The Advocate Magazine - March | April 2011 by Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce

advocate THE VOICE OF BUSINESS

M A R C H | A P R I L 2 0 11

A New Era for Electricity â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Energy Management and Energy Savings Addressing Environmental Impact Smart Electricity Prices Road to Environmental Excellence

advocate VOICE OF BUSINESS MARCH

| APRIL 2011

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features 14

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF:

FEATURE

Art Sinclair

Addressing environmental impact Kim Geiger

16 20 21

EDITOR:

Heather Hutchings

COVER STORY

A new era for electricity – energy management and energy savings

Cober Evolving Solutions

FEATURE

PHOTOGRAPHY:

WRIEN Looking back – moving forward

ADVERTISING AND SALES:

Peter McFadden

David MacLellan - dmaclellan@greaterkwchamber.com

FEATURE

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS:

Smart electricity prices

Jan Carr, Mary Sue Fitzpatrick, Rene Gatien, Kim Geiger, Jeff MacIntyre, Peter McFadden, Ian McLean, Art Sinclair, Jeff Thompson, Jerry Van Ooteghem, Stephen Woodworth

Teri Hetherington and Lisa Malleck

Jan Carr

FEATURE

Road to environmental excellence – paved with economic and administrative boulders under C-469 Stephen Woodworth, M.P.

DESIGN AND PRODUCTION:

Jerry Van Ooteghem and Rene Gatien

FEATURE

Refunds for business from your local Municipal Government

CONTRIBUTORS:

Julie Tedesco ADVERTISING AND COPY DEADLINES:

April 4, 2011 for May | June June 6, 2011 for July | August August 1, 2011 for September | October October 3, 2011 for November | December

Jeff Thompson SUBSCRIPTION AND BACK ISSUE INQUIRIES:

Kathryn McEwin kmcewin@greaterkwchamber.com SUBMISSION POLICY:

departments 4

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR

Going green, good for business and more

Jeff MacIntyre

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

Energy policy critical for economic growth Ian McLean

The future of agriculture in Waterloo Region

PERSPECTIVE ON HEALTH CARE

McMaster medical students & faculty celebrate Mary Sue Fitzpatrick

ADVOCACY

Art Sinclair

EVENTS

Winter networking

NEW CHAMBER MEMBERS

December 1, 2010 to January 31, 2011 EVENTS

Proposals and articles are accepted via mail or email c/o Editor - Advocate. Please do not send originals. All contributors articles must be accompanied by a head shot in a jpg file and a 40 word author’s bio. PUBLICATIONS PERMIT:

#40026716

FOR PERMISSION AND REPRINT REQUESTS

Heather Hutchings - hhutchings@greaterkwchamber.com

Mark your calendar PRINTED IN CANADA BY:

PUBLICATION OF:

SPONSOR PROFILE

Union Gas - A Spectra Energy Company Celebrate 100 years with us! MEMBER NOTABLES

Achieving Success Chamber Members SPONSORSHIP

Chamber Sponsors

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ADVOCATE - PUBLICATIONS OFFICE 80 QUEEN STREET NORTH, PO BOX 2367 KITCHENER, ONTARIO N2H 6L4 The Advocate is a bi-monthly membership benefit publication of the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce. Advertising content and the views expressed herein are those of the contributors and do not constitute endorsement by the Chamber. The Advocate follows the Canadian Code of Advertising Standards (1990), copies are available through the Publisher. The Chamber cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions that may occur and has the right to edit material submitted. The Chamber will not accept advertising with competitor comparison claims and has the right to refuse advertising that is deemed to be false, misleading, or inappropriate.

advocate MARCH | APRIL 2011

message from the chair

Going green, good for business and more BY JEFF MACINTYRE Not a day goes by anymore that you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t hear about a green initiative, see some technology or dialogue with an associate about the necessity and benefits of reducing the carbon footprint that business has on the environment. The need to continue to do the right environmental thing is both good for the environment and good for business. Many of us will be forced into reducing our energy consumption and associated costs just to stay profitable. Most of us have also realized that reducing energy makes us feel good about our contribution to a better world. Big business often leads the charge. Many companies have changed fleets over to more fuel efficient vehicles. Others have introduced measures such as solar panels or building designs that reduce energy costs dramatically. Large offices have changed lighting, are using more efficient equipment and have introduced policies that encourage the company and its employees to better manage their energy consumption. And while the costs have been high to make these changes, the impact is measurable. While it may seem easier for large business to make changes to go green, the reality is that the high number of small businesses in our communities makes it important for them to collectively reduce their carbon footprint. Have you considered the impact your small or home office has on the environment? Many small and home business owners are busy just running their business and rarely take time to consider the environmental impact of their operations. Going green is gaining in popularity and it is easier than ever to incorporate good environmental policies into your business. The key to make change is to simply be aware and educate your self and staff on current energy consumption and cost and set a goal to consume less. Set a concrete goal to reduce utility bills by 2% or office supply expenses by 10%. Turn off lights and computers when not in use. Make more meetings virtual and focus on making fewer trips for errands and deliveries. The key is to set

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benchmarks and stay with it. Conservation is an old but still effective practice. Use less of everything, particularly natural resources. For several reasons, promoting green practices at work can be helpful to your business success. There can be an immediate reduction in operating costs. You can promote your business as being green, and for another, you get to know that you are doing your part. Having a green marketing strategy will make a difference. Consumers will be seeking out companies that have incorporated green into their production and business models. Competition will continue to be fierce in 2011. Using green and other marketing communications strategies can assist in putting your company at the top of mind. The reality is that the world we live in has and will make us become accountable for fixing the environmental concerns that we have created. Gone are the days of not being concerned about our carbon footprint. As is often the case, measurement and management will be the key to success. Thank you to those organizations that are making a difference. Small business, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s our turn to step up and collectively make a difference.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jeff MacIntyre CHAIR, BOARD OF DIRECTORS Jeff MacIntyre is the owner of two small businesses in Waterloo Region. Winexpert Kitchener South is an on-premises winemaking shop. So There Business Solutions assists employers to increase profitability through market access, sales assistance, business development planning strategies, mentoring and training.

message from the president

Energy policy critical for economic growth BY IAN MCLEAN The future growth and prosperity of the Ontario and Waterloo Region economies will depend on our ability to remain competitive in an increasingly global energy marketplace. Modernizing the energy supply, adopting a culture of innovation, and constructing the relevant infrastructure are essential factors in the overall economic renewal of this province. The Ontario Chamber of Commerce, with input from the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber and other associations, has developed a number of strategic policies which, if adopted by Queen’s Park, will efficiently reform the energy sector and keep business competitive locally and internationally. Since the 2003 blackout across Ontario, businesses have realized and expressed public concern over the instability of our energy supply. Demand for electricity will increase while issues over the prospects of additional capacity coming on-stream are also prevalent. Chamber members are cognizant of the potential economic damage that could be caused by blackouts in the years ahead. Overall, the Ontario government must ensure that the demand for electricity is met while keeping prices stable and affordable for all consumers. Electricity prices are an important component of business operational costs. Intensive industries such as mining and forestry in northern Ontario and southwestern Ontario manufacturing are particularly vulnerable. More affordable electricity prices can be achieved by increasing the share of cheaper generation sources while leaving more expensive renewable generation to serve demand peaks. All energy options have benefits and liabilities, which makes a diverse portfolio critical for an overall affordable and reliable electricity system. In order to keep businesses competitive, electricity policy must support new investment, promote efficiency, ensure adequate capacity, and foster conservation. The province of Ontario, like many other jurisdictions, currently possesses a hybrid system that includes private and public market players governed by an independent regulatory body. Due to several factors, including the bulk of generation in the public domain, the market is rather limited and dysfunctional. As prices increase and the supply of energy remains uncertain, it is imperative that private investment is encouraged. Currently, the share of public generation – 80 percent – is excessive for a truly

