Business Matters March 2014 by Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce

By Sea or By Air

Investing in Greater Victoria

BizNews 2.014

BUSINESS MATTERS

March 2014 VICTORIACHAMBER.CA

The True Value

of Tourism

BUSINESSMATTERS

Photo courtesy of Bob Ianson/Tourism Victoria

Cover Story

The True Value of Tourism: Investing in Our Future p.6

CONTENTS 5 6

BUSINESS MATTERS March 2014

BizNews 2.014

The future of email marketing.

The True Value of Tourism: Investing in Our Future

Guest article by: Paul Nursey, CEO, Tourism Victoria

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.

10 Member News

Keep up with whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s happening in The Chamber community.

14 By Sea or By Air

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.

Accelerating tourism traffic.

16 Calendar of Events 19 Immigrant Investors: Why Greater Victoria? 22 New Members

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

To advertise in Business Matters, contact us at:

28 Industry Profile

Did you know that there is an underwater ocean observatory off the coast of Greater Victoria? Discover whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s under the surface at Ocean Networks Canada.

30 Advocacy in Action

Victoria Regional Transit Commission, BC Ferries, Our Vibrant Community Campaign, Federal Budget, Recycling Regulations, and Island Chambers Meeting.

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 Tourism Victoria

CONGRATULATIONS AWARD FINALISTS! 2014 GREATER VICTORIA BUSINESS AWARDS Governors’ Lifetime Achievement Award Winner Bob Skene

Past President of Royal Roads University sponsored by:

Business Leadership Chard Development Lifetime Networks New Business Innovative Fitness Victoria PBX Engineering Ltd. Business of the Year (1-10 Employees) Atomique Productions Ltd. Cedarwood Productions Inc. Business of the Year (11-25 Employees) National Courier Service Triangle RV Centre Ltd. Business of the Year (26-75 Employees) Outset Media Corp Spinnakers Brewpub & Guesthouses Business of the Year (76+ Employees) Epicure Selections Wilson’s Transportation Ltd. Employer of the Year Accent Inns Seaspan Victoria Shipyards

BUSINESSMATTERS

Celebrate with 27 outstanding businesses and business people in the Greater Victoria community by attending the Greater Victoria Business Awards on Thursday, April 24, 2014. sponsored by:

Innovation AOE Accumulated Ocean Energy Inc. BC Cancer Agency - Vancouver Island Outstanding Customer Service Balance Home Cleaning ICE - Island Centre of Hockey Excellence Sustainable Business Practices Big Wheel Burger Oughtred Coffee & Tea Ltd. Business Person of the Year Dan Dagg, Hot House Marketing Sybil Verch, The Verch Group at Raymond James Young Entrepreneur Andrew Higginson, Higginson Consulting Janna Malo, Fired Up! Paint Your Own Ceramics Studio Employee of the Year Chris Loran, The Q! and The Zone Paul Rudd, Adrena LINE Zipline Adventure Tours

To purchase tickets

Call 250.383.7191 or visit www.victoriachamber.ca

BizNews version

2.014

a discounted rate – we can track the success rates of our newsletters going out and evaluate how we’re doing against like businesses. Our open rates are well above average – between 25-35 per cent – but like any business, we’re looking to improve and asked Chris Burdge, co-founder of FEBRUARY 6, 2014 Social Media Camp and bWest Interactive to help take our newsletter to the next level.

Communication. Whether you’re talking with friends, family or customers the same key elements apply – engage them with topics they are interested in and don’t keep talking and talking until they’re looking for an exit strategy.

Businesses today have many points of communication beyond frontline staff, ranging from traditional advertising to online options such as websites, Small Business Exempt from social media and email Recycling Red Tape. marketing. They all have a role in generating and keeping customers. Recent stats indicate that organic search Beware: Sandwich Board remains the highest Bylaw. online source for new customer acquisition at 15.8 per cent, a gain of Chamber Week Seminars. 5 per cent since 2009. Email marketing is on an upwards growth curve with customer acquisition quadrupling over the last four years and places in the top three for customer lifetime value.1

Your weekly roundup of BizNews across Greater Victoria

Good news for businesses this week with the BC

government listening to BC's Chamber network and

» Small Business Exempt from

» Six for Lunches

Right Person for You

» Beware Sandwich Board Bylaw » BC Receives an A!

businesses, will now impact less than 1% of BC's

» 2014 Top Ten Barriers to

said Bruce Carter, CEO of the Greater Victoria Chamber.

"This change exempts the majority of our local businesses from new costs and red tape."

This bylaw has come into effect and businesses in Victoria need to comply, as enforcement has c

ommenced. If your business has a portable sign you should be familiar with this bylaw.

Chamber Events

Recycling Red Tape

» Chamber Job Board - Finding the

» Prodigy Mingles

» Provincial Finance Minister

February Six for Lunches

Competitiveness

» Province Releases Liquor Review Report

Wednesday, February 12, 2014 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm Location: Indyoga Restaurant - 1015 Fort St.

» Our Economy Relies Upon Infrastructure

Luncheon

» So, You Want to Run for Elected Office?

» Business Mixers

» Networking for Success

» Understanding your Financials

» New Members This Week & Special Offers

» Chamber Week Business Mixer

» Sponsorship Opportunities Available!

Chamber Events

February Six for Lunches

» Six for Lunches

Tuesday, March 12, 2014 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm Location: Indyoga Restaurant - 1015 Fort St.

» Prodigy Mingles

» Provincial Finance Minister Luncheon

» So, You Want to Run for Elected Office?

» Business Mixers

» Networking for Success

» Understanding your Financials

» Chamber Week Business Mixer

Networking for Success.

Learn the keys to an effective and results-oriented networking program for your

business with Jason Scriven, Retail Advertising Sales Manager with the Times Colonist.

Tuesday, February 18, 2014 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Location: The Chamber - 100-852 Fort St.

At The Chamber we rely heavily on both traditional media and email marketing. Using Constant Contact – something available to all Chamber members at 1 E-Commerce Customer Acquisition Snapshot 2013, Custora

Are you using social media campaigns to drive new readers and increase open rates? Have you done testing to see if you’re sending the list at the right time of day or need to improve your subject lines? Is your email subscriber list current and do you have permission to email everyone? New email permission rules come into play as of July this year that are much stricter when assessing who you can email.

The review we undertook was a valuable exercise for anyone either Six for Lunches currently using email marketing or considering it for the future. The first key question is what is your corporate goal? Is your email designed to educate, connect or drive an action? Once Chamber Week Seminars. you set the goals – and Networking for Success. communicate them to your team - it will be easier to both achieve and assess your These questions, and more, were asked ongoing success. and answered. Above you’ll see the new Is the look, feel and content consistent look for our BizNews, shorter and to the with your company brand? Like any point with a focused goal of making sure marketing, it gains strength through our members are aware of business consistency. There should be a news that can affect them. EventsNews harmonized look and message across all has the sole goal of helping you plan mediums whether traditional or online. your calendar well in advance. As always, it is good talking with you.

amending a recycling regulation. The pending regulation

"This is a huge relief to our local business community,"

Wicked mixers and more fun.

Chamber News

that was the source of substantial concern among businesses.

Are you providing too much or too little information? “Brevity is key for today’s busy lifestyle,” advises Burdge. “Where possible, keep items short and concise. Redirect them via a link to your website for more information. Many folks are reading these on their phones or tablets and don’t have the time or inclination to scroll endlessly FEBRUARY 9, 2014 through long emails.”

