You could win flights for two courtesy of  Pacific Coastal Airlines at the Marketplace Mixer this Thursday! Don't miss out on this opportunity to connect with over 300 potential customers who attend this event. See all the door prizes here.
March  Business Matters is Online!

The March Business Matters is in the mail and heading y our way.

Our latest edition features:
  • 2017 Annual Directory : Our annual print directory of reputable local businesses-our Chamber members-that you can feel confident working with to grow your business.
  • A United Voice for Provincial Action: In preparation for the election in May, The Chamber worked with like-minded organizations to present six urgent issues affecting the region that require provincial government action.
  • Member Snapshots: Get to know Gayle Robinson, Darryl Hein, Chris Burdge and Jayne Bradbury.
These stories and more in the print and online edition!

Thinking about advertising for 2017?
Contact us today! 
Chamber News
Events
Marketplace Mixer
Succession Planning for your Business
Social Media Series
2017 Greater Victoria Business Awards
YYJ Eats
Business Mixers
Prodigy Group Mingles
Community Calendar

E&N Providing the Ultimate Shortcut?
BC Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, Todd Stone announced last Thurs that the province is considering reviving the E&N corridor between Langford and Victoria West.
 
A working group, including representatives from the ministry, local government, BC Transit, the Victoria Regional Transit Commission (VRTC) and BC Safety Authority, will provide input on a corridor analysis that the ministry will be undertaking.

"I urge the working group to approach this as an opportunity to use the E&N right of way as a transportation corridor that would be part of a regional transportation network," said Chamber CEO Catherine Holt. "Commuter rail is only one option. Public and private bus services running on that corridor and connecting to our roads may provide a more effective and affordable option for the region."
 
The analysis is anticipated to be completed by the summer. The expectation is that any new public service would be integrated with the BC Transit system in Greater Victoria and overseen by VRTC.


Best Managed Companies
  
Eleven Chamber members were honoured with the prestigious Canada's Best Managed Companies designation. The 2017 Best Managed program recognizes the best-in-class of Canadian privately-owned and managed companies with revenues over $15 million demonstrating strategy, capability, and commitment to achieve sustainable growth. 
 
"Well-run companies are important to the economic health of our country. These companies serve as role models to help make all Canadian businesses better," said Peter Brown, Partner, Deloitte and Co-Leader, Canada's Best Managed Companies program.

Congratulations to all the winners!
Platinum (winner for 7 or more consecutive years)
Bayshore HealthCare
Coast Capital Savings Credit Union
Goodlife Fitness
Harbour Air Seaplanes
Odlum Brown Limited
Quality Foods 		 Gold (winner for 4-6 consecutive years)
New Winner

Bay Street Bridge Upgrade

The Government of Canada and Province of BC jointly announced, last Fri, $87 million in funding for 26 new infrastructure projects in 26 BC communities through the Small Communities Fund.
 
For Victoria, the Government of Canada, Government of BC, and the City of Victoria are contributing $3.6 million in total to fund upgrades to the Point Ellice Bridge affectionately known as the Bay Street Bridge.
2017 Marketplace Mixer - Win Big! mixer

Join over 300 people, including Chamber members and the public for this fantastic networking tradeshow.

You could win:
Thurs, Mar 16 | 4-7 pm
Delta Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort & Spa
100 Harbour Rd.
Helijet Safety Record Recognized
  
At a conference in Dallas, helicopter manufacturer Sikorsky recognized
Helijet International for 30 years of safe scheduled airline and charter operations with Sikorsky S-76 helicopters.

"It is with great pride that we highlight this long-standing relationship and recognize Helijet for the trust placed in Sikorsky helicopters for the past three decades," said Sikorsky Vice President for Strategy & Business Development, Nathalie Previte. "This milestone is particularly notable as Helijet is the first helicopter airline with such a lengthy record of uninterrupted airline operations, moving well over two million passengers to date." 
 
Helijet International: member since 1987
 		    
Your Chamber in the News

Here is our selection of news coverage from the past two weeks!

2-Mar-17 Black Press
7-Mar-17  CHEK News
8-Mar-17  CHEK News
9-Mar-17  CHEK News
12-Mar-17  Times Colonist

Flower Count Numbers are IN!
  
The numbers are in... congrats to City of Colwood, named Victoria's Bloomingest Community four years running!

Last week, over 182 million flowers were counted in the annual Victoria Flower Count. Over 64 million were counted in Colwood.
 
Park and Ride
The first Park and Ride within the City of Victoria is being launched on April 1, 2017 near the corners of Douglas Street and Frances Avenue at the former Metro Toyota location. The Downtown Victoria Business Association (DVBA) has partnered with Robbins Parking, Pattison Group, BC Transit and the City of Victoria to offer commuters another multi-modal transportation option.

"We hear the frustration of our business owners that their employees do not have places to park and that downtown parking is getting too expensive for their staff, says Kerri Milton, DVBA Executive Director. "The DVBA cares about our downtown, so we want to help come up with solutions that make it easier to shop, work, live, and play downtown."

The Park and Ride is being managed by Robbins Parking with 53 spaces available. The monthly rate of $100 includes a parking space as well as a monthly bus pass. Robbins Parking is providing the first month FREE to commuters who commit to at least three months.

 
 City of Victoria: member since 1962 
   
 
DVBA: member since 2007 
 
 
 BC Transit: member since 1999 
 
 
 Robbins Parking Service Ltd.: member since 1993 
 
Welcome to Our Newest Members! 
 



 
BC Election - What's on YOUR mind?

The BC Chamber of Commerce is committed to driving insights to our partners, government and each other.

In pursuit of this goal, we are seeking to know what's on YOUR mind for BC's upcoming 2017 provincial election. These insights inform our advocacy efforts on behalf of BC's business community.

The survey will take 8-10 minutes to complete. We appreciate your time in helping the BC Chamber get business done in our province.
Chamber Name Tags
Need to get one of the snazzy new Chamber Name tags? Email Reception to order yours today.

250-383-7191  

victoriachamber.ca
[email protected]
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