Chamber Connection Vol 52 (May 27) by GrandePrairieChamberofCommerce

FRI, JUN 12 | 4:30PM

KNOBLAUCH & ASSOCIATES

Ribbon Cutting - Knoblauch & Associates

Celebrateadecadeofdedicationas Knoblauch&Associates–Co-operatorsmarks their10thAnniversarywithaRibbonCutting. Overthepasttenyears,they’vebuilta reputationforpersonalizedservice,trusted relationships,andastrongcommitmenttothe localcommunity.

Joinfellowmembersandcommunityleadersin recognizingthismilestone,connectingwith theirteam,andcelebratingthesuccessofa businessthatcontinuestogrowandevolve whilestayingrootedinserviceandtrust.

PRES Day #1

PRES2026OpenswithStrongMomentum

Day1ofthe2026PeaceRegionEnergyShow gotofftoastrongstart,withabusyshow floor,impressiveequipmentdisplays,anda widerangeofbusinessesshowcasingthe products,services,andinnovationthat continuetodrivetheenergysectorforwardin ourregion.

Itwasgreattoseesomanyexhibitors, attendees,andindustryprofessionals connectingthroughouttheday,whilethe launchofournewSpeakerCorneradded evenmorevaluetotheexperience.

Aspecialthankyoutotheorganizations andspeakerswhohelpedkickoffthis newfeature,includingPembina, NorthwesternPolytechnic,Dr.Heather Exner-Pirot,Enserva,CAPP,Keyera, TARAEnergyServices,andOvintiv.

Day1highlightedthestrengthofthe industry,thevalueofbringingpeople together,andthecontinuedmomentum behindoneofNorthernAlberta’smost importantenergyevents.

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!

PRES DAY 2

Day 2 Builds on Energy, Insight, and Industry Engagement

Day 2 of the 2026 Peace Region Energy Show carried that momentum forward with another strong day of exhibitor engagement, networking, and valuable industry conversation across the show floor.

Speaker Corner continued to draw interest as attendees heard more from leaders and organizations helping shape the future of the sector. Day 2 also featured the return of the Student Project, which gave youth the opportunity to experience the show firsthand, connect with exhibitors, and gain insight into the many career paths and opportunities within the energy industry. A special thank you to Ovintiv for supporting this important initiative.

We are also grateful to all of our sponsors, exhibitors, speakers, and attendees for helping make PRES 2026 such a strong and successful event. Their support continues to play an important role in bringing this show to life and strengthening industry connection across our region.

Canada-Alberta Workforce Resilience Initiative

Shiftingglobaltradeenvironmentsarecreatinguncertainty andhighercostsforAlbertabusinesses,makingitharderfor themtoplan,invest,andkeeptheirworkforcestableduring unpredictableconditions.TheGovernmentofAlberta,in partnershipwiththeGovernmentofCanada,islaunching initiativesacrossmultipleministriesasaresponsetotrade andtariffimpacts.

Jobs,Economy,TradeandImmigration(JETI)ispleasedto announcetheCanada-AlbertaWorkforceResilienceInitiative.This initiativeprovidesfinancialsupporttoeligibleorganizationsfor buildingaresilientworkforcethroughthefollowingtwostreams:

1.WorkforcePlanning-supportssectorsandcommunitiesto developstrategiesforworkforcetransitionsand transformations.

2.Employer-ledTraining–supportsemployersandindustry associationsoperatinginshiftingglobaltradeenvironmentsto trainimpactedemployees.

Visitalberta.ca/WorkforceResiliencetolearnmoreaboutthe Canada-AlbertaWorkforceResilienceInitiativeandregisterforan onlineinformationsessiononMay28,2026.

New cabinet members focused on what matters

PremierDanielleSmithhasmade changestocabinettocontinue deliveringontheprioritiesthat mattermosttoAlbertans.

. Theupdatedcabinetincludesboth experiencedandnewlyappointed ministerswhowillcontinuedeliveringon theprioritiesthatmattermostto Albertans,includinggrowingthe economy,strengtheningfront-line services,keepingcommunitiessafeand supportingAlbertafamilies.

LearnMore

Investing in a resilient workforce

ThegovernmentsofAlbertaand Canadaareinvesting$68.5million overthreeyearstostrengthenthe workforceandconnectatleast7,800 workerstoin-demandjobs.

InpartnershipwiththeGovernmentof Canada,Alberta’sgovernmentis expandingskillstrainingand employmentsupportstohelpworkers amidglobalmarketshifts.

LearnMore

Small Business Loans: What to Know Before Applying

Gettingabusinessloancanfeeloverwhelming,buttheright preparationcanmaketheprocesseasier.Learnaboutcommon financingoptionsinAlberta,whatlenderstypicallylookfor,and howtoorganizeyournumbers,documents,andfundingrequests beforeapplying.Readmoreandconnectwithourteamforfree one-on-onesupporttoday.

ContinueReading

Are You Choosing the Right Places to Sell Your Products?

Localmarketsandcommunityeventsoffersmallbusiness ownersapracticalwaytoconnectwithcustomers,test products,andbuildbrandawarenessinrealtime.By participatingintherightevents,youcangathervaluable feedback,strengthenrelationships,andcreateopportunitiesfor futuresalesbothinpersonandonline.Learnhowtochoosethe rightmarketsandmakethemostofeachevent.Readtheblog togetstartedandfindopportunitiesyoucanapplyto.

Ready to Grow? Build a Side Hustle That Can Scale

Explorewhatittakestomovefromapassionprojecttoascalable businesslearnhowtobuildsystemsthatsupportgrowth,and discoverhowtoavoidburnoutwhilemanagingmultiplepriorities. JoinusonThursday,May28at12p.m.forawebinarwithJoshua Littlejohn,Founder&CEOofNorgress,forpracticalguidanceand actionablestepstohelpyoustopguessingandstartgrowing.