Learn the keys to an effective and results-oriented networking program for your

business with Jason Scriven, Retail Advertising Sales Manager with the Times Colonist.

Tuesday, February 18, 2014 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Location: The Chamber - 100-852 Fort St.

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.

BUSINESSMATTERS

THE IMPORTANCE OF TOURISM By: Paul Nursey

Photo courtesy of Tourism Victoria

Paul Nursey CEO, Tourism Victoria

I am pleased to have the opportunity to write about one of the most under-appreciated job and opportunity creators, the international tourism industry. Tourism is an increasingly important priority of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce movement and a sector that deserves greater respect and constructive public policy support.

BUSINESSMATTERS

The economic contributions of the tourism industry are staggering. Globally, tourism represents $1.3 trillion in exports. According to the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), tourism is the second largest employer on the planet and the fourth largest contributor of GDP. In Canada the tourism economy is worth more than $81 billion to the economy and over two per cent of GDP. In Greater Victoria it is worth over $1.9 billion, as measured in 2011, and contributes over 20,000 direct jobs. According to Statistics Canada, one-in-ten jobs is either directly or indirectly supported by the tourism industry in Canada.1 There are over 600,000 businesses directly involved in Canadaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tourism industry, these are mostly small- and medium-sized organizations that support families and build stronger communities. There are much deeper and more important tourism sector contributions than just pure economics. In recent years, increasing research and understanding has demonstrated that being successful in the international tourism business drives much more profound economic benefits than the more easily discernable, massive economic contributions that it makes at face value.

Tourism is a major trade driver. Travel is often a precursor to foreign direct investment and positioning a jurisdiction to attract investor-class immigrants and lucrative foreign students is key, not the other way around. Many studies over recent years demonstrate how positive tourism numbers are correlated with trade; however, since 2011 there has also been conclusive causal evidence that tourism actually drives trade and investment. The thesis is that in todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s globalized world, familiarity helps move a place or destination to the top of the list for business investment consideration. This was first demonstrated by South Korean academics in 2011 (Keum). In 2013, the study and results were replicated by Deloitte using Canadian data points as part of its series of white papers about the future of the Canadian economy. Deloitteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s conclusion was that each increase of one per cent in international tourism to Canada would not only have direct tourismrelated economic impacts, but also an additional $817 million in non-tourism related trade exports, spurring greater competitiveness and investment across the Canadian economy.

The right policy environment is required for successful tourism. It is an easy sector to take for granted and assume the business will always be there. Nothing could be further from the truth in this high-stakes and highly competitive business. The most important lesson that I have learned in my 20 years in this business is that tourism operates as an ecosystem. Like all ecosystems, a vibrant and healthy one is composed of a series of interconnected elements that relies on the other to survive and prosper. The tourism ecosystem includes tourism policy such as visas, land use and land tenure, tourism-related transportation, skills and employment training combined with the effective and coordinated destination branded marketing efforts such as what we do here at Tourism Victoria. Photo courtesy of Sheila Matheson/Tourism Victoria

Global trends point to opportunity and growth. Globally, tourism arrivals have been growing between five and six per cent in recent years.2 This growth has been fueled across several dimensions. First is a growing middle class around the world, which has been well documented; these customers thirst for travel. In more mature western economies, travel has become a more important part of everyday working residentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; lives. The benefits of travel for learning, human connection, relaxation, and exploration are well understood. Evidence of this growth potential is demonstrated by the record number of aircraft orders in 2013. Transportation fuels tourism, and aviation in particular, is a capacitydriven business. Globally, tourism is expected to grow from the current one billion international arrivals in 2012 to 1.8 billion international arrivals in 2030.

In Greater Victoria, the tourism business is just recovering from significant setbacks and declines driven from the global financial crisis; after a solid 2013, business in Greater Victoria is in a recovery phase. A great deal of emphasis has been placed on the idea that growth be in a sustainable manner, embracing the philosophies of a triple bottom line approach. This approach is a central tenet of the Greater Victoria Visitors & Convention Bureau (Tourism Victoria) as an organization and this ensures Greater Victoria is positioned in the long term with a high-quality product, is economically viable and managed in a sustainable manner, so the region maximizes the many benefits of tourism.

Two examples come to mind as to how fragile the tourism ecosystem can be. In 2008, the Government of Canada introduced visa requirements on Mexican travellers coming to Canada because it had to deal with refugee claims from a segment of the Mexican population. In the eight years leading up to the introduction of visas, the Mexican market had been a rapidly growing and lucrative market for Canadian destinations. This included Greater Victoria whose industry had successfully tapped into the very wealthy Mexican middle and upper classes and enticed these highly profitable visitors to come and visit Canada. The visa requirement instantly cut that high flying source market in half and it took several years of concerted effort to start seeing modest recovery from Mexico. Fortunately five years later, with considerable effort there is some life in the market again.

â&#x20AC;Śeach increase of one per cent in international tourism to Canada would not only have direct tourismrelated economic impacts, but also an additional $817 million in non-tourism related trade exports,... Photo courtesy of Tourism Victoria

BUSINESSMATTERS

Colorado when it ceased its investment in tourism marketing… lost 30 per cent of its tourism business within two years and its brand ranking slipped from first to 17 th within three years.

Photo courtesy of Tyler Ahlgren/Tourism Victoria

The second example took place in the state of Colorado when it famously chose to cease its investments in tourism marketing that was funded — as most destination marketing is — through a small hotel room tax on customers. That funding tax was caught up in a citizen’s anti-tax initiative, resulting in resources drying up. The negative results for Colorado were immediate and disastrous.

Colorado lost 30 per cent of its tourism business within two years and its brand ranking in terms of states for resort vacations slipped from first to 17th within three years.3 Other competitors were quick to pick up the business that Colorado left on the table, just as other destinations were quick to siphon off Canada’s business from Mexico when visa requirements were introduced.

The good news is that policy and business recognition for tourism is increasing in Canada and there is a concerted national advocacy effort to get behind smart public policy investments in tourism and tourism marketing. Why? Because they are proven to drive both significant immediate returns plus broader benefits such as increased trade and investment. For the first time globally, the G20 issued a formal statement recognizing the value of tourism to economies and jobs in 2013. In 2012, Canadian Business Magazine cited a lack of adequate investment in the national tourism marketing

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effort, through the Canadian Tourism Commission along with outdated Canadian visa and air policies, as one of its top issues holding Canada back from reaching its potential. The Canadian Chamber of Commerce has been diligent on the topic, identifying lack of public policy investments as one of its ten priorities in 2013 and the organization has partnered with national tourism players such as the Tourism Industry Association of Canada and the Hotel Association of Canada to advance the advocacy agenda. The Canadian Chamber of Commerce’s commitment was re-enforced by an excellent research paper it released in 2013 called, Restoring Canadian Tourism. Greater Victoria has long been an important player on the Canadian and international tourism scene and the region is filled with talented and progressive leaders. Greater Victoria is blessed by being a leading international gateway to British Columbia with an award-winning airport. We have a robust cruise business that introduces hundreds of thousands of customers to the destination. Our unique Inner Harbour assets combined with our many reasons to visit, one-of-a kind tourism experiences, events and festivals also make us extraordinary. Greater Victoria has an opportunity to be a leader not

Photo courtesy of Tourism Victoria

Tourism is an important sector in Greater Victoria as it represents $1.9 billion to our local economy annually. This vibrant sector directly employs over 20,000 people and is poised for significant growth. We must continually work to ensure the tourism ecosystem is healthy to capitalize on the opportunities that arise.

only in tourism, but also as a case study of how tourism can help drive economic development, investment, and trade in a unique and sustainable manner while the global business continues to expand.

