Inclusion Programs – New to Canada

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The Chamber’s New to Canada Program

The Chamber’s New to Canada Program aims to empower and support newcomer business owners as they grow their businesses in the Greater Victoria Region. To qualify, business owners must present a valid business licence and have been in Canada for three or less years.

The program will offer participants comprehensive support in the development of their business through the provision of two years of membership with the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce (The Chamber) and other community engagement opportunities. The program is designed to facilitate the successful integration of newcomers into the business community in Greater Victoria.

Please note membership is not guaranteed as it is dependent upon available program funding and review of the applicant’s eligibility.

This program is funded through sponsorship from Air Canada, the Victoria Airport Authority, the Victoria Foundation, and Western Design + Build.

The Chamber’s New to Canada Program works in partnership with ICA and VIRCS.

Benefits of Chamber Membership

Connecting & Networking: We host more than 60 events every year for our members, so there are numerous opportunities to network and meet people.

Advocacy Initiatives: The Chamber works to advocate on a variety of causes that impact local businesses in our community, including, but not limited to: transportation, immigration & integration, accessible childcare, food security and more.

Chamber Committees: Our committees advise Chamber decisions, while mentoring, welcoming and supporting a diverse business community. Check our website to learn about our current committees including: Emerge; Family Business; Inclusion, Diversity & Equity Advancement (IDEA); Public Policy & Advocacy; and more.

Community Building: Be part of a community who cares, works, and networks to make our community a better place for all.

Ads & Exposure: We have opportunities for extra exposure through free directory listings, online community calendar, ads in our newsletter and website, and sponsorship opportunities.

We Celebrate Your Success: We want members to feel celebrated and informed. Through our member news, we make that happen by sharing stories from our members to our members on our social media channels and newsletter.

Discounts & Savings: Aside from member-to-member discounts that are promoted weekly in our BizNews, members also get amazing savings from several Chamber partnerships.

Chamber Chats: As part of The Chamber’s commitment to keep businesses up-to-date, Chamber CEO, Bruce Williams, engages in conversations with leading subject experts and local entrepreneurs.

Are you ready to apply?

Before applying, make sure you fit the criteria for the program. Unsure if you meet our program criteria? Contact us or submit an expression of interest.

I am a newcomer and have been eligible to have a business licence (permanent residency, citizenship, or other) for three or less years.

I have a business licence to operate in the Greater Victoria region.*

I understand that applications are limited to one business per individual.

Eligibility approval will be determined within fifteen business days from the expression of interest application. Membership approval is dependent upon program available funding. Please email Mabel Marin, at engagement@victoriachamber.ca for any questions.

Apply Now

Program Requirements and Getting a Business Licence

Getting a business licence is a requirement to become a member of the Chamber. If you have a physical store front, an online business, or if you are a service provider, you need a licence. Depending on the scope of your business, getting a license can be easy and quick. Below is a list of municipalities and districts in the region and how to get a licence. Note that if you are applying for the Chamber’s New to Canada Program, you must have an existing licence with one of the 13 municipalities of the Greater Victoria region.

Resources to help you launch your business:

City of Victoria Business Hub | Government of BC, Mobile Business Licences | Entrepreneur Immigration, Government of BC | Starting a Business as an Immigrant, BDC

We want to help you!

Not sure if you qualify for the program? Connect with us.

Understanding the need for this program

There are over one million private sector businesses in Canada, and over 20% of them are owned by immigrants.
There are more than 47,000 immigrants in senior management roles across the country.
Close to one in three immigrant majority-owned businesses (32.3%) reported higher revenues in 2023 than in 2022.

There are more than 600,000 self-employed immigrants across the country, and over 260,000 of them have paid employees.
1 in 3 business owners with paid staff is an immigrant.
In 2023, among immigrant majority-owned businesses, 5.0% planned to expand their current location, 3.6% planned to expand operations internationally and 3.7% planned to expand into a new province or territory within Canada.

Source: Statistics Canada.

New to Canada Chamber Member Success Stories

Silvia Mangue Alene, BA

Silvia is a passionate and experienced leader in the community through her work in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Silvia is the founder of both Kulea Culture Society and Kulea Love Inc., as well as the President of the BC Black History Awareness Society. Her focus is to help shape and implement the City of Victoria’s commitment to equity and diversity.

James Gatsi

James Gatsi is a passionate entrepreneur originally from Zimbabwe, and his background is in information technology services. He is the founder and CEO of CL Web Developers Inc. James and his team provide digital services to a wide range of local and global businesses. James also appreciates the hardship of running a business, and he knows first-hand that the challenges we all face are not equal.