Downtown needs people, and we need downtown
John Wilson is CEO of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce
As a lifelong resident of this region, I’ve spent a lot of time downtown going to appointments, meeting people for business and enjoying our city’s superb hospitality industry.
Recently, though, something struck me as unusual as I was walking to the office on a typical working day. The vibe was different. It was eerily quiet.
In the past, even during colder months and economic downturns, downtown had a vibrancy, with shoppers and workers bustling through their days. Businesses had a sense of resilience that has become more tenuous over the past few years.
Retail vacancy rates have more than tripled. Office vacancy has risen to levels not seen in decades. Nearly half of downtown businesses say they would consider leaving if their lease ended today. Residents feel this shift, too, with many reporting discomfort in certain areas, particularly at night.
As CEO of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce, a quiet downtown rings louder than an alarm.
This decline may not be obvious to everyone, especially for those who don’t come downtown regularly. Its geographic location and historic appeal remain exceptionally beautiful. Visitors, in particular, still see downtown as a gem, with the Inner Harbour casting a halo that can distract from social media posts and news stories about crime and disorder.
But behind each statistic are real people. Store owners who spend thousands of dollars trying to protect their staff and customers as well as community members. These businesses care deeply about our city, and we all share the goal of ensuring downtown Victoria remains a place where people feel confident living, working and investing.
We need to act now to save this jewel and stop businesses from leaving before the damage becomes impossible to ignore. If that happens, rebuilding what is lost could take generations — if it’s even possible.
In the past, when downtown went through periods of decline, there were no real alternative locations for businesses to set up shop. Today there are thriving suburban centres across the region. That’s great, of course, but regional growth does not need to come at the expense of downtown. In fact, many outlying neighbourhoods benefit directly from their proximity to one of the world’s great small cities.
So what needs to happen?
First, the provincial government must acknowledge the challenges facing downtown and make public safety a clear priority in the upcoming budget. The province must ensure the City of Victoria has the resources needed to support frontline enforcement. Policing must be visible and consistent.
Second, the province must act with compassion and urgency to care for those who cannot care for themselves. That means having trained professionals in place right now to deliver mental-health and addiction treatment as soon as it’s needed.
Third, the province must do its part to improve the administration, enforcement and application of federal bail laws. It is inexcusable to allow roughly 30 repeat offenders to terrorize downtown retailers and their employees.
Finally, while it may not appear in this year’s budget, we urge the return of funding for an effective Auditor General for Local Governments. This position was disbanded in 2021 and never given the authority needed to rein in out-of-control municipal spending across the province.
As the voice of Greater Victoria’s business community, I hear every day from employers who care deeply about this region and want to see downtown thrive.
Our business community is ready to collaborate, contribute solutions and support initiatives that strengthen our shared economic and social well-being. By working together, we can restore public confidence, reinvigorate investment and ensure our region remains a place we are proud to call home.
