Ottawa Business Journal

Carlingwood Shopping Centre sold

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EASTERN ONTARIO BUSINESS JOURNAL

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Anne Howland, 613-696-9480 anne@obj.ca

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PROSPECTUS

Forty Under 40: A succession plan for Ottawa

I’ve been thinking about succession planning these days. And as I was standing in front of the 2024 Forty Under 40 recipients at Telfer EMBA in June, something struck me. Forty Under 40 is a succession plan for Ottawa. Anchored in diverse industries with diverse experiences and diverse backgrounds, this group of leaders is cause for optimism.

The recent Welch LLP Business Growth Survey and the Downtown Ottawa Action Agenda suggest the city is at a crossroads. Business confidence is low, the downtown needs a new vision and social issues abound. The sooner we can get these young leaders involved in the city’s challenges, the sooner we might identify some different, unique approaches.

Investors taking cautious approach with AI

I spend a lot of time at events, often standing at podiums trying to say something smart. Don’t let this shock you, but I would rather quietly sit at the back of the room and soak in a good panel discussion.

Such was the case at the NACO Summit at the National Arts Centre in May. The session that piqued my interest was “Impact of AI on Early Stage Investment,” hosted by Ottawa’s very own Nick Quain.

The panel — David Dufresne, Neha Khera and Wissam Haroun — explained they are knee-deep into AI, but their assessment of investment-ready opportunities was exactly the opposite of what I expected. I thought I would hear: we can’t make investments quickly enough. Instead, I heard: we’re

holding back the money.

Huh? Then they explained why.

First, many young entrepreneurs are leveraging the very power of generative AI to build business plans that aren’t worth the paper they’re written on.

Second, seasoned tech entrepreneurs can identify a good business case for AI and “over a long weekend with friends and a case of beer” emerge with a real MVP. They don’t need months (or years) of programming with large teams. On the contrary, said one panellist, the average size of an AI startup is 1.5 people. The bottom line is they don’t need seed money or venture capital.

Third, big tech incumbents have such an advantage that it could be hard for startups to gain traction. AI is very dependent on access to data and existing digital distribution channels.

To be clear, the panellists were not pessimistic about the future of AI or the ability of new companies to harness its potential. However, they seemed to suggest that we’re in a transitional phase when the floodgates of investment will remain shut.

Michael Curran Publisher

There’s a buzz around town — can you feel it?

Maybe I’m feeling optimistic with spring in the air, but I’m seeing green shoots around our city.

Of course there are downsides, but how exciting is it to see so many cranes in the air and so many bustling construction sites around our sleepy town?

From new hospital campuses to office-to-residential conversions to expanded transit routes, it’s hard not to feel the energy and excitement that comes with development.

It’s also fantastic to hear about the innovative plans for the ByWard Market. The woes of the area will not be solved overnight, but the efforts being made to reenergize this critical part of our downtown are so important. With so much goodwill from so many players, it’s hard not to believe that a revival is underway.

Then there’s our “suburban” malls: Westgate and Carlingwood shopping centres. Like many, I have fond memories of these malls. But instead of crumbling away into disuse, I’d rather see them part of a new streetscape.

Speaking of which, how about Merivale Road, south of Baseline?

OBJ’s Sarah MacFarlane has a fascinating discussion about the past and future of this main artery with two city councillors. And let’s not forget the liftoff underway at YOW.

We might already be seeing results of our revitalization efforts. According to data compiled by CBRE, approximately 990,000 cellphones were recorded in the core in January 2024, equating to a 104 per cent recovery in foot traffic

from 2020. What’s perhaps most interesting is that this recovery is dominated by individuals who are in the core outside of business hours. Could this be the beginning of more residents moving closer to the core, not to work, but to live?

After all, that is one of the objectives of the recent downtown action report from the Ottawa Board of Trade, which calls for the addition of 40,000 residents and 50,000 jobs by 2034.

What also gives me hope about our city is the outlook of our younger business professionals. This year, we asked our Forty Under 40 recipients what they like most about our downtown. From nature and cycling trails, to architecture old and new, to diverse restaurants and activities, they offered a long list.

I can’t help but feel that we have what it takes to be a great city. We just need to make it shine once again.

Anne Howland Editor in Chief

JUNE 20

Who wants to talk trains? (No, not that one.) For decades, business and political leaders have contemplated the potential of a high-speed train that would link Quebec City to Toronto, passing through Montreal and Ottawa. That idea is back on track again. The project leader, Martin Imbleau, CEO of Via HFR, will be the guest speaker at the June Mayor’s Breakfast. Organizers say Imbleau will speak about how his “vision is to provide solutions to the challenges of intercity transportation, housing and regional economic growth.” The event will sell out. Visit www.ottawabot.ca to secure your ticket.

JUNE 21

Here comes the region’s biggest celebration of young business and community leaders. It’s the 2024 Forty Under 40 gala. A who’s who of Ottawa will gather to salute these young leaders, who have distinguished themselves based on their business accomplishments, expertise and community giving. If you haven’t attended the gala before, here is one word to describe it: party. It’s a high-spirited, fast-paced event that allows attendees to mingle with the region’s next-generation leaders. The gala will also raise funds for Junior Achievement, a program that encourages high school students to consider entrepreneurship. Get your tickets while you can. Visit ottawabot.ca for info.

AUGUST 20

After a few weeks of downtime this summer, how can you get back into the swing of things? Here’s how: book a foursome at Ottawa’s Best Networking Golf Tournament 2024. This is the joint OBJ-Ottawa Board of Trade annual golf tournament that gathers business leaders in late August for a day on the links and excellent networking opportunities. By popular demand, the event is back at GreyHawk Golf Club, using both 18-hole courses and its well-appointed club house. Want to mix things up a little? Reserve a foursome for your company, but have the players mixed with other groups. More info at www.ottawabot.ca

GWL Realty Advisors proposes two-tower mixed-use complex for Slater Street

BY DAVID SALI david@obj.ca

Aprominent North American real estate firm is looking to build two highrises on Slater Street that would add hundreds of residential units and retail space to the core as the effort to revitalize Ottawa’s downtown takes centre stage.

In planning documents recently filed with the city, GWL Realty Advisors says its proposal includes a pair of towers at 170 Slater St. between Bank and O’Connor streets.

The development would occupy the eastern half of a two-acre property that is now occupied by a GWL-managed 19-storey office building at 269 Laurier Ave., a threelevel parking garage and a small park. The garage would be demolished to make way for the new project, while the existing office tower and park would be retained and

integrated into the development.

GWL’s proposal features a 26-storey tower on the south side of the property facing Laurier Avenue and a 25-storey highrise facing Slater Street. The two buildings would be connected by a six-storey podium.

A design brief filed with the proposal says most of the ground floor of the buildings would be occupied by “smallscale retail commercial businesses” that will be accessible from Slater Street and Laurier Avenue. The rest of the buildings would contain a total of 586 rental apartments, the majority being onebedroom suites and the remainder a mix of studio, two- and three-bedroom units.

According to the original planning documents from last December, a twolevel underground parking garage would have 160 spots for cars. That number was lowered to 128 in the site plan control

The design plan from Neuf Architects says the site “offers an opportunity to create a midblock pedestrian link in the form of a woonerf, or shared street.”

application summary filed with the city this week, which said the garage would include 297 bicycle parking spaces.

The design plan from Neuf Architects says the site “offers an opportunity to create a mid-block pedestrian link in the form of a woonerf, or shared street,” adding vehicular traffic “will be limited to parking access and drop off to the proposed apartment building.”

The shared street will be a “welcoming public space,” the architecture firm says, featuring “urban furniture” as well as trees and other plants. The firm says the proposal aims to meet Ottawa Official Plan guidelines that encourage the creation of “15-minute neighbourhoods” in which amenities are easily accessible on foot or via public transit.

GWL says it plans to build the project in two phases. The south tower would be completed first along with the podium, followed by the north tower. The underground parkade will also be constructed in two phases.

The firm says the proposed development “meets all zoning provisions” but did not provide a timeline for construction. GWL officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

A subsidiary of the Great-West Life

Assurance Company, GWL Realty Advisors currently manages 1.8 million square feet of commercial real estate in Ottawa. In addition to 269 Laurier Ave., the firm’s other holdings include 219 Laurier Ave., 90 Elgin St., 200 Kent St. and 255 Albert St. The proposal comes as city leaders look for ways to attract more residents to the core to make up for the exodus of commuters who used to fuel the downtown economy but who have increasingly worked from home since the pandemic.

The Slater Street development site is across the street from L’Esplanade Laurier, a one-million-square-foot federal government office complex that is on a list of properties slated for disposal over the next decade as the feds look to shrink their real estate footprint.

A report issued earlier this year by a task force examining ways to revitalize Ottawa’s downtown called L’Esplanade Laurier a “prime candidate” for redevelopment. That report included a concept plan that suggested the east tower of the twobuilding complex could be converted into housing and retail space, while the west tower could be torn down and replaced with a park, townhouses and amenities such as a playground.

GWL Realty Advisors plans to build two mixed-use highrises at 170 Slater St.

An artist’s rendering from Neuf Architects depicts GWL Realty Advisors’ proposal for Slater Street.

Former Telesat HQ in Gloucester to be converted to housing REAL ESTATE

BY DAVID SALI david@obj.ca

AGatineau company plans to convert

Telesat’s former headquarters in Gloucester to housing and build three additional highrises next door in a project that will add at least 1,200 new residential units to Ottawa’s east end.

Devcore Group acquired the 230,000-square-foot office building at 1601 Telesat Ct. from a pair of institutional investors for $16.1 million in a deal that closed on April 15.

The four-storey campus-style building, which includes three towers connected by a central atrium, sits on a 10-acre parcel of land just south of Regional Road 174 near the Blair LRT station. The site is zoned for mixed-use highrises of up to 32 storeys.

Devcore CEO Jean-Pierre Poulin says his firm plans to build three rental towers at the maximum allowable height. The company is hoping to start construction on the project, which would include about 1,000 condo-style suites, in the next 18 to 24 months.

Meanwhile, Devcore is already working on plans to turn two or three floors in each of the existing office towers into loft-style studio apartments in the 400-square-foot range.

Poulin said the conversion will create about 200 units that will likely be a mix of short- and long-term rentals. The company plans to include all utilities and amenities such as WiFi in the rental price.

The project, which is now in the design phase, will also include flex office space and will be marketed at students, young professionals and “digital nomads” who move frequently from place to place, Poulin added.

“It’s going to be a fun place to live,” he said. “But if you want to work there, you could.”

Devcore expects to submit the paperwork for the conversion process to

city hall within the next 60 days and aims to have the first suites ready for occupancy before the end of the year.

“There’s such a high demand for rentals,” Poulin said. “It’s not a complicated renovation, so hopefully we’ll be able to move fast.”

The class-A office complex served as satellite equipment giant Telesat’s headquarters from its opening in 1988 until the company relocated to Elgin Street in 2018. The building is now vacant except for a 26,000-square-foot portion that Telesat continues to lease.

Poulin said between 20,000 and 30,000 square feet of ground-floor space will continue to be used for offices once the conversion is complete.

Part of the space will become the new headquarters of Devcore’s sister company, smart-building software firm 1Valet. The growing startup now has 75 employees, most of whom work remotely, and wants to “bring a lot of them back to the office,” Poulin explained.

He said Devcore is also looking at

setting up a training and development centre for immigrants, similar to the one it operates in Cornwall.

“It’s a pretty spectacular tech building,” he said of Telesat Court, adding some of the residential units could serve as transitional housing for newcomers while they gain job skills.

It’s the second time this month a significant office complex that once housed an iconic Ottawa tech firm has changed hands.

Recently, Regional Group inked a deal to purchase the 183,000-square-foot Churchill Office Park on Carling Avenue. The eight-storey building just north of the Queensway is best-known for being the home of Corel during the graphics software pioneer’s heyday in the 1990s.

Both properties are on highly visible sites and include adjacent land that could eventually be used for residential development.

Telesat Court, which was put up for sale in August 2022, took longer to find a buyer partly because it was a mostly empty

building that cost millions of dollars a year to maintain “in an office market that’s not conducive to leasing,” said Michael Church, managing director of Avison Young’s Ottawa office, which helped broker the deal.

Another potential buyer was eyeing the property, he explained, but never got past the due-diligence stage. Devcore then came in with an offer, and the transaction was done about six weeks later.

“When it finally happened, it happened quickly,” Church said. “It’s hard to get stuff over the goal line. These guys (Devcore) are obviously reasonably well-funded, and they’ve got a plan.”

Still, the veteran broker said he’s seeing signs of renewed life in Ottawa’s commercial real estate market after a dismal 2023 in which the total value of all deals fell 53 per cent compared with the previous year.

“The good stuff is going to start to trade, and as interest rates (fall) a little bit, there will be more of it,” Church said. “I’m a lot more bullish than I was about a year ago.”

Gatineau-based Devcore has acquired Telesat’s former headquarters at 1601 Telesat Ct. for $16.1 million.

Carlingwood Shopping Centre sold; new owners eye residential development

BY DAVID SALI david@obj.ca

Carlingwood Shopping Centre has been sold to a pair of real estate firms that plan to launch a wave of new residential development at the 30-acre site that is now home to the city’s fifth-largest mall.

Vancouver-based Anthem Properties Group and Toronto’s Streamliner Properties Inc. have partnered to acquire the 632,700-square-foot retail complex on Carling Avenue, which is anchored by the country’s largest Canadian Tire store. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Opened in 1956, Carlingwood now has more than 90 stores and services, including marquee tenants such as Loblaws, Rexall and Dollarama. The mall, which is also home to a fitness centre and three banks, attracts more than 280,000 visitors a month.

In a statement, Carlingwood’s new owners said the mall’s proximity to a major arterial road and the soon-to-becompleted New Orchard LRT station makes it a “prime location for muchneeded incremental residential density,” adding “quality housing is in high demand” in the neighbourhood around the mall.

The developers said they plan to take a “phased approach” to building out the property, which many local real estate observers believe is an ideal location for highrise condominiums on the parking lots surrounding the shopping centre.

It’s the first foray into the National Capital Region for Anthem and Streamliner, a wholly owned subsidiary of Minett Capital.

At the same time, it’s a return to familiar territory for Streamliner chief executive Alan Greenberg, who noted in the news release that he grew up “around the corner” from the shopping centre.

“To say I am excited to provide my years of leadership in both real estate and green technology to a development of this scope and substance, is an understatement,” Greenberg said. “Our aim is to create prime

This is a real-estate play. The buyer will not be buying this because they want to become a shopping mall operator so much as to get that land.

Ian Lee, Sprott School of Business, Carleton University

urban communities where people live, work and play.”

Anthem founder and CEO Eric Carlson said the acquisition is part of the company’s push to expand its holdings beyond Western Canada.

“We anticipate that the reset in real estate ownership brought on by changes in capital allocations, in turn brought on by inflation and higher interest rates, will facilitate this strategic shift,” Carlson explained.

“Carlingwood, as a landmark shopping destination for the Ottawa region, is a tremendous opportunity to kick off this strategy.”

Anthem and Streamliner did not

immediately respond to requests for further comment.

The Carlingwood purchase is the largest transaction in Ottawa’s retail sector since KingSett Capital acquired Ivanhoe Cambridge’s 50 per cent stake in Bayshore Shopping Centre for $193.5 million in 2021.

The deal suggests the National Capital Region continues to be a bright spot for investors as space remains at a premium and overall sales keep rising.

A report earlier this year from brokerage firm Marcus & Millichap said Ottawa’s retail vacancy rate hit an all-time low in 2023. The firm predicted the rate will fall another tenth of a percentage point to about 1.5 per cent this year, “making Ottawa one of the tightest

retail markets in 2024.”

While some industry observers are forecasting a slowdown in retail sales growth this year, Anthem and Streamliner said the Ottawa market “continues to be strong” with “material positive absorption and low vacancy rates.”

However, some experts argue Carlingwood’s true long-term value lies more in residential development than in its retail component.

“This is a real-estate play,” Carleton University professor Ian Lee, who teaches marketing at the Sprott School of Business, told OBJ last summer. “The buyer will not be buying this because they want to become a shopping mall operator so much as to get that land.”

Considered a “suburban” mall when it first opened, Carlingwood has become comparatively closer to the city centre as Ottawa has grown, Lee noted, making it a desirable spot for residential development that’s not quite downtown but still easily accessible to the core.

“As the centre of gravity shifts westward, that land becomes more valuable,” he explained.

“How many large-area, flat-surface parking lots are … sitting around in prime parts of Ottawa? That land is too valuable now to just sit there as a parking lot. They will develop that land, and I’m sure that they will be developing it into condo towers, because then you can really maximize your return on that land.”

Toronto-based retail analyst Bruce Winder agreed, telling OBJ in an interview last July the mall’s new owners will likely look to get the most out of their purchase by redeveloping land that’s currently being underutilized as parking.

“That’s probably the biggest trend right now with malls that are sort of in that category,” Winder said. “(Carlingwood) has obviously got some good anchors. I think maybe the opportunity is to build around those anchors. You create this city within a city.”

What to do with downtown? CITY BUILDING

Officials

from Washington, D.C. and San Francisco share their experiences

BY MIA JENSEN mia@obj.ca

As local officials look for ways to breathe new life into Ottawa’s downtown core, experts in major U.S. cities have been coming up with their own ways to address many of the same issues.

Recently, the Canadian Urban Institute (CUI) hosted an online panel to discuss the challenges facing Ottawa and other downtowns across North America and the opportunities for revitalization. The event followed the release of the Downtown Ottawa Action Agenda, a strategy devised by the CUI, Ottawa Board of Trade, and other local organizations.

Local officials — including OBOT president and CEO Sueling Ching, National Capital Commission CEO Tobi Nussbaum, and ByWard Market District Authority executive director Zachary Dayler — were joined by two U.S. experts, whose cities are both experiencing hardship post-pandemic.

Nina Albert is deputy mayor for planning and economic development in Washington, D.C. She said the U.S. capital’s downtown offices took a similar hit to those in Ottawa when employees from public- and private-sector organizations went online during lockdowns.

“Downtown D.C. is 87 per cent commercial offices, which is a huge concentration,” said Albert. “We see that in other parts of the city that are much more mixed use — where there’s a mix of residential, office, retail and entertainment — those markets have rebounded. They’re more resilient. It’s the huge concentration of offices

that is really deadening the downtown.”

Much like Ottawa, she said D.C.’s downtown also has been reliant on federal workers in the past and government return-to-office mandates have influenced policies in the private sector.

San Francisco is in a similar position, though its primary tenant is the tech industry, said Sujata Srivastave, chief policy officer of the San Francisco Bay Area Planning and Urban Research Association.

“Less than half of office workers are back in the office,” she said. “Our vacancy rate is about 30 million square feet, so 36 per cent of the office space. That’s a lot of inventory to try to fill up.”

Just like Ottawa, the reduction of workers has led to a significant decrease in foot traffic, which has had ripple effects for

It’s the huge concentration of offices that is really deadening the downtown.

Nina Albert, deputy mayor, planning and economic development, Washington, D.C

businesses and municipalities.

“We’ve seen less foot traffic to support small businesses, so we’ve had a lot of closures,” said Srivastava. “(There are) a lot of budget implications for the local municipalities. And because of all those dynamics, transit ridership is very low. Those revenues are gone and there’s this existential crisis for a lot of our transit agencies of, ‘How do they survive?’”

Business closures have led to a “circular issue” at street level, where storefronts are empty for extended periods, making it difficult to attract new tenants.

“There is a little bit of a perception issue when you have vacancies on the ground floor,” she said. “It depresses the market and you don’t see that type of activity happening.”

Panel moderator Mary Rowe, president and CEO of CUI, said empty storefronts can create a financial issue for cities.

“If those storefronts stay vacant, then it starts to devalue the real estate value, which means that it diminishes the amount of property tax that can be collected by the municipal government, which actually has to provide the services that make it appealing for businesses to open,” said Rowe.

“Lots of concerns about community safety, that if you don’t have businesses operating and there’s no vibrancy or lots of people living there, it starts to feel unsafe to people.”

Srivastava added that the pandemic didn’t start many of the Bay Area’s issues, only heightened them. Housing affordability and lack of supply have been a major challenge for years, she said, particularly near downtown and other employment centres. Cracks in the transit system became more obvious as workers lived farther from work.

“Downtown had become so monocentric and dependent on not just federal workers, but on the tech sector,” she said. “So (we’re) really trying to think about how we diversify the economic engines for downtown and create more affordable spaces for smaller businesses and other types of uses.”

Two wards, one ‘stroad’: How two councillors are ushering in change for Merivale Road DEVELOPMENT

BY SARAH MACFARLANE sarah@obj.ca

The tale of Merivale Road is one of two wards, two councillors, and decades of conflicting visions.

Built originally as a transportation channel between the city’s core and its outskirts, Merivale Road has evolved into a busy shopping destination. Now, the two councillors who share this diverse strip of asphalt are working together to usher in an era of consistency, symmetry and change for Merivale Road and its many businesses.

Before his election to city council, Sean Devine was a longtime resident of the Merivale area. He says he’s always seen this unique area of the city as an opportunity for growth, development and change. As councillor of Ward 9, Knoxdale-Merivale, he believes it’s time for his visions to start gaining momentum.

“I’ve always wanted to grasp how Ottawa residents saw the future of Merivale. There are so many ideas about better ways to use parking lots and all of this land for more than what it is currently,” Devine told OBJ

In recent years, Merivale has turned into what Devine calls a “stroad”: a hybrid of a road designed “to get you from A to B”, and a street. The difference is fundamental, he says.

“Merivale is, on one hand, designed to get commuters from, let’s say, Bayshore to Barrhaven and beyond,” he continued. “Thousands of vehicles use it and all along it are a thousand places you might want to stop. At any given time, you have cars that just want to get home and (others that want) to make stops.”

This dichotomy creates congestion, Devine explains, which can mean that it can take over an hour to drive the length of Merivale. That’s part of why Devine has big plans to transform Merivale into something new.

“What you have on Merivale is nothing

Long story short, I’m trying to turn Merivale from simply a retail area into a mixed residential area where there will still be retail but also residential space.

Sean Devine, Knoxdale-Merivale councillor

but strip malls. They’re just one or two storeys, but in a lot of communities that are now designed from scratch, the retail has housing above,” Devine said. “Long story short, I’m trying to turn Merivale from

simply a retail area into a mixed residential area where there will still be retail but also residential space.”

But it isn’t just up to Devine; in fact, he only gets half the say. Merivale is shared

by two wards: Knoxdale-Merivale and College. So while Devine has jurisdiction over the eastern side of Merivale, Councillor Laine Johnson is responsible for the western half.

“It’s split right down the middle between our wards,” said Johnson, councillor for College Ward. “And until now, Merivale has been trying to be too many things to too many people. It’s a stroad.”

Fortunately, Devine and Johnson share the same mixed-use vision and while they might have different approaches, Johnson said they make an excellent team.

“We need people like Devine in this city. He has a vision and he pushes staff to dream big,” Johnson told OBJ

The intersection of Baseline Road, Merivale Road and Clyde Avenue is just one of the area’s development hotspots. PHOTOS BY SARAH MACFARLANE

That vision involves a complete reinvention of Merivale Road. If Devine could “wave a magic wand,” he would replace the expansive parking lots with underground or hidden parking and bring buildings closer to the street, he said. The new buildings would offer retail and commercial space on the ground floor with housing above, densifying the area while creating a more walkable neighbourhood.

“Merivale from Baseline Road to Viewmount Road is a massive retail parking lot,” explained Devine. “That way of using land was quite appropriate for a while, but it seems like it’s not the best land use right now certainly not with the way things are changing.

“We’ve given a lot of prime real estate to parking spaces,” said Devine. “We also know that if you were to look at satellite imagery day-to-day 15 years ago compared to now, I’m confident that, even if the city is growing, a lower percentage of parking spaces are used. Retail itself is changing and the city is changing.”

The City of Ottawa’s Official Plan estimates that Ottawa’s population will surpass 1.4 million people by 2046. Devine would like to see many new Ottawa residents call Nepean home and to do that he said mixed-use residential and commercial development is the way to go.

“With Ottawa’s projected growth in population, this is an opportunity to try to position Merivale as the heart of a growing and changing Nepean.”

Devine’s ideas are more than dreams. He has been working with the city to build a secondary plan for Merivale, which he said will likely launch this summer and begin seeking approvals and community participation.

“It’s an expensive thing to get done, because new secondary plans aren’t commissioned all the time,” he explained. “But we talked to city staff about the vision and now we’ll have more specific detail on what can and cannot be done in this area.”

Since Merivale is zoned commercially, said Johnson, change won’t necessarily be swift.

“Growth pays for growth, and that can be a tough pill to swallow as we ask our wards to absorb this kind of change,” said Johnson.

The key to the future largely hinges on introducing more transit options, she added, particularly the Baseline Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) facility between Bayshore Station and Heron Station. The BRT would

introduce dedicated bus-only lanes, 25 new transit stations and new pedestrian and cycling facilities along the length of the 14-kilometre corridor.

Additional cycling lanes and bus routes along Merivale would help with congestion, Johnson continued, and in turn bolster businesses.

“Merivale is so geared to cars right now, and there isn’t much choice in transit. We can create an opportunity for small businesses, because people shop where they walk,” she explained. “This doesn’t happen on Merivale; there aren’t ‘pop-ins’ like in the Glebe.

“When it comes to introducing multimodal transportation, we’re trying to figure out, how do you support people in trying things that are so new?” Johnson continued. “We’re hopeful that since everyone hates driving on Merivale, they’d be willing to try something new.”

Johnson said it’s important to get private developers on board, as the “economic circumstances” must line up to see a new vision through. However, many of the major developments in the area have been stalled. For example, two developments, a six-storey Dymon storage facility and a high-rise apartment building, are under construction at the corner of

Clyde Avenue and Baseline Road.

The Dymon facility, which includes ground-floor retail, boardroom and office space, was opposed by the Copeland Park Community Alliance and shut down by city council in January 2020. But in November 2021, the Ontario Land Tribunal overruled the city and approved the development.

