NEWS
Discover the latest news from SOMA, our clients, relevant industries and beyond.
Millionaire Lottery dream home blends Shaughnessy’s heritage with sleek Scandi style
Winning the grand prize residence at Whitford Shaughnessy in the 2025 VGH+ Millionaire Lottery would realize a dream of not only having a home in the pricey Vancouver real estate market but also one in the prestigious west side neighbourhood.
Myriad Uranium Corp: Could This Be North America's Largest Uranium Find
SOMA recently secured a media opportunity for Myriad Uranium with StockBox Media, a leading platform for investor-focused interviews and market insights. In the feature, Thomas Lamb, CEO of Myriad Uranium, discussed the company’s ambitions to develop one of the largest uranium projects in the United States.
AI-powered project at Vancouver hospital aims to transform heart failure detection
A Vancouver-based research team is using artificial intelligence to change how doctors detect and diagnose heart failure—a condition experts say is becoming increasingly common across Canada.
Dr. Christina Luong, a cardiologist and co-director of the VGH-UBC Artificial Intelligence Echo Core Lab, is leading the study, which is funded in part by proceeds from the VGH Millionaire Lottery.
Canada rallying G7 countries around a new critical mineral alliance
Energy Minister Tim Hodgson is set to announce a new alliance to secure critical minerals for G7 countries, a source told CTV News.
The goal of the alliance is to “secure transparent, democratic, and environmentally responsible critical minerals for G7 partners,” according to the source who spoke on background. They described it as a central outcome of Canada’s G7 strategy.
South Surrey home featured as a grand prize in lottery
This year's lottery features 10 grand prize options — the grand prize winner can choose from home packages in South Surrey (12686 25 Avenue), Langley, Vancouver, Burnaby, Kelowna, Courtenay, Sooke, and Colwood, with packages valued at more than $3.3 million — and the winner also has the option of $3 million tax-free cash, the largest cash prize ever offered in a B.C. lottery, a lottery release noted.
Dream Lottery’s support of research and care at BC Children’s Hospital
SOMA secured a Global News interview for Dream Lottery, featuring Kai and his mom, Jen. The story highlighted Kai’s journey with epilepsy and the vital role BC Children’s Hospital has played in his care.
The interview helped raise awareness of how Dream Lottery proceeds directly support life-saving research and innovations at BC Children’s Hospital.
Oil packaging group’s individual program plan approved for Colorado EPR
The Lubricant Packaging Manufacturers Association, which was founded by petroleum companies last year in response to state EPR laws, hopes there will also be alternative pathways in other states.
Cheering for the Cougars, Canucks and for life, two-year-old Mavrik’s cancer battle update
While most two-year-olds live care-free, delighting in playtime and toy-filled adventures, Mavrik from Prince George, has been overcoming challenges far greater than most could imagine. Diagnosed with high-risk neuroblastoma just after his second birthday, Mavrik’s resilience and spirit have touched everyone at BC Children’s Hospital, where he’s been receiving life-saving treatments since October 2024.
How confusion and inconvenience are filling B.C. landfills with recyclable plastics
The organization behind B.C.'s recycling system wants residents to do more to keep plastics from going to landfills or ending up as litter — as only 45 per cent of plastic packaging used by residents is recovered for recycling.
"There's been a lot of hesitancy around recycling, but our model proves that you can have a system that responsibly manages and recycles these plastics," said Sam Baker, executive director of Recycle B.C.
Likely landfill received replacement oil recycling container
Earlier this week the Likely Landfill received a replacement 10-foot sea container and an 1,100 litre tank for used oil collection.
Pitching in: Cleaning up the ocean to preserve nature in B.C.
Chloe Dubois and her partner James Middleton were watching a documentary several years ago about the plight of albatrosses on the Midway Atoll in the Pacific Ocean, a collection of islands that have become a collection point for mountains of plastic waste.
The couple were living on a boat in British Columbia at the time and their lives revolved around sea life. He was a boat captain and she worked in environment and resource management.
Canucks: B.C. cancer initiative hits home for Kirk and Genevieve McLean
One in two British Columbians will face a cancer diagnosis in their lifetime, so ensuring specialists and superior resources are present to combat the disease is of paramount importance. VGH is the largest and most advanced hospital in the province, but there is an urgent need to expand capacity to better address cancer cases.
