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Breaking news for Greater Victoria businesses
Published weekly, BizNews offers information to help Greater Victoria’s business community make sense of our shifting economic and political landscape. The Chamber’s flagship newsletter is distributed to more than 5,000 subscribers who are highly engaged and active in our region’s business community. Scroll down to read the latest.
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New shelter spaces help move people off the streets
/in BizNews This Week, Government Local, Government Provincial, Safe Communities/by Jim ZeebenMoving vulnerable people off of cold downtown streets is urgently needed as part of efforts to improve safety for all. This week’s news that 34 new shelter spaces will open in a former Victoria public-works building is a step in the right direction. The Bridge Street Pathways Shelter, at 2920 Bridge St., is a 6,000-square-foot […]
Restaurant association seeks World Cup partners
/in BizNews This Week, Business And Economic Strength, Hospitality And Tourism Rescue And Recovery/by Jim ZeebenThe BC Restaurant and Foodservices Association has officially secured the foodservice contract, “Taste the Beautiful Game – BC Style,” which will run during the upcoming FIFA World Cup. “The province-wide program aims to help restaurants host watch parties, drive traffic, celebrate BC-grown food and drink, and share in the economic benefits of this once-in-a-generation moment,” […]
Safer city conference a good reminder more work needed
/in BizNews This Week, Government Local, Government Provincial, Safe Communities/by Jim ZeebenThe City of Victoria hosted a full-day conference on Wednesday to reiterate its exceptionally thorough and nuanced Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan originally released in June 2025. The Spark and Shift conference included speeches from Mayor Marianne Alto, VicPD Police Chief Fiona Wilson and others. Break-out discussions centred around prevention, intervention and response were planned […]
Workforce challenges reflected in low unemployment
/in BizNews This Week, Finding And Keeping Workers, Government Federal, Government Provincial/by Jim ZeebenEvery year, The Chamber conducts a survey of our membership to help us stay on top of issues affecting your business. One of the challenges that has been near the top of list for more than a decade is finding and keeping workers. The latest numbers from Statistics Canada show that, at 4.3%, Greater Victoria […]
Cultural District plan would transform downtown
/in BizNews This Week, Business And Economic Strength, Chamber Awareness, Government Local, New And Established Businesses, Safe Communities/by Jim ZeebenA proposal that reimagines a section of downtown Victoria has been approved to move to the next step. Victoria council voted unanimously to approve the plans that Reliance Properties have for a new Capital Culture District. The development would transform the area between 530 Chatham St. and the 1800 to 2000 block of Store St. […]
BC Health Minister addresses addiction crisis
/in BizNews This Week, Safe Communities/by Jim ZeebenBC’s Minister of Health Josie Osborne announced today that the province was ending its failed experiment with decriminalizing hard drugs. The province is also expanding its hotline for people seeking help with addictions, promising to speed up the time it takes to provide treatment. “This is welcome news for businesses that have been frustrated watching […]
VicPD beat patrols raise police presence downtown
/in BizNews This Week, Safe Communities/by Jim ZeebenThe Victoria Police Department is reintroducing a dedicated beat team that will increase the presence of police officers in downtown Victoria. The Chamber and downtown businesses have been calling for the return of a downtown police beat for months. “We’re grateful to the VicPD for listening to our concerns and taking action,” Chamber CEO John […]
Let’s talk about city’s noise bylaw over lunch
/in BizNews This Week, Fair Rules, Government Local, Safe Communities/by Jim ZeebenThe sounds of a city are rarely silent. Noise represents vibrancy and activity — groups of people spilling out of thriving restaurants and pubs, the hum of traffic and shrill of sirens or the din of construction. In the City of Victoria, we also have the overhead roar of seaplanes and the sounds of ships […]
WorkSafeBC’s average base premium rate unchanged
/in BizNews This Week, Business And Economic Strength, Fair Rules, Finding And Keeping Workers, Inflation And Rising Costs/by Jim ZeebenWorkSafeBC announced this week that its average base premium will remain the same as the agency uses a $570-million surplus to subsidize costs this year. The average base rate is $1.55 per $100 of assessable payroll. That’s 15% less than the average cost rate of $1.83, with the difference funded by surplus. In 2026, 39% […]
Grocery code aims to level playing field for retailers
/in BizNews This Week, Food Security/by Jim ZeebenThe new Canada Grocery Code formally took effect on Jan. 1, with the aim of promoting “fair, ethical and transparent commercial dealings” across national supply chains. The code is voluntary and is designed to level the playing field between suppliers and retailers. It is governed by a board of directors and administered by the Office […]
Add your voice to help VicPD make Victoria safer
/in BizNews This Week, Chamber Awareness, Government Local, Safe Communities/by Jim ZeebenThe Chamber has heard business concerns about social disorder in Downtown Victoria and we have loudly and unapologetically called for Safe Streets Now. As the voice of business for Greater Victoria, we hope all of our members can add their voice to our efforts. One way to do that is be taking five minutes to […]
Victoria seeks feedback on huge 10.44% tax increase
/in BizNews This Week, Government Local/by Jim ZeebenTaxes are going up for residents and businesses in the City of Victoria, but there’s still time to add your input. The current proposal would see property tax revenue increase by 10.44% from last year’s tax revenue of $195 million. “Nobody wants to pay 10% more in taxes and this number is disappointing to say […]