People travelling aboard BC Ferries can no longer stay in their vehicles if they are on an enclosed deck. The Transport Canada regulation is back in effect today, after having been suspended in March to allow for physical distancing. You can still remain in your vehicle if you are parked on an open deck.
BC Ferries must comply with the federal rule, and has implemented enhanced cleaning and sanitization as well as physical distancing measures. Face masks are also mandatory on all passenger decks. Chamber members will have a chance to hear more about this new rule, and other major developments, directly from BC Ferries CEO Mark Collins. Make sure to register for The Chamber's Business Restart Series on Oct. 6. Details below! BC Ferries: Member since 1983 The results of a long-awaited inventory of licensed child care spaces in Saanich will be revealed next Monday. The District of Saanich partnered with Central Saanich, Highlands, North Saanich, Oak Bay and Sidney to be part of a Union of BC Municipalities initiative aimed at improving child care delivery in BC. Better access to quality child care — an ongoing Chamber advocacy priority — is needed to ensure families with young children can fully participate in the workforce. Saanich is asking anyone who has input to provide on the issue to register before Monday, by emailing council@saanich.ca or calling 250-475-5501. Carriage homes will increase housing in Saanich A decision by Saanich council last week could see hundreds of affordable homes built in the municipality without the direct involvement of government. The District of Saanich will now allow for carriage homes on properties that meet the necessary requirements. “It took years for us to get here,” Saanich Mayor Fred Haynes told CHEK news. “Imagine there’s 30,000 single-family homes ... If just 1,000 properties (build a carriage home), we’ve added 1,000 rental homes without government involvement.” Saanich seeks input on e-mobility strategy The District of Saanich is looking for input on its draft e-mobility strategy. You can complete the survey here or email feedback to sustainability@saanich.ca. The survey is open until Sept. 27. Saanich has also created an info sheet about e-bikes to encourage more residents to adopt this climate-friendly mode of transportation. Check it out here. To learn more about e-bikes firsthand, check out these Chamber-approved retailers! District of Saanich: Member since 2019 Buildings across the region were bathed in red light last night for Light Up Live, a movement supporting Canada's live events industry. Restrictions on the number of people who can gather in one place have eliminated concerts, galas and ceremonies and other in-person events as we've known them. Many organizations, including The Chamber, have shifted to virtual events but the business model is much different than the one that supported a $100 billion industry before the pandemic. B.C.’s Economic Recovery Plan, announced last Thursday, offered little hope to the thousands of businesses and workers that earn a living from live events. As we continue to learn how to live with COVID-19, we need to support successful adaptations such as expanded service areas for restaurants and pubs. The summer experiment with sidewalk patios and outdoor seating has, by most accounts, been a success.
The Chamber applauds the provincial government by formally extending measures to allow expanded services areas for another year. In May, BC's Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch began permitting food-primary, liquor-primary and manufacturer licensees, such as wineries, breweries and distilleries, to apply for a Temporary Expanded Service Area. These were originally set to expire at the end of October but the initiative will now run until October 2021. As of Sept. 11, 1,073 permits were approved in BC after businesses received the green light from their local municipality. If you're wondering how working from home will impact your tax deductions, you're not alone. The Canadian Revenue Agency (CRA), in consultation with the Canadian Chamber, is looking at expenses incurred by staff who worked — or are still working from home — and how to create a way to efficiently apply for deductions on personal returns.
Paul van Koll, who serves on our Chamber Board of Directors and is a Partner at Dusanj and Wirk Chartered Professional Accountants was part of one of several recent Chamber roundtables with the CRA. Still in the feedback stages, areas coming under discussion include the best way to document that staff was required to work from home, whether a T2200 Declaration of Conditions of Employment is required from an employer and if there is a minimum duration for time spent working from home as well as the split between hours spent working at home versus in the office. If you have any feedback you'd like us to pass along to the CRA, please email communications@victoriachamber.ca. Right now, the only thing we can say with absolute certainty is keep your receipts. The Chamber is a strong supporter of BC Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry, and we are proud of all our members who have dutifully followed her advice.
