Business Examiner Vancouver Island - October 2015 by Business Examiner Media Group

OCTOBER 2015

» MEETING PLACES

–PAGE 13

NANAIMO MP John Duncan announced that federal funding for foot passenger ferry will go through if a Conservative government is re-elected

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PAGE 21

COMOX VALLEY The core of Bohmer Construction’s daily workload typically consists of residential renovation projects

Marine supply and boatyard wins business of the year award Receiving ISO:9001 and Canadian Welding Bureau certification allowed for successful bidding on DND contract BETH HENDRY-YIM

C PAGE 33

INDEX News Update Sales Nanaimo Cowichan Valley Port Alberni Comox Valley Campbell River West Coast Who is Suing Whom Movers and Shakers Opinion Law

2 9 10 12 25 29 37 38 42 43 46 47

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AMPBELL RIVER - More tha n th i r ty yea rs ago, Bruce and Linda Kempling arrived in Campbell River looking for a business opportunity. For the Ontario-born young man, forming a coastal marine store seemed an unlikely choice, but in February of this year the couple’s business, Ocean Pacific Marine Store and Boatyard, celebrated its thirtieth year. Originally located in an area by the government dock in downtown Campbell River, the business and store has undergone several transformations from purchasing the adjacent shipyard in 1990, expanding the store to 5000 sq ft in 1994, and moving to its present location in 2007, at

Ocean Pacific has successfully completed three DND submarine fendering barges SEE MARINE SUPPLY | PAGE 6

CREDIT:LAURA KEMPLING

HeliJet’s new route drastically reduces travel time Nanaimo to downtown Vancouver route creates opportunities for travellers

ANAIMO – 18 minutes, that’s how long it takes to travel from Nanaimo to downtown Vancouver with HeliJet’s recently launched daily service. The Richmond-based organization introduced the route earlier this year in response to the Central Island’s growing transportation needs, and

a gap in the marketplace for efficient travel between t he 2 destinations. “It’s a truly unparalleled experience,” says company president and CEO Danny Sitnam. “The helicopter is a fascinating technology that provides our customers with access to some of the province’s largest business centers in a very small

amount of time. We’ve enabled people to maximize their day, and have complete control of their schedule. “Our commitment is to provide regular, reliable, scheduled flights that create opportunities for our passengers, and what that commitment has created over time is a nearly seamless transportation system. If

someone needs to be downtown all day, they can leave at 7AM and come back at 7PM, or, if they have a morning meeting a nd wa nt to b e back b efore lunch, they’re able to do that as well.” HeliJet has been in operation since 1986, and its growth over SEE HELIJET’S NEW ROUTE | PAGE 40

NEWS UPDATE

2 VANCOUVER ISLAND Healthy Housing Market Continues in September

NANAIMO Aquafarm finalist competition Nanaimo News Bulletin Taste of BC Aquafarms has been selected as a finalist to pitch its business model to investors in the final event of the 2015 Fish 2.0 seafood business competition. The company is among 37 finalists and runners-up from Canada, the U.S.,

Chile, Latin America, the South Pacific and Southeast Asia that will compete for $180,000 in cash prizes at the global business competition that happens at Stanford University, in Stanford, Calif., Nov. 10-11. Taste of BC, a land-based fish farm located on Jameson Road in Nanaimo, has been producing Little Cedar Falls steelhead salmon for grocery retailers on the Island since 2014 and was selected as a finalist from a field of 170 competitors. Steve Atkinson, Taste of BC Aquafarms president, said if the company comes up a winner in the competition that will translate into worldwide exposure. “We’re trying to build more than just our own business,” Atkinson said. “We’re trying to kick-start an industry, so the funds are going to put us on a sure financial footing that ensures our success.”

CAMPBELL RIVER BC’s Coastal Mayors ReExamine Log Export Policy The Truck Loggers Association hosted 32 civic leaders from BC’s coastal communities recently to discuss UBCM Resolution B36 Re-Examine Log Export Policy and how the BC coastal forest industry supports their communities. “We were able to address some of the major ‘myth-conceptions’ around log exports,” said David Elstone, TLA Executive Director. Access to global log markets sustains local jobs—this was the main message. These exports support 60,700 direct forestry jobs in BC. We know a healthy forest sector requires a balance between meeting

domestic manufacturing requirements and logs being exported to higher value markets around the world. Elstone received enthusiastic feedback during his speech—Mayor Adams of Campbell River stepped forward to express his support of the TLA and the strong and unifying voice the TLA provides for BC’s coastal forest communities. “Campbell River is the center for the coastal forest industry and we are committed to supporting a strong forest sector in our community and throughout the coast. The TLA is an important component to the industry, providing hundreds of direct and indirect jobs and economic stimulus to our communities,” said Adams. Over the evening, discussions around community involvement ranged from how the forest industry could better communicate its successes, to the direction of TLA’s efforts to foster First Nations relationships as well as Mayors’ interest in either developing or strengthening community forest tenures on the coast. The TLA’s 450 member companies operate in BC’s 110 coastal communities creating well paid, local jobs.

VANCOUVER ISLAND Tourism Vancouver Island Announces Board of Directors Tourism Vancouver Island’s 52nd Annual Conference and AGM held September 1517 in Campbell River held much success with valuable networking sessions, impressive keynote speakers, and great fun and entertainment. The business meeting

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Sales in the VIREB area edged back slightly in September, but the housing market remains robust, a trend expected to continue for the rest of the year. Last month, 431 single-family homes sold on the MLS compared to 405 in September 2014, an increase of six per cent. Month over month, sales decreased by 1.8 per cent from August 2015. Inventory levels are still declining, with active listings down 15 per cent from one year ago. BCREA Chief Economist Cameron Muir states that the marginal decrease in September sales activity has not affected the overall strength of the housing market. “Our provincial economy continues to be healthy, bolstered by a hefty infusion of tourism dollars over the summer,” says Muir. “Last month’s slight backwards tick in housing activity is no cause for concern. We expect strong sales momentum for the rest of the year, fuelled by job growth, consumer confidence, and low interest rates.” Nationally, the Canadian economy appears to have emerged from the doldrums caused by the malaise in the oil patch, says Muir, which bodes well for the BC housing market. “Although we expect a slight downturn in the housing market in 2016, activity will remain strong,” says Muir. “You don’t typically see home sales reach their highest levels in 10 years and then plateau.” Although September is traditionally one

of the busiest months for realtors, VIREB President-Elect Margo Hoffman says that last month improved upon the norm. In September 2015, the benchmark price for a single-family home in the VIREB coverage area was $340,200, a slight increase over August and up just under six per cent from one year ago. Benchmark pricing tracks the value of a typical home in the reported area. The average MLS price of a single-family home decreased marginally from $352,042 one year ago to $350,626 in September 2015. The September 2015 benchmark price of a single-family home in the Campbell River area was $276,100, an increase of 1.41 per cent from last year. In the Comox Valley, the benchmark price was $340,600, up 6.23 per cent from 2014. Duncan reported a benchmark price of $303,300, an increase of 7.85 per cent over the same month in 2014. Nanaimo’s benchmark price rose 5.75 per cent to $358,100 while the Parksville-Qualicum area saw its benchmark price rise by 4.21 per cent to $377,200. The price for a benchmark home in Port Alberni was $190,600, an increase of 1.81 per cent since September 2014.

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concluded the event with the announcement of the incoming Board of Directors for the 2015 – 2016 term. Carol Ann Terreberry has stepped down as the Chair of the board, but will maintain presence as Past Chair. Terreberry is the Operations Manager of Quadra Island Golf Club on Quadra Island, the newest golf facility on the west coast. Terreberry acknowledged the service and dedication of outgoing Past Chair Chuck Fast of LP Consulting in the Comox Valley. At the first meeting of the newly constituted Board of Directors, Ian MacPhee of Prince of Whales Whale Watching and Abbeymoore Manor Bed & Breakfast Inn was elected to the position of Board Chair. Returning to the board and elected by acclamation for two-year terms are: Janet Clouston of Salt Spring Island Chamber of Commerce; Janet Docherty of Merridale Ciderworks Corp.; and new to the board and elected by acclamation for a two-year term is Arthur Wong of the Beach Club Resort. Serving the second year of a two-year term are Lara Greasley of Comox Valley Economic Development and Tourism; Corene Inouye of Jamie’s Whaling Station & Jamie’s Rainforest Inn; and Andrew Jones of Kingfisher Wilderness Adventures. Newly appointed to the board for a twoyear term is Dean Prentice of Painter’s Lodge and April Point Resort. Lillian Hunt of U’Mista Cultural Centre will continue as Appointed Director for a two-year term. Returning to the Board for the second year of a two-year appointment are Raymond Chan of RCA Consulting, Jenn Bogwald of MNP LLP, and Jim Owens of JTO Hospitality Group. The Officers consists of: Ian MacPhee, Chair; Janet Clouston, Vice Chair (Chair Elect); Raymond Chan, Governance Chair; Jim Owens, Marketing Chair; Jenn Bogwald as Secretary-Treasurer; and Carol Ann Terreberry as Past Chair.

NANAIMO Healthy overall summer season for Nanaimo “Nanaimo ended the summer season on a positive note with most August indicators, except for Route 2 ferry counts, up over last year. A slight softening in the rate of increase for occupancy compared to June and July is attributed to a range of factors (e.g. ongoing weakening Alberta economy, Washington State forest fires, a week of bad weather). By comparison, Victoria’s August occupancy rate was down over last year,”

said Frank Bourree of FCMC. According to a detailed study of operating ratios for Canada’s restaurant sector, restaurants in BC generate an average operating profit, less royalty expenses, of 5.8 per cent (before EBITDA). For a 60 seat family restaurant generating sales per seat of $11,775 (BC average for family restaurants), this represents an approximate annual profit (before EBITDA) of about $41,000 (60 x $11,775 x 5.8 per cent). According to Skift, hospitality brands are starting to see customers move away from engagement via public social media platforms (e.g., Facebook, Twitter) and move towards the use of private messaging applications that allow for one-on-one discussions between travelers and travel service suppliers and better reflect the current traveler preference for a more personal and personalized approach to travel.

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OCTOBER 2015

Nanaimo’s Woodgrove Centre To Receive $17 Million Upgrade

ANAIMO – Vanc o uve r I s l a n d’s la rgest i ndoor shop pi n g m a l l , Nanaimo’s Woodgrove Centre, will be undergoing a $17 m i l l ion renovat ion project, sta r t i ng ea rly nex t yea r. At a speci a l ceremony September 24, Julia Dow, the shopping complex’s General Manager sa id the work w i l l include an enhanced food cou rt, g uest serv ices area, flooring, electrical and exterior upgrades. “ We a r e a b s o l u t e l y t h r i l led to a n nou nce a multi-million dollar investment in Woodgrove by way of a renovation, a modernization and a r e-i n v e n t i o n o f o u r spectacular shopping centre,” she said during the ceremony. “ T h i s m u l t i-m i l l i o n investment in the property and in the communit y w i l l se e t he c ent re refreshed w ith a bra nd new g uest ser v ices i nline concept, a beautiful food cou r t, new f looring, ceiling and lighting throughout and of course

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City Councilor Ian Thorpe (left) Mall Manager Julia Dow and Paul Fairbridge with Ivanhoe Cambridge took part in the upgrade announcement at Woodgrove Centre a fresh new coat of paint – both inside and out.” T h e upg ra d e pro c e s s has in fact already begun, w it h ex ter ior pa i nt i ng at t he shoppi ng cent re beginning at the end of last month, but the actual interior work is not expected to begin until early January 2016. Dow said the completed project will take until next November to complete. Woodgrove Centre has been in operation for 34 yea rs a nd covers more

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than 751,000 square feet and is home to more than 140 retail outlets. Taking pa r t i n t he project a nnouncement was Ivanhoe Cambridge’s (the owners of both Woodgrove Centre and Victoria’s Mayfa i r Shoppi n g Cent re) Paul Fairbridge who is a Reg ion a l M a n a ger a nd Nanaimo City Councilor Ian Thorpe.

