Belleville Terminal Project approved and ready to proceed

BizNews

^{July 5, 2023}

Your weekly round up of BizNews from throughout Greater Victoria!

Belleville Terminal now has municipal, provincial and federal commitments to proceed with an overdue upgrade. With the City of Victoria and M.V. Coho in the picturesque background, from left to right, Hon. Rob Fleming, Hon. Randy Boissonnault, Mayor Marianne Alto, Bruce Williams, Paul Nursey and Jeff Bray.

Belleville Terminal Redevelopment

Things are looking bright for a modern new gateway into our city. On Friday, the province officially announced that the Terminal will be upgraded and completed in time for the 2028 tourism season.

“The new facility we’re building is going to generate hundreds of new jobs and hundreds of millions of dollars in additional visitor spending over the coming decades,” said Rob Fleming, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure. “A modern pre-clearance terminal will make travel more convenient for tourists, while enhancing security and trade between Vancouver Island and Washington State."

As an international gateway for goods, services, and passengers, the new terminal will help drive regional and provincial economic growth.

Travellers spend approximately $174 million annually, generating $268 million in economic output and $155 million in provincial gross domestic product.

There are many partners assisting with the project. Minister of Tourism Randy Boissonnault was on site to announce that the federal government has committed to $41.6 million on a $303.9 million budget. Inner Harbour stakeholders, the Songhees and Esquimalt First Nations, will work in concert with the province as will Black Ball Ferry Line and FRS Clipper to ensure that this gateway showcases our region and welcomes our visitors.

Procurement on this project will begin in the coming weeks with Phase 1 targeted for a 2024 completion. The Chamber has long advocated for this key infrastructure project to proceed and we look forward to welcoming more U.S. guests to our wonderful city.

Songhees Nation: Member since 2017

Victoria Swan Lake Constituency: Member since 2009

Greater Victoria Harbour Authority: Member since 2003

Downtown Victoria Business Association: Member since 2007

Destination Greater Victoria: Member since 1988

FRS Clipper: Member since 1995

Black Ball Ferry Line: Member since 1954

Strike impacts a quarter of Canada's traded goods

Over 7,000 workers walked off the job on July 1st at more than 35 BC ports. Members of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) have been without a collective agreement since March 31st.

Canada’s west coast ports handle over $800 million worth of cargo, including agri-foods, perishable goods, potash, critical minerals and household necessities every day. Experts have warned that the strike will fan the flames of inflation and increase economic instability for business. A worry backed by the studies from the Canadian Chamber Business Data Lab, where nearly a quarter of businesses have stated that supply chain issues remain a key obstacle to growth.

Federal Labour Minister Seamus O'Regan is in Vancouver meeting with both parties

and encouraging continued negotiation as "the best deals for both parties are reached at the table." Sporadic work stoppages on the U.S. West Coast have concluded after acting Labour Secretary Julie Su worked with both sides to negotiate a six-year contract for the 22,000 workers at 29 U.S. West Coast ports.

In conjunction with the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, over 120 chambers and boards of trade across the country - including ours - issued a joint letter to the Prime Minister urging the federal government to find a resolution urgently.

Welcome to the Family!

Behind the scenes, we have been working closely with the Family Business Association (FBA) to complete our merger. A lot of detail work, but also a lot of opportunity as we get to know our newest members of The Chamber family better.

One of the important steps in this journey is ensuring we have a Family Business liaison at the Board level. At the June Board meeting, former FBA Board Chair, Dean Clarke, was appointed to the Board of The Chamber for a one-year term to guide our efforts to support family businesses in the region and to lead the newly created Family Business Committee. Clarke indicated, “I feel confident that after collaborating over the last few months with Chamber Chair Kris Wirk and CEO Bruce Williams, this committee will help more family businesses benefit through the many programs and benefits offered.”

Clarke has been helping to keep families fed in our community for a long time, first with 32 years at Thrifty Foods and as a partner with Tru Value Foods since 2005. Over the years, his family have grown up in the grocery business and he understands the power of a family business. If you or another family member in your business are interested in joining this new committee, please email [email protected].

True Value Foods Ltd: Member Since: 2016 | Family Business

Canadian shopping habits circa 2023

PwC has done a deep dive into the shopping habits of Canadians and how they've evolved.

It won't be terribly shocking that we lead the globe in pre-purchase research. Canadians like to research via search engines before they make their purchases and value customer reviews over social media.

This pre-purchase online research doesn't mean a transition to online shopping, 83% indicated that their in-store shopping will rise or remain the same. The survey also provides interesting insights on AI from a generational standpoint and how to influence tomorrow's upmarket consumers.

PwC: Member since 2014

Board Election Information Session

Interested in running for the Board of Directors of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce? Find out everything you need to know at this information session facilitated by our Chamber Executive. Visit our 2024-25 Chamber Board Election webpage to review deadlines and download a nomination form.

