We know the Hall of Fame event will be an outstanding experience, and holding it in October allows us to ensure it is done safely and with the attention we feel it deserves. If you have any questions or concerns around this decision please reach out and I will be happy to speak with you.

Sincerely,

Bruce Williams

CEO, The Chamber

Businesses in BC are facing a new challenge as Omicron spreads rapidly through our communities, including workplaces. The province has re-introduced temporary restrictions and health authorities are continuing to assess the full impact of the new COVID-19 variant.

Employers are advised to expect a significant number of staff will be unable to work because of illness. As of Jan. 1, BC requires employers to provide five days of paid sick leave. The province has also stepped up its campaign for providing booster doses to everyone over the age of 18.

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry is calling on everyone to protect each other by doing the things we did earlier in the pandemic that helped reduce transmission. For example, businesses can reactivate their COVID-19 safety plans and encourage all employees to be fully vaccinated.

"This is not where any of us want to be, but we are also not where we were at the beginning of the pandemic," Chamber CEO Bruce Williams says. "We have the experience and tools to get through this wave, and we can make sure businesses are ready to return to regular operations as soon as possible."

The provincial government recently announced new financial relief for businesses forced to close due to the new restrictions.

The Chamber is currently reaching out to members to better understand what they need during this time. We encourage any member who needs help to contact us at [email protected].

BC Assessment has released its latest property assessments based on what it deemed to be the market value as of July 1, 2021. The demand for Vancouver Island real estate has resulted in significant increases across all property types. The total assessment for the Island is $343 billion, up from $269 billion the year before.

The increased assessment doesn't necessarily affect your property tax bill. But, on that note, The Chamber will continue to work with municipalities on behalf of businesses to ensure a fair tax burden. In 2021, Greater Victoria municipalities charged businesses a tax mulitple between 2.02 and 13.27 times what they charged residential properties. It's something we'll keep an eye on as municipalities begin their budget processes.

During this virtual call we will take a look at the Steps to Nominate a Business, the 2022 Award Application Guide, and the Awards Categories and Judging Criteria to help you successfully complete your award application.  

Greater Victoria has a front-row seat to one of the many challenges facing global supply chains. The SM Busan is currently docked at Ogden Point for emergency repairs. The South Korean-flagged ship is roughly the length of five NHL-sized hockey rinks. About 80% of the containers on the vessel are empty.

The SM Busan left Portland, Oregon, bound for South Korea but began to drift in the Paficic Ocean on New Year's Eve. A tug boat eventually brought the container ship to Ogden Point on Sunday, where it's expected to remain for about a month.

The SM Busan is the first ship to use Ogden Point's Pier B dolphin extension. Completed in 2020, it's one of the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority's largest infrastructure projects ever.

In 2022, The Chamber will continue our advocacy for safe communities as a fundamental need for good business and great community for all.

There is reason for optimism. The Chamber's efforts to partner with other community organizations are being heard by all levels of government. In the City of Victoria, the police chief says approval to hire an influx of new officers will help the Victoria Police Department better face challenges amplified by the pandemic and the toxic drug crisis.

“I’m hopeful that it’s going to be a bounce-back year, and a bounce-back year for all of us,” VicPD Police Chief Del Manak told the Times Colonist.

The return of Black Ball Ferry Line's MV Coho was big news in Greater Victoria when the iconic ship returned to service. Across the strait, the community of Port Angeles also cheered the return of sailings between countries. The connection boosts the economy on both sides of the border and helps bring together families as well as vacationers.

The Chamber looks forward to renewing Greater Victoria's relationship with businesses and visitors from Washington State. Check out Black Ball's website for up-to-date information on travelling on the MV Coho.

This column by Chamber CEO Bruce Williams appeared in the December 2021 edition of the Business Examiner.

The new year is a time for hope and a chance to re-energize and prepare for the year ahead. If we’ve learned anything from the last two years, it is how to carry on when plans change. Immunization is helping us put the pandemic behind us, but we know better than to declare it’s over. Variants and vaccine holdouts continue to put pressure on our health-care system and our mental health. Let’s be ready for the curveball while also enjoying new opportunities.

The mental health impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic has been deep and relentless. In this Chamber Chat we talk about how to best understand and manage the challenges so many of us face.

Featuring Jonny Morris and Aaryn Secker of the Canadian Mental Health Association - BC Division.

As a member of The Chamber, you and your organization are eligible for and extensive list of discounts and savings. Take advantage of these corporate discounts as part of The Chamber Benefits Program.

Need to improve your home office? Lenovo, Monk Office, and Grand & Toy offer a variety of discounts for hardware, furniture and more.

Ship your packages with ease, and get 50% off domestic and international shipping with UPS. Shipments can be easily tracked through UPS My Choice^® for Business. Learn more about shipping rates and tracking here.

Our Chamber Benefits Program has many valuable offers to utilize, from fuel discounts to certificates of origin. Chamber members can also find and post on the Member to Member Offers page for free, a constantly updated resource to showcase your product/service to fellow Chamber members.

For more information on how to take advantage of these savings, or to post a Member to Member offer, contact [email protected].

Thank you to everyone who participated in our Shop #ChamberLocalVicBC Campaign! For the month of December, we supported the recovery of our local economy (and enabled social distancing) as Chamber members were able to have their products delivered to local customers absolutely free of charge.

Members can post Coupons and Discounts free of charge here.