The residential development at 1537 Baseline Rd. is a mixed-use building, primarily a retirement home, which consists of a single podium and two towers that disconnect from a U-shape after the fifth storey. The development was originally a joint venture between SmartCentres and Groupe Selection but, after a long legal battle, SmartCentres is now the sole developer and the site has reopened.

A plan for Merivale Mall from First Capital Asset Management LP proposes redevelopment and intensification to the property, which currently houses retailers such as Farm Boy, Shoppers Drug Mart, T&T Tailors, Sport Chek, Marshalls and Tailgators.

The proposal includes the construction of at least two buildings beside the 220,000-square-foot shopping centre at 1642 Merivale Rd., with a multi-phased approach. The development would also

Merivale from Baseline Road to Viewmount Road is a massive retail parking lot. That way of using land was quite appropriate for a while, but it seems like it’s not the best land use right now - certainly not with the way things are changing.

Sean Devine, Knoxdale-Merivale councillor

include the construction of a 12-storey mixed-use building and a seven-storey residential building. But the development has been hitting private and logistical snags, said Johnson, that have delayed construction.

Johnson also believes strongly in the small business part of the equation. She grew up in nearby Meadowlands and her first job was at the Wendy’s on Merivale Road. Small businesses are close to her heart, she says, and a future for Merivale that includes accessible transit and walkable streets offers opportunity for these business owners. Johnson said it’s important that any upcoming development doesn’t threaten the area’s small businesses, but rather supports and enhances them.

“I’m fortunate that on my side of Merivale we have so many great small businesses. There’s the Nicastro’s, there’s the tailor, cobbler and cafe in the CityView strip mall that have been there for over 40 years, there’s a Silk Road Foods and the European Delicatessen,” she said. “There are businesses that have been here for an eternity that want transformation.

“We won’t get anywhere by ignoring it. Merivale is still a shopping destination, but we’ve created the monster,” Johnson continued. “Now we have to make sure people can actually go and enjoy small businesses and have an experience that isn’t full of exhaust.”

A future Merivale that has fewer cars, more curb appeal, enhanced transportation and densified housing could renew the road’s reputation, creating a walkable, livable hub that would attract residents, thus bringing in “the new generation of customers” for local businesses, Devine said.

It would also mean that, instead of avoiding the traffic-jammed road, shoppers and tourists might seek it out and spend a day perusing the retailers and, Johnson’s favourite, the diverse cuisine.

“It’s not easy because logistically we can’t just pedestrianize. We just need to modernize to make Merivale a pleasurable experience. I’m talking about bike lanes, treelining, public art …” she explained. “But it doesn’t happen all at once. It takes time.

“It’s not easy. Is it positive? Yes. Uncomfortable? Also yes,” she laughed. “But by involving the community in these conversations, we make sure nobody, especially the many small businesses, is left behind.”

UP CLOSE

From hiding in a bathroom to leaving a lasting legacy

Catherine Mensour reflects on 40 years in the talent biz

BY CAROLINE PHILLIPS caroline@obj.ca

Catherine Mensour has never worked as an actor, but the local businesswoman sure felt like one when she opened her talent agency in Ottawa nearly 40 years ago.

As a twenty-something-year-old, she had nothing to lose, except for maybe her confidence and self-esteem.

“You won’t last six months” she was told by the Ottawa ACTRA (Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists) representative.

She was met with surprise from industry peers when she visited larger markets. As soon as they heard she was from Ottawa, “you’d see the eyebrows go up.”

There was this one time, when she attended her first film industry event at the Montreal Film Festival. She escaped to the women’s bathroom in a panic and spent the next 20 minutes hiding in one of the stalls, trying to calm herself down.

“Finally, I talked myself down and said, ‘Come on, you can do this, get out there,’ and I walked back out.”

Mensour returned to the event to make a meaningful connection with Germain Cadieux, whom she knew. The Ottawa film buff owned Towne Cinema on Beechwood Avenue many years ago.

“After that, I made a deal with myself that every time I went to any function I would meet one new person and have a conversation with them before I left.”

Mensour’s imposter syndrome days are a thing of the past. “I’m very much over it,” said the skilled negotiator, strong advocate, trusted confidante and master

of diplomacy. “We have clients from across the country. I think we’re known and respected for what we do.

“I’m very proud, I’m very happy, I’m very grateful for what (Mensour Agency) has brought me and for all my clients who put their faith and trust in us,” she said. “I really feel that we’ve made a difference.”

At the end of June, Mensour is starting a new chapter in her life. She’s closing her agency and devoting more time to her charitable Mensour Foundation. “I want to continue having an impact in the arts.”

She’s particularly interested in helping young writers tell their stories, whether for the stage or the big screen. “It’s all about a good story; I think that’s the basis of it all. Without the author, there’s nothing there.”

Mensour was born and raised in Sudbury to community-minded firstgeneration Canadians, both of whom were the children of Lebanese immigrants.

She left home after high school to attend the University of Ottawa. She was lured away from her studies to work in marketing and advertising for a Frenchlanguage cultural magazine.

The life-long francophile became ensconced in the world of actors and writers. Heck, she even married one (her Franco-Ontarian husband is a successful stage actor, playwright and award-winning writer). Last year, Mensour was honoured with an award from l’Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario (AFO) for a francophile who’s greatly contributed to francophone arts and culture in Ontario.

In 1985, Mensour launched the Mensour Agency. It became the first bilingual talent agency in the country. She

was absolutely smitten.

“People used to say, ‘You’re not taking holidays,’ and I would say, ‘Why do I need a holiday?’ It made me so happy. I was so excited; there was always something new.”

The talent-hunting agency was a good fit for Mensour and the timing was perfect; there was demand for voice-over actors, particularly in Ottawa’s booming animation industry. As well, there was a steady supply of government gigs and, later, broadcasting work.

The Mensour Agency finds work for clients, gets them into auditions, provides support, feedback and guidance, and negotiates their contracts. They represent 100-plus clients from Ottawa and beyond.

“It’s cliché, but we really are like a mother and sister and, well, now I can say grandmother,” said the 66-year-old with a smile. “And a therapist.”

Her decision to close the agency was precipitated by the unexpected death of her older brother Michael in Sudbury last September. It was a wake-up call.

“I’m living my life like I’m going to live forever, and I’m not. There are all these other things that I want to do,” said Mensour.

Retirement isn’t one of them, however.

“I look at people who are so happy when they stop working. I just don’t know

if I’m that kind of person … I like keeping busy. It will probably be a different pace but I very much like keeping busy.”

While the agency closure will leave a void in the market, Mensour expects someone else will come along. “If I like them, I’m really going to help them out,” said Mensour, who sits on the advisory board for the Ottawa Film Commission.

Mensour Agency clients aren’t household names, although some, including Canadian novelist and playwright Tomson Highway and former TV journalist Lucy van Oldenbarneveld, are familiar to many.

“We started as a little agency,” said Mensour. “We built it from nothing and it’s because of its success that I can launch the Mensour Foundation.”

Mensour’s definition of success for an actor or writer is: “If you can make a living from what you do and you’re happy and you’re sane and your family has survived it.”

Acting is a tough business, she adds. “Everything you do is criticized or critiqued. Everything you do is questioned and judged. You’re as good as your last performance. If you have an off day, all of a sudden, it’s: ‘He’s a has-been’ or ‘He’s lost it’.

“I have an enormous amount of respect for the very talented people that persevere.”

Catherine Mensour, owner of the Mensour Agency. PHOTO BY CAROLINE PHILLIPS

DOWNTOWN

Number of people living, working downtown has increased significantly, data shows

BY SARAH MACFARLANE caroline@obj.ca

Anew report analyzing cellphone data shows more people living in downtown Ottawa and more workers returning to the office.

The analysis by real estate firm CBRE for the month of January from 2020 to 2024 examined foot traffic in the downtown by compiling data that tracks a phone’s exact geographic location.

The research distinguished between cellphones detected both during and outside of business hours. Using January 2020 as a baseline, the research showed that the total presence of people in the

downtown core has not only recovered, but in many cases has surpassed prepandemic figures.

In 2024, approximately 990,000 cellphones were recorded in the core, equating to a 104 per cent recovery in foot traffic, the report stated. However, the report added, this recovery is dominated by individuals who are within the core outside of business hours.

While only 15.3 per cent of the foot traffic in 2020 was from outside business hours, this figure rose to 44.1 per cent in 2024.

Phillipe Chaotakoongite, a CBRE research analyst based in Ottawa, said this is largely due to an increase of residents moving closer to the core.

“There have been a lot of anecdotal discussions around people coming back downtown,” Chaotakoongite told OBJ. “We like data and it is good to see that data back up the foot traffic, especially because it has certainly felt like the core has gotten busier.”

The report also showed that office buildings in the core are seeing on average a 70 per cent recovery in foot traffic compared to pre-pandemic figures, which can be attributed to return-to-office mandates and an increase in office occupancy.

Weekday foot traffic, which Chaotakoongite says is largely attributable to professionals working downtown, has also improved although not back to pre-pandemic levels. A total of 790,000

cellphones were recorded in January 2024, an 89 per cent recovery from pre-pandemic figures, the report showed.

The report’s findings, which Chaotakoongite called “very positive,” come in the same week as a new report from the Ottawa Board of Trade that calls for more residents living and working downtown.

The Downtown Ottawa Action Agenda, which was developed in collaboration with the Canadian Urban Institute, proposes strategies to create $1.3 billion in annual economic benefit. The report identified the need to streamline processes to increase downtown residency through higher density and use of public land, with a goal of adding 40,000 new residents to the downtown core by 2034, “transforming the cityscape into a bustling hub of activity and innovation.”

“It’s great to see Ottawa restore some of its vibrancy downtown, especially with people returning to the office and starting to in-migrate to the core and live there,” he told OBJ. “Our downtown should be a place where people actually want to live, work, and enjoy. “

If

you build it, they will stay: ending Ottawa’s biotech brain drain

Ottawa enjoys a global reputation for medical research and innovation, but for that to continue, more lab space and investment will be needed.

“I have discussions with the CEOs of Canadian companies who question, on a monthly basis, whether they should be moving to the United States,” says Dane Bedward, a leading expert with over 30 years of experience in the global medical and life sciences sector. He joined the fundraising Council of Champions for the University of Ottawa’s new Advanced Medical Research Centre (AMRC).

This spring, the University of Ottawa broke ground on its largestever investment: the AMRC. It will feature 350,000 square feet of advanced research space with a dozen state-of-the-art facilities not found anywhere else in the region. It will also house the Health Innovation Hub, where researchers, clinicians, investors and entrepreneurs will team up to accelerate the discovery and commercialization of new therapies.

“We need to be able to get researchers to commercialize their intellectual property. But we also need to support them with the space

and the equipment they need to make these discoveries. It’s quite expensive,” Bedward explains. “You can’t do it from scratch by yourself.”

Dr. Jean-Simon Diallo can relate. He’s the CEO of Ottawa-based Virica, a  biotech company that manufactures specialized products for researchers who use viruses to develop vaccines and treatments for cancers and genetic diseases. Virica’s products have properties that make drug manufacturing more cost-effective.

“We’ve had multiple situations where we almost left, mostly related to lab space. I couldn’t find lab space,”

recounts Diallo. “Ottawa is not well developed in the life sciences. The culture and the setup are not conducive to the longer and more capital-intensive biotech life cycle,” he adds.

Scheduled to open in 2026, the AMRC intends to fill that gap. Diallo says the partnerships that will grow out of the AMRC are overdue. “There’s a lot of pressure for scientists like me, for example, to also be strong entrepreneurs. You need to know everything about starting a business, from product marketing to human resources, finance and fundraising. But scientists are not trained this way. We don’t learn this through our PhDs and postdoctoral studies,” he explains.

Dane Bedward echoes these sentiments. “With the support that universities now are starting to give to their researchers with intellectual property, I think we’re going to create that environment to keep them here,” he says.

“We don’t blow our own horns enough. There’s so much grey matter here, but so many inventions that have come out of Canada get gobbled up and taken outside Canada.”

Dr. Jean-Simon Diallo says the AMRC will provide huge opportunities for the next wave of Ottawa’s biotech entrepreneurs. “If that space is not there, those companies will for sure leave or not launch at all,” Diallo reiterates.

For more information on the AMRC and how to support Canadian research and health-care innovation, please contact uOttawa’s Jonathan Bodden at jbodden@uOttawa.ca or 613-614-3571.

We don’t blow our own horns enough. There’s so much grey matter here, but so many inventions that have come out of Canada get gobbled up and taken outside Canada.” — Dane Bedward

CITY BUILDING

ByWard Market revival will create ‘collective safety,’ official says

BY MIA JENSEN mia@obj.ca

As the ByWard Market District Authority moves forward with its mandate to revive the area, executive director Zach Dayler says there’s one underrated contributor to increased safety in the Market: people.

“We’re making good strides in terms of putting people on the streets,” Dayler told OBJ. “The (authority) needs to make sure we’re continuing to have events that bring large amounts of people. Why? Because that creates more eyes on the street, that creates more people to create a sense of collective safety.”

The pandemic dealt a significant blow to the ByWard Market, which saw a drop in foot traffic and an increase in the number of people experiencing homelessness and mental health issues. Resulting crime and safety issues made headlines, making some residents and tourists hesitant to stop by.

The authority, which was created last year and officially launches this spring with the kickoff of the farmers’ market season, is part of the city’s efforts to revitalize the Market. According to Dayler, this summer is expected to be the beginning of a revival.

“There’s a real difference about this year,” he said. “From an observation perspective, we’re starting to see school tours return in a way I haven’t seen in the last four-and-ahalf years. We’re starting to see more tourists from France and more of that international presence in the Market. Personally, it feels like we are back to a bit of normality.”

Looking at the data, Dayler said traffic in the area has been steadily increasing and time will tell if this year’s numbers return to pre-pandemic levels. To help measure the Market’s recovery, the organization will track more than just foot traffic this summer.

“We’ll have to closely monitor (consumer) spending and a lot of factors

can impact that,” he said. “I think we can expect a minor economic boom. There’s still a bit of savings dollars that are in people’s accounts from before. But I do think one of the challenges we need to be aware of is where people are spending their dollars domestically. That’s why tourism is really important.”

With a view to attracting more people, Dayler said his team is making sure there’s something for everyone all summer long.

“We have a full season of programming lined up that the team has been working hard on, with the focus of drawing people down with events that we know are going to be of interest,” he said. “As the district authority, we’ve been able to program a lot more of a robust season down here and that really is just the result of the amalgamated authority being able to work efficiently and effectively in stride with the city.”

For vendors, the authority has begun replacing the 30-year-old metal canopies with retrofitted containers.

“There was wear and tear and some of them were beyond repair. They needed to be replaced,” said Dayler. “In talking to vendors, for a lot of them, the biggest impediment to setting up is storage.”

The containers, which are fabricated with roll-up doors that can be secured overnight, were tested in a pilot program last summer. This summer, there are plans for a total of 14 containers to be used by vendors.

Dayler added that the new setup opens up options for a winter market as well.

“There’s a lot of flexibility at a low entry point,” he said. “There’s a lot of success there. Plus, they’re almost like these perfect little Instagram snapshots. Businesses have done a really great job dressing them.”

Beautification efforts, which form part of the ByWard Market Public Realm Plan, are underway. The authority has partnered with the Canadian Tulip Festival to fill flower beds and local artists will brighten up the streets and the new containers with colourful

murals. There’s also a new program to keep the area clean after events. While Dayler said the effects won’t be obvious right away, regular cleanings will eventually wash away decades of built-up dirt.

“You should start to see the general quality and beautification standards increase over time, which is within our mandate,” said Dayler.

While Dayler hopes having more people around will help everyone feel safer, he added that other security measures are being introduced in the Market to address issues from drug use and break-ins to homelessness and mental health.

For example, the new police operations centre being set up in the Rideau Centre will increase police presence on the ground.

The Mann Lawyers team will guide you through the many bewitching aspects of employment law.

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BRIGHT SIDE OF (DOWNTOWN) BUSINESS

The Bright Side of (Downtown) Business is an editorial feature focused on sharing positive stories of business success. The column is presented by Star Motors, Ottawa’s original Mercedes-Benz, Mercedes-AMG and Mercedes Van dealer.

Norton Rose Fulbright honours firm’s history, culture in new office

BY ZENITH WOLFE news@obj.ca

Before he died of cancer in August 2021, John Naccarato was known as a model partner at global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright.

Naccarato’s 25 years of success as a business lawyer were defined by his patience and generosity, which made him an excellent mentor, according to his colleagues.

He also helped negotiate the lease for the firm’s new office in Ottawa during the pandemic.

“He was just a bright man,” says PierrePaul Henrie, managing partner of the Ottawa office, who was a lawyer in training when he first worked with Naccarato. “Very kind, very generous in his time.”

Though Naccarato never got to work on the fifth floor of 99 Bank St. after the firm moved in November 2023, his smiling portrait watches over one of the office’s

Norton Rose Fulbright in 2011. Memories include former Canadian prime minister Brian Mulroney’s time at Ogilvy Renault as a senior partner.

Henrie also planned the office around the emergence of hybrid work. Some partners have kept dedicated offices, but those who only work in person on the two required days a week have to book workspaces in advance.

“What we’ve tried to do is take the pulse of the employees and consult through the process,” Henrie says. “People tend to book different offices throughout the weeks ... It’s been very beneficial in terms of the relationships that have been created – connections that people might not have otherwise had.”

Henrie says the new office has encouraged employees and clients to come to the office more often than in the past three years, though not at a pre-pandemic frequency.

The Ottawa firm has grown to approximately 50 partners, up from around 40, according to Henrie. This has helped the firm reinforce its areas of unique expertise in the nation’s capital, such as representing Canadian mining clients.

board rooms. The memorial is one of many additions Henrie made to honour the firm’s work culture and to make employees feel comfortable in the new environment.

Assistants work in a more open space than at the firm’s previous office and colourful landscape and abstract paintings line the walls. The new kitchen offers snacks and restaurant-style booth seating. A “nostalgia corner” displays keepsakes from when the firm was called Ogilvy Renault, founded in 1879 and merged with

“The question is, ‘What are you going to do that’s different from a strategic perspective from other firms?’ … I haven’t done a full survey of what each firm does in Ottawa, but I’m not sure you’re going to find a lot doing mining work,” he says.

Henrie, who is celebrating 21 years with Norton Rose Fulbright in June, says he has stayed because the firm’s social culture allowed him to build strong relationships with colleagues, including Naccarato. He says he hopes the changes in the new office will recreate that environment for his colleagues.

“Even if it sounds cliché, I enjoy coming to the office and I enjoy the colleagues I have. That makes a world of difference for me.”

LEFT TO RIGHT: The office’s “nostalgia corner”; Pierre-Paul Henrie, managing partner at Norton Rose Fulbright. PHOTOS BY MARGARITA MENARD UNION ELEVEN PHOTOGRAPHERS.

Ottawa’s new local fibre network provider is ready to connect the region’s businesses

Since launching their network last year, Hiboo Networks, a new local fibre optic network provider, has been expanding across the region with a clear mission in mind: to give Ottawa’s businesses the connectivity experience they deserve.

“Ottawa is home to some of the most innovative businesses in the world,” says Christopher Emery, general manager at Hiboo Networks. Owned by Hydro Ottawa Holding Inc., Hiboo Networks provides enterprise internet, ethernet and wavelength services exclusively for businesses and public sector organizations in the National Capital Region.

“Our city’s businesses deserve to work with a telecom service provider who will support their success with flexible commercial terms and local sales and service available by phone, email or through our digital portal.”

REVITALIZING A HISTORIC OTTAWA SITE

Hiboo Networks owns and operates a 100 per cent fibre optic network designed for Ottawa. Originally built by Hydro Ottawa to support their electrical infrastructure, this advanced network is now being expanded to serve the evolving needs of businesses and organizations across the region.

As a home-grown network, it seems fitting that Hiboo’s data centre is housed in a space that represents Ottawa’s innovative spirit.

Their state-of-the-art data centre is located in a historic downtown building on Slater Street. Over the past century, the site has served as an

operations hub, the head office of the Ottawa Hydro Electric Commission and as an electrical substation.

The space sat empty for years until it found new life as the central hub for Hiboo’s core network equipment.

“It was exciting to transform this site from a dusty storage space to a modern data centre. We created a resilient hub with advanced features, including robust security, back-up power systems and redundant fibre cables,” explains Charles Berndt, director of technology and network operations at Hiboo Networks.

“When we built the space, we made sure to have plenty of room to grow our footprint of equipment in order to serve the region with high capacity today and into the future.”

A COMMUNITY-FIRST TELECOM PROVIDER

As a proudly local company, Hiboo Networks wants to ensure the needs of Ottawa’s business community are heard.

After chatting with hundreds of businesses about their connectivity challenges, the team noticed a strong demand for enhanced internet service reliability and an overall better customer experience from telecom service providers.

For Hiboo, it is this open and ongoing dialogue that informs their services and enables them to tailor their solutions.

“We understand the challenges impacting businesses in the region,” says Emery. “Not only

do we live and work in Ottawa too, but we never assume what our customers need or want. We consult with local businesses about their priorities so they can become our priorities too.”

As Hiboo continues to expand their network, they are starting right at home in Kanata North, the largest technology hub in Canada and the location of Hiboo’s new head office.

Hiboo’s arrival has presented a unique opportunity for businesses to get high-speed internet directly from one of their neighbours. Jack Gulas, managing director at Improving Ottawa, notes that personalized support is one of the major advantages of working with a local provider.

“Hiboo Networks has been a true connectivity partner to Improving Ottawa,” Gulas says. “They took the time to understand our needs and budget and provided hands-on support every step of the way. We are thrilled to work with a local provider who is so passionate about supporting businesses in Ottawa.”

It is this kind of feedback that motivates the Hiboo team to continue building momentum and expand their reach to every business in the National Capital Region.

“We are dedicated to empowering our community through providing reliable, highspeed fibre solutions that will enable our customers’ success,” Emery says. “As Ottawa’s businesses grow and thrive, Hiboo Networks is excited to be right there alongside them supporting their connectivity needs.”

We consult with local businesses about their priorities so they can become our priorities too.

CANADA’S DEFENCE INDUSTRY STANDS READY

How business plays a key role

Ottawa businesses can play a key role in an evolving national defence sector

BY CHRISTYN CIANFARANI

The past 12 months have brought more news linked to defence than perhaps the entire decade preceding them.

Since the spring of 2023, we’ve witnessed (and this is by no means an exhaustive list) the ongoing fight for Ukraine’s freedom, a near-coup in Russia, cyberattacks on energy companies and critical infrastructure, the worst wildfire season in Canadian history, deadly heat waves, dire warnings about readiness from top leadership within the Canadian Armed Forces, the breakdown of diplomatic relations between Canada and India, the eruption of violence in Sudan, war in the Middle East, aggressive Chinese maneuvers in the air and at sea, and chaos in Haiti.

It’s been a veritable firehose of global and domestic security challenges, capped off in April by the release of an important and long-overdue update to Canada’s defence policy. That update — titled Our North Strong and Free — will serve not only as a guiding document for government and the Canadian military moving forward, but also for the defence industrial base (DIB) as it works to help meet our evolving security needs.

The language contained in the update is clear: a new type of relationship between government and the private sector is required if we are to reform defence procurement, properly equip our armed forces, and fulfill our obligations to alliances such as NATO. In an increasingly unstable world, a healthy and sustainable DIB and sovereign capability in key areas such as cyberdefence are no longer “nice to have.” They are obligatory.

They also happen to have huge, and largely untapped, economic potential. Canada’s defence industry remains in growth mode. Recent data from Statistics Canada shows employment in the industry is up 34 per cent since 2014, export sales are up 28 per cent, and overall revenues have increased by 55 per cent.

The industry’s success is, by extension, Ottawa’s success. This city is home to key federal government departments and agencies responsible for national security, our military headquarters, and many research institutions, making it a natural magnet for defence innovation.

And as defence has evolved to encompass different types of business, so too has the sector’s footprint expanded across the nation’s capital.

In March, NATO announced that its network of test centres for the Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) would be growing, and added four Ottawa-based facilities to its roster. Area X.O, the R&D complex operated by Invest Ottawa and focusing on next-generation smart mobility,

autonomy, and connectivity technologies, was one of them.

Drill down into the level of individual products and services and you begin to see how important this ecosystem has become at the local, national and international levels. Unmanned aerial vehicles (aka drones), for example, have widespread defence and civilian applications and are completely redefining the modern battlefield in Ukraine. Those technologies are being developed and manufactured in Ottawa, are being used by the Ottawa Police Service and other regional and municipal partners, and rank among Canada’s top defence exports.

Zooming out to a macro level, productivity in Canada has been lagging for many years, with gross domestic

product per capita declining for the past six consecutive quarters. As government looks to turn the tide, it needs to start “picking winners.” The best way to do that, I’d argue, is to take a hard look at objective criteria such as strong R&D intensity, export intensity, employment in STEM, and clear domestic and global demand for products and services. Canada’s defence sector checks all those boxes, and more.

So as our challenges grow ever more complex and our leaders look for ways to light a fire under the Canadian economy, we should be looking no further than our homegrown defence industry. As always, it stands ready.

Christyn Cianfarani is president and CEO of CADSI.

“This brings the world to our world and will help bring our companies and their technologies out to the world. I think this is a massive opportunity for us. It really does cement (Ottawa) as a global tech hub.” SONYA SHOREY, INTERIM PRESIDENT AND CEO OF INVEST OTTAWA

Ottawa’s Area X.O, NRC to become global tech testing hubs for NATO network

BY DAVID SALI david@obj.ca

Four Ottawa-area facilities are among 13 sites in Canada that will test nextgeneration defence and security technologies developed by companies from around the world as part of a new NATO program.

The federal government announced recently that Area X.O, an all-weather testing ground for wireless and connected technology in the city’s south end, will join three facilities run by the National Research Council — the Canadian

Photonics Fabrication Centre; the Ocean, Coastal and River Engineering facility; and the Digital Technologies Research Centre — in NATO’s Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) network.

“The selection of Area X.O and three NRC labs as NATO DIANA test centres is a testament to Ottawa’s leadership in defence and security innovation,” Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe said in a statement.

