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HOW ELITE PROMOTIONAL MARKETING DEFINES ITS INDUSTRY
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Supporting the visions of entrepreneurs one story at a time. Volume 8 | Number 6
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The Benefit of Hindsight When Assessing the Speed of Bureaucracy By Terry O’Flynn
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CONTENTS COVER FEATURE
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rand Identity: How Elite B Promotional Marketing Defines its Industry By Nerissa McNaughton
Post-Pandemic Industrial Strategy Must Address Competitiveness By David MacLean
Edmonton Chamber of Commerce
THIS MONTH’S FEATURES
25 30
BOMA Edmonton News Inside Job: The Threat to Your Cyber Security Isn’t Always External By Dylan MacDougall
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ON OUR COVER:
A Glimpse into Edmonton’s Growing Renewables Industry By Bethany Neufeld
ABOVE: DREW SCHAMEHORN, PRESIDENT, ELITE PROMOTIONAL MARKETING. PHOTO SOURCE: REBECCA LIPPIATT
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THE BENEFIT OF HINDSIGHT WHEN ASSESSING THE SPEED OF BUREAUCRACY // TERRY O’FLYNN
The Benefit of Hindsight When Assessing the Speed of Bureaucracy BY TERRY O’FLYNN, CHAIRMAN, ALBERTA ENTERPRISE GROUP
B
ureaucracy. That is a heavy word. For most it conjures up images of heavy government oversight and red tape that drags down important projects and policies. Yet if the pandemic has taught us anything, it is that the speed of bureaucracy can change. Within days of the shutdown, programs for small business and individuals hit the table with unprecedented speed. From tax relief to small business aid, more money for the underserved to support for essential workers, we have seen a lot of changes take place in weeks – changes that would normally have taken months, if not years, to deploy. Were these measures successful? While some individuals and businesses felt supported, others fell through the cracks and suffered financial, personal, and professional hardship. Some will not recover from this. The loss of savings, the loss of small businesses that took years to build, the plunge of stocks that wiped out savings, millions on benefits programs – for many this pandemic will have a lifelong toll. Nevertheless, our governments had to do something unprecedented, and they tried. Party barriers came down, albeit briefly, and we saw more collaboration and conversations across all parties than ever before. We learned valuable lessons about how we can all work more consistently together. It may not have been a total success in all areas, but some people and businesses were helped. “E” for effort, is what I’m saying here. The provincial and federal rapid response in shutting down the economy, creating relief programs, and restarting the
economy may not have been a response that took all the right steps. Perhaps action could have been taken sooner. Perhaps more people could have been helped with better benefits. However, it must be commended that we saw collaborative action take place quickly, turning the notion of “the speed of bureaucracy” on its head. We learned that the speed of bureaucracy does not have to be a negative thing. It is designed to have necessary checks and balances and sometimes that can slow things down. However, now we see that system works. Right now it’s still our usual system that has been in place for decades, it’s just moving faster. The pandemic has forced us all to confront some very uncomfortable realities, such as recognizing who our essential workers are and the conditions they are working in. The conversation about working from home stopped being a possibility and within days became a stark reality. We saw terrible outbreaks in seniors’ homes, exposing flaws in how we care for our most vulnerable. We saw vital parts of our food chain greatly affected, driving home how much of our resources we take for granted. As isolation restrictions ease and we adapt to a new normal, let’s not forget the lessons we learned and the realities that were exposed. We have a lot of work to do moving forward to restart the economy and care for our citizens. We need to keep moving fast, but with the benefit of hindsight. The speed of bureaucracy can move quickly, but it moves best when our eyes remain looking at the lessons we learned along the way.
BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // JUNE 2020
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POST-PANDEMIC INDUSTRIAL STRATEGY MUST ADDRESS COMPETITIVENESS // DAVID MACLEAN
Post-Pandemic Industrial Strategy Must Address Competitiveness BY DAVID MACLEAN
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he necessary life-saving physical distancing measures imposed to slow the spread of the coronavirus has led to an unprecedented halt in economic activity. In its April 2020 economic outlook, the International Monetary Fund predicts that the global economy will shrink by 3.0 per cent in 2020, the worse recession since the Great Depression, and far worse than the Global Financial Crisis. CME expects the Canadian economy to contract by a much steeper 10 per cent. To stave off an even deeper economic downturn, governments from around the world have stepped up with a historic fiscal response. In Canada, federal government direct support has reached an estimated $146 billion, with more likely on the way. The two most substantial policy measures announced so far are the $76-billion Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) and the $35.5-billion Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB). Liquidity measures, such as business loans and income tax deferrals, add up to another $155 billion in indirect support. In addition, the Bank of Canada has slashed interest rates and embarked on a large-scale asset purchase program in a bid to ease financial market strain and limit the economic damage of the pandemic. Finally, the provinces have also announced their own fiscal packages that total in the billions of dollars. Its safe to say that Canadian governments at all levels have done their job during the crisis, with a goal of softening the pandemic’s blow. So, what now? Canada will need to refocus its attention on improving its global competitiveness. As demonstrated by the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) flagship benchmarking reports, Canada’s economic competitiveness continues to deteriorate. Canada ranked in 14th place in the 2019 Global
Competitiveness Index Rankings, down from 9th place in 2009-10. Canada’s competitiveness looks particularly weak when compared against our closest rival, the United States. While other countries have taken meaningful steps to become more competitive, Canada has remained complacent. We at Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters are calling for nothing short of a new national industrial strategy. The strategy should be developed based on the following three principles: 1) Manufacturing is key to economic growth and prosperity. 2) Building a more resilient manufacturing sector will be a central component of crisis preparedness. 3) A policy agenda that is focused on growth, innovation, and commercialization is a pre-requisite to achieving both (1) and (2). The most critical component of the strategy must be a makeover of Canada’s business tax structure. According to the WEF, Canada’s overall tax burden remains a shackle on growth. In the group’s Executive Opinion Survey, Canada’s business community ranked tax rates as one of the most significant barriers to doing business. The need for reform became even more urgent after the United States implemented its own major tax changes in 2018. It is time for Canada to get serious about our industrial future. Throughout this crisis, all political parties and all levels of government have come to recognize the need for a modern industrial strategy. This is good news for the Canadian economy. The economic uncertainty created by the pandemic may provide a needed wake up call for politicians to finally address a fundamental weakness in the Canadian economy. 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.
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CORPORATE GOLF // GOLF
2020 GOLF SEASON
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Affinity Flooring Launches a Do It Yourself Initiative to Support Local Charities When the Covid-19 pandemic began to alter the way businesses and the community operated, Affinity Flooring saw an opportunity to seize the moment and give back. With the community and families in mind, Affinity Flooring came up with a way to keep people occupied as well as give back to those in need around us. Affinity Flooring has officially launched a new DIY Flooring initiative. This service will allow the customer to shop online, order over the phone, and have the product delivered to them. When you choose to shop for the DIY flooring with Affinity, for every square foot purchased, 30 cents will be donated to one of three charities of your choosing. The three charities Affinity has partnered
with is The Mustard Seed, The Salvation Army, and The Edmonton Food Bank. Affinity Flooring is wanting to contribute as much as they can during this time. The donation amount is entirely dependant on how many people purchase the flooring. The four-step system Affinity has created makes installing your new flooring easy. Simply start by calculating how much flooring you will require in square footage. The next step is to browse the many flooring options available. Once you are happy with your selection, give one of our flooring specialists a call to order your product. The product will be
PHOTO SOURCE: AFFINITY FLOORING
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ordered as soon as possible and delivered right to your door. During the installation, customers are welcome to call our technical support and/or watch the DIY instructional video on YouTube, which has many helpful tips. Affinity’s core beliefs and the structure of the company relies on quality, value, integrity and trust. These four words shape the Affinity identity and everyone within it. Their mission is to build relationships you can stand on. The company views this initiative as a wonderful opportunity to strengthen relations in the community and make a real difference. A Message from the CEO: We are all affected by this pandemic – throughout these difficult times it’s my hope that you, your family and those close to your heart are safe and in good health. Now more
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than ever, it’s critical we take proper steps to ensure we are prepared far beyond our social norms. Currently we are focusing our efforts to help those who need it most. It’s been said that we as people create our own realities; Affinity wants to be a part of the change you want to see in the world. “I cannot do all the good the world needs. But the world needs all the good I can do.” - Jana Stanfield. As the world focuses on resuming more normalized lifestyles and schedules, Affinity wants to ensure they are still focused on the community around us. In order to continue supporting our local charities and/or helping you achieve your flooring needs; the DIY initiative will continue to be available after social distancing restrictions are lifted.
