Yesterday's announcement of a $50 million fund for BC's tourism sector is welcome news, but might be too little too late.

"On the one hand, The Chamber has been working with our community partners to get government relief for the hard-hit tourism sector," Chamber CEO Bruce Williams says. "However, what's still missing is a plan. As we've been saying for some time, businesses need time operationally to ramp up. We still have no direction from the province about how and when restrictions will be lifted."

The $50 million fund will offer up to $1 million in grants to major attractions. Applications open June 7, with funds delivered by July. The province says eligible expenses include payroll, rent and utilities related to restarting or ramping up operations in preparation for gradual reopening in alignment with provincial health orders. The funding is available for not-for-profit organizations and businesses.

“For large attractions entering a second year of a 90% reduction in revenue, we appreciate this funding gesture as it will help contribute toward some fixed costs like insurance or property tax,” Butchart Gardens CEO Dave Cowen said in the province's news release.

The funds are also available for tour bus companies, who, along with accommodation providers, are desperately waiting for information they can pass on to agencies and tour operators who are already booking trips into next year.

“We are in the midst of the largest (tour operator) trade show in Canada right now, Rendez-vous Canada, and we’re talking with people from all over the world (who want to book in 2022) and we have nothing to tell them,” Wilson's Group of Companies CEO John Wilson told the Times Colonist.

With another year lost for the cruise industry, Greater Victoria will lose about $260 million in economic benefits derived from those visits. The blow has disrupted businesses across the region — even as there are new reasons to be concerned about government inaction.

The federal government's decision to close international borders prompted the state of Alaska to push for changes to US legislation that has been critical to the growth of the cruise industry in BC. Under a 19th-century law, ships travelling between US ports — such as in Washington State and Alaska — were required to stop in another country along the way, unless the vessels were built in the US. In a move that caught the provincial government off-guard, the law was temporarily changed to allow ships to bypass Canada while our borders are closed.

The Chamber is working to support local businesses and organizations, including the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority, to make sure our provincial and federal governments understand that this change cannot be allowed to become permanent.

To hear from locals affected by the loss of cruise ships, check out this video produced for the GVHA by Roll.Focus.Productions, with comments from Seaspan and The Bay Centre.

This event wouldn’t have been possible without support from our incredible sponsors: Times Colonist, Royal Roads University, Coast Capital Savings,

Air Canada, Camosun College, Canadian Tire, Chard Development, Children's Health Foundation of Vancouver Island, City of Victoria, Innov8 Digital Solutions, Newport Realty, Ralmax Group of Companies, South Island Prosperity Partnership, University of Victoria - Peter B. Gustavson School of Business, Parc Retirement Living, CHEK, and The Number.

Missed the live broadcast? Watch the Awards on The Chamber website here.

One of the innovations that has changed the way we do business is the mass adoption of virtual meetings. Before the pandemic, few people were using Zoom or similar software to its potential. That's obviously changed. And while it can't replace being together in the same room, meeting online is a viable alternative.

Last week, the provincial government made that option permanent for BC organizations that are legally required to meet. Amendments to the Business Corporations Act, Cooperative Association Act, Credit Union Incorporation Act, Financial Institutions Act and Societies Act will permanently remove legislative barriers and allow companies, societies, credit unions and co-operative associations to meet electronically.

Construction has finished on a 135-unit condominium that serves as a great example of how the private sector can create housing for middle-income workers.

The 20-storey project, Vivid at the Yates, was built by Chard Development Ltd. and was able to sell homes at about 12% below market value thanks to a low-interest loan from BC Housing.

Chard now turns its attention to a similar project, Haven at 1100 Johnson St. The building will have 104 homes aimed at helping people enter the housing market. The project utilizes BC's Affordable Homeownership Program. Buyers need to be Canadian citizens or permanent residents who don't own property elsewhere and have lived in the province for at least one year.

The Chamber supports programs that make Greater Victoria a more inclusive and welcoming community. There is work to do. A recent article in Douglas Magazine notes that our city can feel unsafe and isolating for 70% of people who identify as Indigenous, Black, Asian or as a person of colour. An even higher percentage reported experiencing regular racism.

To change that, the City of Victoria is creating a Welcoming City Strategy that will recommend actions and ways to measure success, as well as an accountability framework.

“Council is committed to helping create a city where everyone feels welcomed, accepted, safe and has the opportunity to prosper,” Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps told Douglas Magazine. “The Welcoming City Strategy is intended to remove barriers to City services and foster a compassionate and neighbourly community where all residents experience a sense of belonging and where we tackle racism and discrimination head on.”

Racism in Greater Victoria: A Community Report, was created by the Greater Victoria Local Immigration Partnership and the Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria.

For more information and to provide input on the City of Victoria strategy, go to engage.victoria.ca.

No sector has been impacted more by the COVID pandemic than the restaurant and hospitality sector. Ups and downs, open then closed. This week we gather perspectives on that from the BC Restaurant and Food Association plus two restauranteurs, one established and one quite new.

Featuring Ian Tostenson of the BCRFA, Castro Boateng of House of Boateng, and Shellie Gudgeon of II Terrazzo Ristorante.

Special thanks to our series sponsor: Island Savings

As a member of The Chamber, you and your organization are eligible for discounts and savings. Take advantage of these corporate discounts as part of The Chamber Benefits Program.

From now until June 6, take advantage of Lenovo’s Chamber Victoria Day Sale with savings up to 62% off.

Get ready to ship your summertime packages with ease wherever business takes you. Get 50% off domestic and international shipping with The Chamber's UPS program. Shipments can be easily tracked through UPS My Choice^® for Business.