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Do we need a look at the ajax mine proposal from An economic perspective

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X INSIDE CHAMBER NEWS: if environmental conditions met,2012 chamber backs ajaX APRIL/MAY

KAMLOOPS BUSINESS

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INSIDE Abacus Mining & Exploration Corp. assistant project manager Trevor Fulcher examines a rock sample containing chalcopyrite, malachite and bornite at the company’s core rack site off Lac Le Jeune Road.

Kamloops Business is published six times a year by The Kamloops Daily News advertising department, 393 Seymour St., Kamloops, B.C. V2C 6P6. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without the publisher’s written permission.

Unsolicited material will not be returned.

Publisher assumes no responsibility.

For editorial information, contact Kamloops Business editor Robert Koopmans.

KEITH ANDERSON/kamloops business

COVER STORY

Ajax Mine: Do We Need It? While the focus has been almost entirely on the proposed mine’s proximity to nearby housing developments, others say it’s time to also begin focusing on the positives a project of this size could bring to the city. /page 10

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> Editor’s Message

What’s in it for Kamloops?

Is there a net benefit to the community?

Y ou know you've arrived...

T

hat’s one question that kept coming up during interviews for the cover story on the proposed Ajax Mine. The purpose of the feature is to look at the economic potential the project affords.

This feature was not written to minimize the concerns Kamloops residents have in regards to the project’s location — a mere two kilometers away from nearby subdivisions — but it does provide an opportunity to look at the mine in a different light, as well as take a look at the resource industry as a whole and see just how tied the community still is to it’s resource roots.

Most of those I spoke with about the project offered the same caveat: They support the mine, provided environmental concerns are addressed.

A few more refused to comment on the economic possibilities that could be realized from a project of this size, saying in a roundabout way that they weren’t interested in counting their chickens before they hatched. This same group opted to hold off comment because Ajax is so polarizing. On one hand, business owners might benefit from the economic boost to the city. On another hand, if those same owners show support for the project, they might lose those customers who are steadfastly opposed.

Whichever way you lean, it’s safe to say that a project like Ajax, should it go ahead, will have significant impact on the city and the people who live here.

It will mean jobs — high paying ones, and lots of them. It will mean people who currently work away from home in Alberta’s oilfields or the Northwest Territories diamond mines could potentially come home. It will provide a significant tax benefit to Kamloops.

But is it worth it? That’s the question that we’d all like the answer to, and I suppose time will tell.

Finally, this is my last turn as editor of Kamloops Business for the next year, as I step out of the workforce for a brief moment and take a one-year turn as a stay at home mom.

While I’m excited to welcome another little person into the Bach family, I know I’ll miss the excitement that comes along with producing each issue of this magazine. I look forward to seeing it from a readers’ perspective in the months ahead.

While Danna Bach is on maternity leave, you can reach editor Robert Koopmans at rkoopmans@kamloopsnews.ca. KB 8 KAMLOOPS BUSINESS APRIL/MAY 2012

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> COVER STORY

AJAX MINE While the focus has been almost entirely on the proposed mine’s proximity to nearby housing developments, others say it’s time to also begin focusing on the positives a project of this size could bring to the city. >> STORY BY DANNA BACH >> PHOTOS BY KEITH ANDERSON

DO WE NEED IT? W

One of eight dust-fall monitoring stations at the Ajax mine site, which measure airborne dust and mineral levels. Pictured at top, the west pit at Abacus Mining & Exploration Corp.’s Ajax site.

10 KAMLOOPS BUSINESS APRIL/MAY 2012

hen someone says Ajax, what’s the first thing that comes to mind?

For most, it’s the location — a mere two kilometers from Aberdeen subdivisions. It’s the location and possible environmental impacts of the site that have been the main focus of public debate.

Now, as the public comment period comes to an end, and as residents are closer than ever to knowing whether this project will or won’t go ahead, Kamloops Business opted to take a look at the numbers.

Because while many residents consider the location a top concern, many others see the mine and the resulting job creation as a potential jackpot.

When in production, the mine would employ 400 people in long-term, high-paying jobs. But the question remains: Do we need those jobs, and are they worth it?

Abacus Mining & Exploration Corp. first began exploring the old Ajax deposit in 2005, but it wasn’t until 2010 that news of this development began getting significant attention.

The proposed Ajax project, now being run by KGHM Ajax Mining Co., includes an open pit, a processing plant, a thickened tailings storage facility, two waste rock facilities, explosives storage and access roads, and it will all be within approximately two kilometers of a densely populated residential area.

The proximity of the mine to these homes as well as the potential environmental impact on grasslands are the main obstacles.

While there has been significant emphasis on the environmental review process, project manager Jim Whittaker suggests Kamloops residents are overwhelmingly in favour of the mining industry as a whole.

“People who know the mines, and even the general population, are really in favour

AJAX by the

numbers

Physical characteristics

Ajax Pit: n Design size of 261 hectares at life of mine Processing Plant: n Will be built in a valley to form a natural barrier from Kamloops and Jacko Lake Tailings Storage Facility: n 3 km L X 1.4 km W X 150m H n Size of up to a maximum of 376 hectares at life of mine Waste Rock Management Facilities: North Waste Dump: 1.9km L x 2.3km W x 140m H n East Waste Dump: 1.5km L x 1.9km W x 100m H n

Access Roads: Mine currently accessed via the existing Afton Mine haul road. Jacko Lake view will be protected by building a new access road from the mine area to Lac Le Jeune Highway. n Concentrate will be transported via Lac Le Jeune Highway to the Port of Vancouver. n

of heavy industry and in support of mining.”

But the same truth holds in mining as it does in real estate: It’s all about location, location, location.

And while people might be familiar with mining and heavy industry, they’re often not keen on having a mine move in next door.

While the focus has been almost entirely on the mine’s proximity to nearby housing developments, Venture Kamloops CEO Dan Sulz says it’s time to also begin focusing on the positives a project of this size could bring to the city.

Do we need it?

The local economy has weathered the recent economic storm, there’s no doubt about it.

Kamloops isn’t facing a recession and it doesn’t suffer from high unemployment, but there’s a reason for the city’s success through an

economic downturn, Sulz says.

“We’re doing better because we have a diversity of economy and because we have an industrial base to rely on. We’re not relying on one project or industry and we have to continue to grow in order to stay above the curve.”

Many of the mine’s detractors have suggested Kamloops has come too far from being a resource town to once again go down that route, but Sulz disagrees.

“Tolko, Lafarge, Domtar, New Gold, Highland Valley Copper. We are a resource town, we just hide it really well.”

But do we need this particular project?

“I think so. In terms of growth, maintaining the status quo isn’t sustainable.”

According to Brian Ledoux, president of the Kamloops Real Estate Association and realtor with Royal

Jobs Over it’s two-year construction phase and 23-year mine life, the proposed project will provide: n Average annual jobs during construction phase — Indirect: 750; Direct: 580 n Average annual jobs during operation — Indirect: 490; Direct: 380 n Average annual salary for a mining job: $100,000 Economic Stimulus $1.1 million spent per day during construction — n Kamloops spending: 37 per cent n B.C. spending: 35 per cent n Canadian spending: 27 per cent n Foreign spending: 1 per cent $180 million spent per year during operation — Consumables (parts, materials, etc.): 51 per cent n Wages: 22 per cent n Power: 14 per cent n Fuel: 8 per cent n Services: 5 per cent n

Estimated tax revenue over the mine’s lifetime — Federal and Provincial: $550 million n B.C. Mining Act Tax: $210 million n Municipal: $110 million Information obtained from the Ajax Copper-Gold Project Fact Booklet n

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KAMLOOPS BUSINESS

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LePage Westwin, “we don’t need this mine to run our town by any means,” but just because we’re not desperate for the jobs, doesn’t mean the city should turn its nose up at the opportunity.

“I see the positive impact of 1,000 jobs in construction being a huge economic impact on our city.”

A centre of excellence While Kamloops’ economy isn’t on the brink of collapse, Sulz sees the mine for its potential, not necessarily for the direct employment, but for the simple fact that the Ajax project would be “one more in a cluster,” meaning this area could begin to attract professionals from a variety of sectors as a result of the cluster of nearby mines.

“There becomes an opportunity for the entrepreneurs interested in the innovation and technology side. Mines are very reliant on technology and they’re very focused on becoming more efficient,” something they must do in order to become more environmentally and socially sustainable.

“Reclamation work doesn’t get set aside until the end of the project, so the project attracts those professions as well,” says Sulz.

