Greater Victoria Chamber Congratulates Elected Leaders and Calls for Action on Region’s Priorities
The Chamber is pushing for good-paying jobs, affordability, less congestion, and pathways from homelessness into housing with treatment and recovery support
VICTORIA, B.C. — The Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce congratulates the municipal and provincial leaders elected and re-elected across the capital region. The Chamber looks forward to working constructively with them on the issues that matter most to local businesses, their employees and the communities they serve.
“Congratulations to everyone who put their name forward and earned the trust of their community. We’re ready to get to work with you,” said John Wilson, CEO of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce. “For too long, a lot of the people behind the businesses in this region have felt forgotten by government. They aren’t asking for special treatment. They’re asking for a fair shot, so they can do what they do best: create good-paying jobs. That way, if you work here, you can afford to live here, and our young people can feel good about their future.”
Chamber members have been patient. Now the Chamber is calling on provincial and municipal governments to work with it on four priorities for the region:
1. Backing the businesses we already have with lower business taxes, less red tape and policies that help businesses succeed and grow.
2. A safe, clean and vibrant region by supporting pathways from homelessness into housing, expanding access to mental health care, addiction treatment and recovery supports, and reducing crime and street disorder.
3. Making life more affordable by protecting the employment and industrial lands that keep good-paying jobs in the region.
4. Easing traffic congestion and improving how people get around, so residents can more easily reach their jobs, services and local businesses.
The Chamber congratulates newly elected MLAs Cathie Ounsted (Saanich South) and Mike Hicks (Juan de Fuca-Malahat), and returning MLAs Nina Krieger, Grace Lore, Diana Gibson, Ravi Parmar and Darlene Rotchford.
The Chamber also congratulates mayors Marianne Alto (Victoria), Rishi Sharma (Saanich), Duncan Cavens (Esquimalt), Stew Young (Langford), Volker Dammann (View Royal) and Kevin Murdoch (Oak Bay), along with every new and returning councillor across the region.
The Chamber thanks Lana Popham, Dean Murdock, Barb Desjardins, Sid Tobias and Scott Goodmanson for their years of service and dedication to their communities.
In the coming weeks, the Chamber will meet with the new municipal councils, local MLAs and government representatives to talk about the region’s priorities, economic growth, and crime and street disorder.
“Our members are counting on us to speak up for them, and that’s exactly what we’ll do,” said Wilson. “We’re the voice of business in this region. We’ll come to the table with practical solutions, ready to work together. We’ll also keep pushing until we see results.”
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, Bank of Montreal, BC Ferries, Berwick Retirement Communities, Camosun College, CHEK, CIBC, City of Victoria, ColdStar Solutions, Edwards Heritage Consulting, H2 Accelerator, Island Savings, Kinetic Construction, Knappett Projects, Maximum Express, PARC Retirement Living, Peninsula Co-op, Roughley Speaking Communications, RBC, Scotiabank, Tecnet, TD Commercial Banking, Times Colonist, University of Victoria, Western Canada Security. Find out more at Victoriachamber.ca.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Corrie Delisle
Senior Director of Government Relations
Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce
250-360-3475 | govrelations@victoriachamber.ca