Your weekly round up of BizNews from throughout Greater Victoria
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Bruce Williams, CEO of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce
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Tourism experts offer advice and insight into crisis
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The panel spoke candidly about the effect that the pandemic has had on their business, and how they're pivoting to get through the crisis. The Fairmont Empress, for example, has introduced
Lunch on the Lawn every Saturday to attract locals. Brar said it is a "time for creativity" and our destination needs to do a little more work to remind British Columbians about our region's incomparable location.
"We live in one of the of the most beautiful places in the world," she said, adding there's no better place for people to find the human connection we're all craving.
The Chamber is working with all levels of government to ensure they continue to invest in the tourism sector to provide the certainty needed to get through until at least next year.
Wish you could have watched it live?
Don't worry,
click here
to sign up and see the event.
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Chamber chair and CEO share stories in Douglas
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The July issue of Douglas Magazine includes a
cover story on Chamber chair John Wilson, and how his company plans to overcome the challenges of COVID-19.
The Wilson's Group of Companies has been greatly affected by the pandemic, which has seen tourism and ground transportation hit especially hard. "It's upsetting but we've got to look at what we have to work with," Wilson told Douglas. "We'll get knocked down, but we'll keep moving forward."
The same edition also include an
interview with Chamber CEO Bruce Williams, who grew up working in a family business and is dedicated to ensuring The Chamber is more relevant than ever to its members.
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PPE Marketplace a great resource for recovery
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As the economy opens up and businesses work to safely bring back customers, access to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is vital.
To help ensure supplies are available, a
PPE Marketplace has been created by Small Business BC and the provincial government. Businesses can access a searchable directory to easily locate suppliers with the non-medical PPE needed to operate safely during the pandemic.
As well, suppliers of PPEs interested in being listed as a vendor can request to be part of the marketplace.
The Chamber has been working with Small Business BC and the provincial government since measures were first introduced to protect British Columbians from the spread of COVID-19.
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Nominations open for 2021-22 Chamber Board
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Now more than ever leadership matters.
We’d like to invite you to be a part of the history of the region and serve on The Chamber Board.
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, six (6) board positions are up for election and we're looking for great nominees like you.
Our influential board works with decision-makers at all levels of government to support our region’s businesses and maximize the value of membership with The Chamber.
Click
here for key dates, the nomination process and the voting procedure.
Download a nomination form
here. Please also include your
bio and photo for the election ballot. Additional questions can be directed
here.
Nominations close Thursday, July 30 at noon.
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Thurs., July 9 |12-1pm
Online & in-person
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Patio Season has arrived in Greater Victoria! Use this handy
checklist to discover patios with incredible views, delicious food and cold drinks to enjoy on a hot day.
Take a photo of yourself completing the Patio Checklist, and tag us with
@victoriachamber and
#YYJPatioChecklist for a chance to be featured on our social media channels. Stay safe and support local this season.
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Getting you back to business
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Hear how the Air Travel sector is about to take flight
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Join Chamber CEO Bruce Williams and a panel of air transport and tourism leaders as they discuss how to safely and responsibly open aviation travel and the role of tourism in moving our local economy forward.
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Thurs., July 23 |12-1pm
Zoom
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Upcoming opportunities to Mix and Mingle
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Thurs., July 9 | 12- 1pm
Zoom
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Thurs., July 16 |5-6pm
Zoom
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Guide helps residents fight climate change
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Want to know how you can make your home be part of a climate change solution?
In January, Saanich approved a
131-step plan to reduce the risks associated with climate change locally and globally, cut greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2030, move to net-zero emissions by 2050 and transition to 100 per cent renewable energy by 2050.
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District of Saanich: Member since 2019
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Feds forecast $343 billion debt due to pandemic
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The federal government
announced today that it is projecting a deficit of $343 billion due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The number is staggering and it will take decades for Canada to fully recover.
The Chamber, along with the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, is calling on the federal government to transition from a subsidy-based response to one focused on investments aimed at restoring economic growth and getting Canadians back to work.
