News Influencing Decision Makers in BC
Pip Dhaliwal
Pip Dhaliwal of Freedom Capital Inc, has been recognized as an Excellence Awardee for the Canadian Mortgage Awards for Alternative Broker Specialist of the Year category. The winners will be revealed on May 1 at the Canadian Mortgage Awards Gala in Toronto.
The old Safeway at The City of Lougheed in Burnaby will officially reopen its doors as the Inclusive Place of Pickleball (IPOP). This new 30,000 sq. ft. indoor pickleball facility features nine regulation-size courts and marks a significant milestone as Metro Vancouver’s first large-scale, fully dedicated pickleball venue.
The B.C. government is introducing changes to the Employment Standards Act to streamline sick day policies, specifically by banning employers from requiring sick notes for short-term absences.
BC Chamber of Commerce 73rd AGM and Conference is taking place in Nanaimo from June 3-5, 2025.
The BC First Nations Justice Council (BCFNJC) has officially launched a new provincially approved training course aimed at increasing Indigenous cultural competency among police officers. Developed in collaboration with Surrey Police Service (SPS) and the Canadian Police Knowledge Network (CPKN), the course is designed to serve as a foundational step in supporting systemic change within policing.
Greg Hudson
Greg Hudson has been promoted to the role of Chief Investment Officer (CIO) at Ironclad Developments Inc.
T&T Supermarket, plans to open its 5th US store in Southern California in the Winter of 2026 in Irvine. Following the debut of its first U.S. store in Bellevue, WA in December 2024, T&T is continuing its U.S. expansion.
Bird Construction in Canada has secured more than $650 million in new projects across a variety of sectors, including the Cottonwoods Long-term Care Facility in Kelowna.
Alexander Davidson has been appointed to the Board of Directors of Northisle Copper and Gold Inc.
Amanda Tang has been appointed as the Manager of Residential Finance at SHAPE Properties.
Andrea Linger has been appointed as the Vice President of Sales and Business Development at Odlum Brown.
Daniel Leong has been named Onni Group‘s Director of Corporate Accounting, Finance & Tax.
Bruno Wall has stepped down as chair of the board of directors and taken over as chief executive officer of Wall Financial Corporation. The Board of Directors has elected Oliver Borgers as its chair
According to Insolvency Insider, 1034786 B.C. Ltd. (formerly Inspira Development (Insignia) Ltd.), a Surrey, British Columbia-based real estate developer, was placed into receivership on April 11 on application by CMLS Financial, owed approximately $16 million. The company was working on the East Clayton project in the lower mainland, a large-scale urban development focused on sustainable and walkable neighborhoods. 1294049 B.C. Ltd., the second secured creditor, is owed approximately $6 million. EY is the receiver. Counsel is Fasken for CMLS; Helen Sevenoaks for the company; Nathanson, Schachter & Thompson for Chase Allen; and Reedman Law for 1294049 B.C. Ltd.
Gen7 Fuel (Gen7), Canada’s only 100% Indigenous-owned retail gas and convenience store chain is expanding in BC. Following the opening of its successful anchor location in Penticton, the company has opened new stations in Osoyoos and Oliver, both in partnership with Osoyoos Indian Band (OIB). The company has also opened a support office in Kelowna open to bolster expanding operations around the province. With five existing stations in Ontario, Gen7 Fuel plans to announce additional BC locations later in 2025.
Kelso Technologies Inc. (TSX: KLS) of West Kelowna announced that Executive Vice President Amanda Smith will assume the role of COO starting July 1, 2025, upon the retirement of Anthony (Tony) Andrukaitis. The company and the board are pleased to welcome Mark Temen of Phoenix, Arizona, as the sixth member of the Kelso Board.
SmartStop Self Storage has opened its 40th location in Canada, now serving the Kelowna area at 948 Ellis Street.
The BC Road Builders and Heavy Construction Association welcomes its newest member, Rollins Machinery.
Gatehouse Design And Developments received the development permit for Providence, a 58 townhomes in West Kelowna.
Ledingham McAllister has submitted a development permit application to the City of Kelowna for its four-tower residential project, The Vintage at Waterscapes. The project is situated at 1070 Ellis St., just east of the original Waterscapes site on Sunset Drive.
