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The write stuff Teacher-turned-entrepreneur sees bright future for web application designed to reduce essay anxiety
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January 16, 2017 Vol. 20, NO. 6
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Towering ambition
Claridge Homes’ new proposal for fivetower complex at East LeBreton Flats draws mix of reactions. > PAGES 4-5
Better Software Company founder Steve Cody and wife Natalie have high hopes for turning the Kanata startup into a global powerhouse. PHOTO BY MARK HOLLERON
Startup betting on a Better future Better Software Company CEO Steve Cody audaciously pursues billion-dollar goal L-Spark graduate sees coveted spot in national scale-up program as springboard to becoming a technology juggernaut > PAGES 6-7
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Good sports Senators players and execs score major win for kids by raising $450,000 during signature gala at Canadian Tire Centre. > PAGES 10-11
LAUNCH PAD “We didn’t want to be the kinds of people who got frustrated with students or started to blame teachers or class sizes, or any number of excuses. We thought instead of focusing on the problem, let’s try to find a solution.” — ESSAYJACK CO-FOUNDER LINDY LEDOHOWSKI
EssayJack co-founder Lindy Ledohowski says her application is getting a strong response from students and teachers. PHOTO BY MARK HOLLERON
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Startup on write path to success
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Young Ottawa firm that makes application to help students who struggle to write essays lands multimillion-dollar partnership deal with major Canadian education firm BY ADAM FEIBEL adam@obj.ca
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or anyone who has stared at a blank white page trying to figure out how to write an assigned essay for school, two Ottawa entrepreneurs want to help. With more than 15 years of experience in English education in high school and university, former teacher Lindy Ledohowski found struggles with essaywriting to be a persistent problem for
students and decided it was time to do something about it. In 2014, Ms. Ledohowski founded EssayJack with partner Rueban Balasubramaniam, an associate professor at Carleton University’s department of law and legal studies. The pair developed a web application they say has been met with an enthusiastic response from students and educators. The application recently landed the firm a major partnership with one of Canada’s leading educational publishers.
“We didn’t want to be the kinds of people who got frustrated with students or started to blame teachers or class sizes, or any number of excuses,” says Ms. Ledohowski. “We thought instead of focusing on the problem, let’s try to find a solution.” Even in the education technology space – a market that’s expected to grow 17 per cent a year to more than $250 billion by 2020, according to a report by EdTechXGlobal and IBIS Capital – EssayJack’s solution is rather unique. The
interactive web platform is designed to deter procrastination, reduce anxiety and improve work quality by pre-structuring student essays and providing tips along the way. Ms. Ledohowski notes there is no shortage of resources to help students with research and content aggregation, nor is it hard to find help with finishing touches, such as spell-checking and bibliography building. But it’s the middle phase that tends to be the most troublesome yet the least addressed by tech tools. “It’s the difficulty of getting what you know into a format that your teachers and professors are looking for, that adheres to the conventions of scholarly writing,” she says. “We wanted to make that blank screen less intimidating.” Problems with writing don’t start and end in school, either; a 2016 study found that blue-chip businesses in the United States are spending up to $3.1 billion a year on remedial writing training for their employees. Another report found that 26.2 per cent of U.S. post-secondary students had deficient writing skills, according to employers. EssayJack built a prototype in 2014, launched in beta in the fall of 2015 and took part in the L-Spark incubator program the following year. Now, a new multimillion-dollar partnership with Nelson Education could be the young firm’s ticket to major revenue growth, with the company handling the sales and marketing of EssayJack at schools across Canada. After acquiring roughly 1,400 users in its beta year, EssayJack has doubled that number since signing the partnership in October. Ms. Ledohowski says she’s very optimistic about future sales, given the success the company has had marketing the product even in the middle of the school year. While formal educational institutions such as high schools and universities will certainly be a large and stable part of EssayJack’s revenue, they won’t necessarily be its primary market. The most promising revenue stream comes in the form of tutoring and testpreparation services, Ms. Ledohowski says. Those smaller, privately run organizations have much shorter adoption cycles – a bulk licence at a school, for example, takes about 12 to 18 months to implement – and their spending power isn’t as bound by budgets, she notes. Venture capital investment in education companies reached nearly $2 billion in 2014, having grown at a rate of 45 per cent in the previous five years, according to data collected by GSV Advisors, an organization dedicated to education entrepreneurship. EssayJack, however, has remained bootstrapped by choice – in the firm’s early stages, it was offered investments amounting to $200,000, says Ms. Ledohowski.
“Because nothing like EssayJack really exists, there’s a large risk associated with creating something new,” she says. “If we were going to really and truly believe in what we were developing, we felt responsible to take that risk on our own shoulders.”
Ms. Ledohowski adds the company is founded on a deep knowledge of the problems faced by its customers as well as a strong commitment to learning. “We’ve done our 10,000 hours,” she says, “so we put that 10,000 hours’ worth of expertise into building our product.”
and sculpting experience for virtual reality.” Now almost two years old, the startup is planning “huge growth” for 2017, according to CEO Jonathan Gagne.
CHANGE LOG CHANGEJAR ACCEPTED INTO 500 STARTUPS PROGRAM Fintech firm ChangeJar was one of 45 companies selected out of 1,500 applicants to join 500 Startups’ latest cohort late in 2016. The company, which has developed an app that acts as a digital purse for everyday retail purchases and P2P transfers, won investment from the global venture capital fund and startup accelerator as part of a larger pre-seed financing round that included angel investors in Ottawa and Toronto. Founder and CEO Tom Camps said in a statement that the company is “moving ahead full speed” to advance its growth with expansion across Canada and into the United States. BRINX SOFTWARE LAUNCHES NEW VIRTUAL-REALITY PRODUCT Invest Ottawa portfolio company Brinx Software released a new design app last month called MasterpieceVR that lets multiple users collaborate on 3D art projects in virtual reality. The firm markets the software as “the first cross-platform, multiplayer-enabled painting
CALENDAR Give Your Business That Edge Monday, Jan. 16 at 10 a.m. Invest Ottawa, 7 Bayview Dr. More information at investottawa.ca/events
FARMLEAD WINS REGIONAL INNOVATION AWARD Agricultural startup FarmLead, an online marketplace that lets farmers buy and sell grain by connecting directly with other farmers, was given a regional Premier’s Award for AgriFood Innovation Excellence in late November. The award recognizes agricultural innovators whose work strengthens the sector in Ontario and the province’s economy as a whole. The company also earned a #NextBigThingOTT nod at the Best Ottawa Business Awards. Launched in late 2014, FarmLead now employs 11 full-time staff and says it has facilitated tens of millions of dollars of grain trade. SURAITEA FINDING SUCCESS FOR SYRIAN REFUGEES SuraiTea, a social enterprise founded by a University of Ottawa student in early 2016, has added the City of Ottawa’s Social Impact Award to its list of honours recognizing the company’s work to create jobs for and help with the resettlement of Syrian refugees in Canada. The firm also recently partnered with the Ottawa Chinese Community Service Centre to run a sales training program for recently arrived refugees. Since being founded last April, the company has generated 400 hours of work experience and $18,000 in sales, according to chief executive Kevin Smiley.
