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Dan Dagg of The Chamber,
Mina Haghighi of Futurepreneur Canada, Minister Catherine McKenna,
Catherine Holt of The Chamber
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| Chamber hosts federal ministers
Minister Morneau was candid about the trials of working with the U.S. under the Trump administration, and how Canada could be impacted by Brexit.
On Monday, Feb. 11, The Chamber hosted a luncheon
sponsored by ,
with federal Minister of Environment and Climate Change Catherine McKenna.
After a short speech, McKenna and Chamber CEO Catherine Holt talked about different approaches to taxing pollution, why we need to speak clearly about the risks of climate change and the opportunities for business to lead through innovation.
Click here to see the photos from both Federal Minister events.
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Hear Premier John Horgan speak on his government's vision for the Province of British Columbia as well as regional priorities.
Table sponsorships available. More information here.
Sponsored by:
Tue, Feb 26 | 11:15
am-1:15 pm
Victoria Conference Centre
720 Douglas St.
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Record snowfall reflects 'global weirding'
This week's snowfall set a record for the
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month of February in Greater Victoria. The amount of snow and its duration resulted in local school districts cancelling classes for an unprecedented three days in a row.
The impact on the economy is also undeniable due to closed businesses and workers unable to travel to their jobs. The loss in productivity is difficult to measure, though the snowstorm did serve to amplify our region's ongoing struggle with adequate child care resources and transportation options.
The record-setting weather can also be seen as an example of how unexpected conditions are becoming the new normal around the planet. A report published yesterday by Nature Communications includes an interactive map that shows how the climate is forecast to change in North American cities by 2080.
Climate scientists have started to change their language, using the term 'global weirding' rather than global warming, to better reflect what people are actually experiencing. In this column in the Times Colonist, Chamber CEO Catherine Holt advocates for using more accurate language to describe what is happening to the climate in order to motivate and foster change.
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Members Around Town
WIN adds new donation centre
Victoria Women In Need Community Cooperative (WIN) is relocating its WIN Resale Shop Donation Centre to 555 Ardersier Rd. and are celebrating with a grand opening party on Mar. 1. There is lots of parking making it perfect for one-stop drop for donations of housewares, clothing and furniture. All four of WIN Resale Shops at Westside, Pandora, Cook St, and Langford will continue to operate normally.
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Victoria Women In Need Community Cooperative: member since 1998
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HarbourCats management consider Nanaimo
The ownership group of the Victoria HarbourCats told the West Coast League (WCL) it wants to place a team in Nanaimo, playing out of Serauxmen Stadium. Under league rules, groups can own more than one team as long as each club sets up different baseball operations departments to maintain fairness and competitiveness. This requires an expansion arrangement with the WCL, a user group agreement for Serauxmen Stadium and working with the City of Nanaimo to target a 2020 or 2021 start.
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Victoria HarbourCats: member since 2012
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Dragon's Den auditions hit Victoria
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Parkside Hotel & Spa: member since 2013
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Workforce housing solution a work in progress
Employers and employees will be heartened by recent efforts to make housing more affordable in Greater Victoria.
The
City of Victoria has stepped up with a
$750,000 increase to its affordable housing reserve fund, which will be available at a rate of $10,000 per bedroom to help non-profit housing providers offer lower rents.
"It's a priority for just about everybody. It's a priority for the Chamber of Commerce. It's a priority for Tourism Victoria. It's a priority for VIATEC," Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps told the Times Colonist.
In Langford, a 132-unit housing development was
recently completed for people with low to moderate incomes. Residents will be able to move into Millstream Ridge on March 1. The project was funded by the $90 million Regional Housing First Program, a partnership between the federal, provincial and regional governments.
Thirty units are for people who can live independently with supports, 37 are affordable rental units and 65 units are available at near-market rental rates.
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City of Victoria: member since 1962
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Greater Victoria Coalition to End Homelessness: member since 2012
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March Business Leaders Series
This series features informative breakfast or luncheon presentations by business, government and institutional speakers on various topics.
BC Ferries has a lot on the go for
2019.
For more information on the future of Swartz Bay and on BC Ferries' plans to evolve our coastal ferry system, come to this lunch!
Sponsored by:
Wed, Mar 6
|11:30 am-1 pm
Victoria Marriott Inner Harbour
728 Humboldt St.
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Throne speech promises to make BC more affordable
The provincial government outlined its goals for 2019 yesterday in the throne speech read by Lt. Gov. Janet Austin.
There was a familiar theme as the speech focused on the struggles of working families. This year's speech stated twice how difficult it is to "get ahead" (the same phrase was used three times in the last throne speech).
The government promised to take action to make housing and child care more affordable. As well, there are plans to improve the oversight of payday loans, cell phone service and the resale of concert and sports tickets. The government is also keeping BC Ferries' rates frozen.
The speech announced that BC will be getting its first poverty reduction strategy, as well as legislation ensuring universal affordable child care.
Not surprisingly, there was no mention of the Employer Health Tax (EHT). Somewhat confusingly, the speech claimed that BC will eliminate MSP premiums this year. However, that change isn't scheduled to take effect until Jan. 1 2020. Meanwhile, the EHT kicked in this year, creating a one-year overlap that The Chamber has declared to be onerous for employers who currently pay MSP for staff.
We'll find out more specific information about how the government plans to deliver on these promises on BC Budget Day, Feb. 19.
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Eby aims to cut costs at ICBC by limiting use of court experts
BC Attorney General David Eby has announced changes to cut back on what he says is the excessive use of experts who drag out court cases.
That investigation is cited as one of the reasons Eby is changing BC Supreme Court civil rules, effective Feb. 1 2020, to encourage earlier settlements. Vehicle injury claims have increased by 43% in the past five years, while the increased use of experts has contributed to a 20% increase in ICBC's litigated injury settlements over the last year, says the government.
ICBC is expected to take a loss of $1.18 billion this year.
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Freedom Mobile launches in YYJ
After The Chamber's breakfast with Finance  Minister Bill Morneau,
Paul McAleese, president of Shaw's wireless division,
alongside Minister Morneau, announced Shaw is expanding Freedom Mobile's network to include Victoria and Red Deer, Alta.
Freedom Mobile's launch in these markets comes after significant investments to upgrade and expand their network, including the ongoing deployment of Extended Range LTE 700 MHz spectrum which began in October 2018. This year, Freedom Mobile will be expanding to a total of 15 new communities in BC, Alberta and Ontario, providing 1.3 million more Canadians with wireless options.
Shaw: member since 2010
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This is an excellent opportunity for members and prospective members to establish or renew valuable business relationships.
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WorkBC improvements
Changes to WorkBC will offer better services for people who need support to re-enter the workforce, access training opportunities and find good jobs.
Service improvements under the new model include:
- increasing the number of WorkBC centres to 103 locations, up from 84
- moving to an outcome-based funding model that makes people's success in the job market a priority for service providers
- extending eligibility for specialized WorkBC services to anyone who has paid into employment insurance (EI) for five of the last 10 years and removing EI eligibility barriers
- See the complete list here.
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GT Hiring Solutions: member since 2006
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Family Day activities
Family Day is just around the corner. Exciting news, the BC Province has funded
free activities around BC in celebration of Family Day on Monday, Feb 18. Here are some
activities
happening around town:
The Chamber office will be closed Monday, Feb. 18.
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Welcome to Our Newest Members!
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Chamber Name Tags
 In response to members' requests, The Chamber has redesigned the name tags Chamber members can purchase. We increased the prominence of your business name while keeping your name clearly visible.
Need to get one of the snazzy new Chamber Name tags?
Email us to order yours today.
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