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Photo by Leanna Rathkelly
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Over 300 people attended the sold out YYJ Eats yesterday in Market Square. From smiles and laughs to pork pies and craft cider, YYJ Eats spread the good vibes around. Check out the photos here!
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Chambers Move to Unite
The Esquimalt Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce have agreed to work toward integration. The integration would provide increased benefits to members of both organizations while reducing administrative overhead.
"In today's increasingly integrated world, the segregated governance models of the past just don't make sense anymore and are not in the best interest of our members," said Al Hasham, Co-Chair of the Chamber Integration Committee and Chair of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce. "Combining resources will allow both chambers to take a more integrated approach to advocacy and serving our members."
Members are encouraged to stay-up-date here and are invited to comment on the proposed integration in our members-only blog and in our private LinkedIn group.
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Opportunities and connections
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Top Female Entrepreneurs
Mandy Farmer, chief executive of Accent Inns and
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Mandy Farmer
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Hotel Zed, placed 25th on the PROFIT/Chatelaine W100 list this year. Mandy has made the list for six straight years. Sarah Blackmore, a founder of Bin 4 Burger Lounge and Lot 1 Pasta Bar, placed 17th on the list in her first year applying. The award recognizes the top 100 women entrepreneurs in Canada each year. The top 100 rankings are now in their 18th year and place female entrepreneurs by a composite score that takes into account the size, growth rate and profitability of the companies they own and manage. 
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Accent Inns: member since 1992
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Fair Tax for Businesses
Business tend to pay higher property tax rates than residential taxpayers, while in many cases requiring fewer services.
The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) recently released a report, Property Tax Gap Report, which focused on the high level of property taxes paid by businesses relative to residents.
The CFIB noted that Victoria and Saanich's respective tax gaps - or the ratio of property taxes levied by business property owners and residential property owners - have decreased over recent years, but is still more than three, i.e. in excess of three times what residents pay. Within Greater Victoria, only Central Saanich, Esquimalt, Oak Bay, Sidney and Sooke had tax gaps under three.
"The Tax Gap Report is a good tool to open discussion," said Chamber CEO Catherine Holt. "Greater Victoria businesses want a fair and competitive business environment throughout the region. The most common question we receive from our members is what specific services and value is their municipality providing businesses in exchange for the higher taxes?"
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Selling Beer
Bob MacDonald is the new owner of Vancouver Island Brewery. Bob co-owns Muskoka Brewery in Ontario, but pledges operations and decision-making for Vancouver Island Brewery will remain on Vancouver Island and the brewery will continue to operate independently.
"I am certain that Bob's long-term vision and orientation to investing for growth in the business will be welcome news to our long time loyal employees, many who have been with the brewery for 20 to 30 years - these are the people who built Vancouver Island Brewery," said Barry Fisher, who had owned the brewery for 30 years.
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Vancouver Island Brewery: member since 1993
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Donate today to The Chamber's 34th Annual Dinner Auction Gala.
- Feature your brand and products as people begin holiday shopping.
- Reach hundreds of potential customers.
- Back the region's largest and most influential business advocate.
- Unique & buzz-worthy items will be included in our social media campaign.
 Call 250-383-7191 or email us if you have any questions. |
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Car Free Day |
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Chamber CEO Catherine Holt at the lively event
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Up to 35,000 people attended the second Car Free Day, downtown Victoria last Sunday. The event, organized by the Downtown Victoria Business Association in partnership with the City of Victoria and BC Transit, had nine blocks of Douglas Street between Chatham Street/Caledonia Avenue and Courtney Street off limits to vehicles. The event featured 364 stalls, four stages and three beer gardens.
"The event concept of bringing people together for a fun day, making people more aware of downtown businesses is great," said Chamber CEO Catherine Holt. "The event was very popular with the public, and I look forward to hearing from my downtown business members about their experiences."
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BC Transit: member since 1999
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City of Victoria: member since 1962
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Learning English Practically
A new program from Stewart College, the Global Citizen Certificate, aims to integrate international language students into the community through volunteering and fundraising. Students learn about the philosophy of volunteering and fundraising - often very new and foreign ideas to them. With their teacher, the students volunteer with non-profits and charities, and develop a fundraising project for a charity of their choice. In the first few weeks of the Global Citizen Certificate program, students volunteered with Disaster Aid Canada, Fairfield Community Place, Oak and Orca Bioregional School and Glenshiel residence for seniors. On their graduation day, they held a pancake breakfast at Stewart College to raise money for the Victoria branch of "Help Fill a Dream", supporting sick kids. |
Stewart College: member since 2012
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BUSINESS LEADERS LUNCHEON: Jonathan Wilkinson
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Hear the federal government's plan for a clean  environment and a sustainable economy. Prior to becoming the Member of Parliament for North Vancouver, Mr. Wilkinson spent 20+ successful years as a senior business leader in the energy and environmental technology sectors. Tue, Sept. 13 | 11:30 am-1 pm
The Union Club of British Columbia 805 Gordon St.   |
Want to be a Chamber Board Member?
If you are a member of The Chamber with a desire to contribute to the community in a substantial way, we encourage you to consider serving on The Chamber's Board of Directors beginning this January. Al Hasham, Chair of the Board, invites you in this letter to the membership to join him in making a difference. Representing Greater Victoria's business community, The Chamber Board is one of the most influential community boards in the region. Board members oversee the many services The Chamber provides to the business community, work with other business leaders and senior decision-makers and influence critical issues facing businesses in Greater Victoria. For more information on serving on the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce's Board, you can register for the Board Election Information Session on Tue, July 12 from noon to 1 pm at The Chamber (100-852 Fort Street). Click here for details on how to become a Chamber Board Member, key dates, the nomination process and the voting procedure. Additional questions can be directed to Peggy Kulmala, Manager of Policy and Public Affairs.
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Welcome to Our Newest Members!
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