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Chamber Connection Vol 46 (Apr 01)

Page 1


Grande Prairie, Alberta

TUE, APR 14 | 10:00AM Ribbon Cutting - Carl's Jr.

CARL’S

- 76 Ave

JointheGrandePrairie&DistrictChamberof Commerceaswecelebratenewownershipat Carl’sJr.GrandePrairiewithanofficial RibbonCuttingCeremony—anda meaningfulcommunityfundraiserinsupport oftheKidneyFoundationNorthernAlberta& TheTerritories.

Thisspecialeventisanopportunitytomeet thenewlocalowners,connectwithfellow ChamberMembersandcommunityleaders, andwelcomeCarl’sJr.intoitsnextchapterin GrandePrairie.Guestswillenjoynetworking, photoopportunities,andawarmcommunity atmosphereaswemarkthisexciting milestone.

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!

Electoral Boundaries Commission Presents its Final Report

OverthepasteightyearssincethelastEBCreport,Alberta hasseenextensivegrowthandchangesinitssocial makeup,”saidJusticeDallasK.Miller,Chairofthe2025-26 ElectoralBoundariesCommission.

“Theyear-longreviewofAlberta’selectoralboundarieswas undertakenasrequiredbylawandtwonewconstituencies havebeenrecommended.Iwanttothankthethousandsof Albertanswhoprovidedtheirfeedbackthroughbothoral presentationsandwrittensubmissions.Thishelpedthe Commissiongreatlyduringthisentireprocess.”

SinceitsestablishmentonMarch28,2025,theCommission heldmorethan30publichearingsacrosstheprovince,both in-personandonline.Theyalsoreceivednearly2,000written submissions.

TheCommissionsubmitteditsfinalreporttotheSpeakerof theLegislativeAssemblythismorning.Toaccessthereport, visitassembly.ab.caorabebc.ca.

Reducing barriers to interprovincial trade

Newlegislationwouldenablethe implementationoftheCanadian MutualRecognitionAgreementon theSaleofGoods,reducing interprovincialtradebarriers.

Ifpassed,Bill21,theInterprovincial TradeMutualRecognitionActwouldcut unnecessaryredtapeandlowercosts forbusinesseswhileimprovingaccess totheeverydaygoodsandservices

Albertansneedbycreatingthelegal frameworktoimplementtheCanadian MutualRecognitionAgreementonthe SaleofGoods

ReadMore

Alberta to streamline major project approvals

Topreventunnecessarydelays, Alberta’sgovernmentwillbring forwardlegislationthat,ifpassed, willseta120-dayapprovaltimeline formajorprojects.

Majorprojectsareonthehorizonthat willsupportAlbertainreachingitsgoals ofdoublingoilandgasproductionby 2035andincreasingmarketaccess.

LearnMore

Building an Online Presence? Learn How to Protect Your Ideas.

JoinusnextweekonThursday,April2at12p.m.forapractical sessiononpromotingyourbusinessonlinewhileprotectingyour ideas,brand,andcontent.Learnaboutdifferenttypesof intellectualproperty,commonrisksonsocialmedia,andhowto safeguardwhatmakesyourbusinessunique.LedbyCaroline Lefebvre,anIPAdvisorfromtheCanadianIntellectualProperty Office,thissessionwillhelpyoutakeamorestrategicapproach tosharingyourbusinessonline.

RegisterToday

Making These Marketing Mistakes? Learn How to Improve Your Strategy.

Manynewbusinessesfacesimilarmarketingchallenges, especiallywhentimeandresourcesarelimited.Thisarticle explorescommonobstaclessuchastryingtoappealto everyone,prioritizingtacticswithoutaclearstrategy, investinginadstooearly,andoverlookingperformance tracking.Explorethefullblogformoreguidance,orconnect withaBusinessLinkAlbertastrategisttoday.

ReadNow

Thinking About Incorporating Your Business? Start with The Basics.

Thisguideoutlineskeyconsiderationsbeforeincorporating, includingwhetheritistherighttimeforyourbusiness,the differencesbetweenprovincialandfederalincorporation,andthe essentialinformationyouwillneedtoprepare.Italsocoversthe keystepsintheprocess,fromchoosingabusinessnameand preparingyourArticlesofIncorporationtofilingyourapplication andunderstandingongoingresponsibilities.Readthefullguide belowtolearnmore.

ReadMore.

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

Youth Employer Survey

The City of Grande Prairie is working with the community to strengthen pathways to employment for young people by connecting youth with employers and training opportunities. This work is supported through the Government of Canada’s Youth Employment and Skills Strategy (YESS), administered through the Tamarack Institute.

