Saanich updates portals to speed up approval process

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The District of Saanich has updated its residential building permit process with the launch of five digital submission portals:

These online services will eliminate paper-based applications, making processes more convenient, reliable and efficient, the municipality stated, adding that it is striving to simplify the permitting process for residents and developers by removing application barriers and creating a seamless online application and payment experience.

“There is plenty of room for innovation to reduce barriers facing builders and others who do the work to provide the homes and services people demand,” Chamber CEO Bruce Williams said. “We know that inefficiencies and delays can add up to one-third of the cost to projects. Those costs are then passed on to buyers, so we applaud Saanich for taking steps to address that.”

Business tax break a sign that council is listening

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The City of Victoria is investing in the business community by continuing to lower the gap between commercial and residential taxes.

The Chamber has worked with municipal councils over the years, asking them to mind the gap that had been increasing in years past. Through letters and presentations, The Chamber spoke up for the local jobs and services that businesses provide to a municipality. We also explained the challenges with tight margins that many businesses are facing.

Victoria Council is committed to lowering the rate charged to residents and that charged to business to 3:1 by 2030. It was 3.7:1 last year and is 3.5:1 this year.

“Businesses don’t receive the same level of service that residents do, yet they consistently are asked to pay a higher tax rate,” Chamber CEO Bruce Williams said. “In the past, we were hearing concerns that some councils saw increasing business taxes as a politically expedient way to raise money — businesses don’t vote so maybe their individual complaints matter less than a resident that does vote. Thankfully, our experience with councils has been less cynical. Municipalities get the value of the business community — and the know The Chamber will remind them if they ever forget.”

Saanich and Victoria merger is the right thing to do

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Better governance from fewer governments has long been a rallying cry within the halls of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce. On April 5, our region took the first step toward achieving that goal.

The Victoria-Saanich Citizens’ Assembly released its findings seven years after the process took root in 2018. The 48-member assembly is recommending that Greater Victoria’s two largest municipalities merge.

“This is a major win for The Chamber. We’ve literally been advocating for this since the mid-20th Century,” Chamber CEO Bruce Williams said. “When we were packing up to move our office, we found binders with reams of paperwork calling for amalgamation over the decades.”

The Chamber was an early voice for using the Citizens’ Assembly process as a practical method for initiating amalgamation. And whenever the process stalled along the way, The Chamber was quick to nudge it forward.

The next step will be for the City of Victoria and District of Saanich to review the consensus reached by the Assembly.

“Both municipal councils have committed to receiving the Assembly’s final report and deliberating on its recommendations,” the report stated. “If they decide to endorse the Assembly’s recommendation for a public referendum on amalgamation, they will work with the Province of British Columbia to initiate it, likely to coincide with the next municipal elections in 2026.”

Safety for Business session set for next week

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The City of Victoria‘s Small Business Info Session: Safety for Business is set for March 12, 4:30 to 7:30 pm, at Victoria City Hall. The session aims to help businesses better understand the resources available to improve their security and ensure customers and staff have a sense of safety.

Businesses can also contribute feedback to help community partners address outstanding concerns. Presentations are planned by police and firefighters, as well as bylaw enforcement, public works staff and the Community Led Crisis Response Team.

View Royal looking ahead to mid-century with OCP

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The Town of View Royal is looking to the future to envision the community it wants to be by the mid-century. View Royal 2050: Our Future View will be a major update to the municipality’s Official Community Plan, which will helps councils and planners make decisions about land use, housing, transportation, parks, environmental stewardship, climate action and economic development.

The first phase of the update began in January, and businesses and residents can contribute via a survey that will launch March 8. Feedback will be used to create an updated vision statement and guide the project’s next steps.

Plan for Quadra McKenzie to be reworked this spring

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The draft plan for the Quadra McKenzie area will go back to the District of Saanich council to reassess initial feedback from the public.

Council has asked staff to revise the plan with reduced density in some neighbourhoods, as well as to hold off any changes to vehicle lanes on McKenzie Avenue.

“We appreciate people taking the time to share their opinions on this long-term vision for the future of this important area,” Saanich Mayor Dean Murdock said in a media release.

More than 3,300 individual comments were received. The next step will see a revised plan go back to Council in late spring, followed by more public feedback into the fall.

The Quadra McKenzie plan aims to address our ongoing climate and housing crises over the next two to three decades.

Shifting cruise shuttle stop will help area businesses

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The Chamber helped advocate for a small change that will have a big benefit for many downtown businesses. After explaining the concerns of having cruise ship shuttles stop short of Government Street’s retail core, the party’s involved agreed to shift to the 900 block.

The change takes place April 4. It required the approval of City of Victoria staff, the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority and Pacific Northwest Transportation Services.

“We heard concerns from merchants that the buses were letting cruise ship passengers off before they could discover Government Street to its fullest,” Chamber CEO Bruce Williams said. “Instead of enjoying the area’s shops, cafes and restaurants, it seems passengers were staying in the area they were dropped off. We worked alongside Destination Greater Victoria and the Downtown Victoria Business Association to address this challenge.”

The new stop was chosen for safety and logistics, as well as its benefit to downtown businesses. About 160,000 cruise passengers used the shuttle service last year, while other passengers chose organized tours or other methods to get into the city.

Victoria hosts meeting on government procurement

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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

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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

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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.

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