|
|
Thank you to
Point Hope Maritime for giving Chamber members a behind-the-scenes tour of your shipyard on Tuesday. Check out the photos
here.
|
Protecting Small Business
Letter from The Chamber Chair,
 Al Hasham.
Dear fellow Chamber members,
Big changes are coming for small businesses and how they are being taxed. The Chamber along with chambers across Canada and the Canadian Chamber are working with their members to make sure that a unified voice is heard before sweeping tax changes are made that target small business and entrepreneurs.
Nobody supports tax evasion or loopholes, but these changes target small businesses who employ family members and invest the profits from business and delivers punitive taxation for those passing family businesses on to children.
I encourage you to personalize the attached letter, provide your story in your own words to the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, which will share it with government officials or contact your MP directly. Also please share this story with your contacts and encourage them to act.
Consultations end next week, so please don't delay. Thanks for taking action!
Al Hasham
|
|
|
|
|
|
Provincial Finance Minister Luncheo n - Budget Update
Join us for lunch as Finance Minister Carole James shares key highlights from her government's
Budget Update.
Following her presentation you will have an opportunity to ask her questions on issues that matter to you and your business.
Mon, Oct 2 |
11:30 am-1 pm
The Union Club of British Columbia
805 Gordon St.
|
|
Fabulous Four - Vote Now
Your vote matters when there are eight great candidates and only four Chamber board vacancies.
Election ballots were e-mailed to the main contact for your organization on Fri, Sept 15. Haven't seen it? Do a search for the subject line: Vote Now - 2018-2019 Board of Directors Election.
Each fall, The Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce holds an election for new board members. Each board member is elected for a two year term with staggered renewal dates - this year we are asking you to elect four board members. The Chamber uses a weighted voting system, based on your business' number of employees. Voting will close midday Thurs, Oct 5.
If you are The Chamber's main contact for your business and didn't receive your ballot, please contact us at 250-383-7191.
|
|
MEMBER SNAPSHOT:
Tom Benson
WildPlay finances, builds and operates adventure parks throughout North America. We take people outside their comfort zones so they grow and achieve more. "Play More. Fear Less. Change the world."
What project is your business proudest of? Opening the world's most famous zipline that whisks people to the base of Niagara Falls. What's new with your business? We are now growing into the United States with new parks opening in New York City and Albany. What is your company's greatest strength? Our culture and the people that hold it true. How is your business involved in the community? We support a variety of causes, but our most famous is likely our naked bungy jumping event-the funds support the schizophrenia society. What's your favourite mode of transportation to get around town? Love my motorcycle. Smell everything. See everything. Feel everything. Could you manage without your cell phone? Yes. I am fluent in morse code.
|
WildPlay Element Parks: member since 2006 |
|
|
Fort St. Bike Lane Construction to Start
The City of Victoria will break ground Sept 25 on Fort St, the second of 5 all ages and abilities (AAA) bicycle lanes that will be installed before the end of 2018.
The new two-way protected bike lane will be built on the north side of Fort St from Wharf to Cook. Included in the project will be enhancing crosswalks and sidewalks, adding new street trees and benches, introducing accessibility enhancements and undertaking important underground utility upgrades. The goal of the new bike network is to increase safety and connect the downtown core to neighbourhoods and regional trails.
During construction, there will be temporary changes to bus stop locations and on-street parking, as well as reduced travel lanes at certain times. Pedestrians may also be temporarily re-routed during sidewalk replacement activities. The City and their contractor will be working with stakeholders to minimize any inconveniences during construction. Local access to homes and businesses will be maintained at all times.
|
City of Victoria: member since 1962
|
|
|
|
New Help Line Launches
 This week the United Way Greater Victoria launched bc211 telephone and text coverage in Victoria and across all of Vancouver Island.
bc211 is a confidential, free telephone, texting and online referral service connecting individuals to community, social and government services.
"
bc211 reaches people where they are at in times of calm and crisis as it is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year in over 160 languages. It is also a valuable resource for businesses and municipalities who are often looking for a place to refer employees, colleagues and concerned citizens. With bc211 now help is only a call, text or click away," says Patricia Jelinski, President and CEO of United Way Greater Victoria.
 |
United Way of Greater Victoria: member since 1972 |
|
Nominate Now for the 2018 Business Awards
Each week The Chamber will be profiling a different award category, encouraging members to
nominate a deserving Chamber member.
Business Leadership
honours a business that:
- provides leadership and inspiration,
- makes a positive contribution to their business sector,
- serves as a positive role model for other businesses, and
- demonstrates a commitment to the community.
Know a business that deserves this award? Nominate them today!
Need some inspiration? Check out the videos of the 2017 Business Leadership finalists below.
Thanks to
Coast Capital Savings
for sponsoring this award.
|
Orange Shirt Day
Orange Shirt Day: Every Child Matters
, a grassroots event that recognizes the survivors of residential schools - and acknowledges those who did not - is growing in support across Canada and will take place in Victoria on Sat, Sept 30 from 12- 4 pm in Centennial Square. The event grew out of Phyllis Webstad's account of having her sparkly new orange shirt taken away on her first day of St. Joseph Mission residential school.
Residential school survivor Eddy Charlie and friend Kristin Spray are organizing the Orange Shirt Day: Every Child Matters event in Victoria, which they developed in 2015 while attending the Indigenous Studies program at Camosun College. This year, they are partnering with the
City of Victoria
and Bridges for Women Society to mark the City's commitment to reconciliation.
"
Reconciliation is a relationship formed that benefits the paths that everyone shares," says Eddie. "We are all educators and learners. We should strive to help each other, and care for the idea that each word we utter creates one chapter of a book that defines our character."
|
City of Victoria: member since 1962
|
|
|
Bridges For Women Society: member since 2013
|
|
|
Camosun College: member since 1981
|
|
|
|
Shoring up Your Defenses
It has been a turbulent time recently with devastating forest fires locally, floods in Windsor, a seemingly endless number of hurricanes on the east coast and two deadly earthquakes in Mexico.
In add
ition to donating and taking time to be grateful that it hasn't happened here. It is important to remember to plan and put together your "emergency kit" for your business as well as your home.
| BC HAZMAT : member since 2009 |
|
Looking Good, Doing Good!
We strive to provide better building blocks for your business.
 Your Chamber Online Directory Listing is often the first point of online contact with your future clients so it's important that your listing is up-to-date, shares your social media, maybe even includes a special offer, video or photo.
If you'd like to update your graphics or description, or add a special offer, click
here.
|
|
Welcome to Our Newest Members!
|
Chamber Name Tags
 Need to get one of the snazzy new Chamber Name tags?
Email Reception to order yours today.
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
