Business Examiner Thompson/Okanagan - November 2018

NOVEMBER 2018

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OKANAGAN Penticton E.B.

Second Pass Forestry Earns Outstanding Business Achievement Recognition

Horsman Office One of Province’s Oldest

BY MARK MACDONALD

Branches

Kamloops Firm Wins at BC Indigenous Business Awards BUSINESS EXAMINER

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INDEX News Update

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Penticton 3 Real Estate

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Kelowna 5 Sales 6 Armstrong 6 TOTA 15 Salmon Arm

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Movers & Shakers

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Green Sheet

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Customer Service

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ANCOUVER – The T hompson a nd Nor t h Ok a n aga n reg ion wa s wel l represented at t he 10 t h A nnual BC Indigenous Business Awards October 15 at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver.

Kamloops-based Second Pass Forestry Ltd. earned an Outsta nd i ng Busi ness Ach ievement award in the Business of the Year category for 1-2 person enterprise, while Painted Rock Aggregates & Contracting LLP in Savona took home an Outsta nd i ng Busi ness Ach ievement award in the Community Owned Business of the Year.

Splatsi n Fi rst Nat ion took home two awards in Community Owned Business of the Year category, (one entity) for Yucwmenlúcwu (Caretakers of the

Land) LLP (one entity) and a Business Achievement Award fo r Q u i l a k wa I nve st m ents , which operates the Quilakwa Stop ‘N’ Shop and Quilakwa RV Park in Enderby.

“The BC Indigenous Business Awards’ program has elevated over 170 outsta nd i ng bu sinesses from th roug hout the province for the past 10 years,” said Scott McIntyre, Foundation Chair. “As we mark this i mpor ta nt decade of excellence and look to the future, the 2018 cohort of awardees lead the way as exa mples of ent repreneu rsh ip, com m itment and extraordinary vision, all of which play a key role in the strength of our provincial economy.”

M em b ers of t he 2018 ju r y panel include Brenda Baptiste, SEE AWARDS | PAGE 6

Tanner LeBourdais and Darcy LeBourdais of Second Pass Forestry, with their hardware from the BC Indigenous Business Awards

Venture Kamloops Launches Start Here 3.0

Opinion 19

New Streamlined Web Service Helps Entrepreneurs Access Crucial Resources

Contact us: 1-866-758-2684

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OUR 12TH YEAR

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A M L O O P S - Ve n t u r e Kamloops has partnered with Community Futures Thompson Country and Open Door Group to create a new, streamlined way for entrepreneurs to get the help they need.

“We have revamped our intake portal, Start Here, calli ng it Sta r t Here 3.0,” says Venture Kamloops Executive Director Jim Anderson. “We’ve rebranded, because we’re now

connecting these potential clients to two additional partner organizations through the same service.”

Venture Kamloops officially launched the new service on November 7, wh ich ut i l i zes a checklist to best determine which of the three organizations can help a client in the most comprehensive way. “ We h a v e a l w a y s w o rk e d closely with these organizations, but to work this closely on a project of this type made us realize how diverse each of our

services are,” says Anderson.

“If you throw out the term employment or self-employment services, it may seem like each orga n i zation does the sa me thing, but it’s very clear that we each provide a unique set of services that complement each other very well.”

Community Futures Thomps o n C o u n t r y ’s f o c u s i s o n providing entrepreneurs and business owners access to complimentary business resources, professional business counselling, start-up loan assistance,

job placement, tra i n i ng a nd more.

Open Door Group provides tailored employment services to individuals and businesses, and Venture Kamloops is the economic development organization for the City of Kamloops, endeavouring to give every local business the best chance to succeed and create economic growth in the region.

“We’ve been discussing plans for this service for some time SEE VENTURE KAMLOOPS | PAGE 15

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NOVEMBER 2018

KAMLOOPS McClelland Leaves Chamber After Nearly Two Decades

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Deb McClelland announced her resignation from her current role as Executive Director of the Kamloops Chamber of Commerce after 19 years with the organization, effective December 31.

Joshua Knaak, President of the Chamber’s board of directors states: “Whenever Kamloops Chamber of Commerce board directors attend events outside of Kamloops, we are quickly reminded of the impact that Deb has made to the Chamber network and business community across the country. The work that she has done in developing a strong and steady Chamber in Kamloops has been duplicated in so many communities through the work she has done as a provincial and national leader, mentor and guide.�

While the board will feel the loss to the Kamloops Chamber, they are confident that, with the team that Deb has assembled, the chamber will continue to serve the needs of our members through this time of transition.

Thanks to Deb’s guidance and leadership, the Kamloops Chamber of Commerce is in a strong position to move forward in the search for a new Executive Director.

Moving forward, Deb’s impact will further expand as she continues to pursue the entrepreneurial ventures she has developed and grown over the past several years. “This has actually been in the works for about five years, understanding that we needed to pick the right moment, but we’ve really been building the chamber to a certain level and I wanted to make sure that we were really strong so that when I did step down things would be in place to keep things ticking along,� McClelland tells CFJC Today. “I’m also planning to go into business for myself, I’ve been doing that for about five years just building that, developing it to the point where now I feel I can go out on my own onto that.� “I train boards of directors across the country, I also train chamber managers on their role a nd how to develop their role, their boards, their teams, and elevate their chamber and their community, so between that and training boards of directors with their governance model — it’s keeping me very busy.�

January 24th and 25th, 2019 - 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

PENTICTON XCO Tech Secures Government Funding For New Sport Performance Training Products On November 14, the Federal Government announced that it will p r o v i d e $ 8 0 0, 0 0 0 of funding from the Western Innovation (WINN) initiative to Penticton-based XCO

Tech Inc. XCO Tech Inc. is developing breakthrough products for sport performance training and concussion assessment using its proprietary technology that provides insightful digital biomarkers to better guide training, rehabilitation and treatment.

In Penticton, the Honourable Harjit Singh Sajjan, Minister of National Defence made the announcement on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development. Minister Sajjan said the $800,000 in funding will help XCO commercialize its proprietary wearable XPS TM and BioAnalytics TM technologies to deliver an innovative sport performance training and rehabilitation product together with a comprehensive concussion assessment system.

XCO’s products are enabled by the company’s technology platform, which fuse motion tracking outcome measures with biometrics and cognitive digital biomarkers to provide objective insight into human performance and health. Minister Sajjan also said these solutions will enhance the performance of athletes in professional and amateur sports, as well as aid in the treatment and rehabilitation of concussed and injured individuals.

Scott McMillan, CEO of XCO, says the WINN funding complements the financial support from other government programs and from the Company’s private investors.

The funding will accelerate the Company’s testing and manufacturing of the sport performance and concussion products and as a result, XCO is on track to achieve its goals of commercial market introduction in 2019. “The WINN funding by the federal government is a vote of confidence in our vision to help every athlete achieve breakthrough performance, improve safety in sports and have a real impact on patients’ health by using objective data to accurately assess those individuals,� says McMillan.

KELOWNA Refresh Financial Hits #23 on Deloitte’s Technology Fast 50 Companies in Canada For the second consecutive year, the Deloitte Technology Fast 50 named Kelowna-based Refresh Financial as one of its Fast 50.

The Fast 50 program honours 50 Canadian technology companies with the highest revenue-growth percentage over the past four years. Refresh Financial ranked #23 with a 934 percent revenue growth from 2014 to 2017.

Refresh Financial’s CEO Michael Wendland credits the company’s growth to its revolutionary, first-to-market product and tech-enabled high-touch client experience. “Being named as one of the fastest growing technology companies in Canada for the second consecutive year affirms our company’s focus and dedication to helping improve the financial well-being of Canadians from coast-to-coast,� he says. “We are excited and honoured to be recognized, and we look forward to continuing to scale our brand and service philosophy by using technology to create unique and exclusive experiences for the underserved financial services segment in Canada.�

The Deloitte Technology Fast 50 program winners are made up of public and private SEE NEWS UPDATE |  PAGE 3

NEWS UPDATE

NOVEMBER 2018

NEWS UPDATE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

companies in the technology sector that share common traits and strengths and have transformed the industry. Celebrating its 21st anniversary this year, the program augments the broader Deloitte North American Technology Fast 500 initiative with winners automatically eligible for this elite ranking.

“New technologies have disrupted various industries in ways that were unimaginable a few years ago,” said Erica Pretorius, Partner and National Leader for the Technology Fast 50 program at Deloitte Canada. “Fast 50 winners have led the way and I can’t wait to see where they take us next.”

SHUSWAP Okanagan College Collaborates With Two Shuswap Companies for Research Initiative Okanagan College is collaborating with HighCroft Farm and The Handmade Shop, two Shuswap area companies, in a new federally-funded research project.

O v e r t h e n e x t t wo y e a rs , $200,000 of grant money will support research into means to reduce heating costs for greenhouses in cool climates, in order to allow them to operate economically longer or year-round (in partnership with Karen Dow, The Handmade Shop); research

into development for year-round greenhouses using low grade geothermal temperature control systems, either on grid or off grid (in partnership with Ernest Moniz, HighCroft Farm, Sorrento); and developing an automated control system for indoor vertical hydroponic farming (in partnership with Karen Dow, The Handmade Shop).

Okanagan College personnel involved in the Shuswap research include resea rcher Dr. Peter Janele and David Williams, who teaches in the Electronic Engineering Technology program.

“Local food security and a minimized carbon footprint is essential to resilient sustainability.” says Moniz. “Securing federal support and being able to work with an Okanagan College researcher and students to find ways to develop and operate geo-thermal yearround greenhouses is an exciting and valuable step in the right direction. We look forward to being part of creating low cost and small carbon footprint year-round food supplies for local communities in all areas of Canada.”

“Part of the challenge in operating a hydroponic farm is to manage the systems involved in the most efficient manner possible. The project we’re engaging in with Okanagan College researchers and students will help us develop an automated control system that ensures optimal air and water management for an indoor farm that is going to grow tomatoes, strawberries and

lettuce commercially. Being able to tap into the College expertise with support through this grant is a real benefit for us.”

“This is research that demonstrates how Okanagan College can bring expertise and knowledge – and federal support – to bear on real world challenges and opportunities that will benefit business and impact the economic health of our region,” says Okanagan College President Jim Hamilton. “I’m pleased this work is focused in the Shuswap and am looking forward to seeing what the results are. Important to us is the fact there are OC students involved, bolstering their education with research experience.”

The projects are projected to be complete within two years.

COQUIHALLA New Rules for Commercial Vehicles on Coquihalla The Ministry of Transportation announced the No Trucks in the Left Lane program for the Coquihalla, which is now in effect on the Snowshed Hill between Box Canyon and Zopkios.

It will restrict commercial vehicles from using the far left lane on this stretch of highway, with other Interior routes potentially to follow suit.

The Ministry says that they are starting with this portion of the Coquihalla because it is heavily relied on by both passenger and commercial vehicles as a

A YEAR OF CHANGE

PENTICTON KIM KIRKHAM

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s 2018 rapidly comes to a close, and the hol iday shoppi ng season quickly ramps up, it’s a good time to look back on a year of change, and look forward to a year of growth and innovation in the South Okanagan.

It was a year of legislative change. We all waited for the day that cannabis regulations came into force across the country, perhaps watching the morning news to see what would happen when our province’s first legal store opened in Kamloops, or keeping an eye on investment opportunities, or maybe you started to plan for business growth (no pun intended), in this new reality.

It’s safe to say that many

questions still remain. But with any change this monumental, there are opportunities, and taking advantage of this requires thoughtful planning, consultation, and education on what can, and can’t be done. So, in 2019, look to your business associations to help provide information.

Municipal elections brought change as well, as many cities, regional districts, school boards, and other branches of local government welcomed new faces around the table, or welcomed back those who have prev iously served thei r com mu n ities a nd constituents. As the year comes to a close, many of our local elected officials are just getting settled into their roles, and as the new year approaches, the call for committee volunteers, advisory councils, and public input will begin.

