News Impacting Southern Vancouver Island Business
VICTORIA
Bruce Williams
The Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce‘s chief executive, Bruce Williams, has announced that he will leave his role next year when his contract expires.
Cascadia Seaweed closed an initial $4M Series A for their seaweed-based fertilizers and feed.
Genie Senior Services has expanded its reach to Victoria and all of Vancouver Island, through Franchise Partners Laura Adams and Tobin Adams.
Daniel Lapp’s Home for Christmas, presented by The Victoria Conservatory of Music, is returning to Victoria’s Royal Theatre for a special holiday celebration in its second year. This toe-tapping and joy-filled Christmas tradition, conducted by the renowned music artist, teacher, and local impresario, is set to return for two special concerts this December 18 and 19. Tickets are now available for purchase.
The Victoria Hospitality Award, given by Destination Greater Victoria to Days Inn – Victoria on the Harbour, recognizes the outstanding work of two team members, Lynn Jordan and Eshu Karwal.
Michael Schalke, a highly regarded employment lawyer, has joinedRoper Greyell LLP in Vancouver as its newest Partner. Michael will keep up his practice of workplace law at Roper Greyell, where he has served clients in a wide variety of industries, such as the energy, food service, technology, entertainment, and natural resources sectors.
Proline Management Ltd is sponsoring the Victoria Royals game on Friday, December 13th in support of CFAX Santas Anonymous. Come to the game and bring a toy to stuff the Proline car with gifts for local children!
Joan Yates
Joan Yates has been appointed as the new Chair of the Victoria Hospitals Foundation Board of Directors. The Foundation bid farewell to its former Board Chair, Donnie Wing, and board members Tom Siemen and Emilie de Rosenroll. It also welcomed new Board members Jas Dusanj, Anup Grewal, Kendall Gross, Ryan O’Grady, and Cynthia Smith.
The Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce is moving into its new office at C201- 633 Courtney St., in January 2025.
Lindt Chocolate store, known officially as Chocoladefabriken Lindt & Sprüngli AG, has opened at Mayfair Shopping Centre in Victoria.
The Victoria office of the Vancouver Island Construction Association will be closed on December 2–3 for its relocation to #211-611 Discovery St.
Open Ocean Robotics, which recently celebrated its 6th anniversary, won second prize in Singapore’s PIER71™ Smart Port Challenge.
Brett Armstrong has been appointed by Avison Youngas the new Managing Director in Vancouver, with effect from December 2. With a focus on business expansion and expanding market share across the city and province, Armstrong will concentrate on carrying out the company’s primary strategic business plan.
Ilya Sharikov
Open Ocean Robotics has announced the appointment of Ilya Sharikov as a Mechanical Engineer in a permanent role.
The COAST (Centre for Ocean Applied Sustainable Technologies) welcomes its newest members, MarineLabs, Rainhouse Manufacturing Canada Ltd., and Port Alberni Port Authority.
BC Transit is set to expand its service by introducing early morning and late evening buses to accommodate additional BC Ferries sailings for the Taylor Swift concerts.
The pre-sale for Marlowe, an under-construction project by Tri-Eagle Development and Cadillac Homes, has started selling its inventory of 58 townhouses and condominiums with one to three bedrooms located along Tyndall Avenue north of Feltham Road.
The most recent Multiple Listings Service purchase data from the Victoria Real Estate Board shows that real estate sales in the first eleven months of 2024 have already exceeded the 12-month total from 2023. This can be attributed to the fact that reduced interest rates are driving value in Victoria’s price-plateaued market.
Chard Development is proud to announce that Nest, its newest condo tower in Victoria, is now complete after three years of construction. Nest is a 107-suite market highrise with retail space on the ground floor along the 1100 block of Yates Street at Cook Street.
In recognition of International Day of Persons with Disabilities this coming Tuesday December 3rd, the Rick Hansen Foundation is pleased to host a FREE virtual panel titled ‘The Power of Inclusive Decision Making” featuring five esteemed advocates and allies with varying lived experience as well as expertise in disability inclusion.
Iris, a chain specializing in eyewear and eye care, is set to close its Victoria store while keeping operations at its Sidney and Langford locations.
The closure of Crystal Pool, originally set for mid-November, has now been extended until December 30th. The pool is set to reopen on December 31st.
The District of Oak Bay Mayor and Council approved Carolynn Wilson Architect Ltd.’s HRA Application at 1318 Transit Road for the third, fourth, and final reading.
Donations to the It’s Time for Surgical Innovation campaign between December 3 and 20 will be matched by Terry and Leslie Farmer up to $250,000.
Applications for the Youth Resilience Grants program are currently being accepted by Island Health and the Pacific Public Health Foundation (PPHF).
BC Transit will park a double decker outside Save-on-Foods at Tillicum Centre on Dec. 7 for the public to help Stuff the Bus with non-perishable food, toys, and clothing for needy families.
A public hearing was approved by council on Monday (Nov. 25) by a vote of 5-2 in response to Aryze Developments‘ updated application for the five properties located at 7551 East Saanich Rd. and 1934 – 1966 Hovey Rd.
The South Island Disc Golf Society has entered into a License Agreement with the District of Saanich to upgrade and maintain the disc golf course at Layritz Park.
Tourism Vancouver Island was presented with the 2024 Climate Action Award.
The District of Saanich launched a pilot project with Habitat Acquisition Trust that will help residents in specific geographic areas boost local biodiversity.
The District of Saanich is collaborating with Project Zero to provide Saanich businesses the opportunity to participate in the Circular Economy Accelerator Program.
The rezoning of the Nellie McClung Library site has been received by the Saanich council. This means that the current building can be replaced with a new 18-story complex that has over 200 affordable rental flats and a new library.
The District of Sooke has decided not to adopt the provincial government’s Bill 44, which aimed to boost housing availability by densifying current residential zones.
Sooke Oceanside Brewery recently celebrated its 8th anniversary.
Gadget Tree Tech Services is having a month long anniversary sale.
Bad Dog Brewing Company is celebrating its 7th anniversary on December 7th.
Scotty Manufaturing Ltd. has received the 2024 Lieutenant Governor’s award for Maritime Achievement.
Blue’s Bayou Cafe, owned by Blue Benoit in Brentwood Bay, will be closing on December 21.
Brentwood Bay’s Cafe Zanzibar is closing its doors on December 31 after 24 years in business.
Code Ninjas Westshore located at 890 Goldstream Ave, Langford, announced the inclusion of typing practice to each coding session.
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