Your weekly round up of BizNews from throughout Greater Victoria
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Chamber members enjoyed a safe and productive return to meeting in-person at our Member Networking Breakfast, held Oct. 28 at the Sandman Hotel Victoria. Check out more photos here. |
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Celebration will welcome return of MV Coho |
The Chamber is helping host a celebration in the Inner Harbour to mark the return of the MV Coho ferry linking Victoria with Port Angeles, WA.
A flotilla will greet Black Ball Ferry Line’s flagship vessel at 9:50 am, Nov. 8, as it arrives in Victoria with passengers and vehicles from the US. The Mwill then prepare for the return trip at 10:30 am — the first time Canadians have been able to take a ferry to Washington State since the start of the pandemic.
The MV Coho can carry up to 1,000 passengers and 115 vehicles, and has served the region for 60 years. Ferry service, suspended in March 2020, will resume with two sailings per day for the rest of the year.
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Chamber Events
Early Bird on Now!
Recording
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Black Ball Ferry Line: Member since 1961 |
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International flights can return to Victoria Nov. 30 |
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Starting Nov. 30, the Victoria Airport Authority can begin welcoming international flights. Transport Canada announced yesterday it was easing restrictions on where flights can arrive in order to allow more travellers to visit the country. Currently, only 10 airports are open to flights arriving from outside Canada.
The airports are working with the Public Health Agency of Canada, Canada Border Services Agency and Transport Canada to implement safety measures ahead of Nov. 30.
“Increased vaccination levels have allowed us to safely re-open these additional Canadian airports to international passenger flights," Transport Minister Omar Alghabra said. "This measure will help ensure that travellers are able to access more regional airports for their international travels this winter, while continuing to support the Government of Canada’s measured approach to re-opening our border.”
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Victoria Airport Authority: Member since 1981 |
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Transport Canada: Member since 2020 |
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Stopping toxic drug deaths makes communities safer |
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The opioid crisis continues to impact the safety of all communities in BC. To try and prevent some of the damage created by toxic supplies of street drugs, BC has become the first province to seek decriminalization of illicit drugs for personal use.
More than 7,700 people have died from toxic drugs in BC since a public health emergency was declared in 2016. The crisis affects all corners of society and has had a devastating effect on many urban areas. BC recently announced a new plan to treat mental health and addictions called A Pathway to Hope.
Lessening dependence on illegal drugs is a step on the path to help people with addictions get treatment and access recovery supports.
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Business Hall of Fame tickets now available |
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Honour Greater Victoria's most notable business community leaders |
The Chamber Business Hall of Fame, presented by RBC, is pleased to invite you to attend this inaugural red-carpet gala event!
This exclusive black-tie event will celebrate 19 Business Hall of Fame inductees and recognize their contributions to the growth and development of our community. This historic event held at the Victoria Conference Centre will be a night to remember with great food, drink and opportunities to connect with Greater Victoria's most influential business stakeholders.
Don't delay, much like the annual Business Awards, tickets will go fast.
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Thurs., Feb. 3, 2022 | 5-9 PM
Victoria Conference Centre
720 Douglas St., Victoria
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Get re-acquainted with emerging and established members of Greater Victoria's business community |
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The Prodigy Group is a diverse group of emerging professionals who reside in the Greater Victoria area. Through our ties to The Chamber and other business and community organizations, we provide our members the opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals and affect positive change in Greater Victoria.
Attendees will be able to network in small groups throughout the evening, while enjoying light refreshments.
Prodigy Group Mingles are open to Chamber members and their guests. This is a 19+ event.
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Thurs., Nov. 18 | 5-7 PM
Swans Brewery, Pub & Hotel
506 Pandora Ave., Victoria
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Royal BC Museum growing and changing for future |
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Big changes are happening to the Royal BC Museum. The 135-year-old institution announced today it will begin a process of decolonization to ensure the museum is a welcoming place for everyone.
"This is necessary to begin the long-term work of creating new narratives that include under-represented voices and reflect the lived experiences and contemporary stories of people in BC,” acting CEO Daniel Muzyka said in a news release. The current exhibits will remain until Dec. 31, with a phased approach to updating galleries beginning in 2022.
The new facility will house RBCM’s collections and research department, as well as the BC Archives.
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Royal BC Museum: Member since 1994 |
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Kinetic Construction: Member since 2018
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Kinetic Construction: Chamber Champion since 2020
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Knappett Projects Inc.: Member since 1987
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Knappett Projects Inc.: Chamber Champion since 2020
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Housing part of new vision for Mayfair mall |
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The long-term vision calls for commercial, residential and semi-public areas.
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Mayfair Shopping Centre: Member since 1963 |
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Ascend Planning: Members since 2021 |
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Single-serve liquor allowed for takeout, delivery |
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Restaurants that successfully pivoted to takeout during the pandemic received another boost last week as the province announced unmixed drinks can now be sold with curbside or delivery orders. Starting last Friday, businesses with liquor and food primary liquor licenses can offer single servings of beer, cider, wine or unmixed ounce of a spirit to go.
The province made the change after consulting with business and industry groups. BC has about 2,000 liquor-primary and 6,000 food-primary licensees, which can already sell full bottles of wine and spirits as well as mixed drinks packaged in single servings for takeout and delivery with the purchase of a meal.
