Making Surrey a Technology Industry Destination

Strategically located in Surrey’s Health & Technology District, a beacon of innovation and opportunity has emerged, a unique, groundbreaking initiative designed to make Surrey a technology destination.

Brought to life through a visionary partnership between business and education, Western Community College and the Surrey Board of Trade have co-created a state-of-the-art facility to be a thriving ecosystem where technology, education and business converge. The Surrey Technology andSkills Centre will incubate the Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence, the Blockchain Centre of Excellence, the Indigenous Entrepreneurship and Innovation Centre, Entrepreneurship Hubs for women, youth, and newcomers, plus the expansion of the Surrey International Trade Centre and the Surrey Workforce Development Hub.

“The Surrey Board of Trade is revolutionizing the chamber of commerce/board of trade industry to bring a unique, groundbreaking initiative designed to make Surrey a technology destination,” said Anita Huberman, President and CEO, Surrey Board of Trade. “We have a huge opportunity to propel Surrey’s technology and innovation by collaborating with government, businesses and academia.”

The Surrey Board of Trade’s partnership with Western Community College is building a bridge between education and business, collaborating on several federal and provincial labour market training programs to build a vibrant and digitally skilled labour workforce, and addressing the labour challenges of Surrey’s business community.

“The Surrey Technology and Skills Centre represents our commitment to fostering innovation and equipping students with the skills they need to thrive in the technology and business sectors,” said Gurpal Dhaliwal, President, Western Community College. “This state-of-the-art facility, strategically located in Surrey’s Health & Technology District, is a testament to our dedication to collaboration and leadership. Together with the Surrey Board of Trade, we are not just building a centre; we are creating an ecosystem where education and technology converge to shape a smarter, safer future for all.”

The Surrey Technology and Skills Centre is more than a space—it’s technology balanced with the human touch as Surrey becomes the largest city in British Columbia. Co-working spaces, pod spaces, and collaboration areas all work towards moving Surrey to being a leader in shaping the next generation of tech leaders to help build a safer, smarter world.

For more information and co-working business opportunities, please visit businessinsurrey.com or contact info@businessinsurrey.com.

About Western Community College:

Western Community College (WCC) has been a pivotal institution in transforming communities through quality education since its inception in 2012. Offering over 60 undergraduate, postgraduate, and bachelor’s programs, WCC focuses on health care, hospitality, accounting, information technology, business management and now aviation. WCC’s mission revolves around providing accessible higher education opportunities, enhancing students’ professional skills, and fostering leadership within the community. Western Community College is renowned for offering exceptional student services among private colleges, ensuring students receive comprehensive support and resources that contribute significantly to their academic and professional success. wcc.ca

About Surrey Board of Trade:
The Surrey Board of Trade is one of the top five largest chambers of commerce/boards of trade in Canada, of the 430 nationwide. The Surrey Board of Trade attracts business to Surrey and supports business in Surrey. The Surrey Board of Trade provides businesses and organizations with economic opportunity, workplace development and education, international trade support, government advocacy, and is a concierge of business connections.

Surrey, BC – At next Monday’s Regular Council Meeting (June 24), Surrey City Council will consider $4.47M in contracts for a variety of road improvement projects throughout the city.

“Road safety is a top priority for our council, and we are committed to investing in infrastructure that protects the well-being of our residents,” said Mayor Brenda Locke. “These projects demonstrate our dedication to creating safer and more accessible roads for all users, from pedestrians to drivers. Over the next four years, we are investing $300M in transportation improvements. We’re proud to be taking proactive steps to ensure our city’s roads are equipped to handle the growing demands of our community.”

Council will be considering a $772,000 contract with Crown Contracting Ltd. for new sidewalks and a pedestrian crossing along 14 Avenue between King George Boulevard and 161B Street, near South Meridian Elementary School, and new sidewalks along the south side of 84 Avenue between King Creek and 140 Street.

On Monday, Council will also consider a $3.7M contract for All Roads Construction Ltd. for intersection safety intersection safety improvements involving a new roundabout, two new traffic circles, and improvements to an existing traffic circle. The projects are as follows:

Surrey, BC – The BC Junior Ultimate Championships (BCUC) are set to take place at Newton Athletic Park on July 6 and 7. This year’s event will have a record number of teams and clubs participating.

“Hosting the BC Junior Ultimate Championships highlights Surrey’s dedication to fostering youth sports and promoting community engagement through athletic events,” said Mayor Brenda Locke. “I understand this year’s provincial championship is the biggest ever with more than 30 teams and 700 athletes from across British Columbia. We are thrilled to welcome athletes, their families, and supporters to our city for this exciting event.”

