Former VP Sues Vancouver Developer Over Pay Dispute
A civil lawsuit filed late last year is pulling back the curtain on financial turmoil at one of British Columbia’s most high-profile property developers. Rhiannon Mabberley, who previously served as vice-president of development at Westbank Projects Corp., has taken the company to court, claiming it owes her about $1.2 million related to a contractual payout she believes she is owed.
Mabberley’s claim argues that Westbank failed to honour terms in her employment agreement when she left the role in 2025. The developer disputes this, saying the payments were tied to project profits that were never realized — a point that reflects broader problems across several of its major developments.
Alleged Message From Founder Sparks Concern
Documents filed in the case include an affidavit from Mabberley that reportedly contains a text message she says was sent by Westbank’s founder, Ian Gillespie, in 2025. In that message, Gillespie allegedly discusses how large projects — including landmark developments in Vancouver — were not delivering the profits expected. Among those mentioned were high-profile sites such as the Sen̓áḵw housing project, Alberni and Butterfly buildings, and the sprawling Oakridge Park complex, where progress and sales have lagged industry expectations.
The text is quoted as saying that Westbank would offer Mabberley a smaller sum — around $200,000 — to settle the dispute and “go our separate ways,” adding that the situation reflected “the reality of the industry these days.”
Developer Points to Project Challenges
In its formal response to the lawsuit, Westbank denied owing the full amount Mabberley is claiming and framed the issue in terms of unmet profit conditions rather than a contractual breach. The company’s lawyers have not publicly detailed why expected profits fell short, pointing instead to the complexities inherent in large-scale real estate development.
Experts in Vancouver’s real estate sector say today’s slower market, rising costs and changes in demand have placed pressure on many developers, even ones with Westbank’s long track record. The lawsuit underscores how even powerful developers can face significant financial headwinds when multiple projects experience delays or slow sales — a situation that has ripple effects on staffing, contracts and investor confidence.
What This Means for Vancouver’s Property Scene
While the court case itself focuses on one individual’s dispute over compensation, it has shed light on challenges facing large developments in the region. Projects that once symbolized growth and confidence — including mixed-use towers and large housing complexes — have instead become symbols of how market realities can upend even ambitious plans.
As the lawsuit proceeds in B.C. Supreme Court, observers will be watching to see whether the case prompts broader scrutiny of construction timelines, sales performance and contractual practices within Vancouver’s real estate industry.
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