by newadmin | Apr 8, 2021 | General Business News
The B.C. government will provide more than $50 million to help the 14,000 restaurants, bars, breweries, wineries, gyms and fitness centres affected by the March 30, 2021, provincial health orders. The new Circuit Breaker Business Relief Grant will provide affected...
by newadmin | Mar 29, 2021 | General Business News
More restrictions are being imposed on BC, to act as what the provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry calls a “circuit breaker” in the race against the COVID-19 virus. These restrictions are being implemented because currently, BC is seeing more new...
by newadmin | Mar 18, 2021 | General Business News
Changes are another win for businesses as they build resiliency on their journey towards recovery Yesterday, the provincial government announced that it was expanding the eligibility for the Launch Online Grant program, which helps B.C. businesses move their business...
by newadmin | Mar 1, 2021 | Uncategorized
VANCOUVER, BC, March 01, 2021 – The BC Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the appointment of Fiona Famulak as president and chief executive officer. Famulak brings to the role more than three decades of international experience working in both private and...
by newadmin | Feb 25, 2021 | General Business News
The Sooke Region Chamber of Commerce would like to thank all the respondents who contributed to this survey. All 76 responses were unanimously submitted, with 93% responses coming from a link in our newsletter and 7% coming from a link on our Facebook page. Sooke...
by newadmin | Feb 4, 2021 | General Business News
The Sooke Region Chamber of Commerce hosted an informal information session on the Small and Medium Sized Business Recovery Grant Program featuring a couple of savvy representatives from the Province to discuss this particular grant offering. What are the recent...
by newadmin | Jan 21, 2021 | General Business News
From left to right, top to bottom: Terrie Moore, Les Haddad, Bev Petow, Brian White, Debora Schenk, Tracy Snow, Mike Menard, Karen Mason and Tim Ayres. Zoom image. Sooke, BC, January 20, 2021 The Sooke Region Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce its 2021...
by newadmin | Jan 13, 2021 | General Business News
The Vancouver Island Regional Library is hosting a Q & A on the Indian Act with Bob Joseph. Thursday, January 28, 2021 Time: 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm Branch: Sooke, All Venue: REGISTER HERE – Virtual Zoom Webinar Join for a live virtual conversation and...
by newadmin | Dec 21, 2020 | General Business News
The B.C. government has enhanced the Small and Medium-Sized Business Recovery Grant program to make it easier for businesses to qualify and has increased support for those in the hard-hit tourism sector. The program is part of StrongerBC: BC’s Economic Recovery Plan....
by newadmin | Dec 16, 2020 | General Business News
Congratulations to all the nominees, the runners up, and the winners of the Sooke Chamber’s annual Business Excellence Awards! Each year the Sooke Region Chamber of Commerce holds the Business Excellence Awards to recognize outstanding businesses from Saseenos...
by newadmin | Dec 6, 2020 | Sooke
The Sooke Region Chamber will be hosting its Annual General Meeting on January 19, 2021. At that time, we will be swearing in the new 2021 Board of Directors. Continuing as President will be Karen Mason Continuing as First Vice President will be Mike Menard Continuing...
by newadmin | Dec 3, 2020 | Human Resources, Small Business
The Chamber of Commerce Group Insurance Plan: Canada’s #1 Group Benefits Plan for Businesses. Why Benefits? Nothing is more important during these unpredictable times than securing a beneficial Insurance plan for you and your employees. As we all navigate the business...
by newadmin | Nov 23, 2020 | General Business News
PHO order on province-wide restrictions By order and direction of the PHO, all individuals, places of work and businesses in B.C. must significantly reduce social interactions and travel. The order is in effect from November 19, 2020 at midnight to December 7, 2020 at...
by admin | Nov 9, 2020 | General Business News
You can now VOTE for greater Sooke region businesses for this year’s Business Excellence Awards. Vote between now and November 23. All who vote in at least four categories will be entered into a draw to win a $200 gift card. You can vote once per week, so after...
by admin | Oct 21, 2020 | Sooke
You can now nominate greater Sooke region businesses for voting consideration in this year’s Business Excellence Awards. This year, as with everything else in 2020, the Sooke Region Chamber of Commerce has shifted the way we do things, and the awards process...
by admin | Oct 8, 2020 | General Business News
The candidates in this month’s Langford-Juan de Fuca provincial election gathered for a unique, online non-confrontational forum via ZOOM on Thursday, Oct. 15th at 7:00PM. The evening was co-hosted by the Sooke Region Chamber of Commerce, the WestShore Chamber...
