Safe Communities Archives - Victoria Chamber

Good step forward for safer supportive housing

July 2, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Government Provincial, Housing, Safe Communities/by Jim Zeeben

Businesses continue to demand action on making communities safer. On Monday, the provincial government announced help for supportive housing providers dealing with problematic and dangerous individuals taking advantage of vulnerable people.

A new, time-limited working group will have more authority to deal with urgent safety issues and better respond to weapons and criminal activity within supportive housing. The group will explore the potential to remove supportive housing from the Residential Tenancy Act.

“The government really listened to the concerns of our sector and has acted on them,” Our Place Society CEO Julian Daly said. “These proposed changes give us, as housing providers, more flexibility in how we manage our buildings, greater control over who lives with us and allows us to create safer homes for those we serve and a safer workplace for our colleagues.”

The working group will also address air-quality issues in supportive housing related to second-hand exposure to fentanyl.

“The Chamber applauds actions that make our communities safer,” Chamber CEO Bruce Williams said. “We know that helping people dealing with mental health and addiction challenges is vital, and part of that help includes keeping them safe from predators who target those populations.”

Panel releases plan to make Victoria safer for business

June 18, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Government Federal, Government Local, Government Provincial, Safe Communities/by Jim Zeeben

How can we make our communities safer? It’s a fundamental question that speaks to the very foundation of our region’s economy.

On June 19, the City of Victoria will consider the Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan that was created through the input of a 10-person panel that began meeting 18-months ago.

“We know Chamber members want more done to protect businesses, as well as helping those who are facing mental health and addiction challenges,” Chamber CEO Bruce Williams said. “We’re happy that the panel included people who were able to provide an important perspective from the business community.”

The plan focuses on the need to invest in prevention rather than chasing problems after they manifest. This approach requires support from higher levels of government, even though the municipality is often on the frontline.

“Underpinning many of the recommendations is the knowledge that local government is the closest to the issues and the most attuned to the needs of its own community,” the plan states. “Local governments are highly adaptable in addressing emerging issues, and responding quickly and efficiently. Additionally, key resources for community safety and wellbeing such as parks, public works, protective services, urban planning, and business development are already part of the City’s municipal framework and can adapt to emerging community needs.”

Applications open for Storefronts Activation program

June 12, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Business And Economic Strength, Government Local, Safe Communities/by Jim Zeeben

The Chamber has been working on an initiative to help businesses in downtown Victoria turn empty or underutilized storefronts into vibrant spaces that enhance the area’s appeal. The City of Victoria‘s Storefronts Activation Program promotes safe communities and business growth and development by connecting property owners with artists and performers to create temporary indoor activations.

Whether it’s a one-day pop-up activation or a year-long series of programming and installations, the City has $100,000 to fund projects that add vibrancy. Funding will be prioritized for projects located in the downtown core.

For details on eligibility, and submission requirements, read the Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEI). Submit your proposal by 4pm on July 7. You can email culture@victoria.ca to chat about your ideas or receive feedback prior to applying.

Chamber stands by DVBA’s call for government action

June 12, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Chamber Awareness, Safe Communities/by Jim Zeeben

The Chamber is always among the first to sing the praises of downtown Victoria, which is often recognized as one of the most beautiful and livable downtowns of its size in the world.

We’re also quick to point out the challenges it’s faced, and we stand by today’s report from the Downtown Victoria Business Association calling for urgent action.

“Our call is simple: all levels of government must act now. No more studies. No waiting on perfect solutions,” DVBA CEO Jeff Bray said today. “The focus must shift to supporting business owners, their staff, and their customers. The data is clear: downtown businesses cannot wait three to five more years. We need bold, immediate action in 2025, or we risk a wave of closures, job losses, and a dramatic erosion of downtown’s vitality.”

The report includes specific calls to action, including for municipalities to increase police presence downtown and enforce and strengthen bylaws that address disorder. The DVBA is also asking the province to expand mental health and addiction services, including mandatory care, and to strengthen the justice system. Federally, the call is to reform bail legislation to allow the pretrial detention of repeat offenders charged with theft, violence, drug-related offences and vandalism.

Saanich seeks feedback on traffic calming measures

May 29, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Government Local, Safe Communities, Transportation Options/by Jim Zeeben

A survey that closes on Saturday will help the District of Saanich roll out its Traffic Calming Policy for municipal roadways. You can have your say on how Saanich addresses road dangers so drivers, pedestrians and cyclists feel safer travelling the district’s streets.

Traffic calming can include speed bumps, bike ways, traffic circles and other infrastructure designed to slow drivers. A survey for offering feedback is open until May 31. The findings will help Saanich refine its plan ahead of council approvals this summer.

Chamber stands with grieving Filipino community

April 30, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Global Uncertainty, Safe Communities/by Jim Zeeben

The tragic incident in Vancouver last Saturday left all of us shaken, especially those of us with roots in the Fillipino community.

“We are all processing the tragedy at the Lapu Lapu Festival in Vancouver,” Chamber CEO Bruce Williams said in a statement shared on social media. “The Greater Victoria Filipino Community is vital, generous and connected to every corner of our neighbourhoods across this region. The hearts and support of our Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce members, board and staff are with you. Now and always.”

The provincial government has books of condolence for members of the public to express their sympathies and messages of support. One book will be in the Hall of Honour at the Parliament Buildings, and will be accessible from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, from now through May 2. An online condolence book is also available until May 5.

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.