Business Examiner Vancouver Island - March 2020

MARCH 2020

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MARCH 2020

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Berwick Commits To Senior’s Residence In Parksville Groundbreaking For 118 Unit, Six-Storey Building Expected This Spring

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COURTENAY Level 10 Eurospa Has Been Making People Happy for Three Decades

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Architectural rendering of Berwick’s new Parksville senior’s residence

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ARKSVILLE – Berwick Retirement Communities will build a 118-unit, six-storey senior’s residence at 180 Jensen Avenue East near the Parksville Community Centre.

Groundbreaking for the building is planned for this spring a nd con st r uct ion i s schedu l e d fo r c o m pl e t io n i n t h e spring/summer of 2022. This will be Berwick’s eighth such

community in the province, and will offer independent and assisted living services in one bedroom, one-bedroom plus den, and two-bedroom units.

“With a growing economy on

Vancouver Island, the Central Vancouver Island region is a growing hotspot destination for retirees because of its seaside SEE BERWICK COMMITS | PAGE 9

VIREB Commercial Building Awards Deadline March 19 Buildings From The Malahat To Port Hardy To Be Celebrated At April 23rd Gala

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greater number of nominations than usual have been coming in for the 13th Annual Vancouver Island Real Estate Board Commercial Building Awards, set for April 23 at the Coast Bastion Hotel in Nanaimo.

Commercial, industrial and revenue-producing projects, including renovations, from the Malahat to Port Hardy are up for these awards, and must have been completed between January

1 and December 31, 2019.

“We have already received a larger number of nominations for this year’s event, so we’re on track for a record number of buildings to enter,” says Mark MacDonald of Business Examiner, which coordinates the event.

Nomination deadline is March 19.

There will be at least 11 commercial categories:

■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Mixed-Use (commercial/ residential) Seniors housing Community institutional Community recreational Retail Industrial Multi-family Hospitality Commercial renovation/ restoration Office Green

There will also be a Judges’ Choice Award for the best overall entry. Last year’s winner were the Legasea condominiums in Nanaimo.

A select team of independent judges from the real estate industry will perform adjudication. Black Press is a Platinum Media Sponsor.

Gold Sponsors of the Awards SEE BUILDING AWARDS | PAGE 15

NEWS UPDATE

2 NANAIMO Airport Opens $14M Terminal The Nanaimo Airport officially unveiled its new $14.2 million expanded terminal building on February 28 at a ceremony that included airport staff and community leaders. The terminal was completed ahead of schedule and under budget.

The now 14,000-square foot expansion includes a new departure lounge with room to seat over 300 passengers, a new dedicated security area that can serve 1,000 people per hou r and improvements to the baggage area. The new departure lounge has also been equipped with WiFi and device charging stations.

The airport expansion comes just after BC Transit added airport bus service, connecting arrivals at the airport to downtown Nanaimo. The bus service which launched in January, provides five buses per day from early morning to early evening.

The expansion began in April 2018 a nd h a s i ncre a sed t he overall terminal size by nearly 60 per cent. The unveiling comes as the airport welcomed a record-brea k i ng 490,000 passengers through its gates, setting a record for the 11th year in a row.

For future expansions of the terminal Nanaimo Airport has outlined a 20-year plan for the future of the terminal and plans for all construction to follow a modular design that allows for easy future expansion.

CAMPBELL RIVER NIC Launches New Program N o r t h I s l a n d C o l l e ge h a s l a u n c h e d a n e w C o m p u ter Information Systems (CIS) Program.

T he new prog ra m i ncludes computer programming, web scripting, database fundamentals and systems administration courses that will prepare students to work with complex information systems.

“Employees who ma i nta i n networks, systems and software are invaluable and in high demand in the region,” said Neil Cruickshank, NIC dean of arts, science & technology. “T his program provides students with the foundational skills to find employment in a wide range of information technology areas.”

N IC bega n developi ng t he CIS certificate after receiving feedback from employers in the region about a lack of qualified candidates to fill key roles in information technology.

MARCH 2020

“Part of what makes this certificate program truly exceptional is that while students will earn a credential and be prepared for a job in the IT sector, the program was also designed with transferability in mind, so students can also continue their studies, if they want,” said Cruickshank.

The program combines theory with practical applied skills through hands-on lab exercises and projects. Graduates will be able to enter the workforce or continue their training through diploma and degree programs at other post-secondary institutions across British Columbia.

“Being able to put theory to practice is crucial in an industry like this,” said Brian Koehler, education technology advisor and NIC Computer Systems instructor. “You need to be able to apply the theory and principles in real-world examples to see how they work.”

Computer i n formation is a fascinating field because it’s always changing and there’s always new information to learn, but the fundamentals stay the same, said Koehler.

“It’s rea l ly about troubleshooting and problem solving,” he said. “Being able to think through processes, break them down into their individual components and then create a solution. If you love problem solving and puzzles, this is a career for you.”

The CASC is a national spirit competition reserved for artisan distilleries.

COMOX VALLEY Valley Distilleries Win Big at National Awards Tw local distilleries took home awards from the recently held 2020 Canadian Artisan Spirit Competition (CASC).

Wayward Distillery in Courtenay took home multiple awards including a gold medel with distinction in the Rum category for its Drunken Hive Rum; a silver medal in the Gin-Aged division for The Wayward Char #3; silver in the Gin-Contemporary division for its Unruly Gin; a silver in the Vodka-Contemporary division for its Unruly Vodka; silver in the Liqueur d iv ision for Way wa rd Order Krupnik; and a bronze medal in the Infused Vodka category for Wayward Order Depth Charge.

Wayward’s Unruly Vodka and K rupn ik both won Brand ing gold medals.

Shelter Point Distillery, located just north of Oyster River, won a gold medal for its Shelter Point Single Malt as well as a Best in Class distinction.

T he Shelter Poi nt Old Vi nes Foch Reserve and Shelter Point Smoke Poi nt a l so won gold medals in the Single Malt category while Shelter Point Hand Foraged Gin won a bronze medal in the Gin-Classic division.

CAMPBELL RIVER Construction on Rotary Fieldhouse Underway Construction of the Rotary Community Fieldhouse at Robron Park has begun.

The new community facility will be 4,500 square feet and include equipment storage, an 87-person multipurpose room with kitchen and deck as well as cha nge rooms a nd washrooms. The building will also be equipped with a lift to increase accessibility.

“Along with being a great new amenity for local recreation, the new field house will open up opportunities for sports groups to host tournaments, and bring more visitors to our community,” says Mayor Andy Adams.

“T his project was originally championed by the Campbell River Youth Soccer Association, and thanks to their fundraising drive, a significant portion of the cost to construct the field house has been donated. Council extends sincere appreciation for the partnership between the association and the City, and for SEE NEWS UPDATE | PAGE 3

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NEWS UPDATE

MARCH 2020

NEWS UPDATE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

all the donations that will bring a new facility to the park for sports teams and other recreational use.�

A long with nearly 300 community donors, major donations (in cash or inkind) came from: Cermaq, Ketza Pacific, Seymour Pacific, Rotary Club of Campbell River and Western Forest Products.

Significant donations also came from: Econobox, Interfor and MOWI. The City of Campbell River has budgeted $1.2 million for project construction.

Approximately $650,000 has been raised through direct donations and from a fundraising campaign led by Campbell River Youth Soccer (CRYSA).

Once the facility is built, the City and CRYSA will sign a 15-year agreement outlining the association’s use of the building.

COMOX VALLEY BC Ferries Announces New Route BC Ferries launched a pilot sailing program offering direct service on select days between Texada Island’s Blubber Bay terminal and the Little River terminal in Comox on February 19. Sailings on the expanded route will be offered every Wednesday and Saturday.

The first sailings bound for Comox from Powell River will make a stop at Texada Island to load a maximum of 10 standard vehicles, before continuing on to Comox.

The last sailing leaving Comox will sail directly to Blubber Bay terminal and will accept only the first 10 standard vehicles to arrive for the sailing. Commercial vehicles will not be included in the pilot of the new sailing. Customers travelling on the route will pay a single rate of $35 for a standard vehicle and adult passengers will pay $10.95.

The pilot route will be in place for up to two years with an ongoing analysis of its viability. Success of the pilot will be measured by factors including fare payments, effectiveness of the modified schedule, safety and security of operations and additional cost mitigation.

BC Ferries developed the pilot route in cooperation with Northern Sunshine Coast Ferry Advisory Committee to make Texada Island travel more convenient.

QUALICUM BEACH Resort Zoning Amendment Passes T h e Tow n of Q u a l icu m B each recently approved a zoning amendment allowing Pheasant Glen Golf Course Resort to subdivide its property for further development.

At a recent meeting, council passed third reading and adopted a bylaw that approved the subdivision of the golf course from the zoned development land. The approval from council means Pheasant Glen will be able to subdivide its existing land already zoned for resort development on its property at 1025 Qualicum Road.

In 2005, a section of the golf course was removed from the Agricultural Land Reserve in order to build 225 accommodation units, a restaurant, a clubhouse, a conference centre, a spa and other amenities.

Pheasant Glen Golf had asked for the

subdivision of its property for the first time in 2007, which allows the company to separate its golf course from its resort strata. This will ensure that decisions regarding management of the golf course continue to be made by the golf management team and not by a resort condo board.

Pheasant Glen was issued a development permit in 2018 for the first phase of its project, which calls for two buildings each, including 12 accommodation units.

Since council approval, the company indicated they are preparing for development of the site and are hoping to begin development this spring.

PORT ALBERNI Spill Response Bases Back Online Construction of two marine spill response bases are back on in Port Alberni and Ucluelet.

Western Canada Marine Response (WCMRC) is holding an open house on March 10 in Port Alberni to discuss plans for the spill response base.

Construction on the base halted almost two years ago when the Trans Mountain Expansion Project was halted. The spill response centres are part of a larger expansion of WCMRC’s operations that will double the organization’s capacity to respond to spills and cut response times in half in waters along the Southern Coast.

The combined base will function as the primary response centre for spills off the west coast of Vancouver Island.

The majority of the new bases planned for the expansion will be built on Vancouver Island, with a total of nine vessels being moored between Port Alberni and Ucluelet. The response base is expected to employ about 20 people.

Construction on the Port Alberni base is expected to start this month and be completed by 2021 while vessels installed in Ucluelet will be moored at an existing dock in Ucluelet Harbour.

Port Alberni’s new base will include a new response marina near Water Street Wharf as well as an office and warehouse space near the Port Alberni Port Authority’s office.

February, a three per cent increase from one year ago and marginally higher than in January. In the apartment category, the year-over-year benchmark price rose by five per cent, hitting $310,800, which is slightly higher than the previous month.

The benchmark price of a townhouse in February rose by two per cent year over year and was a bit higher than in January, climbing to $411,200.

Regionally, the benchmark price of a single-family home in the Campbell River area last month was $442,000, an increase of four per cent over last year. In the Comox Valley, the benchmark price reached $517,600, up by two per cent from one year ago. Duncan reported a benchmark price of $479,300, an increase of four per cent from February 2019. Nanaimo’s benchmark price rose by three per cent to $564,700 in February, while the Parksville-Qualicum area saw its benchmark price drop slightly to $578,300. The cost of a benchmark single-family home in Port Alberni reached $321,100 in February, a four per cent increase from one year ago.

NANAIMO Tours Created for Cruise Ship Passengers Cruise ship companies are looking for local onshore experiences for their passengers, and the Port of Nanaimo is taking extra steps to help support the local business community to create them.

Jason Michell, Vice President of Business and Cruise Development, says the Port has been coordinating opportunities between private sector experiences and vetted local

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tour operators, while also continuing engagement with Tourism Nanaimo. He notes that part of the decision-making process for cruise ship companies when choosing where to stop is based on onshore experiences. “We have to help the cruise lines, and travel agents’ illustrate the allure of our destination to their passengers with unique regional experiences, while maintaining our central Island culture and values,� Michell says. “We need to prove that we are seeking to be host to travelers and their desire to immerse themselves in other culture’s local lifestyle, tradition, and history.�

By actively facilitating and supporting partnerships, bringing vetted tour operators together with members of the local indigenous tourism community, scientists, artists and other respected experts, the Port Authority aims to catalyze the regional inventory of unique, authentic, high-value experiences.

Over the last 6 months, 12 export-ready experiences have been curated to harness the unique assets of the region in the categories of Sip & Savour, Eco-Immersion, Cultural Exploration and Adventure & Adrenaline, all of which will be available to cruise lines through local operators, but delivered by local, experience specific story-tellers, experts, and guides.

Attracting ships to Nanaimo includes providing cruise lines with vital information including vessel access routes, regulations, berth availability, as well as guest experience opportunities. The Port of Nanaimo will have six cruise ships visit in 2020.

SEE NEWS UPDATE | PAGE 4

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VANCOUVER ISLAND Home Sales Rise in February Sales of single-family homes in the Vancouver Island Real Estate Board (VIREB) area last month rose by 15 per cent year over year and were 49 per cent higher than in January.

Last month, 260 single-family homes sold on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) System compared to 174 in January and 227 one year ago. Apartment sales in February dropped by 19 per cent year over year, while the number of townhouses sold decreased by 10 per cent from one year ago.

Inventory of single-family homes last month rose by eight per cent from one year ago (992 to 1,069).

Active listings of apartments rose by 37 per cent (261 to 358) year over year, while townhouse inventory dropped by 11 per cent (162 to 144).

The benchmark price of a single-family home b oa rd-w id e wa s $5 16,500 i n

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NEWS UPDATE

4 NEWS UPDATE

MARCH 2020

& provides very exciting market exposure and convenience for our communities.�

Customers will also have the option of booking a flight between Tofino and Kelowna with a quick connection at the Victoria International Airport (YYJ).

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3

TOFINO Pacific Coastal Airlines Launch Direct Flights

NANAIMO

Pacific Coastal Airlines is launching a new non-stop flight service between Long Beach Airport in Tofino and Victoria International Airport (YYJ).

Starting May 9, the airline is adding a 40-minute flight between the two communities that departs on Saturdays, leaving Victoria at 11:30 am and departing from Tofino toward Victoria at 12:40 pm. “We are thrilled to introduce this new service,� said Johnathan Richardson, Pacific Coastal’s Vice President of Commercial Service. “We first introduced service between Vancouver and Tofino in April 2017, and we are proud to announce this expansion with the introduction of our new Victoria to Tofino flight.� “We’re so pleased to see Pacific Coastal continue to expand their route network.

This is a great opportunity for visitors and local residents to visit Tofino and Ucluelet, a spectacular part of the west coast of Vancouver Island,� said Geoff Dickson, Victoria Airport Authority President and CEO. “This is very exciting news for the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District, in particular the Ucluelet, Tofino, Long Beach Area “C� Region. The potential for expansion as traffic demand increases is fantastic,� said Kel Roberts, Director of Electoral Area “C�

Long Beach. “The opportunity for scheduled passenger service, charter & cargo services to Long Beach Airport fills a need

Developer Shows Off Long-Term Vision Nanaimo News Bulletin NANAIMO - A developer’s long-term vision of a south-end neighbourhood near downtown Nanaimo is becoming much clearer now.

Parkshore Projects Ltd., the development company behind proposed condominium projects along Haliburton Street, held an open house Feb. 27, showing off its longterm plans for an area south of Milton Street and east of Nicol Street which it’s calling the Harbourview District.

Mike Parker, president of Parkshore, told the News Bulletin the open house was held to give residents an opportunity to learn more about the upcoming developments and the ultimate vision for the neighbourhood. “We sent invitations to about 1,000 homeowners in the area to invite them and show them what we are doing and ask us questions,� he said. “We’re trying to be good neighbours.�

Parkshore currently has one development, a 29-unit condominium at 119 Haliburton St., under construction, as well as three proposed developments, which are named Prospect, Evolve and Cornerstone.

Prospect is a planned 76-unit multi-family development consisting of two five-storey

An artist rendering of Parkshore Projects’ long-term vision for the neighbourhood around Haliburton Street, which the developer is calling the Harbourview District.

(D’Ambrosio Architecture and Urbanism) buildings between 135-155 Haliburton St. Parkshore has submitted a development permit application to the city for the project.

Meanwhile, Cornerstone is a five-storey mixed-use development planned for an area beside McDonald’s on Nicol Street, while Evolve is a development consisting of two five-storey, mixed-use buildings located at 108 Haliburton St. on the corner of Finlayson Street.

The recent open house also featured a rendering showing more than a dozen low-rise and mid-rise residential buildings dotting Haliburton, Nicol and Irwin streets. Parker said that rendering is Parkshore’s long-term vision for the Harbourview District.

“This is based on the existing zoning, existing OCP, showing maximum and most beneficial land use and our rendering depicts that land use‌â€? he said. “Anyone who is living in a home now, we’re not kicking them out. That is not our goal.â€?

Parker said beyond the developments already proposed, it is difficult to project what exactly will be included in future developments since Parkshore doesn’t own all of the land in the neighbourhood. He said the city is encouraging more density in and around downtown, and Parkshore plans to densify the area around Haliburton Street. “Our 10-year build calls for 1,500 residential units,� he said.

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DIGITAL MARKETING

MARCH 2020

5

WHY YOUR WEBSITE NEEDS AN SSL CERTIFICATE

BE DIGITAL JOHN MACDONALD

H

ave you ever noticed that some website URLs start with HTTP while others start with HTTPS? Maybe you’ve noticed a tiny lock icon in the top left corner of your browser? What exactly does it all mean?

Websites that are HTTPS have an SSL certificate.

SS-what? SSL stands for Secure Sockets Layer and is a secure protocol developed for sending sensitive information over the internet. If a website you are on has an SSL certificate, it means that the site is secure and encrypted. Any data you enter is safely shared with that website and that website only.

Let’s talk technical for a second.

How does SSL actually prevent information theft?

When you start to break down what SSL is, you’ll discover it’s asymmetric (or public-key) encryption. This requires each party

Whether you are in the business of accepting delicate information or not, having an SSL certificate is still incredibly important to generate a public and private key pair. Imagine a padlock on a gate.

Anyone can go up to the lock, inspect it, and even try to open it with their key.

However, only the right key can actually unlock it. In this example, the padlock is a public key, they are visible to the general public. Private keys are exactly that, private. These private keys are used to unlock public keys.

When you fill out a form on a website without an SSL certificate, the information can be intercepted by a hacker. This site would be classified as not secure.

The information you submitted could be anything from a banking transaction to your credit card

information. A hacker could intercept your information in a number of ways, one of the most common is when a hacker places a small, undetected listening program on the server that is hosting a website.

That program ‘wakes up’ when a website visitor starts typing their information. This listening program will begin capturing the information and send it back to the hacker.

When you visit a website that has an SSL certificate, your browser will form a connection with the web server and bind to it. This connection is secure so that no one besides you and the website where you’re submitting your information can see or access it.

This connection happens instantly. There is no manual work required. You simply need to visit a website with an SSL certificate and your connection will automatically be secured.

Why is SSL so important?

You might be thinking, I’m not accepting sensitive information through my website! Whether you are in the business of accepting delicate information or not, having an SSL certificate is still incredibly important.

SSL and SEO In 2014, Google made adjustments to its ever-changing algorithm for SEO rankings. The major change? Websites using SSL certificates. Google began and still continues to flag sites without SSL certificates as untrustworthy.

Sites with an SSL certificate receive an SEO boost and will be the default result for searchers. If you want to be findable on Google, having an SSL certificate on your website is absolutely necessary.

SSL and online payments If you are conducting online transactions through your website, it is imperative that you have an SSL certificate. As an online shop, it’s your primary responsibility to ensure that the information being exchanged over your online store is protected.

How do you prove to your customers that their usernames, passwords, and credit card numbers

are not being revealed to malicious hackers? Having an SSL certificate!

SSL and consumer trust Did you k now that G oog le Chrome is the most popular web browser? 44.5 per cent of internet users search the internet using it.

On the Chrome browser, you are able to easily spot a site with an SSL certificate. Next to the URL is a tiny lock icon. If a site has an SSL certificate it shows it locked, however, if a site does not have an SSL certificate the lock will be open and red text will read ‘Not Secure’.

The second a customer lands on a website that is labeled ‘not secure’, they are going to feel less comfortable browsing it, even if there is no sensitive information being passed across it. SSL certificates have become an absolute necessity for any business that wants to be perceived as trustworthy.

There’s no denying the confidence and trust that an SSL certificate can provide to a site. Choosing an SSL certificate to secure a website demonstrates that a business values customer trust, which is essential to financial success, customer conversion, and business growth.

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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6

PORT ALBERNI

MARCH 2020

Vancouver Island Symphony Celebrating 25 Years

N

A NA I MO – Vancouver Island Symphony is celebrating its 25 th season of keeping music live on Vancouver Island, presenting a series of concerts in Nanaimo, Courtenay and Campbell River.

“Many people have moved to the Island from different places, and they’re delighted to find out that there is a professional orchestra in Nanaimo,” notes Margot Holmes, CEO of the Vancouver Island Symphony.

“When you actually sit in a beautiful place like the Port Theatre and you hear live music played by 45 musicians on the stage, it’s a shared experience, with the energy in the hall between the people in the audience and the musicians on the stage,” she notes. “It’s like that with anything that is live. We see so much on the screen these days, but what you miss is the actual shared experience of others at live events.”

The Vancouver Island Symphony under the artistic direction of Pierre Simard will celebrate Beethoven’s 250th Anniversary on March 13 in Campbel l R iver a nd M a rch 14 i n Nanaimo.

“We see so much on the screen these days, but what you miss is the actual shared experience of others at live events.”

MARGOT HOLMES, CEO, VI SYMPHONY

“The Symphony is so grateful to the many sponsors and partners from Vancouver Island, including Season Sponsor Coastal Community Private Wealth Group and Series Sponsors Windsor Plywood, Coast Bastion Hotel, Origin at Longwood and Helijet, and our many performance sponsors,” Holmes notes.

“It’s also been six years since the Symphony launched Festival Nanaimo, a month-long celebration of all the things we

love about Nanaimo,” she adds.

Si g n at u re Event s at Fe st i v a l Na n a i m o 2 02 0 i nclu d e t he 18th An n ua l We e Tipple Whisk(e)y Party, hosted

by Crimson Coast Dance; Offstage Jazz in The Port Theatre lobby, Manual Cinema’s Frankenstein, with puppetry, cinem at ic te ch n iq u e s a nd l ive music; Happy Hour SoundBites, Canadian tenor Ken Lavigne in 3 Knights with a Tenor, Iconic Beethoven, the Arts Club Theatre’s production of Kim’s

Convenience and a Back to the ‘80’s Dance Party.

Festival Nanaimo has five Signature Partners: The Port Theatre, Tourism Nanaimo, Nanaimo Hospitality Association, the Nanaimo Airport and the Vancouver Island Symphony.

“We do it to promote the city we love by promoting its vibrant arts & culture scene and each year we built a little more,” Holmes says, adding they’re delighted that McDonald’s is once again the Presenting Sponsor.

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At a recent Port Alberni Port Authority and City of Port Alberni meeting, we a d d e d up over 200 good paying jobs being advertised or com ing open in the marine and wood manufacturing sectors. Those are traditional sectors for us but it is noteworthy that wood manufacturing here continues to grow thanks to the San Group’s ‘contrary approach’ to the forest industry.

We were also aware that other jobs are being advertised or coming available in the aviation and clean tech sectors, ones that Port Alberni is not generally known for unless, like us, you are fans of the Coulson Group.

In alphabetical order, the compa n ies look i ng for employe e s i nclud e Canadian Maritime Engineering, Cascadia Seaweed, Coulson Aircrane, Cou lson Ice-Blast, Independent Seafood Canada Corporation, the Port Alberni Food Hub, the San Group, the Uchucklesaht T ribe’s water b ot t l i n g business and the Western Canada Marine Response Corporation (WCMRC).

Coulson Aircrane is looking for, among others, Lockheed C-130 Mechanics/Crew Chiefs; CH-47 Pilots, a Design Engineer, a Challenger Mechanic, a Configuration Control Specialist and a Help Desk Analyst.

Jobs w ith the other compa n ies ra nge f rom marine techs, welders, a draftsperson, hydraulics specialists, deckhands, food processors and mill w o rk e r s . WC R M RC i s holding an open house at the Best Western Plus Barclay Hotel from 5 to 8 PM on Tuesday March 10th.

In addition to those, the Alberni Valley Employment Centre has another

75 jobs listed on their web site. It is heart-warming to see so many good paying jobs in these really diversified sectors. Credit for those go to the companies themselves. However, I’d also like to give a ‘shout out’ to the Port Authority for their work in helping to materialize many of the jobs in the marine sector.

If you are looking for a job or know someone who is, please check out #explorePortAlberni to get a sense of our community’s lifestyle and attributes.

We are centrally located on Vancouver Island and still the most affordable community where owning a home is easily achievable with most of the jobs featured here.

Pat Deakin is the Economic Development Manager for the City of Port Alberni. He can be reached at 250-7202527 or Patrick_deakin@ portalberni.ca

NANAIMO

MARCH 2020

7

IWCD EARNS PRESTIGIOUS PLATINUM DESIGNATION location.

NANAIMO MARK MACDONALD

C

ongratulations to TroyAnne and Greg Constable, ow ners of Island West Coast Developments, which has earned the prestigious Platinum Designation from the national Canada’s Best Managed Companies program, co-led by Deloitte Private and CIBC, and they will attend a gala dinner April 1 in Toronto to be honoured.

IWCD has participated in the program and retained its designation as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies since 2013.

I WCD is completi ng a new g y m n a s i u m a t A sp eng rove School a s one of it s re c ent projects.

■ ■ ■ VMAC has been named one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies for the second year in a row. VMAC was named Business of the Year at the January Grant Thornton LLP Vancouver Island Business Excellence Awards in Victoria.

■ ■ ■ Jason Winton is celebrating 25 years with Collier’s International. He is Vice President and Managing Broker for the commercial real estate company’s Nanaimo office.

■ ■ ■ Bob Moss has officially retired from NAI Commercial. Bob has managed the office for many years, and long ago operated Zaicana Pacific. Bob is also going to do some consulting in this new phase of his life.

■ ■ ■ Stewart Irwin is the new owner of Communication Connection, the telephone/telecommunications firm started by Darren Hauca and his wife Teresa.

Darren is now doing consulting work in the field.

■ ■ ■ Ryan Jay Staley, dba Coastal Rides, has received approval for his application to open a ride hailing business on Vancouver Island outside of the Capital Regional District (Victoria) by the Passenger Transportation Board.

■ ■ ■ Alvin Meledath is the newest team member at Alpha Strategy.

Alvin is a Vancouver Island University MBA Program graduate.

■ ■ ■ The Keg restaurant won’t be calling Nanaimo as home to one of its franchises soon, as it has been

Jason Winton announced that there won’t be a Keg in Nanaimo as of late March.

The owners of the eatery will be re-branding the popular location and opening under a new name in April.

■ ■ ■ The Junior B Nanaimo Buccaneers franchise in the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League has been sold to Carl Ollech by Clayton Robinson, who purchased the team from Phil and Brenda Levesque and Mark MacDonald two seasons ago.

Carl has been the owner of the VIJHL’s Kerry Park Islanders and is the owner of Duncan Iron Works. The Islanders have been sold to a group led by Wes Mussio, owner of the Nanaimo Clippers of the BC Hockey League.

■ ■ ■ Congratulations again to Tali Campbell for another promotion at the BC Hockey League’s Nanaimo Clippers. The Business Manager/General Manager has been named the team’s Governor for BCHL meetings.

■ ■ ■ John Wilson, owner of Wilson Transportation and the Wilson Group of Companies, is one of the owners of the new Nanaimo franchise in the 13-team West Coast Baseball League that will start play at Serauxmen Stadium in June, 2021.

The ownership group includes Richard Harder and Ken and Jim Swanson, and also operates the Victoria HarbourCats at the Wilson’s Group Stadium at Victoria’s Royal Athletic Park.

The summer collegiate baseball league also has a team in Kelowna, and will feature 27 regular season games in Nanaimo next season.

■ ■ ■ Island Oral Facial & Implant Surgery has expanded on the third floor of 84 Robarts Street.

■ ■ ■ Nanaimo Mitsubishi has applied for development permits for a new location nearby their current site, in the former Madill property that is now an extension of Kenworth Road.

■ ■ ■ Homesense is getting an extensive interior/exterior renovation at its 6950 North Island Highway

■ ■ ■ Southgate Chiropractic is moving to 512 Campbell Street from Southgate Mall on April 1.

■ ■ ■ Cu r t is Ha n sen i s n o w t h e owner/operator of Gorilla Property Services Nanaimo. Curtis is a well-known long-time coach with the Vancouver Island Raiders football team and has worked at the Regional District of Nanaimo for many years.

■ ■ ■ Western Marine Institute will be extending its main building entrance and renovating at 3519 Hallberg Road in Cassidy.

■ ■ ■ Congratulations are in order for Paul MacMunn of RBC Financial Planning upon successfully earning his Certified Financial Planner designation.

■ ■ ■ Dr. Natasha Drinnan is opening Linley Valley Vet at 100-5299 Rutherford Road.

■ ■ ■ A tip of the hat to J.E. Anderson & Associates for celebrating its 60 th anniversary recently.

The surveying and engineering company has offices in Nanaimo, Parksville, Campbell River and Victoria.

■ ■ ■ Top Notch Burgers is now open

at 70 Church Street.

■ ■ ■ A tip of the hat to Bob Bourgeault on celebrating 42 years at Parksville Chrysler in various capacities. Bob is well known in the hockey and fastball communities on the Central Island.

■ ■ ■ Madill The Office Company is building a new warehouse and office at 902 Ludlow Road in Ladysmith.

Ehren Madill leads the compa ny, wh ich has a n ex isting 13,000 square foot facility in Ladysmith, and has office supply clients across Vancouver Island, the lower mainland, Calgary, Red Deer and Edmonton.

■ ■ ■ Nanaimo Orthopaedics will be the name of a new office that is under construction at 1455 Dufferin Crescent that has a targeted September opening. It will be home to Orthopaedic Surgeons Drs. Yeoh, Voohoeve, Birchard, Smith and Cameron.

■ ■ ■ Rega Properties Ltd. is proposing to build 133 residential units in two four-storey buildings at 200 Hansen Road, near the intersection of East Wellington and Bowen Road.

■ ■ ■ Close to 600 professionals attended the BC Association

of Forest Professionals Annual Conference Feb. 5-7 at the Vancouver Island Conference Centre, notes Spectra Sales Manager Gina Bethell.

■ ■ ■ D-Architecture has submitted a development permit for a new Woodgrove Seniors Housing Society building at 1125 Seafield Crescent that will feature 124 residential units close by Nanaimo Regional General Hospital.

T h e f i r s t p h a s e wo u l d b e a f ive-storey bu i ld i ng, a nd the second phase wou ld i nclude demolition of an existing two-storey building to build another five-storey structure. Each would have 62 one and two-bedroom units.

■ ■ ■ John Furlong, who managed the Beban Park Recreational Complex for the Regional District of Nanaimo in the 1980’s, did a superb job as CEO of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver and Whistler, and he’s back in the news, suggesting to the Vancouver Board of Trade that the city should bid to host the 2030 Winter Olympics.

