the best of
hamilton
Celebrating some of the people and institutions that have helped make Hamilton a world-class city THE BAY OBSERVER
2 Hamilton skyline by day Photo by Sandra Mulder, Banko Photographic Ltd.
contents 06 Welcome to the Best of Hamilton! 08 Hamilton, a city of boundless attractions 20 Hamilton: Internationally recognized education 22 McMaster: building on a future on research and innovation 24 Investing in our Region. Mohawk College 25 Hillfield Strathallan College: Hamilton’s Independent School 26 Hamilton’s, growing agri-food sector 28 A look back at Hamilton’s legacy media 30 Downtown Hamilton - the pulse of the city 33 Valery Homes - Building luxury condos and new homes for three generations 34 Vrancor Group 36 Hamilton, leading the way in life sciences 38 St. Joseph’s Healthcare, a National Leader 40 Advanced manufacturing: we still make things in Hamilton 42 Driving steel 44 Liburdi - exporting Hamilton technology around the world 46 Hamilton: the transportation hub 48 John C. Munro Hamilton international airport: a partner in growing Hamilton’s economy 49 Hamilton’s working waterfront 50 Fluke Transport 51 Light rail transit is coming to Hamilton 52 Mckeil Marine 53 Financial services, legal and real estate sectors: Hamilton is home to top professionals 54 Taylor Leibow is committed to Hamilton and to excellence 56 Weaver Wealth Management: trusted advice with proven results 58 Lamont Law: proudly serving Hamilton for 40 years 59 Judy Marsales Real Estate Ltd. Brokerage, Sold on Hamilton
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80 Published by The Bay Observer THE BAY OBSERVER 140 King Street East Hamilton ON L8N 1B2 905-522-6000 www.bayobserver.ca
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60 Concession Street: Hamilton’s Uptown 61 Ottawa Street: Hamilton’s destination for inspiration 62 Liuna: an important partner in Hamilton’s growth 64 Royal Botanical Gardens: Inspiring generations through horticulture 65 Terrapure continues a long tradition of supporting local community 66 Hamilton Water: transforming Hamilton harbour 68 Hamiltonians who made a difference 74 The Mercanti family: six decades of achievement and giving back 76 The next chapter in the Carmen’s group story 77 Carstar: a Hamilton company on the global stage 78 Margaret and Charles Juravinski, showing a community the power of philanthropy 80 Bob Young: preserving nearly a century and a half of football legacy 81 Michael Andlauer: 15 years of keeping Hamilton on the hockey map 82 Providing the services to build a healthy community 86 Remembering an utopian view of Hamilton 88 Locke Street South 89 The West Town: for 25 years, Locke Street’s living room 90 Brandon Stanicak, a life in hospitality 91 Alyssa Lai: focused on communication and leadership 92 Laura Tedesco: Artisan 92 Maria Musitano: Personalized Health Solutions 93 Michael Macaluso - driven to success 94 Hamilton’s next new chapter: Waterfront redevelopment 96 Walters Group: tackling the hard-to-do for over 60 years 98 Effort Trust: proud to be part of Hamilton’s growth for five decades.
welcome to the best of
hamilton! Hamilton Ontario is finding its stride as one of the fastest growing markets in Canada. With its leading edge health sciences and research sector, some of Canada’s most advanced manufacturing, a rapidly-growing agri-food sector and a vibrant network of young professionals, Hamilton possesses one of the most diversified economies in Canada.
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en hospitals and a Cancer centre serving Hamilton and the surrounding region. Hamilton’s education facilities are among the best. McMaster University ranks as one of Canada’s top three research-intensive schools and Mohawk College is the largest trainer of skilled apprentices in Ontario. A robust agricultural sector generates $1.26 Billion a year for the local economy and Hamilton is home to a fast-growing food processing sector that is attracted to Hamilton’s skilled workforce and excellent transportation links. With professional development networks like Hamilton Hive, Hamilton is nurturing a growing young professional sector that focuses on the next generation of entrepreneurs. Hive and other youth professional
amilton is located in the centre of Canada’s most densely populated corridor of economic activity. Within a 30-minute commute, Hamilton has easy access to a highly-skilled, well-educated and productive workforce of over 1 Million persons. It is uniquely positioned as a transportation hub, boasting the busiest port on the Great Lakes and the number one dedicated cargo airport in addition to an excellent road and rail network that connects Hamilton to North America. Hamilton has been cited by Site Selection Magazine and the Real Estate Investment Network as a best place to invest. Healthcare is the largest employer in Hamilton with six unique research-driv-
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networks focus on developing a talent pool of highly skilled employees.
Quality of life For many years Hamilton’s quality of life was its best-kept secret but that is rapidly changing as people from across the Greater Toronto Area discover the relative affordability of Hamilton’s housing as well as a host of unique cultural, sporting, shopping and outdoor activities. Hamilton has a vibrant entertainment scene with facilities like FirstOntario Centre and the FirstOntario Concert Hall (formerly Hamilton Place) that regularly host the top North American entertainers. The first Canadian City to host and televise the Juno Awards, Hamilton has hosted the awards several times since. Theatre Aquarius provides top Canadian professional theatre along with several thriving community theatre companies. The Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra and the Brott Music Festival have earned national and international respect in classical music. More recently Hamilton is gaining a reputation as “Music City” – home to scores of contemporary musicians. There are nearly 100 live music venues in Hamilton and several recording studios. With such a lively music scene, it is no surprise that Hamilton, with events like Supercrawl and Festival of Friends, is a popular destination. For the sports minded, Hamilton is home to the Tiger-Cats—the multiple Grey Cup winners and the Bulldogs of the Ontario Hockey League. The city also offers dozens of arenas, playgrounds and swimming facilities. With its escarpment and its location on Lake Ontario, Hamilton is a setting for some of the finest vistas of natural beauty anywhere. It is a perfect location for outdoor activities—hiking on the Brice trail or the Bayfront and lakefront trails, along with numerous city parks. Some of Ontario’s finest golf courses are in the area. We welcome you to explore the Best of Hamilton in the pages that follow. We are sure you will agree that Hamilton is one of the best places anywhere to live, work, study and raise a family.
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hamilton a city of boundless attractions H
Royal Botanical Gardens
amilton—An ambitious city possessing a wide range of amenities and attractions has much to offer visitors and residents alike. From a convention perspective Hamilton has added hundreds of conveniently located hotel rooms to the downtown core, providing capacity for conventions, trade shows and conferences of all sizes. No wonder that Hamilton hosts more than 100 meeting and convention-related events per year—a number that will continue to grow as word of Hamilton’s hospitality spreads . For the visitor Hamilton offers a wide array of entertainment, dining, sport, outdoor and natural attractions. Hamilton has a vibrant creative arts scene with its many galleries, workshop spaces and live venues.
Enjoying an evening skate at Hamilton Waterfront
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Performers at the Dundas Buskerfest
the best of hamilton Tony Bennett at Hamilton Convention Centre
Hamilton Convention Centre ready for another event Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum
An exhibit at McMaster Museum of Art
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The Hamilton Tiger Cats are one of the oldest professional sports franchises in North America.
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amilton is a city with a passion for sport. Hamilton is home to North America’s oldest professional football team, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats; North America’s oldest road race, the Around the Bay; inaugural host of the Commonwealth Games in 1930; biannual host of the longest running international multi-sport event in north America, the CANUSA Games; Part of the Toronto 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Games and much, much more!
Hamilton’s Tim Hortons Field
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the best of hamilton Getting some exercise and enjoying the scenery at the Hamilton Waterfront
The Hamilton area is home to many great golf courses
Hamilton has a vibrant food scene
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Aberdeen Tavern
hether it’s taking in a concert on a summer afternoon in Gage Park, Hamilton’s popular oasis in the centre-east of the city, or a round of golf at one of Hamilton’s many public and private golf courses, or simply going for a run along Hamilton’s network of waterfront trails, recreation opportunities abound in Hamilton. Hamilton’s burgeoning food scene is attracting national and regional media attention with dozens of new eateries ranging from casual to formal dining springing up everywhere. The surrounding communities that make up Hamilton stage annual music and cultural festivals like the Dundas Cactus Festival; operating for more than forty years and rated one of Ontario’s top 100 festivals
The Festival of Friends is the largest free annual event of its kind in Canada
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Entertaining the crowd at the Locke Street Festival
Taking the kids for a ride at the Dundas Cactus Festival
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Art Gallery of Hamilton
hamilton: where the arts thrive H Hamilton is home to one of the most vibrant live music scenes in Canada
Art Gallery of Hamilton
amilton is fast developing a reputation as a hot new arts centre. But for longtime Hamiltonians, cultural amenities have always been an important part of the local scene, and one of the features that makes the city so attractive for start-ups, relocation and investment. Venues like FirstOntario Centre and FirstOntario Concert Hall have been hosting the world’s top entertainers for decades. Theatre Aquarius has put Hamilton on the map for professional theatre along with several regional theatre companies. The Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra, and Brott Music Festival are mainstays in bringing the very best in classical performance to the city. What is more recent and equally exciting is the burgeoning popular music scene involving scores of performers and studios. Hamilton boasts almost a hundred venues where live music can be heard and Hamilton performers are well represented in the annual Juno and Grammy nominations. It was Hamilton that first showcased the Juno Awards to as national television audience and in 2015 the Junos returned to where it all began with another star-studded show. Hamilton offers an exciting lineup of ways to experience art, from small grassroots galleries along James Street North to the century-old Art Gallery of Hamilton showcasing works in a wide range of mediums. Artists find ample inspiration in the city, evident in their boundless creativity.
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the best of hamilton Hamilton is home to one of the most vibrant live music scenes in Canada
SuperCrawl attracts hundreds of thousands to Hamilton’s lively downtown each year.
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Hamilton is home to several theatre organizations, including Theatre Aquarius.
The Boris Brott Music Festival provides 45 events each year.
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Lining up a scene for Murdock Mysteries at Westfield Village.
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amilton has become a very popular destination for Canadian and International makers of both feature films and television series and the Hamilton Music and Film Office is committed to further development of this industry. The filmmakers choose Hamilton because it possesses hundreds of unique filming locations that can represent almost any era or genre. They also choose Hamilton because of the excellent logistical support provided by the Hamilton Music and Film Office. Filming is an important industry for Hamilton because it brings substantial revenue to the community and it is part of Hamilton’s broader Creative Industries strategy. Production companies pay residents and businesses for the rental of their properties and they use local hotels and restaurants. Many of the professionals in the filmmaking community are now choosing Hamilton as their home.
Kevin Spacey in a scene from Casino Jack filmed in and around Hamilton.
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Albion Falls Photo courtesy cityofwaterfalls.ca
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Grand Falls Flamborough Photo courtesy cityofwaterfalls.ca
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o the new visitor to Hamilton an unexpected delight is the abundance of natural beauty the city possesses. From waterfront trails along the shore of Lake Ontario and Hamilton Harbour, to the Niagara Escarpment—home to the Bruce Trail system—a series of trails through forests so dense that hikers do not realize they are 15 minutes away from bustling industry and commercial activity, Hamilton is a city of Nature. With over one hundred waterfalls just minutes from the downtown core, Hamilton is believed to have the highest number of waterfalls of any urban area of its size. The Red Hill trail connects upper Hamilton to Lake Ontario. A series of Rail trails provides opportunities for hiking, horseback riding and cycling. Speaking of cycling, Hamilton has an ever increasing network of cycling lanes on city streets and there are more than 100 SoBi bicycle rental locations strategically situated across the city.
Tiffany Falls Ancaster Photo courtesy cityofwaterfalls.ca
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hanks to the foresight of generations of leaders Hamilton is blessed with one of the finest parks systems in North America. Hamilton has more than 3000 acres of Municipally-owned parkland at nearly 400 locations. The Pier 4 and Bayfront Parks are popular year-round destinations for strolling, roller blading and contemplation of the bay and surrounding area. Beautiful Gage Park, with its formal gardens, Beaux Arts fountain, rose garden and vast meadow is an oasis of relaxation and recreation in Hamilton’s east has just undergone an ambitious rehabilitation. Further east Confederation Park offers water attractions, swimming and hiking trails.
Webster Falls
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Top to Bottom: Dundurn Castle, Hamilton Museum of Steam and Technology, Whitehern
amilton is home to numerous significant privately owned heritage buildings and historic sites. In the latter case Dundurn Castle situated in Dundurn Park on a bluff overlooking Hamilton Harbour is a unique 40-room Italianate revival villa built in the 1830’s on Burlington Heights; the former site of a fortified military encampment established by the British in 1813. Once home to Sir Allan Napier MacNab, railway magnate, lawyer and Premier of the United Canadas (1854-1856) and his family, today Dundurn Castle tells the story of the family who lived above stairs and the servants who lived and worked below stairs to support their affluent lifestyle. Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall is the museum’s Patron and the great, great, great granddaughter of Sir Allan MacNab.
Whitehern Whitehern Historic House and Garden in Hamilton, Ontario, built shortly before 1850, is a Late Classical house that is now a historic house museum. At one time, Whitehern was the home of Thomas McQuesten, who, in a local and provincial political career that spanned more than three decades left a legacy of parks, highways and international bridges in his native Hamilton and across Ontario.
The Hamilton Museum of Steam and Technology Housed in a 150-year-old classical revival waterworks, this National Historic Site preserves two 70-ton steam engines, perhaps the oldest surviving Canadian-built engines. The historic Hamilton Waterworks is a Civil and Power Engineering Landmark. The museum offers various permanent and changing exhibits and features special events for the whole family, including Live Steamer Days from May through October.
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the best of hamilton Several important battles in the War of 1812 were fought around Hamilton. Pictured, the annual re-enactment of the Battle of Stoney Creek.
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he African Lion Safari first opened the gates to the public in 1969 with 40 lions in 3 reserves; today the park houses in excess of 1,000 animals comprised of over 100 species. The African Lion Safari’s manner of exhibiting animals is completely different from the traditional approach; that is, the visitor is caged in the car, and the animals roam in 2 to 20 hectare reserves. After over 45 years African Lion Safari has been successful with breeding 30 species that are considered endangered and 20 species that are considered threatened. The original idea of “maintaining self-sustaining populations of species in decline” is still the priority.
Photo by Daniel Cocoveanu
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internationally recognized
The City of Hamilton has become an education destination for students from all over the world. Hamilton offers a wide choice of secondary and post-secondary study options and excellent opportunities for study and to live and work after graduation.
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any of Hamilton’s education institutions have an international student office to help students transition and adjust to living in Hamilton and help build connections within the community. Hamilton is home to a number of outstanding post-secondary institutions that have been recognized internationally for their research and instructional strength as well as providing local area businesses with a well-educated workforce.
