Business Examiner Victoria - November 2019 by Business Examiner News Group

NOVEMBER 2019

» CONSTRUCTION

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VICTORIA Omicron Meets Unique Needs of Island Construction Industry

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INDEX News Update 2 Digital Marketing 5 Greater Victoria 6 Saanich Peninsula 7 West Shore 7 Citified 12 Tourism Victoria 25 Who is Suing Whom 27 Movers & Shakers 28 Opinion 30 Contact us: 1-866-758-2684

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Victoria Cybersecurity Company Scores Contracts with US Dept of Homeland Security, Canadian Dept of National Defence Plurilock Uses Proprietary Biometric Technology to Stave Off Security Threats

ICTOR I A - For cybersecurity enterprises, it’s hard to find a better endorsement than national military organizations. Founded in 2016, Victoria-based Plurilock has quickly become one of the strongest players in the industry, scoring contracts with military organizations in both Canada in the US. In the beginning of November, the company announced new contracts by the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Canadian Department of National Defence and Canadian A rmed Forces (DND/CAF). These new contracts are part of an ongoing relationship between Plurilock and the organizations,

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Dr. Youssef Nakkabi, Director of Innovation at Plurilock, was behind some of the biometric research that lead to Plurilock’s innovative cybersecurity system

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who are drawn to the firm due to its innovative use of behavioral biometrics technology. Plurilock has made a name for itself in the world of cybersecurity with its two main products, Plurilock ADAPT and Plurilock DEFEND. These products track impercentable “micro-patterns” in keyboard, mouse, and touchscreen use, among other types of data, to determine exactly which user is using a computer at any given time. The company grew out of research conducted by Dr. Issa Traoré, and Dr. Youssef Nakkabi of the University of Victoria. “The research had been going on for many years before it

ANAIMO – Organizers of the 20th Annual Grant Thornton LLP Vancouver Island Business Excellence Awards are anticipating a large number of entries from awardworthy businesses this year as the November 22 nomination

deadline is coming up on the calendar. “We are expecting another large number of nominations this year,” says Mark MacDonald of Business Examiner, which coordinates the event. “We typically see nominations fairly evenly

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split between companies north of the Malahat and south of the Malahat, which is not surprising, since the population of both areas are very close.” “We ex pect that ou r judges will again have their hands full to determine the winners in

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each of the 17 categories at the Gala, which will be held at Bear Mountain Resort in Victoria on January 30,” notes MacDonald. “T hese awards always bring out new, exciting ventures and SEE BE AWARDS | PAGE 9

NEWS UPDATE

NOVEMBER 2019

VICTORIA

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Victoria Foundation Announces Health Grants The Victoria Foundation announced funding for four projects targeting improved oral and mental health outcomes within the capital region. The grants – totalling $113,508 – were made possible through a partnership with Green Shield Canada (GSC). The grants announced this week are part of an initiative from Green Shield Canada (GSC) which established a program called Six 4 Six – $6 million to priority projects in oral and mental health across six Canadian communities – to mark their 60th anniversary in 2018. The grants are part of a total of $700,000 that GSC has allocated to the Victoria Foundation to help address mental and oral health care needs, gaps and priority areas. V ictor i a Fou nd at ion CE O Sa nd ra Dakis & Associates Inc. Richardson remarked on the value of 1521 Danforth Avenue collaboration that these grants represent. Toronto,days ON Canada M4J 5C3 major initiative “These almost every T 416.516.7335 we undertake involves partnering with one or more organizations, collectively CLIENT: working together to achieve greater results Grant Thornton than any one of us could do on our own,” PUBLICATION:said. “We’re extremely happy Richardson toBusiness have Examiner this opportunity to work with GSC to make real and lasting positive NAME: impacts in both oral and mental health, a new name… particularly among some of our most SPECIFICATIONS: vulnerable residents.” Trim: w xrepresents 6.2” h “Six4.8” 4 Six a new collaborative Colours: colour model of4corporate philanthropy that’s all about community partnerships.” explains Sherry Peister, GSC’s board chair. “Back in 1957, the GSC founders identified the need for affordable pre-paid health benefits and met this need with Canada’s first pre-paid drug plan. Ever since, we’ve made ‘giving back’ a concept we live and breathe. Now looking ahead, ‘Six 4 Six’ reinforces GSC’s ongoing commitment to helping those most in need in these focus areas, and aligned with our strategy.” Grants were awarded to Victoria Cool Aid Society, Inter-Cultural Association, Garth Homer Society, Salt Spring and Southern Gulf Islands Community Services Society, Island Community Mental Health a nd Island Health. As the lead partner for the initiative in BC, the Victoria Foundation consulted with both experts and those with lived experience to help inform their granting strategy on how to most effectively improve access to oral health in the region. Fireside Chat, Workplace Stress & Wellness, Jennifer Wilson

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More information about granting from the Victoria Foundation is available on their website at victoriafoundation.ca.

VICTORIA SendtoNews Presented with Award for Video Service SendtoNews (STN), a Victoria-based digital video distribution company, has been awarded the Best Ad-Supported Video Service at the 2019 Cynopsis Model D Awards. The Cynopsis Model D awards celebrate digital platforms that excel in online video content, advertising and technology and are at the forefront of their respective fields. SendtoNews created a premium advertising offering within trusted brandsafe sites and content, which allows publishers to adopt their best of breed video technology, offer premium content to their audience while also increasing their revenue at no additional cost. “Our video platform has become the trusted resource for publishers for video content, technology and monetization,” says Matthew Watson, CEO of SendtoNews. “It is an honour to be recognized by an industry leader like Cynopsis and this is a success we share with all of our content, publishing and advertising partners”. Cynopsis selected SendtoNews for their advanced video technology, including “Smart Match”, an AI-powered player that reads a publisher’s article, then instantly selects and embeds the most relevant content from STN’s library of over 600,000 videos. The product helps help publishers by increasing utilization of video content and resulting revenue while freeing up editors and journalists to focus on producing editorial content.

BRITISH COLUMBIA Construction Statistics Show Industry Booming The BC Construction Association (BCCA) released its latest construction sector statistics package, which shows a booming construction sector. The report indicated there are currently $115 billion in projects underway and another $206 billion in proposed projects SEE NEWS UPDATE | PAGE 3

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Family Business Labour Markets, Panel Discussion Thursday, May 14, 2020, 5:30-8pm @ the Delta

Year-end Celebration, Cider & Spirit Tastings Thursday, June 4, 2020, 5:30-7:30pm @ Merridale in the City

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NEWS UPDATE

NOVEMBER 2019

NEWS UPDATE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

on the horizon. Additionally, challenges of continued growth are being addressed with an increase in construction companies and rising average wages for a workforce that is 85 per cent non-union. The BCCA report showed that BC’s construction industry continues to be the No. 1 employer in BC’s goods sector, with more than 236,000 people relying directly on construction for a paycheque: that’s up 17 per cent since 2014, and at 9.2 per cent of the total BC workforce, is more than any other sector, including forestry, mining, agriculture, fishing, and manufacturing combined. Over the past 12 months, 1,389 new construction companies were established in BC, bringing the total to 25,736, up 17 per cent over the past 5 years. Meanwhile, the average yearly wages they pay employees has also risen, from $57,647 to $61,784 over the past year. According to a 10-year project of BC construction jobs offered by BuildForce Canada, there will be a labour shortage of 7,900 workers in 2028. That’s a 32.5 per cent reduction from the January 2018 projection of 11,700 construction jobs unfilled in 2027. While that reduction is due in part to the cancellation of certain proposed projects, progress on the labour shortage front is also being made through a number of construction sector initiatives. These initiatives are aimed at attracting and retaining skilled labour, trades training (Trades Training Fund), improving worksite culture (Builders Code) and matching tradespeople to construction employment opportunities (STEP).

VICTORIA Victoria Real Estate Market Impacted by Low Inventory A total of 619 properties sold in the Victoria Real Estate Board region this October, 3.5 per cent more than the 598 properties sold in October 2018 and a 0.5 per cent increase from September 2019. Sales of condominiums were down 1.1 per cent from October 2018 with 178 units sold. Sales of single-family homes increased 10 per cent from October 2018 with 318 sold. “This month’s overall numbers are very similar to the numbers we saw last year,” says Victoria Real Estate Board President Cheryl Woolley. “It’s interesting that last month we saw a large uptick in condo sales, but this month is fairly flat when compared to last year. This shows that we are not yet seeing a trend in property types.” There were 2,643 active listings for sale on the Victoria Real Estate Board Multiple Listing Service at the end of October 2019, a decrease of 6.4 per cent compared to the month of September, but a 5.3 per cent increase from the 2,510 active listings for sale at the end of October 2018. “There has been a slight increase in our inventory from October last year,” adds Woolley. “The current inventory is likely not enough for home buyers to feel they have a lot more to choose from - which in turn puts pressure on pricing for homes in desirable locations and price points.” The Multiple Listing Service Home Price Index benchmark value for a single-family home in the Victoria Core in October 2018 was $878,900. The benchmark value for

the same home in October 2019 decreased by 2.4 per cent to $857,700, slightly more than September’s value of $846,500. The MLS HPI benchmark value for a condominium in the Victoria Core area in October 2018 was $503,200, while the benchmark value for the same condominium in October 2019 increased by 1.7 per cent to $511,600, the same as September’s value.

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VANCOUVER ISLAND Industry Leaders Voted to VICA Board The Vancouver Island Construction Association (VICA) and its membership elected four industry leaders to its 20192020 Board of Directors at its Annual General Meeting on November 7, 2019. There were nine nominees from across Vancouver Island. Chris Williams, Houle Electric (Victoria), and Byron Tarby, National Contracting Solutions (Nanaimo), were newly elected to the VICA Board of Directors. James Clapp, JLT Marsh Specialty (Victoria), and Scott Torry, AFC Construction (Courtenay), were re-elected. Roger Yager will remain Chair of the Board and Dave Flint, Flynn Canada, will remain Past Chair. James Clapp is poised to be appointed Vice Chair at the first board meeting of 2020 after serving his second term on the Board as the Treasurer. Byron and Chris are both involved in the VICA U40 networks in their respective regions and will offer a fresh perspective to the Board as it offers guidance and leadership on behalf of the VICA membership. Their fresh outlook on VICA’s member and industry services, combined with the knowledge and experience from the existing Board of Directors, sets the construction association up for further growth, development, and industry advocacy. The AGM reached quorum from industry members in good standing at its offices in Victoria and Nanaimo. This year, VICA introduced online voting for the election of the 2019/2020 Board of Directors, enabling members to cast a vote for their elected industry leaders from office, jobsite, or home — giving everyone a voice in this busy industry where time is hard to come by. Outgoing directors Keith Parsonage, Houle Electric (Past Vice Chair), Tyler Galbraith, Jenkins Marzban Logan LLP, and Marnie Pringle, Starline Windows, were thanked for their time served on the Board.

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BRITISH COLUMBIA BC Ferries Signs on for Four More Hybrid Ferries BC Ferries has awarded a contract to Damen Shipyards Group of the Netherlands to build four more electric-hybrid ferries for BC Ferries that will be identical to two vessels the shipyard has already completed for BC Ferries. The budget for the four latest Island-class ferries is about $200 million including project management and financing. No Canadian shipyard bid on the contract, SEE NEWS UPDATE | PAGE 4

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NEWS UPDATE

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though Point Hope Maritime on Harbour Road in Victoria will be tasked with delivering technical and warranty support under a long-term service contract for all six Island-class ferries once they are delivered. Sea trials have already been completed for the first two vessels and they are now in the process of being loaded into another vessel and transported for the 40- to 45-day journey to Canada. The first Island-class ferries are scheduled to begin service in mid-2020 on the Port McNeill-Alert Bay-Sointula Island and the Powell River-Texada Island route. The four additional ferries are scheduled to be delivered in 2022 and will serve the Campbell River-Quadra Island route and the Nanaimo Harbour-Gabriola Island route. For these routes, a single older ferry will be replaced by two smaller ferries, resulting in more frequent service, larger passenger capacity per hour and reduced vehicle lineups. Each of the new ferries will be able to carry at least 47 vehicles and between 300 and 450 passengers and crew, contingent on how much life-saving equipment Transport Canada requires onboard each vessel. B C Fer r ie s i s c u r rent ly i n discussions with BC Hydro to

determine what is required for onshore electric charging technology and shared costs. Once this arrangement is in place, the sh ips w i l l operate on a n all-electric battery powered system. Meanwhile, Island-class ferries will be run using an onboard, low-sulphur diesel hybrid system. T h e n e w v e s s e l s a re a l s o equipped with twin propellers which are designed to reduce noise onboard and underwater.

NANAIMO

NOVEMBER 2019

Prince George and Watson Lake airports. The return flight will see the plane depart from Whitehouse at 3:00 pm and arrive in Nanaimo at 8:30 pm. T he a n nou ncement comes about four months after the airline started running charter flights from Nanaimo to Watson Lake. The decision to provide the service will allow passengers an opportunity to fly non-stop to Kelowna and Vancouver. The flight allows passengers to check two bags for free and provides onboard meal service.

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Air North Launching Regular Service Yukon-based airline, Air North has begun weekly passenger service from Vancouver to Whitehorse via several airports from across the province. T he serv ice to W h itehorse via Nanaimo, Kelowna, Prince George and Watson Lake, Yukon took effect on October 31. The flights will run once a week on Thursdays using an older model of a Boeing 737. The flight path has the plane depa r t i ng Vancouver International Airport’s south terminal at 5:45 am and arriving in Nanaimo at 6:15 am. It will then depart at 6:50 am and arrive in Kelowna International Airport at 7:40 am before continuing on to

Sugar Kelp Partnership Proposed Victoria-based Cascadia Seaweed Corporation and Nuu-chahnulth Seafood Ltd announced a partnership to develop a west coast seaweed venture that processes product in Port Alberni. Cascadia is putting its first crop in the water in December, which will be ready for a June harvest. Huu-ay-aht and the Uchucklesaht First Nations are limited partners in the seaweed venture and have unused tenure adjoining their existing shellfish tenures. Two one-hectare sites are to be used to begin sugar kelp production.

