News Influencing Decision Makers in BC
KAMLOOPS
Dr. Doug Brown
Dr. Doug Brown has been appointed as the President and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Progressive Planet Alberta, a wholly owned subsidiary of Progressive Planet Solutions. Progressive Planet was awarded the Innovation in CCUS Technology Award at the Carbon Capture Canada Awards.
Tumbleweed Toys owned by Vanessa Gammel celebrates 15 years in business.
Thompson Rivers University‘s TRUly Flexible initiative redeveloped asynchronous courses and strengthened collaboration between on-campus and open learning teams in the first phase and launched a trial for select on-campus programs in the second phase.
The new YMCA Parkcrest Care and Learning Centre was officially opened by the Kamloops-Thompson Board of Education and YMCA BC on Monday. This was made possible by funding from ChildCareBC.
On October 9, the McArthur Island Sport and Event Centre will be opening a new mini rink, which will be open to the public, and will offer free skates, prizes, and refreshments.
The Canadian Mental Health Association Kamloops will run the new modular project, which will be built at 1453 McGill Road and provide supportive housing for vulnerable individuals in Kamloops, according to BC Housing.
SALMON ARM
Salmon Arm Chamber of Commerce collaborates with WorkBC Centre in hosting Part 2 of the Employer Insight Series: A Conversation on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) on October 16, 2025, at the WorkBC Centre Salmon Arm, located at 101-310 Hudson Ave NE.
A new five-year agreement has been reached between the Columbia Shuswap Regional District and Shuswap Volunteer Search and Rescue, which will result in a minimum of $80,000 in funding.
The CSRD board approved various grant in aid requests for electoral areas, including $6,150 for the Sorrento Village Farmer’s Market, at the meeting on September 18.
The treble clef in Salmon Arm was chosen as one of the top three finalists in the annual Great Canadian Landmark contest, as announced by Municipal World magazine.
VERNON
Sonja Harkness
Sonja Harkness has been appointed as the Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce’s new executive director.
Gallery Vertigo has relocated at the intersection of 30th Avenue and 29th Street, joining the Vibe Artisan Gallery, which offers regional artisan goods for sale.
SilverStar Mountain Resort in Vernon is preparing for the 2025–2026 ski season with additional terrain, enhanced experiences, and a relationship with Ikon Pass. It will open November 28.
The Italian Kitchen Company will formally close on October 14th, according to a statement from the Pretium Group.
KELOWNA
Bright Jenny Coffee recently opened a new location on Lakeshore Road.
Virtuous Circle Counselling has been recognized in the Healthcare & Wellness category and is ranked No. 60 overall in the 2025 Report on Business magazine’s annual ranking of Canada’s Top Growing Companies.
The new Parkinson Recreation Centre is now ready to start construction after a $184.76 million building permit was approved by the City of Kelowna at the end of August.
An $800,000 grant from the Mississauga-based FDC Foundation allowed 256 Southern Interior women to get specialized cancer surgery close to home one year after Kelowna General Hospital launched the Gynecologic Oncology Surgical Program.
The City of Kelowna has secured two awards for its Climate Resilient Kelowna Strategy and the carbon-neutral design of DeHart Community Park, presented by the Community Energy Association at the Union of B.C. Municipalities.
SUMMERLAND
Haywire Winery in Summerland celebrated its 15th anniversary.
Ken Schamp, a playground specialist with Canadian Recreation Solutions, submitted the final design for the Peach Orchard Beach Park playground, which was approved by the Summerland Council.
The local Rotary Club raised $200K to complete improvements at Gordon Beggs Rotary Beach, Summerland’s famous pier.
The closure of Henry Avenue has been extended until October 17 for the construction of the 60-unit affordable housing project in Summerland.
PENTICTON
Dan Riendeau has been appointed as the new program coordinator at Meadowlark Nature Festival in the South Okanagan.
Penticton businesses are asked to pitch Christmas light displays for the Community Christmas Light Display Project, which builds on Penticton’s holiday light heritage and expands into Rotary Park with up to five winter-themed light projects.
Skaha Lake Road Starbucks has officially closed.
Betts Electric & Security Ltd supports the Starfish Pack Program in Penticton with a $500 monthly donation, providing meals for children in need.
The 18th Annual Winemakers Cup is set to take place at Apex Mountain Resort and Penticton Lakeside Resort on February 28, 2026
OSOYOOS
Boostoyoos, co-owned by Alysha Harker, recently opened at at 8111 Main Street.
