Business Examiner Vancouver Island - July 2019

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JULY 2019

JULY 2019

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COBBLE HILL Cedars at Cobble Hill Combats The Disease Of Addiction

Consultant Teaches Multi-Billion Dollar Business Practices to Local Contractors MT Construction Advisory Services Takes Island Builders to Another Level

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INDEX News Update

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Nanaimo

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Digital Marketing

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Cowichan Valley

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Comox Valley

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Port Alberni

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Who is Suing Who

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Movers and Shakers 24 Opinion

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OUR 15TH YEAR

ANCOUVER ISLAND “Build better builders.” That’s the mission of Island-based MT Construction Advisory Services Ltd. Now operating for nearly two years, the boutique advisory firm has been instrumental in transforming Island construction enterprises, bringing decades of industry expertise to companies of all sizes. “I have been fortunate in my career to have worked with some of the biggest and best contractors in Canada (and internationally),” says owner Mark Taylor P.Eng (Non-Practising), G.S.C. “This has exposed me to business management techniques and systems that are proven to increase operating efficiencies, minimize costs, and maximize profitability.” Taylor’s t h re e d e c a d e s of

front-line industry experience includes 18 years working for PCL, Canada’s largest General Contractor. “I rose through the ranks at the company and learned a lot about running a construction business at almost every level,” he says. “After working in the company’s Toronto office, I made a family lifestyle choice about four years ago and moved to Vancouver Island.” After working with a local construction company, Taylor founded his own firm. “I have three seperate avenues of business,” he says. “My main one is working with contractors.” Taylor noticed a large number of smaller to mid-sized trades and general contractors on the Island that were achieving success and SEE MT CONSTRUCTION | PAGE 11

Mark Taylor, owner of MT Construction Advisory Services Ltd.

Revenge of the Nerds: Geeks Take Over Victoria’s Beaches Geeks on the Beach Looks to Expand Beyond Canadian Shores

Canadian Publications Mail Acct.: 40069240

BY ROBERT MACDONALD

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ICTORIA - White sand, salty water, and a team of nerds; that’s the perfect recipe for an award-winning full-service digital marketing company. Founded by Jonathan Michaels (who responds the title Über

Nerd), Geeks on the Beach is a full service web agency, web design, providing web design, online marketing, and search engine optimization services to compa n ies a l l over t he Island and beyond. After over a decade in business, the growing company has offices in Victoria and Parksville, and is looking to

open a third on the island of Bali. O r ig i n a l ly f rom New York City, Jonathan got his start in the tech industry while living in Saskatchewan. “Years ago, I founded a service that helped people navigate the online dating world,” he says “To create the website, I teamed up w it h web d e si g ners a nd

developers, and quickly realized that I needed to learn how to speak their language. I received a web design and marketing diploma, and spent my entire life savings on development in hopes that I would be able to raise more money to help with the project.” SEE GEEKS | PAGE 20

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NEWS UPDATE

2 NANAIMO Apartment Complex Granted Development Permit A 170-unit rental apartment complex was issued a development permit at 4800 Cedar Ridge Place at a recent council meeting. Kelowna-based Highstreet Ventures Inc. is planning on building one four-storey building, two three-storey buildings and a two-storey amenity building on the site. The company requested a number of changes that were approved by council, including increasing the height for three of the proposed buildings. Raising the height of the buildings was proposed as being the best way to preserve as much of the existing natural landscape as possible. The buildings will be designed to have energy-efficient windows, solar panels and water fixtures. Short and long-term bike parking will be available as well as EV-charging stations, secure storage spaces, a dedicated car-sharing vehicle and a residential garden. Highstreet is designing the project to target households with an income ranging from $40,000 to $70,000. Councilors and nearby residents expressed concerns about increased traffic along Rutherford Road, zoning and shadowing of nearby properties. Nanaimo

councilors voted 6-2 in favor of issuing a development permit.

VANCOUVER ISLAND Weak Housing Market Continues Through May Sales of single-family homes in June board-wide dipped by seven per cent year over year and were 11 per cent lower than in May. Last month, 408 single-family homes sold on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) System compared to 458 the previous month and 437 in June 2018. Sales of apartments dropped by 29 per cent year over year while townhouse sales were down by 32 per cent from one year ago. The mortgage stress test (Guideline B-20) continues to hurt housing sales throughout British Columbia, including Vancouver Island. Although 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. Even when prospective buyers can afford monthly mortgage payments, they 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

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contributed to an increase in total active residential listings across the province. In the VIREB area, inventory of single-family homes in June rose by 20 per cent from one year ago (1,334 to 1,597). Active listings of apartments climbed by 14 per cent (308 to 352) year over year while townhouse inventory decreased by three per cent (196 to 191). Prices in the VIREB area continue to rise despite a somewhat lackluster market. The benchmark price of a single-family home boardwide was $514,400 in June, a four per cent increase from one year ago and slightly higher than in May. (Benchmark pricing tracks the value of a typical home in the reported area.) In the apartment category, the benchmark price climbed to $304,300 from one year ago, a six per cent increase and marginally higher than May’s sale price. The benchmark price of a townhouse hit $446,800 last month, up by six per cent over June 2018 and a bit higher than in May.

PORT ALBERNI Industrial Cannabis Park Proposed in Alberni A new purpose-built industrial park designed for hosting cannabis growers could be coming the Alberni Valley. Wild Coast Canna recently hosted an information session

to inform the community about their plan to build the park that would lease space to independent cannabis growers. The goal of the project is to provide an opportunity for entrepreneurs interested in participating in the emerging industry with a turn-key solution for market entry. The planned facility will be situated on a 40-acre industrial site near the Alberni Valley Regional Airport. The company plans to build the park in three phases over a three-year period. Once complete, it will be home to 34 independent cannabis partners with over 200,000 square-feet of indoor cultivation space and 40 acres of outdoor growing space. The company is also intending on leasing a portion of the facility to a wholly owned subsidiary which will apply for nursery, research and development, processing cannabis cultivation, sales and distribution licenses from Health Canada. Once complete the site could produce 100-300 jobs, with West Coast Canna looking to employ locals as much as possible. More public engagement with the local community and First Nations communities is planned before any further work on the project takes place.

COMOX VALLEY Local Dairy Partners Up on Wildfire Protection

Natural Pastures Cheese is offering a 50 per cent discount on its new Pacific Wildfire cheese to anyone who purchases a home sprinkler protection kit from Comox Fire Rescue. Comox Fire Rescue is selling the Wildfire Automated Sprinkler Protection (WASP) gutter-mounted sprinkler systems which helps protect homes from hot embers that spread during wildfires. The kits provide a simple and effective way of getting water on a home’s roof and the surrounding area. Comox Fire Rescue has sold about 150 of these kits so far this year and just received another shipment. In addition to the coupons, Natural Pastures is donating a per cent of the Pacific Wildfire cheese to the firefighters’ benevolent fund.

BC Thrifty Foods Features Buy BC Thrifty Foods is the first grocery chain to feature the Buy BC brand in its stores on Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland. Lana Popham, Minister of Agriculture, announced the partnership between the province and the well-known Vancouver Island and Lower Mainland retailer while opening the Reach for BC seafood event at Thrifty’s new Belmont SEE NEWS UPDATE | PAGE 3

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NEWS UPDATE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

location in Langford. “I’m t h r i l led to h ave Thrifty Foods on board as our first retail partner promoting the Buy BC brand,� said Popham. “Having the familiar Buy BC logo on shelves and on products lets local consumers trust that the produce, fish, meat and packaged goods they choose have been grown, raised, harvested and made right here in BC by British Columbians in our agriculture and seafood sector.� The Reach for BC event, held in front of the brandnew Thrifty Foods Belmont, was an opportunity to profile BC seafood and fish, including wild BC halibut. The event was held in collaboration with the week-long BC Seafood Festival. More than 15 local producers of BC products were on hand providing samples. The Buy BC partnership will begin with the Belmont Market store. Over the summer, British Columbians can expect to see the Buy BC brand on grocery shelves in other Thrifty Foods stores. Through the Buy BC program, the Province is providing over $2 million a year in cost-shared support to farmers, ranchers, fishers and producers who want

to help consumers easily identify their product as a BC product. The Buy BC marketing program retains real brand power – popular with BC farmers, producers and consumers in the 1990s, but revitalized last year– and makes it easier for British Columbians to explore new and different products from around the province.

PORT ALBERNI Alberni Airport to Replace Weather Station The Alberni Valley Regional Airport is preparing to replace its aging weather station. The current weather system the airport relies on is no longer supported by the manufacturer, making it uncertifiable by Transport Canada. The new station will provide real-time weather data which is required for the airport to apply to Nav Canada for implementing the airport’s GPS approach (a final component of the expansion project). T h e A i r p o r t h a s r eceived almost $65,000 in

grant funding to replace its weather station, 75 per cent of which came through the BC Air Access Program (BCAAP). The BCAAP grants were awarded to 16 regional airports for 21 unique improvement projects and totaled $8-million. The program which supports rural airports is in its fifth year. Applicants to the program are assessed in factors including but not limited to – demonstrated need, travel and safety benefits, environmental improvements, community support and connection to long-term vision. This year’s recipients planned projects that range from improving airport safety, supporting medevac and wildfire suppression services, to improving economic benefits of the surrounding community.

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Seniors Residences Planned on Long Lake Nanaimo News Bulletin A seniors’ care complex is expanding toward Long Lake with a mix of residential units. Na na i mo city cou nci l unanimously approved a

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4 NEWS UPDATE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3

development permit application to allow for Phase 2 next to Avenir Memory Care (formerly Nanaimo Memory and Complex Care) on Wills Road. The new seven-storey building will include 160 residential units, made up of 110 congregate care units and 50 seniors-oriented dwelling units. “This building will now allow an amazing continuum of care that will allow people to age in place,� said Kyle Shick, project ma nager at Finlayson Bonet Architecture on behalf of Avenir Senior Living. “This is kind of the [type] of building that falls in those niches that we see as the population ages, with different forms of independent living and assisted living and people can actually purchase units and access the services there.� City council approved a height variance for the building, from 14-metres to 26.1-metres. Coun. Sheryl Armstrong said she’s very much in favour of the project and called it a “great concept.� “I’ve toured [Avenir Memory Care], I’ve seen their plans for the future; I think it’s a great way to age in place,� she said. “Also, for people to be close to their loved ones so they don’t have to drive long distances to see them.� The first phase of the project, comprising 79 units, opened in April 2017.

JULY 2019

The BC Rural Dividend Fund is designed to assist small rural communities from across BC with populations less than 25,000. The program is open to Not-for-profit organizations, First Nations communities and local governments.

PARKSVILLE

PORT HARDY

Local Entrepreneur Among Team at G20 Summit

District Exploring Building Boatyard

P a rk s v i l l e’s o w n Jen n i fer LeBrun was the first female partner-delegate named to attend the G20 Young Entrepreneurs Alliance (YEA) summit in Japan. LeBrun was selected for her compa ny ULAT Dryer Balls, which sells 100 per cent Canad ia n wool d r yer ba l ls. She joined 38 young Canadian entrepreneurs as a mentor at the G20 summit, where they networked with delegates from 19 other countries, toured Japanese companies and planned for a brighter future for young entrepreneurs around the world. The G20 YEA brings together hundreds of the world’s foremost young entrepreneurs to advance youth entrepreneurship as a driver of economic growth, s o c i a l c h a n ge a n d i n n ov ation. Futurpreneur Canada is a founding member of G20 YEA and LeBrun is a mentor with the organization. LeBrun created ULAT Dryer Balls in 2011 as a means of making homemade Christmas gifts for her family. Since then, the company evolved into a social enterprise whose products are sold in independent retail outlets across Canada and shipped from the site around the world.