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BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // JUNE 2020
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Beaverbrook and Stantec Celebrate International Planning Award The Sustainability Plaza in The Hills at Charlesworth, an Edmonton-based project developed by Beaverbrook Communities in association with Stantec Consulting Ltd., has won the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) International Award for Planning Excellence. The RTPI Awards for Planning Excellence are among the most highly regarded awards in the industry. With nominees from all over the globe, the awards champion the very best examples of planning and planners. Projects nominated represent the world’s best in sustainable development and planning excellence. The Hills at Charlesworth showed the judges how the project benefited the community, and how the work of the planning team exemplified leading practices in the industry. Scott Cole, principal at Stantec commented on the award: “Sustainable design and resiliency are at the core of our planning practices, and something we aim for on every project. The Hills at Charlesworth takes a creative and practical approach to building a vibrant, year-round space that’s also the pride of the community.”
this award. This year’s finalists included projects from Dubai, China and India. As a business whose core value is innovation, it is rewarding to have been recognized for our cutting-edge approach amongst such a high caliber of international projects that are setting the bar for the future.”
The Sustainability Plaza is an eco-friendly recreation hub that serves as the focal point and gathering place for The Hills at Charlesworth community, located in southeast Edmonton. The Sustainability Plaza achieved its sustainable, low impact environmental status by incorporating green living concepts into the design, such as solar and wind powered hybrid lights, solar powered wi-fi, a solar powered playground, incorporating repurposed sea-can containers into their construction, and building a 200-metre ice ribbon for winter ice skating.
Jodie Wacko, president of Beaverbrook Communities further commented; “As a professional planner and City builder based in Edmonton, it’s very rewarding to be recognized internationally for a “made in Edmonton” design and project – one that is built and being used on a daily basis by citizens who choose to live in a Beaverbrook Community. This award speaks to the creativity and vision that resides in our City and region. Working with Edmonton-based consulting and design firm Stantec, we were able to push the boundaries of what a park/plaza could be. This concept was quickly embraced by the City of Edmonton and Council, we are very grateful for the City’s support and belief in us and our project.”
George Cantalini, CEO of Beaverbrook Group of Companies said of the win, “We are truly honoured to have won
For more information, please visit beaverbrook.ca, stantec.com and hillsatcharlesworth.ca.
About the Sustainability Plaza
ABOVE: THE HILLS AT CHARLESWORTH COMMUNITY. PHOTO SOURCE: HILLSATCHARLESWORTH.CA/COMMUNITY
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BRAND IDENTITY: HOW ELITE PROMOTIONAL MARKETING DEFINES ITS INDUSTRY // COVER
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BRAND IDENTITY: HOW ELITE PROMOTIONAL MARKETING DEFINES ITS INDUSTRY // COVER
BRAND IDENTITY:
HOW ELITE PROMOTIONAL MARKETING DEFINES ITS INDUSTRY BY NERISSA MCNAUGHTON
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lite Promotional Marketing has more than 60 years’ experience in the promotional industry, and is one of Western Canada’s largest suppliers of promotional products, awards, sportswear, and corporate apparel. Recently, Elite added custom branded online merchandise shops to its product offerings. In-house graphic designers and award-winning customer service back up Elite’s goal to help their clients build long-lasting relationships with their customers. At its core are the values and spirit of entrepreneurship found in Alberta’s hardworking family businesses, along with a mission to remain committed to the products and processes that have worked for decades while being the first to embrace the technology that keeps Elite Promotional Marketing at the forefront of the industry. Elite Promotional Marketing’s roots go back to the merger of two businesses: Elite T-Shirts and Alberta Trophy and Gift Shop. “Elite T-shirts was originally started in 1978 as a sideline business in the back shop of Elite lithographers,” explains Drew Schamehorn, president. “At the same time, since the early 80’s, I have owned and operated Alberta Trophy and Gift shop, which had been started by my wife’s family in 1952. I could see the synergies of putting together a cresting company alongside of our trophy business. So, in 1988 we purchased Elite T-Shirts and had the sellers teach us how to screen print apparel over the next year. After a year of training we moved Elite next door to where Alberta Trophy was located and continued to grow the businesses together.”
The business grew steadily for the following decades. “We had to relocate to four different shops over four decades!” exclaims Schamehorn. “In 2000 Alberta Trophy and Gift Shop and Elite Sportswear became one company, Elite Sportswear & Awards, while joining forces together and building our current premises, which is now approximately 65,000 square feet.” Schamehorn continues, “In 1988 we started with just one employee at Elite and didn’t add additional staff until after the first year. Today, with the three Alberta store locations as well as the two external sales offices, we now operate with between 70-80 full time sales and production staff.” There is more to Elite than meets the eye. “Early into the first stages of owning Elite we managed to pick up business from the Edmonton Oilers/Oil Kings and Edmonton Eskimos and continue to work with both organizations today. However, while schools, sports and universities continue to be a large part of our business, we also produce web stores for businesses like WestJet and Fountain Tire, to name a couple,” says Schamehorn. “As we grew over the years, we also expanded our services to include laser engraving, sandblasting as well as embroidery, screen printing and pro-twill. While continuing to add additional cresting services and new product lines, Elite stays ahead of the competition by offering a wide variety of services. We aim to be a one-stop-shop for all your promotional and branding needs.”
ABOVE: DREW SCHAMEHORN, PRESIDENT, ELITE PROMOTIONAL MARKETING. PHOTO SOURCE: REBECCA LIPPIATT
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BRAND IDENTITY: HOW ELITE PROMOTIONAL MARKETING DEFINES ITS INDUSTRY // COVER
There have been plenty of memorable moments for Schamehorn and the team at Elite, including the day they printed 20,000 orange t-shirts in four days so the Edmonton Oilers could have them on hand for fans at the first opening game at Rogers Place in 2017. “Getting to assist our clients in creating memorable customized merchandise is such a highlight,” Schamehorn admits with a smile. “Every project is different and it’s very rewarding to see projects through from the initial concept to a tactile final product.” As with every business, however, there are also some challenges to overcome. “Elite’s greatest challenge is currently adapting to the changing marketplace and moving into the online sales space. Traditionally, our business has been face-to-face, but more and more buyers, even when it comes to corporate buying, are moving to utilize online services.” The team meets this challenge head on by not only optimizing their site with a full product catalogue and the means to start a project with them online, but by also creating online branded apparel shops for other businesses. One recent shop was created for The Suspendables, a podcast hosted by Jungle Jim Jerome and former NHL player Russ Courtnall. Thanks to Elite, fans of the show can easily buy Suspendables branded hats, hoodies, tumblers, and duffle bags online. It’s easy to understand why everyone from startups to the biggest names in sports and business turn to Elite when you realize one of their best kept “secrets.” “One of the advantages that Elite has over its competitors is that most of our competition do not brand the products which they sell themselves,” says Schamehorn. Elite Promotional Marketing has its own in-house decorating services, which allows us to control our own delivery times and has helped Elite build a strong reputation throughout the many years of being in business in Alberta. Since we can control our production in most cases, we have the ability to turn around orders in a much faster time than our competitors.” This local focus and rapid turnaround time enabled Elite to be agile and productive when COVID-19 disrupted business across the province.
