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.

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BC leaders exchange barbs on televised debate

  It’s too soon to tell whether Tuesday night’s leadership debate made a significant difference for voters. The televised discussion featured BC NDP leader David Eby, Conservative Party of BC leader John Rustad and BC Green Party leader Sonia Furstenau. Across Greater Victoria and the province, all candidates are officially registered in their electoral areas with final […]

Chamber data helps educate US about protectionism risks

A new report on the US election paints a stark picture of how campaign rhetoric poses real risks to Canada’s economy. The Canadian Chamber of Commerce’s Business Data Lab found that protectionist practises, if enacted, would negatively affect our country as well as most US states along our border. “When you dig into the data, […]

Condé Naste ranks Victoria as world’s best small city

We did it again! For the second year in a row, Victoria has been crowned Best Small City in the World by Condé Nast Traveler. Our region captured the imagination of travel readers thanks to the same qualities they loved about us last year. Our proximity to the big city of Vancouver (no mention of […]

Chamber-backed tourism corridor earns designation

A federal agency announced last week that the Juan de Fuca Corridor, between BC and Washington, has been named one of four key tourism corridors for future investment. The Chamber supported the efforts of Destination Canada to select the corridor as part of a long-term tourism strategy. “Our region has a well-developed and managed tourism […]

Chamber CEO appointed to PavCo Board of Directors

Chamber CEO Bruce Williams has been appointed to the BC Pavilion Corporation (PavCo) Board of Directors. Appointments are made by the provincial government to provide a diverse voice and leadership in a manner consistent with directives set out by the province. The Board meets at least three times a year. PavCo is a Provincial Crown […]

Chamber encourages voters to be heard in the BC election

Chambers of commerce have always been vocal supporters of healthy democracies. With candidates officially registered in all electoral areas, voters have until Oct. 19 to decide who will earn their support on the ballot. Advance polls open on Oct. 10, and you can check Elections BC for specific information about voting places near you and […]

Take time to reflect on Truth and Reconciliation Day

Monday, Sept. 30 is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a time to reflect on the history of residential schools and to listen with purpose to the stories of our Indigenous friends and neighbours. In addition to wearing orange on Sept. 30 to honour the thousands of survivors of residential schools, all of us […]

Vital Signs Report gives housing failing grade, again

Greater Victoria has earned a “B” from this year’s Vital Signs Report, released yesterday by the Victoria Foundation. It’s the same score as last year. “For nearly 20 years, Vital Signs has been helping the community identify and respond to the greatest challenges facing our region,” Victoria Foundation CEO Sandra Richardson said in a media release. […]

Chamber celebrates Small Business Month in October

October is Small Business Month, presented by Grant Thornton. Throughout the month, the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce is celebrating the many businesses we rely on every day to provide essential goods and services, create jobs and support our communities. Grant Thornton continues as our presenting sponsor, helping to bring essential resources and expert advice […]

Writ drops as provincial election formally underway

The official countdown has begun as the province prepares to head to the polls on Oct. 19. The writ was dropped last Saturday and candidates who haven’t declared have until next Saturday to get their names on the ballot. Of course, most candidates are well into campaigning and Chamber members can expect the discourse to […]

New units added to affordable housing supply

Adding to Greater Victoria’s housing supply is critical. We need affordable homes for individuals and families who want to live and work in our region, and we need housing for vulnerable people at risk of falling through the cracks. Last week, the Capital Regional District‘s housing agency helped announce the opening of 97 new rental […]

Province to begin helping those who can’t help themselves

Safe communities are fundamental to all of us. We need to feel safe if we’re going to reach our potential at work and at home. However, the ongoing opioid crisis continues to impact every neighbourhood and has become especially visible in pockets of larger cities. We’re seeing more people struggling with addiction and mental health […]