Arthur Griffiths (businessman)

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Arthur R. Griffiths
Born 1957 (age 66–67)
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 and General Motors Place and 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 2014 he filed for bankruptcy protection.

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, England 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]


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 from two marriages. He is currently living in Vancouver.

References

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External links

Sporting positions
Preceded by Owner of Vancouver Canucks
1988–1997		 Succeeded by
John McCaw, Jr.
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