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Celebrate Chamber Week
"For over 150 years, the Greater Victoria Chamber has kept on top of issues affecting local businesses, working with all levels of with government to drive these insights into tangible action," said Chamber Chair Al Hasham. "Whether acting as non-partisan advocates on hot-button topics, or providing tailored resources to help our members reach that next level, we get business done."
For example, the Greater Victoria Chamber is presently leading the BC Chamber's effort to advocate for
fair, transparent, and sustainable property taxes for businesses. The objective is to keep commercial property taxes reasonable, allowing businesses to keep costs down and compete with other jurisdictions.
"The Greater Victoria Chamber is a bright light in the provincial chamber network," said BC Chamber CEO Val Litwin. "Whether this regional chamber is speaking up on
public investment in BC Ferry infrastructure or making the case for
economic immigration, this chamber makes sure Greater Victoria's interests are heard."
The Greater Victoria Chamber is hosting a number of events during Chamber Week, including a lunch with
BC Finance Minister Mike de Jong and several professional development seminars on topics such as
hiring best practices, how to
measure your marketing success, and
increase sales through storytelling.
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Opportunities and connections
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Candidate Listening Session
The City of Victoria, the Downtown Victoria Business Association, the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority and Tourism Victoria have worked together to collectively identify the following urgent and immediate key topics affecting Greater Victoria that require provincial government action:
* Increase Affordable Housing
* Improve Mental Health and Addictions Services
* Complete Sewage Treatment
* Create a Regional Transportation Commission
* Complete Belleville Terminal Improvements
* Develop Ogden Point and Establish Home Port Victoria
Candidates of Greater Victoria provincial ridings have been invited to listen to a joint panel present on these six key areas March 2, 2017 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Victoria Conference Centre (Carson Hall).
The panel will be comprised of:
* Lisa Helps, Mayor of Victoria
* Catherine Holt, CEO of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce
* Kerri Milton, Executive Director of the Downtown Victoria Business Association.
* Paul Nursey, President and CEO of Tourism Victoria
* Ian Robertson, CEO of the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority
Moderated by Gregor Craigie of CBC Victoria, party candidates will have an opportunity to engage with the panel for greater clarification. The public are invited to attend, free of charge. There will be opportunities following the session to engage with the panel and candidates.
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New CEO at the Helm of BC Ferries
BC Ferries' Board of Directors has appointed
 Mark F. Collins as President and CEO effective April 1, 2017. A senior marine executive for the past 20 years, Mark's experience includes roles as the President of Rolls Royce Marine Brazil and Italy, and Vice President of Global Technical Services, CSL Group. Mark is currently Vice President of Strategic Planning & Community Engagement at BC Ferries, and was the Vice President, Engineering between 2004 and 2012.
"As a person who was born in Newfoundland, a ferry dependent island, I understand first-hand the importance of a reliable ferry service to people's lives," said Mark. "I am fortunate to have such a solid foundation on which to start my new role as President and CEO, and I have our CEO Mike Corrigan, our leadership team and our more than 4500 dedicated employees to thank for that."
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BC Ferries: member since 1983
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Drywall Tariff and Housing Costs
Since the Government of Canada imposed the drywall tariff last September, The Chamber has been working with
Slegg Building Materials and other affected local businesses as well as the BC Chamber of Commerce to ensure the impact of this tariff is heard loud and clear.
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We add our voice to the multitude of
Canadian businesses who find that the anti-dumping tariffs are affecting overall housing affordability, current fixed-price building contracts, and supply availability for various construction projects," said Chamber CEO Catherine Holt in a
letter to four Greater Victoria Members of Parliament. "We strongly support the Canadian International Trade Tribunal's recommendation that a 43% duty is large enough to address any injury to the domestic producer."
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Slegg Building Materials: member since 2013
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MEMBER SNAPSHOT:
Michael Black
What is the one thing no one understands or knows about your business? We build a lot of outdoor kitchens, hot tubs and fire pits.
What do you think is the most important life lesson for someone to learn? Treat others how you would like to be treated. Where can we find you on the weekend? Capital Iron on Saturdays, with family on Sundays.
What is the best perk of your job? Meeting people from all over the world. Everyone that knows me says I like to talk. What is the best part about doing business in Greater Victoria? People love to support local businesses and they are proud of Capital Iron being theirs.
What was your first job? Delivering papers. What are you passionate about? Sports, my wife Eveline says if tiddlywinks were a sport I would watch it!
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Capital Iron: member since 2004
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Hear about how B.C. plans to invest its budget surplus, and find out what province-wide changes could impact our community and your bottom line.
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New Arrival at YYJ
A section in the Victoria International Airport's arrival
 area has been transformed into the "
Tectoria Innovation Station," which will illustrate how technology and entrepreneurship have shaped the region.
Airport visitors will get to peer into portals containing
Holografyx Showcase video displays, press buttons and gears, and flip through drafting table designs containing bits of Greater Victoria's rich, innovative history. From aviation, to shipbuilding, ocean sciences and education... it's got it all.
The interactive installation at the Victoria International Airport's arrival area will provide airport guests an added experience, and potential talent and investors a place to go for more information,
WHYyj.ca.
The Innovation Station became a reality through a partnership with the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce, the South Island Prosperity Project,
VIATEC, the
Victoria Airport Authority, and Western Economic Diversification Canada.
"The Tectoria Innovation Station is one of several joint projects that Greater Victoria Chamber has undertaken over the past three years to support trade and investment," said Chamber CEO Catherine Holt. "Thanks to funding from Western Economic Diversification Canada and stakeholders throughout the region, we were able to bring the right people together to see outcomes, like this one, that will resonate within our community and economy for years."
The unveiling will take place on Feb 20 at 11 am in the Arrivals Rotunda of the
Victoria International Airport. Following a few announcements and a ribbon cutting, media and the public are encouraged to explore the Innovation Station, featuring the first round of companies:
AXYS Technologies,
FTS and Viking Air.
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Holografyx Canada Inc.: member since 2014
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VIATEC: member since 1992
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Victoria Airport Authority: member since 1981
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AXYS Technologies: member since 2015
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FTS: member since 2011
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Understanding the Village
For the first time ever the full-day workshop Understanding the Village, in partnership with the
Capital Regional District
, will come to the South Island on Mar 3.
It will be led by Residential School survivors and elders. Participants journey through the history of relations with Indigenous peoples in Canada. The latter part of the workshop allows time for reflection and understanding what we can do in our own circles moving forward.
"This workshop has been completed by over 5,000 people in the Cowichan Valley and they have noticed a shift in attitudes and relationships from that work," CRD Manager of Aboriginal Initiatives Sue Hallatt. "We all have our own responsibility towards reconciliation and attending this workshop can open our hearts and our minds to exploring that work."
Learn more
here.
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Capital Regional District: member since 1993
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Keep your most important asset - your people - healthy and well taken care of with the Chambers Plan - the most popular employee benefits plan in Canada for small business.
Click here
for more information.
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Your Chamber in the News
A selection of news clips over the last two weeks:
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Make a Difference in the Community
Join the people that get things done!
The Chamber is seeking a dynamic,
self-motivated person to get out and about in the Greater Victoria business world as an Account Representative. This position is responsible for new member sales and working with existing Chamber Members
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The successful candidate will work with business leaders in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with considerable scope to achieve Chamber membership objectives. The role demands an above average understanding of the needs of small business, the pressures that businesses experience and how best The Chamber can assist and help businesses grow. Click here for more information or to apply.
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Welcome to Our Newest Members!
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Member to Member Deals
Want your company's special offer to appear here? Send us an email!
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