Your weekly round up of BizNews from throughout Greater Victoria
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Community leaders meet with ICBC Chair
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The Chamber hosted ICBC Chair Joy MacPhail last week at a Business Leaders Luncheon focused on major changes that will affect all drivers in British Columbia.
Check out the presentation
here
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Fill your heart with song and build great new relationships! Thursday night at
Pacific Opera Victoria
, 925 Balmoral Rd., come join the Prodigy Group
March Mingle
.
Bring your business cards to be entered to win one of several prizes!
Come aboard
BC Ferries
' newest hybrid vessel at the
Point Hope Maritime Shipyard
then join The Chamber for lunch to hear from President and CEO
Mark Collins.
Register here.
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Want to take this iconic event to the next level? Just released, we have 10 tickets to the Meet & Greet with Michelle prior to the event. This is a chance of a lifetime! Deadline this Friday.
Members also have the ability to purchase some of the last tickets available to this sold-out show.
March 31st 7 - 9pm
Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre
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Greater Victoria remains Open for Business
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There is a lot of talk and a lot of questions about COVID 19. The best defence — along with washing your hands and not touching your face — is making sure you have the facts and a plan.
The
World Health Organization
has said the virus spreads through contact with respiratory droplets when someone infected coughs or sneezes. Illness due to COVID-19 is generally mild, especially for children and healthy adults.
Much like the common cold, which is also a coronavirus, WHO indicates the most effective ways to protect yourself and others against COVID-19 are to frequently clean your hands, cover your cough with the bend of elbow or tissue, and maintain a distance of at least one metre from people who are coughing or sneezing.
We recommend having a plan for yourself and your business. The Greater Vancouver Board of Trade has a list of
resources
that can help you prepare your business.
Simple things to do are, if you're meeting people, why not
bump elbows
instead of shaking hands? If your staff — or you — are sick, encourage them to stay home and take the time to get well. Plan ahead to accommodate multiple staff being off sick at the same time. Or allow people to work from home to minimize exposure.
"As well as being vigilant about the virus, we also need to be concerned about the unintended disruption of business and community life because of an overreaction to news about what has happened elsewhere," Chamber CEO Catherine Holt says. "This is a time to show common sense and compassion. Take proper precautions but continue to support local business."
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Feds offer $1B to help weather pandemic
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The federal government announced a $1 billion
package today to help the Canadian economy weather the uncertainty caused by concerns over COVID 19.
The plan,
unveiled this morning by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, offers new money for research and support for the health care system as well as help for workers and businesses. The one-week waiting period for unemployment insurance has been waived and Canada's work-sharing program has been enhanced. The moves are designed to help employers affected by staff requiring extended time off.
Federal health minister Patty Hadju said up to 70 per cent of the population could eventually get the virus, though most people will experience mild symptoms comparable to catching a cold or the flu. One important takeaway is that all Canadians need to be vigilant around the elderly and other vulnerable populations so as not to increase their risk of exposure.
Canada's Finance Minister Bill Morneau also
revealed
today that this year's federal budget will be tabled March 30.
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Federal Finance Minister Bill Morneau speaks with Chamber CEO Catherine Holt in Victoria last year.
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The Chamber, along with our nework across the country, will be watching to see how the government responds to these uncertain times, specifically advocating for investment in the
priorities
we've identified as key to ensuring the long-term health of our economy.
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Celebrate success at the 2020 Business Awards
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This gala event recognizes businesses in Greater Victoria that have achieved a standard of excellence through their own abilities, efforts and initiatives. A spectacular night of prestige, entertainment and celebration, the Greater Victoria Business Awards recognize members in 14 different award categories.
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Tuesday, May 12 | 6 - 10 PM
Fairmont Empress
721 Government St.
Victoria, BC V8W 1W5
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Promote your job across Canada
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Need to grow your workforce? The Chamber, with the help of HotHouse Marketing, is connecting workers from the rest of Canada with jobs in Greater Victoria this month. Make sure your jobs are on our board to showcase why we really are the best place in the country to live, work and play.
