Local Business

Quesnel River Pulp, one of two pulp plants in Quesnel owned by West Fraser, has been sold to Atlas Holdings and will now be operated by Alberta company Millar Western. (Tracey Roberts photo - Quesnel Cariboo Observer)

Quesnel pulp mill sold by West Fraser Timber

Quesnel River Pulp part of a two-factory deal for cash and fibre supply

Workcamp at Seabridge Gold’s KSM project in northwest B.C. (Seabridge Gold photo)

Seabridge Gold secures CA$200 million investment to advance gold mine project

It is the second investment by Sprott Resource Streaming in the KSM project

View of the existing AltaGas propane export terminal on Ridley Island from the water. A new bulk liquids export facility is proposed to go up adjacent to this one following an announcement April 26 of a joint venture between AltaGas and Vopak. (Thom Barker/Black Press Media)

Vopak and AltaGas combine to evaluate new bulk liquids terminal at Prince Rupert port

New facility would be built adjacent to AltaGas’s existing propane export facility on Ridley Island

Gigantic prefabricated LNG processing units, called trains, are to liquefy natural gas. Phase one of the project will see two of these trains go into operation. Production would double in phase 2 as two more trains go online. (Michael Bramadat-Wilcock photo)

LNG Canada, BC Hydro explore electrification options

Time frame to complete transmission infrastructure raises emission reduction concerns

Gigantic prefabricated LNG processing units, called trains, are to liquefy natural gas. Phase one of the project will see two of these trains go into operation. Production would double in phase 2 as two more trains go online. (Michael Bramadat-Wilcock photo)
Werner Karsten shows one of the two turtlepod prototypes he brought with him for display at the Walk With Me event in Courtenay, on Nov. 26. The insulated, mobile pods are intended to provide safe shelter for those experiencing homelessness. Photo by Terry Farrell

B.C. man designs ‘turtlepods’ – mobile personal shelter prototypes to assist the unhoused

‘I think of it as supporting urban nomadism.’

Werner Karsten shows one of the two turtlepod prototypes he brought with him for display at the Walk With Me event in Courtenay, on Nov. 26. The insulated, mobile pods are intended to provide safe shelter for those experiencing homelessness. Photo by Terry Farrell
The Kispiox First Nation has reached an agreement with the province of B.C. to pursue commercial cannabis opportunities. (file photo)

B.C.’s Kispiox First Nation strikes deal for commercial cannabis operation

Northwest-based First Nation have entered a new agreement with the province

The Kispiox First Nation has reached an agreement with the province of B.C. to pursue commercial cannabis opportunities. (file photo)
From left: Tahltans Harlan Inkster; Rick McLean; Hon. Jeanie McLean (Dendys), Yukon minister of education and minister responsible for the women and gender equity directorate; Erin Paul; Chad Thomas; and Jerry Asp accept the Indigenous Business of the Year for Northern B.C. Award on behalf of TNDC at the 5th Annual Arctic Indigenous Investment Conference in Whitehorse, presented by the Yukon First Nation Chamber of Commerce. (Contributed photo)

Tahltan business arm named business of the year

The Tahltan Nation Development Corporation honoured by Arctic Indigenous Investment Conference

From left: Tahltans Harlan Inkster; Rick McLean; Hon. Jeanie McLean (Dendys), Yukon minister of education and minister responsible for the women and gender equity directorate; Erin Paul; Chad Thomas; and Jerry Asp accept the Indigenous Business of the Year for Northern B.C. Award on behalf of TNDC at the 5th Annual Arctic Indigenous Investment Conference in Whitehorse, presented by the Yukon First Nation Chamber of Commerce. (Contributed photo)
Workcamp at Seabridge Gold’s KSM project in northwest B.C. (Seabridge Gold photo)

Seabridge to spend $150 million to bring northwest B.C. gold mine project to “substantially started”

Spending made possible by investment by Sprott and Ontario Teachers’ Pension Fund

Workcamp at Seabridge Gold’s KSM project in northwest B.C. (Seabridge Gold photo)
Anita’s Organic Mill co-owner Taylor Gemmel outside the Chilliwack location. (Michelle Gemmel submitted file photo)

Nature’s Path acquires majority interest in Chilliwack organic food business

Largest organic cereal and snack maker buys into Anita’s Organic Mill

Anita’s Organic Mill co-owner Taylor Gemmel outside the Chilliwack location. (Michelle Gemmel submitted file photo)
Red Chris mine’s Australia-themed dump truck tray pays homage to the partnership of the three nations involved on the site. (Newcrest Mining photo)

Prefeasibility study extends northwest B.C. gold mine life by 30 years

Red Chris mine suitable for block caving technique with estimated 8.1 million ounces of gold

Red Chris mine’s Australia-themed dump truck tray pays homage to the partnership of the three nations involved on the site. (Newcrest Mining photo)
The first cruise ship of the 2019 season – the Celebrity Eclipse – docks in Victoria. (Black Press Media file photo)

Tourism spending in Canada dropped by almost 50 per cent in 2020

Tourism-related jobs dropped by almost 29 per cent

The first cruise ship of the 2019 season – the Celebrity Eclipse – docks in Victoria. (Black Press Media file photo)
Victoria’s Fairmont Empress hotel closed for three months in late 2020, early 2021, to undergo renovations in leveraging slower hotel traffic because of COVID-19 restrictions. A new report from Statistics Canada find many businesses in the accommodation and food services sector are bracing for another tough year. (Courtesy of Fairmont Empress hotel)

