DELTA
English Bay Blending and Fine Chocolates headed by CEO Jack Seguin, recently acquires gluten free market leader, Kinnikinnick Foods. English Bay’s manufacturing facility will be moving from Delta to Stony Plain, Alberta by November 2025.
BC Ferries is hiring 18 Terminal Attendants and 10 Ticket Agents at the Tsawwassen terminal, City of Delta. Apply online by February 29th, 2024.
Jack Seguin
The province has provided financial support to SIPCO Innovations Inc. and Nourish Labs through the BCCAI – BC Centre for Agritech Innovation.
Village Farms International, Inc. is proud to receive the Options Community Services’ Re-Imagine Award for Outstanding Employer. The award honours Village Farms’ Fresh Produce and Pure Sunfarms businesses for their inclusive workplaces in British Columbia and their rich diversity, team culture and relationships.
Ideal Welders Ltd. will receive as much as $390,879 from the Association of BC Marine Industries (ABCMI) to purchase, install, and implement a state- of-the-art spool welding robotic (SWR). The overall objective is to modernize
Zodiac Hurricane Technologies Inc. will receive as much as $257,785 from ABCMI to modernize the rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) manufacturer’s facility by integrating advanced spray paint capabilities into their production processes. The incorporation of spray paint capability will streamline the painting process, significantly reducing the time required for each boat’s paint job.
WHITE ROCK
On February 7th, South Surrey & White Rock Chamber of Commerce and The Bund Shanghai Cuisine will host a Lunar New Year celebration at 15057 Marine Drive.
The South Surrey & White Rock Chamber if Commerce welcomes its newest member, Crystal Williams of Williams Real Estate.
The Seniors’ Safe’Tea Walk is happening every Wednesdays, of February from 9am – 11am at the Semiahmoo Shopping Centre.
Rebecca Casey of Custom Coast Mortgages is the newest member of BNI Oceanside.
SURREY
Peter Cowan
Peter Cowanhas been named the new CEO and President of Innovate BC.
Diana Swain has been appointed a Strategic Advisor and Toronto Forum Chair for MacKay CEO Forums. In addition, she will establish a MacKay CEO peer group in Toronto, Ontario, which aims to offer high-performing CEOs and executives confidential peer learning and support.
The CEO of the Alzheimer Society of BC, Jennifer Lyle, will be joining the panel of speakers at the Care to Chat on dementia care, which will be held at Surrey’s Civic Hotel on February 20th.
Joy Johnson, president and vice chancellor of Simon Fraser University, has been unanimously re-appointed to a second five-year term.
Canada Pension Plan Investment Board and Oxford Properties Group Inc. reached an agreement with Germany’s Deka Group to purchase, for approximately $300 million, two downtown Vancouver office buildings containing Amazon.com Inc. tenants at 402 Dunsmuir St. and 401 West Georgia St.
Diana Swain
The Community Workforce Response Grant program provided BCCPA and EngAge BC with $330,000 to support the delivery of the PN Access Training Program to sponsor 10 students to help transition into PN. The funding came from the Government of Canada, under the Canada-BC Workforce Development Agreement.
Subaru Canada, Inc, (SCI) hit the ground running in 2024, retailing 5,675 units for a best-ever January. In January 2023, Subaru Canada sold 3,058 units, making the same period in 2024 an 85.6 per cent increase.
The School of Mechatronic Systems Engineering at Simon Fraser University has been awarded provincial funding by the BCCAI-BC Centre for Agritech Innovation.
The FVREB’s Board of Directors and Stakeholder and Government Relations Committee recently participated in the 2024 Economic Forecast event, which was organized by the Surrey Board of Trade and attended by prominent industry leaders. Pierre Cleroux, the VP of Research & Chief Economist at the Business Development Bank of Canada, shared valuable insights on the current state and future prospects of our local, provincial, federal, and international economies.
PICS announces the virtual launch on February 13th of the Pan-Canadian Foreign Credential Recognition Program for Internationally Educated Health Professionals (FCR-IEHP).
A non-profit organization called the Black Entrepreneurs and Businesses of Canada Society has initiated the Black Pitch Contest. This contest provides an opportunity for Black entrepreneurs to present their business ideas and compete for a prize of $25,000.
British Columbia has appointed Michael Fleming, a former mediator and associate chair of the BC Labour Relations Board, and representatives of workers’ and employers’ interests to serve on a three-member panel assigned with recommending possible amendments to the Labour Relations Code.
LANGLEY
Isobel Mackenzie has announced her retirement after serving as BC Seniors Advocate for a decade.
Sokana, Penticton’s newest project situated between Okanagan and Skaha lakes, is financed in part by Envision Financial, a branch of First West Credit Union. With over $90 million in construction financing, Envision is constructing 234 homes with a variety of amenities including a pool deck, fitness centre, social kitchen and lounge, co-working space, and more.
