BizNews

Home / News / BizNews

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.

Subscribe to BizNews

Interested in advertising in BizNews?

Advertising Rates and Opportunities with The Chamber

Inflation stays stable in May, reflecting slow economy

June 25, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Business And Economic Strength, Global Uncertainty/by Jim Zeeben

The Consumer Price Index rose 1.7% on a year-over-year basis in May, matching the 1.7% increase in April, Statistics Canada said. Compared to the same month last year, slower paced increases to rent and a decline in travel tours put downward pressure on inflation this May. “After last month’s uptick in core inflation some giveback was expected. The […]

C-5 aims to rebuild Canada’s economic momentum

June 25, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Business And Economic Strength, Chamber Awareness, Government Federal, Government Provincial/by Jim Zeeben

An economic evolution that the national chamber network has been working on for years is one step closer to reality this week. On June 23, the federal government passed legislation to vastly improve free trade and labour mobility between provinces. Without this legislation, large-scale energy and infrastructure projects have routinely been delayed by regulatory gridlock, rising costs […]

Municipalities applaud expanded borrowing powers

June 25, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Business And Economic Strength, Government Local, Government Provincial/by Jim Zeeben

Municipalities in BC are applauding a move to make it easier to finance capital projects. The Chamber is cautiously optimistic about the change, though businesses are wary of enabling any level of government to take on more debt. “There’s no question that we want to see the public sector work more efficiently, but we also […]

Construction begins in Inner Harbour on Belleville terminal

June 25, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Government Provincial, Transportation Options/by Jim Zeeben

Construction on the Belleville Ferry Terminal will begin this month, following the awarding of a design-build contract. The Chamber has called for the new terminal for decades and, once complete, it will provide a more comfortable experience for people travelling to downtown Victoria by ferry. “The Chamber has been an outspoken proponent for modernizing Belleville terminal for decades, and […]

New trail crossing at Tillicum will ease commute time

June 18, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Government Local, Transportation Options/by Jim Zeeben

Commuters will have an easier time crossing Tillicum Road at Highway 1, once a new trail crossing opens for summer 2027. The province released illustrations on June 13 of the planned 100-metre Tillicum Active Transportation Bridge. Work is expected to begin in early 2026. Once complete, the bridge will eliminate one of the last signalized […]

Report calls for changes to ease port labour disputes

June 18, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Food Security, Global Uncertainty, Government Federal, Transportation Options/by Jim Zeeben

The federal government has released a report on Canada’s West Coast ports, including recommendations to protect critical supply chains. The Industrial Inquiry Commission on West Coast Ports found that changes need to be made to reflect the increasing importance of global supply chains on our economy. “The strain on Canada’s supply chains has been compounded […]

Work continues on reducing internal trade barriers

June 18, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Business And Economic Strength, Government Federal, Government Provincial/by Jim Zeeben

With less than two weeks to go for Canada’s new Prime Minister to meet his promise of reducing barriers to inter-provincial trade, the national chamber network is encouraging lawmakers to move quickly. On Monday, the Canadian Chamber appeared before a Senate committee to highlight the urgent need to reduce internal trade barriers and accelerate the […]

Armed Forces funding good news for Greater Victoria

June 18, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Finding And Keeping Workers, Global Uncertainty, Government Federal/by Jim Zeeben

Last week, the Canadian Chamber took part in the federal government’s announcement that Canada is investing in rebuilding our Armed Forces. The move is expected to help the economy, especially in communities such as Greater Victoria that are home to significant Armed Forces infrastructure. “Canada has a long and proud history of remarkable military and […]

Saanich launches new BusinessCare program

June 18, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Business And Economic Strength, Government Local/by Jim Zeeben

The District of Saanich announced a new initiative aimed at business retention and engagement. The municipality hopes the program will lead to business growth and economic resiliency. Saanich BusinessCare involves quick, in-person visits by Saanich’s Economic Development Office so that staff better understand how policies and programs affect businesses in the District. “As our economy […]

Panel releases plan to make Victoria safer for business

June 18, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Government Federal, Government Local, Government Provincial, Safe Communities/by Jim Zeeben

How can we make our communities safer? It’s a fundamental question that speaks to the very foundation of our region’s economy. On June 19, the City of Victoria will consider the Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan that was created through the input of a 10-person panel that began meeting 18-months ago. “We know Chamber members […]

Feds expand summer job subsidy for students

June 12, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Finding And Keeping Workers, Government Federal, Training And Microcredentials/by Jim Zeeben

The latest job numbers show that Greater Victoria, at 3.7%, continues to have one of the lowest unemployment rates in Canada. The average rate across the country for May was 7%. However, the rate for students ages 15 to 24 was 20.1%. It’s increased steadily each year from a low of 11.4% in May 2022. […]

Applications open for Storefronts Activation program

June 12, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Business And Economic Strength, Government Local, Safe Communities/by Jim Zeeben

The Chamber has been working on an initiative to help businesses in downtown Victoria turn empty or underutilized storefronts into vibrant spaces that enhance the area’s appeal. The City of Victoria‘s Storefronts Activation Program promotes safe communities and business growth and development by connecting property owners with artists and performers to create temporary indoor activations. […]