Tomorrow, Aug 17 from 5-7 pm join us for the August Business Mixer at the Coast Victoria Hotel & Marina by APA. Sign up for our last Mixer of the summer here!
Minimum Wage
As of September 15th, B.C.'s minimum wage will go up by .50 per hour to $11.35. The provincial government announced they will continue to increase the minimum wage incrementally to $15 per hour by 2021. 
   
"Most of our members at The Chamber are small businesses," says Chamber Chair Al Hasham. "Anytime there's an increase it has a real effect on their bottom line."

Small businesses have expressed concern about the  increase saying it could impact staffing and increase costs to the consumer. 

Over the coming weeks, The Chamber will be watching this issue closely and bringing the concerns of members to government officials.
   
 
 
Chamber News
Events
Summer Social Series
Auction Donations
Business Mixers
Prodigy Group Mingles
Event Photos
Community Calendar
BC Transit Updates Facilities
A total of $10.9 million is being spent at BC Transit's maintenance centers in Victoria and Langford. The Langford project includes a new 4,000-square-foot warehouse that will house a centralized stock room and provincial-distribution site to serve transit systems around BC. The Victoria centre will end up with a new paint and body shop.

The funds are from the federal, provincial and local governments and are part of almost $160 million for transit projects in BC, announced in June 2016.


BC Transit: member since 1999


Members Around Town

Victoria HarbourCats knuckballer Claire Eccles threw the first pitch at the Toronto Blue Jays game last night. Way to go Claire!    
Victoria HarbourCats: member since 2012  
 
The Toronto Raptors will host their basketball training camp at the University of Victoria from Tues, Sept. 26 to Fri, Sept. 29 at the Centre for Athletics, Recreation and Special Abilities (CARSA). The team will hold an open intra-squad game Thurs, Sept. 28. All other practice sessions will be closed to the public. This marks the fourth consecutive year the Raptors will hold training camp in BC.
 
University of Victoria: member since 1976
Members of the Victoria Hospitality Awards Committee (VHAP) recently recognized Katherine Redman of   Coast Victoria Hotel & Marina by APA with a  Victoria Hospitality Award. The Victoria Hospitality Award program was founded in 1994. The not-for-profit society was formed with a mandate to recognize individuals from the Greater Victoria area for outstanding hospitality. Congrats Katherine!
Coast Victoria Hotel & Marina by APA: member since 2007     
Talentcor is celebrating 20 years of building long-term relationships with employers and candidates in Greater Victoria's business community! Whether it be temporary requirements or a permanent team member, Talentcor strives to find them the best talent.
 
Talentcor: member since 1997
SUMMER SOCIAL SERIES
  
Enjoy a freshly harvested farm-to-table four-course dinner prepared by House of Boateng at Woodwynn Farms featuring locally sourced, organic and homegrown ingredients.  
 
Interested in seeing the menu & drink pairings - click here! 
 
Your ticket also includes a fun limo shuttle provided by L.A. Limousines Inc., from downtown Victoria to Woodwynn Farms.
 
Special rates for groups of 4 and 6 - call us for details!

Thurs, Sept 7 | 6 -8:30 pm      
Woodwynn Farms
7789 W Saanich Rd.

   


BC Rules Out Amalgamating the CRD
The provincial government has no immediate plans to consider amalgamating the capital region, but will "imminently" release a report, first to mayors and then the public, that could result in more integrated services.

"Local governments are responsible for making choices about how they want to deliver services - and the governance issues that come along with that. They're obligated to represent the best interests of their constituents," Municipal Affairs Minister Selina Robinson said in a Times Colonist article. "It's really up to local governments to decide how to do that. I'm hopeful this report will help them with that."
 

Laughs at the Office
It's National Tell a Joke Day! Laughter is healthy, uses the abdominal muscles and releases endorphins (natural "feel good" chemicals) into the brain. It can keep employees engaged and stress levels down.

Bring some laughter to your office with some of these punny-zingers.
  • "I used to be a banker but I lost interest."
  • "In a recession, the most secure job is garbage-man. Business is always picking up."
  • "When a spy trails a businessperson, he has to follow suit."
You also can check out this video called " Stuff Business People Say." Do you have a co-worker that is guilty of saying all these phrases? Do you say them? We know we're guilty of a couple!
MEMBER SNAPSHOT:  

Scott Kolb
General Manager, Victoria Golf Club 
 
In celebrating Canada's 150th birthday over the summer The Chamber is featuring members that have been in business for over 100 years. Find out their key to longevity and more about their leaders here!
Do you still sell the same product you did 100 years ago? Same as 100 years ago, only change is that we have focused on staying socially relevant vs just being a place to play golf. Any famous company legends/stories/ghosts? All of the above. I don't personally believe in ghosts, but we do have some great stories from staff and Members of strange things that have happened over the years around the clubhouse. I often find myself telling my spooked-out staff to not worry-Doris (our resident ghost) is a friendly ghost who likes to play tricks from time-to-time. How is your business innovative? We have drones assisting in making sure we don't over-water and detect disease in our turf, we are using the first robotic greens mower in the country, we have a golf simulator for teaching golf, and we even have a Club App for our members to use for reserving events, making tee times and viewing their statements. Could you manage without your cell phone? No chance, I'm addicted. What is the best perk of your job? Standing on our 9th tee. You see snow-capped mountains, ocean, and wildlife. There is something about the smell of the coastline, its rugged feel and west coast views that are hard to beat.  
 
More about Scott - and additional Member Snapshots - can be found on The Chamber's website here.  


Victoria Golf Club: member since 2006
Are you a Chamber member? We are.
Here's why.      
 
We know that our members join The Chamber for different business needs. Over the course of a couple of months, we interviewed several of our valued members from different sectors and career stages. 

We wanted to hear directly from our members about what The Chamber means to them and how they have benefited from membership and all of our offerings.   From exposure, connecting to a larger business community, policy work or mentorship it's unanimous that The Chamber is here to help you and your business succeed.
 
Welcome to Our Newest Members! 


Chamber Name Tags
Need to get one of the snazzy new Chamber Name tags? Email Reception to order yours today.

250-383-7191  

victoriachamber.ca
[email protected]
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