Business Examiner Vancouver Island - May 2019 by Business Examiner News Group

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MAY 2019

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HarbourCats Team Up With Island-Based Brewers

CAMPBELL RIVER Canada’s Largest Commercial Diving School Finds Home in North Island

Red Arrow Brewing Company Creates Unique HarbourCats Brew BY ROBERT MACDONALD

D PAGE 21

INDEX News Update

Nanaimo

Small Business

Cowichan Valley

Qualicum Beach

Comox Valley

Digital Marketing

Who is Suing Whom 37 Campbell River

Movers & Shakers

Opinion

U N C A N - T h e Victoria HarbourCats and D u n c a n ’s R e d A r r ow Brewing Company are teaming up this season, creating the HarbourCats Ballpark Blonde. A s p a r t o f a t h r e e -y e a r arrangement with Red Arrow, this beer will be the featured brew at the HarbourCats’ home field, Wilson’s Group Stadium, along with some other great beers from Red Arrow. The HarbourCats beer is set to hit liquor stores at the end of May, and will be on tap around Victoria in pubs & restaurants. “The HarbourCats Ballpark Blonde presents a great opportunity for both companies to create a more enjoyable experience in the ballpark,” says Jim Swanson, co-owner and General Manager of t he H a rb ou r Cat s. “ T h i s community is not as interested in run-of-the-mill, domestictype beer. Craft breweries - and the better flavor that comes with craft beer - works well in our park,

HARBOURCATS | PAGE 33

Flooring Depot Expansion Earns Chamber Excellence Award Expansion to 18,000 Square Feet Planned by End of Year

OUR 15 YEAR BY VALORIE LENNOX

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(Left to Right) Chris Gress, Brewmaster at Red Arrow Brewing Company, and Jim Swanson, co-owner and General Manager of the HarbourCats

and Red Arrow provides a perfect match for what we do. “Having the co-branded product in liquor stores and on-tap will be a great opportunity for us and Red Arrow to spread our wings and become even more well known in Island communities.” Red Arrow brewmaster Chris Gress created the beer earlier this year, in collaboration with the Ha rbou rCats ma rketi ng department. “We had a lot of discussions about what people were looking for,” says Gress. “The Island is a really ‘crafty culture,’ so we wanted to create something that appeals to that market while identifying with the culture surrounding the ballpark. We wanted consumers to taste the ballpark and be able to bring the ballpark home. The result is a very approachable, easy to drink product with lower alcohol content, aimed to create an enjoyable outdoor baseball experience.”

ORT ALBERNI - After two decades of providing Port Alberni floors, Flooring Depot co-owners Todd Rumney, Ron Rumney, and Derrick Coates celebrated 20 years with a gift to their community. That gift – only part of which h a s b een u nw rapp ed – wa s

further development of their store into a comprehensive, one stop home renovation and finishing centre. First, they doubled the size of the store from 6,000 square feet to 12,000 square feet, including renovating and updating the interior and exterior. That upgrade earned them the Business Investment Excellence Award, presented at the Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce

April 18 gala. Finalists for the award were the Steampunk Café and the Kingsway Hotel. Still to be revealed is a further expansion that will bring the store to 18,000 square feet and add new product lines. While the three owners are excited about what this expansion means for their business, they are equally aware what it means for Port Alberni residents.

Port Alberni is fast developing into a booming community that is still sometimes hampered by distance from the island core. The scenic road that links the community to the Island Highway can be a barrier, especially in winter. By bringing a greater selection of services and products into SEE FLOORING DEPOT | PAGE 13

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PORT ALBERNI San Group Begins Construction on Mill San Group began construction of a new sawmill at its Coulson Mill site outside of Port Alberni. The mill was supposed to be built on a piece of land at the corner of Stamp Avenue and Roger Street but was moved after members of the public complained about potential noise. Moving construction of the new mill to their Coulson site meant San Group had to step up the second phase of its expansion by constructing a new remanufacturing plant. The company will be building the remanufacturing plant at the same time on the Stamp Avenue site. The company will re-submit plans to the City of Port Alberni for the site wh ich is pla n ned to be 100,000-square-feet and include five dry kilns and other high-tech machinery. The noise created by the remanufacturing plant will be contained within the plant. The sawmill is expected to be up and running manually in three months and fully

automated by October or November. The remanufacturing plant will begin operation as soon as construction is completed. They estimate 30-35 long term jobs will be created to maintain the sawmill.

NANAIMO Lantzville Award $800K Contract Lantzville Council voted to award the Peterson Road rehabilitation and pathway construction project contract, worth $810,448 to IWC Excavating Ltd. The rehab project, once complete, will see one kilometer of road replaced on Peterson Road between Ventura Road and Harby Road East. A walkway will also be constructed along Peterson Road from Lantzville Road and Harby Road East. Councilors have set aside $851,275 in the 2019-2023 financial plan for the project, with $700,000 coming from capital reserves and the remainder coming from gas tax funds the district receives. Once complete the road between Harby Road East and Lantzville Road will be re-aligned slightly.

PARKSVILLE Dashwood Plans on Building new Firehall The Dashwood Fire Department i s look i ng at building a new $4-million firehall. T he proposed firehall would require the Regional District of Nanaimo to borrow money for construction. Before that can occu r, the d istrict w ill seek the endorsement of the community. Sta ff recom mended the board initiate an alternative process to gauge whether electors would approve a service and local authorization bylaw. T he ex i s t i n g f i reh a l l was built in 1985 and has undergone some upgrades that included the addition of a third bay. In 2012, a seismic assessment was conducted and outlined the potential risks, upgrade solution and estimated retrofit costs. The retrofit costs were estimated above the costs of replacement. The design of the firehall will be used as a template that the RDN plans to use in building others under its SEE NEWS UPDATE | PAGE 3

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jurisdiction in the future. This was endorsed by the RDN board in June 2018. Design for the new building includes two drive-through bays that can hold four pieces of apparatus; designed to permit the further expansion of one additional bay that can hold two more pieces of apparatus. The plans also provide an administration area and three offices, separate areas for radio communications, IT, mechanical, sprinkler, training, laundry and more. The proposed design will be pre-wired and plumbed for future energy saving opportunities (solar water and heat recovery systems). The design also makes room for future expansion.

CAMPBELL RIVER Mowi Launches Sea Lice Vessel Seafood multinational Mowi, has launched Aqua Tromoy, a new state-of-the-art $30-million vessel equipped to remove sea lice from farmed salmon. The 77-metre ship features a system designed to filter out the parasites and other microbes from its open-net pens. The launch of the ship comes as concerns grown about how sea lice may spread from fish farms to young wild salmon as they migrate to sea. The system has an onboard system that sucks fish from their ocean-based pens into ta n ks below the sh ips deck. T hose tanks can carry up to 3,000-cubic meters of water, a dramatic increase in tank size from the 650 cubic metre tanks that were previously considered large. Once in the tank the salmon are immersed in fresh water, which though harmless to the fish, removes sea lice and other salt water microbes and parasites that do not tolerate low-salinity water well. Filters then remove parasites from the water before

it is re-introduced to the ocean. T he ship also has a sea lice treatment system involving hydrogen peroxide which knocks the sea lice off the fish. T he company is trying to reduce dependence on chemical treatments because of their expense and poor public image. The multi-level vessel worth $30-million also includes a grading system for sorting fish by size and returning by catch back to sea. The ship is part of a larger integrated pest management strategy introduced by Mowi to ensure farmed salmon do not interfere with wild salmon.

CAMPBELL RIVER

year, there’s been a 20 per cent increase in construction values in the Comox Valley and Campbell River areas compared to 2018. The total value for the first quarter is $71,624,688, up from $59,623,110 in 2018. The rise in construction is a result of a significant boost in construction in Courtenay which saw a 91 per cent increase in total value. The largest construction increase was in multi-family builds and renovations in the commercial and residential categories. Other municipalities reported a moderate increase from 2.6 per cent to 8.9 per cent. The Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) reported a 15.6 per cent decline as a consequence of reductions

in commercial permits. T he construction value increase of 20 per cent is slightly lower than the 28 per cent growth reported when comparing the first quarter of 2017 to 2018.

COMOX VALLEY I-Hos Gallery Install Solar Panels I-Hos Gallery on Comox Road installed a 28-panel solar array at the end of March. K’omoks Economic Development Corporation partnered with Viridian Energy Co-operative

Search and Rescue Gets New Funding The provincial government a n nou nced it wou ld provide funding in the amount of $18.6-million to Ground Search a n d R e s c u e (G S A R ) g ro up s around the provide to be used over the next three years. The funding will improve the ability of Campbell River Search and Rescue’s (CRSAR) ability to replace equipment, train members and plan future sustainable funding models. The funding allotment is 24 per cent higher than the $5-million per year funding announced in 2016 and is the highest single contribution to BC’s search and rescue organizations. Campbell R iver Search and Rescue serves one of the largest response areas in BC and is represented by 40 members with 17 new members in training. CRSAR has seen an increase in call volume from the average of 30 to 40 calls in previous years to 52 calls in 2018.

For the first quarter of the

SEE NEWS UPDATE | PAGE 4

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and Nelson Roofing to bring the panels to the I-Hos Gallery. The installation is part of the Nation’s effort to reduce their carbon footprint by 50 per cent in the next 15 years. The now installed 8.54kw solar array will generate 75 per cent of the electricity used at the I-Hos Gallery. The gallery currently uses the same amount of electricity as the average home thanks to energy conscious staff and an energy efficient heat pump. To improve the efficiency of the space, Nelson Roofing sponsored the upgrading of 80 lightbulbs in the I-Hos gallery to high efficiency LED bulbs.

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Nanaimo News Bulletin Ferry passengers can look forward to shorter vehicle l i n e up s a nd i mprove d a men ities that i nclude electric bicycle charging stations when BC Ferries starts redevelopment of its Descanso Bay terminal on Gabriola Island. The corporation released its terminal development plan for the Gabriola terminal in March. Plans call for an expansion of the terminal to create a holding area for up to 47 vehicles, a designated foot passenger drop-off and pick-up area, redesigned parking lot, school bus loading zone and a new terminal building containing a passenger waiting room, a storage area for B.C. Ferries staff, washrooms, covered bicycle racks with charging stations for electric bikes and other amenities. R e v a m p i n g t h e t e rminal will address some long-standing traffic congestion and safety issues that have been largely due

to the lack of a vehicle holding area, forcing vehicles to queue up along the side of North Road and Taylor Bay Road where they often make potentially unsafe U-turns to join the ferry lineup. The new facilities will replace the ferry terminalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s outdated passenger waiting room and washroom building and create safer access to the terminal for vehicles, foot passengers and cyclists, notes the plan. Because of its connection to downtown Nanaimo, bicycle and foot passenger traffic at the Descanso terminal is high with little available road space and no controlled crossing points for either. Plans also call for a designated stop for the islandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s community bus. The terminalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s loading ramp is nearing the end of its service life and will also be upgraded to a two-lane ramp to match up with new Island Class ferries that will replace the MV Quinsam, which is scheduled for retirement. The terminalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s footprint is to be enlarged to accommodate extra lanes for the vehicle holding area and the new amenities building. BC Ferries has applied to the Islands Trust for rezoning of land the terminal will expand onto. Rezoning approval could take 18 to 24 months according to the

terminal development plan. Costs for the project have not yet been determined.

LADYSMITH Town Acquires Waterfront Property The Town of Ladysmith has acquired a 1.2-hectare parcel of harbor foreshore through an expropriation adjudicated by the province. The land, which will remain public green space, is a part of the Townâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s plan to implement its Waterfront Area Plan. The Waterfront Area Plan is designed to strengthen the relationship between the Town and the Stzâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;uminus First Nation as well as to preserve the environment in the waterfront area. A provincial inquiry officer awarded the landowners $292,000 for the land in accordance with its assessed market value. The land acquisition will help the Town move forward with its plan to implement its waterfront area plan. The property includes portions of recreational trails and is surrounded by provincial and town lands. T he parcel is currently SEE NEWS UPDATE | PAGE 8

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MAY 2019

BUSINESS VALUATION CRITICAL IN DIVORCE

IVORCE - Marital breakdowns can be stressful and difficult. Not only do spouses need to figure out the structure of their family post-separation, they also need to know what assets they possess and ultimately, figure out the value of these assets and how these assets will be split once the divorce is finalized. As Chartered Business Valuators (CBVs), we are often engaged by lawyers and clients for the purpose of determining a spouse’s interest in a company. A common scenario we observe is where one spouse holds the controlling shares of the company and runs the day-to-day operat ions, wh i le t he ot her spouse holds the non-controlling, preferred shares for purposes of income splitting. In this example, the non-controlling shares would be entitled to dividends. In this case, our role would be to determine what the fair market value of all the shares in the company are. Typically, these are referred to as “en bloc fair market value”. We would then allocate the en bloc value to each class of shares held by the respective parties. I n a d d i t i o n to t h e a b o v e , sometimes we would be asked to determine the amount of income available to one, or both spouses, from their employment and ownership of their company. This is commonly referred to as “Guideline Income” pursuant to the Federal Child Support Guidelines and the Spousal Support Advisory Guidelines. The purpose of preparing the Guideline Income Report is to assist the spouses, their legal counsel and the courts in assessing the amount of income available for child and/or spousal support. For child support, this is essentially the level of support, as established by the federal and provincial support guidelines, necessary in raising the child based on the payer’s earnings and the number of children. Spousal support, on the other h a n d , re f l e c t s t h e a m o u n t

Not only do spouses need to figure out the structure of their family post-separation, they also need to know what assets they possess and ultimately, figure out the value of these assets and how these assets will be split once the divorce is finalized necessa r y for t he receiv i ng spouse to continue to live for a period of time in which they were accustomed to before generating sufficient income on their own; the measurement of which is often less objectively determined and under the discretion of the courts or mediator/arbitrator/ spousal agreement depending on the route the spouses choose to undergo. In the case of a divorce through court, our role as CBVs is to act as expert witnesses following the Canadian judicial system standards and provide the courts with an opinion that the court would not otherwise have been able to reach. Paramount to this, is the need for us to be impartial and objective in our engagement and ma i nta i n ou r i ndependence throughout the process in accord a nce w ith t he Supreme Court Family Rule 13-2: “Duty of Expert Witnesses”. As expert witnesses, we provide technical guidance, outside experience and knowledge relating to the company being valued. The expert witness can also be referred to as an opinion witness. Different from a fact witness whereby the witness must have direct involvement in the matter

and provide evidence in the legal proceeding based on what they observed (i.e. fact witnesses are not allowed to testify their opinion about another’s action or what is deemed to be hearsay), an expert (or opinion) witness does not have direct involvement in the matter until after the incident (i.e. marital breakdown). As a result, the expert witness can use external evidence, such as statistics, to provide evidence to support their opinion. Given that a CBV’s level of work does not change if one party engages the valuator, or both parties engage the same valuator, we are often jointly retained as the expert. Advantages to a joint valuation engagement include: Cost savings – less fees are spent on experts if both parties retain one rather than each party hiring an expert; Fairness – there is a stronger perception of independence and impartiality if both parties engage the same expert since both parties share the cost; and Timeliness – the engagement is typically completed more quickly since both sides are usually cooperating in order to have the valuation and guideline income calculations completed. Another advantage in a joint

engagement is that the CBV would correspond with both parties, including their legal counsel, in all forms of communication. Any phone calls also involve both parties and their legal counsel, so everyone is aware of all responses made to the expert. Likewise, the expert cannot accept instructions or alterations com i ng from on ly one pa r ty – bot h pa r t ies wou ld fundamentally agree on any assumptions used in the valuation. In addition to the above, there are cases whereby we are asked to provide forensic services to the parties. The forensic services are offered when one party feels that there are hidden assets or unrecorded income and personal expenses that were recorded in

