A priority for business that has become more urgent in recent years is the fundamental need for safe communities. It’s clear there’s no simple answer, but one of the evidence-based solutions is the need to do more to address mental health.
 
“Our members have been vocal about the need for better support for people facing mental health and addiction challenges,” Chamber CEO Bruce Williams said. “This is how we can begin to address the situation we see on our streets and in parks, as well as the hidden struggles that many people are going through silently in their own homes.”
 
The Chamber has advocated to government for investment in complex care, so we applaud the news of an $8.2-million provincial grant to the Canadian Mental Health Association.
 
“We are honoured to be part of the solution, co-designing care to improve health, social and employment outcomes for people with long-term experience of complex barriers to employment,” CMHA BC Division CEO Jonny Morris said. “We are excited to see the expansion of behavioural health-care integration with primary-care centres in more sites in B.C.”

Today is Random Acts of Kindness Day! We all could use some extra positivity in our lives, and The Chamber would like to encourage you to make a positive impact wherever you go. Looking for ideas? Follow a few of these tips inspired by The Victoria Foundation:
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• Buy coffee for the person in line behind you either in-store or at the drive through
• Bake cookies for your coworkers with ingredients from a Chamber member grocer
• Donate food, money supplies to a local non-profit
• Donate books to the library
• Let your staff leave work a little early
• Leave a positive google review for a great local business.

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, finding that perfect gift may seem like a daunting task.

Luckily, Chamber members are here to ensure you have a romantic day while supporting local businesses:

• Buy a bouquet of flowers to brighten someone’s day.
• Spend a night away from home relaxing in a local hotel or spa.
• Enjoy a romantic candlelit dinner with your sweetheart. Order from a restaurant or choose a home-cooked meal. Be sure to pair with a nice bottle of wine!
• Have a delicious ice-cream date and enjoy the refreshing flavours.
• Sign up for a dance class and express yourself in new and exciting ways
• Make a handcrafted note or small gift.
• Surprise someone with box of local candy (or enjoy a box for yourself).

​Does your business have a special Valentine’s Day offer that you would like to share with fellow Chamber members?

Submit a General or Member to Member offer on The Chamber’s website here.

More than ever, it’s important to show love and kindness to one another. Whether you’re spending the day with a special someone, or taking the opportunity to pamper yourself, The Chamber wishes you a happy Valentine’s Day!

Non-profits play a significant role in Greater Victoria, providing services and solving problems that help businesses and improve quality of life in our community.

A $400 million federal investment in non-profits is being offered through United Way Southern Vancouver Island, Canadian Red Cross, and the Victoria Foundation to “strengthen internal capacity through one-time projects focused on people, systems and program innovation.”

Applications are open for the Community Services Recovery Fund until Feb. 21. Funding ranges from $10,000 to $100,000 for Tier 1 projects, and between $101,000 and $200,000 for Tier 2 projects.

• Investing in People: Recruit, retain, engage and support staff, volunteers and boards of directors.
• Investing in Systems and Processes: The systems and processes of an organization’s overall structure.
• Investing in Program and Service Innovation and Redesign: Program and service innovation and redesign using info gained during the pandemic.

Inflation makes the cost of doing business more expensive and inhibits investment, which is why the recent data from Statistics Canada is welcome news.

The Consumer Price Index rose 6.3% year over year in December, down from a 6.8% increase in November. Excluding food and energy, prices rose 5.3% on a yearly basis in December, compared to 5.4% in November.

Canadian Chamber Economist Mahmoud Khairy said the drop might not be enough to keep the Bank of Canada from one more increase to interest rates later this month. Khairy expects rates to rise by a quarter point, to 4.5%, and end the tightening cycle which began last March.

Meanwhile, the Bank of Canada released its latest Business Outlook Survey on Monday. It found that the rise in interest has dampened sales forecasts as customers have less spending money available after paying for necessities. The Bank also released its survey of Consumer Expectations on Monday, showing that many people still fear a recession despite stronger than expected job numbers.