Peter Legge, one of Canada's most inspiring entrepreneurs, spoke at a sold-out Chamber luncheon today on why good is the enemy of great - and how to move you and your company to the next level of success. Click here to see the photos.
 
Is Your Online Directory Listing Up to Date?
Make sure your business info is up to date in The Chamber's online business directory, a powerful tool that helps people find your business while strengthening your online presence. 
  • Is your business name correct? 
  • Is you company logo correct?
  • Is your main contact correct?   
  • Is your address and postal code correct?
  • Is your phone number current?
  • Are there any changes to your website address or social media accounts?
  • Are you still in the right category? 
Not sure how to login and update your listing? Email us and we'll be happy to help. Our online directory listing is a phenomenal tool for promoting your business online and we want to make it work for you.

Want to give your business a little more exposure? Click here to book your ad in Biznews, Chamber Events or on victoriachamber.ca.
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Riding the Wave to Better Public Safety
Message from Chamber CEO  Catherine Holt 

In 2016, the province commissioned a report called the Capital Integrated Services and Governance Initiative from Circle Square Solutions and Urban Systems Consultants to gather "facts about current service delivery, increasing understanding about service delivery best practices and exploring further the opportunities to better integrate services and governance in the capital region."

The report uncovered that there are 11 emergency response plans and 50 emergency response agencies in this region. But there isn't clear cohesive communication and regional planning, as we saw during our recent tsunami "test run". 

While the report provides an accurate and frightening description of the problem, it provides no solutions. The Province needs to ask the consultants for pro-active recommendations, including those the authors may have wanted to include but that unfortunately, never saw the light of day.    
 
 
Mental Health Awareness
Today is #BellLetsTalk day! Join the conversation to help end the stigma around mental health. Bell will donate 5 cents towards mental health initiatives for every:
  • Text message sent by Bell Canada customers
  • Mobile and long distance call made by Bell Canada customers
  • Tweet with #BellLetsTalk
  • View of the Bell Let's Talk Day video on Instagram (http://bit.ly/2FwrnLe) and Facebook 
  • Snapchat sent using the Bell Let's Talk filter
If you or a loved one is struggling to find the correct resources bc211 can connect you with hundreds of community, social and government services 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year in over 160 languages by simply dialing 2-1-1.
Members Around Town
Grant Thornton had a Moving Moment
On Jan 29th Grant Thornton's two Victoria offices moved into one great location at 650-1675 Douglas St. You can drop in to see their bright new space, and meet all the people their our team!  
 
Grant Thornton LLP: member since 1973 
New Addition at Page One  
Deana Brown is the newest account manager at Page One Publishing! Deana, previously a media sales consultant with the Times Colonist, will represent Page One's growing portfolio of business, lifestyle and homes magazine brands, including Douglas, YAM and Spruce magazines.
  Page One Publishing: member since 2004     
Dine Around Ends Feb 4 
Tourism Victoria and the BC Restaurant & Foodservices Association (BCRFA), Victoria Branch, are once again teamed up for the popular Dine Around & Stay in Town. Different Greater Victoria restaurants are offering $20, $30, $40 and $50 three course dinners and hotels are offering reduced rates. Take advantage of this great offer and try something new! 
  Tourism Victoria: member since 1988
Your Chamber in the News!
 
1-Jan Victoria News 
4-Jan CFAX
6-Jan Chamber announces new Board (print edition only)  Times Colonist 
11-Jan   Times Colonist 
18-Jan    On the Street: Eric Charman earns chamber's lifetime award  Times Colonist 
18-Jan  Victoria ranked in top 5 millennial hot spots in Canada  CHEK 
23-Jan  Saanich entrepreneur John Wilson says he won't run in 2018  Victoria News 
24-Jan  Severe labour shortage, housing, transportation priorities for chamber  Times Colonist 
 27-Jan Catherine Holt: Province needs to ask: "What is missing?"   Times Colonist   
BC Ferries Floats the Idea of a West Shore Commuter Ferry
There's been talk of a ferry for years, to ease traffic congestion on the highway and to give commuters a quicker way to get downtown, but getting docks built and boats in the water requires a big financial commitment.

