Safe Communities Archives - Victoria Chamber

Businesses bear burden of loosening sick day rules

April 17, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Fair Rules, Finding And Keeping Workers, Government Provincial, Hospitality And Tourism Rescue And Recovery, Inflation And Rising Costs, Safe Communities/by Jim Zeeben

A cost to employers rooted in the pandemic is now further ingrained in law after the provincial government moved to ban the requirement for doctor’s notes when employees take sick days.

“Businesses would have liked to have had more of a say on this policy,” Chamber CEO Bruce Williams said. “It’s one thing for the public sector to make this a requirement for its employees, but to force it on the private sector overlooks a lot of concerns we hear from members.”

Organizations understand the benefit of supporting their workers, especially in Greater Victoria with one of the lowest unemployment rates in Canada. During the pandemic, employers went to great lengths to support staff who were ill as well as to keep workers safe from infection. However, legislating paid sick days is a cost that is not covered by government. This additional burden on business adds up, especially at time when many organizations are facing lower margins.

“Most Chamber members I talk to have great relationships with their staff and go out of their way to help when needed,” Williams said. “But many are rightfully concerned that this change will create confusion and could incentivize abuse of the rules and potentially force employers to provide more paid days off work.”

VicPD seeking feedback from businesses and citizens

April 9, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Safe Communities/by Jim Zeeben

The Victoria Police Department has sent out 5,000 invitations with unique codes to residents and businesses in the City of Victoria and Township of Esquimalt.

VicPD is urging everyone who received the survey to set aside about 10 minutes to complete it before April 25.

“If a business receives the invitation, we’d appreciate them completing the survey on behalf of the business location, even if they are a resident in the same or other municipality,” VicPD said, noting the results are important for requesting new resources or program funding. “Chief Manak also reads each and every comment that comes in through the survey. This is an opportunity for businesses to have a say in their police department and how their tax dollars are spent for operations.”

The survey was sent randomly and can only be completed with the unique code.

March 11 marked COVID national day of Observance

March 12, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Chamber Awareness, Global Uncertainty, Safe Communities/by Jim Zeeben

It seems like another lifetime. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization officially declared a global pandemic.

Our way of life, and, for many, way of doing business, was turned upside down. COVID-19 was an unknown and dangerous disease that would claim 6,600 people in BC and almost 60,000 across Canada despite unprecedented efforts to prevent the spread of infection. The experience changed the way we think about washing our hands, disinfecting our homes and workplaces and even how we greet others.

“I started with The Chamber in June of 2020 — as workers were being told to stay at home and many businesses faced huge losses because they had to shut down,” Chamber CEO Bruce Williams said. “We saw some organizations go into a sort of hibernation, but the need for The Chamber was never more clear. We were asked to be an even louder voice of business and we helped shape many of the programs and policies that got our community through those dark times.”

The Chamber worked closely with federal, provincial and municipal governments to urge them to move quickly on everything from new rules for outdoor patios to low-interest loans to enabling online sales. We also introduced the Chamber Champions program, a new tier of membership for organizations that have the capacity to lift up smaller businesses during times of crisis.

Last year, the federal government declared March 11 as Pandemic Observance Day to “commemorate the efforts to get through the pandemic, to remember its effects and to reflect on ways to prepare for any future pandemics.”

Province recruiting doctors and nurses amid US chaos

March 12, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Government Provincial, Safe Communities, Training And Microcredentials/by Jim Zeeben

The provincial government is seeing opportunity in the political divide currently impacting the United States. BC has begun a recruitment campaign targeting doctors and nurses from the US and fast-tracking credential recognition.

The College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC is being consulted on a direct process for doctors who hold certification from the American Board of Medical Specialties to become fully licensed in BC without the need for further assessment, examination or training. Similar changes were recently adopted by Ontario, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.

The changes are expected to be implemented in the next few months, following consultations already underway.

The BC College of Nurses and Midwives has also been asked to allow US-registered nurses to apply directly to the college, allowing it to review candidates education, registration, exam completion and regulatory history through the US’s national nurse-licensure and disciplinary database.