Among those are many of our restaurants, pubs and cafes that have gone above and beyond to keep their customers and our community safe. Which is why we share concerns expressed by the BC Restaurant and Foodservices Association, through the Business Technical Advisory Panel (Liquor Policy). On Sept. 8, Dr. Henry verbally ordered the closure of bars and banquet halls, and called for liquor sales to end by 10 pm (among a list of restrictions). For many operators, money earned in the last few hours of the evening is the difference between being able to make ends meet and shutting down the business. A more effective approach would be to address specific situations and enforce problematic behaviour. As the panel's letter notes, why punish a business providing wine to a couple in Victoria on a late-night date because a small group of people in Vancouver are breaking the rules? Businesses have been given a reprieve as the provincial government announced last week that it is delaying implementation or increases to several taxes.
Quarterly installments for the Employer Health Tax have been pushed back as follows:
As well, the scheduled elimination of a Provincial Sales Tax exemption for sweetened carbonated beverages, and the requirement for e-commerce businesses outside BC to collect PST have been delayed until next April. And annual increases to the provincial carbon tax, postponed back in April, also won't begin until next year. The Ministry of Finance is also reminding businesses that the due dates for the following sales taxes, extended in the spring, are coming up Sept. 30:
"These administrative deferrals are not being extended further," says a statement from the ministry. "Businesses were never able to spend taxes collected from customers such as PST, but delaying tax remittances removed an administrative burden from potentially short-staffed businesses during the beginning of the pandemic." The federal rent relief program for commercial properties has been extended, though there continues to be concerns raised about how it was rolled out — and what comes next.
For many businesses that have been able to access Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA), the program has been a lifeline through the pandemic. Extending relief until the end of September will help. However, as the weather cools and revenues begin to fall, many restaurants and storefront retailers are wondering how they will survive. The Chamber, along with our chamber network across the country, is calling on the federal government to rethink its approach to commercial rent relief. Rent is one of the biggest costs for many businesses and this is an area that government can provide real help. A new program is also required for the many businesses that needed help but couldn't access CECRA because of its complexity or landlords who were unwilling to shoulder risk and revenue loss. A major new development in the City of Colwood will broaden the municipal tax base, create jobs on the West Shore and potentially ease transportation issues in Greater Victoria.
“One of our solutions to (traffic congestion) is that we need to begin to create more jobs here in the West Shore,” Colwood Mayor Rob Martin told the Times Colonist. The proposed Allandale District — being developed by Omicron Canada with a Vancouver partner — is going through the approval process with Colwood council. The development would cover 20 acres on four parcels, including a former gravel pit and rock bluffs along Allandale Road and on both sides of Veteran Memorial Parkway. The plan to redevelop University Heights mall in the District of Saanich is going to public hearing. Saanich council decided to move the project forward, with a few outstanding questions for staff to address.
The proposal by Wesbild will add 598 rental units and 10,096 square metres of commercial space. The plan would revitalize the area and create much needed housing for the region. The Chamber welcomes news that BC Ferries will receive emergency funding from the provincial and federal governments.
BC Ferries provides an essential link to Greater Victoria and The Chamber supports efforts to ensure the service continues without having to drastically increase fares. The money will come from the Safe Restart Agreement, announced July 16 as part of a cost sharing plan that will also help transit systems. "We look forward to working with the Province to learn details of the Safe Restart Agreement," BC Ferries President and CEO Mark Collins said in a news release. As parts of Greater Victoria's economy emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic, there continues to be good news from the construction and real estate sectors.
