M a y | J u n e 2021
The New Normal in Waterloo Region
Focus on the moment. We’ll focus on protecting what makes it possible.
Advice for what’s worthwhile.
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advocate May | June 2021 www.greaterkwchamber.com
features
Feature
editor-in-chief:
John Ferguson
editor:
Feature
design and production
Karen Redman
Feature
17 GHD During and After COVID-19
Art Sinclair Heather Hutchings
19 Beyond the “New Normal” in Waterloo Region
Tony LaMantia
Feature
23 Tourism & Hospitality: There’s No Place like Home Susan Cook-Scheerer
Feature
Jeremy Hedges
advertising and sales:
Bonnie Frank - bfrank@greaterkwchamber.com Dana Walton - dwalton@greaterkwchamber.com Lisa McDonald - lmcdonald@greaterkwchamber.com
21 Turning the Page After a Year Like No Other
M&T Printing Group
contributing writers:
Susan Cook-Scheerer, John Ferguson, Jeremy Hedges, Tony LaMantia, Ian McLean, Jenna Petker, Karen Redman, Art Sinclair, Adam Smith contributors:
Carolyn Marsh & Hannah Kelly advertising and copy deadlines:
25 Strength and Resilience of our Community
July 16, 2021 for September-October 2021 September 17, 2021 for November-December 2021 subscription and back issue inquiries:
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departments
Message from the Chair
New Members
4 Key to SME Success? Adaptability & Perseverance Adam Smith
10 February 1, 2021 to
12 Mark Your Calendar
Message from the President
5 The New Normal and Beyond for Business in Waterloo Region Ian McLean Advocacy
7 Canadian Energy Issues
During and After the Pandemic Art Sinclair
Perspective on Health Care
Affects Physician Recruitment Jenna Petker
8 Covid-19 Pandemic - How it
PUBLICATION OF:
March 31, 2021 Events
Networking
14 Event Highlights
Member Notables
32 Chamber Members Achieving Success
postmaster address changes c/o
Advocate - Publications Office 80 Queen Street North, PO Box 2367 Kitchener, Ontario N2H 6L4 519.576.5000 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.
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advocate May | June 2021
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message from the chair
Key to SME Success? Adaptability & Perseverance The small and medium sized businesses that prevail through even the toughest of times are often the ones that have learned to adapt, and who leverage their adaptability to persevere against the odds. As Microsoft CEO, Satya Nadella, noted roughly a year ago, “We’ve seen two years’ worth of digital transformation in two months,” and as startling as that was, that transformation has pressed on, and continues to do so, more than a year after our first pandemic lockdown. While this transformation is, in part, driven by adversity, what is happening at its core is an awakening to the possibilities of new ways of doing business that were overlooked by many for a long time. It was too easy to be complacent. It was too easy to say, “We don’t want or need to change. What we’re doing works for us.” They had a point: The status quo was serving them well enough. They may have heard others talk of moving “to the cloud”, leveraging automation, and felt it was too complicated, too unfamiliar, or they felt it might be change for the sake of change. After all, everything was humming along “well enough”. To their credit, some of the criticisms levied by the reluctant and the naysayers were apt: Many digital platforms and cloud services prior to 2020 still needed quite a bit of polish to make them easier to use and reduce the friction that people felt when considering these new solutions. Thankfully, the polish happened fast! The first lockdown was abrupt and had people scrambling to figure out how they could possibly keep moving forward. Software companies were suddenly committing massive amounts of resources towards meeting the needs of a demanding, digital-first world. A turning point for many businesses was when they turned to the trusted people working in IT who have supported their businesses, and who they have relied on for decades to “just keeping things running”, and instead asked, “how can IT help our business survive?” Asking that question paid back in dividends. They didn’t just survive – they’ve thrived! Adopting innovative technologies and automation has helped many small businesses do more, while simultaneously giving their people flexibility to work in a more adaptable way that benefits everyone.
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Working from home became commonplace over night. Those with Voice-over-Internet (aka VoIP) phone systems enjoyed the flexibility of being able to easily route their calls anywhere. Using a collaboration system like Microsoft Teams further enabled them to stay connected with staff and coworkers through regular team meetings, and kept everyone productive by being able to seamlessly and securely access the information they needed when they needed it. Questions about the risks versus rewards of “going digital” have taken a sharp turn from “should we?” to “why haven’t we already!?” Of course, it’s never too late to start – and there’s no time like the present! If you’re wondering how you can level-up your business, consider checking out offerings like the Recovery Activation Program from Scale-Up Institute Toronto that seeks to help small and medium sized businesses leverage technology to boost all facets of their businesses. Our Chamber’s Manulife Business Success Series also offers some great content that explores timely topics and resources for businesses. Adaptability and perseverance have always been important – and particularly vital over the past year – but it is the businesses who choose to lean into these attributes that will continue to reap the rewards of doing so, well into the future.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Adam Smith CHAIR, BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Adam founded My IT Guy in 2004 and has grown the business substantially over the past 16 years. Today, Adam and his team deploy their collective expertise in helping small and medium sized businesses wisely invest in technology solutions that make them more efficient, more productive, and more profitable. Adam is also heavily involved with the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce since 2009, currently serving as Chair of the Board of Directors, as well as volunteering with and co-hosting the quarterly meetings of 100 Men Who Give a Damn.
