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The Chamber joined the four other chambers in our region to host B.C. Premier John Horgan yesterday at a sold out gathering of 400 Greater Victoria business leaders in Crystal Garden.
You can check out the
photos here
Check out these upcoming luncheons:
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Horgan makes headlines at 5-Chamber Luncheon
The 400 business leaders who gathered yesterday for The Five Chamber Business Leaders Luncheon with B.C. Premier John Horgan heard firsthand about the province's plan to use
transit buses on the E&N Rail right-of-way. The Chamber has been a vocal advocate for
regional approaches to transportation and we agree with the Premier that the E&N corridor should be used for buses to move people. We will be watching closely for details of this proposal.
At the luncheon, held inside Crystal Gardens, the Premier also
skated around the issue of the Employer Health tax. Chamber CEO Catherine Holt asked Mr. Horgan whether he will consult with the business community, and the Premier told the audience that Finance Minister Carole James is always willing to listen. The Chamber will continue to follow up.
After his speech, the Premier agreed to answer questions that had been submitted by Chamber members. When asked if the controversial speculation tax will result in affordable housing, the Premier said it creates an incentive to rent homes, which will add to the available housing stock in B.C.
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Al Hasham elected to board of BC Chamber
The Chamber's Past Chair Al Hasham will represent the interests of Vancouver Island businesses in his new role as the Island's representative on the B.C Chamber of Commerce's board of directors. Al, President and CEO of
Maximum Express Courier, Freight & Logistics and
Max Furniture, was elected by chambers across the province.
"The caliber of nominees was very high, and we saw good voter interest in this election from ... our membership," says Karen Hawes, Chair of the B.C. Chamber.
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Maximum Express: member since 2004 |
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Max Furniture: member since 2008 |
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Premier fires back after feds offer compensation for pipeline delays
Shortly after
Federal Finance Minister Bill Morneau announced yesterday that his government will compensate investors for any delays to the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project,
B.C. Premier John Horgan accused the feds of putting private money ahead of the public good.
Kinder Morgan said last month it is suspending non-essential work on the $7.4-billion project due to growing opposition and skittish investors. The Provincial government says it is acting within its right to protect B.C.'s coastline and economy against the threat of an oil spill. The pipeline would triple the amount of oil flowing from Alberta to B.C.
For some insight into the economics of the project beyond the politics,
read Robyn Allan's column that appeared on May 13 in the
Times Colonist.
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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 5 | 5-7 pm
St. Ann's Academy National Historic Site
835 Humboldt St.
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Victoria among world's top beer cities: Uproxx
Victoria is one the world's top cities for beer, according to lifestyle and
entertainment website
Uproxx.
The site ranks Victoria No. 17, one back of craft beer mecca Portland, Ore. Uproxx points to Victoria's pub culture and calls Vancouver Island "one of the most magical places on the planet." Among the local craft breweries noted are
Hoyne and
Driftwood as well as saloon-style restaurant
Little Jumbo.
Little Jumbo: member since 2013
Hoyne: member since 2015
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Driftwood: member since 2008 |
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Province to provide $4.7 million for Our Place addiction recovery program
B.C.'s Minister of Mental Health and Addictions
announced Monday that it will provide $4.7 for a Therapeutic Recovery Community.
The program will help men escape the cycle of addiction by teaching them how to rebuild their lives and overcome the root causes of their dependence.
"This is an opportunity to not only transform the lives of individuals, but to also transform our community," said Don Evans, executive director of
Our Place.
Evans continues to seek private-sector contributions to help ensure the project's success.
Last year in B.C., more than 1,400 people - mostly men - died from overdosing on street drugs. The issue has been identified by The Chamber as an
advocacy priority in order to ensure a safe community for citizens and businesses.
Our Place Society: Member since 2010
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Get outside for the May Long, Queen Victoria commands!
Happy Birthday Queen Victoria - you barely look a day over 199! This May long-weekend is forecast to be mostly sunny and warm.
