Arthur Griffiths (businessman)

Arthur R. Griffiths
Born	1957 (age 58–59)
Nationality	Canadian
Known for	Vancouver Canucks owner

Arthur R. Griffiths is a Canadian businessperson, philanthropist, and a former candidate for political office. He is former owner of the Vancouver Canucks, Vancouver Grizzlies, and General Motors Place. He chaired the Vancouver/Whistler 2010 Bid Society which helped to bring the 2010 Winter Olympics to the region. Griffiths ran unsuccessfully as the BC Liberal candidate for a 2008 provincial byelection in the Vancouver-Burrard riding. In June 2016, Griffiths was inducted to the British Columbia Sports Hall of Fame and is the recipient of the W.A.C Bennett Award, which is given "to an individual who has made a significant, unique and lasting contribution to sport in the Province of British Columbia." He and his father Frank are the only father and son that have been bestowed with this honour in the history of BC Sports Hall of Fame.

Professional sports

Griffiths is the son of Emily and Frank Griffiths. The Griffiths' family, including Arthur, were inducted into the British Columbia Hockey Hall of Fame in 1995 under the builder category. The induction noted "In addition to his duties as owner of the team, Arthur Griffiths was also actively involved at the league level as a member of the NHL's Marketing / Public Relations Committee."^[1]

It was Griffiths who led the initiative to build GM Place. The original arena of the Canucks, the Pacific Coliseum, was owned by the Pacific National Exhibition. The old coliseum became unsuitable for the growing team, and as result Griffiths financed the building of GM Place in 1995.

Griffiths sold the Vancouver Canucks in 1997. On running the Canucks, Griffiths' is quoted, "It was a wonderful life experience that many people would give their right arm for and I'm blessed that I had it."^[2]

Griffiths was also responsible for the formation of the National Basketball Association (NBA) Vancouver Grizzlies.^[3] The Grizzlies were sold and eventually moved to Memphis, Tennessee.

2010 Olympics

Griffiths' was invited to chair the not-for-profit Vancouver/Whistler 2010 Bid Society.^[4] In December 1998, the Bid Society obtained the Canadian Olympic Committee's endorsement of Vancouver's bid to host the 2010 Games, so that the bid could be presented before the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

The Vancouver/Whistler 2010 Bid Society was dissolved in 2002 and succeeded by the more broadly-based Vancouver 2010 Bid Corporation, which in 2003 successfully petitioned the IOC to award the Games to the region.^[4]

During the 2012 Summer Olympic Games, Griffiths worked in London for Russian sportswear company Bosco.^[5]

Canuck Place

From Canuck Place's official website, "Canuck Place is the first free-standing hospice for children in North America and its model of care has been used for many hospices..." "The goal of this specialized care, known as pediatric palliative care, is to enhance the comfort and quality of life for both the child and their family. It is achieved through the combination of active and compassionate therapies. Palliative care strives to support children and families by assisting them in fulfilling their physical, psychological, social and spiritual goals while remaining sensitive to personal, cultural and religious values, beliefs and practices."^[6]

In 1991 Griffiths was the owner of the Vancouver Canucks and controlled its community service arm, the Canuck Foundation. In that year he met Brenda Eng and George Jarvis, who had the idea and passion to create a children's hospice in the lower mainland. With the support of the Canuck Foundation, and other prominent organizations, 4 years later Canuck Place opened its doors.^[7]

BC Liberal Candidate for Vancouver-Burrard

On May 20, 2008, Griffiths announced plans to run for the BC Liberal nomination for the newly created Vancouver-West End provincial riding.^[8]

However, due to Lorne Mayencourt's subsequent resignation as MLA of the old Vancouver-Burrard riding to run in the 2008 Canadian federal election, Griffiths ran in the ensuing byelection under the old boundaries, and was defeated by NDP candidate Spencer Chandra Herbert.^[9]

Griffiths did not contest the Vancouver-West End riding. In the 2009 election, the BC Liberal candidate was Laura McDiarmid.^[10]

Chief Executive Officer & President Arthur Griffiths Group 2016 – present

Managing Director Arthur Griffiths and Associates 2014-2015

Manager UK Bosco Sport January 2011 – April 2013 (2 years 4 months)

President and CEO GMC Projects 2001 – 2009 (8 years)Vancouver/Victoria

Education

Griffiths graduated from BCIT in 1980.

Personal life

Griffiths is divorced and has 5 children. He is currently living in Vancouver.

References

1. "Arthur Griffiths". British Columbia Hockey Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on 2007-09-28. Retrieved 2010-01-08.
2. Vancouver, The (2006-11-10). "Canucks still Griffiths' team". Vancouver Sun. Canada.com. Retrieved 2010-01-08.
3. "Press Release: SEC form 8-K, Change in Directors or Principal Officers, Regulation FD Disclosure Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Principal Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Principal Officers". Infotec Business Systems. February 9, 2005. Archived from the original on 2007-09-28. Retrieved 8 January 2010.
4. "VANCOUVER 2010 - ORIGINS, HISTORY AND OUR FUTURE," (Press release). Tourism Vancouver. Archived from Tourism Vancouver the original Check |url= value (help) on November 14, 2006.
5. Douglas, Greg (26 April 2013). "Ex-Canucks, Grizzlies owner Arthur Griffiths welcomed back during brief Vancouver visit". The Vancouver Sun. Retrieved 18 April 2014.
6. "Canuck Place". Canuck Place. Archived from the original on 17 December 2009. Retrieved 2010-01-08.
7. "The Early Years / History". Canuck Place. 1995-11-30. Archived from the original on October 8, 2008. Retrieved 2010-01-08.
8. "Ex-Canucks owner Griffiths eyes nomination in Liberal riding". The Province. Canada.com. 2008-05-21. Retrieved 2010-01-08.
9. "CBC News – British Columbia – NDP wins byelections in 2 Vancouver ridings". CBC News. 2008-10-29. Archived from the original on May 17, 2009. Retrieved 2010-01-08.
10. Pablo, Carlito (2009-03-18). "Laura McDiarmid to run for B.C. Liberals in Vancouver-West End in May election". Georgia Straight. Archived from the original on 9 January 2010. Retrieved 2010-01-08.

External links