message from the president
The New Normal and Beyond for Business in Waterloo Region In April of 2020, during the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic, Prime Minister Trudeau informed Canadians that social distancing, remote working from home, and reduced business hours were the new normal until vaccinations become available. A year later, while Canadians are being vaccinated at the rate of 100,000 residents daily, the definition of a new normal is constantly changing and new issues are frequently presented for businesses across Waterloo Region and Canada. While vaccinations are a light at the end of the tunnel, getting through that tunnel to the end remains a challenge and will take until early summer. As we get through this together, please do your part and social distance, stay home, and wear a medical grade mask when you must go out. A positive development for business across Canada is continuing reports that high levels of consumer savings and government income support have bolstered the economic conditions within most households, notably younger and lower income demographics. The evidence is steadily increasing that the Canadian economy is headed for a repeat of the Roaring Twenties, a period of economic, social and artistic innovation as people emerged from the 1918 influenza pandemic. A recent report/survey from Scotiabank indicated that 78 percent of mid-to-large businesses across Canada are optimistic regarding their post-pandemic future. Over two-thirds expect to return to pre-pandemic conditions within six months or less with most (81%) planning to make investments during that time. The same cannot be said for the small business sector. Some businesses are doing the same volume as before the current crisis, with 23 percent doing better now than prepandemic. But many businesses are not and almost 63 percent indicate that government assistance programs such as the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) and the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) are major sources of support during the crisis so far. These will be needed to get them through to the other side of COVID. In the next six months priorities for business include technological capabilities and hiring more skilled employees. These priorities have been consistent with our Chamber’s objectives for local employers over the past year. A heavy volume of articles has appeared which provide business owners with direction on the creation of a postpandemic business plan. The first question to be addressed is how does your organization make money? Once you
know where your profits originate, then you will be able to determine what is driving them. During the post-pandemic era, defining key stakeholders and customer segments in your business model will determine survival. One certainty is that post-pandemic, the Region of Waterloo will be well connected with communities along the Innovation Corridor. The recent 2021 Ontario Budget provided a significant commitment for upgrades to current GO train passenger service with an objective of providing two-way, all-day service by 2025. The economic benefits of GO service expansion have been extensively documented in relation to increased GDP and employment levels, and the Ontario government has made a bold and progressive decision to make these important and vital new investments. Investments in training programs will also be critical for business moving forward. We have recognized, working in partnership with local post-secondary institutions and other stakeholders, that businesses will have new skill requirements for existing and future workers as they continue in the pandemic and emerge from current conditions. Our Chamber has placed a heavy emphasis on the importance of experiential learning programs for students which present unique opportunities for both employers and employees. Ongoing financial commitments from all levels of government are required to ensure the continuance of these important initiatives. There is a light at the end of the tunnel for local business and once we move beyond our current life of distancing restrictions and related guidelines into a post-pandemic economy, Waterloo Region is well positioned to lead in job growth, innovation and economic progress. We will get through this…together!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ian McLean Ian is President and CEO of the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce
advocate May | June 2021
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Title
New Business of the Year (Under 2 Years)
Creative Marketing
Reception
Business of the Year (1-10)
Hospitality
Nominee Reception
Business of the Year (11-50)
Event Production
Toast
Business of the Year (Over 50)
Print & Awards
Photo Booth
Community Builder of the Year
Photography
Live Entertainment
Employee Engagement
Media & Host
Media
Gift Environment & Sustainability
Media
Gold Health & Wellness in the Workplace
Media
Bronze Innovation
Media
Non-Profit/Charitable
Service Excellence in Hospitality & Tourism
Volunteer of the Year
Young Professional of the Year
Media
advocacy
Canadian Energy Issues During and After the Pandemic The pending conclusion of the COVID-19 crisis has initiated an escalating volume of analysis around prospects for prominent Canadian business sectors. The end of the pandemic is however unlikely to solve any major issues related to Canadian energy policy.
States. A recent Calgary Herald article by Danielle Smith noted that Line 5 is emerging as a larger issue in Alberta than Ontario when eastern Canadian energy supplies are seriously threatened – a statement that provides volumes of analysis around Canadian regional and political attitudes.
Since last year the Canadian pipeline industry has been the object of highly controversial actions originating from south of the border. The decision in January by the newly inaugurated Biden administration to revoke a permit on the Keystone XL pipeline during their first day in office is quite bluntly a serious blow to Canada and future relationships with Washington.
Prominent Canadian business journalist Diane Francis wrote in the National Post recently that Line 5 represents a serious “flash point” between the United States and Canada. The oil transportation controversy has reached unprecedented levels and Canada is at fault for not constructing a national pipeline for moving products to the east. Alternatively oil is flowing through northern states and initiating costly legal and political action on both sides of the border.
In late March, the Attorneys General of 21 American states initiated legal action arguing the President does not have unilateral authority to cancel policy established by Congress on a pipeline that would traverse multiple states carrying 830,000 barrels of crude daily from western Canada to Steele City, Nebraska and subsequent connections to major Gulf Coast oil refineries. The impact of Keystone has been well documented across Canada in relation to lost jobs and economic opportunities. The legal actions initiated at the state level across 20 plus jurisdictions verify President Biden’s decision is not exclusively a Canadian problem. Shortly after this cancellation, bilateral controversy shifted to the imminent closure of Enbridge Line 5, a pipeline which transports western Canada oil and natural gas liquids from Superior, Wisconsin into Sarnia, Ontario. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has commenced proceedings to revoke a 1953 permit that allows a Line 5 crossing under the Straits of Mackinac, providing notice to Calgary-based Enbridge for termination of operations by May of 2021. The current structure has been targeted by pipeline opponents for many years despite no spills or other environmental issues. This is a massive issue for Ontario as Line 5 carries 45 percent of provincial energy requirements, including 100 percent of the aviation fuel used at Pearson International Airport. Ironically, the Michigan propane supply is highly dependent on Enbridge and frustration over a pending closure is mounting through the industrial bases of Ohio and Pennsylvania. In late March 2021 energy ministers from Alberta, Ontario and Saskatchewan appeared at a House of Commons Committee where Sonya Savage from Edmonton indicated that a Line 5 interruption would be above all other issues a dangerous precedent impacting future cross-border infrastructure projects between Canada and the United
In late March the Supreme Court of Canada tabled a 6-3 decision that upheld the federal government’s authority to level carbon charges. Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario, all united against Michigan Governor Whitmer on Enbridge Line 5, initiated action against the Canadian government claiming Ottawa was intruding on provincial authority over taxes and natural resource development. In Ontario, many political analysts and strategists have observed that opposition to the federal carbon tax was a major contributor to the Progressive Conservative electoral victory in 2018. Premier Ford, with Scott Moe and Jason Kenney, have appealed to voters that some environmental initiatives directly impact taxpayers and produce marginal results. Canadian and American energy policy is central to the debate around provincial and state capabilities to govern. In the Canadian context, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario have vehemently argued against the federal government extending their jurisdiction into resource development and taxation. South of the border states are using a similar argument against the Biden administration’s actions on Keystone. In the final analysis decisions as always are made by the voters. Any candidates on the wrong side of the electorate will be held accountable.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Art Sinclair Art is Vice President Policy and Advocacy for the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce.
advocate May | June 2021
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perspective on health care
Covid-19 Pandemic - How it Affects Physician Recruitment COVID-19 continues to impact all sectors of business, especially healthcare. Last year when the pandemic struck, independent practice licensing exams were originally postponed until fall 2020. At that time, family medicine residents were still able to practice with a restricted license, under the supervision of a practicing physician. Today, the final MCCQE2 exam remains postponed with no clear date of when it will be made available to eligible candidates. These eligible candidates are able to apply for an independent license, without supervision when all other requirements have been met. This update to the licensing process brings much more certainty to graduating physicians looking to establish a family practice, take over for a retiring physician or locum. Though we remain in a mostly virtual environment, we will continue to work diligently to bring more physicians and introduce them to this great community.
Attracting Family Physicians to Serve Greater K-W Residents We continue to make significant progress with our physician recruitment initiative. Over the past year, we have been working with a number family medicine residents and established family practitioners who have interest or ties to our community. We have also been working with another large group of primary health care professionals who have expressed serious interest in K-W practice opportunities over the past six months. A number of them are established family practitioners who are currently practicing in other cities in Ontario and have plans to relocate to K-W. Since January, 5 physicians have made permanent practice commitments to Kitchener-Waterloo and an additional number of locum physicians are serving our Region before making permanent commitments.
