BRUCE WILLIAMS
VICTORIA – I’m not sure if 2021 was the most unusual year in the almost 160-year history of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce. It definitely was a time of unique yet connected challenges, especially following the shock of 2020.
We survived the lingering blight of a pandemic that wouldn’t end, a heat dome that drove home the reality of our climate emergency and the tragic discoveries at residential schools that forced us to acknowledge the systemic discrimination at the roots of our economy.
Through all of those and the other challenges of the past year, The Chamber has stayed true to its purpose and adapted to serve as the voice of business in Greater Victoria. On April 12, we were able to celebrate some of our successes at our Annual General Meeting. About 130 people were in attendance, making it our largest in-person event in two years. There was the usual administrative housework, but the highlight was our feature speaker, the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Rob Fleming.
The pandemic showed how important it is for businesses and their staff to have high-speed digital access, so it’s no surprise the province is investing in broadband networks across BC We experienced the value of having an online presence last year when so many businesses needed to turn to curbside pickup or delivery. We called those who did this well “Pivot Pilots.” They spun on a dime and found a way to keep serving their market. With many consumers now expecting convenience, every businesses needs to embrace the tech tools that open a world of possibilities.
Fleming also spoke about plans to rebuild and improve roads and other infrastructure damaged by climate events in 2021. While the Fraser Valley and Interior faced disastrous flooding and fires, the Malahat Highway also crumbled under phenomenally heavy rains last fall. Climate change will continue to impact our lives and Fleming said BC needs to ensure critical routes such as the Malahat are able to withstand any weather event. When asked by a Chamber member about an alternative route to the Malahat, Fleming admitted that options are limited. There’s the Circle Route through Cowichan Lake and the Mill Bay ferry, but the most practical solution is to improve the existing route so it’s less prone to closures.
In 2020, Fleming’s ministry released the South Island Transportation Strategy to identify long-, medium- and short-term priorities. One of the projects currently underway is the creation of rapid-bus corridors on Highway 17 and Highway 1. Another in the works is a high-level document to begin making a business case for modernizing Belleville Terminal.
“The time is now to make that investment,” Fleming told the audience, noting that a business case for Belleville will allow the province to decide on the direction it will pursue.
Fleming also spoke to other issues, which The Chamber has advocated for, such as investing in a deep-water port on Vancouver Island to help BC’s supply chain, and creating a transit exchange at Uptown. “We used to say build it and they will come, but we need to say build it now,” Fleming said.
Near the end of the AGM, when asked by an attendee about shore power for cruise ships at Ogden Point, Fleming committed to working to make it happen. It’s the type of investment that makes sense on many levels. It provides clean energy, makes our region even more attractive to the cruise industry and alleviates some of the noise concerns typically voiced by nearby residents.
As the meeting wrapped up for another year, I think everyone was elated by how “normal” the whole thing felt. We may never know what the future holds but whatever 2022 brings, The Chamber will be ready.
Bruce Williams is CEO of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce
EVENTS
Tuesday, June 7 | Picnic in the Park | 5 – 7 p.m. | St. Ann’s Academy Green
And make sure to come by if you’re in the area on June 7!
Visit www.victoriachamber.ca/events for more Chamber events.
