British Columbia’s Deputy Premier Niki Sharma says Canadian business leaders should think about their role in what’s happening with immigration enforcement in the United States.
That’s after reports the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is planning to buy a Virginia warehouse owned by prominent B.C. billionaire Jim Pattison for use by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
ICE and U.S. Border Patrol agents have been criticized for shooting deaths, injuries, and apprehensions amid the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown.
Sharma said Tuesday Canadians are concerned about the actions of ICE in the U.S.
“We watch in horror at what’s happening there, and I think that calls upon business leaders across this province — and across the whole country — to think about their role in what is unfolding there and to make decisions that would not lead to some of the outcomes that we’re seeing unfold in the states,” she said.
Hanover County said it received notice on Jan. 22 that the DHS plans to purchase the property and operate an ICE processing facility in an Ashland, Virginia, warehouse. Property records show the warehouse is owned by North Vancouver-based Jim Pattison Developments.
Records show Jim Pattison Developments purchased the property in 2022 for a little over $7.6 million USD. A proposed assessment for this year puts the value at close to $50.5 million US — or roughly $69 million CAD.
According to a letter from Homeland Security, ICE is proposing changes to the more than 17-hectare property, which could include installing or upgrading parking, fencing, lighting, cameras and other infrastructure. Tentage and a guard shack may also be installed, with interior renovations expected to include holding areas and administration offices.
Pattison, 97, has an estimated net worth of $11.9 billion. The Jim Pattison Group is B.C.’s largest private company, with holdings in grocery, retail, automotive, forestry, advertising and other sectors.
B.C. Green Party Leader Emily Lowan has called for a boycott of Pattison-owned businesses and media outlets.
“This is a stark reminder of how the billionaire class aids and abets fascist forces,” Lowan said in a social media post.
The Jim Pattison Group said in a statement on Wednesday the company accepted an offer to sell the building to a U.S. government contractor, but wasn’t aware at the time of the ultimate owner and intended use of the building. It said the sale is still subject to certain approvals and closing conditions.
“We remain committed to complying with all applicable laws and regulations as we work to divest this asset,” said the statement.
“We understand that the conversation around immigration policy and enforcement is particularly heated, and has become much more so over the past few weeks. We respect that this issue is deeply important to many people,” it said.
