Chamber Chats with CEO, Bruce Williams

In this Chamber Chat CEO Bruce Williams explores options for food and beverage service creating healthy and convenient meal delivery for you, your children's school lunches and even accompanying drinks and desserts. You will meet Chamber members Way of Life Foods (WOLF) Meal Prep, This Week's Lunch, and The Bubble Bus Co.

There have been ongoing challenges to the restaurant and hospitality businesses in BC over the past few years. In this Chamber Chat CEO Bruce Williams discusses both challenges and opportunities with Ian Tostenson, CEO of the BC Restaurant and Food Association.

A successful business is one with the capacity to adapt to changes in the economy around them. In this Chamber Chat CEO Bruce Williams speaks with Corey Gillon, CEO of Peninsula Co-op about their pivots in providing vehicle fuel and groceries to diversify their successful operations.

We all love our furry four legged family members but busy schedules sometimes mean we can't interact as we want. In this Chamber Chat CEO Bruce Williams learns about Woofability and Low Key Dog Walks, organizations who can keep your pup active.

In this Chamber Chat CEO Bruce Williams hears about the current status of Victoria's business community, from CEO of the DVBA Jeff Bray.

March 2025 marks 100 years since the Victoria Cougars won the Stanley Cup, and a Century Celebration is happening for us all to celebrate the milestone. In this Chamber Chat CEO Bruce Williams speaks with Helen Edwards, one of the pivotal people in making it all happen.

BC Ferries are planning transformation improvements to their fleet and services in addition to ongoing current operations. In this Chamber Chat learn about it all when Ferries CEO Nicolas Jimenez speaks with Chamber CEO Bruce Williams.

The important work done by the Our Place Society to support the most vulnerable among us is expanding with the opening of a facility specifically providing service for women. In this Chamber Chat CEO Bruce Williams hears about those plans and other ongoing work from Our Place CEO Julian Daly.

The Construction and Development sector build homes and buildings related to all types of businesses. The sector is robust but not without challenges post pandemic and pre possible tariffs. In this Chamber Chat CEO Bruce Williams speaks with Kathy Whitcher of the Urban Development Institute and Rory Kulmala with the Vancouver Island Construction Association.

The South Island Prosperity Partnership (SIPP)  works to fulfil its name by creating innovative and inclusive economic prosperity for Southern Vancouver Island. In this Chamber Chat CEO Bruce Williams discusses SIPP with their CEO Aaron Stone.

A Globe and Mail survey named View Royal as the best place in Canada for entrepreneurs to live. Hear more about that and the Town of View Royal in this Chamber Chat with CEO Bruce Williams and Mayor Sid Tobias. 

The ongoing concerns about street safety in our communities has resulted in an SOS alarm being raised. The SOS stands for Save Our Streets, a BC Organization. In this Chamber Chat CEO Bruce Williams speaks with some of the organizers of SOS.

Food and Finance are closely linked. The price we pay for food and how we afford it by budgeting are is the topic of this Chamber Chat as CEO Bruce Williams discussed strategies with representative from The Mustard Seed Food Bank and a budgeting expert from Island Savings.

The legacy of the 1994 Commonwealth Games continues to grow through the 94 Forward organization. In this Chamber Chat CEO Bruce Williams learns about the continuing work of 94 Forward with CEO John MacMillan.

Taxes, road construction, housing and managing all things municipal is the life of Mayors across Canada. In this Chamber Chat CEO Bruce Williams gets an update on current issues and outcomes in The District of Saanich with Mayor Dean Murdock.

Among the 13 municipalities in the South Island The City of Victoria is the one most closely scrutinized by the public and media. In this Chamber Chat CEO Bruce Williams gets an update from Victoria Mayor Marianne Alto at the halfway point in her term in office.

One of the big surprises in the municipal election 2 years ago was the sweeping change with The Council in Langford. In this Chamber Chat CEO Bruce Williams speaks with Langford Mayor Scott Goodmanson about the process of governing in Langford so far.

The pending Holiday Season presents mental health challenges to many. Add concerns about current events and cost of living to concerns. In this Chamber Chat CEO Bruce Williams hears guidance from CMHA CEO Jonny Morris and Chris Forester with Island Community Mental Health Association.

Persons living with a brain injury are often judged as being impaired, forgetful or angry due to their behaviour. In this Chamber Chat CEO Bruce Williams speaks with Pam Prewett, Executive Director of the Victoria Brain Injury Society about the connection between drug overdoses and brain injury and the support programs in place for all who manage brain injuries.

Every year Greater Victoria is given a report card on the issues of most concern to residents. It's The Vital Signs Report created by the Victoria Foundation and this year we received a B grade. In this Chamber Chat CEO Bruce Williams examines the data with Paige Schoenfeld with Leger, the organization who collate that data, and Jonathan Dyck of the Victoria Foundation.

The past 20 years have seen progress and transformation in the culture and growth of Greater Victoria municipalities. The Township of Esquimalt is no exception. In this Chamber Chat CEO Bruce Williams talks about the past 20 years and the next 20 years with Esquimalt Mayor Barb Desjardins.

It's Small Business Month. There are constant changes to ways of doing business including interest rates, technology and succession planning. In this Chamber Chat CEO Bruce Williams hears business advice from Tara Benham at Doane Grant Thornton.

