Saturday August 30, 2025 | VICTORIA, BC [Posted at 3:07 pm | Updated September 1, 2025]
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
Canada’s Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Secretary of State for Small Business and Tourism, Rechie Valdez (MP for Mississauga-Streetsville), met with members of the Victoria business community on Thursday. in downtown Victoria.
In those roles since May 2025 (and Minister of Small Business 2021-2025 before that), Valdez was keen to hear some of the top concerns that face business owners and leaders in the south Vancouver Island area.
Being from the Greater Toronto area, she confessed a fascination with the laid-back business style of BC corporate business people.
Valdez pointed out that small businesses represent 98% of businesses in Canada and two-thirds of private sector jobs, as well as being innovators in the economy.
The tourism sector is an economic driver that provides nearly 700,000 jobs across Canada.
$500 million has been put forward to small businesses through the Business Development Bank to help during the current trade war scenario, and $1.2 billion was announced earlier this year for the softwood lumber sector.
The federal government’s current strategy for Canadian workers, jobs and businesses includes lowering taxes, breaking down trade barriers, investing in tourism and boosting internal trade.
What was discussed:
Minister Valdez delivered some remarks and she committed to taking back some of the top concerns to cabinet next week in Ottawa.
Also attending were two first-time Liberal MPs: Will Greaves (Victoria) and Zoe Royer (Port Moody-Coquitlam).
Among the questions and topics discussed with about 50 people in the room, Valdez heard about the impact of the US now requiring duties to be paid on shipments of all sizes including with a value under$800 USD (aka the US dropping of the de minimis exemption), how it might assist very small businesses to have greater government coverage of Canada Summer Job salaries, and more reliable business access to CRA by phone.
Valdez supports greater procurement opportunities for small local businesses that create local jobs.
The 2025 fall sitting of the House of Commons gets rolling on Monday September 15.
Who was there:
The event was hosted by Victoria Chamber of Commerce CEO John Wilson and emceed by Victoria Chamber of Commerce Board Chair Christina Clarke.
Destination Greater Victoria’s VP of External Relations, Sustainable Development and First Nations Partnerships, Jeremy Loveday, also attended.
Representing Scotibank as the event’s sponsor, business banking team lead for Scotiabank Glen Weilin said the bank has programs to assist women in business including: access to capital, grant research, a mentorship program, and tips online.
Chris Watson of Destination Greater Victoria (DGV) summarized the financial gain for the region through tourism, highlighting $3.5 billion in GDP and welcomes 4.9 million guests annually. He reminded the business audience that DGV is coordinating an effort to bring a new conference centre to Victoria (the current Victoria Conference Centre has a contract ending 2039). He commended the ‘business-like forward-looking tone’ of the Carney government.
===== RELATED:
- Island Social Trends is a business member of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce.
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