Safe Communities Archives - Victoria Chamber

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.

Sick notes an unnecessary burden on doctors: CMA

October 30, 2024/in BizNews This Week, Safe Communities/by Jim Zeeben

If your organization requires staff to provide a note from their doctor for sick days, take note that the Canadian Medical Association is lobbying to make this practice a thing of the past.

“Sick notes are not a health systems issue, they’re a human resources issue,” CMA president Dr. Joss Reimer said in a media release. “We understand that organizations have policies in place to manage their human resources, but when 6.5 million Canadians don’t have access to a family doctor and patients wait far too long for specialty care, physicians need to focus their time caring for patients who need medical care. We need to be there for patients who need us when they need us.”

A survey found that one-third of employers require notes from doctors for sick days.

The CMA is asking for legislative changes to restrict the requirement for sick notes and promote alternatives that improve the overall efficiency of the health care system.

Pilot aims to turn vacancy into vibrancy downtown

October 17, 2024/in BizNews This Week, Business And Economic Strength, Government Local, Safe Communities/by Jim Zeeben

Innovation led by business is so often the answer to challenges that can seem insurmountable. Another potential example of this is the goal of the Victoria Storefront Pilot project, which aims to add life to the city’s underused commercial real estate. The plan is being developed and is initially focused on bringing arts and cultural offerings to vacant spaces.

The City of Victoria has hired a contractor to gather input from artists, arts organizations, not-for-profits, entrepreneurs, property owners, real estate professionals and developers. The information will be used for a project plan, which will go to the city for review in November.

If you are a business owner with unused space, or an artist or organization looking for space, fill out the contact form by Oct. 25 to learn more.

Vital Signs Report gives housing failing grade, again

September 26, 2024/in BizNews This Week, Business And Economic Strength, Climate Change Solutions, Fair Rules, Finding And Keeping Workers, Housing, Safe Communities, Streamlined Regional Regulations, Transportation Options/by Jim Zeeben

Greater Victoria has earned a “B” from this year’s Vital Signs Report, released yesterday by the Victoria Foundation. It’s the same score as last year.

“For nearly 20 years, Vital Signs has been helping the community identify and respond to the greatest challenges facing our region,” Victoria Foundation CEO Sandra Richardson said in a media release. “This year, the survey found cost of living, housing, and healthcare to be among the most important issues in Greater Victoria.”

The report looks at 12 areas and grades them based on data from a survey completed by more than 6,500 people as well as from sources curated by a local researcher

In the 2024 report, housing rated a D-, down from the D the area received last year. Health and wellness also fell from a B- to a C+ — as did the grade given to our standard of living.

Environmental sustainability earned a B, which is the same as last year.

On the positive side, sports and recreation increased from a B last year to a B+ this year. Belonging and engagement, arts and culture, and economy all stayed the same from last year.

The Vital Signs Report is available online at victoriavitalsigns.ca, as well as in print at various locations throughout the region.

New units added to affordable housing supply

September 18, 2024/in BizNews This Week, Finding And Keeping Workers, Housing, Safe Communities/by Jim Zeeben

Adding to Greater Victoria’s housing supply is critical. We need affordable homes for individuals and families who want to live and work in our region, and we need housing for vulnerable people at risk of falling through the cracks.

Last week, the Capital Regional District‘s housing agency helped announce the opening of 97 new rental units at Michigan Square in James Bay. The Capital Region Housing Corporation project includes 23 homes at shelter rates, 22 at the affordable housing threshold of 30% of income and 51 at or below market rates.

“We’ve been hearing from employers for many years that finding and keeping workers is a challenge and one of the root causes of that is our cost of living,” Chamber CEO Bruce Williams said. “We’re lucky to live in a region that people aspire to move into but the high demand that creates on housing stock impacts the value of the available supply.”

Another 58 rental homes are also in the works, with 40 units at 2558 Quadra St. and 18 at 1276 Gladstone Ave.

The projects are able to move forward thanks in part to government leveraging underused land and offering loans for builders at better than bank rates.

Province to begin helping those who can’t help themselves

September 18, 2024/in BizNews This Week, Chamber News, Government Provincial, Safe Communities/by Jim Zeeben

Safe communities are fundamental to all of us. We need to feel safe if we’re going to reach our potential at work and at home. However, the ongoing opioid crisis continues to impact every neighbourhood and has become especially visible in pockets of larger cities. We’re seeing more people struggling with addiction and mental health who are unable to secure immediate access to treatment options.

This week’s news that the provincial government is stepping up to provide care for people unable to care for themselves is overdue.

“Yes, people need to have agency over their lives but people also need to be kept safe from predators and people should not have to live in dangerous environments,” Chamber CEO Bruce Williams said. “We believe there are times when the healthcare system needs to intervene in a person’s life so that person has a chance to recover before it’s too late.”

The province’s shift to enabling involuntary care will start on the Lower Mainland and use correctional facilities to provide care under the Mental Health Act. The aim is to help people with addiction challenges, brain injuries and mental-health issues stabilize and rebuild their lives. Facilities on the Island and across BC are being planned.

“The toxic-drug crisis of today is not what it was 10 or even five years ago,” BC’s Minister of Mental Health and Addictions said in a media release. “We are now facing a rising number of people who are living with the lasting effects of multiple overdoses and complex mental-health challenges, tied to social factors like poverty and trauma.”

The province also called on the federal government to step up border enforcement around screening shipping containers arriving in Canada to curb the smuggling of chemical precursors used to make illicit fentanyl.