Chamber embraces role as unapologetic voice of business
Advocacy focuses on urgent action to make downtown safe, improve affordability for families and reprioritizing government spending
VICTORIA, B.C. – The people who make up Greater Victoria’s business community care deeply about our region. They want a safe and sustainable life for everyone who lives here now, as well as for future generations.
If the status quo were moving us in that direction, there would be no need to change course. However, the reality is we are drifting toward dangerous waters, and there is real urgency to make the corrections needed to get back on track.
This is the role the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce has played since 1863. The Chamber has long championed policies that strengthen the region’s industrial, commercial and cultural economies, and that work continues today through its advocacy priorities focused on safe communities, affordability and effective governance.
“We are unapologetic about being the voice of business because we know how much compassion and hard work it takes to be successful in the private sector,” Chamber CEO John Wilson said. “For our community to be at its best, there needs to be a healthy collaboration between the public and private sectors. When that gets out of balance, who should speak up to try and restabilize? The Chamber is uniquely positioned to do that. One way we’re doing that is by challenging all Greater Victoria municipalities to follow the lead of B.C.’s largest city and aim for a zero per cent increase to property taxes as they work through their budgets for next year.”
As a member-based organization, The Chamber listens to its members and Board of Directors, who represent organizations of all sizes and industries, including the non-profit sector. They understand the current state of business in the region and have been clear about the direction needed.
This has shaped the Chamber’s current advocacy campaign focused on three priorities. We need immediate action to address the social and economic distress in downtown Victoria. We need investments that make our region more affordable for working families. And we need all levels of government to get their house in order and reconcile what they’re spending on to make sure it addresses our first two priorities.
“We know accomplishing these three things will not be easy, but nothing worthwhile ever is,” Chamber Board Chair Christina Clarke said. “Our board has full confidence in John’s experience as a business leader and community-minded entrepreneur. We have been holding out hope for more prosperous times but, unfortunately, economic forecasts continue to signal uncertainty and volatility ahead. Businesses that struggled to recover from the pandemic have been buffeted by inflationary pressures and now face growing trade uncertainty.”
Learn more: victoriachamber.ca/advocate/advocacy-priorities/
About Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce
Since 1863, The Chamber has served Greater Victoria by working together to build good business and great community for all 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: Acera Insurance, BC Ferries, Berwick Retirement Communities, Canadian Western Bank, Camosun College, CHEK Media Group, CIBC, City of Victoria, ColdStar Solutions, Helen Edwards, H2 Accelerator, Kinetic Construction, Knappett Projects, Maximum Express, Mike Geric Construction, PARC Retirement Living, Peninsula Co-op, RBC, Scotiabank, Tecnet, Times Colonist, TD Commercial Banking and the University of Victoria. Find out more at victoriachamber.ca.
Media Contact:
Jim Zeeben, Communication Director
Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce
communications@victoriachamber.ca
