What’s Wrong with Canada?

BY SHANE WENZEL

Let’s start with our truck drivers. Some of our truck drivers who, for 21 months were considered ‘essential’ to keeping our shelves stocked and our medical supplies delivered, have been deemed ‘unessential’ in month 22. They are now considered a potential threat to Canada’s health system. Already struggling from an existing shortage of truckers, this could add up to 16,000 fewer drivers on the list.

I am completely amazed how in one short week these truckers managed to arrange a convoy of thousands of trucks and supporters to defend their relevance. This should be the envy of every politician.

The PM and other politicians might want to consider hiring the truck drivers they just unemployed as political strategists and campaign coordinators for upcoming elections. And, if the general population who they claim to ‘care about’ trusts them enough, maybe they too could build a ‘political campaign wallet’ of millions of dollars in that same week. It appears the thousands of people from every culture and religion standing on roadsides and overpasses in sub-zero temperatures waving hundreds of Canada flags and signs of love believe our Canadian truck drivers are more than a ‘fringe group with unacceptable views.. I noticed a speaker at a Calgary Freedom Rally asking his Punjabi brothers to stand up as proud Canadians to support their cohorts travelling to Ottawa. Who knew that 40 per cent of truck drivers in Canada are Punjabi? This speaks volumes for our diversity!

Another challenge in Canada is our growing inflation. While some try to sell it as a short-term imposition, people who know their economics say it will not be going down anytime soon. So, why is inflation in Canada so much higher than normal? I am told this is due to global supply chain disruptions, an increase in pent-up demand for items not available for some time, droughts and increases in farm costs due to carbon taxes and fertilizer prices. Increases to minimum wages and shortages in raw material have also added to the cost of operation. Add in a twist of ‘shrinkflation’ which occurs when brands reduce the amount of product in a container but sell for the same price as before. Unfortunately, a surge in prices of everyday goods always disproportionately harms lower-income families.

The possibility of an impending crises in Europe has caught Canada unable to help counter any world threat. We were able to promise a $120 million loan to Ukraine, but unable to provide any weapons or fighter jets. We have none to spare as we are not equipped with up-to-date warfare for our own use.

Our revenue is up thanks to our ‘much-maligned’ fossil fuel, but the added $40 per ton carbon tax leading to increased gas prices tends to lessen consumer joy. So, can it get worse? Yes. The federal carbon tax is scheduled to increase to $50 per ton in April. That means even higher costs to drive to work, to heat our homes and to truck our supplies around this vast country – if we can get them. Food prices are expected to climb five to seven per cent in 2022.

So, yes, something is wrong in Canada!

Shane Wenzel is president of the Shane Homes Group of Companies. Follow him @shanewenzel on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.His column is written for the Alberta Enterprise Group, @AEG on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

A Revolutionary Golf Experience Now Open in Calgary

Last October, LaunchPad Golf opened of the first of two year-round Calgary area facilities to the public. Located at the Mickelson National Golf Course in Harmony, Alberta, this revolutionary golf experience features 16 heated hitting suites. Powered by Toptracer, each of the nine games offer extensive stats and reporting. You can experience the thrill of 18 holes at Pebble Beach with the virtual golf challenge, or join the leaderboard and see how you perform in the long drive challenge. And before you enter LaunchPad, you can have the Toptracer app ready to go!

The LaunchPad menu was conceptualized by Calgary’s own chef Mike Pigot. Things get boogie with the Millionaire Dog. Butter poached lobster, Acadian caviar, fresh truffles garnished with gold are all the hype! Pair with Dom Perignon, good vibes and long drives for the perfect LaunchPad Golf experience.

With community being a focus for the LaunchPad Golf group, the beverage menu consists of speciality craft beer by local suppliers from the likes of 88 Brewing, Trolley 5, Cold Garden, Dandy Brewing, Snake Lake and Banded Peak. Cocktails are also a focus on the menu and the partners at Diageo have curated a cocktail menu set to please any palette. If wine is your thing, the partners at Arterra have designed a wine list eager to ignite the senses. You can also enjoy classics from our extensive Labatt product list.

