Transportation Options Archives

Canadian shipbuilding worthy goal, but will take time

September 3, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Government Provincial, Transportation Options/by Jim Zeeben

Few transportation links are as important to Greater Victoria’s economy as BC Ferries. The routes connecting the Island with the Mainland and coastal communities are the lifeblood for many businesses.

This week, The Chamber spoke up once again as the voice of business in support of the pressing need to keep the fleet operating at capacity.

“BC Ferries is an essential link for Island communities and businesses,” Chamber CEO John Wilson said. “Our members see the impacts every day when capacity is stretched and people or goods are left behind.”

The comment was included in a BC Ferries’ media release that points out five realities necessary to responsibly build ferries in Canada. They are:

1. Local options that can deliver

2. Fixed costs

3. Guaranteed delivery dates

4. Assured vessel and shipyard performance and quality

5. An open and competitive procurement process

“Building in Canada is a worthy goal and we support BC Ferries in getting any new vessels delivered on time and on budget so communities can keep moving in ways that stay affordable for the people who live and travel in Greater Victoria and across British Columbia,” Wilson said. “We can’t afford to delay new ferries, which are needed to increase the Island’s resiliency and deliver significant economic benefits to the entire province.”

Business needs to be included in downtown parking strategy

September 3, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Government Local, New And Established Businesses, Transportation Options/by Jim Zeeben

The Chamber is calling on the City of Victoria to put the brakes on a potentially disruptive plan for parking downtown.

The report on Transforming City Parking goes to Committee of the Whole tomorrow, and raises numerous questions about the impact on businesses.

“We read about the plan in the Times Colonist, and immediately started hearing from members concerned about further disruption to downtown businesses,” Chamber CEO John Wilson said. “I’ve let the Mayor know we want to make sure business concerns are heard before this plan moves ahead.”

Wilson, who spoke about the report on CFAX this morning, said The Chamber supports improved transit services and other methods for bringing people downtown. However, there’s a real concern that some city staff aren’t recognizing the potential to drive away business and do more damage to downtown as an economic hub.”

The Chamber has positive relationships with city leaders who have taken the time to get to know the business community. We work closely with our partner organizations to help businesses survive and thrive, so people have reasons to visit downtown.

“It’s not asking too much to be part of the conversation,” Wilson said. “Businesses have a unique understanding of what the public wants because they hear it every day.”

Feds invest in EV charging stations in Greater Victoria

August 28, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Climate Change Solutions, Government Federal, Transportation Options/by Jim Zeeben

Improving transportation infrastructure and taking Climate Action Leadership makes economic sense. With the rapid adoption of EVs in Greater Victoria, drivers need to know they can reliably use their vehicles for extended road trips.

On Wednesday, the federal government announced almost $23 million to help build out a network of EV charging stations across British Columbia. Most of the projects will be done by BC Hydro along travel and community corridors.

In addition, two projects went to the City of Victoria and one to the District of Saanich.

Victoria gets $395,000 for 34 chargers of various levels near municipal workplaces, as well as $122,500 for 23 chargers in high-density neighbourhoods where residents can’t access at-home charging.

Saanich will receive $395,000 for 42 chargers that support municipal operations.

Curious how LNG could impact Greater Victoria?

August 20, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Business And Economic Strength, Chamber Awareness, Climate Change Solutions, Global Uncertainty, Housing, Indigenous Business Support And Reconciliation, Inflation And Rising Costs, New And Established Businesses, Streamlined Regional Regulations, Transportation Options/by Jim Zeeben

Natural gas has a long history as a game-changing source of energy. From the old slogan, “Now you’re cooking with gas” to recent proposals aimed at boosting BC’s economy and helping wean the world off coal, LNG has made plenty of headlines.

Chamber members have a chance to dig deeper into those stories and others when we host FortisBC President and CEO Roger Dall’Antonia. The event, sponsored by ColdStar Solutions, runs Sept. 9, from 11:30am to 1 pm, at the Hotel Grand Pacific.

Dall’Antonia will speak about the latest efforts to grow the industry, the impact investing in natural gas will have on provincial revenue and the opportunities available in Greater Victoria.

If you have questions about FortisBC and our province’s energy sector, please send them to communications@victoriachamber.ca. We’ll select those that help inform conversations about our region and get the answers at the event directly from one of the province’s foremost experts.

Reserve your seat now for the Chamber’s next Business Leaders Luncheon, and make the most of this chance to connect with top movers and shakers in our business community.

Reserve Your Seat

BC Ferries needs political will to ensure sustainability

August 13, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Chamber Awareness, Transportation Options/by Jim Zeeben

Sometimes it takes making headlines to get government’s attention. That seems to be the case for BC Ferries, which recently announced plans to procure four desperately needed new vessels.

The Chamber has spoken up for the Island’s vital link to the Mainland, pointing out that new vessels are required now. The announcement caused ripples across various levels of government as well as introspection about Canada’s current ship-building industry.

On Aug. 1, BC Ferries President and CEO Nicolas Jimenez appeared before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities.

Jimenez explained the essential service that BC Ferries provides. The fleet is running at full capacity and needs new investment in aging infrastructure.

“Last summer, our major route sailings ran at an average 92% capacity, and we left a quarter of a million people behind because we were full,” Jimenez said. “Only one of our 25 routes can cover its own costs without government subsidy. Travel demand is projected to rise by 15% – outpacing our capacity even with four new vessels.”

With mounting pressure on passenger fares, BC Ferries held an extensive procurement process in line with international best practices. With no Canadian bids, the result was a “choice between a foreign bid or no new ferries.”