At McMaster University, 30,000 undergraduate and graduate students and 7500 faculty and staff are engaged in learning and research with a focus on community engagement and involvement. Mohawk College educates more than 17,000 fulltime and apprenticeship students at three campuses in Hamilton. Recognized as a leader in health and technology education, Mohawk has achieved the highest student satisfaction scores among all
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education
colleges in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area for four consecutive years. Hamilton is served by four school boards. The Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board teaches approximately 50,000 students in its 114 neighbourhood schools. In addition to the programming offered at 96 elementary and 18 secondary schools, a number of alternative programs focusing on sports, academics, science, arts and languages are available. The Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board serves more than 29,000 elementary and secondary students at 55 schools, and another 10,000
individuals through four St. Charles adult and continuing education centres. French-language Catholic school board in the Centre-South serves over 15,500 Students in 45 elementary and 10 secondary schools in an area extending from the Niagara Peninsula to Peterborough and from Lake Ontario (Toronto) to Georgian Bay. Conseil scolaire Viamonde manages the French-language public schools in the central south-western region of Ontario. French language public school board operates two schools in Hamilton. Redeemer University College offers Bachelor of Arts, Science, and Education degrees with majors in more than 30 disciplines. As a Christian university, Redeemer offers its more than 900 students the chance to explore the relationship between faith and learning through a Christian perspective. Brock University opened a satellite Teachers College in Hamilton. The on-campus Faculty of Education encompasses a pre-service department, graduate studies in education and continuing education. Collège Boréal is one of Ontario’s 24 community colleges and is the only Frenchlanguage college in Southwestern Ontario. Collège Boréal in Hamilton offers continuing education, employability services, immigrant integration services and related services for local businesses and communities. Columbia College, with nearly 2000 students representing over 70 countries, is the largest private junior and senior boarding school in Canada. Its Total Care Education System ensures that each student reaches his or her personal and academic potential. n
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Canada Research Chair in GeroScience, Parminder Raina, director of the McMaster Institute for Research on Aging and principal investigator of the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging.
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Fraunhofer’s Christopher Oelkrug; MP for Hamilton East-Stoney Creek, Bob Bratina; Hamilton Mayor Fred Einsenberger; the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development; MP for Hamilton West-Ancaster-Dundas, Filomena Tassi; and McMaster’s Vice-President, Research, Rob Baker, celebrate the partnership and federal investment in the Fraunhofer Project Centre for Biomedical Engineering and Advanced Manufacturing.
Building a future on research and innovation Since its move to Hamilton in 1930, McMaster University has played a major role in shaping the City as a centre of excellence for research and innovation. Consistently ranked as one of the world’s top 100 universities, McMaster’s research enterprise spans across six faculties: business, engineering, health sciences, humanities, science, and social sciences. McMaster has earned a reputation as a global research powerhouse and a fertile training ground for undergraduate and graduate students alike. But it may be the University’s multidisciplinary approach to research that best defines McMaster. It’s that holistic approach to discovery that is embedded in many of the University’s renowned research centres and institutes. While unique in their themes – aging, infectious disease, Indigenous research, population health, peace studies, big data, healthier environments, transportation and logistics, or materials research, to name but a few – they all share a similar philosophy when it comes to solving problems: work collaboratively, leave no stone unturned and investigate the problem from every angle. What sets McMaster apart is its commitment to partnerships – be they with industry, governments, universities and research institutions – both in Canada and around the world. Working with our partners, we’ve
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capitalized on our community’s inherent strengths – manufacturing and health – while diversifying our economy to build our collective capacity. McMaster Innovation Park (MIP) is a case in point. After a decade of growth, this brownfield site turned innovation hub, is now home to world-class facilities like CanmetMATERIALS, the United Nations University – Institute on Water, Environment and Health, the McMaster Automotive Resource Centre, and the Fraunhofer Project Centre on Biomedical Engineering and Advanced Manufacturing. It’s also the headquarters of Innovation Factory and The Forge – incubation centres dedicated to helping start-ups commercialize. MIP is a place where industry and academic leaders work side by side; where entrepreneurs, scientists and engineers tackle some of society’s most challenging issues. It’s where ideas are born and technologies developed to drive the economy. McMaster Innovation Park is at the very core of Hamilton’s innovation ecosystem.
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hillfield strathallan college:
hamilton’s independent school Hillfield Strathallan College (HSC) develops joyful, engaged students who live life with purpose.
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s part of Hamilton’s educational landscape for more than a century, HSC is known as one of Canada’s leading co-educational independent schools, offering enriched academic, art and athletic programs. The Montessori, Junior, Middle and Senior Schools offer purposefully designed programming with robust support services to ensure student success. Community is at the heart of the College and is comprised of strong parent partnerships, alumni support and community involvement. The school began its life in 1901 as the Highfield School for Boys with 52 pupils. That institution later became Hillcrest School, and in 1929, Hillfield School. In 1923, a group of patrons founded Strathallan School for Girls. Both schools moved to the 50-acre campus on Fennell Avenue West at Garth Street in 1962. The two schools officially amalgamated in 1968 and formed Hillfield Strathallan College. Over 4,000 alumni retain life-long connections to the College, and continue to
come back as mentors, volunteers, advisors and role models. A robust philanthropy program has resulted in a strong infrastructure. Most recently, the College completed construction of the 134,000 sq. ft. Michael G. DeGroote Senior School and an athletic complex with three large gymnasia, a multi-purpose athletics studio and conditioning room. This complex also features state-of-the-art music and art rooms. The College has also launched The David Tutty Joy and Innovation Fund to support ideas proposed by students themselves. Approved projects, from a design studio to solar panels to an Indigenous wigwam, capture the imaginative spirit of the fund and promote innovation, responsibility and real-world skills. Community service opportunities and student leadership are highly valued at HSC. Identified leadership experiences include student council, house leadership, peer tutoring and the College’s Prefect group. Students also spend time as volunteers and fundraisers for local and global charities. “True learning occurs when students are exposed to a variety of different experiences in order to fully realize their potential,” says Marc Ayotte, Head of College. “Students who are the most successful and fulfilled are those who are engaged fully in a solid academic program, as well as a rich program of co-curricular offerings.” Hillfield Strathallan College invites you to learn more about the College and its programs for students from 18-months to Grade 12 by visiting hsc.on.ca or calling 905-389-1367 to book a personal tour. n
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hamilton’s growing agri-food sector
Food Processing Hamilton is centrally located within one of the three largest food and beverage processing districts in North America. Ontario plays host to 3,200 globally recognized agri-food companies, many of which call Hamilton home. Hamilton’s food industry activities include food and beverage processing, warehousing and distribution, retailing and food service. Hamilton, with
Fully automated meat processing at Maple Leaf foods Hamilton plant
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Hamilton’s agri-food sector includes
its superior land base, central location, multi-model transportation network, and world class talent is in a position to take advantage of the many new markets and opportunities in an industry that continues to see annual growth rates. Food and Beverage Processing is a key component of the City’s Economic Development Strategy and one of the major targets for the City’s newly implemented Foreign Direct Investment Strategy. Hamilton is also a member community and current co-chair of the Ontario Food Cluster. As a demonstration of the breadth of Hamilton’s food processing sector is the “Hamilton Lunch”—consisting of Dempster Bread, Maple Leaf luncheon meat, Cheese from Gay-Lee Foods, with a cup of coffee from Tim Hortons and a candy bar for dessert from Karma Candy.
All of the City’s policies acknowledge the important contribution agriculture makes to the City’s economy and the quality of life for its residents, and support activities that will promote the industry. Hamilton is an area with a strong agricultural land base, the majority of the 227,000 acres within the Hamilton boundaries qualify as prime agricultural lands. Considering only 5% of the Canadian land mass constitutes prime land, the importance of this resource in Hamilton is significant. Statistics show strong local production in Nursery, Sod and Maple, Greenhouse, Cash Crops, Poultry and Egg, Vegetable, Mushroom and Dairy with a spin-off to food processing companies and value-added agriculture-related business that position Hamilton well in this evolving traditional sector. n
Agri-Business A recent Agriculture and AgriFood Profile of the Golden Horseshoe shows that agriculture is a significant component of the local economy and generates approximately $1.26 billion in economic activity into the City of Hamilton on an annual basis. This is a direct increase of approximately $70 million over the impact calculated in the agricultural profile from 2008. The City of Hamilton developed a long term Agricultural Action Plan in 2007 that identified tasks to support and sustain the Agriculture sector in this community, and this is largely reflected in the City’s new Rural Official Plan and Zoning By-law.
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Canada Bread operates the largest bakery in Canada in its Hamilton facility.
An early Spectator traffic chopper
a look back at hamilton’s legacy media
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CHCH housed in the former Southam mansion. Southam would partner in the founding of CHCH
he media landscape is one of constant change. Everyone with a cellphone can now create their own news broadcast using social media. In essence the technology allows every person to be an individual media outlet. All this in a single generation! Until the turn of the millennium the legacy media still held sway, and Hamilton was home to some of Canada’s pioneering media figures and outlets. Ken Soble was introduced to Hamilton to provide professional management to CHML—a station started as a temperance outlet that was floundering under the leadership of the anything-but-temperate son of a Canadian senator. Gambling all he owned, Soble would go on to purchase CHML and then parlay that expertise into the formation of CHCHTV—for decades Canada’s most innovative and most profitable television station.
A Ticat parade outside the state-of-the-art CHML studios on Main Street East
Ken Soble, the broadcasting visionary who changed the way Canadian Television operated in the 1960’s
An old fashioned newsroom scene a la Front Page at the Spec
CHCH Weatherman Bill Lawrence (rear) hamming it up as a Camera operator
A familiar sight on King Street in Hamilton for generations—the Spectator building.
An early newscast on CHCH
CKOC became one of Canada’s most listened-to rock stations in the 1960’s and 1970’s. Early control room at CHCH
The Southam Newspaper chain got its start in Hamilton in 1877 when William Southam purchased the Hamilton Spectator, founded by Robert Smiley in 1846. At one time Hamilton was home to three daily newspapers, but it was the Spectator that ultimately prevailed. Some of Canada’s best-known journalists passed through the Spectator over the years. The Southam family also operated a radio staion and were investors in the beginnings of CHCH TV. CKOC was Canada’s second radio station after CFCF in Montreal. CKOC was founded by Herbert Slack as a means of promoting his automobile parts and radio store. Like many radio pioneers Slack started the station as a marketing tool to sell radio sets. Ultimately Slacks merchandizing empire spread to Toronto, Montreal and several other Canadian cities—a precursor to the Canadian Tire chain which came later. n
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Hamilton has an excellent stock of office and commercial space for its growing legal and financial services sector.
the pulse of the city The Templar Flats development—a major part of the revitalization of King William Street
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wn hamilton Downtown Hamilton is home to explosive residential growth with large condominium projects like 150 Main West Residential Lofts by Vrancor Group
The transformation of Hamilton’s downtown is the envy of city planners everywhere.
The Royal Connaught condominium development by Valery Homes and Spallacci Homes is a symbol of the renaissance of downtown Hamilton.
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iterally thousands of new housing units have been opened in recent years or are under construction as millennials and empty nesters seek the convenience and sense of community that comes with downtown living. The emergence of downtown Hamilton as a vibrant people place is the result of multiple factors. It all began several years ago when foresighted municipal leaders developed a revolving residential financing plan that allowed property developers to obtain critical equity bridge financing. From its modest beginning that program has resulted in the construction of hundreds of housing units, mainly condominiums—but also new rental properties. The boom in residential development has acted as a catalyst for other positive economic indicators for Hamilton’s downtown. Office vacancies have dropped as Hamilton downtown has become a thriving
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Theres a cool vibe on James Street North with its galleries, restaurants and shops
In just a few years Super Crawl has become one of Hamilton’s largest festivals for locals and out-of-towners
hub for finance, legal and creative businesses. The city continues to possess a good stock of affordable commercial and office space. Increasingly, historic buildings in the core are being transformed into residential, creative and commercial uses. A burgeoning arts scene has turned James Street North into a destination for locals, looking for interesting restaurants or creative experiences and increasingly, for out of towners attracted to the ever popular monthly arts events.
With regards to Arts and culture, Hamilton downtown has become dotted with galleries and craft shops. The annual Super Crawl music and Arts festival takes over the main north-south artery with music, crafts, food and fun and attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors from the community and surrounding area. Downtown Hamilton is home to the region’s major cultural venues—First Ontario Concert Hall, First Ontario Centre, the Art Gallery of Hamilton and Theatre Aquarius. n
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valery homes building luxury condos and new homes in southern ontario for three generations
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ounded by Clemente Valeri in the mid 1950’s, Valery Homes gained notoriety throughout Southern Ontario for their quality of workmanship. Today, the task has fallen upon Ted, Anthony & Paul Valeri to continue in this tradition of excellence. This is a testament to the company’s culture of family values. At Valery Homes the time honoured principles of quality, reliability and value haven’t always been a passion; they’ve been an obsession. Valery Homes is devoted
to building communities of excellence providing clients with an exemplary new home building experience. With a proud history of solid success, financial strength and high standards of home building quality, sharing this heritage with their customers is Valery Homes’ mission. Now Valeri Homes has plans for a 204 unit high-end development on the prized Chedoke brow lands that would feature a mix of townhouses, bungalows and condominiums. n Building methods have changed significantly in the six decades since their father started Valery Homes, but Ted Valeri upholds its deep-seated tradition of quality craftsmanship.
www.valeryhomes.com
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Staybridge Suites Hamilton Downtown
Darko Vranich
It is often said that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. For Vrancor Group, that step was taken in 1994 when Darko Vranich purchased his first hotel. Today Vrancor is a multimillion-dollar hospitality, proper ty management and development business, with sixteen hotels across Ontario. Hamilton, home to Vrancor’s headquar ters, remains a key focus for development activity. The team at Vrancor, many of whom reside in Hamilton, see Hamilton not just as an Ambitious City, but one that will rightfully take its place as a leading economic powerhouse within Ontario and Canada. Fueled by Vranich’s driving aspiration to catapult Hamilton’s economy by a significant redevelopment of its downtown core, and by investing over two hundred fifty million dollars into the revitalization effor ts, a modern, integrated design sensibility is now reflected across an impressive array of hotel, residential and commercial complexes. With an unwavering commitment to build a lasting and prosperous community, a vibrant and transformational Hamilton is emerging.
