Business in Edmonton - February 2022 by Business in Edmonton Magazine

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THE CHAMBER WELCOMES DENNIS SCHMIDT AS THE NEW CHAIR

S ENIOR LIVING WITH DIRECTORY

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Supporting the visions of entrepreneurs one story at a time. Volume 10 | Number 2

REGULAR COLUMNS

Embracing the Challenge – Now is the Time to Act By John Liston

Let’s Connect Albertans With Alberta-Made Products By David MacLean

Big Things are Happening in Edmonton By Elan MacDonald

CONTENTS

Edmonton Chamber of Commerce

COVER FEATURE

he Chamber Welcomes T Dennis Schmidt as the New Chair By Nerissa McNaughton

ON OUR COVER: ABOVE: DENNIS SCHMIDT, NEW CHAMBER CHAIR PHOTO SOURCE: EPIC PHOTOGRAPHY INC.

FIND US ONLINE! B US I N E SS I N E DMONTON.COM BUSINESS IN EDMONTON

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FEBRUARY 2022 // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM

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STORY TITLE // SECTION

Supporting the visions of entrepreneurs one story at a time. Volume 10 | Number 2

CONTENTS THIS MONTH’S FEATURES

COMPANY PROFILES

47 53 57 63

A Circuit Electric Ltd. Celebrates 40 Years

Premier Industrial Ltd. Celebrates 75 Years

C arlson Construction Celebrates 95 Years

H abitat Studio Celebrates 30 Years

53 6

FEBRUARY 2022 // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM

18 29 37 41

Financial Planning for Tomorrow Small business moves forward By John Hardy

Edmonton’s Megaproject The $1 billion better idea By Parker Grant

The Value of MBAs No longer a golden ticket? By John Hardy

Future Focus The way of the future is a more intelligent form of age-in-place community-based health and home care By Natalie Noble

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REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS David MacLean John Liston Elan MacDonald

THIS ISSUE’S CONTRIBUTORS Nerissa McNaughton John Hardy Natalie Noble

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FEBRUARY 2022 // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM

EMBRACING THE CHALLENGE – NOW IS THE TIME TO ACT // JOHN LISTON

Embracing the Challenge – Now is the Time to Act BY JOHN LISTON, VICE PRESIDENT, ALBERTA ENTERPRISE GROUP

s the provincial government prepares for a new budget year, it is important that they be reminded of their mandate. The voters of Alberta placed us under new management, and that should mean a different philosophy should be applied to the delivery of government services. It shouldn’t be delivering programs based on a model of government pay, government provided, union monopoly. It needs to start delivering programs based on the free enterprise principles of transparent pricing, customer choice, competition, and private sector delivery. The government should not only be creating a policy environment that encourages a robust private sector, but it should be operating on the same principles that allow the private sector to thrive. Private sector operators build their success based on risk assessment and mitigation; bureaucracies atrophy because they operate on the basis of risk elimination. It is an adage that there is no reward without risk. The Government of Alberta should make it its mission to transform the culture of the civil service so that it is risk-taking, innovative and high performance. Alberta’s budget challenges should be set in the framework of transforming the energy sector to embrace the challenge of implementing new carbon technologies to become emissions free. The Canadian government has committed our country to achieving net zero by 2050 with the lynchpin of the plan being an escalating carbon price that will ultimately rise to $170 per tonne. This aggressive target seems to have been a trigger than has transformed the way the industry thinks about carbon dioxide. It is now seen as a potential feedstock with value, and, in response, the business community is investing heavily in carbon tech. Give industry a problem and they will find a solution to it.

Alberta’s budget challenge involves setting the right framework to attract investment capital. That means having a credible ESG (Environment Social Governance) strategy that gives confidence to the investor community. The emerging discussion in the energy sector is not only how we can meet the challenge of net zero, but how we can get there faster than anyone else. The broader solution will be for ESG funds to look at Alberta as the ideal destination for ESG investment. The industry is making that happen. It needs the provincial government to be the champion of its successes with the federal government and abroad. The Government of Alberta has the chance to develop a truly transformational approach to the delivery of government services by thinking like an owner and thinking like a customer. The government needs to maximize its revenues, reengineer program delivery on free enterprise principles and start saving for the future. We have submitted 16 recommendations to the Treasury Board as they prepare for budgets. One is to establish the Alberta Sovereign Wealth Fund, save 10 per cent of all government revenues and maintain investment income in the fund with the goal of growing the Fund to $500 billion by 2050. Others points: maximize the resources we have been blessed with, own the podium when it comes to a world tech hub and allow charter surgical centres to offload system pressures. The list goes on. Alberta can be the envy of the world in creating a legacy for its citizens, investing responsibly in the programs they hold dear, being a world leader on the environment, while realizing the lifelong dream to truly diversify our economy. Think of how great this could be. Now is the time to act. ALBERTA ENTERPRISE GROUP (AEG) PUTS ALBERTA BUSINESSES FIRST BY SHARING INFORMATION, ADVOCACY AND BUILDING BRIDGES TO NEW MARKETS. AEG MEMBERS ARE BUSINESS OWNERS, SENIOR EXECUTIVES, INVESTORS AND ENTREPRENEURS REPRESENTING FIRMS IN EVERY MAJOR ALBERTA INDUSTRY. AEG MEMBERS EMPLOY OVER 100,000 ALBERTANS AND GENERATE BILLIONS IN ECONOMIC ACTIVITY EACH YEAR.

BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // FEBRUARY 2022

LET’S CONNECT ALBERTANS WITH ALBERTA-MADE PRODUCTS // DAVID MACLEAN

Let’s Connect Albertans With AlbertaMade Products BY DAVID MACLEAN

his COVID-19 pandemic and the energy downturn has hit the economy hard, including the manufacturing sector. Alberta’s manufacturers have global supply chains that have been disrupted, their customer bases have shrunk, and they have been working with their employees and their families to keep them safe.

In a recent poll by Leger, 69 per cent of Albertans currently try to purchase Canadian-made products often. Due to the pandemic, 54 per cent of Albertans will try more often to purchase Canadian-made products. The desire is there. Now we must help Albertans understand which products are made in Alberta.

The COVID-19 crisis has taught us that we must strengthen and support our manufacturing sector here at home, in Alberta. To do this we must raise the awareness of products made here in the province to give consumers the opportunity to choose Alberta-made goods and build brand loyalty.

It’s time to launch an “Alberta Made” campaign that would help manufacturers proudly label their products as locally made and connect them with buyers eager to bring their supply chains closer to home.

Alberta manufacturers make so many world class products, it makes your head spin. From gourmet pet food and high fashion to world class metal products and electronics, you’d be surprised to learn how much we can purchase right here in Alberta. Canadian Manufactures & Exporters (CME) has been running a program in Newfoundland and Labrador under the name “Manufactured Right Here” for decades. The CME Newfoundland and Labrador Manufactured Right Here program has been universally adopted across the province. Manufacturers of all sizes and sectors such as PepsiCo and Molson proudly display the Manufactured Right Here NL label. CME has also partnered with the Ontario government to establish “Ontario Made” – a program that certifies products as local to that province and label them as such as well as providing an online portal that enables users to easily find local sources for a range of products. There are currently 2,500 manufacturers listed in the database.

It appears the Alberta government is interested in something along these lines. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Economic Development is consulting with stakeholders on a campaign to promote Alberta-made food products. This is great, but they shouldn’t stop there. While food processing is a critical industry in Alberta and a great strength, there’s so much more we can do. We should be connecting oil and gas companies and major utilities with local machine shops and equipment manufacturers so they can potentially reduce their reliance on sources in Asia or Europe. We should be promoting and celebrating local success stories like Argus Machine, StreamFlo and Hoisting Overhead Cranes. The model exists and Alberta should get working to help Albertans bring their supply chains home. Let’s support Alberta-made products.

CANADIAN MANUFACTURERS & EXPORTERS (CME) IS THE VOICE OF CANADIAN MANUFACTURING. CME REPRESENTS MORE THAN 2,500 COMPANIES WHO ACCOUNT FOR AN ESTIMATED 82 PER CENT OF MANUFACTURING OUTPUT AND 90 PER CENT OF CANADA’S EXPORTS.

FEBRUARY 2022 // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM

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BIG THINGS ARE HAPPENING IN EDMONTON // ELAN MACDONALD

Big Things are Happening in Edmonton BY ELAN MACDONALD, VP EXTERNAL RELATIONS, U OF A

e’re well into a new year but in many ways, it feels like 2021 all over again. The COVID-19 pandemic remains, the future still feels uncertain, the challenges for economic recovery ahead feel enormous. But there is reason for optimism about the Edmonton region’s economic future — thanks to some exciting opportunities on the horizon. A little over a year ago, I took on the role of vice-president of external relations at the University of Alberta. The job has given me a unique position from which to view the economic potential of transformative research and new technologies. The U of A is at the forefront of incredible shifts happening in several industries, such as hydrogen, biopharmaceuticals, artificial intelligence and food and agriculture. Big things are happening here that will benefit the Edmonton region, and I want to share those opportunities with you. Due to the health challenges we continue to face, biomanufacturing — particularly the production of medicines — is very much on my mind. In Canada, we import an astonishing 85 per cent of all our vaccines and therapeutics — more than four times the number we did in the 1970s. This dependency made us vulnerable during the pandemic because it delayed our access to COVID-19 vaccines; but we have the solution right here in the Edmonton region. The U of A’s Li Ka Shing Applied Virology Institute, led by Nobel laureate Michael Houghton, has teamed up with industry-led Edmonton non-profit Applied Pharmaceutical Innovation to create the Canadian Critical Drug Initiative.

CCDI aims to turn Edmonton into one of Canada’s leading hubs for biomanufacturing. Our region is the perfect place for this partnership to thrive. Between our Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry and worldrenowned Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology, led by acclaimed researcher Lorne Tyrrell, we are home to Canada’s largest collection of virologists. Our region has one of Canada’s largest chemical manufacturing clusters — expertise that can be used to scale up production of pharmaceuticals into consumer-ready products. Add to that our province’s strong agricultural industry, and we are poised to provide the raw ingredients for many new life-saving therapies. Once the initiative is fully funded, it would create 500 to 1,000 high-paying jobs — not to mention additional employment in support and spin-off industries. This is only the beginning! CCDI will build a pipeline of talented scientists, provide an exciting new industry for people to retrain into, and create a stable and potentially lucrative revenue source for our region and province. CCDI is one of the transformative shifts taking place in our region. Although challenges remain, our business community is part of a large and incredible story of resilience. During the pandemic, companies large and small became more resourceful and creative, and adapted to conditions we could never have anticipated. Our entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well. By continuing to work together to advance our region, I believe our future will be bright and prosperous.

ELAN MACDONALD IS PAST CHAIR OF THE EDMONTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND A FOUNDING DIRECTOR WITH EDMONTON GLOBAL. SHE ALSO SITS ON THE BOARDS OF COVENANT HEALTH, ATLAS BIOTECHNOLOGIES AND ALBERTA BALLET. SHE IS THE VICE-PRESIDENT (EXTERNAL RELATIONS) OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA.

FEBRUARY 2022 // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM

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Stantec To Design New Expansion for Trillium Health Partners’ Queensway Site Stantec is headquartered in Edmonton and works on leading projects around the world. The Queensway Health Centre in Toronto is one example of Stantec’s innovation in the healthcare space. Global integrated design firm Stantec was selected as the prime consultant to provide architectural, interior design and building and civil engineering services for the new Queensway Health Centre in Toronto. Part of Trillium Health Partners (THP), the nine-storey, 600,000-squarefoot patient tower will address the needs of the growing community and aging infrastructure. Once complete, the expansion will offer over 350 beds in a modern, dedicated centre for complex care and rehabilitation services. The building design creates a healing environment with access to daylight and views supporting patients and their families throughout the patient journey, while offering intuitive wayfinding that minimizes patient travel within the facility. Landscaped outdoor spaces will serve as natural extensions of indoor patient and public spaces providing amenity space for patients, families and staff. The building design brings a strong sense of connection to the community and reinforces the urban fabric. The new hospital building will connect to the existing hospital complex via a pedestrian corridor.

New tower welcomes patients and visitors The patient tower will define the northern edge of the Queensway campus, with the primary hospital building clearly visible from the north and northwest entrances. With H-shaped floor plates that reflect the use and clinical functionality of the building, the new tower rises up nine stories and provides a landmark for the community.

Abundant outdoor space for respite Two courtyards, one open to the east and one to the west, offer a place for respite and connection to nature. The east courtyard will be shared between the public and patients, with the north half providing a landscaped amenity that

respects the privacy of patient bedrooms with a mix of low stone walls and planting. The south half is an open landscaped public space with a pedestrian entrance in the southeast public lobby area. “In designing Queensway Health Centre, our team is embracing THP’s values of compassion, excellence, and courage to create a dynamic, welcoming, and sustainable facility for the community,” said George Bitsakakis, project principal for Stantec. “We believe that facility design plays a vital role in optimizing patient care and clinical services while creating positive spaces for patients, staff and the neighboring community. We’re excited to continue our work with THP to support the health and well-being of the community.”

