Need a break from the hustle and bustle? Step into The Bay Centre and stop to see the flowers under a Canopy in Bloom at centre court. The immersive experience opened June 1 and will be in place until Sept. 20.

“We invite you to take a moment to immerse yourself under our floral canopy. A place to let go, become grounded and more at peace,” says The Bay Centre’s description of the exhibit. “We hope your visit to the Canopy in Bloom experience will provide a moment of comforting escape while raising awareness and funds for mental health services available to you, your loved ones and our community.”

Greater Victoria and Vancouver Island have been named the seventh best place to visit in Canada, according to usnews.com.

The site says our region is a “world away” from bustling Vancouver, despite being a 90-minute ferry ride. USNews praised Victoria for retaining its roots to its British heritage, such as afternoon tea at the Fairmont Empress, as well as the Inner Harbour.

Banff topped the list, while Quebec City placed sixth and PEI came in at No. 8.

Immunization is the key to ending the pandemic, and Canadians are eager to open the door to a summer with fewer restrictions. The vaccine rollout across the country is working, and, today, the federal government announced fully vaccinated Canadians will no longer be required to quarantine in hotels.

“We’ve been working with our national chamber network to help Greater Victoria tourism businesses,” Chamber CEO Bruce Williams says. “There is light ahead, and we’re feeling much more hopeful after today’s news, but we still have work to make sure all of our members can be part of the economic recovery.”

One of the initiatives underway is a digital vaccine certification that will be key to safely travelling over international borders. The Chamber urges the federal government to act quickly on this initiative, and to offer a strategy with clear metrics so the tourism sector can plan for a safe re-opening.

On Tuesday, the Canadian Chamber partnered with the US Chamber of Commerce and other business organizations on a letter calling for the border to re-open for fully vaccinated travellers.

The loosening of restrictions has been met with a collective sigh of relief for many businesses. However, some ambiguous wording in BC’s Restart Plan could be problematic. Businesses are expressing concern about what will happen if masks are no longer mandatory after July 1. The plan states that once we get to Step 3, masks will only be a recommendation in public indoor settings.

Employers don’t want their staff to be faced with enforcing an order that isn’t clear. In the past, this has led to stressful confrontations between employees and members of the public who refuse to abide by the orders.

The Retail Council of Canada’s guidance says awareness and training are key. Before we get to Step 3, The Chamber is working with other business organizations to get clarity for businesses.

If you have questions or concerns about BC’s Restart Plan, let us know by emailing communications@victoriachamber.ca.

We hope that we can learn the names and better understand the stories of the 215 children found buried in unmarked graves at the former Kamloops residential school.

This has been devastating news for First Nations. It is difficult for Canadians to learn about our shameful past and the burden all of us must bear today. The days ahead will be painful if we are to address this wound and begin to let it heal.

The Chamber encourages all of our members to learn more about the residential school system, and to listen with purpose to the stories of our Indigenous friends and neighbours.

We must also do more to ensure Indigenous businesses are included in all of our communities. Please consider connecting with a local Indigenous business that is doing great things in Greater Victoria.

The Chamber is working with our national chamber network to improve our connections and conversations with Indigenous businesses across Canada. It’s time to do better.