1 2 3

National Tourism Indicators. United Nations World Tourism Organization What Happens When You Stop Marketing, Longwood’s International

There’s strength in numbers. Victoria is a great conference destination — work in partnership with the VCC team to showcase your vibrant, beautiful hometown. You can make a big difference by using your connections within your business, volunteer and community networks. Help fill Victoria with delegates who stay in our hotels, eat in our restaurants, and shop in our stores.

Give us a call — we’ll do the work and make you look good. You will also qualify to win an iPad or iPhone when your lead turns into a conference! Every delegate spends $450+ per day in our community. Help us to identify future business. Brenda Anderson Director of Sales & Marketing Direct: 250.361.1035

BUSINESSMATTERS

PREPARED FOR: VICTORIA CONFERENCE CENTRE PUBLICATION: CHAMBER BUSINESS MATTERS INSERTION DATE: MAY 2013 SIZE: 7.5” X 4.7” PREPARED BY: BRAVO ADVERTISING 250.590.1169 bravoadvertising.ca

MEMBER NEWS Truffles Appoints New Sales & Marketing Manager and Event Planner Taryn Stewart has moved within The Truffles Group from her role as Events Manager at Canoe Brewpub and has joined Truffles Catering as an Event Planner. Taryn was with Canoe Brewpub for over three years and brings a wealth of expertise to Truffles Catering in designing unique and seamless guest experiences for weddings, corporate groups, and social events at a wide variety of partner venues. Danielle Smeltzer has been appointed Sales and Marketing Manager of The Truffles Group. Previously Sales and Marketing Leader with Truffles Catering, Danielle is undertaking new business development and supporting communications, branding and marketing activities for Truffles Catering, Canoe Brewpub, Habitat Food Services and Cascadia Liquor Stores under the direction of Robyn Smale, Director of Sales and Marketing of The Truffles Group.

New Branch Manager at BMO BMO Bank of Montreal announced the appointment of Shaun Wysiecki as Branch Manager for the Cook & Quadra Branch, reporting to Shelly Jensen, Regional Vice President, Personal Banking, Southern Vancouver Island.

Spencer is a registered retirement consultant and holds a Chartered Investment Manager (CIM) designation. You can connect with Spencer at Odlum Brownâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new location at 410-737 Yates Street.

Shaun has 12 years of experience in retail and commercial banking in Victoria. Prior to joining BMO, he held increasingly senior roles with another local financial institution, where he focused on providing guidance for individuals, and working closely with local businesses to accomplish their financial goals. As well as a commitment and passion to customer service and sales Shaun has been actively involved in several community organizations such as WestShore Parks and Recreation, Greater Victoria Public Library, and Colwood City Council.

Odlum Brown Moves, Adds Adviser Odlum Brown Ltd. has added Spencer Pocock as an investment adviser.

Students Pitch Green Business Ideas In January, 120 students from 20 schools across BC came together for a day of creative thinking and competition at Junior Achievement of British Columbiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s (JABC) first ever JABC Innovation Jam. The workshop and competition challenged and inspired grade 11 and 12 students to think big about creating the innovative businesses of tomorrow. This intense

APRIL MARKETPLACE MIXER Combining the popular after-hours networking experience of our Business Mixer with the business-to-business interactions of a Chamber tradeshow Tuesday, April 15, 2014 4:00 - 7:00 pm Delta Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort & Spa

Limited space available. Book your booth now! 250.383.7191 victoriachamber.ca

10 BUSINESSMATTERS

MEMBER NEWS and exciting event had student teams develop and pitch new, innovative business ideas with a focus on environmental sustainability. During a guided workshop, teams developed “pitches” for their new business ideas to present to panels of experts which included several members of Business in Vancouver’s Forty Under 40. From the 20 teams, four finalists were selected to move on to a final round of judging. This new event gives senior highschool students an opportunity see how innovation in business can have a positive impact on an industry and our environment. It also provides an exciting platform for students to develop networking skills, teamwork, creativity, critical thinking, presentation skills and a number of other skills key to success in business.

service route started two years ago but were put on hold awaiting a better economic climate. The new service will offer morning and afternoon flights at approximately $200 per one-way ticket.

volunteering and the agency will meet with past, current, and potential volunteers to identify benefits, barriers, and ways to create the ideal volunteer experience. The next set of meetings will focus on organ donations: although 85 per cent of British Columbians say they support the idea of organ donation, only 18 per cent actually register to do so. Redbird will explore what makes people resist their good intentions, and how to overcome that resistance. Redbird has also secured a contract with Peel Public Health in Ontario to develop an interactive website and comprehensive social media strategy regarding sexual health for youth 15-24.

Redbird Creating Healthy People, Healthy Places

Kenmore Air Connects Nanaimo to Seattle

Redbird Communications has picked up contracts with two new clients who are making Canada a healthier place to live.

Kenmore Air, which already offers seaplane service to Victoria and other B.C. communities, will be starting its non-stop service from Nanaimo to Seattle on March 3rd. Plans for this

For the Kidney Foundation of Canada, BC Chapter, the agency will conduct stakeholder engagement meetings in 20 communities across the province. The first set of meetings will focus on

Redbird president Carol Vincent says the new work is a perfect fit for the agency. “Our mission is to help clients create healthy people and healthy places, and both of these projects will ultimately result in healthier people. We also have a personal interest in the organ donor project; one of our favourite graphic designers had a kidney transplant while he was working here a few years ago. He and his donor are both doing great!”

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BUSINESSMATTERS

Vancouver Island Fitness Centres promotes wellness through co-operative education TERESA TRAN AT THE BRENTWOOD BAY FESTIVAL.

It’s been 21 years since Vancouver Island Fitness

Centres (VI Fitness) first opened its doors, and this locally owned company shows no signs of slowing down. With 11 locations across the island, VI Fitness prides itself on providing a high-quality and encouraging environment where clients can pursue their fitness goals. Since 2012, VI Fitness has hired close to 20 University of Victoria co-operative education (co-op) students to contribute to this positive atmosphere as personal trainers and fitness counsellors. “Co-op students have to be proved a very valuable resource,” says Regional Manager Michaela Corby. Corby worked closely with UVic recreation and health education student Teresa Tran, who spent last spring and summer as a co-op student with VI Fitness. As an assistant manager, Tran was able to apply core UVic co-op competencies like teamwork, communication and commitment to quality to train new staff and help them strive for internal and team success. She also helped promote VI Fitness on location and out in the community. “I know how important it is to incorporate physical activity into everyday life, and I was able to get the

public excited about fitness by attending events like the Brentwood Bay Festival last summer,” says Tran. “Not only was I able to raise VI Fitness’ profile through fun giveaways like our “Spin to Win” activity, but I was able to educate community members about how to make healthy choices more broadly.” Corby sees great value in hiring co-op students like Tran to connect with existing clients as well as non members out in the community. “Teresa had such enthusiasm for the job and brought a lot of energy to her position,” she says. “That goes a long way to getting people excited about fitness.” In fact, Tran was so rewarded by her co-op work term that she has continues to work for the organization on a permanent basis. She sees a real future in fitness as part of the VI Fitness team. “When I see a member lose that last pound or bench press that goal they have been training for, it’s the best feeling,” she says. To learn more about how hiring a co-op student can benefit your business, visit the Camosun College and University of Victoria co-op websites below. To learn more about VI Fitness, visit www.vifitness.ca.