“This global recognition will help drive new business to local companies, accelerate the development and adoption of cutting-edge Ottawa technologies, and

create future jobs that fuel our long-term economic growth.”

The DIANA network aims to bring the best and brightest companies from NATO’s 32 member countries together to develop and commercialize new technologies that will be used for the organization’s defence and security operations, as well as to help tackle global issues such as climate change and food security.

No other Canadian city will be home to more than two DIANA test centres, giving the National Capital Region “a big disproportional advantage” over other parts of the country, said Sonya Shorey,

interim president and CEO of Invest Ottawa, which operates Area X.O.

“This brings the world to our world and will help bring our companies and their technologies out to the world,” Shorey told OBJ. “I think this is a massive opportunity for us. It really does cement (Ottawa) as a global tech hub.”

Two other cities, Waterloo and Dartmouth, N.S., were chosen to host accelerators that will provide specialized programming to companies in the NATOsponsored network.

Shorey noted that NATO countries will be investing “billions of euros” into developing and commercializing new technologies under the DIANA program.

Companies using Area X.O and National Research Council facilities to test their prototypes will likely also be looking to capitalize on Ottawa’s deep-rooted engineering and programming expertise while they’re here, she added, providing invaluable global exposure to local firms.

“It will give us a golden opportunity to attract new global R&D, new business, new talent and investment here,” Shorey said.

“It will inevitably accelerate homegrown technology, commercialization and adoption as we’re working with different companies and innovators. There are always spinoff effects and opportunities.”

Shanaz Sigouin, co-founder and chief administrative officer of Ottawa-based defence technology startup AirShare, called the decision to make Area X.O a test site for technology that will be pioneered by NATO countries a “game-changer” for his company.

“We leverage the unique expertise and capabilities of Area X.O for R&D, testing, validation and demonstration,” said Sigouin, whose firm uses 3D printers to produce guided missiles that are designed to disable drones.

“As a newly minted NATO DIANA test centre, we will have facilitated access to this global network, including prospective customers, talent and collaborators. It will also help us to identify new global markets and revenue streams that propel our growth.”

How cyber and emerging technologies are becoming integral parts of defence spending

CANSEC, one of the city’s largest

trade

shows,

ran May 29-30

at the EY Centre. To highlight the growing importance of emerging technologies and broader themes affecting the defence industry, we spoke with Marc Watters, cyberpolicy lead with the Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries (CADSI).

Q: “Emerging technology” is a term that people hear a lot nowadays and they tend to think of things like artificial intelligence. What does it mean in the context of the defence and security sector?

It used to be that our sector was really focused on traditional defence platforms. So ships, tanks, planes, body armour. And now what we’re seeing is that there’s a huge new focus on a range of technologies that can often be incorporated into those more traditional platforms or projects. It could be clean technology on naval bases, for example, or more advanced stuff like new

health-care technologies. The idea that a soldier might be able to swallow a pill and have it report their vitals to a doctor on the other side of the planet who could give guidance to someone who’s working with that patient on the battlefield. It can also be more obvious things like quantum and, yes, AI, where we’re looking to try to automate a lot of activities or significantly improve the speed of military decision-making.

Q: It sounds like the industry is expanding significantly. Is that a fair assessment?

Oh yes, absolutely. The top companies on

global stock markets are now on our trade show floor at CANSEC. If you went back 15 years, you never would have seen that. The idea that a technology doesn’t belong in defence or national security, I don’t think that’s a reality anymore. There are so many functions that are not defence-specific that are still essential, such as energy security, or even textiles. Name me an industry that has no relevance to defence and I bet you can’t find one. Defence is also an area where we’re going see a lot of government expenditure going forward, so no matter what kind of business you are, you should at least take a look at what’s being asked

for and decide if you can meet that need — because it can be lucrative if you have the patience and the tenacity.

Q: Speaking of planned expenditures, Canada has just come out with an update to its defence policy, a blueprint for the next two decades in defence. How would you say that has been received in the business community?

I know everybody uses the words “cautiously optimistic.” But that’s the prevailing sentiment. There could have been no money, there could have been more cuts given the economic environment in which we find ourselves. So the idea that more than $8 billion in new defence spending is being set aside for the next five years is a strong signal from the government. Obviously one of the big things that industry is wondering — whether it’s the traditional defence firms or newer entrants — is when government

changes over, is this investment going to be carried through? Digital intelligence collection and analysis and some of the core defence technologies, that’s where I think we’re going to see money spent over the next two years. For emerging tech firms, it’s encouraging to see that coming out the door first.

Q:There do seem to be more public conversations happening around defence lately in Canada. What’s that in response to?

I think that, even though we don’t know whether Donald Trump is going to become president in the U.S. again, when he makes statements like, “Well, we might not come to your aid if you don’t get serious about defence” it sends a message that Canadians understand. We don’t want to be seen as not pulling our weight. And so our government is stepping forward and making an unequivocal statement to our allies. That we take defence seriously. That we are going to make investments. That we plan to follow through, because we want to be seen to be doing our part. That’s also a very strong message for industry to receive.

Q: It’s one thing to receive it and another to be able to act on it. What supports do businesses need to “seize” this moment?

The first is protection. Foreign adversaries are infiltrating all sorts of different institutions in Canada, whether they be academic, research-based, or in defence.

They’re pulling out intellectual property in our sector and patenting it back in their own countries, which obviously has a negative economic impact. But more importantly, if adversaries already understand how we operate and where our weaknesses are, we can be out-competed in the battle space, which could result in loss of life. And that’s when it gets serious. I think it’s critical that the government works with the defence industry to provide proper services and supports. The Canadian Centre for Cybersecurity recently stood up a team dedicated to protecting the defence industrial base, and that’s a good start.

Second, as an organization, CADSI is working hard to identify and respond to the evolving needs of our members. Companies want to be connecting with the customer, obviously, and that’s why we have things like the CANSEC Labs and B2B/B2G meeting program at CANSEC, plus attendance at international defence shows. But firms also have policy concerns and part of my role is to ensure that the ones specific to cyber and emerging technology are being heard on Parliament Hill. We have an internal member committee called the Cyber Council for that purpose.

Finally, industry still doesn’t have a sense — especially in the advanced technology space — of the types of technologies or relationships that government wants to advance with us. We’re missing an entire ecosystem for understanding what the needs are, communicating those needs clearly with

strong demand signals to industry, and then aligning the policy and regulatory environment to facilitate these interactions.

Q:I understand CADSI has an event planned for early November called the Cyber and Digital Outlook. What do you hope to accomplish, especially as Canada works toward building that ecosystem?

This event is brand new and is partially modelled on our existing Canadian Armed Forces Outlooks in the spring. We’ll be welcoming representatives from various government departments

with responsibilities linked to cyber and emerging tech to speak directly with industry. To say: “Here’s the sort of technology I want to acquire. This is how we’re thinking of working with you. This is how we’re going to test and onboard your technology. This is how we want to be able to deploy.” That will be beneficial to both sides and allow an exchange of ideas. We hope that could evolve into more regular touchpoints and new approaches to procurement. Maybe looking at prototypes and viable models rather than RFPs that are 100 pages long. There’s a lot of work to do in this space, but also huge opportunity.

CLOCKWISE: Vice-chief of the defence staff Lt-Gen. Frances Allen (centre) explores the CANSEC Labs in June 2023. CADSI senior policy adviser Marc Watters chats with a member during the recent Canadian Armed Forces Outlooks in Ottawa. Lt-Gen. Allen chats with Microsoft’s Derek Dobson during CANSEC 2023. PHOTOS COURTESY OF CADSI

Navigating Through Disruption: Ottawa Company Zighra’s AI Technology On Guard For Canada

In an era when geopolitical tensions simmer and technological warfare advances, the specter of GPS (Global Positioning System) jamming and spoofing poses a silent yet formidable threat. These sophisticated cyberattacks disrupt everything from daily communications to critical defense operations, highlighting vulnerabilities in global security infrastructures. Ottawa-based Zighra stands as a beacon of innovation, deploying AIdriven solutions that detect, understand, decide, and act against such dangers. With a deep understanding of the stakes involved, Zighra’s cutting-edge technology not only enhances Canada’s defense capabilities but also actively shapes a resilient future in a world where digital warfare knows no boundaries.

Zighra’s Strategic Solutions in Action

Advancing Canada’s Defense with Cutting-Edge AI Technologies

Amid increasing global unrest and threats from both state and non-state actors, Canada’s Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces are advancing toward becoming AI-enabled by 2030. Despite this proactive stance, there remains a perception that Canada lags in adopting advanced defense tactics. Zighra is determined to change this narrative by leveraging its highly cited patents and its extensive experience with leading financial institutions worldwide.

Leading the Shift Towards Transparent and Accountable AI

Zighra ensures that every decision made by its systems is traceable and justified. “The trust in AI systems by operators, commanders, and eventually citizens hinges on our ability to explain how decisions are made,” says Deepak Dutt, CEO of Zighra. “Our commitment to explainable and ethical AI applications sets a new standard in the defense sector.”

Zighra is transforming defense capabilities with its latest innovation, GenesysInsights. This advanced AI-driven platform leverages cuttingedge machine learning algorithms, including real-time data fusion and behavioural analytics, to address a wide spectrum of security challenges. GenesysInsights is distinguished by its capability to analyze and synthesize data from disparate sources, such as satellite imagery and direct sensor inputs, offering decisionmakers unparalleled situational awareness. Its unique feature includes an adaptive learning engine that continually evolves, ensuring that the system stays effective as new threat patterns emerge. With its robust integration capabilities, GenesysInsights seamlessly fits into existing national defense infrastructures, enhancing operational efficiencies without the need for extensive overhauls.

Enhancing Maritime Security

One of the most pivotal applications of GenesysInsights has been its rapid experimentation with a national maritime agency. This collaboration has been fundamental in enhancing maritime security, providing comprehensive situational awareness by integrating data from multiple sources, including satellite data, terrestrial AIS (automatic identification system), and direct inputs from shipboard sensors. The platform offers a realtime analytical view that is crucial for the safety and operational efficiency of maritime activities.

From Idea to Implementation: The Zighra Edge

“We developed our platform to combat AIpowered threats, integrating diverse sensors to enhance our detection capabilities,” explains Dutt. “Our customers are particularly impressed with our ability to detect anomalies across

different sensors, significantly enhancing the security of ports against cyber and radio frequency attacks.”

Within just five months, this pilot project with the national maritime agency demonstrated Zighra’s rapid developmental prowess, transitioning from concept to full-scale implementation. This not only fortifies maritime security but also exemplifies Zighra’s capability to generate and deploy innovative technologies like GenesysInsights rapidly.

Zighra’s Path Forward and Harnessing Elite Talent

Zighra’s team, featuring top-tier researchers from prestigious institutions like Nvidia labs in Toronto, the University of Waterloo, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Carleton University is pivotal in rapidly turning innovative concepts into real-world solutions. This elite talent pool addresses complex defense challenges swiftly and effectively.

With over a decade of experience, 15 patents, and impactful citations from industry giants like IBM and Google, Zighra is actively expanding its reach. The firm has harnessed strategic procurement vehicles under the Innovative Solutions Canada (ISC) program, such as the Pathway to Commercialization, enabling it to quickly bring its solutions from the laboratory to real-world defense applications. This capability not only positions Zighra at the forefront of Canadian defense technology but also showcases its role on a global stage, including advancements in cybersecurity and GPS Navigation Warfare.

As digital threats continue to evolve, so does the landscape of defense technology. Zighra remains at the forefront, continuously advancing its AI solutions to meet emerging challenges. With ambitious projects on the horizon and ongoing enhancements to GenesysInsights, Zighra is committed to leading innovation in resilience and security. This proactive approach not only safeguards Canada’s interests but also contributes to global stability in an increasingly interconnected world.

Deepak Dutt, CEO, Zighra.

Stonefields Estate will make your next corporate event unforgettable

Enjoy being treated like royalty at a countryside setting, steeped in timeless elegance

Stonefields Estate feels like the kind of place where time stands still.

It may be the idyllic countryside location or the historic farm buildings dotting the property that give it an air of timelessness.

Owners Steve Malenfant and Stephanie Brown-Malenfant have added their own special touches to this historic property in Beckwith.

“We want to make sure every guest feels the magic of Stonefields the moment they arrive,” explains Steve.

The couple is so dedicated to their passion for hosting events that they left successful careers nearly 15 years ago to launch their business.

Elegant hosting from the heart

Stephanie and Steve first started hosting weddings in a simple white tent. A decade ago, they searched the countryside for the perfect barn to form the centrepiece at Stonefields. They found one on a 140-year-old neighbouring farm, meticulously taking it apart piece by piece and building what is now known as the Loft, an elegant, whitewashed barn adorned with crystal chandeliers.

The French country-inspired Loft offers a view from every window to a sweeping countryside, and it has a sheltered verandah and outdoor bar for mixing and mingling. More recently, they added a stunning white Ceremony House, enhancing the beauty of Stonefields and offering space for elegant events and wedding ceremonies.

Together, they’ve perfected the art of hosting upscale, beautiful events and treating guests like royalty on their wedding day. Stephanie takes the art of entertaining to a whole new level, carefully curating events to fit each

client’s vision, while Steve brings his East Coast heritage and a military man’s meticulous attention to detail.

“At Stonefields, we take great pride in offering exceptional white glove service,” says Stephanie. “It’s the cornerstone of everything we do—from event planning to execution. Our kitchen, led by Executive Chef Angela Hodgson, prepares exquisite hors d’oeuvres, sumptuous meals and heavenly desserts.”

Customized corporate events, large and small Stonefields has recently expanded the business. The venue is now hosting corporate events, holiday parties, private functions and monthly four-course public dinner events.

“This is a natural extension for us,” says Steve. “We love what we do. People love what we do. Now, we can share the Stonefields experience with a wider audience.”

A mere thirty minutes from Ottawa, Stonefields is an ideal location for corporate events, offering a unique and exquisite setting.

With so many beautiful spaces to choose from, the possibilities are endless. The Loft and Ceremony House each holds 220 guests for large-scale corporate events. Next door is the property’s stone farmhouse, built in 1857. This beautifully renovated 4,000-square-foot country home offers generous main-level rooms for meetings and gatherings, along with overnight accommodations for eight guests, complete with a large French country kitchen.

Next door, the Badchild Pub offers both a comfy haven and an executive green room or breakout space for events. There are stunning outdoor spaces for games,

team building and group events, too.

“No matter what your vision is for your corporate event, we would love to make it happen,” says Stephanie. “Our team works closely with you to customize your experience, plan your menus and coordinate your event. We ensure everything is seamless and offer warm, exceptional high-end hospitality.”

Why not experience Stonefields for yourself? Join one of the upcoming Stonefields Dinner Events open to the public, where you’ll enjoy a deliciously curated four-course dinner with family or friends. Each dinner experience is unique with a themed menu prepared by Chef Angela and her team. Upcoming events include Mediterranean, Mexican and Fall Harvest dinners, among others.

Guests mingle over cocktails on the outdoor verandah, explore the estate’s grounds and buildings, and then enjoy dinner, complete with live music.

Book your Stonefields Estate experience today:

• Corporate Events

• Corporate Holiday Parties

• Private Events and Petite Weddings

• Monthly Stonefields Dinner Events (open to the public)

“Our guests love the whole experience, from our exquisite cuisine to our enchanting spaces,” explains Stephanie. “Our culinary team works tirelessly to create innovative dishes that reflect each month’s theme, using the finest local and seasonal ingredients.”

“We love to see events come together,” says Steve. “It wows everyone every time.”

How to avoid having employees see RTO mandates as a power grab

BY MIA JENSEN mia@obj.ca

While some organizations may be eager to get employees back into the office, local HR professionals say a rush to return can lead to a lack of planning and communication that can cause more damage in the long run.

“The world of work has changed since the pandemic but it’s like a lot of companies are trying to go back to exactly how it was before and that’s never going to happen,” said Lydia Di Francesco, a workplace wellness specialist and CEO of Fit + Healthy 365. “That’s where there’s been some friction.”

A recent study from the University of Pittsburgh Katz Graduate School of Business found that forcing employees back into the office decreases job satisfaction and does little to increase performance or support a firm’s values. It also found that employees may view “RTO” mandates as a power grab by employers to reassert control or blame employees for poor company performance.

According to Di Francesco, employees can become frustrated and less productive when companies force full or partial return-to-work mandates without a carefully considered plan.

“What I’m hearing from people is that they go in-person and it doesn’t seem to be very valuable time,” she said. “There aren’t many people there. They’re mostly doing the same type of work from the office and wondering why they couldn’t just do it from home. That increases the level of frustration, because people are like, why am I even here?”

This can also occur with the hybrid model, which Di Francesco said remains the common approach for companies hoping to have employees spend more time in the office.

In many cases, the hybrid model is a

What I’m hearing from people is that they go in-person and it doesn’t seem to be very valuable time ... That increases the level of frustration, because people are like, why am I even here?

necessary compromise, as remote work remains popular among former office dwellers post-pandemic, said Di Francesco.

“(Employees) realized that there are a lot of positives,” she said. “In terms of flexibility, work-life harmony, or even cost savings on gas and parking fees. And people were getting their work done. A lot of people are not as keen to go back to the office and therefore lose some of those benefits that they’ve found.

“I think employers are realizing that a 100-per-cent return to office might lead a lot of people to quit or to just really unhappy employees. Businesses are trying to find a happy medium.”

To find that happy medium, employers need a good plan.

“The best scenario is when there’s a

strategy on the employer’s side in terms of how they’re going to engage employees from the onset, before that mandate even takes place,” said Jillian Moores with Quo HR Consulting.

She said the process begins with communication. In addition to understanding employee concerns, employers need to identify and express why working in-person is valuable for the company and the employee.

“Why is coming back to the office important?” said Moores. “That’s going to be different across the board. For some, it’s about clients or teamwork, for others it’s really about productivity. Some teams really do function better when they’re actually together.

“Certainly the biggest question I see

from employees is, ‘Why do I have to go into the office when I can do what I do at home?’ For the employer side, it really is important to know what you want them to do in the office that isn’t happening when fully remote.”

Not all employees are reluctant to take up their daily commutes again. Moores said attitudes have shifted for some workers, who feel that working from home every day has taken a toll.

Because of the spectrum of employee reactions, she said making a plan and setting both firm and flexible rules allows employers to be prepared for whatever response they get.

“It’s a risk assessment,” she said. “On the employer side, there needs to be preparation for what the policy is and sticking to that. If they can’t stick to it, how much are they willing to adjust? Are they going to give a little or not? It’s good to have that thinking in place before launching the strategy, because there may be some collateral damage. They need to consider whether they’re ready for that.”

The strategy needs to extend to the hiring process. “There are a percentage of candidates out there for whom it is a hard line. They do not want to work in an office. They want to be 100-per-cent remote. As an employer, you have to be prepared. You need good, clear, solid policies.”

Moores added that changing work environments can be disruptive and stressful, which also may impact performance.

“I feel like a re-onboarding plan would be a lovely idea,” said Moores. “Like anyone coming back from time away from work, it’s actually quite difficult when you’ve been in a home work environment to go back to sitting in an office for eight hours a day. Employers should ask if there are new things the team needs. Is there new technology or new offerings? What would make the office more comfortable, even if it’s just new desks or pens?”

How to mitigate AI legal risks by asking the right questions

Emond Harnden associate Zoriana Priadka tells us how

While the AI train has left the station, there are ways employers can help keep it on track when it comes to mitigating legal risks.

Asking some key questions, whether you’re using a free service like Chat GPT or a custom tool built by a third-party provider, is a good place to start.

Emond Harnden associate Zoriana Priadka is following up the conversation she kicked off in April with some specific questions you can ask AI tools and the people who build them.

Understanding AI hallucinations and bias

One of the biggest challenges with generative AI tools, especially with the ever-present Chat GPT, is understanding how they work.

Rather than prioritizing accuracy, they instead focus on pattern recognition.

Priadka used the recent example of an airline’s AI-powered chatbot to illustrate this point in Emond Harnden’s latest webinar. In that case, a customer was given the wrong information about the airline’s bereavement fare policy, and it conflicted with the information on the company’s website. Ultimately, the airline was found liable for the chatbot’s mistake to the tune of hundreds of dollars in damages and court fees.

“The question here is ‘Can you guarantee the accuracy of AI-generated output?’,” said Priadka. “Can you ensure that the chatbot isn’t potentially creating liability for the company by giving wrong or ambiguous results?”

Priadka explained that pattern recognition is why AI ‘hallucinations’ occur. AI is only as good as the training data fed into it; if training data is incorrect or biased, the results might lead to AI ‘hallucinations’. To mitigate this risk, she suggests asking your AI tool a question you already know the answer to as a test.

“When I did that with a case law example, I got a fake result,” she said.

She continued the interrogation by asking the tool, “Is this a real case?” It responded by confirming, and then going one step further. The

tool cited a source to back up its claim — which was also made up.

Pattern recognition is also a possible culprit behind potential biases in the context of recruitment or performance reviews. That’s why you have to be mindful of the data you’re feeding into AI tools for these purposes.

“If you’re using AI in the hiring process to screen applications of potential candidates by feeding resumes or characteristics of your current employees into it, you’re essentially giving it the data set to work with,” said Priadka. “If all of your current employees for instance happen to be male, you may be implicitly feeding it instructions to seek our more male candidates without meaning to.”

The same thing can happen with other identifying factors, like ethnicity.

“In that context, you want to find out how to use the tool effectively to avoid biases that discriminate against some people and unintentionally exclude a potentially great employee,” she said.

Know your data

Another area for potential liability related to the use of AI tools is data management and security.

“If you’re using a third party to develop a custom AI tool for your company, ask them questions about the integrity of your data,” said Priadka.

These could include:

• How and where is the information being stored?

• Who can access it?

• How often is it being destroyed?

• Who at the third-party company has access to it?

• Is the third-party company following the company’s information life cycle policies and procedures?

Jurisdiction is another potential challenge to consider.

Globally, the legal AI landscape is very much at the beginning stages, with laws in different countries nowhere near harmonized.

“When you have an international employer, they could be subject to multiple laws that could overlap or be in conflict,” she said. “This includes human rights laws, privacy laws, data security, etc., all of which can vary from country to country.”

She suggests asking questions like:

• How do we know the information won’t beused in another jurisdiction?

• If we decide to expand, how will we ensure jurisdictional issues will be addressed?

Since laws that address these and many other legal complexities are in flux, it creates ongoing questions of compliance.

When working with any AI tool, the best plan right now is to seek out a thorough legal assessment to ensure your interests are protected.

To receive regular updates on labour and employment law, subscribe to Emond Harnden’s complimentary Focus Alerts.

This article is intended to provide readers with general information only. It should not be regarded or relied upon as legal advice or opinion. Accessing, reading, relying on or otherwise using this article does not, under any circumstances, create a lawyer-client relationship between you and Emond Harnden.

HUMAN RESOURCES

It could have been an email: How generational gaps cause communication conflict

BY MIA JENSEN mia@obj.ca

In an age of instant messaging and video-conferencing, the way employees communicate within the workplace has changed drastically, experts say.

And, according to a recent study, that can cause conflict between the generations.

Recruitment agency Robert Walters surveyed approximately 2,000 white collar professionals across Canada and found that younger generations are leaning heavily on digital communications styles, with 59 per cent preferring instant messaging and email over calls or meetings.

They’re also turning away from direct interaction, with 50 per cent reporting they feel uncomfortable making phone calls and 46 per cent saying that taking long lunch meetings with clients is an outdated practice.

“They’ve grown up in the digital age and tend to favour digital channels for their convenience, speed and ability to multitask,”

said Martin Fox, managing director of Robert Walters Canada. “They don’t make phone calls often, not even to their friends.”

Older generations, meanwhile, continue to value business phone calls and face-toface meetings, with 49 per cent believing that less interaction will have a negative impact on relationships. At the same time, only 11 per cent of younger professionals believe calls and meetings are worthwhile.

According to Fox, younger team members may report feeling overwhelmed or disengaged during meetings or calls. Conversely, older employees may have a negative perception of their younger colleagues, feeling they over-rely on technology and questioning their interpersonal skills.

“It can lead to misunderstandings, frustration, inefficiency within teams and important messages may get lost in translation, which will hinder effective collaboration and teamwork,” he said.

Without taking the time to foster

understanding in the workplace, these differences in communication styles between generations can create tension in the workplace, according to Fox.

He suggests bridging the gap starts by understanding how preferences vary among employees.

“That will allow both sides to develop an understanding and empathy across generations, which will hopefully create a culture of inclusivity and acceptance of different styles,” he said. “It’s about coming to an agreement of what’s going to work for us as a team. Another way is to offer partnership programs where employees can learn from each other and gain insight into different communication styles.”

AGE NOT ONLY FACTOR IN COMMUNICATION PREFERENCES

While generational differences are clear, Andrea Greenhous said it isn’t just age that dictates communication preferences.

“There’s also personality differences,

different learning styles,” said Greenhous, president of Vision2Voice, an Ottawabased internal communications consulting firm. “For example, introverts work very differently than extroverts. Introverts, if you’re in a meeting discussing ideas, often won’t speak up, so you need to give them alternate ways to communicate their ideas.”

When it comes to navigating conflicting communications styles, Greenhous said it isn’t about finding a balance between gen Z and baby boomers’ styles, but determining which channels work best for achieving the desired outcome.

“We have to be really clear about what we use, when to use it and why it’s effective,” she said. “It’s really about the type of work you’re doing and the type of outcome you’re trying to achieve and making sure that you’re using the right tool. It’s about trying and learning and trying something else. Nothing is perfect and no channel is going to be perfect.”

For example, while some older workers prefer face-to-face meetings, those meetings can still become a point of frustration for everyone if they aren’t well thought out or if something’s lacking in the company’s communication ecosystem.

Greenhous said many of her clients struggle with company-wide town halls because gaps in the company’s communication system meant information wasn’t being passed on to employees and, as a result, those in-person meetings often ended up going off-topic.

“The CEO would get up and talk about priorities and strategy, but people wanted to know when they were getting a raise,” she said.

“A town hall is not the time to tell them that. But there was something missing in that communication ecosystem, where they weren’t giving employees updates on salary. We really looked at the system and how different topics are effectively communicated through the right channels at the right time.”

When it comes to the generational divide, Greenhous added that, for both younger and older employees, a gap in skills or comfort can often be the source of conflict.

“Some of the older generation are not as tech savvy; they’re not digital natives,” she said. “With gen Z, they’re a bit behind socially because of the pandemic. They spent their first years in the workforce behind a computer.”

How Red Rooster Golf makes golf tournaments memorable

Maybe you know the feeling. You’re on a golfing trip with your buddies, kitted out in new golf gear, only to find yourself digging in the bottom of your bag to find a sad, old, wrinkled golf glove.

Or maybe you don’t. But Kerry Moher certainly does.

Fortunately, Moher is the kind of guy who would take a moment like that and turn it into a successful kickstarter campaign in the middle of a pandemic.

He did it in part by partnering with friend and Former PGA tour player Brad Fritsch, and their effort was the genesis of Red Rooster Golf.

Elevating your golf tournament

Clearly when Moher does something, he goes all in. Most people would buy a book about kickstarters before launching a campaign. Moher did that, and then called the author.

Which is why anyone who has used Red Rooster’s swag at their tournament says they’d do it again in a heartbeat.

“Kerry saw that typical golf tournament gifts were underwhelming,” said Red Rooster’s director of marketing and communications, Mandy Gulliver. “We understand that each event is unique, and we work closely with organizers to customize our packages.”

What you can expect for your event is the same attention to detail that Moher put into founding his company. “We engage in detailed correspondence with event organizers to understand their specific goals, needs and budget,” said Gulliver.

Based on what they learn, tournament organizers can mix and match different products into a custom gift box, or suggest a single item that will really wow participants.

“One of our most popular items is The

Glove Compartment,” said Gulliver. It’s a storage solution for your glove that will keep it unwrinkled and at the ready. “In addition to having a sleek and stylish design, it’s a great option for custom branding.”

While there are many golf accessories besides gloves to choose from, including tees and hats, Moher’s attention to detail shines throughout the entire process.

That includes the quality of the materials they use, to their focus on customer service.

“We provide ongoing support to event planners, working closely with them to ensure everything is delivered on schedule,” said Gulliver.

And, one of the more unique offerings they’ve offered for several years at Faces Magazine’s Annual Charity Golf Tournaments are glove fittings for the participants. Their braided belts have also been a bit hit as of late.

Who can benefit?

Anyone who is organizing a golf tournament for a corporate or charity event will find something at Red Rooster to take it to the next level.

There are packages to suit anyone’s budget, including one for non-profit and charity tournaments.

“Our goal is to provide an alternative high-quality but budget-friendly solution that leaves a lasting impression with tournament guests,” said Gulliver.

“People are going to be really happy they went to your tournament because they get to support a charity, and take a little something home for themselves,” she added.

If you’d like to learn more or start planning your order, email sales @ redroostergolf.com and include the date, location, and approximate number of guests for your upcoming event.

How the Ottawa Jazz Festival delivers intimate concert experiences year after year

Director Petr Cancura tells us what’s on tap this summer for chilling downtown

If jazz legend Dexter Gordon was right when he said, “Jazz to me is a living music,” the Ottawa Jazz Festival will be injecting a bit of life downtown for the 44th summer running.

The roots of the festival run deep.

“It’s the second oldest jazz festival in Canada, and the second largest after Montreal,” said festival director Petr Cancura, who took the reins for the first time in January after 13 years as its Artistic Director.

Despite being one of the largest festivals in the city, this outdoor concert series offers the intimate feel its fans love.

That’s why Cancura and his team are committed to maintaining the chill vibe while staying on the lookout for new acts that will attract a new generation of fans.

What’s on tap for 2024

Cancura and his team work closely with the national and international jazz communities to book a stellar lineup every year, and 2024 is no exception.

“We’re always searching for artists who are doing something authentic at the forefront of their art form,” he said. “For us, jazz represents a broad spectrum.”

That’s why you’ll find funk musicians like

George Clinton and Parliament-Funkadelic collective playing in the same lineup as rising Icelandic star Laufey, a legacy artist like Norah Jones and a jazz legend like Al Di Meola.

To the jazz and music aficionado, the heart of the festival may be at the NAC’s Fourth Stage and Azrieli Studio with shows by Kurt Elling, Tim Berne, Geoffrey Keezer, Darcy James Argue and many more.

An active musician himself, Cancura’s deep connections to the local music community have also helped give the local music scene a lift. His team made his peers an official part of the festival last year for the first time with The Homegrown Series.

“It’s a week leading up to the festival that features local artists at local clubs,” said Cancura.

The Jazz Youth Summit is taking place again as well, offering nine music students from Ottawa highschools and universities the chance of a lifetime to get mentored by jazz greats.

And, the free concert series creates opportunities to turn jazz newbies into fans — it includes about 50 performances this year.

“Some shows are at our traditional venues like City Hall during the day, but we’ve also partnered with Queen Street Fair, the Sparks

Street BIA and clubs like Irene’s, Live on Elgin, Art House Cafe and Montgomery Scotch Lounge, and many more,” said Cancura.

Keeping the vibe alive

With inflation increasing operating costs and government grants on the decline, Cancura made a bold move to find sponsors for 2024.

“Funding is the biggest challenge we face every year,” he said. To help solve that problem, the festival engaged a Toronto-based promo firm to find sponsors to keep ticket prices in check.

With that off his plate, Cancura’s team could focus on answering the million-dollar question: “How do we sustainably grow while maintaining the intimacy that we’re known for?”

The answer could be spreading the love of jazz year-round with new programming, so stay tuned for that.

What’s clear is the Ottawa Jazz Festival, through its sponsorship partnerships with key players in the hospitality industry, like the CAA, OLG and The Lord Elgin Hotel, does more than provide a unique, intimate concert experience.

The festival impacts Ottawa’s economy in a big way, especially the hospitality and tourism industry.

Last year, 180,000 people attended the festival, which included more than 20,000 tourists. Eight-five per cent of them came to Ottawa specifically to attend the festival. The total economic impact amounted to $34 million.

With Cancura at the helm, what Ottawans can expect are more opportunities to experience an amazing musical experience at the Ottawa Jazz Festival.

“We’re excited to stay as relevant in the music scene as ever and bring the best possible music to the city,” he said.

PHOTO BY CHRIS PARKER

PHOTO BY ADAM HUGHES

PHOTO BY PETER JURANKA

CHRIS BOTTI

JANELLE MONAE

Connecting homebuyers with convenient, attainable options in Ottawa’s west end

Minto Communities’ Homes from the high $300s at Anthem in Barrhaven & from the low $400s at Parkside at Arcadia in Kanata

Minto Communities has been building new homes, master-planned communities, and condominiums for almost 70 years across North America, always putting homeowners and homebuyers first. To ensure the best quality of life possible, this award-winning company strives for greatness in everything it builds. The company believes a community is more than just a place to live – it’s a place to grow and thrive.

In Ottawa, Minto Communities has maintained a high profile as a builder of repute. From building the Minto Dream Home for CHEO for 24 years in a row (including this year), to winning Builder of the Year at the Greater Ottawa Home Builders’ Association Awards (2022, 2021, 2019, 2016), the company is dedicated to Ottawa. This trusted, award-winning builder has created sustainable, premium communities in Barrhaven, Kanata, Orléans and Manotick.

Recently, two of Minto Communities’ Ottawa-area master-planned communities have enjoyed great success and popularity with homebuyers: Anthem in Barrhaven, and Parkside at Arcadia in Kanata.

Attainable homes at Anthem and Parkside at Arcadia

Both Anthem and Parkside at Arcadia have been so successful because they offer first-time homebuyers the opportunity to own attainable homes priced in the high $300,000s at Anthem, and from the low $400,000s at Parkside at Arcadia. Both communities also offer the chance to live surrounded by parks, while connected to all the urban amenities essential for today’s busy lifestyles.

Anthem and Parkside at Arcadia are equally enticing to homebuyers. In both locations, the innovative and well-planned Metro Towns offer open-concept, 2-bedroom floorplans, with three-piece bathrooms, private entrances, and welcome outdoor space: either a ground floor patio or a generously sized balcony.

homebuyers

and connection are the hallmark of Anthem. Located right in the centre of Barrhaven’s future downtown, this complex of attainable Metro Towns is recognizably one of the most anticipated new Ottawa area communities. At the launch of Anthem last October, more than 70 units were sold, representing 95 per cent of those available during this first release. Homebuyers lined up the day before the opening, eagerly waiting to secure one of the Metro Towns. They were impressed by the price and location, perfect for first-time buyers, as well as the layout and design of the homes themselves.

For those who prefer to live outside of downtown Ottawa but close enough for short trips for work or entertainment, Anthem is the ideal place. It confers a feeling of being removed from the fast pace of the city, while presenting a plethora of exciting urban amenities nearby, including the future Civic Centre.

From Anthem, everything homeowners need is only a 15-minute walk or bicycle ride away. They can revel in the parks and walking trails of Barrhaven, its eclectic shops and restaurants, relaxing recreation centres, great schools, and transit accessibility; a planned new LRT station will make commuting even easier. That’s on top of Barrhaven’s existing Via Rail station, multiple rapid bus stations, and easy access to the highway.

Attainable home ownership at Parkside at Arcadia

With Metro Towns’ affordability, Parkside at Arcadia exemplifies Minto Communities’ commitment to making it easier for younger, first-time purchasers to buy their own home. Thoughtfully located in the heart of Kanata’s retail and entertainment district, Parkside at Arcadia offers

premier access to shopping malls, restaurants, cafes, and nature parks. Transit is in the midst of a transformation as well, with the future LRT station just steps away from Parkside at Arcadia.

Anthem and Parkside at Arcadia are two new communities that fulfil the needs of homebuyers looking for inspiring homes featuring designs that meet the ever-changing trends, styles and needs of today. Both are sustainable, master-planned communities geared to fostering health and well-being.

For more information on Minto Communities’ Anthem in Barrhaven and Parkside at Arcadia in Kanata, please visit our website!

Anthem Metro Towns embraced by

Convenience

We’re pleased to showcase this year’s recipients of our annual Forty Under 40 award.

Eric Agyemang

39, FOUNDER AND MANAGING PARTNER, MAPLE BRIDGE VENTURES

Kate Agyemang

39, SENIOR ASSOCIATE, BORDEN LADNER GERVAIS LLP

Jason Anbara

38, CEO, NORTHLEND FINANCIAL INC.

Richard Beranek

37, MANAGING PARTNER, BRASH INC.

Matthew Blostein

34, WEALTH ADVISOR, CIBC WOOD GUNDY

Neel Chadha

35, PHYSICIAN / ENTREPRENEUR, LANARK LIFESTYLES LTD.

Shea Cole

37, VICE-PRESIDENT MARKETING, FIELD EFFECT

Laura Dionne

39, SENIOR DIRECTOR PEOPLE AND CULTURE, OTTAWA SENATORS HOCKEY CLUB

Fares Elsabbagh

39, CEO, OTTAWA GENERAL CONTRACTORS

Yasser Ghazi

35, DIRECTOR AND TEAM LEAD, COMMERCIAL SERVICES, MERIDIAN CREDIT UNION

Nicolas Gosselin

39, CEO, NOMAD TELECOM

Geoff Howe

39, DISTRICT MANAGER, PCL CONSTRUCTION

Heather Jeffery

34, FOUNDER, DESIGNER, RE4M DESIGN AND FABRICATION

Breanne Lapointe

39, DEPUTY CHIEF, LANARK COUNTY PARAMEDIC SERVICE

Bonnie Martell

33, SENIOR MANAGER, DEVELOPMENT, COLONNADE BRIDGEPORT

Chris McCluskey

39, PRESIDENT, THE MCCLUSKEY GROUP

Victoria McGlone

39, CEO AND FOUNDER, THREE CLIFFS INC.

Christine McGuire

39, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, DIEFENBUNKER: CANADA’S COLD WAR MUSEUM

Stacey McMillan

38, SENIOR MANAGER, CLIENT AND PURSUITS, REGIONS EAST, KPMG LLP

Karim Merani

39, OWNER, CARLETON PLACE IDA DRUGMART INC.

JP Michel

39, FOUNDER AND CEO, SPARKPATH INC.

Jacob Milosek

39, MANAGING PARTNER, HENDRY WARREN LLP

Michael Montone

35, FOUNDER AND CEO, FIRON ROOFING

Patrick Moore

39, PROGRAM MANAGER / SUPERINTENDENT, 176026 CANADA INC. / AMOR CONSTRUCTION

Jonathan Murray

37, CEO, HEARTEE FOODS

Tony Paciocco

37, PARTNER AND CRIMINAL LAWYER, EDELSON FOORD LAW

Lisa Paul

37, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY PROGRAMS, ST. JOHN AMBULANCE NATIONAL OFFICE

Magnolia Perron

29, INDIGENOUS WOMEN AND YOUTH PROGRAM MANAGER, NATIONAL ABORIGINAL CAPITAL CORP. ASSOC.

Wendy Ramsey

39, OWNER / GENERAL MANAGER, PIRATE COVE MARINA / RBK DISTRIBUTION INC.

Jeremy Reeds

37, PRESIDENT, WINDMILL DEVELOPMENT GROUP LTD.

Alexandre Rizk

32, CEO AND VICE-PRESIDENT, GROUPE LOYAL

Eric Saumure

35, PRINCIPAL, ZENBOOKS

Conal Slobodin

36, SENIOR MANAGER, PUBLIC AFFAIRS, WALMART CANADA

Kyle Smendziuk

34, CEO, FOUNDER, WEBMARKETERS INC.

Red Thaddeus D. Miguel

35, VICE-PRESIDENT AND CHIEF TECHNICAL OFFICER, THERABUSINESS INC.

Megan Van Rijt

39, DIRECTOR OF SALES AND DESIGN, DESLAURIER CUSTOM CABINETS

Tiffani Westerman

39, CEO, WCS NORTH AMERICA

Jordi Wills

39, PRESIDENT, WILLS TRANSFER LTD.

Eric Agyemang

39, Founder and Managing Partner, Maple Bridge Ventures

What is your biggest business achievement? Recognizing the market gaps in access to early-stage venture investment for new Canadians, and then building Maple Bridge Ventures as a national VC from the ground up to address this vastly untapped opportunity for Canada.

What is the biggest obstacle that you’ve overcome? Raising capital from LPs and securing an anchor investor for our fund.

If you weren’t in your current profession, what would be your dream job? That’s a tough choice because I’m genuinely in my dream job. Leading a firm that is equally committed to social and market returns while amplifying the importance of immigrant entrepreneurship to Canada’s innovation economy and our nation’s future prosperity is truly living the dream.

Kate Agyemang

39, Senior Associate, Borden Ladner Gervais LLP

What is your biggest business achievement? All my achievements stem from establishing and deeply investing in authentic, impactful and trusted relationships with business leaders locally, nationally and internationally.

What is the biggest obstacle that you’ve overcome? As a woman in law, parent of littles, and an adult who changed course entirely to start a second career in my 30s, the largest barrier I have faced and continue to work relentlessly to overcome is imposter syndrome. We belong at the table. There is room for all of us in law exactly as we are. Whatever individual journeys we bring to this career at every stage make us fundamentally better lawyers and advocates. We must champion our own value.

What do you like most about Ottawa’s downtown core? Ottawa’s ability to feel like a small town hidden gem while being home to so many locally owned businesses providing world-class services, products and expertise.

BUILDING SUCCESS

GEOFF HOWE | District Manager, Ottawa

PCL Construction would like to congratulate Geoff Howe for being named to the Ottawa Business Journal’s Forty Under 40 list. Geoff’s dedication to PCL’s development will ensure that we’re prepared to support the continued growth of the Ottawa community for years to come.

Jason Anbara

38, CEO, NorthLend Financial Inc.

What Ottawa businessperson, past or present, do you most admire and why? My father, for showing me how to treat people equally, be honest, be aggressive yet fair.

What do you like most about Ottawa’s downtown core? Its blend of historic charm and modern amenities. From iconic landmarks like Parliament Hill to vibrant neighbourhoods with diverse dining and entertainment options, Ottawa’s downtown offers a unique mix of culture, architecture and convenience. It’s a dynamic hub where you can experience the city’s rich history while enjoying its contemporary urban lifestyle.

If you weren’t in your current profession, what would be your dream job? I’d love to be a travel journalist, exploring the world, uncovering hidden gems and sharing captivating stories with readers. The thrill of discovering new cultures, cuisines and landscapes while immersing myself in different environments would be incredibly fulfilling.

Richard Beranek

37, Managing Partner, Brash Inc.

What is the biggest obstacle that you’ve overcome? Launching and bootstrapping Brash in 2017 when my previous business was out of runway.

What Ottawa businessperson, past or present, do you most admire and why?

Tobi Lutke — he is a very frank and honest leader who does not get caught up in the hype and self-promotion of entrepreneurship.

What do you like most about Ottawa’s downtown core? The concentration of great restaurants, parks and Parliament Hill, all within walking easy walking distance.

If you weren’t in your current profession, what would be your dream job? Astronaut.

Matthew Blostein

34, Wealth Advisor, CIBC Wood Gundy

What is the biggest obstacle that you’ve overcome? Within a few weeks of acquiring a practice in March 2020, the world experienced the fastest stock market crash in market history. Since then, I have helped clients navigate ever-changing stock markets, which included several challenging economic climates: COVID lockdowns, supply chain constraints, elevated inflation, the fastest interest rate hiking cycle in our country’s history, and heightened geopolitical risks, all while scaling the business.

What do you like most about Ottawa’s downtown core? I have noticed in the last decade an increasing number of boutique restaurants and bars have been opened throughout the downtown core. It’s inspiring to see so many entrepreneurs work alongside the city’s best chefs and mixologists, taking risks and creatively testing new concepts.

Neel Chadha

35, Physician / Entrepreneur, Lanark Lifestyles Ltd.

What is the biggest obstacle that you’ve overcome? Leased up and achieved takeout financing during the COVID-19 pandemic.

What Ottawa businessperson, past or present, do you most admire and why?

Bill Malhotra because of his success in real estate development and seniors housing.

What do you like most about Ottawa’s downtown core? How walkable it is.

If you weren’t in your current profession, what would be your dream job? Professional tennis player.

Don’t Put Limits on Yourself, says Telfer Executive MBA grad Megan van Rijt

EMBA enhanced van Rijt’s leadership skills and honed ability to work together

Driving home from the orientation for uOttawa’s Telfer Executive MBA program, Megan van Rijt was in tears. “I was wondering, is my deposit refundable?’” she says. van Rijt didn’t know how she’d balance academics with full-time work. Fast forward a few years later, van Rijt says it was the most impactful experience of her life. “I actually think it was one of the best decisions I’ve made as an adult,” she says.

van Rijt, 39, completed her EMBA in 2021 while working in Ottawa’s residential home building industry. With over a decade of solid experience, she felt she needed more tools and skills to really advance, and she certainly acquired them in the Telfer Executive MBA program. “One of the things that stands out to me would be the leadership skills we received, and working with so many diverse individuals,” she says.

Telfer’s 20-month program, the most practical and real-world EMBA in Canada, boosted van Rijt’s skills by transforming theory into practice with both coursework and six consulting engagements. This included two international projects, which allowed van Rijt to gain global insight. “You’re socially honing your strengths and learning to work together,” she explains.

Megan van Rijt, 39, is now director of sales and design at Deslaurier Custom Cabinets, where she has worked for over a year.

At Deslaurier, van Rijt manages the entire retail

customer experience, overseeing 17 employees and over $25 million in revenue. She was originally hired to activate a wholesale culture change and improve service delivery, as well as address the revenue gaps created by a soft market.

To this end, van Rijt drew on her experience at Telfer, which paves the way for students to create

meaningful change across cultures, organizations, and markets, while challenging themselves to excel by expanding their abilities and growing into a resilient and well-rounded business leader.

van Rijt established several strategies and programs that improved the customer experience, ensured staff engagement, initiated baseline KPIs and implemented digital transformation programs. During the pandemic, these initiatives increased margins and spearheaded activities that allowed the company to pivot and maintain online sales.

“Megan has achieved the large majority of these goals with an exceptionally soft market and a challenging manufacturing environment in just one year. She has single-handedly built a motivated and engaged sales force looking for growth and process improvement,” says Jill Sadler, vice president, customer experience at Delauriers.

Among van Rijt’s accomplishments, under her leadership in 2019, the sales team increased revenue by 25 per cent and she managed a team that achieved the highest ratings in Ontario for customer service in 2021, and during her time as sales manager, employee retention was 100 per cent.

van Rijt says that the EMBA program, which can be attended in person or virtually, gave her the confidence that she was missing to forge ahead with some of these projects. “I was able to charge forward and make those decisions,” she explains.

van Rijt’s contributions to the industry have been acknowledged several times over, including as Recipient of the Customer Service Excellence Award in 2011, 2013, and 2018 from the Greater Ottawa Home Building Association.

van Rijt also finds time to be active in her community through several organizations, including Unbroken Recovery & Youturn. Youturn is a not for profit that provides support to youth aged twelve to 24 whose families are in conflict with the law or are at risk of becoming so.

When asked what advice van Rijt would give someone considering the Telfer Executive MBA, she says, “Go for it! Don’t put limits on yourself.” Finally, she advises that what you put into the program is what you get out “If you go to class unprepared and unwilling to have meaningful conversations and connect with individuals, you will lose out on the relationships you can form,” she says.

Shea Cole

37, Vice-President Marketing, Field Effect

What is your biggest business achievement?

Scaled a marketing team at a tech startup from one marketer to 30-plus in five years while doubling revenue nearly every year.

What is the biggest obstacle that you’ve overcome? Combined two marketing teams as part of a merger, navigating organizational design, operational challenges and the creation of a shared culture.

If you weren’t in your current profession, what would be your dream job? I would still be doing something that requires art, science and math ... like architecture or interior design.

Laura Dionne

39, Senior Director People and Culture, Ottawa Senators Hockey Club

What is your biggest business achievement? Responsible for overhauling the employee experience and professional reputation of Ottawa Senators Hockey Club as an employer of choice.

What Ottawa businessperson, past or present, do you most admire and why? Mike Dimitriou, current regional managing partner at MNP. From very humble beginnings, Mike has achieved great business success in the Ottawa area while ensuring his priorities (family, health, enjoying life) remain uppermost.

What do you like most about Ottawa’s downtown core? Our great museums and walkability of the downtown core.

If you weren’t in your current profession, what would be your dream job? Working with rescued primates (chimpanzees and orangutans) in the wild!

Whatever individual journeys we bring to this career at every stage make us fundamentally better lawyers and advocates.

Fares Elsabbagh

39,

CEO, Ottawa General Contractors

What is the biggest obstacle that you’ve overcome? Having to grow through multiple growth cycles in the business and adapting at each stage while learning and growing as an entrepreneur and construction professional.

What Ottawa businessperson, past or present, do you most admire and why? Alex Handa is someone I used to work for and was on the front lines of his rapidly growing company. I learned a lot from him as a business person, leader and individual.

What do you like most about Ottawa’s downtown core? Its simplicity.

If you weren’t in your current profession, what would be your dream job? General manager of an NBA team.

At iHR, outstanding support creates lasting change

We go far beyond developing and implementing standard HR practices—we work with companies to empower them, identify their business objectives, challenges and visions for the future before we design a fully customized HR plan that accelerates our clients toward their goals.

• On-call HR Support

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Steady is the pace, ready wins the race ihradvisoryservices.ca

PROUD TO BE BULLYFREE 2024

GALA

Thank you to our Presenting Sponsor BMO

We would like to extend our deepest appreciation and gratitude to BMO for their generous support as the presenting sponsor at our 2024 gala. Your commitment to our cause has been integral to the event's success, and we could not have achieved it without your contribution. Your unwavering support and financial commitment have empowered us to make a positive impact on the lives of youth in our community. We are truly grateful for your partnership and look forward to continuing our work together.

Additionally, we extend a heartfelt thank you to al l our sponsors and volunteers for their dedication, generosity, and hard work. Your contributions not only helped us exceed our 2024 goals but also serve as the backbone of our success.

Thank you all for your support. To learn more about PTBM and how to get involved wi th our 2025 Gala visit our website at

I have always dreamed about pursuing a career as a professional athlete or in the culinary arts.

Yasser Ghazi

35, Director and Team Lead, Commercial Services, Meridian Credit Union

What Ottawa businessperson, past or present, do you most admire and why?

The late Joseph Nakhle. An immigrant who grew his food empire, started his own brand and expanded it through Burrito Gringo and was always so selfless with his time, wisdom and community support behind the scenes. He was an early mentor who is missed dearly.

What do you like most about Ottawa’s downtown core? The diversity. Every walk of life and offering is available in one space.

If you weren’t in your current profession, what would be your dream job? Fine dining chef.

Nicolas Gosselin

39, CEO, Nomad Telecom

What is the biggest obstacle that you’ve overcome? The desire of starting many businesses that take the focus away from the main one.

What Ottawa businessperson, past or present, do you most admire and why? Pierre Villeneuve from Multivesco because of the business vision he has that is very inclusive and his family values that follow him everywhere.

What do you like most about Ottawa’s downtown core? The capital city of Canada is amazing for its cultural richness and bilingual culture.

If you weren’t in your current profession, what would be your dream job? Definitely in the sports industry as a player, coach or agent ... actually the three of them one after the other one :-)

Geoff Howe

39, District Manager, PCL Construction

What do you like most about Ottawa’s downtown core? As a child, I loved walking through the Market with my parents on weekends and having breakfast downtown. I found the core had a lot of warmth and a lot of great energy and that was a very positive experience for me. Today, the downtown core is different in complexion and energy, largely from the impacts of COVID. However, I really enjoy walking with my kids down Sparks Street and catching glimpses of Parliament and some of our national emblems along the way.

If you weren’t in your current profession, what would be your dream job? I have always dreamed about pursuing a career as a professional athlete or in the culinary arts – I would have been incredibly passionate about both and the spinoff opportunities for creating my own business in both endeavours would have kept me engaged and motivated!