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

PARKSVILLE

8

MARCH 2020

GRAND OPENING OF THE OCEANSIDE INITIATIVES OFFICE

PARKSVILLE CHAMBER KIM BURDEN

T

he Parksville & District Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the official opening of the Oceanside Initiatives office, a collaboration of community business stakeholders in the Oceanside region focusing on business retention and expansion programs, data collection and analysis, as well as managing a co-working office space. The co-working office will have opportunities for long-term, short term and drop in office space as well as two meeting rooms and administrative supports.

Funding is provided through the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction’s Community and Employer Partnership (CEP) fund. The CEP Job Creation Partnership project

Photo Left to right, Mayor Ed Mayne – Parksville, Jean Maltesen - President, Parksville & District Chamber of Commerce, Ian Thorpe - Regional District of Nanaimo Chair and Kim Burden - Executive Director, Parksville & District Chamber of Commerce has made it possible to open the Oceanside Initiatives office, as well as hire a project manager and provide three participants with full-time work experience

for the duration of the project.

‘The plan will focus on programs and projects that give busi nesses the tools they need to expand, develop and

succeed. A nd, by doi ng so, ha rness the potentia l of the cu rrent busi ness cl i mate as well as honour our communi t y ’s v a l u e s of i n no v at io n ,

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creativity and respect for the environment’ explains Corry Hostetter, Oceanside Initiatives, Project Manager.

“The Oceanside Initiatives Network Hub Office is a good example of what small communties around the province are doing to attract and retain busi ness oppor tu n it ies a nd strengthen local economies,” said Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction Shane Simpson. “Partnerships like this support community organizations and employers to work together to increase employment opportunities.”

“Congratulations to those that have worked hard to date on supporting economic development locally and on the Oceanside Initiatives office grand op en i n g,” sa id Ia n T hor pe, Regional District of Nanaimo Chair. “Our Board has clearly defined the importance of economic coordination throughout the region in our current Strategic Plan. We see our role to help enable diverse economic opportunities across the region and are looking forward to continue to work together regionally.”

Kim Burden is Executive Director of the Parksville Chamber of Commerce.

COWICHAN VALLEY

MARCH 2020

THE COWICHAN VALLEY TALKS TECH!

COWICHAN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BARRY O’RIORDAN

T

echnology is everywhere. How can it help a regional and rural economy?

How do we train for jobs that don’t yet exist? These are among the topics explored in the tech and entrepreneurial series being held in the Cowichan Valley on April 23/24.

Econom ic Development Cow ichan (CVRD) has partnered with startup accelerator Innovation Island, Futurpreneur, and VIU Cowichan Campus to host a twoday series that focuses on the technology sector, trends, and innovation opportunities in the region.

To kick off the series an evening presentation entitled, Cowichan Valley Talks Tech!, will take place at VIU Cowichan Campus on April 23, 6.30 pm. We invite you to join Innovation Island’s intrepid Startup Whisperer [Graham Truax] for a high energy session that will leave you excited about where things are at and where

they’re going. If you are a community or business leader, educator, student, entrepreneur or concerned citizen this talk is for you and will provide a glimpse into the future we’ll all be facing soon.

Day 2 of the tech series (April 24) will feature a full day of workshops directed towards tech entrepreneurs and those wanting to see what it takes to engage in this space. Workshop 1, Pitch and Present, clears the way on how to create a winning pitch that embodies your value proposition and seeds a mutually beneficial relationship with investors. Workshop 2, Funding Sources for Startups, will help you to understand what’s required and how to access Government programs and Angel investment groups. These workshops are expected to fill up quickly, so early registration is recommended!

Following these workshops, there will be a bonus event Ask Me Anything – A Fireside Chat, which will provide a unique opportunity to engage directly with some of the region’s top tech entrepreneurs.

There really is something for everyone.

For those younger would-be entrepreneurs (under 39), there will be a pre-event workshop at VIU Cowichan on April 23, hosted

by Futurpreneurs, giving insights into the business planning process, mentorship programs and how to access financing.

For more information, check out EventBrite and search for Economic Development Cowichan or check Facebook.

Barry O’Riordan is Manager of Economic Development Cowichan

9

Groundbreaking For 118 Unit, Six-Storey Building Expected This Spring BERWICK COMMITS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

beauty, mild climate and sma l l-tow n feel,” says Berwick CEO Chris Denford. “The ongoing, coll aborat ive d iscu ssion s with the City of Parksville about their bright and optimistic vision for their community’s future coupled with the fact that O rc a Pl ace Suppor t ive Housi ng has positively managed the neighbouring housing project has further validated Berwick’s decision to move forward with building a community in Parksville.

P a rk s v i l l e M a y o r E d Mayne says “On behalf of Parksville Council, I’m pleased Berwick has made the decision to move forward with this exciting new development. We are a community-oriented region with an amazing natural environment, a lively arts and cultural scene and we are a safe communit y to ret i re or ra i se a family. Parksville is currently seeing significant development, either completed or well underway

“With a growing economy on Vancouver Island, the Central Vancouver Island region is a growing hotspot destination for retirees because of its seaside beauty, mild climate and small-town feel.”

CHRIS DENFORD BERWICK CEO

that includes new rental buildings which will help to fill housing needs. “ We a r e p l e a s e d t o welcome Berw ick to Parksville.”

The building’s architectural design and character will showcase details influenced by the sandy beaches and the natural environment. The extensive landscape design will draw much attention to the

pedestrian level where the experience of the residence can be enjoyed as a resident or pedestrian.

T he com mu n ity w i l l feature Berwick amenity spaces that encourage active living and spacious residential suites, some offering ocean and mountain views.

Berwick’s founders, Gordon and Chris Denford, live and work in Victoria.

QUEEN MARGARET’S SCHOOL CONTINUES TO EXPAND “We’re in an exciting time QMS Has Canada’s Only SchoolBased Equestrian Program

of expansion at our school.”

NATALIA STEWART QMS, DIRECTOR OF ADMISSIONS

Queen Margaret’s School offers equestrian programs for students

DUNCAN – It has been the goal of Queen Margaret’s School to create new generations of confident leaders of character and compassion empowered to create a more just and connected world since it first opened in 1921.

Parents have taken notice and increasingly enrolled their children to take advantage of the school’s innovative curriculum and enhanced programs in academics, athletics, fine arts, equestrian, and service.

Director of Admissions Natalia Stewart says the institution now has 400 students from Preschool to grade 12, and is poised for growth and through adding two new buildings on the property, expects to have enrollment increase by 100 by 2025.

“We’re i n a n exciti ng ti me of ex pa nsion at ou r school,” says Stewart. “We’re looking at two new buildings going up right now.

Our buildings are separated, and we’re adding an attachment to our primary building, and another for our junior school.”

Wit h 14 4 sta f f members a nd

teachers, the ratio of three students to one faculty/staff member ensures personal attention in a learning environment that enables every child to feel safe, accepted, and respected.

“Outstanding education for their children is what parents are looking for, and at a school like ours, we are able to give more attention to the kids in the classroom.,” Stewart notes, adding the school also offers boarding opportunities for students to live on campus.

Tuition rates vary throughout primary, junior and secondary grades, for day school, boarders and international students.

“I really feel independent schools in general look at the whole person, as opposed to very specific aspects of a student,” observes Stewart. “I think QMS does that, and tries to

engage the students so they’re not just good at one thing. We offer a plethora of sports clubs, activities, and academic courses that help students understand they can do anything, and not get pigeon-holed into one particular pursuit.”

QMS offers a more traditional learning environment when it comes to grading of students, so parents know exactly how their children are progressing.

“I love a balance between traditional and innovative education, and we also thrive in outdoor and experiential education,” she adds.

“We have a multitude of speakers throughout the year, and lots of field trips. Every student from all grades take a major field trip each year as part of our Outdoor Education Program.”

QMS has the added component of having Canada’s only school-based equestrian program, which also attracts students.

“It offers additional diversity through having really cool equestrian riders, and students who love to be around animals and horses,” she notes. “We also offer an equine leadership program, where students can learn leadership through working with horses, and I love it. It really helps students understand how to care for others through improved empathy and situational awareness.” www.qms.bc.ca

10

MARCH 2020

BAYWOOD GLASS CELEBRATING 15 YEARS IN BUSINESS Local Glass Company Offers The Best View

N

ANAIMO â&#x20AC;&#x201C; When Jeff Hague started Baywood Glass 15 years ago, he had a clear vision for the type of business he wanted to build.

He had been well trained at other glass companies on Vancouver Island, and knew the industry inside and out. Jack W h it t a ke r, f o u n d e r o f t h e Hazelwood Group of Companies, of fered t he prem ises at 6400 Hammond Bay Road and they struck up a partnership that continues today. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I learned the business from the bottom up, from the best,â&#x20AC;?

Hague says, recalling the first five years of his apprenticeship with Capital Glass, starting in Nanaimo in 1986 before moving to Victoria. That was followed by spending 14 years with Coast Glass in Parksville before opening Baywood. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They are very knowledgeable and they threw a lot of information my way. When I had a question, they were right on it to help me out,â&#x20AC;? he says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The guys I worked with were the best in the business and I was

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Baywood Glass on Hammond Bay Road in Nanaimo glad to have been trained by them.â&#x20AC;?

Besides glass, they did upholstery work that included boat and car interiors, sunroofs, and they even installed T-Tops, as well as electric sunroofs in cars. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When we started Baywood Glass, we struggled the first year, for sure, but we slowly ga ined customers a nd never looked back,â&#x20AC;? he says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve grown every year, and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re very happy about that.â&#x20AC;?

Baywood Glass is a full service commercial and residential glass shop, including specializi ng i n m i rrors a nd shower doors. They are also an ICBC Glass E x press Repa i r Shop, equipped to do all insurance claims, windshield replacement and rock chip repairs.

Baywood Glass has six team m e m b e rs, i n c lu d i n g of f i c e manager Sandy Besler, who has been with the company since their doors opened. â&#x20AC;&#x153;She organizes everything,â&#x20AC;?

Hag ue notes. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I probably wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t survive without her, thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s how important she is.â&#x20AC;?

That organization helps Baywood respond quickly to customer needs. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve a lways been fast,â&#x20AC;?

Hague adds. â&#x20AC;&#x153;One of the things

Jeff Hague is a co-owner at Baywood Glass weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve heard from our customers is that when they call in and want a quote, we get it out to them within a few days. Sandyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s right on it, and I get out as soon as I can to the site. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been a big difference maker for us. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We get there as quickly as we can, and we get close to 90 per cent of the work we quote.â&#x20AC;?

Hague also makes sure they match the right staff member to each job, to maximize the use of the teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s skills. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We try and put the most suitable person on to match the type

of job that comes in,â&#x20AC;? he adds. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Different jobs need different ta lents, whet her it be auto, homes or commercial work.â&#x20AC;?

T he compa ny does a lot of shower door work, and Hague notes that lower mainland suppliers say Baywood is the busiest outlet in Nanaimo for those units.

T he Hammond Bay site has worked well for Baywood Glass as well.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re in a good location, and people can find us quite easily because weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re on a main street,â&#x20AC;? he says.

Online ratings and testimonials are also consistently strong.

Auto glass work comprises a healthy portion of the business.

Baywood Glass tries to repair, before replacing, windshields. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Smaller rock chips can be repaired, whereas larger cracks m ay requ i re a f u l l g lass replacement,â&#x20AC;? Hague says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As an ICBC Glass Express Repair Shop, we know exactly how to file a claim and deal with the required paperwork.â&#x20AC;?

They also handle claims from all insurance providers, for all ma kes, models a nd yea rs of cars, trucks, semi-trucks, recreational vehicles and industrial heavy equipment.

When it comes to residential glass, Baywood has been one of the busiest Nanaimo operations for over a decade.

Baywood provides sliding patio doors, skylights, conservatory glass, custom cut glass, patio door and window hardware and safety glass. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We also provide commercial glass repair, replacement, upgrades and supplies,â&#x20AC;? Hague says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our commercial glass installations include store fronts, commercial entry doors, vestibule entries, internal glass or a lu m i nu m pa rtitions a nd etched glass.â&#x20AC;?

Baywood Glass cuts and insta l ls a l l ty pes of speci a lty glass, including coffee table glass, picture frame glass, protective glass for stairwells and safety glass, for exterior applications such as deck patios.

The key to the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; success is not only its quick response to customer needs, but also the fact they are local, and independent. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Jack W h itta ker a lways made a point of thanking local people for supporting a truly independent glass shop, and we thank the people for supporting us,â&#x20AC;? he says. www.baywoodglass.ca

Congratulations to Jeff and the team at Baywood Glass on your 15th Anniversary!

CONGRATULATIONS TO BAYWOOD GLASS ON 15 YEARS OF EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE.

Dave McNaught P: 250.390.1748 E: burbankgroup@shaw.ca

COMOX VALLEY/CAMPBELL RIVER

MARCH 2020

11

CHAMBER CONTINUES TO ADVOCATE FOR BUSINESS

COMOX VALLEY CHAMBER DIANNE HAWKINS

T

here’s much to focus on these days i n terms of advocacy - from the recent budget announcements, to Courtenay’s Official Community Plan (OCP), to liquid waste management and to our economy. The Comox Valley Ch a m b er en ga ge s w it h ou r provincial and federal counterparts on provincial and federal issues, and personally responds to advocacy issues on behalf of business in our municipal areas.

Locally the Chamber continues to engage with local government and business on changes that will affect them. The Chamber is on the OCP Advisory Council and will bring the voice of business to the table. The Chamber sits on the liquid waste management planning committee, stays in the loop on the water treatment plant updates, and was invited to participate in the Innovate 2030 process.

The BC Provincial budget was recently released, and we applaud the government’s efforts to continue to invest in affordability – including the enhanced BC Child Opportunity Benefit for low and middle-income families and the affordable housing strategy.

However, businesses are seeing increasing financial pressure with the burden to finance the new tax initiatives falling on business to pay for it. The addition of the Employee Health Tax (EHT) is an increasing burden and may hinder a business’s ability to invest and grow and hire

more employees over time. By continuing to ask the questions and present the findings to all levels of government the Chamber network supports business throughout British Columbia.

The Chamber hosts round table discussions with MLAs and MPs where business leaders in relevant sectors are invited to attend. The provincial and federal governments look to the Chamber to provide much needed input and feedback on upcoming policy and progression that will support or hinder business. The Chamber’s main mission is to act as a resourceful advocate between government and business.

You r loc a l Ch a mb er c a res about the barriers you as business owners face doing business.

We want to know what business issues are keeping you up at night. Contact the Chamber, we care - our business is advocacy.

■■■ We l c o m e n e w m e m b e r s : Iconic Island Dwellings Inc, Comox Valley Multicultural &

Immigration Support Society, Comox Valley Hospice Society, Red Sage Wellness, Comox Valley Cleaners, Signature Wines, C o a s t R a n ge C a n n a b i s a n d Milano Coffee.

Dianne Hawkins is CEO of the Comox Valley Chamber. Building Good Business since 1919 For more information on the Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce, visit: www.comoxvalleychamber.com or call 250-334-3234.

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CAMPBELL RIVER MARY RUTH SNYDER

O

ur mantra of New E.D. New Board New Era has continued into our seventh month with an expansion of our partnership with North Island College School of Business. T he partnership is designed to provide opportunities for business students to find internship placement, or co-op placement with local businesses and organizations. An example are the post-degree diploma Global Business Ma nagement students, who require 180 hours of internship with a business in order to complete their d iploma. For the business, the business gains new insight from these talented global students, and the students have the opportunity to share their knowledge, education and training while learning new approaches in Canadian business.

We are absolutely thrilled with the most recent development — North Island College has expanded their Student Employment Services team with the hiring of Dayna Kneeland as their Employment Engagement Facilitator. In her role as Employment Engagement Facilitator, Dayna will be focused on connecting with employers across the region to develop work-integrated learning opportunities for students. Dayna’s position will aim to strengthen current relationships with employers interested in hiring NIC students and forge new partnerships with employers who have not yet engaged in work-integrated learning. Dayna plans on being out in the business com munity as much as possible and would welcome the opportunity to visit employers and learn more about their business & current staffing needs.