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Many factors come into play in terms of our success with attracting new physicians. First, we are an exceptional community offering many urban and rural lifestyle amenities that appeal to physicians and their families. We are also home to the Waterloo Regional Campus of the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine and the Kitchener-Waterloo Family Medicine Residency Program allowing us to “grow our own” primary health care professionals. As well, a number of our established physicians are at retirement age and their patient rosters are perfect “established practices” for young family practitioners to take over. While we take great pleasure in celebrating our progress, we realize that our physician recruitment efforts are far from over. Going forward, Kitchener-Waterloo will continue to be challenged with rapid population growth, a growing number of practitioners at retirement age and younger physicians who roster smaller practices as they look for work-life balance. We would like to thank the Chamber volunteers whose time and commitment make our recruitment programs and events possible. The greatest of appreciation is also extended to our corporate and municipal partners whose continued generous support and investment make our physician recruitment efforts viable and sustainable.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jenna Petker Jenna is Physician Recruitment Lead for the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce.
Thank you to our dedicated sponsors for helping the Chamber continue its goal of eliminating the doctor shortage in Waterloo Region.
PLATINUM
GOLD
SILVER
BRONZE
COMMUNITY
SMALL BUSINESS
Individual Contributors
VIDEO SPONSOR
AL HAYES
IAN MCLEAN
new members
February 1, 2021 to March 31, 2021 A Friendlier Company
Canon Canada Inc.
Fat Sparrow Group
All Maid Cleaning Services
Counterpoint Brewing Company
Fiera Private Debt
Restaurant Equipment & Supplies Kayli Dale, Co-Founder 1284 Gordon St Guelph, ON N1L 1H3 info@afriendliercompany.ca afriendliercompany.ca Phone: (519) 495-2931 Cleaning Service-Residential/ Commercial/Industrial Ethan Welsh, Owner 20 Cottonwood Cr Cambridge, ON N1T 2A7 ethan@allmaidcleaning.com allmaidcleaning.com Phone: (226) 220-4521
Brigade Construction Inc.
Office Furniture & Equipment Thomas Reilly, Sales Manager 8000 Mississauga Rd Brampton, ON L6Y 5Z7 treilly@canada.canon.com canon.ca/en/business Phone: (226) 972-2491 Brewers Graeme Kobayashi, Owner 935 Frederick St, Unit 4, Kitchener, ON N2B 2B9 cheers@counterpointbrewing.ca counterpointbrewing.ca Phone: (226) 507-4274
Divonify
Construction Matthew Austin, President PO Box 594 St Clements St Clements, ON N0B 2M0 info@brigade.construction brigade.construction Phone: (519) 591-2345
Education & Training Consultants Colleen James CEO & Principal Consultant 838 Robert Ferrie Dr Kitchener, ON N2R 0B9 colleen@divonify.com divonify.com Phone: (519) 500-8220
Canadian Hot Tubs Inc.
ET Group
Hot Tubs, Pools & Spas Bryan Beer, Owner 330 Gage Ave, Unit 15 Kitchener, ON N2M 5C6 info@canhottub.com canhottub.com Phone: (519) 745-1651
HYBRID
Audio Visual Equipment & Supplies Mike Sawyer, Project Lead & Technology Advisor 119 Hickson Dr, Kitchener, ON N2B 2H8 msawyer@etgroup.ca etgroup.ca Phone: (647) 227-1273
Restaurant (Take-Out) Jeff Dillon, Chief Operating Officer 1396 King St N, PO Box 506, St Jacobs, ON N0B 2N0 info@fatsparrowgroup.com fatsparrowgroup.com Phone: (519) 664-2286 Fax: (519) 664-1513 Banks Nelson Penelas, Managing Director npenelas@fieracapital.com fieraprivatedebt.com Phone: (647) 354-4252
Functional Medicine Uptown
Health & Wellness Benjamin Snider, Practice Partner 109 Erb St W Waterloo, ON N2L 1T4 hello@fmuptown.com fmuptown.com Phone: (519) 745-1600
Green Horseshoe Solutions
Consultants Renata Rusiniak, Principal & Founder renata@greenhorseshoesolutions.com greenhorseshoesolutions.com Phone: (519) 400-7754
Huber Window Cleaning Inc.
Window Cleaning Danielle Huber Director of Operations 50 Crimea St Guelph, ON N1H 2Y6 office@huberwindowcleaning.com HuberWindowCleaning.com Phone: (519) 836-2000
Bring Your Hybrid Workplace to Life With our Hybrid Workplace Experience System™
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new members
Jelena Nidogon-Remax Twin City Realty Inc. Real Estate Jelena Nidogon, Real Estate Broker 83 Erb St W Waterloo, ON L0S 1J0 jelenanidogon@gmail.com kitchenerwaterloorealtors.ca Phone: (519) 781-7755
Lynn Charlton Business Solutions Business Consultants Lynn Charlton, Sole Proprietor lynn@lynncharlton.com lynncharlton.com Phone: (519) 749-6047
Mackenzie Noble New & Used Automotive Sales Automobile Dealers Mackenzie Noble, New & Used Automotive Sales Representative mnoble@bustard.com Phone: (226) 791-2317
Macro Foods
Restaurants Omar Abu-Said, Co-Owner 95 King St S, Unit C103 Waterloo, ON N2J 1P5 info@macrofoods.ca macrofoods.ca Phone: (519) 903-8824
Mountainview Mortgage - The Mortgage Centre
Mortgage Brokers Allison Cooper, Mortgage Agent 5038 Fairview St Burlington, ON L7L 0B4 allison@mountainviewmortgage.ca https://mountainviewmortgage.ca Phone: (905) 573-0128
N1 Construction Ltd. Construction Neil Duncan, President 556 Sprucehill Ave Waterloo, ON N2L 4V7 nduncan@n1c.ca Phone: (519) 616-3336
Pavey Law LLP
The Etiquette Shop Inc.
Consultants Sarah Mumtaz, Owner 593 Little Dover Cr Waterloo, ON N2K 4E5 sarah@theEtiquetteShop.ca theEtiquetteShop.ca Phone: (416) 819-2808
Lawyers Meagan Swan, Partner 19 Cambridge St Cambridge, ON N1R 7G8 info@paveylaw.com paveylaw.com Phone: (519) 621-7260 Fax: (519) 621-1304
The Grand Mehfil
Salvini Consulting Inc.
TMGI Bookkeeping
Engineers - Consulting Julia Salvini, Owner julia@salviniconsulting.com salviniconsulting.com Phone: (519) 591-0426
Sutherland Media Group
Consultants Steve Sutherland, Founder/CEO 420 Hill St E Fergus, ON N1M 1H7 steve@thesutherlandgroup.ca sutherlandmediagroup.ca Phone: (519) 820-9439
The Canadian Networker
Coaching Janet Benedict, Sole Proprietor janet@thecanadiannetworker.ca thecanadiannetworker.ca Phone: (226) 750-2515
Restaurants Alicia Moore, Owner 1400 Weber St E, Unit B2-4 Kitchener, ON N2A 3Z8 info@thegrandmehfil.com thegrandmehfil.com Phone: (519) 748-9999 Accounting & Bookkeeping Services Raj Mitra, Director tmgibook@gmail.com Phone: (519) 722-1774
Trimmed Creative Advertising Agencies & Consultants Stephen Trim, Owner 283 Duke St W, Unit 206A Kitchener, ON N2G 1Z8 stephen@trimmedcreative.com trimmedcreative.com
Walk Tall Promotions Promotional Products Michelle Lewis, Owner michelle@walktallpromotions.com walktallpromotions.com Phone: (519) 804-4332
advocate May | June 2021
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events
COVID-19: Event Impact *The health and safety of our members, event attendees, community, and staff are of the utmost importance. As a result, the Chamber will not be hosting any live events until further notice. We will continue to support our members by offering a variety of events and networking opportunities in a virtual capacity, using an interactive and engaging virtual event platform. Please refer to greaterkwchamber.com for up-to-date event information.
