February 10, 2025

The Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce respectfully acknowledges that we conduct business on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of hupačasatḥ and c̓išaaʔatḥ.

The Voice of Business

We are the voice of business in the Alberni Valley, advocating for local entrepreneurs, start-ups, established companies, and everything in between. As a membership-driven organization, we are dedicated to enhancing the business climate in the region. Through networking, education, funding opportunities and advocacy, we provide the tools and resources businesses need to thrive in a dynamic and evolving market.

Chamber Week Events

We have exciting learning and networking opportunities. Whether you're a business owner looking to enhance community safety, safeguard your finances, or strengthen your leadership skills, these upcoming events are designed to empower and inform.

Mark your calendar, secure your spot, and help us spread the word—share these valuable sessions with your colleagues, clients, and networks!

Check out the details below and register today to join the conversation. ⬇️

Chamber Breakfast

Community Safety

Feb 12

An important conversation on crime prevention, community policing, and Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) with Mary Clare Massicotte, Manager of Community Safety & Social Development and Dave Cusson, Manager of Community Policing.

Learn how the City of Port Alberni is prioritizing safety and what businesses can do to create a more secure community.

Feb 12 | 8:00 AM

Best Western Plus Barclay Hotel

Ticket Sales Close Monday Feb 10 end of Day

Info Session

Fraud Prevention

Feb 13

An informative session with representatives from the Bank of Canada and the RCMP at the Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Centre. Learn about financial safety, fraud prevention, and how to protect yourself from scams. This in-person event is a great opportunity to ask questions and interact with experts in the field. Don't miss out on this valuable free training!

Feb 13 | 9:30 AM

Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Centre

Workshop

Volunteer Management

Feb 18

Volunteers are the backbone of many organizations. Ensuring they are well-supported, motivated, and effectively managed is key to organizational success. Join us for a 3.5-hour workshop designed to provide practical strategies and tools for recruiting, training, and retaining volunteers facilitated by Theresa Kingston.

Feb 18 | 1:00 PM

Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Centre

Welcome Our New Chamber Members!

We’re thrilled to welcome these incredible businesses to the Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce network. They are already making waves in our region, and we encourage you to:

1. Follow Them on Social Media: A simple click can help their reach grow and connect them to new audiences.
2. Visit Their Website: Learn more about their products or services.
3. Spread the Word: Share their page or recommend them to a friend or colleague.

Port Alberni Community Action Team

Christina Brack & Nina Kossenko

Port Alberni Community Action Team (CAT) is a community-led initiative in response to the overdose crisis. Harm Reduction, Stigma Reduction, Building a network of addiction and mental health support and addressing social factors related to substance use.

www.ptalbcat.org

V9Y Culinary Services Inc.

Megan York

Whether you're hosting an event, seeking culinary expertise, or simply desiring an exquisite meal, V9Y Culinary Services bring a touch of culinary magic to every experience.

www.v9yculinary.com

Introducing Our New 'Start-Up' Membership Tier!

Are you a new business, a business under new ownership, or an established business that has never joined the Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce? Now is your chance to access all the incredible benefits of Chamber membership at a special introductory rate!



Who Qualifies?

• New businesses of any size or licensing status.
• Established businesses that have never been members.
• Businesses under new ownership where the new owner has never held AVCC membership.

Alberni Valley Perks Program

Exclusive Pilot Opportunity

The Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce is launching the Alberni Valley Perks Program, a new initiative aimed at enhancing visitor experiences while boosting local businesses!

As operators of the Port Alberni Information Centre, we’re inviting Chamber members to participate in a free 4-week pilot program to test this exciting opportunity.

How It Works:

When visitors seek recommendations at the Visitor Centre, they’ll receive a Perks Pass—a special offer from a participating business (e.g., “Buy One, Get One Free” at a café). As part of the pilot, we’ll print 50 Perks Passes for each business, track redemptions, and gather feedback to refine the program for a full launch.

Limited Spots Available!

Only 10 businesses can join this exclusive pilot, accepted on a first-come, first-served basis exclusively to Chamber Members in good standing.

How to Apply:

Provide your business name, contact details, offer details, restrictions, promotion period, and logo. Don’t miss this chance to boost your business and connect with visitors!

Imposition of U.S. Tariffs on Canadian Goods

The U.S. has delayed tariffs on Canada, but uncertainty remains. These tariffs could drive up costs, threaten jobs, and destabilize businesses in the Alberni Valley.

The Chamber is collecting impact statements to advocate directly with policymakers. If your business will be affected, contact us today—your voice matters in this fight.

We need to hear from you. Businesses can submit their experiences by contacting the Jolleen at the Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce via email jolleen@albernichamber.ca or phone 250-724-6535.

Government Resources

Provincial

• B.C. provides economic assessment of Trump's tariff threat
• New cabinet committee will protect B.C.'s economy from tariff threat
• Premier announces immediate response, vows to defend B.C. against Trump tariffs

Federal

• Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks with premiers on the Canada-U.S. relationship

and internal trade

• First Ministers' statement on the Canada-United States relationship
• Government of Canada launches weekly briefings with industry stakeholders on

Canada-U.S. economic relationship

• Government of Canada announces next steps in its response plan to unjustified U.S.

tariffs

• List of products from the United States subject to 25 per cent tariffs effective February

4, 2025

• Canada announces $155B tariff package in response to unjustified U.S. tariffs
• Canada's response to U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods
• Prime Minister Trudeau provides update follwing Feb 3. call with President Trump
• Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks with premiers on the Canada-U.S. relationship and economic prosperity

Business Resources

• BDC: Resources for businesses impacted by potential U.S. tariffs
• BDC: The impact of potential tariffs: How to get your business ready
• CANADIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: Canada-U.S. Trade Tracker
• CFIB: U.S. Tariffs: What They Mean to Your Business

The Coastal Economies App allows you to explore and visualize economic data at both local and regional levels for Vancouver Island, Sunshine Coast, and the islands and inlet communities from the Salish Sea to Cape Caution.

The App helps residents, economic development officers, and local and First Nation governments to understand the impact of economic changes and industry transitions in their community.

This tool is designed to be user-friendly, featuring drop-down menus, printable graphics, and easy comparisons. It also allows for the download of raw data for custom analysis.

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce Canada-U.S. Trade Tracker is now live!

This interactive tool reveals:

• $3.6B in goods crossing the border daily.
• A $1.3 trillion annual trade relationship.
• 2.3M Canadian jobs tied to U.S. trade—and vice versa!

With potential risks from emerging tariffs, such as GDP losses and higher consumer costs, this tracker is a must-see for policymakers and business leaders alike.