July Business Matters 2017

PROPERTY TAX PARITY

ADVOCACY IN ACTION

BUSINESS MATTERS ADVANTAGE

OUR FOUNDING BUSINESSES

July 2017 VICTORIACHAMBER.CA

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CONTENTS BUSINESS MATTERS July 2017 Business Matters is a bi-monthly publication of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce and a key business resource targeted to 2,000 business leaders in our community.

The Bayview Place Roundhouse West Coast BBQ—the grand finale event of the BC Chamber AGM hosted by the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce. Turn to page 9 to see our upcoming events and turn to page 17 to learn more about the policies passed at the BC Chamber AGM.

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Home Port Advantage

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Celebrating 150 Years of Opportunity

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Member Snapshots

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Chamber Events: Something for Everyone!

There are definite economic benefits for Victoria being a Home Port for the cruise industry. The Greater Victoria Harbour Authority is plotting a course to make that happen.

As Canada celebrates its 150th birthday, Chamber CEO Catherine Holt takes a look at businesses in Victoria that are over 100 years old.

This month we profile leaders of businesses over 100 years old. Get to know Natasha W. Crawford, Mike Shemilt and Scott Kolb.

The Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce is a progressive, inclusive and dynamic community leader. It is a supportive resource for business people who wish to learn, grow and create a stronger business and a more robust and sustainable community.

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Introducing Our New Members!

To advertise in Business Matters, contact us at:

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Property Tax Parity

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Advocacy in Action

The Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce 100-852 Fort St. Victoria, BC V8W 1H8 250-383-7191 chamber@victoriachamber.ca

Nothing can duplicate the moment when you meet face-to-face with the connections you need to do business.

Welcome to those who’ve decided to join the people who get things done.

Membership—it's about the company we keep.

Why do businesses pay substantially more than residents for municipal administration and service, e.g. fire and police protection, libraries, roads, sewer and water, etc.?

Learn about the results of our work with the BC Chamber of Commerce and its member chambers and boards of trade at the BC Chamber AGM and Conference hosted in Victoria this past May.

Publication Mail Poste-Publications 40005319

BUSINESSMATTERS | JULY 2017

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ADVANTAGE

By Jill Sawyer Communications Manager Greater Victoria Harbour Authority

Conceptual renderings from the Ogden Point Master Plan courtesy of GVHA. It takes vision to see the future in an empty parking lot, but the vision for Ogden Point is just that: a re-imagining of a shoreline space that is mostly asphalt right now, but could become a vibrant commercial and community development, with the potential to be the largest economic revitalization project in decades for Victoria.

For the past two and a half years, the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority (GVHA) has been focused on this vision, building the Ogden Point Master Plan through multiple consultations with stakeholders and the public. The plan looks forward 30 years, through phases that build on each other and result in a cohesive waterfront community hub that mixes marine industrial, retail, commercial, hospitality, and events, centred on a renewed cruise ship terminal and a First Nations cultural space.

Successful renewal of the Ogden Point site is critical to GVHA’s ongoing stewardship of all its harbour properties. As a not-for-profit, GVHA generates all revenue from licensing and fees, ranging from retail and hospitality businesses on the Inner Harbour and Fisherman’s Wharf, to passenger fees from cruise ships and transportation operators.

Since GVHA was created in 2002 with a

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divestiture of harbour lands and water lots from Transport Canada, it has invested more than $24 million in capital improvements in the harbour. The Ogden Point Master Plan builds on this.

“Developing and improving capacity in Victoria is essential to maintaining British Columbia’s position as a key player in international cruise tourism,” says Ian Robertson, Greater Victoria Harbour Authority CEO. Cruise already brings an estimated $130 million annually to the region, per the 2016 Business Research and Economic Advisors study.

As a first step, GVHA is looking to establish Victoria as a home port. Currently Canada’s busiest cruise ship port-of-call, with more than 240 ship calls planned for the 2017 cruise season (April through October), home port status would mean longer visitor stays and higher revenue for the city. Passengers would travel to Victoria, spend some time in local hotels, seeing the sights before beginning a cruise, and return to the city afterward. Home porting is estimated to bring $2 million to the region, per ship, per excursion, and will create an estimated 350 to 44 direct and indirect jobs.

Revenue from regular provisioning of home ported ships will also have a positive impact on the city as a whole. When Mayor Lisa Helps attended Seatrade, the international cruise industry trade show, in March with GVHA and the Victoria delegation, she commented on the potential boost for Island-made provisions that would come with home porting.