150 Main Street West & Regency On Main
V ranich, a Croatian-born Canadian, has focused Vrancor Group on its mission “to lead in the creation of inspiring, award-winning environments for people to live, work, stay and play”. This vision stems from a deep understanding of essential infrastructure elements needed by evolving cities to foster growth and prosperity: strong residential communities, recognized and respected hotel brands and flourishing retail enterprises that suppor t the needs of growing populations. While active across Ontario, Hamilton is the epicentre of Vrancor’s focus, with hotels that include Sheraton Hamilton, Homewood Suites by Hilton Hamilton and Staybridge Suites Hamilton Downtown. Starbucks, another popular, globally recognized brand, graces the lobby of Sheraton Hamilton. Now, with over six hundred new or refurbished hotel guestrooms in the immediate downtown core, Hamilton’s ability to successfully compete and win large national and international convention, spor ting and enter tainment events has significantly increased, as evidenced by the recent hosting of the Pan Am Games, JUNO Awards
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Sheraton Hamilton Hotel
and the Vanier Cup. More impor tantly, the pipeline for future tourism events is robust and growing stronger. A thriving tourism economy lifts all boats and this can be seen clearly in the now thriving restaurant, ar ts, transpor tation and music scenes right across the city.
A nother essential ingredient of a booming metropolis is high quality residential development. By focusing investment in Hamilton, Vrancor has cultivated a sixth sense for how Hamilton is evolving and how future developments can fit into changes that are quickly taking place as a result of population growth. The skyline and downtown urban landscape is being redefined by four new Vrancor residential developments, including the iconic Federal Building at 150 Main West that has been transformed into one hundred, fifty upscale condominium lofts. Future Hamiltonians will also have a number of new and exciting residential rental options to choose from. T hese developments haven’t gone unnoticed.
Vrancor’s dedication to revitalizing Hamilton have earned the company many accolades including “Developer of the Year” awards from both Hilton Worldwide and InterContinental Hotels Group, as well as the Outstanding Business Achievement Award from the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce. “I believe in Hamilton, a great city with unlimited potential,” Vranich can often be heard saying. And for tunately, his enthusiasm and passion is contagious as evidenced by the renaissance underway right across the city!
“I BELIEVE IN HAMILTON, A GREAT CITY WITH UNLIMITED POTENTIAL”
Vrancor’s Investments in Hamilton HOTELS Sheraton Hamilton - 301 guest rooms, 18,000 sq. ft. meeting space Homewood Suites by Hilton Hamilton - 182 extended stay suites, 10,000 sq. ft. meeting space Staybridge Suites Hamilton Downtown - 129 extended stay suites, 5,000 sq. ft. meeting space FOOD SERVICE Starbucks, Sheraton Hamilton Marquis Gardens Hamilton - banquet hall + conference centre RESIDENTIAL Federal Building, 150 Main Street West - 150 condominiums + lofts Regency on Main, 140 Main Street West - 322 upscale rental apar tments 220 Cannon Street East - 100 one, two + three-bedroom rental apar tments 20/22 George Street - 224 rental apar tments, 7,000 sq. ft. commercial space RETAIL Shoppers Drug Mart, 1599 Upper James St, Hamilton
Homewood Suites by Hilton Hamilton
Shoppers Drug Mart, 133 King Street West, Dundas
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leading the way in life sciences From research to the physical production of healthcare technology, the City of Hamilton is the home of an intellectual and physical environment for a thriving life sciences cluster.
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t is an environment that connects researchers, business, healthcare providers and education. Hamilton is globally recognized for its biotechnology strengths in the health sector including drug discovery and validation, gene therapy and clinical trials. Research in these areas is producing life saving drugs and vaccines, medical devices, and solutions to current health
issues. With a focus on the commercialization of research and development, Hamilton is poised for growth in this knowledge-based cluster. The City together with its community partners Hamilton Health Sciences, St. Joseph’s Healthcare, McMaster University and Mohawk College is helping the life sciences sector achieve its innovative potential by building a supportive business environment, connecting research and business communities, and marketing its world-class strengths in the global marketplace. The Synapse Life Science Consortium is a global leader within Canada’s biotech industry. Hamilton hosts one of the world’s top tier life sciences clusters, including major research institutions and organizations such as St. Joseph’s Healthcare, Hamilton Health Sciences,
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commercialization and research excellence: Centre for Surgical Invention and Innovation Stem Cell and Cancer Research Institute Bay Area Health Trust Centre for Probe Development and Commercialization Imaging Research Centre at St. Joseph’s Healthcare McMaster Biointerfaces Institute McMaster Immunology Research Centre
McMaster University, Mohawk College, Innovation Factory, The Hamilton Chamber of Commerce, and the Bay Area Health Trust. IBM is the latest partner to locate in Hamilton where IBM’s Watson cognitive and analytic software will enable researchers to accelerate the development and commercialization of health care innovations. Together, the collaboration between these organizations unifies a diverse range of expertise and creates a unique platform for life science development unlike any other in Canada linking life sciences research and innovation with business.
clinical trials: Population Health Research Institute STJHC Clinical Research Healthcare Network CR Net Thrombosis and Atherosclerosis Research Institute Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health Bay Area Research Logistics
McMaster Innovation Park The McMaster Innovation Park houses laboratory, office, teaching, training, and conference facilities, in support of research and development in a number of key industrial areas: advanced manufacturing and materials, nanotechnology, biotechnology, and other areas in which McMaster University has recognized research strengths. This dynamic research destination offers more than a million square feet of premier laboratories – including an 80,000 square feet biosciences centre, offices, training and conference facilities that will become home for some 1,500 employees. These facilities are helping drive the commercialization of research into new and marketable products and services, and the creation of new companies that will provide high-paying, highly skilled jobs in Hamilton. n
digital health: Mohawk’s Health Development and Innovation Centre Programs for Assessment of Technology in Health OSCAR Electronic Medical Record (EMR) Clinical Connects
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In the heart of Hamilton is a
National Leader
the best of hamilton
www.stjoes.ca/heartofhamont 39
advanced manufacturing: we still make things in hamilton In the 20th century, Hamilton grew and thrived as host to many major manufacturing industries. In the 21st century advanced manufacturing in Hamilton continues to be a driving force of the local economy.
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n addition, it represents a significant provincial impact with an estimated $12 Billion annual effect or the equivalent of 4% of Ontario’s GDP. An estimated 85,000 jobs are attributable to this cluster, with $5.6 Billion being injected into the local economy on an annual basis through salaries and wages. Steel production and processing, heavy and general manufacturing, storage and warehousing are key components of the
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local advanced manufacturing sector. Increasingly Hamilton has become home to numerous smaller, high-tech manufacturing operations—many with global reach, who are attracted by Hamilton’s access to trained workers and education facilities geared to serve the sector. It’s all part of a growing diversification of Hamilton’s industrial base where knowledge and knowhow are key exports along with products.
In the intense competitive global manufacturing climate, Hamilton’s advanced manufacturing sector is successful because of its focus on constant innovation and creativity. Hamilton’s manufacturing industries are poised to create thousands of well-paying jobs over the next few years. The opportunities are endless. Strong leadership, innovation and expertise will remain the cornerstones of a healthy advanced manufacturing cluster within the City of Hamilton. n
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driving steel From their home in Hamilton, Ontario, ArcelorMittal Dofasco’s team is working with global colleagues to design and develop steels that are transforming the design, performance and sustainability of autos. ArcelorMittal Dofasco’s 5,000 employees make more than 100 grades of steel from the Hamilton operation.
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hese steels are used in the automotive, distribution, construction and manufacturing, consumer and industrial packaging and tubular sectors. Each ArcelorMittal Dofasco steel coil is designed and manufactured to the exacting standards of the company’s customers for its intended end use, with very tight tolerances. Dofasco is part of ArcelorMittal, the world’s largest steel and mining company, and is Canada’s largest producer of flat rolled, or sheet, steel. The company produces more than 4.5 million tons of steel for customers throughout the NAFTA region.
From Tin Plate Steel for food and industrial packaging to Ultra High Strength and Advanced High Strength Steels that form crucial parts for autos, each coil of steel is designed and manufactured to the exacting standards of the company’s customers for its intended end use. A significant amount of the company’s steels are used in the automotive sector, making the company a crucial player in the NAFTA automotive supply chain. In 1970, there were 7 grades of steel. Today, there are more than 200, with Advanced High Strength Steels being the fastest growing material in a vehicle.
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S-in motion® is a set of steel solutions developed by ArcelorMittal for carmakers who wish to create lighter, safer and more environmentally friendly vehicles. It includes a range of steel solutions launched in 2010 with a set of steel solutions for C-segment vehicles. Since then, the range of solutions has been expanded and now covers many other types of vehicles and vehicle parts, including hybrid and electric vehicles, pick-up trucks, mid-size sedans and SUVs.
“There are hundreds of steel parts on the vehicle and they all do a different job. To get the best performance and best mass reduction, it’s useful to have all these grades,” Paul Schurter, the company’s Global Technology Manager, Automotive Product Applications, says. Steel continues to reinvent itself, with the development of third generation Advanced High Strength Steels. This class of steel grades combines the strength of Advanced and Ultra High Strength Steels with enhanced formability, further increasing design flexibility. Some of these third generation grades are already being used in today’s cars and trucks. Steel is also the most sustainable choice. “When we talk about sustainability, it’s more than just fuel economy,” Schurter says. “The current focus of fuel efficiency regulations is on tailpipe emissions, but
the production process and disposal of a car or truck can account for a significant portion of overall vehicle life cycle emissions. We need to look at reducing greenhouse gas emissions by evaluating the whole life cycle of the vehicle – production, driving and recycling.” In North America, steel has four to five times less CO2 emissions than aluminum during the production phase. Steel also offers light-weighting capabilities in the driving phase. When you apply steel to the vehicle, it supports about 25 per cent mass reduction, helping improve fuel economy and reduce greenhouse gasses. In terms of recyclability, steel is very easy to separate from other materials in the scrapped vehicle because it is magnetic. Unlike alternative materials, there is an abundant amount of recycled steel – more than 80 million tons per year – available to manufacture new steel products. In addition, steel can be infinitely re-melted into any steel grade without losing strength, while other metals must be sorted by grade for re-melting to achieve the same properties. “No other material has improved its fundamental performance characteristics for automotive applications like steel… and we’re not done by a long shot,” Schurter says. n
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EXPORTING HAMILTON TECHNOLOGY AROUND THE WORLD
exporting hamilton technology around the world The Liburdi Group of Companies, is another Hamilton technology success story. With modern plants in Dundas and Stoney Creek, it can trace its roots back to the Westinghouse plant.
In fact, the company was recently honoured for this feat with awards for innovation from both Atomic Energy Canada Limited and the Canadian Nuclear Society.
Liburdi now has main production plants and laboratories in Canada and the USA and also maintains offices and facilities with joint venture partners in EuJoe Liburdi started the company in 1979 rope, the U.A.E., China, Korea, and Russia to better after leaving Westinghouse Although The LiburdiHamilton. Group of Companiesserve is another Hamilton their customers globally.technology Liburdi does 90% of Westinghouse has gone, for the last 30 years Liburdi success story. With modern plants in Dundas and Stoney Creek, it its business globally, giving rise to the question—why has continued and pioneered the development of adare you located in Hamilton Ontario? The answer, can trace its and roots back totothe Westinghouse plant. vanced metallurgical processes technologies says Liburdi marketing manager Robert Tollett solve the challenges faced by the Aerospace, Nucleeducation. McMaster University with its research ar, Oil & Gas, andoe Energy Industries. Through innoLiburdi started the company in 1979 A recent example of Liburdi’s capabiliscienceswelding and high quality engineering vation and dedication to quality, Liburdi has become after leaving Westinghouse Hamilton. into ties material with automated systems came graduates provides a talent pool for Liburdi Although the recognized leader in GasWestinghouse Turbine repairhas and gone, life for with the breakdown of the Chalk River that is none.- Nearby provides the last- as 30well years continued second nucleartoplant a vital Waterloo link in the world the softextension technologies as aLiburdi leadinghas supplier ware engineers of the future. “We are and that pioneered the development the lookof welding systems have become the first choiceof ad- supply of medical isotopes. Leaks inalways ing at new alloys, and that’s where materials metallurgical processes and tech- nuclear reactor needed welding - a job science for many major vanced industries. is needed - plus we need Liburdi bright software nologies to solve the challenges faced by expertise too dangerous for human hands. engineers,” Robert noted. Hamilton is ideally situatthe Aerospace, Nuclear, Oil & with Gas, and developed a custom automated precision A recent example of Liburdi’s capabilities ed to provide both.” Energy Industries. innovation automated welding systems cameThrough with the break- and robotic welding system that got the job dedication to quality, haslink become done and the reactor back on line. down of the Chalk River nuclear plantLiburdi - a vital Liburdi seeks to growwas through innovation the recognized leader in GasLeaks Turbine fact, the company recently honin the world supply of medical isotopes. in repair As In Robert Tollett offers this advice to innoyoung people and needed life extension technologies as well as oured for this feat with awards for the nuclear reactor welding - a job too -dantheirAtomic career path. “IfCanada you have a pasa leading welding systems vation from both Energy gerous for human hands. supplier Liburdi of developed a cus- that contemplating sion for engineering excellence come see us.” Limited and the Canadian Nuclear become the first choice for many tom automatedhave precision robotic welding system Society. that got the jobmajor done industries. and the reactor back on line.
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Liburdi does 90% of its business globally, 44 giving rise to the question - why are you located in Hamilton?
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Liburdi does 90% of its business globally, giving rise to the question - why are you located in Hamilton? Liburdi now has main production plants and laboratories in Canada and the USA and also maintains offices and facilities with joint venture partners in Europe, the U.A.E., China, Korea, and Russia to better serve their customers globally. Liburdi does 90% of its business globally, giving rise to the question—why are you located in Hamilton Ontario? The answer, says Liburdi marketing manager Robert Tollett - education. McMaster University with its research into material sciences and high quality engineering graduates provides a talent pool for Liburdi that is second to none. Nearby Waterloo provides the software engineers of the future. “We are always looking at new alloys, and that’s where materials science expertise is needed - plus we need bright software engineers,” Robert noted. Hamilton is ideally situated to provide both.” As Liburdi seeks to grow through innovation Robert Tollett offers this advice to young people contemplating their career path. “If you have a passion for engineering excellence come see us.” n
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hamilton: the transportation hub
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ocation—the asset that made Hamilton the heavy industrial powerhouse a century ago, is still the reason Hamilton is a desirable location for its advanced manufacturing, and knowledge-based industries today. Situated at the western end of Ontario’s Golden Horseshoe, Hamilton offers easy access to a network of highways, international rail lines, and the Port of Hamilton. Local air connections to international destinations are close by with John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport. The Queen Elizabeth Way provides ready access to both the Greater Toronto Area, a regional market of over 6 million people, and Highway 401. Highway 401 is the Canadian link to the NAFTA super highway
connecting Ontario with the I-75 serving Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia and Florida and the I-90 connections to the eastern seaboard. With the U. S. border only an hour’s drive away, Hamilton is within half a day’s drive of key major urban markets in the United States. The Port of Hamilton is the busiest port in all of the Great Lakes; Hamilton’s John C. Munro International Airport is Canada’s top multi-modal cargo and courier airport and Ontario’s only 24-hour inter-modal cargo hub, Canada’s two national railways, CP and CN, provide complete rail freight services across North America for Hamilton’s industries and the city has a complete highway and ring road system to move goods throughout the city quickly. n
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john c. munro hamilton international airport:
a partner in growing hamilton’s economy In the more than 20 years since the operation of Hamilton International Airport was entrusted to TradePort International Corporation (TradePort) the result has been a successful private-public partnership.
