Business Examiner Victoria - March 2021

www.BusinessExaminer.ca

March 2021

FURNITURE DEMANDS INCREASE WITH HOME OFFICE GROWTH - 12

Monk Office President and CEO Caitlin McKenzie

WHITE WOLF HOMES DRIVEN BY HARD WORK AND QUALITY DESIGN – 16

www.mazzeielectric.com

GEEKS ON THE BEACH: NICE AND SERIOUS – 20

Serving Vancouver Island, Okanagan & Northern BC

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Momentum is building across the province!

Finally, after breaking the one-year anniversary of the initial lockdown, British Columbia is marching steadily towards re-opening.

Real estate continues to buoy the economy on the Island and lower mainland, while other areas of the province have not recovered to the same levels.

Throughout the COVID-19 induced challenges we have done our best to maintain a positive tone, looking for the bright spot amongst the craziness.

This month is no different, with the Island’s own Monk Office featured on our cover. The work from home shift provided opportunities and they made the most of it.

Alongside their story we have great features on a new entrant to the Capital Region’s restoration sector, a feature on Compass Electric, and a big article on White Wolf Homes, a high-end homebuilder making a name for itself among giants.

There’s lots more inside that I don’t have room to mention.

Keep battling through!

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

March 2021

6 NEWS UPDATE

8 CONSTRUCTION

9 WEST SHORE

10 GREATER VICTORIA

12 MONK OFFICE

14 CITIFIED

16 WHITE WOLF HOMES

18 FIRST GENERAL

20 GEEKS ON THE BEACH

19 COMPASS ELECTRIC

22 WHO IS SUING WHOM

25 SEASPAN

29 MOVERS AND SHAKERS

24 TOURISM

26 OPINION

NEWS UPDATE

BC HOUSING MARKET CONTINUES AT A RECORD PACE

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BRITISH COLUMBIA - The British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) reports that a total of 10,918 residential unit sales were recorded by the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) in February 2021, an increase of 89.1 per cent over February 2020 and over a thousand sales higher than the previous February record, set in 2016. The average MLS residential price in BC was $889,584, a 17.3 per cent increase from $758,382 recorded in February 2020. Total sales dollar volume was $9.7 billion, a 121.8 per cent increase from last year.

“Near-record sales in Metro Vancouver, combined with unprecedented housing demand outside of Metro Vancouver, continues to drive a blistering pace of home sales in BC,” said BCREA Chief Economist Brendon Ogmundson.

Total active residential listings were down 28.7 per cent to 20,185 units in February, the lowest level of provincial active listings on record, going back to 2000. Fortunately, new listings have increased considerably, but given the pace of sales, total inventory of homes for sale remains severely depleted.

REAL ESTATE MARKET DEMAND SURGES VICTORIA - A total of 863 properties sold in the Victoria Real Estate Board region this February, 53.3 per cent more than the 563 properties sold in February 2020 and 33.6 per cent more than the previous month of January. Sales of condominiums were up 65.7 per cent from February 2020 with 290 units sold. Sales of single-family homes were up 43.9 per cent from February 2020 with 390 sold.

There were 1,318 active listings for sale on the Victoria Real Estate Board Multiple Listing Service at the end of February 2021, 38 per cent fewer properties than the total available at the end of February 2020 and three properties fewer than the 1,321 active listings for sale at the end of January 2020.

The Multiple Listing Service Home Price Index benchmark value for a single family home in the Victoria Core in February 2020 was $870,300.

The benchmark value for the same home in February 2021 increased by 9 per cent to $948,200, a 1.7 per cent increase from the previous month of January. The MLS HPI benchmark value for a condominium in the Victoria Core in February 2020 was $525,600, while the benchmark for the same condominium in February 2021 remained close to last year’s value at $525,400, a 0.38 per cent decrease.

March 2021

NEWS UPDATE

BC FERRIES’ FIFTH BATTERY HYBRID-ELECTRIC VESSEL LAUNCHES NANAIMO – Another of BC Ferries’ Island Class ferries has launched, entering the water at Damen Shipyards Galati in Romania. The yet-to-be named ship is the fifth in a series of six Island Class vessels joining the BC Ferries fleet. When in operation, it will be one of two Island Class vessels assigned to the Nanaimo Harbour – Gabriola Island route.

Work will continue on the new ship until scheduled sea trials in June. Following successful sea trials, the vessel will be delivered to Point Hope Maritime in Victoria in late 2021 for final preparations. Two-ship service is scheduled to begin on the Nanaimo Harbour – Gabriola Island route by early 2022, replacing the Quinsam.

Replacing one larger ship with two smaller vessels on the route will provide customers with increased capacity per hour and more frequent service. Customers will also notice reduced vehicle line-ups and congestion on local roads, and improved safety. It also eliminates the need to consume more greenspace to increase the size of terminal holding compounds by moving more traffic through the same amount of space.

Island Class ferries have the capacity to carry at least 47 vehicles and up to 400 passengers and crew, and allow for fleet redeployments and retirements of existing diesel-fuelled vessels.

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CPABC: GREATER VICTORIA BC CHECK-UP REPORT VICTORIA - According to BC Check-Up: Invest, an annual report by the Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia (CPABC) on investment trends across the province, the number of housing units that began construction across Greater Victoria declined by 12.4 per cent in 2020 compared to the number started in 2019.

In total, 3,209 housing units began construction in Greater Victoria throughout 2020, down from the 3,662 units started in 2019. The decline was concentrated in attached starts, which include units such as condos, apartments, and townhomes. In 2020, 2,405 attached units began construction, down 17.8 per cent compared to in 2019. Conversely, the number of detached units started actually increased by 9.1 per cent over the same periods.

Meanwhile, the estimated capital cost of all major projects in Greater Victoria – defined as projects with a cost of over $15,000,000 – stood at $14.5 billion in Q3 2020, down 3.1 per cent compared to Q 3 2019. Three-quarters ($11.1 billion) of that capital is invested in projects under construction, with a total of 39 projects underway.

As of Q 3 2020, there were 27 new projects estimated at $710 million expected to begin construction in late 2020 or into 2021.

To learn more, see www.bccheckup.com.

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CONSTRUCTION

RESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS REBOUND

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V ICTOR I A – T he total value of building permits issued on Vancouver Island slipped four per cent to $652.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2020 from $681.6 m i l l ion the third quarter. Residential building permits RORY KULMALA jumped 26 per cent over the third quarter to $538.2 million but were four per cent lower compared to the same quarter in 2019.

Non-residential permits dropped 55 per cent in the quarter to $114.1 million from $254.5 million following a large surge in commercial permits in the third quarter. Commercial permits plunged 73 per cent to $56.3 million while institutional-government permits posted a 32 per cent

increase to $50.3 million to partially offset that drop.

“Overall, building permit activity in Vancouver Island communities continues at a strong level, despite the coronavirus pandemic,” said Rory Kulmala, CEO of the Vancouver Island Construction Association.

Notable performances during the fourth quarter of 2020 included a 60 per cent jump in residential permits issued in the Capital Regional District (RD) over the third quarter, a 20 per cent increase in total permits in the Strathcona RD, and a 14 per cent rise in the Alberni-Clayoquot RD. The Nanaimo investment spending on non-residential building construction in the Victoria metropolitan area rose for the fourth consecutive month ending in November to $37.2 million as a result of a rebound in commercial and public permits that occurred in the third quarter of 2020.

Victoria’s residential building construction investment spending increased 8.1 per cent ending in November to $157 million on the strength of multi-unit dwellings, particularly apartments which increased 22.3 per cent to $88.08 million.

Construction industry employment in Vancouver Island-Coast region dropped 14.4 per cent during the fourth quarter in Vancouver Island (excluding Victoria) and 1.4 per cent in the Victoria metro area. This result was not consistent with other indicators of construction activity at that time.

“While total building permits issued in 2020 came in one per cent below 2019’s level, the 2021 outlook is somewhat uncertain as a result of the pandemic,” said Kulmala.

“Overall, I expect total building permits issued in 2021 will increase about five per cent over 2020, led by residential construction activity as demand for housing increases due to low interest rates, affordable home prices and provincial in-migration.

March 2021

WEST SHORE

LIFTING EACH OTHER UP

JULIE LAWLOR In the last weeks of February, I found myself having a number of candid conversations with business owners and chamber colleagues from across the province.