Huntington Properties would like to thank the following sponsors for their part in making the annual Turkey Awards hosted on November 24th, 2016, such a success. Together we were able to raise $7,500 for the Bruyère Foundation.
Entrepreneurs in Action Thursday, Jan. 19 at 6:30 p.m. Collab Space, 70 Bongard Ave. More information at collabspace.ca
CapCHI Startup Showcase Tuesday, Jan. 17 at 6 p.m. The Fox & Feather, 283 Elgin St. More information at eventbrite.ca
Entrepreneur Q&A Thursday, Jan. 26 at 1 p.m. Invest Ottawa, 7 Bayview Dr. More information at investottawa.ca/events
Link & Lead Wednesday, Jan. 18 at 6 p.m. Desmarais Building (uOttawa), 55 Laurier Ave. E More information at eventbrite.ca
Confessions of an Entrepreneur Tuesday, Jan. 31 at 6:30 p.m. VaVa&Vintage, 35 Grove Ave. More information at eventbrite.ca
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Startup Roller Coaster: The Ups and Downs of Startup Life Thursday, Jan. 26 at 10 a.m. Invest Ottawa, 7 Bayview Dr. More information at investottawa.ca/events
MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 2017
Startup Tune-Up Tuesday, Jan. 17 at 5 p.m. Morisset Library (uOttawa), 65 University Priv. More information at eventbrite.ca
REAL ESTATE Claridge proposes 55-storey tower, grocery store for East LeBreton Flats Residents at open house take wait-and-see approach to developer’s plan for 1,600-unit complex BY CRAIG LORD craig@obj.ca
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laridge Homes says it plans to turn a barren plot of land near the Canadian War Museum into a 1,600unit, five-tower complex aimed at mixedincome households. The proposed LeBreton Flats development, unveiled at an open house earlier this month, would include one 55-storey tower alongside three 25-floor buildings as well as a 30-storey structure. The property already features several residential buildings, including a 15-storey structure east of Lett Street. Claridge Homes will need to apply for a zoning amendment in order to construct towers at
their proposed height. Whether the units will be condominiums or rentals is not yet clear, but planners say that mixed-tenure housing is likely. Included in the design is a podium connecting the two tallest towers with an area set aside for retail space and services. Claridge Homes intends to include a grocery store in this space but has yet to secure a tenant. Danny Brown, a planner with Torontobased Urban Strategies hired by Claridge to create the proposal, said the proposed height and density of the towers is necessary to operate a grocery retailer in the complex. “The density of the 55-storey tower … is
kind of the threshold of people you need to make a large-format grocery store viable,” he said. Mr. Brown called the inclusion of a grocer in the proposal a “no-brainer” to add value to the community. “It’s something people living near LeBreton have been asking for.”
RESIDENTS APPREHENSIVE BUT OPTIMISTIC Claridge purchased the 4.4-hectare property from the National Capital Commission for $8 million more than a decade ago after being the only developer to submit a bid. At the time, critics said many builders were turned off by the NCC’s strict development conditions, such as energy efficiency standards, affordable housing components and a bland colour scheme. While Claridge’s first buildings on the site were panned by some residents as being too ordinary for such a prominent
site, Neil Malhotra – the developer’s vicepresident – told OBJ in 2012 that future phases would likely change many people’s minds. The looming shadow of a 55-storey tower gave some residents at the open house pause, but the grocery store plan seemed to win over a few people in attendance. Andrea Ryan, a nearby resident, called the tower “imposing,” but wasn’t ready to dismiss the project on account of height alone. The idea of a grocery store nearby helps to balance the scales, she said, as does the fact that it will likely take many years for any shovels to break ground. Mike Johansen, another area resident, agreed a grocery store is a much-needed asset in the neighbourhood. He said that while the area is highly accessible by bus and incoming LRT, getting groceries via transit is still awkward for most households. Coun. Jeff Leiper, who represents the
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Roof Maintenance Solutions finds fallen stars atop Ottawa buildings
E Claridge’s plan for East LeBreton Flats includes a 55-storey tower. PHOTO SUPPLIED
neighbouring Kitchissippi Ward, said there’s a lot to like in the proposal, such as the open spaces and available amenities, but the project needs to be focused on accessibility and transit. He said Albert and Booth streets are “awful” for pedestrians, adding he would like to see a more complete street strategy put in place. Mr. Leiper warned that this proposal, alongside the development at 900 Albert Street and the National Capital Commission’s major LeBreton Flats overhaul, will stress neighbourhood streets like never before. “These sites will only be successful if they’re focused on transportation,” he said. Ramon Ross, who lives above the escarpment overlooking the proposed development, said he is concerned about the precedent set by the creeping heights of developments in the city. However, like Ms. Ryan, he isn’t getting upset yet about a project that is still many years from completion. “I’m interested in what is going to practically be built in the short term,” he said. “It looks interesting. You’ve got to build something there.”
“I’m interested in what is going to practically be built in the short term. It looks interesting. You’ve got to build something there.” —
NEARBY RESIDENT RAMON ROSS, ON CLARIDGE’S NEW PROPOSAL FOR EAST LEBRETON FLATS
Mr. Cecchetto says his team has collected some 500 pieces and has recently started to put them to good use.
A single micrometeorite can be as small as a single hair strand (50µm) or up to 2 mm in diameter. Mr. Cecchetto says his team has collected some 500 pieces and has recently started to put them to good use. Roof Maintenance Solutions is partnering with Operation Come Home, an employment, education and support centre for homeless and at-risk youth in Ottawa. While the campaign is still being developed, the vision is to fill small glass vials with micrometeorites before attaching them to bracelets or necklaces sold in the local charity’s store. For the wearer, the jewelry represents a falling star that’s been caught and allows them to make a wish of a prosperous future for the Operation Come Home youth who crafted it. And for the employees of Roof Maintenance Solutions, it’s a way to stimulate their creativity and think about unconventional ways of supporting their community – something Mr. Cecchetto says he can already see is working. “Trust me, the staff now get pretty excited when they find these micrometeorites.”
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Many of these objects were accidently dropped by contractors who previously worked on the roof. On their own, they may not cause much harm. But when the metal edge of a box-cutting blade is under several inches of ice, the pressure can cause the blade to puncture the roof’s membrane and lead to leaks. After magnetically sweeping the
roof, Mr. Cecchetto and his staff sift through the debris and look for the spherical micrometeorites. While many are no larger than small specks, Roof Maintenance Solutions staff have found micrometeorites as large as a pea.
