Business Examiner Thompson/Okanagan - June 2018

» WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION

JUNE 2018

– PAGE 12

KAMLOOPS Munden Ventures is a family-owned multi-facetted transportation company

Thompson/Okanagan WWW.BUSINESSEXAMINER.CA

Raghwa Gopal Accelerates Okanagan Tech Industry BC Tech Association Recognizes Accelerate Okanagan CEO for Industry Leadership

BY ROBERT MACDONALD

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KELOWNA Tridem Services is more than a repair shop

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INDEX News Update 2 Kamloops 4 Kelowna 5 Vernon 10 Salmon Arm 10 Sales 25 Movers and Shakers 8 Opinion 30 Greensheet 31 Contact us: 1-866-758-2684

OUR 12TH YEAR

K

ELOWNA - From basement startups to multim i l l ion dol la r dea ls, Okanagan tech guru Raghwa Gopal is moving the industry forward.

The Accelerate Okanagan CEO’s 40 years in the business have seen the region rise to house the fastest growing tech industry in BC, and Gopal has been an integral part in many of its biggest success stories.

This influence hasn’t gone unnoticed, as Gopal has been the recipient of several prestigious awards. Among these many accolades, he was recognized as Man of the Year by the City of Kelowna, Canadian Immigrant of the Year by RBC and Canadian Immigrant Magazine, Top 40 Over 40 by the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce, and has won a BC Community Achievement Award from the BC Community Achievement Foundation.

On June 2nd, he attended the BC Tech awards as a finalist for the Person of the Year award.

The BC Tech Association 2018

Technology Impact Awards is the largest tech awards program in BC, with this year marking the 25th anniversary of the event.

“The event was amazing,” says Gopal. “There were about 1000 people attending, and just having my name alongside Gerri Sinclair, Ray Walia, Judi Hess, and my good friend Jill Earthy was a tremendous honour.”

The finalists were recognized for their community building achievements. “Each of these people have done a mazi ng things to raise the level of some aspect of their community,” says Gopal. “I was being recognized because of the tremendous growth we’ve experienced in the Okanagan tech sector.”

Gopal immigrated to Kelowna from Fiji about 40 years ago.

He had completed a degree in Information Technology from Central Institute of Technology in Wellington, New Zealand, as well as degrees in computer science from Collier MacMillan School in Australia and the University of the South Pacific.

SEE ACCELERATE OKANAGAN | PAGE 25

Raghwa Gopal, CEO of Accelerate Okanagan

Finalists Announced For First Ever Grant Thornton Thompson Okanagan BE Awards Winners Will Be Unveiled At June 14 Gala At Coast Capri Hotel In Kelowna

Canadian Publications Mail Acct.: 40069240

1.800.663.3923

K

ELOWNA – A total of 80 Finalists have been anno u nc e d for t he F i rs t A n nua l Grant Thornton LLP Thompson Okanagan Business Excellence Awards, set for the Coast Capri Hotel in Kelowna on

Thursday, June 14.

The nomination deadline for the celebration of the finest and most successful businesses in the Thompson Okanagan region – from Kamloops to Osoyoos was May 1.

Grant T hornton LLP is t he Title Platinum Sponsor for the event, and Innov8 Digital Solutions is in as a Gold Sponsor.

Category sponsors include RBC Royal Bank, Sandler Training, Business Development Bank of

Canada, Diversified Rehabilitation Group and 101.5 EZ Rock Bell Media. Black Press is the Print Media Sponsor for the event, coordinated by Business Examiner SEE GRANT THORNTON | PAGE 11

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NEWS UPDATE

JUNE 2018

OKANAGAN TOTA CEO to Serve as Vice-Chair on New Tourism Council Glen Mandziuk, CEO of the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA), has been named vice-chair of the new Minister’s Tourism Engagement Council (MTEC).

T he new cou nci l wa s announced by Lisa Beare, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture.

Council members will help government achieve susta i nable tou rism grow th in the province by providing advice on policies, strategies and t h e i s s u e s t h a t a f fe c t the industry, and helping to set tourism priorities, goals and strategy implementation.

T he 28 cou nci l members represent small and large tourism businesses, marketing organizations, culture and sport groups, Indigenous communities, municipalities, technology companies, and wilderness guides, as well as many other sectors.

T hey w i l l represent si x tou r i sm reg ion s i n BC: Va ncouver Isla nd, T h omp s on Ok a n a g a n , Kootenay Rockies, Northern BC, Cariboo Chilcotin Coa s t, a nd Va ncouver Coast and Mountains.

Members will serve for one- or two-year terms.

The council is a volunteer commitment, but members will be reimbursed for travel to MTEC meetings, which will be held up to four times per year. “ T he new M i n i s ter’s To u r i s m E n g a g e m e n t Council is a great forum for members to provide advice to government on maintaining a competitive tourism industry,” said Walt Judas, CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of B.C. “Collaboration will lead to the adoption of best practices, which will make our industry even stronger.”

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BC Provincial Government to Invest $102.6 Million in Tech Industry T he BC G overn ment announced $102.6 Million in funding for 75 BC post-secondary research projects through the BC Knowledge Development Fund.

The projects will develop

BC’s ex per tise a nd i nnovation in fields such as advanced supercomputing and clean technology, to spur job creation, talent development and commercia l ize i n novation.

They will invest $12 million in graduate degree scholarships over the next th ree yea rs. T he fu ndi ng w i l l support priority areas such as science, te ch, en g i ne er i n g a nd mathematics programs, as well as Indigenous students and regional programs. The Province will also invest in women-intechnology scholarships, a l low i n g more women to ta ke up science a nd tech-based professions. $ 1 0.5 m i l l i o n w i l l b e invested in co-op opportunities and entrepreneu ria l tra i n i ng for post-secondary students, so t h ey c a n g a i n v it a l hands-on experience to be job-ready when they e n te r t h e te c h s e c to r.

T he gover n ment w i l l e x p a n d i t s P ro v i n c i a l Nominee Program Tech Pilot, allowing for priority processing for people in tech occupations, such as biotechnologists, software engineers and web developers.

BC April Home Sales Down 16.8 Per Cent From Last Year T he tot a l re sid ent i a l sales dollar volume was $5.99 billion for the month of April, a 16.8 per cent decline from April 2017.

T he British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) reports that a total of 8,203 residential unit sales were recorded by the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) across the prov i nce i n Apr i l. T he average MLS residential price in BC was $730,507, up 0.2 per cent from the previous year.

“BC home sa les were essentially unchanged in April compared to March, albeit up nearly 1 per cent on a seasonally adjusted basis,” said Cameron Muir, BCREA’s Chief Economist.

“The impact of more burdensome mortgage qualifications for conventional borrowers is expected to soften over the next several months as potential buyers adjust both their finances and expectations.”

The supply of homes for sale in April increased 4 per cent from the previo u s m o n t h . H o w e v e r, total active listings on the market continue to remain

low from a historical perspective. Most regions of the province have begun t rend i n g towa rd more balance between supply and demand, causing less upward pressure on home prices.

Year-to-date, BC residential sales dollar volume was down 6.7per cent to $19.9 billion, compared with the same period in 2017. Residential unit sales decreased 11.8 per cent to 27,135 units, while the average MLS® residential price was up 5.7 per cent to $731,661.

OKANAGAN Experts Expecting a Record-Breaking Cherry Crop This summer, the Okanagan is set to produce a record-breaking cherry crop.

A combination of ideal weather conditions through the bloom period and new production methods has resulted in an estimated 12-millionpound crop, the BC Tree Fruits Cooperative says.

Consu mers w i l l sta r t seeing Okanagan cherr i e s i n s t o r e s s t a r ti ng the end of Ju ne.

The estimated crop is expected to exceed last season’s. In 2017, the yield fell short of initial estimates, at 10.1 m illion pounds, due to weather challenge s a cro ss t he re g ion .

In addition to cherries, BC Tree Fruits is anticipating a very good peach, nectarine, prune, plum and table grape crop, with volumes either slightly up or similar to last year.

“Mother natu re served our growing regions with i d e a l w e a t h e r c o n d itions through bloom into the post-bloom period, which has resulted in a lot of fruit on the trees,” s a y s m a r k e t i n g m a nager Chris Pollock. “Our growers are excited and prepared for great summer fruit crops this year.”

The primary market for that fruit is Western Canada, but the valley also exports to the United States and abroad.

KELOWNA Lane Merrifield Joins Dragon’s Den K e l o w n a’s o w n L a ne Merrifield is joining the Dragons’ Den lineup. CBC SEE NEWS UPDATE | PAGE 3

NEWS UPDATE

JUNE 2018

The Okanagan Mainline Real Estate Board (OMREB) reports that the volume of May home sales from Revelstoke to Peachland is down 28 per cent from t h is t i me last yea r w it h 817 homes sold.

“Not surprisingly, the residential home market continues to slow a f ter a pa r t icu l a rly heady market that peaked in 2016. S up ply i s s t a r t i n g to catch up with new units coming on stream, while demand i s d a mp en i ng a s a resu lt of government regulations,” said OMR EB President Marv Beer noting that May is the th ird consecutive month where sales volumes were down from the same period last year.

Oliver’s First FullService Hotel to Open at the End of June The 80-room Coast Hotel on Station Street is set to open at the end of June. The project, built

by Mundi Hotel Enterprises, will be the Town of Oliver’s first fullservice hotel.

The project began in November, and will be completed after just over seven months of construction.

The hotel will employ about 25 staff during tourist season, and Coast Hotels hosted a hiring fair to search for front desk and breakfast bar staff, as well as housekeeping and maintenance staff.

Mundi Hotel Enterprises owns the new Oliver hotel, and president Ron Mundi said the company also purchased the Coast Hotel in Osoyoos on May 1, located about 20 kilometres away.

The Osoyoos Coast Hotel has been closed since May 10 due to flooding from Osoyoos Lake, and Mundi says it will likely reopen in early July — about a week after the expected grand opening at the Oliver Coast Hotel.

Mundi expects the two Coast Hotels will complement each other once both are up and running early in the summer. He has also been approved to construct a 90-room hotel in Penticton on the site of the old bingo hall.

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Corie Griffiths, Director of Economic Development at the Regional District of Central Okanagan (RDCO), and Mark Koch, Director of Community Services for the District of Lake Country, were elected to the Local Government Management Association of British Columbia (LGMA).

LGMA is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting professional management and leadership excellence in local government. It is governed by a 13-member Board of Directors.

During its opening sales weekend, the West Tower at ONE Water Street sold over two thirds of its homes.

Okanagan locals were active yet again, while 60 per cent of the 140 homes purchased were from Lower Mainland buyers.

West Tower sales began with family and friends on Thursd ay a nd cont i nued t h roug h Friday a nd Satu rday. I n a l l, 6,100 people had registered in advance, signalling intense interest for the homes in the West Tower.

Sa les to the genera l publ ic began Saturday afternoon. A good selection of great homes re m a i n s fo r s a l e i n c lu d i n g two-bedroom lakeview homes (some w it h f lex spaces a nd dens), as well as three-bedroom townhomes.

“With this many homes sold, we’ll be ready to advance the sta rt of construction on the West Tower to this summer.

T h at’s a f u l l ye a r a h e a d of schedule,” says Leonard Kerkhoff, vice president of Kerkhoff Construction. “The interest in both buildings is nothing short of amazing and has exceeded all our expectations.”

“Part of the success with the West Tower this weekend can be attributed to including more of the popular floor plans that sold most quickly in the East Tower,” added Henry Bereznicki, managing partner of North American Development Group.

“We were right in anticipating there would be strong demand for the kinds of homes many buyers were unable to buy in

May Home Sales Numbers Show Stark Contrast

OLIVER

LE

Corie Griffiths and Mark Koch Elected to Provincial Board

Two Thirds of New Development Sold on Opening Weekend

OKANAGAN

New listings were 1764, up 16 per cent over Apri l a nd 7 per cent over t h is t i me l a st year. Average price, typically the last i nd icator to norma l ize, was $532,972, just 1 per cent over April and 4 per cent over this time last year. “ M a rke t p e a k s a nd va l ley s cou ld be sig n i f ica ntly sof tened i f gover n ment were to address the root cause of BC’s conti nued ch ron ic shor tage of affordable housing,” Beer contends. “ W h en d em a nd for ho u sing increases, home builders typically respond by building new homes,” Beer notes. “But, as we’ve seen here and across BC in general, prices increase when supply doesn’t ramp up fast enough, making homes less affordable in general.

“As governments continue to tinker, rather than deal with the root cause of BC’s real estate market woes, they are very likely to harm the very people they aim to protect and support,” concludes Beer.

OMREB serves three diverse m a rkets w it h i n t he reg ion: the Centra l Oka naga n Zone (Peachland to Lake Country), the North Zone (Predator Ridge to Enderby) and the ShuswapRevelstoke Zone (Salmon Arm to Revelstoke).

For detailed statistics specific to each of the three regions served by OMREB, visit www. omreb.com.

AT S

OKANAGAN

KELOWNA

the East Tower. Add the fact that many West Tower homes will also have larger balconies, and the value is undeniable when combined with the location on Okanagan Lake and the many amenities our residents will enjoy.”

C o n s t r u c t io n o n t h e E a s t Tower is underway with piling for its foundation being completed earlier this month. East Tower completion is expected in 2021 and the West Tower is to be completed in early 2022.

SE

A n nou nced that Merri field, who has first-hand experience establishing and growing multimillion dollar businesses, will be one of their dragons for season 13, which will premier in fall 2018.

“I am thrilled to be joining the incredible lineup of Dragons in the Den this season,” said Merrifield. “I’ve been fortunate enough to experience the power and adventure of entrepreneurialism throughout my life, and I can’t wait to share that joy and experience with others. We are privileged to live in a country where entrepreneurs are given a platform like this and I’m honoured to be a part of it.”

M e r r i f i e ld i s t h e c re at ive gen iu s a nd v i r tu a l ga mechanger behind Club Penguin, the world’s largest children’s socia l network. At 28 yea rs of age and just 18 months after launching the network, he sold it for $350 million and accepted his next challenge as one of the youngest executive vice presidents at the Walt Disney Company, where he grew Club Penguin to the billion-dollar brand it is today.

A fter departing Disney, he launched FreshGrade, a learning assessment tool that is currently being used in 80 per cent of school districts across Canada. One year later, he founded Wheelhouse, an organization that invests in and supports ea rly-stage tech compa n ies and entrepreneurs. Lending his hand to up-starters, Merrifield also keeps his influence in the corporate world by sitting on the board of Spin Master.

Over the years, his teams have won dozens of awards including a prestigious BAFTA (British Academy of Fi l m a nd Television) Award for Club Penguin.

Lane has received an Honorary Fellows Award, a Business Leader of the Year award from the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce and he was also listed as one of The Hollywood Reporter’s Top 35 Executives under 35.

At the 2018 Annual General Meeting held on May 16, 2018, Griffiths was elected as Director at Large, with Koch serving as President.

T he boa rd is compr ised of Ma rk Koch (P resident), Ron Bowles (Vice President), Heather Nelson-Smith (Treasurer), Bill Flitton (Director at Large), Madeline McDonald (Director at Large), Corrie Griffiths (Director at Large), and Patti Bridal (Past President).

Ch apter Di rectors i nclude Karla Jensen (North Central), Raeleen Manjak (T hompson Okanagan), Theresa Lenardon (West Kootenay Bou nda r y), Darren Kiedyk (Vancouver Island), Curtis Helgesen (Rocky Mountain), and Wallace Mah (Lower Mainland).

“I’m humbled to be elected to the Local Government Association of BC Board of Directors. The LGMA of BC provides leading training, tools and best practices that allow local government leaders in BC deliver excellence in service to their communities,” says Griffiths.

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ON

NEWS UPDATE

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®

* Unfortunately seating is limited, you must pre-register and pre-qualify to attend

KAMLOOPS

4

TAKE THE TIME TO NOTICE YOUR DIFFERENCE MAKERS…

TOTA GLENN MANDZIUK

I

n tourism we talk a lot about what differentiates us from other locations i n the world.

Our Iconic products, the authenticity of our story and shared history, the activities which provide opportunities to expand personal horizons, and of course, our culinary offerings which bring the bounty of our land to our plate and glass.

I w a s , h o w e v e r, r e minded early this month that none of this matters without the most important ingredient — our people. Those individuals who, day in and day out, deliver the to u r i s m p ro d u c t s a n d ser v ic e s to ou r g u e s ts

a n d w e a r y t ra v e l l e r s .

They are the difference maker between a visitor that leaves satisfied, fulfilled, or even grateful, and those that leave disappointed.

M a ny of ou r communities celebrate their tourism and hospitality employees for exemplary serv ice i n the face of often difficult challenges. We applaud this type of initiative and encourage other com munities and areas to see how they might do the same.

At t he Kelow na Hote l M o te l A s s o c i a t i o n (K H M A) Heart of Hospitality Awards this past week, I l istened to t he stories of front line staff members going above and beyond g uest ex pectations. From replacing a you n g l ady’s converse sneakers after she walked i n to c o n s t r u c t i o n c ement; a nother ta king a g uest shopping for impor ta nt a nd u rgent ly needed med ica l supplies after their car had broken down; to another employee t h at h ad t he foresig ht to recog n i z e a potentially tragic and

fatal situation before it happened and in so doing ultimately changed the course of someone’s life, and by extension, that of many of the lives of their friends and family.