by admin | Sep 3, 2020 | General Business News
Job Highlights Title: Communications Specialist Job role: Public outreach, social media, editing existing documentation, newsletter, and various other assignments that come up Workplace: Remote, from home with a weekly check in on Zoom Pay: Minimum wage ($14.60/hr)...
by admin | Aug 13, 2020 | General Business News
Sooke, BC: The Sooke Region Chamber of Commerce is working in collaboration with the Sooke Art Bombers to promote wearing masks while visiting Sooke businesses during the pandemic. The Sooke Art Bombers believe that shared creativity builds community and they are...
by admin | May 28, 2020 | Economic Development
On May 22 and 23, 67 chambers and boards of trade from across B.C. gathered online to discuss and debate key policy issues at the BC Chamber of Commerce 68th Annual General Meeting & Conference. “Our grassroots policy development process drives our advocacy...
by admin | May 28, 2020 | General Business News
Today, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce’s Senior Director of Workforce Strategies and Inclusive Growth, Leah Nord, issued the following statement regarding new data about the impact of COVID-19 upon the retail sector, found in the recent Canadian Survey on Business...
by admin | May 25, 2020 | General Business News
Small to medium-sized businesses, not-for-profit organizations and charities are among those most impacted by the current pandemic and will now have direct access to a network of qualified business advisors to help guide them courtesy of a new, government-funded...
by admin | May 19, 2020 | Coronavirus, Finance
Throughout the pandemic, the Government of Canada has focused on keeping Canadians safe and healthy and helping families pay their bills. That’s why we have introduced strong measures to protect middle class jobs and support businesses, so they can keep Canadians on...
by admin | May 15, 2020 | General Business News
The Government of Canada is extending Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan to continue the support to Canadians and protect jobs during the global COVID-19 pandemic. The Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) helps businesses keep employees on the payroll and...
by admin | May 14, 2020 | Coronavirus
May 14, 2020, Sooke BC: Schools have closed, and education has moved online for thousands of students, Sooke to Port Renfrew, due to COVID-19. If you are looking for ways to give back to your community during the Covid-19 crisis, this may be an option for you. Better...
by admin | May 6, 2020 | General Business News
Employers, here are the four phases of the pandemic, followed by guidelines. If you belong to an organizing association (eg, the British Columbia Restaurant and Food Services Association) please refer to them for guidance. In all likelihood, they are already working...
by admin | Apr 24, 2020 | Coronavirus, Small Business
Remember to join the Chamber on the weekly Sooke Zoom Room call, Monday’s at 11:00 am CLICK HERE TO JOIN The following announcement comes from the Prime Minister’s office, April 24, 2020 ( Small businesses across the country are the backbone of our...
by admin | Apr 21, 2020 | General Business News
The COVID-19 crisis is deepening for British Columbia businesses with four-in-ten (43%) of those surveyed stating they can only continue to operate for up to three months under current restrictions. For businesses temporarily closed, the future is similarly dire, with...
by admin | Apr 13, 2020 | General Business News
Today, the Sooke Region Chamber of Commerce launches BetterBuySooke.ca, a “buy now, redeem later” gift card solution for the many Sooke businesses that have had to close their doors or reduce their services as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Using a FREE...
by admin | Apr 8, 2020 | Finance
Starting April 9, 2020, owners of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and managers of non-profit organizations (NPOs) who are National Bank clients will be able to submit their applications online for the Canada Emergency Business Account. This program is...
by admin | Apr 8, 2020 | Coronavirus
The Government of Canada is taking unprecedented action to support workers, businesses, and all Canadians impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Right now, young people are facing serious challenges in finding work. To build the foundations of strong communities, we need...
by admin | Apr 6, 2020 | Coronavirus
SOURCE Canadian Chamber of Commerce The Canadian Chamber of Commerce has established the Canadian Business Resilience Network (CBRN) in partnership with the Government of Canada to help the business community prepare, persevere and, ultimately, prosper in the face of...
by admin | Apr 4, 2020 | Coronavirus, Economic Development
A new Economic Recovery Task Force will bring together leaders from business, labour, First Nations and not-for-profits to help ensure the Province’s economic response to COVID-19 is effective and responsive to the needs of British Columbians. “COVID-19 is not only a...
by admin | Apr 4, 2020 | General Business News
-Insights West release 65% of small business owners are ‘very worried’ about the negative financial impact overall—and specifically revenue (66%), financing (41%), ability to pay salaries (43%) and difficulty paying their rent/lease (38%) Only 55% think the emergency...
