News Influencing Decision Makers in BC
George Abbott
George Abbott has been named as the new chief commissioner by the First Nations Summit and the Government of B.C.
Keith Granbois has joined Destination Canada as Executive Director – Finance.
Matthew Daniel recently started a new position as an Administrative Assistant at Odlum Brown Limited.
Janet Annable has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Finance at Westland Insurance Group Ltd.
Alex Smith is starting a new position as a DHC-6 First Officer at Harbour Air Seaplanes.
Sam Varing
Sam Varing has been elected as the President of the Board at the Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce.
Gurleen Gang has been honoured as Canada’s 2026 Young Professional of the Year, receiving national recognition from the Association of Consulting Engineering Companies.
Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim supports the city’s interest in securing an MLB franchise as Major League Baseball begins its league expansion process.
Innovate BC has announced the addition of four remarkable leaders to its Board of Directors: Andrew Fursman, Nancy Harrison, Ray Muzyka, and Christina Zacharuk.
Laura Sherer, Underwriter – Personal Lines at Westland Insurance Group Ltd., has been named a Rising Star recipient by the National Insurance Conference of Canada.
The ACET First Nations Utility Study is being advanced by the Clean Energy Association of British Columbia, the University of Victoria-led Accelerating Community Energy Transformation, and the Province of British Columbia, through the Ministry of Energy and Climate Solutions, in collaboration with three B.C. First Nations.
A worldwide investment firm called Tiga has teamed up with Groundplay Developments, whose principal Dan Matthews was a partner in Bear Mountain before the company went into receivership in the fall of 2024, to pay over $141 million for the real estate holdings and recreation facilities at Bear Mountain.
Canadians will be able to expedite the booking process while using several airlines through a new option just introduced by WestJet. Travelers will find it easier than ever to build an interline itinerary using WestJet.com, the WestJet app, or the WestJet contact centre.
Rehana Din
Rehana Din has been appointed President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of BC Pavilion Corporation (PavCo) by the Board of Directors. Her term will begin on May 9.
Ray’s, Yaletown’s newest restaurant officially opened April 14 at 1131 Mainland Street.
Pacific Ridge Business Centre has officially reached full occupancy in both buildings, showing the successful conclusion of the marketing phase for this top-tier industrial strata development in Langford.
The British Columbia Economic Development Association (BCEDA) has added the Co-operators as a new partner.
The first phase of Enercheez‘s new facility in Nelson is now underway.
Pallet Coffee Roasters is set to take over the former Starbucks location at 2035 Yukon Street in Vancouver.
The Spitz Centre for Indigenous Business Education at the University of British Columbia (UBC) Sauder School of Business has received a $50,000 donation from Seaspan and the Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation to support Indigenous students pursuing post-secondary business education.
VoltSafe has been chosen to take part in a recently announced Marine and Coastal Testbed initiative, which was started by Innovate BC‘s Integrated Marketplace.
Leo Martin
Leo Martin has been appointed as the new COO of Vancouver Shipyards, starting April 20, 2026. He will oversee the entire ship construction process, from initial design to final delivery.
Travel + Leisure Co., one of the most reputable voices in luxury travel worldwide, has awarded Rosemead House two outstanding honours: The Top 100 New Hotels of the Year and the Best New Luxury Hotels You Can Book for Under $350 per night.
Netflix Animation Studios has officially opened its doors at 110 E 5th Ave. in Mount Pleasant, Vancouver.
GGG Glow Bar, a new wellness cafe, has taken over the former Mister ice cream location at 1835 West 1st Ave.
Kohund Bakery has officially taken over the original location of Cowdog Coffee at 3720 Oak St.
Paramount DaySpa Salon Boutique celebrates its 75th anniversary.
Los Chavos has ceased operations in Vancouver’s West End.
The Province announced the K’ómoks Treaty Act, 2026, in the B.C. legislature, marking the initial move towards the provincial government’s ratification of the K’ómoks Treaty.
With almost 12,500 new homes approved in 2025, the City of Vancouver achieved significant housing results, surpassing the yearly goal of 8,300 by 54 per cent.
Sunborn International‘s proposal to moor a 250-room floating hotel next to the Vancouver Convention Centre was approved by the Vancouver council.
A one-time, community-based offering of the University of Northern British Columbia‘s bachelor of education elementary years program will be made available in Gitwinksihlkw starting in Setember by the Wilp Wilx‘o’oskwhl Nisgĩa’a Institute (WWNI) and UNBC.
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