News Influencing Decision Makers in BC
Caroline Séguin
Caroline Séguin has been appointed as the senior vice president of industry advancement and corporate secretary at Destination Canada.
John Douglas Jevning, KC. has been appointed as a new judicial justice to the Provincial Court by the Government of British Columbia, effective July 16.
Paul Pearson and Parveen Nijjar have been appointed to the Provincial Court by the British Columbian government.
The designation of Tang.ɢwan — ḥačxwiqak — Tsig̱is as a Marine Protected Area (MPA) was officially announced by the Council of the Haida Nation, Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council, Pacheedaht First Nation, Quatsino First Nation, and the Government of Canada. With the Oceans Act’s designation by Governor in Council, this expansive and ecologically distinct marine park, situated about 150 kilometers off Vancouver Island’s western coast, is currently the largest marine protected area (MPA) in Canada.
In Q2 2024, the Insolvency Insider highlighted 65 insolvency filings, with real estate leading all industries with 17 filings, cannabis with 8 filings, and retail and healthcare with 4 filings each. In Ontario, there were 40 filings, followed by 11 in Alberta and 7 in British Columbia.
The Bloom Canadian Alter Ego Trust 2020 has made a magnificent and transformative contribution of $9.93 million to Royal Roads University in Victoria. The donation will enable the university to provide extensive programming for the Salt Spring Island community and beyond. Two acreages on Salt Spring Island with waterfront gardens, a heritage fruit tree orchard, an architecturally notable house, outbuildings, and a foreshore lease close to Beddis Beach are all included in the gift.
West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd., Canadian manufacturer of renewable wood building products, recently made a $450,000 contribution to the Canadian Mental Health Association.
Ann-Marie Clark
The Steve Marshall Group has purchased Rivershore Ram Chrysler Dodge Jeep Fiat at 2477 Trans Canada Highway in Kamloops. The Group now has 12 locations, including Steve Marshall Ford in Campbell River, North Island Nissan, Island Owl Mazda in Campbell River, Courtenay Nissan, Vernon Nissan, Titanium Ford in Surrey and Orchid Isle Ford in Hilo, Hawaii. They are separate from Steve Marshall Ford Lincoln in Nanaimo and Family Ford in Parksville, which are operated by Ann Marie Clark, who is now the President of the New Car Dealers of BC.
Alair Homes has announced another company has joined their North American network of construction teams: Brandon Bryant and his team at Red Tree Builders in North America.
Coastal Community Credit Union President and CEO Adrian Legin has announced that CCCU has ended discussions with a potential merger with BlueShore Financial Credit Union. “Following thorough deliberations, both credit unions believe that it is in the best interests of their respective members, clients, employees and communities to consider their own strategic options at this time,” states Adrian. “This may include the potential for merger discussions with other credit unions where appropriate or restarting discussions with each other in the future.”
Tilray Brands Inc., which had its main plant at Duke Point, says the Canadian cannabis company is launching Runner’s High Brewing Co., a new brand of premium non-alcoholic beverages. The beers will come in dark chocolate, raspberry and golden wheat flavours. Tilray has been diversifying away from cannabis and now owns over a dozen beverage brands, including Sweetwater Brewing Co., Breckenridge Distillery and Shock Top.
The University of Victoria (UVic) and Ts’uubaa-asatx Nation (formerly known as Lake Cowichan First Nation) have signed a five-year collaboration agreement—outlining a framework for joint initiatives, including educational programs, research projects and community engagement activities.
Firehouse Subs, a Florida-based sub chain is opening at Colwood Corners, the first Vancouver Island location.
Applications for the BC Capital Project Grant are being accepted now through the end of the month. Capital projects that address the needs and goals of the community and are inclusive and accessible are funded. Applications will be accepted until August 15th.
Over the next ten years, B.C. Hydro will invest more than $3 billion in massive infrastructure upgrades and expansion projects on Vancouver Island. These projects constitute a 50% increase in investment under the utility’s new 10-year capital plan, which allocates $36 billion towards regional and municipal infrastructure. The investments are expected to maintain an annual employment rate of 10,500 to 12,500. By 2030, 40,000 to 70,000 additional homes will be powered in Langford, three Campbell River dams will be seismically updated, and older transmission cables will be replaced to serve an additional 100,000 homes in Victoria, Esquimalt, and Saanich. B.C.