It’s for this reason that the B.C. Chamber of Commerce policy resolution supporting the Ogden Point Master Plan has come at such a critical time. GVHA will seek federal infrastructure funding for redevelopment of the existing cruise terminal at Ogden Point, a cornerstone of the master plan, which will greatly enhance the region's prospects for home porting. With particular support from the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce and the Nanaimo Chamber, the endorsement of the BC business community builds confidence in this project across the board.

For Ogden Point, these steps will soon start to fall into place. GVHA has submitted the final draft of the master plan to the City of Victoria for planning input, one of the critical steps in the rezoning process for the section of the plan that reimagines the

The B.C. cruise ship industry is a significant contributor to the provincial economy and tourism sector. Developing and improving cruise capacity in British Columbia is essential to maintaining our position as a key player in the global cruise industry.

Improving B.C.’s Cruise Ship Industry: Ogden Point Master Plan, a policy resolution sponsored by the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce, recommends that the Province endorse the application for federal funding to develop Ogden Point, including the upgrading of the new cruise terminal, and support the development of tourism attractions for cruise passengers in all regions of B.C. with cruise infrastructure.

This policy was endorsed by B.C’s network of Chambers of Commerce and Boards of Trade at the recent BC Chamber AGM and Conference held in May.

17.VictoriaChamberAd2 2017-05-30 9:54 AM Page 1 O DLU MB R OWN.CO M

frontage along Dallas Road into commercial space. In the meantime, the organization will apply in late 2017 for infrastructure funding for redevelopment of the cruise terminal building at Pier B. This is all while continuing important conversations with cruise partners to bring one or two ships into home port in Victoria within the next five years.

There is strong support for Victoria as a home port for a smaller, more luxuryfocused line, or a boutique brand within one of the larger cruise brands. Alaska is the second most popular cruise destination in the world, and shows strong signs of additional growth within the next few years.

Victoria is seen as both spectacular and safe, an attractive addition to Alaska and Pacific Northwest itineraries.

Each of these elements—infrastructure, home porting, long-term planning for the Ogden Point site—are integrally connected, and each enhances and supports the other.

But ultimately, the vision is for a cohesive, renewed site that will provide a gateway to Victoria for hundreds of thousands of visitors, and enhance the community experience for residents.

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BUSINESSMATTERS | JULY 2017

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Celebrating150 YEARS OF OPPORTUNITIES

By Catherine Holt CEO, The Chamber Greater Victoria’s story has been built upon a foundation of determined traders and innovative entrepreneurs dedicated to creating a successful business and strong community. We see evidence of it to this day.

When Pemberton Holmes kindly sponsored a Business Leaders Lunch last year, the company’s representative, Claire Flewelling-Wyatt, amazed me when she mentioned the company was founded in 1887 and is still owned by the same family.

That got me wondering how many venerable old companies there are in Victoria. So to celebrate Canada’s 150th anniversary, I did some research. I looked for companies founded in Greater Victoria at least 100 years ago. 150 years is a bit too ambitious given the community itself was founded in 1843. And it was founded, I would like to note, by a company. The Hudson’s Bay Company (founded in 1670 and now North America’s oldest company) established the fort we call home as a fur trading depot.

The side bar to this story lists the companies we identified. A lot of them have fascinating stories, such as Andrew Sheret’s history of being a pioneer in providing worker benefits, Crease Harmon being the oldest law firm in BC, the cutting edge pharmaceutical work for both people and pets done by the Victoria Compounding Pharmacy, that the founder of the Daily British Colonist newspaper (precursor to the Times Colonist), the slightly mad Amor de Cosmos (aka Bill Smith), went on to be our second Premier and that Emily Carr was one of the founders of the YWCA. What are the secrets of a long lived company? The Economist magazine examined that issue (“The world's oldest companies. The business of survival. What is the secret of corporate longevity?” Dec

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16th 2004.) and found a few interesting nuggets. It’s highly unusual for any company to last longer than 75 years, most don’t make it into the double digits. Family firms that last are notable for the unity and trust within the family and their willingness to take on new managers from outside the clan, when necessary. A reserve of trust, pride and money is built up by each generation and passed along to the next.

And the company must maintain a good grasp of its core competency along with a willingness to move with the times. In other words, “the firm must hold its fundamentals dear, yet constantly change”.

I would add one other factor. I like to think it’s one of the fundamentals. All but one of the companies on the list are members of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce, established in 1863.

Which brings me to my own ancient link with The Chamber. The president of The Chamber in the year of confederation, 1867, was James Lowe, who is my great-greatgreat uncle (he also ran against Amor De Cosmos for Premier). So we have a bit of a Chamber family legacy, with a long stretch in the middle, with me as CEO 150 years later. But that’s another story.

The question going through my mind is which of these distinguished companies will be in business at Canada’s 200th anniversary? It looks to me like they will be going strong as long as we need: hotel rooms, funerals, bathrooms, lawyers, golf, clubs, flowers, clothes, news, chocolate, security, real estate, customs brokers, pharmaceuticals, art supplies, ships and horse tours. And, I’m sure that they’ll still be distinguished members of The Chamber.

These are companies founded in Victoria that are now over 100 year old.

Apologies to anyone we missed and please let us know your story. We are pleased to report that all of these long standing companies, with one exception, are Chamber members: • Andrew Sheret: Splashes Bath and Kitchen Centre – 1892 (same family) • Brown’s the Florist – since 1912 • Butchart Gardens – since 1904 (same family) • Crease Harman LLP Barristers and Solicitors – since 1879 (oldest law firm in BC) • The Fairmont Empress – since 1908 • Hotel Rialto – since 1911 • Island Blue – since 1912 • King Bros. Ltd. Ship’s Agents/Customs Brokers – since 1911 • McCall Bros. Funeral Directors – since 1921 (almost 100 years - same family) • Mortimer’s Monumental Works – since 1877 • Pemberton Holmes – since 1887 (same family) • Point Hope Maritime – since 1873 • Prices Lock and Safe – since 1895 • Rogers Chocolates – since 1885 • Tally-Ho Carriage Tours – since 1903 • Times Colonist – since 1858 • Union Club – since 1879 • Victoria Compounding Pharmacy since 1910 • Victoria Golf Club – since 1893 (oldest golf club in Canada still on original site) • W & J Wilson Clothiers – since 1862 Other Community Builders: In addition to businesses, there are many great institutions in our region that have been doing good work for more than 100 years. Here are some of them: • CFB Esquimalt – since 1842 • City of Victoria – since 1871 • Cridge Centre for the Family – since 1873 • Esquimalt First Nation – pre-dates 1800s • Salvation Army – since 1897 • Songhees First Nation – pre-dates 1800s • The Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce - since 1863 • YMCA – since 1875 • YWCA – since 1892 (Emily Carr was a founding member)

MEMBER SNAPSHOTS

The strength of The Chamber is our members and the people who run these outstanding businesses. For this edition we are focusing on businesses and organizations that are over 100 years old. These interviews have been edited for length and clarity. To see the full interviews, or find out how you can be featured, visit our website www.victoriachamber.ca

NATASHA W. CRAWFORD Owner Brown's The Florist Founded 1912

the reputation as both business owner and woman. We are very proud of the strong history of female leadership within our company. What project is your business proudest of? We cannot pick a single event; however, we are proud of our relationship and support of our Canadian Military through WWI & WWII, to present day. What do you see your business selling/providing in the next 100 years? We believe that the floral industry is timeless. Flowers speak a language that is as relevant today as it was hundreds of years ago. How do you relax?

Take a stroll through Butchart Gardens—I make a point of enjoying this world class destination that is right in our backyard.

Where can we find you on the weekend?

Chasing my 3-year-old! What is the best part about doing business in Greater Victoria? Victoria is a small town wrapped up in a big city. Although we are one of many floral businesses in Greater Victoria, we have also loved that we are part of a collaboration and not competition; each shop has its own specialization and group of regular clients.

How and when was your business founded?

BROWN'S THE Our roots stretch FLORIST IS AN AWARDback to the late 1800s, WINNING LOCALLY OWNED when Mary PROFESSIONAL FLORIST THAT Ann Brown, FOCUSES ON SUSTAINABLE a migrant BUSINESS PRACTICES. PROUD from England TO CARRY OVER 75% LOCALLY with her own GROWN FLOWERS AND PLANTS. fruitful story in OPEN AND DELIVERS FROM Victoria, B.C., established SOOKE TO SIDNEY 7 DAYS Fairview Esquimalt A WEEK. Dysart, who worked with Brown's for 40 Greenhouses. Her years!! Chris vendor-financed my purchase nurseries expanded and was my business coach for a decade into flower shops and, when to ensure a smooth transition of ownership. sold to William H. Brown of Brown Bros., eventually became Brown’s The Florist. How Any famous company legends/stories/ ghosts? While we cannot quite claim this as important is succession planning? Critical! our own story, our predecessor, Mary Ann As only the fifth owner of this blooming BROWN'S THE FLORIST: MEMBER Brown of Fairview Esquimalt Greenhouses business, I was chosen from within the SINCE 1981 outlived 5 husbands and developed quite company by the previous owner, Christine

MIKE SHEMILT President Island Blue Print Founded 1912 How and when was your business founded? Island Blue Print & Map Co. Ltd. was originally founded 105 years ago on July 4th, 1912, when Mr. Joseph Davenport was awarded a contract to remap the City of Victoria.