Mark Your Calendar Every Wednesday
Thursday, May 27th
Manulife Business Success Series
MNP Networking Breakfast Series: Speed Networking 2.0
1:00-2:00pm Location: Virtual Event (hosted through GoToWebinar) Members: Complimentary The Manulife Business Success Series is a free weekly event that explores timely topics and resources for businesses - giving your organization the tools it needs to thrive. Sessions are hosted live every Wednesday at 1:00pm, and a recording of each session is made available online, to watch on-demand.
Join us for our annual Speed Networking 2.0 event! Meet other business professionals in a quick (yet efficient) method of virtual networking. You’ll be randomly matched with an individual for a short 1-on-1 video conversation. After learning about one another, you’ll repeat the process again with your next connection, and continue exchanging virtual business cards.
Survive the crisis? Or thrive, despite it? We can help you do both.
Title Sponsor: Platinum Sponsor: Presenting Sponsors:
8:30-10:00am Location: Virtual Event (hosted through Hopin) Members $20 • Future Member $30
May:
Performing well in today’s shifting markets requires constant access to the right advice. Title Sponsor: That’s where we come in. Our highly skilled advisors can help you manage today’s economic crisis—and take advantage of tomorrow’s economic opportunities.
Give us a call— we’ll take the pressure off.
grantthornton.ca
Paul Drouillard T 519 624 7863
Heffner Women’s Leadership: Fostering Innovation with Impact
June:
Thursday, May 20 Libro Chamber Young Professionals: Virtual Cooking Class
Thursday, June 3rd
Kevin Ballantyne T 519 744 2079
© 2021 Grant Thornton LLP. A Canadian Member of Grant Thornton International Ltd. All rights reserved.
Client Docket Project
4:30-6:30pm File name Location: Virtual Event (hosted through Hopin) Created by Members $10 • Future Member $15 Created on Are you looking for an at-home cooking experience? Join Chef Brian McCourt, Culinary Director with Ignite Group (Graffiti Market, MixTape Food Truck, Crowsfoot Smokehaus, and the Rich Uncle Tavern) for a virtual cooking class! Shop for your own ingredients and cook Achiote Pork & Charred Pineapple Tacos alongside Brian for an amazing meal in the comfort of your own home, while networking with other business professionals. Title Sponsor:
8:00-10:00am Location: Virtual Event (hosted through Hopin) Members $20 • Future Member $30 Kimberly Lochhead Due date 1 April 2021 Innovation has been a Live topic GT-21-073 area of discussion 7.5”over x 2.25” the last year. HowWaterloo do you innovative GT-21-073 - KW stay Chamber Ad Trim size as a business? 7.5” xHow 2.25” do you engage yourSON employees? for Women’s Leadership: GT-21-073 - Waterloo - KW Join us Bleed sizethe Heffner 7.5” x 2.25” Chamber Ad - V2 Fostering Innovation with Impact event to learn more about the Amanda Dahler Prepared at 100% leading companies in the Region. 30 March 2021
Colour
CMYK
Title Sponsor: Event Sponsors Design Sponsor Media Sponsor
Survive the crisis? Or thrive, despite it? We can help you do both. Performing well in today’s shifting markets requires constant access to the right advice. That’s where we come in. Our highly skilled advisors can help you manage today’s economic crisis—and take advantage of tomorrow’s economic opportunities.
Give us a call— we’ll take the pressure off.
grantthornton.ca
Paul Drouillard T 519 624 7863
© 2021 Grant Thornton LLP. A Canadian Member of Grant Thornton International Ltd. All rights reserved.
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Kevin Ballantyne T 519 744 2079
events
Mark Your Calendar Tuesday, June 8th
Thursday, June 17
Jay Fencing Business Around 5: Who’s In Your Backyard Edition
Libro Chamber Young Professionals: Summer Social
4:00-6:00pm Location: Virtual Event (hosted through Hopin) Complimentary for Members Future Members $10 • Exhibitor Booth $75 The final Jay Fencing Business After 5 of the season will be the “Who’s In Your Backyard” Edition. Join us for this opportunity to meet some of the Region’s businesses from the surrounding rural communities. You won’t want to miss this one!
4:30-6:00pm Location: Virtual Event (hosted through Hopin) Members $10 • Future Member $15 Ready for summer? Join us for the Libro Chamber Young Professionals Summer Social for the last event of the season and meet some other like-minded young professionals in a social setting. Title Sponsor:
Title Sponsor:
Thursday, June 24th
Gold Sponsor:
Energy & Environment Forum
Supporting Sponsor:
&
G
Sign & Print Sponsor: PRINT
Thursday, June 10th Manufacturing Summit
10:00am-2:00pm Location: Virtual Event (hosted through Hopin) Ticket $45 • Exhibitor Booth $175 The manufacturing industry has been hit especially hard by the pandemic ud to be partand has raised the importance of strengthening our local supply chain. This year’s Manufacturing Summit will bring your community together the manufacturing and supply chain community and C, we are committed featuretoaproviding series of panelists and keynote speakers.
alized and objective advice to u achieve your financial goals. Title Sponsor:
I
N
Media Sponsors:
11:00am-1:30pm Location: Virtual Event (hosted through Hopin) Members $25 • Future Member $35 • Exhibitor Booth $150 The Energy & Environment Forum is an annual educational event, raising awareness around environmental issues within the business community, and the Region at large. Join us to learn from industry leaders, and network with other business professionals. Title Sponsor: Prestige Sponsor: Bronze Sponsors:
your business banking needs Gold Sponsor: contact: hota Bronze Sponsor: 96 6518 | E Jas.Sahota@cibc.com
ogo is a trademark of CIBC.
