Chamber News Archives - Page 51 of 72

BC’s business recovery grant program extended

March 10, 2021/in Chamber News/by caorda

BC’s Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation has agreed to extend the application deadline for the Business Recovery Grant from March 31 to Aug. 31.

The Hon. Ravi Kahlon spoke to Chamber members on Feb. 18 as part of our Business Restart Series with provincial ministers. At that time, he said he was listening to businesses and would adjust the program to ensure pandemic relief was available.

As well, businesses are required to demonstrate a 30% revenue loss in any one month between March 2020 to the point of application. That’s significantly lower than the previous requirement of at least 70% revenue loss in March or April 2020.

The $345-million program provides fully funded grants to businesses that employ up to 149 BC residents. Grants can be up to $30,000, with an additional $15,000 available to tourism-related businesses.

Art gallery gets relief funding from province

March 10, 2021/in Chamber News/by caorda

The Art Gallery of Greater Victoria is among 120 arts and culture organizations on Vancouver Island benefiting from $3.5 million in provincial grants.

The art gallery will use its share of the funds to hire a digital assets co-ordinator and an educator to develop and deliver online programming.

The funding is part of the provincial government’s Expanded Arts and Culture Resilience Supplement delivered through the BC Arts Council. Organizations can use the funds for operating costs, to pay artists and to protect or restore jobs such as theatre technicians, production designers or arts administrators.

PST added to sugary drinks, streaming services

March 10, 2021/in Chamber News/by caorda

Two planned tax changes that were delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic will go into effect on April 1, 2021.

Starting next month, Provincial Sales Tax will be charged on carbonated beverages that contain sugar, natural sweeteners or artificial sweeteners. The products are currently exempt from PST.

As of April 1, PST must also be collected by e-commerce businesses outside the province, such as US-based services Netflix and Disney Plus.

Changes coming to real estate industry oversight

March 3, 2021/in Chamber News/by caorda

The BC Financial Services Authority is set to take on oversight of the province’s real estate industry. By bringing the Real Estate Council of BC and the Office of the Superintendent of Real Estate under the BCFSA, the province hopes to reduce money laundering by better coordinating the financial services sector.

The amendments to the Real Estate Services Act are expected in late-2021, and will give BCFSA authority for:

education and licensing for real estate professionals
establishing rules governing the conduct for real estate professionals
investigation and discipline for licensed and unlicensed individuals.

Funds help Songhees launch cultural marine tour

March 3, 2021/in Chamber News/by caorda

When the time is right to welcome visitors back to our region, a new experience will be ready to share the story of the Lək̓ʷəŋən people’s land and history. The Songhees Nation received $637,900 from the province’s Community Economic Recovery Infrastructure Program to help build a 25-foot aluminum landing craft that can fit 12 passengers.

The vessel will take people on tours of culturally significant sites where the Lək̓ʷəŋən fished and gathered other food sources such as shellfish and berries. The marine trail runs from Colwood down past Victoria and up to Cadboro Bay. Tours are expected to begin next year.

Funding for food hubs increases Island food security

March 3, 2021/in Chamber News/by caorda

The provincial government announced yesterday it plans to invest $2 million to buy food-processing equipment for three new food hubs, including one in Victoria. The province is partnering with the City of Victoria and the Victoria Community Food Hub Society to help businesses access shared food and beverage processing space and equipment to increase their production and sales.

“The development of a regional food hub is the culmination of years of work to identify the infrastructure needed in the region to support advancing the food and farm sector,” Linda Geggie, VCFHS spokesperson, said in the provincial news release. “This food hub is unique in that it is marrying economic development goals with social good, supporting food services and distribution of good local food to people in our region. There is a lot of potential in this initiative and we are pleased with the support from the many partners involved.”

Feds extend subsidies for wages and rent payments

March 3, 2021/in Chamber News/by caorda

It was expected news but welcomed nonetheless by employers across Canada. The federal government announced today that it will extend the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy and Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy until June 5. A previous extension was set to expire March 13.

The wage subsidy covers up to 75% of payroll costs, while the rent subsidy pays up to 65% of rental payments for those who qualify. As well, a top-up is available for businesses forced to close due to restrictions.

Transportation Minister addresses The Chamber

March 3, 2021/in Chamber News/by caorda

Making it easier to get around Greater Victoria, and addressing climate change were among the many topics addressed yesterday by BC’s Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Rob Fleming.

The Minister spoke to Chamber members as part of our ongoing Business Restart Series, which continues March 30 with Agricultural Minister Lana Popham (details below).

Fleming spoke about continuing efforts to make getting to work convenient for commuters who live in more affordable areas of the region. For example, he said the McKenzie Interchange, which is “substantially complete,” has cut commute times to the West Shore in half. As well, an additional widening of the highway will make the route ready for Light Rapid Transit. Another concept that is still being looked at is a ferry from Colwood to Victoria.

The Minister also addressed The Chamber’s calls for better transportation governance in the region. Fleming said the solution requires something other than the system of weighted votes used by the Capital Regional District. Greater Victoria needs a body that looks at the region as whole, and not as a collection of 13 municipalities.

The Minister also responded to a Chamber member question by encouraging businesses to lend their voice to a proposed “flyover” overpass from the Pat Bay Highway northbound to Keating Cross Road westbound, eliminating the left turn across highway traffic onto Keating Cross Road.

If you missed yesterday’s event but would like to hear more about what the Minister had to say, the video is available for purchase.

Take the ferry for $49 under BC Ferries new rates

March 3, 2021/in Chamber News/by caorda

New fare choices for BC Ferries will provide better “value, flexibility and certainty” for passengers travelling to or from the Island.

The Prepaid and Saver fares, announced today, can be purchased in advance of sailing the major routes between the Island and mainland.

BC Ferries President and CEO Mark Collins, who has previously spoken at Chamber events about moving to a prepaid model, said once travel restrictions are lifted the new fares will “help spread traffic across the day, reducing sailing waits at popular times.”

Saver fares will range from $49 to $73.70, including reservation, and are available year-round for travellers able to choose less busy sailing times.

The prepaid fare enables customers to pay for reservations and travel in advance, making boarding more convenient.

Greater Victoria getting 210 new child-care spaces

March 3, 2021/in Chamber News/by caorda

News that Greater Victoria is in line for 210 new licensed child-care spaces will be welcomed by parents. Many working families are often underemployed because parents are unable to work due to the lack of accessible, affordable care for their kids.

The provincial government announced the spaces yesterday as part of its Childcare BC New Spaces Fund, which has created 1,630 spaces in Greater Victoria since 2018.

BC’s business recovery grant program extended

Art gallery gets relief funding from province

PST added to sugary drinks, streaming services

Changes coming to real estate industry oversight

Funds help Songhees launch cultural marine tour

Funding for food hubs increases Island food security

Feds extend subsidies for wages and rent payments

Transportation Minister addresses The Chamber

Take the ferry for $49 under BC Ferries new rates

Greater Victoria getting 210 new child-care spaces

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