Respectfully conducting our Business within the Unceded Territory of the Hupacasath and Tseshaht First Nations
Welcome to Port Alberni
Photo credit Chaisson Photography
Heritage Christmas Village & Festival of Trees
Heritage Christmas Village
First three weekends in December (Fri-Sun) we are pleased to host a beautiful family event featuring LIVE Music, Hot Chocolate, Gift Shop, Photos with Santa *, Light Displays and a return of the beloved FESTIVAL OF TREES - a Fundraiser for the BC Children's Hospital Foundation.


*If Santa isn't too busy
Community Action Team (CAT)
On Thursday November 25/21 the Community Action Team led by Mary Clare Massicotte summarized some of the hard work and ongoing challenges facing our community (and most communities). The presentation was very well done. Please find a copy of it here on our website
You read that right! Coming your way - June 17/22
Our last Awards event was more than 2 years ago so it's about time we get back on track. Thanks to Chamber Supporter Robbins & Company we are able to get this event off the ground and on the ground at the same time. Do take a peek at our website to learn more about version '22' and please consider nominating folks while you're at it!
Welcome to our newest Chamber Member!
Leisure Guide Port Alberni
First person to tell me (click here for email) what page you find the words..... YES YOU CAN in the winter season Leisure Guide - wins a Gift Card that we have on hand from one of Port Alberni's favourite local places! Name starts with the letter T.... Find the guide here - so much to do!
Speaking of Leisure, and speaking of YES YOU CAN....
Look what THE SAN GROUP are doing now! Not only are they a LEADER in their field they also step up, or in this case, do the dance! This event will be FUN for all and best of all the funds raised through your ticket purchase go directly to the WEST COAST GENERAL HOSPITAL FOUNDATION! Oh, and the company matches the amount raised by you. Tickets are also available at the Chamber of Commerce office/Visitor Centre.
And in case you haven't danced for a while (pun intended) check out the video by clicking the link above!
SHOP LOCAL - SHOP THE WEST COAST
We are excited to welcome you to our newest version of SHOP LOCAL for the Alberni Valley! In years past we have awarded hundreds of shoppers with valuable Gift Cards courtesy of many businesses in Port Alberni. In fact, when last done in 2019 we have nearly 100 participating businesses partner with us! See below for how it works!
Version 2021 is all about THE WEST COAST! We've partnered with the Tofino-Long Beach Chamber of Commerce and the Ucluelet Chamber of Commerce to bring you the best program yet! We are not hiding the fact that SHOPPING LOCAL is important, and vital to all. That's the whole intent but let's also continue to make it fun especially for this time of year!

  • Look for our poster as pictured above. You'll find them by December 1st in many of your favourite stores in Port Alberni, in Ucluelet, and in Tofino!
  • Step inside the store, grab a basket and shop shop shop!
  • At the till or nearby the till look for a similar poster to the one above. Specifically look for one with a QR code on it.
  • Scan the code
  • Fill in the details including your name, contact info all that 'stuff.'
  • Go to the next store. Repeat daily.
  • In the background we'll be tabulating things and building a database of local shoppers that we'll then use to select WINNERS FROM.
  • Starting on December 12th - 12 days before Christmas.....you get the picture (song)
  • Listen to the PEAK or if on the West Coast - TUFF CITY RADIO and if you hear your name called.....you've probably won! $500 worth of WEST COAST gift cards! Those gift card packages could include some for each of the three West Coast communities involved!
  • This will happen DAILY TILL DECEMBER 24TH!
  • Come January we pivot (you've heard that word before) to DINE OUT WEST COAST.
  • We'll be promoting the participating businesses all along and of course you'll find the posters throughout your travels.
  • Eat out often through January! (and before/after). Support our local and West Coast Restaurants
  • Starting in Mid-January we'll once again do daily draws on THE PEAK/TUFF CITY RADIO and award lucky SHOP LOCALITERS (is that a word?) with daily $500 gift card packages....till we run out.
  • End of January listen up again to your favourite radio station cause the best will be yet to come! Think two night stays, waves, rocks, trees, lumpy water.

BEST OF ALL FOR VERSION 2021. WE HAVE A BUDGET TO PURCHASE GIFT CARDS. LOTS OF THEM.

We support local business. We hope you do.

Pictures below from our Shop Local program in 2019. Over $12,000 in gift cards distributed!
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Don't forget to support the Salvation Army this season!
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Major Web improvements
Starting in early December our Members will receive their annual membership renewal notice through our website. We've dabbled in this in the recent past but have taken it all on internally with our new and vastly improved website.

Members will receive their notice ~ 30 days before the expiry of their membership. They'll be able to view their listing with us, offer corrections and even make the corrections themselves! Members will be provided with direct access to their listing on our website and we encourage that.

Should you have questions about anything please contact either Jen or Bill for assistance.

To see a sample member listing on our site please click below
We don't agree
Earlier this week the BC Government made an announcement that further impacts the viability of many of our local businesses. We all know that the pandemic and the government responses to it have challenged businesses to levels never seen in our lifetimes. The business community has responded with respect and courtesy every step of the way. They've 'pivoted,' they've installed plastic shields (which now are being reconsidered by many), enforced public health orders, in many cases they've reduced capacity limits which means lower revenues/decreased cashflows. Along the way they've accepted increased costs of doing business such as minimum wage increases that resulted in higher wages across the board for many businesses; some faced challenges with the EHT, which in our view unfairly penalizes the business community. They've incurred what research indicates is an average additional debt load of +/- $130,000 just to try and meet the financial requirements. They learned recently that CPP and EI premiums are about to increase (significantly). They also learned that WorkSafeBC premiums are skyrocketing, most of them at double digit levels (ours was 18%). And of course many were forced to accept the additional challenge of asking their guests for the vaccine passport. Most didn't oppose the passport they simply wondered why they were given the police badge to enforce? Many now face huge challenges with staffing levels much of which can be traced back to the effects of government programs that seemed to encourage people not to work. This week they learn that in less than 40 days from the announcement they will have to provide 5 days of sick pay annually for their employees. A business with 25 employees could face an additional 4+ months of wages in a 12 month year. Better said, they now budget for 16 months of wages in a 12 month year? Hmmm one wonders what the price increase will be for our goods and services? 33%? We are now left wondering.....what's next?
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