advocate May | June 2021
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networking
Event Highlights On April 22nd, we hosted the 2021 Business Excellence Awards Gala, sponsored by Cowan Insurance Group. The evening recognized and celebrated the incredible achievements of 98 nominees and 14 Award Winners, with over 600 guests in attendance. Although we had hoped to have businesses host small viewing parties with their teams at their office, we had to adjust the plans once again with the current lockdown restrictions. Nonetheless, it was still a great evening with a lively pre-show Reception filled with entertainment, signature gala cocktails, and a virtual photobooth, thanks to BMO Financial Group, Manulife, Activa, and Reid’s Heritage Homes. The Awards Presentation was hosted by Rosie Del Campo (CTV News Kitchener), and featured a toast from McCarter Grespan, a donation announcement and gift from BDO Canada LLP, and live acceptance speeches from all 14 Award Winners, including: Small Business of the Year Award (1-10 Employees), sponsored by S.G. Cunningham Ltd. • Civilian Screen Printing Business of the Year Award (11-50 Employees), sponsored by Miller Thomson LLP • Warm Embrace Elder Care Business of the Year Award (Over 50 Employees), sponsored by University of Waterloo • The Canadian Shield (InkSmith) New Business of the Year Award (Under 2 Years), sponsored by Bell Canada. • Tapestry Hall (Gaslight Events Company) Community Builder of the Year Award, sponsored by Heffner Lexus & Heffner Toyota
Environment & Sustainability Award, sponsored by Enbridge • Diva International Health & Wellness in the Workplace Award, sponsored by WalterFedy • Igloo Software Innovation Award, sponsored by GHD • Shaver Industries Inc. Non-Profit/Charitable Award, sponsored by MTE Consultants Inc. • Kitchener-Waterloo Multicultural Centre Service Excellence in Hospitality & Tourism Award, sponsored by Gowling WLG • Little Mushroom Catering & Dining Lounge Volunteer of the Year Award, sponsored by Wilfrid Laurier University • Jeff Sheppard Michael R. Follett Community Leader of the Year Award, sponsored by Equitable Life of Canada • Iain Klugman Young Professional of the Year Award, sponsored by PwC. • Jeremy Hedges (The Canadian Shield/InkSmith) The evening would not have been possible without the continued support from all our sponsors and guests. Special thank you to Sun Life and Waterloo EDC, and to everyone who celebrated the evening with us!
• Activa Employee Engagement Award, sponsored by Conestoga College Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning • Quarry Integrated Communications
Carolyn Marsh Events Manager
Hannah Kelly Events Coordinator
LMI Canada I N S U R A N C E
formerly Lackner McLennan & Erb and Erb Insurance Visit us online at www.LMICanada.com
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Asked and Answered with Lerners LLP Privacy Laws, They are A-Changin’ What the last year has made clear, in addition to the importance of diligent hand-washing and wearing your mask to cover your mouth and nose, is that protecting the privacy of Canadians is on the agenda of both the provincial and federal governments.
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Businesses would be wise to ensure that their privacy management programs are robust.
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Last year, the federal government introduced Bill C-11 – the Digital Charter Implementation Act, 2020 which introduces new privacy legislation for private sector organizations. If passed, the Consumer Privacy Protection Act would come into effect. It contains stringent obligations for businesses to protect the personal information it controls, and provides enforcement powers to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner, which it currently lacks. Businesses would be wise to ensure that their privacy management programs are robust, and be prepared to review and revise them if the CPPA comes into effect. Failure to do so can be costly - if an organization contravenes specific sections of the CPPA, breaches a compliance order, or obstructs the Privacy Commissioner’s investigation of a complaint, inquiry or audit, it can face a fine up to a maximum of $25 million or 5% of the organization’s global gross revenue.
Currently, Ontario does not have privacy legislation that applies to private sector organizations. The provincial government held public consultations requesting feedback on how organizations should be able to collect, use and disclose personal information. Among the proposals being considered by the provincial government are, increased transparency for individuals, so they have more detail about how their information is being used by businesses and organizations, enhanced consent provisions allowing individuals to revoke consent at any time, and adopting an “opt-in” model for secondary uses of their information. Enhanced – and improved – privacy legislation is on the horizon. The changes will hopefully bring more clarity for businesses on their privacy and security safeguard obligations. For more information on how your business can ensure it is in compliance with the most current privacy statutory obligations, contact a member of the Lerners Privacy, Data and Information Security Group. Alysia Christiaen Alysia Christiaen is certified by the International Association of Privacy Professionals as a Certified Information Privacy Professional/ Canada and is Chief Privacy Officer at Lerners LLP. Her privacy practice focuses on advising businesses and other organizations on privacy and information management issues.
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Access Student
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Connect with us now to learn about working with students in the Fall term
The Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce’s Access Student Talent program helps to connect small businesses and not for profit organizations with post-secondary students. We make it easier for small businesses to engage with students by providing resources and connections to our education partners.
Work with stu dents in a variety o f ways: co-op work te rms, field placeme nts, capstone pro jects, and more!
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GHD During and After COVID-19 It has certainly been a very interesting, challenging and at times stressful year, not only at GHD but in companies around the world. We have all gone through many changes under the duress of the pandemic. The focus for GHD in Waterloo has of course been the health and safety of our employees and the communities in which we live and work. GHD established internal regional COVID-19 response teams around the globe, keeping track of the ever changing provincial/federal/municipal guidelines and regulations. These regional teams established training for staff either working from home, occasionally accessing an office, or working in the field. In addition, GHD developed a contact tracing app to elevate engagement and awareness with employees and to evaluate potential transmission should there be a potential positive case. I am amazed at how adaptable the workforce is, not only at GHD but also with our clients in municipalities and industries. The ability to adjust and pivot (my new favorite pandemic word) to the added parameters of health and safety, distance working, communication with colleagues and clients while maintaining a level of sustainable efficiency is very impressive. Spawned out of this resilience were several silver lining moments. We have been working towards a paperless office for years, this past year has re-set the bar for what may be achievable. Another item that was long debated was the evolving work from home policies, all the security, communications, connectivity, and management issues resolved themselves over a three-week period and bam we were working from home. Also, every school age child now knows what asynchronous means. However, it is important to note that even as we were becoming adept at working from home, the wellbeing of our employees came to the forefront. Whether living alone, or with significant others and/or children, new stressors were emerging. Significant changes to routines and being quarantined with or without others adds tension. It became for many that our rocks, our stabilizers, our happy places became less so. GHD took a holistic approach, reinforcing a robust wellbeing program, recognizing early on the ramifications that the pandemic was having on the mental
health of the employees. The evolution and commitment to the wellness program for the strength and stability of our workforce is crucial to continue to the end of the pandemic and beyond. What will the work environment be like when the pandemic is a thing of the past? I am not convinced we will see the end of the impact of this for some time, as I am expecting potential repercussions and ongoing monitoring long past the vaccine wave. In addition, based on the efficiencies developed and the flexibility provided to employees, I don’t believe we will be back to work in the same manner as pre-COVID. The ‘normal’ we refer to is likely a thing of the past. There will be a new-normal and I predict that the agility and flexibility of the employer/employee relationship will be paramount to continued survival/success. When the time is right GHD Waterloo will repopulate our offices. There is a desire from both the company and employees to return to the office, to work in teams, to collaborate and socialize with colleagues on a more personal face to face level. This re-opening will coincide with regulations relaxing and will be conservatively staged to ensure safety for all involved. It is anticipated that the employees will return to office maintaining some flexibility to work in the field, from home or really from anywhere providing we continue to provide service to our clients. It will be an exciting time to be leveraging the efficiencies that we've learned during this period and re-connecting on a personal level with clients and colleagues.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
John Ferguson, GHD John Ferguson is a mechanical engineer that has worked in GHD's environmental group for over 25 years. Mr. Ferguson is the Waterloo office manager for GHD, which employs approximately 700 people in the region.“
advocate May | June 2021
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Doing what we do best Helping business.