Hotels, restaurants, attractions, and transportation companies all fall short when the positive and proactive interaction w ith staff is lacking.

Take the time to notice your difference makers in your business or organization! Thank and encourage them to continue to care, notice, and help whenever and wherever they are able to.

You w i l l be rewa rded with having visitors that w ill remember, return, and talk about their experiences in new and meaningful ways and you will have team members that understand and appreciate their critical role in delivering exceptional tourism experiences.

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

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JUNE 2018

KAMLOOPS CHAMBER IS THE PLACE TO BE!

KAMLOOPS DEB MCCLELLAND

T

he Kamloops Chamb er wa s proud to host the annual conference for the British Columbia Chamber of Commerce in May. Over 225 delegates descended upon our city and shopped, dined and experienced our wonderful businesses. And we ensured that they will be back with all the fun surprises we had in store for them!

During the conference, we gave away trips back to Kamloops, donated by

our wonderful members.

Thanks to our contributors: Rocky Mountaineer Railtours, Sun Peaks Grand Hotel & Conference Centre, Sun Peaks Resort, South Thompson Inn & Conference Centre, Rivershore Estates & Golf Links, Kamloops Golf & Country Club, Hotel 540, DiVine Tours, Kamloops Art Gallery, Sandman Signature Kamloops, TasteFull Excursions Inc., Scott’s Inn & Restaurant, British Columbia Wildlife Park, Jump 360 Trampoline Park, 4 Cats Arts Studio, Big Little Science Centre, Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott, Western Canada Theatre, Atlas Steak & Fish, Best Western Plus Kamloops Hotel, EXIT Kamloops, Treetop Flyers Zipline at Chase Canyon and Monte Creek Ranch Winery.

Then, we partnered with Brewloops to show everyone how much fun it is to

live and play in Kamloops!

We sold out a huge Block Party with 2200 people attending and enjoying 17 breweries and lots of food trucks. Many thanks to our new member Brewloops and to our sponsor, McMillan Dubo Law Group!

We a re s o e x c i te d to i n t ro d u c e o u r n e w e s t members for May: Brewloops Cultural Development Society, Complete Bookkeeping by Andrea, Jamaican K itchen, McMillan Dubo Law Group, Mills Office Productivitiy, Sushi Plus and Wilson M. Beck Insurance Service.

If you are curious about being a part of our vibrant Chamber of Commerce, give us a call at 250.372.7722.

Deb McClelland is Executive Director at the Kamloops Chamber of Commerce. She can be reached at deb@ kamloopschamber.ca.

DOES IT MAKE SENSE TO OUTSOURCE YOUR HR?

HR CHRISTINE WILLOW

O

ver the past five years or so, the continued growth in the economy has been positive, yet at the same time has brought along challenges, in particular when it comes to the people side of business.

Human Resources (HR) continues to go through a transitional phase with regards to how it is viewed, what functions or set of activities are involved and the impact from external forces such as regulations, employee expectations, and the wide-spread skills and labour shortage. When you are a small to medium sized business you may not have a dedicated person or department to oversee HR functions, and simply react to immediate needs and challenges on an as-needed basis. So how do you ensure that not only the basic HR tasks such as payroll, recruitment, compensation and benefits management, and general administrative duties are covered, but also the strategic side of HR

including your company culture, employee engagement, and professional development?

As a first step, efficiencies can be attained by looking at how basic administrative duties can be streamlined.

Can some of the functions (payroll and benefits administration) be outsourced or done through a technology based HR management system, and if so, which is the best method for your business? By allowing your managers to move away from the time consuming administrative functions, it allows them to spend more time on performance management and employee engagement which in turn may reduce your turnover and time spent on recruitment.

If a technology-based system is not right for you, can all of your HR or specific parts of HR be outsourced to allow you to focus on other important business matters.

Outsourcing HR functions to professionals with the expertise to perform tasks more effectively, and in many cases more economically, makes sense.

Outsourcing is gaining in popularity, as employers realize the benefits of bri ngi ng i n H R subject matter experts - after all you don’t repair you own car or do your own electrical work. As an example, recruitment has been outsourced by many companies for years, particularly

at the executive level. This trend continues to grow as many organizations now outsource recruitment for entry level positions as well, since it is a very time consuming task. T hese d ay s, H R o ut s o u rc i n g goes beyond the “simple” adm inistrative and recruitment tasks, and now encompasses more of the professional services like compensation programs, policy and job description development, and performance management systems.

Outsourcing can also ensure that you are both aware of and meeting all legal and legislative HR changes. For example, how has your organization addressed the hot subject of the day - the upcoming legalization of marijuana? Does your Employee manual have a policy that addresses impairment in the workplace, or the use of medical marijuana? Having an external HR professional advise you and keep you informed can save you from issues in the future.

Outsourcing is not new, what is changing is the expansion in the number and type of services that organizations are willing to outsource, ensuring core and strategic HR functions are met while allowing owners/ managers to focus on the success of their business.

Christine Willow is a Partner at Chemistry Consulting.

KELOWNA

JUNE 2018

5

SUMMER IS ON ITS WAY – WILL SUMMER JOBS FOLLOW?

KELOWNA DAN ROGERS

I

’ve been writing about the speculation tax so long I’d thought I’d change gears this month. Like many who watch the employment numbers, I was interested to see that BC’s part-time job stats dropped in April – 15,000 jobs or a 2.9 per cent drop from March.

Val Litwin, President and CEO of the BC Chamber attributes that in part to the ski resorts shutting down for the season – Val used to look after the Whistler Chamber, so he’s plugged in to ski-hill economics. The flip side of that parttime job loss was the overall net gain of 2,900 jobs in April, which included the addition of more than 18,000 full-time jobs in BC. Many of us have been concerned that the rise in minimum wage would negatively impact the part-time and summer-jobsfor-students scenario in Canada this summer. BC is phasing in the hikes in minimum wage, which should offer protection to both the jobs on offer, and the employers seeking to adequately staff their businesses.

It’s quite the opposite in Ontario just now – Ontario’s minimum wage jumped to $14/hour last January. A recently completed industry association study is showing small business owners feeling the impact as summer rolls out.

Fifty-nine per cent have already reduced or eliminated plans to hire young workers; 46 per cent have reduced overall staffing hours; and 22 per cent have replaced workers with technology.

BC is somewhat insulated from these numbers for at least another year with a minimum wage increase that is rising more slowly.

S W E N

The good news in Kelowna is that our unemployment rate at 4.8 per cent remains under the national average of 5.8 per cent for April.

More diverse economic drivers in BC’s economy help spread jobs across a broader range: tech, agriculture, tourism, real estate and related support industries.

Diverse economic drivers make me think about a competitive Canada – as our partners at the Canadian Chamber phrase it “A Canada that Wins”. It’s long past the time for Ottawa to step up to the plate and ensure that our country is employing all the tools in the toolkit to ensure a rosy economic future for our country, for those summer students who will soon graduate into the real world of job hunting.

Currently, there is an interesting debate going on between Federal Finance Minister Bill Morneau and Economist Jack Mintz. It’s basically a three-way debate: Mintz is a former president of the C.D. Howe Institute [independent research institute whose mission is to raise living standards by fostering economically sound public policies]; Morneau is a former Chair of the Institute’s Board; and William Robson is the current President.

The issue being debated is the competitiveness of Canada: Minister Morneau says Canada is doing all right. Mintz says Canada has a competitiveness problem.

The Canadian Chamber has been calling for a full economic review of Canada’s tax structure, ever since last summer’s federal tax changes hit Canadian-based businesses hard, and apparently, without much of a pre-implementation economic study. William Robson makes the point that Canada spends fifty-nine cents per worker on investment (capital equipment, worker investment) while the US spends $1/worker. The US tax reforms which took effect January 1 of this year are poised to injure Canada’s competitiveness even further – Minister Morneau does not agree with this assessment – the changes will boost capital spending south of the border.

The Canadian Chamber agrees with the OECD (The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) that the increased US competitiveness will hurt Canada’s economic growth.

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And they go on to call for action in both Ottawa and the provinces to reverse the dive in competitiveness that followed the January 1st US tax changes.

Robson concludes his remarks on the Mintz/Morneau debate by calling on the feds to amend tax rates, depreciation schedules, treatment of income from investments in intellectual property and, to increase the impact of the federal government’s role in intergovernmental policies affecting major projects – such as pipelines – and other infrastructure.

I said I wouldn’t dwell on the speculation tax this month – but

it needs continuing attention.

The coalition of business and economic development leaders that are pushing the “Scrap the Speculation Tax” campaign continues to grow. Our Chamber tabled a policy resolution on the tax that attracted unprecedented attention at the May BC Chamber AGM. Developers in our area continue to push back against regulations that are shrinking access to affordable housing for new and existing residents, young workers and families in the Okanagan. This may be a long fight but we remain optimistic that the province will see the

light and put the proposed tax on the shelf and pursue other mechanisms to address affordable housing across British Columbia.

We added another list of new members since my last column.

I’d like to welcome New Look Interiors; Premium 1 Papers; Jackson CPA; DL Transport Inc.; Artech; Next Level Window Cleaning; The Tailored Shave; Okanagan Sun Junior Football Club; L&M Metcalfe Enterprises Ltd.; Grospurt Enterprises Inc. Welcome all!

Dan Rogers is Executive Director at the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce.

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JUNE 2018

HALLIDAY REFRIGERATION: KEEPING THE REGION COOL SINCE 1968 Multi-Generational Family Business Works With Clients As Far Away As Revelstoke

K

A M L OOPS – A whol ly family-owned and operated business for half a century, Halliday Refrigeration Ltd. has grown and evolved with the region it serves, providing the Greater Kamloops area and beyond with a range of services that extends from heating and furnace repairs to all aspects of air conditioning, commercial refrigeration right up to hot water heaters and boiler repairs.

It all started in 1968, when Allan Halliday Sr., with his tools and a single service vehicle began to look after the comfort needs of his Kamloops area neighbors.

“When the company first started, we were doing much of the same work we do today, refrigeration, heating and air conditioning. But over the years there have definitely been changes, especially in terms of technology and systems,” explained the current President and company owner Allan Halliday Jr. If not for a serendipitous happening, the entire history of Halliday Refrigeration could have been vastly different. Coming from Winnipeg, the firm’s founder was actually in the process of passing through Kamloops to Vancouver by rail when fortuitously the train made a stop-over in the city.

“The train stopped so he decided to get off for a breath of fresh air, which allowed him to have a bit of a look at Kamloops. He immediately noted the temperature and how warm it was and essentially said to himself that Kamloops might be a better place to start a company than in Vancouver. If not for that, there might not even be a Halliday Refrigeration, at least not the one we have today,” he said.

Quickly establishing himself in his new community, the elder Halliday (who already had his refrigeration ticket) soon became certified to work on gas systems, thanks to a great deal of commonality between the two technologies.

Allan Halliday Jr., is the owner and President of Halliday Refrigeration, a business he’s literally grown up in Initially working as a technician for another firm (Giddens Services Ltd.) that early exposure to the city and its surrounding area helped to cement a permeant bond between himself and his newly adopted home.

In addition to work on refrigeration systems he quickly added residential and commercial furnace repairs and maintenance to his skills set, adding knowledge and experiences that would prove invaluable once he decided to venture out on his own.

“While he certainly enjoyed his time at Giddens, he always wanted to start his own company. He always told me that if you’re your own boss you can set your own schedule, but that it’s also important to do your work and to make sure the customers are happy.

There can be challenges when you work for yourself, but it can also be a lot of fun.”

Officially launched in 1968, Halliday Refrigeration from its earliest days specialized in servicing the regional commercial market

Halliday Refrigeration has had a long and successful relationship with the Trane line of air conditioning systems

– maintaining walk-in coolers for restaurants, servicing office air conditioning systems and other tasks for its commercial clients.

While residential assignments including domestic air conditioning repairs, air filtration systems, heat pump and furnace (both gas and electric) installation and maintenance account for about 60 percent of the company’s workload, the rest of the firm’s efforts are devoted to its commercial and institutional customers.

Then, like today, Halliday Refrigeration routinely works with clients located well beyond Kamloops’ municipal boundaries.

Operating from his lone service vehicle, Allan Sr. would carry out service calls as far afield as Revelstoke and even further. Transitioning from a one-man shop into a small team by the early 1970’s, Halliday Refrigeration had expanded to just over half a dozen employees.

Operating at the time from an industrial facility within Kamloops’ Brocklehurst neighborhood,

Halliday Refrigeration eventually opened its present shop and storefront at Unit H, 2020 Falcon Road in 2007, which was the first time the company had maintained an outlet of this type.

Growing up exposed to Halliday Refrigeration, Allan Jr. knew he would eventually become part of the firm. Al officially became part of the operation in 1987 in his early 20s after a stint in Edmonton.

Starting his refrigeration apprenticeship that year, he had to learn the fundamentals of his new trade and of the business he was a part of from the ground up.

Allan Jr. officially took over the operation of Halliday Refrigeration in 2006 and while his father (who has now passed) never officially retired, he had recognized the need for new leadership to guide the firm as it moved into the new century. The elder Halliday continued to work alongside of his son for several years, servicing systems and working with clients as he had from the beginning.

With a compact staff and a small

fleet of service vehicles Halliday Refrigeration routinely services an expanding client base that extends from Revelstoke to Cache Creek to Litton to as far away as Vancouver.

From its earliest incarnation Halliday Refrigeration has been an authorized supplier and service center for the Trane line of air conditioning products, a relationship the firm continues to enjoy.

“We’ve always gone with this product because it’s the number one product of its type on the market. We don’t want the client to have problems and with the Trane line we know we’re working with something that provides quality and efficiency for the long term,” he said.

“My employees really are the company’s ambassadors, so it’s important to have the people who can actually walk the walk, not just talk it,” he said.

“For us it’s about focusing on what we do best and in giving the customer the very best value for their money.” www.hallidayrefrigeration.com

Congratulations to Halliday Refrigeration ING50 AT Y

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Helping Halliday with Great Benefits

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We’re proud to support the coolest company around...

Happy 50th anniversary, Halliday Refrigeration!

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Congratula ons on your 50 th anniversary!

Kamloops: (250) 372-8811 Chase: (250) 679-3180 BC Toll Free: 1 (800) 949-3362 Email: ccates@cfelaw.ca Website: cfelaw.ca #300 - 125 Fourth Avenue, Kamloops, BC V2C 3N3

7

JUNE 2018

ESTABLISHED WESTERN CANADIAN LAW FIRM LAUNCHES PRACTICE GEARED FOR GROWTH IN THE OKANAGAN Multi-Generational Family Business Works With Clients As Far Away As Revelstoke

K

ELOW NA – For a business to operate and prosper for more than 20 years it must be doing something right.

When a firm has been in business for more than 130 years, it has to be exceptional – the perfect word to describe the law firm of Lawson Lundell LLP. With roots dating back to 1886, the entity known today as Lawson Lundell has evolved from a local Victoria legal practice into one of the top providers of legal services with 145 lawyers across Western and Northern Canada.

Today Lawson Lundell has access to a depth of resources that only a firm of its experience can offer. Most recently, the firm has expanded into the Okanagan market through the opening of its boutique-style Kelowna office, which serves a range of clients with a particular focus on the technology sector.

“Lawson Lundell has played an important role in building the BC economy, working with many of the key players across a broad range of sectors that have contributed to the province’s growth. We have always prided ourselves on having a true Western Canadian and Northern focus, through our offices in Vancouver, Calgary, Yellowknife, and most recently Kelowna,” explained Michael Macaulay, a partner in the firm’s Kelowna office.

Originally founded in Victoria, the firm opened its second office early in the 20th Century in Vancouver, which eventually became the operation’s headquarters. The firm’s Calgary office (the company’s second largest) opened in 1997 and its Yellowknife office opened in 2002. The firm’s latest operation in Kelowna was only opened last year, but

Michael M. Macaulay is a Partner in the Kelowna office of Lawson Lundell, which was opened in 2017

“The pace of growth and change over the last five to ten years in the Okanagan, and in Kelowna in particular, has been remarkable.”

MICHAEL MACAULAY PARTNER, LAWSON LUNDELL LLP

is quickly establishing itself as one of the Okanagan’s leading law firms.

“Given our position as a leading regional firm in Western Canada, it made sense for us to open an office in Kelowna. We’ve made it a priority to be located where growth is occurring within our regions, and the Okanagan and the BC Interior more broadly are areas with tremendous potential for both our clients and the firm.

Technology has enabled scalable business with a global reach to grow anywhere and the lifestyle afforded by many communities in the Interior has drawn entrepreneurs migrating from other parts of the province, Canada or internationally,” he said.

“As the emerg i ng tech nolog y clu ster i n Kelow n a h a s grown, fostered by the support

Lawson Lundell’s Kelowna team: (l to r) Lauren Newitt, Toby (dog), Paul Matthews, Michael Macaulay, Scott Andersen and Max Walker of organizations like Accelerate Okanagan, University of British Columbia Okanagan (UBCO) and infrastructure such as the Kelowna International Airport and the city’s dark fiber network, that growth has become exponential as lifestyle is no longer the primary driver for why many entrepreneurs choose to be here.”

Lawson Lundell’s Kelowna office is presently home to a quartet of lawyers, each focusing on complementary practice areas and each continuing to be fully integrated with teams in the firm’s other offices. In addition to Macaulay, who is a corporate finance and M & A lawyer working primarily with technology firms and clients in the innovation sector, the local office features the skills of Paul Matthews who focuses on intellectual property strategy and technology licensing and commercialization, Scott Anderson who practises in the area of corporate / commercial litigation and Max Walker who maintains a mixed corporate and tax practice.