Heather Jeffery

34, Founder, Designer, Re4m Design and Fabrication

What is the biggest obstacle that you’ve overcome? Beyond the usual challenges like production inefficiencies and financial constraints, I grapple with gender bias from clients and suppliers, alongside the harsh realities of self-doubt spawned by these barriers. Bootstrapping my business has also been a challenge, but learning skills to manage resources has improved my confidence.

What do you like most about Ottawa’s downtown core? I like the walking paths the most because I love nature! I have never experienced such a major city that has the abundance of nature paths right in the core.

If you weren’t in your current profession, what would be your dream job? My dream job would be a camping equipment designer or sustainable product designer.

Breanne Lapointe

39,

Deputy Chief, Lanark County Paramedic Service

What is the biggest obstacle that you’ve overcome? Striving to maintain the health and safety of our paramedics throughout the pandemic while managing our health human resources as we were expanding our programs, responsibilities and skill sets when we were called upon to play an integral role in response to the public health crisis.

What Ottawa businessperson, past or present, do you most admire and why? All women in leadership roles within the field of paramedicine who have faced adversity to get where they are today. They are trailblazers for the rest of us as leadership roles within our profession are still largely male-dominated.

What do you like most about Ottawa’s downtown core? The Rideau Canal.

Agatha Krajewski

38, Director of Product, Shopify Inc.

What is your biggest business achievement? My latest product launch (a complete redesign of how merchants sell, manage and categorize their products on Shopify with a new product taxonomy) impacts millions of businesses and changes the way consumers shop for products online. From the product idea to getting it out to our merchants’ hands, I’ve championed the launch of this product for over a year and worked with many teams across Shopify to get it over the finish line.

What do you like most about Ottawa’s downtown core? I’ve lived in Montreal, New York and even Heidelberg (Germany). Of all these places, Ottawa’s balance of a lively downtown core (with presence of some of the biggest companies in the world), while surrounded by nature make it the perfect city for active families and couples.

If you weren’t in your current profession, what would be your dream job? As an adolescent, I aspired to be an architect — combining my love for solving complex technical problems with art.

Bonnie Martell

33, Senior Manager, Development, Colonnade BridgePort

What is your biggest business achievement? I have been an integral project leader in the execution, delivery and success of over a dozen projects, including Colonnade BridgePort’s first three mixed-use high-rise developments, which established the organization’s priority to build in transit-oriented hubs across Ottawa.

What is the biggest obstacle that you’ve overcome? Finding balance and honouring both my career and role as a mom.

What do you like most about Ottawa’s downtown core? The diversity in spaces and uses, from local retailers to year-round programming. Ottawa’s downtown core is an urban district that is beautifully situated along the Ottawa River and fosters the ability to live, work and play.

Chris McCluskey 39, President, The McCluskey Group

What is the biggest obstacle that you’ve overcome? Navigating the obstacles faced by the restaurant industry through the pandemic and the ensuing labour market challenges of the past few years.

What Ottawa businessperson, past or present, do you most admire and why? Sir Terry Matthews, for playing a role in so many Ottawa success stories and for giving back to the community in so many ways.

What do you like most about Ottawa’s downtown core? The proximity to the Ottawa River and the kilometres of bike paths to explore.

If you weren’t in your current profession, what would be your dream job? Flying very fast airplanes.

Victoria McGlone 39, CEO and Founder, Three Cliffs Inc.

What Ottawa businessperson, past or present, do you most admire and why? Sir Terry Matthews — he has inspired and encouraged my career in B2B tech sales and instilled lessons in business, leadership and entrepreneurship in many of us for decades.

What do you like most about Ottawa’s downtown core? Parliament Hill and the sights and colours of the Ottawa River.

If you weren’t in your current profession, what would be your dream job? A lawyer.

Jacob has been a key player in Hendry Warren's growth story since he started with the firm as a co-op student in 2008. His hard work and dedication to our clients, work culture, and the Ottawa community are all integral parts of achieving this Forty Under 40 award. Thank you Jacob for your mentorship over the years!

Hendry Warren is an accounting firm made up of over 80 dedicated staff serving the Ottawa region. We pride ourselves on our integrity, commitment to excellence, and community involvement.

235-2000www.hwllp.ca

CA Partner

Jacob Milosek, CPA,

Christine McGuire

39, Executive Director, Diefenbunker: Canada’s Cold War Museum

What is your biggest business achievement? Secured grants exceeding $4 million for various initiatives, including visitor experience renewal projects and capital upgrades; employing 30 people and welcoming over 70,000 visitors to the museum.

What is the biggest obstacle that you’ve overcome? Leading the organization through the pandemic as a beacon of resilience, agility and creativity, while maintaining profitability, high standards of visitor experience and meaningful employee engagement.

If you weren’t in your current profession, what would be your dream job? Flower farmer!

Stacey McMillan

38, Senior Manager, Client and Pursuits, Regions East, KPMG LLP

What is the biggest obstacle that you’ve overcome? My biggest obstacle is being a female leader working in a male-dominated industry. Being a female in finance, I have had to face challenges of gender bias and stereotypes with preconceived notions that the men in my group may be more competent or suited for a market-facing role. I remain persistent and determined to overcome these challenges and every day I continue to work towards breaking these barriers to continue to succeed in my career.

What Ottawa businessperson, past or present, do you most admire and why?

My grandma, she is 102, had an incredible career with the Bank of Canada, she is my brilliant mentor in life and one of the strongest women I know.

If you weren’t in your current profession, what would be your dream job? An international fashion buyer or host of a motivational morning talk show!

My biggest obstacle is being a female leader working in a maledominated industry.

Karim Merani

39, Owner, Carleton Place IDA Drugmart Inc.

What Ottawa businessperson, past or present, do you most admire and why? My father, Esmail Merani. He came to Canada in the ‘70s with his entrepreneurial spirit and a dedication to serving his community. He imparted to me the value of education, acting with integrity and perseverance. It’s been an honour to build the family business together.

What do you like most about Ottawa’s downtown core? I like its vibrant atmosphere and diverse array of offerings. The eclectic mix of shops, restaurants, cultural institutions and green spaces.

If you weren’t in your current profession, what would be your dream job? I’d be a restaurateur. My restaurant could serve as a place where people come together to enjoy great meals, engage in conversations and support local initiatives.

JP Michel

39, Founder and CEO, SparkPath Inc.

What Ottawa businessperson, past or present, do you most admire and why? Anil Dilawri, managing director at Save it like Sully, has raised the bar for presentations in Ottawa. By challenging us to think differently about how we communicate, Anil has saved countless souls from boring powerpoints, while fostering the professional development of thousands of executives in our city.

What do you like most about Ottawa’s downtown core? Proximity to Parliament, the locks and the Ottawa River.

If you weren’t in your current profession, what would be your dream job? Pirate negotiator.

Jacob Milosek

39, Managing Partner, Hendry Warren LLP

What is the biggest obstacle that you’ve overcome? The COVID pandemic in the spring of 2020 coincided with “tax season,” our busiest time of year. We have adapted our business structure and processes to allow for remote work and client meetings, all while retaining our firm’s culture.

What Ottawa businessperson, past or present, do you most admire and why? It may seem cliché, but Ian Hendry and Dan Warren, the founding partners of Hendry Warren LLP, are the people I admire most in the Ottawa business community. They were hugely influential as my mentors early in my career and their commitment to the Ottawa community both professionally and from a charitable perspective has inspired me to continue in their footsteps.

What do you like most about Ottawa’s downtown core? Having grown up in a small town, for me Ottawa is the perfect mix of city and rural living, with something for everyone.

Michael Montone

35, Founder and CEO, Firon Roofing

What is your biggest business achievement? Founded Firon Roofing 15 years ago at age 20, achieving GAF Master Elite status, which ranks us among the top two per cent of roofing contractors in North America. Also developing our team to over 50 people and consistently giving back to our community, fostering goodwill and positive impact alongside business success.

What is the biggest obstacle that you’ve overcome? Having to deal with a significant financial hit during COVID due to lost revenues, yet came out stronger than ever thanks to our team, processes, suppliers, clients and, most of all, our reputation.

If you weren’t in your current profession, what would be your dream job? Instagrammer who gets paid to travel the world in first class.

Jonathan Murray

37, CEO, Heartee Foods

What is the biggest obstacle that you’ve overcome? From idea to minimal viable product to over $2 million ARR within 18 months, including onboarding Canada’s three largest grocery retailers and hundreds of restaurants across Canada as customers.

What Ottawa businessperson, past or present, do you most admire and why? Bruce Linton was my first boss and despite my age he gave me the opportunity to drive business expansion internationally across Asia and South America. He instilled a mindset that by doing hard things despite the possibility of failure is what separates people who achieve their goals and those that dream about them.

What do you like most about Ottawa’s downtown core? The restaurants!

If you weren’t in your current profession, what would be your dream job? President of the Ottawa Senators.

Patrick Moore

39, Program Manager / Superintendent, 176026 Canada Inc. / Amor Construction

What is your biggest business achievement? Founding and growing the Professional School of Practical Stereotomy, offering internationally acclaimed workshops and courses on traditional craftsmanship and stereotomy.

What do you like most about Ottawa’s downtown core? Walking through the streets, you can see majestic buildings like Parliament Hill, the Château Laurier and the National Gallery of Canada and then seamlessly transition to bustling urban areas filled with trendy shops, restaurants and cafes. The downtown core also boasts picturesque parks and green spaces. This mix creates a unique atmosphere where you can experience the city’s rich history while also enjoying modern amenities and cultural offerings. Additionally, it is very walkable.

If you weren’t in your current profession, what would be your dream job? I’m living it!

Tony Paciocco

37, Partner and Criminal Lawyer, Edelson Foord Law

What is your biggest business achievement? Along with Michael Edelson, James Foord and Brandon Crawford, helped found Edelson Foord Law, a firm repeatedly recognized as one of the top five criminal law boutiques in the Ottawa and Montreal areas by Canadian Lawyer Magazine and that, more importantly, works tirelessly for all of its clients.

What is the biggest obstacle that you’ve overcome? Helped the law firm, in its previous iteration, expand its client base and profitability, including during COVID-19 when courtrooms throughout the province were often closed.

What Ottawa businessperson, past or present, do you most admire and why? John Thiele, business development manager at Cavanagh Concrete. He can at once command a room while still making you feel like you’re the most important person in it.

Lisa Paul

37, Director of Community Programs, St. John Ambulance National Office

What is the biggest obstacle that you’ve overcome? I’ve navigated numerous coordination and communication challenges, enhancing my personal and professional resilience. This experience has been crucial in maintaining high standards of professional excellence, especially during the pandemic.

What Ottawa businessperson, past or present, do you most admire and why?

Peter Dinsdale is a First Nations leader, CEO of YMCA, a well-educated and accomplished corporate director and longtime family friend. I admire Peter for many things, top of mind being his life balance, authentic leadership and dedication to positive impact.

What do you like most about Ottawa’s downtown core?

The vibrant and colourful energy! The people, art, gardens and parks bring the downtown alive in a way that is refreshing!

Magnolia Perron

29, Indigenous Women and Youth Program Manager, National Aboriginal Capital Corp. Assoc.

What Ottawa businessperson, past or present, do you most admire and why? Claudette Commanda. As an Algonquin-Anishinaabe elder, educator and activist, she has dedicated her life to advancing Indigenous rights, inspiring countless individuals and making a significant impact in our community and beyond. Claudette’s knowledge and wisdom, along with her commitment to social justice, her ability to lead with love, and her infectious sense of humour make her a remarkable individual.

What do you like most about Ottawa’s downtown core? It’s a vibrant hub where people from all walks of life come together and you can find a wide variety of shops, cafes and cultural experiences.

If you weren’t in your current profession, what would be your dream job? My dream job must address a cause I am passionate about, allowing me to immerse myself in work that feels deeply personal, impactful and aligned with my values.

Wendy Ramsey

39, Owner / General Manager, Pirate Cove Marina / RBK Distribution Inc.

Congratulations to Tony Paciocco and All Recipients

OTTAWA FORTY UNDER 40 AWARD

Edelson Foord Law congratulates Tony Paciocco on being recognized for his exemplary work as a leader and community builder in Ottawa under the age of 40 .

What is the biggest obstacle that you’ve overcome? Despite facing unprecedented challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Pirate Cove Marina and RBK Distribution demonstrated resilience and adaptability by collaborating closely with the Boating Ontario Association and local authorities during a fiveweek closure in the spring. Through proactive engagement and compliance with safety protocols, we reopened earlier than many recreational businesses, minimizing disruptions and underscoring our commitment to customer satisfaction and safety.

What Ottawa businessperson, past or present, do you most admire and why? Matt Carr has taken his family business and expanded it significantly, establishing multiple locations throughout Ontario and transforming it into a thriving workplace.

What do you like most about Ottawa’s downtown core? The Rideau Canal.

My admiration goes to my dad. As a first-generation Canadian, he embodies unparalleled work ethic and entrepreneurial spirit.

Jeremy Reeds

37, President, Windmill Development Group Ltd.

What is the biggest obstacle that you’ve overcome? Recovered from a serious mountain biking injury; shifted focus to creating a balanced work environment for myself and employees where health and happiness are prioritized.

What Ottawa businessperson, past or present, do you most admire and why? Jonathan Westeinde is our founder and CEO — his dedication to the planet and drive for innovation in our industry is unprecedented.

What do you like most about Ottawa’s downtown core? Ottawa’s downtown is easily accessible by bike and closely connected to nature, whether it is a walk along the canal or a bike ride out to Gatineau park after work.

If you weren’t in your current profession, what would be your dream job? My dream job would be a role as part of the senior leadership team within the Formula 1 space.

Alexandre Rizk

32, CEO and Vice-President, Groupe Loyal

What Ottawa businessperson, past or present, do you most admire and why? George Rizk (Rizk management/ Groupe Loyal). He arrived in Canada as an immigrant with nothing and worked his way to becoming one of the leaders in entrepreneurial life in our community.

What do you like most about Ottawa’s downtown core? The culture it has to offer.

If you weren’t in your current profession, what would be your dream job? I believe I would try to be a politician in order to help bring reform to the business community from political policies.

Eric Saumure

35, Principal, Zenbooks

What is the biggest obstacle that you’ve overcome? My partner and I faced skepticism and resistance while pioneering a disruptive business model in a traditional industry, but we persisted despite lacking credibility and facing warnings against our approach. Through challenges like early bad hires and encounters with disreputable clients, we honed our vision and navigated financial hurdles, ultimately finding clarity, attracting clients aligned with our values, and finding purpose amidst personal challenges, including caring for my wife with cystic fibrosis.

What Ottawa businessperson, past or present, do you most admire and why? Mark Sutcliffe, who’s been a personal and business mentor for years. He’s got so much discipline and a diplomatic approach in difficult situations, which reminds me to do the same.

What do you like most about Ottawa’s downtown core? The restaurants! Such variety and underappreciated restaurant scene in Ottawa!

Conal Slobodin

36, Senior Manager, Public Affairs, Walmart Canada

What Ottawa businessperson, past or present, do you most admire and why?

Tobi Lütke — incredible to think of what he both envisioned and built starting from an online snowboarding shop. To borrow a quote from Sam Walton: “Capital isn’t scarce. Vision is.”

What do you like most about Ottawa’s downtown core? The historic sites and natural beauty.

If you weren’t in your current profession, what would be your dream job? Corporate strategy.

Kyle Smendziuk

34,

CEO, Founder, WebMarketers Inc.

What Ottawa businessperson, past or present, do you most admire and why?

Tobi Lütke and his ability to build Shopify into an international success story continues to inspire me to explore my next entrepreneurial venture in the software space.

What do you like most about Ottawa’s downtown core? The parkway/trails from the west into the downtown area and beyond. Getting out for fresh air always sparks innovation and great conversations.

If you weren’t in your current profession, what would be your dream job?

Team principal for an F1 team. The combination of sport, business and engineering aligns perfectly with my interests.

One of the things I like most about Ottawa’s downtown core is its blend of historic and modern architecture.

Red Thaddeus D. Miguel

35, Vice-President and Chief Technical Officer, Thera-Business Inc.

What is the biggest obstacle that you’ve overcome? Managing the rapid growth of our company, which challenged our staffing, infrastructure and procedures. We had to re-engineer our operations to maintain smooth service while expanding successfully.

What Ottawa businessperson, past or present, do you most admire and why? Dr. Isabella Steffensen, president and CEO of Thera-Business Inc., who masterfully combines science and business. Her ability to foresee industry trends and her exceptional business acumen are skills I continually learn from and aspire to emulate.

What do you like most about Ottawa’s downtown core? I most appreciate the vibrant community and rich history of Ottawa’s downtown core.

If you weren’t in your current profession, what would be your dream job? My dream job would be a wildlife conservationist.

Branavan Tharmarajah

34, Head of Sales, Growcer

What is your biggest business achievement? Joining the Growcer team as the first employee, helping the team launch over 85 projects across Canada, and introducing year-round agriculture to regions where it was previously unattainable.

What is the biggest obstacle that you’ve overcome? Remaining bootstrapped for the first few years and still significantly expanding the Growcer farm network in urban, rural and remote areas.

If you weren’t in your current profession, what would be your dream job? Music agent.

Tiffani Westerman

39, CEO, WCS North America

What is the biggest obstacle that you’ve overcome? Managed a company through 80 per cent revenue loss in one month during COVID and bouncing back to grow the business by 200 per cent and exit it to a U.S.-based company all within two years.

What Ottawa businessperson, past or present, do you most admire and why? Jack Gulas — he is a remarkable Kanata-based serial entrepreneur, also a mentor of mine, known for founding and exiting numerous successful ventures. His hands-on leadership style and unwavering belief in talent are truly inspiring.

What do you like most about Ottawa’s downtown core? The beautiful landscape of Parliament and the eclectic local cuisine.

If you weren’t in your current profession, what would be your dream job? I’d open a spa and retreat with my sister, Tiia!

Megan Van Rijt

39, Director of Sales and Design, Deslaurier Custom Cabinets

What is the biggest obstacle that you’ve overcome? Amid the challenges of COVID-19, I facilitated the transition with staff and clients to an online sales platform and contributed to a successful digital transformation.

What Ottawa businessperson, past or present, do you most admire and why? My admiration goes to my dad. As a first-generation Canadian, he embodies unparalleled work ethic and entrepreneurial spirit, serving as my earliest inspiration.

What do you like most about Ottawa’s downtown core? The various summer music festivals.

If you weren’t in your current profession, what would be your dream job? I would love to lead an initiative to address the housing crisis in our city. Through strategic partnerships, turning office spaces into needed residential apartments, effectively leveraging existing infrastructure to provide both luxury and affordable housing for our community.

Jordi Wills

39, President, Wills Transfer Ltd.

What is the biggest obstacle that you’ve overcome? Scaled the business significantly in 2019-2022 with people, skills and warehouses. Weathered an industry recession in 2023 by keeping our team intact, investing in our values and our warehouses and retaining some profit.

What Ottawa businessperson, past or present, do you most admire and why? Fraser Sutherland has helped our family think 10 and 20 years ahead and has made some introductions that have helped our succession, tax planning and mindset.

What do you like most about Ottawa’s downtown core? Downtown Ottawa is cozy and I love eating on the patios on Sparks Street.

If you weren’t in your current profession, what would be your dream job? Captain of small yachts.

Titanic-era steamship SS Keewatin opens for public tours at new home in Kingston

BY SARAH MACFARLANE sarah@obj.ca

After months of restoration and a long journey, an Edwardian-era steamship is now open to the public at its new home at the Marine Museum of the Great Lakes in Kingston, where the museum says it will become a major attraction “for many years to come.”

One of the last remaining passenger steamships of its kind, the SS Keewatin launched in 1907, five years before the RMS Titanic. Built in Scotland, the luxury liner was one of just six built for the Canadian Pacific Railway’s Great Lakes steamship service.

The Kee, as it is affectionately known, originally sailed across the North Atlantic and arrived in Quebec. However, it became clear that the approximately 350-foot ship was too long to fit through the Welland Canal connecting Lake Ontario and Lake Erie. So the ship, which was built with overlapping steel plates held by rivets, was dismantled into two halves so it could pass one piece

at a time through the locks. It was then reassembled before continuing its journey.

For 57 years, the ship travelled the Upper Great Lakes from Port Arthur/Fort William (now Thunder Bay) on Lake Superior to Port McNicoll on Georgian Bay.

In January 1967, Keewatin was bought by Michigan entrepreneur Roland J. Peterson Sr. The ship then became known as the Keewatin Maritime Museum from 1968 until its relocation in 2012 from the U.S. to Port McNicoll. It sailed into its new home in Kingston in October, where a lengthy cleaning, preservation and restoration process began.

Now, with the ship open for museum tours, guests can view the grand staircase, tea lounge, ballroom, scrolled balustrade and 100-plus state rooms, which have been staged with donated period costumes, artifacts and decor. An engine room tour will become available in the coming weeks.

“It’s really something special,” said Michelle Clarabut, programs and communications manager at the museum. “We talk about so many of these stories in

our exhibits and programs, but to now be able to step aboard and experience how you would have traveled 100 years ago … It’s just so special.”

Tours of the 116-year-old ship began May 13 and Clarabut said the museum has already seen plenty of walk-ins and sold-out tours. The experience allows guests to “come aboard and imagine themselves as a passenger,” Clarabut said, for a 75-minute tour of the spaces that have been staged in the different time periods of the ship’s operation.

“The ladies drawing room and tea lounge will soon be finished restoration and be a part of the tour, too,” said Clarabut. “But so far, it’s going quite well. Everybody is loving going back in time.”

To keep up with what Clarabut expects to be a busy season, tour guides and summer staff have been hired, but she said there have also been many volunteers.

Due to the delicate nature of the restorations, staff members monitor tours to ensure they do not cause any damage.

“Every day we make sure we’re assessing

it to keep in mind the condition of the space,” she said. “It’s not just a building, it’s also an artifact in and of itself.”

For Clarabut, the most exciting part of welcoming the Keewatin to the museum has been the unexpected historical and personal connections.

“We’re getting visitors who have a family connection, a parent who worked on it or sailed on it and they’ve come to see it themselves,” she explained. “Someone had a photograph of her mother there and the staff was able to find the location and take a new one and recreate it.

“These connections that are coming out have been so special and all of our staff are happy for that learning experience as well.”

The whole team has been learning, she added, to truly appreciate the Keewatin’s legacy.

“It’s been a journey,” she said. “It’s not just a ship; it’s Canadian heritage and the only one like it and because of that we have a responsibility and owe it to its previous steward to ensure its preservation and access.”

LEFT: The passenger tour of the SS Keewatin allows guests to go back in time. RIGHT: Participants line up for the SS Keewatin tour. PHOTOS BY THE GREAT LAKES MUSEUM.

Regional Roadtrips: Arnprior is the place to be for bakeries, bistros, bowling and boutiques

BY LAURA BYRNE PAQUET news@obj.ca

Regional Roadtrips is a column prepared by local travel writer Laura Byrne Paquet of Ottawa Road Trips to inspire day trips and weekend getaways a short drive from Ottawa.

If you’re looking for a road trip destination with riverside parks, lots of locally owned shops and restaurants and even an Art Deco-inspired bowling alley, Arnprior — just 40 kilometres west of the Canadian Tire Centre — is the place to go.

Located where the Madawaska River flows into the Ottawa River, Arnprior began as a logging community. Later, it became a hub for textile mills and marble quarries. You can delve into that history at the Arnprior and District Museum (35 Madawaska St.), located in a former Victorian post office with a landmark clock tower.

After your museum visit, leave time to browse the shops of Arnprior’s humming downtown. Kitty-corner from the museum, KOTi 28 (158 John St. N.) stocks housewares and jewelry from around the world, including Swedish blankets and Finnish dishes.

A few doors down at White Pine Books and Children’s Boutique (152 John St. N.), you’ll find a nice selection of novels, books by local authors, cookbooks, and kids’ clothing. On the same street, you could check out Jade & Laney (108 John St. N.) for local and other Canadian-made clothing and accessories, and Valley Girls Clothing Company (90 John St. N.) for women’s clothing in sizes from small to 4X. Around the corner, Bee Savvy Fine Foods (14 Elgin St. W.) sells its own line of honey and a wide range of other producers’ gourmet foods.

Fans of vintage clothing, antiques and consignment shops will find lots to enjoy

in Arnprior. For instance, The Village Crate (159 John St. N.) sells a mix of new and antique housewares and gifts, from candles and coasters to typewriters and vintage duck decoys. Johnie’s Vintage (54 Madawaska St.) is a great source of stylish vintage clothing and housewares, while Racked Consignment Shoppe (12 Elgin St. W.) has a great mix of casual and upscale apparel. A bit outside the downtown core, Antiques, Treasures and Treats (260 Elgin St. W.) is a packed antiques shop spread across several buildings.

Of course, road-trippers can’t live by shopping alone, which is why I highly recommend you stop by the well-named Mighty Fine Bakehouse (79 Madawaska St.) for a muffin, croissant or brownie. You can also get soups, salads and sandwiches.

One of my other lunch-hour favourites is Krave Bistro (24 Elgin St. W.), where the varied menu features a selection of crepes. The delicious Kashmir crepe is loaded with chicken, mushrooms, peppers and

shallots, topped with a goat cheese sauce.

To work off those treats, you could head to Gillies Grove — one of the last remaining stands of old-growth white pine forest in the Ottawa Valley — and hike a two-kilometre trail. There are trailheads at the west end of Ottawa Street and the north end of John Street. If you’ve brought your canoe, kayak or standup paddleboard, the beach at Robert Simpson Park (400 John St. N.) is an easy place to slip it into the Ottawa River.

Alternatively, you could head to Steelheads & Strikes (120 John St. N.).

Matthew and Alicia Ott, who also own Bee Savvy, recently gave their five-pin bowling alley an Art Deco spin with a little help from HGTV’s Bryan Baeumler. His show “Bryan’s All In” documented the transformation, which included installing a sleek cocktail bar at the entrance. It’s a popular place for private parties.

Award-winning Ottawa travel writer Laura Byrne Paquet shares her sightseeing tips for Eastern Ontario and beyond on her website, Ottawa Road Trips.