While opponents have suggested that Kamloops is less in need of resource-based industry because it has moved beyond, into the high-tech sector, Sulz says that’s simply not true.

“Some communities are really encouraging IT, but mining gives (IT companies) a reason to be here. It’s an opportunity for them to develop ideas and software for a sector that can later be sold outside the community.”

These days, he says, companies rarely set up shop with the only goal to service the immediate local market.

He sees potential not only in the technology sector, but also in the environmental sector.

“Experts in environmental sustainability — we could be a showcase or a model project,” he says, adding that this possibility exists specifically because of where the project is located.

“Everyone is going to be looking.”

The education factor Declining enrolment. It’s a term that’s become all too familiar, first within the Kamloops-Thompson School District, and then filtering through to Thompson Rivers University.

While TRU still manages to attract 90 per cent of the university-bound students from School District 73, and 80 per cent of those from the Thompson Nicola Cariboo regions, when the numbers in those dis12 KAMLOOPS BUSINESS APRIL/MAY 2012

Abacus Mining & Exploration Corp. geologist Brendan Malo holds a sugarloaf diorite chalcopyrite and pyrite core sample at the sample core rack. tricts go down, the echo is felt on campus.

“We follow School District 73 projections, and the same trends that are hitting them we’re going to encounter,” says Christopher Seguin, TRU vice-president of advancement. While international student enrolment has remained strong, essentially it has been propping up the weakening domestic enrolment, Seguin explains. As a result, TRU is now marketing itself nationally, and instead of merely looking at the province as a recruitment base, looking at Canada as a whole.

DECLINING ENROLMENT These figures, based on full-time equivalent enrolment in School District 73, show a gradual enrolment decline: 2007-08: 14,501 2008-09: 14,217 2009-10: 14,127 2010-11: 14,072 2011-12: 14,115

Abacus Mining & Exploration assistant project manager Trevor Fulcher overlooking Ajax’s east pit.

A mine, with the potential to draw hundreds of new families to the community could minimize the impact of declining domestic enrolment, Seguin says.

“We’re not going to meet our targets with the declining demographic here, but a healthy industry with tons of jobs and families moving to town will help.”

Aside from a boost to domestic enrolment, Seguin says that a mine the size of Ajax within such close proximity to the university would be a boon to areas of research, technology, job opportunities and more.

“We’re talking possible partnerships in curriculum and learning,” says Seguin, who maintains that mining is reliant on so much more than tradespeople and labourers.

“There are accountants, human resource people and scientists. There are a massive amount of highly trained individuals required, and we would be excited to step up to the challenge and to meet those educational needs.”

The possibilities for training are significant, says Seguin, who adds that post graduation retention will improve if there are “good high-paying jobs in the area.”

“We may focus on mining for education and training. It’s not just the local mines.

We’d be looking at the world — the local mines would just be a first step.

“The bottom line is, like any major industrial project, the partnerships and the

possibilities are endless . . . having a healthy industry surrounding you helps all aspects of your community.”

Dollars make sense While Sulz is encouraged by the prospect of drawing other professions to the area, he’s not turning his nose up at the how much those 400 permanent, long-term jobs could bring to the community.

“I look at the payroll,” he says, adding that while the property taxes a project of this scale would bring to the city would be substantial, the overall payroll would have an even greater impact.

“The average family wage here is about $62,000. The average miner makes $120,000.”

And those jobs are already in the forefront of many minds, according to Whittaker, who moved into the KGHMAjax office on Seymour Street in July 2011.

While the focus at the public hearings is on the environment and the location, when people walk through the door of the Seymour Street office, the questions are always about employment.

“They always ask, ‘So, when can I start?”

Bringing young people home Thompson Rivers University’s dean of trades training knows a thing or two about giving people the skills they need to succeed in the workplace, watching them graduate, and seeing them head out into

PROJECT PERSPECTIVE Highland Valley Copper, 2010 numbers: 1,270 employees $150 million payroll (wages and benefits) n $94 million spent on local goods and services from 450 vendors n $1.2 million community investment, including United Way campaign and Royal Inland Hospital Foundation n $1.8 million annual property tax n n

the workplace.

Problem is, quite often, especially when it comes to trades, those jobs are located elsewhere.

Lindsay Langill isn’t shy about touting his support for the Ajax Mine project.

While he supports it for what it could mean for trades training in Kamloops, he’s also in support of it for what it could mean for the average tradesperson.

“The life of the mine they’re suggesting is 23 years. The average working lifetime is 30 to 40 years. This would give a person — a tradesperson — relatively secure employment in a trade right here in Kamloops for the rest of their life,” he says.

For many tradespeople, the money to be made on Alberta’s oilfields is too signifiAPRIL/MAY

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KAMLOOPS BUSINESS

13

cant to ignore. Fred Legace, managing director of the Kamloops Airport, says approximately 30 workers travel to camp situations in Fort McMurray through charter flights each week. He estimates at least 100 to 150 workers travel on scheduled service to other, northern Alberta destinations (Grand Prairie or Fort McMurray), or north to the diamond mines.

Langill is a frequent user of the Kamloops Airport, flying out at least twice a week. While at the airport he routinely runs into young tradespeople boarding flights to take them back to camp.

“They don’t have the opportunity to work here for the same dollars, so they elect to disrupt their lives and live in camp for two weeks and out for a week,” he says.

With a mine project like Ajax, Langill says those same workers could be home every night.

“They could participate in community events, help coach hockey and be closer to aging parents. We need to bring some of our own trained tradespeople back to the community where they can live full-time.”

Property values Who wants to live near a mine?

That’s one of the concerns voiced at public meetings held to gather public input into the development of the Ajax mine. While some area residents have voiced concern over the potential dip their Aberdeen property value might face, experts in the field doubt that scenario.

Sales in the Aberdeen area have been constant and steady, says Ledoux. It’s been a bright spot in the Kamloops real estate market for several years running, and he doesn’t see that changing, despite the talk of a mine on the doorstep.

New home construction and home resale values have been up year after year in Aberdeen, even after talk of the mine, says Ledoux.

“Is that because people want to get out because the mine is coming? I’m saying no. It’s because people are buying. Are people scared of the mine? No, they’re buying houses,” he says, adding that the market value of those houses hasn’t shifted south, either.

The reality, explains Ledoux, is that there are people who would never live out in Brocklehurst because they don’t want to stare at the Domtar pulp mill, certainly, he says, there are people who won’t want to live in Aberdeen should the mine proposal go through.

But he contends that there will be many more who will want to live in the neigh14 KAMLOOPS BUSINESS APRIL/MAY 2012

A view of Jocko Lake from the Abacus Mining & Exploration Corp. Ajax mine site. bourhood because it will put them that much closer to work.

“I think the shift will be negligible.”

Moreover, Canadian Home Builders Association-Central Interior president Brian Hayashi says the fact the mine is located so close to city limits means mine workers will by and large decide to live nearby.

“Having the mine this close is bound to have significant favourable economic impacts on the housing industry, and the fact the mine isn’t two hours away or someplace between two communities really makes the focus on housing in Kamloops.”

In context, most of the workers at Teck’s Highland Valley Copper operation, which sits just outside Logan Lake, don’t live in the neighbouring community. According to Highland Valley Copper figures, 58 per cent of the mine workers live in Kamloops, 17.5 per cent live in Logan Lake, 10 per cent live in Merritt, 5.5 per cent live in Ashcroft and 2 per cent live in Cache Creek.

Hayashi contends that because the Ajax operation will be so close to Kamloops and all that the city offers, the vast majority of workers will choose to live here, pay property tax here, and spend their money here.

Aberdeen, says Hayashi, has long been a favourite spot for residential development, and he expects that will continue to be the case even if the mine goes ahead.

“Hot spots in Kamloops are Sun Rivers, Aberdeen, Dufferin and Batchelor . . .

Aberdeen has been favoured over most everywhere else I know because the builders really enjoy building up there because

there’s always been a good market.”

Langill, who sees the benefits of the mine on all sectors, including home building, expects property values to remain the same.

“If people up in Aberdeen have an issue with it (the mine) being close, I guarantee you their houses would sell instantly, and probably sell to Ajax workers who could practically walk to work.”

Community Investment While the United Way – Thompson Nicola Cariboo has not taken a position on the Ajax mine proposal, the charitable organization has benefited greatly from resource industries in the area, and is currently in the Top 3 of all United Way branches in British Columbia for monies raised.

