Fraser Valley (Media Release) – For the past year, Abbotsford business owner Virender Dass has been trying to secure serviced industrial land in the Fraser Valley for a new packaging facility that could create roughly 50 local jobs.
Instead, he encountered limited land availability, lengthy permitting processes, and growing uncertainty around development. For Virender, the experience became part of a much bigger question: what happens when local businesses want to grow, hire, and invest, but the system makes it increasingly difficult to do so?
That experience is one of the reasons he is now running as the OneBC candidate for Abbotsford-Mission.
Virender’s story extends well beyond politics:
- He came to Canada in 2014 after nearly two decades working in visual effects, including work with Industrial Light & Magic and credits on major productions such as Blade Runner 2049.
- He founded Wellness Extract in 2017 after his mother’s cancer diagnosis led him to research nutrition and supplements during her treatment. The Abbotsford-based company has since grown into a multi-employee business.
- Alongside his wife, he is involved in SmartVeda, a children’s learning centre in Abbotsford, and the Santosh Care Foundation, a registered charity named in honour of his mother.
- He lives in Abbotsford with his wife and two daughters and says his campaign is focused on issues including affordability, healthcare, education, land use, and the pressures facing local businesses and families.
virender.dass@1bc.ca
virenderdass.ca
Advance voting in the Provincial Election starts October 16 and Final Voting Day on October 24.