“With the recent outbreak of COVID-19, many of our customers are asking which products are made in Canada. Elite Promotional Marketing will continue to find new product lines to align with our clients’ needs, while maintaining the lines we and our customers already know and trust,” says Schamehorn. TOP: EMBROIDERY. BOTTOM: CUSTOM AWARDS. PHOTO SOURCE: ELITE PROMO MARKETING
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BRAND IDENTITY: HOW ELITE PROMOTIONAL MARKETING DEFINES ITS INDUSTRY // COVER
Beyond the ability to access Canadian product lines, Elite also quickly pivoted to provide much-needed PPE. Clients can purchase a variety of hand sanitizers from full ounce bottles to spray pens and clips, cleansing gel packets, paper soap, several styles of masks, FDA authorized respirators, face shields, forehead thermometers, social distancing floor graphics, protective counter barriers, and more. Elite even has a variety of tools that allow users to press buttons, lift bags, hook door handles, etc., without touching surfaces. Schamehorn rapidly responded to the COVID-19 pandemic in a way that best protects both clients and staff. The showroom can be reached online and by phone and the staff will work remotely until it is safe to resume on-site operations. This way clients can continue to get the products they need while they, and the Elite Promotional Marketing team, are able to properly maintain social distancing. Whether your business, school, institution or team is looking for a giveaway, PPE, team building or promotional product, Elite has what you need.
“Using a local, experienced company like Elite for your promotional products and awards is the key to getting the highest quality products because we are easily accessible and have built a very strong network of reliable product suppliers that we work with to turn our clients’ visions into reality. We know how to source the best products for each project and offer our expertise when it comes to product ideas for your project or event. We’re here as an extended member of your team and work with you to achieve our common goal – creating the best uniquely customized merchandise for your project/event that is on brand, on budget, and on time,” Schamehorn says. “Drinkware pieces, notebooks, pens, t-shirts and hats are some of the most popular promotional products we get requests for,” he continues. “They make relatively inexpensive giveaways and gifts for companies and all work to get our clients many brand impressions for their businesses. “Having a dye-sublimation machine on-site helps us quickly turn around awards and gift items for our clients. Using sublimation, we’re able to apply a full colour print
ABOVE: ELITE PROMO SHOWROOM. PHOTO SOURCE: ELITE PROMO MARKETING
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BRAND IDENTITY: HOW ELITE PROMOTIONAL MARKETING DEFINES ITS INDUSTRY // COVER
“We at Elite have always had a strong personal commitment to giving back to the Edmonton charity community. From our involvement of the donation of clothing to the intercity community member agencies which Elite has always supported, we are proud to give back to the many charities who make Edmonton a better place to live.” With the way products and services are made and delivery changing, and with the uncertainty of the pandemic and how it will continue to impact the world, Schamehorn knows things are poised to change – and he is ready for it.
to a variety of products and easily personalize them to individual recipients.” Under Armour is just one of the respected names Elite collaborates with to brand the highest quality items with clients’ logos. Elite Promotional Marketing is proud and humbled to have won an Edmonton Chamber of Commerce Small Business Award and a Business in Edmonton Leaders award. “Being presented with those awards are two events I will cherish for a long time,” says Schamehorn. “These types of awards are a testament to the quality of staff that we have been able to attract here at Elite. With many staff having 20-25 years of employment with us and everyone pulling together as one big team, we are in a position to offer our outstanding service and delivery. Our team has also had the honour of winning the Consumer Choice Award for Promotional Products in Northern Alberta. This year’s win marks eight consecutive years of winning this particular award.” Schamehorn’s passion for providing the best promotional products to deserving clients is eclipsed only by his desire to help serve the community. “Supporting local business is key to the economic livelihood of both Edmonton and area as well as the rest of Alberta,” he notes. Whether it’s supporting your Chamber of Commerce or many of the other social networks, I find the Edmonton business community is always there and supporting the many valued civic causes that makes Edmonton the great community that it is.
“Today, I feel fortunate to have come this far and to work with my team along with our children, the second generation, who have been working alongside us for many years at Elite,” he says. “When we talk about what the future may look like down the road, I believe the new tomorrow will make business look much different than it does today. Business over the next 5-10 years will probably look totally different from what you and I have seen to this point. When you think back when we first got into business, we had no photocopiers, cell phones, internet, etc. With the market changes happening and the internet world getting bigger and bigger with online shopping etc., one does not know how much bricks and mortar will be needed going forward with what we might consider to be traditional shopping where you actually walk into a store. I’m sure these are all things we will learn in due time.” He concludes, “These changing and challenging times are increasingly obvious in the retail business environment. With this said, it is also paramount that we re-target the direction that we go forward with, and that includes looking at facilitating online shopping/ordering. Going forward will not be without its challenges but I have every confidence that our team at Elite will be able to adjust to whatever the future brings.” Learn more and connect with Elite Promotional Marketing online at elitepromomarketing.com online, @elitepromotionalmarketing on Facebook, @ elitepromomarketing on Instagram, @ElitePromoMark on Twitter, Elite Promotional Marketing on LinkedIn, and Elite Promotional Marketing Edmonton on YouTube.
ABOVE: OUR IN-HOUSE SCREEN PRINTING. PHOTO SOURCE: ELITE PROMO MARKETING
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A Refreshing Way To Advertise
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ince 1996, Arctic Chiller has been providing Western Canada with high quality, great tasting bottled water. But we are about so much more than a healthy, high quality beverage – we have turned our water into a personalized promotional product designed to expand your unique brand. We specialize in custom packages to make bottled water marketing work for you! Currently providing our clients with six different bottle types, and seven different capping options, including our innovative plastic neutral bottle, which is made from 100 per cent recycled plastics, we are sure to have the perfect product to fit your needs. Giving back to the community is also high on our agenda, which is why we have partnered with over 60 charities in our Partnership H20 Program. This program allows your water purchase (and yes, we match your donation!) to give back to a charity of your choosing. Some more exciting products coming soon include carbonated water and flavoured water. Not only are we the industry pros in custom label bottled water, we have recently launched another highly sought-after product to our roster as well: hand sanitizer – a World Health Organization recommended hand rub formulation. Available with our Arctic Chiller house branding, or custom label branded specifically to your company, we offer multiple sizes including 60 ML, 296 ML, 500ML, and 1L. Do you have your own Health Canada approved sanitizer? We can co-pack your sanitizer and supply the bottles and labels.
If you are interested in house-branded custom label bottled water and/or hand sanitizer, please look no further. Visit our website for more information at www.arcticchiller.com, or call us at 1.866.417.2666 to speak to a sales representative who would be happy to get your order started today.
100 Cree Rd Sherwood Park, Alberta T8A 3X8 Phone: (780) 449-0459 | Toll Free 1 (866) 417-2666 | Fax: (780) 449-0404 | Email: sales@arcticchiller.com www.arcticchiller.com
2020 Board of Directors
Businesses are showing incredible leadership in rising to the challenges of COVID-19
Board Executive
Chair: Bryan DeNeve Senior Vice President, Finance and CFO, Capital Power Vice Chair: Elan MacDonald Senior Vice President, National Client Development, Global Public Affairs Secretary-Treasurer: Craig Thorkelsson Head of Tax, PCL Constructors Inc. Past Chair: Dawn Harsch President and CEO, ExquisiCare Senior Living and Care at Home Janet M. Riopel President & CEO, Edmonton Chamber of Commerce
Board Directors
Haydar Al Dahhan President and CEO, Electrical/Mechanical Engineer, Design Works Engineering Nathan Carter Vice President, Engineering, ATCO Natural Gas Sandy Jacobson Vice President, Richardson Executive Search Scott McEachern Vice President, Pipeline Control, Enbridge Pipelines Inc. Annemarie Petrov President and CEO, Francis Winspear Centre for Music Dennis R. Schmidt Principal, ALTURA Legal Advisory Jeffrey Sundquist Chief Executive Officer, EDC Environmental Group of Companies Inc. Dr. Jenelle Trenchuk-Saik President and CEO, Parker Ford and MacKay Specialty Opticians
Edmonton Chamber Executive
Scott Channon Director, Marketing and Communications Brent Francis Director, Advocacy and Outreach Christen Rumbles Director, Finance Amin Samji Director, Member Services Kevin Thomas Director, Operations
Contact
Edmonton Chamber of Commerce #600 – 9990 Jasper Avenue Edmonton, AB T5J 1P7 T: 780.426.4620 | F: 780.424.7946 edmontonchamber.com
By Janet M. Riopel, President & CEO, Edmonton Chamber of Commerce
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he COVID-19 pandemic has had devastating impacts on our health and our economy. We have been caught up in a whirlwind, trying to adapt to a rapidly evolving environment where there are still so many unknowns.
By nature, I’m a glass-half-full kind of person, but it can be difficult to hang on to any sense of optimism with so much uncertainty swirling around us. Over the course of the past few months, we’ve had the opportunity to speak with many of you – to gain an understanding of your challenges, your fears, your intentions. I am inspired to see the proactive leadership you’ve demonstrated despite the incredible challenges and many painful decisions you’ve faced. You immediately took every action possible to support your employees and keep the public safe, even when it came at great personal cost. We have so many shining examples of Chamber members stepping up and completely pivoting their business models to provide desperately needed supplies or professional advice or mentorship. We were so encouraged by your selfless acts of generosity that we have dedicated a portion of our website to highlight the many businesses who have pitched in to help fight COVID-19. I have every confidence that we will emerge from this pandemic stronger and more resilient than before. The extraordinary generosity of our business community reinforces just how entrepreneurial and adaptable Edmontonians are. Whether moving your activities online or making use of curbside delivery, you’ve continued to find innovative ways to remain operational and prepare for the future. Adapting to new and volatile circumstances has been extremely difficult; however it has also revealed some valuable insights. We’ve seen firsthand the importance of individuals, businesses and governments working together towards a common goal, and we’ve watched governments be more responsive than ever to evolving needs. Now we are pivoting again to envision a post-pandemic environment and our place in it. I know that we will do this with the same strong and unwavering spirit that we’ve demonstrated throughout these troubled times. When we look back on this time – AND WE WILL – I know that we’ll be proud of how we rose to the challenges posed by COVID-19. There is a long road ahead, and once we emerge from this pandemic we must still face an economic climate that is bouncing along the bottom. But of this I am certain: WE CAN DO THIS … and together we will create an even better Alberta to live and work in, and raise future generations of innovative thinkers and community builders. I look forward to working together to secure Alberta’s successful future.
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Share your skills. Support your community. Supporting our community has never been more important than it is now. This is why we have partnered with several charitable organizations to help fill the need. If your business has skilled professionals who can share some time with an organization, we encourage you to visit the COVID-19 Skill Share and Volunteer page of edmontonchamber.com and register.
#Here4YEG
Memberships that help 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 contacts, resources, discounts, events, and brand exposure. You’re also part of our strong collective voice to government that will help give your business the support it needs. Call us today at 780.426.4620 and start leveraging your membership.
edmontonchamber.com
Payworks Canada Member Profile Mark Stretch, Sales Consultant, Payworks Canada www.payworks.ca What’s your story? After years of experience in the payroll management industry, Payworks’ management group founded the company in 2000 in order to provide customers with an alternative to traditional payroll service bureaus. Payworks provides cloud-based time management, payroll, and human resources solutions, including employee and manager self-service functions, to Canadian businesses of all sizes. The key to Payworks is the single unified database design and dedicated service representative service model.
services. The key is all services are included on one single unified database and each business is provided personalized ongoing support from your dedicated service representative. Who is your ideal client? Payworks ideal client is a business with 1-100 employees looking to streamline their payroll and workforce management. Whether they have complex questions relating to payroll legislation or simply want time management tips, we are here to support businesses one-on-one.
The Payworks national service centre is located in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and we have ten other offices across Canada, including Victoria, Vancouver, Kelowna, Calgary, Edmonton, Saskatoon, Regina, Toronto, Montreal, and Halifax. With more than 300 employees and still growing, we provide payroll services to more than 23,000 clients across Canada.
What has been your biggest challenge in business, and how did you overcome it? Personally, my biggest challenge is creating exposure for Payworks and making it a household name. I have overcome this by getting involved in the business community through business community events such as those hosted by the Edmonton Chamber.
At Payworks, we are committed to integrity, trust, accountability, and to being a company where our employees are proud to work. Payworks is a 2019 winner of the Canada’s Best Managed Companies Platinum Club designation, having retained its Best Managed designation for seven consecutive years.
What is your favourite thing to do in Edmonton? My favorite thing to do in Edmonton is enjoying the outdoors and all the activities it was to offer; warm or cold. You can usually find me on a golf course in the spring, summer and fall – or on the outdoor skating rink playing hockey with friends.
What do you enjoy most about being a member of the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce? I enjoy connecting with other likeminded business people in the Edmonton community with the goal of continuing to build a thriving economy and quality of life. What is one thing people are surprised to learn about your business? Along with payroll, Payworks is your complete workforce management provider, helping your business with time and absence management, human resources, applicant tracking, workforce analytics, and newly added HR advisory
If you could make one substantial improvement to Edmonton’s business environment, what would it be? It would be less of an improvement but more of an increased focus to continue to encourage small businesses and independent restaurants the opportunity to flourish and be more successful in the Edmonton community.