Chamber Check FREE COVID-19 Training for Business Operators and Employees
chambercheck.ca Canada's Innovation Corridor Business Council Four years ago Chambers of Commerce and Boards of Trade between Waterloo Region and Toronto formed the Canada's Innovation Corridor Business Council with representation from Brampton, Cambridge, Kitchener-Waterloo, Guelph, Halton Hills, Hamilton, Milton and Mississauga. The original mandate was to optimize economic opportunities within the growing Innovation Corridor and lobby for appropriate infrastructure support most notably improved passenger rail service. The group was also active in the establishment of Next Generation Manufacturing Canada, the recipient of funding under the Super Cluster Innovation Fund to support the integration of Canadian advanced manufacturing and IT resources. The work of the Business Council is strongly supported by many business and institutional partners and we thank them for making the Waterloo Region-Toronto Corridor a premier location for investment, research, and job creation.
Thanks to the Greater KW Chamber partners that sponsor our efforts on this important initiative.
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Beyond the “New Normal” in Waterloo Region The new normal in Waterloo Region. I am not quite sure if there is anything normal about how we have been living over the past year or so, though we certainly have been living in new ways. It has often been said that we are in the same storm but in different boats. I have come back to that phrase many, many times since this pandemic impacted us here in our community. The pandemic affects how we live, how we work, how we interact with our community and this is at the core of Regional Council’s vision for now and for beyond COVID-19, beyond the “new normal”. Our vision at the Region is to improve the lives of all of 630,000 residents. Every single one. That is no easy task. 630,000 people. We are comparable in population size to the Cities of Vancouver and Winnipeg. We have a population to plan for with a wide range of needs that have been impacted by the pandemic. Our plan is big on maintaining the critical, world-class services we already have. But it also takes steps towards the many inequalities in our community that the pandemic has shone a bright light on. So our plan is big on helping the most vulnerable. It does not just focus on one postal code – our plan aims to improve the lives within this “new normal” life, for everyone. It makes unprecedented investments in upstream funding that will help our community grow together. As part of our plan, we made historic investments in upstream funding in this year’s budget. The investments include: • Over $20 million over two years to support community investment in response to the urgent and growing need for affordable housing • $15 million over two years to invest in supports to improve the economic, social and cultural health and wellness of Indigenous, Black, Racialized and other marginalized communities • $3 million over the next 18-24 months in temporary supports for businesses impacted by the pandemic • Tailored funding to manage the pandemic through the addition of over 100 new public health staff, as well as a $3 million investment for safe isolation centres Regional Council made the bold decision to not sit back, to not wait for this pandemic to end. We are investing in creating a community where all voices are heard and where all lives can be improved. We made the decision – in true Waterloo Region spirit – to lead and to plan for a better future.
Photo is from the State of the Region Event, Friday February 26, 2021 which was our first virtual State of the Region
We recognize that there is an urgent and growing need for affordable housing, as well as the need to build an inclusive region through investment in our marginalized communities. We recognize the need to continue to fund sustainable transportation – transit, multi-use trails, connection between communities. Regional Council also recognizes the need to breathe life back into our local economy, the lifeblood of our cities, towns and economies. Ultimately our vision for beyond COVID-19 is to build a community where every resident has the support they need, not just to meet their basic needs, but to thrive, grow and contribute fully. As we move through the pandemic and as light begins to appear because of the great work being done on vaccine roll-out by our Public Health and all Regional staff in collaboration with many community partners, Regional Council is working and listening every day to determine the best course for our community. Your voice is valued, and welcomed as we plan beyond this “new normal”. ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Karen Redman, Regional Chair Karen Redman is the Regional Chair of the Waterloo Region, having been elected in the October 22, 2018 municipal election. Karen has been dedicated to public service for more than 20 years and is a life-long resident of Waterloo Region. advocate May | June 2021
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Turning the Page After a Year Like No Other Writing that 2020 was a year like no other is quickly becoming a tired cliché. We’ve all lived it. Everyone shared the unnatural challenges of physical/social distancing. Many made significant sacrifices. For businesses, it was – and remains – a struggle. In my business, economic development and investment promotion, our core focus – attracting quality foreign direct investment – essentially ground to a halt. According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, global FDI fell 42% in 2020. In Canada, FDI was down over 50%. Saying conditions weren’t ideal would be a ridiculous understatement. We’ve had enough doom and gloom. Indeed, it’s time to focus on a more positive year ahead.
A Revolution in Manufacturing is Underway This might surprise you: in 2020, Waterloo EDC helped bring over $200 million of investment into our community. While FDI shut down, the need for medical supplies became dire and companies like The Canadian Shield and Eclipse Automation stepped up. We helped them pivot. Medical products are just the leading edge of a manufacturing revolution that is happening in real time. We needed medical products right away, so we developed the capacity, but COVID-19 taught the manufacturing industry that supply chain resilience is paramount. Manufacturers are looking to near-shore or re-shore key parts of their supply chains – move them closer to where their plants and their customers are – and Waterloo Region is ideally positioned to take advantage. We’re right in the middle of Canada’s largest manufacturing corridor, right beside Canada’s largest consumer market and within a one day’s drive of America’s biggest cities. What makes us unique is our strength in robotics and automation, which can make manufacturing in Canada both cost-competitive and de-risked against lower-cost jurisdictions overseas. With the East Side Lands coming online, we’re looking at having the location, capacity and expertise to add substantial new investments in the coming years.
Roaring 20s Redux? There’s an incredible amount of pent-up consumer demand right now. In March, The Globe and Mail reported that Canadians were planning to spend big on travel, home
improvements and the type of recreation that just isn’t possible until COVID-19 is under control. The Bank of Canada thinks Canadians have saved nearly $180 billion in the last year. This isn’t a Canadian phenomenon, either. This might lead to this century’s version of the Roaring 20s, where consumer spending and the resulting business growth is transformative. On a local level, this will benefit those service providers and small businesses that were able to weather the COVID-19 storm. On an international level, this will help local companies sell products and services to a strong global market.