The possibilities for outdoor fun are endless, just make sure to wear sunscreen!
A
nd don't forget to check out the Victoria Day Parade.
Details below in Members Around Town.
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Members Around Town
Victoria Day Parade marks 120th anniversary Monday
The unofficial start of summer in Victoria is this weekend, which culminates in the 120th Victoria Day Parade on Monday, May 21. The parade, sponsored by
Island Farms, will once again be
broadcast live on CHEK. The local broadcaster has been covering the parade for 60 years.
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CHEK: member since 1971 |
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Island Farms: member since 1961
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Westhills stadium packs in fans for women's rugby
Rugby Canada's Langford-based women's
team finished fifth at last weekend's Canada Sevens tournament at Westhills Stadium. However, with 6,070 spectators taking in the action, the event is huge step in the right direction for the sport in Canada and Greater Victoria. The Canadian women will close out the World Series on June 8-10 at the Paris Sevens, followed by the World Cup tournament in San Francisco July 20-22.
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Rugby Canada: member since 2013
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Airport details expansion plans at AGM
The Victoria Airport Authority held its Annual General Meeting on May 10,
updating the community on another exceptional year for air travel in this city. The airport set a record in 2017 with 1.934 million passengers. The non-for-profit organization is planning a $19.4 million expansion that will take 27 months and double the size of the lower departure area for passengers.
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Victoria Airport Authority: member since 1961 |
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SUMMER SOCIAL SERIES
Winemaker's Dinner at the Mansion
Celebrate the beginning of summer at a
 spectacular
mansion with a million dollar view.
Enjoy a four-course dinner prepared by
House of Boateng featuring fresh locally grown summer ingredients paired with wines from DaSilva Winery or non-alcoholic tea cocktails from
Silk Road. Click
here to see the full menu.
Ticket also include a fun limo shuttle provided by
L.A. Limousines Inc., from downtown Victoria to the View departing at 5:30 pm.
Sponsored by:
Thu, July 5 | 6-8:30 pm
The View
6720 Willis Point Rd.
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Rope for Hope
Only one more week for Chamber CEO Catherine Holt to reach her fundraising goal for
Make-A-Wish BC & Yukon
's Rope for Hope event
. She needs a total of $1,500, to be added to the group that will rappel down the
CIBC
building on May 24. The money being raised will help grant the wishes of children living with life-threatening medical conditions.
The good news is you don't have to overcome a fear of heights to
help Make-A-Wish
reach
its fundraising goal of $1.5 million. Learn more and donate here
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Together, we can make a difference in the lives of local children.
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CIBC - member since 1962 |
Make-A-Wish BC & Yukon: member since 2018
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 Ship Point design highlights need for long-range parking plan
Nobody wants to pave paradise and put up a parking lot, but we do need to think about replacing stalls that will vanish as part of the design to create a better public space at Ship Point.
The
new design is a considerable improvement and includes a festival site, urban beach and sloped lawns for the public to enjoy.
We're glad the design acknowledges the area is a working hub, adjacent to the Harbour Air Terminal and connected to traditional commercial uses.
However, the current site is occupied by a large parking lot. We've
said it before and we'll say it again, businesses need to know how the City plans to replace those stalls elsewhere in the downtown.
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Harbour Air: member since 1993
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Full Bursaries Available for a limited time, for qualifying companies.
Participating organizations experienced an average international sales growth of 70% within one year of completing the program, penetrated new markets, and grew their workforce to meet increased global demand. Click
here to watch a video on how TAP can help your business.
By enrolling in TAP Canada you can:
- Navigate complexities of the global trade ecosystem
- Leverage Canada's deep trade and investment resources
- Access tailored, face-to-face coaching and advice
- Learn about international best practices
This is a 4 day course held over a 6 week period. Victoria course dates are
June 19,
June 20,
June 26
and July 24. Click
here for more details.
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Welcome to Our Newest Members!
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Member to Member Deals
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