Click here for a special awards menu you can order for your at home celebrations courtesy of Chamber member Food for Thought Catering. Place your order by 4 pm on Thursday, May 13.

“These are exceptional times and we support measures that allow all businesses to ensure workplaces are safe from COVID-19," Chamber CEO Bruce WIlliams says. "We look forward to learning more about this plan, including how the province will get funds to employers quickly. We also appreciate the province's commitment to work with business before crafting the permanent plan, which is scheduled to take effect on Jan. 1 when the temporary plan ends."

WorkSafeBC is in charge of setting up the program, and will begin administering it next month on behalf of the government.

The Chamber would like to hear from our members about your thoughts on the temporary plan as well as a more permanent paid-sick-leave plan to be legislated to start in January 2022. Email [email protected].

We are heading into the home stretch as we begin week fof the five-weeks of stricter restrictions that began at midnight on March 29. Those orders state:

As well, the PHO strongly recommends:

BC has also officially moved into the fourth and final phase of our official immunization plan. As of May 12, more than half of all eligible British Columbians have had at least one dose of vaccine.

Appointments are currently being booked for people born in 1985 or earlier. Make sure you are registered so you can book your appointment as soon as possible. One of the criteria for loosening restrictions this summer is the number of people who are immunized.

"Vaccines are the light at the end of the tunnel in this pandemic, and that light is growing brighter by the day,” BC's Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said today.

The provincial and federal budgets unveiled in April have finally given us a better sense of the financial implications of living with COVID-19. There are a lot of unknowns about how pandemic-economics will resonate in our daily lives, but there are reasons for optimism.

B.C.’s immunization campaign is rolling out faster than anticipated, and, on Vancouver Island, we have done a remarkable job of keeping case numbers low and our communities safe. This is good news for our regional economy.

To better understand what the federal and provincial budgets mean for businesses, the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce hosted an online event with Matthew Hohnsbehn, Liaison Officer at the Canada Revenue Agency, and Kris Wirk, Partner at Dusanj & Wirk Chartered Professional Accountants. Kris is also the Vice Chair of The Chamber’s Board of Directors.

Did you miss this week's virtual events hosted by The Chamber? You can still watch the videos and hear what experts have to say about these vital advocacy issues.

A plan to revitalize a City of Langford neighbourhood will create a new cultural precinct that will showcase artists, attract new businesses and bring more people into a public space. On Monday, Langford council endorsed the project, in collaboration with the Island Corridor Foundation, to improve Station Avenue. The area between Peatt Road and Veteran's Memorial Parkway had become a concern for residents.

“For many years, Council has focused on expanding recreational opportunities," Langford Mayor Stew Young said in a news release. "Now we plan to turn our attention to arts and culture, providing new and exciting family-friendly options for residents and visitors alike."

The project will celebrate local First Nations, showcase Langford’s evolving cultural identity, and create opportunities for businesses. Funding for the project is through the Union of British Columbia Municipalities Gas Tax Fund.

More information on UVic Co-op and Camosun Co-Op

A Greater Victoria non-profit can get back to helping women to reach their goals, after receiving a much-needed donation from the Rotary Club of Victoria-Harbourside.

Wear2Start relies on volunteers to provide a welcoming environment for women in need of professional outfits, haircuts or clothing alterations. The work is vital right now, as women account for a disproportionate number of job losses caused by the pandemic.

“COVID-19 forced Wear2Start to close its doors to clients and clothing donations for a year. And when we were able to resume services, many of our volunteers -- who fall into vulnerable age groups, have or live with someone who has underlying conditions -- were unable to return to serving clients,” Wear2Start's presidennt Angela Mangiacasale said in a news release. “A volunteer co-ordinator is helping us to recruit and train new volunteers to serve clients and establish a new system to allow us to again accept clothing donations.”

The Greater Victoria Harbour Authority is hosting a series of virtual meet and greets for Indigenous Businesses.

On Friday, Chamber CEO Bruce Williams will co-host the event along with GVHA CEO Ian Robertson. Guests include Gwaii Engineering, Songhees Events and Catering and the Indigenous Perspectives Society.

Each session includes representative from Indigenous businesses in Greater Victoria, as well as providing the GVHA with a chance to highlight recent work on Indigenous procurement.

Housing costs continue to escalate as the supply chain for the Real Estate, Construction and Development sectors are operating at full speed. Three Pivot Pilots from the Construction and Development Industry speak about that in this week’s Chamber Chat.

Chamber CEO Bruce Williams speaks with Kathy Whitcher from the Urban Development Institute as well as Chamber Champions John Knappett, President of Knappett Projects, and Tom Plumb, CEO of Kinetic Construction.

Special thanks to our series sponsor: Island Savings

In a recent poll by RBC, Victoria was ranked as the fourth best city in Canada for youth employment (aged 15-29). With such an attractive environment for young workers, ensure your business is finding youthful talent with the help of The Chamber’s job board.

Along with having your job featured on our website and in BizNews, Chamber members receive one free 30-day job posting. Enter the code INTRO2021 at checkout.

If you’re interested in learning more about hiring younger candidates, The Chamber is hosting a Co-op Students-Business Connector on May 26. Learn how to find talent and identify funding opportunities with Camsoun College and the University of Victoria. Register here.

If you have any questions or need help uploading your job, please email [email protected].