competitive market. The business sector requires Queen’s Park to ensure there is a significant private presence in the provincial electricity system. At a minimum, the private sector should contribute 50 percent of the energy supply. In the long term, options should be examined for creating competitive markets that will benefit consumers, both business and residential, while ensuring prices reflect the true cost of energy utilized in order to motivate investment in new generation. Aging infrastructure should be replaced in a timely manner and new construction of generation facilities should be planned expeditiously to avoid any future shortages. The Ontario Chamber of Commerce has recommended that the provincial government form a strategic alliance with private generating interests to ensure such construction proceeds. Brownouts and drops in supply damage equipment and output on industrial production lines. Therefore, a system should be implemented for at least large industrial consumers to ensure that areas with frequent disruptions are upgraded to protect against productivity losses. Ontario should meet two important criteria when addressing supply issues. The first is ensuring abundance while the second is affordability. The Ontario Chamber of Commerce supports a balanced portfolio that includes renewable and green energy. However, we must ensure that our base load is met with a reliable, sustainable and affordable electricity supply. As the provincial election approaches, energy issues are certain to be paramount in the local and broader provincial policy agenda. Our Chamber is always available for listening to your concerns and perspectives on this and any other issues in your daily operations. Ensure that you are a participant in these important debates.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ian McLean Ian McLean is President and CEO of the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce.

advocate MARCH | APRIL 2011

The Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce would like to thank all of our sponsors and volunteers. Your efforts helped us present an exceptional 2011 Business Excellence Awards Gala.

This Gala event recognizes Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce members who have made exceptional contributions through their involvement and leadership for the betterment of our community. Sponsors Cowan Insurance Group

Manulife Financial

BMO Financial Group

Title

Reception

Nominee Reception

Laurier School of Business & Economics

Hatch Mott MacDonald

The Walter Fedy Partnership

Toast

Centrepiece

Wine

BDO Canada LLP

Bell

CIBC

Gift

Gold

Gowlings LLP

Sun Life Financial

Second Foundation

Gold

Silver

Delta Kitchener-Waterloo

91.5 The Beat

570 News

Bronze

Media Sponsor

Business Times

Chym FM

CKWR

Media Sponsor

CTV

Dave FM

Faith FM

Media Sponsor

KFUN

Kix 106

Kool FM

Media Sponsor

Waterloo Region Record Media Sponsor

Award Sponsors

In Kind

Borden Ladner Gervais LLP

Lutherwood

Adamski Photography

Conrad Centre for Business, Entrepreneurship and Technology

Research in Motion

Bingemans

Conestoga College Equitable Life of Canada Libro Financial Group

STAHLE Construction Inc.

Brentwood Livery

Union Gas- A Spectra Energy Company

eSolutions Group

University of Waterloo

N-Vie Boutique

Waterloo Inn Conference Hotel

Straight Street Event Services Trudezign Graphics & Marketing

advocacy

The future of agriculture in Waterloo Region BY ART SINCLAIR The Waterloo Region economy remains solidly positioned around farming and food manufacturing as engines of growth and stability. In the future, profits could be derived from some new and nontraditional sources.

average of five percent ethanol. At Queen’s Park and other centres across the continent, the fuel is considered a major component of their on-going strategies to improve air quality and reduce dependency on non-renewable energy sources.

Over the last century, the local industrial sector has constantly been forced to reinvent itself due to changing markets on national and global levels. Clothing, furniture and rubber manufacturing in high volumes have all disappeared primarily from displacement by lower cost foreign production.

A second emerging renewable based fuel with significant potential across Canada is biodiesel, a product manufactured from vegetable oils such as soy and canola. It can be utilized with little or no engine modification and provides decreased friction and wear.

However, the one constant has been the large building on Courtland Avenue in Kitchener, home to Schneiders, Maple Leaf Foods or simply JMs. In the current era of re-branding and reengineering, there are few other logos and corporate cultures that match meat and deli products from this community. Food processing and production have been the perennial stabilizers as periods of transition have challenged our economy. A significant development has evolved across the global agriculture and food sector where crops and organic waste now possess significant potential for energy production. The advantage of these new technologies is they are renewable – crops are grown annually as opposed to fossil fuels which are non-renewable. As the Ontario Government has committed to eliminating coalfired electricity generation by 2014, the Ministries of Agriculture and Energy are now seriously examining the feasibility of a commercial agricultural biomass industry for the production of combustion energy. In general terms, biomass is defined as organic matter, such as crops, wood and wood byproducts, and animal waste that can be converted into liquid fuels and electricity. Two decades ago, lead by advocacy from American multinational food giant Archer Daniels Midland, legislators south of the border and across Canada commenced a serious examination of fossil fuel dependency, not only from an economic but environmental perspective. Ethanol from corn production became a potential solution based on the benefits of a cleaner burning fuel and increasing the markets for domestic agriculture. The Government of Ontario subsequently implemented Regulation 535/05 in 2007 which requires that gasoline sold in Ontario contain an annual

The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA), the province’s largest general farm organization, has determined that by 2012, there will be an annual market for 2 million tonnes of biomass as coal-fired electricity moves to elimination. Biomass fuel for generation could originate from straw, spoiled grains, hay or switch grass. Like ethanol, biomass fuel for electricity promises significant economic returns for rural areas of Ontario. The OFA is currently researching different business models, such as a producer cooperative, to buy biomass from farmers, make pellets, and sell them to Ontario Power Generation. Farmer control of biomass supply is considered a critical component of industry development. Given the Region of Waterloo’s record in innovation across information technology and its present leadership role in solar and wind power, we should expect a significant local presence in the development of the domestic biofuel and biomass industries. And, it should always be remembered that farmers were environmentalists long before Al Gore.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Art Sinclair Art Sinclair is the Vice President Policy and Advocacy for the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce.

advocate MARCH | APRIL 2011

perspective on health care

McMaster medical students & faculty celebrate BY MARY SUE FITZPATRICK In 2007, the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber Health Care Resources Council welcomed the first 15 undergraduate medical students – the Class of 2010 – when they arrived in Kitchener to begin their first year studies at the new Waterloo Region Campus of the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine. Since then we have welcomed three more Classes and seen that first Class graduate and move into residency programs on their way to practicing medicine. A number of these graduates chose family medicine over other specialties and four were accepted into the K-W Family Medicine Residency Program where they are currently training. This past December the Chamber again sponsored the School’s annual Welcome Reception & Dinner for 28 first year undergrads – the Class of 2013 – at Waterloo Inn Conference Hotel. The students met some of their second and third year peers from the Classes of 2011 and 2012 and members of the local McMaster faculty and staff. They also joined them in recognizing very special local physicians who have made

MCMASTER MEDICAL SCHOOL WATERLOO REGION CAMPUS CLASS OF 2013

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outstanding contributions to the medical students’ education experiences. Nominations for these annual Faculty Awards come from the medical students and the recipients are selected by a student selection committee. Awards for mentorship and excellence in teaching were conferred by a group of very enthused and grateful medical learners. Alanna Fitzgerald-Husek presented Family and Sports Medicine specialist Dr. Margo Mountjoy with the 2010 Mentorship Award. Alanna described Dr. Mountjoy as dynamic and passionate, perceptive and thoughtful, not only as a student advisor but in her sports medicine practice and in her roles with the International Olympics and as treating physician and advisor for other international sporting events. Constantly striving to learn, do and share, Dr. Mountjoy leads by example, encouraging her students not to follow in her footsteps but to forge their own paths. She brings these fine qualities to her role as student advisor and mentor and embodies everything for which the Mentorship Award stands.

perspective on health care

Nominated by Tim Oliveira and Kinneret Friedman, Pediatrican Dr. Bruno DiGravio was awarded one of two Excellence in Teaching Awards. In his award presentation, Tim described Dr. DiGravio as an exceptional and passionate clinical supervisor who not only teaches but also inspires his students. He is a highly effective clinical supervisor, basing his teaching around patients that the students see themselves and providing relative examples on his own past clinical experiences, enhancing their critical thinking and facilitating retention of the medical knowledge they are acquiring. Dr. DiGravioâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s genuine interest in his learners led to many helpful discussions on career planning and residency application preparations.

EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING AWARD RECIPIENT DR. BRUNO DIGRAVIO & NOMINATOR TIM OILVEIRA

His love and dedication to teaching is evident in his additional commitment to clerks, taking a two week break from his clinical duties to dedicate his personal time to students in clerkship training during their summer vacation blocks. The second Excellence in Teaching Award was conferred upon Dr. Fred Mather, nominated by Lyndsay Rein Evans who described Dr. Mather as a true gentleman, a positive professional and kind physician and teacher. In his friendly and busy family practice, he takes a positive attitude with each of his patients he knows so well and never tires of his work because of the diversity he is presented with each day. As a preceptor, Dr. Mather is very respectful of his students and their learning needs, encouraging them to contribute and helping them research medical issues to find answers to their questions.

EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING AWARD RECIPIENT DR. FRED MATHER & NOMINATOR LYNDSAY REIN EVANS

The Waterloo Region campus of the McMaster medical school is truly privileged to have such high calibre physician educators and mentors among their faculty to enhance the learning experiences of these bright and aspiring young health care professionals. And we, as a community, are privileged to have these student learners living and training here.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mary Sue Fitzpatrick Mary Sue is Vice President Family Physician Resources and Health Advocacy.

MENTORSHIP AWARD RECIPIENT DR. MARGO MOUNTJOY & NOMINATOR ALANNA FITZGERALD-HUSEK

Photography by Lisa Malleck advocate MARCH | APRIL 2011

networking

Winter networking 1

1) IAN MCLEAN, GREG DUROCHER, PREMIER DALTON McGUINTY, JOHN DOHERTY, CORY MCRAE AND JEFF MACINTYRE 2) LEO TOBI AND LISA CASHMORE AT A CHAMBER POINT OF VIEW LUNCHEON

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3) CHIEF MATT TORIGIAN, GUEST SPEAKER AT A POINT OF VIEW LUNCHEON 4) SHAWN CARNAHAN AND ANU MISKIN 5) CHAMBER YOUNG PROFESSIONALS NETWORKING AT THEMUSEUM

networking

6) SPEED NETWORKING 7) PATTI BROOKS, PETER BRAID, CHIEF MATT TORIGIAN AND IAN MCLEAN 8) JEFF MACINTYRE WELCOMING THE CROWD AT A CHAMBER EVENT

9) PREMIER DALTON MCGUINTY’S ADDRESS TO THE CROWD 10) BESSIE SCHENK, MIKE HEWITSON, SOUROV DE AT THE FEBRUARY CYP NETWORKING EVENT

THE RECORD REACHES MORE ADULTS THAN THE TORONTO PAPERS COMBINED!

TToo aadvertise dvertise oorr ppartner artner w with ith tthe he W Waterloo aterloo R Region egion R Record ecord please call 519-894-2250. advocate MARCH | APRIL 2011

new members

December 1, 2010 - January 31, 2011 Avenir Medical Inc.

Darch Fire Incorporated

Fluent Group Consulting Engineers Inc.

Health Care Supplies & Service Armen Bakirtzian, Chief Executive Officer 623A Rummelhardt Drive Waterloo, ON N2T 2K7 Email: a.bakirtzian@avenirmedical.com Web: www.avenirmedical.com Phone: (519) 342-3178 Fax: (519) 513-2421

Firefighting Equipment Todd Finnie, Sales Manager 402 Harmony Road, Unit 9 Ayr, ON N0B 1E0 Email: todd@darchfire.com Web: www.darchfire.com Phone: (519) 622-6110 Fax: (519) 622-7705

Engineers - Consulting Michael Pelton, Principal 295A Broadway Avenue, Second Floor PO Box 188 Orangeville, ON L9W 2Z6 Email: mpelton@fluentgroup.com Web: www.fluentgroup.com Phone: (888) 358-3683 Fax: (866) 620-7502

Canpages

Publishers Shevaun Voisin, Publisher, Motivated Magazine 101 Ira Needles Boulevard Waterloo, ON N2J 3Z4 Email: shevaun@motivatedonline.com Web: www.motivatedonline.com Phone: (519) 589-2223 Fax: (519) 749-9939

Advertising - Directory & Guide Courtney Hance, District Sales Manager 240 Holiday Inn Drive, Unit F Cambridge, ON N3C 3X4 Email: courtney.hance@canpages.ca Web: www.canpages.ca Phone: (519) 651-0185 Fax: (519) 651-0418

Checkmate Public Affairs Communication & Public Relations Consultants Jeff Chatterton, President 187 Woodbine Avenue Kitchener, ON N2R 1Y5 Email: chatterton@checkmatepublicaffairs.com Web: www.checkmatepublicaffairs.com Phone: (519) 513-1053 Fax: (888) 662-4555

Creative Edge Signs & Graphics Inc. Signs Steve Lyons, President 106 McBrine Place, Unit 2 Kitchener, ON N2R 1J2 Email: steve@creativeedgeinc.ca Web: www.creativeedgeinc.ca Phone: (519) 741-1156 Fax: (519) 741-0473

D&H Custom Woodworking Inc. Woodworking Andrew Lassau, President 55 Hollinger Crescent Kitchener, ON N2K 2Y8 Email: andrewlassau@dhwoodworking.com Web: www.dhwoodworking.com Phone: (519) 571-0700 Fax: (519) 571-0703

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Declan McAndrew Publishing Ltd.

Domain Hotel Waterloo Hotels & Motels Kevin Kluts, General Manager 110 Erb Street West Waterloo, ON N2L 1T4 Email: kevin.kluts@domainhotel.com Phone: (416) 312-8093

exactEarth Satellite Data Services Anita Davis, Director, Human Resources & Contract Management 60 Struck Court, Cambridge, ON N1R 8L2 Email: anita.davis@exactearth.com Web: www.exactearth.com Phone: (519) 622-4445 Fax: (519) 623-8575

First Aid Force

Global Pet Foods Pet Food & Supplies Doug Kennedy, Owner 425 University Avenue East Waterloo, ON N2K 4C9 Email: dobiefan@rogers.com Web: www.globalpetfoods.ca Phone: (519) 573-9720 Fax: (519) 208-6576

Heart of Gold Cat Grooming & Spa Pet Grooming Jacqueline Murray, Owner 151 Strathcona Crescent Kitchener, ON N2B 2W8 Email: jaclynmurray@rogers.com Web: www.heartofgoldcatgroomingandspa.com Phone: (519) 208-9064

Heatlay Ltd. Heating Equipment & Systems Hon. Dan Jackman, President 41 Shoemaker Street, Unit 1 Kitchener, ON N2E 3G9 Email: dan.jackman@heatlay.com Web: www.heatlay.com Phone: (519) 894-4400 Fax: (866) 859-1241

First Aid Service Brent Grein, Owner 913 Manorbrook Court Kitchener, ON N2P 2Y2 Email: brent@firstaidforce.com Web: www.firstaidforce.com Phone: (519) 574-6339

High Quality Services Ltd.

Flashpoint Photobooth

Jani-King of Southern Ontario

Photo Booths Keith Clark, 809 Victoria Street North, Unit 5A Kitchener, ON N2B 3C3 Email: www.flashpointphotobooth.com Phone: (519) 745-2558 Fax: (519) 894-2479

Janitorial Service & Supplies Catherine Gregory, Regional Director 80 Acadia Avenue, Suite 100 Markham, ON L3R 9V1 Email: cgregory@jktoronto.com Web: www.janiking.com Phone: (905) 754-4800 Fax: (905) 752-8399

Engineers - Consulting Ammori Ganem-Mohamed, President 66 Peach Blossom Crescent Kitchener, ON N2E 3Z7 Email: highqualityservicesltd@gmail.com Phone: (519) 741-0565

new members

JB Promos

MoreSALES.ca

Signs Galore Inc.

Promotional Products Janet Benedict, Owner 35 Green Valley Drive, Unit 105 Kitchener, ON N2P 2A5 Email: jbpromos@rogers.com Web: www.jbpromos.ca Phone: (519) 208-6403

Marketing Consultants Rob Irvine, Vice President, Business Development 250 Dundas Street South, Suite 236 Cambridge, ON N1R 8A8 Email: rob@moresales.ca Web: www.moresales.ca Phone: (519) 620-8127

Signs Laurie Fitz-Henry, Accounting 15 Woolwich Street South Breslau, ON N0B 1M0 Email: laurie@signsgalore.ca Web: www.signsgalore.ca Phone: (519) 648-2176 Fax: (519) 648-2971

RBC Royal Bank - Fischer Hallman

The Beat Goes On

Banks Paul Arsenault, Investment & Retirement Planner 751 Fischer Hallman Road Kitchener, ON N2E 4E9 Phone: (519) 575-4170

Music - Records, Tapes & CD's John Rocchetta, President 370 Highland Road West, Unit 17B Kitchener, ON N2M 5J9 Email: johnr@beatgoeson.com Web: www.beatgoeson.com Phone: (519) 579-8243 Fax: (519) 579-3836

LuminAD Advertising Agencies & Consultants Jennifer Chorney, Office Manager & Marketing Diva 2 Robert Speck Parkway Mississauga, ON L4Z 1H8 Email: jennifer.chorney@luminad.ca Web: www.luminad.ca Phone: (905) 306-2799

Rideway Transport Inc.

Pest Control Services Darcy Litschgy, Manager 190 Victoria Street North Kitchener, ON N2H 5C6 Email: marshallspest@rogers.com Phone: (519) 744-9674 Fax: (519) 745-8685

Transport Services Tom Brooke, President 859-A Courtland Avenue East Kitchener, ON N2C 1K4 Email: tbrooke@rideway.com Web: www.rideway.com Phone: (519) 741-5991 Fax: (519) 741-1883

Metroline Research Group Inc.

Schott Resolutions

Marshalls Pest Control

Marketing Consultants Dave Kains, Partner 7 Duke Street West, Suite 301 Kitchener, ON N2H 6N7 Email: info@metroline.ca Web: www.metroline.ca Phone: (519) 584-7700 Fax: (519) 584-7672

The UPS Store #70 Digital Imaging, Printing & Photography Chee Peng, Owner 133 Weber Street North, Suite 3 Waterloo, ON N2J 3G9 Email: cheepengtan@yahoo.com Phone: (519) 725-7880

Mediation Services Greg Schott, Principal 10 Duke Street West, 3rd Floor Kitchener, ON N2H 3W4 Email: greg@schottresolutions.ca Web: www.schottresolutions.ca Phone: (519) 744-5800

advocate MARCH | APRIL 2011

feature

Addressing environmental impact BY KIM GEIGER In an effort to help promote and support greener travel options for employees, Research In Motion (RIM) has introduced several new environmental programs and initiatives over the past year. RIM has developed sustainable choices for employees and will continue to evolve these programs over time. RIM has initiated the following programs as part of its efforts to address our environmental impact in the communities where we live and work:

The EcoCommute Program In May 2010, RIM launched an EcoCommute Program, a pilot geared towards promoting sustainable travel options internally to employees for their day to day commute. The program offers employees a variety of transportation methods and services including the Campus Shuttle, Campus Bike Share, Guaranteed Ride Home Service, GTA Commuter Bus Service and the Grand River Transit Fares Program. RIM is offering these services with the aim of decreasing pollution and traffic congestion in our local communities. Campus Shuttle: The shuttle offers a fast and convenient commute, allowing up to 20 RIM employees and visitors at one time to travel around RIM Waterloo Campus locations Monday through Friday. This comfortable mini coach vehicle incorporates convenient stop locations and short travel times. It is promoted internally to employees as an alternative environmentally sustainable transportation solution versus the use of personal vehicles. Campus Bike Share: “Think bike pedal, not gas pedal,” is the motto of one of RIM’s most recognized initiatives – one that proves to be a healthy, fast and convenient way to move around campus. It was implemented with the help of the BIXI bicycle system (named one of the 50 Best Inventions of 2008 by TIME magazine). RIM has installed eight stations all of which are made up of bike docks and a solar panel that powers the stations. Guaranteed Ride Home Service: When unexpected emergencies arise for commuters that carpool, walk, bike, or use public transportation for their daily commute to RIM, they have a guaranteed, safe way to get home. Many employees have taken advantage of this service to date. GTA Commuter Bus Service: In May 2010, RIM launched the GTA Commuter Bus Service for employees travelling to Waterloo from the Ontario Ministry of Transportation Car Park Lots in Mississauga, Milton and Halton. Partnered with Coach Canada, this Commuter Bus Service has enabled riders to make use of

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comfortable seating, electrical outlets and internet access for their daily commutes. Grand River Transit Fares Service: Employees can access GRT fares and information about routes, maps, schedules, and a planning tool from their computer with the additional convenience of picking up their tickets on RIM Campus. RIM has designed and implemented this service to encourage employees to contribute to a greener tomorrow.

The WWF-Canada Earth Hour App RIM sponsored the development and deployment of the WWFCanada Earth Hour App for 2010. This App enabled users to discuss issues of global concern and collectively promote Earth Hour awareness.

ICTs Panel In November 2010, a team of experts including a representative from RIM produced an extensive report that provides information about the ways Information & Communications Technologies (ICTs) can be used to mitigate the impact of other sectors on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and to help countries adapt to climate change. To learn more about this report, visit: http://www.itu.int/ITU-T/climatechange/itu-gesi-report.html

RIM’s Corporate Responsibility Report RIM published its Corporate Responsibility Report in July 2010. The Report covers a range of topics including areas such as corporate governance, environmental issues, responsible supply chain and community involvement. To learn more, visit: http://www.rim.com/investors/pdf/RIM_CR2010_Report.pdf

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kim Geiger Kim Geiger is part of the Corporate Responsibility group at Research In Motion (RIM). She contributes to RIM’s efforts in monitoring and extending sustainability practices. She received her undergraduate degree from McMaster University and a Public Relations postgraduate certificate from Humber College.

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cover story

A new era for electricity – energy management and energy savings BY JERRY VAN OOTEGHEM AND RENE GATIEN The recent introduction of the Green Energy and Green Economy Act (GEGEA) has ushered in a new era in the electricity industry. The goal of the GEGEA is to develop an economy focused on green initiatives – specifically renewable energy generation, energy management and conservation. Under the new regulations, Ontario’s Local Distribution Companies, including Kitchener-Wilmot Hydro and Waterloo North Hydro, are putting plans into action to align with the GEGEA. These initiatives include installing smart meters, implementing Time-of-Use (TOU) rates and meeting significant four-year electricity conservation and demand management targets. These initiatives will help Ontario meet its energy requirements, create a culture based on energy management and conservation and will provide businesses and individuals with tools to help cut energy costs.

How Can Business Reduce Energy Costs?

Smart Meters with Time-of-Use Rates Kitchener-Wilmot Hydro and Waterloo North Hydro are completing their deployment of smart meters to residential and small business customers, enabling the implementation of TOU rates. Smart meters and TOU rates are new energy management tools that will enable business owners to better manage electricity bills, reduce the strain on the electricity system and help the environment. TOU pricing means that the price you pay for electricity is dependant on the time of day and the season. There will be three different TOU rates: off-peak, mid-peak and on-peak. The price will be highest when the demand for electricity is high and lowest when demand is at its lowest. The Ontario Energy Board regulates and reviews these prices every May and November. The Ontario Energy Board has developed three daily TOU periods that differ by two times of the year defined as the summer and winter seasons: TIME-OF-USE RATE CHART

As a business owner, you are always looking for smart ways to reduce costs. The GEGEA has spurred development of several options for businesses looking to manage and reduce their electricity costs: • Make the shift. See which energy-intensive activities you could shift to off-peak hours to take advantage of TOU rates. Prices are lowest on weekdays between 9 pm and 7 am and all day on weekends. • Track your energy use. Monitoring your energy use from bill to bill will help you get a better sense of how to manage your electricity costs. With the introduction of TOU rates, you will also be able to view your account online to check your electricity consumption. • Take advantage of energy efﬁciency tips and programs. Kitchener-Wilmot Hydro and Waterloo North Hydro will be launching a number of programs to help homes and businesses save electricity and money. Check kwhydro.ca and wnhydro.com for updates.

WWW.GREATERKWCHAMBER.COM

Winter-Weekdays

Weekends & Holidays

Summer-Weekdays

Nov 1 - Apr 30

Year round

May 1 - Oct 31

MIDNIGHT

A.M.

P.M.

A.M.

P.M.

A.M.

NOON

Off-peak 5.1 cents/kWh

Mid-peak 8.1 cents/kWh

On-peak 9.9 cents/kWh

**Effective November 1, 2011, winter weekday off-peak rates will start at 7 p.m.

* Effective May 1, 2011

Note: Visit the Ontario Energy Board at www.oeb.gov.on.ca for current pricing. Smart meters provide the technology that allows consumers to track how much electricity they use at different times of the day and the cost implications of using electricity during on-peak, midpeak, and off-peak hours. Armed with this information electricity consumers will be able to better regulate their usage when prices are highest during on-peak hours and take advantage of low rates in off-peak hours.

cover story

Conservation and Demand Management Programs In addition to smart meters and TOU rates, the Green Energy Act also assigned conservation and demand management targets to electricity distribution companies to reduce peak electricity demand and electricity consumption over the next four years. In order to achieve these targets, Kitchener-Wilmot Hydro and Waterloo North Hydro will be working with Cambridge & North Dumfries Hydro, jointly delivering a number of conservation and demand management programs for residential and business customers. With support from a dedicated team of conservation experts at the Local Distribution Companies, these programs present an excellent opportunity for businesses to reduce electricity costs – for dollar savings and a boost to the bottom line. The programs target all customer groups through three segmentspecific portfolios: Consumer (residential), Business and Institutional (small and medium sized businesses) and Industrial (large commercial and industrial). Each portfolio has the following objectives: • Empower consumers and businesses to manage their energy consumption and reduce electricity costs through increased education, information and choice. • Improve the efficiency of homes and businesses by making them intelligent and integrated through the proper sizing and installation of energy efficient equipment. • Promote the intelligent management of electricity usage through the use of TOU pricing signals, load control devices and demand response initiatives to decrease peak demand. • Support and encourage the design and development of new products and services to address the growing energy conservation and management needs through new, innovative ways of using and reducing energy. The portfolios consist of several complementary programs that have been designed to provide the tools businesses and individuals need to track and manage electricity costs and usage, educate them to make informed decisions when retrofitting existing equipment or purchasing new equipment and encouraging the adoption of new energy efficient technologies through incentives and rebates.

The consumer programs focus on making homes efficient, intelligent and integrated. They address many areas of the home, including lighting, heating and cooling, electricity monitoring, tracking and management and new home construction initiatives. The commercial, institutional and industrial programs are intended to encourage and enable energy efficiency and peak reduction. These programs will focus on equipment replacement (particularly for lighting, heating and cooling, etc.), process improvement (compressed air, variable speed motors, etc.) and demand response (e.g., shedding load in exchange for payments). Energy intensive equipment and processes will be identified, evaluated and monitored in the facility – enabling substantial energy savings. The new era for electricity use has arrived in Ontario. Find out how your business can contribute to the environment – and your bottom line – through the new conservation and demand management programs now available from your Local Distribution Companies. For more information on TOU rates, conservation programs, demand management programs, and energy saving tips, please visit kwhydro.ca and wnhydro.com.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Jerry Van Ooteghem & Rene Gatien Jerry Van Ooteghem is President & CEO of Kitchener-Wilmot Hydro Inc. which serves over 86,000 customers in the City of Kitchener and Township of Wilmot. Jerry is a Professional Engineer with over 30 years of service with the company and is Chair of the Working Group for design of the provincewide Industrial Conservation Program. Rene Gatien is President and CEO of Waterloo North Hydro servicing over 50,000 customers in the City of Waterloo and the Townships of Wellesley and Woolwich. Rene is a Professional Engineer with over 30 years experience in electric utilities and private contractors. He sits on the Board of Directors of the Electricity Distributors Association.

advocate MARCH | APRIL 2011

events

Mark your calendar BY CHAMBER STAFF

March 8, 2011

March 24, 2011

Manulife Financial Chamber Academy: Mastering Your BlackBerry® Smartphone Torch Specific

Research In Motion Chamber Young Professionals Presents: It's Your Community, Get Involved

Networking Breakfast Series presents Work-Life Balance

Session 1 - 9:30-11:30am Session 2 - 1:30-3:30pm Location: Chamber of Commerce Member: $40+ HST General Admission: $45 + HST This course describes the basic BlackBerry® Smartphone shortcuts and is for individuals who use it for business purposes. The training is designed to focus on: Messages Application, Calendar Application, Contacts and Phone Application. Learn tips and tricks from a Professional BlackBerry® Trainer so you can be even more productive with your BlackBerry® Torch (please make sure to bring your BlackBerry® with you as this is a hands-on training course). Title Sponsor:

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5:00-7:00pm Location: Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery Member: $10 General Admission: $15 Learn about lending your talents, skills and experience to strengthening our community in countless ways that best suit your availability and expectations.

