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Discussing Climate Change
Last night, in partnership with the
Sierra Club of BC, The Chamber hosted a roundtable discussion on Climate Change & the Next Economy. Businesses from retail, tourism, construction and development, finance, education, health services, restaurants and more shared stories of green initiatives that they were currently undertaking to reduce their impact and ideas on ways to evolve their businesses and the business community towards a greener future. See event photos
here.
The key takeaways of the event:
- Businesses in the community need to lead by example and work together on becoming more sustainable
- Incentives and support from all levels of government are needed to help businesses make the conversion to green technology and innovation
- Accessibility of electric commercial vehicles and sustainable transportation for the future
- Promoting a more circular economy to reduce and mitigate waste is an effective approach
To see the Chamber's position on Climate Change, click
here.
The businesses that attended the event were inspired to create a working group to promote change in the Greater Victoria business community. If you missed out on the event last night but are interested in being a part of this group, please contact
Susan from Sierra Club of BC. Stay tuned for a podcast series being launched by the Sierra Club in November.
Sierra Club of BC: member since 2016
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Short-Term Rentals
On September 21 the City of Victoria approved the
proposed short-term rental regulatory framework, which allows short-term rentals in principal residences, subject to a business licence and compliance with operating requirements. A grandfather clause stipulates property owners who already legally rent out short-term units as a business will be allowed to continue.
Moving forward short-term rentals will have to pay for annual licences - $200 for units being rented while the principal resident is away, or a shared or private room while that resident is home; and $2,500 for entire units that do not conform to the use provisions of the Local Government Act or units zoned for transient accommodation.
The rule changes will disallow short-term rentals of fewer than 30 days if they are in transient zones for new developments, which has some
local developers concerned.
However,
Victoria's hoteliers are calling it a step toward leveling the playing field, and are applauding the City of Victoria's new rules for short-term rental units.
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Better Business Bureau of Vancouver Island: member since 1963
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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.
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Chambers Unite to Protect Small Business
This is the final week of federal government consultations on the
big changes that are coming for small businesses taxes. The Chamber along with chambers across Canada and the Canadian Chamber are working with their members to make sure we have a unified voice against these tax changes that target small business and entrepreneurs. The message -
#ProtectGrowth.
Last week at the
September Business Mixer with the Saanich Peninsula, Westshore, Esquimalt and Sooke Chambers we set up up a petition table to gather signatures. We got over 70! You can add yours to the
online petition along with over 41,800 others.
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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 or email us.
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Members Around Town
FreshWorks Studio was awarded the BC Innovation Council
Regional Innovation Opportunities (ROI) prize to develop a Mobile Drug Overdose App intended to prevent victims of overdose. The BCIC ROI prize was awarded to the team that best met one of the priority areas of Fraser Health Authority, with the potential to scale globally.
FreshWorks Studio: member since 2017
In the 2017 STARTUP 50 ranking of Canada's Top New Growth Companies,
Flytographer ranked 16th with 776% revenue growth! The rankings focus on companies that have not only brought great concepts to market, they have also found people-lots of people-to buy what they're selling.
Flytographer: member since 2015
PCMag announced that
TELUS
is Canada's Fastest Mobile Network, according to their latest annual coast-to-coast testing
. In addition to gaining the top spot nationally, PCMag also named TELUS the fastest network in: Edmonton, Fredericton, Montreal, Moose Jaw, Ottawa, Prince Edward Island, Quebec City, Saskatoon, Swift Current, Toronto, Vancouver, Victoria, Windsor and Winnipeg.
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TELUS: member since 1962
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Did you know the Ogden Point Breakwater is 100 years old in 2017? The Greater Victoria Harbour Authority is celebrating by having a photo contest. Tag #Breakwater100 on social media using old family photos, pets, friends, sunsets and more at the breakwater.
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Greater Victoria Harbour Authority: member since 2003
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Nominate Now for The Chamber's 2018 Greater Victoria Business Awards
Each week The Chamber will be profiling a different award category, encouraging members to
nominate a deserving Chamber member.
New Business
Award honours a business (3 years or less from the date of incorporation) that:
- Has achieved outstanding business performance in a short period of time;
- Demonstrates exceptional promise of continued growth;
- Serves as an inspiration for other new 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 New Business finalists below.
Thanks to
Peninsula Co-op
for sponsoring this award.
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Share Your Events With Us!
We're part of a community with no shortage of fun, educational, and entertaining events around town. Do you have an upcoming event that you want to share with your fellow members? We're here to help you get the word out through our free
community calendar. To add an event, simply
login in to your member portal and select "Submit an Event".
Looking to boost the profile of your event even more? You can also purchase email advertising in our Monday Chamber Events or Wednesday BizNews.
If you don't know your login or you'd like to buy an ad, give us a call at 250-383-7191 or send us an
email and we'll look after getting you some great exposure.
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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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