We’re all in this together, and can look ahead to enhancing our collective vision to build innovative ideas and economies as a team. In 2019, consider lending some of your time and expertise to an association, board, charity, or event.

And, speaking of support, a reminder this holiday season to support our local businesses. As you may see on social media, #shoplocal or #buylocal. When you buy a gift from or use the services of a local business, you’re actively contributing to our local economy by keeping your dollars in your community.

We h ave g re at stores throughout our city and reg ion, wonderf u l service providers, and excellent business leaders. As we close out the year, the Penticton & Wine Country Chamber of Commerce wants to once again thank our diverse business community for choosing Penticton for your business, and as your home.

Enjoy the holiday season, and join us in the anticipation and excitement for a prosperous year to come, undoubtedly bringing more change and challenges we can tackle together.

Kim Kirkham is Executive Director at the Penticton & Wine Country Chamber of Commerce. She can be reached at 778-476-3111 ext.

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connection between the BC Interior and Lower Mainland.

With snowfall rates sometimes exceeding 10 centimetres an hour and often coming down heavy and wet in the area, it can create tough road conditions for these large trucks.

“Over the past couple of winter seasons, commercial vehicles on the Coquihalla have been spinning out in climbing sections more frequently during storms,” said a release from the Ministry. “In fact, last winter, 33 of 35 extended closures on the Coquihalla during last winter involved commercial vehicles.

“At times this meant commercial vehicles were blocking the highway until they could either be towed away, or equipped with chains (which they should have already had on their vehicles).”

The No Trucks in the Left Lane program aims to maintain better traffic flow, especially for plows and emergency vehicles, and reduce the time it takes to reestablish the normal traffic flow following an incident or closure.

OKANAGAN OK College Student Team Gives Winning Pitch A team of students from Okanagan College School of Business took home the top prize for the Winning Pitch competition at the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) Summit on November 14.

3 The Winning Pitch, organized and presented by go2HR, BC’s tourism human resource association, is a post-secondary student case competition. This year, student teams had to develop a new product or service that supports the development of accessible tourism opportunities in the Thompson Okanagan region.

Four teams from Thompson Rivers University and Okanagan College had 10 minutes each to present their high-level business concept to an industry judging panel, consisting of: The Okanagan College team, made up of students Bryan Cresswell, Celina Matte, Emily Pilon, and Zackery Plaxton, took home first place with their proposal of “AccessFest”.

“They hit the mark on something that we have been wanting to do in our region,” said judge Sonja Gaudet. Another judge, Diana Stirling, commented that the winning team’s “approach was innovative, the idea is applicable, and there are scalability opportunities.”

The winning team will represent the region at the provincial finals, which will take place at the 2019 BC Tourism Industry Conference in Vancouver. The Winning Pitch competition is sponsored by Partners in Tourism Society and Destination British Columbia. The Thompson Okanagan regional competition is supported by the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association.

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NOVEMBER 2018

Residential Sales Volume Rises, Average Price Dips OMREB September Housing Report

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ELOW NA - Residential sales posted to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS®) for the Peachland to Revelstoke region rose to 639 in October, 9 per cent over September, but 13 per cent fewer than this time last year reports the Okanagan Mainline Real Estate Board (OMREB).

“Interestingly, more homes sold in less time than September but the average price was 5 per cent less than September and 4 per cent less than this time last year,” comments OMREB President Marv Beer, cautioning not to take too much stock in the price drop just yet, as the mix of properties sold in the month may be a factor.

New listings continued to climb along with the inventory of available housing, with 14 per cent more listings than this time last year contributing to an inventory of homes that is now 33 per cent higher than October of 2017. The average number of days it took to sell a home dipped slightly to 81 from September’s 90 days and last October’s 83 days.

“Growing housing supply is a strong indicator of continued movement towards a balanced market where sellers and buyers are favoured more equally,” says Beer, noting that more supply offers benefits for prospective buyers, those looking to rent and even those considering selling.

“While a market where there are fewer homes for sale to a larger pool of buyers, a description that has applied to our market for several years, can be attractive for those considering listing, it can also pose challenges for those same sellers when they look to find new homes at prices they can afford.”

Even within a local real estate market, conditions can differ within sub-regions or housing types. Buyers and sellers are encouraged to consult a local real estate professional to ensure they have comprehensive data and professional analysis and interpretation of that data to inform their decision making.

“It’ll be even more interesting to see what next month brings, as the Bank of Canada followed through with another interest rate hike in October and the BC government tabled their speculation tax,” comments Beer, noting adjustments made which, if the tax is voted in, will mean Canadians residing within and outside of BC will pay a lower rate than previously outlined.

Looking at buyers of homes in the region, it’s worth noting that foreign and out of province buyers continue to be a small percentage of the buying population.

“It’s su rprisi ng how ma ny people are convinced the speculation tax is needed in Kelowna

“While a market where there are fewer homes for sale to a larger pool of buyers, a description that has applied to our market for several years, can be attractive for those considering listing, it can also pose challenges for those same sellers when they look to find new homes at prices they can afford.”

MARV BEER PRESIDENT OF THE OKANAGAN MAINLINE REAL ESTATE BOARD

and West Kelowna to curb foreign and out of province buyers. While this may be the case elsewhere, I can tell you that for the eight years OMREB has been tracking buyer data, foreign buyers have remained 1-3 per cent of our buying population, buyers from Alberta at 11-12 per cent and buyers from elsewhere in Canada less than 1 per cent.”

The largest buyer group, by far, continues to be those who already live here at about 55-60 per cent any given month, followed by those who live elsewhere in BC. Also likely different than what people generally assume, firsttime buyers are a strong buying group that vies for first place with buyers looking to move up and those relocating to a similar property type. Two-parent families with children generally head the buyer group, followed by couples without children and empty nesters or retired.

For detailed statistics, by zone, visit www.omreb.com.

KELOWNA

NOVEMBER 2018

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APPROACHING THE FINISH LINE OF 2018

KELOWNA CARMEN SPARG

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ovember unfolds in the m id st of a nu mber of policy and advocacy issues, alongside celebrating our newest Business Excellence Awards winners for 2018. At this point in the year, it’s a sprint to the finish on New Year’s Eve, so let’s get started.

O u r “B u si ness E xcel lence Awards” Gala played to a packed house of over 350 at the Delta Grand on October 24. We had the distinct pleasure of honouring eleven outstanding businesses, plus our “2018 Business Person of the Year”, Dale Wentworth of Wentworth Music. All the winners can be seen on the Chamber’s YouTube channel, plus videos showing the Winners and Semi-Finalists at work.

It was another remarkable year, our 31st annual awards, with more Nominees than ever (323), a ton of Semi-Finalists (109), 33 Finalists, and our eventual 11 winners.

Huge thanks to our independent judging panel who traveled to all the businesses, interviewing staff and reading reams of applications.

All a very worthwhile venture; and thanks to BDC and Farris Vaughan Wills & Murphy as our Presenting Sponsors. Can’t wait until 2019!

I can’t remember a busier election/government policy cycle than this fall. With municipal elections earlier on the calendar, we spent copious amounts of time sending questions to mayoral and councillor candidates, hosting responses on our website, live-hosting a lunchtime mayoral debate (240 avid listeners, lots of media), and meeting and greeting what seemed to be a non-stop cavalcade of candidates, supporters, volunteers and incumbents at Chamber events.

On top of the municipal exercise in local democracy, of course, we

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began trying to unravel the Proportional Representation issue for our members. No experts ourselves, we called on the two sides in the provincial debate: the “No BC Proportional Representation” represented by Bill Tieleman, and the “Vote PR BC” campaign, headed by Maria Dobrinskaya. Both traveled to Kelowna to make their cases, again in front of a luncheon crowd which posed a series of increasingly lively questions as the event unfolded.

The Chamber is officially neutral on the “Yes/No” question. What we’re not neutral on is the process being employed by the government. We tabled a resolution at the BC Chamber AGM in May calling on the province to stop the current “process” and instead call together a Citizens’ Assembly which is nonpartisan. November 30 will tell us the outcome of this third votingstyle referendum in a few short years. Primarily, the Chamber is extremely concerned about the lack of information on what is being proposed and what the likely outcome of each option would be.

The Speculation Tax roared back to life in October, as well: first as tabled legislation October 16, then less than 48 hours later, it sported three Green-led amendments, which would allow the combined votes of the NDP and Greens to allow it to pass. Our Chamber, having tabled a resolution at the May BC Chamber AGM opposing the tax, and seeing that opposition repeated in September resolutions at the UBCM, were disheartened to see the government paying zero attention to municipalities’ requests for delay, economic studies, and opt-in or opt-out clauses for targeted municipalities.

Our economy is already taking a hit here in Kelowna, and it will only worsen once the legislation kicks in. And if Proportional Representation is adopted, we’re concerned that we’ll have an even steeper uphill climb in our efforts to get the government to listen to our local issues, and act responsibly to ensure we can continue to grow and prosper as one of Canada’s fastest growing municipalities.

Our ‘Scrap the Speculation Tax’ coalition is once again active on the issue.

Speaking of views from elected officials – and I’ve spoken of little

Visit

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else in this column – we’ll hear the info straight from the MLAs themselves at our last Chamber luncheon of 2018 on December 5.

Our three elected area MLAs will give the latest news after the House rises for the holiday November 29: Ben Stewart, Kelowna West; Steve Thomson, Kelowna-Mission; and Norm Letnick, Kelowna-Lake Country. All three previously held Cabinet positions in Victoria; currently, Stewart is Official Opposition Co-Critic for Citizens’ Services and Trade. Thomson is Official Opposition Co-Critic for Citizens’ Services and Trade,

and, sits on the Select Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs.

Letnick is the Official Opposition Health Critic.

By the time our MLA luncheon opens we will know the results of the Prop Rep referendum; our new Mayor and Council in Kelowna, nearly the same as previously led

by Mayor Colin Basran will have been sworn in (their first meeting is November 5 in a local theatre); other provincial legislation will have been passed, and more tabled; and we’ll all be getting ready for the January 1 implementation date of new policies, new taxes,

and new requirements across the board for local businesses, including the highly unpopular Employee Health Tax. And, a big welcome to our newest members since our last column: NLA Immigration Services; Fred Welsh Ltd.; Old Pros for Hire.com; Dr. Darren Hatchard Optometric Corp.; G.W. Industries 1984; FocalPoint Financial Group Inc.; Hub International; Vacation At Big White Mountain. Welcome all!

Carmen Sparg is President of Kelowna Chamber of Commerce

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NOVEMBER 2018

Second Pass Forestry Earns Outstanding Business Achievement Recognition “The BC Indigenous Business Awards’ program has

AWARDS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Louis de Jaeger, Laurie Sterritt and Laara Yaghujaanas.

Brothers Darcy and Tanner LeBourdais guide Second Pass Forestry Ltd., a First Nationowned natural resource consulting company specializing in capacity building and training, timber development and wildland fire suppression.

“We a re com m itted to becoming well rounded in many a spects of n atu ra l resou rce management with an emphasis on delivering a safe, efficient and quality product that our clients expect,” the company we b s ite s t ate s. “ We wo u ld like to keep as diverse as possible moving into the future of natural resource management while maintaining the focus on balancing economic, social, env i ron menta l a nd cu ltu ra l values.”

Their objective is to continually increase their involvement w ith i n Fi rst Nations tenu re management and to work with a nd t ra i n some of t he lo c a l community members within the southern interior.

Splatsin First Nation Chief Wayne Christian was busy during the evening, receiving two awards.

elevated over 170 outstanding businesses from throughout the province for the past 10 years. As we mark this important decade of excellence and look to the future, the 2018 cohort of awardees lead the way as examples of entrepreneurship, commitment and extraordinary vision, all of which play a key role in the strength of our provincial economy.”

