The Chamber Marine Sector Committee

The Saanich Peninsula Chamber of Commerce is pleased to introduce the Marine Sector Committee, a focused initiative created to support and advocate for the region’s industrial marine sector.

The Saanich Peninsula is a recognized hub for marine activity in the Pacific Northwest, serving both recreational boating and industrial marine businesses. With established marine assets and a strong concentration of industry expertise, the region has significant potential for growth. At the same time, businesses in this sector face challenges that can limit expansion and long-term sustainability. The Marine Committee has been formed to address those challenges through coordination, advocacy, and sector-wide collaboration.

Key Focus Areas
Through engagement with industry stakeholders, the Chamber has identified several priority areas where coordinated support is needed.

Sector Scope and Economic Impact
A critical first step is clearly defining the scope and size of the marine sector on the Peninsula. This includes identifying the scope and size of the industry, building a registry of businesses, and better understanding the sector’s economic impact.

Land Use and Working Harbour Advocacy
Marine businesses rely on access to industrial lands and functioning waterfronts. The Committee will focus on land use planning and zoning issues that impact the marine sector, including the preservation of industrial marine lands and continued access to water for industrial purposes.

The Committee will also support coordinated engagement with local and senior governments to address regulatory and policy barriers affecting the sector. This includes advocating for the needs of working harbours and supporting requests that recognize the operational realities of marine businesses.

Workforce Development
Access to skilled labour is a growing challenge for marine businesses. Supporting workforce development and improving connections between industry and training pathways is a priority area for the Committee.

How the Marine Committee Will Help
The Marine Committee provides a structured forum for collaboration and action by:

• Bringing marine businesses together to share information, align priorities, and address common challenges.
• Collecting and organizing sector data to support informed decision-making and effective advocacy.
• Engaging with local governments to raise industry concerns and propose practical solutions related to land use, zoning, and working harbour needs.
• Supporting connections between marine businesses, training organizations, and workforce development initiatives.
• Creating a coordinated and consistent voice for the marine sector on the Saanich Peninsula.

Get Involved
The Chamber is committed to supporting a strong and resilient marine sector. Business owners, industry stakeholders, and community members with an interest in the future of the marine industry on the Peninsula are encouraged to get involved.

If you would like to learn more about the Marine Committee or express interest in participating, please fill out the form below.