Safe Communities Archives - Victoria Chamber

Cultural District plan would transform downtown

January 15, 2026/in BizNews This Week, Business And Economic Strength, Chamber Awareness, Government Local, New And Established Businesses, Safe Communities/by Jim Zeeben

A proposal that reimagines a section of downtown Victoria has been approved to move to the next step. Victoria council voted unanimously to approve the plans that Reliance Properties have for a new Capital Culture District.

The development would transform the area between 530 Chatham St. and the 1800 to 2000 block of Store St. into a neighbourhood supporting industry, arts and innovation.

The Chamber lent its support to the proposal through a video and letter to council.

“The proposal to build a Capital Culture District aligns with our mandate and we believe will help revitalize and reconnect this vital area of Downtown Victoria,” The Chamber’s letter stated. “Adding vibrancy and livability to downtown will help solve challenges around housing supply and safe communities … The proposal includes much needed parking, and preserve light industrial activities near our historic working harbour.”

Final approval for the development will be made at a yet to be determined date.

BC Health Minister addresses addiction crisis

January 15, 2026/in BizNews This Week, Safe Communities/by Jim Zeeben

BC’s Minister of Health Josie Osborne announced today that the province was ending its failed experiment with decriminalizing hard drugs. The province is also expanding its hotline for people seeking help with addictions, promising to speed up the time it takes to provide treatment.

“This is welcome news for businesses that have been frustrated watching vulnerable people in need not getting the help they are asking for,” Chamber CEO John Wilson said. “It’s time to move on from what clearly has not been working and focus on what organizations that care about our community have been calling for — a safe downtown starts with helping those who can’t help themselves and protecting them from predators.”

The Access Central phone line is active with Island Health, at 1-888-885-8824 from 9 am to 7:45 pm. The idea is to provide a simple access point to get a clinical assessment within 24 hours. Callers can then be referred to a detox facility for appropriate treatment, followed by support during their ongoing recovery.

“When someone makes the vulnerable and brave decision to seek help for substance use, they need access to treatment and care quickly,” Island Health Board Chair

Leah Hollins said in the media release.

VicPD beat patrols raise police presence downtown

January 15, 2026/in BizNews This Week, Safe Communities/by Jim Zeeben

The Victoria Police Department is reintroducing a dedicated beat team that will increase the presence of police officers in downtown Victoria.

The Chamber and downtown businesses have been calling for the return of a downtown police beat for months.

“We’re grateful to the VicPD for listening to our concerns and taking action,” Chamber CEO John Wilson said. “An increased police presence helps make people feel safer, whether they’re at work or enjoying the many incredible shops and services downtown.”

The VicPD beat team is composed of seven officers assigned to walk designated areas of the city as well as two officers dedicated to supporting Victoria’s bylaw department, VicPD said in a media release. Officers will regularly visit businesses to build relationships, listen to concerns and provide a consistent presence. A proactive approach supports crime prevention, neighbourhood problem-solving and stronger connections between police and the community.

VicPD discontinued its previous beat patrol in 2022 because it needed to reallocate limited resources.

“Visible policing matters, and relationship-based policing matters,” VicPD Chief Constable Fiona Wilson said. “When officers know the community and the community knows their officers, trust grows and safety improves.”

Let’s talk about city’s noise bylaw over lunch

January 7, 2026/in BizNews This Week, Fair Rules, Government Local, Safe Communities/by Jim Zeeben

The sounds of a city are rarely silent. Noise represents vibrancy and activity — groups of people spilling out of thriving restaurants and pubs, the hum of traffic and shrill of sirens or the din of construction. In the City of Victoria, we also have the overhead roar of seaplanes and the sounds of ships in our harbours and ports.

How can a city harmonize all that buzz with the needs of residents and others who need respite from the noise? Victoria is hoping to answer that question by modernizing its 23-year-old Noise Bylaw through a series of surveys and consultations.

The Chamber is helping facilitate the discussion by partnering with the city on a Lunch Engagement Session — Jan. 28, 12:30-2pm — at the Chamber office (201C – 633 Courtney St.). This session is for anyone who operates a business within Victoria’s municipal borders, and includes a light lunch.

Register here: NoiseBylawBusinessSession.eventbrite.ca

There’s also a survey specifically for businesses located in Victoria that will help city staff understand operational requirements and experiences with noise issues. The survey closes on Jan. 31.

The Noise Bylaw review aligns with objectives in the Official Community Plan, the Industry, Arts and Innovation Plan and the Victoria Music Strategy.

A report with an engagement summary will be shared with Council in spring 2026.

Register: Breakfast Engagement Session

Add your voice to help VicPD make Victoria safer

January 7, 2026/in BizNews This Week, Chamber Awareness, Government Local, Safe Communities/by Jim Zeeben

The Chamber has heard business concerns about social disorder in Downtown Victoria and we have loudly and unapologetically called for Safe Streets Now.

