News impacting Southern Vancouver Island business
Nathan Bird
VICTORIA – Malahat SkyWalk, Vancouver Island’s award-winning and internationally renowned tourism experience, is pleased to announce the appointment of Nathan Bird to the role of General Manager. As a highly recognized industry leader, Nathan brings decades of tourism experience and a proven track record for success. In his new role, he will be responsible for the company’s overall strategic direction and the seamless operations of its day-to-day business. Nathan will also play a vital part in strengthening the company’s position as a leading BC attraction.
Matt McLean has recently been hired as a Community Developer at Island Health – Vancouver Island Health Authority.
Peter Cowan has been named the next chief executive officer and president of Innovate BC. Tomica Divic, who has been Innovate BC’s interim president and CEO for the last eight months, will now be the VP of operations, and Cowan will take over from her on February 5.
Dan Levitt, the head of a non-profit long-term care facility and an adjunct professor of gerontology at Simon Fraser University, was appointed as the province’s new seniors advocate.
Ryan Steele has been hired as Infrastructure Administrator for the City of Victoria.
Hon. Dr. Marion Buller, C.M., a member of the Mistawasis Nehiyawak, a Cree First Nation in Saskatchewan, has recently joined MT+Co. as a lawyer and legal elder.
Paige Wallace has recently taken on a new role as Program Staff & Mental Health Worker at Connections Place.
Polly Storey
Polly Storey, a partner at Clark Wilson LLP, specializing in Estates & Trusts, Elder Law, and Estates & Trusts Opinions and Appeals, has been appointed to the Board of Directors of the Continuing Legal Education Society of BC.
Paul Nursey celebrates his 10-year anniversary with Destination Greater Victoria.
Verity Construction is celebrating 20 years in business.
Dialog secures contract to oversee Victoria’s Centennial Square renovation.
Bombardier, which is collaborating with the Centre for Aerospace Research at the University of Victoria to develop the EcoJet aerodynamic prototype, unveiled the second phase of the aircraft’s emission reduction efforts.
The Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce welcomes its new members, The Doughnut Vault, The ReLove Market, Serena’s Pizzeria & Hoagies, Marigold Law Group, The Athlete Centre, and Wheely Clean Mobile Dental.
Floyd’s Diner is set to expand once more, with a new location in the Burnside Gorge neighbourhood. The new location is located at the Vic Hotel, previously known as the Travelodge and Ramada hotels on Gorge Road East.
Supplement King, a Canadian retailer specializing in performance nutrition products, announced Saturday, February 3, 2024 as the grand opening date for its one-hundredth retail location. This store, located in Langford, will be the twenty-first of its kind in the province to provide health and fitness enthusiasts with an extensive selection of nutritional supplements and products.
The Greater Victoria 2030 District invites commercial property owners and managers to an open house on February 21st 10am-noon. They are recruiting new members to join this network that provides support in making buildings more efficient and resilient to our changing climate. Register here
An increase of $4.6 million, or 6.86%, is proposed in the 2024 budget for the Victoria and Esquimalt Police Board, bringing the total budget for police services to $72.1 million.
In support of Victoria’s first Hot Chocolate Festival, the Fairmont Empress will be serving Clifford’s Hot Cocoa on the Veranda from now until February 18th. Vic Community Animal Centre, a branch of the British Columbia SPCA, will receive $1 from every purchase of Hot Cocoa.
The provincial government has allocated twenty beds for women to the New Roads Therapeutic Recovery Community in View Royal, operated by Our Place Society. The funding is the result of a three-year, $73 million investment to expand access to free recovery services and treatment for individuals with addiction.
After more than 15 years of planning, the Roundhouse project in Vic West finally has the green light from the Victoria Council to rezone and amend the official community plan which gives proponent Focus Equities the green light to construct nine buildings at 251 Esquimalt Rd., 210 Kimta Rd., and 355 Catherine St., with heights ranging from 10 to 32 stories, and promises 1,870 residential units and commercial space.
John Wilson
Head of Wilson’s Group of Companies and former chair of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce, John Wilson, and General Manager and owner of Max Furniture, Rahim Khudabux, will host the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce’s Networking 101 on January 30th at the Victoria chamber’s office.
Commercial building managers and owners in Greater Victoria are invited to an open house to provide building owners and managers with information on creating resilient and efficient buildings, hosted by the Greater Victoria 2030 District on February 21, 2024.