Nuu-chah-nulth Seafood was founded jointly by six Nuu-chahnulth First Nations in 2003 as a shellfish development company and has since expanded into processing after purchasing St. Jean’s Cannery in Nanaimo in 2015. While Asia-Pacific is currently the centre of the global seaweed industry, North America’s industry is expected to grow faster in the next five years and the west coast of the Island provides optimal growing conditions. The current plan for the project is to establish a processing system in 2020 and expand to farm 20 hectares the following year.

VICTORIA Viking Signs US$42.6M Contract With Ministère Des Transports Du Québec Viking Air Limited has signed a contract valued at US$42.6M with the Ministère des Transports du Québec (M T Q ) for the Avionics Upgrade Program (AUP) for eight of its Canadair CL-415 aerial firefighters. With execution of the contract, MTQ becomes the launch customer for the Viking Avionics Upgrade Program for the Canadair CL-415 amphibious aircraft fleet. The first of MTQ’s eight CL-415 aircraft to be modified through the Viking AUP will become the

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prototype for the program and will undergo modification and upgrade activities at Viking’s AUP integrator, Cascade Aerospace, in Abbotsford, BC. This process will comprise the design, installation, testing and certification of the Pro Line Fusion integrated avionics system in collaboration with Collins Aerospace as the component OEM. After program certification, MTQ’s remaining seven CL-415 aircraft will also undergo the avionics upgrade to their specific configuration at Cascade’s facility. Gregory Davis, Viking’s vice president of Customer Service & Product Support commented, “We a re ex tremely proud to collaborate with Ministère des Transports du Québec on the modernization of their CL-415 aerial firefighter fleet. By working together with dedicated Canadair operators such as MTQ, we are securing the future of this great aircraft all over the world.” ‘’As an original launch customer for both the Canadair CL-215 and CL-415, the Ministère des Transports du Québec has always been actively engaged in the development of the CL platform,” said Dan Seroussi, Viking’s director of Programs. “We are excited to be working with MTQ to further enhance the Canadair CL-415 through our AUP and deliver the best evolution of the aircraft for the future.”

DIGITAL MARKETING

NOVEMBER 2019

6 REASONS TO HAVE ACCURATE LOCAL BUSINESS LISTINGS

BE DIGITAL JOHN MACDONALD

othing is more frustrating as a customer than finding out that you have been given the wrong information about where a business is located. As a customer, how likely are you to give this company your business? Not very. In fact, according to Placeable, 73 per cent of consumers stated that they lose trust in a brand when the online listing shows incorrect information. 1. Hours of Operation Matter Most In a study conducted by local data aggregator Localeze, hours of operation were noted as the most helpful feature in selecting a business during local search. 76 per cent of respondent reporting that they expect this information when searching and 61 per cent believe that it is a feature that helps them to select a business. 2. Business Listings are the

Local search results are trusted sources of information for potential customers foundation for strong SEO While most people would assume that the number one reason people do a search online is for the address or location of a business, the address is actually behind hours of operation as the second most desired information. It bears repeating that if a business address is incorrect on listing sites such as Google or Bing, then customers will not be coming to your door. A simple thing such as the wrong number on a street address, or even the wrong town, can mean that a customer cannot find you. 3. Mobile Matters

According to Localeze, mobilephone-based searches drive instore purchases with more than 75 per cent of searches ending in a purchase—if a business has their listing details correct. Now if half of the people searching for a business listing on a local search engine, such as Google Local/Maps, can’t find the store’s business listing details, then the business is going to lose 100 per cent of their business. 4. Listings Need to be Linked to Websites M o re t h a n 6 0 p e r c e n t of online searches on platforms have a similar chance of ending in a purchase. While mobile

searches are becoming more of a standard in where a customer searches, a business owner should not discount the power of a complete, consistent and accurate listing that is reflective of the business website. 5. Cross Device Search Consistency is Critical The most important part of those mobile searches is accuracy. If someone cannot find your business in a local search or find inaccurate results while out and about, then your business has lost the chance for that browser to become a customer. So having those listings correct in all of the device formats is a

must as we, and our technology, continue to evolve in the way we interact with local businesses. 6. Lead in Local Search Results Last but certainly not least is the fact that local search results are considered the most trustworthy. In a study by Neustar, it was determined that these searches, such as “used cars Nanaimo”, are what people do the most since they put that trust in local business more than big box, big website stores. L oca l sea rches lend themselves to instant gratification and that interaction between browser and salesperson will c onve r t t h at brow s e r f rom someone who might get just the minimum to a loyal customer. Those interactions are what lead people to local searches and the absolute necessity of getting your listings correct. Trust leads to loyalty, which leads to more business, which leads to happy customers and business owners. And it all starts with that correct listing in that customer’s local search. John MacDonald is the Director of Business Development with the Business Examiner News Group. Call him at 604.751.0819, or email BEDigital@businessexaminer.ca.

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GREATER VICTORIA

NOVEMBER 2019

MOBILITY SERVICES KEY TO SOLVING REGIONAL CHALLENGES COMING EVENTS

GREATER VICTORIA CATHERINE HOLT

nterest is high in bringi ng r ide ha i l i ng to Greater Victoria, and the Premier said recently we can expect it this month, but there are still a lot of things that need to fall in place before it happens. Speaking on Nov. 7 at a Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce panel on the future of transportation, Catharine Read, chair of the Passenger Transportation Board (PTB), said there have been 11 applications from companies looking to operate in our region. Notably, neither of the industry’s biggest players, Uber or Lyft, have applied. “I am constrained in what I can say up here because there are currently a number of applications in front of the board and there are also legal actions before the courts,” Read told the crowd of 60 business and community leaders. The PTB is an independent l ic en si n g t r i b u n a l that ca n reg u late f leet size, rates and operating areas involving the commercial transportation of passengers. The provincial government has taken a cautious approach to permitting r ide-h a i l i ng (of f ici a lly called “transportation network services” in BC). After years of demand for BC to adopt ride hailing, which has long been popular in many parts of the world, the province finally introduced legislation last year to bring it to BC as early as this December. However, the legislation included a number of conditions, such as requiring d rivers to have a commercial licence, that some serv ices have sa id w i l l make it difficult to operate successfully outside of Vancouver. If the wrinkles can be ironed out, the PTB does

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The trick, he said, will be making sure any transportation strategy not only works for the city, but also fits with the role and responsibilities Victoria has as part of an interconnected region

h ave a comprehen sive plan to track data to ensure ride-hailing creates employment opportunities and options for passengers while the keep an eye on whether it’s causing congestion or harming the taxi industry or transit services — as has been reported in other jurisdictions. That’s important because ride hailing will likely be one of the keys to changing how we think about transportation, said Erinn Pinkerton, CEO of BC Transit, who was also on the Nov. 7 panel. “I think a lot about the future of transportation and what that means for Greater Victoria and the entire province,” Pinkerton said, prognosticating what a possible transit trip might look like in the near future. “The Internet and technology have changed the way we interact with consu mer goods,” P i n kerton said. “And it is doing exactly the same thing in transportation.” To be viable, bus routes need to serve the most people they can as efficiently as possible. But with technology, riders will be able to use complementary services, such as ride hailing, to go from their location to a transit hub. And all of it can be done through a seamless service on your

phone. T he shift will require transit to change its approach from transportation provider to mobility service, Pinkerton said. T he t h i rd spea ker on the transportation panel was Phillip Bellefontaine, A s s i s t a n t D i r e c to r o f Transportation for the City of Victoria. Bellefontaine offered a sneak peak at the city’s Go Victoria initiative. “It’s more than a means to an end, more than moving people from point A to B,” he said, adding that at its highest level, the strategy is about healthy living and providing better mobility options than car ownership. The trick, he said, will be making sure any transpor tat ion st rateg y not only works for the city, but also fits with the role and responsibilities Victoria has as part of an interconnected region. About 75 per cent of trip to Victoria originate in Saanich. It was a fascinating discussion, that demonstrated the complexity of managing transportation. It’s clear that doing it well is key to solving many of the ongoing challenges facing Greater Victoria. Catherine Holt is CEO of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce

NOVEMBER 2019

SAANICH PENINSULA / WEST SHORE

SUSTAINABLE TOURISM CONFERENCE COMING TO VICTORIA

SAANICH PENINSULA DENNY WARNER

ark Twain wrote: “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime.” Many of us have taken this to heart. International tourist arrivals have increased from 25 million globally in 1950 to 1.32 billion in 2017. More than 10,000 people visit the Mayan Riviera every day; an area where there are no established recycling programs. The impacts of tourism on wildlife and habitat, water,

climate, and humans, cannot be understated. Canada is receiving an increasing share of the tourism pie. 2018 was a record year with arrivals reaching 21.13 million. Visitors love us because we have stunning scenery and are seen to be clean, green, safe, and relatively affordable. The cruise ship industry contributes significantly to our area’s tourism economy. According to the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority, 212 ships carrying 440,000 passengers arrived in 2010 and this increased to 243 ships and 640,000 passengers in 2018. The Saanich Peninsula is the gateway to Vancouver Island for millions of visitors each year who arrive by air and ferry. For many years, communities losing their industrial base were encouraged to develop tourism as a “green” economic diversification strategy. Tourism has evolved in many ways that are not clean, green, sustainable or ethical. Anyone who has visited Venice lately can attest to the impact of overtourism. As responsible hosts, we have a duty to be aware of and accountable for our impact

on the environment and the community. We have an obligation to educate visitors about ou r ex pectations around limiting energy and water consumption, the 4 Rs of recycling, and about our culture and customs. We have a tremendous opportunity on Vancouver Island, to lead the world in offering travel experiences for visitors who are mindful of their carbon footprint and are seeking sustainable tourism options. If you are interested in learning more about sustainable tourism, consider attending the 3rd IMPACT Sustainability Travel & Tourism forum, January 19-22, 2020 in Victoria. The laudable goal for this conference is to align the Canadian tourism industry, as well as stakeholders and communities touched by tourism, behind a vision to achieve economic, social and environmental sustainability. Registration information is available on the events page of our website. Denny Warner is the Executive Director at the Saanich Peninsula Chamber of Commerce.

CELEBRATING THE BEST OF THE WESTSHORE

WEST SHORE JULIE LAWLOR

partnership between the WestShore Chamber of Commerce and the Goldstream News Gazette, the Best of the WestShore Awards showcase the amazing organizations and favourite community places that make up the WestShore community. With over 40,500 votes cast across 40 business and 4 community categories through an entirely public voting system, 2019 showed the greatest engagement to date. Space dictates that I can only share the winners with you, but congratulations to all of the winners

and the finalists – just getting voted into the top 3 is no small feat! For the full results, please go to westshore.bc.ca Best Automotive Service – Belmont Collision, Best Martial Arts - Clark’s Martial Arts, Best New Business - House of Boateng, Best Bicycle Shop - WestShore Bicycles, Best Place for Eye Care - Dr. Joslin, Dr. Morin & Associates, Best Business - Cascadia Liquor Colwood, Best Place for Fitness - YMCA-YWCA Westhills, Best Customer Service Glenwood Meats, Best Place for Pet Services - Juan de Fuca Veterinary Clinic, Best Dental Services - Colwood Dental Group, Best Place to Buy a New/Used Vehicle Galaxy Motors Victoria, Best Development/Home Builder - #MyBelmont Masterplan Community, Best Ethnic Cuisine - Sizzling Tandoor, Best Fast Food Restaurant Island Poké, Best Financial Services - Coast Capital Savings – Colwood, Best Professional Services - Westshore Women’s Business Network, Best First Nations Business/ Entrepreneur - Indigenous

Perspectives Society, Best Pub - The Rose Neighbourhood Public House, Best for Entertainment - Western Speedway, Best Spa / Aesthetics - Sante Spa Victoria, Best Golf Club - Olympic View Golf Club, Best Storage - Westshore U-Lock Mini Storage, Best Grocery Store - Red Barn Market, Best Tech/I.T. Business - Gizmo’s Computers, Best Hair Salon or Barbershop - BelleRose Salon & Wax Bar, Best to Make Your Own Wine/Beer - The Wine Maker, Best Home or Trade Services - Down to Earth Gardens and Nursery, Best Wellness/Health Practice or Business - Colwood Back to Back Chiropractic, Best Independent Coffee Shop Serious Coffee – Millstream Village, Best Yoga Studio Yoga Lab Westshore, Best Insurance - Maxxam Insurance and Best Legal Services Dinning Hunter Jackson Law. Julie Lawlor is the Executive Director at the WestShore Chamber of Commerce. You can reach her at jlawlor@ westshore.bc.ca

Globetrotting Jeweller Sells Rare Gems from Around the World Impeccable Finds Niche Selling On-of-a-Kind Jewellery

U NCA N - T he jewel ler y bu siness has taken Brad Leith across the globe in search of some of the world’s rarest, most unique gems and stones. These stones eventually end up in Leith’s Duncanbased store, Impeccable Jewellery, where they captivate visitors with their quality and unique character. “T here a re very few businesses in this country that do what we do,” he says. “Most of the major jewellery retail outlets and online stores sell a generic product that has been mass produced. “Everything we sell is custom. I personally design each piece of jewelry to complement the unique characteristics of the stone, and they are hand-made by seconda nd th i rd-generation silversmiths in our factory in Bali.” Customers notice a difference immediately after entering the store. The glass cases house hundreds of one-of-a-kind pieces, many of which feature polished, but uncut stones. Among these stones, L e it h s e l l s je we l l e r y made from moon rocks, fossilized trees, petrified rocks, meteorites, Australian opal, and more. “Some of our most fascinating products are made with 2,500 year old Roman trade glass,” Leith remarks. “We purchased some ancient vials and urns at an auction in Italy. The broken pieces were used for jewellery, and we used the in-tact pieces in a nice display in our store.” Leith acquires these stones during his many trips across the globe. Earlier this year, he was in Indonesia, Thailand, and Hong Kong. He typically travels to Europe once or twice a year, visiting auctions in the UK, Italy, Turkey, and more. Through various auctions, Leith has acquired gems from every continent besides Antarctica for his jewellery pieces.

