|
|
BizNews
February 26, 2020
|
|
Your weekly round up of BizNews from throughout Greater Victoria
|
|
The Chamber welcomes Michelle Obama
|
The Chamber is pleased to sponsor
A Conversation with former First Lady Michelle Obama on March 31, at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre.
|
Next week! Join The Chamber for
lunch with
Joy MacPhail, Chair of
ICBC to learn about the largest reform of BC auto insurance in 45 years.
Come aboard
BC Ferries' newest hybrid vessel at the
Point Hope Maritime Shipyard then join The Chamber for lunch to hear from President and CEO
Mark Collins.
Register here.
The Chamber is looking forward to tomorrow's
sold out Business Leaders Luncheon with
BC Finance Minister Carole James. This is Minister James' first public appearance in Victoria after tabling the provincial
2020 Budget last week.
|
|
|
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.
|
|
Tuesday, May 12 | 6 - 10 PM
Fairmont Empress
721 Government St.
Victoria, BC V8W 1W5
|
|
Michelle Obama puts spotlight on Greater Victoria
|
Have you heard? Of course you have!
The Chamber is beyond thrilled to be
sponsoring
A Conversation with Michelle Obama at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre on March 31.
The official announcement was made Monday morning and tickets went quickly — the few remaining seats are expected to be sold out today.
The Victoria show is the only one in Canada on her current tour. Ms. Obama is renowned for her inspirational take on a truly remarkable life. The former First Lady's memoir,
Becoming
, was an instant No. 1 on the New York Times Best Sellers List.
Check out some examples at right of the incredible news coverage this announcement garnered for our region this week. >>>
|
|
- Michelle Obama is bringing her Becoming tour to Victoria on March 31
|
|
Changes to Evide
nce Act aimed at cutting ICBC costs
|
|
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
|
|
Promote your job across Canada
|
Desperately seeking a larger talent pool? The Chamber, with the help of HotHouse Marketing, is connecting workers from the rest of Canada with jobs in Greater Victoria during February and March. Make sure your jobs are on our board to showcase why we really are the best place in the country to live, work and play.
Every Chamber member receives one free job posting annually.
Learn more
here
.
|
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."
|
|
The Chamber comes with
numerous benefits
for your team, including The Chamber’s Group Insurance Plan.
|
|
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
|
|
Saanich seeks input on electric mobility strategy
|
|
An
online survey, available until March 8, will help Saanich plan a rapid transition to electric vehicles and e-bikes.
Saanich hopes that focusing first on readily available light-duty electric vehicles and e-bikes is the quickest way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the community.
|
|
District of Saanich: Member since 2018
|
|
Next week! Learn about the largest reform of
BC auto insurance in 45 years
|
|
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.
|
Wed., Mar. 4 | 11:30 am - 1 pm
Delta Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort
100 Harbour Rd.
|
|
|
 |
Come aboard BC Ferries' newest electric hybrid vessel then join us for lunch to hear from President & CEO, Mark Collins, on how this new class of vessel is changing the future of the company and contributing to a sustainable environment.
|
Tue., Mar. 24 | 11:30 am - 1 pm
Delta Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort
100 Harbour Rd.
|
|
|
|
Connect with new clients at the trade show every business is talking about. Network with 300+ people and meet 50+ businesses who will be showcasing their services and products. Stay tuned for door prize announcements and more!
|
Thurs., Mar. 19 | 4-7 pm
Delta Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort
100 Harbour Rd.
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
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.
|
|
|
Chamber member presents to APEC
CMX Partnerships Director, Juan Navarro, presented his most recent research on competition policy to leaders and representatives from the
21 APEC economies earlier this month. Navarro had the opportunity to engage with business leaders and authorities during the first meeting of 2020, which meets to support
sustainable economic growth and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region.
|
CMX Partnerships: member since 2020
|
Internationally awarded liquor
|
Victoria Caledonian Distillery & Twa Dogs Brewery: member since 2013
|
Sheringham Distillery: member since 2018
|
UVic Co-op Wage Subsidy Program
|
University of Victoria: member since 1976
|
|
Saanich wins Small Business BC award
|
The Corporation of the District of Saanich: members since 2019
|
South Island Prosperity Partnership: member since 2017
|
|
|
Welcome to our newest members!
|
|
Member to Member discounts
|
|
|
|
Chateau Victoria Hotel & Suites
|
|
|
|
|
Costco Wholesale Langford
|
|
|
|
|
Mayfair Optometric Clinic
|
|
|
Looking to add a Member to Member deal to your online business listing?
|
|
Need to get one of our snazzy Chamber name tags?
|
|
|
|
|
|
250-383-7191
victoriachamber.ca
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
