February 03, 2026

115: Dragons' Den's W. Brett Wilson on BC's Development Challenges & Opportunities for Collaboration Within Western Canada

29 minutes

WATCH

▶️ Watch this episode on YouTube

***

EPISODE DESCRIPTION

Episode 115: Matt and Taylor are joined by W. Brett Wilson, who is well known for being on CBC’s hit reality TV show Dragons’ Den, but is better known as a Canadian entrepreneur and philanthropist.

Brett co-founded FirstEnergy Capital Corp. in 1993, which went on to become Canada’s leading energy investment bank. He has since gone on to develop extensive holdings in the energy, real estate, agriculture, sports, and entertainment industries. Brett continues to simplify and organize his life to focus on what is most important - his health, his family, and his friends.

Brett is a significant investor in Kelowna & the Okanagan, including the Brandt’s Creek Crossing shopping centre, Global Fitness, and the adjacent Kelowna Business Centre, KBC. He also owns the PrairieWest Centre in West Kelowna, multiple ALR lands including 70 acres of Mission Creek (next to the actual creek) and 20 acres next to Field Road (by Gallaghers Canyon), as well as a few smaller projects.

Brett is here to discuss:

→ What brought him to start investing in Kelowna, which asset classes he targets, and if there are still opportunities to invest in BC.

→ The politics that are affecting real estate in BC, the continued uncertainty around UNDRIP and Aboriginal land rights blocking investment, and the under-utilization of ALR, agricultural land reserves.

→ Where Canada is at on a global scale, and the opportunities for the western provinces & territories to collaborate.

W. Brett Wilson's Twitter: @WBrettWilson

***

OUR SPONSOR

The Kelowna Real Estate Podcast is brought to you by Century 21 Assurance Realty, the gold standard in real estate. To learn more, visit: www.c21kelowna.ca

***

CONNECT WITH THE SHOW

Kelowna Real Estate Podcast: @kelownarealestate

Kelowna Real Estate Podcast YouTube: @KelownaRealEstatePodcast

Kelowna Real Estate Podcast Instagram: @kelownarealestatepodcast

***

CONNECT WITH MATT

Matt Glen's Website: www.mattglen.ca

Matt Glen's Email: [email protected]

Matt Glen's Instagram: @realmattglen

***

CONNECT WITH TAYLOR

Taylor Atkinson's Website: www.venturemortgages.com

Taylor Atkinson's Email: [email protected]

Taylor Atkinson's Instagram: @VentureMortgages

***

...more

View all episodes

By Taylor Atkinson & Matt Glen

11 ratings