Brad Leith, owner of Impeccable Jewellery Impeccable Jewellery makes three main lines: Trend, Raw, and Luxe. Trend is the entry level l i n e, wh i c h i nc lu d e s some of the store’s most affordable products. “ Fo r o u r R a w l i n e , which includes the pieces made from the Roman trade glass, we take the uncut stone and fashion the silver and gold to bring out the beauty in that stone,” he says. Luxe is the estate jewellery line, which uses some of the rarest stones, including Australian opal. Impeccable also does a lot of custom creations and restoration. “We have the highest quality, latest 3-D printers,” he says. “Our CAD allows us to show people the finished product before it’s actually finished. We can do everything that a bigger Vancouver compa ny ca n do, a nd local.” The company also does a lot of reposition for individuals who may have inherited jewellery that doesn’t fit with their stylistic preferences. “O nc e p e ople c om e through our doors, it’s easy to get a life-long c u s t o m e r,” h e s a y s . “With a lot of stores, many people will leave saying ‘l’ll be back,’ and they never do. For us, I’d say about 95 per cent of people who say that,

actually do come back, which means we’re doing something that people love.” The success of the store wou ld n’t b e possi ble without the efforts and professionalism of Leith’s staff. “Staff is one of the most important parts of any business,” he says. “Our staff go through rigorous training, but most of all we instill upon them that we must provide the client with an excellent experience along with wond er f u l pro du c t s. We’re always looking for people who have a passion for this personalized business. It is very tough for those new to the industry, because there’s a ver y steep lea rn i ng curve.” L eit h h a sn’t a lways been i n t he jewel ler y business. Originally, he owned a tech company which he sold in 2006 when he semi-retired. He first entered the industry in 2008, working in several markets before settling on Duncan in December 2013. “This location works best for us,” he states. “It’s close enough to Victoria and Nanaimo, and we have enough market share between the two cities to maintain reasonably consistent growth.” www.impeccablejewellery. com

OFF THE COVER

NOVEMBER 2019

Plurilock Uses Proprietary Biometric Technology to Stave Off Security Threats PLURILOCK CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

turned into a complete product,” says Plurilock CEO Ian Paterson. “It wasn’t until January 1, 2016 that a company was officially formed. At that time, all of the intellectual property was transferred to the company, and Plurilock was born.” Paterson joined the company at its i ncept ion, br i ng i ng a background in data analytics, and experience as a leader in Victoria’s tech industry, founding the successful tech startup Exapik and working as Director of Insights at Terapeak. “Dr. Traoré and Dr. Nakkabi first started his research because he realized there could be a better way of identifying a person using a computing device,” Paterson remarks. “It’s common to have a username that tries to identi fy who is

doing what, but it’s difficult to see the specific person behind the username. Potentially, someone could take over your bank account with only a login and password.” The team decided to use behavioral biometrics to address this problem. Unlike fingerprint readers or face recognition cameras, behavioral biometrics doesn’t require the installation of any expensive, specialized hardware. This is done through the use of artificial technology and machine learning. “He was researching the area of keyboard dynamics, the study of how people type; and mouse dynamics, the study of how they use the mouse,” says Paterson. “He tracked the unique patterns and speed of how they used the mouse as a form of biometrics, and was able to - along with his associates - find models with a high rate of success.”

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“Dr. Traoré and Dr. Nakkabi first started his research because he realized there could be a better way of identifying a person using a computing device. It’s common to have a username that tries to

Dr. Traoré and Dr. Nakkabi

identify who is doing

he continues. “We’re looking at the speed, rhythm, and cadence of how users type in usernames and passwords, as well as how they use the mouse on that page. A combination of all those factors will grant access.” If the software is not satisfied that the correct user is logging in, it may take them to another page and ask them to perform another action. Most authorized users will make it through the authentication process on these two steps. “If ADAPT is the door, DEFEND is the component that is constantly monitoring,” says Paterson. “It uses the same technology to constantly authenticate, ensuring that the correct person is using the computer at any given time.

what, but it’s difficult to see the specific person behind the username. Potentially, someone could take over your bank account with only a login and password.” IAN PATERSON CEO OF PLURILOCK

The first type of authentication offered by Plurilock is ADAPT. “ADAPT is designed to be a front door to web applications,”

“This is especially important for high security sectors, like banks, government organizations, power plants, etc. There’s a high degree of cyber risk in these industries, as well as a high degree of compliance burden. Our software is ideally suited for these types of organizations.” Four out of five data breaches start with a compromised credent ia l (such as a stolen password). “If you’re able to solve the identity problem, you’re able to massively reduce the number of data breaches that occur each year,” Paterson concludes. “Our use of artificial intelligence and machine learning for this industry is quite unique, even for the top players in the industry.” www.plurilock.com

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OFF THE COVER

NOVEMBER 2019

EVERGREEN EXHIBITIONS PROVIDES MUCH-NEEDED MARKETING SOLUTION FOR ISLAND CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES For Many Companies, Participating in Island Home Shows is Non-Negotiable

ANCOUVER ISLAND Year after year, Island construction companies are making new connections at building exhibitions from Victoria to Campbell River. With 18 annual events, Evergreen Exhibitions Ltd. is BC’s top con s u mer show pro ducer, putting on Home Shows throughout Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland. “As a company, we’ve always prided ou rselves on the fact that we really try to cater to the business community of each town,” says President Darcy Hope. “We g ive sma l l businesses an outlet where they can maximize community exposure and make important business connections. Our events are a great opportunity for smaller businesses that may not have t he m a rket i n g b ud get for a year-round campaign.” With decades of experience

running these events, the Evergreen team functions as a finely oiled machine. “Lots of businesses and the public rely on these events going off without a hitch, so it’s imperative that organizers have a very good ability to come up with a plan and see it through,” says Darcy. “We accomplish that, and have also learned to think on our feet, solving problems quickly and efficiently.” Each event sees thousands of unique visitors coming through its do ors. T he con ne ct ion s that exhibitors make during the three event days frequently translate into sales, increased community profile, and business relationships. With so many years of experience running these events, the Evergreen team tries to offer each ex h ibitor a s much advice as possible to exhibitors, helping them to maximize their success. “The biggest testament to the value of these events is our return rate, which is about 90 per cent for t he m ajor ity of our shows,” comments Darcy. “Some have been with us for close to 20 years, and for many

companies, the home show is a non-negotiable part of their business.” Everg reen Ex h ibitions was founded by Darcy’s late father, Doug Hope. “ I n t he 1980s, he wa s t he manager of a local radio station,” says Darcy. “Back then, a local community club would put on an annual home show, wh ic h t hey wou ld promote through the radio station.” One year, Doug approached t he orga n i z at ion i nq u i r i n g about their plans for their upcoming show, only to find that the event had been cancelled. “He asked if he could put it on instead, and they gave him the go-ahead,” Darcy continues. “He always loved putting on local events, so when he got this opportunity, he took the bull by the horns, calling all the businesses, getting all the equipment, putting the whole thing together. It was a big success, and once it was done, he quit his job at the radio station to put on these events full-time.” E x h ibition spaces a re sti l l available for shows in spring 2020. To find out more, visit homeshowtime.com

November 22 Deadline Is Just Around The Corner BE AWARDS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

amazing stories about entrepreneurs who make their dreams come true on Vancouver Island.” Black Press is a Platinum Sponsor of the BE Awards, and RBC Royal Bank is one of the event’s Gold Sponsors. Winners of each of the 17 Categories will be invited to a special “Breakfast For Champions” round-table the following morning, hosted by RBC Royal Bank, Grant Thornton LLP and Business Examiner. Categories this year are: •Automotive (car and truck dealerships & fleet sales) •Construction / Development/Real Estate •Entrepreneur •Food & Food Production (agriculture, seafood, food products) •Green & Technology •Health Care •Hospitality •Industrial Manufacturer •Manufactured Wood Products •Ocean Products •Professional (legal, accounting, insurance, coaching)

•Construction/Development/Real Estate •Retail • Small Business (under 20 employees & under $1 million in sales) •Tourism •Trades (automotive repair, plumbing, electrical, roofing, etc. •Business of the Year (over 50 employees & over $1 million in sales). The nomination deadline is November 22, and companies can self-nominate. There is no charge to participate. Nomination forms can be downloaded at www. businessexaminer.ca/events. For more information on the event contact MacDonald at 1-866-758-2684 ext. 120 or email: mark@businessexaminer.ca

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NOVEMBER 2019

MEETING PLACES Think Outside The Boardroom For Your Next Meeting Businesses Looking At Creative, Innovative Ways Of Doing Corporate Get-Togethers

Cruise ships offer a unique and affordable venue for corporate getaways The holidays are already upon us, and that means it’s office party season. Companies use these parties as an opportunity to show appreciation to their staff, but it’s often easy for such affairs to become boring and repetitive. For some, the only enjoyable parts of a holiday party are the sorts of things that make you wake up with a throbbing head. So how do you maximize the staff party, capitalizing on an opportunity to show employees

“Cruiselines have theatres, lounges, and outdoor spaces that accommodate groups as small as 25 and as large as 1400 and are equipped with state-of-the-art technology and complementary A/V services. When it’s time to get down to business, the cruises lines are set to suit the needs of any meetings and their overall goals.” JEREMY MCLEOD, OWNER OF EXPEDIA CRUISESHIPCENTRES IN COMOX VALLEY AND VICTORIA

A Place To Work And Play

just how much you appreciate them? For an increasing number of companies, this question has planners thinking outside the box, looking at non-traditiona l venues a nd ex periences that lean less heavily on alcohol as the primary source of entertainment. A growing trend for corporate retreats is incorporating overnight events with spa packages. SEE MEETING PLACES | PAGE 11

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MEETING PLACES

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“Corporate events, staff

MEETING PLACES CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10

T h i s t y p e of e ve nt m a ke s a statement to the employee, s how i n g t h at t he c ompa ny values their time, effort, and personal health. It also allows employees to destress, enabling them to return to work relaxed and ready to re-engage. Venues like Pacific Shores Resort and Spa, are ideally suited for these types of getaways. Located six kilometres from Parksville in Craig Bay, Pacific Shores houses a variety of amenities that offer a wide array of recreational options for its guests. It includes 187 rooms, an onsite restaurant, walking paths, an indoor pool, two jacuzzies, and Aquaterre Spa, which offers massage services, body treatments, facial esthetics, pedicu res, a nd ma n icu res, w ith multiple spa packages available. S pa pa ck a ge ret re at s g ive employees a wel l-deser ved opportunity to relax, and help communicate that employers value the work they do. Integrating outdoor recreation into company retreats is another way to think outside the box. The Vancouver Island Mountain Centre on Mount Washington provides facilities for groups to host their own events or take advantage of their outdoor education and adventure programs for team building,

training and company retreats are a fantastic way to invest in an organizations’ most important resource - their employees.” PAUL DODDS, PACIFIC SHORES RESORT AND SPA, GENERAL MANAGER

Hotels and other venues throughout the Island are being booked up for corporate holiday events environmental education and learning mountaineering skills. The facility can accommodate up to 50 people for meetings and offers dorm-style sleeping arrangements as well. A day of skiing, snowboarding or snow shoeing to add to the adventure. The Mountain Centre is run by the Vancouver Island Mountain Centre Sports Society, a non-profit organization. Jeremy McLeod, owner of Expedia CruiseShipCentres in Comox Valley and Victoria, points

out that his industry can offer a unique, memorable venue for corporate get-togethers. “Cruise ships are the perfect place to have a conference or meeting place as it is not only cost-effective, but ships have venues to suit every group size and meeting objective,” he says. “Cr u isel i nes have theatres, lounges, and outdoor spaces that accommodate groups as small as 25 and as large as 1400 and are equipped with state-of-the-art technology and complementary

Company parties and retreats are a great way to show appreciation to staff and boost morale

A/V services. When it’s time to get down to business, the cruises lines are set to suit the needs of any meetings and their overall goals. It truly is the perfect blend of relaxing and business!” Already, many cruise companies are promoting the use of their vessels for precisely this reason. I n 2011, CN N publ ished a n a r ticle on the trend, noti ng that “eight percent of companies surveyed by research firm PhoCusWright last year listed cruise ships as their first choice

11 for a meeting venue — up from six per cent in 2009.” The article went on to point out the sav i ngs ava i lable to companies who choose cruise ships for their corporate events, which can be as high as 30 per cent (“compa r i ng apples to apples”). For those looking for a onen ig ht te a m bu i ld i n g event, Escape Rooms can offer experiences which challenge players to solve problems together and communicate in order to make the great escape. For smaller staff sizes (who want to give the brains a break), cooking classes are an environment staff can relax, visit, learn a skill all while enjoying a gourmet meal. These classes often fill up fast, so booking early is recommended. Employers should also consider scheduling their Christmas event or staff retreat around a local concert with a dinner and even ing entertain ment. For example, Chemainus Theatre has Christmas offerings for dinner and a play and has a hotel just around the corner for out-of-towners. W hether consideri ng you r company’s next corporate retreat or looking for a creative way to show appreciation to your staff, thinking outside the box with event spaces can result in experiences that employees will remember for years to come.

CITIFIED

NOVEMBER 2019

Sponsored by

AUTOMOTIVE DEALERSHIP CONSORTIUM ENVISION MULTI BRAND PARKADE with a single basement level has been proposed for the site of a former Royal Canadian Legion in the Burnside-Gorge neighbourhood’s eastern half, but it won’t be for public use. A consortium of Victoria-based automotive dealerships has envisioned a 63,250 square foot parkade at 750-780 Sum m it Avenue at Nanaimo Street for a vehicle storage facility catering to several brands w it h s h ow ro om s a lon g t h e Douglas Street corridor and throughout the Capital. With the proposal making its way through the municipal process, approvals, should they be granted, are expected in 2020.

