Your weekly round up of BizNews from throughout Greater Victoria
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Check out photos from this great event
here!
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Familiar faces retain their seats in Greater Victoria
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Greater Victoria's four federal ridings will have familiar faces after voters in Saanich-Esquimalt-Sooke (NDP - Randall Garrison), Cowichan-Malahat-Langford (NDP - Alistair MacGregor) and Saanich-Gulf Islands (Green - Elizabeth May)
returned
incumbents to their roles.
The lone newcomer was in Victoria, where city councillor Laurel Collins made the leap from municipal to federal politics with a decisive victory as the NDP candidate.
The win
means
Victoria voters will be going to the polls again in the new year for a
by-election
to select Collins' replacement. The estimated cost to hold a by-election is $200,000.
The Chamber — always happy to help with civic causes — has crafted a Help Wanted ad for potential council candidates. You're welcome.
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When Collins' leaves her role as a councillor in Victoria for her new federal responsibilities it will trigger a by-election that will likely take place in the new year.
Now, at The Chamber, we understand the challenges of replacing a valued team member.
Keeping that in mind, we are pleased to help by offering the City of Victoria a possible job posting on our new Jobs Board.
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Position: City Councillor
Victorians are looking for an individual who is passionate about their city, dedicated to public service, eager to listen to all sides of an issue before making a measured decision, experienced with balancing the books with an understanding of where city revenue comes from, clearly understands the distinct but interwoven responsibilities of municipal, provincial and federal roles and knows how to work collaboratively to get things done.
Responsibilities and skills required include: listening to the views of all the citizens and business owners in the city to build a great community; the vision to look to the future while avoiding the pitfalls of the past; ability to debate issues to discover a common middle ground; and superior metabolism in order to attend several events and meetings per day, while maintaining health.
Position offers minimal pay for maximum hours. Person of substance needed, populists and extremists need not apply.
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Let's spread kindness throughout Greater Victoria! Watch for Kindness Cards at retailers and other locations around the community!
Be sure to take a photo of your kind act and
email it or share it on social media tagging us and adding
#RAKdayYYJ for a chance to win one of two $500 prizes for a registered charity of your choice! For more information, visit
victoriafoundation.ca
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Chamber calls for city to work with cruise industry
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The Chamber has had an active week advocating on behalf of our region's cruise ship industry and our partners at the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority.
Last week, a motion at Victoria city council caused concern because of its
approach to trying to solve the climate crisis. Chamber CEO Catherine Holt was
interviewed by Global TV the day after council made the motion, and noted that the city has had its best successes when working collaboratively to find solutions that bring about change.
On Monday, Catherine was a guest
on CFAX explaining why innovation led by business is our best hope for finding solutions to the climate crisis. Greater Victoria and our region of the planet have been at the forefront of the environmental movement, and we need to be leaders in progressive change. The actions we take to work with business and industry can serve as a model for other regions to follow.
The Victoria motion is back on the agenda for tomorrow's council
meeting.
Does your business benefit from cruise ships?
In order to effectively talk about the economic importance of cruise ships, it's good to share stories of people whose livelihood is connected to this industry.
Tell us how you and your business benefits from cruise ships, and we'll try to use these personal stories as part of our ongoing advocacy.
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In need of a great employee?
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For the remainder of 2019, Chamber members can post up to five jobs for free using the promo code: INTRO. Learn more about how to post
here
.
Chamber Member Tip of the Week
"Make sure you hire a student! Lots of choices with the UVic or Camosun co-op programs, or even a summer intern from SD61. Get those always-on-the-back-burner projects done. These folks are often your next great hire once they graduate.”
Cheryl Wirch-Ryckman, Director of Operations
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Business Leaders' Luncheon
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What's ahead for regional transportation?
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Getting there from here shouldn't be difficult, but without a comprehensive regional transportation plan no one is getting anywhere fast.
Join our
panel of experts as they discuss the future of how we travel and speak to specific projects planned for the region.
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Thu, Nov 7 | 11:30 am - 1 pm
Victoria Marriott Inner Harbour
728 Humboldt St
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Choppy International Waters
The world is holding its breath as Britain continues to experience a less than graceful Brexit. Within the last
24 hours
everything from a request for another
extension
to the process and a possible general election have been bandied about.
If you're currently taking advantage of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) between Canada and the EU, or looking to explore access to Europe's 450 million consumers, you're invited to a half-day
workshop
being put on by the provincial government.
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Interested in other international trade assistance?
The Chamber is putting together courses with the World Trade Organization for 2020 and can work with you to hone your export plans.
