Property crime has been one of the most visible signs of disruption caused by the pandemic. In response, the Downtown Victoria Business Association and the City of Victoria are partnering to provide grants to businesses affected by vandalism. The grants are available .
Up to $1,000 is available to eligible businesses located within the city. Affected businesses must be able to show proof — insurance deductible, police file number and repair receipts. For more information, email info@downtownvictoria.ca. The pandemic and the "unprecedented uncertainty" we've all had to live with for more than year is not an excuse for surprise decisions that damage businesses.
Monday's announcement that restaurants, pubs and bars had mere hours to implement severe restrictions could have been handled better. Business has been leading the charge on following restrictions and keeping our community safe, but we need the government to work with us. "It's clear that decision makers in government don't understand business, which is why we're calling for the province to do a better job of working alongside organizations such as ours," Chamber CEO Bruce Williams says. "I'm talking to our partner organizations in Greater Victoria and the other Island chambers to offer the province a readily available advisory network that understands the challenges facing businesses." Monday's decision left the restaurant and hospitality industry reeling. The Downtown Victoria Business Association reports that business owners are worried about wasting food purchased as part of plans for Easter weekend. Staff are also anxious about their jobs, while the tourism industry has been left feeling kicked while already on the ground. Destination Greater Victoria says it's hearing from hotels that, after Monday's announcement, guests have cancelled planned visits as far out as September. According to DGV, the sector could lose $900,000, based on 6,000 hotel rooms with an average room rate of $150. Businesses in the City of Langford will have more confidence about expanding operations after council voted to extend permits for up to three years.
Restaurants and retail businesses had been asking for certainty in order to invest in exterior capital improvements to support outdoor dining and expanded business capacity. Langford's bylaw, previously requiring annual renewal, was amended to allow operations on sidewalks, boulevards and other common areas for up to three years under a single permit. “Council has recognized that the implications of the pandemic are still a major challenge for many local businesses,” Langford Mayor Stew Young says. “Through this bylaw amendment, we have cut the red tape to make the process of expanding a patio or storefront this spring simple and efficient, while ensuring the safety of customers and staff.” The Chamber continues working with all municipalities in Greater Victoria to enable innovative solutions to restaurants and all businesses affected by the pandemic. Employers can now apply for the BC employer tax credit originally announced last September.
"With 2020 payrolls finalized, businesses will know if they are eligible for a credit that could equal up to 15% of any increase in total eligible payroll paid in the last quarter of 2020. The tax credit could be as much as $2,230 per employee," states the provincial news release. The credit will be applied to any outstanding Employer Health Tax or other debt owed to the province. Businesses that don't pay EHT or owe less than their credit will receive a refund. With the recent Provincial Health Order limiting indoor dining across BC, supporting local restaurants is as important as ever. That’s why we invite you to take part in
The Chamber’s Takeout Challenge! Tag your favourite restaurant and two friends for your chance to win one of two $100 gift cards to Tutti! Take a photo enjoying takeout from your favourite restaurant, tag us and use the hashtag #ChamberLocalVicBC for five additional entries! Winners will be announced on April 26 in our Chamber Events newsletter. Click here to eat with a #ChamberLocalVicBC restaurant tonight. The economic recovery hasn't been the same for everyone. To help the struggling restaurant and hospitality sector, BC's construction industry is launching a grant program to encourage construction employers to treat crews to lunch from local restaurants. Grants depend on the size of the crew and are $250 or $500.
The BC Restaurant and Foodservices Association is grateful for the support. “It’s a generous idea and we’re thrilled to support it by making posters available to all our members so they can put them up in the window or even visit the construction sites near them and make sure they’re aware of the grants and the #LunchBoxChallenge,” BCRFA president and CEO Ian Tostenson said. The #LunchBoxChallenge initiative is part of activities celebrating Construction Month in April, which include the Vancouver Island Construction Association as a sponsor. The industry was declared essential early in the pandemic and has fared better than many other sectors. With spring in the air, there's good news for BC's farmers markets. The province has lifted restrictions so that artisans can once again set up shop in markets. The change will allow non-food vendors, such as flower vendors, to sell at farmers markets, which must still follow Provincial Health Office rules.
On April 19, the federal government will unveil its first full budget in two years and The Chamber is working with our partners to ensure businesses can lead the way.
It's crucial that government move away from a subsidized economy and invest in the private sector to create sustainable growth. "We at the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce are calling the roadmap to a post-COVID economy the 'recovery runway' and we are identifying 'pivot pilots' as those organizations and leaders who have been nimble with pivoting the way they do business," Chamber CEO Bruce Williams says in his latest column at Douglasmagazine.com. Businesses that are leading the recovery — those pivot pilots — serve as a beacon of optimism as we taxi down the recovery runway. Workers in the hard-hit tourism and hospitality industry are being deployed in mass-vaccination centres. The province announced today that 1,400 people who were laid off because of the pandemic are being re-trained to help clinical staff move people through the vaccination process. Tourism and hospitality workers bring an expertise in providing friendly service quickly in high-volume situations, with many able to offer logistical or language support.