The Chamber will continue to support BC Ferries’s efforts to keep their services sustainable. We call on the federal government to better support this vital transportation link — as they do ferry services in Atlantic provinces.

Saanich hears from public on Quadra McKenzie Plan

July 9, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Government Local, Transportation Options/by Jim Zeeben

A revised Draft Quadra McKenzie Plan will go back to the public for further input this fall, after the District of Saanich Council heard from residents who are passionate about the area.

“The Quadra McKenzie planning process has sparked unprecedented public involvement,” Saanich Mayor Dean Murdock said. “Council has listened closely, and we have directed staff to revise the plan based on more than 10,000 public comments. There is still work ahead, including another round of public engagement, and I encourage all residents to stay involved—respectfully and constructively.”

Key revisions include reduced density, scaled back building heights and the removal of conceptual changes to McKenzie Avenue, which will be considered separately at a later time in collaboration with BC Transit.

An additional round of public engagement will run from August to October.

Construction begins in Inner Harbour on Belleville terminal

June 25, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Government Provincial, Transportation Options/by Jim Zeeben

Construction on the Belleville Ferry Terminal will begin this month, following the awarding of a design-build contract.

The Chamber has called for the new terminal for decades and, once complete, it will provide a more comfortable experience for people travelling to downtown Victoria by ferry.

“The Chamber has been an outspoken proponent for modernizing Belleville terminal for decades, and we’re happy to see the project meet new milestones along its way to completion,” Chamber CEO

Bruce Williams said. “With so much uncertainty affecting the economy, we support this project as an important investment in the future of Greater Victoria and as a confirmation of the value the Clipper and Coho bring to our region.”

Construction involves demolishing existing infrastructure and building a new pre-clearance terminal building with modern border-security standards. It also includes replacing aging wharf facilities and building a new commercial goods processing facility.

The new pre-clearance terminal will comply with the Canada-US Land, Rail, Marine and Air Transport Preclearance Agreement, and will make travel faster and easier by allowing passengers to complete the customs and immigration process in Victoria prior to disembarking in the US.

The overall project cost has increased from the $331 million budget that was approved in 2024, due to complex geotechnical and seismic conditions, site constraints and significant soil contamination that will require extensive remediation. Other factors include inflation and safeguarding against economic uncertainty related to tariffs on steel and other products. The federal government has confirmed it will increase its contribution to more than $45 million for the project. The new cost of the project is $416 million.

The project is expected to be completed in 2028.

New trail crossing at Tillicum will ease commute time

June 18, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Government Local, Transportation Options/by Jim Zeeben

Commuters will have an easier time crossing Tillicum Road at Highway 1, once a new trail crossing opens for summer 2027.

The province released illustrations on June 13 of the planned 100-metre Tillicum Active Transportation Bridge. Work is expected to begin in early 2026.

Once complete, the bridge will eliminate one of the last signalized crossings on the Galloping Goose Trail between downtown Victoria and the Westshore. More than 3,000 people use this section of the trail every day in the summer.

Report calls for changes to ease port labour disputes

June 18, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Food Security, Global Uncertainty, Government Federal, Transportation Options/by Jim Zeeben

The federal government has released a report on Canada’s West Coast ports, including recommendations to protect critical supply chains.

The Industrial Inquiry Commission on West Coast Ports found that changes need to be made to reflect the increasing importance of global supply chains on our economy.

“The strain on Canada’s supply chains has been compounded over recent years by repeated labour disruptions, resulting in 2023 holding the unfortunate record of most working days lost since 1986,” Canadian Chamber Vice-President Pascal Chan said. “As our economy contends with a productivity crisis, Canadian businesses cannot afford these continual major trade infrastructure shutdowns that prevent them from reliably delivering the goods.”

The impact of recent labour disputes has had serious implications on Greater Victoria and Vancouver Island, as we are dependent on the flow of goods for our food security as well as many of our livelihoods.

BC Ferries announces more details for new vessels

June 12, 2025/in BizNews This Week, Business And Economic Strength, Chamber Awareness, Climate Change Solutions, Government Provincial, Hospitality And Tourism Rescue And Recovery, Transportation Options/by Jim Zeeben

The Chamber is a strong supporter of the work BC Ferries does as a vital transportation and supply chain link for Greater Victoria.

“Our organizations have a very good relationship and we are encouraged by the business-minded approach BC Ferries takes to its long-term feasibility and sustainability,” Chamber CEO Bruce Williams said, who spoke today about the decision on CFAX as well as with the Canadian Press. “We know yesterday’s announcement about selecting the builder for new ships was a very well-informed decision, and we’re hopeful that we will still see a much needed fifth ship added to this proposal.”

BC Ferries announced China Merchants Industry Weihai Shipyards will build four new vessels to replace four aging ships nearing the end of their service lives, each increasingly prone to mechanical issues and service disruptions.

“CMI Weihai is a global leader in passenger ferry construction, and shipbuilding more broadly,” BC Ferries CEO Nicolas Jimenez said. “It was the clear choice based on the overall strength of its bid, including its technical capabilities, high-quality and safety standards, ferry-building experience, proven ability to deliver safe, reliable vessels on dependable timelines, and the overall cost and value it delivers for our customers — all essential as we continue to experience growing demand and the urgent need to renew our aging fleet.”

BC Ferries said, in the first 10 years of their operation, the new vessels will inject $230 million locally on refits and scheduled maintenance. Over their expected 45-year lifespans, the ships are expected to spur 17,200 job-years of employment and $1.2 billion in wages, contributing $2.2 billion to BC’s GDP.

The new vessels will be more spacious, have reduced emissions and be significantly quieter underwater to better protect marine life.