TOWNSHIP OF ESQUIMALT STAFF REPORT
MEETING DATE: September 29, 2025 Report No. ADM-25-028
TO: Council
FROM: Terése Finegan, Manager of Economic Development
SUBJECT: Update on 2023-2025 Economic Development Action Plan and SIPP Review
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
That Council receive the review of the Township’s membership in the South Island Prosperity Partnership and the update on the 2023-2025 Economic Development Action Plan for information, and direct that a decision on renewing South Island Prosperity Partnership (SIPP) membership for five years be considered during the 2026 budget process following receipt of SIPP’s Fall 2025 Impact Report.
Body
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
At the March 3, 2025, meeting Council resolved:
“That Council:
1. Continue to fund South Island Prosperity Partnership (SIPP) for 2025; and,
2. Direct staff to review and examine the benefits of SIPP for the Township.
This report responds to that direction by providing both a review of the Township’s membership in the South Island Prosperity Partnership (SIPP) and an update on the 2023-2025 Economic Development Action Plan (attached as Appendix 1). Together, these items demonstrate how regional partnerships and local initiatives are advancing Esquimalt’s economic priorities.
SIPP Review. The South Island Prosperity Partnership is Greater Victoria’s regional economic development alliance. Membership provides Esquimalt with access to regional advocacy, investment attraction initiatives, shared data and analysis, and sector development projects such as the Centre for Ocean Applied Sustainable Technologies (COAST) and the Indigenous Prosperity Centre (IPC). The IPC has launched an online Indigenous Business Directory with over 90 listings and delivered initiatives such as the Youth Conference, Blue Economy Day Camps, PSPC Procurement Project, and the Songhees Labour Study. These efforts are beginning to deliver tangible regional and local benefits, underscoring the importance of Esquimalt maintaining a seat at the regional table.
Economic Development Action Plan Update. Adopted in October 2023, the Action Plan serves as a roadmap for strengthening economic resilience, attracting investment, and enhancing community vibrancy. Highlights from the attached report include:
● Adoption of the new place brand, Esquimalt - The Place to Be and launch of the dedicated investment attraction website, WhyEsquimalt.ca, with over 400 businesses already registered.
● Development of brand collateral and delivery of a digital investment prospectus.
● Installation of new street and cultural banners, including designs celebrating Esquimalt’s Japanese heritage at Gorge Park.
● Expansion of the Business Façade Improvement Program into its third year.
● Implementation of the Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system, enabling more than 12,000 direct business communications.
● Strengthened partnerships with the Chamber, SIPP, Destination Greater Victoria, and local Nations, creating new opportunities for collaboration and investment attraction.
Progress is reported across the plan’s four themes - Infrastructure & Land, Marketing & Communications, Business Development, and Partnerships - with momentum continuing into 2026 to complete unfinished priorities and position Esquimalt as a competitive, resilient, and welcoming place to live, work, and invest.
BACKGROUND:
The 2023-2025 Economic Development Action Plan was adopted by Council in October 2023, following the appointment of the Township’s first Manager of Economic Development earlier that year. The plan was informed by an extensive review of existing strategic documents, including the 2014 Economic Development Strategy, 2018 Official Community Plan, 2019 Strategic Priorities, 2020 Business Investment Roadmap, 2021 Regional Growth Strategy, and 2023 Council Priorities.
The Action Plan reorganized and updated themes from the 2020 Roadmap, aligning them with current conditions and re-framing them into actionable projects for the 2023-2025 period. Projects were structured under four overarching themes - Infrastructure & Land, Marketing & Communications, Business Development, and Partnerships -designed to advance local prosperity, competitiveness, and resilience. Initiatives were further categorized by leadership responsibility: Economic Development-led (green), cross-departmental with Economic Development support (blue), and externally dependent outcomes (pink) as per Appendix 2.
Strategic focus areas included the introduction of a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system to support Business Retention and Expansion (BRE), development of the Township’s first dedicated investment attraction website, implementation of a new place brand, and expanded collaboration with local and regional partners. The plan also emphasized economic reconciliation, community engagement, and targeted revitalization initiatives such as the Business Façade Improvement Program.
The Action Plan was designed as an “evergreen document”. While some initiatives are delivered within existing operational resources, others require dedicated funding for consultants, technology platforms, and specialized programs. Its comprehensive approach emphasizes integration across departments, strengthened external partnerships, measurable outcomes, and ongoing evaluation to ensure the Township’s economic development efforts remain responsive and forward-looking.