The idea now being promoted by BC Ferries is a ferry between the Royal Bay development in Colwood and Ogden Point, directly across from it. It's estimated the trip would take about 15 minutes and passengers could connect to shuttle buses.

A downtown dock would be more convenient, but that would take much longer due to the max. five-knot speed requirement in the inner harbour.

Click here for tickets to our upcoming luncheon with BC Ferries CEO, Mark Collins.

BC Ferries: member since 1981

Did You Meet @ The Chamber?
One of The Chamber's main purposes is helping members  make valuable business connections and we'd love to hear how The Chamber connected you. Tell us about a valuable connection you made through The Chamber for a chance to be featured in BizNews and other Chamber materials.

To share your story, click here.
Duty Free Costing Jobs
Border city chambers are banding together to push back and raise awareness on the proposed $800 US/day duty free limit proposed by US policymakers. The duty free limit, also called the de minimis threshhold (DMT), is a complex topic and a hot button for trade advocates. The chamber's stance is to maintain the current $20 US/day limit that applies to international goods that consumers can purchase online.
 
The duty free issue is just one part of the ongoing North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) talks. If approved, many see the 40x change benefiting US-based online giants such as Amazon and eBay while negatively impacting local bricks and mortar retailers. 

In a joint media release, the southern Ontario chambers at the forefront of this issue, have predicted that the change would result in a loss of up to 300,000 jobs by 2020 and loss of labour income up to $9.2 billion. There were no projections provided on the estimated tax losses.
 
2018 Marketplace Mixer - Booths On Sale!

Exhibitors, showcase your businesses to over 300 people, including Chamber members and the public. Book your booth early to avoid disappointment!


  Times Colonist
Maximize your exposure.  
Full colour Times Colonist advertising is available for $100. Creative services provided by the Times Colonist for no additional cost. Limited supply.

Thu, Mar 15 | 4-7 pm
Delta Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort & Spa
100 Harbour Rd.
Game of Thrones Star @ the Victoria Film Festival
The 24th Annual Victoria Film Festival (VFF) will be taking over cinemas starting this Friday! The festival runs from Feb 2-11 and is the most diverse cinematic experience on Vancouver Island and boasts a myriad of special guests and stars that will be in attendance.

Aidan Gillen
Some featured stars in attendance will be:
  • Aidan Gillen, best known for portraying Petyr "Littlefinger" Baelish in Game of Thrones and Tommy Carcetti in The Wire, will be unveiling his newest feature-film, Pickups, for its North American premiere.
  • Alanis Obomsawin, legendary American-Canadian Abenaki filmmaker and trailblazer for Indigenous cinema for her film Our People Will Be Healed.
  • Cory Bowles, famous for his comedic portrayal of the character "Cory" in the hit series Trailer Park Boys, the Canadian actor, director and choreographer will be presenting his full-length directorial debut - Black Cop.
The attending audience will have a chance to take part in Q&As and meet-and-greets with filmmakers during the Festival that hosts 110 films from almost 30 countries. This includes 6 Canadian Premieres, 36 BC Premieres, and 28 Hometown Premieres. 
 
Victoria Film Festival: member since 2017
Greater Victoria Chamber Wins Climate Change Grant 
The Chamber has won one of three $3,000 grants from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce to launch the Climate Smart Chambers program. Watch coming editions of BizNews for info on how your business could benefit from this win. 

The federal government has released draft legislation for the federal carbon pricing backstop as well as a regulatory framework for the output-based pricing system for large emitters. Comments on the legislation are open until Feb 12, and it is expected the legislation will be tabled in Parliament shortly thereafter.  
You're Invited to Justin Trudeau's Nanaimo Town Hall
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will hold his Nanaimo town hall event Friday, Feb. 2 at Vancouver Island University (VIU). The Office of the Prime Minister advised that Friday's event will be at 11 am at VIU's lower cafeteria, Building 185 and it's open to the public.

"The Prime Minister will continue connecting and engaging with Canadians in their communities at public town halls across the country, discussing how we create growth that works for everyone, prepare for the jobs of the future, and build a stronger more resilient middle class," noted a statement on the website of Terry Beech, Burnaby North-Seymour MP.

Doors to Friday's event will open at 9 am. Admission will be on a first-come, first-served basis.


 
Welcome to Our Newest Members!  
 
 
   

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

250-383-7191  

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