Thursday November 20, 2025 | VICTORIA, BC
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
This week, the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce (GVCC) seems to have felt it necessary to clarify their position on the need for local governments to reduce their dependence on increasing taxes every year.
An earlier statement on this topic was perceived by some of the 13 Greater Victoria municipalities as not being aware of the broader interests and needs of communities — particularly as population growth continues on south Vancouver Island.
The challenge from Chamber CEO John Wilson issued on October 29 called on municipalities to match the City of Vancouver’s effort to achieve a 0% budget increase in 2026.
“This challenge is not an endorsement of the Vancouver mayor or any municipal political party. It also was not a prescription for each of our region’s 13 municipalities on what they can cut from their budgets to reduce any tax increase,” it was stated in a (GVCC) news release on November 17.
“Regrettably, the attempt at a dialogue on fiscal discipline has been sidetracked by online commentary that clouds the conversation and deflects the vital importance of supporting business and our economy,” the Chamber says this week.
“We erred in our initial column by trying to find examples on non-essential costs (interpretive signage and culture). The second area was meant to be vague as it has a broad meaning. Unfortunately, as that message spread, some thought it was aimed at them when the reality is we are not suggesting any specific areas be cut. That’s up to mayors and councils,” says Jim Zeeben, Director, Communication, Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce in a statement to Island Social Trends this week. [Emphasis in statement as provided]
“Since our founding in 1863, The Chamber has been instrumental in shaping a strong economy that includes a thriving arts and culture sector. We also fully support many non-profit organizations — after all, we are one ourselves,” the Chamber states.
Thirteen municipalities:
Apparently some of the misplaced remarks that the Chamber has been hearing are related to the common confusion about this region, with a misunderstanding that the City of Victoria represents all of Greater Victoria.
The City of Victoria is one of 13 municipalities (the others are Saanich, Esquimalt, Oak Bay, Langford, Colwood, North Saanich, Central Saanich, Metchosin, View Royal, Highlands, Sooke and the Juan de Fuca Electoral areas).
For the record, Island Social Trends did *not* have that misunderstanding. This is a well-informed publication that is plugged into the distinctions of the neighbourhoods and regions of Greater Victoria and south Vancouver Island. [Informed readers are encouraged to subscribe to the Island Social Trends weekly ENews.]
It goes beyond downtown Victoria:
“To be clear, The Chamber does have a position on priorities for the City of Victoria that may or may not reflect priorities of other municipalities in our region: The Chamber has a mandate by the business community to call for urgent action to prevent further deterioration of downtown Victoria. This requires a fully funded police department as well as the full focus of City of Victoria staff and council.”
City of Victoria budget survey:
Further to that note, The Chamber is concerned about the methodology used to prepare the City of Victoria’s 2025 Budget Survey.
“Downtown Victoria is the hub of our region’s economy. It is home to a critical mass of regional jobs, services and businesses. However, the Budget Survey overwhelmingly draws from respondents who do not own businesses (89%),” the Chamber states in their November 17 statement.
“The survey is also constrained by its representation of Victoria residents and is blind to the reality that Downtown Victoria serves tens of thousands of non-residents daily, and that it is the base for many regional employers whose property taxes will contribute a significant portion of the City of Victoria’s proposed budget — currently at more than $460 million,” the Chamber says.
Non-residents would include people who commute into Victoria for employment, tourists, visiting delegations for the provincial government, and mobile suppliers.
“The Budget Survey also stunningly brushes over the social disorder and daily distress that has seemingly become normalized by all levels of government,” the Chamber says.
“The survey does not reflect the real crisis that downtown is experiencing. That is a major oversight,” the Chamber states.
Stewardship of infrastructure and services:
“Mayors and councils don’t have an easy job, but they do have a job to prioritize the stewardship of infrastructure and services vital to maintaining their municipalities,” Chamber CEO John Wilson said.
“The Chamber, too, will stay in our lane as the voice of business. We believe that fiscal responsibility is key to a robust private sector that creates good jobs, attracts capital investments and provides the taxes needed by government to deliver sustainable public services,” says Wilson.
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NEWS SECTIONS: BUSINESS | GREATER VICTORIA REGION