Waterside Chats, the return of cruise, economic impact studies, and maintaining the Welcome to Victoria sign
Reflecting on 21 accomplishments during 2021
Dec. 21, 2021, Victoria, BC, Canada – With only a few days left in 2021 (and what still feels like 2020), the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority (GVHA) team wishes to celebrate the many successes that occurred despite another difficult and challenging year.
Since January 2021, thanks to the hard work of the entire team, the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority accomplished the following:
- Achieved a Canadian Council of Aboriginal Business’ Progressive Aboriginal Relations program silver certification.
- Partnered with Destination Greater Victoria and Eagle Wing Tours on a Lekwungen Youth Job Shadowing Program.
- Staff and board contributed $3,040 toward the Canadian Red Cross flood relief efforts in British Columbia, matched by GVHA for a total donation of $6,080. Donate here.
- Recognized the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
- Successfully advocated for the return of cruise in Canada, effective November 1, 2021. The first ship in Canada in two years is scheduled to arrive at the Victoria Cruise Terminal in April 2022.
- Completed an economic impact study of the Victoria & Esquimalt Harbours with working harbour partners that showed a $2.9 billion impact, as well as a secondary study for GVHA and its harbour properties.
- Hosted seven Waterside Chat virtual discussions with partners and stakeholders.
- Welcomed The Ocean Cleanup to the Breakwater District at Ogden Point.
- After cancelling the annual artisans showcase due to COVID-19, welcomed the return of the Inner Harbour Summer Line Up to the Lower Causeway.
- Provided, for a second year, CFAX Santa’s Anonymous with collection and distribution space at the Breakwater District.
- Joined Herowork for a revitalization of the Indigenous Perspectives Society office and community space.
- Completed the Facility Condition Assessments for the Breakwater District, thus completing the planned studies of major infrastructure conditions for all GVHA facilities.
- Received an updated study on the value of cruise to Greater Victoria from BREA, which confirmed that the annual economic impact to the region is $143 million.
- Launched a new Community Liaison Committee with community partners, Member Agencies, and residents.
- Started the power load analysis for the shore power project, an important step in determining demand requirements for BC Hydro.
- Installed new PM 2.5 air quality monitors for the working harbour.
- Thanked CHEK News and Horizon Nurseries for their financial and in-kind support in planting and maintaining the Welcome [back] to Victoria sign on the south side of the Inner Harbour Lower Causeway.
- Signed a storage lease for more than 100 modular housing components that were barged to the terminal and then moved to their destination in Sooke.
- Welcomed two new board members: Nəʔəmtənat (Florence Dick), Songhees Nation, and Geoff Dickson, Destination Greater Victoria.
- Through careful planning and government COVID relief funding, managed budgets from an anticipated loss of $3.6 million to an actual loss of $1.1 million.
- Made life a little brighter with the installation of oversized holiday decorations and Christmas lights at the Breakwater District.
About the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority
The Greater Victoria Harbour Authority is a community-based, not-for-profit organization that is committed to the stewardship and sustainable growth of Victoria’s dynamic working harbour. The organization is governed by a 13-member Board of Directors, represented by four independent community members and eight Member Agencies: Esquimalt Nation, Songhees Nation, Capital Regional District, City of Victoria, Township of Esquimalt, The Chamber, Victoria Esquimalt Harbour Society, and Destination Greater Victoria.
The Greater Victoria Harbour Authority owns and operates several high-profile community amenities including the Ogden Point Breakwater, Inner Harbour lower causeway, Ship Point, and customs dock at Raymur Point. Within its commercial and marine industrial holdings are The Breakwater District at Ogden Point, Fisherman’s Wharf, and four Inner Harbour marinas. The organization manages the Victoria Cruise Terminal at The Breakwater District, which contributes more than $143 million annually to the Greater Victoria economy and is responsible for 800 direct and indirect jobs.
In 2021, the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority was certified as a Canadian Council of Aboriginal Business’ Progressive Aboriginal Relations Silver Member, a reflection of its ongoing commitment to a guiding principle of First Nations Relationships.