One of the innovations that helped business weather the uncertain days of the pandemic was the expansion of outdoor service areas. The ability to enjoy a beverage or bite to eat outside was so well-received, the District of Saanich is extending the initiative until June 2022. Businesses are able to add patio service in their parking lots, allowing them to increase customer capacity and meet public demand.
 
“This patio (rule change) came out and it was a godsend, and it has since turned out to be a remarkable success story,” Victoria Caledonian Distillery and Twa Dogs Brewery owner Graeme Macaloney told the Saanich News.
 
In the same article, Saanich Mayor Fred Haynes said the rules have helped business hang on to valuable members of their team. To hear more from Mayor Haynes, including his announcement that he is seeking re-election in 2022, make sure to check out his recent Chamber Chat with Chamber CEO Bruce Williams.
 
Click here for a list of Chamber members who offered patio service during the pandemic.

The days are getting shorter but things are getting brighter for downtown businesses, according to new data released by the City of Victoria last week.
 
There was a marked increase this summer in business licenses issued, film permits and hotel occupancy over last summer. Construction value reached $101.6 million in July, compared to $13.4 million in July 2020 and $51.5 million in July 2020.
 
Jeff Bray, Executive Director of the Downtown Victoria Business Association, said the rise in pedestrians downtown is a good measure of vitality. “When more people were working from home, it really emptied out the streets and hit the downtown businesses hard. I am hopeful that we can get back to our pre-pandemic numbers.”
 
“Tourism is a dynamic sector that contributes to the city and region is so many ways. When the industry was hit hard by the pandemic, the repercussions were felt throughout the community,” Chamber CEO Bruce Williams said in the news release.

The cost of housing remains a sore spot for Greater Victoria, but the quality of life, economy and other factors helped the region earn a B grade from the Victoria Foundation‘s 2021 Vital Signs report.
 
“The Chamber was happy to sponsor the section of the report that looked at Greater Victoria’s economy,” Chamber CEO Bruce Williams said. “The grades helps us understand the state of our region, where we’re doing well and how we can improve going forward.”
 
The 18th edition of the annual report measures our region’s wellbeing through qualitative data as well as stories and graphics to provide snapshots of the year that was.
 
This year’s theme explores equity and inclusion. The pandemic has emphasized that we might be in the storm, but we’re not all in the same boat.
 
The report looks at 12 areas, with grades ranging from a B-plus for Learning and Sports and Recreation, to a D-plus for Housing and Getting Started. The Economy rated a B-minus.
 
As well as The Chamber, other Vitals Signs sponsors include Coast Capital, CHEK News, Page One, Black Press, Tecnet, Maycock Eyecare, Urban Sytsems, Oakcrest Park Estates and CIBC.

Sept. 30 is National Truth and Reconciliation Day — a time to reflect on the history of residential schools and to listen with purpose to the stories of our Indigenous friends and neighbours.
 
Municipalities across Greater Victoria are hosting events to commemorate and celebrate indigenous voices, including:

 
The City of Victoria will be hosting the Xe xe Smun’ eem-Victoria Orange Shirt Day: Every Child Matters Ceremony from noon to 2:30 pm at Centennial Square. The event will include Indigenous performances, a minute of silence, and guest speakers sharing their personal experiences with residential schools and reconciliation.
 
The District of Oak Bay will be hosting events through the group ReconciliACTION Oak Bay – beginning in front of Oak Bay High School at 10 am, the event will honour residential school survivors with members of the Songhees Nation sharing their wisdom.
 
The City of Colwood will be presenting the Na’tsa’maht Gathering in honour of Truth and Reconciliation. The event will take place from 10 am – 4 pm at Royal Beach, and will include traditional songs, drumming, dancing and more.
 
The Corporation of the District of Saanich will be lighting the municipal hall orange on the evenings of September 29-30, and the flag will be lowered to half-mast.
 
The Township of Esquimalt has illuminated the Archie Browning Sports Centre in orange this week, and will continue to do so until September 30.

Along with the region’s municipalities, post-secondary institutions have committed to close their campuses on Sept. 30 and are offering informative and inclusive events:
 
The University of Victoria has been hosting various reconciliation events throughout the week. From film screenings at the First People’s House to livestreamed educational sessions, the university also has orange shirts designed by Carey Newman Hayalthkin’geme available at the bookstore. University President Kevin Hall will be detailing UVic’s calls to action and the role of education for Truth and Reconciliation.
 
Royal Roads University invites the community to join in virtual learning and events to honour the strength and resilience of Indigenous Peoples, including the #DrumForTheChildren virtual event at 2:15 with the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc Nation. On and around campus, many will share on social media their commitment to reconciliation wearing the limited-edition Orange Shirt with a powerful logo of the Heron People Circle (elder and old ones) by member Clarence “Butch” Dick of Lək̓ʷəŋən (Songhees) Nation.
 
Camosun College hosted their Orange Shirt Day event Wednesday at 1 pm. Attendees were invited to create love baskets filled with treats and medicines. The baskets will be delivered to residential school survivors who work closely with the college.