She can assist with job development and the creation of job descriptions as needed. She will be able to play a key role in matching employers with keen students who want to take their learning outside of the classroom. Dayna plans o n a t te n d i n g re l e v a n t i ndustry a nd employer networking events as well as hosting regular events to build relationships and

promote the internship and co-operative education programs at NIC. P r i o r t o t h i s role, Day n a worke d a s a North Isla nd Col lege faculty member in several departments including Tourism and Hospitality Management and Business.

She h a s a l so tau g ht at Capilano University and worked in employ ment services for 4 years within the non-profit sector. She holds a master’s degree in Adult Education from the University of British Columbia and a BC Provincial Instructor’s diploma.

Beginning Wednesday, March 4th , Dayna will be at the Campbell River and District Chamber of Commerce from 2 pm to 4 pm every Wednesday to meet with businesses. She can be reached by email at dayna. kneeland@nic.bc.ca.

Mary Ruth Snyder is Executive Director of the Campbell River Chamber of Commerce.

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MARCH 2020

LEVEL 10 EUROSPA: THREE DECADES OF MAKING CLIENTS HAPPY Award Winning Comox Valley Business Continues To Introduce Innovative Products And Services

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O U R T E N AY – L evel 10 Eurospa ow ner a nd founder Leanne Boyd is in the business of making people happy.

Mission accomplished, as the award winning Comox Valley company Boyd founded three decades ago in 1990 has made a lot of customers happy, who keep coming back.

“It really is about ensuring our client’s visit is a ‘beautiful experience’,” she says. “This, along with our commitment to innovation and to helping protect the environment attributes to the fact we have been in business for 30 years now.”

Level 10 Eurospa is a full service salon and day spa, offering everything from hair design, facials and skin rejuvenation, manicures and pedicures, nails and hair removal, to relaxation massage, hydrotherapy and body wraps. They also offer unique signature treatments.

Level 10 Eurospa is a Certified Green Circle Salon, diverting 95 per cent of all salon and spa waste out of the landfills and river ways since 2014. The company has been awarded Comox Valley Business of the Year, Vancouver Island Business Excellence Award Retail Business of the Year, an EcoStar Award for Greenest Retailer on Vancouver Island, and was the first ever recipient of the Comox Valley’s Sustainability Award.

Level 10 also received a Canadian Business Award for Innovative Salon & Spa, and a Lux Life Health, Beauty and Wellness Award last year.

It’s been quite a journey for Boyd, a licensed hairdresser herself who still works behind her chair several days a week. “ I n 19 9 0, a t t h e u rg i n g and with the guidance of an

From left: Salon Coordinator Crystal, owner Leanne Boyd and Spa Director Carrie entrepreneurial relative, I headed to the bank to get a loan for $5,000. This was to purchase some furniture and equipment from a salon that was closing,” she recalls. “As I knew nothing about opening and running a business, I spent the following months gathering information a nd ta k i ng a sma l l busi ness course while continuing to work as a hairdresser at a local salon. It was very exciting and I was able to design my new salon from the ground up.”

The company was originally called Level 10 Hair Design & Esthetics, and in 1994 Boyd purchased the building at 1025 Cliffe Avenue, moved the business there and built Level 10 Eurospa – the Comox Valley’s first day spa.

Originally starting with a staff of 4, Level 10 Eurospa now employs 18-22 professionals. “Providing employment for this many people is very rewarding,” Boyd says. “I strive to create a nd maintain an exceptional working environment that attracts the best in our industry and where employees happily want to be a part of the L10 Team for the long term. “This, in turn, results in an atmosphere where clients have confidence in us, feel very special and love to come and visit.”

Level 10 Eurospa has made a poi nt of supporti ng the com mu n ity a nd ot her loca l

businesses, advocating for shopping locally and giving to many charities and organizations.

Boyd glows when speaking about Level 10 Eurospa’s Green Circle Salons designation.

“With about 30,000 hair salons in Canada, our industry’s environmental impact is significant,” she notes. “So when I discovered that we could become sustainable by partnering with Green Circle Salons, I didn’t hesitate but I did have to wait three years for this program to be offered on the West Coast.

“As the first Certified Green Ci rcle Sa lon i n ou r a rea, we strive to do our part in reducing the harmful effects our business has on the environment, and since 2014 we have diverted 8,135.3 pounds (3.69 tonnes) of

waste out of our local landfill and waterways. In an effort to reduce even further, we installed an eco-friendly, tankless water system that not only cut our water and heating bills by almost half, but also dramatically reduces our carbon emissions.

“To reduce our carbon footprint even more, we installed professional-grade ECOHEADS salon showerheads that use 65 per cent less water than typical salon shower heads,” she adds.

Other green initiatives include transitioning from fluorescent a nd haloge n l ig ht i ng t o e cofriendly and energy saving LED lighting, and they also invite clients to bring in empty or unused beauty products (no matter where they purchased them) which Level 10 recycles. They

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have added live plants to their day spa to assist with air quality as well.

L evel 10 Eu rospa has continued to add new services to its menu, most recently introducing Vinotherapy.

“For this ancient therapy, we use wine and wine by-products to heal and rejuvenate the body,” she says. “It’s been around since medieval times. We have partnered with 40 Knots Vineyard and Estate Winery, using the marc and the lees from their clean, bio dynamically farmed, premium wine to create brand new spa treatments that are natural, effective and align with our sustainability and green certifications.

Level 10 has also collaborated with 40Knots to help create VinoSpa, an all-natural line of skincare using their wine and the lees, pips and skins.

They’ve also created their own line of all natural skin care, hair and body care products and cosmetics named L10 naturals.

“As a team, we take pride in a high level of customer satisfaction and diligently strive to be the best providing undivided attention for the duration of each client’s visit,” she says.

Boyd expects 2020 to be Level 10 Eurospa’s best year yet, and attributes the company’s consistent growth to its corporate culture, high standards, commitment to keeping current and providing outstanding client experiences. www.level10eurospa.com

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MARCH 2020

RESTORATION FIRM LINKS WITH FIRST GENERAL SERVICES Transition Has Opened Doors

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ANAIMO – A new affiliation with First General Services has the entire locally owned and operated Vancouver Island office excited about what the future brings. Based in Nanaimo but looking to expand geographically in the coming months, the new partnership with First General represents the dawn of a new era for the business and its team.

Founders Ryan and Rebecca Hill had been a member of Rainbow International since starting the business 10 years ago to provide restoration services for fire, water, wind and other unexpected events. They recently decided to join Canadian owned First General Services and their network of 80 franchise operations throughout the country.

“We were impressed by the passion and drive of First General CEO Frank Mirabelli, and believed his vision for the industry and the First General brand was something we wanted to be a part of,” says Rebecca, who is the local office Sales and Marketing Leader, with Ryan as President and Brad Schiewe as General Manager of their office at 1013 Old Victoria Road.

Angela Veri (Executive VP strategic Partnerships), Rebecca Hill, Ryan Hill, Frank Mirabelli (CEO First General) and Brad Schiewe “We officially partnered with them last July, and have had great success during our first year as owners of a local First General office.”

The switch of affiliation and the leadership team’s varied backgrounds in real estate, technology and construction have combined to propel the company forward.

“The company continues to grow and change,” notes Brad.

“The restoration industry has been consolidated by large national insurers and contractors for years. Transitioning from Rainbow to First General has opened doors for us with certain insurers in Canada that weren’t available before.

“It’s helped us redefine the vision for our business and stay hyper-focused on what makes our partners in the insurance industry, our employees and customers successful,” he adds. ”Ultimately, we know that setting each one of those parties up for success on a project will lead to positive outcomes.”

T he H i l ls decided to bri ng Schiewe aboard two years ago.

“We knew that if we were to take our business to the next level, we would need to bring on a leader who could help drive the operational success of the organization,” Rebecca recalls. “We were clear about where some of our shortfalls were as leaders and owners, and saw in Brad the strong leadership, discipline and experience that we were looking for.”

Schiewe’s arrival coincided with the largest influx of claims due to the massive December, 2018 windstorm that struck Vancouver Island. His experience in business systems, technology and project management has allowed the company to add the use of 3-D cameras and onsite documentation to provide real-time reporting to insurance partners.

Schiewe notes the company is business-to-business and business-to-consumer, and their team members give them an edge in the marketplace.

“Our teams are not just inside of people’s homes every day, but they’re also coordinating with other important stakeholders including insurance carriers, adjusting firms, property managers and third-party administrators,” he notes. “They represent us well every single day in our community.” www.fgsna.com

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14

MARCH 2020

Iconic Island Dwellings Offering Exclusive Modular Housing Comox Valley Company Signs Deal With Triple M Housing

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OMOX – As the price of housing continues to rise, the owners of Iconic Island Dwellings are at work creating high value, reduced cost solutions.

Company owners Catherine Keylock and Chris Andersen recently announced they have partnered up to bring Triple M Housing’s exclusive line of Modular Home designs to Vancouver Island, Gulf Islands and the Sunshine Coast.

“Modular Construction can meet ma ny needs i nclud i ng affordable and attainable housing for those with a lot or not,” says Andersen, a veteran of the business for over 20 years. “A big part of our business plan is to create liveable smaller communities that will let families and retirees live in secure, safe housing, while remaining affordable.

“For those with land that will allow for a primary or secondary home, our extensive selection of more than 170 standard home plans can make that dream a reality. Furthermore our homes come with an unprecedented 20 year Manufacturers Warranty.”

Iconic’s new location at 1355 Comox Road in Courtenay features three model showhomes, as well as an elaborate Decor Centre to help clients choose the colours and finishes for their new home.

Meeting our home buyer’s needs while exceeding their expectations is our number one goal. Offering our extensive experience helps to ease the stresses many new clients may feel with such an important purchase,” says Keylock, who is the firm’s Sales and Marketing Manager.

Iconic is already eyeing a second location in the Central Island area to improve the accessibility to view our Homes. Offering a product built right here in British Columbia is important to us, and to our clients. Triple M Housing’s BC manufacturing facility is very close, only a stone’s throw away in Agassiz, and they also have a larger one in Lethbridge, Alberta.

Over 40 years of building beautiful homes across western Canada is a significant strength worth noting.

One of many Triple M Housing units to choose from “Ever heard the line, we bought one a nd liked it so much we bought the company? Well, that’s kind of how it started for us. We bought one of the Triple M Homes and we liked it so much, we asked if there ever was an opportunity for us to represent them, to let us know,” asked Keylock. “Fast forward a few short months and here we are the exclusive dealer. We are very excited about this new venture. It’s a fascinating business and we’re truly loving it.”

Kip Keylock, Cat’s husband, works with Iconic to locate land parcels for their homes throughout the Central Island, and he’s zeroed in on three terrific sites, one in Courtenay, and two in the Black Creek area. Kip has been a land developer in the Comox Valley for 15 years, and his projects include Kincora Ridge at Astra Bay in Comox, and The Views at Forbidden Plateau.

HIS COMPANY, Ocean States Developments, is involved on a current project named Miracle Beach Estates in Black Creek, on a 50-acre parcel of land.

“Iconic’s typical customer is looking for homes in the 900-1500 sq ft range, which are ideally suited for smaller lots, so that’s where

Iconic’s customers have access to an extensive selection of more than 170 standard home plans

The process of making these choices can be scary for some, especially first time buyers, so we take all the time we need to offer our experience to ease any stress our new clients may feel our land focus is,” Kip observes.

Keylock identifies factory built homes typically as attainable housing, especially with the intimidating prices of single family dwellings in the Vancouver Island market.

“We’re providing a product that first time buyers can afford,” he notes. “That’s really important these days, however our home offerings appeal to a much wider base, including down sizers, retirees and even second dwellings as rentals.”

Iconic offers more than 170 unique plans with countless interior and exterior options available, they range in size from a 400 square foot tiny home layout, to a 2,040 square foot four bedroom, two bathroom unit with lots of choices in between. “Our homes can be customized and highly personalized. Catherine has an incredible eye at creating spaces, colours and textures to reflect the client’s dream home desires” states Andersen.

Kip adds that Iconic works with a number of willing lenders to assist buyers, including flexible private financing options. With the recent realization in the mortgage qualifying rules, we have already noticed more excitement on the Iconic Home products.

Catherine Keylock and Chris Andersen of Iconic Island Dwellings “The quality of a factory built home is superb,” Andersen observes. “They’re built right, built tough, and built to last, meeting all the new Vancouver Island building code requirements, especially when it comes to wet climate engineering. The 20 Year Manufacturer’s warranty is unprecedented, and speaks to the strict processes and craftsmanship at Triple M Housing.”

Catherine says interest is already strong, even though their Grand Opening is slated for April 18. Iconic is setting up 3 new showhomes over the next few weeks, and will be prepared for the opening with fully furnished and decorated homes, an excited team and even some surprises during the opening celebrations.

With the combined skills of the Keylocks and Andersen, Iconic offers a true start-to-finish service for clients, including obtaining building permits, foundations, hook-ups to BC Hydro, water, septic services, deck building, and even garage packages.

“We promise our home buyers the best of service, and work

toward them getting exactly what they want in their home,” says Cat.“We have highly qualified crews to do the installs, and trailers of unique tools and equipment ready for the site work,” Chris says. “We’re truly offering full services for our clients.

Keylock says the vast majority of sales thus far have included accessing and using the skills of Iconic’s specialized construction and install team.

“People truly seem to appreciate it,” he says. “They get exactly what they want, and we help them get it built on time, on budget, all with the utmost care from Iconic.”

Iconic’s Grand Opening is April 18/20th at their new location from 11-3PM. All are welcome to attend and meet the team and view the new homes. 1355 Comox Road, Courtenay BC. Phone: 250-871-7766. Email: info@iconicid.ca

SALES / OFF THE COVER

MARCH 2020

BE A DUMMY â&#x20AC;&#x201C; STRUGGLE ON PURPOSE!

SALES JOHN GLENNON

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nce upon a ti me, there was a young kid who graduated from high school, took a look at the help wanted ads, went out on a couple of interviews, and, within just a few days, landed his very first job. He was hired as a salesperson by one of those big box stores.

They assigned him to the air conditioner and heater department. There really wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t any training to speak of, so on the morning of his very first day, he had no idea what to do when an elderly lady walked into his work area and said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Can you please help me pick out a heater?â&#x20AC;?

He d id nâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t even k now where the heaters were.

But he was honest enough to say, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s my first day, maâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;am. Follow me and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll find them.â&#x20AC;? This disarming honesty caused the elderly customer to smile. She followed him down a long aisle.

Before long, they found where all the heaters were stacked up on shelves.

He asked the woman what kind of heater she was looking for, at which point she started talking at length about what she thought she needed and where i n her house she wanted more heat. T he yo u n g m a n p a i d c l o s e

attention to everything she said. He asked lots of questions. When she asked him something about a specific heater that he couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t answer, he pulled the relevant box down from the shelf, read out loud from the box, and helped her figure everything out. This, too, made her smile.

With the young manâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s help, she settled on the heater she wanted. She was very happy with her selection. As they walked up toward the front of the store she asked, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Where do I pay for this?â&#x20AC;?

He looked around, and then said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;You know, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m really not sure. Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s figure that out together.â&#x20AC;? And she smiled again.

Eventually, he succeeded in getting her to the cash register with her purchase, and she checked out. On her way out of the store, she spotted a manager, walked up to him and said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Do you see that young man over there?â&#x20AC;?

The manager nodded and said â&#x20AC;&#x153;Yes, maâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;am, I do.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Well,â&#x20AC;? she continued, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I just want to make sure you know that he is an excellent salesperson.â&#x20AC;?

In the weeks that followed, lots of other customers seemed to agree.

T hat you ng ma n very quickly delivered the highest sales numbers the air conditioner and heater department had ever posted.

About a month after he had sta rted on the job, though, management decided to send him off for training on all their heating and air conditioning products. He spent three straight days learning all about heaters. By the time he made it back to the big

box store, he was a heater expert.

Fa s t fo r wa r d t h r e e months. Can you guess what happened?

W hen ma nagement pulled up the figures on sales in his department, they found that they had plummeted. Why? Because once the young man became an expert, he stopped listening and stopped asking questions. He started proving that he already had all the answers. He started delivering monologues.

He started showing off all of that shiny new product knowledge about heaters.

He was no longer engaging people. He was no longer disarming. Now, he was just another sales guy showing off everything he knew.

His sales totals only went back up when he started to ask the very same questions he used to ask . . . back when he knew absolutely nothing about heaters.

Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the moral of the stor y. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s okay to be a dummy on purpose . . . because being a dummy on purpose disarms and engages the prospect. And itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s okay to have lots of product knowledge . . . as long as you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t try to share it all the time.

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be afraid to struggle a little bit . . . on purpose.

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be afraid to ask the kinds of questions only a dummy would ask. This is actually one of the hallmarks of effective professional selling!

John Glennon is the owner of Insight Sales Consulting Inc, the authorized Sandler Training Licensee for the Interior of British Columbia.

Buildings From The Malahat To Port Hardy To Be Celebrated At April 23rd Gala BUILDING AWARDS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

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Tickets to the event, which is expected to be a sellout, are $125 plus tax, and are available at www.businessvexaminer. ca/events.

For information and nomination forms, please contact Sue Lessard of VIREB at 250-390-4212 or visit www.vireb.com.

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16

MARCH 2020

Ecofish Founder Lands Lifetime Achievement Award Company Expects Continued Growth

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ICTORIA – Fisheries Biologist Adam Lewis recognized a need for impartial, accurate information to help government regulators make better decisions to limit environmental impacts.

M i ssion accompl i shed , a s Ecofish Research Ltd. has grown steadily since starting two decades ago, and it now has offices on Vancouver Island at 114-1537 Hillside Avenue in Victoria, and in Nanaimo, Campbell River and two in Courtenay, as well as other locations in B.C., and Nova Scotia and Ontario.

Their contributions have been duly noted, and Lewis recently received the Lifetime Achievement Award from Clean Energy BC (CEBC) at their annual Generate Conference. CEBC represents developers, operators and

Adam Lewis, Ecofish founder and Executive Director supporting service industries in the clean energy market.

“Ecofish has been working to improve environmental outcomes on projects since 2000, by applying our passionate, dedicated,

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Ecofish has many years of experience in project issues scoping—from project conception through the Environmental Assessment (EA) process and expert team to the toughest challenges faced by our clients in industry, government, and First Nations,” says Lewis, the company founder and Executive Director. “As the impacts of climate change and biodiversity loss increasingly threaten our province, we will tirelessly pursue innovative solutions to help our clients make an environmental difference.”

Lewis spent 10 years in the environmental consulting industry before starting Ecofish.

With a team of environmental experts, Ecofish first tackled environmental challenges in the hydroelectric industry, collaborating with government and industry to improve project design and operation by developing provincial and national guidelines for assessment and monitoring.

“Today this approach is the standard in the province, with applications across Canada and the world that brings the effective, practical results to industry, and improves environmental

performance,” Lewis notes, adding the same science-based approach is now applied by Ecofish to all of BC’s major industries, reducing environmental effects and increasing project certainty.

Ecofish is a client-focused organization that delivers environmental assessment and monitoring services to clients facing challenging environmental problems. It is built on four core principles: Scientific excellence, business discipline, environmental ethics, and social responsibility.

“We invest heavily in research and development and innovation, employee training, digital technology, and technical equipment to continuously improve service quality and cost-effectiveness,” he says, noting they have 110 employees.

“We strive to provide our staff a good work-life balance, with flexible work hours, extensive leave, customized workspaces, and flexibility of work location,” he notes, adding this has helped attract new members to the team. “We provide

professional development support to employees pursuing professional certifications and accreditations, and a wellness program to promote the maintenance of a healthy lifestyle outside of work.”

Lewis says the company plans to continue expansion across the country by hiring local staff in local communities.

“We believe that siting our offices in communities near our clients’ projects improves quality of service and gives our staff the opportunity to work where they want to live, while reducing commuting and our carbon footprint,” he states. “By innovating to provide new capabilities in our service area, we will support our clients, strengthened by large investments staff training and an expanded roster of environmental experts.

“By applying our core principles in a consistent, strategic manner, we expect to double our size in five years, as we have done since inception.” www.ecofishresearch.com

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The John Hart Generating Station is one of Vancouver Island’s most important generating facilities.

Built in 1947, it required replacement and modernization work to be more efficient and reliable.

Ecofish provided key fisheries and environmental services for the Environmental Assessment (EA)

17

MARCH 2020

Apartment Buildings Near Hospital Approved Comox Valley Record COURTENAY - At its recent meeting, Courtenay council gave final reading to a zoning amendment that allows Victoria-based Woodsmere Holdings to build a pair of apartment buildings near the hospital at Mission Road and Veterans Memorial Way. Collectively, the four-storey buildings will contain 16 three-bedroom apartments, 46 two-bedroom units and 32 one-bedroom units.

Several area residents spoke against the project at a public hearing. Concerns centered around the height of the complex, tra ffic congestion and decreased property values.

■Council adopted a loan authorization bylaw to construct the $4.252 mill ion Greenwood T r u n k Connection to the sanitary sewer system.

An AAP (Alternate Approval Process) generated one elector response form before the Feb. 18 deadline.

“We think this is a good news story,” CAO David Allen said. “It’s been on

SELF-EMPLOYMENT AND TAXES

SMALL BUSINESS JOLYNN GREEN Artistic rendering of proposed 2600 Mission Road development.

Photo credit: woodsmere.ca the books for a number of years. We’ve tied in to the work that the regional district has done on their portion of the Greenwood Trunk. It’s going to provide an opportunity to allow development to continue in the east side of Courtenay.

We know that costs have escalated with respect to construction, so getting this out as soon as possible is felt to be a good thing.”

T he approval is for $3 million in borrowing over 25 years, Allen added.

The tendering process closes April 2. Construction is expected to proceed

late May/early June.

Once constructed, the City will be able to decommission three smaller temporary lift stations, and redirect flows by gravity into the regional district trunk main on Anderton Road.

■In an effort to alleviate the burden on taxpayers, council approved a motion from Doug Hillian to request help from Transportation Minister Claire Trevena to identi fy a lternative funding for the 5th Street Bridge rehabilitation project. Repairs are estimated at $6.3 million.

A

ll self-employed persons are required to annually prepare and file a tax return to report their business activities. If you have earned self-employment income from a business you operate yourself (or with a partner), you will be required to declare your earnings on your personal tax return. Business income is money that you have earned by selling products or performing a service. Sometimes people have other revenue streams which add to their income such as rental, investment, employment or pension income.

How people record their business transactions is as individual` as the businesses

they operate. Most businesses have good records of their income as they usually have invoices, till tapes, or deposits but expenses often end up piling up for input or stuffed in a shoe box for the accountant. Even people who keep every receipt forget what they’re for. The effort taken to set up a structured system will save you time in the long run. It doesn’t have to be fancy; it just has to work whether it’s a spread sheet or software.

You’ve likely spent cash over the year to run your business. A few common business expenses are promotion, meals and office supplies. If your vehicle is used for business, you may be able to claim a portion of the vehicle’s fuel, repairs, insurance, etc. If you operate your business from home, a portion (relates to the size of your dedicated office square footage) of your home expenses can also be expensed.

Claiming all of your business-related expenses is especially important for two reasons: You are subtracting your expenses from your income which translates to less tax due. As a self-employed person, you are responsible for both your share of Canada

Pension Plan contributions as well as the employer’s share.

Ultimately, by annually filing your income tax you will get a much clearer idea as to the overall health of your businesses. As an agency that supports small business, we advocate keeping up on annual filings of income tax, GST and PST filings and Employee Source Deductions.

Government remittances are the primary area that we see small businesses struggle. Often, they come to us seeking advice on how to get back on track. Financial institutions require up to date financial statements and evidence tax submissions if you are seeking financing or as a routine maintenance of your current financing.

Tax time can be good time to step back, take account and determine if your business record keeping is set up in the most efficient way. Maybe it’s time to bring a professional bookkeeper and or an accountant in, leaving you to do what you do best.

Jolynn Green is Executive Director of Community Futures Central Island. Jolynn can be reached at ed@cfnanaimo.org or 250-591-7499.

KING BROS.: ISLAND-OWNED IMPORT, EXPORT SOLUTIONS Serving Businesses Throughout Vancouver Island

V

Simon Smith is President of King Bros

ICTORIA – King Bros.

Limited Customs Brokers/Ship’s Agents has been able to serve Vancouver Island businesses for over a century because it has made a point of being contemporary and up to date on import and export laws and regulations. “ We h ave ad ap te d to t he changing landscape of business needs including technology requirements, logistical considerations, and staying current with continuously changing policy from Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and many other government agencies,” states Compa ny P resident Simon Smith, who is proud of the fact that King Bros. remains independent.

“It is increasingly difficult for smaller, independent companies to compete with National firms often outsourcing data entry overseas, offering discounted rates and marginal service. Our company can

compete with any national corporation, and we do it through respecting and understanding the needs of our clients,” he adds. “With mergers and acquisitions occurring all around us, we are committed to being independent and local.”

King Bros. Limited, which offers customs clearance, transportation, forwarding, logistics and consulting services to clients, was founded in 1911 by brothers Edward and Henry King. Smith started with the firm in 1992, became an owner in 2012 and President in 2017.

“We must know what goods are allowed entry into Canada, and how to declare and account for them on behalf of our clients,” Smith notes.

“T h i s cou ld i nclude fo o dstuffs, health products and goods governed by N RCa n, Transport Canada, etc.”

King Bros. has extensive experience providing import service for motor vehicles, marine vessels, a i rcra ft a nd heav y equipment for commercial or personal use. They prepare and submit all types of Customs entries, importation of casual and personal goods, preparation of export and import documentation, freight forwarding and

logistics coordination, refunds, drawback and duty deferrals.

King Bros. has a staff of 10, and Smith notes “Our commitment to service, industry knowledge, and understanding the complexities of government regulations means we play an important value added role. We are experiencing the best growth in years even with the current global economic uncertainty.”

Sm it h b el ieve s t h e c ompany’s role is integral to the success of businesses engaged in international trade, and as a by-product, their success is directly linked to that of their clients.

“We pride ourselves on providing the best customer service in the industry,” he notes, adding that King Bros. remains t he on ly Va ncouver Isl a nd owned Customs Brokerage and Ship’s Agency.

“The money earned through our business remains on Vancouver Island, and is injected back into the local economy,” Smith states. “We work daily with local logistics companies and service providers who share the same philosophy of islanders helping islanders.” www.kibro.com

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MARCH 2020

FOOTPRINTS SECURITY: FOUR DECADES OF KEEPING ISLANDERS SAFE Family Owned Firm Named Business Of The Year Finalist In Business Excellence Awards

N

ANAIMO – When burglars and intruders see or hear Footprints, they walk away.

Footprints Security is wel l known and recognized for its fleet of vehicles and uniformed guards, which have been patrolling Vancouver Island since 1980. Footprints has the largest mobile patrol and alarm response fleet on Vancouver Island, and also offers home watch and special event assistance.

Fo o t p r i n t s S e c u r i t y w a s founded by Sarah and Michael Collery in Qualicum Beach four decades ago with a staff of three.

Today, the family business is owned and operated by their sons, President and Managing Director Simon Collery and his brother, Vice President of Operations Adrian Collery, with over 450 trained personnel from Victoria to Campbell River, and five offices, including headquarters at 3A-4890 Rutherford Road in Nanaimo.

Business in Vancouver published its annual Book of Lists naming the biggest companies in the province, and Footprints Security is the eighth largest security company in BC. Recently named a Finalist in the Business of the Year category at the 20th Annual Grant Thornton LLP Vancouver Island Business Excellence Awards, Footprints also has the largest mobile patrol and alarm response fleet on Vancouver Island with 35 vehicles.

“We have called the Island our home for three generations, and the safety and security of Vancouver Island communities is close to our hearts,” says Simon Collery. “We share a common vision to preserve the Island’s reputation as an incredible place

Footprints Security’s Senior Management Team, from left: Vice President – Operations Adrian Collery, Human Resources Manager Lexi Christopher, Chief Financial Officer Rob Kenney, President and Managing Director Simon Collery and Operations Manager – Central Island Debbie Shea to live, and we want to ensure a safe and friendly environment to raise our families.”

Being in business for 40 years is a statement about the company’s success and commitment to serving its clients well, and Simon takes pride in the team members in each community who continue to build and maintain key relationships where they live and work.

“Part of our competitive advantage of being an independent company is that we compete aga i nst nationa l a nd mu ltinational companies,” he notes.

“A lot of our business is relationship-based, with our Island people connecting with other Island people. The companies we compete aga i nst usua l ly have changes in management a nd people, so I bel ieve the

long-term relationsh ips ou r team has built with our clients is a huge part of our success.”

Growth in the security sector has hovered around seven per cent nationally and internationally in recent years, but Collery says Footprints has experienced 15-20 per cent increases over the past few years.

“We add another layer of ears and eyes and a physical presence in the community serving our clients,” he notes. “Part of our service is providing a physical presence, so that it makes people think ‘I saw a guard’ so they will think again about what they might have been thinking of doing.

“We a re obv iously not police, and the rules for private security is to observe record and report. T hat is the legal

f u nc t ion of se c u r it y workers in British Columbia, and t h at’s wh at we do so wel l.”

Simon’s brother Adrian has over 25 years of experience in Corrections and Security, and came on board in 2006. He manages Footprints’ operation, policies and procedures, and handles administration of the company’s ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management Program.

Simon joined the business 24 years ago, in 1996, after eight years in sales and management with Coca-Cola, and the brothers bought their parents out.

“I tell people it’s the best decision I ever made, and the worst decision I ever made, joining the family business,” he laughs.

“Being that our business is 24 hours a day, seven days a week, it’s even more challenging.”

Footprints Security guards have all taken government standard training, called Basic Security Training (BST).

“Every person that works in private security in BC has to take the BST,” Simon notes.

“We have an approved facility and instructors to deliver that training. After someone completes that training they apply for a security workers’ license, then they are licensed to work for a security company in BC.” Security guards no longer have to be bonded to do their jobs, as the Security Services Act provides liability insurance for home and business owners for $100,000 per employee, meaning the premises are insured for that amount.

SEE FOOTPRINTS | PAGE 19

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MARCH 2020

Footprints Security has 35 vehicles in its fleet to serve Vancouver Island

FOOTPRINTS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18

Footprints Security holds a security business license with the province of BC, and employees operate u nder th ree categories: Security Worker, Private Investigator and Security Consultant. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t focus too much on the Private I nvestigator aspect, but we do some of that work from time to time,â&#x20AC;? Simon states.

The province has added Advanced Security Training for the industry, which means security workers with the proper training can use handcuffs for restraining individuals if necessary. A loss prevention store detective might be the position that would need to use that the most, if at all.

Fo ot pr i nts Secu r it y hold s certification for ISO 9001:2015 for Total Quality Management, w h i c h i n c lu d e s s t r u c t u re d quality control and monitori ng of ongoi ng ma nagement

improvement programs. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our adherence to the principles of ISO ensures that we are continually reassessing our clientsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; needs, and adjusting our services where required, based on our customized ISO database,â&#x20AC;? he notes.

