations willhelpguidedecision-makingandensurethatthe needsandprioritiesofCanadiansarereflected.

DrivingEffectiveCarbonMarketsinCanadaby January30th

TheFutureofRuralCanadabyFebruary6th

2026-2029DraftFederalSustainableDevelopment StrategybyMay12th

ProposedAmendmentstotheSingle-UsePlastics

ProhibitionRegulationsbyFebruary28th

NextAgriculturalPolicyFrameworkbyDecember 2027

Alberta expands water act exemptions

Farmers and ranchers can now fill dugouts up to 7,500 m³foragriculturaluse,helpingprotectoperationsfrom drought. New rules also allow wetlands, communities, andbusinessestocaptureandusemorelocalwater

Learnmore

Alberta breaks housing records

Albertadeliveredover53,000housingstartsin2025, leadingCanadainper-capitahousingconstruction andboostingrentalsupply,loweringrentprices.This alignswiththeAlbertaChambersofCommerce“A PathwaytoFixingHousingAffordabilityCrisisin Alberta"policy,supportingmorehomes,rental options,andlong-termaffordabilityforAlbertans.

Learnmore

U.S. Investment Opportunity –Calgary | February 12

RegistrationisopenfortheSelectUSAWestern CanadaConference2026,thelargestin-person U.S.investmenteventeverheldinWestern Canada.Canadiancompaniescanmeetone-ononeinCalgarywithU.S.EconomicDevelopment Organizationsfrom10statestoexploreU.S. expansionopportunities.Registrationisfree,with limitedspotsavailable.

Register

Learnmore

Canada–China Reset Triggers New U.S. Tariff Threats

Canada’snewtariffarrangementwithChinaisalreadyreshaping theCanada–U.S.file,withPresidentTrumpwarninghecould impose100%tariffsonCanadianexportstotheU.S.ifOttawa’s ChinaengagementbecomesabackdoorrouteintotheAmerican marketforChinesegoods.PrimeMinisterCarneyhasresponded bystressingCanada’scompliancewithUSMCAcommitmentson non-marketeconomyagreementsandemphasizingthattheChina packageisatargetedresolutionofspecifictariffdisputesrather thanabroaderfreetradepivot.Theepisodehighlightsthetight politicalandlegalspaceCanadaisoperatinginasitseeksto stabilizeaccessforkeyexporterswhileavoidingfurtherescalation withWashingtonamidavolatiletariffenvironment.

Thestakesareparticularlyhighforagriculture,whereCanada’s partialreliefonChinesedutiesdoesnoteliminateunderlying exposureinthetwomarketsthatmattermost.Newanalysis underscoresthatCanadiancanolaremainsheavilyconcentrated inChinaandtheU.S.,leavingproducersvulnerabletosudden policyshiftsoneitherside.EvenwithimprovedtermsfromBeijing oncanola,continuedrelianceontheU.S.marketforcanolaoiland onChinaforseedkeepsthesectorsensitivetorenewedtrade frictionandreinforcestheurgencyofbuildingmoreresilienttrade andprocessingcapacityathomewhileCanadanavigatesan increasinglycontestedNorthAmericantradelandscape.

Our

Statement on Canada’s Ongoing Trade Discussions

Overtheweekend,theU.S.Administrationthreatened100% tariffsonCanadianimportsifCanadamakesatradedealwith China.“Nobusinesscansurviveforeverwithonecustomer,” saidMatthewHolmes,ChiefofPublicPolicy,inastatement. “Ourglobaleconomyischanging.”

ReadtheStatement

EVEN MORE RESOURCES

Join Us: EDA Training is in Grande Prairie on Feb. 20 - 3 InPerson Courses in 1 Day

FollowingtheGrowingtheNorthConferenceinGrandePrairienextmonth,theEconomicDevelopersAlberta(EDA)teamisofferingthreeinpersoncoursesthroughtheEDAinstitute.

Friday,February20

9AM-3PM

EvergreenPark 55051TownshipRd710 GrandePrairie,AB

YoudonotneedtoattendtheGrowingtheNorthConferencetoregisterforourtraining.

Whetheryou'reaneconomicdevelopmentprofessional,inelectedoffice,orinanyleadershiproleinyourcommunity,thisisastrongopportunity tobuildpracticalskillsthatdirectlysupporteffectivecommunityleadership.