How has your business remained relevant for so long? Diversification. Do you still sell the same product you did 100 years ago? We still sell pencils! Is your ISLAND business a family business? The Shemilt family has been involved since 1950, when Vic Shemilt BLUE AS IT joined the company. Today it is operated by IS KNOWN TODAY son’s Mike, Craig and Rob. What was your OPERATES THREE DIVISIONS, first job? Along with my brothers, at a very A TECHNOLOGICALLY early age our parents had us stuff and lick ADVANCED DIGITAL PRINTING envelopes every month to get customer OPERATION, INCLUDING A BOOK statements in the mail. Who is your role PRINTING DIVISION BRANDED AS model or has had the biggest influence on your life? My father, whether it was sports, “PRINTORIUM BOOKWORKS” AND personal or business. He was honest and THE ART STORE IS VICTORIA’S fair. He always explained it the way it was.

LARGEST RETAILER OF FINE How do you relax? A good glass of red wine!

ARTIST, GRAPHICS AND Favourite summer activity? Head to the cabin CRAFT SUPPLIES. at Shawnigan Lake. If you could have dinner with anyone alive or dead who would it be? Mr. Davenport, the founder of Island Blue Print, it would be interesting to learn more about the company in its early years when my ISLAND BLUE PRINT: MEMBER SINCE 1961 Grandfather worked in the company from 1916-1920.

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The Victoria Golf Course in the 1920s

SCOTT KOLB General Manager Victoria Golf Club Founded 1893

How has your business remained relevant for so long? The sport WE ARE itself has had some FORTUNATE TO highs and lows, HAVE ONE OF THE MOST but we offer a SPECTACULAR PIECES OF family-feel for our LAND (ANYWHERE), BUT WE members and ALSO PRIDE OURSELVES IN their guests. At THE “CLUB” ATMOSPHERE one time, we had and we have worked hard with a 6th generation THAT WE PROVIDE. IT’S LIKE local schools to continue to grow member. What is THE MEMBERS' SECOND the game of golf. What is the the key to longevity?

HOME. best perk of your job? Standing on In our case, staying our 9th tee. You see snow-capped true to what we are. We mountains, ocean, and wildlife. Any try to be the premier product famous company legends/stories/ghosts? on the Island and our continual capital All of the above. I don’t personally believe in investment in the clubhouse and course ghosts, but we do have some great stories are proof of that. How will you continue from staff and members of strange things to adapt your product for the next 100 that have happened over the years around years? Expanding what we offer to our the clubhouse. I often find myself telling my members. Golf is a strong reason for many spooked-out staff to not worry—Doris (our of our members to join, but it is not the only resident ghost) is a friendly ghost who likes reason why a family would invest in being a to play tricks from time-to-time. What’s your member of a private club. What is new with favourite Chamber event? Our team enjoys your business? We have really changed the educational seminars offered by The many of our programs to be family-focused. Chamber, especially the various social media Our kids programs start at four years old,

seminars. Favourite social media for work/ personal? Linkedin. How is your business innovative? We have drones assisting in making sure we don’t over-water and detect disease in our turf, we are using the first robotic greens mower in the country, we have a golf simulator for teaching golf, and we even have a Club App for our members to use for reserving events, making tee times and viewing their statements. What is one job you could never do? At the golf club, there isn’t any I wouldn’t do but I don’t think our members would trust me on the kitchen line (I’m not a good cook). What was your first job? Cleaning shoes and picking up the range balls.

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BUSINESSMATTERS | JULY 2017

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July Business Mixer July 20 | 5 to 7 p.m.

Bayview Place, 80 Saghalie Rd.

SUMMER SOCIAL SERIES

Summer Soirée at the Fort Common July 6 | 6 to 8:30 p.m.

Fort Common, 804 Broughton St. Board Election Information Session July 11 | 12 to 1 p.m.

The Chamber, 852 Fort St.

SUMMER SOCIAL SERIES

Bannock & Brews on the Harbour August 2 | 6 to 8:30 p.m.

