Business Matters January 2014 by Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce

Trades in the Capital region

2014 Policy Priority areas

BUSINESS MATTERS

Immigration

January 2014 VICTORIACHAMBER.CA

Developing your workforce:

Challenges and Opportunities for Workforce Development in the Capital Region BUSINESSMATTERS

Photo provided by Camosun College AV

CONTENTS 5 6

The Chair’s Address - Frank Bourrée Developing Your Workforce

Challenges and opportunities for workforce development in the Capital Region.

11 Member News

Keep up with what’s happening in The Chamber community.

Directing Traffic Online Optimizing your online presence.

15 Trades in the Capital Region

How will trades occupations fare in Greater Victoria over the next decade?

19 Immigration: Essential to Greater Victoria’s Future 21 Chamber Policy Priority Areas for 2014 23 Calendar of Events 24 New Members

Studies show that people prefer to do business with Chamber members. Check out who has recently made the decision to join us.

28 Industry Profile

Get connected to the world of medical research and innovation through an industry tour of the BC Cancer Agency.

30 Advocacy in Action

BC Ferries update, Island transportation, environmental concerns, an evening with the Deputy Ministers, Provincial Capital Commission, and Victoria Regional Transit Commission.

BUSINESS MATTERS January 2014 Business Matters is a bi-monthly publication of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce and a key business resource targeted to 2,000 business leaders in our community. The Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce is a progressive, inclusive and dynamic community leader. It is a supportive resource for business people who wish to learn, grow and create a stronger business and a more robust and sustainable community while respecting people, planet and profit. To advertise in Business Matters, contact us at: The Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce #100 - 852 Fort St. Victoria, BC V8W 1H8 (250) 383-7191 chamber@victoriachamber.ca

Publication Mail Poste-Publications 40005319 Cover photo courtesy of John Yanyshyn, Visions West Photography. www.visionswest.bc.ca

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250.383.7191 victoriachamber.ca

2014 Chair’s Address to the Chamber It is my distinct honour to chair the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce for 2014.

• actively communicating municipal business in a clear and understandable fashion;

I have worked in business for 30 years in Greater Victoria and have seen many highs and lows. Indicators show that we are now experiencing economic recovery. Greater Victoria has seen a considerable boom with more cranes over the city than at any other time I can remember. Our key sectors of tourism, high-tech, and manufacturing are moving ahead strongly, as evidenced by one of the lowest unemployment rates in Canada.

• and working individually and with regional stakeholders to deliver services in the most efficient and effective way.

My goal at the Chamber this year is to take action to advance Our Vibrant Community agenda, which includes:

As the “Voice of Business,” The Chamber’s Board and staff are committed to being in the forefront of issues that affect your business and to provide you value for your membership. We have a fantastic and engaged Board of seasoned business men and women who will help drive Our Vibrant Community agenda

• keeping tax increases within our means; • building our quality of life and saving for the future;

In addition, 2014 marks another municipal election year. I encourage all of our members and your friends and families to get engaged in the issues and debates. Greater Victoria is truly a special place and we have a shared responsibility to make it all it can be.

Frank Bourrée, Chair Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors

forward. Our Chamber is also supported by a very capable CEO and staff. This next year will surely be challenging, but full of promise and opportunity. I am excited about the future of business in Greater Victoria and proud to be involved with such a strong and healthy chamber of commerce.

Spread Some Hometown Spirit. Victoria is a great conference destination. Help us fill our city with delegates who stay in our hotels and shop in our stores. By connecting us to your business, professional association or volunteer networks, you can make a big difference in helping us bring conference business home. Qualify to win an iPad or iPhone when your lead turns into a Citywide conference!

Every delegate spends $450+ per day in our community. Help us to identify future business. Call me and become a Business Ambassador. Brenda Anderson, Director of Sales & Marketing Direct: 250-361-1035 PREPARED FOR: VICTORIA CONFERENCE CENTRE PUBLICATION: CHAMBER BUSINESS MATTERS INSERTION DATE: JANUARY 2014 SIZE: 7.5” X 4.7” PREPARED BY: BRAVO ADVERTISING 250.590.1169 bravoadvertising.ca

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Developing

your workforce

Photo courtesy of Royal Roads University.

Workforce development is important for every business. In the Capital Region, add the relatively low unemployment rate with impending labour shortages, and the problem worsens. If businesses are not active in workforce development today, they could find it costly tomorrow. Many businesses in Greater Victoria find themselves either looking for talented individuals to add to their organizations or looking to develop existing committed staff. Organizations of every size and stage of business lifecycle can benefit from continuous learning. This learning is both at the organizational and individual level. The important part is that developing your staff is an essential part of developing your business. Ignoring it may cost you in the long run. A recent study conducted by Randstad Canada, showed that an astounding 91 per cent of Canadians surveyed put the onus of skillstraining costs on the employer. The researchers also point out that this may have significant implications for employers, as employed Canadians are less likely to advance their training on their own. This may be surprising to many business owners; the good news is that they may not have to go it alone since there are many programs available to assist employers. It can be difficult for organizations to navigate the multitude of government programs available to them. In

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busy day-to-day operations we can overlook organizational needs and long-term business planning. A simple online search can cause even the savviest of business people to get lost in a sea of acronyms. LMP, LMA, LMDA. What do these all mean? Let alone the nearly 20 different programs that are funded through the BC Labour Market Program.

A recent study conducted by Randstad Canada, showed that an astounding 91 per cent of Canadians surveyed put the onus of skillstraining costs on the employer. To the B.C. government’s credit they are attempting to streamline this information. They launched WorkBC, which is a government online portal that is self-described as an “access point to the world of work in B.C.” Not only is it a portal for people looking for employment, it is also an access point for employers. Unfortunately, the site is still fairly unknown to many potential workers and employers. The goal of the site is to “help all British

Wage Subsidy Programs: Targeted Wage Subsidy (TWS) - employers can receive wage subsidies for up to 6 months for eligible new employee training.

Targeted Skills Shortage Program (TSSP) - exclusively available

for five business sectors: manufacturing, healthcare and social assistance, transportation, clean technology and green economy, and natural gas.