Contact Greater Victoria’s co-op and career programs to find the right student for your hiring needs. Co-operative Education and Student Employment www.camosun.ca/cese 250.370.4410

12 BUSINESSMATTERS

Co-operative Education Program and Career Services www.uvic.ca/hireacoop learninginmotion.uvic.ca 250.721.7628

MEMBER NEWS Camosun Ready for New Trades Centre Camosun College received approval from Saanich Municipal Council in January to move forward on the construction of its new $30 million Centre for Trades Education and Innovation at Interurban campus. “With a looming skills shortage across the province and an urgent need for developing a diverse and highly trained workforce, this new facility and related upgrades to our 40-yearold buildings will enable Camosun to better meet the existing demand for skilled trades workers especially in those emerging trades central to our local economy, such as ship building and marine trades, resource infrastructure, sustainable construction and manufacturing technology,” says Camosun’s Vice President of Administration and Chief Financial Officer Peter Lockie.

Moving on up… On February 1st, after a grueling month of renovations, the team at Hot House Marketing moved into their new digs at 200 - 2101 Government Street. Brick walls, floor to ceiling windows, hardwood floors, and a little red paint provide the perfect backdrop to the creative energy of this eight-person

advertising agency. “It’s a work in progress,” notes Dan Dagg, President at Hot House. “We still have some touch ups to do before we’re ready for the big reveal, but we couldn’t be happier with the space.” An official open house is tentatively scheduled for the end of March, but feel free to stop by anytime for a sneak peek and to welcome Hot House to the hood.

“This new facility will help propel our region to the very forefront of trades education and innovation: graduates will emerge with the latest in-demand skills; employers will have their pick of well-qualified, job-ready workers; and, Camosun will continue to strengthen its role as a key economic driver,” says Lockie.

New Appointments to Victoria Foundation Board Some new faces can be seen on the Victoria Foundation board as Rasool Rayani takes over as chair while James Darke and Ian Wong join the board as new directors. Chuck Burkett remains as president of the foundation’s honorary governors. Established in 1936, the Victoria Foundation is Canada’s second oldest community foundation and the sixth largest of nearly 200 across the nation. The Victoria Foundation manages charitable gifts from donors whose generosity allows them to create permanent, income-earning funds. The proceeds from these funds are then distributed as grants for charitable or educational purposes. To date it has invested more than $130 million in people, projects and nonprofit organizations that strengthen communities in B.C. and throughout Canada.

BUSINESSMATTERS

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By Sea or By Air

Photo courtesy of Victoria Clipper

Accelerating Tourism Traffic

By Air

Tourism is an important part of our regional economy. A major component of this sector is understanding how tourists get to the Greater Victoria area. On a daily basis tourists stream into the Capital region, moving outside dollars into our regional economy. By understanding how they get here, we can begin to discover areas for improvement and identify opportunities to offer more services and amenities to tourists.

The Victoria International Airport is a key point of travel to and from the city. In recent years the airport has seen major expansion projects that offer travelers both additional airline offerings as well as an impressive first impression of Greater Victoria. Today the airport is home to nine airlines including Air Canada, Air Transat, Horizon Air/Alaska Airlines, Island Express Air, Orca Airways, Pacific Coastal, Sunwing, United Airlines, and WestJet. Victoria Airport, affectionately referred to by its airport code YYJ, offers 16 non-stop destinations including major cities in Canada, the U.S., and Mexico. In 2013, the airport saw steady increases in passenger traffic, up 3.4 per cent year over year, with over 1.5 million passengers moving through the airport.

With recent rebounds in the local economy including lauded increases to tourism throughout 2013, The Chamber takes a closer look at the numbers and will feature some of the modes of transportation that tourists are using to make their way to the #1 Destination in Canada (2010 Trip Advisors Travelers Choice Award).

Gotta Jet? We offer shuttle services to Victoria International Airport starting at

$20

Quick access from downtown Seattle or Vancouver is an option via any number of seaplane carriers as well as Helijet. Seaplane service allows direct access to and from Vancouver directly to Victoria Harbour with a short 35 minute trip. In addition, Helijet also offers service from Vancouver to Victoria Harbour, this helicopter trip is also approximately 35 minutes.

By Sea Harbour to harbour is also an option by sea. The Black Ball Ferry Line has been a vital mode of Victoria tourism transportation for over 50 years. The line operates the MV Coho that transports passengers to and from Victoria and Port Angeles, Washington. This route is one of the ferry services that offers vehicle transportation and is the only daily year-round vehicle and passenger ferry service between Victoria and Washington State. The MV Coho can carry up to 1,000 passengers and travels through the Juan de Fuca Strait, connecting tourists travelling from Port Angeles to Victoria on a 90 minute, 42 km trip. The MV Coho, with more than 400,000 passengers in 2013, is often seen loading passengers on and off the ship at its Inner Harbour location. The Victoria Clipper, the signature union-jack covered catamaran, is a

*based on return fare

Tourists Riding BC Ferries

(Tsawwassen-Swartz Bay) Are Originally From:

Book your next pick-up! yyjairportshuttle.com | 1 855 351 4995 The YYJ Airport Shuttle is a division of Wilsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Transportation Ltd.

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25% Metro Vancouver 35% Vancouver Island 14% International 12% other USA 3% Washington State 4% Alberta 3% Other BC Source: BC Ferries

Further up the Saanich Peninsula travelers can find the Washington State Ferry. This ferry offers travelers from both the San Juan Islands and Anacortes, Washington, a vehicle and passenger ferry service to Sidney. In 2013, this service brought over 90,000 passengers to and from Sidney, with approximately 60 per cent of them being foot passengers. BC Ferries continues to be the leading mode of transportation for travelers coming to the region. One of two BC Ferries major routes is the Tsawwassen-Swartz Bay run. The route connects passengers from mainland B.C. to Greater Victoria. This 1 hour and 35 minute sailing takes travelers from Tsawwassen (35 km south of Downtown Vancouver) to Swartz Bay located on the Saanich Peninsula approximately 30 km from downtown Victoria.

How do the prices measure up? Transportation:

Single Person no vehicle - Price one way:

Blackball Ferry (Port Angeles-Victoria) Clipper (Seattle-Victoria) Washington State (Anacortes-Sidney) BC Ferries Seaplane (Vancouver-Victoria) Seaplane (Seattle-Victoria) Helijet Airport to Airport (Seattle-Victoria) Airport to Airport (Vancouver-Victoria) We need to ensure that tourists can easily get to and from where they are and where they actually want to be. Understanding tourism transportation is important to a region where tourism

the strath cona

$17USD $83 - $96USD (roundtrip $101 - $128) $18.70USD $15.50 $185 $165 $271 $181 - $276 $135-236 is one of the largest industries. Improving transportation options and connections can potentially improve tourism experiences resulting in further increases to this valuable sector.

Sticky wicket

traditional pub fare with an inspired twist

In a recent survey of tourists on the Tsawwassen-Swartz Bay run, 35 per cent were foot passengers with the remaining 65 per cent vehicle passengers. Vehicle passengers, whether by car or bus, are a large segment of tourist travelers to the area. Improvements to roadways should take tourist transportation into consideration as it is such an integral part of moving people to and from their destinations.