Citified.ca Langford A multi-phased office, retail and residential development along Peatt Road in downtown Langford will deliver the first class-AA office building to the tow n centre a long w ith two 12-storey residential towers. Known as District 56, the mass t i mb er-bu i lt project’s f i rst phase includes 47,000 square feet of offices on Peatt Road at Hockley Avenue in a five-storey lowrise called Terminus, and a h igh rise residentia l tower called Tallwood 1 with 124 rental apartments. Tallwood 2, the second phase, will be situated on Peatt Road at Goldstream Avenue. The region’s rent-to-own pioneer, a two-building rental project at the newly built Belmont Market Shopping Centre along Jacklin Road, welcomed its first residents in October. Crossing at Belmont, with 156 rental apartments, has introduced a rent-to-own program in partnership with the adjacent Belmont Residences East and West condominium buildings scheduled for their first phase (B el mont Residences West) move-ins by spring of next year. The mixed-use Belmont Market and its adjacent residential blocks are situated on lands formerly occupied by Belmont Secondary School. Sidney A mixed-use residential, retail and office development on the site of Sidney’s former fire hall is now underway between the 9800-blocks of Third and Second streets. R ising to six-storeys at the i ntersection of T h i rd Street and Sidney Avenue, the project (presently dubbed 9837 Third Street) will be comprised of 91

LE E SAAS R E FO R L O

An artist’s rendering of 9837 Third Street, a six-storey, 91-unit residential project now rising in Sidney’s town centre on the site of the former fire hall © SAKURA PROJECT MANAGEMENT / PRAXIS ARCHITECTS

residences in the form of studio apartments and one, two and three-bedroom suites. A reta i l component w i l l f ront onto Third and Sidney streets i n the g rou nd level, wh i le a three-storey wing will extend along a narrow parcel towards Second Street with an office component across two levels and a ground floor retail unit. Construction is expected to push into late 2021. Victoria The Capital Region Housing Corporation has applied to the City of Victoria for approvals to build a 155-unit affordable housing community immediately west of Victor i a H ig h School in the City’s Fernwood neighbourhood. Spanning nine parcels

The Haro Cordova Bay, BC Retail or office units from approximately 1,700 Sq. Ft. and up in a grocery anchored shopping centre with 91 residential units.

between the 1200-blocks of Gladstone Avenue and Grant Street east of Chambers Street, the $50 m i l l ion project (na med Caledonia) w i l l yield 11 studio apartments, 46 one-bed room, 23 two-bedroom, 13 three-bedroom and four four-bedroom suites within a duo of four and five-storey buildings, while 18 townhomes w i l l i nclude two, t h ree a nd four-bedroom layouts within three clusters rising to threeand-a-half levels. W it h t he appl ic at ion now before the City, approvals are anticipated in 2020 with a construction start aimed for completion by 2022 or 2023. Vancouver-based development f i r m PC Urban h a s proposed a nea rly 160-u n it

purpose-built rental complex with ground floor commercial space for the Burnside-Gorge neighbourhood’s Gorge Road East thoroughfare. Rising to five-storeys at 43-55 Gorge Road East at Irma Street, the concept calls for a mix of studio, one, two and three-bedroom apartments totaling 157 suites and a duo of commercial spaces encompassing some 2,200 square feet. The project’s amenity offerings for residents will feature both a ground level barbecue area adjacent to a games area, and a rooftop barbecue space alongside an urban agriculture zone a nd a playg rou nd w ith views towards downtown Victoria and the Gorge Waterway. A three-storey parking garage

751-753 View Street Victoria, BC Prime owner-user or repositioning opportunity with holding income. Improved with kitchen and bar facilities. Zoned for a wide variety of uses.

A duo of rental buildings are in the proposal stage along the 900-block of View Street totaling 409-units. J Gordon Enterprises has submitted plans for a six-storey, 154-unit complex on the site of a former Bottle Depot recycling centre at the View and Vancouver streets intersection. Adjacent to the proposal Nelson Investments plans to build a 15-storey, 255-unit rental tower immediately east of the 19-storey View Towers building that dates back to the 1960s. Sakura Project Management has u nvei led its v ision for a proper ty cu r rent ly home to Pluto’s Diner on Cook Street at View Street. The 15-storey design features 129 condominium suites above a commercial base. If approved at its current height, the highrise will stand as the Cook Street corridor’s tallest. Mike Kozakowski of Citified. Citified is a comprehensive resource for researching a new-build home or commercial space in metro Victoria and southern Vancouver Island.

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NOVEMBER 2019

CONSTRUCTION Construction Industry Builds A Better BC Industry Remains Strong In Spite Of Residential Slowdown BY ROBERT MACDONALD

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hey’re number one! The construction industry, that is - and according to industry leaders, that’s a good sign for British Columbians. The recently released BC Construction Stat Pack, released by the British Columbia Construction Association (BCCA) indicates that the industry is once again the number one ranked employer in BC’s goods sector. With $115 Billion in construction currently underway, as well as $206 Billion in proposed construction projects, the industry accounts for 8.6 per cent of the province’s GDP. “There’s a tremendous amount of optimism for the industrial, commercial, institutional construction sector going forward,” says Chris Atchison, BCCA president. “A couple of major projects are getting into full swing up north, especially the LNG Canada project export facility. “We’re currently employing almost 10 per cent of BC’s workforce, between trade, administrative, estimating, contracting positions, etc. These are high opportunity occupations that give British

BC’s thriving construction industry looks to a bright future Columbians and those coming into the province an opportunity to earn more than a living wage. These are skill jobs, and there are lots of them in the province. With impending labour shortages,

people should be considering the occupations that are presenting themselves in this industry.” The province is currently home to over 25,000 construction companies (92 per cent of which have

fewer than 20 employees), employing approximately 236,000 individuals. Of these, 180,300 are construction trades workers. SEE CONSTRUCTION | PAGE 14

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As mentioned above, the jobs provided in this industry offer substantial compensation, with the current average wage being $61,784. In the coming five-to-ten years, BC’s construction industry is poised to experience some of the strongest growth in Western Canada. By far, the non-residential project with the biggest industry impact is the ongoing liquefied natural gas (LNG) export facility. On October 1, 2018 LNG Canada announced that its joint venture participants, Shell, PETRONAS, PetroChina, Mitsubishi Corporation ,and KOGAS, made the final investment decision to build the LNG Canada export facility in Kitimat. A report from the BCCA described the project as “a great milestone” for both the province and the nation. “BC has been given the opportunity of a generation with the announcement of LNG Canada’s project in the Northwest, specifically in Kitimat,” said Atchison in a 2018 interview. “This project has massive implications throughout the entire workforce. The investment decision comes with a tremendous opportunity for the entire province to become elevated. All the industry is excited, and we’re excited.” This is the single largest private sector investment in the nation’s history at $40 billion. With the announcement in early October, the province’s project value jumped 53 per cent, from $75 billion to $115 billion overnight. With so much growth on the horizon, Atchison and the team at the BCCA are working hard to attract new employees to the industry, addressing the looming labour shortage issues.

“We’re changing the conversation. Employers are signing up, getting training, new policies, HR support - anything they need so we can ensure that anyone coming into the labour force can be in a safe, sustainable work environment. We don’t want to lose even one employee due to workplace harrassment, hazing, discrimination, or bullying, and this initiative is a great way to create a better environment for the next generation of construction workers.” CHRIS ATCHISON PRESIDENT OF THE BC CONSTRUCTION ASSOCIATION

“Even with so much good news, we’re still facing labour shortages, which are being reported in almost every region of the province,” he says. “Even with the slowdown in the residential market, there’s growth in the industrial/commercial/institutional sector that needs to be accounted for. The construction industry is one of many industries that is facing challenges due to an aging workforce.” BuildForce Canada’s 2018 annual report included the following summary of BC’s construction industry: “British Columbia’s near-term growth outlook is strong SEE CONSTRUCTION | PAGE 16

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CONSTRUCTION

NOVEMBER 2019

OMICRON KEEPS FINGER ON THE PULSE OF ISLAND CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY One-Stop Development, Design and Construction Firm Makes Home in Victoria

ANCOUVER ISLAND Omicron’s Victoria office is making big strides in the Island. The one-stop construction firm is behind some of the Island’s most ambitious projects, meeting key needs in the region’s growing communities. “We are developing, designing and building projects throughout Vancouver Island with a dedicated team of local employees and trades,” says Director, Business Development Karena Selnar. “Omicron has been part of the community since 2010, delivering projects that support Island residents. We have expanded our reach to Nanaimo, Duncan, and the City of Colwood in addition to Victoria and surrounding communities.” In 2016 Omicron completed the first phase of Eagle Creek Village, a 10.4-acre mixed-use development in View Royal. Recognizing the need for more market rental housing options, Omicron is now in the final phase of construction for the residential component of this development, with two buildings offering a combined 114-units. “We are expecting final occupancy on that building any day now,” says Vice President, Development Steve Horovitz. “What used to be an empty field turned into a shopping centre with underground and aboveground parking stalls, tons of retail, and residential units.” With commercial tenants including a YWCA and Quality Foods, the final residential building of the project is already 60 per cent rented. With offices in Victoria and Vancouver, the company fields a team of 135 in-house real estate strategists, engineers, designers, architects, and builders who work together to deliver projects. The company’s View Royal location currently houses 10 office staff, with dozens more in the field, working on projects throughout Vancouver Island. Current Vancouver Island projects include the The James at

Omicron’s BC Hydro project in Nanaimo

“We are developing, designing and building projects throughout Vancouver Island with a dedicated team of local employees and trades. Omicron has been part of the community since 2010, delivering projects that support Island residents. We have expanded our reach to Nanaimo,

ECVII: A rendering of the Phase II residential buildings at Eagle Creek Village

Duncan, and the City of

field operations facilities, Eagle Creek Village, and an upcoming new development in the City of Colwood. Omicron was established in 1998 by people who believed architects, engineers and builders could work together in a more integrated way to deliver a better experience throughout each step of a project. And, today, in an industry that continues to be driven by traditional market practices, Omicron is even more focused on innovation and collaboration to find a better way of doing things. W i t h O m i c r o n ’s d e s i g n ,

Colwood in addition to Victoria and surrounding communities.” KARENA SELNAR DIRECTOR, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AT OMICRON

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engineering, and building staff all working under the same roof, collaboration is a major part of every project. As a result, clients are continually impressed with Omicron’s project delivery and business model. Today, roughly 80 per cent of Omicron projects come from repeat clients. When it comes to innovation, Catherine Reimer adds, “Omicron is looking to the future when it comes to this industry. In addition to our integrated delivery model, our embracing technology is part of this vision. This is especially evident in our design and development side. We use virtual

reality in innovative ways, allowing clients to use VR goggles to walk through a space and get a sense of the final product. “This not only gives the client an accurate vision of the finished product, but also allows us to save time and money by catching potential issues at an early stage.” At Omicron, this focus on collaboration and integrating technology is what allows for a more effective flow of information between departments, connecting each level of the construction process from top to bottom. www.omicronaec.com

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NOVEMBER 2019

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relative to other Western provinces, but much of the available surplus workforce released from Alberta when the oil price fell in 2015 and major project activity declined, has already been absorbed in British Columbia or by other provinces. Relying on the supply of out-of-province workers may become increasingly difficult going forward. Meeting ongoing labour demands will be contingent on the industry’s ability to continue attracting and training workers from outside construction or from outside the province as many of the province’s major projects reach peak demand requirements. “ Thanks to initiatives by various local and provincial organizations (including the provincial government and the BCCA), labour statistics are starting to trend in the right direction. “Among teens, it used to be that one in 95 were choosing to come into the constr uction trades i n their first year out of high school,” says Atchison. “Now, through tremendous effort and awareness campaigns, we’re up to one

The Builder’s Code is helping to create a safe, more diverse work environment for incoming industry employees in 40. We’re moving the needle in the right direction here.” Closely tied to the labour shortage is the high cost of housing, which is affecting residents of almost every BC community, especially those living in Vancouver and the Lower Mainland. “Housing affordability throughout BC is a challenge, and is a significant deterrent for many who are looking to own homes not only in the Lower Mainland, but also in the Greater Victoria Area, part of the Okanagan, and even up North, when the economy starts to boom,” he says. “We applaud the provincial government for their investment in low income and affordable housing, but

there’s something missing, and that’s what we’re attempting to bridge.” A recently-announced mortgage investment corporation (MIC) launched by the BCCA aims to make securing a mortgage easier for BC’s skilled tradespeople, med ica l ca re providers, educators, and emergency responders, while at the same time provide the growing impact investment market with a tax-free vehicle that supports housing affordability. A BCCA press release s t ate s, “ D e s p ite t h e i r in-demand skills, steady employment and higher than average wages, thousands of essential workers SEE CONSTRUCTION | PAGE 18

Unsafe asbestos abatement: It’s not worth the risk Asbestos exposure remains the leading cause of occupational disease in the province; those with the highest risk of exposure are maintenance, custodial, and contract workers hired for repairs or renovations in and around commercial buildings. Under the Workers Compensation Act, commercial property owners are required to maintain any land “being used as a workplace in a manner that ensures the health and safety of persons at or near the workplace.” If your work disturbs asbestos-containing materials (ACMs), you and your workers face a risk of exposure to asbestos. That’s why WorkSafeBC’s prevention officers are conducting planned inspections of commercial demolition and renovation worksites to ensure prime contractors, hazardous-materials consultants, abatement contractors, and demolition contractors are properly informed and equipped to safely remove ACMs. The officers are ensuring that the whole process, from start to finish, is done in compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation. What are the risks? From a professional standpoint, the consequences of

improper handling and disposal of asbestos are serious. Not dealing with asbestos properly can result in WorkSafeBC fines or Stop Work Orders, which will harm your business through lost hours, blown deadlines, and cancelled projects. And if word gets out that you cut corners and don’t take asbestos seriously, it could harm your professional reputation. Professional reputation aside, what about the health of you and your workers? Exposure to asbestos is the number one cause of death for workers in the construction industry. It can lead to devastating health complications later in life including: mesothelioma, asbestosis, lung cancer, and more. If you’re an employer, you’re responsible for your workers’ health and safety, and that includes protecting them from asbestos exposure. Follow the protocols to identify asbestos properly and remove it safely, and comply with required work procedures. You have a responsibility to do your job, do it right and protect everyone from the dangers of asbestos. We’re here to help You can find the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation and Guideline and a variety of resources to help you learn more about how to prevent occupational asbestos exposure at worksafebc.com/asbestos.

