The loosening of restrictions has been met with a collective sigh of relief for many businesses. However, some ambiguous wording in BC's Restart Plan could be problematic. Businesses are expressing concern about what will happen if masks are no longer mandatory after July 1. The plan states that once we get to Step 3, masks will only be a recommendation in public indoor settings.
Employers don't want their staff to be faced with enforcing an order that isn't clear. In the past, this has led to stressful confrontations between employees and members of the public who refuse to abide by the orders. The Retail Council of Canada's guidance says awareness and training are key. Before we get to Step 3, The Chamber is working with other business organizations to get clarity for businesses. If you have questions or concerns about BC's Restart Plan, let us know by emailing communications@victoriachamber.ca. A fundamental priority for good business is having safe communities. Feeling safe at home and at work is vital to achieving our potential as individuals and as a community. The Chamber applauds the efforts of the Vancouver Island Construction Association, which continues to make progress on its Tailgate Toolkit harm reduction initiative. This innovative program helps people working in the construction industry access harm reduction services. The overdose crisis in British Columbia has killed 680 people in the first four months of 2021. In April alone, at least 176 lives were lost to toxic drugs. That's 43% more than in April 2020. This is a crisis that affects all corners of society and all sectors of our economy. To learn more about how the overdose crisis has had an impact on people in the construction industry, read VICA's stakeholder engagement report. Greater Victoria's film industry had a banner year in 2020, despite physical productions closing down for a portion of the year. The Vancouver Island South Film & Media Commission reports that a rush of new productions resulted in $55 million in direct spending — almost triple the previous record of $20 million. The province's film and digital media industry generates $3.2 billion annually, employing more than 71,000 British Columbians. The Island's film commissioner, Kathleen Gilbert, told the Victoria News that the commission has more than 800 crew in its South Island database. “Anyone with experience would have been able to work full time since production resumed in July of last year,” Gilbert said. The health of the film industry has been especially beneficial for tourism businesses hard hit by the pandemic. “Certainly, given the impact on tourism that COVID has had, this is very welcome business and almost a lifeline for some of these hotels,” Bill Lewis, Chair of the Hotel Association of Greater Victoria, states in the film commission's 2020 Annual Report. We now know what our Recovery Runway looks like and can begin planning to help all businesses become pivot pilots as our economy takes off this summer.
B.C.’s Restart: A Plan to Bring us Back Together, released yesterday, outlines four stages leading to a complete reopening of the province by September. The plan is contingent on COVID-19 case counts and hospitalization remaining low and vaccination rates increasing. “We’ve been asking for this on behalf of our members for some time. Having the steps laid out for easing of restrictions has lifted the fog many of us are feeling,” Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce CEO Bruce Williams says. “Speaking with Chamber members, the consensus is this plan is good news. It’s something we can work with. We need to continue rolling up our sleeves, keep B.C.’s immunization schedule moving forward, and get to work rebuilding those connections that will allow everyone to experience economic renewal.” The restart plan marked the end of a five-week circuit breaker that had restricted in-person dining, recreational travel and indoor fitness classes. The next milestone is June 15 when travel within BC will re-open along with extended hours for restaurants and pubs and the ability to hold small in-person meetings. By Canada Day, travel throughout Canada will open, and bigger meetings will be possible. There will also be no limits on dining, and bars and casinos can return with limited capacity. “These are hopeful times and we can see the end of the pandemic and a chance to get our lives back,” Williams says, adding that the Chamber’s 2021 Business Awards recently celebrated the many incredible stories of organizations and entrepreneurs who found innovative ways to be successful — our Pivot Pilots. “We’ll need these leaders now as we make sure all businesses can take part in the recovery. We want to extend a hand to everyone who needs it now to make sure you have what you need to be successful.” Major tourism attractions have less than two weeks left to apply for a grant of up to $1 million. The province announced last week it set aside $50-million for the BC Major Anchor Attractions Program. Funds are available for not-for-profit organizations and businesses, and can be used for payroll, rent and "utility costs related to restarting or ramping up operations in preparation for gradual reopening."
The application window is open until June 7, with funds provided in July. The Chamber is calling on provincial and federal governments to step up their advocacy efforts after US President Joe Biden signed off on the Alaska Tourism Restoration Act.
The move allows cruise ships to sail directly from Seattle to Alaska, without stopping in a Canadian port. The change, approved by Biden on Monday, temporarily waives the US Passenger Vessel Services Act. Greater Victoria Harbour Authority CEO Ian Robertson said in a GVHA newsletter he's working to make sure cruise ships return to Victoria when regulations allow. The industry is worth $130 million per year to our regional economy and creates 800 jobs. The US decision is good news for the Alaskan economy, and doesn't impact Canada for now as cruise ships are not allowed until next year. Robertson said he expects to hear more about the return of cruise ships by the fall. Tuesday's announcement of a $50 million fund for BC's tourism sector is welcome news, but might be too little too late.
