As a positive step toward being the region’s most diverse and influential business association, The Chamber launched a new committee this year. Initially known as the Committee for the Advancement of Diversity and Inclusion, one of its first decisions was to change the committee name to the Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Advancement (IDEA) Committee.
 
The committee’s mission is to foster diversity and inclusion and break through biases to achieve equity, which will only strengthen our business and community connections.

• Chair: Richard Michaels, President, MACCRIM Solutions
• Vice Chair: James Gatsi, CEO, CL Web Developers Inc.
• Ann Squires Ferguson, CEO, Western Design+Build
• Jessica Stigant, Associate Director of Government Relations and Partnership, Ocean Networks Canada (ONC)
• Paulina Grainger, Manager of Arts, Equity and Community Engagement, Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria
• Pedro Márquez, Vice President Global, Marketing and Business Development, Royal Roads University
• Rudy Tomazic, Owner, Friends of Dorothy
• Wendy Cox, Executive Director, Disability Resource Centre
• Casey Edmunds, Executive Director, La Société francophone de Victoria

February marks Black History Month and The Chamber strongly encourages everyone to learn more about the stories, struggles and accomplishments of Black Canadians.
 
There have been Black communities in BC since 1858. In that year, Nancy and Charles Alexander were one of the first Black families in Greater Victoria. The Alexanders settled on the corner of what is now Douglas and Fisgard streets before relocating to the District of Saanich, where they farmed for 33 years and raised 10 children. Charles built the first school house in the area and served as a school trustee.

A new state-of-the-art Royal BC Museum is being planned to replace the existing facility. The news was announced by BC’s Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport Melanie Mark.
 
The museum began operations 135 years ago and is a major attraction in our region. Minister Mark said the current facility doesn’t meet modern safety or accessibility standards.
 
“A new and modern museum is long overdue, for the safety of all visitors, to remove barriers so everyone can access it and to keep our irreplaceable ­collections safe,” Mark states. “Continuing on without a major redevelopment is not an option for anyone serious about the stewardship of BC’s history and culture. Our goal is to build a state-of-the-art facility that provides an educational and cultural legacy for the province while at the same time brings significant economic and social benefits to the region.”

A survey of Greater Victoria businesses will gather data to help better understand challenges facing the region’s economy in 2022. The survey, launched by the South Island Prosperity Partnership, is open until Feb. 11 and takes less than 10 minutes to fill out. Questions range from what your experiences have been with supply-chain disruptions to various affordability concerns, including housing supply.

The results of the survey will be used by industry and business associations, including The Chamber, to help our advocacy efforts with government.

The Bank of Canada held steady on rates today as inflation pressures and an uneven economic recovery had many expecting the central bank would move to increase the cost of borrowing.
Citing Omicron and inflation that remains well above target rates, the bank removed its forward guidance suggesting future rate hikes are coming. The bank also released its Monetary Policy Report, which forecasts the economy will grow by 4% in 2022.