Ten West Kootenay and Boundary residents have been honoured with the King Charles III Coronation medal earlier this month.
Among the recipients in the West Kootenay’s were Peter Stamper, Dan Ashman, Morag Carter, Deb McIntosh, Sandi McCreight, Vince Salvo, and Joan Snyder (posthumously), who were awarded their medals by South Okanagan- West Kootenay MP Richard Canning.
Meanwhile, for the Boundary, Grand Forks Mayor Everett Baker presented the medals to Lorraine Barg, Chris Moslin and J.J. Verigin.
The awards are presented to Canadian citizens who’ve made “a significant contribution to Canada or to a particular province, territory, region of, or community in, Canada.”
Morag Carter receives King’s Coronation Medal
The Skills Centre’s executive director, Morag Carter, has received the King’s Coronation Medal for her contributions to the community, province and nation.
Under her leadership, the Skills Centre spent three years and $6.5 million, from 2021 through 2024, purchasing a pair of buildings in downtown Trail and completing a massive renovation project to make their new office building the most sustainable and accessible building in the city.
While Carter accepted the Coronation Medal, she said it really belonged to everyone involved in the project.
“Our vision for this building was simple and yet profound. We wanted to invest in Trail and to show that a solid local investment could also benefit the region,” she said. “We wanted to create a space that was warm and welcoming and available to share with other not for profits, community groups and residents.”
“And since our primary business – and the Skills Centre’s reputation – is built on helping Kootenay and Boundary residents find their purpose and build their careers, we needed to ensure that the renovation of this great building helped to build local skills and local careers.”
“I’m happy to report that we achieved all of our goals,” she added. “It is projects like these, employing local talent, using as many made in Canada products as possible to enhance community assets that make us resilient.”
Carter received the medal from Richard Cannings, MP for South-Okanagan—West Kootenay, at a ceremony in Castlegar on March 4.
The Skills Centre is a non-profit strengthening rural and industrial communities and workplaces in BC through workforce skills development, training services, social development and poverty reduction programming. It offers skills training and wellness programs to build a caring community of skilled, productive and engaged people.
KC Recycling’s Pete Stamper recognized with prestigious award for community contributions
CEO of KC Recycling, Pete Stamper, has been honoured with the King Charles III Coronation Medal for his company’s remarkable business achievements and outstanding contribution to the local economy and community.
Rob Morrison, MP for Kootenay—Columbia, presented Stamper with the medal, which recognizes those who have made a significant contribution to a province, territory, region, or community of Canada, at a ceremony held on February 18, in Trail.
“As a pioneer in lead battery recycling, Pete is driving significant growth in circular economy initiatives while setting new industry standards for sustainable materials recovery,” says Morrison.
“His innovative approach to recycling operations, international sales, and mergers and acquisitions has transformed companies, making him a standout figure in sustainable industrial management, and a leader in his field.”
KC Recycling is the Pacific Northwest’s leading producer of recycled battery plastic and metal. The company is urgently working with elected officials to stop the illegal export of scrap Canadian batteries to Asia, securing both valuable materials and jobs in Canada.
In September 2024, KC Recycling used a $1.2 million investment from the CleanBC Plastics Action Fund to expand their polypropylene plant and their ability to accept additional plastics, increasing the volume of high-quality plastic resin they produce by 1,000 metric tons annually.
“Every week, fifty truckloads of batteries are collected from all over western North America and delivered to KC Recycling, where 100% of the materials are recycled and sold back into battery production,” says Steve Morissette, MLA for Kootenay-Monashee.
“Since 2022, their business and workforce has doubled, providing many members of our community with reliable, meaningful work so they can pay their bills and keep food on the table.”
Morisette also praises Stamper’s ability to build relationships and communicate enthusiasm about the importance of KC Recycling’s work. The company’s ongoing partnership with economic driver Metal Tech Alley has helped Stamper implement circular economy principles at both regional and international levels, and grow KC Recycling to become one of the region’s leading employers.
During his acceptance speech, Stamper expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to join the amazing Kootenay community in 2019, when he arrived to lead KC Recycling. He says it’s a unique place, full of people willing to step up, navigate the battery metals industry, and build a positive culture of success and innovation.
“Thank you to the amazing people in this community who have embraced the challenges of battery recycling,” he says.
“I feel so lucky to be supported by all of you: our elected officials, my family, friends, and colleagues, my business partners, and my basketball team — and I’m very excited to see what the future brings!”