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amilton International’s focus on building relationships and connecting with its community, passengers and business partners, allows the Airport to better serve the city and surrounding region. Investing in infrastructure and operations is essential to continuing Airport growth; since 1996 TradePort and its partners have invested $208.7 million, which in turn has created $245.8 million in direct financial benefit to the City of Hamilton. Through Airport activity, Hamilton International and its partners contribute $284 million in gross domestic product (GDP), produce an economic output of $644 million, and create over 2,700 person years of employment for Hamilton and the surrounding region - approximately 70% of which can be attributed to cargo operations.1 Hamilton International is proud to support several community organizations and events through donations, sponsorships and gifts in kind, with a focus on the Airport’s Community Investment Pillars of: Aviation Education, Sense of Place and EmployeeDriven Giving. Hamilton International Airport works with a number of cargo airline partners including Cargojet, Purolator, Canada Post, DHL and
UPS, which operate a daily schedule that services every major North American market and provide the highest level of global connectivity for express cargo in Canada. The Airport’s investment includes the recently-completed Cargo Centre, further enhancing the efficient movement and handling of goods. Hamilton International is relentless in its pursuit of passenger opportunities. In 2015, the Airport received satisfaction scores in excess of 90% for overall Airport experience by its passengers. As airlines increasingly turn to secondary airports for efficiencies, the airport continues to invest in enhancements and amenities to provide an efficient hassle-free passenger experience. In 2016, the Airport experienced an increase in traffic with two new airlines Air Canada and NewLeaf Travel Company operated by Flair Air starting at Hamilton International, in addition to long standing partners WestJet, Sunwing, Air Transat and Celebrity Cruises. TradePort International is wholly owned by Vantage Airport Group—a leading investor, developer and operator of airports around the world, and one of the first to be involved in the global trend of airport privatization, investment and management. Vantage operates nine airports in two continents and recently was selected as the lead partner in a $4 Billion project to transform New York’s Laguardia Airport. Vantage’s approach of implementing best-in-class airport operations results in airports that are financially stronger, more sustainable, and better economic generators for the communities and businesses they serve. n 1. Hamilton International Airport Year in Review 2015
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hamilton’s working waterfront The Port of Hamilton is the largest port in Ontario, and critical infrastructure for some of the province’s most important industries. Each year, about 650 ships travel into and out of Hamilton Harbour.
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hey carry cargo such as coal and iron ore, used in steelmaking; finished steel for automaking and other manufacturing; consumer-grade gasoline; Ontario-grown grain headed for export; even Caribbean rum for a summer cocktail. In service to these diverse industries, the port’s mandate is to provide efficient transportation to Canadian businesses, and to support regional economic growth. The Hamilton Port Authority (HPA) is financially self-sufficient, with the profits from operations being reinvested back into infrastructure in Hamilton. While HPA is most closely associated with the massive cargo ships that float silently on the harbour, a modern port is more than marine: it is a robust multi-modal hub providing essential connections to rail and trucking. From its strategic location at the western end of the Greater TorontoHamilton Area, port users can reach more than 100 million consumers in Canada and the US. With its 47 staff, HPA oversees the port’s 620 acres on Hamilton’s central-east water-
front. This industrial community is home to 130 businesses, who together employ 2,100 people. The port’s team is responsible for attracting new businesses, managing its portfolio of properties, and acting as a responsible steward of the land and water. For more than a century Hamilton has been a proud port city with a dynamic, diversifying economy. HPA has been an active partner in facilitating the conversion of former shipping piers at the west end of the harbour, making way for the City’s new recreational and residential developments. Hamilton’s working waterfront will continue to adapt and change, with a positive mix of space for modern industry and manufacturing, balanced with spaces for residents and visitors. n
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light rail transit is coming to
hamilton
Together with the City of Hamilton, Metrolinx is building Hamilton Light Rail Transit (LRT): a new 13-kilometre LRT line that will run through downtown Hamilton along Main and King streets, and along James Street North to the new West Harbour GO station.
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City of Hamilton and Metrolinx work in collaboration as they continue to develop and refine the alignment of the LRT route, and engage various audiences across Hamilton in important conversation about the project. The addition of new LRT service puts Hamilton closer to having efficient, fast and frequent rapid transit network needed to help the city and its businesses thrive. The Hamilton LRT will stimulate economic growth and contribute to the ongoing revitalization of Hamilton’s downtown, while acting as a catalyst for the development of high quality, safe, sustainable and affordable transportation options for our citizens. It will be part of a multi-modal network of transportation options throughout the city that will attract new investors, grow our economy, broaden the tax base and bring more jobs to Hamilton. This project represents an investment in transit but also an investment in improved quality of life for the community and the surrounding environment, as we move Hamilton forward. For more information about the Hamilton LRT project please visit Hamilton.ca/LRT n
amilton LRT will connect McMaster in the west to Queenston Circle in the east, and protect for future growth through segregated LRT lines. The A-line will extend to the Hamilton waterfront, budget permitting, and connect to the existing Hamilton Centre GO Station through a high-order pedestrian connection at the James stop. The Hamilton LRT is an integral part of the Metrolinx Regional Transportation Plan and will provide residents and businesses in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area with fast, reliable, convenient and integrated transit. With 17 stops, and connections with local HSR service, the Lakeshore West GO Transit line and multiple GO Bus routes, Hamilton LRT will drive economic growth and improve connectivity across local communities. As part of Metrolinx’s Moving Ontario Forward plan, the Ontario government is investing up to $1 billion and will cover 100 per cent of the capital costs of building LRT in Hamilton. Major construction is expected to begin in 2019 with the LRT in service by 2024. The
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mckeil marine E
stablished in 1956 when founder Evans McKeil launched a hand-built wooden boat in Hamilton Harbour, McKeil Marine has deep roots in the Hamilton community. From that single boat, we’ve grown into one of Canada’s leading marine companies providing transportation and project services throughout the Great Lakes, St. Lawrence, East Coast and Canadian Arctic. Safety, quality and respect for the environment are at the heart of our operations. Over the past decade, McKeil has experienced unprecedented growth by creating a niche in shortsea shipping, harnessing the efficiencies of Highway H20— the waterways that extend from the St. Lawrence Seaway across the Great Lakes.
We employ our fleet of cargo ships, tugs and barges to deliver strategic supply chain logistics, with efficiencies in cargo handling and flexible load volumes. Complementing McKeil’s transportation operations are our increasingly sophisticated project services in marinebased infrastructure, mining, oil and gas, bridge construction and repair and offshore and Arctic development. Today, McKeil has offices in four provinces: Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador. We employ a highly skilled shore-based and sailing crew of more than 300 who share our commitment to the communities in which we live and work. n MCKEIL.COM
The Evans Spirit, winner of the International Bulk Journal’s 2016 Ship of the Year Award, is in service throughout the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River.
McKeil supported the construction of ExxonMobil’s massive Hebron Gravity-Based Structure near Bull Arm, NL.
McKeil actively supports the communities where our crew live and work. Pictured: McKeil School of Business at Mohawk College, Hamilton.
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financial services, legal and real estate sectors:
hamilton is home to top professionals R
eflecting the rapid growth of Hamilton and the rising prosperity of the local economy, the city’s legal, real estate and financial services sector is a major provider of employment and office occupancy. The city’s financial services sector includes accounting, banking, financial advisors and a full range of providers of support services to those engaged in financial services. With more than a thousand members, the Hamilton Law Association is one of the oldest county and district law associations in the Province. It was created by the hard work and inspiration of Britton Bath Osler with the purpose to support a law library in the Court House, the general interests of the profession, and the good feeling and harmony of its members. Established in 1921, the REALTORS® Association of Hamilton-Burlington (RAHB) represents more than 2,900 real estate brokers and salespersons from Hamilton, Burlington and surrounding areas. Members of the association may use the REALTOR® trademark, which identifies them as real estate professionals who subscribe to a strict code of ethics. The association operates the local Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) and provides ongoing professional education courses for its members. n
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Photo: Carole and Roy Timm Photography
taylor leibow is committed to excellence in hamilton
the best of hamilton
In 1947 when Sam Taylor and Kevey Leibow started their accounting practice it was in downtown Hamilton; and 70 years later Taylor Leibow is still in the city’s core.
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aylor Leibow is one of the largest and most respected independent accounting firms in the Greater Hamilton and Burlington area. CEO Nigel Jacobs says the company has grown to 12 partners and over 60 staff by constantly seeking to implement best practices, hiring the best people and providing excellent client service. Occupying a suite of offices covering two floors in Effort Square, the full-service firm’s largest service offerings are accounting and taxation, but it also offers expertise in business valuation and litigation support, restructuring and insolvency services for individuals and corporations. In addition, Taylor Leibow has developed a number of niche services including professionals, not-for-profits, car dealerships and real estate. “A number of the large international accounting firms have left Hamilton’s core,” says Jacobs, “but we decided to stay with our roots. We believe there is a promising future here.” The company also has offices in Burlington and a satellite insolvency office in St. Catharines. At a time of mergers in the accounting industry how does a company like Taylor Leibow not only stay independent but thrive to the degree it has? “The key,” says Nigel “is to have a good succession plan and the resources to attract good people and provide great value added services to clients. We go beyond traditional ‘bean counting’ to meet our clients’ needs. A number of the mergers in the business these days are brought about by the lack of succession planning. Partners retire with no plan in place to transition existing client relationships resulting in the business being sold or merged into larger firms.” By contrast, Taylor Leibow is now managed by its third generation of partners. While independent, Taylor Leibow can access accounting expertise worldwide through its membership with DFK International—A worldwide association of independent accounting firms and business
advisers. “We meet regularly to share best practices,” says Nigel. “It also allows us to access service providers for a client who may be operating in more than one country or region; or sometimes it’s Taylor Leibow, from its Hamilton offices who are providing assistance to clients of DFK member firms with needs across Canada.” A talented and committed workforce is essential to maintaining a successful organization. Taylor Leibow knows one of the keys to attracting and retaining a new generation of talent is to live the firm’s core values, ongoing engagement and community involvement which appeals to younger professionals. “Our retention of talented professionals is very high,” says Nigel. “We are also very active in the community,” he adds, “not just by providing financial support to worthy community organizations but also by encouraging our employees to actively participate in events, volunteering and interacting with the community whenever we can. We appreciate the ability to get involved and give back to the community where we are located.” n
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Nigel Jacobs
trusted advice with proven results Murray Weaver always knew that at heart, he was an educator. Perhaps it was more than that – his real desire was to motivate people to take action, thereby allowing them to enjoy a better future.
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ast forward 45 years…. Murray is now a Senior Wealth & Investment Advisor, nationally recognized financial educator, author and speaker. He is “CEO” of Weaver Wealth Advisory Group wherein Murray and his team educate and empower business owners, professionals and retirees through their comprehensive wealth planning process Wealth With Freedom™. Born and raised in his beloved Hamilton, Murray could pick no better city in which to build and grow his business. Murray has been an active member of the community, lending his expertise and wisdom to several high profile community non-profit boards.
Being Chairman of Hillfield-Strathallan College was just one of the ways he contributes to his community. Murray’s team members at Weaver Wealth Advisory Group are daughter Alexandra (Alex) Weaver, Sam Hejazi and Debra Naphan. Prior to joining her father’s team, Alex Weaver honed her legal skills as a practicing lawyer in commercial and civil litigation at one of Hamilton’s largest law firms. She enjoys intertwining her multi-disciplined experience, training and wisdom to show clients how to grow and protect their wealth. Alex is committed to promoting leadership skills and community causes. She is co-creator of Emerging Women Professionals (EWP) and is an active member of the Hamilton Hive and the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce. Sam Hejazi, originally from the GTA, is now a proud Hamilton resident. He’s a member of the Hamilton Tennis Club and gives back to the community through volunteer work with Big Brothers Canada. Sam’s passion has always been the investment industry and helping clients reach their financial goals. Prior to joining the team, Sam participated in one of the fastest growing segments of the financial industry; exchange-traded funds (ETFs). He worked with several hundred investment advisors in Southwestern Ontario to build comprehensive and risk managed portfolios for advisors and their clients. Debra Naphan joined BMO Nesbitt Burns in 1992 after working almost 10 years with a major investment dealer. She has worked with Murray for approximately 30 years. Debra is the “logistical expert extraordinaire”, responsible for team/client administrative efforts and navigating bank procedures. Through Wealth With Freedom™, Murray, Alex, Sam and Debra provide a disciplined phased approach to planning your wealth. Their process allows you to start planning for your tomorrow so you can truly enjoy wealth with freedom. For a copy of Murray’s Special Report The Seven Deadly Mistakes the Wealthy Make, please contact Debra at 905-570-1782. n
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The Lamont team: Michael Lamont (centre) with Erica Lamont and Matt Lalande
proudly serving hamilton for 40 years A
fter 40 years of helping people, Michael Lamont and his team know the effects of an accident or injury go well beyond the legal outcome that follows. “We try to make sure our clients can experience a measure of healing—that they can still get on with their lives with dignity,” says Michael. The future can be a scary place after an injury. Since 1976, Michael Lamont, a certified specialist in Civil Litigation has been protecting the rights of victims. Working with Michael and his team, victims can focus on their physical and emotional recovery. No-fault insurance has changed the legal and regulatory landscape—it takes a specialist to navigate the terrain and keep up with the changes. We’ve assembled a top-notch
team with expertise in accident benefits, tort law, mediation, arbitration and civil litigation and we’re committed to staying on top of the latest in case law and government regulation. We know the insurance industry from the inside and we’re passionate advocates for victims. Personal injury is all we do…and it shows. We specialize in success, honesty and delivery. We know finances are a struggle after an injury. We don’t require you to pay us until your case is settled. At a time when the airwaves are filled with legal firms making outlandish claims and offering generic services, it’s good to know that accident victims can access expert, personalized service from a local team that lives in the community and gives back through support to the arts and charities. n
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judy marsales real estate ltd. brokerage sold on hamilton! Three locations to serve you S ince opening their doors in January 1988, Judy Marsales Real Estate Ltd., Brokerage has carved a special niche as one of the area’s few independently owned and operated real estate firms. The company has earned a reputation for exceptional client service, professionalism, strong business ethics and most importantly, performance. They believe that being independent allows the flexibility to choose the best approach to serve the real estate needs of their clients. Since buying or selling a home or property is one of the most important decisions clients ever make, it’s important to have confidence and trust in your realtor. With three offices and fifty salespeople, The Judy Marsales Real Estate Ltd. team offers amazing real estate expertise across a wide spectrum of knowledge and experience. Believing that it is important to contribute to the community in which we live and work, Judy Marsales and her many colleagues play an active role in local affairs and community events. Judy has been an outspoken champion for the City of Hamilton as President of both the Realtor’s Association of Hamilton Burlington and Hamilton & District Chamber of Commerce, has sat on many boards of directors is a respected public speaker and a strong supporter of the arts. She is a former MPP for Hamilton West and 2011 Inductee in the Hamilton Gallery of Distinction. Currently Judy serves as a member of The Business Executives Organization and on the Hamilton Music Strategy Team to promote Hamilton as a City of Music. n
Westdale
Ancaster
Locke
www.judymarsales.com
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Judy Marsales Broker of Record
concession street: hamilton’s uptown
Photos by Terrance Geissler
There is something special about Concession Street. It could be because it is one of the oldest shopping districts in Hamilton. It could be because of its uptown location.