Additional work for Trillium Health Partners As part of the redevelopment at Queensway, Stantec is also designing minor renovations to the existing hospital. A new central utility plant provides services to the new tower. In addition to the firm’s work at the Queensway campus, Stantec is providing planning, design, and conformance (PDC) services for THP’s new Mississauga Hospital project. The expanded hospital will significantly increase bed capacity and will modernize the delivery of healthcare. It will improve access to specialized health services for the largest hospital in the province. SOURCE: WWW.STANTEC.COM/EN/NEWS

FEBRUARY 2022 // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM

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PCL Construction and Pomerleau Put Industry Transformation Ahead of Competition Collaboration with Intel and Microsoft will see “Spot®” the robot dog joining site crews to help streamline workflow and enhance safety PCL and Pomerleau Construction are setting aside competition and leveraging innovation to collaboratively influence the construction industry. Along with Latium, Intel and Microsoft, they brought a ruggedized robotic dog to Cadillac Fairview’s 160 Front Street project in Toronto. Spot, an agile mobile robot designed by Boston Dynamics made its debut on a Pomerleau site in Montreal in 2019. Pomerleau was the first construction company in the world to welcome Spot on its job sites. PCL Construction will now send it to a couple of its job sites to further study and enhance how Spot can improve the company’s industry leading workflows. “Sharing what we have learned and our experiences with this technology with PCL and seeing how it can be combined with additional innovations will be an enriching experience,” said Eric Lessard, Pomerleau’s vice-president - Technology and Innovation. “We hope this partnership will inspire the industry as a whole to rally, so that advancements in construction can benefit communities and contribute to speeding up economic recovery in months and years to come.” “We are very interested to see how Spot performs autonomously and how exactly the data it collects while moving around our job site will complement our daily site tasks at the workface of construction,” said John Boktor, PCL’s senior manager, Digital Construction - Business Technology. “Collaborating with our technology partners and industry peers in an effort to enable technology further and more broadly in our industry is both very exciting and rewarding.” While on site, Spot was equipped with a number of complementary technologies, all of which will feed data into Latium Technologies industry leading Job Site Insights® smart construction platform. Those technologies include 360-degree cameras, a Leica RTC360 3D laser scanner, and Latium Technologies environmental air quality sensors, GPS sensors and other LORA IoT based sensory as required. Latium enabled Spot to collect data with the use of JSI®, aggregating and integrating job site information from third party solutions and wireless IoT sensor data onto a single

pane of glass. This enables job site personnel with real-time information to immediately respond to changing or adverse job site conditions and events, enhancing operational efficiencies while enhancing quality, safety, and operational efficiency. Spot frees up teams to focus on value added tasks. When it comes to safety, Spot can get into dangerous and hard to access or confined spaces, improving health and safety on job sites, which is of utmost importance to both PCL Construction and Pomerleau. To fully unleash the power of Spot on the jobsite, the robot dog is also equipped with Intel and Microsoft Azure, IoT and edge computing. This includes a ruggedized add-on computer, powered with Intel’s high-performance Xeon processor with Artificial Intelligence (AI) capabilities and processing power that operates the sensors, and the additional components Spot carries as part of the job-site robotic experiment. This open system allows for greater flexibility for developer adjustments. Having the data stored in Azure unlocks the potential for future use cases in IoT, edge computing, analytics, AI and machine learning, further driving additional worksite safety and operational efficiencies. ABOVE: SPOT® THE ROBOT DOG . SOURCE: PCL.COM

FEBRUARY 2022 // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM

HOW DO YOU MANAGE SUPPLY CHAIN CHALLENGES? Roseanne Carey, Practice Leader, Financial Transformation

any businesses have found opportunity and flourished despite economic adversity in recent months. The increased demand for certain products has boosted revenue, however often the rapid pace of growth can strain supply chains and the ability to keep the momentum going.

• Identify suppliers with better quality control and transparency into their own operations to reduce quality risks.

The consequence of rapid growth

Rapid growth can lead to a number of challenges for businesses as systems and resources that were adequate to meet a lower level of demand are stretched thin, and supply chains are at the top of the list of business growing pains.

Adapt your supply chain management system to your new volume of business Start by identifying internal processes that are creating strain and look for ways to make them replace overly complex elements with more streamlined ones. For example, if your processes are still largely manual and paper-based, you might be able to take advantage of newer digital systems that can automate – or eliminate entirely – certain tasks.

To ensure that you’re managing recent growth and can maintain this pace of business going forward, it may be necessary to evaluate your supply chain and make changes that will reduce your burden today and ensure a smoother path to continued future growth.

Look for new ways to be efficient While the higher demand for your products and services might be putting new pressures on your supply chain, it also means there may be opportunities to find new efficiencies and cost savings as the volume of supplies you are ordering increases.

Assessing your supply chain: Where should you focus?

As always, your business’ specific needs will determine where the greatest efficiencies can be found, but some good places to consider are:

The first step is to review your supply chain and how you manage it. Identify areas that are causing problems now or that you feel are at risk of becoming a problem in the future. Those problems and risks can include external factors such as critical supplies that are prone to delay, quality control failures or vendor relationship challenges. They could also involve storage, access, processing and shipping challenges once the supplies are within your system. Armed with a clear view of your supply chain’s strengths and weaknesses, you can now consider what changes you should prioritize, including: • • • • •

Finding alternative sources, Adapting your supply chain management system, Looking for new ways to be efficient, Leveraging digital technology, and Promoting workforce training and adaptability.

Explore alternative sources Rapid increases in demand for certain products during the pandemic continue to highlight the fragility or lack of scalability in some business’ supply chains. Meanwhile, beyond the pressures of the pandemic, other risks have emerged as supply chains grow more complex, including barriers created by trade disputes, shipping bottlenecks and other factors outside of your control. The solution or solutions you identify will depend on your unique circumstances, but you may have options to: • Improve scalability by finding multiple suppliers that can help you meet your rising demand. • Reduce the distance supplies need to travel and/or borders they need to cross through finding suppliers closer to you.

• Look for discounts associated with the higher volumes. • Look for ways to bundle your orders that might provide discounts on supply and/or shipping costs. • Redesign your internal processes to manage higher volumes with less cost or effort per unit. Modernize your systems through digitization Leveraging digital tools or moving to an online supply management system may alleviate your growing pains while also offering new opportunities to power future growth. Many supply chain administration functions can be digitized, automated and moved online to increase speed, stability and security. Digital supply chain management tools can also be used to make continuous improvements to your procurement operations as well as other aspects of your business. Data that these systems capture in real-time can be analyzed to help you look for new efficiencies, identify business trends and spot new growth opportunities sooner.

Have questions? Let us help.

Contemplating changes to your supply chain can seem daunting—but you aren’t alone. We understand the issues that affect your business and will work with you to find the best way forward. Whether you’re wrestling with supplier issues, adapting internal supply management or leveraging technology, our advisors are in your corner. Roseanne Carey is Practice Leader, Financial Transformation at Grant Thornton. Connect with Roseanne at Roseanne.Carey@ca.gt.com or +1 780 401 8228 to discuss how Grant Thornton’s consulting team can support your business.

www.grantthornton.ca

FINANCIAL PLANNING FOR TOMORROW // BANKING

FINANCIAL PLANNING FOR TOMORROW SMALL BUSINESS MOVES FORWARD

BY JOHN HARDY

t’s the new year and, while many Edmonton businesses are saying “good riddance” to 2021, they are also adjusting to a technology-driven new business normal. Edmontonbased retail small businesses, restaurants and service-based businesses are re-jigging their financial planning, focusing on recovery, and increasingly hooking into technology. “No doubt about it, the past 20 months have been very difficult for many businesses across the country,” says the upbeat Pierre Cléroux, chief economist at BDC. “Despite all the restrictions to limit the spread of the virus, entrepreneurs rolled up their sleeves, showed a great deal of resilience, adapted to the new reality, and in some cases, changed their business model altogether. I was quite impressed to see how quickly entrepreneurs adjusted and how innovative they have been in dealing with increased prices. In addition, Albertans had a double hit: they had to deal with both the pandemic and the drop in oil prices.” Business is moving forward but, according to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB), financial planning for the recovery may be a bumpy ride. “Right now, Alberta small businesses still have a tough uphill battle to economic recovery,” cautions Annie Dormuth, CFIB director of Provincial Affairs for B.C. and Alberta. “Alberta small businesses estimate it will take 21 months to full recover from the pandemic.

“DESPITE ALL THE RESTRICTIONS TO LIMIT THE SPREAD OF THE VIRUS, ENTREPRENEURS ROLLED UP THEIR SLEEVES, SHOWED A GREAT DEAL OF RESILIENCE, ADAPTED TO THE NEW REALITY, AND IN SOME CASES, CHANGED THEIR BUSINESS MODEL ALTOGETHER,’ SAYS CLÉROUX. ABOVE: PIERRE CLÉROUX, CHIEF ECONOMIST AT BDC.

FEBRUARY 2022 // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM

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FINANCIAL PLANNING FOR TOMORROW // BANKING

“Long-term business confidence has seen a mixed bag of reactions and that may be a testament to the high degree of uncertainty in the economy overall. It all impacts a business’ plans to hire and expand. Late last year, around 20 per cent of Alberta small businesses were considering closing, due to the pandemic’s financial impact.” She highlights CFIB’s Business Closure Report estimate that 34,500 Alberta small businesses were/are at risk of closing. She adds that CFIB is monitoring three indicators of business recovery: fully open, back to normal staff levels and sales. “As of now, Alberta small businesses have a long way to go to reach normal sales levels. While 77 per cent are fully open, only one third indicate they are at normal sales, and 43 per cent are at normal staffing levels.” The good news is on a human, employer and employee level. The CFIB report shows that 45 per cent of Alberta businesses no longer experience high stress and anxiety levels due to the pandemic. Staffing and salaries are key factors in business financial planning. “Organizations struggle to attract and retain workers,” warns Helen Vesce, division vice president of Service Delivery with ADP Canada, which conducted a survey showing that “some 46 per cent of small businesses owners and operators say hiring in the current environment is difficult, even with increased wages and with more than 27 per cent increasing benefits like additional vacation time. Some 20 per cent are introducing shorter work weeks. “The survey findings highlight the strength of small business. After weathering an unprecedented storm, they are making a comeback. As recovery continues, businesses who are able to adapt to the changing demands of the new labour market are poised to come out ahead in the search for top talent.” While all aspects of business were impacted, the uncertainty of financial planning and the unpredictability caused by the pandemic was exceptionally challenging for small businesses. Jon Horsman, senior executive vice president of Business, ATB Financial and CEO of ATB Capital Markets underscores that, for 20 speedbumpy months, businesses adjusted their financial planning and did what needed to be done, often just to hold on. “They found effective ways to survive the

“THE SURVEY FINDINGS HIGHLIGHT THE STRENGTH OF SMALL BUSINESS. AFTER WEATHERING AN UNPRECEDENTED STORM, THEY ARE MAKING A COMEBACK. AS RECOVERY CONTINUES, BUSINESSES WHO ARE ABLE TO ADAPT TO THE CHANGING DEMANDS OF THE NEW LABOUR MARKET ARE POISED TO COME OUT AHEAD IN THE SEARCH FOR TOP TALENT.” unpredictable environment of lockdowns and re-openings. They adjusted the financial planning and evolved their business models to accommodate the ever-changing economy.” He also cites the astronomical rate at which businesses established their e-commerce and digital delivery. “They switched their focus and adapted.” There is encouraging, business consensus that recovery has begun, but financial planning needs to be in synch. “There

ABOVE: HELEN VESCE, DIVISION VICE PRESIDENT OF SERVICE DELIVERY WITH ADP CANADA.

FEBRUARY 2022 // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM

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FINANCIAL PLANNING FOR TOMORROW // BANKING

was constant change and unpredictability in lockdowns and outreach to staff and suppliers,” he points out. Cléroux adds that various organizational and workplace changes are impacting a business’ financial planning and management. “The volume of e-commerce, for instance, is now almost three times pre-pandemic levels. There is no doubt that consumers have shifted to online, and this is not going to go away. For many entrepreneurs, the pandemic disruptions exposed critical weaknesses in the foundation of many businesses of all sizes and of all sectors. Entrepreneurs must embrace technology!” The role of technology, in the financial planning of small and mid-size Edmonton retail, restaurants, trades and Edmonton’s professional services and other small businesses, is vital.

