With more people choosing to move to our region, the demand for new housing is putting intense pressure on our ability to add to the supply. The Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s Rental Market Survey Data Tables for Greater Victoria shows that a total of eight private apartments were added in the City of Victoria between October 2020 and October 2021. A further 643 were added in all other Greater Victoria municipalities during the same time. Meanwhile, the region’s population increased by 29,467 between the 2021 and 2016 censuses.

The flag has been displayed in numerous places across the region, including on top of the Hotel Grand Pacific.

As well, the Times Colonist published a pullout Ukraine flag in the print edition of Wednesday’s paper.

There is also a growing call to fast-track immigration for people fleeing the Ukraine and looking to start a new life in Canada. The federal government has approved more than 4,000 applications from Ukrainians who were in line to immigrate here. The government also extended temporary status for Ukrainians already in Canada to work, study or visit.

If you’re interested in learning more about the situation in Ukraine, the University of Victoria is hosting a free Teach-In tonight at 4:30 pm. UVic experts on Ukraine will help explain what is happening and how to help.

Asked whether the province planned to ease the burdens of the EHT — which took $207 million more than anticipated from BC employers last year — or paid sick days, the minister defended the government’s current policies. She also acknowledged concerns about linking the minimum wage to inflation and said she will work to make the change as smooth and predictable as possible for business.
 
Budget Notes:
Greater Victoria is getting two complex care facilities, though specific locations were not announced. The budget also includes $84 million over three years for planning and capital funding for upgrading the Belleville Terminal.
 
The tourism sector has been allocated $25 million to help with recovery efforts, though a further $915 million was set aside for potential pandemic-related expenses, including health care costs or economic recovery funding.
 
Greater Victoria is also in line for numerous “bus and shoulder” expansions to improve regional transit, and money has been earmarked for the transit hub at Uptown in Saanich.
 
“The Chamber has long advocated for child care as an investment in our economy, and we applaud the province’s commitment to adding 40,000 new spaces within seven years. We also are encouraged by some of the steps to address our lack of housing supply,” Williams said.

• Camosun College is getting 16 new seats for Registered Nurses and Licensed Practical Nurses, starting in 2023.
• The University of Victoria is getting five new seats for Nurse Practitioners and a pathway for Master’s Degree in Nursing, starting this September.

Looking for ideas? Follow a few of these tips inspired by The Victoria Foundation
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• Buy coffee for the person in line behind you either in-store or at the drive through.
• Bake cookies for your coworkers with ingredients from a Chamber member grocer
• Donate food, money supplies to a local non-profit
• Donate books to the library
• Let your staff leave work a little early.
• Leave a positive google review for a great local business

Looking for more ways to brighten someone’s day? Download the Random Acts of Kindness Day Poster From The Victoria Foundation and spread kindness in your community. Children under the age of 12 also have the opportunity to colour-in this image to win a $50 gift card and a $100 donation made in their name to a registered charity of their choice.