Business Examiner Peace Cariboo - December 2020/January 2021

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DECEMBER 2020/JANUARY 2021

Wherever Business Takes You Fort St. John | Prince George | Vanderhoof | Terrace | Quesnel | Williams Lake

NORTHERN COMPANIES NAMED BUILDERS CODE CHAMPIONS - 12

Wendy Gaskill, Corporate Safety Manager of Chinook Scaffolding Systems

CONSTRUCTION SECTOR HOLDS ITS OWN DURING 2020 PANDEMIC – 14

2430 Ridgeview Place Prince George, B.C. V2K 3Z3

E: hayden@safetypays.ca Office: 250.561.3253 Cell: 250.960.9291

BDC: 5 KEY STEPS TO PLAN YOUR CASH FLOW IN THE COMING YEAR– 28

COR External Auditing Forestry, Construction, Oil & Gas Specialized Training Courses Health & Safety Program Development Safety Consulting Human Factors Investigations www.safetypays.ca

Hopefully you made it through 2020 in one piece, and are as exctied about what the future holds as we are!

While you’re planning on how to best take advantage of the challenges right now, we’ve got some great stories to tell.

This month’s lead article is on the BC Builders Code Champions. We’re also covering BC’s construction sector, with a deep dive into the industry that’s largely kept our economy moving forward.

To help you stay informed and better manage your business, we also have business briefs from around Northern BC, Movers and Shakers, and much more.

John MacDonald, Director, Business Development

Contact Us 25 Cavan Street Nanaimo, BC V9R 2T9 +1 866-758-2684 info@businessexaminer.ca www.BusinessExaminer.ca Office Hours Monday – Friday: 9:00am – 5:00 pm Saturday – Sunday: Closed Editor: Lise MacDonald (lise@businessexaminer.ca) Press Releases & Story Ideas: (media@businessexaminer.ca) Sales: John MacDonald (john@businessexaminer.ca)

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NEWS UPDATE

5 MAZZEI ELECTRIC

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REAL ESTATE

12 BUILDERS CODE CHAMPIONS

10

PRINCE GEORGE

26 BDC: ADVISORY

14 CONSTRUCTION

31 OPINION

28 MILLS OFFICE INTERIORS

33 MOVERS AND SHAKERS

FEATURE STORY

MAZZEI ELECTRIC CONTINUES TO CEMENT GROWING LEGACY IN BC AN INVESTMENT IN PEOPLE, TECHNOLOGY AND CLIENTS PLACE MAZZEI IN A LEAGUE OF ITS OWN British Columbia - When Ben Mazzei took the helm of Mazzei Electric in 2008 from his father Frank, he not only endeavored to uphold a proud legacy, but enhance it. Founded in 1994 in Nanaimo, Ben’s arrival saw Mazzei Electric grow rapidly in the ensuing years, evolving from a focus on commercial service contracts, to covering multi-family residential, residential, commercial, Institutional and industrial construction.

Today, they have offices in Nanaimo, Fort St. John, Victoria and Kelowna, offering fullyequipped service vans in every location for residential and commercial service, renovations, and maintenance. Over the last nine years, they’ve maintained up to fifty-percent growth, an undeniable signal Mazzei Electric is doing something very right.

They’ve accomplished this with a measurable dedication to their company ethos.

Safety. Innovation. Trust. Relationships.

“I believe we have a modern, progressive approach to how we do business,” explains Ben. “We embrace new technologies, care deeply about safety (they are COR-certified by the British Columbia Construction Safety Alliance), have designed a scalable business model capable of moving into new regions fairly seamlessly, and invest in the long term growth of our people.”

Mazzei Electric consists of a diverse team of Electricians and project managers, talented trade veterans and a leadership team of professionals from outside the electric industry for a unique, adaptive mix of perspectives. A substantial amount of energy is put into holding WWW.BUSINESSEX AMINER.CA

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Mazzei electric actively works to hire and support women in the trades.

onto this workforce.

Director of Operations, Stuart Cuthbert, elaborates.

“One of the keys to our success has been the retention, recruitment and development of our staff team, specifically those in field leadership positions. Strong leaders set the tone on the job site and are the cornerstone of successful project execution. By identifying, coaching and mentoring the leaders of today and the future, we’ve built a culture that demands high standards, fostering an ethos of collaboration and teamwork. Our Forepersons are encouraged to identify potential leaders within their teams, both Journeypersons and apprentices.

Those individuals are rewarded with increased responsibility and training.”

FEATURE STORY

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Another component in their staffing success has been an eagerness to take on a deeply underutilized percentage of the skilled trades workforce. Women make up barely five-percent of tradespeople working in BC. Mazzei’s numbers include twelve-percent women, including a strong female presence in their management teams. HR Manager, Monika Zwilling, knows everyone can do more, and hopes other companies across BC follow suit.

Explains Monika, “Construction hasn’t always been a very inclusive environment. We are glad to see that this is changing and we are proud to be a leader on this front. Supporting women in trades doesn’t just mean hiring more women though. It means having fair and equitable hiring practices, inclusive and respectful workplaces, as well as zero tolerance policies for workplace harassment, bullying, and hazing.

We are a signatory of the BC Construction Association’s Builders Code which sets a standard in construction for acceptable workplaces and improves the safety, retention, and productivity of trades people. If you look at some of the terminology that is used in construction it is very male dominated; for example Foreman or Journeyman. We have shifted our language to gender-neutral terms such as Foreperson and Journeyperson and are continually looking at ways to make our workplaces more inclusive and diverse.”

Their strong internal culture and commitment to professional growth has, naturally, only further pushed their development as a company.

Smart, driven leadership breeds stability and expanded business opportunities.

“Our growth has not been by accident,” notes Mazzei CFO, Roger Perry. “In fact, in 2018 we developed a growth strategy for the company.

Specifically, we found we could rely on the geographic diversification of the company’s operations and our diversification of product lines within the electrical industry. We knew we had a very good business model because of the success we’ve had with customers who were very successful in their own right. Having the

Mazzei’s co-op gas station project with W.L. Construction in Fort St.John.

ability to reduce our risk exposure through that diversification and having good alignment with key customers who were also growing allowed us to set out to build a reliable organization structure with management processes that could grow with increased business volume.”