LEFT TO RIGHT: Marshall’s Bay flag stop buiding circa 1896; Steelheads and Strikes Bar; Krave Kashmir crepe; Robert Simpson Park. PHOTOS BY LAURA BYRNE PAQUET

EASTERN ONTARIO

Mall owners open to rebuilding space left vacant by Galaxy Cinema in Brockville

BY SARAH MACFARLANE sarah@obj.ca

The owners of the 1000 Islands Plaza in Brockville say there is a lot of interest in the 20,000-square-foot space that will be left vacant after the departure of Cineplex’s Galaxy Cinema.

The cinema occupies a six-theatre space in the open-air mall and is the only firstrun movie theatre in Brockville. Cineplex announced that it would be closing the cinema after 18 years in business in Brockville.

“Our lease was up and we made the very difficult business decision not to renew it,” said Jason Benway, executive director of Quebec West and Ontario East for Cineplex, in a statement. He confirmed that the cinema will be closing July 7, 2024.

The large hole in the mall left by the cinema could usher in a new era for the 1000 Islands Plaza, the owners say. Montreal-based Plaza REIT bought the mall, which was once enclosed, in 2018 for $14 million and transformed the 201,500-square-foot property into an openair shopping centre.

Jason Parravano, chief operating officer at Plaza REIT, said that with an increase in tenant demand for Brockville, the mall is “hopefully bringing new life in the coming years.”

However, given that the current building was designed to house six full-size movie screens, Parravano said Plaza is open to reconfiguring — and even rebuilding — the property based on future tenant needs.

“If somebody wants to reuse the space as is, we’re more than happy to let someone rent it, but that’s not a long-term viable option,” he told EOBJ. “It will be difficult to do that, given that it’s a cinema and the configuration of it.

“If there’s interest in the existing space, we’ll make something work,” he added. “But it’s a specific building made for cinema, so if we need to go down the path to modify or demolish and build new, it will depend on the customer and what they want and the economics of reimagining the space.”

The mall is currently home to 23 stores and restaurants, including Shoppers Drug Mart, Leon’s, Dollarama, Staples, Kelsey’s and Bulk Barn. It’s a destination for travellers and road-trippers due to its proximity to Highway 401.

Plaza REIT has been “filtering many calls” from interested parties, Parravano said, as the owners look to the future of the Cineplex space.

“There are many people looking at it and we’re trying to understand what level of interest is here,” he said. “We have work to do with respect to figuring out what’s best for the property in the long-term.

“I can’t confirm the plans for the future, but some transformation is likely to happen,” Parravano continued. “The tenants are the ones that dictate how the property should look based on their needs, so we have to see what they want to do.”

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Why choose between work and play when you can

have both.

County of Renfrew: Affordable living, stunning countryside, and exciting career opportunities

Photo credit Ottawa Valley Tourist Association

Photo credit Ottawa Valey Tourist Association

So much more, for so much less

Say goodbye to budget worries and hello to financial freedom! Renfrew County offers an affordable lifestyle where your hard-earned dollars stretch further. Average home prices in Renfrew County are 30% less than Ottawa.

Limitless backyard

Escape the hustle and bustle of city life and discover a place where every day feels like a retreat in paradise. You’ll find a year-around playground with endless hiking trails, pristine lakes, and recreational activities just steps from your doorstep.

Calling all explorers and adventure seekers

Our region is made up of a unique blend of rural towns and villages, each with its own distinct charm and vibrant spirit. Find your community and fill your days, evenings and weekends with festivals, events and adventures.

Now hiring in multiple sectors

The truth is you don’t have to choose between work and play when you can have both. The Ottawa Valley region offers great employment opportunities. Renfrew County is part of the high tech corridor that runs from Kanata to Canadian Nuclear Laboratories in Deep River; offers a world-class tourism hub; and has many employment opportunities in agriculture, manufacturing, health sciences and municipal services, just to name a few.

Find out more today

Are you ready to take your next Zoom meeting from your dock? Come wander and experience what Renfrew County has to offer! For more information, visit InvestRenfrewCounty.ca.

Photo credit Ashley St. Germain

EASTERN ONTARIO

Ottawa Valley Farm to Fork finds new revenue stream in growing field of agritourism

BY SARAH MACFARLANE sarah@obj.ca

What started as a humble vegetable garden to feed a small family has grown into an Ottawa Valley agri-tourism destination offering everything from accommodation and dining to education and tours.

In April, Ottawa Valley Farm to Fork received the new tourism product award from the Ottawa Valley Tourism Association for the farm’s focus on agri-tourism, including its farm-to-table dining events.

The original 100-square-foot barn, which was built in the 1860s, was renovated to transform the hayloft into a dining and event hall where Ottawa Valley Farm to Fork hosts farm-to-table dinners for up to 60 people, featuring entertainment and music as well as an organic, home-grown meal.

A farmhouse on the property offers overnight accommodations for up to six

people, and the farm also has a new space that will function as a bike stop and market.

“It’s all about this newest revenue stream,” said Katherine Lindhorst, who owns the business with husband Marshall Buchanan.

“People can park their bike or vehicle and linger and come to events here, get a farm tour, learn about the operations, enjoy the food … These are all the new elements.

“It’s interesting. People really like the vibe and they slow down and disconnect from their electronic devices and connect with nature.”

The farm is positioned at the intersection of several motorcycle and bicycle routes, which Lindhorst said creates a “hub” in the new market and gathering space.

“People can come and learn about regenerative agriculture, meet the animals, view their role in the cycle of things, and you could add on … a picnic, or buy products, or stay overnight,” she explained.

Lindhorst grew up in Montreal, where she

trained as a dietician at McGill University and earned her master’s in nutrition. After working a variety of nutrition roles, Lindhorst moved to the Arctic to work with First Nations and Inuit on healthy eating, food security and maternal and child health programs.

She says she has always felt deeply connected to her food and where it comes from.

“Growing up, we always had a garden,” explained Lindhorst. “It’s fundamental to who I am to have agency over the food I eat and know where it comes from and how the environment is treated.”

Lindhorst was returning from the Arctic when she met Buchanan, an environmental specialist and professional forester teaching natural resources technology to Gwich’in and Inuvialuit students at Aurora College in Inuvik, N.W.T.

In 2000, Buchanan and Lindhorst bought the 50-acre farm in Scotch Butch, a rural

community about 35 kilometres west of Renfrew. What began as a hobby farm soon grew into a full-scale operation. The original property has expanded to include 75 acres across the road and is home to Scottish Highland cattle, freerange chickens and dairy goats, as well as fields upon fields of heritage fruits and vegetables.

“We’ve always been organic, but now we’re more than organic because we do regenerative agriculture,” said Lindhorst. “Our animals output from eating plants here and then we use their manure to compost and feed the soil for the vegetables to grow.

“It creates great-tasting vegetables and we know it’s free from any herbicide or pesticide or chemical,” she continued. “We eat all of it, but we also want to make sure anyone who buys from our farm has that confidence of where it came from.”

As she looks to the future, Lindhorst said she and Buchanan would like to offer more educational opportunities about agriculture, farming and sustainability.

“All the other aspects would continue, but for small farms to survive, they need a variety of revenue streams,” she said. “We both have an education element of our work, so we’d love to continue more with the educational aspect within agriculture.”

By learning more about agriculture, farming and nutrition, she said it helps everyone grow.

“We have school trips here and the kids are fascinated to watch me pull a carrot straight out of the ground,” said Lindhorst. “People are so disconnected from their food because we can get anything we want at the grocery store any time of the year.

“People used to have family on farms they could visit, but that’s getting more rare,” she continued. “We’ve lost our connection to the farm.”

In September, Ottawa Valley Farm to Fork will participate in a “farms open” initiative, involving local farms “opening their doors” for people to see the gardens, the operations and the animals.

“People really like to come and look at the animals and I understand, because every day the animals make me smile and being somewhere like this can really change you,” said Lindhorst. “The centre of our logo is a person growing like a plant, which I think is fundamental to who we are, because on a farm, it isn’t just crops.

“We like to help people grow and grow ourselves.”

LEFT TO RIGHT: Marshall Buchanan introduces visitors to the cattle during an Ottawa Valley Farm to Fork tour; goats in the barn; Ottawa Valley Farm to Fork received an award in recognition of its community dining experiences, which are held in the refinished hay loft of an 1860s barn. SUPPLIED PHOTOS

Leeds Grenville Welcomes Entrepreneurs

Just a short distance from Ottawa, the region of Leeds Grenville beckons you with its affordable leases and land amidst its pristine lakes and quaint villages. Small business entrepreneurs will find the perfect backdrop to establish and grow your venture while enjoying a blend of tranquility and opportunity. Nestled amidst the mighty St. Lawrence River and the Rideau Canal, families find the serenity of small-town living. Leeds Grenville is renowned for its safe and family-friendly environment, along with being home to two schools for international children. Programs are available to support newcomers and entrepreneurs, whether you are opening a café, providing healthcare services, or creating a new product.

For additional resources

St. Lawrence-Rideau Immigration Partnership: www.facebook.com/LGimmigration/ Leeds Grenville Small Business: www.lgsmallbusiness.com

Read his story here

Mallorytown Pharmacy: Owner Mayur Vadher

“I found this is an ideal spot and I’ve had very good help from the township. This community is very welcoming and very positive and we’re happy to be here.”

New owners Kal Patel and Titi Mulani are expanding services and clinic hours to their business, which was first established in 2009. The couple purchased the clinic in 2022 and are enjoying the community.

“It’s a great opportunity and we’ve had great community support,” says Kal, a licensed physiotherapist with a background in providing service, home care and referral consultations.

“Our goal was to establish a clinic and this location is ideal,” adds Kal, who earned a Bachelor of Physiotherapy in India and later a MSc. in Physiotherapy from the University of East London, UK.

“When we took over the clinic in Athens, we were not expecting this much good response from the community,” Titi, Office Administrator says. “Plus, our doctors and our medical team are very supportive. They also help us to grow our business. We did our marketing with the help of a digital program through the Economic Development Office. We’re getting really good reviews and we have lots of happy customers. Working with the Leeds Grenville community is a pleasure and we are so grateful that we can serve and help the people to deal with their pain,” says Titi.

Read their story here

www.investleedsgrenville.com

Athens Physiotherapy: Owners Kal Patel and Titi Mulani

EASTERN ONTARIO

Creative Dev Ventures seeks partners in building ‘transformational’ housing projects

BY BRIAN DRYDEN news@obj.ca

The head of Ottawa-based Creative Dev Ventures says communities in the area must be willing to cooperate and be creative to facilitate more housing and development options.

CEO Carina Guzman told EOBJ that her company’s new 189-acre project called Urban Edge, near Pembroke in the Township of Laurentian Valley, is an example of what can be done with a cooperative approach between developers with a vision and communities that are receptive toward new ideas.

Urban Edge is a three-phase development plan with a mix of housing and business being planned on the edge

of Pembroke. Guzman hopes it can be a template for future developments and serve as a laboratory for housing innovation.

She said her company is interested in collaborating with other like-minded companies and industry disruptors who are aligned with the transformative vision.

“We are looking to form partnerships with those who are willing to try new things and whose values align with ours,” Guzman said, adding that those partners include communities willing to do things differently.

The Urban Edge project phase one involves a 27-acre parcel of land off Jean Avenue. Guzman foresees it as a designated affordable starter home area, being developed in cooperation with Ottawabased Small Living Company, a tiny homes operation. There would also be rental

apartments and more traditional housing options in the first phase of the project. Guzman expects 300 to 400 housing units in the first phase, and 1,100 to 1,500 units in total for the project.

She said that pinpointing exact targets for each phase is difficult at this time because projects like Urban Edge are an evolving process and, as partnerships are developed, planning could go in different directions.

According to Guzman, future planning could include community centres and schools.

Guzman said extensive community and stakeholder discussions were held before the Urban Edge project was developed and that’s key to any future development projects.

STUFF Made and Built In Eastern Ontario

“Through this development, we envision more than a cookie-cutter subdivision, we aim to cultivate a vibrant living space that fosters thriving lives, professional growth and holistic well-being,” Guzman says of her company’s core values. “Our commitment to community involvement is important to the area’s future and the transformational impact this project will have to the township and City of Pembroke.”

She said a community hub model with a mix of housing units and businesses is ideal since home-based businesses can develop and thrive organically.

Creative Dev Ventures has a number of other projects underway in the Ottawa area.

In Calabogie, the Tatty Hill subdivision development is a 93-acre site, while the company is also developing a luxury resort getaway property called Calabogie House that will be a short-term rental and events space.

In Ottawa, the company is developing a nine-storey purpose-built rental apartment that will include 130 residential units at 1815 Montreal Rd. and zoning approval has been secured for another apartment rental building called the Labrie Development Project near the Cyrville transit station.

EASTERN ONTARIO

Vacation Guide

Hidden gems for travellers, foodies and adventurers

Enjoy rustic luxury at Fairmont Le Château Montebello on the Ottawa River

Who knew the world’s largest log cabin was just a short drive from Ottawa?

The residents of Montebello, that’s who. Fairmont Le Château Montebello is a unique resort that’s been a part of the community for nearly 100 years, and a destination resort for half a century.

Located on the Ottawa River, halfway between Ottawa and Montreal, Château Montebello is known for attracting local visitors to its incredible Sunday brunch

But anyone looking to get away for a weekend of pampering, luxury or family fun can look no further than this unique hotel.

With over 200 rooms available and more than 40 activities and experiences on-site, the chaletinspired resort can be the perfect home-away-fromhome.

Whether you’re stopping by for the day and a bite to eat or booking an extended stay, Château Montebello has a touch of something special for everyone.

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

Located on 300 acres of wilderness, the resort offers ample opportunity to get outside and enjoy the grounds – no matter the season.

During the winter months, guests have access to 15km of groomed cross country trails with skis or snowshoes available on-site. Skates, hockey equipment and snow tubes are also available for some family fun.

When summer hits, the grounds of the resort are buzzing with mini-golf, horseshoes, badminton, an 18-hole golf course and more. Resort goers can also borrow bicycles to tour around the community, or hit the many nature trails that exist in the area.

For water enthusiasts, the resort is located right on the Ottawa River, where guests can canoe, kayak or stand-up paddle board.

If relaxation is more your thing, the resort also has beautiful gardens around the property, fire pits, as well as an outdoor pool area surrounded by cozy cabanas.

Guests can also stroll over to the Manoir Papineau National Historic site to tour the immense seigneurial estate of Louis-Joseph Papineau, which is marking its 350th anniversary this year, with exciting events at the manor at the heart of the festivities.

Book your summer fun family package today

To kick off the summer, Château Montebello is inviting you to treat yourself with this summer fun family package:

• Overnight accommodation (2 nights required)

• Daily breakfast (including gratuities)

• Daily resort experience fee

• $20 spa credit per person on a massage of 60 minutes or more at regular price

• $20 golf credit per person on a green fee at regular price

• $20 dining credit per room per stay

• A visit per stay of Manoir Papineau, National Historic Site

• Summer Activity Program

Visit fairmont.com/montebello/ to reserve your spot today!

FOOD AND DINING

Famous for its traditional Sunday brunches – two of which will take place on the patio this summer – the Château Montebello has ample dining options that will satisfy any craving.

Year-round, guests can enjoy fresh, local cuisine at Aux Chantignoles, the on-site restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner.

During the summer months, guests can eat al fresco either at Le Riverain Terrace – serving light meals and beverages – or at the Barbecue & Terrace where dinner is served family-style, straight off the grill with several side dishes and desserts on deck.

REST AND RELAXATION

For those looking for a true R&R experience, Château Montebello has an on-site day spa where guests can unwind and get “nourished by nature”.

Book a hot-stone massage, body wrap or facial and take in the serene atmosphere of the expansive indoor heated pool, sauna and whirlpools at the Aquatic Centre and Health Club.

While you’re there, a must-see is the resort’s nearly olympic-sized indoor pool, surrounded by a wooden a-frame ceiling that brings the natural surroundings indoors, the perfect way to wrap up your day at the spa.

So whether you’re looking to book a girls weekend, a couples getaway or a family vacation, Château Montebello will have what you’re looking for.

TOURISM Adventures await close to home

BY PAULA ROY

It’s been said that some of the best adventures begin in your own backyard. As our annual Eastern O ntario Vacation Guide demonstrates, there are dozens of nearby destinations ready to provide unforgettable experiences for travellers of all ages.

When building your staycation travel wish list, Ottawa Tourism’s comprehensive resources are a great first stop, putting the spotlight on such local gems such as the almost 200-year old ByWard Market, which has scores of fun activities, many of which are deliciously food-focused.

The Ingenium museums’ new offerings, such as ‘Oh Crap!’ at the Canada Science and Technology Museum or the Canada Aviation and Space Museum’s deep dive into the Cold War are sure to intrigue and inform.

Don’t miss the family-favourite Canada Agriculture and Food Museum a working farm in the heart of the city. If spending time at the racetrack or in a bustling casino is more your style, a visit to the Rideau Carleton Casino is always exciting; the venue is open while being transformed for its 2025 relaunch as the Hard Rock Casino Ottawa.

an ideal destination for those looking for fun, food, pampering or a relaxing getaway.

There is similarly no shortage of great adventures to be found in nearby Lanark County

Its nine municipalities are linked by a

stunning natural landscape the perfect playground for outdoor enthusiasts.

Less than an hour from downtown Ottawa, Chateau Montebello the world’s largest log cabin offers rustic luxury and heaps of fun activities at this chalet-inspired resort.

It’s the perfect year to explore the local sights, sounds and flavours that await, as sometimes the best adventures truly can be found close to home.

Just west of Ottawa sits Carleton Place, home to beautiful scenery and historical charm. This friendly town is

Regional Roadtrips: Alpaca trekking and savoury Spanish delights await in Leeds and Grenville

BY LAURA BYRNE PAQUET

Regional Roadtrips is a column prepared by local travel writer Laura Byrne Paquet of Ottawa Road Trips to inspire day trips and weekend getaways a short drive from Ottawa.

Have you ever heard an alpaca orgle?

I haven’t, but at least I now know what orgling is, thanks to a recent visit to Little Foot Alpacas. At this farm just outside Spencerville, about 50 minutes south of Ottawa, co-owner Caroline Bingley dishes up fascinating facts about these lovable South American mammals.

Orgling is something that only a true alpaca fan like Bingley could call “singing.” (I googled it later and decided the noise sounded more like a sputtering

car engine.) Male alpacas sing their “songs” to attract the attention of a female alpaca. She chooses her favourite orgler and they head off to make a baby alpaca.

But I wasn’t at Little Foot that day to watch an alpaca version of The Bachelor. I was there to take a one-hour alpaca trek.

While “trekking” conjures visions of clambering through the Andes, an alpaca trek at Little Foot is a much simpler concept. Visitors spend a restful hour walking a harnessed alpaca around the farm’s trails and chatting with Bingley.

My alpaca date for the morning was Thor, a friendly fluffball the colour of milk chocolate who stood about as tall as my shoulder. As we set off on our trek, I asked Bingley how she came to start an alpaca farm after running a florist shop

alpacas. At the moment, they have 22. “They’re like potato chips,” she explained with a happy shrug. “You can’t have just one.”

Our boots crunched in the snow as we strolled slowly around the perimeter of a farm field. It was beautifully quiet, with the wind sighing through the trees and Thor’s occasional snuffle the loudest sounds. And the best part? Thor permitted me to throw my arm around his fuzzy neck and cuddle him.

After our trek, we returned Thor to his paddock and I checked out the small farm shop, heaped with socks, mittens, sweaters and blankets made from alpaca yarn. (Unlike llamas, alpacas are raised for their soft, dense fibre and not as pack animals.) And then it was time to say goodbye.

with Bingley.

Visitors spend a restful hour walking a harnessed alpaca around the farm’s trails and chatting

in Trent Hills, Ont., for 25 years.

It turns out she’d been fascinated by alpacas for about a decade. So when she sold her store, she and her partner built a barn on his family’s Spencerville farm and started buying alpacas. They opened Little Foot to the public last June.

Their original goal was to have eight

Having worked up a bit of an appetite, I drove about 20 minutes south of Little Foot to El Rebost de les Mil Illes in Prescott. Owner Marc Gomez Segu stocks this gourmet food shop — located, incongruously, in a drab industrial park — with high-end treats imported from his native Spain. He also serves light lunches, and I happily tucked into half an outstanding Joselito Iberico shoulder ham sandwich on sourdough with a bright, fresh side salad. I’m keen to return to check out the company’s new full-service restaurant, currently under construction next door.

Award-winning Ottawa travel writer Laura Byrne Paquet shares her sightseeing tips for Eastern Ontario and beyond on her website, Ottawa Road Trips.

Caroline Bingley operates Little Foot Alpacas just outside Spencerville. PHOTOS BY LAURA BYRNE PAQUET

Lanark County: One county, nine districts, limitless adventures

Enjoy unique outdoors experiences you can’t find anywhere else

Next door to our nation’s capital lies Lanark County, a place boasting nine municipalities that each offer their own unique flavour, ranging from highlands, to rivers, to the majestic Canadian shield.

The county’s natural landscape makes it the perfect place for anyone looking for outdoor adventures, whether you’re into cycling, hiking or taking to the water in a canoe or kayak.

You may have heard a rumour that the region’s predominant “flavour” is as Canadian as it gets — Lanark County is the maple syrup capital of Ontario.

But rest assured, you can still enjoy this sweet treat all year on the Sip & Savour Trail, as well as at local institutions like Wheeler’s Pancake House, Sugar Camp and Maple Heritage Museum.

Nature trails and lakes

Lanark County’s many lakes offer plenty of places to rent a cottage, enjoy the beach, do some fishing and boating — you can even sleep on the water in a Le Boat rental — or grab a paddle for a bit of canoeing and kayaking.

One of the county’s must-see natural wonders can be found at Purdon Conservation Area, where 10,000 showy lady-slipper orchids bloom from late June to mid-July.

A 30-min walk up Blueberry Mountain is the place to enjoy gorgeous view. And, the Silver Queen Mica Mine Trail — a unique experience like no

April 27: The Festival of the Maples in Perth

May 25: Franktown Lilac Festival

July 5-7: Almonte Celtfest

July 19-21: The Stewart Park Festival

Aug 9-11: Puppets Up! in Almonte

Aug 10-11: RMEO Trainfest

Aug 24 - 25: The Ontario Moonshine Festival

Aug 30 - Sept. 2nd: The Perth Fair

Oct. 4-6: Carleton Place Pumpkinfest

other — is found in Murphy’s Point Provincial Park.

Cyclists can pack a lunch and spend a few hours or a full day traveling along the Ottawa Valley Recreational Trail from Smiths Falls through Carleton Place, Almonte, and Pakenham.

Arts, history and heritage

If you like nature with a side of heritage and history, Lanark County has you covered.

Art aficionados will enjoy Almonte’s Sivarulrasa Gallery or Perth’s autumn studio tour.

Crafty folks may want to check out a workshop at the Basketry Museum, a pottery class at Almonte’s Potter’s Guild or learn about all things textile at Fibrefest in the fall.

There are also plenty of places to learn more

about local history, like Fortune Farms, where they demonstrate the art of producing maple syrup.

Maple-inspired food and more

The easiest way to be introduced to all things maple in Ontario’s sap-running syrup capital is to follow this map of the Sip & Savour Trail, which showcases and celebrates everything maple and much more!

When it comes to sipping, each brewer along the trail has a maple option. At Top Shelf Distillers you’ll find maple-infused Reunion French Toast Moonshine. Perth Brewery is where you can pick up some O’Canada Maple Ale.

In Almonte, Vodkow is redefining cream liqueurs with a uniquely Canadian product made possible by these intrepid brewers, who petitioned the federal government to expand the definition of the potato-based spirit to include ‘made from milk’. Their signature maple offering is Sugar Shack Maple Cream. Everything you can savour on the trail is just as tasty. Perth’s Balderson Village Cheese Store is where you can find Maple Dale Jalapeno Peppercorn Cheddar. Hummingbird Chocolate in Almonte has a maple chocolate bar and unexpected options like “chocolate salami”, a traditional Italian and Portuguese specialty!

If you need a full sit-down meal for breakfast, lunch or dinner, you’ll find The Stone Cellar in Perth, the Waterfront Gastropub in Carleton Place, Generations on the Lake or for some fine dining, the River House Winery for a maple pork sandwich with a side of wine, a waterfront view at CCs on the Rideau, and the black tartan kitchen is a fantastic option in Carleton Place.

One thing is clear - there’s no shortage of adventures to be found in nearby Lanark County. Click here to learn more about being a tourist in Lanark County, and start planning your visit today!

Visiting the ByWard Market?

Here’s your go-to list for fun, food & festivities

Whether you’re a local heading downtown or a tourist looking for a fun way to spend an afternoon in Ottawa, the ByWard Market is likely to be a stop on your list.

The year-round public market – which kicks off its outdoor season in May and runs until the end of October – has something for everyone. Lined with unique shops, tasty treats, and streets filled with activities for the whole family, the market is always abuzz with something to do.

Activities & Celebrations:

• Taste your way through the market with C’est Bon Taste of the ByWard Market Food Tour! Enjoy a mix of savoury and sweet dishes as you learn about some key spots in the neighborhood

• Located in ByWard Heritage building, Gallery 55 showcases unique artwork while overlooking the market

• Celebrate Mexican culture with mariachi performances, folkloric dances, live music, piñata-making class, traditional Mexican food, and much more at the Cinco de Mayo celebration May 4 & 5

• Check out the local artisans and retailers at the opening of the outdoor public market on May 11

• In the midst of the tulip festival, a PollenPalooza Night Market is taking place in the historic ByWard Night Market on May 18. The

free event features TIMEKODE & Friends, the ultimate funk and soul DJ collective!

