DECEMBER 2014
» INSURANCE
VICTORIA
–PAGE 8 EVERY DAY IS AN OPPORTUNITY.
Gordon ‘N’ Gordon specializes in steel studs, drywall, insulation and acoustic ceilings
Where do you go from here?
Victoria
PAGE 28
VICTORIA Western Grater does the tough work behind and below the scenes, preparing the way for other firms
PAGE 18
INDEX News Update 2 West Shore 5 Sooke 5 Victoria 6 Going Green 15 Think First 15 Saanich Peninsula 24 Technology 26 Sale/Inventing 32 Who is Suing Whom 33 Movers and Shakers 34 Opinion 38 Law 39 Contact us: 1-866-758-2684
OUR 30TH YEAR
Island Savings Credit Union becomes part of First West Bigger resources mean bigger opportunities for business BY GOODY NIOSI
O
n January 1 2015, Island Savings Credit Union will officially become a division of Langley based First West Credit Union – but that doesn’t mean members will notice any changes. “ T h e whole b el ief b eh i nd First West is how do you keep the local brand and the local community credit unions who know their markets and know their members and have local leadership – how to keep that strong a nd ma ke it stronger while having a bigger balance sheet,” said Launi Skinner, CEO of First West. “How do you keep what is great about the historical perspective and uniqueness of credit unions alive while at the same time knowing it’s getting to be a tougher and tougher business to operate in?” The answer, she said, is not to change a ny th i ng about loca l cred it unions except to increase the
For jobs big or small… Unity Business Systems has the products to handle them all SEE ISLAND SAVINGS CREDIT | PAGE 16
Farm raised salmon bringing wealth to BC Fish farming is a growing industry BY GOODY NIOSI
T Canadian Publications Mail Acct.: 40069240
Launi Skinner and Rod Dewar are pleased about the new partnership between First West and Island Savings
he economic impact of salmon farming on the West Coast is significant. Currently it is an $800 million industry, and Jeremy Dunn, executive director of the BC Salmon Farmers Association (BCSFA) said it could
easily rise to over $1 billion in the next five years. Salmon farms also put people to work on Vancouver Island. The BCFSA has social and economic partnerships with 17 First Nations. Very importantly, Dunn said, the fish farms are being operated to world-class standards. “We make our decisions on management based on science.
22 elves to serve you. Vancouver Island’s largest independent copier and MFP dealer. Reliability, serviceability and affordability. We are Unity Business. Unity Business 575Systems Bay Street 575 Bay Street | Victoria, BC 250.384.7243 V8T 1P5
T: 250 384 BC 7243V8T 1P5 , Victoria, F: 250 385 7732 www.unitybusiness.ca E: admin@unitybusiness.ca
Our members are all third party certified and our growers of Atlantic salmon who have the best aquaculture practices certification have now committed to a global leading position to have the Aquaculture Stewardship Council certification by 2020. This is the most stringent third party certification in the food business.” He added that wild
salmon stocks have always run in cycles, even long before the first fish farm appeared on the West Coast. In fact, this year is seeing a record sockeye run and a near-record pink salmon run. About 80% of BC farmed salmon is exported to the United SEE FARM RAISED SALMON | PAGE 4