Premier Christy Clark announced today the creation of the Premier’s Women’s Economic Council to offer advice on how to expand women’s business opportunities in key sectors.

“I want women to have every opportunity to thrive as entrepreneurs and business leaders in B.C.,” said Premier Clark. “That’s why I’ve asked some extraordinary women to bring fresh ideas on ways to grow and develop economic opportunities that will benefit the whole province.” 

PWEC will offer advice to the Premier, the minister of jobs, tourism and skills training and minister responsible for labour, and the minister of state for tourism and small business on issues, strategies, policy changes and potential actions to tap into economic opportunities for women that will help strengthen B.C.’s economy.

“From mining to forestry to digital media, the women on this council all bring a unique perspective on a wide variety of key sectors in our economy,” said Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour Shirley Bond. “By finding ways to break down barriers and create new opportunities for women in business, we’ll ultimately create more jobs and a stronger economy for everyone.”

The PWEC and its chair will be appointed by the Premier and will consist of 11 members from various regions and industries, including business leaders representing the key sectors identified in the B.C. Jobs Plan. 

Today’s appointees to the council are:

• Dr. ‘Lyn Anglin, Anglin & Associates
• Shauna Harper, Live Work Communications
• Shannon Janzen, Western Forest Products
• Margo Middleton, Middleton Petroleum Services
• Lois Nahirney, TeeKay Corporation
• Sheila Orr, Entrepreneur
• Tracy Redies, Coast Capital Savings
• Eva Sun, The Rice People (Libra National Inc.)
• Renee Wasylyk, Troika Development
• Jennifer Williamson, LIFESUPPORT Patient Transport
• Kirsten Wilson, Jack Cewe Ltd. 

“Women in British Columbia have a strong entrepreneurial spirit,” said Minister of State for Tourism and Small Business Naomi Yamamoto. “As we work towards the goal of making B.C. the most small business friendly jurisdiction in Canada, this Council will certainly play an important role in finding ways to ensure women are a part of the thriving small business sector in our province.”

The initial intake of council members will consist of two and three year appointments and will meet quarterly with the minister of jobs, tourism and skills training and the minister of state for tourism and small business, with the Premier attending at least one of the meetings annually.

A backgrounder follows.

Media Contacts:

Sam Oliphant
Press Secretary
Office of the Premier
250 952-7252

Media Relations
Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Responsible for Labour
Minister of State for Tourism and Small Business 
250 387-2799

BACKGROUNDER

Premier’s Women’s Economic Council (PWEC)

The key objectives of PWEC are to:

• Support the ongoing goals of the BC Jobs Plan, adding a specific lens to issues affecting women in business.
• Provide recommendations to government that will help develop new ideas, opportunities, actions, policies and legislation that will further support women business owners, leaders and workers in the province and drive new economic activity and job creation.
• Bring attention to relevant barriers facing women in business in B.C. and provide advice on how to minimize or eliminate them.
• Provide advice on how government can work more collaboratively with women’s organizations with the goal of creating more opportunities for women in business.
• Consult with organizations, business owners and key contacts throughout the province for feedback on the Jobs Plan and other key government initiatives with respect to supporting women in business and their role as a key economic driver.
• Support progress tracking on the BC Jobs Plan and each of the Sector Strategies by providing direct input into the performance of key deliverables set out in these documents, specifically focused on women’s issues.

The members of the Premier’s Women’s Economic Council are:

Dr. ‘Lyn Anglin
Dr. Anglin is a geologist with extensive experience in geoscience research and research management and is currently a consultant with Anglin & Associates Consulting. She served as president and CEO of Geoscience BC from January 2006 to September 2013, and was responsible for developing the organization into a successful and highly respected non-profit geoscience research institute. Prior to joining Geoscience BC, she was the acting director of the Pacific division of the Geological Survey of Canada. In late 2013, Dr. Anglin was named to the inaugural list of “100 Global Inspirational Women in Mining” by Women in Mining (UK) at the international Mines and Money 2013 conference in London, UK. 

Shauna Harper 
As a digital marketing strategist, community builder, speaker, and trainer, Harper has been an entrepreneur for 14 years and is passionate about nurturing the entrepreneurial spirit in her community. As the co-owner of Live Work Communications, a digital marketing company in Northern BC, her company specializes in corporate video production and online marketing strategy. She is the lead for Startup Prince George and is an advisor for Startup Canada's PIVOT Magazine.  

