Carmen Ortega
Carmen Ortega has been named as the new Director, Cruise & Port Development at the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority.
Oscar Zamora, Front Desk Supervisor at Inn at Laurel Point, has been given the April Victoria Hospitality Award presented by Destination Greater Victoria.
Steven Seltzer has been appointed as the Director of Communications and Philanthropy at St. Vincent de Paul Vancouver Island.
Roper Greyell LLP has announced that Adam Garvin, the Chief Executive Officer, is now part of the firm’s partnership. Adam has officially been admitted to the partnership after a formal application and review by the Law Society. This approval highlights his professional qualifications and the significant leadership role he has developed at Roper Greyell since becoming Chief Operating Officer in 2022 and later Chief Executive Officer in 2024.
Mike Lenz of Chinook Business Advisory has earned his Certified Business Intermediary (CBI) Master’s designation through the International Business Brokers Association. This advanced program builds on real-world brokerage experience, sharpening expertise in valuation, negotiation, and deal execution. Mike’s achievement reflects both his dedication to his craft and Chinook’s ongoing commitment to delivering thoughtful, high-quality guidance to business owners navigating the sale process.
Mostar Labs, located in Victoria, will receive funds from the Centre for Ocean Applied Sustainable Technologies to test the LilyPad, a modular floating renewable energy platform, to demonstrate how it may replace diesel and power remote, coastal operations.
Secret Plan Games, a Victoria studio will receive $50,000 from Creative BC through its Video Games Early Stage Growth Program.
Arbutus Ridge Golf Course was acquired by Andrew Golin, the owner of Golin Cinemas, from Yi Jing Golf Club Inc., owned by Ruby Liu.
Nigel Shawn Williams
Nigel Shawn Williams will assume the role of artistic director at the Belfry Theatre in September.
Fort Properties Ltd. officially broke ground on The Alma, a purpose-built rental building with six stories and 43 units located at 837 Broughton Street in Victoria.
The Gorge Pointe Pub, which was previously situated along the Gorge Waterway and across from Esquimalt Gorge Park, has been redeveloped as Central Block. This 99-suite condominium will also serve as the ground floor retail component of the development, which will include the Syriana restaurant.
Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park will host the WCL All-Star Game home-run contest on July 14, featuring Kevin Pillar, an MLB veteran with 1234 games of experience.
Victoria homeowners will see a $323 rise in property taxes this year, following the council’s approval of a new tax-rate scheme aimed at moving towards a 3:1 business-to-residential property tax ratio.
The Salvation Army’s Addictions and Rehabilitation Centre at 525 Johnson St. will receive thirteen additional beds from a two-year funding partnership between the Salvation Army and the City of Victoria. The city will contribute an initial investment of $10.35 million.
The View Street Social and Hermann’s Jazz Club will be temporarily closed at the end of this month to undergo renovations.
Travel + Leisure has ranked 429 Lampson Street’s Rosemead House as one of the world’s top new hotels for 2026.
The Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce welcomes its newest Chamber members, DoneRight Technologies (Jalen Séguin), Sarah Cotton-Elliott Communications + Advocacy, 345 Consulting Services, and ValueLab AI Consulting.
Provincial funding has been allocated to Greater Victoria communities to provide emergency support services, totaling more than $103,000.
The 2026 edition of the Build from the Heart campaign was launched by the RONA Foundation on April 18. The foundation is responsible for the philanthropic activities of RONA Inc.
The Art Gallery of Greater Victoria will showcase Family Visits starting May 9, curated by Toby Lawrence and Heng Wu. An exhibition showcases artworks added to the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria collection from 2020 to 2026.
The Victoria Conservatory of Music’s Annual Mother’s Day Musical Garden Tour, a beloved tradition that celebrates mothers, music, and the vibrant garden culture in Victoria, returns for a 44th year this May. The signature fundraising event invites music enthusiasts, garden lovers, and families to explore nine exquisite private gardens across Greater Victoria on Saturday, May 9 and Sunday May 10, 2026, from 10am to 4pm each day.
The British Columbia Hotel Association announced the winners of the 2026 BCHA Awards of Excellence:
Accommodation of the Year: The Parkside Hotel & Spa
Housekeeping Excellence: Summerland Waterfront Resort Hotel
Hotelier of the Year: David MacKenzie, Owner & Managing Director, Pemberton Valley Lodge
Sustainability Champion: The Parkside Hotel & Spa
Leader of the Future: Savannah Cannatella, Director of Rooms, Magnolia Hotel & Spa
Guest Service Excellence: Guest Experience Team, Nimmo Bay Resort
Culinary Excellence: Danai Hongwanishkul, Executive Chef, Kingfisher Pacific Resort & Spa
Pacific Ridge Business Centre has officially reached full occupancy in both buildings.
Barnes Garage Co. has announced the acquisition of Island Motorcycle Company (IMC), effective May 1, 2026.
After the Saanich Council ratified its 2026 budget, which included a 5.35 per cent property tax hike, the average Saanich homeowner will face a $215 tax increase this year, while strata owners will become subject to a $113 increase.
The Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island is hiring a 100th Anniversary Events Lead that will help shape and deliver the Foundation’s signature anniversary event in 2027.
A barbecue will be held at the McDonald Park Road Canadian Tire by the North Saanich Fire Department on Saturday, April 25.
The Sooke Country Market is back for the 2026 season, celebrating its 30th anniversary at a new farm-based location: Woodside Farm, 7149 West Coast Rd.
Sooke Council has approved a rezoning bylaw that will permit the construction of approximately 330 additional residences along West Coast Road at Erinan Estates in Sooke.
The eleven community groups who submitted for the $20,000 in Grants-in-Aid funds have all been approved by the Sidney council. These groups include: Sidney Guide and Scout Hall Society, Sidney Lawn Bowling, Friends of St. Andrew’s, Need2 Crisis Intervention & Public Information Society, Friends of Sidney Parks, 676 Kittyhawk Sponsoring Committee Society, Navy League of Canada, Parkland Parent Association, Stelly’s Secondary School Parents Dry Grad, Circular Farm and Food Society – Vancouver Island, Kidsport Greater Victoria.
A four-story, 75-unit rental apartment complex at 9972 Third Street has been moved for council consideration after the Advisory Planning Commission‘s review.
Send your business announcements, news, celebrations or new hires HERE