The unseasonable weather has been the major theme of casual conversations this summer. And while it's been a welcome break from the prevalence of pandemic chatter, we can't close the door on COVID yet. Last Thursday, Canada's Chief Public Health Officer Theresa Tam reported that "it is reasonable to expect we could see an increase in case numbers in the coming weeks."
 
The next wave comes during the heart of summer so its impact will be mitigated by the warm weather and the opportunities for gathering outdoors. Immunization, including boosters, is also key to help protect our community. The Chamber is monitoring the situation and will strive to provide Greater Victoria's business community with evidence-based information from reputable sources. We all have the resilience and experience to keep our economy and community moving forward.

Housing supply is foundational to a strong economy, and The Chamber applauds progress being made on the largest housing supply project ever on Vancouver Island. The $250 million Nigel Valley development in the District of Saanich will add 800 homes to the region, including 440 non-market rental units and 255 market homes. The other units include social housing with supports.
 
“It's amazing what can happen when multiple stakeholders, including our local community associations, take a collaborative and proactive approach to challenges like housing," Saanich Mayor Fred Haynes said in a news release. "This project caters to a wide range of housing needs in Saanich and I look forward to seeing how it will enhance our community over the years to come.”
 
BC Housing is contributing more than $50 million, and Broadmead Care and Island Health are each providing more more than $5 million.
 
The Nigel Valley redevelopment, near Saanich's municipal hall, is being done in three phases over the next 10 years.

The provincial government's latest attempt to attract new family doctors to BC is a good start, but more innovations are needed to make a real difference.
 
Many regions in BC, including Greater Victoria, are experiencing a challenge finding and keeping general practitioners. The province has offered a $25,000 bonus to any new family medicine residents but, so far, none have taken the bait.
 
"We've met with recruiters who tell us there needs to be a change in the administrative burden that doctors are expected to take on," Chamber CEO Bruce Williams said. "People become doctors to help others — not to deal with the extensive paperwork and burden of operating a highly regulated business. There are some truly innovative concepts being proposed that will help, but they need to be supported by government."
 
The Chamber will continue to advocate for improvements to healthcare delivery, especially making sure families have access to doctors and appropriate care in Greater Victoria.

It's hard to disagree with the latest ranking that places the City of Victoria atop a list of the best small cities in Canada.
 
"With its mild year-round climate and an artisanal, independent spirit at play among rainforests and Pacific beaches, Victoria is the hometown you never knew you coveted," Bestcities.org states. "But you’d better bring cash. And (please!) some young kids."
 
Victoria's compact and vibrant downtown and craft beer scene helps the city rank high for its nightlife but the capital gets strikes against it for the lowest birth rate of any Canadian city and a dearth of housing.
 
Also on the list is the District of Saanich, at 23, for being "smart, sustainable and self-sufficient" and the "urban heart" of Vancouver Island.

BC Ferries is offering advice to help travellers navigate the unique challenges of a weekend book ended by national holidays in Canada and the US.
 
Expect heavy traffic, book early and be patient are a few of the suggestions. Other tips include planning to travel mid-weekend to avoid the heaviest traffic and planning ahead to beat the heat while waiting for your ship to arrive.

Starting Canada Day, the provincial government will require "marketplace facilitators" charge the PST for the purchase of certain online good and services.
 
BC defines a marketplace facilitator as a person who:

• operates, owns or controls (solely or jointly) an online marketplace,
• through the online marketplace, facilitates a marketplace seller’s retail sales of goods, software or taxable services, and
• collects payment in respect of the retail sales of goods, software or taxable services.

 
Businesses with annual sales of less than $10,000 are exempt.

Democracy, as Winston Churchill famously said, is the worst form of government other than every other system ever attempted.
 
With civic elections set for this October, many people are considering running for election. To help give potential candidates the info they need to understand what's possible — and what isn't — if they're elected, The Chamber hosted a virtual seminar with municipal governance expert Allison Habkirk. She has more than 30-years experience in local government as an employee, an elected official and as an educator.
 
Municipal councils make decisions that literally affect the street we live on. They can play a huge role in the success of your neighbourhood’s businesses so investing in providing them the right info to make them successful needs to be a priority.

The Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce added our voice to calls from the Surrey Board of Trade, Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce and Campbell River & District Chamber of Commerce to rethink new rules that are casting a chill on the traditional role of business as a trusted voice for decision makers. The new rules require communication with government officials to be logged monthly using a multi-step process.
 
“Chambers of commerce and boards of trade are embedded in the fabric of our communities," Chamber CEO Bruce Williams said. "Our mandate is to give voice to business. In healthy communities, the public sector and private sector co-exist in a balance that creates employment and healthy economies and enables sound policies. This isn’t new, but it is being threatened by onerous requirements that miss their target. We are putting historic relationships at risk with this paternalistic red tape that is effectively censuring important conversations.”
 
The organizations co-authored a letter to Attorney General David Eby requesting that chambers and boards of trade be exempt from the BC Lobbyists Transparency Act.
 
In 2020, significant changes to BC’s lobbyist registration regime came into effect creating confusion and concern for every business or organization whose role includes communicating with BC government officials.
 
Read the letter here: Letter: Re: Exempting Chambers and Boards of Trade from BC Lobbyists Transparency Act

A surge in the supply of goods from overseas over the next few months could see retailers offering discounts if they suddenly need to balance inventory with demand.
 
North American ports have faced major disruptions over the past few years, with BC's main port in Vancouver ranked among the most inefficient in the world in 2021. The only ports that fared worse in the Container Port Performance Index were on the US West Coast.
 
The uncertainty caused by the pandemic and volatile trade conditions has made it more difficult to manage the arrival of goods from overseas. The situation is improving but it will take time for supply chain networks to return to previous efficiencies. This might be good news for consumers and help reduce inflationary pressure but will mean many businesses need to remain nimble and adjust their overseas purchases.
 
It's also a reminder of the importance of supporting local producers who are less affected by shipping disruptions. As well, the proposal to improve the deep sea port facility at Port Alberni represents a tremendous opportunity for the Island and the entire province.

British Columbia will be among the first provinces to engage in consultations with the federal government on planning for a new economy based on renewable energy.
 
The Regional Energy and Resource Tables will include representatives from municipalities, First Nations, universities, industry and business groups. The discussion will look at opportunities that come with investing in a net-zero economy.
 
“It's about actually doing the manufacturing of batteries and electric vehicles and a range of other products that utilize critical minerals in this country,” Minister of Natural Resources Jonathon Wilkinson told Glacier Media. “I see this as actually a generational opportunity for Canada.”

The Chamber shares the community's concern for everyone affected by the traumatic incident that happened in Saanich on Tuesday. The scenes of violence have shaken everyone.
 
"Our thoughts are with those police officers who bravely faced extreme danger to protect the many civilians in the area," Chamber CEO Bruce Williams said. "We know that safe communities are a foundation all of us need so we can function in our homes and workplaces. Witnessing violence is not something anyone expects to do while going about their business, and our hearts go out to everyone affected by being nearby as this tragic scene unfolded."

BC Premier John Horgan has admitted the province failed to properly explain plans to replace the Royal BC Museum, and has put the project on hold.
 
“I always try to act in the best interests of British Columbians,” Horgan said in a news release. “That involves listening. That also means taking responsibility when you make the wrong call.”
 
The museum is no longer scheduled to close this fall, and a new round of public consultation will begin to hear what British Columbians want to do with the institution.
 
"Kudos to the province for hearing what we, and many others, told them we didn't like about the initial announcement," Chamber CEO Bruce Williams said. "The Royal BC Museum is a pillar of Greater Victoria's tourism industry so, first and foremost, we need it to stay in our region. The museum is deeply connected to our economy and benefits many of our members. What we want to see is the province make an investment in this asset that drives visitation, excites the intellect and creates revenue for our region and the province."
 
The Chamber also fully supports a more inclusive narrative about our province that shares the story of Indigenous people as well as all of the diverse communities that make up the fabric of who we are today.
 
Construction continues on a new Collections and Research Building in Colwood. It will house museum artifacts once completed.

Greater Victoria will be the first region in BC to benefit from access to TELUS premium 5G spectrum. The company announced Friday it was rolling out the high-speed network in select cities across Canada.
 
“The deployment of our 3500 MHz spectrum is an important step to unlocking the potential of 5G, particularly as it fuels innovation across different industries," Tony Geheran, Executive Vice-President and Chief Operations Officer at TELUS said in a news release. "We believe that Canada should follow international best practices to ensure enough spectrum is available as quickly and affordably as possible so that all Canadians have access to the social, environmental and economic benefits that 5G brings, which is why we continue to advocate for responsible, strategic and predictable regulatory policy as a critical opportunity to drive timely and ubiquitous availability of 5G.”

Greater Victoria lost a stalwart of our tourism industry with the passing last week of Black Ball Ferry Line co-owner Ryan Malane. He was 48-years-old.
 
Malane was highly regarded as a marketer, and played a pivotal role in helping the company steer through the pandemic and re-launch its iconic Coho ferry last fall.
 
