More than 100 new buses
Prime Minister
Justin Trudeau,
BC Premier
John Horgan and
President and CEO for BC Transit
Erinn Pinkerton announced more than $79 million in joint funding to purchase 118 new buses for use in Greater Victoria and communities throughout BC.
The Chamber welcomes the much needed investment in regional transportation in order to provide both employers and employee
s with efficient options for commutes across Greater Victoria.
The new buses will replace older vehicles at the end of their life cycle or increase capacity in communities where ridership is growing.
Additionally, the investment includes funding for 10 long-range electric buses that will provide greener transportation options in Greater Victoria. The new buses will be more efficient, have improved accessibility and safety features, and will support BC Transit's new NextRide technology and closed-circuit television security cameras.
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BC Transit: member since 1999
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Government St. focus on pedestrians
Victoria councillors have unanimously endorsed proposals brought forward by Mayor Lisa Helps and city staff to begin planning Government Street's transformation into a "people priority" street that, once completed, would not ban motor vehicles but would severely restrict their access.
In a Times Colonist article, Downtown Victoria Business Association Executive Director Jeff Bray said council seems to be listening to his members who don't want to see the street entirely closed to vehicle traffic. "I think that the motion that was passed was much more about creating an area for collaboration, where the businesses can be more involved in how to create a more pedestrian-focused street and enhance the streetscape for both tourists and the locals alike."
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Downtown Victoria Business Association: Member since 2007
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SUMMER SOCIAL SERIES:
High-performance employees deserve a couple of hot laps in a high-performance car! Treat your employees or treat yourself.
Spend an unforgettable afternoon at the
Vancouver Island Motorsport Circuit - coined "the most beautiful track in the world" by Autoweek Magazine. Hang out in the Paddock Lounge sampling delicious food and cold beverages, then take a tour of this amazing facility.
Feel the need for speed? Take your experience up a level by trying the race car simulator or ride along in a luxury racing car for a couple of hot laps of the circuit.
Fri, Aug 16 | 2-5
pm
The Summer Social Series transports you to a new location where you will enjoy a memorable event connecting over great food and local wine, beer, cocktails and
non-alcoholic options.
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Members Around Town
Hatley Gardens at Royal Roads, now free to public
Hatley Park Gardens at Royal Roads University will be permanently open to the public free of charge. The 10-acre heritage gardens are nestled between century-old Hatley Castle and the biologically diverse Esquimalt Lagoon looking out to the Olympic Mountains.
Built by James Dunsmuir, son of coal baron Robert Dunsmuir, the gardens
have been in existence for almost a century.
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Royal Roads University: member since 1996
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New PET/CT scanner
With a new
$6.5 million PET/CT scanner suite
at BC Cancer - Victoria, cancer patients no longer have to travel to the Lower Mainland to receive these scans. A PET/CT scanner delivers precise images of abnormal or cancerous cells, which can help physicians diagnose cancer at an early stage or evaluate the effectiveness of treatments by determining if a patient's cancer tumours have shrunk, spread or returned. The
BC Cancer Foundation raised funds for the new scanner with support from over 3,500 Vancouver Island donors, including $2 million from Nanaimo resident Gordon Heys and $1 million from long-standing supporter Thrifty Foods as well as receiving $1.2 million from the provincial government.
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BC Cancer Foundation - Vancouver Island: member since 1997
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Our Place Society celebrates belated 50th anniversary
Our Place Society will shut down the 900-block of Pandora Avenue to celebrate more than 50 years in service this Sunday, July 28 from 1-4 pm. Festivities at this free public event include live music from the Victoria Conservatory of Music, an antique fire truck, a Victoria Police armoured vehicle, chalk art, hula hoops, temporary tattoos, jugglers, pop-up operas, tours of the facility and more.
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Our Place Society: member since 2010
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Top 100 most scenic dining list
Looking for great food and a great view? According to OpenTable, eight of the
top 100 restaurants in Canada that make the 100 Most Scenic Restaurants in Canada list are Chamber members. They included Blue Crab Seafood House at
Coast Victoria Hotel & Marina by APA,
Keg Steakhouse & Bar, Marina Restaurant at the
Oak Bay Marine Group,
Milestones Restaurant,
Fairmont Empress, The Dining Room at the
Butchart Gardens, Alpina Restaurant at
Villa Eyrie Resort and Vista 18 Westcoast Grill and Wine Bar at
Chateau Victoria Hotel and Suites. The list was compiled strictly by reviews from diners between June 1, 2018 and May 31 of this year conducted by OpenTable, a part of Booking Holdings, a leading provider of online restaurant reservations.
