The Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce the people who will make up our 2024 Board of Directors.

Rose Arsenault, James Gatsi and Jessica Stigant are returning for new two-year terms after being acclaimed for 2024. As well, Josue Dubon will also join the Board as a full voting director. Josue currently holds a non-voting position as chair of The Chamber's Emerge Committee.

And in related news, Dean Clarke joins The Chamber Board as the chair of The Chamber's new Family Business Committee.

In this Chamber Chat, CEO Bruce Williams continues with the series of conversations about managing mental illness and mental health, especially in workspaces. Today we speak about school and classroom support with Andrea Paquette of the Stigma Free Society.

Special thanks to our series sponsor: Island Savings

The Canadian economy continued to show resiliency this spring. Statistics Canada reports that Gross Domestic Product stayed in positive territory. The Bank of Canada will make its next interest rate announcement on Sept. 6.

Business leaders will be watching closely as high-interest rates used to fight inflation have a direct impact on the cost of investment. A Globe and Mail interview with CIBC World Markets' deputy chief economist Benjamin Tal is a good read for insights to help cut through the confusing times. Tal said he thinks interest rates have peaked or are close to the peak. He added that conditions are right for rapid growth in business investment in 2025 as inflation subsides and productivity increases thanks to innovations such as AI.

The Royal BC Museum has brought back one its most beloved sections. Old Town, an exhibit originally designed to recreate the look and feel of an early-20th-century settler community, reopened to the public last weekend. The space had been closed for a year-and-a-half for repairs and modernization.

"The museum plays a vital role in Greater Victoria as an anchor for local tourism and as a space where the stories of our province are shared with hundreds of thousands of visitors every year," Chamber CEO Bruce Williams said. "It's good to see people once again enjoying and learning from Old Town. The museum is working hard to give a voice to Indigenous peoples whose stories need to be heard, and to the many communities that settled here and helped make BC what it is today."

The City of Victoria is considering a program that will help spruce up the look of businesses in the downtown core. The Business Façade Beautification Reimbursement Program is on the agenda for Thursday's council meeting. The city and the Downtown Victoria Business Association would split the cost of the program.

“This is an incentive to the property owners and the businesses on that block to join together and make their block look better," DVBA CEO Jeff Bray told the Times Colonist. "And I think when you do that over a handful of key blocks, it will be very noticeable.”

The Township of Esquimalt and the Esquimalt Chamber of Commerce introduced the Business Façade Improvement Project this year.

"As the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce, we support investment in our very important downtown centres," Chamber CEO Bruce Williams said. "They're not all the same, of course, but they all need to be safe communities. The best way to do that is to support community pride led by local business."

Join Emerge to make authentic connections and have a great time all in one inclusive, casual and fun event!

Come for the connections and stay for the game. Cheer on Pacific FC as they battle against the Halifax Wanderers in one of their last games of the season. Come decked out in your PFC or other favourite sports team gear and enjoy casual networking in the Pitchside VIP Lounge before the game from 5 - 7 PM.

This evening will include an opportunity to connect with fellow business professionals, complimentary snacks & game tickets and a cash bar.

Wednesday, Sept. 27 | 5:30 - 9:30 PM

The Union Club of British Columbia

Interested in hiring a Camosun or UVic co-op student, but not sure where to start? Come learn about timing, funding programs, mentorship and the benefits of hiring a student in 2024.

Engaging a student is a cost-effective way to tackle ebbs and flows in the workplace - no matter the economic temperature. Students are available from a wide variety of programs from technology and sciences to business and communication and everything in between!

Thursday, Sept. 28 | 12- 1 PM

Zoom - link provided upon registration

From the Songhees to the Malahat First Nations, let's appreciate and embrace the incredible experiences Indigenous tourism businesses offer.

Our adventure doesn't end there! Take the opportunity to immerse yourself in the vibrant culture and local shopping scene or seize the moment to embark on that long-awaited home project. And for the spontaneous folks, why not plan a thrilling last-minute getaway to discover the breathtaking natural beauty of the province?

Phillips Brewing & Malting Co.: Member since 2020

Twa Dogs: Member since 2013

Swans Brewery, Pub & Hotel.: Member since 1993

Vancouver Island Brewing.: Member since 1993

Spinnakers Brewpub & Guesthouses.: Member since 1993

When the TELUS Ocean building opens in 2024, it will simultaneous add a fresh new look to the City of Victoria's skyline while reflecting the existing character of surrounding architecture. Designed by Aryze Developments Inc., the new glass-faced landmark will be a "statement building," bringing 450 jobs to an area that has recently lost workers to other areas of the region.

“It shows that there is still value in locating downtown,” Chamber CEO Bruce Williams told Douglas Magazine. “It’s something that will be, I think, an attraction for businesses because it’s going to be such a modern and innovative building.”

A promising innovation to help mitigate climate change won't increase seismic risks to coastal communities. Ocean Networks Canada is leading the Solid Carbon project, which has shown that CO₂ can be safely sequestered below the ocean floor. The project has the potential to store 250,000 gigatons of CO₂. The findings that the process doesn't add to tectonic stresses is good news for Solid Carbon, which launched in 2019. ONC is an initiative of the University of Victoria.

Ocean Network Canada: Member since 2017

The Inter-cultural Association of Greater Victoria is one of 68 organizations in BC that will help the provincial government develop anti-racism legislation.

The Anti-Racism Act will be introduced in 2024. The provincial government is also working with First Nations and Métis partners on the legislation.

You can add your voice to how government should address systemic racism by completing an anti-racism questionnaire by Sept. 30.

BC Transit is getting as many as 115 battery electric buses as well as 134 new charging stations across the province. The announcement was made last week by the federal and provincial governments, which are contributing almost $400 million to help transit in the province. BC Transit is planning to have a fully electric fleet by 2040.

Resthouse Sleep - 10% off all regularly priced items at Resthouse

Members can post Coupons and Discounts free of charge here.

Want to know what events are happening in the community? Check out The Chamber's Community Calendar to stay up to date with plays, seminars, grand openings and more.

Are you a member? Post your own events for free.