Greater Victoria is making history. Today, the South Island Prosperity Partnership (SIPP) officially launched The Possibility Charter — the first of its kind in Canada — alongside the unveiling of Rising Economy 2030: A Five-Year Economic Development Plan for Greater Victoria.

The Charter is a bold, community-driven pledge to build Greater Victoria’s future on a foundation of hope, creativity and entrepreneurship, rather than complacency and stagnation. It signals a new way of thinking: that city-regions are not only shaped by infrastructure and policy, but also by the shared belief that hope is fundamental to strategy.

“Today and tomorrow cannot be business as usual — they have to be business as possible,” says SIPP Board Chair Terry Gunning. “ We’re asking people to sign the charter to rally behind the idea that the best of Greater Victoria’s best days can be ahead, if we work together with pragmatism and optimism.”

“The Possibility Charter is more than words on a page — it’s a call to action for Greater Victoria to embrace creativity, take risks and co-create a future where people and businesses can thrive together,” says Aaron Stone, CEO of SIPP. “By pairing the Charter with SIPP’s 5-year plan, Rising Economy 2030, we are giving our region both the vision and a plan to succeed.”

Unlocking the Region’s Potential

Unveiled alongside The Possibility Charter, Rising Economy 2030: A 5-Year Regional Economic Development Plan, charts a transformative path to reset Greater Victoria’s economy to meet imminent and long-term challenges. 

“Rising Economy 2030 seizes on a generational opportunity,” says Stone, “to unleash our entrepreneurial culture, diversify our economy from its dependence on public sector growth, and ride the global waves of clean growth, digital transformation and inclusive prosperity to create a Greater Victoria where young people feel hopeful about building their futures here.” 

The plan focuses on growing promising sectors such as the blue economy, cleantech and life sciences, attracting and retaining essential workers, including healthcare professionals, broadening the adoption of AI skills and new technologies across all ages, abilities and sectors, and creating the conditions for young people to stay and succeed in the region.

Rising Economy 2030 was developed through extensive collaboration with business leaders, First Nations, governments and community partners and builds on the work of the Rising Economy Taskforce. 

Resources/Links:
The Greater Victoria Possibility Charter
The Greater Victoria Possibility Charter: www.choosepossibility.ca
“I Choose Possibility video (new release): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJtbAcXQY9c

Rising Economy 2030
Rising Economy 2030: 5 Year Regional Economic Development Plan ourrisingeconomy.com
Greater Victoria regional promotional video (new release): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jv-66y2uze0