We Remember those who gave everything

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As we honour members of the armed forces and their sacrifices this Remembrance Day, The Chamber is proud to have a long history of commemorating the soldiers who paid the ultimate price for our freedom.
 
After the First World War, The Chamber was instrumental in helping create Memorial Avenue that still runs along Shelbourne Street. Shelbourne was chosen as it offered enough space to commemorate every soldier from the city who died in the war. Chamber members helped plan the project, and business owners rolled up their sleeves to dig holes for the trees, providing shade and succour over the years.
 
After a two-year hiatus due to COVID, the Royal Canadian Legion will be incorporating the veterans’ parade into the national Remembrance Day ceremony. Here in Greater Victoria, a Remembrance Day ceremony will be held at the BC Parliament Buildings from 10:30 am – 1 pm this Friday. Municipalities across the region are also hosting ceremonies and we encourage all members to attend.

We hope you have a day of reflection and remembrance.
 
The Chamber will be closed Friday, Nov. 11.

Record year as cruise ship season wraps up

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After a trying two years, the cruise ship sector made a spectacular comeback in Greater Victoria. The 2022 season was the best yet recorded, with 329 cruise ships stopping at Ogden Point.
 
The industry was shut down as the pandemic hit. The stoppage even raised questions about whether ships would be back in Victoria, but hard work and effective advocacy by the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority and The Chamber has paid off.
 
Next year could be even better. GVHA CEO Ian Robertson told the Times Colonist he’s predicting one million cruise ship passengers will visit Victoria in 2023. That would be a leap from the 715,000 arrivals this year, but cruise operators are excited about being back in our region. There are 340 ships already confirmed, Robertson said.
 
Before this year, the record for most visits was 257 in 2019.

BC pubs get extended hours for 2023 World Cup

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It will be easier for fans of the world’s game to gather together, regardless of the time their favourite nations are kicking off on the other side of the planet. The province announced temporary expanded hours for businesses in BC’s hospitality sector. The move won’t affect liquor sales and service, but bars, pubs and restaurants will be able to serve non-alcoholic beverages during the extended hours.
 
The FIFA 2022 World Cup in Qatar begins Nov. 20 and runs until Dec. 19.
 
Canada makes its first appearance in the global competition since 1986 with a game against Belgium on Nov. 23.

Introducing your 2023 Chamber Board

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Thank you to our many members who voted in the Chamber Board Election. Here are the directors who will represent you starting Jan.1:

Chair and Vice-Chair:
Kris Wirk, with Dusanj & Wirk Chartered Professional Accountants, will take on the role of Board Chair, while Christina Clarke from the Indigenous Prosperity Centre becomes the new Vice-Chair.
 
Directors:
James Gatsi from CL Web Developers Inc.
Moira Hauk from Coastal Community Credit Union
Capt. (N) J. Jeffery Hutchinson of Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt
Ann Squires Ferguson from Western Design+Build
Josue Dubon from DesignWealth, represents the Prodigy Group as a non-voting director
Rose Arsenault from Agilus Work Solutions
Pedro Márquez from Royal Roads University
Judith Ethier from the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority
Jessica Stigant from Ocean Networks Canada
Richard Michaels from MACCRIM Solutions
Fallon Lindsay from Kinetic Construction
John Wilson, from The Wilson’s Group of Companies, moves to Past Chair
Chamber CEO Bruce Williams as a non-voting director.

Chamber network offers ideas to grow economy

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With winter looking likely to bring a chilling to Canada’s economy as well as the weather, The Chamber is urging government to promote investment in business growth that can light the way through winter.
 
Working with our national network, The Chamber is calling on federal Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland to work together with business.
 
“Attempting to borrow our way to prosperity would only generate more debt and inflation,” Canadian Chamber CEO Perrin Beatty said, noting a better way is to use available “no-cost and low-cost tools” that will increase government revenue and grow the economy. “These measures include reforming regulation, increasing labour force participation and eliminating longstanding barriers to interprovincial trade, while avoiding new taxes and ending rhetoric that portrays Canadian businesses as the problem instead of as partners in growing a stronger economy.”
 
Minister Freeland is scheduled to provide a fall economic update on Thursday.

Have a fright this Halloween night!

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On Monday night, kids will fill the streets on the hunt for sugary treats.