Although spouses have many different options on how they want their separation/divorce to be finalized, the role of a CBV is to assist the spouses to arrive at a valuation conclusion on the fair market value of their assets the company that will impact the valuation process or reduce the income otherwise available for child and/or spousal support purposes. W hile there is value in this type of engagement, we typically warn our clients and legal counsel that there is no guarantee the forensic analysis performed will result in sufficient findings or evidence that will impact our overall valuation conclusions. Depending on the availability of documentation and financial

records, a forensic analysis can also be very costly as a substantial amount of time may be needed to verify the nature of the financial information provided. In the event the spouses do not desire to undergo the traditional divorce route (i.e. court), the collaborative divorce process may be an effective alternative solution. In a court-based divorce, the lawyer would negotiate and fight for what is best for their client. This may lead to an adversarial outcome and potentially lead to a win-lose situation between the parties. Collaborative divorce, on the other hand, involves family lawyers (one for each spouse), a family coach and financial specialists to assist both parties to resolve their conflicts and work towards a common goal. While the differences in roles are more pronounced in the legal counsel’s roles, CBVs undergo a very similar process in their valuation, guideline income and/or forensic engagement (i.e. the valuator would continue to maintain their independence in their engagement, be impartial and make fully aware the assumptions and sources of information used in their overall valuation conclusions). Although spouses have many different options on how they want their separation/divorce to be finalized, the role of a CBV is to assist the spouses to arrive at a valuation conclusion on the fair market value of their assets. In addition, a CBV can assist the parties in calculating the income available for child and spousal support purposes and, if the need arises, provide value in assessing unrecorded assets, income or personal expenses in the company via forensic analyses. If you have any questions regarding the types of services Smythe Advisory can provide to you in the event of a marital breakdown, please contact one of our trusted Chartered Business Valuators. www.smytheadvisory.com

MATRIMONIAL LITIGATION SUPPORT Our team of Chartered Business Valuators has extensive experience working with clients and their legal counsel in a wide range of matrimonial disputes. Our experience, technical expertise and credibility in presenting well-documented reports are some of the primary reasons we are trusted as the Firm of choice for lawyers. Some of the services we provide, include valuation of private businesses, expert witness testimony and the calculation of income in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Child Support Guidelines and the Spousal Support Advisory Guidelines. 201 – 1825 Bowen Rd Nanaimo, British Columbia Canada V9S 1H1

Trevor Topping, CPA, CA, CBV Senior Manager ttopping@smythecpa.com

William Tam, CPA, CA, CBV Manager wtam@smythecpa.com

MAY 2019

Delivery Business Driven By Cost Effective Convenience Service Expands To Island-Wide Delivery To Meet Demand BY VALORIE LENNOX

OMOX VALLEY - On January 1 of the new millennium, a tiny new business was launched in the Comox Valley. Founder Ted Dimitrov didn’t realize his custom, small scale delivery service was ahead of its time, a precursor of a new wave in convenience for the new century. “I just wanted to help people,” he said. In January 2000, when he started, he could see people stretched for time everywhere. There never seemed to be enough hands or enough hours. So he offered a fast, customized, and affordable community-wide pickup and delivery service. At first, all he had was a small car and a cell phone. But the demand was there. “It took off pretty quick.” His service was less expensive than a cab and included any errand, no matter how small or how late. “We were willing to deliver anything pretty much anytime.” Who were his clients? Almost everyone in the valley. Perhaps parents arrived home after work to feed the family, tuck the kids into bed, and then realized, at 9:15 p.m. that the evening had slipped away and the birthday

Ted Dimitrov

“We were willing to deliver anything pretty much anytime.” TED DIMITROV OWNER

gift for the next day still needed pick-up. Perhaps a business urgently needed a part from a supplier but

Intelligent scheduling keeps costs low for clients, since smaller vehicles are used and deliveries are combined had no one to send. Maybe a meeting ran late but no one could leave to pick-up pizza. A neighbourhood BBQ might need an alcohol infusion, but everyone present wisely declined to drive. Ted provided an affordable solution, a cheerful, willing attitude, an extra pair of hands, and – most important – an extra set of on-call wheels. His wife Kyla Dimitrov suggested the name Kyte Delivery Service, which was an amalgamation of both their

names (Kyla and Ted). They added another driver. Then another driver. And another…the company now has a crew of 25 to 30 drivers and a reputation for in-town delivery in 30 minutes to an hour. For the drivers, who are independent contractors, the jobs are flexible and accessible. All drivers need is a vehicle, a good attitude, and reliability. Hours can be arranged to match any schedule. “We always need more drivers,” Ted said.

Drivers range in age from 19 to 70-plus. The job is ideal for students seeking part-time work, for parents seeking flexible hours, full-time workers, and seniors supplementing retirement. The business continued to expand, growing beyond the valley to offer affordable, courier service, from Campbell River to Duncan – and beyond as needed. Service is quick and reliable, with most pick-ups and deliveries completed within 24 hours. The service is accessible, with a 1-800 number, extended hours, and website at kytedeliveryservice.com. It is also affordable, due to intelligent scheduling that combines pick-ups and deliveries. The company specializes in transporting smaller items – average size is 18 inches by 18 inches – and uses small vehicles to cut costs. Ted notes the service is especially popular with people who buy online and then arrange pick-up via Kyte. The next step may be development of a custom app, to further streamline the island-wide orders. The couple are letting demand drive their business. “We’re going to go in whatever direction it is taking us,” Ted said.

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NANAIMO

MAY 2019

TRAIL APPLIANCES NEARING OPENING OF NEW NANAIMO STORE Mental Toughness Expert To Speak At Upcoming Mackay CEO Forums Event

NANAIMO MARK MACDONALD

enovations are underway at the former Mark’s Work Wearhouse building across from Real Canadian Superstore on Metral Drive, and it will soon be home to Trail Appliances. This will be the second location on Vancouver Island for the Western Canadian chain, which has a location at 2360 Millstream Road in Victoria. ■■■ The immensely popular Cedar Farm Market, which has drawn massive crowds to the property next to the Crow & Gate Pub in Cedar, has announced it is moving to the Woobank Primary School property at 1984 Woobank Road in Cedar. Parking isn’t expected to be a problem at the new location, and Snuneymuxw First Nation has leased the school property and plans to offer other programs to the community as well. ■■■ Rick Duifhuis has been appointed OEM Division Manager at VMAC in south Nanaimo. Rick has been with VMAC since 2005 and managed several departments, and for the past three years has worked exclusively with VMAC’s OEM partners. ■■■ MacKay CEO Forums is hosting a CEO Breakfast Event followed by a Peer Group Meeting June 26 at the Coast Bastion Hotel featuring Executive Coach Sean Bacon of Dynamic Shift Consulting Ltd., who will be speaking on Developing Mental Toughness. Sean is a Canadian Armed Forces veteran with 12 years of experience in mental toughness, leadership, psychological resiliency and body language. Sean provides a different approach to performing in conflict and in critical business goal-oriented endeavours – not only to succeed, but to achieve excellence. Hosted by MacKay CEO Forums founder Nancy MacKay and Forum Chair Mark MacDonald, the breakfast starts at 7:30

a.m. with the Peer Group Meeting – for business owners and CEOs, follows. The Peer Groups offer opportunities to learn from successful CEOs and business owners as they discuss their toughest issues and challenges, and share their experiences in a confidential, non-compete environment. For further information email mark@ businessexaminer.ca or to register for the event, email kim.fontaine@mackayceoforums.com. ■■■ Ecklundson Construction has purchased Gordon Homes. ■■■ James Duffy Heating and Cooling is now the owner of Pro Temp Control. ■■■ ABC Water Systems was purchased recently by Wellmaster Pumps Water Systems Ltd. Wellmaster has been serving Greater Victoria, Shawnigan Lake and the Cowichan Valley for many years and is pleased to add the Nanaimo operation to the areas they service. ■■■ Turner Landscaping is getting ready to move into its new location across from Midland Tools on Terminal Avenue. ■■■ Rumors abound that Steve Nash Fitness is looking to open a location in Nanaimo. ■■■ Finning Tractor at 1922 School House Road will have a new neighbor in June, as Surrey-based CC Equipment is opening a new location on Vancouver Island. ■■■ There is a new Life Labs location that has opened up in Nanaimo North Town Center, near London Drugs. ■■■ Another Ricky’s Restaurant is coming to the central island, as construction is now underway at the new eatery in Parksville,

near the Industrial Park on the Island Highway. ■■■ Mike and Tanya Jones are the new owners of Coast Glass in Parksville. ■■■ Brown’s Social House, the popular franchise restaurant in North Nanaimo next to the Island Highway, will be opening a new eatery in Courtenay in the near future. ■■■ Campbell & Fairweather Psychology Group at 201-6543 Portsmouth Road is expanding with a second location, at 1131325 Bear Mountain Way in Victoria. The new location is expected to open at the end of May. ■■■

Big news in the insurance industry: Canada Life, London Life and Great West Life are going to amalgamate in a process that is expected to take a couple of years. The “new” entity will be called Canada Life. ■■■ Woodgrove Centre is adding a new tenant at the end of June: Freedom Mobile. ■■■ The McDonald’s Restaurant on Nicol Street is adding a second drive-through lane to serve customers. Mark MacDonald writes about business in Nanaimo. Tell him your news by emailing him at mark@businessexaminer.ca

NEWS UPDATE

8 NEWS UPDATE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4

zoned as waterfront reserve and designated in the waterfront area plan as park and open spaces. The lot is mostly a steep rocky face covered with mature arbutus and other trees and extends north from the Transfer Beach Amphitheatre. The property also includes portions of recreational trails and is surrounded by provincial and town lands.

NANAIMO Apartments Proposed Over 250 apartment units could be developed in Nanaimo’s Longwood Station neighborhood. Macdonald Gray Consultants, on behalf of Calgary-based developers, Northview REIT, submitted a development permit appl ication to the City of Na na i mo prop osi n g the construction of three fou r-storey residentia l rental buildings at 4800 Uplands Drive. Each building will contain a combination of one- and two-bedroom units according to the application. Access

points to the property will be from Uplands Drive and Linley Valley Drive. The proposal was first received by the city’s design advisory panel last November and has since undergone changes, including reducing the height of a retaining wall and altering building entrances and facades. A height variance ranging from one to two meters for each building has been requested and is supported by the design advisory panel, which endorsed the project and recommended it come before council. The development will have a considerable amount of open space since 90 per cent of the property’s parking is underground. A construction timeline has not yet been provided for the project.

NANAIMO Continued Strong Performance Chemistry Consulting According to Chemistry Consulting, Transportation and accommodation indicators demonstrate continued growth for the tourism industry in Nana i mo a nd support the

MAY 2019

construction of the new Courtyard by Marriott hotel i n the dow ntow n area near the Conference Centre. Ground will break soon on this project which will include 172 rooms, a luxury spa, large pool, fitness centre and street-level café. Rumour has it that a second hotel development might also be in the works for the city! Tourism Nanaimo and the Nanaimo Hospitality Association are to be congratulated for being recognized as a finalist in the Innovation category of the 2019 BC Tourism Industry Awards. T hese two groups, working with the Nanaimo Mountain Bike Club, collaborated on a very successful campaign featuring influencer marketing and paid social advertising tactics to increase awareness of the amazing mountain biking opportunities that the Nanaimo region has to offer. w ww.RideNanaimo. ca and www.youtube.com/ watch?v=-LDkBrkwwxw According to Destination BC research, international visitor arrivals to BC increased 2.1 per cent during the first two months of 2019. Growth was led by the U.S. (+2.2 per cent) and Asia-Pacific (+2.8 per cent).

PATHWAY TO A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS SALE

SMALL BUSINESS JOLYNN GREEN

our business could be your single most important financial asset. You have led its development and growth, with patience and care. Now t h at t he t i me h a s come to consider selling it, patience and care are even more vital. Stage 1: Plan Give yourself time. On average it takes close to 2 years for a business to sell. While planning the sale, don’t take your foot of the gas. A declining business is worth less and will quickly become unattractive to buyers. Take the time to ask and answer questions around the sale value of your business and to decide

whether a friendly buyer, such as an employee or family member is ready to jump in. Stage 2: Prepare Buyers will always ask to see financial statements prior to entering a purchase agreement, which could include a combination of asset values, income statement, or balance sheet. As well, buyers will need procedures, employee roles, a nd customer/suppl ier information for a smooth transition. If you’re the gasoline that’s powering the entire engine, you’ll need it all written down so the business can run without you. Stage 3: Market No one knows as much about your business as you do. Even though you will be busy dealing with more pressing matters, it’s important to add the “staging’ and the ‘sizzle’ when marketing your business for sale. While you should remain open to any buyer that comes your way, marketing efforts need to be focused on getting your business in front of the kinds of buyers

that are most likely to give you what you want. Stage 4: Connect It takes a village to sell a business. It is extremely helpful to have knowledgeable resources like a realtor, business broker or experienced adviser on your team; someone who can suggest a way around an impasse during negotiations and point out the small but important details and considerations. Essentially, creating a win /win situation can make the difference between success and failure. Currently, it’s a buyer’s market. If you are not ready to accept a reasonable offer, you’re better off not listing until ready. Patience is key! If you try to offload your business in a hurry, or without preparing adequately, you won’t realize the return you are hoping for. Jolynn Green is the Executive Director of Community Futures Central Island and can be reached at ed@cfnanaimo. org or 250-591-7499

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MAY 2019

Vancouver Island-based company provides glass alternatives to plastic straws Enviro Glass Straws now producing more than 60,000 straws each year Cowichan Valley News OWICHAN VALLEY - A company on Vancouver Island has developed its own alternative to the use of plastic straws. T he fa m i ly-r u n b u si ne ss, Enviro Glass Straw Ltd. which operates from a studio on Cobble Hill Road in the Cowichan Valley, began in 2012 and was the first Canadian manufacturer of glass drinking straws. Professional glass blower Tyler Hayes and his wife Leah run the busi ness, wh ich employs as

many as seven people at busy times during the year. Enviro Glass Straw has grown over the years and the company now sells more than 60,000 glass straws a year across North A merica and the Caribbean, with eyes on the growing markets overseas. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve always taught our kids, Morgan and Autumn, to be environmentally sensitive and when Autumn was three years old, she asked me to make her a glass straw so she wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to use disposable plastic

ones,â&#x20AC;? said Tyler, who also operates Mystic Glass Creations with business partner Kim Reid. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Then family and friends began asking me to make them glass straws and we began to realize that there might be something here to build a business on. I did some research and saw that there were no other companies in Canada making glass straws at the time, and only two in the U.S.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;The straws wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t disintegrate and they are strong enough that people canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t bite through them,â&#x20AC;?

Tyler said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The glass also doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t heat up with hot liquids in the same way as metal straws and the heat doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t conduct up all the way to the top. As well, there is no leaching from glass, like there is with metal, and some people have allergies to metal.â&#x20AC;? Tyler said bamboo straws are also seen as an alternative to plastic ones, but they typically disintegrate after only a few uses. Leah, who helps run the marketing end of the business, said

that with the increasing focus on environmental issues around the world, more companies are now getting in on the action and selling glass straws. But she said most are imported from China and only one other Va nc ouver-ba se d c ompa ny currently makes their straws in Canada. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our straws are also better quality and we offer five-year warranties on them,â&#x20AC;? Leah said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The market for our straws keeps growing and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s keeping us busy.â&#x20AC;?

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MAY 2019

HARRIS OVERCOMES OBSTACLES TO CREATE AWARD-WINNING LEGASEA “The most impressive Luxury Project Nets Two Well-Deserved Top Prizes at April Awards

features of this project are the parts that you don’t see. Departure Bay

ANAIMO - Legasea is a success story that was o ve r a d e c a d e i n t h e making. Located in Nanaimo’s Departure Bay area, the luxury mixeduse project took home two major awards at the Vancouver Island Real Estate Board’s (VIREB) 12th annual Commercial Building Awards Gala, held at the Florence Filberg Centre in Courtenay. The project, which features six townhomes and houses Drip Coffee, took home the Award of Excellence (first place) in the Mixed Use category, as well as the Judges Choice Award, the top prize of the evening. “I’m absolutely surprised and delighted, and humbled by this recognition” says developer Tony Harris. “We have poured a lot of energy and passion into making sure that we created a product in Departure Bay that would both enhance the neighbourhood and create something that the whole city could enjoy. “We did that with the creation of Drip and a common commercial space. The fact that it is so busy there is a testament to how much our people were wanting something like that.” The six luxury townhomes feature light wells, thermal chimney stairways, elevators, ocean-view roof decks, and oversized tandem garage/sports storage. The coffee shop features a beach log structure and colored beach glass window accents. The project included an outdoor plaza with a permeable surface and backlit concrete. Legasea was built on a floating concrete slab to respect the site’s archeological significance. Built by Westmark Construction and designed by Raymond de Beeld, the project included a green roof, custom planters, a rain garden, and an energy-efficient mechanical system with a heat pump and

has been the ancient village site of the Snuneymuxw people for thousands of years, and there’s so much history and archeology going on under the surface. For that reason, we had to be careful to not disturb the area beneath the site.”

Legasea of Nanaimo, taking the Mixed Use category at the 2019 VIREB Commercial Building Awards. Tony Harris holds the award, and to his right are Chris Lundy of Westmark Construction and Adam Fraser of Coastal Community Credit Union.

TONY HARRIS

PHOTO BY ARTEZ PHOTOGRAPHY

fan coil systems. “Because Departure Bay has been underdeveloped for so long, I felt it was important to set a new standard that will inform future projects happening down there,” Harris continues. “I imagine Departure Bay becoming a combination of Cadboro Bay in Victoria and White Rock. It’s central in our community with the best beach in town, a seawall, and parks. I was really proud to have this project recognized and delighted to be a part of the development community in Central Vancouver Island.” Harris was born and raised in Nanaimo, and has spent a lot of time in the Departure Bay area. In his early 20s, he became interested in real estate development and identified this site as a key opportunity. “It backs onto a park, is fronted onto a beach, and had multifa m i ly zon i ng desig n at ion, making it ideal for mixed-use,” he says. Harris befriended the original home owner, and in 2007, after many months of discussion, convinced him to sell the home,

going so far as helping the previous owner move into his new residence. Shortly after the design process commenced, the recession hit and plans were put on hold. Harris moved into the home with some friends, sitting on the property until the proper market conditions arrived. “In 2017, we finally decided to go ahead with the project,” he says. “We created a new design, cooperating with some zoning changes and based on what we felt people would enjoy. The project require a lot of additional engineering, so we needed to create a luxury product at a high price point to justify all the costs. In the end, our timing was good, and the project was a success.” The completion of the project required close collaboration between Ha rris, Chris Lundy of Westmark Construction, Raymond de Beeld, and Herold Engineering, as well as the cooperation of the neighbourhood, city and Snuneymuxw First Nation. SEE HARRIS | PAGE 11

Ian Lindsay of RE/MAX Commercial presents the Judges Choice Best Overall Award to Tony Harris of Legasea in Nanaimo. PHOTOS BY ARTEZ PHOTOGRAPHY

MAY 2019

The six luxury townhomes feature light wells, thermal chimney stairways, elevators, ocean-view roof decks, and oversized tandem garage/sports storage “Because Departure Bay has been underdeveloped for so long, I felt it was important to set a new standard that will inform future projects happening down there,” comments Harris.

Each of the townhouses features a stunning view of the bay

Drip Coffee has made its home in Legasea’s commercial space

HARRIS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10

“The most impressive features of this project are the parts that you don’t see,” says Harris. “Departure Bay has been the ancient village site of the Snuneymuxw people for thousands of years, and there’s so much history and archeology going on under the

surface. For that reason, we had to be careful to not disturb the area beneath the site.” This was accomplished through the use of a floating, reinforced concrete slab. T h is el i m i nated the need to excavate the site, allowing the builders to be sensitive to the history hidden beneath. In addition, the project includes a number of green and

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luxury features that have created a desirable space. So far, a number of the units have sold (with the help of realtor Cody Dreger), and the commercial space has been leased. As of the end of April, only one unit remains on the market. Discussing his first foray into the development world, Harris comments, “It has required

a steep self-education process and mentorship from various contractors and builder friends. It’s a very complex business, but I love business and learning about business. “I enjoy development because it’s a nexus of creativity and business - you’re creating something from nothing. I really enjoyed working with Westmark, and Chris Lundy was fantastic. Raymond de Beeld has been with me on a number of projects, and I value the working relationship we have. I also enjoyed the input of my friend Gur Minhas, who has always been my sounding board with respect to real estate and development. Cody Dreger and his team helped guide the price point and the product, and I’m really proud of Scott and Jason, the guys who started Drip Coffee.

They’ve done a fabulous job creating that brand.” Harris remarks that the project would not have been possible without the support of so many consultants and contractors. After the success of his first project, he is looking into future endeavors in mixed-use and multi-family development. “I have a few irons in the fire right now,” he says. “I’d like to hit a lower price point with my next project. I see the pressures we’re experiencing in the community, and see an opportunity to create a product for young families and people who want a home that’s more affordable than a typical, stand-alone family home. This is just the beginning for me, and I’m looking forward to more projects as we move forward.” legaseananaimo.com

Congratulations to Tony Harris Developments and Westmark Construction on your 2019 Judge’s Choice VIREB Commercial Building Award!

Harris Developments and Westmark Construction on your 2019 VIREB Commercial Building Awards!

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MAY 2019

BC-OWNED SKYNET WIRELESS MEETS NEEDS OF ISLAND CLIENTS “At the end of the day, we

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Fido, Rogers Dealer Runs Seven Island Locations

ANCOUVER ISLAND - Beginning over 30 years ago, BC-based Skynet Wireless Inc. has grown to become the province’s largest exclusive Fido and Rogers dealer. Today, the company has 20 locations through its two brands, Skynet Wireless (Fido) and Kinetic Wireless (Rogers), and two corporate offices. This includes seven Vancouver Island locations, including a Rogers and a Fido store in Duncan, two Rogers and one Fido locations in Nanaimo, a Rogers store in Courtenay, and a Rogers store in Campbell River. “The company began with my dad, Harbans, in 1987,” says Jason Dhatt, Dealer Principal. “While working in the transit industry, he purchased a second-hand Apple computer for $1,000 to break up and sell for parts. He ended up making about $1,000 profit on the deal, so he decided to start buying and selling computers as a side business.” Shortly after beginning his foray into computer sales, Harbans began selling cell phones. Eventually, this side-job began to take

will have the latest tech and competitive plans with value-added options, but people – that’s our most important asset.” NICK KARPINSKY DISTRICT MANAGER

off and the family, including Jason and his brother Rick, began to help out, learning the technical side of the business. “By 1997, the company was so busy that my mom joked, ‘either the business moves out, or you move out of the house,’ so we opened our first retail store,” Jason continues. “We branded it Sky-Net Computers Ltd., but in the early 2000s, as the cell phone business took off, the computer side slowly faded away.” After a series of acquisitions, Skynet expanded across the province, opening its first Vancouver Island locations in Victoria in 2013. In 2016, they came to an agreement where they swapped ownership of the Victoria stores for the aforementioned North Island stores.

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They currently serve a wide array of clients throughout the Island, offering competitive, comprehensive packages for individuals, small, medium sized businesses, and corporate accounts. “At the end of last year, we won the wireless contract with the City of Campbell River, providing wireless coverage for all city employees,” says Jason. “They are very happy with us, and our employees are doing a great job on that account.” Today, these locations are run by District Manager Nick Karpinsky, an industry veteran with nearly 20 years of experience. “I was born and raised on the Island, and haven’t left,” he says. “It has been the same story for a number of our employees, many of whom have been working with me for a long period of time. That has been one of our greatest successes. “At the end of the day, we will have the latest tech and competitive plans with value-added options, but people - that’s our most important asset. Even if a customer bought something from another dealership or online, we work hard to give the best possible service and earn their future business. We work hard to give everyone a fantastic face-to-face experience.” www.skynetwireless.com www. kineticwireless.com

OFF THE COVER

MAY 2019

Expansion to 18,000 Square Feet Planned by End of Year

Expansion of the Flooring Depot from 6000 to 12000 square feet gives clients many more options when selecting products. A further expansion to 18000 square feet will be completed by the end of the year

FLOORING DEPOT CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

the valley, the Flooring Depot gives residents easily accessible, close-to-home choices for flooring, tiling, custom showers, and window covers. The store now offers one of the largest selections on the island. The first phase of the renovation was a $20,000 investment in the valley. Work started in September 2018 and finished in November 2018. The work was done by local contractor Harstad Painting and Decorating and by the Flooring Depot staff. T h e s to re re m a i n e d o p e n throughout, a credit to the staff,

the loyalty of customers, and the flexibility of the work crew. “Everyone was excited about the changes and pitched in to make it work,” Todd said. “Our customers stood by us and kept coming.” The Flooring Depot has always promoted a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. “We’re a very casual shopping experience, friendly with no pressure,” Todd said. “We’re as likely to be your friend as your salesperson.” The store draws buyers from as far away as Tofino, Uclelet, and Nanaimo. The entire island is currently experiencing a building boom, which Todd can see in his store. There are 7 to 8 current installs going on every day.

“Everyone was excited about the changes and pitched in to make it work. Our customers stood by us and kept coming.” TODD RUMNEY CO-OWNER OF FLOORING DEPOT

The Floor Depot offers advice, product sales, and professional installation. There are seven in-store employees, including Todd a nd Rya n who h a nd le sales. Co-owner Derrick heads

up the ceramic installations. The crew includes 8 to 10 additional installers. Demand for flooring is ongoing, Todd notes. “Everybody needs floors. Floors wear out or they need updating.” The store offers a full range, from ceramic tile to stone, hardwood and laminate, lino and luxury vinyl, and carpet. A s a S c h lu te r A u t h o r i z e d Dealer, they can install custom showers with tile and heated ceramic flooring. For practical and attractive window treatments, they draw on Graber, and ShadeO-Matic products. Todd started as a flooring store employee more than 25 years ago. When that store sold, Todd seized

the opportunity in 1998 to open his own Port Alberni outlet with two fellow staff members. “We’ve always tried to expand on the local product offerings as much as we can,” he said. He says customers are now more k nowledgeable a nd come i n with a clearer idea of what they want. Products are also more do-it-yourself friendly. For example, the very popular vinyl plank flooring is a do-it-yourself dream: measure, cut, peel, and place. The team now looks forward to the next reveal: the expansion to 18,000 square feet and the new products that are coming. www.pafloors.ca

Do you own a rental property? Legislation regarding property management in BC changes frequently, here's a few things you need to know: The vacant possession clause has been abolished - all tenancies go month-to-month after the lease ends. The annual rental rate increase is 2.5% for 2019. The damage deposit may not exceed 1/2 of one month's rent. The pet deposit (if applicable) may not exceed 1/2 of one month's rent. Tenants must be given two full months' notice if the landlord or a close family member intend to occupy the unit. Tenants must be given four full months' notice if the landlord intends to displace them to renovate the unit.

Rather have a professional management company keep up with the changing legislation for you?

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COWICHAN VALLEY

MAY 2019

CHAMBER ENSURES COWICHAN BUSINESSES HAVE A VOICE AT THE PROVINCIAL LEVEL

COWICHAN VALLEY

The first submission is from the four Cowichan Chambers: Duncan Cowichan, Chemainus, Lake Cowichan and Ladysmith regarding WorkSafe BC’s overfunding of $6.4 Billion

SONJA NAGEL

ay is a busy month at the Duncan Cowichan Chamber of Commerce as we deliver our third annual May Membership Month promotion – a recruiting campaign aimed at growing our membership. The month is jam-packed with events and special promotions, all focused on welcoming new members and celebrating existing ones. Later this month, the

Cha mber w i l l attend the BC Chamber of Commerce’s AGM in Burnaby. This is the largest annual business policy-building forum in the province and a n excel lent oppor tu n ity to have our region’s voice heard at the provincial level. A first for the Chamber: We

recommending that overfunding should be reduced by returning a portion to employers who pay into the fund, and that WorkSafe BC create a reasonable funded ratio and create a rebate policy that triggers an automatic refund to employers when WorkSafe BC surplus

will be submitting and partnering on three policies at the BC Chamber AGM. T he first subm ission is from the fou r Cowichan Chambers: Duncan Cowichan, Chemainus, Lake Cowichan and Ladysmith regarding WorkSafe BC’s overfunding of $6.4 Billion. We are

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exceeds the fair funding level. Our second submission i s pa r t nere d w it h 17 i sl a nd Chambers on a Thriving Orcas, T h riv i ng Coasta l Com mu nities initiative to provide a balanced approach to protecting the Southern Residence Killer Whales while supporting the tidal recreational fishery on the west coast of BC. Our last policy is in support of BC’s land based wineries, cideries and distilleries with a recommendation to provide recognizable and measurable tax relief that offset the difference between Class 6 Business and Class 5 Light Industry assessments, and to undertake a planning process to encourage expansion and development of the wine, cideries and distilleries agri-tourism sector in BC. We will also be supporting a policy that is of interest to our local distilleries: Support of a Federal Excise Tax review for distilled spirits, as the Federal Excise Duty on alcohol is applied in an unbalanced manner that puts small distilleries at a distinct disadvantage both amongst wineries and brewer ies i n Ca n ad a, wh ich pay none or little excise duty on the alcohol they produce, and a mongst foreign d isti l leries that operate in lower cost/tax environments. The Chamber is also asking ou r members a nd Cow icha n businesses to join BC Chamber’s M i nd Reader Platform. This is a cloud-based platform that gathers real-time information by engaging BC’s businesses through focused questions. The BC Chamber can then use this cold hard data to provide government with critical insights and solutions. This is yet another opportunity to have Cowichan’s voice heard and to make a difference on key issues in our region and the province. ◼◼◼ We welcome a diverse group of businesses and organizations to the Chamber: Premier Self Storage, Ecochic Design, Vancouver Island Labour Services, Station Street Tattoo, Cowichan Women Against Violence Society, Mill Bay Waterworks District, Warmland Restorative Justice Society, Paul Gala Real Estate, West Coast Driver Training and Education, Helpforme Personal Legal Services, Tutor Pro, Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue, Cowichan Trail Stewardship Society, Kaiser and Associates, Madrone Environmental, UniFirst Canada, SPIRO Creative and Pathfinder Dog Adventures. Sonja Nagel is Executive Director of the Duncan Cowichan Chamber of Commerce. She can be reached at 250-748-1111 or manager@duncancc.bc.ca

MAY 2019

CLEARING SMOKE REVEALS VIABLE PRODUCTS IN SLASH PILES B.Berry Enterprises Transforms Logging Waste into Products

ORT A L BER N I - Other people see a slash pile. Brad Berry sees a viable product, a vision that cuts the smoke from logging and gives Port Alberni’s Paper Excellence mill a new clean-burning fuel. For 14 years B. Berry Enterprises Ltd. has refined its harvesting and re-use of post-harvest logging wood waste. Traditionally, the unmarketable wood and brush was collected into large piles and burned, filling the sky with smoke. When Brad Berry started in 1988 with family business JW Berry Trucking, he participated in the building of burn piles and sending the waste up in smoke. The logging sites needed to be cleared to reduce provincial fire hazard and allow reforestation. But he saw the downside. “It generated a lot of smoke in the community. It also wasted a lot of fibre.” Once he saw the waste as fibre,

he started researching. The small logs and brush couldn’t be used for dimensional timber but there were other options. In 2006 he formed his company and spent two years researching processing and finding markets. Starting in 2008 he implemented his solution, which was to grind wood waste into hog fuel and deliver it to Paper Excellence (Catalyst Paper) to fire the pulp mill’s steam boilers. Using what was once waste was a win-win: no smoke pollution, material is utilized, and Paper Excellence consumed less natural gas. B.Berry Enterprises now has contracts with multiple coastal logging companies to de-activate logging roads and clear logged la nd to a l low reforestation. Among his clients are City of Port Alberni, Mosaic, Huu Ay Aht, and Tseshaht First Nations, Probyn Log, San Group and Western Forest Products. His approach allows reforestation to start sooner. Traditional slash burning forced tree planting crews to wait for fires to go out and the ground to cool before they could start planting seedlings. When the slash is being collected and re-used, there is no

B.Berry Enterprises of Port Alberni generates value by processing slash from logging sites. Traditionally, the slash was burned but now it is re-used

One of Brad Berry’s innovations is to save on transport costs by barging the hog fuel from the logging grounds to Port Alberni, where it is used by Paper Excellence as fuel delay. Sometimes Brad’s team is on the ground collecting and grinding fibre in one sector and overseeing the tree planters working in the adjoining sector. “We collect and re-use 153,000 tons of green waste every year,” Brad said. To make his system work, Brad had to solve multiple challenges. One of them was getting vehicles to the logging sites along narrow, winding, and often steep roads. Trailer trucks couldn’t make the grades. Brad’s solution was large bins on smaller, more agile roll-off trucks. The custom-made combo could reach the logging sites, drop the bins for loading, and then pick up. Brad continually seeks more sources to expand his environmentally friendly business: “I began actively pursuing waste wood left by logging and also seeking more ways to recycle more types of wood.” For example, the company added a land clearing service. The marketable logs removed and sold, then the remaining brush is chipped or ground for re-use. “We would leave the clients site clean.”

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“We collect and re-use 153,000 tons of green waste every year.” BRAD BERRY OWNER

Owner Brad Berry on a hill overlooking Port Alberni They also tackle demolition projects and re-use of wood from derelict buildings and boats. “It is all fibre and I’m looking for the fibre.” In addition to the hog fuel, Brad’s tea m produces wood chips that can be used by the mill for pulp. They produce garden mulch, separated by species into Douglas Fir, Cedar, and Hemlock. B ra d i s n o w d e v e l o p i n g a

machine to process residual wood into firewood for resale. He expects it to be ready soon and already has firewood orders. In addition to his chipper and grinder, his company also uses forestry excavators, skidders, logging trucks, and the trucks with roll-off bins. Some can be seen in action at bberryenterprises.com. This equipment doesn’t sit idle. In the off-season B. Berry Enterprises does stream restoration to enhance fish stocks for Fisheries. He notes his seven-member crew is versatile enough to tackle any challenge. “Without the very hard working crew that I have, I couldn’t do as much as I do.” I owe a lot of thanks to my crew and my clients.

We are proud to be a B. Berry Enterprises Ltd. partner. Wishing Brad and his team success!

ŝşŚţƑŝJ Ƒ a G=JSƑ 1 J7&Ƒ Hog fuel transported by barge from Sarita Bay is unloaded in Port Alberni for delivery to Paper Excellence mill. It is burned in the pulp mill’s steam boilers

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250.724.3241 | 4907 Argyle St., Port Alberni | schillinsurance.com

MAY 2019

BC SEAFOOD Sponsored by

Island Aquaculture Feeds Globe, Local Economies Comox Valley, Campbell River, First Nations Groups Among Industry’s Beneficiaries

The Comox Valley has grown to become BC’s largest producer of shellfish in BC, bringing in 51 per cent of the province’s annual production. In addition, the area produces more oysters than any other community in Canada BY ROBERT MACDONALD

s g lo b a l d e m a n d s fo r sustainable food sources grow, Vancouver Island communities are benefitting from a thriving aquaculture industry. According to the United Nations’ Food a nd Ag ricu ltu re Organization, the world’s population is expected to exceed 9 billion by 2050. The organizations’ State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture

2018 draws attention to the role of fisheries and aquaculture in meeting food, nutrition and employment needs for millions. The report states, “Total fish product ion i n 2016 reached an all-time high of 171 million tonnes, of which 88 percent was utilized for direct human consumption….This production resulted in a record-high per capita consumption of 20.3 kg in 2016.” The report goes on to say that the annual global growth of fish consumption has been twice as high as population growth since

1961. Whereas in 2000, roughly a quarter of global seafood production came from capture fisheries and aquaculture, by 2016, that number grew to 46.8 per cent. With the largest coastline in the world and a wealth of lakes and rivers, Canada is well-equipped to contribute to these global needs. In December of last year, the Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance (CAIA) released its State of Farmed Seafood in Canada 2018

report. Highlights indicated continued strength and increased revenues. In 2017, total farmed seafood revenues increased to $1.392 Billion nationwide, in spite of a slight decrease in production and exports over 2016. Island communities, including the Comox Valley and Campbell River, are reaping the benefits of a growing demand for aquaculture. For instance, the Comox Valley SEE AQUACULTURE | PAGE 17

BC SEAFOOD

MAY 2019

Aquaculture is a growing industry that’s sending product all around the globe

Richard Harry, Executive Director, Aboriginal Aquaculture Association

PHOTO: GRIEG SEAFOOD

PHOTO CREDIT: HTTP://WWW.AQUACULTURE.CA

AQUACULTURE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 16

has grown to become BC’s largest producer of shellfish in BC, bringing in 51 per cent of the province’s annual production. In addition, the area produces more oysters than any other community in Canada. In spite of its success, however, the region’s industry is not yet growing fast enough to meet global demand. Invest Comox Valley published a list of investment opportunities currently available to interested parties. They includes the following: ■ Purchase an existing shellfish farming operation; ■ P u rch a se a nd upg rade smaller scale or underutilized tenures; ■ Purchase an established and integrated farm and processing operation; ■ Apply for tenure and dev e l o p a s t a r t-u p f a r m which could include the potential to add new species in the future; ■ Develop a seed nursery to provide oyster and clam seed to the industry; ■ Develop new input supplies. One way the Comox Valley promotes this industry is through its annual BC Seafood Expo & Trade Show, which will be held from June 12-13 this year. Campbell River is another major industry hub, housing offices for three of the world’s leading aquaculture companies: Cermaq Canada, Grieg Seafood BC, and Marine Harvest Canada. Accord i ng to t he City of Campbell River, the industry provides direct employment to approximately 385 people in the community, and accounts for almost a quarter of aquaculture employment in the province. Taking the whole Strathcona Regional District into account, this number jumps to 505 employees, which is 2.55 per cent of the region’s total employment. In addition, the strength of

Campbell River’s aquaculture industry results in the growth of support service providers, including transportation (e.g. land or sea-based freight), technical support services, scientific and marine support services, equipment, supplies, and processing. 2015 statistics indicated that northern Vancouver Island was responsible for approximately 40 per cent of BC’s annual proportion of GDP generated by salmon farming. Province-wide, aquaculture is responsible for the creation of roughly 7,000 jobs. Nation wide, farming and production activities provide full-time jobs for more than 26,000 Canadians, who earned an estimated $1.2 billion in total wages in 2017. CAIA’s annual report demonstrates that First Nations groups also reap the benefits of SEE AQUACULTURE | PAGE 20

Tim Johnson working, aquaculture technician on Grieg Seafood BC’s Nootka Sound farms in traditional Mowachaht Muchalaht territory off the west coast of Vancouver Island PHOTO: GRIEG SEAFOOD

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BC SEAFOOD

MAY 2019

The industry’s environmental practices are supported by regulations from both federal and provincial governing bodies, as well as international requirements and third-party sustainability certifications

AQUACULTURE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17

a thriving aquaculture industry. It states that “more than 40 Indigenous communities are directly or indirectly involved i n f a r m i n g s e a fo o d a c ro s s

Canada….In addition to those Indigenous communities already participating in farming seafood, there are many others whose traditional territories have the biophysical capacity to support farmed seafood development. We estimate that future growth of

the industry in partnership with Indigenous communities could deliver 3,480 additional jobs for Indigenous peoples earning $170 million within in the next five years, and 8,230 additional jobs SEE AQUACULTURE | PAGE 26

With the rapid growth of the global population, seafood is an increasingly important source of nutrition for billions of people

The North Island’s thriving aquaculture industry allows students from institutions like Campbell River’s DiveSafe International to find jobs immediately after graduating PHOTO CREDIT: DIVESAFE INTERNATIONAL LTD.

BC SEAFOOD

MAY 2019

CAMPBELL RIVER HOME TO CANADA’S LARGEST COMMERCIAL DIVING SCHOOL DiveSafe International Boasts In-Ocean Commercial Dive Training

AMPBELL RIVER - “DiveSafe International is Campbell River’s best kept secret.” So says Kelly Korol, co-owner and Director of Training at DiveSafe International Ltd. Founded in 2005 by Kelly and his wife Catherine, DiveSafe International has grown to become the nation’s largest commercial diving school. Kelly’s deep relationships with Canada’s dive industry and Island aquaculture companies (built over his over-35-year diving career), coupled with the institution’s reputation for top-tier training programs, helps students find job placement at an astonishingly high rate. “Right now, we have two companies that are taking all the divers they can get from us,” says Kelly. “There will always be a few students who take our courses out of general interest, but every graduate who wants a job can get one almost immediately. We often have students graduate on a Friday and starting work at a well-paying job on Monday of the following week.

The classroom during a DiveSafe surface supply course in early 2018 For those interested in a career in commercial diving, we essentially have a 100 per cent employment rate.” DiveSafe International offers two main programs. The five-week Commercial Scuba program trains students to work in scuba equipment down to a maximum depth of 130 feet. With this international certification, Commercial Scuba graduates have opportunities in a variety of industries, including aquaculture, seafood harvesting, environmental inspection diving, vessel maintenance, scientific diving, the film industry and more. The 21-week Surface Supply program provides students with an internationally-recognized certification. Graduates acquire

Students are able to hone their skills an ocean environment, getting first-hand training with tides, current, weather and marine life

an Unrestricted Surface Supply Diver certification (50m) with Commercial SCUBA & NITROX endorsements. They can work in the industries above, but also have the certification to work in construction diving (dams, hydro projects, engineering inspections, infrastructure, etc.), confined area diving, offshore oildfield industry, geoduck industry, and underwater welding. All DiveSafe International, instructors are fully certified commercial divers with years of experience and recognized teaching certificates. These instructors still work in the commercial diving industry to remain current in diving skills and knowledge. DiveSafe International is a fully certified

trade training institution, governed by the Private Training Institute Board and the International EQA (Education Quality Assurance Organization). “I’ve been a commercial diver since 1984, and I’ve worked extensively all over the west coast and Alberta, focussing heavily on the Vancouver Island area,” says Kelly. “I’ve worked in almost all aspects of commercial diving, including aquaculture, construction, hydro dams, seafood harvesting, and more. “In 1997, I began working with North Island College as an instructor in their commercial diving program. In 2005, Cathy and I decided to start our own company, initially offering only the

DiveSafe’s industry connections and reputation for high-quality training helps students find jobs immediately after graduating

commercial scuba program.” In the beginning, Kelly taught courses alongside Peter Budden, who began as a part-time instructor. As the company grew, Budden moved into a full-time position, and he remains an integral part of the company to this day. Cathy continues to co-lead the company with the official title of CFOO (Chief Financial and Operations Officer). “It’s a marriage made in heaven,” says Kelly. “She is the administration whiz, and my business partner. She handles all of our administration, dealing with everything from student loans to liaising with government regulatory bodies. I’m the brawn - handling the operations, running the boats, and teaching.” In 2007, the company added on its UnRestricted Surface Supply/ Underwater Welder program. Since then, DiveSafe International has steadily grown, housing a staff of 10 administrators and instructors. Today, they train more students than any other diving school in the country and are competing on the world stage. DiveSafe International has a growing international reputation, attracting students from all over the globe. “We called the company DiveSafe International because we want to have an international reach,” says Kelly. “We’ve had a lot of students from countries like Russia, France, Egypt, Ireland, Mexico, etc.” T he compa ny is now la rge enough to look at expanding outside of Canada. Cathy and Kelly have already been making inroads to build their second location in Costa Rica, and are currently looking at an eventual overseas expansion. “We are Canada’s largest diving school,” concludes Kelly. “We certify more divers than any other school in Canada, and we do it in an ocean environment, so our divers have world-class first-hand training with tides, current, weather and marine life.” Find out more about DiveSafe International programs at www. divesafe.com

CANADA’S LEADER IN COMMERCIAL DIVE TRAINING

1630 Island Hwy. Campbell River Toll Free: 1.888.325.3483 E: info@divesafe.com | www.divesafe.com

BC SEAFOOD

MAY 2019

CHEFS CHEFS EVERYWHERE! WITH DELICIOUS SEAFOOD TO EAT AT THIS YEAR’S BC SEAFOOD FESTIVAL! A storm of seafood chefs and cooking competitions are heading to the 13th annual BC Seafood Festival being held in the Comox Valley, a regional well known for its culinary bounty and the largest producer of oysters in Canada.

he 2019 BC Seafood Festival returns to the Comox Valley, June 7-16th, and will showcase an amazing lineup of local and regional chefs, mixologists and oyster shuckers. And, visitors to the 13th annual BC Seafood Festival Signature Weekend, June 14 – 16th , will experience more chef competitions and seafood demonstrations than ever before. The BC Seafood Festival Signature Weekend 2019 features new and returning chefs participating in numerous demonstrations, cooking events, tastings and competitions, all celebrating the bounty of fresh BC seafood on festival stages. “We are incredibly excited about the chef lineup and seafood events at this year’s Seafood Festival,” says Nathan Fong, Chef Producer for BC Seafood Festival 2019. “The festival competitions have grown in popularity and prizes, and this year more chefs than ever are interested in competing. We are anticipating fast-paced competition in the BC Seafood Chef Challenge once again, and we are excited about the new Junior Chef Challenge featuring cooks from ages 8-12 years old.” Over 25 chefs from the Comox Valley, Island and Lower Mainland will be participating in the Signature Weekend events.

The exciting new 2019 Junior Chef Challenge will host the next crop of aspiring junior chefs who will test their culinary skills. It will be a race against the clock to prepare a seafood masterpiece and win the judges over with creativity and delicious flavours! Other favourite events return for 2019: ■ BC Seafood Festival Chef Challenge – Presented by

FortisBC and Garland Canada – June 15th and 16th. The ultimate seafood challenge using BC seafood ingredients featuring an exciting line-up of 12 chefs who will compete head-to-head in blackbox heats to present unique BC seafood dishes to a group of discerning Judges. Featuring a top prize of $5,000 to the winning chef and a second prize of $1,500 awarded by FortisBC. ■ The Fanny Bay Oyster Shucking Competition – June 15th. Showcasing the fastest shuckers in BC competing for the top prize. And, Guinness Book World Record Holder, Shucker Paddy, will be returning in this “must-attend” event for oyster lovers! ■ Best Caesar in Town Competition – June 16 th. Where some of the best mixologists in British Columbia will showcase their signature competition Caesar. ■ The Ocean Wise Chowder Challenge – June 16th. Offers tastings of delectable, ocean-friendly seafood chowders where you vote for your favourite, all in support of sustainable seafood. The winning seafood luvin’ Chef will receive a chance to compete in the next Ocean Wise Chowder Showdown in Vancouver. Tickets: For a complete list of participating local and regional chefs, information, tickets and accommodations, visit BCSeafoodFestival.com. Or call the Vancouver Island Visitors Center 1-855-400-2882.

BC SEAFOOD EXPO 2019 TO SHOWCASE BOUNTY OF OUR OCEANS By SeaWestNews ome of BC’s top chefs will join scores of seafood buyers, aquaculture experts, industry leaders and government representatives to network, meet and grow the seafood industry at the 2019 edition of the BC Seafood Expo. The event in Comox Valley on Vancouver Island on June 12 and 13 is one of the largest seafood industry trade events in the Pacific Northwest. The Expo is wrapped around the 2019 BC Seafood Festival which will be held from June 7 to 16. “The Festival is now the largest seafood festival in western Canada and the Expo and Trade Show components this year has attracted a record number of exhibitors, delegates, buyers and suppliers,” said John Watson, executive director of the Comox Valley Economic Development, the organization that collaborates with a wide range of seafood organizations and institutions to develop the Expo annually. “It is an excellent opportunity to showcase your services to a diverse range of both wild fishery and aquaculture sectors and leaders.” The expo features dozens of trade show exhibitors, leading speakers in their fields and provides a venue to network with industry leaders, international buyers, distributors, and educators for every type of fish, seafood, and seafood related products and services. The program is also packed with educational sessions covering, seafood business and leadership, aquaculture, food safety, policy, sustainability, traceability and transparency. “The BC Seafood Expo is a great opportunity to bring everyone together to talk about the business… It is really the only time every year that the entire seafood business gets together in BC,” said Jeremy Dunn, director of public affairs for Mowi Canada West. The Seafood Expo also brings attention to both the farmed and wild fisheries sector here in the province, said Dunn “Seafood is an incredibly important business for

BC, having local, regional and national leaders gain a greater awareness and understanding is really important.” he said. As in previous years, Mowi which operates salmon farms around Vancouver Island, where 600 people produce 45,000 tonnes of sustainable farm-raised Atlantic salmon each year, will be staging farm tours for buyers and chefs. Another of the exhibitors is the Underwater Harvesters Association (UHA), a non-profit association formed in 1981 to represent the 55 British Columbia geoduck and horse clam licence holders. Association members also include crew members from the harvesting vessels and the geoduck wholesalers located in British Columbia. There are currently 34 First Nations participating in the fishery. “We are a big supporter of the Seafood Expo as it provides a platform to showcase to British Columbians the sustainability of our fisheries,” said Grant Dovey, UHA’s executive director. “Much of our harvest is exported to Asian markets and our primary interest is connecting with international buyers at the Expo and looking for leads” he said. The buyers’ delegation to this year’s expo is the largest of its kind, organizers said. They include buyers from China, Hong Kong, Korea, Japan, Vietnam and Singapore. Other members of the international delegation, organized by the Ministry of Jobs, Trade & Technology a nd Globa l A f fa i rs Ca n ad a , h a i l f rom USA , Ukraine, Poland, Uzbekistan, Turkey and Serbia. One of the keynote speakers this year will be Mark Saunders, director of the International Year of the Salmon – Pacific Region. The International Year of the Salmon is a 5-year outreach and research initiative of the North Pacific Anadromous Fish Commission and the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization, with a focal year in 2019. The year aims to raise public awareness, gather stakeholders, stimulate science and inspire action to protect salmon.

