An influx of visitors to Greater Victoria is providing a healthy boost to businesses catering to tourists. BC's Interior is suffering from a prolonged wildfire season and a surge in COVID-19 cases. The unfavorable conditions there are suspected as one of the reasons for the increase in visitors to our region.
Downtown Victoria Business Association executive director Jeff Bray told CHEK News that retailers are seeing a trend of people who changed their vacation plans and are visiting Vancouver Island instead of the Okanagan. Tourism statistics for July have not yet been released, but Chemistry Consulting's numbers from June show a healthy increase from 2020, though still far cry from June 2019. The Chamber supports BC's immunization efforts and we believe the evidence shows COVID-19 vaccinations offer our best chance to put the pandemic behind us.
However, mandating vaccination for BC employers requires taking care to ensure human rights are respected. Unlike the US, where the Department of Justice has opined that employers can require employees be vaccinated, BC's Human Rights Commission has issued general advice for treating people differently based on their vaccination status. Essentially, the commission says workplaces must balance the need to be safe with avoiding discrimination against people who have adequate alternative means for preventing COVID-19 transmission. The lack of clarity means the issue will be front and centre with HR departments for the foreseeable future. Victoria is legendary for the number of places you can go for a meal or grab a drink, and now Destination Greater Victoria has crunched the numbers to prove the city really does have more restaurants, pubs and bars per capita than any other in Canada.
According to DGV's analysis, Victoria has 4.6 eateries and watering holes per 1,000 residents. That compares to 3.6 for second-place Vancouver and third-place 3.4 for Niagara Falls. The data came from Statistics Canada’s June 2020 Canadian Business Counts for restaurants, eateries, pubs, and bars, while the population figures are from the 2016 Census. Find your next culinary adventure and help support a local business! #ChamberLocalVicBC The BC Day long-weekend was a boon for tourism and hospitality businesses, with reports of full patios and dining rooms, and sold out ferries.
Hotels and attractions are also reporting an influx of tourists even as businesses continue to struggle finding and keeping workers. We expect this double-edged blend of increased vibrancy and staffing challenges will only increase after Canada re-opens the border on Aug. 9 to fully vaccinated travellers from the US. The end of restrictions is welcome news but also comes as concerns grow over the Delta variant. It's now the most common strain of COVID and spreads quickly among unvaccinated populations. Fortunately, Greater Victoria has some of the highest immunization rates on the planet, with almost 90% of people 12 and up having had a first dose and almost 70% fully vaccinated. To ensure that trend continues, the province has launched a new campaign, Vax for BC, with initiatives such as today's Walk In Wednesday, where anyone in need of a first or second shot can show up without an appointment. The Chamber applauds all of our members who are immunized, and we encourage everyone to share their vaccine photos. Don't forget to tag us and be a #ChamberChangeMaker! It's time to get the Citizens' Assembly process back on track. In 2018, voters in the District of Saanich and the City of Victoria gave a mandate to their respective councils to explore the pros and cons of merging the two municipalities. The good faith discussions were interrupted by the global pandemic, but they're far from forgotten. In fact, recent news about policing challenges shows how vital a Citizens' Assembly might be for the future of our region.
The Chamber has long advocated for Better Regional Services. We don't know what a Citizens' Assembly will find, but it is the right approach to get answers to questions about governance — and merging services such as policing — in Greater Victoria's largest municipalities. As the province moves closer to Step 4 of the BC Restart Plan on Sept. 7, it's time for the Citizens' Assembly process to get back on track. The British Columbia Investment Management Corporation (BCI) has reported it ended its fiscal year on March 31 with $199.6 billion in managed assets and a net return of 16.5% for its pension plan clients.
BCI's CEO and CIO, Gordon Fyfe, told Black Press a shift to managing assets in-house freed up $3 billion. Those savings are now being invested as well as covering the cost of 400 new employees. “It certainly helps the economy. We now have 600 people managing $200 billion based here in Victoria. Rather than everybody around the world taking that money from our pensioners, that money’s staying here in the province," Fyfe told Black Press. The provincial government announced grants of up to $1 million for major tourism businesses last Friday, answering calls to help this hard hit sector. Grants of up to $500,000 were also available for tour bus companies and rural attractions.