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INVENTING

OCTOBER 2015

THE IN BETWEEN APPROACH TO PATENT FILING AND PROSECUTION

INVENTING ANNE FLANAGAN

ast month I discussed two ex treme approaches to patent filing and prosecution – one for the cash strapped start up and one for the well-established company that wants their patent application to go to grant quickly. These are two extremes in approaches. This month, I am discussing something in between. Before the US changed from first to invent to first to file, we would all encourage clients to file in the US first, unless the client only wanted protection in Canada. Since the change to first to file in the US, there have been other changes that make Canada the

more attractive country to file in first. One, of course, is the exchange rate. At the time of writing, the rate is $1.33 Canadian to a US dollar. US prosecution has also changed. We have all been noticing that US Examiners are far less lenient than Canadian Examiners when it comes to restriction requirements. That means that divisional applications have to be filed for claims that the Examiner considers to be for different inventions. The US Examiners are also very quick to issue a final office action, which is not really final, but usually involves more expenses. The alternative to this is to file narrow claims. If the US application is then used as the basis for any of the Patent Prosecution Highways, you will probably be stuck with those narrow claims in the other countries in which you file. In contrast, in Canada, the Examiner is less likely to require that you elect one group of claims for prosecution. You can also assert more claims, broader claims and multiply dependent

claims with little or no concern about receiving a final action and at no additional cost. These claims will put you in a better position for gaining broad protection in other countries. O n t he negat ive side, Canadian prosecution can be very much slower than prosecution in the US. This can be sped up significantly by requesting the advance of an application for examination and paying a fee of $500 over and above the examination fee. This all having been said, a US patent application still seems to have more weight internationally over a Canadian application. And if you are doing business in the US, it is best to remember that Canada is still considered to be a lesser being, so you better file in America first! Anne Flanagan is the principal at Alliance Patents. She works with a cadre of highly skilled professionals and can help you build the team you need to succeed. She can be reached at anne.flanagan@ alliancepatents.com

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6 MARINE SUPPLY

OCTOBER 2015

It has become our

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

company culture to pursue the Discovery Harbour Shopping Centre. “We saw a significant need for a more substantial boatyard,” said Bruce Kempling. Today, the boatyard is the largest boat repair yard north of Victoria with the largest Travelift on Vancouver Island with a 110-ton lifting capacity. Ocean Pacific services commercial vessels and yachts that require outfitting and installation of standard equipment: upgrade and modification to equipment and systems; periodic and scheduled maintenance; and structural modification and repair. Laura Kempling, quality systems manager, said OP draws on the extensive technical expertise of its employees and local companies and trades in providing a wide range of knowledge and service to the marine industry. “We have a full time welding team, marine technicians, diesel mechanics, fibreglassers, painters and a Travelift crew,” she said. “The marine store offers anything from zinc’s to raingear to anchors, as well as a large variety of marine maintenance supplies.” In September of this year, the company won the Campbell River Chamber of Commerce 2015 Business Awards of Distinction, Business of the Year Award

quality management at every level LAURA KEMPLING QUALITY SYSTEMS MANAGER

(26-49 Employees). Kempling believes the recognition comes from OP’s consistent efforts at seeking new and innovative ways to serve its customers and its community-minded focus. “We listen and value our customer’s and employee’s feedback. It has become our company culture to pursue quality management at every level. If there is a weakness we will improve it.” Recently, OP began using a new process of producing three-dimensional CA D drawings of vessels using laser-scanning technology. “Accurate drawings of a vessel are needed during a vessel refit,” said Kempling. “Laser scanning has an accuracy to 2 mm so design and computerized lofting can be completed without any onsite measurements.” OP has also begun using waterjet cut structural fiberglass, a

Ocean Pacific provides a venue for the Campbell River Hospice Society’s annual silent auction CREDIT:LAURA KEMPLING

unique process to the marine industry that pre-cuts fiberglass based on computer-generated designs. One of its most significant steps however, has been receiving and maintaining its ISO:9001 certification. Kempling said it adds structure to a fast growing company, aids in the development of a quality management system and guarantees consistent, quality products. OP also received certification under the Canadian Welding Bureau for both steel and aluminum welding. “Receiving its ISO:9001 registration and welding certification increased OP’s odds of being awarded government contracts as

our documentation and product aligned with government standards,” she said. In March of this year, OP bid on and was awarded a contract with the Department of National Defense (DND) to build two submarine fendering barges. The contract allowed OP to increase their workforce by 20% over a six-month period employing a variety of local trades including: steel fabricators and suppliers, engineers, crane companies, and towing companies. With the decline of the fishing industry in Campbell River, Ocean Pacific has faced challenges. Kempling said it led to OP’s management team developing

a strategic plan to diversify the business to include more recreational and government projects. The launch of two barges this fall will mark the third build OP has successfully completed for the DND and has helped the business maintain their success and growth. With expansion however, comes the need for skilled personnel, which according to Kempling has always been a challenge. “After many years of struggling with finding the right skill set, we decided that in some cases we needed to build it ourselves.” OP now has two apprentices working towards their Marine Mechanical Technician apprenticeship through BCIT. “By investing in apprentices we have been able to ensure they receive the training we require for them to perform their job to the highest quality,” she said. Most importantly, Kempling feels the secret to its success is OP’s community-minded attitude, not just in hiring and working with local sub-contractors and companies, but also in their ongoing support of local charities, like the Campbell River Hospice Society. OP regularly donates cash and time to this group as well as providing a venue at their annual marine show for Hospice’s silent auction. Ocean Pacific Marine Supply is at 102-1370 Island Highway in Campbell River www.oceanpacificmarine.com

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Nanaimo Micro Brew Outlet Hoping For October Opening course they can also stay and enjoy some of their favorites, ju s t l i ke at a ny ot her t raditional pub.” W h i le t he W h ite Sa i l s tap house will not offer hot meals, there will be an assortment of freshly made sandwiches and other snacks on hand. “Everyt h i n g w i l l b e m a d e l o c a lly a nd w i l l be as fresh as we can make it,” McCarthy said. “We’re also thinking we can have l ive music, or a n Open M ic Night, but don’t ex pect big screen TVs or a Sports Bar atmosphere, everything here is going to be about the beer.”

A n i n-h o u s e B r e w m a s t e r has been h i red to oversee t he con st r uct ion ef for t a nd the i nsta l lation of the state of the a r t brew i ng equ ipment, a s wel l a s to overse e the ongoing production of the op erat ion’s pro duct. “ T h i s is a great location, and we’re looking forward to becoming an entertainment focal point in the neighborhood,” he said. The name White Sails came about as a tribute to the white masts that serve as welcome markers at Nanaimo’s north and south entry points. In the compa ny l iteratu re it states

White Sails Brewing principal Brad McCarthy (in inset) is overseeing the work involved in preparing his micro brew for an opening next month

A N A I M O – L o c a te d i n a s t r a t e g i c l o c at i o n o n Na n a i m o’s water f ront, t he city’s newest and only downtown brew pub is quickly taking shape. “We’re work i ng pretty ha rd r ig ht now, a nd shou ld h ave the main brewing equipment i n place a nd work i ng by the end of this month,” explained Principal Brad McCarthy Sept e m b e r 17. “ W i t h a n y l u c k we shou ld h ave ever y t h i n g operating and be ready for our first customers by the end of October.” I d e a l l y s i t u a t e d d i r e c tly across the street from the Maffeo Sutton Park, the White Sails Brewing outlet will init i a l ly be of fer i ng fou r d i fferent craft beers at any one time, with new beverage options introduced throughout the yea r. “I’m a beer d ri n ker just l i ke a lot of the g uys here and have always enjoyed visiting micro brews and have been delighted to try out new a nd d i f ferent t y p es. B y i ncluding a tap house, customers will be able to sample the d i f fe re n t p ro d u c t s to h e l p them decide what they like. Of

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t h at it: “i s a l so a t r ibute to Na n a i m o’s h e r i t a ge , e nv i ron ment a nd com mu n ity. It reflects the City flag, which includes a ship with billowing white sails that commemorate the settlers of Nanaimo that sailed from England.”

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TAX

OCTOBER 2015

THE CHALLENGES OF TAX CREDITS

new ca mpa ig n stop a nd a new ta x cred it announcement. As the elections heat up we will hear of even more tax breaks from all parties and all politicians for va rious specia l i nterest groups. For most people, their ears perk up as they question whether they are a part of the special interest group that will get a tax credit. But as Canadians, we should be looking at this from an entirely different perspective. What if the politicians eliminated all tax credits including medical, transit passes, child’s arts program and fitness program just to name a few. Why not reduce the income tax rates and eliminate all special interest tax credits? Why would we want them to do this? Well just think of the cost of administration and stress that these tax credits create for the average tax payer. The cost of ad m i n i st rat ion for individuals and government far outweighs the tax credit received by that individual. The dilemma parallels that of the penny, as these tax credits cost more to make than they are worth. Tax credits not only reduce

We need to start looking at tax breaks in a completely different way

Joyce Smith, President and CEO of JA Smith & Associates

gover n ment revenu e s, b ut they also increase government expenditures and can create a compliance burden to the individuals or businesses they are trying to help. Politicians don’t give us tax credits, they give us tax problems. Each new special interest tax credit has been designed to level the playing field for their disadvantaged target audience in an attempt to get votes. Of course, each tax credit comes w it h its ow n r u les, exceptions a nd docu ment retention requirements commonly known as red tape. This is a

core problem within our current ta x system. T he stress of learning the rules, keeping receipts, accounting for them, dealing with accountants and auditors or missing the tax credit altogether is an example of real world issues these election tools create. In order to prepare your tax ret u r n a c c u rately w it hout missing any optional tax credits, deductions or exemptions, the use of a tax professional is recommended. Yet, officially you can’t deduct income tax preparation fees unless they relate to investment income. A n average ta x payer isn’t aware that most tax credits are non-refundable at a rate of 15 per cent. But not all are

created equal. Take the federal political donation tax credit for example, which is non-ref u ndable at a rate of 75 per cent for the first $400. Or, the charitable donation tax credit which has a higher rate of 29 per cent for donations above $200, but only 15 per cent for contributions under that. To simplify, this means that an annual donation of $400 to a political party can save $300, whereas the same donation to a charity can save $88. Consider a family of 4 with each spouse earning $45,000, medical expenses of $2000, fitness expenses of $1000 per child, arts expenses of $500 per child and federal political donations of $200. The available tax credits would result in a ta x savings of $697.50, after you collected, sorted, su m ma rized a nd fi led you r claims for 6 separate tax credits on your return. Note that the $2000 spent on medical would only save $97.50. Compare that to the $879.06 in tax savings from a simple 1 per cent reduct ion i n t he rate of the lowest tax bracket. This rate reduction results in greater tax savings to individuals, would not carry any red tape and would also benefit

taxpayers because they would not be burdened with having to keep up with the various tax credits, keep receipts or f i g ht w it h t he t a x d epa r tment if there is a desk audit. The shortfall in tax revenue would be more than offset by the govern ment sav i ngs on administration and enforcement of the overly complex status quo. It is a w i n-w i n situation for individuals and government. Is there a point where we say we have too many tax credits? As a ta xpayer, it’s counterintuitive to think so. But we need to start looking at ta x breaks in a completely different way. Unfortunately, new and improved tax credit announcements will continue as long as they remain an effective election tool. We can only hope that the trend of complex and inefficient tax policy is bucked by our next generation of great leaders. J.A. Smith & Associates Inc. is a team of dedicated professionals who provide reliable accounting, financial management and tax services to businesses and individuals. They can be reached at 1-800-343-6133.

