Historic night as Chamber welcomes 2024 inductees into Business Hall of Fame, presented by RBC

Celebration at Fairmont Empress attended by close to 250 people who joyfully applauded stories of this year’s inductees and their life’s work

 

VICTORIA, B.C. – It was a night for the history books. With about 250 people in attendance in the Crystal Ballroom at the Fairmont Empress, the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce welcomed five new additions into the Business Hall of Fame, presented by RBC.

The Times Colonist, CHEK Media, Michael Williams, the Yuen family-Fairway Market and Alan Lowe were selected for their role in shaping our community’s quality of life and developing our region’s economy.

“It was great to have such a positive celebration of our Greater Victoria business community,” Chamber Chair Kris Wirk said. “This year’s inductees join an impressive group already in the Business Hall of Fame and serve as inspiration for everyone working together to build good business and great community for all.”

This year’s inductees have been instrumental in forming our sense of culture and understanding of place.

“The ceremony truly had the feel of an historic night. Everyone who was there will be able to look back for years to come and say they were there to experience it,” Chamber CEO Bruce Williams said. “The Business Hall of Fame is an idea many people believed in, especially our presenting sponsor RBC. With the 2024 inductees, we have a growing list of business leaders who have been fundamental to the growth and development of Greater Victoria.”

The Chamber’s Business Hall of Fame recognizes organizations, families and individuals who are positive role models through their leadership, vision and commitment to the prosperity of Greater Victoria. The process used to select inductees considers and respects the diversity of leaders who have helped grow our region’s business community. Every two years, new inductees are added to the Business Hall of Fame.

In 2022, the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce launched the Business Hall of Fame presented by RBC, with five inductees taking their place among our region’s pantheon of entrepreneurial excellence: Chief Robert Sam, Helen Beirnes, Clare Copeland, Ron Lou-Poy and Ian Maxwell. Also added to the hall were previous recipients of The Chamber’s Lifetime Achievement Award: Bill McCreadie, Gordy Dodd, Eric Charman, Mel Cooper, Murray and Lynda Farmer, Naz Rayani, Bob Skene, Keith Dagg, Terry Farmer, Cedric Steele, Gordon Denford, Alex A. Campbell, Robert H. Wright and John Chew.
For more information on The Chamber’s Business Hall of Fame, as well as profiles of the inductees, go to victoriachamber.ca/connect/events/business-hall-of-fame/

More photos of the evening can be viewed here: victoriachamber.ca/connect/photos/2024_hall_of_fame/

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. Find out more at victoriachamber.ca. The Business Hall of Fame is presented by RBC. Premium sponsors are MNP, Thrifty Foods and the Victoria Foundation. The VIP Reception sponsor is Marigold Law Group, the Media sponsor is Lumera Productions and the General Reception sponsor is Harbour Air. Supporting sponsors are Cascadia Liquor, the City of Victoria and Encore Global.

 

Media Contact:
Jim Zeeben, Policy and Strategic Communication
Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce
250 360-3471 | communications@victoriachamber.ca

 

The Chamber’s 2024 Business Hall of Fame inductees

Times Colonist

The Times Colonist is the oldest daily newspaper in Western Canada. For more than 160 years, it has documented the evolution of Greater Victoria and Vancouver Island from the days of BC’s gold rushes to our modern status as a vibrant capital city. The TC has a strong focus on local news alongside national and international coverage, as well as dedicated sections for arts, sports and business. It helps the community share ideas and information, and businesses reach buyers.

Today, the Times Colonist reaches a quarter of a million readers every week in Greater Victoria alone, with a print edition six days a week and online content published 365 days per year. With its websites, email newsletters and digital services, the Times Colonist has moved beyond the word “newspaper.”

The Times Colonist has a long history of supporting local people, local events and local organizations. For almost seventy years, the Times Colonist Christmas Fund has helped people in need. More than $1 million was distributed in 2023 alone. The Times Colonist sponsors the annual TC10K, the second-largest run of its kind in the province. In 2004, when the local PGA event was in jeopardy, the newspaper stepped in as title sponsor, and for the next decade the tournament was known as the TC Open. The Times Colonist literacy work provides money for libraries and literacy-related initiatives on Vancouver Island, with more than $7 million distributed in the past twenty-five years. Much of the money is raised through the Times Colonist Book Drive.