Columbian’s to successfully navigate BC’s labour market.” WorkBC helps potential employees find jobs, explore career options, and improve skills, as well as helps employers fill jobs, find the right talent, and grow their business. Other features of the WorkBC site that should make it a goto place for labour market information include the most comprehensive database of B.C. job postings, career tools, blogs featuring trends, job search tips, employment programs, with an interactive map of WorkBC Employment Service Centres across B.C., and live chat help. Regrettably, most of the programs available are advertised toward the job seeker although many will benefit the employer. For example, the Training Wage Subsidy provides information for job seekers to be identified as candidates eligible for the subsidy as a way of promoting themselves to employers. Little information is given directly to the employers that could in fact be looking for new employees. Nevertheless, businesses can develop their workforce by taking advantage of government incentives and tax credits. One such program is the Scientific Research and Experimental Development Program, which is a federal government incentive that is available to businesses that conduct research and development (R&D) in Canada. Businesses engaging in R&D can apply for tax credits for expenses such as wages, materials, machinery, equipment, some overhead, and Scientific Research & Experimental Development contracts. (See our online member directory at www. victoriachamber.ca to find a tax professional for advice on available tax incentives and credits for your business). Through the WorkBC site, organizations can also locate information on funding available through the BC Labour Market Agreement (LMA). The LMA is an agreement with the federal government that provides funding to support new investment into labour market programs. The BC Labour Market Agreement, which is the responsibility of the Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training, provides labour market programs that aim to increase labour participation. These programs not only benefit unemployed workers, but employees who lack certification. This can be a great opportunity for businesses to procure funding in order to train

existing employees who may not have official accreditation or certification. The Employment Program of BC, funded through Labour Market Development Agreement (LMDA), provides employment and labour market services. Services include wage subsidies, assisting employers by providing workplace experience opportunities, expanding options for the self-employed, and creating jobs for individuals. These programs were initially under the Employment Insurance programs but are now the responsibility of the Ministry of Social Development.

Each of these programs offers $2 million in funding per year, with individual applications ranging from $20,000$100,000.

DYK?

Your business could be eligible for incentives or tax credits in the following activity areas: • Environmental Trusts • Scientific Research and Experimental Development Tax credit • Training Tax Credit (apprenticeship) • Small Business Venture Capital Tax Credit • Youth Employment tax credit • Book Publishing Tax Credit • Digital MediaInteractive Digital Media Tax credit • Film and Television Tax Credit

Two of the programs offered under the Employment Program of BC are the Community and Employer Partnership and the Labour Market Partnership (LMP). The Community Employer Partnership is aimed at providing useful work experience and skills to job seekers and is available for businesses to access, while the LMP is designed to support

• Logging Tax Credit • Mining • Oil and Gas • Ship Building and Ship Repair Industry Tax Credit

Photo courtesy of Royal Roads University

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Service Providers and Tax Credit Info WorkBC.ca

www.WorkBC.ca/Employers.aspx

Beacon Community Services www.beaconcs.ca

Canada Revenue Agency- Business Page http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/bsnsss/menu-eng.html

GT Hiring Solutions

www.gthiringsolutions.ca

WorkLink Employment Services www.worklink.bc.ca

Trades Training Industry Training Authority www.itabc.ca

There are other options besides government funded programs that can offer invaluable benefits to your organization. Many successful and growing businesses may want to develop and grow their talent from within. There are many programs available at local institutions that offer professional and executive development programs. Whether it is for you or your staff, continuous

organizations to address labour market or human resource issues. Businesses, non-profits, municipalities, band and tribal councils, public health, and educational institutions are all eligible to apply. Each of these programs offers $2 million in funding per year, with individual applications ranging from $20,000-$100,000.

learning is an essential part to any business development. If you cannot locate the right program for your organizationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s needs, custom options are available. Both Royal Roads University and the University of Victoria offer custom programs to fit the specific training and educational needs of your business. Workforce development, specifically for your business, needs to start with a proactive plan. Failing to plan for workforce development can be expensive for businesses. There are opportunities to develop your workforce, and even access funding to do so. By planning ahead, businesses can prevent workforce stagnation and shortages within their organization. Businesses should seize the opportunity to go beyond what they can expect from their staff and organization as a whole by having a long-term workforce development plan. Innovation may be on the brink of realization in your organization, it just needs the right motivation, the right environment, and the right encouragement.

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Directing Traffic Online Numbers you need to know...

644,275,754 active websites online

97%

of consumers search for local businesses online

16,000

page views monthly focusing on the Chamber directory

You need to be able count on your website as an online sales person for your business. In this global environment your business is not just competing with over 14,000 businesses in Greater Victoria, you’re competing with the 644 billion businesses online. The Chamber can help. There is no question that in today’s wired world, an online presence that keeps your business front and centre is essential to growth. An important part of your online marketing mix is your Chamber Online Business Directory. It provides a powerful marketing opportunity for your business – and best of all it is just one of the many benefits of your Chamber membership. Beyond providing a reputable list of local businesses that you can feel confident in using as suppliers and partners, The Chamber Directory also provides search engines like Google and Bing with that same level of confidence as they sift through a million other results to decide what goes on top. The result - your business is much more likely to appear in the first page of results, instead of page 59 or 100. The same reasons that make The Chamber a powerful advocate for policy change make all the difference online. We are seen as local, authoritative and relevant. In “tech talk” terms, we provide the perfect recipe for search engine popularity. The ingredients: rich content in a directory environment from a credible local source; keywords relevant to your business; and, links (the oft coveted inbound links) leading search engines back to your site. For the rest of us, that translates into your business simply being much more visible online, providing you with more opportunities to connect with potential customers.

How do you leverage your online listing? Go to www.victoriachamber.ca – on your computer or on your mobile phone – click on Directory, then search for your business name or click on your category to see what other businesses like yours have done with their listing. Go through the same checklist you’d do for any of your other marketing pieces.

If you do not have a website, your detail page is critical to your online success. Beyond your marketing message, if you are a retail location, do not forget to include hours of operation and specialities that set you apart from other like businesses.

Is your logo in place, does it look good? Is all the contact info correct? Test your links (email, Learn More, Visit Site) did they all work? You’ll see that the email link goes through a form in order to protect your email address.