SCOTT MCINTYRE FOUNDATION CHAIR

Splatsin Nation Chief Wayne Christian received two awards during the evening Splatsi n’s Yucw men lúcw u Caretakers of the Land) LLP is a cu ltu ra l a nd natu ra l resource management company that provides a complete range of environmental, archaeology, and forestry services. “ Yucw men lúcw u mea n s ‘Caretakers of the Land,’ and that’s the foundation of our approach,” the Nation’s website

states.

“With our people’s culture a nd con nect ion to t he l a nd guiding us, we balance conservation a nd econom ic development through innovative and practical solutions.

“We are committed to worki ng w ith ou r pa rtners a nd clients in the early stages of projects to ensure an adaptive

MANAGE BEHAVIOUR NOT RESULTS

SALES JOHN GLENNON

C

reate a cookbook or a recipe for success.

You know, many sales leaders and sales managers, they manage numbers, not behaviour. Think about that for a second. How many of us are knee deep into spreadsheets every single day? We can tell you who’s on track, who’s not, we make sure that we tell everyone on our team what their quota is.

They push back on quotas like every other salesperson does. There’s no way I can hit that number. The other thing that’s missing is they don’t know how to get that number.

They don’t know what to do in order to hit this $10 million quota. They have no idea. It’s frightening for them.

We tend to spend a lot of time managing the end result. Here’s a rule that I want you to think about; people

can’t manage anything they can’t control. Think about that for a second. People can’t manage anything they can’t control. As a sales person, you can’t control yes’s and no’s, you can’t control what the competitions is, going to do, you can’t control what the markets are going to do, you can’t control interest rates. Out of your control.

What you can control is your behaviour.

Here are some things that you need to do as a sales leader. Number one. Convert your quota into a behavioural plan; what we call a recipe for success or a cookbook.

That is all the things that they should do on a daily, weekly and monthly basis that they can control in order to hit that number, to be successful.

What that does, it takes this ambiguous, hard to get quota, and turns it into something that I can do every single day.

I am accountable. I have this culture of accountability, responsibility. I can control my destiny. Most people know the what, it’s the quota, they don’t know the how. That’s what the cookbook is.

In addition to creating the road map, it’s good for your psyche. Why? Because once sales people understand what

it takes every day; and I did that today. Let’s say that I sent out ten introductory letters on LinkedIn. I did two of this and three of that.

I didn’t make a sale, but I did my daily behaviours, that mathematically as they reengineered or reverse engineered my sales process, I’ll hit my number. If I did that today, I get to celebrate that.

I say, “I did my behaviour,” and that’s great because you know what? Sales, we lose more than we win. I mean our self-esteem is getting pounded daily, so a cookbook is great for the road map and it’s great for the psyche.

The bottom line is, create a cookbook for both your sales people and you, as a sales leader and watch your numbers jump through the roof.

Copyright 2018 Sandler Training and Insight Sales Consulting Inc. All rights reserved.

John Glennon is the owner of Insight Sales Consulting Inc, the authorized Sandler Training Licensee for the Interior of British Columbia. He can be reached at jglennon@sandler. com, toll free at 1-866-6452047 or visit www.glennon. sandler.com

approach. With a highly skilled team of professionals and certified technicians, as well as a number of industry-leading f i r ms as pa r t ners, we m a nage and deliver government, i ndust r y a nd pr ivate sector projects from concept to completion with the highest level of standards at every stage.

“We see ourselves as partners

in resource management and sustainable development w ith our many partners and clients.“ T he Business Achievement Award went to Quilakwa Investments, the Nation’s economic development arm, which operates the gas station/conven ience store, a nd recreational vehicle park in Enderby.

CHAMBER AGM, GROWING BUSINESSES AND NEW MILESTONES

ARMSTRONG PATTI NOONAN

T

he Chamber AGM & Dinner will be held November 21st at Fairways Bistro at $30 per person. The event will include dinner, networking, guest speakers, and annual reports to be presented.

Save the date! The annual Chamber Christmas Social Wednesday will be held December 12 at the Armstrong Spallumcheen Museum & Art Gallery. Tickets at $5 per person, and the event will feature food, a no-host bar, door prizes, and networking all in the beautiful setting provided by the 6th Annual Festival of Trees event.

Congratulations to Pat & Debbe Nelson of Nelson’s Glass. They are celebrating 25 years of business in our community. At Nelson’s

Glass, they provide professional installation and repair of residential, commercial and automotive glass as well as 24-hour emergency service when the glass at your home or business requires urgent repa i rs. T hey a re f u l ly equ ipped to ha nd le a l l glass repair and replacement needs promptly and affordably. They have been an important part of our downtown core as well as actively participating in organizations and events.

Congratulations!!!

As a great sign of business expansion and in-fill, we are seeing several businesses relocating to new spaces and revitalizing their current space. Cathie at Grassroots Health Hut has moved into a larger space with more room to accommodate her growing selection of products. Monashee Outdoors is staying in their same location and expanding into the space next door to give them more room for the great selection of footwear, apparel and sporting goods.

Cong ratu lations to both A rmstrong a nd

Spallumcheen Councils who were sworn in over the last couple of weeks. We are pleased to have a good relationship with both councils and look forward to working on some new initiatives that will benefit both business and community.

Congratulations to The Brown Derby Café winner of the People’s Choice in the 6th Annual Cheese!

It’s A Natural Professional Grilled Cheese competition.

The Wild Oak Café won the media choice while Madison Reynolds won the Amateur Grilled Cheese competition. Rhonda Keating won the Cheeseball competition for the second year in a row!

Home for the Holidays is coming quickly! The Downtown Light Up is happening November 30, followed by the downtown shopping event on December 8, complete with wagon rides, Santa and more!

Patti Noonan is the Executive Director at the Armstrong Spallumcheen Chamber of Commerce. She can be reached at (250)546 8155 or manager@aschamber.com

7

NOVEMBER 2018

GOOD LISTENING LEADS TO AWARD WINNING RENOVATION Top Vernon Employer Serves Global Clients

V

ERNON - What Service Q u a l ity Measu rement Group (SQM) does best is listening to the voice of customers, so when the Vernon-based company planned their office renovation, their first step was to listen to the voice of their employees.

Usually they survey the customers of their clients. For this project, they surveyed their employees to learn what their staff saw as the best possible work environment. Their professional expertise in collecting and analyzing survey information underscored the accuracy of their findings.

Survey results were transformed into building plans by Lunde Architect Ltd., which were expertly executed by Heartwood Homes. The resulting space perfectly matched the working style of the employees, approximately half of whom are millennials.

The renovation was also selected for the Best Commercial Construction Award for Renovation at the hotly contested Thompson Okanagan Kootenay commercial building Awards. More than 100 projects were vying for the award.

The judges picked SQM’s “Google-lite” style office, which is located on 31st Avenue in downtown Vernon. Features of the 13,000 square foot office space include a mix of private and open spaces designed to facilitate both collaborative and focused work.

There are meeting and lounge spaces, furnished with leather couches and coffee bars. The three f loors include multiple boardrooms, private coaching rooms, and kitchens with window seating overlooking the city.

Two special features are a rela xation room with massage chairs and soft, adjustable LED lighting which is easy on the eyes and the environment.

Dr. Lara Pow, President of SQM,

“More than 200 companies across 17 categories were nominated, so making the cut to be among the ‘best of the best’ was an honour.”

DR. LARA POW PRESIDENT

said both Lunde Architect and Heartwood Homes captured the company’s vision for its Canadian headquarters. “A huge thank you goes to Heartwood Homes for providing their expertise and dedication to this renovation project, and Lunde Architect for the design, of which we are now proud to call our new Canadian headquarters,” Pow said.

The high tech design is a perfect fit for this technologically advanced, modern company that helps an international roster of companies track and improve the customer experiences of their clients. Established in 1996, the compa ny is a h idden gem i n Vernon.

Many SQM clients are Fortune 500 companies and household names. The company could outsource its first-tier support – as many competitors do – but SQM rejected that option. SQM prefers to provide approximately 70 good jobs in Vernon, ranging from entry-level to doctoratelevel skilled positions.

“This gives our clients higher quality results and supports our community,” Pow said. SQM offers employees room to grow, competitive salaries, and benefit packages. As a result, employee

The renovated Canadian headquarters for Service Quality Measurement Group is on 31st Avenue in Vernon. The company is one of the city’s top employers

President Dr. Lara Pow with the Best Commercial Construction award earned by Vernon’s Service Quality Measurement Group (SQM) satisfaction at the compa ny measures in the top five percent.

T he employees help cl ient companies maintain better relations with their customers by conducting follow-up surveys that measure customer experience. Using SQM’s proprietary technology, they take survey research a step further by analyzing

Proud to support Thompson Okanagan businesses like SQM Group. grantthornton.ca

feedback to consult companies on how to improve their processes. The goal is to improve customer experience by ensuring customer’s contacts are resolved and no customer leaves a contact unhappy.

In a highly competitive market, where customers can defect to a competing brand in a

split-second, maintaining a positive customer experience is key to holding market share.

SQM helps leading companies improve their customer service through analytical research of survey results and recognizes those companies through SQM’s annual customer experience awards program.

SQM is also earning recognition for its excellence as a business and employer in the Thompson Okanagan region. The company was chosen as one of 80 finalists for this year’s Thompson Okanagan Business Excellence Awards.

“More than 200 companies across 17 categories were nominated, so making the cut to be among the ‘best of the best’ was an honour”, Pow said. Her company straddles both the local, small-town market as one of the largest employers in town while drawing a global clientele. “We are worldly in our client base and locally focused in our growth and support of the community,” she explained. The result is good jobs in the small town of Vernon achieved by serving the global market.

We are proud to congratulate SQM Group on more than 20 years of success!

It's an honour to work with Lara, and her team of professional and skilled workers that make SQM Group the reputable and successful business it is.

128 Ravine Dr, Coldstream, BC V1B 4C9

Clean and modern, the lobby for SQM reflects this high tech business

© 2018 Grant Thornton LLP. A Canadian Member of Grant Thornton International Ltd. All rights reserved.

250-542-0098

heartwoodvernon.com

8

NOVEMBER 2018

CONSTRUCTION Kitimat, Continued Labour Shortages, Community Benefits Agreement BC Construction Industry Experiences Major Victories and Challenges Throughout 2018

BY ROBERT MACDONALD

T

he success of the construction sector has an enormous bearing on the welfare of the entire province.

Contributing about 8.6 per cent of the province’s GDP and employing over 251,000 residents in over 24,000 companies, the industry has a ripple effect on almost every other sector in BC. Projections and statistics prov ided by BuildForce Canada indicate that BC’s construction growth has begun to slow, but will soon experience an almost unprecedented boom in early 2019 as several major projects get underway.

This expected growth is largely thanks to proposed LNG facilities, pipelines, and infrastructure projects, especially the upcoming Kitimat export facility. This project will anchor the largest swell in engineering construction requirements in recent history, as several additional major projects are scheduled to start in 2019.

Chris Atchison is president of the British Columbia Construction Association The report showed a record year of construction employment growth throughout 2017, which has also contributed to the industry’s growing labour shortage. Statistics Canada data shows evidence of both record

high job vacancy rates, coupled with low rates of unemployment in the industry.

In the coming years, the report anticipates a decline in

“BC has been given the opportunity of a generation with the announcement of LNG Canada’s project in the Northwest, specifically in Kitimat. This project has massive implications throughout the entire workforce.

The investment decision comes with a tremendous opportunity for the entire province to become elevated. All the industry is excited, and we’re excited.”

CHRIS ATCHISON PRESIDENT OF THE BCCA

SEE CONSTRUCTION | PAGE 9

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9

Business owners like Mary-Anne Bowcott of Westcom Plumbing and Gas, are working to encourage more women to join the construction labour force

CONSTRUCTION CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

residential construction demands, following a declining rate of population growth and lower levels of new housing activities. During the same period, industrial, commercial, and institutional building construction is expected to experience continued growth.

By the year 2021, the residential sector is expected to lose nearly 11,000 workers (nearly a 10 per cent decline from the record highs reported in 2017), while major mining, public transportation, LNG, and pipeline projects (slated to start in 2019 and 2020) are expected to add over 12,000 jobs, which will likely peak in 2021.

