Jim Pattison tours the TV operations of CFJC TV on Thursday, August 12, 2021. (Image Credit: Adam Donnelly / CFJC Today)

By Dylana Kneeshaw

jim pattison group

Pattison pays visit to Kamloops, looking to continue growth out of pandemic recovery

Aug 13, 2021 | 5:15 PM

KAMLOOPS — This week, longtime B.C. resident and billionaire Jim Pattison visited Kamloops as part of a series of routine visits to his companies. Coming out of a historic economic downturn due to the pandemic, the founder of the Jim Pattison Group says they’re ready to keep growing the business.

During a stop at Pattison Media headquarters, Pattison spoke with CFJC reporters about financial recovery, and what he’s focused on for the future.

According to Statistics Canada, the average retirement age in Canada is about 64. But at 92 years old, the word ‘retirement’ doesn’t appear to be in Jim Pattison’s vocabulary.

“I have fun going to work every day, so I don’t worry about it.”

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The billionaire and philanthropist is known around B.C. for his climb in the business world. Born in Saskatchewan in 1928, Pattison is not the product of generational wealth – taking on as many jobs as possible before selling cars in Vancouver. The business snowballed from there.

As his financial success grew Pattison says he’s always wanted to keep living in British Columbia, rather than move his operations out of country or into Eastern Canada. “British Columbia is in my opinion, is about as good as it gets.”

The Jim Pattison Group is now spread across a variety of industries – automotive, groceries, forestry, fishing, entertainment, and media. In 2021, Pattison says the number one issue the company is focusing on when making changes, is the environment.

“Now, we’ve got things we have to change that aren’t as friendly as we would like them to be,” explains Pattison, “At one time when we got into some businesses, nobody thought about the environment. But today everything going forward we’re doing is focusing on things that are favourable to the environment. The whole world has to do this.”

“But again it takes time because we have long term contracts with certain industries and people, and unions, and all those things. But as time goes by we’re moving more and more to focusing on making sure that everything we’re involved in to the best of our ability is good for the environment.”

The COVID-19 pandemic wreaked havoc on the 2020 economy, but Pattison has faith in the financial recovery. “There’s obviously going to be some new things that come out of this event that we’re going through, but long term, we’re going to be fine.”

He’s been in business for decades and shows no interest in slowing down. The CEO is still travelling to different cities to check-in on various businesses, and meet with staff – often driving himself.

“I leave Vancouver after say, 3 or 4 o’clock, and drive straight through to Manitoba, and feel good and go to bed. Sometimes I sleep in the backseat of the car, or the truck when I’m driving the truck.”

Asked what accomplishments stick out in his mind – Jim Pattison thought of the people he works with – and says the next goal is to keep growing what’s he’s built.

“I’m very happy that we’ve been able to create jobs,” reflects Pattison, “Today we have over 50,000 employees in our company, and we want to continue to grow that. So I’m very grateful for the free enterprise system that’s helped give people like us an opportunity.”