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THE DAWN OF A NEW ERA FOR EDMONTON CITY CENTRE F
ollowing the opening of ICE District, Edmonton’s downtown core has seen an influx of revitalization projects, breathing new life into the heart of our city. Standing amongst the new and exciting developments, some of the older towers have renewed potential for greatness. Joining in on the core’s revitalization party is the iconic Edmonton City Centre (ECC) shopping centre and office towers, finally putting to life what investors envisioned when they closed the deal on the purchase of the ECC shopping centre and office towers in November 2019. LaSalle Canada Core Real Property partnered up with BAEV-LaSalle, Canderel and North American Development Group (NADG) to purchase the iconic downtown shopping plaza, excited about the possibilities it offered as the hub between ICE District, the Arts District, and the many major construction projects planned to continue the growth and revitalization of Edmonton’s downtown. After two years of negotiations, the investment group closed the deal on the prime downtown
real estate with big plans to not only update the 1.4 million square feet between the two towers, but to also overhaul the location to increase capacity and diversify into a highly functional mixed-use development. “The possibilities at this point really are endless,” says Sean Kirk, general manager of ECC. “The development is not defined yet but will be intelligent and market driven. Right now, Edmonton City Centre is the hub of the downtown developments with one of the best locations in Edmonton and has so much potential as a prime mixed use site.” Before approaching architects to help design and modernize the space, major considerations will be given to what sort of commercial real estate will be put in, including residential rentals, condos, office densification and changes to the current retail layout, current tenant leases and the future needs of the surrounding community. With a strong list of retail tenants including Shoppers Drug Mart, Winners, Hudson’s Bay, Atmosphere, BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // JUNE 2020
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and SportChek to name a few, Edmonton City Centre is the only major shopping centre in the area. At the time this article was published, the city is in the grips of the COVID-19 pandemic, meaning major changes and challenges to an already taxed brickand-mortar shopping experience. Some retail tenants were forced to temporarily close their doors to flatten the curve, however some of the shopping centre’s anchor tenants were deemed essential services and remained open to provide their services to those living and working in the area. Likely the pandemic and the response by the city, province and the country, will play a factor in the decisions of future development plans. Without knowing what the long-term ramifications will be, the COVID19 pandemic will no doubt impact the way businesses all over the world will operate going forward. The ECC project will likely be influenced by what happens around the world in the coming months. For example, the in-
creased popularity of online shopping may have seen a surge of popularity during times of self-isolation and social distancing, but traditional shopping options will always play an important role in the lives of consumers. The internet cannot replace the immersive experience of shopping at a brick-and-mortar location and the social interactions, the tactile and olfactory stimulations that can’t be replicated through a screen. Other major development projects are already in the works all around the downtown core, from the continued additions to the nearby ICE District to the Royal Alberta Museum and renovations to the Stanley A. Milner Library. Bolstered by plans to increase the downtown residential population, the revitalization of Edmonton City Centre will make it the perfect place to work, live and play, with quick and easy access to the rest of the new and exciting amenities in and coming to the downtown core. For those considering environmental impacts or concerned with transportation in and out of the core, the new Valley Line LRT will be located right outside the doors of the Centre, in addition to the 750,000 square foot parkade located beneath Edmonton City Centre towers. “When you look at the city of Edmonton’s downtown core, we are right in the middle of everything that’s exciting. It makes sense for us to develop and become that centerpiece,” says Kirk. Potential tenants need not worry about getting lost in the concrete jungle. The development is between the River Valley and the proposed River Valley Gondola system projected to start construction around 2022, as well as the Warehouse Campus neighbourhood and central park slated to include one of the largest downtown park developments of recent times. The Edmonton City Centre location will connect both residential and office tenants with a prime location to live, work and play where the action is.
CREATIVE ENERGY SOLUTIONS HELPING BUILDING OWNERS AND PROPERTY MANAGERS AMONGST THE UNCERTAINTY OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
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s of March 15, 2020, when the Alberta Provincial Government declared a state of public health emergency, business operations have been anything but normal in the City of Edmonton. In an effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19, Albertans were asked to work from home if possible, leaving many office towers operating with as little as 10 per cent occupancy. With such a drastic reduction to the number of warm bodies filling these towers
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and the associated computers, lights, and other office machines, the buildings operating systems are not required to run the same as they do when the building is at full capacity. In the same way that the systems need to be adjusted to operate at maximum efficiency between the summer and winter seasons, the COVID-19 pandemic has given many building operators a unique opportunity to adjust the operating systems to save on utility usage and in turn operating costs.
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Seizing the Opportunities Chris Vilcsak, president and CEO of Solution 105 Consulting and his team regularly help building owners and managers track and forecast energy use in Edmonton’s office towers, identifying and implementing initiatives that successfully reduce clients’ utility costs and environmental impact. Most buildings have a fairly set schedule of operations. The operator will normally schedule the systems to start an hour or two before the first tenant is set to arrive in the morning and turn off (or down) at the end of the day. Leasing agreements regularly state what these times will be, while some smart systems identify and learn from building usage. The reduced daytime occupancy has allowed for simple low or no-cost changes, such as running more like a weekend day, for example. When operating at full capacity, a building can use much more electricity, since all those people and their computers, the lights they use, and other equipment all generate heat to some degree, meaning higher direct electricity usage plus higher air conditioning requirements. Since Solution 105 produces detailed hourly profiles of how a building is expected to operate, they can
then collect and analyze actual usage to identify areas where improvements can be made. Since mid-March, they have seen significant changes in the operating patterns of buildings and have further helped building operations managers make additional changes resulting in increased savings for owners and tenants. As a shining example, Morley Barr, vice president, Property Management and Operations with Aspen Properties has worked carefully with Solution 105 to review and adjust their buildings’ operations and significantly reduce operating costs. They worked quickly to determine the expected savings and to pass those op-cost savings on to tenants now when they could use a break, rather than waiting until year-end evaluations, as is common practice in the industry. “We are seeing electricity use and cost reductions between 20 and 25 per cent right now, and for buildings that can tweak the hours of their operations, it is working out to significant savings.” Vilcsak explains, “For many business operations managers, this is a unique situation, and together we can really evaluate the systems and schedules.” To be able to compare regular use to an extended period of reduced occupancy allows the Solution 105 building automation specialists and the building operators to evaluate the systems operations and identify oppor“Enterprise-based solutions for your growing business” tunities. Sometimes systems are isn’t just a catch phrase, it’s been our reason for existing since 2001. adjusted from automatic to manual to accommodate special a stable and requests or meet short term tenRanchlands offers reliable ant needs but are then forgotten, computing your business or a sensor malfunction can cause environment an automated system to operate needlessly. By comparing system a managed, operations during reduced operatout-sourced IT PARTNER ing conditions (such as during the COVID-19 pandemic) to normal provides value to your company with operational periods, Solution 105 adaptive and responsive IT support can identify which systems need to be investigated, and which may be operating needlessly. to provide an affordable, more For one client, Vilcsak and his reliable, and proactive approach team were able to identify almost $27,000 savings per year simply optimizes security of your network by changing the scheduling by one hour in the morning and two hours at night. Vilcsak explains ensuring your systems are available that “there are many opportunities to you when you need them for savings where tenants are minimally impacted” and now is the managing access and backups of your data perfect time to take a closer look at your building operations to find Phone: 780.809.2999 service@ranchlandsgroup.com those savings.
structured cabling
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equipment sales & installs
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Managed Services
INSIDE JOB // CYBER SECURITY
INSIDE JOB:
THE THREAT TO YOUR CYBER SECURITY ISN’T ALWAYS EXTERNAL BY DYLAN MACDOUGALL
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ost companies rely on technology to function and in most ways, this has been beneficial. Something as simple as storing information on computers or in the cloud has greatly reduced costs for many businesses by eliminating the need for extensive physical storage space. So, what’s the downside? Maintaining cyber security for all those sensitive files. According to Tech Times, cyber security “is the array of measures you take to protect [your company] from unauthorized access to its systems.” Maintaining your company’s cyber security is crucial, since failing to do so and falling victim to a breach will have serious consequences, such as the proliferation of private company information to unknown parties outside of the organization. Since cyber security is such an important topic for companies of all sizes, Business in Edmonton magazine contacted two experts operating in Edmonton— an IT company and a risk management company—to shed some light on the issue.
