Greater Victoria’s unemployment rate hit 11% in June — up from 10.1% in May, according to the latest report from Statistics Canada.
 
The numbers are in contrast to the rest of BC and Canada. Provincially, the rate was 13% in June compared to 13.4% in May. Nationally, the unemployment rate was 12.3% in June, down from 13.7% in May.
 
The economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has hurt the tourism and hospitality sector especially hard, which could account for Greater Victoria’s numbers. Our region typically has one of the lowest unemployment rates in Canada.
 
It’s difficult to forecast where the rates will go from here as more businesses re-open and expand their operations. The hope is that an increase in local customers as well as a focus on travelling within the province will help.
 
“We’ve proven that flattening the curve is good for the economy,” Chamber CEO Bruce Williams told CHEK News. “We’re not back to the unemployment numbers that we had before … but it does mean that we are embracing the ability to move forward to restart the economy.”

The Chamber welcomed the news on July 13 that the federal government is extending its wage subsidy program until the end of the year. Businesses need certainty and they don’t have that when programs run month to month and extensions are granted at the last minute.
 
Confirming that the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy will be available until Dec. 31 allows employers to better plan their recovery. However, government needs to do more to make sure the program is transparent and easy to access.
 
The wage subsidy, which was set to end by the beginning of September, has not engaged businesses as much as expected. The government estimated the cost of the program would be $45 billion but, as of July 8, only $18 billion had been paid to about 250 thousand businesses. The Canada Revenue Agency estimates that, between May 10 and June 6, the program subsidized wages for 2.3 million Canadians.
 
The week before, federal Finance Minister Bill Morneau increased the budget for the program to $82.3 billion in a move that foreshadowed today’s announcement.
 
“The Chamber would like to see the government help workers move off of the Canada Emergency Relief Benefit and onto the payroll of employers,” says Chamber CEO Bruce Williams. “The wage subsidy is the right vehicle to do that but we’re hearing that many businesses find the process too confusing and they aren’t sure if they qualify. “
 
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

The July issue of Douglas Magazine includes a cover story on Chamber chair John Wilson, and how his company plans to overcome the challenges of COVID-19.
 
The Wilson’s Group of Companies has been greatly affected by the pandemic, which has seen tourism and ground transportation hit especially hard. “It’s upsetting but we’ve got to look at what we have to work with,” Wilson told Douglas. “We’ll get knocked down, but we’ll keep moving forward.”
 
The same edition also include an interview with Chamber CEO Bruce Williams, who grew up working in a family business and is dedicated to ensuring The Chamber is more relevant than ever to its members.

Want to know how you can make your home be part of a climate change solution?
 
The District of Saanich has launched a step-by-step climate action manual called the Resident’s Climate Action Guidebook. The goal is to teach the public how to make their homes more sustainable in six steps and help the municipality build a climate-friendly future.
 
In January, Saanich approved a 131-step plan to reduce the risks associated with climate change locally and globally, cut greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2030, move to net-zero emissions by 2050 and transition to 100 per cent renewable energy by 2050.

District of Saanich: Member since 2019