The Peninsula by Times Colonist

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Denny Warner Executive Director Saanich Peninsula Chamber of Commerce

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Cast your net widely I attended a workforce forum last week that was focussed on the the difficult challenges employers face in finding employees to fill current positions. Employers are having to spend an increasing amount of time on recruitment and retention efforts, and are finding it necessary to expand their focus to access groups of people they have not had experience recruiting, including immigrants, indigenous populations, people with diverse abilities, and the semi-retired. The first challenge employers face is to figure out where and how to access these largely untapped and diverse groups of potential employees. Gone are the days when you post a classified ad and are overwhelmed with resumes from a host of qualified applicants. The second challenge is to successfully

and sensitively navigating the recruiting process. Employers may find themselves dealing with language and cultural barriers as well as workplace accommodation issues. It seems the key to making this all work is time, patience and flexibility. Seemingly at odds with the difficulty, employers are facing recruitment at the federal level, as mentioned by Saanich / Gulf Islands MP, Elizabeth May, who attended the same forum, and is the focus of bureaucrats and politicians on job creation. This policy approach is more than a little mind-boggling, considering almost every business I know is looking for employees. It isn’t merely an irritant that companies have jobs open for extended periods of time. For some smaller businesses, a lack of employees has resulted in shortened hours and work weeks. It is very diffi-

THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 2019

cult to generate revenue when your doors are closed. There seems to be a slight recognition of the shift in the balance of power from job creators to job seekers as evidenced by the criteria for the 2019 Canada Summer Jobs program. They have relaxed their previous requirement that applicants be students. We are able to hire any qualified candidates between the ages of 15 and 30. It’s a small step, but employers will take whatever help is offered. Our thanks to John Juricic and Harbour Digital Media for shining the light on these important labour market issues. This Chamber will continue to support employers’ recruiting and retaining efforts by sharing information about programs and people and resources. Stay connected and sign up to receive our weekly e-Blast.

Family Day Weekend with Max & Ruby and the Backyardigans

Robbie Burns on the Peninsula 14th Annual Robbie Burns Dinner Sponsored by Greater Victoria Police Pipe Band Saturday, Jan. 21 5 to 10:30 p.m. Mary Winspear Centre, 2243 Beacon Ave. Sidney. Cash bar. For info and tickets, go to: gvppb.com/events/burns-dinnersilent-auction Robbie Burns Celebration on the Peninsula

he Mary Winspear Centre in Sidney is set to welcome families to their Family Day Weekend featuring TV’s very own Max & Ruby and The Backyardigans. With three shows daily, the Centre is thrilled to offer affordable entertainment — enjoyable for the whole family. On Sunday, Feb. 17, celebrate the universal nature of sibling relationships in Max & Ruby’s Musical Playdate. Max & Ruby never quite want the same thing, and their plans always collide — with hilarious results.

Featuring upbeat and original songs, this Playdate is sure to have the whole audience singing and hopping along! On Monday, Feb. 18, you’ll see the five pals from The Backyardigans — quick-moving penguin, Pablo; mellow moose Tyrone; thrill-seeking, purple-spotted creature, Uniqua; lady-like hippo, Tasha; and Austin, the new Kangaroo on the block. For the Backyardigans gang, daily backyard play dates bring fantasy to life. Each musical

adventure encourages kids to develop their imagination and express themselves creatively as they sing and dance along with the gang. Performances run at 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. on both days. Each show is 45 minutes long, and comes with a meet and greet with the stars. Tickets are on sale now at the Mary Winspear Centre’s box office and online at: marywinspear.ca

Sunday, Jan. 27 1:30 p.m. Entertainment by Knacker’s Yard. The Scottish Country Dancers will perform, too. Scottish parade in, and a salute to the haggis with Bob Williamson. Refreshments, sandwiches and goodies available. Admission: $15/$20. Centre For Active Living 50+ 1229 Clarke Rd. (next to the library) in Brentwood Bay. Details: 250-652-4611 or cssca@shaw.ca. centralsaanichseniorscentre.org Join the centre for more activities. Meet new friends at whatever activities you enjoy: luncheons and teas, interesting speakers, fitness, dancing, card games and others, choir, crafts, bingo and Sunday socials.

Peninsula Co-op is giving back $6.3 million in rebates to members.

0011611696 PENINSULA CO-OP Rebates mailed recvd 10 x 120 Cheques are in the CMYK, , mail.

If you haven’t received yours, perhaps we don’t have your current mailing address. Contact us: 250.652.5752 or 1.877.652.5752 | membership@peninsulaco-op.com Not a member yet? Lifetime membership is only $27. No annual fee.

