Your weekly round up of BizNews from throughout Greater Victoria
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October is Small Business Month at The Chamber
Take a photo of your team or business and tag @VictoriaChamber to be featured on our social media platforms. Don't forget to tag #SmallBusinessMonthYYJ
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Provincial election leaves region well-represented by government MLAs
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The Chamber looks forward to continuing to work with the new provincial government on advocacy priorities for our members.
After the Oct. 23 election gave the BC NDP a majority government, our expectations are high that Greater Victoria will be a priority — six of our region's electoral districts went to BC NDP candidates.
The Chamber will also be following our local MLAs to make sure they deliver on campaign promises. For a refresher on what the elected MLAs said, check out The Chamber's Election Panels with local candidates.
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Nominations open for city by-election candidates
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Voters in Victoria will soon find out who is on the ballot for the city's Dec. 12 by-election. The candidate nomination period opened yesterday, and closes Nov. 6.
The by-election was rescheduled after its original date in April was cancelled due to the pandemic. Any candidates who were previously nominated will need to go through the process again if they still plan to seek election. Candidate nomination forms are available by calling Victoria City Hall at 250-361-0571 or emailing [email protected]. For more information, visit victoria.ca/election.
As soon as candidates are confirmed, The Chamber will provide our members with opportunities to find out where council hopefuls stand on issues of importance to the business community.
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City of Victoria: Member since 1962
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Dr. Henry issues new guidelines for masks, and asks BC businesses to review COVID-19 safety plans
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After a spike in the number of cases of COVID-19 in Surrey, all regions of BC are being asked to take extra precautions.
Dr. Bonnie Henry issued a new order on Monday, limiting gatherings within private homes and urging businesses to review their COVID-19 safety plans. Our understanding of this disease has changed since many plans were implemented in the summer, and, as we enter flu and cold season, it's timely to update protocols.
Dr. Henry also says she expects British Columbians to wear masks in indoor public spaces when around people outside your bubble.
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Mayors want better plan for regional transportation
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The Chamber strongly supports Greater Victoria mayors who are calling on the new provincial government to do better to improve regional transportation on southern Vancouver Island. Specifically, we have been calling for a regional approach to how transportation is governed. We need to think broadly to address transportation issues and take advantage of opportunities to create 21st century solutions.
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City of Victoria: Member since 1962
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District of Sannich: Member since 2019
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City of Colwood: Member since 2020
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Town of View Royal: Member since 2020
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Chamber network amplifies advocacy efforts
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"By joining with our Chamber network, we can amplify our calls for government to better serve Canadians by focusing on helping the business community," Chamber CEO Bruce Williams says. "Greater Victoria shares many of the concerns of other regions in Canada, such as ensuring indigenous communities are included in conversations about local economies and advocating for investment in marine industries in Canada."
The Chamber also heard from a panel of experts on what to expect after next Tuesday's elections in the US.
“I just hope that everybody doesn’t retreat into their corner of the sandbox and play by themselves because this will cause both health risks and economic collapse,” said panelist David MacNaughton, Canada’s ambassador to the U.S. from 2016 to 2019.
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Making changes for COVID? New grant might help
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As organizations modify their operations to carry on safely serving customers, many are facing challenges covering unexpected costs. To help, the Canada United movement — created by RBC — is offering up to $5,000 for businesses that need to outfit plexiglass barriers, purchases personal protective equipment or update e-commerce capacity.
The program, administered across Canada by the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, supports businesses that need to make changes to meet local health and safety requirements. Applications for the program opened Monday.
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RBC Financial Group: Member since 1962
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UVic Alumni Association collaboration opportunity
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Are you one of the 44,000 UVic alumni living in Greater Victoria? Do you own or operate a local business? We want to hear from you!
The UVic Alumni Association is looking for possible opportunities to collaborate with local businesses as part of our alumni engagement planning and initiatives. We want to learn more about our alumni in the local business community.
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CRD offers free program to help stop wasting water
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The Capital Regional District has launched a new program to help businesses in the region check the efficiency of faucets used for hand-washing. If the faucet isn't operating at maximum efficiency, the CRD will replace the faucet's aerator for free.
The new aerators use less than two litres of water per minute, compared to as much as 11 litres per minute in older faucets. The update can save businesses money and waste less water. The regional district estimates that 25% of all water in Greater Victoria is used for commercial and industrial purposes. That adds up to 10 billion litres per year.
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Capital Regional District: Member since 1993
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Greater Victoria gets federal funds for housing
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Greater Victoria municipalities will get $13.1 million from a new federal fund for emergency housing, announced yesterday. The $1 billion Rapid Housing Initiative will create as many as 3,000 homes for Canadians in need across the country.
