edc@mhc.ab.ca This past summer I had the pleasure of working with a young new business owner, who completed a hemp and cannabis inventory for southeastern Alberta. Not only did she find that there is predicted to be about 1,000 new jobs in these industries, she also uncovered a fast growing industry with many opportunities for [...] Read More »

Our recent Canadian Chamber Conference hosted a Pollsters and Pundits panel with our pollster providing an in-depth analysis of the opinion polls and our pundit providing expert political analysis on what is impacting the voting decisions of Canadians. Polls showed that Canadians increasingly believe that the country is off on the wrong track with a [...] Read More »

Here’s a surprise. City and region are not pointing to local government taxes as their No. 1 issue. At least, that’s one impression gained from the first 160 responses to the BREWD business survey launched online last week supporting Business Retention, Expansion and Workforce Development. It will be interesting to see if that holds true [...] Read More »

edc@mhc.ab.ca This summer with fishing on the banks of the Elk River with my two teenage sons, I was asked if I think entrepreneurs are born or made. It’s a common question posed when people find out that I work with entrepreneurs of all sorts and ages. I would have liked to give a simple [...] Read More »

I’ve been struck in the last few weeks by the number of organizations seeking information from the community to help guide decisions and actions. Here at the college, we’ve launched a planning process that will shape what this organization does in the future. The first step we’re taking is looking outward at the region to [...] Read More »

In just a few short days Thanksgiving celebrations will be here. Many of you have already bought your turkey or ham or maybe even both in preparation for festive feasts throughout the weekend. This year our family has some extra special celebrating to do. It’s an event that is extremely rare and a truly amazing [...] Read More »

Yesterday, Sept. 23 at 1:50 a.m., began the first official day of fall. That makes today the first full day of fall, by a couple of hours but a complete day all the same. At that particular time there is an equinox which means the sun shines directly on the equator and there is an [...] Read More »

Days are shorter, leaves are beginning to change from green to bright yellow, orange and red and evening air is cooling down. Summer is slowly ebbing away. And a sure sign of summer starting to sign off? It’s the first full week of back to school. It’s time for back to routine, alarm clocks, bag [...] Read More »

Just a few short days until the September long weekend. And we all know what goes with the September long weekend – the start of another school year. For some families it might just be the beginning of their first child entering school. The excitement and apprehension about what’s to come over the next 13 [...] Read More »

I hope you are all continuing to enjoy our beautiful summer weather. My son Levi was home for a visit from Edmonton last week. They have had a lot of rain there and he was so happy to come down to our land of sunshine and warmth. He spent as much time as possible outside [...] Read More »

gslade@medicinehatnews.com@MHNGillianSlade We have just celebrated the Day of Older Persons and a comment in a press release from Premier Jason Kenney, struck a chord. “We have a responsibility to ensure their security, support their inclusion and show them our respect. I hope all Albertans will take time to celebrate the seniors in their lives.” You’ve [...] Read More »

info@docgiff.com A recent column argued that gun deaths in North America could only be stopped by following Singapore’s strict gun laws and severe penalties. This resulted in many responses now posted at docgiff.com/reader-mail-on-the-rule-of-law. They reveal an utter loathing by the public of politicians who are too weak-kneed to tackle this cancerous social problem that’s undermining [...] Read More »

gslade@medicinehatnews.com@MHNGillianSlade It certainly feels and looks as though winter has arrived.  Although we may still have comparatively warm days, the daylight hours are diminishing rapidly and for some people that can have a dramatic effect on their sense of well being. Anyone diagnosed with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) can identify. Even if you have not [...] Read More »

info@docgiff.com Months ago, I wrote a bracelet could be worn by those opposed to medical assistance in dying (MAID). The bracelet would protect those individuals, and the law’s restrictive, now seemingly unconstitutional, conditions could be relaxed for those who want access to MAID. I sent a letter and the column to every Member of Parliament [...] Read More »

info@docgiff.com Campaigning politicians in Canada and the U.S. are arguing for stricter gun laws to address the epidemic of gun deaths. I predict they will fail. Why? Because politicians consistently demonstrate they have not read history or studied psychology. Furthermore, it’s been my experience they do not have the intestinal fortitude to pass justifiable, tough-on-crime [...] Read More »

Did you ever wonder about that concrete foundation and couple of buildings located across the CPR spur from Medalta? National Porcelain was another of our industrial clay products industries located in the heart of the Historic Clay District. The recent passing of former manager Frank Weidel prompted me to remember my early employment there. National [...] Read More »

lscholly@pritchardandco.com If you are a business owner, you might reach a point with your company where you need to obtain financing from a financial institution, in order to purchase land or new equipment, provide cash flow for growth, or to remove some of your own cash investment. Whatever the reason, obtaining a commercial loan has [...] Read More »

praxis@praxismh.ca@PraxisMedHat Oh my what a busy week it has been. I was pretty fortunate to have a sneak peek at the activities being prepared for our upcoming Family Science Olympics on Oct. 26! I can absolutely guarantee that there will be fun and learning for all that come out to this annual free event. I [...] Read More »

Whether I am at home or away, when it is Sunday morning I nearly always find my way to church. I observe that everywhere I go the congregations are becoming smaller and older. That seems to be true in Shediac, N.B. and Penticton, B.C., in Saskatoon and Calgary. The world is changing and churches are [...] Read More »

Amanda.Poll@ahs.ca Small children are busy! They are gaining many new skills, and they feel more and more independent. They may be curious, want to explore the world around them, and can act without thinking. They overestimate what is in their control, and are often unaware of the consequences of their actions. This can lead to [...] Read More »

We affectionately name him Gib. Admittedly, it’s not a very original moniker for an adorable baby monkey on the little peninsula of Gibraltar. After all, Gib is the nickname of this seven-square-kilometre chunk of rock in the Mediterranean, which is an overseas territory of the U.K. dangling from the southernmost tip of Spain. And, by [...] Read More »

It’s an 18-kilometre drive up a winding mountain road and the anticipation builds through every turn in the road. Finally, Greywolf Golf Course appears at the top of the mountain at Panorama, B.C., and the adventure is about to begin. And what an adventure! The 20-year-old course, part of a cluster of terrific tracks in [...] Read More »

It’s the breakfast of champions on the Italian Riviera. A chunk of focaccia bread washed down with a glass of white wine launches the day with flair for dock workers and tradesmen as well as slightly hungover tourists. In the case of the tour group my wife and I are hiking with from Santa Margherita [...] Read More »

My summer road trip started in Tucson, Ariz, and ended in Las Vegas. During my two weeks plus trip I visited small out-of-the-way places like Gila Bend, Yuma, Needles, Bullhead City, Laughlin and Primm. Arriving in Tucson the temperature was a sizzling 42 C on July 17. What interested me the most during my stay [...] Read More »

The Okanagan Valley is hot – literally and figuratively. This little slice of paradise in British Columbia’s southern interior has ideal summer weather and an incredible to-do list. For instance, cycle the Okanagan Rail Trail along gleaming Kalamalka Lake in the north part of the valley, sip wine in the South Okanagan and forage and [...] Read More »