As part of this initiative, the City is gathering input from employers to better understand workforce needs, entrylevel opportunities, and challenges related to youth employment. The information collected will help inform future workforce initiatives and support efforts to strengthenyouthpathwaysintomeaningfulemploymentin ourregion. Contact:youth@cityofgp.com

CHAMBER MEMBER SHOUTOUT

Please

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

Alberta Residential Landlord Association (ARLA)

Joined:March11,2026

We’repleasedtowelcomeDonnaMonkhouse andtheAlbertaResidentialLandlord Association(ARLA)toourChambernetwork! Welookforwardtoseeingthisvitalorganization continuetogrow,advocate,andservehousing providersacrossourcommunity.

The

Article

Joined:January13,2026

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

TheJobBoard

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

KitchenStaff,FrontCounterTeam,DeliveryDriversExpressPizza+Donair

Wewantmotivated,positive,high-energypeoplewhoshowupreadyto workandbringgoodvibestotheteam.Ifyou’rereliable,fastonyour feetandlovebeingpartofsomethinggrowing—thisisyourshot.

Family-owned.Community-driven.Bigflavour.Bigopportunity.

Sendyourresumeto: grandeprairie@expresspizzaplusdonair.ca

Labourer-TemporaryFullTime

Aquateraisrecruitingatemporarylabourerforourwaterdistribution andwastewatercollectiondepartmentinGrandePrairie.Thisjobisfor physicallyactivepeoplewhogetagreatdealofsatisfactionfromdoing thejobrighteverytime.

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

ULTRASOUNDTECHNOLOGIST-PeaceDiagnostic Imaging

Learnmoreandapplyat https://www.careers-page.com/theagency212/job/3WRV7V68

OFFICEMANAGER-ConfidentialEmployer

Learnmoreandapplyat https://www.careers-page.com/theagency212/job/3WRV636V

BarrNoneMechanical:HeavyDutyMechanics

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

INDOORELEMENTSMECHANICAL-PLUMBER

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

HR&PAYROLLADMINISTRATOR-RoskaDBOInc

Learnmoreandapplyat https://www.careers-page.com/theagency212/job/93R585X6

RoyalLePagePropertyManagement:Finance Administrator

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

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

Alberta promotes responsible energy and market access at CERAWeek

PremierDanielleSmithandMinisterBrianJeanattended CERAWeek2026topositionAlbertaasareliableand responsibleenergysupplieringlobalmarkets.Theymet withinternationalleadersandreinforcedAlberta’srolein NorthAmericanenergysecurity,globalsupplychains, andexpandingmarketaccess.

ThisalignswiththeAlbertaChambersofCommerce’s policytopositiontheoilsandsastheworld’smostESGresponsibleoilsource,supportingcompetitivenessand accesstoglobalmarkets.

Learnmore

Alberta to streamline major project approvals

Alberta’sgovernmentwillintroducelegislationto establisha120-dayapprovaltimelineformajorprojects, aimingtoreducedelays,improvecoordination,and providegreatercertaintyforinvestment.Indigenous consultationandenvironmentalprotectionswillremain integral,astheprovinceworkstoenhance competitivenessandsupportenergydevelopment.

Learnmore

Federal Trade Diversification

Corridors Fund: applications open

ThefederalTradeDiversificationCorridorsFund aimstobuildandimproveCanada’strade infrastructure—roads,rail,airports,ports,andmore— toreducecongestion,strengthenregional connections,andexpandaccesstoglobalmarkets. Applicationsareopenacrossthreestreams:Core TradeCorridors(invitation-based),Connectivity Solutions(targetedcall),andRegionalGrowth(open call).

Learnmore Applicantguide

Reducing interprovincial trade barriers

AlbertahasintroducedBill21:InterprovincialTrade MutualRecognitionAct,whichaimstoreduceredtape andenablemutualrecognitionofgoodsacross provinces,improvingmarketaccessandstrengthening domesticsupplychains. ThisalignswithAlbertaChambersofCommerce prioritiestoenhanceinterprovincialcollaboration, regulatoryalignment,andtradeefficiency.

Learnmore

For businesses seeking more insights and tools:

Legal Rulings and Renewed Talks Reshape the CUSMA Negotiation Environment

TheCanada–U.S.tradeenvironmentcontinuestobeshapedby shiftingU.S.tarifftoolsandunevenprogresstowardCUSMA negotiations.FollowingtheU.S.SupremeCourt’sdecisiontostrike downkeytariffs,theU.S.administrationhasmovedquicklyto rebuilditstradeleveragethroughnewglobaldutiesandan expandingsetofSection301investigations,nowincludingCanada. Atthesametime,U.S.officialshavesignaledthattariffswillremain astructuralfeatureofanyfutureagreement,reinforcingamore transactionalapproachtomarketaccess.Whilesomepoliticaland judicialpushbackintheUnitedStateshasemerged,including rulingsenablingtariffrefundsandongoingcongressionalscrutiny, sector-specificdutiesonCanadiansteel,autosandothergoods remainfirmlyinplace,sustaininguncertaintyforcross-border industries.

