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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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New rules on sick notes effective immediately

November 13, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Business And Economic Strength, Fair Rules, Finding And Keeping Workers, Government Provincial, Safe Communities/by Jim Zeeben

The province’s rules limiting when employers can ask for sick notes are now in effect. Under the employment standards regulations, employers can’t ask for a sick note for a worker’s first two health-related, short-term absences of five consecutive days or fewer in a calendar year. The province said it consulted health-care providers, who pointed to […]

Federal funds earmarked for Royal Athletic Park

November 13, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Hospitality And Tourism Rescue And Recovery/by Jim Zeeben

Last week’s federal budget included an unexpected $6-million to help upgrade Royal Athletic Park. City of Victoria Mayor Marianne Alto told the Times Colonist the funds will allow for repairs and renovations to happen faster than planned. The city owns the facility, which is now best known as the home of the Victoria HarbourCats who […]

Voice of business vital to municipal budget planning

November 13, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Business And Economic Strength, Fair Rules, Global Uncertainty, Government Local/by Jim Zeeben

One of The Chamber’s advocacy priorities is aimed at reducing the burden on businesses by ensuring governments focus on needs over wants. This is playing out now as municipalities begin their budget process. “To be clear, The Chamber isn’t telling mayors and councils what they need to cut. We are saying they need to do […]

Chamber is the unapologetic voice of business in our region

November 12, 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, Safe Communities/by Jim Zeeben

The Chamber recently issued a media release outlining our shift in advocacy priorities. “We know our members have been hearing about these changes and we want to spread the word to the wider community, as well any businesses that might be unaware their voice is represented by The Chamber,” Chamber CEO John Wilson said. “We […]

Fall stats show uptick in region’s real estate sector

November 6, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Business And Economic Strength, Finding And Keeping Workers, Housing/by Jim Zeeben

Greater Victoria’s housing market is showing renewed activity as sales and prices ticked up in October. A total of 617 properties sold in the Victoria Real Estate Board region this October, 11.4% more than in September. “The local real estate market remains reasonably balanced,” VREB Chair Dirk VanderWal said in a media release. “Single family […]

Victoria firm launches national directory for builders

November 6, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Housing/by Jim Zeeben

One way that Canada will be able to meet its housing supply challenges is through innovation led by business. For example, new Chamber member WebMaxCanada recently launched an online directory that helps connect with Canadian builders and suppliers. CanadaPrefabHomes.ca is a searchable, nationwide directory connecting prefab, modular, and mass-timber builders, manufacturers and trades. “We wanted […]

Saanich says work ahead to meet BC housing targets

November 6, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Government Local, Housing/by Jim Zeeben

The provincial government’s mandate for BC municipalities to build more homes is proving to be a challenge for some. The District of Saanich said in its latest report that it’s making progress, though it won’t reach its target. So far, since the mandate was brought in, Saanich has seen about 78% of its goal of […]

Area mayors, minister to discuss regional policing

November 6, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Government Local, Government Provincial, Safe Communities/by Jim Zeeben

According to a report published in the Saanich News, a meeting to discuss a regional police service is in the works between area mayors and the provincial government. “This is something that Esquimalt has always been supportive of,” Township of Esquimalt Mayor Barb Desjardins told the media outlet. “When we amalgamated with Victoria way back […]

Fed Budget leaves investment in hands of business: analysis

November 6, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Chamber Awareness, Global Uncertainty, Government Federal, Inflation And Rising Costs/by Jim Zeeben

After 18 months of waiting for a federal budget, Canadian businesses heard yesterday about the government’s big promises. “Canada has an urgent need to get back to a growing, productive economy,” Canadian Chamber President and CEO Candace Laing said in a media release. “The government has heard business’s call to focus on the economy and […]

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 […]