New trail crossing at Tillicum will ease commute time

Commuters will have an easier time crossing Tillicum Road at Highway 1, once a new trail crossing opens for summer 2027.

The province released illustrations on June 13 of the planned 100-metre Tillicum Active Transportation Bridge. Work is expected to begin in early 2026.

Once complete, the bridge will eliminate one of the last signalized crossings on the Galloping Goose Trail between downtown Victoria and the Westshore. More than 3,000 people use this section of the trail every day in the summer.

Saanich launches new BusinessCare program

The District of Saanich announced a new initiative aimed at business retention and engagement. The municipality hopes the program will lead to business growth and economic resiliency.

Saanich BusinessCare involves quick, in-person visits by Saanich’s Economic Development Office so that staff better understand how policies and programs affect businesses in the District.

“As our economy changes, helping businesses remain competitive and resilient is more important than ever,” Saanich Mayor Dean Murdock said in a media release. “Engaging directly with local businesses will enable the District to create a stronger, more supportive and connected business environment.”

Through one-on-one engagement and relationship-building, the program hopes to help policy makers provide the support needed to help businesses thrive.

“The Saanich BusinessCare program will help address the dynamic needs of businesses within our community,” Saanich’s Economic Development Manager Mitchell Edgar said. “Over the coming months, our team will be meeting with Saanich business owners and management to better understand the unique challenges and opportunities each organization is dealing with.”

Panel releases plan to make Victoria safer for business

How can we make our communities safer? It’s a fundamental question that speaks to the very foundation of our region’s economy.

On June 19, the City of Victoria will consider the Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan that was created through the input of a 10-person panel that began meeting 18-months ago.

“We know Chamber members want more done to protect businesses, as well as helping those who are facing mental health and addiction challenges,” Chamber CEO Bruce Williams said. “We’re happy that the panel included people who were able to provide an important perspective from the business community.”

The plan focuses on the need to invest in prevention rather than chasing problems after they manifest. This approach requires support from higher levels of government, even though the municipality is often on the frontline.

“Underpinning many of the recommendations is the knowledge that local government is the closest to the issues and the most attuned to the needs of its own community,” the plan states. “Local governments are highly adaptable in addressing emerging issues, and responding quickly and efficiently. Additionally, key resources for community safety and wellbeing such as parks, public works, protective services, urban planning, and business development are already part of the City’s municipal framework and can adapt to emerging community needs.”

Applications open for Storefronts Activation program

The Chamber has been working on an initiative to help businesses in downtown Victoria turn empty or underutilized storefronts into vibrant spaces that enhance the area’s appeal. The City of Victoria‘s Storefronts Activation Program promotes safe communities and business growth and development by connecting property owners with artists and performers to create temporary indoor activations.

Whether it’s a one-day pop-up activation or a year-long series of programming and installations, the City has $100,000 to fund projects that add vibrancy. Funding will be prioritized for projects located in the downtown core.

For details on eligibility, and submission requirements, read the Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEI). Submit your proposal by 4pm on July 7. You can email culture@victoria.ca to chat about your ideas or receive feedback prior to applying.

Saanich seeks feedback on traffic calming measures

A survey that closes on Saturday will help the District of Saanich roll out its Traffic Calming Policy for municipal roadways. You can have your say on how Saanich addresses road dangers so drivers, pedestrians and cyclists feel safer travelling the district’s streets.

Traffic calming can include speed bumps, bike ways, traffic circles and other infrastructure designed to slow drivers. A survey for offering feedback is open until May 31. The findings will help Saanich refine its plan ahead of council approvals this summer.

Saanich opens approval process for operations centre

A major redevelopment project in the District of Saanich is using an Alternative Approval Process to receive authority for needed funding.

“The Alternative Approval Process is a fiscally responsible and efficient tool that will help the District ensure that the community has a voice in the future of the Saanich Operations Centre,” Saanich Chief Administrative Officer Brent Reems said in a media release.

The $172 million project will replace aging infrastructure with new facilities for municipal services as well as allocate space for new homes and commercial uses.

Voting is open for Saanich residents, who can submit a form if opposed to the borrowing request. Saanich says the redevelopment will stimulate economic growth, create jobs during construction and ensure reliable services for the next 80 years.

Victoria hosts info session on business of childcare

Anyone thinking about starting a childcare business or interested in the sector can learn more about current rules at an info session on May 27, hosted by the City of Victoria’s Business Hub.

The session is free and is focused on helping people start or grow a childcare program as a for-profit or non-profit venture. Topics covered include how to get licensed, types of childcare and potential resource partners. Staff and experts will be on hand to answer questions about regulations and experiences.

The Business of Childcare: Small Business Info Session runs from 9 to 11:30 am, May 27, at Victoria City Hall.

Saanich property taxes up by 8% to meet rising costs

The District of Saanich is raising residential property taxes by 8% this year as council works to maintain service levels and invest in infrastructure. The municipality said the statistically average home with a property assessment of $1.29 million will pay $5,594.

The residential tax rate per $1,000 of taxable value is 3.12, while the rate for business is 14.27.

“Saanich continues to grapple with multiple pressures including rising costs to maintain infrastructure and the need to prepare for anticipated growth in the future,” Saanich Mayor Dean Murdock said in a media release. “Council is always mindful of the impact of any increase, and appreciates the work staff has done to find efficiencies and streamline processes where possible. This has allowed us to keep this year’s lift as low as possible without impacting the important services people depend on. Those decisions were informed by what we heard from residents at our public budget meetings and online engagement activities, and we thank everyone who took part.”

Investments in infrastructure include playground and sports field replacement, as well as the Library and Affordable Housing Project that uses land owned by the municipality.

Tax notices will be mailed out soon, and payment is due on or before July 2.

 

Saanich updates portals to speed up approval process

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

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.”