Fraser Valley Business News
DELTA
The Tsawwassen Town Centre Mall’s Delta Model Railway Club is searching for a new location as the mall begins to undergo redevelopment.
The most recent property tax increase, which includes a 4.75 per cent increase for 2025 and a 2 per cent Recreation Capital Investment Levy, received preliminary approval this week by Delta council.
Snowfield Coaching & Consulting, founded by Graham Snowfield, recently joined the Ladner Business Association.
Birds Canada is hosting their annual Christmas bird count in Delta on December 15th. Established in 1900, the Christmas bird count (CBC) is North America’s longest-running citizen science project. People in more than 2000 locations throughout the Western Hemisphere participate in the CBC each year.
WHITE ROCK
The Kent Street Activity Centre coffee shop will be closing for the holidays on Wednesday, Dec. 18 and will reopen on Monday Jan.6.
The City of White Rock is seeking public feedback as it revises its Development Cost Charges (DCCs) bylaw.
White Rock Chamber of Commerce‘s New Members Breakfast on January 22.
The South Surrey & White Rock Chamber of Commerce introduces its newest Gold Pillar Partner, TBMS Warehousing Inc. – Third Party Logistics, owned by Dave and Melinda Corbett.
Landmark Uptown Gallery is hosting Artwest’s Show & Sale from now until December 22.
Chartwell Retirement Residences, located in 1222 King George Blvd., Surrey, is hosting the South Surrey & White Rock Chamber of Commerce‘s New Members Breakfast on January 22.
SURREY
Emily Ortis
Emily Ortis has joined BC Hydro as its new Director, Safety Systems & Assurance.
Jagminder Singh has been appointed as the Director of Financial Planning at DP World, effective November 4, 2024.
BC Care Providers Association welcomes Marc Kinna (Baptist Housing) as its new President, as well as Gavin McIntosh (The Care Group) as Vice President and Angela Grottoli (Optima Living) as Treasurer.
Slate Asset Management sold the 4330 Kingsway building, which had been the Metro Vancouver headquarters, to the City of Burnaby for $65 million.
Russel Metals has acquired Tampa Bay Steel, which will join their Southern US businesses.
The Surrey Board of Trade has raised over $10,000 and 702lbs of food to support the Surrey Food Bank at its Seasonal Sizzle Business Reception held last week.
Empower Operations, an artificial intelligence (AI) startup located in the City of Surrey, has quadrupled its income and established itself as a pioneer in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) applied to engineering with the help of $500K in funding from PacifiCan.
According to Insolvency Insider, San Industries Ltd. et al. (the “San Group”), a group of British Columbia-based lumber companies, obtained CCAA protection on November 29. The San Group was founded in 1979 and operates a multi-faceted forest products enterprise involving harvesting timber within British Columbia, transporting the timber to a sawmill in Port Alberni for primary processing, transferring the processed lumber to re-manufacturing facilities to create lumber products, and selling those products to end users. The San Group currently has approximately 250 employees. Historically, the San Group has run its operations profitably, but says it began facing significant liquidity challenges in 2023 due to external factors including an erosion in the lumber markets, inflationary pressures which increased labour and other input costs, and rapidly escalating interest rates. Compounding these issues was the closure of BC Highway 4 — the only highway that connects the island’s two coasts — over summer 2023 due to a wildfire on Vancouver Island. The San Group attempted to negotiate a restructuring with its primary lenders, BDC and RBC (formerly HSBC), but was ultimately unsuccessful. BDC is currently owed over $43 million, while RBC is owed over $105 million. The purpose of the CCAA proceedings is to implement a monitor-run SISP, as the current ownership and management intend to participate as a bidder. Deloitte is the monitor. KPMG is the financial advisor to the San Group. Counsel is Farris for the San Group, Fasken for RBC, Blakes for the monitor and BLG for BDC.
A month after the federal government announced it would provide the non-profit $2.7 million, Small Business BC has filed for bankruptcy.
The Canadian Snowbird Association reports that Canadian snowbirds are continuing to travel to the U.S. sunbelt this season, despite
Air Canada has released its most extensive international flight schedule, departing from its Vancouver (YVR) hub, has added three new transborder routes: Tampa, Raleigh, and Nashville. Additionally, capacity has been increased to Austin, Denver, and Miami. Air Canada and its partner, United Airlines, will run 58 nonstop flights per day to 21 US destinations in the summer of 2025, offering up to 7,700 seats. This is an 1 per cent upgrade from summer 2024.
LANGLEY
Oak & Thorne celebrate its 9th anniversary.
A new Fat Bastard Burrito location has opened in Langley, at 20349 88 Ave. The grand opening took place on December 3.
Following a community celebration, Aldergrove will host its 30th annual Christmas Light Up parade on Saturday, December 14, at 6 p.m.