This diversification gives Mazzei Electric a competitive advantage. Each branch has a service department as well as construction team completing a range of services across the province rather than depending on one type of work or region to support the business further cements their stability.

This patience and vision from Ben and his team has spurred their consistent, double digit growth and, just as importantly in today’s climate, has allowed Mazzei to continue doing so through the COVID-19 crisis and its related challenges. This has allowed them to focus on exploring opportunities in new markets throughout the province, expand their product offering and continue to build on new and existing relationships.

Concludes Ben, “We have spent a lot of time on our processes and making sure that they support the culture we want to have in the company and the value we bring to BC businesses and residents. It has paid off for us.” - https:// www.mazzeielectric.com DECEMBER 2020/JANUARY 2021

NEWS UPDATE

BC MARKETPLACE PROMOTES LOCAL BUSINESSES

BC HOMESALES CLOSING OUT AN UNPRECEDENTED YEAR

BRITISH COLUMBIA – The BC Marketplace is an online resource showcasing more than 1,500 BC-based businesses that helps boost small-business growth and encourages British Columbians to buy local.

The BC Marketplace was launched in April 2020 by Small Business BC (SBBC) to give immediate support to small businesses during COVID-19 when consumer shopping trends shifted online. With a growing number of businesses joining the online community, the BC Marketplace has become a long-term solution for BC businesses. It allows them to create or enhance their online presence and reach more customers at no cost.

The BC government and the Government of Canada, through Western Economic Diversification Canada, have each provided $169,000 to Small Business BC for the BC Marketplace.

The funding was used to improve the website’s functionality, including enhanced profiles for small businesses and regional search capabilities for consumers.

SBBC supports sma l l busi ness ow ners throughout BC to grow successful and sustainable businesses through expert advisors, educational services and easy-to-use free tools. marketplacebc.ca

BRITISH COLUMBIA - The British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) reports that a total of 93,953 residential unit sales were recorded by the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in 2020, an increase of 21.5 per cent from the 77,350 units sold in 2019. The annual average MLS® residential price in BC was $782,027, an 11.7 per cent increase from $700,369 recorded the previous year. Total sales dollar volume was $73.5 billion, a 35.6 per cent increase from 2019.

“Housing markets across the province staged a remarkable recovery during the COVID-19 pandemic and recession,” said BCREA Chief Economist Brendon Ogmundson. “We expect considerable momentum heading into 2021.”

A total of 8,268 MLS® residential unit sales were recorded across the province in December, a record for the month and up 57.8 per cent from December 2019. The average MLS® residential price in BC was $847,600, an increase of 12.5 per cent from December 2019. Total sales dollar volume was $7 billion, a 77.5 per cent increase year-over-year.

“While 2021 is expected to get off to a roaring start, the level of supply in the market is near a record low,” added Ogmundson. “That will likely translate to considerable pressure on prices until listings pick-up.”

Total active residential listings were down 16.1 per cent to 20,725 units in December.

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NEWS UPDATE

PINNACLE RENEWABLE ENERGY ANNOUNCES EXTENDED OFF-TAKE CONTRACT IN JAPAN

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PRINCE RUPERT - Pinnacle Renewable Energy announced that it has entered into an extension of a long-term, take-or-pay off-take contract with Mitsubishi Corporation Ltd., a large, diversified trading company in Japan. Under the terms of the extension, Pinnacle will supply 80,000 to 90,000 metric tons per annum of industrial wood pellets to Mitsubishi beginning in Q1 2023. The industrial wood pellets will be used by a biomass power generation plant in Japan.

“We are excited to grow our business with our Asian customers,” said Duncan Davies, Chief Executive Officer of Pinnacle. “We have developed a special relationship with Japan and we share their strong commitment to decarbonization and their replacement of fossil fuels with sustainable wood pellets.”

Wood pellet usage in Japan has continued to grow alongside the build-out of biomass generating capacity there, providing Pinnacle with a geographically advantaged opportunity to continue expanding in this market.

Pinnacle is the second largest producer of industrial wood pellets in the world. The Company operates nine production facilities in Western Canada and one in Alabama, with one additional facility under construction in Alabama and more in development. The Company also owns a port terminal in Prince Rupert.

INNOVATIVE BIOMASS OPPORTUNITIES STUDY QUESNEL - Lhtako Dene Nation, in partnership with Nazko First Nation and in collaboration with the City of Quesnel and Clean Energy Consulting, are leading a new Biomass Utilization Scoping Study. The study will include a comprehensive biomass inventory, and work to define and rank project opportunities based on the amount of available biomass and on their alignment with the short-term and long-term objectives of the project partners. Some of the desired outcomes include long-term employment, wildfire risk reduction, and ecosystem stewardship.

Biomass is organic material from all parts of the tree, including wood waste from forest management activities, and is the main input for making bioproducts such as consumer goods and industrial products, as pictured below.

The study will build on previous work and, through the activities, will enable the project partners to determine the alignment, feasibility, and requirements of a full spectrum of opportunities to utilize the available biomass while strengthening the community and local industry.

Collectively, the project partners envision opportunities for new bio-products, uses for underutilized waste streams, and ways to extract value from supply chains that will stimulate and sustain the forest industry for future generations.

The initial biomass inventory phase is to be completed by mid-March 2021.

DECEMBER 2020/JANUARY 2021

REAL ESTATE

NORTHERN BC REAL ESTATE: 2020 IN REVIEW level recorded since 1993, as potential sellers continued to put off listing their properties.

The mismatch between demand and supply placed upward pressure on MLS average prices, finishing the year 7.1 per cent higher year-overyear, reaching a record high of $332,893.

Looking to 2021, the British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) expects continued momentum going into the new year with the help of record-low mortgage rates and demand for larger homes. Sales will be bounded by the low level of supply in the market, which will place considerable pressure on prices until active listings pick-up. We expect 2021 MLS home sales will build on momentum gained in 2020 and rise 12 per cent to 4,800 units. The MLS average home price for the BC Northern board area is forecast to rise 5 per cent to $350,000.

SHAWNA KINSLEY BRITISH COLUMBIA - The realtor members of the BC Northern Real Estate Board (BCNREB) reported 5083 property sales worth $1.6 billion in 2020 through the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), up from last year’s 4748 sales worth $1.5 billion.