As the provincial championships and a key qualifier for the Canadian Ultimate Championships in August, the tournament will offer intense competition and exciting displays of skill. For more details, visit the event page.

“We are excited to see such a strong turnout for this year’s championships,” said Brian Gisel, General Manager of BC Ultimate Society. “BCUC Juniors is one of our most exciting tournaments, bringing together top junior athletes. Increased interest at the high school level has led to more junior club programs targeting BCUC and Nationals as their peak events. We look forward to another great event in 2024.”

Surrey is the hub for hosting premier sporting events, offering welcoming, world-class and accessible facilities. The City’s Sport Tourism Strategy aims to advance Surrey as a leader in the sport tourism industry, driving economic benefits and fostering sport development opportunities. For more information about hosting events in Surrey, visit surrey.ca/sportsurrey.

Construction will begin this summer on the new Centre for Food, Wine and Tourism on Okanagan College’s Kelowna campus, which will support B.C.’s tourism sector and help train people for in-demand jobs.

“B.C. is expecting 91,000 new job openings in tourism- and hospitality-related industries over the next decade, and the majority of these jobs will require some form post-secondary education or skills training,” said Lisa Beare, Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills. “This centre will equip students with the knowledge and experience they need to access these jobs and will provide employers in the Okanagan’s tourism and hospitality industries with the skilled talent they need.”

The new Centre for Food, Wine and Tourism will include modern teaching spaces, food labs, beverage research and development facilities, and common spaces. The $55.8-million project received $51.8 million in provincial funding, while Okanagan College provided the remaining $4 million. The centre is expected to open for students in 2026.

With a focus on addressing the labour shortage in food and tourism, supporting home-grown education in culinary arts, local food and beverage production and world-class hospitality services, the centre will bring together all food, wine and tourism programming on campus. It will also allow Okanagan College to expand its culinary enrolment by more than 125 students per year, and hospitality and tourism enrolment by 450 students per year.

Okanagan College, with campuses throughout the Okanagan Valley and as far north as Revelstoke, has strong connections to sustainable and eco-friendly orchards and farms in the region, providing students with opportunities to learn through farm-to-fork and grape-to-glass practices, teaching the importance of sustainability and local supply chains.

The centre will be the first of its kind for collaboration between students and businesses in the food, beverage, hospitality and resort industries. Through its focus on sustainability and strengthening local supply chains through partnerships with local farms and orchards, the hub will offer a stable source of skilled professionals in food, wine and tourism, helping mitigate supply-chain issues caused by extreme weather events and securing the future of these industries for the Okanagan.

Investing in Okanagan College’s new Centre for Food, Wine and Tourism is a part of StrongerBC’s Future Ready Action Plan, which is making education and training more accessible, affordable and relevant to help businesses grow and prepare British Columbians for the jobs of tomorrow.

Quotes:

Pam Alexis, Minister of Agriculture and Food –

“The Okanagan has a rich history of producing incredible food and wine and sharing them with people from our province and around the world. Once complete, the new campus will also be the beginning of a new generation of chefs, vintners, innovators and entrepreneurs, all learning and working together to continue creating and serving the flavours that make the Okanagan such a unique place for residents and visitors alike.”

Roly Russell, Parliamentary Secretary for Rural Development –

“Tourism, especially agriculture-based tourism, brings people to B.C.’s rural communities, and is the economic foundation of many of our local communities. Okanagan College’s new Centre for Food, Wine and Tourism will provide people the opportunity to gain the skills needed to begin a rewarding career in the Okanagan – a world class food, wine and tourism destination – and make this is an even more high-demand destination for our visitors.”

Brittny Anderson, Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism –

“The Okanagan Valley is a prime tourism destination known for its rich agricultural history, wineries, local hospitality, and stunning lake views. The new Centre for Food, Wine and Tourism will help prepare the next generation of tourism and hospitality workers, ensuring that British Columbia remains a world-class destination for years to come.”

Neil Fassina, president, Okanagan College –

“We are thrilled to be breaking ground on the construction of our new Centre for Food, Wine and Tourism at Okanagan College. This building will be the gateway to campus, welcoming students, community and visitors, while at the same time showcasing the region as a world class destination for culinary experiences and so much more. This is the place where the next generation of leaders in hospitality and sustainable food and beverage production will come to learn, gain essential work experience, and to build connections that will last a lifetime.”

