Your weekly round up of BizNews from throughout Greater Victoria

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Celebrate success at the 2020 Business Awards

This gala event recognizes businesses in the capital region that have achieved a standard of excellence in the community through their own abilities, efforts and initiatives. A spectacular night of prestige, entertainment and celebration, the Greater Victoria Business Awards recognizes members in 14 different award categories.

Click here to see the 2020 finalists!

Tuesday, May 12 | 6 - 10 PM

Fairmont Empress

721 Government St.

Victoria, BC V8W 1W5

New details have emerged about how the provincial government plans to reduce costs at ICBC. On Monday, BC's Attorney General announced proposed legislative amendments to the Evidence Act, which will reduce the use of experts in lawsuits involving the auto insurance system.

“With limits on the number of experts and expert reports, we are reducing the cost, complexity and delay associated with expensive duelling experts,” Attorney General David Eby said in a statement.

Since 2017, the increased use of experts has contributed to a 30% increase in the cost of ICBC injury claims that are litigated. Under the proposed changes, the limit on experts won't apply if the expert report was served before Feb. 6, 2020, or if a notice of trial was filed and served before Feb. 6, 2020, for a trial before Oct. 1, 2020.

You can hear first-hand about what the new rules will mean at The Chamber's Business Leaders Luncheon on March 4 with ICBC chair Joy MacPhail.

Province responds to Chamber calls for tax relief

The provincial government has responded to calls from business organizations including The Chamber to provide property tax relief for small businesses and non-profits as well as arts and culture organizations.

An Interim Business Property Tax Relief program was unveiled on Monday to allow local governments to provide immediate property tax relief for the 2020 tax year.

The Chamber added our voice to a call for reforms to how property value is assessed, which can have a direct impact on the amount of property taxes owed. Many small businesses that provide valuable services to their neighbourhoods are being taxed at the same rate as if their property was a fully developed high rise. Last year, the Royal Canadian Legion Trafalgar/Pro Patria Branch #292 needed emergency aid from the City of Victoria to meet an unexpected tax bill that came with soaring land values.

The Chamber is now calling on all Greater Victoria municipalities to work with ministry staff on adopting these interim measures ahead of sending out 2020 tax bills. We will also continue to work to ensure the province comes up with a comprehensive long-term solution. All Chamber members are encouraged to contact your local government and let them know you expect them to participate in this opportunity to lower taxes on small business.

Under the interim tax relief program, municipalities can exempt a portion of the assessed value of properties, reducing taxes and lease costs for tenants with triple-net leases.

Royal Canadian Legion Branch #292: Member since 2007

Chamber Member Tip of the Week

"Employee benefit programs that provide coverage for services like dental expenses and professional fees (chiro, massage, physio) are always well received by employees. Recently other benefits like employee assistance programs, which help employees work through stresses that are happening in their lives, have become very popular, and valued by employees. A new benefit that has been added to the Chamber Group Plan is Teladoc, this service gives employees quick access to speak with a BC based doctor. Employees can avoid long line ups at clinics and if required, get a prescription."

Robert Jack, Owner of Jack Insurance & Financial Services

Current Job Listings

Energy Coach and Client Services Representative – City Green Solutions

Marketing Coordinator – Peninsula Co-op

Manager of Human Resources – Engaged HR

Account Manager – Coastal Community Credit Union

Executive Assistant / Admin Coordinator – Heart Pharmacies

Administrative Coordinator – Victoria Arts Council

Executive Chef – Inn at Laurel Point

Director of IT – Ralmax Group of Companies

View more online here.

The Chamber comes with numerous benefits for your team, including The Chamber’s Group Insurance Plan.

Contact us for details.

Maritime Museum finds new home in Langford

The Maritime Museum of BC will have a new home as part of a major new project in the City of Langford that will also see the addition of a high-rise office complex, a 40,000 sq.-ft. conference centre and 1,200 seat theatre.

