Chamber Awareness Archives - Page 2 of 4

Chamber CEO appointed to PavCo Board of Directors

October 3, 2024/in BizNews This Week, Chamber Awareness/by Jim Zeeben

Chamber CEO Bruce Williams has been appointed to the BC Pavilion Corporation (PavCo) Board of Directors.

Appointments are made by the provincial government to provide a diverse voice and leadership in a manner consistent with directives set out by the province. The Board meets at least three times a year.

PavCo is a Provincial Crown Corporation that owns and operates BC Place and the Vancouver Convention Centre. PavCo’s mandate is to generate economic and community benefit for the people of BC through the prudent management of public facilities.

Chamber celebrates Small Business Month in October

September 26, 2024/in BizNews This Week, Business And Economic Strength, Chamber Awareness/by Jim Zeeben

October is Small Business Month, presented by Grant Thornton.

Throughout the month, the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce is celebrating the many businesses we rely on every day to provide essential goods and services, create jobs and support our communities.

Grant Thornton continues as our presenting sponsor, helping to bring essential resources and expert advice to business owners.

“Investing in our small business community goes beyond economic benefits; it’s about preserving the distinctive character and vibrance of our community,” said Kyman Chan, Partner of Assurance and Business Advisory at Doane Grant Thornton. “As we celebrate Small Business Month, we acknowledge the leading role of small businesses in shaping the future of our community. We’re dedicated to supporting and empowering these businesses to thrive today and beyond.”

Small Business Month is an opportunity to highlight the unique challenges and opportunities faced by entrepreneurs. From cash flow management and succession planning to understanding the latest tax regulations, Grant Thornton has curated a selection of insightful articles and reports to help guide you.

Enjoy a series of events, from a special Members Networking Breakfast to informative webinars to an event with our media partner Rogers Media.

Songhees hosting third annual South Island Powwow

August 28, 2024/in BizNews This Week, Chamber Awareness, Indigenous Business Support And Reconciliation/by Jim Zeeben

The Songhees Nation, with support from the City of Victoria, will host the third annual South Island Powwow on Sept. 30, National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, at Royal Athletic Park on the homelands of the lək̓ʷəŋən people.

Sept. 30 is a federal statutory holiday also known as Orange Shirt Day. Everyone is welcome at the Powwow and admission is free. Gates open at 10 am and the day will feature the traditional grand entry of Nations, with Indigenous song and dance, more than 80 vendors and a lineup of food trucks.

The South Island Powwow honours and recognizes survivors of the residential school system as well as those those who never made it home. The Powwow also celebrates Indigenous cultures and resiliency, and helps bridge cultures.

“Let us use this occasion to deepen our commitment to healing and as an opportunity to share the vibrancy of Indigenous cultures that have withstood colonization,” Songhees Chief Ron Sam said. “Together, we build a future rooted in truth and mutual respect.”

Go local for Labour Day before return to fall routine

August 28, 2024/in BizNews This Week, Chamber Awareness/by Jim Zeeben

Is it almost September already? You can feel it in the air — that combination of excitement to start a fresh school year mixed with the bittersweet feeling of the end of summer.

Make the most out of your Labour Day long-weekend by supporting your fellow Chamber members. Celebrate by enjoying a bite out, a night away from home, or by planning an action-packed weekend at local treasures.

After you enjoy the long weekend, you may be getting ready for the return of the school year and your fall routine. Take advantage of The Chamber’s exclusive member-only deals and discounts on quality school and office supplies.

Chamber members can save:

10% at Monk Office supplies
30% when Chamber Members update laptops and PCs through Lenovo
Up to 85% off at Grand & Toy office supplies.

Discover all of our discounts and savings here.

The Chamber will be closed Monday, Sept. 2 for Labour Day.

Province’s political landscape shifts as BC United Party folds

August 28, 2024/in BizNews This Week, Chamber Awareness, Government Provincial/by Jim Zeeben

A scenario discussed earlier this year during The Chamber’s Leading to Election series has now become reality.

The BC United Party’s leader Kevin Falcon announced today he is stepping aside and will work to have his party’s candidates merge with the Conservative Party of BC.

In a joint media release, Falcon stated he suspended his party’s campaign because he thinks staying in the race would split the vote and allow the incumbent BC NDP Party to easily win the Oct. 19 provincial election.

The move was applauded by Conservative party leader John Rustad, who told a full-house of Chamber guests in June that he was committed to staying in the race.

“As a Chamber that represents all sides of Greater Victoria’s business community, we are firmly non-partisan,” Chamber CEO Bruce Williams said. “We will continue to work to provide our members with opportunities to speak directly with people in power, and those looking to be, so that we can proactively build a better community for all.”

