Chamber Awareness Archives - Victoria Chamber

Chamber network continues to call for red tape reduction

July 23, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Business And Economic Strength, Chamber Awareness, Government Federal, Government Provincial/by Jim Zeeben

The Chamber continues to call for reduced red tape across all levels of government.

According to the latest update from the Business Conditions Terminal for Greater Victoria, conditions remain challenging with the number of active businesses at 11,300, a slight increase (0.5%) from a year ago.

Businesses are encouraged to help shape Chamber advocacy efforts through tools such as the Red Tape Review. This survey seeks specific feedback on regulatory irritants. The results will be used in direct consultation with federal ministries as they work to streamline government.

Provincially, there was good news as BC signed agreements to ease interprovincial trade with Ontario, Manitoba and the Yukon. The Chamber has been calling for reduced restrictions for east-west trade for years. The move helps Canada’s economy overall and lessens the over-reliance on southern trade routes with American states.

The agreement will make it easier for regulated trades and professions to work in any of the jurisdictions. The deal with Ontario also improves the ability for alcohol producers to access either market.

The agreements were signed during a gathering of all 13 provincial and territorial premiers at the Council of the Federation meeting this week.

Tiresome tariff talk compounds flagging confidence

July 17, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Business And Economic Strength, Chamber Awareness/by Jim Zeeben

Summer is traditionally a time to slow down and reenergize, but the trade talk coming out of the Whitehouse feels like spam through a faulty email filter.

“Like most copy-and-paste chain-letters, this latest tariff threat from the US promises disaster if its warnings and predictions aren’t taken seriously. But it’s the senselessness of this tradewar that is the real tragedy,” Canadian Chamber President and CEO Candace Laing said. “Having spent months under on-again, off-again tariffs and threats, Canadians already know just how damaging this can be — both to our economy and the relationship we’ve enjoyed with our southern neighbour for decades.”

In Greater Victoria, Chamber Past Chair Kris Wirk told CHEK News that many members are already pivoting their business to other markets or services that avoid the US.

“The fact that there’s moving goal posts and moving deadlines makes it difficult for businesses,” Wirk said, noting many people are making changes to help weather the length of the current US administration’s time in office. “I think the past is a good indicator of the future so we may be in for a long four (or three-and-a-half) years.”

According to the Conference Board of Canada, the uncertainty is making businesses cautious during a season that typically sees growth. The Index of Business Confidence decreased by 1.5 points this quarter, falling to its lowest level outside of the pandemic.

“Over 40% of respondents cited weak market demand and government policies as the two leading factors holding back planned investment,” the Board said. “Until these challenges ease, business investment is expected to remain restrained.”

Jo Campbell remembered as legendary philanthropist

July 9, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Chamber Awareness/by Jim Zeeben

One of Greater Victoria’s most legendary philanthropists has died at the age of 85.

Jo Campbell was co-founder of Thrifty Foods along with her husband Alex Campbell, who was named Chamber Lifetime Achievement winner in 2009 and inducted into The Chamber Business Hall of Fame in 2022.

“Jo and Alex were a team working together to create and grow Thrifty Foods into the business and community giants that they sold to Sobeys in 2007,” Bruce Williams said in his last week as Chamber CEO. “I have had the privilege of knowing them both and their children and admired their endless dedication to supporting important causes and organizations.”

Jo Campbell was as major supporter of the Victoria Cancer Centre and Camosun College, which named a wing of their campus the Alex & Jo Campbell Centre for Health and Wellness.

Chamber hosting CUSMA workshop in Victoria

July 9, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Business And Economic Strength, Chamber Awareness, Inflation And Rising Costs/by Jim Zeeben

Nominations open for 2026-27 Chamber Board

July 2, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Chamber Awareness/by Jim Zeeben

Every fall, the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce holds an election for new board members. Each board member is elected for a two-year term with staggered renewal dates. Our influential board works with decision-makers to support our region’s businesses and maximize the value of membership with The Chamber.

This year, four (4) board positions are up for election and nominations to the Board will be open from now until Thursday, Aug. 28 at 12 pm. Visit our website for information on the nomination process and key dates. Download the nomination package to begin the process of nominating yourself for consideration.

Join us for the Board Information Session on July 15, from 10 – 11:30am at the Chamber office or via Teams, if you are interested in learning more about the election process or the commitment and responsibilities of being on The Chamber Board.

The main contact of each Chamber member business is the voting representative and will receive information on voting in September. Please ensure the main contact for your business is correct by visiting your Member Directory Listing or Member Portal.

Additional questions can be directed to strategy@victoriachamber.ca.

C-5 aims to rebuild Canada’s economic momentum

June 25, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Business And Economic Strength, Chamber Awareness, Government Federal, Government Provincial/by Jim Zeeben

An economic evolution that the national chamber network has been working on for years is one step closer to reality this week. On June 23, the federal government passed legislation to vastly improve free trade and labour mobility between provinces.

Without this legislation, large-scale energy and infrastructure projects have routinely been delayed by regulatory gridlock, rising costs and political indecision.

“The Canadian Chamber of Commerce applauds the federal government for urgently introducing and passing Bill C-5 in the House of Commons,” Canadian Chamber Executive Vice President and Chief of Public Policy Matthew Holmes said, adding the ongoing tradewar with the US administration drove home the need to diversify. “We cannot have all our eggs in the United States economic basket any longer.”

Projects where fast-tracking has the broad support of impacted First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities should be the first to be considered.

“Canada’s business community firmly believes we can end project paralysis while working in collaboration with Indigenous rights holders and communities while maintaining world-class environmental standards,” Holmes said. “We know respect and partnership for shared prosperity are the path forward. The Canadian Chamber does not believe a major project is viable in the absence of clear community level support and expects Canada to meet its legal obligations to consult and cooperate with Indigenous peoples, per the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act adopted in 2021.”