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t’s a beautiful backdrop – anchored by Sam Lawrence Park and Mountain View Park - and it boasts some of the best views of our city. Every season has its beauty – and on any given day the views extend clear across the water all the way to Toronto. The walking path along the mountain brow attracts many who stop to enjoy these views every day. The Wentworth stairs still have remnants of the old East End Incline Railway
of the 1920’s. Part of the Bruce Trail, the stairs welcome hundreds of fitness enthusiasts throughout the year and they compete against themselves to climb all 570 steps. The street itself has seen many changes over the years. The Concession Street Business Improvement Area (BIA), has truly undergone a transformational change in the last couple of years. We now boast new urban braille sidewalks that are clean and accessible by all members of our community. Even with all these urban upgrades attention and care was made to respect the historic features of the street – like the Hillcrest Restaurant sign that is now embedded into the corner of Upper Wentworth. It was a tough road to get here – but the Concession Street team made it – and now the revitalization of our BIA grows stronger everyday. Concession is being recognized for its festivals - and more specifically its music scene – with live music throughout the summer at Sidewalk Sounds and its iconic Streetfest that will see its 21st year in June. Cooler months don’t slow down this BIA with Fallfest and Winter Solstice that offers fun for the whole family. At the heart of this BIA are its merchants. Small business owners offer an eclectic mix of shopping, eating, health, beauty and professional services. The Concession Street BIA proudly represents more than 100 different shops and services – and we are still growing. At its core, Concession Street is a friendly community “where neighbours meet”, where you immediately feel welcomed and part of something special. Walk your dog, enjoy the views, enjoy good food, shop the shops. It is a place where merchants remember your name. Neighbours smile as you pass on the sidewalk. If you haven’t lately we recommend you make a trip up the mountain to (re)discover what the buzz is all about. n
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Ottawa Street is one of Hamilton’s trendiest tourist attractions
A quiet resting place for shoppers on Ottawa Street
ottawa street: hamilton’s destination for inspiration
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ttawa Street, in many ways, was Hamilton first destination shopping district. Its collection of textile shops was a tourist attraction for decades. Textiles are still a significant part of the Ottawa Street attraction but in more recent years Ottawa street’s offerings have broadened out to include over 100 shops, featuring great food, fantastic fashion and fabulous finds. Ottawa Street will inspire even the most novice Do-ItYourself enthusiast. There are endless creative combinations of antiques, fabric, furniture,
Sew Hungry is Ottawa Steet’s much anticipated annual food fair.
food, art and collectibles as well as many home services and great restaurants. Ottawa Street’s retail mix is dynamic, unique and eclectic which reflects the spirit of Hamilton and its customer base comes from all over Ontario and New York State. The Ottawa Street Business Improvement Area stages a large number year round events, street fairs, sidewalk sales, and the ever more popular Sew Hungry—the annual signature foodie event that features a vast array of gourmet food trucks. n
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Ottawa Street’s trademark salute to its heritage as a textile centre
liuna: an important partner in hamilton’s growth Dating back to the turn of the last century Hamilton has always been at the forefront of the labour movement. In those early days, the city’s voters bucked the two-party political system; regularly sending labour MP’s and MPP’s to the federal and provincial parliaments. It was around that time that the Labourers’ International Union of North America was first chartered.
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he initial driving force behind the organization was to improve pay and working conditions for large numbers of immigrant workers. That struggle was joined in the 1950’s by Enrico Mancinelli, a recent arrival from Italy, who brought thousands of immigrant workers into organized labour. A key feature of that organization in addition to improved wages and a focus on health and safety, was the first Labourers Pension Plan, now approaching its 50th anniversary.
With Enrico’s passing ten years ago the mantle of leadership has been passed to Enrico’s son Joseph Mancinelli who is LIUNA’s Regional Vice President and Regional Manager for Central and Eastern Canada. Joe is proud of the progressive organization that LIUNA has evolved into. LIUNA takes a cooperative approach in its relations with its employers. Says Joseph, “We find solutions without a strike. We are now focused on cooperation to ensure the things that our members and contrac-
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The LIUNA Station and gardens –a key landmark in Hamilton’s north end
The restoration of the Lister Block was a catalyst in Hamilton’s downtown revival
tors care about, especially training, are addressed. We have nine training centers across Canada.” A unique feature of LIUNA’s approach to community leadership is in its use of the Labourers Pension Fund in financing construction projects which in turn create employment opportunities for LIUNA members. A key catalyst in the renaissance of Hamilton’s downtown was LIUNA’s decision in 2000 to restore the abandoned CNR station to its former glory—this time as a banquet facility called LIUNA Station.
The iconic Doric revival building was the anchor for what would much later become the vibrant James Street North district in Hamilton. Similarly LIUNA saw the possibilities for the historic Lister Block in Hamilton’s downtown; faithfully restoring the brick and terra cotta structure as offices and retail space and removing what had been a local eyesore for decades. Now LIUNA is bringing a similar approach to the William Thomas block next door to the Lister Block with construction now underway on a 22-story student residence that will house 300 students. LIUNAs focus on restoring historical structures extends to its headquarters on 44 Hughson Street—the 1903 Canadian Canners office building. While the Pension Fund has fueled development in Hamilton and elsewhere its primary function remains providing for a secure retirement for LIUNA members, who spend their working lives doing hard work in often adverse weather conditions. “They want good health care for their family and a good pension at the end of the day,” says Joseph. “We’re not relying on the Canadian Pension Plan (CPP) for a good quality of life after retirement,” says Joseph. “We have been leaders in our pension plan and are using our financial strength in the economy.” This spirit of entrepreneurship both in making investments in infrastructure and in it’s cooperative approach to its employers sets LIUNA apart from other labour organizations. “It has changed the perception of a union like LiUNA, and now the community sees us as a partner in community development.” says Joseph. “The business community in Hamilton are now our partners because they understand the value of a safe workplace. We’re doing our part, especially in Hamilton, and we’re proud of the role we’ve had in the gentrification of the downtown.” LIUNA Local 837 was first chartered on June 18, 1950, today the local represents 4,000 workers in the Hamilton-Niagara Region. n
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royal botanical gardens: E
inspiring generations through horticulture
stablished in 1930, the Royal Botanical Gardens encompasses nearly 1,000 hectares of forest, shoreline, gardens and trails in Hamilton and Burlington. The RBG mission and vision is to dedicate its expertise in horticulture, conservation, science and education – together with its unique gardens, facilities and natural lands – to inspire and nurture society’s commitment to the environment. Royal Botanical Gardens is a global leader in how plants and the natural world are used to connect people, place and sustainable behaviors.
Charitable donations enable the RBG to: l Protect and restore 2450 acres of nature sanctuaries containing environmentally sensitive habitats, where approx. 50 listed species- at-risk have made their home; l Teach the public and educate school children about the importance of plants and nature, and how to be environmental
stewards in their community; l Create display gardens which beautify our region landscape and teach people how to transfer best practices into their own backyard; l Host events that celebrate our landscape and highlight our conservation activities (Fishway demonstrations, nature sanctuary guided tours, children’s winter exhibits); and l Engage in research projects and networks to pursue environmental sustainability; One of the earliest features of the Royal Botanical Gardens, constructed in the early 1930’s was the iconic Rock Garden—a grotto of beauty and relaxation in what had been a worked-out gravel pit. That 80- year old feature has just undergone a spectacular $20 Million restoration, including a new restaurant and visitor centre making it a year-round attraction. To make a donation or to become a member visit RBG.ca n
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terrapure continues long tradition of supporting local community
Some recent Heritage Green Community Trust (HGCT) recipients. The HGCT is generously funded by Terrapure.
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errapure Environmental’s Stoney Creek Regional Facility has been a fixture in the community of upper Stoney Creek since 1996. The company and its approximately 50 Hamilton-area employees partner with local industry to provide innovative environmental services and environmentally responsible management of industrial by-products. Over the course of its history, the Terrapure facility has contributed over $22 million dollars to community groups, sports and recreational programs, charitable initiatives and local infrastructure projects in upper Stoney Creek through the Heritage Green Community Trust and a royalty program with the City of Hamilton. This includes $2 million towards the new East Escarpment Conservation Area, almost $1 million to create a new leash-free dog park on First Road West and $45,000 to Mount Albion Elementary School to transform the school library and gym. But the company’s support of the local community does not end there. The facility has also provided funding to groups such
as the Good Shepherd, the Neighbour-toNeighbour food bank, Glanbrook Home Support Services and the Dr. Bob Kemp Hospice. In addition, Terrapure’s local employees have raised over $625,000 for the United Way of Burlington & Greater Hamilton over the past eight years. “Terrapure and its local people in Stoney Creek are incredibly generous in supporting the local community,” said Lorenzo Alfano, District Manager at Terrapure. “We live and work in Stoney Creek, so we believe it’s important to be an active member of the community and to invest in its health and well-being.” “As the community around us grows, we are committed to continuing safe, environmentally responsible operations and making a better place to live for current and future generations of Stoney Creek residents.” For more information on the Terrapure Stoney Creek Facility, visit the Terrapure CLC website at: http://terrapureclc.org/ or call 905.561.0305. To learn more about Terrapure, visit www.terrapureenv.com. n
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hamilton water: transforming hamilton harbour
Over 25 years the water quality of Hamilton Harbour has undergone a major transformative improvement.
We all tend to take clean water and an efficient wastewater system for granted. At Hamilton Water efforts are made every year to communicate how complex and important these systems are in our day to day lives.
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he health of the community in Hamilton has been the foremost objective since the first steam-powered waterworks was installed more than a century and a half ago. But in addition to supplying efficient and safe water and wastewater services to a city of more than half a million; Hamilton Water has been focused on the mission of improving the water quality in Hamilton Harbour to a point where it can be de-listed from the areas of concern in the Great Lakes. Great progress can already be seen. Consistently supported by successive Hamilton councils, Hamilton Water has
been working with stakeholders like the Bay Area Restoration Council and other Hamilton Harbour Remedial Action Plan partners to improve the quality of sewage effluent entering the harbour and to reduce the impact of urban runoff, both necessary for the improvement of water quality. Remedial Action Plan Coordinator John Hall praised the progress that has been made. “As stated in the RAP vision, the Harbour should be a vibrant centrepiece in the community’s life. The City of Hamilton has embraced the RAP vision and invested enormously in terms of political energy, staff commitment and finances in bringing back the Bay.�
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the best of hamilton Some of the specific measures that have led to the remarkable improvement in water quality and will continue the march towards environmental delisting include: • Major upgrades of Hamilton’s Wastewater Treatment plant which will see $320 million spent over a four year construction phase. This will allow an additional level of collection and treatment for wastewater before it enters the harbour. • through the Hamilton Harbour Remedial Action Plan, urban runoff task groups will define measures to improve surface water quality; • a similar rural runoff task group will develop measures to reduce phosphorus runoff from agricultural lands;Development of public access trails and parks to allow recreational access to the water. In addition, the ongoing work to cap and contain toxic industrial sediments at Randle Reef will remove this part of Hamilton Harbour from a list of Great Lakes toxic “hot spots.” In the past 25 years, thanks to consistent leadership and investment by the City of Hamilton and other partnering agencies, the quality of water in the Hamilton Harbour has improved by leaps and bounds. Aquatic plant life essential for fish habitat has returned. Looking to the future, the largest challenge will be the ongoing issue of stormwater runoff, especially when extreme weather events seem more commonplace. But Hamilton Water looks forward to attacking the storm water issue with the same determination that has brought Hamilton Harbour water quality to its present level of quality. n
The return of aquatic plant life has resulted in the return of gamefish like this walleye to Hamilton Harbour
Remediation of Water Quality issues caused by storm water runoff has been identified by Hamilton Water as the next big challenge.
Hamilton’s water treatment plant is undergoing $320 Million in improvements that will bring water quality to a new level of purity.
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hamiltonians who made a difference
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Lincoln MacCauley Alexander Lincoln MacCauley Alexander was born in Toronto, on January 21st, 1922. His life has exemplified dedicated service to his country in the Royal Canadian Air Force from 1942 to 1945; in the House of Commons from 1968 to 1980; as Chairman of the Workers Compensation Board from 1980 to 1985; and as Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario from 1985 to 1991. A graduate of McMaster University with a Bachelor of Arts in 1949 and the Osgoode Hall Law School in 1953, he was called to the Bar in 1953 and appointed Queens Counsel in 1965. Honorary degrees have been conferred upon him by several Ontario universities including his alma mater, McMaster University. In 1991 he became Chancellor of the University of Guelph. The Honourable Lincoln Alexander was an advocate and tireless worker for fairness, education, justice and peace for all. Among his many honours was his appointment as an Officer of the Order of Ontario and Companion of the Order of Canada.
Elizabeth Bagshaw Among the first crusaders for birth control rights in Canada, Dr. Bagshaw was one of Hamilton’s most popular doctors, spending over 70 years in local medical circles. Despite strenuous opposition, Dr. Bagshaw was involved with the opening of Canada’s first birth control clinic in 1932, and worked as the clinic’s medical director for 30 years Dr. Bagshaw received the Order of Canada medal, was Hamilton’s Citizen of the Year
in 1970, and a Hamilton public school was named after her in 1979. In 1979, Dr. Bagshaw was awarded the Governor General’s Persons Award for her efforts to advance the status of women in Canada.
Victor Kennedy Copps Victor Kennedy Copps worked at the radio station CHML, first as an announcer (19451950), then in the sales department (19501960). In 1960 he ran his first political race for Hamilton controller and won a stunning electoral victory. In 1962 he was elected Mayor and served until 1976. He was responsible for the construction of many new facilities including Hamilton Place (First Ontario Concert Hall), Jackson Square and the Canadian Football Hall of Fame. Felled by a heart attack he left politics but not the hearts of the people he had served. One of his enduring dreams had been of an arena for Hamilton. In 1985 an 18,000 seat arena opened bearing his name. Copps Coliseum is a lasting tribute to the Mayor of the People and his love for his city – Hamilton.
