|
Today is Random Acts of Kindness Day! We all could use some extra positivity in our lives, and The Chamber would like to encourage you to make a positive impact wherever you go. Looking for ideas? Follow a few of these tips inspired by The Victoria Foundation:
0 Comments
 On Feb. 9, The Chamber officially turned 160 so we held a party and opened the doors for more than 300 friends. The evening event was appropriately held at the Royal BC Museum and featured exhibits highlighting the Chambers' past, present and future.
The Chamber was formed in the age of steamships and gold rushes when waves of new arrivals settled in the region seeking better lives for themselves and their families. “It’s a bit awe inspiring to know we’re carrying on a tradition of effective advocacy that dates back to 1863,” Chamber chair Kris Wirk said. The Chamber’s earliest efforts were to promote the region as a hub for culture, finance and shipping. It was a time for adventure as well as profound disruption. Many of those stories are included in The Chamber 1863 web project, a special endeavour that highlights the history of commerce and the many communities that contributed to the growth of commerce in our region. “It’s important to understand where you’ve been before you plan where you’re going. Looking back helps us move forward as we strive to be the region’s most diverse and influential business association,” Chamber CEO Bruce Williams said. As part of our forward planning, the Greater Victoria Chamber 1863 Impact Award was announced in November and will provide local post-secondary students a total of $160,000 to help build the next generation of skilled workers. Find out more at Victoriachamber.ca/impact-award. On Feb. 14, The Chamber facilitated a Zoom session with Paul Robinson of the Vancouver Island Transportation Corridor Coalition and Larry Stevenson, CEO of the Island Corridor Foundation.
Members of chambers from across Vancouver Island attended to listen and ask questions about the corridor's future. It's currently uncertain as a March 14 court-imposed deadline looms. In 2021, the BC Court of Appeals gave the federal and provincial governments 18 months to renew their commitment to improve the infrastructure required for rail. The deadline was triggered by a lawsuit launched by the Snaw-naw-as First Nation. They want to reclaim the land that runs through their territory, arguing the right-of-way granted by Canada in 1912 is no longer being used as intended. Island communities enjoyed rail service for more than 100 years, until it was suspended indefinitely in 2011. Since then, a vocal group of train enthusiasts, environmentalists and transportation planners have been calling for a modern passenger train that will reduce the number of cars and transport trucks on Island highways, cut greenhouse gas emissions and offer an alternative for commuters. Island communities have also lost inter city bus service creating yet another barrier to safe travel for people who can't access a vehicle. The Chamber has asked the Federal Government to subsidize a return of that service. There are a few fresh faces on the Victoria Regional Transit Commission. On Monday, the province appointed six new people to the commission:
The transit commission decides on fares, routes and service levels as well as distribution of its share of revenue raised from taxes on fuel and property. After hosting The Chamber's 160th celebration, the Royal BC Museum continues its work reinventing itself for the future. The Victoria landmark has long been an important anchor for tourism business that cater to the visitors attracted to our destination. The museum lobby is currently hosting the 17th annual Mammoth Sale, featuring props from former exhibits as well as merchandise from the gift store.
On Monday morning, the museum was the site of an inspirational moment as members of the Nuxalk people were on hand to receive a totem pole that was taken from its home near Bella Coola in 1912. The pole will make its way back to Nuxalk territory. "The museum is part of the fabric of Greater Victoria and many people feel strongly about what they want to see happen," Chamber CEO Bruce Williams said. "I'm fully confident in the work that museum staff are doing to modernize their facility, and The Chamber is excited about helping to ensure the museum continues to serve its important role in our region for generations to come." A transformative housing development is going to the City of Victoria for approvals this week. The proposal for Harris Green Village includes 1,500 suites and more than 100,000 square-feet of commercial and retail space.
