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Chamber Connection Vol 41 (Feb 25)

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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

TUE, MAR 03 | 2:00PM

TOP HAT APPLIANCE

Ribbon Cutting - Top Hat Appliance

JoinusaswecelebrateTopHatAppliance andtheopeningoftheirnewlocationin GrandePrairie.

TopHatApplianceprovidesreliable appliancerepair,installation,and maintenanceservicestohomesand businessesthroughoutGrandePrairieand thesurroundingarea.Withareputationfor knowledgeabletechnicians,responsive service,andacommitmenttocustomer satisfaction,theyhavebecomeatrusted resourcewithinourcommunity.

11810 - 105 Street

Grande Prairie, AB, T8V 8G7

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!

Alberta makes historic investment in doctors

Thelargestinvestmentinphysicianfundingwill strengthenaccesstocareandsupportthehealth systemprioritiesofAlbertans.

Ifpassed,Budget2026willmakearecordinvestmentof$7.7 billionin2026-27,$1.4billionor22percentmorethanBudget 2025,inphysicianrecruitment,training,compensationand development.Familyphysicianscaringforpatientswith chronicconditions,surgeonsperforminglife-saving proceduresandspecialistphysiciansplayacriticalrolein caringforAlbertans.Thisinvestmenthelpsensurethe provincecanmeetthatdemandwithtimely,high-quality careincommunitiesacrossAlberta.

ThisrecordinvestmentbuildsonAlberta’songoingeffortsto supportphysiciansandthecaretheyprovide.In2025,the governmentlaunchedanewprimarycarephysician compensationmodel.

Alberta invests $64M to support non-profits and community projects

Alberta’sgovernmentinvested$64 millionoverthepastyear

throughtheCommunityFacility EnhancementProgram(CFEP)and CommunityInitiativesProgram(CIP)to supportnon-profitsdeliveringservices, upgradingfacilities,andstrengthening communities.

Since2019,morethan5,700grantshave helpedorganizationscreatelocal economicandsocialimpactacrossthe province.

Learnmore

Raising the bar for online gambling safety

OnlinegamingsitesinAlberta’s regulatedmarketwillneedtomeet thehigheststandardsfor responsiblegambling.

TheAlbertaiGamingCorporation(AiGC) ispartneringwiththeResponsible GamblingCouncil(RGC)toensureall iGamingsitesinAlbertacompletea mandatorysocialresponsibility accreditationprogramcalled ResponsibleGamblingcheck(RG Check).

LearnMore

Fundable: What Lenders and Investors Look For

You’vebuiltsomethingreal.Nowyouneedcapitaltotakeit further—butthebankkeepsaskingforinformationyouweren’t expecting,theprocessfeelslikeablackbox,andyou’renotsure ifyou’reevenaskingfortherightamountintherightway.

Thissessionisforyou.

RegisterToday

Entrepreneur Forum For Newcomers in Alberta

BusinessLinkAlbertainvitesnewcomersinEdmontontoa full-dayforumdesignedtosupportindividualsexploring entrepreneurship,self-employment,andsmallbusiness ownershipinAlberta.

Thiswelcomingeventwillprovidepracticallearningsessions, directconnectionstocommunityresources,andopportunities tomeetorganizationsthatsupportnewcomerentrepreneurs

RegisterToday

Why Entrepreneurs Stay Stuck (And How to Move Forward)

You’re talented. You work hard. So why does running a business sometimes feel like you’re making it up as you go?

If business has been feeling inconsistent, exhausting, or harderthanitshouldbe,thissessionisforyou.

RegisterToday

Growing the North 2026

GrowingtheNorth2026–Whata Week!

GrowingtheNorth2026deliveredonceagain.It wasfantastictoseesomanyleaders, businesses,andcommunitypartnerscome togethertotalkaboutthefutureofNorthern Alberta

Frommeaningfulconversationstonew connectionsandapackedroomofengaged attendees,theenergythroughoutthe conferencewasapowerfulreminderofthe strengthofourregion.

We’reproudtobeanorganizationalpartnerin thiseventandtoworkalongsideotherswhoare committedtobuildingopportunityacrossthe North.

Missedit—orwanttoreliveit?Keepaneyeon theofficialGrowingtheNorthsocialmedia pagesforphotosandhighlights.

Here’stoanevenbigger2027!