Survey finds Canada’s hospitality industry has low expectations for year ahead

Almost 87 per cent of businesses in accommodation and food services report lower revenues in 2020

Victoria’s Fairmont Empress hotel closed for three months in late 2020, early 2021, to undergo renovations in leveraging slower hotel traffic because of COVID-19 restrictions. A new report from Statistics Canada find many businesses in the accommodation and food services sector are bracing for another tough year. (Courtesy of Fairmont Empress hotel)
Tom and Michelle Argue purchased the fish processing plant in Queen Charlotte from Intercity Packers and Albion Fisheries, and reopened the business on Friday, Aug. 14, 2020 with the name T&M Seafood Ltd. (Tom Argue/Submitted photo)

Haida Gwaii couple purchases Queen Charlotte fish plant

Tom and Michelle Argue reopened the plant at the end of the causeway Aug. 14 as T&M Seafood Ltd.

Tom and Michelle Argue purchased the fish processing plant in Queen Charlotte from Intercity Packers and Albion Fisheries, and reopened the business on Friday, Aug. 14, 2020 with the name T&M Seafood Ltd. (Tom Argue/Submitted photo)
An aerial view of the Naikoon Estates subdivision on Haida Gwaii, developed by the NIHO Land and Cattle Company Ltd. On Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2020, NIHO founder Rudy Nielsen confirmed the sale of two, 160-acre properties within Naikoon Provincial Park to BC Parks. (Niho Land & Cattle Co. Ltd./Facebook photo)

B.C. mogul sells private Naikoon properties to parks system in $1 million deal

NIHO founder Rudy Nielsen sells 320 acres to BC Parks; Ministry statement expected in ‘coming months’

An aerial view of the Naikoon Estates subdivision on Haida Gwaii, developed by the NIHO Land and Cattle Company Ltd. On Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2020, NIHO founder Rudy Nielsen confirmed the sale of two, 160-acre properties within Naikoon Provincial Park to BC Parks. (Niho Land & Cattle Co. Ltd./Facebook photo)
The restaurant at the Sandspit Inn (pictured) was open for one final time on Sunday, June 28, 2020. (Sandspit Community Society photo)

‘Good times that will be no more’: Sandspit Inn shutters its doors

Transport Canada review will ‘determine the best management approach’

The restaurant at the Sandspit Inn (pictured) was open for one final time on Sunday, June 28, 2020. (Sandspit Community Society photo)
Skeena Resources, Tahltan prez excited by purchase of Eskay Creek

Skeena Resources, Tahltan prez excited by purchase of Eskay Creek

Skeena gets full control of mine, Barrick gets 12 per cent of Skeena and a one per cent royalty

Skeena Resources, Tahltan prez excited by purchase of Eskay Creek
FILE - Haida Gwaii Community Futures offices are pictured in this file photo. Registration is open for the first-annual “NextIslandpreneur” student business competition, set to run from Friday, July 17, 2020 to Aug. 21. (Karissa Gall/Haida Gwaii Observer)

Registration open for first-annual ‘NextIslandpreneur’ student business competition

Competition offers mentors, iPads, seed money, cash prizes to young entrepreneurs on Haida Gwaii

FILE - Haida Gwaii Community Futures offices are pictured in this file photo. Registration is open for the first-annual “NextIslandpreneur” student business competition, set to run from Friday, July 17, 2020 to Aug. 21. (Karissa Gall/Haida Gwaii Observer)
The Haida Gwaii Community Futures office is pictured in Queen Charlotte. On Thursday, June 18, 2020, Northern Development Initiative Trust announced approved funding for a new business liaison position. (Karissa Gall/Haida Gwaii Observer)

Northern Development approves funding for Haida Gwaii business liaison

Business liaison will provide additional resources to enterprises during the COVID-19 pandemic

The Haida Gwaii Community Futures office is pictured in Queen Charlotte. On Thursday, June 18, 2020, Northern Development Initiative Trust announced approved funding for a new business liaison position. (Karissa Gall/Haida Gwaii Observer)
The Albion Fisheries processing plant that amalgamated with Intercity Packers in April 2019 is pictured at the end of the Queen Charlotte Causeway. Former operations supervisor Tom Argue said a GoFundMe campaign started in June 2020 is raising money to buy the business, which is at risk of permanent closure due to COVID-19. (Karissa Gall/Haida Gwaii Observer)

Haida Gwaii couple raising funds to avoid Queen Charlotte fish plant closure

GoFundMe started to save Albion Fisheries, which amalgamated with Intercity Packers in April 2019

The Albion Fisheries processing plant that amalgamated with Intercity Packers in April 2019 is pictured at the end of the Queen Charlotte Causeway. Former operations supervisor Tom Argue said a GoFundMe campaign started in June 2020 is raising money to buy the business, which is at risk of permanent closure due to COVID-19. (Karissa Gall/Haida Gwaii Observer)
Edi Szasz, chef-owner of Blacktail in Queen Charlotte, is pictured on Thursday, June 4, 2020 outside of his restaurant, where he and a few helpers were busy working on building a covered patio.

UPDATE: Slightly delayed Blacktail Haida Gwaii reopening set for Canada Day

Chef-owner Edi Szasz hoped to reopen on June 25, the one-year anniversary of the restaurant

Edi Szasz, chef-owner of Blacktail in Queen Charlotte, is pictured on Thursday, June 4, 2020 outside of his restaurant, where he and a few helpers were busy working on building a covered patio.