Safe Communities Archives - Victoria Chamber

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.”

Grants available for community safety projects

November 20, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Safe Communities/by Jim Zeeben

The provincial government is accepting applications for the 2025-26 Civil Forfeiture Grant program. This year, organizations can submit applications for projects that help with:

crime prevention
gender-based violence
Indigenous healing and
restorative justice.

The Civil Forfeiture Office was established in 2006 to redirect the proceeds of crime back into community safety and crime prevention programs. So far, more than $93 million has been disbursed. Last year, $7.5 million was granted to 166 community projects.

Applications will be accepted until Dec. 15 and notifications go out in May.

New housing helps homeless escape addiction

November 20, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Housing, Safe Communities/by Jim Zeeben

People in recovery in Victoria who are experiencing homelessness or leaving supportive housing will soon have a safe place to stay.

When someone living on the street asks for help, it needs to be there. Having a safe downtown requires adequate support for people looking to recover from addiction.

A step in the right direction is the new recovery-oriented housing complex at 1153 Johnson St., announced today. The new project will include 20 self-contained units in substance-free surroundings for people who are a minimum 60 days sober, post-detox and treatment, and without a fixed address or exiting supportive housing.

This type of housing will free up supportive housing spaces for others experiencing homelessness.

“We’ve heard from the community that there is a lack of dry, recovery-oriented housing, which plays a critical role post-treatment,” Victoria Mayor Marianne Alto, said about the partnership between the City of Victoria, the provincial government and the Victoria Cool Aid Society. “This collaboration between the city and the Province will help create more positive flow in our housing continuum and support vulnerable residents as they move from homelessness to recovery after detox.”

BC Housing is providing $1.2 million in operating funding over three years, while Victoria will contribute almost $590,000 toward the facility’s operations over that time — in addition to $250,000 in capital funding for building improvements.

The housing site, known as Johnson Manor, is owned and operated by Cool Aid and will support continued recovery, promote independent living skills and prepare residents to transition into long-term, stable housing.

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/by Jim Zeeben

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/by Jim Zeeben

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

Area mayors, minister to discuss regional policing

November 6, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Government Local, Government Provincial, Safe Communities/by Jim Zeeben

According to a report published in the Saanich News, a meeting to discuss a regional police service is in the works between area mayors and the provincial government.

“This is something that Esquimalt has always been supportive of,” Township of Esquimalt Mayor Barb Desjardins told the media outlet. “When we amalgamated with Victoria way back in 2003 it was with the understanding that … other communities were going to follow but that hasn’t happened, and here we are 23 years later.”

The report quotes written statements from the mayors of the City of Victoria and the District of Saanich agreeing to the meeting, as well as a written response from BC’s Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Nina Krieger acknowledging she is “open to the discussion.”

The Chamber supports better integration of regional policing services in order to make our communities safer.