2026

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

ChampionGym

BorealisFuels&Logistics

GrandePrairieAutoRepairLtd

Aaron&Katrina’sNoFrills

PlatinumChemicalSolutionsInc

RevolutionTurbochargers

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

TOP HAT APPLIANCE

Joined:December01,2025

We’re pleased to welcome Lori Russell and Top Hat Appliance to our Chamber network! We look forward to seeing this trusted local business continue to grow and serve our regionalcommunity.

The Article

Joined:January13,2026

We’reexcitedtowelcomeJesseBoily andTheArticleMagazine.toour Chambernetwork!Welookforwardto seeingthispublicationcontinuetogrow andcontributetoourregionalbusiness community.

TheJobBoard

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

EngineeringCoopStudent–SummerPlacement

AquateraishiringanEngineeringCoopStudent–SummerPlacementas partofthetechnicalservicesteam.Thispositioncompletesfeasibilityand conceptualengineeringstudies,supportsoperationsonmaintenanceand repairprojects,andmaintainsAquatera’sengineeringsystemsand standards.

Learnmoreandapplyatwww.aquatera.ca/who-we-are/join-our-team

HumanResourcesGeneralist

AquateraishiringaHumanResourcesGeneralistresponsiblefordelivering consistent,accurate,andcompliantHRservicesacrosstheemployeelifecycle. Thisroleservesasaprimarypointofcontactforemployeesandleadersondayto-dayHRmattersandsupportstheeffectiveadministrationofHRprograms, policies,andprocesses.

Learnmoreandapplyatwww.aquatera.ca/who-we-are/join-our-team

Journeyman–Millwright,HeavyDutyMechanic,or Plumber

Aquateraishiringaskilledjourneymanmillwright,heavydutymechanic,or plumbertosupportthemaintenance,repair,andoptimizationofourwaterand wastewatertreatmentfacilities.Thisroleisessentialinensuringour equipmentandsystemsoperatesafely,reliably,andefficiently.

Learnmoreandapplyat www.aquatera.ca/who-we-are/join-our-team

Water/WastewaterTreatmentOperator–LevelIII

AquateraishiringaWater/WastewaterTreatmentOperator–LevelIII.This positionofferstheopportunitytogaindirectresponsiblechargeexperiencein bothwaterandwastewateroperations,aswellasexposuretoour cogenerationplant,whichutilizesmethanegasfromoursolidwastefacility.

Learnmoreandapplyatwww.aquatera.ca/who-we-are/join-our-team

SeniorAccountant

Aquateraishiringasenioraccountantandplaysakeyroleinmanaging Aquatera’sdailyaccountingfunctions,includingjournalentries, reconciliations,andfinancialanalysis.Thispositionsupportsthepreparation offinancialstatements,internalandexternalaudits,budgeting,forecasting, andthemonitoringofinternalcontrols.

Learnmoreandapplyatwww.aquatera.ca/who-we-are/join-our-team

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

StatisticsCanadaishiring

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

Learnmoreandapplyat census.gc.ca/jobs

DistributionandCollectionOperationsManager

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

Learnmoreandapplyat aquatera.ca/careers

Provincial budget 2026

Alberta’sBudget2026willbereleasedonFebruary26th. Itcomesatatimeoffiscalpressurefromlowerresource revenues,risingprogramdemands,andglobaleconomic uncertainty,withprioritiesinformedbypublic engagementacrosstheprovince.

Learnmore

BusinessPulse:ShareyourperspectiveonAlberta'skey issues

New tech to power Alberta's energy future

Albertaisinvesting$28millionthroughtheTIERprogram andEmissionsReductionAlbertatosupportsixprojects usingnewtechnologiestoimproveenergyand agriculturaloperations.Theprojectsaimtoturnfarm wasteintoenergy,restorewellsites,reducemethane emissions,andincreaseefficiency.

ThisinvestmentalignswithACC’sadvocacyonStrikinga BalanceBetweenaHealthyEconomyandLowCarbon EmissionsandPromotingtheOilSandsastheWorld’s MostESGResponsibleOilSource,supportingpathways toeconomicgrowthandemissionsreduction.

Learnmore

Built in Alberta to protect Albertans

AlbertahascontractedfiveDeHavillandCanadair DHC-515waterbomberstostrengthenwildfire response.Arrivingbyspring2031,thenewaircraftaim toenhancerapidwildfiresuppressionandreadiness, whilesupportingskilledjobsinAlberta'saerospace sector.

Learnmore ACCBusinessResiliency

PrairiesCan invests in Alberta's defence industry

PrairiesCanisinvestingover$6.5millionthrough theRegionalDefenceInvestmentInitiativeto supportAlbertacompaniesinexpandingadvanced manufacturinganddefencetechnologies.The projectsaimtostrengthenCanada’sdefence supplychainsandcreateandsustainmorethan 145skilledjobsintheEdmontonregion.

