A commentary by the CEO of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce.

As a lifelong resident of this region, I’ve spent a lot of time in downtown Victoria going to appointments, meeting people for business and enjoying our city’s superb hospitality industry.

Recently, though, something struck me as unusual as I was walking to the office on a typical working day.

The vibe was different. It was eerily quiet.

In the past, even during colder months and economic downturns, downtown had a vibrancy, with shoppers and workers bustling through their days. Businesses had a sense of resilience that has become more tenuous over the past few years.

Retail vacancy rates have more than tripled. Office vacancy has risen to levels not seen in decades. Nearly half of downtown businesses say they would consider leaving if their lease ended today. Residents feel this shift, too, with many reporting discomfort in certain areas, particularly at night.

As CEO........

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