Government Federal Archives - Victoria Chamber

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.

Find out where parties stand on local issues at listening session for federal candidates

April 9, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Chamber Awareness, Government Federal/by Jim Zeeben

The Chamber is organizing Canada Votes 2025 on April 16, from 5-7 pm, at the Spectrum Community School theatre in SD61.

The format will feature a panel of four candidates from our region representing the major political parties, including Elizabeth May for the Green Party and Laurel Collins for the NDP, Will Greaves from the Liberal Party and a local candidate the Conservative Party. The latter will be confirmed shortly.

The candidates will hear about an issue facing Greater Victoria and will then discuss potential solutions based on their party’s platforms.

Each of the issues will be presented by a representative from the following organizations:

Destination Greater Victoria, the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority, Vancouver Island Construction Association, the Downtown Victoria Business Association and The Chamber.

The federal election is set for April 28, and the Canada Votes 2025 Listening Session is free. However, space is limited so register early.

Listening session planned for federal candidates

April 2, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Chamber Awareness, Government Federal/by Jim Zeeben

The Chamber is planning a federal election event for Greater Victoria.

“We’re going to hold a ‘Listening Session,’ which has worked well at focusing discussion on specific challenges facing our region,” Chamber CEO Bruce Williams said.

The event, called Canada Votes 2025, is scheduled for April 16, from 5-7 pm. The format will feature a panel of four candidates representing our region’s four ridings as well as the major political parties. They’ll be introduced to local issues facing various business sectors and asked to discuss potential solutions based on their party’s platforms.

Community partners joining The Chamber include Destination Greater Victoria, the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority, Vancouver Island Construction Association, and the Downtown Victoria Business Association.

With the federal election set for April 28, a listening session allows for a focused discussion on local issues that will complement general campaign information already widely available.

The Canada Votes 2025 Listening Session is free but space is limited so we encourage everyone to register early.

Savings at the fuel pump welcomed by business

April 2, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Business And Economic Strength, Climate Change Solutions, Food Security, Government Federal, Government Provincial, Hospitality And Tourism Rescue And Recovery/by Jim Zeeben

The cost of fueling up at the pump has plummeted after the provincial government removed the carbon tax. Gas prices dropped below $1.60/litre yesterday — about 19 cents lower than they were the day before the tax was removed.

The lower fuel costs are welcome news to businesses that move goods and people.

“We hear from many struggling businesses and families so anything that unburdens them is needed right now,” Chamber CEO Bruce Williams said, noting that The Chamber offers members many benefits, including fuel discounts.

Canada escapes crosshairs as US takes aim at foreign trade

April 2, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Chamber Awareness, Global Uncertainty, Government Federal, Inflation And Rising Costs/by Jim Zeeben

Businesses watching today’s tariff announcements from the US administration can be forgiven for feeling more confused than ever. Canadians have been coping with economic anxiety for months due to threats of broad-based tariffs and other measures.

However, on the day that US President Donald Trump promised to unveil his master economic plan for world trade, Canada was barely mentioned.

“At this point, I don’t think anyone is surprised that today’s announcement did not provide a lot of clarity,” Chamber CEO Bruce Williams said. “We’ll take some time to analyze what official information is available and what it means for Greater Victoria.”

The initial impression is that Canadian goods under CUSMA will not face tariffs, while goods not covered will have a 10% tariff. It’s also not clear how Canada’s auto industry will actually be affected by a tariff on foreign auto makers.

Greater Victoria’s economy is among the least exposed Canadian cities when it comes to exporting. However, the sabre rattling that comes with talk of a tradewar creates uncertainty, which can bog down business.

“We will get through this, as we have every other crisis in the past, by supporting each other and our communities any way we can,” Williams said. “If there is a silver lining, we do have certainty that we have work to do to build the nation we want. We need an economy that is resilient and sustainable.”

To hear more about how the Canada-US relationship affects our region’s economy, register now for The Chamber’s AGM and panel discussion on April 15.

Tight timeline as federal election set for April 28

March 26, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Chamber Awareness, Government Federal/by Jim Zeeben

With the writ dropped on a federal election set for April 28, voters have a tight timeline to learn who their local candidates are and what their parties are promising.

How can the Chamber help our members, the community and democracy? Let us know your thoughts on what information you want before going to the ballot box.

Send your suggestions to communications@victoriachamber.ca.

On a national level, the Canadian Chamber has issued a statement on how the next government can help business, including following up on free trade between provinces, getting on with tax reform and investing in infrastructure.