Lauren Newitt has recently joined the firm as the Kelowna office administrator. Collectively, the local office provides its growing client base with a wealth of on-site experience and services, while having immediate access to the firm’s full bench strength.

Located in The Innovation Centre in downtown Kelowna, the local office continues to grow by fine tuning its services to the evolving needs of its clients. “As businesses grow, their needs become more complex, so we need to be able to tailor our advice and strategies to help companies with both their day-to-day needs and with planning for the future, whether they are in an early stage, a high growth phase or one of our well-established clients,” Macaulay explained.

“One of the factors that encouraged the opening of this office, and which played a role in the selection of our office location, is the growth of the region’s technology cluster, with the area being home to a vibrant

start-up community and an increasing number of growth stage companies.”

Barely a year in, the firm’s Kelowna office has already established a solid presence in the region and looks forward to future expansion.

“The pace of growth and change over the last five to ten years in the Okanagan, and in Kelowna in particular, has been remarkable.

It’s maturing rapidly, it’s growing quickly and many companies that were small start-ups a short time ago have blossomed into growth stage companies fuelling job growth and drawing new talent to the region,” he said.

“By being here we are able to integrate with the start-up community, becoming part of their operations right from the beginning. It’s an exciting time, not just for the Okanagan but also for Lawson Lundell. We see tremendous growth potential throughout the Interior, and we want to be an important part of that growth.” www.lawsonlundell.com

8

JUNE 2018

TRIDEM SERVICES: MORE THAN A VEHICLE REPAIR SHOP Multi-Generational Family Business Has Served Region For 23 Years

K

ELOWNA – The success of Tridem Services Ltd., growing from a one-person mechanical shop to one of the Okanagan’s top commercial truck and trailer repair facilities in just over 20 years, can be credited to determination, dedication to a dream, and to love – of family and of a new land of opportunity.

Founded by company President Tibor Himer in 1995, Tridem Services now operates two separate facilities, one in Langley and one in Kelowna.

Canada is a land of new arrivals, and in many ways the launch and growth of Tridem Services over the past 23 years is a classic example of the Canadian dream made manifest. “We came to Canada from Hungary in 1990 where I had worked as an engineer. That was when the Berlin wall came down and we saw our chance to make a new life for ourselves in Canada,” Tibor recalled.

“Before the wall came down we didn’t really have access to passports for the whole family and travel to the west was difficult.

However I had come to Canada before, in 1986 to go to Expo in Vancouver and that is when I fell in love with the country. At the time the Hungarian government had only granted me a passport but not for the rest of my family.

I guess they thought that if my wife and kids were still in Hungary they knew I’d come back.”

Following his return to Hungary he knew that Canada was where he wanted to raise his family, but it took until the collapse of the Soviet Union for his dream to become a reality. “People in Canada have freedom. They have passports that allow them to travel all over the world so I knew that this was what I wanted for my family, even though it took four years to happen,” he said.

“For us it’s always been about doing the job right and providing top flight customer service.”

TIBOR HIMER JR. GENERAL MANAGER, TRIDEM SERVICES LTD.

The Himer family found making the move to Canada was easier than they anticipated, with he being an engineer and his wife a physiotherapist, the pair were welcomed to their new homeland. Not fluent in English when he arrived, but having an uncle who was already a resident, Tibor began his Canadian working life by taking his uncle’s advice and becoming a mechanic’s helper.

“It would have taken years for my engineer’s certification from Hungary to be recognized in Canada and my uncle said that a mechanic earns a good living.

The most important thing was finding a way to feed my family.

I went to work as a mechanic’s helper in a trailer shop in Burnaby in 1990, before going to work for Lion’s Gate Trailer where in 1992 I received my commercial mechanics license. That’s when things started to happen for me,” he said.

In 1995 Tibor ventured out on his own, opening a small one man mechanical shop in Langley that quickly grew, thanks to the quality of the work carried out and to the sincerity of the customer service provided. Over the next 10 years or so, as more crew were added to keep up with

Tibor Himer (inset) is the founder and president of Tridem Services – this is a shot of its Kelowna shop the workload, and as both of his children (Tibor Himer Jr. and Agi Himer) had grown, left home and had moved to Kelowna, it was decided to open a branch office in Kelowna, to expand the business and to keep the growing family connected.

“The kids had moved to Kelowna, and there were grandchildren being born, so in 2014 my wife told me we have to move to Kelowna to be closer to the kids and the grandkids. She said she had come to Canada with me, so I now had to go to Kelowna with her, and it’s been about the best thing we’ve ever done,” He said.

Today Tridem Services Ltd., in addition to a full range of routine vehicle maintenance duties, the company also provides Commercial Vehicle Inspections and a wide range of other services to its customers. With a present staff count of about 20, Tridem operates from its Kelowna shop (2659 Norris Road) which is equipped with six 60’ service bays and its original Langley operation that features four 100’ service bays.

“Tridem is much more than a vehicle repair shop. We specialize in commercial trailer repairs. From a simple brake job to

Tridem Services’ mobile service vehicle can come to the clients wherever they are if they can’t make it to the shop suspension repairs, roof repair on van trailers, accident repairs, carry out complete bogey rebuilds as well as repairs to curtain-side trailers. We employ certified welders/fabricators to be able to assist our customers the best possible way,” explained Tibor Himer Jr., the company’s General Manager.

“We also employ certified red seal technicians to tackle engine

work. We are able to diagnose and repair all major engine brands, Cummins, CAT, Detroit, International and Volvo. From a simple oil change to complex engine rebuilds, we are able to handle them all.”

As part of its ongoing evolution Tridem Services recently entered into an arrangement with Peterbilt Pacific Inc. to provide ser v ice, wa rra nty work a nd

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9

JUNE 2018

Much more than a vehicle repair shop, Tridem Services can handle any commercial vehicle repair assignment

The company can look after all commercial vehicles repair needs, including its air-conditioning system

Getting to the heart of the matter, a set of truck bogeys are laid out and ready to be worked on in the Kelowna shop parts supplies to the Okanagan Valley on behalf of Peterbilt Kamloops. The operation is also actively working towards building a corporation agreement with Peterbilt Pacific Inc. to become a sub-dealer for Peterbilt Pacific

Inc. in Kamloops, which would continue the company’s influence and expansion even further.

One of the challenges of such a successful company is finding enough qualified staff to keep up with the workload – a problem

that is especially critical at its Langley operation where ballooning real estate costs make locating new apprentice mechanics difficult.

“People simply can’t afford to live there and even our customers are having problems as people keep moving out of the Lower Mainland because things are so expensive. Young people can’t afford to buy a house and no one wants to have to rent all of the time. It’s becoming difficult to find entry level and even midrange experienced workers such as drivers, mechanics and other technicians,” he said.

The same problem isn’t as evident at its Kelowna operation, thanks to the region’s more appealing property values and in part due to recent slowdowns in the Alberta oil and gas industry.

“We’ve been lucky to be able to hire five or six technicians who

have come back from Alberta who had been working in the oil patch.

They were here looking for work and I was happy to hire them.

There are a lot of hard working people moving back from Alberta to the Kelowna area. But it’s a two edged sword, there are some local trucking companies that had been doing work in Alberta who are seeing their work slowing down, so one side benefits while another loses. I guess that’s just part of being in business.”

Staffing additions at Tridem Services are helping to expand on the range of services the company can provide. “Last fall we added a new element to our organization, we hired Darcy Knapp to join our team to develop and grow our parts department. Darcy brings over 30 years of experience with him in commercial truck and trailer parts. With his help we have redesigned our parts room

Leading Edge Glass Ltd

and grew our inventory,” Tibor Jr. stated.

“Currently we carry truck and trailer parts from CBS, Peterbilt to name just the major ones. By growing the parts inventory, we are able to supply our own shop more quickly, which increases productivity and provides less downtime for our customers. For us, it’s always been about doing the job right and providing top flight customer service – that’s the way it’s always been and the way it always will be.”

For Tibor who still actively works in the company, having a second generation of his family at the helm is just one more sense of satisfaction that moving to Canada has provided him. “My daughter Agi is running the office, my son Tibor Jr. is the General Manager and my son-in-law, Craig who is a certified red seal technician, is our lead hand. It really is a family business. My wife is still in the background, but now is a full time grandma and is kept busy looking after me,” he joked.

Looking toward the future Tibor understands that the company would never have evolved as it has without a combination of quality work and great customer service - a business philosophy he has passed onto the next generation. “We’ve always built our business on honesty. We’ve never built our business on trying to upsell the customer. We know that real growth can never occur unless you’re willing to look after the customers,” he said.

Tibor Jr., echoed his father’s statement, and anticipates continuing to service the Okanagan and Lower Mainland markets with the same level of dedication that has guided the company throughout its history.

“In closing, we look forward to a bright future in the Kelowna and area business community. We thrive on being an established, relied upon and customer first business. We are also proud of our growth and our ability to provide full time employment to close to 20 people today and looking forward to growing that number in the years to come,” he said. www.tridemservices.com

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SALMON ARM/VERNON

10

JUNE 2018

VIKING DOORS EXPANDING OPERATIONS

SALMON ARM CORRYN GRAYSTON

C

ongratulations to Mike and Mimi Rzewuski, new ow ners of Apple Grove Motel & RV Park located at 6000

50th Street N.E. Apple Grove Motel is a family-oriented, 11-unit motel and small RV campground that is cozy and quiet with lots of trees. Rooms are very clean and rates are very competitive.

Next door are the go-karts and mini-golf that are across from the golf course and close to beautiful Canoe Beach. Kitchenettes available and 1 pet-friendly room. Call Mike or Mimi at 250-832-6955 to make your reservation.

••• RJ Haney is the place to be for Father’s Day this June 17th. Treat Dad and the whole family to a Pioneer Pancake Breakfast, musical

entertainment wagon rides, old fashioned carnival games of chance and skill, face painting, children’s crafts, panning for gold, a BBQ lunch, displays and more. Visit them at 751 Highway 97B and check out all the other heritage events at www.salmonarmmuseum.org.

••• KDH Consulting is Salmon Arm’s newest consulting company offering human resources and workplace health and safety workshops. Dale Hurren, owner and CHR P designated consultant, has an extensive background in human resources

FULL SERVICE DIGITAL MARKETING AGENCY

and has held a number of key positions throughout his career.

Dale was also an Employer’s Advisor with the Ministry of Labour, providing advice and assistance to employers in a variety of hr issues. Dale has now started KDH Consulting and is providing both large and small employers with assistance in human resources, injury claims management and training for health and safety. Call Dale at (250) 253-8115.

••• Expanding their operations to include Armstrong, Revelstoke and the Shuswap, Viking Doors offers quality products, services and professionalism to their residential and commercial clients.

When you deal with Viking Doors you can have confidence that they stand behind their work and promise fair pricing. Having been in the industry for 25 years, their team has the experience to be able to repair all doors, all brands, all

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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.

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sizes. With specially equipped trucks, they are prepared for any job. Viking Doors also offers 24 hour, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, emergency service. Call them at (250) 463-3273 or go to www.vikingdoorsinc.com ••• Salmon Arm’s famous Wednesday on the Wharf musical series starts Wednesday June 14th and runs through to August 30th.

Great music at an amazing location. Starting at 6:45 pm and finishing around 8:00 pm – at Marine Peace Park in downtown Salmon Arm. Bring your lawn chair and a blanket and enjoy the music and beautiful scenery – see the lineup at www.salmonarmartscentre.ca/wow

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Email or Call Today to learn more: Cheryl Lee TF: 1.866.758.2684 Ext. 122

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B

usiness was at the forefront in Kamloops on May 28, as Chambers from across the province debated Provincial policy. With a strong representation from the Okanagan Valley, the Greater Vernon Chamber was pleased to see policies they support passed by more than the required two thirds majority vote at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) and policy session.

Some of the most notable policies passed included; pressing the pause button on BC’s proposed Speculation Tax, minimizing the undue negative impacts of the Employer Health Tax and protecting funding for local tourism marketing and projects.

“The message we are sending to the provincial government as a unified voice on behalf of business, is for the government to push the pause button on potentially damaging policy,” said Markus Schrott, Chamber President. “In regards to the changes announced this spring to the MRDT, the Chambers have long advocated for the tourism funding, and that funding should not be used for anything other than its originally intended purpose.

Recognizing that tourism is a major economic driver for our

region, we were pleased to see this policy passed.”

“We have heard from our members regarding the negative impacts of the Employer Health Tax, from local businesses, to non-profits,” said Dione Chambers, General Manager of the Vernon Chamber. “An MSP task force was created in 2017 to make recommendation for the Employer Health Tax and the Provincial government went against the task force’s recommendations.

This included the timing of the roll out to avoid double dipping.

With the passing of this policy, we are hopeful the government will reconsider its proposed changes to the Employer Health Tax.” The BC Chamber of Commerce AGM and Conference is held in a different BC community each year. The event is the largest annual business policy forum in the province. Every year, member Chambers of the BC Chamber develop and submit policies for the consideration of their peers.

This year, 52 policies were up for debate at the BC Chamber of Commerce AGM. A complete list of all policies will be available at vernonchamber.ca once final edits are completed by the provincial organization.

The chamber is always looking for those that are interested in joining their policy committee and help bring forward new policy to the BC and Canadian Chambers of Commerce. Contact the Greater Vernon Chamber office for more details.

Dione Chambers is the GM of the Vernon Chamber of Commerce.

OFF THE COVER

JUNE 2018

11

Winners Will Be Unveiled At June 14 Gala At Coast Capri Hotel In Kelowna GRANT THORNTON CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Thompson Okanagan newspaper.

“We are astounded by the number of finalists, which came from all over the region,” says Mark MacDonald of Business Examiner Thompson Okanagan. “We are ecstatic with the response, as we had over 200 businesses as part of the nomination process.”

Tamara Joel, the morning host of 101.5 EZ Rock radio, is the MC. A team of independent judges located throughout the Thompson Okanagan region will adjudicate nominations. They include Maxine DeHart of the Ramada Hotel, a Kelowna city councillor and business columnist; Jim Anderson, Executive Director of Venture Kamloops; Glenn Mandziuk, President and CEO of Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association; and Anthony Haddad of Penticton’s Economic Development Office.

There will be 17 Categories in the awards.

The finalists are, by city: Chase (2) Quaaout Lodge & Spa at Talking Rock Resort, Treetop Flyers Zipline.

Coldstream (1) SheDevil Delights Kamloops (11)

A xis Forestry Inc., Chahal P r idd le L L P, Hu m m i ng bi rd Drones, Main Street Clothing, Noble Pig, Petland, Riversong Guitars, Robertson Manufacturing, Scorpion Technologies, Visual Signs and Printing, Zimmer Wheaton.

Kelowna (24) 2 Hat, 3 rd Generation Homes, Bananatag, Black Bean Design, Chriscan Construction, Conroy Exteriors, Current Taxi, Geometrik Manufacturing, GetintheLoop, Great Canadian Oil Change, High Street Ventures, Kent Employment Law, OK Excavating, Okanagan Villa Estate Winery, Orthoquest, Oxygen Yoga and Fitness, Perfit, Points West Audio Visual Ltd., QHR Technology, Refresh Financial, SK Form & Finish Inc., Sun City Physiotherapy, Vitalis Extraction, Yeti Farm Creative.

Lake Country (5) Gibson Contracting, Interior Savings, Nalu Massage Therapy and Wellness, Sip Happens Wine Tours, UBR Services Printing and Copies.

Penticton (18) Big Bear Software Ltd., Brodo Kitchen, COWORK Penticton, Duffy Baker Construction, Frequency Healing Centre, Get Bent Yoga and Dancing, Glow SUP Adventures, Hoodoo Adventures,

International Bar Coding, Moments Under Frame, Of the Land Productions, Poplar Grove Winery, Pulse Kitchen, Redhead Mare, Splendid Bastard Beard Supply, The Nest & Nectar, WineCrush and XCo Inc. Salmon Arm (1) Lakeshore Physiotherapy.

Summerland (7) Dirty Laundry Winery, Grasslands Nursery, Maple Roch Pure Canadian Maple Syrup, Sumac Ridge Estate Winery, Swiss Solar Tech Ltd., True Grain Bread and Zias Stonehouse Restaurant.

Vernon (9) Caufields Engraving, Cobbler’s Rack and Shoe, Nature’s Fare Markets, One Stop Footcare, PickleBall Depot, ROOST Solar, SQM Group, The Beauty Bar, The Crate Escape Dog Adventures.

West Kelowna (2) Carring ton Dental Centre, Northside Industries.

Tickets for the event are $125 plus GST, and available through www.businessexaminer.ca/ events.

BC ECONOMY BENEFITING FROM INCREASE IN TOURISM

BC ECONOMICS BRIAN YU

Tourism Flows Jump In Q1 2018 is shaping up to be another strong year for BC’s tourism sector.

Propelled by a surge in American visitors since August, international tourist inflows to the province remained elevated at a stellar 495,100 persons (seasonally-adjusted) in March. Year-over-year, visits rose five per cent, with the underlying trend 13 per cent above previous cycle highs observed in the early 2000s.