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Harbour Air’s electric aircraft will usher in new age |
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Harbour Air is showing how innovation led by business is critical to making changes needed due to the climate crisis. Clean BC's Go Electric ARC program is investing $1.5 million to help Harbour Air convert to fully electric aircraft.
“This funding is imperative to help us do that and show other companies across all sectors how investing in innovation can result in commercial success,” Harbour Air president Randy Wright told the Times Colonist.
Harbour Air made history in December 2019 when its fully electric aircraft flew for the first time, ushering in the Electric Age of Aviation. The project is now working on improving engine design and battery systems, and will support 21 full-time jobs.
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Harbour Air Seaplanes: Member since 1993 |
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Province extends deadline for land owner registry |
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The deadline for registering with the BC government's Land Owner Transparency Registry has been extended to Nov. 30, 2022. The database was created to fight money laundering and will create a record of "beneficial owners" of property in BC.
- shareholders of a corporation that own land in BC
- individuals who indirectly control shares of a landowning corporation; and
- a trust beneficiary (a person, or group of people, who will benefit from the assets owned by the trust) where the land is held for them by a trustee.
The extension was granted to help ensure more property owners are able to comply with the regulation.
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Chamber Chats with CEO Bruce Williams
Financial Security and the Impact of COVID-19
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The COVID-19 pandemic shook up how we interact with our financial institutions.
Credit unions and banks reacted quickly with necessary adjustments — some of which will be permanent.
Learn more about these adjustments with Kendall Gross of Island Savings and Gail Silverberg of CIBC. |
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Special thanks to our series sponsor:
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Island Savings: Member since 1984 |
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CIBC - Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce: Member since 1962
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CIBC - Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce: Chamber Champion since 2020
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Start bidding on select Auction items this week |
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Get early access to select items this week during our Early Bird bidding Nov. 1-6. Bid on vacations, exclusive one-on-one discussions with community leaders, home décor and much more. It’s never been easier to shop #ChamberLocalVicBC.
This year's Chamber Auction will showcase over 200 incredible items from across Vancouver Island. Find the perfect gift for yourself or a loved one generously donated by local businesses.
As a major fundraising event for The Chamber, all proceeds from this event support our work as the largest and most influential advocate for business in the region.
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Early Bird Items: Nov. 1-6
All Auction Items: Nov. 7-14
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Innovation honours a business that has developed a process, product or service that is original and contributes to profitability and/or market share. This is demonstrated by:
- use of science and/or technology to create a business that is original and unique
- showing a high degree of originality, creativity and/or experimentation to design and realize innovation; and
- commercialization or quantifiable growth within new and/or existing markets
- demonstrates leadership and resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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PocketPills – A new Chambers Plan benefit |
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PocketPills is a proudly Canadian online pharmacy and technology company that provides free home delivery for prescription medications — often by the next business day. They also offer direct access to their team of pharmacists by text, live chat, phone or email. And their app allows individuals to manage not only their own prescription needs, but also those of family members.
Plan members are also eligible for an extra 10% drug co-insurance coverage on prescription drugs filled through PocketPills. Get more coverage for the same cost to you and your employees.
Looking for more information on how to use this new benefit? For more than 17 years, RDF Group Ltd has helped Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce members design a Chambers of Commerce Group Insurance plan reflecting the size and requirements of their businesses. For more information, contact Ryan at RDF Group
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Prepare for a New Year with The Chamber Job Board |
With only two months left before the end of the year, make sure to utilize your free annual job posting on The Chamber’s job board!
Chamber Members are entitled to one free 30-day listing on the job board every calendar year. Simply use the code INTRO2021 at checkout. Only two months left to use your 2021 free job post, so don't delay.
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Mike Geric showcases new tower plans
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Mike Geric Construction Ltd: Member since 2017 |
Mike Geric Construction Ltd: Chamber Champion since 2021 |
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd: Member since 2020 |
Cridge initiative supports brain injury survivors
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The Cridge Centre for The Family: Member since 1995 |
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Lifetime Achievement Award winner honoured once again
Naz Rayani, owner of Heart Pharmacies and a Chamber Lifetime Achievement Award winner, was bestowed with the Honorary Member of the Order of the Diocese of British Columbia. The honour was established to recognize an individual for contributing to their community, embodied by Rayani’s work breaking down barriers among people of different faiths. Naz will also be celebrated at The Chamber's Business Hall of Fame ceremony this February. Tickets are now available to purchase here. |
Heart Pharmacies: Member since 2001 |
Seaweed recognized at United Nations
Cascadia Seaweed has been invited to present at the United Nations global climate summit. Hosted in Glasgow, Scotland, businesses and leaders from across the world are being brought together to discuss ways to fight climate change. Cascadia will be discussing the ecological benefits of responsibly cultivated seaweed on Nov. 5. Cascadia Seaweed received the Sustainable Business Practices Award at the 2021 Greater Victoria Business Awards earlier this year.
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Cascadia Seaweed: Member since 2021 |
Build the Future Fund
Habitat for Humanity Victoria: Member since 2021
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Victoria Real Estate Board: Member since 1969 |
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Do you have a success story?
We want to hear from you
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Member to Member discounts |
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Iris Optometrists and Opticians |
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Welcome to our newest members! |
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