Chamber Chats with Paul Haysom

The COVID-19 Pandemic has had differing impacts in rural and remote communities compared to more urban communities. In his Chamber Chat we hear details from Chamber of Commerce executives in Tofino and Port Hardy

One of the economic impacts of the pandemic has been a decision by some business operators to accelerate their retirement plans. What needs to be considered when selling or buying a business ? Is it worth what the owner thinks it is ? We get expert advice in this Chamber Chat with Jenn Bogwald of MNP and Jesse Honkanen of Island Savings

The experience of visiting Royal Roads University as a student, a tourist or a local resident is unique for everyone. It’s a castle after all! there are exciting plans in place to transform student’s lives and the university campus. Hear more in this Chamber Chat with Royal Roads President and Vice Chancellor Dr. Philip Steenkamp

The academic year may be winding down at colleges and universities but there is still a lot happening on campus and beyond. In this Chamber Chat with UVic President Dr Kevin Hall we hear about how the United Nations is now a part of UVic, education related to cyber security and the UVic Vikes !

Two companies doing innovative, sustainable and creative work are our guests today. Unbuilders do as their name suggests and BinBreeze are enhancing the compost experience and eliminating the fruit fly problem!

Concerts, theatre, dance and all other elements of the arts and culture scene are reopening post pandemic. How have our beloved performers and artists withstood COVID and what does the future look like for our favorite entertainment events ?

Throughout the pandemic we could rely on the security of clean water, water treatment, and our network of trails and parks to help us cope with the stresses we all faced. All these elements are managed by the Capital Regional District. We talk about that in this Chamber Chat with CRD CAO Bob Lapham

If you haven’t been to your local library lately, either in person or online, you may not be aware of all the resources available to you. it’s an A-Z information universe including everything from Ancestry to Zoology. We speak with Greater Victoria Public Library CEO Maureen Sawa about all we can access through the library

The COVID pandemic has been particularly difficult on people who face the ongoing challenges of living with disabilities. We hear more about that how we can help in a conversation with two people representing organizations who support those living with disabilities

The health care provided for us in our hospitals is not solely funded by government. Many of us, maybe you too, provide much needed support to enhance our treatment. We hear more about that in a Chamber Chat with Victoria Hospitals Foundation Executive Director Avery Brohman

The South Island has seen a boom of lights, camera, action! The film and movie industry has found Greater Victoria to be an very suitable place for production. We get an outline of this activity and the prospect of even more happening in the future from Film Commissioner Kathleen Gilbert

Despite an abundance of cranes on the landscape and busy work sites across the region, the construction and development sector is facing some challenges. Today we talk with the Vancouver Island Construction Association and the Urban Development Institute about how the challenges impact housing, commercial space, and our economy

Two developments being planned will transform parts of the South Island and become distinct new neighbourhoods. In this Chamber Chat we discuss Royal Bay/Royal Beach in Colwood and Uptown Douglas in Saanich with the Mayors of those municipalities

We have regions within our South Island region, all with specific and unique elements. The Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce advocates for the entire region, plus those regions have local Chambers of Commerce advocating for them. Today we chat with two of them- WestShore and Sooke

There are Vancouver Island specific business issues and different communities have their own unique issues. This Chamber Chat looks at those Island unique issues with Comox Valley Chamber CEO Diane Hawkins and Greater Nanaimo Chamber CEO Kim Smythe

Our relationship with personal and business money and assets has been put under a microscope as we have navigated COVID. Two business and investment strategists join this Chamber Chat to talk about where we have been and some ideas to consider as we move through the pandemic.

We have all come face to face with the reality of climate change with the series of extreme weather incidents we have see. Atmospheric Rivers, the heat dome, extreme snow and rain. If you’re wondering what more you can be doing in your own work and home life to mitigate these effects we have some ideas for you with Synergy Foundation’s Jill Doucette

Housing. Real estate. Affordability. All are ongoing topics of conversation as we see record high prices for home sales and record low numbers for inventory for sale. In this Chamber Chat we speak with executives with the Victoria Real Estate Board about the trend we are seeing and what’s to come in the next few months and years.

The film and movie industry has been very robust in the Capital Region. We see crews shooting on our streets and in our neighborhoods on a regular basis. Soon we may also see the creation of studios and soundstages to take the industry and it’s economic input to the next level. In this Chamber Chat we speak about two pending possibilities to create our own Hollywood North in this region

Our local tourism sector has been profoundly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and has been a catastrophic disruption to our local economy. In this Chamber Chat we talk with Destination Greater Victoria CEO Paul Nursey about our journey together the past many months, where we’ve been, where we are and where we’re going.

The mental health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has been deep and relentless. In this Chamber Chat we talk about how to best understand and manage the challenges so many of us face.

The pandemic grounded flights across the world and now planes are gradually returning to service. Victoria International Airport is one of only two airports in Canada to not have any financial debt. In this Chamber Chat we speak with YYJ CEO Geoff Dickson about how the airport has functioned throughout the COVID months.

Canada will eventually be seeing the return of immigration. How will that be accomplished, how can it be done best and what are the unique aspects of that for Vancouver Island. Our Chamber Chat is with Jean McRae, CEO of the Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria, the organization responsible for helping new Canadians settle here.

The Island Corridor Foundation owns and manages the rail bed on Vancouver Island. In this Chamber Chat we speak with Corridor Foundation CEO Larry Stevenson about the future of trains on the Island.

Being an elected official is not for the faint of heart at the best of times. Leadership throughout the COVID-19 pandemic has been challenging. One of the highest profile Mayors in our region is the guest on this Chamber Chat as we speak with Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps