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.

An investment in seed production will help increase food security across BC, including on Vancouver Island. The province announced Monday that it is looking into adding infrastructure to increase local production of vegetable, grain and plant seeds.

“All seed producers in our area have been struggling to increase our production in order to keep up with increased demand," Saanich Organics' Theresa Heinekey said in the government's news release.

“Many seed producers are smaller, family-run farms that cannot afford their own seed cleaning and packaging equipment, but, by expanding the role of our food hubs to include those services, we can help solve that problem,” Minister of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries Lana Popham said.

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.

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.

Chamber CEO Bruce Williams speaks with Sandra Richardson, CEO of The Victoria Foundation, and Mark Breslauer, CEO of The United Way of Greater Victoria, in this week’s Chamber Chat.

Special thanks to our series sponsor: Island Savings

One of the consequences of the pandemic was that a number of things were put on hold. Among them were restrictions on plastic bags as uncertainty about how COVID-19 spread created concerns around reusable alternatives. With a better understanding of the science, consumers are once again creating a demand for less plastic waste.

On April 15, the City of Victoria is scheduled to bring back a revised bylaw restricting plastic bags. Businesses can pick up a tool kit with posters, till toppers and fact sheets by emailing [email protected].

The District of Saanich is also bringing back restrictions on plastic bags. Saanich council voted on Monday to add the bylaw to its June 15 meeting for final adoption.

The future of housing in the District of Saanich is up for discussion as council is set to receive a report on March 22 with 74 recommendations. Saanich convened a Housing Strategy task force, which met 13 times between September and February.

The report ranks the priority of recommendations in specific areas of focus:

Residents will have an opportunity to provide feedback on the report. The Chamber continues to advocate for housing solutions that make life more affordable for the regional workforce needed for Greater Victoria's economy to thrive.

"The Chamber shares our values of supporting local, and the importance of being sustainable and environmentally friendly. We're proud to be part of this group of community leaders."

Learn more about how these organizations are championing the work of The Chamber.

Although we may still be apart, here are a few tips to make today full of Irish fun.

May your troubles be less and your blessings be more, and nothing but happiness come through your door!