District of Port Hardy council members agreed to have staff apply to the BC Rural Dividend grant program to fund a haul-out facility and boatyard feasibility study. The study would be designed to determine the viability and cost of constructing a haul-out facility and boatyard in Port Hardy. If the District is awarded the funding, the study could begin as early as January 2020, with a completion date of no later than December 31, 2020. Council also agreed to authorize the district for up to $15,000 be included in the district’s 2020-2024 financial plan. The District is also planning on involving neighboring First Nation communities to provide input and take part in the study. The breakdown of the financial plan for the study includes $60,000 from the rural dividend fund, $11,500 from the District of Port Hardy in funding and $3,500 from the District of Port Hardy in-kind. BC Rural Dividend 2019/20 applications are being received by the province from June 15th until August 15th this year. Projects must be able to demonstrate that the projects in question will be completed within two years from the project start date.

NANAIMO Province Announces $157M Jail Replacement The provincial government announced that a $157-million replacement of the Nanaimo Correctional Centre (NCC) facility on Brannen Lake will proceed. The new structure will be built adjacent to the existing medium security facility and is designed to enhance safety, security and space to continue successful programs. Alongside the announcement that funding is prepared for the project, the government posted a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to identify companies capable of designing the new facility. An RFQ is the first stage in a competitive process that invites companies to detail their expertise in delivering a project of this scale. The new center will be designed to maintain the 190-room capacity of the current center including 80 rooms for medium custody, 50 rooms for GTC and 60 rooms for secure and remand custody. GTC accepts sentenced men from correctional centers throughout BC.

The new center adds a new 12room unit for short-term custody for women from Vancouver Island and will offer modernized spaces for educational, vocational, certified trades and rehabilitative programming. There will also be areas for food services, health care and working with those in need of mental health assistance. Construction on the new facility will emphasize a net-zero energyready performance. This means the new facility will be built to reduce energy consumption as much as possible using available technologies and provides infrastructure to support energy production to achieve net-zero energy usage. Site clearing for the new center begins in summer 2019 and BC Corrections expects it will be operational by spring 2023.

CAMPBELL RIVER Jubilee Heights Expanding Commercial Space The developer of the Jubilee Heights subdivision in southern Campbell River has been approved by council to add more commercial space. The city approved project developer Couverdon’s application to amend the Official Community SEE NEWS UPDATE | PAGE 15

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Record Turnout For Annual BC Seafood Festival In Comox Valley · Generate Leads · Get Found Online · Improve Your Search Rankings · Overtake Your Competition Ideal for Growing Businesses

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OMOX VA L L E Y – Aw, shucks. Another great BC Seafood Festival came to a close June 16, with a record amount of attendees for the week-long event, and a total of 69 international visitors/buyers from all over the world attending the Comox Valley-wide festival. Ministry of Jobs, Trade and Technology as well as Global Affairs Canada supported this yea rs’ I nternationa l Buyers Delegation. T hey came from the United States, three from different cities in China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Singapore, and Europe, including Poland, Serbia, Croatia, Russia, Uzbekistan and the Ukrain e. Asia-Pacific participants represented 28 companies, while the European delegation represented 14 companies and/ or associations. “While this event is a celebration of the finest seafood products from B.C. waters and the producers, it’s also about making meaningful connections that help support local companies and our seafood sector,” says John Watson, Executive Director of the Comox Valley Economic Development Society (CVEDS), which coordinates the event in collaboration with numerous producers, associations, sponsors, chefs and the wider tourism industry. “To have that many buyers attend and ultimately purchase products from our producers is a testament to the networking and important connections the Festival and trade Expo has built over many years.” The week-long BC Seafood Festival started in the Comox Valley in 2006, and is the largest event of its kind in western Canada. The International Buyers’ Mission took place from June 10-15 and included site visits to seafood companies on Vancouver Island, and participation in the International Buyers’ Reception June 13 as well as the BC Seafood Expo. Alex Sit of the Sun Wah Marine Products (HK) Co. Ltd. from

Hong Kong said their company’s interest was in wild salmon, ling cod and smoked fish. “It opened my eyes on some tours, especially the oyster tours,” he said. International Buyers Program included site visits with Salish Sea Foods, Mac’s Oysters, Manatee Holdings, Fanny Bay Oysters, CV Harbour Authority Dock Tour, Deep Bay Marine Field Station, Stellar Bay Shellfish, Paciϐic Seafood Canada of Ucluelet, Creative Salmon of Tofino, MOWI – Marine Harvest near Kelsey Bay, Grieg Seafood, and Browns Bay Packing. Ex h ibitors th roug hout the week included AgriMarine – Lois Lake Steelhead, Gindara Sableϐ ish, Grieg Seafood Canada, Hummingbird Cove Lifestyles Ltd., MOWI (Marine Harvest Canada), Underwater Harvesters Association, Poseidon Ocean Systems Ltd., BC Salmon Farmers Association, BC Shellϐish Growers Association, Paciϐic Sea Cucumber Harvesters Association, Pacific Urchin Harvest Association, RiverFresh Wild BC Seafood, and the Vancouver Island Salt Company. Adriana Carrillo, Manager, Agrifood, Trade Readiness and Services Branch, International Trade Division for the Ministry of Jobs, Trade and Technology, said “Buyers were delighted from what I heard. The Gala Dinner was remarkable and quite a way to end the buyers’ program. “Coordinating the involvement of so many people is truly remarkable.” A two-day BC Seafood Festival Signature Weekend showcased various seafood-based creations from local producers and restaurants at the Filberg Heritage Lodge and Park in Comox and exceeded expectations. Thrifty Foods, which had over 1,300 visits to its booth last year to sample fare, had over 1,500 stop by on Saturday alone, before having to “re-load” with supplies for Sunday. Bruce Turner of Heuristic Consulting Associates BC Ltd. said

the “BC Seafood Festival is an incredible experience. Some of my dinner companions from the Lower Mainland said that they have been planning for years to attend this event. “We’ve seen excellent promotional coverage of the Seafood Festival – locally and broadbased. The BC Seafood Festival is a remarkable testament to the tremendous performance of the CVEDS team and of the contribution that it makes to continuing resilience and sustainable growth of the Comox Valley - and BC - economies.”

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JULY 2019

WHY BUSINESSES SUCCEED

The Insurance Council of British Columbia is pleased to announce the election of its chair for 2019-2020, Mrs. Lesley Maddison. Lesley Maddison is Vice-President and General Manager of Insurance for Coastal Community Insurance Services (2007) Ltd. An accredited insurance broker based in Nanaimo, BC, Mrs. Maddison’s past roles include Executive Director of the Credit Union Insurance Services Association (CUISA), General Manager of North Shore Insurance Services, and Regional Manager (BC and Yukon) for Scotia Life Insurance Company. First appointed to Council in 2016, her board experience includes past roles as chair of Council’s Governance and Financial Audit committees, president of CUISA, chair of CUISA MGA, as well as numerous committee roles with ICBC. The Insurance Council of British Columbia regulates the licensing and professional conduct of 38,000 insurance agents, salespersons and adjusters doing business in BC.

WWW.INSURANCECOUNCILOFBC.COM

SMALL BUSINESS JOLYNN GREEN

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wo significant contributors to small businesses success or fa i lu re a re ma nagement ability and economic conditions. The first, as a business owner you can control; the second you can’t – but you can still be informed and strategic in how you respond. Key considerations as a business owner are; do you have ex perience in the industry your business i s i n a nd c a n you effectively ca n you effect ively m a n a ge you r time and delegate. Far too often entrepreneurs get in their own way by not recognizing their weaknesses, not paying attention to the business plan

and repeatedly hiring the wrong people. T he good news about management skills and abilities is that these are a reas that you do have control over. Good preparation in the form of a well-developed business plan and marketing strategy along with an accurate pricing model can increase your chances of success. That being said, the key reasons for business failure in relation to business management is improperly stated financial needs (inadequate financing or too much debt) followed by poor cash flow management. Surrounding yourself with key employees or external professionals that bolster your limitations is a smart start. Having solid management in place will allow many small businesses to survive in difficult economic periods, but the entrepreneur must be aware of what is going on inside and outside of their business. Research indicates that the most common external reason for business failure is economic cond itions outside of you r

control. E xa mples of economic conditions outside of the entrepreneur’s control can be changes to government regulation, changes to international trade and weather cond it ion s to n a me a few. Did you know that when unemployment rates are high, business failures increase; when interest rates go up business fai lu res tend to increase within 2-3 years of the interest hikes and adversely when the GDP goes up business failures decrease. A big part of your job, as an entrepreneur, is to ex terna l ly mon itor the economic conditions so that you can be strategic in your decision making. Being poised to respond to the opportunities and challenges posed in your local and global marketpl ace i n ste ad of b ei n g reactionary can improve your business success. Jolynn Green is Executive Director of Community Futures Central Island. Jolynn can be reached at ed@cfnanaimo.org or 250591-7499.

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NANAIMO

JULY 2019

WOODGROVE AREA OFFICE/RETAIL PROPERTIES PURCHASED Mazzei Electric opens new Okanagan branch in Kelowna

NANAIMO MARK MACDONALD

R

ealStream Income Properties LP has passed $100 million in assets after the purchase of four properties in north Nanaimo. The Comox-Valley firm announced July 2 that it now has Pleasant Valley Landing, Aulds Corner, 6475 Metral Drive and 6470 Metral Drive under its portfolio. There are over 20 tenants in the office/retail properties, with tenants including HSBC Bank, Canadian Western Bank, ICBC, the Great Canadian Oil Change, Planet Fitness a nd Milano’s Restaurant. RealStream was founded by Jonathan Veale, Jim Stewart and Richard DeLuca in 2014. Of their 15 properties, 14 are on Vancouver Island, Eight in Nanaimo, four in the Comox Valley, and one each in Victoria and Campbell River. They also have property in Kamloops. “We are very pleased that the portfolio is 100 percent occupied and that it has been this way for quite some time,” says Jonathan Veale, RealStream co-founder and Portfolio Manager with DeLuca Veale Investment Counsel, the distributor and dealer of RealStream. ■■■ Mazzei Electric owner Ben Mazzei is “amped up” over the latest news at the Nanaimo-based electrical company. They have opened a new branch in Kelowna to serve the Okanagan Valley. Mazzei Electric also has offices in Langford (Greater Victoria) and Fort St. John. ■■■ More good news at Nanaimo Airport. Air North has announced it will offer weekly charter flights to Kelowna enroute to Prince George and Watson Lake, Yukon. The company’s plan is to use a Boeing 737 airplane, and is considering regular, weekly passenger service year-round, perhaps set up as soon as September. The direct Nanaimo-Toronto flights by Air Canada (recent purchaser of Air Transat) are slated to start in July, continuing the momentum that has made Nanaimo the second busiest airport on Vancouver Island, behind Victoria and ahead of the Comox Valley.