A SIS I nter n at ion a l B o a rd Cer ti fication ack nowledges the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mastery of core security principals and skills essentia l to the best practices of security management, and Footprints has completed the Climate Smart (Lean and Green) program to become fully certified. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are now identified as a leading organization that tracks and takes action to reduce our g reen house gas em issions,â&#x20AC;?

S i m o n s t a te s . â&#x20AC;&#x153; B y d i s c o vering ways to reduce our carbon footprint, we are socially conscious.â&#x20AC;?

O f t he ser v ices of fered by Fo ot pr i nt s, u n i for me d a nd plain clothes security professionals are the most visible, deterring illegal activity and

safeguarding assets and individuals from harm.

They are effective at high occurrence sites like construction sites, shopping centres, strip malls, office buildings, warehouses and industrial buildings, as well as homes. T hey help prevent against vehicle theft, theft of merchandise or capital, vandalism, robbery, trespassing and other criminal activity. â&#x20AC;&#x153;O u r secu r ity professionals monitor premises, escort personnel, and are an overall presence to deter illegal activity,â&#x20AC;? Simon points out. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our team members can also act as reliable witnesses, appearing before courts to ensure justice is served.â&#x20AC;?

Plain clothes security prov i d e s c o v e r t p ro te c t i o n o f people and property, while the mobile patrol security units are more cost-effective solutions to reduce risk to client sites and property.

Mobile Patrol Drivers operate eco-friendly patrol vehicles

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Vice President of Operations Adrian Collery

President and Managing Director Simon Collery

equipped with advanced GPS tracking devices supported by a trained Mobile Patrol Supervisor 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They also perform periodic security checks and general patrol serv ices at times determined by client needs.

Home Watch is an increasingly popular service due to individuals leaving for vacation for extended periods of time, and offers scheduled checkups.

That can include interior and exterior checks, inspections of heating and water systems, garages and appliances, and even mail pickup and watering plants. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Statistics show that a residence is three times more likely to be broken into and invaded without any home security,â&#x20AC;?

Collery states.

Special Event Security is designed for private and public events with either uniformed or plain clothes security, including for high profile individuals.

It is suitable for concerts, music festivals, arenas and sporting centres, school events, corporate functions, political events and weddings.

Guest Serv ices sta ff a re SuperHost trained, and there is also Concierge for door watching at events, as well as First Aid Attendants.

T he w ide a rray of serv ices o f fe re d h a s c o n t r i b u te d to

Footprints Securityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s growth, but Collery is a strong believer that it is the people within the company that ultimately makes the difference. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our people and the reputations they earn provides us with consistency day in and day out, and we constantly hear good things about our people,â&#x20AC;? he says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If we lose some business or donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get it right away, we often get it back. We enjoy what weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re doing, and we hope to keep doing it for another 40 plus years.â&#x20AC;? www.footprintssecurity.com

! !!!

Proud supporter of Footprints Security, congratulations on your 40th Anniversary!

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MARCH 2020

ARDENT PROPERTIES: PEACE OF MIND FOR PROPERTY OWNERS

Ardent is a fully licensed rental and strata management company in Central Vancouver Island

“We demand a high Income Property Is More Than A Simple Investment

standard of reliability and accountability from our team, and we give owners

N

A NA IMO - Finding qua l ity tena nts a nd i n c ome, a n d solv i n g problems.

That’s what property management company Ardent Properties Inc. has done for clients since incorporating in 2000.

Rob Kelly, Principal of Ardent, is licensed as a Strata Management and Rental Property, Trading Services Representative and Managing Broker for the full service property management firm.

Their portfolio of income properties ranges from single family homes, buildings, condominiums and multi-unit apartment complexes.

“We understand that income property is more than a simple SEE ARDENT PROPERTIES | PAGE 21

the true peace of mind that comes with knowing that their property is in the best hands possible.”

ROB KELLY ARDENT PROPERTIES, PRINCIPAL

Ardent Properties assists councils with navigating the nuances of non-confrontational dispute resolution and the enforcement of bylaws and rules under the Strata Property Act

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Ardent office at 371 Franklyn Street

ARDENT PROPERTIES CONTINUED FROM PAGE 20

investment,â&#x20AC;? says Kelly. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have great success in leasing to qualified tenants and properly maintaining all types of property. Our highest priority

is finding quality tenants and income for our clients in the shortest time possible. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We demand a high standard of reliability and accountability from our team, and we give owners the true peace of mind that comes with knowing that

thei r property is i n the best hands possible.â&#x20AC;?

Ardent is a member of the British Columbia Real Estate Association, the Vancouver Island Real Estate Board, Professional Association of Managing Agents and the Strata Property Agents of British Columbia.

Kelly was working in Toronto

two decades ago for a chartered bank when his father, Bob Kelly, kept calling him to come home to Nanaimo and work for his real estate company. He eventually did, and worked as a realtor and property manager prior to starting Ardent.

Today, Ardent has offices in Nanaimo, at 371 Franklyn Street, which looks after properties on the east side of Vancouver Island, and in Ucluelet, for west coast clients in Tofino, Ucluelet and Port Alberni.

Ardentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s services provide peace of mind for clients because they cover everything from interviewing and vetting prospective renters to ensuring maintenance and collecting rent. Their staff of 14 is well versed in provincial and civic rental and tenant regulations, which constantly change. â&#x20AC;&#x153;A lot of people try to be their own landlord, but the rules keep changing for being a landlord, so it is more difficult to enjoy owning a rental property,â&#x20AC;? Kelly notes. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Even for myself, if I were to have a rental property, I would want somebody to look after that for me. I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;t want direct contact with the tenants.â&#x20AC;?

Ardent charges a flat monthly fee per rental unit, and set fees for finding new renters. â&#x20AC;&#x153;All of our rental clients are interested in having long-term

Ardentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s services provide peace of mind for clients because they cover everything from interviewing and vetting prospective renters to ensuring maintenance and collecting rent

SEE ARDENT PROPERTIES | PAGE 22

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Ardent Properties Inc. is Nanaimoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s premiere full service property management company tenancies, as itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nice to deal w it h people on a long-ter m basis,â&#x20AC;? he notes, adding while there are a lot of good tenants out there, some can be difficult. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If for some reason we have to put in a new tenant, we put them into the unit without charging for finding that new tenant.â&#x20AC;?

Strata management has become increasingly in demand.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;We work with strata councils to administer their bylaws and budgets and maintenance schedules,â&#x20AC;? Kelly notes. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Strata councils come in all different sizes and f lavours, and some want us to participate more than others.â&#x20AC;?

Strata councils have a reputation for becoming contentious at times.

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;As people say, all politics are local, and how much more local can you get than a strata corporation,â&#x20AC;? Kelly observes. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Strata corporations usually hire us because there is some conflict going on, and volunteers are no longer willing to volunteer, so we can come and put in a plan and provide details like how much money theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll need to save for improvements in the future. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The owners are more comfor table because they k now whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going on and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a happier community for them to live in and us to work with,â&#x20AC;? he adds. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We always prepare the agenda for strata council meetings and take the minutes, and we

probably chair three quarters of the meetings. It really depends on who is elected to a council, as some people are really comfortable chairing, and others would prefer to delegate that to others.â&#x20AC;?

T hey a lso of fer apa r tment building management for buildings from 12-65 units, coveri ng a l l a re a s of d ay-to-d ay operations including installing resident caretakers, property maintenance and tenant selection.

As governments continue to tinker with renting regulations and requirements, it behooves owners to be aware of the rights of all parties. With the regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s vacancy rate still low at less than

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two per cent and with the difficulties in removing nonpaying and unwanted tenants, vetting new renters becomes even more important, and Ardentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s staff is adept at finding stars and question marks on resumes. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rea l ly d i fficu lt to get people out, but as long as you know the rules, it makes it easier,â&#x20AC;? Kelly notes. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The whole system is not fair between landlords and tenants, as the criteria that a tenant has to satisfy when it goes to arbitration is not what t he ow ner h a s to, a lt hou g h sometimes the owners create problems as well. It can be really challenging.â&#x20AC;? www.ardentproperties.com

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MARCH 2020

San Group’s Remanufacturing Plant Takes Shape In Port Alberni

An artist’s rendering of the San Group lands, with Stamp Avenue running along the top Alberni Valley News an Group’s remanufacturing plant is taking shape at the corner of Stamp Avenue and Roger Street in Port Alberni.

The forestry company already has a sawmill in Port Alberni, and they have been preparing this particular site for a remanufacturing plant, several specialty kilns and value-added machinery.

The frame for the fabric building was most noticeable to the public as it was going up, but it is only one facet of the plan for that site, says Bob Bortolin, vice-president of business development for the Surrey-based company.

Bortolin was in Port Alberni for a couple of weeks to oversee the project, which is slowly progressing despite a stagnant forestry market right now.

Concrete has been poured for an

S

electrical room and transformer base. Technicians from Italy have come to the city to install machinery that were purchased from that country. Work has begun on a finger jointer purchased from Quebec. Another building will hold a saw that can cut a “cant”, or piece of wood sawn on three sides, into complete boards in one cut.

Two dry kilns will be installed as well as two specialty kilns that can do a smaller volume of product with different moisture content or smaller content.

A pole shed will be built later, behind the fabric building and kilns, to keep the wood dry after it comes out of the kilns.

San Group bought 25 acres of land from Catalyst Paper in the fall of 2018 in anticipation of this expansion. The original plan was to build a sawmill and the reman plant on the site, to expand their

Crews erect the frame for a fabric building that will be part of San Group’s remanufacturing plant. photo Credit: Alberni Valley News

holdings in the Alberni Valley.

The public was clear with its dislike about the sawmill being located so close to a residential area, so San Group revised its plans. The second sawmill is being built on the same site as the first one, the former Coulson Mill southwest of town.

“We’re very cognizant of the noise and we’re doing everything we can to minimize it. Also, we’re not going to be running 24 hours a day.” The kilns, which are closer to Stamp Avenue, will emit some steam but no noise, Bortolin said.

The switch has cost the compa ny “a lot of money,” sa id Bortolin, but the owners didn’t want to wait until the market improved. “With the way the market is, we feel we’re going to poise ourselves that when the market comes back, we won’t have to start building at that time—we’re

going to be ready for it.”

The expansion is taking longer than anticipated, Bortolin admitted. “Some of it’s the weather. We’ve got different demands coming from the marketplace, and we’re addressing those. We want to be able to come up with a facility that is manufacturing a variety of products—not just for the Canadian market or the U.S. market, but we’re looking worldwide.”

The mill will also be able to handle smaller trees, which will mean leaving less waste.

The equipment purchased for the new sawmill also had to be re-engineered for a different site.

The manufacturers were in Port Alberni last week to inspect the work being done on the mill site and “they said it looks good,” Bortolin said. He anticipates the sawmill could start operation later this month.

Aside from the remanufacturing plant and kilns, San Group has also been clearing the land that surrounds the working part of its new property. Most visible to the public are the trees that have come down along Stamp Avenue, and in the corner bordering Stamp and Roger Street.

B or tol i n sa id m a ny of t he cottonwoods along Stamp Avenue were dangerous due to rot, and had to come down for safety.

As for the corner of the property, “it was a combination of shrubs and trees. We found a lot of needles in there.” San Group has built up banks of dirt along the streets and will plant a variety of coniferous and deciduous trees in the area.

“We’re trying to make it look nice down there,” he said. “We want it to look nice. We have clients coming in from all over the world and it’s a showpiece.”

Nanaimo Will Be Home Of West Coast Baseball League Team

T

h e City of Nanaimo a nd Serau x men Stadium Society welcomed the “to-be-named” 13th West Coast League (WCL) baseball team, who will call Serauxmen Stadium home starting June of 2021.

T he Na na i mo tea m w i l l be owned by the same company that successfully operates the Victoria HarbourCats at Wilson’s Group Stadium in Royal Athletic Park, Victoria.

The Nanaimo WCL team will be part of the summer collegiate baseball league which currently has 12 teams, including Canadian entries in Victoria and Kelowna.

This level of baseball will be the highest Nanaimo has ever seen with 27 regular season games plus additional non-league and playoff games.

“This is an exciting day for us all. It has been in the works for a few years and going to be a great new addition to the Nanaimo sports scene,” said John Wilson,

John Wilson t he tea m’s Vice-P resident / Business.

The Nanaimo WCL team has unveiled a new website that will contain information on tickets and more at www.nanaimobaseball.com along with a Name-TheTeam Contest.

T h is month the City is i nstalling lighting at the historic Serauxmen Stadium and other improvements will follow. The

The documents officially signed improvements will benefit all user groups, including the Nanaimo Minor Baseball Association, the Coal Miners senior program, the Pirates of the BC Premier Baseball League, the VIU

Mariners team and the new Nanaimo WCL Baseball Club, who have all been involved throughout this process.

“What an amazing addition to our Third Street Sport Zone!”

said Mayor Leonard Krog, “We are so pleased to welcome the West Coast League to Nanaimo and can’t wait to hear cheers from the big crowds watching this level of baseball at Serauxmen Stadium.”

“We have so many people to thank, beginning with previous and current Nanaimo City council, City staff and the entire board led by Lorne Goodall and Dan Rogers guiding the transformation of Serauxmen Stadium,” said Jim Swanson. “Mike Holyk and minor baseball, the people with the Coal Miners,the leadership of VIU and the Pirates have all been instrumental and are excited to see it moving ahead. We look forward to reviewing great ideas submitted by the community on what to name the team and having people select their seats for 2021 and beyond. As a group, we’d love nothing more to see Nanaimo’s WCL team and the HarbourCats meet in the playoffs.” https://www.nanaimo.ca

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VANCOUVER ISLAND BC Ferries Releases Third Quarter Results BC Ferries released its third quarter results for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2020.

In the three months ended December 31, 2019, BC Ferries delivered over 44,000 sailings across the system. T he company carried 4.8 million pa ssengers a nd 2.0 m i l l ion veh icles, a n i ncrease of 0.7 per cent and 1.6 per cent respectively, compared to the same quarter in the prior year.

Year-to-date, the company has carried 18.3 million passengers and 7.3 million vehicles, an increase of 0.2 per cent and 1.3 per cent respectively, compared to the same period in the prior year.

The company reported a net loss of $8.3 m i l l ion for t he three months ended December 31, 2019, as compared to a net loss of $3.7 million reported in the same quarter last year.

Yea r-to-date, si nce Apri l 1, 2019, net earnings were $98.9 m i l l ion, $5.6 m i l l ion h ig her t h a n i n t he sa me p er io d in the prior year. Due to the season a l ity of fer r y t ravel, net earnings in the first and second quarters are typically reduced by net losses in the last two quarters of the fiscal year when traffic is lower and routine vessel maintenance is scheduled.

Total revenue for the threemonth period ended December 31, 2019 increased by $3.2 million to $210.9 million as compared to the same quarter last year. Total revenue for the nine months ended December 31, 2019 i ncreased by $33.4 million to $786.7 million as compa red to t he sa me period last year. The increase in revenue is mainly a result of increased vehicle traffic, retail revenue and the provincial contribution for its portion of the fare initiatives.

O p e r a t i n g e x p e n s e s i nc re a s e d b y $7. 4 m i l l io n to $205.7 m i l l ion as compa red to the same quarter last year.

For t he n i ne mont h s ended December 31, 2019, operating expenses increased by $27.4 million from $619.4 million to $646.8 million as compared to the sa me period the yea r prior. T he increase in operating expenses is mainly due to h i g her l ab ou r cos ts a nd staffing level changes. These result partly from additional round trips from the service level adjustments as agreed to with the Province, the expanded service of the Central Coast seasonal route and increased service on the major routes to accommodate higher traffic volumes and improve

the customer experience.

“Last fall, the British Columbia Ferries Commissioner authorized an average rate increase of 2.3 per cent annually that goes into effect April 1, 2020 to Ma rch 31, 202 4,” said Mark Collins, BC Ferries’ President & CEO. “We believe that this regulatory decision, being lower than we expected, m ay m a ke it more ch a l lengi ng to ach ieve ou r corporate objectives, which include replacing our aging fleet, upgrading technology, providing operational resiliency and delivering improved customer service.”