Harry Crerar Historians identify Hamilton’s H.D.G (Harry) Crerar as “the most important Canadian soldier in WWII”. After working at the Canadian Tungsten Light Company on Cannon Street, he joined Hamilton’s 4th Field Battery for WWI; escaping death at Ypres and helping secure victory at Vimy Ridge. A quiet and modest man, he was tasked with raising and leading the greatest army Canada has known. As General Officer commanding the First Canadian Army during WWII, his force of 500,000 allied troops was legend; with Dwight D. Eisenhower citing Crerar’s
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exemplary skill and valour. Returning from battle in 1946, 20,000 Hamiltonians turned out to give him a thunderous welcome. He retired to Ottawa soon thereafter, and died there in 1965 his place in Canadian history well-earned.
Ellen Fairclough Ellen Louks Fairclough, trained as an accountant, began her own business in 1935. Entering politics in 1946, she held aldermanic and Board of Control offices. As the Federal Progressive Conservative candidate for Hamilton West, she became the opposition Labour Critic. Her continual argument for women’s rights, equal pay and equal opportunities bore fruit in many new laws and changed attitudes. The first woman appointed to Cabinet and Secretary of State, she was later named Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, and Postmaster General. Ellen became the first woman on the Hamilton Hydro Electric Commission and has a provincial government building named after her.
John Gibson Sir John Gibson conducted a well respected legal practice in Hamilton for over sixty years. Gibson was active in the business community as well. He was instrumental in bringing hydroelectric power to Hamilton with the formation of the Dominion Power and Transmission Company which in 1896 built the first hydroelectric plant in Canada. He was a founding member of the Wentworth Historical Board. Elected to the provincial legislature to represent West Hamilton in 1879 as a member of the Liberal Party. Appointed Attorney General of Ontario in 1899. He was appointed Lieutenant Governor of Ontario in 1908. It was an honour that he held until 1914. He
was President of the Canadian Red Cross from its inception in 1896 throughout the Boer War, for a total of fourteen years. For these services, he was created a knight of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem in 1914.
Lloyd Jackson Born on a farm near Sarnia, Ontario, in April 1888, Lloyd D. Jackson lived to become one of Hamilton’s longest serving mayors. In addition to politics he charged into the bread business in Hamilton with dedication and toughness. A dynamic leader and man of vision, it was he who pushed for a Canadian Football Hall of Fame, the Art Gallery, Macassa Lodge and Confederation Park. It was his vision of a Main Street West site for City Hall that opened up the downtown area for urban renewal. Co-winner of the first B’nai Brith Humanitarian Award, he and his wife were also joint recipients of the Distinguished Citizenship Award.
John Lyle John Lyle designed more than one hundred of the most beautiful and most historic buildings in and around Toronto, as well as across Canada. He was born in Belfast, Ireland, and raised in Hamilton where his father founded the Hamilton Art Gallery. After Beaux Arts training in Paris and New York, he opened his office in Toronto in 1906. He designed the Toronto Union Station, the Royal Alexandra theatre, many banks across Canada, a church in Hamilton where his father was a Presbyterian minister, houses, libraries and parks. John Lyle was a man passionately committed to helping Canadians design Canadian buildings in a Canadian way, not just copies of the latest American or European fad. He began later
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evolving a style which might be called Canadian Deco. He was elected to the Royal Canadian Academy in 1925 and as a Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects in 1928. He was awarded the Gold Medal of Architects in 1926, and a silver medal for civilian relief work in France during World War I.
as a Hamilton alderman for the years 19181920. From 1920, until his death in 1948, T.B. McQuesten served on Hamilton’s Board of Parks Management. With his involvement, over 2500 acres of park lands were added in Hamilton. These parks included Gage Park, Civic Golf Course at Chedoke, Inch Park and King’s Forest Park. Mr. McQuesten was heavily involved with the beginnings and development of the Royal Botanical Gardens and the Queen Elizabeth Way. As Ontario’s Highways Minister from 19341937, and as Minister of Public Works from 1934-1937 and 1942-1943, McQuesten’s accomplishments were province-wide. Under his tenure, three international bridges were built - the Rainbow Bridge in Niagara Falls, the Blue Water Bridge at Sarnia and the Ivy Lea Bridge across the St. Lawrence River. During this time he also oversaw the construction of the Queen Elizabeth Way and thousands of miles of other highways.
Jack Macdonald Born in London, Ontario in 1927, Jack and his family moved to Hamilton in 1942. A year later he joined the Royal Canadian Navy at the age of 16. Jack MacDonald’s political career began in 1950 when he was elected Alderman, the youngest ever, at age 22. He was elected Controller in 1953 and served in this capacity during various terms through to 1970. In 1977 Jack was elected Mayor of the City of Hamilton and held the chief magistrate post to 1980. In addition to his great contribution to the City through his political career, Jack MacDonald has demonstrated outstanding volunteer community service by his leadership in a number of local organizations. Ever a passionate Hamilton booster, he was honoured as Hamilton’s Distinguished Citizen of the Year in 1973 and was recognized as the Outstanding Kiwanian in Eastern Canada and the Caribbean in 1983. Mr. MacDonald was chairman of the United Way Campaign, a founding director of Wayside House, chairman of the Grey Cup Festival and a member of the National Parole Board.
Frank and Cliff Sherman Clifton and Frank Sherman were sons of an American blast furnace and steel mill superintendent and they were drawn into the steel business. They became aware of the development in the Canadian steel industry and moved to Hamilton in 1912 to begin a small foundry. The Dominion Steel Foundry Company was capitalized at half a million dollars with about 100 employees and a daily steel-making capacity of 80 tons. The company expanded during the Great War and renamed itself Dofasco and the brothers won reputations as innovators in the area of steel production. Their feeling for people led to the profit sharing plan and other programs that have
T. B. McQuesten Born in Hespeler, Ontario, T. B. McQuesten attended public schools in Hamilton before graduating from the University of Toronto with a degree in law. Mr. McQuesten was elected
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fostered a sense of community among the company and employees. The Shermans contributed in many ways to Hamilton. Now, ArcelorMittal Dofasco the company founded by Frank and Clifton Sherman is one of the most successful steel operations in the world.
Ken Soble Kenneth Soble was a radio actor, a programme packager and manager of CHML, and director of the Canadian Association of Broadcasters. He brought to Hamilton a new radio centre and frequency modulation and was the founder of CHCH Television. He developed the Amateur Radio Hour, the first audience participation broadcast and on-the-spot programmes. He turned Barton Arena into The Forum, and made a success of broadcasting hockey games and staging trade shows. In 1961, he disengaged CHCH TV from the CBC chain of stations. Encouraging a strong local image helped competition with other networks. At times in the early days of television, he was offered and declined both the presidency of the CBC and CTV. Prior to his death Ken Soble was active in urban renewal in Hamilton.
William Lyon Somerville He was born in Hamilton and educated there and in New York, where he practised architecture before World War 1. He started practising in Ontario in 1919. Among his projects were most of the original buildings of McMaster University, Hamilton, which he designed “ in what is commonly called Tudor or Collegiate Gothic”. During his career he was a consultant for the Rainbow Bridge and designed the Peace Tower and the bridge’s Canadian Plaza at Niagara Falls. He assisted with the
restoration of Fort Henry in Kingston, Fort George at Niagara-On-The-Lake and Fort Erie. He also designed the Lion Monument which was sculpted by Francis Loring and Florence Wyle and originally located at the east entrance of the QEW (opened in 1939 by Queen Elizabeth) In the mid-1920’s he was among a group of Toronto architects which met every day at lunch in the Diet Kitchen restaurant on Bloor Street. Out of these meetings came a movement entitled “The Diet Kitchen School of Architecture”. The Diet Kitchen School’s intention was to “stimulate awareness of the high standards of Canadian design and craftsmanship and encourage cooperation in the various branches of the arts. In essence, a distinctive style for Canadian artistic designs was being fostered.”
Arthur Weisz Arthur Weisz was born in Hungary and survived World War II and the Holocaust to escape postwar Communist rule by fleeing to an Austrian Displaced Persons camp with his wife and young son. He immigrated to Canada in 1951 and for the first two years found work as a labourer and a salesman. Arthur began his career in real estate, founding his own company within two years of arriving in Canada. Today, The Effort Trust Company encompasses real estate brokerage, asset management, property development and financial services and is the largest landlord in Ontario outside of Toronto. Arthur has been recognized for significant contributions to the betterment of the housing industry and community. Recently, McMaster University recognized Arthur’s contributions by awarding him an honorary doctorate in the spring of 2004.
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Charles Bell
Charles Bell was a man of many talents. He began his career as a lawyer in Toronto before returning to Hamilton where he joined his father’s law firm and later became senior partner in his own firm, Bell and Yates. Bell was a top-flight criminal lawyer, but public service called in 1925 when Charles Bell ran for office in the 1925 federal election as a Conservative. Bell won by an astounding majority of 12 thousand votes. He was re-elected to the House of Commons in 1926 and again in 1930.Despite the demands of his busy careers in both law and politics, Charles Bell always found time to pursue his passion for the theatre and play writing. His most popular work was, “Parlour, Bedroom and Bath” written in 1917. The farce ran on Broadway and in 1931 it hit the big screen as a movie starring Buster Keaton.
Nora Frances Henderson
becoming Acting Mayor during the mayor’s absence.In 1947, she retired to become Executive Secretary of the Association of Children’s Aid Societies of Ontario. On her death in 1949, she was lauded for pioneering a place for women in civic government and for her stand on their right to equality in public life.
John Munro John Munro was one of Hamilton’s most famous politicians. At the age of 23 he began his political career with the distinction of being the youngest alderman elected in Hamilton and went on to serve as the MP for Hamilton East for 22 years. He boosted Hamilton throughout his career, securing federal support to establish McMaster University’s medical school, the expansion of Hamilton General Hospital, the modernization of Hamilton Harbour, and the expansion of Hamilton (now Munro International) Airport.
Henry George Thode
Nora Frances Henderson was born in Hampstead, England in 1913. After moving to Hamilton in 1917, was hired by the Hamilton Herald. Starting as a reporter in 1921, she was made Womens Editor. She urged local women to take an active interest in community political affairs. In 1931, she ran for alderman and became the first woman ever elected to Hamilton’s City Council. In 1934 she became the first woman in Canada elected to a city Board of Control. Elected sixteen consecutive times, she headed the polls for Board of Control,
Recognized as one of Canada’s premier scientists, is a specialist in physical chemistry and especially the study of heavy or radioactive isotopes. In 1939 he accepted a position with McMaster University. During the Second World War, Dr. Thode was a member of an international team which did pioneering research into atomic energy. Dr. Thode actively en couraged the expansion of scientific education and played an important part in the University obtaining an atomic reactor, the first located on a University campus in the Commonwealth. As President of McMaster, from 1961 to 1972, he presided over much of its physical growth, including the construction of the medical complex. n
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The Mercanti family in the mid 1960’s l-r Morris, Peter, Iolanda, Rosanne, Giuseppe and Sam.
the mercanti family: six decades of achievement and giving back When Giuseppe and Iolanda Mercanti and their three young sons boarded the ship, the Vulcania in Naples in 1956 for an arduous 12-day trip to Canada, they took little with them except their hopes for a better life and a capacity for hard work.
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he Second World War had left the economy of Italy, and the Mercanti’s town of Castelli in Abruzzo in a shambles. Arriving in Hamilton where two brothers had settled earlier, Giuseppe found work in an auto body shop owned by his uncle and life in the new country began for the Mercanti family. Born in 1960 Rosanna, joined older brothers Peter, Sam and Morris.
As the boys grew up it was Sam who first went to work in the family body shop – launching what would eventually become an outstanding career in the collision repair sector, culminating in the establishment of the CARSTAR chain of nearly 250 franchisees across Canada. Later Morris and his uncle Carmen Mancini started Carmen’s bakery, in partnership with Sam, Peter and
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Tony Depaulo. That was the beginning of what became the Carmen’s Group; which today includes the iconic banquet centre on Stone Church Road, the C Hotel, and more recently, the Hamilton Convention Centre. Carmen’s has grown into the leading hospitality and entertainment brand in Hamilton. Later Morris, despite battling ill health much of his adult life, branched out, establishing the successful Edge Hospitality Group which includes Oakville Conference Center, Harbour Banquet and Conference Center and Yolandas Spuntino Casa. Morris passed away in 2014 aged only 61. Despite the demands of managing growing businesses, from early days the
Several generations of the Mercanti’s at a family Thanksgiving dinner at the Southbrook Golf and Country Club in Binbrook, Ontario.
Mercanti’s found time to give back to the communities where they found so much success. Tracing its beginnings to a bunch of guys who met regularly to play handball at the Downtown ‘Y, The Charity of Hope is a non-profit organization dedicated to giving hope to children and youth in need. Since 1999, the Charity of Hope has helped hundreds of children, youth and their families. Together, with its partners the Charity of Hope has raised over one million dollars for those in need. When distributing funds, three quarters of the funds raised are distributed to children’s charities within Hamilton, Halton and the Brantford community. The remaining quarter is granted to specific children or families that need immediate and unique support. In 2015 Peter and Gabriella decided To pass ownership of The Carmens Group to PJ and Joey. Sam recently sold the CARSTAR chain, and Lynn Mercanti continues to operate the Edge Hospitality Group started by husband Morris. Sam and Peter are not riding off into the sunset just yet, both have set up offices where they explore new business opportunities. The official motto of the Mercanti family homeland, Abruzzo, is Forte E Gentile –Strong, yet gentle. The same might be said for this family who have contributed greatly to the communities in which they made their mark. n
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Sam, Morris and Peter at their induction into the Hamilton Gallery of Distinction.
the next chapter in the carmen’s group story When our father Peter and Uncle Morris started Carmen’s Bakery in 1978 on Concession Street they never would have imagined the longstanding influence that their brand of hospitality would have on the City of Hamilton.