"On the one hand, The Chamber has been working with our community partners to get government relief for the hard-hit tourism sector," Chamber CEO Bruce Williams says. "However, what's still missing is a plan. As we've been saying for some time, businesses need time operationally to ramp up. We still have no direction from the province about how and when restrictions will be lifted." The $50 million fund will offer up to $1 million in grants to major attractions. Applications are open until June 7, with funds delivered by July. The province says eligible expenses include payroll, rent and utilities related to restarting or ramping up operations in preparation for gradual reopening in alignment with provincial health orders. The funding is available for not-for-profit organizations and businesses. “For large attractions entering a second year of a 90% reduction in revenue, we appreciate this funding gesture as it will help contribute toward some fixed costs like insurance or property tax,” Butchart Gardens CEO Dave Cowen said in the province's news release. The funds are also available for tour bus companies, who, along with accommodation providers, are desperately waiting for information they can pass on to agencies and tour operators who are already booking trips into next year. “We are in the midst of the largest (tour operator) trade show in Canada right now, Rendez-vous Canada, and we’re talking with people from all over the world (who want to book in 2022) and we have nothing to tell them,” Wilson's Group of Companies CEO John Wilson told the Times Colonist. Chamber members and the entire Greater Victoria business community deserve a standing ovation for their diligence to adhere to provincial health orders. We've kept our customers, our employees and our community safe.
As we begin the fifth and final week of restrictions that began on March 29, we know you need more certainty about what lies ahead. On Thursday, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry is expected to speak about some of those next steps. We also know that BC Premier John Horgan will have details next week about the plan for a gradual reopening. The BC Restaurant and Food Association says restrictions to inside dining are expected to continue for a few more weeks, but restaurants should begin to plan for reopening. What is clear is we need to continue abiding by current restrictions this weekend, and we need to keep encouraging friends and family to book their immunization appointments. As soon as we hear more details from the PHO, The Chamber will share that information through all of our communication channels. With another year lost for the cruise industry, Greater Victoria will lose about $260 million in economic benefits derived from those visits. The blow has disrupted businesses across the region — even as there are new reasons to be concerned about government inaction.
The federal government's decision to close international borders prompted the state of Alaska to push for changes to US legislation that has been critical to the growth of the cruise industry in BC. Under a 19th-century law, ships travelling between US ports — such as in Washington State and Alaska — were required to stop in another country along the way, unless the vessels were built in the US. In a move that caught the provincial government off-guard, the law was temporarily changed to allow ships to bypass Canada while our borders are closed. The Chamber is working to support local businesses and organizations, including the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority, to make sure our provincial and federal governments understand that this change cannot be allowed to become permanent. To hear from locals affected by the loss of cruise ships, check out this video produced for the GVHA by Roll.Focus.Productions, with comments from Seaspan and The Bay Centre. A plan to revitalize a City of Langford neighbourhood will create a new cultural precinct that will showcase artists, attract new businesses and bring more people into a public space. On Monday, Langford council endorsed the project, in collaboration with the Island Corridor Foundation, to improve Station Avenue. The area between Peatt Road and Veteran's Memorial Parkway had become a concern for residents.
“For many years, Council has focused on expanding recreational opportunities," Langford Mayor Stew Young said in a news release. "Now we plan to turn our attention to arts and culture, providing new and exciting family-friendly options for residents and visitors alike." The project will celebrate local First Nations, showcase Langford’s evolving cultural identity, and create opportunities for businesses. Funding for the project is through the Union of British Columbia Municipalities Gas Tax Fund. We are heading into the home stretch as we begin week four of the five-weeks of stricter restrictions that began at midnight on March 29. Those orders state:
· Indoor low intensity group exercise classes are cancelled. · Restaurants, pubs and bars are closed for indoor dining. · Outdoor patio seating and take-out or delivery is allowed. · Workplaces with a COVID-19 exposure may be ordered to close for a minimum of 10 days. As well, the PHO strongly recommends: · Working from home whenever possible. · Getting tested immediately if you or anyone in your family feels sick. BC has also officially moved into the fourth and final phase of our official immunization plan. As of May 12, more than half of all eligible British Columbians have had at least one dose of vaccine. Appointments are currently being booked for people born in 1985 or earlier. Make sure you are registered so you can book your appointment as soon as possible. One of the criteria for loosening restrictions this summer is the number of people who are immunized. "Vaccines are the light at the end of the tunnel in this pandemic, and that light is growing brighter by the day,” BC's Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said today. The pandemic has upturned all of our lives, so it's truly inspirational to celebrate the many businesses that have found a way to thrive during these trying times.