The provincial government said 2024 set a record as nearly 250,000 people were able to find a primary care provider, an increase from 186,000 people in 2023 and 131,000 people in 2022.

Safety for Business session set for next week

March 5, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Government Local, Safe Communities/by Jim Zeeben

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.

Fed funding helps GVHA add shore power for ships

February 12, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Government Federal, Hospitality And Tourism Rescue And Recovery, Safe Communities/by Jim Zeeben

Chamber CEO Bruce Williams attended an announcement Tuesday to hear federal Minister of Transport and Internal Trade Anita Anand announce a long-awaited contribution to our region.

The feds are providing $35.5-million for infrastructure projects across BC, including $22.5 million to help the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority advance the Shore Power Project under the Government of Canada’s Green Shipping Corridor Program.

The funds will help with electrifying the deep-water port at The Breakwater District, reducing emissions and supporting long-term economic growth in Greater Victoria.

“Shore Power is a critical first step in electrifying Ogden Point. It will ensure the terminal can provide the necessary power for cruise ships, vessels, and commercial operations like HeliJet, as well as over 30 businesses and future partners,” the GVHA said in a media release. “This initiative is part of a broader effort to establish a Green Corridor for cruise travel between Alaska, British Columbia, and Washington. It is central to GVHA’s electrification plan for the deep-water port and upland port operations. Converting to renewable energy sources will increase the port’s self-sufficiency and strengthen its climate resilience.”

Chief Justice answers Chamber on chronic criminals

February 5, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Chamber Awareness, Safe Communities/by Jim Zeeben

Canada’s Chief Justice Richard Wagner and Justices Andromache Karakatsanis and Nicholas Kasirer were in Victoria this week as part of an effort to bring the Supreme Court “closer to Canadians.”

In a world marked by misinformation, the Court needs to do more to help the public understand the work it does and how its decisions can affect our lives, Wagner said.

During the visit, the Chief Justice took time to answer questions from the public, including one posed by the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce on behalf of our members: “Can you explain the role of bail and how it can and can’t be used to limit repeat offenders from committing property crimes after being arrested and released before their trials?”

The Chief Justice said this is as much a question for elected officials as it is for the courts. In Canada, someone who has been arrested is considered innocent until a trial proves otherwise. It’s up to government to make changes to the rules that the courts use to determine bail.

“We’ll keep speaking to the provincial and federal government,” Chamber CEO Bruce Williams said. “We need rules that judges can abide by to keep chronic criminals out of the community, and we need timely trials so that justice can be served.”

Save Our Streets hosting expert panel at 8 am, Jan. 23

January 22, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Safe Communities/by Jim Zeeben

A provincial initiative backed by the Chamber is hosting a panel discussion in Vancouver tomorrow at 8am about what is currently being done to make communities safer. The Save Our Streets initiative was formed by a coalition of businesses and representative associations to address growing distress over homeless encampments, addiction and mental health challenges that are making people feel unsafe in many communities.

“With crime, violence and street disorder plaguing communities large and small across British Columbia, it’s time for British Columbians to consider an evidence-based approach to how we’re addressing these issues,” says a statement from SOS. “The Forum will feature several professionally moderated, non-partisan and future-focused panel discussions on topics such as Judicial Reform and Resources, Policing Reform and Resources, Addictions and Mental Illnesses continuum of care, and The Role of Housing.”

The forum is being livestreamed and you can register to watch the panel virtually.

Workshop promotes workplace mental health

January 8, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Safe Communities/by Jim Zeeben

Safe communities depend on access to health care, including mental health care.

Employers can contribute to making our community better by ensuring workplaces are healthy and safe for all staff.

To help, WorkBC Victoria is supporting local employers by offering a workshop on Jan. 29, in partnership with the Canadian Mental Health Association, that will provide insights on occupational health and safety. The event will help you:

learn practical steps to promote a healthier, safer workplace environment
understand employers’ responsibilities to support employees’ mental health
and know more about Canada’s National Standard for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace.

Offering a safe workplace will help with staff recruitment as well as with building inclusive, diverse and equitable work environments.

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.