BC’s tourism sector is benefitting from various drivers. A favourable Canadian dollar, growth in travel demand from emerging markets, and political instability south of the border has shone a positive light on Canada as a destination. Other factors include a healthy cruise ship market, which is likely attracting visitors to Metro Vancouver, as well as increased interest in northern and other interior BC destinations.

U.S. visits have returned to a level unseen since the early 2000s, which preceded a thickening of borders following the 9/11 attacks, and appreciation in the Canadian dollar. Meanwhile overseas visits remain strong and continue to track a record high pace.

Through the first quarter, total international tourist visits rose eight per cent from same period 2017, led by a 10 per cent increase from the U.S. and five per cent from other markets. Among the latter,

gains were led by strong growth in the number of visitors from Australia (up 11 per cent), Taiwan (up 30 per cent), China (up 11 per cent), Germany (up 18 per cent), and South Korea (up 18 per cent).

Led by China and Australia, these countries collectively accounted for all of the net increase, while a decline in the number of visitors from the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, and Mexico were significant offsets.

Employment Insurance Counts Decline In March The number of individuals receiving employment insurance benefits in BC continued to trend lower in March. The total seasonally-adjusted EI counts of 43,610 persons was 3.2 per cent (1,440 persons) below February, and down 17 per cent on a year-overyear basis. Levels were the lowest since late 2008.

9” x 3”

Relative to February, the largest declines among occupations were in the education, law, and community/government service sectors (down 620 persons), and in the trades, transport and equipment operation (down 480 persons).

While benefits expiration naturally erode EI counts over time, the persistent decline and low absolute level of recipients speak to the province’s tight labour market, characterized by low unemployment rates and ample job opportunities. The unemployment rate in BC was the lowest in the country during this period at 4.7 per cent.

On a comparative basis, the ratio of EI beneficiaries to the size of the labour force in March was 1.7 per cent, which was second lowest among provinces next to Ontario.

Similarly, the trend for initial and renewal applications is also negative as unemployed workers are readily finding opportunities.

Sawmill Production Down In February, Uptrend Expected Consistent with recent volatility in BC’s forestry sector - due in large part to rail transport bottlenecks - sawmill production fell sharply in February.

Softwoodlumberproductionpulled back 11 per cent on a seasonally-adjusted basis from January, with unadjustedproductionat2.32milliondry cubic metres – down nearly eight per cent from a year ago. This lull is temporary. Demand for lumber remains strong due to rising housing starts in the U.S. and broader economic growth which has been reflected in high prices, while rail constraints have eased. March wood product manufacturing sales jumped sharply by 11 per cent, which likely coincided with a rebound in mill shipments.

Bryan Yu is the Deputy Chief Economist with Central 1 and can be reached at byu@central1.com

12

WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION

JUNE 2018

WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION Women In Construction: Increasingly Important Segment Looming Labour Shortfalls an Unprecedented Opportunity For Women

The face of the Canadian construction industry is slowly changing as women are playing increasingly significant roles

BY DAVID HOLMES

B

ack in a simpler, more sexist time a brand of cigarettes was created with the sole goal of attracting additional

fema le smokers. T he catchphrase of this women-friendly brand has now become an advertising icon: You’ve Come A Long Way Baby! While laughably dated and about as politically

correct as a men’s locker room, there are some parts of the sentiment that continue to ring true.

Women have come a long way, especially in the world of work, with women earning leadership

roles in virtually every sector, vocation and profession. Even one of the last real bastions of ma le-dom i na nce, Ca nad a’s SEE WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION | PAGE 13

We are proud to support Women in Construction

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WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12

construction industry is slowly recognizing that for it to survive and thrive in the coming decades, a fresh influx of talent and labour is necessary, with women increasingly taking on roles that would have been nearly unimaginable only a few short decades ago.

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 many say

13 does not accurately reflect the workplace reality.

“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). “ I f we were to d r i l l dow n into those numbers, and from what I know through personal SEE WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION | PAGE 15

Cheryl Hartman is the Chair of the Victoria chapter of VICA’s Women in Construction, a network for women working in the industry

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Thanks to the retirement of the Baby Boomers the construction industry is facing an increasing shortage of labour

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The Vic Van Isle Group ( VVI Construction, Lortap Architectural Millwork, VVI Equipment, Glacier Fabrication and RONA Revelstoke and RONA Salmon Arm) would like to take a moment to appreciate, inspire and congratulate the strong women of our company and partners and elsewhere who are making a difference in the construction industry.

We appreciate the hard work you put forth every day. You’ve overcome cultural bias in an industry where women have traditionally been absent and proven that gender is not a determinant in attaining the highest degree of excellence in this industry. The Vic Van Isle Group is exceedingly proud of your contributions to our industry, and our mission is to empower you, and all of our employees, to attain new heights of quality, efficiency and safety in every operation.

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CONSTRUCTION SAFETY DESIGNATIONS

BC Construction Safety Alliance Promoting Two Enhanced Health & Safety Initiatives

K

ELOWNA – A staple of Canadian worksites for decades is the presence of a trained and certified first aid attendant.

Now a pair of enhanced health and safety designations promoted by the BC Construction Safety Alliance (BCCSA) could see the attendance of construction safety officers ideally become just as ubiquitous.

The National Construction Safety Officer (NCSO™) and the National Health and Safety Administrator (NHSA) designations are expansions of earlier programs designed to provide construction companies with a valuable resource to aid with the implementation and administration of their health and safety programs. “To achieve this designation recipients have to show proof of continued work in the industry, not merely the amount of training that they’ve taken. So I’d have to say that it is the most hands on designation for construction safety that can be attained in the industry,â€? explained Ammar Kavazovic, BCCSA’s NCSO™ Coordinator.

Samuel Livingstone was recently certified as a National Construction Safety Officer through the NCSO™ program, and will be putting his upgraded skills to work as the Health & Safety Advisor with Kenaidan Contracting Ltd. For Livingstone the training provided by the program will make his company a safer place to work. “The newly rebuilt NCSO™ designation is unique as it is a focused offering that is designed for people with existing construction skills, to build a company’s safety program and ensure ongoing continual improvement,â€? he said. “The NCSO™, as a national designation, is one that is recognized as demonstrating a level of competency. It is important to recognize that the NCSO™ of today is different from what it was a couple of years ago. Prior, the bar was set very low to get an NCSO™ designation, and those who held it did not have to do anything to maintain it.â€?

The BCCSA is a not-for-profit association created to provide services to over 40,000 construction companies in the province, firms with a combined workforce of more than 180,000. The Association is funded by the construction sector, plus select aggregate and readymixed industry operators who pay the group through a portion of their WorkSafeBC annual assessments. www.bccsa.ca

R ELI A BILIT Y STA RTS AT THE TOP Serving Southern British Columbia Since 1976

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Permanence is a hallmark of Interior Roofing, not only in its employees and the location they have been in for over forty years, but also for the workmanship found in the projects. Our customers as well appreciate our accessibility, friendliness and quality of work.

Our clients range from local contractors and beyond, large and small, as well as residential clients. Our goal is to develop long term relationships and business partnerships of mutual benefit to everyone. The South Okanagan is our local service base but we travel to the Kootenay, Similkameen, Boundary areas, Yukon and beyond as well.

Local projects include Maverick Winery, Liquidity Winery, Red Rooster Winery, Great Ranch, South Okanagan Event Center, Landmark Theatre, Hooded Merganser Restaurant, Skaha Hills - Play Winery, homes and Condos.

WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION

A symbol of the changes occurring in the industry, Zey Emir is the current chair of the Canadian Construction Association

WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13

ex perience, the actu a l p e rc e n t a ge o f w o m e n directly working in the industry in an active role would likely be closer to five to seven per cent, so obviously there’s lots of room for improvement.”

In addition to being a m e m b e r o f t h e C A A’s Board of Directors Fairley is a former member of the

15

Katy Fairley is on the Board of Directors of the Canadian Construction Association, and is a vice president with Kinetic Construction

“It’s not a problem you’re going to fix by looking at only 50 per cent of the population.”

KATY FAIRLEY DIRECTOR, CANADIAN CONSTRUCTION ASSOCIATION

SEE WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION | PAGE 19

Becca Peters Heavy Duty Mechanics Foundation Graduate and Valedictorian for the June 7, 2018, TRU Convocation

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL 2018 WOMEN IN TRADES GRADUATES.

tru.ca/witt

MC123943

JUNE 2018

Becky Lupton (Award Winner) Journeyperson, Electrician

Women are involved in all aspects of the construction industry, from design and supervision to frontline tradespersons

Carissa Belyk (Award Presenter) Journeyperson, Electrician

Congratulations to our 2018 Construction Leadership Award winners.

Are you a construction tradeswoman in BC? Help lead the way & join our virtual feedback team.

FIND OUT MORE WWW.BCCASSN.COM/WOMEN BuildForce Canada predicts that the construction industry will need to fill more than 277,000 vacancies by 2027

16

WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION

JUNE 2018

THE WOMEN OF CHBA CENTRAL OKANAGAN MARIKA LUCZI

SARAH DE ANGELIS Sarah De Angelis of Magpie Interiors is an award winning designer with a formal education and design background in Toronto. Based in Kelowna, Sarah works with both builders and private clients to create unique and personalized residential spaces.

Sarah’s experience draws from art and design studies in Florence Italy and full-scale renovation and remodeling projects in Toronto’s West End. Here in the Okanagan, her work has become focused on new builds & custom design planning.

Marika has lived in Kelowna her entire life and grew up in the construction industry with her family working in the trades. Marika began with CHBA as the Executive Assistant in 2014 while completing her Bachelors of Business Administration from Okanagan College and her Diploma in Events and Promotions Management. This has since lead her to becoming the Executive Officer of the Canadian Home Builders’ Association of the Central Okanagan. Marika is looking forward to what the future holds at CHBACO and looks forward to connecting with more people throughout the Okanagan. When not working, Marika enjoys traveling, exploring the Okanagan, and catching up with friends over a glass of wine.

T: 250-861-3988 | W: chbaco.com | E: marika@chbaco.com

JULES GALLOWAY

T: 250-878-2359 W: evolveinteriors.ca E: jules@evolveinteriors.ca

Over 25 years in the Commercial Interior Design Build business, evolve design build is here to make a change to the way that the commercial interior design industry treats its clients. The current system has you running around, joining the dots, fielding the trades, trying to find some accountability, only to finish the project exhausted and frustrated.

We own it. The entire project. We take accountability for everything that has to happen and we are your biggest and best advocate. There is literally nothing we haven’t seen. We are the change in our industry and we are proud to be agitators of this market. As the Client you are the winner – we make sure of that.

We are proud to say there is no company who provides the continuity of end to end Project Management, from Design through Build and beyond, with one single contact. We are the change that we want to see in the industry – for the benefit of the Client!

CREATIVE TOUCH INTERIORS INC.

“Design has been my passion for as long as I can remember! I love to collaborate with clients, helping them realize their vision – or figure out what that vision is! The Okanagan landscape offers so much inspiration but it’s other passions – places you’ve lived or traveled, what you spend your time on – drawing from those are what makes a space personal and meaningful.”

T: 250-808-1830 W: magpieinteriors.com E: sarah@magpieinteriors.com

3RD GENERATION HOMES

T: 250-300-5262 W: 3rdgenhomes.com E: office@3rdgenhomes.com 3rd Generation Homes is a local family run residential and commercial construction company. Although we can handle a large variety of construction needs, we specialize in custom home building. We operate as a family and we pride ourselves on building homes like they’re for one of our own.

The Okanagan is our home. We live here, and our children live and learn here. When you build a life in the same community you work in, you go the extra mile to ensure the fewest obstacles, the smoothest process, and the best results for each project.

We are a team of experienced individuals, working towards creating your dream home. We aim to build a personal connection with each client and their home.

ANITA HARTMAN T: 250-769-8559 W: emcoltd.com E: ahartman@emcoltd.com

Rael Hay, Paulette Facca, Hannah McNee

Creative Touch Interiors Inc. is a full-service residential interior design and renovation firm based in Kelowna, BC. As Interior Designers/Project Managers, we work closely and collaboratively with our trades from start to finish while helping the client bring their vision to reality. Our Mission is to Create Happiness Through Design. We do this by cultivating well-being through harmonious collaboration and live to inspire others within their everyday environments. Honest, integrity, and communication are the keys to our success.

E: info@creativetouchinteriors.ca T: 778-699-2152 W: creativetouchinteriors.ca

Emco Corporation and The Ensuite Bath and Kitchen Showroom have been proud partners with the construction industry in Canada for 112 years. Personally, I’ve had the privilege for 31 years. With Kelowna being my 5th relocation, I feel this is the best place I could ever have landed.

We at Emco are involved in everything from deep service waterworks to that amazing shower head and kitchen faucet you simply can’t live without. In as many years as we’ve been involved in helping families to build their dreams, we’ve supported the growth of local and regional infrastructure and my personal favorites: community-oriented projects including local charities, sports teams, and school lunch programs.

Emco Corporation has made widespread changes not only in the way we go to market for the contractors and the consumer, but also in the way we invest substantially in our teammates.

From management trainee programs to paying for MBA’s, as well as turning new teammates into designers who run our luxury showrooms… Developing our teams to serve our industry and community is a top priority.We believe if we are to ask the community to support our local business, we need to support our community.

WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION

JUNE 2018

17

THE WOMEN OF CHBA CENTRAL OKANAGAN KRISTA PAINE

Krista Paine, manager of Ian Paine Construction and Design, has led this long established company to Gold, winning 4 silvers and 2 golds at the 2015 and 2016 Tommie Awards. Krista is a Registered Interior Designer through NCIDQ (National Certification for Interior Designer Qualification), as well as an Associate Kitchen and Bath Designer.

With over ten years’ experience in Interior Design, she specializes in custom home design, kitchen and bathroom design as well as highend millwork.

From working for a custom kitchen and bathroom company, followed by a high end millwork company in the Lower Mainland, she returned to the Okanagan to manage Ian Paine Construction over five years ago.

Founded by her father Ian Paine 35 years ago, the company’s completed and in-progress projects cover a wide range of builds, from multi-million dollar estates to renovation work. Krista has put the word “design” into Ian Paine Construction and through her management role for Ian Paine Construction and Design, she has successfully managed the completion of numerous builds and countless renovations - many award winning projects. Now, with the help of a strong, talented team to back her up, she is also able to pass on her talents as a teacher of Design and Build at the Digital Art School and as a judge for home building awards throughout Canada.

Krista, and the IPC & Design team, look forward to working with you.

T: 250-801-7787 | E: krista@ianpaineconstruction.ca | W: ianpaineconstruction.ca

STICKS + STONES DESIGN GROUP INC.

T: 250-712-9282 W: sticksandstones.ca E: bcdesign@sticksandstones.ca Sticks + Stones is a proud Canadian company that offers a full complement of services, which include custom home design, commercial + residential interior design, concept rendering, project management, and styling for over 20 years. We love to work with homeowners, developers, entrepreneurs, builders, and contractors alike. Whether they’re in town or out of the area code, we’re equally dedicated to all projects. No project is too big or small, no challenge too great.

Our team of talented and diverse individuals uses its collective passion to add value to every project we embrace - from a single room or office to a complete custom home. We collaborate with clients to ensure their visions inform the spaces we create, leaving them thrilled with the results and the process. The long-term relationships we create with our clients, along with our energy and enthusiasm, have allowed us to create new and unforgettable places in Western Canada.

BARBARA KATNICH

Since Barbara established her Award Winning Interior Design and Renovation business in 2005, her approachable and unique philosophy has transformed countless homes throughout Kelowna and the Vancouver Lower Mainland.

She truly believes that your home should reflect who you are and how you love to live life. Creative and time-less designs are original and warm, and always reflect her philosophy of ‘understated luxury’.

Taking the design process further, Barbara also manages the entire construction of her renovation projects. Working closely with her clients, making selections and sourcing all materials starts the project off. Utilizing a strategic 15 step process, each and every project flows smoothly from initiation to completion. Everything from execution of floor T: 250-826-2600 plans and elevations, to budget planning and scheduling the construction and renovation, a systematic process is W: freshapproach.ca followed that is designed to complete projects on time and E: barbara@freshapproach.ca on budget.

Fresh Approach Designs is a company with strong work ethics. Barbara manages her team of skilled trades people and is on site with each and every job, making sure work is completed to her satisfaction and that the design and renovation process is an enjoyable and positive experience for her clients.

SHERRI PAIEMENT Sherri Paiement is the Channel Manager with Telus working with Developers and Builders on Fibre infrastructure for new construction throughout the Interior of BC. She works with the industry to help make the telecommunications portion of their builds an easy process. Starting with Engineering and Design to handing the keys over to new homeowners, she works with projects every step of the way. As former Executive Officer of the CHBA, she understands how much developers and builders have on their plate to create amazing homes for our community and she works to help them make that process just a bit easier.

For more information on your new project and how Telus can ensure Fibre is part of your build, contact Sherri.

T: 250-215-7135 W: telus.com E: Sherri Paiement@telus.com

TROIKA MANAGEMENT CORP. “I don’t think that men and women are that different. Maybe generally, but not specifically. Women and men are equal in their opportunities and capabilities. What differs for anyone, man or woman, is what we do with the opportunities and how we shape the future. I asked recently if Troika’s company structure was due to me being a woman. One of my executives answered, “No, it’s because you are Renee”.

That is our greatest gift to society: To be ourselves. Woman or man, to know ourselves and to believe that we can contribute. Authentic, real, raw, and passionate about what we do. To see a vision beyond ourselves and to understand how we best fit into making our communities better places and spaces. I want one day for the gender question to be silenced by the answer of equality and opportunity, and never need to be asked again.

