VICTORIA 

 John Wilson marks one year as the CEO of The Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce. 

  

Uwe Walter has been named the new General Manager of Hotel Grand Pacific, effective July 13, 2026.

Stephanie Hall, the director of library services at West Vancouver Memorial Library, has been named the new chief executive of Greater Victoria Public Library, taking over from retiring chief executive Maureen Sawa.

Rahim Khudabux succeeds founder Al Hasham as leader of Maximum Express Courier, Freight & Logistics.

Group of 3 Ventures (G3V), a majority Indigenous-owned partnership aimed at completing high-impact infrastructure projects in Lekwungen Territory, was established by Pomerleau in collaboration with the Songhees Nation and Esquimalt Nations. 

The Capital Regional District received $7 million through the Build Canada Strong Fund to implement carbonization technology at Hartland Landfill’s Residuals Treatment Facility, converting Class A biosolids from wastewater treatment into biochar, as part of the Government of Canada’s July 30 announcement of more than $152 million for 54 infrastructure projects throughout British Columbia. 

Fairmont Empress has been named Canada’s #1 City Hotel by Travel + Leisure’s 2026 World’s Best Awards.

Italian Food Imports, which was owned by brothers Maurizio and Massimo Segato, has been acquired by Kendra Iden and Joanne Hawkins.

An Alternative Approval Process has been initiated by the Capital Regional District to secure elector approval for a loan of up to $34.84 million for the capital renewal of the wastewater system in the Core Area and Western Communities.

Eagle Wing Tours, a whale-watching business in Victoria, was acquired by Pursuit, a Colorado-based tourism and hospitality firm, for $24 million.

A seventh senior care facility in the capital region has been added to Broadmead Care Society‘s portfolio with the acquisition of Victoria Chinatown Care Centre, located at 555 Herald St.

The 2026 YAM Best Restaurant Awards have recognized LURE Victoria by Delta Hotels as the Best Patio, in recognition of its exceptional hospitality, local flavours, and waterfront dining experience.

Leyad, a Montreal-based real estate corporation, has acquired the Bay Centre.

The Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce welcomes its newest members, Special Olympics BC, Peacock and Fig, Deerland Children’s Museum of Victoria, Mow Clean Lawn and Garden Ltd, Daya Strategies Ltd., Midland Appliance , Greenfoot Energy Solutions, National Bank of Canada, Village Computers, Monarch Health Solutions, Sedgwick Strategies and KidSport Greater Victoria.

The North Naden Accommodations project, permanent military housing at CFB Esquimalt, close to the intersection of Colville and Admirals roads, planned by the Department of National Defence, is set to start this month.

Victoria-based Biologica Environmental Services Ltd. is moving its headquarters to a two-storey warehouse at 721 Aldebury St. after 18 years in three Rock Bay industrial leases.

The 40th anniversary gala of the David Foster Foundation, which was held at the Victoria Conference Centre on Friday, generated $14.5 million in revenue. The fund will be used to assist families with children in need of life-saving organ transplants by covering non-medical expenses.

Cascadia Liquor is hosting its inaugural Charity Golf Tournament on August 27 at Cedar Hill Golf Course to benefit Rainbow Kitchen. 

PayMore Stores is expanding throughout British Columbia, with seven new locations scheduled to open soon.

BC Transit marks the opening of its new $7 million training and maintenance program which is located at the BC Transit yard.

The township authorized a one-year trial for Gatherwell, a Vancouver-based company, to run the mobile sauna close to the Gorge Waterway Nature House, bringing a for-profit sauna to Esquimalt Gorge Park. 

Stacked has opened in the Fairfield Shopping Plaza in Victoria. 

The Poke Lounge on Yates Street at Quadra Street has closed.

From August 7–22, Beacon Hill Park will host free outdoor movie nites as part of Victoria Film Festival’s return of the Free-B Film Festival.

Equilibrium Therapeutics marks two decades of community care with the launch of its largest clinic to date at Fisgard in the Hudson, providing enhanced multidisciplinary healthcare services in downtown Victoria.

Guy Fiset, founder of Fiset Strategic Finance, has been appointed Treasurer of the Volunteer Victoria Board.

Victoria’s Point Ellice House will close to the public on August 21, and the province will take over of the site on Sept. 2.

South Island Prosperity Partnership announced its 2026/27 Board of Directors at its Annual General Meeting, which include:

  • Terry Gunning, Board Chair — Partner, EY
  • Jennifer Vornbrock, Vice-Chair — Associate Vice President, University Relations, University of Victoria
  • Evan Machin, Secretary Treasurer — Investment Associate, InBC Investment Corp.
  • Basma Majerbi — Associate Professor, Peter B. Gustavson School of Business, UVic; Director, Impact Investing Hub, UVic
  • Tony Payne — Senior Vice President, Technology & Innovation, BCI
  • Mark Donahue — Founder, Little•Big Advisory
  • Steven Rumpel — Dean, School of Business, Camosun College
  • K Krasnow Waterman — CEO, Tcomplete Canada Inc.
  • Scott Andrews — Principal, Public Affairs, Earnscliffe
  • Daniela Fischer DVM PhD Fischer — Associate Director of Innovation, Royal Roads University

 

SAANICH 

The District of Central Saanich will be celebrating its 75th anniversary.

BC Transit has commenced site preparation and demolition work at 4196 Glanford Avenue, the future location of the Saanich Transit Centre. 

Kinetic Construction has been awarded the construction contract for the initial site work at 4196 Glanford Avenue, the proposed site of the Saanich Transit Centre, where BC Transit has initiated site preparation and building demolition. 

Saanich council has approved the rezoning and development permits for Abstract Developments’ 58-unit project at the intersection of Gorge Road West and Rockwell Avenue, with a unanimous vote.

Saanich Council gave final approval to the Quadra McKenzie Plan, which established a framework for the area’s development over the next 20 years and beyond, which is intended to accommodate new housing, improved transportation options, public-realm improvements and more vibrant places to live, work and shop.

 

SOOKE  

Darcy Achari, a Registered Massage Therapist, has joined the team at Intuitive Movement. 

The Music Room has officially opened at 1 – 6726 West Coast Road, Sooke. 

The CMHC Performance Payment Bonding for a 75+ unit purpose-built rental development in Colwood has been secured by Platform’s Developer Solutions Group. 

The Sooke Communities Health Network (SRCHN) is currently accepting registrations for its third annual Grand Parade Sooke, which is set for September 19 and aims to fund $25,000 to support the future Sooke Gathering Place and enhance services for seniors in the area. 

The Sooke Show held a 10-day art exhibit at the SEAPARC Recreation Centre from July 25th to August 3rd in honour of its 40th anniversary.

 

PENINSULA 

Bruce Williams, the former CEO of The Chamber, has been appointed to the 2026 Board of Directors by Peninsula Co-op.

Daniel Pedde has been appointed project manager at Cascadia Seaweed. 

Jared VandeerMeer Gallery & Studio has officially opened at 2449 Beacon Avenue, Sidney. 

The Saanich Peninsula Chamber of Commerce welcomes Alsco Uniforms, HR Covered Inc and Hannah Pham, PFP®, Financial Planner at Scotia Wealth Management as its new members.

The Coastal Collectors Market is back on August 22 at the Mary Winspear Centre in Sidney.