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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 reaches about 5,000 highly engaged subscribers. Read the latest below.

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Rising Economy speaks to Main Street and war zones

February 25, 2026/in BizNews This Week, Business And Economic Strength

Tickets are still available for South Island Prosperity Partnership‘s signature annual conference happening next month. A chief economist decoding turbulence in real time. A Canadian retail leader driving major success despite the “Amazon effect.” A CEO building forensic systems in global disaster zones. A bestselling author who says we can’t afford to cast aside older […]

Saanich seeks feedback on parking regulations

February 25, 2026/in BizNews This Week, Government Local, Transportation Options

Greater Victoria’s largest municipality is asking for public feedback on off-street parking and loading regulations. The District of Saanich says that modernizing regulations will help create housing, jobs and business growth. More efficient rules also help the municipality reduce emissions and improve development application processing times by reducing the need for parking variances, Saanich said. […]

DND announces $3.7B for new military housing

February 25, 2026/in BizNews This Week, Government Federal, Housing

We don’t have many details, but The Chamber welcomes yesterday’s announcement that the Department of National Defence is expanding military housing across Canada. Defence Minister David J. McGuinty said $3.7 billion has been set aside to build 6,000 more housing units. The Chamber led the charge across our national chamber network in 2024, penning a […]

Private-sector growth key to Strategic Investment Fund

February 25, 2026/in BizNews This Week, Business And Economic Strength, Chamber Awareness, Government Provincial

It might be a case of too little too late, but it’s good to see this provincial government make an effort to acknowledge the critical importance of a strong private sector. Yesterday’s announcement of a $400-million fund to help attract private investment to BC is something that should have happened before the province’s debt load […]

Defence strategy aims to bolster Canadian businesses

February 18, 2026/in BizNews This Week, Business And Economic Strength, Chamber Awareness, Government Federal, Streamlined Regional Regulations

Amid an ocean of economic uncertainty, Canada’s defence industry has emerged as a lighthouse for businesses seeking secure funding sources. This week, the federal government announced its new Defence Industrial Strategy that includes $357.7 million for a Regional Defence Investment Initiative. In BC, PacificCan to distribute $67.5 million over the next three years. Applications for […]

Saanich celebrates Heritage Week with cookbook

February 18, 2026/in BizNews This Week, Government Local

This week is Heritage Week in BC and the District of Saanich Archives is marking the occasion with a community cookbook as well as a special exhibit showcasing the municipality’s agricultural roots. “This year’s theme, Stir the Pot, highlights food as an important form of heritage — connecting us to land, culture, ancestors, memories and […]

Victoria Business Hub rolling out series of sessions

February 18, 2026/in BizNews This Week, Business And Economic Strength, Government Local, New And Established Businesses, Safe Communities

The City of Victoria Business Hub is planning aa series of events to support entrepreneurs and established businesses. The series begins with a bootcamp on Feb. 23 for those developing a business plan. It continues with a conversation on cybersecurity on March 17 and a session focused on business safety during times of social disorder […]

Budget 2026 reveals difficult fiscal reality facing businesses

February 18, 2026/in BizNews This Week, Chamber Awareness, Government Provincial, Inflation And Rising Costs, Safe Communities

More than 170 people attended this morning’s Breakfast with BC’s Finance Minister — an annual tradition held the day after the provincial Budget is unveiled. The gathering was the first chance for businesses to hear directly from Finance Minister Brenda Bailey and ask questions through Chamber CEO John Wilson. “As always, we’re grateful that Minister […]

Nations sign agreement with airport authority

February 4, 2026/in BizNews This Week, Indigenous Business Support And Reconciliation, Transportation Options

The Victoria Airport Authority (VAA) entered into a 15-year Friendship Agreement today with the W̱SÁNEĆ First Nations, including the BOḰEĆEN (Pauquachin), W̱JOȽEȽP (Tsartlip), SȾÁUTW̱ (Tsawout) and W̱SÍ,ḴEM (Tseycum). The groups have a commitment to work together in support of reconciliation and the future of the airport and surrounding community. “This Friendship Agreement reflects the leadership […]

New tool helps Chamber track local industry data

February 4, 2026/in BizNews This Week, Business And Economic Strength, Chamber Awareness, Global Uncertainty

The Canadian Chamber has released a new tool to help understand the geographic and economic footprint of different industries on regions across the country. The Business Data Lab’s Canadian Industry Tracker is available to chambers that are part of the national network. The tracker combines economic, workforce, trade, productivity and business outlook indicators — many […]

Saanich heeds feedback on Quadra McKenzie plan

February 4, 2026/in BizNews This Week, Chamber News, Government Local, Housing, Streamlined Regional Regulations, Transportation Options

After the latest round of public feedback, a decision on the future of one of the region’s busiest traffic corridors will need further review. The Quadra McKenzie Plan is a massive undertaking by the District of Saanich that is trying to reimagine the future of the neighbourhoods near this intersection. Saanich worked with business and […]

Chamber’s voice helping call for action to save downtown

February 4, 2026/in BizNews This Week, Chamber Awareness, Chamber News, Government Provincial, Safe Communities, Streamlined Regional Regulations

The Chamber is raising the volume on its calls for urgent action to save Downtown Victoria. Last week, Chamber CEO John Wilson authored a letter to BC Finance Minister Brenda Bailey asking her to prioritize downtown safety in the provincial budget. The Minister is set to unveil BC Budget 2026 on Feb. 17, before speaking […]