The neighbourhood, adjacent to downtown Victoria, is considered an up-and-coming-area of the city. The proposal by Starlight Investments goes to Public Hearing on Feb. 9, for council to consider an amendment to the Official Community Plan and rezoning for 1045 Yates St. and the 900-block, as well as a development permit for Phase 1. "We know our region needs housing supply and this is a significant opportunity to create much needed rental homes in an area that has a lot of appeal," said Chamber CEO Bruce Williams, who is speaking at the hearing via video on behalf of the need for housing. When you're used to looking to the future, it can be a little awe-inspiring to look back and see how far we've come. On Thursday, Feb. 9, The Chamber celebrates our 160th anniversary with a special sold-out evening planned at the Royal BC Museum. The gathering is another great way for Chamber members to connect while discovering some of the fascinating stories that have shaped our region and our organization. It's the first of many opportunities planned throughout the year. Another way you can join in our celebration is with The Chamber 1863 web project, which takes a deep dive into the history of our organization and the many communities that contributed to the growth of trade and commerce in our region. It's a fascinating look at people who left a legacy, and a chance to better understand the struggles of those who overcame discriminatory social and political practices of the times. The site is live now, and is a living project that we anticipate will continue to grow as more information and content becomes available. Have a look at make sure to follow The Chamber's social platforms for ongoing updates on the project. Send your feedback to communications@victoriachamber.ca.  The tradition of a throne speech is a chance to embrace the pomp and ceremony of our form of government as well a chance to hear about the priorities are for legislators as they get back to work. The speech, delivered by Lieutenant Governor Janet Austin, promised help for British Columbians struggling with higher costs as well as plans to increase housing supply, improve health care and make communities safer. "I was at the speech and it was good to hear directly from our elected officials about how their priorities align with chamber members," Chamber CEO Bruce Williams said. "We'll keep working to make sure the voice of business is heard, and I'm looking forward to seeing the provincial budget when it comes out on Feb. 28." A few of the throne speech highlights included:
The Chamber's top advocacy priority for at least the last five years has focused on helping employers find and keep workers. It's a complex problem that affects many layers of our economy. Housing, child care and affordability are key and real progress is being made to find solutions.
However, everyone who cares about our region's long-term prosperity should be concerned about a proposal that could upend a cornerstone of Greater Victoria's economy. The province is being pitched a plan that could mean fewer public sector workers downtown, and potentially see jobs shipped out of our region. “The fact that people living anywhere in B.C. can apply for these jobs means that yes they can stay home and work that would create some prosperity in other places but it doesn’t help the circumstance here when the economy has largely been framed around government workers working downtown in office buildings,” Chamber CEO Bruce Williams told CHEK News. The Chamber is urging the province to consider the full implications the proposal would have on the stability of BC's capital city. Speaking to the Times Colonist, Williams said "there is a long-standing synergy" between many family-supporting businesses that have been built to service government workers. “The public sector is a cornerstone of our economy and communities depend on that stability,” Williams said in in the article. The Chamber is listening to our members about how their business could be impacted by this plan, which contrasts with federal government efforts to increase productivity in its workforce by having employees back in office more often. Share your thoughts with The Chamber at communications@victoriachamber.ca. With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, finding that perfect gift may seem like a daunting task.
Luckily, Chamber members are here to ensure you have a romantic day while supporting local businesses:
Does your business have a special Valentine’s Day offer that you would like to share with fellow Chamber members? Submit a General or Member to Member offer on The Chamber’s website here. More than ever, it’s important to show love and kindness to one another. Whether you’re spending the day with a special someone, or taking the opportunity to pamper yourself, The Chamber wishes you a happy Valentine’s Day! The Chamber supports the provincial government's effort to make National Truth and Reconciliation Day on Sept. 30 a statutory holiday.
"We know statutory holidays directly impact employers but, to their immense credit, chamber members have said they believe in honouring the resilience of Indigenous communities in the face of intergenerational trauma," Chamber CEO Bruce Williams said, noting the solemn tradition of wearing orange shirts on Sept. 30 has helped raise awareness of Indigenous issues. "Taking action on reconciliation is in everyone's best interest as we build a more inclusive economy." The province announced the proposed legislation yesterday, though many collective agreements in BC have recognized the federal holiday since 2021. Another tool for emergency service providers will help people feel safer downtown.