Dr. Ernest Brake‘s “Running on Full Power” is a lifestyle-based health program that emphasizes the importance of lifestyle practices in reducing the risk of disease at its source. This program is being presented at the Osoyoos Seniors Centre.
Aimee Grice, a councillor from Oliver, has been elected as the third vice president of the Union of BC Municipalities.
A free cinema night featuring The Spiderwick Chronicles will be hosted at the Sonora Community Centre by the Town of Osoyoos on October 3
According to Insolvency Insider, Torrent Shotcrete, a specialty concrete contractor with operations in British Columbia and Ontario, was placed into receivership on August 28 on application by RBC, owed approximately $4.9 million. Founded in Vancouver in the early 2000s and later expanding to Toronto, the company built a niche in sprayed-concrete applications for infrastructure and commercial projects but suffered sustained losses starting in 2022. A sale process launched in 2023 did not generate a viable transaction, and RBC alleged receivables were diverted and reporting obligations breached in 2024. With no viable restructuring path, the Court appointed Grant Thornton as receiver. Counsel is Dentons for RBC and MacEwan Cooper Kirkpatrick for the company. Read more
VICTORIA
Beverly Carter has been named new president of Think Local First Victoria, and Steven Seltzer as the new Vice President.
Kinton Ramen celebrated the grand opening of its 813 Wharf St. location on September 27th.
Tarrin Sam was named the Indigenous Prosperity Center‘s (IPC) acting executive director by the South Island Prosperity Partnership (SIPP).
Trevor Botkin, in collaboration with the Construction Foundation of British Columbia, is facilitating the opening of The Forge, a peer-led recovery facility that was constructed by tradespeople for tradespeople.
Interim President & CEO of ICBC, Jason McDaniel, will deliver the keynote address at the Business Leader Series on October 9th at the Victoria Marriott Inner Harbour.
Cage Evans
Cage Evans has been named Victoria Hyundai Employee of the Month.
Seair Seaplanes has announced the launch of its most recent route, which will provide direct daily seaplane flights between Victoria’s Inner Harbour and Downtown Vancouver. The service is scheduled to commence on October 20, 2025.
The Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce’ October Business Mixer will be held at Ruffell & Brown Window Coverings on October 23.
The Victoria Tea Festival Revival celebrates its 10th anniversary on Oct. 4.
The West Shore RCMP detachment’s expansion on Veterans Memorial Parkway at Goldstream Avenue in downtown Langford is scheduled to get underway in 2026.
The BC LDB (Liquor Distribution Branch) main office and liquor and cannabis warehouses are participating in the provincial strike.
Think Local First Victoria welcomes its newest members, mBrand, Little Piggy Catering, Canadian Federation of Independent Business, and The Pro Wrappers.
The Vancouver Island Construction Association (VICA) has launched PermitsCA, a new service that is intended to provide contractors, manufacturers, suppliers, and allied service providers with more intelligent, permit-driven leads.
Esquimalt Recreation’s Youth Aquatic Safety and Leadership Program won awards for Excellence in Service Delivery at the Union of B.C. Municipalities’ (UBCM) Community Excellence Awards.
The 2025-2026 Board of Directors of the Victoria Innovation, Advanced Technology and Entrepreneurship Council (VIATEC) were elected at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) conducted on September 25 at Fort Tectoria.
Mike Anderson
The 2025-26 VIATEC Board of Directors are: Mike Anderson, Intlabs; Armon Arani, Cognito Health; John Austin, SureSwift Capital; Jim Balcom, Associate Individual; Justine Bryant, Delta-X Research; Chris Carvalho, Ross Bay Medical; David Climie, Associate Individual; Robert Cooper, PlusROI Online Marketing; Maria Davidson, Udutu; Jacques Du Plessis, Osler, Hoskin, & Harcourt LLP; Darin Herle, Cosmosgence; Meghan Nichol, Redlen Technologies; Corey Scholefield, Workday and Christine Tatham, Redbrick.
TrichAnalytics Inc. celebrates its 9th anniversary.
The Gulf Islands Coffee kiosk will be located at 799 McCallum Rd, Victoria, in the Costco Langford location from November 11 to November 23.
Hullo Ferries announced its intention to launch a second high-speed, passenger-only ferry route between the Victoria/Saanich Peninsula and its current terminal in downtown Vancouver.