Conclusion The Capital region offers a plethora of transportation options to tourists at varying price points. When we examine the variety of tourism-related transportation to the area, we begin to see the importance of understanding how visitors get here. Not only are tourists coming to our great city via ferries and airlines, where they actually arrive varies greatly. Whether it is BC Ferries passengers disembarking at Swartz Bay or stepping off a float plane in the Inner Harbour, we need to be aware of where and when these tourists are landing in our region. Greater Victoria is well served by a variety of transportations options, particularly in view of our island destination. Service through a variety of public and private operated transportation options provides strength through diversity to tourism in our region.

THE STICK Y WICKET PU B AT THE STR ATHCONA HOTEL

919 DOUGLAS STREET www.strathconhotel.com

BUSINESSMATTERS

*Rates may vary by season

permanent fixture in the Inner Harbour. This passenger-only service provides high-speed service between Victoriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Inner Harbour and downtown Seattle. The 2.5 hour trip transports thousands of tourist and business travelers every year. Both ferries that service the route can carry approximately 300 passengers, and travel up to 30 knots.

FEATURED EVENT 3Ships, and Barges, and Drydocks, Oh My! Join Jonathan Whitworth, Chief Executive Officer of Seaspan ULC, to learn about the rebirth of the shipbuilding industry in British Columbia and the growth of Victoria Shipyards. Jonathan Whitworth joined Seaspan in 2009 as Chief Executive Officer, bringing over 20 years of seagoing, shore side, strategic planning, management, and leadership experience to the organization. After graduating from the Texas Maritime Academy, Jonathan sailed for six years as an officer aboard tankers and chemical carriers in the international market. He also still holds an unlimited chief mate’s licence, and a 1600 - ton captain’s licence.

3Business Leaders Luncheon: Jonathan Whitworth, CEO Seaspan

Wednesday, April 2, 2014 11:30 am - 1:00 pm Coast Victoria Harbourside & Marina (146 Kingston St.)

After completing his MBA at the University of North Texas, Jonathan came ashore and held a number of management positions at ExxonMobil and Teekay Shipping. He later became CEO of Maritrans Inc., the largest publicly held tug/barge and tanker operator in the US Jones Act trade. As CEO of Seaspan, Jonathan is primarily responsible for carrying out the strategic plans and policies as established by the Board of Directors. This includes developing and implementing high-level strategies, making major corporate decisions, managing the overall operations and resources of the company, and acting as the main point of communication between the Board of Directors and corporate operations.

Price: $49 + GST (Members) $75 + GST (Future Members)

Limited number of Early Bird tickets are now on sale at socialmediacamp.ca

May 1st - 3rd 2014

Social Media Camp brings together the brightest social media minds in North America for 3 days of social media exploration, sharing & teaching with a large dash of networking.

Victoria Conference Centre 8

8 8

Join 800+ people from across North America for Canada’s largest social media event of the year featuring some of the world’s top Social Media experts.

For more Information and tickets to the event visit:

socialmediacamp.ca 16 BUSINESSMATTERS

/SocialMediaCamp @SocMediaCamp

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

MARCH

APRIL

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

24 30 3

WEDNESDAY THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

March Six for Lunch Date: March 4, 2014 Time: 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm Location: Milestones Restaurant Prodigy Group March Mingle Date: March 13, 2014 Time: 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm Location: Indyoga Restaurant March Business Mixer Co-Hosted with Tourism Victoria Date: March 20, 2014 Time: 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm Location: Victoria Conference Centre

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

Business Leaders Luncheon: Jonathan Whitworth, CEO Seaspan Date: April 2, 2014 Time: 11:30 am – 1:00 pm Location: Coast Victoria Harbourside & Marina

WEDNESDAY THURSDAY

April Marketplace Mixer Date: April 15, 2014 Time: 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm Location: Delta Ocean Pointe Resort and Spa 2014 Greater Victoria Business Awards Date: April 24, 2014 Time: 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm Location: The Fairmont Empress

Prodigy Group April Mingle Date: April 10, 2014 Time: 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm Location: Canoe BrewPub Marina & Restaurant

Looking to sponsor a Chamber event in 2014? Contact Oriane Fort, Events Manager at ofort@victoriachamber.ca or by calling (250) 383-7191.

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250 475-1948

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BUSINESSMATTERS BUSINESSMATTERS Ambrosia Centre

171

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18 BUSINESSMATTERS

Immigrant Investors: Why Greater Victoria?

Photo provided by Alessandro Roethel

Canada is the best country in the G-20 to do business (Forbes Magazine). Canada is a leader among the G-7 in low corporate tax rates (OECD 2012). Canada is home of the lowest business cost in the G-7 for R&D intensive sectors (KPMG). Canada has the lowest net debt-to-GDP ratio of the G-7 countries (International Monetary Fund). For the sixth straight year, Canada is home to the world’s safest and most stable banking system (World Economic Forum 2013). Canada is home to the world’s besteducated workforce, with the highest proportion of postsecondary graduates of any OECD country (OECD). I think we all know that Canada is a great place to live, with the “highest quality of life in the G-7” (OECD).

With an aging workforce, however, Greater Victoria needs to ensure that retiring business owners can find suitable buyers. This is where the BC Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) comes in. Business owners need succession plans, and immigrant investors represent a very real opportunity for them. The BC Government offers a succession buy-out option as part of PNP, which enables a streamlined immigration process to Canada. Immigrant families entering the program soon discover that the parameters of the program emphasize regions outside of metroVancouver providing incentives such as faster processing and a reduction in the minimum investment (as low as $200,000 rather than $400,000 in Vancouver).

in other cities across Canada, this represents an extremely high return on investment for citizens in terms of a new tax base, new consumers and B2B spending as well as other benefits. But what is driving this interest from abroad? And how can we ensure the community is ready for the influx of investors and their families?

“The processing time for the succession plan buy-out program is normally less than 3 months instead of 1.5 - 2 years for the normal process when investments are in the Vancouver area,” says Ni Fang (Tina Ryan), a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) based in Victoria.

With all that Canada has going for it, how is Greater Victoria positioned to attract investment? The answer of course is: quite well. Interest in the local market from abroad has skyrocketed in the last year. It is no secret that the Greater Victoria region is one of the best places to live in Canada — good schools, safe neighbourhoods, a stable and diverse economic base, Canada’s mildest winters, the list goes on and on.

In 2013, the GVDA met with a total of 96 in-bound investment groups — a record for the organization. Twenty-six of these have already closed transactions valued at over $10 million of direct investment (not including housing and other household expenditures related to moving a family) into the capital region. Given the GVDA’s low operating budget relative to economic development agencies

Many of these Chinese groups look first to Vancouver when they are thinking of investing in Canada. Greater Victoria benefits from the strength and reputation of the “Vancouver” brand internationally. The Greater Victoria region is well-positioned as a less-expensive version of Vancouver, offering many metropolitan amenities that are simply not found in smaller cities — with the added bonus of safe neighbourhoods, less traffic, worldclass schools, and an unsurpassed climate.

More than 80 per cent of the investment groups that the GVDA meets with are from China. China has a growing middle-class due to economic growth over the last decade. This emerging wealth means that more and more families can look abroad as a means of educating their children, securing their assets into holdings outside of China, and of course meeting the desire for cleaner air.

While we benefit from proximity to the Vancouver market, once investors are here, Greater Victoria stands on its own merits.

