The unseasonable weather has been the major theme of casual conversations this summer. And while it’s been a welcome break from the prevalence of pandemic chatter, we can’t close the door on COVID yet. Last Thursday, Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer Theresa Tam reported that “it is reasonable to expect we could see an increase in case numbers in the coming weeks.”
 
The next wave comes during the heart of summer so its impact will be mitigated by the warm weather and the opportunities for gathering outdoors. Immunization, including boosters, is also key to help protect our community. The Chamber is monitoring the situation and will strive to provide Greater Victoria’s business community with evidence-based information from reputable sources. We all have the resilience and experience to keep our economy and community moving forward.

It’s hard to disagree with the latest ranking that places the City of Victoria atop a list of the best small cities in Canada.
 
“With its mild year-round climate and an artisanal, independent spirit at play among rainforests and Pacific beaches, Victoria is the hometown you never knew you coveted,” Bestcities.org states. “But you’d better bring cash. And (please!) some young kids.”
 
Victoria’s compact and vibrant downtown and craft beer scene helps the city rank high for its nightlife but the capital gets strikes against it for the lowest birth rate of any Canadian city and a dearth of housing.
 
Also on the list is the District of Saanich, at 23, for being “smart, sustainable and self-sufficient” and the “urban heart” of Vancouver Island.

BC Ferries is offering advice to help travellers navigate the unique challenges of a weekend book ended by national holidays in Canada and the US.
 
Expect heavy traffic, book early and be patient are a few of the suggestions. Other tips include planning to travel mid-weekend to avoid the heaviest traffic and planning ahead to beat the heat while waiting for your ship to arrive.

The Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce added our voice to calls from the Surrey Board of Trade, Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce and Campbell River & District Chamber of Commerce to rethink new rules that are casting a chill on the traditional role of business as a trusted voice for decision makers. The new rules require communication with government officials to be logged monthly using a multi-step process.
 
“Chambers of commerce and boards of trade are embedded in the fabric of our communities,” Chamber CEO Bruce Williams said. “Our mandate is to give voice to business. In healthy communities, the public sector and private sector co-exist in a balance that creates employment and healthy economies and enables sound policies. This isn’t new, but it is being threatened by onerous requirements that miss their target. We are putting historic relationships at risk with this paternalistic red tape that is effectively censuring important conversations.”
 
The organizations co-authored a letter to Attorney General David Eby requesting that chambers and boards of trade be exempt from the BC Lobbyists Transparency Act.
 
In 2020, significant changes to BC’s lobbyist registration regime came into effect creating confusion and concern for every business or organization whose role includes communicating with BC government officials.
 
Read the letter here: Letter: Re: Exempting Chambers and Boards of Trade from BC Lobbyists Transparency Act

The Chamber shares the community’s concern for everyone affected by the traumatic incident that happened in Saanich on Tuesday. The scenes of violence have shaken everyone.
 
“Our thoughts are with those police officers who bravely faced extreme danger to protect the many civilians in the area,” Chamber CEO Bruce Williams said. “We know that safe communities are a foundation all of us need so we can function in our homes and workplaces. Witnessing violence is not something anyone expects to do while going about their business, and our hearts go out to everyone affected by being nearby as this tragic scene unfolded.”