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next 10 to 15 years might have significant impact on what kinds of uses are attractive for our side of Booth Street,” Mr. Brown said. Claridge Homes’ proposal also includes plans for both affordable and seniors’ housing. The proportion of space provided for these uses in the development will significantly affect the overall cost, which Mr. Brown wouldn’t speculate on at this UNCERTAINTY AHEAD time. Mr. Brown said specifics in this initial The timeline for development remains proposal are subject to a great deal of hazy as well. Depending on the overall change, and that with a great degree of public response, the development team uncertainty surrounding the development, could submit its application to the city that might be a good thing. within a few weeks or a few months. Mr. For one, several incoming developments Brown estimates the approval process will surrounding the East Flats will affect the take a year beyond that, and, if everything kinds of services that may be implemented. moves as smoothly as possible, the first Across the road, west of Booth Street, is tower could be completed in four years at the site of Rendez Vous LeBreton’s proposed the earliest. redevelopment. Several commercial “There’s just a lot of question marks,” he elements were approved by the NCC, but said. it remains to be seen how many of those Mr. Brown said the podium and the two proposals will actually be built. tallest towers, including a grocery store, are “Whether or not that comes to fruition likely to be constructed in the first phase of and how that build-out happens over the development.
rnie Cecchetto was a teenager when he first learned how to catch fragments of a shooting star. Now, as an adult and president of Ottawa-based Roof Maintenance Solutions, he collects them on a regular basis. Micrometeorites are small, metallic extraterrestrial particles that hurtle through the earth’s atmosphere at high speeds before being scattered across the planet. “Intrigued” by the thought of finding these dust-sized objects that fall to the Earth, Mr. Cecchetto soon realized after he entered the commercial property industry that the large flat roofs he maintains on a daily basis are an ideal catching point. It turned out that the techniques Roof Maintenance Solutions uses to preserve and extend the lifespan of roofs are also ideal for finding micrometeorites. After clearing a roof of organic matter such as algae, the company’s employees use a large magnetic bar to collect metallic debris such as fasteners and nails.
TECHNOLOGY “We could’ve stayed in our basement and we could’ve built a great lifestyle business, but we just saw an opportunity to help a lot more people and do something special.” — STEVE CODY, FOUNDER OF THE BETTER SOFTWARE COMPANY at its Kanata headquarters and is aiming to generate revenues of more than $4 million in 2017. “We could’ve stayed in our basement and we could’ve built a great lifestyle business, but we just saw an opportunity to help a lot more people and do something special,” Mr. Cody says. The firm’s door of opportunity opened a little wider late last year, when it was one of just 10 startups from across the country to make the cut for the first cohort of the Waterloo-based Lazaridis Institute’s inaugural Scale-Up Program. The year-long program pairs some of the country’s most promising young tech companies with expert business mentors in an effort to grow the fledgling firms into large-scale enterprises with a global reach. Partly funded by BlackBerry founder Mike Lazaridis, the program includes a series of weekend workshops on topics such as leadership and talent management, product design, global branding and risk management. In April, the 10 startups will spend a week in Silicon Valley, where they meet with seasoned tech executives and successful founders to learn how to expand their presence in the lucrative U.S. market. “They want us going global fast,” Mr. Cody says. “What else can you ask for? From their point of view, whatever it takes to make Better Software Company founder and CEO Steve Cody (left) sees big things in store for the Kanata tech startup. PHOTO BY MARK HOLLERON you successful.” Mr. Cody and his team beat out more than 100 other fledgling companies from across Canada to earn a coveted spot in the Lazaridis 10. But beating the odds has become old hat for a firm that was initially rejected for the inaugural cohort of Kanata’s L-Spark accelerator in 2014. True to form, Mr. Cody refused to take no for an answer. He managed to arrange a meeting with an L-Spark executive, who was so impressed with Mr. Cody’s concept he squeezed him into a pitchfest at the last minute. With less than a day to prepare, the man who readily concedes he’s a “sales guy” and not a tech guy worked his magic on the BY DAVID SALI poor in a single-parent household gradually Better Software Company: he believes judges and made the grade. david@obj.ca built his own mini-empire of companies, it can become a billion-dollar business Today, Better Software is one of L-Spark’s including a party supplies outfit, an within five years. most successful graduates, and the teve Cody’s business philosophy is equipment rental firm and Monster “We’ve taken a lot of flak for (saying) accelerator’s managing director, Leo Lax, is summed up nicely in a quote from Halloween, a chain of costume rental stores that,” the affable entrepreneur concedes now chair of its board. auto racing legend Mario Andretti that eventually spread to 26 locations. with a chuckle, noting some other local tech “Both programs were tough to get that is featured prominently in Mr. Cody’s In all, Mr. Cody calculates he’s launched founders and executives are uncomfortable into, and I think both equally impact us at Kanata boardroom. 15 businesses that have generated more with such bold talk from an Ottawa startup. different stages,” Mr. Cody says. “You pinch “If everything seems under control,” the than $250 million in total sales. However, But the man who clawed his way up yourself.” bold letters declare, “you’re just not going he says none can touch the potential of the ladder doesn’t see why he can’t climb Not bad for a self-made businessman who fast enough.” the Better Software Company, a startup all the way to the top rung. The Better used to wash the windows at Terry Matthews’ In an entrepreneurial career that has he launched in 2014 that helps small Software Company now has more than house. Now, he meets regularly with Ottawa’s spanned more than three decades, Mr. business clients plan and manage wide3,000 customers on its roster, ranging from most renowned tech mentor to discuss Cody has always felt comfortable at full ranging aspects of their operations – from auto detailers to pet groomers, most in global sales strategies and other fine points of speed when it comes to business. After scheduling to inventory – all in one the United States and Canada but others building a startup, and Mr. Matthews’ Wesley quitting school in Grade 10 to launch platform. as far-flung as Australia and New Zealand. Clover is an investor in the firm. his first enterprise, a window washing Never one to hide his light under a The firm has landed more than $3 million “To actually be sitting with the man or company, the Ottawa boy who grew up bushel, Mr. Cody has a clear target for the in seed funding, employs about 40 people having him give me a call at 11:30 at night to
Better Software Company moving full speed ahead
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Kanata startup hopes spot in coveted scale-up program propels it to an ambitious goal: becoming a billion-dollar company within five years
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Better Software’s ‘passion’ set it apart, Lazaridis Institute CEO says No one would ever accuse Steve Cody of lacking enthusiasm for his work. That drive is exactly what put The Better Software Company over the top when it beat out 100 other competitors to land one of 10 coveted spots in inaugural cohort of the Lazaridis Institute’s Canadian Scale-Up Program. “Their passion and their laser-like focus on what they were trying to accomplish and how they were going about doing it stood out in my mind,” Carlo Chiarello, CEO of the Waterloobased institution, told OBJ in a recent interview. “I’m a passionate guy. I know how much that plays a role in terms of the focus that you give your own team and what you bring to the table when you’re meeting with investors and clients. Passion is not something you can teach. You definitely have to bring your A-game, and that’s what Steve and the company did.” Mr. Chiarello is no stranger to the Ottawa technology scene. The veteran executive spent nearly a decade working in the capital for Nortel and wireless firm Innovance Networks in the 1990s and early 2000s before moving on to BlackBerry, where he eventually became executive vice-president of the company’s handset division in Waterloo. He said The Better Software Company’s product stands out because its management solutions appeal to a broad range of small and medium-sized enterprises, from auto detailing shops to beauty salons. “When you look at the small and medium business market and take the global view of this, the reality is that’s the majority of businesses in the world, especially when you start looking at Europe and other places,” Mr. Chiarello said. “It’s not about only marketing to Canada. This is about how do we help scale companies to be global leaders but remain in Canada.” One of the program’s goals, he said, is to give startups with big ambitions the tools to realize their dreams, whether it’s advice on marketing, product development or other major issues. Mr. Cody has made no secret of his desire to build The Better Software Company into a billion-dollar enterprise within five years – an audacious goal that’s raised more than a few eyebrows in the capital but has Mr. Chiarello’s full endorsement. “We believe that whole risk-taking (mentality) and being able to think bigger, plan bigger, go after the bigger numbers, is important,” he said. “That’s great that Steve’s thinking that way, because that will really allow the juices to flow in terms of how do you do it.” The pilot project pairs each startup with experienced mentors – dubbed “sherpas” – who have scaled companies successfully and will offer guidance and support. The startup founders will also share ideas and advice among themselves during various weekend get-togethers, and the firms will be introduced to tech investors from across Canada and the United States. The program is designed to arm the country’s most promising tech startups with the knowledge and resources they need to become global leaders in their fields, Mr. Chiarello said. “This is not an executive MBA program,” he said. “There are no theory-based elements here. This is all practical, experienced businesspeople coming together to solve practical problems.”
