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

Let’s talk about city’s noise bylaw over breakfast

January 7, 2026/in BizNews This Week, Fair Rules, Government Local, Safe Communities/by Jim Zeeben

The 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

January 7, 2026/in BizNews This Week, Business And Economic Strength, Fair Rules, Finding And Keeping Workers, Inflation And Rising Costs/by Jim Zeeben

WorkSafeBC 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

January 7, 2026/in BizNews This Week, Food Security/by Jim Zeeben

The 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

January 7, 2026/in BizNews This Week, Chamber Awareness, Government Local, Safe Communities/by Jim Zeeben

The 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

January 7, 2026/in BizNews This Week, Government Local/by Jim Zeeben

Taxes 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 […]

Interested in exporting to US states near the border?

December 3, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Business And Economic Strength, Global Uncertainty, New And Established Businesses/by Jim Zeeben

Trade and Invest British Columbia, in collaboration with the Consulate General of Canada in Seattle, is planning an educational mission for BC food and beverage companies on Feb. 3-5, in Seattle. The New Exporters to Border States mission provides an opportunity for BC companies with limited or no international trade experience to be introduced to […]

Helping those who can’t help themselves the right way

December 3, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Fair Rules, Government Local, Government Provincial, Safe Communities/by Jim Zeeben

Progress is happening in a key area needed to improve community safety, but a lot of work left is still needed before anyone can confidently say the job is done. Last week, a significant change was made to enable health-care workers to help people unable to help themselves due to mental health or addiction issues. […]

More work still needed to lower municipal taxes

December 3, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Business And Economic Strength, Government Local, Inflation And Rising Costs, Streamlined Regional Regulations/by Jim Zeeben

Local governments have until May 15 to adopt their tax rate bylaws but early deliberations are already pointing to major increases. The City of Victoria has made efforts to lower costs for downtown businesses, but is still looking at a tax hike of more than 10%. Victoria Mayor Marianne Alto recently spoke to Chamber members […]

VicPD Chief to speak at next Safe Community event

December 3, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Chamber Awareness, Safe Communities/by Jim Zeeben

The Chamber is excited to announce the next event in our series of Safe Community meetings. On Feb. 10, we will host Victoria Police Department Chief Constable Fiona Wilson to discuss the challenges and opportunities our region is facing. Chamber CEO John Wilson will moderate the discussion after Chief Wilson provides an update on VicPD’s […]

Local MLA gets military development portfolio

November 26, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Business And Economic Strength, Government Provincial, Safe Communities, Streamlined Regional Regulations, Training And Microcredentials/by Jim Zeeben

Darlene Rotchford, MLA for Esquimalt-Colwood, has been appointed parliamentary secretary for armed forces development and veterans affairs in the Ministry of Jobs and Economic Growth. Rotchford was formerly the parliamentary secretary for labour and as the provincial government’s military liaison. With the federal government making a generational investment in Canada’s military, there is tremendous opportunity […]

Changes to involuntary care a small step on right path

November 26, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Safe Communities, Streamlined Regional Regulations/by Jim Zeeben

The Chamber applauds efforts to improve the rules regarding involuntary care for people suffering from severe mental illness or addiction. When a human being is unable to seek help on their own, difficult decisions must be made to remove that person from situations that could cause harm to themselves or others. After many years of […]

Chamber supports temporary tax relief for downtown

November 26, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Business And Economic Strength, Chamber Awareness, Fair Rules, Government Local, Streamlined Regional Regulations/by Jim Zeeben

The City of Victoria continues to work on reducing the increase taxpayers will face in 2026. Council recently passed a motion, supported by The Chamber, that will see 47 downtown properties save thousands of dollars on property taxes. The temporary tax relief is an expansion of the program that assisted businesses in the Harris Green […]