NEWS
Discover the latest news from SOMA, our clients, relevant industries and beyond.

Waste360: British Columbia’s Local Fix for Tire Waste
When you think of Ocean Legacy Foundation (OLF), you might envision bands of volunteers combing beaches, lifting cigarette butts and empty water bottles with trash-grabbing poles. But the Foundation, known for its work cleaning up plastic litter from oceans and shorelines, goes after other waterway-bound trash too, including rubber from tires and polystyrene foam that’s packed inside those tires. While tire scraps, and especially foam, wreak havoc on aquatic ecosystems, the material has value to recyclers and the industries they sell to.

Waste360: Canadian Partners Push Housing Relocation Over Demolition
Light House, a nonprofit that shapes policy to “green” Canada’s built industry, is working with partners to push home relocation over demolition, at least in British Columbia. But its new model could work just about anywhere, says Gil Yaron, managing director at Light House. Already a few U.S. municipalities are prioritizing similar circularity approaches as their population grows denser; housing stock thins; and their landfills fill with construction and demolition waste.

BC Business: Why B.C. venture capitalist Mike Winterfield is betting on seed-stage climate startups
Winterfield’s North Vancouver firm, Active Impact Investments, is pumping up climate tech innovators
Why would a tech executive leave their position to start an environmental investment firm?
“Equal parts being terrified and motivated to do something about climate change,” says Mike Winterfield, founder and managing partner of North Vancouver-based Active Impact Investments. In 2017, Winterfield left his position as COO of Burnaby-based software company Traction on Demand (and president of its recreation management system spinoff, Traction Rec) to start his own impact-focused investment firm. Last year, Traction was acquired by Salesforce.
BNN Bloomberg: Strong government support, but fewer VC opportunities for Canadian climate tech startups
As Canada pushes for a greener economy in the race to net zero emissions, industry players say government funding for climate tech is strong – but gaps still exist when it comes to investment opportunities for early-stage companies.
Mike Winterfield, a founder and managing partner at venture capital firm Active Impact Investments, said in an interview with BNNBloomberg.ca that Canada’s climate tech start-ups are “a bit underserved from a financing standpoint.”

Microfiber plastic pollution found in the Antarctic
Ocean Legacy Foundation (OLF), a Canadian non-profit organization that develops and implements worldwide plastic pollution programs with the goal to end ocean plastic pollution, today released results from their plastic pollution study that took place in Antarctica in partnership with Ocean Geographic from February 12-23, 2023, as part of the most recent Antarctic Climate Expedition 2023 (ACE 2023).

Vancouver Coastal Health welcomes two new canines ready to sniff deadly superbug
Arti and Anton, two springer spaniels, have trained for months and are now permanently working for Canines for Care at Vancouver Coastal Health. They're tasked with sniffing out the superbug Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile) at hospitals in Vancouver.

Health Matters: VGH burn unit patient shares how hospital and Burn Fund supported his recovery
In advance of the Hometown Heroes Lottery early bird deadline, Vancouver Fire Fighter Massimo Cerantola and VGH nurse Stef Holland describe the support and treatment Massimo received after being seriously burned while attempting to put out a car fire. - Global News Morning BC

2022 NATIONAL RESULTS FOR USED OIL RECOVERY: UOMAs have recovered 83.6% of used oil available for collection in Canada
Taking care of our environment and minimizing waste is crucial for a sustainable future. That’s why the Used Oil Management Associations (UOMA) are proud to report that they’ve collectively recovered 83.6%* of used automotive oil available for collection according to 2022 data. The recovery of used oil conserves valuable, non-renewable resources. These positive results provide encouragement for ongoing efforts to promote sustainable practices in Canada.

Global News: Rethinking how to deal with the housing crisis
Instead of demolishing homes, why not repurpose them? Gil Yaron, managing director of strategic initiatives with Light House, talks about it could be a more cost-efficient way to address the housing crisis.

Vancouver boy paying it forward after surviving the fight of his life
Nick Cannon is gearing up for a running race to support a cause close to his heart. Over the past few years, Nick spent more than 170 days in hospital battling a rare form of stage 4 cancer. Since then, Nick and his family have made it their mission to give back and help support other children going through the fight of their lives. Nick will be running this Sunday in the RBC Race for the Kids.

Shuswap man burned over 40% of his body, shares story for Hometown Heroes
Scott McBride was working under his truck when it caught fire.
The Sorrento resident suffered third-degree burns to more than 40 per cent of his body in the 2020 accident and spent four months at Vancouver General Hospital.
McBride continues to return for treatments at the clinic, and shares his story in support of the Hometown Heroes Lottery.

Former burn survivor Volpatti shares story with Hometown Heroes Lottery
For many locals, the name Aaron Volpatti is synonymous with survivor or fighter. Those who know the man and his strength likely won’t be surprised he’s lending his name and his story to the Hometown Heroes Lottery.
The lottery raises money to help support VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation, and BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund.
Volpatti knows firsthand that any money raised is well spent.

1,000 lifesaving connections: Kidney Paired Donation program hits 1,000 transplant milestone
1,000 patients in Canada have received kidney transplants thanks to the kidney exchange program led by Canadian Blood Services, in collaboration with Vancouver Coastal Health, Providence Health, and living donation and transplant programs across Canada.

VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation: Supporting people with Parkinson’s
VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation’s BC Brain Wellness Program is helping people with chronic brain conditions, like Parkinson’s disease. Watch to learn about Bruce Thompson’s experience with participating in high-intensity exercise through the BC Brain Wellness Program at UBC to improve his mobility, balance, functional strength and mental health.

A common goal: Race benefiting B.C. Children’s Hospital returns this June
The Cannon family is ready to take a victory lap at the 2023 RBC Race for the Kids.
Started in 1986, RBC Race for the Kids is B.C.’s largest family fun run and has helped improve the lives of countless children. It supports B.C. Children’s Hospital and its mission to conquer childhood illnesses across the province.

Global News: Hometown Heroes Lottery tickets on sale now
Hometown Heroes Lottery tickets are now on sale and you can win big while helping many people across the province including Burn Victims. Sydney Morton has more about this year's fundraising goal.