The highlight of the two-day Expo is the Flying Fresh Air Freight International Buyers’ Reception. Helmed by Brendan Harnett, Flying Fresh A ir Freight Cargo is Canada’s top perishable freight forwarder. Close to 70 per cent of its’ business involves seafood and the company moves about 16 million kilos of Canadian farmed salmon, wild fish, lobster, geoduck, halibut and oysters all around the world. Award winning food stylist, Nathan Fong, Fong on Food, is the event’s Chef Producer, has brought together a dozen chefs for the International Buyers’ Reception with a wide range of talents from around the Comox Valley, Vancouver Island and BC. Did You Know? Canada exported a record $6.6 billion in fish and seafood products in 2016. Fish and seafood are among Canada’s largest exports of food products. Canada’s most valuable species exported in 2016, were, lobster, Atlantic salmon, snow (queen) crab and shrimp. Lobster remains Canada’s top species exported in terms of value, with over $2 billion worth in 2016. Aquaculture is the fastest growing food production activity in the world and a growing sector in Canada. About 45 species of marine and freshwater finfish, shellfish and aquatic plants are now available. In 2015, the aquaculture industry generated over $1 billion in GDP, generating close to $3 billion in total economic activity. Approximately 72,000 Canadians make their living directly from fishing and fishing-related activities. About BC Seafood Expo Trade Show 2019 The BC Seafood Expo Trade Show 2019 will provide businesses the opportunity to meet face-to-face and showcase their products & services to seafood buyers, exporters, distributors and other providers from throughout BC and the pacific northwest. For more information and how to register go to bcseafoodexpo.com

MAY 2019

BC SEAFOOD

REACH FOR BC SEAFOOD: EVENTS AND SHELL-EBRATIONS AT THE 13TH BC SEAFOOD FESTIVAL ON VANCOUVER ISLAND! Creative chefs, endless events, and sensational seafood experiences are featured at this year’s Signature Weekend at the BC Seafood Festival in the Comox Valley.

or those who a re a lover of a l l th i ngs seafood it’s time to mark your calendars and buy your tickets to the largest seafood festival in Western Canada. T he 13 th annual BC Seafood Festival is once again being held in the Comox Valley, Vancouver Island, from June 7-16th . Back by popular demand, the BC Seafood Festival is featuring another fun-filled Signature Weekend, June 14 -16th, a perfect weekend for foodies who love to sample, slurp and savor BC seafood & spirits, music lovers, and families who want to explore & learn about cooking and the benefits of seafood. Events and celebrations include: celebrity chef demonstrations, cooking events, award-winning seafood tastings; interactive & educational displays; and competitions all showcasing the bounty of BC seafood on festival stages. The 2019 BC Seafood Festival: Other Special Ticket Events include: Shucked! Oyster Bar Happy Hour – June 14th. Kicks off the festival in style with the world’s largest oyster bar happy hour in Canada featuring delicious oysters from the pristine waters of Comox Valley. Baked n’ Boiled! Kitchen Party – June 15 th Brings together the best of the East and West coasts in a slurptastic seafood boil. Bounty! Seafood Brunch Cookout – June 16th The ultimate brunch seafood cookout offering the best BC seafood the West Coast has to offer. Ceviche! Ceviche! Ceviche! MasterClass – June 15 th Mix together two of the top seafood chefs, with a whole lotta succulent BC seafood, and this MasterClass will be sure to take your ceviche making skills to the next level. Visitors can enjoy other exciting events, including the return for it’s second year, The BC Seafood Festival Chef Challenge presented by Garland Canada and FortisBC and a new Junior Chef Challenge. Families don’t miss out on the opportunity to devour the delicious seafood alongside the largest Kids Interactive Zone. Here children will be able to explore

numerous touch tanks, interactive displays and seafood cooking classes.Tickets: For a limited time, the “Limited Release” Signature Weekend Passes for the BC Seafood Festival are available for purchase. Tickets prices are $15.00 per Day Pass, $25 for the Weekend Pass, and the Weekend Pass with food

vouchers is $70. For information, Signature Weekend or other event tickets, and accommodations, go to BCSeafoodFestival.com or call the Vancouver Island Visitors Center 1-855-400-2882. Inquire about a Free Signature Weekend Pass with Stays at participating hotels while supplies last!

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THE COUNTDOWN IS ON! The BC Seafood Expo is one of the largest seafood industry trade events in the Pacific Northwest attracting suppliers, qualified domestic and international buyers, distributors, producers, industry leaders and government representatives to network, meet and grow the seafood.

Business Development Bank of Canada Coast Capital Savings Credit Union Community Futures Development Corporation • ICONIX Waterworks Creative Salmon Co. Ltd. • Export Development Canada • Farm Credit Canada Gindara Sablefish • Great Little Box Company • Grieg Seafood • Hummingbird Cove Lifestyles Ltd. • Island Coastal Economic Trust • Mowi – Marine Harvest Canada • MNP • PwC • Underwater Harvesters Association • Walcan Seafood Ltd. • DB Schenker of Canada • Cermaq Canada • Poseidon Ocean Systems Ltd. Buy BC • BC Salmon Farmers Association Fisheries and Oceans Canada • Pacific Sea Cucumber Harvesters Association • Pacific Urchin Harvesters Association • Primetek RiverFresh Wild BC Seafood • Vancouver Island Salt Company • AgriMarine Export Navigator • Flying Fresh Air Freight Ocean Wise, Vancouver Aquarium Harbour Authority Association of BC (HAABC) • Vancouver Island University • Hub City Fisheries • Coastal Sea Products International

EXPO SESSION TOPICS INCLUDE: • Innovations in Ocean Tech • Indigenous Seafood Industry • Free Trade Agreements • Seaweed Commercialization • Branding Innovations • Nutraceuticals/Pharmaceuticals & Innovations in Seafood By-Products • Seafood Black Box Culinary Challenge • Tagging & Record Keeping to DFO Speciﬁcations • Funding Innovation To see the latest lineup of topics and speakers, visit BCSeafoodExpo.com

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MAY 2019

Campbell River is home to offices for three of the world’s largest aquaculture companies: Cermaq Canada, Grieg Seafood BC, and Marine Harvest Canada

AQUACULTURE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 20

o Ad_OL.ai 1 2019-04-23 1:44:47 PM

earning over $410 million within 10 years.” “There’s huge potential for First Nations groups to benefit from aquaculture,” said Richard Harry, Executive Director of the Aboriginal Aquaculture Association (AAA) in a 2018 interview. “A big challenge to many First Nations is access to capital and lack of equity, so we work to connect Aboriginals with the industry, using joint

ventures and partnerships, and building skills and training.” Harry and his team are already involved in the fin fish side of aquaculture, with various Aboriginal communities generating revenue from a rra ngements facilitated by the AAA. The AAA is also working to help First Nations p eople bre a k i nto new and growing aquaculture practices. For example, as geoduck farming is rising in popularity, Harry and

his organization are helping to secure funding and contracts that enable First Nations to participate. “Some of the economic development funds we need are missing, as many First Nations are interested in getting involved in aquaculture, especially shellfish,” says Harry. “With geoduck farming specifically, we’re actively searching for the capital required to initiate some of these projects. It’s in its SEE AQUACULTURE | PAGE 27

In the Strathcona Regional District, aquaculture jobs provide direct employment to over 500 residents

BC SEAFOOD

MAY 2019

AQUACULTURE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 26

Certain Island aquaculture products, like geoduck, are in high demand in Asia PHOTO: GEODUCK.ORG

infancy, but we’re looking forward to a breakthrough soon.” Grieg Seafood BC provides one example of private aquaculture companies working closely with First Nations communities to help them benefit from the economic growth. Grieg’s Marilyn Hutchinson has been serving in the newly created position of director of Indigenous & Community Relations division. Hutchinson suggested the creation of the division in 2018 in order to develop and maintain strong relationships with the communities that are home to Grieg Seafood’s farms. In a recent interview with writer Bonnie Waycott, Hutchinson state, “Building relationships w ith loca l com mu n ities has been a part of Grieg Seafood for nearly a decade now. We saw that our provincial government was adopting the recommendations of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), which we felt would hopefully have a positive impact on our indigenous relationships. We created the Indigenous & Community Relations division in support of what we felt would be constructive change with the implementation of UNDRIP principles.” In spite of the enormous economic benefit to Island communities and the growing global

MORENOT TURNS HEADS WITH PATENTED MOORING SYSTEM Campbell River-Based Supplier Installs Innovative FlexiLink Mooring System

AMPBELL RIVER - With over 30 yea rs of operation in Campbell River, Morenot Canada Ltd. is making waves with its cutting edge FlexiLink mooring system. With a staff of experienced professionals and access to exclusive, industry-leading products, Morenot Canada has become one of the region’s go-to sources for netting and fish farm equipment. This year, the company’s head office in Norway celebrated its 100 th international delivery of the FlexiLink mooring grid, which launched in 2012. The product is made from fiber and contains no hardware components, which eliminates mechanical wear and breakage and which prevents damage and escapes. “Installing a similar, nonFlexiLink system would typically take about a week,” says General Manager Doren Anderson. “In contrast, the first system we installed took half a day, including a break for lunch. It saves so much time and money

for the client, and there is a large reduction in the lifetime costs. The Fexilink system is unique to Morenot and they are the only ones offering this patented and Norwegian Standard certified system.” Morenot Canada specializes in fish farm nets, predator nets, bird protection nets, barrier netting, cargo nets, fish traps, mort retrieval rings, and more. They carry an extensive stock of knotless nylon netting, ropes, and twines, offering in-house construction of any net to their clients’ specifications with speedy turnaround times. In addition, Morenot Canada is a supplier of equipment and products for shellfish farming of oysters, mussels, clams and geoducks. Their facility at 4225 Midport Road is equipped for net servicing, including washing, antifoulant treatment, net repairs, and alterations. “We’re one of the only ones in the region who currently offer anti-foulant painting,” says Anderson. “It’s a really effective way to stave off mussels and other organisms that want to attach to nets. When nets can be in the water for as long as a year and a half, anti-foulant painting can be a great way to keep them

clean.” Morenot Canada was originally founded by Norwegian-based Sotra Not og Tral i n 1987 as Campbell River Netloft (CRN). Joining in 1989, Anderson is now in his 30th year with the company, and has watched it undergo several major transitions as it has expanded. MoreNot Aquaculture Norway, which purchased CRN and its assets in 1996, was founded in 1948. Over the last six decades, it grew to become one of the biggest sellers of fishing and aquaculture gear in Norway, with assets in Scotland, Spain, Chile, Canada, and China. On April 26, 2018, Morenot was purchased by private equity investment firm FSN Capital. As part of an effort to streaml i n e t h e c o m p a n y ’s b ra n d , Campbell River Netloft changed its name to Morenot Canada, effective January 1, 2019. “FSN has big plans and a lot of resources to help the company expand into more areas and add more services,” says Anderson. “As part of that, our company is currently looking to expand, adding more services, employment, and bigger equipment.” Find out more at www.morenot. com

demand for farmed seafood, the aquaculture industry is not without its critics, particularly surrounding issues of environmental protection. Those working in aquaculture, however, contend that much of the coverage referring to the sustainability of farmed seafood misrepresents current industry trends. CAIA’s State of Farmed Seafood in Canada 2018 report emphasized the industries efforts to “minimize environmental interactions through measures such as proper siting, management of habitat impacts, and escape prevention measures — compliant with international standards for social, environmental and food safety responsibilities.” The industry’s environmental practices are supported by regulations from both federal and provincial governing bodies, as well as international requirements and third-party sustainability certifications. Last year, the Island’s shellfish industry suffered from misrepresentation in the media. “In the Winter of 2016/17 and again in the Spring of 2018, industry was doubly impacted by outbreaks of norovirus and the accompanying media, which spoke broadly to the product, rather than specifically to the problem,” said Darlene Winterburn, Executive Director of the BC Shellfish Growers Association (BCSGA) in a Business Examiner

27 interview. “The outcome has been consumer misconceptions that subsequently result in lower levels of confidence in the product and losses in sales.” According to Winterburn, only five farms in a single, small geographic region were closed due to potential contamination this Spring. However, incomplete media coverage adversely affected the rest of shellfish farmers, whose product had been declared safe for consumption. “Readers should question the headlines,” says Winterburn. “Farmers regularly test shellfish destined for raw consumption in the retail market and follow regulations to minimize hazards related to contamination of the water in which they farm. They volunteer their time to participate in government programs to monitor water quality and are proactive in closing farms when potential hazards are identified.” Accord i ng to Wi nterbu r n, British Columbians have many misconceptions about the aquaculture industry. “Shellfish farming provides a net gain to the overall health of surrounding ecosystems,” she says. “We do not add food or chemicals to the water. “Shellfish are filter feeders who get their nutrition from the water and, in fact, clean the water in which they live as they feed. SEE AQUACULTURE | PAGE 28

BC SEAFOOD

MAY 2019

A successful aquaculture industry benefits a wide variety of periphery companies in the North Island, including educational institutions PHOTO CREDIT: DIVESAFE INTERNATIONAL LTD.

AQUACULTURE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 27

Ma ny cities, i nclud i ng New York, and many areas,

including Chesapeake Bay, have reintroduced shellfish to restore water quality and improve local ecosystems.â&#x20AC;? To find out more about

the aquaculture industry, visit www.aquacultureassociation.ca, www. bcsga.ca, or www.bcsalmonfarmers.ca.

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Renowned Golf Course Architect Furber Visits Parksville’s Morningstar P a rk s v i l l e Q u a l i c u m Beach News lans are ongoing to review and enhance Parksville’s Morningstar Golf Club to ready it for potential longterm owners. The receiver-manager of the club, G. Powroznik Group Inc. of G-Force Group, has retained renow ned gol f cou rse architect Les Furber to assist with the enhancement. He recently visited Morningstar. It was Furber’s company, GDS Golf Design Services, that designed and built Morn i ngsta r i n 1991 to much acclaim and fanfare as the new golf course “jewel” on Vancouver Island. Golfers continue to view Morningstar’s layout as one where Furber and the GDS team truly accomplished thei r goa l of desig n i ng a course that combines a balance of playability and challenge, where golf strategy and shot values are present on every hole of the course. Designed with a range of tee boxes that provide six playing lengths, from 5,277 yards to 7,018 yards,

Morningstar is capable of providing an enjoyable golf experience for all levels of ability. Furber will share his expertise with Morningstar’s management to reinforce ma i ntena nce practices to respect and ensure the playability and integrity of his original design and to advise on the changes in the game and equipment that have occurred since

1991. The receiver will also receive a synopsis of the current golf course condition and recommendations regarding the future potential of Morningstar, which will interest potential purchasers. Fu rber’s v isit w i l l be capped off with a special reception for Morningstar members to meet him and share conversation on the game of golf and the captivating designs that GDS has created in Western Canada and internationally. “We’re excited to have Les join our significantly expanding membership and help kick off the 2019 golf season,” said Randy LaRoche, manager. “It’s rare to have this opportunity.” After a hiatus in marketing since November, while significant improvements to the course continued, the receiver is re-launching the search for the “right” purchaser who will value the history of Morningstar and the promising future in the golf destination market of Vancouver Island and the local golf community in the growing Parksville Qualicum Beach region.