You can easily update your listing yourself or if you’re not tech savvy, email us at The Chamber – chamber@ victoriachamber.ca – and Carmen, Marielle or Cheryl will be happy to lend a hand polishing up your online listing.

When you click on the Learn More link – you’ll see your detail page. On this page ideally you want key info about your business that will help someone choose to do business with you. To help promote what you have to offer you can Look for more tips on how to leverage also include a photo, video, and social this part of your Chamber membership media links. The member listing shown in our e-newsletters. Including articles is13.VictoriaChamberAd_13.VictoriaDouglasAd a great example of using all those on adding Special 13-12-04 3:31 PM Page 1Offers to your elements to talk about your business. membership listing and much more.

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MEMBER NEWS Victoria Butterfly Gardens Reopens After a nine week “metamorphosis,” Victoria Butterfly Gardens emerged from its pupae to show off its new wings, or in this case its new roof and redesign. The grand reopening of the Victoria Butterfly Gardens was on December 7th. The facility is a 12,000 square foot glass house, although the new roof is now made from a polycarbonate material, which weighs very little in comparison to glass. Its insulation properties are up to ten times better than the glass roof that was there before, plus it provides a much safer environment in the event of an earthquake. General Manager David Roberts said, “It was the right time. The building has been in existence for over 20 years and as technology changes we wanted to take advantage of these factors to lower our carbon footprint.” Because the gardens are tropical and host a variety of tropical plant life, birds and other creatures the temperature is maintained at a balmy 25 degrees Celsius. The energy savings are expected to be considerable with the new roof.

Photo courtesy of Greg Aspa.

The Employment Program of BC (WorkBC) includes many services and programs dedicated to assisting employers. Let us help you! For further info contact Garth 250.708.2462 g.yoneda@gthiringsolutions.ca www.gthiringsolutions.ca The Employment Program of British Columbia is funded by the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia.

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Photo courtesy of Upanup Studios.

Upanup Studios Lands Three Awards Upanup Studios was honoured for excellence in website design at the 2013 MarCom Awards. MarCom Awards is an international creative competition for individuals and companies involved in the concept, writing and design of print, visual, audio and web materials and programs. The MarCom competition has grown to perhaps the largest of its kind in the world with about 6,000 entries per year.

Upanup Studios won a platinum award for Providence HealthCare’s online annual report, as well as two gold awards for FortisBC.com’s mobile site, and the new WesternOne.com website. “Upanup is fortunate to have visionary clients that share our focus for creating innovative digital marketing approaches,” said Peter Knapp, Upanup’s Chief Executive Officer. “We are especially pleased to be recognized for these mobilefriendly websites, given the importance of website ease of use for the growing number of smartphone and tablet browsers.”

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Tourism Victoria Wins Awards Tourism Victoria recently won two awards from Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI). Awards included the silver and bronze Adrian Award for the Great Meetings and Victoria Calling campaigns. Great Meetings, which was designed to drive group business to the city, used the tagline: “Great meetings are your No. 1 priority ... You are ours” and shifted the advertising emphasis off the destination and onto the meeting planner. Victoria Calling employed a bank of highly visible old-school phone booths in strategic locations to challenge perceptions of the destination.

Merry Maids of Victoria Clean Up at Awards Merry Maids of Victoria was awarded the Dallen Peterson Award of Distinction, and was among the top 20 Merry Maids franchises in North America in 2013. Scott and Susan Tanner, owners of Merry Maids of Victoria, received the award which recognizes franchises that exemplify the highest quality of business operations. The Tanners have received the award a staggering five years in a row. Merry Maids of Victoria offers individualized cleaning services, is family-owned and operated, and has served the Greater Victoria area for over 20 years.

MEMBER NEWS New Canada Research Chair at Royal Roads University Brian Belcher is the new Canada Research Chair in Sustainability Research Effectiveness, becoming Royal Roads University’s (RRU) first Tier 1 Chair, a role with a seven-year renewable term. Tier 1 Chairs are given to outstanding researchers acknowledged by their peers as world leaders in their fields. Belcher is the former director of the Centre for Livelihoods and Ecology (CLE) at Royal Roads and he teaches in RRU’s Doctorate of Social Sciences Program. Belcher is an expert in rural resource development. He was appointed by the Honourable Greg Rickford, Minister of State (Science and Technology) as RRU’s newest Canada Research Chair (CRC). Royal Roads University, a public university established in 1995, offers a progressive model of post-secondary education, delivering top-quality applied and professional programs through the faculties of management and social and applied sciences.

Victoria Shipyards’ GM Awarded SS Beaver Medal The Honourable Judith Guichon, B.C.’s Lieutenant Governor, presented the Maritime Museum of BC’s 2013 SS Beaver Medal for Maritime Excellence on November 20, 2013 to Malcolm Barker, General Manager of Victoria Shipyards. Barker’s work is a driving force behind the success of Victoria Shipyards. Malcolm Barker started in shipbuilding at the age of 16 and has been in the B.C. marine industry for almost 40 years. Formerly with Yarrows in Esquimalt, his dynamic management has taken Victoria Shipyards from its modest inception in 1994 to today’s thriving enterprise. During this period, Victoria Shipyards has grown steadily and earned a reputation for its quality work in new construction, major ship upgrades, and ship repair. The museum instituted the annual award in 2012 to recognize individuals who have made outstanding contributions to BC’s vibrant marine sector.

Photo courtesy of Royal Roads University.

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13 13

MEMBER NEWS Oak Bay Beach Hotel Wins Judges’ Choice Oak Bay Beach Hotel recently won an award at the Victoria Real Estate Board’s 22nd Annual Commercial Building Awards. The recent $52-million renovation won the Judges’ Choice Award, as the hotel celebrated its first birthday. The Oak Bay Beach Hotel was commended for its design creativity and architecture. The awards are presented to new or renovated commercial developments completed in the past year.

New Training at AccountAbility Plus In November, AccountAbility Plus achieved two important objectives for delivering its training courses. AccountAbility Plus became a Microsoft Office 2013 Certified Training & Examination Centre. In addition, Drew Cameron, one of the Accounting/Training Officers became a Certified Microsoft Office 2013 Trainer. AccountAbility Plus can now provide MSO training in Excel, Word & PowerPoint, as well as proctoring anyone wishing to take MSO online exams.