Every Chamber member receives one free job posting annually.
Learn more
here
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Chamber Member Tip of the Week
“Always be incredibly open with, and available to, both prospective and current employees. When hiring, it helps to make sure it’s the right fit, which supports a longer tenure. With current employees, it helps to have them come forward with any issues (before they become a problem), as well as any ideas to make the workplace even better.”
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The Chamber comes with
numerous benefits
for your team, including The Chamber’s Group Insurance Plan.
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Expert Panel seeks feedback on housing affordability
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Housing affordability is key to ensuring we have the workforce needed by employers. The provincial and federal governments are
investing in housing affordability and an
Expert Panel has been created to look deeper into housing supply in BC's largest cities. The panel is meeting with The Chamber, municipalities and other parties with an interest in this issue, and is looking for feedback from business and the general public.
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Hybrid vessel tour and lunch with CEO
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Come aboard BC Ferries' newest electric hybrid vessel then join us for lunch to hear from President & CEO, Mark Collins, on how this new class of vessel is changing the future of the company and contributing to a sustainable environment.
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Tue., Mar. 24 | 11:30 am - 1 pm
Delta Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort
100 Harbour Rd.
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Connect with new clients at the trade show every business is talking about. Network with 300+ people and meet 50+ businesses who will be showcasing their services and products. Stay tuned for door prize announcements and more!
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Thurs., Mar. 19 | 4-7 pm
Delta Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort
100 Harbour Rd.
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Learn how to build fresh, shareable content to connect with current and future clients at the 2020 Social Media Series.
Next up: brand with video or measure your Social Media ROI.
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Tues., March 25 | 1 pm - 2:30 pm
Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce
100 - 852 Fort St. Inner Courtyard
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Saanich seeks input on easing restrictions for unrelated occupants
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The
District of Saanich will hold a public hearing to
listen to questions, comments and concerns about increasing the number of unrelated people allowed to live together within the municipality.
The meeting will be
held at Saanich's municipal hall on an upcoming Saturday to allow as many people as possible to attend. The exact date has not yet been set. The Chamber has written a letter in support of the proposal to increase the number of unrelated occupants allowed to live in a home from four to six.
The move would increase the number of rooms available for students and workers in need of affordable housing options.
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District of Saanich: member since 2019
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Eric Charman's legacy will live on in Greater Victoria
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Eric Charman, who earned The Chamber's Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018,
passed away on March 6 at the age of 88.
The Chamber was fortunate to tell Charman's story in a 2018 Business Matters feature
article.
Charman, a former real estate agent and longtime supporter of the the arts, was a philanthropic powerhouse in Greater Victoria. He was
well-known for his proficiency as an auctioneer and his deep love of music.
Charman's wife of 58 years, Shirley, died on Nov. 30. He is survived by his sons Wallace and Shane and daughters Shelley and Lani, as well as eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
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What can you do to protect yourself against fraud?
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March is
Fraud Prevention Month — thousands of Canadian’s are affected every year by fraud, and nearly
$98 million was lost in 2019 alone. Everything from identity theft to merchandise scams can affect unsuspecting consumers, and education is the key to avoiding fraud.
- If you think you are a victim of fraud:
- Immediately contact your bank or credit union if you believe your identity or money is at risk
- Contact the police to report acts of fraud
- Protect yourself with identity theft coverage with an applicable insurance provider.
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Max Furniture: member since 2008
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Maximum Express Courier, Freight & Logistics: member since 2004
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United Way of Greater Victoria: member since 1972
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Downtown Victoria Business Association: member since 2007
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RaceRocks 3D wins contract with Navy
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RaceRocks 3D: member since 2020
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CFB Esquimalt: member since 1979
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Canada’s Best Diversity Employers
Canada’s
Best Diversity Employers for 2020 have been announced, and we would like to congratulate the following Chamber members that were on the list:
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Member to Member discounts
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Chateau Victoria Hotel & Suites
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Mayfair Optometric Clinic
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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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