News Influencing Decision Makers in BC
Jane Austin
Janet Austin, who recently completed seven years of service as Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia and is now a private citizen, has embraced a new endeavour as Chair of the non-profit Fraser Basin Council (FBC). She succeeds Colin Hansen, Chair of FBC since 2014, whose public service includes the roles of Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance for British Columbia.
Weihong Liu, the owner of Woodgrove Centre has announced on Chinese app Rednote that she’s in negotiations to purchase Hudson’s Bay, which recently announced it was in heading towards bankruptcy and has received court approval to liquate all but 6 of its department stores across the country. Weihong Liu’s Central Walk company bought Woodgrove Centre from Ivanhoe Cambridge in 2020. She also owns Mayfair Mall in Victoria, Arbutus Ridge in Cobble Hill and Tsawwassen Mills on the lower mainland.
Westland Insurance announced the launch of its new benefits brand, Westland Benefits, in BC, effective April 1, 2025. This launch marks a significant milestone in Westland’s continued growth, uniting its acquired benefits firms under one powerful national brand to better serve businesses across Canada. Westland Benefits will be led by experienced benefits leader Matt Mann.
David Williams, Vice President of Policy, Business Council of British Columbia will be the keynote speaker at the BC Chamber of Commerce Business Unplugged Executive Dinner Series at the Royal Centre in Vancouver on April 15, 2025.
Krystal Growth Partners has purchased Seair Seaplanes.
Seair was founded in 1982 and has three operation bases, in Nanaimo, Vancouver harbour and Richmond. Krystal was started by Terry Holland in 2004 and focuses on a broad range of transactions from 100 percent ownership to partnerships in companies.
Stantec, a global leader in sustainable design and engineering, has been selected to design the new C$289 million BC Cancer Centre at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital (NRGH). The new cancer centre will bring radiation treatment closer to home for patients and families in communities on central and north Vancouver Island.
Coldstar Solutions Inc. has been sold to Federated Co-operatives Limited (FCL), of which Mid Island Co-op and Peninsula Co-op are members of their network, although they are independently and locally operated. Coldstar has a major distribution centre at the Nanaimo Airport and has been providing trucking, warehousing and grocery/produce wholesaling to supermarkets and stores throughout Vancouver Island, the lower mainland and the Gulf Islands for over 25 years under the ownership of founders Kelly and Jennifer Hawes. ColdStar’s head office is in Victoria, and it also has a warehouse in Comox. FCL ownership took place as of March 14.
The federal government recently announced a $49.9 million investment through the Strategic Innovation Fund in STEMCELL Technologies Canada Inc. This investment will support the company’s $222 million project to establish large-scale production of essential inputs used to develop and manufacture vaccines, therapies and diagnostic technologies. It will also help create 460 jobs and 900 four-month co-op positions for students.
Patricia Jelinski
Patricia Jelinski, the former general manager of BC Place Stadium, has been appointed as the new vice president of sales, sports, and entertainment for GSL Group, the owner of Kelowna’s Prospera Place.
The 2025 Vancouver International Auto Show (VIAS) has officially come to a close, marking a significant milestone for the automotive industry and the City of Vancouver. For the second consecutive year, the event has set a new attendance record, with 138,773 visitors (129,033 in 2024) experiencing the latest innovations in automotive technology, design, and performance. Additionally, the show saw a record-breaking single-day attendance on Saturday (42,761 visitors), further highlighting the growing excitement and interest in this premier automotive experience.
The newest Understance boutique has opened its doors in Burnaby at Unit #2150, 4700 Kingsway St. Building on the success of its Calgary and Toronto store openings late last year, the brand continues to expand its reach and work toward its vision of making solution-based lingerie more accessible across Canada.
Rotex of Surrey won the Hillenbrand Site Safety Improvement Award.
ETRO Construction recently completed the framing of main and second floors of the Foundry Surrey. The Foundry is a key part of a larger initiative to break down barriers and improve access to care, bringing together mental health support, substance use services, primary care, youth and family peer support, and social services. The project is in partnership with Pacific Community Resources Society, Foundry and Fraser Health Authjority. The Architect is Zeidler Architecture; and Interior Designer Work Design Studio Inc..