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been a constant in the Cody clan, a tradition that carries on today. Steve and Natalie’s son Brad is now the Better Software Company’s product manager, while their daughter Katrina built the firm’s website and designed the logo. “Dinners we’d talk about our businesses,” Natalie says. “We’ve always worked as a team.” The growth trajectory of a startup is rarely a straight line, and the Better Software Company is no exception. Last June, the firm was forced to lay off 42 employees after a $3-million funding deal fell through at the last second. Mr. Cody concedes that was a “really tough day.” But buoyed by the prospect of new product offerings, including a predictive analytics tool called Sherlock that is currently in development, as well as the expertise he is soaking up in the Lazaridis program, he believes his most promising enterprise yet is ready to hit the gas pedal. “We’ve got to move fast,” Mr. Cody says. “In technology, time is your biggest enemy. Because somebody else will get there if you don’t.”
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say, ‘Steve, you’ve got to do this,’ that’s pretty cool in itself,” Mr. Cody says with a hint of wonder in his voice. “For me, Terry was an idol growing up.” Other key investors include Bruce Linton, the CEO of medical marijuana firm Canopy Growth Corp. and software company Martello Technologies. Mr. Linton, who knows a thing or two about getting in on the ground floor of a fast-rising industry, has never been shy about stating his desire to be the dominant player in the marijuana space. He sees that same fire in Mr. Cody and his team. “I like what they’re doing,” he says. “I like the traction they’ve had with some initial clients, and I like how they run their business. They’re trying to do things in a fashion (where) they’re not trying to be like the best little firm in west Ottawa. Their goals are a bit more intense than that.” Still, Mr. Cody’s most important partner is undoubtedly his wife Natalie. The pair started dating in Grade 9 and have been virtually inseparable, in business and in life, ever since. Indeed, entrepreneurship has always
Celebrating 25 years!
COMMENTARY Finding Ottawa’s best parking deals
to the centre’s location on Uplands Drive and that future LRT rail service to the airport will also serve the EY Centre. And he says the daily fee of $8 is far below the maximum charge at most public parking locations in central Ottawa, which is true. Perhaps his most compelling argument is this: “If we made parking free, our 1,800-car parking lot would be filled with air travellers.” The centre is within walking distance of the Ottawa airport. of the Shenkman Corporation, which Fair enough. But what about parking operates the EY Centre. But he made a rates generally in the city? Most public persuasive case for the $8 daily parking parking rates in Ottawa are reasonable, charge when I phoned him inquiring the I believe. For that, we partly should reason for it. thank the City of Ottawa, which charges As many as 10,000 people might moderate rates for on-street parking. The attend an event at the centre, and many city also sets a good example by charging of them might leave the venue at about a flat daily rate of just $2 on weekends in the same time. It would be chaotic if they the large underground parking garage at had to pay varying parking charges on city hall on Elgin Street. departure; it’s much simpler and more Still, the best parking deal of all is at consumer-friendly to charge a flat fee, the World Exchange Plaza, at the corner Mr. McCrann says, adding there have of Metcalfe and Albert streets in the heart been “zero complaints.” of downtown. It offers free parking all day The EY Centre is not out to make long on weekends. money from parking, insists Mr. Several retailers at the new Lansdowne McCrann. He points out the centre Park shopping complex also offer free worked with the city to get bus service parking for their customers. You just have to get them to stamp your parking ticket. Good, old-fashioned competition among retailers is chiefly what keeps down Ottawa parking rates. Bayshore Shopping Centre in the west end recently expanded its already large free parking lots, partly to give itself an edge over the Rideau Centre downtown. Still, the Rideau Centre, Ottawa’s premier shopping destination, has among the lowest rates of all downtown public parking lots. It charges $1.50 per half hour for the first three hours, giving a shopper three hours for $9. That’s little more than return bus fare from anywhere in Ottawa to the Rideau Centre. “Our rate structure is designed to accommodate short-term parkers and reflects typical length of a shopping visit,” explains Rideau Centre general manager Cindy VanBuskirk. The National Arts Centre, which has a daily maximum parking rate of $18, drops this rate to $11 after 4 p.m. to accommodate those attending shows in the evening. However, parking is not cheap for fans of the National Hockey League’s Ottawa Senators or those attending concerts at the Canadian Tire Centre. Parking for Senators games or concerts ranges from $15 to $25, depending how far you park from the arena. Compared with those rates, that $8 charge for most events at the EY Centre seems reasonable.
Free parking downtown? It’s there if you know where to look, explains Michael Prentice
H
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ow much is too much to pay to park in our increasingly congested city? For me, the limit is about $3 an hour, and that would be for short-term parking. I would not want to pay that much for more than an hour or two. Recently, I planned my first visit to the EY Centre, Ottawa’s spectacular and relatively new trade show and convention facility near the airport. When I arrived, I found the centre charged a flat daily fee of $8 for parking. I decided that was too much for my intended visit of an hour or two to a Christmas craft show, and I left. “Nobody likes to pay for parking,” acknowledges Kevin McCrann, president
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Michael Prentice is OBJ’s columnist on retail and consumer issues. He can be contacted at news@obj.ca.