Learnmore

For businesses seeking more insights and tools:

A Seed of Hope from the Canada–China Agreement

narecentop-ed,ourPresidentandCEO,CandaceLaing,shares herpersonalperspectiveontheCanada–Chinatradeagreement andwhyitmeanssomuchtoCanadianfarmersandproducers.

ReadtheOp-Ed

Our Statement on the End of the Electric Vehicle Mandate

Lastweek,thefederalgovernmentrepealedtheEVmandateand announcedtheElectricVehicleAffordabilityProgramthatwill providerebatestoCanadianswhobuyelectricandplug-inhybrid EVs.“Amoreflexible,market-responsivestrategyiscriticalfor attractinginvestment,supportingjobsandincentivizing manufacturersoperatinginCanada,”saidourChiefofPublic Policy,MatthewHolmes,inresponsetotheannouncement.

ReadOurStatement

Our Statement on the U.S. Administration’s Threat to Block the Opening of the Gordie Howe Bridge

“Thepathforwardisn’tdeconstructingestablishedtrade corridors;it’sactuallybuildingbridges,”saidCandaceLaing,our PresidentandCEO,inastatementrespondingtoMonday's threatbytheU.S.Administrationtopreventtheplanned openingoftheGordieHoweBridgelaterthisyear.

ReadOurStatement

EVEN MORE RESOURCES

Top Digital Marketing Trends and Predictions for 2026

Amidsttechnologicalprogress,onethingremainsthesame:peopleareconstantlylookingforanswers,solutions, products,andconnections.And,today,theydothisbysearching,streaming,scrolling,andshopping.

ThisishappeningatanimmensescaleonGoogleplatforms.AccordingtoasurveywithIpsos,83%ofglobal consumersreportusingGoogleand/orYouTubeonadailybasis,whichissignificantlyhigherthananyotheronline platforms.BecauseGooglehasthisactivityatascalenooneelsedoes,GoogleAIhasanunparalleledabilityto understandcustomerintent.

Withthatinmind,explorethetopdigitalmarketingtrendsandpredictionsfor2026fromGooglevisionarieswhocan helpyoushowupinthemomentsthatmatter.

LearnMore

9 retail marketing strategies to drive growth

Fromdoingmarketresearchtobuildingyouronlinestoreandsettingupyoursocialchannels,you’veworkedhard tolaunchyourretailbusiness.Nowworkingsmartcanhelpyougrow.Withtherightretailmarketingstrategy,you cangetmorecustomerstodiscoveryourstore,keepexistingonescomingbackanddrivemoresales.

Whetheryouownaclothingstorewithmultiplelocationsorsellhomegoods,thisguidebreaksdownwhatyouneed toknowabouthowtoimplementaretailbusinessmarketingstrategythatwilldriveresults.

LearnMore

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

Help shape internet improvements in Grande Prairie with the City’s new Fibre Gap Analysis Project

TheCityofGrandePrairie,throughInvestGrandePrairie, haslaunchedtheFibreGapAnalysisProjectinpartnership withtheCanadianInternetRegistrationAuthority(CIRA)to betterunderstandlocalinternetservicelevelsandidentify areasforimprovement.

“TheFibreGapAnalysisProjectreflectsourcommitment tounderstandinglocalserviceneedsandensuringGrande Prairieremainswell-connectedforthefuture,”saysMayor JackieClayton.“Weencourageallourlocalresidentsand businessestotakepartinthequickonlinetesttosupport reliable,high-qualityinternetwhichisessentialtosupport ourgrowingcommunity,attractnewinvestmentandenable innovation.”

WorkingwithCIRA’sInternetPerformanceTestprogram, theprojectwillcollectreal-worlddataoninternetspeed, reliabilityandconsistencyacrossthecity.

Learnmore

Exhibitors invited for Youth Career Discovery Expo

TheCityofGrandePrairieisinvitinglocal businesses,educatorsandcommunity organizationstotakepartintheYouthCareer DiscoveryExpoonThursday,May7,2026,at BonnettsEnergyCentre.

TheYouthCareerDiscoveryExpoconnects teensandyoungadultsaged14to30with employersandtrainingorganizationsfrom acrosstheregion.Throughouttheday,young peoplewillhavetheopportunitytoexplore careerpathways,learnabouteducationand trainingopportunitiesandspeakdirectlywith professionalsaboutwhatworkingindifferent industrieslookslike.

LearnMore

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