• Running from May 26 to October, the Minerva Artisan Market is uniting local crafters for a handmade fair, where candles, resins, paintings, bath & body products, and clothing will be sold

• Spending Father’s Day with Dad? Check out Daddy’s Day Out: A Father’s Day Market being held on June 16

• A7G (Assembly of Seven Generations) hosts an Indigenous night market on June 21

• What better way to celebrate Canada Day weekend than in downtown Ottawa? Pop by the market on June 29, 30, and July 1 to check out Fly Market Vintage and Ooh Festival including SOLÉ, the music lovers’ daytime dance party

• Downtown Ottawa’s favourite vintage shopping experience, Ooh Festival x The Real Fly Market, is taking place once again on August 10

• Pamper your furry friend at the ByWard BARKet on Sept 29, with specialty vendors to treat your pet!

• Looking ahead to fall? Stay tuned for the Harvest Market, with a date being announced soon

• Experience the culture of Mexico at the Day of the Dead Festival from Nov 1-3 with food, drinks, and entertainment for the whole family

Grab a bite:

• Stop by Starling Restaurant & Bar to admire its stylish interior, unique cocktails and fresh menu

• A Quebec wine bar in the heart of the market, Buvette Daphnée is a recent addition to the neighbourhood that is worth a visit

• Play Food and Wine boasts an extensive small-plates menu, perfect for sharing and sampling their locally-sourced menu

• Inspired by the street food of Southeast Asia, Sidedoor is a place where families can dine, eating seasonal produce, oceanwise seafood, and ground curries

• Restaurant e18hteen is a steak and seafood lover’s dream, offering a large wine and beer list

Unique

finds:

• Looking for clothing, jewelry, or accessories? Milk Shop is a trendy, independent boutique catering to those who want to spice up their look

• Crossing the lines of cultural boundaries, D’aku Designs aims to blend functionality with flare

• Stop by Adaawewigamig for an authentic shopping Indigenous experience

• Specializing in Moroccan decorative art, Marrakech Designs is a unique retail experience specalizing handcrafted ceramics

Wonder and amazement is what you’ll discover at these Ottawa museums

Do a deep dive into the Cold War, discover everything you wanted to know about poop, see a working farm in action and more!

This summer, embark on a journey where curiosity knows no bounds by stepping into the world of Canada’s Museums of Science and Innovation.

United under the Ingenium brand, the Canada Aviation and Space Museum, the Canada Science and Technology Museum and the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum explore how science intersects with everyday life through interactive and engaging programming, suitable for the whole family.

With a mix of exciting new exhibitions and fanfavourite experiences to catch in the capital, now is the perfect time to plan your next visit.

CANADA AVIATION AND SPACE MUSEUM

The Canada Aviation and Space Museum is marking the 100th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Air Force with a deep dive into the Cold War.

The new, permanent exhibition – open April 5 – will take guests back in time to an era marked by international tensions, espionage and the threat of nuclear attack.

Visitors will have a chance to marvel at rare artifacts and iconic Cold War aircraft – including

the nose of the celebrated Avro Arrow, the largest surviving piece of the discontinued plane. Visitors will also learn about the technological advancements made within the RCAF at this time.

The exhibit will also give museum goers an idea of what life was like for civilians at the time, with personal stories intertwined into the exhibition as well as a replica fallout shelter and supply kit.

CANADA SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY MUSEUM

At the Canada Science and Technology Museum, the words “Oh Crap!” take on new meaning!

The summer of 2024 is your chance to find out everything you ever wanted to know about poop, at the Oh Crap! Rethinking Human Waste exhibition.

This unique experience takes visitors on an unexpected journey that will leave you thinking about poop in a whole new way.

Have you ever thought about using poop as a sustainable resource? Or how toilets vary around the world?

By taking a fun, and engaging approach to the subject, guests of all ages will gain new insights

into all aspects of human waste. Museum goers can also learn about their own gut health, how waste is managed globally and can even test their skills in the CACArcade – an arcade designed with poop in mind!

CANADA AGRICULTURE AND FOOD MUSEUM

There’s no better time to plan your visit to the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum than springtime, when new life is abound!

With a mix of newborn lambs, kids and calves onsite – as well as rabbits, cows, alpacas, horses, pigs and goats, there are plenty of opportunities to meet some extra cute furry friends!

Both young visitors and their families will love learning about the animals that call the farm home at daily “New Life on the Farm” demonstrations, where they can get up close with the cuddly new additions, as well as learn about how the animals are cared for on the farm.

The museum also features indoor exhibitions to pique guests’ curiosity, such as a deep dive into Canola – Canada’s crop – aquaculture and fishing practices, as well as farming for the future and Ecuador’s important role in sharing chocolate with the world.

Guests can also check out exhibitions on sustainable farming practices, food literacy, and the benefits and relationship of agricultural science and technology to Canadians’ everyday lives.

Carleton Place: The charming small town where heritage and nature intertwine

A half hour from Ottawa’s west end, you’ll find the stuff idyllic day trips are made of

A short drive from Ottawa’s west end is a picturesque town where you’ll find beautiful landscapes and historical charm on the shores of the Mississippi River.

Whether you’re looking to get away for the day or a long weekend, Carleton Place is a friendly town that offers plenty of options for anyone who needs some fun, a bit of romance, or a relaxing getaway.

History and heritage

Kickstart your trip with a stop at the Carleton Place Visitor and Information Centre at 170 Bridge St., where you can pick up a map of their self-guided walking tours, and view the Captain Roy Brown exhibit — the Carleton Place born WW1 flying ace pilot who shot down the Red Baron.

To learn more local history, wander over to the Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum, where in June you’ll find out about local life during the Roaring 20s — the perfect time of year to enjoy the museum’s lovely back garden labyrinth.

If you’re looking to up your selfie game on Insta, there are plenty of local murals to choose from including none other than Stompin’ Tom Connors.

Food, fun and fashion

There’s lots for foodies to enjoy when it comes to eating in Carleton Place, including the Black Tartan Kitchen — which offers a fine dining culinary experience featuring hyper-local food and seasonal menus.

If you’re looking for something more casual, you’ll find some of the best sit-down breakfast

diners and waterfront patios. Additionally, you can enjoy fresh hot pretzels at Little German Bakery and sweet treats at donut shops like Maverick’s or Holey Confections of Dragon’s Den fame. Also downtown you’ll find one-of-a-kind experiences, like the Canadian Co-Operative of Wool Growers, the organization that processes 85 per cent of Canadian wool. You can see how wool is handled before picking up some of their wares at The Real Wool Shop and CCWG Livestock Supplies Don’t let the latter’s name fool you, they also sell children’s toys, housewares, wool clothing, and nifty bird feeders!

Those looking for a “grand” experience can book a room at The Grand Hotel where you’re steps away from the downtown heritage shopping district. There you’ll find an array of shopping including but not limited to, Canadian-made and European fashion, thrift and consignment , antiques, jewellery, bridal and flower shops, children’s apparel and toys, handcrafted goods, and even a metaphysical store for your mind, body and soul!

Relax and unwind

Vacation is all about finding time to unwind, whether you’re an outdoor adventurer or prefer the indoors.

If you need a big dose of Vitamin D, you can borrow fishing poles for free and rent teal cruiser bikes from the Visitor Information Centre. Travel along several cycling trails in the area, or throw your golf clubs in the trunk and hit the links!

For hot summer days, cool off at Riverside Beach and splash pad. Kayak rentals will be available in May at Centennial Beach so you can explore the Mississippi River.

Commune with nature on one of the many trails, the Mississippi RiverWalk being a favourite.

Cycling enthusiasts will love how cycle-friendly Carleton Place is, especially with the Trans Canada Trail and Ottawa Valley Recreational Trail intersecting in town. Carleton Junction’s pump track is especially fun for the kids, whereas adults can have fun too at the breweries downtown, like Stalwart Brewing Co., and Braumeister Brewing Co

Meanwhile, those who prefer to relax inside can head over to Mahogany or other salon and spas to enjoy some well-deserved pampering!

Plan your trip by visiting carletonplace.ca/ visit and check out the 2024 information guide or follow @carletonplacetourism on Facebook and Instagram to see all the fun being had and future events!

A tiny village with outsize

BY LAURA BYRNE PAQUET

T

he tiny Rideau Lakes village of Newboro (population: 262) punches far above its weight when it comes to amusements for road trippers. Roughly 90 minutes southwest of Ottawa, it is home to an art school, a soap maker, a fishing gear shop, and a rambling country store that seems to have swallowed up half the community.

First, the art school. Stone Manor Studios (11 New St.) is the brainchild of artist Kim Lulashnyk. In this light-filled space, once a Victorian carriage house, Lulashnyk and other artists give short workshops and multiday classes in beading, painting, stained glass and other skills. Many classes include a lunch showcasing local ingredients.

Another Victorian building — this time, a lockmaster’s house dating to 1863 — is home to the Newboro Soap Company (49 Drummond St.). Owner Dani Warman says she has been making soap “forever,” but she finally opened a shop after retiring from her customer service job with WestJet in 2019. A passionate advocate for environmental sustainability, she also stocks eco-friendly products such as reusable fabric bowl covers and chemicalfree deodorant made by other companies.

While tourists are important to keeping her tiny shop in business, Warman is keen to cultivate a core market of locals. She encourages them to check out the “refillery,” where shoppers can fill empty containers with biodegradable dish soap, laundry detergent, stain remover and other household cleaners made by Quebecbased Pure.

“We’re all on septic out here. We’re all trying to have beautiful water on the Rideau Canal,” she points out.

that it now appears to comprise half the (admittedly tiny) retail strip. Honestly, you could easily get lost in there for at least half an hour.

In summer, Newboro is a hopping place, with crowds of cottagers heading to Kilborn’s to buy sunscreen and ice cream and fishers popping into Norris Bait and Tackle (8877 County Road 42) to pick up rods, reels, lures and other outdoor gear. Rideau Canal Lock 36, on the south edge of the village, brings in lots of boaters as well.

However, I like Newboro just as well in the spring and fall, when I can have the place largely to myself. That makes it easy to conjure up the mid-19th century as I meander past St. Mary’s Anglican Church and many lovingly restored homes. And

there are fewer folks jostling for a table to enjoy sandwiches, pizza or charcuterie at the Stagecoach Inn (4 Drummond St.).

If you’d like to stay overnight, Newboro accommodations include a vacation rental above the soap shop, bed-and-breakfast spots, and small lodges. The nearby village of Westport offers additional options.

Take Highway 7 west to Carleton Place, then Highway 15 south through Smiths Falls and Portland. Just south of Portland, turn west (right) onto County Road 42, which will take you into Newboro.

Award-winning Ottawa travel writer Laura Byrne Paquet shares her sightseeing tips for Eastern Ontario and beyond on her website, Ottawa Road Trips.

Just down the road from the Newboro Soap Company, you’ll find a wonderful, large shop called Kilborn’s on the Rideau (10 Drummond St.), which stocks everything from maple syrup and dishes, to hiking gear and armchairs. It seems to have expanded organically into a series of buildings, so

Experience the ultimate entertainment destination at Ottawa’s only casino

Are you looking for a place where you can indulge in an elevated gaming experience, heart-pounding racing, exquisite dining, and live entertainment, all under one roof? Look no further than Rideau Carleton Casino, future home of Hard Rock Ottawa and Ottawa’s only casino in the nation’s capital, open 24/7 during construction.

A short drive from the airport, Rideau Carleton Casino offers unlimited fun for visitors every day of the week.

With doors open 365 days a year, 24/7, the fun never stops. Whether you’re seeking an adrenaline rush on the gaming floor, the thrill of live horse racing, or a memorable night out with friends and family, Rideau Carleton Casino has got you covered.

Endless excitement on – and off – the gaming floor

Featuring an impressive array of 1,200 slot machines and fan-favourite table games such as Blackjack, Baccarat and Roulette, Rideau Carleton Casino offers something for every type of player, from seasoned gamblers to casual enthusiasts.

The casino also offers monthly promotions, so guests have the opportunity to win even more cash, trips and prizes when they visit.

For those who crave the excitement of live sports, Rideau Carleton Casino’s state-of-the-art racetrack is the place to be, with live standardbred

harness horse racing every Thursday and Sunday from April to September.

And, guests of all ages are welcome at the racetrack, making it a fun outing for the whole family!

Over the years, the Rideau Carleton Casino has also become a destination to celebrate seasonal holidays, such as Canada Day or Victoria Day. Dynamic firework displays and concerts are held on the casino grounds, making it the perfect place to spend an evening with family and friends.

Live music and casual dining

If betting isn’t your thing, the casino also has an extensive lineup of specialty events hosted at The Joint, a new on-site venue with a bar, lounge seating and stage.

Get ready for what’s next

If you visit the Rideau Carleton Casino, you’ll likely notice some big changes are underway.

Here, guests can enjoy concerts, comedy shows, sports viewing parties, and even private events.

The casino is also home to four restaurants, making it easy to either grab a bite between games or sit down for a meal.

Caffé Italiano, for example, offers Italian fare “done simple”, inspired by Chef Wesley Boodhram’s travels through Italy. Meanwhile, Mr. Lucky’s offers comfort food made fresh, the perfect spot to grab breakfast or a snack while taking in the horse races below.

The casino is currently undergoing a major transformation in anticipation of the 2025 launch of the brand new Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa, which will reimagine the city’s casino experience.

Once fully complete, the new space will offer a world-class entertainment venue including a Hard Rock Hotel – with 150 rooms – an expanded gaming floor, a Hard Rock Live theatre, Rock Shop and more than 10 restaurants, bars and lounges, including the award-winning and iconic Hard Rock Café and Council Oak Steakhouse.

To stay up to date on the project progress, or to find out what shows and events are taking place at the casino, visit rideaucarletoncasino.com!

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN OTTAWA IN 2024?

Ottawa Tourism has your activity line-up covered

2024 promises to be another fun-filled year for Ottawans and visitors alike! Whether you’re looking for some sports action and adventure, or want to enjoy some Ottawa food and culture, you have your pick of amazing things to see and do.

FOR ADVENTURERS

● From July 31 - Aug 17, catch Grand Feux du Casino at Lac-Leamy, a multisensory festival featuring pyromusical performances, food and more!

● Visit the big top for Cirque du Soleil ECHO to participate in a universe of colour, wonder and infinite possibilities at the Places des Festivals Zibi from Aug 16 to Sept. 22.

● A local adventurer’s favourite, book your trip through the rapids at Epic whitewater adventures on the Ottawa River

● Take in the city with Escape Bicycle Tours, now offering a wide range of bicycles and pre-planned bike tours for any type of adventure!

FOR MUSIC LOVERS

● Escapade Music Festival returns to Ottawa from June 21-23, brining the electronic music scene to the capital region

● Ottawa Jazz Festival is a traditional part of any Ottawa summer, with a stellar line-up this year

including Norah Jones, Laufey, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue

● Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year is the RBC Bluesfest, where you can catch Nickelback, Tyler Childers and more!

● The lawn of Lansdowne Park is where you’ll catch Iggy Pop, Busty & the Bass and Nobro in action performing at CityFolk, taking place from September 11 - 15

SPONSORED CONTENT

DIVE INTO CULTURE

● The historically significant Canadian Tulip Festival will brighten up the capital from May 10-20, 2024

● Bringing together Indigenous artists, performers, educators, students, and community members, catch the Ottawa Summer Solstice Festival at MĀDAHÒKÌ FARM June 21-23 2024

● Nature Nocturne is back at the Canadian Museum of Nature! The popular after-hours event that includes music, dancing, food, and drink hosts four events from May through February

● Catch this year’s line-up of speakers and events for Capital Pride during the third week of August

GRAB A BITE

● Housed in a 122-year old building, Rabbit Hole is the perfect place for a unique cocktail –especially in their original brick bar area!

● With an ever-changing menu using fresh, locally sourced ingredients, Supply and Demand is a great spot to try some creative dishes and small plates

● A classic French restaurant located on Elgin, Gitanes’ decor is the perfect complement to its mouth-watering menu

● Known for its lively atmosphere, stop by either of El Camino’s locations for a tacos that pack a punch

CHEER ON YOUR TEAM

● The newest team to the capital, the Ottawa Black Bears lacrosse team will hit the field this December, so secure your season tickets now

● Women’s hockey is making waves in the city, with the PWHL Ottawa selling out TD Place on a regular basis. Get your tickets before the season wraps up in May!

● The 2025 World Juniors will be held in Ottawa from Dec 26-Jan 5. With 10 countries competing, don’t miss your chance to cheer on Team Canada!

● Catch Canada’s Men’s Rugby team on July 6 (vs. Scotland) and July 12 (vs. Romania) for an action packed afternoon

How are you taking advantage of the technology ecosystem at your fingertips?

Find out how EY can support.

remote sensing technology, as well as a big-screen video processor that can scale live images of up to 50 million pixels on the giant LED walls found in modern arenas.

Those innovations were all dreamed up in-house, a regular occurrence for a company that prides itself on investing heavily in R&D.

But Ross also has a keen sense of knowing when to look outside the organization for innovations that might be cheaper and easier to buy rather than create inside its own walls.

‘It’s

like we bought a company and launched four more’: Ross Video strikes gold in Vegas

BY DAVID SALI

david@obj.ca

After 50 years in business, Ross Video is still knocking customers’ socks off.

Indeed, while its main focus is manufacturing live event and video production technology for some of the world’s biggest broadcasters and stadiums, the Ottawa-based company occasionally likes to dabble in foot fashion.

In fact, “Ross socks” have become something of a sartorial staple at the annual National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Show in Las Vegas — so much so that Ross Video majority shareholder and CEO David Ross jokes they’ve become an even more sought-after commodity than the electronics that made the company famous.

“The buzz that happened in real time when we launched our socks was bigger than any product we launched,” Ross told Techopia with a chuckle after returning from NAB 2024, where he announced the eighth edition of the coveted Ross socks — dubbed “Ross Socks 8.0” — and then capped his keynote address by calling Ross chief marketing officer Jeff Moore out to unveil an even more exclusive offering: gold-coloured socks emblazoned with “Ross 50”, only 50 pairs of which were produced.

“The only way you can get a gold sock, it turns out, is to convince me to give you one,” Ross deadpanned. “I have people begging for socks, lobbying for socks.”

Including, it seems, top executives of some of the world’s biggest media and

broadcasting companies.

“Half of them are planning to frame the socks, not wear them,” Ross said with a grin. “It just adds this huge other dimension of craziness to this marketing campaign that we’ve been doing. It’s just too much fun.”

The head of one of the Ottawa manufacturing powerhouse is clearly in a good mood, and who can blame him?

After hitting a bit of a speed bump last year when it laid off more than 100 employees as economic headwinds slowed sales growth, Ross Video appears to be back on track.

Ross says the company, which now has a head count of about 1,300, is hiring again, albeit more slowly than in the past. Orders rose 12 per cent in fiscal 2023, and revenues increased slightly more than that to surpass $400 million as Ross Video’s

sales grew for the 32nd year in a row.

Ross describes the company, which does most of its manufacturing at a state-of-theart facility in Iroquois, just east of Ottawa, as a “well-oiled machine” that continues to expand its product lines and customer reach through a savvy combination of acquisitions and in-house innovation.

To be sure, it wasn’t just its glittery socks that had Ross Video turning heads in Vegas.

The company also announced a series of new products tied to its $236-million initiative to develop a cloud-based video production platform, including a new switcher and system for displaying on-air weather graphics.

Ross also used his keynote address to introduce Artimo, a next-generation robotic camera that can autonomously roam studios with the help of LIDAR

That was the case with the firm’s 20th acquisition, which Ross also announced in Vegas.

Ross Video’s latest purchase, Bannister Lake Software, specializes cutting-edge HTML graphics technology that smoothly renders complex graphics such as newsfeed “crawls” on mobile devices and smaller, WiFi-enabled screens in stadiums and other venues.

Despite having fewer than 10 employees, the southern Ontario company is a global leader in its field. Ross Video has been reselling some of Bannister’s products for years, Ross noted, and decided the time was right to bring the whole operation under its umbrella.

“It opens up a whole new area of user for us and a whole new type of customer,” he explained. “Sometimes it’s more quality than quantity when you do an acquisition. It’s often the smaller, strategic acquisitions that you get the right people with the right tech, you attach it to a company with the breadth of market verticals and sales capabilities and brand of Ross, and you can make it grow by 10 times, 100 times from where it is now. Those are my favourite acquisitions if you know where to look.”

To stand out in a town like Vegas, you’ve got to make a splash. Ross Video did exactly that at NAB 2024.

“It’s kind of like we bought a company and launched four more,” Ross said. “To me, that’s a sign of a really healthy company. It shows there’s a lot of vibrancy going on at Ross and a lot of reinvestment happening. All the pistons are firing.”

Now, as it heads toward $500 million in annual revenues, the pieces are “falling into place” for Ross Video to launch an initial public offering in 2025, Ross explained. It would seem to be the next logical step for a company that, its CEO believes, is more vibrant than ever as it enters its sixth decade.

“The challenge is taking advantage of all the opportunities we have, which is a good problem to have,” he said.

Ross Video took 270 employees to the NAB 2024 trade show in Las Vegas earlier this year.

Online RV marketplace RVezy partners with dealers in bid to rev up sales

BY DAVID SALI david@obj.ca

As sales of recreational vehicles fall across Canada, an Ottawa startup that connects RV owners with renters via an online marketplace is using its platform to steer potential customers toward dealerships.

Founded in 2016, RVezy lists more than 15,000 RVs, tent trailers and campers for rent in Canada and the United States.

The company, which charges a 20 per cent service fee for each transaction, boomed during the pandemic as travelstarved North Americans flocked to the site when COVID-19 restrictions curtailed air travel and made staying in hotels and Airbnbs less palatable. As a result, RVezy saw its revenues grow nearly 40 per cent between 2021 and 2023.

CEO and co-founder Will Thompson says revenues have been “normalizing” over the past year as other forms of vacationing make a comeback. But he expects traffic to get a bump this summer, thanks to a new partnership with a segment of the industry that once considered RVezy a major source of competition: RV dealerships.

Last fall, his firm quietly launched a new marketplace that connects private sellers and RV dealers from across Canada and the U.S. with consumers who can rent the vehicles through RVezy as a “test drive” before deciding whether to buy them.

Thompson believes the concept will be a hit with consumers and dealers alike.

“It’s never been done before where you can rent (RVs) before you buy,” he says. “Which, when you think about it, is bonkers. You’re going to drop $45,000 for a trailer and you’ll never even test drive it? I think, just like how we really revolutionized for the first time in Canada the concept of the sharing economy for RVs … I think we’re going to do the same thing on the purchasing of RVs.”

RVezy doesn’t charge dealers to list their

Solo travelling, I think that’s going to level off a little bit. But the ‘uberfication’ of (using) these trailers for all these other things — tailgating, festivals, secondary accommodation for the cottage — that is just going to blow up.

vehicles, instead generating income from rental fees. The company also sells leads to dealerships, steering them toward “highintent” customers who’ve rented from RVezy and seem keen on buying.

“It’s going to drive more sales,” Thompson says. “It’s that beautiful kind of symbiotic (relationship).”

The move comes as RV dealerships look to reverse a recent decline in sales that followed a pandemic-fuelled bump. According to the Recreation Vehicle Dealers

opportunity to try the experience first to see what it’s like.”

RVezy also offers financing options to buyers as well as exclusive discounts on new vehicles purchased from its partners. Such close linkages with dealerships weren’t something the firm’s founders anticipated when the platform launched eight years ago.

“When we first started the rental business, the dealers looked at us as competition,” says Malcolm Salmon, RVezy’s director of growth. “They weren’t really open to working with us. That really has switched.”

The brainchild of Thompson and former Ottawa police officer Michael McNaught, RVezy has won plenty of other admirers for its “Airbnb for RVs” concept.

The firm’s investors include Dragons’ Den star Michele Romanow and Vancouver billionaire Markus Frind, founder of dating site Plentyoffish.com, who has invested tens of millions of dollars in the Ottawa enterprise since 2019.

In 2022, Waterloo-based innovation hub Communitech included RVezy on its list of Canadian businesses with the potential to reach $1 billion in annual revenues. That might seem like a lofty target, but Thompson says the hallowed $1-billion mark “doesn’t seem so audacious” when he looks at RVezy’s total market opportunity.

A couple of years ago, for example, the company introduced an option that allows renters to have RVs driven to and from a specific site by their owners.

Thompson says the delivery option has been particularly popular with festival organizers, who use the vehicles to house operations staff, as well as cottage owners, who need extra space for guests during busy summer vacation periods.

It’s a customer group RVezy’s founders didn’t even think of when they originally conceived the business, yet it now accounts for 40 per cent of the company’s overall revenues. He expects the new partnership with RV dealers to take a similar growth path.

Association of Canada, sales of new RVs fell 20 per cent last year compared with 2022, as inflation and rising interest rates eroded Canadians’ disposable income.

Eleonore Hamm, the association’s president, says RVezy’s new marketplace might help would-be buyers who are “a little bit reluctant” to purchase a vehicle decide if RVing is the route they want to take.

“Sometimes they’re not sure, you know, ‘Is it for me? How does it drive?’” Hamm explains. “Renting is really a great

“Solo travelling, I think that’s going to level off a little bit,” Thompson predicts. “But the ‘uberfication’ of (using) these trailers for all these other things — tailgating, festivals, secondary accommodation for the cottage — that is just going to blow up.

“All of those things, you start thinking about the total addressable market, it’s beyond what we would ever, in our wildest estimate, have thought back when we started. It is gigantic.”

RVezy’s business development team includes (back row, from left) Stellar Watson, Malcolm Salmon and Oliver Schlossmacher; and (front row, from left) Nick Frank, Al Charron and Josh Schram. PHOTO COURTESY RVEZY.

How uOttawa’s Faculty of Engineering fills skill gaps in the tech industry

Innovative curriculums are meeting people where they’re at and focusing on a hands-on approach

University of Ottawa’s Faculty of Engineering has been preparing for this moment for years, proactively adapting its curriculum to meet the evolving demands of the technology sector and the Ottawa community

“The times are changing, and academia has to change with it,” said Dr. Hanan Anis, professor and director of the School of Engineering Design and Innovation

Anis emphasizes the importance of staying ahead of rapid technological advancements in fields such as artificial intelligence, digital transformations, and data analytics.

Initiatives kicked off years ago have come to fruition, arriving just in time to deliver the skills tech companies need today. A new undergrad program in technology will train the next generation. Microprograms and online part time master’s have been designed to help grad students and professionals upskill in critical areas.