by admin | Mar 31, 2020 | Coronavirus
CFIB urges governments to help hardest hit with property tax relief and emergency money to cover fixed costs New survey results taken over the weekend show that a quarter of small businesses are not able to pay April’s commercial lease or mortgage payments as a...
by admin | Mar 30, 2020 | General Business News
This free online meeting is available to all Sooke businesses and entrepreneurs. It’s a forum to discuss challenges, opportunities and resources. SOOKE BIZ ZOOM ROOM MEETING Join other Sooke business owners, entrepreneurs and independent operators in the Sooke...
by admin | Mar 30, 2020 | General Business News
From today’s daily COVID-19 press conference in Ottawa Everyone, again, is being asked to stay at home as much as possible. This action, alone, has caused many businesses to have to shut down. So a three-point plan has been developed to help businesses and to...
by admin | Mar 27, 2020 | General Business News
The Government of Canada is focused on helping Canadians and businesses through this tough economic time. We will continue to protect the health and safety of Canadians, while supporting families and businesses and keeping our economy strong in the face of...
by admin | Mar 27, 2020 | Coronavirus, Economic Development
Today, Trudeau addressed small business owners and entrepreneurs. This climate of uncertainty feels like it can threaten everything you’ve worked for. To take that pressure off, the federal government will now cover 75% of wages for qualifying businesses through...
by admin | Mar 26, 2020 | Coronavirus
The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) welcomes the federal government’s announcement of the Canada Emergency Response Benefit which will provide $2,000 per month to workers who have lost their job, including the self-employed. This is a...
by admin | Mar 25, 2020 | Coronavirus
The COVID-19 outbreak is quickly becoming a disaster for small businesses, warns the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB). A full 60 per cent of small firms have seen a significant drop in sales, with more than one in three reporting a reduction greater...
by admin | Mar 24, 2020 | General Business News
In an effort to keep industry informed on the fast-moving COVID-19 situation, Destination BC will be sending out regular bulletins in place of the monthly Directions emails for the foreseeable future. Please encourage your network to subscribe to our newsletter, and...
by admin | Mar 24, 2020 | Coronavirus
The Province has made two significant changes to the Employment Standards Act to better support workers both during the COVID-19 public health emergency and in the long term. Firstly, changes will allow workers to immediately take unpaid, job-protected leave if they...
by admin | Mar 23, 2020 | Coronavirus
British Columbians affected by the COVID-19 pandemic will benefit from $5 billion in income supports, tax relief and direct funding for people, businesses and services. “The COVID-19 pandemic challenges our health, our economy and our way of life. People and...
by admin | Mar 23, 2020 | Coronavirus
NOTE: We erred!! The District intended us to respond directly, and never meant for this to go public! Ooops! However, we as a Chamber are still interested in your feedback. Please send your feedback to info@sookeregionchamber.com How are things going for you? How are...
by admin | Mar 23, 2020 | Coronavirus, General Business News
– photo from Gregory Varano. The shop signs are from Barbs barber shop, seaside Sweets, power Supply LTD, Moms Cafe, Sooke Brewery, Sooke Buy and Sell and island Haircutting.This Montage illustrates the local Sooke business community doing its part in the fight...
by admin | Mar 19, 2020 | Coronavirus, Economic Development
BC Chamber-led survey reveals severe impacts taking toll, calls to action are clear March 19, 2020, Vancouver, BC –The BC Chamber of Commerce (and its 120-member chamber network) in partnership with Small Business BC, The BC Economic Development Association, and...
by admin | Mar 19, 2020 | General Business News
Dear Members, Federal Finance Minister, Bill Morneau, just unveiled the “first phase” of Canada’s “Economic Response Plan” – which includes $27B in direct support and aid to Canadians and $55B in tax deferrals. The federal package includes a number of desired-actions...
by admin | Mar 18, 2020 | Coronavirus, Economic Development
Dear Chamber Members and the Sooke Business Community, Expect to hear from us throughout this pandemic crisis! We are working hard to keep you informed on matters affecting Sooke, BC, and Canada. In between battle cries, we are learning how some businesses continue...
by admin | Mar 18, 2020 | Coronavirus
I want to start by thanking you for your leadership in this unprecedented situation. I know you are all working in extremely difficult and quickly-changing circumstances. The impacts of COVID-19 to the tourism sector will be significant and are already being felt....
by admin | Mar 18, 2020 | General Business News
TORONTO, March 17, 2020 /CNW/ – Canada’s six largest banks today announced plans to provide financial relief to Canadians impacted by the economic consequences of COVID-19. Effective immediately, Bank of Montreal, CIBC, National Bank of Canada, RBC Royal...