While a number of those I spoke to admitted (all in very quiet voices as if they were revealing something inappropriate) that 2020 was their best year ever, these were the minority. Many are struggling. For some this is financial, but in almost every case the challenge is feeling isolated, exhausted, and that there’s no end in sight. It feels like the limited contact we have is leading to increased brain fog. I myself started to pull out of a parking lot the other day and realised I didn’t have my seatbelt on. I don’t think I’ve done that since I was a kid.

As chambers we expect to be the advocate and positive voice for business. But I have also seen that it’s made a tremendous difference in the last

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weeks to say “it’s okay not to be okay. Things are really hard right now.” For every person who has made themselves vulnerable by saying “I am struggling right now” there have been a host to say “me too – let’s talk.” I have found it hugely beneficial to know that others are having to manage the same sorts of challenges.

The paradox of this pandemic is that people have become so worn out that they don’t have the energy to talk – and yet when they do, they are finding it incredibly helpful. If you have a network you can go to – reach out. And if you don’t, please connect with your local chamber. We are constantly connecting people and considering new ways to do this as the pandemic continues. And while we can’t wait to be able to see one another in person, the silver lining of having moved most things online is that we can easily connect you not just in your local area but also with a relevant contact elsewhere in the province.

It’s hard now. It will get better. Let’s keep talking.

Julie Lawlor is Executive Director at the WestShore Chamber of Commerce.

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GREATER VICTORIA

WHY FOOD SECURITY IS AN ECONOMIC ISSUE grocery stores was one of the first signs of the seriousness of our situation. The initial shortage of toilet paper was puzzling, but then other goods that had been readily available were suddenly hard to find. There’s nothing funny about panic buying when it affects our ability to eat well and live a healthy lifestyle.

Fortunately, the first wave crested before summer, when Island-grown produce was plentiful, and we were able to fill our pantries long enough for the wrinkles to get ironed out of the supply chains we rely on. But the warning bell was sounded, and we now have an opportunity to make sure we’re ready the

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next time a crisis shuts down the Island to BRUCE WILLIAMS

outside food supplies. Think too of the carbon footprint caused by transporting food here, and

One of the most troubling and startling images in my memory from early in the COVID-19

the jobs being filled elsewhere that we could be supporting by producing food here.

pandemic is seeing empty rows of shelves and

We also have an opportunity to build off Van-

produce sections in grocery stores. All the

couver Island’s growing strength as a tech

years of conversations about food security on

hub and a desirable place to live, work and

Vancouver Island came to mind: “We import

raise a family. Innovations such as vertical

most of our food, what happens if our food chain

farms that allow for stacked gardens, the use

is interrupted?” “Why don’t we produce more

of rooftops as agricultural plots, enhanced

of our own food?”

community gardens and new efficiencies that

One year into the pandemic, our economy has

make small lawn or commercial farms viable.

forever changed. Agriculture and food produc-

How about boulevard gardens, veggie plots on

tion has been profoundly affected by border

school grounds and churchyards or gardens on

closures and uncertainty in our international

post-secondary campuses. All of these could

supply chains. The sight of bare shelves at

or do benefit from sustainable practices that March 2021

GREATER VICTORIA re-use water and compostable materials al-

Series, I’m hosting the Hon. Lana Popham,

ready being created in our communities.

BC’s Minister of Agriculture, Food and Fish-

Most municipalities in Greater Victoria are

eries. We’ll be discussing new policies, pro-

working on food security policies. The District

grams and technology that will increase food

of Saanich, which has long championed the

security and support urban food production.

Urban Containment Boundary, has developed

These are exciting developments and The

seven themes that reflect public input and

Chamber looks forward to working with our

support urban food production. The City of

members and partners to share the benefits of

Victoria’s Growing in the City program, which

buying — and growing — local. It’s all about

grew more than 81,500 edible plants to distrib-

building resilience in our economy by ensuring

ute to more than 44 community organizations.

we can sustain ourselves when the next crisis

City gardens provide spring seedlings, includ-

hits. Urban farm production will create good

ing herbs, tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini,

jobs, provide locally grown food and enhance

broccoli and other edible plants. The program

the health of our communities.

prioritizes distribution to populations having a harder time getting fresh food because they

To learn more, make sure to register now for our March 30 event.

have been disproportionally affected by the

The Chamber Business Restart Series:

pandemic. Among those, according to the city,

Hon. Lana Popham, Minister of Agriculture,

are indigenous groups.

Food and Fisheries

I think working on agricultural initiatives

Tuesday, March 30, 12 – 1 p.m.

with First Nations is a tremendous oppor-

Register at victoriachamber.ca

tunity. Indigenous people were able to sustain

Bruce Williams is CEO of the

countless generations before colonization. It

Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce

makes sense to engage with First Nations to preserve traditional techniques and produce food that connects to the land, supports our region’s cultural heritage and has proven to be sustainable.

The provincial government is also moving ahead to turn many urban farm concepts into reality. On March 30, as part of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce’s Business restart

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OFF THE COVER

FURNITURE DEMANDS INCREASE WITH HOME OFFICE GROWTH HOME WORKERS SEEKING STAND-UP DESKS, ERGONOMIC CHAIRS FOR NEW ENVIRONMENTS

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VICTORIA – With work-athome becoming the norm for many employees during the COVID pandemic, companies like Monk Office have noticed demand for office furniture i n pa r ticu la r has i ncreased significantly.

“T he f u rn itu re side of ou r busi ness has sk y rocketed,” says President and CEO Caitlin McKenzie. “Particularly the demand for transactional furniture, with people working from home, the demand and interest in that has seriously increased.”

The pandemic has made it necessary for workers to set up Monk Office President and CEO Caitlin McKenzie home offices, and while doing so, they’ve been or converters that sit on a desktop that allows making their own discoveries about options them to stand up at a dining room table and and accents to make their working environdo work, or sit down” she notes. “Ergonomics ment more comfortable and functional. is so important, because you can only perch Director of Retail Joanne Boyer notes Monk yourself on a cat stand for so long before you is seeing plenty of customization. realize you have to have something better.”

“People want flexibility within their desks, Boyer notices that customers are wanting to from sitting to standing, so they can have customize what colour their desks are, and a lot of movement and activity while they the colour of chair they use. work. They’re wanting more standing desks, “We’re also noticing a movement towards our

March 2021

OFF THE COVER Comforts of Home collection, which includes items you have on your desktop that are beautiful to look at, and are functional. Things like book ends and storage units, plants, plants and more plants – anything in terms of a vessel you can put a plant in. We are seeing trends that we expect to see continue once the workers return to their office buildings.”

McKenzie notes that they are starting to notice minor crimping in the supply chain as demand has increased, with some customers orders being delayed due to manufacturing issues.

“The lead times for our goods coming from eastern Canada or from the States and overseas are seeing big delays in furniture, in particular,” she says. “Our operational team is handling that well, and as soon as they hear from a supplier that delivery time has been delayed, they relay that right away to the customer.”

McKenzie says that prior to COVID, head office team members at Monk were set up to work from home, so the transition to more inhome work has been fairly straightforward.

She does look forward to a return to normalcy, and having workers back in the office on a regular basis.

“I’m a fundamental believer in teamwork and cohorts and feeding off everyone’s energy,” she says. “Monk will remain an office-based business, but we are able to accommodate a work from home program, should anyone need to do that. I’d like our customers to know that we’re doing this together, and we’re doing this, too.”

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In a glass half-full way, having more people working from home has brought new opportunities to Monk.

“We heard a lot about offices closing down, or temporarily working from home, and we wouldn’t have thought that was an environment that people were going to put money into. But it has. It’s provided Monk Office an opportunity to show what we have to offer.”

Looking ahead to the pandemic’s end, Boyer says “We’re expecting a lot of people are going to be likely shifting to go back into regular work spaces in offices, but only for a couple of days a week. A lot of people who have been working from great home work spaces, will be going back into sterile offices, and they will want to bring some of that new office environment they’ve experienced there as well.”

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

604.736.5611

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Citified.ca

QUADRA STREET LANDMARK SLATED FOR REDEVELOPMENT Sponsored by Properties’ Esquimalt Town Square development adjacent to Esquimalt’s town hall has hit the market as the mixed-use project nears completion in the township’s civic district. The Arbutus, a follow-up to the Douglas condominium at Esquimalt Town Square (over 60 perc ent sold-out) is tapping into significant demand for up-market condominium residences within the seaside municipality.

CENTRAL SAANICH Approximately 300-units of affordable seniors and workforce housing have been proposed for the 6800-block of West Saanich Road. Developer TL Housing Solutions, on behalf of the South Vancouver Island Housing Society, has submitted plans to the district for a three-building, three phase project that could deliver some 230 homes for seniors, including 30-units for seniors requiring memory care, and between 60 and 70-units of workforce housing across four properties on West Saanich Road at Kersey Road.

