B.C. Attorney General urges businesses to consider consequences as ICE eyes Pattison building for U.S. detention use.
B.C. Attorney General Sounds Alarm on ICE Deals
British Columbia’s Attorney General, Niki Sharma, is sending a clear warning to Canadian businesses: pause before doing deals that could fuel a U.S. immigration crackdown.
Sharma spoke out amid news that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) plans to buy a warehouse owned by the Jim Pattison Group. The property, located in Virginia, is slated to become an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) holding and processing facility.
“This isn’t just about business—it’s about the consequences of our actions,” Sharma said, urging B.C. and Canadian business leaders to carefully weigh their role in what she described as a troubling escalation in the U.S.
Violence and Protests Highlight the Stakes
The warning comes as tensions rise in the U.S., where two people were recently killed during a crackdown in Minneapolis, sparking widespread protests.
Sharma emphasized that while the situation in the U.S. is separate from Canadian business, executives must ensure their decisions do not inadvertently contribute to outcomes like these.
ICE Eyes Pattison Property
According to a letter sent last Wednesday to Hanover County, Virginia, DHS plans to “purchase, occupy, and rehabilitate” the warehouse owned by Jim Pattison Developments.
Property records show the building was acquired for about C$10.4 million in 2022. After improvements, its value is projected to reach roughly C$69 million this year.
Requests for comment from Jim Pattison Group and Jim Pattison Developments were not immediately returned.
Canadian Businesses Urged to Act Responsibly
Sharma’s message is clear: Canadian businesses must consider the ethical and social impact of cross-border deals, particularly when U.S. immigration enforcement is involved. Decisions made today could have far-reaching consequences tomorrow.
