Your weekly round up of BizNews from throughout Greater Victoria
|
|
Supporting Indigenous business one way to begin healing our community
|
We hope that we can learn the names and better understand the stories of the 215 children found buried in unmarked graves at the former Kamloops residential school.
This has been devastating news for First Nations. It is difficult for Canadians to learn about our shameful past and the burden all of us must bear today. The days ahead will be painful if we are to address this wound and begin to let it heal.
We must also do more to ensure Indigenous businesses are included in all of our communities. Please consider connecting with a local Indigenous business that is doing great things in Greater Victoria.
The Chamber is working with our national chamber network to improve our connections and conversations with Indigenous businesses across Canada. It's time to do better.
|
|
|
Clarity needed for businesses on mask mandate
|
|
The loosening of restrictions has been met with a collective sigh of relief for many businesses. However, some ambiguous wording in BC's Restart Plan could be problematic. Businesses are expressing concern about what will happen if masks are no longer mandatory after July 1. The plan states that once we get to Step 3, masks will only be a recommendation in public indoor settings.
Employers don't want their staff to be faced with enforcing an order that isn't clear. In the past, this has led to stressful confrontations between employees and members of the public who refuse to abide by the orders.
The Retail Council of Canada's guidance says awareness and training are key. Before we get to Step 3, The Chamber is working with other business organizations to get clarity for businesses.
|
|
Province's minimum wage now highest in Canada
|
|
The provincial government pressed ahead with its plan to raise the minimum wage, implementing the final bump yesterday to $15.20/hour across the board. The four-year plan did allow businesses to budget for the increase, but the pandemic has made many employers vulnerable to any extra expenditures.
Many businesses are facing a difficult road ahead, Chamber CEO Bruce Williams told the Times Colonist. "Ideally, the government would hold off on adding any extra costs to businesses in the hospitality and tourism industry until they have a chance to get back on their feet.”
The role of government right now needs to be focused on stripping away roadblocks and getting our economy back to its potential. The best way to help make our region affordable is to invest in innovations that will increase our housing supply, make child care accessible and encourage workers to stay in Greater Victoria.
“Employers continue to go above and beyond to find and keep workers, so wages already tend to be higher in Greater Victoria,” Williams says. “With the change, BC will have the highest minimum wage of any Canadian province. It’s time to stop the increases and let the rest of the country catch up.”
|
|
Picnics & Patios contest is on now until July 5
|
|
The Greater Victoria Picnics & Patios contest has officially launched! Comment on any Picnics & Patios social media post by The Chamber or our partners (listed below) to enter to win great prizes! Tag your favourite restaurant and two friends for a chance to win a catered picnic lunch for two at Government House, along with other weekly prizes.
Share a photo of your summertime snack and use the hashtag #PicnicsPatiosVicBC for five additional entries.
|
|
|
BC Restaurant & Food Services Association (BCRFA): Member since 1996
|
|
City of Victoria: Member since 1962
|
|
Destination Greater Victoria: Member since 1988
|
|
Downtown Victoria Business Association: Member since 2007
|
|
Government House: member since 2020
|
|
Chamber joins Colwood's call for ferry study
|
|
A ferry connecting Royal Bay to Downtown Victoria and Esquimalt will help future proof our region, Chamber CEO Bruce Williams says.
|
|
City of Colwood: Member since 2020
|
|
BC Ferries: Member since 1983
|
|
Capital Regional District: Member since 1993
|
|
Despite pandemic, film industry has record year
|
|
The province's film and digital media industry generates $3.2 billion annually, employing more than 71,000 British Columbians.
The Island's film commissioner, Kathleen Gilbert, told the Victoria News that the commission has more than 800 crew in its South Island database.
“Anyone with experience would have been able to work full time since production resumed in July of last year,” Gilbert said.
The health of the film industry has been especially beneficial for tourism businesses hard hit by the pandemic.
“Certainly, given the impact on tourism that COVID has had, this is very welcome business and almost a lifeline for some of these hotels,” Bill Lewis, Chair of the Hotel Association of Greater Victoria, states in the film commission's 2020 Annual Report.
|
|
Vancouver Island South Film & Media Commission: Member since 1990
|
|
Construction industry working to end OD crisis
|
|
A fundamental priority for good business is having safe communities. Feeling safe at home and at work is vital to achieving our potential as individuals and as a community.
The overdose crisis in British Columbia has killed 680 people in the first four months of 2021. In April alone, at least 176 lives were lost to toxic drugs. That's 43% more than in April 2020. This is a crisis that affects all corners of society and all sectors of our economy.
|
|
Vancouver Island Construction Association: Member since 1986
|
|
Business Restart Series:
Hon. Murray Rankin
|
Hear how British Columbia is working to promote Indigenous-led economic development opportunities by strengthening relationships with Indigenous communities and gaining insight from Indigenous knowledge and perspectives.
|
|
Fri., June 11 | 12-1 PM
Zoom
|
|
Leverage wage subsidies to hire co-op students
|
Interested in hiring a Camosun or UVic co-op student, but not sure where to start? Come learn about timing, mentorship and funding options to hire a student for Fall 2021.