Photo courtesy of Camosun College AV Services.

Camosun Injects Over $1 Billion into Victoria’s Economy Each Year After 40 years, Camosun’s economic contribution to the local community and the province has grown to over $1.2 billion annually, according to a new economic impact study commissioned by the college earlier this year. An Analysis of the Economic Contribution of Camosun College, by Gardner Pinfold Consulting Inc., shows that direct and indirect college, student and employee spending combined with the accumulated productivity of Camosun graduates, results in an overall economic impact of $1 billion for the Greater Victoria economy or $1.2 billion for the provincial economy every year. Their findings were based on the 2011/12 academic

fiscal year. The study also focused on Camosun’s return on investment from the perspective of graduates and taxpayers. With an operating budget of $105 million, approximately 919 full-time on-campus employees serving close to 20,000 students, including more than 800 international students and 13,500 visitors a year, Camosun is a key contributor to the regional economy.

Be a part of this prestigious

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For tickets and information contact:

Tannis Wengel 250 619 2126 tannis@20under40.ca

Photo Courtesy of Greater Victoria Harbour Authority

Trades in the

capital region

0392 TMEP - Local Opportunities - Chamber of Victoria Print Ad - 4.94in Wide x 4.7in high Ad - V01 Final Press Ready PDF

Trades in B.C. have received a lot of coverage over the past few years. The focus, mainly in trades training, is due to impending shortages. These shortages are the result of large numbers of trades people about to retire in the coming years. This shortage is exacerbated by a generation dissuaded from entering the trades. Due to this expected shortage, The Chamber decided to take a closer look at trades on Vancouver Island and especially in the Capital Region. With our region’s unique business needs, demographics, and available talent, we wanted to know how trades occupations will fare in the Capital Region within the next decade.

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EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

4,500 JOBS AT PEAK CONSTRUCTION

To understand trades in B.C. and more specifically in our region, it is important to understand what is included in the definition of “trades.” Many people think of trades as electricians, plumbers, and carpenters. However, trades include an array of areas that many have not traditionally considered in the trades sector. Trades are

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Photo courtesy of the Government of BC.

Top 5 Trades • Chefs and cooks

typically identified as occupations that require both an academic portion of learning as well as an apprenticeship, before individuals can be accredited as a trades person in their field. Statistics Canada identifies 15 broad trades categories with 79 subcategories, these include everything from electrical trades and automotive technicians to chefs and cooks.

• Carpenters and

cabinetmakers

• Automotive service

technicians

• Electrical trades and

telecommunications

• Technical occupations

in personal service

Source: BC Trade Occupations Outlook November 2011

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There is a growing concern over the availability of trades people. The BC Trades Occupation Outlook November 2011, states that “labour shortages for the trades sector as a whole [is]expected by 2016.” As of 2010, Vancouver Island and the Coast had over 44,900 people employed in

the trades. Of that, over 44 per cent were located in the Capital Region. Although trades employment will remain steady through 2020, taking a closer look demonstrates where the major shift will come from. Vancouver Island and the Coast have the second highest replacement demand in the province, next to the mainland/ southwest region. The replacement on the Island accounts for 18 per cent of the replacement demanded in the entire province. Vancouver Island and the Coast will need more than 14,400 trades people trained and ready to work within the next seven years. The majority of those workers will be replacement for current trades people.

Photo courtesy of Camosun College AV Services.

This is not only good news for young people starting their careers, but also for those interested in changing careers. Work needs to be done to include the generally untapped demographics of First Nations, women, and new immigrants, which can act as a source of new trades people. These groups can access trades training and support that is specifically designed to support these demographics entering the trades. So, which trades will need the largest number of replacement workers on Vancouver Island? Looking toward 2020, the top demand for trades workers will be chefs and cooks (15 per cent), followed by carpenters

and cabinetmakers (13 per cent), and automotive service technicians (11 per cent).

What does this mean for businesses? In the coming years many businesses will be faced with challenges associated with trades shortages, including difficulty attracting staff. However, even businesses that do not employ trades staff may also be affected by difficulty finding contractors or other service providers. In turn this may cause rising prices for contractor services, as well as areas we may take for granted, like restaurant meals.

Photo courtesy of Camosun College AV Services.

How can we prepare? To address these challenges businesses may want to plan ahead for these shortages. Getting involved with apprenticeship programs may be a way to attract trained staff. B.C. boasts more than 140 apprenticeship programs available around the province. Institutions in the Capital Region, both private and public, that offer trades training are Camosun College and Sprott Shaw College. Visit The Chamber’s online directory for information on local institutions.

FRIDAY 13 JUNE 2014 / 6:30 PM Sign up, and we’ll match you up to make a team of four for this networking adventure through the streets of downtown Victoria. Proceeds from The Amazing Chase support the Prodigy Group’s charity partners. To register, visit www.prodigygroup.ca or call 250.383.7191

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IMMIGRATION: Essential to greater Victoria’s Future

Photo courtesy of Alessandro Roethel

Beyond the common belief that “Canada was founded by immigrants, therefore they are essential to the future of Canada,” there are significant economic benefits to having progressive immigration policies at the national, provincial, and even local level. It is important to understand the many areas of the economy that immigrants support in our community. While the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) has garnered some mixed reviews in British Columbia, this program impacts more than just the province’s mining and energy fields. The hospitality sector draws a significant percentage of the demand— accommodations in Greater Victoria need access to year-round workers for

room maintenance— with occupations that face turn-over challenges. The TFWP enables employers to hire foreign workers on a temporary basis to fill immediate skills and labour shortages (when Canadian citizens and permanent residents are not available to do the job). In 2012, B.C. employers brought in 28,000 temporary workers for this purpose (the third most in Canada behind Ontario and Alberta and up from 22,000 in 2011). A little more than half of these worked for small businesses with less than 50 employees and, perhaps surprisingly, one third of these were for skilled occupations where Canadian talent was not available. To move talent into the system in a way that aligns with B.C.’s employers’ needs, the Province offers a skilled immigration stream through the BC Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).

