Get Active, Chamber Members!

The weather is perfect to enjoy our natural surroundings! What better way than to take a tour, rent a bike or gear up for an great adventure. Whatever your pace, I bet there's a Chamber Member ready to help you enjoy The Oceanside Area!

Q2- 2023 Canadian Survey on Business Conditions (CSBC) Is Now Available Along with a New Tool

Canada Opens New Economic Immigration Streams for Skilled Refugees and Other Displaced People

Refugees and other displaced individuals are forced to restart their lives when they flee their home country. Starting from scratch upon arrival in a new country should not be expected particularly when it comes to acquiring skills, training, experience and education.

Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Sean Fraser recently announced that Canada has launched two new Economic Mobility Pathways (EMPP). Candidates can also continue to apply through existing regional EMPP economic pathways.

These new immigration streams provide Canadian employers with the opportunity to access a talent pool of skilled refugees and other displaced people from around the world.

Of the two new streams announced, one is tailored to candidates who have a job offer from a Canadian employer and the second is available to highly skilled refugees without job offers.

To Learn more click HERE

PQB PODCAST OF THE WEEK

Award winning Celtic Musicians, Cassie and Maggie MacDonald

TODAY IN B.C.: East Coast duo have a West Coast connection

• BY: PETER MCCULLY

Cameron Bluffs Fire & Phased Reopening of Hwy 4

June 19, 2023 - Cameron Bluffs Fire - Highway 4 Closure / Planned Reopening

B.C. Wildfire Service is responding to a wildfire of note within the Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) at the Cameron Bluffs, in Electoral Area F, between Cathedral Grove / McMillan Provincial Park and Koen Road. The wildfire status is listed as being under control.

Check DriveBC for current Highway 4 updates as the road is currently closed. A phased reopening is planned and is on track to start the weekend of June 24 - 25.

Thanks to the Parksville & District Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Centre, Qualicum Beach Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Centre, and to all our stakeholders for assisting visitors whose travel plans have been impacted and will continue to be impacted until the situation is fully resolved.

Qualicum Beach Time Capsule:

Presented by the Qualicum Beach Museum

GRAD WEEK!

Hi Everyone! Grad week is coming up and there are lots of things going on to celebrate our 2023 Graduating Class.

Just for fun, here is an old picture from the 1973 Graduating Class versus the 2023 Graduating Class. Does anyone recognize anybody from the 1973 image? Let me know!

Here is the the itinerary for the next few days. Some are open to the public so have a look!

This Saturday June 24:

3:30-4PM: Grad Parade: grads in their finery and cars drive from old fire hall to Civic Centre. (See map below)

This is a public event!

4-5PM: Red Carpet ceremony in front of Civic Centre.

Public Event

5PM-12AM Dry Grad.

Private Event

Sunday June 25:

Pancake breakfast at Rotary Park.

Private Event

Thursday June 29: 

commencement at KSS, grads receive their diplomas. Tickets required - these are given to each grad student to dispense.

What's New at the Career Centre?!?!

As we don’t want you to miss out on anything that’s happening at the Centre, check here weekly!

PATHWAY TO TRADES – FREE Training for Youth – in Parksville!

Do you know of a 16-29 year old who is interested in the electrical and carpentry trades? If so, send them our way!

Pathway To Trades is a 12 week program providing FREE training and PAID work experience for youth.

Trades Exploration will be delivered in partnership with Vancouver Island University right here in Parksville! Participants will also earn industry recognized certifications including Occupational First Aid Level 1, WHMIS, Fall Protection, Confined Space Training and more.

Info Sessions are taking place in June with a program start date of July 17th.

For eligibility and to learn more, check out our website.

Call 250.248.3205 to sign up for an Info Session.

***

Celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day with SOS!

TONIGHT!!!

June 21, 2023. 5:00 - 6:00PM.

SOS is hosting a National Indigenous Peoples Day celebration on June 21 at Memorial Plaza and the public is invited to attend! SOS has been marking this important day internally for several years and is excited to open this event up as a shared learning opportunity and celebration. Come experience Indigenous culture including men’s and women’s traditional, jingle, and fancy shawl style dancing. The event will take place from 5 to 6 pm. Memorial Plaza is located on Memorial Avenue between Alberni Hwy. and McMillan St.

If you are interested in sharing some of your Indigenous Culture during this celebration, contact SOS at communications@sosd69.com.

What's New at the Mulberry Bush

 in Qualicum Beach?!?!

The Mulberry Bush Book Store is honoured to be hosting Stephen Kakfwi, who will be a t the store signing copies of his new autobiography, Stoneface, A Defiant Dene (Published by Caitlin Press) on Wednesday July 5th at 11AM.

Stephen Kakfwi, northern Dene, is a lifelong leader in Indigenous rights, environmental stewardship and reconciliation. He served as Premier of the Northwest Territories, and as National Chief of the Dene Nation, representing Chiefs of Treaties 8 and 11. He led community consultations for the "Berger Inquiry" into a north-south gas pipeline proposal across the Dene homeland. He led and hosted the visit of Pope John Paul II to Northern Canada. A husband, father and grandfather, he shares his heroes, homeland and residential school experiences in his songs and stories.

The book is on sale now at the Mulberry Bush book store and Mr Kakfwi will be on hand to sign books July 5 at 11AM.

What's New at the Old School House?!?

This Week's tip from Ilana: Come check the Digital Creative Hub!

Whether you want to photograph your artwork, create video content, learn more about social media, or get started with digital art, the Hub helps you access the tools and knowledge you need to get one step closer to your goals. Learn more about the program here. 

We are excited to continue this fantastic program at a low cost, and our tech coach will be in the building once a month - book your spot with them here! 

Book here

-Illana