BizNews This Week Archives - Page 2 of 27

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.

Victoria firm launches national directory for builders

November 6, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Housing/by Jim Zeeben

One way that Canada will be able to meet its housing supply challenges is through innovation led by business. For example, new Chamber member WebMaxCanada recently launched an online directory that helps connect with Canadian builders and suppliers.

CanadaPrefabHomes.ca is a searchable, nationwide directory connecting prefab, modular, and mass-timber builders, manufacturers and trades.

“We wanted to create a practical, credible resource that supports real businesses and helps them be found by the homeowners, builders, and organizations already searching for Canadian prefab and modular solutions,” WebMax Canada Co-Founder Susan Jones said in the media release.

Saanich says work ahead to meet BC housing targets

November 6, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Government Local, Housing/by Jim Zeeben

The provincial government’s mandate for BC municipalities to build more homes is proving to be a challenge for some.

The District of Saanich said in its latest report that it’s making progress, though it won’t reach its target. So far, since the mandate was brought in, Saanich has seen about 78% of its goal of 1,041 new units.

“A major highlight of the report is that nearly half of the units issued through Development Permits are for non-market units, which is so encouraging and will help more people find a home at a price they can afford,” Saanich Mayor Dean Murdock said. “Additionally, we are exceeding provincial targets for the creation of family-suitable 2-bedroom and 3-bedroom units, which will allow more families to settle in our community.”

Saanich said that a significant number of new homes have received a building permit and are under construction.

Area mayors, minister to discuss regional policing

November 6, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Government Local, Government Provincial, Safe Communities/by Jim Zeeben

According to a report published in the Saanich News, a meeting to discuss a regional police service is in the works between area mayors and the provincial government.

“This is something that Esquimalt has always been supportive of,” Township of Esquimalt Mayor Barb Desjardins told the media outlet. “When we amalgamated with Victoria way back in 2003 it was with the understanding that … other communities were going to follow but that hasn’t happened, and here we are 23 years later.”

The report quotes written statements from the mayors of the City of Victoria and the District of Saanich agreeing to the meeting, as well as a written response from BC’s Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Nina Krieger acknowledging she is “open to the discussion.”

The Chamber supports better integration of regional policing services in order to make our communities safer.

Fed Budget leaves investment in hands of business: analysis

November 6, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Chamber Awareness, Global Uncertainty, Government Federal, Inflation And Rising Costs/by Jim Zeeben

After 18 months of waiting for a federal budget, Canadian businesses heard yesterday about the government’s big promises.

“Canada has an urgent need to get back to a growing, productive economy,” Canadian Chamber President and CEO Candace Laing said in a media release. “The government has heard business’s call to focus on the economy and has made some tough choices to attract investment. Individual businesses — small, medium and large — will be the ultimate judges of whether this is enough to start making investments in Canada again.”

The Chamber was pleased to see the government make needed reprioritizations and cuts, while investing in new defence spending.

Our armed forces have long been left empty-handed and finally meeting international commitments could go a long way to being seen as a reliable global partner.

“This budget makes critical investments in the equipment and technology our men and women in uniform need to defend Canada at home and abroad,” Executive Vice President and Chief of Public Policy Matthew Holmes said.

Budget 2025 takes a step toward balancing fiscal restraint with targeted investment. But the test ahead is execution and follow through — ensuring that policies translate into real-world competitiveness and growth.

“The world is competing for capital, and capital is mobile,” Laing said. “Canada has the talent, the resources and the potential to lead. Now, we need to prove that we can provide the certainty investors and businesses are looking for here at home.”

2025 Budget Expert Insights