Government Local Archives - Victoria Chamber

Saanich seeks feedback on parking regulations

February 25, 2026/in BizNews This Week, Government Local, Transportation Options

Greater Victoria’s largest municipality is asking for public feedback on off-street parking and loading regulations. The District of Saanich says that modernizing regulations will help create housing, jobs and business growth.

More efficient rules also help the municipality reduce emissions and improve development application processing times by reducing the need for parking variances, Saanich said.

Businesses and residents can share thoughts on key issues, barriers, ideas and priorities by emailing off-streetparking@saanich.ca.

A survey that takes about 10 to 15 minutes to complete is also open until March 8.

Saanich celebrates Heritage Week with cookbook

February 18, 2026/in BizNews This Week, Government Local

This week is Heritage Week in BC and the District of Saanich Archives is marking the occasion with a community cookbook as well as a special exhibit showcasing the municipality’s agricultural roots.

“This year’s theme, Stir the Pot, highlights food as an important form of heritage — connecting us to land, culture, ancestors, memories and community,” the Saanich media release said.

The exhibit is on the second floor of Saanich’s municipal hall, and recipes for the cookbook can be submitted until Feb. 22. Saanich residents can send recipes to archives@saanich.ca or dropped off in person. The Saanich Archives public reference room is open Monday to Friday from 10 am to 2:30 pm at 3100 Tillicum Rd., inside the Saanich Centennial Library branch next to the GR Pearkes Recreation Centre.

Victoria Business Hub rolling out series of sessions

February 18, 2026/in BizNews This Week, Business And Economic Strength, Government Local, New And Established Businesses, Safe Communities

The City of Victoria Business Hub is planning aa series of events to support entrepreneurs and established businesses.

The series begins with a bootcamp on Feb. 23 for those developing a business plan. It continues with a conversation on cybersecurity on March 17 and a session focused on business safety during times of social disorder on April 21.

The latter event was spurred by a roundtable discussion that VicPD Chief Fiona Wilson held with members of The Chamber. It will be held at the Victoria Conference Centre to accommodate the many businesses affected. The session will provide practical tips and key contact information to help address issues including drugs, graffiti and mental-health-related safety concerns.

Saanich heeds feedback on Quadra McKenzie plan

February 4, 2026/in BizNews This Week, Chamber News, Government Local, Housing, Streamlined Regional Regulations, Transportation Options

After the latest round of public feedback, a decision on the future of one of the region’s busiest traffic corridors will need further review.

The Quadra McKenzie Plan is a massive undertaking by the District of Saanich that is trying to reimagine the future of the neighbourhoods near this intersection. Saanich worked with business and citizens for months to develop the draft plan, released last month.

On Monday, Saanich council decided it needed to direct staff to cancel planning for two new hubs in the neighbourhood, lower proposed building heights and remove a planned transit lane.

The updated plan will come back to council after revisions are finished later this spring. Once adopted, the plan will provide a guideline for the area for the next 20-30 years. Saanich hopes it will lay a foundation for communities with a “diversity of housing options, active transportation infrastructure, vibrant public spaces, and services and amenities within walking distance for residents.”

Belleville Terminal meets new construction milestone

January 28, 2026/in BizNews This Week, Business And Economic Strength, Chamber Awareness, Government Federal, Government Local, Government Provincial, Hospitality And Tourism Rescue And Recovery, Transportation Options

The Belleville Terminal Redevelopment Project is entering the next phase of work, with dredging of the designated marine construction zone starting Feb. 2.

This work to remove contaminated soils happens Monday to Friday, 7 am to 7 pm, and Saturdays, 10 am to 7 pm, until Feb. 17. A crane barge and three support barges are set to arrive on site Jan. 30 to support dredging operations. The work is not expected to affect marine traffic.

The Chamber’s advocacy was key to attracting investment in the new terminal, which will modernize the experience for people travelling to downtown Victoria by ferry.

“It’s exciting to see the project moving along and we truly believe that investment in transportation infrastructure is vital to our region’s economic sustainability, especially in these times of global instability,” Chamber CEO John Wilson said.

Bay Street Bridge repair work will run until summer

January 28, 2026/in BizNews This Week, Government Local, Streamlined Regional Regulations, Transportation Options

The Bay Street Bridge — formally the Point Ellice Bridge — is set for major upgrades starting in the second week of February.