Orca Spirit II Vessel 146 Kingston St. (Marina Level)

Prodigy Group July Mingle July 13 | 5 to 7 p.m.

Greater Victoria Harbour Authority and Breakwater Cafe and Bistro @ the Breakwater Barge Ogden Point Pier A

Prodigy Group August Mingle August 10 | 5 to 7 p.m.

The Mint, 1414 Douglas St. August Business Mixer August 17 | 5 to 7 p.m.

Coast Victoria Hotel & Marina by APA 146 Kingston St.

SUMMER SOCIAL SERIES

Harvest Dinner September 7 | 6 to 8:30 p.m.

Woodwynn Farms - Creating Homefulness Society, 7789 W Saanich Rd.

OFFICE CLOSURES

Canada Day July 3 (in lieu of July 1) BC Day August 7 SUMMER HOURS (JULY/AUGUST) Monday-Thursday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Friday 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

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{NEWMEMBERS} April 1 to May 31

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Chinook Business Brokers Ltd.

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Guardian Coaching

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11

{NEWMEMBERS} April 1 to May 31

Hilbre Home Support Inc

Providing professional 24/7 holistic care in the comfort of your own home. We are locally owned and operated, and our trustworthy care team is guaranteed to provide you with quality consistent care.

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Iain Wallace - Mortgage Consultant

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IKAN Installations

Over the years we have developed a cost effective system that allows you to take advantage of IKEA’s incredible value. We design the kitchen in your home, order, deliver and professionally install your IKEA kitchen so you don’t have to.

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Il Covo Trattoria

Located in the historic area of downtown and steps from the Inner Harbour, Il Covo Trattoria is a memorable and unique Italian dining experience.

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Island Technology Solutions Inc

At Island Technology Solutions, an authorized Xerox dealer, we have the business technology you need to move your company into the future, helping you to reduce waste and maximize profits.

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Jim Pattison Subaru Victoria

Jim Pattison Subaru delivers uncompromising customer service performance.

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JRSC Ltd.

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Karen Luniw International

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BUSINESSMATTERS | JULY 2017

{NEWMEMBERS} April 1 to May 31

Linda Mackie Photography

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Masters/Boychuk Consulting Ltd.

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Best Life by Design - Miriam Byrne

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Mount Washington Alpine Resort

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Organo

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Precision Technical Writing

Precision Technical Writing is a full-service communications company specializing in professionally written and formatted proposals, reports, templates, specifications, and all manner of professional documents.

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Simply Fun Child Care Centers

Simply Fun is a leader in exceptional childcare services. We provide families with a nurturing, fun, loving space for children to discover their true hearts, gifts and talents.

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Tesla Tours

Tesla Tours offers Victoria’s only solarpowered, zero-emission, scenic day trips.

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The Cedric Literary Awards

Changing the landscape of writing competitions, The Cedric Literary Awards provides a unique platform to encourage and celebrate unpublished authors of fiction, creative non-fiction and poetry, over the age of 50.

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Vancouver Public Education Alliance Ltd. (VPEA)

Representing over 60 Canadian public school boards, many American public and over 100 well-known North American universities and colleges, VPEA cooperates with well-qualified Chinese high schools to develop joint international programs.

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Victoria Esquimalt Harbour Society

The Victoria Esquimalt Harbour Society is a not-for-profit that provides a stakeholder voice on activities and issues in Victoria and Esquimalt Harbours.

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Victoria Eye

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Walking Tours by Discover the Past

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Co-operative Education and Career Services camosun.ca/cese 250.370.4100 BUSINESSMATTERS | JULY 2017

13

PROPERTY

TAX PARITY From Sooke to Sidney, we love our local shops and services. We take pride in the labours of our home-grown artisans and craftspeople. We celebrate the successes of family-run businesses and our local start-ups. We live in a beautiful, vibrant community where the 100-mile diet is effortless—and delicious.

So the next time you visit your local storefront, regardless whether it is for a coffee, window-shopping or for some professional advice, ask yourself why this business is paying substantially more than you as a resident for municipal administration and service, e.g. fire and police protection, libraries, roads, sewer and water, etc. These local businesses have to pass the cost of taxes they pay on to their clients and customers—you. These taxes therefore contribute to your high

PROPERTY TAXES EXPLAINED Each year municipalities decide how much money they need to bring in, and then set their property tax rates accordingly. The rate of all levies to be collected is often called a mill rate, and is approved as a by-law each year.

In Greater Victoria, property tax rates are based on $1,000 of taxable value and vary by class of property: Residential, Industry, Business, Utilities, Supportive Housing, Farming, Non-Profit, and Recreational.

