Business

Namaskar Yoga Studio was forced again to shut its doors again due to a provincial health order to close all studios and fitness centres as of Dec. 23. (Namaskar Yoga Studio photo)

COVID-19: Island gym users and owners unhappy with latest round of regulations

‘Not fair and it’s not right’

Namaskar Yoga Studio was forced again to shut its doors again due to a provincial health order to close all studios and fitness centres as of Dec. 23. (Namaskar Yoga Studio photo)
Governor of the Bank of Canada Tiff Macklem participates in a media availability at the Bank of Canada in Ottawa, on Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Federal documents hint at sweeping economic impact from central bank ‘digital loonie’

Central bank met with federal officials over 2020 to gauge the implications of own cryptocurrency

Governor of the Bank of Canada Tiff Macklem participates in a media availability at the Bank of Canada in Ottawa, on Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
Dine Around and Stay in Town Victoria runs Jan. 20 to Feb. 6, 2022. (Don Denton/Black Press)

Deals return on world-class culinary delights for Dine Around, Stay in Town Victoria

Growing list features 10 hotels and 40-plus restaurants in Greater Victoria

Dine Around and Stay in Town Victoria runs Jan. 20 to Feb. 6, 2022. (Don Denton/Black Press)
Minister of Finance and Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland holds a press conference in Ottawa on Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2021. Canada Pension Plan contributions are going up again by more than originally planned, and the reason again lies with the unique impacts of the pandemic on the labour market. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

CPP premiums are getting a bigger bump than planned, here’s why

Like last year, contributions are going up again by more than originally planned

Minister of Finance and Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland holds a press conference in Ottawa on Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2021. Canada Pension Plan contributions are going up again by more than originally planned, and the reason again lies with the unique impacts of the pandemic on the labour market. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Environmental sustainability, plant-based food and First Nations participation come together at Cascadia Seaweed, an innovative new food brand. (Courtesy of Cascadia Seaweed Corporation)

Going blue in 2022: Greater Victoria positioned to make waves in blue economy: advocates

Coastal capital should go with what it knows to create sustainable, innovative industries

Environmental sustainability, plant-based food and First Nations participation come together at Cascadia Seaweed, an innovative new food brand. (Courtesy of Cascadia Seaweed Corporation)
A man displays his COVID-19 rapid test kit after receiving it at a pharmacy in Montreal, Monday, December 20, 2021. Canadian business and labour groups are at odds over the preferred isolation times for people who have tested positive for COVID-19. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

Business, labour groups divided over preferred COVID-19 isolation policies

U.S. CDC shortened isolation period to 5 days

A man displays his COVID-19 rapid test kit after receiving it at a pharmacy in Montreal, Monday, December 20, 2021. Canadian business and labour groups are at odds over the preferred isolation times for people who have tested positive for COVID-19. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
A pedestrian walks past the TransAlta building in downtown Calgary, Monday, Oct. 5, 2009. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

TransAlta completes conversion from coal to natural gas power in Canada

TransAlta will also close its Highvale thermal coal mine

A pedestrian walks past the TransAlta building in downtown Calgary, Monday, Oct. 5, 2009. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Logs await milling at a Canfor sawmill in Prince George in 2017. Declining allowable harvest in the B.C. Interior and anti-logging protests on the coast have the B.C. forest company investing outside the province. (Canfor Corp. photo)

B.C. old-growth forest preservation plan off to a slow start for 2022

Canfor buys Alberta sawmills, sends harsh message to NDP

Logs await milling at a Canfor sawmill in Prince George in 2017. Declining allowable harvest in the B.C. Interior and anti-logging protests on the coast have the B.C. forest company investing outside the province. (Canfor Corp. photo)
Mary Lou Newbold has been named Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce Member of the Year for 2022. (Courtesy of Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce)

Victoria eye care business co-owner honoured as Chamber member of the year

Mary Lou Newbold often first to welcome new members; is strong advocate for Chamber of Commerce

Mary Lou Newbold has been named Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce Member of the Year for 2022. (Courtesy of Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce)
Greenpeace activists stage a demonstration outside a bank in Toronto, as they protest major Canadian bank’s investment in fossil fuels, on Tuesday, December 7, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

Banks offer big climate commitments in 2021, but key details are yet to come

Pressure is mounting as Canadians live through the very real effects of climate change

