Today is International Women’s Day, and The Chamber is proud to #EmbraceEquity.

Join us in celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women in Greater Victoria and all around the world! Learn more about influential women in history and organizations helping women succeed in our 1863 Web Project. #IWD2023

Destination Greater Victoria’s Paul Nursey, left, on the lawn of the Empress with Colwood Councillor Dave Grove, Fairmont Empress’s Victoria Dyson and Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce’s Bruce Williams.

The Pacific Ocean wields immense influence over the weather, regulating Greater Victoria’s famous mild climate and warming the air deep into Central Canada. It’s why our region is typically the first in the country to experience the signs of spring. The phenomenon gave rise 48 years ago to a tradition that continues to this day.

The 2023 Greater Victoria Flower Count — which officially begins today — kicked off on Monday with speeches on the immaculate front lawns of the Fairmont Empress Hotel.

Flower Count only lasts one week: March 8 - 15, so we invite you to get involved!

Count your blooms to make sure your municipality becomes this year's Best Bloomin' Community, and enter our social media contest and #humblebrag with a pic of local flowers. You may even win Afternoon Tea for two at the Fairmont Empress! See below for more information.

The event was well attended by local media. You can read their coverage here:

As expected, the Bank of Canada held off on changing its target interest rate. The move signals that efforts to curb inflation are working. The forecast is for inflation to keep falling and reach 3% by summer. Statistics Canada will provided its next update on the Consumer Price Index on March 21.

Seeing tiny buds turn to bright blossoms is a sure sign of spring. Another, at least in Greater Victoria, is the growing buzz around the region's real estate. Sales in February were up 65.5% from the month before — though still down from February 2022.

"The market is seeing some positive growth as we move into springtime, which is traditionally the busiest market for home sales," Victoria Real Estate Board Chair Graden Sol said in a media release. "Inventory levels are starting to increase, a welcome trend when compared to the record lows of last year. We're also seeing a stabilization at some price points and properties that are priced in accordance with current market conditions are selling at a good pace."

There were 1,809 active MLS listings for sale in Greater Victoria at the end of February. That's up from 849 for the same period in 2022. The benchmark value of a single family home was $1.25 million in February, down from $1.32 million in February 2022. Benchmark value for a condo dropped from $580,900 to $568,200.

That said, compromise is unavoidable if we want to make progress as a region on this extremely complex issue. Parking has been in the news recently as the City of Victoria looks to raise revenue to cover rising expenses. One idea council is considering is to expand the hours that drivers are required to pay for street parking.

Another recent story involving parking involves plans by Merchant House Capital to build a 12-storey tower with 160 rental units on Douglas Street where the heritage Victoria Press Building (former home of the Times Colonist) is located. Currently, the plans state that no parking will be provided for the rental units. The proposal will go to the neighbourhood community at a meeting on March 20 before a formal proposal is submitted for municipal approval.

Meanwhile, another important project that could add 1,500 much-needed homes in downtown Victoria has taken an unexpected turn. The duly considered proposal by Starlight Investments for Harris Green has passed third reading but now has additional amendments to parking requirements that need to be addressed before the plan is adopted.

"I know that Victoria city council has agreed that housing supply is a top priority for residents of the entire region, of which downtown is an important part of," Chamber CEO Bruce Williams said. "And we know that part of the attraction of living downtown is its proximity to the many services and experiences in neighbouring municipalities. It's one thing to walk or cycle to work on weekdays, but many people use their weekends to shop outside the city proper, or to visit forests and beaches that are a short car ride away."

Regardless of personal opinions about parking, the fact is we continue to require it — for residents, delivery drivers and commuters. Parents need vehicles to transport kids from care and school to sports and activities. Seniors and others with mobility issues use vehicles to get from point to point, and often require parking close to their destination.

With the adoption of zero emission standards and accelerating shift to electric vehicles, opinions about the future of driving are shifting. Care needs to be taken before we lose a resource that is vital to commerce, and that will be essentially impossible to get back when it's gone.

The Provincial Budget for 2023 was only recently announced but consultation for the 2024 is already underway. The Chamber has asked to meet in-person with the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services, as we do every year.

Public hearings are anticipated to take place in late May and June. Chamber members with questions or comments on next year's budget are encouraged to share with our team at communications@victoriachamber.ca.

Almost everyone enjoys having the sun stick around a little longer in the evening. However, the switch to Daylight Savings Time this Sunday also creates challenges for many employers dealing with tired staff adjusting to the shift in routine.

WorkSafeBC issued a reminder that the change can create real risks for workers who drive for a living.

“Fatigue is a type of impairment that reduces mental and physical performance,” Road Safety at Work program director Trace Acres said, noting people who drive for work could be more at risk of crashing as body clocks take time to catch up with alarm clocks. “Research shows (fatigue) is a contributing factor in about 20% of crashes.”

The Chamber has advocated for an end to shifting clocks and helped convince the provincial government to survey British Columbians. The result showed 93% support for stopping the twice-annual time change. To avoid cross-border confusion, BC has said it's now waiting for the Pacific US states to get federal approval to also put a permanent end to the switch.

Sponsored by: FortisBC

The Chamber is committed to Indigenous reconciliation. We’re proud to feature new Indigenous members, including Metis Medical Inc!

Metis Medical Inc currently supplies aboriginal communities, First Nation Reserves, and Non-profit sectors with PPE essentials such as surgical disposable masks, face shields, gloves and naloxone kits. As one of the only aboriginal medical supply companies local to Greater Victoria, they work to extend their reach to other aboriginal sectors to advance economic reconciliation.

Metis Medical Inc is proud to be a member of The Chamber and contributes to the Emerge Committee.

Stay tuned as we highlight more Indigenous Chamber members — #IndigenousBusinessVicBC

Are you an Indigenous-owned business working in Greater Victoria? Learn more about Chamber membership and opportunities to connect by emailing engagement@victoriachamber.ca

It's time to stop and count the flowers!

The 48th Annual Greater Victoria Flower Count begins today.

With 27,875,292,158 blooms counted last year, Greater Victoria is undoubtedly one of the best places in Canada to view early blooms. By showcasing your Flower Power this year, you have a chance to win incredible prizes:

Flower Count will be hosted from March 8 – March 15, 2023. We’re looking forward to seeing all your photos of beautiful blooms!

Voters in the City of Colwood decided on a change in leadership in last year’s municipal election.

In this Chamber Chat, CEO Bruce Williams speaks with Colwood’s new Mayor Doug Kobayashi about the priorities and plans for the months and years ahead.

City of Colwood: Member since 2020

Special thanks to our series sponsor: Island Savings

Members can post Coupons and Discounts free of charge here.