Electronic Arts announced on Sept. 29 that it will go private following a $55-billion buyout by an investor consortium. The company operates five offices in Canada.
Harbour Haven Self Storage is now open at 2270 Harbour Road, Sidney.
CAMPBELL RIVER
Dr. Amanda Sigouin
Dr. Amanda Sigouin has joined Shoreline Orthodontics as the newest Doctor-Partner, where she will work together with Dr. Michelle Kosmowski and Dr. Paul Helpard to provide orthodontic care to the communities of Campbell River and Courtenay.
Ocean Pacific Marine Store & Boatyard has upgraded its boat lift to a 150 metric ton capacity, enabling it to accommodate vessels with a beam of 30 feet and a length of 150 feet. The upgrade was designed by StoneCroft Engineering Ltd, in collaboration with Ryzuk Geotechnical and Pacificus Biological Services Ltd.
Macron Pacific has announced that it will be the official teamwear partner of the Campbell River Youth Soccer Association through 2029.
Campbell River Museum and GreenCoast Media‘s Elk Falls Alive App is live. This interactive virtual guide brings the natural & human history of Elk Falls Provincial Park in Campbell River to life.
A first-of-its-kind AI Upskilling Program has been launched on Vancouver Island by Hufnagel Consulting in collaboration with Community Futures Central Island.
COMOX VALLEY
Kyle Wells
Kyle Wells has been appointed as the new Manager of Communications & Impact at Island Coastal Economic Trust.
Fiona McQuillan has been appointed as the new Rural Business Advisor by the Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce. Fiona will spearhead the Chamber’s initiatives to reach out to businesses and encourage their expansion in Electoral Area C through the Rural Business Retention and Expansion Project.
The Chamber Accreditation Council of Canada has granted national accreditation to the Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce.
Home Instead Courtenay celebrates six years of serving seniors and families across the Comox Valley.
PARKSVILLE/QUALICUM BEACH
Faulkner Browns Architects and the Nanaimo Regional District created a new Ravensong Aquatic Centre Expansion design. A $7-million federal grant was awarded to the project earlier this year.
Spark House Coworking has officially opened its doors, becoming the go-to destination for business collaboration, flexible workspaces, and creative expression in Parksville and the mid-Vancouver Island region.
PORT ALBERNI
Chims Motel has changed its name to Chims Cabins.
RHM Donair & Subs is under new ownership.
Mosaic Forest Management has released the key findings from its first-ever public survey on recreational access, which received 7,600 responses. The comprehensive feedback has prompted Mosaic to engage an external consultant to help improve its recreation program.
Construction of a new pavilion at Victoria Quay is underway, when completed it will house the Nuu-chah-nulth Whaling Canoe Sculpture that will be relocated out of the old pavilion.
Community Futures Alberni-Clayoquot has Emergency loans available for Bamfield businesses affected by the road closure due to the Mount Underwood fire.
TOFINO/UCLUECLET
Brad Parsell, who has served as the Executive Director of Tourism Tofino for the past three years, has resigned. He will be taking the role of CEO of the Kootenay Rockies Tourism Association.
The UNESCO Biosphere Region of Clayoquot Sound marks its 25th anniversary.
The new Ucluelet Health Centre has officially opened, offering primary and community health services to residents of Ucluelet, Hitacu, Macoah, Millstream, and Salmon Beach.
NANAIMO
The design advisory panel of the city has approved Paramorph Architecture‘s presentation of designs for a 69-unit multi-family townhouse development located at 4670 Laguna Way in north Nanaimo.
District Development Corp. has proposed a multi-family housing project for a 1.4-hectare property located at 5360 Bergen-Op-Zoom Dr. This project is expected to add 158 additional rental units to Nanaimo.
Vancouver Island Construction Association (VICA) introduces its newly elected Board of Directors including: Chris Williams of Houle Electric Ltd., Josh Fayerman – Milestone Equipment Contracting, Devon Kray – Durwest Construction Management, Kathy Parkinson – Ravenstone Construction, Mark Wong – Kinetic Construction and Mark Donahue – Ellisdon.
LADYSMITH/CHEMAINUS
The Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce welcomes its newest member, The Blending Bar.
COWICHAN VALLEY
United Floors will celebrate its 50th anniversary with a Fall Flooring event from October 6-18.
The Duncan Cowichan Chamber of Commerce welcomes GenThrive Benefits and Westcoast Kitchen as its newest member.
Cap-It Genuine Truckware celebrated its 1st anniversary.
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