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Historic Hit for HarbourCats
The
Victoria HarbourCats
announced
Tues
the signing of left-handed pitcher Claire Eccles, who is set to become the first female player in the West Coast League.
Eccles, 19, represented Canada at the 2016 Women's Baseball World Cup in South Korea last September, helping Canada capture the silver medal.
"We are excited to add Claire to the HarbourCats, and can't wait to see her getting a chance to throw for us and compete for innings out of the bullpen," said
HarbourCat General Manager
Brad Norris-Jones. "Claire has competed at and been successful at many levels of the game, playing against both women and men, and we think her poise on the mound and experience internationally will give her a chance to get the outs we need."
Her first HarbourCats game is June 6.
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Victoria HarbourCats: member since 2012
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AGM Highlights
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The Chamber's new membership video. |
At Wed's AGM, Chamber Chair Al Hasha
m shared the highlights of the previous year, including:
- Working with the South Island Prosperity Project, we successfully wrapped up our three year Trade and Investment Program. $800,000 from Western Economic Diversification was matched by $600,000 from local organizations to deliver $1.2 million worth of economic development for our region.
- On the budget front, we turned a forecasted deficit to a surplus and are anticipating the same outcome for 2017.
- We introduced a great new benefit, TD home Insurance. It provides our members and their employees with very favourable pricing.
- We had over 60 fun and educational events. The next great event that blends both - is the BC Chamber of Commerce AGM next week. Over 200 Chamber members from across BC attend this conference - come meet them at the West Coast BBQ on the Saturday!
- Finally, we set a goal. We want to move the membership of the Chamber from 1,400 to 1,500 and beyond. The larger we are, the more influence we have and the more benefits you get. We can't do it without your help. You are our best advertising. Please recommend to us someone who should be a Chamber member.
Thanks again to Fortis BC for sponsoring and to Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps for being our guest speaker. Click here to see Mayor Helps' presentation and click here to see the photos from the event.
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Our PM at Work for BC Tech
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will be in Seattle for the Microsoft CEO Summit May 17 and 18, to promote the
Cascadia Innovation Corridor, a bi-lateral initiative between British Columbia and Washington intended to grow the high-tech, life sciences, clean technology, and data analytics industries across borders, strengthening global economic competitiveness and job creation.
This year's summit, under the theme "The CEO Agenda: Navigating Change," will bring together more than 150 chief executive officers.
The summit is an opportunity for Canadian companies to become part of supply chains for the firms involved in the meeting.
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Single-use Plastics: a Call to Action
The City of Victoria Council is presently considering a ban or levy on single-use plastic retail bags, and has directed staff to "report back to Council, prior to referring to Public Hearing in October 2017, the issue of single-use plastic bag reduction regulations". (Staff Report, March 9, 2017).
Many dreams and businesses are
built on the environmental assets of our area - our waterways, beaches, weather. We understand and acknowledge we all need to better manage our solid waste, diverting more from our landfill. We know we need to do more than simply recycle our plastic - we need to reduce, if not eliminate single-use bags, beverage containers, utensils, packaging, etc.
The Chamber supports voluntary single-use/disposable plastic reduction programs. If required, regulations should be regional in scope to ensure a level playing field for all retailers.
"Busin
esses move to meet public expectations," said Chamber CEO Catherine Holt. "Many businesses now offer their own incentives on their own dime and time to reduce packaging, such as discounts on bringing your own beverage container or reusable bag, or fees if you don't."
The Chamber will be working with stakeholders over the coming months on this topic, and is looking to connect with local retailers who are interested in sharing their ideas. If this is you, please contact Chamber Policy Manager Peggy Kulmala.
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Win tickets to YYJ Eats by taking The  Chamber's Membership Matters Survey!
Experience an exciting variety of bite-sized gourmet food, local wine, craft beers and specialty cocktails created and presented by some of Victoria's most popular
restaurants, breweries and wineries.
Tue, June 13 | 5-7 pm
St. Ann's Academy National Historic Site
835 Humboldt St.
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Business Helps Prevent Overdose Deaths
Over the past year, STS Pain Pharmacy
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Alain Vincent, owner of STS Pain Pharmacy |
has been in the news coast-to-coast, most recently on CFAX 1070, about how it is helping to keep people safe from fentanyl. It provides free testing of illicit drugs, from "party drugs" such as ecstasy and heroin. Since last year it has offered a basic dip test so drug users can determine whether their drugs contain fentanyl. Fentanyl was found in 90% of drugs tested. It then posts photos of fentanyl contaminated drugs on social media to warn other users.
Through a federal grant from NSERC, pharmacist and owner Alain Vincent has partnered with University of Victoria researcher Dr. Dennis Hore. They are working on a laser-based detection technology that is low-cost and compact enough to be installed in pharmacies and harm-reduction sites.
In addition to developing the open-source hardware, they will create a publicly-available library of examples of drugs containing fentanyl that may be used and expanded by others. This is anticipated to be particularly valuable as new drugs appear on the scene.
"We now all know someone who has been touched by a drug overdose death," said Chamber CEO Catherine Holt. "Government, health authorities, law enforcement and first responders are working hard to interrupt the supply and save lives. It is heartening to see businesses such as STS Pain Pharmacy and its partner University of Victoria stepping up to help."
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The University of Victoria: member since 1976
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STS Pain Pharmacy: member since 2017, and 2017 Business Award winner for Outstanding Customer Service
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Is Your Business Over 100 Years Old?
The Chamber is looking to identify Greater
Victoria businesses that are over 100 years old in anticipation of Canada's sesquicentennial celebrations. Please send us an email letting us know if you, or a business you know qualify.
The big celebration will be
Spirit of 150 Victoria, presented by
Coast Capital Savings, which will include 11 days of 100+ free performances on two stages from June 21 to July 1, 2017 at Victoria's Inner Harbour. From the start, The Chamber has been involved in planning this
sesquicentennial celebration with the Greater Victoria Spirit Committee and
Atomique Productions.
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Coast Capital Savings: member since 1980
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Atomique Productions: member since 2013
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Chamber Name Tags
 Need to get one of the snazzy new Chamber Name tags?
Email Reception to order yours today.
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