CONSTRUCTION

NOVEMBER 2019

VICTORIA DRAIN SERVICES BRINGS NEW TIME-SAVING PIPE LINING TECH TO ISLAND “For about five years, we’ve been doing pipe

Local Drain Specialists Grow from Home-Based Operation to Industry Leaders

lining inside of residential and commercial buildings,

ICTORIA - A lot of things can go wrong when it comes to underground pipes. Be it corrosion over time, or an invasive root from a nearby tree, the pipes that run under streets and sidewalks can often be compromised. Victoria Drain Services has found a way to restore underground pipe systems that doesn’t require ripping up concrete and digging into the ground. Founded in the early 2000s, the company has been on the cutting edge of drainage installation and repair in the residential, commercial, and municipal sectors, offering some of the industry’s most innovative solutions. “For about five years, we’ve been doing pipe lining inside of residential and commercial buildings, for pipes from two to six inches in diameter,” says owner Dave Lloyd. “It’s akin to putting a stent in an artery instead of open heart surgery. With pipe lining, we don’t have to dig anything up or open up walls. With this technology, we essentially slide a sleeve into the pipe that adds 50 years to its lifespan.” A f ter t he acqu i sit ion of a company that serviced municipal pipe systems just last year, Victoria Drain Services has begun to use this technology in the municipal and commercial sectors as well. “This means that we don’t have to rip up the roads when we’re doing pipe repair,” says Lloyd. “If there are roots breaking through the wall of the pipe, we have the right machinery to get inside and clean it up.” This also helps issues connected with asbestos in old pipes or in the walls of residential buildings. Minimizing disturbance through lin ing tech nolog y means that cities, contractors, and homeowners can avoid the costly process of disposing of asbestos. Victoria Drain Services also fields a team of NASSCO certified pipe inspectors who use robotics

for pipes from two to six inches in diameter. It’s akin to putting a stent in an artery instead of open heart surgery. With pipe lining, we don’t have to dig anything up Victoria Drain Services fields a team of NASSCO certified pipe inspectors who use robotics and a mobile CCTV operating hub to ensure that pipes throughout the Island are up to code and a mobile CCTV operating hub to ensure that pipes throughout the Island are up to code. Lloyd founded the company 17 years ago after completing some drain work on his own home. The structure was built in the 1940s, and each house on the street had a similar drainage problem related to the building’s original materials. “One thing led to another, and the next thing you know, I started replacing all my neighbors drains,” he continues. “The company started with myself working out of the garage and the backyard of the house. We eventually purchased the neighbour’s house to expand for parking, and from there, we started looking for a building to move into.” Lloyd found a lot and began drawing up plans for his new headquarters, but just before they were ready to start construction, he realized the company had already outgrown the new facility. This led the team to its current 6500 square foot location at 31 Regina Avenue. In the last two years, Victoria Dra i n Ser v ices ex perienced s u b s t a n t i a l g ro w t h d u e to the acquisition of Island Pipe Inspection (IPI). Today, the staff sits at around 38 employees, with about 30 vehicles on the road, many of them containing specialty

or open up walls. With this technology, we essentially slide a sleeve into the pipe that adds 50 years to its lifespan.” DAVE LLOYD OWNER OF VICTORIA DRAIN SERVICES

Victoria Drain Services now boasts a staff of over 38 since its acquisition of Island Pipe Inspection last year equipment unique to the Island. “Victoria Drains has always focussed mostly on residential while doing some commercial work,” says Lloyd. “IPI focussed on municipal and commercial, so now we’re the only company on the Isla nd who of fer the whole scale of drain work from residential to municipal. This acquisition was a perfect fit for us, and we’re now able to offer more services than ever.” Today, the company provides a range of services including power rooting and f lushing, waterline leak detection, storm and sewer line replacement and rehabilitation, mini excavating and trucking, and more. They field a fleet of service vehicles and an excavation division that

includes several dump trucks and mini excavators. They offer a full range of camera work where they can examine the interior lines with a special CCTV system that can provide information about underground pipes to remove the need for exploratory digging. Accord i ng to L loyd, the company’s success wouldn’t be possible without his outstanding management crew. “If I could go back and do it all over again, I wouldn’t change a thing about my management crew,” he says. “They’re just exceptiona l people who a re p erson able a nd fo c u se d on customer service. I’m extremely proud of my staff. “We really just try to take care of our customers. We pride ourselves

in having the proper equipment for the jobs, and do a lot of training - in house as well as outside specialists.” The team works hard to give customers the best possible experience with an accurate, transparent quoting process to ensure clients are aware of all potential costs. While many drainage companies tend to work in plumbing and drain work, Victoria Drain Services has decided to stay focussed on what they do best. Lloyd emphasizes, “We don’t do plumbing. We do drainage. Now that most plumbing companies realize we’re not competing with them, we’ve been getting a lot more calls to help them out on a job. “We’re 100 per cent drainage, and that means we’re staying on top of industry innovation, offering the highest level of service and expertise we can. We’re drain specialists.” www.victoriadrains.com

Victoria Drain Services is your "one stop shop" providing a wide range of services from power rooting to trenchless pipe replacement. We have built a reputation for providing high quality service at competitive rates for both residential and commercial customers in the Victoria area, including Saanich and Langford BC. • Trenchless Pipe Replacement • Cured in Place Pipe Lining

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NOVEMBER 2019

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Since 1985, Alliance Engineering Works has been a leading provider of structural steel and miscellaneous metals to Vancouver Island’s residential, commercial, institutional and industrial sectors.

in BC cannot afford to own a family home near their workplace. Often, they must either commute long distances to work, live in unreliable rental housing, or move elsewhere. This can leave employers with reduced access to skilled labour, create instability in families, and deprive communities of vital professional services.” “Our goal is to create a social impact investment vehicle that offers value for investors while also helping tradespeople and other professionals to establish roots in BC communities,” Lisa Stevens, the BCCA’s Chief Strategy Officer, stated in the press release. “Guiding our approach is the belief that these highly skilled and hard-working earners should be able to afford housing, and organizations that employ and represent them are willing to invest in a financial vehicle that helps them succeed.” One of the most promising strategies in addressing the labour shortage is the effort to increase diversity in the workforce. Fo r e x a m p l e , m a n y

With an aging workforce, organizations like the BCCA are working hard to address the upcoming labour shortage i ndustr y professiona ls are campaigning to create more inclusive workplaces to accommodate for a growing number of female tradespeople. Information compiled by the federal government suggests t h at women comprise approximately 54 per cent of the nation’s workforce, but represent less than 10 per cent of Canadian construction industry employees – a statistic that may actually inflate a more disheartening percentage. “I believe the statistics include women who work in the office and in administrative capacities in those numbers, and essentially lump all ticketed trades not just construction trades under the overall umbrella

of c o n s t r u c t i o n . T h i s would include persons such as hairdressers, which are certainly not part of construction,” explained Katy Fairley, a Director with the Canadian Construction Association (CAA). “If we were to drill down into those numbers, and from what I know through personal ex perience, the actual percentage of women directly working in the industry in an active role would likely be closer to five to seven per cent, so obviously there’s lots of room for improvement.” In its recently released National Summary covering the years 2018 to 2027, BuildForce projected that the present skilled labour SEE CONSTRUCTION | PAGE 20

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CONSTRUCTION

NOVEMBER 2019

DEMAND FOR 4REFUEL SERVICES SHOWS NO SIGNS OF SLOWING DOWN Mobile Refueling Service Saves Companies Time and Money

ICTORIA - 4Refuel Vancouver Island is continuing to grow as more commercial and industrial operators are attracted to the company’s convenience, cost savings, ongoing data collection and worry-free benefits. Jeff Lumley acquired the franchise rights to service Greater Victoria about seven years ago, and has since expanded his operation to serve the rest of Vancouver Island. “Sometimes it’s challenging to keep up, but that’s a good thing!” he says. “We purchased our fifth fuel truck last year to meet the growing needs, and we’ve gone from using it part time to having it on the road for 20 hours a day. The concept has really taken off.” 4Refuel’s main focus is to provide ‘wheel to wheel’ diesel fueling service for a wide range of clients, including construction companies, trucking companies, home heating, boats, and generators. In essence, any firm

that requires diesel fuel delivered directly to their fleet or worksite can benefit from the company’s services. “Our goal is to give personalized service,” says Lumley. “Talk to any of our customers, and I am sure they would tell you the same thing. “For example, we fuel an excavating company in Victoria, and many of the company’s machines are constantly floating around from site to site. We are constantly checking in with the owner to make sure we know where his equipment is so there is no disruption to their work day.” According to Lumley, customers typically use his company’s service for its convenience, its accountability and its financial benefits. “It’s a pretty basic business philosophy, but it works,” he says. “When you factor in the lost productivity time (companies are paying their employees to fuel their vehicles), you can see the real cost saving of having us look after the fueling of trucks and equipment.” On the corporate level, 4Refuel launched in 1995, quickly becoming a national leader in the mobile on-site refueling industry. Today,

its franchises service over 900 cities, delivering over 3.5 million fueling transactions to over 6,000 clients every year. Each truck is equipped with state-of-the-art metering to provide precise reports that help keep accounting processes accurate and transparent. “Our Fuel Management Online (FMO) service allows our clients to have 24/7 access to their records, giving them even the most minute data,” he says. “They will know exactly how much fuel is used, where it has gone, and what it cost. It ensures accuracy and simplifies the invoicing.” As more Vancouver Island companies embrace 4Refuel’s services, Lumley anticipates continued expansion in the coming years. “Convenience is part of the story certainly, but this concept has been embraced by so many because of the cost savings and accountability involved,” he says. “Because 4Refuel operates on a national scale, our buying power is huge. This saves on fuel prices, and those savings are passed on to the customer. That’s a big part of why this service has become so successful.” To contact Jeff Lumley, call 250-893-0810 www.4refuel.com

• Savings • Safety • Reliability • Control www.4refuel.com

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NOVEMBER 2019

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shortage that is impacting c o m p a n i e s a c ro s s t h e nation will continue to worsen. In the summary of the BuildForce Canada report, Bill Ferreira, the group’s Executive Director said the industry has to take steps to head of f a potentia l labour crisis. “This decade, Canada needs as many as 277,000 c o n s t r u c t i o n w o rk e r s to meet labour demands and counter rising retirements,” he said. “With these challenges in mind, the industry will need to step up recruitment efforts and do all it can to encourage far more new Canadians, women, and Indigenous people to join Ca nada’s constr uction workforce.” For Fairley, while progress has been made, the present small percentage of female involvement is an obvious sign that there’s still plenty of room for improvement. “T here’s no escapi ng t he fact t h at t he older segment of our industry is leaving which creates a real potential for women,” she concludes. We’re now

WorkSafeBC and the Council of Construction Associations area always working to ensure construction workers are as safe as possible

One of the initiative’s primary goals is to have women make up 10 per cent of BC’s construction trades by the year 2028 acutely feel i ng wh at a labour shortage does to construction and it’s not a problem you’re going to fix by looking at only 50 per cent of the population, you simply have to put it on the table for the other 50 per cent as well, make it an option and women will

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recognize it and take it.” T h i s y e a r, o n I n t e rnational Women’s Day, the provincial government issued a statement along with industry partners including the BCCA, Industry Training Authority, WorkSafeBC and LNG Canada. T h i s s t a t e m e n t a nnounced a new initiative called the Builder’s Code, which “aims to retain more women in the construction trades by creating a supportive, inclusive work environment that works for everyone.” One of the initiative’s SEE CONSTRUCTION | PAGE 22

CONSTRUCTION

NOVEMBER 2019

MAZZEI ELECTRIC PLUGGED IN THROUGHOUT THE PROVINCE Electrical Contracting Firm Celebrating 25 Years In Business

A NA I MO – Mazzei Electric is plugged i n throughout British Columbia, and owner Ben Mazzei wouldn’t have it any other way. While headquarters remain in Nanaimo, Mazzei Electric has offices in Victoria, Fort St. John and its newest location, Kelowna. Now in its 25 th year, the electrical contracting company provides certified electricians for a wide variety of industrial, commercial and residential services. All of their electricians are certified journeymen or registered electrical apprentices, and have a fleet of stocked vans providing installation, upgrades, re p a i rs a n d re novat ion s to customers in the markets they serve. It’s been eight years since Ben took the torch from his father, Frank, who founded the company in 1994, and continued to build on his relationship-first philosophy with clients. There are now 200 employees throughout the four branches. “As a teenager I thought I’d never want to be an electrician, and definitely never wanted to own a business,” Ben laughs. “But now we’re 10 times the size we were when we took it over, and we’ve managed growth of between 20-50 per cent every year.” Ben adds, “we’ve worked really hard to build a foundation in the company to manage the growth and to keep things rolling.” In 2017 CPA Roger Perry joined the company as CFO, followed soon thereafter by Manager of Pre-Construction, Doug Panton. That year, Mazzei grew by 40 per cent and quickly added Estimators, Purchasers, a Corporate Safety Advisor and a Corporate Control ler. T he company has invested heavily

Ben Mazzei is the owner of Mazzei Electric, with offices in Nanaimo, Victoria, Kelowna and Fort St. John in business technology with new accounting and payroll software, project estimating and management systems and has been successful in automating and integrating many of the processes which help to manage the business. CFO Roger Perry says, “Ben’s ahead of the curve for sure. He has the vision to want to invest in technology and people. We have great resolution on our business and it is driving improvements across our whole process right now. It’s really exciting to be here at this time.” Faced with a growing footprint and volume of projects, Stuart Cuthbert joined the company as Director of Operations in mid-2019. Ben notes, “We are getting interest in the company from

some very talented people and it is adding to our momentum.” T he latest addition is Roch Beadoin. He brings decades of experience in electrical project management and is the manager in Kelowna where Mazzei Electric opened their branch this month. Others have noticed, too, as M a zzei E lect r ic wa s n a med 2019 Business of the Year at the Vancouver Island Business Excellence Awards, following 2018, when it was named Trades Company of the Year at the same event. In Kelowna the company is working on the 193-unit Elliot Road Apartments complex, and Mazzei says they already have a year and a half worth of work booked in the area. I n Fo r t S t J o h n , M a z z e i i s w ra p p i n g u p p ro j e c t s a t

Northern Lights College and the massive Brandt Tractor dealership and is working on the new North East Elementary school. T hey compa ny i s en ga ged in literally dozens of projects from Tahsis to Victoria and runs dedicated service departments in both Victoria and Nanaimo. Ma zzei says, “Most of ou r project managers are under 40 years of age: We’re young, progressive and aggressive. We are continuing on from my Dad, as we put our customers first, and we build long-standing relationships with our clients. And when we go into new markets, we look for local management, site supervision and the labour force. We’re looking to get established quickly and have a strong, local presence. Some p e o pl e a re s k e p t i c a l a b o u t

electrical contractors that come in to a town and do one job and move on, but that’s not us.” The company is positioned for more growth due to its strong executive tea m, a nd Mazzei notes t he f i r m has received WorkSafe BC’s Core Certific at ion , it s h i g h e s t l e ve l of certification. “We’re cont i nu i ng to look into new markets and opportunities,” Mazzei says. “We’ve already got enough work secured that we’re going to see 25 per cent growth again next year. We are always looking for top performers to join our team.” They are members of the Electrical Contractors Association of BC, the Canadian Home Builders Association and Vancouver Island Construction Association. www.mazzeielectric.com

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CONSTRUCTION

“There’s a

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primary goals is to have women ma ke up 10 per cent of BC’s construction trades by the year 2028. This would make BC the first province in Canada to accomplish such a goal. This code would include a voluntary standard code of conduct for all workers on construction sites in the province. It would also expand the definition of construction safety beyond physical standards to include stress or distraction caused by discrimination, bullying, hazing, or harassment. “All British Columbians deserve the opportunity to share in the benefits of our thriving economy,” said Mitzi Dean, Parliamentary Secretary for Gender E q u i t y. “ W i t h a c o nstruction industry that’s booming and thousands of tradespeople needed, the Province is proud to support BC’s construction employers in making sure everyone on a jobsite knows what’s expected and can work safely and productively.” Atchison is pleased with the industry’s response to the builder’s code.

