Your weekly round up of BizNews from throughout Greater Victoria
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Dinner Auction Gala success!
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Saturday night was filled with excited bidding, glamorous gowns, dashing tuxes and even one outstanding kilt!
Take a peak at the event photos
here.
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Greater Victoria residents face regiona
l tax hi
ke
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The
Capital Regional District
has
approved
a provisional tax increase of 6.2% — twice the rate of inflation. The CRD requires an operating budget of $278 million for 2020, including $72.9 million from direct taxes. The rest comes from user fees charged to municipalities. That’s 8% higher than last year, CBC
reports
.
CRD board chair Colin Plant, a Saanich councillor, says the increase amounts to $1 per week per resident, which can add up to several hundred dollars per year for families. Most of the new costs will pay for wastewater treatment, expected to be online next year.
The hike was opposed by CRD director Geoff Young, a Victoria councillor, who called on the board to “sharpen its pencils” and reduce services in other areas.
The
Grumpy Taxpayer$
group said the tax hike hurts because it’s piled on top of every other increase that raises the cost of living.
“Everyone uses that same argument — ‘but it’s not much’ — and it’s bogus,” Stan Bartlett, who chairs the taxpayer group,
told
the Times Colonist.
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Grumpy Taxpayer$: Member since 2018
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Capital Regional District: Member since 1993
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Provincial demand tightens market for office space
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Greater Victoria has the lowest vacancy rate for office space in 10 years,
thanks
to renewed demand from the provincial government to house new agencies.
Colliers International
’s third-quarter report shows the vacancy rate for office space has dropped to 5% from 8.2% last year. It is now the lowest it has been since 2009, when it was 4.5% .
The provincial government requires new office space to house staff who will work on climate change research as well as cannabis regulation.
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Colliers International – member since 1984
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In need of a great employee?
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For the remainder of 2019, Chamber members can post up to five jobs for free using the promo code: INTRO. Learn more about how to post
here
.
Chamber Member Tip of the Week
When hiring from outside your region, be sure to ask if their family needs any assistance. Does their spouse need a job? Do their kids need school suggestions?
Dan Dagg,
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Transportation key to solving regional challenges
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By making it faster, cheaper and easier for people and goods to move around our region, we make life more affordable and enjoyable. And that helps attract workers.
Improving regional transportation will be discussed tomorrow at The Chamber’s Business Leaders Luncheon. An expert panel will speak about changes coming our way.
Panelists include:
- Erinn Pinkerton, CEO of BC Transit, who will speak about the transformation from our traditional car culture to treating mobility as a service
- Catharine Read, Chair of the Passenger Transportation Board, who will talk about how the introduction of ride-hailing will affect transportation in BC
- Philip Bellefontaine, Assistant Director of Transportation for the City of Victoria, who will outline the city's plan to increase mobility through its Go Victoria initiative.
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Business Leaders' Luncheon
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What's ahead for regional transportation?
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Join our
panel of experts as they discuss the future of how we travel and speak to specific projects planned for the region.
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Thu, Nov 7 | 11:30 am - 1 pm
Victoria Marriott Inner Harbour
728 Humboldt St
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Affordable housing remains a challenge in Greater Victoria
Greater Victoria is the third
least affordable city for renters earning a low wage. If you earn minimum wage you will need to work 90 hours per week to afford a two-bedroom apartment in our region. Vancouver and Toronto, where minimum wage earners need to work 112 and 96 hours respectively, are the only cities more expensive than Greater Victoria.
The
report, by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA), says workers need to earn $28.47 per hour in Greater Victoria in order to afford a two-bedroom rental.
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Victoria launches free bus pass program for youth
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The
City of Victoria
has announced that it has begun implementing its plan to hand out free bus passes to residents under 19. Victoria youth will be able to use the passes as of Dec. 1. The program will cost the city $972,000 per year, with up to $600,000 of the funds coming from new revenue generated by charging for downtown parking on Sundays.
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City of Victoria: Member since 1962
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Honouring our veterans on Remembrance Day
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The Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce has a long history of honouring the memory of the soldiers who paid the ultimate price for our freedom.
After the First World War, The Chamber was instrumental in helping create a Memorial Avenue running from Saanich to Victoria and lined with majestic trees.
Shelbourne Street was chosen as it offered enough space to commemorate every soldier from the city who died. Chamber members helped plan the project, and business owners rolled up their sleeves to dig holes for the trees.
Memorial Avenue is still there, with new signage added last year. Chamber members continue to honour the memory of fallen soldiers and we encourage everyone to wear your poppies with pride.
The Chamber will be closed on Monday, Nov. 11.
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The Outstanding Workplace of the Year
award recognizes a business that:
- Shows a commitment to a healthy work environment through practices that benefit employees physically, intellectually and/or emotionally
- An exceptional commitment to its employees through competitive employment packages
- A focus on workplace culture as well as employee recognition and reward programs
- Is dedicated to providing professional development and/or advancement opportunities
- Shows diversity in the workplace
- Demonstrates how their commitment to staff contributes to their success.
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Need inspiration? Check out the videos of our
Outstanding Workplace of the Year finalists from 2019.
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Find your furry friend
Interested in bringing a lovable pet into your life? The
BCSPCA
is taking 50% off adoption fees this Saturday!
The Head Over Tails in Love promotion is applicable to all adoptions; everything from bunnies to puppies.
Adoption fees go towards implanting a microchip, veterinary examinations, and other services to ensure your pet is happy and healthy when you take them home.
BC SPCA Victoria: member since 2017
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Eco-tourism coming to Langford
The $2.2 million site
is designed to offer a fun oceanfront location that is affordable for all. The site is planned to feature kayaks, canoes, and a log cabin that could be used for weddings or other events.
City of Langford: member since 2019
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#ShopRockBay
This free event features 17 local brands and their crafts, and will be showcased at
Abeego
. This market is part of the
Shop Rock Bay
event which features art galleries and delicious food and beverages from
Wheelies Motorcycles & Cafe
.
Be sure to use #ShopRockBay when you visit the event on Nov. 23 or 24!
Abeego Inc: member since 2014
Wheelies Motorcycles & Cafe: member since 2019
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Welcome To Our Newest Members!
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Need to get one of our snazzy Chamber name tags?
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250-383-7191
victoriachamber.ca
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