GREATER VICTORIA CHAMBER
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Chamber History

Our History, Greater Victoria's business history

PictureRobert Burnaby was the first president of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce in 1863.
In September 1861, a group of prominent business leaders formed a steering committee aimed at establishing the Victoria Chamber of Commerce, which would go on to spawn the B.C. Chamber of Commerce and Trade.

The Victoria Chamber of Commerce was officially founded on Feb. 9, 1863 with a mandate for "everything south of the Malahat."

Early board members met daily and began working immediately on behalf of its members to encourage gold escorts from the mines to do business in the banking and shipping centre that was Victoria.

The Chamber rebranded as the Victoria Board of Trade from 1878 to 1920. During that time, The Chamber helped establish the New Westminster and Vancouver Boards of Trade.

In 1920, The Chamber's name reverted to the Victoria Chamber of Commerce.
​
In 1967, in recognition of our regional membership and approach, The Chamber adopted the present nomenclature, the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce. 


(Reference: The Twentieth-Century History of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce, by Peter Morgan Locke)


Celebrating The Chamber's Centennial — in 1963


The Chamber 150 Year Celebrations

150th Tree Planting Ceremony

Legacy Tree Planting

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The Legacy Tree Planting project connected The Chamber’s past, present and future, through the planting of 150 native trees and the placements of a plaque along community trails throughout Greater Victoria, including the Selkirk Trans Canada Pavilion, Atkins, the Switch Bridge, and on Mt Newton.

"The location of these trees is particularly significant, as the Galloping Goose trail was built along the very railway trestles that The Chamber lobbied for in 1885," said Darlene Hollstein, Chair of The Chamber. ​

​This project was supported through the donation of labour and maintenance by the Capital Regional District.




Community Celebrations

150th Anniversary Community Celebration
The Celebrations took place in historic Centennial Square, and featured artistic/heritage performances. Community partners, such as the Victoria Police, the Victoria Fire Department and various others, provided family friendly activities and many long-standing Chamber members participated in the square with market tents.

Historic Walking Tours took place during the day giving attendees the opportunity to learn about our community’s rich heritage.
​
For pictures from the event - click here
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CHAMBER PARTNERS

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​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
Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce
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  • Membership
    • Why Join?
    • Job Board
    • Member to Member Offers
    • Benefits, Discounts & Savings >
      • Chamber Store
    • Chamber Local
    • 1863 Impact Award
    • Questions & Answers
    • Join Now
    • Member Login
  • Member Directory
  • Events
    • Signature Events >
      • Annual Auction
      • Business Awards
      • Business Hall of Fame
      • Business Leaders Series
    • Event Calendar >
      • Chamber Events
      • Community Events
    • Event Photos 2023
    • Sponsorship
  • News & Advocacy
    • Weekly BizNews >
      • BizNews-articles
    • Advocacy / Wins for Business >
      • Advocacy Wins
      • Business Property Taxes
      • Advocacy Priorities
    • Chamber Chats
    • In the News >
      • Published Op-Eds
      • Media Releases
    • Non-market housing
    • Find and keep workers
    • Business Matters Magazine
    • COVID-19
  • About Us
    • Emerge >
      • Emerge Events
      • Emerge Mentorship
      • Emerge Connect
    • Staff Directory
    • Board & Governance >
      • Governors
      • By-Laws, Plans & Reports
      • Committees
    • Chamber History
    • Partners & Sponsors
    • About Victoria >
      • Starting a Business
      • Moving Here
      • Visiting Victoria, BC
    • Contact Us