Dozens of community members gathered to launch Small Business Week on Thursday, October 15th.
The Olds & District Chamber of Commerce held the breakfast event at the Pomeroy Inn & Suites. The Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC)’s Small Business Week officially stretches from October 19-25 for 2026.
As one of the guest speakers, Tara Sawyer – the MLA for Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills and Alberta’s Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation – brought a message of thanks to the local business community. She says “I touched on a little bit of understanding that with some of the trade and tariff issues that could be potentially impacting them. I wanted to highlight where they could go in the portal that we have created to get some of that, but my biggest piece was about appreciation for the importance of them and what their entrepreneurial spirit brings to the community and the Town of Olds.”
She hopes to see strong voter turnout on Monday for Alberta’s Referendum Election Day. Sawyer says “in any of the conversations I have had with anybody who has called or asked me some questions, my point to them has been the importance is we want to hear from all Albertans. So I think it is important for everybody to come out and vote. We still have the advanced polls this week. I’ve encouraged a lot of people to take advantage of the advanced polls but it is my hope, it is an important day, and that is why we have put that time and energy into encouraging everyone to get out.”
Also speaking at the breakfast were Owner Katrina Kerr from Ladybug Studio and Co-Owner Shaun Waite from A Gallery of Floors.
The 2026 Business Awards Gala is coming up next Thursday (October 22nd) at the Olds Legion and tickets are available on the Olds Chamber’s website.
