News Impacting Southern Vancouver Island Business
VICTORIA
Rachel Sawchuk
Rachel Sawchuk has been promoted to the position of Marketing Manager at Devon Properties, effective January 1, 2025.
Colin Mahony, PhD, RPF, of Victoria has been named the Forest Professional of the Year, honouring an RPF, RFT, or AFP for recent, outstanding service to forestry and FPBC.
BCI has expanded its Private Equity group into London and has been named one of BC’s Top Employers for the sixth consecutive year.
Transport Canada is committing $22.5 million to implement renewable shore power at Victoria’s cruise ship terminal. The Shore Power Project allows vessels to tap into a clean energy source while docked, leading to a notable decrease in greenhouse gas emissions and enhanced local air quality.
B.C. will implement a 2.6 per cent wage increase for its lowest-paid workers on June 1, 2025, aligning with inflation. The general minimum wage will rise from $17.40 to $17.85 per hour, following changes to the Employment Standards Act in spring 2024.
Twenty local Indigenous cultural humility and safety training programs will receive about $1 million from the province’s Community Emergency and Preparedness Fund (CEPF). First Nations and municipal governments will use this money to ensure that Indigenous people are better included in disaster planning and response.
Monica McAlduff
Monica McAlduff has been named by the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) Board of Directors as the organization’s next CEO, with effect from March 1, 2025.
Charelli’s cheese and catering in Oak Bay, located on the 2800-block of Foul Bay Road, will close its doors on May 24th after 22 years of operation.
BC Ferries is set to introduce the Seascapes Lounge, a paid-access area featuring premium food and beverages, just in time for the 2025 summer travel season.
The Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce welcomes its newest Chamber members, Luxe Luster Box Ltd., The Green Thimble, Clock Builders, and Woodward & Co. Lawyers LLP.
The 39th annual Victoria Spring Home Show is scheduled for February 22 to 24 at the Pearkes Recreation Centre.
As local social service organizations continue to be impacted by financial constraints, Big Brothers Big Sisters is launching their 75 Doors: Unlock Potential fundraiser, a new avenue for area companies to benefit children in need.
The Loy Sing Meat Market, North America’s oldest Chinese business, established in 1889, is now under new ownership. Zhen Zheng and Lanqiu Heu aim to maintain the same recipes, flavours, and traditions.
The Province will submit legislation in spring 2025 to empower the BC Energy Regulator to regulate renewable energy projects including wind and solar for faster permits and stronger regulation. Adrian Dix, Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions, made the announcement in front of successful First Nations and clean-energy partners who signed electricity purchase agreements (EPAs) with BC Hydro, which will generate $5 billion to $6 billion in private capital spending across the province.
Cody Vorra
Cody Vorra, real estate agent with Royal LePage Coast Capital Realty, received the Top Producer Award for January 2025.
Julie Ryning is returning to the Victoria Conservatory of Music as the Development Coordinator of Special Events and Sponsorship.
Starlight Investments announced the completion of Bella Vista, a new two-block, six-storey purpose-built rental community in Central Saanich.
Pacific FC‘s season kicks off on April 5th at Starlight Stadium.
Food vendors set to open at Saanich’s revamped University Heights shopping centre and rental blocks include Chipotle, Kinton Ramen, Dave’s Hot Chicken, Firehouse Subs, Artigiano (coffee shop), Ono Poke, and Opa!
ReImagine West Shore will host its next Repair Café on February 22nd at Gordon United Church in Langford.
Flora & Fauna Farm in West Saanich is temporarily closing its doors, with plans to reopen in mid-March.
Buckerfield’s Langford has announced that mason bees are now available for purchase.
Jaclyn Joan, an independent hairstylist, will soon be working out of Rustic Roots Micro Studio, and will begin accepting new clients on March 1, 2025.
A list of tools for small business owners, entrepreneurs, and community members seeking to participate, mobilize, and develop resilience was produced as part of the district’s Shop Sooke First initiative, which was started to encourage individuals to support the local economy.
Sooke Job Fair is scheduled for March 20th, running from 1:00 to 5:00 pm at the Edward Milne Community School.
The WestShore Chamber announced the kickoff of a multi-year celebration series with The 29+ Party on Friday, March 7, 2025. This event will honour the dedicated service of Executive Director Julie Lawlor, Bookkeeper Bill Stafford from Bear Mountain Accounting, and former President Ingrid Vaughan. The celebration will be held at Olympic View Golf Club.
Habitat Victoria is inviting creative community members to join their charity fundraiser – the Open a Door Art Auction – and share their vision of a brighter future. The canvas will be a repurposed item supplied by Habitat Victoria and chosen from their Habitat For Humanity Victoria – ReStore locations, such as doors, windows, and small furnishings. Each artist is encouraged to create anything they choose with the materials selected. Once complete, these unique pieces will be available for viewing at Mayfair Shopping Centre and showcased online where visitors and art enthusiasts can participate in an online auction to bid to own one of these creations for themselves. All auction proceeds are in support of Habitat Victoria’s work here in the community building strength, stability, and independence for families in need of a safe place to live. The auction will take place Monday, May 12 to Saturday, May 24, 2025.
Sooke’s Shell-turned-Esso gas station in Saseenos is undergoing the transition into a Chevron gas station.
Give Pizza Chance, the premier choice for wood-fired pizza on Mayne Island, which has been in operation for four years, announced expansion of their business to include a second location in Sooke.
The Greater Victoria Harbour Authority announced a step forward in sustainability with up to $22.5 million in federal funding to support electrification at Ogden Point. This investment, part of the Green Shipping Corridor Program, will help establish a green cruise corridor along the Pacific Northwest coast.
Good Decade Fabric + Heirloom Gifts has opened at located at 2449 Beacon Ave.
Abbeyfield Canada is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year.
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