Engaging a student is a cost-effective way to tackle ebbs and flows in the workplace — no matter the economic temperature, and particularly now as we look forward to recovering from the pandemic. Students are available from a wide variety of programs from technology and sciences to business and communication and everything in between.
|
|
Tues., June 15 | 12-1 PM
Zoom
|
|
Chamber Chats with CEO Bruce Williams
Sweet treats with Pivot Pilots
|
How has the COVID pandemic impacted small, niche specialty food producers?
|
Cold Comfort Ice Cream: Member since 2017
|
Origin Bakery: Members since 2020
|
Country Bee Honey Farm: Member since 2019
|
|
|
Work for a Chamber Champion
|
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 stand out from other job offers. This list is continually added with new industry types, and can be modified to highlight any industry.
Also, remember to add a specific category for the job in the position title. From Admin & HR to Marketing & Comms positions, you can see all 14 categories here.
|
|
|
What does Chamber local mean to you?
|
|
Our #ChamberLocalVicBC campaign aims to highlight and help people understand what local means on a social, economic, and community level.
From buying gift cards to leaving reviews of your favourite local businesses online, we can continue to support our friends, family, and our #ChamberLocalVicBC community.
How does your organization define being local? Let us know to be featured in the campaign. Contact Thomas at members@victoriachamber.ca to share your story.
|
|
|
Introducing Crypto Beer
Whistle Buoy Brewing Company: Member since 2019
|
A wave of ocean support
Sheringham Distillery is a founding partner of The Good Ocean, a community of businesses that strive to keep oceans healthy and take steps towards systemic change in consumer culture. The initiative addresses consumer demand for accountability in how products and services are made, sold and marketed.
Sheringham Distillery: Member since 2018
|
Portraits of admired youth
Our Place Society is hosting a fundraiser to promote the work of influential youth in Greater Victoria. The Portraits of Caring event, on now until June 30, features more than 25 portraits of admired youth, 18 to 29, who are making or have made significant contributions to social services.
|
Our Place Society: Member since 2010
|
Refire your meal
Refire Kitchen has been featured in Tasting Victoria as one of the city's newest takeout businesses. Offering fresh and frozen meals, Refire makes dishes that are designed to be reheated in your oven. Featuring comfort food such as shepherd’s pie and lasagna, Refire offers affordable meals for a quick and easy dinner.
Refire Kitchen: Member since 2021
|
Comedy back at The Mint
Mint Restaurant: Member since 2006
Phillips Brewing & Malting Co: Member since 2020
|
University of Victoria: Member since 1976
|
University of Victoria: Chamber Champion since 2020
|
Fairmont Empress: Member since 1962
|
Royal BC Museum: Member since 1994
|
Craigdarroch Castle Historical Society: Member since 1990
|
Belfry Theatre: Member since 1995
|
Outset Media: Member since 1998
|
Government House: Member since 2020
|
|
Helping to cool down food waste
CryoLogistics has been named a semi-finalist in the federal government’s Food Waste Reduction Challenge. Created to accelerate solutions regarding food waste, the 24 semi-finalists will each receive $100,000 in funding and move on to the next round. CryoLogistics specializes in developing autonomous refrigerated shipping containers that offer real-time remote monitoring.
|
CryoLogistics: Member since 2021
|
Annual Spirit Award winners
The United Way of Greater Victoria has announced its Spirit Award Winners, honouring the generosity of workplaces, organizations and individuals across Greater Victoria. This year’s winners included:
Jennifer Currie, Megson FitzPatrick – Outstanding Employee Campaign Chair (100+ Employees)
RBC – Financial Challenge Award
Royal Roads University - $1,000,000 cumulatively raised (Thanks A Millions Award), Spirit of Good Citizenship awarded to Cecilia David
|
United Way of Greater Victoria: Member since 1972
|
BC Ferry Services Inc: Member since 1983
|
British Columbia Investment Management Corporation (BCI): Member since 2019
|
Megson FitzPatrick Insurance Services: Member since 1981
|
University of Victoria: Member since 1976
|
University of Victoria: Chamber Champion since 2020
|
Seaspan Victoria Shipyards: Member since 2002
|
Seaspan Victoria Shipyards: Chamber Champion since 2021
|
Community Living Victoria: Member since 2014
|
RBC Financial Group: Member since 1962
|
RBC Financial Group: Chamber Champion since 2020
|
City of Langford: Member since 2019
|
BC Transit: Member since 1999
|
Royal Roads University: Member since 1996
|
Capital Regional District (CRD): Member since 1993
|
Do you have a success story? We want to hear from you
|
|
|
Welcome to our newest Members!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|