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LANGFORD The multi-phased, mixed-use #MyBelmont community on the former lands of Belmont Secondary School is celebrating three years since shovels first hit the ground. Construction at the 22-acre site anchored on Jacklin Road at Reunion Avenue began in March of 2018. Since then, developer Ledcor Property Investments has delivered 156 rental homes within two purpose-built rental complexes known as Crossing at Belmont, and 80 condominium suites within the first phase of homeownership opportunities, dubbed Belmont Residences West. A further 85 condominiums at the five-storey Belmont Residences East, currently 90 per cent soldout, are under construction with completion targeted for mid-2022.

COLWOOD A 4.2-acre parcel between the Island Highway and Wale Road at Colwood Corners has been listed for sale to the tune of $32 million, representing one of the highest per-acre raw land asks, ever, on southern Vancouver Island. Given the asking price, it is estimated that a residential unit density of approximately 1,100 homes would be required across four-acres to achieve an average of $30,000 per door.

ESQUIMALT A new phase of condominiums at Aragon E

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1812 Cook Street Victoria, BC Owner Occupier/Investor Opportunity Opportunity to purchase a freestanding building with future development potential. $1,500,000

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4382 Westshore Parkway Langford, BC Last Unit Remaining!

Opportunity to purchase a new strata warehouse unit in the Glenshire Business Park, one of the Westshore’s newest Business Parks. $2,975,000

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2515 Hackett Crescent Saanichton, BC Exceptional multifamily development site located within the Marigold Lands, a new community steps to the waterfront.

COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE EXPERTS Ross Marshall

Personal Real Estate Corporation Senior Vice President CBRE Investment Properties Group 250 386 0004 ross.marshall@cbre.com

Chris Rust

Personal Real Estate Corporation Senior Vice President CBRE Investment Properties Group 250 386 0005 chris.rust@cbre.com

Opt in to receive our property listings! www.cbrevictoria.com

Click Here

CBRE Limited, Real Estate Brokerage | 1026 Fort Street, Victoria, BC | 250 386 0000

March 2021

Citified.ca SAANICH A Quadra Street landmark at the intersection of Tattersall Drive dating back to the early 20th century is slated for redevelopment into a mixed-use commercial and residential complex.

The five-storey proposal from Alan Lowe Architect, currently before the District of Saanich, is envisioned for 3572, 3580 and 3584 Quadra Street, a trio of properties anchored by Quadra Appliances and Proline Roofing.

VICTORIA Further refinements to one of the largest development proposals within the City of Victoria have been submitted to the municipality, building on a rezoning submission unveiled in the spring of 2020 that could deliver some of the tallest buildings on Vancouver Island and a performing arts centre designed by worldrenowned architect Frank Gehry. This spring, the vision has crystallized with an application that could yield as many as 2,000 rental apartments in a collection of four towers on the ‘north’ side of the Roundhouse parcel and two on the ‘south’ side, a split roughly along the E&N Railway tracks that span across the property, and which will be slightly re-aligned to assist with spacing. Three condominium towers and a hotel tower are also envisioned.

A luxury yacht marina along the shores of the Inner Harbour has been listed for sale three years following its completion in the Vic West neighbourhood. The 28-slip Victoria International Marina (VIM), which got underway in 2016 with a construction budget of $24 million, opened in 2018 as the first dedicated superyacht moorage on North America’s west coast and operates as one of only a handful of such facilities in the world. Presented for sale by the Victoria-based offices of global commercial real-estate brokerage CBRE, the listing is

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An aerial view taken in February of the #MyBelmont community in the City of Langford. At-bottom is Belmont Residences West along Reunion Avenue, an 80-suite condominium building completed in 2020.

At-centre are Crossing at Belmont 1 and 2, a duo of rental buildings with 156 apartments between them completed in 2019. To their right a construction crane stands over the site of Belmont Residences East, an 85-suite condominium offering. At-top, centre, is the newly opened Thrifty Foods grocery store that anchors #MyBelmont’s commercial component, Belmont Market. © Ledcor Property Investments

un-priced pending solicitations from what are anticipated to be well-capitalized investment and real-estate firms with a long-term vision for a one-of-a-kind acquisition opportunity.

Redevelopment of the Kiwanis Village seniors community into affordable apartments is progressing through the municipal planning process. The Kiwanis Village Society of Victoria’s proposal to build nearly 80 affordable homes for seniors in studio, one and two-bedroom layouts within a four-storey complex at 1419 Mallek Crescent recently went before the Advisory Design Panel as it nears formal approvals. Envisioned for an eight-acre property to the north of Cook Street’s and Cedar Hill Road’s nexus in the Oaklands neighbourhood, is the first phase of redevelopment that will yield a four-storey building fronting onto Cook Street at Mallek Crescent on the former footprint of nine apartments within four single-storey bungalows.

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FEATURE STORY

WHITE WOLF HOMES DRIVEN

BY HARD WORK AND QUALITY DESIGN CONSTRUCTION COMPANY BUILDING IN-HOUSE DESIGNED SPEC HOMES, FOCUSING ON SAANICH PENINSULA

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VICTORIA – Kyle Velikovsky has never been afraid of hard work.

His strong work ethic has served him well as his White Wolf Homes company that he started a year ago has already been making its presence known in the competitive Greater Victoria construction sector.

Velikovsky has been securing properties throughout Greater Victoria, subdividing them and building new in-house designed spec homes, which are being well received in the marketplace. White Wolf Homes focuses on building in the Saanich Peninsula.

“We are building some nice projects, and they’re more than a typical spec home,” he states. “We build them as if they are custom homes. . .something we would want to move into.”

Velikovsky believes one of his company’s competitive advantages is it has its own designer on staff.

“When we look at building a custom home for a client, we are able to make the process more streamlined because we’re not having to rely on an outside source for design work,” he says.

“We can do that internally, here, to meet their expectations and guidelines.”

It also makes sense from a business point of view, as instead of paying thousands of dollars for each set of plans, they can produce them in-house in a two to three week period, which allows them to get them into the building permit phase of construction much quicker.

Prior to starting White Wolf Homes in 2020, Velikovsky had been doing construction projects in “extra time” over the past six years, while he was General Manager for his brother

White Wolf Homes owner Kyle Velikovsky

Jay Velikovsky’s Graphic FX Signworks company. He was with Graphic FX for 15 years, helping it become the largest sign manufacturer on Vancouver Island.

“I wanted to follow my passion of home building. I was doing some construction work on the side to pay for retirement, vacation and toys,” Kyle recalls. “As my son started to get older, I recognized that if I didn’t make a change in my lifestyle, I’d never be able to be a present-parent, so I decided to move on.”

White Wolf Homes has already secured 15 properties in its first year of operation, and is in the process of subdividing the lots to build projects.

“I’ve always had a passion for design,” he adds. “The process of manufacturing signs and building a house has similarities in that you start with a design, have a plan, then build something, although the steps are different. I March 2021

FEATURE STORY

A White Wolf Homes home at 1118 Faithful Street

A White Wolf Homes built home at 8870 Haro Park

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have a strong passion for business, and I wanted to do my own thing and combine what I felt were my assets and my skills. Housing seemed to be the obvious choice, as it was something I was already doing.”

Velikovsky got his start as a side hustle and worked with a reputable general contractor to manage his builds. While grateful for what he learned during that time, he also realized he should make a move to become a licensed builder and developer and run his own projects.

The success of White Wolf Homes has exceeded Velikovsky’s expectations.

“People like the product we are putting out,” he notes. “People are finding out about us, and they like our brand and what we stand for.”

One of the keys to the company’s success has been the work ethic that Velikovsky and his six staff members demonstrate.

“I don’t really stop,” he says. “It’s not uncommon for me to be up at 3-4 in the morning on my computer, go to the gym, where I think about what I have to accomplish, get the kids ready for school and then get to my workCongratulations to day. I approach each day Kyle and the team with a game plan, instead at White Wolf Homes on all your of just sitting there spinsuccess! ning my tires.”

Velikovsky envisions a 210 - 838 Fort Street, Victoria bright future.