At the pandemic’s peak in March 2020, particularly for many local restaurants, retail and services were managed by a galaxy of available POS systems. “Many small businesses found their cash flows completely halted while their costs increased,” says Matt Crawford, director of Emerging and Value-Added Services with Moneris, Canada’s largest provider of innovative, unified solutions for mobile, online and instore payments, hooked into over 11,000 small business locations in the Edmonton area. “But inventory delays or losses plus additional overhead spending on things like cleaning, plexiglass screens and protective equipment, rearranging bricks-and-mortar locations, and launching an ecommerce presence led to increases in both fixed and variable costs for many businesses. While many business practices have returned to the same state as pre-pandemic,” he says, “managing cash flow to accommodate these new additional costs and changes in consumer behaviour pose a unique challenge.” BDC’s Cléroux emphasizes that, in many ways, today and in the longterm, businesses being e-commerce savvy is not only important, it is essential. “Those who had invested in technology, like POS systems that are not only payment systems but ABOVE: MATT CRAWFORD, DIRECTOR OF EMERGING AND VALUE-ADDED SERVICES WITH MONERIS.

FEBRUARY 2022 // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM

// BANKING

“WHILE MANY BUSINESS PRACTICES HAVE RETURNED TO THE SAME STATE AS PRE-PANDEMIC,” SAYS CRAWFORD, “MANAGING CASH FLOW TO ACCOMMODATE THESE NEW

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UNIQUE CHALLENGE.” more and more like business operational hubs and other digital capabilities, were way better positioned and much quicker to adapt to the new business environment. The same is true for businesses that had invested in their online presence before the pandemic. They could benefit from the growing popularity of e-commerce in the wake of the crisis.”

EDMONTON CITY CLUB GET CONNECTED OPENING FALL 2022

ATB’s Horsman explains that, throughout the 20-month business broadside, “Businesses had to keep pivoting their operations and responses; the financial planning, closing and reopening their doors, building back customers, letting staff go and rehiring and moving to more digital offerings.” Encouragingly, when it comes to business financial planning and post-pandemic operations, there are small business silver linings in the dark and distant COVID disruption clouds. “In 2021, we were encouraged to see new business formation. The number of Alberta incorporations rose,” Horsman says. “We are seeing people starting businesses during the pandemic, pursuing innovative and creative entrepreneurial avenues. We saw a shift to sales and services business adapting to an economy where more customers were looking for an online experience and there was definitely an upsurge in remote working.” “If 2021 was the year of the recovery, I believe 2022 will be the year of going back to a new normal,” Cléroux notes with cautious optimism. “Difficulties will remain, of course, especially with disruptions in supply chains. On the other hand, oil prices will remain high, with a strong and increasing demand, which will definitely help the Alberta economy. I’m confident the Alberta economy will be resilient.”

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BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // FEBRUARY 2022

THE CHAMBER WELCOMES DENNIS SCHMIDT AS THE NEW CHAIR // COVER

FEBRUARY 2022 // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM

THE CHAMBER WELCOMES DENNIS SCHMIDT AS THE NEW CHAIR // COVER

THE CHAMBER WELCOMES DENNIS SCHMIDT AS THE NEW CHAIR BY NERISSA MCNAUGHTON

ennis R. Schmidt, BSc, MSc, LLB, is the principal of ALTURA Legal Advisory and the current chair of the Board of Directors for the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce. It’s a distinguished career path that empowers him to help the local business community in an impactful and meaningful way – and it’s also a fine career since his dreams of being a rock star were more a vision than a reality. “Being a lawyer was much more attainable/realistic,” Schmidt smiles, then goes on to draw parallels between the daydream job and the dream job he does now. “Being in control of my work and career, which clients I work with, and how much I want to work is certainly the vision of how I saw this career play out and I am grateful to have that.” A recognition by Best Lawyers as a leader in the practice confirms Schmidt made the right career choice. He continues, “As principal of ALTURA Legal Advisory, I am the sole lawyer responsible for client matters. I work with business clients facing a variety of legal issues, including corporate-commercial, employment, transactional and litigation matters. My repertoire of clients includes businesses operating in land development, construction, finance, franchising and engineering sectors among others. “Being the sole lawyer providing service to clients, I do all the legal work and administrative tasks. While the latter can be time consuming (and is not something I bill for), it gives my clients personalized service in all aspects of my business. Because I have close relationships with my clients, they receive personal, and often, immediate attention.”

After being introduced to the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce and the work it does, Schmidt felt his experience and the Chamber’s work were a natural fit. “My exposure to the Chamber was initially through my tenure at Fraser Milner Casgrain LLP (now Dentons Canada LLP),” Schmidt explains. “Carman McNary of that firm was actively involved with the Chamber as well as the Alberta Chamber of Commerce. He encouraged me to get involved and, after exposure to the Chamber, I recognized the important work that it does and how it is an important voice for business in our community. The ability to have input on economic issues on behalf of our members and the broader business community is very important. “Being a legal professional brings, I believe, a perspective to the Chamber Board of Directors that adds to the already broad range of experience and perspectives that you want in a functional and effective Board. Personally, I have acquired experience across a range of sectors and have detailed legal knowledge of those sectors. As such, I believe I contribute a unique set of insights and understanding and can put these qualities to excellent use at the Chamber where representing our diverse business community is very important.” Schmidt first sat as a member-at-large in the finance and taxation policy committee. After two years he sought and obtained a seat on the Board of Directors. During this four-year time span he also chaired the governance and nominating committee, was a member of the audit and risk committee and led the policy committee.

LEFT: DENNIS SCHMIDT, NEW CHAMBER CHAIR PHOTO SOURCE: EPIC PHOTOGRAPHY INC.

BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // FEBRUARY 2022

THE CHAMBER WELCOMES DENNIS SCHMIDT AS THE NEW CHAIR // COVER

“CHAIRING THE POLICY COMMITTEE,” SCHMIDT NOTES, “HAS THE FOUNDATIONAL ROLE OF CONFIRMING THE CHAMBER’S VIEWS ON POLICY ISSUES. OUR MEMBERS RELY ON THE CHAMBER TO PUT POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS FORWARD, ADVOCATING TO GOVERNMENT TO ENSURE OPTIMAL CONDITIONS FOR OPERATING BUSINESSES.” “Chairing the policy committee,” Schmidt notes, “has the foundational role of confirming the Chamber’s views on policy issues. Our members rely on the Chamber to put policy recommendations forward, advocating to government to ensure optimal conditions for operating businesses.” Schmidt became Board Vice Chair in 2021 and Chair in 2022 – and he admits, becoming Chair during a time when businesses are ravaged by the pandemic can present some challenges. “As a member-based organization entering our third fiscal year of the COVID pandemic, it will be challenging to engage with members and ensure we can continue to connect businesses and remain an advocate. The Chamber must keep engaging with its members and offering relevant and timely value through advocacy, programming and events. This will be important as our region moves forward with economic recovery. The Chamber has been an anchor for business in Edmonton for over a century, however, we need to deliver leadership when it is most needed.” The Chamber has developed a variety of supports to empower businesses recovering from the pandemic’s economic fallout. “We are providing updated provincial guidance on COVID relevant to businesses, supports on Alberta BizConnect and distributing complimentary rapid test kits,” says Schmidt.

FEBRUARY 2022 // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM

“In regard to economics, the Chamber’s Better When It’s YEG shop local campaign offered a suite of different activities to members and non-members to assist their businesses. Current and past activities include: • Office Lunch on the Chamber – appreciation for essential businesses • Short-Term Co-Working Space – support to help businesses continue to do business • Business Essentials Funding – offered over $70,000 in total funding • YEG Market – small business market at Fantasyland Hotel • Let’s Get Digital! – contest to win a free two-week digital marketing package • Workshop – Using Digital to Grow Your Business – digital strategy and tactics • Sample the City – supported over 50 locally owned restaurants, bakeries, and microbreweries in the Edmonton region.” Additionally, the Chamber continues to offer events that connect the business community with business and government leaders. The Chamber recently hosted the Honourable Rajan Sawhney, Alberta’s Minister of Transportation and the Honourable Ric McIver, Alberta’s Minister of Municipal Affairs. As well, the Chamber offers the Edmonton Trade Accelerator Program, which helps small to medium-size businesses to develop and execute a marketentry export plan.” Schmidt pauses to reflect on how COVID challenged and changed the Edmonton business community, but also ultimately showed the Chamber’s resilience, agility and ability to adapt. “COVID-19 forced us to change and adapt quite abruptly. However, in doing so we learned that we could enhance our value to Chamber members by leveraging technology to create exceptional connection and educational experiences. While this has added another way for members to experience the Chamber, we very much look forward to being able to meet face-to-face on a consistent basis again.”

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THE CHAMBER WELCOMES DENNIS SCHMIDT AS THE NEW CHAIR // COVER

He encourages businesses thinking about joining the Chamber to take a closer look. There are so many ways memberships help businesses of all sizes. The experience and depth of the Chamber ensure each member has decades of knowledge to draw upon. “The Chamber is in its 132nd year. We are a strong Chamber of Commerce; one of the strongest in the country. We take great pride in our level of engagement with members and the broader business community to ensure that our views represent the interests of business. We discuss and debate many issues affecting our business community and provide thought leadership and opinion to all orders of government.” He continues, “The Chamber has the ear of government decision makers and a seat at tables where decisions are made. It has earned its reputation as an effective and indispensable representative of the commercial interests of the business community, and is still doing that. The Chamber plays an instrumental role in positioning the Edmonton region as a great place with an abundance of opportunities to do business, live and work. Our three tenets were created with the needs of our business community in mind—to advocate, to educate and to connect. You can take part in positively shaping government policy for business, teach or be taught new skills and make new connections from people in many areas of business expertise. Use your voice and talents to help create prosperity in the Edmonton region.” He adds, “Businesses operate with an environment of policies, regulations and governance that constantly evolves alongside new technology, processes, sectors, and many other influences. These, in turn, affect business conditions and the Chamber is a significant participant in how those are set. The Chamber takes great pride in engaging with members and the broader business community and is diligent in discussing and debating issues that affect us. That is how our views come to reflect the interests of business, and that is why the Chamber’s opinion matters. We are very effective in representing the interests of the business community. Our opinion matters. The Chamber of Commerce includes businesses of all sizes in the Edmonton region

FEBRUARY 2022 // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM

and is very effective at representing their interests to all orders of government to initiate positive change and a prosperous future.” The Chamber is here for non-profit and charitable organizations as well as for-profit businesses. Additionally, the Chamber gives back to the city by supporting the Edmonton Community Foundation and the Endowment Fund for Children in Need. “Personally, I am involved as a volunteer director on boards of other not-for-profit entities and support the Stollery Children’s Hospital through financial contributions and volunteer work,” Schmidt says. While the tenure of Chair is just one year, Schmidt is determined to make a lasting impact during that time frame. “While it is a steep learning curve, I will jump into the role with my feet running and hope to provide as much value and leadership to the Board as possible so that the Chamber can continue to be a strong voice for business in Edmonton. I am excited about working with and assisting the leadership team at the Chamber to execute on new initiatives and continue to connect with the business community in a way that can positively influence government policy as it relates to the economy.” When he’s not helping clients as a lawyer or helping the Chamber move forward on important initiatives, you’ll find Schmidt out and about in the city he loves. He likes to stay active with fitness and snowboarding. He also loves music, has an extensive playlist and looks forward to the return of live concerts and events. “I have lived in Edmonton for most of my life but for a brief period in another city ‘south of here,’ he grins. “I love the connection to people and relationships I have built with lifelong Edmontonians who, I believe, are drawn to stay here through their connection with the community and drive to continue to see Edmonton prosper.” Looking at the year ahead, Schmidt concludes, “Personally, I will continue to grow ALTURA and provide good work for good clients. For the Chamber, I will continue to be a voice for the business community in Edmonton and will continue to provide value and service to our members.”

EDMONTON’S MEGAPROJECT // CONSTRUCTION

EDMONTON’S MEGAPROJECT THE $1 BILLION BETTER IDEA BY PARKER GRANT

t’s a done deal. Full steam ahead! Last July, after 18 months of technical evaluation and much public input and engagement, Edmonton “opted for the plan which best meets the goal of providing free-flowing traffic along Yellowhead Trail, while offering convenient access to adjacent communities and arterial roadways,” says the enthusiastic Kris Lima, director of the huge Yellowhead Trail Freeway Conversion Program. Designated as Highway 16 in GPS in all four provinces it crosses, the Yellowhead Highway is an interprovincial route that runs from the Pacific coast of BC, through Alberta and Saskatchewan and into Manitoba, ending in Winnipeg. It enters Alberta at Yellowhead Pass, travelling east into the Edmonton Capital Region as a four-lane rural Yellowhead Trail Highway, marking the western Edmonton city limit. The iconic, 24.6-kilometre (15.3 mi) expressway segment is a busy commuter route for Stony Plain, Spruce Grove, and Sherwood Park, carrying more than 80,000 vehicles per day, with significant truck traffic to and from the industrial areas of north Edmonton.