Mr. Hongyang Zhou, whose daughter is studying at Camosun College and son at EMCS in Sooke, has a plan to invest in an import-export or green-energy business before his daughter finishes college in 2015. Mr. Zhou’s current company generated approximately $40 million in revenue in 2012. Of particular importance to Greater Victoria are international students. These individuals are not quite

Associate Member Members of the Victoria community may apply for Associate membership. Monthly dues are $20 plus applicable taxes (Annually: $240 plus applicable taxes)

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immigrants, but they represent a captive audience to show what our city has to offer. When their parents visit the region, many will pursue immigration and make investments in the community. The GVDA encounters several of these clients per month—a trend that has shown increases over recent years. Foreign investors provide much welcomed capital injection into the region’s real estate assets and growth firms. As the Conference Board of Canada suggests, “…although most analysis of FDI [Foreign Direct Investment] is conducted at the national level, the lion’s share of global investment activity flows through the world’s cities.” As Canada’s 15th largest

metro-region, Greater Victoria remains an attractive place to invest. Beyond this, outside investment is an even more important activity—attracting immigrant investors. For that we turn to the PNP. The PNP is essential to Greater Victoria because of our unique demographic make-up. Within a few short years, a full one-in-four citizens in the region will be aged 65 or older. It’s reasonable to assume that a significant number of the 18,000+ business owners in the region will want to retire someday soon. But who will meet the demand created by this exodus? This is where the PNP comes in. In 2013, the GVDA met with over 100 PNP clients—in varying stages of the

process—garnering close to $10 million in investment and maintaining/creating close to 60 local jobs. Immigrants represent an often overlooked requirement for an economically successful region; immigrants disseminate world-class knowledge within the community. As renowned city expert Dr. Richard Florida notes, diversity in terms of ethnic origin, cultural upbringing, sexual orientation, and educational background within cities leads to the collision or “cross-pollination” of ideas and approaches that spark innovation. Knowledge can be deployed, for example, if a highly knowledgeable immigrant moves to the community and starts sharing his or her specialized knowledge with others. They, in turn, share the knowledge within their networks. Take Mr. Hou Lei for example. A PNP client from Beijing who met with GVDA a few weeks ago. Mr. Lei had a sevenyear background with Asia’s largest web-hosting company before he took a five-year stint at Alibaba.com—now one of the world’s largest e-commerce companies (larger than Amazon and eBay combined!) Mr. Lei is moving to Victoria in the near future to take over a café and bakery. But what becomes of his world-class knowledge inside an e-commerce leader? The GVDA will help connect him to the community so he can share his wisdom. Who knows? Maybe his experience will help spark the next Alibaba.com!

Dallas Gislason Economic Development Officer, Greater Victoria Development Agency

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2014 Chamber Policy Priority areas The 2014 Chamber Board of Directors recently attended an annual policy and planning session. When developing the policy priority list, the board considered the economic and political climate our community will experience in 2014. Our stakeholder agenciesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; perspectives were key in evaluating potential policy areas. Although The Chamber currently has an array of over thirty policy positions that address many of our major concerns, the board identified issues that require further research and exploration. The list of issues affecting our members is quite lengthy and the board had to be respectful of our capacity to conduct research and create formal policies for approval. The areas chosen for research and policy development are: Regionalization The Chamber believes that many of our local services could be better delivered. The regionalization and integration models that have worked include the Regional Water System and Oak Bay â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Saanich Police integration. There are many other opportunities to achieve community gains through regionalization and we will work to develop greater knowledge in this area.

and Esquimalt Harbour. Each of these terminals is host to more than one service provider and often more than one mode of transportation. We will continue our important work in this area.

Labour Supply and Retention As me move into 2014 we are experiencing unemployment rates in the five per cent range and a rapidly improving economy. In order to meet our needs as a community we will have to increase our labour supply while replacing the workers that are leaving the workforce. In addition to the supply of labour being limited, the region is further challenged by an extremely high cost of housing. Working to retain the labour we have and adding to the ranks of the workforce is key.

Harbour Development There is a significant opportunity to move harbour development forward in the coming months. The transfer of Belleville terminal to the Ministry of Transportation and possible devolution of Provincial Capital Commission properties may reveal opportunities that were previously not apparent. In addition, the devolution of the full harbour to the Great Victoria Harbour Authority is a real possibility.

Other Areas

As we work to create policy in the above areas we will have to continue to monitor areas that are well underway or exceed the local expertise of The Chamber. Sewage treatment remains a concern for everyone in the region; therefore, we will continue to monitor construction and operating costs. The sharing of services between the federal and provincial governments and how this will affect job training programs is of considerable concern. The Extended Producer Responsibility (ERP) recycling program being enacted has the potential to have overwhelming regulatory burden and will remain an area of concern. The development of energy resources, both heavy oil and LNG, will be significant topics of discussion in the province and The Chamber will have to monitor these development processes. All of these issues will have to be considered along with the province-wide municipal elections in November 2014.

Emerging Priorities In addition to the list above The Chamber will continue to scan the environment for issues that we have not anticipated. We have reserved capacity to address those inevitable emerging issues and will work to address those as necessary.

Regional Transportation The region requires continuous improvement in transportation. The Chamber broadly divides transportation into two categories: within the region and to/from the region. Within the region we need to improve overall transportation coordination and ideally better connect land-use planning to transportation strategies. Additionally, better accommodation of all modes of transport will result in improved efficiency in moving goods and people within the region.

No matter where our fruits and vegetables come from, they are ripe with freshness and flavour. We only accept top quality produce for our store and your table. Run, donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t walk to your nearest Market location and start fresh for 2014.

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31 Annual Dinner Auction Gala st

The Chamber’s 31 annual Dinner auction Gala was another smashing success in november, raising over $40,000 to help support the region’s largest business organization! Thank you to all our sponsors, donors, and attendees for helping make this year’s event another hit. st

Highlights of the evening included a “heated” bidding war for a firefighter dinner donated by the Victoria Firefighters, as well as some spectacularly dressed guests! We hope that everyone who attended the sold-out event had a wonderful time, which judging by these photos, appears to have been the case!

