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Private-sector growth key to Strategic Investment Fund
It might be a case of too little too late, but it’s good to see this provincial government make an effort to acknowledge the critical importance of a strong private sector.
Yesterday’s announcement of a $400-million fund to help attract private investment to BC is something that should have happened before the province’s debt load was allowed to get out of hand.
“We don’t want to see this fund used for political ends, but The Chamber does support efforts that make our community more attractive for private investors looking to grow our private sector,” Chamber CEO John Wilson said, noting that the Chamber remains committed to helping our members in Greater Victoria’s business community.
The proposed BC Strategic Investment Fund would allow government to consider loans, equity investments and repayable contributions.
One way the fund could be used is to leverage recently announced federal funding tied to strengthening Canada’s military.
“The fund will provide the tools to enable government to work with industry in bringing federal investment to the province, as targeted in the province’s Look West strategy, and leverage the opportunities presented in Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy,” Association of BC Marine Industries executive director Alex Rueben said in the media release.
Budget 2026 reveals difficult fiscal reality facing businesses
More than 170 people attended this morning’s Breakfast with BC’s Finance Minister — an annual tradition held the day after the provincial Budget is unveiled.
The gathering was the first chance for businesses to hear directly from Finance Minister Brenda Bailey and ask questions through Chamber CEO John Wilson.
“As always, we’re grateful that Minister Bailey agreed to meet with us, especially after delivering a budget that was difficult for business,” Chamber CEO John Wilson said. “I admire her for facing the music on behalf of a government whose decisions will culminate in a record $13.3-billion deficit next year.”
Regarding Budget 2026, the province’s fiscal reality raises concerns about business confidence, downtown recovery and long-term economic growth in the region.
The budget adds new taxes and costs, including an expanded PST on professional services, at a time when businesses are desperate for support.
“A strong business environment and a vibrant downtown are essential to creating jobs, generating tax revenue and funding the public services that people rely on,” Wilson said.
Chamber’s voice helping call for action to save downtown
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
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
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
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
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
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.”