NEWS
Discover the latest news from SOMA, our clients, relevant industries and beyond.
Hometown Heroes Lottery features prize home in Courtenay
The 2025 Hometown Heroes Lottery just launched and one of the nine grand prize homes is located in Courtenay. Found at 3235 Winchester Avenue, Courtenay, in the Crown Isle neighbourhood and developed by Integra Homes. The prize home is worth over $2.5 million, is a 2,666 sq. ft home and has four bedrooms, three bathrooms, and a two car garage.
Interchange Recycling to begin oil collection in Yukon
Interchange Recycling, a not-for-profit organization that collects and recycles used motor oil, oil filters, oil containers, used antifreeze and antifreeze containers, is expanding to Yukon, starting August 1, 2025. This marks Interchange Recycling’s first expansion beyond British Columbia, bringing its Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program to a new jurisdiction.
Uncertain times require new green investing vocabulary: investor
Tom Boddez, a general partner at Vancouver-based Active Impact Investments, said the return of Donald Trump to the White House has made cleantech and climate impact a “dirty word” in the U.S. Trump has voiced skepticism of the scientific consensus on global warming, promotes fossil fuels and has positioned his administration against the clean energy transition.
Reuse of Wood Construction and Demolition Waste: Potentials for Canada
Landfilled wood is a big part of Canada’s construction, renovation, and demolition (CRD) waste problem. The average lifespan of a building in Canada is around 70 years before it is demolished, and in rapidly densifying cities, the actual lifespan can be much shorter. Wood waste makes up 40 per cent of CRD waste; nationally, this means that about 10 per cent of all residual solid waste is wood waste. This equates to approximately 3.6 million tons of wood being landfilled each year.
Health Matters: Lottery supports research at BC Children’s Hospital
In advance of the Choices Lottery early bird deadline, Mira De Ausen and her mother Michelle discuss how Mira is part of a diabetes clinical trial at BC Children's Hospital.
AI Program Estimates Grid Conditions
ThinkLabs AI has launched a specialized physics-informed AI Agent that provides utilities with immediate, data-driven accurate insights into electric power distribution networks. This new distribution system state estimation (DSSE) solution bridges visibility gaps in grid operational performance, offering utilities situational awareness and intelligent control. By estimating grid conditions, ThinkLabs AI Agent may help prevent grid congestions, integrate variable resources, and enhance operational safety and reliability.
Winter 2025 Spotlight - SOMA Newsletter
Take a look at our Winter 2025 Spotlight newsletter that went out to our subscribers in March!
Corporate Social Responsibility Report 2024
At SOMA PR, we believe that doing business for good isn’t just an aspiration—it’s a responsibility. As a proudly B Corp Certified agency, we are committed to balancing profit with purpose, ensuring that every initiative we undertake contributes to a more sustainable, equitable, and thriving world.
This CSR Report highlights our progress, challenges, and goals as we continue to push the boundaries of responsible and ethical business practices. We recognize that real change happens when organizations prioritize transparency, accountability, and long-term sustainability—and we are proud to be part of this movement.
Health Matters: Pulsed field ablation to treat atrial fibrillation
Vancouver General Hospital is the first in Canada to perform a new atrial fibrillation heart procedure using new medical technology. Global News Morning speaks with VGH Cardiac Electrophysiologist Dr. Jason Andrade about the pulsed field ablation system and philanthropist Greg Wolfe about the donation that made it all possible.
Light House launches Building Material Exchange Marketplace
Light House, an organization focused on advancing circular practices in the built environment, has launched the Building Material Exchange Marketplace (BMEx Marketplace).
The free online business-to-business marketplace allows businesses across Vancouver Island to list and acquire excess and salvaged building and/or design-related materials from reliable, local sources, explains a release.
Used oil recycling depot in Grand Forks gets an upgrade
Grand Forks is getting a bigger and better drop-off site for motor oil and other used automotive fluids. Interchange Recycling, announced the Bottle Depot at 8058 Donaldson Dr., has received new recycling infrastructure in the form of a 20 foot sea container with a 2,200 litre tank to store materials.
Save-On-Foods makes historic donation to British Columbia mental health initiative
Save-On-Foods has made a $15 million donation to BC Children’s Hospital and BC Children’s Hospital Foundation, the largest mental health donation in their histories.
Choices lottery features grand prize homes in Kelowna, West Kelowna, Big White
Homes in Kelowna, West Kelowna, and Big White are among the grand prizes available in the 2025 Choices Lottery, in supports of the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation.
Kitamaat toddler's life saved thanks to clinical trials at B.C. Children's Hospital
Emmett Doolan, a 2½-year-old of Haisla and Nisga’a heritage from Kitamaat village, was diagnosed before birth with hydrocephalus, a buildup of fluid in the brain. After travelling to Vancouver for further tests, a scan showed a black mass sitting on her brain.
SOMA Event - Amplifying Impact
In today’s world, effectively creating and communicating purpose is vital to building brand integrity and driving long-term value. This event will equip you with actionable insights to amplify your purpose actions & story in a way that resonates with stakeholders, fosters trust, and enhances your organization's impact.
Reserve Your Spot Today – This exclusive event is free to attend, but space is limited. Light appetizers and beverages will be served.
Canada Post strike 'significantly' impacting B.C. health-care fundraiser
Funding for life-saving medical research and equipment in British Columbia is being "significantly" impacted by the Canada Post strike.
Business Excellence: Ocean Legacy Foundation makes waves as Green Business of the Year
Ocean Legacy Foundation, based in Steveston, has been named the 2024 Green Business of the Year by the Richmond Chamber of Commerce.
SOMA wins Sustainable Initiative Award at 2024 Business Excellence Awards
We are thrilled to share that SOMA was chosen as the winner of the Environmental Initiative Award at the 2024 Business Excellence Awards.
Google bought his smart glasses company. Will anyone buy Stephen Lake’s heat pumps?
Stephen Lake was pegged for greatness early on. In 2011, the self-assured Scarborough, Ont., native was named one of the Next 36 – a group of entrepreneurial undergraduates selected by Next Canada for their potential to build big companies – while he was studying mechatronics engineering at the University of Waterloo. The wearable technology startup he and two classmates founded, Thalmic Labs (later renamed North Inc.) was Waterloo’s most hyped and heavily funded company after BlackBerry Ltd.
Lottery offers $3M Kelowna and Vernon dream home packages
Two $3 million plus Kelowna and Vernon prize packages are one of several that can be won in the 2024 VGH Millionaire Lottery.
The grand prize winner can choose from one of 10 grand-prize packages including $2.8 million tax-free cash. The Kelowna prize home, located at Trailhead at the Ponds (1062 Emslie Street), is worth over $3 million.