Five B.C.-based video game studios are the first to receive $200,000 in funding from the Canada Media Fund for video game development: Critical Path Games, Blue Wizard Digital, Kano, Brace Yourself Games and YumeBau Inc.
Lesa Lacey
Lesa Lacey was recently elected as the President of the Canadian Home Builders’ Association of BC (CHBA BC) at the organization’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Vancouver on March 21.
Tyler Westover has joined as Director of Business & Government Relations, while Shawn Low has been elevated to Chief Development Approvals Officer at the City of Surrey.
Oldhand Coffee has opened at 20528 Fraser Hwy.
Willow Spring Construction of Surrey has completed the Fraser Valley Plastic Surgery’s new space. The project was designed by Black Label Designs.
Seaside Paper Products has launched a new product, Premier Eco Black Takeout Boxes and Trays. They are made in Delta with 100% Recycled Content Kraft paperboard that is milled in Cnada and free from any added PFAS.
A new LED lighting system for Dennison Park’s sports fields has been put out to bid by the City of Delta, which will cost over $1M.
Western Foods in Sooke has been acquired by Associated Grocers, a branch of Pattison Food Group, which also owns Save-On-Foods, Quality Foods, and Everything Wine
Emily Passero
Emily Passero has been promoted to Vice President of Corporate Services & Advisory at Devon Properties.
Chard has been recognized with two Georgie Awards by the Canadian Home Builders’ Association of BC (CHBA BC): Provincial Award for Excellence in Housing Affordability for Haven in Victoria and Best Public and Private Partnership for 688 Slocan in Vancouver.
H Mart, the popular Korean-American supermarket company, will soon open in Victoria near the Mayfair Mall food court.
Dollarama has inked a deal with Australian discount retailer the Reject Shop for $233 million. There are currently 390 locations with headquarters in Melbourne.
The Province has contributed $6.6 million in grant funding to bolster food manufactureres. Among the recipients are: Karma Fruit Co, One Degree Organic Foods, North Delta Seafoods, Trafa Pharmaceuticals, Brown’s Bay Packing Co. and VitaminLab.
PepsiCo has announced their plan to buy soda band Poppi for $1.95 billions as it looks to expand their health focused products while Coca-Cola is experimenting with new flavour Orange Cream.
Merridale Cidery & Distillery on Vancouver Island announced that Whisky Jacks has been awarded Gold for Best Canadian Small Batch Single Malt at the 2025 World Whiskies Awards, which was the first whisky ever crafted at Merridale, distilled in 2007 and aged for over 15 years. This small-batch spirit carries a personal significance for Janet Dochery, owner and chief disruptor at Merridale. It was named in honour of two men—Jack Docherty, father of Janet Docherty, and Jack Pipes, father of former co-founder Rick Pipes.
The Wayne Procter Group is growing again, as it has purchased Riot Brewing in Chemainus, and has turned it into a new brewery named Serious Brewing Co. The Group owns Gas ‘n Go service stations, General Stores and Serious Coffee locations throughout Vancouver Island. Riot closed its doors in January 2024 in Chemainus Village Square.
Trevor Seibel
Deputy CAO Trevor Seibel of West Kelowna is moving to his new role as the City of Armstrong’s new CAO.
More than 15,000 fire service members will be travelling to the City of Penticton in the coming weeks as the community plays host to six separate conferences dedicated to fire prevention, technologies and training.
Troika has begun construction on a new apartment complex located at 1881 Barlee Road in Kelowna, aiming for completion by 2026.
The Kelowna-based storage container company Secure-Rite is celebrating 20 years of operation.
The City of West Kelowna has awarded a contract in the amount of $112,540, plus GST, to Sunco Drywall Ltd., to upgrade the acoustics in Council Chambers to improve sound quality.
Westbank First Nation has appointed a new Board of Directors for Ntityix Development Corporation (NDC). Robbin R.R. Sinclaire has been named Chair. Joining Sinclaire on the board is returning member Blake Scott and new members James Byra, Domenic Rampone, and Jerrett Lafontaine.
Merrit based truck company, Edison Motors, is moving to Golden.
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