Small Business Week takes place from October 19 to the 23.

To mark the occasion, the Peninsula Chamber will host a breakfast meeting on October 20, featuring special guest speaker, the Honourable Iain Black, Minister of Small Business Technology and Economic Development.

Minister Black will address a number of issues important to the business community, including one very hot topic: HST. There’s no question — this is one topic that’s sizzling in business circles these days. And it’s coming: July 1, 2010. Businesses are attempting to understand, and come to terms with possible impacts — positive or negative.

The Peninsula Chamber’s economic development committee has been meeting on the issue and collecting anecdotal information from the local business community on expected impacts. This week, chamber members will be emailed a 10-question survey on the HST. The answers will provide the chamber with direction.

At this point, a variety of efforts are underway — notably by the BC Chamber and the tourism and housing sectors — to shape the province’s 2010 budget process to seek mitigation for sectors most adversely impacted by the move to HST. The BC Chamber has supported harmonization since 2002. Its support has always included the caveat that transition measures would have to be put in place for some sectors.

John Winter, CEO of the BC Chamber, issued a statement after last week’s Canadian Chamber AGM reiterating the position: "Mitigation has been a major concern throughout our advocacy efforts on this [HST] front, and will continue to be the focus of much of our work with this issue."

The Oct. 20 breakfast with Minister Black is the first opportunity for the Peninsula business community to pose its HST questions to the government. Nov. 26, the date set for the Peninsula Chamber’s annual general meeting, will offer another opportunity when we expect Jon Garson, the BC Chamber’s Vice President of Policy Development, will be our guest speaker.

The breakfast with Minister Black will be at the Institute of Ocean Sciences cafeteria, beginning at 7:45 a.m. Tickets are $25 for Peninsula Chamber members; general admission is $35. Call the chamber office: 250-656-3616.

A Balanced Community

The Peninsula Chamber board of directors hosted a number of local developers and municipal planners at a luncheon last week, to hear a presentation on workforce housing by Ian Brown, of Tower Premium Woodworking.

Ian arrived on the Peninsula, via Alberta and Penticton, with experience in the development of workforce housing. His presentation demonstrated how creative thinking and planning at the beginning of the development process, and cooperative efforts between developers and local and provincial governments, can result in positive housing solutions for working people and families. The model he presented has seen great success in other communities.

The luncheon sponsor, Viking Air, supports a large, and housing-challenged, work force.

Starry Night – in Black & White

The Peninsula Chamber will host its Third Annual Starry Night (in Black & White) Dinner, Dance & Auction, on Friday, November 19. ‘A’ British Columbia TV personality, Bruce Williams, will be the night’s emcee and auctioneer. Dress is black and/or white — and wear your dancin’ shoes! The fabulous Commodores Big Band will start swingin’ about 9 p.m.

There are plenty of surprises this year, including lighted martini glasses, mystery boxes at every table, and a limited number of ‘surprise’ jewellery boxes (diamonds anyone?). Tickets are $75 (includes one drink ticket) and $550 for a table of eight (reserve your table by October 30 and get into the draw for limo service to and from the event!).

Eileen Leddy is executive director of the Saanich Peninsula Chamber of Commerce. Contact her at eleddy@peninsulachamber.ca.