SALES

OCTOBER 2015

TRAITS OF A HUNTER: FINDING YOUR NEXT “KILLER” SALESPERSON

SALES JOHN GLENNON

here are many salespeople out there, but not all have that “killer instinct” that business leaders often desire. Some salespeople are naturally good at working with an existing client base, looking for cross-selling and up-selling opportunities within developed relationships. They are often called “Farmers”. And then you have those people who truly love “the hu nt” for new cl ients. “Hunters” When looking at the makeup of a salesperson with a real ‘hunter’ mentality, there are some common traits that are critical to success… Hunters have that natural “fire in their belly.” When these people wake up each day, they rekindle a natural,

innate drive to succeed. Their ambition to be the best drives their results and is ever-present. They tend to set very strong personal goals, have confidence in their abilities, and bring a high level of energy to their daily performance. Hunters create value and demand. Successful hunters understand that they are not simply fulfilling demand but are creating a demand for a particular product or service. They possess the skills to communicate the value of their products/services and deliver solutions to ease the unique ‘pain’ of each prospect. Hunterstakecontrolofthesalesprocess. This is a critical trait for successful hunters because it is easy to get caught up in the prospect’s process instead of their own. Taking control takes confidence, assertiveness and a healthy amount of influence. Quality hunters set appropriate expectations and make sure they and the prospects are on the same page every step of the way. Hunters take action. Simply put, the best hunters won’t sit on their hands waiting for someone else to make a move. They do not suffer from “analysis paralysis” or concoct

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reasons why they aren’t going on the sales call. They set their goals and intend to achieve them. Hunters take responsibility for their results. I’ve never met a great salesperson that didn’t accept responsibility for what was his to own. Too often people make excuses like, “I was given the worst territory” or “This economy is just too tough.” But not the hunters; they attack their goal no matter the obstacles. Fa r mers l i ke to Fa r m and Hunters like to hunt. Self-motivated and determined salespeople who love to find new business day in and day out are not growing on trees. When you discover people with these rare traits, hire them and compensate them appropriately. It will be one of the most profitable decisions you ever make. Copyright 2015 Sandler TrainingandInsightSalesConsulting Inc. All rights reserved. John Glennon is the owner of Insight Sales Consulting Inc, an authorized Sandler Training Licensee. He can be reached at jglennon@sandler.com, toll free at 1-866-645-2047 or visit www.glennon.sandler.com

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anadians are getting ready to go to the polls this month. I hope everyone who reads this is ready to take a half hour and exercise this right. A few things to remember: inform yourself beyond the headlines; show up for a campaign event or two; and keep in touch when it’s all over and your guy/girl has won. After an election, we mostly communicate with government representatives only when situations become extreme, often to the point that outrage displaces common discourse and opposing

sides become polarized and combative. Positive progress becomes unlikely and the community is left frustrated. There was a significant turnover at Nanaimo’s Municipal Council table in last fall’s election. Many saw this as a huge opportunity to rewrite the playbook and move the city forward… further… faster. That really seems to have failed… failed… and failed. Three major points come to mind: Conference Centre Hotel, Colliery Dams, Core Review. Ooops, add Decorum & Respect. City councillors, like other elected officials, say they’d like to hear from their constituents. They understand they can’t operate in a vacuum; they need the input and opinions of a broad range of constituents. Rather than point fingers and start arguments about who and what is right and wrong, try contacting any elected official and share your opinions and ideas about issues that concern you. Thank them for what they do right, and let them know when they… y’know ‘screw up’. But do it civilly. Leaders need to be reminded sometimes that the outcome of

Former head of NEDC takes on similar role with Victoria software company

He officially takes on the role October 2. “We are thrilled to have Sasha join us at Hyas,” said Chris Davis, Founder and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Hyas. “Sasha’s successful background in growing start ups and proven ability to attract capital from around the globe will propel Hyas and our

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Kim Smythe is CEO of the Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce. He can be reached at ceo@ nanaimochamber.bc.ca

Sasha Angus Assumes New Corporate Role ICTORIA – Sasha Angus, the former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Nanaimo Economic Development Corporation (NEDC) has a new job. In a media release it was announced that he has assumed the same role with Hyas Inc., a Victoria-based developer of security software solutions for business.

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their process is policy that guides legislation which governs our community. That’s a big responsibility and, for that reason, egos and personal agendas need to be left at the door and personal animosities parked outside Council chambers. Individual councillors need to commit to the understanding that at the end of a debate on Council, the winning vote must be respected and defended by each of them.We all know Nanaimo is poised on the edge of opportunity. The business and wellbeing of our city is at stake at every Council meeting. The Chamber believes the community deserves, and we are committed to seeking, the kind of ‘excellence in government’ promised in our City’s Corporate Strategic Plan. We’re just providing reminders that this is the job at hand for those that are elected, and it’s our responsibility to speak out and let our elected leaders know that we’re paying attention.

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world-class infosec (information security) technology into a major industry player.” “I am incredibly excited by the opportunity to join Hyas,” Angus said. “The technology and team that we are developing will truly change the face of information security for small and medium sized businesses and other consumers. Hyas technology provides better than enterprise level protection at a price that small and medium sized businesses can afford.” Hyas develops and markets a number of online services that help prevent unwanted intrusion of a company’s digital data. “The team at Hyas has created proprietary predictive domain analysis technology that can identify threats before attacks are even launched, providing “over the horizon” protection in real time and typically 27 days before other industry players are in a position to respond,” said Davis. Angus had been with the NEDC for over three years before announcing a few months ago his intention of departing. No reason for the announcement was made at the time. Prior to joining the NEDC, he was involved in launching the Greater Victoria Development Agency, served as a Chief of Staff in the Government of Alberta under Premier Ralph Klein, and worked in the capital markets for two national investment firms.

OCTOBER 2015

THE NEXT STEP: PLANNING TO EXIT YOUR BUSINESS “Getting it all ready so that you The key to a successful succession plan is not waiting too long to begin the process

have a successful exit from your business” WENDY LEWIS MNP’S EXITSMART

OURTENAY - From the beginning you weren’t content helpi n g to f u l f i l l s om e on e e l s e’s d re a m – you wa nte d to m a ke you r dreams come true. The result of that dedicated focus, those endless hours and sleepless nights was the joy and challenge of owning your own busin e s s . F l a s h for w a rd a n d w h a t h a d been only a hope has evolved into the thriving business you currently own and operate today. Being a business owner is everything and more than you could have imagined, when you first jotted those f ledgling ideas down on a yellow pad at your kitchen table all those years ago. But now, after the years, the effort, the long hours and the missed lunches you’re starting to get another idea – that maybe you’re ready to move onto something new. That something could be a new challenge, a fresh opportunity or it cou ld even be reti rement, a slowing of the pace to enjoy the fruits of all that labor. So now what? You’re the champion when it comes to building your business, but you’re a novice when it comes time to find a way to exit it. The task of making that transition as smooth and successful as possible is called succession planning or exit planning. “A succession plan is a well thought out approach to exiting your business a nd it considers a bu nch of t h i ngs. For example, it considers where your business is now and whether the business has enoug h va lue to f u nd you r retirement. If not, then we can look at ways to grow the value of the business w ithin the timeframe that you have

Regional Leader for MNP’s ExitSMART Services, Wendy Lewis has been involved in succession planning for more than 20 years set for you rsel f,” ex pla i ned Wendy Lewis, a Partner at MNP’s Courtenay office and the firm’s Regional Leader for ExitSMART Services on Vancouver Island. “ExitSMART is our terminology for succession pla n n i ng for busi ness,” Lewis explained. “It’s about choosing the timing, organizing the plan and getti ng it a l l ready so that you have a successful exit from your business, rather than one that is not intended or not exactly as you’d want it to be.” Developing a succession plan does not happen qu ick ly or w ithout a lot of effort. Lew is sa id there a re a few constants to any successful business succession plan: “Basically the Haiku of business succession is this: Start now. Don’t wait until it’s too late.” “ E a c h sit u at ion re q u i re s it s ow n

SUDDENLY, YOU REALIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF A SUCCESSION PLAN.

Because you don’t have one. At MNP, our team of succession professionals work closely with you to develop your ExitSMARTTM plan so you’re well prepared to transition your business to the next generation n and exit on your terms. Helping you every step of the way, we’ll address each of the S.M.A.R R.T. factors (Succession, Maximizing value, Asset and wealth management, Retirement needs an nd Taxes) with you, your family and stakeholders. We’ll also help you develop a contingency pllan to ensure your future is secure and nothing is left to chance. To ExitSMARTTM, contact Contact Wendy Lewis, CPA, CA, Business Advisor & Regional Leader, Succession Services at 250.338.5464 or wendy.lewis@mnp.ca

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unique approach but the overall strategy and approach is going to be simi la r,” L ew is sa id. “O u r Ex itSM A RT program provides a road map to help with the process, a plan that will differ from business to business and individual to individual.” T here a re ba sic a l ly fou r t y p e s of exits: selling to management or employees, selling to a third party, transit ion i ng t he bu si ness to fa m i ly or closi ng th i ngs dow n. T he pla n n i ng process starts by assessing where you are, where you want to go, your desi red ti mefra me, a nd what you r i ncome needs are going to be. Once your destination is clear, the next step is determining how to get there. “We look at the whole exit strategy and say, how can we make it good for you?” Lewis explained. “We want to ma ke su re we end up w ith the most money in the business owner’s pocket that we possibly can. Sometimes that means we need the time to do some tax structuring to make the transaction as tax efficient as possible. We also help the business owner consider what both their financial and personal life will look like after leaving the business. That varies from case to case,” Lewis said. A s a busi ness ow ner there a re i mportant and challenging questions to ask: Will you still be involved in the bu si ness or w i l l you be completely removed from it? If it’s the latter, what are you going to do then? “If you’re going to boil the plan down to its most basic, the whole goal of succession is to get you where you want to be. All ExitSMART does is provide the steps to simplify the process, develop a plan and put it into play. It’s important to take the time to step back, to look at that long term perspective of what you r business really needs to do for you. At the end of the day that’s what your business is there for – to make your life better.”

