South Island Prosperity Partnership

06/08/2026

Greater Victoria is more than just a postcard. It's a hopeful, entrepreneurial region brimming with possibility and SIPP's Possibility Charter is an invitation to transform anxieties into action.

It’s not political. We’re not selling anything. It’s simply a declaration by signatories hopeful about our future and committed to making positive things happen together.

Behind every signature name is a story. Whether belonging to the business owner who wants to see local talent thrive or a young person who refuses to give up on affordability, the Possibility Charter is a rallying cry that Greater Victoria is a place of possibility.

Sign today:

Sign The Possibility Charter today! It's a declaration by signatories from the community, business, education and government who are hopeful about our future, and committed to making positive things happen together.

06/08/2026

Want to know where Greater Victoria’s innovation community makes things happen? Look no further than 517 Herald St. The COAST Innovation Hub, a SIPP initiative, has been a hotbed of local and international activity in 2026.

In April, we hosted Canadian Coast Guard Assistant Commissioner Derek Moss, BC Minister for Jobs & Economic Growth Ravi Kahlon and municipal leaders to announce a major Innovation Challenge. In May, Canada’s Chief Science Advisor Dr. Mona Nemer visited to meet local innovators — followed by 14 EU ambassadors on a cross-Canada mission.

The energy is real and there’s room for you. Coworking memberships are available, and the Hub is an exceptional venue to host events.

https://canadacoast.ca/innovationspace/

06/03/2026

SIPP-members the City of Victoria - Local Government and Downtown Victoria Business Association are launching Summer of Soccer, a six-week festival running alongside the 2026 FIFA World Cup from June 11 to July 19.

Celebrate the Summer of Soccer downtown with free, all-ages events, live match viewing, music, culture, and fan-friendly fun. We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport

06/03/2026

Congratulations from the team at SIPP to the University of Victoria on the appointment of Dr. Rhonda McEwen as its ninth President and Vice-Chancellor!

Dr. McEwen joins UVic from Ontario where she is currently the president and vice-chancellor of Victoria University in the University of Toronto. She spent over 15 years in the private sector, working in digital communication and management consulting before entering higher education.

Her community-first, partnership-driven mindset is exactly the kind of leadership that helps Greater Victoria thrive. We look forward to welcoming Dr. McEwen to the West Coast and to building on UVic's role as a vital partner in regional prosperity.

Dr. Rhonda McEwen appointed next president and vice-chancellor of the University of Victoria.

06/01/2026

The best offices aren't really about the offices. They're about who you run into at the coffee machine, what you overhear in the hallway and the kind of serendipitous conversations that end up changing the direction of your business.

SIPP's COAST Ocean Innovation Hub on Herald Street was built with that in mind as a coworking space, event venue and podcast studio anchored by one of the most dynamic innovation communities in the region. Pricing also makes it accessible whether you're a solo entrepreneur or a growing team. If you've been curious about making the move, your first day in office is free.

Find out more: https://canadacoast.ca/innovationspace/

06/01/2026

In a world where cities are actively competing for talent, investment and business, the regions that tell their stories best are the ones that win. That's the thinking behind Victoria Rising, SIPP's platform dedicated to showcasing what makes Greater Victoria one of the most compelling places on the continent to live, work and build something.

Brand partners get complimentary access to a library of 1,200+ professionally shot photos of the region. If you're a business that wants to be part of the region's story, this is your on-ramp.

https://toolkit.victoriarising.ca/?order=top-picks

05/25/2026

The 5th Annual Awakening Chinatown Festival takes place on Sunday, May 31, 2026 on lower Fisgard Steet in Victoria, British Columbia. The free, family-friendly event runs from 11:00 AM to 4:30 PM and celebrates the culture, history, and community of Canada's oldest Chinatown.

The streets of Canada’s oldest Chinatown will come alive once again as the fifth annual Awakening Chinatown Festival returns on Sunday, May 31, 2026. Presented by the Victoria Chinatown Museum Society (VCMS) in partnership with Chinatown businesses, this free, family-friendly festival invites the ...

05/22/2026

Recently, we were honoured to welcome the Delegation of the European Union to Canada at SIPP’s COAST Ocean Innovation Hub. The delegation of 14 EU ambassadors, led by EU Ambassador to Canada Geneviève Tuts, is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the EU’s diplomatic presence in Canada.

The ambassadors were welcomed by City of Victoria Mayor Marianne Alto, SIPP CEO Aaron Stone and Indigenous Prosperity Centre Acting Executive Director Tarrin Sam. We are especially grateful to Cyril weqʷaqʷələq MORRIS of the Songhees Nation for his gracious welcome to the delegation and for sharing the history and culture of the Lekwungen people. Thank you also to Songhees Events & Catering for the delicious bannock and preserves.

Members of the delegation included:
Viera Grigova, Vice Skračić, Bogdan Mănoiu, Ekaterini Dimakis, Kaspars Ozoliņš, Plamen Georgiev, Katalin Haás, Stavros Hatziyiannis, Andrej Medica, Karl Dhaene, Bernardo Lucena, Egidijus Meilūnas, Signe Burgstaller, Jean Claude Kugener, Geneviève Tuts

05/22/2026

Recently, we were honoured to welcome the Delegation of the European Union to Canada at SIPP’s COAST - Centre for Ocean Applied Sustainable Technologies Ocean Innovation Hub. The delegation of 14 EU ambassadors, led by EU Ambassador to Canada Geneviève Tuts, is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the EU’s diplomatic presence in Canada.

The ambassadors were welcomed by City of Victoria Mayor Marianne Alto, SIPP CEO Aaron Stone and Indigenous Prosperity Centre Acting Executive Director Tarrin Sam. We are especially grateful to Cyril weqʷaqʷələq MORRIS of the Songhees Nation for his gracious welcome to the delegation and for sharing the history and culture of the Lekwungen people. Thank you also to Songhees Events & Catering for the delicious bannock and preserves.

Members of the delegation included:
Viera Grigova, Vice Skračić, Bogdan Mănoiu, Ekaterini Dimakis, Kaspars Ozoliņš, Plamen Georgiev, Katalin Haás, Stavros Hatziyiannis, Andrej Medica, Karl Dhaene, Bernardo Lucena, Egidijus Meilūnas, Signe Burgstaller, Jean Claude Kugener, Geneviève Tuts

05/15/2026

This Economic Development Week, we're proud to celebrate the work happening across Greater Victoria and the 70+ SIPP members who make it possible.

- Through our Rising Economy Taskforce and newly released Rising Economy 2030 plan, we're charting a bold course to diversify our region's economy, grow the blue economy, cleantech and life sciences, while creating the conditions for young people to build their futures here.

- Our COAST (Centre for Ocean Applied Sustainable Technologies) initiative has raised $9.7 million in investments for Greater Victoria's blue economy since 2023, creating an estimated 526 jobs and securing first customers for 35 companies.

- Through our Indigenous Prosperity Centre, we're advancing economic reconciliation and introduced 350+ Indigenous youth to jobs in the blue economy, helping build the next generation of leaders.

To our municipal partners, First Nations, post-secondary institutions, employers, industry associations and community leaders, thank you. Greater Victoria's prosperity is built together, and we're grateful to do this work alongside you.