With assistance from the Province, the We Wai Kai Nation has started transforming the former Tsa̲kwa̲’luta̲n resort into a new recovery centre aimed at aiding those battling addiction. The renovation and operations of the centre have been funded by roughly $7.9 million by the Province.
Aspect Biosystems announces a $200 million partnership with the Governments of Canada and British Columbia to advance the development of bioprinted tissue therapeutics.
Kamal Grewal received formal nomination as the BC NDP’s choice to represent the Kamloops-Centre riding.
Anita Huberman
Anita Huberman, the longest serving President and Chief Executive Officer of the Surrey Board of Trade (SBoT) has announced she is leaving the post as of August 30. Huberman served in the position for 18 years and has been with the SBoT for 31 years in a variety of capacities, helping build the organization into one of the largest of its kind in Canada.
Donations came in at a record $2.2 million for the governing NDP from April to June, while B.C. Conservatives brought in $1.1 million, putting them ahead of the Official Opposition B.C. United. Andrew Weaver, a former leader of the British Columbia Green Party, anticipates a Conservative victory.
A new campaign manager, Mark Werner, has been brought in by B.C. United in an effort to boost their campaign. A number of their colleagues have either opted not to run or switched to the Conservatives. MLA Michael Lee has announced that he would not seek re-election, adding to the mounting list of their losses.
The reopening of a crucial sales and tourist route for the B.C. wine industry is brought about by a new agreement between Alberta and British Columbia, which allows B.C. wineries to once again transport their products directly to Alberta consumers.
Victoria’s Flexible Solutions International Inc. (NYSE- AMERICAN: FSI), is a developer and manufacturer of biodegradable polymers for oil extraction, detergent ingredients and water treatment as well as crop nutrient availability chemistry. Flexible Solutions also manufactures biodegradable and environmentally safe water and energy conservation technologies. Today the Company announced top line revenue for second quarter (Q2), 2024. Sales were up slightly in Q2, 2024 compared to Q2, 2023. Flexible Solutions’ top line revenue increased from $10.331 million (Q2, 2023) to $10.528 million (Q2, 2024), up approximately 2% year over year.
Global insurance brokerage and financial services firm, Hub International Limited (Hub), announced the acquisition of 2837932 Ontario Inc. from Bradley Beer (Brad Beer) of London, Ontario. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Nesto, a Canadian digital mortgage lender, announced the acquisition of the CMLS Group, the third-largest mortgage finance company in Canada.
The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) and UBCO have partnered with the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior of BC (ETSI BC) to understand business, resident, and visitor needs regarding transportation preferences between communities in the Thompson Okanagan Region. The results of the survey will be used to help direct future planning and advocacy for inter-community transportation needs in the region. Take survey here.
Economic Development Cowichan recently released the Spring 2024 edition of the State of the Cowichan Economy Report. This comprehensive report provides the latest data and insights into the economic trends shaping the Cowichan region. See full report here.
Nearly 400 workers at five Highline Mushrooms farms in British Columbia have joined United Food and Commercial Workers 1518. See full story here.
A total of 661 properties sold in the Victoria Real Estate Board region this June, 6.2 per cent fewer than the 705 properties sold in June 2023 and a 13.4 per cent decrease from May 2024. Sales of condominiums were down 16.5 per cent from June 2023 with 202 units sold. Sales of single family homes increased by 6.2 percent from June 2023 with 342 sold.
Terry Gunning
South Island Prosperity Partnership (SIPP), Greater Victoria’s economic development alliance, is pleased to welcome Terry Gunning as their new chair, four new directors and nine returning directors to our Board of Directors for 2024/25. See more here.
Hotel Zed Victoria, the flagship property of the nine-property B.C. hospitality chain has completed a $6 million renovation to celebrate the hotel’s 10th anniversary. Mandy Farmer is third generation CEO. Read more here.
A new medical school at Simon Fraser University (SFU) is moving forward with funding for space and operations, as well as a proposed three-year curriculum model and a founding dean. The interim site is at the existing building space at SFU’s Surrey campus, as well as a leased space nearby.
FortisBC Holdings Inc has announced that the Government of Canada has approved Tilbury Jetty Limited Partnership‘s Tilbury Marine Jetty (TMJ) project. Read more here.
Send your business announcements, news, celebrations or new hires HERE
