Business

Happier days: Black Press legislature reporter Tom Fletcher talks about the outlook for 2020 with B.C. Premier John Horgan, B.C. legislature, Dec. 13, 2019. (Jen Holmwood/Premier’s Office)

Election didn’t slow down COVID-19 aid, John Horgan says

B.C. premier’s annual year-end interview with Black Press

Happier days: Black Press legislature reporter Tom Fletcher talks about the outlook for 2020 with B.C. Premier John Horgan, B.C. legislature, Dec. 13, 2019. (Jen Holmwood/Premier’s Office)
Houses are seen in an aerial view, in Langley, B.C., on Wednesday, May 16, 2018. A company that supports hundreds of credit unions across Canada predicts British Columbia’s housing market will remain healthy through 2021 as the province moves out of its COVID-19 slump. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. housing market to remain vibrant through the new year: report

The report also forecasts a firmer rental market through 2022 as economic conditions normalize

Houses are seen in an aerial view, in Langley, B.C., on Wednesday, May 16, 2018. A company that supports hundreds of credit unions across Canada predicts British Columbia’s housing market will remain healthy through 2021 as the province moves out of its COVID-19 slump. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Jobs Minister Ravi Kahlon speaks in the B.C. legislature, describing work underway to make a small business and tourism aid package less restrictive, Dec. 10, 2020. (Hansard TV)

B.C. eases rules for COVID-19 small business, tourism relief

30% loss of sales at time of application now qualifies

Jobs Minister Ravi Kahlon speaks in the B.C. legislature, describing work underway to make a small business and tourism aid package less restrictive, Dec. 10, 2020. (Hansard TV)
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Chef Ken Nakano has taken over as the new executive chef at the Inn at Laurel Point. (Jane Skrypnek/News Staff)

Culinary powerhouse taking over at Inn at Laurel Point

Chef Ken Nakano draws inspiration from childhood, Asian cuisine and local producers

Chef Ken Nakano has taken over as the new executive chef at the Inn at Laurel Point. (Jane Skrypnek/News Staff)
CORE Landscape Products’ work at a California home. Photo by Jessica Bodas Photography

Island’s CORE featured Dec. 28 on Celebrity IOU with Justin Hartley

Comox eco-landscaping firm also on Property Brothers’ spinoff again with ‘American royalty’

CORE Landscape Products’ work at a California home. Photo by Jessica Bodas Photography
Annie Handley and Dave Devindisch hard at work in the kitchen at 40 Knots Winery, where they make Easy Treats. Photo supplied.

Comox Valley musicians debut healthy chocolate brand

Easy Street creates sugar-free, gluten-free, vegan chocolates

Annie Handley and Dave Devindisch hard at work in the kitchen at 40 Knots Winery, where they make Easy Treats. Photo supplied.
Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea has closed effectively Monday afternoon. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

Shaw Centre for Salish in Sidney ‘cautiously optimistic’ about the future

Councillors praise facility for adapability in the face of the pandemic

Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea has closed effectively Monday afternoon. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
Mazzei Electric won Contractor of the Year at the Builders Code Champion Awards. Eleven per cent of Mazzei’s workforce is made up of women, well above the average for construction work in B.C., notes a press release from the awards. (Photo submitted)

Nanaimo electrical contractor chosen as Builders Code Champion

Mazzei Electric’s Contractor of the Year award celebrates culture change in construction industry

Mazzei Electric won Contractor of the Year at the Builders Code Champion Awards. Eleven per cent of Mazzei’s workforce is made up of women, well above the average for construction work in B.C., notes a press release from the awards. (Photo submitted)
(pixabay)

Bad pipes, no money? Island company there to patch that leak

Saanich’s Rather Be Plumbing offering free service for those really in need ahead of Christmas

(pixabay)
British Bobby Restaurant proprietor, John St John, stands outside his business in Parksville. The restaurant is set to close on Feb. 13 2021, with John preparing a silent auction for the restaurant’s decor and movie memorabilia. (Mandy Moraes photo)

Vancouver Island’s iconic British Bobby Restaurant falls victim to COVID-19

Owner John St John says Parksville business will close on Feb. 13, 2021

British Bobby Restaurant proprietor, John St John, stands outside his business in Parksville. The restaurant is set to close on Feb. 13 2021, with John preparing a silent auction for the restaurant’s decor and movie memorabilia. (Mandy Moraes photo)
Sooke resident Kimberly Elkas has started creating wreaths made from fallen branches, twigs, and leaves she finds along Sooke’s waterfront and forest trails. (Aaron Guillen/News Staff)