"Today should have been an opportunity to offer Canadians a clear picture of the challenges and a coherent strategy to address them," said a
statement from the Canadian Chamber. "What businesses, investors, analysts and Canadians alike wanted to hear was how we will move away from the short-term measures that are quickly draining the federal treasury to helping families and businesses once again become self-sufficient."
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Relief plan for benefit obligations in the works
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On July 2, federal Finance Minister Bill Morneau
announced
draft regulations designed to help employers who sponsor a Registered Pension Plan (RPP) or salary deferral leave plan. The
proposal
would, during the pandemic, provide relief from obligations related to income tax regulations. In particular, pushing the retroactive contribution deadline for 2020 RRSPs as far as April 30, 2021, for either the employer or individual.
"The temporary relief we will provide to registered pension plan sponsors and their beneficiaries will play an important role in supporting them through these challenges and in positioning them for a strong recovery,” Morneau said.
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ICA highlights local champions of Black Lives Matter
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The
Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria has published an
interview with three women who helped organize the Black Lives Matter events in Victoria on June 7. The interviews offer insight into each woman's experience with discrimination and bigotry and why it's so important to prioritize actions that will disrupt and change the systemic racism that is an unfortunate reality for Black Canadians.
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Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria: Member since 1996
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Supreme Court dismisses appeal of TMX project
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Last week, the Supreme Court of Canada
decided it was not going to hear an appeal over the expansion of the Trans Mountain pipeline.
The decision was welcomed by an industry reeling from the COVID-19 pandemic as well as a global oversupply. The expansion, which is well underway, will triple the capacity of its existing line between northern Alberta and Burnaby, BC.
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Trans Mountain: Member since 2013
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Open for Business — Chamber directory style
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To help locals looking to support businesses in the region, we want to make it easier to find businesses that are open and ready to provide products or services.
You'll see on our Chamber
online business directory
that we've added an Open icon for businesses. Details on how the business has adapted and/or new hours will appear in Products and Services at the bottom of the listing. We've also enhanced the SEO keywords on these listings to get you noticed.
Do you have updated business hours or services?
Contact us
for your Open Icon and enhanced directory listing.
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Job Board exclusive member benefit
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The job board has returned to being an exclusive benefit of Chamber membership.
The Chamber is proud to have featured more than 500 jobs on our
job board
, including 250 since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis. We opened up this member benefit to help our community meet the demand for essential service jobs. We are now seeing a return to job postings that reflect the restart of our economy.
If you have any difficulty posting, please email
members@victoriachamber.ca. We will get back to you within one business day. We know how important hiring the right person can be.
All jobs posted to our job board have been vetted by a member of The Chamber team.
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Seaspan ULC: member since 1972
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Award winning catering
Nicholas Waters from
Toque Catering has won the 2020 Canadian Caterer of the Year Award from the Canadian Event Industry Awards. Toque catering were also finalists in the Most Creative Food Presentation award, and Toque Catering and
Truffles Catering were finalists in the Best Catered Event award. Congratulations!
Toque Catering: member since 2020
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Truffles Catering: member since 1994
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Walk to the wharf
Looking to stay active while physical distancing?
Lifetime Networks
has created the
Summer Step Challenge,
a fun and active way to stay fit this summer. From now until Sept. 7, track your daily steps for a chance to win prizes. Whether you join as an individual or a team, now is the perfect opportunity to discover new walking trails in Greater Victoria.
Lifetime Networks: members since 2013
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Summer Screenings
The
Oak Bay Beach Hotel is
hosting VIP Summer Screenings — a chance to see great movies while enjoying delicious treats. Featured movies include classics such as
Dirty Dancing and
Mamma Mia.
Each ticket covers complimentary parking, one glass of sparkling wine, a bottle of water, local charcuterie board and pre-packed theatre snacks such as popcorn and licorice. A portion of all proceeds will be donated to the
Victoria Hospitals Foundation
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Oak Bay Beach Hotel: member since 2011
Victoria Hospitals Foundation: member since 2019
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Virtual open house
St. Michael’s University School: members since 2015
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Welcome to our newest members!
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Is your business implementing new strategies or innovative ways of connecting with consumers?
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250-383-7191
victoriachamber.ca
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