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NOVEMBER 2019

tremendous amount of optimism for the industrial, commercial, institutional construction sector going forward. A couple of major Chris Atchison is president of the British Columbia Construction Association “We have fou nd more than 100 employer champion s, a nd a re gett i ng attention from other provinces, and even south of the border,” he says. “People are watching what we’re doing, and this effort is making a difference. “ We’re ch a n g i n g t he conversation. Employers are signing up, getting training, new policies, HR support - anything they need so we ca n ensu re that anyone coming into the labour force can be in a safe, sustainable work environment.” “We don’t want to lose

projects are getting into full swing up north, especially the Kitimat LNG export facility.” CHRIS ATCHISON PRESIDENT OF THE BC CONSTRUCTION ASSOCIATION

even one employee due to workplace harrassment, hazing, discrimination, or bullying, and this initiative is a great way to create a better environment for the next generation of construction workers.” To find out more, visit www.builderscode.ca and www.bccassn.com

Congratulations

Champion Awards Finalists Alabaster Homes

ETRO Construction

Chew Excavating

Kinetic Construction

Chinook Scaﬀold Systems

RAM Consulting

CorWest Builders

Scott Construction Group

Durwest Construction Management

Westcana Electric

Weninger Construction & Design

Thank you for leading the way. Award winners will be announced November 28, 2019

The Builders Code is a new baseline code of conduct standard for the construction industry. It defines an "Acceptable Worksite" as the starting point for reducing risk and ensuring a safe and productive environment free of hazing, harassment, and bullying. Learn more at builderscode.ca. Join the first 100 companies already adopting the ‘Acceptable Worksite’ pledge: 360 Home Renovations • 3rd Generation Homes • Acres Enterprises • AFC Construction • AGR Solutions Ltd. • Alabaster Homes • Apex Granite & Tile Inc. • Armtec • BA Blacktop Ltd. • Belle Construction • BM Group International • Bricklok Surfacing & Landscape • British Columbia Construction Association • Brock White Construction Materials • C2 Imaging • Capri CMW • Central Interior Piping & Maintenance • Chandos Construction • Chew Excavating • Chinook Scaffold Systems Ltd. • CLAC • College of New Caledonia • Concrete BC • Corwest Builders • DHC Communications Inc. • DIV1 Projects • Durwest Construction Management • Eagle Homes • Edge Roofing Ltd. • EmryFormworks • ETRO Construction • Ex-cel Acoustics Ltd. • Finning Canada Inc • Flynn Canada • Green Emerald Construction • Greyback Construction • Hancon Construction • Harris Rebar • Harrison Industrial Construction • Hartman Business Machines Ltd. • Heritage House Gifts & Awards • HighStreet Ventures Inc. • HKR Builders • Houle Electric • IDL Projects Inc. • Inside Job Consulting • Insight Automation International • Interactive Electrical • Island Precision • Jawl Properties Ltd. • Juxtaposition Home • Kal West Electric • Kamloops Chamber of Commerce • Keller Canada • Kinetic Construction Ltd. • Knappett Projects Inc. • Lafarge Canada Inc • Leavitt Machinery • LNG Canada • LWE Builders • Macbeth Roofing • Maple Reinders • Metro Testing & Engineering • MNP LLP • Northern Development Initiative Trust • Okanagan Plumbing & Gasfitting Ltd. • OK Ready Mix • Orchards Walk • PG Nechako Aboriginal Employment Training Association • Pitt Meadows Plumbing & Mechanical Systems • Polycrete Restorations • Professional Mechanical Ltd. • PS Flooring & Tiling • Ralmax Group of Companies • Ram Consulting • RCABC • RF Klein & Sons Ltd. • ROV Consulting Inc. • Scott Construction Group • Sierra Landscaping • SkillPlan • Team Construction Management Ltd. • Thompson Rivers University • Tip Top Trees Ltd. • TransCanada Coastal GasLink • Venture Mechanical Systems Ltd. • Victoria Window Cleaning • Viking Construction Ltd. • Vision Mechanical Ltd • Waste Management of Canada Corp. • Weninger Construction & Design • Westcana Electric Inc. • WestCoast Appliance Gallery • Westcom Plumbing • West K Concrete • Wibco Construction Ltd • Wildstone Construction Group • Wilson M. Beck Insurance Services Inc • Wylie Crump Ltd. • Yellowhead Road & Bridge

Together we’re building a construction industry that works for everyone.

builderscode.ca

CONSTRUCTION

NOVEMBER 2019

SIX TECHNOLOGIES HELPS KEEP CRIMINALS OFF ISLAND CONSTRUCTION SITES Video Security Monitoring on Construction Sites Deter Criminals, Lower Insurance Premiums

VANCOUVER ISLAND 250 661 9551 www.six-tech-victoria.com sales@victoria-security.com

MAINLAND BC 604 574 0181 www.six-tech.com sales@victoria-security.com

ICTORIA - With so much new construction happening on Vancouver Island, petty crime rates on building sites are extremely high. In response, builders are turning to Six Technologies Victoria Inc. to provide video security monitoring for their projects. “Insurance companies are quite nervous about the new construction going up, because wood frame construction is very vulnerable to petty theft, vandalism, and fire damage,” says Graham Wright, Director of Operations, Vancouver Island. “Having a good, reliable camera installation around the entire perimeter, with professional real-time monitoring, lights, and sirens, can significantly help in reducing insurance premiums.” Recently, Wright was in Nanaimo, giving a quote for a project that had experienced break-ins, camping, and theft almost every single night over the last few

Six Technologies employee Matthew Evans installing a security system on a construction site weeks. After the video monitoring system is installed, these incidents stop almost immediately. “Most times, the intrusion siren will scare off trespassers,” says Wright. “Sometimes, a trespasser will ignore the intrusion siren, and it will result in an arrest. We have a good relationship with the RCMP. The monitoring station has direct communications with responding officers so we provide them with footage from our cameras when there’s a crime in the

area, and they are very responsive to our calls.” Currently, Wright and his team have systems installed in projects all over the Island, from Campbell River to the Greater Victoria Area and as far east as Kelowna. “These systems not only help with crime prevention,” Wright continues. “They help with site safety and behaviour. We’ve noticed that employees are far more careful when they know they’re on camera. There’s footage for everything. It also helps smooth out the WorkSafe claim process in the event of an accident.” In addition to offering these monitoring services for building sites, Six Technologies specializes in alarm, CCTV, and access control hardware installations. Because the company is headquartered in Victoria, Six Technologies is poised to quickly deal with any technical issues with their systems. “If a system goes down, the owners of the company are local, and ready to respond,” says Adam Hubbard, the company’s President. “Our systems are reliable, our pricing is very competitive, and we are known for our topnotch customer service.” www.six-tech-victoria.com www.victoria-security.com

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NOVEMBER 2019

The Builders Code – Building a Construction Industry that Works for Everyone BY LISA STEVENS CHIEF STRATEGY OFFICER, BC CONSTRUCTION ASSOCIATION

ur vision at the BC Construction Association is to ensure British Columbia is home to a world-class construction sector that demonstrates exceptional productivity and resilience. This vision will be realized only if our worksites support all skilled tradespeople to perform to the best of their ability, free from the stress and distraction caused by hazing, bullying and harassment. To help ensure a safe and productive worksite, the BCCA has partnered with key construction industry leaders and the Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills, and Training, to introduce the Builders Code. The Builders Code sets a standard code of conduct for all construction work sites in BC and defines an “Acceptable Worksite” as one where safety protocols recognize behavioral as well as physical threats, ensuring a productive environment for all

“It’s so important for all our communities that we not only attract new workers to the construction industry but do everything in our power to keep them. Already over 100 employers have become official signatories to the Builders Code – they are establishing themselves as leaders when it comes to work culture and have an advantage in hiring and retaining skilled workers.” LISA STEVENS CHIEF STRATEGY OFFICER, BC CONSTRUCTION ASSOCIATION

Lisa Stevens, Chief Strategy Officer, BC Construction Association workers. When an employee wakes up in the morning and looks ahead to their day at work, they deserve to have a feeling of security, to

know they will be treated fairly and with respect on the jobsite. The construction sector in BC is booming, with the number and scale of projects contributing to

a projected labour shortage of 7,900 by the year 2028. It’s so important for all our communities that we not only attract new workers to the construction industry but do everything in our power to keep them. Already over 100 employers have become official signatories to the Builders Code – they are establishing themselves as leaders when it comes to work culture and have an advantage in hiring and retaining skilled workers. I have had the opportunity to talk to construction company owners and employees across BC and it’s clear our industry is evolving rapidly. W hether you are a tradesperson or an employer in our industry, please visit www. builderscode.ca and learn about the benefits of participating in the Builders Code. Join the hundreds of other businesses partnering to build a construction industry that works for everyone. By strengthening our industry, we strengthen our province, economy, and all British Columbians.

NOVEMBER 2019

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ANAIMO – Coastland Wood Industries is building its own barge facility at Duke Point. Company President Hans DeVisser says the facility will be a staging ground and dock that will enable the company to ship the veneer and peeler core products it manufactures at its Nanaimo plant on Haliburton Street to their drying facilities at Annacis Island in Delta. Over the past five years, Coastland has invested about $60 million in its operations, which include log sorting facilities in Nanaimo, Menzies Bay near Campbell R iver, and at Howe Sound on the Sunshine Coast. There are 180 employees in Coastland’s Nanaimo operations and 300 overall. They have four natural gas-fired veneer dryers in Annacis Island, and twothirds of the product is dried, with the other third left green for customers. Coastland has doubled its

production at the Nanaimo mill, which turns 65 truckloads of second growth logs into 30-40 truckloads of product each day, for shipping to Vancouver. T he barge facility is a shared facility with Harmac Pacific, which is leasing the five acre property to Coastland. By next March, when the 2.5 acre Phase One it is expected to be completed and operational, contractors will have blasted and moved 190,000 cubic metres of rock to create a staging ground for the 3040 truckloads of veneer and cores they produce daily. It will be enough space to hold two barge loads at a time. “We make all of the veneer in Nanaimo and have to barge it over to our drying facility at Annacis Island,” notes DeVisser. “Every second day we fill up a barge with a new batch of veneer.” The other main product, peeler cores, are popular for fence posts, tree stakes and other uses. DeVisser moved from

Coastland Wood Industries President Hans DeVisser at the barge site Va nc o uver I s l a nd a nd joined Coastland in 2006 and was responsible for the fibre supply. He became president of the company in 2009, and notes that in the past five years, Coastland has doubled production. “We’ve put a tremendous amount of money back into our business, DeVisser says. “Our plan is to stay in Nanaimo, and we’re not going anywhere. Our view is that unless we are committing to re-investing in this business, we will slowly be left behind. We have to keep re-investing to stay efficient, and we are fortunate that Bob Shields, the owner of Coastland, agrees.”

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he concept of sustainability has re c e ive d a lo t of attention of late. As society increasingly expects resources to be utilized i n a n ef f icient a nd environmentally friendly manner government and i n d u s t r y l e a d e rs h a ve enacted policies and incorporated new business pract ices to ensu re we a re t a k i n g c a re of t h e world in which we live. T he v isitor economy is no d i f ferent. I ndu st r y leaders are actively seeking sustainable policies, goals and practices that lead to better env i ronmental outcomes.