“MLS home sales in 2020 made an exceptional recovery from the pandemic-induced pullback during the first half of the year”, said President Shawna Kinsley. The surge in sales in the second half of 2020 was aided by pentup demand from spring sales that were put on hold, record-low mortgage rates, and historically high savings rates that likely fast-tracked down payments.

As a result, MLS home sales in the region covered by the BC Northern Real Estate Board grew by 4.2 per cent year-over-year to a total of 4,278 units. In contrast, active listings fell by 30.5 per cent year-over-year to 1,104 units, the lowest WWW.BUSINESSEX AMINER.CA

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PRINCE GEORGE

PRINCE GEORGE BUILDING PERMITS NEARLY BREAKS ALL-TIME RECORD DESPITE PANDEMIC PRINCE GEORGE - The value of building permits issued in Prince George in 2020 came within striking distance of the all-time annual record in spite the economic uncertainty brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic. According to a staff report on the agenda for the Monday, January 11 meeting of Prince George City Council, building permit values for 2020 reached a total of about $219 Million, which is less than two percent lower than the all-time high annual total of $223 Million set during 2019.

Notably, the value of new commercial building permits was just under $50 Million this year, twice the value set in 2019, and three times the value of the same permits in 2018. Another striking number this year is the value of new multi-family building permits, which at $68 Million, is up about 30 percent over the total set in 2019 ($52,366,650).

“Council is extremely pleased and impressed to see these important economic indicators for Prince George are continuing at near record levels even through the pandemic, which has

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DECEMBER 2020/JANUARY 2021

PRINCE GEORGE had such a negative impact for the economy,” says Lyn Hall, Mayor of Prince George. “We are very pleased and thankful that investors, businesses, and developers are continuing to recognize the potential of our City. Certainly, the City is always more than willing and eager to work with investors and developers.”

The highest value permits of the year include: • $35 Million - downtown pool at 7th Avenue and Dominion Street • $14 Million - four-story multi-family residential building with parkade, 4413 Glen Shee Road • $9,030,765 - new commercial building for Primex Properties, 547 George Street • $5,925,000 – four-story, 75 multi-family unit residential apartment building, 2658 Replace Drive • $5,608,000 - three-story Multi-Family Transition House, E-Fry Society, 14th Avenue In recent years, the value of permits have set a number of impressive records: • In 2016, the value of private sector construction reached a new high in Prince George with $122.5 Million in private sector investment.

• In 2017, residential building permit values set a record at $114.37 Million, breaking the previous all-time record of $76.42 Million by about $38 Million, a percentage increase of 50 percent.

• In 2018, the total value of building permits ($186.38 Million) beat the previous record of $147.88 Million set in 2007 by nearly $40 Million – a 26 percent increase.

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Number One: At $35 Million, the highest valued building permit of 2020 was for Prince George’s downtown pool, currently under construction at 7th Avenue and Dominion Street.

• In 2019, both the value and number of building permits issued in Prince George beat the previous record-breaking year (2018) by nearly 20 percent with $223 Million.

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OFF THE COVER

NORTHERN COMPANIES NAMED BUILDERS CODE CHAMPIONS PRINCE GEORGE AND FORT ST. JOHN FIRMS EARN PROVINCIAL AWARDS

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PRINCE GEORGE – Just call them the Builders Code Champions.

A trio of companies that work throughout northern BC have earned Builders Code Champion Awards for B.C.’s industrial, commercial and institutional construction sector for the year.

Westcana Electric of Prince George was named Loyalty Champion, Mazzei Electric of Fort St. John was named Contractor of the Year and Chinook Scaffold Systems with an office in Prince George was named Recruiting & Hiring Champion.

The BC Construction Association (BCCA), the Builders Code Governance Committee and Minerva BC judged the awards, which were launched in 2019 to recognize companies that took proactive measures to eliminate discrimination and harassment on worksites throughout the province, as well as prioritizing the importance of psychological and physical safety for all workers.

Other winners were RAM Consulting Ltd. of Vancouver (medium sized employer) and Lafarge Canada of Vancouver (large employer) as Workplace Culture Champions, and Houle Electric of Vancouver as Community Champion.

Doug Enstrom, Vice President of Westcana, says “Builders code sets the foundations, the building blocks for a positive culture. It’s something we strive to follow, and I recommend other companies strive to follow it. Open up your doors, be inclusive, be respectful, hire more women, be diverse. It’ll have a positive effect in your company.”

The Loyalty Champion is recognition of companies that value their employees and hire with retention top of mind. Their managers and supervisors work hard to create a safe, positive, and productive worksite and are invested in the development and success of all employees.

Mazzei Electric owner and President Ben Mazzei

The employer offers progressive benefits such as flexible schedule, family leave, access to childcare, and other competitive advantages that keep your workers loyal.

Westcana keeps family values top of mind and treats all employees like family. This is a key reason they have won their third Builders Code Champion Award (two last year and one this year).

To aid in retention, Westcana offers employee benefits (including mental health and bereavement leave) to flexible schedules for employees with children and families. Westcana has proven their commitment to equity with a workforce comprise of 30% women. Westcana has also shown their commitment to local, inclusive hiring through their work on the committee for PGNAETA (Prince George Nechako Aboriginal and Education Training Associations) Women

DECEMBER 2020/JANUARY 2021

OFF THE COVER in Trades Program. Their local leadership proves their proud commitment to building a construction industry that works for everyone.

This was the latest in a string of awards for Mazzei Electric.

“I would absolutely recommend the Builders Code. I think it’s important that we have, I guess you can call it a platform across the industry that we are all held to the same standards,” states President Ben Mazzei. “I think if you look a lot of what the Builders Code stands for, that is what should be acceptable across society and there is no reason the construction industry shouldn’t be held to the same standard.”

The Contractor of the Year Award recognizes companies that are committed to achieving an Acceptable Worksite and building a diverse workforce where all employees are able to perform at their best and reach their full potential.

Mazzei Electric is a signatory of the Builders Code pledge. They ensure that we provide inclusive workplaces (this includes no tolerance for any sort of hazing, harassment, bullying, etc.), and ensure that all employees have equal opportunities to advance with us. 11 per cent of their workforce is women, and had their first female sub-foreman this year as well promoting a female Service Electrician into the Service Manager position.

Wendy Gaskill, Corporate Safety Manager, has been with Chinook Scaffolding for six years, and says they’re excited about receiving the award, which recognizes companies that hire the best talent based on skills, experience, and attitude; work to attract diverse candidates; look for ways to remove barriers that hold them back; and compensate all employees at fair market value regardless of gender, race, religion, or ethnicity.

