BizNews
November 10, 2021
Your weekly round up of BizNews from throughout Greater Victoria
Who will you remember?

The Legion National Foundation, in conjunction with the Royal Canadian Legion, is evolving the traditional poppy pin to reach a more digital audience and personalize the stories of sacrifice. Each digital poppy can be customized in memory of a special veteran in your life.

In addition to wearing your poppy, share your stories and commemorate the brave service of Canada's veterans with a digital poppy. Lest we forget.
Royal Canadian Legion Trafalgar/Pro Patria Branch #292: Member since 2007
2021 Virtual Chamber Auction this week only
Find a gift for everyone on your list!
Join us on online this week as we showcase over 200 incredible items from across Vancouver Island.
 
Vacations — including a cruise, exclusive one-on-one discussions with community leaders, home décor and more are just a click away.
 
Find the perfect gift for yourself or a loved one generously donated by local businesses. It’s never been easier to shop #ChamberLocalVicBC.
Thanks to our Event SponsoMaximum Express Courier, Freight & Logistics winning bidders can have items delivered right to their doorstep.
November 7-14 | Online
Sponsored by:
Hot Tip: Max Bid Function
Let us help you remain at the top of the bidding heap. Use the 'Max Bid' function to set your top bid and the system will bid incrementally up to your top bid as others bid against you – saving you time and increasing your chance of winning an item!
Why buy #ChamberLocalVicBC?
Serving 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.
Chat & Autographed Photo - David Foster

What do Whitney Houston, Michael Buble, Neil Diamond, Beyonce, Celine Dion and Bryan Adams have in common with Victoria? All have worked with Victoria born super producer David Foster. You can ask David about it in your 15 minute Zoom call with him and enjoy your personalized autographed photo.
Round trip flights to Vancouver for 2

Enjoy swift travel and breathtaking views on this Victoria to Vancouver round trip seaplane flight for two. Hop aboard your Harbour Air seaplane in Victoria’s Inner Harbour and take to the skies with your pilot. This package is valid for two (2) round-trip goFlex fares between Downtown Victoria and Downtown Vancouver.
Organic Alpaca Wool Pillow

Handcrafted in Western Canada from shear to finish, Crescent Moon’s luxurious organic pillow is filled with their signature blend of 70% alpaca wool and 30% sheep’s wool.
BizNews Advertising Campaign

Published weekly, BizNews is a mix of industry updates, need-to-know headlines, member news and Chamber events. Showcase your brand with 3 ads in our newsletter reaching 3,000 members.
18 Units to be transformed to 158
The Capital Region Housing Authority (CRHA) has bold plans to increase the amount of affordable, accessible rental housing in Victoria. Their most recent project is located near Victoria High School. A small empty tract of land and 18 existing townhouses in need of heavy repair will be transformed into 158 units by fall 2024.

The plan provides for a mix of family-ready units ranging from 4 bedroom to basic studios. 50% of the units will be available at below-market rates or subsidized for those on income assistance. And at least 15 units will focus on accessibility. The project was recently approved by Victoria City Council and is scheduled to begin in 2022.
Capital Regional District (CRD): Member since 1993
City of Victoria: Member since 1962
Unemployment in Victoria remains very low
Recent labour figures released by Statistics Canada have underscored what we at The Chamber have been hearing for months, there are insufficient workers to grow our economy. Based on October data, Greater Victoria has an unemployment rate of 4.4%, one of the lowest in Canada. An unemployment rate of 3% or lower is considered to be full employment. Quebec City's rate is 3.8%.

Hon. Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation and our guest speaker at this year's AGM had this to say about the numbers, "B.C. has the second-lowest unemployment rate in the country at 5.6%, and we continue to lead all provinces with a job recovery rate of 101.9%. Our job-recovery rate regionally continues to be strong,...notable job-recovery rates are Prince George at 107.1%, Vancouver Island at 105.8% – that’s a direct result of people, businesses and communities working together to get through these tough times."

Through hard work and sheer determination, businesses have rebounded, but what the unemployment numbers don't tell us, is how to fill the 900,000 job vacancies across Canada today.
Business Hall of Fame tickets now available
Honour Greater Victoria's most notable business community leaders
The Chamber Business Hall of Fame, presented by RBC, is pleased to invite you to attend this inaugural red-carpet gala event!
 
This exclusive black-tie event will celebrate 19 Business Hall of Fame inductees and recognize their contributions to the growth and development of our community. This historic event held at the Victoria Conference Centre will be a night to remember with great food, drink and opportunities to connect with Greater Victoria's most influential business stakeholders.
 