The government determined how much of the fund cities will get by metrics such as the percentage of people experiencing homelessness, and the level of renters in severe housing situations. The initiative provides cash to quickly build modular multi-unit rentals, and to transform abandoned or derelict and non-residential buildings into livable, affordable housing units. Applications can be submitted until the end of the year to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.
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New housing units approved for Victoria
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The John Howard Society will own and operate a new affordable housing development at 736 Princess Ave., after Victoria council approved a total of 72 new housing units for low-income and vulnerable residents. The Princess Avenue location will provide 28 new units, as well as amenities such as a coffee shop and art gallery that will facilitate an employment readiness program. Council's decision, made last Thursday, also includes 44 new units at 330 Michigan St. The Capital Regional Housing Corporation will retain an existing heritage building on the site and demolish three other buildings to create room for two four-storey multi-familiy buildings. The new buildings will increase the number of affordable units from 62 to 106 on the site.
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John Howard Society: Member since 2001
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Last week to donate! 2020 Chamber Virtual Auction
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As we encourage Greater Victoria to #ShopYYJ for the upcoming holiday season, put your business on the map by donating your products or services to our 2020 Virtual Auction. Contact The Chamber or fill out our 2020 Auction Donation Form on our website.
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As The Chamber's major fundraising event, all proceeds from our Annual Auction support our 100% member-funded organization and the important work we do as the largest and most influential advocate for Greater Victoria's business community.
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AGM and Mayors Panel (Online)
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Join us for an historic event, as we bring together mayors from across the Capital Regional District to discuss what's ahead for our region as we move through this pandemic.
Chamber CEO Bruce Williams will facilitate a discussion on future collaborations between our regional municipalities.
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Tues., Nov. 3 | 11:45 am - 1 pm
Zoom
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Job Board during
Small Business Month
During these extraordinary times, The Chamber’s Job Board connects employers needing help with employees in need of work. Whether you’re a CEO, small business owner, or a manager looking for talent, finding and retaining employees is crucial.
Learn more about how to post on the job board here. If you have any difficulty posting, please email [email protected]
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To celebrate Small Business Month, Chamber members will receive 20% off all job postings. Enter SMALLBIZMONTH at checkout to utilize the discount.
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Business of the Year (40+ Employees) honours a business:
- that demonstrates continual business excellence through positive business growth
- displays a commitment to the community
- exemplifies superior customer service
- embraces an outstanding commitment to quality
- and demonstrates leadership and resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Need some inspiration? Check out the videos of the 2020 Business of the Year (40+ Employees) finalists below. Thanks to Berwick Retirement Communities for sponsoring this award.
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Happy Halloween from The Chamber!
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The BCDC recommends that you celebrate less socially and trick-or-treat locally this Halloween. Trick-or-treat in your local neighborhood with a small group, leave space between you and other groups, and wash your hands when leaving, coming home and, especially, before eating your Halloween haul.
If you’re looking for creative ways of staying socially distant, check out this spooky Halloween zip-line for a fun and frightening way of delivering candy to trick-or-treaters. Be sure to order takeout or have a Halloween meal at a great restaurant before safely giving candy to trick-or-treaters
Whatever you may be up to this Halloween, The Chamber hopes you have a fun (and frightening) time!
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Tour the Craigdarroch Castle
Looking to visit a spooky site Halloween? The famous Craigdarroch Castle, built over 130 years ago, will be open from 10 am - 4:30 pm on Saturday, October 31. Arriving in costumes is encouraged, and masks are required.
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Craigdarroch Castle Historical Museum Society: member since 1990
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Recipe for success
Do you have a classic recipe card tucked away? Whether it’s written on a napkin or a laminated sheet, Abeego wants to see your recipes!
Snap a photo of your recipe cards for a chance to win a bundle of Abeego wraps and a vintage recipe tin. Send your photos to [email protected] to enter by Nov 8.
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Abeego Inc: member since 2014
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Raise some dough for literacy
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United Way of Greater Victoria: member since 1972
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Taj Taste of India: member since 2020
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Donate your furniture today
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WIN Resale Shops: member since 1998
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Vancouver Island Brewing: member since 1993
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Community bursary through theDock
theDock is offering a community bursary to support organizations that have a positive social impact in Greater Victoria. The bursary offers access to safe office and meeting space during the pandemic, and is available for non-profit organizations, charities and other groups. Five applicants will receive the bursary, and prospective applicants are urged to apply by Oct. 30.
theDock: member since 2020
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Is your business implementing new strategies or innovative ways of connecting with consumers?
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Welcome to our newest members!
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250-383-7191
victoriachamber.ca
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