“We’re pretty stoked about it,” Gaskill says.

“It’s tough for women to break into the industry, so organizations like this really help to level the playing field for us.

“The most powerful aspect of the Builders Code is simply introducing the idea of all trades people are created equal and should be given equal opportunity.”

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Chinook Scaffolding, whose office is at 9189 National Place in Prince George, has shown its focus on culture and values by signing the Builders Code pledge, and they were awarded a Champion Award in 2019 for their efforts.

They have shown their continued efforts toward equity by working with other community tradeswomen initiatives, such as Women Building Futures (WBF).

While they are aware their trade is one that requires a degree of physical strength, they’ve implemented processes that are designed to ensure all workers can have a fulfilling career with their company. They have a strong female component in management positions, with a continued commitment to promoting female tradespeople – it is driven from the top down.

They clearly have demonstrated their unwavering commitment to inclusivity.

“On behalf of everyone at BCCA, Minerva BC and all our Builders Code partners, I want to thank our winners for their support of the Builders Code and their leadership across the province during this challenging year,” said BCCA President Chris Atchison.

“These award recipients, the other nominees and the companies throughout B.C. who have adopted Builders Code are helping to shape a new workplace culture for construction and encouraging others to get involved. They recognize that the Builders Code has helped them set clear behaviour expectations among employees and supported them in the development of company policies all of which are contributing to attracting and retaining employees in a tight labour market.”

The Builders Code is co-funded by the Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills and Training, with financial contributions from the BC Construction Association, WorkSafe BC, the Industry Training Authority, LNG Canada, the BCCA Employee Benefits Trust, and the BC Construction Safety Alliance. It is also supported by the province’s s four Regional Construction Associations and the Minerva Foundation of BC. www.builderscode.ca

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CONSTRUCTION

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Construction again ranked number one as the top employer in the BC Goods Sector

CONSTRUCTION SECTOR HOLDS ITS OWN DURING 2020 PANDEMIC BUILDING INDUSTRY REMAINS THE LARGEST EMPLOYER IN THE PROVINCE BRITISH COLUMBIA - While the COVID-19 Pandemic has struck BC businesses hard, one private sector has managed to hold its own in 2020: Construction.

According to BC Construction Industry Statistics released by the BC Construction Association, the value of construction projects underway in the province is $112.3 billion, down only two per cent from 2019. The value

of proposed construction projects is $220 billion, up 7 percent.

With 205,500 employees – although that was down 13 per cent from 236,000 the year before.

That’s about 10 percent of the total provincial workforce.

Still, that’s pretty good compared to other sectors.

Average annual wages went to $59,141, down DECEMBER 2020/JANUARY 2021

CONSTRUCTION from $61,784 in 2019.

Chris Atchison, President of the BCCA, says “The construction industry is resilient and used to managing risk. COVID-19 will challenge us, but we will work together and we will come through it.”

Rory Kulmala, Chief Executive Officer of the Vancouver Island Construction Association (VICA), notes “This year has been unlike anything we have experienced in recent memory.

The effects of COVID have severely impacted most, if not all, sectors of our economy.

“Throughout this, construction activities across British Columbia were designated an essential service. As a result, our industry was fortunate to avoid many of the layoffs and closures that affected so many other businesses.

Construction has persevered and adapted to a new paradigm by adopting new workplace

Chris Atchison of BCCA

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CONSTRUCTION

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procedures to ensure that construction work can continue in a safe manner.”

Kulmala adds “As we look to 2021, construction will play a vital role in our economic recovery as further investment in our Island communities will continue to provide critical and stable employment while meeting our construction needs.”

Angela McKerlich, BCCA Board Chair, stated in their Annual Report that “When it became apparent in early March that drastic measures would be required, the BCCA helped convene a task force that sprang into action to represent the safety and interests of BC’s industrial, commercial, and institutional sector.”

On March 26, construction was declared an essential service, and McKerlich says the industry came together.

“We stood united for the safety of our workforce and for the economic stability of our businesses, but also for the greater good of our communities and province,” she says. “Many owners and workers might have preferred to stand down, stay home, ride it out, but they came to work and they did the job and they got us through.

“We saw highly competitive contractors collaborate like never before, sharing best practices and working round the clock to help each other learn and adapt to the demands of COVID-19. My hard hat goes off to all of them.”

McKerlich points out that in crises like these, industry associations are critical, as they advocate for business owners and interests to government and remind politicians and bureaucrats about how vital sectors like construction are to the province.

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CONSTRUCTION BCCA President Chris Atchison concurs, adding “Our relationship with the Canadian Construction Association is strong and we supported them in their governance transformation. BC remains well-represented at the committee level and frequently consults with our national representatives and our colleagues representing other provinces and territories.”

And while construction continues on as an essential service during COVID-19, there is another cloud potentially on the horizon, pointed out by ICBA President Chris Gardner: The now majority government NDP angling towards stripping secret ballots from workers.

In an op-ed that first appeared in the Vancouver Sun in November, Gardner penned: “Even before the mail-in ballots were counted and the final results of the provincial election

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CONSTRUCTION

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Chris Gardner of ICBA

certified, an executive from one of the biggest unions in the country was urging the new NDP government to trample all over the hard-won rights of workers across BC. In an op-ed for the Vancouver Sun, Unifor regional director Gavin McGarrigle called on the NDP Government to immediately enact ‘pro-worker’ legislation that would strip workers of the secret ballot vote when deciding whether or not to join a union.

Gardner wrote that the secret ballot has been the law in BC since 2001, and it ensures that neither employers nor unions are able to coerce or intimidate workers. Certification votes are fair, transparent and supervised by a neutral party, the Labour Relations Board.

“What some big labour organizers like McGarrigle want is a ‘card check’ system that is notoriously open to manipulation and abuse.

DECEMBER 2020/JANUARY 2021

CONSTRUCTION In 2018, an independent panel appointed by the NDP Government recommended that the secret ballot remain part of the Labour Code in BC. The Panel found that the secret ballot is ‘most consistent with our democratic norms, protects the fundamental right of freedom of association and choice, and is preferred.’