ANALYSIS:
The attached Economic Development Action Plan Report (Appendix 1) details the progress by theme and project, highlighting action taken and progress.
Summary.
The 2023-2025 Economic Development Action Plan has provided clear direction and momentum for advancing Esquimalt’s economic priorities. Progress has been achieved across all four themes:
Infrastructure & Land. Exploring options for 500 Park Place North is helping define how this property, together with other municipal holdings, can contribute to Esquimalt’s broader land-use and investment strategy.
Marketing & Communications. Adoption of the “Esquimalt - The Place to Be” brand, launch of WhyEsquimalt.ca, and delivery of a digital investment prospectus have strengthened Esquimalt’s profile.
Business Development. Implementation of the CRM and BRE program, growth of the Business Façade Improvement Program, and bylaw modernization have enhanced Esquimalt’s business-friendly environment.
Partnerships. Stronger ties with the Chamber of Commerce, SIPP, Destination Greater Victoria, and local First Nations have created new opportunities for collaboration and investment attraction.
Overall, more than 850 businesses are now engaged through newsletters, outreach, and WhyEsquimalt.ca, and Esquimalt is gaining regional recognition for its collaborative approach and successful initiatives that support business growth and community vitality.
REVIEW OF SOUTH ISLAND PROSPERITY PARTNERSHIP (SIPP)
Who is SIPP?
The South Island Prosperity Partnership is Greater Victoria’s regional economic development alliance. SIPP’s mission is to “strategically transform our region’s economic and social prosperity” by collaborating across municipalities and sectors. The organization leads Southern Vancouver Island’s economic development strategy and runs initiatives such as the annual Rising Economy conference, the Indigenous Prosperity Centre, COAST (ocean tech cluster) and Victoria Rising. In addition, a one-day Local Leadership event is held every November for a regional, collaborative engagement with elected officials and other partners at the table.
Member benefits
SIPP positions membership as an opportunity to “shape Greater Victoria’s economic future. Key benefits promoted on SIPP’s website include:
● Growing connections. Members can expand their network through peer-to-peer links and build partnerships with key influencers at curated events and executive roundtables
● Amplifying the brand. Members gain recognition through SIPP’s digital channels, podcasts and newsletters; they also receive member rates, early registration and preferred sponsor status at SIPP events.
● Adding their voice. Members participate in task forces and sector development initiatives to address regional economic challenges.
SIPP’s Impact Report 2023/24 notes that the organization engaged a record number of stakeholders and leveraged significant funding for regional projects. SIPP’s initiatives include the COAST ocean technology cluster and the Indigenous Prosperity Centre, which co-created an online Indigenous business directory (90+ businesses).
Municipal partnership contributions
SIPP’s Rising to Resilience strategic plan includes an operational budget for 2024/2025 which is based on a per capita and commercial taxation formula for SIPP membership, positioning the Township among the mid-sized contributors.
|
Municipality |
Annual contribution (2024/25) |
|
City of Victoria. |
$241,693.00 |
|
District of Saanich |
$198,202.00 |
|
Oak Bay |
$48,594.00 |
|
Township of Esquimalt |
$37,903.00 |
|
Sidney |
$28,841.00 |
|
View Royal |
$22,910.00 |
|
North Saanich |
$19,933.00 |
|
Sooke |
$18,394.00 |
Deliverables and initiatives.
● Business Investment Roadmap 2020. SIPP partnered with Esquimalt to develop a roadmap identifying investment sectors and actions. Building on the 2014 Economic Development Strategy, the roadmap helped shape Esquimalt’s 2023-2025 Economic Development Action Plan.
● Marine Technology (2020 Roadmap, Action 1.2.2). The roadmap recommended exploring the creation of a centre of excellence for marine technology. This vision was realized through the founding of the Centre for Ocean Applied Sustainable Technologies (COAST) in 2021, an initiative of SIPP. COAST is now developing an ocean tech innovation hub with co-working and testing facilities, aligning directly with Esquimalt’s marine industry aspirations.
● Community Forum on the Economy (2020 Roadmap, Action 2.3.1). While Esquimalt’s issues around employment centres, redevelopment, densification, affordable housing, and multi-modal transportation are shared across the region, solutions require collective effort. SIPP hosts the annual Rising Economy Conference and Local Leadership Forum, bringing together regional leaders to advance these conversations. Esquimalt staff and elected officials participate actively in these flagship events, which SIPP’s Impact Report highlights as essential platforms for municipal collaboration on economic issues.