"There are silver clouds that give all of us a little hope, which is something we all need right now," Chamber CEO Bruce Williams says. "On Saturday night, the 2021 Greater Victoria Business Awards will be broadcast on CHEK for the second year in a row. Please join us at 6 pm to share the excitement as we announce the winners. I promise you'll enjoy the show, and come away with a little inspiration to help you get through to better days ahead." Watch the broadcast live on CHEK and engage with us virtually on social media for this spectacular night of prestige, entertainment and celebration.
Special Awards Dinner for Two Click here for a special awards menu you can order for your at home celebrations courtesy of Chamber member Food for Thought Catering. Place your order by 4 pm on Thursday, May 13. The provincial government announced yesterday that a temporary paid-sick-leave plan is in the works. Under the proposal, employers will be required to pay workers their full wages for up to three sick days off. If the employer does not have paid sick-leave, the province will reimburse employers up to $200 per day per worker.
“These are exceptional times and we support measures that allow all businesses to ensure workplaces are safe from COVID-19," Chamber CEO Bruce WIlliams says. "We look forward to learning more about this plan, including how the province will get funds to employers quickly. We also appreciate the province's commitment to work with business before crafting the permanent plan, which is scheduled to take effect on Jan. 1 when the temporary plan ends." WorkSafeBC is in charge of setting up the program, and will begin administering it next month on behalf of the government. The Chamber would like to hear from our members about your thoughts on the temporary plan as well as a more permanent paid-sick-leave plan to be legislated to start in January 2022. Email communication@victoriachamber.ca. Property owners in the District of Saanich will now have extra flexibility to pay property taxes. The municipality has adopted a staggered schedule for late penalties on all property taxes.
“We recognize that a one-time penalty of 10% is significant and is likely a bigger disincentive than needed to get taxpayers to pay on time,” Saanich mayor Fred Haynes said in a news release. “We hope this adjustment alleviates some of the financial stress for those having difficulty paying their full taxes on time or when an honest mistake is made paying late or claiming the home owner grant." On Monday, the provincial government announced it was expanding the Circuit Breaker Business Relief Grant to help businesses struggling because of pandemic restrictions. The province increased the fund to $125 million with one-fifth of that targeted at hotels and other accommodation providers. Businesses with more than 100 employees can receive up to $20,000, while those with between five and 99 employees can get up to $10,000.
On April 27, BC's Minister of Finance Selina Robinson provided Chamber members with an overview of the recently unveiled budget and she answered questions about the state of the province's economy. If you missed seeing it live, you can still watch a recording of the event to hear what Minister Robinson had to say about government plans to help business and families, and implement new initiatives to ensure our economic recovery continues. Request Access to the Video A new provincial Crown corporation with independence to make investments without political interference has been created. The aim is to use a $500 million fund to keep growing businesses in BC, instead of moving away as they scale up and need more capital.
The province says InBC is a new initiative to "help businesses scale up, drive innovation, create family-supporting jobs" that will drive economic recovery after the pandemic ends. “Congratulations to the BC government on the launch of the InBC Strategic Investment Fund," BDC Capital executive vice-president Jérôme Nycz said in a news release. "We are pleased that the province can rely on a new source of capital to support its innovation economy, alongside other national players such as BDC Capital.” Business in BC can now apply for Provincial Sales Tax rebates on purchases or leases of machinery and equipment, including tools, furniture, computers, software and zero-emission vehicles.
The rebate, announced in September, allows incorporated businesses to recover 100% of PST on most machinery and equipment purchased between Sept. 17 last year and Sept. 30 of this year. Applications can be made until Sept. 20 for the first window. A second window of eligibility begins in October and continues to March 31, 2022. Rebate eligibility is based on the Canada Revenue Agency’s Capital Cost Allowance classes. Apply for PST Rebate Camosun College is getting $150,000 from the province to explore film industry training programs as well as the development of a film studio on campus in the District of Saanich.