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EVENTS Forty Under 40 nominations open For 20 straight years, the Ottawa Business Journal has been honouring the top 40 professionals under the age of 40 to highlight the talent within the National Capital Region. Now, in partnership with the Ottawa Chamber of Commerce, OBJ is once again looking for individuals who reflect the economic diversity, entrepreneurial spirit and dynamism of Ottawa’s business community. Nominations can be submitted online here by the end of March. Applications are judged on the nominee’s business accomplishments, professional expertise and community involvement. Past recipients of the Forty Under 40 award have included high-tech CEOs, health-care providers, financial consultants, sports enthusiasts, restaurant owners, newscasters, and
and
present:
Mayor’s Breakfast Series A unique opportunity to enjoy breakfast with His Worship Mayor Jim Watson and hear from business and community leaders about issues critical to Ottawa.
Guest Speaker: Allan Reid, President & CEO, CARAS/The JUNO Awards Wednesday, February 1, 2017 Location: Ottawa City Hall Registration: 7:00 am Buffet Breakfast: 7:30 am Presentation: 8:00 am INDIVIDUAL TICKETS: $35.00 + HST (Ottawa Chamber Members) $50.00 + HST (Non-Members) CORPORATE TABLES OF 8 WITH SIGNAGE: $245 + HST (Ottawa Chamber Members) $350 + HST (Non-Members)
professionals and executives from a wide range of industries. The 2017 Forty Under 40 recipients will be announced in late April. An awards gala to celebrate the accomplishments of this year’s recipients will be held on Friday, June 16 at the Hilton Lac-Leamy. – OBJ staff
Register online www.ottawachamber.ca Event Sponsors:
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EVENTS
“It’s surreal. You come here and you watch so many terrific players and everything that gets done on the ice. Then, to experience it for a different reason, in this case doing great things for the community.”— GOLDY HYDER, BOARD CHAIR OF THE OTTAWA SENATORS FOUNDATION AND PRESIDENT AND CEO OF HILL+KNOWLTON STRATEGIES CANADA
Sens soiree scores big money for kids in need BY CAROLINE PHILLIPS SPECIAL TO OBJ
T Wives and girlfriends of the Senators players (above) are joined by Spartacat at the Ferguslea Senators Soiree on Jan. 10. Sens public address announcer “Stuntman” Stu Schwartz (left) introduces the players before dinner. Below (clockwise from upper left), defenceman Dion Phaneuf with wife Elisha Cuthbert (right) and Barbara Crook of Ferguslea Properties; defenceman Chris Wideman and Bell executive Mirko Bibic; Senators president Cyril Leeder with daughter Ciera Leeder; Senators coach Guy Boucher (far left) and his wife Marsha Akkerhuis are joined by former mayor Jim Durrell and his daughter Melissa; and centre Kyle Turris with wife Julie, Ottawa Senators Foundation president Danielle Robinson and her partner Wayne Mullett.
MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 2017
PHOTOS BY CAROLINE PHILLIPS
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he Ottawa Senators parlayed home ice advantage into a major win for kids in our community earlier this month, raising nearly $450,000 at their signature gala, the Ferguslea Senators Soirée presented by Bell. A crowd of more than 750 turned out for the black-tie event at the Canadian Tire Centre on Jan. 10. This was no hot dogs and nachos affair; attendees enjoyed a fourcourse gourmet meal in the rink where the Sens beat the Oilers two days earlier. Goldy Hyder, board chair of the Ottawa Senators Foundation and president and CEO of Hill+Knowlton Strategies Canada, attended that game and marvelled that two days later he was standing on the same surface – minus the ice, of course. “It’s surreal,” he said of standing near what would be centre ice on game day. “You come here and you watch so many terrific players and everything that gets done on the ice. Then, to experience it for a different reason, in this case doing great things for the community.” For the players, the arena represents their workplace. “This is their office and they’ve invited us in and given us a feel for it,” said Mr. Hyder. Not that the venue resembled a typical office – or even an ice rink for that matter. It was transformed into a modern ballroom with elegant dinner tables, carpeted flooring, bright lights, stylish decor and fancy video screens. The evening began with a performance show on stage featuring visual artist Elliott From. With Pearl Jam music blasting, the artist frenetically crafted a canvas painting of the Sens logo. It was later sold off during the live auction. The enviable list of items up for grabs also included a kids’ street hockey game with a couple of the Senators players, golfing with Senators GM Pierre Dorion and a private dinner party with a pair of
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Left, performance artist Elliott From puts the finishing touches on a canvas painting of the Sens logo. Above (from left), forward Mark Stone is joined by Senators Foundation board chair Goldy Hyder, president and CEO of Hill+Knowlton Strategies Canada, Mr. Hyder’s wife Fatima and defenceman Cody Ceci; Scotiabank VP Luigi Bastianelli with Melinda Currey, fiancee of Senators captain Erik Karlsson, Mr. Karlsson and Scotia Wealth Management VP Geoff Moore. PHOTOS BY CAROLINE PHILLIPS
Sens players. The evening, in honour of the team’s 25th anniversary year, was a throwback to the Sens at Your Service benefit dinners the club used to host at the arena. In more recent years, the popular gala has been held at the Hilton Lac Leamy in Gatineau. The exclusive event is one of only two fundraisers held each year that features
When can an employee’s off-duty conduct give rise to disciplinary action?
Karin Pagé is a lawyer in the Litigation Law Group at Perley-Robertson, Hill & McDougall. Karin practices primarily in the area of employment and labour law, and also represents clients in contract disputes, defamation and trade secret cases. She has represented clients at mediation, arbitration, at trial, and on appeals before various courts and administrative tribunals.
L U N C H
education programs that promote physical and mental wellness through the team’s charitable arm, the Ottawa Senators Foundation. Funds from last year’s dinner sent more than 1,000 kids to summer camp, helped more than 500 children learn how to skate and gave a boost to youth mental health education and treatment programs.
S E R I E S Topic: Health Innovation Featuring: Professor Wojtek Michalowski, Telfer School of Management
Wojtek Michalowski
Keynote Presenter: Mr. William Charnetski, Chief Health Innovation Strategist for Ontario When: Tuesday, February 7, 2017 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Where: Fairmont Chateau Laurier (Canadian Room - lower level) Individual Tickets: $60 + HST (Ottawa Chamber Members) $75 + HST (Non-members) Corporate Tables of 10: $540 + HST (Ottawa Chamber Members) $675 + HST (Non-members)
William Charnetski Sponsored by:
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Email info@ottawabusinessevents.ca to receive weekly updates on all our events.
MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 2017
Perley-Robertson, Hill and McDougall unravels the disciplinary action associated with an employee’s off-duty conduct. Read more here: www.techopia.ca/perley
the presence of the entire active Senators roster, members of the coaching staff and front office. Each player and their date are introduced on stage by Sens PA announcer “Stuntman” Stu Schwartz before joining guests at their tables for dinner. The money raised helps to give kids across the region and western Quebec access to sports, recreation activities and
TECHNOLOGY Money in metrics: Klipfolio secures $12M Series-B financing round “Hiring will be a big thing for us in 2017 … so that’s something that’s pretty exciting, and something we definitely want to make sure Ottawa knows about.”