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COMOX VALLEY

1940 TO 1959: UPS AND DOWNS BUT STILL MOVING FORWARD

COMOX VALLEY DIANNE HAWKINS

hrough tough times and good, Chamberâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s commitment to community endures. With the world at war and the â&#x20AC;&#x153;boysâ&#x20AC;? back in the trenches, challenges faced everyone in the early 1940s. For the Courtenay Chamber of Commerce (then known as the Board of Trade), it was no different. Budgetary shortfalls and low membership hindered the organization. Despite that, the Board managed to keep moving forward through the decade and into the next with unwavering commitment to the local communities. Fighting to survive in the forties Repor ts f rom the Boa rd of Tradeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 1940 Annual General Meeting noted that dredging of

the slough had allowed additional boats to use it, but more good roads were needed as Courtenay evolved into a business centre. And freight charges to the North Island continued to be an issue, so the board vowed to investigate the â&#x20AC;&#x153;discrimination.â&#x20AC;? The Board also approached the City about reducing commercial electrical rates. And why not? The areaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 25-cycle electrical system had a reputation for being temperamental. That summer it caused a poor touristâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s radio to blow up! Understandably, those and other civic issues took a back seat to war efforts through the next few years. With a reduction in meetings and support of its members, the organization managed to survive and forge ahead in its backing of various local endeavours, including the championing of a new wharf in Comox, flights to Vancouver with Queen Charlotte Airlines and the ongoing road issues. Fit for the fifties Though the Chamber entered the new decade $40 in the red, things were looking up. Forty new members had joined, bringing the total to 118. And by 1951, the deficit had become a $860 surplus!

Advocating for proper ferry service to Hornby, hosting civic events and dances, staging a fair for provincial Chambers of Commerce and contributing to Upper Island tourism made up some of the organizationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s duties in the early fifties. Still, the Chamber encountered occasional setbacks and teetered on bankruptcy in 1957. Once again, a membership drive took place and the community responded. By 1958, both citizens and City Hall recognized the Chamberâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s value, and council allowed for purchase of a site for a new Tourist Information Centre near the city limits. The 21st Street location included a welcome arch, a park and boat-launching facilities on the Courtenay River â&#x20AC;&#x201C; our home to this very day! To see a full version of this article and others celebrating our past, please visit our website at www. comoxvalleychamber.com. Dianne Hawkins is CEO of the Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce. The Comox Valley Chamber: Building Good Business since 1919 250-334-3234.

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Vancouver Island restaurant among Canadaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most sustainable eateries Campbell River Mirror Comox Valley restaurant is being praised for taking big strides to become more sustainable. Leaders in Environmentally Accou ntable Foodservice (L E A F) h a s recent ly n a med Locals Restaurant one of Canadaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top six most sustainable restaurants. According to co-owner Tricia St. Pierre, having a green business was part of her and her husband Ronaldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s business plan when they opened the restaurant 12 years ago. â&#x20AC;&#x153; It s o r t o f c a m e w i t h t h e whole philosophy of our restaurant sourcing locally and that is part of trying to support local food production, which here in the Valley often is done with very much of an environmentally aware philosophy,â&#x20AC;? said St. Pierre. Loca lsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s eco-friend ly mission is obvious in everything f rom t hei r table l i nens to their high-efficiency kitchen equipment. T h rou g h t he Power Sm a r t program, the restaurant upgraded all of their cooking and refrigeration equipment which uses less energy and is less taxing on the environment. T he fo o d prepa re d i n t h i s state-of-the-art kitchen includes well-thought-out portion sizes and exclusively edible garnishes to cut down on waste. But anything left on the plates is often taken home by staff to feed to their pets. Ta ke out conta i ners a nd

straws (ava i lable on ly i f requested) a re biodeg rad able and St. Pierre prides herself on the lack of garbage that is produced. Cleaning supplies used are eco-friendly and biodegradable as well. Even the furniture throughout the restaurant was bought second h a nd a nd St. P ier re sewed the linens herself. But perhaps what makes the most i mpact is sou rci ng a l l of the restau ra ntâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s food a nd drinks locally. Local products tend to be consistently higher quality resulting in less food waste, and often arrive with much less packaging. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The closer you are to your food producers and the source a nd the better relationsh ips you forge, t he more it i s i n a l ig n ment w it h ta k i ng ca re of the environment,â&#x20AC;? said St. Pierre. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You look at people here in the Valley who are producing food, they are of a similar philosophy.â&#x20AC;? St. Pierre adds that the restaurant has 240 suppliers on Vancouver Island. L E A F is Ca nadaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s on ly nationwide, non-profit foodservice certification program with three levels of certification. Locals Restaurant achieved t he t h i rd a nd h i g he s t level when they moved locations to the Old House Hotel grounds in 2012. During the renovations, they added spray insulation, double g la zed w i ndows a nd a n i mproved HVAC system to make the old building more efficient.

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NATIONAL CONTRACTING SOLUTIONS: COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION SPECIALISTS Nanaimo-Based Firm Takes on Jobs Throughout North America

ANAIMO - Out of their he ad q u a r ters i n Nanaimo, National Contracting Solutions Ltd. (NCS) has establ ished itsel f as a full-service team for retail franchises all over North America. The company was created in 2008 as a response to industry trends. Its founders identified a key need in commercial construction: the need for a professional, skilled general contractor for national clients with multiple locations. “With a small team of well-rounded, dedicated professionals and tradespeople, as well as a modest fleet, our team began building partnerships with major franchises such as 7-Eleven, Starbucks, Tim Hortons, and others,” says Felicia Mark, Operations Coordinator. “Since then, we have expanded our labour force, f leet, contracts, and offices to meet the growing demands of our repeat customers.” Today, the company fields a team of over 50 employees, including management, estimating teams, projects teams, and a diverse team of tradespeople. “NCS has a skilled group of inhouse tradespeople including, but not limited to, carpenters, electricians, and HVAC crew members,” says Ma rk. “Ou r vast in-house trades allow us to achieve the demanding schedules requested by our clients with ease. Furthermore, it allows NCS to manage safety and quality, which are its highest priorities. As an NCS employee, all crew members share a common dedication to provide h i g h-q u a l i t y c o n s t r u c t i o n that fulfills or exceeds client expectations.” With its team of skilled tradespeople, NCS is able to complete projects under extreme time constraints and at times, challenging site conditions. “O u r schedu les c a n ra nge anywhere from 24 hour turnarounds to several months,” says Mark. Referring to a recent project, Managing Director Byron Tarby comments, “We just finished renovating eight 7-Eleven locations in downtown Vancouver. We originally had over 20 days to complete the renovations, but at the last-minute, our schedule was compressed by our customer to 14 days, with additions to the scope of the project. In spite of this, our team was still able

NCS has built strong relationships with major franchises like 7-Eleven, Starbucks, and Tim Hortons

The company specializes in food service, petroleum, commercial projects, and institutional work to complete the project within the time restrictions with minimal interruptions to business activities in each location as

the stores remained open for business.” 7-Eleven has been one of NCS’s largest clients. Since 2008, they

Thanks to its in-house team of tradespeople, NCS is able to maintain a high level of quality in spite of heavy time constraints have been chosen to work with 7-Eleven in stores throughout Canada and the United States. A project highlight was, “In

July 2016, NCS was awarded a major contract worki ng i n SEE NATIONAL CONTRACTING | PAGE 32

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“We just finished renovating eight 7-Eleven locations in downtown Vancouver. We originally had over 20 days to complete the renovations, but at the last-minute, our schedule was compressed by our customer to 14 days, with additions to the scope of the project. In spite of this, our team was still able to complete

Byron Tarby, Managing Director of National Contracting Solutions Ltd.

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time restrictions with

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 31

minimal interruptions to business activities in each location as the stores remained open for business.” BYRON TARBY MANAGING DIRECTO

p a r t n e rs h ip w it h 7-E l e ve n on the Imperial Oil Acquisition Remodel P roject,” says Mark. “NCS took on the role as general contractor for this three-phase project involving 139 Esso stores across Western Canada. “Phase one, change in control, involved replacement of point of sales equipment at each store. Phase two, design and engineering, involved creating as-builts of each store using sophisticated 3D scanners and collaboration with clients to ident i f y remodel i ng need s. P h a s e t h re e , c o n s t r u c t i o n execution, involved remodeling interiors of each store to a l ign w ith modern 7-Eleven branding.” In addition to 7-Eleven, NCS has worked with other major retail brands, including Starbucks, Costco, BC Liquor Stores, Wendy’s, and Tim Hortons. The company specializes in food service, petroleum, commercial projects, and institutional work. They have also worked closely with the Stz’uminus First Nation to support their maintenance and upgrade needs. “When working on projects,

NCS is looking to complete more Vancouver Island Projects in coming years

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we try to use as many of our own tradespeople as possible,” says Tarby. “This helps us maintain ou r h ig h level of sa fety a nd quality, and helps us to ensure that we meet and exceed our clients’ expectations. In addition, when working with compressed timeframes, we aren’t restricted by the schedules of outside subtrades.” O ver t he l a st t h ree ye a rs, the Nanaimo-based company has been doing more work in the United States. Their combination of experience, efficiency, and competitive pricing makes them a strong candidate for retail renovation projects throughout the continent. Accord i ng to Ma rk, the

g row i n g d em a nd i s l a rgely thanks to its tight-knit team and strong relationships with repeat customers. “NCS has a core group of employees who have transformed and grown with us through the ebbs and flows of our organization,” she says. “As a team, and as a family, we share losses and victories with a growth mindset and poise. Our ongoing success is attributed to the dedication, adaptability and hard work of these employees.” T he c ompa ny h a s a l re a dy completed several projects on Vancouver Island, and is looking to take on more local projects in the coming years. www.ncs-projects.com

OFF THE COVER

MAY 2019

Red Arrow Brewing Company Creates Unique HarbourCats Brew HARBOURCATS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

The HarbourCats are owned by four partners: John Wilson (owner of Wilson’s Group of Companies), brothers Jim and Ken Swanson, and Rich Harder. Founded in 2013, the organization is one of 12 teams in the West Coast League, a summer collegiate baseball program. “We’ve had a high number of players make it to professional baseball, including Nick Pivetta with the Phillies, and three others in AAA,» says Swanson. Since its begin n ing, the HarbourCats have broken multiple league attendance records, leading other teams by almost 1,000 attendees per game. They set the one-game attendance record with 5,240 fans just last year. “The HarbourCats are expanding their presence up the Island over the next few years,” says Swanson. “O n Ju ly 2 , we w i l l pl ay a n exhibition game in Duncan against the Ladysmith Pilots, a Sr. Men’s team, and before that, we’ll play a game in Serauxmen Stadium in Nanaimo. We have an expansion team in the works for Nanaimo, which will hopefully have its first season in 2020.” “Pa r t of t he goa l of t h i s p a r t n e rs h ip i s to g ro w t h e HarbourCats brand north of Victoria,” says Travis Peterson, Sales Manager at Red Arrow. “Situated between Victoria and Nanaimo, we’re in a perfect position to service both clubs. It’s an exciting time for us to be involved.” Opening its doors in June, 2015, Red Arrow is approaching its own era of expansion. “We’ve got some exciting things coming up,” says Peterson. “We’re in the midst of acquiring a lounge

Since their beginnings in 2013, the HarbourCats have broken multiple West Coast League attendance records PHOTO CREDIT: CHRISTIAN J. STEWART

well known as the HarbourCats.” With nearly 14 years of brewing experience under his belt, Gress leads the brewing team, creating six core beers that are available

year-round, and about one singlebatch limited brew per month. The Red Arrow team works hard to listen to community members, creating brews that work well with regional tastes. So far, this strategy has paid off, with many singlebatch beers selling out within days of release.” “We chose Red Arrow, first of all, because they make a great beer,” Swanson remarks. “The company has also done a great job of developing the HarbourCats Ballpark Blonde, as well as their own brand. They’re making a strong name for themselves, and I see people wearing their hats and shirts all the time.” “We are very excited about this partnership,” says Peterson. “This product is a great beer, and a great way to support a local sports team that does so much for the community.” www.redarrowbeer.ca www.HarbourCats.com

Reach The Masses

A high number of HarbourCats players have made it to professional baseball leagues PHOTO CREDIT: CHRISTIAN J. STEWART

license, expanding our patio, and putting some finishing touches on an outdoor sports court at Red Arrow for the whole community to enjoy.” “We have a lot going on,” Gress adds. “We want to become more

of a destination. It’s an exciting time in the industry - by the end of 2019, it’s projected that BC will be home to about 200 craft breweries. It’s a great time to be in business, and a great time to get involved with a local partner as

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Campbell River Chamber CEO Colleen Evans Set To Retire

he Campbell River Chamber Board recently announced the retirement of Colleen Evans, CEO of the Campbell River Chamber. “It is with mixed emotion that we announce Colleen’s departure. Over the past ten years, her steadfast and professional leadership, vision and drive have propelled the Chamber to reach new heights. She has streamlined the organization, increased its public policy and advocacy impact, delivered hundreds of successful networking and professional development events and significantly increased membership value. Colleen’s leadership has made our Chamber a trusted voice of business not only in Campbell River but at the provincial and national levels as well.”

said Corby Lamb, Board Chair Campbell River Chamber. “Colleen’s commitment and deep understanding of board governance, our local business community and the not for profit sector, has been a steadying factor through many years of change on the Board, in an ever changing economy.” said Lamb. “It’s her ‘out of the box thinking’ that led to the creation of initiatives like the Chamber’s Major Projects Portal, Think Local First, Future 15, Chamber TV show Insights & Business, Workforce Development and the Business Awards of Distinction,” further commented Lamb. “Colleen’s a valued leader in the BC Chamber network and beyond. She was recognized by her peers as a recipient of the Gerry

Crisis Management Fredericks Award for Chamber Executive of the Year and her ‘can do’ attitude continues to inspire.” says Val Litwin, BC Chamber CEO. “It’s been an honour and pleasure to serve as Chamber CEO and to work with such a dedicated and supportive Board of Directors and talented staff. I’m proud of what we’ve achieved together, in support of our members, business community, not for profit organizations and Campbell River. I have thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to work with community minded individuals and business leaders throughout my time as CEO and I’m now looking forward to further investing in my consulting career and political work.” stated Colleen Evans, Chamber CEO.

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DIGITAL MARKETING

MAY 2019

DIGITAL PROCESS INTEGRATION PRESENTS BIG OPPORTUNITY

DIGITAL MARKETING JOHN MACDONALD

on’t waste my time! How can I make the most of it? How can I stretch it out and make more money with the 24 hours I’m given every day?

A client was talking to me recently about h is compa ny’s internal discussions around growing their Google reviews. It is becoming one of their best lead sources and has rapidly evolved into a form of 3rd party validation for prospective customers. In their case, as a healthcare provider dealing with physical rehabilitation, WorkSafeBC claims, ICBC claims, and athletes, the lifetime value of a customer is tremendous. Once they’re in the door, they’re often with them for life. As valuable as new clients are, between servicing them and operating the business, they were

having problems finding time to invest in this newly found business development opportunity. New process integration can seem daunting, especially when it’s out of a company’s area of expertise. Just because someone is a great physiotherapist doesn’t mean they’re a great marketer, or operations specialist. The client ended up overthinking the opportunity and gave up on pursuing it until recently. The solution was a lot easier than they thought. All invoices are sent via email, and all they needed to do was add a review request link to those

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invoices. T hey integrated retention, business development and accounts receivable processes to take advantage of an opportunity they thought they didn’t have time to implement. One dashboard in their office captures all review sources, from Google, Yelp, and other major review websites. It allows them to request reviews from customers via text and email, see who hasn’t responded, and incentivize reviews. Process integration aside, the big “so what?” is that this business has added a major referral source without reinventing the wheel. They’ve done more with the same 24 hours that you and I have and it’s already paying off. Nearly 3 in 4 people trust online reviews as much as a personal referral. 88 per cent of consumers consult some sort of online

review before making a purchase. The client has hired several new employees and their schedules are filling up largely due to new business that’s coming in online. They’re being regularly validated by the steady stream of new Google reviews. A nd if that wasn’t enough, those reviews are helping them get found online easier. Google just so happens to take reviews into consideration for their page rankings. Add SEO to the list of efficiencies gained from this relatively simple process change. John MacDonald is the Director of Business Development with the Business Examiner News Group. Connect with him directly at john@ businessexaminer.ca, by calling 866.758.2684 ext. 130. or online at: www.bedigitalmarketing.ca

MAY 2019

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REAL ESTATE

MAY 2019

Buyer Aspirations Suffering Due To Mortgage Stress Test

ales of single-family homes in April board-wide dipped by 13 per cent year over year but rose by 33 per cent from March. Last month, 412 single-family homes sold on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) System compared to 475 in April 2018 and 308 the previous month. In the apartment and townhouse categories, sales dropped by three per cent and 24 per cent, respectively. The mortgage stress test (Guideline B-20) continues to wreak havoc in the Vancouver, Fraser Valley, and Lower Mainland housing markets, which is spilling over, albeit more slowly, onto Vancouver Island.

