Immunization is the key to ending the pandemic, and Canadians are eager to open the door to a summer with fewer restrictions. The vaccine rollout across the country is working, and, today, the federal government announced fully vaccinated Canadians will no longer be required to quarantine in hotels.

"We've been working with our national chamber network to help Greater Victoria tourism businesses," Chamber CEO Bruce Williams says. "There is light ahead, and we're feeling much more hopeful after today's news, but we still have work to make sure all of our members can be part of the economic recovery."

One of the initiatives underway is a digital vaccine certification that will be key to safely travelling over international borders. The Chamber urges the federal government to act quickly on this initiative, and to offer a strategy with clear metrics so the tourism sector can plan for a safe re-opening.

On Tuesday, the Canadian Chamber partnered with the US Chamber of Commerce and other business organizations on a letter calling for the border to re-open for fully vaccinated travellers.

Everyone loves a good story, and the Picnics and Patios initiative launched this week has been well-received by Greater Victoria media.

Here's a look at some of the coverage so far:

We look forward to seeing you out there enjoying a patio. You never know, maybe we'll even pick up the cheque!

The provincial government says it expects to provide $560 million in relief to businesses under the Circuit Breaker Business Relief Grant and the Small and Medium Sized Business Recovery Grant.

On June 4, an extra $140 million was announced for the recovery grant. Grants have gone to 10,000 businesses so far and the government expects to help more than 20,000 BC businesses with 260,000 employees. About 40% of grants already approved are for businesses that serve the tourism sector.

Between $10,000 and $30,000 is available, with an additional $5,000 to $15,000 for tourism-related businesses.

The funds provide a boost to businesses making their way along the Recovery Runway as we wait for the economy to take off. However, The Chamber would like to see all relief extended to the vital non-profit sector. According to the Victoria Foundation, non-profits account for 63,000 full-time jobs and pay more than $300 million in taxes to our region’s municipalities.

“A lot of non-profits are in serious trouble and their services will be going away if they don’t get some support,” Chamber CEO Bruce Williams told the Times Colonist.

The pandemic has increased demand on many non-profits providing critical services to the community. Many organizations are struggling to raise funds and having challenges finding and keeping staff.

The Chamber CEO also spoke to the Times Colonist about the ongoing challenges facing the hospitality and tourism sector.

“Everybody’s down obviously … some have been able to rebound and make up with take-out and delivery but a lot of them just haven’t been able to do that,” Williams said, noting that without office workers downtown, many restaurants and retailers have lost customers. Residents need to continue to support downtown by going there to to shop and eat.

The Chamber has also been actively advocating for the federal government to continue wage and rent relief for the tourism and hospitality sector into next spring.

The provincial government is a little closer to offering universal child care after introducing new legislation yesterday to make it easier for parents to access child care, and for providers to find much-needed workers.

The proposed early learning and child care act would require government to report every year on progress towards universal child care, as well as on Indigenous-led child care. The early childhood educators act would make the certification process more efficient for child care workers who have been trained in other countries.

The Chamber advocates for accessible and affordable child care as an important investment that enables more parents to remain in the workforce.

If you were to use a scorecard to analyze your business, how would you fare? Are you taking full advantage of technology being made available to support you?

Elizabeth Vannan and Steve Wellburn with MNP (a Chamber Champion!) join Chamber CEO Bruce Williams to talk about this timely topic.

Special thanks to our series sponsor: Island Savings

A new owner has long-term plans for Mayfair Shopping Centre. The mall was purchased by Central Walk from Ivanhoe Cambridge, with the deal closing June 1.

Central Walk, which also purchased Nanaimo's Woodgrove Centre in 2020, is headed by Island resident Weihing Liu.

Liu says she hopes to enhance Mayfair's sense of place as a social and commercial hub.

Need a break from the hustle and bustle? Step into The Bay Centre and stop to see the flowers under a Canopy in Bloom at centre court. The immersive experience opened June 1 and will be in place until Sept. 20.

"We invite you to take a moment to immerse yourself under our floral canopy. A place to let go, become grounded and more at peace," says The Bay Centre's description of the exhibit. "We hope your visit to the Canopy in Bloom experience will provide a moment of comforting escape while raising awareness and funds for mental health services available to you, your loved ones and our community."

Greater Victoria and Vancouver Island have been named the seventh best place to visit in Canada, according to usnews.com.

The site says our region is a "world away" from bustling Vancouver, despite being a 90-minute ferry ride. USNews praised Victoria for retaining its roots to its British heritage, such as afternoon tea at the Fairmont Empress, as well as the Inner Harbour.

Banff topped the list, while Quebec City placed sixth and PEI came in at No. 8.

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