Underpinning each program is more opportunities for experiential learning, whether it’s a paid co-op, internship or class project that solves a real-world problem.

Training the next generation

The Faculty of Engineering has introduced a three-year Bachelor of Multidisciplinary Design program to equip students with the critical skills required for the future: creative thinking and adaptability.

This undergraduate degree offers customizable streams that enable students to collaborate with industry and community partners to address societal challenges.

Right now, students can choose from pre-set streams including cybersecurity, project management, STEM education, technology and public policy, responsible artificial intelligence innovation, UX design and sustainable design.

However, they’re also encouraging students to customize a stream based on their own passions and goals, and local tech businesses are being offered the chance to do the same.

“A student can choose a path based on their interests and career aspirations, but a company can also work with us to customize a stream that fills a skill gap,” said Anis. “We’re definitely interested in offering industry an opportunity to customize the program further.”

Picture this: students graduating with the required knowledge and skills in a specific field. Last year, the Faculty of Engineering worked with Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network to allow students to explore various careers in the mobility sector.

Upskilling or reskilling professionals

Since filling the skills gap can’t always wait the duration of an undergrad degree, the faculty started offering microprograms several years ago.

Grad students can add a microprogram to their area of study, and eligible undergraduate students can take them as a part of their degree. Any professional with the right background can also take these courses to acquire specialized skills and knowledge in Interdisciplinary AI and Cybersecurity.

To further support the growing demand for technology skills, the Faculty has launched two new online master’s programs: Digital Transformation and Innovation and Interdisciplinary Artificial Intelligence. These evening courses are designed to accommodate working professionals, enabling them to enhance their expertise while balancing their careers.

“Technology is moving so fast, so we’re offering these courses in the evening when it’s easier for people working full-time to attend,” said Anis. “We’re meeting people where they’re at.”

Fostering a culture of lifelong learning

The Faculty of Engineering recognizes that the rapid pace of technological change necessitates a mindset of continuous learning and adaptability. By equipping students and professionals with the skills to learn quickly, adopt a design mindset, and solve problems, the University of Ottawa is positioning its graduates and the Ottawa community for success in the ever-evolving technological landscape.

uOttawa medical research centre poised to boost city’s biotech sector

BY DAVID SALI david@obj.ca

The University of Ottawa is poised to start construction on a state-ofthe-art medical research facility that is expected to fuel the creation of new biotech startups and generate hundreds of millions of dollars in economic spinoffs.

Work on the university’s $280-million Advanced Medical Research Centre was slated to begin soon, Sylvain Charbonneau, uOttawa’s vice-president

of research and innovation, told Techopia in an interview before the official groundbreaking ceremony last month.

Charbonneau said the “cornerstone” of the 350,000-square-foot complex, which is expected to open in 2026, will be the Ottawa Health Innovation Hub.

The space will bring researchers, health-care professionals and industry experts together under one roof with R&D facilities, laboratories and offices dedicated to incubating the next generation of biotech companies,

Charbonneau said.

“Right now in Ottawa, we have no ability to incubate these companies,” he explained.

The hub’s partners include research institutes at The Ottawa Hospital, the Montfort Hospital and CHEO, as well as The Royal’s Institute of Mental Health Research, Bruyère Research Institute, Carleton University, Algonquin College, Collège La Cité, National Research Council and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

According to an economic impact

study commissioned by the hub in 2021, the facility is eventually expected to employ up to 650 researchers and contribute nearly $1.1 billion to Ontario’s economy by 2030.

The companies that result from its research are forecasted to generate $320 million in revenues and investments and create more than 1,300 jobs in the same period.

Located at 451 Smyth Rd., the sixstorey building will include several floors of laboratory space equipped with cutting-edge technology aimed at discovering new therapies and treatments for cancer and other diseases.

A couple of floors will be “shells” with room for additional lab space, Charbonneau added.

“Our hope is that we are going to be able to attract other research expertise in Ottawa over time,” he said.

The groundbreaking ceremony occurred just days after the federal government announced funding for an expanded biotherapeutics manufacturing facility at the new Civic campus of the Ottawa Hospital that is slated to open in 2028.

Ottawa is already firmly established as a leading biotechnology centre with more than 130 companies as well as worldclass universities and research facilities, Charbonneau said.

But the city currently lacks the capacity to support promising medical technology ventures as they scale up, he added. As a result, many of those companies are forced to relocate to bigger centres such as Toronto or Montreal or head south of the border to reach their full potential.

Charbonneau hopes the new facilities at uOttawa and The Ottawa Hospital’s Civic campus will change that.

“More often than not, (growing biotech startups) will leave the region,” he said. “We want to attract this talent here in Ottawa.”

The University of Ottawa’s Advanced Medical Research Centre is scheduled to open in 2026. PHOTO ILLUSTRATION SUPPLIED.

Ottawa tech companies among those feeling the pinch of a growing skills gap

BY MIA JENSEN mia@obj.ca

Tech leaders are increasingly worried about a growing skills gap as workers struggle to keep up with rapid changes in technology, according to a new report from recruiting and employment agency Robert Half.

The research study found that 52 per cent of tech managers surveyed were seeing significant skills gaps within their departments, and 48 per cent found the impact of that gap is more apparent now than it was a year ago.

“Tech moves really fast,” said Nathan Wawruck, a technology talent solutions expert and director at Robert Half. “Even if you have great people on your team, if they aren’t keeping pace with all the changes in the industry, those skills can get out of date really quickly.”

The survey found that the lack of skilled staff was most evident with newer or highly specialized technologies, including AI and machine learning; cybersecurity and privacy; and cloud architecture and operation.

The challenges extended to hiring, with almost all managers (92 per cent) reporting difficulties finding skilled candidates to meet their needs.

Pierce Ujjainwalla, co-founder and CEO of Knak, said the need for specialized technology training is higher than ever and tech companies can’t afford to wait.

“AI was one for us,” he told Techopia. “We started building generative AI into our platform. All of our developers are learning it and some have gotten really proficient, but it takes time and it’s a really unique skill set. So we ended up hiring someone outside. You can learn these things, but you don’t have time to wait until your existing team gets ramped up.”

Gaps in AI skills were the most prevalent for many employers, due to the newness of the technology and the lack of formalized training available. While AI is less of a necessity than something like cybersecurity, 79 per cent of tech leaders reported plans to implement AI initiatives

this year. Nearly half cited a lack of skilled staff as the biggest barrier to their projects.

Ujjainwalla said the size of Ottawa’s local tech community is one of the factors posing challenges for local companies.

“It’s a very small talent pool in Ottawa, especially as you get to the VP level and above,” he said. “There’s not as many companies for people to go into or to progress their career. I look at it and I wish we had more tech companies that were creating these great people. Each company helps each other. If someone leaves Knak and goes to another company, they’ve brought a lot of things they’ve learned to the next place and vice versa for us.”

Despite the challenges, Ujjainwalla said his company is finding ways around them. In addition to hiring third party experts and bringing on more remote workers, Knak is prioritizing training for its staff and encouraging employees to experiment with new tech.

“We really encourage people to use it,” he said. “A lot of our managers have

led AI workshops and dedicated a day to just jam on it and see what it can be. I think you need to give time and space and permission for people to go out there and experiment.”

He added that there’s also hope with the next generation: “There are great young people in the city who we have had a lot of success with hiring out of university and college very early in their careers. I would say that they’re really able to come in and learn and pick things up fast. They’re open and easily mouldable.”

GAP WILL PERSIST AS BOOMERS RETIRE

A number of factors are contributing to the skills gap, according to Wawruck from Robert Half, including the pace of change and a lack of formalized training processes. But changing workplace demographics are also having major consequences.

“There’s a huge number of people exiting the workforce every year, especially in Canada,” said Wawruck. “All the baby

boomers are retiring and they’re taking huge amounts of knowledge with them. And there’s not enough people coming through the school system, or even with immigration, to keep pace with that.”

Because that trend will continue for the next several years, he said the skills gap issue isn’t going to go away anytime soon.

“It will be a real distinct issue going forward and it’s actually accelerating,” he said. “We’re just going to have less people in the workforce. As a company, as an employer, the trick is to recognize that. It’s not a moment in time; it’s a marathon, not a sprint. You have to have a good talent pipeline and you’ve got to constantly have your feelers out there to attract good people.”

The problem is also expected to ebb and flow.

Right now, for example, layoffs have made a larger number of highly skilled workers available in a way they weren’t at the height of the pandemic.

“It’s a good time to hire people,” said Wawruck. “I think the labour market has kind of shifted a bit. That’s not to say it’s easy, but I would always recommend at least getting an advertisement up if you’re looking for a skill set and see who applies. That’s the passive approach. There’s also hiring agencies like us who tend to do those things more quickly.”

While there’s no substitute for hiring someone with the skill set you need, Wawruck said dedicating extra resources to train existing staff is worth the investment.

“If you get training for your people, you don’t just check a box,” he said. “They’re going to stick around longer, they’re going to be challenged, it’s great for their professional development. Setting aside a bigger portion of your budget for training, certifications, education — people absolutely love that stuff. Help them do those things.”

He also recommends tackling the retirement issue before it becomes a real problem: “Get more senior staff to coach and mentor junior staff to ensure that knowledge transfer internally. It takes a bit of planning and a bit of organization, but it’s worth it.”

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ottawa and Ottawa Business Journal are grateful to these leaders in Ottawa’s business community for their strong commitment to youth growing up in our city, by sponsoring and raising funds for BBBSO’s special events so far in 2024.

100 Men Who Care

Barrhaven BIA

Bee-Clean Building Maintenance

BMO Nesbitt Burns

Capital Professionals Open Mic

Chop Steakhouse & Bar

Desjardins

Donalco

Empowered Networks

eQ Homes

Extreme Entertainment

Join Us!

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ottawa relies heavily on special event fundraising so we can continue to create brighter futures for youth through our proven mentorship programs.

Fratelli Westboro

Glenn Ellis Photography

Kelly Santini LLP

Ken Gordon Holdings

Magenta Exterior Solutions

Meridian Credit Union

MetroCity Property Group

No Frills

Orléans Tennis & Pickleball Club

Ottawa Dragon Boat Foundation

Ottawa’s MOVE 100

Railway Association of Canada

Retirement by Design (DFSIN Ottawa)

seoplus+

Shaw Centre

Sign FX

Sing House Studios

Stellar Integrated Solutions

The Heart of Orléans BIA

Urbandale Corporation

Westboro Village BIA

Sponsor Our Golf Tournament!

BBBSO and OBJ welcome you to the eQ Homes Big Tee Off  golf tournament at eQuinelle Golf Club on Wednesday, September 18 — a part of Big Brothers Big Sisters Day celebrations across Canada! Sponsor the event or book your foursome today (Early Bird ends on June 28).

Host Your Own Fundraiser!

A great way to bring your team together and show your community that you care. If you’d like to host an event, we’ll give you all the tools you need to succeed and proudly promote it to our network of passionate supporters across Ottawa.

Visit: BBBSO.CA

Contact: JAKE.NAYLOR@BBBSO.CA

THE RIGHT INGREDIENTS

Shepherds’ Taste for Hope raises $330K-plus to help end chronic homelessness

There is no top secret recipe behind the success of Taste for Hope. All that’s required is a handful of ingredients: benevolent chefs, generous sponsors, community-minded business leaders and hungry foodies working together toward the shared goal of reducing chronic homelessness.

Toss them together in a fabulous downtown venue like the Shaw Centre, allow time for folks to eat, drink and mingle, and voilà! You’ve got the best

foodie fundraiser in town.

More than 550 ticket-holders attended the signature event for Shepherds of Good Hope, one of our city’s largest providers of permanent supportive housing for people experiencing chronic homelessness.

The event raised $330,000 and counting, Shepherds of Good Hope Foundation CEO David Gourlay confirmed. To date, Taste for Hope has passed the $1.3-million mark since it was first launched in 2013.

From left, Ottawa chefs Joe Thottungal of Coconut Lagoon and Thali and Ric Watson of The Ottawa Mission.

From left, Sarah Vandenbelt, broker of record/founder of Paradigm Commercial, and Ashley Hopkins, president and CEO of Paradigm Commercial Group of Companies.

From left, Ontario Court Justice Heather Perkins-McVey and transfer pricing consultant Sandra Goldberg

Taste for Hope 2024 co-chairs Liza Mrak, executive vice-president and co-owner of Mark Motors Group, and her husband, Gary Zed, founder and CEO of Canada’s Forest Trust, with Meera Dilawri and her husband, Pawan Dilawri, president at Dilawri Auto Group.

From left, John Robinson, president and CEO of Intega IT, Nik Lemieux, owner of Mirabel Management, Shepherds of Good Hope Foundation CEO David Gourlay, Taste for Hope planning committee members Carole Saad, Chic + Swell Event Designers, and Joanne Kudakiewicz, Desjardins Financial Securities.

From left, Ted Wagstaff, president of North45, and Jacqueline Belsito, president of the Ottawa Senators Foundation and a member of the planning committee for the Taste for Hope fundraiser, alongside RBC regional president Marjolaine Hudon and Emma Bernans, senior manager of philanthropy for Shepherds of Good Hope Foundation.

FAMILY TIES

Morning Social raises $628K to help BGC Ottawa give kids brighter future

If only breakfast tables were made big enough to seat a family of 360.

There were at least that many friends and supporters of BGC Ottawa (formerly Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa) at the Morning Social networking event and fundraiser held at its Taggart Parkes Family Clubhouse.

This year’s theme, Family Ties, reflected the kinship and connection that many feel toward a local charity

that’s been part of our community for more than 100 years. Lately, it’s had to work harder than ever to offer its free after-school programs and summer camp experience to thousands of kids living in vulnerable neighbourhoods around the city.

The organization not only achieved its fundraising goal of $600,000 but surpassed it, raising more than $628,000.

From left, BGC Ottawa board member Michelle Taggart, vice-president of planning and development for Tamarack Homes and Tartan Homes, Morning Social chair Dr. Setareh Ziai, BGC Ottawa chief executive Adam Joiner, and board chair Robyn Osgood, managing director and chief operating officer of McMillan Vantage.

Michael Wilson, co-CEO of 1251 Capital Group and an award-winning philanthropist with BGC Ottawa, and his wife, Jacqui Wilson, attended the non-profit organization’s Morning Social “Family Ties” fundraiser with their two youngest children, 19-year-old twins Kyle and Ella Wilson

Former Cognos CEO Michael Potter with his youngest daughter, 21-year-old Lilli Angelique Potter Dhieux

Candace Enman, president of Welch Capital Partners, with WCP’s new managing director, Peter Nesbitt, and WCP’s director of business development, Bruce Raganold

CLV Group CEO, InterRent REIT executive chairman and long-time BGC Ottawa donor Mike McGahan, Linebox Studio COO Melissa Reeves, and Anthony Scaletta, vice-president of private equity with CLV Group.

From left, BGC Ottawa board chair Robyn Osgood, BGC Ottawa director emeritus Stephen Beckta, owner of Beckta Dining & Wine, along with its two sister restaurants, Play and Gezellig, BGC Ottawa chief executive Adam Joiner, and Jennifer Stewart, founder and CEO of Syntax Strategic.

CELEBRITY MATCH

Ottawa Pickleball Classic: Hockey icons Chris Phillips,

Daniel Alfredsson face off for

Heart Institute

The second annual Ottawa Pickleball Classic for the University of Ottawa Heart Institute Foundation witnessed an exciting showdown between two retired Ottawa Senators legends — Chris Phillips and Daniel Alfredsson.

While the celebrity match was a highlight of the pickleball tournament, the entire afternoon was a tremendous success. The tournament drew 150

The room buzzed with energy and music, with many players arriving extra early to practise.

The Ottawa Pickleball Classic was created by two UOHI Foundation board members: Colin Zappia, broker and realtor at Sutton Group Ottawa Realty, and Jake Levinson, vice-president at Levinson Group of Companies, both of whom thanked

Foundation

the UOHI

From left, Dr. Rob Beanlands, president and CEO of the University of Ottawa Heart Institute (UOHI), UOHI Foundation president Lianne Laing, and Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe

From left, University of Ottawa Heart Institute Foundation board member Lucas Matheson of Coinbase and his son, Bronson, 12, and UOHI Foundation incoming board chair James Annis, senior portfolio manager, BMO Nesbitt Burns, and his son, Peter, nine.

From left, Michael Wilson, co-CEO of 1251 Capital Group, Brian Murray, vice-president of leasing and business development at Waterford Property Group, Charles Sezlik (Sezlik.com/Royal LePage Team Realty), and Jacqui Wilson

From left, Chris Phillips, Jack Firestone, Lynsey Bennett and Daniel Alfredsson were all smiles following their match.

From left, Julie McKechnie, clinical director of critical care/cardiac procedures at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, her mom and hospital volunteer Marion Fraser, Erika MacPhee, vicepresident of clinical operations, UOHI president and CEO Dr. Rob Beanlands, Angela Verebes-Budge, retention and engagement officer, and UOHI director of public affairs Karine Proulx

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE

Andie Andreou becomes new CEO at Altis as Kathryn Tremblay takes on new duties

After 35 years at the helm, Kathryn Tremblay is taking a step back from the top role at Altis Recruitment & Technology to bring in a new CEO.

Tremblay, whose new role will be co-founder and owner, said she felt it was the right time to make a change and bring in a new leader to guide the company to the next level.

“It was a full 18 months of reflection; it wasn’t an overnight decision,” said Tremblay, OBJ’s CEO of the Year in 2021. “The business was ready for a new visionary who’s ready for that new path to growth. I’ve given it, for 35 years, fullon everything that I have. As we focus on growth, I can participate in that, but in a different way.”

The company announced that Andie Andreou, who has 20 years

of experience in finance, tech and business across both the public and private sectors, will take over as CEO.

Andreou joined Altis in September 2023 as a consultant on the company’s growth strategy. Prior to coming on, she served as CFO of SkipTheDishes, helping to pilot the food delivery app through a surge in demand during the pandemic. It’s a role that won her a Report on Business best executive award in March 2023, which showcases Canada’s top 50 non-CEO leaders.

“I decided to leave Skip because I wanted to do something broader,”

Andreou told OBJ. “I’ve been a CFO a number of times and I have great respect for the position, but it started to dawn on me that I have this strategic gift and I’m eager to apply it.”

Her 20-year career also includes multiple other senior roles, including CFO and vice-president of corporate affairs at the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority, executive director and corporate controller at CBC, and partner at Deloitte.

Since joining Altis last year, she said she’s familiarized herself with the industry and the business, as well as its key stakeholders and main industry verticals. She said she’ll be using her previous experience in executive roles to guide Altis through its next stage of growth.

“When I looked at this organization, I thought, what is it that I can really do to help after 35 years?” said Andreou. “We need to solidify the foundation in order to make sure we are ahead of the competition in the future. We have to be nimble. We have to adopt AI and other technology. We have to be data curious. And, as with any other company, we have to be obsessed with great service, and that’s both to clients and to candidates.”

In addition to finding new ways to modernize and adapt to a rapidly changing industry, one of her goals is to expand into new markets and introduce a new integrated go-tomarket strategy.

“The first step is to take a look at the foundation. Any company requires a very solid foundation upon which to just grow. That’s similar to what I did with Skip when I joined. It was very much a situation where we had to do that,” she said. “As you’re doing that, changing the wheels of the bus as you’re going, it’s also about entering markets in a very strategic way. Which markets, which services, how are we going to do? That’s something I’d love to bring to this organization to start growing.”

Andreou added that she’s excited to continue collaborating with Tremblay as they find ways to bring the company

to new heights.

“Kathryn and the executive team have done a tremendous job; this is a great company,” said Andreou. “It’s time for a bit of a pivot. Technology is disrupting all industries, the labour market is shifting, the economy is uncertain. This is a wonderful time to bring everything together and come up with a great strategy.”

Tremblay co-founded Altis along with husband Tony Guimarães in 1989. When Guimarães died in 2016, Tremblay found herself a single mother of four running a $100-million business.

With the new change at the top, Tremblay said she will remain fully involved in the company and that her new role will allow her to prioritize the parts of the business that bring her the most fulfillment.

“The pace of change is increasing so fast and there’s definitely a need to modernize our technology and processes,” said Tremblay. “It made sense to go with a full CEO and it allows me to get inspired doing the things that I’m really good at. I was spending a lot of time on areas that were not my strength but are definitely Andie’s strength.”

In her new role, Tremblay said she’ll be focusing on employee engagement, research writing, leadership, mentoring and leadership development, as well as ESG and DEI initiatives.

She added that with too few women in C-suite roles across Canada, she’s eager to see Andreou take up the mantle at a business that has been led by women since the beginning.

“We were looking for a lot. We really needed that growth and innovation mindset. Andie brings all of those pieces,” said Tremblay. “She has a more full view of this. I think it’s really time for the executive team to be propelled forward and Andie is definitely the right person to do that.”

— by Mia Jensen

Kathryn Tremblay (left) will be co-founder and owner of Altis Recruitment & Technology, while Andie Andreou takes over as CEO. PHOTOS SUPPLIED

FOR THE RECORD

With YOW on the ascent, CEO Mark Laroche announces his retirement

BY DAVID SALI david@obj.ca

The man who piloted Ottawa’s airport through the most turbulent times in its history is stepping down.

Ottawa International Airport Authority president and CEO Mark Laroche is retiring after more than a decade in the role, he announced during the organization’s annual public meeting.

“It was a very difficult decision, but I felt the timing was right as we are on the cusp of pursuing another major terminal expansion,” said Laroche, who took the reins as CEO in 2013. “The airport is in excellent shape.”

As the scale continues “to tip in favour of leisure travel over business travel,” Laroche said the airport is studying how that will affect future growth at YOW.

“We are exploring everything from optimizing existing space and new technology, to the need for additional capacity and a significant expansion program,” he said.

Laroche, who has called the National Capital Region home for most of the past 55 years, earned a civil engineering degree from Royal Military College in 1981. He eventually became a city manager in the Montreal area before serving as chief administrative officer for the City of Gatineau from 2001-07.

Laroche then spent nearly six years as head of the Canada Lands Company, commuting between his home in the Ottawa region and the firm’s head office in Toronto. But his heart remained in the nation’s capital. When an executive search firm approached him to gauge his interest in the top job at his hometown airport, he jumped at the opportunity.

“This is my community,” he said, explaining his decision to join YOW. “I had to learn very quickly, how does an airport really run?”

Laroche soon realized that running the

Brad Fougere joins OCOBIA as executive director

terminal wasn’t that much different than being the top bureaucrat of a city or the boss of a Crown corporation.

“You’re managing people and you’re managing infrastructure and assets,” he said. “There’s a lot of commonality, especially at the CEO level. To manage an airport, you don’t have to be a pilot.”

Laroche’s colleagues praised his leadership skills and his persistence in pushing for projects such as the light-rail station and Porter Airlines’ new aircraft maintenance hub, which is bringing hundreds of jobs to YOW.

“It’s worked,” said Krista Kealey, the airport authority’s vice-president of communications and public consultation since 2002. “He’s really set the airport on a course for success … and to be a bigger player on the airport stage.”

Laroche said the airport authority’s board of directors has struck a committee to lead the search for a new CEO, a process that’s expected to take at least several months. Once his successor is in place, the avid outdoorsman said he plans to spend more time pursuing passions such as cycling, skiing and hiking.

“I’m going to try to enjoy retirement,” Laroche said. “If I don’t like it, I’ll do something else, but I kind of think I’m going to like it.”

BY MIA JENSEN mia@obj.ca

Brad Fougere has joined the Ottawa Coalition of Business Improvement Areas as its new executive director, the organization announced.

The position opened up in January after previous executive director Michelle Groulx left the role after almost three years with the organization.

“She left big shoes to fill,” Fougere told OBJ

A graduate of Algonquin College’s journalism program, Fougere has a decade of experience in communications and media relations. From 2016 to 2022, he was manager of digital and corporate communications for Canada Soccer.

He then went on to launch his own firm, Fougere Communications, which supported the marketing and PR needs of soccer organizations.

Fougere has been a resident of Ottawa for the past 13 years and said he’s eager to get started in his new role.

“In a previous role, I had come to know the organization and the work that it does at the intersection of community development and economic development,” he said.

“I see it as a really great opportunity to really make an impact on the community.”

OCOBIA represents the collective voice and vision of Ottawa’s 18 business improvement areas, which represent more than 6,400 businesses across the city.

The organization has become a respected advocate and influencer on key issues and policies impacting local businesses and economic development.

“I think there’s a shifting lens

and expectation for what business improvement areas are, so I think with a broader set of expectations, it’s a pretty great opportunity to have a different sort of influence,” he said.

“I’m excited and eager to work not just with the board, but all 18 BIAs. There’s a real opportunity to grow OCOBIA’s membership.”

HATS OFF!

Five notable leaders will be awarded honorary degrees by Algonquin College at the Ottawa campus spring convocation ceremonies in June. This year will feature a special presentation of the Fellowship Award, which recognizes exceptional individual community members who have made an invaluable contribution to the school. It has only been presented once in the college’s history. Steve Barkhouse, owner of Amsted DesignBuild, will receive the award from the Algonquin Centre for Construction Excellence. Four other leaders will also receive honorary degrees. Graham Bird, president and CEO of GBA Development and Project Management, receives his from the School of Business and Hospitality. Indigenous playwright, novelist, pianist and songwriter Tomson Highway will receive his from the Faculty of Arts, Media and Design. Dipak Roy, chairman of D-TA Systems Inc., receives his from the School of Advanced Technology. Businessman and former Ottawa Senators player Chris Philips will receive his from the Faculty of Health, Community Studies and Public Safety (Health).

In June, CEO of Intercounsel and founding CEO of the Business Council of Canada Thomas d’Aquino will receive the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star. Established in 1875 by Emperor Meiji, the Japanese order recognizes exceptional civil or military merit and includes a number of foreigners each year. D’Aquino said he’s enjoyed close ties with Japan over his decades-long career, frequently working with his business counterparts and travelling to the country.

Mark Laroche, president and CEO, Ottawa International Airport Authority. FILE PHOTO