INDUSTRY DONATIONS Resource industry donations, 2011 at a glance: n $633,000, Highland Valley Copper n $95,000, Domtar n $95,000, Gibraltar Mine n $43,000, Mt. Polley Mine Thompson Nicola Cariboo United Way While the specific numbers weren’t available at press time, according to Seguin, Thompson Rivers University Foundation has received more than $1 million in the past 10 years from area resource operations. That money funds student bursaries and various capital projects at TRU. KB

The man J

top

im Excell retired at 54, but retirement didn’t last long. Today, in his early 60s, the Burnaby-based metallurgical engineer is onto his second postretirement position, this time as president and CEO of Abacus Mining & Exploration Co., the company at the helm — along with partner KGHM Polska Miedz — of the Ajax mine development situated on Kamloops’ doorstep.

Excell left retirement to devote himself to seeing Ajax get off the ground because, he says, “it’s a very interesting project.

“It’s one that you could see had every chance of being quite successful.”

One of the biggest keys to success for this project is going to rely on the group of people selected to see it through to production.

“We’ve got a good team, and this is a good project.”

The timeline is a tight one, he admits. So far, despite a few setbacks, the timeline for the project is still achievable.

The feasibility study was completed in December 2011, and while Excell had hoped for it sooner, he was satisfied with the results.

The study shows an average annual production estimated at 109 million pounds of copper and 99,000 ounces of gold over the 23-year life of the mine. Initial capital costs are set at $795 million, with an estimated payback over 7.8 years.

Now, the project is in its environmental assessment stage, with the hope of having the final drafts and information available by early spring.

‘If it’s not the location it’s something else. Mining is sort of an industry on which our entire standard of living depends, but it gets emotions going one way or the other.’

Jim Excell Once that’s complete, it’s up to the company to map out the details on how it would manage the project effectively to meet all the requirements the government and the public have put in place.

The earliest Ajax could be in production is 2015.

And should that happen, Excell is convinced Ajax would be a boon to the community it calls home.

“I believe it’s going to be a very great and important economic engine,” he says, specifically referencing the human resource component.

Unlike many of the other projects Excell has worked on through the years that have been situated in remote camps in extreme northern locations, Ajax benefits from being so near a bustling city.

“There are people currently living in Kamloops who may switch jobs to come work for the mine, thereby leaving vacancies. Then we might have people move to Kamloops bringing specific skills and trades that are needed.

“There’s quite a large population that

dominic schaefer/business in vancouver

at the

flies to and from Fort McMurray (Alta.) and other mines, and we’ve already seen several people making inquiries into opportunities.”

Unlike many productions of this scale, the Ajax development is “in an enviable position . . . we’re able to look and see a workforce that can be very rapidly established, which is a big advantage over other, more remote places, for sure.”

But while the location is a blessing for business purposes, it’s also the issue causing the most concern for residents.

Objections to a mining project, however, are nothing new, says Excell.

“If it’s not the location it’s something else. Mining is sort of an industry on which our entire standard of living depends, but it gets emotions going one way or the other,” he says.

Excell is convinced this project can be a good neighbour.

“We can very admirably build a mine in a way that does not disturb our neighbours and the good people of Aberdeen — that’s entirely possible.” KB APRIL/MAY

2012

KAMLOOPS BUSINESS

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- ADVERTISING FEATURE -

Do I really have to pay maintenance for my child after she turns 19?

Is child support payable for a child who is over the age of 19? If so, how much? These questions are often asked by parents who have an obligation to pay child support. The answers to these questions are complex. And, as in many areas of family law, there is no real certainty.

One of the basic principles behind child support obligations is that child support is the right of the child.

The general rule is that the parent with whom a child is residing is entitled to make a claim for child support against the other parent. A “parent” can include both a natural parent of a child and a step parent of a child.

by Marlene Harrison

The Divorce Act and the Family Relations Act are the two pieces of legislation which define how long child support may be payable for children who are over the age of 19.

Both Acts have similar provisions with respect to how long support may be payable after a child turns 19. The provisions can be summarized as follows: child support may be payable for a child over the age of 19 where that child remains under the charge of a parent and is unable, by reason of illness, disability or other cause, to withdraw from that parent’s charge or to obtain the necessaries of life.

A child suffering from a long term illness or who is disabled may be unable to support himself/herself and may have to remain dependent upon and living with a parent well past the age of 19. In such circumstances, the parent with the obligation to pay child support will likely continue to have that obligation The more difficult circumstance when it comes to children over the age of 19 involves children who decide to attend post secondary schooling. The question becomes, to what extent the obligation to pay child support continues. The simple answer is that the obligation to pay child support often does continue after a child turns 19 and is attending post secondary schooling. The reason for this continuing obligation is that children over 19 and attending post secondary schooling are seen as being unable to withdraw from the charge of the parent with whom they have been residing.

The Federal Child Support Guidelines (the “Guidelines”) provide the framework for determining how much child support should be paid by a parent on a monthly basis for a child over the age of 19. The Guidelines provide that the child support payable may be the amount provided for by the Tables which are set out in the Guidelines and which specify the amount of child maintenance payable by a parent. In the alternative, the amount payable may be determined by a Court as an amount different from the Table, after the condition, means, needs and other circumstances of the child and the financial ability of each parent to contribute to the support of the child is taken into account.

When it comes to the meaning of condition, means, needs and other circumstances of the child and the financial ability of each parent to contribute to the support of the child, a court will look at the child’s actual post secondary expenses (tuition, books, room, board, etc.), and will also look at the ability of the child to contribute to those expenses. Typically, a child over the age of 19 is expected to contribute to his/ her post-secondary expenses and those contributions may include taking into account employment earnings, scholarships, bursaries, student loans. A Court will also take into account the ability of both parents to contribute to those expenses and will also consider the expectations of parents during the time when they were still living together, i.e. was there an expectation that the child was going to attend post secondary schooling, were monies saved to assist in covering these expenses.

The case of Farden v. Farden 48 R.F.L.(3d) 60 (B.C.S.C.) at pages 64 to 65 outlines the following factors which a court will consider in deciding whether or not a child who is attending a post secondary institution may still be entitled to child support: “(1) whether the child is in fact enrolled in a course of studies and whether it is a full-time or part time course of studies; (2) whether or not the child has applied for or is eligible for student loans or other financial assistance; (3) the career plans of the child, i.e. whether the child has some reasonable and appropriate plan or is simply going to college because there is nothing better to do; (4) the ability of the child to contribute to his own support through part-time employment; (5) the age of the child; (6) the child’s past academic performance, whether the child is demonstrating success in the chosen course of studies; (7) what plans the parents made for the education of their children, particularly where those plans were made during cohabitation; (8) at least in the case of a mature child who has reached the age of majority, whether or not the child has unilaterally terminated a relationship from the parent from whom support is sought.”

Just because a child over 19 years of age is attending a post secondary institution will not necessarily result in a child support obligation continuing. The law in this area is complex. The obligation to continue paying child support after a child turns 19 will be dependent upon the facts of each case. A lawyer at Mair Jensen Blair LLP can review the facts in such cases and provide advice on these issues.

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New Awards to Recognize Finest of City’s Under-40 Set Nominations open for talented, innovative young business leaders and professionals

W

e know they’re out there, now they just need to stand up and be recognized.

Kamloops Business magazine has launched its inaugural Under 40 Awards, designed to reveal the tremendous talent, motivation, skill and perseverance of some of the city’s finest young professionals.

The awards, which have been in the planning stages for several months, are modeled after the extremely successful Forty Under 40 Awards program developed more than 20 years ago by Kamloops Business’ sister publication, Business in Vancouver.

The goal, says Daily News publisher Tim Shoults, is to “celebrate young upand-coming business leaders in Kamloops and the surrounding area.”

Young professionals are the business leaders of tomorrow, says Shoults, and the awards offer a great way to profile

some of the people who will have a hand in shaping the city for many years to come.

Ideal nominees include entrepreneurs, those working their way up in established businesses and leaders in both the public and private sector in every field from resource management to retail sales and everything in between.

Shoults said he expects to be blown away by the calibre of nominees.

“I hope the community as a whole, and the business community itself, gains a greater awareness of just how much talent is here in this community.

“There are so many people who will come out of the woodwork and they’re doing amazing, world-class work. We’re just not aware of how much talent there is in our business community, and this offers a chance to highlight that talent.”

An independent review panel will choose finalists. Merit will be deter-

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mined based on a range of criteria, including professional achievement, experience, innovation, leadership and community involvement.

Nomination forms are available now at the Daily News, or online at kamloopsnews.ca, and will be accepted through to June 15. An awards ceremony will be held in September with winners profiled in the October/November edition of Kamloops Business.

