Finding And Keeping Workers Archives

BC minimum wage increases to $17.85 next week

May 29, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Business And Economic Strength, Finding And Keeping Workers, Government Provincial/by Jim Zeeben

On Sunday, the province’s annual minimum wage increase will raise the lowest hourly rate from $17.40 to $17.85 per hour.

“The 2.6% increase on June 1 also applies to minimum-wage rates for resident caretakers, live-in home-support workers, live-in camp leaders and app-based delivery and ride-hail services workers,” the provincial media release stated. “This is the fourth year of the government’s ongoing commitment to tie annual minimum-wage increases to inflation.”

In February 2024, the Employment Standards Act was changed to automatically tie annual increases to the previous year’s average inflation rate.

Highway project will ease commute — eventually

May 29, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Finding And Keeping Workers, Government Provincial, Transportation Options/by Jim Zeeben

Connecting communities is critical for helping business flow smoothly around the region. There are deliveries to make and appointments to keep, but good transportation is also vital to helping employers find and keep workers. This has been a consistent advocacy priority for Chamber members, who help us understand their biggest challenges by filling out our annual member survey as well as in daily interactions.

Of course, building better transportation corridors can require patience. That’s the case across the region, including Highway 1 where the bus-on-shoulder project is currently underway. New bus lanes from the McKenzie Interchange to the Colwood Interchange will make taking the bus faster and more reliable and convenient for commuters.

Drivers can expect daytime disruption during construction. The Burnside Road on-ramp and the Helmcken overpass will close overnight between 8 pm and 5:30 am. The Galloping Goose Trail also faces closures of as long as 15 minutes between 8 and 11 pm.

The Highway 1 bus-on-shoulder project is part of the South Island Transportation Strategy to create a dedicated rapid transit corridor between downtown Victoria and the Westshore. BC Transit currently operates its Blink RapidBus to connect the areas and is planning to expand the service over time.

The bus-on-shoulder project includes $67 million in provincial funding and $28 million in federal funds. The project is expected to be completed in late 2027.

Saanich opens approval process for operations centre

May 22, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Finding And Keeping Workers, Government Local/by Jim Zeeben

A major redevelopment project in the District of Saanich is using an Alternative Approval Process to receive authority for needed funding.

“The Alternative Approval Process is a fiscally responsible and efficient tool that will help the District ensure that the community has a voice in the future of the Saanich Operations Centre,” Saanich Chief Administrative Officer Brent Reems said in a media release.

The $172 million project will replace aging infrastructure with new facilities for municipal services as well as allocate space for new homes and commercial uses.

Voting is open for Saanich residents, who can submit a form if opposed to the borrowing request. Saanich says the redevelopment will stimulate economic growth, create jobs during construction and ensure reliable services for the next 80 years.

Victoria hosts info session on business of childcare

May 15, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Finding And Keeping Workers, Government Local/by Jim Zeeben

Anyone thinking about starting a childcare business or interested in the sector can learn more about current rules at an info session on May 27, hosted by the City of Victoria’s Business Hub.

The session is free and is focused on helping people start or grow a childcare program as a for-profit or non-profit venture. Topics covered include how to get licensed, types of childcare and potential resource partners. Staff and experts will be on hand to answer questions about regulations and experiences.

The Business of Childcare: Small Business Info Session runs from 9 to 11:30 am, May 27, at Victoria City Hall.

Chamber hears from Minister about BC’s economic plans

May 15, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Chamber Awareness, Finding And Keeping Workers, Global Uncertainty, Government Provincial/by Jim Zeeben

The Chamber hosted BC’s Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation, Diana Gibson, yesterday at the Union Club of BC.

Minister Gibson spoke about the province’s efforts to build a resilient economy in the face of uncertain trade relations with the United States.

“It was a valuable opportunity to speak with the Minister directly and pose questions on behalf of Chamber members,” Chamber CEO Bruce Williams said. “It’s important to understand what the government is trying to do, but it’s just as vital that government knows what business needs it to do.”

The event was moderated by Williams and South Island Prosperity Partnership CEO Aaron Stone.

The JEDI Ministry’s role is to support BC’s tech sector as well as small businesses, while providing economic development and promoting the province to international investors.

“One of the big tasks on their plate right now is working with the federal government and other provinces to increase free trade within Canada,” Williams said. “Prime Minister Carney has promised this will happen by Canada Day so the clock is ticking for provinces to reach agreements that make it easier for businesses to sell products and services more efficiently across our borders.”

Real estate market stays steady through Spring start

May 8, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Finding And Keeping Workers, Housing, Transportation Options/by Jim Zeeben

The chaos created by threats of tariffs and a tradewar is the likely reason for a cooler start to the spring housing market.

“Political uncertainty associated with the federal election, combined with broader economic concerns stemming from the United States tempered our brisk spring market growth,” Victoria Real Estate Board Chair Dirk VanderWal said in a media release. “The good news is we remain in that sweet spot of inventory, which we currently find is between 3,000 and 4,000 listings.”