The Chamber works together to build good business and great community for all. It is our vision to be the most diverse and influential business association in the region.

Click here for key dates, the nomination process and the voting procedure. Additional questions can be directed here.

Board Election Information Session

Tues., July 11 | 12 - 1 PM

Hybrid Event - Zoom or

in person in The Chamber Boardroom

100 - 852 Fort St - through inner courtyard

Marketplace Mixer is Back!

The Chamber's business trade show is back after a 3-year hiatus. With over 250 attendees, our Marketplace Mixer offers our members valuable exposure to potential new customers.

The evening will feature great food, a cash bar and door prizes.

Registration for Exhibitors is now open.

· Exhibitor booths include a 6' dressed table with the option of power.

· High top cocktail tables include skirting with the option to add power.

· Special Times Colonist Advertising Offer for Exhibitors only.

Marketplace Mixer

Thurs., October 19 | 4 - 7 PM

Esquimalt Gorge Park Pavilion

Chamber Chats with CEO Bruce Williams

Air Canada flying high after post-pandemic turbulence

The return to air travel after the pandemic had a bumpy start but the flying experience is a smoother ride now. In this Chamber Chat, CEO Bruce Williams speaks about air travel experiences with Serge Corbeil of Air Canada.

Chamber Chats

Air Canada: Member since 1954

Chamber Chats Air Canada Serge Corbeil FINAL WEB EDIT

Special thanks to our series sponsor: Island Savings

Start planning now for a fully-staffed fall

If you’re looking to grow your team, you need to know about The Chamber’s job board.

Tap into the Google Jobs Network and candidates that are eager to work for a Chamber member. Attract the best workers by posting a 30, 60, or 90 day job listing.

As an exclusive member benefit, use the code INTRO2023 at checkout to receive a free 30-day listing.

If you have any questions or need help uploading your job, email The Chamber at [email protected]

Visit our website

Director, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion -

Camosun College

5 Ton Driver - ColdStar Solutions

Carpenter - Berwick

Coordinator, Return to Work - BC Ferries

Project Manager, Construction - Starlight Investments

Marketing and Communications Supervisor - WorkLink Employment

VP, Retails Operations - Peninsula Co-op

Controller - Monk Office

Member News

Extra! Extra! Quality Journalism Matters

If you're feeling a little under informed right now and like the world is whistling by, you're experiencing the Canadian news blockade that Meta has put in place to protest Bill C-18. Google's moratorium isn't scheduled to start for six months. The Online News Act makes Google and Facebook pay copyright fees for news content, something they oppose.

Fight back by making sure you're getting your local news from media that matters - local journalists. Click any or all of these links to make sure you stay current with what's happening locally and away - Times Colonist, CHEK, Black Press, Business Examiner, Capital Daily, Douglas Magazine, The Lookout, Monday Magazine and the Narwhal.

Times Colonist: Member since 1961 | Chamber Champion

CHEK: Member since 1971 | Chamber Champion

Black Press: Member since 1987

Business Examiner: Member since 2009 | Family Business

Page One Publishing | Douglas Magazine: Member since 2004

Capital Daily: Member since 2020

The Narwhal News Society: Member since 2018

Be a Part of the Victoria Pride Celebration

Victoria Pride is being held this Sunday, July 9th and volunteers are most welcome from any walk of life! Put a little muscle behind your support and help with set-up on the Saturday, July 8th or pick any of the many shifts available during the parade and festival on the Sunday, July 9th! This is one of the most vibrant celebrations of diversity in the city and you're invited to be right in the middle of the fun.

Volunteer positions in particular need include those able to help serve in the beer tent; a Serving It Right license is required, however, the Victoria Pride Society is happy to reimburse volunteers for the licensing fee after their volunteer shift in the tent! Anyone who is interested can visit our website at www.victoriapridesociety.org or visit our Volunteer Sign-Up page directly to sign up.

Victoria Pride Society: Member since 2023

First responders hit a home run with HarbourCats

This Sunday, first responders and inductees to the Greater Victoria Sports Hall of Fame will team up and face off against each other to raise funds for the HarbourCats Foundation.

The HarbourCats Foundation works to create opportunities for diverse and underprivileged youth to play baseball and softball, teaching skills and teamwork that will last a lifetime.

Put on your ball cap and head to Royal Athletic Park for an afternoon of fun.

HarbourCats: Member since 2012

Another win for WIN

WIN Westshore will be having its Grand Opening at their new location - #310 Goldstream Ave. - this Saturday July 8th. This marks the second new location in the last six months with the other recent sister store opening in the Saanich Centre last December.

The revenue from all five stores, along with financial donations, fund Women In Need Community Cooperative empowerment programs for women, trans, non-binary and Two Spirit people, as well as operations for the non-profit. Shopping that earns brownie points!