Looking for the perfect spot for your next party or get together? LaunchPad Golf welcomes you to host your next special event where social interaction, fantastic food and beverage options, and top tier customer service are front and centre. Whether you are planning your best friend’s stagette, a night out with the boys or a birthday party for your child, LaunchPad Golf has group event options perfect for you. The team is ready to provide customizable options to provide a bespoke experience for your group regardless of the occasion. With options to host six to 100 guests, and packages starting at $29 per person, your unique special event can be planned without breaking the bank. Construction on the Heritage Pointe location is on track to open in April 2022. The multi-level venue, featuring Toptracer technology in the 40 hitting suites will also have two bar and dining areas with seating for over 200 people.

Visit www.launchpadgolf.com to book your suite.

Calgary’s Decision-Making Women

The recognition of the CIWB Awards

The true impact of the pandemic, the lockdowns, the scrambling, the work reconfigurations and the layoffs on Calgary business may never be known or calculated. Significant is an accurate understatement. As the crippling fog lifts, one business fact seems evident. “It has become clear that the pandemic has disproportionately impacted women – we are in the first ever she-cession due to primarily higher job losses for women and more and more women opting to leave the work force to assume caretaking responsibilities,” notes Heather Culbert, board chair of Axis Connects, the Calgary non-profit established to connect, collaborate, champion and provide career development resources for women and the CIWB Awards, and vice-chair of Export Development Canada (EDC).

She adds the disheartening fact that “women’s employment has fallen to a level not seen in the last two decades. In our province, a recent report from the Business Council of Alberta shows that young women have not fully rejoined the labour force, and while data is showing improvement, it is still quite precarious. This results in huge economic and social implications for women. Axis Connects knows we have our work cut out for us, but we’re more committed now than ever to elevate women and diverse professionals in decision-making roles through meaningful action.”

Getting ready for the April 27, 2022 presentation of the Calgary Influential Women in Business (CIWB) Awards (with presenting sponsors the National Bank of Canada and TransAlta Corp) she underscores that some things never change. Momentum. Resilience. And opportunity.

“Numerous studies point to the kind of impact that professional development and informal networks have on the success of an individual’s career. Yet women tend to lack access to these opportunities which are necessary to promote them to leadership roles,” she says. “Women need access to professional development training, outside of what their companies may offer, access to informal networks, especially of like-minded women, and access to curated tools and resources to accelerate their career transitions and advancement.” Culbert cites findings that, in Canada, women make up almost half of entry level roles, but the numbers drop to a quarter of women in executive positions, and only 15 per cent in CEO roles.

“Building the talent pipeline remains critical for increasing the number of women in leadership roles and it’s a vital reason why Axis Connects provides key tools, mentors and resources to support women in the mid to senior level of their careers.”

The annual CIWB Awards are inspiring recognition of the drive, success and business leadership of five Calgary women (and one male champion) in Calgary’s business decisionmaking roles. Although nominations are closed and the 2022 CIWB awards will be presented at the gala on April 27, 2022 (tickets and info available at www.axisconnects.com), the six inspiring recipients are:

• TD Bank Group Lifetime Achievement Award: Dawn Farrell, Independent Director and Chancellor at Mount Royal University and recently retired CEO and President of TransAlta Corporation

• RBC Large Enterprise Award: Jana Mosley, President, ENMAX Power

• TC Energy Small/Medium Enterprise Award: Eleanor Chiu, Chief Financial Officer, The Trico Group/Trico Homes

• Nutrien Professional Services Award: Cheryl Sandercock, Managing Director, BMO Capital Markets

• PwC Canada Social Enterprise Award: Kim Ruse, CEO, Calgary Women’s Emergency Shelter

• CIBC Male Champion Award: Jim Dewald, Dean and Professor, Haskayne School of Business at the University of Calgary

“Profiling the CIWB (Award) recipients creates awareness about the high quality of Calgary’s female leadership and inspires others to come forward and be recognized, so we can celebrate our leaders and the diversity of Calgary workplaces,” Culbert says with enthusiasm.