Lunchisincludedinthese1-daytrainingsessionsandyou’llearncreditstowardyourCommunityEconomicDevelopment(CED)Certificate.

EconomicDevelopmentforElectedOfficials

Gainthetoolselectedleadersneedtochampioneconomicdevelopmentintheircommunitiesandunderstandtheirpivotalroleinempowering localeconomicsuccess.

EOCourseRegisterHere

Fundamentals

ofRuralEconomicDevelopment

Explorewhatmakesruraldevelopmentunique,tacklecommonruralchallenges,anduncoverpracticalstrategies. REDCourseRegisterHere

(FREE!)MentalWell-BeingforCommunityLeaders

FeaturingJolieWills,founderofHumminglyandagloballyrecognizedexpertinleadershipunderpressure.Withoveradecadeofexperience translatingthescienceofhowthemindworksinhigh-stressenvironmentsandpost-disastersettings,Joliebringspractical,research-based toolstohelpcommunityleadersnavigatetoday’scomplexchallenges.

Thisisanexceptionalopportunity.

MWCourseRegisterHere

Payworks for Grande Prairie & District Chamber of Commerce

Payworks is a leading expert in the field of total workforcemanagementsolutions, providing innovative cloud-based solutions for Payroll, Human Resources, Employee Time and Absence Management to businesses across the country.

As a proudly Canadian company serving businesses from coast to coast for more than 25 years, we understand what it takes to be an employer in Canada. We’re deeply committed not only to your success, but also to the communities we call home. 98% of clients who choose Payworks choose to stay. Here’s why…

We simplify year-endprocessing, electronically submitting tax form information to CRA/RQ on your behalf when authorized by the processing deadline.

Our ROE Manager tool makes processing a breeze, and ROEs are submitted directly to Service Canada on your behalf.

You can automate vacation pay entitlements and benefits enrolment after the employee probationary period.

No more data re-entry: our workforce management solutions for time tracking, scheduling, absenteeism, and HR functions are fully integrated.

User-defined fieldsandautomation empower you to shape the application to your specific requirements.

Payworks' Self Service App provides easy access for your employees to receive pay statements, tax forms, and more from their mobile device.

You call, we answer: all clients are assigned a dedicated, National Payroll Institute-trained service representative for unlimited, one-toone service.

Federal and provincial tax remittances are done for you.

*All prices aresubjectto change without notice asperthe terms of your service agreement. ^$12 per employee with a minimum implementation (setup) fee of $240.

¹ Price does not include Year-End archive fee of $34.95, charged once per year if Year-End is processed. Pricing in effect until April 30, 2026

Contact Madi Stevens

Phone: 780.902.8074

Email: madi.stevens@payworks.ca

Grande Prairie, Alberta

Grande Prairie introduces microgrant to support youth

The City of Grande Prairie is launching a new Youth Economic Empowerment Microgrant to help youth and young adults access opportunities that support theiremploymentorskilldevelopmentgoals.

TheMicrograntprovidesmeaningfulsupporttoresidents aged 15 to 30 who are taking steps toward their future. It offersupto$750perindividualtohelpcovercostssuchas safety training, professional certification courses, workwear and the tools or equipment needed for employment. Many young people face financial hurdles thatcanslowtheirprogress,andthissupporthelpsmake essentialtrainingandequipmentmoreaccessible.

Theonlineapplicationisavailableat cityofgp.com/YouthEconomicEmpowerment

Residents invited to help shape local programs and services

TheCityofGrandePrairieisinvitingresidents tohelpshapethefutureoflocalprogramsand servicesthatsupportfamilies,seniors,youth andoverallcommunitywellbeingbytaking partinanewroundofengagementsessions thisJanuary.

Lastyear,residentssharedtheirexperiences, ideasandconcernsaboutthesocialissues andresourcesthatshapetheirdailylives throughtheCommunitySupportsand ServicesSurvey.Theinsightoffereda meaningfullookatwhatstrengthens wellbeinginGrandePrairieandwhereadded supportcouldmakeadifference.

International acquisition as a strategic growth avenue

Does acquiring a business abroad make sense for your business? This article will guide you through this decision and give you tips on how to improve your chances of success.

Read article

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