Capital expenditures, net of funding from the New Building Canada Fund and FortisBC, in the three and nine months periods ended December 31, 2019 totalled $92.0 million and $147.7 million, respectively.

Significant investments include t he new I sl a nd Cl a ss vessels, the Skeena Queen and Spirit Class mid-life upgrades, and upgrading technology.

BC Estimated Impact of the BC Speculation and Vacancy Tax The latest BCREA Market Intelligence Report: Estimating the Impacts of the Speculation and Vacancy Tax e stimates the Speculation and Vacancy tax reduced home sales in taxable regions in BC by an additional 12.5 per cent compared to non-taxable regions.

While all BC markets experienced sh a r p decl i nes si nce 2018, the Speculation and Vacancy tax (SVT) is estimated to have reduced home sa les in taxable regions in BC by an additional 12.5 per cent compared to non-taxable regions.

Growth in home prices since 2018 is estimated to be 5 per cent lower in taxable regions in BC compared with non-taxable regions due to the SVT. However, these impacts effectively disappear if Metro Va ncouver m a rkets a re exc l u d e d f ro m t h e a n a l y s i s , suggesting the impact of the SVT has been limited to Metro Vancouver.

A recovery of home sales is underway arou nd the province, and without addressing significant supply issues, any prog re ss m ad e towa rd i mproved affordability looks to be short-lived.

T h e S V T ’s i m p a c t o n t h e renta l m a rket a l so app ea rs to be more material in Metro Vancouver, where there was a record increase in rental supply, yet it is not possible to disentangle this from impacts of the Empty Homes Tax and short-term rental regulations that were implemented around the same time.

25

MARCH 2020

WE'RE EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE...

IWCD HAS ACHIEVED PLATINUM CLUB STATUS WITH THE CANADA'S BEST MANAGED COMPANIES PROGRAM! Hundreds of companies across Canada compete for this designation, which evaluates management abilities and practices, financial strength, business performance and growth, and the ability to create stakeholder value.

Thank you to all of our employees, clients, consultants and subcontractors for being part of our team and helping us build great things.

Anything is Possible

WHO IS SUING WHOM

26 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 1125357 BC Ltd 4969 Victoria Dr, Vancouver, BC PLAINTIFF Criddle, Percy Nicol CLAIM $3,371,000 DEFENDANT Ace Courier Services 901-1788 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC PLAINTIFF Owners Strata Plan EPS 0062 CLAIM $14,176 DEFENDANT All Can Express Ltd 901-1788 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC PLAINTIFF Owners Strata Plan EPS 0062 CLAIM $14,176

DEFENDANT Apple Electric Ltd 200-1260 Shoppers Row, Campbell River, BC PLAINTIFF Van Camp, John CLAIM $6,867 DEFENDANT BP2 Construction Ltd 201-467 Cumberland Rd, Courtenay, BC PLAINTIFF Buelow, Elmar CLAIM $7,746 DEFENDANT Canadian League Of Gamers Inc 1700-1055 West Hastings St, Vancouver, BC PLAINTIFF Carson, Dennis CLAIM $31,216 DEFENDANT Cleebo Games Inc 1700-1055 West Hastings St, Vancouver, BC PLAINTIFF Edge Social Ltd CLAIM $53,260 DEFENDANT Criddle Enterprises Ltd 4969 Victoria Dr, Vancouver, BC PLAINTIFF Criddle, Percy Nicol

Keeping projects on time and on budget

CLAIM $3,371,000 DEFENDANT Gilcor Holdings Ltd 200-911 Yates St, Victoria, BC PLAINTIFF Merigran Marketing Ltd CLAIM $933,400 DEFENDANT Good Buds Company International Inc 1500-1055 West Georgia St, Vancouver, BC PLAINTIFF Vancouver Island Labour Services Inc CLAIM $25,320 DEFENDANT Green Initiative Developments Ltd 202-58 Station St, Duncan, BC PLAINTIFF Bridgewater Investments Inc CLAIM $774,942 DEFENDANT Industrial Alliance Insurance & Financial Serv Inc 400-988 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC PLAINTIFF Auger, Martin Roland CLAIM

$29,849 DEFENDANT Interactive Construction Inc 843 Parklands Dr, Victoria, BC PLAINTIFF Seamont Investments Ltd CLAIM $18,747 DEFENDANT Island Waterworks Ltd 6-7855 East Saanich Rd, Saanichton, BC PLAINTIFF Gorman, Brian CLAIM $22,479 DEFENDANT NVH Homes Ltd 8450 Mcivor Lake Rd, Campbell River, BC PLAINTIFF Blair, Cheryl Rosalie CLAIM $28,178 DEFENDANT Roads End Contracting Ltd PO Box 939, Sooke, BC PLAINTIFF Seamont Investments Ltd CLAIM $18,747 DEFENDANT Salt Spring Island Land Bank Society 129 Dean Rd, Salt Spring Island, BC PLAINTIFF

MARCH 2020

Vancouver City Savings Credit Union CLAIM $975,088 DEFENDANT Solid General Contractors Inc 1500-13450 102nd Ave, Surrey, BC PLAINTIFF James Island Plumbing Ltd CLAIM $65,031 DEFENDANT Sumsung Electronics Canada Inc 2050 Derry Rd West, Mississauga, On PLAINTIFF Drew, Darryl CLAIM $35,256 DEFENDANT Sutherland Home Inspections 4085 Carey Pl, Royston, BC PLAINTIFF Chytrowski, Thomas CLAIM $35,236 DEFENDANT Tenor Tile And Carpet Ltd 3-416 Garbally Rd, Victoria, BC PLAINTIFF Bergmeier, Virginia Kirsti Lynn CLAIM $11,468

DEFENDANT Trail Appliances Ltd 1200-200 Burrard St, Vancouver, BC PLAINTIFF Drew, Darryl CLAIM $35,256 DEFENDANT Waitsons Renovations 865 Ravensbourne Lane, Qualicum Beach, BC PLAINTIFF Central Builders Supply Limited CLAIM $5,354 DEFENDANT West Coast Remediation 8860 West Saanich Rd, Victoria, BC PLAINTIFF Songhees Nation CLAIM $20,020 DEFENDANT Winchester Galleries Ltd 204-655 Tyee Rd, Victoria, BC PLAINTIFF Heinsam Holdings Ltd CLAIM $203,663

MOVERS AND SHAKERS

MARCH 2020

Business Examiner Gold Event Sponsors

NORTH ISLAND Kevin Foley is the new owner of the Scarlet Ibis Pub & Restaurant in Holberg near Cape Scott Provincial Park. The pub is planning on reopening for business this month and will be serving Patricia Gwynneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s (former owner) signature dishes as well as some of the new ownerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s recipes.

Tickets are $97 per person and are expected to sell out quickly.

Port McNeillâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s own Barb Drennan has been named BCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s forest technologist of the year by the Association of BC Forest Professionals (ABCFP). Drennan was the first registered forest technologist to be appointed a woodland supervisor at BC Timber Sales, a role that is otherwise held by professional foresters. The Association of BC Forest Professionals is responsible for registering and regulating BCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 5,500 professional foresters.

Sonia Edwards Applewood Ford announced that their salesperson James Humchitt is the employee of the month. The dealership is at 7150 Market Street in Port Hardy.

Applewood Auto Group recently acquired EJ Klassen GM and rebranded the dealership Applewood Chevrolet Buick GMC. The dealership was previously run by Ernie Klassen who served as the dealershipâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s president for 34 years and Ernieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s son Cory, who served as the dealershipâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s general manager.

The Town of Port McNeill has hired Claudia Frost as the fulltime Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for Port McNeill. Prior to taking on the new role, Frost was the CFO for the Village of McBride. She has also spent time working with the McBride Community Forest Corporation.

CAMPBELL RIVER Swicked Cycles is celebrating its 10th anniversary this month at 1924 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 14th Avenue. The shop has added Ron Vlooswyk to their team in a newly created role: Community Ambassador. In the new post Ron will liaise with local trail advocates and builders, organize trail maintenance needs and develop the shops trail tool loaner program.

Students in North Island Collegeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s (NIC) tourism and hospitality and culinary arts programs are teaming up with critically acclaimed Chef Xavier Bauby to hold a one-of-a-kind culinary event at 40 Knots Vineyard and Estate Winery. The event takes place on March 13 from 5:30 to 9 pm and will feature a menu especially created by Bauby. NICâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s culinary arts students will be assisting Chef Bauby in the kitchen while tourism and hospitality students will provide dining room service and take a lead role in planning the event.

27

IG Wealth Management congratulates Sonia Edwards on attaining her Certified Financial Planner designation from FP Canada. Sonia is a senior financial consultant with the firm at 1046 Cedar Street.

RealPro Real Estate Services welcomes Hannah Palmer-Jones to its team of realtors at 966 Shoppers Row. Hannah was raised in the Comox Valley and previously worked in private estate management in the Discovery Islands.

Bill Howich Chrysler named Ron May the top salesperson of the month for the dealership. The dealership is at 2777 North Island Highway. Justin Lynn was the top salesperson for Bill Howich RV & Marine at 1632 Coulter Road.

Campbell River Hyundai recently named Aaron Boles the dealershipâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top salesperson of the month. The dealership is at 1853 Meredith Road.

Campbell River was ranked 11th most romantic place in Canada on an annual list published by Amazon Canada. The ranking is compiled based on data that looks at purchases of romantic novels, romantic comedies, relationship books and jewelry.

COMOX VALLEY

Myriah Foort Myriah Foort will take over

as chief financial officer of the Comox Valley Regional District in May from Beth Dunlop, who reti res from the position i n April. Myriah began her career with MNP LLP and worked for the City of Campbell River for six years before moving to the Strathcona Regional District to take on the role of chief financial officer. She will begin in the new role on a part time basis in July and will take over the post fulltime in September.

Kip Keylock notes that Iconic Island Dwellings, ow ned by his wife Catherine Keylock a nd Chris Andersen, is now the exclusive supplier of Triple M Housingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s line of modular housing.

Kip Keylockâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s other company Ocean Estates Developments has completed the first phase of its Miracle Beach Estates project. The project includes large acreage estate properties with underground services, paved road access, private entries and more in a subdivision near Miracle Beach. Phase two of the project is proposed for late 2020. Lots from the first phase are ready for sale and are marketed by Engel and Volkers in Courtenay.

Island Honda announces that Scott Whitlock is the top salesperson of the month for the dealership at 1025 Comox Road in Courtenay.

John Dewitt was the top salesperson of the month for Comox Valley Toyota at 445 Crown Isle Boulevard in Courtenay.

SEE MOVERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S AND SHAKERS | PAGE 28

Wherever Business Takes You From start up to succession, across B.C. and beyond borders â&#x20AC;&#x201C; MNP provides clear, straightforward business advice and a full suite of accounting, tax and consulting services to help you succeed.

Victoria | Duncan | Nanaimo | Courtenay | Campbell River

Jimâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Clothes Closet is celebrating its 50 th anniversary at 219 5th Street in Courtenay.

Kingfisher Oceanside Resort and Spa has reopened its Pacific Mist Spa after a fire on January 1 st damaged the building.

The spa building has undergone roughly six weeks of renovation work and is now open with the exception of the lower level. The hydropath and massage rooms are now open and esthetic services have been moved upstairs.

The spa has extended its hours of operation since there are less rooms available.

Swift Datoo Law Corporation welcomes Suzanne Grant to the firm at 201 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 467 Cumberland Road in Courtenay. Suzanne specia l izes i n w i l ls, estates a nd t r u sts l it igat ion a nd i s also proficient in employment law, elder law and general civil litigation matters. T he firm also adds Benjamin Kingstone to the firm. Kingstone studied law at McGil University, completed his articling in Alberta with a firm specializing in Aboriginal law and recently practiced family law with a firm in Victoria.

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MOVERS AND SHAKERS

28 MOVERS AND SHAKERS

operations experience with the local paper mill.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 27

Sean LaFleur has joined Courtenay Nissan as general sales manager and partner with the dealership at 535 Silverdale Crescent. Sean has spent five years working in the auto industry at North Island Nissan.

Alberni Denture Clinic has moved to a new office at 4040 Redford Street.

CarStar Collision & Glass Service has completed renovations on its office space at 2805 Kilpatrick Avenue in Courtenay.

Outback Nursery just celebrated its 20th anniversary at 6016 Headquarters Road in Courtenay.

Brian McLean Chevrolet Buick GMC announces that Kary Zimmerman is the dealership’s top salesperson of the month.

The dealership is at 2145 Cliffe Avenue in Courtenay.

PORT ALBERNI The Port Alberni Port Authority announced the appointments of Ron Crema as Chair of the Board and Ken McRae as Vice-Chair. At its regular monthly board meeting, held January 29th, the directors selected among themselves who would sit in the positions of Chair and Vice Chair throughout 2020.

The Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District (ACRD) has hired Mr. Charlie Starratt to the position of Regional Fire Services Manager. Charlie has been in a leadership capacity with the Beaver Creek Volunteer Fire Department for 27 years as Chief, plus another ten years in the department prior to becoming Chief. Charlie also brings 42 years of industrial emergency

Karen Maika Re/Max Mid-Island Realty welcomes Karen Maika to its real estate team at 4201 Johnston Road. Karen is also the president of the Rainbow Gardens Care Home Auxiliary and is the treasurer of the West Coast General Hospital Foundation.

The Noodle Box is now open at Pacific Rim Centre adjacent to WareHouse One. The new restaurant has a Southeast Asian street food inspired menu and focuses on providing fresh cooked food on an open fire.

The Flooring Depot has recently completed an expansion of their showroom at 2936 3rd Avenue.

TOFINO-UCLUELET The Ucluelet Brewing Company officially opened its doors for business in the building once home to St. Aidan’s on the

Macdonald Commercial’s team of outstanding professionals are here to assist you with all of your apartment real estate needs.

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Hill Church on Valentine’s Day. Renovations are underway at Ucluelet Co-op with an expected completion date set for May 12. Plans for the renovation include adding new shelving and flooring throughout the store, adding a new pharmacy, refreshing public washrooms and upgrading the deli. The renovations are budgeted to cost over $3-million and the store will remain open for the duration of the upgrades.

The District of Tofino has appointed Fraser Work as its new Director of Infrastructure and Public Works. Fraser has served as the City of Victoria’s Director of Engineering and Public Works since 2015.

He will take on the new role on March 23 from former Manager of Engineering and Public Works Ricardo Araya. Araya left the role in November and the role has since been restructured and relabeled.

PARKSVILLEQUALICUM The Grotto Spa at Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Spa Resort & Conference Centre has once again been named the most popular spa in Canada by Spas of America. The award is based on unique page views and consumer choices on the Spas of America website. Nineteen other spas from across the province made the list of top 50 Spas of America in 2019. The spa held the top spot last year as well and is at 1155 Resort Drive in Parksville.

The Parksville and District Chamber of Commerce is once again honouring outstanding businesses and individuals at its annual Business Achievement Awards which will be held on March 19 at the Parksville Community Centre.

At the upcoming awards the inaugural Chamber Award will be presented to Bill Rutledge, manager of Thrifty Foods.

The Chamber Award winner is selected by the chamber’s board of directors and staff in recognition of their support of chamber events, programs and initiatives throughout the year.

Save-On-Foods recently celebrated its 5 th anniversary at Wembley Mall in Parksville.

Pharmasave Parksville was once again honoured with Pharmasave’s 2019 PharmaStar Store of the Year Award, an award that recognizes excellence in customer service, store performance, charity support and community service. Pharmasave Parksville is at 281 East Island Highway.

