The Chamber’s Takeout Challenge is helping to raise awareness about the need to step up support for our member restaurants.

More than 230 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.

Click on the icons below to connect with The Chamber on social media‌

Click here to find a list of #ChamberLocalVicBC restaurants offering takeout or delivery

This week, Canadians and British Columbians finally had their chance to see the financial impact the pandemic has had on our country and province. First and foremost, it's clear these are not ordinary times. The Chamber and our national network understand that long-term economic health will require governments to get debt and deficits under control.

What we wanted to see from this week's budgets were investments that will allow businesses to soar as the post-pandemic economy lifts off. The outlook is good, with the Bank of Canada calling for better than expected growth this year.

We've seen many Pivot Pilots adapt and succeed. Their resilience is inspirational and will help lead the way as Greater Victoria's economy returns to the robust health we enjoyed before the pandemic. Below is a look at a few highlights from both budgets.

Monday's federal budget included a number of items advocated for by The Chamber.

Supports for businesses were extended, including the wage and rent subsidies. There were also funds for retraining workers to have the skills needed by employers. And we welcomed news of investment in child care that will help working mothers continue in their chosen careers. However, we'll have to wait and see how quickly this will translate to accessible and affordable child care spaces in our region.

All in all, the budget delivered on continuing support for hard-hit businesses and, hopefully, will lead to less reliance on subsidies as businesses get back to thriving — and playing their role in growing the economy.

“The budget’s focus on growth and jobs is an important step towards our economic recovery, but our growth drivers will need to shift from public spending to private investment to help get our finances under control," said Perrin Beatty, President and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce.

To hear more about the 2021 federal budget, register now for A Conversation with the Hon. Joyce Murray, Thursday, April 22, from 1:30-2 pm.

On Tuesday, the first provincial budget in two years estimates a deficit of $9.7 billion for 2021-2022, before recovering quickly in the next two years. BC will get back to balanced budgets within nine years, Finance Minister Selina Robinson announced.

The budget included funding for tourism recovery, and the province said it is working with industry to ensure money will help the hardest-hit businesses survive.

“We’ve been calling for immediate help for large tourism operators that anchor that vital sector," Chamber CEO Bruce Williams said. "It was good to hear $100 million is being allocated for tourism, attractions and trails, and we look forward to seeing more details.”   

To hear more about the 2021 provincial budget, register now for A Conversation with the BC Finance Minister Selina Robinson, Monday, April 26, from 3-4 pm.

An electric bus will be used to carry passengers between Victoria and Nanaimo as part of a pilot project between the Wilson's Group and BYD Canada.

A 41-passenger coach, powered by a 313-kWh battery, will be used for a three-month trial starting April 22.

“It has always been our company’s plan to reduce our emissions and footprint," Wilson's Group President and CEO John Wilson said. "However, with the setback we experienced through COVID, the high cost of replacing our fleet with electric vehicles seemed out of reach. This new partnership allows both companies to help do our part towards a sustainable future.”

The bus, a Model C8M, is expected to reduce emissions for the route by 97%.

A new initiative that will create jobs and provide revenue to the Songhees Nation opened yesterday on Admirals Road. The cannabis retail store is the first of three planned by the Songhees. The other two will be in downtown Victoria.

The Songhees worked with Durwest Construction Management and Alan Lowe Architect on the project.

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 Dale Olsen of Outlooks for Men, Calen McNeil of Big Wheel Burger and Curtis Vertefeuille of Moe’s Home Victoria.

Special thanks to our series sponsor: Island Savings

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.

The Chamber is proud to be recognized as Green Certified by the Vancouver Island Green Business Collective, and we continue to work to help businesses take the lead on climate solutions that will benefit all of us.