For more information about the awards or the nomination process, email editor Robert Koopmans at rkoopmans@ kamloopsnews.ca. KB

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With a Twist

> industry

5

One of the world’s top The specialized services of an unassuming Kamloops-based company are a sought-after international commodity

>> STORY BY DANNA BACH |PHOTOS BY KEITH ANDERSON

A lead/zinc core sample from the Selwyn mine in the Yukon is under scrutiny at G&T Metallurgical Services.

The company is testing the sample to determine the energy requirements needed to break the rock in the mine’s crushing and grinding plant.

At top, lab analyst Lisa Andrykew, works with volumetric flasks that are digesting arsenic samples to determine the best technique for eliminating the arsenic from the minerals.

O

n the outskirts of town, just up the old Lac Le Jeune Road, you’ll find four buildings, representing about 20,000 square feet of space, and in that space, world-class work is going on.

G&T Metallurgical Services Ltd. doesn’t have any signage and they don’t do much advertising. There’s no need. Chances are, if you require the services they provide, you’ll have heard of them already.

G&T is an engineering testing lab consulting to the mining industry. In simplistic terms, when a mining company finds a viable metal deposit it must figure out how to extract those metals from the rock. That’s where G&T comes in; “Our company does the work to establish the most economic way of extracting the metal,” explains vice-president Tom Shouldice.

The company started small back in 1991 with two private owners. It wasn’t until early in the last decade that the company began to grow. Until then, says Shouldice, there were between five and 10 employees.

“About five years ago the business began to grow fairly rapidly,” he says, adding that he joined the company from Highland Valley Copper in 2000.

Then, about a year ago, G&T was sold to a large company based in the United Kingdom; six months later, it was sold again, this time to the ALS Group.

“We currently have about 80 employees, and in the last four or five years we’ve been growing at a rate of about 20 per cent,” says APRIL/MAY

2012

KAMLOOPS BUSINESS

21

Lab technician/mineralogist Ryan Wilds holds a block holder with copper zinc mine samples from Cerro De Mainon mine in the Dominican Republic to be analysed in the million-dollar Qemscan electron microscope.

Tom Shouldice

Business is booming, says G&T vice-president Tom Shouldice, and will continue to do so as long as the price of commodities remains so attractive.

Shouldice, who noted that the company stopped hiring in 2008 when the economy slumped, but has been hiring at a fairly rapid rate since then. There’s an engineering geological staff of about 10, a small group of support staff, including human resources and clerical, and the rest, says Shouldice, are science degree holders — typically in chemistry or physics — and many are Thompson Rivers University graduates.

“We hire a lot of people from TRU. The university coming on scene was one of the boons to our growth. We wouldn’t have been able to grow like we did without it.”

Of the metallurgical engineers on staff, two are from Australia and one is from Mexico. Several are Canadian, and many

are hired directly from university and trained in house.

Demand for these skilled professionals is extremely high, says Shouldice, but so far, they’ve not had difficulty attracting qualified candidates.

“For people in the operations side like myself, I spent time in the far north. In mining, a destination like Kamloops is as good as it gets.”

While staff at G&T occasionally does site visits, for the most part, it’s receiving core samples from mining sites around the world. And because what they do at the Kamloops facility is so specialized, work finds them, so the original owners were able to locate wherever they wished.

They chose Kamloops, says Shouldice, for lifestyle reasons.

“One fellow liked to fish the other liked to ski. The industry we’re in there might be 10 service providers like us … we’re recognized in the Top 5. We’re really an expertise-based industry.

“We’re a pretty low-key business, but we’re one of the best in the world at what we do.”

The bulk of the mining companies G&T deals with are headquartered in

Vancouver, Toronto and major Australian centres, but the majority of the mines are overseas and in far flung destinations.

“We have the odd place as far away as Ireland or the Philippines, or over in Africa, but a lot of our work right now is coming from Australasia and South America.”

Due to G&T’s proximity to Vancouver, the company works with most B.C.-based mines.

“We’ve probably done work on most of the mining projects you’re familiar with in B.C., and Ajax was one of our clients as well.”

Business is booming, says Shouldice, and will continue to do so as long as the price of commodities remains so attractive.

He explains that there are a couple of reasons for rising demand most significant being the rising cost of energy.

Mines, he says, are one of the biggest consumers of energy. “As deposits become lower and lower grade, that energy use becomes a very important cost.

(Companies) are spending a lot more money than they would have in the past researching and testing.” KB

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Chamber NEWS If Mine Meets Conditions, it has Chamber’s Support Long-term mining project and high-paying positions would bring benefits to community

T

he Kamloops Chamber of Commerce supports the Ajax Mine project, provided certain conditions are met, says president Maurice Hindle.

“There are several areas we do need more information on before anyone, including ourselves, can make informed decisions.”

For starters, he says, environmental standards must be met.

“There has to be net benefits to the community. The Ajax project is no different than other projects in the city, and if they pass the scrutiny that has already been started then we would support it.”

At the end of the day, says Hindle, it’s a matter of trust — residents ought to have some faith in the process, he says.

“The mining community has really changed over time. There are stringent requirements in place that they have to meet before they consider starting construction.

“There should be a trust in our govern-

ments, both provincial and federal to complete the review process that all new mining projects must undergo.”

And should the conclusions come back that yes, this mine can be built and can operate in a way that offers a net benefit to the community, Hindle says the chamber will be in full support. Though the chamber has conducted an informal survey of members on the Ajax project, there has been no formal polling done. That informal poll, however, suggested most members were in favour, provided concerns were addressed.

“We truly feel that based on other mining projects, they are long-term projects, and once they’re up and running they offer long term and highly paid positions which will benefit the community.”

While Hindle says the chamber will support the project once all the conditions have been met, he is quick to acknowledge that many see his comments as biased, considering he’s employed by Moly-Cop, a company that

MAURICE HINDLE converts steel bars into balls used exclusively in the mining industry.

“It’s a legitimate question,” he says, but his role as chamber president is to bring forward the concerns voiced by the membership, regardless of where he personally stands on an issue.

“Our company (Moly-Cop) has one vote in a group of businesses that numbers 842. I am outnumbered and outgunned,” he says, and when he speaks for the Kamloops Chamber of Commerce, he’s speaking for the membership, not MolyCop. “It’s a fine line and one that requires one not to be prejudiced.” KB

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> chamber news i chamber views

Fine Tastes & Flavours from Italy Café dishes up traditional cuisine

A

nyone who’s visited Italy knows the café lattes, cappuccinos, croissants and pasta are unmatchable anywhere in North America.

Luckily, Kamloops residents have Caffe Arianna, a café with authentic Italian cuisine home cooked by Cristiana Solinas and her husband Rosario Perilli, who moved here from Milan, Italy.

“My husband and I moved to Kamloops because we wanted to open a restaurant,” Solinas says. u See MONTHLY next page

24 KAMLOOPS BUSINESS APRIL/MAY 2012

MURRAY MITCHELL/KAMLOOPS BUSINESS

Rosario Perilli and Cristiana Solinas inside their Caffe Arianna on Lansdowne Street.

> chamber news i chamber views

Longevity is the Key Family business established in 1922 Browns Repair Shop 220 Lansdowne St. 250-372-3656

B

rown’s Repair Shop is a family business that has been in Kamloops since 1922. They have been members of the Chamber of Commerce for just as long.

Eric Brown is the current owner of the business. It belonged to his father before him, although it was established by his great-uncle before that. Brown took over the business from his father in the late ’80s. It has been located at several different storefronts around downtown Kamloops over the years.

“Brown’s Repair has dealt with many things throughout the years. Knife sharpening, auto repair, sharpened skates, gunsmithing, a bike shop and more,” says finance manager Brenda Olson, who has been at the business for more than five years.

MURRAY MITCHELL/KAMLOOPS BUSINESS

Kim Wasnea has been a locksmith at Brown’s Repair Shop for about 18 years. At right is finance manager Brenda Olson.

“In Kamloops these small businesses had to delve into a lot of different things to stay alive,” she says.

Brown’s Repair Shop has been a member of the chamber for many years.

“I’m not sure of the exact date but I’ve come across paperwork dating back to the late ’60s,” Olson says. “It’s one of those things that you do in Kamloops.

We have taken part in their benefit plan.

Eric is very proud to be able to state that he’s a Chamber member.”

According to Olsen, Brown’s Repair Shop is a wonderful place to work.