The campaign has a goal of raising $35 million to produce treatments for patients across B.C. The initiative aligns with the provincial government’s 10-year Cancer Action Plan announced in 2023. Community support and donations are also essential to help deliver world-class care and drive the next generation of cancer-fighting technology and treatments.
There's a new way for Yukon residents to recycle household hazardous waste
There is a new way for Yukoners to recycle certain household hazardous waste, after Interchange Recycling opened a new collection site at the Whitehorse waste management facility on Friday.
The site accepts lubricating oil, antifreeze, diesel exhaust fluid, oil filters and all automotive containers.
Interchange has partnered with local company KBL Environment to operate the new site. After KBL collects the material, it will be shipped to processors outside of the territory.
Jenn Robson, the director of operations at Interchange Recycling, said the new collection site will ensure hazardous materials are disposed of responsibly.
AI for Grid as Canada’s New Superpower
We’re in the era when energy underpins economic progress and competitive advantage. From integrating distributed renewables to energy storage, enabling electrified transportation to powering data centres, and powering remote microgrids to urban load centres, the electric grid has long been the backbone of industrial society.
The next great Canadian innovation story won’t come from oil or minerals but from electrons, and more importantly, from the intelligence that controls how they flow. With the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) as its brain, and clean, reliable, affordable energy as its heart, the smart grid is no longer a technical ambition. It’s an economic imperative.
10th annual Cheer by the Pier
Family Services of the North Shore, the non-profit community-based agency committed to making a lasting impact across the North Shore, held their 10th annual Cheer by the Pier (formerly Beer by The Pier) event, presented by Darwin Properties Ltd. on June 14th, 2025. The event took place at the Pipe Shop Venue in the Shipyards, located at 115 Victory Ship Way, North Vancouver, BC. All proceeds raised from the event go directly to supporting Family Services of the North Shore’s Child and Youth Mental Health programs.
OLF closes the loop on marine plastics with end-of-life fishing gear disposal program
Ocean Legacy Foundation (OLF), an organization accredited by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and participant of marine plastic recovery and recycling, has launched the Marine Plastic Management Program (MPMP), an initiative designed to support British Columbia's fishing and aquaculture industry in responsibly managing fishing gear disposal while driving Canada's circular economy.
Construction Plastics Initiative launches Freedom Mobile Arch and Steveston Community Centre Projects, advancing sustainable building practices in Metro Vancouver
Light House, an organization focused on advancing circular practices in the built environment, and their Construction Plastics Initiative, which launched in 2024 to capture, divert and upcycle plastic waste from Metro Vancouver construction sites, today announced two new construction project partners — the Freedom Mobile Arch in Vancouver, with general contractor EllisDon Corporation, and the Steveston Community Centre in Richmond, with general contractor Scott Construction. All plastic waste collected from projects involved ineCap the Construction Plastics Initiative are processed by Langley Plastics into a reusable plastic pellet, which is then integrated into the manufacturing of a range of new building products.
What Can and Can't Be Recycled?
Our client, Recycle BC, was recently featured on CTV News to teach viewers what can and cannot be recycled.
Common summer items used while camping or spending time outdoors, such as propane tanks, bear spray, and butane cans, should not be placed in blue curbside recycling bins. Visit recyclebc.ca/hazardous to find the best place to dispose of these items.
North Vancouver girls’ team does Canada proud at international basketball tournament
VanCity Basketball Club, a North Vancouver-based youth basketball organization committed to developing confident, skilled, and community-minded athletes, announced today that its U13 girls’ team has claimed third place at the Taro Cup, an international youth basketball tournament held in Taipei, Taiwan from June 16–20, 2025. Representing Canada on the global stage, the VanCity athletes showcased exceptional talent, teamwork, and resilience as they competed against elite teams from across Asia and North America.
B.C. launches its first virtual cardiac rehab program at Vancouver hospital
B.C has launched the province’s first virtual cardiac rehab program at Vancouver General Hospital. The virtual program will allow patients in rural and remote communities to access care without having to travel to the Lower Mainland. Dr. Nathaniel Moulson, director of the VGH CardioRisk Clinic, will be leading the program.