VICTORIA

Dr. Monty Bryant has been elected as the new Chair of the Camosun College Board of Governors beginning September 22, 2026. He succeeded the outgoing Board Chair, Lindsay Kearns.

Thea Campden has officially opened Campden Woodworking in Victoria. 

Ekta Luthra has joined Pemberton Holmes team in Victoria..

Victoria has been named the Best Small City in the World in Condé Nast Traveler’s annual Readers’ Choice Awards. 

Fire & Flavour Grill & Bar will soon open for business in Victoria. 

Real Ocean Consultants Ltd. announced a new B2B partnership with TrichAnalytics Inc., a specialist environmental laboratory based in Victoria.

The Michelin Guide’s 2026 hotel rankings named four hotels on Vancouver Island as some of the best in Canada. The Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge near Tofino earned three Michelin keys, while the Wickaninnish Inn secured one. Victoria’s Fairmont Empress and Magnolia Hotel & Spa were both given One Key. 

Vancouver’s Reliance Properties has been approved by Victoria council to turn the 1950-built BC Power Commission Building at Fairfield Road and Blanshard Street into a hotel.

Esquimalt Nation (Xʷsepsəm) is in the process of establishing its inaugural Economic Development Strategy, which will serve as a roadmap to direct future investment, partnerships, and economic opportunities in accordance with the values and priorities of the Lekwungen community. 

Three new long-term utility infrastructure and services agreements have been signed by Locality Planning Energy Holdings Limited, expanding its clientele into Victoria and retail malls as well as its portfolio of land leases in regional Queensland.

The Greater Victoria Harbour Authority is creating a new Integrated Plan that will examine how people utilize these areas for public life, business, work, and enjoyment as well as what they will require in the next decades.

The Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce welcomes its new Chamber members, 24/7 Alert Remote Monitoring, Driftwood Optometry, Chabot Media Inc., BIOVERA CLEANING LIMITED, Jill Cooper Music, ICLD Group – Indigenous Community for Leadership and Development, Royal Oak Optometry and ABE Moving, Storage & Delivery.

As part of Small Business Month, Doane Grant Thornton is showcasing local entrepreneurs and small businesses, which are vital to our community’s prosperity, and providing helpful information for entrepreneurs and business owners.

ARC Refrigeration, CRM Excavating Ltd., JH Roofing Ltd., ProCoat Painting, and Wilson Pro Painting – Victoria, have earned BBB Accreditation. 

In honour of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, Tecnet Canada Inc. is hosting five free webinars in October. These events will provide attendees with valuable cybersecurity insights, guidance from industry experts, and chances to win cool prizes.

Cloth Castle has achieved the significant milestone of being accredited by the BBB for ten years.

Hero Sandwich Bar has moved into the space that used to be Gigi’s Cafe at 1002 Hillside Avenue. 

The third annual Purple Thursday Afternoon Tea, in collaboration with the BC Brain Injury Association and Canadian Royal Purple, will be held at the Pendray Inn & Tea House on October 18. The event is intended to raise awareness and funds for survivors of domestic violence and those living with brain injuries. 

Synergy Foundation has announced the finalists at the 2026 Ecostar Award, whose gala will be held on November 10. 

  • Greenest Retailer: Genesis Tallow, The Soap Exchange, Zero Waste Emporium
  • Innovation: Holocene Distilling Project, Mostar Labs Inc., Wise Hawk Environmental
  • Inspirational New Venture: Holocene Distilling Project, MakeSpace NorthPark, Your Place Victoria
  • Leadership in Hospitality: Heartwood Kitchen Food Outfitter, Long Beach Lodge Resort, Naturally Pacific Resort
  • Legacy: Eagle Wing Whale & Wildlife Tours, Habitat for Humanity Mid-Vancouver Island, Hakai Energy Solutions Inc., a SkyFire Energy Company
  • Local Food: CRFAIR (Capital Region Food and Agriculture Initiatives Roundtable), Long Beach Lodge Resort, Sandown Centre for Regenerative Agriculture
  • Non-Profit of the Year: City Green Solutions, MakeSpace NorthPark, Nourish Cowichan Society
  • Sustainable Workplace: Inn at Laurel Point, Prince of Whales Whale & Marine Wildlife Adventures, Proper Poke Piercing and Tattoo
  • Waste to Resource: Ahoy Bags, B-Bot Clothing, Mustard Seed Street Church

  

SAANICH 

Canna Plus, a licensed cannabis facility, has officially opened at Royal Oak Shopping Centre, 4464 W Saanich Rd.

Victoria Women In Need Community Cooperative celebrates its 20-year anniversary. 

Saanich District and Synergy Foundation have teamed up to provide 10 complimentary slots in the BC Green Business certification program.

Centra Install Pros‘ Window Efficiency Plan gives up to $650 off each window or door. This is made possible by a $1 million pool set aside just for homeowners in Saanich and the Victoria area. 

Ears to You Mobile Hearing Clinic is now under ownership of Jon Lewis. 

 

SOOKE  

Sooke Oceanside Brewery celebrates its 10th anniversary. 

Nox Excavating is introducing the Nox Youth Trades Program, giving local youth the opportunity to gain real jobsite experience, learn practical skills, earn good money, build confidence, and have something productive to work toward.

The Arbutus Landing in Colwood is now home to the Royal Bay Nail Spa. 

Plans for the Threshold + Thrive + Foundry Collaboration, a six-story structure at 1919 Sooke Road in the Colwood Corners neighbourhood, have been submitted to the City of Colwood. 

 

PENINSULA

Blue Heron Park‘s brand-new playground is now open.

The Sidney Spooktacular Halloween Car Cruise will be scheduled to move through the city on Saturday, October 24.

The West Coast Grill team extends their gratitude to guests from Sooke to Sidney, recognizing their ability to effortlessly balance an exceptional level of service, an inspired menu, and an inviting coastal environment in Sooke at the Prestige Oceanfront Resort and on the Sidney waterfront. 

Sidney approves hundreds of new rental units in a number of housing projects. The largest of these projects is a five-story, 140-unit rental apartment building that is planned for 2180 Beacon Avenue West, close to Highway 17; a four-story, 61-unit rental apartment building is located at 2060 White Birch Road; and the Third Street project has not yet been granted final development approvals.