“Canadians are privileged to live and work in an open, vibrant and democratic country. … The ongoing tensions with the US have created a volatile environment, making it harder for businesses and families to plan ahead. Strong public programs, like healthcare, retirement benefits, and a robust military, rely on a thriving business sector and tax revenue from Canadian individuals and businesses. Right now, that foundation is at risk,” Canadian Chamber CEO Candace Laing said. “Regardless of who wins, Canada needs a united strategy to reduce dependence on US trade and build a resilient, future-ready economy where all Canadians can thrive and be optimistic about the future. The next federal government needs to hit the ground running, ready to pursue a mandate that will guarantee Canada’s economic sovereignty and security, ensuring we are never left this vulnerable again.

Consumers get break as BC eliminating carbon tax April 1

March 26, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Business And Economic Strength, Chamber Awareness, Climate Change Solutions, Global Uncertainty, Government Federal, Government Provincial, Inflation And Rising Costs/by Jim Zeeben

Energy costs are set to go down starting April 1 as the province announced yesterday it will make good on its promise to eliminate the consumer carbon tax after the federal government promised to do the same.

BC’s tax adds about 17 cents per litre at the gas pump, and 15 cents per cubic metre of natural gas.

“The Province will continue to act on the commitment to battle climate change by ensuring people in British Columbia have affordable options to make sustainable choices and by encouraging industry to innovate,” the BC Ministry of Finance said in a statement.

Eliminating the tax will help businesses and individuals facing increasing costs and economic uncertainty due to the threats of tariffs and tradewar with the US.

The latest news on the tradewar is a 25% tariff on the auto industry imposed today. The action is expected to increase the cost of vehicles and cause generational chaos to automakers on both sides of the border.

The national Chamber network continues to work on mitigating the threat of tariffs. This week, the Canadian Chamber released a report on US cities that are the most export-dependent on Canada.

Chamber prepping for pro-business campaign

March 19, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Business And Economic Strength, Chamber Awareness, Government Federal/by Jim Zeeben

With a federal election expected to be called as soon as this Sunday, the Canadian Chamber is working on a toolkit that will make sure all political parties understand what businesses need.

The main message is that businesses are under threat. We need the next government to commit to going all-in on Canada. That means delivering on the promise of free trade between provinces, improving existing trade infrastructure and cutting red tape and taxes.

Canada could gain as much as 4% of our GDP by opening up east to west trade. We also require more investment in roads, rail, airports, pipelines and ports in order to grow our economy and fulfill our potential. And, perhaps most timely, there must be immediate relief from regulatory burdens and suffocating tax structures that constrict our private sector. We need to compete internationally and increase the size of our economy in order to sustainably fund the social programs that help improve everyone’s quality of life.

Help wanted? Workers caught in TFW rule changes

March 19, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Finding And Keeping Workers, Government Federal, Immigration And Integration, Training And Microcredentials/by Jim Zeeben

The Chamber continues to work to address ill-advised changes to Canada’s Temporary Foreign Workers program. We’ve met with Victoria’s Member of Parliament and heard from several Chamber members about the damaging impact this blanket legislation is causing in our region.

Canadian Tire Hillside has reached out to ask for help finding work for four of their former staffers who are looking for employers able to offer a position with a Labour Market Impact Assessment.

“The workers are well qualified, highly experienced professionals with international and Canadian experience. We would be retaining these top-performing team members, however, recent changes to our country’s Temporary Foreign Worker program will unfortunately not permit it,” Canadian Tire said in an email to The Chamber.

The workers live in our region and have housing. They want to continue to be long-term contributing members of the community. The workers have experience in retail, customer service and warehouse work and can start in early summer — once they receive necessary approvals.

To learn more about hiring these potential team members and applying for LMIAs, contact Ron Heal at ron@cantire365.com.

Blanket change to TFW program makes little sense

February 26, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Finding And Keeping Workers, Global Uncertainty, Government Federal/by Jim Zeeben

Recent changes to the rules around Temporary Foreign Workers have caught many businesses by surprise. The program has existed for half a century and has been vital to helping employers fill out their workforce. It’s also proved to be a popular pathway to Canadian citizenship.

The rule changes were driven by shifting political winds that have seen the federal government curtail immigration targets. However, applying the same rules to all regions across the country does not reflect the reality that unemployment rates vary immensely. In Greater Victoria, the rate is often one of the lowest in Canada.

“Losing this source of workers can make the difference in staying viable for some employers,” Chamber CEO Bruce Williams said. “We’ve been meeting with federal government representatives and plan to keep making the case for an exemption for our region.”

If the changes have impacted your business, contact The Chamber at communications@victoriachamber.ca to learn more about our advocacy work.