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Coast Victoria Hotel & Marina by APA: member since 2007
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Keg Steakhouse & Bar: member since 1979
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Oak Bay Marine Group: member since 1969
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Milestones Restaurant: member since 2000
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Fairmont Empress: member since 1962
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Butchart Gardens: member since 1976
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Villa Eyrie Resort: member since 2018
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Chateau Victoria Hotel and Suites: member since 1974
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SUMMER SOCIAL SERIES:
Yeehaw! Featuring gourmet appetizers, BBQ sliders, mac n' cheese and pie chef stations catered by
Food For Thought Catering. Quench your thirst with local BC wine, craft beer and non-alcoholic cocktails. Kick up your boots with some line dancing.
Thu, Sept 5 |
6:30-8:30 pm
The Summer Social Series transports you to a new location where you will enjoy a memorable evening of connecting over great food and local wine, beer,
cocktails and non-alcoholic options.
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Licensing recruiters to protect foreign workers
BC government has introduced a new
licensing requirement for recruiters, who help secure employment in BC for foreign workers.
It's designed to better protect workers new to Canada, including people who enter under the federal Temporary Foreign Workers Program and are more vulnerable to abuse in the workplace.
Information about licensed recruiters will now also be available online in a searchable registry so that employers and foreign nationals will know which recruiters are licensed and in good standing.
"Workers coming to a new country must be confident that their rights are protected and that abusive recruiters will be held accountable," said Harry Bains, Minister of Labour in a press release. "Licensing will help regulate the recruiting industry in BC and will ensure a level playing field for those recruiters who treat workers fairly."
Recruiter licensing is the first phase of bringing the Temporary Foreign Worker Protection Act into force. It will be administered through a new unit within the Employment Standards Branch. The second phase - expected to be launched later this year - involves establishing a new registration requirement for employers who hire temporary foreign workers.
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Greater Victoria construction pace slows
From January through May of this year,
only $930 million was invested in building construction projects in Greater Victoria -- a 5% drop from the $977 million recorded through the same period in 2018.
This includes all types of new construction, renovations, conversions and smaller permitted projects such as swimming pools and garages. Residential construction made up $37 million of the $47 million drop.
"I think it is policy-driven to a large degree," said Casey Edge, Executive Director of the
Victoria Residential Builders Association in a Times Colonist
article. "We have every level of government implementing a variety of policies that have definitely had a dampening effect on the supply side."
Edge was referring to federal mortgage rules, along with the provincial speculation and vacancy tax, which applies to homes in Greater Victoria.
The region continues to struggle with low vacancy rates and workforce housing needs, something that the slowdown exacerbates.
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Victoria Residential Builders Association: member since 1989
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A limited number of early bird tickets are now on sale for the 37th Annual Dinner Auction Gala. This black tie evening includes cocktails, chef stations, a silent and live auction and entertainment including dancing and an interactive photo booth.
Saturday, November 2 | 6-10:30 pm
Fairmont Empress, 721 Government St.
Below are examples of the exciting items you'll be able to bid on.
- Spice up your yard with a beautiful paperbark maple tree that embraces the style of Vancouver Island forests thanks to Bartlett Tree Experts.
- What's better than a single tree? Why hundreds of them of course! And what better place to walk through the forest than Capilano Suspension Bridge Park with 4-day passes!
- Want to stay on the island? Visit Cherry Point Estate Wines for a 6 person tour of the farm and winery with a tasting included!
- Stay fresh with a gift basket from the Chamber's New Business of the Year award winner Abeego featuring their Variety Wrap & Giant Wrap Set.
Want to see your item showcased at the auction? Contact Scott at [email protected].
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Certificate of Origin Benefit
Did you know that The Chamber authorizes Certificates of Origin to local businesses for the purpose of facilitating trade around the world?
A Certificate of Origin is a document attesting that goods exported in a shipment have been wholly obtained, produced, manufactured or processed in a particular country.
Documents commonly presented to The Chamber for certification are:
- Certificates of Origin accompanying invoices and packing lists
- Visa introductions to Southeast Asia and the Arabic Peninsula
- Business registration
- Agency or representation agreements and more!
Members receive one free Certificate of Origin annually while additional certificates are $20 including tax.
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Welcome to our newest members!
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Member to Member Deals
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