BizNews This Week Archives - Victoria Chamber

Message from the CEO on Business Award nominations

November 20, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Chamber Awareness/by Jim Zeeben

We know times are challenging for many businesses. We also know that successful entrepreneurs and business leaders inspire us to carry on.

So as we head into 2026, let’s work together to celebrate all of our stories of success. They help us through difficult times and empower us to do the work needed to build good business and great community for all.

Nominations are now open for the 2026 Greater Victoria Business Awards, set for June 11 at the Victoria Conference Centre.

This event is a highlight of the year for our business community, and showcases people and organizations who are truly leading the way.

Award finalists are chosen by an independent panel of judges who represent all sectors and all sizes of businesses. Being a judge is a tough job as there are many individuals and teams in our region worth recognizing.

Even more important, though, is coming together as a community to stand up for business. And the best way to do that right now is to nominate your organization or another you think deserves the extra recognition.

Click the links below to learn more about award categories and to submit your nomination.

Thank you for your participation in The Chamber!

John Wilson, Chamber CEO

Nominate Now!

Learn More!

Chamber welcomes renewed focus on industry

November 20, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Business And Economic Strength, Finding And Keeping Workers, Government Provincial, New And Established Businesses/by Jim Zeeben

The Chamber applauds the recent launch of Look West, a provincial strategy to invest in the economy through major projects and a focus on industry. The aim is to build off recent announcements by the federal government to prioritize projects that will grow Canada’s economy and increase future revenue.

“As important as the specific projects are, even more encouraging is the acknowledgment that government needs to invest in ways that grow revenue and build resilience in our economy,” Chamber CEO John Wilson said. “The recent announcements come as The Chamber is beginning work with industrial partners in Greater Victoria, such as the Ralmax Group of Companies. One initiative that could make a big difference is the idea of an Industrial Land Reserve modelled after BC’s existing Agricultural Land Reserve.”

It makes sense to preserve spaces that have incubated successful industry and the good-paying jobs that come with it. There is a lot of pressure on land due to things such as BC Assessment’s highest-and-best-use policy. There’s a real risk that once the usage of the land changes, the jobs and revenue streams that had been in place will never return.

The Chamber will continue to work for all of its members, and hopes to continue to provide insight from a business perspective for decision makers in the provincial government.

BC promises to double funding for trades training

November 20, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Business And Economic Strength, Finding And Keeping Workers/by Jim Zeeben

Twice as much money is being allocated to train British Columbians in needed trades, the provincial government announced last week.

Over the next three years, trades-training programs in BC will receive $241 million.

This money will:

increase per-seat funding for apprentice programs
address waiting lists for industrial trades
advance skilled-trades certification, beginning with crane operators
ensure workers can move between industries.

The province said it will work with unions, industry and post-secondary partners to build out workforce programs.

Grants available for community safety projects

November 20, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Safe Communities/by Jim Zeeben

The provincial government is accepting applications for the 2025-26 Civil Forfeiture Grant program. This year, organizations can submit applications for projects that help with:

crime prevention
gender-based violence
Indigenous healing and
restorative justice.

The Civil Forfeiture Office was established in 2006 to redirect the proceeds of crime back into community safety and crime prevention programs. So far, more than $93 million has been disbursed. Last year, $7.5 million was granted to 166 community projects.

Applications will be accepted until Dec. 15 and notifications go out in May.

Chamber clarifies statement on municipal budgets

November 20, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Business And Economic Strength, Chamber News, Government Local, Inflation And Rising Costs, Streamlined Regional Regulations/by Jim Zeeben

The Chamber issued a statement this week, clarifying our position on the need for local governments to reduce their dependence on increasing taxes every year.

A recently published column by Chamber CEO John Wilson issued a challenge to all Greater Victoria municipalities, calling for them to match the City of Vancouver’s effort to achieve a 0% budget increase.

