IN THE KNOW:
Victoria company is among BC Fast Pilot Program investments
Douglas magazine 10 to Watch alumnus joni is among the 12 B.C.-based companies receiving a total of $1.5M through the Innovate BC and the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP)’s BC Fast Pilot program.
The BC Fast Pilot program helps regional small-medium sized enterprises design, build, and operate a pilot plant or small demonstration of their technology in real-world conditions.
Projects funded through this round of BC Fast Pilot provide innovative solutions in support of high-impact sectors such as sustainability, resource management and public health, emphasizing pilot testing to validate effectiveness and scalability.
joni is enhancing menstrual care accessibility with sustainable products that will be dispensed using an IOT-enabled technology in public washrooms across Victoria, Sidney, and Richmond. The company’s pilot project will assess the efficacy of increasing access to eco-friendly products in public spaces and promoting sustainability in menstrual care.
Jayesh Vekariya, company Co-CEO and Co-Founder, says “The BC Fast Pilot project has been instrumental in validating our model V dispenser with organizations like a boutique hotel, an international airport, and IKEA warehouse sites in B.C. This initiative has refined our offering, strengthened partnerships across industries, and informed our go-to-market strategy.”
This is the sixth round of funding through the BC Fast Pilot program, which was launched in 2019. Since the program’s inception, and including this year’s awardees, $11.4M has been invested into 87 B.C. pilot demonstrations.
Previous Victoria-based program participants include Open Ocean Robotics, which, since receiving funding in 2019/20, has partnered with the Royal Canadian Navy on marine innovation, expanded to Canada’s east coast, secured $800,000 from PacifiCan’s Business Scale-up and Productivity program, and landed major contracts with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Business community invited to provide input and perspective on Greater Victoria’s economic future
South Island Prosperity Partnership is asking for the public’s input. The organization has launched a survey, the results of which will help inform SIPP’s next Five-Year Economic Development Strategy in alignment with regional strengths and emerging opportunities.
Recent actions by the U.S. administration have exposed Canada’s economic vulnerabilities, says the regional economic development alliance.
“Whether we work for an export company vulnerable to tariffs or not, our economy is about all of us,” notes Aaron Stone, CEO of SIPP.
“Whether you’re an employee, a business owner, a manager or the leader of a non-profit, your perspective matters. Together, we can build a strategy that reflects our region’s strengths, builds resilience against challenges and prioritizes what matters most to the people who call Greater Victoria home.”
The brief survey is open to everyone who works or does business in Greater Victoria, with the exception of elected officials who will be asked to reflect on the findings, once survey results are in.
New legislation and investment proposed to accelerate B.C. renewable energy and resource projects
As US President Donald Trump announces 25% tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports, the B.C. government says plans to introduce legislation this spring to streamline the regulation of renewable energy projects.
The BC Energy Regulator (BCER) will become the primary authority for wind and solar projects, as well as high-voltage electricity transmission projects like the North Coast Transmission.
The legislation will also enable the BCER to be the primary regulatory authority for authorizations associated with the construction of the North Coast Transmission Line (NCTL) and other high-voltage electricity transmission projects. This will help accelerate the expansion of British Columbia’s electricity grid and meet the demand in growth arising from critical mineral and metal mining, port electrification, hydrogen and fuel processing, and shipping projects under consideration.
The new legislation, to be introduced by the Ministry of Energy and Climate Solutions, will extend the BC Energy Regulator’s existing legal authorities and responsibilities to the new development activities relevant to the different energy projects.
The Province says it will also fast-track 18 resource-based projects, releasing a list of 18 critical mineral and energy projects worth approximately $20 billion that it plans to accelerate. The list includes four mining projects, three energy security projects and 11 BC Hydro clean energy ventures, mostly involving wind power.
The government says these will employ approximately 8,000 people in B.C., with a particular focus on resource-based communities that are most vulnerable to potential U.S. tariffs.
In response to the announcement, Mark Zacharias, Executive Director of Clean Energy Canada said “There’s nothing like a crisis to catalyze change. After years of talking about getting projects built faster, the B.C. government has identified 18 energy and mining projects it intends to accelerate through the regulatory process.
“The world now invests almost twice as much in clean energy as it does in fossil fuels. Global energy investment is set to exceed US$3 trillion for the first time in 2024, with $2 trillion going to clean energy technologies and infrastructure. Investment in clean energy has accelerated since 2020, and spending on renewable power, electricity grids and storage is now higher than total spending on oil, gas and coal.”
Victoria Foundation opens 2025 Community Grants program
Applications are now being accepted for the Vital Grant Stream of the Victoria Foundation’s 2025 Community Grants Program. The program offers grants of up to $30,000 to support organizations working on various social, cultural, and environmental initiatives. The deadline to apply is March 11th, 2025, and funding will be distributed in July.
Helijet donates medical helicopter to Ukraine
Richmond-based Helijet International is donating a fully operational, medically-equipped Sikorsky S-76A helicopter to Ukraine. The aircraft will be used for humanitarian purposes, including airlifting individuals in need of urgent medical care.
FROM THE PAGES OF DOUGLAS:
With newly re-elected President Donald Trump threatening to impose 25-per-cent tariffs on Canadian exports, businesses that export to the U.S. may want to rethink their strategy. Export Development Canada is preparing to help companies do just that.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR:
FEBRUARY
February 12: Accelerate your Business Growth the 3HAG Way
February 12: Westshore Chamber of Commerce Member Mixer
February 20 – 21: 6th Western Angel Investment Summit
MARCH
March 4 – 6: Rising Economy conference
MAY
May 4 – 9: International Seaweed Symposium
May 27 – 30: Web Summit
JUNE
June 4: Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce Business Awards
June 10: TEDxVictoria
