Your weekly round up of BizNews from throughout Greater Victoria
|
|
|
BizNews
February 24, 2021
|
|
BC Ministers address Chamber's questions
|
Chamber members had access to frank conversations with two provincial ministers in the last week, as Chamber CEO Bruce Williams discussed how the government is addressing homelessness, and what is being done to help businesses recover from the pandemic.
Watch clips from the events below or request access to watch the full event recording through The Chamber's event calendar here.
|
|
Chamber Events
Next week!
|
|
Minister Ravi Kahlon
Last week, as part of The Chamber's ongoing Business Restart Series, BC's Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation Ravi Kahlon told viewers that he's committed to adjusting government relief as needed. Specifically, the $300 million Business Recovery Grants program was announced last October but, as of Feb. 4, only $12 million had been tapped by businesses.
The Chamber and other business organization have asked the province to re-evaluate eligibility criteria to include businesses that need help but didn't qualify. The province responded by reducing the length of time businesses needed to be in operation, as well as a smaller revenue loss than initially required. A further change allows businesses to access up to $2,000 to cover costs for developing a recovery plan that includes help applying for the grant. The minister urged Chamber members who can benefit from the grant to apply before the program expires at the end of March.
|
|
Minister David Eby
Yesterday, The Chamber hosted BC's Attorney General and Minister of Housing David Eby. The province has promised that, by the end of March, everyone currently living in homeless encampments will be moved into indoor housing. Eby told viewers yesterday that the province has learned from past experiences and will ensure that appropriate support is available. He noted that everyone being moved into housing will be assessed in order to avoid mistakes that led to spikes in property crimes and other issues when people were quickly moved into housing at the beginning of the pandemic.
Eby also addressed another Chamber advocacy priority by speaking about how the province can help with affordable housing. Eby said there is a shortage of housing for people who don't have the means to participate in the real estate market but who are needed to make our communities work — people working in coffee shops, teaching assistants, child care workers, etc. The government is looking at other jurisdictions that have successfully implemented non-market housing, and adapting lessons to the circumstances we have in BC.
|
|
BC's plan for transportation in the Capital Region
|
Hear from Rob Fleming, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure on what's coming down the road in Greater Victoria including priority infrastructure projects, the South Island Transportation Plan, transit improvements, green transportation initiatives and more.
|
|
Business Restart Series:
Tues., Mar. 2 | 12 - 1 PM
Zoom
|
|
Thank you to TD Bank Group for sponsoring our minister series of events.
|
|
|
Province makes wholesale liquor pricing permanent
|
|
The hard-hit hospitality sector received some good news this week as the provincial government announced it was making wholesale liquor pricing permanent.
Last March, the province agreed to allow restaurants, pubs and tourism operators to purchase alcohol products for the same cost paid by public and private retail liquor stores. The change was originally set to expire next month.
|
|
Office for government workers opens on West Shore
|
|
Last week, the provincial government announced a new option for its workers who live on the West Shore. The Westhills ShareSpace office in Langford offers about 10,000-square-feet of offices that allow for co-working areas and private spaces.
"Having this hub in Langford will allow residents to work close to home, get out of traffic, and spend more time with their families, creating a better work/life balance,” Langford Mayor Stew Young said in the news release issued by the province.
About 2,000 BC government workers, or 20% of its Greater Victoria workforce, live in West Shore communities. The Chamber supports the move as a transportation solution that helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, moving government workers out of downtown needs to be done in consultation with businesses.
On CBC's On The Island, Chamber CEO Bruce Williams said it's vital we grow the economy without pitting communities in the region against each other.
"The workers downtown are a huge part of that downtown economy," Williams said.
|
|
City of Langford: Member since 2019
|
|
BC Ferries ship shape thanks to Safe Restart Funds
|
|
Government relief funding has helped BC Ferries survive what would have been a devastating drop in revenue last year. The ferry corporation released its Financial Statements last week for the third quarter of 2020. The highlight was $308 million from the provincial and federal governments' Safe Restart Fund.
The Chamber had called on the federal government to help BC Ferries deal with the loss of revenue as fewer passengers, vehicles and buses were travelling to Vancouver Island due to the pandemic. The federal government announced in July that it was working with provinces to provide emergency funding.
|
|
BC Ferry Services: Member since 1983
|
|
Ferries to Washington State remain ready to return
|
|
Ferry service between Greater Victoria and destinations in Washington State are hoping for a return to service as soon as it's safe to travel. The Canadian government has extended the closure of the US border until March 21.
Black Ball Ferry Lines, which operates the Coho ferry, and Clipper Navigation suspended operations when the border was closed almost a year ago. Both companies say they will be ready to resume sailing as soon as they're permitted to do so.