Don't delay, much like the annual Business Awards, tickets will go fast.
Presented by:
Thurs., Feb. 3, 2022 | 5-9 PM
Victoria Conference Centre
720 Douglas St., Victoria
Get re-acquainted with emerging and established members of Greater Victoria's business community
Join us for a drink and appies in this comfortable space that will foster great connections and future collaborations with a diverse group of emerging professionals.
 
This is your chance to practice networking skills and make new business relationships. There will also be great door prizes and an optional trivia activity organized by our hosts University of Victoria - Giving Tuesday and Swans Brewery, Pub & Hotel
 
Prodigy Group Mingles are open to Chamber members and their guests. This is a 19+ event.
Sponsored by:
Thurs., Nov. 18 | 5-7 PM
Swans Brewery, Pub & Hotel
506 Pandora Ave., Victoria
In keeping with the current PHO for in-person events, all attendees must be fully vaccinated to attend and will be required to show their BC Vaccination Card and valid government issued ID. View COVID-19 Safety Protocols for In-Person Events here.
Kick-off the Holiday Season with The Chamber
Help shower our fearless Chair, John Wilson, with a big figurative vat of orange drink and honour his love of sports. Hit a home run with this "sports teamed" reception kicking off the holiday event season by checking off your top prospects.
 
Join us at the Lion’s Den in the Save-On- Foods Memorial Centre wearing your finest sports team gear or colours to show your support and have some fun! Cash bar and hors d'oeuvres provided. This is a 19+ event
Sponsored by:
Thurs., Dec. 2 | 4-6 PM
Lion's Den - Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre, 1925 Blanshard St., Victoria
In keeping with the current PHO for in-person events, all attendees must be fully vaccinated to attend and will be required to show their BC Vaccination Card and valid government issued ID. View COVID-19 Safety Protocols for In-Person Events here.
Shop Local, #ChamberLocalVicBC that is
This Christmas, The Chamber will be working to encourage local shopping by picking up the tab on deliveries in Greater Victoria made at retail outlets that are Chamber members.

Recent survey results from the Retail Council of Canada are showing that consumers are planning to spend about $100 more this year than last (~$792) during the holiday season. The resurgence in consumer confidence is encouraging but to benefit our local merchants that needs to be focused on local businesses rather than online empires.

If your business is interested in taking part in this initiative, please email members@victoriachamber.ca right away. We'll be starting this program very soon.
Putting the chill back in home buying
The province is looking to put in a "cooling off" period for home buyers in an effort to make sure buyers have the time they need to make fully informed decisions, rather than leaping into a purchase with no conditions or doing blind bidding.

The announcement took the Victoria Real Estate Board by surprise as they asked the question what problem the province is actually trying to solve.

The BC Financial Authority will be reaching out to stakeholders and experts over the next two months with a goal of providing the right information to the government. Current plans are to bring in legislation in the spring focused on protecting both the seller and the buyer in this over-heated, under-supplied real estate market.
Victoria Real Estate Board: Member since 1969
Chamber Chats with CEO Bruce Williams
A Chat with Oak Bay Mayor Kevin Murdoch
Oak Bay is a community and municipality with a distinct culture and a big personality. This iconic region has a strategic plan for the future, and a Mayor who is going to talk all about it.

In this Chamber Chat, CEO Bruce Williams speaks with Oak Bay Mayor Kevin Murdoch.
District of Oak Bay: Member since 2021
Special thanks to our series sponsor:
Nominations now open!
Each week, The Chamber will profile one of the 14 different award categories, encouraging members to nominate a deserving Chamber member.

Outstanding Workplace of the Year honours a business that:
  • Shows a commitment to a healthy work environment through practices that benefit employees physically, intellectually and/or emotionally;
  • Demonstrates an exceptional commitment to its employees through competitive employment packages;
  • Has 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;
  • Displays their commitment to staff by contributing to their success; and
  • Demonstrates leadership and resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic
Need some inspiration?
Check out the videos of the 2021 Outstanding Workplace finalists below. Thanks to Ralmax Group of Companies who is our sponsor for this award in 2022.
Lest We Forget
As we honour members of the armed forces and their sacrifices this Remembrance Day, The Chamber is proud to have a long history of commemorating the soldiers who paid the ultimate price for our freedom.