According to the report, “While there is uncertainty around the timing of projects, the volume of other projects is significant if they proceed as scheduled.

The divergence between residential and non-residential labour markets may present some recruitment opportunities between sectors, but mobility may be impeded by specific skills and experience requirements.”

In the coming five-to-ten years, BC’s construction industry is poised to experience some of the strongest growth in Western Canada.

LNG CANADA INVESTMENT By far, the non-residential project with the biggest impact is the upcoming liquefied natural gas (LNG) export facility.

On October 1, LNG Canada announced that its joint venture participants, Shell, PETRONAS, PetroChina, Mitsubishi Corporation,and KOGAS, made the final investment decision to build the LNG Canada export facility in Kitimat.

A report from the British Columbia Construction Association (BCCA) described the project as “a great milestone” for both the province and the nation.

“BC has been given the opportunity of a generation with the announcement of LNG Canada’s project in the Northwest, specifically in Kitimat,” says Chris Atchison, president of the BCCA. “This project has significant implications throughout the entire provincial construction workforce.

“The investment decision presents a tremendous opportunity for BC’s skilled

The Kitimat LNG export facility is the largest private project in Canadian history and will greatly impact BC’s construction industry tradespeople, from safety training and apprenticeship to sustainable employment and career development. Even if you’re not working in the north, the draw to the north will open opportunities in other regions. All the industry is excited, and we’re excited.”

This is the single largest private sector construction project in Canadian history, at $40 billion: in one announcement, the value of projects underway in BC jumped 53 per cent, from $75 billion to $115 billion.

“Though there are some nervous pangs as the industry faces the workforce development challenges that come along with the LNG Canada project, the overall benefits and long-term economic impact cannot be overstated. BCCA has been collaborating with LNG Canada for several years on workforce development strategies: they are a great partner and have proven their long term to commitment to the people of BC. Current stats indicate the facility will need about 10,000 skilled tradespeople at the peak of construction, and LNG Canada is aiming for a workforce comprised of 25 per cent apprentices (2,500).

The BCCA is currently administering a $1.5 million LNG Canada Trades Training fund, which is designed to support industry and apprenticeship training for construction and related trades in BC. So far, over 1,200 apprentices have been funded, and $130,000 remains in the fund. These funds are available to small and medium-sized employers, who can apply online through www. bccasn.com.

SEE CONSTRUCTION | PAGE 10

WHEN WINTER HITS,

HIT BACK.

Williams Machinery offers winter-ready machines and the widest selection of snow removal attachments in the industry.

For purchase or rent, we have whatever the job calls for.

Authorized Bobcat Dealer Williams Machinery 174 Adams Road Kelowna, BC V1X 7R2 250.491.2939 www.WILLIAMSMACHINERY.com

10

CONSTRUCTION

NOVEMBER 2018

CONSTRUCTION CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9

LABOUR SHORTAGE BuildForce Canada’s annual report included the fol low i ng su m m a r y of BC’s construction industry: “British Columbia’s near-term growth outlook is strong relative to other Western provinces, but much of the available surplus workforce released from Alberta when the oil price fell in 2015 and major project activity declined, has already been absorbed in British Columbia or by other provinces. Relying on the supply of out-of-province workers may become increasingly difficult going forward. Meeting ongoing labour demands will be contingent on the industry’s ability to continue attracting and training workers from outside construction or from outside the province as many of the province’s major projects reach peak demand requirements.“ This report showed that the next decade will likely see the exit of nearly 41,000 skilled workers to due retirement or mortality (about 22 per cent of the current labour force). This is contrasted with an estimated 33,000 first-time

While residential construction is projected to decline over the next decade, non-residential construction is poised for rapid growth new entrants expected to be drawn from the local 30 and younger population.

“Con s t r u c t ion i n B C is undoubtedly facing a skilled worker shortage, even though we’re making tremendous strides in appealing to youth, women, Indigenous populations, and new Canadians,” says Atchison. “We must stay committed to a progressive culture shift in construction and embrace necessary changes. This includes ensuring a safe and productive workplace for everyone.

“In essence, we’re reaching out to non-traditional sources of labour and construction, especially targeting youth. The aging

construction workforce, where two-thirds are 45 or older, simply won’t be able to fill all of the job opportunities. We want to embrace all labour sources, and need to ensure that the safety standards and measures of productivity endure no matter how the face of construction changes.”

In the coming decade, the prov ince’s population growth is expected to average about 1 per cent per year, and migration is poised to become the key driver of BC’s aging population.

With the gap between SEE CONSTRUCTION | PAGE 12

BC’s construction industry employs over 251,000 people in over 24,000 companies

Mandatory Unionization Threatens BC Construction Projects BCCA Speaks Out Against New Provincial Government Policy

B

C - “This is easily one of the biggest issues to face the construction industry in decades.”

Chris Atchison, president of the British Columbia Construction Association (BCCA) is referring to the mandatory union requirement inside the Community Benefits Agreement (CBA), a new BC government policy with consequences that are worrying a majority of construction professionals.

The CBA creates a new Crown Corporation, called “BC Infrastructure Benefits Inc.” (BCIB), that will hire only union workers from a designated union for construction of major public projects. This new Crown will replace contractors as the employer of all tradespeople working under the scope of the CBA. Open-shop companies can still bid on projects, but if they are successful their employees will be required to join a designated union.

“The BC construction industry employs over 251,000 workers, and contributes about 8.6 per cent of the province’s GDP,” remarks Atchison.

“We’re a formidable industry, and to put such an onerous condition on construction employers sends the wrong message about the provincial government’s priorities. Skilled tradespeople are a contractor’s most valuable asset: limiting their ability to manage their own workers introduces risk. And contractors don’t like risk.”

According to recent data, there are over 24,000 construction companies in the province, and 92 per cent of these have u nder 20

“We’re a formidable industry, and to put such an onerous condition on construction employers sends the wrong message about the provincial government’s priorities.

Skilled tradespeople are a contractor’s most valuable asset: limiting their ability to manage their own workers introduces risk. And contractors don’t like risk.”

CHRIS ATCHISON PRESIDENT OF THE BRITISH COLUMBIA CONSTRUCTION ASSOCIATION (BCCA)

employees. Of the industry’s 251,000 plus workforce, only 13 per cent of industry employees are unionized.

The BCCA believes that there was inadequate industry consultation prior to the introduction of the policy, and has conducted live polls at a series of town hall discussions attended by leading representatives from BC’s leading industrial, commercial, and institutional construction employers.

Of those polled, which included a representative mix of union and open shop contractors, 94 per cent said the negative financial impacts of the CBA on project costs will be extremely significant, and 96 per cent said they are less likely to bid on a public project that falls under a CBA with required unionization.

At one of these discussions, a contractor commented “The CBA union requirement makes government an owner to avoid, not an owner of choice.”

The BCCA is a non-partisan, mixed-membership (both unionized and open shop) organization.

“Our organization and the

vast majority of the professionals we represent believe this policy isn’t good for our industry, communities, or economy,” says Atchison.

“We have recommendations for Minister Trevena and the Premier that can productively achieve the local hiring goals without the need for conscription into a specific union. We are looking for a productive platform where our voices can be heard before the CBA negatively affects public project procurement.”

Construction employers and tradespeople are invited to participate in a letter writing campaign to express their concerns about mandatory unionization.

“We encourage people to engage with their MLAs and let them know: this policy is not only bad for the industry and for the future of infrastructure projects, it is a breach of the constitutional rights of construction workers to freedom of thought and assembly,” he continues.

To pa r t icipate i n t he BCCA letter writing campaign, visit voices.bccassn. com

FALL 2018 If you’re an employer or skilled tradesperson working in BC’s industrial, commercial, or institutional construction industry, you are well aware that there are many opportunities and challenges in front of you right now.

The BC Construction Association and the four Regional Construction Associations are here representing you provincially and locally. We are non-partisan and non-profit, and we’re working on behalf of union and open shop employers to ensure a productive and resilient construction industry that works for everyone in BC.

Make sure your government and industry leaders know the real story: we want to hear from you.

WORRIED ABOUT FORCED UNIONIZATION?

TELL US WHAT YOU THINK:

VOICES.BCCASSN.COM

BIT.LY/BCCA2018

WORKFORCE TRENDS

5 YEAR TREND

24,347 251,707 $57,647 11,700 1 in 45 95% 13% #1 $254B

Number of construction companies in BC (92% have less than 20 employees)

12%

Number of employees in BC’s construction sector

12%

Average yearly wage of BC construction employees ($14.5B cumulative yearly wage)

Number of construction jobs in BC that will be unfilled due to labour shortages by 2027*

53%

BC high school grads enter construction trades programs within 1 year of graduation

89%

Percentage of the construction workforce in BC that is male

Percentage of the construction workforce in BC that is unionized (10 year trend)

Construction’s Rank as an Employer in BC’s Goods Sector

4%

Value of Proposed Construction Projects in British Columbia

$115B

Value of Current Construction Projects in British Columbia

Get up to speed on key issues...

0% 33%

8.6%

BC Construction Industry Contribution to BC’s GDP

BCCASSN.COM/ADVOCACY

CONSTRUCTION

12 CONSTRUCTION CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10

births and deaths continuing to narrow, the recruitment of nontraditional sources of labour and construction is crucial to ensure the well-being and continued growth of the industry.

For this reason, many industry professionals are campaigning to create more inclusive workplaces to accommodate a growing number of female tradespeople.

Information compiled by the federal government suggests that women comprise approximately 54 per cent of the nation’s workforce, but represent less than 10 per cent of Canadian construction industry employees – a statistic that may actually inflate a more disheartening percentage.

“I believe the statistics include women who work in the office and in administrative capacities in those numbers, and essentially lump all ticketed trades not just construction trades under the overall umbrella of construction.

This would include persons such as hairdressers, which are certainly not part of construction,” explained Katy Fairley, a Director with the Canadian Construction Association (CAA).

“If we were to drill down into those numbers, and from what I know through personal experience, the actual percentage of women directly working in the industry in an active role would likely be closer to five to seven per

NOVEMBER 2018

“Our number one priority is safety, and we are unwavering in our recommitment to the wellbeing of the workforce, both physically and mentally. It’s clear to us that personnel are our most valuable resource. Our goal is to ensure that safety remains a priority on site so workers can return home happy and return to a safe work site the next day.”

CHRIS ATCHISON

Of the industry’s 251,000 plus workforce, about 13 per cent of employees are currently unionized

PRESIDENT OF THE BCCA

cent, so obviously there’s lots of room for improvement.”

In its recently released National Summary covering the years 2018 to 2027, BuildForce projected that the present skilled labour shortage that is impacting companies across the nation will continue to worsen.

In the summary of the BuildFo r c e C a n a d a r e p o r t , B i l l Ferreira, the group’s Executive

Director said the industry has to take steps to head off a potential labour crisis.

“This decade, Canada needs as many as 277,000 construction workers to meet labour demands and counter rising retirements,” he said. “With these challenges in mind, the industry will need to step up recruitment efforts and do all it can to encourage far more new Canadians, women, and Indigenous people to join Canada’s

construction workforce.”

For Fairley, while progress has been made, the present small percentage of female involvement is an obvious sign that there’s still plenty of room for improvement.

“There’s no escaping the fact that the older segment of our industry is leaving which creates a real potential for women,” she concludes. We’re now acutely feeling what a labour shortage

does to construction and it’s not a problem you’re going to fix by looking at only 50 per cent of the population, you simply have to put it on the table for the other 50 per cent as well, make it an option and women will recognize it and take it.”

WORKPLACE SAFETY In order to ensure that the SEE CONSTRUCTION | PAGE 13

5TH GENERATION OWNER LEADS E.B. HORSMAN & SON INTO THE FUTURE E.B. Horsman & Son One of Canada’s Largest Independently Owned Electrical Distributors

O

KANAGAN - After over a century in business, E.B. Horsman & Son boasts the largest branch network in the province for an electrical distributor.

