Chamber History 1863

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Western Canada’s first Chamber turns 160

In 2023, the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce celebrated 160 years serving southern Vancouver Island as the champion of business. We continue to connect hard-working entrepreneurs and innovative organizations with each other, while amplifying their voices to all levels of government. To share our ongoing success, we are chronicling the growth of commerce in our region.

Before The Chamber

Vancouver Island’s geography makes this region an ideal home for people to create communities. Our natural harbours and waterways as well as our location along the continent’s coast have provided countless generations with fertile lands, mild climate and abundant sources of wildlife.

First Nations Peoples have lived in this region since time immemorial. For this project, The Chamber is abiding by the principle of “nothing about us without us.” We are striving to ensure information about Indigenous commerce meets the standards set by First Nations’ knowledge keepers.

DAILY BRITISH COLONIST SEPT. 7, 1861. PAGE 2, COLUMN 3, SECTION 3

1800s – The early days of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce

On Tuesday, Sept. 10, 1861, about 40 people representing Greater Victoria’s nascent business community gathered at the House of the Union Hook and Ladder Company to begin organizing a chamber of commerce.

Two years later — on Feb. 9, 1863 — the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce was officially founded.

“We have no doubt the very best results will follow the establishment of the new chamber, and in many ways benefit the trading community here immensely” – The Daily British Colonist, February 10, 1863

The Chamber through history

The Chamber continues to play a role in events that impact local business and often change the course of history. Through advocacy and leadership, The Chamber works to build good business and great community for all, and, over many years, we have served as an incubator for many community organizations that provide services to Greater Victoria today.

Victoria: The Sunshine City was a promotional video created in 1936 . Video v1988:37/003 item #8 courtesy of the Royal BC Museum and Archives

QUEUE FOR MINING PERMITS [1897]. IMAGE M06769 COURTESY OF THE CITY OF VICTORIA ARCHIVES.

The Chamber movement – fundamental to a healthy economy

Chambers have always served as the voice of business, offering advice and direction to all levels of government. The international chamber movement began in 1599 and, to this day, our role is to look out for the retailers, traders, entrepreneurs and other industrious organizations and individuals.

The Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce was originally the voice of business for all of Western Canada. We were founded to provide safe passage for gold coming from claims in the BC Interior. At that time, our mission was to advocate for the investment needed to make southern Vancouver Island a financial, cultural and shipping centre on the West Coast of North America. Chamber initiatives have paralleled the growth of Greater Victoria, helping businesses get started and continue to grow with the community. Over the past few years, we have been instrumental in working to ensure businesses had the support needed to return to prosperity after the pandemic.
In every era, The Chamber has helped build good business and great community for all.

Diversity, equity and inclusion to build good business for all

The Chamber’s mission is “working together to build good business and great community for all.”

The Chamber has more than 1,300 members representing every economic sector and industry. We also actively work to ensure we represent the diversity of communities that make up the social fabric of Greater Victoria.

Celebrating the women in Greater Victoria who’ve led the way

Greater Victoria is home to many entrepreneurs and businesses who have opened the doors for current and future generations of women. Thanks to the hard work of early pioneers of women’s rights and entrepreneurship, we have continued to see these people break barriers and accomplish great things in the business world. These trailblazers have gone above and beyond to ensure women find a place in the business world and continue to pave the way for the next generation.

Incubating ideas to create committees that shape Greater Victoria

Since the very first committee, The Chamber has relied on the wisdom and real-life experience of its members to advise and assist the Board of Directors in supporting the region’s business interests.

“Our people have the expertise and influence to identify what needs to be done, and get those wheels in motion.”

Staying modern and adapting to change with talented leaders

The Chamber has always benefited from the guidance of leaders who tirelessly help our region’s business community achieve its goals. With the support of these leaders, The Chamber continues to adapt and evolve to fulfill the changing needs of Greater Victoria.

The Chamber going strong at 160

The future of Greater Victoria is bright, and we know the collective effort of Greater Victoria’s business community will make it even better.

The Chamber is working to be more inclusive and diverse, so we can be stronger and more resilient for whatever the future might hold.

To build better business and great community for all in the years ahead, we will:

Invest in future leaders by encouraging students to learn about The Chamber and supporting post-secondary education.
Ensure that all businesses are supported by constantly reaching out to new communities and future members.
Build a connected community by providing opportunities for businesses to network and reach out to the public.