BizNews This Week Archives - Page 2 of 30

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 citizens for months to develop the draft plan, released last month.

On Monday, Saanich council decided it needed to direct staff to cancel planning for two new hubs in the neighbourhood, lower proposed building heights and remove a planned transit lane.

The updated plan will come back to council after revisions are finished later this spring. Once adopted, the plan will provide a guideline for the area for the next 20-30 years. Saanich hopes it will lay a foundation for communities with a “diversity of housing options, active transportation infrastructure, vibrant public spaces, and services and amenities within walking distance for residents.”

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 at a Chamber breakfast the next morning.

“We’re looking forward to carrying on our annual tradition of hosting the Finance Minister for the first presentation to business after each year’s budget is made public,” Wilson said. “This is our opportunity to make sure the province understands the concerns we hear from businesses, and answers questions about plans for the year ahead.”

In the letter sent Jan. 22, the Chamber specifically asks that downtown public safety is made a priority, and that the province ensures adequate resources for front-line law enforcement.

“Naming downtown safety as a priority at the start of the legislative session … will reassure businesses and residents that the provincial government is committed to action,” the letter states. “This will help restore confidence and attract investment back to downtown Victoria. A clear commitment now will encourage businesses to stay and new ones to open, reversing the downward spiral and ensuring Victoria’s downtown remains vibrant and safe.”

Misleading emails falsely claim to sell Chamber lists

January 28, 2026/in BizNews This Week, Chamber Awareness, Safe Communities

The Chamber does not sell our members’ contact information.

If you receive an email or message offering to sell you a list of Chamber members, please use caution. We are getting reports of emails soliciting our members with false claims.

The Chamber takes the protection of our members’ information seriously. Don’t engage in any way with these messages. Mark them as junk and delete.

If you have questions, please contact communications@victoriachamber.ca.

Belleville Terminal meets new construction milestone

January 28, 2026/in BizNews This Week, Business And Economic Strength, Chamber Awareness, Government Federal, Government Local, Government Provincial, Hospitality And Tourism Rescue And Recovery, Transportation Options

The Belleville Terminal Redevelopment Project is entering the next phase of work, with dredging of the designated marine construction zone starting Feb. 2.

This work to remove contaminated soils happens Monday to Friday, 7 am to 7 pm, and Saturdays, 10 am to 7 pm, until Feb. 17. A crane barge and three support barges are set to arrive on site Jan. 30 to support dredging operations. The work is not expected to affect marine traffic.

The Chamber’s advocacy was key to attracting investment in the new terminal, which will modernize the experience for people travelling to downtown Victoria by ferry.

“It’s exciting to see the project moving along and we truly believe that investment in transportation infrastructure is vital to our region’s economic sustainability, especially in these times of global instability,” Chamber CEO John Wilson said.

Bay Street Bridge repair work will run until summer

January 28, 2026/in BizNews This Week, Government Local, Streamlined Regional Regulations, Transportation Options

The Bay Street Bridge — formally the Point Ellice Bridge — is set for major upgrades starting in the second week of February.

Construction will take until the end of spring and includes replacing the bridge’s expansion joints to accommodate a wider range of temperature changes and upgrading the drainage system, which dates back to 1957.

Eastbound traffic into downtown Victoria will be closed for the duration of the project. Westbound traffic, pedestrian and wheelchair access will remain open.

The Point Ellice Bridge was originally constructed in 1957 on the foundations of a bridge dating back to 1903. The upcoming work follows earlier efforts to maintain the bridge’s structural integrity.

Support stronger reforms to crime prevention laws

January 28, 2026/in BizNews This Week, Chamber News, Government Federal, Safe Communities

Are you tired of seeing stories about repeat offenders creating chaos with downtown businesses? The Chamber has been an outspoken advocate for urgent changes from all levels of government, including federal. We supported their initial reform effort, but are now ramping up efforts to expand the changes.

You can help by emailing the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights and voicing your support for our efforts. The Chamber has adopted a formal letter we are working on with community partners that our members can use for an email campaign. If you want to support this, add your name and organization to the bottom of the info below, and then copy and paste the into an email to JUST@parl.gc.ca.

RE: Urgent amendments required to Bill C-14

I am writing to urge the federal government to strengthen Bill C-14 so it addresses the crisis of repeat property crime affecting downtowns, main streets and neighbourhoods across Canada.

In Greater Victoria, chronic theft, vandalism and street disorder have reached a breaking point. While Bill C-14 focuses on violent offences, it must also confront the repeated non-violent crimes that are devastating businesses, eliminating family-supporting jobs and undermining public safety.

