Major attractions have until June 7 to apply for grant

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Major tourism attractions have less than two weeks left to apply for a grant of up to $1 million. The province announced last week it set aside $50-million for the BC Major Anchor Attractions Program. Funds are available for not-for-profit organizations and businesses, and can be used for payroll, rent and “utility costs related to restarting or ramping up operations in preparation for gradual reopening.”

The application window is open until June 7, with funds provided in July.

Cruise ships get approval to bypass Canada, for now

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The Chamber is calling on provincial and federal governments to step up their advocacy efforts after US President Joe Biden signed off on the Alaska Tourism Restoration Act.

The move allows cruise ships to sail directly from Seattle to Alaska, without stopping in a Canadian port. The change, approved by Biden on Monday, temporarily waives the US Passenger Vessel Services Act.

Greater Victoria Harbour Authority CEO Ian Robertson said in a GVHA newsletter he’s working to make sure cruise ships return to Victoria when regulations allow. The industry is worth $130 million per year to our regional economy and creates 800 jobs.

The US decision is good news for the Alaskan economy, and doesn’t impact Canada for now as cruise ships are not allowed until next year. Robertson said he expects to hear more about the return of cruise ships by the fall.

Tourism relief overdue, but industry needs a plan

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Tuesday’s announcement of a $50 million fund for BC’s tourism sector is welcome news, but might be too little too late.

“On the one hand, The Chamber has been working with our community partners to get government relief for the hard-hit tourism sector,” Chamber CEO Bruce Williams says. “However, what’s still missing is a plan. As we’ve been saying for some time, businesses need time operationally to ramp up. We still have no direction from the province about how and when restrictions will be lifted.”

The $50 million fund will offer up to $1 million in grants to major attractions. Applications are open until June 7, with funds delivered by July. The province says eligible expenses include payroll, rent and utilities related to restarting or ramping up operations in preparation for gradual reopening in alignment with provincial health orders. The funding is available for not-for-profit organizations and businesses.

“For large attractions entering a second year of a 90% reduction in revenue, we appreciate this funding gesture as it will help contribute toward some fixed costs like insurance or property tax,” Butchart Gardens CEO Dave Cowen said in the province’s news release.

The funds are also available for tour bus companies, who, along with accommodation providers, are desperately waiting for information they can pass on to agencies and tour operators who are already booking trips into next year.

“We are in the midst of the largest (tour operator) trade show in Canada right now, Rendez-vous Canada, and we’re talking with people from all over the world (who want to book in 2022) and we have nothing to tell them,” Wilson’s Group of Companies CEO John Wilson told the Times Colonist.

With one week to go, businesses still seek clarity

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Chamber members and the entire Greater Victoria business community deserve a standing ovation for their diligence to adhere to provincial health orders. We’ve kept our customers, our employees and our community safe.

As we begin the fifth and final week of restrictions that began on March 29, we know you need more certainty about what lies ahead. On Thursday, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry is expected to speak about some of those next steps. We also know that BC Premier John Horgan will have details next week about the plan for a gradual reopening.

The BC Restaurant and Food Association says restrictions to inside dining are expected to continue for a few more weeks, but restaurants should begin to plan for reopening.

What is clear is we need to continue abiding by current restrictions this weekend, and we need to keep encouraging friends and family to book their immunization appointments.

As soon as we hear more details from the PHO, The Chamber will share that information through all of our communication channels.

Victoria seeks input on Welcoming City Strategy

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The Chamber supports programs that make Greater Victoria a more inclusive and welcoming community. There is work to do. A recent article in Douglas Magazine notes that our city can feel unsafe and isolating for 70% of people who identify as Indigenous, Black, Asian or as a person of colour. An even higher percentage reported experiencing regular racism.

To change that, the City of Victoria is creating a Welcoming City Strategy that will recommend actions and ways to measure success, as well as an accountability framework.

“Council is committed to helping create a city where everyone feels welcomed, accepted, safe and has the opportunity to prosper,” Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps told Douglas Magazine. “The Welcoming City Strategy is intended to remove barriers to City services and foster a compassionate and neighbourly community where all residents experience a sense of belonging and where we tackle racism and discrimination head on.”