Sooke woman launches wreath-making side hustle amid shuttered business

“I’m now waking up with purpose,” says owner of Fresh Foraged Wreaths Sooke

Sooke resident Kimberly Elkas has started creating wreaths made from fallen branches, twigs, and leaves she finds along Sooke’s waterfront and forest trails. (Aaron Guillen/News Staff)
Long-time Christmas tree seller Pete, who is selling trees as a fundraiser at the 7-11 on the corner of Tzouhalem and Lakes Road, said he doesn't expect to have any trees left by the end of the weekend. (Robert Barron/Citizen)

Christmas tree farms in Cowichan selling out this season

Business brisk, inventories getting low

Long-time Christmas tree seller Pete, who is selling trees as a fundraiser at the 7-11 on the corner of Tzouhalem and Lakes Road, said he doesn't expect to have any trees left by the end of the weekend. (Robert Barron/Citizen)
Plans to restore shellfish harvesting in Coles Bay are picking up. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

Push on to revive decades-dormant North Saanich shellfish harvest

Contamination from septic systems a major hurdle facing Pauquachin First Nation

Plans to restore shellfish harvesting in Coles Bay are picking up. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
B.C. Finance Minister Selina Robinson speaks to the legislature’s pre-Christmas session to approve more COVID-19 spending, Dec. 10, 2020. (Hansard TV)

Rising income, real estate tax hold B.C. deficit at $13.6 billion

Cost of next COVID-19 payments up to $1.7 billion

B.C. Finance Minister Selina Robinson speaks to the legislature’s pre-Christmas session to approve more COVID-19 spending, Dec. 10, 2020. (Hansard TV)
Dina Stuehler stands in front of the Duncan location prior to its opening in 2019. (Ironworks Cafe & Creperie/Facebook photo)

Ironworks Cafe & Creperie opens new location in Nanaimo

The Nanaimo location is expected to open Friday, December 18

Dina Stuehler stands in front of the Duncan location prior to its opening in 2019. (Ironworks Cafe & Creperie/Facebook photo)
Tilray and Canadian cannabis producer Aphria have merged to create the world’s largest cannabis company, based on combined pro-forma revenue. (News Bulletin file)

Merger makes Nanaimo-based Tilray the world’s largest cannabis company

Tilray-Aphria merger boosts combined companies’ manufacturing, marketing and distribution clout

Tilray and Canadian cannabis producer Aphria have merged to create the world’s largest cannabis company, based on combined pro-forma revenue. (News Bulletin file)
Holiday knick-knacks stand are displayed for Christmas shoppers Friday, Oct. 2, 2020, at a Lowes store in Northglenn, Colo. Add last-minute holiday shopping to the list of time-honored traditions being upended by the coronavirus pandemic. Retailers are kicking off the holiday season earlier than ever this year in hopes of avoiding big in-store crowds and shipping bottlenecks in November and December. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Millennial Money: De-stress holiday debt with a payoff plan

Take stock of what you owe – and what you can pay

Holiday knick-knacks stand are displayed for Christmas shoppers Friday, Oct. 2, 2020, at a Lowes store in Northglenn, Colo. Add last-minute holiday shopping to the list of time-honored traditions being upended by the coronavirus pandemic. Retailers are kicking off the holiday season earlier than ever this year in hopes of avoiding big in-store crowds and shipping bottlenecks in November and December. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Parliamentary Budget Officer Yves Giroux waits to appear before the Commons finance committee on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on March 10, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Budget officer says federal wage-subsidy program may cost more this year than planned

Parliamentary budget officer Yves Giroux’s office says the figure for this year could be closer to $85.5 billion

Parliamentary Budget Officer Yves Giroux waits to appear before the Commons finance committee on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on March 10, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
Natasha Cloutier, Maria Porter, and Bonnie Harper say more people are coming into the Cloth Castle during COVID-19 to learn how to say or make quilts. (Rick Stiebel/News Staff)

The ups and downs of business on the West Shore this COVID Christmas

More people staying home helps some local shops

Natasha Cloutier, Maria Porter, and Bonnie Harper say more people are coming into the Cloth Castle during COVID-19 to learn how to say or make quilts. (Rick Stiebel/News Staff)
BinBreeze co-founder Taylor McCarten pitched his product on Dragons’ Den during the Dec. 3 episode and walked away with a deal from Arlene Dickinson. (Screenshot)

Victoria compost stink solution snags last-second Dragons’ Den deal

BinBreeze offers a solution to smelly compost

BinBreeze co-founder Taylor McCarten pitched his product on Dragons’ Den during the Dec. 3 episode and walked away with a deal from Arlene Dickinson. (Screenshot)