Phone: 250.410.1613 “We’re excited about the www.numberra.ca growth of the housing market, and it’s a good ma rket to be i n rig ht now,” he says. “For us, -BC ENERGY STEP CODE though, it’s more about -HOT2000 MODELING -BLOWER DOOR TESTING putting out a good prod-COMPLIANCE REPORTING uct tha n just ma k i ng $ REBATES $ money. We’re not about cutting corners. We’re all about building beautiLET US HELP YOU SAVE ful homes at fair market ON HOME ENERGY USE 250-896-1421 value.”

ENERTECHSOLUTIONSLTD@GMAIL.COM WWW.ENERTECH.SOLUTIONS www.whitewolfhomes.ca

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FEATURE STORY

FIRST GENERAL TRIO IN NANAIMO OPEN NEW VICTORIA LOCATION

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VICTORIA - When Ryan and Rebecca Hill opened their restoration company in October of 2010, they brought a wealth of expertise to the table. Ryan’s twenty-plus years of experience in construction and Rebecca’s equally substantial experience in sales and marketing gave them the combined skillset to become successful entrepreneurs in a very competitive industry.

When they transitioned their business to the First General brand in 2019 in order to expand their national insurer partnerships, the melding of their growing company with the established national brand was a no-brainer.

“First General shares our vision for growth and excellence. It was a natural fit,” explains Ryan.

Established in 1983, First General has led the property damage restoration industry in technology, service, and customer approval rating for decades. They’re a company that prides itself on offering customers peace of mind in the most distressing of times. The Hills naturally fit right in with First General’s company ethos and commitment to customer satisfaction.

They fit so well in fact, after establishing their First General location in Nanaimo in 2019, Ryan and Rebecca expanded to a new location in Victoria in February of 2021. Together with General Manager and business partner Brad Schiewe, the driving force in executing the company’s vision, strategy, and values within dayto-day operations, the trio are a true example of what First General stands for.

On her role, Rebecca explains, “In addition to being an owner, I am the sales and marketing manager for First General, fostering new and existing relationships, and ensuring we deliver value for our partners and customers. It’s a role I take great pride in and deeply enjoy.”

Ryan’s role as president brings his twenty-five-plus year experience in the emergency restoration and reconstruction space to the fore, while also setting the overall vision and strategy for the organization. Ryan works closely with his twenty-one full-time employees, as well as longstanding local subcontracting companies and partners to provide the very best restoration services to BC residents. Ryan makes a point to offer subject matter expertise and mentorship to his talented employees on a daily basis.

The road to where they are today is paved with the hard work they put into establishing themselves in a new province.

“We moved to BC to start our company, “elaborates Rebecca. “Even though we had no local contacts, we quickly become a valued partner to local insurance

Ryan Hill, President Rebecca Hill, Sales Brad Schiewe, and Marketing General Manager Manager adjusters and brokers due to our commitment to exceptional service, as well as Ryan’s industry knowledge and expertise. After only three years we outgrew our first space and experienced sustained and steady growth throughout our time in business. Joining the First General network was a really important next step for us.

While it definitely brought about significant challenges at first, it has truly helped propel our growth.”

That growth was a key factor in their expansion into Victoria from the Nanaimo market.

Says Brad, “The opening of the Victoria office is a real celebration for us of a long-held vision and goal. This is especially true given we were able to take this step during all of the challenges that the pandemic has brought.

It is a great accomplishment for our team, and evidence of their dedication, perseverance and willingness to embrace challenge and change.”

Expanding within BC itself has also been a special and fulfilling experience for the Hills.

“One of the things we’re most passionate about is being a part of the diverse and dynamic business community in BC, “Enthuses Rebecca. “We love the passion people on Vancouver Island have for supporting local business.

We are very grateful that we have an opportunity to do that by working with so many local specialized trades.

Nurturing these partnerships is really an area where we have excelled as an organization and we see these relationships as fundamental to our companies growth and success.”

With Ryan, Rebecca and Brad representing the First General name, there are no doubt BC residents in need of their services who will find themselves in expert hands, with a team truly dedicated to being the very best in their industry. www.fgsna.com March 2021

FEATURE STORY

The Compass Electric team with their service fleet

COMPASS ELECTRIC WIRED RIGHT VICTORIA - Compass Electric was founded in 2011. Director Brian Banner, a hands-on leader, worked with a small crew of electricians over the first three years, steadily building the business, pursuing the break that would take Compass to the next level. In 2013, he got it.

“Our first large project was the BC Ambulance Dispatch Facility in Langford,” says Brian. “Our professional workmanship on that project really set the stage for Compass. From there, we were contracted to provide electrical systems for numerous other warehouses, multi-unit residential buildings, and residential subdivisions. It put us on the map in a really competitive space.”

Today, Compass Electric employs sixty-two electricians, apprentices, and office staff, whose collective goal is pushing Compass to stand out amongst their industry peers in BC. It’s an endeavor they do not take lightly.

“We take our relationships seriously, with an emphasis on fairness and transparency with customers and suppliers on every project,” Brian explains. “We have a very diverse WWW.BUSINESSEX AMINER.CA

stable of electricians, and our well-rounded project management team has over seventyfive years of experience combined. We also encourage constant learning and innovation in our team. The better we are at our job and the more we know, the better we’ll serve our valued customers.”

Despite the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, Compass Electric is looking forward to continued growth and expansion in the near future and has added to its repertoire of services and products to meet that goal.

Their dedication to building on their already strong foundation to benefit current and future customers is yet one more reason Compass has become a go-to for customers in Victoria and the surrounding areas.

With continued business development plans in the works and numerous upcoming projects on its calendar, Compass Electric anticipates growing its clientele, ensuring many more productive years ahead. www.compasselectric.net

19

FEATURE STORY

GEEKS ON THE BEACH: NICE AND SERIOUS VANCOUVER ISLAND WEB AGENCY OFFERS MULTIPLE SERVICES TO CLIENTS

20

VICTORIA – Nice guys finish last?

Jonathan Michaels, Chief Executive Officer and owner of Geeks on the Beach web agency doesn’t believe that at all.

“We have a nice team of nice geeks, and we ma ke n ice websites.

And we’re serious about busi ness,” M ichaels says of t he web design and optimization company he founded in Geeks on the Beach CEO Jonathan Michaels, left, and partner David Michels 2007.

Vancouver Island, and we’re using Vancou“Our whole focus is on trying to find the ver Island as a jumping off point for servicing balance between being easy to deal with and clients across North America and the world,” doing serious business,” adds Michaels, notMichaels states, adding the company now has ing they have offices in Dragon Alley in down14 employees, including Partner David Mitown Victoria, and in Parksville. “We’re very chels, who has been with the firm for 8 years. knowledgeable about what we do.”

Jonathan focuses on sales, with David looking Geeks on the Beach offers web site conafter project management. struction, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Despite the COVID crisis, Geeks on the Beach Social Media Strategy, Google ads expertise actually grew its business last year, Michaels and graphic design to clients, and the comobserves. “We’ve roughly doubled in size over pany has grown steadily since its beginning the past year, and I would attribute that spein Qualicum Beach. cifically to people who revisited their websites “We have sta ff members up a nd dow n March 2021

FEATURE STORY and online marketing and decided it was time to step up from using independent website designers, to a full service agency like ours,” he says. “They knew they needed to up their game to an agency that would meet all their needs.”

Michaels had a software company in Regina, Saskatchewan and penned a book titled “Personal Finance On The Web: A Personal Guide”, while writing for mostly financial-related technology. British Columbia beckoned.

“We wanted to move out to BC, and specifically liked Vancouver Island because of the lifestyle, and Qualicum Beach had some really good schools for our children,” he recalls.

“We raised our family in the area, but once the kids were grown, we decided that I could work anywhere in the world, and that Victoria was the perfect fit for us.”

Michaels set up shop in Chinatown on Fisgard Street, first renting a three-storey live/work townhouse, then buying that unit and the one next door, which are still home to Geeks on the Beach.

“I live in the cutest little office on Pandora,” he notes, adding he is also a Director of the Downtown Victoria Business Association.

Geeks on the Beach has built websites for some of the largest resorts and tourist attractions on Vancouver Island, and Michaels notes that the San Francisco Aquarium is near the top of the list of their creations.

Sites that utilize WordPress are their specialty, and they have earned a reputation for their works creating blogs for clients.

“We have a clear focus on SEO and that’s

WWW.BUSINESSEX AMINER.CA

something that comes directly out of my personal background, and it impacts every site that we build,” he notes. “SEO is never an after-thought with us, as it’s something that’s linked in to our pages.