As the voice of business for Greater Victoria, we hope all of our members can add their voice to our efforts. One way to do that is be taking five minutes to fill out the Victoria Police Department‘s new business survey.

The survey will gather data on issues, safety and strategies that will help VicPD better understand how it can improve conditions immediately and in the years ahead.

“I’ve been impressed with the response from local police, and I’m excited to hear from VicPD Chief Fiona Wilson at our Chamber luncheon on Feb. 10,” Chamber CEO John Wilson said. “We’ve promised to up our advocacy to help build a better future for all, and events like this offer an opportunity for the business community to be heard, and to hear about what is being done to make downtown safer.”

To take the VicPD survey, use the QR code above or click the button below.

VicPD Business Survey

Register for Luncheon with VicPD Chief

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/by Jim Zeeben

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.”

VicPD Chief to speak at next Safe Community event

December 3, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Chamber Awareness, Safe Communities/by Jim Zeeben

The Chamber is excited to announce the next event in our series of Safe Community meetings.

On Feb. 10, we will host Victoria Police Department Chief Constable Fiona Wilson to discuss the challenges and opportunities our region is facing.

Chamber CEO John Wilson will moderate the discussion after Chief Wilson provides an update on VicPD’s work to improve social disorder downtown in the short term and over the long run.

“This is a welcome opportunity for the business community to hear directly about an issue that is the highest priority for us right now,” Chamber CEO John Wilson said. “We have always had a great relationship with local police and I’m sure our members will be excited to hear how VicPD is listening to our concerns and their plans to address them in the days and months ahead.”

Questions can be submitted in advance with your registration.

Tuesday, Feb. 10, 11:30am – 1pm
Victoria Marriott Inner Harbour – Pacific Ballroom, 728 Humboldt St.

Register Now

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/by Jim Zeeben

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.

Changes to involuntary care a small step on right path

November 26, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Safe Communities, Streamlined Regional Regulations/by Jim Zeeben

The Chamber applauds efforts to improve the rules regarding involuntary care for people suffering from severe mental illness or addiction. When a human being is unable to seek help on their own, difficult decisions must be made to remove that person from situations that could cause harm to themselves or others.

After many years of calls for change, the provincial government announced this week it had introduced an amendment to the 40-year-old Mental Health Act. The change will better protect health-care workers against litigation when they have take action in good faith.

The Chamber and other groups continue to urge the province to increase access to immediate treatment.

“Where is the dignity in allowing someone to be left vulnerable on our streets because of an illness? The compassionate thing to do is help people who need help. Everyone knows this. Involuntary care is part of the solution, as is ensuring adequate space for people in need,” Chamber CEO John Wilson said. “Of course, the other side of this is stopping the flow of people with profound illnesses coming here because they can’t get help where they’re from. It’s overwhelming our community.”

The Chamber will continue to work with community partners to ensure:

local governments adequately fund police and bylaw services
The province increases access to treatment facilities for people in their own communities
The federal government fixes laws to stop the small number of repeat offenders from victimizing vulnerable people on the street, and stealing from businesses or damaging property.

Chamber hosts Victoria Mayor for frank discussion on safety

November 26, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Business And Economic Strength, Chamber Awareness, Chamber News, Government Local, Safe Communities, Streamlined Regional Regulations/by Jim Zeeben

More than 130 people filled the Centennial Ballroom in the Union Club of BC yesterday to hear an update on downtown safety from City of Victoria Mayor Marianne Alto.

The event was sponsored by PwC.

The Mayor spoke frankly about the dire need to take urgent action, acknowledging that businesses were facing too much stress from crime and disorder.

“I think there is no single issue that is more powerful, compelling and important than this right now,” Alto said, noting that there has been a relationship between the city and The Chamber since both were founded in the 1860s.

The Mayor pointed to the Community Safety and Well-Being Plan announced this summer, and noted that first steps such as increased police presence are happening now.

The Mayor also called out the provincial and federal governments for passing the buck on their responsibilities, as well as other local governments that watch idly as residents leave for services only available in Victoria.

“The (new) message is we’re changing what’s happening and we are no longer going to be the only provider (of services for homeless people) in the region,” Alto said. “Therefore, colleagues around the region do something with your own people. People who are coming — we’re full.”

During the Q&A that followed, the Mayor addressed concerns about homeless people congregating in front of businesses as well as how the city can better work with the province on housing.

“On behalf of The Chamber, I’d like to thank the Mayor for being accountable to those who attended our event, and for her promise to take urgent action to help downtown businesses,” Chamber CEO John Wilson said. “We’ll keep talking about this issue for as long as it takes to be resolved.”