How will you be celebrating the Victoria Day Long Weekend?
 
Although Victoria Day began in 1845 as a way of commemorating Queen Victoria’s birthday, the holiday has since taken an additional meaning: the unofficial start of Canada’s summer season.
 
Although the summer weather may not arrive in time for the long weekend, we hope you take the opportunity to enjoy what Greater Victoria has to offer.
 
The Thrifty Foods 123rd Victoria Day Parade presented by CHEK TV begins at Mayfair Mall, finishing at the intersection of Douglas and Humboldt streets.

Featuring floats and cultural performances, this event from the Greater Victoria Festival Society is one you won’t want to miss.
 
Before and after the parade, enjoy a great meal at a local restaurant or bring some takeout to a local park. Check out some great attractions, go on a sightseeing tour, or experience family time while taking a much needed break.
 
Visit our member directory to see a full list of our members that can help make your long weekend one to remember.

A new approach to help more businesses with exporting and investing internationally was announced by the province last week.

The Trade Diversification Strategy targets three new markets for increased exports and investment, as well as expansion in existing markets. The aim is to help BC businesses “grow on the world stage while creating jobs and protecting British Columbians from supply-chain disruptions and global uncertainties.”

The new target markets are Mexico, Vietnam and Taiwan. The province will add Trade and Investment Representative offices in Taiwan and Mexico. Offices have also been opened in Vietnam.

The Trade Diversification Strategy will provide funding to successful programs, including $1.2 million annually for Export Navigator and $913,000 to deliver new cohorts of the Trade Accelerator Program (TAP), which supports BC businesses and entrepreneurs to be export ready.

If you enjoy understanding the policies behind decisions that impact our daily lives, you’ll want to read the Bank of Canada’s latest report released today. The Summary of Governing Council deliberations offers a glimpse behind the scenes of why the Bank chose to pause interest rate hikes on April 12.

The council expressed concern about public perceptions fueling higher inflation and, after discussion, chose to signal that though the rate is unchanged it could go up if needed.

It’s a fascinating read that offers great insight into why the cost of borrowing will remain high until inflation can be tamed.

Good data used in the right way is critical to making sound business decisions. It’s an advantage that many large organizations have had, though the cost of accessing the info has been a challenge for smaller businesses. Until now.
 
The Chamber is pleased to announce a new tool recently released by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce Business Data Lab. The Business Conditions Terminal was developed in collaboration with Statistics Canada, and is available to the public at no cost. More than 2,200 indicators from 30 different data providers are accessible through the terminal to deliver granular, real-time insights to businesses.
 
“We’re helping Canadian companies unlock the power of better business data,” Canadian Chamber Chief Economist Stephen Tapp said. “Most small business owners are too busy running their businesses. They don’t have time to moonlight as forecasters or data scientists. They’re looking for easy to use, easy to understand data tools that quickly give them customized, actionable results for their local region and industry.”
 
Stay on top of shifting economic conditions and better understand new trends as they emerge by utilizing the Business Conditions Terminal.

Victoria has been chosen as one of 12 hubs in BC for the Repeat Violent Offending Intervention Initiative, announced today by the provincial government.

The initiative will work to “identify cases for investigation and intervention, and provide documentation that will help prosecutors make informed decisions about charge assessments and prosecutions.”

BC Attorney General Niki Sharma said the province is working with the federal government on legislative changes to the Criminal Code to toughen up laws around repeat violent offenders.

The initiative will be supported by the Special Investigation and Targeted Enforcement Program. The program will have a $16 million budget over three years to improve how police agencies share information around cases involving repeat violent offenders.

The province said it is consulting with Indigenous stakeholders to ensure the initiative is culturally appropriate.