Despite pandemic, film industry has record year

/in /by
Picture

Greater Victoria’s film industry had a banner year in 2020, despite physical productions closing down for a portion of the year. The Vancouver Island South Film & Media Commission reports that a rush of new productions resulted in $55 million in direct spending — almost triple the previous record of $20 million.

The province’s film and digital media industry generates $3.2 billion annually, employing more than 71,000 British Columbians.

The Island’s film commissioner, Kathleen Gilbert, told the Victoria News that the commission has more than 800 crew in its South Island database.

“Anyone with experience would have been able to work full time since production resumed in July of last year,” Gilbert said.

The health of the film industry has been especially beneficial for tourism businesses hard hit by the pandemic.

“Certainly, given the impact on tourism that COVID has had, this is very welcome business and almost a lifeline for some of these hotels,” Bill Lewis, Chair of the Hotel Association of Greater Victoria, states in the film commission’s 2020 Annual Report.

Province’s minimum wage now highest in Canada

/in /by
The provincial government pressed ahead with its plan to raise the minimum wage, implementing the final bump yesterday to $15.20/hour across the board. The four-year plan did allow businesses to budget for the increase, but the pandemic has made many employers vulnerable to any extra expenditures.

Many businesses are facing a difficult road ahead, Chamber CEO Bruce Williams told the Times Colonist. “Ideally, the government would hold off on adding any extra costs to businesses in the hospitality and tourism industry until they have a chance to get back on their feet.”

The role of government right now needs to be focused on stripping away roadblocks and getting our economy back to its potential. The best way to help make our region affordable is to invest in innovations that will increase our housing supply, make child care accessible and encourage workers to stay in Greater Victoria.

“Employers continue to go above and beyond to find and keep workers, so wages already tend to be higher in Greater Victoria,” Williams says. “With the change, BC will have the highest minimum wage of any Canadian province. It’s time to stop the increases and let the rest of the country catch up.”

Chamber joins Colwood’s call for ferry study

/in /by
A ferry connecting Royal Bay to Downtown Victoria and Esquimalt will help future proof our region, Chamber CEO Bruce Williams says.

The idea continues to gain momentum as preliminary studies show there is enough merit to the concept to explore it further. The proposal is supported by BC Ferries and the Capital Regional District.

The City of Colwood recently produced a video to promote the idea and encourage the provincial government to conduct its own feasibility study.

Clarity needed for businesses on mask mandate

/in /by
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.

Construction industry working to end OD crisis

/in /by
Picture

A fundamental priority for good business is having safe communities. Feeling safe at home and at work is vital to achieving our potential as individuals and as a community.

The Chamber applauds the efforts of the Vancouver Island Construction Association, which continues to make progress on its Tailgate Toolkit harm reduction initiative. This innovative program helps people working in the construction industry access harm reduction services.

The overdose crisis in British Columbia has killed 680 people in the first four months of 2021. In April alone, at least 176 lives were lost to toxic drugs. That’s 43% more than in April 2020. This is a crisis that affects all corners of society and all sectors of our economy.

To learn more about how the overdose crisis has had an impact on people in the construction industry, read VICA’s stakeholder engagement report.

Supporting Indigenous business one way to begin healing our community

/in /by
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.

Canada Day a time to reflect, plan for better days

/in /by
Canada Day is different this year. As we celebrate the best of our country, we are also facing up to a history that is shamefully distant from the Canada we want. Looking into our dark past is difficult. There is a sense of sorrow at a time when we are used to celebration.

The Chamber is committed to carrying as much burden as we can to try and correct the mistakes of the past. It’s the right thing to do, and we encourage all Canadians to help lift the weight that has far too long been put on Indigenous people.

Millions of us have arrived on this land since 1867, escaping oppression or seeking a chance to build better a better life for our families. We can no longer ignore that part of the cost of those new opportunities came at the expense of the people who were already here.

This Canada Day, let’s again embrace the best of what it means to be Canadian. We can open our arms, our hearts and ears. Reconciliation will take time. We must be patient and we must build into our lives the changes necessary for a better, more inclusive future.

Have an opinion on tax forms? Tell The Chamber!

/in /by
The Canadian Chamber is looking for guidance on their advocacy work with the Canada Revenue Agency. As a business, what changes will make it easier for you to fill out your tax forms?

If you have a peeve or a bright idea on how tax forms can be digitized, consolidated or eliminated, let the Canadian Chamber know by filling out an online form.

What’s one small change that would make a big difference to you?

Saanich tweaks rules to make council more efficient

/in /by
Council meetings will run a little more efficiently in the District of Saanich after the municipality adopted a new procedure bylaw. The new rules are meant to save time, including using a consent agenda to allow for non-controversial business to be addressed quickly. If an item requires more consideration, a member of the public or an individual councillor can ask for it to be added to the regular agenda.

The changes will also ensure council meetings are used for making decisions and that less formal debates happen at the committee-of-the-whole stage.

Back to business as province finally unveils restart plan

/in /by
We now know what our Recovery Runway looks like and can begin planning to help all businesses become pivot pilots as our economy takes off this summer.

B.C.’s Restart: A Plan to Bring us Back Together, released yesterday, outlines four stages leading to a complete reopening of the province by September. The plan is contingent on COVID-19 case counts and hospitalization remaining low and vaccination rates increasing.

“We’ve been asking for this on behalf of our members for some time. Having the steps laid out for easing of restrictions has lifted the fog many of us are feeling,” Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce CEO Bruce Williams says.

“Speaking with Chamber members, the consensus is this plan is good news. It’s something we can work with. We need to continue rolling up our sleeves, keep B.C.’s immunization schedule moving forward, and get to work rebuilding those connections that will allow everyone to experience economic renewal.”

The restart plan marked the end of a five-week circuit breaker that had restricted in-person dining, recreational travel and indoor fitness classes.

The next milestone is June 15 when travel within BC will re-open along with extended hours for restaurants and pubs and the ability to hold small in-person meetings. By Canada Day, travel throughout Canada will open, and bigger meetings will be possible. There will also be no limits on dining, and bars and casinos can return with limited capacity.

“These are hopeful times and we can see the end of the pandemic and a chance to get our lives back,” Williams says, adding that the Chamber’s 2021 Business Awards recently celebrated the many incredible stories of organizations and entrepreneurs who found innovative ways to be successful — our Pivot Pilots. “We’ll need these leaders now as we make sure all businesses can take part in the recovery. We want to extend a hand to everyone who needs it now to make sure you have what you need to be successful.”

Our Partners

Get in touch

#100 – 852 Fort St., Victoria, BC V8W 1H8, Canada
Ph: (250) 383-7191
Em: chamber@victoriachamber.ca

The Chamber

Connect
Membership
Advocate

About
Member Directory
Media

Copyright © 2024 Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce. All rights reserved.

Website by Caorda