Special thanks to our sponsors

BUSINESSMATTERS 222 BUSINESSMATTERS

CALENDAR of EVENTS

January

FEBruary

SUNDAY

MoNDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY THURSDAY

fRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

MoNDAY

TUESDAY

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January Six for Lunch Date: January 14, 2014 Time: 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm Hosted by: Canoe Brewpub Marina & restaurant (Members only please)

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WEDNESDAY THURSDAY

fRIDAY

SATURDAY

Sticky wicket

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January Business Mixer Date: January 16, 2014 Time: 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm Hosted by: usedEverywhere.com Business Awards Nomination Deadline Date: January 23, 2014 Time: 4:30 pm February Prodigy Mingle Date: February 13, 2014 Time: 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm Hosted by: Belfry Theatre February Business Mixer Date: February 20, 2014 Time: 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm Hosted by: The Guild Looking to host a Chamber event in 2014? Contact Oriane Fort, Events Manager at ofort@victoriachamber.ca or by calling (250) 383-7191.

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BUSINESSMATTERS BUSINESSMATTERS 23 171

NEW MEMBERS: Oct 21st - Dec 5th AirSprint

AirSprint clients are innovators, company builders, philanthropists & leaders in the local & global community. A private plane offers you the opportunity to have a boardroom in the air. Just imagine what can be accomplished in an hour or two. (604) 219-1124 www.airsprint.com

Bigtime Special Enterprises

Bigtime Special Enterprises is South Island’s premier choice for DJ Services, photo booth, lighting and AV rental. “The music you want, the party you deserve!” (250) 220-0647 www.bigtimespecial.com

Bright Ideas Technology

At Bright Ideas Technology our mission is to provide the best customer experience at a reasonable cost, while making sure our clients are 100% satisfied with their technology solution needs. (250) 480-8259 www.brightideastech.ca

Brock White Construction

Our Victoria branch features a spacious showroom displaying specified products and new product awareness. A generous training center for product presentations and education, coupled with a support staff

Same company. Same service. New Name.

Formerly known as The Placement Group, Talentcor continues to create success by sourcing and placing talent in roles that fit.

regarded as leaders in our industries. (250) 384-8032 ca.brockwhite.com/0p44b34/victoria/

Columbia Paints and Industrial Supplies Inc.

Incorporated in 1999, Columbia Paints & Industrial Supplies is a leading Vancouver Island distributor of paints and coatings for the construction, millwork, cabinetry and hardwood floor sectors. (250) 475-2295 www.columbiaindustrialsupplies.com

Consumer Protection BC

Consumer Protection BC promotes a fair marketplace for BC consumers and businesses. We were established in 2004 as a not-for-profit corporation to strengthen consumer protection in BC. (604) 320-1667 www.consumerprotectionbc.ca

Emco Waterworks Victoria

Emco Waterworks is the largest waterworks distributor in Canada with over 49 locations. We carry an extensive variety of pipe, valves and fitting product lines. For specialized waterworks management projects. (250) 391-3064 www.emcowaterworks.com

Envoy Court Bailiff Services

For over 20 years, Envoy Court Bailiff Services has been offering Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland area a wide range of bailiff and collection services. (250) 474-7376 www.envoybailiff.ca

European Flooring Group

Extraordinary flooring is the foundation of dynamic designs and functional spaces. That is why it is our mission is to be the Canadian flooring industry leader in premium engineered hardwood and laminate flooring. Full service. (250) 483-0301 www.europeanflooring.ca

FALKO - SAP Software Consulting Software consulting company with over 16 years of profound expertise in SAP software implementation. (250) 858-0763 www.falko.ca

Gov Law

Our approach to governments is that they should be fair and reasonable to the people they serve. Our approach to our clients is that we provide quality service and cost effective results with taxpayer’s dollars. (250) 590-1840 www.govlaw.ca

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Members mingle at the November Business Mixer at the Royal Canadian Legion Trafalgar/Pro Patria Branch #292.

Gold and Gold

Gold and Gold is a service-oriented company with work ranging from planning to designing, customizing, and group purchasing. We can make any promotional products with the fastest time and the best service. (250) 884-7981 www.goldandgoldusa.com

Hart Legal

At Hart Legal we take pride in viewing possibilities and solutions where others only see conflict. We are innovative and cutting edge in the way we approach conflict resolution. (250) 388-9477 hart-legal.com

Higginson Consulting Ltd.

Based in Mill Bay on Vancouver Island, Higginson Consulting is a young, growing company rapidly earning a solid reputation throughout Western Canada as a reliable, energetic and efficient team of project engineers and construction managers. (250) 732-8308 www.higginsonconsulting.ca

Homespun Spa

All of our spa services are designed to eliminate stress and leave your employees feeling rejuvenated and energized. It’s the perfect way to show your appreciation for your staff’s efforts. (250) 812-3487 www.homespunspa-mobilespa.com

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BUSINESSMATTERS 25

NEW MEMBERS: Oct 21st - Dec 5th IKAN Installations

Over the years we have developed a cost effective system that allows you to take advantage of IKEA’s incredible value. We design the kitchen in your home, order, deliver and professionally install your IKEA kitchen so you don’t have to. (250) 588-4880 www.ikaninstallations.com

Indyoga Restaurant

Our ambiance is warm and welcoming. Our food will speak for itself. Our prices will leave a good taste in your mouth. (778) 433-8535 www.indyoga.ca

Leap Forward Dance School

Leap Forward Dance School offers free movement and ballet classes. We also have a childcare centre with an infant toddler program and a 3-5 year old program. (250) 818-9225 www.leapforwardlangford.com

Lifetime Networks

Reach your full potential. AccountAbility Plus is your integrated business centre. We offer complete bookkeeping services, management consulting and Vancouver Island’s ONLY customized software training facility.

Receive training in accounting software systems, Sage 50 and Excel courses today!

Lifetime friendships, lifetime support, Lifetime Networks. A not-for-profit society that builds and maintains networks of lifetime friendships to support people with disabilities. (250) 477-4112 www.lifetimenetworks.org

Nando’s Flame-Grilled Chicken

Our world famous flame-grilled chicken, fresh (never frozen) and marinated for 24 hours until the flavour goes right through to the bone, is then basted in your favourite periperi flavour so get ready for love at first bite! (250) 590-3239 www.nandoscanada.com

Nova Integrated Systems Ltd.