We are in need of affordable housing everywhere across Canada especially in Greater Victoria. Habitat for Humanity has been building affordable housing for decades and in this Chamber Chat CEO Bruce Williams speaks with Habitat CEO Scott Dutchak.

One of the world's largest float plane operators are a regular part of our travel around British Columbia and innovation is in their DNA. In this Chamber Chat CEO Bruce Williams chats with Bert van der Stege, CEO of Harbour Air

Businesses operating in and identifying with the 2SLGBTQIA+ community are making a difference in the Chamber of Commerce movement across Canada. In this Chamber Chat CEO Bruce Williams engages with the Canadian 2SLGBTQIA+ Chamber CEO and a local queer business owner for a conversation about how this inclusion makes a difference.

Don't ever think you are not able to be more environmentally friendly and better manage our climate at home, at work and wherever you are. In this Chamber Chat CEO Bruce Williams speaks with Jill Doucette and Georgia Lavender at Synergy, an organization who work with people to be more green.

We are living in a time of disruption with our economy, environment and elections. How do these factors impact our investment and spending ? In this Chamber Chat CEO Bruce Williams hears insight into this topic with Manny Del Dago at Island Savings, and Yohaan Thommy with MNP.

Food security is both a challenge and an opportunity for Vancouver Island residents. In this Chamber Chat CEO Bruce Williams talks food production with Linda Geggie and Laura Gair with CRFAIR (Capital Region Food and Agricultural Initiative Roundtable).

Victoria's waterfront is one of the most spectacular in North America and is comprised of multiple properties and facilities managed by The Greater Victoria Harbour Authority. In this Chamber Chat CEO Bruce Williams talks about the current and future plans for the harbour with GVHA CEO Robert Lewis-Manning.

One of Canada's most diverse and vibrant festivals is happening soon in Greater Victoria. In this Chamber Chat CEO Bruce Williams speaks with Nick Blasko the festival founder of Rifflandia.

In another of our conversations about Business and industry connected to our oceans we hear about monitoring the security of watercraft. This Chamber Chat features CEO Bruce Williams learns more about technology offered by BRNKL (Barnacle) from CEO Brandon Wright.

Policing in the Capital Region continues to evolve as safety issues connected to housing, mental health and addiction are mounting. In this Chamber Chat CEO Bruce Willliams discusses these matters with Vic PD Chief Del Manak

In this Chamber Char CEO Bruce Williams finds out about another of this region's innovative marine technology operations who work to protect our oceans. Rockland Scientific founder Fabian Wolk is the guest talking about monitoring marine turbulence.

As a coastal business community Greater Victoria has an abundance of marine opportunities to grow our economy and boost the health of our oceans . In this Chamber Chat CEO Bruce Williams speaks with Jason Goldsworthy, Executive Director of COAST (Centre for Ocean Applied Sustainable Technologies) about these opportunities.

Interest rates and soaring prices have created both uncertainty and opportunity in the real estate market. In his Chamber Chat CEO Bruce Williams speaks with Tessa Strong with Royal LePage Coast Capital Realty and Tony Joe with RE/MAX Prime Realty, two real estate professionals who offer insight into today's housing market.

The Stanley Cup will spend the next year in Florida. Its home was Victoria when The Victoria Cougars won it in 1925. In this Chamber Chat hear that story and many others about the history of professional hockey in Victoria when CEO Bruce Williams speaks with author Helen Edwards.

Greater Victoria is home to a mix of manufacturing operations operating in assorted sectors. In this Chamber Chat CEO Bruce Williams speaks about the boat building work done by Titan Boats with Titan Vice President Jennifer Mitchell.

Victoria International Airport is our air travel gateway to the rest of the world. It also happens to be one of the best managed and most scenic airports in the world. In this Chamber Chat CEO Bruce Williams speaks with YYJ CEO Elizabeth Brown about post pandemic recovery, future plans for the airport and more.

Greater Victoria is home to Maritime Forces Pacific, located along the West Coast of BC. CFB Esquimalt is headquarters for these operations and in Chamber Chat CEO Bruce Williams speaks about the presence of the Royal Canadian Navy with CFB Esquimalt BASE Commander Captain (Navy) Kevin Whiteside.

As BCs population grows there will be increased demand for energy and power for homes, businesses and industry. In this Chamber Chat CEO Bruce Williams speaks with FortisBC CEO Roger Dall'Antonia about keeping up with the demand for sustainable and renewable energy.

Social service agencies and governments are working on addressing the current housing crisis in the Capital Region. Housing is a Canada wide issue and in this Chamber Chat CEO Bruce Williams gets a National perspective on homelessness as he speaks with Tim Richter and Elisabeth Noble about the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness.

Food and heritage tours in Greater Victoria are not just for tourists and visitors. In this Chamber Chat CEO Bruce Williams speaks with three tour operations you can enjoy, Off The Eaten Track, A Taste of Victoria Food Tours, and in case your appetite needs a boost, Victoria Cannabis Tours

Like many municipalities in Greater Victoria the City of Colwood saw great change with the results of the last Municipal Election. In this Chamber Chat CEO Bruce Williams speaks with Colwood Mayor Doug Kobayashi about the new direction Colwood is taking.