COWICHAN VALLEY

OCTOBER 2015

CHAMBER CELEBRATES SMALL BUSINESS MONTH

COWICHAN VALLEY SONJA NAGEL

h e D u n c a n C ow i c h a n Chamber of Commerce celebrates Small Business Month with our 3rd Annual Business Showcase on Friday, October 23 at the Travelodge Silver Bridge Inn, Duncan. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a full day of networking, learning and engaging with the Cowichan business community. The day kicks off with two seminars: Small Business BC will send their Marketing Analyst Mark Eversfield to present Market Analysis for Small Business. After a popular digital marketing seminar last fall, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve arranged for Yellow Pages to return to Cowichan to present Maximize Your Digital Presence. Exhibitors have the opportunity to connect with senior staff

and elected representatives of local and regional governments during a Mini Business Walk on the Showcase floor. We are delighted to welcome Aerospace Industries Association of Canada Pacific as our guest speaker for what is sure to be a sell-out Luncheon. Join us and find out about one of the fastest growing sectors on Vancouver Island and how its success affects our region and economy. The Chamber welcomes Scotiabank as this yearsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Presenting Sponsor of Business Showcase. The showcase is open to the public and the business community from 1 p.m. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 4:30 p.m. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a great opportunity for the public to connect with small business owners and service providers to small businesses in the Cowichan region. The day is capped off with an After Showcase Mixer in the exhibit area from 4:30 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 6:00 p.m. We are pleased to welcome Community Futures Cowichan as this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s After Showcase Mixer. Community Futures Cowichan has been in the Cowichan Valley for more than 30 years, helping Cowichan businesses turn their business dreams into reality by providing business advisory services and access to capital. We take this opportunity to blow our horn, as the recent

re cipient of t he 2015 Communications Award at the BC Chamber Executives Annual Conference. The Award honours a Chamber with 201 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 500 members that has demonstrated exceptional quality in communicating the work of their Chamber to members, the local community and the public. We are honoured to be recognized by our peers in the BC Chamber network. The Duncan Cowichan Chamber of Commerce would like to recognize and welcome the following new members: Jackie Wood Pemberton Homes, CrossFit Anchored Athletics, Chemainus Valley Courier and South Cowichan Echo, West Coast Solutions Inc, Friendship FUNdamentals Learning Centre, Farmer Benâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Eggs, Something Celtic, Tap into Gusto and Twincreeks Vacation Rental and B&B. Membership in the Chamber is a wise investment. Everything we do addresses the value proposition of belonging to Cowichanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest business membership organization. Sonja Nagel is Executive Director of the Duncan Cowichan Chamber of Commerce. She can be reached at manager@duncancc.bc.ca or 250-748-1111

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OCTOBER 2015

MEETING PLACES Huge Range Of Business Meeting Options Available In BC Whatever the size, whatever the need, if you’re in BC there will be a meeting place available to handle any style of business function BY DAVID HOLMES

R I T I S H COLU M BI A – Rustic to sophisticated, sprawl i ng to i nt i m ate, the range of venues available to host business gatherings in BC are as diverse and unique as the communities in which they’re situated. From state of the art conference centres in the urban core, to out of the way retreats that are living echoes of simpler times, British Columbia is blessed with an embarrassing wealth of exciting meeting place options. If you’re in the Victoria area and are organizing an event for several hundred of your closest friends or business associates, the premier Capital Region destination has to be the Victoria Conference Centre (VCC). Located in the heart of the city’s downtown core, this sprawling complex, linked to the world famous Fairmont Empress Hotel, features a mind-boggling 73,000 square feet of magnificent meeting space, spread across no less than 19 separate multi-purpose meeting rooms. The VCC also features a large exhibit hall if a companion trade show is part of your get together plans and a 400 seat lecture theatre for formal training opportunities. Ample parking space is also available for all of attendees, thanks to a large two-tiered underground parking lot located directly beneath the centre. If that isn’t enough, right across the street from the Conference Centre is Victoria’s historic Crystal Gardens, which serves as a companion meeting venue for the VCC. Considered one of the most beautiful meeting places in western Canada, the Crystal Gardens boast more than 25,000 square feet of meeting space, enough legroom to host exhibits or functions for more than 1,000 people. To learn more about the Victoria Conference Centre check out its website: http://victoriaconference.com/ However, if you’re planning a business or social event in the Okanagan, then consider making the Summerland Waterfront Resort and Spa your target destination. Located on beautiful Lake Okanagan, Summerland is ideally situated only minutes

Church and State Wines in Brentwood Bay just outside of Victoria has hosted many functions, including one for Porsche

“Our executive chef can prepare menus ranging from passed canapés to full multi-course custom dinners” JOHN PULLEN

The original Old House Restaurant continues to operate, offering the culinary delights that have made the restaurant famous from the area’s main urban centres, yet a world away in terms of lifestyle and idyllic beauty. The Summerland Waterfront Resort is the perfect spot for business meetings of 100 or so individuals. The facility, with its magnificent lake backdrop, features a waterfront ballroom (1,800 sq ft) with a capacity of about 150, an intimate lakeshore boardroom for small gatherings and an outdoor venue perfect for informing or entertaining groups of 100 or more - ideal for open air meetings

or team building activities. The Summerland Waterfront Resort and Spa is the perfect place to unwind, or get down to business (as long as the beautiful views don’t distract too much). The facility has earned a solid reputation for hosting everything from wedding parties and sporting themed events to business retreats and small scale banquets. To learn more visit its website at: http://summerlandresorthotel. com/ Returning to Vancouver Island,

if a business gathering in the Victoria area is scheduled, but something other than a city centre venue appeals, then consider planning your next session at Church and State Wines in nearby Brentwood Bay. A working winery, Church and State Wines actually operate two facilities in the province, the Brentwood Bay location and its main vineyard and outlet in Oliver in the Okanagan. Described as Vancouver SEE MEETING PLACES | PAGE 15

OCTOBER 2015

COMMUNITY SERVICES FAIR TENTATIVELY PLANNED AT CONFERENCE CENTRE “There are no conferences The Vancouver Island Conference Centre is far and away the largest facility of its type on the Island north of Victoria

for children, but there are conferences about children” DENISE TACON

BY DAVID HOLMES

ANAIMO – If an event is to be hosted in Nanaimo, the first choice when it comes to the range of available facilities, location, service and quality of attention has to be the Vancouver Island Conference Centre (VICC). Opened in the heart of the city about seven years ago, the complex features more than 38,000 square feet of meeting and exhibition space, nine multi-purpose rooms, a 200-seat auditorium, a 2,000 square foot kitchen big enough to feed the largest of groups and ballroom space to accommodate gatherings of up to 1,300. Overseeing the multi-faceted operations of the centre is its General Manager Denise Tacon, who’s worked in the convention and hospitality industries for more than 30 years. “We opened this facility in 2008, we’re working away to facilitate the business environment, both locally and regionally. Through

VICC’s General Manager Denise Tacon has a vision for her city centre facility the course of time we’ve been striving to create a momentum for the Mid-Island that is similar to what would be available in Victoria or elsewhere,” she said. Not without its controversies, the VICC’s detractors maintain the facility, which receives part of its funding from the City is not utilized as fully as it could be. For Tacon factors beyond her control, namely a shortage of hotel rooms in the city to accommodate convention goers, is one of her biggest concerns. “The difficulty of course is we have an inventory of bedrooms issue (a lack of local hotel spaces) it means some groups won’t look at us no

matter how much we push. At the end of the day the facility is lovely, it’s kept up well, the service is excellent and exceptional. So we definitely have all the right things, but we are missing that one little piece. Either way we will continue to push to drive business to this region.” But having access to the premier meeting place in the city has inspired Tacon to envision the complex as much more than a venue for traditional conventions and business meetings. For her the Vancouver Island Conference Centre could also play a pivotal role in the educating, enlightening and inspiring of some of

Nanaimo’s most disadvantaged. Her desire is to see the VICC host what would essentially be a trade show centered on the many non profit and support services available in the city. “It w i l l be somet h i ng of a Services Fair, an inventory of resources that people in the community may not even know exists, but brought together in a way that will be both fun and informative. I want the attendees to say ‘I didn’t know this was there for me’ or ‘I didn’t know how to do that’ or ‘I had no idea we had this in our area’ and so on,” she said. Her vision is to see a trade show like gathering of the city’s key support services laid on to inform parents and adults, while a companion educational and entertainment function would served as a source of inspiration for local children. “The whole concept is that while there’s a trade show going on in the building that has all of these services there’s also educational, fun, going on in the peripheral areas for the kids. Like a children’s conference combining entertainment and fun with some real world education. There are no conferences for children, but there are conferences about children.” Tentatively planned for early in the New Year, for the proposed

event to be successful it would have to contain features that would be both of interest and value to attendees of all ages. “We’re looking at all the different elements of a child, what is it that they aspire to do? What are the things, the thematic genres that they would be interested in? Is it art, is it technology, is it games, is it music? Then to make that the thing that would make it exciting for the child to show up, as well as for their parents.” A work of love and personal commitment, for Tacon the project would not only help those in the community most in need, it would also demonstrate the real world value of the Conference Centre itself. “I almost had to let it go because it seemed like such a big undertaking. But the goal is to let people know that the VICC is not here just to host an open house, nor just a venue to hold your Christmas party or your wedding or your meeting, but something that touches people on a different, positive level,” she said. “It’s also about making the effort to bring the right people together under the same roof at the same time to explore the possibilities of cross-pollination, and the world of information found within their physical environment, which is right here in our community.”