■■■ Robotic tech company Inuktu n Ser v ices h a s b e en p u rchased by Quebec-based Eddyfi Technologies. As pa rt of the acqu isition, Eddyfi, which has purchased six tech companies in the past year, has merged Crystal Cam Imaging with Inuktun. Inuktun President and CEO Colin Dobell says “For several years now, we’ve been looking to partner with NDT companies that can help advance the capabilities of our products. This transaction links us with one of the best. T he future opportunities are seemingly endless. It’s very exciting.’’ Inuktun will become Eddyfi Technologies Center of Excellence for Robotics, and the Inuktun staff in the United States will be located in Deer Park, Texas. Their Nanaimo office remains on Kenworth Road. ■■■ French teck start-up Globethik has chosen Nanaimo as the base of operations as they pursue markets across North and South America, says partner Elodie Bouthors. Globethik’s main product offering is a booking website for responsible tourism that have positive economic, social and environmental impact. Cha rlotte Simon i fou nd e d Globethik after a si x-month long trip to Asia. Elodie joined Charlotte in 2017 and launched Globethik online last October. They are working out of the Input Co-work space in downtown Nanaimo. ■■■ Taste of BC Aquafarms landbased steelhead salmon farm has an exciting new product: A liquid fertilizer made from fish manure under the banner of Little Cedar Falls, that two students are promoting through the Telus Pitch contest that offers a $100,000 prize for the winning entrant. President Steve Atkinson notes that Ally Barabonow and Alvin Meledath are making the pitch, which includes video presentations that are a minute long. ■■■ The Silver Explorer cruise ship sustained damage after entangling with a fish net in the Bering Sea, and has had to cancel a July 11 stop at the Port of Nanaimo. Tourism Nanaimo Manager Karen Bannister says “T h i s cancellation is unfortunate for Nanaimo businesses and tourism operators, but also for the passengers who won’t get to visit our beautiful city on this trip.” The Azamara Quest, with a capacity of close to 700 passengers, will still make its scheduled stop in Nanaimo on July 11, notes Port

CEO Ian Marr. ■■■ T here’s a lways somet h i ng happening close to the Nanaimo Regional General Hospital, as R.W. (Bob) Wall Contracting is moving towards changing the strip mall adjacent to NRGH that is home to Windward Pub and Serious Coffee into Hospital Commons. Windward will be moving into a new structure on the property once the renovation/remodeling is completed in two or three years. ■■■ Turner Land Surveying has a new location across from Midland Tools on Terminal Avenue. ■■■ A tip of the hat to Inja Ma, owner and CEO of SEAMOR Marine Ltd., as she received $100,000 from the Government of Canada’s Women Entreprneurship Fund, as one of only three Vancouver Island firms named as recipients. SEAMOR makes remotely operated vehicles. ■■■ Northfield Dental is having Nanoose Kustom Design and Build do renovations on its building at 4-2150 Bowen Road. Mark MacDonald writes about business in Nanaimo. Tell him your story by emailing him at mark@ businessexaminer.ca

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8

JULY 2019

SIGNATURE URBAN EDGE PROJECT BUILDS ON 30 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE Unique Zoning Supports Integrated Space For Housing, Work, And Tourism

D

UNCAN – Coulson Design’s latest project, Urban Edge Properties, offers a new way of living and working. Urban Edge Properties is David Coulson’s signature project after 30 years of design and construction. It’s an integrated development on the urban edge of Duncan that combines work space, small footprint housing, urban gardens, a Bed and Breakfast, and the workshop for Coulson Design’s 25 employees. People can live on the site, work there, and grow the food they eat. “When you’ve been doing this for 30 years you want to leave a legacy,” Coulson explains, describing the project as a new, integrated way to develop. To develop Urban Edge Properties, the original zoning on the three-acre property was converted into what Coulson describes as the most unique zoning in western Canada: a new Comprehensive Community Development Zone created and approved by the Cowichan Valley Regional District. The Comprehensive Community Development Zone allows single-family homes, multi-family

Master builder and designer David Coulson of Coulson Design projects, commercial and industrial space. There is an art gallery, the Coulson Design workshop, environmentally friendly housing, 1,200 square feet of office space, community gardens, and a boutique hotel, the McLay Guest House, a restored, four-bedroom 1895 Craftsman home originally built by Robert McLay Jr. as a hunting lodge. Now a designated heritage property, the house has been developed as a combination Bed and Breakfast, Air BnB and boutique hotel. Coulson has an affinity for heritage buildings: he lives in the Carlton Stone house, which was

Congratulations to David Coulson Design on your 30th Anniversary! Contact info: 5386 Miller Rd, Duncan P: 250.597.2296 E: engineering@buepoint.com buepoint.com

&RQJUDWXODWLRQV RQ \RXU WK DQQLYHUVDU\ :H DUH SURXG WR EH \RXU FDELQHWU\ VXSSOLHU Contact info: 5141 Polkey Rd., Duncan P: 250.597.2994 E: mcphersoncabinetry@gmail.com mcphersoncabinetry.ca

A blend of Japanese, Renaissance, and Roman elements inspired this unique studio design the first home to receive heritage designation by the Cowichan Valley Regional District. Located on two acres, it is an arts and crafts home constructed in 1913. Coulson’s love for historic properties started early in his career, when he and his family lived in Wells in the Cariboo. He operated a restaurant while apprenticing with his father-in-law, Hardy Sorensen, a master woodworker from Denmark. Sorensen trained Coulson in the exacting European tradition of gaining mastery on the job, and Coulson says “I learned so much from my father-in-law.” Their work included building and restoring the nearby museum town of Barkerville. They also constructed film sets and detailed backgrounds for the production companies that used Barkerville as a location. He also worked with leaders in the film industry with Oscar-winning art director Les Dilley. He recalls building all of the close-up sets in Wells for a movie. The sets were dismantled, shipped to Vancouver, and then to England for the final film cut. Wells only had 400 full-time residents, but thanks to Barkerville and the film industry, it was packed with artists and performers. “ We h a d m o r e c u l t u r e i n Wells than in any other Carib o o c o m m u n i t y,” h e s a y s . After a decade, Coulson and his

family were ready to move south, away from the cold winters and heavy snowfall. A friend had moved to Duncan and loved it, so they stopped in the community – and fell in love with a 1940’s oceanfront cottage that was available to rent. Coulson still remembers seeing a full moon over Maple Bay from the wood-panelled interior of the cottage. The family stayed in the cottage for three years. Drawing on his museum contacts from Barkerville, Coulson and his father-inlaw found work in Victoria, doing renovations for hotels, restaurants/ clubs and restorations of historic buildings. By then Coulson was a master woodworker and designer in his own right. Many of those projects were huge investments in downtown Victoria and involved top designers, that also engaged the region’s best artists and craftsmen for custom work, giving Coulson an extensive contact list. Coulson honed an ability to create settings that enticed potential customers to enter, explore, and stay. “For hospitality, you have to draw people in,” he notes. “You make the threshold so intriguing that people are pulled into it and stay.” Coulson had designed and built the restaurant he operated in Wells, so he understood there could be no wasted steps and that design needed to match function. “Everything

had to be ergonomically perfect,” he says. T h at ex per ience mea nt he could design practical interiors for restaurants and clubs that were beautiful and engaging, while matching the work flow of employees. He also learned that even the most skillful design can’t overcome every obstacle, citing an example when he worked on a downtown nightclub project in Victoria that was close to a rehabilitation centre. “We were reclaiming an area but it didn’t work. I learned you could be one block away from the centre of activity and you wouldn’t make a dollar,” he says. “So, don’t get over-excited about opening up a business in the city unless you are very certain you have a great location.” Coulson sold his Wells restaurant, and used it for the down payment to buy the Carlton Stone House in Duncan. “It had all these great old antiques inside. Everything smelled comforting and lived-in, like the smell of your granddad’s pipe,” he says. He established his design studio and a woodworking shop on the two-acre property. With his master builder designation, he could design projects under 6,000 square feet or less than four units without engaging a consulting architect. SEE COULSON DESIGN | PAGE 9

Congratulations to the team at David Coulson Design. We are proud to work with you. Vancouver Island’s Premier

Walls and Ceilings www.gordonngordon.com Contractor 250.474.2100

now serving the Okanagan!

9

JULY 2019

This 1910 heritage home was invisibly upgraded to use geothermal heat, solar panels, and photovoltaic cells. The original wood trim was stripped with a citrus-based solution and restored in place

COULSON DESIGN CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

That enabled him to take on specialty construction and renovation projects. His company’s resume includes: Designing and building the first certified Safer Home project on Vancouver Island, meeting construction criteria that allows residents to safely age-in-place; Multiple ‘Built Green’ projects, including a sustainable energy upgrade to the historic Emily Carr home in Victoria; and Spearheading Duncan’s Green Door Project, an award-winning initiative to purchase and restore a heritage home. The Green Door Society was formed in 1999 to save the 1903 house from the wrecking ball, and Coulson became president. His company donated close to $100,000 in design, labour, and expertise to bring the house up to current standards and incorporate post-1903 amenities, including power and indoor plumbing. The project created a public garden and activity space in downtown Duncan, added character office space, and won and won awards from the BC Museum Association and the Heritage Society of BC. Twenty years later, Coulson is still the president. Coulson continues to make contributions, including a pro-bono project for the Somenos Marsh Wildlife Society/Ducks Unlimited featuring a 26-foot tall, cedar viewing platform overlooking the marsh. Another is therapeutic Glenora Farm in Coulson’s neighbourhood. This project will provide seven housing units for the developmentally disabled adults living, learning, and working at the farm. “It’s in my back yard. This is my way of contributing to the community,” he says. When Coulson decided to upgrade his company’s on-site workshop, he read author Witold Rybczynski’s The Perfect House: A Journey with Renaissance Master Andrea Palladio and was inspired by Palladio’s designs, which led him to the work of first century Roman architect and writer Vitruvius. He then went on two trips to

Japan: first to visit his daughter who was teaching there, and then to visit the country with his younger daughter. He was further inspired by Japanese design elements. The finished studio incorporates both Roman and Japanese elements. There is a central room with a 12-foot-high wood timbered ceiling that suggests a Roman atrium and the floor features two-foot square slate tiles. The two adjoining wings have lower ceilings, wide windows, and unique floors. One is of highly polished green-tinted concrete or terrazzo inlaid with coloured glass shards. The second is reclaimed white oak. Walls are finished in ‘breathable’ American Clay. Cabinets

were crafted from Ply bamboo. Approximately 75 per cent of the wood used to build the studio was harvested on the site. The Japanese influence is seen in the wide, overhanging roof and a wabi-sabi influenced exterior finish of aged wood, created using a Salt Spring Island product called Lifetimer, which both protects and ages wood. Due to the slope of the land, there is a seven-foot high storage space under part of the studio. A circular staircase, reclaimed by Coulson from a metal scrap pile, leads to the roof, which is a living garden space complete with stepping stone pathways. From the roof, Coulson can reach his attached tree house. Since he has grandchildren, he is weighing the merits of a firehouse style sliding pole or a zip-line as exits from the treehouse. Coulson’s biggest surprise was the international popularity of what he saw as a personal project. Photos of the studio were posted on Houzz and quickly went viral. Requests for plans flooded in from North America, Australia, and Europe. “I’ve sent plans for this all over North America and beyond,” Coulson says, buyers subsequently engaged him to create custom adaptations. The studio is now an internationally recognizable symbol for the company. “We use it as a first contact point,” he adds. www. davidcoulsondesign.com

Congratulations to David Coulson Design as you celebrate 30 years. Well done! 250-746-9850 www.exchangenergy.ca

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Congratulations to David Coulson Design on your 30th Anniversary!

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10

JULY 2019

DOES MANAGEMENT REALLY MATTER WHEN VALUING A BUSINESS?

Y

es, m a n a gement does matter. But rather than e n d h e re, l e t’s t a k e a deeper look at management in terms of how it ultimately drives the value of a business. As a starting point, it is important to understand what we mean by management. We refer to management in the context of the business processes that operate the various systems required to deliver consistent, and hopefully growing, financing results. We are not talking about the business skills of the owner. No one should underestimate the challenges in developing an effective management system. Most businesses start with limited financial and human resources. Typically, the owner is also the manager and he may have little experience in developing systems that are scalable. Add on to this, that most profit is needed to repay debt, fund working capital and provide for the owner’s family. Typically, management systems do not keep pace with the needs of a growing organization. Systems are introduced when the business is small and as the business grows, new systems are introduced on an ad hoc basis, or current systems are adapted to keep pace with new volumes. The amount of time and effort required to operate these inefficient systems, makes it difficult to even consider stepping back to consider new, or better ways, of doing things. Ultimately, this does tend to impact the valuation of the business. As business transition and divestiture advisors, we are often approached after a decision has been made to sell the business. In fact, it is our experience that only a small percentage of business owners do any pre-sale planning. Unfortunately, the result of a business owners lack of pre-planning, might mean that the business is not sellable. While it might take a year or two, there is a lot a business

owner can do to implement better management systems that can turn the company into a sought-after asset. Ultimately, the enterprises value is about long-term cash f low and the ability to transfer goodwill. Goodwill is the price you receive for your business, less the fair market value of the underlying identifiable net assets such as inventory and equipment. You might think of goodwill as all the intangible assets such as customer relationships, systems, organizational know-how and even geographic location. P r a c t i c a l go o d w i l l i s t h e amount someone is willing to pay for the future cash flow they expect to receive from your business. The key to its value is the transferability. And the key to transferability is the underlying management of the business. While it is not easy to operate a well-managed business, the framework for well-managed

While it might take a year or two, there is a lot a business owner can do to implement better management systems that can turn the company into a sought-after asset here are some typical management changes that might help transfer goodwill:

