News Impacting Southern Vancouver Island Business
VICTORIA
Jacob Burnley
Jacob Burnley has recently joined the BC Transit planning team in Victoria.
Michael Pickup, who served as the Auditor General of British Columbia for four years, announced his retirement effective on November 15.
Emerald Eye Care Optometry is looking to hire an Assistant Manager/ Optometric Assistant.
Benjamin’s Cafe Victoria, located at 614B Grenville Avenue, Esquimalt, is celebrating a one-year anniversary and offering clients a special deal from August 2–4.
Vancouver-based investment firm Odlum Brown is pleased to announce the appointment of Debra Doucette to the role of Executive Chair. Doucette has been with Odlum Brown since 1991 and served as President and CEO for the past 17 years. In her new role, she follows immediate past board Chair Andy Eisenbock. Doucette was honoured with the Order of British Columbia in 2021 for her community leadership and her vision, passion and dedication as a business leader. In addition, longtime Odlum Brown Portfolio Manager Trevor Short takes over the role of President from Doucette. Short was a Vice President of Odlum Brown and has earned the Canadian Investment Manager (CIM) designation along with the highest designation granted from the Canadian Securities Institute, the Fellow of the Canadian Securities Institute (FCSI®).
Rent it Furnished Realty‘s bank accounts and license have been frozen by the B.C. Financial Services Authority (BCFSA) to protect tenants and landlords of 350 B.C. properties.
The new employment program initiative, which will be administered by community services in Victoria, Vancouver’s downtown eastside, Surrey, Prince George, and Nanaimo, has received nearly $4 million from the province.
In April and May 25, United Way Southern Vancouver Island (UWSVI) held its annual Period Promise campaign, which raised over $25,000 and received 91,700 contributions of menstrual products.
Hotel Grand Pacific has achieved Biosphere Certification.
On July 31, the downtown location of Victoria’s first Chipotle will open at 1070 Douglas St.
The nine-property B.C. hospitality chain’s main property, Hotel Zed Victoria, has finished a $6 million renovation to mark its 10th anniversary.
The Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce welcomes its newest Chamber members: Funding For Life Society, Block Kitchen and Bar, District of Sooke and Gideon Plumbing Ltd.
Since most BC communities have updated their ordinances to permit small-scale multi-unit housing, 90 per cent of BC municipalities currently permit this type of housing.
The Drake Eatery is excited to announce the return of the Thirsty Chef festival, in collaboration with Craft Beer Parlour, as they celebrate their 10th anniversary.
The downtown Victoria doughnut bakery Frickin’ Delights Donuts, which was well-known for its unusual flavours and vegan selection, has announced that July 31, 2024, will mark the end of its business operations.
As the wine sector struggles with persistent climate-related issues and vine damage, the province has announced new regulations that would allow wines to be created with grapes and juice from outside the province for the 2024 vintage year. These provisions will go into effect on April 1, 2025, and expire on March 31, 2026.
Dr. Tim Green
Tim Green, the Canada research chair in shellfish health and genomics at Vancouver Island University, is collaborating with researchers Chris Pearce and Clara Mackenzie from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. Their objective is to selectively breed oysters that can withstand elevated levels of ocean acidification and to identify the specific genomes that contribute to the species’ ability to survive under these conditions.
Victoria’s Bug Zoo unionized in 2022 and has since secured its inaugural collective agreement, which has resulted in improved compensation and working conditions for its employees. MoveUP, their union, was able to secure a pay increase from the BC minimum wage of $17.40 per hour to $21 per hour as a result of this collective agreement.
Chief Abraham Pelkey, Coun. John Etzel Sr., marine use planner Laís Chaves, and fisheries manager Chrissy Chen, delegates from Tsawout First Nation, will be discussing two important subjects related to food sovereignty and Indigenous protected areas at the upcoming International Marine Conservation Congress in Cape Town, South Africa.
The 2024 Langford Job Fair will be held at the Langford Legion, 761 Station Ave., on September 26th.
Early bird discounts of 15 per cent are currently available on tickets for Island FanCon 2025 until August 15th.
Roll Right Skating Club has unveiled the new Learn to Roll Right Advanced Plus curriculum.
Lustre Of Pearl, located at 3031 Merchant Way, Langford, is currently looking to hire a new lash tech.
Robert Baird, a financial consultant, is currently in search of a woman from Saanich who was employed by TELUS 13 years ago and assisted him in the establishment of his business.
WildFire Whisky, a new product from Best Coast Distillers on the Saanich Peninsula, will benefit charities like the Victoria Firefighters Charitable Foundation with a share of sales.
The Spay and Neuter Cruiser Veterinary Clinic will host an open house from August 3rd to 10th.
The District of Sooke has announced that the Wadams Way Library is now open to the public as a cooling centre and a place of respite from the poor air quality.
The Capital Regional District‘s Sooke and Electoral Area Parks and Recreation Commission (SEAPARC) is seeking community input on the 2025-2035 strategic plan. This new strategy plan will help the Commission decide on SEAPARC’s future recreation services.
Cameron Rose Gifts celebrates 20 years in business.
The Sidney event for Euphoria Dance Competition in 2025 has completely sold out.
The Langford City Hall, located at 77 Goldstream Avenue, has reopened.
The 37-year-old Langford music store Alloy Music was recently acquired by its longtime employee Geoff Round from founder Tim Boorman, following his retirement.
Colwood Hearing is now located at 310 Goldstream Avenue.
The Victoria Public Market is hosting the South Island FarmHub‘s pop up market from 11:30am to 2pm on July 31 and August 28. The Public Market is also a new pick up spot for your South Island FarmHub online orders. Shop farm fresh goodies online, and pick up your orders on Wednesdays!
@originalphoeatery just opened up in the heart of downtown Victoria at 807 Fort Street.
The Esquimalt Chamber of Commerce is hosting an August mixer at the Esquimalt Roasting Company on August 7, 2024, 5:30PM-7:00PM.