Cutlines: VICC1: VICC2: Note: just an alternate shot o designer’s use – the cutline a VICC3: Note: another alternate shot Manaa designer’s The use General – the cutline Centre is trying to VICC4: Nanaimo’s less for VICC’s Headline:

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OCTOBER 2015

MEETING PLACES CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13

Vancouver Island Conference Centre is central and easily accessible by ferry, floatplane and not far from the Nanaimo Airport

of the VICC for the above would be used of the VICC for the ger of would the Vancouver above be used Island Conference o organize a Services Fair at the facility to aid rtunate PAGE

L PAGE PLACES ROM PAGE

A working winery, Church and State Wines are equipped to accommodate groups of up to 300 in its spacious rooms

Islandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest and most prolific winery, Church and State is well stocked to handle small to medium sized functions. â&#x20AC;&#x153;For corporate events, we are able to host up to 300 people, with a full kitchen and bar. Our executive chef can prepare menus ranging from passed canapĂŠâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s to full multi-course custom dinners,â&#x20AC;? explained Church and Stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s John Pullen. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have indoor and outdoor spaces, with the wrap around patio being heated in cold weather. We offer a full building PA system with wireless microphones. In the past, we have hosted events for Porsche, BMW, multiple hospital and health organizations, the BC Wine Institute, and many other high-profile national and multinational businesses.â&#x20AC;? T he faci l ity (on ly m i nutes from dow ntow n Victoria) is very adaptable, as the Church and State staff are able to tailor the layout of the building and exterior to meet the needs of its clients. Learn more online by visiting: http://churchandstatewines.com/ If your business activities carry you to the Peace / Cariboo the heart of the region is the bustling city of Prince George, and at the heart of Prince George is the Ramada Hotel. The Ramada Prince George is considered one of the best choices for business

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meetings in the city. The hotel offers a range of options for business and personal gatherings, from intimate boardrooms for private discussions, to the hotelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s spacious convention facility capable of seating as many as 300. The hotel offers seven individual meeting rooms, many of them bright with natural lighting and

15 views of the active downtown core. The Ramada Prince Georgeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s staff is one of the hotelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s key assets. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our experienced team is prepared to assist you in choosing the best layout to suit your meeting or event. Each of our meeting SEE MEETING PLACES | PAGE 16

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or email a.gingras@coasthotels.com

and event spaces are able to accommodate many different set up styles. Should you be attending for a trade show, media event or a classroom session, we have many options to best suit your needs,â&#x20AC;? the hotelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s literature states. As one of Prince Georgeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s principal meeting and conference specialists the Ramada Prince George has partnered with the best audiovisual experts in the region to provide a range of state of the art presentation tools for its visitors. The complex is equipped to provide everything from video conferencing to multi-media presentations. To learn more visit the hotelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website: http:// ramadaprincegeorge.com/ From large scale business events to small scale team building, the Old House Hotel and Spa in Courtenay on Vancouver Island is the perfect place to get away from it all, without losing access to the latest in services and technology. With an origin story going back decades, the original Old House was just that, a unique riverside character home that had been converted into a restaurant noted for its spectacular fare. But over time the current Hotel and Spa complex sprang up around the original structure, adding volumes of luxurious accommodation and a well-equipped business and meeting centre designed for groups of 60 or more. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our meeting centre is fully wired for commerce and communication including audio visual equipment, screen, ceiling mount projector and can accommodate up to 64 guests,â&#x20AC;? as stated on the website. The business centre is actually two separate rooms, the Denman and Hornby (named after two nearby islands), but the staff can quickly shift the walls to convert the location into a single room of nearly 800 square feet. Of course the food and catering the Old House is so famous for is also readily available for the delight of the business traveler. Check out the Hotelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website to learn more: http://www.oldhousevillage.com/ If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re in the mood for something completely different, how about the intimacy of a gathering in a rustic log house, a literal stoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s throw from the waters of Lac la Hache in the heart of the Cariboo? The Cariboo Log Cabin Guest House is located only 200 meters from the expansive body of water that gives this quaint community its name. The

Guest House is like a living legacy to the pioneering spirit that opened up the region. The perfect spot for small scale team building or private business functions, far from the stresses of the workplace, the Cariboo Log Cabin Guest House consists of six rustic rooms and a companion restaurant big enough to hold a gathering of a dozen or more. Internet-equipped, the peaceful spot offers personal and friendly service in either English or German. Actually a Bed and Breakfast operation, under normal conditions the related restaurant does not serve dinners, but when a special group session is in progress meals are served throughout the day, according to the owner. Located on Highway 97 just north of 100 Mile House, the Cariboo Log Guest House feels more like a ski lodge than it does a traditional hotel â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a feeling experienced routinely by visitors from around the world. To learn more visit the Guest Houseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website: http://www. cariboologguesthouse.com/ Finally in our whirlwind tour of some of the provinceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best and most unique business venues, letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s end where we began, at an expansive and state of the art urban conference centre, this time in Kelowna. The Delta Grand Okanagan Resort and Conference Centre in Kelowna is the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s crown jewel for business gatherings. The Hotel itself features nearly 400 guest rooms, while it offers business visitors a choice of 17 different meeting rooms, with varying degrees of size and intimacy, right up to a massive 14,000 square foot conference room with a capacity of about 1,500. Full access to all of the latest in online resources and a full range of audio video services are also on call for business users of the centre. T he hotel is located on the shores of Okanagan Lake, while the hotel and conference centre themselves were recently ranked among the Top Waterfront Hotels in Canada by Canoe.ca. When not engaged in business activities (and we know what all work does to Jack), visitors are encouraged to visit some of the many other attractions of the area such as the numerous nearby vineyards and recreational opportunities. Check out the centreâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website to learn more: https://www. deltahotels.com/Hotels/DeltaGrand-Okanagan-Resort-ConfCntr

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE ...what does BBB do? Despite the long history of our organization in the community (we’ve been in Victoria since 1962!) we are often still asked, by businesses and consumers alike, what it is that the BBB does and how do we serve businesses and consumers? While we provide services to hundreds of thousands of people each year, there still exists many incorrect assumptions and misunderstandings about the role, programs and services offered by BBB. Take the quiz below and see how accurate your BBB knowledge is! Rosalind Scott, BBBVI President & CEO

a special thanks to our

Community Partners

1. BBB helps people ﬁnd and recommend _______________, brands and charities they can trust. (Options: A - scams; B - businesses; C - products)

2. There are nearly _______________ Accredited Businesses across North America. (Options: A - 400,000; B - 4,000; C - 1 million) 3. True or False: BBB sets standards for ethical business behaviors and monitors compliance. 4. True or False: BBB is a not-for-proﬁt organization. 5. True or False: BBB does not have any “members” only “membership dues.”

7. True or False: BBB can force a non-accredited business to respond to and resolve a complaint. 8. BBB reviews ______________________ advertising by businesses in our region to ensure they meet our Code of Advertising. (Options: A - print; B - television; C - radio; D - Internet; E - all of the above) 9. True or False: BBB investigates unethical business operations and works with local law enforcement agencies to reduce fraud in the marketplace. 10. True or False: Any business can become a BBB Accredited Business.

*Trade-mark of the Council of Better Business Bureaus used under license.

Answers: 1. B - businesses; 2. A - 400,000; 3. True; 4. True; 5. True; 6. D - all of the above; 7. False; 8. E - all of the above; 9. True; 10. False

6. In order for a business to be BBB Accredited they must: (Options: A - have a B or better rating at the BBB; B - contractually agree to resolve their complaints; C - provide veriﬁcation that they meet the BBB’s Code of Business & Advertising practices; D - all of the above.)

For more information about BBB serving Vancouver Island or about becoming a BBB Accredited Business go to: bbb.org/Vancouver-island.

Mark Your Calendars for the 2015 Torch Awards (James Bond Theme)! When: Friday November 6, 2015 (5:30 Cocktails & Silent Auction / 6:30 Dinner & Awards)

Where: Union Club of B.C. (Victoria)

Tickets on Sale Now! WELCOME OUR NEWEST ACCREDITED BUSINESSES

For more information on becoming a BBB Accredited Business call: 250.386.6348 ext. 105 or 115.

Become an Accredited Business

Anchor Marine Electric Bald Eagle Landscaping Clear Skin Victoria Laser & Wellness Group Columbia Fire & Safety

Heatmasters JLS Electric Kgeez Cycle Osanis Counseling and Consulting Paciﬁc Rim College Cooks Day Off Fine Food & Catering R&W Motorsport Enrollment Resources Rivercity Mobility Fairhome Building Inspections Saint Elizabeth Health Care Fitchett Construction Sooke Centre Auto Repair Garden City Window Cleaning South Island Power Sweeping Gilly's Carpet & Furniture Care Thompson Cooper LLP Great Northern Supply Tsarshadow Photography & Kennels Haddad Consultant Inc. Van Isle Jewellers Wine Kitz

OCTOBER 2015

LOCAL HOME-GROWN COMPANY CONTINUES TO THRIVE ON VANCOUVER ISLAND Bedrock Redi-Mix supplies homeowners as well as commercial and industrial contractors

ANAIMO - At the end of O c to b e r, B e d ro ck Redi-Mix Ltd. is maki ng a move f rom its 2 1-yea r location at 5258 Brenton Page R o a d i n L a d y s m i t h to n e w premises at 10 Nanaimo River Road in Nanaimo. T he move ref lects grow th and a desire to modernize and update the c o m p a n y ’s Na n a i m o o p e rations, said company president Terry Hughes. In addition, the new plant is on owned, rather than leased property. It will also be a more environmenta l ly f r iend ly op erat ion a nd provide a safer workplace in compliance with WorkSafe BC. C u r rent ly, B e d ro c k R e d iMix operates two plants, one in Parksville as well as in Nanaimo, and runs a total of 14 t r uck s i nclud i ng two pu mp trucks and two gravel trucks. “We will have a larger stora ge c apacit y,” Hu g he s sa id about the new plant. “With a fully computerized and faster batching system. We’re also going to be a bit closer to Nan a i mo a nd w i l l b e sit u ate d almost right on the highway, which will help us out travelling south to Ladysmith and all the way to North Nanaimo.” Hughes noted that this is the first move for Bedrock RediMix since he founded the company in 1994. At the time, he had been working in the ready mix industry for more than a dozen years for several companies in the Nanaimo area. At that point he decided to switch careers to aviation – specifically f lying helicopters. After one year of flying, he started a family and decided he needed to stay closer to home. But

Bedrock Redi-Mix has the tools, equipment, rolling stock and staff to handle virtually any type of ready-mix concrete project

“We have what it takes to service any size job and we are willing to go the extra mile for our customers. If we have to pour at midnight we will do that.” TERRY HUGHES PRESIDENT, BEDROCK REDI-MIX LTD.

Terry Hughes is the owner of Bedrock Redi-Mix, located on Nanaimo Lakes Road just south of the city rather than go back to working for a ready mix plant, he chose to start his own company with a partner. Bedrock Redi-Mix started on a shoestring, to say the least. Hug hes wa s of fered a pl a nt i n Du nca n to d isma ntle a nd re-locate to the property on Brenton Page Road. When that proved too a rduou s, he a nd h is pa r t ner broug ht a por ta bl e pl a nt f rom Va n c o uve r to Ladysm ith, acqu i red one SEE BEDROCK REDI-MIX | PAGE 19

Controlling the flow from the concrete mixer, Bedrock Redi-Mix operates a fleet of modern concrete mixers

Very proud to work with Very proud to work Derek at Haarsma with Terry at Waste Innovation!

Bedrock Redi Mix!