The Vancouver island Construction Association says the value of building permits is on the rise after an initial slowdown caused by the outbreak of the pandemic. “Victoria’s residential building construction investment spending surged in May to $163.49 million following a pandemic-related contraction in April,” Rory Kulmala, CEO of the Vancouver Island Construction Association, said in a news release. “Despite the significant impacts of COVID-19 on our economy, the construction sector has remained active and has demonstrated its resiliency in these uncertain times. We will continue to be a key element towards our economic recovery” As well, a report by Colliers International shows that commercial vacancy in downtown Victoria has increased slightly to 5.9% from 5.1% for the first three months of 2020. The difference is attributed to two provincial ministries moving their offices to a new complex in James Bay. The impact of COVID-19 has been nominal, the report found. However, the rate could increase as more leases are up for renewal in the months ahead. Housing starts have also been strong, with more homes being built this July than the same month last year. The numbers announced Tuesday by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation reflect the fact the construction industry has been able to keep working safely throughout the pandemic. The District of Saanich is continuing to explore a longstanding plan to create a municipal hub along the Uptown Douglas corridor.
On Monday night, Saanich council asked staff to clarify a few items before sending the proposal to public hearing. The plan looks at the potential use of a 155-hectare area for the next several decades. The goal is to make the gateway to Greater Victoria's core a catalyst for housing, transportation and economic development. Saanich Mayor said he expects staff to report back with their findings next month. The Canadian Chamber of Commerce has submitted its ideas to the federal government for driving the economy forward as the country emerges from COVID-19 restrictions.
In a pre-Budget submission, the Canadian Chamber has listed recommendations that reduce regulatory burden, rethink taxes, encourage innovation and get Canadians back to work. A total of 33 recommendations aimed at promoting private-sector growth and competitiveness are being presented to the federal government to consider ahead of its critical 2021 Budget. A number of measures introduced by ICBC in response to COVID-19 are set to expire next week. ICBC brought in the temporary measures on April 23 to help people dealing with economic uncertainty.
On Aug. 20, the following measures will end:
"Customers are now re-insuring their vehicles at higher than historic levels," said a statement from ICBC, which encouraged customers to "talk to their broker to ensure they are properly insured, including those people who are using their vehicle for the delivery of food or medical products and services." Find an insurance broker Greater Victoria businesses are renowned for their generosity, and have always gone out of their way to help people in our community in need. However, our region is facing a crisis caused by failed policies and political posturing that has left too many neighbourhoods feeling unsafe. From encampments in Beacon Hill Park and other public spaces, to temporary housing in former hotels, there is a growing concern that we are losing the safe community all of us depend on. So what can we do to make a difference? As The Chamber, we will continue to advocate to all levels of government to invest in long-term solutions that go beyond temporary fixes. Housing alone is not the answer. There also needs to be readily available mental health and addiction services. The Chamber would like to see an expansion of the number of therapeutic recovery communities, which have the highest measurable success rates for treating people who want to end their dependence on drugs and alcohol. As individuals, you can help by learning as much as you can about the issues that lead to homelessness and getting out to vote in coming elections. The City of Victoria is planning a new date for a by-election that was postponed due to the COVID-19 outbreak. If you're not happy with decisions made by a council majority, make sure you know which councillors vote as a slate and who your alternatives are. The Chamber has spoken out in the past about the dangers of populist politics, and will continue encouraging people to get out and vote to ensure better representation of our entire community. Last week, the federal government announced plans to move Canadians off the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) and onto an updated Employment Insurance system. The CERB was an early response to the pandemic to help Canadians who suddenly lost their income as the economy was shut down. Some employers have voiced concern that the CERB has made it harder for them to get staff back to work. The new program will make it easier for people to begin earning money without having their benefit clawed back, and will better protect contract workers. The government also announced it was extending the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance program. It now covers July and August. The Chamber continues to ask landlords, who must apply for the subsidy on behalf of their tenants, to work with their customers to ensure the long-term health of businesses. The COVID-19 pandemic has sped up the adoption of electronic payments among Canadians.
A survey by Payments Canada found that 53% of Canadians had increased their use of debit cards to pay for in-store purchases. With uncertainty about how COVID-19 was being spread, many businesses opted to play it safe and encourage electronic payments. The Chamber supports an initiative to lift inter-provincial trade barriers, currently being raised by our colleagues at nine of Canada's largest chambers of commerce.