TD Wealth Private Investment Advice is hosting their new branch Open House and Toy Drive on December 11th at 8661 201 Street, Suite 410 in Langley.
The GST on a few commodities will be temporarily suspended by the Canadian government from December 14, 2024, to February 15, 2025.
Langley City has introduced its new 2024 Economic Development Strategy (EDS), which replaces the 2016 version. This updated plan will build on the success of local businesses, innovation and investments already happening in Langley. Its new vision aims to strengthen the economy and address current challenges while taking advantage of new opportunities and trends, all while keeping our resident’s needs top of mind.
The Township of Langley will be accepting applications for the 2025 Capital Improvement and Community Grant Programs starting Sunday, December 1, 2024 until Friday, February 28, 2025. Visit the online portal starting December 1 to view the criteria and access the online applications.
ABBOTSFORD
Abbotsford Council. Patricia Ross has been elected as the new chair of the Fraser Valley Regional District board.
WeBC is teaming up with the Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce to offer a Peer Mentoring Group for women in business, led by Kristina Bradley, owner of Nurse Next Door South Fraser and CEO of Hire A Caregiver HQ Corp. The sessions will kick off on January 28th and continue every Tuesday until March 4th.
The Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce welcomes its new members: BARR Plastics Inc., Basma Elgreatly, Br–ther Creative Agency, Coleridge Construction, Palatable Catering & Events, Prism RC Inc., Respond & Rebuild, Sav Cheema, Solis Realty, The Badass Garage Ltd, The Centre for Epilepsy & Seizure Education in British Columbia, Thurber Engineering Ltd., Travis Heal – PREC, Waypoint, Wheelchair Works Inc., Whitney Maries Patisserie, and Willy Black.
The Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce has Adopted a Bed at this year’s 31 Days of Giving Plasma Campaign at the Abbotsford Plasma Donor Centre, scheduled on December 17th.
CHILLIWACK
Trevor Millard
Trevor Millard has joined Bannister GM Chilliwack as a Sales Advisor.
Chilliwack North MLA Heather Maahs has announced her resignation from the school board as she transitions to her new role in provincial office.
Emil Anderson Construction has been recognized with a Paving Award for its outstanding work on Highway 97C, located east of Merritt.
The City of Chilliwack is requesting Expressions of Interest from qualified Proponents who possess the required personnel, experience and resources to provide civil design services for the following projects: 1. Main Street – Wellington to Patten – Detailed Design 2. Lickman Rd/Progress Way Signalized Intersection – Detailed Design 3. Chilliwack Mtn Rd & Schweyey Rd Intersection – Detailed Design 4. Watson Rd – Tyson to Vedder – Pre-Design 5. Knight Rd / Chilliwack River Rd Intersection – Pre-Design 6. Prest Rd and First Ave Intersection – Pre-Design 7. Yale/Airport Intersection Traffic Study – Pre-Design
PITT MEADOWS
The Canadian Museum of Flight has relocated to Pitt Meadows Regional Airport, marking a significant move after nearly three decades at Langley Airport.
Winter Wonderland, a holiday skating event is taking place on December 22 and 23 at the Pitt Meadows Arena.
The CPKC Holiday Train will be coming through Pitt Meadows on Thursday, December 19.
Pitt Meadows City Council has endorsed the City’s 2025 budget of $59.7 million, which includes a property tax increase of $34 per month.
According to the Pitt Meadows website, 78% is agricultural land? The majority of the land in the City of Pitt Meadows is within the ALR and is subject to its provisions.
MAPLE RIDGE
Battery maker E-One Moli Energy has stated that, for the time being, it would not be proceeding with the expansion of its Maple Ridge plant.
An additional year and $24 million have been added to the Lougheed widening project in Maple Ridge, which aims to expand Highway 7 from 266th to 287th Streets.
In the spirit of the holiday season, the Maple Ridge Eagles Aerie has just donated $5,000 to six different groups in the Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows areas including: Food on Wheels program run by Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Community Services; Christmas Haven Project; Children of the Street, a Plea Community Services initiative; Alisa’s Wish program; Salvation Army Ridge Meadows Ministries; and Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Community Services’ Meals on Wheels program.
Donations totalling $93,130.80 will be distributed to local organizations on Thursday, December 12th by the Maple Ridge Community Foundation as part of their 2024 autumn granting cycle.
As it searches for a permanent location, the North Fraser Therapeutic Riding Centre will temporarily operate its programs out of the Maple Ridge Equi-Sports Centre.
In addition to Toronto and Vancouver, the City of Maple Ridge is now one of the three communities in Canada that also has a film kiosk. These kiosks provide production teams with the ability to power their operations.
MISSION
Nichole’s Residential Cleaning has been named the Best Housecleaning Business in Mission at the 2024 CHCA Award.
Sweeney’s Barbershop is opening in Mission.
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