The family-owned enterprise was founded in 1900 in Moosomin, Saskatchewan by Edward B. Horsman and his son, George.

After visiting British Columbia in 1907, Edward and George decided to move its operation to Vancouver, where the business began to grow and flourish.

E.B. Horsman & Son ran as a hardware store in the Lower Mainland until 1923, when they started focusing on electrical products. The business is now exclusively a full line electrical distributor, with over 50,000 electrical products to choose from and supported by the staff’s technical expertise.

The company has remained family-owned to this day, and its current president and CEO Tim Horsman is a fifth generation owner.

“We’ve been a privately-owned

E.B. Horsman & Son achieved Platinum Club status with the Canada’s Best Managed Companies program by retaining its Best Managed designation for nine consecutive years​ company for 118 years and five generations of ownership,” says Penticton Branch Manager Jeff Janzen. “We have great people from the top down, and we’re very approachable. We’re also more quick to respond and react because of our private ownership.”

With 21 branches across BC, Alberta, and Saskatchewan, the company has the resources to meet a wide range of needs in the industry. The 21 branches, four of

which are in BC’s interior, serve industrial, commercial, institutional, and residential markets.

Founded in 1948, the Penticton branch is the oldest E.B. Horsman & Son location outside the Lower Mainland.

The primary distribution center in South Surrey manages about 20,000 SKU’s using one of the latest technologies in warehouse management systems to ensure customers receive the right

products on time.

“I think people choose to work with us because our lineup of suppliers and products are first class, and we work with worldwide leaders in their fields,” says Janzen. “It’s also easy to do business with us and we have a distribution centre that supports multiple locations. We’re a highly technical company for one of our size, and are capable of offering a wide array of services.”

With a distribution centre that sends shipments every single day to every single branch, all branches essentially share inventory and have access to an enormous selection of products that can be shipped overnight to most locations.

Additionally, the company boasts several specialty divisions within the organization that support the branches and customers with technical applications. E.B. Horsman & Son is the only full line electrical supplier to have Process Instrumentation, Automation, and Controls (PAC) divisions in Western Canada.

PAC, Data Communications, Lighting and Project Management specialty divisions provide the technical support and expertise required for industrial and commercial applications, bringing in knowledge to supplement the day-to-day operations as well as large projects.

Its Interior Region branches include Penticton, Vernon, Kamloops, and Cranbrook.

“In the Interior, we have a diverse range of markets we serve,” says Janzen. “Our branch has customers that include wineries, school boards, sawmills, smelters, contractors, and more.

There’s a very wide variety of business that we do.”

From the branches, the company has been providing electrical supplies to the best electrical contractors, industrial integrators, large industrial companies, schools, hospitals and utilities that make up the fabric of Northern BC communities.

As a company that’s deeply rooted in areas around the province, E.B. Horsman & Son prioritizes generosity, especially when it comes to the BC Children’s Hospital and is proud of its staff engagement.

“The Children’s Hospital is the main beneficiary of our donations,” says Janzen. “It’s on the radar at every single event we put on, including golf tournaments, hockey pools, and barbeques.”

“Giving back to our community is part of the company’s core values and culture. We also help support some important scholarship programs that will ensure the next generation is equipped to enter the workforce.” www.ebhorsman.com

CONSTRUCTION

NOVEMBER 2018

CONSTRUCTION CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12

industry remains an attractive field to new hires, construction associations and government bodies are always working to ensure the work site is as safe as possible. ““There’s so much going on in the realm of workplace safety, including questions regarding COR requirements and the legalization of recreational cannabis,” comments Atchison. “With these issues and more, we have

tremendous resources in WorkSafeBC, the BC Construction Safety Alliance, and COCA to make sure the needs of construction owners and employees are met.”

The Council of Construction Associations (COCA) represents all major construction associations in BC, acting as a liaison between the sector and WorkSafeBC on all workplace safety matters.

Currently, the industry contributes about $240 million in assessments to WorkSafeBC, which comprises about 20 per

cent of the organization’s total assessment revenue.

The primary role of COCA is focused in three main areas: developing consensus on construction policy positions; addressing legislative, regulatory policy and practice issues within the workers’ compensation system in BC; and assisting individual employers, contractors and associations with their WorkSafeBC concerns.

COCA is governed by an independent Board of Directors, drawn from member/partner associations, which are comprised

of construction and trade associations operating in BC. The BC Construction Association provides administrative support and acts in capacity of secretariat.

“Our number one priority is safety, and we are unwavering in our commitment to the wellbeing of the workforce, both physically and mentally,” Atchison

13 continues. “It’s clear to us that personnel are the most valuable asset. Our goal is to ensure that safety remains a priority on site so workers can return home happy and return to a safe work site the next day.”

SEE CONSTRUCTION | PAGE 14

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CONSTRUCTION

NOVEMBER 2018

HANDYMAN CONNECTION COMPLETES TO-DO LISTS FOR HOMES AND BUSINESSES Skilled contractors and trades invited to join roster

D

(250) 717-5500

Handymanconnection.com/Kelowna

o you have a get-roundto-it list for your home or workplace? Are you realizing that you may never get-round to any of it? Wouldn’t it be great to hand all those tasks off to a project manager and finally get them done?

Meet the Handyman Connection, the service that fixes todo lists for busy businesses and homeowners. Handyman Connection acts as a “project manager” for even the smallest jobs, handling the paperwork, hiring, monitoring, and inspection.

“Some of these jobs are so small it would cost the client more to buy the tools required – which they would probably only use once,” says owner Alex Campbell.

Handyman Connection is a onestop solution. The company has a roster of experienced professionals who can be assigned as needed to a project. For example, if a bathroom renovation needs a plumber, a tile-setter, a painter, and a floor installer, Handyman Connection will line up the required expertise.

Owners Alex and Christina Campbell have four Handyman Connection outlets, one each in Victoria, Kelowna, Calgary, and Red Deer.

They will make sure the work gets done to the client’s specifications and ensure the tradespeople are paid when the job is complete.

They will also look after WorkSafeBC requirements, maintain liability insurance, post bonds, and obtain any required licenses.

Only tradespeople with proven experience, good references, and able to pass a criminal background check are added to their roster.

Just as people need to maintain their vehicle, they also need to maintain their home or commercial space, Campbell says. The jobs he handles tend to last a day or two and fall in the hundreds of dollars, not in the thousands.

“You need to service your house and your business. A little maintenance over the course of the years goes a long way.”

In addition to providing repairs and renovations to homeowners and commercial businesses, the company also gives tradespeople the opportunity to pick up work that utilizes their skills.

Campbell notes that many of the workers on his roster often have full-time work or ongoing contracts but want supplemental jobs or are between projects.

“We’re always looking for talented, skilled, and responsible construction professionals,” he said. “We give our contractors the opportunity to work for themselves but not by themselves.”

For clients, the company is a flexible alternative that gives them convenience and project control, including being able to purchase their own materials. The company also offers free quotes.

Potential clients and trades people can contact Victoria office manager Kelly LeBlanc by calling 250-384-4969.

“From carpentry, plumbing, electrical, drywall, tiling, painting, doors, windows, fences, decks, flooring, counter tops, or just basic handyman services, one call gets the things you want done, done,” Campbell said.

CONSTRUCTION CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13

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COMMUNITY BENEFITS AGREEMENT In the midst of the excitement s u r rou nd i n g new projects in Northern BC and elsewhere, the industry is facing a major challenge, brought on by a provincial government legislation.

The government’s new Community Benefits A g re e m e n t i n c lu d e s a clause that is worrying a vast majority of industry professionals. This portion of the agreement creates a new Crown Corporation, called “BC Infrastructure B enef it s I nc.” (B CI B), that will hire only union workers from a designated union for construction of major public projects.

“This is easily one of the biggest issues to face the construction industry in decades,” says Atchison.

Open-shop companies can still bid on projects, but if they are successful their employees will be required to join a designated union. Of the sector’s 251,000 plus workforce, only 13 per cent of industry employees are currently unionized.

The BCCA believes that there was inadequate industry consultation prior

WorkSafeBC and the Council of Construction Associations area always working to ensure construction workers are as safe as possible to the introduction of the policy, and has conducted live polls at a series of town hall discussions attended by leading representatives from BC’s leading industrial, commercial, and institutional construction employers.

According to Atchison, the vast majority of professionals represented by the BCCA oppose this forced unionization policy. On behalf of industry stakeholders, the organization has put together recommendations for Minister Trevena and the Premier that will contribute to the goa l of ach iev i ng loca l hiring goals without the need for conscription to a specific union.

“We a re look i ng for a

productive platform where our voices can be heard before the CBA negatively affects public project procurement,” he says.

“We encourage people to engage with their MLAs and let them know: this policy is not only bad for the industry and for the future of infrastructure projects, it is a breach of the constitutional rights of construction workers to freedom of thought and assembly.”

Construction employers and tradespeople are invited to participate in a letter writing campaign to express their concerns about mandatory unionization.

To pa r t icipate i n t he campaign, visit voices. bccassn.com

OFF THE COVER

NOVEMBER 2018

15

THIS YEAR WE ALL NEED TO DO MORE THAN JUST REMEMBER

TOTA GLENN MANDZIUK

A

s I watched the commemoration activities this past November 11th, marking the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War, I was proud to bear witness to the number of Canadians who took the time to take part in Remembrance Day events, held from coast to coast to coast.

It was reassuring to see the

continued recognition of the efforts of so many who served this country in the “war to end all wars”, which sadly was followed by so many other battles, battles

SALMON ARM GEARS UP FOR CHRISTMAS SEASON

SALMON ARM CORRYN GRAYSTON

C

hristmas is coming quickly and our community is gearing up for a wonderful holiday season! Centenoka and Piccadilly Malls are busy getting ready for Santa’s arrival in early December and hosting a number of craft fairs to help you find that unique gift. Downtown Salmon Arm is hosting their Christmas Tree Light-Up on November 30th at 5 pm and organizing family events such as Breakfast with Santa, Elves Workshop and more. The incredibly popular CP Holiday Train stops in Salmon Arm at 7:45 pm on December 15th. For all the festivities, dates and details go to www.salmonarmdowntown.com www. centenoka.com & www.piccadillymall.com ••• Congratulations to Shuswap Lake General Hospital in celebrating 60 years since first opening their doors on October 16, 1958. SLGH has had many changes since 1958 and most recently a $24.7 million redevelopment project that expanded several areas and services for our regional hospital. With over 600 employees, SLGH doctors and staff are dedicated to providing expert medical care to the many residents and visitors to our region.

••• David Drew and Winston LeeHai, bot h pa r t ners of Drew

Lee-Hai, are pleased to announce their recent decision to join the accounting firm of Grant Thornton, LLP. Drew Lee-Hai has been serving the community for over 40 years and are excited to have created this union with Grant Thornton. Their office will remain at 541 – 6 Street NE. Visit www.grantthornton.ca to learn more about the many services offered.

••• Nutters Everyday Naturals has expanded their impressive selection of bulk and natural food items to include a large number of ketogenic-friendly foods and supplemental products. With friendly and knowledgeable staff to help guide you through a number of recommended programs for healthy lifestyles, you will be well-served and quickly on your way to better health. Located in Centenoka Mall and open 7 days a week. Go to www.nutters.com for more info.

••• Christmas just wouldn’t be Christmas without Santa fight zombies… So make sure you buy tickets for “Santa’s Zombie Apocalypse” at Shuswap Theatre.

When Santa is trapped by zombies (who have somehow gotten into the North Pole toy shop) two reindeer fawns are determined to save the day. A show for the whole family. Tickets: 12 & under – $7, 12+ – $10. Visit www.shuswaptheatre.com to buy tickets.

••• On behalf of the Chamber Board and Staff we wish everyone a joyous holiday season and a prosperous New Year.

Corryn Grayston is the General Manager at the Salmon Arm Chamber of Commerce. She can be reached at (250) 832-6247 or admin@sachamber.bc.ca.

that continue to this day.

It is hard to believe the selflessness of these individuals who fought on our behalf for a future we take for granted and a future

so many of them did not live to see. Their willingness to leave behind family and friends and the comfort and safety of home; to realize horrific carnage, put themselves into harm’s way, ma rch shou lder to shou lder with strangers, for the ideals of a nation, is a truly sobering thought and one that must never be forgotten.

I am also however reminded that we must do so much more than just show up on Remembrance Day. If as a nation we are truly committed to the memory of those brave men and women who fought our battles and won our freedoms, then we have an obligation to show up for them every day.

We need to truly reconcile our differences and build that Canada that most of them could only

have imagined. We have to take it upon ourselves to get involved, to get educated on our country’s issues and to work together to better the lives of all Canadians.

Whether you choose to take on homelessness, hunger, access to clean water, education, mental health, ensuring inclusiveness, or the host of other challenges plaguing our country each of us taking responsibility can make a difference and only then will we truly honour our soldiers. Volunteer, vote, learn, get involved.

This year we all need to do more than just Remember.

Glenn Mandziuk is President and Chief Executive Officer of the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Region. He can be reached at ceo@ totabc.com

New Streamlined Web Service Helps Entrepreneurs Access Crucial Resources VENTURE KAMLOOPS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

now, and there were a number of factors that went into it,” Anderson continues. “Over a period of time, each organization realized that we were helping the same clients at various stages of employment, but were often unaware.”

After some lengthy discussions, the organizations realized they needed to provide a continuity of support for those who were trying to decide if they were going to pursue employment services, advanced self-employment support, or economic development services.

“We wanted to wrap our arms around this group of clients, making sure that regardless of what organization they first contact, they’d find the right person,” says Anderson.

“When clients came to us and had the wherewithal to reach out to an organization, we weren’t comfortable with just putting them back on the sidewalk. We wanted to make sure we have an internal system to put them into the right system.

“It doesn’t help a cl ient to phone each organization individually asking, ‘what do you do?’ This new portal tells them, ‘here are all the things that can be done, check the ones you’re interested in or that you need, a nd we’l l decide where you start.’”

The process of creating the most recent rendition of the portal began in the spring when Venture Kamloops reached out to the other organizations. From there, the services of each orga n ization were item ized to create an easy, accommodating, open system for individuals wishing to further their lives and careers in Kamloops.

Venture Kamloops, Community Futures Thompson Country, and Open Door Group officially announced the launch of Start Here 3.0 at the Venture Kamloops Office on November 5

“When clients came to us and had the wherewithal to reach out to an organization, we weren’t comfortable with just putting them back on the sidewalk. We wanted to make sure we have an internal system to put them into the right system.”

JIM ANDERSON

Jim Anderson is the Executive Director for Venture Kamloops

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF VENTURE KAMLOOPS

In a recent Black Press interview, Open Door Group employment relations coordinator Devon Mah remarked, “It just gives us a really clean way to refer people to the right agencies.

It’s leveraging all the strengths of the other organizations to provide wrap-around service.”

M o v i n g fo r w a r d , A n d e rson is excited about what this

service will do for the Kamloops community and it’s aspiring entrepreneurs.

“We have a great network of organizations in this community, and we are doing everything we can to make sure our services are being utilized to their full potential,” he says.

To find out more, visit venturekamloops.com/starthere

MOVERS & SHAKERS

16

NOVEMBER 2018

Business Examiner Gold Event Sponsors

KELOWNA After 30 years in business with his company, Kal-West Mechanical, owner and businessman John Davina has sold the business and has chosen to retire.

The new owners are employees Jason Schellenberger – as project manager and estimator, Keith Pearce – as sales representative, John Defher – as general foreman, and Terry Smith – as general foreman.

The Great Little Box Company at 3502 Spectrum Court celebrates its 20 th anniversary in business this year. The company is owned by Robert Meggy, who purchased the company in 1982.

In addition to manufacturing boxes, the company also does labels, protective packaging, folding cartons, and corrugated boxes.

KV Private Equity has purchased Campion Marine as an investment of the KV Private Equity Fund. On completion of the acquisition, Campion

President Brock Elliott will stay for six months to help transition the company to its new owners.

Steve Harvey, a businessman with Business Finders Canada, was named as the new President of the Entrepreneurs Organization Okanagan Chapter.

The organization provides opportunities for entrepreneurs to network and engage on global business topics and initiatives, and aims to foster more international business opportunities in the Okanagan.

Kelowna Hostesses employee, Helen Dawson, celebrates 20 years with the organization.

After 32 years with Scotiabank / ScotiaMcLeod Kelowna in various locations, employee John Guidolin has chosen to retire.

Dale Wentworth of Wentworth Music was honoured with the title of Business Leader of the Year 2018, from the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce in recog n it ion of h i s except ion a l contributions to the business

Steve Harvey, Entrepreneurs Organization Okanagan Chapter community in his area.

Sharon Whiting and her business, ATM Bookkeeping, celebrate their 20th anniversary serving the business community. ATM began as a result of the Community Futures SelfE m ploy m ent P rog ra m , a n d uses Sage 50 software, offering mobile bookkeeping for small businesses.

L oca l busi ness, Vivid Hair Studio, owned and operated by Sherry Barton, has opened in Kettle Valley Village at 102 – 5315 Main Street.

A number of local and Okanagan-area companies have been

named to The Best Workplaces in BC list, compiled by Great Places to Work. The companies are: Urban Systems, Tommy Gun’s Original Barbershop, Prospera Credit Union, Joey Restaurants, Industry Training Authority, Credit Counselling Society, Connect Hearing, COBS Bread, CapriCMW Insurance, Cactus Club CafÊ, and Boston Pizza.

Jordan’s Flooring, at 1788 Baron Road, celebrates its 90th anniversary this year.

Gini’s Salon International, located at 100 – 1631 Dickson Avenue, Landmark 6, welcomes Denise Nyce to their team as a hair extension expert. Gini’s is a Green Circle Salon focused on sustainable beauty practices and providing quality services.

SALMON ARM Doug a nd Bill Newnes, a nd their company Newnes Machinery, were honoured in an arena

dedication at the Shaw Centre on November 10th. The brothers and their company were instrumental in constructing the Shaw Centre, and in their honour, the Spectator Arena was dedicated as the Newnes Spectator Arena.

The Montebello Dental Clinic practice is joined by Dr. Christopher Cottle, at their practice in the Montebello Building on A lexander Street. Dr. Cottle brings with him over 30 years of experience in the dental field and family practice.

The fifth season of Shuswap Launch-a-Preneur, a top business competition, is seeking registrants who are aspiring entrepreneurs for this year’s competition. The event is formatted like CBC’s Dragon’s Den show, where contestants must plan, pitch and launch their businesses to a panel. Shuswap Launch-a-Preneur was designed SEE MOVERS AND SHAKERS |  PAGE 17

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

NOVEMBER 2018

MOVERS AND SHAKERS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 16

by Community Futures Shuswap, the Salmon Arm Economic Development Society, and Okanagan College Enactus.

Robert MacDermott is cong rat u l ated on b ei n g n a med Product Advisor for the month of October at Hilltop Toyota, located at 2350 Trans Canada Highway NE. Sunnybrae Vineyards & Winery has closed t hei r w i ner y and tasting room for the season, after a successful season in business. Those who wish to make purchases can do so by appointment, emailing info@ sunnybraewinry.com or by calling 250 835 8373.

Askew’s Foods and Blind Bay Village Grocer received top honours at the 56th Annual Canadian Independent Grocer of the Year Awards in Toronto. Askew’s Foods received the Arnold Rands Heritage Award, while Blind Bay Village Grocer received a national gold award for small surface.

KAMLOOPS Daley & Company LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants, has changed locations to 200206 Seymour Street. Their new location officially opened on November 19th to serve clients.

T he Kamloops Chamber of Com merce re c e nt ly h o s te d their annual 2018 Business Excellence Awards, on October 27 t h at t he Coast Kamloops Conference Centre. This year’s w i n ners featu red: Cascades Ca si no K a m lo op s – City of Kamloops Community Service Award; Habitat for Humanity Kamloops ReStore – Rocky Mountaineer Environmental Stewardship Award; Staples – Open Door Group Inclusive Workplace Award; Fresh is Best Salsa & Co. – BDC Manufacturer Award; New Gold Inc., New Afton Mine – Domtar Resource Industry Award; Tumbleweed Toys – Aberdeen Mall Retailer 1-10 Staff Award; Kamloops Home Hardware Building Centre – Valley First Insurance Retailer 11+ Staff Award; Mastermind Studios – Berwick on the Park Service Provider 1-10 Staff Award; Señor Froggy Restaurant – Kamloops Lincoln Service Provider 11+ Staff Award; Axis Forestry Inc. – BCLC Technology Innovator Award; Monte Creek Ranch Winery – TRU Faculty of Adventure, Culinary Arts & Tourism and Tourism Kamloops Tourism Award; TRU Community Trust & Thompson Rivers University – FIT Financial Development of the Year; ICI Electrical Engineering Ltd. – Coast Kamloops Hotel & Conference Centre Employer of the Year; Kamloops Food Bank – United Way Not-For-Profit of the Year; Ryan Scorgie, Forward Law

LLP – TRU School of Business and Economics Young Entrepreneur of the Year; Lizzie Bits Baby Co. – Venture Kamloops Small Business of the Year; Frank D’Amore, River City Rock Products – Excel Personnel Business Person of the Year; and Cascades Casino Kamloops – Community Futures Business of the Year.

Diane Down has been hired on as the new Managing Director for social agency The Mustard Seed New Life Community Kamloops.

After serving as Executive Director of the Kamloops Chamber of Commerce for 15 years, Deb McClelland has decided to step down from her position. Her last official day will be December 31st, although she will remain a chamber member after that. The board is currently searching for a replacement for the position.

The Link-Up Kamloops Business Development Summit is taking place on November 22nd at the Coast Hotel Conference Centre. The networking trade show will feature keynote speaker Isabelle Hamptonstone MSc, who works with business leaders and Olympic athletes to give performance strategies for high pressure situations, a business coach, and a comedian. Tickets are $50 and can be purchased at venturekamloops.com/link-up.

Ashley Homestore, located at 150 Oriole Road in Valleyview, is clearing out their inventory in preparation to close the store.

After closing, the Kamloops location will return under new ownership.

Dr. Sarah Berkey has joined the team at Twin Rivers Dental General Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, a practice of Dr. Iqbal Dhaliwal. The practice is located at 100 – 121 St. Paul Street, and offers implants, Invisalign, and Zoom whitening services.

KTW Digital welcomes Max Patel to their digital marketing team, and Bonnie Steeves to their sales team. KTW offers web development, design branding, digital marketing, digital services, analytics and more.

PENTICTON Sitka Concept, a new business owned and operated by Annie Jomphe and Martin Readman, offers services in restoring vintage Airstream trailers and building tiny homes. They offer building and renovations with simplicity and minimalism, using sustainable materials. For more information, please visit sitkaconcept.ca.

Two Penticton red blend wines were named in the top two spots in their category for this year’s Judgement of BC international wine tasting event. Professional

operated by the Okanagan Indian Band, and Maven Lane, run by the North Okanagan Child Care Society, are among 53 daycares participating in the program.

The program is scheduled to run until March 2020.

sommeliers named The Legacy 2014 red f rom Poplar Grove Winery in first, and the Portfolio 2015 red from Laughing Stock Vineyards in second for the competition.

The Penticton Indian Band has plans in the works for an entertainment development in the area. PIB Development Corporation is developing plans for an “Adrenaline Super Park” project in partnership with Avion Developments Inc. The facility would feature a sky chair, nature trails, zip lines, a waterpark, a mountain coaster, a mountain bike terrain park with multiple levels, and so much more.

The Penticton Regional Hospital’s David E. Kampe Tower has reached its final two months of construction before its anticipated completion. The facility will be mostly completed by the middle of December and will officially open on April 29, 2019.