“The investment from the BC government allows the college to further explore the feasibility of a film studio and sound stage at our Interurban campus and the exciting educational possibilities it could create for students," Camosun College's president Sherri Bell said in a news release. The funds are a first step for creating the infrastructure needed to provide more opportunities for Vancouver Island's film industry, which continues riding a wave of optimism in 2021. "By working together, we can capture the opportunity to bring more big-budget movies and TV shows produced right here in Saanich and create the essential infrastructure for a successful creative industry on the south Island at large,” Saanich Mayor Fred Haynes said in a news release. Monday's speech from the throne offered few details about the provincial government's plan to help businesses recover from the pandemic. With case counts climbing over the last few weeks and the rapid spread of variants of concern, our economic recovery remains precarious one week before the province unveils its 2021 budget.
Aside from urging ongoing vigilance and a spirit of resilience, the throne speech promised that the April 20 budget will invest in capital projects and infrastructure to create jobs and boost local communities. There will also be money to help people disproportionately hurt by the pandemic, including gig workers and people working face-to-face with customers in retail and the hospitality industry. Many of those most affected are women, people of colour and young people. "The Chamber is looking for next week's budget to reassure businesses struggling to get through the pandemic," Chamber CEO Bruce Williams says. "We want to see investments that help employers find and keep workers. We need accessible child care so that parents can stay in the workforce, and we need training programs that ensure workers have current skills for the many jobs that are in demand but are going unfilled." The Chamber and the Downtown Victoria Business Association commend the City of Victoria for reducing property taxes for business. It's the right thing to do as the pandemic continues to create challenges for our region’s economy.
The City of Victoria has approved a two per cent decrease in taxes — about $146 for business with an average assessed value of $647,000. During 2020, the assessed value of commercial property dropped by an average of 5.29 per cent. Residential assessed values in the city increased by 2.26 per cent. “We’re grateful that Victoria council has acknowledged the struggles businesses are facing with uncertain conditions and the pace of change spurred by the pandemic,” Bruce Williams, CEO of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce says. “We’re seeing many businesses pivot successfully and develop innovations that allow them to adapt. Reducing taxes during this time shows that the city wants to work with the business community, so that all of our employers and operators have a chance to get through this together.” The tax break reflects an adjustment to the city’s current policy of equalizing changes to taxes across all classes. If council had chosen to follow that policy, the average assessed business would have had a tax increase of $122. The Chamber will recap property tax rates for businesses in all Greater Victoria municipalities as the information becomes available in the coming weeks. Chamber News Release The restaurant industry has been told to expect restrictions on dining inside to extend beyond April and through to May. Representatives from the industry, including the BC Restaurant and Food Services Association, met with BC's Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry this week. The restrictions, which the province called a circuit breaker, were set to expire on April 19.
Applications open for Circuit Breaker grants Businesses adversely affected by the unexpected imposition of restrictions on March 30 can now apply for grants to help cover costs. Businesses with between five and 99 employees or contracted staff are eligible for $5,000. Business with 100 or more employees can get $10,000, while businesses with between one and four people on staff can receive $2,000. If the business does not have any employees or contracted staff, a grant of $1,000 is available. Apply for Grant The federal budget will be unveiled on April 19, and is expected to confirm ongoing support for wage and rent subsidies and other relief programs that have been vital for businesses affected by the pandemic.
Working with the Canadian Chamber, we have been advocating to government to offer direction on how investments in the private sector can create jobs and encourage the growth of new and existing businesses. Read next week's BizNews for more analysis on the federal budget, and what it will mean for Greater Victoria. Related: The Chamber's column in Douglas Magazine BC has started the next phase of the largest immunization effort in its history, and initial reports are that the province-led rollout has gone well. Under Phase 3, everyone in British Columbia can follow three steps to get vaccinated. After registering online or over the phone, you will be contacted to book an appointment when you are eligible based on where you fit in the criteria for the immunization plan. In Greater Victoria, first doses of vaccine will be administered at seven sites including the University of Victoria, Victoria Conference Centre and the Victoria Native Friendship Centre.
As the third wave of COVID-19 hits BC, the province remains committed to providing everyone in BC with a first dose of vaccine by July 1, setting the stage for loosening of restrictions over the summer. Celebrity sightings in Greater Victoria are a welcome reminder of the role the film industry plays in sustainable economic growth of our region. Chamber CEO Bruce Williams was interviewed by CTV Vancouver Island on Monday about the opportunity to invest in production infrastructure.
"Having the film people in town is a big boost in many ways to the economy," Williams said, noting that hosting film and television crews provides benefits to the tourism and hospitality industry. "They are spending money, they are renting things, they're staying in hotels (and) they're going to restaurants." The Chamber is actively advocating for investment in film production facilities in Greater Victoria. We continue to work with the Vancouver Island South Film and Media Commission as well as Malahat Film Studios, Camosun College, the District of Saanich and all of our partners working on bringing production facilities to our region. |
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