Friday April 11, 2025 | VICTORIA, BC [Updated April 15, 2025]
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
In the second-last week of the federal election campaign period, a federal election issues listening session will be presented by the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce.
On Wednesday evening, April 16, the Chamber will offer a two-hour opportunity to hear about issues of concern to the region’s business sector.
Business leaders with views to share will be from the Victoria Chamber, Destination Greater Victoria, Downtown Victoria Business Association, the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority, and the Vancouver Island Construction Association:
- Bruce Williams – CEO, Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce
- Paul Nursey – CEO, Destination Greater Victoria
- Jeff Bray – CEO, Downtown Victoria Business Association
- Robert Lewis-Manning – CEO, Greater Victoria Harbour Authority
- Rory Kulmala – CEO, Vancouver Island Construction Association
Candidates who have been invited to share views of the four major political parties are:
- Laurel Collins – NDP incumbent (Victoria)
- Grant Cool – Conservative candidate (Esquimalt-Saanich-Sooke) [previously was going to be Cathie Ounstead of Saanich-Gulf Islands]
- Will Greaves – Liberal candiate (Victoria)
- Elizabeth May – Green co-leader, incumbent (Saanich-Gulf Islands)
Custom format:
“The format works because it keeps the evening focused on local issues that have been identified by groups that actively work to solve those issues and are aware of how the federal government can help,” says Jim Zeeben, Communications Director, Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce.
“Parties are able to reach their audiences directly with high-level information about their platforms,” says Zeeben.
Where and when:
The event will be held at Spectrum Community School, 957 West Burnside Road, from 5 pm to 7 pm.
The venue holds up to 200 people. Chamber members have received an online link for registration. The event is free and open to the public, who may register by email to: chamber@victoriachamber.ca
There is also a national leaders debate on the same evening, April 16, televised in French (with translation), starting at 5 pm PT.
Election timeline:
- The 45th General Federal Election will be held on Monday April 28, 2025.
- Advance voting is available April 18 to 21, and before that Voting on Campus is available April 13 to 16.
- See regional/national: Campaign Itineraries & Links on how to vote
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- BC Premier David Eby meets with Liberal Leader Mark Carney about softwood lumber tariffs (April 7, 2025)
- Carney announces Liberal sustainability platform including 10 new national parks & 15 urban parks (April 7, 2025)
- Liberal Leader Mark Carney rallies the party faithful in Victoria (April 6, 2025)
- If the United States no longer wants to lead, Canada will, says Carney (April 4, 2025)
- Victoria NDP incumbent Laurel Collins on the 2025 re-election campaign trail (April 2, 2025)
- Second federal campaign visit by NDP Leader on south Vancouver Island (March 31, 2025)
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