7:30-9:00am Location: Holiday Inn Kitchener Member: $28 General Admission: $40 This workshop style presentation will help identify ways for you and your employees to balance work and personal goals given what is important to each. Media Sponsor:

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April 5, 2011

April 7, 2011

April 13, 2011

Rogers Chamber Connections

Cowan Insurance Group presents a New Member Welcome

Heffner Women's Leadership â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Present Yourself Like A Leader

5:00-7:00pm Location: Columbia Lake Health Club Member: $5 General Admission: $10

5:00-7:00pm Host: Emmanuel Village Member: Complimentary

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Learn how working together can work for you! Find out how our services and events can help your business grow, learn about volunteer opportunities, and promote your business to other members.

11:30am-1:00pm Location: Chicopee Ski & Summer Resort Member: $25 General Admission: $30 Watch the website for more details! Title Sponsor:

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(continued on page 30)

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feature

WRIEN Looking back – moving forward BY PETER McFADDEN Looking back at 2010, the Waterloo Region Immigrant Employment Network (WRIEN) had another action packed year of trying to help and support chamber members in their efforts to attract and hire talent. WRIEN, hosted by the Chamber, provided members a one-stop shop to access, network with and hire job ready internationally trained individuals (ITIs). Since its launch in 2006, WRIEN has worked with and provided services to hundreds of Chamber members. Listed below are a number of programs provided to members: • WRIEN serves as a one-stop source for Chamber members to connect to the immigrant talent pool where 238 of their job postings were connected to the internationally trained talent pool. • 220 Chamber members have expanded their immigrant employment knowledge through participation in WRIEN seminars. • 239 pre-screened job ready internationally trained individual candidates were presented to Chamber members resulting in 38 hires as part of the internship program which is delivered by Conestoga College. • 225 Chamber members have met with over 575 job ready internationally trained individuals at WRIEN Networking and Recruiting events. • WRIEN serves as an advocate to promote Chamber member hiring needs and expectations to service provider agencies that prepare ITIs for job ready employment. • WRIEN is a one-stop source for Chamber member immigrant employment tools, supports and information for recruiting, hiring, integrating and retaining immigrant talent. WRIEN’s role extends beyond just working with members to facilitating and acting as a catalyst for employer based services and programs to those that benefit their immigrant employees’ families, such as: • WRIEN facilitated the development and supports the operation of an immigrant loan program delivered by The Working Centre that can assist immigrant employees in upgrading their credentials, education and skills. • WRIEN facilitated the development of and supports the operation of a mentorship program delivered by the YMCA Cross Cultural and Immigrant Services that assists ITIs with their Canadian workplace culture readiness. • WRIEN facilitated and continues to support the New Comers Waterloo Region web portal as a complete source for immigrant services available to ITIs and their families within the Region.

WWW.GREATERKWCHAMBER.COM

Looking forward to 2011, WRIEN is engaged in integrating its activities into the new Local Immigration Partnership (LIP) so that the delivery of all immigrant services will be guided by one strategic council comprised of community leaders from all sectors. During 2010 our community continued to recover from the impacts of the recession and so did the demand for a number of skill sets. Communitech has shared with us that the number of skilled employees needed by the tech sector in Waterloo Region has grown from 2000 to 2500 people. Manufacturing, including the automotive sector has seen some improvement resulting in hiring. Some employers are finding that many employees laid off during the recession had found other work adding to current hiring challenges. To address these challenges WRIEN’s new Employer Advisory Team and its action teams along with the Service Provider Advisory Team are engaged in developing strategies and initiatives to support Chamber members in their search for the “best” talent. The very necessary work undertaken and accomplished by WRIEN for and on behalf of Chamber members would not be possible without the generous contributions of our partners and funders. WRIEN partners with the Greater KW Chamber of Commerce, WRIEN’s host, the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce, Canada’s Technology Triangle, Communitech and immigrant based service agencies as part of an innovative collaboration to grow the local economy. WRIEN funders include: The United Way of Kitchener Waterloo and the Townships of Wellesley, Wilmot and Woolwich, the Kitchener and Waterloo Community Foundation, the Region of Waterloo, The Ontario Trillium Foundation, the Lyle S. Hallman Foundation, Global Experience at Work, The Government of Ontario, The Government of Canada, Research In Motion, the United Way of Cambridge and North Dumfries, and the Bridgeway Foundation.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Peter McFadden Peter McFadden is the Executive Director for WRIEN and former President and CEO of the Southern Ontario Tourism Organization.

feature

Smart electricity prices BY JAN CARR Smart meters are turning out to be not quite as welcome as expected when they were announced. Most electricity customers see their bills going up and becoming more complex with electricity prices varying throughout the day. To address some of the disappointment the least expensive off-peak time slot was recently lengthened but while this might be popular, is it good policy? That depends on your view of the world and also requires some understanding of what drives costs in generating electricity. Begin with the fact that it has so far proved more expensive to store electricity than to generate it and we can understand why the supply system has been developed to exactly match supply with demand on a moment by moment basis. Our electricity system is the ultimate just-in-time delivery system – it does not include the equivalent of warehouses that for most other goods buffer the difference between the timing of manufacturers’ operations and consumers’ purchasing patterns. To accommodate the up and down of electricity consumption, the fleet of generators has been chosen to include a variety of types and technologies. Some, the “base-load” generators, are designed to run steadily day and night all year long. Because of their long operating hours, the cost of the electricity they produce will be very sensitive to their fuel cost but relatively insensitive to their up front cost of construction. At the other extreme are “peaking” generators designed to respond quickly and run only during the relatively short periods of peak demand. Their costs of production have the opposite sensitivities and as a result they use technologies that result in low capital costs, even if that means higher fuel and operating costs. The most economically priced electricity will come from a system which optimizes the mix of generating types to match the variations in customers’ requirements. The economics could be further improved if customers would participate in the “dance” by using less at times when the system is responding to high overall demand. Signaling the electricity system’s loading level to customers is where time of use pricing and smart meters come in. Electricity costs are going up in general so bills would be higher with or without smart meters. But with smart meters bills are also increasing because for most people most of their electricity use is at the time of highest overall electricity demand which is also when electricity is most expensive. That should not be a surprise any

more than finding we need to use the road or call customer service around the same time most other people do. Is smart metering unfair to those who have limited ability to avoid electricity use at peak times? Not really, if you consider that time of use pricing is allocating more of the higher peak production costs to customers who are contributing to making the peak. Smart meters are really a tool for allocating costs more fairly and creating overall savings by rewarding those who individually save the most. Many people who have changed their electricity use patterns are disappointed to find that the savings are small. Indeed, for most they are swamped out by general cost increases so the benefit is really only a smaller cost increase. Given the limited personal motivation they provide, should we have rolled out smart meters across the province? If you take a long term view the answer is “yes” because with the tool of smart meters in place the stage is set for appliances and buildings to also become smart and automate the process of aligning electricity use with times of high production costs. Personal motivation won’t be critical when your house or business is watching the meter for you. So how wise is it to extend the time period for off-peak pricing? It’s a retreat from the user-pay principles that justified smart meters in the first place. And while it was announced as a cost saving measure all it’s really doing is transferring costs from some customers to all customers. It’s a bit like paying for a group meal at a restaurant. Traditional meters split the meal tab but smart meters give you separate tabs. Splitting works well among a few friends but would you do that for a meal with all 13 million of your fellow Ontarians?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jan Carr Jan Carr is the former CEO of the Ontario Power Authority and a member of the Council for Clean and Reliable Electricity. The Council is based in Kitchener-Waterloo and was created to promote public debate on electricity in a neutral and non partisan forum.

advocate MARCH | APRIL 2011

feature

Road to environmental excellence – paved with economic and administrative boulders under C-469 BY STEPHEN WOODWORTH As the Member of Parliament for Kitchener Centre and a member of the Parliamentary Committee on the Environment and Sustainable Development, I have been studying Private Member’s Bill C-469. This proposed legislation establishes an Environmental Bill of Rights. Its provisions apply to all decisions under federal laws and regulations or related to federal land or work. The stated purpose is to safeguard the right of Canadians to a healthy and ecologically balanced environment. It establishes a public trust duty to protect the environment, wider access to information and mechanisms for participation in environmental decision-making. It will also provide protection against reprisals for employees who take action to protect the environment. It offers increased opportunities for environmental lawsuits. At first blush C-469 sounds reasonable but when you study the details of the bill reservations begin to emerge. For example Warren Everson, Senior Vice-President, Policy, Canadian Chamber of Commerce, said in his statement to committee members, “In particular, the principle is that Bill C-469 dismisses decades of work done by parliamentarians to establish national agencies to protect the environment. It proposes to replace a predictable process, whereby the provinces and the federal government are responsible for environmental regulation, with an endless litigation process brought by private parties. It would in effect turn the Federal Court into an environmental protection agency.” The possibility of “endless litigation”, mentioned by Mr. Everson, is not limited to lawsuits against the Government. It is also found in Section 23 of the Bill, which allows any “entity” or any Canadian resident to sue private persons or corporations. If a judge decides an environmental contravention has occurred, two striking results follow. First, the Plaintiff need only establish a prima facie case of possible environmental harm, whereupon the Defendant must disprove on a balance of probabilities the existence of environmental harm. Second, it will be no defence that the Defendant has complied meticulously with every condition required by every Government authority. Due diligence will not be a defence.

flows from permit compliance, no one will know whether a development or activity will face a challenge in the courts until long after it has been completed. Of particular note throughout the legislation is the word “entity” which is defined in the Bill as an organization that is authorized either to carry on business in Canada or that has an office or property in Canada. This is significant in that it would allow any foreign agent with an office in Canada to sue our Government and to sue private individuals and corporations under S23. It would also give foreign agents virtually unprecedented participation in environmental policy-making, with rights to demand information and to participate in policy and permitting consultations. In his opening comments to the committee, Mr. Jacob Irving, President of the Canadian Hydropower Association said, “The CHA believes Bill C-469 would be harmful and potentially destructive to the current system of environmental regulations that we have all worked so hard to adopt and improve. We are concerned that without significant amendments this bill will create unacceptable levels of uncertainty, invite unproductive and vexatious litigation, and reduce industry's ability to proactively engage in additional environmental stewardship initiatives.” Further information on this Bill and the committee meetings can be found at www.parl.gc.ca . The Committee will continue the clause-by-clause consideration of the Bill after January 31. I urge you to study this Bill and its far-reaching consequences and invite any comments you may have.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Stephen Woodworth Stephen Woodworth was elected Member of Parliament for Kitchener Centre in October of 2008. He serves on the House of Commons Justice and Environment Committees. Prior to serving as MP, Stephen practiced law for almost thirty years and was a Kitchener School Trustee.

These provisions significantly alter the legal landscape to the disadvantage of developers. Without the certainty that presently

advocate MARCH | APRIL 2011

sponsor profile

Celebrate 100 years with us! Union Gas has been a proud member of the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce for more than fifty years and we thank you for the positive contribution you’ve made to this community. This year, Union Gas is celebrating its 100th anniversary, and we’ll be commemorating this impressive milestone with exciting community events across Ontario. We welcome you to visit uniongas.com/centennial for details about our centennial celebration and events in your community. Union Gas, a Spectra Energy Company, is one of North America’s premier natural gas storage, transmission and delivery companies, dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of safety, reliability and environmental responsibility. We’re also your neighbour, and are ever mindful of the privilege and responsibility of delivering natural gas services to over 1.3 million homes and businesses in over 400 communities across the province.

KW HUMANE SOCIETY

WWW.GREATERKWCHAMBER.COM

Giving Back Union Gas is committed to giving back to the communities we proudly serve including the Greater Kitchener Waterloo area. In 2010 we contributed almost $1 million to charitable organizations across Ontario, raised an additional $820,000 for the United Way, donated 15,000 employee hours in community projects in every corner of the province and provided more than $610,000 in heating relief assistance to low-income customers through our Winter Warmth program. Last year Union Gas employees that live and work in the Region of Kitchener-Waterloo contributed over five thousand volunteer hours in support of local community improvement projects for charitable organizations including 10,000 trees - a ten year partnership in which we have been committed to the reforestation of Waterloo Region, landscaping at local schools, creating a dog socialization and training area at the Kitchener-Waterloo Humane Society and many more.

ST DAVID SCHOOL- REFORESTATION

sponsor profile

Centennial Grant Program

Greening Ontario

Our tradition of giving back to the communities where we live and work continues today. To mark our century of service, we’re delighted to announce the launch of the Union Gas Centennial Grant Program. One hundred one-time grants of $1,000 will be awarded to support charitable projects focused on education, community safety or the environment across Ontario. Visit www.uniongas.com/centennial for more details.

A variety of clean energy sources are being called upon to help fuel our economic growth and to provide for our clean air and lowcarbon energy needs, but only our fuel is providing the reliable, on-demand, clean, and efficient energy Ontarians need when they need it. Conservation and demand management also have an important role to play. The energy-efficiency programs we've pioneered are empowering our customers to use natural gas even more efficiently, resulting in lower energy bills and reduced environmental impact. In fact, during the last decade, we've helped our customers save enough natural gas to heat 450,000 homes for a year. We’ve helped all our residential customers reduce their natural gas demand by more than one third since the early 1990’s!

Powering Ontario Recently named one of Canada's Top 100 Employers for 2011, Union Gas is creating jobs for Ontarians. Our company, the investments we make in vital energy infrastructure and the product we deliver help power Ontario's economic growth and contribute to a cleaner, greener economy. In the past decade alone, we have invested over $2.5 billion in capital projects and paid more than $350 million in municipal property taxes on our assets in the municipal roadway – a contribution completely unique to gas utilities.

10,000 TREE PLANTING GRANDDAUGHTER ABBY

- PAM GENT AND HER GENT

TREE PLANTING

“Union Gas is a proud corporate citizen of the region of KitchenerWaterloo,” said Murray Costello, Union Gas District Manager for Waterloo/Brantford. “We thank you for allowing us to serve you and your neighbours’ energy needs. As we look to the future, we're confident that Union Gas will continue to be a partner of choice in this and all the 400 communities we serve across Ontario.”