The amount of time and effort required to operate these inefficient systems, makes it difficult to even consider stepping back to consider new, or better ways, of doing things

businesses is consistent. So, what does good management look like? We’ll say it can take many forms depending on the size and life stage of a business. We can also say that a lot can be done in a relatively short period of time to make a significant difference in the markets view of the future financial results. While not an exhaustive list,

• Ensure the accounting system can produce accurate monthly finance statements for at least twenty-fou r months prior to the sale; • Do an expense audit and eliminate unnecessary expenses that tend to creep into the business over the years; • Make the investment with your current system or create an ancillary system that can show the profitability or financial contribution by product, services, customer or geographic region. This can often be done relatively easily with Excel and a little know how; • Deal with redundant o r u n d e r- p e r f o r m i n g employees;

Selling a business is perhaps the biggest transaction a business owner will ever make

• Update and implement better credit, invoicing and collection procedures to improve work in progress or receivables lock-up; • For those businesses that have physical inventory, undertake an analysis of inventory turn-over and, if necessary, make changes to inventory management systems; • Promote or hire management that can remain as leadership of the business after your planned exit date, and • Ensure all corporate records, contracts and regulatory matters are available and up-to-date. It is surprising how resistant business owners can be in undertaking the process to update their management systems. It might feel like this is a judgement of their skills as an owner or that the ultimate financial return is not worth the work required. Trust us when we tell you that the return is worth the effort. This is not about the owner’s ski l ls, but si mply prepa ri ng the business to be presented in a manner that a purchaser can understand the cash flow that is available post-closing. If they are not confident about the quality of those earnings, they will either back away from the deal or lower the offering price. We try to help the owner to see his or her business from the perspective of an outsider – someone who has no emotional attachment to the business. Entrepreneurs and business ow ners spend t hei r ca reers meeting and over-coming challenges. As one gets closer to the finish line, the preparation to

maximize the valuation of their business is a challenge worth facing. Selling a business is perhaps the biggest transaction a business owner will ever make. At Smythe Advisory, we understand the importance of getting it right and have a team of dedicated professionals to guide you through the whole process, from preparing your business all the way past closing. As every transaction is unique, all of our services are customized to meet each of our clients’ needs. Our team will work seamlessly with your other professional advisors to ensure all your interests are met during the divestiture process. We have connections with all the major law firms in Nanaimo and are well-networked to prov ide qua l i fied recommendations. If you are thinking of selling your business, or are curious as to what it is worth, please do not hesitate to contact me directly.

Mike Berris, CPA, CA, CBV Partner & Practice Group Leader Smythe Advisory D: 250.755.2116 E: mberris@smythecpa.com

OFF THE COVER

JULY 2019

MT Construction Advisory Services Takes Island Builders to Another Level MT CONSTRUCTION CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

were ready to grow, but needed some guidance. “They know they need to get over the hill, but have no idea what the other side of the hill looks like or how to approach it,” he says. “I can help them with that. Having worked with companies of different sizes, I have a good idea of how to get ready for what’s next. I help answer questions like: ‘How do I structure the organization?’ ‘How do I figure out processes?’ or ‘How do we manage our costs?’” Along his journey, Taylor connected with the Vancouver Island Construction Association (VICA), leading into the second main stream of his business, instructing. “The people at VICA were often asked to provide training for field staff,” he says. “It just so happens that training supers for planning and scheduling was one of my roles at PCL. I created a course called Planning for Foremen. “Teaching courses like this have taken me all over Canada. I was recently in Toronto for a week teaching, and have been to Halifax, Winnipeg, Kamloops, Lethbridge, Vancouver Prince George, and other communities. It has really taken off.”

“I have been fortunate in my career to have worked with some of the biggest and best contractors in Canada (and internationally). This has exposed me to business management techniques and systems that are proven to increase operating efficiencies, minimize costs, and maximize profitability.” MARK TAYLOR OWNER OF MT CONSTRUCTION ADVISORY SERVICES LTD.

Recently, Taylor has begun to tackle a third area, working with designers and consultants who are preparing to send their designs to contractors. “A lot of times, designers will put a set of drawings together and put them out on the street without a real understanding of what contractors are actually looking for,” he comments. “I’ve done a couple

of projects now where I critique the constructability of a project before it goes out for tender. I advise the designer what contractors are looking for and how to appear less risky to bidders.” In under two years, Taylor has already helped dozens of construction businesses reach new heights. These companies have ranged from trade contractors pulling in under $1 Million per year to general contractors bringing in $30-40 Million per year. Through each of these consultancy relationships, Taylor’s ‘Big Hairy Audacious Goal’ is “to shatter the glass ceiling of what is currently acceptable as a profit margin for contractors, while maintaining (and even increasing) their competitiveness.” Taylor states that he wouldn’t have been able to do what he does without the support of his family. “My wife Helen is always there as a sounding board and someone I can bounce ideas off of,” he says. “She has always been there and supported me throughout my career, and never once complained when we were bouncing all over the country with PCL. The same goes for my kids, who have been through a lot of moves before we finally settled on the Island.” To find out more, visit www. mtcasl.com

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DIGITAL MARKETING

JULY 2019

HOW TO RESPOND TO NEGATIVE REVIEWS

BE DIGITAL JOHN MACDONALD

B

elieve it or not, the sa me prem ise applies to negative review response as it does to positive reviews. How you respond to a negative review impacts not only the reviewer, but all the sets of eyes that come afterward. Seeing a business handle a particularly challenging review online suggests that management is proud of their business, and willing to go the extra mile to maintain their reputation!

Make potential clients see the light with these four steps: apologize, promote, get offline, keep it simple. 1. A p o l o g i z e a n d sympathize The first step towards fi x i ng a problem is ack nowl e d g i n g t h at on e occurred. Regardless of what happened, a simple apology and sympathy for your customer’s experience goes a long way. 2. Promote So the famous crab cakes weren’t up to par the day this particular customer visited. If they’re what you are known for, why not reiterate that? “Our crab cakes are usually a hit, we’re sorry to hear that they weren’t up to par when you visited!” 3. Move the conversation offline Don’t op en a ca n of worms. Keep the lid on tight

by offering the reviewer the chance to reach out via phone, email or both. 4. Keep it simple Avoid specifics and don’t ask questions. Those conversations are much better served in a space away from the prying public. One last pro tip: leave your business name, location and category out of this. You don’t want your negative rev iews show i ng up i n search! Now that wasn’t so bad, was it? You can use software to pull in your reviews from all over the web so you can respond quickly. A nd i f you don’t have time, seek out B.E. Digital’s services to do it for you. Not only do we guarantee expertise, we guarantee it in a hurry: we respond to reviews as soon as our software pulls them in! John MacDonald is the Director of Business Development with the Business Examiner News Group. Call him at 604.751.0819, or email BEDigital@businessexaminer. ca.

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COWICHAN VALLEY

JULY 2019

13

AMAZING RACE COWICHAN – A FIRST FOR COWICHAN VALLEY

COWICHAN VALLEY SONJA NAGEL

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he Duncan Cowichan Chamber of Commerce organized the first ever Amazing Race Cowichan as a fundraiser for the

Cowichan Regional Visitor Centre. Similar to a golf tournament, the Race had a presenting partner with Island Ford Superstore, several supporting partners including Island Savings, Harlequin Nature Graphics, Peninsula Co-op and Vancouver Island Motorsport Circuit, sponsored Pit Stops and Team Challenges. Like Amazing Race Canada, participants were required to complete Team Challenges before receiving clues to their next Pit Stop location. Insurance liability prevented us from hosting riskier challenges that initially included use of knives, water activities and horseback riding, but our Pit Stop Sponsors took every opportunity to come up with

fun alternative challenges. Highlights included a nautical themed knot tying challenge at Maple Bay Marina, a made-from-scratch mayonnaise challenge at VIU’s Farm Table Restaurant at Providence Farm, sinking a hole-in-one on the putting green at Cowichan Golf Club, counting vines at Averill Creek Vineyard and a driving challenge in the parking lot of the Vancouver Island Motorsport Circuit, among eight other challenges. Ten teams of four were introduced to attractions and businesses they may not have otherwise had the opportunity to explore. Some of these included Cowichan’s hottest new attraction Hand of Man Museum,

McPherson Cabinetry’s new showroom and Cowichan Sportsplex. The event culminated with the Chamber’s annual Summer BBQ & Silent Auction where we celebrated the winning teams who completed the race route and challenges in approximately 2.5 hours – 1.5 hours faster than anticipated! All 10 teams completed the course, with no eliminations, and calls to bring back the event will see the Amazing Race Cowichan returning next June. ◼◼◼ The Chamber recently welcomed the following new members: Cowichan Folk Guild, Vital Society, Cowichan Family Life Association, West Coast VBA, Vancouver Island Green

Business Collective, Kristy Landry Edward Jones Investments, Association of Fundraising Professionals Vancouver Island Chapter, One Planet Percussion, Cowichan Valley Running, David Lowes Personal Real Estate Corporation, Monti’s Marine and Motor Sports, Top Pair Roofing, O.U.R Ecovillage, Exhale@maplebay, FitYourWay Fitness & Wellness Centre, Duncan United Church, Bayside Goods, Redline Management Services and St. John’s Academy Shawnigan Lake. Sonja Nagel is the Executive Director of the Duncan Cowichan Chamber of Commerce.

COMOX VALLEY

14

JULY 2019

1960 TO 1979: THE TIMES THEY WERE A-CHANGING

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COMOX VALLEY CHAMBER DIANNE HAWKINS

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n the face of change and challenges, the Chamber remained a constant. B y t he 1960s, ch a n ge h ad gripped Canada and the modern world. The Cold War, the space race, equal and civil rights all dominated headlines. The baby boom decelerated, and families began moving into the suburbs. In the Comox Valley, the population grew, and certain sectors started undergoing transformation. M in ing a nd logging began to slow as tourism and service industries blossomed. Courtenay-Comox Chamber of Commerce activities of the day reflected that change. And in this transitional period of history, the Chamber managed to stay relevant.

Staying significant in the sixties - The 1960s started off on a high note for the Chamber. Having just moved into their new location near the airpark, the arrival of the “Deuce” – a 50-tonne locomotive that had plied the rails of the Valley for the Comox Logging and Railway Company (CLRC) – cemented the bureau’s presence. While mining activity in the region continued to curtail and had families leaving Cumberland in record numbers, with the post-war baby boom as well as improving infrastructure and transportation, Courtenay continued to grow. Around that time, the Chamber coined the term “Actionland” for the region and displayed it prominently on their letterhead. (While original, we’re happy that nickname hasn’t stuck.) Ongoing Chamber projects pertained to the feasibility of a regional college in the Valley, production of tourism brochures and promoting the area’s skiing and fishing, marketing events to promote businesses on 5th Street and the seemingly perpetual efforts to promote membership. Slip-sliding into the seventies - T he seventies proved to be quieter in terms of getting and retaining members.

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In 1972, Mrs. Ruth McKellar, long-time Chamber secretary, presented an impassioned plea to the Courtenay council requesting financial help as there was a possibility the Chamber tourist bureau may have to close. Fortunately, arrangements were made, and the Chamber tourist bureau continued to operate. “The [Chamber] history has always been one of peaks and valleys… They were in their Grand Canyon period,” noted Mac McCaffrey of his time as president in 1974 in an interview with the local paper some 20 years later. Despite the challenges of the 1960’s and 70’s, things such as Market Days and the annual Citizen of the Year Award emerged from of those challenging times. But as the Valley headed into the future, membership in 1979-1980 had dropped to 40 members. Things had to improve, didn’t they? And they did! Stay tuned for more… Dianne Hawkins, CEO of the Comox Valley Chamber: Building Good Business For more information on the Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce, visit: www.comoxvalleychamber.com or call 250-334-3234.

