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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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Province continues working on red tape reduction

October 29, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Business And Economic Strength, Fair Rules, Government Provincial, Streamlined Regional Regulations/by Jim Zeeben

On Monday, the provincial government announced it was making 187 amendments to 38 regulations in order to reduce red tape, improve permitting timelines and make government services more efficient and accessible. The changes are across 10 ministries and focus on streamlining approval processes, such as removing construction permit requirements for very small private water systems, […]

Feds announce reforms to bail and legal system

October 29, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Government Federal, Safe Communities/by Jim Zeeben

Last Thursday, the federal government announced highly anticipated reforms aimed at keeping repeat offenders away from communities. The Bail and Sentencing Reform Act focuses on stricter bail laws for violent and repeat offending, as well as organized crime. It also aims to make sentencing laws tougher for serious and violent crimes. “This is a pillar […]

ICBC freezes auto insurance rates through 2027

October 29, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Business And Economic Strength, Government Provincial, Transportation Options/by Jim Zeeben

The Insurance Corporation of BC announced on Tuesday that no increase to basic rates is planned for next year. It marks the seventh year in a row that ICBC has held rates. “With insurance rates stable, we can put our efforts toward enhancing customer experience and expanding online services,” ICBC interim CEO and president Jason […]

Bank lowers interest rate as trade uncertainty lingers

October 29, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Chamber Awareness, Inflation And Rising Costs/by Jim Zeeben

The Bank of Canada reduced its target interest rate today by 0.25%, citing ongoing uncertainty with US trade negotiations. “While the global economy has been resilient to the historic rise in US tariffs, the impact is becoming more evident,” the bank said in its statement. “Trade relationships are being reconfigured and ongoing trade tensions are […]

Chamber column: Focus on needs not wants in budgets

October 29, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Chamber Awareness, Government Local, Inflation And Rising Costs/by Jim Zeeben

An excerpt is from The Chamber’s October column in the Business Examiner” If the largest city in Western Canada can aim for a 0% property tax increase, surely those municipalities with a fraction of Vancouver’s budget can do the same. Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim recently announced that he is directing staff to stop spending money […]

Nigel House opens 88 new homes in Saanich

October 22, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Housing, Safe Communities/by Jim Zeeben

The Chamber strongly advocates for increasing Greater Victoria’s housing supply to meet the diverse needs of our region. We all benefit from having a strong real estate industry, as well as affordable housing needed for a safe community. Last Friday, 88 units opened at the new six-storey Nigel House in the District of Saanich. The […]

Construction begins on 500 new homes in Victoria

October 22, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Finding And Keeping Workers, Housing, Safe Communities/by Jim Zeeben

Construction has started on more than 500 new rental homes, retail spaces and a public plaza at the corner of Douglas and Caledonia streets. “We’re excited to continue providing much-needed housing to Victoria in partnership with BC Housing on this mixed-use project at Douglas and Caledonia,” Chard Development president and CEO Byron Chard said in a […]

Change gives sick or hurt staff up to six-months leave

October 22, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Business And Economic Strength, Finding And Keeping Workers, Safe Communities/by Jim Zeeben

The BC government is proposing an amendment to the Employment Standards Act that would give employees up to 27 weeks of unpaid leave for serious illness or injury. The province says the change is in line with other jurisdictions and will protect people who can’t work for at least one week because they need treatment […]

Business confidence wobbly as uncertainty lingers

October 22, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Business And Economic Strength, Global Uncertainty/by Jim Zeeben

Economic uncertainty linked to ongoing trade talks between Canada and its largest trading partner continues to weigh on the minds of businesses. The latest Business Outlook Survey, released this week by the Bank of Canada, found that most businesses are waiting for clarity about the future before investing in their organization. Confidence is slightly higher […]

Mayor to address business concerns at Chamber event

October 22, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Government Local/by Jim Zeeben

When it comes to downtown safety, The Chamber has been clear we can’t maintain the status quo. Everyone knows that urgent action is needed to curtail social disorder, save businesses facing untenable challenges and help people suffering distress because of addiction or mental-health issues. But how do we get there? To find answers, The Chamber […]

SIPP sees silver lining with new Possibility Charter

October 15, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Chamber Awareness/by Jim Zeeben

The South Island Prosperity Partnership launched a new initiative last week that complements work done earlier this fall by the Rising Economy Taskforce. The Possibility Charter features a pledge “to build Greater Victoria’s future on a foundation of hope, creativity and entrepreneurship, rather than complacency and stagnation.” “The Possibility Charter is more than words on […]

Chamber pitches national delegates on Victoria 2026

October 15, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Chamber Awareness, Chamber News, Hospitality And Tourism Rescue And Recovery/by Jim Zeeben

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce held its AGM last week in Mississauga, Ont. The event will be held in Victoria next year. The gathering of chamber leaders from across the country is a chance to gain insights, build collaboration and celebrate successes. It’s also an opportunity to set the policy agenda for the upcoming year […]