“Yellowhead Trail was first envisioned as a freeway decades ago,” he points out. “As part of Edmonton’s Inner Ring Road, it’s one of the city’s busiest roadways and is home to some of the city’s highest collision locations. The freeway conversion is needed to accommodate current and future traffic volumes.” Although an Edmonton suburban bypass of the route was completed when the northeast leg of Anthony Henday Drive (Highway 216) opened five years ago, the City outlined a $1 billion plan, in late 2016, to upgrade Yellowhead Trail to a freeway, eliminating at-grade intersections and constructing new interchanges. The total cost for the Yellowhead Trail Freeway Conversion Program is funded by all three levels of government with the federal and provincial governments contributing up to $241.6 million each, and Edmonton providing the balance. Work began in 2019 and planned for a 2027 completion. Construction is being done in a phased approach and is being timed and coordinated with consideration for efficiency to

ABOVE: WHILE THE PROJECT IS UNDERWAY THE YELLOWHEAD REMAINS PARTIALLY OPEN.

BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // FEBRUARY 2022

EDMONTON’S MEGAPROJECT // CONSTRUCTION

TWO KEY REASONS FOR THE CONVERSION WERE TO ACCOMMODATE THE AREA’S EXPECTED BOOM IN TRAFFIC VOLUMES AND FOR INCREASED SAFETY. EXISTING STATS AND DETAILS SHOW THAT, CURRENTLY, APPROXIMATELY 63,000 TO 81,000 VEHICLES TRAVEL YELLOWHEAD TRAIL EVERY DAY AND PROJECTIONS INDICATE THAT TRAFFIC IS EXPECTED TO DOUBLE OVER THE NEXT FEW DECADES, REACHING VOLUMES OF MORE THAN 120,000 VEHICLES, DAILY. minimize impacts to road users, residents and businesses. Lima adds that, throughout construction, while there will be periodic disruptions, Yellowhead Trail will remain open with at least one lane open in each direction. Two key reasons for the conversion were to accommodate the area’s expected boom in traffic volumes and for increased safety. Existing stats and details show that, currently, approximately 63,000 to 81,000 vehicles travel Yellowhead Trail every day and projections indicate that traffic is expected to double over the next few decades, reaching volumes of more than 120,000 vehicles daily. Safety is also a key priority and motivation for the conversion. Lima notes that several intersections along Yellowhead Trail are documented as notorious collision locations. Over the last 10 years, an average of 1,000 vehicle accidents occurred annually on Yellowhead Trail. The new freeway’s traffic flow will help prevent accidents. “The renewed vision for Yellowhead Trail converts the existing stop-and-go expressway to a six-lane free-flowing freeway,” he explains. “It will include 10 interchanges, eight signalized intersections, as well as various non-signalized intersections and private parcel access locations.

FEBRUARY 2022 // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM

“The freeway will greatly improve the overall safety of the corridor and improve the movement of goods and services into and out of Edmonton and the metropolitan region. It will enhance the reliability of the corridor while balancing program requirements with community, business and commuter needs.” There are mind-boggling, complex details and specifics involved with the conversion master plan, but the detailed aspects of the 156 Street to St. Albert Trail segment are the largest and most technically complex. They include the removal of the existing at-grade intersections at 149 Street and 142 Street and construction of one-way service roads parallel to Yellowhead Trail to provide access to existing businesses and communities. The plan includes off-corridor upgrades along 123 Avenue, 124 Avenue, and 128 Avenue between 156 Street and St. Albert Trail to support the adjacent network. “The heart of the freeway conversion is removing eight signalized intersections from Yellowhead Trail and making substantial on- and off-corridor improvements,” Lima says. “The program is being implemented through a combination of large and small projects, including off-corridor network improvements to support the new freeway, local businesses, and communities.” When complete, Yellowhead Trail will consist of six core lanes with a target operating speed of 80 km/hr. Construction of the three year 156 Street to St. Albert Trail project began in 2021 and is scheduled for completion at the end of next year. While the $1 billion project took years of planning, design and apprpovals, the actual construction work is a colossal work in prograss, involving the exceptional skills and talents of area contractors like Lafarge, PCL and Standard General. “This work is a large undertaking and requires major coordination from many different parties, land owners, utility companies and their contractors, Standard General and our sub contractor as well as the City and their consultants,” explains Matt Lamer, Standard General’s project manager of the Yellowhead Trail project. “On any given day there is anywhere from three to 12 different companies working on the project with four different consultants and City reps. A typical day has between 25

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EDMONTON’S MEGAPROJECT // CONSTRUCTION

IN ADDITION TO THE STATEOF-THE-ART EFFICIENCIES AND IMPROVEMENTS RELATED TO THE MASSIVE YELLOWHEAD TRAIL FREEWAY CONVERSION PROJECT, IT IS ALSO A WIN/WIN FOR THE EDMONTON AREA, WITH THE CREATION OF APPROXIMATELY 6,000 DIRECT, INDIRECT AND INDUCED ALBERTA JOBS AND APPROXIMATELY $430 MILLION IN WAGES OVER THE PROJECT’S 10-YEAR DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION PERIOD. “Everyone on the project is pulling together to have the work completed by the end of 2023. At completion, traffic will move much smoother through the city and particularly alleviate congestion and harmful idling.” In addition to the state-of-the-art efficiencies and improvements related to the massive Yellowhead Trail Freeway Conversion project, it is also a win/win for the Edmonton area, with the creation of approximately 6,000 direct, indirect and induced Alberta jobs and approximately $430 million in wages over the project’s 10-year design and construction period.

and 75 people working on the project with thousands of manhours each and every week.” Lamer points out that, in order to accommodate ramps that can safely handle the volume of traffic, additional lanes and road widenings needed to happen. The widenings required major structural work at the 156th Street and St. Albert Trail Bridges, including retaining walls in each location. “Another result of the widenings are utility relocations of existing infrastructure. Many underground and utility infrastructures are old and need to be replaced with upgraded and higher capacity materials and sizes.

“The freeway conversion is more, much more, than a road construction project,” Lima emphasizes. “The corridorwide program goes way beyond road redesign and into a transformation that will contribute to a sustainable city and community well being. We want to connect people, communities, and businesses. Yellowhead Trail is an important corridor for businesses right now and the freeway conversion will enhance its importance. We want to ensure the work we do retains and attracts business activity along the corridor. “It’s exciting to be on the team bringing this transformational vision to life for the city, for Edmontonians and for the entire region.” TOP: THE CONVERSION WILL HAVE A POSITIVE IMPACT ON TRAFFIC FLOW AND REDUCE ACCIDENT RATES. BOTTOM: MANY LOCAL SUBTRADES ARE HAPPY TO BE PART OF THIS LANDMARK PROJECT.

FEBRUARY 2022 // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM

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Knocking down interprovincial trade barriers

2022 Board of Directors Board Executive

Chair: Dennis R. Schmidt Principal, ALTURA Legal Advisory Vice-Chair: Haydar Al Dahhan President and CEO, Design Works Engineering Secretary-Treasurer: Jason Pincock CEO, DynaLIFE Medical Labs Past Chair: Elan MacDonald Vice President (External Relations), University of Alberta Jeffrey Sundquist President & CEO, Edmonton Chamber and World Trade Centre Edmonton

Board Directors Nicole Bird Owner, Rsvp Design Inc.

Aziz Bootwala Managing Principal, Edmonton, Vice President, Business Development, Kasian Architecture Interior Design and Planning Ltd. Nathan Carter Vice President, Projects and Construction, ATCO Energy Solutions Jonathan Gallo Managing Partner, Gallo LLP Chartered Professional Accountants Sandy Jacobson Vice President, Richardson Executive Search Sam Kemble Chief Operating Officer, Workforce Delivery Inc. Annemarie Petrov President and CEO, Francis Winspear Centre for Music Amir Shami President and CEO, Rotaflow Celia Wanderley Chief Customer Officer and Head of AltaML Invent, AltaML

Edmonton Chamber Executive

Scott Channon Director, Marketing and Communications Christen Rumbles Director, Finance Amin Samji Director, Member Services

Contact

Edmonton Chamber of Commerce #600 World Trade Centre 9990 Jasper Ave, Edmonton, AB T5J 1P7 T: 780.426.4620 | F: 780.424.7946 edmontonchamber.com

Jeffrey Sundquist, President & CEO

t ground level, Canada seems an open country with highways rolling to the prairie horizon and beyond distant mountains. Travelling across, we enjoy clear vistas with nothing to block the views. When we look on a map, though, the geographic border lines are closer to depicting the interprovincial trade story of differences and barriers that impact business and our economy. Interprovincial trade is multi-dimensional in complexity and includes the movement of goods, services, workers, and investment. Regulations, licences, laws, and other rules vary across jurisdictions, impacting business operations and international competitiveness. There are different provincial regulations affecting the transportation sector, for example, separate dairy and poultry marketing boards, and barriers to labour mobility. There are also barriers to individual import of wine, beer, and spirits that hinder the tourism industry. Collectively, non-geographic internal trade barriers amount to 3.8 per cent of Canada’s real GDP, according to Deloitte. That corresponds to $80 billion or $2,130 per person. After decades of effort, the 2017 Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) was a considerable advancement with a structured process to eliminate trade barriers. However, many still need to be addressed and the impacts are particularly felt by small and mid-sized producers. In an ideal scenario, removing non-geographic trade barriers would see estimated increases in provincial GDP of $11 billion and provincial tax revenues of $1.8 billion. Regardless, governments positioning for economic recovery from the pandemic should prioritize eliminating these barriers to gain the significant and much needed benefits including increased productivity and labour mobility. Aggressively dismantling interprovincial trade barriers is a top priority we advocated for in our Federal Election Platform 2021: From Challenge to Change. Combining forces with the Calgary Chamber, we provided next steps to the federal government with a view to eliminating trade barriers and driving economic growth. We want the government to prioritize the continuing work of removing interprovincial trade barriers through the CFTA while accelerating elimination of barriers through the Regulatory Reconciliation and Cooperation Table. Given the potential positive economic benefits, cooperation with provinces and territories for the greatest results is recommended. Establishment of a task force to give direction and strategic support to provinces in dismantling interprovincial trade barriers and pursuing bilateral or multilateral trade agreements is recommended. To facilitate the free movement of skilled labour across Canada, there also needs to be consistent and harmonized recognition for professions with specific certifications. We urge the government to leverage existing agreements such as the New West Partnership Trade Agreement between British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. These provinces demonstrated their openness to internal trade with the lowest numbers of CFTA exceptions in Canada. Alberta has the fewest after eliminating 21 CFTA exceptions in 2019. Tell us your top issues and business priorities at policy@edmontonchamber.com.

FEBRUARY 2022 // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM

Memberships that grow your business. It’s what we do.

As a member of one of the largest chambers in Canada, you have access to a wide range of resources, contacts, policy representation, events, networking opportunities, discounts, and brand exposure that will help support and grow your business. Learn more at edmontonchamber.com and start leveraging your membership.

Dzyne For Life Interior Decorator Member Profile Leigh Fortier, Interior Decorator www.dzyneforlife.ca What’s your story? I have always loved interior design and am constantly asked by family and friends for advice on how to revamp their spaces. I absolutely love it. I lived in Fort McMurray for years, before my husband and I moved away after the 2016 wildfires. Our house was damaged, due to a natural gas explosion in our area, about 2 weeks after the fire occurred. Two years later, our home was finally finished with the repairs. I remember, looking at my home after the repairs were done, and all I could think about was “why didn’t I make these changes sooner?”. I previously hadn’t been happy with my home, but I didn’t fully realize it until the repairs were made and I had purposefully chosen colours and furnishings that spoke to me. I don’t want this to happen to other people. Let’s live in homes that we are comfortable and happy in. Don’t wait until you are ready to put your home up for sale before you make the improvements that you should have done a long time ago. What do you enjoy most about being a member of the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce? There are so many talented people from all walks of life, and I am excited to have opportunities to connect with them. The Edmonton Chamber of Commerce is so very

FEBRUARY 2022 // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM

committed to helping the community and local businesses. It’s great to be a part of it. Who is your ideal client? My ideal client is someone who is looking for life balance. A lot of people may not be aware of this, but something simple like the colour choices in your home can either enhance or deter your mental well-being. You may not be conscious about it, but colour can alter your mood, for good and bad. My goal is to create a space that reflects the best in you! What has been your biggest challenge in business, and how did you overcome it? Getting my name out there to the public. It has been difficult, especially with the pandemic, but I continue to be dedicated to spreading the word about the importance of design and showing everyone my passion. What is your favourite thing to do in Edmonton? I am a huge supporter of supporting local and small businesses. I purposely seek out small independent businesses and support them, in either having a lunch at their establishment, or making sure I purchase something from them. If you could make one substantial improvement to Edmonton’s business environment, what would it be? Making it easier for small businesses to succeed and promote their business. Cutting out the red tape so people can take their passions and bring them to life.

THE VALUE OF MBAS // EDUCATION MBA

THE VALUE OF MBAS NO LONGER A GOLDEN TICKET?

BY JOHN HARDY

hen it comes to the contemporary, real business world value of MBAs, there are varying schools of thought.