T he tower’s top three f loors will have 84 single-bed patient rooms, amongst other renovations and additions.

XCO Tech Inc., a local company that has developed sport performance training and technology that delivers a comprehensive concussion assessment, has been pledged $800,000 in funding from the federal government. The funding, made possible through the Western Innovation Initiative, will go toward commercializing their technology platforms.

The Elite has closed its doors for business after its run as the oldest restaurant in Penticton, having opened in the 1930s.

Details on the sale are not yet available.

The Petrasek Bakery is a brand new bakery at 301 Main Street, owned by Jan Petrasek and Sylvia Petrasekova. The business specializes in providing homemade, fermented breads, pastries, and lattes.

Neil Jamieson and his team at Underwriters Insurance, donated the contents of a wish list of items needed for the school district’s breakfast program.

Underwriters has helped with the program for the past nearly eight years, helping with fundraising and donations.

New pub and eatery, Brexit, owned by Martyn Lewis, has received its liquor license and is now in operation serving liquor.

The pub is located at 67 Nanaimo Avenue East.

SUMMERLAND November 30t h m a rks t he 31st Annual Festival of Lights in Summerland. The event is hosted by the District of Summerland and the Summerland Chamber of Commerce, and will

17

Steve Russell has been named Top Salesperson for the month of October at Vernon Toyota, at 3401 – 48th Avenue.

Martyn Lewis, Brexit this year feature performances from Cod Gone Wild, Nicole Sumerlyn & Hillside Outlaws, a family fun zone, fireworks, live ice carving, a Santa’s Workshop, fire dancing, food & gift vendors and more. The giant tree light-up ceremony will take place at 7pm.

Blake Chalmers is welcomed to the Summerland Physiotherapy & Sports Care practice as their newest Registered Physical Therapist. Chalmers is accepting new patients, and specializes in manual therapy – joint mobilization and manipulation, as well as dry needling / IMS. The patients of local retired physician, Dr. Marine Lebel, have been transferred to Dr. Murali Venkataraman. Those who previously saw Dr. Lebel and those who seek a family physician can see Dr. Venkataraman at the Kelly Avenue Clinic at 13214 Kelly Avenue.

VERNON The Hot Spot on 6 Restaurant is now open for business at #1 – 2601 Highway 6. The new restaurant features a variety of dine in and take-out options.

A f u nd i n g a n no u nc em ent from the BC Government will see $160,000 pledged to Okanagan College for new trades a nd tech nolog y equ ipment.

The funding was distributed as part of Apprenticeship Recognition Week, which occurred from November 4-10th. The $160,000 will go towards purchasing new equipment and replacing old equipment.

Driving Miss Daisy, a business venture owned by Bev Halisky and her daughter Tara Armstrong, recently pitched their business on CBC’s Dragon’s Den in search of additional funding, marketing and exposure.

After walking out with an offer of $200,000 for 35 per cent of the company, the venture has already begun expansion as requests have poured in to franchise it. The company offers driving services to seniors with disabilities, as well as accompanying them to appointments.

The team at Spine & Sports Vernon’s North End location, at 201 4710 31st Street, welcomes Jamie Magpantay on staff as their new chiropractor.

Gerry Bowbell has achieved Salesperson of the Month for October 2018 at Watkin Motors, at 4602 – 27th Street.

Vernon Optometry has a new location at 2710 – 39th Avenue, boasting one of the largest selections of eyewear in the Okanagan area.

A new business venture, Blades of Lori, owned and operated by Mike Caira and Lori Mcintosh, is in operation at Vernon’s Kal Tire Place arena. The venture offers skate sharpening services, and the owners have plans to host fundraising events each month for a selected user group.

The Regional District of North Okanagan recently held the swearing-in ceremony of their new board for this term. The board consists of Judge Jeremy Guild – President, Kevin Acton, SEE MOVERS AND SHAKERS | PAGE 18

Butcher Boys, an independently-owned store located at 4803 Pleasant Valley Road, celebrates its 57th year in business.

As of November 22nd, tickets and season’s passes will be available for purchase for SilverStar Mountain Resort’s Nordic skiing trails. Tickets will be sold at the Brewer’s Pond Nordic Centre.

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GREEN SHEET

18

SIMONE SUNDERLAND

GREEN SHEET BUILDING BRIEFS

KAMLOOPS

KAMLOOPS LOCATION LOCATION 8110 Dallas Dr - Warehouse

175 Kokanee Way - Ramada - Showroom - Brandt TractorHotel Dealership PROJECT TYPE

15

PROJECT STATUS Development permit application submitted ARCHITECT MRG Residential Design - Box 781, Salmon Arm 250-803-4021 GENERAL CONTRACTOR Valley Builders - 7616 Sage Dr, SIMONE SUNDERLAND Coldstream 250-545-1156

PROJECT TYPE Multi-Family New PROJECT

LAKE COUNTRY

& 1 bedroom - roof top deck, arts and craft room, gym - u/g parkade - fiber cement, masonry brick and metal fascia exteriors

LOCATION

PROJECT STATUS Development permit application submitted

9674 Jensen Rd - Townhouses - Condominiums - Affordable Housing PROJECT TYPE Multi-Family New

DISTRICT

Industrial New

VERNON

KELOWNA

VERNON

SALMON ARM

Vernon area to replace the aging GENERAL CONTRACTOR Civic Arena - 4,000 seats - may be MOVERS Ltd AND- SHAKERS Lambert and Paul Construction an addition to Kal Tire Place or the CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17 300 2000 Spall Rd, Kelowna V1Y 9P6 Priest Valley Arena or construction of 250-860-2331 a new ice facility understand this type of com- Mayor of Lumby – Chairperson,

SALMON ARMDRIVERS DEALING WITH LOCATION

often hired 451 Shuswap St - SD 83 North Okana-We are municator and not to take anyPROJECT STATUS gan Shuswap Administration Building because we’re a good thing they say or do personally.

Feasibility study and cost analysis Typically, ‘driver’ communiPROJECT TYPE ‘people-person’, study anticipated but shortly - thecators are very task driven and institutional new Greater Vernon Advisory Committee drivers often make are anxious to get the job done. will decide in June whether orDon’t not towaste their time making PROJECT us feel defensive, hold a referendum in November/14 small talk, get right down to New administration building on the to fund aanxious new ice facility or - location, business. Speak in ‘bullet’ form; old JL Jackson school site - 2,640 smattacked, don’t give them a long story or design and estimated 2 storeys - 75 parking stalls can preliminary even shake our explanation. Reflecting their cost to be determined

Amanda Shatzko, Electoral Area C – Vice Chair, and directors: Brian Quiring, Dalvir Nahal, Akbal Mund, and Victor Cumming of Vernon, Christine Fraser of Spallumcheen, Brian Schreiner of Enderby, Jim Garlick of Coldstream, Shirley Fowler of Armstrong, Denis Delisle of Area F, and Hank Cameron of Area E.

OKANAGAN SIMILKAMEEN REGIONAL DISTRICT

CUSTOMER SERVICE PROJECT STATUS

confidence. style (without LOCATION OWNER To survive communication any sarcasm or ridicule in your The partners at KPMG’s Verin this Vintage Boulevard, Okanagan Fallscontratulate City profession, of Vernon - 1900 48th Ave, tonality) is important. non Office BrenARCHITECT Vintage Views Vernon to V1Tlearn 5E6 250-545-1361 we need to Lastly, remaining calm is the ton Born, CPA, Amanda Dacko, MQN Architects - 100 3313 32 Ave, art of customer service key to handling any interaction CPA, and Geoff Gibbons, CPA, PROJECT TYPE understand this type Vernon iV1T 2E1 s de a l i250-542-1199 n g one-on-one with a driver.

We need to build on each being promoted to Mansubdivisions our emotional toughness and ager. Accountants Megan Lewis, OWNERwith all sorts of people. of communicator and PROJECT that as- CPA, CA, and Craig Woods, CPA, They come in various physical remember, underneath not to take anything District 83they - North Okanagan ake School packages, but also come sertive communication style CA,lots are also both congratulated New subdivision - 30 SFD - 220ofShuswap St NE, be- Shuswap in a variety communication they say or do of a driver, is a person just like on being promoted to Senior PROJECT STATUS styles.Arm V1E 4N2 250-832-2157 everyone else.

Manager. uld Salmon personally Construction start anticipated For customer service providPROJECT MANAGER

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demanding, difficult to please, very impatient and sometimes even rude. We are often hired because we’re a good ‘peopleperson’, but drivers often make LOCATION us feel defensive, attacked, 524 Dabellor St can - Mara Lake Water anxious even shake our Treatment Facility confidence.

To survive in this profession, we need to learn to PROJECT TYPE

SICAMOUS industrial new

ARCHITECT Stantec - 400 1620 Dickson Ave, Kelowna 250-860-3225

DEVELOPER PROJECT NORTH New affordable housing develop- Traine Construction - 500 1708 PROJECT New water treatment facility - the dis- CENTRAL Dolphin Ave, Kelowna 778-484OKANAGAN New condominium building 1 ment - 109 units - 24 townhoustrict is currently testing several meth4949 structure 6 storeys 15 units es 85 condominiums surface ods including membrane technology OKANAGAN REGIONAL - 1 and 2 bedrooms - at grade parking PROJECT parkade - stuccoSTATUS cladding DISTRICT PROJECT STATUS REGIONAL KELOWNA Design underway - Tender call for Rezoning application submitted PROJECT STATUS

Generalpermit Contractor anticipated Development application LOCATION ARCHITECT July/14 - construction completion submitted 1885 Pleasant Valley Rd, DYS Architecture - 260 1770 PROJECT anticipated late 2015 SpallumcheenLOCATION - Cannabis Burrard St, Vancouver 604-669PROJECT ARCHITECT New Ramada Hotel in the Campbell Production Facility CONSULTANT Newindustrial industrial park building - 1 strucMQN Architects - 100 3313 32 7710 2241 Springfield Rd - Mission Creek - 4 storeys ture - approx 4,043 sm - showAve, Vernon 250-542-1199 Opus Dayton Knight 255 1715 Crossing Westside PROJECT TYPE 3,780 sm - 80 rooms - restaurant - pool DEVELOPER room - service area - parts wareDickson Ave, V1Y 9G6 250-868-4925 Industrial New Ellis Don Construction Services DEVELOPER with waterslide elevators concrete PROJECT TYPE house - service counter - offices PROJECT CDN Framing & Development 604-247-1072 - Urban Matters OWNER construction roof articulation with commercial new - surface parking New cannabis production facil111 Hudson Ave NE, Salmon Arm 250-448-4447 - Society of Hope porte cochere - asphalt shingles - 98 District of Sicamous - 1214 ity - 1 structure - approx 4,898 PROJECT 250-832-1503 250-862-8233 PROJECT STATUS surface parking stalls Riverside Ave, Sicamous V0E sm 2V0- will include greenhouses, Development permit application New commercial urban lifestyle 250-836-2477 PROJECT STATUS administrative and processing, submitted centre - 6 buildings - 2 to 7 storeys boardroom, offices, washrooms PROJECT MANAGER Construction start anticipated late - retail commercial at ground level ARCHITECT - surface parking - concrete slabs 2014 MHPM 550 555 W 12th Ave, with office units above - underground Frank Bojkovsky Architect - 306- glass and metal frame exterior Vancouver V5Z 3X7 604-714-0988 parkade - 80 above ground short 529-6961 LOCATION LOCATION ARCHITECT PROJECT STATUS 5350 Silver Star Rd - Duplexes 165 and 175 Rutland Rd N term parking stalls DFDEVELOPER Architecture Inc - 1205 4871 ShellSilver Pine Estates - Phase 3 Development permit application Condominiums - Supportive PROJECT STATUS Brandt Developments PO Box Rd, Richmond V6X 3Z6 -604-284-5194 and ALR application submitted Housing - Commercial 3856 Hwy 1 E, Regina 306-791PROJECT TYPE Development permit application DEVELOPER ARCHITECT submitted 7777 Multi-Family New PROJECT TYPE BlueGreen Architecture Inc Mixed-Use Dev LOCATION Prism Ventures Inc - 3571 Barmond PROJECT (Kamloops) - ARCHITECT 2 436 Lorne St, Ave, Richmond V7E 1A4 604-338-4656 Beresidential Determined - Ice Facility PhaseTo 3 of subdiviPROJECT Kamloops 250-374-1112 Ekistics Town PlanningNew - 1925 Main housing develsion -PROJECT 1 storey duplexes supportive OWNER TYPE with St, Vancouver V5T 3C1 604-739-7526 OWNER basements - 8 units - 3,035 sf to opment - 1 structure - 6 storeys Prism Hotels and Resorts - 800 add/alter Valens GroWorks Corp - 230 LOCATION 3,257institutional sf units - garages - fiber - ground floor commercial and DEVELOPER 14800 Landmark Blvd, Dallas Texas cement exteriors Carion Rd, Kelowna 778-755131 Harbourfront Dr NE - 2nd thru 6th floors, PROJECT R366 Enterprises Ltd -residential 4870B Chute, 75254 214-987-9300 Condominiums - Shoreline Tower 0052 residential New ice facility for the Greater Kelowna V1W 4M3 250-764-8963- 67 units, studio PROJECT TYPE commercial new