The Cottonwoods Care Centre rehabilitation project in Kelowna, located at 2255 Ethel St., has awarded a construction manager contract to Bird Construction Group and a prime consultant contract to Stantec Architecture Ltd.
Chantel Wiese has been named the new manager of corporate services for the City of Armstrong.
Shelley Peach will assume the role of president of the O’Keefe Ranch & Interior Heritage Society.
MCW Consultants Ltd. has secured a one-year contract worth $865,634 for electrical engineering services. Meanwhile, Aercoustics Engineering Ltd. has been awarded a one-year contract totaling $770,000 for acoustical engineering services at the Kamloops Centre for the Arts.
OK Tire Saanichton, has been recognized with the National Store of the Year Award at the recent OK Tire 2025 Annual Conference held in Cancun, Mexico. This award celebrates the dealer with a deep commitment to the betterment of the community they serve and embodying OK Tire’s brand values.
KV Capital Inc. has partnered with Benson Cabinetry and Millwork Ltd., founded in 1976 and headquartered in Saanichton, B.C. Benson will continue to be managed by Tim and Natalie Benson. From its manufacturing facility in southern Vancouver Island, it supplies cabinetry and millwork solutions to developers of multi-residential projects.
Jacqueline Liu
Jacqueline Liu has assumed the position of Senior Director, Finance at the Canadian Mental Health Association, effective March 31, 2025.
Alley Kat Signs and Marketing is celebrating 40 years in business.
Portofino Bakery is featured on the new Canadian original series Big Burger Battle on the Flavour Network.
Epicure, a well-known cooking-supplies company, is set to auction off its entire food production facility on April 25, conducted by Able Auctions, after the company faced financial difficulties leading to its closure.
Refire Kitchen has opened a new location in Sidney, situated in the 2500-block of Beacon Avenue.
A loan of up to $3.15 million is being requested by the Capital Regional District to replace the pool and arena equipment at Seaparc Rec Centre as well as the Sooke Skate Park.
Stuart Wise
Brandon Selina has been appointed as the Senior Vice President of Colliers in Victoria.
Squamish-based FireSwarm Solutions Inc. and Campbell River-based Strategic Natural Resource Group are collaborating to introduce drone-powered wildfire suppression to Canada. These drones, which were first created in Sweden, are being modified to quickly and precisely carry 200–400 liters of water to fire areas.
Leger has revealed the 2025 list of most reputable companies according to Canadians with Costco ranking at the top. Other companies in the top 10 included; Dollarama, Interac, Sony, Samsung, Google, YouTube, Canadian Tire, The Home Depot, and Toyota. Leger surveyed more than 38,000 Canadians for the 2025 list.
Squamish-based FireSwarm Solutions Inc. and Campbell River-based Strategic Natural Resource Group are collaborating to introduce drone-powered wildfire suppression to Canada. These drones, which were first created in Sweden, are being modified to quickly and precisely carry 200–400 liters of water to fire areas.
Courtenay Ndiaye
Courtenay Ndiaye celebrates her fifteenth anniversary at BDC.
The Seascape Apartments, a 74-unit rental property located at 2187 Comox Avenue in Comox, have been sold by Dan Schulz and Chris Winkers of Macdonald Commercial.
Joshua Welsh has been named the new Manager of Planning Services with the District of Tofino.
The City of Port Alberni and Matthews West Developments Ltd. have signed the Somass Lands master development agreement.
Chef Lucas Exelby of the Treetop Tapas and Grill at the Grotto Spa, has been recognized as a finalist in the Culinary Excellence Category of the BCHA Awards of Excellence.
Lee Pow’s Mobalign Franchising Inc. is celebrating 25 years in business.
Arash Davari, CAPM is starting a new position as Project Coordinator at DP World, and will be working on the Duke Point Terminal Expansion Project in Nanaimo.
Business groups in British Columbia are urging BC Ferries to purchase five new large vessels promptly to accommodate the province’s expanding population, tourist industry, supply chains, and local economies. This move comes after demands from the Duncan Cowichan Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Victoria Chamber, the Tourism Industry Association of BC and others.
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