Remote Surveillance Trailer in Patterson, CA

Elyssia Patterson, SFU School of Communication Alumna, bridged her knowledge from communication and business to created Vested, one of the few equity crowdfunding companies in Canada.

Growing up, Elyssia always had an entrepreneurial spirit. She started off with offering PR and marketing freelance services to media companies and later on established her own non-profit company, Wired 4 Giving, which helps non-profit and social ventures with communication and fundraising needs. To compliment her Communication Degree, she went off an completed her Masters of Business Administration in Australia. Her unique blend of experience strengthened her knowledge of capital funding for small and medium start-ups which led to equity crowdfunding at Vested Technology Corp.

In a Nutshell: Equity Crowdfunding

Crowdfunding is the raising of funds through the collection of small contributions from the general public “the crowd” using the Internet and social media. Crowdfunding has its origins in the concept of crowdsourcing, which is the broader concept of an individual reaching a goal by receiving and leveraging small contributions from many parties.

Traditional Funding – large amounts from one, or a few sources

Crowdfunding – small amounts from numerous groups or individuals

Equity crowdfunding – the sale of a stake in a business to a number of investors in return for equity in the company

Did you ever imagine yourself doing what you are doing now? What did you want to do right after graduation?

"I actually wanted to work in the not-for-profit sector in fundraising right after graduation. In a sense that is what I’m doing now. I never imagined working in equity crowdfunding, however, it’s such a new, exciting field in Canada that it appealed to me. It enables BC residents to invest in campaigns and companies that wouldn’t be accessible to them otherwise." - Patterson

How is it like being a woman in tech?

"It is still highly dominated by men and a lot of the investors and companies are looking for expertise in either investing or being funded. It really is more a matter of how I communicate to them. My background in Communications has allowed me to simplify the process to maximize their comprehension of the process from start to finish. People are easily overwhelmed by tech and I think my approach of simplifying the process has enabled vested.ca to be successful. There aren’t many women currently in tech, however there is a gradual increase in population joining this sector. Since I work with many CEO’s and executives, much of my time is to help them realize that crowdfunding is completely different than raising capital and I have to get them to change their perspective. It is very rewarding when a campaign successfully reaches its financial goal in under one month due to unique approaches that I’ve implemented. One was recognizing that conventions are a significant source of investors and I initiated debit investing in which an investor can sign up and pay immediately for an investment in one of Vested’s companies. The whole process takes under 7 minutes from the time they sign up to finishing the investment." - Patterson

Elyssia Patterson, BA, MBA Director of Business Development at Vested.ca

Approval of the PLS uranium project is expected to bring jobs, training and investment to northern Saskatchewan communities.

NORTH — The Government of Saskatchewan has approved the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed Patterson Lake South uranium mine, marking a key regulatory milestone for the project in the Athabasca Basin.

According to the Ministry of Environment, ministerial approval of an EIS means the province is satisfied that potential environmental impacts have been identified and that mitigation measures are in place to avoid or minimize harm.

The Patterson Lake South (PLS) uranium mine project received ministerial approval on Feb. 18, 2026. The proponent, Paladin Canada Inc., must still obtain approval to construct and operate the project under The Environmental Management and Protection Act, 2010. An approval to construct has not yet been issued.

The company must also secure federal approvals from the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission before construction can begin.

The Ministry of Environment noted the review process includes public participation to ensure community concerns are identified and addressed through science-based analysis.

A separate uranium development, the Wheeler River uranium project, led by Denison Mines Corp., received ministerial approval on July 31, 2025. In February 2026, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission announced it had issued a licence to Denison to prepare the site and construct the Wheeler River project.

The Ministry of Energy and Resources told SaskToday in an interview the PLS project is expected to create about 325 direct jobs once operational, with employment prioritized for local and Indigenous-owned businesses.

In 2025, 53 per cent of the project’s workforce came from northern Saskatchewan, with training and career development opportunities available. Paladin has agreements with the Clearwater River and Buffalo River Dene Nations to share economic and social benefits, supporting employment and community investment according to the Ministry of Energy and Resources. Provincewide, Saskatchewan’s uranium industry supports more than 3,300 jobs, with 43 per cent of mine site workers residing in northern Saskatchewan.

The ministry said the project will require a range of workers, from entry-level positions and local community services to skilled trades and specialized underground development crews.

Since 2022, the PLS project has invested more than $550,000 in local communities and Indigenous Nations through a Community Investment Program supporting education, culture, training, health and wellness initiatives.

In 2025 alone, more than $270,000 was allocated to over 30 initiatives across 10 communities.

As the project advances, the Government of Saskatchewan and Paladin will work collaboratively to address infrastructure needs, the ministry said.

The province said uranium development generates basic and profit royalties, in addition to provincial sales and corporate income taxes. The company estimates taxes related to the project could total more than $1 billion over the mine’s anticipated 10-year lifespan.

The Ministry of Energy and Resources said revenues from natural resource development help fund infrastructure, healthcare, education and other government services across Saskatchewan.

Beyond the estimated 325 direct jobs, the project is expected to create hundreds of additional positions in mining services, supply sectors and the broader provincial economy.

Energy and Natural Resources Minister Chris Beaudry said, "This is a really exciting time for Saskatchewan and the people of Saskatchewan. Continued investment and federal approvals is going to benefit the province for years to come."

He described the high-grade PLS project as poised to deliver job creation, capital investment and strengthened supply chains, while emphasizing continued consultation with Indigenous Nations and local communities.

Saskatchewan remains one of the world’s leading uranium producers, and recent exploration activity across the Athabasca Basin signals continued momentum in the sector.

Premier Moe announced an agreement between Cameco and India's Department of Atomic Energy to ship $2.6 billion worth of uranium over nine years, March 2.

Proposed conventional underground uranium mine and mill in the southwest Athabasca Basin, led by Paladin Energy Limited.

Includes an underground mine, onsite mill and supporting infrastructure.

Approved under The Environmental Assessment Act on Feb. 18, 2026, allowing the project to proceed toward remaining permits and licences.

Separate development in the southeast Athabasca Basin, led by Denison Mines Corp., involving the Phoenix and Gryphon deposits.

Phoenix is planned as an in-situ recovery uranium operation.

In February 2026, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission issued the licence required to prepare the site and construct the mine and mill.