A convoy of honking trucks and anti-government protestors that planned to entrench themselves in James Bay fizzled out before it could gain a foothold.

“Safe, peaceful and lawful protest are protected under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Occupation is not,” states a VicPD media release. “Dangerous and/or unlawful activity will continue to be met with de-escalation and enforcement.

By being proactive, the Victoria Police Department were able to avoid a prolonged disruption to businesses and residents. VicPD consulted with Ottawa police about lessons learned by that city when it permitted a protest that then turned into an encampment.

VicPD Police Chief Del Manak shared his insights as a guest speaker at The Chamber’s Public Policy and Advocacy committee meeting this week. Chief Manak was also asked about efforts to create a regional police department that could draw resources from more than one municipality. VicPD works with their neighbouring police forces as much as possible, but there’s no question the department faces critical constraints. The job of police is to protect people in their community, regardless of where they’re from. In Greater Victoria, that means VicPD protect everyone who visits downtown for work in the day or for all of its entertainment options in the evening.

The Chamber has long called for a regional police force, and we will be looking for indications government is listening when the provincial Special Committee on Reforming the Police Act is released April 28.

Starting Friday, businesses and event organizers will no longer be required by the province to check vaccination status. As well, businesses will only need a communicable disease plan to reduce the spread of all infectious diseases rather than a specific COVID-19 safety plan.

“We expect a few businesses will continue to require proof of immunization, much as many continue to ask that masks are worn in common areas,” Chamber CEO Bruce Williams said. “We welcome the end of formal regulations and support businesses that know their customers and their staff, and who make decisions that work for their organization.”

The Chamber has lent its support to the long-standing career centre program at the Greater Victoria School District. The SD61 school board is expected to announce funding cuts as part of finalizing its budget tomorrow.

“We understand that this year’s budget process requires difficult decisions, and we do appreciate that every trustee is doing their best to make the right decision. That said, we urge the school board to continue adequately funding career centre staff positions,” Chamber CEO Bruce Williams stated in a letter to trustees. “Education is about helping students grow and learn to be successful adults who contribute to making our world a better place. Students receive positive direction to fulfill their academic potential, and they deserve to also have positive direction to prepare them for working life.”

Career centre staff are able to help students learn to build connections and professional relationships. Without that assistance, there might be fewer students available to take on traditional student positions. With Greater Victoria experiencing a workforce crisis, hiring students helps employers and gives young people a chance to earn money to pursue their own dreams.

To help British Columbians deal with high gas prices, ICBC announced last week it is providing drivers with a one-time $110 rebate ($160 for commercial drivers).
 
Rising fuel prices — caused by what Premier John Horgan called “Putin’s illegal war in Ukraine” — have made life more expensive and led to calls for the province to reduce fuel taxes. And while consumers will welcome the rebate, there are concerns that the cash back from ICBC could increase demand for fuel. A better solution, some economists say, would be to focus relief on commercial vehicles facing higher costs — costs that will inevitably be added to the price of goods and services.
 
The ICBC rebate will be directly deposited in customer’s accounts or applied to their credit card, depending on how they pay for vehicle insurance. ICBC will not text or email information about the rebate and warns customers to be vigilant about fraud attempts.

Creating safe communities requires getting to the root of issues that make people feel unsafe. The Chamber advocates for adequate funding of enforcement, health care services and housing, and we applaud news that the City of Victoria will receive a grant to increase community safety.
 
“People in Victoria at risk of harm or victimization will benefit from a $30,000 grant to create a community-based team of front-line workers to deliver better, faster access to services,” a provincial government news release states. “The teams, known as ‘situation tables,’ … proactively identify vulnerable individuals or families who have a significant probability of committing criminal offences or experiencing harm or victimization, and rapidly connect them to services before they experience a negative or traumatic event.”