P 250-758-5217 F 250-758-1444

Congratulations!! Bedrock Redi-Mix, Terry Hughes, and Staff

2230 McCullough Road Nanaimo, BC V9S 4M8

OCTOBER 2015

BEDROCK REDI-MIX CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18

truck, and went into business. “It wasn’t easy i n the ea rly days,” Hughes sa id. “T he competition from the big companies was fierce.” Still, Hughes was a local boy, born a nd ra ised i n Na na i mo, a nd he had a great many contacts. “We had a pretty good work ethic too,” he said. “A nd we didn’t mind getting in there and helping and doing whate v e r i t t a k e s to ge t t h e j o b done – and I think that shone through.” Within a year, Bedrock RediMi x was working with three trucks and getting busier by t he d ay. I n 2006, t he compa ny had its best yea r ever, even t houg h rapid g row t h inevitably led to a few growing pa i ns. By then the compa ny had opened a portable plant in Parksville because the demand was there. When the economic downturn hit in 2009, Bedrock Red i-M i x was prepa red a nd conti nued to work stead i ly, perhaps w ith less work, but still with enough to continue to operate successfully. “We’re still the local guys,”

Terry Hughes (up on the bucket) is proud of the skills, knowledge and experience his staff provides – both in the field and in the office

Ready to Roll: Bedrock Redi-Mix’s field staff has access to the latest tools for transporting and supplying concrete, anywhere on the Island

Coastal Mountain Fuels Congratulations & Best Wishes for Continued Success from Your Friends at Coastal Mountain Fuels! Office: 250-753-0278 Fax: 250-753-8503 TF: 1-800-798-FUEL (3835)

CONGRATULATIONS FROM ALL OF US!

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SEE BEDROCK REDI-MIX | PAGE 20

The concrete pumper truck, with its flexibility and long reach, is the right tool when concrete is needed in hard to reach places

Always A Pleasure Working With Terry And The Bedrock Redi Mix Team!

2213 McCullough Road, Nanaimo, BC V9S 4M7 250-758-0185 | www.nanaimomack.com

OCTOBER 2015

Panorama of Power â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the fleet, staff and equipment of Bedrock Redi-Mix is primed and ready to roll â&#x20AC;&#x201C; equipped to handle any assignment

BEDROCK REDI-MIX CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19

Hug hes sa id. â&#x20AC;&#x153; Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re i sl a nd born and raised. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not a big cor porat ion, but we a re comp et it ive i n ou r pr ici ng. We have what it takes to serv ice a ny size job a nd we a re w i l l i ng to go t he ex t ra m i le for our customers. If we have to pou r at m id n ig ht we w i l l do that.â&#x20AC;?

In addition to pouring conc re te , B e d ro c k R e d i-M i x a lso suppl ies some pre-cast such as blocks for reta i n i ng wa l l s a nd pi l l a rs a s wel l a s s u p p l y i n g g ra v e l . H u g h e s , who is t he sole ow ner tod a y, n o te d t h a t i n t h e e a rl y d a y s, B e d ro c k R e d i-M i x worked mostly with the publ ic on backya rd proje cts. To d ay, its c u s tomers are still homeowners as well

The company has worked on large commercial and industrial projects with customers such as Terasen Gas, Western Forest Products and Harmac. a s ge n e ra l c o n t ra c to r s a n d local builders. T he company h a s w o r k e d o n l a r g e c o mmercia l a nd i ndust ria l projects with customers such as Terasen Gas, Western Forest Products a nd Harmac. Fou r years ago, Bedrock Redi-Mix prov ided t he concrete for t he m a ssive Beach Club Resort project i n Pa rksv i l le. Bedrock Redi-Mix has repeat customers, some of whom have been working with the company for all of its 21 years. The c ompa ny a l so b oa s t s lon gterm employees. Bria n, one of those employees, has been w it h t he compa ny f rom t he beginning while some others have 16 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 18 years of service.

Proud to Support Bedrock Redi-Mix www.sleggbuilding.com

The two primary ways of bringing Bedrockâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s product to the customers is by using either a traditional mixer or the concrete pumper truck â&#x20AC;&#x153; We t r e a t o u r e m p l o yees well here,â&#x20AC;? Hughes said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;And we have a very good work environment.â&#x20AC;? He said that the future, after the move in October, will see the company holding a steady course. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d like to see a little more c om m erc i a l a nd i ndu s t r i a l work going on right now, but the residential work is keeping us busy. I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t see us growing

any more. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re at a point now where we can handle any job. We donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need 20 trucks. We j u s t w a n t to m a i n t a i n a n d update our equipment and we wa nt to conti nue to prov ide excellent service. Rule number one: if we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t take care of the customer, someone else will.â&#x20AC;? B e d ro c k R e d i-M i x L td . i s at 10 Nanaimo R iver Road in Nanaimo.

The ELEC TRIC AL SPECIALISTS

R C

Proudly Supporting Bedrock Redi-Mix Proud to work with the team at Bedrock Redi Mix since the beginning

Commercial t Residential t Industrial Always a pleasure to work with Terry and his team!

Tel: (250) 245-8803 Fax: (250) 245-8867

Locally Owned & Operated Since 1997

info@laymangroup.com

www.laymangroup.com

OCTOBER 2015

John Duncan Pledges Support for Downtown to Downtown Ferry Service calls I made.” He said. “The Foot Passenger Ferry is T H E m issi ng l i n k i n the Central Island’s Transportation Infrastructure.” He described the introduction of the foot passenger service as being a huge benefit for a l l of Va ncouver Isla nd. “You know what? Dreams do come true! T h is com m itment is the si ngle biggest immediate project that will have a positive, long lasting economic impact on Nanaimo, Ladysmith and most of Vancouver Island. A one hour commute

to downtown Vancouver makes this area an even more attractive option for people to earn over there, and spending it here.” “The NEDC has been working closely with Island Ferries and other partners over the past several years on this important project,” stated Charlie Parker Vice Chair of the Nanaimo Economic Development Corporation. “The project provides new transportation options and will boost a host of different economic sectors in our community.”

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Familiar with Dropbox, Sugarsync, etc? MP John Duncan announced Sept. 10 that federal funding for the long delayed foot passenger ferry (inset picture) will go through if a Conservative government is reelected. Candidate Mark MacDonald looked on at the presentation in Nanaimo

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A NA I MO – John Duncan, Con s er vat ive c a nd id ate for Courtenay-Alberni announced September 10 that a re-elected Conservative government will provide the required financial support to establish the Island Ferries proposal. This will be in partnership with the Nanaimo Economic Development Corporation ( N E D C) to prov id e fo ot p a s s en ger service from downtown Nanaimo to downtown Vancouver. Duncan has been supportive of this i n it i at ive f rom t h e b e g i n n i n g a nd u ndersta nd s t he posit ive i mpact it will particularly have on Vancouver Island residents. “This service will be a game changer for Vancouver Island,” he said. “This service is green - it will lessen vehicle traffic on the lower mainland. It connects Vancouver Island residents

to downtown Vancouver and the LRT system, to the Sea Bus terminal, and to the LRT system, which is a direct link to Vancouver International Airport and other major destinations in the Lower Mainland. It makes day trips affordable and feasible for people traveling in either direction. It improves the economic opportunities for business on Vancouver Island.” He went on to stress that the development of the serv ice is sou nd from a business point of view. “It improves business opportunities on Vancouver Island. The project makes sense and it has been widely endorsed by municipal governments on Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland.” Mark MacDonald, Con ser vat ive Candidate for Nanaimo-Ladysmith, is a longtime proponent. “I have lost count of the letters I wrote and phone

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OCTOBER 2015

EMCO FOCUSES ON SUPERIOR SERVICE Plumbing and heating supply company offers superior products along with outstanding service.

ANAIMO - When it comes to plumbing and heating, the public and contractors in Nanaimo know that when they turn to EMCO Plumbing & Heating Supplies, they’re going to get a great product at a good price backed by the best service in town. EMCO was initially incorporated in Ontario in 1906 as the Empire Manufacturing Company Limited and is one of Canada’s leading distributors of plumbing and heating supplies for the residential, commercial and industrial construction markets. On its website EMCO states that it wants to be recognized as a leader in developing customer partnerships and to attain 100 per cent customer loyalty. “We want to be the #1 solution provider to our business partners, our customers.” EMCO boasts almost 30 locations in BC, servicing all the major centres across the province. The company has had a strong presence in Nanaimo for the past

Bengy Thorsen says the move to EMCO’s new location has made a big difference

“It’s all about customer service. The people we have here are all about customer service first and everything else second.” BENGY THORSEN NANAIMO MANAGER, EMCO PLUMBING & HEATING SUPPLIES

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1-800-461-5300

EMCO carries everything for the homeowner and for contractors seven years. Three years ago it moved to its new location at 4 – 2350 Dorman Road where its showroom features the latest in Kohler fixtures. EMCO Nanaimo manager Bengy Thorsen said that the move to the new location has made a big difference. “We now have a better presence in terms of being able to display our showroom and show off the product. It’s also more inviting and consumer friendly. Even the wholesale side is a lot more inviting.” EMCO is one of Canada’s largest integrated distributors of products for the construction industry, offering products in the distinct categories of plumbing and heating, fire protection, industrial, oilfield supply and HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning). Thorsen said that the company strives to satisfy the needs of its customers with a focused product assortment, transported and sold through an

EMCO’s location offers a showroom that is beautiful and user friendly extensive network of branches, distribution warehouses and showrooms across Canada. Thorsen took over as manager with EMCO in Nanaimo earlier this year, bringing with him 22 years experience in the plumbing and heating business, first with a competitor and then for seven years, with EMCO in Victoria. “It was the challenge of the new position that drew me here,” he

said. “Not only am I responsible for the inventory but also for the people, the sales, the administration – and I’ve worked with the staff here before and knowing them and the location brought me here.” He added that his experience in the field and his knowledge of the competition has convinced him that no other SEE EMCO FOCUSES | PAGE 23

OCTOBER 2015

EMCO’s Nanaimo showroom displays the latest in high quality Kohler products

Wholesale service at EMCO is second to none

EMCO FOCUSES CONTINUED FROM PAGE 22

showroom in Nanaimo compares to EMCO’s. “Kohler is all about high end products and looking good as well as great quality,” he said. “Every couple of years they come out with new designs and we get those in our showroom. So we have one of the best, if not the best, showrooms in Nanaimo.” Even more important though, is EMCO’s service. “It’s all about customer service,” Thorsen said. “The people we have here are all about customer service first and everything else second.” He pointed out that in the wholesale area of the business, the biggest difference from one distributor to the next is brands. Like other suppliers,

The EMCO showroom is one of the most inviting in the mid-island region

Congratulations on the opening of your new branch!

Proud to be your partner. Best wishes on all of your success. DEAN CONTE

Manufacturer’s Agent

1-877-299-5999 www.canaturewg.com

71A Clipper Street Coquitlam, BC, V3K 6X2

P: 604.540.5088 C: 604.290.6596 F: 604.540.5084 E: dconte@concurwest.com W: www.concurwest.com

EMCO carries standard brands like Moen and Delta. Kohler is EMCO’s niche brand. But what really sets EMCO apart, he said, is customer service and the people who work there. “When I came here I knew I could grow with the people who were already here in key positions. I knew they were already doing well and it’s easy to work with people like that. Being in the industry so long, I know that some companies are all about price. What we sell you on is the actual service. You get all the information you need. Whatever knowledge we have available to us, we will pass that along to you. We’ll make it easier for you to make a decision. Our people have knowledge that many customers SEE EMCO FOCUSES | PAGE 24

Congratulations Bengy to you and your team! We value the strong partnership we have together and look forward to many more successful years working together!

www.bibby-ste-croix.com

OCTOBER 2015

EMCO’s showroom features a wide product line for the kitchen and bath

EMCO FOCUSES CONTINUED FROM PAGE 23

who walk in are looking for to help them make that decision.” EMCO’s customers include the general public, mechanical contractors, heating contractors, service contractors and plumbers. The company doesn’t just sell beautiful and functional fixtures, it also carries everything that goes into the inner workings of a home’s systems. That includes

Ken Wilson Territory Manager PHONE: CELL: FAX: EMAIL:

(604) 431 5088 (604) 377 5156 (604) 431 5029 ken@cbsupplies.ca

CB SUPPLIES LTD.

