SURREY, B.C. - Nine Surrey and White Rock businesses and business leaders were honoured at the 28th annual Surrey and White Rock Business Excellence Awards, the Surrey and White Rock Board of Trade announced November 6.
The winners were named at a gala on Thursday, November 5, at the Sheraton Vancouver Guildford Hotel, where more than 400 people gathered with CBC host Baneet Braich as master of ceremonies. DP World Canada, TD Bank and the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority were the presenting sponsors.
Gerard Bremault, chief executive of The Centre for Child Development, was named Business Person of the Year. Bremault has led B.C.’s largest child development centre for more than 26 years, growing its reach from 1,800 children a year to more than 8,000 children, youth and families across 350 locations. His work includes Sophie’s Place Child and Youth Advocacy Centre, which coordinates care for children who have experienced abuse.
Three businesses won Surrey Business Excellence awards by size. Slater and Associates Counselling and Psychotherapy, a perinatal mental health clinic that has served more than 2,000 clients, won in the one-to-10-employee category and is expanding into a larger South Surrey facility. SALAS Collective Care, an integrated wellness clinic, won in the 11-to-40-employee category. Boundary Bay Veterinary Specialty Hospital, a 24-hour emergency and specialty hospital with 202 professionals, won in the 41-plus-employee category after being named the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association’s 2025 Practice of the Year.
Grounds and Greens Cafe, a family-owned plant-based cafe with locations in White Rock and Fort Langley, won the White Rock Business Excellence award. The Surrey Fire Fighters’ Charitable Society, which has raised more than $25 million for Surrey programs, was named Not-for-Profit of the Year. The society has invested $2 million in its Nutritional Snack Program, donated $3 million to the Surrey Hospitals Foundation and awarded $632,000 in student bursaries.
ZIKR, Whispers of Indian Flavours, was named New Business of the Year. The Indian restaurant, which serves regional Indian dishes alongside modern interpretations, takes part in Discover Surrey’s Spice Trail and Taste of Cloverdale. Dr. Anmol Dosanjh of The Shelf, Sustainable Healthcare Group, won Young Entrepreneur of the Year for a pharmacy model that replaces single-use plastic prescription bottles with reusable aluminum vials. My Empower Therapy received the Corporate Social Responsibility Recognition Award.
“The Surrey and White Rock Business Excellence Awards recognize the outstanding businesses and individuals whose vision, dedication, and achievements contribute to our region’s success,” said Joslyn Young, the board of trade’s chief executive. “Their accomplishments showcase the strength of our business community and the innovation, leadership, and commitment that continue to create opportunities and drive economic growth across Surrey and White Rock.”
(Source: Surrey and White Rock Board of Trade, November 6, 2026)