A locally owned and operated security service, installation & consulting company with a combined 40 years of customer service and project management experience in security and all related fields. Call us with your security questions. (250) 884-1681 novais.ca

Peak15 Financial Corp

Providing CFO services & general management consulting including SR&ED claims, business planning, internal controls advice & business valuation. We provide focused, strategically appropriate business solutions to small & medium-sized businesses. (250) 217-3158 www.peak15financial.com

Purdys Chocolatier

Purdys is proud to offer our customers a truly unique & exceptional chocolate experience. Purdys chocolates are still

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26 BUSINESSMATTERS

crafted in small batches, hand-marked, & use only the freshest ingredients. Everyone has a favourite, & every chocolate has a story. (250) 361-3024 www.purdys.com

Robin Longe Law of Bull, Housser & Tupper LLP (604) 687-6575 www.bht.com

The Victoria Flying Club has been training pilots and meeting the needs of recreational and career flyers for over 60 years. We share a rich aviation history with thousands of past and current members, who are bound by the love of flying. (250) 656-2833 www.flyvfc.com

VidTime Online Inc.

Sticky Business Inc. (250) 474-1095 www.stickybusiness.com

The Apple Box

The connection between our environment and the food we eat is essential to our daily lives. This region is so abundant in resources; our mission is to make these local farms as readily accessible as the fast food chains growing in our community. (250) 532-0687 www.theapplebox.ca

VForce Commercial Cleaning

Victoria Flying Club

NEW MEMBERS

VForce Commercial Cleaning services are designed around you, our client. From design to implementation, we will customize a commercial cleaning program to fit your needs. (250) 361-1800 www.vforce.ca

VidTime is a new way of connecting artists and their audiences through live online video, allowing larger audiences and more revenue. (778) 977-2206 www.vidtime.com

Wavefront

(Above and Below) Chamber Members enjoying good food, good company, and a spectacular view at Vista 18 during the November Six for Lunch.

Wavefront is accelerating the growth and impact of Canadian wireless innovation. (778) 331-7500 www.wavefrontac.com

Western Interior Design Group Ltd.

Total and partial turn-key services include: interior design, kitchen design, factory direct purchasing for all Interior requirements & project/interior construction management for commercial clients. (250) 475-3666 www.westerninteriordesign.ca

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BUSINESSMATTERS 27

INDUSTRY PROFILE:

BC Cancer agency BC Cancer Agency opened its doors to the Greater Victoria Development Agency and The Chamber in October to give members a chance to see B.C.’s cancer treatment technology. In a nutshell: The BC Cancer Agency’s mission is to reduce the incidence and mortality of cancer across British Columbia, as well as to improve the quality of life for people living with cancer. # of Employees: 340 in Victoria and 3,037 province wide Industry Sector: Health care Area of Town: Oak Bay area, next to the Royal Jubilee Hospital Primary Product/Service: Cancer Control How would you describe BC Cancer Agency in 30 words or less? The BC Cancer Agency provides a comprehensive cancer control program for people across B.C., in partnership with regional health authorities. This includes prevention, screening and early detection programs, research and education, and care and treatment. What is the best part about doing business in Greater Victoria? The generosity of the community. Fundraising events like our December Jingle Mingle, new research space funded by significant contributions such as the Alex & Jo Campbell Centre for Family & Patient Support are just two of many examples of how the community supports the work of the BC Cancer Foundation and BC Cancer Agency. The Vancouver Island Centre’s location in Victoria provides specialized and comprehensive cancer treatment and support services for patients and families in Victoria, and across Vancouver Island.

28 BUSINESSMATTERS

In addition to the ability of the BC Cancer Agency to attract the very best of oncology specialists and researchers, the Vancouver Island Centre is extremely fortunate to engage more than 200 dedicated volunteers from the local community who contribute their time and energy each week to support patients, family and staff. What is the best thing the BC Cancer Agency is doing for Greater Victoria? The BC Cancer Agency’s Vancouver Island Centre provides cancer care to more than 3,500 newly diagnosed patients every year. The centre offers a wide spectrum of cancer care services, including state of the art radiation therapy and chemotherapy treatments, and innovative research trials. The recent addition of the 10,000 square foot Alex & Jo Campbell Centre for Family & Patient Support has provided the opportunity to grow the agency’s research platform and enhance patient and family support services. The BC Cancer Agency’s Trev & Joyce Deeley Research Centre (DRC) at the Vancouver Island Centre is the only facility in British Columbia, and one of only two in Canada, dedicated to research in cancer immunotherapy – a field of cancer research that focuses on harnessing the body’s inherent power to combat cancer through one’s own immune system. The DRC will be launching an Immunotherapy Clinical Trials Program, which will allow patients on Vancouver Island and throughout the province to be among the first to receive these promising new treatments in future years. The clinical and research programs at the centre have strong ties to the academic community. The BC Cancer Agency collaborates with universities across the province, including the University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University, the University of Victoria, the University of Northern British Columbia, as well as the British

Columbia Institute of Technology, and Camosun College. For the last 10 years, the BC Cancer Agency’s High School Internship program – a first in Canada – has provided high school students in Greater Victoria a chance to participate in hands-on cancer research each summer. The program has grown to include an extensive regional high school outreach program to encourage interest in science and spread prevention messages. What is it like working at the BC Cancer Agency ? It is rewarding. The work we do makes a difference in people’s lives. Cancer impacts everyone. Working at the BC Cancer Agency provides an opportunity to make a difference and this is intrinsically satisfying. The staff and volunteers at the Vancouver Island Centre, and at BC Cancer Agency centres across the province, are compassionate and altruistic. The culture is one of innovation and continuous improvement, always striving to improve the care and services available to patients and families on Vancouver Island. Every day we ask questions and try to find new answers – What can we do better? How can we approach this differently? Ultimately, we are all working to build a world free from cancer. What are three things few people know about the BC Cancer Agency? British Columbia continues to be the province with the lowest overall cancer incidence and mortality rates in the country, a direct result of the BC Cancer Agency’s evidencebased treatment protocols, access to research and clinical trials and screening programs. In 2006, the BC Cancer Agency expanded its community cancer prevention program across B.C.

to include Vancouver Island. Two Community Prevention Coordinators funded through the BC Cancer Foundation now serve the Island. Their role is to partner with community groups to assess local needs, raise awareness and support cancer prevention actions. The Vancouver Island Centre is one of six regional cancer centres operated by the BC Cancer Agency. The other centres are located in Abbotsford, Kelowna, Prince George, Surrey, and Vancouver. Here at the BC Cancer Agency we’re proudest of: The BC Cancer Agency’s Vancouver Island Centre is a unique facility that integrates patient care and cancer research by housing both clinicians and scientists in the same facility. This promotes an environment where research is more easily embedded and quickly translated into improved patient care.