The Surrey Board of Trade has recently formed a partnership with Astria Properties and Orion Construction, to work towards transforming the process of finding the perfect commercial and industrial spaces for businesses.
Liam Clark has been selected as the Conference Chair for the 100th year of Toastmasters International. The District 21 Conference is scheduled to take place on April 27, 2024 in Langley.
FoodPro, a highly anticipated food and beverage conference presented by BC Food & Beverage (BCFB) has been scheduled for June 7th, 2024 at the JW Marriott Parq Hotel in Vancouver. Tickets are now available!
Bevo Farms Ltd. and ONT Holdings Inc. have received funding from the province through the BCCAI – BC Centre for Agritech Innovation.
The Vancouver Bandits and Basketball BC teamed up in January to hold a free coaching clinic at the Langley Events Centre, which aimed to connect local coaches with Olympic and collegiate-level coaches as well as promote coaching education.
More than $1 million has been raised to date to support the important initiatives at the Langley Memorial Hospital. This achievement was celebrated during the 5th year of the Langley Memorial Hospital Foundation‘s Giving Hearts Gala, held at the Coast City Hotel & Convention Centre in Langley.
ABBOTSFORD
The City of Abbotsford, along with the Government of Canada, Province of BC and BC Transit, have shared that a new transit exchange will be built on Montrose Avenue in Historic Downtown Abbotsford. Ballina Contracting has been awarded the contract for this project, and construction is set to begin in early 2024, with completion expected by the end of summer 2024.
Starting in 2024, the City of Abbotsford will update its Official Community Plan (OCP), which will be called Abbotsforward 2050 to accommodate and plan for community growth over the next several decades. The Abbotsforward 2050 OCP update will build on the existing OCP while addressing current and future challenges to affirm the City vision and strengthen Abbotsford’s future growth and development plan. The City will be seeking community input throughout the update.
In 2023, the number of passengers using the Abbotsford International Airport—home to WestJet and Flair Airlines—broke a record of over 1.2 million passengers, surpassing the previous record set in 2019.
The Abbotsford Chamber welcomes their new Business Engagement Specialist, Samantha Palmer.
CHILLIWACK
BC Food & Beverage welcomes its new member, Smoking Gun Coffee Roasters, which earned recognition at the 29th Annual Business Excellence Awards hosted by the Chilliwack Chamber of Commerce.
The Chilliwack Society for Community Living, a member of Inclusion BC, celebrates its 70th anniversary with an exhibition at the Chilliwack Museum titled Our Journey for Inclusion: 70 Years of Innovation. The exhibition will be open until June 8th and will highlight the evolution of inclusion programs for individuals with developmental disabilities.
On February 15, 2024, Jeff Bonner of Tractorgrease will be the featured speaker at the Creative Third Thursdays hosted by the Chilliwack Economic Partners Corporation.
Perfect Tan Luxury Tanning and Wellness has officially opened at 10-5725 Vedder Road.
PITT MEADOWS
Pitt Meadows is seeking volunteers for its city committees for the coming year to advise city council, provide feedback on local issues and develop community-specific solutions. Application deadline is Feb. 25.
The Family Day Carnival takes place on February 19, 2024, at the Pitt Meadows Recreation Centre.
The City of Pitt Meadows congratulates the following recipients of the 2023 Community Service Awards: Against the Odds Achievement Award – Chris Ellis; Business of the Year Award – The Jolly Coachman; Community Service Award – Len Pierre; Community Service Youth Award – Sienna Gubert; Good Neighbour Award – Everett Crowdis and Spirit of Pitt Meadows Award – Susan and Richard Harmston.
MAPLE RIDGE
Following Council approval, Lafarge Canada Inc. will be awarded a contract worth $8.475 million, with an additional $1.5 million set aside as a contingency, to complete the next section of Abernethy Way’s widening, which will extend from 224 Street to 230 Street. The project is prioritized in the City’s Strategic Transportation Plan and is funded as part of the 2024 Capital Plan.
The Province has allocated $250,000 to conduct a feasibility study that will explore potential postsecondary educational opportunities in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows.
The city of Maple Ridge is introducing a fresh initiative called the Seasonal Curbside Patio Program, which allows food and beverage businesses to extend their operations onto public sidewalks and streets, creating additional seating and dining spaces. Apply now at mapleridge.ca/2770.
Irena Pochop APR of School District No. 42, has been announced as a new accredited member of the Canadian Public Relations Society.
MISSION
The North Fraser Fire Department‘s Captain John Berry has announced his retirement after 33 years of service.
April Sandford has recently joined RONA Fraser Valley Building Supplies as an Inventory Specialist.
Hook to Table is thrilled to be a part of the upcoming “Taste of the Valley” event at Chilliwack Heritage Park on Feb 9th and 10th!
Pet Strong, a curbside pet waste removal company, has opened in Mission.
Exotic Brow Bar has recently opened for business at 33180 First Ave, Mission.
Send your business announcements, celebrations and new additions to media@businessexaminer.ca
Business Examiner Staff