The Victoria Police Department and Island Health are working together to create a new team to help people in distress. The Co-Response Team will consist of a mental health professional and a police officer who will be available from 8 am to 8 pm, seven days a week. “These services provide rapid interventions, connect people with services and aim to reduce a person’s involvement with emergency health services, the criminal justice system and law enforcement,” Island Health Board Chair Leah Hollins said. The Chamber is a vocal advocate for safe communities, and we support efforts to address the root cause of these issues — mental health and addiction — that make people feel unsafe. ![Emma Stark [1875]](/uploads/1/0/6/0/106054273/editor/untitled-design-2023-02-02t091844-419.png?1675358710) Emma Stark [1875]. Image 989024010 Courtesy of Salt Spring Archives February marks Black History Month, and The Chamber strongly encourages everyone to learn more about the stories, struggles and accomplishments of Black Canadians.
Since the first Black pioneers arrived, Greater Victoria has benefited from countless Black entrepreneurs who've immigrated to Vancouver Island from the Canadian mainland, Africa, the Caribbean, and the rest of the world. Through their perseverance, creativity, and ambition, the Black community continues to play an important role in the business community of Greater Victoria. Individuals, such as Emma Stark, have achieved great things in their time. Emma Stark and her family arrived in Greater Victoria from the United States during the Cariboo Gold Rush. The family lived on Salt Spring Island before moving to Nanaimo. Emma would briefly return to Salt Spring Island before settling in Nanaimo to live with her father and receive an education. Eventually, Emma would pass on her knowledge and experiences to future generations. She became a school teacher and was hired in 1874 to teach at Cranberry-Cedar school. As the first Black teacher on Vancouver Island, Emma Stark led the way for future trades and business people. She was a trailblazer and an inspiration for Black women looking to enter the teaching profession. A health emergency that affects all segments of society resulted in 2,300 deaths in BC last year. As a response, the province formally announced that people will no longer face criminal charges for possessing a cumulative total of as much as 2.5 grams of opioids, cocaine, methamphetamine and MDMA for personal use. The substances are still illegal but police are no longer arresting drug users or seizing their supply. Instead, they will provide information on available social supports, health care and treatment options.
“By supporting British Columbia in this exemption to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, (the federal) government is providing the Province with the ability to help divert people away from the criminal justice system and toward the health and social services they need," federal Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health Carolyn Bennett said. Addiction and toxic drug deaths cause immeasurable damage to families and communities, and add huge costs to society. However, The Chamber is calling on the federal and provincial governments to do more to ensure treatment options are readily available. "We know that programs like Our Place Society's New Roads has a proven track record of helping people recover from addiction," Chamber CEO Bruce Williams said. "The therapeutic-community based model has some of the best outcomes of any treatment in the world. However, it needs support from government to ensure it can remain operational and increase intake. We have an opportunity to do more, and eventually recreate the success of New Roads at facilities across the province." Canada's economy continued to grow in November, although at an almost negligible rate of 0.1%, according to the latest report from Statistics Canada.
Many economists are calling for a brief recession this year as higher borrowing costs are starting to impact consumer spending and business investment. The Bank of Canada said that it expects inflation, currently about 6.3%, to return to its target rate of 2% later in 2023. That will enable the bank to lower interest rates and stimulate the economy with less risk of overheating. "Greater Victoria has traditionally fared better than many regions during recessions due to our large public sector." said Chamber CEO Bruce Williams, who also spoke to CHEK News about the need to consider broad implications before making quick decisions on future of public sector work. "Those workers are very important customers to many local businesses. They've created a synergy over many decades that can't take be taken granted. We need decision makers in government to understand how important it is to keep workers in Greater Victoria for the stability of BC's capital city." Sooke Mountain and Discovery Island Marine provincial parks could be included in treaties with the T’Sou-ke Nation and with the Songhees Nation, the province announced Monday.