Registration and sponsorships are open for the Conference and Trade Show at the Inn at Laurel Point in Victoria, on September 5-6, 2024.
The Starfish Canada announced its first Youth Environmental Changemakers Summit scheduled on March 27-31 in Squamish.
The Career Learning and Development team at Royal Roads University will host Employer Connect: From Jobs to Careers on the Grant Quarterdeck and online on February 29.
The University of Victoria‘s National Centre for Indigenous Laws has been awarded the 2023 Canadian Architect Award of Excellence.
Kenmore Air will begin operating a new seaplane route that will link Victoria’s Inner Harbour with San Juan Island’s Friday Harbour this spring.
Professional event planners at PVEvents are behind the successful Victoria Woman’s Expo on March 2-3 and the Pet Expo on May 4-5. Click links for more information.
Pacific Opera Victoria presents Ainadamar by Osvaldo Golijov at Victoria’s Royal Theatre beginning on February 21 for four performances: February 21, 23, and 27 at 7:30 pm; and February 25 at 2:30 pm. Ainadamar is led by Pacific Opera’s Principal Conductor, Giuseppe (Joey) Pietraroia.
The BC Tourism Sustainability Network offers tourism operators personalized support and resources regardless of sustainability expertise. The program pairs each business with an experienced advisor to guide its sustainability journey and will carefully assess the organization’s needs. Thus, businesses receive a customized sustainability roadmap with resource guides, videos, workshops, audits, and funding information.
The BC Tourism Climate Resiliency Initiative will accept Project Two: Micro-Grants to Support Sustainability and Climate Adaptation Plan Implementation applications starting January 29, 2024. Tourism businesses and non-profit organizations eligible under the Program Guidelines can receive micro-grant funding of up to $15,000 to implement a project or obtain a sustainability certification in this second project stream. Two new projects, Project Three and Project Four, are set to launch later this year. Project Three focuses on sustainability and climate adaptation data framework, while Project Four aims to promote community destination stewardship.
The Government of Canada remains committed to providing ongoing support to small businesses, enabling them to contribute to the strength and resilience of our communities through the provision of essential goods and services. Find out which Government Grants are available to small businesses here.
The WestShore Chamber of Commerce welcomes its new members: Supplement King, The Crazy Cookie House, Synchronized Agency Inc., Beautifully Inclusive, Peninsula Computer Solutions Inc., No Panic Mechanic, Easter Seals BC/Yukon, Fortis BC, and Ausca Dental.
Parminder Virk and Tim Cormode have been recognized as Outstanding Citizens as recipients of BC’s 2023 Medal of Good Citizenship.
3C Yacht Services is pleased to announce Dawson Murphy, RSE, as its newest business partner.
Saanich Council has approved a tax policy amendment that will allocate revenue from new construction and renovation projects towards supporting the necessary resources and staff for development.
Macaloney Brewers & Distillers Ltd. won gold medal at the 2024 Canadian Whisky Awards, during the Victoria Wine Festival.
Nickel Bros. lists the Oak Bay Doll House for $125,200, which includes delivery and installation.
Starlight Developments is currently seeking approvals for a new rental housing project in Central Saanich’s Saanichton area. The project will consist of 143 units and will be located along the 7800-block of Lochside Drive at Mount Newton Cross Road.
LIDA Construction is supporting Our Place Society by collecting gently used clothing items until February 15th. Please drop off items at 6105 Patricia Bay Hwy in Saanich.
The mayors of Sooke and Nanaimo, Maja Tait and Leonard Krog, respectively, have voiced their backing for the plan proposed by B.C. Solicitor General Mike Farnworth to explore the potential expansion of the Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime unit to all communities on the Island.
The Texas-based firm Recurrent Energy is planning to build a solar power plant close to Sooke. By 2027, it hopes to have generated enough energy to power over 20,000 homes.
The City of Colwood, Pure Pharmacy, and Aroga Lifestyle Medicine are considering opening a medical clinic in Royal Bay’s newly built Commons to address the community’s physician shortage.
Auxilium Mortgage Corporation has been awarded a Certificate of Excellence 2024 by Three Best Rated and is named the 2023 President’s Gold Club Award winner.
Nails By Loi, located at 106-9763 Fourth St., Sidney, celebrated its grand opening on Saturday, January 27th.
A 60-unit apartment building with four stories will be constructed at 2060 White Birch Road, according to plans approved by Sidney Council.
Taco Shell has been awarded Favourite Mexican Restaurant by the Peninsula’s Choice for Restaurants & Food.