Until then, I will simply call those of any gender to rise up, make a difference, see past the stereotypes and believe in the collective future. That is where our power as a society lies, and ultimately, where we will all become a true community.”

Renee Wasylyk, CEO Troika Management Corp.

T: 250-869-4945 W: troikagroup.ca E: renee@troikagroup.ca

WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION

18

JUNE 2018

BUSINESS BANK OFFERING PROGRAMS FOR WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS Business Development Bank of Canada

K

ELOWNA – The bank created specifically to support and develop business, the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) has dramatically evolved and adapted to more effectively match the changing face of the Canadian business community.

Today, with access to the latest in financing and advisory services to support modern entrepreneurs, the BDC has the tools in place help business owners survive and to prosper during changing times. One of the fastest growing and most dynamic segments of the Canadian business com mu n ity a re women entrepreneurs – with the BDC offering tailored advice and financial solutions specifically geared toward aiding female business owners.

“This office has a real focus of working with women entrepreneurs. The BDC has set itself a target to deploy $1.4 billion to Canadian women entrepreneurs over the next three years, so obviously women are a major focus group for us,” explained Martine Hickman, the Business Centre

“The BDC has set itself a target to deploy $1.4 billion to Canadian women entrepreneurs over the next three years.”

MARTINE HICKMAN BUSINESS CENTRE MANAGER, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT BANK OF CANADA

Manager for BDC’s Kelowna branch.

“We want to make sure that women have access to the support and to the capital that they need to make their businesses succeed.”

Martine Hickman is the Business Development Bank of Canada Business Centre Manager in Kelowna One of 118 BDC business centres in Canada, the Kelowna branch (in one form or another)

first began serving the Okanagan region in 1962, and has evolved over that time to better

serve the changing make up of its clientele. With a national staff count of more than 2,200, the Business Development Bank of Canada (a financially sustainable Crown corporation) is directly responsible for helping more than 49,000 entrepreneurs through financing, advisory services and capital.

Thanks to this announced emphasis on supporting the nations’ female business leaders through its funding target of $1.4 billion, the BDC is hoping to energize an entirely new generation of entrepreneurs – individuals who will help power the economy forward in the years to come.

“The construction industry in particular sees growing companies having working capital constraints. We can assist them by providing working capital that in turn can be used to hire new employees, build inventory, explore new markets, and to acquire new equipment,” she said. BDC wants to make sure that these businesses have the resources to bid on new construction projects or local infrastructure plans.

“In the past three years we’ve deployed over $700 million to women entrepreneurs. With this new effort we will be doubling our commitment to this important segment of the marketplace.” www.bdc.ca

The bank of built to last At BDC, your business is our priority. That’s why we make it our business to understand what you’re up against. Whether it’s protecting cash flow or boosting performance, as the only bank exclusively devoted to entrepreneurs, we can help you find the solution that fit your needs.

Kelowna Business Centre Martine Hickman, Manager martine.hickman@bdc.ca 1-888-INFO-BDC

Call us at 1-888-INFO-BDC or go to bdc.ca BDCad_Construction_Kelowna_9.8x6.2_051418_en.indd 1

2018-05-14 3:20 PM

JUNE 2018

WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION 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.

We’re now acutely feeling what a labour shortage does to construction and it’s not a problem

19 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,” she said. www.cca-acc.com & www. vicabc.ca

Shauna Noyes Architect

Architecture & Planning AIBC. AAA. MRAIC. LEED AP

One of the key attractions of the construction industry for any new worker is the variety of positions available

WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15

board with the Vancouver Island Construction Association (VICA) and is currently the Vice-President of Business Development at Vancouver-based Kinetic Construction. Fairley says that despite there being a current gender imbalance in the construction industry, conscious efforts are being made to promote the sector as a positive career choice for young women just entering the working world.

“The CAA at its annual conference held in March for the very first time hosted a session addressing the topic of women in construction, where senior industry leaders discussed what they have been doing in their businesses to encourage a greater female involvement,” she said.

“It should also be noted that the current chair of the CAA is a woman, Zey Emir who is with Revay and Associates Ltd. Her ability to reach that position is certainly reflective of the changes that are occurring in the industry. Certainly there is a long way to go, but progress is definitely being made.”

Originally created in 2001 as the Construction Sector Council, BuildForce Canada is a national industry-led organization committed to working with the construction industry to provide information and resources to assist with its management of workforce requirements. 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 get worse as older Canadian workers head into retirement.

The organization has estimated that within the next decade as much as 21 per cent of the current Canadian labour force will leave the industry – creating a gap that can only be filled by actively recruiting and training the next generation of construction industry leaders now. Increasingly

women are being viewed as one viable way to fill that looming staffing shortfall, but one that can only be filled by taking immediate action.

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. 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,” he said.

A good example of that effort in action is the two Women in Construction (WiC) chapters that have been launched and supported by the Vancouver Island Construction Association.

The groups, one in Victoria and the other based in Nanaimo, is a grassroots network created to promote and support female participation in the industry.

Cheryl Hartman who is the Chair of the Victoria group says the potential rewards of a career in construction, from pure economics, to the range of skills and opportunities available make it the right choice for young men and for women just entering the workforce.

“It’s not just the trades that are in need of new workers, it’s every aspect of the industry. 30 years ago women’s career options were limited to becoming a teacher or a nurse or a mom, but today the options are endless. It just takes the courage to try, and to not be discouraged, but the rewards are there if you’re willing to take the chance. The doors for women have now opened everywhere, so this is the time to step through,” she said.

The Chief Estimator and a Project Manager with Brewis Electric Company Ltd. in Victoria Hartman says pursuing a career in the construction industry is an

excellent way for a young person to enter a lucrative field without carrying a large student debt that other vocations might require.

“There are always going to be a need for the trades, if you enter this field you’ll always be able to find work and you’ll be able to do it without a boatload of debt.

I’d recommend this for anyone,” she said.

For Fairley, while progress has been made, and increasingly women are thinking of construction as a career path, the present small percentage of female involvement is an obvious sign that

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JUNE 2018

GENDER NOT AN ISSUE FOR HIGHSTREET’S FEMALE VICE PRESIDENT Highstreet Ventures: Creating Communities Across The Country Since 2005

K

ELOWNA – A builder of communities as much as it is the developer of residential properties, Highstreet Ventures Inc. has been the creative force behind a string of contemporary and innovative residential developments that stretch from Ontario to British Columbia’s West Coast. Since its inception in 2005 the company has been the catalyst for nearly 30 projects, and has been responsible for constructing more than 2,700 individual housing units, with another 881 currently under construction.

T hat level of productiv ity, coupled with the challenges of working with multiple jurisdictions across the country, requires tremendous amounts of industry knowledge, negotiating skill and imagination to see projects through to completion – projects that not only adhere to local codes, but that must also match the company’s ongoing mission of building smarter and more responsible homes.

Much of that responsibility and vision can be attributed to Christina Wilson, Highstreet’s Vice President of Development and Sales. Joining the company in 2015 Wilson is responsible for seeing projects through, and works with her team, municipalities, consultants and contractors to see the firm’s projects are brought through to completion. It’s a challenge and an opportunity that she doesn’t take lightly.

“I’ve been in the industry for almost 18 years and even though it is still a male oriented industry you are seeing more and more women in the field. I think any woman thinking about a career in the construction industry should not be intimidated and should go for it. If you have passion for what you do and work hard at it, you’ll be successful,” she stated.

“One of the most satisfying parts of any construction project is seeing its completion. Knowing you are a part of something that will be there for years to come is a pretty great feeling that all

Christina Wilson is the Vice President of Development & Sales for Kelowna-based Highstreet Ventures Inc. involved (whether male or female) can relate to.”

Highstreet Ventures Inc. was launched 13 years ago by the husband and wife team of Scott and Melissa Butler. Originally known as Mission Ventures Inc., the company was envisioned right from its beginning as the developer of real estate projects that are to be equally beneficial for everyone involved, from the owners and the investors in the projects to the residents living in them.

Highstreet’s first development was a small 45-unit condominium project constructed in Courtenay on Vancouver Island. It was this first step that led the real estate developer to take on a larger challenge when it developed a Holiday Inn Express hotel in the same community.

“That initial project showed to the owners that there was both a need and a market opportunity to provide multi-family rental accommodation and that’s what rea l ly led the compa ny i nto the direction it has,” Wilson explained.

“While our head office is here in Kelowna, we have residential communities from Ontario to Alberta and all across BC. We actually just tied up land in Nanaimo. We’re working on a project near Long Lake, so that’s yet another market that Highstreet has recognized as fitting within our business model. The company’s expansion certainly isn’t complete yet.”

Highstreet’s owners, in addition to recognizing the need for

There are an increasing amount of women on jobsites around the country, including those with Highstreet Ventures multi-family residences, both owner-occupied and for rental accommodation, have also been huge advocates for homes that are as energy efficient as they are comfortable and attractive. From the very start the company has demonstrated a real passion for developing real estate projects that are both smarter and more energy-efficient.

The secondary goal of any Highstreet Ventures residential community is to create a development that is more than just accommodation, but one that has a positive impact on the centres where they are located.

Creating ever larger communities, some featuring 280 units or more, Highstreet has learned from every building it’s developed, using that knowledge to improve on each subsequent project. As it says on the company’s website: Highstreet is passionate about developing smarter real estate that makes a real impact. Top rated soundproofing, quality finishes and environmental sustainability enable our properties to stand alone in the market place. With a massive investment in solar energy, electric cars, and car sharing in our next communities, our vision is to own and operate $200 million of net zero real estate by the end of 2024.

“Being energy efficient and building a community, are features common in all of the company’s projects,” Wilson said.

“If you were to categorize what

Highstreet Ventures doesn’t just create multi-family residences, it strives to develop comfortable communities it is we do, it’s the development of multi-family, four-storey, wood frame rental apartment buildings. Every one of the buildings has some similarity, but each is distinctive and is reflective of the communities where they are located.”

The energy efficiency focus has been adopted in large part to help ensure that all of the company’s projects are economical for the owners to operate, while being eminently comfortable.

Highstreet has made a major investment in environmental sustainability, on solar energy, and in top quality construction and finishing. All of its buildings are built well above the requirements of the current building codes in every jurisdiction where they are located.

For someone who has been persona l ly i nvolved i n more than 1,800 of the company’s residential units in some form or a nother, Wi lson is proud of t he te a m’s ef for ts to see the developments built, and happy to see the residents of those units enjoying their new homes. For the future, Highstreet anticipates continuing to develop h ig h qu a l ity a nd efficient residential projects as the opportunities present themselves.

“We want to continue to desig n projects that have that sense of community, ones that create a sense of pride and responsibility. That is important in every development that we do,” she said. www.highstreetliving.ca

21

JUNE 2018

MUNDEN VENTURES NOW INTO ITS FOURTH GENERATION Transportation Company Is A Family-Owned Multi-Faceted Transportation Company

K

A M L O O P S – Mu n d e n Ventures Ltd., a familyowned and operated multigenerational transportation and service business, has grown and evolved with the province it has served. Created to service the resource sector, the company has adapted to changing economic conditions, embraced new opportunities as they become available and has grown and prospered even through adverse times by adhering to the belief that while technology may change, quality service and professionalism never go out of style.

“There are really a variety of facets to what we do, but it all comes down to working with trucks. In addition to our hauling division we have a truck maintenance division where we do third party vehicle service and inspection work, we have a tank fabrication business and we also have a forestry harvesting division. So you’d have to say that what we do is definitely interconnected in one way or the other,” explained company President Greg Munden.

“Our forestry harvesting division is a stand-alone firm which harvests about 200,000 m3 annually and haul our own logs. Our log hauling division, which operates 13 tri-drive trucks with quad short log trailers, also hauls logs for other major contractors and mills throughout our region.”

While the Munden name has been part of the operation’s corporate identity for more than 50 years, the firm’s actual origins can be traced back to 1949, and to the founding spirit and entrepreneurial drive of the present company President’s grandparents Craig and Louise Munden. Living in California at the time, the pair had acquired an army-surplus

Munden’s Kamloops repair, inspection and tank facility, serving customers 7-days a week, 7 am – midnight daily dump truck which served as the first of a long line of rolling stock linked to the family over the following decades.

T he f i r m’s fou nders, w it h their sole rig, initially worked as independent haulers before their skills and enthusiasm saw them being asked to manage the operations of another Californiabased trucking firm, HE Reynolds Transportation. In that capacity the Munden’s took part in a number of major construction projects, including working on the Hoover and Table Rock Dams. By the late 1950s, as opportunities for the trucking firm began to dry up south of the border, the firm’s owners cast their gaze further north – all the way to Port McNeill on Vancouver Island.

H E Rey nold s acqu i red t he contract to operate an iron ore

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loading facility in the small resource-based community on behalf of the Mannix Company, an opportunity that saw the Munden’s and their young family move to Canada in 1957. By the early 1960s, with the ore project coming to a close the family moved, first to Vancouver and then to Savona, BC, where Craig was able to convert the Reynolds trucking fleet into log haulers, as a means of finding work for the operation he had been charged with managing.

By the mid-1960s, and with other corporate goals in mind, Reynolds and Munden parted company with the latter opting to purchase a couple of the trucks from Reynolds, founding in 1966 what was then known as C. Munden Transport Ltd. – the corporate ancestor of today’s

Munden Ventures.

“I think it’s kind of neat that we’re a multi-generational company as there really aren’t that many of them around. I’m the third generation, and run the company along with my wife Kim. Our son (Nolan Munden) who just joined the company is now the fourth generation to work in the business. My parents Jim and Linda Munden carried on from where my grandparents left off, so that continuity really is a source of pride for all of us,” he said.

With such a long and colourful history behind it, coupled to the wealth of successful commercial experience it has to its credit, it’s no surprise that describing the various parts of Munden Ventures is equally diverse. “At the end of the day, we’re a very

family-oriented small business that just happens to be doing a number of different things,” Munden said.

At its core, Munden Ventures is a hauling company specifically geared toward servicing the forest industry. “We’re primarily a family-owned, forestry-based hauling business operating logging trucks, which is something we’ve been doing since the late 1960s. Growing up in the business, working in the shop on the weekends, spending time with my Dad in the truck when I could, provided me with a sense of how a hauling business really operates,” he explained.

“My Dad, and grandfather before him were both sticklers for the numbers side of the business.

SEE MUNDEN VENTURES | PAGE 22

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JUNE 2018

MUNDEN VENTURES CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21

We still track everything we do and try to keep a really tight handle on our costs.”

The eldest of three brothers, Greg Munden and his siblings each operated their own independent transportation firms at different times, working jointly over the years. That divergent experience, and learning firsthand about the changing nature of business and the marketplace, has helped him as Munden Ventures President to make diversification a key policy for the company he is now charged with helming.

“I guess what I saw as I was growing up, was my grandparents and my parents at different times being essentially solely dependent on trucking, specifically related to the forest industry, and often tied to one main customer.

One of my goals when I got into a position where I could help in making decisions was to diversify the company a bit and to become less dependent on any one sector,” he said.

“Transportation and forestry is still a huge element of our business, and it probably always will be, but it’s certainly not all of our business now as it was in the past.

So really our shop, our outside service work business was actually spawned out of our trucking business. We’d always had a shop to service our own trucks.

“There are really a variety of facets to what we do, but it all comes down to working with trucks.”

GREG MUNDEN PRESIDENT, MUNDEN VENTURES LTD.

We’d always had a small team of mechanics to service our own fleet, so it made sense to expand that area of the business.”

Interestingly enough, it was during the economic downturn of 2008 that Munden Ventures had its first real opportunity to expand its service business beyond the maintenance of its own fleet. At the time the firm was approached by a local major fuel distributor with the request that Munden take over the maintenance of its rolling stock – as the company had been having problems finding consistent quality service elsewhere.

Recognizing the potentials of the opportunity, Munden Ventures for the first time took over

Here is just one of 13 Kenworth and Peerless units the Munden’s currently operate in its hauling division

SEE MUNDEN VENTURES | PAGE 23

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Congratulations from all of us at Inland and thank you for your continued

Munden’s harvest and haul 200,000 m3 annually from its harvesting division, just one component of Munden Ventures

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MUNDEN VENTURES CONTINUED FROM PAGE 22

Two service trucks are routinely employed to keep Munden’s customers rolling with emergency roadside service

Roadside service sometimes means “the road less travelled” for the Munden’s service team, all in a day’s work

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the maintenance duties for a fleet outside of its own, opening the gateway for the expanded full service maintenance operation the company is known for today.

“This was really the first part of our diversification effort and was essentially the first time we tried taking on a project that wasn’t directly linked to transportation,” Munden explained.

T he Mu nden m a i nten a nce operation is equipped and authorized to carry out all aspects of commercial vehicle service including everything from routine maintenance to extensive repairs.

The company is also a designated inspection facility and provides both scheduled and unscheduled routine repairs to customers of all sizes. The shop has most recently added a parts department for “over-the-counter” parts sales, and a hydraulic hose assembly building department.

“Having been in the business for as long as we have, we knew a lot of people in the transportation industry, so that portion of our business continued to grow organically to where it is today, now representing a very significant portion of our overall business,” he said. Today, the shop service side of the business has grown to employ 15 full-time mechanics, three people in the parts department plus managers and support staff,” Munden explained.