“There is nothing more fundamental to our democracy than the secret ballot – whether it’s when we elect governments or members to local community associations, it is the secret ballot we rely on to provide assurance that the vote is free from manipulation by any interested party. Working men and women deserve no less when they are deciding to join a union.”

There are 25,817 construction companies in the province, 92 per cent of which have less than 20 employees. Unionization of these smaller companies would be devastating to employers.

“The decision to support joining a union is a deeply personal one and not one workers should have to make while a union organizer is standing over his or her desk, or when surrounded by colleagues watching to see if they sign a union card, or when a union card is put in front of them on their doorstep,” Atchison says. “Stripping workers of the secret ballot will only serve to weaken the rights of workers at the expense of big unions and harkens back to a bygone era. In a rapidly changing and modern economy, workers deserve choice, openness and fairness.

“All British Columbians should be concerned about this attack on the democratic rights of workers and fairness in the workplace. We have enjoyed relative labour peace in BC over the past two decades and it is troubling to see WWW.BUSINESSEX AMINER.CA

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voices so committed to turning back the clock on labour relations in our province.”

By far, the non-residential project with the biggest industry impact is the ongoing liquefied natural gas (LNG) export facility in Kitimat, a joint venture between Shell, PETRONAS, KOGAS, PetroChina and the Mitsubishi Corporation.

This is the single largest private sector investment in the nation’s history at $40 billion.

With so much growth on the horizon through projects like this, Atchison notes the BCCA is working hard to attract new employees to the industry, addressing the looming labour shortage issues.

“Even with so much good news, we’re still facing labour shortages, which are being reported in almost every region of the province,” Atchison said earlier. “Even with the slowdown

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DECEMBER 2020/JANUARY 2021

CONSTRUCTION in the residential market, there’s growthatin$40 the investment in the nation’s history industrial/commercial/ institutional sector billion. that needs to begrowth accounted for.

The construcWith so much on the horizon through tion industry is oneAtchison of many industries that is projects like this, notes the BCCA facing challenges to an new aging workforce.” is working hard todue attract employees to In its 2020-2029 Construction and labour Mainthe industry, addressing the looming tenance shortage Looking issues. Forward national report, BuildForce Canada notes that employment in “Even with so much good news, we’re still Canada’s construction and maintenance infacing labour shortages, which are being redustry is anticipated to grow by 50,200 workers ported in almost every region of the province,” by 2029.

Atchison said earlier. “Even with the slowdown When coupled with the anticipated retirement in the residential market, there’s growth in the of more than 257,000 construction workers industrial/commercial/ institutional sector over the same period, the industry will need that needs to be accounted for. The constructo recruit more than 307,000 workers over the tion industry is pace one of many industries that is decade to keep with demand, according facing challenges due forecast to an aging workforce.” to the labour market released today InBuildForce its 2020-2029 Construction and Mainby Canada. tenance Looking Forward national report, The increased labour demand is propelled

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by major public transportation and infrastructure, utility, the liquefied natural gas (LNG), pipeline, and health services projects.

New-housing construction is expected to bounce back in most provinces, building on growing non-residential construction and maintenance demands fueled by ongoing investments in public and private infrastructure and increasing heavy industrial maintenance requirements.

“Canada’s construction outlook has strengthened from last year,” says Bill Ferreira, Executive Director of BuildForce Canada. “Our scenario predicts that growth will slow in the latter half of the decade, although labour market challenges are anticipated to intensify as the retirement wave crests and the pool of available youth shrinks.”

British Columbia was expected to remain

the fastest-growing market in 2020 and 2021, driven by public transportation projects, pipelines, and work on the LNG Canada project and related pipeline infrastructure.

“Meeting anticipated peak employment demands in British Columbia and Ontario will likely require significant levels of interprovincial mobility,” says Ferreira. “Accessing workers from provinces where market conditions have softened will be critical.”

Non-residential employment demands are also expected to grow throughout the scenario period. The principle driver has been an explosion of major projects in the energy and utilities sectors, public transportation, and other institutional infrastructure projects. Growth in retail and wholesale trade, the transportation and warehousing sectors, and manufacturing should further boost construction of industrial

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CONSTRUCTION buildings, while immigration-driven population growth will maintain upward pressure on commercial and institutional construction.

Employment in non-residential construction is expected to rise by 33,100 workers (+6 per cent) over the scenario period.

The development of skilled tradespersons in the construction industry takes years, and often requires participation in a provincial apprenticeship program. As such, replacing retiring workers typically requires several years of pre-planning to avoid the creation of skills gaps. By 2029, an estimated 257,100 construction workers, or 22 per cent of the 2019 labour force, are expected to retire.

Based on historical trends, Canada’s construction industry is expected to draw an estimated 227,600 first-time entrants aged 30 and younger from the local population, leaving the industry

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with a possible retirement-recruitment gap of 29,500 workers. When coupled with demand growth, the industry may be short as many as 82,400 workers by 2029. Clearly, an ongoing commitment to training and apprenticeship development will be necessary to ensure there are sufficient numbers of qualified tradespeople to sustain a skilled labour force over the long term.

To meet its growing needs, the construction and maintenance industry will need to increase recruitment from groups traditionally underrepresented in the current construction labour force, including women, Indigenous people, and new Canadians.

In 2019, Canada’s construction industry employed approximately 191,700 women, of which 27 per cent worked directly on construction projects.

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CONSTRUCTION Of industry, the 1.1 million in the womentradespeople made up onlyemployed 4.7 per cent. the industry, women made only 4.7 per Similarly, Indigenous peopleup accounted forcent. little Similarly, people accounted little more thanIndigenous 4.9 per cent of the total, offor which more per cent of theon total, of which about than 81 per4.9 cent work directly construction about 81 per cent workthe directly on construction projects.

Increasing participation of both projects.

Increasing theaparticipation of both these groups would go long way to help the these groups would go alabour long way help the industry address future forcetoneeds. industry address future labour force needs.

“The construction industry will need to con“The construction industry will need to concentrate on recruiting, training, and retaining centrate on recruiting, training, and retaining young workers, even as peak labour demand young workers, even as peak labour demand slows,” says Ferreira. “Even if the labour marslows,” says Ferreira. “Even if the labour market leverages full interprovincial mobility, the ket leverages full interprovincial mobility, the industry will still need to be diligent in recruitindustry will still need to be diligent in recruiting, training, and retaining young workers, ing, training, and retaining young workers, and expand recruiting efforts for new workers and expand recruiting efforts for new workers from local local labour, labour, other other industries, industries, and from and new new immigrants to to meet immigrants meet ongoing ongoing labour labour needs.” needs.”