In a series of videos promoted on Twitter, the Canadian Global Cities Council showcases how Canada's economic recovery would be helped by a freer flow of goods between provinces. A Few Facts
If you've been thinking about buying an e-bike for commuting or getting around, the provincial government hopes to make your decision a little easier with an updated rebate program. "E-bikes are a much cheaper alternative to cars and are a safe way to travel," Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Claire Trevena said today in a news release. "We look forward to seeing more people using e-bikes for getting around.” People can now trade in an old vehicle and get $1,050 toward the purchase of a new e-bike. The rebates, which have increased by $200 this year, are delivered by the Scrap-It program. As well, a one-year pilot program is offering a $1,700 rebate for business owners who purchase a cargo e-bike. Check out: Greater Victoria e-bike retailers Victoria is well positioned to become a centre for ocean innovation. A request for proposals has gone out to study the feasibility of increasing the value of the marine sector to Greater Victoria's economy.
The City of Victoria is working with the South Island Prosperity Partnership and the marine sector to explore the idea of an Ocean Futures Innovation Hub. It would be located in Victoria and foster an environment of entrepreneurship building off our region's existing marine industries and our location on the Pacific. Being home to Ocean Networks Canada, which yesterday announced a $29 million investment from the federal government, is a boon. The Chamber supports innovation led by business. We look forward to helping build an Ocean Futures Innovation Hub in Victoria. Farm sales reached record levels in 2019, and the provincial government says the growing sector could point the way to economic recovery. BC reported $3.9 billion in farm cash receipts last year, with areas of growth including cannabis, dairy, beef and field vegetables. “COVID-19 has opened our eyes to the importance of our province’s self-sufficiency," said Saanich South MLA and Minister of Agriculture Lana Popham. "I urge everyone to continue to show their appreciation for our farmers and support our local food system by making a special effort to Buy BC.” The BC Farm, Fish and Food Job Connector was launched in May to help farmers find workers needed for this season's harvest. Last year's record represents on increase of $462 million in revenue from 2018. To help Island farmers adapt to the changing climate, the provincial and federal governments have identified 11 strategies to increase resilience. With warmer and dryer conditions, new types of insects and more extreme weather events, farmers need to prepare for challenges and opportunities ahead, the report says. Businesses across Canada are facing a difficult decision as they can’t afford to stay closed but are struggling with reduced revenue that doesn’t cover expenses. The paradox is reflected in the results of a survey released yesterday by Statistics Canada and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce.
Getting through this difficult phase will be critical for the economy and requires businesses to overcome three key challenges.
To help our members learn more about how they can benefit from the wage subsidy program, as well as its tax implications, Chamber CEO Bruce Williams is hosting Matthew Hohnsbehn, Liaison Officer at the Canada Revenue Agency, and Kris Wirk, Partner, at Dusanj & Wirk Chartered Professional Accountants, on Aug. 11. To reduce the number of people living in homeless camps in our region, housing needs to be supported by mental health and addiction services that can address the root issues facing this population.
On July 13, the provincial government announced it was expanding the number of health care teams focused on helping people with addictions stay connected to treatment. Teams are tailored to their community and can include nurses, counsellors, social workers and peers. The goal is to reach people as individuals and help them stay connected to services and stay away from toxic street drugs. In May, the BC Coroner's office reported 170 people died from overdoses. That was the highest monthly fatality rate in the province, and 90% higher than the same period last year. Proposed changes to BC's labour law will give WorkSafeBC more power and increase compensation for workers. The changes could also increase the cost of premiums for employers by about 1.4 cents for every $100 of payroll, Labour Minister Harry Bains said. The proposal includes raising maximum insurable earnings to $100,000, allowing preventative medical treatments before a claim is accepted and making it easier for workers to access benefits if they catch COVID-19. WorkSafeBC would also be able to get warrants allowing them to search workplaces during investigations. During the pandemic, WorkSafeBC has allowed businesses to defer paying premiums for six months without penalty or interest. As well, as an extra help for hard-hit businesses, WorkSafeBC waived premiums on wages paid to workers of employers receiving the Canadian Emergency Wage Subsidy for the duration of the program. |
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