“We enjoy a really unique advantage over most shops in that we are open 7-days a week and from 7 am until midnight every day. If we aren’t busy with customer repairs, we always have our own trucks to work on so our mechanics are never idle, despite the shop being open the longest hours in the BC Interior. Our customers really like the flexibility of our hours for parts, service or hydraulic hoses.”

Another key part of the newly diversified Munden Ventures is its tank division, yet another opportunity that seemed to serendipitously appear at exactly the right moment. “We were aggressively growing our outside repair and maintenance division and were looking for a service

manager. As it happened, a fellow who I knew, with years of experience building aluminum body tanks for the petroleum industry was looking for a change,” Munden recalled.

“He thought becoming our service manager would be a good fit for him, kicked around the idea of maybe someday building some tanks. One thing led to another and the tank division was formed. T he final straw was when a customer of ours approached us to start building some tanks for them, so in 2014 we took on the challenge.”

Today Munden’s tank division, in addition to being a fabricator (partnering with Columbia Remtec Manufacturing) is an Authorized Service Provider for Measurement Canada. Munden’s tank division is approved to perform initial inspections, mandatory re-inspections and repairs on all makes of petroleum bulk meters – one more tool in the expanding range of services this forward-thinking company has acquired.

For the future Munden Ventures, with a staff count of about 45, anticipates continuing to look for related opportunities when they present themselves, to continue its policy of reasoned diversification if the move makes sense and fits with the company’s long term goals. Continuing a legacy of business success going back decades, family-owned Munden Ventures looks forward to the new challenges tomorrow will bring it.

“We’re more than a transportation company, but diversity aside, the thing that has always made us successful is our staff. We have a very unique group of people who allow us to do the things that we do. I have a high degree of respect for all of our people, especially in an industry where it is challenging to find and keep good people,” he said.

“I’d have to say that we’re very optimistic about the future.

The industry has served us well and despite the occasional hard times, here we are in our fourth generation. So we’re going to just keep our heads down and continue to move forward.” www.mundentrucking.ca

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24

JUNE 2018

Retro-Chic Hotel Zed Bringing Rebel Styling to Tofino Fun And Funky Flash Is A Trademark Of The Unique Hotel Zed Brand

BY VALORIE LENNOX

T

ofino is about to be Zedified, which couldn’t happen in a more appropriate location.

In early May, Hotel Zed acquired Jamie’s Rainforest Inn. Known for its retro-chic hotels in Victoria and Kelowna, this creative and funky division of the Accent Inn chain is already dreaming up ideas for its new location.

Already on the list are a vint a ge shut t leb u s a nd rot a r y dial telephones but for a place as special as Tofino, the group i s pl a n n i n g to ‘ta ke it up a notch’, says Hotel Zed President and CEO Mandy Farmer.

“I think Tofino and Hotel Zed are a match made in heaven,” Farmer said, adding that she suspects the Tofino vibe was what first inspired the Hotel Zed concept.

For the summer Jamie’s Rainforest Inn will continue to operate under the current name with transformation into the newest Hotel Zed slated to start in autumn 2018.

“Each Hotel Zed has its own personality and unique experiences and the Tofino property will build on that,” promises Farmer. “It will be completely different from our other properties because it has to fit with the Tofino community.”

The four acre property for the newest Hotel Zed includes a rainforest and a private beachfront Farmer describes her unique three-hotel chain as retro-chic, a style which combines current technology with time-warped featu res from the m idd le of the last century. Think bright, psychedelic patterns, working typewriters, candy-coloured donut phones, and mid-century modern furniture.

The current Victoria and Kelowna hotels are like destination resorts, offering a fun-filled meld of accommodation and activities.

There are rent-free vintage bikes, watery fun in pools, a waterslide, and a hot tub, a Ping Pong lounge, a typewriter station with complimentary postcards, a vinyl record listening station in the

lobby, and the free ZedBus shuttle.

The shuttle, of course, is a Volkswagon bus painted in bright c olou rs. Fa r m er i s c on s idering an equally funky shuttle for the Tofino Hotel Zed. The Victoria Hotel Zed also boasts a vintage Airstream trailer that can be booked for that 1960s rock star experience.

In Kelowna’s Hotel Zed the highlights include a mini-disco with fog machine, three rooftop patios, and classic roller skate rentals. These amenities are in addition to the usual Hotel Zed perks, such as free coffee, Wi-Fi, and Wii stations.

What will happen in Tofino is currently being imagined by the

PROTECTION???

The Real Estate Services Act is legislation designed to protect the rights of consumers.

Then why is the legislation taking away a consumers right to choose?

As of June 15th, consumers are losing their right to choose who they want to represent them in the sale or purchase of real estate.

If you list your home with your trusted REALTOR®, they will not be able to introduce a buyer to your property. If your REALTOR® of choice has had any previous dealings or knowledge of the other party to a real estate transaction, they must recuse themselves in the middle of the transaction. You will need to find a replacement REALTOR®. These are just a few of the complications resulting from the new rules proposed by the Minister of Finance.

The Real Estate Alliance of BC believes consumers are best protected and empowered by their ability to make independent and informed decisions. Ultimately by retaining the right to work with the Real Estate professional of their choice.

The Real Estate Alliance of British Columbia is a grassroots coalition of BC consumers and real estate Professionals.

Visit www.therealbc.ca for more information on the loss of your rights in BC. Email: Hon. Carol James - Minister of Finance FIN.Minister@gov.bc.ca

creative Hotel Zed team. “We’re in the brainstorming stage. We have so many wild and crazy ideas,” Farmer said. “We have a great team.

“I liken it to a canvas – we’re constantly trying to come up with something new and fun.”

What could not be improved is the location. The four-acre property is “stunningly gorgeous”, located in a rain forest that is on the lagoon side of Tofino. The property also backs onto an amazing, world-class bird sanctuary.

Farmer said Tofino’s Zed Hotel will showcase the bird sanctuary and the exquisite setting. She images bird watchers strolling the acres of trails and paddle boarders

enjoying the inlet from the hotel’s private waterfront.

Hotel Zed will be bright and fun but it will also be environmentally conscious and reflect its setting.

“This is a very, very special place,” Farmer said. “I loved it from the moment I first saw it. We are going to preserve and highlight its natural beauty.”

She hopes to create a space which will be loved by locals while drawing visitors to the renowned resort community. Hotel Zed describes its look and its fans as ‘Rebels Against the Ordinary’, which also sounds like a perfect motto for Tofino.

Together, Hotel Zed and Tofino promise to be epic.

Realtors Urging Province To Stop New Regulations Set For June 15

W

ith the province s e t to i m p o s e punitive and restrictive reg u lations on the real estate indust r y Ju n e 15, t h e n ewly formed BC Real Estate Alliance (REAL BC) has been speaking up, in hopes of persuading the government to stop and re-think the process.

Ian Thompson, Managing Broker of RE/MAX of Nanaimo, notes the government’s decision to end self regulation for the industry and stop Limited Dual Agency, where one agent, w ith consent of both parties, represents both the buyer a nd the sel ler is send i ng shock wave s t h rou g hout t he industry.

“The goal was supposed to be more protection for the consumer,” says Thompson. “The result, however, is the government is taking away the right for a public to decide who will represent them.

“In addition in the rush to get t hese new r u les started there will be no

forma l tra i n i ng on the new rules for the 23,000 realtors prior to June 15.

We are told all realtors will be trained by October. So we a re goi ng to start using the new rules w ith no tra i n i ng? How does t h is protect t he consumer?”

T hompson adds that Finance Minister Carole James recently appointed a law yer to review how real estate is regulated in BC. “T his is because the Superintendent and the Real Estate Council are now in Supreme Court to see who actually has final authority,” he adds. “This why the Alliance is calling for a complete stop to the proposed new rules. Only the Finance Minister can do this.”

T he cessation of dua l agency and the appointment of a non-industry superintendent a re the l ate s t c au s e s for c onc er n for re a ltors, who have watched the province implement a punit ive t a x to d i sc ou ra ge

Foreign Buyers, and are still threatening to move ahead with a “speculators’ ta x” on homes i n areas which feature the costliest real estate in BC. In order to determine the level of public support for our positions, REAL BC engaged the publ ic research and polling firm Insights West to conduct a public opinion survey of over 1,000 respondents from every region of BC to gain their feedback on some the issues at stake w ith the proposed ru le changes, and have submitted those findings to the government. They are in stark contrast to the prov i nce’s ow n su r vey of 169 individuals, from wh ich t hey c onc o c te d their plan.

For more information, visit www.therealbc.ca

25

JUNE 2018

BC Tech Association Recognizes Accelerate Okanagan CEO for Industry Leadership ACCELERATE OKANAGAN CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

In the mid 1970s, Gopal cofounded Kelowna’s first high tech software company, Vadim Software.

The company focused on software for local government, supplying customized accounting programs to local governments, i nclud i ng bi l l i ng prog ra m s for utilities, property tax, or parking tickets, and integrated applications to deal with the va r iou s level s of mu n icipa l affairs.

“My bu si ness pa r t ner a nd another fellow had the idea to get it going, so I came in and helped to grow it,” says Gopal.

“We started as a small Kelowna company with a few local clients, a nd grew to a nationa l scale before selling in 2001.”

A f t e r t h e s a l e o f Va d i m , G opa l beca me the a ngel i nvestor, tech mentor, and philanthropist that he is today. He has invested in over 20 high tech companies, and mentored dozens of entrepreneurs, helping them to realize their vision and dreams.

“I helped a few compa n ies start, grow, and sell, and after that, it was more about community building,” he says.

Gopal’s involvement in philanthropy and nonprofit leadership is extensive. He has served as Director for the Project Literacy Kelowna Society, the East Meets West Orphans Foundation, the Rotary Club of Downtown Kelowna, the Okanagan Science and Technology Council (OSTEC), and the YMCA. He was on the leadership cabinet for United Way, and guest lectures at UBC Okanagan.

“Three years ago, the former CEO of Accelerate Okanagan left for another opportunity,” he says. “I wa s approached by the board to step in as an interim CEO and I accepted.

After a few months, the board decided I was bringing a lot of momentum to the organization, and decided to keep me as the permanent CEO.”

Gopal is an active community leader, serving on numerous nonprofit boards and guest lecturing at UBCO

“The tech industry alone has a $1.5 Billion economic impact in the Okanagan region, putting it at a similar level to tourism and wine. It’s poised to become the number one industry in the Okanagan over the next few years.”

RAGHWA GOPAL CEO OF ACCELERATE OKANAGAN

Accelerate Okanagan offers numerous connections and resources to stimulate growth in the region’s booming tech industry

In the midst of this volunteering, Gopal has been mentoring dozens of ambitious tech entrepreneurs, helping their companies achieve explosive growth in the process.

“I was one of the ea rly

investors for Vineyard Networks and did some mentoring with the founders,” he says. “They grew the company to about 30 people and sold it about three or four years ago for $28 Million US.”

Gopal also had a mentoring relationship with the founders of Bananatag, a Kelowna company that started with three people, and has grown to employ about 50 individuals in their Vancouver and Kelowna offices.

Through his mentorship, dozens of other companies have experience similar growth. “I help them stay totally focused in the early stage,” he says. “They need to be structured and determined, and I work with these companies to keep the speed to market up. This is a very important part of the industry.”

T he Oka n aga n is t he fastest growing tech region in BC,

with a 15 per cent year over year growth rate. With over 650 tech companies housing about 7500 employees, Gopal is optimistic about the future of the industry.

“I see the 15 per cent growth rate continuing over the next two to three years, and if our economic environment stays the same, we could experience this rate for the next 10 years,” he says.

“The tech industry alone has a $1.5 Billion economic impact in the Okanagan region, putting it at a similar level to tourism and wine. It’s poised to become the number one industry in the Okanagan over the next few years.” www.accelerateokanagan.com

AN ICEBERG DIDN’T SINK THE TITANIC - ARROGANCE SANK THE TITANIC degrees to 51 degrees West, April 12. Compliments, Barr.” he message was delivered to Captain Smith on the RMS Titanic who made no alteration to his course. When a second warning came in, the captain brought it with him to lunch, eventually handing it to Bruce Ismay, chairman of the White Star Line. Ismay kept it in his pocket for five and a half hours before posting it on the ship’s bridge.

A sixth message on the subject that day, came from The Mesaba, which warned that The Titanic was heading straight for a vast belt

T SALES JOHN GLENNON “Captain, Titanic – Westbound steamers report icebergs and field ice in 42 degrees North from 49

of ice, stretching some 78 miles across her path.

In the wire room at 11pm, Jack Phillips was so fed up with warnings that his response to the California’s announcement was that “We are stopped and surrounded by ice.” and “Shut up, shut up.

You’re jamming my signal. I’m busy.”

40 minutes later, the ‘unsinkable’ Titanic had hit an iceberg.

Two hours and 15 minutes later she slipped beneath the icy waters to make her 4km to the bottom of the ocean, taking 1,500 souls with her.

Arrogance happens when, in the

presence of warnings and the absence of evidence you believe you know better. Arrogance sank the Titanic.

Arrogance causes you to • Stop asking • Stop listening • Stop learning Salespeople are arrogant. Great salespeople are aware of their arrogance and manage it well.

Rooting out Arrogance • Believe that you are second best. You will not come across as a rroga nt a nd you’ll try harder • Remind yourself that being

smart and intelligent is not an achievement. You did nothing to deserve it • Be thankful for what you have, every day A rrogance sank the T itanic. Don’t let it sink your sales career.

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 1-866-645-2047 or visit www.glennon.sandler.com

26

JUNE 2018

SK FORM & FINISH HAS DELIVERED ‘CONCRETE SOLUTIONS’ FOR ITS CLIENTS FOR 26 YEARS

K

ELOWNA – For 26 years, the success of SK Form & Finish Inc. starts from the bottom up – thanks to a strong foundation. Over the past three decades, SK Form & Finish have become regional leaders in the concrete business, working for a rapidly expanding list of residential, commercial and institutional clients.

“SK’s roots started as a multigenerational family business, with four brothers basically growing up in the ready-mix p l a n t t h e i r f a t h e r Ter r y K raushar ow ned,” ex pl a i n s Angie Kraushar, one of the firm’s owners and its Brand Manager.

“I started dating Steve (the oldest brother) when I was 15 years old. He was running late for our first date so his dad helped him out and picked me up on the way back from a job … in a concrete truck.”

Some of the brothers ultimately moved onto other careers but Steve Kraushar kept his feet ‘in the mud’ and started his own forming and finishing company, S & K For m i ng. T he or ig i n a l ready-mix plant was eventually closed. However, as S&K Forming continued to grow it was necessary to rebrand in 2015 as SK Form & Finish Inc.

Congratulations SK Form & Finish on your well-deserved success! www.pushormitchell.com

1-800-558-1155

Happy Winners – Steve and Angie Kraushar share a proud moment when they picked up their recent Tommie Award Specializing in all aspects of concrete formwork and concrete finishing, SK Form & Finish has a staff count of more than 60, providing the firm with a vast array of skills and experience. The company’s staff members include Red Seal Carpenters and Red Seal Masons along with a Certified Professional Accountant.

Having grown up in the concrete business, Steve Kraushar has quite literally been involved in virtually every aspect of the trade providing him with a wealth of practical experience that he couldn’t have gained any other way.

“I spent my teen years batching concrete trucks and filling small U-cart trailers that homeowners would then haul behind their cars and pour themselves. One of my

proudest moments was when I hopped on my pedal bike with a backpack full of tools (I couldn’t drive yet) to get to a fully loaded, broken-down concrete truck manned by a driver who didn’t know what to do,” he explained.

“My dad was out of town so it was up to me to figure it out. I was able to get both him and the truck on their way before the concrete set. When my Dad returned from his holiday, he was impressed with what I had done and I also realized how fulfilling the work was to me.

I figured with my ability to solve problems, work with people and get my hands dirty, I could start my own company to complement the ready-mix plant. Concrete forming and finishing has become my life’s work.”

When SK Form & Finish states

‘We Deliver Concrete Solutions’, it’s not overstating the truth.

There has rarely been a concrete project or issue that they couldn’t solve. In addition to such standard services as providing both residential and commercial foundation work, curbing and sidewalks, the forming crews really shine on projects involving curved walls, architectural concrete slabs, swimming pools and concrete patios– and that’s just some of its concrete forming services.

The company also offers its clients an equally diverse catalog of concrete finishing, providing an array of sealing and repair services – meaning that any project requiring concrete work, SK can be on site from start to finish.

Active in most of the region’s key building sector organizations,

“Our company has grown and prospered by adhering to three key pillars, a business philosophy we’ve followed right from the beginning.”

ANGIE KRAUSHAR OWNER / BRAND MANAGER, SK FORM & FINISH INC.

including the Southern Interior Construction Association (SICA), the Industry Training Authority (ITA), and the British Columbia Construction Association (BCCA), SK Form & Finish is also COR

Proud to be working with SK Form & Finish.

Congratulation on your 25th business anniversary!

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27

JUNE 2018

Having quite literally grown up in the concrete business Steve Kraushar has been involved in all aspects of the craft

SK Form & Finish is a regional leader in the concrete business working for residential, commercial and institutional clients

Elegant and practical, SK Form and Finish were responsible for creating the pool deck at the Lakestone Lake Club

SK crews are seen here during the pour that took place during the construction of the Carrington Ridge apartments

Safety Certified by the British Columbia Construction Safety Alliance (BCCSA) – thanks to its ongoing focus on providing a workplace that is both safe and responsive.