NEWS UPDATE

JULY 2019

Tofino Officially Opens New $2M Visitor Centre At Cox Bay Westerly News WEST COAST –Serendipitous sunshine glowed through the large windows of Tofino’s new Cox Bay Visitor Centre, helping the new $2 million building shine in its debut as the town gathered to celebrate the official opening on June 26. “We were on time and on budget,” beamed Tourism Tofino chair Shane Richards from a podium set up in a corner of the new 1,400 sq. ft. tourist-educating space. He credited the “excellent project planning” of Parksville’s MKM Projects Ltd. for their constructive collaboration. The town’s destination marketing organization Tourism Tofino announced its intention to replace its Cox Bay centre in 2016 and received approval from

Tofino’s accommodation providers to increase Tofino’s additional hotel room tax—now called the Municipal, Regional, District Tax—from 2 per cent to 3 per cent to pay for a replacement. “One that would inspire our guests to do more, to stay longer, to return, and one that would reflect our whole community,” Richards said. “We now have this beautiful visitor centre, but it would not have been a reality without some spectacular efforts by standout volunteers and staff to get the approvals required to make this building a reality.” He thanked Tourism Tofino’s former executive director Kirsten Soder for starting the process and current executive director Nancy Cameron for “pushing the proverbial ball up the

mountain.” He added Tourism Tofino’s past chairs JJ Belanger and Charles McDiarmid played key roles in convincing local accommodation providers to agree to the tax increase. “These two men worked tirelessly to reach agreements with the District of Tofino, the Chamber of Commerce, the Ministry of Finance and Destination BC. They also played an integral role in lobbying tax collecting properties to increase the MRDT from 2 per cent to 3 per cent,” he said. He said the building is now complete, save for some additional landscaping yet to be done as well as artwork en route, including three hand-painted surfboards—one by local artist Mark Hobson.

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NEWS UPDATE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4

Plan for the development, bringing the area designated as the commercial section up to 6,600-square-meters in size. The developers also applied to expand the size of the grocery store they could have in the commercial area to 4,000-square-metres up from the already approved 2,400-square-metres. Council said the increase to 4,000-square-metres was too large and instead settled on 3,200-square-metres, halfway between what was initially approved and the new request.

The change to the amended size of the grocery store requires that it return for a second public meeting. It will now come before council at an upcoming meeting for more public consultation and to allow for Couverdon to make their case to council again. Jubilee Heights is a walkable, master planned community situated to the east of Beaver Creek and south of B e aver L o d ge L a nd s. Couverdon is the real estate business of TimberWest, a private landowner that has been operating for over a century on Vancouver Island.

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JULY 2019

CEDARS AT COBBLE HILL COMBATS THE DISEASE OF ADDICTION Cedars Works With Family, Employers and Friends To Help Individuals

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OBBLE HILL – Addiction is an illness that can strike anyone. “Addiction is an indiscriminate disease,” says Carson McPherson, Managing Director at Cedars at Cobble Hill, a 71-bed residential treatment centre that helps people get free from addiction, or Substance Use Disorder, and back to a healthy lifestyle. “More than 80 per cent of addicts are integrated within our communities, living what appear to be normal lives,” he adds. “They are found in our workplaces, in our homes, and in our families.” The Cedars at Cobble Hill team coordinates treatment with employers, families and friends to help those who literally need to “rewire” their brains to escape Substance Use Disorder. T hose who h ave come to Cedars at Cobble Hill for treatment include highly trained professionals like neurosurgeons and pilots, people who may carry a genetic predisposition for addiction, and stereotypical marginalized addicts. While some may view homeless people as the common public face of Substance Use Disorder, they only represent one-half of one per cent of those afflicted. The Cedars facility is nestled in the woods in Cobble Hill, and includes accommodation, treatment facilities, meeting rooms, administration offices a nd a d i n i ng room that frequently garners rave reviews. The 120-member team includes numerous physicians, nurses and highly-trained clinicians, many of which have had firsthand experience with Substance Use Disorder and are not afraid to share their personal experiences with honesty, empathy and humility. Treatment costs are often covered by industry, workers’ associations and families. 30 per cent of patients are self-referrals. “Our approach is invitational, instead of confrontational,” says McPherson. “We foster connections and establish trust with our patients by being transparent and involving them in their own individualized treatment process. By courageously sharing our stories, we can create the authentic connection that is essent ia l to hea l i ng f rom addictions. “Ou r enti re complement of mu lt i-d i scipl i n a r y s ta f f forms an integral part of what makes Cedars one of the premier recovery centres across the country.” McPherson notes that Cedars

This environment provides patients with a non institutional, natural therapeutic setting

“We really try to treat not only the individual, but the people and systems and environment around that individual.” CARSON MCPHERSON CEDARS AT COBBLE HILL, MANAGING DIRECTOR

Carson McPherson, is Managing Director and responsible for all operations at Cedars. He recently received his Doctorate from Royal Roads University at Cobble Hill treats Substance Use Disorder similarly to a common illness. This illness of addiction literally “rewrites” can rewrite a person’s brain, reaching deep into the core to encode itself as a driving human need, on the same level as food, water, sex, and protection of young. Resulting personality changes can rip apart relationships, wreck careers, and fuel rash behaviour. It affects 15-17 per cent of the population and costs Canadian society an estimated $38.4 billion annually. Yet it is not well understood. “Telling an addict to stop using is akin to telling a diabetic to just process sugar properly,” McPherson explains. He views initiatives like the “War on Drugs” and “Just Say

No” campaigns as scientifically incorrect, and rather than help, they’ve contributed to society-wide blaming of addicts. Substance Use Disorder has been typically painted as a personal failure of individual will, instead of what it is: A disease marked by changes in brain function. Cedars at Cobble Hill treats many forms of addiction, with the most common being to alcohol and drugs. Alcohol is, by far, the most commonly abused addictive substance in Canada. Cedars’ treatment program starts with a 45-65-day residential treatment phase. Once the client abstains from substance use, the neuroplasticity of the brain allows the brain to start repairing itself, returning to a more neurotypical state.

Achieving balance and consistency requires a concerted effort and treatment customized to the individual. The first step in “rewiring” is detoxification (detox), which is a safe, medically supervised elimination of the toxic substance from the body. Undergoing this frees the client to become a fully engaged partner in their own recovery. “There is no one single pathway to successful treatment,” McPherson observes. “We really try to treat not only the individual, but the people and systems and environment around that individual.” Scientific research has yet to identify all the causal elements for developing a Substance Use Disorder. While some studies point to a genetic propensity, others identify early childhood trauma, and some are due to stress and lifestyle. Poverty can be a contributing factor. In recent years it has become evident that some people become addicts get “hooked” after being prescribed painkillers following an accident or surgery. Some are recreational users who may only sample a drug once or twice, before becoming addicted, although others can use the same drug a few times

and walk away with no impact. “There is still a lot of science to be done before we have predictability,” McPherson says, adding that statistics show that almost 20 per cent of Canadians are at risk for Substance Use Disorder. With the way it is portrayed in the media, it sometimes feels like addictions are winning the battle. McPherson points to the three-year-old fentanyl overdose crisis in B.C. as an example. Illicit drug overdoses claimed 993 lives in 2016, 1,487 in 2017 and 1,489 in 2018. Cedars has seen stronger, more entrenched Substance Use Disorder and a rise in concurrent mental illness over the last decade, resulting in more people arriving with addictions to multiple substances. L a rgely, t he prov i nc e h a s responded with harm reduction initiatives like safe injection sites and naloxone kits to counter overdoes. McPherson sees these as “band-aid” solutions that, while they may help keep addicts alive, they can further enable and entrench substance abuse. He believes treatment and prevention are the best solutions, and that the government is trying, as 10 of Cedars’ 71 beds are currently funded by the Ministry of Health. McPherson is optimistic. “Research has led to improved treatment, a nd treatment is better,” he says. Adding that Cedars’ combination of residential detox and treatment, family and workplace support, and Acorn Houses for further recovery show a success rate of almost 70 per cent abstinence when clients are interviewed one year later. www.cedarscobblehill.com

MENTAL HEALTH

JULY 2019

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MENTAL HEALTH Mental Health Not Just for Employees: Prevention and Intervention Key BY BETH HENDRY-YIM

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reating a psychologically safe work environment is strong motivation for employers focused on the mental health of their employees, especia l ly as menta l hea lth related issues are the #1 cause of disability in the workplace. Unfortunately, knowing where to begin isn’t always that clear. A c c ord i n g to T he Menta l Health Commission of Canada, approximately 500,000 Canadians miss work every week due to a mental health issue. The hardest hit are adults in their early and prime working years, between 25 and 65, bringing the costs to the Canadian economy of $51 billion in only one year. “Mental health treatment, within group benefit plans, are in many cases treated in a reactive manner. But the costs of treatment far outweigh the costs of prevention,” says Brad Woods, Certified Health Insurance Specialist with Island Group Benefits. He adds that, creating awareness and educating leadership teams about the effects of mental illness cou ld be t he f i rst a nd best step towards a psychologically healthier workplace. “ E a rl y a c t i o n t o c o m b a t stress, and identification of the early signs of problems, can decrease losses in productivity by as much as 30 per cent and result in an annual savings of $397,713 in an organization of 1,000 employees.” B ut, l ack of i n for m at ion,

Edgewood and the Edgewood Health Network are recognized leaders in addiction and related mental health services assumptions and stereotypes around mental health can prevent workers from speaking up a nd aski ng for help, a nd for ma nagers a nd co-workers, there may be hesitation in bringing up the subject of mental wellness for fear of infringing on privacy. The Canadian

Menta l Hea lth A ssociation (CMHA) reports that two out of three individuals with a mental health challenge will not seek treatment, which can create extended recovery periods and worsening symptoms. Lisa Stockton, Cor p orate Care Specialist at Edgewood,

an Inpatient Mental Health and Addiction Treatment Centre located in Nanaimo, says that many individuals with mental health issues and substance use disorders are in denial and may not even know they need help. SEE MENTAL HEALTH | PAGE 19

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MENTAL HEALTH

JULY 2019

STRENGTH COUNSELING SERVICES IS CONVENIENT AND ACCESSIBLE

Strength Counselling Services founder Amanda Poitras was originally laughed at when she proposed online counselling. Now her business is thriving

“Professionals told me Geography Erased With Online Counselling Services

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ANAIMO – Online counselling services? What a ridiculous idea, her colleagues said. Nevertheless, Amanda Poitras, a clinical counsellor, decided to move forward with creating Strength Counselling Services, and the business is thriving. Poitras engages counsellors from anywhere in the world and the company’s clients can access that expertise wherever they are. She says it is accessible, convenient, and confidential, and encourages participation. Any client with a phone, tablet, or computer with internet access can access the company’s online counselling, and clients are everywhere, including Inuvik, in the Northwest Territories. Online counselling is convenient, meaning that parents of young children don’t need to find babysitters. Those without cars don’t need to use bus schedules or get rides. Schedules don’t have to fit into a 9 to 5 time slot, and can adjust to whatever time is convenient. Online counselling is confidential, helping to avoid situations like in a small town, where someone could be recognized going to a counsellor’s office, possibly triggering speculative rumours. Clients are held accountable. When access is via cell phone or by home computer, it is harder to bow out of sessions. “There’s no reason not to come to the group,” Poitras says. “If you come and participate, you will make progress.” Poitras earned a Bachelor of Health Sciences in Addictions Counselling from the University of Lethbridge in 2010. She started her counselling practice in a small office, working parttime while studying for her Masters of Education in Counselling Psychology. The practice grew, and by the

I was ridiculous and couldn’t do that, and that my head was in the clouds.” Combining mind and body wellness, Amanda Poitras became a partner in Nanaimo’s Swet Haus fitness studio

time she graduated with her Master’s degree, she had more than 20 clients. A client approached her with an unusual request: They were moving but wanted to continue sessions with her. She was asked if she could conduct sessions remotely, by phone or video conferencing. Poitras agreed to try it, and the remote sessions worked well. When she moved to Victoria, she continued to offer remote counselling to her clients, and her colleagues were stunned. “I was laughed at,” Poitras recalls. “Professionals told me I was ridiculous and couldn’t do that, and that my head was in the clouds.” Poitras’ clients were happy to join her, as 80 per cent of her clients continued to ‘meet’ her remotely after she moved to Victoria. “If I could do this on a small scale, I could expand it,” she sensed. “I could hire people from everywhere and serve clients from anywhere.” She then pulled together a virtual team of experienced counsellors and set up her website.

