Your weekly round up of BizNews across Greater Victoria
On Thur., May 19 from 5 to 7 pm join The Chamber for the May Business Mixer at Paladin Security. This vibrant, after hours business social event provides an excellent opportunity for members and prospective members to meet face-to-face. Sign up here!
BC Steps into CRD Sewage
BC announced the appointment of an independent board on sewage on May 11. The board's mandate is to finalize a location prior to the September deadline that marks the final chance to access provincial and federal funding.
The decision followed an in-camera meeting between the CRD's sewage committee and BC Minister for Community, Sport and Cultural Development Peter Fassbender.
Minister Fassbender noted the project's governance model of 24 directors from municipalities around Greater Victoria is complex and "needs to be separated from other organizational governance as responsibilities are currently divided between committees." He also warned the CRD of the risk of losing $500 million in funding if it doesn't meet the Sept. 30 deadline to identify a site for the plant.
BC Minister of Public Safety, Mike Morris, met with business leaders at a Chamber luncheon on May 17 to discuss policing in BC. Attendee questions ranged from equitable funding models between independent and RCMP municipal forces to - not surprisingly - Tent City.
Minister Morris detailed how issues relating to Tent City were being coordinated between ministries, but that he and his ministry were not yet at the table due to BC Supreme Court's refusal to provide injunctive relief. He asked those with questions regarding the provincial government response to contact Minister Amrik Virk, the legal landlord for the site.
We invite you to help us toast to Bruce's achievements over the past 12 years as CEO of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce.
Tues, June 7 | 4-7 pm
Inn at Laurel Point, 680 Montreal St.
Help Shape Greater Victoria
The Victoria Foundation is asking Capital Region residents to weigh in with their opinions on 12 issue areas critical to our community with the annual Victoria's Vital Signs survey. Information tracked in Vital Signs helps non-profit organizations, civic leaders and individual donors make decisions about grants, policy-making and charitable giving.
Keep your most important asset - your people - healthy and well taken care of with the Chambers of Commerce Group Insurance Plan, the most popular employee benefits plan in Canada for small business.Click here for more information.
Power Up!
BC Hydro has completed a major $47 million expansion of the George Tripp substation to help meet the growing needs of the Greater Victoria area for a reliable supply of power.
"Stable and reliable electrical supply is an essential component of our economy that we often take for granted," said Chamber CEO Bruce Carter. "This improvement at George Tripp and the array of related projects are critical building blocks for our modern community and our modern economy."
Construction on the George Tripp project began in 2013. Project work involved adding a new step-up transformer and switchgear breaker equipment, and installing a new 230 kilovolt underground transmission cable that connects to the nearby Horsey substation.
About 75 jobs were created over two and a half years of construction between the George Tripp and Horsey projects. Nanaimo-based F&M Installations provided cable installation for the new underground transmission cable.
In this fast-paced session, you will gain list-building ideas to help your organization rock email marketing and still comply with Canada's Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL). Developing an interested and qualified list of contacts who have opted-in to hear from you is vital to accelerating your business forward.
Titan Boats is a manufacturer of aluminum Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (known as RHIBs). Its boats are used for search and rescue, police and fire fighting, environmental vessels and in commercial tourism and recreation.
Discover how this local company is building the boats saving lives internationally.
Discover how The Chamber can help your business as you mingle with other members and meet our Board of Directors and Chamber staff over beer samples from Vancouver Island Brewery. Each attendee will get an opportunity to do a 30 second pitch about their business.
Thurs, May 26 | 4:30-6:30 pm
Vancouver Island Brewery, 2330 Government St.
Introducing Catherine Holt!
As announced last Friday, Catherine Holt is The Chamber's incoming CEO, starting June 2.
Catherine was hired after a thorough and rigorous selection process, which included careful consideration of more than 70 candidates coast to coast.
"I'm looking forward to getting to know the members of The Chamber and to providing them with great service," said Catherine. "Member involvement is essential and it allows The Chamber to do its part to make Victoria a great place to live and do business."
Chamber News release with Catherine's short bio here.
Welcome to Our Newest Members!
Corrections
May Business Matters In the article, "Greater Victoria: On the Move!" Sidney was credited as a major gateway for the movement of people and services, which - although a common local reference - is not factually correct. BC Ferries Swartz Bay is located in North Saanich, and - while
a small portion of its land is located in the Town of Sidney - the majority of the Victoria International Airport is located in North Saanich. The updated magazine is here. Our thanks to North Saanich Mayor Alice Finall for bringing this error to our attention.