“Brown’s is a very family-oriented business and Eric is a wonderful and fantastic boss and businessman,” she says. KB

Monthly dinners feature different regions of Italy u Continued from previous page

“We cook everything from scratch. We try to follow traditional Italian and family recipes. Things my grandma used to make or what his grandma made.”

Caffe Arianna is open for breakfast, lunch and offers private dinners to customers.

They serve pastries, specialty coffees and handmade pasta’s among other things. They also have Canadian-style foods such as paninis and omelets.

“We hold dinners once a month with a special menu from a different region of Italy,” Solinas says. “The private events

Caffe Arianna 272 Lansdowne St. 250-374-2670 www.caffearianna.com

are open to the public but people have to call ahead to reserve their seating.”

“Our potato gnocchi that we make on Friday by hand is very popular. We have people calling early in the morning on Friday to book a spot to get their gnocchi for lunch.”

In January, Solinas and Perilli joined

the Chamber of Commerce to get more involved in the community and begin to network with other local business owners.

“We just re-signed our lease so it was good timing to get more involved,” Solinas says. “I used to work in public relations and communications and I think the Kamloops Chamber of Commerce does great work.”

Solinas recommends that anyone who is new to the café try the Nutella latte.

“That is our bestseller from the coffee beverages. It’s a regular latte with Nutella inside and is very decadent,” she says. KB APRIL/MAY

2012

KAMLOOPS BUSINESS

25

> chamber news i chamber views

New Media Catching On Smart screens save dollars, make sense New Wave Advertising 292 Fourth Ave. 250-434-2535 www.newwaveads.ca

Y

oung entrepreneurs Ben McCulloch and Scott Plysiuk, owners of New Wave Advertising Group, have joined the Kamloops Chamber of Commerce to gain advice and wisdom from business owners in the city.

“A huge amount of wisdom comes from the business owners in this city,” says McCulloch.

“We joined the chamber about six months ago because when we’re in our office and building the business it can be hard to get out and meet other business owners,” McCulloch says. “It’s great to go to chamber events and chat with people and build relationships. The chamber here is amazing because they’re always setting things up and promoting businesses in town.”

The two young men launched their business in 2010 after seeing a need for

MURRAY MITCHELL/KAMLOOPS BUSINESS

Scott Plysiuk and Ben McCulloch, owners of New Wave Advertising Group Inc., are pictured with one of their smart screens installed at Zack’s Coffee Teas and Gifts. more interactive and cost-effective advertising options in the city. What’s come of it is a successful business specializing in billboard and digital advertising.

“I knew we could be competitive in our market,” McCulloch says. “I owned a small limousine service at the time and when I was looking into advertising it was so expensive.”

Smart screen advertising, which is a newer technology, is one that New Wave

Advertising Group focuses on. It allows clients to advertise on colourful digital displays that are placed in other businesses around the city.

“One advantage of digital media is that we don’t print anything or distribute any papers. This saves dollars, huge amounts of time and is environmentally friendly,” says McCulloch. “Digital media is currently North America’s fastest growing advertising medium. It increases about 18 per cent per year.” KB

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> new ideas

Innovation Kamloops Style You never know where your idea may lead KEITH ANDERSON/KAMLOOPS BUSINESS

>> BY KARA EVANS

Vocaba founder Scott Foubister with his online flashcards (vocaba.com) to help students in courses that use a lot of vocabulary or terminology, such as science and languages.

f you equate innovation with basement inventors working on the next invention, it’s time to think again.

Two Kamloops groups continue to pull the process of innovation out of dark basements, by encouraging bright ideas and helping set those who have them on paths leading to business and market success.

The Kamloops Innovation Centre and the Interior Science Innovation Council together have been working and encouraging Kamloops’ innovators for more than 20 years. They provide the resources to help turn ideas into reality.

The KIC is a “technology accelerator” for those who have an idea or certain technological program but don’t know where to go from there, said Tami MacKinnon, project coordinator for KIC. “The technology accelerator is taking an idea and accelerating it and actually making it happen,” said MacKinnon.

“It’s all catered around helping them launch their start-up business. Some of the resources we provide are one-on-one coaching, financial coaching, legal support, and we also look at marketing once they get to that stage.”

MacKinnon likens KIC to an incubator for innovation. With in-house experts, they inspire one another and everybody shares each other’s successes.

The ISIC works similarly, by pointing those with great ideas in the right direction. Executive director Bill McQuarrie explained that it’s all about helping to grow an idea into a company.

“Our job is to speed up the process as well and build up your network as quickly as possible with contact and get you to market as quickly as possible and support you through that whole process,” he said. “We’ll also support you after you go to market. We don’t drop you and say, ‘Oh, well now that you’ve launched your product, bye-bye,’ we’ll continue to work with you.”

Although the innovation community is relatively new in Kamloops, it has already seen several successes. One is that of Scott Foubister, a Thompson Rivers University physics grad who developed Vocaba, a computerized flashcard-based study guide to help him study for a Spanish language course.

After demonstrating his creation to his teachers, they saw the potential for something greater.

“They were pretty excited and saw the possibility to help many more students,” Foubister said.

It’s hard to believe Foubister is a 24-year-old Waterloo University graduate school dropout. While offered a full scholarship to WU’s quantum computing program, Foubister’s heart wasn’t in it, knowing he had a great idea back at home.

“It wasn’t something I was passionate about,” he said. “I dropped out after a week, came back to Kamloops and started (Vocaba) because I saw the opportunity through our beta tests. I wanted to follow that dream and I’m glad I did.”

I

28 KAMLOOPS BUSINESS APRIL/MAY 2012

While it was a huge risk, Foubister has no regrets. In only two years he has turned his program from a desktop program into a web-based application that supports 20 TRU courses, including Spanish, French, Japanese, English as a Second Language, as well as science courses such as biology and respiratory therapy. All use the program to help students learn the wide range of vocabulary unique to each course.

Another successful brainstormerturned-entrepreneur is Jonathan Bowers, who created Memory Leaf, an online memorial service to accompany online obituaries. Like Foubister, he started with an idea of how to make something easier.

“It started off as a bit of an idea of ‘How could we do this online obituary thing a lot better than what is being done right now?’” Bowers said. “I was doing my MBA at UBC and it evolved there as a class project and since grown into a full-on company and job with one employee.”

While grief can be a sensitive subject for some, Bowers’ family has many generations of history in the funeral profession. Although not directly involved with his family’s business, he feels his service is still deeply connected to the profession.

“It enables friends and family who have experienced a loss to come together and share stories, photos, videos and memories, or just offer their support to

KEITH ANDERSON/KAMLOOPS BUSINESS

Memory Leaf founder Jonathan Bowers in front of his Online Memorial offered through various funeral homes to share video, pictures and stories of the deceased for family and friends to view. those who were closest to the individual who’s passed away.”

Because Kamloops doesn’t have the power of a large population to support its up and coming innovators, it can be a challenge, at times, to keep business within the region.

“In Vancouver you have a lot more resources available to you,” MacKinnon said. “We’re still in that start-up phase whereas in Vancouver you have lots of mentors, lots of people who have ‘been there, done that.’”

On the flipside, as McQuarrie explains, Kamloops is a highly desirable area and technology companies and databases are starting up and staying here. It’s a new trend that’s very exciting for the local innovation community.

“Rather than just having to sell just on the job to attract someone, a lot of companies will go to the second sell of ‘You’re going to love the city you live in,’” he said. “We’re you’re competing for high-qualified people in the industry, that extra step might slow you down and someone else might grab them.”

For both Bowers and Foubister, the innovation community and the resources available to them have made the challenge of being an up-and-coming business in Kamloops a lot easier.

“Without them, I wouldn’t be as far as I am today because they provide a lot of help you can’t really get on your own,” Foubister said. “You can do it on your own in your basement, but it’s a lot of fun to be involved in a place like this.”

Bowers agrees that it feels like a tightknit community, which is a great asset for someone starting out.

HAVE AN IDEA? Visit or contact the Kamloops Innovation Centre or Interior Science and Innovation Council for more information on how to hit the ground running.

Kamloops Innovation Centre: www.kicstart.ca | 250-434-0200 info@kicstart.ca | Twitter: @kicpeople Interior Science and Innovation Council: www.isic.ca | 250-828-1713 info@isic.ca | Twitter: @interiorscience

“I always think of it as out-sourcing a culture,” he said. “There’s certainly a core group of us who do quite a bit of things together and there’s always other people who are not at the office all the time who are heavily involved” So, while there still may be many basement innovators out there, the innovation community in Kamloops welcomes one and all with open arms. All it takes is a phone call, and you never know where your ideas may take you. KB

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BEV WASSEN-HUNTER Mobile Mortgage Specialist Tel: 250-828-8870 Cell: 250-572-6847 bev.wassenhunter@bmo.com

Whether you want to make a small donation, start an endowment fund, or leave a bequest in your will...we are YOUR community foundation and we work with you to make giving easy.

