Tickets for YYJ Eats 2019 are now on sale! On June 4, experience an exciting variety of bite-sized gourmet food, local wine, craft beers and specialty cocktails created and presented by some of Victoria's most popular restaurants, breweries and wineries.
Chamber calls on Victoria to end lawsuit against oil companies
The Chamber has  added its voice to calls for the City of Victoria to stop pursuing a class action lawsuit against the oil and gas industries.
 
Victoria city council voted to endorse the legal action, and to seek the support of other municipalities through the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities and the Union of BC Municipalities.  
 
Attempts by other jurisdictions to seek compensation for damages caused by climate change have not been successful in court. This lawsuit risks damaging Victoria's reputation as a welcoming destination and a willing partner to find constructive solutions to climate change. 
 
We're already experiencing a backlash from Alberta.
 
We want Victoria to heed the advice of its own climate leadership plan and support innovative entrepreneurs who will create the solutions needed to move society toward a low carbon economy.
 
A lawsuit that's doomed to fail, and that will alienate a major source of visitors to our region needs a rethink.
 
Read The Chamber's letter here
Chamber News
Events
Business Leaders Luncheons
Prodigy Group March Mingle
2019 Marketplace Mixer
Business Awards
YYJ Eats 2019
Webinar
Event Photos
Upcoming Chamber Events

Friday luncheon promises insight into salmon science
New research in the Gulf of Alaska has found salmon wintering much farther away from coastal waters than expected. DNA testing being conducted for the first time on a research ship has resulted in new discoveries about BC salmon.
 
The results could be significant as declining salmon populations and the role they play in the health of the southern resident killer whales is a major concern for BC's sport fishing and whale watching industries, as well as the federal Department of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard.
 
The research vessel Professor Kaganovsky is being crewed by an international coalition of scientists investigating salmon populations in the North Pacific. It is one of the first attempts to track stocks so far off the coast. Until now, most research has focused on the fresh water rivers and streams that salmon use to spawn.  
 
Chamber members can learn more Friday at the Business Leaders Luncheon with federal fisheries Minister Jonathan Wilkinson. This highly anticipated event is sold out. Watch for coverage in next week's BizNews and local media.
Annual General Meeting & Mayoral Address
Last fall during the municipal election, residents of the City of Victoria and District of Saanich were asked, "Are you in favour of spending up to $250,000 for establishing a Citizens' Assembly to explore the costs, benefits and disadvantages of the amalgamation between the District of Saanich and the City of Victoria?"

Residents in both regions resoundingly voted in favour.

Hear how Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps and Saanich Mayor Fred Haynes plan to encourage this and other historic collaborations between the two municipalities.
Sponsored by:
Tue, May 7 | 11:30 am-1:30 pm
Hotel Grand Pacific
463 Belleville St



ALR changes take power from individuals
New legislation the government says will strengthen the independence of the Agricultural Land Commission (ALC) is being slammed by Opposition MLAs as an "egregious assault on the rights of citizens."  
 
The key change is a requirement that any requests for land to be removed from the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) must be submitted by local government or a public body and not by an individual. It's a subtle but significant change from the old rules where an individual could initiate the request for exclusion and seek the blessing of local government to help make the case to the ALC.   
 
BC Liberal MLA Mike De Jong, a farmer in the Fraser Valley, told Black Press that the new rules are absurd because government is now the only agency that can initiate a request to make changes to the ALR.  
 
"This is the government saying to tens of thousands of property owners, 'we now believe the ALR is perfect, there will never be any changes, and the only agency that can ever decide to initiate a request is government.'"
 
Network with over 300 people and meet more than 50 businesses who will be showcasing their services and products. We have some amazing door prizes from ski tickets to whale watching.
Sponsored by:
Thu, Mar 21 | 4-7 pm
Delta Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort & Spa
100 Harbour Rd.

Saanich taking new look at hosting casino
 
Talk of a second casino in Greater Victoria is heating up after Saanich council unanimously endorsed taking a new look at serving as the host municipality.
 
Back in 2015, the BC Lottery Corp said it would consider expressions of interest for another casino in the region. After Victoria and Saanich were shortlisted, the lottery corp. eventually sided with Victoria. However, last December, Victoria City Council said it was no longer interested in the proposal due to well-publicized concerns about money laundering at BC casinos.  
 
If Saanich is approved for a casino, the municipality would want it to be part of a package that included a hotel or entertainment centre at either Uptown or near Tillicum and Burnside.  
 
Greater Victoria is currently home to Elements Casino in View Royal.  
 
 
Elements Casino Victoria: member since 2001 

Members Around Town
 
Georgie Awards 
The 2019 Georgie Awards, presented by the Canadian Home Builders' Association of British Columbia (CHBA BC),  celebrate excellence in the residential construction industry. LIDA Homes won Best Residential Renovation $500,000 - $799,999 and Scala Developments won Custom Home Valued Between $500,000- $899,999.  
LIDA Homes: member since 2019 
Scala Developments: member since 2017
It's the final flower countdown!   
The 44th Annual Greater Victoria Flower Count wraps up today Mar. 13, at 8 pm. With sun in the forecast tonight there is no excuse to not get out and start counting! Not sure just how many blooms your large heather bush and small cherry tree carry? Never fear, there is a formula for that. Started in 1976 by The Chamber as a light-hearted event to promote the beauty and colour of our region, it is now organized along with The Butchart Gardens and Destination Greater Victoria.
 
The Butchart Gardens: member since 1976 
 
Destination Greater Victoria: member since 1988 
HeartPress PR 
Today, March 13, HeartPress was announced as one of 14 startups to present on the Ones To Watch Stage at the 2019 BC Tech Summit, Western Canada's largest innovation event. The "Ones to Watch" stage gives emerging innovators six minutes to highlight how their technology has the potential to transform businesses and improve lives. HeartPress leverages technology for social good, making it a go-to resource for small to medium-sized businesses wanting to give back to their communities. 
HeartPress: member since 2014  
BUSINESS LEADERS LUNCHEON
 
Launched in the fall of 2017, the South Island Prosperity Partnership (SIPP) Prosperity Index was developed to measure a number of indicators across the South Island such as employment, education, governance, affordability and innovation.  
 
This lunch will provide an update on how the region is doing against its previous numbers as well as comparing it to other cities in the world.  
Sponsored by: 
New date!  
Thu, Apr 18 | 11:30 am-1 pm          
Victoria Marriott Inner Harbour
728 Humboldt St.

   


Business Matters Advertising Opportunities

The Chamber offices are bustling as we  begin  planning and writing our Spring Business Matters magazine. Chock full of burning issues, outstanding business connections and this year's Business Award winners, it will be a must read edition.  
 
Put your brand in front of more than 2,000 business leaders in Greater Victoria. Don't want to be left out? Contact us   for advertising opportunities and to receive 20% off your advertising.
Welcome to Our Newest Members!
 


 
Chamber Name Tags
In response to members' requests, The Chamber has redesigned the name tags Chamber members can purchase. We increased the prominence of your business name while keeping your name clearly visible.

Need to get one of the snazzy new Chamber Name tags? Email us to order yours today.