NOVEMBER 2018

DISTRICT OF WEST KELOWNA

June/14 Enderby’s Open Air Winter Lucy Glennon specializes in Market has opened again for OWNER customer service training and the season, running each Fri2425 Orlin Rd - Addition to the Vintage View c/o February 22nd. The recruitment and hiring. She canDevelopments be day until Village at Smith Creek Robert Milanovic 250-492-5939 ■ is one of the larreached at 866.645.2047 or lucyg@ farmer’s market PROJECT TYPE hireguru.com or at the HireGuru. gest in the Okanagan, featuring seniors housing around 50 local vendors from the North Okanagan.

PROJECT

LOCATION

Addition to the Village at Smith Creek seniors housing facility- 1,810 sm - 4 storeys - 23 units - 8 additional u/g parking stalls - fibre cement board exterior - 4th floor stepped back as gables

Jeff Boschert

Khoa Vo is congratulated on achieving Salesperson of the Month for October at Bannister

1-800-667-1939 250-545-5344

LOCATION 2175 and 2185 Optic Ct Warehouses - Offices - Optic Court PROJECT TYPE Institutional New PROJECT New office warehouse development - 3 structures - 2 storeys - 2nd floor, offices and mezzanines - central courtyard & patio seating areas - surface parking - tilt-up concrete construction - metal panel canopies - wood columns PROJECT STATUS Development permit application submitted ARCHITECT MQN Architects - 100 3313 32 Ave, Vernon 250-542-1199 DEVELOPER Rempel Builders - 250-8785844

Honda. The dealership is located at 6425 Highway 97 North.

The staff at Vernon Hyundai, at 4608 – 27 Street, congratulate Justin Coulter on bei ng named Salesman of the Month for October.

Expert Hearing Solutions, with eight locations across the Okanagan, celebrates their 25th anniversary in business.

Local company, Tolko Industries, is now participating in a 50-50 joint venture partnership with a Mississippi lumber mill, Southeastern Timber Products (STP). Their operation will be named Southeastern Timber Products LLC, an STP-Tolko Partnership.

Askew’s Foods, located on Smith Drive in Armstrong, celebrates 89 years in operation this year.

Rob er t McL a ren h a s b e e n named as Salesperson of the Month for October at Bannister GM, located at 4703 27th Street.

T he City of Vernon’s Bylaw Services has changed locations to the ground floor of the public parkade at 3005 33rd Street.

OPINION

NOVEMBER 2018

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19

PUBLISHER/EDITOR | PUBLISHER | Mark MacDonald Lise MacDonald, lise@businessexaminer.ca SALES | EDITOR | Joanne RobertIormetti MacDonald – joanne@businessexaminer.ca, Thom Klos –

thom@businessexaminer.ca, Josh Higgins – josh@businessexaminer.ca SALES | Cheryl Lee - cheryl@businessexaminer.ca, John MacDonald - john@ WRITERS | businessexaminer.ca, Julia MacDonald, Josh Higgins John MacDonald, – josh@businessexaminer.ca Beth Hendry-Yim, David Holmes, Linda Wenger, KristinBeth vanHendry-Yim, Vloten WRITERS | John MacDonald, David Holmes, Kristin van Vloten, WEBSITE | Val Lennox John MacDonald WEBSITE | John MacDonald

AMERICAN SYSTEM NOT THE ONLY ANSWER TO CANADIAN HEALTH CARE PROBLEMS

MARK MACDONLD

“W

e don’t want American health care.”

T hat refrain is repeated ad infinitum whenever a suggestion is made to twea k – a nd improve – Canada’s universal health care. Clearly, the system is creaking and groaning and in dire need of efficiency improvements, as wait times continue to increase and expenditures climb. We have been warned that within a few short years, if health care spending isn’t reined in, it could technically consume 100 per cent of the provincial finance budget.

Change is necessary, like most every where. But nowhere is change more vehemently opposed than health care. It’s not just the powerful unions that

thunder against adjustments, it is the average Canadian who cries out to maintain the status quo.

Somehow Canadians believe our health care is free.

It is not. Far from it.

The Fraser Institute released studies earlier this year that the average Canadian pays over $6,000 a year for health care, and the average family of four over $13,000 per annum. That’s over $1,100 a month. We don’t realize the pain in the pocketbook because it’s hidden in our taxes.

Emergency care in Canada is arguably without peer. If you need urgent medical attention, you’re ushered i n a nd ta ken care of in exemplary fashion.

Flash your health care card and you’re in.

It’s everything else that needs to be adjusted. Wait times for sele ct ive, non-t h re aten i n g surgeries are obscene, causing some people to head elsewhere – including the United States – for procedures that give them back their quality of life. Want a family doctor? Take a number and wait in line. The blame for the scarcity of doctors can be partly laid at the feet of the

College of Physicians and Surgeons for crimping the pipeline and making it so difficult for doctors in other countries to gain accreditation here.

I have a nephew who is in his early 20’s who is already a doctor and practicing in England after taking his medical education in the U.K., which allowed him to skip the undergraduate degree process required in the process to be licensed in Canada.

Need to jump the queue? Forget it. This is Canada, after all.

If you can somehow stand the pain, wait your turn. Even if you have the wherewithal to pay for quicker, pain relieving measures.

Still, it’s almost impossible to start an intelligent conversation regarding fixing Canada’s obvious health care crisis because those determined to keep the status quo quickly run up the red f lag: “We don’t want American health care!”

As if that’s the only alternative, and it’s not. There are, in fact, 27 other countries in the world that offer some form of universal health care, and many of those vastly outperform our Canadian system.

Out of those 27 nations, Canad a spend s t he 11 t h most on hea lt h ca re a s a percentage of GDP. We have the 4th least amount of physicians, and are 8 th in terms of MR I units per million. In terms of hospital act iv ity p er hu nd red t housand, Canada is dead last. We have the worst wait times in the emergency department of all of them.

W h i le the Fraser I nstitute points out that the Canadian system is financially unsustainable, clearly the answer is not simply putting more money in the system.

The point is, there are other countries that spend similarly but have much faster treatment times. Australia, for example, is doing a better job and spending less than Canada.

Take Holland, for example.

Germany. Switzerland. New Zea la nd. T hey a l l have u n ivers a l h e a lt h c a re s y s tem s that perform much better than Canada’s.

Canadian health care could receive a much-needed shot in the arm if it were ever subjected to a competitive environment.

T hat’s why when Westba n k First Nation in West Kelowna

floated their idea for building a health care facility on their territory in a partnership with renowned Johns Hopkins University held such intrigue.

Because it would be on First Nations la nd, it tech n ica l ly could circumvent the Canadian Health Act. W hile providing economic stimulus and employment for the Nation, it would also offer an alternative to the Canadian system. Waiting in line for a knee replacement? Go there, instead of to Arizona, or. . .

The competition would undoubtedly snap those running our public system to attention, as they would surely recognize their need to change and keep up. Westbank hasn’t established their centre yet, but other First Nations are now talking about t he p o ss i bi l it ie s t hei r ow n system would mean from not just a health perspective, but financially.

Yes, there are alternatives to our clunky, costly Canadian health care system if we really want to look, and stop using the perception of the U.S. system as the bogeyman to scare Canadians away from the precipice of necessary change.

RUNAWAY TRAINS OF DEFICITS AND DEMOGRAPHICS PUT ECONOMY IN PERIL

THE FRASER INSTITUTE

BY JASON CLEMENS, MILAGROS PALACIOS AND JAKE FUSS

T

wo fiscal freight trains are hurtling towards the finances of the federal government, threatening the country’s economic well-being and thus the economic prospects of average Canadians.

One of these freight trains deficits - was purposeful. The other - demographics - has been known for decades with little action.

T he con sequences of bot h will affect Canadians across the country.

As has been well-documented, the Liberal Party ran on a platform of purposefully spending more than it planned to collect in revenues for three years from 2016-17 to 2018-19, before returning to budget balance.

The intent was to spend more to improve the economy.

After winning the fall election in 2015, the new government immediately increased program spending before the fiscal year even ended. The former Conservative government originally budgeted to spend $263.2 billion in 2015-16, but spending actually reached $270.9 billion due largely to changes introduced after the Liberal election win.

The spring 2016 budget, the first of the new government, showed a def icit i n 2015-16 rather than a small surplus (as originally planned), along with projected deficits for the next five years that cumulatively totalled more than $110 billion. In addition, that budget showed no path or goal for returning to a balanced budget.

T he fe d era l gover n ment’s latest annual report pegged last year’s deficit at $19 billion. The

2018 budget, like its predecessors, has no plan to return to a balanced budget, and indeed the most recent long-term projection from the federal Department of Finance (released in December 2017) doesn’t show t he federa l gover n ment returning to a balanced budget until 2045.

The freight train of this fiscal policy is that the federal government is running deficits purposefully during a time of economic expansion, albeit weak expansion. When the inevitable recession arrives, revenues will decline and certain spending such as Employment Insurance will automatically increase as the economy slows.

A recent analysis examined past recessions and concluded that the annual deficit from a recession, depending on how severe and how the government responds, could easily increase from the current level of $19 billion to almost $50 billion.

(A deep recession like 2008, coupled with similar government responses, would bring t he a n nu a l def icit to $1 20.5 billion.)

The second freight train relates to changing demographics. We’re at the front end of a demographic shift that industrialized countries haven’t experienced before. More of our citizens will retire, drawing on government resources, while less of a share of the population will work to provide the resources for those programs and transfers.

A plethora of reports, including by noted McGill economist Christopher Ragan, the Department of Finance, the Parliamentary Budget Office and our own work, all indicate that the aging of the population will lead to a structural imbalance between spending and revenues.

Our estimate based on what we know today about the future, including a likely slowdown in revenues and increased spending on transfers to seniors and health care, indicates that the deficit in 2045 will reach $107 billion in 2016 dollars due to demographics.

These two freight trains combine to pose significant fiscal risks for the federal government and thus on our economy

and well-being. But these res u l t s a re n o t u n a v oi d a b l e .

The sound policies of what we coined the Chretien Consensus, which dominated Canada throughout the mid-1990s to the mid-2000s, are exactly the prescription.

Ba l a nced bud gets a nd declining debts based on reduced but better focused spending, coupled with incentive-based tax relief, served Canada well.

And it’s telling that such policies were the standard for parties of all political stripes across the country.

Introducing such policies now would position the country to withstand the fiscal strains of demographics and halt the deficit freight train before it collides i nto the Ca nad ia n economy with full force.

Jason Clemens, Jake Fuss and Milagros Palacios are economists with the Fraser Institute

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Fiber Optic Division Proudly serving the Okanagan for over 30 years ...

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