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he Mercanti Family has always been passionate about good food and making new friends so a life in hospitality was destined. Today, Carmen’s Banquet Centre has become a destination and it has paved the way for the creation of the region’s most beloved establishments including the Best Western Premier C Hotel, Baci Ristorante, The Lakeview, the Hamilton Convention Centre and our newest operation, Dundas Valley Golf & Curling Club. This same brand of courage and visionary foresight will be harnessed as the next chapter of our company’s story is written. Over the past 10 years many have rallied around the comeback that is Hamilton and the hospitality industry has helped to anchor this renaissance. Hospitality pioneers have helped to build this city one street corner at a time, one neighbourhood at a time, one district at a time. We sometimes don’t acknowledge that homemade food and authentic hospitality are at the core of Hamilton’s DNA - and that Canada’s very own calling card, Tim Horton’s Donuts - started as a neighbourhood shop on Ottawa Street in 1964 (ironically, one block from where our father and uncles grew up). The fact that one of the world’s largest hospitality companies has its roots as a gritty, blue-collar establishment, created by Hamilton’s finest, is no coincidence. Carmen’s Group feels privileged to be a part of a movement that is changing the image of Hamilton through inspired hospitality and showcasing to the world the character, the passion and the authenticity of Hamilton and its people. We have developed a team of hospitality champions who
focus intensely on delivering on our mission and brand promise, who chase our vision, and who embody our core values at every opportunity. A signature element of the new Carmen’s Group is our Phoenix logo, which has become our calling card and the symbol of our next chapter. Why is our new brand logo a Golden Phoenix? Like a phoenix, we seek to represent purity, clarity, creativity, resurrection, re-emergence and transformation. And much like the City of Hamilton itself, Carmen’s Group has experienced a transformation. We have learned that we need to harness the best of our past while reinventing ourselves to achieve success for tomorrow. We will spread our wings in a quest to make an impact and build up our great city. Walt Disney once said, “We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we’re curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.” n
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(l-r) PJ, Peter and Joe Mercanti.
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carstar: a hamilton company on the global stage
For anyone who has lived in Hamilton for the last couple of decades, watching our ‘ambitious city’s’ post-industrial reinvention has been nothing short of inspiring.
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ith an educated population and culturally thriving community that rivals any Canadian city, Hamilton is now a community that embraces our gritty manufacturing history, while celebrating a diversified and optimistic future. For CARSTAR Collision and Glass Service, Hamilton’s continued evolution mirrors their own. From a humble beginning in Hamilton’s North end, the collision franchise brand has grown to over 260 locations in Canada and is the envy of collision brands worldwide. “I travel all over the world for different trade shows and symposiums,” says Hamilton native and CARSTAR North America president Michael Macaluso, “and it’s still surprising when competitors from around the world are asking for our secret.” What is the secret? “We’re a company with Hamilton in our veins,” says Macaluso. “I think we are humble, in that we put the needs of our business partners, customers and communities first, but we are also relentlessly ambitious to be the best at what we do, and to never stop improving.”
People One of the keys to success for CARSTAR is people. With just over 50 corporate employees working out of CARSTAR’s Vision Park on Stone Church Road East, CARSTAR has access to thousands of recent college and university grads and an experienced workforce. Macaluso comments, “One of the things that is changing lately, is more and more people are either choosing to stay and work in Hamilton when they finish uni-
versity or college, or they want to come back to Hamilton after working in Toronto. We’ve been able to attract the brightest minds in our industry, from right here in our backyard.”
Acquisition Like Hamilton, a lot changes with time. In January of this year, CARSTAR Canada was acquired by Driven Brands, North America’s largest automotive aftermarket brand based in Charlotte NC. For Macaluso, leaving Hamilton was not an option. “When we were acquired, Driven Brands knew they were buying a company that was one of the best performing collision repair brands in North America, if not the world. It didn’t take anyone very long to see that that our roots and talent pool in Hamilton were a massive ingredient for our success and they were ultimately happy to leave the CARSTAR headquarters here in Canada. In fact, we are now the head office for CARSTAR North America and Canadian head office for Meineke, Pro Oil and Maaco in Canada.” With continued growth plans across Canada, Hamilton remains at the spine of CARSTAR’S operations. Each of CARSTAR location is a family-owned businesses which shares the vision their Hamilton based founders. What is the greatest similarity between Hamilton and CARSTAR? “That’s easy. We dream big and we work hard” n
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Margaret and Charles Juravinski in front of the statue honouring their contributions to the Juravinski Cancer Centre.
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margaret and charles juravinski
showing a community the power of philanthropy For all their long and productive lives Margaret and Charles Juravinski have exemplified the virtues of hard work, straight-shooting and thrift as they operated first a successful construction business and then the Flamboro Downs Harness race track and casino gaming venue.
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hose qualities enabled Margaret and Charles to succeed in business and after the sale of the race track, have allowed them to set a standard of philanthropy in health care that will be hard to match anywhere. Starting in 2006, at the time of the couple’s 50th wedding anniversary, Margaret and Charles Juravinski have donated more than $55 Million to Hamilton Health care facilities, most notably to the regional cancer centre that bears their name and the Margaret and Charles Juravinski Centre for Integrated Healthcare at St Joseph’s West 5th campus. Their generosity has also been demonstrated in substantial donations to the St Joseph’s Innovation Centre, the St. Joseph’s Villa Residence, McMaster Medical Centre, Hamilton General Hospital, and St Peter’s Hospital. Their donations which spearheaded the Juravinski Hospital reconstruction project, removed tens of thousands of
chemotherapy and radiation patients from waiting lists. The plain spoken Charles sees their gifts as a way of thanking all the people who contributed to their success since he came to Hamilton from Saskatchewan at the beginning of World War Two subsequent to the Great Depression. “How can you touch their lives and say thank you?” he told a reporter a few years back, It’s almost impossible, but there’s one way that you can, and that’s through health care. “The most rewarding part of making such contributions, he said, “is hearing how we have helped individual patients. “It is something that is unbelievable.” We have touched many people’s lives through health care and the satisfaction we feel is overwhelming.” What advice do Margaret and Charles have for others thinking about giving back? “Donate anything you can— you will like it and you will be rewarded with a sense of gratification.”
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bob young: preserving nearly a century and a half of football legacy Bob Young admits it was an “emotional decision” when he purchased the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 2004.
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e did it in part to honour the wishes of his late brother who was a super fan of the team. Since then Bob Young has poured a fortune into the team and weathered many storms—on and off the field. But now he can look at an organization that is profitable for the first time in over 40 years, housed in a state-of-theart stadium, attracting sell-out crowds of fans. Without Bob Young it is likely there would be no CFL presence in Hamilton. Looking ahead Bob Young sees the stadium as a catalyst for much more than football. “We have the opportunity to run not just football profitably but also concerts and potentially soccer teams, in Hamilton where without a modern stadium it simply wasn’t possible to do it.” It is part of his view of the role of sports in the cultural fabric of a community. “Sports falls
into the category of entertainment. And entertainment is culture. We sometimes think that art galleries are culture and movie theatres are not culture, but in fact they are all culture. The entertainment sector—getting ourselves out of our houses—and into the community is the very definition of community and culture and I think this city should be very proud of what they’ve achieved with this stadium and the community is dramatically stronger for it. I think the Tiger Cats will continue to contribute to the culture of Hamilton for another almost 150 years.” With long-term stadium and corporate sponsorship deals in place, the Tiger-Cats have fulfilled Bob Young’s goal of making the team self-sufficient, but Bob continues to be in for the long haul. “This is very much a long term project…none of us—not ourselves… Tim Hortons… the team …nobody is going anywhere for a long time. The reason I use the moniker ‘caretaker’ is that I’m only going to look after it for a few years…somebody else is going to have to look after it for most of the next century and a half.”
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Tim Hortons Field
Coors Banquet Bar
Enercare Caretaker’s Club
michael andlauer: 15 years of keeping hamilton on the hockey map
Since 2002 Michael Andlauer has been the driving force behind providing top notch hockey for Hamilton fans.
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t started when Montreal-raised Michael, a successful national transportation and logistics operator, stepped in with a group of local investors to secure an AHL Hamilton Bulldog franchise in Hamilton after the Edmonton Oilers moved the first version of the Bulldogs to Toronto and changed the team name. Two years later Michael was the majority owner of the franchise, now affiliated with the Canadiens, and by 2008 he was the sole owner. In the meantime Michael, a lifelong Habs fan, in 2009, became a part owner of the Canadiens. He currently serves as an alternate member of the NHL Board of Governors. For a businessman who likes to be in charge of his own des-
tiny, operating an AHL franchise can be a challenge. Essentially the owner pays the operating costs of the team but control of the on-ice product rests with the parent team. So in 2015 Michael sold the AHL Bulldog franchise back to the Canadiens who would move the team to St. Johns, and purchased the Belleville Bulls of the OHL and relocated them to Hamilton as the Bulldogs. But for Michael Andlauer, as great as is his passion for hockey, he also is committed to making the community a better place. Growing up with his mom in Montreal Michael experienced what it is like to go without. He established the Bulldog Foundation to help less fortunate youth in Hamilton. Now in its tenth
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year the Foundation provides funding to various local charities and has spearheaded a successful school breakfast program. With an OHL franchise, unlike the AHL there are better opportunities for the players to become part of the community. The young Bulldogs, mostly teenagers, are frequently seen lending their support and encouragement at numerous charitable, school and hospital events in the Hamilton-Burlington area. Despite the huge personal investment Michael Andlauer has made in keeping hockey in Hamilton for the past decade and a half, he shuns the limelight saying simply, “I’m grateful to be part of the Hamilton landscape.� It is the mark of a great sportsman and selfless community leader.
h a m i l t o n
r e c r e a t i o n
providing the services to build a healthy community
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he first facility built by the City of Hamilton’s Recreation Division was the Municipal Pool, now known as the Jimmy Thompson Pool. It was constructed for the swimming competition of the 1930 British Empire Games (Commonwealth Games). Those were the very first international multi-sport games to ever
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be hosted in our country and it all started in Hamilton! Several generations have since then learned to swim at many City pools, including Jimmy Thompson. Today, the division offers programming at: 24 recreation centres, 19 arenas, 10 outdoor pools, 5 older adult centres and 7 seniors clubs across the City.
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With over 4.8 million yearly participant visits, which translates to 13,000 daily visits in various programs offered by Recreation, the division’s mission has always been to provide quality programs and services to support a healthy population and promote an active lifestyle for all ages. The division is committed to the inclusion of persons with disabilities by offering a variety of programs, staffing support and specialized equipment to ensure recreation services are accessible to everyone in the community. Hamilton Recreation’s Affordable Access Strategy strives to make recreation services available to citizens of all income levels and offers free recreation programming at various facilities across the City.
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In 2016, the City of Hamilton’s Recreation Division achieved HIGH FIVE® Accreditation, which is the quality standard for children’s recreation and sport programming. Hamilton is proud to be the largest municipality in Ontario to obtain accreditation status. SUPIE, the division’s free supervised park program, recently celebrated 105 years of service! During the summer months, this program is offered at 91 parks across the City for children ages 6-12. Another summer recreation highlight is Camp Kidaca offered at 7 locations across the City. This year, Camp Kidaca achieved accreditation status by the Ontario Camping Association.
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Hamilton is designated as a platinum level youth-friendly community, confirming that the City of Hamilton’s assets and opportunities actively support the growth and development of youth ages 13-19. The division promotes staying active both indoors and outdoors as well with the introduction of the Quick Response (QR) Fitness Trails. With 15 QR trails across the City, citizens can exercise outdoors using a smartphone to scan codes and watch instructional videos as they follow the trails. In all of its services and program offerings, the Recreation Division strives to align with the City’s vision “to be the best place in Canada to raise a child and age successfully”.
the best of hamilton
BC based band Hedley at FirstOntario Centre Photo by Brandon Taylor
FirstOntario Centre is Hamilton’s premier large concert and event venue. It has hosted the Juno Awards, and concerts by international stars like Elton John, Garth Brooks and Paul McCartney to name a few.
A Backstreet Boys show at FirstOntario Centre Photo by Brandon Taylor
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remembering an utopian view of
hamilton Many years ago the vista seen from Hamiulton’s High Level Bridge was declared one of the best in north America with the tree-lined Cootes Paradise stretching for miles to the west and similarly Hamilton Harbour to the East.
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he bridge and the surrounding lands, including the recently-renovated Rock Garden are the remaining features of a grandiose development plan launched in the late 1920’s by the Board of Parks Management, and its visionary works chairman Thomas Baker McQuesten. It was the end of the roaring 20’s and economic optimism was everywhere when the Parks Board boldly advertised for a competition for proposals to develop the area. The contest attracted a dozen bids from landscapers, architects and engineers from Toronto, Hamilton, Brantford and Montreal. The top three bids included one from John Lyle, a Hamiltonian who had achieved architectural renown for his design of Toronto Union Station and the Royal Alexandra Theatre in Toronto; and Howard and Laurie Dunnington-Grubb who were pre-eminent in the area of land-
scape architecture. The first prize, however, went to a lesser known Swedish landscape artist, Carl Borgstrom who teamed up with a firm of civil engineers for his proposal. Borgstrom’s proposal was to cut the causeway down by 15 feet and use the resulting fill to widen the narrow road into the impressive landscaped avenue that exists today. He was also the only bidder to propose building what is today’s Rock Garden. His proposal for the bridge, however, did not impress the judges and instead they entrusted that part of the project to Lyle, whose original concept was a monumental colonnade-lined beaux-arts structure. The onset of the Depression forced the developers to scale back the bridge design but the bridge that remains is nonetheless iconic in its own right with its streamlined four granite pylons which reflected the trend in architecture to a more modernist motif. n
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The T.B. Mcquesten bridge shortly after its opening
The Rock Garden after its 2016 renovation
Borgstrom’s water colour concept drawing of the Northwestern Entrance facing towards Hamilton.
John Lyle’s original design for the high level bridge. Only the 4 corner pylons survived cost-cutting measures during the Depression.