BUSINESSMATTERS

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for emPloyees When an employee is consistently absent from work, or underperforming, there is a strong probability a personal issue is the cause. Owners now have the resources available to help employees deal with situations affecting performance, through face-to-face counselling with a trained professional.

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20 BUSINESSMATTERS

“Most investors like Victoria once they come here,” says Ryan. “They think Victoria is a beautiful city and they like the west coast life style. The housing prices are cheaper than Vancouver… they feel that Victoria has the friendliest people and people are helpful to newcomers.” Ryan predicts that the trend will continue for at least the next five years. “It presents a huge opportunity for Victoria,” she says. “These investors will not only bring in money to our communities, they will also build ties between Victoria and different countries, which means they also bring in business opportunities, international connections, tourism and job opportunities.” From a local perspective it is up to us to prepare ourselves for this influx. The GVDA will continue to serve the region by presenting a strong case to these investment groups, as well as providing them with information and connections in the community. But it really is up to all of us to attract and retain immigrant investors: • For business owners looking to retire in the next few years, make sure your financials are in order and your business is managed as

systematically as possible. This makes the transition much smoother for new owners (and makes your business easier to sell). There are local experts who can help with this. • As citizens, we must recognize that our backgrounds — aside from our First Nations and Aboriginal peoples — can be traced back to immigration. This means our openness to newcomers is mandatory and part of being Canadian. We must welcome new families to our community and offer them assistance. They will appreciate it and pay it forward when the time comes. • As a member of the business community, make sure you are ready to embrace different types of customers and collaborators. “They need more support in understanding the legal and taxation systems,” says Ryan. “They also need support in hiring employees, finding construction teams and finding good marketing advisers.” This means hiring people who speak different languages, learning customs and traditions of different cultures, and being aware that these relationships represent a bridge to the world for our community — and your business. It is okay to be out of your comfort zone with these changes. Acknowledge the discomfort, and just keep trying.

The GVDA will meet with at least 80 groups in 2014, representing tens of millions of dollars of new investment, new members of our community, new households to support retailers, and an expanded local tax base. Let’s all do our part to make sure Greater Victoria remains attractive to immigrant investors for years to come.

Dallas Gislason Economic Development Officer, Greater Victoria Development Agency

BUSINESSMATTERS

NEW MEMBERS: Dec 6th - Feb 13th

Arrowsmith Project Management Limited

We are a construction project management firm based in Cedar, BC. We provide complete construction and project management for the energy and utility sector with respect to the required civil earth works, foundations and industrial buildings. (250) 802-1442 www.arrowsmithpm.com

Ayase International Consulting Inc.

With 20 years’ practice on immigration, education and investment, Ayase International provides professional services and is widely recognized by the Chinese community in Greater Victoria. (250) 588-9986 ayase.ca Chamber Members at the February Six for Lunch at Indyoga Restaurant.

Abstract Stone

We go the distance to make sure your project no matter how big or small looks like it was in a magazine! Let your granite counter top project be the highlight of your house. (250) 893-8523 www.abstractstone.ca

AOE Accumulated Ocean Energy Inc.

AOE has developed patented technology to capture the unlimited power of natural ocean swells and waves to convert this energy into usable EcoGreen Energy. (250) 642-6604 aoecanada.ca

Breakwater Café and Bistro | McRae’s Bistro

Delicious assorted foods at a value price with priceless views. Breakwater Café and Bistro & McRae’s were formed with a vision for venues that would be family friendly and comfortable, while staying true to the Westcoast. (250) 386-8080 (250) 590-6944 mcraesbistro.com

bWEST Interactive

bWEST is an Internet marketing firm that provides a one stop solution for business owners and marketing professionals who want to grow their business through the generation of valuable website traffic, qualified leads, and ultimately more customers. (250) 508-7761 bwest.ca

Capital EDC Economic Development Company

The Capital EDC Economic Development Company was created for people that need operational help and assistance as private companies and as public organizations. (250) 595-8676 patrickmarshall.ca/economic-development-2

Dr. Gavin Jones Inc.

(250) 592-8518

Earth’s Option - Cremation & Burial Services

Low-cost cremation, cemetery monuments green burial, and mobile service. (778) 440-8500 www.earthsoption.com

Elite Training Programs

We offer remote and in-person custom coaching packages for competitive athletes or those serious about their health and fitness. (250) 412-5079 www.elitetrainingprograms.com

22 BUSINESSMATTERS

NEW MEMBERS

Evergrowth Coaching

Welcome to Evergrowth Coaching & Consulting. We coach and work with leaders, both present and future. Don’t settle for what is possible in the present circumstances. Commit to achieving your vision. (250) 294-6372 www.evergrowthcoaching.com

Fireside Grill - Maltwood Village Enterprises

The perfect venue for business or pleasure, offering something for everyone. Get cozy and dine in style at the Fireside Grill. (250) 479-1222 www.firesidegrill.com

Float House Victoria

We’re a 6-tank sensory deprivation & floatation centre which is new to downtown Victoria. (778) 433-3166 www.floathousevictoria.com

Glass Guys

Glass Guys offers Greater Victoria high quality commercial and residential exterior maintenance. Our services include: window washing, gutter cleaning, roof de-mossing, power washing, rain flow installation, as well as other exterior maintenance services. Call us for a free quote today! (250) 686-5529 victoriawindowwashing.ca

Chamber Members at the Improve Your Business with Mediation seminar.

ICE

ICE hockey+fitness is a family owned and operated training centre dedicated to the game of hockey and fitness training. We have an ice arena for games and training and a state of the art gym for classes, team and private workouts. (250) 590-7811 icevictoria.ca

Island Deaf and Hard of Hearing Centre

Island Deaf and Hard of Hearing Centre (IDHHC) is a specialized non-profit registered charity created to support people with hearing loss. (250) 592-8144 idhhc.ca

Heads-Up Navigation

Heads-Up Navigation has been training commercial skippers, crew, and pleasure craft operators since 1998 with Transport Canada approved courses. (250) 704-0325 www.headsupnav.com

Heath Moffatt Photography

I really enjoy working with people and treat my clients as part of a team. Only together can successful images be achieved. (250) 884-0262 www.heathmoffattphoto.com

Heritage Masonry

Heritage Masonry is a quality-driven, customer focused company in Victoria BC specializing in all aspects of masonry. From timeless stone walls, patios, walkways, pillars, chimneys and fireplaces to custom modern masonry projects. (250) 812-4499 heritagemasons.ca

It would be futile to resist.

The Market’s bakery transcends shoppers’ expectations of a grocery store in-house bakery. We’re famous for our specialty cakes, cheesecakes, muffins and breads.

H ea ve n ly!

Hot Mama Health Fitness Ltd.

Whether you want to get interactive with your family and have them participate, or you’re looking for some grown-up workout time while your kids enjoy supervised play, we have the program for you. Fitness for you, with your family. (250) 686-4346 www.hotmamahealthandfitness.ca

themarketstores.com

903 Yates At Quadra | 250.381.6000 7 am - 11 pm 125-2401 C Millstream Road | 250.391.1110 8 am - 11 pm

BUSINESSMATTERS 23

PREPARED FOR: MARKET STORES PUBLICATION: CHAMBER OF COMMERCE / CHAMBER MATTERS

NEW MEMBERS: Dec 6th - Feb 13th itgroove Professional Services Ltd.