“We also do a lot of online marketing for clients who are looking to stand out in local search engines and are in highly competitive sectors. They come to us for the strategic advantages we deliver,” he adds. “We also work on Shopify websites, promotional give-away campaigns, and help people attract positive reviews for local searches. That includes Reputation Management. Really, anything that clients who need a better website in order to be more competitive, which they know they need if they want to survive.” www.geeksonthebeach.ca

21

WHO IS SUING WHOM The contents of W ho’s Suing W hom is provided by a third-party resource and is accu rate accord i ng to publ ic cou r t documents. Some of these cases may have been resolved by publication date.

DEFENDANT Aarons Lawn Care and Landscaping 4600 Ca l low St, Bowser, BC PLAINTIFF Braun, Mark Christianus CLAIM $30,156 DEFENDANT Avid Enterprises Inc 2-3302 30th Ave, Vernon, BC PLAINTIFF Royal Bank CLAIM $17,712

22

DEFENDANT

Bearlo Labour and Services 303-1207 Douglas Rd, Victoria, BC Fleming, William Dean CLAIM $9,616 DEFENDANT Breitray Developments Ltd 30980 Blacklock Rd, Abbotsford, BC PLAINTIFF W i l n e f f, C h r i stopher Joseph CLAIM $9,010 DEFENDANT C a n d C We st

Contracting Ltd 906 Island Hw y, Campbell River, BC PLAINTIFF Shear Seismic Inc CLAIM $35,176 DEFENDANT Can Sure Underwriting Ltd 8 3 0 -8 0 0 We s t Pender St, Vancouver, BC PLAINTIFF McKay, Howard CLAIM $33,206 DEFENDANT Central Island Powerline Ltd 202-58 Station St, Duncan, BC PLAINTIFF Prior, Jill CLAIM $33,571

DEFENDANT Chevy Contracting 1552 Ocea nspray Dr, North Saanich, BC PLAINTIFF Watson, K i m Michelle CLAIM $7,418 DEFENDANT Cruiseplus Management Ltd 1010-736 Granville St, Vancouver, BC PLAINTIFF Power, Catherine Maureen CLAIM $35,276 DEFENDANT Darcys Pub (2009) Ltd 1009 Cook St, Victoria, BC PLAINTIFF

Donovan, Michael Patrick CLAIM $35,181 Dash Developments Ltd 200-1808 Bowen Rd, Nanaimo, BC PLAINTIFF Power, Catherine Maureen CLAIM $35,276 DEFENDANT D o w n To E a r t h Landscape Design and Nursery 1096 Derrien Pl, Victoria, BC PLAINTIFF Waterworks Irrigation and Landscaping Inc CLAIM $13,932

Region

Project Address

Project Type

Project Details

Low Bidder / Award

Budget

Victoria

Various locations

Supply

Watermain Pipe

EMCO Corporation

Victoria

Various locations

Civil work

Utility Replacement

Complete Utility Contractors

2,906,940

Victoria

1952 Bay St

Institutional add/alter

High Acuity Units - VGH

Western Medical Contracting

N/A

Esquimalt

CFB Esquimalt

Mechanical, electrical & plumbing Generator Rationalization

Houle Electric

875,000

Esquimalt

CFB Esquimalt

Institutional add/alter

Detention Barracks Upgrade - Naden 2

Century Group

287,000

Esquimalt

1243 Esquimalt Rd

Institutional new

Public Safety Building - Construction Management

Kinetic Construction

N/A

Cowichan Valley RD

Douglas Hill

Civil work

Douglas Hill Watermain Replacement

Superior Excavating

70,000

North Cowichan

Smiley Rd

Civil work

Watermain & appurtenances

IWC Excavation Ltd

600,000

Nanaimo

6201 Dunbar Rd

Institutional add/alter

Cilaire & Pleasant Valley Elem - Seismic Upgrade - CM

Heatherbrae Builders

N/A

Nanaimo RD

1723 Cedar Rd

Civil work

Water Treatment Plant - Site Preparation

Hazelwood Construction

N/A

Nanaimo RD

Whiskey Creek

Institutional add/alter

Water Production Well Site Construction

Ridgeline Mechanical Ltd

403,955

Port Alberni

14 km South Taylor Main FSR

Roads & bridges

Snow Creek Recreation Site - Maintenance Project

Roc-Star Enterprises Ltd

80,881

Courtenay

Miracle Beach Provincial Park

Institutional add/alter

Nature House Upgrade

Copcan Civil Ltd

Courtenay

Various locations

Services

Elevator Inspection & Maintenance

Richmond Elevator

Comox

19 Wing, CFB Comox

Demolition/deconstruction

Demolition of Building 52

Edgett Excavating Ltd

143,265

277,000 N/A 124,098

March 2021

WHO IS SUING WHOM DEFENDANT E r r i ng ton T re e Service 1255 Engl ish ma n River Rd, Errington, BC PLAINTIFF Russell, Elizabeth CLAIM $35,306 DEFENDANT Fat Burger 201-1006 Fort St, Victoria, BC PLAINTIFF Hesco Food Service (Calgary) Ltd CLAIM $6,676 DEFENDANT Hub City Hydroponics Ltd 105-50 10th St, Nanaimo, BC PLAINTIFF Ci n naba r Va l ley

WWW.BUSINESSEX AMINER.CA

Farms Ltd CLAIM $5,969 DEFENDANT Island Cruising Ltd 104-9710 2nd St, Sidney, BC PLAINTIFF Erika Macintyre Professional Corporation CLAIM $35,216 DEFENDANT K e n t L a ve r d u r e Plumbing 4 6 4-1 43 4 I ro nwood Rd, Campbell River, BC PLAINTIFF Hartling, Tianna CLAIM $35,156 DEFENDANT Leaf Compassion

Inc 7th Flr 1175 Douglas St, Victoria, BC PLAINTIFF GF X Graph ic F X Signworks Inc CLAIM $11,374 DEFENDANT Nanaimo Chrysler D o dge Je ep R a m Ltd 4170 Wel l i ng ton Rd, Nanaimo, BC PLAINTIFF Halt Holdings Ltd CLAIM $11,739 DEFENDANT Powerhouse Sheet Rock Ltd 201-19 Dallas Rd, Victoria, BC PLAINTIFF Worldeco Ltd CLAIM

$8,452 DEFENDANT Save On Septic Services Inc 2-17 7 4 t h S t , Duncan, BC PLAINTIFF Watson, K i m Michelle CLAIM $7,418 DEFENDANT Sea Power Marine Centre Ltd 2077 Amelia Ave, Sidney, BC PLAINTIFF Fleming, Allan CLAIM $12,497 DEFENDANT Stride Properties Ltd 112-9800 McDonald Park Rd, North

Saanich, BC PLAINTIFF Watt Consulting Group Ltd CLAIM $25,238 DEFENDANT Victoria Contracti ng & Mu n icipa l Maintenance Corp 1 6 0 0 - 9 2 5 We s t Georgia St, Vancouver, BC PLAINTIFF Smith, Shane Darcy CLAIM $14,472

23

TOURISM

LET’S RECALIBRATE OUR FOCUS

24

March is typically the time of year our members begin to increase operations.

S p r i n g b re a k provides an opportunity for families to travel. The weather in Greater Victor i a i s i nching to warmer temperatures.

PAUL NURSEY Ma rch 2021 is not a typical time though. The COVID-19 pandemic is ongoing, and the visitor economy is still struggling. Destination Greater Victoria has recalibrated its focus recently – with an emphasis on supporting the community and some of our members that need specific help.

As mentioned in a previous column, Greater Victoria Flower Count is held in late February or early March every year. The event brings the community together and is an opportunity to gently poke the rest of the country for our mild winter weather. This year, however, the focus was on healing. We wanted our message to be one of hope and rejuvenation. We want the rest of the country to know we are thinking of them at this difficult time, and that we will welcome them as visitors when the time is right. This year’s Greater Victoria Flower Count was an amazing success, and we look forward to doing it again next year.

The second way we are engaging the community is through the “I’m in! Victoria.” promotional campaign. Running for the month of March, Destination Greater Victoria is working collaboratively with the City of Victoria, Downtown Victoria Business Association, Attractions Victoria, The Hotel Association of Greater Victoria, and other stakeholders to connect

tourism business to the local consumer and drive incremental revenue during a traditional shoulder season. The aim is to help businesses with cash flow during this challenging month and create a pathway for recovery in summer.

