As part of marking 100 years of B.C. notaries, we invited members to share the people, moments, and experiences that have shaped their careers, communities, and the profession. The stories and reflections shared here come directly from B.C. notaries and offer first-hand perspectives from across the province. Contributions have been lightly edited where needed for length and clarity, while preserving the original voice and intent of each contributor.
Lilian Cazacu – Langley & Aldergrove
Thank you for the opportunity to share a story as part of the BC Notaries’ 100th anniversary celebration.
My journey into the BC Notary profession was somewhat unexpected.
Having completed extensive legal studies in Moldova, including a Bachelor’s degree, a Master’s degree, and doctoral studies in law, I came to Canada hoping to continue my legal career. However, despite my education and experience, I encountered significant barriers to entering the legal profession in Canada.
While working as a paralegal at a law firm, I met Ron Usher, a lawyer who later became legal counsel for the Society of Notaries Public of BC. Ron encouraged me to consider pursuing the BC Notary profession, an opportunity I had not previously considered. His encouragement ultimately changed the direction of my professional life.
I became a BC Notary in 2014 and have since had the privilege of establishing my own practice, serving clients in Langley and Aldergrove, and contributing to the profession through my involvement with the Society of Notaries Public of BC and the Notary Foundation of BC, where I currently serve as a Director of both organizations.
Looking back, what initially seemed like a professional setback turned into a fulfilling and rewarding career. I remain grateful to Ron for recognizing an opportunity that I had not seen for myself and encouraging me to pursue it.
Esther Chiu – Vancouver (Retired)
Submitted various photos of notaries including non chapter meeting get togethers. Individuals in the photo include Fred Ngan, Pauline Jang, Esther Chiu and various other notaries and community members.
Sally Houghton – Quadra Island
I did read in one of the Scriveners I read while doing my SFU degree about a notary who practiced in a rural situation, so rural that she would sometimes ride her horse to see her clients. That was important to me at the time as it encouraged me in my plan to be a rural notary — where I currently practise on Quadra Island, I have been taken by boat to Read Island to help clients and give a talk. 🙂
Murali Krishnan – Surrey
During the early part of my Notary Practice; I did a lot of work for the Film Industry in Vancouver and Burnaby.
I met actor John Cusack while he was at the film shooting in the Vancouver Film Studios (Hot Tub Time Machine). The famous film director Zack Snyder also needed my notarization letter to consent his son to travel with his wife to Norway. (Man of Steel). I also happened to see actor Ben Stiller at the Burnaby studio while he was at the shooting location. (Night at the Museum).
The most beautiful memory was when I was on the ferry ride from Vancouver to Victoria. I got a call from the film studio located in the United Kingdom. They wanted me to see and confirm a person’s identity. I was not aware of the person who I was supposed to meet. I met him (Gary Oldman) at his cabin when he was at the shooting location for the film (Red Riding Hood). I still cherish that memory to date. Unfortunately, I was not paid for that invoice. Fortunately for me, memory is more valuable than money.
Kathryn Johnson – Smithers
A few things about some Notaries that helped me along the way:
Sam Parmar — when the application process required a letter of recommendation from another Notary, I didn’t know a Notary at that time. I cold called Sam Parmar, who had been the Notary in Smithers for many years and told him I was hoping to apply for the Notary program and would he be willing to meet with me and potentially write this letter for a perfect stranger. I drove 2 hrs to Terrace to meet him and discuss my plans, and he graciously wrote the letter of recommendation required. His kindness and generosity in that moment will never be forgotten!
Linda Manning — when I needed to spend some time in another Notary office, Linda and her son Jaron were practicing in the nearby city of Prince George. I asked if she would be willing to take me on, and she very graciously did so. She even offered for me to stay with her in her home, which was so generous! I’ll never forget watching the cross fox in her back yard come for the egg treats she would leave on the deck! My mentorship with Linda and Jaron most definitely shaped how I run my office today. I still make 911 Notary help calls to Jaron when I’m in a pickle and need to bounce something off him. I am forever grateful for both Linda and Jaron.
Rhoda Witherly — another kind, generous Notary who offered to mentor me during my time as a student. Her advice and guidance has also been instrumental in my career, and I am very grateful for the relationship we developed over the years.
