Victoria’s May Movers & Shakers

VICTORIA – Mitchell Edgar has been hired as the District of Saanich‘s new economic development manager.

Deloitte Canada recently announced the winners of the 2022 Canada’s Best Managed Companies awards. Vancouver Island’s IWCD is proud to report that they have maintained Platinum Club Member status once again which means they have maintained Best Managed status for 7+ years.

The winners of the 2022 Business Awards have been announced by the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce. See the full list here:

Harbour Air has been recognized for the thirteenth consecutive year as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies.

Helen and Glen Davies have launched Wild Mountain Chocolate, the sole organic bean-to-bar chocolate manufacturer in Canada.

Ray Herman will retire on May 25, and Steve Meikle will succeed him as director of parks, recreation, and culture at the District of Oak Bay.

The founder of Eluma Beauty, Melodie Reynolds, has acquired Miiko Skincare and relaunched it as Foster Skincare.

Series B fundraising of $50 million has been secured by Certn, with B Capital serving as the lead investor. BMO, Tribe, Inovia Capital, Telstra Ventures, Scribble, Moxxie Ventures and Gaingels Covalent Ventures were among the other investors in the round.

Great Little Box Company Ltd/Ideon Packaging (GLBC) has received the prestigious Canada’s Best Managed Companies award for its overall company performance and sustained development.

This year marks the first anniversary of the Victoria Community Fridge at 2725 Rock Bay Avenue.

About 500 new employees have been hired by BC Ferries to help tackle cancellations, and the company is also exploring the possibility of offering lodging on board the ships.

The City of Victoria submitted plans for Fernwood, Hillside-Quadra, and North Park to increase housing opportunities and enhance the livability of these neighbourhoods.

MeeT, a vegan restaurant established in Vancouver will open its first store on Vancouver Island on Hillside Avenue in Victoria, the former location of Boston Pizza.

Vancouver-based New Line Skateparks will be creating a new park in Colwood, which is expected to open in March 2023, according to the West Shore Parks & Recreation Society (WSPRS).

Capital City Comic Con, which takes place in September, will feature the likes of Denise Crosby and MeltingMirror, as well as Vancouver Island artist Julien Pilon.

As a result of the Township of Esquimalt adopting its 2022 budget and tax rates, taxpayers will see an increase in their taxes of 4.92 per cent. The average assessed value home will see an increase in property taxes of $131 while the average company would face an increase of $614 as a result of the change.

Habitat for Humanity Victoria has joined the South Island Prosperity Partnership (SIPP), becoming the alliance’s 76th member and seventh non-profit.

There was a formal opening celebration and ribbon cutting on June 11 at the Vancouver Island Regional Library in Sooke, which has been available to the public since February 25.

JP Creations‘ intention to construct seven multifamily rental apartments at 2063 Townsend Rd. has been authorized by Sooke council.

Brenda Ollis (left), general manager of the Chateau Victoria Hotel & Suites, has been awarded the 2022 Miracle Award, and Randy Wright (right), CEO of Harbour Air Group, has been awarded the 2022 Life Member Award by Destination Greater Victoria during the organization’s AGM.

Sue Black of Megson FitzPatrick Insurance Services is celebrating her ten-year anniversary with the company.

Artemis Whiskey Bar will soon open at 560 Johnson Street, Market Square.

Drop Top Barbers, a brand-new establishment at 534 Pandora Street, is currently looking for talented hairstylists.

Geoff Pearce has pitched the concept of a commuter cable car gondola connecting Colwood and Esquimalt via the Esquimalt port in letters to multiple communities.

A 137-unit rezoning and development permit for the corner of Menzies and Niagara streets in James Bay received final approval from City of Victoria council.

Camosun College is introducing two new programs in Cybersecurity and Network Technology to address the rising demands for cybersecurity workers.

Victoria’s Little Phoenix Daycare, the province’s first child care facility with a trauma-informed approach, has opened. Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre Society (VIRCS) and Family Services of Greater Victoria teamed up to secure funding from the United Way of Southern Vancouver Island in order to build the facility.

Cameron Webster and Marijke McDonald were presented with the Mental Health and Substance Use Community Service Awards by Island Health during an event at the Royal Jubilee Hospital earlier this month.

The Vancouver Island Construction Association has announced the winners of the third annual VICA Awards, which include projects from Port Hardy to Victoria. This year’s judging panel included industry veterans Katy Fairley (Fairley Strategies), Mark Taylor (Mark Taylor Construction Advisory Services), and Barclay Ellis (Trades Labour Corporation Victoria). See the full list of winners here.

A hydrogen fuelling station in Saanich, operated in partnership by the Hydrogen Technology and Energy Corporation of Vancouver and 7-Eleven Canada, has opened to the public.

Under a property transfer agreement, the Capital Regional District plans to buy the Panorama Recreation Centre properties in North Saanich to build a library.

Edward Wilson, a long-time resident of Saanich, has donated land near at 731 Burnside Rd. W. to the District of Saanich.