The COVID-19 pandemic has not hit our members equally. Specifically, our bed and breakfasts (B&Bs) and inns have had a particularly difficult time. Larger hotels have had a difficult time as well, but smaller accommodators do not have the same access to resources as their larger counterparts. Many of these properties act as the primary residence of the owner/operator; as a result, they have been unable to accept visitors into their homes, even during the limited periods when provincial travel was allowed. In the coming weeks and months, Destination Greater Victoria is supporting these small businesses with a focused and targeted promotional campaign that can help drive some incremental revenues.

This will help them survive until summer 2021 when we can expect further recovery.

There are signs of hope on the horizon. The Province has signaled some restrictions could be lifted soon. Destination Greater Victoria looks forward to summer - a time when people can travel again, and we are welcoming visitors to our wonderful destination.

Paul Nursey is the President and CEO of Destination Greater Victoria

March 2021

FEATURE STORY

The Seaspan Swift ferry

SEASPAN ADDING NEWBATTERY SYSTEM FOR FERRIES SEASPAN RELIANT FERRY WILL OPERATE BLUE WHALE BATTERY STARTING IN SUMMER 2021 NANAIMO – Seaspan Ferries Corporation has reached an agreement with Corvus Energy for the first installation of its Corvus Blue Whale ESS energy storage system on its Seaspan Reliant cargo ferry.

Blue Whale is a new large-scale battery system designed for large ships with high zero-emission energy demand, such as cruise ships, large Ro-Pax and Ro-Ro ferries, and

WWW.BUSINESSEX AMINER.CA

cargo ships.

For its inaugural field trial, the Blue Whale battery system will be installed on board Seaspan Reliant, which was built in 2016 and sails the Gulf of Georgia between Nanaimo and the Lower Mainland.

“Seaspan has been an important partner for Corvus Energy. They were amongst the first to install our batteries in North America. Their

25

FEATURE STORY

26

extensive experience on our battery systems and knowledgeable team makes them the ideal field trial partner,” says Sean Puchalski, EVP Strategy & Business Planning at Corvus Energy.

Kendra MacDonald is CEO of Canada’s Ocean Supercluster, an initiative of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, which is providing funding to the project. Salish Sea Marine Emission Reductions funding through Environment & Climate Change Canada also helped make the field trial possible.

The Blue Whale ESS features a rack-free design of stacking modular blocks, providing high volumetric battery room energy density that maximizes a ship owners’ passenger or payload opportunities.

“Although Seaspan Reliant is a relatively small vessel for a Blue Whale system and the retrofit will be done on a very tight schedule, the challenging conditions make it ideal for a trial site,” says Richard Wing, Corvus’ Chief Research and Development Officer. “Moving and situating the Blue Whale modules and pack controllers into the existing battery room will also test and validate the materials handling equipment and service tools we have developed.”

Installation of the new Blue Whale system is scheduled for Summer 2021, at which time Seaspan also plans to relocate the AT6500 system onto sister vessel, Seaspan Swift.

Blue Whale commissioning and trials will be carried out while the vessel is in full-service operation during the remaining months of 2021. With three and a half times the previous energy capacity, Seaspan will be able

Kendra MacDonald, CEO of Canada’s Ocean Supercluster

to expand the use of battery power beyond spinning reserve to also provide fuel-efficient peak shaving, load balancing, and even zero-emission operation on battery power only.

“The increased battery capacity will give us operational flexibility to enhance service levels while reducing emissions and fuel consumption,” says Harly Penner, Director of Fleet Renewal and Maintenance at Seaspan Ferries.

“Seaspan Ferries is committed to caring for the environment, and this is an exciting opportunity to play a role in the transformation of shipping towards a greener and more sustainable industry,” says Gord Miller, VP Seaspan Ferries.

The Blue Whale field trial and all key maritime authority certifications are expected to be completed by Spring 2022, at which time commercial deliveries will commence.

March 2021

OPINION

WHAT WE CAN LEARN FROM MCDONALD’S MARKETING While driving recently, I couldn’t avoid seeing “Not Without Canadian Farmers” emblazoned on a McDonald’s delivery trucks, pointing out that the food they serve is made and grown in this country. I couldn’t help but admire, and take another look at, how and why the corporation’s marketing succeeds.

MARK MACDONALD Two all beef patties special sauce lettuce cheese pickles onions on a sesame seed bun.

Decades after McDonald’s Restaurants ran the ingredients of their popular Big Mac hamburger as their basic advertising text, those old enough to remember can still recite it all, in order. It became a competition amongst friends, to see who could recite it, with or without melody.

McDonald’s maintains its hold as the gold standard for marketing and advertising, and because of that, stays at or near the top of the uber-competitive fast food industry. After a prolonged swoon about a decade or so ago, McDonald’s revamped its menu while maintaining solid standard bearers like the Big Mac, Quarter Pounder and, of course, French Fries.

It is back where stockholders and franchisees like it, providing solid returns on investment.

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Consistency Does McDonald’s create the best hamburger you’ve ever eaten? Some might say so, but surely there are better tasting burgers out there. McDonald’s is, however, consistent in its quality and delivery times, with price-points that always make it a consideration for budget-conscious or “must eat now” consumers. Go to McDonald’s in Canada, the U.S., Mexico or China, and it’s always exactly the same.

Their messages vary, but when they come up with a new campaign, they use it everywhere, for as long as it doesn’t remain stale and forgetful. The Big Mac recipe. There’s no tipping at McDonald’s. You deserve a break today. I’m lovin’ it. All hanging around just enough to earn storage in our memory banks.

When it comes to marketing, McDonald’s just keeps at it. You know where to find them, and they know how to bring you in. It works, and they just don’t quit.

Clarity One doesn’t have to be a rocket scientist to

27

OPINION decipher what McDonald’s is trying to say in its marketing. That doesn’t mean it isn’t clever – it just follows the tried and true method of getting an uncluttered, memorable message out to its target audience.

Their basic messaging captures the imaginations and appetites of children, who have been known to hound their parents to take them to McDonald’s for something to eat, Now. They must have it, and will get it, dependent on volume and repetition.

28

Changing Gears Some things work for awhile, but not forever, and McDonald’s is masterful at recognizing that. Ronald McDonald, the Hamburglar and Mayor McCheese once made a trip to the Golden Arches like a near-Disneyland experience.

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They’ve all gone into hiding.

They introduce, re-introduce and take away menu items. Pizza and McRib have come and gone, and re-appeared from time to time.

While staples remain, there always seems to be a new menu item or two to try. It shows they’re not stuck in the past, and not afraid to try new things – demonstrating they’re willing to change, if they must, to keep consumer interest high.

Being Pro-Active Several times a year, stories are published attacking McDonald’s about something: Quality of ingredients. Caloric counts. Packaging.

Wages. Almost immediately, the corporation responds to the issue, never allowing smoldering embers to become a forest fire of negative publicity. They’re on it, and their response time is impressive.

A cynic today might believe that some messages are introduced to start conversations and subsequent cycle of responsive editorial, which is free advertising of their brand. In a parallel universe, celebrity publicity machines recognize crises lift stars to the top of the conversational heap, particularly with social media. But we digress.

The fact is, McDonald’s is always out there, sharing their story, in a variety of forms. And because they’re always at it, they’re able to even address issues that might arise, or could become problems, thus controlling the conversation to some degree.

No wonder we’re still talking about them and how they conduct their business.

March 2021

MOVERS AND SHAKERS

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

Curated just for you.

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

Episode 10 of the Business Examiner podcast

A Victoria housing agency is expanding its

– From the trenches – is now live! Mike Koza-

service delivery model to include a support-

kowski of Citified Media talks about Victoria,

ive recovery program for youth experiencing

British Columbia’s vibrant real estate sector.

substance-use issues. Threshold Housing

His real estate website and consultancy is a

Society has partnered with Island Health to

truly unique company having a major impact

provide eight supportive recovery beds and

on the Capital Region.

one family care home bed in Greater Victoria, with recovery services available to youths

Julie Angus, CEO of Open Ocean Robot-

waiting for a bed.

ics, was awarded the Industry Icon award at the 2021 BC Cleantech awards, recogniz-

The Brigham family is handing Sidney Phar-

ing those who made a significant impact in

macy ownership over to the Rayani family,

changing the world of cleantech, according

whose patriarch Naz Rayani founded the chain

to Foresight, the organization presenting the

of Heart Pharmacy stores in the early 1990s.

awards. Open Ocean’s autonomous boats create no GHGs or noise pollution while they research the ocean.

Central Saanich received a province-funded $322,800 grant for a multi-use pathway to Butchart Gardens through BC’s economic

WWW.BUSINESSEX AMINER.CA

29

MOVERS AND SHAKERS re cover y g ra nt prog ra m . Work on t he 450-metre-long pathway is set to start later this year.

the reservoir.