After the First World War, The Chamber was instrumental in helping create Memorial Avenue that still runs along Shelbourne Street. Shelbourne was chosen as it offered enough space to commemorate every soldier from the city who died in the war. Chamber members helped plan the project, and business owners rolled up their sleeves to dig holes for the trees.

This year, the Royal Canadian Legion marks the 100th anniversary of the poppy as a symbol for remembrance. Commemorative pins are also available, with sales going to support veterans nation-wide.

Many ceremonies across Greater Victoria have returned as in-person events, but virtual ceremonies are still being hosted. CHEK News is providing live coverage of the province’s official Remembrance Day Service from the BC legislature tomorrow, November 11 at 10:30 am.

The ceremony will be followed by a concert preformed by the Naden Band.
We hope you have a day of reflection and remembrance.

The Chamber will be closed tomorrow, Thursday, Nov. 11.
Make an impact in
your industry

Find the best talent in your industry with The Chamber’s job board.

When you post your next job, be sure to add your "industry type" to ensure it can be properly sorted and found by the right candidates. The list of industry types is constantly being updated, and can be modified to highlight any industry. Don’t see your industry listed? Send us an email!

Also remember to add a specific category for the job in the position title. From Admin and HR to Marketing and Comms positions, you can see all 14 categories here.

If you have any questions about the job board or need assistance posting, email members@victoriachamber.ca.
Member News
Race to Zero

The University of Victoria has signed on to the Race to Zero campaign, a global framework to reduce CO2 emissions to zero by participating organizations. UVic is now part of 33 other Canadian post-secondary institutions and 1,000 global institutions focusing on sustainability initiatives.
University of Victoria: Member since 1976
University of Victoria: Chamber Champion since 2020
Hotel Zed Tofino receives national praise

Hotel Zed Tofino has been rated as one of Canada’s top five hotels. Fodor’s Travel gave the new hotel praise for its comfortable, bohemian vibe and “the need for hotels to serve as escapes in themselves.”
Accent Inns | Hotel Zed: Member since 1992
VIATEC Fundraising Challenge

VIATEC is inviting local businesses to compete in the 2021 Food Bank Challenge. From Nov. 15 – Dec. 9, organizations are encouraged to create a team and raise funds for The Mustard Seed. With a goal of registering 100 companies and raising $100,000, teams are also invited to challenge other companies to fundraise alongside them.
VIATEC (Victoria Innovation, Advanced Technology and Entrepreneurship Council): Member since 1991
The Mustard Seed: Member since 1999
Dumpling Drop continues to grow

Dumpling Drop has been featured in Douglas Magazine for their commitment to their employees. Paying above minimum wage and offering full benefits to both full and part time employees, the business has seen significant growth and now makes 20,000 dumplings every week. Later this fall, they will be expanding services to offer Thai food in the evenings and will acquire a new kitchen in Esquimalt. Dumpling Drop received the New Business Award at the 2021 Greater Victoria Business Awards earlier this year.

Dumpling Drop: Member since 2021
Douglas Magazine: Member since 2004
Love Local with BCLC

This holiday season, the British Columbia Lottery Corporation is hosting a campaign to support businesses and those experiencing food insecurity. Love Local BC aims to provide funding to food banks across the province through the purchase of gift cards to local businesses. The event will begin on Nov. 29 and run until Dec. 10.
British Columbia Lottery Corporation: Member since 1994
Saanich Environmental Awards Announced

The District of Saanich has awarded Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary an Environmental Award for their focus on volunteer work. Providing 3,635 volunteer hours in 2020, the Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary Volunteer Program created a significant contribution to the conservation of natural areas.
Corporation of the District of Saanich: Member since 2019
Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary: Member since 2014
Torch Award Winners

The Better Business Bureau of Vancouver Island has announced the winners of the 2021 Torch Awards. Hosted on Nov. 5 at The Union Club of BC, the winners included Luv-A-Rug Services Inc for the Custom & Specialty Cleaning Award, Island Dream Kitchens for the Home Improvement Award, and High Definition Roofing Ltd. for the Roofing Contractor Award. Monk Office and The Parkside Hotel & Spa also received Spark Awards.
Better Business Bureau of Vancouver Island: Member since 1963
The Union Club of British Columbia: Member since 1995
Luv-A-Rug Services Inc: Member since 2008
Island Dream Kitchens: Member since 2015
High Definition Roofing Ltd: Member since 2015
Monk Office: Member since 1976
The Parkside Hotel & Spa: Member since 2013
Do you have a success story? We want to hear from you
Member to Member discounts
Members can post Coupons and Discounts free of charge here.
Welcome to our newest members!