While the BC economy continues to be highly supportive of housing demand, the negative shock to affordability and purchasing power created by the stress test is making it extremely difficult for some buyers, particularly millennials, to enter the housing market. Prospective buyers who can afford monthly mortgage payments are unable to qualify because Guideline B-20 has eroded their purchasing power by as much as 20 per cent. Weak housing demand has also contributed to an increase in total active residential listings across the province. In the VIREB area, inventory of

single-family homes in April rose by 22 per cent from one year ago (1,056 to 1,289), the highest it’s been since August 2018. Active listings of apartments climbed by 16 per cent (260 to 301) year over year and townhouses by 23 per cent (162 to 199). Whether rising inventory levels will be enough to lower prices and make housing more affordable remains to be seen. However, despite decreased demand, prices in the VIREB area are still rising, although those increases are softening. VIREB realtors are seeing price reductions on higher-priced homes while demand is still relatively strong for houses in the

$400,000 to $550,000 range. The benchmark price of a single-family home board-wide was $517,800 in April, a five per cent increase from one year ago. (Benchmark pricing tracks the value of a typical home in the reported area.) In the apartment category, the benchmark price climbed to $325,900 from one year ago, an eight per cent increase. The benchmark price of a townhouse hit $429,700 last month, up 10 per cent over April 2018. Regionally, the benchmark price of a single-family home in the Campbell River area hit $421,000, an increase of four per cent over April 2018. In the Comox Valley, the benchmark

price reached $509,600, up by six per cent from one year ago. Duncan reported a benchmark price of $480,700, up five per cent from April 2018. Nanaimo’s benchmark price rose by three per cent to $560,800 while the Parksville-Qualicum area saw its benchmark price increase by four per cent to $582,500. The cost of a benchmark single-family home in Port Alberni reached $307,700 in April, a nine per cent increase from one year ago. Trend-wise, VIREB’s housing market has transitioned from one favouring sellers to one that is balanced. Balanced markets offer buyers more choice and more room to negotiate.

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WHO IS SUING WHOM

MAY 2019

WHO IS SUING WHOM The contents of Whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Suing Whom is provided by a third-party resource and is accurate according to public court documents. Some of these cases may have been resolved by publication date. DEFENDANT 0089159 BC LTD 2700-700 West Georgia St, Vancouver, BC PLAINTIFF Cockerell, Michael Henry CLAIM $8,276 DEFENDANT Abstract Projects Inc 1626 Garnet Rd, Victoria, BC PLAINTIFF AAA Rebar Only Ltd CLAIM $117,612 DEFENDANT Arrowsmith Roofing Ltd 2767 Powder Point Rd, Nanoose Bay, BC PLAINTIFF Central Builders Supply Limited CLAIM $26,375 DEFENDANT Brookes Education Group Inc 2371 Shawnigan Lake Rd, Shawnigan Lake, BC PLAINTIFF Aqua Tex Consulting Ltd

CLAIM $16,981 DEFENDANT Canadian Playhouse Factory Ltd 2062 Alberni Hwy, Coombs, BC PLAINTIFF Smart Warehouse Llc CLAIM $12,881 DEFENDANT Custom Building 2658 Ruby Dr, Victoria, BC PLAINTIFF Lumberworld Operations Ltd CLAIM $10,305 DEFENDANT D F M Holdings Ltd 201-467 Cumberland Rd, Courtenay, BC PLAINTIFF Cloutier Matthews LLP CLAIM $6,425 DEFENDANT D K I Services Ltd Po Box 282, Merville, BC PLAINTIFF Woodland, Jody CLAIM $5,908 DEFENDANT EMCON Services 300-180 Seymour St, Kamloops, BC PLAINTIFF Wilson, Colin CLAIM $35,176

DEFENDANT Grand Vista Tours Inc 588 Maple St, Qualicum Beach, BC PLAINTIFF Holoboff, Fiona Anne CLAIM $30,296 DEFENDANT Green Oasis Foods Ltd 960 Furber Rd, Victoria, BC PLAINTIFF Ame Consulting Group Ltd CLAIM $20,710 DEFENDANT Independent Diesel Sales Ltd 6826 Metro Rd, Lantzville, BC PLAINTIFF Cockerell, Michael Henry CLAIM $8,276

588 Maple St, Qualicum Beach, BC PLAINTIFF Holoboff, Fiona Anne CLAIM $30,296 DEFENDANT Seabrook Developments Ltd 723a Vanalman Ave, BC Victoria PLAINTIFF Lumberworld Operations Ltd CLAIM $35,216 DEFENDANT Seaflora Skincare Inc 1007 Fort St, Victoria, BC PLAINTIFF Caorda Solutions Inc CLAIM $33,691

DEFENDANT Island Freightliner Truck Centre 6826 Metro Rd, Lantzville, BC PLAINTIFF Cockerell, Michael Henry CLAIM $8,276

DEFENDANT Sure Haul Transportation Ltd 320-351 Hudson Ave Ne, Salmon Arm, BC PLAINTIFF HMTQ Prov Of BC CLAIM $232,340

DEFENDANT K & G Installations Ltd 201-467 Cumberland Rd, Courtenay, BC PLAINTIFF Cloutier Matthews LLP CLAIM $9,006

DEFENDANT Tiger Trends Consulting Inc 527 Phelps Ave, Victoria, BC PLAINTIFF Business Development Bank Of Canada CLAIM $111,081

DEFENDANT Oasis Mangement

DEFENDANT Titus Infrastructure Services

37 Limited 215-737 Goldstream Ave, Victoria, BC PLAINTIFF Business Development Bank Of Canada CLAIM $111,081 DEFENDANT Victoria Stonescape Ltd 837 Burdett Ave, Victoria, BC PLAINTIFF SCS Steel Container Systems Inc CLAIM $20,876 DEFENDANT Windcrest Developments Ltd 204-655 Tyee Rd, Victoria, BC PLAINTIFF Victoria Stonescape Ltd CLAIM $29,505 DEFENDANT Woodland Flats Ltd 4th Flr 1007 Fort St, Victoria, BC PLAINTIFF Yen, Pui Wen CLAIM $67,500

CAMPBELL RIVER

MAY 2019

LUNCHEON TO ADDRESS FORESTRY POLICY AND IMPACT ON COAST

CAMPBELL RIVER COLLEEN EVANS

s follow up to our successful forestry business roundtable, we are now hosting a luncheon with Deputy Minister John Allan,

Ministry Forest, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development on May 15th at the Enterprise Centre. This is an opportunity to discuss what’s driving forestry policies and how that’s impacting the coastal forest sector. It’s important that Campbell River’s voice is heard on what the challenges and opportunities are for this industry and the businesses and people employed within in. The luncheon will be held on May 15th at the Enterprise Centre, sponsored by Capacity Forest Management and tickets are now on sale at www. campbellriverchamber.ca. Our Chamber is also encouraging our members and local business

to participate in the BC Chamber MindReader survey. This quick six question survey looks at the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) announcement of new management measures aimed at protecting Chinook salmon stock on BC’s coast and how has business been impacted by this closure. The survey link is available on our website. Workforce development and access to a skilled workforce to meet the needs of our employers is a continuing theme for our Chamber. The launch of People Power, is the Chamber’s response to addressing these concerns. A highly engaging sold out luncheon kicked off our series of highlighted issues and solutions to

attracting and retaining employees in this hyper-competitive marketplace and what that means for you and your business. A featured panel of local business owners who shared their on the ground experiences resonated with guests and we will continue featuring new local businesses at each luncheon. Thank you to our business panel that included Christine Lilyholm, Owner/Operator of Stonehouse Teas; Mark Degagne, Branch Manager of McElhanney Engineering and Rick Segal, COO, Poseidon Ocean Systems. The luncheon was moderated by Daniel Kasun, Manager HR Consulting, MNP. Daniel provided great insights and context into the percentage of businesses that

are having difficulty recruiting and retaining people; the top 10 reasons why people leave their jobs and how BC compares to Alberta in salary increases from 2016-2019. We are looking forward to the next People Power event in late May or early June with more details to be announced soon. A recent announcement confirmed that as Chamber CEO, I will be retiring in early summer, more details are posted on our Chamber website. Exciting times at the Campbell River Chamber for sure! Colleen Evans is President and CEO of the Campbell River Chamber of Commerce

MOVERS AND SHAKERS

MAY 2019

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NORTH ISLAND Avec Denture Clinic is now open at 8405 Byng Road in Port Hardy. The North Vancouver Island Aboriginal Training Society (NVIATS) will be taking over the North Island Employment Foundations Societyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s (NIEFS) space in the Thunderbird Mall next month. NIVATS took over ownership of the space on April 1 and moved in to the space on May 1.

CAMPBELL RIVER Island Mediquip h a s moved to a new space at 859B 12th Avenue. WestUrban Developments of Campbell River received approval for a development permit to build a 56-unit apartment building and 4 0-u n it tow n home. A building permit application is expected to be submitted shortly. Ultimate Gift Boutique celebrated its grand openi ng from Apri l 13-20 at 975C Shoppers Row. The shop features a range of high-quality hand-crafted gifts by Vancouver Island and international artists. Bill Howich RV & Marine welcomes back Somae Ranger to its team as business manager for the dealership at 1632 Coulter Road. Ron May is the top salesperson for Bill Howich Chrysler at 2777 North Island Highway and Norm Potaski is the top salesperson for Bill Howich RV & Marine. This year is the 15 th ann iversa r y of t h e Wa l k to Make Cystic Fibrosis

History, which takes place in over 70 communities across Canada. On May 26th, Cystic Fibrosis Cana d aâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Ca m p b el l R iver/ Comox Valley Chapter is hosting its walk at Penfield Elementary School.

COMOX VALLEY

wellness centre in Courtenay opened by partners Dr. Debbie Wright, Dr. Alicia Steele and Dr. Liza Grant. The centre offers chiropract ic, n atu ropat h ic, massage, and acupuncture treatment services from a space on Third Street a nd D u nca n Avenue i n Courtenay.

Dr. A lsoon Brine, Dr. Lindsay Stevenson and Dr. Stephen Fox are moving from the Cottage Medical Practice to the Ginger Goodwin Medical Clinic at Unit 19, 1599 Cliffe Avenue. Sean Bullock is the new manager for Courtenay Collision at 2701 Moray Avenue in Courtenay. Comox Valley Elder College recently celebrated its 20th anniversary. Elder College is an organization designed to meet the educational and learning needs of students (55+) which operates out of North Isl a n d C o l l e geâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s C o m o x campus. Brian McLean announces that Malinda Mazzocchi is the top salesperson of the month for the dealership at 2145 Cliffe Avenue in Courtenay. The Grove Health & Wellness is a new integrated

boost the proďŹ tability of both their individual projects and overall business.

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Kenpo Karate recently celebrated its 20 th anniversary at 1747 A Comox Avenue in Comox. Dr. Christoph Kind and sta f f welcome Graham Sigalet, ND, to their naturopathic family medicine clinic at 3738 Minto Road in Courtenay. Graham was born and raised in the Okanagan Valley and completed training at the Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine.

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Ronni Lister RE/MAX Ocean Pacific Realty members were recently recognized for numerous achievements in the past year. The agency was the recipient of the Top T ra nsaction Awa rd for Western Canada and the Top Transaction award for all of Canada. Ronni Lister received the Top Transaction Award as well as the Diamond Award for sales performance. Lister was the fourth overall in production for Western Canada. Rungeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s European Deli celebrates its 50 th anniversary at 347 4th Street in Courtenay. Woodsmere Hold i ngs of Victoria submitted an application to build two fou r-storey apa r tment buildings at 2600 Mission Road near Courtenay Hospital. Once complete the buildings will contain 94 apartments: 32 one-bedrooms, 46 two-bedrooms and 16 three-bedrooms. The 1.06-hectare property SEE MOVERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S AND SHAKERS | PAGE 40

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is within walking distance of North Island College, Queneesh Elementary School and the Comox Valley Aquatic Centre. The BC College of Nursing Professionals (BCCNP) recognized North Island College’s practical

MOVERS AND SHAKERS nurse program for its high-quality curriculum and faculty. NIC’s program received a four-year recognition and the program does not have to be reviewed again until 2024. The Comox Valley Airport Commission (CVAC) announced two new appointments to its board of directors. Dr. Nancy Arsenault

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is the new member at large and Wendy Lewis, CPA, CA is the local government nominee. Arsenault is the managing partner of Tourism Café Canada and Lewis is a partner with MNP. Both members were appointed to three-year terms beginning April 1.

MAY 2019

Kim White of Bare Bones Fish & Chip in Ambassador Service; Arrowvale Campground in Tourism and Hospitality; the Flooring Depot in Business Investment; and Kevin and Leslie Wright of the Steam Punk Café took home the Special Recognition Award. Memphis Dick, Linh Tran, Jayson Matthews, Sarah Higginson and Emily West were each recipients of the Youth of the Year Award. The recipient of the Rising Star Award was The Power of Three; Jowseys Furniture took home the Business Excellence Award; Foster Coulson of Coulson Ice Blast was the Visionary Award recipient; and Sally Anderson was the Citizen of the Year.

Nancy Arsenault

PORT ALBERNI The Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce held its annual Community Excellence Awards and announced this year’s winners. The winners were Terry Deakin in the Women in Business category; Cloud City in Social Media; Port Alberni Shelter Society in the Green category; Deb Haggard in the Chamber category; Marilyn Gibson in Volunteer of the Year; Double R Meats in Customer Service; Healthy Habits in Health and Wellness; Five Acre Shaker in the Community Event category; Handy Andy in Welcoming Workplace;

Joe Martin The Alberni Valley Bulldogs have hired former Merritt Centennials coach Joe Martin to serve as head coach and general manager of the team. Martin was voted BCHL Coach of the Year for the 2018-19 season. Landmark Cinemas, parent company of Paramount Theatre on Argyle Street, is closing the

theatre until the end of May for renovations. The renovations will see the theatre’s roof replaced on the outside while reclining seats will be added on the inside. Once the renovations are complete, seats will be able to be reserved as a part of the theatre’s premium experience. Tayna Shannon and Dianne Bodnar have both been re-elected to seats on the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District board of directors. Shannon was elected to represent Beaufort (Areas B) and Bodnar was elected to represent Cherry Creek (Areas F). Port Alberni City Council approved Port Pot Shop on Third Avenue and Hive Cannabis on Redford Street to open dispensaries in the city. The recommendations given by council will be forwarded to the province’s Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB) for final approval. The Hupacasath First Nation reelected its entire four-person council for the next two years. Steven Tatoosh remains chief alongside councilors Brandy Lauder, Warren Lauder and Jim Tatoosh. Canadian Tire’s garden centre is now open for business at 3550 Johnston Road.

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MAY 2019

MOVERS AND SHAKERS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 40

Alberni Fitness celebrated its 25th anniversary at 4795 Gertrude Street. Bare Bones is celebrating their 10 th anniversary on May 8th. The fish and chip restaurant is owned by Steve and A.C. Evans and is a nominee for the Ambassador of the Year Award in the 2019 Port Alberni Chamber of Commerce Community Excellence Awards. Slammers Gym at Wallace Street and 6th Avenue recently celebrated its 5 th anniversary.

TOFINOUCLUELET Maureen Fraser was one of 25 recipients of the BC Achievement Community Award for her commitment to the community. Fraser is an entrepreneur, twoterm municipal councilor and member of the Tofino Chamber of Commerce, Tofino Arts Council and Clayoquot Sound Central Region boards.

