CREATING A RESILIENT ECONOMY
We are catalysts for regional economic strength.
South Island Prosperity Partnership (SIPP) is Greater Victoria’s economic alliance for a more prosperous future.
Launched in 2016, SIPP is a non-profit, public-private partnership of municipal governments, First Nations, post-secondaries, major employers, nonprofits and industry associations.
As stewards of Southern Vancouver Island’s economic development strategy, we collaborate across sectors and municipalities to diversify the economy, open doors to opportunity, accelerate innovation and drive the creation of household-supporting jobs.
OUR MEMBER ECOSYSTEM
Municipal Government
SIPP partners with 8 South Island municipal governments in a collaborative regional approach to economic development that benefits each community.
First Nations
We collaborate with 10 South Island First Nations to support Indigenous-led economic development through the Indigenous Prosperity Centre.
Post-Secondary
We collaborate with our educational partners, UVic, RRU and Camosun College, to strengthen and highlight our region’s innovation and learning culture.
Private Sector
SIPP’s private-sector partners are economy builders and leaders in sectors from transportation and tech to finance and law.
The Public
We’re helping to create a strong, sustainable economy, a good quality of life and household-sustaining jobs for our children and theirs.
Non-Profits & Associations
SIPP collaborates with NGOs and business associations on economic development initiatives that benefit the region and create community prosperity.
Creating a RISE Economy
At SIPP, we look at the regional economy through a RISE lens — Resilient, Inclusive, Sustainable and Entrepreneurial — that guides our Rising Economy 2030 5-Year Economic Plan
Resilience
Over-reliance on one or two major sectors can’t sustain our region through hard times. SIPP is a catalyst for regional economic diversity. We work to strengthen regional leadership and collaboration; accelerate growth in ocean and marine technology, life sciences, health and agriculture; and improve regional competitiveness and investment readiness.
Inclusive
In a healthy economy, inclusion isn’t optional — it’s vital. SIPP’s Rising Economy 2030 plan focuses on expanding Indigenous youth leadership, entrepreneurship and career pathways through the Indigenous Prosperity Centre; improving opportunities for newcomers to start, acquire and grow businesses; and advancing community wealthbuilding and local ownership models.
Sustainable
Growth for growth’s sake overloads our region’s systems and environment, leaving us less able to attract and keep talent here. SIPP works to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Our work includes growing marine energy, decarbonization and clean tech opportunities through our COAST initiative and advancing circular economy initiatives that reduce waste and increase resource efficiency.
Entrepreneurial
We aim to build a culture that celebrates entrepreneurship, innovation and possibility. SIPP’s Rising Economy 2030 plan includes support for startups and scaling companies through our COAST initiative and helping local businesses access tools, data, financing and succession planning support.
We Inform, Involve & Inspire
Rising Economy Conference
SIPP’s annual Rising Economy brings together business and community leaders to engage in conversations about how our region and the world will meet the opportunities and challenges of the 21st century.
Local Leadership Forum
Participants at this facilitated, workshop-style event connect and collaborate around key topics affecting our region, learn about best or tested practices, engage in solutions-oriented dialogue with peers and participate in setting out a course of action
Executive Leadership Roundtables
Hosted by our CEO, this curated dinner series brings our members together to share ideas and explore issues affecting our region.
Canada’s Leading Economists
SIPP periodically invites economic thought leaders, including chief economists of leading financial institutions, to present on emerging trends in the Canadian economy.
Recognition for our work
SIPP has received 11 prestigious Excellence in Economic Development awards….
How SIPP began
SIPP began in the wake of the Great Recession (2008-2009) when Greater Victoria’s economy became one of the slowest regions in Canada to rebound. Reasons included a lack of economic diversity and the absence of a regional, collaborative model for economic development.
SIPP was founded in 2016 as a not-for-profit regional alliance with collaboration as a building block of our DNA. We had a bold vision from the start, supported by a powerful coalition of 29 visionary public and private stakeholders — municipalities, First Nations, major employers, industry and business associations, and nonprofits.
Today, we’re a diverse but collaborative economic alliance dedicated to helping Greater Victoria achieve economic and social prosperity for all. We’ve expanded to 70+ members, launched the Indigenous Prosperity Centre (IPC) and COAST — and earned international awards for our work.
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Over the years, our collaboratively designed model has achieved a genuine impact by focusing on emerging needs and opportunities. SIPP’s model was recently the subject of a one-year Community Economies pilot launched by the Shorefast Foundation.
The strengths we’ve developed over the years are the strengths of our members because they know that while it might seem faster to go it alone, we will all go much farther when we do it together.