RegisterToday

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 SHOUTOUT

Please Welcome Our New Chamber Members Month : May

SwanCityRoadhouse

WendelClark’sClassicGrillandBar

APPLESchools

BatonRougeGrillhouse&Bar

AcquaCucinaItalianRestaurant

GSLConstruction

STATSolutionServicesInc

Check out our new Chamber Milestone Magazine for an in-depth look at the months milestone members and their stories!

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

Change Ave

Joined:April29,2026

We’repleasedtowelcomeNataliaandChange AvetoourChambernetwork!Welookforward toseeingthisbusinesscontinuetogrowand serveourcommunity..

Grande Prairie Photography Club

Joined:April20,2026

We’reexcitedtowelcomeAngie PattersonandtheGrandePrairie PhotographyClubtoourChamber network!Welookforwardtoseeingthis organizationcontinuetogrowand contributetoourregionalbusiness 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

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

CHIEFADMINISTRATIVEOFFICER-TOWNOFSPIRIT RIVER

Learnmoreandapplyat https://www.careers-page.com/theagency212/job/5WRVW665

ULTRASOUNDTECHNOLOGIST-PeaceDiagnostic Imaging

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

Chamber Connection

2026 Alberta Referendum

AnewwebsitehaslaunchedtoprovideAlbertanswith informationontheprovincialreferendumtakingplace onOctober19.Informationisnowavailableonline regardingtheupcomingprovince-widereferendumon keyimmigrationandconstitutionalquestions.

Learnmore AlbertaReferendum

Retail Sales Defy Expectations, but Spending May Be Running Out of Gas

Retailsalespostedanotherstrongmonthofnominal sales,growing0.9%inMarch.Theheadlinegainwas drivenbygasolinestationsandfuelvendors,where salesjumped12.4%inMarchashighergasolineprices werefeltacrossthecountry.Thoughinvolumeterms, salesfell1.9%,meaninghouseholdspaidmorebut boughtlessfuel.

OurPrincipalEconomist,AndrewDiCapua,saysthat Canadianconsumersshowedsomeresilienceinthe firstquarter,butthekeyquestionishowlongthis resiliencecanlastashighergasolineprices increasinglyshowupinhouseholdbudgets.

ReadtheCommentary

Workforce training and employment supports

AlbertaandCanadaareinvesting$68.5million throughtheCanada–AlbertaWorkforceTariff Responsetosupportworkersandemployers impactedbyglobaltradeshifts.Theinitiativewill supportmorethan7,800workersbyprovidingaccess toskillstrainingandemploymentservices.

Learnmore TheWorkforceTariffResponse

Oilsands mine water management engagements

Albertansareinvitedtoparticipateinaseriesof2026 engagementstohelpinformfuturepolicyonoilsands minewaterandtailingsmanagement.Theprocesswill bringtogetherIndigenouscommunities,industry,and stakeholderstosupportscience-basedapproachesand provideinputonreuse,treatment,monitoring,and reclamationpractices.

Learnmore

Our Response to the Implementation Agreement Between the Governments of Canada and Alberta

OnFriday,theGovernmentofCanadaandtheGovernmentof AlbertaannouncedthatCanadaandAlbertahavereacheda landmarkImplementationAgreementtodeliverontheshared commitmentsoutlinedintheMOUthatwassignedinNovember 2025.

“Today’shistoricagreementputspoliticsasideforprogress,”said CandaceLaing,ourPresidentandCEO,inastatement.

ReadtheStatement

2026 consultation on immigration levels

TheGovernmentofCanadaisseekinginputonitsupcoming 2027–2029ImmigrationLevelsPlan,withafocusonaligning immigrationlevelswithlabourmarketneeds,keysectors,and communitiesacrossthecountry.Stakeholdersareinvitedto sharetheirperspectivesthroughanonlinesurveybyJune14, 2026.

Shareyourviews

Preparing students for an AI future

Alberta’sgovernmentislaunchinganexpertpanelofpostsecondaryandindustryleaderstoassesshowartificial intelligenceisbeingintegratedintopost-secondaryeducation. Thepanelwillexploreopportunitiestobetteraligngraduate skillswithworkforceneedsandproviderecommendationsto helppreparestudentsforsuccess.

Learnmore TalentDevelopmentTaskforce

EVEN MORE RESOURCES

Wonder Valley Project Open House hosted by AIM Land Services

Theopenhouseisintendedtoprovidelocalstakeholders,IndigenousRightsholdersandresidentswithan opportunitytolearnmoreabouttheproject,askquestions,andsharefeedbackandperspectiveswiththeproject team.Wevaluecommunityinputandencouragelocalresidentstoattendandparticipateinthediscussion.For additionalinformationandprojectupdates,[…]

County of Grande Prairie Business Support Network (BSN): Employee Supports Session.

JoinusonJune9fortheCountyofGrandePrairieBusinessSupportNetwork(BSN):EmployeeSupportsSession. Thisopennetworkingandlearningsessionwelcomesemployers,HRprofessionals,andcommunitypartners.

Thissessionbringstogetherbusinessowners,supportorganizations,andcommunityleaderstoexplorepractical solutionsforworkforcechallenges.Whetheryou’relookingtostrengthenrecruitment,improveretention,oraccess trainingandsupportprograms,thisisyouropportunitytoconnectandlearnwhat’savailableacrosstheregion.

Registrationdeadline:June4,2026

Registerhere:https://forms.countygp.ab.ca/Public/EDO/BSN-Event-Signups/County-BSN-June-9th-Lunch

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

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