VICTORIA, BC – The South Island Prosperity Partnership (SIPP), Greater Victoria’s non-profit economic development agency, has received one Gold and one Bronze award from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) in recognition of its innovative approach to economic development benefiting Greater Victoria.
SIPP brought home awards in two categories after also winning Gold and Bronze last year:
- Gold Award (Recovery, Resiliency & Mitigation) for the Rising Economy Taskforce report Igniting Momentum, released in Sept. 2025 as the Trump administration’s tariff threats escalated and economic uncertainty gripped the region. Forged through hundreds of hours of consultations, public events, interviews and surveys, the report delivered over 100 concrete recommendations for governments at every level and the community. The report guided the creation of Rising Economy 2030, Greater Victoria’s five-year economic development plan. The Taskforce work ensured Greater Victoria had a coordinated, ready-to-act response before the tariff pressures now facing the region fully took hold. SIPP continues to monitor the trade situation and collaborate with government, business and non-profit partners to advance the report’s recommendations (see attached Taskforce Progress Update).
- Bronze Award (Multi-Year Collaborative Economic Development) for COAST (Centre for Ocean Applied Sustainable Technologies), SIPP’s initiative to develop and strengthen Pacific Canada’s role in the $30-billion ocean economy. COAST has 600 members and has helped create 526 jobs for Greater Victoria. It launched Canada’s first blue economy accelerator and operates 15,500 sq. ft. of innovation hub space in Victoria and on the Saanich Peninsula.
“SIPP is leading the field of excellence in economic development,” says Nathan Ohle, IEDC President and CEO. “These awards spotlight SIPP’s commitment to its community and showcase the significant impact of economic development.”
“These awards highlight the effectiveness of regional collaboration because both the work of the Rising Economy Taskforce and COAST depend on Greater Victoria working together across municipalities and sectors, and bridging siloes to unlock economic opportunity,” says SIPP CEO Aaron Stone.
“In light of escalating tariffs from the U.S.,” adds Stone, “SIPP’s focus on diversifying our economy is more vital than ever. These timely awards reinforce that the critically important work of SIPP and our partners is moving in the right direction as we navigate this new economic reality.”
For further information:
Kerry Slavens, Director, Marketing & Communications