SUE MAITLAND Mobile Mortgage Specialist Tel: 250-828-8841 Cell: 250-819-8811 sue.maitland@bmo.com Mortgage Expertise at Your Doorstep 24/7

#2-219 Victoria Street / 250-434-6995

info@kamloopsfoundation.com / www.kamloopsfoundation.com

30 KAMLOOPS BUSINESS APRIL/MAY 2012

TM/ÂŽ

Trade-marks/registered trade-marks of Bank of Montreal.

> SOCIAL MEDIA

Get your

Tweet on

>> BY DANNA BACH

Social Media Camp — Part One of Three In February, The Daily News sponsored a one-day “social media boot camp” to help give local businesses an edge developing online marketing skills. Here are the camp highlights, starting with Twitter. In the next issue of Kamloops Business, look for the skinny on Facebook.

T

witter. Just uttering the word conjures up a multitude of responses.

Some see it as a massive time waster, good for nothing other than keeping track of the 140-character thoughts a bunch of strangers have decided to share with the world.

Twitter is fast, often confusing and takes time to figure out. Which is why many business owners shy away from it completely. But it can be a tremendously helpful tool if used properly, says Vernonbased digital strategist Kazia Mullin, who was in Kamloops last month as part of a Daily News-sponsored Social Media Camp Workshop.

Mullin doesn’t deny that Twitter takes some getting used to, but argues it’s worth the effort.

“At first it feels unnatural — it feels silly — but that’s the same thing people used to say about the telephone. We need to get over the hump of what we perceive it to be.”

According to Mullin, who is co-owner of marketing firm Crema Communications, the first thing a business owner must do before launching themselves off any social media platform, is to recognize their target market.

“Twitter, Facebook, websites, blogs . . . you need to determine which tools are going to best send out your message, and which tools are used by the target market.”

A mistake would be to launch something generic over every platform, hoping someone out there it listening.

“That’s the shotgun approach, where they scatter their name and brand across the Internet and hope something happens and something catches, but nothing comes back because they’re spread so thin.”

The people who are on Twitter and who use it on a regular basis are those who love being at the heart of information.

“They want to be at the forefront, and they’re the ones telling all their friends,” Mullin explains.

“The people who are on Twitter are extremely active Internet users and they are much more likely to take the information they get on Twitter and share it across their other streams.

“As a business owner, being able to connect really with the heart of those people who are at the heart of word-of-mouth marketing is key.”

The trouble is, Twitter has a steep learning curve. It’s not one of those tools people feel really comfortable with right away. That’s why it’s important to step back and just watch and begin to understand the flow of information, Mullin says.

“Start to think of Twitter as a conversation. People talk about the weather and what they had for lunch, but they also talk about other things, about what’s going on in their lives, where they got their car fixed or what country is undergoing a regime change.”

The trick to using the platform successfully is to approach it as a person rather than a business owner. When you tweet, Mullin suggests avoiding the impersonal sales pitches and instead, letting your customers come to understand your personality. If you scuba dive, talk about it, if

Kazia Mullin

TIPS FOR BUSINESSES 1. The key is to listen. See what people are talking about. If they’re taking about you, respond immediately. Reply. Even if the person is saying something unfavorable, make a connection. Negative feedback gives you the opportunity to address complaints in an open forum, and you’re turning an angry customer into a happy customer.

2. Be an advocate for other local businesses. If you promote them, chances are good they’ll return the favour. Be a shameless promoter of your hometown.

3. Share other people’s content. Sharing content makes you a resource and if people want to know something they’ll come to you first.

4. Offer special promotions for followers — the more you give, the more you get.

5. Acknowledge and say “Thank you.” Like any relationship, the ones you build on Twitter are give and take.

you’re a foodie, talk about it. Those who follow you will begin to understand your personality and customers become friends.

“I have yet to see a business not benefit from Twitter. I see storage companies, restaurants, house cleaning services … every single business can benefit from being on Twitter.”

Service-based businesses, specifically, have a lot to gain through social media.

“So many of these businesses are based on trust. People want to do business with people they trust,” and social media, like Twitter, can make establishing that trust just a little easier. KB APRIL/MAY

2012

KAMLOOPS BUSINESS

31

> KCbia report

Good-Paying Jobs Ensure Healthy Growth Downtown

BY GAY POOLER >> MANAGER, KCBIA

R

egardless of which industry supplies them, good paying, steady jobs benefit downtown Kamloops.

There are several levels of spin-off benefits from industry: Firstly, payroll, secondarily, the support industry provides to businesses and local merchants, and thirdly, the support it extends to community organizations.

Our downtown merchants, who are mostly locally owned and operated, have a broad customer base including

many “blue collar” workers.

Our neighbourhood benefits in many ways.

For example, mining and high-tech jobs pay well enough that people can afford to frequent our wonderful downtown restaurants and boutique shops.

They can attend Blazers games, go to concerts, and patronize the Kamloops Art Gallery, Western Canada Theatre and the Kamloops Symphony.

This sector is also a huge supporter of community

organizations like the United Way and the Kamloops Food Bank.

In the future we will need to bring more of those good paying, steady jobs into the Kamloops economy to help ensure our healthy growth, and to support our current, desirable lifestyle.

We hope that some of those new residents will choose to live downtown, becoming an essential part of our neighbourhood. Residential is one of the components of a successful downtown; people liv-

GAY POOLER ing in our area are built-in customers for our businesses and provide activity on our streets. Recently we have seen what a positive difference residential infill can make. downtown Kamloops is now a vibrant and livable neighborhood — come enjoy it! KB

> NSbia report

Pride and Investment Linked on North Shore

BY PETER MUTRIE >> MANAGER, NSBIA

T

he North Shore Business Improvement Association promotes the investment opportunities in our area.

Currently, we have more development permits on the north side of the river than in the rest of Kamloops.

This happy circumstance reflects our rising market and is the result of community projects and rising neighbourhood pride which is translating into a higher level of comfort for residents, consumers and investors. We are experiencing more people, more confidence and more demand

for the commercial space in our area.

This development momentum is the direct result of community partnerships among business owners, residents, art students, service clubs and city staff.

It all comes together on community projects like the Kamloops North Rotary Club and their project to install strings of LED lights in select trees along the Tranquille Market. The partners include the Northbridge Hotel, Butler Auto and the Lemonade Stand who are allowing the lights to be plugged in at their places of business; RGH Pacific is providing the ladders that allow

32 KAMLOOPS BUSINESS APRIL/MAY 2012

nimble Rotarians to install the lights.

Partnered projects include art teachers and their students and their banner arts that grace the Tranquille Market every year and also become part of the annual North Shore Art Walk which is another partnership with the Kamloops Art Council and up to 30 participating businesses.

The partnerships continue with support from Cloverdale Paints, Jasco Rentals and Harrison Electrical Contracting who provide materials and installation services.

More people are looking for more shopping options and

PETER MUTRIE the commercial business case continues to grow. Evidence of is seen as the various mercantile areas are experiencing a new interest from realtors, developers and merchants, all because of the growing involvement and pride from residents and business owners.

North Shore pride is on the rise and so is the investment climate. KB

We All Need a Little Direction Sometimes...

Buying Promotional Products for Your Company We would like to offer a few suggestions to make your next purchase less Stressful and More Successful. #1 - Seek out a Professional in the Promotional Products industry. #2 - Be wary of on line websites that offer Deals that seem to good to be true. #3 - Try to deal locally. Of course it’s great to support local businesses. But, more importantly, if there is an issue with your order you can deal with it face to face. #4 - One of the biggest Stressors when purchasing Promotional Products is not allowing enough time to process your order. The more lead time you give, the better the chance that you will get what you would like, rather than settle for a product that can meet your event deadline.

You should allow a Minimum of 3-4 weeks from the time you are ready to place your order.

Most of the larger Suppliers & Manufacturers of Promotional Products are located in Eastern Canada. So, on top of Production time we must allow for 4 - 5 days Freight via ground Courier to B.C.

A t Winners we like to meet with you early in the planning stages of your promotion or event.

W e want to get a clear understanding of what you are trying to accomplish with your promotional products purchase.

W ith this knowledge we can make creative suggestions and recommendations to help guide you to the products that are right for you.