The roots of the business can be traced to the British Colonist (founded in 1858) and the Victoria Daily Times (founded in 1884). In 1980, the two publications – by then known as the Daily Colonist and the Victoria Times, were merged to become the Times Colonist. A member of The Chamber since 1961 and a current Chamber Champion, the Times Colonist is a key player in Victoria’s business community, recognized for its balanced reporting, impactful journalism and local investment.

Michael Williams

Michael Williams was a visionary who played a pivotal role in preserving and revitalizing Victoria’s historic buildings. Born in Shropshire, England, Williams immigrated to Canada in 1950 and settled in Victoria in 1958, where he became a respected heritage property developer, philanthropist and arts patron. In the late 1970s, he dedicated himself to restoring Victoria’s downtown, transforming once-neglected areas into vibrant neighbourhoods of shops and restaurants.

Williams’ first major project, Maynard Court on Johnson Street, marked the beginning of his urban renewal initiatives. His work on the Grand Central Hotel and the Victoria Box and Paper Complex earned him prestigious recognition from the Downtown Research & Development Center in New York. In 1989, he opened Swans Pub, now a beloved Victoria landmark, and a long-time Chamber member.

A passionate supporter of education, Williams received an honorary degree from the University of Victoria in 1990 for his contributions to heritage conservation. Upon his passing, he bequeathed his estate, including a historical art collection, to UVic, which remains the largest donation from an individual in the university’s history. This donation provided the foundation for UVic’s Williams Legacy Chair in Modern and Contemporary Arts of the Pacific Northwest, and the estate properties continue to generate revenue to support the university’s academic mission.

Michael Williams’ legacy of philanthropy and heritage preservation, along with his fierce passion for the arts, helped shape Victoria’s future. His actions continue to have a lasting impact on our community.

Alan Lowe

Alan Lowe is a distinguished architect and civic leader who has been shaping the landscape of Greater Victoria since 1988, when he began practicing architecture.

Lowe holds a Bachelor of Environmental Studies from the University of Manitoba and a Master of Architecture from the University of Oregon. As the founder of Alan Lowe Architect Inc., Alan combines his extensive local knowledge with innovative design to deliver creative, cost-effective solutions for private and public sector clients.

Alan’s 15-year tenure in local government, including nine years as Mayor of Victoria, uniquely positions him to bridge the gap between community groups, municipal governments and local developers. During his time as mayor, he championed the approval and construction of the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre arena. Alan was also on the project building committee for the construction of the new Victoria Police Building. Notably, Alan was the first person of Asian heritage to serve as the mayor of the City of Victoria.

Lowe’s deep commitment to community is evident in his pivotal roles with organizations such as the Victoria Chinatown Museum Society, the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association, the Hook Sin Tong Charity, and the Victoria Hospitals Foundation. Through his business, Alan has donated both time and financial support to the Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre tenant improvements, the Coastline Church Renovations, the Chinese Community Services Centre, the Hoy Sun Ning Yung Building Restoration, the Hook Sin Tong Building renovations and the Foundry Victoria Youth Clinic renovations. Lowe’s dedication can also be seen in his work with the Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island as the lead architect on community projects such as Jeneece Place in Victoria, the Qwalayu House in Campbell River and a third Home away from home in Nanaimo. Alan’s contributions have earned him numerous accolades, including the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal for Community Service, being named an Honorary Citizen of Victoria, and his recognition as one of the Top 100 Most Influential Chinese Canadians. In 2020, he was appointed Honorary Lieutenant Colonel of the Canadian Scottish Regiment and was recently appointed as the Honorary Colonel.

CHEK Media

CHEK Television, affectionately known as “CHEK 6,” holds the distinction of being British Columbia’s first commercial television station, having launched in 1956. It was founded by a group of forward-thinking entrepreneurs, including Dave Armstrong, owner of CKDA radio, and American investor Charlie White. White chose the call letters C-H-E-K because they had a catchy marketing angle: “Do you have great programming? Check!”