BC plans to provide initial vaccination to everyone eligible in the province by July 1. Less than a week after the City of Victoria voted to end daytime sheltering in parks by May 1, an announcement today provides more information on longer-term solutions for people experiencing homelessness. BC Housing has purchased properties to build permanent supportive housing in Victoria at:
Also announced today are supportive housing projects in the District of Saanich (2949 Albina St., 52 homes) and Central Saanich (1909 Prosser Rd., 39 homes), which were purchased through a partnership between the federal and provincial governments and the Capital Regional District. The six projects will add more than 280 supportive housing units to Greater Victoria, which will allow everyone who needs shelter to be able to move indoors. On Monday, Chamber CEO Bruce Williams was on CFAX urging everyone to stay compassionate in these difficult times. It hasn't been easy but better times are coming and we want to celebrate together when they arrive. The federal government has extended the Canada Emergency Benefit Account no-interest loan program. On Monday, the government announced that the deadline for new applications is now June 30 instead of March 31. The program has provided $45 billion in credit through more than 850,000 no-interest loans since it was launched last April. Loans of up to $60,000 are available to cover operating costs for businesses that have lost revenue because of the pandemic.
This deadline extension applies to any new applications for CEBA loans of $60,000 or to new applications from businesses that have already received the $40,000 loan and intend to apply for an additional $20,000. May your pockets be heavy and your heart be light. May good luck pursue you each morning and night.
St. Patrick's Day is usually a time for large gatherings and celebrations regardless of your culture or heritage. But with the end of the pandemic so close, we need to stick together and stay apart a little longer. Still, there are many ways we can celebrate safely. See our story below for great ideas on making the most of today and supporting local businesses. #ChamberLocalVicBC Also, remember that special Provincial Health Orders are in place tonight restricting the service and sale of alcohol after 8 pm at restaurants, bars and pubs, as well as liquor and grocery stores. Establishments also need to close by 9 pm, unless full meal service is being provided. WorkSafeBC is planning to have an increased presence at workplaces tonight and throughout spring break. Businesses are required to have updated measures and controls in place to stop the spread of COVID-19. Renewed calls from the mayors of Victoria and Esquimalt for a regional police department need to be carefully considered in order to meet the best interests of Greater Victoria. The Victoria Police Department needs help. Victoria and Esquimalt account for about one-quarter of the region's total population of 400,000, yet VicPD is tasked with protecting a downtown that serves the entire region.
Before the pandemic, Victoria and Saanich were engaged in a Citizens' Assembly process that will examine the benefits and challenges of merging the two municipalities. One of the outcomes will be a better understanding of how Saanich and Victoria police departments can work together. After all, their role is to improve safety for citizens, many of who have daily lives that cross between municipalities. Before the pandemic, The Chamber was encouraged that the Citizens' Assembly process, currently on hold until in-person meetings can be done safely, was the best way to move forward on better regional services. The concerns voiced by VicPD show how vital it is for that process to move forward as soon as possible. The provincial government announced today that the Launch Online Grant program will receive an additional $30 million because of high demand. The program launched in February with $12 million to help business build or expand e-commerce capabilities. The extra funds are expected to support 4,000 more businesses, on top of the 1,500 that have already benefited from grants of up to $7,500.
The program is being administered by Alacrity Canada and money is re-invested in BC-based website development companies. Helping women entrepreneurs get the funding they need to run a successful business will be key to our economic recovery. A recently released report by the Women's Enterprise Centre helps explain the unique challenges facing women who have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic.
This report outlines strategies to get back to growing the overall number of women entrepreneurs, as was happening before COVID-19. After many months of calling on governments to help transportation businesses that have been devastated by the pandemic, the province finally delivered good news yesterday.
Funding of up to $10.7 million is available for inter-city bus operators, as well as up to $16.5 million for regional airports to support operations for one year starting April 1. “During the pandemic, inter-city bus operators that connect rural and remote communities and regional airports that provide medical safety services experienced a significant drop in ridership,” said Rob Fleming, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure in a news release. “This relief funding will help these vital services stay open and be ready for a strong recovery when travel restrictions are relieved by the COVID-19 vaccination effort in BC” Minister Fleming, who spoke to Chamber members on March 2 as part of our Business Restart Series with provincial ministers, said relief would be announced soon to ensure valuable transportation services get through the pandemic. “Today is filled with a sense of overwhelming gratitude and relief for the inter-city ground transportation sector across the province, but more importantly for the members of our rural, remote and Indigenous communities that rely on these services,” John Wilson, president and CEO, Wilson’s Group of Companies said. “With the announcement of this grant, I am pleased to say we will be looking at restarting services in the coming weeks to ensure Vancouver Island once again has the connectivity that so many members of our communities need.” There was more good news that the pandemic will soon be behind us. On Monday, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry advised BC's post-secondary schools to plan to have students back on campus in the fall.