W e love a challenge! Lets get together and discuss the products that will make your next promotion a Winner!

What some of our Clients are Saying...

“Since 2005 we have been using Winners Awards in Kamloops to provide us with a variety of promotional items.

Dean and the staff have been extraodinarily helpful in finding us quality items, often within tight timelines.

Quality products and fast efficient service is what we have grown to expect from the folks at Winners”!

“Dean and the staff at Winners have been a phenomenal team to work with over the years & they take it to a whole new level of customer satisfaction!

Thanks Dean for all your hard work and dedication to to making sure we receive the best products possible”!!

Rebecca Bowes Safety & Loss Control Highland Valley Copper/Teck

Sergeant Steve Wasylik Thompson-Fraser Zone - Conservation Officer

Service-Ministry of Environment Kamloops, BC

friendly innovative ideas

“It has been such a pleasure working with Dean and the knowledgeable and professional staff at Winners.

They have gone out of their way to provide us with very prompt service and quality products.

We highly recommend Winners Awards and look forward to working with them again in the near future”!

“I have purchased promotional materials from Winners over the last 6 years.

I simply call in advance with what I am looking for, then leave the artistic design up to their team. In all cases I have been extremely pleased with the final design and product. Their team is very knowledgeble in both the products and solutions to our marketing requests. I would recommend Winners to anyone that is looking for great promotional products and excellent service”.

C.O. Andy Mackay South Okanagan Zone - Conservation Officer

Tracy Armstrong All Nations Trust Company Kamloops, BC

Service-Ministry of Environment Merritt, BC

knowledgeable

fast efficient service

professional

on time every time

winnersawardsandmore.com Phone 250 - 376 - 0018 Fax 250 - 377 - 0080

APRIL/MAY

2012

KAMLOOPS BUSINESS

33

> NEW BUSINESS LICENCES New business licences are listed according to the business trade name, mailing address and licencee. The initials HB indicate that it is a home-based business.

JANUARY, 2012 Twisted Treasures 1260-14th St. V2B 8K8 (HB) James C. Foucault CA Inc. 6-423 First Ave. V2C 3J8 (HB) Dels Oldies 1174 Battle St. V2C 2N5 PCL Constructors Westcoast Inc. 207-2365 Gordon Dr. Kelowna V1W 3C2 The Lillie Family Heating & Plumbing Ltd. 210-1730 Coast Meridian Rd. Port Coquitlam V2C 3T8 Okanagan Fire Protection Services Ltd. 5757 Upper Booth Rd. N. Kelowna V1X 7V7 Success Through People Consulting 4085 Shuswap Rd. V2H 1S7 More Than Les Contracting 3509 Navatanee Dr. V2H 1S1 Moore & Russell Heating Ltd. 101-2131 Hartley Ave. Coquitlam V3K 6Z3 Marquardt Mechanical (BC) Ltd. 1-1551 Sutherland Ave. Kelowna V1Y 9M9 Matt Arnott Piano Technician 427 Collingwood Dr. V2B 6B6 (HB) HG Contracting 416 Columbia St. W. V2C 1K4 (HB) Schroeder Electric 1234 Copperhead Dr. V2E 0A1 (HB) IEC Painting 941 Fraser St. V2C 3H6 (HB) Interior Pest Arrest 1796 Grasslands Blvd.

V2B 8S9 (HB)

Al’s Pilot Car Service 5-771 Holt St. V2B 8R3 (HB)

Nayaab Fine Indian Cuisine 561 Seymour St. V2C 2G8

Interior Training Tactics and Strategies (IT2S) 1358 Hook Dr. V2B 7S9 (HB)

Crystal Cleaning Company 676 Seymour St. V2C 2H2 (HB)

Action Venture 1091 Wildwood Dr. V2C 5E1 (HB) Piano Moving Plus 617 Windsor Ave. V2B 2B2 (HB) Core Essentials 1530 Windward Pl. V2E 1A6 (HB)

Solo Mobile Spa 82-1920 Hugh Allan Dr. V1S 1Y5 (HB)

Stone Bear Sculptures 1050 Sherbrooke Ave. V2B 1W5 (HB)

Meghan Pascuzzo Photography 660 Lee Rd. V2C 1R7 (HB)

The Clay Chimera Studio 9-1810 Springhill Dr. V2E 1P9 (HB)

Allekat Builders 1906 Manning Crt. V2E 2R8 (HB)

Cordiscovery Consulting 370-546 St. Paul St. V2C 5T1 (HB)

Interior Media Institute 292 Fourth Ave. V2C 3N9

JJ’s Flagging Service 844 McConnell Cres.

V2B 7Z6 (HB)

Mr. Lube 4-1200 Summit Dr. V2C 6L2

Troy B. Sandyke CGA 6-237 Sixth Ave. V2C 3R2

Safety 4 Workplaces 6232 Meadowland Cres. S. V2C 6X3 (HB)

Tiger Ramen Japanese Noodle Stand 310-1210 Summit Dr. V2C 6M1

RTS Electric PO Box 495 1259 Stage Rd. Cache Creek, B.C. V0K 1H0

KJD Contracting 257 Monmouth Dr. V2E 1L9 (HB)

Northwind Twenty Ten Enterprises 20-1580 Summit Dr. V2E 1R5 (HB)

Prominent Homes 32-2990 20th St. NE Salmon Arm V1E 3M4

Rainbow International of Kamloops 257 Monmouth Dr. V2E 1L9 (HB)

Oswell Construction Ltd. 2047 Sunnycrest Ave. V2B 4L9 (HB)

Lotus Pro Systems 973 Galiano Rd. Vernon V1B 3B3

Dragonlion Design 1772 Sunshine Pl. V2E 2M3 (HB)

Jim’s Specialties 981- Tranquille-Criss Creek Rd. V2B 8B3

Foxall Woodworking 3466 Overlander Dr. V2B 6X5 (HB) Heads Ore Tails Metallurgical Inc. 3726 Overlander Dr. V2B 8M4 (HB) DGL Yoga 2445 Partridge Dr. V2B 8L2 (HB) TJ Building Maintenance and Janitorial 6065 Pringle Rd. V2C 5V4 (HB) Gulwant’s Professional Tailoring & Alterations 963 Quail Dr. V2B 8N9 (HB) Kamloops-RentA-Fence (2011) Ltd. 1292 Raven Dr. V2B 8P4 (HB) Bunn Homes 2541 Sandpiper Dr. V2B 6W9 (HB) Jessie’s Unique Needles 468 Sentinel Crt. V2E 2G6 (HB) Pizza Factory 561 Seymour St. V2C 2G8

34 KAMLOOPS BUSINESS APRIL/MAY 2012

What Seams May Come 14-137 Tranquille Rd. V2B 383 (HB) Kamloops Kia 114-1320 W. TransCanada Hwy.V1S 1J2 Star Picture Framing 765 Uplands Crt. V2C 6M8 (HB) Anna Fe’s Cleaning 2034 Valleyview Dr. V2C 4C4 (HB) Thrift Seller 146 Victoria St. V2C 1Z7 Dance Discovery School of Social Dance 202-224 Victoria St. V2C 2A2 Sarah Hoknes Contracting 426 Victoria St. V2C 2A7

Enriquez Janitorial and Maintenance Services 745 York Ave. V2B 2A6 (HB) FEBRUARY, 2012

Engage Media Inc. 210-7238 137 St. Surrey, B.C. V3W 1V3 Lotus Technology Solutions 1244 Decamillis Rd. Pritchard V0E 2P0 Royal Columbia Construction 6420 King George Boulevard Surrey V3X 1E9 Student 1st Enterprises 18 Nerie Rd. Vernon V1H 2E4 Harbour Canadian Capital Corp.

Suite 1407 TD Tower 10088 102nd Ave. Edmonton, Alta.

T5J 2Z1

Desert Hills Realty (2010) Ltd. 867 Victoria St. V2C 4B7

Grandberg Construction Ltd. 542 Robbins Range Rd. V2C 6W4

Around Your Home Services 130 Waddington Dr. V2E 1N3 (HB)

GCCI Canada Inc. 8211-56 St. Edmonton, Alta.