Greenpeace activists stage a demonstration outside a bank in Toronto, as they protest major Canadian bank’s investment in fossil fuels, on Tuesday, December 7, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young
Credit cards are displayed in Montreal, Wednesday, December 12, 2012. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz

Feds still plan to act on credit card fees as merchants worry over pandemic delays

Business associations said they’re looking for federal action to ease costs

Credit cards are displayed in Montreal, Wednesday, December 12, 2012. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz
The Bay Centre in downtown Victoria set a record with gift card sales in November. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

Gift cards rule retail as mall shops work around supply chain issues

Shopping anywhere is a boutique experience right now, says Victoria mall general manager

The Bay Centre in downtown Victoria set a record with gift card sales in November. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)
Morgan Watson, owner of Bartholomew’s Public House, behind a bar decked out with Christmas lights. (Kiernan Green/News Staff)

Local pubs share pleasure, purpose of Christmas serving tradition

Two local pubs share their reasons for keeping the doors open on Dec. 25

Morgan Watson, owner of Bartholomew’s Public House, behind a bar decked out with Christmas lights. (Kiernan Green/News Staff)
Candy canes and music boxes stand on a holiday display in a Lowe's store Friday, Oct. 2, 2020, in Northglenn, Colo. Candy canes and other festive sweets are harder to find this year due to supply chain challenges affecting the food industry. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-AP/David Zalubowski

Candy cane sellers, chocolate makers hit with holiday supply chain challenges

Candy makers have been having trouble sourcing everything from sugar and cocoa to packaging supplies

Candy canes and music boxes stand on a holiday display in a Lowe's store Friday, Oct. 2, 2020, in Northglenn, Colo. Candy canes and other festive sweets are harder to find this year due to supply chain challenges affecting the food industry. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-AP/David Zalubowski
Mary Ruth Snyder drew upon her experience working for her father’s men’s wear store when coming up with the idea for the labour shortage solution. Image supplied

Vancouver Island businesses, school district team up to tackle labour shortage

10-week work program will match students with employers in Campbell River

Mary Ruth Snyder drew upon her experience working for her father’s men’s wear store when coming up with the idea for the labour shortage solution. Image supplied
Coastal Server, a vessel with a mechanical sea lice removal system. Photo courtesy Grieg Seafood BC.

Grieg launching new vessel to tackle sea lice at its Vancouver Island fish farms

Mechanical system reduces need for medicinal or chemical treatment, company says

Coastal Server, a vessel with a mechanical sea lice removal system. Photo courtesy Grieg Seafood BC.
Economic Development Minister, International Trade Minister and Small Business and Export Promotion Minister Mary Ng rises during Question Period, Monday, December 6, 2021 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Liberals kick-start trade pact challenge to U.S. duties slapped on softwood lumber

Canada has been successful in previous challenges under the North American Free Trade Agreement

Economic Development Minister, International Trade Minister and Small Business and Export Promotion Minister Mary Ng rises during Question Period, Monday, December 6, 2021 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
Conservative member of Parliament Tom Kmiec rises during question period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Friday, March 26, 2021.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Liberals, Tories co-operate on extending leave for grieving parents

Parts of Tory MP Tom Kmiec’s private members bill will be incorporated into Liberal legislation

Conservative member of Parliament Tom Kmiec rises during question period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Friday, March 26, 2021.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Construction workers stand in the northbound lanes of the Coquihalla Highway where a massive section of the separate southbound lanes was washed away by flooding last month near Othello, northeast of Hope, B.C., on December 10, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Coquihalla Highway reopening a major boost for B.C.’s battered supply chain

Crews repaired and patched about 20 stretches of the highway over 130 kilometres

Construction workers stand in the northbound lanes of the Coquihalla Highway where a massive section of the separate southbound lanes was washed away by flooding last month near Othello, northeast of Hope, B.C., on December 10, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Two people admire the view from one of the fourth floor apartments at Maitland Street Village on Dec. 15. (ELENA RARDON / ALBERNI VALLEY NEWS)

B.C.’s first Step 4 ‘low energy’ apartments open in Port Alberni

Alberni Low Energy Housing Society’s Maitland Street Village promises big utility savings

Two people admire the view from one of the fourth floor apartments at Maitland Street Village on Dec. 15. (ELENA RARDON / ALBERNI VALLEY NEWS)