● Indigenous Prosperity Centre (IPC). Established by SIPP, the IPC co-created an online Indigenous Business Directory now featuring more than 90 businesses. IPC has also advanced projects such as the Youth Conference, Blue Economy Day Camps, PSPC Procurement Project, and the Songhees Labour Study. These initiatives are strengthening economic reconciliation under Theme 4, and the foundational relationships built through IPC are beginning to deliver meaningful results for the region and for Esquimalt.
Intangible benefits
● Regional collaboration and advocacy. SIPP positions Esquimalt within a regional alliance that can advocate collectively to senior governments and investors. Its mission emphasizes transforming regional prosperity by fostering cross-municipal and cross-sector collaboration.
● Access to networks and data. Membership provides access to SIPP’s economic research, analysis, podcasts, and newsletters, as well as peer-to-peer connections across the region. The Rising Economy Taskforce continues to generate intelligence and integrated strategies, with a report-back by SIPP to partner municipalities scheduled for Fall 2025.
● Leveraged funding. SIPP’s Impact Report highlights unprecedented levels of leveraged project funding and stakeholder engagement. Smaller municipalities like Esquimalt gain significant benefit from regional projects and funding opportunities that exceed their individual capacity.
● Economic reconciliation. Through the IPC, SIPP supports Indigenous-led economic development and helps municipalities like Esquimalt advance reconciliation actions in meaningful and tangible ways.
● Partner Initiatives. SIPP continues to lead and support initiatives in high-growth sectors beyond marine and Indigenous prosperity. These include life sciences, the blue economy, clean technology, and advanced manufacturing, each offering potential benefits to Esquimalt through regional investment attraction, workforce development, and innovation opportunities.
These deliverables and benefits demonstrate the tangible value of SIPP membership and underscore the importance of continued funding to maintain Esquimalt’s seat at the regional table, ensuring local priorities are represented within broader regional strategies.
OPTIONS:
Option 1 - Defer SIPP Membership Decision to Budget after Impact Report (Recommended)
Council may choose to defer a decision on renewing SIPP membership for 2026 until after receiving SIPP’s Impact Report in Fall 2025. This ensures Council has the most up-to-date performance data and outcomes before considering funding through the 2026 budget process.
Resolution:
That Council receive the review of the Township’s membership in the South Island Prosperity Partnership and the update on the 2023-2025 Economic Development Action Plan for information, and direct that a decision on renewing SIPP membership for 2026 be considered during the 2026 budget process following receipt of SIPP’s Fall 2025 Impact Report.
Option 2 - Renew SIPP Membership Now
Council may choose to confirm continued membership in SIPP for 2026 in advance of the Impact Report, providing certainty to both the Township and SIPP.
Resolution:
That Council direct staff to renew the Township’s membership in the South Island Prosperity Partnership for 2026-2030 for the next five-year term, with funding allocated in the 2026 budget.
Option 3 - Receive Report Only
Council may choose to receive the Economic Development Action Plan update and SIPP review for information without providing direction at this time. Funding requests would return for consideration during the 2026 budget process in line with other priorities.
Resolution:
That Council receive the 2023-2025 Economic Development Action Plan progress report and review of the Township’s membership in the South Island Prosperity Partnership for information, with related funding requests to be considered during the 2026 budget process.
COUNCIL PRIORITY:
Diversified & Thriving Economy
Strong Relationships & Partnerships
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
None associated with this report
COMMUNICATIONS/ENGAGEMENT:
The Economic Development Action Plan Report 2023-2025 (Appendix 1) will be published on the Township’s website to provide transparency and share progress with the community.
TIMELINES & NEXT STEPS:
The Economic Development Action Plan Report 2023-2025 (Appendix 1) will be published on the Township’s website to provide transparency and share progress with the community.
REPORT REVIEWED BY:
1. Kristi Bilodeau, Acting Director of Finance, Reviewed
2. Deb Hopkins, Director of Corporate Services, Reviewed
3. Dan Horan, Chief Administrative Officer, Concurrence
LIST OF ATTACHMENTS:
1. Economic Development Action Plan 2023-2025
2. Economic Development Action Plan Report September 2025