Canada’s Economy Kicks Off 2026 on Decent Footing

TheCanadianeconomyisstartingtoshowsomesignsoflifein early2026.NewGDPdata,releasedtoday,isshowinga reboundinoilandgas,alongwithsolidmomentuminresidential construction,whichisgivingusafewpocketsofoptimism.But accordingtoourPrincipalEconomist,AndrewDiCapua,it’snot allgoodnews.

ReadtheCommentary

Our Reaction to the New EI Board of Appeal to Launch on April 1

Thegovernmentisfollowingthroughonitscommitmentto improvetheEmploymentInsuranceappealsprocessby launchingthenewEIBoardofAppeal.

“TheCanadianChamberofCommercewelcomesthereturnto atripartitemodelthatbringsemployerandworkerperspectives directlyintodecision-making,”saidourPresidentandCEO, CandaceLaing,inastatementoriginallyincludedinthe GovernmentofCanada’sofficialpressrelease.

EVEN MORE RESOURCES

Greenview Residents are Invited!

LET’STALK!JoinusforawelcomingOpenHousewhereresidentscanconnectdirectlywithourInfrastructure &Engineering,Planning,andEconomicDevelopmentteams–askquestions,shareyourthoughts,andhelp shapeourcommunity’sfuture.Wearelookingforwardtoproductiveconversations.

ReadMore

Supporting women entrepreneurs through the Maïa movement

WearealsopleasedtointroduceMaïa,anationalmovementdesignedtotransformhowwomenentrepreneurs accessopportunities,markets,andnetworks,andtoannounceourendorsementoftheMaïaDeclarationof Principles.

Maïabringstogetherentrepreneurs,organizations,institutions,anddecision-makersaroundasharedambition: placingwomenentrepreneursandthehumandimensionattheheartoftheeconomy.Whilewomen-ledbusinesses arekeydriversofinnovationandgrowth,theycontinuetofacestructuralbarrierstofinancing,markets,and influentialnetworks.Maïawascreatedtoaddressthesegapsthroughcollectiveactionandlong-termsystemic change

Formoreinformation,visitMaïatoday!

Better Workplace Conference 2026

JoinusvirtuallyonApril22–23,2026,forthe29thannualBetterWorkplaceConference.Thisyear’stheme, WellbeingasaStrategy:YourRoadmapforSuccess,exploreshoworganizationscanturnwellbeingintoadriverof resilienceandperformance.

Designedforleadersnavigatingburnout,rapidchange,andevolvingworkplacedemands,theeventdelivers research-driveninsights,practicaltools,andmeaningfulpeerconnections.

Registertoday.

Where you live shouldn’t determine your power bill

Agrowingcoalitionofresidents,businesses,organizations, andmunicipalitiesacrossAlberta,theFairElectricity DistributionAlliance(FEDA),israisingawarenessabout theunfairelectricitydistributionratesexperiencedbymany Albertans.

Rightnow,residents,businesses,andmunicipalitiesin northern,east-centralandsouthernAlbertapay significantlyhigherelectricitydistributioncoststhanthe restoftheprovince.Householdspayanaverageof$118a month,comparedtoabout$34innon-impactedservice areas.Formanybusinesses,distributionfeescanbenearly threetimesashighasinotherserviceareas.

Whereyouliveshouldn’tdetermineyourpowerbill.Thisis anissueoffairness;thedisparityinelectricitycostsis puttingimpactedcommunitiesatadisadvantage.

ReadFullArticle

Business Support Opportunity — Vandalism Recovery & Prevention Grant

TheCityofGrandePrairiehasapproveda VandalismRecoveryandPreventionGrant PilotProgramfor2026tohelplocal businessesrecoverfromvandalismand investinpreventativemeasuresthatreduce repeatincidents.

Theprogramprovidesupto50% reimbursementofeligiblecosts(toa maximumof$5,000perbusinessperyear)for expensessuchaswindowrepairs,security cameras,lighting,anti-graffiticoatingsand otherpreventionmeasures.

Applicationsarenowopen.

Fulldetails,eligibilityinformationandthe applicationformareavailableat: cityofgp.com/vandalismrecovery

Easter Brunch Sat. April 4

Easter Brunch Sun. April 5

Turkey Take-Out Sat. April 4

Easter Dinner Sat. April 4

Easter Dinner Sun. April 5

Turkey Take-Out Sun. April 5

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Chamber Connection Vol 46 (Apr 01) by GrandePrairieChamberofCommerce - Issuu