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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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Drivers get breaks from ICBC with rate freeze, rebate

May 8, 2024/in Transportation Options/by Jim Zeeben

If you had vehicle insurance through ICBC in February, you can expect to get cash back this year. The public insurer estimates 2.7 million drivers will each be eligible for the $110 rebate. Additionally, basic rates will not change until March 31, 2026, ICBC said. “How drivers receive the rebate depends on how they paid […]

Secondary suite program aims to add 3,000 homes

May 8, 2024/in Government Local, Government Provincial, Housing/by Jim Zeeben

Business and industry groups have been calling for policy changes to address the housing shortage facing Greater Victoria. And while many regions in the world are facing a similar challenge, we need solutions that work for Canada and BC. Last week, the province revealed its three-year pilot to encourage homeowners to add secondary suites to […]

BC minimum wage jumps to $17.40/hr on June 1

May 5, 2024/in Business And Economic Strength, Finding And Keeping Workers/by Jim Zeeben

On Saturday, the province’s minimum wage increases from $16.75 to $17.40 an hour. BC continues to have the highest minimum wage among Canadian provinces. “First, we acknowledge that times are challenging — especially for people trying to make a living while earning minimum wage,” Chamber CEO Bruce Williams said, noting that many Chamber members already […]

New rules for short-term rentals effective May 1

May 1, 2024/in Fair Rules, Government Local, Government Provincial, Housing/by Jim Zeeben

The Short-Term Rental Accommodations Act took effect today. Among the changes, according to the province, are: Short-term rentals can only be offered in the principal residence of a host, plus one additional unit, secondary suite or laneway home/garden suite on the property. Strata hotels and motels that have been operating in a manner similar to […]

Candid conversation with Premier addresses big issues

May 1, 2024/in Government Provincial/by Jim Zeeben

It’s not everyday that your breakfast conversation includes a candid discussion with BC’s Premier about the major challenges facing business in Greater Victoria. That was the experience yesterday for 300 people at the Victoria Conference Centre as they were able to nourish their bodies while feeding their minds. After speaking about the government’s plans to […]

Online tool tracks ongoing changes to grocery prices

May 1, 2024/in Inflation And Rising Costs/by Jim Zeeben

It’s been the hot-button topic for so long, it’s easy to forget just how much inflation has forever changed the cost of household budgeting. An online tool can help track exactly how much individual goods have changed in price. The Average Retail Food Prices Data Visualization Tool is helpful to show the price increase or […]

Home values for young adults tied to parents’ wealth

May 1, 2024/in Housing/by Jim Zeeben

The prospect of home ownership for younger Canadians has a direct connection to their ability to tap into the “bank of mom and dad,” Statistics Canada stated in a report released today on Intergenerational Housing Outcomes in Canada. The report said that expensive urban markets such as Victoria, Vancouver and Toronto had a higher proportion […]

Transportation crossroads getting major overhaul

April 24, 2024/in Government Local, Transportation Options/by Jim Zeeben

As part of the plan for transforming the Uptown corridor, the province is proposing changes to Ravine Way to accommodate new bus stops and expanded trails in the area. An information session is scheduled for May 1, from 3-7 pm at Cedar Hill Golf Course, to review design concepts, get feedback and discuss how to […]

Have your say on Victoria’s official community plan

April 24, 2024/in Government Local/by Jim Zeeben

The City of Victoria is updating its Official Community Plan this year. The province requires all BC municipalities to update their OCP every five years with a vision for the next 20 years. Victoria — facing a changing climate, growing population and a profound shortage of housing — is looking for input from the public […]

Saanich moving forward on plans for Uptown ‘downtown’

April 24, 2024/in Government Local, Immigration And Integration, Streamlined Regional Regulations/by Jim Zeeben

A new hub close to the “heart of Saanich” was given a key stamp of approval on Monday. The District of Saanich has an extensive plan for the Uptown-Douglas area, which is at the crossroads of Greater Victoria’s core municipalities. The area will be zoned to shape new development designed to grow the neighbourhood as […]

Amalgamation committee taking shape this spring

April 24, 2024/in Fair Rules, Government Local, Streamlined Regional Regulations/by Jim Zeeben

Talk is turning to action on the latest attempt to pursue municipal amalgamation. Invitations to serve on the Victoria-Saanich Citizens’ Assembly have been sent to 10,000 residents in the two communities. They have until May 30 to confirm whether they will participate. From there, 48 people will be selected through a randomized lottery process that […]

More local municipalities must meet housing targets

April 24, 2024/in Government Local, Government Provincial, Housing/by Jim Zeeben

On Tuesday, the provincial government released the next round of municipalities facing scrutiny to ensure they are helping increase BC’s housing supply. The next 20 priority municipalities include the following in Greater Victoria: Central Saanich Colwood Esquimalt North Saanich Sidney and View Royal. The first list, released last spring, included the City of Victoria, the […]