Learn more or become a member at peninsulaco-op.com

D6 THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 2019

timescolonist.com | TIMES COLONIST

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Funding Available for Hearing Aids

eople are often surprised to find out they may be eligible for funding for their hearing aids through a third party payer, such as WCB or Veterans Affairs. Many extended benefits programs also contribute to the cost of hearing aids. For those who aren’t covered through a third party and would like to look at options for payment, Hear Central in Brentwood Bay partner with Island Savings to offer very competitive short term loans. Almost half of Hear Central’s customers receive full or partial funding for their hearing aids through a third party payer. When you come in for your appointment, they will help you determine if you are eligible. Prior to your appointment, call your benefits provider and ask if you have coverage for audiology services and hearing aids. Ask if the amount quoted is per ear or in total. Also find out if there are any special requirements (ex. audiologist prescription) or limitations. If you served in the military, you may be eligible to receive benefits through VAC. If you have worked in noise, you may be eligible for coverage for hearing aids through the Workers’ Compensation Board in the province where the noise exposure occurred. Health Canada provides eligible First Nations people and Inuit with hearing aids when they are not covered through other insurance plans. Contact Hear Central Saanich, located at 7159A West Saanich Rd. in Brentwood Bay, to find out more: 778426-4876. hearcentralsaanich.com

February = Family Fun!

ON THE PENINSULA! Sunday, Feb. 24, 1 to 2:30 p.m. Royal BC Museum Fieldtripper Guided Walk (14 years+) at Island View Beach Regional Park in Central Saanich Join a CRD Regional Parks naturalist and Royal BC Museum scientists, Heidi Gartner, Invertebrates Collection Manager and Dr. Joel Gibson, Curator of Entomology, to learn about the fascinating world of invertebrate reproduction. You will search the rare dune environment and intertidal zone for flying and marine invertebrates. Be prepared to get your feet wet. Meet at the grassy area adjacent to the picnic shelter off Homathko Road. The Royal BC Museum suggests a $5 donation for their Fieldtripper programs. Please leave your animal friends at home.

Family Day in B.C. is Monday, Feb. 18, 2019.

ith February right around the corner, it’s time to get yourself in gear for a whole bunch of fun. Always popular, Family Day is going to be extra special this year with new activities and events and as well as some of the old familiar ones too. Here’s what’s on: At the Mary Winspear Centre: for the first time, the Centre will present Max & Ruby for a musical playdate on Sunday, Feb. 17. On Monday, Feb. 18, the Centre will present The Backyardigans, Quest for the Extra Ordinary Aliens, with shows at the same time. Reserve online at marywinspear.ca or by phone: 250-656-0275. At the Sidney Historical Museum — another spectacular display of Lego brick creations and a magnificent Lego creation built by Robin Slater, Canada’s only

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Lego professional. This year, Robin will construct a giant train right at the Museum as well as an intricate mosaic. Lego brick kits of the train will be available for a nominal fee. The Museum’s newest presentation will celebrate 60 years of Lego imagination with dozens of Star Wars themed Lego models. Admission to the Museum is by donation. At ArtSea, formerly the Community Arts Centre, kids of all ages will be able to have fun and use their creativity with 100 boxes for building, playing and experimenting with shapes and structures between Feb. 16 and 21. New to the Family Day lineup, this activity promises to be fun for the whole family. The Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea will offer Watershed Wonders for an exploration

of everything watershed on Friday, Feb. 15. Other events and displays are planned for the entire weekend. The Pier Hotel will once again showcase and intricate Lego display sponsored by VicLUG Family Day weekend. Don’t forget the scavenger hunt — a fun activity for the entire family. Pick up a scavenger hunt form at the Sidney Visitor Centre on Beacon Avenue. For a complete listing of Family Day Weekend events, check out the calendar at sidneybia.ca. Special for Elvis fans:

Virtual Elvis and the Tupelo Katz will be presented at the Shoal Centre on Saturday, Feb. 9 at 7 p.m. The Shoal Centre is located at 10030 Resthaven Dr.

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The quiet of winter Jan 15 to Mar 17

ou may think of The Butchart Gardens as a spring or summer affair, but with Vancouver Island’s temperate climate, The Gardens has something to offer year-round. Enjoy the solitude winter brings, and take in the subtle beauty of the shrubs, trees and flowers, from delicate snowdrops to lush hellebore. When winter falls, the former Butchart residence, Benvenuto, is opened to visitors. Inside, you’ll find curated displays of memorabilia that chronicle The Garden’s history, from the days as a limestone quarry to today. From room to room, you’ll see original furnishings, letters and photographs from the early 1900s.

Spring Prelude

While the outdoor gardens sleep, the indoor gardens come to life. Step inside the Spring Prelude, and stroll along the flagstone pathways while breathing in the subtle fragrance of flowering shrubs and flowers. Garden beds of daffodils and tulips bloom alongside tropical plants and orchids creating a fantasy garden. Flowering cherry, witch hazel and other flowering shrubs provide a backdrop to a footbridge where Koi gracefully and serenely swim beneath. butchartgardens.com

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The Peninsula Diverse by Nature contact: Ramona Maximuk rmaximuk@timescolonist.com 250-380-4414 Dianne Dallas ddallas@timescolonist.com 250-380-5264