Racism in Greater Victoria: A Community Report, was created by the Greater Victoria Local Immigration Partnership and the Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria.

For more information and to provide input on the City of Victoria strategy, go to engage.victoria.ca.

Loss of cruise seasons a huge hit to local economy

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With another year lost for the cruise industry, Greater Victoria will lose about $260 million in economic benefits derived from those visits. The blow has disrupted businesses across the region — even as there are new reasons to be concerned about government inaction.

The federal government’s decision to close international borders prompted the state of Alaska to push for changes to US legislation that has been critical to the growth of the cruise industry in BC. Under a 19th-century law, ships travelling between US ports — such as in Washington State and Alaska — were required to stop in another country along the way, unless the vessels were built in the US. In a move that caught the provincial government off-guard, the law was temporarily changed to allow ships to bypass Canada while our borders are closed.

The Chamber is working to support local businesses and organizations, including the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority, to make sure our provincial and federal governments understand that this change cannot be allowed to become permanent.

To hear from locals affected by the loss of cruise ships, check out this video produced for the GVHA by Roll.Focus.Productions, with comments from Seaspan and The Bay Centre.

Virtual meetings ingrained in law for organizations

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One of the innovations that has changed the way we do business is the mass adoption of virtual meetings. Before the pandemic, few people were using Zoom or similar software to its potential. That’s obviously changed. And while it can’t replace being together in the same room, meeting online is a viable alternative.

Last week, the provincial government made that option permanent for BC organizations that are legally required to meet. Amendments to the Business Corporations Act, Cooperative Association Act, Credit Union Incorporation Act, Financial Institutions Act and Societies Act will permanently remove legislative barriers and allow companies, societies, credit unions and co-operative associations to meet electronically.

New homes help region’s workforce housing crunch

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Construction has finished on a 135-unit condominium that serves as a great example of how the private sector can create housing for middle-income workers.

The 20-storey project, Vivid at the Yates, was built by Chard Development Ltd. and was able to sell homes at about 12% below market value thanks to a low-interest loan from BC Housing.

Chard now turns its attention to a similar project, Haven at 1100 Johnson St. The building will have 104 homes aimed at helping people enter the housing market. The project utilizes BC’s Affordable Homeownership Program. Buyers need to be Canadian citizens or permanent residents who don’t own property elsewhere and have lived in the province for at least one year.

Langford’s Station Avenue to become cultural hub

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A plan to revitalize a City of Langford neighbourhood will create a new cultural precinct that will showcase artists, attract new businesses and bring more people into a public space. On Monday, Langford council endorsed the project, in collaboration with the Island Corridor Foundation, to improve Station Avenue. The area between Peatt Road and Veteran’s Memorial Parkway had become a concern for residents.
 
“For many years, Council has focused on expanding recreational opportunities,” Langford Mayor Stew Young said in a news release. “Now we plan to turn our attention to arts and culture, providing new and exciting family-friendly options for residents and visitors alike.”
 
The project will celebrate local First Nations, showcase Langford’s evolving cultural identity, and create opportunities for businesses. Funding for the project is through the Union of British Columbia Municipalities Gas Tax Fund.

Province heads into home-stretch of restrictions

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We are heading into the home stretch as we begin week four of the five-weeks of stricter restrictions that began at midnight on March 29. Those orders state:
·     Indoor low intensity group exercise classes are cancelled.
·     Restaurants, pubs and bars are closed for indoor dining.
·     Outdoor patio seating and take-out or delivery is allowed.
·     Workplaces with a COVID-19 exposure may be ordered to close for a minimum of 10 days.
 
As well, the PHO strongly recommends:
·     Working from home whenever possible.
·     Getting tested immediately if you or anyone in your family feels sick.
 
BC has also officially moved into the fourth and final phase of our official immunization plan. As of May 12, more than half of all eligible British Columbians have had at least one dose of vaccine.
 
Appointments are currently being booked for people born in 1985 or earlier. Make sure you are registered so you can book your appointment as soon as possible. One of the criteria for loosening restrictions this summer is the number of people who are immunized.
 
“Vaccines are the light at the end of the tunnel in this pandemic, and that light is growing brighter by the day,” BC’s Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said today.

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