Asked whether the province planned to ease the burdens of the EHT — which took $207 million more than anticipated from BC employers last year — or paid sick days, the minister defended the government's current policies. She also acknowledged concerns about linking the minimum wage to inflation and said she will work to make the change as smooth and predictable as possible for business.

Budget Notes:

Greater Victoria is getting two complex care facilities, though specific locations were not announced. The budget also includes $84 million over three years for planning and capital funding for upgrading the Belleville Terminal.

The tourism sector has been allocated $25 million to help with recovery efforts, though a further $915 million was set aside for potential pandemic-related expenses, including health care costs or economic recovery funding.

Greater Victoria is also in line for numerous “bus and shoulder” expansions to improve regional transit, and money has been earmarked for the transit hub at Uptown in Saanich.

“The Chamber has long advocated for child care as an investment in our economy, and we applaud the province’s commitment to adding 40,000 new spaces within seven years. We also are encouraged by some of the steps to address our lack of housing supply,” Williams said.

The cost of housing is a serious concern for affordability in our region. There simply are not enough homes for the number of people who want to live, work and put down roots. It's a challenge facing most of BC, which is why The Chamber supports news that the provincial government is looking at helping municipalities fast-track more homes.

“The bottom line is that municipalities are not approving enough housing for our population growth,” Eby said in a CHEK News story. “I think it’s quite possible that we’re going to need to be more prescriptive. One thing is clear is that the status quo is not acceptable.”

The Chamber looks forward to hearing more about initiatives to make housing supply a priority for all governments, including solutions for increasing labour supply and securing supply chains.

The last two years have shown that we need a robust healthcare system for our economy to prosper. The recent announcement that the province is funding 602 new spaces at post-secondary schools to train nurses is welcome news.

Our region's numerous police forces are moving in the right direction with the establishment of the Regional Governance Council for Integrated Police Units. The new body will have limited authority, but will help municipalities better understand how they can benefit from shared services. The council will consist of mayors from Greater Victoria, and will be co-chaired by David Screech, Mayor of the Town of View Royal, and Kevin Murdoch, Mayor of the District of Oak Bay.

The Chamber continues to call on the provincial government to contribute its portion of costs for a Citizens' Assembly. In the last civic elections, voters in the District of Saanich and City of Victoria mandated their councils participate in the process. Both municipalities are now waiting for the province before they can begin the next phase.

Today is #PinkShirtDay, and Chamber staff, pictured above during our morning Skype call, would like to encourage everyone to #LiftEachOtherUp.

Bullying affects everyone, and today, like all days, we should be kind to one another and help foster positive and inclusive environments wherever we go.

How do you think the federal government can help Canada's economy remain robust and resilient in the years ahead? Now is the time to engage with federal decision makers, who are looking to the business community for help understanding the private sector's challenges and opportunities. The Chamber is preparing a submission for pre-budget consultations. We're also working with the national chamber network to amplify the voice of business.

Have your say by answering a questionnaire by Feb. 25.

We will be taking the appropriate precautions as directed by the current PHO to protect the health of all of our guests and staff supporting the event. Please review our COVID-19 Safety Protocols before attending to understand how we can work together to keep everyone healthy.

The Chamber in partnership with the World Trade Centre Vancouver is inviting you to the upcoming ICE Integrated E-Commerce Essentials Workshop on March 11, 2022. ICE is a quintessential cross-border e-Commerce workshop that equips small to medium-size enterprises for online market entry and international market development.

·    Seeking assistance to expand their international footprint online

·    With a proven track-record of domestic sales

·    Willing to actively participate in the program

100% of ICE graduates stated that they are better equipped for e-commerce following the workshop and would recommend ICE to other SMEs.

Housing. Real estate. Affordability. All are ongoing topics of conversation as we see record high prices for home sales and record low numbers for inventory for sale.

In this Chamber Chat, we speak with executives with the Victoria Real Estate Board about the trend we are seeing and what’s to come in the next few months and years.

February marks Black History Month and a chance to learn more about the stories, struggles and accomplishments of Black Canadians. Here's a look at some events happening around Greater Victoria.

Even when it's too cold to leave the house, you should be able to talk to a doctor. If you have Chambers Group Insurance, you can now take advantage of Teladoc Telemedicine Services — a fast and efficient way of getting the help you need, when you need it.

Members can receive a diagnosis, treatment recommendation and even be prescribed medicine when necessary. Members can consult a physician about non-urgent medical matters by video conference or by phone, from wherever they are, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

This cold and flu season, ensure your family is prepared for anything — without leaving the comfort of your home.

Chambers Plan offers the Teladoc Telemedicine service at no additional charge to all plan members and their dependents. With the Chambers Group Insurance plan, you can customize an employee benefits plan that meets your needs.

Inquire with a Chamber member pharmacy to see if they are offering flu shots this year, and be sure to book your appointment ahead of time. If you’re not yet immunized against COVID-19, learn how to book an appointment here.

Members can post Coupons and Discounts free of charge here.