Advocacy PrioritiesThe Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce — The Chamber — supports and informs our region’s business community to shape dialogue and identify issues of concern to member businesses. The Chamber also engages elected officials at all levels of government to ensure business interests are heard.
As the voice of business for our members and the Greater Victoria business community, The Chamber is at its most effective when backed by an active and informed membership. The Chamber works with you to Build Good Business — something we have done since 1863. Each year, after consultation with our members, board, and public policy and advocacy committee, The Chamber identifies key issues presenting obstacles to our mission of “working together to build good business and great community.” In March 2020, The COVID pandemic forced us to shift our advocacy priorities to focus on urgent relief for affected businesses. As you'll see below, this will continue to be the case in 2021 as our economy faces an uneven recovery. Below are the priorities The Chamber identified for 2021, and fundamental priorities from 2020 that we believe will be in place after recovery is complete. Part of effective advocacy is dialogue and discussion. Please voice your thoughts and concerns by contacting The Chamber at 250-360-3471 or communications@victoriachamber.ca. |
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FINDING AND KEEPING WORKERS
Greater Victoria continues to have one of the lowest unemployment rates in Canada. There are simply not enough workers available for the many jobs our region’s employers need to fill. We also face a challenge bringing new workers to our region and keeping them here, as many find it too expensive to live or to raise a family.
The solution is to address the underlying issues:
The solution is to address the underlying issues:
Transportation Options
The Chamber has been vocal in calling for a regional approach to transportation, and the provincial government responded by announcing it was working on the South Island Transportation Plan, expected to be unveiled in early 2020.
A regional transportation plan is needed to reduce commute times, improve active-mobility networks, ensure parking downtown and expand transit. Well-planned transportation is vital to making sure we use our limited geography wisely.
The Chamber has been vocal in calling for a regional approach to transportation, and the provincial government responded by announcing it was working on the South Island Transportation Plan, expected to be unveiled in early 2020.
A regional transportation plan is needed to reduce commute times, improve active-mobility networks, ensure parking downtown and expand transit. Well-planned transportation is vital to making sure we use our limited geography wisely.
Accessible Child Care
After housing, child care is the second largest expense for working families. The Chamber applauds all levels of government for making new investments in child care.
But there’s still work to do. Our region needs more child care spaces and more trained staff, and child care must be affordable to allow working parents to fully participate in the workforce.
After housing, child care is the second largest expense for working families. The Chamber applauds all levels of government for making new investments in child care.
But there’s still work to do. Our region needs more child care spaces and more trained staff, and child care must be affordable to allow working parents to fully participate in the workforce.
Immigration and Integration
Without increased immigration, Vancouver Island will face a severe shortage of workers over the next decade. We need workers to move to our region from elsewhere in Canada as well as from other countries. Creating post-grad co-op opportunities for international students could create a path to citizenship for people already working here.
We also need to ensure our local Indigenous population and all of our diverse communities are fully integrated into Greater Victoria’s economy.
Without increased immigration, Vancouver Island will face a severe shortage of workers over the next decade. We need workers to move to our region from elsewhere in Canada as well as from other countries. Creating post-grad co-op opportunities for international students could create a path to citizenship for people already working here.
We also need to ensure our local Indigenous population and all of our diverse communities are fully integrated into Greater Victoria’s economy.
Affordable Housing
The No. 1 expense for workers in Greater Victoria is the cost of their home. The Chamber will continue advocating for a multi-pronged approach. All levels of government need to encourage an increase in the supply of private-market housing as well as investing in housing for all — including affordable rental units and non-market housing for working families.
This is a complex issue, and The Chamber will advocate for all levels of government to work together with the private sector on solutions that improve the quality of life for everyone.
The No. 1 expense for workers in Greater Victoria is the cost of their home. The Chamber will continue advocating for a multi-pronged approach. All levels of government need to encourage an increase in the supply of private-market housing as well as investing in housing for all — including affordable rental units and non-market housing for working families.
This is a complex issue, and The Chamber will advocate for all levels of government to work together with the private sector on solutions that improve the quality of life for everyone.
Safe Communities
The foundation of our daily lives depends on feeling safe in our homes, our cities and our workplaces. Our region’s vibrant and safe neighbourhoods are an attraction for visitors as well as people relocating to our community for a better quality of life.
We need to ensure all citizens and visitors feel secure in downtown Victoria.
We need to ensure all citizens and visitors feel secure in downtown Victoria.
Homeless Solutions
Without adequate support networks, people struggling with mental health and addictions are at risk of becoming homeless.
As anti-social and criminal behaviour becomes more visible in downtown Victoria, we risk driving away businesses and citizens who pay the taxes needed to fund police and other agencies that provide evidence-based solutions.
Without adequate support networks, people struggling with mental health and addictions are at risk of becoming homeless.
As anti-social and criminal behaviour becomes more visible in downtown Victoria, we risk driving away businesses and citizens who pay the taxes needed to fund police and other agencies that provide evidence-based solutions.