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5 KEY STEPS TO PLAN YOUR CASH FLOW IN THE COMING YEAR MANY NEGLECT FINANCIAL PROJECTIONS Making cash flow and other financial projections each year is a vital tool for keeping your business healthy and on a sustainable growth path.

The idea is to have a reference you can review through the year, so you can make adjustments as needed.

How to make financial projections?

26

1. Plan your year First, think about what you want to accomplish over the next 12 months. This should be based on your strategic plan for your business.

With a clear idea of what you want to achieve, start estimating your annual expenses and consider the additional costs you will incur to implement your business strategy. These expenses should be added to the costs of running your day-to-day business, such as: • payroll • rent • utilities • interest • loan repayments Next, estimate your annual sales and think about the effect your decisions will have on your cash flow forecast. Make sure you take

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27 into consideration your credit policy and when your customers pay to ensure your business has enough cash throughout its business year.

for long-term capital investments because you may end up facing a cash crunch. It’s better to use long-term financing for such projects.

2. Make projections Based on past experience and your plans for the coming year, prepare these three documents.

A projected income (profit-loss) statement— Projected revenues, costs, expenses, taxes, etc.

A projected balance sheet—Assets, liabilities, equity.

Monthly cash-flow projections—Accounts receivable, accounts payable, investments, financing, etc.

4. Monitor and adjust Finally, review your projections each month against the actual numbers to see if you’re on track. Variances can flag trouble spots in your business. Take an even closer look each quarter.

Make any needed adjustments to your operations or changes in your planning.

3. Arrange financing With your projections in hand, determine financing needs for the coming year and discuss them with your bankers and other financial partners.

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5. Get help Depending on your in-house resources, consider seeking outside help in creating your financial projections and monitoring your progress through the year.

To read the full article please visit: https://www.bdc.ca/en/articles-tools/ money-finance/manage-finances/ making-projection-coming-year

CONSTRUCTION

Mills has four locations in northern BC

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MILLS LOOKING TO EXPAND CORPORATE CLIENT BASE PRINCE GEORGE – With four of their nine locations across the province located in northern BC, Mills is looking to expand its office products and furniture customer base to larger private and public institutions and companies.

“We have furniture locations in Prince George, Fort St. John, Terrace and Smithers, and because of that, we’re able to target bigger projects,” says General Manager Neil Hodgson.

Hodgson joined the company in 2020, coming over from Staples, where he was the General Manager of their Prince George store. Prior to that, he was the northern BC District Manager for 7-Eleven.

“I wanted to get out of the corporate world, so I came to a family-run business,” he notes.

“One of the reasons Mills brought me in was they wanted to become a little more corporate

than they have been. Plus, I know the challenges of the north pretty well.”

Mills, a member of the Basics b uy i n g g ro up, p u rch a se d t he Speedee Office Supplies locations across the north four years ago.

Started in 1949, i n 2 01 2 , M i l l s became the first office supply company in

General Manager Neil Hodgson

DECEMBER 2020/JANUARY 2021

CONSTRUCTION Canada to become a “Certified B Corporation”, which uses the power of business to solve social and environmental problems.

Hodgson notes some of Mills’ larger projects recently include the RCMP detachment building in downtown Prince George, as well as other RCMP buildings in the region. They’ve also provided the furniture for the new Trades building at Coast Mountain College in Terrace, and several projects for the Northern Health Authority.

“We also do a lot of local, provincial and federal government work. What gives us a real advantage is we have boots on the ground, in-town operators, installers and experts in all locations across the north,” he notes. “We also have full CAD design capabilities for project-based planning, which is part of whole turn-key operation.

That has always been one of our operational advantages. Mills also specializes in working to designers’ and architects’ specifications.”

Hodgson believes the keys to Mills’ success

Mills locations features furniture showrooms

is its “local representation in Terrace, Prince George and Fort St. John and our ability to serve the communities in between and First Nations.

We can give our clients the service they want and need, and help them do their planning how they want it and when they want it, at a price they like.” www.mills.ca

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CONSTRUCTION

ICBA: BC CONSTRUCTION OUTLOOK HOLDING UP STRONG IN STRANGE TIMES

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CHRIS GARDENER, ICBA PRESIDENT BR IT ISH COLUMBI A – O u r a nnual ICBA Wage and Benefits Survey reliably illustrates the state of the BC construction industry – this year’s results are no exception.

The relative health of the industry is remarkable, and a testament to how effectively construction employers and workers have adapted and managed through the COVID-19 pandemic. There are nevertheless some warning signs in the findings.

The percentage of BC contractors expecting growth in 2021 has dropped further, after a precipitous decline in 2020. We’re far off what used to be the norm of more than half of all contractors in the province expecting growth. And the percentage of contractors

who foresee a decline in business in 2021 is almost twice as large as in 2020. We’re also seeing wider regional divergences.

In northern BC and on the island, well over half of contractors expect growth this year, while only a little more than a third do in the southern interior and in the large population centres of southwestern BC. And a strong plurality of contractors believe govern ment is on the w rong track when dealing with their businesses. Provincial policies like discriminatory treatment of contractors who don’t sign on with the building trades unions, combined with the renewed threat of a skewed labour relations code, are among the factors driving this finding.

St i l l, t he overa l l out look i s rel at ively healthy. Though moderated, our sector’s growth expectations are exceptional under current circumstances. Skilled construction labour remains in high demand, and already competitive wages are still edging up.

While 2020 pay increases fell to about the rate of inf lation, our members expect a rebound in 2021, with workers seeing closer-to-typical 3.5 per cent wage growth.

On key pol icy f i les we’l l conti nue ou r efforts this year to remove and prevent policy-based roadblocks to success – but construction is clearly poised to be a powerful driver of BC’s post-pandemic recovery.

Full Report here DECEMBER 2020/JANUARY 2021

OPINION

FREE ENTERPRISE NEEDS A NEW LEADER WITH FRESH VISION

MARK MACDONALD Who will be the voice for free enterprise in British Columbia now?

With the BC Liberals’ abysmal showing in the recent provincial election, and NDP decisions continuing to decimate the economy, an opportunity is there for someone or a group of people to re-unify the non-left.