Victory Loves Preparation: We Must Be Ready When the Roaring 2020s begin, we need to be ready to bring new FDI to Waterloo Region and expand local businesses to meet new opportunities. For Waterloo EDC, that means continuing to fill a pipeline of potential investment opportunities that is currently topping $1 billion. For businesses, it means considering how a sudden boost to the economy might affect you. Will you need to expand, upgrade your products and services, invest in technology and productivity tools to move up the value chain? For our community, it also means identifying and strengthening our brand. This era of extra opportunity is exciting, but it will come with fierce competition as well. We need to know what we offer companies wanting to come here. We need to know what we offer talent, which, more than ever, can now choose to live wherever it wants. Together, we can turn the page and make the most of the opportunities that last year’s challenges have given us. Let’s get to work.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Tony LaMantia, Waterloo EDC Tony LaMantia is President & CEO of Waterloo Region Economic Development Corporation. A University of Waterloo alumnus, Tony’s had executive roles in investment marketing, technology sales and mining, as well as the public sector where he was ADM of Investment and Industry (Ontario). advocate May | June 2021
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GHD proudly supports the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce As one of the world’s leading engineering, environmental, and construction services companies, GHD has a global network of 8500 people committed to creating value for our clients and making a difference to the communities in which we operate
www.ghd.com WATER | ENERGY & RESOURCES | ENVIRONMENT | PROPERTY & BUILDINGS | TRANSPORTATION
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Tourism & Hospitality: There’s No Place like Home It’s no secret the pandemic has hit the tourism industry particularly hard. Every sector – business events, travel trade, sport, leisure – has faced a year filled with shutdowns, cancellations and postponements. Minto Schneider is the CEO of Explore Waterloo Region (EWR) and has worked together with her team to advocate for and assist the local tourism industry. “Our industry was essentially shut down from March 16th through mid-June with some attractions not allowed to open at all,” she says. “From a job-loss perspective, the accommodation and food services sectors saw employment drop from 17.9K people employed in March of 2020 to 7.9K in December." With vaccination rollout now underway there is light at the end of the pandemic tunnel. While this is very good news, Schneider says there’s still a long way to go until the tourism industry sees full recovery. “Until we open our borders, have a greater percentage of the population vaccinated and people are more confident that travel is safe, we will continue to be in recovery,” she says.
Tourism Recovery begins at Home In the meantime, Schneider says the team at EWR is working on programs to help support local tourism sectors. To date the focus has been on local leisure tourism – encouraging people living in the region to explore their own backyards and support local businesses. An about-face for EWR (where marketing to visitors from outside the region was its mandate prior to covid), they've discovered that developing local tourism ambassadors (or Insiders) has been a successful way of sharing its Explore Safely at Home message. Moving forward these insiders will continue to play a key part in promoting the region to outside visitors by sharing their authentic stories of ‘you-need-to-be-here' attractions as travel to the region re-opens. The idea of utilizing local tourism ambassadors is now being rolled over into the Business Events and Travel Trade sectors. EWR has created a new project called Home Advantage – an initiative designed to encourage local businesses and organizations to hold their meetings, events and tournaments in Waterloo Region.
How Home Advantage works “The idea of encouraging locals to be ambassadors and invite business colleagues, associations, and other organizations to host an event in Waterloo Region is not new,” Schneider says. “However, we believe the time is right to get this message out again to provide an essential boost to this sector. People want to help – they want to see businesses in our region survive and thrive. One way to support them is to invite events to take place here.” Messaging for the Home Advantage program also provides a reminder that Waterloo Region has the necessary infrastructure and supports in place to create successful meetings, events and sport tournaments - right in our own backyard. “Not only do we have quality meeting venues and indoor/ outdoor facilities, but organizers also have the advantage of working with a hometown team of planning experts who can provide individualized attention to detail that they may not find in a larger city,” Schneider explains. “We’re home to 3 post-secondary institutions, and we’re also centered in Ontario’s high-tech corridor, which means planners have access to many sought-after industry insiders and keynote luminaries, who also call this region home.” Similar to the local leisure sector’s insider program, the team at EWR hopes Home Advantage will develop local business ambassadors who will share the advantages of meeting in Waterloo Region. “This really is a premiere event destination,” Schneider says. “Home Advantage will help showcase the benefits of meeting here as our industry recovers and beyond.” ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Susan Cook-Scheerer Susan Cook-Scheerer is the Content and Media Liaison at Explore Waterloo Region, the region's destination marketing organization.
advocate May | June 2021
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RBC Dominion Securities Waterloo is hiring new Investment Advisors RBC Dominion Securities in Waterloo is seeking motivated individuals for a fulfilling career in the wealth management industry. If you’re looking for the support you need to build a successful career, RBC Dominion Securities offers several advantages:
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For more details, please contact Vice-President and Branch Manager Mark Hodson at 519-747-7790 or mark.hodson@rbc.com. We value diversity in the workplace, are committed to Employment Equity and will provide reasonable workplace accommodation to applicants with disabilities. RBC Dominion Securities Inc.* and Royal Bank of Canada are separate corporate entities which are affiliated. *Member-Canadian Investor Protection Fund. RBC Dominion Securities Inc. is a member company of RBC Wealth Management, a business segment of Royal Bank of Canada. ®Registered trademarks of Royal Bank of Canada. Used under licence. ©2017 RBC Dominion Securities Inc. All rights reserved. 17_90561_001
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Strength and Resilience of our Community One glimmering light in this pandemic has been the strength and resilience of our communities - a renewed sense of togetherness that has helped us through some of the darkest times of all of our lives. Flashback to this time last year, we all faced the stark reality that we - and especially our frontline healthcare workers needed personal protective equipment (PPE) that just wasn’t made here at home. Grassroots community leaders, local organizations and nonprofits joined forces to make, source and distribute face masks and shields. While at the same time, nearly a hundred businesses here in Waterloo Region alone stepped up to manufacture a variety of PPE to make sure that no Canadian went without. To me, the community's efforts to make masks and face shields were like pandemic victory gardens, working together to make sure that we all got through okay. We all banded together behind our frontline healthcare workers that fought day and night to keep Canadians safe in the face of the unknown. That selfless rise to action in the midst of chaos is the true definition of community and what I’ll always know to be the Canadian spirit. This ‘Pandemic Pivot’ has been one of the greatest industrial and community responses since the Great Wars. Manufacturers like our team at The Canadian Shield scaled at an incredible speed to help meet the demand for PPE in our region. We made 16 million face shields between March 20th and September 2020, with peak production of 1.75M shields a week. Now we not only manufacture face shields, but ASTM medical masks and the automation equipment to make those critical PPE devices. Our team at The Canadian Shield weren’t the only ones to step up and retool. There were dozens more stories like ours across the country. Companies of all kinds pivoted to produce a variety of PPE that our frontline workers and communities desperately needed. Unfortunately, this pandemic has taught us what it means to be reliant on global supply chains. It’s also shown us that permanent steps need to be taken to ensure that critical medical supplies like PPE, vaccines, testing swabs, syringes and a laundry list of other items are made right here at home. While creating a self-sufficient medical device industry in Canada isn’t going to be easy, we believe it’s a vital step in order to protect our critical frontline workers and healthcare system. It’s going to take a sustained government effort in order to create a procurement landscape that levels the playing field so Canadian companies can compete and supply the market. When it comes to PPE and other critical supplies, where we buy matters. When the government and our healthcare system buy masks made here, a much larger percentage of your dollars stay in the economy. At high volumes for hospitals, that difference is as much as 70%. Consumers have a part to play as well - in the economy, dollars are votes. Where you spend your money is what you want the world to look like. When it comes to PPE and other critical supplies, where you buy matters. Looking ahead, it’s hard to know what the future really looks like. New variants are a big curveball for ongoing immunity and we’re still up to a year away from beginning to vaccinate our youth.