Property taxes include levies collected on behalf of different authorities, e.g. School Districts, Capital Regional District, Capital Regional Hospital District, BC Transit, and Municipal Finance Authority. Approximately half of your property tax bill is for municipal taxes.

For example, a property in the Business Class valued at $750,000 in a municipality with a total mill rate of 19.2894 (2016 Greater Victoria average) would pay $14,467, which would include $7,611 in municipal taxes. A residential property in the same municipality but with a residential rate of 6.2505 (2016 Greater Victoria average) would pay $4,688, which would include $2,486 for municipal taxes. cost of living in Greater Victoria.

Although your July property tax bill includes municipal taxes plus other levies on behalf of other authorities (see above), this article will concentrate on the municipal portion only.

RATIONALE B.C. municipalities typically charge properties in Business Class1 a multiple over Residential.

In Greater Victoria, that ranges from a multiple of two to a multiple of six.

Earlier this year, we sent a formal letter to each of Greater Victoria's 13 municipalities to ask why businesses are expected to pay more for the same services.

Seven responded to our letter dated January 17, 2017, each acknowledging the practice of charging a multiple, which is a ratio of the difference bewen the classes. One municipality has a higher Business rate in comparison to others in the region because it wants to maintain a very low Residential rate. Another has a policy of not linking its Business rate with Residential, instead working to ensure its Business rate was lower than surrounding municipalities. Most pointed out the lack of control they have over the overall “tax bill” due to levies from other authorities. But not one explained why a business owner pays more than a homeowner for the same municipal services.

Certainly, expecting businesses to pay more than residents is not tied to higher consumption. The 2007 report by MMK Consulting for the City of Vancouver found that, on average, residential properties in Vancouver paid $0.56 in property taxes for each dollar of tax-supported services consumed, while non-residential properties paid $2.42 for every dollar of tax-supported services they consumed. While this report is dated, the issue is not. We anticipate a similar study of Greater Victoria would find the same results.

FAIRNESS In the same letter sent to the 13 municipalities referenced above, The Chamber urged Councils “… to do all they could to ensure—at the very least—that any overall property tax increases do not exceed expected inflation and that the ratios between property tax classes do not increase.”

1 Business is primarily made up of commercial property like office and retail space.

14

BUSINESSMATTERS | JULY 2017

GREATER VICTORIA 2017 MUNICIPAL TAX RATE COMPARISON* Class 1 (Residential)

Municipality

Class 6 (Business)

(Municipal only)

Rate

Median** Property Value

(Before Grant)

(Municipal only)

Rate

Median** Property Value

Est. Taxes

Central Saanich

3.17533

$589,000

$1,870

6.48661

$342,000

$2,218

Colwood

3.43912

$485,000

$1,423

13.96453

$793,900

$11,086

Esquimalt

4.2457

$490,000

$2,080

12.76677

$501,000

$6,396

Highlands

1.9436

$596,500

$1,159

8.1049

$318,000

$2,577

Langford

2.7246

$424,000

$1,155

8.0376

$475,500

$3,822

Metchosin

2.1428

$589,000

$1,262

8.5534

$160,150

$1,370

North Saanich

1.6117

$759,000

$1,223

9.7403

$756,000

$7,364

Oak Bay

2.6212

$992,250

$2,601

7.556***

$319,150

$2,410

Saanich

3.32494

$648,000

$2,155

12.93571

$499,150

$6,457

Sidney

2.70848

$488,000

$1,322

7.07714

$322,550

$2,283

Sooke

3.1017

$371,000

$1,151

7.69223

$298,100

$2,293

Victoria

3.6649

$518,000

$1,898

12.4577

$560,700

$6,985

View Royal

2.6059

$540,000

$1,407

9.37044

$470,500

$4,409

Est. Taxes

* Each have received three readings as of May 10, 2017, and are either adopted or soon to be adopted. ** Data provided by BC Assessment May 24, 2017 *** Includes Oak Bay Village Improvement Area

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On follow-up, it appears that only Langford decided to keep the ratio between Residential and Business classes the same as the previous year. The steepest increase was in North Saanich, with an increase of 18 percent and the smallest in Central Saanich and Sooke, tied at 5.25 percent increases.