Initially, MBAs targeted those who aspired to leadership positions and were a cliched requirement for reaching the top rungs of finance or management consulting or the C-suite of large companies. An MBA was often considered the business’ “golden ticket” to fast-tracked corporate success, six-digit executive salaries and vague, ladder-climbing prestige. During the past decade or so, the MBA has seen a dramatic evolution. It has been transformed from a sacred must-have for senior management positions to a modern nice-to-have in coporate, entrepreneurship and the business galaxy of high-techs and start-ups. Today, one of the many positives about an MBA is that it can be appied to most industries; particularly for people

uncertain about what industry is right. There are a series of specializations and concentrations like strategy, corporate finance and operations that can be explored in MBA programs. There is a trend for students to choose an MBA program specifically for an entrepreneurial path to launch startups or join early-stage firms. “While some things have remained the same, such as a core focus on business fundamentals and general management, there have been changes in both academic focus and program delivery,” says the knowledgeable Chris Lynch, senior director, Masters & Professional Programs of the Alberta School of Business at Edmonton’s University of Alberta. “In terms of academic focus, the bigger changes have been around experiential learning or application of knowledge in practical/real-world settings, and the ability to target studies in more specialized areas.” He explains that the value proposition differs slightly based on a student’s

BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // FEBRUARY 2022

THE VALUE OF MBAS // EDUCATION MBA

specific background. Today’s MBA degree is designed to give students solid business knowledge, the skills and confidence to make business decisions and to expose students to different ways to thinking. “While there are many different reasons for someone to pursue an MBA, students would typically fall into two main groups,” he says. “Some look to use the MBA as a way to transition into a completely new industry or take their career in a different direction, like moving from a nursing role into management consulting. The MBA is a catalyst for that type of change and the networking and career support available to students through the program. “It can also be a key motivation for students to stay within their current organization or industry and move into management or higher level leadership positions. The MBA provides practical business and management training to help students move up in their career.” There are subtle but signigficant differences between an MBA vs. a BA, BComm, BS, BBA or CGA. “Compared to other degree options, the MBA places a lot of emphasis on experience and learning from both the instructor and from your peers,” Lynch notes. “We require students to have postgraduation work experience prior to entering our program and, on average, students have between five and eight years of work experience before starting the MBA.” Traditional MBA basics like leadership, senior management, finance and risk managaement, are still vital components of MBA courses. However, the transformation of businesses is translating into a dynamically changing focus for MBA programs. “While students still gain core business knowledge and principles, the MBA has expanded to allow students to focus in new areas and industries,” he says. “Over the past five years, we have introduced more courses and an MBA career track focused on business analytics. We have increased both course offerings and applied learning options in innovation and entrepreneurship, and introduced career tracks that focus on public sector and healthcare management. All are designed to be complementary to our core curriculum and allow students the opportunity to learn more industry specific skills.”

“IT CAN ALSO BE A KEY MOTIVATION FOR STUDENTS TO STAY WITHIN THEIR CURRENT ORGANIZATION OR INDUSTRY AND MOVE INTO MANAGEMENT OR HIGHER LEVEL LEADERSHIP POSITIONS. THE MBA PROVIDES PRACTICAL BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT TRAINING TO HELP STUDENTS MOVE UP IN THEIR CAREER,” SAYS LYNCH. Entrepreneurship is a vital category of today’s business, and many MBA programs for entrepreneurs host specialized entrepreneurship and innovation centres, which offer networking opportunities and even accelerators or lab space where students can build their new businesses. Increasingly, business schools are building these and other resources, which can be leveraged by entrepreneurship-minded MBA students. An increasing number of students use MBA experience to build and launch startups. Most business schools have now incorporated the entrepreneurial focus into the MBA curricums. Lynch points out that once a student has a solid grounding in business fundamentals, the Alberta Business School program offers a number of targeted courses specifically for students interested in starting their own company or working in the start-up space.

ABOVE: CHRIS LYNCH, SENIOR DIRECTOR, MASTERS & PROFESSIONAL PROGRAMS OF THE ALBERTA SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AT EDMONTON’S UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA.

FEBRUARY 2022 // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM

THE VALUE OF MBAS // EDUCATION MBA

“The courses, like New Venture Creation, concentrating on the development of a new enterprise and the management of an existing small business; Technology Strategy & Innovation to develop a high-level understanding of the dynamics of technological change, the sources and distribution of innovation and how companies and society benefit from highly-innovative organizations; and High Technology Business Development with emphasis the interface of science and technology product development, including challenges facing new start-ups are a mix of both theoretical knowledge and practical application.” The unvarnished truth is that opinions about MBAs differ and the jury’s out about the business world perception and value of an MBA. “The unfortunate reality is that one of the few objective measures in assessing a large pool of applicants is grades,” explains the plugged-in and experienced Adam Pekarsky, founding partner of Pekarsky & Co., a leader in recruiting executives, advising boards and offering thought leadership in Western Canada for over 20 years. “So, academic achievement is still relevant but should be thought of as table stakes because other qualities like emotional intelligence, networking, relatability, work ethic, empathy, hustle and tech savviness are harder to assess than academic achievement when considering to hire someone. “The irony, of course, is that those other skills are actually considerably more important and valuable to employers. Employers want to know that anyone they hire possesses the requisite grey matter, and the preferred way to do that is by assessing academic achievement.” With years of experience dealing with employers and candidadtes, Pekarsky gently bursts the clichéd bubble of MBA as a golden ticket. “I wouldn’t say employers are asking for or expecting MBAs, but there’s no doubt they still have value. If it’s a competitive situation where employers have choice, preference is going to be given to the candidate with the MBA over the candidate with a straight B.Comm.” He notes that MBAs hold value but emphasizes that an MBA focus on entrepreneurialism is particularly valuable. He adds that general management would likely be the best approach, “as most young people don’t know what they don’t know

WITH YEARS OF EXPERIENCE DEALING WITH EMPLOYERS AND CANDIDADTES, PEKARSKY GENTLY BURSTS THE CLICHÉD BUBBLE OF MBA AS A GOLDEN TICKET. “I WOULDN’T SAY EMPLOYERS ARE ASKING FOR OR EXPECTING MBAS, BUT THERE’S NO DOUBT THEY STILL HAVE VALUE.” and the risk of specializing too soon. What happens if, after a few years, they discover they don’t don’t like the specialty?” Lynch emphasizes that the actual value of an MBA depends on the specific role and organization. “There are a number of firms/employers who actively recruit for MBA graduates. Recruitment has expanded from traditional roles in consulting and financial services to include more technology firms and larger organizations with management development programs. More generally, for individuals looking to move up into management positions within their industry, the MBA is a strong signal that the individual is prepared to excel in a management role.”

ABOVE: ADAM PERKASKY, EDMONTON NATIVE AND FOUNDING PARTNER OF PEKARSKY & CO..

FEBRUARY 2022 // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM

FUTURE FOCUS // SENIOR LIVING

FUTURE FOCUS THE WAY OF THE FUTURE IS A MORE INTELLIGENT FORM OF AGE-IN-PLACE COMMUNITY-BASED HEALTH AND HOME CARE

BY NATALIE NOBLE

ll too often, people spend their lives working towards retirement while neglecting the actual aging part of the equation. There’s no denying it, the longer people live, the more lifestyle needs change with age and that means appropriate living situations should be part of planning for the future. But according to industry professionals, over 80 per cent of Albertans continue to avoid leaving their homes. Those who remain too long in single-family homes with large yards, basements and stairs, may be risking their healthy futures through a fall or the drawbacks of isolation. “Sadly, moving tends to be more of a crisis management situation because people continue to wait in denial until the 11th hour, avoiding the fact that it’s likely past time to transition,” says Greg Christenson, president at Christenson Developments. “That situation is more stressful and doesn’t offer the same length of time to make the best decision.” In March of 2021, the Government of Alberta’s Annual Report: Seniors and Housing 2020-2021 indicated the province was home to approximately 670,000 seniors, 15 per cent of the total population. By 2035, that number is expected to surpass 1 million seniors, 19 per cent, or, one in five Albertans. Still, the inevitability of aging continues to be avoided while there’s a lack of awareness around the options available. “People fight it tooth and nail, they go in [to institutional long-term care] and they decline right away, often passing away soon after,” says Dawn Harsch, president and CEO at ExquisiCare. “Those places can be unpleasant, they look, feel and smell like a hospital. A lot of people aren’t aware there are so many alternatives to that institutional care environment and I would encourage people to know what all of those options are.”

Harsch and Christenson suggest people research and plan for their future, transitioning sooner than later. Doing so leaves more options on the table and better chances of a higher quality of life for the long-term. Common public perception tends to focus on governmentfunded long-term care facilities. “It’s very costly for the government to build long-term care facilities,” says Christenson. “There’s one first-class facility currently being built in Edmonton at a cost of $364 million. It will have 345 units which means it costs over $1 million per unit to build.” The current monthly cost to a resident in governmentfunded long-term care sits at $2,132 for the accommodation with the government picking up the remaining care expenses. Gaining in popularity, is designated supported living (DSL). Approved and subsidized through the provincial government, these residents receive publicly funded 24-7 on-site personal care and support services. Operated by either Alberta Health Services or contracted providers, DSL embeds long-term care within more attractive residential living rather than the institutional setting. “With DSL, the cost to build is less. Modern apartments are already equipped with accessible age-in-place design features for adaptability,” says Christenson. For those who can afford it, in-house care by a private nursing service can be a good option but can cost upwards of $300,000 per year for 24/7 care as it requires multiple caregivers. Meanwhile, the average private-owned facility might cost residents an average $4,000 per month while taking some burden off the public system. With his mind set on creating healthier and happier futures for Albertans as they age, Christenson has worked for over

BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // FEBRUARY 2022

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FUTURE FOCUS // SENIOR LIVING

30 years to create innovative active adult living housing. His company manages over 1,500 homes in 10 luxury retirement communities around Alberta. “We believe in the residential choice over institutional models and our properties are designed to promote holistic healthy living in a preventative health and socially engaging lifestyle,” says Christenson. “Our active adults can age-inplace through retirement and beyond.” Christenson Developments communities tend to follow the conventions of an urban village that supports healthy living and social interaction. “Our buildings have central dining rooms, movie, craft and party rooms, courtyards and generous two-story lobbies that lend a sense of arrival. We also have dementia-friendly wings built according to our provincial health care standards,” says Christenson. “While people might downsize to an active living adult condo, we offer facilities that are typically better than their singlefamily home for hosting family gatherings with guest suites available for visitors.” These communities offer diversity beyond the large condo building, including family townhomes, retirement housing, seniors buildings, lodges and various amenities. For instance, Village at Westmount offers numerous retirement living options including spacious suites from one bedroom to two bedroom-plus-den suites up to 1,150 square-feet. The main building has a commercial kitchen, dining and party rooms, guest suites, an exercise room, crafts room, hair salon and coffee bar. The community also includes a seniors lodge and accommodates assisted living through 31 Alberta Health Services-funded care beds. For those beyond the active living stage needing more care, ExquisiCare offers an extended family-like setting in 10-bedroom residential estate homes. Residents are greeted by name and have a sense of belonging at a cost not much above that of the government-funded facility. “Our homes look, feel and smell like a home,” says Harsch. “All our meals are home cooked. Just the smell of a roast in the oven, that olfactory response wakes our appetites. A lot of elders lose weight, becoming frail in an institutional or government funded long-term care facility. In contrast, when they come to us, we get them to gain back that healthy weight.”

FEBRUARY 2022 // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM

ExquisiCare’s private care homes support age-in-place living from the assisted living stage through to long-term care and eventually the palliative care phase. “We are an alternative to institutional long-term care,” says Harsch. “People can move into an ExquisiCare home when they no longer feel comfortable or safe in their own home. They’re ready for 24/7 care and they take comfort in knowing they won’t have to move again. The average age of our residents is 93 and we have several centenarians with us.” Each location in Harsch’s holistic service model retains the same long-term staff of 10-to-16 and is overseen by a nurse, or “elder guide” who looks after clinical medical needs and beyond. “I designed this model to create spaces where people want to live, but also places where people enjoy coming to work. We have a real consistency in our care giving. Some of our elders are challenged in advocating for themselves. Our staff get to know them so well, they can anticipate their needs,” says Harsch. The elder guide secures resources that enhance each elder’s life – hair care, massage therapy, entertainment and more, including a beer making system for one gentleman who loves his beer. “We’ve always been committed to helping our elders find purpose and meaning. They might need help with their dayto-day living, but we value them and find ways to let them know they’re valued,” says Harsch. There are also benefits to private models that keep couples together. Where most government-funded facilities base admission upon individual care needs, Christenson Developments and ExquisiCare welcome couples with differing needs. “It’s really sad when these people who’ve been married for 50 or 60 years feel like they’re ‘divorced’ because they have to live in two different facilities,” says Harsch. Inevitably, one person in a couple will require more care. It’s common to see the healthier individual care for the other, negatively impacting the informal caregiver’s physical and mental health. Instead, models that accommodate couples aren’t just healthier for both individuals, they make good economic sense. “From the dollars and cents perspective it saves the Alberta Government billions of dollars to keep spouses together as well as close to their adult children,” says

DIRECTORY // SENIOR LIVING

Christenson. “That integration of family and government services is something we’re very interested in and promoting.” Harsch feels hopeful by increasing attention around the small home long term-care model while Christenson believes Albertans will see new home care models supported by the Alberta Government as soon as 2022. “People are increasingly understanding the merits of the residential and social model to avoid the need for long-term care,” says Christenson. “Builder-developers are not starting off with a picture of the hospital in their brains, people are looking at healthier alternatives.”

