IN THE KNOW:
Local ocean tech company closes latest seed round
Victoria-based MarineLabs has raised a $4 million seed extension led by BDC Capital’s Sustainability Venture Fund, with participation from InBC Investment Corp.
The investment will help expand the company’s network of smart coastal sensors and accelerate its North American growth. “MarineLabs is proud to be building Canadian-made technology that’s already making maritime operations measurably safer and more efficient across North America,” said MarineLabs founder and CEO Dr. Scott Beatty.
“It’s hard to believe how far we’ve come as a team and a technology since we started in 2017. I remember deploying first prototypes with a canoe, and now we’re operating across North America making ports safer and more efficient.
“With the support of BDC and InBC, we’re growing our network coverage and entering new markets to deliver even greater impact for the ports, pilots, and terminals that keep our economy moving.”
BDC partner Anamika Mukherjee said supporting MarineLabs aligns with BDC’s goal of backing innovative companies advancing sustainability. “We are pleased to support the MarineLabs team in the impactful work they’re doing to ensure the safety and reliability of our coastlines,” she said.
The organization’s flagship product, CoastAware, gives ports and pilots real‑time and forecasted weather intelligence to help reduce downtime and make operations more efficient.
MarineLabs has also earned global recognition for recording the world’s most extreme rogue wave. In November 2020, one of its buoys near Ucluelet, B.C., captured a 17.6‑metre (58‑foot) wave—nearly three times taller than surrounding waves.
The finding, published in Scientific Reports through research with the University of Victoria, was described as a “once in a millennium” event.
Victoria Airport marks record year as tourism remains robust
Victoria Airport Authority says the last three months have marked its busiest quarter on record, with August standing out as the busiest month ever recorded at the airport.
That month, YYJ welcomed 227,613 passengers, surpassing all previous monthly totals and continuing a strong trend of record-breaking traffic that carried through September to close out the quarter. The August figure represents an 11.3% increase over August 2024 (204,466 passengers) and exceeded the airport’s forecast of 221,626.
“Breaking the record for the busiest month in our airport’s history is a proud moment for YYJ and the community we serve,” said Elizabeth Brown, President and CEO of the Victoria Airport Authority. “Sustaining that momentum into a record-breaking quarter shows the strength of our region, the resilience of our travel sector, and the continued confidence of passengers, airlines, and partners in YYJ.”
Year-to-date, the airport has welcomed more than 1.51 million passengers – a 6.5% increase over the same period in 2024 – driven by robust domestic demand, stable traffic to the USA, and strong international routes. The top three destinations by seat capacity so far this year are Vancouver, Calgary, and Toronto, reflecting YYJ’s strong connectivity to major Canadian hubs.
The announcement comes after Destination Greater Victoria reported the South Island’s Greater Victoria’s tourism sector had one of its strongest years on record in 2025.
The region saw near-record levels of visitor activity across accommodations, attractions, and transportation, with more than five million tourists contributing an estimated $1.9 billion to the local economy through spending on hotels, dining, retail, and travel.
CHARD breaks ground on another downtown Victoria project
Construction is underway on a major new Chard Development project that will reshape the north end of downtown Victoria.
The three-tower development, located at Douglas and Caledonia streets on the former Capital City Centre Hotel and White Spot site, will bring 505 rental homes, retail space, and a public plaza to the city core. The mix includes one 16-storey tower owned by BC Housing with 133 units—20 per cent of which will be rented at below-market rates—and two larger towers of 21 and 22 storeys developed by Chard that will offer market-rate housing.
The project represents a collaboration between Chard and BC Housing aimed at adding more diverse and affordable housing to Victoria’s tight rental market. Victoria Mayor Marianne Alto called the project a “significant step forward” in downtown development, noting that the north end of the city is undergoing rapid transformation.
Along with housing, the site will feature a new Thrifty Foods grocery store, childcare facility, community office space, and an open public plaza.
New campaign expands surgical robotics and cancer care in Victoria hospitals
Victoria Hospitals Foundation has launched “It’s Time for Surgical Evolution,” a $21 million campaign to expand the Island’s pioneering surgical robotics program and revolutionize cancer care at Royal Jubilee and Victoria General hospitals.
This next phase is fueled by the largest donation in the Foundation’s history—a $7.5 million gift from a local philanthropist—which enables the acquisition of two surgical robotic suites and more than 60 pieces of advanced oncology equipment.
The campaign positions Victoria as a national leader in minimally invasive surgery, neurosurgery, and cancer treatment, while expanding access to robotic-assisted surgeries in specialties like gynecology, pediatrics, ENT, thoracic, and urology.
Key components include the region’s second da Vinci surgical robot at Victoria General Hospital, Vancouver Island’s first neurosurgery robot for precise brain and spine procedures, and a comprehensive oncology equipment suite across both hospitals.
Dr. Jeff McCracken, Chief Urologist and Head of Robotics, noted that robotic surgery has already transformed patient outcomes on the Island by reducing complications and hospital stays.
Downtown Safety Plan gets underway
The City of Victoria is implementing its targeted six-month safety plan focused on addressing disorder in the Pandora Avenue area as part of its $10.35 million Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan unveiled earlier this year.
The initiative includes increased foot patrols, enforcement actions, and collaboration with community service providers to reduce crime, remove problematic encampments, and improve safety for residents, businesses, and first responders.
The safety plan is aligned with wider efforts by the City of Victoria and provincial partners to tackle street disorder and homelessness challenges impacting downtown. It incorporates “upstream” preventative measures and “downstream” enforcement, complemented by investments in social and housing services to offer alternatives to sheltered encampments.
B.C. expands job-protected sick leave
The province has introduced an amendment to the Employment Standards Act that will provide workers with serious illness or injury up to 27 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave within a 12-month period for medical treatment and recovery.
The move aligns B.C.’s legislation with other Canadian provinces and federal Employment Insurance sickness benefits, addressing a significant gap where no long-term job-protected leave was previously guaranteed for employees unable to work due to their own health conditions.
The new leave provisions will apply to all employees under the Act who are unable to work for at least one week due to a serious personal illness or injury, with the flexibility to take the leave in multiple periods if necessary for treatments such as chemotherapy or episodic diseases like multiple sclerosis.
To qualify for the leave, employees must provide a medical certificate from a doctor or nurse practitioner confirming the need for time off.
FROM THE PAGES OF DOUGLAS:
Discovering your core values helps you be a better leader — and also lead your most authentic life.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR:
OCTOBER
October 26 – 29: Ocean Floor Explore Conference
October 28: Ocean Tech Live: Demo Day
October 28 – 30: VIEA ‘State of the Island’ Economic Summit
NOVEMBER
November 12: Westshore Chamber of Commerce AGM
November 13: EcoStar Awards
November 15: Colourful Business Expo
November 17 – 21: Victoria Tech Week
November 18: Chamber Marketplace Mixer
Douglas Weekly brings local business news, insights and community spotlights to keep Victoria and Vancouver Island In the Know. Got a story tip? Email us.
