On Thurs., Mar. 10 from 5 pm to 7 pm join Prodigy Group for their March Mingle hosted by Frogwash at Irish Times Pub. This is your chance to mix and mingle with emerging and established members of Greater Victoria's business community. Sign up here!
Sewage Update
Wednesday was a busy day, with the Province offering to "...help facilitate a path forward with the CRD to ensure sewage treatment occurs within the federal and provincial timelines," and the Core Area Liquid Waste Management Committee making a decision - albeit conditional - to proceed with a new base plan for sewage treatment at Clover Point in Victoria and McLoughlin Point in Esquimalt.

"We are pleased to see a decision made," said Chamber CEO Bruce Carter. "We look forward to the start of construction."
 
Chamber News
Opportunities and connections

Find out more about UVic and Camosun's Co-operative Education Programs.
New Parking at YYJ

Three overnight aircraft stands - aka parking spaces for planes the size of 737s -  will allow the Victoria Airport Authority to attract new airlines to serve the capital region. The airport can currently handle 12 aircrafts on overnight layovers.

Motor vehicles are also getting more long-term parking. Another 325 spaces are being added in a $3.75-million project this year.

These projects are all part of the Victoria Airport Authority Master Plan as they look forward to another record-breaking year.
Win BIG at the Spring Marketplace Mixermixer
 
You could win:
Wed, Mar 16 | 4-7 pm
Victoria Marriott Inner Harbour
728 Humboldt St. 



Booths are now sold out! Click here to be added to the waitlist or reserve for the Fall Marketplace Mixer.
Cuts to Economic Immigration

The Government of Canada announced its 2016 immigration targets at 300,000, an increase over the 2015 target of 279,200.

Breaking that number down, the Globe and Mail noted the decrease in the economic class targets, dropping from 181,300 to 160,600.

The economic class is intended to support Canada's long-term economic growth while building strong communities and improving our global competitiveness.

"Cuts to economic immigration leads to questions how Canada will attract new talent to replace our aging workforce and jump start the economy, as well as pay for the programs and services to support the other immigration classes, such as refugees," said Chamber CEO Bruce Carter.
 
BUSINESS LEADERS LUNCHEON:

Fraud, vandalism, shoplifting, and other illegal activity can have a real impact on businesses and their bottom line. Join BC Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Mike Morris to learn and discuss the Province's strategy to improve community safety in British Columbia.

Tues, April 12 | 11:30 am-1 pm
Coast Victoria Harbourside Hotel & Marina, 146 Kingston St.

 


Innovating the Paddleboard
With an increasing amount of people taking up stand-up paddleboarding, Victoria based Whitehall Rowing and Sail known for its classically styled fiberglass and teak rowing boats, have taken to manufacturing and selling a relatively new product called the Oar Board
See the Oar Board in action here.
that can strap onto virtually any stand-up paddleboard to create a single-scull rowing boat.

Whitehall has sold about 500 Oar Boards to more than 34 countries, and has lined up dealers in several countries for larger orders.

Whitehall Reproductions Canada Ltd.: member since 2014


GREATER VICTORIA BUSINESS AWARDS:
Lynda and Murray Farmer
Governors' Lifetime Achievement Award Winners
Celebrate Success

Sold out! To be added to the waitlist click here.
 
A spectacular night of prestige, entertainment and celebration, the Greater Victoria Business Awards recognizes members in 13 different award categories. Click here to see the finalists.
 
Thurs, April 21 | 6-10 pm
The Fairmont Empress, 721 Government St.


 
New Owners for the Oak Bay Beach Hotel
Vancouver financing company, REV Investments Inc., is aiming to buy the Oak Bay Beach Hotel for $62.2 million. The luxury hotel, which commands the highest daily room rates in the region, opened in 2012 and went into receivership in 2014. REV seeing the opportunity has stepped up to the plate.

It is now up to the B.C. Supreme Court to approve the offer, which is set to close April 29.

Oak Bay Beach Hotel: member since 2011

Welcome to Our Newest Members!
 





BUSINESS LEADERS LUNCHEON:

Hear Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps reflect on her first year in office. Find out what's ahead for the City of Victoria over the next three years and how this will impact your business.

Tues, May 10 | 11:30 am-1:30 pm
Hotel Grand Pacific, 463 Belleville St.

 


#100 - 852 Fort St.,
Victoria, BC V8W 1H8
Phone: 250-383-7191
Fax: 250-385-3552
 chamber@victoriachamber.ca