Shannon Janzen 
Janzen was appointed chief forester of Western Forest Products in 2013. In her previous role as manager, strategic planning, she established strategic relationships with key stakeholders (e.g. First Nations, environmental groups and various levels of government) on the coast of B.C. She now oversees strategic business investments on crown lands and ensures Western continues to demonstrate sustainability throughout their operations and through the safe management of their forest tenures. Shannon is a registered professional forester and holds a bachelor of science in forestry from the University of Northern B.C. 

Margot Middleton
Middleton is the president of Middleton Petroleum Services Ltd. (MPS), located in Kamloops. Operating since 1987, MPS is a contracting business specializing in petroleum systems installations, maintenance and electrical. Margot also serves on the board of the Resource Training Organization and is also vice-president of the BC Petroleum Contractors Association, a recently established association to support and move forward initiatives related to petroleum contractors and tradespersons in the industry.  

Lois Nahirney 
Nahirney is the executive vice president of corporate resources for Teekay Corporation, responsible for global human resources, information technology, communications and services. Lois has over 25 years of experience as a senior executive and executive consultant across a broad range of industries including shipping, oil and gas, information technology, healthcare, power and utilities and pulp and paper.  She has a doctorate and masters in business administration and an undergraduate degree in economics and political science. Nahirney is chair of the Women's Executive Network in Vancouver and is on the boards of Junior Achievement, EasyPark and the Vietnam Education Society.  

Sheila Orr
Orr chairs a financial team handling high-wealth clients. She sits on the board of Cranmere Investments, dealing in commercial real estate. She owns a small residential development company and sits on the board of Knowledge Network Television. As an entrepreneur for three decades, Orr has owned other successful businesses in B.C. As a former MLA, she was appointed to Treasury Board. As a municipal councillor and director for the Capital Regional District she was appointed to many economic committees, including Tourism Victoria. She is prominent in her community work, including being a founding member of The Victoria Film Commission.

Tracy Redies
Redies is president and chief executive officer of Coast Capital Savings Credit Union and has 25 years of experience in the domestic and international financial services industry. She joined Coast Capital Savings in 2009 to lead the entrepreneurial-styled credit union in its quest to bring innovation to banking in Canada. A four-time recipient of WXN’s Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100 award and inductee into the Top 100 Hall of Fame, Tracy was recently ranked one of the Top 25 Women of Influence for 2013 in addition to being honoured with Business in Vancouver’s Top BC CEO award.

Eva Sun 
Sun is the CEO and president of The Rice People (aka. Libra National Inc.), a food processor based in Richmond, B.C. that has been established for more than 30 years and trades with more than seven countries. The Rice People is certified by WEConnect Canada/International, GMP/HACCP, and is COSTCO-audited. Eva is a member of Women’s Presidents’ Network, UnitedSucces, Canadian Australian New Zealand Business Association, Taiwan Chamber of Commerce of B.C., The Executive Committee, an advisory board of GroYourBiz, and a board of director of BC Food Processors Association (BCFPA). Her passion is empowering immigrants and SMEs, particularly women entrepreneurs.  

Renée Wasylyk
As the chief executive officer of Kelowna-based Troika Group, Wasylyk leads an organization including commercial and residential development projects and construction companies. Troika has projects in three provinces including commercial buildings, residential developments, and master-planned communities on over a thousand acres. Wasylyk was recognized as 2013 CHBAOC’s Large Single Family Homebuilder of the Year and Multi-family Homebuilder of the Year, 2012`s UDI Maureen Enser Future Leader Award winner, as well as one of CHBA Canada`s Top 20 Most Influential People in Residential Development.  

Jennifer Williamson
Williamson is the director and chief flight nurse for LIFESUPPORT Patient Transport. A registered nurse and an active international flight nurse, Williamson also oversees a staff of healthcare professionals who operate from bases in Parksville, Vancouver, Fort St. John, Toronto and Honolulu. In addition to overseeing a worldwide medical transport portfolio, Jennifer is active in the development of paramedic and emergency medical programs for British Columbia's growing LNG industry. 

Kirsten Wilson 
Wilson is the president of Jack Cewe Ltd., one of British Columbia’s largest privately-owned civil construction and aggregate mining businesses. Jack Cewe Ltd. is a family owned company that has been in business for over sixty years, primarily operating in the Lower Mainland and the Sunshine Coast. Wilson has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Simon Fraser University and is a director of the BC Stone, Sand and Aggregate Association and Brockton School, an independent IB school in North Vancouver.

Media Contact:

Sam Oliphant
Press Secretary
Office of the Premier
250 952-7252

Media Relations
Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Responsible for Labour
Minister of State for Tourism and Small Business 
250 387-2799