PARKSVILLEQUALICUM BEACH Tony Trozzo has joined the gol f pro shop at Qualicum Beach Memorial Golf Club as an assistant. Tony was born and raised in Qualicum and worked in the back shop and on t h e g ro u n d s-c re w fo r the course from 2012-16. Qualicum Beach Memorial Golf Club is at 469 Memorial Avenue. Micky J’s Bar & Grill has hired Howard Leyland to be their new food and beverage manager. Leyland has already introduced a new menu and adjusted their special schedules – moving Fish and Chips Night to Mondays and Prime Rib Night to Fridays. Micky J’s is located on the Arrowsmith Golf & Country Club grounds at 2250 Fowler Road in Qualicum Beach. Parksville’s Arrowsmith Lodge and Cokely Manor celebrated its 50th anniversary at the end of April. The long-term seniors care and assisted living community is at 266 Moilliet Street. School District 69 (Qualicum) selected Vivian Collyer to serve as the new

director of instruction. Collyer joins the District from School District 62 (Sooke) where she has experience as a teacher, principal and district principal. The Parksville and District Chamber of Commerce appointed their board of directors at their recent a n n u a l ge n e ra l m e e ting. The new executive is comprised of Jeannie Maltesen of Vancouver Island University as president; Meghan Walker of Royal LePage as vice-president; Tamara Schmidt of CIBC as treasu rer; a nd Dave Willie of Black and W h ite Event Renta l a s past-president. The new and returning directors are: Donna Andres of Lady’s Mantle; Jeff Frankford of Island Cleaning Supplies; Cassie Long of Bayview Strata Management; Kathy Morrison of Tigh Na Mara Seaside Spa Resort & Conference Centre; Luc Ouellet of SD 69; Charmaine Smith of Coastal Community Credit Union; Susan Wismer of Parksville Historical Society; Tricia Korkowski of Coastal Colour Printing; and Rakaia McCarthy-Clark of Mercedes Lane. T h e Q u a l icu m B e a ch Chamber of Com merce announced its incoming board of directors for 201920. Additions to the board include Jillian Porter of Carmana Home Improvements; Matt Breedlove of Royal LePage Qualicum Beach Realty; Jean Young of Arbutus Fashion & Lifestyle; and Tara Macart of Opti-Balance Naturopathic Medicine. The chamber elected Sarah Duncan as chair; Matt Breedlove as vice-chair; Carol Riera as secretary; and David Nellist as treasurer. Katherine Wilk continues her role on the board as past-chair. Arthur Wong, the general manager of the Beach Club Resort, has accepted a position with Accent Inns of Richmond. Tablet Ph a r m acy h a s opened for business at the old PQB News office at 154 Middleton Avenue in Parksville.

manager of Save-On-Foods in Parksville at 818 Island Highway West. Steve and Michelle Dobish have opened Miracle Truck and Car Company for business in Coombs. Miles D Automotive at 1002 Herring Gull Way is now offering U-Haul products a nd serv ices, including trucks, towing equipment, moving supplies and in-store pickup for boxes. The Parksville Qualicum Beach Tourism Association announced its board for 2019-20. The new directors are Robynne Shaw of Sunrise Ridge Resort; Andy Lee of Ocean Crest Motel; Leif Bogwald of Vancouver Island Expeditions; Brett Standerwick of Fairwinds Golf Club; and Sandy Herle of Close to You Boutique. The executive includes Pat Jiggins of Paradise Motel/ Adventure Park & Arrowsmith Golf as chair; Paul Drummond of Tigh-NaMara Resort as vice-chair; and Leif Bogwald as treasurer. Continuing directors are Corinna Ludovici of Bayside Resort; Dave Willie of Black & White Party Rentals; Jean Young of Arbutus Emporium. T h e re c e n t ly fo r m e d Oceanside Services Committee will take over the functions of three advisory groups in District 69 that were d issolved by the Regional District of Nanaimo. The now consolidated advisory groups include District 69 Recreation Commission, the District 69 Community Justice Select Committee and the Northern Community Economic Development Select Committee. The new committee which was approved by the RDN board on April 23 will consist of seven members – two directors from the City of Parksville, one from the Town of Qualicum Beach and Electoral Areas E, F, G and H.

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

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Justin Smith is the franchisee behind the newly opened Domino’s Pizza in Shelly Square in Parksville.

Harbour Air is proud to be named a 2019 winner of the Canada’s Best Managed Companies Platinum Club designation. After 10 consecutive years being recognized for its Best Managed status, this is the fourth year Harbour Air has been awarded as a Platinum Club member. Now in its 26th year, Canada’s

Cra ig L e e i s t h e n e w

SEE MOVER’S AND SHAKERS | PAGE 43

Pope and Sons Refrigeration in Parksville has taken Chuck Clara a nd Cathy Pope as new managers.

At Macdonald Commercial we‘ve built our reputation by providing our clients with the very best in full service commercial real estate services PERFORMANCE, TRUST & PROVEN RESULTS - ALL UNDER ONE ROOF

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OPINION

MAY 2019

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PUBLISHER/EDITOR | Lise MacDonald SALES | John MacDonald – john@businessexaminer.ca, Josh Higgins – josh@businessexaminer.ca WRITERS | Val Lennox, Robert MacDonald WEBSITE | John MacDonald – john@businessexaminer.ca

ALBERTA IS ANGRY WITH BRITISH COLUMBIA, AND IT’S GOING TO COST THIS PROVINCE

MARK MACDONALD

ason Kenney is the new Premier in Alberta, and things are about to get very interesting here in British Columbia. W hen BC Premier John Horgan decided to placate the Green contingent propping up his NDP government by clogging up the expansion of the Kinder Morgan pipeline through the courts, it strained relations with Alberta, then being run by media darling, the NDP’s Rachel Notley. It was interesting but predictable that an NDP-NDP feud would result in nothing substantial in terms of change. The Notley government introduced legislation that could allow Alberta to restrict the flow of tar sands product to their western neighbors, but it was not implemented. The United Conservative Party’s Kenney promised repeatedly to do exactly that, and it is almost

certain he will. To which Horgan has signaled that BC will protest via the courts, under the premise that doing that is unconstitutional. So let’s summarize: Horgan’s NDP has used the courts to stop any increased flow of oil to BC. Now he’s threatening to use the courts to stop Alberta’s possible decrease in the flow of oil to BC Talk about hypocrisy – all the while Horgan’s political schemes are paid for by taxpayers covering the cost of lawyers involved in the debacle. And the price of gas goes through the roof in BC, with more increases on the horizon. For the record, the carbon tax – which now goes into general revenues – hits not just consumers at the pumps, but it will eventually manifest itself in price hikes for anything and everything that needs to be transported from Point A to Point B. The cost of fuel will be covered by consumers, as always. So much for making BC “more affordable”. If anyone is failing to understand the strong sense of anger that Albertans now have towards BC for their obstructionism, and Trudeau II’s all-out assault on the province’s energy sector, they’re not paying attention. Albertans are outraged. The smolderi ng embers of Pierre

Trudeau’s National Energy Plan that kneecapped the province’s economy instantly in the early 1980’s have been fanned into a blaze by Justin Trudeau’s ambiguous waffling on building a pipeline, therefore keeping Alberta’s resources from reaching either coast for export to non-U.S. markets. It is crippling Alberta, and Kenney has saddled up his entourage to do something about it. And they will. Remember “The West Wants In” chants of decades ago, as westerners decried Ottawa’s negligence of the prairie provinces that led to the foundation of the Reform Party, which became the Canadian Alliance and ultimately a merger partner in the Conservative Party of Canada? Now you’re hearing the vocalization of separation from Canada if Alberta continues to be stymied in its attempts to get its product to market. They are real. Just think of that for a minute. While portions of Quebec have repeatedly pushed for separatism, one could scarcely believe that Alberta would be the province making the most noise about leaving Confederation. Yes, Albertans are mad. And the rest of Canada better start paying attention. What options are available for

Kenney, who has already been rebu ffed by T rudeau a nd the Premiers of BC and Quebec? Crimp the delivery hose to BC, which will drive the cost of gas even higher than the record levels now seen? What about the Keystone Pipeline, which U.S. President Donald Trump has recently green-lighted. When former President Barack Obama repeatedly blocked the Keystone project, former Prime Minister Stephen Harper stated publicly that it wasn’t a question of whether the Keystone would be built, but when. It had/has to be built, and it will. That is one option, although it only provides better access to one market - the U.S. – which already enjoys a 35 per cent discount on Canadian supply. The other is a united First Nations push to build the pipeline, which could prove to be the positive deal maker in making it become reality. Religious fervor has so gripped the climate crowd that any reasonable question of their tactics or government-paid-for facts is immediately and forcefully publicly shamed, and those asking the question are labeled as “deniers”. National columnist Rex Murphy has somehow escaped the wrath of climateers, even as he continues to question the zeal and methods of

the theory’s proponents. Flooding in Eastern Canada? The media is quick to conclude this is, again, a by-product of global warming, conveniently forgetting to mention that spring flooding is often the direct result of a larger than normal snow pack that melts and runs into tributaries and rivers. And while this goes on, California, hundreds of miles to the south, has “officially” come out of its years-long drought. Reservoirs that had reached perilously low levels are now almost at full capacity, and important ground water tables have been replenished, alleviating concerns that siphoning of underground water could lead to a collapse of the land above. None of this matters to U.S. funded organizations and our own governments who have demonized the Alberta oil industry, and use their narrative to add the resource to the list of other “sin taxes” like tobacco and alcohol. Kenney says Alberta will fight back, and his record as a federal cabinet minister suggests he keeps his promises. Suffice it to say that Albertans have had enough, and they’re not going to take it anymore. It will be more than interesting – and expensive – to see how this all plays out.

CANADA CAN ONLY LOSE IN A TRADE WAR WITH CHINA

ATLANTIC INSTITUTE FOR MARKET STUDIES SYLVAIN CHARLEBOIS

anola was first, and now peas and soybeans. It was highly predictable. And given how things have progressed over the last five months, the situation can only escalate. The Canadian government has pledged to help farmers affected by our epic spat with China. But other than offering cash or support to develop new markets for canola, peas and soybeans, it’s challenging to see what else the Liberal government

can do. Unlike the United States, Canada is not a trade powerhouse. The federal government should stop insinuating that China’s issue is related to food safety. It’s not. Using this science-based rhetoric has run its course and now some real political mediation is needed behind the scenes. To simply send a contingent from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) to China would be pointless. China is no Japan. China has historically entangled foreign policy with trade. When the food safety narrative is used by Japanese authorities, they mean it. They have no space and since 80 per cent of the food consumed in Japan is imported, importers need to protect the public from irresponsible choices. Food safety is paramount and importers are willing to pay a premium. China is different. Food security remains a challenge as the country’s centralized economy has miraculously made the country an agrifood powerhouse. China has options and will go for the affordable choice

most of the time. Running a coordinated economy is beneficial when it comes to trading. China knows its people will stick with it no matter what the costs. But the governments of other trading partners – like Canada and the U.S. – could be toppled due to internal dissatisfaction. Trade wars serve China better in the long run, especially now that the country’s agriculture has gained efficiencies. Canada needs to keep all of this in mind. Meng Wanzhou’s arrest in Vancouver triggered a trade war between the two countries. She was arrested on an extradition request by the Americans, on suspicion of violating sanctions against Iran. Ottawa still claims it was never involved. But the SNC-Lavalin scandal shows that the government of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is very much capable of political interference. And a dear price can be paid at the polls: support lost and even governments losing power. Ottawa’s diplomatic juveniles have made our agri-food industry more vulnerable than ever.

Unsurprisingly, canola was targeted first, for its economic and symbolic impact. Now peas and soybeans are among the commodities affected by harsher Chinese rules. Wheat could be next, or even lobster, if China can’t settle its differences with the Americans and, by extension, Canada. On the livestock front, there is some good news. China needs our pork and beef after it reportedly had to cull over one million pigs because of African swine fever. But that highly-infectious and lethal disease could reach Canada’s shores in a matter of months. Pork prices could climb in Canada if China, the world’s largest consumer of pork, continues to buy more Canadian products. Inventories are getting low for the summer. So, your favourite bacon, pork chops or ribs could cost more at the retail level. CFIA is taking proper precautions, along with the United States Department of Agriculture. But a disease can spread quickly. If the swine fever reaches Canada or the Unites States, all bets are off. Borders could

shut down to our pork industry instantly, as the cattle industry discovered during the mad cow crisis of 2003. This would be devastating for Canada’s hog industry. The trade situation with China also points to a much larger issue. Shipping commodities abroad and having other countries process our raw materials is a missed opportunity. Peas, for example, are the main ingredient in Beyond Meat’s patties, which are being sold in over 27,000 restaurants around the world. Some peas used by the California-based company are from Canada, which is the world’s largest producer and exporter of field peas. If we continue to stick to this traditional game plan of shipping off our raw materials, however, we’ll continue to go from crisis to crisis without learning much. Dr. Sylvain Charlebois is senior director of the agri-food analytics lab and a professor in food distribution and policy at Dalhousie University, and a senior fellow with the Atlantic Institute for Market Studies.

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MAY 2019

MOVERS AND SHAKERS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 41

Best Managed Companies is one of the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading business awards programs recognizing Ca nad ia n-ow ned a nd ma naged companies with revenues over $15 million for innovative, world-class business practices. The prestigious Platinum Club designation is reserved for those companies who have retained their Best Managed status for seven years or more.

The Nanaimo Hospital Foundation welcomes Janice Krall as the new director of major gifts and donor relations. Janice has over 20 years of leadership experience in corporate, non-profit, higher education and community volunteering. The hospital foundation is at 1200 Dufferin Crescent. Congratulations to Kirsten Michieli on being the top salesperson of the month for Nanaimo Toyota at 2555 Bowen Road.

The Port of Nanaimo and Mercedes-Benz Canada celebrated the g ra nd open i ng i f the BC Vehicle Processing Centre in Nanaimo. The center is the first of its kind in Western Canada and has been in development for about two years. In the initial phase of operations, it will provide about 40 jobs and process up to 10,000 vehicles annually.

Harbourview Volkswagen was one of five VW dealerships in BC to earn a company award for excellence. The dealership was the recipient of the Wolfsburg Crest Club award in recognition of the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s high standards in sales and customer service. The 2019 award marks the 8 th time Harbourview has received the prestigious membership.

Janice Krall

The Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce held its annual Business and Community Achievement Awa rds a nd a n nou nced th is yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s winners. Cold Front Gelato & Famous Franks received the New Business of the Year award; HA Photography won out in Creative Services; the Port Theatre in Arts & Entertainment; Mahle House in Restaurant; Charlieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Closet in Retailer; Nanaimo Loaves & Fishes in Not for Profit; COCO CafĂŠ in Inclusive Employer; Constable Gary Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Brien in

MOVERS AND SHAKERS

Above & Beyond; Nanaimo Child Development Centre in Health Care Services; Coast Capital Savings in Financial Services; Thriving Locally in Technology; Island West Coast Developments in Development & Design; Harmac Pacific in Large Business; Alair Homes in Mid-Size Business; Driven Performance Fitness in Small Business; and West Coast Helicopters in Builders & Trades.

locations in Victoria and has been voted Number 1 in Westshore 5 years in a row.

on May 4th at their new building on Church Way near Mill Bay. The market features all sorts of goods supplied by producers on the island and around the province. The market Is open seven days a week from 10 am to 6 pm, but the hours will be extended through the summer months.

Harris Nanaimo named Nick Symons the top salesperson of the month for the dealership at 2575 Bowen Road.

Veridis Plumbing & Heating has moved into Whippletree Junction on the Trans-Canada Highway just south of Duncan. The company is planning on holding a grand opening celebration on Sunday, June 9th.

LADYSMITHCHEMAINUS St. Josephâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Art Studios now occupies the space of the former St. Josephâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Elementary School in Chemainus. A grand opening celebration will be held at the studio on May 1. Nine artists who have created studios in the space will showcase their arts, display items for sale and classes available at the celebration.

COWICHAN VALLEY GreenLeaf Vietnamese Cuisine has opened a new location at 101 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 460 Trans-Canada Highway. The restaurant has two other

The Cowichan Women Against Violence Society hired Lia Versaevel to serve as thei r new Poverty Law Advocate. BC Aquifer Complete Water Services welcomes Sian Mallett to its team of professionals.

The Cowichan Valley School District Board of Education officially created the position of District Elder/Knowledge Keeper, a first in the province, and appointed Hwulâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;hwulenuhwtnaatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; (Dolly Sylvester) as the first holder of the position.

The Cowichan Performing Arts Centreâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s late Roger Sparkes was posthumously recognized with a Touring Award of Excellence from the BC Touring Council at their annual awards ceremony held in Burnaby. Roger was the former manager of the Cowichan Performing Arts Centre and was active on many boards including the BC Touring Council, CAPACOA and the Duncan Fringe Festival Society. The award recognizes excellence in the performing arts touring sector.

Ed a nd Cher yl Bosch h ave opened Kings & Queens Companionship Care which offers a variety of services to seniors between Ladysmith and the Cowichan Valley. Services include grocery shopping and errands, meal preparation and medication reminding, outings, accompaniment to appointments and more. Sweet Meadows Market will hold a grand opening celebration

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