"The Chamber extends our condolences to all of Ryan's family and friends, as well as everyone who worked with him," Chamber CEO Bruce Williams said. "I saw firsthand the value of the MV Coho as part of the ceremony marking its return to service. It's part of the fabric of our region and Ryan will always be a part of that."
 
A memorial will be held in mid-July in Port Angeles.

An initiative that started in the City of Victoria, was supported by business and took root across Greater Victoria is moving to the national stage. As of the end of this year, the federal government is banning the production or importation of single-use plastic bags, straws, stir sticks containers and other items that clog up landfills and contaminate natural ecosystems.
 
The Chamber worked closely with local governments on the initial regulations to ensure government followed innovations already being introduced by business. This helped the implementation unfold smoothly as the rules were a response to public demand as identified by businesses, ensuring success. The best way to address the seriousness of climate change is by supporting innovations led by business.

As Chair of the Council of the Federation, BC Premier John Horgan will host his counterparts from across the country in Victoria on July 11-12.
 
Premiers from every province and territory in Canada are expected to debate in style at the Fairmont Empress. The premiers will discuss national issues, including a call for the federal government to increase health care funding.
 
“Canada’s public health-care system began as a 50/50 partnership, but the federal government’s contribution has shrunk to just 22%," Horgan said in a news release. "This is not sustainable for our health-care system and we cannot afford to wait. Today, I renew my call to the federal government to provide their fair share and cover 35% of the costs."
 


Digital platforms allowing people to book short-term rental accommodation have been one of the disruptive innovations that will define the past decade.
 
As with many technological changes, there are pros and cons, including a loss of long-term rental housing for locals and unfair competition for traditional accommodation providers.
 
The Chamber advocates for Fair Rules for new and established businesses and supports new initiatives to level the playing field. One proposal is to require companies promoting short-term rentals to share information with local governments. This would help municipalities track and ensure all businesses providing accommodation are licensed.

A notable increase in full-time work helped drive job numbers for May, Statistics Canada said. The figures also show that absences from work due to illness or disability are back to pre-pandemic levels. Statistics Canada also said that wages grew by 3.9% ($1.18) in May compared to the same month last year.
 
Though work still needs to be done to close the gender wage gap, salaries among women have grown by 17.8% since January 2018, compared to 14.9% for men. Students are also experiencing higher wages, with average hourly wages up 5.7% year over year.
 
Other trends include one in five Canadians working exclusively from home, the same as the previous month, while slightly more (6.3%, up 0.5%) employees reported splitting time between home and office.
 
Greater Victoria had an unemployment rate of 4% in May, down from 4.4% in April.

A renewed call to protect the Island Rail Corridor is being made to the Capital Regional District today, June 15.
 
The Town of View Royal voted last week to ask the provincial and federal governments to commit to maintaining the corridor. In a 2021 ruling, the BC Court of Appeal gave the federal government until March 2023 to clarify its intentions for the future of the corridor. The Island Corridor Foundation has released a business case for restoring rail service. All that's needed is the political will to make it happen.
 
“We want to bring real focus to this problem that we need to solve, and we need the upper levels of government to solve it with us,” View Royal Mayor David Screech told the Goldstream News Gazette.

More than one billion Interac e-transfers were conducted by Canadians between April 2021 and April 2022, setting a new milestone, the company said.
 
It's the first time that number was reached in the 20 years the service has existed. Almost 90% of Canadians have sent cash by e-transfer, sharing $338 billion over the 12 month period. The numbers are from a recent survey by Interac about how different demographics are using the service.
 
“Each generation is navigating the changing economic conditions, and we see the rising trend in Canadians, especially younger ones, using their own money for the simple joys of shared experiences with friends and family,” Interac spokesperson William Keliehor said in a statement.

Starting June 20, travellers will no longer be required to show proof of vaccination when boarding a plane or train in Canada. Federally regulated workers will also no longer need to reveal their vaccination status.
 
The federal government has opted to suspend the requirements, which could be reinstated if the COVID-19 situation changes.
 
The change does not affect the steps that need to be taken by Canadians returning from international travel. As well, travelling to other countries requires following their entry rules, including proof of vaccination to enter the US.
 
Federal vaccine mandates for travel were put in place on Oct. 30, 2021.
 
Meanwhile, long lineups continue at Service Canada centres caused by people seeking to renew their passport. An additional 600 workers were hired this month to help alleviate the backlog as passport applications jumped.
 
The federal government expects as many as 4.3 million applications over the next two years. Almost 1.3 million passports applications were processed between April 1, 2021, and March 31, 2022. That compares to 363,000 the previous year.