Indoor cycling at the Swethaus offers effective and efficient cardio - good for the body and mind “The market exploded, as I had most of Canada to draw on for clients,” she says. W hile primarily online, Strength Counselling also offers in-person sessions for clients. Counselling sessions include healthy lifestyle advice. Si x months ago, Poitras bought into Swet Haus, a cycling/fitness studio in Nanaimo co-owned with Jacqui Rouse. She plans to go virtual with the studio via streaming work-out sessions for those with equipment at home, or by giving clients an option to download

workout sessions for completion on their own schedule. Poitras wants to offer holistic health services by combining the body-changing of the fitness studio with the mind-changing of the counselling. This new venture is growing as well. Approximately 85 per cent of new counselling clients are referrals. Strength Counselling has a contract with a residential addiction treatment centre to offer online counselling as part of the centre’s post-residence addiction recovery.

People also seek counselling for anxiety and depression, marital discord or feeling discontented without knowing why. “Our work speaks for itself,” Poitras says. Poitras hopes the Strength Counselling online model will make help available for more people. “The wait lists in the public sector are extraordinarily long and sometimes people in crisis can’t wait,” she says, adding that online help may be a solution. www.strengthcounselling.ca

MENTAL HEALTH

JULY 2019

MENTAL HEALTH CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17

“There are many people on the streets that are in desperate need of both mental health a nd add iction support. But what is surprising, is that 70 per cent of the people w ith mental health/substance use issues a re employed. I n my role, I work on educating employers on what mental health/ addiction may look like in the workplace, how to address it, and how employers play a very important role in motivating change.” A key takeaway is that it isn’t just programs and support for employees that are needed. A new study conducted by the CMHA with the support of the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC), which was recently reported to the public, found that 62 per cent of business owners feel depressed at least once a week and nearly half, 46 per cent, reported that mental health issues interfered with their ability to work. “ We w a n t t h i s r e p o r t to sta r t a n open conversation and shift the popular view of entrepreneurs from ‘tireless innovator’ or ‘lone visionary’ to one t h at a l lows t hem to show their vulnerability and ask for help when needed,” says Fardous Hosseiny, interim National CEO and National Director, Research and Public

As the Corporate Care Specialist at Edgewood, Lisa Stockton’s role is to educate employers on what mental health/addiction may look like in the workplace and how to address it Policy, CMHA. “There needs to be more discussion about entrepreneur mental health and more attention paid to it by entrepreneur networks and organizations.” I n a recent press rele a se, Michael Denham, President and CEO at BDC stressed that entrepreneurs are often described as the drivers of our economy. “As a society, we help suppor t, susta i n a nd g row t he health of their businesses— and it is time to do the same

f o r t h e i r m e n t a l h e a l t h ,” says Michael Denham, President a nd CEO at BDC. “ We wa nt to m a ke s u re m ent a l health is included in discussions about entrepreneurship in Canada. The CMHA study has enabled us to take the pulse of entrepreneurs’ well-being and now we are better positioned to take helpful action.” As Stockton explains, early intervention and appropriate treatment provides the best outcome, for both busi ness owners and their staff. “People can and do get well. Edgewood provides, at no cost, workplace education seminars and trainings on identifying and understanding substance use disorder and co-occurring mental health issues. Anytime an employer sees value in creating a wellness program in the workplace shows their staff that they matter, not only as employees, but as people.” Wo o d s n o t e d t h a t g ro u p benefit plans recognize the importance of preventative mental health care because of the cost savings and efficacy. “Manulife, one of the leading providers of group insurance in Canada, has increased the allowable use of visits with a psychologist to $10,000 per year for their own employees,” Woods explained. “No longer can employers say that employee problems should stay at home and out of the workplace,

Brad Woods says that providing employees with a Lifestyle Spending Account allows reimbursement for activities or items of the company’s design because the reality is that they are always present at work. Costs, of being absent due to mental health issues and, being present, but with reduced productivity, are astronomical and affect the bottom line.” The BC government also recognizes the value of prevention. In a recent announcement, the Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions presented a 10-year vision outlined in A Pathway to Hope: A roadmap for making mental health and addictions care better for people in British Columbia.

19 “These longstanding problems in mental health and addictions care won’t be fixed overnight. But by starting to move from a crisis-driven system to early intervention and prevention – especia l ly for youth and children – we can help people before their problems become more severe,” said Judy Darcy, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions. One of the biggest obstacles for a person su fferi ng w ith menta l i l l ness i n the workplace is overcoming the stigma. Employers have a great opportunity to, not only address it in the workplace by creating a psychologically safe place to work, but they ca n also help demystify the illness so it is better understood. “T here are many different wellness programs that support exercise, education, and fa m i ly, but someti mes it is the little things that we forget about. Like connecting w ith you r sta ff - say i ng h i, bei ng genu i nely i nterested in their life outside of work - those are some of the things I se e i n orga n i zat ion s t h at create a hea lthy work place cu ltu re,” ex pla i ned Stockton. “It is somet i mes t he little things that truly build trust, and trust builds morale, morale builds job satisfaction, a nd job sat i sfact ion bu i ld s productivity.”

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JULY 2019

Geeks on the Beach Looks to Expand Beyond Canadian Shores GEEKS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

W h i le that project was ultimately sidelined, Jonathan came away from the experience with an invaluable skill set that he continues to leverage. “I moved to Vancouver Island, and needed something to do, so I used my tech background to help little old ladies with their computer problems,” he continues. “I needed a marketing website to promote the operation, and quickly discovered that I had managed to pick up all the skills required to make a great-looking site. I loved the experience and decided that if I could build a website to help my business grow, I could use those same skills to help other businesses grow, too.” This is what Jonathan describes as the origin story of Geeks on the Beach. The company officially lau nched i n the Pa rksv i l leQualicum Beach area (known for its beaches) in 2007. “At first it was just me, selling complete web pack a ges for as l ittle as $500,” Jonatha n remarks. “It was tough at first, as the area didn’t have a lot of large businesses, but I made it my focus to create beautiful websites that provided good value to small business owners.” The company eventually broke

into the Island’s hospitality industry, taking on contracts with high-profile resorts like the Beach Club, Tigh-Na-Mara, the Kingfisher Resort and others. “Helping some of the largest, most visible resorts lead in a highly competitive industry allowed us to hone our skills with search engine optimization, usability, and conversion,” says Michaels. “With a market as competitive as resorts and tourism on the Island, the only way we could do well by our clients was to create better, more refined experiences for their visitors.” Over the years, Jonathan has added more team members who specialize in the various aspects of web development and online marketing. His first employee was David Michels, who proved such a valuable team member that he was made a partner. Just over five years ago, Jonatha n opened the compa ny’s second location, in Victoria. “I loved Qualicum Beach, but coming from New York, I found myself missing city life,” reflects Jonathan. “It was about time for us to expand, so I opened up an office in Victoria. David was put in charge of the mid-Island location, which allowed Jonathan to expand in a new market. “Now we call the Victoria office

Jonathan Michaels is the founder of full-service web agency Geeks on the Beach our ‘World-wide Headquarters’ while Parksville is home to the ‘Nerd Lab,” says Jonathan. After experiencing growth and success on the Island with a team of 9 geeks, Geeks on the Beach has eyes on expanding beyond these shores. “Our next big move is to expand into a third and more tropical location on the beaches of Bali, Indonesia,” says Jonathan. As long as there is a beach nearby and businesses that we can help grow online, we will consider that an opportunity to put a geek there.” The team already has feet on the ground in Bali, with their first

developer already working to support the company. Jonathan hopes to open up an office on the Island in the not too distant future. “Our hope is that our Canadian and Balinese locations will be able to support each other, combining the best of both worlds,” he says. “Since there’s a 15-hour time difference, we will basically be able to work around the clock to when sharing the load between the two offices.” As the company moves forward, Jonathan believes they have found a sweet spot with their balance of quality and affordability. “T here are some great

companies that are tightly focused on cookie-cutter websites that aren’t very creative, but get the job done at a low cost,” he says. “There are some high-end companies that do beautiful, world-class work at the highest level, but for a premium price. “We feel there’s value in the middle. We don’t do cookie-cutter websites, but you also don’t need to pay us tens of thousa nds of dol la rs just to get our attention. It’s about gorgeous web design for your bottom-line.” To find out more, visit www. geeksonthebeach.ca or Google “Web Design Vancouver Island”.

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CONSTRUCTION

JULY 2019

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PORT ALBERNI

22

JULY 2019

PORT ALBERNI’S PACE OF TRANSITION SPEEDING UP

PORT ALBERNI PAT DEAKIN

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ndicators that our pace of transition is speeding up include continuing increases in the average price of housing, the number of applications for housing developments and business

licenses, the number of commercial buildings uptown being sold or leased and renovated and activity in our arts, tourism, agriculture, aquaculture, marine, clean tech and aerospace sectors. The work of the Port Alberni Port Authority and City in attracting Holland America’s Maasdam here three times this summer has served as a catalyst for improvements to the Harbour Quay area and a proposal for increasing investment in the tourism sector. The superb work of the Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce in hosting the passengers and crew has brought literally thousands of compliments for the friendly

welcome, our relaxed pace, our trails and the abundance of excursion opportunities. Many thanks to Tseshaht, Hupacasath, Uchucklesaht and Huu-ay-hat First Nations for their part in the welcome which included a canoe greeting, singing, dancing and small passenger vans filling in for the heavily subscribed shuttle busses. The huge number of volunteers in bright coloured T-shirts was noticeable but the RCMP officers in Red Serge managed to draw much more attention with hundreds of photos being taken with them. Our decision to respond to the Ministry of Agriculture’s Regional

Food Innovation and Processing Hubs RFQ also served as a catalyst for the realization that the underutilization of our acreage in the Agricultural Land Reserve is more than matched by the untapped potential of our water resources. The Alberni Inlet and Barkley Sound have more than 100 growing sites, the vast majority of which are not being utilized. Our Port Authority is to be acknowledged for its decision to offer matching funds to bring a former fish processing plant up to current seafood processing requirements. Canadian Seafood Processing Inc (Effingham Oysters) is to be congratulated on its

decision to invest a substantial sum in that plant and both parties are to be thanked for being open to a request from our Agricultural Development Committee that the remaining unused space (8,000 square feet) in the facility be utilized as a Food Hub. Other partners in our RFQ response include North Island College, Nuu-chahnulth Seafood LP and Cascadia Seaweed. Pat Deakin is the Economic Development Manager for the City of Port Alberni. He can be reached at 250-720-2527 or Patrick_deakin@ portalberni.ca

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WHO IS SUING WHOM

JULY 2019

WHO IS SUING WHOM The contents of Who’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

0704315 BC Ltd. 813 Goldstream Avenue, Victoria, BC PLAINTIFF Maria Clemens Smienk CLAIM $35,276 DEFENDANT Absolutely Electrical Inc. 627 Vanalman Avenue, Victoria, BC PLAINTIFF Rather Be Plumbing Ltd. CLAIM $21,894 DEFENDANT Banga Construction Inc. 205 Terminal Avenue, Nanaimo, BC PLAINTIFF Progressive Home Warranty Ltd. CLAIM $61,279 DEFENDANT Campbell River Storm Junior Hockey Ltd. 906 Island Highway, Campbell River, BC PLAINTIFF Cameron Basarab CLAIM

$13,465 DEFENDANT Cooks Day Off Fine Foods & Catering 2017 Ltd. 3027 Fifth Street, Victoria, BC PLAINTIFF Bock Wing Yip CLAIM $59,056

PLAINTIFF G E Wilson CLAIM $68,513 DEFENDANT Goldstream Projects Ltd. 204 – 655 Tyee Road, Victoria, BC PLAINTIFF Accredit Mortgage Ltd. CLAIM $1,153,354

DEFENDANT Danica Motors European & Sports Cars Ltd. 5273 Trans Canada Highway, Duncan, BC PLAINTIFF Julian Butcher CLAIM $33,736

DEFENDANT Green Pure Air Ltd. 67 East 5th Avenue, Vancouver, BC PLAINTIFF Canada Sensors Technology Inc. CLAIM $25,183

DEFENDANT Dr. C. Ross Crapo Inc. 206 – 4400 Chatterton Way, Victoria, BC PLAINTIFF Shelley Woodard CLAIM $28,000

