Your weekly round up of BizNews from throughout Greater Victoria
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Chamber Takeout Challenge supports local restaurants
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In the wake of the new provincial restrictions announced March 29 limiting indoor dining across BC, The Chamber’s Takeout Challenge has helped raise awareness about the need to step up support for our members restaurants.
So far, more than 100 people have entered by tagging their favourite restaurant and two friends on one of our Takeout Challenge social media posts for a chance to win a $100 gift card from Tutti or Lucky to Go.
Take a photo enjoying takeout from your favourite restaurant, post it on social media and tag us with the hashtag
The contest is on now until Sunday, April 25, 2021. Winners will be announced on Monday, April 26 in our Chamber Events newsletter.
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Minister announcing help to offset restrictions
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Help is expected to be announced tomorrow for restaurants and other businesses affected by the health restrictions that began March 30 and last until April 19.
Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery, and Innovation has scheduled a Facebook Live event for 12:30 pm. The new rules came into effect at midnight on April 1, a few hours after they were publicly announced.
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Scenes of joy as care homes open for visitors
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As the province finds itself facing another wave of COVID-19 cases, there was some joyful news and evidence that immunization is key to ending the pandemic.
On April 1, families were able to visit in-person with relatives living in long-term care homes. At Broadmead Care resident Marjorie Sutherland, pictured above, was able to hold the hand of her son David Sutherland and daughter Wendy O'Dwyer for the first time in more than a year.
“Now that the most vulnerable among us have received a vaccine, we are safely amending restrictions to give people in long-term care greater opportunities to connect with the people they love,” Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said in a news release.
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Broadmead Care: Member since 2017
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Vaccine rollout enters Phase 3 during critical time
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As the third wave of COVID-19 hits BC, the province remains committed to providing everyone in BC with a first dose of vaccine by July 1, setting the stage for loosening of restrictions over the summer.
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University of Victoria: Member since 1976
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University of Victoria: Member since 1976
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Victoria Conference Centre: Member since 1990
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Victoria Native Friendship Centre: Member since 2019
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Grants help businesses with cost to repair vandalism
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Up to $1,000 is available with proof (insurance deductible, police file number and repair receipts) to help cover costs. For more information, email info@downtownvictoria.ca.
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Downtown Victoria Business Association: Member since 2007
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City of Victoria: Member since 1962
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Film industry boosts hard-hit sectors of economy
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Celebrity sightings in Greater Victoria are a welcome reminder of the role the film industry plays in sustainable economic growth of our region. Chamber CEO Bruce Williams was interviewed by CTV Vancouver Island on Monday about the opportunity to invest in production infrastructure.
"Having the film people in town is a big boost in many ways to the economy," Williams said, noting that hosting film and television crews provides benefits to the tourism and hospitality industry.
"They are spending money, they are renting things, they're staying in hotels (and) they're going to restaurants."
The Chamber is actively advocating for investment in film production facilities in Greater Victoria.
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Vancouver Island South Film & Media Commission: Member since 1980
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Camosun College: Member since 1981
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District of Saanich: Member since 2019
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Malahat Film Studios: Member since 2020
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Hear how BC Housing plans on creating home for everyone
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Greater Victoria is facing crises in housing, overdose deaths and COVID-19, with all posing significant challenges for our region. The pandemic has made it clear that all British Columbians need access to safe and affordable housing.
Over the past year, BC Housing has worked with the City of Victoria, local non-profits, the private sector and Island Health on a coordinated response to shelter more than 500 people experiencing homelessness in Victoria.
Learn about recent initiatives including:
- BC Housing’s response to COVID-19
- Shelter to Housing Initiative in Victoria
- Community benefits of new housing
- Opportunities for the business community
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Tues. May 11, 2021 | 12-1 PM
Zoom
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How do you create a
personal brand?
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Living in an ever increasingly virtual world, it's never been more important to create a positive online brand.
Hear from the Ocean 98.5 FM's morning radio host extraordinaire Robin Farrell on tips to creating a lasting brand and then share your takeaways in virtual breakout rooms.