“Our company has grown and prospered by adhering to three key pillars, a business philosophy that we’ve followed right from the beginning,” Angie explained.

“It starts with Honesty and Integrity, creating an environment that fosters a Healthy Family Life and Relationships and continues into our business which has been

SK knows they are valued. We show this by providing hot breakfasts each work day, dinner kits at certain times of the year for staff and their families, paid overtime, benefits and a culture of ‘family first.’ Our winning process and schedule management continues to improve as we grow,” he said.

“At times, it’s been an uphill battle to compete in an industry that has a reputation for only caring about the bottom line. And yet, we see glimpses of the horizon ahead to remind us every day that we’re on the right path.”

built on delivering Reliability and Leadership. We want to create a workplace that is a career not just a job, that’s why we have so many long term employees. Those pillars are a huge part of who we are and as we say, our values are lived out in everything we do – that’s not just a marketing phrase, that’s the reality of SK Form & Finish.”

For Steve, these pillars are just as strong as or even stronger than the concrete it provides its clients.

As he recently stated: “My staff and customers are my highest priority. Everyone that works for

CONGRATULATIONS SK Form & Finish on 25 years of successful business!

Winn Rentals Ltd 910 McCurdy Rd, Kelowna, B.C. 250-491-1991 | 1-800-228-5702 www.winnrentals.com "Locally Owned & Operated Since 1975"

Congratulations from all of us at Western Financial Group.

We appreciate your business!

Kirby Harsch Account Executive, Commercial Insurance 2025 Harvey Ave. Kelowna, BC D: 250-762-2217 E: Kirby.Harsch@westernfg.ca W: westernfinancialgroup.ca

The company has evolved and g row n over the decades not merely by learning its craft or by sharing that knowledge with its clients, its due largely in part by believing in the people on its team. For owners Steve and Angie the company’s staff are a central component of the firm’s success.

“We believe that everyone who works for us can be a leader. When we can help our staff to recognize their full potential, celebrate their successes and not yell at them when they make mistakes, people aren’t afraid to take some

risks and really go for it. We have a staff of thinkers and innovators … making us leaders in the industry,” she said.

“We also respect the construction process, we understand the process involved in doing the job right from start to finish. Concrete is virtually part of every modern construction job so it’s more important than ever to bring a company in who understands it quite literally from the ground up.”

For Steve, that depth of skills and experience is what has helped to keep SK Form & Finish at the forefront of the industry. “We’re in a competitive market and we know our customers, many of them home builders, are also making changes to the industry.

Price is no longer the only factor when partnering with sub-trades and an important part of our story is the pride we take in leading the way,” he explained.

SK knows it’s more than just concrete. A beautiful, stamped pool deck becomes a launching pad to soak mom and dad when they’re not looking! A welcoming driveway is a blank canvas for some inspired chalk art. A sunken courtyard patio not only compliments the home, it welcomes friends, laughter, connection and some much needed rest. www.skforming.ca

Congratulations to the SK Form & Finish Team.

We have worked with you guys for years and are very proud to see your achievements and expansions. Keep up the good work!

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MOVERS AND SHAKERS

28

JUNE 2018

KELOWNA On Wednesday, June 13th, the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce will host their Top 40 Under 40 Wrap Up Party to honour this year’s exceptional community leaders. The evening event will feature wine and appetizers at The Innovation Centre’s Theatre and Atrium, and will pay tribute to the program.

T he Canadian Mental Health Association extended the 2018 Workplace Excellence Award for Mentally Healthy Workplace to Diversified Rehabilitation Group for their efforts in reducing stigma and discrimination around mental health issues, addressing social justice or social factors contributing to mental health, and preserving or improving mental health in the workplace.

Williams Machinery received recognition from three significant lists within the business community for employer excellence this year: Best Managed Companies, BC’s Top Employers, and Canada’s Top Small & Medium Employers.

and purchased the former Bell Tower Books at 31-2070 Harvey Avenue. Their grand opening celebration was held on June 2nd.

The Central Okanagan Food Bank has moved into their new digs at Enterprise Way. The 15,000 square foot building was formerly a furniture warehouse and showroom and now an updated storage and distribution centre. It receives shipments twice a month that are then distributed to 25 smaller centres.

The Kelowna Rockets are making a case to host the 2020 Memorial Cup. They are required to offer a guarantee of financial return to the WHL, have the appropriate infrastructure in place such as hotels and arena, and other criteria they feel they have met. The last time they were hosted in Kelowna was 2004. Teams wanting to host the event will present in Calgary at the beginning of October.

Owners Derek, Karla, Rick and Iris Kennedy of Kennedy’s Parable have expanded

Chef Chris Shaften

BUSINESS EXAMINER Thompson/Okanagan

Cheryl Lee

Marketing Advisor

Chef Chris Shaften, of Top Chef Canada Season 3 and operator and owner of Krafty Kitchen + Bar, is celebrating four years in business. The restaurant is located at 281 Lawrence Avenue.

Amy Fairman, RMT has joined the team at Ethel Street Therapeutic Massage.

They are located at 1879 Ethel St. Active Mobility Products has moved from Tutte Street to double the size at 100-540 Groves Avenue enabling better service and a larger sales area. They provide equipment and service for home medical equipment such as wheel chairs, walkers and lifts. Dino Padula is the owner and Jeff Donnelly manages the service department. A grand opening was held on June 1st.

The BC Local Government Management Association supporting leaders working in municipal and regional government with training and resources has elected Corrie Griffiths of Central Okanagan Development Commission as director at large and Mark Koch, of the District of Lake Country, as president.

Kudos to the family owned Prestige Hotels and Resorts who have been in business for 25 years. Founded by Josef and Anna Huber and now also owned by the Schneider family, there are currently 14 locations in BC. Jo Huber Jr is now the CEO and Terry Schneider is the President.

Terry Armstrong, former publisher with the Kelowna Daily Courier, is now the director of sales and operations at Prospera Place (GSL Holdings).

Business Examiner Gold Event Sponsors Diane Herron has started her mobile flower business, Sweet Dee’s Flowers.

She can be reached at 250-718-2127 or hello@sweetdeesflowers.com More than two-thirds of the homes in the West Tower at ONE Water Street were purchased on its opening sales weekend, with a collective value of $70 million.

Kelowna City Council has refused an application by Northland Properties to build a six-storey Sandman Signature hotel in the Airport Business Park. Council refused to change the current zoning from Industrial to Commercial stating they wanted to keep with the current plan for the area.

LAKE COUNTRY The Lake Country Chamber of Commerce has released the names of their new 2018-19 Board of Directors. This year’s board features: Bret Bresciani of Budget Blinds, Carla Carlson with Comfort Inn, Daniel Denk of Nor-Val Rentals, Garth Donhauser of Re/Max Realty, Bonnie Flint of Interior Savings, Anne Stewart of Turtle Bay Pub, Jennifer Madsen of Oyama Zipline Adventure Park, Liz McKinney of Sip Happens Wine Tours, Courtney Mueller of Nalu Wellness, Holger Nierfeld of Ditto’s Office Services, Anthony Parker of Capri Insurance, and Jeff Schall of SAGE SEE MOVERS AND SHAKERS | PAGE 29

‘ASSERTIVENESS’ IS NOT A DIRTY WORD PUT YOUR COMPANY IN THE SPOTLIGHT In the life of every business, certain events always stand out: • • • • • •

A grand opening Introducing a new product or service Moving to a new location Completing a major project Landing a major contract Celebrating a milestone anniversary

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CUSTOMER SERVICE LUCY GLENNON

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or some f ront l i ne people, in an effort to be friendly or nice, they give up assertiveness.

Assertiveness is a way of thinking and behaving that allows a person to stand up

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They simply don’t have an effective way to get their needs met.

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MOVERS AND SHAKERS

JUNE 2018

MOVERS AND SHAKERS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 28

Realty. Garth Donhauser is this year’s Chamber President, Jeff Schall is Treasurer, and Camae Thompson and Kirbey Lockheart are Past Presidents.

VERNON The O’Rourke Winery development received approval from the District of Lake Country.

Dennis O’Rourke will develop a vineyard and winery after the District passes a zoning bylaw and Official Community Plan involving amendments for 12 rural properties along Carr’s Landing Road and Commonage Road. The resulting land will total 50 hectares.

Okanagan Valley College of Massage (OCVM) is now more accessible, as a mechanical lift has been installed. This will allow patients to be comfortably and safely transferred from a wheelchair to the massage table.

The lift was provided thanks to a donation by the Scott and Mandrek family.

The Regional District of the Central Okanagan has approved a proposal from Kangaroo Creek Farm, resulting in a move from their Lake Country location to an Old Vernon Road site near the airport. The move will allow for increased parking space and room for owner Caroline MacPherson’s growing farm to expand.

Ve r n o n b u s i n e s s m a n a n d ow ner of T he R ic e B ox, On Ouchs was honoured by his alma mater, Mission Hill Elementary.

Twenty-eight years after coming to the Vernon school and speaking no English, Ouchs has been inducted into their Hall of Fame, making him one of five alumni to receive the honour.

Gerry Obrecht, former owner of the Kal Hotel, passed away May 5 after a battle with cancer.

Obrecht was an alumni of Okanagan College, and a longtime member of the Spallumcheen Golf and Country Club.

Don Nettleton has been named CEO of the Okanagan Regional Library. Nettleton has been with the library for almost 25 years and will be replacing former CEO Stephanie Hall. Nettleton is a CPA-CA with an employment background in various financial positions.

T he budget for a proposed Vernon multi-purpose cultural facility was announced, with the Regional District of the Central Okanagan approving a preliminary funding strategy. The project is expected to cost $40 million, with $3.34 million in pre-construction and project management, a construction contingency of $5.78 million,

land purchase contingency of $1.5 million and construction costs of $29.38 million.

Davison Orchards celebrated their 85th anniversary. Founded in 1933, the business is run by Bob Davison, with three generations actively working on the farm.

The Vernon Morning Star is cutting off their Sunday print edition, with the last issue coming out on May 27. The publication will be delivered twice a week on Wednesday and Friday, while the company will put more focus on their online offerings.

The 59th Vernon Winter Carnival announced their new board of directors. This includes chair Deb White, vice chair Martin von Holst, secretary Corinne Van de Commenacker, treasurer Brian Langner, directors Collen Heater, Ruth Hoyte, Todd Millar, Laurell Cornell, Annette Timm, Roel Van de Cormmenacker, Paul Cousins, Rod Koenig, Carol von Holst, Kirbey Lockhart and Joy Stafford.

Jason Churchill, rodeo manager for the Falkland Stampede, was named Person of the Year by the Canadian Pro Rodeo Association. The award was presented to Churchill, who has managed the Falkland Stampede for 15 years, at the week-long Canadian Finals Rodeo event in Edmonton.

VantageOne Realty Inc. announced that Warren (Woody) Kuraoka is joining their team.

Kuraoka was born in Vernon and has been working in the real estate business since 2005.

Cap-it, located at 220 2801 35 Avenue, is celebrating their first anniversary.

Coralie Nairn, Search and Rescue Manager with Vernon and Kelowna Search and Rescue has been honoured with the Emergency Management Exemplary Service Award (EMESA) at an inaugural ceremony in Ottawa.

Brynna Hambly is Davidson Pringle LLP’s newest associate lawyer. She practices in the area of litigation with a focus on employment law.

SALMON ARM Sunnybrae Vineyards & Winery received three prestigious awards from the 2018 Best of BC Wine Awards. They received Bronze for their 2015 Siegerrebe, Bronze for their 2015 Turner Road, and Silver for their 2016 Marechal Foch.

The Salmon Arm Chamber of Commerce has created five new committees to help develop and advance existing Chamber practices and structure, as part of their 2018-2020 Strategic Plan.

The new committees are designed to study: Policy, Marketing & Recruiting, Membership Value, Online Presence, and Professional Development.

T he Columbia Shuswap Regional District (CSRD) and community has renamed the Robinson Creek Community Park, located at 5964 Sunnybrae-Canoe Point Road, to the Roy Sharp Com munity Park to honour the memory of Roy Sharp, a Sunnybrae resident that was killed in a landslide.

The Probus Club launched a new chapter in the South Shuswap area due to membership in their Copper Island Club reaching its cap. Their first information meeting was held on May 30th at Blind Bay Hall. Membership is geared toward semi-retired or retired professionals, business community members or those with management experience in the community.

A new talking giraffe mixedmedia art creation has been installed at the Westgate Public Market, in the former Canadian Tire location. The work was created by local artist and painter, Jordyn Penry, and Melissa Nasby, owner of Mixed Uppets/ SoulFibre Studio, and was put on display as of May 26th. The art installation is co-owned by Karen Dow of the Handmade Shoppe.

A section of Hudson Avenue N E , located i n dow ntow n Sa l mon A r m, w i l l b e u nder construction for a revitalization project. The contract for construction was awarded by the City of Salmon Arm to D Webb Contracting Ltd. for over $1,306,509, and will involve relocati ng hyd ro, telephone and cable lines underground.

Further updates to the overall downtown aesthetic will also be part of the project, in addition to a storm sewer extension project.

Robert MacDermott of Hilltop Toyota, at 2350 Trans Canada Highway NE, is congratulated by his team on being named top Product Advisor for the month of April.

PENTICTON The Bow development sales centre has opened its doors at 351 Warren Avenue West. The centre will showcase two and t h ree-bed room si ng le level ranchers for those interested in the development.

29 FitKidz Gymnastics, owned

by Annette Card, has relocated their facilities after five years in their current location of 199 Ellis Street. The gym will be located at 249 Westminster Avenue as of September 1st.

A new Penticton location of Nature’s Fare Markets will hold its grand opening celebrations on June 8-9th. The market is located at 1770 Main Street.

SEE MOVERS AND SHAKERS | PAGE 31

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Pure Flowers, owned by Monique van Lindert, and located at 40 Lakeshore Drive, will be closing its doors to business as of June 23rd.

T he new stud io for Cardio Connection, at 101 Hudson Avenue near Pink Cherry, will also feature an art gallery portion.

The business, owned by Melissa Treleaven, recently reopened in their new location as of June 4th.

Hyde Mountain Golf Course on Maka Lake has opened for the golf season, featuring a recently renovated clubhouse.

May long weekend marked the 100th anniversary of this year’s Falkland Stampede.

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Downtown Salmon Arm, managed by Lindsay Wong, has relocated to their new office at 250 Shuswap Street.

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OPINION

30

JUNE 2018 A division of Invest Northwest Publishing Ltd. Thompson Okanagan Office #210-347 Leon Avenue, Kelowna, BC V1Y 8C7 Toll free: 1.866.758.2684 Fax: 1.778.441.3373 Email: info@businessexaminer.ca Website: www.businessexaminer.ca

PUBLISHER | Mark MacDonald EDITOR | Robert MacDonald SALES | Cheryl Lee - cheryl@businessexaminer.ca, John MacDonald - john@ businessexaminer.ca, Josh Higgins – josh@businessexaminer.ca WRITERS | John MacDonald, Beth Hendry-Yim, David Holmes, Kristin van Vloten, Val Lennox WEBSITE | John MacDonald

IS IT TIME FOR A TAX REVOLT BY BUSINESS OWNERS?

MARK MACDONLD

A

s class warfare has taken the Canadian political landscape by storm, what can businesses do to escape the hail of tax increases and extra fees unleashed by elected officials?

With populist catch phrases like “one per centers”, asking businesses to “pay a little bit more”, and “income sprinkling” becoming accepted terms of reference for the business community, it is clear that many Canadians see the current anti-business rhetoric as a leveling of the playing field.

“Tax the rich”, aka business owners, is what they’ve said they were going to do, and they’re doing it, with nary a reprieve in sight.

What, if anything, can be done to stem the tide of the rising minimum wage, Medical Service Plan payroll hikes and Canada Pension Plan increases? Not to mention the

foreign buyers’ tax, the “speculation” tax, and another NDP whopper, a new school tax levied against property owners? When does it end? How can it end?

A tax revolt.

A full-fledged withholding of taxes and levies that goes directly from business bank accounts and payrolls. Are we there yet? Is it possible?

Absolutely it is, and truth be told, this might be the only way to finally get government’s attention and get them to stop milking the business community. Tell Ottawa, Victoria and your city of choice that the udder is getting dry, and they’ve siphoned off far more than what is acceptable.

Today’s anti-business governments are reminiscent of the old-time “shopping sprees” of yesteryear, when winning contestants would run for their lives down the aisles of grocery stores, hair and clothing bristling in the wind as they two-armed every item they could grasp and whisk it into their carts before reaching the till.

Clearly, they see their seizure of government power as “their turn” to withdraw funds from the till as they see fit. Rather than cultivate an environment where business can prosper and therefore create more government tax revenue

through increased sales, they see businesses as loot stashers, ripe for the picking by 21 st Century Robin Hoods to redistribute to the poor and their own pet projects.

It’s not enough for them to leave the business community alone and redirect surpluses to projects they deem worthy; it’s obviously payback time for business owners they see as worthy of repercussions for “filling their bank accounts off the backs of workers”.

A tax revolt might be tough for businesses to pull off, since our unofficial moniker seems to be “Tax me, I’m Canadian”. But surely we’re getting to the point where our version of the Boston Tea Party is becoming a viable option.

What do you think governments would do if businesses – in unison – decided to withhold the various taxes and fees they regularly collect from customers and employees and remit to the government?