Greater Victoria is known as one of the most haunted places in Canada, and this spooky season is the perfect time to experience something new — if you dare!
Visit a local pub or nightclub to show off your great costume skills, or have a Halloween meal at a great restaurant before handing out handfuls of candy to trick-or-treaters.

Check out Destination Greater Victoria’s list of 20 eerie-sistable Halloween activities if you’re dying to see a ghost, and explore famously haunted sites such as Craigdarroch Castle, Hatley Castle at Royal Roads University, the Fairmont Empress, Rogers’ Chocolates, and many more.

If you’re looking to burn off that extra sugar from Halloween treats, check out a local fitness facility, and be sure to recycle your pumpkin at Pumpkin Smash 2022 in the City of Langford on Nov. 5.

Whatever you may be up too this Halloween, The Chamber hopes you have a fun (and frightening) time!

Premier-in-waiting promises ‘100 days of action’

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David Eby will be the next Premier after being formally named leader of the BC NDP. The transition from Premier John Horgan is expected to take place mid-November, and Eby has already said he intends to bring in a budget that will allow quick action on housing affordability, the climate and healthcare.

The Chamber looks forward to continuing to work with the provincial government on key issues affecting Greater Victoria. We’re also calling on the province for better budget transparency, especially if new spending is planned. Last month, BC’s Auditor General Michael Pickup raised concerns about the province’s accounting methods.

“Each year, my office is mandated to report whether government’s financial statements are fairly stated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles,” Pickup is reported to have said. “My job is to report what I see (and) give the opinion that I believe. So I think these things should be corrected.”

Chamber members have an opportunity to hear directly from BC’s AG next month.

Chamber facilitates discussion on health solutions

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Recent media reports about break-ins that seem to be targeting specific types of business are renewing calls for solutions to downtown crime.

“Businesses, of course, want to feel safe,” Chamber CEO Bruce Williams told Global News. “They want to know that they themselves and their employees are safe when they come and go from work.”

Of course, the situation is complex. The toxic drug crisis continues to cause damage throughout society, and, particularly, with people involved in street life who are at risk of homelessness. Addictions, as well as mental health challenges, are often at the root of criminal behaviour that makes the news. Any solutions need to intersect with the healthcare system, which is why organizations such as Island Health are critical to have onboard.

On Tuesday, The Chamber and Island Health hosted a gathering of about 40 people at the University Club at the University of Victoria. The discussion focused on how businesses and non-profit organizations can work with Island Health to develop innovative solutions to complex problems around mental health and addiction. Other topics included work being done to attract and retain more doctors, support workplace mental health and streamline health care delivery.

It was a good opportunity to combine the nimbleness and creativity of the private sector with the resources and gravitas of the public health authority. The spirited discussion resulted in a number of ideas that The Chamber and our members will continue to follow up on in the months ahead.

Interest rate rises as Bank seeks balanced economy

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The Bank of Canada raised its policy interest rate today by 50 basis points, which aligns with what many experts had been predicting. The move indicates that measures are still required to return balance to Canada’s economy.

Inflation has declined from 8.1% to 6.9%, though it’s still well above the target of 2-3%.

“The Bank expects CPI inflation to ease as higher interest rates help rebalance demand and supply, price pressures from global supply disruptions fade, and the past effects of higher commodity prices dissipate,” states today’s news release. “CPI inflation is projected to move down to about 3% by the end of 2023, and then return to the 2% target by the end of 2024.”

Another increase to interest rates is expected on Dec. 7, but will depend on how much demand has slowed, and how well improving supply chains are able to keep up.

Gathering of business voices at national AGM

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There is tremendous power in a coalition of organizations from every corner of the country that have an active role in connecting businesses with all levels of government. This was in full display earlier this month as the national chamber network gathered in Ottawa for the Canadian Chamber of Commerce’s AGM.

“It really was remarkable to be among the voices of business communities from across Canada and hear how many of our concerns and challenges are shared,” Chamber CEO Bruce Williams said of being a delegate at the meeting. “We were able to meet directly with a number of federal ministers and senior staff, who were quite keen to better understand what policies are needed to help businesses build resiliency.”

Williams also introduced a policy resolution at the AGM, highlighting the need for federal support of child care to enable parents to stay in the workforce and continue their careers. The resolution was adopted, along with a number of others supported by The Chamber that further our Advocacy Priorities.

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