Chamber Update
May 18, 2020
Happy Victoria Day! Join The Chamber online for Virtual Fireside Chats:

Thurs., May 21 - Join Chamber CEO Catherine Holt and Jeff Bray, Executive Director, Downtown Victoria Business Association , as they talk specifically about how our downtown businesses can recover in the face of the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Register here .

Fri., May 22 - Join Chamber CEO Catherine Holt and Victoria Police Chief Del Manak , as they talk about safety for businesses and citizens in the downtown core as businesses re-open and will go through the practical steps we can all take to ensure we have a safer community. Register here .

Submit your questions to [email protected] by noon on Wed. May 20.

Make sure to like The Chamber on Facebook and tune in live to the next Fireside Chat.
Guidelines released on restarting your business
WorkSafeBC has released its industry-specific guidelines for businesses hoping to re-open this week or in the weeks ahead. This is welcome news and provides much-needed direction to ensure safe operations. The Chamber office is open this week as we follow the guidelines to protect the health of our staff and the public.

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry continues to provide excellent leadership and our efforts have our health care system in great shape. The road ahead will be difficult. Many business will require renovations and a new model. And experiences in other jurisdictions have shown that it will take time for consumer confidence to return. We need to stay patient and remember we are all in this together.
Don't let self isolation make you feel alone
The Chamber has a myriad of resources to help you and your business. You can connect with our staff or schedule a virtual coffee with one of our Ambassadors to talk about your business and next steps on our road to recovery.

We're #InItTogetherYYJ even if we can't be together. We look forward to talking with you soon about how we can help.
Province purchases Comfort Inn Hotel
The provincial government paid $18.65 million for the Comfort Inn Hotel, in a deal announced May 15. The hotel will be used as short-term housing for 65 people who have been camping in Topaz Park or along Pandora Avenue. BC Housing is partnering with Our Place to operate the building.

Island Health and BC Housing will select the residents, and they will have access to meals, health-care services, addictions treatment and harm reduction, as well as storage for personal belongings. There will be 24/7 staffing to provide security to residents of the building and the surrounding neighbourhood.

The long-term use of the site will be determined after discussion with community associations and businesses in the area.

“This site has significant redevelopment potential to provide a range of affordable housing in the long term," Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps said in a news release.
Our Place Society: Member since 2010
City of Victoria: Member since 1962
Feds extend wage subsidy to August 29
The Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy has been extended to Aug. 29, after initially being announced that it would run until June.

The aim of the subsidy is to help employers keep their staff so that they are ready to contribute to economic recovery as the COVID-19 crisis subsides.

Under the program, the federal government covers 75% of payroll — up to a maximum of $847 per week per employee. Employers are eligible if their revenues dropped by 15% in March or 30% in April and May.
Don't miss these upcoming virtual events
What’s Ahead for Victoria’s Business Community
As restrictions start to ease, businesses are finding their new normal as they implement additional measures to keep workers and customers safe and their doors open.

Join Chamber CEO Catherine Holt and Jeff Bray, Executive Director , Downtown Victoria Business Association , as they talk specifically about how our downtown businesses can recover in the face of the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Submit your questions to [email protected] by noon on Wed. May 20.
Victoria Police Chief, Del Manak
Join Chamber CEO Catherine Holt and Victoria Police Chief Del Manak , as they talk about safety for businesses and citizens in the downtown core as businesses re-open and practical steps we can all take to ensure a safer community.
Submit your questions to [email protected] by noon on Wed. May 20.
B.C. Lieutenant Governor Janet Austin
Join Chamber CEO Catherine Holt and the Honourable Janet Austin, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia , as they talk about how our collaborative approach of working together in both government and our communities has made British Columbia a leader in this country when it comes to flattening the curve and setting us up for a successful recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. 
Over 200 Jobs posted to Chamber Job Board to date
Our expanded Job Board has posted more than 200 jobs since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis.

When we heard from members in need of staff to provide essential services, we repurposed our job board to connect with people in our region looking for employment. We’re working hard to bring people together — after all connections are what we do best.

At this time, employers are able to post at no charge by using the code SUPPORTYYJ.

If you have any difficulty posting, email us and we will get back to you by next business day. All jobs posted to our job board have been vetted by a member of The Chamber team.
Let us know about updates to your hours or services
We've created a webpage to help your customers keep track of updated hours and services as a result of COVID-19. If your changes are not yet listed, email [email protected] to have your information added.
250-383-7191 
victoriachamber.ca