Western Financial Group has entered into a strategic partnership with the Sawchuk Group in the ownership of Northcountry Insurance Agencies, an insurance agency operation with operations in northern British Columbia.

Northcountray has offices in Smithers, Vanderhoof, Houston, Williams Lake, 100 Mile House, Burns Lake and Fraser Lake, B.C.

Western will own a minority interest in Northcountry, which will continue to operate as it has in the past.

Both Western and the Sawchuk Group will collaborate on operational and strategic initiatives.

“We are happy to partner with the Sawchuk Group, who are experienced and successful owner/operators in the insurance business in northern British Columbia”, said Scott Tannas, President and CEO of Western, in a release. “Like our partnership with Falkins Insurance Group, we expect that we can learn a lot from them in how to successfully operate in the financial services business in these important centers of commerce in British Columbia. As our partnership in Northcountry proves to be a success, we hope to participate in other insurance ventures with the Sawchuk Group.”

Under the agreement, Western will have an opportunity at a future date to further increase their minority interest in Northcountry.

“We are looking forward to working with Western Financial Group to further build Northcountry Insurance Agencies in the region” said Ben Sawchuk, chairman of the Sawchuk Group.

Sawchuk Group, in addition to their holding in Northcountry, own and operate the largest insurance business in Northeastern B.C., with eight locations stretching from Dawson Creek (Mile Zero of the Alaska Highway), to the Yukon border.