BY ADAM FEIBEL adam@obj.ca
O
ttawa software firm Klipfolio kicked off the new year in style, landing a $12-million series-B financing round the company says will help it hire dozens of new employees. The firm’s latest funding round was led by OMERS Ventures and included all the investors from Klipfolio’s previous series-A round in 2015 and its seed round in 2014. It brings the company’s total to-date funding to $19.4 million. Klipfolio offers cloud-based software that allows users to build their own business dashboards that display key metrics for their firm. It’s doubled its customer base each year since it first received financing in 2014 and now serves more than 7,000 customers globally, up
— KLIPFOLIO CEO ALLAN WILLE from 4,000 one year ago. Klipfolio will be looking to carry that momentum into the new year after a “spectacular” 2016, and the new funding will help make that happen, CEO Allan Wille told OBJ. Mr. Wille said the company will be investing in three key areas in 2017: Product content and efficiency, ease of use and scalability. The company will be looking to add features to its software while maintaining
stability and performance, he said. “There is a massive number of smalland mid-sized businesses that need help controlling and understanding the metrics that matter most to them,” he said. “As we move up, that whole side of the infrastructure is a part that we really need to make sure scales properly.” Klipfolio also plans to increase its headcount. The firm currently employs 68 full-time workers and will be looking to add
40 to 45 new employees this year. “Hiring will be a big thing for us in 2017 … so that’s something that’s pretty exciting, and something we definitely want to make sure Ottawa knows about,” Mr. Wille added. In addition to OMERS Ventures, the other investors were BDC Capital, Mistral Venture Partners, Fundfire, BOLDstart Ventures, Acadia Woods and Converge Venture Partners. “Klipfolio serves an important role in the market, offering businesses of all sizes access to real-time data – something that was previously readily available to just ‘the big guys’ with much larger resources,” Damien Steel of OMERS Ventures said in a statement. “Their ability to make critical data accessible in a user-friendly, affordable platform empowers even the smallest of businesses to make smart, data-driven decisions.” Founded in 2001 and bootstrapped for more than a decade, Klipfolio credits its rapid growth over the past three years in part to the decision to take on venturecapital financing. “Every round of financing has allowed us to get to that next level,” said Mr. Wille. “The number of customers, the value and depth of our product, how we differentiate and how we’re targeting specific customers – looking back, the funding has dramatically increased the speed at which we’ve been able to accomplish all those things.”
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Hydro Ottawa celebrates a century illuminating the capital
MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 2017
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lightly more than a century ago, Ottawa’s first municipally-owned utility was born. In January 1916, the City of Ottawa’s Municipal Electric Department officially became the Ottawa Hydro Electric Commission (or Ottawa Hydro), enabling the city to provide reliable, continuous power and improve the quality of life for all residents by offering electricity. Few organizations directly touch the lives of so many residents, or are so fundamental to the success of local companies, as Hydro Ottawa. From illuminating Ottawa’s early office buildings to powering the futuristic telecom labs in the city’s technology corridors, the history of Hydro Ottawa is
closely intertwined with the city’s economic success over the past 100 years. While much has changed over the past century, Hydro Ottawa continues to focus on providing reliable and affordable electricity – the same mandate that led to its creation. In the early 1900s, the privately-owned Ottawa Light, Heat and Power Co. had a monopoly on power in the nation’s capital and charged rates that not all residents could afford. However, once Hydro Ottawa – then known as the Ottawa Hydro Electric Commission – started operations, Ottawa Light, Heat and Power Co. was forced to match the city’s considerably lower rates. Bringing affordable
electricity to the masses unleashed a new era of growth, innovation and prosperity to the city and its residents. Municipal electricity was solidified in 1950 when the city-owned Ottawa Hydro Electric Commission bought the Ottawa Light, Heat and Power Co. for $7.6 million. There have been many milestones and turning points since, including: The provincial Electricity Act: In 1998, the Ontario government introduced a requirement for all hydro utilities in Ontario to operate as business corporations with the goal of facilitating a competitive marketplace for electricity. 1998 ice storm: More than 85 millimetres of freezing rain, ice pellets and snow fell on Ottawa during a series of storms, creating a thick ice that downed power lines and forced tens of thousands of people out of their homes. Often working double shifts
in frigid temperatures, hydro employees came together to restore power as quickly as possible. Amalgamation: In November 2000, Gloucester Hydro, Goulbourn Hydro, Kanata Hydro, Nepean Hydro and Ottawa Hydro come together to create Hydro Ottawa. Casselman Hydro would later join in 2002. As such, the company became the third-largest municipallyowned electrical utility in Ontario. Energy Ottawa: Established in 2000, the new entity took ownership of two generating stations at Chaudière Falls, later refurbishing them to double their renewable generation capacity while maintaining their heritage nature. It is now the largest municipally-owned producer of green power in the province. Today, Hydro Ottawa is at the forefront of a changing future. For example, it’s
converting some 58,000 streetlights across the city to LED technology, generating significant financial savings, as well as installing electric vehicle charging stations at its offices. Hydro Ottawa continues to provide effective and efficient service to customers while being a strong strategic partner for the city by helping it deliver on its economic development and environmental agendas. “One thing that hasn’t changed is our commitment to provide reliable and affordable electricity to the residents of Ottawa,” says Hydro Ottawa president and CEO Bryce Conrad. “This ideal is what our company was built on, and it’s a mission we strive to uphold today.”
FINANCE Local executive named in U.S. Treasury Department sanctions out as chamber chair BY CRAIG LORD craig@obj.ca
T
he Ottawa Chamber of Commerce is currently without a chairperson as its former board leader, Marie Boivin, continues to battle sanctions by the U.S. Treasury Department that have forced the temporary closure of her currency exchange business. A chamber spokesperson told OBJ earlier this month that “Ms. Boivin is no longer the chair” but declined further comment. The organization’s website no longer lists a chairperson in its board of directors listing, with vice-chair Ian Sherman now getting top spot on the list.
Meanwhile, Ottawa-based currency exchange service Accu-Rate Corp., where Ms. Boivin serves as director and which was also sanctioned by the Treasury Department, is halting service for an “undetermined period of time.” In a statement on its website, AccuRate says it is in the process of having both the company and Ms. Boivin removed from the Treasury Department’s sanctions list and is working to remedy the situation for affected clients. Last September, the Treasury Department imposed sanctions on twelve individuals and 24 entities as part of a money laundering investigation into allegations of fraud by Vancouver-based
PacNet Services Ltd. Accu-Rate was sanctioned, along with Ms. Boivin and president Paul Davis, after the Treasury Department alleged that it was part of a network of entities that had processed payments in a series of mail fraud schemes. Earlier this month, a Treasury Department spokesperson declined to comment on the progress of these allegations or any defence by Accu-Rate or Ms. Boivin. Ms. Boivin declined to comment for this article. In an e-mail to Business in Vancouver in September, she denied any allegations of wrongdoing. An OBJ Forty Under 40 recipient
Accu-Rate Corp.’s Marie Boivin. FILE PHOTO
in 2009, Ms. Boivin has run Accu-Rate for more than 15 years and had been a member of the chamber’s board of directors since 2010. In an interview with OBJ after being named chair last June, she said one of her top priorities would be to encourage more co-operation among various local business groups and economic agencies, including Invest Ottawa and the region’s other chambers of commerce.