DEFENDANT Husky Oil Operations Ltd. 200 – 1200 Waterfront Center, Vancouver, BC PLAINTIFF Kristie Johnston CLAIM $35,305

DEFENDANT Educan Institutional Furniture Ltd. 1800 – 401 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, BC PLAINTIFF Board of Education of School District No. 68 CLAIM $17,692 DEFENDANT GLS Construction Ltd. 3200 – 10180 101 Street, Edmonton, AB

DEFENDANT Island Health 1962 Bay Street, Victoria, BC PLAINTIFF Louise Elliott CLAIM $35,216 DEFENDANT J McLaren Enterprises Ltd. 1658 Hillview Avenue, Victoria, BC PLAINTIFF Accredit Mortgage Ltd. CLAIM

23

$1,153,345

$17,715

DEFENDANT Lixil Canada Inc. 1500 – 1055 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, BC PLAINTIFF Lee Tran CLAIM $21,469

DEFENDANT Royal LePage Parksville Qualicum Beach Realty 127 Alberni Highway, Parksville, BC PLAINTIFF Nicholas Benjamin Herman CLAIM $40,209

DEFENDANT Mastermynde Strategy Inc. 1528 Seton Drive, Comox, BC PLAINTIFF Nicole Cahoon Inc. CLAIM $5,228

DEFENDANT Royal Pacific Institute Ltd. 6 – 2727 Quadra Street, Victoria, BC PLAINTIFF Patricia Newton CLAIM $34,246

DEFENDANT MPC Modern Process Control Consulting Ltd. 1000 Livingston Place West, Calgary, AB PLAINTIFF

DEFENDANT Tahtsa Timber Ltd. 343 Yellowhead Highway, Burns Lake, BC PLAINTIFF HMTQ Prov of BC CLAIM $18,575

0413118 BC Ltd. CLAIM $44,434 DEFENDANT Newport Realty Ltd. 404 – 707 Fort Street, Victoria, BC PLAINTIFF Dale Schille CLAIM $31,664

DEFENDANT Travelers Insurance Company of Canada 165 University Avenue, Toronto, ON PLAINTIFF Elsie Braithwaite CLAIM $25,156

DEFENDANT Reliance Worldwide (Canada) Inc. 74 Alex Avenue, Vaughan, ON PLAINTIFF Fraser Valley Plumbing Services Inc. CLAIM

DEFENDANT Unique Restoration Ltd. 634 Derwent Way, Delta, BC PLAINTIFF Starline Windows, Ltd. CLAIM $938,808

24

MOVERS AND SHAKERS NORTH ISLAND Pacificanna is a new recreational cannabis shop open at #2 – 7035 Market Street in Port Hardy. The shop is Port Hardy’s second cannabis shop and is owned by Darren Saunders. The Port Hardy Chamber of Commerce has officially moved back into its office and visitor services building on Market Street following a temporary closure as a result of flooding.

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Home Hardware is celebrating its 40th anniversary of serving the North Island at 8945 Granville Street in Port Hardy.

Victoria | Duncan | Nanaimo | Courtenay | Campbell River The Port McNeill & District Chamber of Commerce is hosting its 3rd annual golf tournament August 10 at the Seven Hills Golf and Country Club. The event is open to everyone and will be capped at 64 golfers.

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The Alder Medical Centre welcomes Dr. Rizwam Salam, Dr. Tim Eckford and Dr. Janet Conrad to their tea m at 27 7 Everg reen Road. All doctors practice family medicine and Dr. Conrad practices maternity as well. Stoney Creek Golf Club is celebrating its 30 th anniversary of serving the community at 300 McGimpsey Road. Colleen McClure Designs welcomes Kerry Grigg to their team as a window treatment a nd d rapery expert. The company is at 2331 South Island Highway. Downtown Tyee Chevrolet Buick GMC congratulates its own Allen Howie on receiving the Gold Sales Marketing Guild from GM Canada in recognition of his achievements in sales, customer satisfaction and product knowledge. The dealership is at 570 – 13th Avenue. Bill Howich Chrysler announces that Ron May is the top salesperson for the dealership at 2777 North Island Highway. Norm Potoski was the top salesperson for Bill Howich RV & Marine at 1632 Coulter Road. Debra Martel has been appointed as the district

JULY 2019

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principal of Indigenous Education of School District 72. Martel has over 30 years of experience in education and most recently served as the associate director of the University of British Columbia’s First Nations House of Learning. She will assume the role on August 1st.

Graham Batchelor

COMOX VALLEY

Century 21 Arbutus Realty welcomes Graham Batchelor to their team of real estate professionals at 2440A Cliffe Avenue in Courtenay.

The owners of JAK’s Beer Wine Spirits are planning on opening a Muse Cannabis retail outlet in the fall at Driftwood Mall in Courtenay. The cannabis retail shop has received all its required government licensing and is expecting to apply for a building permit early this month and start construction later in the month or in early August. Meanwhile, town council has approved an application from Urban Smoke Shop to convert its shop at 143 5 th Street into a non-medicinal cannabis retail outlet. The Grove Health & Wellness celebrated its grand opening on June 22 nd at 332 – 3 rd Street. Partners Dr. Liza Grant, Dr. Debbie Wright and Dr. Alicia Steele opened the doors to their integrated and collaborative healthcare clinic in January. The team of healthcare professionals includes chiropractors, naturopathic and traditional Chinese medicine doctors, registered massage therapists, acupuncturists and more. Classic LifeCare is expanding its nursing foot care services with additional nurses and a newly renovated foot clinic at 200 D – 1822 Comox Avenue in Comox. Galaxy Motors congratulates Richard Major on being the dealership’s top salesperson of the month for their dealership at 605 Crown Isle Boulevard in Courtenay. Brian McLean Chevrolet Buick GMC announces that Malinda Mazzocchi is their top salesperson of the month for their dealership at 2145 Cliffe Avenue.

Courtenay KIA welcomes back Wayne Grabowski to its team of sales professionals at 1025A Comox Road. Dr. James Chen has joined Downtown Dental Centre at 747 Fitzgerald Avenue in Courtenay. ACS Computer Solutions, a locally owned and operated IT company, recently celebrated its 25th anniversary at #7 – 2663 Kilpatrick Avenue in Courtenay. To d a y N ’ To m o r r o w Learning Society (TNTLS) is celebrating its 25th anniversary of serving Comox Valley residents at 4830B H e a d q u a r ters R o a d i n Courtenay.

PORT ALBERNI

Jan Lavertu The Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce recently held their Annual General Meeting and elected their new board. The board president is Sarah Jones of Walk the Coast; vice-presidents are Carol Anne Phillips of Forever New and Terry Deakin of INEO; incoming treasurer is Jan Lavertu of Home Hardware; and secretary is Peter Weinold of Graphics Factory. The incoming board of directors includes Teresa Bird of Alberni Valley News, Carly SEE MOVER’S AND SHAKERS | PAGE 25

MOVERS AND SHAKERS

JULY 2019

MOVERS AND SHAKERS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 24

Bowyer of Smoothology, Michael Moore of Squirrel Systems, Gail Horvath of Port Posh Wash, Lori Kerr of Community Futures, Dave Heinrichs of Alberni District Coop, Daniel Savard of Swept Away Inn and Krista McKitrick of Belle’s Haircare. The Landmark Cinemas Paramount Theatre reopened following months of renovations at 4717 Argyle Street. The renovations included replacing the more than 300 seats with 173 fully-reclining seats, and adding a new roof, new floors, new insulation and improved lighting. Mosaic Forest Management presented Ryder Contracting Ltd./ Camosun Contracting Ltd., a team of road construction crews based in Port Alberni, with an Excellence Safety Culture Award on June 19. Mosaic Forest Management includes employees and contractors for both TimberWest and Island Timberlands.

products to include smoked salmon, smoked oysters, smoked mussels, salmon pepperoni, barbeque chicken wings, ribs and beef jerky. RE/MAX Mid-Island Realty welcomes Samantha Lacroix and Danaye Melenius to their team of real estate professionals working out of their office at 4201 Johnston Road. The Johnston Road space was recently renovated to accommodate up to 30 realtors and feature a more modern motif. The new office has modern meeting spaces, includes an outdoor courtyard and is more open concept than the former layout.

china, crystal and more and is at 4943 Argyle Street. Chic Kids Consignment Boutique has moved to a newly renovated space at 5022 Argyle Street and has been renamed to Halle & Maxi’s Children’s Consignment Boutique. The new space has about four times the amount of floor space as the former location across the street. EM Salon Spa is celebrating its first anniversary under new ownership at 4439 Margaret Street. Nadine Niekerk acquired the shop last year and has since renovated the space by adding a treatment space both upstairs and down as well as a new room dedicated to fingernail services. Gibson’s Fine Linens recently held their grand opening celebration at 3036 3rd Avenue. The new shop provides linens and accessories for bathrooms, bedrooms and the kitchen.

Mayor Sharie Minions

Rick Jorgenson has opened Alberni Sports on the corner of 10th Avenue and China Creek Road. The shop offers new and used sports equipment and collectibles.

Brie & Barrel recently opened for business at 5059 Argyle Street. The restaurant was opened by Mayor Sharie Minions and her husband Colin, who also own Bravocados in Tofino. Dave Thielman, head chef of Bravocados will join the Port Alberni restaurant.

Codfathers Seafood at Harbour Quay has been rebranded and is now Codfathers Smokehouse. The shop has expanded smoked

Foxglove Consign and Design has been acquired by Carolyn and Jim Nienhaus. The shop features vintage, new and used furniture,

The Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District approved an application for Alberni Cannabis Co. to open a retail cannabis outlet at 2970 Alberni Highway, attached to the Alberni Liquor Store. The application must receive final approval by the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch before it can proceed with opening the outlet. Solda’s Fam ily Restaurant recent ly celebrated its 50 t h

anniversary at 4785 Beaver Creek Road.

TOFINOUCLUELET Tofino’s municipal council approved Tofino Harvest Company’s plan to open the town’s first commercial cannabis production facility by issuing it a two-year temporary use permit. The company is planning on opening a growing facility on a one-acre lot at 700 Industrial Way under a micro cultivation license from the federal government. The license allows for a maximum plant canopy of 200-square-metres and an annual cultivation of 600 kilograms. The approval by council remains contingent on district staff receiving a satisfactory waste management plan. The Tofino RCMP moved into their new detachment building after operating out of a modified space on Lone Cone Road for the past two years. The new $10-million building is high-tech, modern and efficient and is at 400 Campbell Street. Toquaht Nation officially opened a new $1.35-million marina, kayak launch and campground at Secret Beach on June 21st. Construction of the marina was supported by a $950,000 contribution from the provincial government and

25 $400,000 from Island Coastal Economic Trust (ICET). Future developments at the new marina will include a common building with a café, gift shop and meeting rooms, kayak comfort station, rental cabins and other infrastructure to support cultural tourism.

