The border with the US will open sooner under a Joe Biden presidency than if Donald Trump had stayed in power, says Perrin Beatty, CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce.

With a more focused, hands-on approach to controlling COVID, Biden stands a better chance of putting the pandemic behind us than did the chaotic approach of the last administration.

Beatty was the guest of The Chamber, earlier today, for our latest Business Restart Series video. The conversation focused on Canada-US relations, which Beatty compared to resembling the “mating dance of the stickleback” under Trump.

However, Canadians shouldn’t get too comfortable after today’s inauguration. The Democrats have historically been more protectionist than Republicans, and relations will be more complicated than “Trump/bad, Biden/good.”

Closer to home, Beatty says our immediate focus needs to be on controlling the pandemic in Canada. We’ve had a “crazy quilt of approaches” to stopping the spread of the virus, Beatty says. A national approach is needed rather than regional restrictions. The biggest risk to business is the yo-yo effect of opening and closing, which disrupts operations and makes planning impossible.

“What worries me when I look at it today, the Team Canada approach (we had in the spring of 2020) is fraying. People are feeling victimized and powerless,” Beatty said, saying it’s within each of us to use the tools and knowledge we have to stop the spread. “We’re not powerless.”

Missed the live event? Register online to access the video recording.

There’s still time to nominate someone for the BC Reconciliation Award. Nominations close Friday for the honour, which was launched by BC’s Lieutenant Governor, the Hon. Janet Austin, in partnership with the BC Achievement Foundation.

“This award celebrates the promise of a shared path to reconciliation through the incredible work of leaders from all over British Columbia, whose commitment to recognizing past injustices and healing those wounds will lead us all to a brighter future.”

The nominations process is open to any individuals and organizations of Indigenous and non-Indigenous identity who have shown exemplary dedication to asserting truth and reconciliation initiatives.

As changes to the way we live and work continue to transform our neighbourhoods, the City of Victoria is hoping to hear from businesses to help plan the future of Fernwood, North Park and Hillside-Quadra. City planners see the three urban villages as playing a key role in the decades ahead.

To learn more about how to engage with planning, go to engage.victoria.ca.

What does 5G mean for your business? At The Chamber’s Public Policy and Advocacy meeting yesterday, TELUS‘s Vice-president of Business Products and Services, Marshall Berkin, explained how the new technology promises to transform our lives. The expanded capacity of 5G is about more than increased speed, as it will also enhance the reliability of networks and lead to amazing innovations by business. Everything from improving relationships between healthcare providers and patients to creating more engaged communities is already happening. Marshall has agreed to share his presentation here, and more information on 5G from TELUS can be found here.

The Butchart Gardens is closing for two weeks in February.

“In appreciation of the hard work our staff has done over the past difficult year, and to allow them time to rest and renew, The Butchart Gardens will close to the public from Feb. 1–15 inclusive,” says a statement on the iconic attraction’s website. “We look forward to welcoming you back on Feb. 16.”

The 55-acre property opened in 1904 and typically operates year-round.