New rules for bars and clubs after spike in cases

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A steady rise in the number of COVID-19 cases in BC means new rules aimied to restrict opportunities for the disease to spread in bars and nightclubs.

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said the new orders mean patrons can’t mingle and drinks can only be served at tables. As well, dance floors are no longer permitted.
 
Earlier today, the provincial government announced it will spend an additional $1 billion to help cash-strapped municipalities and transit services.
 
The funds will match the federal contribution announced July 16 as part of $19 billion in new spending across Canada. That money includes funding planned for paid sick leave programs.

Bus service restarts between BC communities

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Bus service that had been on hold due to COVID-19 have resumed, with safety measures in place.
 
The Wilson’s Group of Companies has started up routes up Island and to the mainland. Passengers must adhere to physical distancing measures, limiting seating to one person per row or two from the same household. If physical distancing can’t be maintained, passengers will need to wear masks.
The B.C. Ferries Connector is running Friday through to Monday, between downtown bus terminals in Victoria and Vancouver.
 
The Vancouver Island Connector is running between Victoria and Campbell River.
 
The Tofino Bus linking Victoria to Tofino and Ucluelet.
 
The company is also offering a BC Residents Rate, which gives locals a 25% discount.
 
“We are hopeful that with enough support from local travelers, as well as the continuation of government programs, that we can continue to operate well into the fall and winter,” John Wilson, president and CEO of the Wilson’s Group said in a statement.

Additional weekday runs may be added later this summer.

Tourism industry asks BC for $680 million stimulus

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The devastating impact of COVID-19 on BC tourism sector was driven home on Tuesday by a request for $680 million in relief needed to survive.
 
The Tourism Industry Association of BC sent a proposal to the provincial government requesting almost half of the $1.5 billion set aside to restart the economy.
 
“Unfortunately, as the only industry almost entirely based on the discretionary movement of people, the tourism and hospitality sector has been the most severely impacted by far by COVID-19 due to business closure orders and restrictions on personal travel, as well as the closure of international borders,” TIABC’s statement says.
 
The best case scenario forecasts 2020 revenue to be $6.7 billion compared to $20.4 billion in 2018. To survive, the industry wants $475 million to help businesses stay solvent, $190 million to encourage innovation and accelerate recovery and $15 million to support supply chains.

Chamber supports regional chamber advocacy

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The Chamber continues to spearhead advocacy efforts in Greater Victoria to help our members and the community recover from the COVID-19 crisis.
 
In this month’s edition of Douglas Magazine, Chamber CEO Bruce Williams speaks about what we and other chambers in our region are doing to get back to prosperity.
 
“Businesses need certainty and they don’t have that when programs run month to month and extensions are granted at the last minute,” Williams said. “Businesses thrive when they can plan. A tiered system that gradually goes away is better for planning for a return to business that can be successful in the long term.”

Victoria well positioned as ocean innovation hub

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Victoria is well positioned to become a centre for ocean innovation. A request for proposals has gone out to study the feasibility of increasing the value of the marine sector to Greater Victoria’s economy.
 
The City of Victoria is working with the South Island Prosperity Partnership and the marine sector to explore the idea of an Ocean Futures Innovation Hub. It would be located in Victoria and foster an environment of entrepreneurship building off our region’s existing marine industries and our location on the Pacific. Being home to Ocean Networks Canada, which yesterday announced a $29 million investment from the federal government, is a boon.
 
The Chamber supports innovation led by business. We look forward to helping build an Ocean Futures Innovation Hub in Victoria.

Pandemic a chance to rethink approach to homeless

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The pandemic is causing a rethink about many things, including what we need to do to solve homelessness and the delivery of police services in our region.

The Chamber has advocated for long-term solutions that are proven to work, such as the Therapeutic Recovery Community operated in View Royal by Our Place Society.

We understand the challenges facing businesses located near former hotel properties purchased by the province to house people who had been living in encampments. The move was initially made to reduce the risk of COVID-19 spreading among closely packed tents. The new locations include mental health and addiction treatment services. However, the problem is complex and concerns about safety and property need to be taken seriously.
 
The Chamber would like to see better enforcement of rules in place to ensure all of us can enjoy a safe community. Victoria Police Department Chief Del Manak has support from the city’s police board to augment policing with civilian social services.