Pro-Active IT Management Inc. Pro-Active IT Management has served as technology guides for over 15 years, looking after that critical part of today’s business so the client’s team doesn’t have to. For 1-50 person teams, they are there when you need them, and you only pay for what you need. Catherine Vu, chief uptime officer of Pro-Active IT notes, “We work with clients to assess their weaknesses, inform them of new and existing threats and make recommendations based on their needs.” By doing so, Pro-Active IT ensures that its clients are prepared to identify and deal with potential cyber threats before they become a problem.
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According to Vu, one of the main reasons that companies fall victim to cyber breaches of security is because they think they are too small for hackers to want to attack them. It is important that companies, regardless of their size, take the proper measures to ensure they are protected from cyber threats. Vu also points out that many companies don’t have a culture that questions user authentication. If an employee is not trained to question the authenticity of an email, for example, that employee could be tricked by a phishing scam. By disguising themselves as trustworthy companies or individuals, hackers can easily obtain sensitive information by simply sending a company’s employee an email asking for information, such as passwords or banking information. Regardless of how many security systems are in place, if an employee is not properly trained to identify and avoid cyber threats on their own, the company’s security stands a good chance of being breached. Vu knows that companies can improve their cyber security in a number of ways. By having a unified threat management firewall with advanced filtering capabilities, a centrally managed anti-virus program, promoting a strong password policy in the workplace and limiting employees’ access to strictly work-related resources and applications, companies can protect themselves from most cyber threats. Knowing, however, that it is ultimately up to the employees of a company to truly protect their cyber security, Vu believes that, “Educating staff on the risks [of cyber threats] and providing practical testing and training are vital steps that a company can and should take.” Pro-Active IT provides a service that sends white hat phishing emails to all staff within an organization, and then tracks which users click on the link. After doing so, Pro-Active IT provides the company with the report so
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INSIDE JOB // CYBER SECURITY
they can train their employees based on the results of the test and improve their overall security. While this is an effective test to determine the weak points of a company’s cyber security, Vu also recommends, in general, that companies educate employees to know that if something seems suspicious, they should ignore it and warn others in the company of the potential risk. Most importantly, they should make sure they have multiple backups of data.
Marsh Marsh is an insurance brokerage and risk management company with offices across Canada and in 130+ other countries around the world. When working with clients, Marsh works hard to analyze, measure, and help manage multiple risks in order to reduce each client’s total cost of risk. Julien Ducloy, senior vice president of Marsh Canada and cyber consulting lead, knows companies often fall victim to breaches of cyber security because, “The internet was initially designed to be more ‘open’ than ‘secure.’ Even though most people have realized by now that hackers with malicious intentions can easily take advantage of poor cyber security, fixing the issue is actually a race between attackers and security teams.” Despite efforts by companies to improve their cyber security and protect their digital assets, hackers are still able to get in. While patching a system to fix areas where it’s vulnerable, or installing software to protect servers and workstations against malware can be very helpful, Ducloy argues that, “There will never be a malware or virus scanner, nor employee training, that will be good enough to stop all attacks.” He continues, “Avoiding cyber security breaches requires many elements in place with constant maintenance to keep up to speed with attackers.” This constant struggle to protect themselves against hackers can be difficult for smaller companies with less resources to manage the risk effectively, making them easier targets. According to Ducloy, while there are potentially hundreds of security measures a company could take to protect themselves against attackers, they should focus on adopting a cyber security framework, such as NIST CSF or CIS CSC, and
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regularly evaluate their posture against it while also defining a roadmap to improve their practices. “By implementing a variety of security systems to protect against cyber threats, companies will have defense in depth,” Ducloy says. “Even if an attacker can go through the first layer of protection, they will likely be stopped by another one before the attack can have a negative impact on the organization.” However, even with a variety of security systems in place to protect against potential cyber threats, it is not always obvious that a breach of cyber security has occurred or is in the process of occurring. Ducloy explains, “If you don’t try to detect security breaches, you might never be aware of them.” While there are several security systems that a company can put in place to detect breaches, it is possible that a company may only become aware of a breach of security after it has happened—for example, when the authorities contact them about it, or when the attacker contacts them to ask for a ransom. If a company realizes there has been a breach of their cyber security, they should respond immediately. However, as Ducloy notes, “Dealing with a breach is not a ‘do-it-yourself’ activity or a process that you can improve when the breach occurs.” Companies should have a plan in place to deal with these sorts of incidents, which “generally involves third parties like an insurer (if you have a cyber insurance policy), a breach coach or privacy lawyer, an incident response firm and a number of internal stakeholders, depending on the extent of the breach.” If the attack proves to be serious, the company may lose a great deal of valuable information or money if they are not properly prepared with adequate security measures and training in incident response, or if they do not have a solid incident recovery plan. After falling victim to a breach of cyber security, the main way that a company can correct their mistake, is, according to Ducloy, by identifying the source of the breach and remediating the issue when it’s possible, and ultimately looking at how to improve the company’s overall security posture. With the threat of cyber attacks ever present, it is important that companies remember to be proactive internally and to keep up their security measures in order to dispel potential breaches. Professionals in Edmonton offer a range of products and services to help keep your company and your data, safe.
A GLIMPSE INTO EDMONTON’S GROWING RENEWABLES INDUSTRY // ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP
A GLIMPSE INTO EDMONTON’S GROWING RENEWABLES INDUSTRY BY BETHANY NEUFELD
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he low-carbon emitting gears are turning. Greener solutions are gaining incentive through federal initiatives such as the Powering Past Coal Alliance, the Low Carbon Economy Fund, and clean technology programs supporting businesses investing in environmentally sustainable practices. On a provincial scale, going green has made waves despite the province’s long reigning and meticulously maintained dependence on oil and coal. The Renewable Energy Act aims at transitioning Alberta to 30 per cent renewable electricity by 2030 – an ambitious goal set by the leading energy sector contributor in the country. Through the Renewable Electricity Program (REP), the province set its sights on adding 5,000 megawatts of renewable electricity to the market. The program secured 1,360 megawatts through three rounds of funding and established frameworks for the development of renewables in the Albertan market. The decision to not move forward with additional rounds of REP reflects a priority set by the Government of Alberta to reduce government spending and prioritize market-driven renewables. Alberta’s last five years have not been blessed by the bounty gifted by the oil boom. Many Albertans find themselves
mulling over growing unemployment rates and prospects in the energy field as Alberta is steered toward a market-driven renewable power industry. The future of environmental sustainability has felt uncertain for Edmontonians. In the wake of the global climate change crisis and other challenges, a critical eye is focused on Alberta’s energy industry and pressure to invigorate the economy while staying mindful of environmental realities is high. Though recent changes have left some puzzling over how the province will hit the 30 per cent goal, local companies continue to make strides and look forward to a cleaner tomorrow.