MULTIPLE OF BUSINESS TAX OVER RESIDENTIAL TAX Municipality

www.technologyguys.ca

2016

2017

C. Saanich

1.9

2.0

Colwood

3.9

4.1

Esquimalt

2.7

3.0

Highlands

3.9

4.2

Langford

3.0

3.0

Metchosin

3.7

4.0

N. Saanich

5.1

6.0

Oak Bay

2.1

2.5

Saanich

3.5

3.9

Sidney

2.3

2.6

Sooke

2.4

2.5

Victoria

3.1

3.4

View Royal

3.4

3.6

In 2017, the average property tax bill for Residential property owners in the region will be $1,6012, while for Business, the average bill will be $4,486.

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At the BC Chamber AGM, the resolution, Closing the Gap Between Non-Residential and Residential Property Taxes, was passed.

It recommends the Province provide control and oversight on the level of property taxation levied for all groups to ensure fair, transparent, and sustainable taxation practices. It also asks the Auditor General of Local Governments to review municipal property taxation practices with the goal of developing a more sustainable approach that ensures value for money.

Swe et!

“I fear we have not seen the end of significant increases in property taxes and perhaps only the beginning of more increases to come given the massive costs of any number of issues confronting the region,” said Bev Highton, owner of NAI Commercial Inc and a realtor with nearly 50 years’ experience in Victoria. “Sewage costs are not yet finalized, replacement and repair of aging and failing infrastructure are all looming in the near future.

It will take diligent and responsible municipal councils to keep these costs under control.”

Minus Home Owner Grants

2

16

BUSINESSMATTERS | JULY 2017

ADVOCACY IN ACTION

In this edition of your bi-monthly Advocacy in Action, we share with you the results of our work with the BC Chamber of Commerce and its member chambers and boards of trade.

The BC Chamber of Commerce's grassroots policy-building forum was held in Victoria May 25 to 27. It brought together approximately 200 delegates from across B.C. to consider over 60 policy resolutions.

"Greater Victoria businesses benefit from having the B.C. Chamber membership united on the provincial issues that affect us all," said Catherine Holt, CEO of The Chamber. “We collectively decided what we need our next provincial government to do.”

Supporting Policing in B.C. asks the Province to create common governance and funding models to ensure consistent standards of policing for all municipalities.

“This resolution properly recognizes the challenges associated with our patchwork policing model in B.C., particularly here in Greater Victoria,” said Del Manak, Chief Constable of VicPD. “The current model unfairly places an increased burden on our officers policing the region’s only downtown core, and leaves the taxpayers in Victoria and Esquimalt in the position of having to bear full responsibility for policing costs that should be shared regionally."

BELLEVILLE TERMINAL The Belleville International Ferry Terminal in Victoria is a key international gateway to Greater Victoria and Canada for millions of visitors. Owned by B.C., the terminal is of strategic importance to the province, with an economic impact of $180 million per year. Currently, the terminal is comprised of 20-year-old trailers and other temporary structures. The proposed funding model for a new terminal includes $40 million in federal funds.

This resolution, Improving a Key B.C.U.S. Gateway: Belleville International

This year, we presented nine resolutions, each of which addresses an issue of local concern.

MENTAL ILLNESS AND ADDICTIONS Mental illness and addictions significantly affect business and the economy. Further, un- or under-treated mental illnesses and addictions are pervasive within the homeless population, which can lead them to present in anti-social ways, affecting public safety that can, in turn, affect local business. These issues complicate the transition of homeless into permanent housing and can lead to recidivism in offenders, increasing the costs of social housing and to our justice system.

Safe Communities and Strong Economies— Mental Health and Addictions in B.C. recommends the Province commission an expedited study to re-design the current service model and ensure the work of the Joint Task Force on Overdose Response continues and is appropriately funded.

“Untreated mental health and addictions issues are not only having a negative impact on the health and well-being of British Columbia’s population, they are also affecting our economy drastically and negatively,” said Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps.

POLICING Effective and adequately resourced policing is integral to safe communities and strong economies. As B.C.’s urban centres grow and municipalities increasingly become inter-dependent, the importance of regional policing increases.

In the regions with multiple police forces, funding, governance, and operations can vary widely. From a practical perspective, dividing police resources along municipal borders, especially ones that are adjacent, makes little or no sense.

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BUSINESSMATTERS | JULY 2017

17

Ferry Terminal, calls on the Province to complete its business case and proceed to request federal funding.

TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITIES Being able to freely move between municipalities is not only vital to commerce, but in accessing health, recreation, and social supports. As urban centres grow and municipalities increasingly become inter-dependent, the importance of regional transportation networks increases. As the second largest population centre in B.C., home to the provincial capital, host to key sectors that contribute to the economy, Greater Victoria urgently needs a solution now.