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New hub aims to help workplace mental health
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An online hub offering mental health help for employers and their staff has been created by the province and the Canadian Mental Health Association.
The new hub, announced today, provides workshops and webinars as well as links and other information to help manage stress and build resiliency in the workplace.
In May, the hub will also offer a made-in-B.C. training and coaching platform that will provide personalized guidance for managers in the tourism, hospitality and community social services sectors.
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Chamber Chats with CEO Bruce Williams
Pivot Pilots lead the way
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As we continue to taxi along the Recovery Runway we are having conversations with Pivot Pilots — those business leaders who were able to pivot their operations through innovation. Chamber CEO Bruce Williams speaks with Cathy Scott of Departures Travel, Paul Hadfield of Spinnakers and Marnie Hart of Sailor Jack Consignment.
In this Chamber Chat, we speak with an owner who shifted her travel business to virtual travel and mystery trips in our backyard, a restaurateur who took this opportunity to reset the bar with his staff to create a living wage for his entire team, and a consignment retailer who rethought the whole shopping experience to support young families and created a culture of caring.
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Departures Travel and Niche Travel Inc: Member since 2013
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Spinnakers Brewpub & Guesthouses: Member since 1990
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Spinnakers Brewpub & Guesthouses: Chamber Champion since 2021
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Sailor Jack Consignment: Member since 2019
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Highlighting our Chamber Champions
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As part of the celebration of Chamber Week in February, our Chamber Champions submitted quotes highlighting the importance of investing in The Chamber. Each week we will be showcasing these quotes.
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"The Chamber plays an important role in our community, and we look forward to continuing to build meaningful partnerships with the business community."
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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.
If you have any questions about the Job Board, or would like a specific industry type added, please email
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Supporting #ChamberLocalVicBC
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Our #ChamberLocalVicBC campaign aims to help individuals understand what local means on a social, economic, and community level- and we want to hear from you.
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.
You can even support those businesses from your comfy chair at home. These Chamber members deliver what you ordered locally keeping it in the community and keeping it green.
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Let us know how your organization defines local to be featured in our campaign. Contact Thomas at members@victoriachamber.ca to share your story.
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Read the stories from Chamber Members here.
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USB charging on new BC Transit fleet
BC Transit has unveiled a new series of double-decker buses, named the Enviro500. With a capacity to seat 89 passengers, the buses offer USB ports at each seat for mobile phone charging, new dirt and contaminant- resistant fabric on seats, and numerous accessibility upgrades. 11 Enviro500’s will be implemented in Greater Victoria in the coming weeks.
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BC Transit: member since 1999
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Jumpstart with Canadian Tire
Canadian Tire: member since 2018
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Big Brothers Big Sisters of Victoria: member since 2000
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YMCA - YWCA of Vancouver Island: member since 1987
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Celebrate Earth Month in style
Current Taxi: member since 2019
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Prince of Whales Whale Watching: member since 2002
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Do you have a success story? We want to hear from you
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SaveStartups.ca
Peter Wood, owner of Bear & Joey, has launched SaveStartups.ca, an online hub for new small businesses to share and amplify their experiences regarding their ineligibility for federal funding.
Bear & Joey: member since 2021
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Douglas Magazine: member since 2004
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Funding tech-startups
Cindicates, a new venture-capital seed fund, is now offering funding opportunities for early-stage tech entrepreneurs in Greater Victoria. Affiliated with VIATEC and Alacrity Canada, Cindicates is searching for high potential start-ups offering software as a service, artificial intelligence, marketplaces, eCommerce, and consumer products. Cindicates has also recently signed a lease with VIATEC to occupy a portion of their co-working space.
Cindicates: member since 2021
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VIATEC (Victoria Innovation, Advanced Technology and Entrepreneurship Council): member since 1991
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Alacrity Canada: member since 2019
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Pivoting to outdoor exercise
Annex Fitness: member since 2019
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Shape Property Management – Uptown: member since 1983
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Art Gallery of Greater Victoria: member since 2007
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Welcome to our newest members!
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