Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce

We respectfully acknowledge that we conduct our Business on the Unceded Territory of the Hupacasath and Tseshaht First Nations.

Find the Chamber here

GRAB A COFFEE - WE HAVE LOTS TO SHARE!

n̓aasn̓aasʔaqsa (2021) A Totem Pole by Tim Paul

As announced by the First Nations Education Foundation we are thrilled to learn of an event for this Saturday morning at the bottom of Roger Street. The Language Revitalization Pole, a program initiated in 2018 is about to come to completion. Saturday, September 18, 2021 9:00am to 12:00nn. A Nuu-Chah-Nulth cultural experience under the lead of Tseshaht First Nation with support of many others.

Vaccine Passport - now required

The Vaccine Passport System is now in place. Required in most restaurants and some other venues this program is designed to encourage more people to consider vaccination. The Chamber of Commerce supports the concept of the passport but has recommended a different initial approach. We have reached out to Government first via a meeting with our MLA followed by a letter addressed to many Cabinet Ministers, and other interested groups. The Chamber will continue to support our Business Community ensuring that Government hear all concerns in a respectful manner.

Our letter to Government can be found here

Monday, September 20, 2021

The Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce conducted one on one interviews with each of the three main party candidates (Liberal Party of Canada, Conservative Party of Canada and the NDP Party of Canada) on Friday, September 10, 2021. The other candidates (Green/PPC) were invited but did not respond.

Questions were provided to us by local organizations and individuals and were shared to the Candidates in advance of the interviews. The event was sponsored by: The Vancouver Island Real Estate Board who also provided a question for the candidates. The Alberni Valley News has agreed to assist by sharing the Videos.

Find the videos below organized in alphabetical order by party name. Videos produced by Richard Spencer - ADSS Student/AVCOC Employee. dba: Alberni Films

Produced and Conducted by:

Sponsored by:

Distributed by:

Waste Management

Top marks to all involved! The Sort 'n Go program is now in place throughout Port Alberni. In our world of many challenges it is wonderful to see the commitment to a greener environment, a more sustainable environment. Well done!

Click the video link to learn more

Having trouble finding or keeping employees?

Our new world discovered some 18 months ago is bringing with it many more challenges for our Business Communities. These challenges are affecting almost every sector in our economy ranging from the shortage of people cooking our foods, serving foods, cleaning rooms, building fences, running ships, saving our animals, repairing our homes, and so much more.

Are you as an employer feeling the pinch?

Have you resorted to paying more for wages than is sustainable?

Is doing so stabilizing your work force or simply costing you more money?

Are you having to close early? Close full days? Or worse, have you considered, or already shut down operations?

We'd like to suggest a potential solution for you to consider.

Does your business offer Group Insurance Programs to your employees? Would it be safe to assume that doing so would potentially lengthen employment relationships in your favour? Would offering a benefits plan be seen by your employees as....a benefit to them? Might they look forward to the odd Massage through the year? Or, financial support for needed dental work? Might your employees be dealing with medical issues outside of your knowledge?

Could now be the time to investigate what a Group Insurance Plan could do for your business, your employees, your stability in a most volatile marketplace?

Some facts about the Chambers Group Insurance Plan; and yes there are others out there. Investigate your options!

The Chambers Group Plan is Canada's #1 Group Benefits Program
A solo business will be rated based on its usage of most Group Insurance Plans however that same solo business, if covered under the Chambers Plan is pooled along with other similar businesses throughout the Country. Rates (increases) are based on the pooled results not the results from X business alone.
The Chambers Group Insurance Plan is operated as a NOT FOR PROFIT meaning any excess funds are placed back into the pool in order to maintain rates and/or reduce premium increases
Some options within the plan. *
Extended Health Care
Prescription Drug Coverage
Paramedical Services with up to $600.00 pp per practitioner. IE: Podiatrists, Physiotherapists, Audiologists, Acupuncturists, Speech Therapists and much more
Vision Care of up to $200.00 pp
Dental programs including options such as Major Work, Orthodontics and other
Critical Illness plans are available within the Chambers Plan. These include the potential for lump sum payments for persons who receive bad news and need some good news to follow.
Employee Assistance Programs
Short and Long-term Disability Programs
Life Insurance including options for Spousal Life plans
Business Overhead Expense coverage. This helps those businesses (that have the insurance) offset, or partially offset ongoing costs such as Mortgage, Rent, Leases etc. the program is designed to assist when ownership has to bow out due to illness or injury thus affecting the viability of the organization.
Group Retirement Plans
Travel Plans that many suggest are best in market.