Lisanne Ballantyne, president and CEO, Tourism Kelowna –

“The new Centre for Food, Wine and Tourism at Okanagan College will help meet the critical needs of our tourism and hospitality industry, while building a resilient future of educated professionals and top-trained expertise to reinforce the Okanagan Valley’s reputation and brand as Canada’s centre of culinary, beverage and tourism excellence.”

Residents in Coquitlam have begun moving into 132 new affordable homes as construction is finished on part of the redevelopment of Hoy Creek Housing Cooperative.

“People and families now have access to new affordable homes in the community where they have put down roots and built a life,” said Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Housing. “Our Homes for People plan is taking action so there will continue to be a supply of quality, affordable homes for individuals and families in Coquitlam, so people aren’t forced to move away from the communities they call home to find affordable housing.”

These homes replace 60 aging townhomes that were demolished, resulting in 72 net new affordable rental units in the community. Located at 2905 Glen Dr., the co-operative was built in 1981 and originally included 97 apartment units within two buildings as well as 60 townhomes. The townhomes were demolished after they had become uninhabitable due to mould, rot and old plumbing. In 2021, the Community Land Trust Foundation of B.C. took over management of the property and, in partnership with BC Housing, a new six-storey rental building was built.

“Our government believes that all Canadians deserve a safe place to call home. We are working with our partners to continue to build affordable housing across the country,” said Ron McKinnon, MP for Coquitlam-Port Coquitlam on behalf of Sean Fraser, federal Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities. “Through this collaboration, we are helping to ensure that all people living in Coquitlam have safe and affordable housing that enables them to thrive.”

The new building features a mix of studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom rental homes for people with low or middle incomes. Hoy Creek Housing Cooperative, in the heart of Coquitlam Town Centre, is a 10-minute walk from Lincoln SkyTrain station as well as many other community services and amenities.

The Community Land Trust (CLT) will operate the new homes in partnership with the Hoy Creek Housing Cooperative.

Rents are projected to range from $500 to $3,150 per month, depending on unit size and tenant income. There are 27 deep-subsidy units, 65 units with rent geared to income for people with low or moderate incomes, and 40 affordable market units for people with moderate incomes.

These homes are part of a $19-billion housing investment by the B.C. government. This is the largest housing investment in British Columbia’s history. Since 2017, the Province has nearly 80,000 new homes that have been delivered or are underway, including more than 1,000 homes in the Tri-Cities area.

Quotes:

Fin Donnelly, MLA for Coquitlam-Burke Mountain –

“Our government is working hard to ensure people have stable, affordable housing into the future. These 132 homes will help families in Coquitlam-Burke Mountain affected by affordability challenges.”

Tiffany Duzita, executive director, Community Land Trust –

“The beauty of our non-profit model is that it takes the skills of our real estate development and management professionals and focuses them on supporting co-operatives to advocate for and create inclusive communities, like Hoy Creek, that members are proud to call home.”

Richard Stewart, mayor of Coquitlam –

“Through our Housing Affordability Strategy, Coquitlam has supported an unprecedented number of non-market rental homes in our community, including over 130 homes in the Hoy Creek Co-operative Housing project. The city is proud to have contributed $3.3 million towards this vital housing project from our Affordable Housing Reserve Fund, which underscores our commitment to providing affordable and accessible housing in our community. I am excited to see the opening of the first phase of Hoy Creek Co-Operative Housing, a milestone made possible through collaboration of all levels of government.”

Bruce Ralston, Minister of Forests, has released the following statement in response to the binational North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) Chapter 19 panel ruling on the U.S. Department of Commerce’s countervailing duty determination:

“For years, unfair U.S. duties on softwood lumber have harmed people on both sides of the border. Unwarranted softwood duties have negatively impacted the B.C. forestry sector, financially strained homebuilders, increased material costs for people, and hurt workers and their families in B.C.’s forestry communities.

“Today, a NAFTA panel has taken an important step in the right direction to correcting this by directing the U.S. Department of Commerce to review certain aspects of its determination. This decision is good news to communities and the tens of thousands of forestry workers throughout B.C., as well as American and Canadian families. The panel decision supports what the Province of British Columbia and Government of Canada have said from the start: These duties are unfair and unwarranted.

“Despite the good news that NAFTA has directed the U.S. Department of Commerce to correct errors that it made in its countervailing decision, this decision does not immediately put an end to U.S. countervailing duties on softwood lumber. The Province of British Columbia will continue to take action alongside the Government of Canada and our forestry industry to vigorously fight for the removal of U.S. duties.”