Email us to make sure you're on that list.
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Economic improvement drives 21st-century business: CEO column
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This column originally appeared in the
Oct. 20 edition
of the Times Colonist.
Message from Chamber CEO Catherine Holt
Coming to terms with a new way of thinking about economic health doesn’t mean we need to grind to a halt. That won’t get us anywhere.
Once again, language is key. What if we replaced the mantra of “growth” with language that better explains where we want to go? Such as “economic improvement.”
Isn’t that what we really mean by growth anyway?
Read the entire column by Chamber CEO Catherine Holt
here
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Employers needed to inform CleanBC strategy
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CleanBC is looking for input from employers and training organizations on a
Workforce Readiness Plan
that will help create economic opportunities for the province. CleanBC is conducting a
survey
as part of its labour market research and analysis. This is a chance for businesses and employers in Greater Victoria to address gaps and barriers or point out opportunities.
The survey is open until midnight Nov. 22. It's confidential, takes about 15 minutes and everyone who completes it receives a $50 pass to Globe 2020 in Vancouver next February.
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Win a trip for 2 to Seattle!
One lucky attendee will win a round trip for two between Seattle, WA and Victoria with a two-night stay at the Hyatt Regency Seattle courtesy of Victoria Clipper. The draw will take place the evening of the gala!
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Only 10 tix left!
This black-tie evening includes cocktails, chef stations, a silent and live auction, dancing and an interactive photo booth.
Sat, Nov. 2 | 6-10:30 pm
Fairmont Empress
721 Government St
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Bay Street bridge reopens Monday
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Drivers can be forgiven if they hear the sound of heavenly choirs drowning out their morning radio next Monday.
The Bay Street bridge will
reopen
for two-way traffic from 5 am to 7 pm by Oct. 28.
Currently, motorists trying to go between downtown and Vic West and Esquimalt are being funneled over the Johnson Street bridge or out to Gorge Road. The congestion has resulted in atypical traffic jams.
The $6.1 million project to repair the bridge, officially known as the Point Ellice Bridge, will continue nightly from 7 pm to 5 am until completed.
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Chamber helping make health care more accessible
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In Greater Victoria, finding a family doctor is undoubtedly a difficult task. With cold and flu season quickly approaching, getting a prescription or waiting hours for medical advice can take a serious toll on the productivity of not only yourself, but your business as well.
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.
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.
For over 17 years, Jack Insurance and Financial Services has helped Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce members design a Chambers of Commerce Group Insurance plan reflecting the size and requirements of their businesses.
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Jack Insurance and Financial Services: Member since 1998
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When people feel taken care of at work, it makes their whole lives better.
Give your team access to information and resources, like a risk assessment tool that can help you get ahead of any bad habits to keep everyone productive and healthy.
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The
Innovation award recognizes a business that has developed a process, product or service that is original and contributes to profitability and/or market share. Demonstrated by:
• Use of science and/or technology to create a business that is original and unique
• Shows a high degree of originality, creativity and/or experimentation to design and realize innovation
• Commercialization or quantifiable growth within new and/or existing markets.
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Need inspiration? Check out the videos of our
Innovation winner from 2019.
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Women in Business Gala Awards
Kristen received the Rising Star award, while Hazel received the Community Initiative award. The event, held at
the Parkside Hotel and Spa
, was attended by more than 150 women in leadership roles. Black Press has hosted this annual event for more than a decade, focusing on women who make a difference to our region.
Mairet Hotels: member since 2019
Parkside Hotel and Spa: member since 2013
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United Way of Greater Victoria: member since 1972
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Black Press: member since 1987
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Pints and Politics
Before Monday's election, Justin Trudeau
visited
Victoria’s
Bard & Banker Pub
on Sunday night to try and rally local support for the Liberal Party of Canada.
No local Liberal candidates were elected, but we bet plenty of politics are still being discussed over a pint or two.
The Liberal minority government received 33.1% of the popular vote across Canada.
Closer to home, the riding of Saanich-Gulf Islands had the largest voter turnout in BC at 73.1%.
Bard and Banker: member since 2008
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Kindness All Around
It's all about helping others by holding open doors, giving compliments or anything to make someone’s day a bit brighter!
What are some acts of kindness you appreciate? Email us at
[email protected]
, and we'll share your ideas on social media. #RAKdayYYJ
The Victoria Foundation: members since 2004
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Welcome to our newest members!
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Need to get one of our snazzy Chamber name tags?
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250-383-7191
victoriachamber.ca
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