The funds were approved for 83 business across BC, including a number located in Greater Victoria. Recipients in our region include The Butchart Gardens, Craigdarroch Castle Historical Museum, Prince of Whales Whale Watching, LA Limousines and Wilson's Group of Companies. “The sector called on government to provide grants, not loans, and we worked with tourism sector leaders to make sure these vital businesses and non-profits can continue to employ residents and draw visitors to attractions throughout BC," Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport Minister Melanie Mark said Friday. The funds will help the industry with its ongoing recovery as the number of visitors from across Canada increases. The border is set to open to US travellers on Aug. 9, providing another boost for tourism businesses. With 62% of eligible British Columbians fully vaccinated, we are in a very good place this summer. The pandemic, at least for our region, is starting to feel almost over as COVID-19 becomes another communicable disease we know how to control.
However, the virus continues to spread among unvaccinated people. On Tuesday, the province announced a new campaign to make it easier to reach people who weren't able to participate in the initial immunization rollout. The Vax for BC campaign will shift focus from mass clinics to mobile ones, making the process more convenient. On Aug. 4, all clinics will also offer walk-in service for people who have not registered. The Chamber is part of the national Faster Together initiative, whose studies show that 14% of Canadians are hesitant about vaccines. The majority of those say they have questions and want access to qualified health professionals before they get their shot. Let's hope this new campaign can give them the answers they need. If you are an employer looking to transition your COVID-19 Safety Plan to a communicable disease prevention plan, WorkSafeBC offers a guide for employers. The tourism industry received some great news this week as the federal government finally announced a firm date to allow fully vaccinated Americans to visit Canada by land or by air.
Tourism has struggled while many other sectors have been able to rebound quickly and contribute to our region's economic recovery. Starting Aug, 9, Canada will no longer require a quarantine period for recreational travellers from the US. On Sept, 7, the border will open to fully vaccinated travellers from all other countries. The move comes late in the season for many tourism businesses that rely on summer revenue, but allows the industry to begin working on bookings for 2022. Meanwhile, the US announced today that it won't be following suit and will keep its land border closed to Canadian travellers until at least Aug. 21. Canada has recently surpassed the US in the percentage of our population who are fully vaccinated, leading experts to state it is now a "pandemic of the unvaccinated." In BC, 81.1% of adults have now had at least one dose, and 59% are fully vaccinated. We asked for quick action and the government responded. Last week, Transport Canada announced that, effective Nov. 1, it was ending the prohibition of cruise ships in Canadian waters. In the weeks before, The Chamber joined the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority and a number of community and business organizations calling on the government to set a re-open date. A firm date is necessary for the industry to begin planning for a return to Canadian ports. “We needed government to make it clear that cruise ships are welcome in Canada, and we needed a date so that industry can plan to return as soon as possible. I’m happy that the federal government heard us and understands the importance of this industry to our region as well as to Canada’s economy,” Chamber CEO Bruce Williams told Douglas Magazine. “The GVHA has done tremendous work making Greater Victoria a great port, and a lot of businesses will be thrilled to see the ships back with their passengers and crew enjoying our city. There is so much potential for this industry and we look forward to continuing to advocate for the investments and projects that will help make the cruise industry an important and sustainable economic driver for many years to come.” The GVHA says cruise adds $130 million to our region's economy and creates more than 800 jobs. Revenue from cruise tariffs allows the authority to support popular spaces such as the Ogden Point Breakwater and the Inner Harbour Lower Causeway. Tourism businesses received welcome news on Monday as the federal Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages, Mélanie Joly, announced the $500-million Tourism Relief Fund. The program aims to help businesses and organizations make their products and services more resilient from future shocks.
Money can be used for adapting to new regulations, modernizing products and encouraging environmentally sustainable and inclusive practices. As well, the funds can aid with strategic planning that helps with destination development. The funds are not available for restaurants, retailers or hotel chains. Eligible applicants can receive up to $100,000 in non-repayable contributions for 50% of eligible costs, or up to to $500,000 in repayable contributions for up to 75% of eligible costs. The move to Step 3 of BC's Restart Plan has renewed optimism among the many businesses that had been stifled by pandemic restrictions.
"We're gradually expanding our capacity to move a little closer to whatever normal is going to be," Chamber CEO Bruce Williams told CFAX's Al Ferraby. The two also discussed the need for Canada to open its border to international travellers. Getting back to business is not without its challenges. Employers continue to struggle finding people to fill available jobs, and supply chains are still working through some of the bumps caused by extended shutdowns. The Chamber and our community partners also continue to urge the provincial government to return its workforce to downtown offices. Williams also spoke to CFAX about The Chamber's effort to support Indigenous business and follow through on calls to action outlined by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. The Chamber Board recently approved the creation of a new task-force committed to listening and working alongside First Nations' businesses and Indigenous entrepreneurs. Another way we're supporting economic reconciliation is through a new membership program created for Indigenous-owned business. To all of our #ChamberChangemakers, thank you. You are part of the effort that allows British Columbia to take the next step.