Broadcasting on Channel 6, selected for its central position on the 12-channel dial of the time, CHEK quickly became a staple in BC homes. Early local programming highlights included The Ida Clarkson Show, which captivated audiences for three decades, and Club 6, a lively teen dance party inspired by American Bandstand.

CHEK has always evolved to meet the changing demands of its audience, progressing from black-and-white broadcasts to color in 1972, to HD in 2011, and now offering livestreams and on-demand content through its CHEK+ platform. Throughout its history, CHEK has been synonymous with live news coverage, dating back to when Andy Stephen served as anchor, News Director, and head of the Legislature press gallery.

For many years, CHEK was a sister station to BCTV in Vancouver, both controlled by the Griffiths family, who also owned the Vancouver Canucks and, briefly, the Vancouver Grizzlies NBA franchise. This connection allowed CHEK to air live Canucks and Grizzlies games, further embedding the station in the hearts of local sports fans.

Initially a CBC affiliate, CHEK later aligned with CTV and eventually Global in 2000, when new owners Canwest rebranded it as “C-H.” However, the rebrand didn’t resonate with audiences, who continued to call it CHEK or ‘CHEK 6’, prompting Canwest to revert to the original name shortly after the station’s 50th anniversary in 2006.

In 2009, during the financial crisis, CHEK faced the threat of closure as Canwest struggled. After no buyer emerged, the station’s employees came together, creating a business plan backed by investors and the union. Despite receiving layoff notices, the team’s determination, alongside tremendous public support, led to a last-minute decision to keep CHEK on the air. On Labour Day in 2009 – what was meant to be the station’s final news broadcast –  it was announced that CHEK would remain on-air as an employee-owned and operated station.

Fifteen years later, CHEK has flourished, growing from a staff of 35 to over 80 employee-owners. It owns-outright the building and city block where its studios are located, having paid off a 30-year mortgage in just 11 years.

Today, the station is producing more news and local programming than at any point in its 68-year history, including shows like Our Native Land and This is Vancolour, which celebrate the region’s diversity.

CHEK’s creative services team excels in crafting impactful advertising and video production, supporting local businesses and community projects. A true community cornerstone, CHEK dedicates over a million dollars annually in airtime and production support to local initiatives.

As a longstanding member of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce since 1971 and a Chamber Champion, CHEK continues to play a vital role in the community. The station was honored as Business of the Year (40+ employees) at the Chamber’s 2021 Greater Victoria Business Awards—a testament to its commitment to local leadership and impact.

The Yuen Family/Fairway Market

The Yuen family has been a cornerstone of Greater Victoria’s business community since 1963, when Chinese-immigrant Don Yuen opened the first Fairway Market on Gorge Road. Since then, the Yuen family has expanded Fairway Market from a small family business into one of the largest independently owned grocery chains on Vancouver Island, including eight locations in Greater Victoria and one in Nanaimo.

Under the leadership of current President Doug Yuen, a fourth-generation grocer, Fairway Market continues to offer a diverse range of fresh, local produce and international specialties. The Yuen family is a proud local employer, creating jobs for more than 600 staff and offering opportunities for career advancement.

The Yuen family’s commitment to locals is reflected in their company tagline, “Community Focused, Community First.” They support numerous community initiatives, including CFAX Santa’s Anonymous, The Mustard Seed and the Rotary Victoria-Harbourside’s Starfish Pack Program. Fairway is also the presenting sponsor of the annual Canada Dry Victoria Dragon Boat Festival. The Yuen family’s contributions to paddle sports inspired the creation of the Fairway Gorge Paddling Club Society.

In 2008, the Yuen family received two honours at the Inaugural Golden Mountain Roots Awards and All-Canadian Benefactor Awards:

• Victoria, British Columbia Individual or Family Victoria Heritage Award – Don Yuen
• Victoria, British Columbia Corporate or Organizational Heritage Award – Fairway Market

The Roots awards recognize distinguished work in the community, dedication to preserving Chinese heritage, advancement of economic impact, and commitment to creating a better understanding between Canadians of all backgrounds. Recipients of these awards are the safekeepers of their community’s heritage and roots in Victoria, the first Chinatown in Canada.

In 2011, the Ethno Business Council of BC honored Don Yuen with a lifetime achievement award, recognizing the family’s enduring impact as immigrant entrepreneurs and community builders.