I am proud that Destination Greater Victoria is at the forefront of sust a i n a ble tou r i sm . T he IMPACT Sustainability Travel & Tourism Conference (IM PACT) is an excellent example. Destination Greater Victoria and its partners hosted the inaugural conference i n 2018. It h a s become Ca n ad a’s le ad i ng su stainable tourism conference, with hundreds of delegates across Canada a nd US attend i ng. O u r t h i rd I M PACT con ference will be held January 19-22, 2020 and will be our largest, more robust conference yet. Internally, Destination Greater Victoria w i l l be establishing a sustainability com m ittee. T h is committee will be comprised of leaders in the public and private sectors that w i l l con sid er a nd forw a r d i d e a s o n h o w to improve organizational practices and further the va lue of susta i nabi l ity i n the Greater Victoria visitor economy. Greater Victoria – both its elected officials and

business leaders – value s u sta i n abi l it y a nd a re i n itiati ng the ki nd of changes we want to see. Sepa rate f rom Dest i nation Greater Victoria, ou r members a re leading in changes in electric transportation (land, sea and air), waste reduction a nd ecosystem hea lt h. Gre ater V ictor i a h a s a strong sense of place. Its coastal location is part of the community identity. Residents feel strongly that this unique environment ne e d s to b e preserved and maintained. Destination Greater V ic tor i a i s pa r t of t he community. We feel the sa me way. T he v i sitor economy is the second largest economic sector in Greater Victoria. It is up to Destination Greater Victoria to steward the dest i n at ion a nd do its part to contribute to the health of the community we call home. Paul Nursey is the President and CEO of Destination Greater Victoria

WHO IS SUING WHOM

NOVEMBER 2019

WHO IS SUING WHOM The contents of Whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Suing Whom is provided by a third-party resource and is accurate according to public court documents. Some of these cases may have been resolved by publication date. DEFENDANT 0883935 BC Ltd 105-6388 Bay St, West Vancouver, BC PLAINTIFF D W Stewart Investment Corporation CLAIM $233,041 DEFENDANT Aebig Fine Finishing Ltd 7040 Aulds Rd, Lantzville, BC PLAINTIFF V I Camelot Homes Ltd CLAIM $31,305 DEFENDANT Afab Greenhouse Construction 3431 Willerton Rd, Victoria, BC PLAINTIFF Slegg Building Materials CLAIM $15,195 DEFENDANT Arrowsmith Roofing Ltd 2767 Powder Point Rd, Nanoose Bay, BC PLAINTIFF Zimmer, Julie Anne CLAIM $7,012

DEFENDANT Arrowsmith Roofing Ltd 2767 Powder Point Rd, Nanoose Bay, BC PLAINTIFF Milner Group Ventures Inc CLAIM $11,178 DEFENDANT Bill Howich Chrysler Ltd 906 Island Highway, Campbell River, BC PLAINTIFF Erwin, Colleen CLAIM $23,208 DEFENDANT Bill Howich RV 2777 Island Highway North, Campbell River, BC PLAINTIFF Erwin, Colleen CLAIM $23,208 DEFENDANT Caddy Shack Drive Inn PO Box 1905, Neepawa, MB PLAINTIFF Admiralty Leasing Inc CLAIM $5,676 DEFENDANT Cheviot Products Inc 200-5611 Cooney Rd, Richmond, BC PLAINTIFF Verity Construction Ltd CLAIM $17,500 DEFENDANT

Keeping projects on time and on budget

Colwood Langford Auto Supply 91 Glacier St, Coquitlam, BC PLAINTIFF McIlwrick, Lennie CLAIM $5,260 DEFENDANT DME Organic Solutions Inc 302 59 Nicol St, Nanaimo, BC PLAINTIFF Perejma, Paul Alexander CLAIM $38,746 DEFENDANT Habanero Homes Ltd 2-177 Fourth St, Duncan, BC PLAINTIFF Titan GMS GP Inc CLAIM $101,000 DEFENDANT Infused Seed Ball Ltd PO Box 61815 RPO Oceanside, Parksville, BC PLAINTIFF 0829415 BC Ltd CLAIM $14,036 DEFENDANT Knighco Industries Ltd 500 North Tower 5811 Cooney Rd, Richmond, BC PLAINTIFF MGM Mechanical Ltd CLAIM $14,521 DEFENDANT Menor Brothers Contracting Inc

9971 Seventh St, Sidney, BC PLAINTIFF Slegg Building Materials CLAIM $6,925 DEFENDANT Paldi Brother Developments Ltd 5905 Paldi Rd, Duncan, BC PLAINTIFF Slegg Building Materials CLAIM $9,132 DEFENDANT Paradigm Autoworks Ltd 3030a Nanaimo St, Victoria, BC PLAINTIFF Barnes, Brian CLAIM $35,216 DEFENDANT Perma Construction Ltd 200-911 Yates St, Victoria, BC PLAINTIFF Vic City Excavating Ltd CLAIM $178,302 DEFENDANT Queen Of Angels School Society 2085 Maple Bay Rd, Duncan, BC PLAINTIFF ECC European Clean Company Ltd CLAIM $6,100 DEFENDANT Royal Pacific Millworks Ltd 211-2031 Malaview Ave, Sidney, BC PLAINTIFF Watershed Plumbing And Gas

27 CLAIM $7,429 DEFENDANT RV Legacy Development Ltd 1626 Garnet Rd, Victoria, BC PLAINTIFF Strata Plan VIS2035 CLAIM $10,205 DEFENDANT Save On Septic Services Inc 2753 Charlotte Rd, Duncan, BC PLAINTIFF Pearce, George CLAIM $32,911 DEFENDANT St Vincents Bay Industries Ltd 500 North Tower 5811 Cooney Rd, Richmond, BC PLAINTIFF MGM Mechanical Ltd CLAIM $14,521 DEFENDANT Sterling Cross Defense Systems Corp 301-2031 McCallum Rd, Abbotsford, BC PLAINTIFF International Cartridge Corporation CLAIM $29,173 DEFENDANT Stuffy Riders Enterprises Ltd 203-815 Hornby St, Vancouver, BC PLAINTIFF Torke Entertainment Corp CLAIM $35,266

MOVERS & SHAKERS

NOVEMBER 2019

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Karl Maier has joined Beacon Law Centre as a n Associate. Maier is a University of Victoria graduate who was previously with the office of BC’s Public Guardian and Trustee. The focus of Maier’s practice is in estate planning, business and real estate.

Garth Eichel h a s b een appointed Chief Pilot for Helijet’s fixed-wing division. Eichel has a background as an aviation and flight management specialist and is responsible for the professional standards of Helijet’s fixed-wing flight crews as well as developing standard operating procedures, scheduling, supervision and training. Eichel joins the Helijet team from Vancouver-based Pacific Coastal Airlines, where her served as a captain.

Sooke’s Sheringham Distillery announced it is releasing Lumette! – Canada’s first non-alcoholic, zero-proof distilled spirit. The spirit is flavoured with botanicals like juniper, grapefruit, orange and mint and will be made available this month at some private liquor stores and specialty food markets. The distillery also sells Seaside Gin, the recipient of the world’s best contemporary gin award at the 2019 World Gin Awards in London.

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The 2019 Crystal Awards of Excellence led by the Saanich Peninsula Chamber of Commerce were recently held at the Olympic View Golf Club a nd this year’s winners were announced. This year’s winners include Storyoga in the Business of the Year (1-15 Employees) category; Casman Group i n Business of the Year (16+ Employees); All Care Canada, Sidney in the Contribution to the Community category; BMT Group in the Employer of the Year category; Saanich Peninsula Hopsital and Healthcare Fo u n d at ion to o k h o m e t h e Entrepreneurial Spirit Award; and Parsell Vineyard took home top honours in the Green Business of the Year category. Marie C. Rosko was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award; The Cut Cartwel was presented with the New Business, Product or Service Award; Peninsula Streams was the recipient in the Newsmaker of the Year category; Sidney Museum in Not for Profit Organization of the Year and Bayside Diesel & Marine in the Outstanding Customer Service category. Peninsula Lifetime Eyecare Centre welcomes Dr. Ryan Trottier to the practice at 2401 Beacon Avenue. Victoria’s 30-seat Nowhere *A Restaurant has been named fifth to a top-10 list of new Canadian eateries compiled by American Express and Air Canada. The restaurant is run by Chef Clark Deutscher, who is also behind its nearby sister restaurant, Hank’s. Nowhere *A Restaurant is at G4 – 1001 Douglas Street and offers sustainable seafood. McConnan Bion O’Connor and Peterson i ntroduces its new

T he District of Oak Bay has appointed Christopher Paine to the role of Director of Financial Services. Paine holds his CPA designation and has over 10 years of experience in local government including serving as the Manager of Revenue for the City of Victoria, Manager of Finance for the District of Central Saanich and most recently as the Director of Finance for the City of Colwood. T he University of Victoria (UVIC) placed second in Maclean’s magazine’s list of the top Canadian universities for the second year in a row. The list ranks the top 15 schools in the country according to student a nd facu lty awa rds, g ra nts, student services, scholarships bursaries and more. Simon Fraser University placed first on the list. Re/Max Camosun’s Sidney office announces their top lister’s and producers of the month. Realtors who were named top producer a nd l ister i nclude Craig Walter and the team of Anthea and Gay Helmsing. Jeff Meyer and the team of Dan and John Juricic were named top producers. The top producer’s for Re/Max Camosun’s Langford office on Goldstream Avenue were Tom Krumpic, Dale Sheppard, Tania Delmonico, Shirley Zailo, Jenny Bruce and Don Burnham. Newlook Eyewear has opened a new store in Mayfair Shopping Centre at #342 – 3147 Douglas Street. The eyewear company is also opening locations soon i n both Tillicum Centre a nd Hillside Shopping Centre and at Woodgrove Centre in Nanaimo. T he Four Mile Pub complex at 199 Island Highway in Victoria has shut down following a kitchen fire that damaged the pub. Power to the building has returned and work is underway to reopen the restaurant. The pub is planning on reopening by January 2020. The University of Victoria Vikings men’s rowing head coach Aalbert Van Schothorst was recently honored with the annual President’s Award at the Canadian University Rowing Association Awards. The award is presented each year to a person who has made substantial impact in the development of rowing as a sport. Entourage Hair recently celebrated its 1st anniversary at #A6 SEE MOVERS & SHAKERS| PAGE 29

MOVERS & SHAKERS

NOVEMBER 2019

MOVERS AND SHAKERS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 28

– 100 Aldersmith Place. Clarity Cannabis has opened for business at Unit 105 – 693 Hoffman Avenue. The store is managed by Nicole Neeland and is the third store that Clarity has opened. Michael Forbes, a Victoria pharmacist, is the founder of Clarity, which has two other locations in Victoria and one in Dawson Creek. Plans are also in the works to open a dispensary in Kamloops, Cranbrook and Prince Rupert. Four additional retail cannabis outlets are expected to be open in Langford in the near future, though opening dates for these locations have not yet been announced. Cy nt h i a C u m m i ngs i s t h e owner of Nifty Thrift Shop, a non-profit thrift store that has opened its doors for business at 694 G oldst rea m Avenue. Proceeds from the thrift shop go towards an overseas PTSD program.

Scott Phillips Scott Phillips, the CEO and Founder of StarFish Medical, has been appointed as the new LifeSciences BC Chair of the Board of Directors. LifeSciences BC is a not-for-profit industry association that represents the life sciences community of British Columbia by facilitating investments and partnerships, advocacy and more. StarFish Medical is a full-service medical device design company offering design, development, and manufacturing services based in Toronto and Victoria. VIATEC a n nou nced that it has created four new roles and expanded its office from seven employees to 11. Lindsay Richmond has been added as Director of Leadership and Learning; Jacquelyn Novak has been added as Director of Ecosystem Talent and Strategy; Sadie Evans joins the team as Marketing and Communications Manager; and Carly McGregor has been added as Community Engagement Manager. Wendy’s has completed renovations at its locations at 776 Bay Street in Victoria and at 1800 Old Isla nd H ighway i n Colwood.

The first Motel 6 on Vancouver Island was recently opened by Metropolitan Hospitality in the 2400-block of Mount Newton Cross Road off Highway 17. The company acquired the hotel from long-time owner and now-retired, Charlie Danbrook. Danbrook operated the hotel as Western 66 Motors Inn for 35 years. Metropolitan Hospitality also owns Holiday Express Inn in Colwood and manages Saanich’s Howard Johnson by Wyndham Victoria Elk Lake Hotel and Suites, in addition to a few other properties. The new owners have also completely renovated the 87-suite hotel. Karrie Hill, the ow ner a nd operator of the Dead Beetz Burgers food trucks, has opened her first brick-and-mortar restaurant at 1950D Oak Bay Avenue. The restaurant is a fast, casual over the counter restaurant that will support Dead Beetz’s two Victoria food trucks in addition to selling its signature burgers. T he Ga rdens at t he Hor t iculture Centre of the Pacific (HCP) recently celebrated its 40th anniversary at 505 Quayle Road. The Gardens offer community education workshops for everyone from professionals to hobbyist gardeners and features a public garden that is maintained by volunteers, staff and students. The Gardens is also home to the largest outdoor Bonsai Garden in Canada. The Christmas Craft Beer Show will be held from November 28th - 30 t h at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre. 14 breweries from across Vancouver Island have thus far confirmed their participation in the festival that will also include food vendors and cideries. Eugene’s W holesa le Greek Food is celebrating its 40th anniversary. The local company sells tzatziki, homous, pita break, spanakopita and bougatsa at locations throughout Vancouver Island. Re/ M a x Ca mosu n h a s a nnounced its top producers of the month for the office at 2239 Oak Bay Avenue. The top producers were Tony Joe, Joanne Brodersen, Kerry Davies, Bill Zheng, Robert Cole and Kyle Kerr. The South Island Prosperity Project (SIPP) added the Island Corridor Foundation (ICF) as its newest member on November 1. ICF joins other transportation SIPP members that includes BC Transit, BC Ferries, Wilson’s Group, Victoria Harbour Authority, Harbour Air and Victoria International Airport. SIPP is the economic development organization for Greater Victoria and has over 50 members.