Starting July 1, we can begin to experience the end of the pandemic. The provincial state of emergency is over, and many of the restrictions that have defined life for the past months are no longer in place. "Immunization is the key to stopping the spread of COVID and variants," Chamber CEO Bruce Williams says. "However, we still need to exercise patience and kindness with each other. Some of us will take time before feeling truly safe, and we need to respect that. If a business requires you to wear a mask, it's easy to do so and show support for each other." The Chamber also encourages everyone to make sure they book their second vaccination appointment. We can't risk the work done so far by not getting fully immunized as soon as possible. Check out this week's Chamber Chat for more on what businesses need to know about requiring masks, and how to ensure the safety of your employees and customers. With one week before the province enters Step 3 of the BC Restart Plan, we are all looking forward to a vibrant and successful summer. Travel restrictions have been lifted for BC residents and Greater Victoria is beginning to experience an influx of visitors from across the province.
And on Monday, the federal government announced details for opening the border with the United States. However, The Chamber and our national network are concerned that the federal government has yet to reveal a multi-step plan to reopen our border based on the scientific advice of the government's own expert panel. Instead, Monday's announcement raised more questions. We need clarity for our tourism operators, and for the many businesses that rely on international networks. The federal government needs to be loud and clear about how the $4.3 billion cruise industry will be able to get back to business in Canada. The Chamber is part of a coalition of industry and community leaders calling for a roadmap showing how and when cruises can resume and get back to contributing to Canada's economy. The cruise industry employs 17,000 people in BC whose livelihoods could be at risk if government doesn't act quickly. Cruise lines and passengers are already planning trips in 2022, and they need to know that Canada will be open for business.
The Greater Victoria Harbour Authority and The Chamber are concerned that lobbyists in the United States will succeed in removing the requirement for cruise ships to stop in Canada when travelling between Washington State and Alaska. The US government has temporary suspended the requirement during the pandemic because of Canada's restrictions on cruise. However, the lack of a clear plan could lead to the change becoming permanent. Rather than let perception become reality, we need facts and data to help all of us make better choices for our communities and economy.
Last Friday, The Chamber partnered with the City of Victoria and the Downtown Victoria Business Association to release a series of data sets showing positive signs of economic recovery, especially in downtown Victoria. “The increase in the number of film permits and the value of construction are good indicators of how attractive Greater Victoria is to people wanting to do business here,” Chamber CEO Bruce Williams said. “We see in the data that people are returning to typical levels of activity. We also know there is tremendous pent-up demand to visit our region and for locals to get back to dining inside, going to the movies and theatre and attending concerts and sporting events. We’re ready to go, as soon as it’s safe to do so.” The information shows that going downtown is a safe and vibrant option as we emerge from pandemic restrictions. The District of Oak Bay continues to look at permitting secondary suites to help create affordable housing options in the community.
The municipality is in the fourth of a five phase approach to gauge community support and look at how suites have been supported in other jurisdictions. Housing supply is an important issue for our region. The Chamber continues to hear from members who are struggling to find and keep workers, with the cost of housing one of the main deterrents for people wanting to live and work in Greater Victoria. It's said necessity is the mother of invention and pandemic restrictions certainly forced businesses to get creative. For the 2,000 pubs and restaurants in BC that set up patios to safely serve people outside, the changes have been so well received the province is now looking to make them permanent.
On Tuesday, the government announced businesses can apply to make their Temporary Expanded Service Areas permanent. Existing patios have also been given extensions to June 2022 to provide more time for businesses to apply. “(Patios) have been a make-or-break opportunity for so many operations struggling through these uncommon and difficult times,” said Ian Tostenson, president and CEO of the BC Restaurant and Foodservices Association. “This timely announcement, and the certainty it will afford our members in the months and years ahead, are welcome news.” What do you think of making pandemic patios permanent? Share your thoughts by emailing communications@victoriachamber.ca. We've said it before and we'll keep saying it as long as it takes for government to hear us. Businesses need certainty and they deserve to know how and when our economy will re-open. The BC Restart Plan has helped, but the federal government risks doing serious damage to Canada's tourism sector with its prolonged suspension of cruise ships. The Chamber along with the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority and other business organizations are calling for a clear signal that the industry is welcome and can plan to return to full capacity by next year.