“I think there’s lot of pent up demand, but we really don’t know the circumstances of what an opening will be," Black Ball's president Ryan Burles told the Times Colonist. “We know it has to be safe to travel, and not just kind of safe. I know that about 90% of B.C. people don’t want the border to be open until it’s safe.”
|
|
Black Ball Ferry Line: Member since 1961
|
|
Clipper Navigation Ltd. - Victoria Clipper: Member since 1995
|
|
Planning for a post-pandemic world: CEO column
|
|
As we continue to adapt to new ways of doing business, we are starting to get a much clearer idea of what lies ahead. This is good news for businesses that have been forced to leap into the future sooner than planned. Knowing where we’re going can help an organization ensure it has the capacity and resources to fulfil its potential.
|
|
|
Highlighting our Chamber Champions
|
|
In celebration of last week's Chamber Week, our Chamber Champions submitted quotes highlighting the importance of investing in The Chamber. Each week we will be showcasing these quotes.
|
|
|
"The Chamber is important to the community because a strong and vibrant economy supports a resilient community for everyone to prosper within."
|
|
Learn more about how these organizations are championing the work of The Chamber.
|
|
Your virtual walk-in clinic
|
|
As part of your Chambers Plan Extended Health coverage, you already receive free 24/7 access to Canadian-licensed physicians from home. From prescription refills to medical advice, Teladoc can save you and your family countless hours of waiting so you can focus on feeling better.
Simply download the Teladoc app, sign up, and speak with a doctor within the hour. Chambers Plan offers Teladoc at no additional charge to all plan members and their dependents. With the Chambers Group Insurance plan, you can customize an employee benefits plan that meets your needs.
Looking for more information on how to utilize these benefits? For over 17 years, Jack Insurance and Financial Services 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 Jack Insurance by clicking here.
|
|
Chamber Job Board
With a few more weeks before Daylight Savings Time begins on March 14, it's a good time to ensure your employee’s mental health needs are being looked after.
The Mental Health Commission of Canada has created a mini-guide to help employees' mental health during the winter. From establishing daily check-ins to offering social support, employers can use this guide to identify concerns employees may have. The guide also offers tools to create a healthy work environment.
If you’re expanding your workforce this winter, target motivated applicants through The Chamber’s Job Board.
|
|
|
What does local mean to you?
|
Our #ChamberLocalVicBC campaign aims to help individuals understand what local means on a social, economic and community level. We're asking our members to answer this question with a quote about what makes their business or organization local.
We hope you will help us amplify these stories as we work with resilience to bounce forward out of this pandemic.
|
The Chamber has always supported local business. From our founding in 1863, we have helped Greater Victoria's economy thrive by serving as a unified voice for enterprise.
|
|
Follow this campaign on social media with the hashtags:
#ChamberLocalVicBC #UnderstandLocal
|
|
The United Way of Greater Victoria: member since 1972
|
Deloitte Canada: member since 2015
|
BC Transit: member since 1999
|
BC Ferry Services Inc: member since 1983
|
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion committee
|
St. Michaels University School: member since 2015
|
Canadian Cancer Society: member since 2009
|
Mint Restaurant: member since 2006
|
Virtual career and education event
Black Press is hosting a free virtual career and post-secondary education event to connect motivated workers with great BC employers and educational institutions. From April 6-9, Black Press Media will assist in matching employers with potential employees and will be accessible from any device or web browser. Recruiters can contact events@blackpress.ca for more information.
|
Black Press: member since 1987
|
|
Dumpling Drop fundraiser
Dumpling Drop is donating $1 per bag of dumplings sold to the Alzheimer Society of B.C. Dumpling Drop was created after one of its founders, Toom, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s at the age of 62. Toom’s neurosurgeon highlighted the benefits of fine-motor activity, thus rolling dumplings became a full-time endeavor. Although the initial goal of raising $2,500 has been met, you can still support the cause by purchasing dumplings or by clicking here.
|
Dumpling Drop: member since 2021
|
Alzheimer Society of B.C: member since 2019
|
Camosun president announces retirement
Sherri Bell, president of Camosun College, has announced her plans to retire at the end of 2021. As the president of Camosun since 2015, Sherri is recognized for her focus on Indigenization throughout the college with a commitment to truth and reconciliation, advancing Camosun’s work in innovation and applied research, and expanding student services and supports.
|
Camosun College: member since 1981
|
The Bateman Foundation Gallery of Nature: member since 2013
|
Belfry Theatre: member since 1995
|
IMAX Victoria: member since 1998
|
Royal BC Museum: member since 1994
|
Craigdarroch Castle: member since 1990
|
Do you have a success story? We want to hear from you!
|
|
|
Welcome to our newest members!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|