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Effective March 1, Freeflow Water Coolers has entered a partnership with Culligan Water of Parksville that will see all invoicing, servicing and customer communications performed by Culligan with respect to current water cooler rental with Freeflow.

NANAIMO Church Pickard Chartered Professional Accountants congratulate Mike Traynor and Bryn Dykstra on successfully passing the Chartered Professional Accountants’ Common Final Examination and receiving their CPA designation. The practice is at 25 Cavan Street.

MARCH 2020

Diamond Eyes Optical has moved to the University Village at #504, 530 – 5th Street.

Jordan Floors is celebrating its 90th anniversary at 4890 Rutherford Road.

Paula Baker Royal LePage Nanaimo Realty has added Paula Baker to its team at 4200 Island Highway. Paula has been in the real estate industry since 1990 and began her career in Victoria.

Fung Loy kok Taoist Tai Chi has moved to Nanaimo North Town Centre at 4750 Rutherford Road.

The Boys and Girls Club of Central Vancouver Island has appointed Karen Love as the club’s new executive director. Love previously held senior management positions with agencies including the Boys and Girls Club of Calgary and the Canadian National Institute for the Blind.

Air Canada has confirmed they will once again offer non-stop direct flights between the Nanaimo Airport and Pearson International Airport from June 26 to September 7. The flights will then be reduced to four times weekly from September 8 until October 12.

Brent Lloyd was this month’s top salesperson of the month for Nanaimo Toyota at 2555 Bowen Road.

The Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce is hosting this year’s Nanaimo Business Awards on April 8 at the Port Theatre.

The Vancouver Island Symphony recently celebrated its 25th anniversary.

Harris Nanaimo Kia congratulates Victoria Williams on being the dealership’s top salesperson of the month. The dealership is at 2575 Bowen Road.

LADYSMITHCHEMAINUS The new Chemainus library celebrates its grand opening on Saturday, March 7.

The branch at 9796 Willow Street includes 5,000-square-feet of floor space, expanded hours of operation, additional public computers, a laptop bar, study space and a lounging area with a fireplace.

Chemainus Public Market will have its grand opening on March 28 th at 9790 Willow Street in the former home of Chemainus Foods. Once open, the market will include a fish and chips restaurant, 1950s style ice cream parlor, diner, arcade and dozens of vendors running booths, tables and other venues.

SEE MOVER’S AND SHAKERS | PAGE 29

MOVERS AND SHAKERS

MARCH 2020

MOVERS AND SHAKERS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 28

Ladysmith town council approved applications for two locally owned retail cannabis shops including 1904 Cannabis and Jerry’s Cannabis. Both shops now have to earn approval from the provincial government’s Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch before preparing to open for business.

T he Chem a i nu s bra nch of Westland Insurance Group operating as Island Savings Insurance Services announces that Tate Johnson and Tiana Gordon will be the branch’s new resident home insurance experts. Tate and Tiana have a combined 10 years of industry experience in the insurance industry and are well versed in home, automobile, marine and other personal insurance products. Island Savings Insurance is at 3055 Oak Street.

The Town of Ladysmith approved a development permit for a new warehouse and office for Madill The Office Company at 902 Ludlow Road. The company is planning on developing a two-storey industrial building that will include a building with a footprint falling just under 1,000-sq u a re-met re s. T he building will include a warehouse and enclosed parking area on the lower level with office space on the upper level. The

Planner designation from FP Canada. IG Wealth Management is at 5804 Garden Street in Duncan.

property is currently home to a mobile home which is proposed to move to an adjacent property.

No timeline has yet been provided for construction, though u nder tow nsh ip g u idel i nes, Madill will be required to begin construction within two years for the development permit to be valid.

Russell Farm Market & Garden Centre is in the process of refurbishing its space in time for a spring opening. The shop was forced to close after the shop was flooded and heavily damaged during a torrential rainstorm in early February. The target date for opening the garden centre, wh ich was located on h igher ground is at the end of April while a June 1st opening date is expected for the market and deli.

COWICHAN VALLEY The Duncan Cowichan Chamber of Commerce is hosting the 2020 Black Tie Awards on Friday, April 17 at the Cowichan Performing Arts Centre. Tickets for the gala go on sale this month.

Excellent Frameworks, home of the E.J. Hughes Gallery is moving to a new home at 115 Kenneth Street in downtown Duncan and is expected to open in the middle of this month.

Claire Hinchliffe IG Wealth Management congratulates Claire Hinchliffe on attaining her Certified Financial

B C Us e d O i l M a n age m e nt Association (BCUOM A) has launched a recognition program for registered Return Collection Facilities (RCF) as a way of honouring the top collectors of used oil and/or antifreeze materials from around the province.

The program recognizes the top 30 collectors in terms of total amount of used oil, oil filters, oil containers, antifreeze and antifreeze containers collected

Competitive Disruption, your Next Level of Success, Sean Bacon Thursday, April 16, 2020, 9-11am@ the Victoria Golf Club Family Business Labour Markets, Panel Discussion Thursday, May 14, 2020, 5:30-8pm @ the Delta Year-end Celebration TBA Thursday, June 4, 2020, 5:30-7:30pm

29 as well as demonstrations of continued support for recycling stewardship and number of years participating in the RCF program. This year Bings Creek Recycling Centre in Duncan and Peerless Road Recycling Centre in Ladysmith were both named on the organization’s top 30 list.

2020 Events: REGISTER NOW!

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OPINION

30

MARCH 2020

A division of Invest Northwest Publishing Ltd. Vancouver Island Office 25 Cavan Street,Nanaimo, BC V9R 2T9 Toll free: 1.866.758.2684 Fax: 1.778.441.3373 Email: info@businessexaminer.ca Website: www.businessexaminer.ca

PUBLISHER/EDITOR | Lise MacDonald SALES | John MacDonald – john@businessexaminer.ca WRITERS | Robert MacDonald, Beth Hendry-Yim, Kristen van Vloten WEBSITE | John MacDonald – john@businessexaminer.ca

DEMANDING “A LITTLE BIT MORE” FROM TOP EARNERS WILL COST EVERYONE

MARK MACDONALD

W

hen I heard NDP Finance Minister Carole James state her government was going to have BC’s top earners pay “a little bit more” while announcing the provincial budget, I did a double take, and experienced a little acid reflux.

Why, wasn’t it only recently that the federal Liberals were demanding that the “one-percenters” would have to pay “a little bit more” prior to the last national election?

A couple of quick questions: Do they have the same speech writers? And do those who spout such lower-income vote pandering statements really not understand the ramifications of the income class warfare they’re propagating?

Study after study shows that when gover n ments ta x upper-level income earners, it backfires financially. The Conference Board of Canada has released fact-based studies demonstrating

that when taxation levels climb above 50 per cent, that it becomes counter-productive and actually reduces tax revenue. And now, due to Canada’s predominant tax-and-spend policies, top earners will now pay 52 per cent of their income to various levels of government.

If the ill-conceived federal tax overhaul of two years ago would have been implemented, professionals in Ontario would have faced tax bills of 72 per cent.

Think about that for a second.

For every dollar they would earn, they’d get to keep a paltry 28 cents.

It’s immensely perplexing why socialists and non-business groups never stop to analyze what excessive taxation of the so-called rich accomplishes at the end of day. They never seem to grasp the connection and the obvious link between high levels of taxes and lower levels of government revenue.

Maybe they don’t believe it.

Perhaps they just don’t care. Or maybe, just maybe, they know they don’t need to listen to the business community or investors to get elected.

That’s where we sit today in North America. Left-of-centre parties have learned that all they need to do to form government is cater to their support base, which includes the vast majority of the

not-working and those that depend upon, government assistance. Which is paid for by those that work and invest in businesses and employ people.

Lobby groups and third party political entities have that figured out. After all, 40 per cent of Canadians DO NOT pay income tax. That is an astounding figure If they just get the people who are totally dependent on government, plus the vast majority of public sector union members whose jobs are tax reliant, to the polls, they’re in.

Add to that the fact that public sector unions are intimately involved in elections through funding, advertising, and providing workers to campaigns, it’s an almost unbeatable combination.

When I campaigned in a recent election, I was astounded by direct questions from voters in public forums, who asked straight up: “What will you give me?” Were they saying that if they were to be given $50 more a month in welfare or income assistance, they would vote for them? Isn’t that social bribery – and equally as despicable as any party that would promise contracts for their companies if elected?

Imagine the outrage if a rightof-centre party, or any politician, promised government contracts to certain companies in return for their support. The outcry would

be deafening, Anyone that did that would never get elected, and would be labeled as corrupt vote-buyers for the rest of their lives.

But isn’t that exactly what the left-of-centre parties are doing to their support base? Catchy phrases like “tax fairness” and “the rich don’t pay their fair share” resonate resoundingly with their supporters, and they are bought off with free this, and free that – without any of them realizing that nothing is free. Somebody, somewhere is paying. But if it’s not them, who cares?

Well, we should all care. The “them”, the “rich”, and the “one percenters” are an identifiable group. They are called by other titles: Investors. Entrepreneurs.

Business owners.

These are the individuals who are already paying for most of everything we enjoy and use.

Hospitals, roads, government services – all expenses paid for by businesses and investors who dare to put their own money on the line in hopes of earning a decent return.

Excessively taxing them doesn’t get what naïve government officials hope – more revenue. It results in less because when governments eliminate hope of return, or incentive, those prospective risk takers keep their hands in their pockets and close

their wallets. Why would they invest where there is no, or little, hope of a decent return?

They don’t, and with money being increasingly fluid in a global economy, they move it elsewhere.

Investment and entrepreneurship doesn’t blossom where it’s not wanted.

So, as provincial and federal governments continue to flag the “rich” as the bad people who don’t “pay their fair share”, it’s disingenuous at best, and a colossal failure to acknowledge that they’re already paying for everything.

And left wing supporters decry tax cuts, saying it doesn’t help 40 per cent of the people. Which is correct, because they’re already contributing nothing to the public purse. What do they expect? Give them another handout as congratulations for paying no taxes?

Nevertheless, it resonates with their supporters, and keeps getting them elected.

Hopefully, one day, they will realize that punishing the “doers” by redistributing their wealth to those who “don’t” is costly for everyone, including their supporters. That’s because the revenue streams that dry up when investors stop investing or move to where they’re welcome are what makes the entire system run.

Without them, there are no services or social programs.

TECK DECISION UNDERSCORES INVESTMENT CRISIS IN CANADA

FRASER INSTITUTE NIELS VELDHUIS AND ASHLEY STEDMAN

C

anada has massive investment potential. We have an abundance of natural resources, one of the most highly-educated populations in the world, and reside next to the world’s most successful economy.

We’re also among the freest countries in the world, with freedom of religion, assembly, movement and

trade.

We’re the kind of country that investment should be flocking to in droves.

Instead, investment is fleeing our country. And the cancellation of Teck Resources’ $20-billion Frontier oil sands mine is unfortunately just the latest example of investment flight.

On Sunday, just days before the federal government of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was expected to approve or reject the project, Teck CEO Don Lindsay sent a letter to federal Environment and Climate Change Minister Jonathan Wilkinson saying the company was officially withdrawing its application.

For investors, this is more evidence of how politicized the regulatory process for major projects in Canada has become.

The blame lies at the feet of the federal government, which recently created the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC) to review major energy projects. This has injected significant subjective criteria into project analyses, including

‘social’ impact, gender implications and potential climate effects. And it has further politicized the process by placing final decisions on approval or rejection in the hands of the federal cabinet.

The government has also created mass uncertainty with unsustainable federal budget deficits, tax increases on high-skilled workers and entrepreneurs, and more burdensome regulations.

As a result, the government has made Canada less competitive and less attractive for entrepreneurs and investors. Canada has plummeted in competitiveness report cards such as the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business report, where we dropped from fourth place in 2007 to 23rd in 2020, or the latest World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Report, which ranks Canada 14th compared to secondplace United States.

Also worrying is the hard investment data.

According to Statistics Canada, inflation-adjusted business investment in Canada has declined by 5.3

per cent over the past five years. If you remove residential structures and business investment in machinery and equipment from the equation, investment in intellectual property and non-residential structures has decreased by 13.2 per cent.

This isn’t just an oil and gas story.

There’s been a significant drop in investment across 10 of the 15 major sectors of the Canadian economy, including agriculture, mining, utilities, professional and technical services, manufacturing and retail.

Clearly, investors – foreign and Canadian – are fleeing our country for more favourable investment climates. In total, $150 billion has left Canada from 2014 to 2018. And while final numbers for 2019 aren’t yet available, data from January to September indicates another $23 billion left in the first nine months of last year.

This has left our investment per worker rate in Canada ($13,078 in 2018) well below the U.S. number ($22,270). It also puts us below the average in the 16 developed Organization for Economic Co-operation

and Development (OECD) countries where data is available ($17,026).

Given that investment provides the resources for new equipment, innovation and ultimately sustainable and prosperous employment for Canadians, this is bad news for Canada’s economic prospects.

Canada is viewed by Canadian and foreign investors as an inhospitable place to invest. When a country or jurisdiction fails to offer a competitive investment environment – or when the rules and policies are uncertain and unstable – business owners, entrepreneurs and investors look elsewhere.

That’s the tragedy of Canada and the latest decision by Teck Resources. We’re a country with all the natural advantages one could dream of, yet we’re destroying our potential.

Niels Veldhuis and Ashley Stedman are economists at the Fraser Institute. The op-ed was coauthored by Milagros Palacios, a Fraser Institute economist.

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MARCH 2020

BCCA Signs Agreement With eSolutionsgroup To Power Bidcentral Platform

Leaders in Built Green Technology

BC

Built Green

- The BC Construction Association (BCCA) has signed a new deal with eSolut ionsGroup to s up ply the back-end technology powering BCCAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s construction procurement platform BidCentral.

BCCA a nd BCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fou r Reg ion a l Con st r uction Associations have always been leaders in providing plan room services, launching the first province-wide electronic system more than 20 years ago. As BidCentral, that original solution has grown into BCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest con st r uct ion bidd i n g m a rket pl ace, ser v i n g over 10,000 businesses specialized in ICI construction of both publ ic a nd pr ivate sector projects. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This agreement with eSolutionsGroup sets the stage for BidCentral to continue serv ing BCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s construction community

with the best platform, service, and content,â&#x20AC;? said Sue Connors, CEO, BidCentral. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re very excited about the powerful service we are able to provide to our members and clients.â&#x20AC;?

During its 20 years in busi ness, eSolutionsGroup has specia lized in prov id ing integrated tech nolog ies a nd a dv a n c e d m o b i l e a ppl ic at ion s, i nclu d i n g t h e i r f l a g s h i p p r o du c t b i d s & te n d e r s , to more t h a n 300 publ ic s e c to r c l i e n t s a c ro s s North A merica. In the past year, the Ontario C o n s t r u c t io n A l l ia nce A sso ci at ion a nd its seven regional construction associations a lso developed thei r p r o c u r e m e n t p l a tf o r m , L I N K 2 B U I L D, usi ng a d ig ita l procu rement platform by eSolutionsGroup. â&#x20AC;&#x153; Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re t h r i l led t h at eSolut ion sGroup w i l l

make it easier than ever for BCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s con st r uct ion industry to conduct the business of procurement efficiently and effectively,â&#x20AC;? said eSolutionsGroup P r i ncipa l a nd bids&tenders Product Ow ner Alison Carden. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We pride ourselves in prov id i n g i n novat ive solutions in partnership with our clients to meet their unique and complex needs.â&#x20AC;?

BidCentral will retain its brand name and continue to be managed by the BCCA on behalf of the four Regional Construction Associations, whose Project Services sta f f w i l l cont i nue to provide BidCentral support to members. More information regarding product enhancements a nd platform i nteg rations will be forthcomi ng. BidCentra l w i l l l a u n c h on t h e e S olutionsGroup platform by April 1, 2020.

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