Our team of 10 professional IT service providers advise and support local smallto-medium businesses with workplace technology including the design, delivery and support of Microsoft SharePoint & Office 365 solutions to resolve your business issues. (250) 220-4575 www.itgroove.net

Jenny Martin Design

Our innovative designers are here to take your project from concept to reality...Interior design is a very personal experience for both the client and the interior designer. (250) 383-8206 www.jennymartindesign.com

Kites in the Classroom

We have been in the kite business for 16 years with a kiting program that serves organizations such as schools, summer camps, and other outdoor groups. (250) 391-4895 www.kitesintheclassroom.com

Mercy Ships

Mercy Ships is an international faith-based charity using hospital ships to provide medical and developmental programs and training free of charge in West Africa. (250) 381-2160 www.mercyships.ca

Multivista Construction Documentation Victoria

Multivista is a visionary documentation technology firm. We pioneer advanced solutions in order to deliver the most relevant, accurate, and comprehensive project information to all industries that demand well-constructed and well-managed facilities. (250) 217-1355 www.multivista.com

Neil Dickie Professional Writing

As a freelance writer, I’ve published 100+ articles in newspapers and magazines, including the Chicago Tribune, the Iowa Source, the Cedar Rapids Gazette, and the Saint John (Canada) Telegraph-Journal. (250) 896-4070 www.neildickie.com

Northern Star Plumbing & Gas Service Ltd.

Let Northern Star Plumbing help you with all of your plumbing & gas needs. From home improvements to emergencies, Northern Star is always available. (250) 883-4347 www.facebook.com/NorthernStarPlumbing

islandnet.com locally owned and operated since 1993

vancouver island’s premier internet service full featured web hosting from $6.95/month domain name registration web design & search engine optimization custom programming reliable customer service

Get a complete website built and a full year’s hosting for as little as $495 phone/fax:

24 BUSINESSMATTERS

778-410-2454

115-785 station ave, victoria bc, v9b 0e6

NEW MEMBERS NZ Builders Ltd.

We are an experienced and passionate building company driven by innovation, strict attention to detail, thinking outside the box, and a focus on energy and resource efficiency in everything that we build. (250) 516-6294 nzbuilders.com

Oaklands Dental

Our mission is to create positive change in the dental health of our patients while maintaining the highest level of integrity and clinical expertise. (250) 592-7874 oaklandsdental.ca

Panier

Canada’s first full-service picnic company. From traditional to gluten-free to Valentine’s Day, make sure Panier is invited to your next picnic. (250) 857-1400 www.panierpicnic.com

PBX Engineering Ltd

PBX Engineering Ltd. specializes in the delivery of design and construction engineering services for large and small scale transportation projects. (250) 388-7222 www.pbxeng.com

2014 Chamber Chair Frank Bourree presenting an Award of Recognition to Chamber Ambassador Garth Yoneda at The Chamber’s January Mixer at usedeverywhere.com

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

BUSINESSMATTERS 25

NEW MEMBERS: Dec 6th - Feb 13th PES - Professional Ecological Services

Toron AMI International Asset Management

Rooof

We put the sexy back in your vehicle by giving it a clean, polished, professional shine. Every detail of our service is sure to impress. (778) 746-7311 www.truedetail.ca

We pride ourselves in being Victoria’s leader in Pest Control Service and Technology. We have been locally owned and operated since 1973. PES services both commercial and locations for all residential pest problems. (250) 383-2445 www.pestvictoria.com Rooof will post your listings to your favorite classified websites! Or use Rooof to find the perfect place to rent. www.rooof.com

Société Radio Communautaire Victoria

The Société radio communautaire Victoria is a non-profit organization for FM radio broadcasting. Its mandate is to promote, represent and defend the French language, the French culture and the constitutional rights of the French-speaking Canadians. (250) 220-4139 www.cilsfm.ca/en

Target Canada

Minneapolis-based Target began opening Canadian stores in March of 2013. Today, Target Canada employs approximately 20,000 team members and serves guests at 124 stores across ten provinces. (800) 303-0308 target.com

Victoria Pilates Studio

Toron AMI offers unique strengths to serve private clients and institutional investors. (604) 565-7129 www.toron-ami.com

True Detail Autoclean

Try Contracting Ltd. (250) 592-2717

Victoria Car Share Co-op

With car sharing you get all the benefits of using a car without the headaches of owning one. Our rates include gas and maintenance. Let us be your local sustainable transportation solution! (250) 995-0265 www.victoriacarshare.ca

Victoria Drain Services

Victoria Drain Services is your “one stop shop” providing a wide range of services from power rooting to “Trenchless Pipe Replacement”. (250) 818-1609 www.victoriadrains.com

Custom designed Pilates programs, providing private, semi-private, and small group classes. We offer professional guidance towards achieving your potential to live well and to increase physical strength, support mental acuity, and encourage natural grace. (250) 727-0075 www.victoriapilates.ca

William R. Cottick, Barrister & Solicitor

William R. Cottick’s background includes extensive experience as a senior legal executive in large public companies in the transportation, environmental management and construction product industries, as well as in private law practice. (250) 888-7858

Don’t forget, The Chamber Annual Report & Directory will be coming soon. Please double check your online directory before April 15th at www.victoriachamber.ca and update your information.

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26 BUSINESSMATTERS

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Chamber Members enjoy a meal together at Canoe BrewPub Marina & Restaurant.

Professional Development IT PAYS TO KNOW

Mark your calendar for payroll education! With more than 190 federal and provincial regulations and changes each year, staying payroll compliant is one of the biggest challenges employers face.

Ensure compliance and reduce the risk of audits and penalties with help from Professional Development seminars from Canadian Payroll Association (CPA). CPA offers seminars for all levels from beginner to advanced. On a variety of topics covering Learning Payroll, Taxable Benefits, Employment Standards, Pensions and more. Victoria Seminars Pensions and Benefits from a Payroll Perspective - April 25 Terminations - May 15

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uvic.ca/hireacoop

250.721.7628

Co-operative Education and Student Employment www.camosun.ca/cese 250.370.4100

www.payroll.ca

BUSINESSMATTERS 27

Industry profile:

OCEAN NETWORKs CANADA Ocean Networks Canada opened its doors to the Greater Victoria Development Agency and The Chamber in November to give members a chance to learn about Ocean Networks Canada’s projects and technology.

time. Ocean Networks Canada is a major initiative of the University of Victoria. As one of Canada’s Centres for Commercialization and Research it is responsible for promoting the advanced technologies developed by the NEPTUNE and VENUS observatories around the world.

In a nutshell: Ocean Networks Canada operates the world’s foremost ocean observatories for the advancement of global science and the benefit of British Columbia and Canada. The NEPTUNE and VENUS observatories provide unique scientific and technical capabilities that permit researchers to operate undersea instruments remotely and receive data in their home laboratories, anywhere on the planet, in real

Industry Sector: Ocean technology

# of Employees: 82 employees Area of Town: Headquarters are at the University of Victoria, Marine Technology Centre in Sidney, shore station in Port Alberni, and observatory in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut. Primary Product/Service: Ocean Networks’ primary service is knowledge. We provide some very diverse products:

TD Canada Trust can help with your business banking needs Small Business Advisors servicing your community.

