LOCAL GOVERNMENT – GOVERNANCE Members are frustrated with the cost—in terms of dollars, time and energy—to operate in more than one municipality. In addition, members are concerned that Greater Victoria’s reputation and ability to compete with other jurisdictions can be impacted by its inability to deliver regionally. The improvement of regional and local governance is a priority to businesses because: • there are conflicts of interest when local politicians are also decision-makers for the CRD, • the City of Victoria bears the majority of costs, e.g. policing, homelessness, as the region’s core, and • higher levels of governments consider our issues and funding requests as those of small municipalities versus one of Canada’s 20 largest cities. In November 2014, 8 of Greater Victoria’s 13 municipalities were each asked a governance-related question on the ballots. As could be expected, the different questions resulted in a wide range of results. In the end, seven out of eight
municipalities—or 56,134 out of 75,170 voters within 8 of the 13 municipalities— leaned towards some course of action, which we believe is a strong indicator that voters are aware of a problem with local government. The Chamber advocated for the B.C. government to conduct a regional governance study to determine options for efficient municipal service delivery and governance. The Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development launched the Capital Integrated Services and Governance Initiative, with an expected release date of early 2017. The Chamber’s position is that effective local governance supports business success and growth. 2017 Objective: The Chamber will advocate for better governance through fewer governments. Specifically, for the Province to develop realistic options for improved regional governance through the amalgamation of local governments as well as for local governments to commit to regional approaches.
2017 BOARD OF DIRECTORS This influential board works with decision-makers at all levels of government to support our region’s business interests as well as maximize the value of membership with The Chamber. “Our election process attracts highly skilled and experienced candidates from diverse backgrounds,” said Chamber Chair, Al Hasham. “We look forward to our work supporting our members and representing the region’s business community.” EXECUTIVE Chair - Al Hasham, Owner of
DIRECTORS • Carmen Charette, Vice-President
Vice Chair - Dan Dagg, President of
• Lise Gyorkos, President and Co-
Past Chair - Frank Bourree, CEO and Owner of Chemistry Consulting Group Inc. and GT Hiring Solutions
• Gary Kinar, Lawyer and Owner of
Treasurer - Kris Wirk, Partner with
• Natasha Reger, Owner of The
Secretary - John Wilson, CEO of
• Mark Smith, Chief Experience
Maximum Express Courier, Freight & Logistics and Max Furniture
Hot House Marketing
Dickson Dusanj & Wirk
Wilson's Group of Companies
Executive Member-at-Large -
Patricia Jelinski, CEO of United Way of Greater Victoria
Executive Member-at-Large -
Mark Mawhinney, Investment Advisor at Odlum Brown Ltd. (Victoria)
External Relations at the University of Victoria
owner of Page One Publishing Inc. (Douglas, YAM and Salt magazines)
Kinar Curry Lawyers Reger Group
Officer with Query Technologies Corp.
• Captain (Navy) Steve Waddell, Base Commander CFB Esquimalt (appointed)
EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS • Catherine Holt, CEO of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce
LOCAL GOVERNMENT – SERVICE DELIVERY Members are increasingly concerned about the financial burden placed on businesses as well as the impact that inadequate service delivery has on their ability to grow and to attract investment. The effectiveness and efficiency of local government’s service delivery is a priority to businesses because: • responsibility for public safety is fractured, which can lead to the perception that Greater Victoria is not safe, thereby affecting decisions to visit, live, or do commerce in the region, • the Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses 2016 report has the average property tax gap ratio between residential and commercial on Vancouver Island in 2015 at 2.71, which is above the provincial average of 2.6. In particular, North Saanich was at 4.83, Colwood at 3.95, Saanich was at 3.4 and Victoria at 3.12, and • The Chamber advocated for assistance moving our sewage project forward. In March 2016, B.C. Minister of Communities, Sport and Cultural Development, Peter Fassbender, stepped in, working with the CRD to set up a Project Board with the right people to get sewage treatment back on track. “Partnerships are key when it comes to community health and public safety,” said Victoria Police Department’s (VicPD) Acting Chief Del Manak. “That is why VicPD continues to advocate for enhanced cooperation among the law enforcement agencies of southern Vancouver Island. As a long-standing member of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce, VicPD is proud to be part of the ongoing conversation about how all police agencies can work together to better serve the citizens of this region.” The Chamber’s position is that efficient and cost-effective municipal services support business success and growth. 2017 Objective: The Chamber will advocate that local governments work to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of municipal service delivery so as to reduce the burden on businesses and improve Greater Victoria’s reputation as a region.
• Shaun Cerisano, Chair of Prodigy Group
BUSINESSMATTERS | JANUARY 2017
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