Government Provincial Archives

Chamber’s voice helping call for action to save downtown

February 4, 2026/in BizNews This Week, Chamber Awareness, Chamber News, Government Provincial, Safe Communities, Streamlined Regional Regulations

The Chamber is raising the volume on its calls for urgent action to save Downtown Victoria.

Last week, Chamber CEO John Wilson authored a letter to BC Finance Minister Brenda Bailey asking her to prioritize downtown safety in the provincial budget. The Minister is set to unveil BC Budget 2026 on Feb. 17, before speaking at a Chamber breakfast the next morning.

“We’re looking forward to carrying on our annual tradition of hosting the Finance Minister for the first presentation to business after each year’s budget is made public,” Wilson said. “This is our opportunity to make sure the province understands the concerns we hear from businesses, and answers questions about plans for the year ahead.”

In the letter sent Jan. 22, the Chamber specifically asks that downtown public safety is made a priority, and that the province ensures adequate resources for front-line law enforcement.

“Naming downtown safety as a priority at the start of the legislative session … will reassure businesses and residents that the provincial government is committed to action,” the letter states. “This will help restore confidence and attract investment back to downtown Victoria. A clear commitment now will encourage businesses to stay and new ones to open, reversing the downward spiral and ensuring Victoria’s downtown remains vibrant and safe.”

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.

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.

Workforce challenges reflected in low unemployment

January 15, 2026/in BizNews This Week, Finding And Keeping Workers, Government Federal, Government Provincial

Every year, The Chamber conducts a survey of our membership to help us stay on top of issues affecting your business. One of the challenges that has been near the top of list for more than a decade is finding and keeping workers.

The latest numbers from Statistics Canada show that, at 4.3%, Greater Victoria has third lowest unemployment rate in the country. The solution is complex and involves addressing the cost of living for working families. We need fewer regulatory burdens so that we can attract investment in housing, child care and transportation — three of the highest costs families face when considering where they will live and work.

The Chamber has called for regional exemptions to immigration policies, such as Temporary Foreign Workers, that many organizations in our region have relied on. We want the federal and provincial governments to acknowledge that a one-size-fits-all approach is flawed, and that our region should not be punished because of the actions of bad actors in other jurisdictions.

Helping those who can’t help themselves the right way

December 3, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Fair Rules, Government Local, Government Provincial, Safe Communities

Progress is happening in a key area needed to improve community safety, but a lot of work left is still needed before anyone can confidently say the job is done.

Last week, a significant change was made to enable health-care workers to help people unable to help themselves due to mental health or addiction issues.

This week, the province clarified the steps that will allow people to receive needed help while protecting them from potential abuses of the involuntary care process.

“When someone is detained under the Mental Health Act, it can be a confusing path to navigate alone,” Canadian Mental Health Association of BC CEO Jonny Morris said in a provincial news release. “The Independent Rights Advice Service, now entering a new phase after almost two years of service, is a powerful source of support, information and understanding.”

The changes now give people involuntarily detained under the Mental Health Act a right to meet with an independent rights adviser who can help patients protect their Charter rights.

It’s an important guardrail for a process that has had an uneven history.

“At the end of the day, we all want to see people get they help they need and be treated with dignity,” Chamber CEO John Wilson said. “What we know for sure is that seeing people suffering on our streets and vulnerable to predators is inhumane, and profoundly impacts everyone’s sense of safe community.”

Local MLA gets military development portfolio

November 26, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Business And Economic Strength, Government Provincial, Safe Communities, Streamlined Regional Regulations, Training And Microcredentials

Darlene Rotchford, MLA for Esquimalt-Colwood, has been appointed parliamentary secretary for armed forces development and veterans affairs in the Ministry of Jobs and Economic Growth. Rotchford was formerly the parliamentary secretary for labour and as the provincial government’s military liaison.

With the federal government making a generational investment in Canada’s military, there is tremendous opportunity for our region. As home to Canada’s Pacific Fleet, Greater Victoria benefits from the economic activity generated by CFB Esquimalt.

Chamber welcomes renewed focus on industry

November 20, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Business And Economic Strength, Finding And Keeping Workers, Government Provincial, New And Established Businesses

The Chamber applauds the recent launch of Look West, a provincial strategy to invest in the economy through major projects and a focus on industry. The aim is to build off recent announcements by the federal government to prioritize projects that will grow Canada’s economy and increase future revenue.

“As important as the specific projects are, even more encouraging is the acknowledgment that government needs to invest in ways that grow revenue and build resilience in our economy,” Chamber CEO John Wilson said. “The recent announcements come as The Chamber is beginning work with industrial partners in Greater Victoria, such as the Ralmax Group of Companies. One initiative that could make a big difference is the idea of an Industrial Land Reserve modelled after BC’s existing Agricultural Land Reserve.”

It makes sense to preserve spaces that have incubated successful industry and the good-paying jobs that come with it. There is a lot of pressure on land due to things such as BC Assessment’s highest-and-best-use policy. There’s a real risk that once the usage of the land changes, the jobs and revenue streams that had been in place will never return.

The Chamber will continue to work for all of its members, and hopes to continue to provide insight from a business perspective for decision makers in the provincial government.

New rules on sick notes effective immediately

November 13, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Business And Economic Strength, Fair Rules, Finding And Keeping Workers, Government Provincial, Safe Communities

The province’s rules limiting when employers can ask for sick notes are now in effect. Under the employment standards regulations, employers can’t ask for a sick note for a worker’s first two health-related, short-term absences of five consecutive days or fewer in a calendar year.

The province said it consulted health-care providers, who pointed to scientific evidence that shows most minor illnesses for adults, such as a cold and influenza, have symptoms that typically resolve within five days.

These changes are meant to reduce time spent on paperwork by physicians, dentists, nurse practitioners, nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists and midwives.

Chamber is the unapologetic voice of business in our region

November 12, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Chamber Awareness, Chamber News, Fair Rules, Finding And Keeping Workers, Government Federal, Government Local, Government Provincial, Inflation And Rising Costs, Safe Communities

The Chamber recently issued a media release outlining our shift in advocacy priorities.

“We know our members have been hearing about these changes and we want to spread the word to the wider community, as well any businesses that might be unaware their voice is represented by The Chamber,” Chamber CEO John Wilson said. “We want businesses to know their calls for urgent action are being heard, and we have the ear of decision makers in all levels of government.”

The people who make up Greater Victoria’s business community care deeply about our region. They want a safe and sustainable life for everyone who lives here now, as well as for future generations.

As a member-based organization, The Chamber listens to its members and Board of Directors, who represent organizations of all sizes and industries, including the non-profit sector. They understand the current state of business in the region and have been clear about the direction needed.

“Our board has full confidence in John’s experience as a business leader and community-minded entrepreneur,” Chamber Board Chair Christina Clarke said.

How can we help your business? Please share your advocacy priorities with us at communications@victoriachamber.ca.

Read the Media Release