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Access to Industry Influencers Visit: InsideTrack.Show
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Company/Address/ Phone/Fax/Web Nokia 600 March Rd. Ottawa, ON K2K 2E6 613-591-3600 nokia.com Ciena Corp.* 3500 Carling Ave. Ottawa, ON K2H 8E9 613-670-2000 ciena.com Cisco 1700-340 Albert St. Ottawa, ON K1R 7Y6 613-788-7200 cisco.com/ca Sanmina* 1100-500 Palladium Dr. Kanata, ON K2V 1C2 613-886-6000 / 613-886-6001 sanmina.com Lumentum Operations LLC 61 Bill Leathem Dr. Ottawa, ON K2J 0P7 613-843-3000 / 613-843-2800 lumentum.com OZ Optics 219 Westbrook Rd. Ottawa, ON K0A 1L0 613-831-0981 / 613-836-5089 ozoptics.com Iridian Spectral Technologies 2700 Swansea Cres. Ottawa, ON K1G 6R8 613-741-4513 / 613-741-9986 iridian.ca Juniper Networks Canada 200-1000 Innovation Dr. Ottawa, ON K2K 3E7 613-287-1700 juniper.net Lumenera Corp. 7 Capella Crt. Ottawa, ON K2E 8A7 613-736-4077 / 613-736-4071 lumenera.com Pleora Technologies 300-340 Terry Fox Dr. Kanata, ON K2K 3A2 613-270-0625 / 613-270-1425 pleora.com Light Machinery 1-80 Colonnade Rd. N. Nepean, ON K2E 7L2 613-749-4895 / 613-749-8179 lightmachinery.com Optelian 1 Brewer Hunt Way Ottawa, ON K2K 2B5 613-287-2000 optelian.com Honeywell 100-303 Terry Fox Dr. Ottawa, ON K2K 3J1 613-591-7777 / 613-591-7789 honeywell.com Optiwave Systems 7 Capella Crt. Ottawa, ON K2E 7X1 613-224-4700 / 613-224-4706 optiwave.com BMV Optical Technologies 26 Concourse Gate Ottawa, ON K2E 7T7 613-228-2442 / 613-228-4003 bmvoptical.com Luminos Industries 5-11 Tristan Crt. Ottawa, ON K2E 8B9 613-225-7661 / 613-225-3391 luminos.com B-Con Engineering Inc. 14 Capella Crt. Nepean, ON K2E 7V6 613-727-0021 / 613-727-0493 bconeng.com PixeLINK 410-1900 City Park Dr. Ottawa, ON K1J 1A3 613-247-1211 pixelink.com Applied Micro Circuits 62 Stacie Dr. Ottawa, ON K2K 2A9 613-254-6700 / 613-254-6701 apm.com Westboro Photonics 301-1505 Carling Ave. Ottawa, ON K1Z 7L9 613-729-0614 wphotonics.com
LARGEST PHOTONICS COMPANIES (RANKED BY NUMBER OF LOCAL EMPLOYEES)
No. of Ottawa employees
Key Ottawa-based executive(s)
Year est. in Ottawa
Publicly Traded?/ Major clients Listing
Product description
2200
James Watt chief operating officer of IP/optical networks group
2006
Y NASDAQ Helsinki: NOKIA NYSE: NOK
Bell Canada; Telus; SaskTel; Shaw Communications
Helps communication service providers, governments and large enterprises deliver on the promise of 5G, the Cloud and the Internet of Things with software, hardware and services for any type of network.
1500
James Frodsham senior vice-president and chief strategy officer
1992
Y NASDAQ: CIEN
Telecommunications
Network equipment specialist providing systems, software and services to service providers, governments and enterprises.
550
Subir Chadha Susan George
1984
Y NASDAQ: CSCO
Government; small, medium and large enterprises; service providers
Borderless networks; collaboration; data centre and virtualization; routers and switches; security and surveillance; home and small business services
450
Geoff Beale vice-president of operations and plant manager
1980
Y NASDAQ: SANM
WND
Manufactures optical and radio frequency/microwave products. Develops custom end-to-end supply chain, manufacturing processes, tests and tools.
350
Doug Alteen vice-president of product line management, telecom
2015
Y NASDAQ: LITE
WND
Manufacturer of optical and photonic products enabling advanced manufacturing techniques and diverse applications including next-generation 3D sensing capabilities.
260
Omur Sezerman president and CEO
1985
N
Telecommunications; military/aerospace; oil and gas; industrial; medical and pharmaceutical
Fibre-optic components; test equipment; sensor systems
140
George Laframboise president
1998
N
WND
Provides optical thin film solutions and coating services to a wide variety of industrial and research sectors. Global supplier for applications in telecommunications, spectroscopy and the entertainment industry.
85
Robert Keys vice-president of engineering
2000
NYSE: JNPR
Fujitsu; Cogeco; CyrusOne; Epsilon; Interxion; IPC; Rackspace
Next-generation packet optical systems
60
Huw Leahy president Dany Longaval vice-president of sales
2002
N
Industrial; scientific; medical; education; security; imaging worldwide
Develops and manufactures digital cameras for industrial, scientific and surveillance applications; offers custom design services to OEM partners requiring specialized hardware and software features.
55
George Chamberlain CEO Harry Page president
2000
N
Industrial automation; medical imaging; security/defence
Supplier of GigE and USB 3.0 video interface products for high-performance factory automation, medical, transportation, and security imaging systems.
38
John Hunter president
2002
N
Medical device manufacturers; government labs
Pulsed gas lasers (Excimer and TEA CO2); precision optics
36
David Weymouth CEO
2002
N
MSO’s; enterprise; telecommunications; data centres
Develops, sells and services optical networking solutions for access, metro, long-haul, mobile backhaul and enterprise campus and data center applications.
30
Marina Mississian senior director, ComDev Canada Defense and Space
1974
Y NYSE: HON
CSA; DND; NASA
Designs and builds optical space instruments and microsatellite missions for application in areas such as earth remote sensing, astronomy, atmospheric sciences and space situational awareness.
25
Jan Jakubczyk CEO Bryan Tipper vice-president of sales and marketing
1994
N
General Dynamics; Huawei; NTT; Fortune 500 companies; universities and government research labs; US, Japanese, European markets
Provider of software design tools for optoelectronic and optical system engineers, hosting a suite of simulation software products.
22
Tom Millen president Terry Vineham vice-president
2001
N
Industrial; telecommunication; miltary; medical; research and development
Manufacturer of precision optical components primarily used in laser-based applications. Also manufactures optical lens systems and thin film coatings. Sectors served include military, medical, telecom, R&D and commercial industries.