Clearly, a three percent reduction in the Provincial Sales Tax as their election “game changer” did nothing to excite or attract voters. Quite frankly, if that’s the best that Andrew Wilkinson could come up with, well, shame on him.

Wilkinson’s pledge of allegiance to Dr. Bonnie Henry left him no room to navigate, and Henry became a shield that enabled Premier John Horgan to hide behind as he used the pandemic to kick the Green Party to the curb and win a big majority.

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We’re about to see the real Horgan now, as he can push NDP dogma into law unfettered. Horgan’s appointment of Selina Robinson as Finance Minister demonstrates the NDP’s disdain for free enterprise, as the fact she has absolutely no private sector experience shows what little regard Horgan has for the economy. But neither did Carole James, for that matter.

Wilkinson wisely resigned, but the damage he did in his leadership race by tag-teaming to ensure former Surrey Mayor Dianne Watts, a Conservative, didn’t become party leader, was already done. That didn’t go unnoticed by the BC Liberals’ typical worker bees, the Conservative side, many of whom sat out the election.

Significant losses in traditionally safe BC Liberal havens like Langley, Chilliwack, and Abbotsford were at least partially due to a spike in BC Conservative votes. Not to mention a reluctance to revitalize party ranks with fresh blood and new ideas. Those areas alone were represented by three long-time politicians with 60+ years in some form of public office.

Here is what needs to happen: First, find someone with a new, fresh vision.

Might that be former cabinet minister Kevin Falcon, whose profile is rising once again? His enemies scoffed he was Gordon Campbell Junior, but that might not be a bad thing.

But maybe, just maybe, it’s time to draft another star from the Okanagan. That would be Brad Bennett, grandson of W.A.C. and son of Bill, Brad has the royal jelly, profile and name recognition to lead. It could again be Bennett time in B.C. Second, how about some big ideas? Term limits, no more career politicians. Two terms and you’re done, no matter what. How about a truly

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OPINION

DIGITAL 32

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science and data-backed approach to economic development, equality and the environment?

If science and data were truly valued by progressives, they’d support the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion, pipelines in general, LNG, resource development, Site C, the list goes on.

Protests and activism focused on equality and the environment are ok to start, but where are the specific, measurable, attainable objectives from government? Or society at large?

So far the only government in BC to truly lead a “green revolution” has been the BC Liberals with the carbon tax. Now a global success story and standard.

Everything else has been lip service, 20 years in the distance with commitments to electric vehicle programs, carbon emissions, equality.

What about now?

Finally, consider a name change. BC Liberals is long past its best-before date. For many conservatives it’s a divisive name atop the party that has represented the non-NDP vote for over two decades.

The majority of the province that has supported free enterprise coalitions has coalesced comfortably under the Social Credit banner, and the destructive power of a decade of doom during NDP rule in the 1990’s recognized the BC Liberals led by Gordon Campbell as the only safe haven.

But those days are gone, and the name should be retired. It is very difficult for many Conservatives to utter the Liberal name, let alone support it. Having another party named Conservative doesn’t help – in fact, it further entrenches the distrust members of both parties have of each other. Come up with a new umbrella, the BC Party, or something more unifying.

Mark MacDonald is President of Communication Ink Media & Public Relations Ltd. and can be reached at mark@communicationink.ca​

DECEMBER 2020/JANUARY 2021

MOVERS AND SHAKERS

MOVERS & SHAKERS Announcements, business changes, celebrations and other hidden gems from around Central/North Vancouver Island.

Curated just for you.

Submit your company’s announcement to: media@businessexaminer.ca

100 MILE HOUSE Mt. Timothy Recreation Resort, 48km north of 100 Mile House, has opened for the winter ski season. Due to COVID-19 there will not be lockers or cubbies available for personal belongings; everyone is asked to put their gear on at their vehicles, and keep any food there as well.

Find out more about open trails, amenities and pandemic protocols at https://skitimothy.com.

Nick Christianson, 65, has retired after 50 years of working, 12 managing the South Cariboo Regional Airport i n 108 M i le Ranch via his company, Nick’s Rag & Tube Aircraft Nick Christianson Maintenance. The Saskatchewan-born aircraft engineer has spent most of his life as a resident of 100 Mile House. Ross Donahue will replace him in his former role.

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Fisheries and Oceans Canada have greenlit a $176-million permanent fishway at the site of 2018’s Big Bar landslide north of Lillooet, which dropped 110,000 cubic metres of rock into the river, blocking critical passage for spawning salmonids. The contract was awarded to Burnaby’s Peter Kiewit Sons ULC, with completion of design and construction work expected for the start of the 2022 Fraser River salmon migration.

WILLIAMS LAKE ʔEsdilagh First Nation has welcomed Troy Allen Baptiste as chief of the small Tsilhqot’in community north of Williams Lake. He will serve a four-year term.

Borland Creek Logging of Williams Lake First Nation was awarded a contract to remove burned timber stands near the Williams Lake regional airport. The job will involve hand work, full phase logging and brush sawing. Borland Creek submitted a bid for $109,894, which was

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MOVERS AND SHAKERS fifty-percent lower than the other three bids.

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The City of Quesnel and the Cariboo Chilcotin Regional Hospital District (CCRHD) signed a new three-year contract to continue their health care recruitment program. The new agreement includes an increased budget for the healthcare recruitment coordinator contract position and an agreement to share the cost of any loss incurred in the renting and subletting of an apartment for physicians and healthcare professionals. The new contract has a total value of $161,275.43.

Bridges Supportive Housing at 355 Elliott Street in West Quesnel is operational, providing residents access to their own self-contained studio apartments and shared amenity spaces.

Residents participate in programs custom designed for their needs, with on-site support to help them find and maintain housing stability.

Bridges Supportive Housing is a partnership between Quesnel Shelter and Support Society (QSSS) and BC Housing.

Former Wells, BC resident Amy Newman won Best Costu me Desig n by the Los Angeles Film Awards for documentary film Nam Sing: A Man for Gold Country, produced Amy Newman

by Winter Quarter Productions and the New Pathways to Gold Society.

Kamloops, B.C.

