Government Local Archives - Victoria Chamber

Victoria hosts meeting on government procurement

February 19, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Government Local/by Jim Zeeben

The City of Victoria wants to help businesses learn how they can work directly with the public sector. On Feb. 25, from 9 am to noon, representatives from the federal, provincial and municipal governments will be part of an information meeting at Victoria City Hall.

“This event can be an efficient way to market your goods and services to many public sector representatives in just a few hours,” the event’s webpage states, adding:

“You will have the opportunity to:

Access information related to Government procurement processes
Ask questions on how to sell goods and services to Government
Learn about tools and resources
Pick up tips on finding opportunities, bidding best practices and more.”

The event is free but space is limited.

Register Now

Esquimalt seeks candidates for council byelection

February 19, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Government Local/by Jim Zeeben

Details have been announced about the byelection required to replace former Township of Esquimalt Councillor Darlene Rotchford, who stepped down after being elected to the provincial legislature last October.

General Voting Day for the byelection is April 5, with advance voting available on March 26 and April 2.

Nominations for candidates can be made until 4 pm, Feb. 28. To find out more about nomination requirements, go to esquimalt.ca or email elections@esquimalt.ca.

Esquimalt seeks feedback on transportation work

January 15, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Government Local, Transportation Options/by Jim Zeeben

Improvements to help smooth the flow of traffic through the Township of Esquimalt continue to be made. The municipality wants to hear from people and businesses who use Esquimalt Road to make sure work continues on the right path.

Esquimalt’s Active Transportation Network Plan was endorsed by council in 2022, outlining several key priorities for the township. One recommendation was creating an improved east-west route, with Esquimalt Road and Lyall Street identified as the top options. The project also includes storm and sewer infrastructure upgrades.

Residents and affected businesses can share their thoughts on route options, and view the project boards to find maps and details about the options. A survey is open until Jan. 27.

The municipality is also hosting an open house on Jan. 16, from 4-7 pm, in the Craigflower Room at the Esquimalt Rec Centre.

Esquimalt businesses can also book a one-on-one meetings with staff to discuss any questions about this phase of the project. The goal of these meetings is to is to go over business-related ideas, questions and concerns as they relate to this project.

Email engineering@esquimalt.ca to book your meeting and learn more about the proposed designs between Joffre and Canteen roads. Times are expected to book up quickly and meetings will be available:

Friday, Jan. 17, 9am – 4pm
Monday, Jan. 20, 10am – 4pm
Friday, Jan. 24 9am – 4pm.

Saanich releases 2024 Housing Needs Report

November 27, 2024/in BizNews This Week, Government Local, Housing/by Jim Zeeben

Housing supply is a fundamental priority for Greater Victoria. A new report released by the District of Saanich offers a deep analysis of the municipality’s current stock and where future demand is expected.

Of particular interest to The Chamber, based on our member survey, are housing solutions for people at risk of homelessness and workforce housing to make our region more affordable.

The Housing Needs Report includes updated population and housing statistics and projections for five and 20 years from now. The findings will help Saanich as it updates its Official Community Plan in 2025.

City program adds sparkle to Downtown experience

November 27, 2024/in BizNews This Week, Government Local, Safe Communities/by Jim Zeeben

When’s the last time you went downtown for fun? If it’s been awhile, you might be surprised that it’s cleaner, safer and more vibrant than expected.

The City of Victoria has invested in downtown for the holidays, including:

additional street cleaning in high-traffic areas
targeted cleaning in preparation for peak shopping hours and weekends
proactive bylaw enforcement around key commercial areas and storefronts
as well as markets, holiday events and entertainment including free holiday craft workshops, the Santa Claus Parade, Sleigh the Day, indoor pickleball and Downtown Victoria’s Lights of Wonder.

City staff are also encouraging downtown merchants to ask for support:

Something needs cleaning or fixing? Call the City’s 24-hour Public Works Service line at 250-361-0400 or email pw@victoria.ca.
Have a questions about parking? Call City of Victoria Parking Services at 250-361-0260 or email parkingservices@victoria.ca.
Someone experiencing a crisis? Call or text the Community-led Crisis Response team at 250-818-2454 for support from trained professionals, seven days a week, from 7:30 am to 12:30 am.
Need to report a bylaw violation? Email bylawservices@victoria.ca or report online at victoria.ca/bylaw.

