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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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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 […]

ICBC offers insight into future of driving in British Columbia

October 15, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Fair Rules, Safe Communities, Transportation Options/by Jim Zeeben

A sold out Pacific Ballroom at the Victoria Marriott Inner Harbour heard from ICBC Interim President and CEO Jason McDaniel last week, as he candidly discussed the road ahead for the Crown Corporation. The latest in The Chamber’s series of Business Leaders Luncheons was facilitated by Chamber Board member Mary Lou Newbold, Chief EyeCare Officer at […]

Plan for prompt payment rules supports construction

October 8, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Business And Economic Strength, Fair Rules, Finding And Keeping Workers, Government Local, Government Provincial, Housing, Inflation And Rising Costs, Streamlined Regional Regulations, Training And Microcredentials/by Jim Zeeben

The Chamber applauds a new agreement that will let builders build, and spend less time chasing wayward payments. On Tuesday, the province announced legislation that will help contractors, subcontractors and workers get paid on time. “We welcome this critical step toward payment certainty for B.C.’s construction industry,” BC Construction Association president Chris Atchison said. “It […]

Condé Nast showers love on Greater Victoria

October 8, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Business And Economic Strength, Hospitality And Tourism Rescue And Recovery/by Jim Zeeben

As The Chamber steps up our advocacy to improve social and business conditions in Greater Victoria, a recent poll reminds us of what we have to lose. Our region is a world gem, and, once again, has been recognized by Condé Nast Traveler as the Best Small City on the planet. The travel magazine’s 38th annual […]

Chamber’s new advocacy focused on urgent action

October 8, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Chamber Awareness, Chamber News, Fair Rules, Finding And Keeping Workers, Government Federal, Government Local, Government Provincial, Inflation And Rising Costs, New And Established Businesses, Safe Communities, Streamlined Regional Regulations/by Jim Zeeben

You might have noticed some changes to how The Chamber is using our position as the unapologetic Voice of Business. The series of messages, shown below, will start appearing more on Chamber social channels and in other media. The focus is on action. Businesses have had too many years of uncertainty caused by societal shifts […]

Seair announces new seaplane service to Victoria

October 1, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Business And Economic Strength, Hospitality And Tourism Rescue And Recovery, Transportation Options/by Jim Zeeben

Seair Seaplanes is set to launch a new scheduled seaplane service to Victoria. Flights begin Oct. 20 connecting Downtown Vancouver to the Inner Harbour. “The Chamber strongly supports business growth, and we applaud the investments in infrastructure being made to bring Seair service to the Inner Harbour,” said Christina Clarke, Chair of the Greater Victoria […]