Work began to prepare the nine-acre Nigel Valley property in Saanich for redevelopment, with civil works crews constructing roads

30

The Ministry of Child and Family Develop-

and infrastructure to service various prop-

ment announced 340 new spaces have been

erties along Nigel Valley, bordered by Vernon

created as part of an effort to improve access

Avenue, Lochside Trail and Darwin Avenue.

to child care during the pandemic and beyond,

The work is expected to take up to 10 months

with spaces to be available in Victoria (210),

and will initially service the Greater Victoria

North Saanich (56), Sooke (62) and Tahsis (8).

Housing Society’s 70-unit affordable rental

Locations will include Crosstown Daycare

housing project and Broadmead Care Society’s

Program at Sundance Elementary Daycare,

88-unit assisted living and affordable rental

opening in January 2022, Kids Klub Centre

housing project. Both projects were approved

Lake Hill at Lake Hill Elementary open in July

by Saanich council in 2020 and are expected

2022 and Kids Klub Centre McKenzie, opening

to break ground later in 2021. Nigel Valley will

in July 2022 at McKenzie Elementary. In Janu-

be home to several multi-family residenc-

ary 2022, Hillcrest Elementary Out of School

es, bringing nearly 800 affordable units and

Care and Ready Set Grow will provide new

commercial spaces to Saanich over the next

child care spaces. In May 2021 Homey Land

five to ten years.

Daycare will open in Sooke, providing spaces, while the Choo Choo, Let’s Go! Childcare Cen-

Victoria’s CuGrip, has created copper wraps,

tre is offering new spaces in May 2022. On the

a thin copper sheet with an adhesive, that can

Saanich Peninsula, Tseycum Childcare Cen-

be used to ensure sanitary high-touch surfac-

tre will also provide new spaces this coming

es on mass transit and in hospitals, airports

December.

and other public spaces. TransLink, which operates Vancouver’s transit system, recently

The Capital Regional District has purchased

tested copper products, including CuGrip’s,

the 58.7-hectare property near Grant Lake

on its high-touch surfaces and determined the

in the watershed catchment for the Sooke

metal was lethal to bacteria. CuGrip has estab-

La ke reser voi r, the storage site for the

lished a manufacturing base in Ohio capable

region’s drinking water. The land was bought

of producing 100 million products a month. It

from Margaret Forestry Ltd. for $652,729 and

has distribution networks around the world

funded by the CRD’s regional water supply

and dealers in several countries. Learn more

service. The property was identified as a high

about CuGrip at cugrip.com.

priority for acquisition due to its proximity to March 2021

MOVERS AND SHAKERS The province is committing up to $2 million

Peninsula, offering food delivery, pick-up

to expand the BC Food Hub Network to Van-

and online ordering from just north of Sidney

couver Island, designed to bolster food securi-

stretching into Saanich, excluding an area

ty, while helping food and beverage producers

west of John Dean Provincial Park.

grow their business by providing shared-use

Sooke Yarn & Fibre is now open at 3-6631

processing facilities, equipment, expertise and

Sooke Road. Give them a call at 778-400-

other resources. The funding will be used for

5698, or visit www.sookeyarnandfibre.com.

three new food hubs in Victoria, Cowichan Valley and Bowser.

Greater Victoria’s second Marshalls location is scheduled to open March 9th in Langford at

Island Health will operate the COVID-19

the Millstream Village Shopping Centre.

vaccination clinic out of the McKinnon Gym at the University of Victoria during phase two

Central Saanich received funding to help

and three of the BC COVID-19 Immunization

build a multi-use pathway next to Ben-

Plan, designated for people 60 and older and

venuto Avenue from Wallace Drive down

those who are clinically vulnerable. For more

to Butchart Gardens. Financial support for

information on vaccine eligibility and how to

the project comes from a stream of the Com-

book an appointment, visit www.islandhealth.

munity Economic Recovery Infrastructure

ca/covid19vaccine.

The Esquimalt Farmers Market has been named the best large BC market for the third time in the last four years in the BC Market Awards. This year, the market will be run weekly out of Memorial Park starting April. esquimaltmarket.com Saanich is one of six Canadian and 88 global cities to score the top “A” grade in 2020 for re-

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Uber Eats has expanded service to the Saanich WWW.BUSINESSEX AMINER.CA

31

MOVERS AND SHAKERS Program designed to bring visitors back to BC

was bought from Margaret Forestry Ltd. for

communities in support of economic recovery

$652,729 and funded by the CRD’s regional

from the COVID-19 pandemic.

water supply service. The property was identified as a high priority for acquisition due to its

Sidney Council has recommended the Li-

proximity to the reservoir. The purchase was

quor a nd Ca n n abis Reg u lat ion Bra nch

made to prepare for future needs and ensure

(LCRB) approve a cannabis retail application

continued stewardship of areas surrounding

by Buds Cannabis, which plans to open the

the reservoir.

store in the 9700-block of Second Street. It would be their second outlet, the first being

T h e W̱ S Á N E Ć L e a d e r s h i p C o u n c i l

in Central Saanich, and the second such busi-

representing Tsartlip, Tseycum, and Tsawout

ness in Sidney.

First Nations and The Land Conservancy of British Columbia (TLC) have announced

32

The Capital Regional District purchased

a n agreement that w i l l tra nsfer title of

a 58.7-hectare property near Grant Lake in

SISȻENEM, also known as Halibut Island,

the watershed catchment for the Sooke Lake

from the charitable land trust to the W̱ SÁNEĆ

reservoir, the storage site for the region’s

Leadership Council. TLC purchased the 9.67-

drinking water. The land, which falls with-

acre island, located east of Sidney Island,

in the Cowichan Valley Regional District,

for $1.55 million with the support of one unnamed donor. The transfer is the first of its

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community in Canada.

Victoria City council approved a compromise option for temporary alteration of Clover Point Park, which will cost up to $275,000.

The compromise will keep the area the same as before construction began on the Capital Regional District sewage pump station project.

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A section on the boathouse side of the loop will remain open to vehicles and include eight regular parking spots, six accessible spaces and a vehicle turnaround area. The site will include 25 parking stalls, 10 of them accessible, and a large loading area at the top of the March 2021

MOVERS AND SHAKERS loop. It will create 2,400 square metres of new

Sunriver Way in Sooke is now open. www.

pedestrian-only space on the waterfront.

sunriverdental.ca.\

Trees Cannabis has reopened its 230 Cook Street location in downtown Victoria. It

Victoria’s Entourage Hair located at 100 Al-

will also be reopening its Oak Bay location,

dersmith Place, Suite A6 in Nelson Square is

at 1545 Fort Street, by the end of March.

open. Visit www.entouragehair.ca

The business plans to have a total of eight stores open on the Island by August.

Kuku’s Take-Out, Delivery & Catering is once again open. Victoria’s longest running Indian

Gordon Head Recreation Centre was recently transformed into a hospital for the filming

restaurant is located at 24 Burnside Road West. www.kukusrestaurant.com

of Netflix series Maid. The Saanich recreation centre was temporarily rebranded as Quim-

The Blue Nile East African Restaurant at 612

per Regional Hospital. The 10-part series is

Head Street in Victoria is open for takeout

being shot in various locations across Greater

and orders through the Tutti food delivery

Victoria.

service. bluenilerestaurantvictoria.com

The western tip of the Sooke Region will

The Chartered Professional Accountants of

share more than $1.2 million in provincial

British Columbia honoured Nelson Chan, Doug

government grants via the Rural Economic Re-

Crowder, Connie Fair and Diana Lokken, four

covery (RER) program to support communities

Victoria-based chartered professional accoun-

recovering from the economic impacts of

tants, with a fellowship designation (FCPA) for

COVID-19 and build their economies for the

their professional accomplishments and out-

future. Some of the local projects include

standing contributions to their communities.