Trisha Thame 3675 Shelbourne St. Victoria 250-405-5260, ext. 256 trisha.thame@td.com

Cheryl Duff 1080 Douglas St. Victoria 250-356-4018, ext. 240 cheryl.duff@td.com

Shawn Johnson 2406 Beacon Ave. Sidney 250-655-5244, ext. 230 shawn.d.johnson@td.com

Banking can be this comfortable ®/

The TD logo and other trade-marks are the property of The Toronto-Dominion Bank or a wholly-owned subsidiary, in Canada and/or other countries.

28 BUSINESSMATTERS

• a broad range of data to researchers and scientists; • ocean technology infrastructure for earth scientists, ocean scientists, and ocean engineers; • services to industry such as sensor demonstration at our technology demonstration facility; • ocean analytics, as well as developing earthquake and tsunami warning alerts for public safety; • and, resources for formal educators including K-12 teachers, undergraduate professors, and informal educators at museums and aquariums such as curricula, iBooks, and apps. Annual Budget: Annual budget for NEPTUNE and VENUS observatories is $16 million a year. How would you describe Ocean Networks Canada in 30 words or less? We provide an internet-connected ocean. What is the best part about doing business in Greater Victoria? There are many reasons, but one main reason is that it is a great place to live. We are also supported by many hightech companies located in Greater Victoria that assist us in delivering our products and services. But most importantly, we are surrounded by water, and that is our business. What is the best thing Ocean Networks Canada is doing for Greater Victoria? We give back to the region through our outreach activities. We do at least 50 public lectures per year about interesting aspects of the ocean. Ocean Networks also provides substantial material to local teachers. At Brentwood College, we installed a mini observatory that allows them to understand the technology in a handson way and use it for their teaching. We are also developing videos for anyone to use.

The tsunami and earthquake alert systems we are developing are an important part of our work and are directly relevant to our area and the people that live here. What is it like working at Ocean Networks Canada? Busy. We have a really great staff that is incredibly diverse. Our team is from a wide range of countries, gender-balanced, and from a lot of different cultures. All of our staff are professionals including engineers, computer scientists, and earth scientists, so it is a rich environment in terms of innovation and discovery. I think people like it here. What are 3 things few people know about Ocean Networks Canada? We are the world leader in ocean observatories leading projects such as measuring water properties on the west coast of Vancouver Island by taking over 2,800 profiles in a single expedition. Our data is free to anybody and stored for up to 20 years. Each day our instruments produce about 360GB of data — that’s over 128 terabytes a year of information. And we have our very own remote control vehicle for exploring and maintaining our underwater nodes. The nodes in the Strait of Georgia — at 175m and 300m below the surface — are at depths where pressure exceeds levels at which divers could safely work. The ROPOS submersible (Remotely Operated Platform for Ocean Sciences) performs well in this dark and high-pressure environment. Here at Ocean Networks Canada we’re proudest of: The fact that we are able to connect the world with the mysteries of the ocean and inspire a new generation of scientists and explorers. As well, it is exciting to have provided ongoing global leadership in this area all while maintaining and growing our infrastructure in a challenging environment throughout a number of years.

Other interesting facts about Ocean Networks Canada: Well, we just put in a new observatory in the Arctic. We hope to become the provider in Canada for what we call community-based mini observatories. We hope in the future these observatories could be positioned in almost every coastal community in Canada, so every community can be studying their local ocean environment and understand how it is changing. We have been getting a great deal of inquiries into potential freshwater projects. We have interest from Quesnel, and the Great Lakes, so we could be expanding into those areas as well.

Right now we are promoting Smart Oceans BC. This program places technology on the coast where the province and federal government are interested in economic development. We feel it is important to have science there in order to understand the environment before development decisions are made. We hope this will be our next big step in British Columbia.

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

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BUSINESSMATTERS 29

Advocacy in action The Chamber is the voice of business in Greater Victoria. In regular meetings with MPs, MLAs, and local mayors and council, The Chamber is a strong advocate for business initiatives and policies in the community. Victoria Regional Transit Commission The Chamber’s most recent policy win was the Victoria Regional Transit Commission’s (VRTC) withdrawal of a proposed 12.6 per cent transit tax increase, saving taxpayers approximately $2.5 million in the Capital region. 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, as this is one of The Chamber’s Our Vibrant Community policies.

BC Ferries The Chamber continues to advocate on the BC Ferries file by raising concerns over the increasing fares for profitable routes. In a 2013 BC Ferries report to the Ferry Commission, only two routes were identified as profitable. The Tsawwassen-Swartz Bay ferry, servicing Greater Victoria, was one of those routes. This particular route brings in $22 million profit with no government subsidy. If a sustainable course for ferry service cannot be reached, The Chamber is concerned that rates on the profitable routes will continue to rise with no limit in sight. We need to engage in the discussion without discounting the needs of communities served by

the minor routes or endangering the success of the revenue-generating routes. We all need to work toward this balance.

Our Vibrant Community Campaign Decisions made at the municipal level have a powerful impact on our daily lives. As part of the “Our Vibrant Community” campaign we have developed a set of good governance pillars to ensure that our municipal leaders: keep tax increases and spending within our means; build our quality of life and save for the future; actively communicate municipal business in a clear and understandable fashion; and, work individually and with regional stakeholders to deliver services in the most efficient and effective way. We will continue this work in 2014, particularly leading up to the municipal election. The Chamber will be involved in many aspects of the municipal election to make sure that member issues are front and center, making certain that our vibrant community continues on the path to prosperity.

Federal Budget for a Strong Future The Chamber and the network of Chambers across Canada welcomed a series of federal budget measures in mid-February, which responded to Chamber network polices and advocacy work. Highlights include trades training, job match service, new funding for the Labour Market Opinion process, red-tape reduction, and efficiency in project reviews. The Chamber applauds this federal budget for its focus on fiscal responsibility. And for providing leadership by implementing programs designed to bolster Canada’s economic recovery and long-term economic well-being while spending within our means as part of maintaining a vibrant community.

Chamber Advocates for Business Under Recycling Regulations. In early February, the B.C. government announced that it will enshrine in regulation an exemption for any B.C. business that meets any of the following criteria: annual revenues of less than $1 million; less than 1 tonne of packaging and printed paper produced annually; and/or a single point of retail sale (and not supplied by or operated as part of a franchise, chain or under a banner). This new regulation means that less than 3,000 businesses in the province will be captured by the regulation, instead of more than 385,000 as originally proposed. The Chamber applauds the B.C. government for listening to B.C.’s Chamber network and amending the recycling regulation. The pending regulation that was the source of substantial concern among businesses, will now impact less than one per cent of B.C.’s businesses.

Island Chambers Meeting In early February, Victoria Chamber representatives attended an Island Chambers’ meeting in Nanaimo. Regional meetings are important to Island chambers and provide an opportunity to collaborate on common regional priorities and policy issues. As expected, BC Ferries’ minor route reductions were a major focus at the meeting. While chambers have differing views on the changes, there was a consensus among attendees on the continued support of our Charting a Sustainable Course for BC Coastal Ferry Services policy. The Chamber will continue to advocate for a sustainable ferry service that balances the needs of coastal communities within the fiscal framework that exists.

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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Corporate Membership There is no initiation fee and Annual membership dues are only $670 plus applicable taxes. This entitles five members of the company to have signing privileges at the Club throughout the year. Ph: 250-721-7935 | club.uvic.ca

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WE BUILD STRONG KIDS, STRONG FAMILIES AND STRONG COMMUNITIES YMCA-YWCA Greater Victoria • 851 Broughton Street, Victoria • Ph: 250-386-7511 • www.victoriay.com

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