The Summer Social Series wrapped up last Wednesday with the End of Summer Soir�e at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria. Thank you to Fiat of Victoria for sponsoring. See the photos here.
Drywall Tariff Pounds Housing Plans
Slegg Building Materials - one of the biggest building supply companies on Vancouver Island - invited industry, business as well as the Greater Victoria Chamber to an informational dinner on Sept 27 to discuss the Federal Government's imposed drywall tariff, an 105% to 276% increase to the cost of US drywall imported to Western Canada. 

The event proved informative, with the discussion focusing on the tariff's short- to long-term impact on our local economy. 

"In addition to its impact on the construction sector, the tariff affects the affordability and availability of housing urgently needed, particularly housing for the homeless and for those earning low to moderate incomes," said Chamber policy manager Peggy Kulmala. "The Chamber is working closely with the regional, BC and Alberta chambers and boards of trade on this, and is in contact with our colleagues at Canadian Home Builders Association and others - working together, we hope to see this issue resolved."


2017-18 Chamber Board Election
The main contact of your organization should have received an email on Tues, Sept 20 with a link to vote in the 2017-18 Board Election. If you are the main contact and didn't receive it, please email or call 250-383-7191. Voting closes Tues, Oct 4 at noon.
Chamber News
Opportunities and connections
Small Business Week
34th Annual Dinner Auction
Seminars
Fall Members Breakfast
Business Mixers
Prodigy Mingles

Hotelier Dons Navy Uniform - and Role
Accent Inns co-owner and CEO Mandy
Photo courtesy of CFB Esquimalt
Farmer, in her Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) uniform - complete with its four gold bars - met the sailors, soldiers and air women and men she now represents on Tues, Sept 29 at Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt

Mandy is now one of the RCN's Honorary Captains, who are appointed by the Minister of National Defence to act as RCN ambassadors. Honorary Captains come from across the nation and are an integral part of the Navy family. 
 
"Mandy is such an energetic and well-respected member of the Victoria business community that it truly is an honour for the men and women of CFB Esquimalt to have her represent us," said Base Commander Captain (Navy) Steve Waddell. "She has already taken a keen interest in our people, and their stories, and I know she is passionate about sharing the good work our members do every single day in support of the people of Canada."
 
Accent Inns: member since 1992  
Exporting the Wonders of Victoria
This year will mark the end of a 3-year Trade & Investment program managed by The Chamber and supported by both visionary local stakeholders and Western Economic Diversification Canada. Over the next few issues of BizNews, we thought it important to share some of the successes and the benefits that have been brought to our region through this program.

We make great things here in Greater Victoria, the challenge is how to grow the business beyond our shores. 120 established and emerging export businesses in the region were asked what were the greatest opportunities and challenges they faced. The areas identified as growing/new opportunities were China, South America, Australia as well as the UAE and surrounding countries. The biggest challenges included access to markets and financing, workforce immigration policies and internally building capacity.

Based on the research findings, The Chamber through its economic development committee, the GVDA, delivered eight workshops - sponsored in part by HSBC Bank Canada, PwC and EDC - specifically focused on expanding export capacity. Along with training from export experts, companies also received one-to-one mentorship with an international business specialist.

"What made this workshop amazing in my opinion is that it was experience based," indicated Mylene Brousseau -  DeeBee's SpecialTea Foods Ltd. "We didn't sit all day listening to theory about exporting but learned from other people's experience."

As part of assisting exporters in the region, The Chamber also streamlined its Certificate of Origin process for exporters and individuals travelling to do business abroad.

HSBC: member since 1968 

PwC: member since 2014

DeeBee's SpecialTea Foods Ltd: member since 2016

The Chamber Trade & Investment Program is funded in part by  

Oct 17-21, 2016
Small Business WeekTM
LUNCHEON:
Coralee Oakes, Minister Small Business and Red Tape Reduction
Hear how the provincial government is helping entrepreneurs so they can start and grow their businesses in BC.

Tues, Oct 18 | 12-1:30 pm 
Victoria Marriott Inner Harbour
728 Humboldt St. 

TM BDC Small Business Week is a trademark of the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC).
Road to a Healthier Regional Economy
The South Island Prosperity Project's plan for a regional approach to economic
development was revealed Sept 22. Its expected outcomes over the next five year include: 500 new jobs in targeted sectors, increasing median household income for the region, securing $6 million in external investment, and improving engagement with First Nations communities.
  
"The Chamber is very proud of the role it played in this success story," said Chamber CEO Catherine Holt. "As a Prosperity Project partner, we looking forward to our continuing collaboration to bolster and build our regional economy."
 

Victoria Recognized for Support to Business
  
The City of Victoria was one of five BC communities to receive a Small Business Roundtable Open for Business Award on Sept 26 in Victoria from theProvince. The Chamber nominated the City for helping to make it easier to do business in Victoria. Examples include: creation of the Business Hub and support to regional economic development
Photo courtesy of BC Government
 
"The City is also actively engaged with The Chamber and its membership, attending our events, inviting our staff and volunteers to stakeholder meetings," said Chamber CEO Catherine Holt. "This level of interaction between the City and The Chamber ensures the voice of our 1,400 members are part of municipal decision-making."  
 
"Mayor Lisa Helps has been steadily gaining support from business leaders for her straightforward, action-oriented, positive and collaborative approach," concluded Catherine. "Congratulations to Mayor Helps and her team, and keep up the good work!"


City of Victoria: member since 1962

Oct 17-21, 2016
Small Business WeekTM
SEMINARS: 
A reduction in staff turnover means you save money. Learn how to keep your new hires engaged and happy.
Jill Little

Tues, Oct 18 |  2-4 pm 
The Chamber, 852 Fort St. 

Learn the tips and tricks needed to successfully navigate networking events in Victoria, conduct post event follow-up and more!
Jason Scriven 

Thurs, Oct 20 | 2-4 pm  
The Chamber, 852 Fort St.
 
TM BDC Small Business Week is a trademark of the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC).
Let Your Voice be Heard on Housing
Experts provided startling data on the current state of BC's housing market at the Union of British Columbia Municipalities AGM and conference in Victoria Sept 27.

Panelist Paul Kershaw, Associate Professor at UBC School of Population Health, said that housing is now the primary driver of net wealth for Canadians 50+ as well as the primary source of debt for younger Canadians.

According to Kershaw, younger Canadians have to save longer for a 20% down payment than previous generations. A house that would take five years of saving in 1976 takes 12 to 16 years on average today in Canada. This increase has made the housing market effectively out of reach for younger British Columbians.

"The Government of Canada has announced that it intends to develop a new National Housing Strategy to meet the needs of all Canadians," said Chamber CEO Catherine Holt. "The private sector, non-profits, municipalities and housing experts all have a role to play. To ensure Greater Victoria housing needs are heard, I encourage all to share your ideas and thoughts on how this strategy should unfold through the Let's Start Talking engagement forum."
Welcome to Our Newest Members! 

 
   
 
 
Help Give Dignity

The Chamber's Prodigy Group leads the charge on TP the Town pm Sat, Oct 1. 
 
The goal is to collect packages of toilet paper to give dignity to families in need via the Mustard Seed Food Bank.

Volunteers will be stationed at five different grocery stores across Greater Victoria collecting toilet paper from 9 am-3 pm. Can't make it to the event? You can also donate toilet paper online
 
  The Mustard Seed: member since 1999

  

250-383-7191  

victoriachamber.ca
[email protected]
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