The Pacheedaht First Nation campground e x p a n s i o n , a n d P o r t R e n f r e w Wo rk-

Specific Mechanical Systems, a specialist

Link Employment Society mobile visitor

brewing and distilling equipment manufac-

and business information centre.

turer in Victoria, have updated their range of premium quality, handcrafted beer and spirit

Victoria’s Broadmead Hearing Clinic at 4430

producing systems, offering both pot stills

Chatterton Way #107 in the Broadmead Office

and continuous columns. Their selections

Park welcomes Nina Perisic, their newest au-

include pot stills ranging between 500 and

diologist. www.broadmeadhearing.com

2000 litres in capacity, with custom material options and add-ons, including agitators,

SunRiver Dental and Implant Centre at 2350 WWW.BUSINESSEX AMINER.CA

glass man-ways, and vessel lights. They also

33

MOVERS AND SHAKERS offer skid mounted distillation equipment,

have the footage professionally edited, colour

designed with easy set-up features and a built-

graded and more. They also provide free

in davit, an ideal pre-plumbed and pre-wired

videography tips. Find out more at surfand-

industrial distilling system. To learn more,

stonestudios.com.

visit specificmechanical.com.

The District of Sooke is updating its Official The Township of Esquimalt has joined a

Community Plan. The OCP, Under the aus-

growing list of BC municipalities that have

pices of the Official Community Plan Advi-

banned single-use plastics, with the prov-

sory Committee, will guide Sooke through

ince approving Esquimalt’s bylaw along with

the next 10 years of growth when adopted by

bylaws from Surrey, Nanaimo, and Rossland.

Sooke council in 2022. The OCP provides a

The City of Victoria and the District of Saanich

foundation for direction and decision-mak-

have already had their proposed bans approved

ing in community planning and land-use

by the province.

management, growth management, housing, greenhouse gas emissions targets, and social

The City of Langford ranks number one

34

and environmental issues, amongst others.

in BC Business Magazine’s Top 10 Most Resilient Cities in BC. Amongst the factors in

The District of Oak Bay has narrowed its

its ranking are continued growth during the

selection for the marina lease renewal to

pandemic, high volumes of residential home

two proposals sharing similar approaches

sales, having one of the youngest populations

to renovate and add to existing buildings.

in the province, as well as the move to have

Both suggest re-assigning some of the Turkey

employees work from home.

Head parking area to green space with paths and other uses, a heavy environmental focus

The Canada United Small Business Relief

and plans to make the area usable for non-

Fund is still offering $5,000 grants to help

boaters and boaters alike. Paddlesports

Canadian businesses cover costs of PPE,

and cycling infrastructure are also includ-

office space adjustments, or e-commerce

ed. Feedback opportunities are available via

development. The program is administered

questionnaire at www.connect.oakbay.ca/

b y t h e Onta r io Cha mb er of Com-

marina-lease until March 2nd. The public can

merce, though businesses can apply from any

also submit feedback for the Committee of the

province.

Whole meeting scheduled for March 1st.

Victor i a’s Su rf a nd Stone Stud ios h a s launched a new video editing service, allowing

The Island Coastal Economic Trust (ICET) is

customers to upload their own videos and

expanding to include the Juan de Fuca, Salt March 2021

MOVERS AND SHAKERS Spring Island and the southern Gulf Islands

seaweeds to Health Canada’s Ingredient Da-

electoral areas, which formerly received ru-

tabase. Before a natural health care product

ral-specific funding but were limited in ap-

can be sold in Canada, it must have a license

plying for grants from various other lucrative

and an eight-digit Natural Product Number

provincial and federal programs.

(NPN) to display on the product packaging.

Prior to applying for an NPN, manufacturers

Construction is soon expected to begin on 75

must ensure their sourced ingredients are

new affordable rental homes for individuals,

listed in Health Canada’s Ingredient Database.

seniors and families with low to moderate

The ingredients include Saccharina Latissima

incomes at 2170 Charters Road in Sooke. The

(Sugar Kelp), Alaria marginata (Winged kelp),

building is estimated to open in 2022. BC

Neoagarum fimbriatum, and Develarea mollis

Housing has also purchased the Hope Cen-

(Red Ribbon or Pacific Dulse). To learn more

tre at 6750 West Coast Road from M’akola and

about Cascadia, visit w ww.cascadiaseaweed.

the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, Van-

com.

couver Island to accommodate 33 supportive homes for those experiencing or at risk of

Driftwood Brewery’s Fat Tug IPA is BC’s

homelessness, a service hub with six shelter

best beer according to thousands of Twit-

beds, programming space for training and

ter users who voted in CBC reporter Justin D

!

outreach services and a commercial kitchen.

N

T

E

The Sooke Shelter Society will operate the new

A

The City of Langford is receiving 38.5 acres of

W

A

R

D

-S

C

E

building with staff on-site 24/7.

forestland from Westhills Land Corporation as part of the Master Development Agreement between the city and the corporation, with the land to be protected in perpetuity for residents

™

of Langford. The lands include a 3.5-acre parcel connecting to the Jordie Lunn Bike Park, set to open April 1st. The trail connectivity and land addition will add to Langford’s existing 2,167 acres of park and natural recreation space.

Sidney’s Cascadia Seaweed has added four WWW.BUSINESSEX AMINER.CA

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35

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McElroy’s online tournament for beer lovers. He populated the voting brackets with popular and respected beers from across the province. driftwoodbeer.com.

The Saanich School District’s Children’s Development Centre on Cordova Bay Road east of the Patricia Bay Highway is getting a $4.2-million new building. The provincial government came up with $3.7 million for a new building and the district has provided

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$500,000. The new facility will include two classrooms and will be able to accommodate a dozen students.

Victoria has received $400 million in federal funds for active transportation, including pathways, bike lanes, trails and pedestrian bridges.

Victoria’s Craigdarroch Castle will have its kitchen and pantry restored to a state that hasn’t been seen in more than 100 years thanks to $288,000 in joint funding from the province and Heritage BC. The restoration will include replacing the shutters, adding new wainscotting and mouldings around windows and doors, repairing and painting plaster surfaces and installing flooring.

www.communicationink.ca E: info@communicationink.ca

Colwood is looking to construct a number of new sidewalks and bike routes located at Metchosin Road and Painter Road, both scheduled for construction this year, Latoria Road, Lagoon Road, Kelly Road, Benhomer Road, March 2021

MOVERS AND SHAKERS Owens Road, Veterans Memorial Parkway,

Grains young whiskey won Best Mixed Hash

Hagel Road, Milburn Drive, Fulton Road, and

Whiskey, took home the Best Whiskey Spirit

Haida Drive.

award for the third year in a row, and was voted Artisan Distillery of the Year at the

Edmonton-based development firm Postmark

2021 Canadian Whiskey Awards.

Group, which purchased two properties at 6641 and 6643 Sooke Road, is reaching out to

Colwood council recently allocated up to

the community and local groups for feedback

$488,000 from the Affordable Housing Re-

before they begin designing a large seaside

serve Fund towards supporting the redevel-

development for Sooke. The company hopes

opment of Colwood Lodge to provide housing

to create a waterfront village centre, including

opportunities for people with varying ranges

a mixture of office, commercial and residen-

of incomes and in different phases of life. The

tial spaces. A marina and boardwalk are also

current four-storey, 50-unit building, located

envisioned for the project.

behind London Drugs, is being redone through the Greater Victoria Housing Society, with

The Saanich Peninsula’s Devine Distillery and Winery keeps winning. Their Devine’s Ancient

plans to redevelop the site into a 15-storey building with around 119 units.

37

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REFRIGERATION Vancouver Island Making the lives of our customers easier is our passion. Integrity and innovation are invaluable; you have both with honest relationships. It's what sets us apart and what has kept us on the leading edge since 1971.

As Hussmann's BC distributor, we are trusted by customers across Western Canada to deliver dependable, energy-efficient refrigeration solutions. If you've shopped at a supermarket in BC in the last 50 years, chances are we're part of that store's history.

We have options for new and refurbished equipment. With decades of experience, our sales and design team can provide a one-stop-shop for our customers.

Our team of refrigeration experts delivers quality, reliability, and superior client service. From initial design, through installation, to preventative maintenance and emergency service, our wealth of experience will support you every step of the way.

Contact us, toll-free 24hrs, 7 days a week Ph: 1-855-585-8707 Ph: 250-585-8707 Email: info@jonesfood.com Jones Refrigeration, Parksville #9 - 1009 Allsbrook Road, V9P 2A9 Jones Food Store Equipment, Burnaby 2896 Norland Avenue, V5B 3A6

We’re about options.

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Jones has partnered with the following industries: • Supermarkets • Liquor Stores • Convenience Stores • Commissary Kitchens • Refrigerated Distribution Warehouses • Environmentally Controlled Chambers • Science Labs

• Specialty Shops • Ice Cream Parlours • Butcher Shops • Florists • Produce Markets • Medical Facilities • Pharmacies • Casinos • Golf Courses • Training Facilities • Restaurants

Est. 1971