Fair Rules Archives - Victoria Chamber

New rules on sick notes effective immediately

November 13, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Business And Economic Strength, Fair Rules, Finding And Keeping Workers, Government Provincial, Safe Communities/by Jim Zeeben

The province’s rules limiting when employers can ask for sick notes are now in effect. Under the employment standards regulations, employers can’t ask for a sick note for a worker’s first two health-related, short-term absences of five consecutive days or fewer in a calendar year.

The province said it consulted health-care providers, who pointed to scientific evidence that shows most minor illnesses for adults, such as a cold and influenza, have symptoms that typically resolve within five days.

These changes are meant to reduce time spent on paperwork by physicians, dentists, nurse practitioners, nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists and midwives.

Voice of business vital to municipal budget planning

November 13, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Business And Economic Strength, Fair Rules, Global Uncertainty, Government Local/by Jim Zeeben

One of The Chamber’s advocacy priorities is aimed at reducing the burden on businesses by ensuring governments focus on needs over wants.

This is playing out now as municipalities begin their budget process.

“To be clear, The Chamber isn’t telling mayors and councils what they need to cut. We are saying they need to do better than they have and reduce spending where they can while still delivering their core responsibilities,” Chamber CEO John Wilson said.

Looking back at tax rates charged in Greater Victoria, there are trends of taxes increasing by more than inflation. As well, there has been concern that taxes on businesses are increasing more than taxes on residents without any additional services being provided.

“Our message to local governments and their staff is that reducing costs for businesses is one of the best investments you can make in your municipality,” Wilson said. “Many business owners aren’t able to vote where they are located so, historically, they have had less of a voice during election cycles. This needs to change, and The Chamber is unapologetic about our role as the voice of business.”

Chamber is the unapologetic voice of business in our region

November 12, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Chamber Awareness, Chamber News, Fair Rules, Finding And Keeping Workers, Government Federal, Government Local, Government Provincial, Inflation And Rising Costs, Safe Communities/by Jim Zeeben

The Chamber recently issued a media release outlining our shift in advocacy priorities.

“We know our members have been hearing about these changes and we want to spread the word to the wider community, as well any businesses that might be unaware their voice is represented by The Chamber,” Chamber CEO John Wilson said. “We want businesses to know their calls for urgent action are being heard, and we have the ear of decision makers in all levels of government.”

The people who make up Greater Victoria’s business community care deeply about our region. They want a safe and sustainable life for everyone who lives here now, as well as for future generations.

As a member-based organization, The Chamber listens to its members and Board of Directors, who represent organizations of all sizes and industries, including the non-profit sector. They understand the current state of business in the region and have been clear about the direction needed.

“Our board has full confidence in John’s experience as a business leader and community-minded entrepreneur,” Chamber Board Chair Christina Clarke said.

How can we help your business? Please share your advocacy priorities with us at communications@victoriachamber.ca.

Read the Media Release

Province continues working on red tape reduction

October 29, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Business And Economic Strength, Fair Rules, Government Provincial, Streamlined Regional Regulations/by Jim Zeeben

On Monday, the provincial government announced it was making 187 amendments to 38 regulations in order to reduce red tape, improve permitting timelines and make government services more efficient and accessible.

The changes are across 10 ministries and focus on streamlining approval processes, such as removing construction permit requirements for very small private water systems, simplifying the level of authority needed for special-use forestry permits and eliminating outdated provisions related to soil relocation and open burning activities.

Businesses can share their ideas for future red tape reduction at betterregulations@gov.bc.ca.

ICBC offers insight into future of driving in British Columbia

October 15, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Fair Rules, Safe Communities, Transportation Options/by Jim Zeeben

A sold out Pacific Ballroom at the Victoria Marriott Inner Harbour heard from ICBC Interim President and CEO Jason McDaniel last week, as he candidly discussed the road ahead for the Crown Corporation.

The latest in The Chamber’s series of Business Leaders Luncheons was facilitated by Chamber Board member Mary Lou Newbold, Chief EyeCare Officer at Mayfair Optometric Clinic.

McDaniel offered insight into how ICBC is planning for uncertain times, as well as an update on a major change to how the insurer compensates drivers involved in accidents. The “no fault” model, which McDaniel prefers to call “enhanced care” is up for review by the province next year.

McDaniel also answered questions about proposed changes to the licensing system —including the removal of the second road test.

The event ended with a thoughtful discussion of a question posed by Kyle Granger of ColdStar Solutions about using technology to reduce costs based on advanced driving metrics. The idea of tracking how large vehicles are operated is an interesting opportunity for professional drivers, as well as one that could lead to innovation that helps regular drivers as well.

Plan for prompt payment rules supports construction

October 8, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Business And Economic Strength, Fair Rules, Finding And Keeping Workers, Government Local, Government Provincial, Housing, Inflation And Rising Costs, Streamlined Regional Regulations, Training And Microcredentials/by Jim Zeeben

The Chamber applauds a new agreement that will let builders build, and spend less time chasing wayward payments.

On Tuesday, the province announced legislation that will help contractors, subcontractors and workers get paid on time.

“We welcome this critical step toward payment certainty for B.C.’s construction industry,” BC Construction Association president Chris Atchison said. “It marks a new starting line that requires sustained collaboration between industry and government. Establishing fairness in how money flows means the industry can focus on building, not battling over payment. BCCA remains committed to continuing to work with the provincial government on this important issue.”