"Treaties help everyone in BC by providing better clarity for First Nations and surrounding communities and will result in better social and economic opportunities for all communities in southern Vancouver Island,” BC's Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation Murray Rankin said. The move is part of ongoing negotiations with the Te’mexw Treaty Association, consisting of the T'Sou-ke and Songhees, as well as the Malahat Nation, and the Beecher Bay (SC’IA⁄NEW) and Snaw-Naw-As nations. Sooke Mountain Park is being considered as part of the T’Sou-ke Treaty, while Discovery Island Park is being considered as part of the Songhees Treaty. To learn more about how the Te’mexw treaties will create jobs, promote investment and economic development, build housing, support tourism and encourage investments in infrastructure, in-person open houses are planned for:
As expected, the Bank of Canada bumped up its policy interest rate by a quarter point while signalling no further moves are planned until the impact on the economy can be more fully assessed.
"Inflation is projected to come down significantly this year," a media release from the Bank stated. "Lower energy prices, improvements in global supply conditions, and the effects of higher interest rates on demand are expected to bring CPI inflation down to around 3% in the middle of this year and back to the 2% target in 2024." The Bank of Canada has hiked its rate eight times in less than a year. The moves have slowed business investment and dampened consumer confidence, adversely affecting most business sectors. "We've been checking in with our members during this time and I know it's been difficult for many people facing higher costs," Chamber CEO Bruce Williams said. "We're focused on supporting members as we can, helping them build resiliency in their organizations while calling for smart investments from government so that our regional economy can come back stronger than ever." Cruise ship season is tentatively set to begin April 11 with the arrival of 2,600 passengers aboard the Sapphire Princess. The year is shaping up well as the industry appears to have fully bounced back after the pandemic.
The Greater Victoria Harbour Authority anticipates 330 ship calls at the Victoria Cruise Terminal between April and October, with about 850,000 cruise passengers getting a taste of our destination. According to a survey, 53% of people who stopped in Victoria aboard a cruise ship said they would be back for another visit within five years. “GVHA is focused on sustainable growth that benefits the region. We understand that, along with many economic benefits to the community, cruise also presents some challenges. We want to make sure we address those challenges,” GVHA CEO Ian Robertson said in a news release. “Shore power is top priority, and we continue to work with the federal government to get that funding piece in place. It’s a modest investment to realize huge potential and impact, and time to finalize the funding and move this ahead.” Greater Victoria municipalities are currently sorting through their wish-lists of wants and "nice-to-haves" ahead of approving a final budget in the spring.
The Chamber is working to remind local governments in our region that it's never a sensible plan to burden businesses by unfairly raising taxes. "I speak with mayors around the region quite regularly, and they all understand the importance of supporting sustainable business growth," Chamber CEO Bruce Williams said. "However, there are always competing pressures to spend limited tax-dollars so it's important we use our voice to talk about the fundamental role that healthy businesses play in creating vital jobs and providing services that make our communities great places to live, work and play." Municipalities have until May 15 to adopt their annual tax rate bylaws. Share your thoughts on budget priorities for your local government by emailing communications@victoriachamber.ca. The Royal BC Museum is a major attraction in Greater Victoria that has been important to our region since its inception in 1886. The current building has been in place since 1968. Last year, plans to redevelop the site were stopped after a much publicized outcry. Since then, the RBCM has been rethinking its future.
A series of public engagement opportunities continues tomorrow with Dialogue Sessions in the afternoon and evening at the museum. "This is a chance to make sure we do it right. That the museum tells the many stories that reflect all of us who live here," Chamber CEO Bruce Williams said. "We can do much better at providing opportunities for First Nations to share their stories in their words. I encourage all chamber members to participate in the engagement process and show your support for keeping the museum in Greater Victoria." Join The Chamber for a discussion with the Vancouver Island Transportation Corridor Coalition and Island Corridor Foundation on the work done towards identifying the need for, and public interest in, reinstating Island Rail Service.
