BizNews

^{February 14, 2024}

Your weekly round up of BizNews from throughout Greater Victoria!

Chamber Events, such as 2024's first Emerge Connector at Acera Insurance (pictured above) continue to be in high demand. Don't miss Feb. 23's Post-Budget Luncheon with BC Finance Minister Katrine Conroy at the Hotel Grand Pacific. Register early for upcoming events and make sure to attend!

Chamber hosts BC Finance Minister after Budget Day

Next week, Chamber members will be among the first to learn about the 2024 provincial budget and hear directly from BC's Finance Minister.

The Speech from the Throne is set for Feb. 20, followed by Budget Day on Feb. 22 and the Finance Minister lunch with the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce on Feb. 23, sponsored by Coastal Community Credit Union.

"As the oldest Chamber in Western Canada, we have a long tradition of connecting government with the private sector," Chamber CEO Bruce Williams said. "That includes the tradition of being the first chamber to host the finance minister after the provincial budget is unveiled. We're thrilled Minister Conroy will join us, once again, and I look forward to seeing many of our members at the Hotel Grand Pacific."

BC Budget: Lunch with BC's Finance Minister

Coastal Community Credit Union: Member since 2014

Hotel Grand Pacific: Member since 1966

Citizens' Assembly process unfolding this spring

The Chamber has kept a watchful eye on the promise of better governance from fewer governments in our region. We're pleased to see the City of Victoria and the District of Saanich have taken the next step to explore the pros and cons of merging municipalities.

A Toronto-based agency has been hired to create a Citizens' Assembly, and has launched a new website at victoriasaanich.ca. The website highlights the following steps:

In early April, 10,000 randomly selected households in Victoria and Saanich will receive a letter inviting a resident to volunteer for the Assembly.
In late May, 27 people from Saanich and 21 from Victoria will be randomly selected via Civic Lottery to serve on the Assembly. The lottery process ensures that members are selected fairly and are broadly representative of the demographic diversity of the two municipalities.
Starting in September and concluding in April 2025, the members of the Assembly will spend eight Saturdays together learning, deliberating, and making recommendations that will help shape the future of Victoria and Saanich.
The Assembly will explore the costs, benefits and disadvantages of amalgamation between the two municipalities. At the end of the process, the Assembly will produce a public report and formally submit it to both councils.
There will also be four Public Roundtable meetings — two in Victoria and two in Saanich — where the broader public may interact with Assembly members, learn more about the process, and inform the Assembly’s work.

Watch the recent Chamber Chat with the RBCM's Tracey Drake

CEO for Royal BC Museum eyes ongoing change

The board of directors of the Royal BC Museum announced today that Tracey Drake has been officially appointed CEO of the Royal BC Museum, effective March 1.

“Based on Tracey’s exceptional progress, we are removing the 'acting' from her title,” RBCM Board Chair Leslie Brown said. “It has become clear to the board, as well as those working closely with Tracey, that she continues to be the leader to guide the museum and add stability and vision for what is an exciting time of growth, along with important community and province-wide consultation."

As CEO, Drake oversees Royal BC Museum operations, BC Archives, and IMAX, as well as province-wide community engagement, repatriation and DRIPA implementation as well as the archives, research and collections building project in Colwood.

Last month, the Royal BC Museum announced a diverse slate of feature exhibitions for 2024, including Stonehenge, Canadian Modern and Wildlife Photographer of the Year.

Royal BC Museum: Member since 1994

BC Builds program targets middle-income homes

Housing supply is a keystone issue. It affects almost all other Chamber advocacy priorities, so we're pleased with yesterday's announcement of the BC Builds program. The goal of speeding up construction of more homes for middle-income earners is vital for ensuring we have the skilled workforce needed by employers.

It's too soon to know all the details of BC Builds, which the province says will leverage land owned by government, municipalities or non-profits along with $2 billion in low-cost financing and a commitment of $950 million for the overall program.

The Chamber has called on all levels of government to look at solutions used in other jurisdictions around the world, including Vienna, Austria. BC Builds appears to do just that — though some municipal leaders are already pointing out gaps in infrastructure that need to be addressed.

The executive lead for BC Builds, former Victoria mayor Lisa Helps, told Business in Vancouver the program will allow construction to continue on rental homes at a time it is being slowed by other forces.

“BC Builds is not an affordable housing program, it's not supportive housing, it's not subsidized housing. It's really meant to close the gap above where BC Housing programs end and where we … start to really see a slowdown in rental development if there isn't an intervention,” Helps said.

BC Builds at a glance:

> At least 20% of all BC Builds homes will have rents at least 20% below market rate for projects in partnership with non-profits and First Nations.

> All BC Builds units have a target of middle-income households spending no more than approximately 30% of their income on rent.

> The rents for BC Builds will not exceed market rent for that community, and will in many cases be below.

> All households living in BC Builds homes are income tested at move-in.

> The income levels vary by community, so homes are within reach for that community’s middle-income households.

> BC Builds projects aim to deliver more two-, three- and four-bedroom homes, as many as possible with below-market rents.

> Projects owned and operated by non-profit providers mean rents will remain low over time, creating more affordability.

Love, family and random acts of kindness

Pictured above: Jaime Clifton-Ross, left, and Taryn Malcolm, right, from the Victoria Foundation bookend Chamber staffers Hanna Bohm, Julia Banks and Summer Sandhu after dropping off cookies at the Chamber office.

The gesture was part of Random Acts of Kindness Week, Feb. 12-17, which asks people to "do something nice for someone and ask for nothing in return," other than to perform another act of kindness to someone else.

Today is also Valentine's Day, so The Chamber sends our love to our members and all of Greater Victoria's business community. Make sure to celebrate with your valentine and enjoy flowers, chocolates or a dinner out!

This weekend is also Family Day so another great opportunity to support your fellow Chamber members, whether that's sharing a meal, enjoying our region's parks and rec centres or simply spending time together with family.

The Chamber office is closed Monday, Feb. 19.

Greater Victoria Business Directory

Chamber Chats with CEO Bruce Williams

Co-op programs great for finding talented employees

CEO Bruce Williams talks with Times Colonist Editor and Publisher Dave Obee

Camosun College: Member since 19

University of Victoria: Member since 19

Chamber Chats

Almost half of The Chamber's employees started with us after working Co-op terms through UVic or Camosun College. Could this productive pathway also support your business? Find out in the Chamber Chat as CEO Bruce Williams speaks with past Chamber co-op students and the presidents of Camosun and UVic.

Special thanks to our series sponsor: Island Savings

Meet with their local experts for solutions as unique as your business.

Chamber Events

Member News @VictoriaChamber

Click the image to read and share the Member News story on Instagram

ColdStar Solutions receives Clean Carrier Certification.

Winter Arts Festival comes to Victoria Feb. 16-19.

ColdStar Solutions Inc.: Member since 2012

City of Victoria: Member since 1863

UPLIFT Women’s Business Summit Receives National Diversity and Inclusion Award Nomination.

Uplift Women’s Business Summit: Member since 2023

The Victoria Foundation Celebrates Random Acts of Kindness Week.

The Victoria Foundation: Member since 2004

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Hire right in 2024 with The Chamber's job board

Make sure potential employees know about the opportunities that you offer when they work with you. If you have any questions or need help uploading your job, email us at [email protected].