Chamber of Commerce Week Feb 20-24

Chamber Membership provides outstanding value for your business and community.     February 20th, 2012 marks the beginning of Chamber of Commerce Week, an opportunity for Chambers of Commerce across the province to demonstrate the outstanding value they provide to their communities.     This value comes in the form of benefits and services to stimulate local economies, direct community promotion and support, and engaging in an important multi-level advocacy role which benefits the entire province.       The network of Chambers of Commerce across BC is the most influential business organization in the province.  As the key representatives of their business community to government, Chambers actively listen to business needs and continually articulate them to government.  The Chamber network extends to the BC and Canadian Chambers, which ensures that businesses are connected at Municipal, Provincial and Federal levels of government.     Chambers of Commerce support businesses through benefit programs, services and education.  Being community-based means that Chambers are funded entirely by their members, events and sponsorship.  This community investment is what drives Chambers of Commerce to directly support and stimulate local economies, and work collaboratively to create vibrant communities around the province.     For more information on how the Esquimalt Chamber of Commerce can help your business, please contact 250-590-2125, or email  admin@esquimaltchamber.ca.    

January Mixer: Seaspan Marine Corp.

Join Malcolm Barker, Vice President and General Manager of Victoria Shipyards as he discusses the economic and social changes Esquimalt will benefit from following the recent announcement of an $8 billion federal shipbuilding contract. The Esquimalt Chamber of Commerce is pleased to offer its members an exclusive lunch engagement with Malcolm Barker on January 25, 2012 at the Gorge Vale Golf Course. The presentation starts at 1pm.  Lunch and coffee will be served.  Tickets are $25.00.  Please call Sonia at 250-590-2125 to reserve a spot.     Click on the heading above to pay online via PayPal.  

Goals for 2012: Mayor Desjardins

ESQUIMALT: TRAFFIC Transit and transportation will have to take centre stage in Esquimalt in the new year, specifically moving traffic through the Admirals Road corridor, says Mayor Barb Desjardins. "We, as a region, have to get a handle on it, and we are in the process in Esquimalt of having major impacts in terms of increases to a very narrow corridor coming into Esquimalt, which is coming to Dockyard and the base [CFB Esquimalt]," Desjardins said. It's difficult to gauge how much of an impact a recent change to base standing orders reducing the number of people allowed to stagger their hours has affected the situation, Desjardins said. Regardless, with the growth of the shipbuilding industry at Seaspan, there is going to be more and more pressure on the corridor, she said. "That addresses the whole regional West Shore to downtown stuff, too. Everybody funnels in and a lot of them drop off here in Esquimalt so we as a community have to be responsive to that but we can't do it by ourselves. We have to do it regionally," she said. "That, to me is probably the most important thing for our region because we are losing productivity. And when we lose productivity, that is not good for the region." Desjardins noted it is also Esquimalt's 100th anniversary this year and the municipality hopes to ring it in well. Read more: http://www.timescolonist.com/business/Council+leaders+reveal+their+lists/5918164/story.html#ixzz1hr12VijD

Esquimalt Centennial 2012

This is an exciting time to be a part of Esquimalt. On September 1st, 2012, Historic Esquimalt will be celebrating 100 years as an incorporated Township. Leading up to this significant milestone, we urge you to find out more about our centennial celebrations and our rich history. The Esquimalt Centennial Celebrations Committee invites you to join in for a year of fun-filled events and activities, including our Centennial Community Celebration, which will be held on September 8th, 2012.   For more information please go to:   http://esquimaltcentennial2012.ca/index.html

Message from the Chamber’s President

Thank you for your continued support in the Esquimalt Chamber of Commerce.   I’d like to introduce myself as new President of the Esquimalt Chamber for the year 2012.  I look forward to serving you and hope that the upcoming year is a prosperous one for your business. Our monthly social mixers occur on the last Wednesday of every month, and serve as a way to network and market your business, and learn about current topics that affect you. Please watch for updates on upcoming events and mixers via email.  The Chamber also regularly profiles its members via our website, www.esquimaltchamber.ca as well as popular social media forums such as Facebook and Twitter. 2012 is shaping up to be an exciting year for the Township of Esquimalt.  Thank you for your continued support and we wish you all the best for your business. Chuck Palmer President, Esquimalt Chamber of Commerce Investors Group Financial Service Inc. chuck.palmer@investorsgroup.com Phone: 250-727-9191

2012 Membership Invoices

All 2012 membership invoices have been mailed out.  Please don't forget to fill out your membership form so we can ensure your contact information is up to date.     

We’ve Moved!

We are pleased to announce that we have a new office location located at #103-1249 Esquimalt Road. Our office hours are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 9am to 1pm to better serve you. Stop by and say hello!

Mayor’s Inaugural Speech – December 05, 2011

Click here to read the full text of Mayor Barbara Desjardins' Inaugural Speech, as delivered at the Inaugural Meeting of Council on December 5th 2011 at Esquimalt Municipal Hall. http://www.esquimalt.ca/municipalHall/mayorCouncil/inauguralSpeech.aspx        

Auditor General Set to Transform Local Governments

NEWS RELEASE Thurs, Nov. 24, 2011 - Chambers of Commerce from across the province today welcomed the announcement that the Auditor General for Local Government will be created in British Columbia.  The BC Chamber of Commerce would like to congratulate the Provincial Government for tabling this important legislation.  “The legislation of this new office has the potential to fundamentally change the way municipalities in BC operate,” said John Winter, President and CEO of the BC Chamber of Commerce, “and we applaud the BC Government for making this bold move to ensure that our municipalities are accountable and provide services in a competitive and cost effective way.”   The concept for a Local Government Auditor General office in BC was developed in a 2010 policy paper by the BC Chamber of Commerce, which focused on creating equity in the property tax system and bringing transparency to local government.  Chambers of Commerce recognize that many local governments face challenges providing services with limited financial means.  However, many tax rates are set with little to no involvement by the public and with no effective oversight.   “It is critical that the public have information through value for money audits to ensure that taxpayer interests are protected, and that elected officials at all levels are held to account.  An Auditor General of Local Government would achieve these goals while respecting municipal autonomy,” continued Winter.   “We are very glad to see that the guiding principles of independence and transparency for the Auditor General office have been written into the legislation,” Winter concluded.  “The Auditor General of Local Government will ensure that municipalities are accountable and employing best practices in the interest of local residents and businesses.”