Business And Economic Strength Archives

Interested in exporting to US states near the border?

December 3, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Business And Economic Strength, Global Uncertainty, New And Established Businesses/by Jim Zeeben

Trade and Invest British Columbia, in collaboration with the Consulate General of Canada in Seattle, is planning an educational mission for BC food and beverage companies on Feb. 3-5, in Seattle.

The New Exporters to Border States mission provides an opportunity for BC companies with limited or no international trade experience to be introduced to exporting, and to explore the potential of the US Pacific Northwest market firsthand. Experienced exporters are welcome to join and may find the content valuable.

There is a $50 fee to participate in the mission. Return bus transportation between Vancouver-Seattle will be provided. Companies are responsible for paying for all other travel expenses including, but not limited to, accommodation, meals and incidentals.

Apply now until Dec. 17

More work still needed to lower municipal taxes

December 3, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Business And Economic Strength, Government Local, Inflation And Rising Costs, Streamlined Regional Regulations/by Jim Zeeben

Local governments have until May 15 to adopt their tax rate bylaws but early deliberations are already pointing to major increases.

The City of Victoria has made efforts to lower costs for downtown businesses, but is still looking at a tax hike of more than 10%.

Victoria Mayor Marianne Alto recently spoke to Chamber members about the value of the relationship between city hall and local businesses. However, the mayor has an uphill battle convincing the rest of council and city staff to dig deeper into why costs of running the city have escalated so much.

The Chamber has vocally called for municipalities to exercise fiscal constraint with next year’s budgets. Businesses are having to tighten their belts during a period of economic uncertainty — even small cost increases are magnified right now.

“Raising property taxes is a choice, and The Chamber has been clear that local governments could be adding the straw that breaks the camel’s back,” Chamber CEO John Wilson said. “We know cutting back on expenses is difficult when so many people need help, but municipalities really do rely on businesses to support their community. We can’t risk the jobs, services and goods provided by the private sector because that will only lead to less revenue for the public sector.”

Over in the District of Saanich, the early 2026 municipal budget needs an 8.74% tax increase to pay for everything added to the wish list.

Local MLA gets military development portfolio

November 26, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Business And Economic Strength, Government Provincial, Safe Communities, Streamlined Regional Regulations, Training And Microcredentials/by Jim Zeeben

Darlene Rotchford, MLA for Esquimalt-Colwood, has been appointed parliamentary secretary for armed forces development and veterans affairs in the Ministry of Jobs and Economic Growth. Rotchford was formerly the parliamentary secretary for labour and as the provincial government’s military liaison.

With the federal government making a generational investment in Canada’s military, there is tremendous opportunity for our region. As home to Canada’s Pacific Fleet, Greater Victoria benefits from the economic activity generated by CFB Esquimalt.

Chamber supports temporary tax relief for downtown

November 26, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Business And Economic Strength, Chamber Awareness, Fair Rules, Government Local, Streamlined Regional Regulations/by Jim Zeeben

The City of Victoria continues to work on reducing the increase taxpayers will face in 2026.

Council recently passed a motion, supported by The Chamber, that will see 47 downtown properties save thousands of dollars on property taxes. The temporary tax relief is an expansion of the program that assisted businesses in the Harris Green neighbourhood last year.

“Many businesses need help right now, especially many in downtown Victoria,” Chamber CEO John Wilson said. “We’re happy that City Council is looking at ways to help and says they understand the value of investing in a thriving business community.”

Victoria has already agreed to reduce the gap between the commercial and residential tax ratios. The ratio was 3.67:1 last year, 3.5:1 this year and will drop to 3:1 by the end of the decade.

The Chamber advocates for all levels of government to focus on needs — not wants — as the economic outlook remains uncertain. For local governments, that means prioritizing policing and community safety as well as critical infrastructure.

Chamber hosts Victoria Mayor for frank discussion on safety

November 26, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Business And Economic Strength, Chamber Awareness, Chamber News, Government Local, Safe Communities, Streamlined Regional Regulations/by Jim Zeeben

More than 130 people filled the Centennial Ballroom in the Union Club of BC yesterday to hear an update on downtown safety from City of Victoria Mayor Marianne Alto.

The event was sponsored by PwC.

The Mayor spoke frankly about the dire need to take urgent action, acknowledging that businesses were facing too much stress from crime and disorder.

“I think there is no single issue that is more powerful, compelling and important than this right now,” Alto said, noting that there has been a relationship between the city and The Chamber since both were founded in the 1860s.

The Mayor pointed to the Community Safety and Well-Being Plan announced this summer, and noted that first steps such as increased police presence are happening now.

The Mayor also called out the provincial and federal governments for passing the buck on their responsibilities, as well as other local governments that watch idly as residents leave for services only available in Victoria.

“The (new) message is we’re changing what’s happening and we are no longer going to be the only provider (of services for homeless people) in the region,” Alto said. “Therefore, colleagues around the region do something with your own people. People who are coming — we’re full.”

During the Q&A that followed, the Mayor addressed concerns about homeless people congregating in front of businesses as well as how the city can better work with the province on housing.

“On behalf of The Chamber, I’d like to thank the Mayor for being accountable to those who attended our event, and for her promise to take urgent action to help downtown businesses,” Chamber CEO John Wilson said. “We’ll keep talking about this issue for as long as it takes to be resolved.”

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.

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 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.

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.”