As the health and wellness benefits continue to be realized, the City of Edmonton and increasingly educated builders are working to be ready. “Much of this movement is led by progressive councils and mayors while the industry, including ourselves, and other organizations like the Chamber of Commerce, have long fought for it too,” says Christenson. “People want to see neighborhood development and revitalization, including mixed density and intergenerational neighbourhoods with a range of building forms and tenure. It’s taken some time, but I’m an optimist and I see that we’re on the cusp of great progress.”

Senior Living Directory NORTH GARNEAU HALL SENIORS COMMUNITY Garneau Hall Seniors Community offers quality services, assisted and independent living, and a variety of amenities for Edmonton’s seniors. As a non-profit community, we put Seniors first – with quality and care at the heart of everything we do. 10923 - 82 Avenue NW • (587.813.6228 www.discover.garneauhall.com

SPRUCEWOOD PLACE

MATHESON SENIORS RESIDENCE Matheson provides clean affordable housing to seniors in an environment with dignity and respect. Fostering the growth of a community includes looking after both the young and the old. 11445 135 St NW • 780-454-5505 www.mathesonhousing.ca Amenities: Laundry, Meals, Kitchenette.

HOLYROOD COURT ACTIVE ADULT

A premier Park Place care residence located in the community of Edmonton AB, Sprucewood Place offers both Independent Living and Designated Supportive Living (DSL), including specialized suites for mental rehabilitation residents and adults with special disability requirements. 11418 97 St NW • (780) 471-5465 www.parkplaceseniorsliving.com Amenities: Library, Housekeeping, Recreation Room & Pool Table.

The Holyrood Court Active Adult Residence offers a wide array of well-appointed amenities. Sit back and relax on one of the loungers on our south-facing outdoor rooftop patio. Stay active in our fitness centre with cardio, weight and resistance training areas 7930 - 95 Avenue NW • 587-735-4664 www. HolyroodCourt.ca Amenities: Kitchenette, on-site Laundry, Security Systems.

UKRAINIAN DNIPRO SENIORS

Rosslyn Place is the home of 50 one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartment units and 120 lodge suites nestled in Edmonton’s north side close to Castledowns and Clareview 10915 134 Ave NW • 780-473-2915 www.www.gef.org Amenities: Meals, Shopping Nearby, 24Hr Staff,

65 years of age or older. Able to live independently. Income must be within the Core Need Income Threshold (CNIT) established by the Government of Alberta. Ages 63-64 may qualify depending on availability and circumstance. 11030 107 St NW • 780-476-1470 www.vistahousing.org Amenities: Kitchenette, on-site Laundry, Security Systems.

ROSSLYN PLACE

TOUCHMARK AT WEDGEWOOD Touchmark’s full-service retirement community has built a reputation for catering to the needs and aspirations of active, involved people 55-plus. Located on nearly 24 acres, Touchmark at Wedgewood is already being referred to as the “Cadillac” of retirement communities. 18333 Lessard Rd NW • 780-577-5000 www.touchmarkedmonton.com Amenities: Activties, Wellness Focused

CHARTWELL GRIESBACH RETIREMENT RESIDENCE Chartwell Griesbach is a retirement community in north Edmonton that blends in seamlessly with its well-manicured suburban neighbourhood—thanks to a well-thought-out design that earned us the 2009 “Mayor’s Award for Universal Design in Architecture.” 480 McCrae Ave NW • 587-557-7761 www.chartwell.com Amenities: Applicances, Meals, Chapel, Common Spaces, Gardens & Pond, Housekeeping, Wellness Services.

MCCONACHIE GARDENS The newest Revera residence in Edmonton, McConachie Gardens is a retirement home that offers the very best in care and comfort. Features include a flexible dining options in our fully licensed pub, full-service café and formal dining room, as well as an outdoor putting green, gazebo and off-leash dog park. 6503 170 Ave NW • 780-244-8969 www.reveraliving.com Amenities: Restaurant, Pub, Café, Putting Green, Courtyard, Off-leash dog Park, Laundry.

BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // FEBRUARY 2022

DIRECTORY // SENIOR LIVING

WEST THE WATERFORD OF SUMMERLEA RETIREMENT RESIDENCE The Waterford is a retirement residence in Edmonton that is situated within walking distance of West Edmonton Mall and the Terra Losa shopping centre. Recreation facilities, excellent health care services, theaters and churches are also available nearby. The ETS bus stop is just a short walk from your door, bringing all the city’s many attractions within easy reach. 9395 172 St NW • (780) 444-4545 www.thewaterford.ca Amenities: Dining, Acitivies, Community, Housekeeping, Outdoor Gardens and Gazebo.

WILD ROSE SENIORS RESIDENCE, AN OPTIMA LIVING COMMUNITY Featuring a cozy atmosphere and characteristic friendliness, Wild Rose is a warm, traditional seniors’ community ideally located in the Terra Losa Community near West Edmonton Mall. We offer an independent lifestyle for active seniors as well as Assisted Living services. Residents have a choice of bright and spacious studio and one-bedroom suites, many with full kitchens. 9612 172 St NW • (780) 293-3526 www.wildroseseniors.ca Amenities: Gardens, TV Room, Crafts, Piano, Yoga, Flexible Meal Plans, Common Areas.

GLASTONBURY VILLAGE BY CHRISTENSON COMMUNITIES Glastonbury Village is part of an exciting urban village community designed to meet west Edmonton’s changing demographic needs in the new community of Parkland, next to the Hamptons, a growing and vibrant family friendly community near Anthony Henday Drive west. 1585 Glastonbury Blvd NW • (780) 341-2484 www.christensoncommunities.com Amenities: Library, Onsite Nursing Staff, Patio Areas, Craft & Exercise Rooms, Hair Salon.

REVERA JASPER PLACE LONG TERM CARE HOME Personalized care, homemade meals and engaging recreation programs are all designed around the health and comfort of residents. Rest easy in our spacious home-like rooms equipped with call bell and 24-hour safety systems. 8903 168 St NW • (780) 489-4931 www.reveraliving.com Amenities: Housekeeping, Pet Friendly, Courtyard, Call Bell System, Furnished Rooms.

CASTLEWOOD CARE HOMES Castlewood Care Homes are Private homes that are owned and operated by a Registered Nurse. These homes are luxuriously decorated to create a home like feeling. 24 hour qualified nursing staff are there to provide a secure, safe and caring environment. We specialize in Dementia Care levels SL 1 – 6. 18929 99A Ave NW • (780) 906-7701 www.castlewoodcarehomes.com Amenities: Specialized in Dementia, Homes are Smaller, more intimate and homley, Activities designed to promote mental health and well being.

EAST VISTA HOUSING FOR SENIORS-NORWOOD GOLDEN MANOR Vista Housing for Seniors is a significant provider of quality affordable apartment options for seniors who live in the Edmonton region. 11715 95 Street • (780) 476-1470 www.vistahousing.org

BEVERLY PLACE Edmonton’s Beverly Heights neighbourhood is a community in transition. At the heart of its newfound community engagement is Beverly Place, one of GEF Seniors Housing’s prized seniors lodges. 4410 - 117 Avenue • 780-479-4693 www.gef.org Amenities: Close to near by shops, Meals. 24Hr Professional Staff.

OUR PARENTS HOME Our Parents’Home Retirement Residence offers stylish, high-rise living in downtown Edmonton. This retirement home features modern and spacious suites, premium dining, health and wellness programs and a vibrant community. 10112-119 St • 780-732-0412 www.reveraliving.com Amenities: Suites, Kitchenette, In-suite Laundry, Meals.

CALEB MANOR Caleb Manor is an all-inclusive Supportive Living Community located in West Edmonton. Well appointed with large common spaces, residents can enjoy an array of activities every day. 6411 - 199 Street • 780 497-7737 www.calebgroup.ca Amenities: Meals, Housekeeping, Scheduled Outings.

CANTERBURY HEIGHTS Anyone over 65 years of age, functionally independent and in acceptable health to take up residency in Canterbury Court. 8403 142 St NW • 780-930-3729 www.canterburyfoundation.com Amenities: In House Professial Services, Salon, Meals, Chapel, Library.

FEBRUARY 2022 // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM

SOUTH CHARTWELL WESCOTT RETIREMENT RESIDENCE Chartwell Wescott Retirement Residence is an upscale retirement community that reflects the growing neighbourhood it calls home. 3841 Allan Dr SW • (587) 487-4032 www.chartwellwescott.ca

GEF SENIORS HOUSING SAKAW TERRACE LODGE AND APARTMENTS

5815 Mill Woods Rd S • (780) 461-2449 www.gef.org Amenities: Communtiy, Meals, Housekeeping, Suites, On-site Amenities.

LIFESTYLE OPTIONS RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES - WHITEMUD The design of the new Lifestyle Options Whitemud senior’s complex incorporates a multitude of amenities and special features to provide residents with a most comfort. 4069 106 St • (780) 437-7171 www.allseniorscare.com Amenities: Suites, Dining, Activities, Common Areas, Housekeeping, Maintenance and Security

RUTHERFORD HEIGHTS RETIREMENT RESIDENCE Rutherford Heights Retirement Residence, one of All Seniors Care Living Centre’s beautiful facilities, has been designed with your highest expectations in mind. No matter what your level of care needs, our commitment to Age-in-Place Living ensures your independence and quality of life throughout the years. 949 Rutherford Road • (780) 432 - 6900 www.allseniorscare.com Amenities: Meals, Laundry, Secuirty, 24hr Staff, Dining, Spa, Execrise Area, Games, Craft & Hobby Room.

CHARTWELL HERITAGE VALLEY The lifestyle at Chartwell Heritage Valley is a dynamic one. Ideal for active and independent individuals, here you can spend your time exactly how you choose. 944 James Mowatt Trail • 587-557-7778 www.chartwell.com Amenities: Walking Paths, Meals, Parking, Full Kitcken, Balcony, Housekeeping.

Victor Ciezki, Greg Ciezki, Mark Lanteigne, Bryan Bartman, Steven Marques, Reanon Larose and Wanda Ciezki.

A Spark that Keeps GLOWING A. Circuit Electric Ltd. celebrates 40 years A. Circuit Electric Ltd. || Celebrating 40 Years 47

CONGRATULATIONS 40th

ON YOUR

ANNIVERSARY FRESON.COM

ince 1982, A. Circuit Electric Ltd. has continued their legacy of providing exceptional electrical services in the Edmonton region. “Our high-quality standards and our track record of completing construction projects and service calls on time and on budget have earned us an enviable reputation,” says Victor Ciezki, master electrician and co-founder at A. Circuit Electric. “We take pride in our work and these qualities have kept us in business for 40 years.” In their early days, Victor and his wife Wanda, also co-founder of the business, ran the company out of their home. At that time the company was mainly focused on residential work with some smaller commercial projects. Their growth was steady. “The company maintained five-to-ten electricians in the early years, focusing on smaller projects and working for a handful of home builders,” recalls Victor and Wanda’s son Greg Ciezki, certified master electrician (CME) and project manager of business development at A. Circuit Electric. “We employed a lot of family members back in the early days. So, it literally was a familyrun company for many years.” Greg worked at A. Circuit Electric for many summers throughout his youth, officially joining the company in 1994. Through his apprenticeship, he completed his Journeyman electrician certification in 1998. In 2006, he successfully followed in his father’s footprints, becoming a master electrician.

We love to celebrate our clients! Congratulations on 40 successful years, A. Circuit Electric!

We value taking care of your Insurance & Surety needs.

12316-107 Avenue, Edmonton, AB T5M 1Z1

www.mhkinsurance.com

A. Circuit Electric Ltd. || Celebrating 40 Years || 2

“In 2003 we slowly transitioned out of residential and moved toward the commercial sector,” says Greg. “Like many companies that start in a garage, we outgrew our space, secured and relocated to our new facility. This allowed us to continue growing. This expansion helped us to secure our first major contract with Dollarama Stores throughout Alberta. Over the next 10 years, we successfully completed over 70 new locations” With continued business growth, more help in the office was needed. In July of 2008, A. Circuit Electric promoted Steven Marques from the field to their vital office staff in the role of estimating and project management. This kicked off their expansion into the larger commercial market. Steve’s presence brought a positive attitude, good work ethic and a great motivation to learn for those around him. And, it came with a true appreciation for the business as Steve had started

“We want A. Circuit Electric to be a place where people want to work,” says Wanda. “We’re also a company that comes front-of-mind for our industry and clients.” with the company fresh out of high school, completing his apprenticeship to achieve his Journeyman certification. With that, in 2015 Steve joined Victor and Greg as a master electrician. Steve discusses one of A. Circuit’s successes in managing a project for Amazon, saying, “The Amazon non-sort facility in Nisku is a 1,000,000 sq. ft. warehouse and our largest contract to date. Our work was on a very tight schedule with months lost to bad weather,” says Steve. “We had to hire many electricians while working double and triple shifts to get this project completed successfully. While having many challenges with COVID-19, I am especially proud of the way our team stayed dedicated and safely came together to make this such a successful project.”