Here’s what I think we can all reasonably expect the next year or more to look like; 1. O ngoing mask mandates for anyone in public. Likely upgraded to medical grade masks, 3 ply surgical masks or N95 equivalent. 2. S ocial distancing as the norm for all public outings. 3. R apid screening in businesses and eventually for the public at large. Did you notice that flu season never came? That’s proof that masks and social distancing work. These new health measures for COVID may also mean the end to a variety of seasonal illnesses and prolong many precious lives in our communities that are cut short because of them. Upgrading mask mandates to medical masks may come as a result of reviewing the data from Germany, France and Austria where they made them mandatory at the end of January. Although these countries are in a third wave with the new variants dominating, their per capita case counts and death counts have risen with a much lower curve. It’s well understood that COVID is airborne, better masks will lead to better outcomes. Rapid screening may be our best tool to get ahead of the new variants, track community spread and allow us to be more proactive in our fight against covid19. Our team at The Canadian Shield is just starting to take part in the regional trial for workplace antigen testing and we’re likely to see this program scale quickly across the country. Make sure to check out the program at https://chambercheck.ca/ In the mid term, rapid screening for covid19 is likely to become available for the public to purchase and use to give themselves peace of mind - if the tests are simple enough and accurate, it could really change how we can and can’t behave once the majority of our population is vaccinated. In some ways, covid is the warning flare for greater dangers in our future if we don’t change the way we live. This pandemic has shown us many things, but most prominently in my mind, it’s shown us just how big of an impact we can have when we come together as a community. When this pandemic does come to an end, I think it’s going to be critical for us as a community to remember this combined impact and the difference we can make by changing our habits. By the end of the century, climate change will be a far greater threat to our people and livelihoods than any pestilence. We need to take a hard look at our economy, our supply chains and invest in becoming leaders of reshaping the way we live to coexist with our planet. The future will be bright, and Canada should lead the way. ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jeremy Hedges Jeremy Hedges is the founder and CEO of medical device manufacturer The Canadian Shield. Today the company is one of the largest producers of PPE in the country and is leading the way for product innovation and advanced automation technology in the industry. advocate May | June 2021
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Helping Us Make Our Vision Possible A special Thank You to each of these Chamber Sponsors.
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Member Notables New President and CEO at Equitable Life of Canada The Board of Directors of The Equitable Life Insurance Company of Canada recently appointed Fabien Jeudy as the company’s next President and Chief Executive Officer. He will assume this position on July 5, 2021 from Ronald Beettam who is retiring after sixteen years with the organization. An Equitable news release from March 30, 2021 identified Jeudy as a collaborative leader with more than thirty years of experience across the insurance industry. He graduated from Concordia University in 1990 and is a Fellow of the Canadian Institute of Actuaries. “I’m honoured to be selected by the Board to be the next leader of Equitable Life and I am looking forward to working with the extraordinary leadership team and exemplary people there,” said Jeudy upon his appointment. “There are long standing relationships with advisors and partners, who have helped build Equitable into one of Canada’s largest and most financially stable mutual companies. I’m looking forward to working with them all so we can continue delivering excellent products and service to our clients.”
New CEO at London Chamber of Commerce Graham Henderson is the new Chief Executive Officer at the London Chamber of Commerce. He replaces Gerry Macartney who recently retired after 24 years in the position. Prior to this appointment Mr. Henderson was CEO at Music Canada for fifteen years. He also served with the Ontario Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors for twelve years, including the Chair and Treasurer positions. Graham was also a distinguished entertainment lawyer providing legal representation to many prominent Canadian recording artists and served as Vice-President for Universal Music Canada. The Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce congratulates Mr. Henderson on his appointment and we look forward to working on many mutually beneficial initiatives to assist businesses across southwestern Ontario.
Carol Leaman Appointed to Algonquin Power & Utilities Board of Directors Oakville-based Algonquin Power & Utilities Corporation recently announced the appointment of Carol Leaman to their Board of Directors. Carol is President & CEO of Axonify, a leading organization in developing and providing online training and work process solutions for frontline workers. She is the 2017 recipient of the Profit 500 Award as Canada’s Leading Female Entrepreneur and advises several Canadian technology firms. Algonquin Power & Utilities is a diversified generation, transmission and distribution utility with approximately $13 billion of total assets. They are a global leader in renewable energy through a portfolio of long-term contracted wind, solar and hydroelectric generating facilities.
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member notables
Member Notables Communitech Names Chris Albinson as next CEO Local innovation hub Communitech recently announced that Chris Albinson, a wellestablished technology investor, will assume the position of Chief Executive Officer on May 17, 2021. He will follow Iain Klugman who will depart after 17 years of exemplary service. A graduate of Western University, Mr. Albinson has worked in the San Francisco Bay Area for nearly twenty years. He is, according to a Communitech news release, best known for his role as co-founder of the C100, a San Francisco-based non-profit organization helping Canadian tech businesses establish themselves on the international stage. Numerous Communtech member companies have utilized C100 support over the past decade. The Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce congratulates Mr. Albinson on his appointment and extends our thanks to Iain for his many years of support to businesses and community service organizations across Waterloo Region.
Lori Campbell Appointed to New Role at the University of Regina Lori Campbell, Director of the Indigenous Student Centre at the University of Waterloo, has been appointed Associate Vice-President for Indigenous Engagement at the University of Regina. A release from the University of Regina notes Ms. Campbell has dedicated her career to ensuring that Indigenous students can see themselves in post-secondary institutions. She is also an Adjunct Lecturer at St. Paul’s University College, University of Waterloo. With thirteen years of progressive leadership in student services, academics, research and administration, she is an experienced leader in education with a proven track record particularly in building community and advancing processes of Indigenization, reconciliation, and decolonization. Ms. Campbell will commence her new role on June 1, 2021.
New NovaJet Services at the Region of Waterloo International Airport Aircraft charter company NovaJet recently announced the opening of a base at the Region of Waterloo International Airport. As part of the expansion, NovaJet has added a Learjet 45XR business jet to their current fleet, with pilots and maintenance staff to support the new location. The eight-seat midsize business jet is currently available for exclusive essential travel however will be extended to regular private jet clientele with the lifting of pandemic-related restrictions. The local corporate decision follows 2020 expansions in Atlantic Canada and the recent growth of their Windsor and Toronto bases. NovaJet is a Canadian-based private jet operator offering full-service aircraft charter, management and acquisition. Their charter services are available 24/7 for light, medium and heavy jets as well as helicopters. advocate May | June 2021
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LEXUS IS 2021
THE ALL NEW 2021 LEXUS IS CUTTING EDGE. NEVER CORNERS. The new 2021 Lexus IS writes the next chapter of luxury sports sedans. Developed on the highly demanding Shimoyama Test Track, the IS features a more rigid chassis, sport-tuned suspension, wider stance and precision handling. Available in two naturally aspirated V6 AWD models, and a turbo RWD model, the IS inspires confidence by forging a closer bond between driver and machine. And with a new multimedia system with an available 10.3-inch touchscreen and next generation Lexus Safety System + 2.5, the IS is as innovative as it is thrilling. • Bold, refreshed exterior styling emphasizes the athletic nature of the Lexus IS with its newly designed spindle grille and wider lower stance
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