With housing supply a critical component for improving the cost of living in Greater Victoria and across BC, governments need to address all barriers facing contractors.

The prompt-payment legislation, once passed, will:

· set clear timelines for payment on construction projects

· establish a fast-track adjudication process to resolve payment-related disputes

· improve cash flow and stability across the construction industry.

Ontario and Alberta already have prompt-payment laws, and industry groups in BC have supported bringing those rules here. The province said there will be a transition period to establish an adjudication authority and conduct outreach and education regarding rights and responsibilities under the new system.

Prompt-payment rules will apply broadly to both private- and public-sector projects in BC, including government contracts, unless specific exemptions are set out by regulation.

Chamber’s new advocacy focused on urgent action

October 8, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Chamber Awareness, Chamber News, Fair Rules, Finding And Keeping Workers, Government Federal, Government Local, Government Provincial, Inflation And Rising Costs, New And Established Businesses, Safe Communities, Streamlined Regional Regulations/by Jim Zeeben

You might have noticed some changes to how The Chamber is using our position as the unapologetic Voice of Business.

The series of messages, shown below, will start appearing more on Chamber social channels and in other media. The focus is on action. Businesses have had too many years of uncertainty caused by societal shifts and the growing burden of red tape. Our members and our Board of Directors have been clear that we need to speak up and call for change.

Our first focus is downtown Victoria and other central areas being devastated by a permissive attitude toward disorder and crime. People need to feel safe. That means all levels of government need to do their part — and do it with urgency.

We know what’s needed: consistent police and bylaw presence and enforcement, immediate options for people needing mental health and addiction care and changes to a legal system that currently allows repeat offenders to harm our communities.

Our other current priorities are more responsible spending by governments, and reduction in regulatory roadblocks that make building homes and providing services for families too expensive.

New SIPP report says Greater Victoria at a crossroads

September 24, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Business And Economic Strength, Fair Rules, Finding And Keeping Workers, Global Uncertainty, Housing/by Jim Zeeben

A report released this week offers a path forward for a regional economy that is spinning its wheels in some sectors.

The South Island Prosperity Partnership offers a series of recommendations to overcome stagnation and reach our potential in Igniting Momentum, a 105-page report that came out of its Rising Economy Taskforce.

“The stakes are too high for business as usual in Greater Victoria,” the report concludes. “The evidence is clear: affordability pressures, productivity gaps, essential-worker shortages and external shocks are converging. But so are our advantages: world-class research, a thriving tech ecosystem, ocean and climate leadership, strong public anchors, entrepreneurial grit and a quality of life that draws talent from around the world.”

The Chamber helped contribute to the report’s findings, which align with much of the work the Chamber continues to do to attract investment and support our community.

“Greater Victoria is at a crossroads. Without bold, immediate action, we risk losing the talent, businesses and vibrancy that sustain our economy. Governments at all levels must do more to coordinate with the private sector to help ensure businesses can succeed,” Chamber CEO John Wilson said. “As BC’s second-largest metropolitan area, we can’t wait any longer. The Chamber promises to work with our members and partners across the region as the voice of business to address social challenges, increase access to skilled workers and grow our regional economy in ways guided by innovation, inclusion, and resilience. The time to act is now — to build a safer, stronger, and more prosperous Greater Victoria for everyone.”

IDEA committee hears how equity helps employers

September 17, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Business And Economic Strength, Fair Rules, Training And Microcredentials/by Jim Zeeben

The Chamber’s IDEA committee met this week after taking a break over summer, and heard a great presentation from the team at the Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria. Paulina Grainger, Billie Tess and Parker Johnson provided an overview of ICA’s Tools for Equity program. It was an enlightening and informative conversation about the benefits that organizations get from helping everyone have a chance to succeed.

The program offers tools to address systemic and institutional racism that exists in many workplaces. The work helps build better businesses and great community, while improving the competency of management and employees.

The ICA will work with any organization wanting to become more inclusive in order to stay relevant, competitive and an employer of choice.

Another Postal disruption simply bad for business

May 29, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Business And Economic Strength, Fair Rules/by Jim Zeeben

The Chamber is calling for a quick resolution to the simmering Canada Post labour dispute. Across the country, many businesses rely on dependable delivery service and, for some, the only option is currently Canada Post.

The Canadian Chamber’s Business Data Lab shows that supply chains are already facing challenges and any further disruption could make some businesses nonviable.

“Roughly 130,000 Canadian businesses were directly impacted by logistics-related labour disputes last year. Another stoppage — particularly during a fragile economic recovery — risks slowing deliveries, straining e-commerce and delaying critical services like payments and housing approvals,” the Canadian Chamber said. “Continuity matters. Business needs certainty, not another bottleneck.”

In Greater Victoria, we’ve seen first-hand how a postal strike can hurt small businesses and non-profit organizations.

“We know that many organizations still rely on Canada Post for cheques and fundraising. If they can’t rely on this service, they need to find alternatives and that could lead to higher costs or delays, and it certainly isn’t good for maintaining trust in Canada Post” Chamber CEO Bruce Williams told the Times Colonist, noting that “during the last postal strike, Chamber team members drove around the region to pick up and drop off payments and invoices for local businesses.”

On Wednesday, Canada Post gave its latest and “final” offer to the union representing 55,000 of its workers. You can find ongoing updates here: