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BizNews
February 12, 2020
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Your weekly round up of BizNews from throughout Greater Victoria
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Join in on the excitement
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Next week is
Chamber Week! Join the excitement on social media using the hashtag
#ChamberWeekYYJ and tagging
@VictoriaChamber. Social media materials are available to
download here. Questions? Contact
members@victoriachamber.ca
Join Greater Victoria's emerging young professionals at tomorrow's
Prodigy Group Mingle. Bring your business cards to be entered to win a special prize!
Hear from BC Finance Minister
Carole James at her first public event in Victoria following the tabling of the provincial government's 2020 Budget.
Learn more.
Take a tour at the
Point Hope Maritime Shipyard then join The Chamber for lunch to hear from
BC Ferries President and CEO
Mark Collins.
Register here.
Join The Chamber for
lunch with
Joy MacPhail, Chair of
ICBC on March 4 to hear
about the largest reform of BC auto insurance in 45 years.
Only two booths left! Showcase your business to the more than 300 people attending the
2020 Marketplace Mixer (Mar. 19).
Book your booth now!
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VicPD steps up downtown patrols after calls for help
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Project Downtown Connect will see two officers increasing police presence downtown,
Victoria Police Department Chief Del Manak
announced Monday. The initiative will cost $55,000 with funding coming from the department's overtime budget. The patrols will engage with small businesses four days per week for four months.
The project will help police better understand issues facing downtown businesses, who will also receive advice from officers on improving security.
Businesses downtown have voiced concerns about a growing sense of helplessness in the face of increased shoplifting linked to slow police response. The Chamber advocates for safe communities as the foundation for being able to function in our daily lives. The VicPD initiative is a step in the right direction.
After four months, the city will review the effectiveness of the program and decide if it can be incorporated into the police budget over a longer-term.
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Victoria Police Department: Member since 2008
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Protest impact muddled by misplaced disruption
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As a provincial capital, we understand the extra
attention
our region routinely gets from people who want to protest the BC government.
Protests on the lawn of the legislative buildings are clear about opposing decisions made by the provincial government.
What the protestors who shut down Victoria's major bridges during Monday's rush hour failed to grasp is we are also a regular community with people who need to get around. Adding anxiety to people’s lives and idling traffic is not the right tool to change minds. Senior citizens missed medical visits, active kids were kept away from teammates and parents could not get to their child-care providers or home to their families.
When protestors don't understand the distinction between community and capital, their
message
is lost in the chaos and confusion they foist upon citizens who might otherwise support their cause.
Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps did her best to
distance
the city from the actions of three councillors — Ben Isitt, Jeremy Loveday and Sharmarke Dubow — who joined the protest as it continued on Tuesday at the legislature.
“Councillors are free to do whatever they feel they need to do, but they were not sent there, officially, to represent the city in any capacity,” Helps told the Times Colonist.
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Throne speech promises relief for employers
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Increased access to affordable child care and housing for people who work in Greater Victoria were two of the highlights of yesterday's provincial
throne speech.
As usual, the speech was
light on details.
The Chamber
hears from our members that finding and keeping workers continues to be their No. 1 challenge.
Making our region more attractive to working families is vital if we are to increase the supply of potential employees.
Hopefully, we'll have more news on
budget day next week, including changes to the Employer Health Tax that The Chamber has been calling for.
Don't forget to
register now to hear firsthand from BC Finance Minister Carole James at The Chamber's Feb. 27 Business Leaders Luncheon.
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Be the first to hear about Budget 2020
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Provincial Finance Minister Luncheon
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Hear from B.C. Finance Minister Carole James at her first public event in Victoria following the tabling of the provincial government's 2020 Budget.
The presentation will provide an overview of the recently unveiled budget and details on province-wide changes that could impact our community and your bottom line.
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Thurs., Feb. 27 | 11:15 am - 1 pm
The Fairmont Empress
721 Government St.
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Greater Victoria added 10,000 jobs last year
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The Greater Victoria economy added 10,000 jobs over the last year, including 2,300 in the past month alone. Statistics Canada
figures
show 201,000 people held a job in our region in January.
Greater Victoria's unemployment rate continues to be the lowest in Canada, even though it rose slightly to 3.5% in January compared to 3.4% in December.
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Promote your job across Canada
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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 job posts are online to showcase why we really are the best place in the country to live, work and play.
Every Chamber member receives one free job post annually.