8125 North Fraser Way Burnaby, BC V5J 5M8 Canada www.cbsupplies.ca

ducting and ductless heating systems. In Nanaimo, EMCO is a one-stop shop for everything that involves plumbing and heating. “We sell it all and if we don’t have it, we can get it,” Thorsen said. “There’s always a way to get something.” Beyond bathroom fixtures including tubs and showers, EMCO also has laundry tubs and the kitchen sink. It supplies every type of heating system including forced air and heat pumps. EMCO’s in-house expert, Scott Bradley, handles commercial quotations and creates CAD drawings for heating systems. When a contractor hands him a floor plan, no matter how large, Bradley can make it work with the equipment that’s right for the job. Thorsen noted that ductless splits are popular at EMCO, which sells the respected Dakin line. Ductless splits work particularly well in renovations because the walls don’t have to be opened up. EMCO does large commercial projects in Nanaimo including industrial projects. “As long as they send us an invitation to quote, we will quote on it,” Thorsen said, noting that EMCO is committed to being recognized by its customers as the distributor of choice in the

construction market. He said that the company achieves that goal by creating a customer-focused environment driven by motivated leadership and inspired employees, providing a diversified range of products and services that support its customers’ success, leveraging technology to enhance operational efficiency and effectiveness to meet the requirements of its customers, and, above all, continuing to give the best customer service possible. “It’s all about our people,” Thorsen said, adding that getting good people on board is the hard part. Once they’re at EMCO, the company works hard to retain its employees. “We have a really good business model. In the end, the company wants to make sure that we are making money and that we are doing great profit sharing with our team.” He added that all EMCO locations are owned by one person but each one is individually operated by the managers, who have tremendous leeway, as long as they hold to the company vision of excellence in service and products and profit sharing. “In the end, it’s all about the bonuses you hand out to your employees,” Thorsen said.

The warehouse holds a vast variety of products EMCO employees are also expected to live the company’s core values that include trust and respect, generous listening, fairness and caring, teamwork and responsibility. EMCO is also committed to providing a healthy and safe working environment for its employees, customers and suppliers. Each location has a designated health and safety representative who acts as a safety champion at each location. The health and safety representative ensures that various policies and procedures are in place including, but not limited to: ■ WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials) training ■ TDG (Transportation of Dangerous Goods) training ■ Level One First Aid attendant at each location

■ Workplace inspections are completed on a monthly basis ■ Forklift training Looking to the future, Thorsen has big plans for the local EMCO. “We want to see this location grow. And the plan is to add a handful of key customers each year – customers who not only want to deal with us, but who we want to deal with too. We want to be in business with people who want to be successful, just as we want to be successful. In the end, the goal is also to make more money than last year and pay out bigger bonuses than last year. Our goal to our customers is just good customer service. With good customer service, everything else just falls into line. EMCO Plumbing & Heating Supplies is at 4 – 2350 Dorman Road in Nanaimo. www.emcobc.ca

Kitchen design at its finest. BLANCO kitchen sinks, faucets and accessories

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PORT ALBERNI

OCTOBER 2015

ALBERNI CHAMBER OFFERS FULL SCHEDULE OF EVENTS On October 14th we host our monthly Business

.EW &ERRY 3ERVICE

AFTER Business at Charâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Landing, a wonderfully

Downtown Nanaimo to Downtown Vancouver

re-purposed Church that now serves as a key location for the promotion of Arts and Entertainment in Port Alberni

PORT ALBERNI BILL COLLETTE

he A lberni Valley Chamber of Commerce is looking forward to many of its upcoming events all of which are aimed at assisting the local Business Community. On October 14th we host our monthly Business AFTER Business at Charâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Landing, a wonderfully re-purposed Church that now serves as a key location for the promotion of Arts and Entertainment in Port Alberni. One week later on the 21st the Chamber is hosting its Monthly Dinner Meeting at the Westwind Pub featuring Mr. David Browne â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Vice President Communication and Marketing for Trican

Well Service out of Calgary, Alberta. Mr. Browne is an expert on Fracking and will use his time with us to inform us of the systems in place for safe and effective oil and gas extraction. On Sunday, October 25th t he Ch a mb er of Commerce is partnering with Community Futures Alberni-Clayoquot to host a workshop and Business EXPO aimed at our newer and less established local businesses. The event will include four morning sessions each which will feature three local business operators who have established clearly defined Best Practices. Those owners are happy to help mentor others so that the entire Business Community in Port Alberni can continue to grow and prosper. Following the morning sessions the focus will

then turn to an Expo format where the public will be invited to attend. Then on the 9th of November the Chamber is partnering with the Economic Development Team at the City of Port Alberni to bring in the CEO of the Monterey County Convention and Visitorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bureau. Ms. Blount is charged with increasing tourism for that part of California and is a big believer in leveraging the outside media to help promote the word. The Chamber looks forward to her presentation â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a luncheon to be held at the Harvest Restaurant at the Hospitality Inn â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Port Alberni. Â Bill Collette is executive director of the Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce. Reach him at 250-724-6535 or bill@albernichamber.ca

A re-elected Conservative Government will provide the required financial support to establish the Island Ferries Ltd. high speed foot passenger ferry service from Nanaimo to Vancouver. Nanaimo Economic Development Corporation and Island Ferry Services Ltd. are joint applicants. This service is green â&#x20AC;&#x201C; it will lessen vehicle traffic on the Lower Mainland and connect Island residents to downtown Vancouver, the LRT system, and the Sea Bus terminal. It makes day trips affordable and feasible with a planned trip duration of 68 minutes and late night returns. The service is a new transportation option which will boost the economy on Vancouver Island.

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COOPER/MCLINTOCK: NANAIMO SALES TEAM IN THE TOP 50 “You can’t go into real Nanaimo based real estate sales team focuses on marketing all of Vancouver Island, not just the Central Island

ANAIMO – Founded on a partnership forged during the challenge and uncertainty of an economic downturn, the real estate sales team of John Cooper and Sean McLintock has since emerged as a leading force in the Western Canadian real estate industry. Their success story is built on the serendipitous meeting of two professionals with a shared work ethic and a common vision. “The Cole’s Notes version of our story is that you’ve got two young men from the Lower Mainland who ventured over here separately, each in early 2008, with the idea of building their dreams through real estate sales, only to have the rug pulled out from under them when the local market tanked,” explained founding team member John Cooper. “It was one of the worst market crashes in decades, but through hard work, perseverance and a strong vision, we were able to grow a business that (as of the August 2015 stats) is now in the Top 50 RE/MAX Teams across Western Canada. In July we were the Number One RE/MAX of Western Canada Team on Vancouver Island, including Victoria, which is a massive win for us. It was the biggest month our team has ever had. Rarely will you see Nanaimo teams outpace Victoria teams simply due to the potential market size, but we pulled it off and had a huge month which was fantastic and that momentum continues.” Now a fixture in Nanaimo’s downtown core, the partners operate out of an extensively renovated character building dating back to the 1930’s. “Our office in downtown Nanaimo is not the RE/MAX of Nanaimo office - it is the private office of the Cooper /

estate with the idea that you’re going to make quick cash in a short amount of time” JOHN COOPER

McLintock RE/MAX Real Estate Team. We’ve also added Mane Mortgage (owned and operated by James Snider – the pair’s business partner), which is a fantastic compliment to our business, contributing to our goal of operating an office that offers a full range of real estate related services for our clients.” Right from their first meeting Cooper and McLintock recognized the strengths and skills each could bring to any business undertaking they embarked on. “Both myself and my partner Sean shared a passion right out of the gate for extremely hard work and dedication to our clients. I had a passion for the technology side of the business and Sean has a passion for the people side of the business. I think that when you combine those three things: a shared work ethic, technological aptitude and people skills, you have a winning formula. That’s what has put us in a position to succeed,” he said. “Our positioning statement is that by combining good old fashioned hard work with the latest in technology we have developed a winning formula for real estate sales success.” Not afraid to march to their own distinctive drummer, the sales duo quickly recognized the attractions and benefits of working out of Nanaimo’s historic downtown core. “When we decided to locate our business in downtown Nanaimo back in 2008 (at what was then the RE/MAX of Nanaimo downtown office) it was seen as working against the grain by many fellow REALTORS® at the time. The downtown was viewed as a much more depressed area than it is today

The Team (left to right) includes Bryn Johnson, John Cooper, Sean McLintock & James Snider, Office Manager Laura Healey (left) and Assistant Tara Ryan round it out and of course the positive trend in the downtown core is continuing and I only see it becoming an increasingly popular and attractive place for people to live, work and play. That’s something that I saw right away when I moved here but something that was certainly not the popular belief among a lot of people at the time.” Cooper’s personal belief in the city centre area is so profound that he has taken an active leadership role in the city’s downtown revitalization efforts. “I’m such a

believer in the downtown area that not only have we set up our offices downtown, but I’m into my third term as President of the Downtown Nanaimo Business Improvement Association (DNBIA). I’m also on my third term as a city-appointed board member and now I’ve been appointed by the city to sit on that board (DNBIA Board of Directors) until 2018, a board I’ve been a member of since 2010.” For Cooper and McLintock, being new to the Nanaimo area and

not having family or friends to rely on ultimately proved to be one of catalysts that helped power the team’s growth and progress. “I think another big part of our story is the fact that a lot of people look at Nanaimo and say that it’s a closed business community, where you have to be from here and belong to succeed.” he said. “But our experience has discredited that idea since neither one of us had any family, friends SEE COOPER/MCLINTOCK | PAGE 27

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COOPER/MCLINTOCK CONTINUED FROM PAGE 26

Housed in an extensively renovated character building dating to the 1930’s, the team has made the downtown its home (that’s City Hall directly behind the office)

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or relatives anywhere in this community. No mythical Uncle Bob is there to send us referrals, they all originally started from cold lead sources, a technique which is seen by many as a disadvantage, but the proof is obviously in the pudding. In my mind it’s absolutely one of our advantages - because we both come from a large metropolitan centre we can ‘future cast’ in a way that a local can’t always do. We see things from outside of the bubble that may not be apparent to someone who has always lived and worked here.” Being seen as outsiders, having no previous local history to carry forward into business transactions also aided the pair when first breaking into the profession. “When you’re born and raised in a community you have some things that you take with you. If I was a bartender at a popular bar people would say ‘oh yeah, that’s John who used to be the bartender at so and so but now he’s into real estate’ – but Sean and I were able to come into the community and set the standard right away as real estate professionals. We were able to create our brand identity based on who we are now, without any of the biases of history.” Another advantage the pair has successfully developed is the concept of viewing themselves not as Nanaimo REALTORS®, but as Vancouver Island REALTORS® – sales professionals who happen to maintain their offices in Nanaimo. That broader viewpoint has helped the Team recently land a prestigious sales project in Victoria, a feat seldom carried out by REALTORS® not based in the Capital Region. “One of the things that’s happened with our team, because we’ve been progressive and aggressive with the marketing that we’ve done, and with our keen focus on attracting off-islanders, is that we’ve attracted the attention of local developers. As a result we recently landed the former Kettle Creek Station Development, which is now called My Village Homes in

