To celebrate Tartan Day 2023, ScotCanBC hosted the Head of the Scottish Government Office in Canada, John Devine, and his team, for their visit to Vancouver. Their time in Vancouver brought out lots of VIP’s and was paramount in starting and continuing conversations and connections between Canada and Scotland!

First stop was an evening at the Centre for Digital Media. We were thrilled to have the Honourable Janet Austin, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia as our special guest. Dr. Ted Gervan, CDM Managing Director, MC’d the event, which included a welcome by Elder Xwalacktun, Tricia Barker, ScotCanBC President, and of course John Devine!!

Some of our special guests at the evening included Cathy Geagan, the Irish Consul General, Kerry Dickson, Deputy Head of the Scottish Gov’t Office of Canada and Sabryna Lemieux, Scottish Affairs Officer for Canada. John Coupar, ScotCanBC Vice President and Alyssa Weyrauch, ScotCanBC Treasurer and CDM Director of Finance and Technology. The event also included many special guests from the digital community in Vancouver.

The Honourable Janet Austin arrives at CDM
Elder Xwalacktun offers a welcome.
Tricia Barker, John Devine, Cathy Geagan, Ted Gervan Janet Austin, Xwalacktun
Alyssa Werauch, John Coupar, Sabryna Lemieux, John Devine, Kerry Dickson, Tricia Barker

John Devin’s next day in Vancouver included a working session with the Centre of Digital Media staff and a meeting with ScotCanBC about future projects and what we can work together on to further and deepen the connections between BC and Scotland. We look forward to sharing upcoming projects in the future!

Friday night brought the event to celebrate Tartan Day. Yes, we know we were a few days early but John’s visit was the perfect opportunity to gather. We were lucky to host the event at the Officer’s Mess at the Seaforth Armoury. Special thanks to ScotCanBC friend Graeme Menzies for helping with the arrangements.

Thank you to our special guests… Chief Wayne Sparrow, Musqueam Indian Band, John Devine, Scottish Govt in Canada, Kerry Dickson, Scottish Govt in Canada, Sabryna Lemieux, Scottish Govt in Canada, Tom Codrington, British Consul General, Adam Duffy, Deputy Irish Consul General, Brian Montague, Vancouver Deputy Mayor, Elizabeth Ball, Former Vancouver Councillor, Dr. Ted Gervan, CDM, John Coupar, ScotCanBC Vice President and Former Park Board Commissioner.

Chief Sparrow and John Devine started off our evening with two thought provoking speeches about Scotland, Canada, reconciliation and friendships. Brian Montague presented the City of Vancouver Proclamation for Tartan Day 2023. Ted Gervan spoke about Edinburgh and Vancouver being sister cities. Our President, Tricia Barker MC’d the event and finished off the evening speaking about the deep and personal connections between Canada and Scotland.

John Coupar, Chief Wayne Sparrow, Tricia Barker, John Devine
Tom Codrington, Tricia Barker, John Devine, Brian Montague, Adam Duffy
Presentation of the proclamation

The end of this event also ended John Devine’s visit to Vancouver! We look forward to seeing him again next year!

Thank you to all the people that worked so diligently to make these events happen. It was wonderful to see all the ScotCanBC members in person again! Also a big thank you to our major sponsor, Macaloney’s Island Distillery and also thanks to Shelter Point Distillery and Legacy Liquor.