2021 press releases

Local banking means investing in Local Good.

White Rock, BC – On Thursday, October 7, senior leaders from Prospera Credit Union will don their rain gear and head to White Rock Beach to do some Local Good through a Shoreline Cleanup.

Attendees will spend a couple of hours in small teams picking up harmful trash and debris from the shoreline to promote ocean conservation and protect our ocean ecology.

“As an organization we are financially, emotionally and culturally invested in the local communities we serve,” says Prospera Credit Union President and CEO Gavin Toy. “As a company based out of Surrey, BC – with multiple branch locations across the region including one in the City of White Rock – we truly believe in the power of local banking and having an impact on our local communities.”

The Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup by Ocean Wise and WWF-Canada is one of the largest direct action conservation programs in Canada. In addition to inspiring volunteers around the country – including schools, non-profits, community groups, businesses and individuals – to clean their local shorelines, participants collect important data on the number, weight and type of litter items found. This data is fed into Ocean Wise’s database and shared locally and internationally to inform litter-related policy.

Prospera Credit Union is donating $20,000 to this amazing program in support of building vibrant, healthy communities.

“Our ongoing partnership with Ocean Wise and today’s Shoreline Cleanup is one small way we know Prospera Credit Union can have a direct impact,” says TJ Schmaltz, Chief People and Legal Officer. “Our employees are passionate about giving back to our local communities – it’s in our DNA. Getting involved to protect our environment is an important part of who we are.”

“We want to thank Prospera Credit Union for their leadership and generous support,” says Laura Hardman, Director of Plastic Initiatives at Ocean Wise. “Stopping plastic pollution can seem overwhelming, but everyone can play a part by participating in a shoreline cleanup and reducing their own use of unnecessary plastic.”

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About Prospera Credit Union:

Local banking means investing in Local Good.

   

Built on over 75 years as a BC credit union, Prospera Credit Union is a community-based, purpose-driven organization that offers a full range of financial products and services. Prospera is British Columbia’s fourth-largest credit union, with $9 billion in assets and 120,000 members. With 26 branches, Prospera is proud to serve communities from Vancouver, through the Fraser Valley, and to the Okanagan. It’s our vision to help build vibrant healthy communities, thriving local enterprises, and financially empowered people. 

About Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup®:

Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup, presented by Loblaw Companies Limited and Coca-Cola Ltd., is one of the largest direct-action conservation programs in Canada. A conservation partnership by Ocean Wise and WWF-Canada, Shoreline Cleanup aims to promote understanding of shoreline litter issues by engaging Canadians to rehabilitate shoreline areas through cleanups. ShorelineCleanup.ca

About Ocean Wise®:

Ocean Wise is a globally focused conservation organization with the vision of a world in which oceans are healthy and flourishing. We’re focused on tackling three major ocean challenges: overfishing, ocean pollution and climate change through research, education and direct-action conservation programs. Ocean Wise’s Plastic Free Oceans initiative seeks to rid the ocean of harmful plastic through programs including Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup, the Microfiber Partnership, the Plastic Wise Pledge and the Plastic Reduction Program aimed at restaurants and food service businesses. Ocean Wise is based in Vancouver with staff and initiatives across Canada. Ocean.org

Prospera’s Member Service Centre will remain open to serve members.

Surrey, BC / Territories of the Semiahmoo, Katzie, Kwikwetlem, Kwantlen, Qayqayt and Tsawwassen First Nations: In observance of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Prospera will close all branches and corporate departments on Thursday, September 30.

Although the BC provincial government has not proclaimed the date as a statutory holiday, the credit union is closing to provide an educational opportunity for employees and a day of reflection as part of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action.

Prospera is committed to listening and learning with our employees and our communities and understands how deeply important it is to continue to move forward in the reconciliation process. The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation provides a formal opportunity for those across Canada to ensure that the tragic history and ongoing legacy of residential schools is never forgotten.

Prospera’s President and CEO, Gavin Toy shared, “At Prospera, we value embracing diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in all forms. One of our DEI commitments is to enhance our dialogue and actions to foster greater understanding and appreciation for the lived experiences of others and we encourage everyone to reflect and consider their role in reconciliation, not just on September 30, but every day.”

To balance the needs of our members while supporting this important day, Prospera’s Member Service Centre will remain open on September 30 from 8 am - 8 pm to serve members. Our online, self-serve system is also available 24/7.

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About Prospera Credit Union
Built-on over 75 years as a BC credit union, Prospera Credit Union is a community-based, purpose-driven organization that offers a full range of financial products and services. Prospera is British Columbia’s third-largest credit union, with $9 billion in assets and 120,000 members. With 26 branches, Prospera is proud to serve communities from Vancouver, through the Fraser Valley, and to the Okanagan. It’s our vision to help build thriving local enterprises, financially empowered people, and vibrant healthy communities.

