News Influencing Decision Makers in BC
Dr. Carmen Zabarauckas
Dr. Carmen Zabarauckas has been appointed as the new CEO of the Justice Education Society.
John Brendan McEown has recently been appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Burnaby Housing Authority.
Naresh Ravendran is taking on the role of Managing Partner at BrandVibe Community.
Duncan Elliot is starting a new venture as a Consultant at Generations Energy Consulting.
Launch & Sell in British Columbia has recently become a partner of WeWork.
Clark Builders has been selected as the General Contractor for the new Kamloops Centre for the Arts in British Columbia.
ITC Construction Group, one of Canada’s top builders of residential high-rises and mixed-use projects, has acquired Farmer Construction, a reputable and established Vancouver Island-based construction company.
Alison Colpitts
Alison Colpitts, an associate at Clark Wilson LLP specializing in Business Litigation, Estates & Trusts, and Family Law, has been appointed to the Court Services Committee of the Canadian Bar Association, BC Branch.
The Tall Timber student housing residence at the Burnaby campus of the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) has been officially inaugurated, thereby increasing the availability of affordable on-campus accommodation options for students.
Canada Post received fresh proposals from the Canadian Union of Postal Workers, which called for increased pay and the employment of part-time and weekend delivery employees.
Neighbourly Pharmacy has announced the opening of five new community pharmacies in British Columbia and Alberta.
Xsolla has formed an official partnership with DigiBC, the Creative Technology Association of British Columbia.
On August 22, 2025, Baselode Energy Corp announced that the Supreme Court of British Columbia gave final sanction for the company’s acquisition of Forum Energy Metals Corp.
Midland Appliance, a staple in BC communities for over 40 years, has achieved recognition as a finalist in the Retail Council of Canada’s 2025 Excellence in Retailing Awards for its Abbotsford showroom’s In-Store Experience and Design.
Ken Bennett
Ken Bennett has been appointed as a Strategic Advisor for the British Columbia Investment Management Corporation (BCI), a prominent institutional investor in Canada.
PacifiCan has recently announced an investment of more than $6.8 million in two businesses located in the City of Coquitlam. These businesses are engaged in the development of innovative technologies that are designed to enhance sustainability and reduce pollution in the energy and textile sectors. This incorporates $4.9 million for to increase the production of modular battery energy storage systems created from repurposed electric vehicle (EV) batteries, and $1.8 million for Novo Textile Co (Novoshield) to enhance its textile recycling capabilities.
4AG Robotics has officially made its move into the City of Vancouver, marking a significant milestone for the Salmon Arm-based company as it continues to expand its team and enhance its presence in one of Canada’s top technology hubs.
The world’s foremost congress on sustainable wood construction, Woodrise 2025, will be held at the Vancouver Convention Centre. Over 25 countries will be represented by international delegates who will convene from September 22 to 25 to investigate the potential of mid- and high-rise timber design to address pressing global issues, including climate resilience, wildfire adaptation, affordable housing, and low-carbon urban growth.
Lane Trotter
Lane Trotter has been re-appointed as President of Camosun College.
The deployment of MistyWest’s AI-powered sensors at critical access locations to Sea Island is expected to enhance the efficiency of traffic at YVR. This groundbreaking technology will furnish the Vancouver Airport Authority with data to inform infrastructure improvements that enhance the traveller experience by improving traffic flow and safety on roadways.
The CleanBC Industry Fund, which is administered by the Government of British Columbia, is receiving $35 million in funding to facilitate decarbonization, promote employment opportunities, and fortify communities throughout the province.
Viion Systems Inc., headquartered in Victoria, is enhancing the safety of roads worldwide by manufacturing and designing AI-powered traffic cameras in British Columbia.
New selection rounds were conducted by the British Columbia PNP Draw under the entrepreneur stream on August 19, 2025. There were 11 invitations issued by the province in the Entrepreneur – Base category, with the lowest score of 124. Additionally, it extended an invitation to up to five candidates for the Entrepreneur Immigration – Regional Pilot, who were required to attain a minimum score of 115.
Mokveld Valves has announced that Summit Valve and Controls will serve as the new sales representative for the Hydropower and Water (HPW) industry across several Canadian provinces and territories, including British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut.
James Vitrano
James Vitrano has been appointed as a Board Member at Infinity RRGB Ventures, Inc., the sole franchisee of Red Robin Canada. The company operates 11 restaurants throughout British Columbia and is the third-largest franchisee in the Red Robin system.
The Annual General Meeting of Members and Fall President’s Dinner will be held on September 18 at the Central BC Railway & Forestry Museum, located at 850 River Road, Prince George.
A new partnership agreement has been announced between the BC Chamber of Commerce and the Chambers of Commerce Insurance Corporation of Canada (CCICC). This agreement will establish the Chambers Plan as the exclusive employee benefits insurance provider available through chambers of commerce and boards of trade across Canada. Additionally, the agreement will provide the BC Chamber of Commerce with an additional source of consistent revenue.
According to Canada Post’s second quarter results, a loss of $407 million was recorded, the largest in a single quarter, which was the result of ongoing labour uncertainty. Profitability deteriorated by $453 million compared to a profit before tax of $46 million in the same period a year earlier. The segment’s loss before tax in the first half of 2025 was $448 million, compared to a loss before tax of $30 million in the same period of the prior year. Over 50 per cent of year-to-date losses occurred in June, when labour uncertainty was at its peak.
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