TOGETHER WITH

Welcome to this week’s Midweek Memo, brought to you by South Island Prosperity Partnership. In this issue, read about an electrifying multi-billion dollar announcement from the province, plus the role of philanthropy in publicly-funded healthcare, and an award for BC Transit’s CEO.

Now, onto today’s briefing. It’s 747 words, a three-minute read.

Setting off sparks — 36 billion of them

With winter storms hammering much of the province at the start of 2024, many of us (the somewhat unprepared) have spent our days curled up on the couch hoping that the power stays on — or praying that those two vanilla HomeSense candles will keep us going during an outage.

The province, it seems, is thinking beyond this week. Earlier this month, premier David Eby announced a $36-billion investment for community and regional infrastructure projects to ensure access to clean, affordable electricity for individuals, businesses, and communities across B.C.

The new construction projects are projected to support 10,500 to 12,500 jobs on average annually, including on Vancouver Island, where plans are in the works to build or expand substations and to install new equipment to support residential housing growth and transit electrification.

SPONSORED

Greater Victoria’s premier business event returns

Thought leaders and industry experts share the latest intel and insights on business trends and opportunities at the 4th annual Rising Economy conference on March 6 to 8 in Victoria.

Produced by South Island Prosperity Partnership, the event promises three jam-packed days of A-list keynotes, exciting and topical panels, interactive sessions, networking mixers, and more. 

From small business owners to CEOs, managers, community leaders, and policymakers, Rising Economy attracts dynamic people interested in shaping their organizations to meet the challenges and opportunities of our region’s future.

Early bird tickets are on sale now. Save 25% when you register here. Proudly presented by RBC.

📰 More Victoria innovation news

💰Give it away: Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce CEO Bruce Williams sat down with Avery Brohman of the Victoria Hospitals Foundation to discuss how healthcare is funded and the important role that philanthropy plays.

🏆Wanna be startin’ somethin’: Erinn Pinkerton, president and CEO of BC Transit, was recognized with the Award of Distinction from the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce. Pinkerton is BC Transit’s first female president and CEO.

🤝 I choose you: Victoria’s Joanna Buczkowska-McCumber, CEO and principal sustainability strategist of Ideas for Impact Sustainability Agency, was chosen to lead the development of a strategic plan for the Vancouver Island Economic Alliance.

🕴️ Tech jobs of the week

Find your next career:

• Data Analysis and Knowledge Mobilization Officer at BC Public Service

• Corporate Services - Sourcing Specialist at Go Power!

• IT Project Manager at BC Transit

Hiring in Victoria? Reply to this email and let us know!

📅 Upcoming events

Jan 25 | Women Leaders in STEM Panel and Networking

All are welcome to join the iWIST community for a social evening to meet and network with other women in STEM, sponsored by Quicksilver Software Development. Hear from a panel of accomplished women leaders in science, engineering and technology: Christina Jones, Humaira Ahmed, Dr. Kathryn (Kate) Moran, and Dr. Katherina Tarnai-Lokhorst.

Jan 31 | Introduction to VIATEC 101

Join the VIATEC team for lunch! Meet the VIATEC crew and hear the who, what, why and how of VIATEC and the local technology community.

⭐ Feb 1 | Victoria Tech Journal & Club Kwench Happy Hour

Kick off the new year in style and join us at Victoria Tech Journal for happy hour at Kwench’s stylish downtown coworking space. Check out a new work space, meet the community, and unwind after a long day.

Feb 22-23 | 5th Western Angel Investment Summit in Victoria

Join days of fun, networking, socializing, company pitches, speakers and panelists. Not sure what to expect? Check out highlights from the 2023 Summit.

Have an upcoming event? Reply to let us know.

🙋 I need a…

We at Victoria Tech Journal know you, our community, pretty well. Are you searching for someone in your field to have coffee with, a hiring hookup, a lead on local investors, or a suggestion for a great Victoria tech tool? Whatever you’re hunting for, let us know. We’ll post it in this section and make it happen.

Email your requests to [email protected].