Green Man Bikes in Langford has begun selling bikes with frames made out of Bamboo and produced in Ghana. The bike frames are created by a company named Boomers, which produces bicycle fra mes for city bikes, road bikes, electric bikes and mountain bikes. The bamboo is sourced from sustainable forests in Ghana that employs many people from rural communities. Olo Restaurant at 509 Fisgard Street was recently named on a list of Canada’s best 50 restaurants for a date night. The list was compiled by OpenTable which based its results on an

analysis of about 500,000 reviews of roughly 3,000 restaurants from across the country. Desiree McGraw, the President and Head of College at Pearson College is stepping down from her role in July once her five-year mandate is concluded. Desiree was the first woman to serve as Pearson’s Head of College and President. Congratulations to the top salespeople of the month for dealerships from across Victoria. T hey a re Kewel (Kris) Krishan of Harris Auto, Frank Percorelli of Jim Pattison Toyo t a , Ja m e s T ra n o f Ji m

29 Pattison Lexus, Mikayla Tarasoff of Pacific Mazda, Frank O’Br ien of W heaton, Dav id Vollet of Audi Autohaus, Dane Eivindson of Volkswagen Victor ia, Da n iel Hou le of Victoria Hyundai, Matt Kennard of Porsche Centre Victoria, Adam Mikasko of Three Point Motors, Riley Johnson of BMW Victoria, Lance Cook of Jim Pattison Volvo, Mario Velazquez of Wille Dodge, Connie Wilde of Jenner, Mike Smith of Campus Honda, Michael Cwiklinski of Campus Infiniti, KD DuBuque of Graham Kia, Jag Sahota of Campus Nissan, Mike Delmaire SEE MOVERS & SHAKERS| PAGE 31

OPINION

NOVEMBER 2019 A division of Invest Northwest Publishing Ltd. 200-3060 Cedar Hill Road, Victoria V8T 3J5 Fax: 1.778.441.3373 Toll free: 1.866.758.2684 Website: www.businessexaminer.ca

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WHAT DO ANTI-RESOURCE GOVERNMENT POLICIES MEAN FOR OUR ECONOMY?

MARK MACDONALD

nve s t ment go e s where it’s welcome. Is investment, particularly in the resource sector, welcome in Canada, or more specifically, British Columbia? Despite rhetoric to the contrary, the oil and gas industry has made some serious, significant moves out of the country since Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government was elected last month. Encana’s announcement right after the election that it is moving its headquarters and investment arm to the United States has sent shockwaves throughout Calgary, Alberta and Canada. Kinder Morgan divested itself of its Canadian portfolio by selling the last of its assets last summer. In August, the Financial Post reported that other companies, like ConocoPhillips, Royal Dutch Shell Plc and Marathon Oil Corp. have also left, frustrated, and the cumulative total of departed

funding is in excess of $30 billion U.S. That was before Encana. And Alberta is still waiting for consistent supportive messaging from Ottawa for the Trans Mountain Pipeline – and of course, its completion. If the pipeline doesn’t get built, and economical alternative ways not found to get their resources to port, then expect the noise for Alberta to separate rise more than a few decibels. The province has already experienced one Trudeau squash it’s economy with an iron fist. Many believe this Trudeau has come to finish off the hit job his father started with his devastating, recession-creating National Energy Program. Alberta Premier Jason Kenney has some bargaining chips to play in the battle with Ottawa. Regarding the thought of separation, he could dangle that as Quebec has successfully done for decades to extract/negotiate a plan that makes sense for his province. That plan is a pipeline. Any pipeline. Perhaps even the most recent one mentioned, with its terminus on Hudson’s Bay, in Manitoba, therefore bypassing Quebec’s opposition. And if Alberta doesn’t get an alternative outlet, what choice do they have other than to separate from Canada? Why do Trudeaus seem to hold so much disdain for the west? Is it solely summarized by the fact Upper

Canada doesn’t need to win seats in the west to retain power? And that his political power is threatened by power-generating petroleum? Perhaps Trudeau really believes today’s Canada doesn’t need the oil and gas industry at all. That is certainly not the case now, and only might be in the future if economical, reliable and sustainable green energy sources can be identified and solidified. But is that even possible? With all the push for electric vehicles, there seems to be a subtle assumption that electricity is either free, or we can simply snap our fingers and more electricity is created. Electricity is certainly not free, and it would be shocking if electric bills for vehicles don’t end up being comparable to BC Hydro home rates. While leading Exxon Mobil Corp., Rex Tillerson undertook an analysis of global fuel consumption projections for the next 30 years. The resulting 1,000 page report looked at supply, demand, geopolitical and technological aspects of the industry. One of the things it revealed was that the world will need EVERY available energy source over the next 30 years. It’s not a question of one form of energy replacing another – they’re all needed. With that in mind, there is strong demand for energy that will be sustained for decades to come, and Canada, with its vast resources, is perfectly positioned to provide it.

While doing so, Canada’s economy would surge. What green economic “thinkers” fail to recognize is that when THE major industry – and tax generator – in the country is hammered, it affects many, many other businesses. How? Many other businesses supply goods and services to resource extracting companies, and employ workers as they do so. The resource industry itself pays its employees well, with disposable incomes to buy vehicles and homes and food and holidays and clothing. . . Hurt the resource companies, and a lot of other people and sectors get hurt, too. Here in BC, with the NDP acquiescing to the Greens to not so subtly choke off the forest industry, the subsequent mill closures and layoffs are frightening mill dependent towns. But does the NDP back up and re-examine their ham-fisted policies? No. It simply “robs Peter to pay Paul”, taking monies that had been earmarked for community development and plug it into a “forestry fund” that doesn’t help the industry, only displaced workers. That funding is for re-training; in other words, it’s not to create longterm sustainable jobs in that sector – it’s to prepare them for other jobs in other industries. It’s a not-so-subtle way of saying their future in forestry is gone, so get ready for something

else. Except many forest workers don’t want welfare, and don’t want to be retrained for other occupations at lower rates. They want their own jobs back, the ones they’re trained for that pay them well. What, then, is the “green” recipe for the economy? Judging only by actions – words don’t count at this stage – it’s a presumptive economy built on industries that may or may not produce the power we need to operate our current civilization. It includes no resource industry encouragement, hopefully choking it off until consumers are forced to use other energy, like electricity. Oh, and electricity is generated most cheaply through structures like the Site C Dam they vehemently opposed. Here’s the fact: Canada’s economy is intricately aligned with resource industries. Might that change in the future? Perhaps, but that is only a guess or wish. Also, when “green” minded governments state they intend to phase out the industry, that shows more investment is risky, and it goes elsewhere – like Encana, Enbridge. . . Canada needs resource-linked revenue to fill its tax coffers now and in the foreseeable future. Removing that money faster than other job creating power sources are found means certain economic catastrophe for the entire country.

SLUGGISH INVESTMENT THREATENS CANADA’S PROSPERITY

BUSINESS COUNCIL OF BC JOCK FINLAYSON

he recent federal election campaign saw much discussion about climate change, energy policy, housing, the social safety net, and the well-being of the never-defined “middle class.” One subject that was ignored by both the media and those seeking office was productivity.

That’s unfortunate and somewhat puzzling. After all, in the long term the only way to raise living standards and incomes for Canadians is by building a more productive economy. Yet it seems that most of the country’s political class would prefer to

talk about almost anything else. Even as the election unfolded, there was fresh evidence that Canada is struggling to remain in the top tier among the advanced economies. The World Economic Forum’s latest global competitiveness report finds that Canada has fallen two notches since 2018 and now sits in 14th place overall. Since 2017, we’ve dropped four spots among the 140 countries tracked by the forum. Canada continues to trail the U.S. and other leading economies in several key areas that affect competitiveness, including the burden of taxation, the state of innovation, the regulatory environment for business, the speed at which new technologies are diffused across the economy and – relative to the U.S. – aggregate market size. Perhaps the greatest threat to Canada’s future living standards is the weakness of business investment. The C.D. Howe Institute periodically benchmarks business investment in Canada relative to

other affluent jurisdictions by determining how much companies spend every year on various types of capital, measured on a per employee basis. Investment in housing is excluded, since this form of capital spending does nothing to lift productivity or spur innovation. For Canadian policy-makers, the assessment is not at all comforting. Capital investment boosts the economy in two ways: first, when businesses undertake the investment; and second, as companies and their employees become more productive by being able to work with more and better equipment, machinery, advanced technology products, factories and buildings, engineering infrastructure, and intellectual property. Looking at the data for Canada and other industrial countries, the C.D. Howe Institute researchers estimate that Canadian businesses collectively are investing about $15,000 per worker per year. The average amount for all of the industrial economies is $21,000 per

worker. In the U.S., businesses are investing the equivalent of $26,000 per worker annually in machinery, equipment, buildings and other things that help to raise productivity. Canada has lost ground compared to most other advanced economies since 2015. Business Investment Per Employee, 2015 and 2019 (Canadian dollars) 2015 2019 Canada $14,300 $15,000 United States $21,900 $26,000 Average for all advanced economies $18,200 $21,000 Comparing Canada and the U.S., for every dollar that American companies allocate to expand and improve the private sector’s stock of productive capital, Canadian businesses spend just 57 cents. If it persists, over time this investment gap will show up in the form of slower growth in real wages for Canadian workers vis-à-vis their U.S. counterparts, lost global market share for Canadian industries, proportionately fewer large

Canadian-based companies, and a lower overall standard of living in Canada relative to jurisdictions that are more successful in attracting investment. What explains Canada’s decidedly mediocre performance? Referring back to the World Economic Forum’s report, energy infrastructure bottlenecks, an outdated tax system, an increasingly complex legal and regulatory environment for business, and Canada’s fragmented internal market are among the factors inhibiting investment and slowing capital formation. If the members of Parliament elected on Oct. 21 want to see a more prosperous Canada, they should turn their attention to these issues and leave behind the sound bites and often simplistic narratives that dominated the recent campaign. Jock Finlayson is executive vicepresident of the Business Council of British Columbia.

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

NOVEMBER 2019

MOVERS AND SHAKERS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 29

of Jim Pattison Subaru and Jeff Hamill of Campus Acura. Jackie Cox-Ziegler has been appointed the new Executive Director of the Glenshiel Housing Society, replacing Laurie Mueller who was given the role on an interim basis and is retiring. Jackie has a background as an independent consultant and has worked with the Victoria Women’s T ransition House, Mustard Seed Street Church and helped form Our Place Society. The Glensheil Housing Society is responsible for operating the Glenshiel property in partnership with BC Housing which leases the property from the Royal BC Museum. The Engineers and Geoscientists of BC elected a new council that features six Victoria members. They are Katherina Tarnai-Lokhorst, who is now past-president and councillors Jeremy Vincent a nd Thomas Tiedje and government appointees Leslie Hildebrandt and Alan Andison. The South Island Prosperity Partnership was recently presented w ith the Gold Excellence in Economic Development Award from the International Economic Development Council,

the largest economic development association in the world. SIPP was the recipient in the category of Regionalism and Cross-Border Col laboration for its approach to economic development and governance structure. T he Tourism Vancouver Island annual awards dinner were recently held, and this year’s winners were announced. Harbour Air, which has been in the news for its efforts to develop a n a l l-ele c t r ic c om merci a l fleet, took home the Innovator of the Year Award. Island Joy Rides, which provides cycling and kayaking tours throughout the Isla nd, received the Remarkable Experience of the Year Award. Sherry Heggie of Campbell River Whale Watching was named Tourism Employee of the Year while Tourism Cowichan walked home with the Marketing Campaign of the Year Award for its Iconic Cowichan Campaign. Clayoquot Wilderness Resort won the Tourism Sustainability Award and True Key Hotels & Resorts was named the Employer of the Year. DF H Rea l E state Ltd a nnounced their sales leaders of the month from across Victoria. Their sales leaders from Victoria were Sandy McManus, Brad Neufeld, David Philps, Scott Loughton, the team of Ally and

Dennis Guevin, John Melvin, Mike Fowles, Scott O’Neill, Roy Stevenson, the tea m of Tom Muir a nd Sue Spangelo, Jeff Bishop, Josh Ray, Bruce McCallum, Phil Illingworth, Suzanne Mitchell and Rosemary Tulett. Five Victoria breweries went home with awards from this year’s BC Beer Awards held in Va ncouver. Ile Sauvage a nd W h istle Buoy Brew i ng to ok home top honours in the European sour category for their Shiro Shiro Berliner Weisse, while Ile Sauvage placed third in the smoke-and-wood-aged-beer category and was also named rookie of the year. Whistle Buoy took home a third-place award for its Gulagubben in the specialty beer category. Vancouver Island Brewing’s Harmannator Ice Bock a nd Dominion Dark Lager placed first and third, respectively, in the dark and strong European categories. Lighthouse Brewing took third place in the spice beer category for its Nightwatch, second place for Sh i p w re c k i n t he Nor t h A mer ica n I PA categor y a nd second place in the Imperial IPA category for Numbskull. Four Mile Brewing placed first for its Ha zy Citra Pale Ale in the North A merican pale ale category. Reliance Properties has received t he Nat ional T r ust’s

Board of Governor’s Award for its work in preserving The Janion in Victoria. Reliance has an established reputation for its heritage revitalization work in Vancouver’s Gastown. The addition completed by Reliance includes 122 micro-homes and commercial space on the ground floor of the heritage building. The Janion was built in 1891 by John Herbert Turner, a former Premier of British Columbia and Mayor of Victoria. Pad M app er re c e nt ly p u blished the latest version of the Canadian National Rent Report and found that, based on its listings, Victoria has the fifth most expensive rental market in Canada. The report found that median monthly prices of oneand two-bedroom spaces was $1,450 and $1,720. The median price of a one-bedroom unit has increased by 16 per cent since 2018. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) of Vancouver Island is part of a pilot project to develop an international database of social impact businesses. The project will see data collected i n order to create a n on l i ne directory to enable Canadian a nd US con su mers to f i nd socia l-i mpact busi nesses i n their communities. The BBB is hoping to launch its directory in 2020.

31 Sports Rent is celebrating its 30 th anniversary at 1950 Government Street. The business was founded in Victoria in 1989 and carries a large selection of sporting equipment for yearround use. The BC Sports Hall of Fame revea led its 2020 I nduction Class at an official press conference on October 29. Among this year’s inductees was the 1979-80 Un iversity of Victoria Viking’s men’s basketball team. T he new class of honoured members will be officially inducted and celebrated at the Induction Gala, Thursday, June 4th, 2020 at the Vancouver Convention Centre. The Save-On-Foods at 2345 Beacon Avenue in Sidney has opened a new wine department. Information technology (IT) solutions sales veteran Dave Mathieson has joined Charter Telecom Inc. (Charter) of Victoria. Mathieson has spent the last six years with Cisco Systems, Inc, in a successful stint with the company’s Health Care group. Before that, Mathieson spent many years as a senior account manager at Nortel, the pioneer Canadian communications technology company. Recent ly, Ch a r ter acqu i red Boardwalk Communications, also of Victoria.

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