At today's Member's Breakfast,  BC Small Business and Red Tape Reduction Minister, Coralee Oakes, updated us on her work on cutting red tape to help small businesses. Starting Oct 22, share your ideas and join the conversation!
The Federal Election
In Monday's federal election, Justin Trudeau's Liberals won a majority government by capturing 184 of the 338 seats in Parliament. The Conservatives won 99 seats, and will form the Official Opposition. The New Democratic Party captured 44 seats, the Bloc Quebecois 10 seats, and the Green Party one seat.

Greater Victoria - and Vancouver Island - is without any Liberal MPs, and will not have a voice in Caucus or Cabinet discussions.

"Without a Liberal MP in our region, we have to work hard over the next four years to ensure Greater Victoria's priority issues are communicated," said Chamber CEO Bruce Carter.

The Chamber was very active during the campaign to retain focus on the priorities projects such as the Belleville International Ferry Terminal's multi-use building and priority bus lanes to West Shore.


Our Movie Magician
Kathleen Gilbert of the Vancouver Island South Film and Media Commission talks about her career, her new headquarters at 514 Government, and film-making Greater Victoria.



Vancouver Island South Film & Media Commission: member since 1980


Chamber News
Events
Transit Fare Review Survey
The Victoria Regional Transit Commission  (VRTC) is asking for the public's input on their fare review for BC Transit. The Victoria Regional Transit System is funded through fares, local property taxes, Provincial Government grants, and fuel taxes. The commission wants to ensure fares and funding will continue to support the provision of efficient and effective transit for the Victoria region.  

"We want to hear from transit users, members of the public and taxpayers," said Susan Brice, Chair of the VRTC. "We all have a voice."
BC Transit: member since 1999



Infrastructure improvements coming to Vancouver Island!

Hear Minister Stone speak on infrastructure improvements coming to Vancouver Island as part of the province's 10-year "BC On The Move" strategy to strengthen our regional economy and improve transportation in Greater Victoria.

Thurs, Oct 29
11:30 am-1 pm
Victoria Marriott Inner Harbour
728 Humboldt St.


Book together and save! Members will save $10 when you purchase tickets to more than one Business Leaders Luncheon.
BC Tech Companies!
If you are a tech company with less than 50 employees, then heads up! Funding is available through the BCIC Tech Co-op Grants Program to hire a co-op student. Applications are currently being approved for employers hiring co-op students in 2016. The application deadline for employers who have hired a co-op student this fall is November 1, 2015.


Summer Not Yet Over!
Summer is not yet over - at least for the real estate market, where sales are still quite hot! According to the Victoria Real Estate Board in September 2015, a total of 704 properties sold in Greater Victoria this September, an increase of 24.6% compared to the 565 properties sold in the same month 2014.
Victoria Real Estate Board: member since 1969
Neapolitan Pizzeria Opens in Oak Bay
Pizzeria Prima Strada, Victoria's first and only certified authentic Neapolitan pizzeria, officially opened its new location this week at 1990 Fort St. In business since 2008, Pizzeria Prima Strada has three locations, the new one on Fort, the other two at 2960 Bridge St and 230 Cook St.

Pizzeria Prima Strada: member since 1990

FortisBC Savings

As part of the phase-in of common rates, commercial and residential FortisBC customers should find the combined total of their 2015 bills lower than 2014.

On Jan 1, the first reduction appeared on customer bills. FortisBC estimates an approx. 31% reduction for small commercial customers, 28% for large and 13% for residential.

In February 2014, the BC Utility Commission (BCUC) decided to approve the proposal for common natural gas rates for the province. The Chamber was one of six interveners in the application to BCUC for reconsideration on common rates. Common rates for natural gas saw rates on Vancouver Island reduced to match the rest of the province.


FortisBC: member since 1990
BUSINESS LEADERS LUNCHEON:
Peter Fassbender, Minister of Community, Sport & Cultural Development

Hear Minister Fassbender speak on
CRD governance - the way forward!

Why?
- 75% of voters in the 2014 Municipal Election voted in favour of action
- Regional governance is at a critical stage

Tues, Nov 17
11:30 am-1 pm
Delta Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort & Spa
100 Harbour Rd.


Book together and save! Members will save $10 when you purchase tickets to more than one Business Leaders Luncheon.
  "Say It, Don't Spray It" Wins Award

Melissa Welsh, a Victoria-based professional photographer, received a provincial award in September for her image at PHOTOGraphie, a professional photography festival for the Professional Photographers of Canada (British Columbia). The photo was of Van Isle Windows employee Dennis Rasmussen in the paintbooth. Melissa won the Best Industrial Photograph Award.





Melissa Welsh Photography: member since 2015

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

Hydro Happenings

BC Hydro is presently upgrading two major substations in Greater Victoria: Horsey and George Tripp, and installing a new high-voltage transmission cable to connects both. The Horsey Substation----by Mayfair----serves 74,000 customers; it's the most important substation in the region and is the main source for the transmission of power to downtown Victoria.

BC Hydro's president and CEO, Jessica McDonald will give luncheon guests her unique perspective on BC Hydro's plan to address our province's growing energy needs on Thurs, Nov 5 from 11:30 am to 1 pm at Victoria Marriott Inner Harbour (728 Humboldt St).
BUSINESS LEADERS LUNCHEON: PRESIDENTS PANEL
How does post-secondary education help our business community?
Join the Presidents of the University of Victoria, Royal Roads University and Camosun College to discover how our post-secondary institutions contribute to our local economy and put Victoria on the map as international leaders.

Greater Victoria's three public post-secondary institutions collectively draw in more than 40,000 students a year, employ tens of thousands locally, conduct vital research, and have an economic impact within Greater Victoria in the billions of dollars.

Wed, Nov 25
Noon-1:30 pm
Harbour Towers Hotel & Suites
345 Quebec St.

Book together and save! Members will save $10 when you purchase tickets to more than one Business Leaders Luncheon.
Chamber Members Mean Business
A big Chamber welcome to our newest members!
Great Deals From Great Chamber Members
Special offers abound on The Chamber's website, both for members - and their staff - as well as for the general public.

If you are a member and have a special offer, simply log-in to the Members Only section to share.

A sample of this week's deals:   
 
Chamber Name Tags
Want one The Chamber's name tags? Email us to order yours today.

#100 - 852 Fort St.,
Victoria, BC V8W 1H8
Phone: (250) 383-7191
Fax: (250) 385-3552
 [email protected]