PARKSVILLEQUALICUM BEACH

Wendy Williams Wendy Williams, a Qualicum Beach resident, is the first Canadian woman to captain a major cruise ship. Williams will captain Virgin Voyages’ first vessel, Scarlet Lady, which sets sail in spring 2020. Kiwi Cuts Hair Salon has moved to a new space at Unit 1 – 675 First Street in Qualicum Beach. T h e Pa rk sv i l le & D i st r ict Chamber of Commerce was the recipient of the BC Chamber of SEE MOVER’S AND SHAKERS | PAGE 27

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OPINION

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JULY 2019

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

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

THERE IS A REAL COST TO A HOSPITALITY/TOURISM INDUSTRY DOMINATED ECONOMY

MARK MACDONALD

A

s the endless assault on resource-based industries continues unabated, one must begin to wonder what the anti-crowd would like to see in terms of a “greener” economy. What will people do to earn a living, buy cars and homes, and raise families? That must leave us with technology, and hospitality/tourism jobs. Everything else should be done away with, unless it’s “sustainable” – if we even know what that stands for anymore. Technology jobs? Those depend on electricity, and lots of it. More on that later. As for hospitality/tourism, it is truly a wonderful sector, and it allows others to come and enjoy beautiful British Columbia’s water, mountains and forests. But what are the realistic job prospects for those employed in the

industry? Management of well-run hospitality/tourism properties will do just fine, and obviously owners make those types of significant investments in order to earn a solid financial return, at the very least. Regular staff? Numbers typically don’t dictate that unskilled workers automatically benefit from increased revenues. Which leaves them reliant on tips – the generosity of others – to pay rent or buy a home. And groceries. Here’s how it works: An entrepreneur creates a high-end tourism/hospitality product that can charge high prices to customers from other countries seeking “out of this world” adventure and experiences. Several years ago, I visited a coastal resort that charged customers $1,500 per day to do the things we did any day we wanted to as we grew up: Catch fish, prawns, crab and gather oysters, then cook and enjoy a feast. It made me realize how spoiled we are, those of us who grew up here. My wife, Lise and I recently had a fantastic dinner at a newly opened West Coast restaurant. The sumptuous fare would be the envy of any “big city” restaurant, with a bill to match. Afterwards, I mused that an establishment like this is likely out of

the price range of the workers. And if those are the only jobs available, then most locals can’t actually afford to frequent local, higher-end restaurants, hotels or resorts. This effectively create two classes of people: The servant class who provides the services, i.e. British Columbians. And the Guests who can actually afford to pay for them, i.e. tourists. On the other hand, if there are employment opportunities in non-tourist related sectors, namely manufacturing and resource industries, those workers typically earn more, and can afford those luxuries if they so choose. Since “servants” typically cannot, would it be surprising if resentment might rise when they realize they can’t afford to enjoy the best of everything in their own back yards? When on a Maui vacation this spring, I noted a woman entering the water with what looked like a knife strapped to her leg, and asked: “Is that knife for sharks?” “Sharks. . .and tourists,” she replied, matter-of-factly. I’m hoping she was just kidding, but she wasn’t smiling when she said it. I’m guessing it’s probably reflective of at least a few of those who don’t appreciate the constant deluge of tourists to their beautiful island.

Stories have recently appeared in Holland and Paris, indicating significant pushback by local residents against tourists. Locals are discovering that their city streets are becoming increasingly congested by out-of-towners who come to see the sights. Pictures show streams of people meandering down roads, enjoying the sights, looking for something new and interesting. It doesn’t look appealing for those that live there. It’s invading their privacy and lifestyle. Not to mention pollution. Which brings us to technology’s ever-increasing demand for electricity. The argument against the construction of Site C dam came under the guise of protecting the environment was dubious at best, since it inferred that other sources of electric power were more desirable and less invasive. We’re now starting to see the cost of costlier “green energy” in our hydro bills. But what about the “visual pollution” that is created by solar and wind generated power? Last summer, we drove through Idaho, and beside the Interstate was a long, black mass, covering acre upon acre of land, which appeared to be the remnants of a forest fire. When we got beside it, we saw

a mega-field of black solar-panels, doing their thing, collecting sunshine. The landscape looked like it was covered with black garbage bags. It was a stark contrast to rolling hills and green agricultural fields. Driving into Palm Springs, California this summer, we were greeted by what had to be a hundred or more enormous windmills: Almost an entire valley full of grey, propeller-topped steel pillars. These windmills produce energy (even though they’re proving to be not worth the effort in Alberta), but they are unsightly. At least European windmills look like tourist attractions. These must work to some degree. But they are ugly. And expensive. So, like everything, there’s a cost, and in business, it ultimately comes down to math. Do we want “greener” energy? Then be prepared to live with a lot more “ugly”. Maybe another dam on a river isn’t that bad, after all. And do we want a tourism-dominated economy? Then be prepared for an influx of visitors invading quiet towns, and a two-class system where average-earning British Columbians may not be able to afford the adventures of the affluent, rich and famous, left to look longingly over the fence and watch visitors enjoy what they cannot.

DRAMATIC DROP IN CAPITAL EXPENDITURES THREATENS CANADA’S PROSPERITY Capital Investment, Particularly In Machinery And Equipment And Intellectual Property

THE FRASER INSTITUTE

Assets, Is The Major Source Of Productivity Growth And Higher

STEVEN GLOBERMAN

Standards Of Living In

T

Developed Countries

he federal government’s recent approva l of the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion is a welcome sign. It shows that the Liberal government recognizes Canada’s deteriorating investment environment, particularly in the upstrea m oi l a nd gas sector (essentially, exploration and production). Unfortunately, the government has provided less evidence that it acknowledges the competitiveness problem plag uing a much broader range of Canadian

industries. To be sure, the oil and gas industry is a large and prominent contributor to the Canadian econom y. As noted in a recent Fraser Institute study, capital expenditures on oil and gas extraction accounted for 28 per cent of total non-residential

business investment in Canada in 2014. So the fact that capital expenditures in the mining and oil and gas extraction sector declined by around 30 per cent from 2014 to 2017 should have captured the close attention of federal leaders. However, decreased investment over that period at the individual industry level was more the rule than the exception, a fact arguably worthy of even greater attention. Across 15 Canadian industries that account for the majority of private-sector investment – including manufacturing and wholesale and retail trade – capital expenditures were roughly 13 per cent lower, in the aggregate, in 2017 compared to 2014. While mining and oil and gas extraction suffered the largest investment decline, fully 10 of the 15 industries spent less on capital assets in 2017 than in 2014, and the decreases over that period were fairly consistent on a yearto-year basis.

While reliable data on capital expenditures at the individual industry level is unavailable for 2018, capital expenditures across all 15 industries in 2018 were virtually identical to 2017. So it seems reasonable to infer that Canada’s widespread capital investment malaise continued through 2018. T h is decl i ne i n capita l expenditures across such a wide range of industrial activity is unique for Canada since 1990. The closest parallel to the 20142017 drop is 1990 to 1995, when investment declined in only four of the 15 industries. And the only really substantial decline in investment during 1990 to 1995 was in the financial sector. It’s also noteworthy that while 2014 to 2017 was a recession-free period, the early 1990s were characterized by a significant recession. The recent broad-based decl i ne i n private-sector capital expenditures underscores the urgent concerns raised by ma ny Ca nad ia n econom ists

and groups such as the Business Council of Canada about structural competitiveness problems (regulatory red tape, tax rates) that must be addressed. Capital investment, particularly in machinery and equipment and intellectual property assets, is the major source of productivity growth and higher standards of living in developed countries. The dramatic drop in capital expenditures therefore augurs poorly for future growth in productivity and real incomes in Canada. It also sends what should be a clear signal to government policy-makers that Canada’s future economic prosperity is in peril unless governments across the country take substantive action to improve the overall environment for private-sector investment. Steven Globerman is a senior fellow at the Fraser Institute. © Troy Media

SUBCRIPTIONS | $45 PER YEAR (12 ISSUES), $80 FOR 2 YEARS (24 ISSUES), SUBSCRIBE ONLINE: BUSINESSEXAMINER.CA. DISTRIBUTION: SECOND WEEK OF EACH MONTH VIA CANADA POST AD MAIL. The publisher accepts no responsibility for unsolicited submissions. The views and opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher. Produced and published in British Columbia. All contents copyright Business Examiner Vancouver Island, 2018. Canadian Publications Mail Acct.: 40069240

MOVERS AND SHAKERS

JULY 2019

MOVERS AND SHAKERS

Fern Road West.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 25

Commerce Executives Member and Community Engagement Award in the 201-500 members category. The award was presented to the chamber at the BC Chamber AGM and conference held recently in Burnaby. Leah Weinberg and husband Gerald Richardson, the owners of Weinberg’s Good Food in Buckley Bay, are opening Weinberg’s Qualicum in Chllham Village on 2 nd Avenue in Qualicum Beach. The shop will feature espresso and specialty coffee drinks as well as food and gifts. T he Beach Hut at 2 831 I sland-Highway West in Qualicum Beach has been acquired by Steve and Lyndy McKinnon. The new owners have given the shop a facelift and new menu with more changes expected. Parry Gallagher of Coombs Junction Furniture in Coombs was awarded the Retail Sales Professional (RSP) Award for Canada’s Pacific Region at the recent Canadian Home Furnishings Gala held in Toronto. Dr. Penelope Bartlett and Dr. Peter Haslett are leaving Qualicum Beach on August 31 and will be replaced by Dr. Henni Putter who will take over the practice effective September 1. The practice is at 173

The Regional District of Nanaimo approved the application of John Murray of Coombs Cannabis Inc. for a cannabis retail store on property at 2254 Alberni Highway. The application has now been forwarded to the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch for final approval. Corinne James has retired from her role as executive director of The Old School House Arts Centre, a position she held for 17 years. She retired alongside her husband, Ron Hadley, who stepped down from his role as the music program directory. The Hadley’s roles will be filled by Theresa Whitely and Phil Dwyer.

NANAIMO Woo dg rove Ch r ysler c o ngratulates Joe Fortier on his 20th anniversary of working for the dealership at 6800 Island Highway North. Joe is a parts and accessories specialist with the company. City council unanimously approved re-zoning applications for BC Cannabis Stores at 6683 Mary Ellen Drive and Country Club Centre at 3200 Island Highway North. The Country Club location would be situated in a new 753-squaremetre building that would also be home to three other commercial businesses including a Triple

O’s drive-thru. The other outlet would fill an existing 265-squaremetre commercial space beside M&M Meats at the Woodgrove Crossing plaza. After over 26 years as a sole practitioner, Tiah Workham, Notary Public, announced that on June 17th, Brenda Redman, Notary Public, joined her office. The office is now known as Pacific Station Notaries and is at #101 – 5220 Dublin Way. Harris Nanaimo announces that Marcelo Suvillaga is the dealerships top salesperson of the month at 2575 Bowen Road. Pharmasave Westhill Centre welcomes Reena Solita to its team as their new full-time coach of ideal protein. The Pharmasave location is at 1816 Bowen Road. Nanaimo Toyota congratulates Paul DeBron on being its top salesperson of the month for the dealership at 2555 Bowen Road. The Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce received the Provincial Leader in Community and Member Engagement Award at the recently held BC Chamber of Commerce AGM. The award particularly recognized the chamber for its municipal election projects, collaboration with community service groups to address issues of homelessness and work on instituting the summertime

Commercial Street Night Market.

LADYSMITHCHEMAINUS Resonance Hearing Clinic is celebrating its 10th anniversary of serving clients with a range of hearing and auditory services. The company has four locations across the South Island region including an office in Chemainus at #106 – 9844 Croft Street. Harvest House food bank recently announced its board of directors at their Annual General Meeting. This year’s board includes Jan Aikman as chair, Barbara Swanson as treasurer, Elizabeth Wharf as secretary, Kirsten Waller of Island Savings Credit Union as events manager, Barb Southern as communications manager, Jim Duncan as volunteer coordinator and Deb Mitchell as member-at-large.

COWICHAN VALLEY Fresh Kenny’s is a new fish n’ chip’s restaurant open for business at 1-187 Kenneth Street in Duncan. Pacific Homes is celebrating its 60th anniversary of serving the Cowichan Valley region at 3730 Trans-Canada Highway in Cobble Hill.

27 Shoreline Orthodontics opened a location in Duncan on June 18th at #203 – 300 Brae Road. The clinic offers services including Invisalign, Invisalign teen and clear and traditional braces. Island Chevrolet Buick GMC welcomes back Dean McIlroy to the Island GM team in their service department at 6300 Trans-Canada Highway in Duncan. Veridis Plumbing and Heating Ltd. celebrated its grand opening on June 9th at their new Whippletree Junction location at 4705A Trans-Canada Highway. The Cowichan Bio-Diesel Co-op has opened a second Green & Go blending pump at the Cowichan Petroleum Sales facility at 2999 Allenby Road. The Co-op uses old cooking oil in its fuels and supplies access to 100 per cent biodiesel made from recycled waste cooking oil collected from around Vancouver Island. The Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD) announced the hiring of Ann Kjerulf as their new general manager of land use services effective June 22. Ann has been a professional planner for over 20 years and returns to the CVRD following four tears as a Regional Planning Manager for the Island Trust where she led a team responsible for providing planning services to major Gulf Islands.

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