Learn more
here
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Chamber Member Tip of the Week
"An internal culture that aligns company and employee values creates a positive environment that makes people want to stay with an organization. We support our employees at every level to think and act as leaders, and we start by developing an understanding through education on what leadership is. Our teams feel empowered to make decisions and succeed, and that gives them a greater level of satisfaction in their roles."
Moira Hauk, Regional Manager of Coastal Community Credit Union
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The Chamber comes with
numerous benefits
for your team, including The Chamber’s Group Insurance Plans.
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ICBC undergoing largest reform in 45 years
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ICBC's announcement last week that it would undergo the
largest reform of BC auto insurance in 45 years is
good news for drivers. The coming legislation will lower ICBC premiums by 20%, saving an average of $400 per year for drivers, the province
said.
However, trial lawyers have condemned the changes, saying that the new system is
unfair to people seriously hurt in crashes — especially cyclists. Insurance brokers are also
watching closely to see how the rules changes will affect their business and their clients.
Beginning in May 2021, ICBC will pay about 90 per cent (up to $1,200 a week) of what someone had been earning if injuries suffered in a crash keep them from working. However, earnings will be based on current earning and
will not account for future increases in earnings.
Last year, ICBC paid out $435 million in future wage losses.
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Business gets chance to vote in Victoria by-election
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The
City of Victoria by-election is a rare opportunity for people who have businesses or income properties in the municipality but live outside its borders.
Typically during civic elections, voters will cast their ballot in the municipality in which they reside. But doing so disqualifies them from also voting in a different municipality where they own commercial property.
With the
April 4 by-election only happening in Victoria, there's a lot of interest from people who have a business in the city but live outside its borders.
For information on who is eligible to vote as a
non-resident property elector, here’s a
link to the details. A few notable requirements include:
- You must be a registered owner of the real property and are not holding the property in trust for a corporation or another trust. There is no corporate vote in BC.
- If there is more than one registered owner, you’ll need written consent of the majority and only one of you can cast a vote as the non-resident property elector.
It’s a great opportunity for business owners to ensure their voice is represented on Victoria council.
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City of Victoria: member since 1962
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Chamber Business Leaders Series 2020
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Wed., Mar. 4 | 11:30 am - 1 pm
Delta Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort
100 Harbour Rd.
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Tue., Mar. 24 | 11:30 am - 1 pm
Delta Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort
100 Harbour Rd.
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GVHA shifts focus to shore power for cruise ships
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The
Greater Victoria Harbour Authority
announced last week it was shifting resources to
focus on the feasibility of providing shore power for cruise ships and other environmental initiatives. The move means that the GVHA will
extend the schedule to finish a master plan for the Breakwater District at Ogden Point.
GVHA CEO Ian Robertson met with The Chamber's Public Policy and Advocacy committee last week and noted that the 2020 cruise ship
season is shaping up very well, with the industry showing strong demand for new ships. Robertson estimated cruise ships contribute about $150 million to the regional economy.
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Greater Victoria Harbour Authority: Member since 2003
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Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd: Member since 2020
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With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, finding that perfect gift may seem like a daunting task. Luckily, Chamber members are here to ensure you have a romantic day while supporting local businesses.
As always, check our
community calendar for exciting Valentine’s Day events happening all over Greater Victoria. Whether you’re spending the day with a loved one, or having a special day for yourself, The Chamber wishes you a happy Valentine’s Day!
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David Foster provides advice to students
David Foster, 16-time Grammy winner and founder of the
David Foster Foundation
gave a speech to
University of Victoria
students about the importance of networking and having a strong work ethic. Foster
gave
students financial and life advice, while later serenading students with a performance of his hit song “My Girl.”
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David Foster Foundation: member since 2000
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Butchart Gardens hosts job fair tonight
Butchart Gardens is hosting a
job fair tonight from 6 to 8 pm at 800 Benvenuto Ave. to showcase opportunities in multiple departments. With more than 600 employees during the summer and Christmas season, Butchart Gardens offers employment for all ages.
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Butchart Gardens: member since 1976
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UVic honours distinguished alumni Sybil Verch
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Raymond James: member since 2003
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University of Victoria: member since 1976
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CHEK News: member since 1971
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City of Victoria: member since 1962
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Greater Victoria Public Library: member since 2008
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Greater Victoria School District SD61: member since 1976
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Welcome to our newest members!
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Member to Member discounts
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Chateau Victoria Hotel & Suites
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Iris Optometrists and Opticians View Street
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Looking to add a Member to Member deal to your online business listing?
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Need to get one of our snazzy Chamber name tags?
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250-383-7191
victoriachamber.ca
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