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www.lockestreetshops.com
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ver the last 10 years Locke Street has experienced a revival. What was once a quiet street with a few antique shops and local restaurants, has now become one of Hamilton’s hottest commercial districts with world-renowned restaurants, local and global shops and thriving businesses. A collection of eclectic independent shops with curated clothing, toys, home decor, antiques, books, musical instruments and jewellery line the street. New and longtime merchants are dedicated to their customers and the continuing success of this historic neighbourhood. The Locke Street Festival is a free neighbourhood event that has been happening the second Saturday of September for the past 16 years. The festival is one
of Ontario’s largest one-day street festivals, attracting people from all over the region and provides an opportunity for the community to come together in support of local musicians, artists and artisans. There is something for the entire family including a variety of unique vendors, live entertainment on separate stages and a children’s area with organized activities. The event continues to be a fun and exciting way for people to get involved in the community and it’s this sense of community that defines the area and continues to drive business on the street. From coffee shops and restaurants to salons and fitness, from everyday essentials to gifts and special occasion shopping, you can come and enjoy a day on Locke Street. n
The Locke Street festival draws large crowds every year
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the best of hamilton
the west town
for 25 years, locke street’s living room
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n a business where dining fads and restaurants come and go, the one constant for a quarter of a century in Hamilton is the West Town Bar and Grill on Locke Street. When Joe Stanicak opened it in 1991, Locke Street was not the trendy destination it has become, but Joe had a good feeling about the location. He had a background in the hospitality industry and liquor and beer sales and he envisioned a blend of great food and a comfortable neighbourhood pub atmosphere. In the beginning, Joe bravely offered only draft beer from small craft breweries and no bottles. He installed 17 draft taps, an idea that eventually was emulated all over the region. He opened for breakfast at a time when most restauranteurs advised against it. He sourced his produce from local farmers before it was trendy and still does to this day. He sought out top quality products for the menu which then as now is a cut above the usual pub fare, made from scratch in house by 3 red seal chefs. Joe’s instincts proved correct and the restaurant was a success from day one. He has managed to create a place that can be a family destination and also a busy bar. Many customers relate it is their child’s favourite, and others that it is their senior parent’s choice. Many senior customers are regular daily customers. One time, when a senior customer missed a couple days, an
employee who knew his address from daily chatting with him, walked to his house to check up and called 911 when she heard moaning. He had fallen and broken his hip, and because of that he recovered. For the regulars at the West Town a key feature is the friendly and loyal serving staff, including many with between ten and 25 years. In one case, a mother and daughter have both worked there. The West Town has hosted many notable celebrities ranging from Dan Lanois, Doug Gilmour, many generations of Tiger Cats, and many local musicians like Tomi Swick, Gord Lewis, and Harrison Kennedy to name a few. Now as the West Town enters its 26th year, plans are underway to renovate the well-worn kitchen and restrooms, to further accommodate the thousands of patrons who pass through its doors each week. Commenting on the volume of business, Brandon Stanicak, Joe’s son and current West Town manager says, “the brass push plate on the door was getting worn out, and when the locksmith came to replace it he told me he had never seen a door plate wear out before.” That’s the West Town. n
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brandon stanicak
a life in hospitality B
randon Stanicak says he was born into the hospitality business. His father and grandfather owned and operated The Park House Hotel at King and Locke and the family lived upstairs. His father went on to open three more restaurant/bar businesses, worked as a liquor sales rep and then a beer rep and then opened The West Town. With this role model, it seemed inevitable the path Brandon’s career would take. Brandon earned an Economics degree at McMaster University, where he was on the varsity swim team and the water polo team. A good athlete (like his father). While a student at Mac he started his first entrepreneurial venture, The Thirsty Camel, in West Hamilton, a combination of pizza bar/ laundromat to meet the needs of hungry, thirsty students with no laundry facilities. He then worked as a bartender at two of the busiest bars in the city at the time, Fever in the basement of the Right House and Billy Bob’s on Rifle Range Road. He and a partner established Elixir, a successful bar in Hess Village. Then as his father had, he became a liquor rep and then a wine rep. Throughout he maintained involvement in The West Town. As it grew from 9 employees at the start to fifty odd today, and the restaurant business became more technology/computer based, Dad needed his help more and
it became his full-time occupation. His fathers influence and his own experience created good instincts for the business. As West Town heads into its 26th year they are getting ready for some renovations to replace well worn facilities. The restaurant continues to be a destination morning, noon and night, 7 days a week, 364 days a year. Joe loves his customers and continues to greet them, while with a second-generation management emerging Brandon welcomes his wide circle of friends and acquaintances to the establishment, including many fellow young entrepreneurs and professionals that are making their mark on the Hamilton business scene. On the longevity of the West Town, which is now serving second and third generations of loyal customers, Brandon is philosophical about its success. “Most restaurants/ bars have to reinvent themselves every two or three years or they are out of business. But at the West Town, having created the relaxed feel of home, which never goes out of style, is our secret to success.” n
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alyssa lai: focused on
communication and leadership Imagine how it would feel for an 18-year old Malaysian girl to board a 24 hour flight on her own to settle in Hamilton to get a Canadian education.
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hat was Alyssa Lai in 2008. She had set her sights on getting a degree in Canada and prior to leaving Malaysia she enrolled in a Canadian PreMatriculation program to obtain her Grade 12. The instructor was a Mac graduate and even though Alyssa was accepted by several Canadian Universities she selected Hamilton and Mac. Four years later she graduated from the Communications program having also studied history and theatre arts. Alyssa is grateful for the opportunity provided by studying at McMaster. “McMaster shaped my core values. It has been a real privilege to live and work in Hamilton,” says Alyssa. “I took theatre to force me to learn how to work with groups of people in a team setting,” says Alyssa. And working with groups and teams is what Alyssa has been doing ever since. After school like many of her generation it was a series of freelance jobs for Alyssa; including a stint with CBC Hamilton and a job acting as stage manager for a dance troupe. “My goal always was to work in communications in a notfor-profit organization,” Alyssa says. And she realized that ambition staring in 2013 when she worked with the Immigrants Working Centre, Information Hamilton, Hamilton Community Foundation and the Hamilton Children’s Choir. In 2016 Alyssa became Digital Marketing Coordinator for the Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation. Alyssa loves the fact that she can bike to work in 10 minutes, while some of her
friends spend up to three hours a day commuting to work. At the same time Alyssa was pursuing her career she has been active as past chair of the Hamilton HIVE—founded in 2011 with a mandate to serve as a go-to resource and network for emerging leaders and young professionals under 40. HIVE seeks to enhance personal and professional outcomes for young professionals and foster community engagement. And now Alyssa has joined a select group of two dozen young professionals to receive a DiverseCity Fellowship which will provide participants with 100 hours of intense leadership training. “I am interested in leadership as a way of constantly challenging myself,” says Alyssa.. Eventually I would like to see myself in a leadership position where I bring together, through communications, the needs of the organization I represent with the needs of society.” She adds that in her Canadian adventure she was supported and mentored by many people, and now she hopes to pay it forward. n
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laura tedesco:
artisan L
aura Tedesco, creates beautiful things. She is a jewellery designer, who travelled to Florence, the cradle of art and design in Italy, to take courses in her craft. She helped run the family business, Venetian Jewellers—a mainstay of King Street for decades. It was Laura’s dad Dino who started selling imported Italian gold and Jewellery, quickly making the store a favourite with Hamilton’s large Italian population. Laura, who now has her own boutique, Laura Tedesco Jewellery Design on Locke Street, received her diamond grading certificate from the Gemological Institute of America, and won first place in the Diamonds Category in the Canadian Jeweller 2010 Excellence in Design Competition. “When
people ask for something we don’t have in the store, I can custom design it,” says Laura. She also is busy restyling old jewellery that is out of fashion, removing the gemstones and placing them in new, modern settings. Where does she get her inspiration? “I get it from my travels, people, nature and my love of designing pieces with meaning or that tell a story,” Laura says. n
maria musitano: personalized health solutions
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aria Musitano, is a compounding pharmacist who graduated from the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy in Boston, MA. She started her career at Shoppers Drug Mart, before opening her own successful pharmacy, and now joins her brother Patrick to make Concession Medical Pharmacy (CMP) the preeminent place for all health related concerns specializing in compounding medications and functional medicine. Maria’s philosophy is the recognition that each person in the world is unique- their physiology is as singular to them as their fingerprints. Her goal and that of her colleagues is to treat patients as individuals, wherever possible avoiding mass produced medications and focusing instead on unique treatments for a variety of medical issues. This approach to pharmacy
emphasizes the well being of the whole person. CMP strongly believes in a multidisciplinary approach to help our patients live their lives to the fullest. The pharmacy works in conjunction with licensed physicians, nurse practitioners, naturopaths, chiropractors, osteopaths, and RMTs in order to ensure that the treatments are as effective as possible. They look closely at their patients’ medical histories and review practitioner-prescribed lab test results if necessary. These include saliva and serum testing, as well as hair and nutritional analysis. n
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michael macaluso
driven to success Michael Macaluso admits that as a Thomas More student and later when he studied business at Western, he wasn’t exactly a “car guy,” but he is now.
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ichael is now the president of the entire Carstar North American operation with over 400 locations across the continent. Michael’s introduction to the world of business began when, as a student he worked weekend and summers at Carmen’s, owned by Peter Mercanti. After graduation he was hired full time at Carmen’s. Within a couple of years, Sam Mercanti, Peter’s brother and owner of the collision repair giant, Carstar, approached Michael to join him in marketing. From there Michael quickly rose through the ranks. In February of 2016 Driven Brands, of Charlotte North Carolina, purchased Carstar and invited Michael to head up the North American operation—a remarkable achievement for a young professional in just eight years. Michael sees a bright future for the collision repair business despite the trend towards collision avoidance technology and driverless cars. “Collisions will probably decrease by about four percent but because of all of the sensors and cameras built into vehicles, the repairs will be more costly,” he predicts. One of the big challenges for the business is attracting skilled workers. “It’s a skill-based trade like plumbing or electrical. Candidates have to go through school to obtain their apprenticeship and get licensed. It’s a very high skilled labour force and these people can make a very good living from a young age.”
What perhaps separates young entrepreneurs like Michael Macaluso from an earlier generation of business leaders is their focus on achieving balance and in community engagement. “It’s balance with our families, balance with our personal time, its exercise, its having the right rest so we can clear our minds on weekends, and part of that balance is connecting with the community which in my opinion means a giving back in causes you believe in. It’s not just money—it’s serving on a board, for instance. That’s something we believe in at Carstar and Driven Brands.” In keeping with that philosophy Michael serves on several boards—the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce, Fesitalia, and the company’s designated Hamilton charity—St. Joseph’s Hospital. “That’s one way I can give back. I was born there, my kids were born there, generations of my family have been served at St Jos,” says Michael. “I think it is important that a business or an individual gives back into something they truly, truly love. n
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hamilton’s next new chapter:
waterfront redevelopment What may seem like an overnight opportunity to the casual observer has been in the making for 30 years—the redevelopment of Hamilton’s Waterfront. Photos by Carole and Roy Timm Photography
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tarting with the development of Bayfront Park and Pier 4 Parks in the 1980’s, and the associated trails and recreational amenities that came later; Hamilton has been on a steady trajectory of bringing the people and the waterfront together. The next big advance will be the redevelopment of Pier 8, as a mixed use residential, recreational and commercial site, housing 1,600 families. In developing this last major waterfront opportunity from Oshawa to Niagara on Hamilton’s waterfront, the City is taking an innovative approach in securing a development partner. It is called a “partner first,” rather than a “transaction first” approach;
meaning it is looking for a quality development partner who can prove their capability, financial capacity, and willingness to work with the City over the long term to make the vision a reality. What is that vision? Hamilton looked at existing waterfront developments in the GTAH over the years and determined that the Hamilton development must be “rightsized” for what is an existing and sought after residential and recreational district. The City’s vision for Pier 8 is for a mostly residential community of up to 1,600 units housed in mid-rise buildings ranging in heights from 3 to 8 storeys, with retail and commercial space on the street-facing
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Northeast view
Aerial view West view
ground floors. One of the most impressive place-making features at Pier 8 will be a 30-metre-wide public promenade on the water’s edge, and connects with the existing waterfront trail system that extends to Coote’s Paradise and Princess Point. The city has already invested $60 Million in remediation and servicing of the land, demonstrating its commitment to the project, and removing a significant element of risk to the potential developer. The ideal development partner will be one who can bring innovative solutions to the table, who can bring the vision to fruition and who possesses a proven track record of executing complex projects that require patience and creativity and a commitment to excellence over speed. As this development opportunity unfolds, Hamilton will be in the spotlight with its citizens, the development industry and other municipalities who will be eagerly watching to see how Hamilton achieves its ambitious plan. It will showcase Hamilton to investors who might not have otherwise known about the city’s potential and could stimulate further investment opportunities in the city. One objective arising from this exciting Pier 8 development project is for the City of Hamilton to earn a reputation as an innovative, fair-dealing municipality that strikes a creative balance between protecting the public interest while working cooperatively with the private sector. “We’re now at that critical stage that will result in the transformation of the area,” says Chris Phillips, the project head, “It will be the ability to partner with the private sector for their expertise, vision and innovation that will help the city fulfil its long-standing vision for the waterfront.” n
The Project by the numbers 5.44 Ha of development on 9 development blocks 124,000 sq.m. floor area 1260-1600 residential units 13,000 sq.m. leasable commercial and institutional space 1400 parking spaces $600-$700 Million in residential sales $15-$22 Million commercial space
walters group:
Canadian Museum for Human Rights, Winnipeg
tackling the hard-to-do for over 60 years It has been 60 years since Walter Koppelaar Sr., started a small ornamental ironworks and welding shop in a 24 x 30 feet shop in Hamilton.
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ince then, Walters Group has grown to become an organization of vertically integrated businesses employing more than 600, which has designed, fabricated and erected some of the most complex steelwork projects in every sector across North America. One thing that has remained constant from those early beginnings is a pride in taking on complicated, challenging projects. The vision might be for an architecturally complex building or an industrial mining headframe, but the approach will remain the same: a deep collaboration with clients, taking on their vision and helping them turn that vision into reality. The handiwork of Walters can be seen across the continent. Whether it is Tim
Tim Horton’s Field Hamilton
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Horton Field in hometown Hamilton, The Canadian Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg, the BHP Jansen Potash Mine in Saskatchewan, with the world’s tallest potash head frames, the 60 Story Brookfield Place tower in Calgary, or a massive high rise tower project in Manhattan’s West side, Walters Group brings to bear creativity and imagination to solve the problems and turn every project into a “can do.” Clients come to Walters with complex plans for buildings that make a statement, that become landmarks, that push the envelope of what people think is possible. Or plans for industrial projects that break the mould for traditional design and build. Walters starts by determining whether the project is even doable. And if it turns out it’s impossible, Walters’ next step is to find a way to make it possible. Nothing lights a fire under the talented people at Walters Group like someone saying, “It can’t be done.” The key to Walters’ success is its talented workforce. Walters Group is a family-owned business and it views its employees as members of the Walters family. The company fosters a collaborative environment—letting people’s talent shine. From the detail engineer, to the fabricator on the shop floor, to the ironworker in the field everyone is encouraged to feel a sense of ownership at every stage of the project. Deloitte Canada has named Walters Group one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies in 2015 for excellence in business performance. The Best Managed program recognizes Canadian-owned and managed companies with revenues over $10 million who demonstrate strategy, capability and commitment to achieve sustainable growth. With its international reach and reputation one might ask why Walters Group remains firmly loyal to Hamilton, where it just invested in an expansion of its facilities. The answer for CEO and Chairman Walter Koppelaar is simple, “Hamilton is our hometown, it has a great workforce, proximity to major Ontario and North East US markets and it’s a great area to live. We’ve been here for 60 years and have no intention to leave.” n
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BHO Jansen Potash mine, Saskatchewan
Brookfield tower on Manhattan’s West Side
CIBC Place, 1 King St. West, Hamilton. Proudly managed by Effort Trust
effort trust
proud to be part of hamilton’s growth for five decades At Effort Trust we are specialists in real estate financing and development, with expertise in mortgages, commercial and residential development, property and asset management. For more information www.efforttrust.ca
Hamilton’s Bayfront Park—a focal point of the revitalization of Hamilton harbour
Price: $12.95