"The provincial government is quickly approaching a critical decision point and must provide an answer on the future of the Island corridor by March 14," said coalition representative Paul Robinson, noting that reinstating Island rail service could help the Island's tourism economy and get more vehicles off the roads. "VITCC believes that rail is, by far, the most equitable mode of ground-based transportation as there are no age, health, ability, income impediments, and no requirements for vehicle operator ownership, licensing, and associated expenses." The Chamber will be leading the discussion on rail as part of our role in The Island Chamber Advocacy Alliance, connecting business across the Island. This free, virtual event is open to members of Chambers across Vancouver Island. Island Corridor Foundation: Member since 2020 Before the pandemic, The Chamber was a leading voice calling for changes to the province's Employer Health Tax. A lot has happened since then, but the EHT remains a concern for businesses throughout BC.
And while The Chamber is a non-partisan organization, we welcome the announcement Jan. 25 by the BC Green Party proposing an increase to the EHT exemption threshold. The change would benefit businesses with payrolls between $500,000 and $1.5 million. It would also remove the disincentive for businesses that are growing or paying employers more and face being burdened by the EHT if they surpass $500,000. It's an idea that the chamber network has supported in the past, and one that deserves to be back in the conversation in 2023. A plan for the Bateman Foundation Gallery and the Maritime Museum of BC to swap spaces makes sense for both organizations. The idea is for the Bateman Gallery to set up a temporary exhibition space at 744 Douglas St., where the Maritime Museum currently resides.
The board chair of the Bateman Foundation, David Schneider, said the move will allow their organization to "re-imagine how we can connect people to nature through the power of art in a community-focused interactive space. It would also achieve a major goal of the Maritime Museum, which has had its eye on setting up in the CPR Steamship building. “We do want to get a toehold in the building,” Maritime Museum chair Jamie Webb told the Times Colonist. Webb added that he's hopeful BC's Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, which manages the Steamship Building, will agree to the plan and provide a "favourable lease" that lets the museum establish itself in the new location. Webb received good news yesterday when the estate of Cora Shaw donated $1 million to help secure the museum's long-term viability. Registration is open for Our Place Society's annual Coldest Night fundraising walkathon. Last year, about 800 people took part in the two walks held in Greater Victoria and raised $140,000 to help vulnerable people struggling with profound mental health, addiction and societal challenges.
Greater Victoria businesses are known for the compassion shown to our community, and The Chamber has long advocated for the fundamental importance of safe communities. “This year we have witnessed a surge of people spending their nights on our cold, damp streets,” Our Place executive director Julian Daly said. “And the community is asking what they can do to help. This walkathon is one of those ways.” Family-friendly walks will take place on Feb. 25 in downtown Victoria and at City Centre in Langford. One of the solutions for helping employers find and keep workers in Greater Victoria is to ensure there are homes for all income levels. A proven method to do that is non-market housing that provides homes for the people who help tourism and hospitality businesses operate at their full potential. Affordable rent is key, and helping non-profit organizations manage housing to create homes for workers is a practical way to keep our region's economy resilient and sustainable.
The province's recent creation of a $500 million Rental Protection Fund has the potential to help, by allowing non-profits to acquire affordable housing units facing market pressure to be redeveloped. "According to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation data, between 1991 and 2021, approximately 97,000 purpose-built rental units in B.C. were either redeveloped or converted to more expensive units." states the province's news release. |
Copyright © 2021 Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce. All rights reserved.
#100 – 852 Fort St., Victoria, BC V8W 1H8, Canada | Phone: (250) 383-7191 chamber@victoriachamber.ca | Site Map |
Notice a typo or broken link? Please let us know so we can fix it ASAP. Email communications@victoriachamber.ca