VanderWal, who spoke to The Chamber’s Public Policy and Advocacy Committee on Tuesday along with VREB CEO David Corey, said that having available inventory is good for buyers, sellers and the 1,600 real estate agents working in our region.

“Currently, single family homes in certain price ranges are in demand and may see multiple offers, while there is a larger supply of condos waiting for buyers,” VanderWal said.

The benchmark value for a single family home in the Victoria Core in April was $1,344,800, up from March’s value of $1,335,300. The benchmark value for a condominium in April was $566,100, up from the March value of $560,400.

Chamber championing ferries’ future resonates with Island communities

April 30, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Chamber Awareness, Climate Change Solutions, Finding And Keeping Workers, Food Security, Global Uncertainty, Government Provincial, Transportation Options/by Jim Zeeben

The Chamber’s efforts to bring a business perspective to the future of our most vital transportation link has captured the attention of policy makers and business associations on the Island and across BC.

A letter penned by The Chamber on behalf of 20 organizations was sent to BC Premier David Eby last week. The letter makes the case for revisiting the recent decision by the BC Ferries commissioner to only approve four new vessels instead of the five required to meet demand.

The request was picked up by media during an interview with the Premier, who agreed that the vessels are needed.

“I think we need boats that are going to be able to serve the public well into the future here in British Columbia,” Eby told reporters. “It’s critical for commerce, for tourism and as the Island Highway for so many families and businesses.”

The Chamber supports efforts to reduce costs faced by taxpayers, and is grateful the provincial government has heard our calls to invest in ways that grow the economy for everyone. The attention on the issue has also raised the potential for federal funding to be part of the solution.

“Affordability is about more than just fares and yet there’s nothing that requires the commissioner to apply that lens,” Chamber CEO Bruce Williams wrote in the letter about the need for infrastructure that drives business, industry and tourism.

Read The Chamber’s column

Businesses bear burden of loosening sick day rules

April 17, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Fair Rules, Finding And Keeping Workers, Government Provincial, Hospitality And Tourism Rescue And Recovery, Inflation And Rising Costs, Safe Communities/by Jim Zeeben

A cost to employers rooted in the pandemic is now further ingrained in law after the provincial government moved to ban the requirement for doctor’s notes when employees take sick days.

“Businesses would have liked to have had more of a say on this policy,” Chamber CEO Bruce Williams said. “It’s one thing for the public sector to make this a requirement for its employees, but to force it on the private sector overlooks a lot of concerns we hear from members.”

Organizations understand the benefit of supporting their workers, especially in Greater Victoria with one of the lowest unemployment rates in Canada. During the pandemic, employers went to great lengths to support staff who were ill as well as to keep workers safe from infection. However, legislating paid sick days is a cost that is not covered by government. This additional burden on business adds up, especially at time when many organizations are facing lower margins.

“Most Chamber members I talk to have great relationships with their staff and go out of their way to help when needed,” Williams said. “But many are rightfully concerned that this change will create confusion and could incentivize abuse of the rules and potentially force employers to provide more paid days off work.”

Low unemployment rate reflects recruiting challenges

April 9, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Finding And Keeping Workers, Government Federal/by Jim Zeeben

It might be uncertain times, especially for global trading and the stock markets but we can count on Greater Victoria having a low unemployment rate.

Our region has the second lowest unemployment rate in Canada at 3.6%, behind only Saguenay, Quebec, which is at 3.4%.

Finding and keeping workers has been a challenge for Greater Victoria employers for at least 10 years. It’s an area that Chamber members continue to ask us to prioritize in our advocacy.

“We have the reality of living with a double-edged sword. Our region is one of the most desirable places in the world, but that also makes us an expensive area to call home,” Chamber CEO Bruce Williams said. “We need investment in infrastructure — housing supply, transportation and affordable childcare — to attract working people and families.”

To hear more about how The Chamber and our partner organizations are working together to build good business and great community for all, register for an upcoming advocacy event.

On April 15, The Chamber’s AGM and panel discussion will look at how the Canada-US relationship affects our region’s economy. And on April 16, The Chamber and partners host Canada Votes 2025, a Listening Session for Federal Election candidates.

Women in Business report finds steady, slow progress

April 2, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Chamber Awareness, Fair Rules, Finding And Keeping Workers/by Jim Zeeben

The 2025 Women in Business report by Doane Grant Thornton is now available.

The annual report promotes gender equality, tracks progress, identifies challenges and informs strategies for fostering a more inclusive and equitable business environment — ultimately leading to better business outcomes.

“In Canada, 34.7% of women hold senior management positions in small- and medium-sized businesses. It’s steady progress but still a significant distance to achieve parity,” Doane Grant Thornton stated. “It could take another 25 years for women to achieve equal representation in top executive roles, without accelerated change.”

The report also looks at external and internal challenges that affect leadership teams in mid-market businesses, which Doane Grant Thornton said “account for 98% of employer businesses in Canada, and 90% of businesses and two-thirds of jobs worldwide.”