The resolution, Improving Urban Transportation in B.C.: Transportation Authorities, recommends the Province legislate additional regional transportation authorities as needed, starting in Greater Victoria, to enable increased efficiency in the coordination, planning, funding, and operation of a multi-modal transportation network.

“Without a transportation authority, we will not be able to achieve real progress towards a fast, easy and reliable regional transportation system,” said Catherine Holt, CEO of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce. “Let's collectively learn from Victoria’s 50-year debacle with sewage treatment, and move toward transportation governance that meets the needs of growing communities.”

RENOVATION TAX CREDITS Housing is responsible for 6.3 percent of direct greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions in Canada. Today’s typical new house uses 37 percent less energy than a similar one built in 1990. Further, there are many houses in need of renovation.

The Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) estimates 84,550 occupied private dwellings in the region built prior to 2000 are in need of repair.

Renovation Tax Credits—Improving B.C.’s Housing Stock recommends the Province and Government of Canada create new tax credit programs for consumers to help encourage home renovations that focus on energy efficiency and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

“We currently do not have any tax credits open to all homeowners that target increasing energy efficiency and reduction of greenhouse gases in our existing housing stock,” said Catherine Holt, CEO of The Chamber. “Given the number of older homes that have a way to go to meet the energy efficiency of today’s newly constructed homes, we believe such a tax credit would deliver the most bang for our buck.”

18

BUSINESSMATTERS | JULY 2017

BC Chamber CEO Val Litwin, Bayview Place owner Ken Mariash, Chamber CEO Catherine Holt and Chamber Chair Al Hasham at the Bayview Place Roundhouse West Coast BBQ—the grand finale event of the BC Chamber AGM hosted by the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce.

"Renovation tax credits are popular with homeowners, and are the most effective way to create skilled jobs, battle the underground economy, and address housing issues like energy efficiency, asbestos mitigation, and seismic upgrades,” said Casey Edge, Executive Director of the Victoria Residential Builders Association.

REGIONAL GOVERNMENT Regional governments play an important role in our communities by delivering regional services where appropriate and providing local level governance and service for unincorporated areas within its boundaries. However, regional governments are unable to act without voluntary buy-in from the municipalities.

“The B.C. business community is united in the concern that the regional district model does not presently work for all B.C. municipalities, particularly in growing urban centres such as Greater Victoria,” said Chamber CEO Catherine Holt.

Supporting B.C.’s Growth and Economy: Modernization of Regional Districts recommends the Province conduct a comprehensive review of regional district-related legislation to align regional governance with the needs of B.C.’s growing communities.

IMMIGRATION Provinces and territories have received a growing role in the selection of immigrants by way of bilateral agreements with the federal government. These bilateral

agreements create Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) under which each provincial government has an annual nomination limit for the selection of foreign applicants best suited for that specific province/territory. Such applicants are provided expedited processing of their work permit and permanent residency applications. In B.C., the PNP allotment is continually over-subscribed, while in other provinces it is under used. Further, the majority of settlement tends to be in large urban cores, which can lead to the stagnation/decline of rural areas and ongoing difficulty attracting workers to smaller centres.

Supporting the Labour Needs of Today and Tomorrow—B.C. Provincial Nominee Program calls on B.C. to work to increase PNP’s annual nomination limit to meet the labour requirements of the province, and allow unused allocations to be transferred between provinces/territories. It also recommends it develop streams for other sectors, such as technology, engineering, and skilled trades, collect data on secondary migration patterns to support the attraction and mobility of immigrants to smaller centres throughout the province, and ensure that adequate resources are available to maintain effective BC PNP processing times.

The policies regarding property taxes can be found on page 16 and the plans for Ogden Point on page 5.

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www.houle.ca BUSINESSMATTERS | JULY 2017

19

Natural gas. Good for local landmarks.

Michelle Le Sage, general manager of the iconic Oak Bay Beach Hotel, believes the hotel combines the charm of the old with the luxury of the new—and natural gas helps maintain its multi-award-winning industry standards. Her favourite features are the heritage gas fireplaces that warm and adorn the lobby, dining room, pub and cafe. Natural gas also works behind the scenes, powering the heating, the kitchen ranges and the backup system for the seaside mineral baths.

“It’s the most clean-burning, economical and efficient source of energy available,” says Michelle, “and of course it’s the highest professional standard for cooking.”

That’s energy at work. fortisbc.com/bcbusiness FortisBC uses the FortisBC name and logo under license from Fortis Inc. (17-049.2 03/2017)