Rail shutdown poses critical threat to our economy

August 22, 2024/in BizNews This Week, Business And Economic Strength, Chamber Awareness, Food Security, Government Federal, Transportation Options/by Jim Zeeben

The Chamber continues to call on our region’s Members of Parliament as well as the federal government to take immediate action to ensure the continuation of rail services. A strike that began Aug. 22 threatens to disrupt local economies as well as our country’s national security.

Working with our national chamber network, we have been asking the government for weeks to protect the Canadian public. Under section 107 of the Canada Labour Code, the federal Minister of Labour can refer the dispute to the Canada Industrial Relations Board for binding arbitration and can end any ongoing stoppage pending a resolution. The government can also introduce back-to-work legislation.

This is not a partisan issue. However, a steep price will be paid by families, workers and businesses if action is not taken.

“I sent a letter to all of the Members of Parliament in Greater Victoria, so they are aware of the gravity of this issue,” Chamber CEO Bruce Williams said. “Our expectation is they will take up this call in Ottawa and work with the government to protect our region before we experience supply shortages that could create a real crisis here.”

Seminar at Chamber aims to help ‘get out the vote’

August 16, 2024/in BizNews This Week, Chamber Awareness, Chamber News, Government Provincial/by Jim Zeeben

The Chamber is teaming up with the Democratic Engagement Exchange and Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria to offer a free elections readiness workshop on Aug. 29.
This training session will help people support a healthy democracy by providing best practices for non-partisan voter engagement. The workshop is being held in The Chamber’s seminar room and run independently by the Democratic Engagement Exchange, funded in part by Elections BC.

Aug. 29
Time: 1-4 pm
Seminar Room, Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce, #100-852 Fort St.

“Community-based organizations and local leaders are the backbone of our democracy,” states the Democratic Engagement Exchange. “By addressing community concerns, providing essential voting information, and fostering a culture of engagement, you can make a real impact.”

Register for the Workshop

Mustard Seed cupboards need help this summer

August 14, 2024/in BizNews This Week, Chamber Awareness, Food Security/by Jim Zeeben

The Mustard Seed’s summer campaign — “Hunger Doesn’t Go on Vacation. Neither Do We.” — has raised $19,000 in monetary donations and $5,000 in canned goods so far.

However, donations have dropped off significantly in the last two weeks and the organization needs help making sure it can meet the demand of people in need.

To help, Max Furniture is stepping up to collect and purchase canned goods. Drop off your items at 3460 Quadra St. by 5 pm, Sunday.

Other ways to get involved:

Call The Mustard Seed at 778-677-1335 or email volunteer@mustardseed.ca and talk to Claudia.
Receive Materials: The Mustard Seed will drop off signage and instructions at your business.
Set Up: Place a donation box with QR Code for monetary donations at your business.
Scheduled Pick-Up: The Mustard Seed will pick up the donation box on a scheduled day.

Participating businesses will receive a sticker letting clients know that you support food security.

Read the Media Release

Chamber calls on feds to focus funds on military housing

August 8, 2024/in BizNews This Week, Chamber Awareness, Government Federal, Housing/by Jim Zeeben

The Chamber’s proposed policy resolution calling for investment in military housing has successfully taken the next step to being officially adopted by the national chamber network.

After passing an initial review, the proposed resolution will be debated at the Canadian Chamber AGM in October.

Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce staff worked with the Halifax Chamber of Commerce to craft the policy proposal, titled: Adding to Canada’s housing supply by strengthening Canada’s military through housing on military bases.

The resolution argues that the availability of secure and affordable homes is crucial for the retention and recruitment of members of the armed forces as well as for regional economies affected by a lack of housing.

By creating new housing on available Department of National Defence lands, Canadian Armed Forces members will be less dependent on market housing, which in turn will open up more homes for residents who work outside the military.

“We’re asking the federal government to focus funding — that it’s already announced for housing — in a way we believe will provide an effective boost to our national economy,” said Chamber CEO Bruce Williams, who is a member of the national Chamber Network Review Committee.

Province-wide plastics prohibition formally phased in

July 17, 2024/in Chamber Awareness, Climate Change Solutions/by Jim Zeeben

An initiative that was adopted early by Greater Victoria businesses is now in effect across the province. As of July 15, plastic shopping bags and single-use products are no longer allowed to be offered to customers anywhere in BC.

The province estimates that British Columbians threw out more than 340,000 tonnes of plastic items and packaging in 2019, equal to more than 65 kilograms of plastic waste per person.