The West Coast Family Medical Clinic in Sooke has remained open despite the doctor shortage that has affected several other practices in the region.

Bob Peart, a member of the Friends of Shoal Harbour Society, was awarded the 2022 Douglas H. Pimlott Award by Environment Canada.

Cube Project Management, led by Scott Davis, is working to redevelop 2270 Harbour Road, the former location of the Blue Peter Pub and Restaurant.

Bev Heigton, the owner of NAI Commercial, has welcomed Ken Featherby to the firm as a partner.

Sinead Robbins, a co-op student, has joined The Victoria Chamber as an Events and Administration Assistant.

Paul Stevenson is celebrating 45 years working at the EMCO Corporation.

Vancouver-based Deetken Insight is happy to announce that Victoria’s Dara Frere has joined the business as a partner.

FullHost, a hosting and support firm that provides customizable Cloud solutions has announced that cryptocurrency will be accepted as an official form of payment for its services.

Customers in North America may expect better recreation management products from Book King‘s new partnership with Univerus, a leading developer of innovative software solutions.

Clutch just named AOT Technologies one of the world’s top 100 firms — ranked #3 in British Columbia and #1 in the Victoria area.

Acquired Brain Injury 101, the premier educational program of the Victoria Brain Injury Society, is now available to all Greater Victoria residents at no cost.

Island West Coast Developments in Victoria and Nanaimo is looking for Site Supervisors, Carpenters, and Project Managers.

The Wheelhouse Cycling Society and the City of Langford have announced the commencement of the inaugural Langford Bikefest, which will take place on July 2 and 3, 2022, at the Jordie Lunn Bike Park in Langford. The UCI Red Bull Pump Track World Championships Qualifier is the festival’s main headliner, featuring a wide selection of other activities.

The Victoria Canoe and Kayak Club is celebrating 40 years of raising funds for Easter Seals Camp Shawnigan for children with disabilities.

The provincial and federal governments have pledged $2.4 million in funds to assist the City of Victoria with the expense of upgrading Topaz Park.

The Victoria Conference Centre will play host to the Grow Up Conference and Expo, a cannabis conference attended by international cannabis growers and enthusiasts from June 20 to 22.

The District of Saanich is the second municipality in British Columbia to expedite affordable housing development. Saanich Council overwhelmingly accepted a motion to accept the streamlined method adopted by the City of Victoria earlier this month.

Samer Akouri has been hired as the general manager at Harbour City Kitchens.

Nominations are now being accepted for the Arts, Culture and Heritage Awards in Saanich, which honour creative individuals and groups for their excellent achievements. The due date for submissions is May 25.

Pooch Parlour is moving to a new location in Brentwood Bay, at 7135 West Saanich Rd., and plans to open in early May, according to owner Kathy Banks.

The executive director of the Sidney Museum and Archives, Alyssa Gerwing stepped down on May 14.

Councillors Sara Duncan, Chad Rintoul, and Peter Wainwright, in addition to Mayor Cliff McNeil-Smith, approved the construction plans for a four-story building in downtown Sidney’s 9700 block of Third

Mankind Barbers has opened its doors at 2425C Beban Avenue in Sidney.

Nancy Noble has been appointed as the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria‘s (AGGV)) new director. Noble will begin her service with the AGGV in June.

Vecima Networks has named Bill Lee as Vice President of Global Professional Services. Bill has helped public and private operators increase revenues, streamline operations, lower costs, and improve the customer experience for nearly 30 years.

A new two-year program, Climate Action Leadership Diploma, at Pearson College‘s Metchosin campus has been signed by Deborah Saucier, president of Vancouver Island University; Craig Davis, president and head of college for Pearson College; and Philip Steenkamp, president and vice-chancellor of Royal Roads University.

Butler Concrete & Aggregate and Empire Hydrogen Energy Systems have established a partnership focused on using Empire’s technology to make concrete trucks more efficient and cleaner.

Grifflyn Electric has designed and installed the first 50KW D.C EV charger on Vancouver Island.

The City of Victoria is still accepting applications for mobile vendors and food trucks to operate for free in 15 stalls at eight different locations throughout the city until the end of October for the Build Back Victoria program.

Strand Corporation, the developer behind the huge business park project around Westshore Motorsports Park, requested two sound stages be built, and that a portion of the site be rezoned to add residential zoning to lots 1 to 4 while leaving the remaining area for a business park.

Central Saanich’s Fresh Cup Roastery Cafe is growing its production and service area at 1931 Mt. Newton X #104.

Central Saanich has been awarded a $2 million grant to help fund a new facility for lacrosse and other community sports.

The Saanich Peninsula’s Western Canada Marine Response Corporation invites the public to see its new warehouse and office at 9930 McDonald Park Road in North Saanich, adjacent to Victoria International Airport.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) plans to award Cascadia Seaweed Corporation up to $533,475 in financing for research into the valuable compounds found in British Columbia’s seaweed that give support to agriculture.

Estate Jewellery located at 101A 2423 Beacon Avenue in Sidney, is celebrating its 20th year in business.