T6B 1H6

Yellowridge Construction Ltd. 200-2605 Clarke St. Port Moody V3H 1Z4

Lowcost PC Service & Sales 704 McGill Rd. V2C 6N7 (HB)

River Citi Roofing & Siding PO Box 1496 Vernon V1T 6N7

Thompson Valley Landscaping 30-1655 Ord Rd. V2B 7V6 (HB)

Creative Outdoor Advertising 2402 Stouffville Rd. PO Box 245 Gormley, Ont. L0H 1G0

Peace of Mind Groceries Delivered 38-1655 Ord Rd. V2B 7V6 (HB)

Tupperware Brands 50-945 Columbia St. W. V2C 1L5

Katie Schleppe Nutrition Coach 48-1750 Pacific Way V2E 2KB (HB)

Friends of Seedy Saturday Gardening Community 945 Columbia St. W. V2C 1L5 Bump It! The Ultimate Baby Show Trade Show 945 Columbia St. W. V2C 1L5

Bambino Treasure 21-1990 Pacific Way V1S 1W3 (HB) Papa John’s Pizza 407-1801 PrincetonKamloops Hwy. V2E 2J6

Dollar Barn 5170 Dallas Dr. V2C 0C7

Lori Sison Cleaning Services 2665 Qu’appelle Blvd.

V2E 2J6 (HB)

Market Fresh Foods 5170 Dallas Dr. V2C 0C7

Plush Off Toys 659 Reemon Dr. V2B 6S9 (HB)

Dock Side Cradle 2144 Farrington Crt. V1S 1K2 (HB)

Sew Tied Up 924 Renfrew Ave. V2B 3X5 (HB)

Syncrety Technology Solutions Inc. 817 Fleming Dr. V1S 1B6 (HB)

Benchland Solutions 3092 Similkameen Pl. V2E 2T6 (HB)

Resting Place Bed & Breakfast 2167 Fleming Pl. V1S 1A3 (HB) Optimo Business Support 30-1570 Freshfield Rd. V2E 1R6 (HB) Puddles and Mud Childcare 319 Gleneagles Dr. V2E 1Z5 (HB) Vincy Clean Janitorial Services 204-751 Grandview Terr.

V2C 6C9 (HB) Aberdeen Chiropractic Clinic 205-1150 Hillside Dr. V2E 2N1 D&T Hall Trucking 520 Huxley Pl. V2B 5E5 (HB) White Stripe Painting 6-150 Kitchner Cres.

V2B 1B8 (HB)

Mel’s Hair Salon 394 Tranquille Rd. V2B 3G4 Grady Clothing Company 397 Tranquille Rd. V2B 3G4 5 Star Jewlery Exchange & Loan 455 Tranquille Rd. V2B 3H3 Papa John’s Pizza 73-700 Tranquille Rd. V2B 3H9 Troy Blysma 4600 Tranquille Rd. V2B 8B6 (HB) Munro & Company 201-1967 Trans-Canada Hwy. E. V2C 4A4 IQ Bamboo Language Services 202-142 Victoria St. V2C 1Z7

H&R Block 221-450 Lansdowne St.

The House of Carmond Hair Design 329 Victoria St. V2C 2A7

Watton Professional 455 Laurier Dr. V1S 1C2 (HB)

Amazonautonation. com Ltd. 208-444 Victoria St. V2C 2A7

KAMLOOPS PAINT & WINDOW COVERINGS

805 NOTRE DAME DRIVE KAMLOOPS BC 250-828-1800

benjaminmoore.ca

KAMLOOPS PAINT & WINDOW COVERINGS

805 NOTRE DAME DRIVE KAMLOOPS BC 250-828-1800

Join us for the coming soon

Best East Indian Lunch Buffet & Fine Dining BEST

Special arrangements for parties & get-togethers

700 Tranquille Rd. (Across from Liquor Store) Take Out & Delivery Available •

250-376-4444 250 376 4444

Lunch Buffet from Mon. to Sat.

for details contact: ksharma@kamloopsnews.ca

MON. TO SAT. 11:00AM – 2PM; 4:30 - 9:30PM SUN. 4 – 9PM APRIL/MAY

2012

OPEN

7 DAYS A WEEK!

KAMLOOPS BUSINESS

35

> Q&A

Quality Keeps Them Coming Back Popular deli makes 60 kinds of homemade sausage

MURRAY MITCHELL/KAMLOOPS BUSINESS

Jurgen Gemsa runs the family business, Gary’s European Sausage & Deli in the Fortune Shopping Centre.

R

unning your own small business is never simple, but the family behind Gary’s European Sausage & Deli Inc. makes it seem other-

younger I tried out other careers. I worked in construction for a while, but then I came back.

wise.

The shop has been a fixture in the Fortune Shopping Centre since Gary Gemsa opened the deli’s doors in 1978.

Gary can still be found in the shop most days, but it’s his son, Jurgen, that has taken over running the family business and who sat down with Kamloops Business editor Danna Bach to detail how Gary’s Deli has managed to maintain such a loyal clientele for more than 30 years.

Q. What brought you back?

A. I thought that if I didn’t at least learn the business I’d probably regret it later on. I’d have kicked myself if I just walked away.

Q. How long have you been working in the shop?

A. I’ve been here 17 years.

Q. What does an average day at the deli look like?

A. We start work at 5:30 in the morning and we try to have all of our sausage processing finished by 10:30 a.m., that way we can smoke and cook what we make for the day and be finished by 2 p.m.

Q. Did you know from an early age that you’d take over running the family business?

A. No, not at all. Of course, growing up I thought I was going to be a hockey player when I grew up. When I was 36 KAMLOOPS BUSINESS APRIL/MAY 2012

Q. What is Gary’s European Sausage & Deli best known for?

A. We’re known for our homemade sausage. We make 60 different types of sausage, and everything we make is fresh and it’s made here, on site.

Q. How do you support the community?

A. We’ve been doing a lot of fundraising with local hockey teams and schools.

Right now we’re helping the Logan Lake secondary dry grad doing a fundraiser.

We provide one-pound garlic sausage and they make a $2 profit on every one they sell. During November and December we have about 20 different hockey teams doing this fundraiser.

Those sausages are going out to 5,000 people or so, so I think that we always make back the money in new customers, and we’re helping out.

Q. Who is your average customer?

A. I know people who come in here

that I went to school with, they came with their parents and now they’re bringing their kids. Once you’ve shopped here you come back. We’re basically the only place in Kamloops that does what we do.

Q. Has demand changed in recent years?

A. We make more or less the same things we’ve always made. Almost everything we make here is gluten free, but it’s always been gluten-free. We’ve never changed our style since my dad learned how to do this. We just use meat and spices. A lot of other places put fillers in so they can add more water.

Q. Have you ever considered relocating?

A. Never. The North Shore has always been pretty good to us. People who live on the North Shore, this is where they stop on their way home. It’s a small family business and people know that. They like to shop locally and here they know what they’re getting.

Q. What does the future hold for the deli?

A. I see just us continuing to do what we’ve been doing. I’ve never thought about getting bigger because I’ve always thought that if you go bigger you’re losing the quality. I’m not looking to be a millionaire here, I just want to make a comfortable living. KB

APRIL/MAY

2012

KAMLOOPS BUSINESS

37

Ajax Copper-Gold Project Committed to Kamloops +HUH DUH D IHZ RI WKH JURXSV ZHǢYH VSRQVRUHG ǩ 5R\DO ,QODQG +RVSLWDO )RXQGDWLRQ ǩ 7KRPSVRQ 5LYHUV 8QLYHUVLW\ )RXQGDWLRQ ǩ .DPORRSV %OD]HUV ǩ :HVWHUQ &DQDGD 7KHDWUH

38 KAMLOOPS BUSINESS APRIL/MAY 2012

We believe health, education, sports and the arts are vital parts of any thriving community, and are actively supporting local organizations to make a positive impact where we all work and live.

To learn more about the Ajax Copper-Gold Project: 330 Seymour Street Kamloops, BC 9am - 5pm

www.ajaxmine.ca info@ajaxmine.ca 250-374-KGHM (5446) APRIL/MAY

2012

KAMLOOPS BUSINESS

39

C visit i ius at the h 2012 2012 Kamloops K l HHome&&L Leisure i ShShow Come April 13 – 15 at the McArthur Island Sports Centre, Booth A28

Henry loves his grandson.

Just not enough to bunk with him.

Henry was thinking about downsizing — but only if he could be the one in the driver’s seat.

He found Mayfair, at RiverBend Seniors Community, where he will get flexibility, security and the option of support services — all within a few blocks of his favorite driving buddy.

Occupancy Fall 2013

1-bedroom suites starting at $140,000 2-bedroom suites starting at $202,500

Phase 1 (RiverBend) - SOLD OUT*

Phase 2 (Mayfair) - NOW SELLING

Limited number of suites available.

Call 250-682-4378 today. * Rental opportunities available A&T Project Developments Inc.

Quinn Developments Ltd.