CAPITAL POWER Capital Power has a long history of investing in sustainable energy practices. Since the company’s creation in 2009—the result of an initial public offering divvying up EPCOR’s power generating and business assets—Capital Power has been a key player in the industry. The Edmonton-based company has been steadfast in pushing for reduced carbon emissions at the Genesee Generating
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A GLIMPSE INTO EDMONTON’S GROWING RENEWABLES INDUSTRY // ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP
Station west of Edmonton. The facility consists of three generating units which provide over 1,300 MW of reliable baseload generation for Albertans. “We’re advancing a slate of projects at Genesee to provide competitive, reliable and responsible power for years to come and we’re targeting a 50 per cent reduction in carbon emissions intensity by 2030 from 2005 levels,” says Kate Chisholm, Q.C., SVP, chief legal and sustainability officer. In 2016 the company launched a five-year, $45-million, GPS efficiency improvement program, targeting a 12 per cent reduction in carbon emission intensity by 2021. More recently, the energy leader announced a dual-fuel project. The $70-million project will transform all three Genesee units to complete dual-fuel capacity, using up to 100 per cent natural gas or a combination with coal until it is phased out in 2029. “We’re helping to advance innovation and technologies that will be critical to the power system of tomorrow by testing and integrating carbon conversion into our power generation, alongside renewables, to build a decarbonized energy future,” Chisholm shares. Perhaps the largest project on the company’s sustainability plate is the construction of the Genesee Carbon Conversion Centre (GC3). As the world’s first commercial scale production facility of carbon nanotubes— a substance often used as an additive to increase the strength of materials like concrete, steel, and aluminum—GC3 will utilize emissions and power from the Genesee facility alongside carbon conversion technology to produce valuable carbon nanotubes. Once complete, the GC3 will be capable of generating 7,500 tonnes of this carbon-based additive annually. The company has supported and advanced the
deployment of several carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) projects since 2007. “We have been committed to sustainability since day one, and we continue to passionately work to support the transition of our energy system to deliver reliable and lowcarbon power. This transformation requires collaboration across the board – from industry, governments and communities,” Chisholm states.
TOP: KUBY ENERGY SOLAR PANELS ON RED DEER COLLEGE. BOTTOM: KUBY SOLAR PANELS ON EDMONTON BUSINESS CAMPUS. PHOTO SOURCE: KUBY RENEWABLE ENERGY LTD.
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A GLIMPSE INTO EDMONTON’S GROWING RENEWABLES INDUSTRY // ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP
KUBY RENEWABLE ENERGY LTD.
CARBON BUSTERS
Capital Power isn’t alone in the mission for environmentally friendly practices in Edmonton. With the oil and gas industry in transition, many have looked outward and found ways to apply their skillset to the evolving energy market. Kuby Renewable Energy Ltd.’s creators Adam Yereniuk and Jake Kubiski saw an opportunity in oil’s decline. The pair transitioned from their careers in the oil and gas and mining industry to the sunny world of solar.
Sharing Kuby’s passion for the budding renewables industry, Carbon Busters opened shop in 1992 and has been involved in greening projects across North America and Europe with an end goal of reducing carbon footprints and developing sustainable building practices. The company’s first project was a self-funding energy efficiency program for large building operators, cutting its client’s utility bill down by $26.7 million and reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 78 million kilograms all at a negative net cost.
“It was a gradual change in mindset, wanting something different than the current path which, although lucrative at times, was not fulfilling. Around the same time as this mindset shift, the Alberta economy experienced a decline as oil sunk to under $40 a barrel and many heavy industries reduced their hiring or were laying off scores of people. This was the first or perhaps the clearest sign that a new energy economy was about to begin and like the folks who capitalized on other energy booms, we wanted to be at the forefront of this shift,” Yereniuk explains. While the company has faced a handful of challenges, including skepticism toward solar power’s efficiency, Yereniuk and Kubiski have found success both on their home turf and across Western Canada. Kuby Energy’s solar panels can be spotted on the roofs of Edmonton businesses and homes, adorning the walls of Red Deer College, and in both Beaver Lake Cree Nation and Lubicon Cree First Nation. In response to the ever-shifting political climate, Kuby remains focused on business development and growing renewable energy in Alberta. “In the near term, we hope people will realize solar and wind are viable sources of energy that complement traditional generating means. Wanting to install solar panels doesn’t mean you hate the oil and gas industry – quite the opposite. In fact, we and most of our employees come from and have benefitted from the oil and gas industry. In the mid- to long-term, we hope regulations, codes, policies, corporations and governments adapt to a higher environmental standard that values the reduction, elimination or reversal of carbon emissions.”
“Rapid, human-induced climate change is one of the defining challenges of our generation. While environmentally sustainable practices often have higher upfront capital costs, total cost of ownership for efficient technologies is dropping rapidly,” Shanthu Mano, principal/CEO states. The local business built the first zero carbon laneway house in Edmonton and is currently focused on the development of a sustainable community on the old airport lands. While Carbon Busters is kept busy designing net zero homes, Mano stresses the importance of expanding the industry to keep up with sustainability goals. “We need leaders to think strategically and for the long-term health of our planet. Edmonton is moving towards advanced building practices, but the capacity to build high performance and net zero energy buildings is largely restricted to small boutique builders,” Mano admits. “Carbon pricing reflecting social costs of air pollution is starting to shift the economic advantage towards high performance buildings.”
MOVING FORWARD With a renewable energy industry rising in Edmonton’s own backyard, the importance of supporting the greening movement becomes evident if Alberta hopes to keep up with the energy industry’s progression. Times are changing and with them, whether willingly or by force, industry must as well. If there is anything Edmonton sustainable energy leaders have to tell the rest of the province, it’s this: Alberta energy is not dead. It just needs an update.
BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // JUNE 2020
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Johnston Builders
DARING TO BE DIFFERENT By Nerissa McNaughton
ohnston Builders specializes in design build, construction management and general contracting primarily in the commercial, industrial, institutional and hospitality sectors across Western Canada and the Yukon.
J
Don forged ahead. His strategy was unique. The team would bid on jobs other contractors didn’t want, which is why Johnston Builders enjoyed many great projects in Northern Alberta and in remote, rural communities.
In 1990, Don Johnston was at a crossroads. He had options on which path to take but there was only one path he wanted. His dream was to have his own construction company. With equity partners Murray Nason, Terry Moen and Brian Mumby,
Don’s strategy, along with the efforts of a hardworking, experienced team, paid off. By 1994 Johnston Builders was in its first office – which they promptly outgrew. This theme would repeat itself again an again until the company built
Johnston Builders Celebrates 30 Years • Page 1 36
Don Johnston, owner.
its own large facility in Campbell Park and started operating out of it in 2012. Johnston Builders reached another milestone in 2019 by opening an office and shop in Whitehorse. Don retired in 2017 and is pleased to see the company still growing and thriving. James Hackney, president & CEO, has been with Johnston Builders since 2001. “At that time, we were a small company working out of a combined shop/office. Don ran the company and projects while I worked under him as a junior project manager/estimator and as James Hackney, president & CEO. Johnston Builders Celebrates 30 Years • Page 2
Drive Products.
the safety coordinator in charge of getting our COR. We had Bob Kahanyshyn as a senior project manager. Chad Muldoon was another project manager. Bonnie Huckabay did the accounting and reception and our superintendents at the time – Ron Nicholson, Kevin Pytyle, Murray Urkow, Geno Barahona and Mitch Ethier – were also very hands on.”
are doing everything we can do to progress with business with four key priorities to combat the situation: communication, health and safety, budget control and contracts. Our task force that we setup to mitigate the risks of the situation and our staff have done a remarkable job. We will get through this together and will be ready for the rebound.”
“We all exemplify our core purpose: the journey from imagination to fruition, and our brand promise: collective teamwork, positive results,” continues Hackney. “This explains a lot about who we are and what we do. We are a lot of likeminded individuals here for the journey. “We are not a niche contractor; we can do any project in any location and we have staff that are willing to work abroad. We are confident in taking calculated risks and not scared of complex or remote work.
