BRUCE WILLIAMS
VICTORIA – As the voice of business in British Columbia’s capital city, the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce has always fostered close relationships with the people making decisions in the provincial legislature. Back in 1863, we worked to support our region’s financial, shipping and cultural industries. While the challenges have evolved over time, our commitment to fostering a strong local economy has remained constant and our focus continues to be on building good business in Greater Victoria.
We have always had a good relationship with our elected leaders and that continues through initiatives such as our tradition of hosting the B.C. Finance Minister the day after the provincial budget is unveiled. This year, we are hosting a breakfast with the Hon. Brenda Bailey on March 5, the morning after the 2025 B.C. Budget is made public.
We’ll be paying close attention to key areas that impact businesses and our broader community — investments that benefit all British Columbians by allowing the private sector to thrive. We know we need a better approach to mental health and addiction treatment to keep our communities safe. We need to unburden our builders so the construction industry can add desperately needed homes. We want to see more of a focus on regional transportation planning. And we want to see real steps taken to spur growth by reducing interprovincial trade barriers and making it easier for professionals to have their credentials recognized so they can work here.
Beyond the budget, another pressing issue on the minds of business owners is the looming uncertainty around U.S. tariffs. This has been a dark cloud hanging over so many of us. Recently, I wrote a message to our members reminding them of the services we offer to help them through challenges. If there’s any silver lining to the uncertainty ahead, it’s that we know from recent experience that we are resilient.
Our fundamentals are strong — as a region, as a business community and as an organization. The key is remembering what we can control and what we can’t. While we focus on provincial investments, we also recognize the broader global forces shaping our economic landscape. The term polycrisis has become popular to explain this state of affairs as we experience sweeping political and social change, rapid technological advancements and ongoing climate emergencies.
The barrage of headlines can feel overwhelming, but we can take heart in the report from the Canadian Chamber’s Business Data Lab that found Greater Victoria’s economy is among the best protected in the country. Much of that strength comes from being leaders in championing diversity.
Our tourism, tech and civil society sectors are powerful. Our public sector has evolved in symbiosis with a thriving private sector. More recently, we have seen how championing inclusion has fortified our labour force and added creativity to our enterprises. These are pragmatic solutions representing the reality of who we are as a community. Let’s not forget that.
Taken together, our commitment to building a sustainable and resilient economy has helped us through every crisis we’ve faced in the past. And I know — when the present eventually becomes the past — we will be grateful for the strong foundation that all of us have helped build.
Just as we have since 1863, let’s carry on doing our best work, stay focused on what we can accomplish and hold on to the values that make our community the envy of the world.
Chamber Events and Connections
March 5 | Budget 2025 – A Conversation with BC’s Finance Minister | 8:00am – 9:30am | Hotel Grand Pacific
March 12 | March Emerge Connector @ Société francophone de Victoria with Société de développement économique de la C.B. | 5:00pm – 7:00pm | La Société francophone de Victoria
March 13 | Business Leaders Series: Captain(N) Kevin Whiteside, Base Commander CFB Esquimalt | 3:30pm – 5:00pm | CFB Esquimalt Wardroom
March 20 | March Business Mixer @ Chinook Business Advisory | 5:00pm – 7:00pm | Chinook Business Advisory
Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce
