Finding And Keeping Workers Archives

WorkSafeBC’s average base premium rate unchanged

January 7, 2026/in BizNews This Week, Business And Economic Strength, Fair Rules, Finding And Keeping Workers, Inflation And Rising Costs/by Jim Zeeben

WorkSafeBC announced this week that its average base premium will remain the same as the agency uses a $570-million surplus to subsidize costs this year.

The average base rate is $1.55 per $100 of assessable payroll. That’s 15% less than the average cost rate of $1.83, with the difference funded by surplus.

In 2026, 39% of employers in BC will experience a decrease in their industry base rate, 47% will see their industry base rate increase, and 14% will see no change.

“Looking at the year ahead, WorkSafeBC is continuing to see upward claim-cost pressures and a continued reduction in the surplus. If these trends continue, it could lead to a moderate increase in premium rates in the near future,” the agency said in a media release. “The preliminary rates for 2027 will be announced in July of this year.”

The workers’ compensation system is independently funded by employer premiums and investment returns. WorkSafeBC does not receive any funding from the provincial government.

Chamber welcomes renewed focus on industry

November 20, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Business And Economic Strength, Finding And Keeping Workers, Government Provincial, New And Established Businesses/by Jim Zeeben

The Chamber applauds the recent launch of Look West, a provincial strategy to invest in the economy through major projects and a focus on industry. The aim is to build off recent announcements by the federal government to prioritize projects that will grow Canada’s economy and increase future revenue.

“As important as the specific projects are, even more encouraging is the acknowledgment that government needs to invest in ways that grow revenue and build resilience in our economy,” Chamber CEO John Wilson said. “The recent announcements come as The Chamber is beginning work with industrial partners in Greater Victoria, such as the Ralmax Group of Companies. One initiative that could make a big difference is the idea of an Industrial Land Reserve modelled after BC’s existing Agricultural Land Reserve.”

It makes sense to preserve spaces that have incubated successful industry and the good-paying jobs that come with it. There is a lot of pressure on land due to things such as BC Assessment’s highest-and-best-use policy. There’s a real risk that once the usage of the land changes, the jobs and revenue streams that had been in place will never return.

The Chamber will continue to work for all of its members, and hopes to continue to provide insight from a business perspective for decision makers in the provincial government.

BC promises to double funding for trades training

November 20, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Business And Economic Strength, Finding And Keeping Workers/by Jim Zeeben

Twice as much money is being allocated to train British Columbians in needed trades, the provincial government announced last week.

Over the next three years, trades-training programs in BC will receive $241 million.

This money will:

increase per-seat funding for apprentice programs
address waiting lists for industrial trades
advance skilled-trades certification, beginning with crane operators
ensure workers can move between industries.

The province said it will work with unions, industry and post-secondary partners to build out workforce programs.

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.

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

Fall stats show uptick in region’s real estate sector

November 6, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Business And Economic Strength, Finding And Keeping Workers, Housing/by Jim Zeeben

Greater Victoria’s housing market is showing renewed activity as sales and prices ticked up in October.

A total of 617 properties sold in the Victoria Real Estate Board region this October, 11.4% more than in September.

“The local real estate market remains reasonably balanced,” VREB Chair Dirk VanderWal said in a media release. “Single family homes are currently seeing the strongest demand, and this month we saw the highest number of October sales since 2020. However, condo sales were slightly more restrained than single family and townhome sales over the past month. We have not seen a significant decrease in prices as a result, but those shopping for condos will find a good variety to choose from with time to make decisions.”

The benchmark value for a single family home in the Victoria Core in October was $1,276,500, down from September’s value of $1,294,800. The benchmark value for a condominium in the Victoria Core area was $551,000 in October, up from the September value of $547,500.

Construction begins on 500 new homes in Victoria

October 22, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Finding And Keeping Workers, Housing, Safe Communities/by Jim Zeeben

Construction has started on more than 500 new rental homes, retail spaces and a public plaza at the corner of Douglas and Caledonia streets.

“We’re excited to continue providing much-needed housing to Victoria in partnership with BC Housing on this mixed-use project at Douglas and Caledonia,” Chard Development president and CEO Byron Chard said in a media release. “This project reflects our shared commitment to expanding housing options and delivering new community amenities to meet the needs of this growing area.”

The new build is on the site of the former Capital City Centre Hotel at 1961 Douglas St. and 710 Caledonia Ave. It features three concrete high-rise towers and a community plaza on the southeastern corner, which includes office space, child care and a grocery store.

“This development marks another significant step forward in the city’s priority to increase housing choices for Victoria residents,” City of Victoria Mayor Marianne Alto said.

One tower will be owned by the Province, with 20% of its 133 units offered at below-market rental rates. This tower received $73 million in construction financing and a grant of $8 million through BC Housing’s BC Builds program.

The development’s remaining homes will be owned and managed by Chard at market rates.

Change gives sick or hurt staff up to six-months leave

October 22, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Business And Economic Strength, Finding And Keeping Workers, Safe Communities/by Jim Zeeben

The BC government is proposing an amendment to the Employment Standards Act that would give employees up to 27 weeks of unpaid leave for serious illness or injury.

The province says the change is in line with other jurisdictions and will protect people who can’t work for at least one week because they need treatment or are debilitated by disease.

Employees must obtain a medical certificate from a doctor or nurse practitioner stating that the person is unable to work and how much time off is required.

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.