“Cruise lines need time to prepare for the full resumption of cruise and the Government of Canada, through Transport Canada, needs to signal that they are prepared to welcome the industry back in a safe and measured way,” GVHA CEO Ian Robertson said in a news release. “The decision needs to be made in line with the reopening plans for the Canada-USA land and marine borders. We cannot afford to play roulette with something that is such a vital economic lifeline for our province.” As we take another step in BC's Restart Plan, it's a good opportunity to check in on each other and make sure we're all moving in the right direction. The province's immunization plan is working, thanks in no small part to all of you who posted vaccination photos as part of our #ChamberChangeMaker campaign. Please keep doing so as we set our sights on Canada Day, and a further loosening of restrictions. All indications are that businesses are in for an exceptional summer. Visitors from across BC have already begun arriving in Greater Victoria, with many more from across the country expected July 1. However, as Chamber CEO Bruce Williams told Jack Knox of the Times Colonist, there is still plenty of uncertainty. We need to know when the US border will open, and we need to respect that individuals and businesses will move at different speeds when it comes to opening up. Mandatory mask policies, for example, could become a source of conflict after July 1 (we'll have more information and resources on this in the next edition of BizNews). The provincial government says it expects to provide $560 million in relief to businesses under the Circuit Breaker Business Relief Grant and the Small and Medium Sized Business Recovery Grant.
On June 4, an extra $140 million was announced for the recovery grant. Grants have gone to 10,000 businesses so far and the government expects to help more than 20,000 BC businesses with 260,000 employees. About 40% of grants already approved are for businesses that serve the tourism sector. Between $10,000 and $30,000 is available, with an additional $5,000 to $15,000 for tourism-related businesses. The funds provide a boost to businesses making their way along the Recovery Runway as we wait for the economy to take off. However, The Chamber would like to see all relief extended to the vital non-profit sector. According to the Victoria Foundation, non-profits account for 63,000 full-time jobs and pay more than $300 million in taxes to our region’s municipalities. “A lot of non-profits are in serious trouble and their services will be going away if they don’t get some support,” Chamber CEO Bruce Williams told the Times Colonist. The pandemic has increased demand on many non-profits providing critical services to the community. Many organizations are struggling to raise funds and having challenges finding and keeping staff. Tourism and restaurants need support The Chamber CEO also spoke to the Times Colonist about the ongoing challenges facing the hospitality and tourism sector. “Everybody’s down obviously … some have been able to rebound and make up with take-out and delivery but a lot of them just haven’t been able to do that,” Williams said, noting that without office workers downtown, many restaurants and retailers have lost customers. Residents need to continue to support downtown by going there to to shop and eat. The Chamber has also been actively advocating for the federal government to continue wage and rent relief for the tourism and hospitality sector into next spring. With less than one week before BC moves to Step 2 of our Restart Plan, the tourism and hospitality industry has a few more reasons to smile.
The end of the pandemic is in sight, provincial health authorities say. BC is in good shape and with almost 75% of British Columbians immunized, all indications are we will be able to take the next step on June 15. That will open up travel to all British Columbians and create opportunities for our local tourism providers. The signs of optimism range from a return of the Welcome to Victoria flower garden in the Inner Harbour, to increased bookings at local hotels and restaurants. “As we progress towards Step 2 of BC’s Restart plan, we can be assured we are on the right path, and with every person who is fully vaccinated, we are all safer," says today's statement by Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and BC Minister of Health Adrian Dix. Need a break from the hustle and bustle? Step into The Bay Centre and stop to see the flowers under a Canopy in Bloom at centre court. The immersive experience opened June 1 and will be in place until Sept. 20.
"We invite you to take a moment to immerse yourself under our floral canopy. A place to let go, become grounded and more at peace," says The Bay Centre's description of the exhibit. "We hope your visit to the Canopy in Bloom experience will provide a moment of comforting escape while raising awareness and funds for mental health services available to you, your loved ones and our community." Immunization is the key to ending the pandemic, and Canadians are eager to open the door to a summer with fewer restrictions. The vaccine rollout across the country is working, and, today, the federal government announced fully vaccinated Canadians will no longer be required to quarantine in hotels.
"We've been working with our national chamber network to help Greater Victoria tourism businesses," Chamber CEO Bruce Williams says. "There is light ahead, and we're feeling much more hopeful after today's news, but we still have work to make sure all of our members can be part of the economic recovery." One of the initiatives underway is a digital vaccine certification that will be key to safely travelling over international borders. The Chamber urges the federal government to act quickly on this initiative, and to offer a strategy with clear metrics so the tourism sector can plan for a safe re-opening. On Tuesday, the Canadian Chamber partnered with the US Chamber of Commerce and other business organizations on a letter calling for the border to re-open for fully vaccinated travellers.
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