Policing
The disconnect between our region’s urban and suburban neighbourhoods is clearly evident in how our region is policed. A merger of the Saanich and Victoria police departments would be a good first step to address the capacity and resource problems facing Victoria’s police department, while providing new opportunities for Saanich officers.
The disconnect between our region’s urban and suburban neighbourhoods is clearly evident in how our region is policed. A merger of the Saanich and Victoria police departments would be a good first step to address the capacity and resource problems facing Victoria’s police department, while providing new opportunities for Saanich officers.
Enforcement
Businesses pay property taxes that municipalities use to maintain order. Safe communities require the rule of law, but, to be effective, laws must be enforced.
We need our municipalities to enforce bylaws that ensure safe environments, and we need our police departments to be able to respond in a timely matter when called to help.
Businesses pay property taxes that municipalities use to maintain order. Safe communities require the rule of law, but, to be effective, laws must be enforced.
We need our municipalities to enforce bylaws that ensure safe environments, and we need our police departments to be able to respond in a timely matter when called to help.
Better regional services
One of the best ways we can directly improve all of our economic opportunities is to ensure that we
have efficient, accountable and transparent government. In 2019, Saanich and Victoria began a voter-mandated process to hold a Citizens’ Assembly in 2020 looking into the pros and cons of amalgamation.
Yes, merging Greater Victoria’s cities, towns and districts has been talked about for decades, but we now have the two largest municipalities engaging in a formal process. That’s encouraging. The Chamber believes combining two great communities will create an exceptional city that will be better able to compete for workers, visitors and investment against same-sized cities across Canada.
One of the best ways we can directly improve all of our economic opportunities is to ensure that we
have efficient, accountable and transparent government. In 2019, Saanich and Victoria began a voter-mandated process to hold a Citizens’ Assembly in 2020 looking into the pros and cons of amalgamation.
Yes, merging Greater Victoria’s cities, towns and districts has been talked about for decades, but we now have the two largest municipalities engaging in a formal process. That’s encouraging. The Chamber believes combining two great communities will create an exceptional city that will be better able to compete for workers, visitors and investment against same-sized cities across Canada.
HealthCare
Due to many factors, more and more people are finding themselves without a regular doctor. This can lead to untreated health issues and increased workplace absenteeism. Solutions include using technology to make it easier for people to access medical expertise, and creating incentives for more medical professionals to locate here.
Due to many factors, more and more people are finding themselves without a regular doctor. This can lead to untreated health issues and increased workplace absenteeism. Solutions include using technology to make it easier for people to access medical expertise, and creating incentives for more medical professionals to locate here.
Fair Regulations
We live in an age of change. New technologies continue to disrupt and transform society, creating opportunities and challenges for communities.
The Chamber has always evolved with the times, but we don’t think change should force existing businesses to compete with one arm tied behind their back. All levels of government need to make sure regulations provide a level playing field for everyone.
Fair regulation also applies to business property taxes.
The Chamber has successfully kept a spotlight on Greater Victoria’s municipalities, making sure they “mind the gap” between business and residential taxes.
And, in partnership with other chambers, we were able to get the provincial government to agree to review BC Assessment’s “highest and best use” practice to ensure it’s fair to small businesses and non-profits that provide important services to our community.
The Chamber has always evolved with the times, but we don’t think change should force existing businesses to compete with one arm tied behind their back. All levels of government need to make sure regulations provide a level playing field for everyone.
Fair regulation also applies to business property taxes.
The Chamber has successfully kept a spotlight on Greater Victoria’s municipalities, making sure they “mind the gap” between business and residential taxes.
And, in partnership with other chambers, we were able to get the provincial government to agree to review BC Assessment’s “highest and best use” practice to ensure it’s fair to small businesses and non-profits that provide important services to our community.
Climate Change Solutions
Environmental chaos is never far from the headlines. Our members tell us they are concerned about all of the risks to their business related to climate change.
They also tell us about the work they’re doing to meet public expectations and transition to a low-carbon economy.
It’s clear that innovation led by business is key to finding solutions to climate change.
We need government to invest in initiatives that help with the social transition to a lifestyle that protects our environment.
There needs to be opportunities for businesses that reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, eliminate waste and operate in a sustainable manner.
Solutions such as public and private buses and better infrastructure for electric vehicles — including planes powered by electric motors — are already making a difference.
Greater Victoria has an opportunity to be at the forefront of global change.
In 2020, The Chamber will continue to work to help businesses take the lead on climate solutions that will benefit all of us.
They also tell us about the work they’re doing to meet public expectations and transition to a low-carbon economy.
It’s clear that innovation led by business is key to finding solutions to climate change.
We need government to invest in initiatives that help with the social transition to a lifestyle that protects our environment.
There needs to be opportunities for businesses that reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, eliminate waste and operate in a sustainable manner.
Solutions such as public and private buses and better infrastructure for electric vehicles — including planes powered by electric motors — are already making a difference.
Greater Victoria has an opportunity to be at the forefront of global change.
In 2020, The Chamber will continue to work to help businesses take the lead on climate solutions that will benefit all of us.
To read more about our active policy resolutions, click here.
