News Impacting Southern Vancouver Island Business
VICTORIA
Allison Bond
Allison Bond, a former deputy minister at the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction, will be taking over as chief executive officer of the Royal BC Museum.
Proline Roofing and Gutters, which recently moved into a new location at 760 Enterprise Crescent, is celebrating 25 years in business.
Picklefest Victoria will be held at Phillips Brewing & Malting Co., on August 15, 2026.
The federal government is providing $300,000 to Canada Soccer to support the expansion of student engagement initiatives throughout the country.
The Victoria Regional Transit System has launched the first two double-decker buses, which will serve key routes linking the Swartz Bay ferry terminal, the University of Victoria, downtown Victoria and the West Shore.
Christina Clarke
Christina Clarke is serving her second, and final, year as Chair of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.
The Victoria city council rejected a 35-story skyscraper proposal for 1520 Blanshard St.
The Canadian Foundation for Innovation has granted $15.2 million in federal funding to University of Victoria researchers to purchase apparatus and instruments that will facilitate research on the deep-sea floor, climate change, and medical imaging.
The Capital Regional Hospital District (CRHD), Capital Region Housing Corporation (CRHC), and the Capital Regional District (CRD) have all approved their budgets for 2026 and 2026–2030.
Capitol Manufacturing, a company from Manitoba known for its container pools and sauna units for over ten years, is expanding its reach to customers in the Greater Victoria area.
Noodle Mania Fest, organized by Tasting Plates Food Tours, will feature noodle-based dishes from Victoria, on March 25.
Parametric Properties will take over Il Terrazzo Ristorante on April 7 after more than 30 years under Shellie and Mike Gudgeon.
Smachno-Go, a new restaurant serving Ukrainian food, has opened at 1503 Admirals Rd, Victoria.
The Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce welcomes its newest Chamber members, Mount Douglas Seniors Housing, Victoria Forum, Sovereign Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Knights Hospitaller and Impark.
The Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce announced the finalists of the 2026 Greater Victoria Business Awards.
Business of the Year (1-10 Employees)
- Hazel’s Ice Cream
- Core Connection Mobile Physiotherapy
Business of the Year (11-39 Employees)
- Gwaii Engineering Ltd.
- HAVN Saunas
Business of the Year (40+ Employees)
- Red Barn Market
- The Parkside Hotel & Spa
New Business of the Year
- DermaLight Clinic
- Solve Energy
Non-Profit of the Year
- Victoria Cool Aid Society
- Victoria Rainbow Kitchen Society
Business Person of the Year
- Trina White, The Parkside Hotel & Spa
- Julia Huggett, Beehive Wool Shop
Community Builder of the Year
- Pacifica Housing
- Blenkinsop Community Agricultural Centre
Emerging Business Person of the Year
- Kathryn Pascuzzo, Swank Creative Inc.
- Rebecca Knezacek, Eyefinery Optical Studio
Innovation Award
- Mushroom Envy
- Canadian Tire Corporation (Hillside)
Outstanding Customer Service Award
- Ooh La La Cupcakes + Cakes
- Delta Hotels by Marriott, Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort
Outstanding Workplace of the Year
- Kinetic
- Island Savings, a division of First West Credit Union
Chamber Member of the Year
- Tony Joe, RE/MAX Sabre Realty Victoria
Insp. Damian Kowalewich of the Saanich Police Department will start his new position as deputy chief on March 31st.
The District, a brand-new Langford master-planned rental community, is opening its doors to its first residents, as announced by Starlight Investments.
A series of community focus sessions will be conducted by the District of Central Saanich to collect feedback on the proposed redevelopment of the current municipal hall site at 1903 Mount Newton Cross Rd.
Metchosin Wellness Collective has recently opened at 4495 Happy Valley Road downtown Metchosin.
Pink Lemonade Salon, located at 2778 Peatt Road in Langford, will celebrate its grand reopening on March 21.
Coastal Community Credit Union announced that its post-secondary scholarship program is now open for applications.
Give Pizza Chance Sooke location celebrates its 1st anniversary.
The District of Sooke has projected that the municipal share of Sooke taxpayers’ 2026 tax payment will increase by no more than 12 per cent.
Entrepreneurs, community organizations, and local enterprises will connect at the SEAPARC Rec Centre on April 18 for Sookarama.
The annual Sooke Job Fair will be held at Edward Milne Community School, located at 6218 Sooke Rd., by the WorkBC Centre Sooke on March 20.
One of two housing projects that the District of Sooke’s Land Use and Development Committee recently reviewed includes a proposed rezoning in Sooke that could allow for approximately 331 residences and a small commercial area at 7350 West Coast Rd.
The Council of the District of Sooke will be considering the first, second, and third readings of the proposed Zoning Amendment Bylaw in the Council Chambers at 2225 Otter Point Road, Sooke, on Monday, March 23, 2026, in accordance with the provisions of section 467 of the Local Government Act.
The Saanich Peninsula Hospital & Healthcare Foundation supports Beacon Community Services and their March 26 Victoria Scottish Community Centre fundraiser, Beacon Bits: A Global Tasting Event in Support of Local Food Security, sponsored by Peninsula Co-op.
Send your business announcements, news, celebrations or new hires HERE
