BizNews This Week Archives - Page 2 of 27

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.”

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 want businesses to know their calls for urgent action are being heard, and we have the ear of decision makers in all levels of government.”

The people who make up Greater Victoria’s business community care deeply about our region. They want a safe and sustainable life for everyone who lives here now, as well as for future generations.

As a member-based organization, The Chamber listens to its members and Board of Directors, who represent organizations of all sizes and industries, including the non-profit sector. They understand the current state of business in the region and have been clear about the direction needed.

“Our board has full confidence in John’s experience as a business leader and community-minded entrepreneur,” Chamber Board Chair Christina Clarke said.

How can we help your business? Please share your advocacy priorities with us at communications@victoriachamber.ca.

Read the Media Release

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 homes are currently seeing the strongest demand, and this month we saw the highest number of October sales since 2020. However, condo sales were slightly more restrained than single family and townhome sales over the past month. We have not seen a significant decrease in prices as a result, but those shopping for condos will find a good variety to choose from with time to make decisions.”

The benchmark value for a single family home in the Victoria Core in October was $1,276,500, down from September’s value of $1,294,800. The benchmark value for a condominium in the Victoria Core area was $551,000 in October, up from the September value of $547,500.