Talent Needed Across All Sectors

We have a lot of talent in Greater Victoria, in part from our outstanding public post-secondary institutions that offer residents the skills and knowledge to be first in line for the best jobs, as well as draw in students from around the world, who then fall in love with our beautiful and vibrant region and decide to stay.

The Chamber has recognizes that BC and Canada face steep demographic and workforce challenges in the coming years, not just the tech sector.

"The skilled workforce of today and tomorrow are in-demand, willing to move and globally connected," said Chamber CEO, Bruce Carter. "To remain competitive, we need predictable and efficient government programs to help businesses attract and retain the talented individuals we need across all sectors."

Find out more about UVic and Camosun's Co-operative Education Programs.

As a port city with a long maritime history, Victoria is a natural choice for businesses related to marine technology and ocean sciences. This industry includes a diverse range of operations, from shipbuilding and repairs to cutting-edge marine technology and ocean sciences research with worldwide impact. When it comes to ocean research, the University of Victoria is a world leader.

University of Victoria's Ocean Networks Canada (ONC) just sent Hercules, a remotely operated vehicle (ROV), out for unprecedented expedition of unexplored Canadian waters on Tues, Aug. 25.

On the three-week expedition, Hercules and Argus, another ROV, will install such such things as high-tech systems to measure underwater landslides, microphones to detect whales and understand ship noise, and a tsunami meter to better predict coastal flooding.

SUMMER SOCIAL SERIES: HARVEST DINNER
Treat Your Clients, Family or Friends

Celebrate summer's harvest at Sea Cider Farm & Ciderhouse. Enjoy a four-course seasonal dinner prepared by Food for Thought Catering, paired with award-winning cider.

See the menu here.

The Harvest Dinner is bought to you by Three Point Motors - Mercedes Benz.
 
The Harvest Dinner is a perfect opportunity to treat clients, family or friends for a night to remember.

*If the person purchasing the tickets is a member then all their guests will receive the member rate

Thurs, Sept 24 5-9 pm Sea Cider Farm & Ciderhouse 2487 Mt. St. Michael Rd.

Planning on trying all the cider samples? Enjoy a shuttle from downtown Victoria to the English Inn and back again, courtesy of L.A. Limousines Inc.

The average Canadian family now spends more money on taxes than on food, clothing and shelter combined, according to a report by the Fraser Institute. The report from the Vancouver-based think tank found that last year, the average Canadian family spent 42.1% of its income on taxes and 36.6% on basic necessities.

The Institute doesn't have any specific figures for Greater Victoria, but their 2015 report  has provincial statistics, showing BC in the middle of the pack.
 
The Chamber has been advocating for a comprehensive measure of overall tax burden , which  would serve three purposes: (1) provide greater visibility into the impact of provincial, territorial and municipal tax decisions on the overall tax burden so all levels of government can understand their role in creating a competitive system; (2) provide municipalities and provinces with more favourable outcomes to use the information as a marketing point in economic development and labour attraction activities; and allow individuals to more easily assess the competitiveness of labour market opportunities across the province or country.

Municipal Accountability Initiative

Municipal government decisions deeply impact your business.  It's the first level of government, not the last. Do you want to know about these decisions as they are being made, who is making them and why?

The City of Victoria had eight meetings in July, each from 45 minutes to just over four hours in length. That is just one municipality. Do you have the time to attend council or committee meetings?

As part of a pilot project, The Chamber hired an independent contractor in July to compile information on the City of Victoria's council and committee meetings. The Chamber looks forward to expanding this project to include other municipalities as funding permits.  The Chamber will use the compiled data to support its advocacy efforts as the voice of the Greater Victoria business community.

The Chamber offers sponsors exclusive access to analysis and discussion, so you can be part of the conversations that affect your bottom line. To become a sponsor, please contact chamber@victoriachamber.ca or 250-383-7191

According to an October 2014 poll of small business owners in BC, only 31% of respondents had a formal business plan. Providing all respondents had a common understanding of what is meant by a "formal" business plan, is having a formal business plan a measure of success?

In Sept's edition of Business Matters, we discuss how your business plan should reflect your commitment to business planning, suit your operating environment, and be tied to the actual work that needs to be done/being done.

Watch for your edition to arrive the week of Sept. 7.

FALL MARKETPLACE MIXER:
Book your Fall and Spring booths together and save $50!

Exhibitors showcase their businesses to over 300 people, including Chamber members and the public.

Book your booth early to avoid disappointment!

Full-colour Times Colonist advertising is available at a discounted rate of $100 when you book your booth.

4-7 pm
Bay Street Armoury
713 Bay St.

Register today to attend our annual Marketplace Mixer - admission is free with business card.

Don't be Shy; Your Vote Counts!

Chamber CEO, Bruce Carter is in this month's Business Examiner talking about preparing yourself for the upcoming federal election - don't stay silent about your viewpoint! There are others, especially the younger electorate, who could benefit from your viewpoint. The more knowledgeable you are, the easier it can become to engage others in meaningful political discourse without touching on the underlying hot-button topics. Make the most of your vote ---- be informed, make your vote count!

Jim Treliving, one of Canada's top entrepreneurs known for his role on CBC's hit television show Dragon's Den, will be speaking in Victoria on Oct. 14 in the David Foster Foundation Theatre at the Oak Bay Beach Hotel.

Treliving will speak about his business career, values-based approach to decision-making and the importance of community involvement. The event is presented by Leadership Victoria and supported by Telus, The Oak Bay Beach Hotel, University of Victoria, the Times Colonist and Hot House Marketing.

Special offers abound on the Chamber website both for members - and their staff - exclusively, as well as for the general public. This week's best deals:
 
 

Want one The Chamber's name tags? Email us to order yours today.