Thank you to our sponsors, participants and everyone who attended the Fall Marketplace Mixer! See the photos here.
BC's largest business network needs you!
Share your perspective on the future of your businesses and the BC economy by taking this short 10-minute survey

Help the BC Chamber get a better understanding of the challenges and opportunities you see for the future of your business.

"As one of BC largest Chambers with over 1,400 member organizations, we have a real opportunity to ensure Greater Victoria interests are heard," said Chamber Chair Al Hasham. "Survey results will be presented to B.C.'s Deputy Ministers on Nov 9, so please contribute to this survey today!"

There is a prize available for one lucky survey-taker, so make sure you get your survey done right away!

The BC Chamber is the largest and most broadly-based business organization in the province, representing more than 125 Chambers of Commerce and 36,000 diverse businesses across BC.
Chamber News
Opportunities and connections
Chamber Events
Fall Members Breakfast
Business Leaders Luncheons
Community Calendar
Event Photos 

Better Governance = Less Governments

The Chamber believes local government deeply impacts businesses - in Greater Victoria we have too many local governments, each with their own unique processes, generating a cost - in terms of dollars, time and frustration - for business operating in more than one municipality.
 
Don't look to local city councillors or anybody even thinking of running for city council for an unvarnished view of issues surrounding amalgamation, Victoria Coun. Geoff Young advised a group of Royal Roads students in this Times Colonist piece. While the province says there will be no forced amalgamations, Young said he's not sure what would happen if a council said one thing and the residents said something else.

" Greater Victoria's reputation and ability to compete with other jurisdictions can be impacted by our ability to deliver regionally," said Chamber CEO Catherine Holt. "As long as thinking regionally is a voluntary option, our economy and quality of life is at risk. We need better governance through less governments."
Know a Business that has Excelled this Year?
Do you know a small business that demonstrates continual business excellence through positive business growth, demonstrates a commitment to the community, exemplifies superior customer service and embraces an outstanding commitment to quality? If you do, nominate them for the 2017 Business of the Year (11-39 Employees) Award!

Need some inspiration? Check out the videos of the 2016 Business of the Year (11-39 Employees) finalists below.  

Winner: Mayfair Optometric Clinic
Finalist: Crust Bakery
Thanks to CHEK News for sponsoring this award!

Tax Reform - Please!
 
For years, the BC business community has asked the provincial government to commit to a dialogue on the PST reform to enhance BC's competitiveness and productivity.
 
One of the options is a made-in-BC Value Added Sales Tax (VAT). A VAT would be charged only on the value added at each stage of the manufacturing process, as opposed to the PST model which is levied in full at every stage.
 
"The chamber's concerns about the erosion of BC's competitive position were echoed in a submission from the Business Council of BC," reports this Vancouver Sun piece. "While acknowledging that the province currently leads the country in jobs and growth, the council cited some longer term obstacles to investment in the resource industries and manufacturing."
 
The Province launched the BC Commission on Tax Competitiveness in July 2016, with the mandate to make recommendations that position BC's tax structure to meet the economic realities of the future, while respecting the outcome of the 2011 referendum to eliminate the HST. The commission will present its final report and recommendations to the Minister of Finance by Oct 31.
 
Driving Excellence! 
Fuel your adrenaline crush in a full day of driving at Canada's only year round motorsport facility, the Vancouver Island Motorsport Circuit. Starting out in a thrilling track-ready BMW and completing your day in a Porsche Cayman. This exciting package includes lunch at the Paddock Lounge.

Final week to donate and
get exposure for your business! 

Although the auction is sold out, last minute cancellations can occur, click here to be put on the wait list.

Change is in the Air 
Chamber members are out and about making new hires and appointments all over the Capital Region.
Best of luck in your new roles!
Supporting Business Growth

Fast-growing companies play a disproportionate role in driving job creation and overall economic dynamism. Of the 390,000 businesses in BC, half are one-person operations while another 109,000 have fewer than five staff.
 
"British Columbia would benefit from the presence of more large companies," reports this Business in Vancouver piece. "The evidence - from Canada, but also many other developed countries - confirms that regions with a substantial number of sizable businesses reap tangible economic rewards."
 
Economic rewards include higher employee earnings and labour productivity as well as increased focus on outside markets.
 
"We celebrate the work and contributions of small and medium-sized businesses, the backbone of Greater Victoria's economy," said Chamber CEO Catherine Holt. "Fostering an economic environment that encourages business growth is a long-term priority for The Chamber."

Chamber Board Election Results

A big thanks to the many members of The Chamber who voted in this year's election. Each year, members are asked to select a set number of candidates to represent them - and their business' needs - for the next two years.

The results are in and throughout 2017 and 2018, The Chamber will enjoy the services of these dedicated volunteers on The Chamber board:  
  • Carmen Charette
  • Dan Dagg
  • John Wilson
  • Mark Mawhinney
  • Mark Smith
Historic Birthday
A 130 years of education and preservation for the province could make you feel ancient, but ancient takes on a different flavour when you work every day with millennial old artifacts. The Royal BC Museum is celebrating their 130th anniversary this year in style including the exhibit of five original Emily Carr paintings from Oct 25 to 27 at Clifford Carl Hall. The museum also invited 19 children from across BC - winners of their summertime Ice Age art contest - to enjoy an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour.
 
"Our legacy is marked by a remarkable continuity of vision, values and goals," said Royal BC Museum CEO Prof. Jack Lohman. "Our forward strategy is about being Canada's number one museum, promoting a culture of collaboration and advancing inclusion and diversity in all our work."

Royal BC Museum: member since 1994
Welcome to Our Newest Members! 

 
 

 
 
Chamber Name Tags
Need to get one of the snazzy new Chamber Name tags? Email Reception to order yours today.

250-383-7191  

victoriachamber.ca
[email protected]
View on Instagram