CONGRATS

A. CIRCUIT ELECTRIC LTD!

A. Circuit Electric strives to be a place that not only provides outstanding service to each client, but also functions as a workplace that empowers employees. What started as a two-person team now employs over 50 people and continues to grow. “We want A. Circuit Electric to be a place where people want to work,” says Wanda. “We’re also a company that comes front-of-mind for our industry and clients.” Victor seconds Wanda’s wishes. “We are a proud family owned and operated company and we treat our employees as such,” he says. “We pride ourselves on our repeat business through our 40 years. That repeat business is based on referrals thanks to our quality of work, on-site safety, customer service and completion on schedule. Each project, no matter the size, is important to us.” Over the course of 40 years, A Circuit Electric’s name has become synonymous with the reasons for its success, which include: • • • • • • • •

Outstanding work quality Cost-effective solutions Efficient problem solving Client and industry trust building and valuing relationships Completing projects on time and on budget Exceptional Customer Service Innovation and adaptation of technology Great track record of successful projects, including high-profile projects for Amazon’s Nisku facility

CONGRATULATIONS A. Circuit Electric Ltd. It’s been a pleasure working with you for the past 40 years!

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A. Circuit Electric Ltd. || Celebrating 40 Years || 3

Amazon Facility - Nisku

“Our success is also due, very much in part, to the hard work and dedication of our employees and continued support of our contractors, suppliers and customers,” says Wanda. “We are forward thinking and innovative. We keep our company commitments and we are a trusted partner in the industry offering exceptional value through every project.” Over the years A. Circuit Electric has also proudly created valuable traditions and memories for their team. “I remember loving to work Saturdays,” says Greg. “We had a breakfast tradition to start the day. These mornings were

Congratulations to A. Circuit Electric for 40 Wonderful years. It has been a pleasure growing our partnership in the Electrical industry and look forward to a bright future ahead. Sincerely, The Westburne Family.

10640 - 184th Street NW, Edmonton, AB Office: 780-732-7611 | www.westburne.ca

Congratulations! A. Circuit Electric Ltd. on 40 years!

210, 14055 West Block Dr. Edmonton, AB T5N 1L8 P: (780) 459-3344 • F: (780) 459-8866 info@synergybuilds.com • www.synergybuilds.com

A. Circuit Electric Ltd. || Celebrating 40 Years || 4

“I remember loving to work Saturdays,” says Greg. “We had a breakfast tradition to start the day. These mornings were filled with good laughs as we finished up odds and ends from the week to get a good start on the upcoming week.” filled with good laughs as we finished up odds and ends from the week to get a good start on the upcoming week. Part of what makes A. Circuit Electric a great place to work is our commitment to putting on so many social events, including our annual golf tournament, poker tournaments, barbeques, shinny hockey, bowling and our yearly Christmas party. These events are a great way to see all of our staff away from the job sites and for everyone to have a chance to relax and unwind.” According to Steve, the Amazon project award tops his list of memorable moments. There was a sense of pride and accomplishment in not just successfully completing the project onschedule, but also the entire team’s dedication and desire to exceed customer expectations. Wanda and Vic also value the many friendships within the construction industry their team have cemented over the years. In fact, community appreciation and giving back are top of mind for them. “When not on the jobsite you’ll find our team volunteering and donating to causes like the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation, the Canadian Cancer Society, community hockey and junior soccer teams,” says Wanda. In addition, A. Circuit Electric thanks their industry peers, suppliers and clients. “We couldn’t have achieved what we have to this point without their professionalism and support,” says Vic. “We are also incredibly grateful for

“We remain united in our objective to provide the highest quality electrical installation for our clients while meeting their allotted budgets and constrained schedules,” says Steve.

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legacy as we pass on the torch to the next generation,” say Vic and Wanda. “We aim to build on, and maintain, existing trusted partnerships while developing new ones in both new and existing markets as we continue our tried and true people-first business model,” adds Greg.

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our reliable employees, their great work ethic, positive attitude and their willingness to learn. Each person brings different strengths to our company. Steve adds, “We remain united in our objective to provide the highest quality electrical installation for our clients while meeting their allotted budgets and constrained schedules.”

A. Circuit Electric on 40 Years! We wish you many more years of success!

The first 40 years have promised great growth for the next 40 for A. Circuit Electric. “We are hoping for continued success and leaving this business in the capable hands of our continued

16321 - 130 Ave Edmonton, AB T5V1K5 Call: 780-451-4441 www.acircuit.ca

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A. Circuit Electric Ltd. || Celebrating 40 Years || 5

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Premier Heating Equipment & Supplies

Original Location of Premier Industrial.

75 YEARS OF GROWTH

Service, Solutions, Product Range and Innovations are behind Premier Industrial’s Success By Nerissa McNaughton with photos by Rebecca Lippiatt

remier Industrial Heating Equipment & Supplies has been a trusted HVAC supplier for more than 60 years. Working with more than 90 top brands in the industry, Premier provides HVAC equipment and parts from a product range of 5,000+ items. In addition to serving Western Canada, Premier also focuses on businesses in the NWT and Yukon, providing heating solutions for oil and propane. The reasons behind the success and longevity of the company are no secret. Every interaction customers have with Premier is backed by friendly service, knowledgeable staff, and active support. Each team

Justin Blasco, Angela Doerksen and Josh Walter.

Premier Industrial Heating Equipment & Supplies • Celebrating 75 Years

member goes the extra mile to ensure each order and request is quickly and professionally addressed. Premier Industrial was founded in 1947. In 1980 it was purchased by Vic and Iris Blasco. Vic previously was a sales representative for a major heavy equipment company and was looking for a change. The chance to help run a company of his own was ideal for him and his family. Today, the company is run and managed by Justin Blasco, President; Angela Doerksen, Manager; and Josh Walter, warehouse. Blasco took sole ownership of Premier Industrial in March 2021.

Premier Industrial Celebrates 75 Years!

“We are a small family business but also an agile company with deep roots in the industry,” says Blasco. “We’ve built up our brand by focusing on niche areas and always giving our best support to our customers.”

Congratulating Premier Industrial on 75 Years in business — proudly serving the Northern Alberta Plumbing/HVAC industry

It hasn’t always been smooth sailing. Just seven years after the Blasco family purchased the business, the company was attacked by arsonists. The fire destroyed a good portion of the stock on site in addition to damaging the building. The Blascos rebuilt the company and kept moving forward.

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By 2018 Premier Industrial had completely outgrown its facility. The company moved to a 20,000 square foot warehouse/sales space on 155 St and 114 Ave, where they are still located today. Premier has continued to grow through the pandemic, using the global crisis as a flashpoint to launch their online service in the fall of 2021. Blasco, Doerksen and Walter credit Paul from YEG Digital for the expert creation of their new online retail space. For Blasco, the shift online was a memorable occasion. “We choose to include online service to keep the company financially strong during the struggles of the COVID pandemic,” says Blasco. “Having an e-commerce website as part of our operations allows us to keep supporting our community – nationally and internationally – with the level of service and quality of products they need and deserve.” He continues, “Since we are a smaller, family-owned company, we have the time and the ability to build relationships and get to truly know our customers, what they do, and what they need. We are not shy about stocking parts for any of our equipment lines, which is why we carry more than 5,000 products. What you need is here when you need it. We focus on a large variety of oil heating equipment and parts, from construction heater parts to paving machine burner parts to fuel oil tanks and furnaces. In addition to this we stock many specialized, hard-to-find service parts. We are pleased to be a company invested in serving our customers in Northern Canada, where it can be seen as a challenge to access some of the more remote parts of our country. We are happy to provide much needed products and services to the Northern region. For us it is not a challenge as much as it is a privilege to be of service where we are needed the

Premier Industrial Heating Equipment & Supplies • Celebrating 75 Years • 2

Victor Blasco.

Various products carried by Premier.

most. We truly pride ourselves on being a close-knit company that is efficient and provides great service – we help out wherever we can and get parts that no one else can find. We are not afraid to source and find unique and difficult parts and equipment.” With such a far reach across Western and Northern Canada and operating in such a niche space – along with the 50+ years of combined experience held between Blasco and Doerksen alone, it is hard to believe that many potential clients have not yet heard of Premier

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Industrial. This is due largely in part to the company and leadership’s humble nature. They don’t seek awards or recognition, instead they let the company grow organically by referrals and word-of-mouth. “We know our customers on a more personal level. They are not just a number in the system,” Blasco further explains. “We communicate and help each other in the office to be more efficient in meeting our customers needs. It is important to us to supply parts quickly for customers as having equipment down costs them money. In some cases, customers have no heat in our cold winters, so being able to source a part for

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them quickly is an obvious advantage. For this, and other reasons, we support many Canadian brands in our inventory. Canadian manufacturers know and understand the challenges people and businesses face in Western and Northern Canada. However, no matter where our manufacturers and partners are located, we ensure the brand has a great support team because that empowers us to offer the best support to our customers as well.” As an active community partner, Premier Industrial supports the local arts community and sponsors some live productions. The company also donates to charities that their customers and team members support, and are active in causes such as Canadian Cancer Society’s CIBC Run for the Cure. Blasco concludes, “On behalf of the management and team, we say a big thank you to our customers for their support. Some of our customers have been with us since the early 80s and are still working with us. We thank them for their loyal patronage, and we would also like to thank our new customers that have come along. We’re also incredibly grateful to our long-time suppliers like R.W. Beckett (Nathan and Seth), Granby (Mario, Lloyd and Myles), Rinnai (Mike and Kerri), CB Supplies (Brian) and many more who have helped us over numerous years.” What does the future look like for the company that has been providing outstanding service for more than half a century? Premier Industrial has their eye on the international market and growing their product lines ever larger to continue to meet and exceed customer’s needs and expectations. Blasco concludes, “We hope to serve the community for years to come with the same great service.” Learn more about everything Premier Industrial has to offer and be the first to know when new product lines are added by following them on Facebook or visiting premierindustrial.com.

Premier Heating Equipment & Supplies

15532 – 114 Avenue, Edmonton Alberta T5M 3S8 Main (780) 451-1065 Toll Free (800) 378-3203 Fax (780) 452-5466 infodesk@premierindustrial.com

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Premier Industrial Heating Equipment & Supplies • Celebrating 75 Years • 4

Stan Colville, CEO and Bruce Foster, President. Photo by Rebecca Lippiatt.

A LEGACY LED BY

INTEGRITY AND QUALITY Carlson Construction Celebrates 95 Years By Nerissa McNaughton

Carlson Construction || Celebrating 95 years 57

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arlson Construction has an incredible 95-year legacy in achieving exceptional results through remarkable construction experiences. The company was founded in 1927 by father and son, Arthur and Victor Carlson, shortly after their arrival in Canada. They each had experience in construction, architecture, and engineering, and they decided to combine their skills to form one company that could offer more to its clients than what was commonplace in the

Edmonton construction industry at that time. Both had experience they used to launch a company that still thrives today offering construction management, pre-construction services, general contracting and design-build across a variety of industry sectors. Victor’s son, Donald (Don) Carlson assumed the company lead after his father passed in 1964. Don still stops in to visit and is proud to see the legacy

CONGRATULATIONS

Carlson Construction on Ninety Five Years of Business Excellence! Its been a pleasure to work and collaborate with your team. We look forward to your future success and working alongside you on upcoming opportunities.

EL 7429 - 72A Street, Edmonton, AB | Tel: 780.490.1183 74

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Carlson Construction || Celebrating 95 years || 2

continue with current owners Stan Colville, CEO; and Bruce Foster, President. Together, Colville and Foster bring over 55 years of Carlson experience. Both are happy to describe why every experience with Carlson continues to be a truly memorable one. “Carlson is headquartered in Edmonton with a branch office in Calgary. This allows us to readily serve all of Alberta. Despite being located in Alberta, Carlson has also completed projects throughout other areas across Canada to satisfy repeat client’s construction requirements,” says Foster. “We provide an exceptional service,” says Colville with conviction, “and we provide that service while being very transparent and professional at all times.” Foster agrees, adding, “We consider ourselves a boutique construction company that provides a concierge service. We provide personal value added services in the way we think, operate, and build relationships.” Both the President and the CEO also focus on being involved in the day-to-day operations with the team and the clients, choosing a collaborative approach that empowers clear communication and increased efficiencies.