Other interesting facts about the BC Cancer Agency : The BC Cancer Agency celebrated a key milestone in 2013 – 75 years of providing cancer care to residents across British Columbia Since the introduction of the BC Cancer Agency’s Cervical Cancer Screening Program in the 1949 – the first in the world – BC has reduced cervical cancer rates by 70 per cent. Over the last 25 years, the agency’s Screening Mammography Program – the first in Canada – has contributed to B.C. having one of the lowest incidence of breast cancer in the country, and some of the best survival outcomes for those women who do get breast cancer, with a five-year relative survival rate of 88 per cent

BC Cancer Foundation has worked closely with the BC Cancer Agency to build philanthropic support for the Trev & Joyce Deeley Research Centre establishing priority research and care. In particular they are seeing incredible progress with their innovative Tumor Tissue Repository (TTR) program, forming partnerships with other leading tumour tissue banks across Canada to create a national network, known as CTRNet. Our Vancouver Island team are recognized leaders and are now the “go-to” for any and all groups setting up a biobank.

Visit The Chamber website for more details or to register for the next industry tour. www.victoriachamber.ca/events

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The Community Oncology Network is also vital in bringing patient care closer to home. The BC Cancer Agency chemotherapy protocols are delivered at numerous hospital sites across Vancouver Island.

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In addition, since 2007, the BC Cancer Agency has provided patients in rural and remote communities on Vancouver Island access to cancer consultations closer to home through TeleCare – a telehealth program that allows patients and physicians to meet with cancer specialists via video link. Mobile video consultation units have been installed in regional hospitals from Nanaimo to Port Hardy as well as a number of base units at the Vancouver Island Centre. In partnership with Island Health, Provincial Health Services Authority, University of British Columbia and University of Victoria, the BC Cancer Agency’s Vancouver Island Centre has helped to reduce the burden of travel for both patients and specialists.

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Advocacy in action BC Ferries Update

Recently, The Chamber initiated a letter-writing campaign aimed at the Ministry of Transportation’s efforts to once again consult on BC Ferries services. The effort saw more than 100 letters go directly to the Minister. The government clearly heard and reacted to the recommendation to announce a plan prior to further consultations. The government’s response, to The Chamber’s input and the input of those who wrote the letters, was very positive.

have in areas of transportation policy; it also allowed us to bring potential issues to the minister’s attention. The Chamber will continue to work on transportationrelated policies in the upcoming 2014 policy development period.

Environmental Concerns

Island Transportation

In December, The Chamber met with the Honourable Mary Polak, Minster of Environment. At this meeting we followed up with our letter-writing campaign from September regarding amendments to the Recycling Regulations. As the BC Product Stewardship Program now includes Packing and Printed Paper (PPP), our concerns relate to putting the responsibility for PPP on producers. The Chamber has concerns that this policy will negatively affect both business and consumers as the costs will likely be transferred.

In early November, The Chamber met with Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Todd Stone to discuss transportation-related Chamber policies. Areas of discussion included BC Ferries, a regional transportation authority, BC Transit, the proposed National Marine Conservation Area as well as the harbour aerodrome. The meeting gave The Chamber an opportunity to voice any concerns we

In addition, we discussed The Chamber’s policy on the proposed National Marine Conservation Area, specifically BC Parks’ involvement in the process and where the proposal currently stands. This is an area of environmental as well as economic concern, and The Chamber will continue to monitor the issue and be involved in the process relating to this important policy.

“Our concern was that the ministry was going to go back into communities to consult without having a cost-savings plan,” said Bruce Carter, The Chamber CEO. “We are pleased that the Province has decided to make the cost-savings plan available for public review.”

An Evening With the Deputy Ministers On October 24th, The Chamber attended the Deputy Ministers’ dinner hosted by the BC Chamber of Commerce. The evening was designed to have attendees and deputy ministers chat, in a roundtable format, on important issues and policies. The Chamber had an opportunity to participate in these conversations with the Deputy Ministers of Transportation; Community, Sport and Cultural Development; and the Office of the Premier, Corporate Services. The priorities and findings discussed were brought forward to the Chamber Board of Directors.

Provincial Capital Commission In November, the Honourable Bill Bennett, Minister of Energy and Mines and Minister Responsible for Core Review announced that the Provincial Capital Commission (PCC) would be dissolved in the new year. The PCC was responsible for B.C. government owned properties in Greater Victoria as well as cultural programs. The responsibilities of the commission will be relegated to various ministries, which the government states will increase efficiencies and reduce costs. The heritage property will go to the Ministry of Forests, Heritage Branch, the Belleville wharfs will go to the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, and the various other properties including St. Ann’s Academy, the former CPR Steamship Terminal, Crystal Garden, and the Tourism Victoria Visitor Centre will be the responsibility of Shared Services BC. The Chamber will continue to monitor this area, especially for harbour developments.

Victoria Regional Transit Commission The Chamber presented to the Victoria Regional Transit Commission (VRTC) in December to recommend that the commission reconsider its proposed 12 per cent budgetary increase. The overall objective for the VRTC is to seek solutions that can provide services to our community that are affordable both now and in the long term. Ongoing budgetary increases well beyond the rate of inflation are neither sustainable nor reasonable. The Chamber continues to advocate for all levels of government to spend within its means, and is one of The Chamber’s Our Vibrant Community policies.

30 BUSINESSMATTERS

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