The province hopes to provide clear guidance over the next few weeks, enabling post-secondary institutions such as Royal Roads University, Camosun College and the University of Victoria to work with Island Health and WorkSafeBC on detailed safety plans. "There are still lots of unknowns, and many of you will have questions," UVic President and Vice-Chancellor Kevin Hall said in a statement. "We'll do our best to keep everyone updated over the coming weeks and months while building flexibility into our planning. When the final fall timetable goes live in May it will indicate how courses will be delivered and registration will begin in June as usual." BC's Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation has agreed to extend the application deadline for the Business Recovery Grant from March 31 to Aug. 31.
The Hon. Ravi Kahlon spoke to Chamber members on Feb. 18 as part of our Business Restart Series with provincial ministers. At that time, he said he was listening to businesses and would adjust the program to ensure pandemic relief was available. As well, businesses are required to demonstrate a 30% revenue loss in any one month between March 2020 to the point of application. That's significantly lower than the previous requirement of at least 70% revenue loss in March or April 2020. The $345-million program provides fully funded grants to businesses that employ up to 149 BC residents. Grants can be up to $30,000, with an additional $15,000 available to tourism-related businesses. The Art Gallery of Greater Victoria is among 120 arts and culture organizations on Vancouver Island benefiting from $3.5 million in provincial grants.
The art gallery will use its share of the funds to hire a digital assets co-ordinator and an educator to develop and deliver online programming. The funding is part of the provincial government's Expanded Arts and Culture Resilience Supplement delivered through the BC Arts Council. Organizations can use the funds for operating costs, to pay artists and to protect or restore jobs such as theatre technicians, production designers or arts administrators. Two planned tax changes that were delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic will go into effect on April 1, 2021.
Starting next month, Provincial Sales Tax will be charged on carbonated beverages that contain sugar, natural sweeteners or artificial sweeteners. The products are currently exempt from PST. As of April 1, PST must also be collected by e-commerce businesses outside the province, such as US-based services Netflix and Disney Plus. New fare choices for BC Ferries will provide better "value, flexibility and certainty" for passengers travelling to or from the Island.
The Prepaid and Saver fares, announced today, can be purchased in advance of sailing the major routes between the Island and mainland. BC Ferries President and CEO Mark Collins, who has previously spoken at Chamber events about moving to a prepaid model, said once travel restrictions are lifted the new fares will "help spread traffic across the day, reducing sailing waits at popular times.” Saver fares will range from $49 to $73.70, including reservation, and are available year-round for travellers able to choose less busy sailing times. The prepaid fare enables customers to pay for reservations and travel in advance, making boarding more convenient. Proposed new legislation will prevent renters in BC from being evicted from their homes under the guise of renovations. If passed, the legislation will also extend the current rent freeze until Dec. 31, limit future rent increases to inflation and improve the process landlords and tenants use to solve differences.
LandlordBC CEO David Hutniak called the move to prevent unfair evictions a road map for positive change, though the organization has not endorsed the rent freeze which was initially announced last November. The extension beyond July means that any rent increases planned before Dec. 31 no longer apply. “LandlordBC believes that encouraging continued investment to prolong or sustain the useful life of a rental unit or building is essential," Hutniak said in the province's news release, adding that it's important renovations requiring tenants to move out of a unit are done in good faith, and that the process to establish legitimacy is efficient. Landlords would have to apply to the Residential Tenancy Branch before evicting a tenant to undertake renovations. The changes, if passed, will come into effect on July 1. Tell us what you think, and how this extension impacts your business. Email communications@victoriachamber.ca. When the time is right to welcome visitors back to our region, a new experience will be ready to share the story of the Lək̓ʷəŋən people's land and history. The Songhees Nation received $637,900 from the province's Community Economic Recovery Infrastructure Program to help build a 25-foot aluminum landing craft that can fit 12 passengers.
The vessel will take people on tours of culturally significant sites where the Lək̓ʷəŋən fished and gathered other food sources such as shellfish and berries. The marine trail runs from Colwood down past Victoria and up to Cadboro Bay. Tours are expected to begin next year. The provincial government announced yesterday it plans to invest $2 million to buy food-processing equipment for three new food hubs, including one in Victoria. The province is partnering with the City of Victoria and the Victoria Community Food Hub Society to help businesses access shared food and beverage processing space and equipment to increase their production and sales.
“The development of a regional food hub is the culmination of years of work to identify the infrastructure needed in the region to support advancing the food and farm sector," Linda Geggie, VCFHS spokesperson, said in the provincial news release. "This food hub is unique in that it is marrying economic development goals with social good, supporting food services and distribution of good local food to people in our region. There is a lot of potential in this initiative and we are pleased with the support from the many partners involved.” It was expected news but welcomed nonetheless by employers across Canada. The federal government announced today that it will extend the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy and Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy until June 5. A previous extension was set to expire March 13.
The wage subsidy covers up to 75% of payroll costs, while the rent subsidy pays up to 65% of rental payments for those who qualify. As well, a top-up is available for businesses forced to close due to restrictions. |
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