For more information email bizhub@victoria.ca.

City of Victoria seeks input on 2025 Draft Budget

October 30, 2024/in BizNews This Week, Government Local/by Jim Zeeben

The Chamber works with municipalities year round to provide information about the importance of investing in local business. One of the most important ways a municipality can help is by being aware of the burden of property taxes. The private sector creates jobs and provides goods and services that improve quality of life for all citizens. Local business make communities healthier. A healthy business environment allows a municipality to grow a resilient tax base and provides revenue certainty for the future.

As a Chamber member, you can help share this message by providing feedback to your municipality. Right now the City of Victoria is seeking input on its 2025 draft budge, currently set at $365.6 million in operating costs and $94.6 million in capital improvements.

Go to engage.victoria.ca to see what’s proposed and how you provide written feedback by email, or a pre-recorded video up to five minutes in length.

Saanich making plans to address major challenges

October 24, 2024/in BizNews This Week, Climate Change Solutions, Government Local, Housing, Transportation Options/by Jim Zeeben

It’s the biggest and most populous municipality on Vancouver Island, so, when the District of Saanich makes plans, it pays to pay attention.

Saanich has created a draft plan for Quadra McKenzie that will help transform the area over the next 20 years. The plan addresses challenges such as housing and climate change as well as suggesting ways to add public spaces, services and amenities.

The busy crossroads is home to the Saanich Operations Centre, which is undergoing a redevelopment project of its own. Property owned by the municipality will be leveraged to increase rental housing by as many as 600 units.

Saanich council also recently adopted an innovative road safety plan that aims to eliminate fatal crashes.

“I’m really excited to have the first road safety action plan on Vancouver Island,” Saanich Coun. Teale Phelps Bondaroff told the Times Colonist. “The approach we have here is a really good start to getting us towards Vision Zero.”

Survey helps helps create safety and well-being plan

October 17, 2024/in BizNews This Week, Government Local/by Jim Zeeben

The Capital Regional District is working on a plan to improve the safety and well-being of Greater Victoria residents.

“The value of safe communities is something we can all agree on. It has been a Chamber advocacy priority for years and we’re happy to participate in the regional district’s effort to build a great community for everyone,” Chamber CEO Bruce Williams said.

The CRD has contracted the Canadian Centre for Safer Communities to create a Regional Community Safety & Well-Being plan. The centre is gathering information to start, and The Chamber encourages members to fill out their survey. It takes about 20 minutes so set some time aside for this important topic.

Oak Bay survey takes the (happy) pulse of community

October 17, 2024/in BizNews This Week, Government Local/by Jim Zeeben

Life is good in the District of Oak Bay, according to feedback from residents and business owners in the 2024 survey.

“The annual questionnaire provides the opportunity for staff and Council to hear directly from our residents and taxpayers, taking the pulse our community,” Oak Bay Mayor Kevin Murdoch said.

Oak Bay’s quality of life is “good” according to 95% of respondents, with 77% saying they have a sense of belonging.

Municipal services that were seen as doing well include parks, garbage pickup, fire protection and policing. Those needing work included road and sidewalk maintenance.

Pilot aims to turn vacancy into vibrancy downtown

October 17, 2024/in BizNews This Week, Business And Economic Strength, Government Local, Safe Communities/by Jim Zeeben

Innovation led by business is so often the answer to challenges that can seem insurmountable. Another potential example of this is the goal of the Victoria Storefront Pilot project, which aims to add life to the city’s underused commercial real estate. The plan is being developed and is initially focused on bringing arts and cultural offerings to vacant spaces.

The City of Victoria has hired a contractor to gather input from artists, arts organizations, not-for-profits, entrepreneurs, property owners, real estate professionals and developers. The information will be used for a project plan, which will go to the city for review in November.

If you are a business owner with unused space, or an artist or organization looking for space, fill out the contact form by Oct. 25 to learn more.