FOURTEEN exceptional people who have made an outstanding provincial, national or international impact will be appointed to the Order of British Columbia, the Province’s highest form of recognition and an official part of the Canadian Honours System.
And among them is well-known developer and philanthropist Daljit Thind of Vancouver.
“As representative of the Crown in British Columbia and as chancellor of the Order of British Columbia, I am honoured to welcome these 14 members,” said Janet Austin, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, on Monday. “This honour is a mark of excellence, reflected in the service and achievements of these incredible British Columbians. Their accomplishments have left an indelible mark on their communities, and ensuing legacies will impact our province to the benefit of future generations. It is my great pleasure to share my congratulations to all new appointments to the order.”
This year, 224 British Columbians were nominated. These new additions bring the total membership of the Order of British Columbia to 503. Members have been appointed from all parts of the province.
“While they are not officially part of the Marvel Universe, these 14 remarkable individuals are superheroes. They have contributed in unique and profound ways to our province, our nation and beyond, through leadership, selflessness and generosity,” said Premier David Eby. “Congratulations to all on their appointment to the Order of British Columbia.”
Others appointed to the Order for 2023 are:
* Dr. Penny J. Ballem of Vancouver
* Evanna Brennan of Vancouver
* Dr. Jane Buxton of Vancouver
* Pieter R. Cullis, OC, of Vancouver
* Samuel L. Feldman of Vancouver
* Gordon J. Fyfe of Saanich
* Susan Giles of Vancouver
* Byng Giraud of Winlaw
* Chief Councillor Harold Leighton of Prince Rupert
* Susan E. Paish, KC, of North Vancouver
* George C. Reifel, MGC, of Vancouver
* Ryan Reynolds of New York, N.Y.
* Patricia Woroch of Surrey
The B.C. government has worked to increase awareness of the Province’s highest honour to ensure that outstanding people from all walks of life and from all parts of the province have an opportunity to be honoured. The Province has received more than 6,600 public nominations for the Order of B.C. over the past 34 years.
An independent advisory council selects members of the Order of B.C.
Biographies of recipients:Â https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/
THE citation for Daljit Thind reads:
Daljit Thind moved to Burnaby from India in 1990 with the support of his wife’s sister. However, he was unable to get credentialled to pursue his desired career as a pharmacist and needed financial assistance to support his family.
A Canadian friend helped him secure employment as a tile layer, which allowed him to learn about the construction industry. From this, Thind was inspired to build homes for immigrants such as himself – people who had modest finances, but big dreams for the future. He initially started by renovating his sister-in-law’s home and used the profits to undertake larger projects. Today, he is responsible for over $4 billion in development and more than 1,000 jobs throughout Greater Vancouver. He donates millions of dollars to important community causes.
What sets Thind apart from his peers is not the magnitude of his success, but his purpose. He has developed projects in East Vancouver with the aim of providing first-time buyers a chance to invest in the competitive Vancouver housing market. His purchasers come from all walks of life and symbolize the aspirations of the diverse residents in the neighbourhood. He continues to strive for equitable access to real estate, especially for newcomers, by advocating for increased housing density. He has successfully executed similar projects in Burnaby, Surrey and Richmond by collaborating with the cities and non-profit organizations to offer low-cost rental apartments, thereby addressing a crucial housing shortage. He has even doubled his community investment in Surrey by constructing an entire low-cost rental apartment tower. His efforts to increase density have been praised by local officials, who hope to use his approach as a model for future development.
Due to his unwavering commitment to supporting community groups, Thind has achieved significant success in his career. His main areas of dedication include mental health, education, housing, sport and women’s rights. In addition, he is a strong proponent of providing aid to the less fortunate and has contributed millions toward initiatives, such as supporting refugee families, providing meals for underprivileged children and preserving Indigenous culture, as well as aiding in programs to combat domestic violence and to help newcomers get settled. To maximize the effect of his donations, he collaborates with smaller local community organizations.
Thind was inspired to give back because of the kindness he received when he needed it most. His impact on B.C. is seen in many ways: he transforms neglected areas into prosperous ones. He helps thousands of people build their own prosperity; and he focuses on building community instead of only erecting buildings. Thind is committed to making positive changes and believes that building together is the best way to achieve a better life for everyone.