DECEMBER 2020/JANUARY 2021

MOVERS AND SHAKERS

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Prince George is the first city in northern BC to be added to Rogers Communications’ 5G service, joining fifty-two other communities in the province. Recently, Shaw Mobile opened a retail store in Prince George’s Pine Centre Mall to expand its LTE and fibre networks north.

W

The North Cariboo Métis Association is launching RAW: Reclaiming Aboriginal Women, a new project set to begin January of next year. RAW is one of twenty projects across the province aiming to end gender-based violence by supporting and collaborating with Indigenous women and girls. Funded through the Minister’s Advisory Council on Indigenous Women’s (MACIW) Giving Voice Initiative, the project will initially begin with online courses promoting wellness and healing through Métis cultural practices, with in-person community-based events beginning once the COVID-19 pandemic abates.

West Coast Olefins (WCO) President and CEO Ken James announced the return of the $5.6-billion petrochemical plant project to Prince George, after considering moving the Ken James project north on Highway 97 near McLeod Lake. Next steps include reaching a collective agreement with the Lheidli T’enneh community. If approved, construction could begin in late 2021 or early 2022.

A

Quesnel dispatcher Hilary Erlebach has been n a med a BC T ransit “Transit Superstars” for 2020, one of six workers honoured across the province for going above and Hilary Erlebach beyond to make a difference with customers and co-workers in their communities.

PRINCE GEORGE The province, through BC Housing, has purchased the National Hotel at 1201 1st Avenue Prince George, with plans to renovate the building, providing 27 homes with wraparound supports by early 2022. Renovations will also include new office space for outreach and service providers to help support clients and residents, as well as refurbished administrative space.

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MOVERS AND SHAKERS TELUS also intends to expand its 5G service to Prince George by early 2022.

Prince George musician Danny Bell has released his second full-length album, Songs for the Town, through Pulp City Records.

To find out more about Danny, his music, and purchase his latest release, visit: https://dannybell. org/newalbum.

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Forum presented by LNGCanada is a half-day program focused on building a more resilient and prosperous northern BC. This year, the focus will be on Leadership Through Recovery with a session from David Irvine and a panel hosted by Women’s Enterprise Centre. The online event will be on January 20th and requires registration.

VANDERHOOF

Danny Bell

A new air ambulance helicopter is now stationed at Prince George Airport, joining two fixed-wing aircraft already stationed there. The helicopter is operated by Summit Helicopters, the planes by North Cariboo Air and Northern Thunderbird Air. Twenty-four year-old Carly Shaw-MacLaren of Prince George has been named BC Soccer’s 2020 Official of the Year. The former player has officiated in the Canadian PreCarly mier League (CPL), as well Shaw-MacLaren as the USL First Division, CONCACAF Men’s Under-20 qualifications and the Canada Summer Games. Carly recently graduated from UVic with a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology.

Hosted by the Prince George Chamber of Commerce, the #TrueNorth Business Development

Four Rivers Co-op has acquired Glen Dale Agra Services Ltd. in Vanderhoof, joining the Four Rivers Co-op Agro Centre in Quesnel to serve their agriculture customers in BC’s Interior.

Glen Dale Agra Services Ltd. has provided fertilizer, seed/crop protection products and agronomy services for 38 years.

SMITHERS Drama teacher Heather Lee of Smithers Secondary School has been awarded the Simpson and Lynds Distinguished Service Award by the Association of B.C. Drama Educators (ABCDE).

Heather Lee

Harvesting and road building operations completed this fiscal year by the Wetzin’kwa Community Forest Corporation (WCFC) resulted in contracts with a combined value over $2.2 million. Approximately eighty-percent came as sawlogs sold and delivered to Pacific Inland Resources in Smithers, with about seventeen-percent as dry balsam logs delivered to Seaton Forest Products near Witset.

DECEMBER 2020/JANUARY 2021

MOVERS AND SHAKERS Smithers town council approved the Form and Character Development Permit for a two-storey mixed-use building on the Frontage Road property adjacent McDonalds and in front of Boston Pizza. The next step in the process is the application for a building permit. Landowner Robert Wagner notes plans for a restaurant from architect Tylor Versteeg will be ready in January 2021.

TERRACE Boston Pizza at 4924 BC-16 West in Terrace has reopened after temporarily closing for deep cleaning due to COVID-19 concerns.

Coast Mountain College will be doing extensive renovations of classrooms, offices, public spaces and washrooms in one of their buildings that was constructed in 1965 thanks to $9-million from the provincial government. Thinkspace Architecture Planning Interior Design has prepared the concept plan.

Family owned and operated Sunshine Inn Executive Suites Terrace opened in October offering new rooms, executive suites and long stay apartments. They are located at 4812 Highway 16 W. PRINCE RUPERT Prince Rupert has more than $500,000 via federal Gas Tax funding to put toward two capital projects; installation of a boiler system at the recreation complex and a new landfill leachate lagoon. The Federal Gas Tax Fund delivers funding to municipalities for local government infrastructure and capacity building projects throughout BC, distributed through the Union WWW.BUSINESSEX AMINER.CA

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MOVERS AND SHAKERS of BC Municipalities.

PNG has signed contracts with Port Edward LNG and Top Speed, advancing planning and regulatory approval applications to spend approximately $60 million between Prince Rupert and Terrace to enable it to pump more gas. The project would involve upgrading four existing compressor stations, adding two compressor stations, one at the industrial park and the other near Salvus between Terrace and Prince Rupert, and service lines to the Port Edward LNG and Top Speed locations. Construction should begin fall of 2021 with completion in the spring of 2024.

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The Prince Rupert Port Authority (PRPA) is among the sector’s highest environmental performers in the Green Marine environmental certification program, significantly exceeding

jurisdictional regulations in North America.

PRPA’s average score was 4.5/5, compared to the North American average of 2.8/5. The Green Marine certification program encourages participants to reduce their environmental footprint with concrete actions.

FORT ST. JOHN

The Fort St. John Petroleum Association selected Don Hartman as Oilman of the Year for his dedication and service to the oil and gas industry, while Vic Moskalyk took home the Ivor Miller Award for exceptional dedication and service to the Petroleum Association.

A new Farmers Information Service office has opened in Fort St. John to help Peace region farmers and landowners navigate interactions with the oil and gas industry. The service, funded by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation, the Peace River Regional District and the BC Oil and Gas Commission, can be reached at 250-329-4686 or by email at farmersinformationservice@gmail.com.

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