16
Murray Harman chief technology officer and founder
1996
N
Photonics; oil and gas; instrumentation
Flexure-based positioners/stages; moving optical fiber switches; optical fiber hand tools
14
Brian Creber chief technology officer and president
1988
N
WND
Optics manufacturing company producing aspheric, diamond-turned, free form, plastic optics, and using advanced metrology techniques to provide advanced optical components and optical systems.
14
Paul Saunders president
1992
N
Machine vision; welding; inspection; traffic and surveillance; research
Designs and manufactures digital cameras for the scientific and industrial markets.
12
WND
1979
Y NASDAQ: AMCC
WND
Provides network and embedded power architecture processing, optical transport and storage solutions.
12
Tim Moggridge president
1994
N
Automotive; avionics; display testing
Designs, engineers and manufactures instrumentation to measure and characterize light emission, reflection and transmission. Creates faster, more accurate and more informative light measurement equipment.
WND = Would not disclose. *Did not respond to 2017 survey – using data from previous years. Should your company be on this list? If so, please send details to research@obj.ca This list is current as of January 12, 2017. © 2015 by Ottawa Business Journal. All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced by any method in whole or in part without written permission by Ottawa Business Journal. While every attempt is made to ensure the thoroughness and accuracy of the list, omissions and errors sometimes occur. Please send any corrections or additions by e-mail to research@obj.ca. OBJ lists are primarily compiled using information provided voluntarily by the organizations named. Some firms that may qualify for the list are not included because the company either failed to respond to requests for information by press time, because the company declined to take part in the survey or because of space constraints. Categories are drawn up in attempt to gather information of relevance to the Ottawa market. Research by Patti Moran. Please send questions and comments to research@obj.ca.
FOR THE RECORD People on the move CloudMask is growing with the addition of Jacques Flipot as vicepresident of sales and marketing. Mr. Flipot will oversee CloudMask’s growth in Canada, the United States and Europe. He brings a vast background in sales, marketing and product management. Megan Wallace, business law lawyer at Perley-Robertson, Hill & McDougall LLP/s.r.l., has been appointed head of the firm’s not-for-profit and charity law group. Ms. Wallace has been with the firm since 2008. Canopy Health Innovations, an independent cannabis research incubator owned by Canopy Growth Corp., has appointed Marc Wayne as president and director. Mr. Wayne is the co-founder of Bedrocan Canada, one of Canada’s first licensed producers. Solacom Technologies has appointed Nancy MacDonald as vicepresident of business development. Ms. MacDonald brings over 20 years of experience in technology development, partner relationships, management, marketing and sales to her new position. Prior to Solacom, she held positions with Airbus DS Communications and Bell Canada. Veteran broadcaster Tom Clark, former host of The West Block and chief political correspondent for Global Television, has joined Global Public Affairs as chair of public affairs and communications. In this role, he will provide executive-level
government relations and strategic communications counsel to Global’s clients. Jennifer Madigan has joined Syntax Strategic as director of media relations and public affairs. With 15 years of experience, she brings an in-depth understanding of both the media and the government to her new role. A former executive producer of The West Block with Tom Clark, she also filed reports for Global News from Ukraine, Afghanistan and Ottawa. Brandon Yuck has joined the CBRE Ottawa team as a sales associate. He started his career at CBRE as a sales trainee and researcher before spending three years at Bentall Kennedy in a leasing and business development role. He has completed more than 600,000 square feet in office leasing assignments.
Hats off SavvyDox, a solution for secure document distribution and collaboration, has been identified by Insights Success magazine as one of its 30 Most Valuable Tech Titans. For the fourth year in a row, Hydro Ottawa has been named one of Canada’s top employers for young people. With a robust summer student program, newly established youth council, trades partnerships with Algonquin College, intern and co-op development programs, Hydro Ottawa places a high priority on hiring and training the next generation of its workforce. Canada’s Top Employers for Young People is an editorial competition organized by the Canada’s Top 100 Employers project.
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Contracts The following contains information about recent contracts, standing offers and supply arrangements awarded to local firms.
Acklands-Grainger Inc. 3020 Hawthorne Rd. Description: Regional SCBA air flow testing and inspection services Buyer: Correctional Service of Canada $662,515
Calian Ltd. 340 Legget Dr. Description: Pharmacy services Buyer: DND $444,205 Deloitte LLP 100 Queen St. Description: Real estate advisory services Buyer: National Capital Commission $400,000 Tiree Facility Solutions Inc. 1050 Morisson Dr. Description: Real estate advisory services
Buyer: National Capital Commission $400,000 CIMA Canada Inc. 240 Catherine St. Description: Real estate advisory services Buyer: National Capital Commission $400,000 Altus Group Ltd. 14 Colonnade Rd. Description: Real estate advisory services Buyer: National Capital Commission $400,000 Totem Offisource Inc. 1 Promenade du Portage Description: Supply and install WS component Buyer: Industry Canada $359,963
VOLUME 20 • ISSUE
2 • NOVEMBER 2016
HR UPDATE
HR
UPDATE HR LESSONS FROM THE KITCHEN: INSIDE FRASER CAFE ALIGNING HR STRATEGIES LEVERAGING DISRUPTIVE TALENT
Never saying farewell
Managing the reality of employee turnover
OTTAWA BUSINESS JOURNAL
VOLUME 20 • ISSUE 2 • NOVEMBER 2016
FALL 2016 EDITION NOW AVAILABLE AT ALL OTTAWA BUSINESS JOURNAL DISTRIBUTION OUTLETS OR ONLINE AT bit.ly/HRUPDATE2016FALL
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S.M.I. Support Measures Inc. 2650 Queensview Dr.
Description: Antennas, waveguides and related equipment – repair and overhaul Buyer: DND $630,000
JOURNAL
MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 2017
Protak Consulting Group Inc. 343 Preston St. Description: Business consultant Buyer: PWGSC $1,312,212
OTTAWA BUSINESS
THE HUMAN RESOURCE PROFESSIONALS ASSOCIATION OTTAWA CHAPTER PUBLICATION
r e d n Wa the Ottawa Valley this winter
in Renfrew County
This winter, forget your usual haunts
Try the path less travelled and come wander the true Ottawa Valley – the County of Renfrew. Download your free winter guide to start planning your trip at bit.ly/WanderRenfrewCounty Here are some of the highlights:
Outdoor sports Speed down the region’s highest vertical at one of the Ottawa Valley’s downhill ski hills or glide through serene forests along dozens of kilometres of crosscountry ski trails.
Food and drink Renfrew County is home to modern gastropubs, fine dining restaurants and craft breweries creating ales inspired by the rapids of the Ottawa River.
MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 2017
Culture and recreation Visit the birthplace of the NHL, learn more about the region’s logging heritage and take a look back in time by visiting historic film houses.
bit.ly/WanderRenfrewCounty #ComeWander
OBJ.CA
16 www.OttawaValley.travel W hitewater Capital of Canada