Bill C-5 is just the first step. The onus is now on the federal government to deliver so that we can build economic momentum in Canada and show the world we’re serious about growth, energy and getting big things done.

Chamber stands by DVBA’s call for government action

June 12, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Chamber Awareness, Safe Communities/by Jim Zeeben

The Chamber is always among the first to sing the praises of downtown Victoria, which is often recognized as one of the most beautiful and livable downtowns of its size in the world.

We’re also quick to point out the challenges it’s faced, and we stand by today’s report from the Downtown Victoria Business Association calling for urgent action.

“Our call is simple: all levels of government must act now. No more studies. No waiting on perfect solutions,” DVBA CEO Jeff Bray said today. “The focus must shift to supporting business owners, their staff, and their customers. The data is clear: downtown businesses cannot wait three to five more years. We need bold, immediate action in 2025, or we risk a wave of closures, job losses, and a dramatic erosion of downtown’s vitality.”

The report includes specific calls to action, including for municipalities to increase police presence downtown and enforce and strengthen bylaws that address disorder. The DVBA is also asking the province to expand mental health and addiction services, including mandatory care, and to strengthen the justice system. Federally, the call is to reform bail legislation to allow the pretrial detention of repeat offenders charged with theft, violence, drug-related offences and vandalism.

BC Ferries announces more details for new vessels

June 12, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Business And Economic Strength, Chamber Awareness, Climate Change Solutions, Government Provincial, Hospitality And Tourism Rescue And Recovery, Transportation Options/by Jim Zeeben

The Chamber is a strong supporter of the work BC Ferries does as a vital transportation and supply chain link for Greater Victoria.

“Our organizations have a very good relationship and we are encouraged by the business-minded approach BC Ferries takes to its long-term feasibility and sustainability,” Chamber CEO Bruce Williams said, who spoke today about the decision on CFAX as well as with the Canadian Press. “We know yesterday’s announcement about selecting the builder for new ships was a very well-informed decision, and we’re hopeful that we will still see a much needed fifth ship added to this proposal.”

BC Ferries announced China Merchants Industry Weihai Shipyards will build four new vessels to replace four aging ships nearing the end of their service lives, each increasingly prone to mechanical issues and service disruptions.

“CMI Weihai is a global leader in passenger ferry construction, and shipbuilding more broadly,” BC Ferries CEO Nicolas Jimenez said. “It was the clear choice based on the overall strength of its bid, including its technical capabilities, high-quality and safety standards, ferry-building experience, proven ability to deliver safe, reliable vessels on dependable timelines, and the overall cost and value it delivers for our customers — all essential as we continue to experience growing demand and the urgent need to renew our aging fleet.”

BC Ferries said, in the first 10 years of their operation, the new vessels will inject $230 million locally on refits and scheduled maintenance. Over their expected 45-year lifespans, the ships are expected to spur 17,200 job-years of employment and $1.2 billion in wages, contributing $2.2 billion to BC’s GDP.

The new vessels will be more spacious, have reduced emissions and be significantly quieter underwater to better protect marine life.

Chamber advocacy efforts underway with feds

May 29, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Chamber Awareness, Government Federal/by Jim Zeeben

Tuesday’s historic Speech from the Throne read by King Charles III included some promising policy shifts to address Canada’s housing supply.

Acting as the current embodiment of Canada’s sovereignty, the King read a script prepared by the governing Liberal Party. The ritual was a not too subtle reminder to the US administration that Canadians are fed up with annexation rhetoric.

For business, the start of a new government session is a chance to see how campaign promises will be delivered. Housing is a major concern in Greater Victoria, and the Speech from the Throne included a promise to cut the GST for home valued at $1 million or less, saving buyers up to $50,000. The speech also promised to lower the GST on homes between $1 million and $1.5 million — a sweet spot for single family homes in the region.

“As a Chamber, we advocate for housing solutions to address fundamental challenges in Greater Victoria,” Chamber CEO Bruce Williams said. “We need housing supply to help attract people who contribute in all sectors of the economy, but specifically for folks who are required to staff our hospitality and retail industries. And we need homes for people struggling to stay housed. Simply put, housing is at the core of allowing employers to operate at their full potential and helping keep our communities safe for everyone.”

To encourage the new government to stay focused on business needs, the Canadian Chamber has sent the new cabinet “Mandate Letters.” Getting these to new ministers early in their terms is part of the strategic advocacy done to build good relationships that allow the business community to have its voice heard by government.

Chamber hears from Minister about BC’s economic plans

May 15, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Chamber Awareness, Finding And Keeping Workers, Global Uncertainty, Government Provincial/by Jim Zeeben

The Chamber hosted BC’s Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation, Diana Gibson, yesterday at the Union Club of BC.

Minister Gibson spoke about the province’s efforts to build a resilient economy in the face of uncertain trade relations with the United States.

“It was a valuable opportunity to speak with the Minister directly and pose questions on behalf of Chamber members,” Chamber CEO Bruce Williams said. “It’s important to understand what the government is trying to do, but it’s just as vital that government knows what business needs it to do.”

The event was moderated by Williams and South Island Prosperity Partnership CEO Aaron Stone.

The JEDI Ministry’s role is to support BC’s tech sector as well as small businesses, while providing economic development and promoting the province to international investors.

“One of the big tasks on their plate right now is working with the federal government and other provinces to increase free trade within Canada,” Williams said. “Prime Minister Carney has promised this will happen by Canada Day so the clock is ticking for provinces to reach agreements that make it easier for businesses to sell products and services more efficiently across our borders.”