Just a few of the impressionable Notaries in my career to date!
Jennifer O’Donnell – Penticton
When I think back on my career as a Notary, one person who immediately comes to mind is Bill Binfet.
It was late June 2015, and I had just graduated as a brand-new Notary. I was in the process of painting my very first office in Penticton, getting ready to open my own practice. The doors weren’t even officially open yet, but I had managed to put up a small sign.
One day, while I was painting, Bill popped his head through the door, introduced himself, and struck up a conversation. We ended up chatting for quite some time. He was funny, kind, and incredibly encouraging.
What Bill probably didn’t realize was just how much I needed that conversation. I was absolutely terrified! I was young, fresh out of school, opening my own business, and wondering if I had any idea what I was doing. His warmth, humour, and reassurance made me feel like I belonged in the profession.
That first conversation turned into years of camaraderie and friendship. Bill would often stop by my office just to say hello, share a laugh, offer some words of encouragement, or see how things were going. Even after he retired (for what seemed like the hundredth time!), he continued to support me and referred countless clients my way.
Bill was one of those people who genuinely wanted to see others succeed. He never made me feel like a competitor, but rather a colleague who was part of a wonderful profession.
Until his passing in 2021, he remained a source of kindness, encouragement, and support throughout my career.
I will always remember Bill for his humour, generosity, and the way he made a nervous young Notary feel welcome. He was a truly lovely man, and I feel very fortunate that he walked through my office door that day in June 2015.
Sometimes the smallest gestures leave the biggest impressions, and Bill certainly left one on me.
Margaret Rankin – North Vancouver
100 years — an amazing and progressive achievement that I have had the pleasure of sharing for 42 of those years and going strong.
WOW — I am totally amazed and inspired to be an ongoing member of this Society.
My experience commenced in 1984 when I, among 30 plus candidates who completed the intense six-month course, wrote our examinations at The University of British Columbia, and were sworn into membership in the Society at The Supreme Court of British Columbia to uphold the integrity and responsibilities of this excellent organization.
At that time Dr. Bernard Hoeter was the Secretary of the Society, and it was necessary for us to request details from the Society office as to who our class mates were as there was no published information available to us. Once we had those details a few of us communicated with everyone registered in our class and we arranged to meet regularly at the downtown office of one of the class mates to review and discuss the course materials. Those meetings were recorded on video tape by one of the members and physically sent to all other members who were in other areas of British Columbia from Ucluelet to Salmon Arm and beyond, who could not attend our meetings in person. That was the only option we created to share our questions and concerns with each other. Every one of us came from operating a business, having extensive experience in legal work, insurance work, police work, and other knowledge that appropriated each of us to be eligible to become members of the Society.
Senior members of the Society were totally supportive of us joining their realms. I am so thankful for the personal support I personally received from Notaries Gulshan Mitha, Romney Copping (recently deceased), Stanley Nicol, George Tanco and member Kwon who were so pleased to welcome and support my entrance into the Society.
Our membership then was approximately 200 strong. It has now grown to over 440 members who have excellent credentials received from the now superb education program, who speak multiple languages derived from many ethnic backgrounds. It is truly a mini United Nations within our British Columbia legal community.
And here I am now going into my 43rd year, loving the job I do, the people I am able to assist in my community, and the commitment of the families I have helped over those years giving back to me in referring their family members and friends to continue to use my services. It has been absolutely rewarding.
I am quite proud that our communities in British Columbia have great respect for the office the Notary Public due to the excellent professional and personal service they have received from so many of us over the years. It is also a tribute to the Society that so many Notary Public offices are multi-generational.
It has been rewarding to be able to encourage and assist other young people to enter the Society, many of whom now have flourishing modern practices serving our communities throughout British Columbia.
Patti Thomson – Lake Cowichan
I switched practice area from Vancouver to Lake Cowichan in 1994. It has been my pleasure to have been around the Society for 1/3 of its century and it has provided me with a noble career along with lots of opportunity to be of service in my community. I’m always grateful to past Secretary Stan Nicol for all the encouragement he gave me back in the day. My choice to move to a smaller rural community has allowed me to have a great career in a beautiful area of the Province, where my horses mow my lawn and I can ride them to work if I choose. You are welcome to share my story if you find it to be interesting.