News Releases
Provincial Budget Brings Mixed Blessings to Capital
February 17, 2009
The Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce is over all satisfied with the provincial budget of 2009.
“We were pleased that the size of the deficit is smaller than we had anticipated,” states Bruce Carter, chamber CEO “A deficit of $495 million in 09 and $245 million in 2010 means that a recovery in a few years time is likely on track.”
“The good points in the budget include a 200 million dollar increase in operating spending to advanced education, which will help support our knowledge based economy,” says Carter. The increase in operating funding combined with significant capital investment in our universities and colleges will benefit the entire province. And the continued focus on the Provincial Nominee program forecasting 3400 placements in 2009 will position us well in the post recession economy.
The BC Government will not impose a hiring freeze as the labour shortage is expected to continue. “This forecast of continued strong employment in the capital is encouraging,” says Carter. “On the other hand a 23% in contracted professional services will notably affect the Greater Victoria consulting industry.”
There have been appreciable cuts to the majority of ministries. “We were surprised the cuts were so deep in the tourism ministry (32%) given the important goal of doubling provincial tourism revenue. We are hopeful this funding will be restored and ideally increased when economic recovery begins,” states Carter.
The Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce has approximately 1500 members and is the voice of business for the Greater Victoria region. The Greater Victoria Chamber has received Accreditation with Distinction from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce.
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For more information contact:
Shannon Renault
Manager Policy Development & Communications
Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce
Tel: (250) 383 7191 Ext 208 Cell (250) 812-0510
Email: srenault@gvcc.org |
Bruce Carter
Chief Executive Officer
Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce
Tel: (250) 383 7191 Ext 201
Email: bcarter@gvcc.org |
News Releases - 2010
Chamber Supports Borrowing for Replacing Blue Bridge (August 05, 2010)
Have Your Say on Municipal Taxes (July 06, 2010)
Past Chair of Local Chamber Moves up to Provincial Role (June 02, 2010)
Annual Report Shows Why We're A Natural Place for Innovation (June 02, 2010)
Business Vote a Part of Democratic Process (May 26, 2010)
$23 Million Cost to Victoria if Marina Prevented (May 12, 2010)
Chamber Celebrates Outstanding Performance at Chamber Awards (April 29, 2010)
City's Pace on Tax Reduction too Slow (April 08, 2010)
Greater Victoria Medals for Cost of Doing Business (March 30, 2010)
21 Billion Blooms in 2010 (March 05, 2010)
Budget 2010 Brings Few Surprises (March 02, 2010)
Asia Pacific and Digital Investments Good for Victoria (March 02, 2010)
Flower Count Takes Flight at the Airport on Thursday (February 24, 2010)
Prodigy Group Launches New Website to Engage Members (February 09, 2010)
Conference Board Sees Growth in Greater Victoria (January 27, 2010)
Report Confirms Victoria Needs to Focus on Crime Reduction (January 14, 2010)
News Releases - 2009 
New Publcation Showcases Greater Victoria to the World (December 03, 2009)
Win for the Region on HST Mitigation (November 19, 2009)
Letter of Support for Bill C-304 (November 16, 2009)
Olympians, Kids, and Prodigy members raise funds for The Y Partners with Youth Campaign (October 27, 2009)
Victoria Chamber Calls on Government to Mitigate HST Impacts in 2010 Budget (October 07, 2009)
Victoria Chamber Priorities Win National Support at Canadian Chamber (October 05, 2009)
Victoria Chamber Employee Wins National Recognition! (October 03, 2009)
GVDA Gets More Lift with Airport Authority Funding (September 30, 2009)
Consumer HST Mitigation Good for Small Business (September 01, 2009)
Chamber Focuses on HST Mitigation for Victoria’s Economy (August 25, 2009)
New Publication Showcases Greater Victoria to the World (July 14, 2009)
Greater Victoria Named Top Micro City of the Future (July 08, 2009)
Chamber Calls for City to Provide Business Certainty (June 29, 2009)
Annual Report Shows Why We’re A Natural Place to do Business (May 05, 2009)
Parties State Positions on Local Issues (April 27, 2009)
Chamber Celebrates Outstanding Performance at Chamber Awards (April 21, 2009)
Regional Economic Summit Brings Call to Action (April 07, 2009)
Sasha Angus leads Vancouver Island Economic Alliance (April 06, 2009)
Mooring Dolphins a Good Investment of Government Dollars (March 30, 2009)
Infrastructure Announcement for Ogden Point a Win for the Region (March 30, 2009)
Victoria Leads 2009 Flower Count (March 23, 2009)
Alex Campbell Wins Lifetime Achievement Award (February 24, 2009)
Greater Victoria Highlighted in Island Economic Study (February 23, 2009)
Provincial Budget Brings Mixed Blessings to Capital (February 17, 2009)
Budget Supports Competitiveness and Clean Technology (February 17, 2009)
Heritage Designation costs up to $1 Million (February 13, 2009)
New Partnership to Lead Victoria Flower Count (February 10, 2009)
Infrastructure Projects Should Build Future Capacity (February 04, 2009)
Chamber Assesses Federal Budget Impacts to the CRD (January 27, 2009)
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