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Colville notes, “The relationships that we have with our clients, consultants and subtrades are very important to us. We are only successful if our clients are happy, so we make it our goal to exceed expectations. We are able to do so thanks to an incredible team who support each other and place just as much importance on client satisfaction as we do.” Carlson Construction’s projects include work in the commercial, light industrial, heavy industrial, institutional, tenant improvement and multifamily sectors.

Midwest Caissons would like to congratulate the team at Carlson Construction on 95 years of leadership and excellence in the construction industry. WESTERN CANADA’S SOURCE FOR COMMERCIAL, INDUSTRIAL AND RESIDENTIAL PILES

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estimating@midwestcaissons.com www.midwestcaissons.com Carlson Construction || Celebrating 95 years || 3

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A&H Steel would like to congratulate Carlson Construction on 95 years!

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Carlson Construction on 95 years!

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Congratulations to Carlson Construction on 95 years! 10362-59 Avenue, Edmonton, AB T6H 1E6 Ph: 780-448-1624 • www.protintinc.ca

The construction industry has experienced challenges due to the recent recession and the COVID pandemic. However, Carlson is proactive about adjusting to the changing market conditions, and as the company continues to grow, it faces each challenge head on. Colville admits, “Manpower, labour, supply chain issues … COVID has thrown a wrench into everything, including worsening the ever present shortage of trades and workers.”

Carlson Construction || Celebrating 95 years || 4

CONGRATULATIONS

to Carlson Construction on 95 excellent years from your partners at Robertson Building Systems

However, the partners remain optimistic and focus on the aspects of the business that they appreciate and value. “Every day is a new day. It is very rewarding. We feel a sense of accomplishment and are proud to see even the most complicated projects through. We provide fantastic service for the communities in which we operate and with 95 years of service in the business, we are proud to play a role in building up the Western Canadian landscape. People are always surprised to learn the company is 95 years old. We also find people are surprised to learn how many significant projects we have delivered around the province,” says Colville.

16011 116 Ave NW #100, Edmonton, AB www.avcarlson.ca

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Some of Carlson’s impressive projects include the Citadel Theatre, AMA Kingsway Office Building, Leduc Golf Clubhouse, the majority of the retail buildings in South Edmonton Common, and the 50th Street Business Park Warehouse/ Office Buildings. “We are excited about our current project, the $40M redevelopment of the Royal Glenora Club,” says Foster. This interesting and challenging project allows us to showcase the full range of our skills as we open, retrofit and reimagine the full potential of this facility.” Another exciting project currently underway is the addition of the indoor tennis facility at the Derrick Golf and Winter Club. Carlson is proud to have been selected, through a competitive process, to be part of this phase of the Derrick Club’s redevelopment. Part of thriving, for Carlson Construction, is giving back to the community. “We listen to our employees and learn about what they would like to support,” says Colville. With this in mind the Carlson Construction || Celebrating 95 years || 5

company has recently raised significant funds for the Edmonton Food Bank and Santas Anonymous.

With nearly a century of helping to build Alberta, what comes next for Carlson Construction?

With a 95 year history, the list of people, partners and clients Colville and Foster wish to thank is a very extensive one. “We thank them all!” they say. “The staff, trades, consultants, clients, industry partners – we wouldn’t be here today without them. We are only as good as the people we hire that work for us.”

The culture at Carlson is one of entrepreneurship and accountability. As always, the team will be encouraged and supported to work with independence and to contribute to key decision making. The team is always empowered to make decisions that are essential to growth while maintaining a healthy lifestyle outside of work. Communication and engagement amongst the team is key as management feels it needs to be confident enough to provide constructive feedback, just as the team needs to be open to receiving it and utilizing it in effective ways.

Congratulations

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Foster concludes, “What will never change is our uncompromised quality of construction, service, and excellence. Anytime there is a building or renovation by Carlson Construction, the quality is always unsurpassed. We are committed to providing our clients with ‘A Remarkable Construction Experience.’” Both agree, “We are looking towards 100 years. We continue to do things the ‘Carlson Way’ and don’t plan on slowing down! Our longevity speaks to who we are.”

CONGRATULATIONS! it’s been a pleasure working with Carlson over the years.

16122-114 Ave Edmonton, AB T5M 2Z5 P: 780-482-3343 | www.cuttingedgeflooring.com

CONGRATULATIONS

Don and Betty Carlson’s influence and leadership in the company reflect its current status as the contractor of choice in Alberta. Don, the son of one of the original founders, says, “I am very proud that Carlson Construction has reached a milestone of 95 years of business in Alberta. I know that the company continues to hold true to the same values as it did when my family founded the company in 1927: quality, honest work and a dedication to service. I trust that the legacy of Carlson Construction will continue long into the future.”

on your 95th Anniversary! We are honored to be part of your growth story

16011 116 Ave NW #100, Edmonton, AB T5M 3Y1 (780) 452-7720 • www.avcarlson.ca Follow Carlson on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn. Carlson Construction || Celebrating 95 years || 6

We Turn Your Vision into Reality by Nerissa McNaughton

Habitat Studio Celebrates 30 Years

abitat Studio designs and builds beautiful custom energy efficient homes.

There are many custom home builders in Edmonton, but how many have a solid 5/5 rating from clients on Houzz, along with outstanding reviews and plenty of happy testimonials by homeowners on Facebook, Google and HomeStars? Let’s also not overlook the A+ BBB rating and 0 complaints on that consumer platform. So, what makes this company different and how are they revolutionizing the custom home building process in Edmonton? “It’s all the extra things we do in addition to the actual home building,” confides Trevor Hoover, President. “It’s also because we build and design at all price points and for homes of all sizes. Our partnership group is different. From day one the company has always been about collaboration, relationships and partnerships, not just with our clients but also among our leadership, trades, team and contractors. We are a true custom home builder in every sense of the word.”

Habitat Studio’s story started in 1992 when it was founded by Bruce Watt and Vince Campbell. Watt was designing homes at the time and needed someone to make sure they were built according to his design. Campbell was a carpenter. The two had a synergy about them and the rest is history. In 1994, Peter Amerongen joined the partnership. Growth continued at a steady, sustainable pace, allowing Karen Dolan and Norm Perrin to become directors in 2000. That was also the year Habitat was proud to start offering profit sharing to its employees. By the early 2000s, the company was growing fast. A landmark project, Riverdale Greenhouse Development, was underway in 2002 and Hoover became a director in 2004. Two years later Habitat Studio had outgrown its location and moved to a larger space, making the jump from Whyte Ave to 80 Ave. Habitat Studio has always been on the leading edge of sustainability, which is why in 2007 the company obtained

Habitat Studio • Celebrates 30 years • 2

Specializing in… Custom Cabinets Woodworking Built Ins Bars Closets 8912 18 Street Edmonton, AB Tel – 780.467.4864 florkowskys.com

CONGRATULATIONS Habitat Studio on 30 years. We wish you many more years of continued success!

a Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) grant to build one of 12 net zero homes in Canada. In 2009 Habitat achieved building and was awarded for Canada’s closest net zero home of the year. By 2011 they built Alberta’s third LEED platinum home. Canadian Home Builders’ Association (CHBA), who Habitat Studio joined in 2011, has recognized the company and its leadership with awards since 2012 and every year thereafter. They have also achieved national awards as Net Zero Champion of the year, Net Zero product of the year, and award for environmental sustainability. It’s not just here at home the company strives for social and environmental change. By 2008 they started the first of several trips to Central America to charitably build homes for deserving families. By 2010, the trips became an annual tradition. The tradition of charitable giving and being community minded isn’t limited to overseas. Habitat Studio is active with The Mustard Seed and other local non-profit organization focused on feeding and homing those in need. As the company grew, the leadership expanded. Hoover, Dolan and Perrin became partners as Watt stepped back and retired. In 2013 there was another big change. Campbell was set to retire the next year; Habitat rebranded and launched a full-time interior design department. Two years later another milestone was achieved. Dolan, who retired in 2015 (followed by Amerongen in 2018) witnessed the company

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Habitat Studio • Celebrates 30 years • 3

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move to the 105 Ave downtown location – a move necessary due to the ongoing growth and success of the brand. Edmonton was changing rapidly in 2018 with the economic and political situation in a state of flux. But that didn’t slow Habitat Studio down one bit. Rick Young and Jason Hoover became equal partners and growth continued at a rapid pace. The landscape and solar

departments were added in 2019 and despite a global pandemic and the challenges that brought, Habitat had to move again to a larger location, this time settling for good on 60 Ave. There are no plans in place to slow down. The sustainable growth continues, fueled by consumer demand for Habitat’s one-of-a-kind service and custom homes.

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CONGRATULATIONS HABITAT STUDIO ON YOUR 30TH ANNIVERSARY!

“Our aim is to lead Edmonton and Canada in energy efficient homes and design,” says Hoover. He continues, “Our core values are a big part of our success. Those values include integrity, organization, excellence, innovation and safety. We do everything in-house: design, permits, construction drawings, interior design, construction management, landscape design, landscaping construction, solar design and install. There is a strong emphasis on honest conversations and transparency throughout the entire process, from start to finish. This allows us to provide true custom designs, starting with a blank paper for every project. Each and every homeowner gets our full attention to detail and quality work.” Habitat Studio is pleased to be a custom builder that empowers homeowners to be as energy efficient as they would like, including net zero or off grid. “All construction is well above the Alberta and National Building codes. Our homes stand the test of time from design to quality of construction. We try to push design to the next level as much as possible and create design features that are unique and trendsetting; not necessarily trend following,” Hoover adds. “We’ve never stopped renovations. We’ve purposely always stayed with new homes and renovations. Each time our leadership changes they bring new ideas and we grow. We grow our leadership internally.” Despite attaining the formula for success, Habitat refuses to offer cookie-cutter solutions – the successful formula is applied, instead, to unique designs for every project.

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Habitat Studio • Celebrates 30 years • 5

Congratulations

Congratulations Habitat Studios on your 30th anniversary! Wishing you many more years of continued success.

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Proud to be a partner of Habitat Studio. Congratulations to the whole team on 30 Years of building excellence and integrity. Peter Brown - peterb@timbertown.ca 4840 - 99 Street NW, Edmonton AB T6E 3N6 780.435.4747 • timbertown.ca

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Habitat Studio • Celebrates 30 years • 6

Congrats Habitat Studio on 30 years!

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Hoover explains, “We’ve never designed or built the same house twice. Our clientele embraces the opportunity to reinvent the wheel for every project. We always create a custom home that is as unique as anyone’s imagination.” Just some of the exciting innovations Habitat Studio has put into homes include an adjustable awning solar overhang,

Congratulations to Habitat Studio on 30 years of building excellence. We wish you continued success and look forward to working alongside your team on future projects.

chlorination water plant reusing fully treated rainwater, unique stair designs (such as glass stairs and treads), an underground gym, tunnels from the house to the garage (who doesn’t want to be Batman?), custom millwork and built-ins and a ground mounted solar array that tracks the sun. Basically, if it can be dreamed up, it can be done by Habitat Studio. Another challenging aspect Habitat addresses head on is the rate of growth. “We’ve worked at keeping it slow and steady, never taking on something we can’t handle or biting off more than we can chew, so to speak, despite our desire to keep ahead of everyone else. For example, we used to be one of the only ones doing energy efficiency. Now we are proud to have led by example in that aspect of homebuilding.”

“I love how the residential construction community supports this city and the community. I do not know another sector that gets together to support different charities, events and pull together as a team, even though we are all competition,” he admits. Although Habitat Studio has been awarded and recognized numerous times for innovation and environmentally conscious building by noteworthy organizations and associations, the brand is humble and considers every build of equal importance; from the ground breaking builds that introduced a number of

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Habitat Studio • Celebrates 30 years • 7

Hoover loves working with the team and takes great pride in the reputation of the company. He enjoys showing homeowners that building their dream home can be an exciting journey and the process can be smooth and hassle-free. He’s also a big fan of being able to do all this in the capital city.

“firsts” in the city to the builds that are so impressive in scale that it’s hard to not just stop and stare – right down to the quieter designs where the owners will age in place gracefully, thankful to have their perfect forever home. “We are incredibly thankful to all of our clients, our team, the newest iteration of the partnership group, our contractors and our community partners,” concludes Hoover. “The plan moving forward is to just keep our heads up and our stick on the ice! We continue to grow

sustainably; improve constantly; listen to the needs of our city, clients, and community and be leaders in the custom home and energy efficient space.” Learn more about Habitat Studio by visiting www.habitatstudio.com and by visiting them on LinkedIn. The company is also active on Instagram and TikTok (@habitatstudio) and Facebook (@HabitatStudioEdmonton). See what customers are saying on Houzz (www.houzz.com/pro/ habitatstudioandworkshop).

9842 – 60 Avenue Edmonton AB, Canada, T6E 0C5 Tel: 780.433.1107 Email: yourhabitat@habitat-studio.com habitat-studio.com

Habitat Studio • Celebrates 30 years • 8

Congratulations Habitat Studio!

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