BRUCE WILLIAMS
VICTORIA – There is no question that Canada’s economic health has always been tied to immigration. From the time of the first colonizers settling across the land, the industrial development of our country has depended on the ingenuity and diligence of people bringing ideas and innovation from away.
And though there is no doubt that immigration has shaped our country and our community, there continue to be challenges facing newcomer entrepreneurs trying to contribute to society. As an organization committed to building connections, the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce has a role to play in helping newcomer businesses thrive. The Chamber launched a new program in August that will help connect immigrant entrepreneurs with Greater Victoria’s welcoming business community.
The New to Canada program aims to empower and support newcomer business owners as they grow their enterprises in Greater Victoria. Participants must have lived in Canada for less than three years and hold a valid business licence to be eligible. The program offers participants two years of membership with the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce and support engaging with our business community.
Fresh ideas create vibrancy in our region and add resilience to our economy. Having the support of established organizations ensures a smoother path to success for everyone. It’s also important for us to show support for newcomer entrepreneurs. We do depend on immigration and taking a proactive role helps ensure Greater Victoria grows in a positive and sustainable way.
At the launch event of the New to Canada program, I was struck by the ambition of the newcomer entrepreneurs I met, and their eagerness to work hard to belong and build a good life. One young man told me he felt that Canadian culture seemed so different that he had doubts about whether he could ever gain a foothold here. He said the people he met through the Chamber were critical to helping him navigate the uncertainty, and he wanted me to know that. I have to say it made my day.
This is our Canada as we enter the mid-21st century. We can do better at connecting people who are new to our country with those who arrived earlier as well as with Indigenous people who are undergoing their own economic renaissance. I believe a welcoming approach is the best way to ensure we have a community that creates positive outcomes for all. We need to open our hearts, our minds and our eyes to create an environment that people want to be part of, where great ideas flourish and real-world solutions are embraced.
The Chamber’s New to Canada program is funded through sponsorship from Air Canada, the Victoria Airport Authority, the Victoria Foundation and Western Design + Build. T the program works in partnership with the Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria and the Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre Society.
Bruce Williams is CEO of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce
Chamber Events and Connections
October 10 | Small Business Month Workshop: Media Consumption & Strategy Insights | 8 – 9:30 a.m. | CFB Esquimalt
October 10 | October Emerge Mini Connector | 5- 7 p.m. | theDock
October 17 | October Business Mixer | 5 – 7 p.m. | Island Savings
October 23 | Small Business Month Member Networking Breakfast | 8 – 9:30 a.m. | Vista 18 Restaurant + Lounge
October 29 | 2024 Business Hall of Fame | 5:30 – 9:30 p.m. | Fairmont Empress
November 21 | 2024 Marketplace Mixer | 4 – 7 p.m. | Songhees Wellness Centre