To learn more about Prospera Credit Union, visit prospera.ca

Prospera’s grant application for charity partners is now open

Surrey, BC: Prospera Credit Union donated $500,000 last month to its newly named Prospera Foundation (formerly known as the Westminster Savings Foundation). This donation brings its total assets under management above $10 million, making it now one of the largest credit union foundations in Canada.

The Foundation supports local charitable projects and programs that focus on local business, preventative health and education in the communities around BC in which Prospera operates. As proud sponsors of local.

The Foundation recently put out a call to local charities who are seeking investment in community programs. The summer grant application cycle will offer funding to programs and projects from registered charities across the province.

TJ Schmaltz, President of the Prospera Foundation and Chief Legal and People Officer at Prospera, notes this donation cements the importance of investing in our communities. “We’re always looking for ways to make our local neighbourhoods healthier and more inclusive places to live. The Prospera Foundation has the power to make a real impact to many lives and we couldn’t be more thrilled to partner with local partners who are advocates in their communities.”

Since 1992, the Foundation has distributed $4.8 million towards supporting local communities. Current partnerships include the Central Okanagan Food Bank, the Canucks Autism Network, and Special Olympics BC, which recently created a new platform to connect and uplift athletes, coaches, volunteers and families through the pandemic.

“The Foundation’s generous support has made a huge difference for Special Olympics BC. Many people with intellectual disabilities have felt the pain of exclusion long before the pandemic, and many of them lost their main source of social connections when SOBC programs had to pause. Their support helped us ensure that athletes continue to feel connected and allowed us to develop resources so athletes can maintain their training and health at home” says Dan Howe, President and CEO of Special Olympics BC.

Summer grant applications close July 30. If you know any local charities that could use funding, please encourage them to apply online for a partnership. For more information about the Prospera Foundation and grant application details, please visit  prospera.ca

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About Prospera Credit Union
Built on over 75 years as a BC credit union, Prospera Credit Union is a community based, purpose-driven organization that offers a full range of financial products and services. Prospera is British Columbia’s third-largest credit union, with $9 billion in assets and 120,000 members. With 28 branches, Prospera is proud to serve communities from Vancouver, through the Fraser Valley, and to the Okanagan. Supporting local business through targeted and meaningful investments is a key part of Prospera’s vision.

To learn more about Prospera Credit Union, visit prospera.ca

SURREY, February 25, 2021

The Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia is pleased to honour two Surrey-based chartered professional accountants with a fellowship designation (FCPA) for their professional accomplishments and their outstanding contributions to their communities. They are:

Neelam Sahota, FCPA, FCGA is the CEO of DIVERSEcity Community Resources Society, a registered charity providing community services and training to newcomers to Canada. Her accomplishments include leading the building of DIVERSEcity’s community campus from concept to delivery. Sahota also secured federal and provincial government funding to grow DIVERSEcity’s operational budget by 35 per cent and helmed the development of social enterprises to significantly diversify the organization’s funding sources. In recognition of her achievements, Sahota received the Surrey Board of Trade’s Women in Business Award in the not-for-profit leader category in 2014.

Actively involved in her community, Sahota shares her expertise with many boards and advisory committees. She is currently chair of the Surrey Libraries Board of Trustees. Previously, Sahota has served as a Program Advisory Committee member for Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s Certificate in NGO and Non-profit Studies program. She also provided governance counsel as a board director with Solid State Community Industries, a not-for-profit organization that builds co-operatives with new Canadians. Sahota was also past treasurer with the Immigrant Employment Council of BC.

Gavin Toy, FCPA, FCA is the president and CEO of Prospera Credit Union. Respected as a collaborative relationship builder and strategic business leader, Toy has spent 25 years committed to growing B.C. member-based organizations. In 2019, Toy led the merger of Prospera and Westminster Savings, garnering overwhelming member approval. Upon completion, this merger was the largest in Canadian credit union history and Prospera became the sixth-largest credit union in Canada with more than $9.5 billion in assets under management. Prior to becoming Prospera’s CEO, Toy was the CEO of Westminster Savings Credit Union and held several executive positions with the British Columbia Automobile Association (BCAA).

An accredited director, Toy is deeply committed to giving back to his local community. He currently serves on the board of the Canadian Credit Union Association, the national credit union trade association, and he has served with several other credit union system boards. From 2013 to 2020, Toy was a board director with Canuck Place Children’s Hospice, including two years as board chair.

Quote from Lori Mathison, FCPA, FCGA, LLB, President and CEO of CPABC
“We are pleased to honour Neelam and Gavin with a fellowship designation. With their wide and impressive range of skills and experiences, they represent the very best of our profession. We are proud of their career accomplishments and of their tireless contributions to their communities. They are truly deserving of this recognition.”

To learn about this year’s Fellows and other award recipients of CPABC’s Member Recognition Program, visit: bccpa.ca.

About CPA British Columbia
The Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia (CPABC) is the training, governing, and regulatory body for over 37,000 CPA members and 5,500 CPA candidates and candidates. CPABC carries out its primary mission to protect the public by enforcing the highest professional and ethical standards and contributing to the advancement of public policy.