May/June 2018 Advocate by Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce

MAY | JUNE 2018

What this election SHOULD be about

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advocate MAY | JUNE 2018

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features COVER STORY

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF:

Shawn Simpson

EDITOR:

16 Doug Ford Will Likely Win the Ontario Election Despite Himself FEATURE

24 Making Choices for a Healthy Community - What You Should Ask Candidates

Elizabeth Heald

Art Sinclair

Heather Hutchings

DESIGN AND PRODUCTION

M&T Printing Group

PHOTOGRAPHY: Chamber Staff, Adamski Photography, Snapd KW

ADVERTISING AND SALES:

SPONSOR PROFILE

26 It’s a Snap with snapd KW FEATURE

28 Pro-Business Approach Key to Continued Investment in Waterloo Region Tony LaMantia

FEATURE

30 Neil Aitchison: The Power of Laughter...On Stage and Off Drayton Entertainment

David MacLellan – dmaclellan@greaterkwchamber.com Don Critelli – dcritelli@greaterkwchamber.com Karen Cross – kcross@greaterkwchamber.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS:

Elizabeth Heald, Ian McLean, Tony LaMantia, Bruce Lauckner, Renata Rusiniak, Shawn Simpson, Art Sinclair, Dawne Taylor-Gilders

CONTRIBUTORS:

Aislynn Cooper and Teri Egerdeen

ADVERTISING AND COPY DEADLINES:

July 20, 2018 for September-October 2018 September 21, 2018 for November-December 2018

SUBSCRIPTION AND BACK ISSUE INQUIRIES:

Darlene Jones djones@greaterkwchamber.com

SUBMISSION POLICY:

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.

departments MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR

4 New Initiative Launched to Help Local Business Renata Rusiniak

AWARDS

10 2018 Business Excellence Award Winners NETWORKING

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

12 Spring Networking

Ian McLean

14 February 1, 2018 to

5 The Road Map to the Premier’s Office ADVOCACY

7 Good Business or Just Corporate Welfare? Art Sinclair

PERSPECTIVE ON HEALTH CARE

8 Innovation Driving Health Care Reform in Waterloo Region Bruce Lauckner

PUBLICATIONS PERMIT:

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FOR PERMISSIONS AND REPRINT REQUESTS

Heather Hutchings - hhutchings@greaterkwchamber.com

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NEW MEMBERS

March 31, 2018

POSTMASTER ADDRESS CHANGES

HI-LIGHTING MEMBERS

C/O

EVENTS

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.

19 Health, Wellness and Recreation

20 Mark Your Calendar MEMBER NOTABLES

32 Chamber Members Achieving Success

ADVOCATE - PUBLICATIONS OFFICE 80 QUEEN STREETE NORTH, PO BOX 2367 KITCHENER, ONTARIO N2H 6L4 519.576.5000

advocate MAY | JUNE 2018

message from the chair

New Initiative Launched to Help Local Business Over a year ago, the Chamber Board created a new three year strategic plan. A key aspect of that plan was to explore new initiatives to better help our members. With that in mind, we are proud to announce the launch of ShopKW, a new initiative to help us build up and support local businesses. Visit ShopKW.ca and claim your online profile today!

Shop Local - Join ShopKW.ca

The Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce focuses on its members' needs by providing services which strengthen local business. It is with this focus that the Chamber is working to enhance local business in the online environment through its initiative with ShopKW.ca. ShopKW.ca is part of the ShopLocally.com network, an online platform for interactive "Shop Local" campaigns in more than 8,000 communities. Using ShopKW.ca, online customers know which products and services they can purchase locally. Customers conveniently access local businesses via their computer or mobile app, search 36 categories, and find what they want from a clothing store to a gift shop.

As a ShopKW.ca member, a business can claim their free profile including an about us business description, post updates to ShopKW, Facebook and Twitter, sell gift certificates, list hours of operation, payment methods, receive emails and have people leave reviews. Your business can maintain an e-mail contact list, send email newsletters, make your own online catalog of products/services, sell products online, advertise specials, offer coupons and deals and schedule your posts through ShopKW, Facebook and Twitter. To serve local businesses, ShopKW.ca wants to connect the community. They make the Internet work by enabling customers to buy online for in-store pick-up or delivery; make shopping lists; create gift registries; save favorite businesses; even find coupons redeemable at local businesses. Customers

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can read and write business reviews, purchase online gift certificates, view restaurant menus, find out the days and hours businesses are open, sign up for e-mail announcements and contact businesses via email.

As a ShopKW.ca member, your business can choose the features to suit your customers including business description, logo, custom banner, website design, photos/video, website link, and business hours. With ShopKW.ca, businesses create their unique business profiles.

Learn how to get started! Your business can sign in and claim their own personal business profile and begin the process of being part of a larger network of local businesses. Your business can sign up for information sessions that will be held locally with the Chamber and ShopKW to completely unpack the potential of this tool and how it can assist you to achieve your objectives. To learn about ShopKW.ca, contact Lester Holley at 519-5733325 or lholley@greaterkwchamber.com

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Renata Rusiniak

CHAIR, BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Renata Rusiniak manages corporate giving at Manulife and believes businesses are set-up for success in Waterloo Region. Renata is an advocate for community giving and lives this value in both her career and personal volunteer commitments.

message from the president

The Road Map to the Premier’s Office There have been some recent federal and provincial elections where analysts and observers have stated there is little substance separating the three major parties. That does not apply to the Ontario election of 2018.

different than the NDP and Liberals. Rather than massive public spending and deficits, Ford will focus on job creation, and a strong economy, to pay for government spending and investments.

Government spending as proposed in Finance Minister Charles Sousa’s 2018 Budget will increase in almost all ministries and agencies, with huge hikes in health care, education and social services. The most notable areas of massive spending include new drug, dental and child care programs at support levels never witnessed before in the province.

Ford has proven himself effective with short and scripted messages around ending entitlements for elites and recognizing that averages voters have hit a tax wall. His major challenge will be expanding these concepts into coherent policies to match the details of the Liberal and NDP platforms.

The governing Liberals, through their Throne speech and budget, have proposed a highly activist social agenda that many have argued goes far beyond Bob Rae’s NDP administration of the early 1990s. Rae would argue he could have done far more, however the recession of that period was so severe that it prevented more major policy shifts the party had proposed during many years in opposition.

However as our parents informed most of us at an early age benefits come with a cost and this budget is certainly no different. The province of Ontario, like many administrations across Canada, went into deficit during the recession of 2008/09. A plan was subsequently developed to reach a balanced position by 2018, and a series of provincial finance ministers informed major transfer partners like educational institutions and hospitals they would be forced into heavy restraint as inflation-based funding increases would not be forthcoming due to the provincial books not being balanced.

Finance Minister Sousa claimed, and he was widely challenged on his analysis, that he reached his target of a balanced budget in 2017 a year ahead of the original estimate. The 2018 Budget estimates a deficit of close to $7 billion with five more years of shortfalls. These are projections that could prove highly dangerous for our provincial economy.

As Mike Farwell said on his 570 News radio show the morning after the Budget, I want to know who is going to pay for all of this. His query is shared by many voters.

As of early April, Doug Ford and the Progressive Conservative Party had not released a major policy paper however it is reasonable to assume the ideological positions will be highly

Many voters will be anticipating a PC platform of tax cuts and regulatory reform. Adding to the profound concerns about the cost of doing business in Ontario is the Trump administration’s corporate tax cuts passed before Christmas. Many advantages that Ontario enjoyed to attract business here are now eliminated and there is growing evidence that Ontario is a high cost jurisdiction.

Andrea Horwath and the NDP will be challenged in differentiating their positions on the political left from those of Kathleen Wynne and the Liberals. The party has been highly critical of the Liberals for stealing their positions on child care and drugs, on the eve of an election. This June voters will be presented with a choice between “government investments into the future of Ontario” or “fiscal restraint and private sector investment for a strong economy.” The choice probably has never been clearer.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ian McLean

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

advocate MAY | JUNE 2018

feature

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advocacy

Good Business or Just Corporate Welfare? A continual public policy issue across Canada is the financial support businesses receive from all levels of government. The opinions on this practice are highly divisive not only in the general voting population but the national business sector as well. Provincially, with the election of Doug Ford as Progressive Conservative Party Leader, the discussion around the fundamental role of government in the economy could dominate the campaign. This is one facet of that debate.

Eugene Whelan, Pierre Trudeau’s long-serving Minister of Agriculture from Essex County, regularly got the last word on many cabinet and public disputes. His analysis was that farmers and other businesses generally don’t want to see or hear from government when conditions are good but when they’re not someone better be available with a chequebook.

In 2018, the process is not exclusively government cheques to individual businesses but rather advancing research, technology and economic growth capacity through government and business partnerships. However support for major businesses facing extreme financial challenges remain in the discussion most notably Bombardier. At this point in Waterloo Region history, many voters and members of Regional Council would support large scale federal government funding to the aforementioned organization if they could deliver some products that were ordered years ago, or more bluntly get more than one train on the track. Another column for another date.

The origins of the current debate extend back into the early 1970s, when federal NDP Leader David Lewis released his infamous publication The Corporate Welfare Bums, a term which has persisted in Canadian political dialogue for a half century. Lewis’ primary target was a corporate tax system that allowed the largest and wealthiest organizations to pay less than their share of taxes. His assertion was that government and business are holding hands – in the taxpayer’s pocket. Consistent with the often repeated quote that “politics makes strange bedfellows,” thirty years later in 2004 at a Toronto Board of Trade event federal Conservative Party Leader Stephen Harper viciously attacked a system that has allowed corporations to benefit from government subsidies, alleging that Canadians have not received value for their money. Singled out was Canadian Steamship Lines (CSL), who received $160 million in loans and subsidies. Harper indicated he did not really want to single out CSL, but its connection to Prime Minister Paul Martin was however highly relevant.

Ironically, since David Lewis’ son Stephen was leader of the Ontario NDP when he ran the federal party, it was Bob Rae and his government in the 1990s who directed large investments towards individual businesses. Rae, driven primarily from advice originating from the labour movement, provided what the government termed “non-repayable loans” to many of the province’s larger employers. The approach was based on the belief that if American states were providing incentives then Ontario should join the line. The practice was not popular for then third party leader Mike Harris who ran his successful 1995 provincial campaign on a commitment to end individual business grants or nonrepayable loans (government officials at the time claimed there was a difference but never explained it). However, what Harris did was initiate the current practice of supporting businessgovernment partnerships or sectoral assistance programs. The public side of the partnerships generally includes universities or public institutions such as research hospitals.

Large businesses still receive assistance from governments however the common process is public money matching a percentage of the company’s investment, and the public funding is supporting a specific project, technology, or research and not a bailout or a politically timed cheque expected to generate electoral returns – although accusations of such practices will persist from opposition parties and media outlets. In the final analysis, the success of business and government partnerships and other support of Canadian corporations depends on the ability of all parties to reach the desired outcomes, such as developing global leading technology and increasing national productivity.

Coming short of the objectives will be viewed as corporate welfare. We all have a huge responsibility to deliver the results for the benefit of all taxpayers.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Art Sinclair

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

advocate MAY | JUNE 2018

perspective on health care

Innovation Driving Health Care Reform in Waterloo Region Most business leaders understand the vital relationship between a healthy economy and a healthy community. Having access to stable and diverse employment opportunities and income stability are key factors that influence a person’s health (along with genetics, an accessible, high-quality and equitable health care system, the environment, and a number of other social influences such as education and housing). In our local economy, we have the opportunity to impact the health of our community in a more unique way --- through disruptive innovation.

A year or so ago, we set a goal to better connect those working on health innovations with those in the position to make them a reality for patients. The greatest barrier health innovators have shared with us is the ability to get their foot in the door of the complicated health system. The result? We have made tremendous progress in helping to build our community’s health and social innovation ecosystem.

As the second largest health service provider in our community, we are also investing in new solutions ourselves.

One example is a partnership with a company called DashMD. Founded by University of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier students, we are partnering with them to build a mobile application for local hospitals that will make it easier for patients to know what to do before and after they go to the hospital for a procedure. Forget trying to remember those instructions, not understanding follow-up care and where to find it, or keeping track of all those papers. Not only will this make it easier for patients – which is our mission as an organization – but it will also improve their health by increasing compliance with their care plan and reducing unnecessary repeat visits to the ER. Another example? We are launching an app created by a local company, Plasticity Labs, that monitors and improves the resiliency and happiness of health care workers. We have already used this app for our own staff for a number of years and are now expanding it to staff in mental health and

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addiction services. We know that these front-line workers face incredible challenges every day. By ensuring they have not only the physical, but psychological tools they need to provide the best care possible, we will be able to provide better care for patients. We have also connected with innovators who have developed smart mattresses that automatically adjust to prevent pressure ulcers, and a surgical innovation company that has developed a new way to perform joint surgeries that is so accurate, it almost eliminates the need for revision surgeries. The more we can support the development and implementation of new technologies right in our backyard, the better positioned we are to keep these start-ups here as they grow. These are just some of the great innovations growing right here in Waterloo Wellington that are helping us to expand our local economy, transform the patient experience, and improve the health of our community. Interested in learning more? Email me: bruce.lauckner@lhins.on.ca

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Bruce Lauckner Bruce Lauckner is an energetic and visionary leader with a passion for people and community health and wellbeing. He was appointed CEO of the Waterloo Wellington Local Health Integration Network in 2011, leveraging almost 30 years of leadership experience in the private and public sector.

Photography by Adamski Photography

advocate MAY | JUNE 2018

awards

2018 Business Excellence Award Winners

1. YOUNG PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR AWARD CHLOE HAMILTON, FOUNDER OF WARM EMBRACE ELDER CARE ACCEPTS THE AWARD FROM JILL BRUSH, REGIONAL COMMERCIAL MANAGER AT LIBRO CREDIT UNION 2. EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT AWARD BROCK HART, CEO OF OVERLAP ASSOCIATES ACCEPTS THE AWARD FROM JOHN TIBBITS, PRESIDENT OF CONESTOGA COLLEGE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY & ADVANCED LEARNING. 3. HEALTH & WELLNESS IN THE WORKPLACE AWARD RENE GATIEN, PRESIDENT & CEO OF WATERLOO NORTH HYDRO ACCEPTS THE AWARD FROM JENNIFER Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;BRIEN, VP OF HUMAN RESOURCES AT GRAND RIVER HOSPITAL. 4. NON PROFIT/CHARITABLE AWARD ALLISON MITCHELL, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE BUSINESS & EDUCATION PARTNERSHIP OF WATERLOO REGION ACCEPTS THE AWARD FROM PAUL EICHINGER, VP OF MTE CONSULTANTS 5. SERVICE EXCELLENCE IN HOSPITALITY & TOURISM AWARD NADINE DAY, PRESIDENT OF HACIENDA SARRIA ACCEPTS THE AWARD FROM MINTO SCHNEIDER, CEO OF THE WATERLOO REGIONAL TOURISM MARKETING CORPORATION 6. ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY AWARD STEPHEN KROPF, PRESIDENT OF DUNDEE RECYCLING ACCEPTS THE AWARD FROM MURRAY COSTELLO, DISTRICT MANAGER FOR WATERLOO/BRANTFORD UNION GAS LIMITED

7. INNOVATION AWARD FRANCK HIVERT, PRESIDENT & CEO OF OCULYS HEALTH INFORMATICS INC. ACCEPTS THE AWARD FROM ROBERT ASSELIN, SENIOR DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC POLICY AT BLACKBERRY LIMITED. 8. VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD CARRIE MULROONEY, FOUNDER & CEO OF MULROONEY & ASSOCIATES ACCEPTS THE AWARD FROM DR. MICHAEL KELLY, DEAN FOR THE LAZARIDIS SCHOOL OF BUSINESS & ECONOMICS

9. NEW BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARD SHERI BENDER, CHANNEL RELATIONSHIP MANAGER AT MONARCH COLLECTION ACCEPTS THE AWARD FROM LENA DEMARCO, REGIONAL DIRECTOR, COMMUNITY AFFAIRS AT BELL CANADA

10. SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARD MICHAEL NINABER, OWNER OF MIKE THE ROOFER ACCEPTS THE AWARD FROM JOHN DEANS, SENIOR VP AT S.G. CUNNINGHAM LIMITED 11. BUSINESS OF THE YEAR (11-50 EMPLOYEES) MIKE POLZL, PRESIDENT & MANAGING PRINCIPAL OF CUSHMAN & WAKEFIELD WATERLOO REGION ACCEPTS THE AWARD FROM GORD ROBSON, ASSOCIATE COUNSEL AT MILLER THOMSON LLP

11 12. BUSINESS OF THE YEAR (50+ EMPLOYEES) CAROL LEAMAN, CEO OF AXONIFY ACCEPTS THE AWARD FROM ROSS JOHNSON, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CO-OPERATIVE EDUCATION AT THE UNIVERSITY OF WATERLOO

13. MICHAEL R. FOLLET COMMUNITY LEADER AWARD MIKE FARWELL, 570 NEWS ACCEPTS THE AWARD FROM NEIL MORRISON, REGIONAL VP OF GROUP SALES AT EQUITABLE LIFE OF CANADA

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13 Photos by Adamski Photography

awards

2018 Business Excellence Awards Guests

Photos by Adamski Photography

advocate MAY | JUNE 2018

networking

Spring Networking

WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP COMMITTEE VOLUNTEER MONI LAGONIA, CENTRE, CELEBRATING INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY ON MARCH 2ND AT THE CROWNE PLAZA K-W. (PHOTO BY ADAMSKI PHOTOGRAPHY)

LIBRO CHAMBER YOUNG PROFESSIONALS HOSTED A FUN AND CHALLENGING EVENING OF TRIVIA AT TASTE AT THE TANNERY ON FEBRUARY 15TH.

THE BACON WALL, CREATED BY MOD CUSTOM CATERING, SHINING IN ALL ITS GLORY AT THE LIBRO CHAMBER YOUNG PROFESSIONALS EVENT, CONNECTING AT CIGI ON MARCH 20TH.

COMMUNITY LEADER AND HOST, KAREN REDMAN, PRESENTS DESERVING STUDENT RASHMEET KAUR WITH THE LEADERS OF TOMORROW AWARD AT THE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY BREAKFAST ON MARCH 2ND. (PHOTO BY ADAMSKI PHOTOGRAPHY)

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DAY

BA5 COMMITTEE CHAIR CARRIE MULROONEY SHOWS OFF HER GOLF SKILLS WITH SEAN MULROONEY AT THE FEBRUARY HOME HARDWARE BUSINESS AFTER 5 EVENT, HOSTED BY PLAYERS INDOOR GOLF & SPORTS BAR. (PHOTO BY SNAPD)

YOUR SOURCE FOR

SONIA POLADIAN AND KRISTA BOZOIAN REPRESENT RAFFI JEWELLERS AT THE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S BREAKFAST ON MARCH 2ND AT THE CROWNE PLAZA K-W. (PHOTO BY ADAMSKI PHOTOGRAPHY)

Photography by Chamber Staff

networking

REID CALDER, BEN BALFOUR AND SIMON DOWRICK POSE FOR A PHOTO AT THE FEBRUARY HOME HARDWARE BUSINESS AFTER 5 EVENT, HOSTED BY PLAYERS INDOOR GOLF & SPORTS BAR. (PHOTO BY SNAPD)

THE NEW PRESIDENT & CEO OF MANULIFE CANADA, MIKE DOUGHTY, ADDRESSED THE MEMBERSHIP DURING A POINT OF VIEW LUNCHEON ON MARCH 28TH AT THE CROWNE PLAZA K-W.

CANADA’S AMBASSADOR TO THE EU DANIEL COSTELLO, AND CANADA’S AMBASSADOR TO ITALY ALEXANDRA BUGAILISKIS POSE WITH LOCAL MP RAJ SAINI DURING A POINT OF VIEW LUNCHEON ON MARCH 13TH AT THE INN OF WATERLOO. (RAJ SAINI, TWITTER)

COURTNEY CASSEL, CHAMBER YOUNG PROFESSIONALS VICE CHAIR, WELCOMING THE GROUP AT TASTE OF TRIVIA, HOSTED BY TASTE AT THE TANNERY ON FEBRUARY 15TH.

OVER 90 YOUNG PROFESSIONALS VISITED CIGI’S AWARD -WINNING SPACE FOR A LIBRO CHAMBER YOUNG PROFESSIONALS EVENT DURING THE FIRST DAY OF SPRING!

CANADA’S AMBASSADOR TO ITALY, ALEXANDRA BUGAILISKIS, DISCUSSES PASTA, CETA, AND INTERNATIONAL TRADE AT A POINT OF VIEW LUNCHEON ON MARCH 13TH AT THE INN OF WATERLOO.

THREE HAPPY LADIES SHARING A GLASS OF FRESH ORANGE JUICE BEFORE THE SPEAKER PRESENTATION AT THE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY BREAKFAST AT THE CROWNE PLAZA K-W. (PHOTO BY ADAMSKI PHOTOGRAPHY)

KAREN REDMAN, FOUNDER OF CODE LIKE A GIRL, DINAH DAVIS AND PARTNER AT GOWLING WLG LLP, ROSA LUPO OFFERED AN EMPOWERING PANEL DISCUSSION TO A FULL HOUSE AT THE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY BREAKFAST. (PHOTO BY ADAMSKI PHOTOGRAPHY)

advocate MARCH | APRIL 2018

new members

February 1, 2018 to March 31, 2018 A O Home Services Inc. Window Cleaning

Stephen Jackson, Executive Director 151 Frederick St, Unit 501 Kitchener, ON N2H 2M2 info@aohome.ca aohome.ca Phone: (226) 972-1900 ABC Party Time Rentals

Party Supplies - Rental

Dale DeZilva, CEO 262 Breithaupt St Kitchener, ON N2H 5H5 dale@abcpartytime.com abcpartytime.com Phone: (519) 745-8274 Fax: (519) 745-9492 Alana Cates

Management Training & Development

Alana Cates, Owner alana@alanacates.com alanacates.com Phone: (519) 502-6649

Allstate Insurance Waterloo

Insurance

Sarah Langis, Agency Manager 330 Farmers Market Rd Unit 402 Waterloo, ON N2V 0A5 waterloo@allstate.ca allstate.ca Phone: (519) 883-5490 Fax: (519) 746-4903 Ancora Ventures Inc.

Business Consultants

Nico Van Der Hoven, President 180 Northfield Dr W, Unit 4 Waterloo, ON N2L 0C7 HQ@ancora-ventures.com www.ancora-ventures.com Phone: (519) 648-2806

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Archaeological Research Associates Ltd Environmental Consultants

Paul Racher, Principal 900 Guelph St, Unit 219 Kitchener, ON N2H 5Z6 info@arch-research.com arch-research.com Phone: (519) 804-2291 Fax: (519) 286-0493 Autism Speaks Canada Charitable & Community Organizations

Margaret Bain, Regional Coordinator 2450 Victoria Park Ave, Toronto, ON M2J 4A2 margaretbain@autismspeakscan.ca autismspeaks.ca Phone: (888) 362-6227 Black and White Commercial Roofing Roofing Contractors

Corey Lindner, General Manager 61 Shirley Ave Kitchener, ON N2B 2E2 info@blackandwhiteroofing.com blackandwhiteroofing.com Phone: (519) 578-7663 BlueFire Writing Inc. Text Writing Services

Julia Matthews, CEO 58 Madison Ave N, Apt 201, Kitchener, ON N2H 2Z6 julia@bluefirewriting.com bluefirewriting.com Phone: (416) 455-9283 BoltonSmith Inc. Information Technology

Tristan Bolton, President 871 Victoria St N, Unit 310-7B, Kitchener, ON N2B 3S4 info@boltonsmith.com boltonsmith.com Phone: (866) 746-1233 Fax: (519) 749-2038

Boudreau's Cosmetic Landscaping

Landscape Contractors & Designers

Bob Boudreau, Co-Owner 673A Pinerow Cr Waterloo, ON N2T 2K4 boucoslandscaping@gmail.com boudreaucosmeticlandscaping.com Phone: (519) 573-0136

Cellar 52

Halls & Auditoriums

Kate Peister, Owner/Manager 1430 King St N, Unit 1 St Jacobs, ON N0B 2N0 kate.peister@cellar52.com cellar52.com Phone: (519) 573-9463 Chan Law

Lawyers

Douglas Chan, Lawyer 620 Davenport Rd, Unit 5, Waterloo, ON N2V 2C2 doug@chanlaw.org www.chanlaw.org Phone: (519) 886-0088 Fax: (519) 746-1122 Complex Rooms Inc. Entertainment

Phil Bean, Co-Founder 620 Davenport Rd, Unit 33 Waterloo, ON N2V 2G2 info@complexrooms.com complexrooms.com Phone: (519) 208-0680

Dirt Cheap

Topsoil, Mulch, Aggregate Supplier

Kris Ronan, Owner 43 Manitou Dr Kitchener, ON N2C 1K9 kris@dirtcheap.ca dirtcheap.ca Phone: (519) 804-4300

Driver Verified Inc.

Software - Transportation

Caleb Krahn, President caleb.krahn@driververified.com Phone: (519) 279-6826 DS Galecki Enterprises Ltd. Business Consultants

Daniel Galecki, Principal Consultant 8 Alpine Crt, RR4 Cambridge, ON N1R 5S5 inquiry@galecki.ca galecki.ca Phone: (519) 212-1722

Enable Innovation Product Development Inc.

Engineers

Ryan Pagnacco, Founder 755 Bridge St W, Unit 1 Waterloo, ON N2V 2G6 info@enableinnovation.ca www.enableinnovation.ca Phone: (519) 804-9747 Europro Kitchener Real Estate

Christine Michaud, Communications Director 25 Frederick St, Unit 212, Kitchener, ON N2H 6M8 cmichaud@europro.ca europro.ca Phone: (519) 745-2199

Gemini Modelling Agency Modelling Agency (Main), Educational Programs

Meaghan Dietrich President & CEO 72 St Leger St, Suite 310 Kitchener, ON N2H 6R4 meaghan@geminimodels.com geminimodels.com Phone: (519) 578-2111

new members

February 1, 2018 to March 31, 2018 Graham A. Giddy Funeral Home - Waterloo Chapel Funeral Homes

Scott Giddy, Owner 617 King St N, Waterloo, ON N2V 2N3 ggfh.waterloo@gmail.com grahamgiddyfh.com Phone: (519) 888-7700 Fax: (519) 888-0056

James E. Wagner Cultivation Ltd (JWC) Health & Wellness

Erik Fletcher Chief Marketing Officer info@jwcmed.com jwcmed.com Phone: (519) 594-0144

Kelly Services (Canada) Ltd. Employment Agencies

Julie Chretien Staffing Consultant 55 King St W, 7th Fl Kitchener, ON N2G 4W1 julie.chretien@kellyservices.com kellyservices.ca Phone: (519) 772-7737 Fax: (519) 772-7501 Leave it to Kliever

Senior Citizen Services

Christine Kliever, Owner hello@kliever.ca kliever.ca Phone: (519) 502-0863

Legacy Mobile Solutions App Developers

Gary Kilpatrick, Sales 25 Industrial Dr, Unit 6 Elmira, ON N3B 3K3

garykilpatrick@legacymobilesolutions.org

legacymobilesolutions.com Phone: (519) 577-1750

M & T Printing Group

Printers

Dean Froome, Manager 675 Davenport Rd Waterloo, ON N2V 2E2 deanf@mtprint.com mtprint.com Phone: (519) 804-0017 Fax: (519) 571-0128 MarCam Pet Nutrition Inc. Pet Food Wholesalers & Manufacturers

Mike Campbell, Vice President 35 Earl Martin Dr Elmira, ON N3B 3L4 info@marcampet.com marcampet.com Phone: (519) 669-5171 Fax: (519) 669-5982 Men In Kilts Kitchener Waterloo Window Cleaning

Rich Stuart, President 133 Weber St N, Suite 334, Waterloo, ON N2J 3G9 kitchener-waterloo@meninkilts.com meninkilts.com/kitchener-waterloo Phone: (519) 340-3004 Northsail Software Inc. Computer Software

Matt Williamson, CEO 22 King St S, Suite 300, Waterloo, ON N2J 1N8 hello@northsail.io Web: https://northsail.io Phone: (226) 212-2190 Onyx Energy Utilities

Angel-Marie Reiner, President/Co-Founder 659 Stirling Ave S, Unit 100, Kitchener, ON N2M 0B1 info@onyxenergy.ca onyxenergy.ca Phone: (866) 349-6699

Orangetheory Fitness Waterloo Fitness & Exercise Service

Max McKee Head of Lead Generation 450 Columbia St W Waterloo, ON N2T 2W1 studioca019@orangetheoryfitness.ca orangetheoryfitness.com Phone: (226) 243-3575

Peto MacCallum Ltd Engineers - Consulting Melissa King Director & Discipline Head, Geoenvironmental/Hydrogeological 16 Franklin St S Kitchener, ON N2C 1R4 kitchener@petomaccallum.com petomaccallum.com Phone: (519) 893-7500 Fax: (519) 893-0654 Rock Insurance Kitchener Insurance Ron Lehman, President 235 Frederick St, Unit 2 Kitchener, ON N2H 2M7 insurancekitchener@rockins.com rockinsurance.ca Phone: (519) 576-2529 Shop Local Perks Waterloo Region Internet Shopping Tom Schnarr, President 405 Nyberg St Kitchener, ON N2G 2Z1 tom.schnarr@tradebank.ca shoplocalperks.com Phone: (226) 791-9700

The Marketing Factory Marketing Consultants Edis Kardumovic, President 133 Weber St N, Unit 211 Waterloo, ON N2J 3G9 grow@themarketingfactory.ca themarketingfactory.ca Phone: (226) 338-2401

Tri-Cities Business Exchange Group (TBX) Business & Trade Organizations Amy Fraser Executive Member 51 Beaverbrook Cr Cambridge, ON N1P 1G9 peaksuccesswithamy@yahoo.ca Phone: (519) 589-0089 Turn Key Realty Point Brokerage Real Estate Brokers & Agents Tosin Bello, Owner 5 Church St E Elmira, ON N3B 2K7 tosin@agentbello.com turnkeyrealtypoint.com Phone: (519) 887-6539

Waterloo MedTech Associations & Organizations Mark Whaley Co-Founder 14 Erb St W, Waterloo, ON N2L 1S7 mark.whaley@waterloomedtech.com waterloomedtech.com Phone: (519) 635-9436

advocate MAY | JUNE 2018

cover story

Doug Ford Will Likely Win the Ontario Election Despite Himself

There is a strong possibility that, despite himself, Doug Ford will be the next Premier of Ontario. Fresh Ipsos polling conducted for Global News in the aftermath of his victory in the Progressive Conservative leadership contest showed that the election of Doug Ford as leader of the PCs did little – at least in the short term – to shake the vote preferences of Ontarians. Some might ask themselves how this could possibly be? How does Trump-lite have such a strong chance of winning in Canada’s most-populous and most-educated province? In short, the election isn’t really about him. It’s about the Liberals, Premier Kathleen Wynne (and Dalton McGuinty’s legacy), and the strong desire for change in the province. The Liberals have been seated on the government benches for 15 years. The PCs under John Tory nearly won in 2007, but an illconceived policy to fund all faith-based schools undermined his credibility and cost him the election. Leaders who take over for retiring Premiers – who tend to get out when things are going south – are rarely re-elected by an electorate weary of the incumbent government. Tim Hudak was poised to defeat the Wynne Liberals in 2014, but his jobcreation strategy included some funky math which began with cutting 100,000 civil service jobs, thereby costing the Tories the election, yet again.

Inertia is on the side of the Progressive Conservatives now more than ever. In fact, Ipsos polling during the PC leadership race showed that no matter who won the leadership of the Party (Christine Elliott, Caroline Mulroney, Doug Ford or even Patrick Brown), the Tories would still be ahead of the Liberal in the popular vote. And that’s exactly what happened. Before the election of Doug Ford as leader of the PCs, eight in ten Ontarians wanted a change in government. After the election of Doug Ford as leader, three quarters of Ontarians wanted a change in government. These unchanged figures are disastrous for the Liberals. To drive the point home, approval ratings for Premier Wynne in Ontario are lower than they are for Donald Trump in the United States. Let that sink in.

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The chattering classes talk of Doug Ford as being a divisive character. Indeed, one in three Ontarians have a favourable impression of him, while four in ten have an unfavourable view of Ford. Why would Ontarians choose as leader the most unelectable candidate? Because Kathleen Wynne appears to be less electable: only one quarter are favourable towards her, while six in ten have an unfavourable opinion. Even among Liberal voters, two in ten don’t like her. Ford is more motivating to his base than Wynne is to hers. The Progressive Conservatives and their leader are beneficiaries of a strong desire for change. But that’s only half of the battle. The other half is to convince Ontarians that one’s own party is best to lead on the issues that matter the most to most Ontarians. It is here that the Tories have a very strong advantage. Ipsos polling has revealed that the top issues of the campaign include healthcare, the economy and jobs, energy costs, taxation, accountability and balancing the budget. Despite being a perennial favourite of Ontarians, healthcare is an issue where it is nearly impossible to differentiate one’s own policies from the policies of another. One party will invest $5 billion, while another will invest $6 billion. These are details that are often lost, and all parties are perceived as being relatively equal on this issue. On each of the other issues, the Tories have convinced the electorate that they are the Party that is best able to deal with them. On the economy and jobs, conservative parties in general usually have a built-in advantage, even if it is only based on people’s instinct and not evidence. The issue of taxation is similar. For those to whom the issue is important, their desire is for lower taxes, and the belief is that the Conservatives are best to deliver on that. Similarly, on debt and managing the provincial finances, the Tories once again have the advantage by default. Energy, of course, is the Achilles heel of the Liberal Party. They’ve mismanaged the file for a decade and everybody knows it. Unfortunately for the Liberals they don’t have a good story to

cover story

tell, so they’ll avoid the subject. Accountability is another soft spot for the Liberals. Given their longevity, they’ve amassed some serious scandal baggage. As such, the Tories lead on this file as well. In contrast, the Liberals lead by a very wide margin on the twelfth-most important issue of the campaign, which is the rules that govern the growing, sale and consumption of marijuana in Ontario. Their policies play well among the 9% of Ontarians who say this is a top issue driving their vote. The Liberals also have a healthy lead on the thirteenth-most important issue of the campaign, which is education funding, but that’s not good enough to win an election. Even Andrea Horwath’s NDP leads on the relatively more-important issues of social assistance, climate change and corruption, which are the eighth, ninth and tenth, respectively. If Wynne and Horwath want to compete with Ford, they’ll need to do these two things: talk about the issues that matter to the greatest number of Ontarians, or make the issues on which they have a competitive advantage more relevant to Ontarians, which is ultimately a more difficult task because it means trying to set the agenda rather than follow it. The Liberal brand is struggling, at present, to show that it cares about the issues that really matter to people. Federally, Justin Trudeau’s government is coming across as spending more time lecturing people on the finer points of morality and gender pronouns than on the most-pressing issues facing the country, and it is showing in his numbers. Andrew Scheer (who???) would beat Justin Trudeau if the federal election were to happen tomorrow. Both the federal Liberals and their provincial cousins in Ontario are inflicted with the same ailment called “being out of touch.” One might ask where Andrea Horwath fits into this picture. If the incumbent Liberals are so unpopular, and the Tory option is Trump-lite, why are the NDP not poised for victory?

It’s true that Andrea Horwath is the most popular of the Ontario party leaders. But she’s failing to resonate on the issues that matter to people. And, perhaps most importantly, fewer than two in ten Ontarians believe the NDP will win the election. Even among NDP voters, fewer than half think the NDP will win. If their own supporters don’t think they’ll win, how are they to convince other people to vote for them? The Liberals, of course, will argue that a vote for the NDP is a wasted vote, suppressing the NDP’s ambitions. As a result, a majority of Ontarians (53%) believe that the Progressive Conservatives have the best chance of defeating the Liberals in the next election, while only 23% believe the NDP has the best shot. A similar proportion (23%) insists the Liberals will be re-elected. And so, despite himself, Doug Ford is poised to become the next Premier of this province. Ontarians want change, the Tories are talking about the issues that matter most, and NDP supporters haven’t convinced themselves, let alone others, that they can form the next government.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sean Simpson

Sean Simpson is Vice President of Ipsos Public Affairs in Canada, and leads its Public-Opinion Polling specialization.

advocate MAY | JUNE 2018

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Ariss Valley Golf and Country Club

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The Westhill Retirement Residence 25 Westhill Drive, Waterloo (519) 725-0525 info@westhill.sifton.com westhill.sifton.com

Arnold Hearing Centres Chris Arnold, President (519) 742-9494 Twitter/YouTube: ArnoldHearing Facebook: arnoldhearing www.arnoldhearing.ca

Flowt K- W 550 Parkside Dr, Unit B3 Waterloo (519) 577-2022 mark@goﬂowt.com www.goﬂowt.com

Ariss Valley is a unique and impressive Golf and Special Event Facility. Our courses are a pleasure for golfers of all skill levels. The combination of island greens; spectacular water features and wooded landscapes make even you worst game enjoyable!

St. John Ambulance St. John Ambulance, Canada’s leading authority in First Aid, train thousands annually in ﬁrst aid, health and safety courses. As a charitable organization proceeds from our training support programs such as Medical First Response, Therapy Dog and Home Caregiver Support.

The Westhill Retirement Residence The Westhill is a Retirement Residence located in the heart of Waterloo. From simple pleasures like enjoying a variety of menu choices, to living well, with a recreational events calendar designed to enhance your mind, body and spirit; we have a passion for healthy aging and wellness.

Arnold Hearing Centres As a locally owned and operated hearing clinic for over 65 years, we help YOU choose the best hearing aid for your situation. We are proud to be a family-run business, and our friendly, experienced staﬀ can help provide the best advice.”

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events

Mark Your Calendar May 4, 2018

May 15, 2018

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8:00-4:00pm Location: Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI) Ticket: $125 Join us for this one-day leadership event featuring a line-up of world-renowned leaders, speaking on topics that will motivate and inspire you and your team to find your own leadership voice. Event Sponsor:

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May 10, 2018

10:00-2:00pm Location: Bingemans, Marshall Hall Tickets: $85 • Table of 8: $650 • Exhibit Booths: $375 The Annual Manufacturing Summit brings the manufacturing and supply chain community together in Waterloo Region for an event featuring keynote speakers and a diverse exhibition. Gold Sponsors: Bronze Sponsors: Event Sponsor: Community Partners:

5:30-7:30pm Location: Cellar 52 Members: $10 • Future Member: $15 Join the Libro Chamber Young Professionals for a casual networking event where you can meet other young professionals from the Region and tour a beautiful new venue in St. Jacobs! Title Sponsor:

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May 17, 2018

MNP Networking Breakfast presents Speed Networking 2.0

7:15-9:00am Location: Inn of Waterloo Members: $35 • Future Member: $45 The Speed Networking event is back by popular demand! Make new connections and expand your professional network in a short amount of time. Title Sponsor: Event Sponsor: Marketing Sponsor: Media Sponsor:

We’ve Moved Lackner McLennan Insurance Ltd. and Erb and Erb Insurance Brokers are now receiving clients at 818 Victoria Street North, Kitchener. See what we’re up to by following us on Social Media: @LacknerMcLennan and @ErbAndErb

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events

Mark Your Calendar May 24, 2018

June 26, 2018

8:00-9:30am Location: Kitchener Memorial Auditorium – Wright Auto Sales Lounge Member Ticket: $25 • Future Member Ticket: $35 Facilitated by Kris Ronan, Dirt Cheap People are looking online for information more now than ever before. With so much attention being spent on the web, how do you stand out in the crowd? In this session, Kris will walk you through an exercise to discover the “why” behind your messaging and learn how to share your knowledge and convert this into sales!

11:30am-2:00pm Location: Whistle Bear Golf Club Member Ticket: $55 • Future Member Ticket: $65 Member Table of 8: $400 Join us for lunch and life lessons with Vicki Saunders, the Founder of SheEO. Vicki is an entrepreneur, award-winning mentor, advisor to the next generation of change makers and leading advocate for entrepreneurship as a way of creating positive transformation in the world.

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June 14, 2018

Manulife Chamber Academy presents Hiring & Firing in the Digital Age

8:00-9:30am Location: Kitchener Memorial Auditorium – Wright Auto Sales Lounge Member Ticket: $25 • Future Member Ticket: $35 Facilitated by Karen Hiltz, Director of Human Resources People who work in small business and the non-profit sector wear many hats – from marketing, to payroll, to hiring and firing. This session will help you better understand the legal and logistical challenges of hiring and firing in the digital age. What role does social media play when considering a candidate?

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advocate MAY | JUNE 2018

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Making Choices for a Healthy Community – What You Should Ask Candidates I’ll admit I’ve never been someone who has actively commented on political issues. Sure, I make informed choices when voting every election but nine months into my tenure as President and CEO of the Kitchener Waterloo Community Foundation, I am looking at the current election with a new lens. Elections are imperative as a venue for exercising your democratic rights and freedoms as a citizen of this great country and province. Perhaps as important, is the way in which the results of these elections effect local communities. While not always seen as active as the business sector and public sector unions when it comes to government advocacy, it is incumbent upon leaders in the not-for-profit sector, and those that support this sector, to have our voices heard prior to the upcoming provincial and municipal elections. As you research the candidates, the parties and their platforms, there are three areas I suggest you keep in mind for the betterment of Waterloo Region and our citizens.

(1) Make sure political leaders are plugged into our community’s wellbeing. One of the key projects being undertaken in our community is Wellbeing Waterloo Region (WWR). WWR’s goal is to work across sectors to improve the wellbeing of residents to ensure we have a community where everyone thrives and no one is left behind. As a result of the collective impact efforts to date, we have identified three big ideas that will be refined to make transformational change in community wellbeing.

• Affordable Housing – Everyone has a place to call home.

• Healthy Children and Youth – All children and youth have the foundation they need to thrive and reach their potential.

• Social Inclusion – Everyone is welcome and can belong.

Do the politicians you support have programs they intend to align with what local residents have highlighted as areas requiring attention? These central tenets of Wellbeing Waterloo Region should be viewed as a starting point for all of Ontario's political parties in order to ensure the relative health and wellbeing of our community. More information can be found by visiting www.wellbeingwaterloo.ca.

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(2) Together let’s focus on the ongoing reconciliation process. Understanding this is principally a federal issue, there is still much to be done at every level of government. Superb work has been completed by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada in establishing guiding principles on how we can best move forward on this integral endeavor through the 94 “Calls To Action”. With the Commission’s work complete, this important effort is now being lead by the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation. Visit their website (nctr.ca) to find out more about the organization, their efforts and to view the Calls To Action. (3) Taxes and impact on ability to donate A Statistics Canada study from 2016 found that only 25%, or 1 of every 4 tax paying residents, donate money to charitable organizations. One driver of potential donor decisions is taxation. I encourage you to examine which political party pledges to make the most of personal and corporate giving from a taxation perspective. The government must look at ways to further incentivize those residents with the disposable income to make a difference in their communities, and then it is the role of the charities and not for profit organizations to maximize the impact of the funds they’ve been entrusted with. I am exceptionally proud of the work being done in Waterloo Region. We work better when we work together and, by working together, we can build caring communities where everyone thrives.

This June, it is incumbent upon all of us to ask candidates the questions that will inform you about how their policies align with these important community issues. ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Elizabeth Heald Elizabeth Heald is the President & CEO of the Kitchener Waterloo Community Foundation. With a background in both the corporate and not-for-profit sectors, Elizabeth is focused on “Making it Easy for People to Do More Good.”

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advocate MAY | JUNE 2018

sponsor profile

It’s a Snap with snapd KW On June 1st, 2007, the first edition of Snap KW hit the streets with its 24 full-colour pages of business openings, sales, art exhibits, galas, theatre events, concerts, fundraisers and walks, community gatherings and more. A month before I had set out to cover as many local KW events as I possibly could. I met our mayors and council members, business owners and event organizers. I took photos of the faces of our community who were involved and those who attended. My mission was to not only introduce our all-positive community review but to showcase all the great things Kitchener-Waterloo had going on and connect the community-minded and event lovers. People were excited about the “all-positive” concept and the many photos that told the stories. I knew instantly that it was a success. More and more advertisers came on-board and my team grew from just me to five people, which enabled me to continue to build the paper and promote the goings-on of KW.

In 2014, “Snap” became “snapd” as part of a fresh brand change that accompanied a new logo and interactive website, a ticketing system and a new app that allows the community to share their own photos. This was also when my husband joined me in the business as our VP of Marketing & Sales. Since then, snapd has grown to be KW’s #1 free monthly publication and online community connector specializing in providing a “non-political”, friendly, and entertaining view of our community. Allowing submissions from local businesses, organizations and the community alike fulfills our mission to be KW’s premier source of what’s coming up and review of what has happened. With positive photographs, videos and events being tagged and shared by the public, we provide the business community with the ability to build their reputational PR and showcase the various things they do to contribute to a better community. Our

“Thank you to Dawne & Sean for the amazing community support you provide to the Region of Waterloo. I have worked with them on the local Ride for Dad campaigns for many years and they have been stalwart! Cheers!”

Dave Mathes - Co-Chair Grand River MRFD

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publication, with all of its positive content, puts people in a better frame of mind to digest business brand and marketing initiatives. The publication itself is photographically rich, free to consumers and strives to capture the overall spirit in the community and the contributions that citizens make to it. We use a business model that emphasizes customer service and relationships, technology, marketing savvy and quality, thus delivering a product that is both cherished and well read by our growing audience. Our publication is printed on a monthly basis and the community has instantaneous access to images and videos online. They can also choose to upload their own images via our snapd App. Our newspaper distribution is done strategically through “exit racks” at key high traffic locations. We also print on high quality white book stock rather than standard newsprint to provide a cleaner, higher quality looking product. snapd is the community thought leader for events. It produces enriching content and elevates brands. It helps businesses and organizations connect to more people, exchange skills, raise more money, and sell more services, tickets and products. It educates people on looking on the bright side of things. It creates conversations and encourages interaction. It’s about how we live.

We are proud to have been covering life and entertainment in KW for over 10 years, giving local organizations and businesses millions of dollars worth of free PR. We also highlight the good in our community and sponsor and/or join boards and many non-profits such as Drive to Deliver CSC MOW, Sherwood Shindig, Taste Local Taste Fresh, Impact Scholarship Program,

All of the above would not be possible without our supportive team, which consists of fantastic photographers, a phenomenal and speedy creative designer and a wonderful admin assistant who originally came to us as a Conestoga College Co-op student over 7 years ago. Snapd has been a member of the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce for a total of eight years. The Chamber has provided us with a chance to connect with a wide range of local businesses and organizations face to face. The many Chamber events also allow us to create great content for our audience. We, in turn, get to give exposure to Chamber members as we capture them at events.

THEMUSEUM’s Studio 54, the Chamber’s 100 Mile Feast and the Annual Inspiring Women Event, WOW The World, just to name a few. We are also the proud recipients of the Chamber’s 2014 Business of the Year (Under 20 Employees) Award.

“snapd KW increased our attendance by double for our Everything Women Show. Having someone else take care of pre-promotion and ticket sales left us able to concentrate on putting together a fabulous sold-out shows like Craftoberfest and more. We also have used snapd for many years, for all of our events from listing in the calendar to coverage and PR. They are easy to work with and are huge community champions!”

– Michelle McBride Roach – Program & Market Development Coordinator, Kitchener Market

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dawne Taylor-Gilders

Dawne Taylor-Gilders is the co-owner and publisher of snapd KW. Outside of her snapd world, Dawne is a mother, a wife, and a proud new grandmother and loves spending time with her family. She continues her photography passion exploring landscapes, architecture and macro and most recently, birthing photography.

advocate MAY | JUNE 2018

feature

Pro-Business Approach Key to Continued Investment in Waterloo Region In Waterloo Region, Waterloo EDC works closely with local partners and stakeholders to build a community that is locally rooted, internationally competitive and globally renowned. Although we have experienced record-breaking growth and investment over the last few years, those results haven’t been without challenges. To ensure continued growth and success, it is critical to have a keen understanding and awareness of the opportunities for improvement.

Waterloo EDC recently commissioned a study with Investment Consulting Associates (ICA) – a global management advisory and site selection firm based in Boston that specializes in economic development strategies, investment promotion strategies, foreign direct investment (FDI) advisory and training seminars – for a Strength, Weakness, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) and Benchmarking analysis. The study, which examined quantitative and qualitative Waterloo Region data, also applied a “reverse site selector” analysis to detail how we perform in comparison to other competitive markets in North America, such as: Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Boston, New York City, Austin, Seattle, San Francisco and San Jose, based on our relative strengths in technology, finance and manufacturing. Overall, Waterloo Region has a number of strengths with regard to FDI, such as tax regime (the report was finished prior to the Trump tax cuts), occupation-specific salaries, competitive costs and post secondary education. In addition, the report highlighted that we are well positioned to continue to attract FDI due to our diverse economy and relative strengths in manufacturing, agriculture, transportation, finance and insurance, and technology. In contrast, the report identified scale – demographic scale, connectivity with Toronto Region, investment capital & resources for scalability, and urban amenities – as a key issue with respect to FDI attraction from a global site selector perspective. To address our scale-related challenges, the report recommended our community focus on improved connectivity with the Toronto Region. Enhanced connectivity, such as twoway, all-day GO within the Toronto-Waterloo Corridor, would offer more partnership and collaboration opportunities, enhance our connection with a broader and more diverse

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network of resources and talent as well as provide access to the full suite of urban amenities - all of which will support Waterloo Region’s competitive advantage for business. In order to continue to improve our competitiveness within North America from an FDI perspective, we need to improve labour market access, scalability and access to capital for companies, as well as real estate availability.

With the upcoming election, stakeholders have been asking about uncertainty surrounding the future of Ontario’s economic landscape. As such, we are looking forward to assessing each party’s political platforms, in terms of degree of business friendliness, in the weeks ahead.

Waterloo EDC maintains strong relationships with officials within the municipal, provincial and federal governments. We will continue to advocate, along with the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce (GKWCC) and be the voice of businesses in Waterloo Region within the ever-changing political landscape. We will continue to play an integral role in the local regional advocacy for all relevant economic development issues, as well as spearhead conversations with the three levels of governments to ensure a ‘pro-business’ environment. It takes committed partners to up our game. Let’s get to work!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tony LaMantia, President & CEO, Waterloo EDC

Tony LaMantia’s career spans more than 25 years of experience in large public sector and private sector growth-oriented companies. Prior to joining Waterloo EDC in 2015 as the President & CEO, Tony held executive-level roles with innovative, entrepreneurial companies.

Helping Us Make Our Vision Possible A special Thank You to each of these Chamber Sponsors.

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MEDIA PARTNERS advocate MAY | JUNE 2018

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Neil Aitchison: The Power of Laughter … On Stage and Off He's a local celebrity recognizable to many just by the sound of his voice. From radio personality and inspirational comedic speaker to community builder and beloved stage performer, Neil Aitchison has been entertaining audiences in Waterloo Region one way or another for 50 years. Since moving to the area from Harriston in 1968, Aitchison has put his salt-of-the-earth charisma to work by harnessing the power of laughter in everything he does.

Music and laughter are staples of award-winning Drayton Entertainment. Aitchison’s association and affection for the charitable theatre company date back to the inaugural 1991 season when he, along with Artistic Director Alex Mustakas, convinced the town of Drayton to let them run the abandoned 1902 opera hall. In return, the town wanted Neil to sit on the board of directors.

“I agreed and became one of the founding board members,” says Aitchison. “The very first season was 3 shows running 3 weeks each. The theatre grew with each season and by the third and fourth seasons we were completely sold out.” As the company expanded to added venues in other towns including St. Jacobs, Grand Bend, Penetanguishene and eventually Cambridge, Aitchison says his role with Drayton Entertainment has continued to change and grow. He remains a member of the board, is a host on Travel Adventures trips, represents the company at community events, and even gets to take the stage every once in a while.

Well known for his tongue-in-cheek humour, Aitchison is popular with Drayton Entertainment audiences as his alter ego Constable Archibald F. Inkster. He has appeared as the loveable Mountie in several productions that celebrate Canada, and with the 150th Anniversary now passed, he’ll be back again this summer starring in a brand new production aptly titled Canada 151: Better Late Than Sorry.

In this latest outing, Canada’s favourite Mountie has reached his milestone 70th birthday and he and his faithful horse are being put out to pasture … so naturally, he throws himself a retirement hoedown complete with music, dancing, humour and some biting political satire. Aitchison says audiences relate to the character of Inkster because “he is one of them.” That, and the fact that Aitchison is not afraid to laugh at himself. Audiences can innately feel that he is having a genuinely good time on stage.

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NEIL AITCHISON AS CONSTABLE ARCHIBALD F. INKSTER IN CANADA 151. PHOTOGRAPHER - HILARY GAULD CAMILLERI.

“In many cases, we aren’t willing to risk failure and foolishness in order to realize the absolute power of laughter,” he says. “It’s one of the most powerful tools we have at our disposal, whether it’s on stage, networking and making business deals, or giving a speech or presentation in front of co-workers.” It’s a theme Aitchison explores in depth as a highly sought-after professional speaker, educating and enlightening management teams and front line workers alike at business conventions, conferences, retreats, and annual general meetings. Never one to slow down, he does about 40 events a year. “I’ve been fortunate to speak at events across North America, and my message always comes back to laughter, and its numerous social, financial, and health benefits.”

A modern day jack-of-all-trades, Aitchison continues to juggle these opportunities with his full-time gig as Senior Manager of Market Development for Melloul-Blamey, one of the Region’s largest construction companies.

“They really believe in the importance of cultivating a culture of community involvement, and are so supportive of each project that takes me away from the office,” he says. “I’m really lucky.” Canada 151: Better Late Than Sorry runs at the Drayton Festival Theatre from June 20 to July 8 and at the Huron Country Playhouse in Grand Bend from July 12 to August 4.

SUBMITTED BY DRAYTON ENTERTAINMENT

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Member Notables Cowan Insurance Group Receives Leading Canadian Business Award

The Cowan Insurance Group recently earned its sixth consecutive honour of being named one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies. They have also attained Gold Standard status for the third straight year.

Canada’s Best Managed Companies recognizes innovative world-class business practices at Canadian-owned and managed enterprises. Cowan has demonstrated a commitment to the program through their proven and highly effective, clientcentric business model which supports multi-line capabilities for commercial and personal insurance, group benefits and wealth management.

The Best Managed program is sponsored by Deloitte, CIBC, Canadian Business, Smith School of Business, TMX Group and MacKay CEO Forums.

MNP Marks 60 Years in Operation

National accounting, tax and business consulting firm MNP is celebrating 60 years of service in 2018.

With their headquarters in Calgary, they are the fifth largest accounting firm in Canada with over 60 offices across Canada. Local services are now provided in Waterloo, Cambridge, Stratford, and Clinton.

MNP, formerly Meyers Norris Penny, has grown their service lines to reflect the evolving needs of the country’s economy as well as new products and programs to reflect client challenges and opportunities.

Paul Seibel inducted into Grand Valley Construction Association Hall of Fame

Paul Seibel, President of ACL Steel in Kitchener, was inducted into the Grand Valley Construction Association (GVCA) Hall of Fame on February 27, 2018.

Mr. Seibel has compiled an extensive record of service to the construction and steel industries at the local, provincial and national levels. He was chair of the GVCA in 2011 and served on the boards of the Canadian Construction Association and the Ontario Region of the Canadian Institute of Steel Construction. He served for 17 years on the advisory committee for the architecture-construction engineering technology program at Conestoga College. He also assumed a leadership role in the development of a new post-graduate program to provide students with specialized training in structural steel detailing and the management of such projects.

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Member Notables Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium Announces Board Changes

Owen Sound-based Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium (EMC) recently announced a series of changes to their Board of Directors.

Al Diggins, former President and General Manager, has transitioned to the role of Chair of the Board, Treasurer and General Manager. Jim McCoubrey, former Board Chair, will transition to Board Director.

Board member Shawn Casemore is the new President of EMC. With an extensive career in manufacturing, Casemore’s experience combined with his exposure to EMC as a member position him well to ensure his success in the new role.

The Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce has worked with EMC on a series of initiatives serving Ontario manufacturers and we anticipate a strong continuance of that relationship with the new management.

Larry and Lorna Hundt Honoured by Governor General

Larry and Lorna Hundt, owners of Great Canadian Holidays & Coaches, recently received Meritorious Service Medals from Governor General Julie Payette.

They were recognized for their promotion of Canadian history and heritage through hand painted murals on all of their 40 plus bus fleet. A news release from the Governor General’s office indicated that the couple have become lifelong ambassadors for our country, instilling Canadian pride and awareness of our heritage.

The Meritorious Service Decoration is one of the highest levels of distinction an individual can receive and was established to recognize extraordinary people who make Canada proud.

Mary Zilney Retires from Women’s Crisis Services of Waterloo Region

In March of this year Mary Zilney retired after over 12 years as CEO of Women’s Crisis Services of Waterloo Region.

Board Chair Cayley Rodd stated to the Waterloo Region Record in 2017 that Mary initiated many changes and made drastic improvements. Her leadership and passion were much appreciated and will be missed. Carolyn Albrecht, Senior Director of Operations, is serving as Acting CEO until a successor is announced.

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