KW HUMANE SOCIETY- UG EMPLOYEES EUGENE GINGERICH, SHANE HENKEL, SONYA HAMILTON, KATHERINE SIMON, JENNIFER BURNHAM, AND JOANNA NIEZEN (KW HUMANE SOCIETY)

advocate MARCH | APRIL 2011

feature

Refunds for business from your local Municipal Government BY JEFF THOMPSON For example, Conestoga College, Doon Campus is anticipating a reduction in their Stormwater User Fee by more than 50% based on their existing stormwater landscape features. Keep in mind that when applying for a reduced Stormwater Fee Rate it will be important to have qualitative and quantitative documentation on those beneficial landscape features.

The Cities of Kitchener and Waterloo have initiated their Stormwater User Fee as of January 1, 2011. This Fee System applies to all residential, commercial and industrial lands with rates varying from $76 per year for the smallest residential lot to $26,000 per year for a 4 hectare non-residential site. This fee is on top of your annual taxes. Your Fee Rate will depend on the amount of estimated impervious surface or hard surface on the property. For instance, a bare roof and asphalt parking lot creates more stormwater runoff than a green roof and porous paving.

It is not every day that the municipalities offer refunds to improve your property. It would be wise to take advantage of it.

Kitchener and Waterloo are currently developing their refund process as an incentive for property owners to alter their site and landscape in an effort to control both quantity and quality of storm water. Now would be an excellent time to rethink, redesign and rejuvenate those outdoor spaces to include features such as infiltration areas, French drains, small storm retention depressions and areas of porous pavement.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jeff Thompson Jeff Thompson is an Environmental Biologist with Thompson Environmental Planning & Design Ltd. as well as owner of Native Plant Source, a local Nursery and Landscape Company. He is also Chairman of the Environment Committee for the Greater KW Chamber of Commerce.

The refund process will be in place for 2012; however, refunds will be applied retroactively through to January 2011. Your reduced Stormwater User Fee will then continue from that point forward.

Est. 1994

McDonald Green Human Resources Consulting www.mcdonaldgreen.com

Assessment 26

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member notables

Member notables Local Realtor Recognized for Outstanding Service Diane Hawrylenko, a broker with Nicholson Realty Inc., received the prestigious Claude E. Dubrick Realtor Award of Merit from the Kitchener-Waterloo Real Estate Board. In awarding the organization’s highest honour, board president George Patton noted that Diane has shown her commitment to the community and real estate profession through her continuous and dedicated volunteerism. She has been active with the local branch of the Canadian Cancer Society and serves as Chair of the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce Federal and Provincial Affairs Committee (FPAC).

Local Caterer Recognized by Conestoga College Ingrid von Cube, Creative Director & President of Guelph-based Appetizingly Yours Events and Catering, was recently recognized as one of Conestoga College’s Alumni of Distinction at their November 2, 2010 annual reception held at the new Waterloo Region Museum. Alumni are nominated by their peers, teachers, community leaders, colleagues and friends. Ms. von Cube was recognized for her significant achievements in business.

Local Company to Expand R&D Investment Waterloo-based DALSA Corporation, an international leader in high performance digital imaging and semiconductors, recently announced their plans to invest $160 million in new research and development initiatives over the next five years. This investment will be supported by a grant of up to $24.3 million from the Government of Ontario. The new activities will create over 100 local jobs and new products for large markets adjacent to those already served by the company.

Wilmot Manufacturer contributes to Space Exploration Technology New Hamburg-based Ontario Drive & Gear (ODG), manufacturer of the world leading amphibious ARGO as well as superior quality gears and transmissions, has achieved a major milestone in winning a Canadian Space Agency contract. ODG is part of the Neptec Rover Team, a collaboration of the industry’s leading technology experts to develop the new Lunar Exploration Rover (LELR). This vehicle will be used to transport equipment, cargo, and astronauts during moon exploration planned in the upcoming decade.

(continued on page 28)

Member Notables are taken from local news sources and member submissions. In order to be considered “notable” an item must be an accomplishment or event that is outside of the ordinary course of business and therefore deemed newsworthy. While we would like to include all submissions, space constraints make it necessary for the Advocate editors to choose items that best fit the above criteria and are most timely.

advocate MARCH | APRIL 2011

member notables

(continued from page 27)

Safety-Kleen Announces Expansion Safety-Kleen, a local oil recycling company, recently announced a $26 million expansion to their facility in Breslau. The expansion, which should be completed early next year, will increase processing capacity to 191 million litres annually from the current level of 152 million. The new facility will also add eight to ten positions beyond the current workforce of 93 employees. Safety-Kleen re-refines oil collected from auto repair shops and sells the recycled product to major retailers across North America under the retailer’s brand name. Approximately sixty percent of the oil recycled at the Breslau facility originates from Canadian sources.

Bingemans to Open Five New Water Slides Bingemans, owner and operator of Bingemans Big Splash, the largest water park in Southwestern Ontario, announced a major expansion for the summer 2011 season. Five new giant water slides will be constructed to complement their existing slides, heated wave pool, and Spray ‘N’ Play to provide major summer family amusement. Bingemans additional facilities include FunworX, day camps for kids, beach volleyball, and Glen Ridge Golf Course.

Cowan Holdco Inc Announces new Board Chair Cowan Holdco Inc, owner of subsidiary organizations Cowan Insurance Group and Frank Cowan Company, appointed Terry Reidel as Chairman of the Board effective January 1, 2011. Mr. Reidel is currently Chairman of the Board of COM DEV International Ltd. and serves on the Board of Directors for Linamar Corporation and the Economical Insurance Group. He is a former Vice Chair of the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

Creating

Grand Events Located on the beautiful Grand River, Bingemans offers one of the most inclusive catering and conference facilities in southern Ontario. With a selection of conference and meeting rooms, we can accommodate 30 to 3000 guests. From the first consultation with our culinary and banquet teams to the final event day review, we ensure you a grand experience. 425 Bingemans Centre Drive, Kitchener

(519) 744-1555 www.bingemans.com

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advocate MARCH | APRIL 2011

events

Mark your calendar (continued from page 19)

April 14, 2011

April 21, 2011

April 28, 2011

Research In Motion Chamber Young Professionals Networking Event

Networking Breakfast Series presents Robin Todd, The Enlightened Entrepreneur

Manulife Financial Chamber Academy: Going Green For Profit

5:00-7:00pm Location: Dooly's Pool Hall Member: $5 General Admission: $10

7:30-9:00am Location: Holiday Inn Kitchener Member: $28 General Admission: $40

Maximize your networking opportunities with other professionals, one on one, a few minutes at a time and find hidden opportunities and new connections.

One of Canadaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Top Women Entrepreneurs, Robin Todd, will talk about what she has learned along the way to becoming the President and CEO of Markâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Supply.

Making your company greener can improve profits dramatically. Learn specifics on how VeriForm Inc. more than doubled its own profits by cutting utility costs by over 75% year over year. And profits repeat annually with little upkeep.

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April 19, 2011 Energy & Environment Forum 2011 8:00am-12:30pm Location: Wilfrid Laurier University (Senate & Board Chambers) Member: $50 General Admission: $75 The Energy and Environment Forum promotes awareness of environmental issues within the business community and the community at large through a half day event that will bring the attendees face to face with experts who will share practical information that they can implement at both work and at home. Title Sponsor:

WWW.GREATERKWCHAMBER.COM

Promotions Sponsor:

8:00-10:00am Location: Chamber of Commerce Member: $40+ HST General Admission: $45 + HST