The City of Langford announced yesterday it had entered a memorandum of understanding to build the $87 million complex on McCallum Road near Costco.

The museum, which has been working on being officially recognized as part of the national museum system, hopes the new location will serve as a destination for visitors.

Maritime Museum: Member since 1989

Costco: Member since 1998

City of Langford: Member since 2019

District of Saanich: Member since 2018

This is your chance to hear about how ICBC's plans will impact you and your business. Attendees will have an opportunity to ask Joy MacPhail directly about changes including the new Fairness Office and compensation limits. 

Business Leaders Luncheon:

Joy MacPhail, Chair of ICBC

Wed., Mar. 4 | 11:30 am - 1 pm

Delta Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort

100 Harbour Rd.

Sponsored by:

BC shutting down municipal auditor general office

Instead of enhancing the powers of the Auditor General for Local Government, the province has decided to pull the plug on an office that was never given the chance to truly deliver on its promise. The auditor general saw its budget cut by one-third in last week's provincial budget. On Monday, the Minister of Municipal Affairs announced that the office — due to a lack of support from local governments — will be shuttered after it wraps up projects currently underway.

The purpose of the Auditor General for Local Government should be to ensure arm's length oversight of, and accountability for, spending by local governments — as the provincial auditor general does for provincial spending. The lack of local government support for the office is irrelevant.

One of the very last projects for the office, is an audit of Victoria's Johnson Street Bridge, which came in way over budget and well-behind schedule. In 2009, the cost was estimated at $63 million and work was expected to end by 2015. The bill for the bridge turned out to be $105 million and it took until 2018 to complete.

The Chamber encourages the provincial government to work with BC's municipalities to put in place an oversight office that will ensure taxpayers can have full confidence in how local governments are managing their finances.

Chamber CEO's Business Examiner column pays tribute to Brian Small

I think it’s fair to say there will never be anyone quite like Brian J. Small, who passed away on Jan. 24, at the age of 85. From 1969 to 1994, Brian held the job that I do now at the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce. His name was part of our organization’s archives but, I must admit, I’ve only recently learned about the extent of his accomplishments.

Victoria adds four calls to 2020 cruise ship season

Businesses that benefit from every arrival of cruise ship passengers will have a few more opportunities this season.

“Ships are deploying earlier than normal from Asia over to the West Coast to begin their Alaska cruise season,” Greater Victoria Harbour Authority CEO Ian Robertson told CTV. “As a result of that, Victoria is going to see four additional calls.”

The additional stops mean as many as 9,000 more visitors than initially forecast will have a chance to enjoy our region.

Concerns over the ongoing outbreak of the coronavirus have seen the cruise ship industry exercise precautions that have resulted in the cancellation or rerouting of sailings to Chinese ports.

Greater Victoria Harbour Authority: Member since 2003

Spring into savings on office supplies

With blossoms blooming around town, and spring cleaning just around the corner for your office, you’ll want to take advantage of our exclusive discounts for Chamber members with Grand & Toy, Lenovo and Monk Office.

You can save up to 85% off of 7,500 quality office products from furniture, office supplies, tech, facility supplies, and print and promotional products from Grand & Toy.

Save up to 30% on Lenovo’s entire product line including laptops, tablets, servers, and more.

Receive a preferred pricing discount of 10% on all regularly priced office supplies at Monk Office, Vancouver Island’s local office supply store for nearly 70 years. Restock your office this spring with major savings! Click here to find out more.

Welcome to our newest members!

Member to Member discounts

Chateau Victoria Hotel & Suites

Preferred member discount on guest room rates

Costco Wholesale Langford

Limited Time Special Offer

Mayfair Optometric Clinic

30% off frames with complete pair purchase

MokSana Yoga Centre

$50 for one month of unlimited yoga classes for new members

YWCA Hotel Vancouver

Special member rates!

Looking to add a Member to Member deal to your online business listing?

Contact [email protected] for more information.