Chamber CEO Bruce Williams, South Island Prosperity Partnership CEO Emilie de Rosenroll and University of Victoria President Dr. Kevin Hall discuss the future of UVic's next strategic plan. View more photos from the event here.

BC Premier John Horgan has admitted the province failed to properly explain plans to replace the Royal BC Museum, and has put the project on hold.

“I always try to act in the best interests of British Columbians,” Horgan said in a news release. “That involves listening. That also means taking responsibility when you make the wrong call.”

The museum is no longer scheduled to close this fall, and a new round of public consultation will begin to hear what British Columbians want to do with the institution.

"Kudos to the province for hearing what we, and many others, told them we didn't like about the initial announcement," Chamber CEO Bruce Williams said. "The Royal BC Museum is a pillar of Greater Victoria's tourism industry so, first and foremost, we need it to stay in our region. The museum is deeply connected to our economy and benefits many of our members. What we want to see is the province make an investment in this asset that drives visitation, excites the intellect and creates revenue for our region and the province."

The Chamber also fully supports a more inclusive narrative about our province that shares the story of Indigenous people as well as all of the diverse communities that make up the fabric of who we are today.

Construction continues on a new Collections and Research Building in Colwood. It will house museum artifacts once completed.

An initiative that started in the City of Victoria, was supported by business and took root across Greater Victoria is moving to the national stage. As of the end of this year, the federal government is banning the production or importation of single-use plastic bags, straws, stir sticks containers and other items that clog up landfills and contaminate natural ecosystems.

The Chamber worked closely with local governments on the initial regulations to ensure government followed innovations already being introduced by business. This helped the implementation unfold smoothly as the rules were a response to public demand as identified by businesses, ensuring success. The best way to address the seriousness of climate change is by supporting innovations led by business.

The Greater Victoria Picnics & Patios Campaign continues this week with more great prizes to be won!

Congratulations to @lisa_j_k for winning last week’s prize: a $75 gift card to their favourite restaurant, Boom + Batten Restaurant and Cafe​!

Don’t miss your chance to win this week’s prize:

Tag your favourite restaurant and two friends on this week’s #PicnicsPatiosVicBC giveaway post for a chance to win a $75 gift card of your choice!

Share a photo of your summertime snack and use the hashtag #PicnicsPatiosVicBC for five (5) additional entries!

By participating in the Picnics & Patios campaign this week, you will also be entered to win the Grand Prize: A $200 gift card to the restaurant of your choice + a prize pack of local goodies.

Greater Victoria will be the first region in BC to benefit from access to TELUS premium 5G spectrum. The company announced Friday it was rolling out the high-speed network in select cities across Canada.

“The deployment of our 3500 MHz spectrum is an important step to unlocking the potential of 5G, particularly as it fuels innovation across different industries," Tony Geheran, Executive Vice-President and Chief Operations Officer at TELUS said in a news release. "We believe that Canada should follow international best practices to ensure enough spectrum is available as quickly and affordably as possible so that all Canadians have access to the social, environmental and economic benefits that 5G brings, which is why we continue to advocate for responsible, strategic and predictable regulatory policy as a critical opportunity to drive timely and ubiquitous availability of 5G.”

Greater Victoria lost a stalwart of our tourism industry with the passing last week of Black Ball Ferry Line co-owner Ryan Malane. He was 48-years-old.

Malane was highly regarded as a marketer, and played a pivotal role in helping the company steer through the pandemic and re-launch its iconic Coho ferry last fall.

"The Chamber extends our condolences to all of Ryan's family and friends, as well as everyone who worked with him," Chamber CEO Bruce Williams said. "I saw firsthand the value of the MV Coho as part of the ceremony marking its return to service. It's part of the fabric of our region and Ryan will always be a part of that."

A memorial will be held in mid-July in Port Angeles.

Members can post Coupons and Discounts free of charge here.