How long would it take before they raised the white flag and realized this time, they really, really have gone too far? Not just that, but they’d ratchet back some of the punitive tax measures they’ve introduced.

Isn’t it worth a try?

It’s been done before. During Bob Rae’s ill-fated term as Ontario’s only NDP premier two

decades ago, a tax revolt in London was credited with choking off the government’s cash flow.

T hey d id so by w ith hold i ng property taxes until sensibility returned, and participants were encouraged to place those taxes in an interest bearing bank account that would yield at least as much as any potential penalty the government might try to instill.

The pinch helped, followed by the Common Sense Revolution under Mike Harris.

A Nanaimo city councilor once said, aloud: “We will tax until we find opposition”. That was just prior to the City of Nanaimo unilaterally implementing a “head tax” back in 2001, where businesses were to pay $110 apiece for anyone in their employ who had a professional designation. It would have cost one real estate company over $10,000 a year.

Busi nesses were outraged, and the Chamber of Commerce sprung into action, demanding an immediate rescinding of the bylaw, or else businesses would boycott paying business license fees to the city.

A filibuster at the weekly council meeting featured prominent members of the business community taking their turns at the lectern, lambasting council for their lack of foresight and brazen

tax attack. Business owners and managers crammed into council chambers to support the speakers, who continued to speak forcefully and demand instant retraction.

Initially, council members, led by the mayor, sniffed at the delegates. Their disdain soon turned to soberness as they realized they were faced with a determined group that wouldn’t take no for an answer. Late in the evening, they called for a 30-day memorandum to study the issue further.

The tax was completely withdrawn after the month was up.

It did work. Politicians can be backed up. But it does take a unified front, determined to not take no for an answer.

If governments of all levels were to be confronted by the people who actually do pay most of the bills for public services, either through their own companies or the payrolls they cover, and demand fairness, there would be positive results. Even hard-ofhearing idealists in government can sense they’ve gone too far.

So, M r. a nd M rs. Busi ness Owner: Are you ready for a tax revolt, with the sole purpose of telling governments to stop their punitive and growth-prohibiting taxation?

Let us know what you think: info@businessexaminer.ca

own task force warning that such a move will undermine the province’s competitive position.

Making matters worse, just as the U.S. cut its top federal personal income tax rate, BC created a new, higher rate of 16.8 per cent, making the combined federalprovincial top rate a hair away from 50 per cent and the ninth highest rate in Canada and the U.S. This shows a worrying disregard for the ability of the province to attract and retain skilled workers and entrepreneurs.

In keeping with its high tax mantra, the government also ra ised ta xes on h igh-va lued homes and “luxury” cars. New regulations are being contemplated on labour in addition to a substantial minimum wage hike.

It’s all about the signals. And the signals as a whole don’t instil confidence among investors.

All this is happening against a backdrop of an enduring investment problem in the province.

For more than three decades, investment per worker in BC - a measure of the tools available to workers to improve their

productivity - has lagged behind the rest of the country. The most recent data (for 2016) shows BC’s investment per worker 19 per cent below Canada’s overall level. This means BC workers have significantly less capital (machines, equipment and technology) to do their job than workers in other provinces.

The situation has worsened in recent years. Business investment in BC (excluding residential structures) fell from 2014 to 2016 by nearly a fifth after adjusting for inflation.

A nd yet, the govern ment’s latest policies will likely further discourage investment and ultimately reduce the long-term prosperity of British Columbians.

This is taking the province down the wrong track.

We saw this movie before, in the 1990s. It doesn’t end well.

BC CLOSING DOORS TO INVESTMENT

THE FRASER INSTITUTE CHARLES LAMMAM AND HUGH MACINTYRE

M

ore British Columbians think the province is on the wrong track than the right one, according to a new Angus Reid poll. And there’s good reason to be concerned about BC’s policy direction.

Since assuming office last year, Premier John Horgan’s government has done little to reassure investors and entrepreneurs that British Columbia is an attractive place to invest. In fact, its policies have signalled the opposite.

Consider the attempt to block

the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project, which had already been approved by a thorough federal review. In the 11th hour, the government erected an unexpected roadblock, arguing in court that BC has the right to stop the project.

The ensuing war of words - and legal action - between Alberta and BC has been well-documented.

The result?

Immense policy uncertainty.

Partly because of this pipeline project, BC - and Canada more generally - is gaining an international reputation as a place where major resource projects can’t get done. And this is turning investors and entrepreneurs away from the province at a time when serious concerns already exist about BC as a destination for resource projects.

In a recent survey of upstream oil and gas executives, BC ranked dead last among Canadian provinces and in the bottom quarter internationally for investment attractiveness. While the provincial government hopes to see liquefied natural gas (LNG) development,

pipeline obstructionism has undermined its credibility on that file.

Moreover, BC’s tax competitiveness has taken a major hit recently.

The province’s longstanding high effective tax rate on investment (one of the highest in the developed world) was made worse when the government increased the statutory corporate income tax rate (from 11 per cent to 12 per cent) shortly after taking office. At the same time, the United States has dramatically eased its taxation of capital, which will encourage investment dollars to go south.

Additionally, at a time when the U.S. is eschewing carbon pricing, BC is significantly raising its carbon tax rate (by 66 per cent, from $30 to $50 per tonne) while abandoning any pretence of revenue neutrality - whereby new revenues into government coffers are offset with new tax cuts.

BC is also replacing Medical Service Premiums with a new employer-based payroll health tax, despite the government’s

Charles Lammam is director of fiscal studies and Hugh MacIntyre is senior policy analyst at the independent non-partisan Fraser Institute

SUBCRIPTIONS | $45 PER YEAR (12 ISSUES), $80 FOR 2 YEARS (24 ISSUES), SUBSCRIBE ONLINE: WWW.BUSINESSEXAMINER.CA. DISTRIBUTION: FOURTH WEEK OF EACH MONTH VIA CANADA POST AD MAIL. The publisher accepts no responsibility for unsolicited submissions. The views and opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher. Produced and published in British Columbia. All contents copyright Business Examiner Thompson Okanagan, 2017.

2016. Canadian Canadian Publications Publications Mail Mail Acct.: Acct.: 40069240 40069240

MOVERS AND SHAKERS

JUNE 2018

MOVERS AND SHAKERS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 29

The Okanagan Falls community market in Centennial Park has returned for the season. The market occurs every Wednesday and features more than 15 local vendors with items such as: baking, farm and garden products, jewelry, art, leather goods, crafts, and homebased business ventures.

MV Dental Centre, run by Dr. Maryam Vojdani Inc. and located at 103-2504 Skaha Lake Road, celebrates their 10th year doing business in the community.

Guerard’s Fine Furniture, at 70 Backstreet Boulevard, has recently renovated and reopened their showroom.

SUMMERLAND The pizza oven at Fitzpatrick Family Vineyards’ The Bistro venue is now open for business. The Bistro, located at 697

ment SIMONE SUNDERLAND

n to poser to lone last ish a oals the and om-

onal e viany.

Local author Raphael Nowak has written a 272-page book about Okanagan Lake, entitled “Okanagan Lake – An Illustrated Exploration Above and Below the Waters.” Nowak has recently finished a degree from UBC Okanagan in freshwater science, and has studied the history and science of the lake over the past 15 years.

The content of the book reflects Nowak’s studies and should be available for purchase this fall.

A geothermal plant is being installed at Summerland Secondary School to provide more efficient heating and cooling for the facility. The project features the construction of wells in the school’s fields that will rely on deep underground temperature to regular the school’s temperature.

The new system will allow for reduced operating costs for the school and is anticipated to reduce up to 200 tonnes of carbon.

GREEN SHEET BUILDING BRIEFS

ny

ment

Highway 97 S., opened on May 18th featuring a new menu from Chef Jeremy Tucker.

KAMLOOPS KAMLOOPS LOCATION LOCATION

840 College Dr – Nursing and

175 Kokanee Way - Ramada Hotel Population Health Building –

The Kettle Valley Steam Railway has opened for the spring seasons, as of May 19th, and will be running from Saturdays-Mondays with two trains per day.

Two new members have joined the Rotary Club of Summerland: Tina Gowing, sponsored by LeeAnna Jewell, and Dr. Vilas Prabu, sponsored by Aart Dronkers.

Local wines were recognized at this year’s British Columbia Best of Varietal Wine Awards, held at the Okanagan Wine Festival in Penticton on May 2nd.

Evolve Cellars received the BC Wine of the Year for their Riesling 2016, their Riesling 2016 was also named Best Riesling $19 and under; their Frizzante 2017 and Pink Effervescence N/ V both received Silver for the Sparkling Wines category.

Su mac R idge Estate Winer y received Gold for their Private Reserve Unoaked Chardonnay 2017 in the Chardonnay $19 and under category.

DEVELOPER Homecraft Construction Ltd – 33677 Arcadian Way, Abbotsford 604-853-3778 OWNER Wilmark Homes Ltd – 33677 Arcadian Way, Abbotsford V2S 7T4 604-853-3778

SIMONE SUNDERLAND

KAMLOOPS T he team at Abbott Wealth Management Inc. would like to congratulate Shelby Vollo, Financial Consultant, for obtaining designations as a Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU), Certified Health Insurance Specialist (CHS), and Level 1 Certified Financial Planner (CFP). “Shelby has worked incredibly hard over the past 7 years to obtain these designations,” says Mark Bertoli, Partner at the company.

“Her dedication to excellence and proactive approach is so appreciated by our clients, many who have very specialized and complex needs.” Not one to sit back, Shelby has also recently obtained her designation as a Certified Executor Advisor (CEA) and as a Certified Professional Consultant on Aging (CPCA).

15

Sherry Chamberlain, commercial account manager with Chubb Insurance, is the first Canadian woman to be named

PROJECT New Kelowna Visitor Centre – 1 storey and mezzanine – approx 3,309 sf – steel structure, aluminum curtain wall with clear glazing, curved glulam beam – metal roof – 8 surface parking spaces PROJECT STATUS Construction completion anticipated summer/18

THOMPSON APPLICANT PROJECT TYPE Tourism Kelowna Society – 214 PROJECT NICOLA Multi-family new treatment facility - the disRichter St, Kelowna 250-861New water CENTRAL1626 1515 REGIONAL trict is currently testing several methPROJECT New rental townhouse membrane complex – 5 technology ods including ARCHITECT OKANAGAN DISTRICT Meiklejohn Architects Inc structures – 2 and 3 storeys – 16

REGIONAL DISTRICT

PROJECT STATUS

(Kelowna) – 233 Bernard Ave, units, 2 fourplexes, 2 triplexes, 1 Tender call for LOCATION Kelowna 250-762-3004 duplexDesign – 2 to 3 underway bedrooms –- total anticipated 4074 Airport Rd, Merritt – approxGeneral 887 sm –Contractor garages – vinyl commercial new PROJECT TYPE New Airport Hanger – Valley July/14 construction lap siding, faux-stone, board andcompletion Institutional new PROJECT Helicopters late 2015 battenanticipated exteriors – fibreglass LOCATION New Ramada Hotel in the Campbell shingles PROJECT CONSULTANT PROJECT TYPE2241 Springfield Rd - Mission Creek industrial - 4 storeys New nursing and park population healthLOCATION Industrial newCrossing Westside PROJECT STATUS Opus Dayton Knight - 255 1715 726 Clement Ave – Rental building Thompson 3,780 smat- 80 rooms -Rivers restaurant - pool Construction start anticipated sumPROJECT Condominiums – Commercial – University – 1 structure – approx with waterslide - elevators - concretemer/18Dickson Ave, V1Y 9G6 250-868-4925 PROJECT TYPE New helicopter hanger – 1 strucRetail 4,175 sm – 3 storeys – classrooms, OWNER construction - roof articulation with commercial new ture – approx 4,800 sf – offices labs, breakout rooms, faculty officCONTRACTOR porte cochere - asphalt shingles - 98 District of Sicamous - 1214 PROJECT TYPE es, student lounges, meeting rooms Right at Home Construction Ltd – washroom –PROJECT apron – metal consurface parking stalls Riverside Ave, Sicamous V0E–2V0 Mixed-use Dev 2079 Hugh Allan Dr Kamloops 250- struction New commercial urban lifestyle PROJECT STATUS 250-836-2477 PROJECT STATUS 377-3456 centre - 6 buildings - 2PROJECT to 7 storeys Construction start anticipated late PROJECT STATUS New mixed use development – 3 Construction start anticipated late OWNERPROJECT MANAGER retail commercial at ground level May Construction start anticipated structures – 2 mixed use with 2 2014 MHPM 550 555 W 12th Ave, - underground Affinity Developments Ltd – 183 summer/18 with office units abovewings connected by breezeways, ARCHITECT Vancouver V5Z 3X7 604-714-0988 parkade 80 above ground short Nolancrest Rise NW, Calgary T3R ARCHITECT Chernoff Thompson Architects – CONSULTANT term parking stalls 1 commercial – Buildings 1 and 2, OT2 110 1281 W Georgia St, Vancouver 6 storeys – Building 3, 2 storeys – DF Architecture Inc - 1205 4871 Shell Econospan Structures Corp – 472 PROJECT STATUS 604-669-9460 148 residential units – 1, 2 and 3 Rd, Richmond V6X 3Z6 604-284-5194 VLA Rd, Chase 250-679-3400 bedrooms – 11 commercial units – Development permit application GENERAL CONTRACTOR DESIGNER DEVELOPER surface parking submitted PCL Constructors Westcoast Inc Shuswap Designs Inc – 472 VLA LOCATION Prism Ventures Inc 3571 Barmond (Kelowna) – 208 2365 Gordon PROJECT STATUS ARCHITECT Rd, Chase 250-679-3400 LOCATION Ave, Richmond V7E 1A4 604-338-4656 To Be Determined - Ice Facility application, OCP amendDrive, Kelowna 250-868-8394 OWNER Ekistics Town PlanningRezoning - 1925 Main 6810 Park Hill Rd NE – Residential ment and subdivision application OWNER PROJECT TYPE Valley Helocopters – 63235 Flood – SFDs – Park Hill OWNER St, Vancouver V5T 3C1at604-739-7526 2nd reading – public hearing Hope Rd, Hope 250-378-6261 Prism Hotels andUniversity Resorts -–800 Thompson Rivers Box institutional add/alter DEVELOPER anticipated summer/18 – developPROJECT TYPE 14800 Landmark Blvd, Dallas Texas 3010 900 McGill Rd, Kamloops PROJECT Subdivisions ment permit application submitted R366 Enterprises Ltd - 4870B Chute, V2C 5N3 250-828-5000 75254 214-987-9300 New ice facility for the Greater Kelowna V1W 4M3 250-764-8963 PROJECT APPLICANT Vernon area to replace New residential subdivision – 131the aging PC Urban Properties – 880 1090 GENERAL CONTRACTOR Civic Arena 4,000 seats be SFD lots – approx 14- hectares – to - may W Georgia, Vancouver 604-282LOCATION Lambert and Paul Construction Ltd 238the Queensway Ave – Visitor be builtaninaddition Phases to Kal Tire Place or 6085 300 2000 Spall Rd, Kelowna V1Y 9P6 Centre Tourism Kelowna Priest Valley Arena or construction of LOCATION PROJECT STATUS ARCHITECT 250-860-2331 LOCATION a new 2081 11 Ave NE – Townhouses – Rezoning and ice OCPfacility amendment NSDA Architects – 201 134 Abbott PROJECT TYPE 451 Shuswap St SD 83 North OkanaInstitutional new Copper View Corner application at 3rd STATUS reading St, Vancouver 604-669-1926 PROJECT

PROJECT ThompsonTYPE Rivers Universit

KELOWNA

31 District Governor with Rotary 5060. District Governors provide leadership, guidance and motivation to Rotary Clubs.

Peter Kappel is the new board chair for the BC Lottery Corporation and began his one-year term at the end of May. He will be responsible for the conduct and management of gambling in the province. He is a chartered accountant who was previously managing director with DVB Bank AG in London.

McDonalds on Hugh Allen Drive recently help a grand re-opening after renovations. Alan and Dawn Gozda are co-owners Jen Casorso, the City of Kaml o o p s s o c i a l- d e v e l o p m e n t supervisor will be moving to the private sector. Casorso held the position for about 10 years and received the 2018 Community Excellence Award for Social Responsibility for her work. She is joining Urban Matters as a social consultant.

CITY OF WEST KELOWNA LOCATION

2211 Campbell Rd – Condominiums – Commercial – Blackmun Bay Village PROJECT TYPE Mixed-use Dev PROJECT New mixed use development – a variety of buildings including townhouses, garden condominiums and 3 mid-rise towers stepping up the slopes – underground parking – green roofs – 464 sm restaurant and 268 slip marina facility – public beach area PROJECT STATUS Rezoning application at 2nd reading ARCHITECT IBI Architects Calgary – 500 611 Meredith Rd NE, Calgary 403-2705600 OWNER Solunqua Orchards Inc No. 698011 – 2225 Campbell Rd, West Kelowna 250-769-4740

VERNON SALMON ARM

SALMON ARM SALMON ARM

gan Shuswap Administration Building

PROJECT TYPE institutional new

KELOWNA

Feasibility study and cost analysis study anticipated shortly - the Greater Vernon Advisory Committee

OKANAGAN SIMILKAMEEN

Guards and Security Services Serving the Okanagan Valley

Toll Free: 1-844-776-4376 www.herosecurity.com