Construction will take until the end of spring and includes replacing the bridge’s expansion joints to accommodate a wider range of temperature changes and upgrading the drainage system, which dates back to 1957.

Eastbound traffic into downtown Victoria will be closed for the duration of the project. Westbound traffic, pedestrian and wheelchair access will remain open.

The Point Ellice Bridge was originally constructed in 1957 on the foundations of a bridge dating back to 1903. The upcoming work follows earlier efforts to maintain the bridge’s structural integrity.

City staff hear from business about noise bylaw concerns

January 28, 2026/in BizNews This Week, Chamber Awareness, Chamber News, Government Local, Hospitality And Tourism Rescue And Recovery, Transportation Options

Chamber members were able to offer business-focused solutions to City of Victoria staff today during a roundtable discussion in the Chamber boardroom.

The City of Victoria is looking to modernize its 23-year-old noise bylaw. The bylaw affects everything from delivery truck traffic to industrial activity to music festivals. As such, it’s vital that business operators have a say in how any changes will impact them.

“We have been clear with the city that businesses need to be heard. We need to be part of any discussion that will affect us and not simply be told after the fact,” Chamber CEO John Wilson said. “Today’s session was a good effort to reach out to the business community and hear about real concerns and real solutions.”

If you weren’t able to attend today’s event, there’s still time to fill out a survey specifically for businesses located in Victoria that will help city staff understand operational requirements and experiences with noise issues. The survey closes Feb. 8.

New shelter spaces help move people off the streets

January 21, 2026/in BizNews This Week, Government Local, Government Provincial, Safe Communities

Moving vulnerable people off of cold downtown streets is urgently needed as part of efforts to improve safety for all. This week’s news that 34 new shelter spaces will open in a former Victoria public-works building is a step in the right direction.

The Bridge Street Pathways Shelter, at 2920 Bridge St., is a 6,000-square-foot two-storey building on fenced property. Shelter spaces are only available if referred by outreach teams that will connect with people living outdoors on Pandora Avenue, Ellice Street and other areas downtown.

A non-profit housing association will operate the shelter 24/7, and provide on-site case management and washrooms. The shelter is funded for three years, including $6 million from the province and $700,000 from the City of Victoria.

Safer city conference a good reminder more work needed

January 21, 2026/in BizNews This Week, Government Local, Government Provincial, Safe Communities

The City of Victoria hosted a full-day conference on Wednesday to reiterate its exceptionally thorough and nuanced Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan originally released in June 2025.

The Spark and Shift conference included speeches from Mayor Marianne Alto, VicPD Police Chief Fiona Wilson and others. Break-out discussions centred around prevention, intervention and response were planned for the afternoon.

“Downtown safety is top of mind for many businesses, so we appreciate the effort that went into today’s conference,” Chamber CEO John Wilson said after the morning portion of the conference. “That said, businesses need to see urgent action that improves downtown immediately — as well as for the long term.”

The Chamber is calling on the provincial government to prioritize public safety in Downtown Victoria in next month’s budget. We’re also partnering on a campaign calling for the federal government to strengthen amendments to Bill C-14 to change how bail conditions are applied to repeat offenders. We want the law to include chronic property crime offenders as well as those who commit violent acts. We believe this will help remove the relatively small number of criminals who are responsible for an outsized number of crimes.

More details will be shared with Chamber members in the weeks ahead.

Cultural District plan would transform downtown

January 15, 2026/in BizNews This Week, Business And Economic Strength, Chamber Awareness, Government Local, New And Established Businesses, Safe Communities

A proposal that reimagines a section of downtown Victoria has been approved to move to the next step. Victoria council voted unanimously to approve the plans that Reliance Properties have for a new Capital Culture District.

The development would transform the area between 530 Chatham St. and the 1800 to 2000 block of Store St. into a neighbourhood supporting industry, arts and innovation.

The Chamber lent its support to the proposal through a video and letter to council.

“The proposal to build a Capital Culture District aligns with our mandate and we believe will help revitalize and reconnect this vital area of Downtown Victoria,” The Chamber’s letter stated. “Adding vibrancy and livability to downtown will help solve challenges around housing supply and safe communities … The proposal includes much needed parking, and preserve light industrial activities near our historic working harbour.”

Final approval for the development will be made at a yet to be determined date.