Johnston Builders is in a great position for its existing contracts and the coming rebound thanks to experience with large projects such as a recently completed $23 million residential condo complex and a $21 million dollar complex started in March. Just a few of the other projects where Johnston Builders’ innovation and creativity are apparent include:
“Our culture is strong and therefore retention and attracting top individuals is very good. We have great strategy from our board of directors, and our leadership group is accountable to ensure those strategies are executed. I feel that we are progressive with evolving into a better company than what other companies our size understand and accomplish.” A clear advantage of being a strong company with an open and agile attitude, Johnston has been able to shift focus while continuing to operate during the pandemic. Hackney explains, “Our strategy at the start of the year looks a bit different now with the uncertainty of COVID-19. However, we
•Drive Products: new headquarters that includes office space, a large showroom, warehouse storage, and maintenance bays. The multi-use facility was constructed on location where poor soil conditions existed. Portland cement was used to stabilize over 23,000 square metres. Occupancy was six weeks ahead of schedule. •The Crimson Hotel: complete renovation, modernization, and restoration of the historic 1950’s hotel, including the addition of a new underground indoor pool and hot tub all while maintaining the original footprint of the building. Johnston Builders staggered the opening of rooms so the hotel could continue to generate revenue during the construction process.
Johnston Builders Celebrates 30 Years • Page 3
Serving Edmonton and Northern Alberta Since 2003
Plumbing and Heating Ltd.
Congratulations to Johnston Builders Ltd. on their 30th Anniversary!
Full In-house Plumbing, Gas Fitting and HVAC Specializing in Hydronic Heating....
It’s been a pleasure to work with the collaborative and innovative group at Johnston Builders. We look forward to continued success and being a part of your team in the future.
9259 -35 Avenue Edmonton, Alberta T6E 5Y1 Phone: 780-435-3636 • Fax: 780-450-3550 www.prioritymechanical.com
...and Commercial HVAC Installations
1-855-454-4546 www.totalph.ca
commercial@totalph.ca
EL
7429 - 72A Street, Edmonton, AB | Tel: 780.490.1183
74
www.provincialelectrical.com
CONGRATULATIONS Congratulations!
Johnston Builders on 30 Years of Business Excellence!
Johnston Builders on 30 years of business excellence.
Tel: 780.465.9771 4315 92nd Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta www.westernarchrib.com
Johnston Builders Celebrates 30 Years • Page 4
•Chapelle Gardens: excavation for the back section of the foundation was located extremely close to the existing sidewalks and poor weather conditions required an alternative approach to constructing the deep foundations. Johnston Builders worked collaboratively with the structural engineer to redesign foundation. Work was completed on schedule and without any open excavations. •Hinton Garden Inn West Edmonton: a 168 unit hotel with an indoor pool, lounge restaurant and banquet rooms. Johnston Builders worked with Platinum Investments on this project as construction managers. Hackney notes, “It was unique for us as we had not done a job this size at that time. This was a turning point for our company. Working with Hilton Hotels Corporation was a lot of fun and we were able to fast track it and complete the design and construction in 13 months. We worked collaboratively (design and construction teams) as we were building while designing. While the site/foundation was being worked on, the load bearing steel stud panels with windows and the exterior finish were being completed in St. Albert. It was remarkable and am very proud to be part of that job.” Hackney loves the challenge of design/builds like this and tells clients, “Lets have fun; we won’t let you down! We want to build complete trust and transparency where you have no reason to ever go to another contractor in the future. We treat you right and respect you and your vision. We can tailor our contract and services in ways
that will work for you and we will be loyal partners now and into the future.” It’s not just projects the company builds. They are community builders too. “We have always selected groups to support annually such as: Relay For Life, RunWild, Make-A-Wish®, The Ride to Conquer Cancer, St. Albert’s Food Bank, Sturgeon Community Hospital Foundation and multiple amateur sports teams,” he says. Between the interesting and challenging projects that allow the team to push themselves, and the community involvement, it’s no wonder why employee engagement is high. Over the last four years Johnston Builders has worked collaboratively with a consulting firm to improve their culture, vision, strategy and accountability. In the past year they redeveloped their BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal) to continue to remeasure employee satisfaction. While the average satisfaction score is +30 points (out of a scale of -100 to +100), Johnston Builders’ employees rated the company a whopping +70 points, which is legendary status. On behalf of the founder and his equity partners, and the past and present staff, Hackney thanks everyone that has been instrumental in getting Johnston Builders to where it is today.
Johnston Builders Celebrates 30 Years • Page 5
CONGRATULATIONS
Olsen Joly LLP office in Red Deer County
We wish the team at Johnston Builders many more years of continued success!
POWERFUL PARTNERSHIPS.
POWERFUL RESULTS.
As an Authorized Nucor Builder, Johnston Builders offers customers the most versatile, energy-efficient and cost-effective metal building solutions on the market today. From commercial, to agricultural or industrial projects, our combined team of professionals will ensure your building is fully functional and designed to meet your unique needs.
Suite #2, 5000 - 51 Ave. Red Deer, AB t. 403.346.4542 • f. 403.347.2819 www.jmaa.ca
To learn more, visit us online at www.nucorbuildingsystems.com
Congratulations to Johnston Builders on 30 Years of Excellence!
CONGRATULATIONS
Commercial Industrial Residential Maintenance and Design
Johnston Builders on your 30th Anniversary!
Nearctic
Concept A
CONGRATULATIONS
April 8 2014
JOHNSTON BUILDERS ON YOUR 30TH ANNIVERSARY!
Ryan Lupul
STIXX CONSTRUCTION LTD. Ryan Lupul
(also operating as Cribbitt Foundations)
(780) 995-3935
110-190 Carleton Drive, St. Albert, AB | 780-470-5991 www.richardsonelectricltd.com
Commercial • Industrial • Residential • Maintenance • and Design Concept B
18-53219 Range Road 271 Spruce Grove, AB | 780-962-0595 hanksroofingltd.ca
v1 pg 1
225 inch x 56 inch
All revisions are subject to an additional free based on $65.00 per hour billed in 30 minute increments. Any changes made after signed confirmation are subject to a $25.00 fee. No changes can be made once production has commenced. Conceptual designs are the intellectual property of Sign Source Graphics and Group of Companies and are protected by federal copyright laws. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.
15847-116 Ave Edmonton Alberta Office: 780-756-6101 | Fax: 780-756-6102 e-mail: info@rocker.ca
CONGRATULATIONS Johnston Builders on 30 years!
Congratulations
Johnston Builders on your 30th! We are proud to be a part of your success.
Johnston Builders Celebrates 30 Years • Page 6
“There are so many key organizations we have done business with. Our clients are great and have good loyalty with repeat work,” he praises. “Edmonton is such a versatile business community, but it is also small. There are a lot of opportunities. Yes, oil and gas are a big part, but so is the government sector, hospitality, institutional with great schools, and some of the industry leaders in medicine and
technology. We, as a company, can partner with so many sectors. There is great competition with other construction companies, which only makes us all better. I respect them.” He concludes, “The plan for the future is slow, organic, successful growth in the North, and we will refocus on the right opportunities in Alberta.”
#201, 265 Carleton Drive St. Albert, AB, T8N 4J9 Phone: (780) 460-0441|Fax: (780) 460-0443|Email: inquiries@johnstonbuilders.net
www.johnstonbuilders.ca Johnston Builders Celebrates 30 Years • Page 7
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PCL CONSTRUCTION THANKS ALL OF THE FRONT-LINE WORKERS WHO CONTINUE TO MAKE SURE OUR COMMUNITIES REMAIN SAFE IN THIS UNPRECEDENTED TIME. The safety and well-being of our employees, their families and our partners is our highest priority. As the COVID-19 issues and impacts rapidly evolve, we are closely monitoring these changes and following guidelines supplied by Health Canada, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the World Health Organization. Along with these guidelines, we are taking additional precautions to protect our offices and project sites to ensure everyone goes home safe.
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