GREATER VICTORIA – We live in a large province with over 4.6 million people, yet we may overlook how key Greater Victoria is to BC As BC’s second largest metropolitan area with an estimated Gross Domestic Product of $15 billion, what affects our region also affects communities throughout the province.
For many years, the Chamber has been concerned about fragmentation in the Capital Region District. We feel that municipal services can be delivered in a more efficient and cost-effective way, which would help draw in foreign investment as well as attract and retain a skilled workforce. As it previously promised, we expect the BC government to commission and adequately resource an independent study on local governance within Greater Victoria to maximize efficiencies and encourage our region’s competitiveness.
BC Ferries has made considerable progress in measures such as rationalizing routes and adopting alternate fuels. Although its routes were slightly more profitable in 2015, the major routes still operate at a profit, while the minor and northern routes continue to operate at a loss. We believe this puts BC Ferries in an untenable position, leaving them little choice but to further increase fares. We look to the Province to increase the subsidy to northern and minor routes for the system to be sustainable and ferry travel to be affordable.
The Belleville International Terminal is a key international gateway, helping to link BC to external markets, with an estimated economic impact of $180 million a year. Last May, the BC Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure announced $17.4 million investment to Belleville Terminal, mostly relating to critical marine infrastructure improvements. The Chamber is pleased with this investment, but is concerned about the lack of information about upgrades to the terminal itself. We count on the BC government to secure the funds necessary to upgrade the common use terminal as befitting one of BC’s gateways and a key driver of the region’s economy.
An efficient transportation system is key to local economic prosperity as well as the island’s economy. With our 13 municipalities and the Capital Regional District – and highways running between and through some municipal areas – we need a regionalized approach to ensure the smooth flow of goods and services throughout the region. Last July, Canada’s Minister of State and Member of Parliament for Vancouver Island North and BC Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure announced $85-million in federal-provincial funding to improve the McKenzie Avenue Interchange. We are pleased to see such commitment to transportation infrastructure. We look to the Province to lead long-term strategic transportation planning across all levels of government as well as secure long-term, stable funding for transportation infrastructure improvements to meet the needs of the Vancouver Island economy.
As the voice of Greater Victoria’s business community, we will continue our work with the Province on areas that affect our region, to help create the vibrant community we need and a capital city that British Columbians can continue to take pride in now and in the future.
– Bruce Carter is CEO of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce. He can be reached at 250.383.7191 or bcarter@victoriachamber.ca www.victoriachamber.ca.
October Chamber Events
- Thursday, October 1st | Victoria Virtual Candidate Forum | noon to 1 pm | The Chamber, 852 Fort St.
- Thursday, October 8 | Prodigy Group October Mingle | 5 pm-7 pm | Pizzeria Prima Strada, 2960 Bridge St.
- Thursday, October 15 | Fall Marketplace Mixer | 4 pm-7 pm | Bay St. Armoury, 713 Bay St.
- Tuesday, October 20 | Small Business Week Seminar: Financial Management for Small Business | 10 am-noon | The Chamber, 852 Fort St.
- Tuesday, October 20 | Small Business Week Seminar: Networking for Success | 2 pm-4 pm | The Chamber, 852 Fort St.
- Wednesday, October 21 | Small Business Week Members Breakfast | 7:30 am-9 am | Carlton House of Oak Bay, 2080 Oak Bay Ave.
