VICTORIA, B.C. – 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 May 25, 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.”

Since 1863, The Chamber has served Greater Victoria by working together to build good business and great community through advocacy, networking, professional development and innovative services as changing times require. In 2020, the Chamber Champions initiative added a powerful resource to provide leadership and guidance to our organization. Current Champions are: Big Wheel Burger, CHEK News, CIBC, Kinetic Construction, Knappett Projects, Mike Geric Construction, MNP, RBC, Seaspan, Spinnakers, TELUS Business and the University of Victoria. Find out more at VictoriaChamber.ca.  
 
Media Contact: 
Jim Zeeben                                                                                          
Communications and Project Manager 
250 360-3471 
communications@victoriachamber.ca

VICTORIA, BC – Reducing property taxes for business in the City of Victoria is the right thing to do as the pandemic continues to create challenges for our region’s economy.

At the April 8 Committee of the Whole, Victoria’s mayor and council voted to endorse a two per cent decrease in taxes — about $146 for business with an average assessed value of $647,000. During 2020, the assessed value of commercial property dropped by an average of 5.29 per cent. Residential assessed values in the city increased by 2.26 per cent.  

“We’re grateful that Victoria council has acknowledged the struggles businesses are facing with uncertain conditions and the pace of change spurred by the pandemic,” Bruce Williams, CEO of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce says. “We’re seeing many businesses pivot successfully and develop innovations that allow them to adapt. Reducing taxes during this time shows that the city wants to work with the business community, so that all of our employers and operators have a chance to get through this together.”  

The tax break reflects an adjustment to the city’s current policy of equalizing changes to taxes across all classes. If council had chosen to follow that policy, the average assessed business would have had a tax increase of $122. Instead, Victoria continues to close the gap between the business and residential share of municipal taxes.   

“We want to thank City Council for recognizing the challenges businesses have faced over the last year, this is a significant and meaningful show of support for our business community,” Jeff Bray, Executive Director of the Downtown Victoria Business Association says. 

The Downtown Victoria Business Association (DVBA) is the authority on all things happening in Victoria’s downtown core. As a business association, the DVBA provides a variety of services and supports to its 1,400 members to become more successful downtown including: advocating for the downtown business perspective, promoting downtown to the Greater Victoria region, keeping downtown clean, and offering a financial assistance through grant programs. The DVBA’s mission is to nurture and promote the vitality and vibrancy of downtown Victoria and its business community. Learn more about the DVBA at downtownvictoria.ca.  

Since 1863, The Chamber has served Greater Victoria by working together to build good business and great community through advocacy, networking, professional development and innovative services as changing times require. In 2020, the Chamber Champions initiative added a powerful resource to provide leadership and guidance to our organization. Current Champions are: Big Wheel Burger, CHEK News, CIBC, Kinetic Construction, Knappett Projects, Mike Geric Construction, MNP, RBC, Seaspan, Spinnakers, TELUS Business and the University of Victoria. Find out more at victoriachamber.ca.

VICTORIA, BC – This week marks an annual celebration of chambers of commerce and boards of trade that takes on new significance this year. Chamber Week in B.C. begins on Feb. 15, celebrating the value of the business community to our province, and the role of chambers in helping our economy thrive.

Chamber Week has been proclaimed by the City of Victoria, the District of Saanich, the City of Langford, the District of Oak Bay, the Township of Esquimalt and the Town of View Royal.

“There has been a spirit of collaboration and willingness to work together that makes this year’s celebration especially important,” says John Wilson, chair of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce. “From the earliest days of the pandemic, we’ve seen how vital chambers have been as the voice of business that truly has the ear of government. The advocacy that was done directly with decision makers at all levels of government helped shape the relief programs that have kept our economy in relatively good shape through these uncertain times.”

The Chamber has been advocating for Greater Victoria’s economic prosperity for 158 years, and has helped businesses get through previous critical moments in history. Many of the services and benefits offered by The Chamber today are designed to make our members more resilient and productive in good times and bad.

“Chamber Week is typically our chance to toot our own horn and take a moment to reflect on the tireless work being done by organizations like ours across the province,” Chamber CEO Bruce Williams says. “But this year we know there’s still a lot of businesses that need help so we’re hoping to draw attention to the work needed to get these sectors through until better times return.”

Chamber Week features social media posts celebrating Chamber Champions, as well as updates on advocacy efforts including federal, provincial and municipal budget consultations. The Chamber is also kicking off three events with provincial ministers as part of our virtual Business Restart Series:

• Feb. 18: Hon. Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation
• Feb. 23: Hon. David Eby, BC Attorney General and Minister for Housing
• March 2: Hon. Rob Fleming, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure

Since 1863, The Chamber has served Greater Victoria by working together to build good business and great community through advocacy, networking, professional development and innovative services as changing times require. In 2020, the Chamber Champions initiative added a powerful resource to provide leadership and guidance to our organization. Current Champions are: Big Wheel Burger, CHEK News, CIBC, Kinetic Construction, Knappett Projects, MNP, RBC, Seaspan, TELUS, and the University of Victoria. Find out more at VictoriaChamber.ca.  
 
Media can arrange an interview by contacting: 
Jim Zeeben                                                                                          
Communications and Project Manager 
250 360-3471 
communications@victoriachamber.ca

VICTORIA, BC – These turbulent times have forced many of us to adapt and re-focus on new priorities in order to survive and thrive as we bounce forward. With so much change underway, it’s vital to have beacons that guide and inspire us. This year, The Chamber hopes to add a little extra attention to our annual Business Awards and shine the spotlight on entrepreneurs and organizations that have gone above and beyond — especially in support of their staff, customers and clients to manage the challenges of COVID-19. To help share their stories, we’re hoping to spread the word that nominations are open until midnight, Jan. 25.  

The 2021 Business Awards feature 14 categories recognizing businesses that distinguished themselves in many ways, including excellent customer service, community builder, emerging professionals and business person of the year. If you know of hard-working entrepreneurs, business people and community leaders who were able to rise above the uncertainty of the pandemic, we encourage you to nominate them at victoriachamber.ca. Individuals and organizations can also nominate themselves.  

Winners will be determined by an independent panel of prominent business leaders who will serve as judges. The awards ceremony will once again be a televised broadcast — last year’s show reached 50,000 viewers on CHEK TV. 

“It’s never been a more important time to celebrate our local businesses and the contributions they make to our community,” Chamber CEO Bruce Williams said. “So many businesses have been truly outstanding in the work they’ve done to keep our community strong. I’m awestruck every day by the efforts to help others adapt and survive during the pandemic. We are getting through this together and the Business Awards are an opportunity to show gratitude and appreciation for the innovations and leadership carrying us forward.” 

John Espley — announced in December as Chamber Member of the Year for 2021 — will be honoured during the Business Awards broadcast. The winner of the Governors’ Award of Distinction, which honours a Chamber member for outstanding leadership and accomplishments over the decades, will be announced soon.   

Since 1863, The Chamber has served Greater Victoria by working together to build good business and great community through advocacy, networking, professional development and innovative services as changing times require. Find out more at victoriachamber.ca.  

Media Contact: 
Jim Zeeben                                                                                          
Communications and Project Manager 
250 360-3471 
communications@victoriachamber.ca