We know the roots of homelessness, mental health issues and addictions run deep and it’s clear we need an innovative approach that can do more than push the problem between neighbourhoods.
 
“Greater Victoria businesses are known for their compassion and prove it by giving back, by investing in solutions to help people in need in our community,” says Chamber CEO Bruce Williams. “They want real solutions and all of us deserve to feel secure at home and at work. The Chamber would like to see more options for long-term treatment, and we hope BC Housing intends to fulfill its plans to transform these hotel properties into affordable housing that includes homes for our workforce.”

Victoria looking at return to paid parking downtown

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The City of Victoria is looking at ending parking measures introduced during the early stages of the pandemic.
 
In April, Victoria council decided to reduce parking rates and stop enforcing time limits in most spots. As economic activity picks up downtown, parking is once again becoming scarce.
 
“It’s a sign of going back to what it used to be, in a way,” Chamber CEO Bruce Williams told the Times Colonist. “It’s a bit back to normalcy. I don’t think it’s out of the question for them to be charging for parking. A lot of the parking when it is reduced like that is not being used by shoppers. it’s being used by workers (who take up prime spots for an entire day).”
 
The city uses a formula to encourage turnover of parking spaces, making it easier for more people to access businesses downtown.
 
Council is expected to decide Thursday on the proposal, which would take effect Aug. 4.

Federal wage subsidy extended until December

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Details were released on Friday about the federal government’s plan to extend the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy.

Finance Minister Bill Morneau said the plan was adjusted to make it easier for businesses to ramp up their growth as the economy gets back to speed. The proposed changes, which are expected to be approved by Parliament, help provide more certainty for employers.
 
The wage subsidy will be extended to Nov. 21 (with supports available until Dec. 19) and will be accessible to more businesses. The requirement to show a 30% decline in revenue has been tweaked to allow a gradually decreasing subsidy for businesses. This helps avoid the “cliff effect” that The Chamber voiced concern over, and which scared some employers away from the program.
 
Other changes include a top-up for employers in sectors facing the slowest recovery.

Business Restart Series – Demystifying the Wage Subsidy

To help our members learn more about how they can benefit from the wage subsidy program, as well as its tax implications, Chamber CEO Bruce Williams is hosting Matthew Hohnsbehn, Liaison Officer at the Canada Revenue Agency, and Kris Wirk, Partner, at Dusanj & Wirk Chartered Professional Accountants, on Aug. 11.
 
Register Now
Business Restart Series: Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (Online)
Tuesday, Aug. 11, Noon to 1 pm

 
Dusanj & Wirk Chartered Professional Accountants : Member since 2011

New tool enables temporary layoff extensions

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Employers can now extend temporary layoffs beyond the Aug. 30 deadline, but they need the support of 50% of their workforce.
 
The provincial government unveiled a new tool today, designed to streamline the process. An online application eliminates the need for printed documents and signatures.
 
Under B.C.’s Employment Standards Act, temporary layoffs related to COVID-19 can last up to 24 weeks, or until Aug. 30, before the layoff becomes permanent. At that point, employers face the daunting prospect of losing their work team and being forced to pay compensation based on length of service.
 
The deadline to get staff approval and apply for an extension is Aug. 25.

Will farmers help lead Island’s economic recovery?

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Farm sales reached record levels in 2019, and the provincial government says the growing sector could point the way to economic recovery.
 
BC reported $3.9 billion in farm cash receipts last year, with areas of growth including cannabis, dairy, beef and field vegetables.
 
“COVID-19 has opened our eyes to the importance of our province’s self-sufficiency,” said Saanich South MLA and Minister of Agriculture Lana Popham. “I urge everyone to continue to show their appreciation for our farmers and support our local food system by making a special effort to Buy BC.”
 
The BC Farm, Fish and Food Job Connector was launched in May to help farmers find workers needed for this season’s harvest. Last year’s record represents on increase of $462 million in revenue from 2018.
 
To help Island farmers adapt to the changing climate, the provincial and federal governments have identified 11 strategies to increase resilience. With warmer and dryer conditions, new types of insects and more extreme weather events, farmers need to prepare for challenges and opportunities ahead, the report says.

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