There is little doubt that organizations that offer a Group Insurance Plan have the advantage over those that don't. These plans are a financial cost to the organization but the investment in employee health, safety, and long-term security, is, in our view, well worth the investment.

If you are worried about the potential of being declined because you or your employees have a medical concern please know that the Chambers Group Plan is guaranteed for firms with 3 or more people covered. This is another reason why many organizations look favourably at the Chambers Group Plan. Employers with less than 3 employees will undergo medical assessments in order to ensure coverage.

You insure your car, your home, your boat; should you insure your employees?

If you'd like a quote or more information please contact our office at your earliest convenience. Note that in order to considered for the Chambers Group Plan your business must be a member of the Chamber of Commerce. AVCOC's Members are serviced by AV Financial for this program.

*Deductibles typically apply

Bamfield Community School Association

Sounds enticing! And tasty

The Bamfield Community School Association (BCSA) is thrilled to announce the return of our annual fundraiser, the 9th Oysters, Authors & Ale Auction. We are delighted to invite you to be a part of this beloved event, on October 2nd, 2021.

What is the Oysters, Authors & Ale Auction (OAAA)? Read more here

Picture below showcases what the AVCOC will donate to the Bamfield Community School Association. Nice eh!

Chamber conducts local tour

Wells Gray Tours - Kamloops were in Port Alberni for two nights this week. They reached out to the Chamber to see if we, or someone could conduct a local tour for them.

Comment received via The Best Western Plus Barclay Hotel:

"Rhonda from Wells Gray was over the moon with your tour.

I really appreciate it , our guests were raving about it.

Thought you should know

Have a fantastic evening."

Bill and Jessica from the Chamber led the group of 26 plus 2 from Wells Gray on a City Wide tour including stops at: Harbour Quay, Maritime Discovery Centre, Victoria Quay, Visitor Centre and McLean Mill. Features discussed included the behind the scenes history of the Mural developed by Rotary in conjunction with Nuu-Chah-Nulth peoples. A stop to view the Language Revitalization Pole (under cover), a tour around Victoria Quay with focus on the Welcoming Figures and Whaling Monument, a pitstop at the Visitor Centre and a final stop at the McLean Mill National Historic Site.

The Chamber plans to encourage other tour companies to include Local and Historic Tours through our city.

Welcome New Members!

Coleman RV and Campground LTD. Wonderful new campground located along the stunning backdrop of our local rivers. The campsite currently features 34 sites each of which have direct water access. Dry camping only but there are flush toilets and even a shower at the site. Visit online HERE

‌

AV Garden Supply.

An indoor/outdoor garden supply store. AV Garden Supply carry a wide range of nutrients including organic, soils, pots, plant support and much more...they also do special orders for things not generally carried in store.

‌

Behind the COVID wall some incredible things are happening. Take a peek at a few:

“Changes to the ocean, including warming, more frequent heatwaves, ocean acidification, and reduced oxygen levels have been clearly linked to human influence. These changes affect both ocean ecosystems and the people that rely on them, and they will continue throughout at least the rest of this century, Learn more about Cascadia here. (they are in our front....pond)

The San Group have announced plans to build a billion-dollar housing development in Port Alberni.

Called Pacific Mayfair Estates, the master planned community is proposed for an area at the top of Burde Street, in an undeveloped area that stretches from Burde to behind West Coast General Hospital. The area is popular with walkers and mountain bikers, and comprises a portion of the Log Train Trail.

Company co-owner Kamal Sanghera said the 75-acre proposed development is “San Group’s biggest project ever.” Learn more about this project here

(From August). The City of Port Alberni and Western Forest Products have reached a negotiated agreement for the purchase of five properties including the lands upon which the Somass Division Sawmill is situated. As a result of this sale, the City will formally withdraw the expropriation process on the Somass Lands.

The land purchase includes:

The property on which Somass Division Sawmill is situated.

A property currently used as a parking lot for Somass Division Sawmill.

See the initial Press Release here (The Chamber of Commerce is thrilled with this announcement)

This project was discussed during the Candidate Interviews on Sept 10th. Let's just say that we'll hold them to their word. Click on the picture below for more info.