Staff and customers face regular threats, employers cannot retain workers, and once-vibrant neighbourhoods are now widely perceived as unsafe.

Most troubling is the persistent release of prolific offenders. Individuals with dozens — sometimes more than 100 — theft convictions are routinely released on bail and reoffend within days, often at the same stores. This revolving door has eroded confidence in the justice system to the point many crimes now go unreported.

To address this, we urge the Committee to amend Bill C-14 to:

Include repeat offenders with significant histories of theft, vandalism or bail breaches in the reverse onus and bail-condition provisions.
Require courts to consider tertiary grounds for detention for prolific non-violent offenders, including chronic shoplifting.
Apply the new aggravating factor for retail crime to prolific shoplifters.
Rebalance the Principle of Restraint to restore proportionality in bail and sentencing decisions.
Permit consecutive sentencing for prolific non-violent offenders.

Without these changes, Bill C-14 will not address the crimes most damaging to communities and local economies. We urge you to act decisively.

Sincerely,

Name

Organization

Risk-screening tool helps police respond to crises

January 28, 2026/in BizNews This Week, Global Uncertainty, Safe Communities

Businesses in Greater Victoria care deeply about our community and the Chamber has a long history of calling for investing in mental health supports. This week, the province announced that Greater Victoria police departments will now have access to a tool that supports officers responding to people experiencing a mental health crisis.

HealthIM is a digital public-safety system that works by guiding responding officers through a series of questions to help facilitate a better assessment of the person in crisis. The evidence-based risk-screening tool also improves communication with health-care partners by using consistent clinical language and provides critical information to doctors and nurses immediately.

“At VicPD, we’re proud to be among the agencies implementing HealthIM to strengthen how we respond to mental health crises,” VicPD Chief Const. Fiona Wilson said. “By using consistent data rather than subjective interpretation, HealthIM helps police, health-care and community partners make better-informed decisions together.”

City staff hear from business about noise bylaw concerns

January 28, 2026/in BizNews This Week, Chamber Awareness, Chamber News, Government Local, Hospitality And Tourism Rescue And Recovery, Transportation Options

Chamber members were able to offer business-focused solutions to City of Victoria staff today during a roundtable discussion in the Chamber boardroom.

The City of Victoria is looking to modernize its 23-year-old noise bylaw. The bylaw affects everything from delivery truck traffic to industrial activity to music festivals. As such, it’s vital that business operators have a say in how any changes will impact them.

“We have been clear with the city that businesses need to be heard. We need to be part of any discussion that will affect us and not simply be told after the fact,” Chamber CEO John Wilson said. “Today’s session was a good effort to reach out to the business community and hear about real concerns and real solutions.”

If you weren’t able to attend today’s event, there’s still time to fill out a survey specifically for businesses located in Victoria that will help city staff understand operational requirements and experiences with noise issues. The survey closes Feb. 8.

New shelter spaces help move people off the streets

January 21, 2026/in BizNews This Week, Government Local, Government Provincial, Safe Communities

Moving vulnerable people off of cold downtown streets is urgently needed as part of efforts to improve safety for all. This week’s news that 34 new shelter spaces will open in a former Victoria public-works building is a step in the right direction.

The Bridge Street Pathways Shelter, at 2920 Bridge St., is a 6,000-square-foot two-storey building on fenced property. Shelter spaces are only available if referred by outreach teams that will connect with people living outdoors on Pandora Avenue, Ellice Street and other areas downtown.

A non-profit housing association will operate the shelter 24/7, and provide on-site case management and washrooms. The shelter is funded for three years, including $6 million from the province and $700,000 from the City of Victoria.

Restaurant association seeks World Cup partners

January 21, 2026/in BizNews This Week, Business And Economic Strength, Hospitality And Tourism Rescue And Recovery

The BC Restaurant and Foodservices Association has officially secured the foodservice contract, “Taste the Beautiful Game – BC Style,” which will run during the upcoming FIFA World Cup.
“The province-wide program aims to help restaurants host watch parties, drive traffic, celebrate BC-grown food and drink, and share in the economic benefits of this once-in-a-generation moment,” the BCRFA newsletter said this week.
Businesses need to register and spaces will be limited. Participating businesses receive free toolkits to help activate event traffic and boost visibility, step-by-step support to host high-energy fan experiences and curated concepts to showcase BC flavours during the tournament. The program also provides easy-to-follow guides to provincial requirements and provincewide promotion.