News Influencing Decision Makers in BC
Daphne Shelton
Daphne Shelton has been appointed as Director of Commercial Development at the Prince George Airport Authority (PGAA). Shelton brings her experience as Director of Commercial Development & Advertising from Edmonton International Airport to PGAA.
Steve Miller was named the Career Leader of the Year by Career Professionals of Canada.
Walt Judas is stepping down as CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of BC (TIABC).
Kevin Hall, former UVic president, will take over as president and chief executive officer of Zayed University in the United Arab Emirates on November 1.
Mark von Schellwitz, Restaurants Canada‘s Vice President of Western Canada, was recognized by the BC Restaurant & Foodservices Association (BCRFA) for his exceptional and enduring contributions to the restaurant community of British Columbia.
Dennis Callaghan has joined University of Northern British Columbia’s Board of Governors.
Chelsea Minhas has joined the BC Association of Social Workers as the new Executive Director.
BDC has announced a commitment of $100 million in new financing, which will be matched by the CF network. This initiative aims to improve access to capital and advisory support for business owners located in rural and remote areas.
Oliver Piekaar
Oliver Piekaar has been appointed as the new Chief Financial Officer of Trotman Auto Group (TAG).
Island Aggregates, one of the last remaining permitted aggregates sites on Vancouver Island, has been acquired by Heidelberg Materials North America, which also acquired its assets and reserves.
Northern Development Initiative Trust is celebrating its 20th anniversary.
BFL CANADA announced the official opening of its new office in Victoria. The office is being managed by Jamil Karimani, CRM, Managing Vice-President — Vancouver Island.
KWENCH Coworking & Culture Club in Victoria’s arts + design sector now offers community organizations, enterprises, and creators a wide range of meeting space and venue rentals.
In an effort to resolve the ongoing dispute between the government and the B.C. General Employees’ Union (BCGEU) that has led to the public-service strike, the parties have consented to participate in mediation with the assistance of mediators Vince Ready and Amanda Rogers.
The swiftly expanding artificial intelligence (AI) sector in British Columbia (B.C.) is transforming industries such as manufacturing, healthcare, and cleantech, attracting global talent, and driving innovation. The province is establishing itself as a national hub for AI. Novarc Technologies (Novarc), a pioneer in sophisticated welding automation, is one of the companies that is utilizing AI to modernize traditional sectors.
Michael Ballingall
Michael J. Ballingall, Senior Vice President of Big White Ski Resort Ltd., has been recognized as the 2025 Business Leader of the Year by the Kelowna Chamber’s Business Excellence Awards independent judging panel. The award will be presented on October 30 at the Delta Grand.
The Global Peer Financing Association (GPFA) in Canada will be co-led by Charles Lesaux, MBA, Managing Director of Funding Capital Markets & Credit Investments at British Columbia Investment Management Corporation (BCI), and Ivoneke Taylor, Principal of Global Trading at Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan (OTPP).
The Oak Bay Beach Hotel has been named the #1 Hotel in Western Canada in the 2025 Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards.
The 2025 Technology Impact Awards Gala is scheduled to take place on October 23rd at Parq Vancouver.
Registration is now open for the 2026 COFI Convention taking place on April 8 – 10, 2026 at the JW Marriot Parq Vancouver.
Joni, a Victoria-based menstrual care business that makes organic and sustainable period products accessible to all, recently accomplished two milestones: was ranked #19 out of 400 on The Globe & Mail’s 2025 Top Growing Companies list and donated 1 million period care products to Canadian communities.
The Downtown Surrey Business Improvement Association announce the arrival of Stong’s Markets at City Centre 4 in Surrey Centre, which includes their flower shop, Stong’s Stems, and additional offerings.
Denciti Development has secured a long-term lease agreement with the owners of the Kelowna Springs Golf Course, ensuring the course will remain operational for years to come.
Sonja Gaudet
Sonja Gaudet from Vernon has been inducted into the Canadian Paralympic Hall of Fame.
The newest Penticton estate, located at 1675 Midland Road, has been put on the market by Engel & Volkers agent Lyndi Ainsworth for $25 million.
Strike Group and Big Chief Industrial have formed a joint venture called Big Chief Strike, which will allow Strike Group to expand its presence in British Columbia.
The Construction Prompt Payment Act (the “Act”) is being proposed for enactment in British Columbia as part of Bill 20, adding to the growing body of legislation in Canada pertaining to prompt payment and adjudication.
A new Official Community Plan (OCP) has been adopted by the City of Prince George following over two years of public consultation and engagement with community groups and residents. In the October 20, 2025, meeting, Council granted the final reading and adoption of the updated OCP bylaw.
The BC Film Commission at Creative BC has introduced a new resource to assist emerging producers in filming on location throughout British Columbia. This resource outlines essential responsibilities, regional regulations, safety tips, and more, thereby enabling new producers to confidently navigate the logistics of production.
The Gateway Health Building which will co-locate all Student Health and Mental Health Services, UBC Health, the UBC School of Nursing (Vancouver) and the UBC School of Kinesiology together, will open within a few months at The University of British Columbia.
Reel North Adventures was awarded the 2025 Inclusive and Accessible Tourism Experience Award by the Tourism Industry Association of BC (TIABC), sponsored by Destination BC.
Vancouver has been awarded the highest ranking on National Geographic‘s list of the Best Places to Visit in 2026.
DisasterSmartBC.ca, a new platform developed by the BC Economic Development Association, has been recently launched. Its purpose is to assist First Nation and municipal governments, businesses, and local leaders in enhancing their economic resilience in the event of natural disasters.
Construction is set to commence on 32 additional campsites at Rolley Lake Park, bringing the total number of drive-in sites to 95 by spring 2026, thanks to a $4 million investment from the BC government.
A new protected area in Nłuut’iksgm Laxyuubm Gitxaała (sacred Gitxaała Territory) on the north coast of British Columbia, the Banks Marine Refuge, has been created as announced by Chief Councillor Linda Innes of Gitxaała Nation and Canada’s Minister of Fisheries.
The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada has suspended the timeline for the construction, operation, and closure of the proposed open-pit Yellowhead Copper Project in British Columbia by Taseko Mines.
Kitsault Valley Project, which is 100 per cent owned by Dolly Varden Silver Corporation, has concluded its 2025 diamond drill program.
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