The development arm of B.C.’s Jim Pattison Group won’t be commenting on the private transaction of the sale of one of its buildings to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
A statement to Black Press Media Wednesday (Jan. 28) acknowledges the “conversation around immigration policy and enforcement is particularly heated, and has become much more so over the past few weeks.”
However, the statement pointed to the company’s policy that is doesn’t comment on private transactions.
The U.S. government’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, more commonly known as ICE, is looking to buy a building in Hanover, Va. It will reportedly be used as a processing facility.
The statement says the transaction is still subject to certain approvals and closing conditions and that Jim Pattison Development remains “committed to complying with all applicable laws and regulations as we work to divest this asset.”
It was in early 2024 Jim Pattison Developments completed the construction of an industrial building in Ashland, Va. for “company operations.”
“When operating needs changed, the property was publicly listed for lease/sale, and an offer was accepted to sell the building to a U.S. government contractor,” the statement reads. “Some time later, we became aware of the ultimate owner and intended use of the building.”
The ultimate owner would be ICE.
B.C. Attorney General Niki Sharma told media Tuesday said that people in B.C., Canadians and across the world are concerned about what’s happening in that United States with ICE and deaths of two Americans by ICE agents.
“I think that calls upon business leaders across this province, including 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.”
Jim Pattison Developments is the development arm of the Jim Pattison Group, a B.C.-based holding company that operates companies across Canada and the U.S. It was founded by B.C.’s Jim Pattison.
The Jim Pattison Group has several divisions, operating dozens of businesses in B.C. and beyond, including: car dealerships through the Jim Pattison Auto Group; advertising and media companies such as Pattison Media, Pattison ID, and Pattison Outdoor Advertising, which operate many of the billboards seen throughout B.C.; and grocery stores such as Save-On-Foods, Buy-Low Foods, Quality Foods, Urban Fare and more.
Darrell Jones, the former president of Save-On-Foods, was asked his reaction on the sale Tuesday while announcing his run for the B.C. Conservative leadership race. However, he said said he couldn’t comment on the sale.
“I was the president of Save-On-Foods of the Pattison Food Group, we had nothing to do with real estate. All we were involved in was running the supermarkets in Canada, across Western Canada. So, I can’t give you any statement on that because I don’t know anything more about that than what you’re hearing from the media. I have nothing really to share on that because it has nothing to do with that I did and my focus is on the people of this province right now and how we can make their lives better.”
The United Food and Commercial Workers 1518, which represents 28,000 food and grocery workers in B.C., released a statement Tuesday that the union had written to the Jim Pattison Group about its decision to sell the Hanover building to an ICE processing facility. That letter urged the company to “decline any involvement that would contribute to the ongoing attack on human rights.”
“We stand firmly against the demonization and targeting of immigrant workers by the Trump administration, as well as the dehumanizing practices being utilized by ICE. The expansion of immigrant enforcement infrastructure, including ICE processing facilities, has had devastating consequences for workers and their families by creating fear and undermining fundamental human and labour rights.”
It adds the the labour movement in both Canada and the U.S. stands in solidarity with immigrant workers, “many of whom are a part of our union and operate grocery stores belonging to the Pattison Group across Canada.”
“They work in our grocery stores, warehouses, and farms – these workers are an integral part of our communities, and they deserve dignity, respect, and safety.”
The proposed building sale has also led to boycott calls, including from B.C. Green Party Leader Emily Lowan.
Lowan took to social media on Jan. 24 for a Pattison boycott after news first broke that the Jim Pattison Group planned to sell to ICE. There is a planned protest outside the Jim Pattison Group headquarters in Vancouver on Friday.