News Influencing Decision Makers in BC
Paul McCullough
Paul McCullough has joined the MacKay CEO Forums group as a Strategic Advisor and now serves as a Forum Chair in the Vancouver area that focuses on CEOs. MacKay also celebrates their 20th anniversary.
Gordon Ramsay has launched his first “Steak” restaurant in Canada, located at the River Rock Casino Resort in Richmond.
Trevor Boudreau has been appointed Senior Director, Government Relations at Simon Fraser University.
Annabree Fairweather is celebrating 6 years anniversary with the Confederation of University Faculty Associations of British Columbia (CUFA BC).
Laurel Douglas, ICD.D has received the prestigious Lifetime Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Leader Award.
Jessica E. Bermudez has joined JA British Columbia as the new Director of Community Engagement.
Fiona Famulak has announced her resignation from the role of President and CEO of the BC Chamber of Commerce.
Jennifer Podmore Russell
Jennifer Podmore Russell has been appointed as the Chief Development Officer at Nch’ḵaỷ Development Corporation.
Inge Dijk has joined the First Nations Health Authority Northern team as the new regional nurse manager.
Ken Mcrae has been appointed to the Board of Directors of the Port Alberni Port Authority (PAPA), starting January 23, 2025, for a two-year term.
Drs. Ellen Petticrew and Philip Owens have been honoured with the Paz Buttedahl Career Achievement Award from the Confederation of University Faculty Associations of BC (CUFA BC) for their extensive research on sediment dynamics and aquatic ecosystems over the years.
Vancity and First Credit Union are in the process of investigating the feasibility of a merger in order to enhance community banking in British Columbia.
WeBC recently celebrated its 30th year at the Laurel Packinghouse in Kelowna.
Schill Insurance Brokers Ltd. has been acquired by BrokerLink, one of Canada’s largest insurance brokerages.
The Province will submit legislation in spring 2025 to empower the BC Energy Regulator to regulate renewable energy projects including wind and solar for faster permits and stronger regulation. Adrian Dix, Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions, made the announcement in front of successful First Nations and clean-energy partners who signed electricity purchase agreements (EPAs) with BC Hydro, which will generate $5 billion to $6 billion in private capital spending across the province.
B.C. will implement a 2.6 per cent wage increase for its lowest-paid workers on June 1, 2025, aligning with inflation. The general minimum wage will rise from $17.40 to $17.85 per hour, following changes to the Employment Standards Act in spring 2024, which now require annual wage increases.
The Minister of Transport and Internal Trade of the Government of Canada has announced an investment of up to $33.1 million in the National Trade Corridors Fund for six initiatives in Alberta and British Columbia. These initiatives will facilitate economic expansion and enhance the connectivity of communities and regions throughout Canada.
Kerry Brown
Kerry Brown has been appointed as a Strategic Advisor – Chair Recruiting at MacKay CEO Forums.
The Government of British Columbia is seeking three individuals to join the BCIT Board of Governors, to assist in achieving its goal of connecting learners with industry for successful workforce development.
Telus is implementing attractive buyout incentives for employees throughout the country in order to boost self-serve solutions.
Northern BC Housing Awards of Excellence Gala is set for Saturday, March 8, in Prince George, BC.
Canadian Immuno-Engineering and Biomanufacturing Hub (CIEBH), coordinated by UBC, is one of five national research centres to boost biomanufacturing and life sciences. For its four supported initiatives, CIEBH received $140M over four years from the Canada Biomedical Research Fund (CBRF) and Biosciences Research Infrastructure Fund (BRIF) and $32M from the BC Government’s Knowledge Development Fund.
Happy Belly Food Group Inc., a prominent player in consolidating emerging food brands, has announced that as of February 25th, 2025, it has signed an area development agreement for British Columbia. This agreement will facilitate the opening of 20 new franchised restaurants for the Toronto-based QSR brand iQ Food Co.
Janet Gauthier
Janet Gauthier has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Ironclad Developments.
Accelerate Okanagan has launched Ascend BC, a $3.98 million initiative aimed at speeding up the growth of scale-ready technology companies in the Interior of British Columbia. This initiative is backed by a $1.98 million investment from PacifiCan, funded through its Business Acceleration Pilot (BizAP), with additional support from Innovate BC and ETSI-BC (Economic Trust of the Southern Interior). Ascend BC is set to provide founders with tailored mentorship, fractional executive services, and access to capital and peer networks through this initiative.
The Prince Rupert Port Authority has teamed up with the Metlakatla Development Corporation to create the South Kaien Import Logistics Park (SKILP), a new Indigenous-led joint venture worth over $100 million is set to bring lasting economic advantages to Metlakatla. It aims to create more job opportunities for local Indigenous workers and enhance intermodal trade via the Prince Rupert Gateway.
With a pilot program set to begin on February 25, 2025, the BC Financial Services Authority will grant an extension of the early marketing time under the Real Estate Development Marketing Act (“REDMA”) from 12 months to 18 months to major residential complexes with 100 units or more.
The BC Chamber of Commerce will hold its AGM themed “Stronger Together: Building the Future of Business through Collaboration” from June 3-5, 2025, at the Vancouver Island Conference Centre, located at 101 Gordon Street, Nanaimo.
The editors of Canada’s Top 100 Employers have once again named the Land Title and Survey Authority of British Columbia (LTSA) and our wholly-owned subsidiary LandSure Systems Ltd. (LandSure) as two of BC’s Top Employers.
The Alberta Hotel & Lodging Association, along with provincial hotel associations, has introduced “Not in Our Hotel,” a complimentary training initiative available to all hotels from Ontario to BC.
Harbour Air has announced an expanded schedule for spring and summer, featuring over 155 daily flights across BC.
On March 13th, the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade will host a free webinar focused on market diversification. Participants will gain insights on how to expand their businesses globally by leveraging Canada’s Free Trade Agreements.
Erin Elliott
Erin Elliott, CPA, CA has been appointed Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Devon Properties.
The BC Premier’s Task Force on Agriculture and Food Economy has been officially launched, aiming to enhance the agriculture and food processing sectors in British Columbia. James Donaldson, CEO of BC Food & Beverage, is set to co-chair the Task Force alongside Danielle S., Executive Director of the BC Agriculture Council, and Michelle Koski, Deputy Minister from the Ministry of Agriculture & Food.
In celebration of the Vancouver International Wine Festival, Wedgewood Hotel & Spa, Relais & Châteaux is showcasing its 40th Anniversary Blanc de Noir, crafted in partnership with the renowned Tantalus Vineyards.
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