Regrettably, the attempt at a dialogue on fiscal discipline has been sidetracked by online commentary that clouds the conversation and deflects the vital importance of supporting business and our economy. Since our founding in 1863, The Chamber has been instrumental in shaping a strong economy that includes a thriving arts and culture sector. We also fully support many non-profit organizations — after all, we are one ourselves.

To be clear, The Chamber does have a position on priorities for the City of Victoria that may or may not reflect priorities of other municipalities in our region: The Chamber has a mandate by the business community to call for urgent action to prevent further deterioration of downtown Victoria. This requires a fully funded police department as well as the full focus of City of Victoria staff and council.

“Mayors and councils don’t have an easy job, but they do have a job to prioritize the stewardship of infrastructure and services vital to maintaining their municipalities,” Chamber CEO John Wilson said. “The Chamber, too, will stay in our lane as the voice of business. We believe that fiscal responsibility is key to a robust private sector that creates good jobs, attracts capital investments and provides the taxes needed by government to deliver sustainable public services.”

Read the full statement

New housing helps homeless escape addiction

November 20, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Housing, Safe Communities/by Jim Zeeben

People in recovery in Victoria who are experiencing homelessness or leaving supportive housing will soon have a safe place to stay.

When someone living on the street asks for help, it needs to be there. Having a safe downtown requires adequate support for people looking to recover from addiction.

A step in the right direction is the new recovery-oriented housing complex at 1153 Johnson St., announced today. The new project will include 20 self-contained units in substance-free surroundings for people who are a minimum 60 days sober, post-detox and treatment, and without a fixed address or exiting supportive housing.

This type of housing will free up supportive housing spaces for others experiencing homelessness.

“We’ve heard from the community that there is a lack of dry, recovery-oriented housing, which plays a critical role post-treatment,” Victoria Mayor Marianne Alto, said about the partnership between the City of Victoria, the provincial government and the Victoria Cool Aid Society. “This collaboration between the city and the Province will help create more positive flow in our housing continuum and support vulnerable residents as they move from homelessness to recovery after detox.”

BC Housing is providing $1.2 million in operating funding over three years, while Victoria will contribute almost $590,000 toward the facility’s operations over that time — in addition to $250,000 in capital funding for building improvements.

The housing site, known as Johnson Manor, is owned and operated by Cool Aid and will support continued recovery, promote independent living skills and prepare residents to transition into long-term, stable housing.

You can win a $500 gift card from Chambers Plan!

November 20, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Chamber Awareness/by Jim Zeeben

As part of a national effort to strengthen the value Chambers Plan provides to small businesses, we’re asking for your input through a brief, confidential survey.

The goal is to better understand what matters most to small business owners when it comes to benefits, partnerships, and business support — so your Chamber and programs like Chambers Plan can continue to deliver meaningful value to you and others across Canada. Your feedback will help ensure that Chambers Plan continues to evolve alongside the needs of small business owners like you.

Thank you for sharing your perspective and for being a valued member of our Chamber community.

The survey takes less than five minutes to complete, and, as a thank-you, you’ll be entered to win a $500 gift card.

👉 Take the survey here

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 scientific evidence that shows most minor illnesses for adults, such as a cold and influenza, have symptoms that typically resolve within five days.

These changes are meant to reduce time spent on paperwork by physicians, dentists, nurse practitioners, nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists and midwives.

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 play at Wilson’s Group Stadium inside RAP.

There are no details yet on what upgrades will be prioritized with the new funding.

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 better than they have and reduce spending where they can while still delivering their core responsibilities,” Chamber CEO John Wilson said.

Looking back at tax rates charged in Greater Victoria, there are trends of taxes increasing by more than inflation. As well, there has been concern that taxes on businesses are increasing more than taxes on residents without any additional services being provided.

“Our message to local governments and their staff is that reducing costs for businesses is one of the best investments you can make in your municipality,” Wilson said. “Many business owners aren’t able to vote where they are located so, historically, they have had less of a voice during election cycles. This needs to change, and The Chamber is unapologetic about our role as the voice of business.”