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Held at its extensively renovated character building on Franklyn Street, the open house attracted many of the Team’s friends and clients

A one stop shop, Cooper / McLintock’s office is also home to Mane Mortgage operated by business partner James Snider

COOPER/MCLINTOCK CONTINUED FROM PAGE 27

Langford (just outside of Victoria),” Cooper explained. “T he f i rst ph a se i s 20 i nfi l l homes completi ng the

development that was originally built, with really nice three bedroom homes starting at $379,900 which is ridiculously affordable for that region. As the project develops there will be another 300 single family homes and another

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300 townhomes being the next phases of that project,” he said. “It was a huge accomplishment for us and has us extremely excited and supports our brand which has always been as a Vancouver Island real estate team - I’ve focused on that from Day One. We strive to attract Vancouver Island home buyers and not necessarily Nanaimo homebuyers. As much as we are based in Nanaimo, and do the majority of our business locally, we also do a lot of business in Parksville, Qualicum, and Ladysmith, a development in Saltair and now in Langford.” Another innovative tool that has helped to set Cooper / McLintock apart, and which has helped expedite the Team’s success, has been to develop a solid referral system with RE/MAX sales professionals from across North America. “Five years ago we started attending the RE/ MAX conventions and noticed that there was a gap in the ages of those attending. There were a lot of ‘Old Boy’s Clubs’ at these events so it was difficult to break into them, and we considered that a lot of them were running outdated business models,” he said. “So we went and hand-picked the top agents who were embracing technology and hard work as our personal referral network. We went to all of the markets across Canada and the US that we trade with and found the progressive hard working teams and invited them to a private party that we

Team partner Sean McLintock (left) was one of the hosts for the open house, held at the beautiful 1930’s character building which now houses the office hosted. We will be hosting our fifth event at the next convention. We invite all the top agents, that we call Elite Agents, and invite them all to a private party so we can get to know them, allowing us to align ourselves with the best agents across Canada.” Adaptors of the latest in marketing technologies (including cloud-based ad m i n istrative management), a dedicated focus on integrity, exceptional client service and old fashioned hard work, the real estate sales team of Cooper / McLintock anticipate an expanding and positive future, but realize business success is neither easy nor immediate. “This is a 10-plus year business. You can’t go into real estate with

the idea that you’re going to make quick cash in a short amount of time. It’s highly unlikely. But you can be really surprised at what you can do in 10 years,” he said. “People tend to overestimate what they can do in a year, but underestimate what they can do in 10 years. Sean and I have had that 10 year vision and here we are into year eight, ahead of our goal schedule but still maintaining that long-term focus. We continue to stay true to the beliefs and practices that have allowed us to get where we are today. We’re still excited and looking forward to what the future brings.” To learn more visit the Team’s website at: www.coopermclintock.com/

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NEW RESIDENTIAL ACTIVITY INCREASE TO CONTINUE

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e have seen a slight increase in both si ngle fa m i ly a nd mu lti-fam ily housing sta rts o n Va n c o u v e r I s l a n d o v e r the past year. This is a trend that we have seen a l l over BC. Canadian Mortgage and Housing has reported a 12 per cent growth in new residential activity from January to August, 2015 for the province.

T h is trend is poised to continue through the end of 2015. During the first seven mont h s of 2015, t here were 1,170 hou s i n g s t a r t s i n t h e Victoria region, an increase of 76 per cent over the 663 total sta rts i n the sa me period i n 2014. Tota l mu ltiple-fa m i ly housing starts so far this year were more t h a n d ou ble t he l e v e l re c o rd e d i n t h e s a m e period in 2014. Higher rental apartment construction contributed to the increase, with 319 u n its gett i ng u nder way so far in 2015. The number of single-detached starts moved higher as well, with 360 starts so far in 2015 compared with 310 starts in the same period a year earlier. According to a recent report by Central1 Credit Union, construction is one of the leading sectors for the BC economy. T he fol low i n g i n for m at ion is an excerpt from an August economic briefing report from

Central1. Ju ne was a nother strong m o n t h fo r B C b u i l d i n g i ntentions and aligns with the v iew t h at con st r uct ion, led by resident ia l act iv ity, w i l l b e a g ro w t h l e a d e r fo r t h e provincial economy this year. Mu n ic ip a l it i e s i s s u e d p e rm its va lued at $1.1 2 bi l l ion du ring the month, up 16 per cent from May and 35 per cent above the same month in 2014. T his was the third time this year that total permit volume breached t he bi l l ion-dol l a r mark. The monthly gain was led by a 75 per cent rebound in non-residential permits after two months of decline, while residential volume held steady from May. L o o k i n g p a s t m o n t h-t o month volatility, which is the r u le rat her t h a n t he exception for permits owing to the inf luence of large apartment p ro j e c t s a n d n o n-re s i d e ntial buildings, intentions are

trending well ahead of a year a go a n d a re u p 2 4 p e r c e n t ye a r-to-d ate. T h ro u g h t he first half, residential permit volume is up 32 per cent and trending at the strongest pace since the mid-2000s, as low interest rates and modest economic growth drive new home construction and renovation investment. In contrast, non-residential p er m its a re up a m i ld eig ht per cent, with businesses still cautious given a weak national economic picture. Regiona l ly, yea r-to-date g row th is being led by housing market demand in Metro Vancouver (32 per cent) and Kelowna (40 per cent), with Victoria also ex h i bit i n g a rob u s t ga i n of 18 per cent. Outside the four largest markets, total permit volume is up by four per cent. Central 1 expects to see an easing in monthly permit volume to a range of $900 million to $950 million, but construction

will remain a growth sector for the economy with residential strength offsetting weakness in the non-residential sector. To see the complete report, go to www.central1.com and search for BC Economic Briefing, Aug. 3, 2015 Clarice Coty can be reached at clarice@buildinglinks.ca, and through www.buildinglinks.ca

THE CHAMBER INTRODUCES TWO NEW COMMUNITY EVENTS THIS FALL To kick off this new event, the Chamber will also host a Tech Expo Launch Party at the Courtenay Museum on October 21st

COMOX VALLEY

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DIANNE HAWKINS

his fall, the Comox Vall ey C h a m b e r of C o mmerce is pleased to be involved with two community events that support initiatives loca ls a re passionate about: t h e C o u r te n a y-A l b e r n i A l l Ca nd idates Meeti ng a nd for the first time, the Comox Valley Tech Expo. In partnership with the Comox Valley Record the Sid Williams Theatre, My Tech Guys and Prestige Video Transfer, we will be hosting the Courtenay-A lbern i A l l Ca nd idates Me et i n g on Mond ay, O ctob er 5 t h at t he Sid Wi l l i a m s T heatre sta r ti ng at 6 pm. M e m b e r s o f t h e c o m m u nity are encouraged to join us to hea r from the ca nd idates for the nex t Federa l Genera l Election. T h is is ou r way of prov id i ng a plat for m to ou r c om mu n it y to m a ke a n i nformed decision for the Federal General Election held on October 19. On Thursday, October 22nd the Chamber will present the f i rst, a n nu a l Comox Va l ley Tech Expo at the Filberg Florence Centre. Over 30 vendors

will showcase innovative products, desig ns, a nd serv ices tech entrepreneu rs, i n novators, a nd m a kers a re creating on Vancouver Island, from Nanaimo north to Port Hardy. To kick off th is new event, t he Ch a mb er w i l l a l so host a Te c h E x p o L a u n c h P a r t y at the Cou r tenay Museu m on Wednesday, October 21st with keynote speaker, Jayesh Parmar. Jayesh Parmar, CEO and coFou nder of P icatic i s a seri a l e n t re p re n e u r w it h o v e r 19 y e a r s o f e v e n t i n d u s t r y

ex p er ience, publ ic sp e a ker a nd featu red person a l ity i n sta rt-up docu menta ry DayJob. Jayesh Parmar is Picatic’s CEO/Cofounder and is listed a s one of t he world’s top 10 Tech Entrepreneurs Disrupting The Event Industry. Winner of SISO 2013 breakthrough event technology award. T h is a l l-sta r entrepreneu r w i l l a d d re ss topic s s u ch a s how entrepreneurs can play a role in revitalizing downtown communities and discuss what Picatic is doing with an event space in Gastown. T h ere a re m a ny te ch se ctor businesses f lourishing in the Comox Va l ley a nd we’re thrilled to see this kind of innovat ion i n ou r reg ion. We invite you to join us in celebrating the entrepreneurs and creatives who are making our regional tech sector an integral part of our economy. T ha n k you to the Comox Valley Record, The Goat 98.9 FM, BC Innovation Council, Presley & Partners and Relay Event Rentals who have committed to event sponsorships so far. Interested in becoming a sponsor for the 2015 Comox Valley Tech Expo? Please contact me at the Chamber to find out more. Ve n d o r s a r e n o w a b l e t o p u rc h a s e t a b l e s a t c o m oxva lleycha mber.com /events. Table pack a ges i nclude: a n ad m ission to the Tech Ex po Launch Party, an Expo table, a n a d i n t h e C o m o x Va l l e y Record Newsroom Tech E x po featu re publ icat ion, social media advertising a nd coverage by t he Comox

Va l l e y R e c o r d , W I F I a n d power access. Sp eci a l requests must be subm itted to the Cha mber.

Dianne Hawkins is president and CEO of the Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce. Reach her at dhawkins@ comoxvalleychamber.com

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make any profile that can be drawn by an architect” BRIAN JENKINS LONGHOUSE’S OWNER

ARKSVILLE - A successful melding of business with art (and the latest in manufacturing technology), Parksville’s Longhouse Forest Products has been producing custom lumber products for residential and commercial building projects for more than 30 years. “The company makes finished specialty lumber products primarily out of coastal softwoods. We supply everything from large timbers to interior and exterior clear cedar paneling and other species including Douglas fir, yellow cedar as well as hemlock. We are also able to produce items from an array of hardwoods from around the world,” explained company owner Brian Jenkins. “We create lumber that typically has some form of profile (customized shape). We produce specialty products, cut to order for clients. We take orders for individual construction projects and we custom cut those orders. Each order is distinctive, has its own fingerprint. We very rarely sell products to dealers instead we sell directly

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to building contractors. You’re not going to see our product at Home Depot.” Situated on a six-acre parcel of industrially zoned land near Parksville, Longhouse Forest Products is marking its third decade of operations this year. “We’re actually into our 30th year in 2015. My wife (Moila Jenkins) and I are the founders and we still work together every day. We have a staff of about a dozen right now. Having been around so long, we also have long term employees. The average employee has been here for more than 10 years,” Jenkins said. “I’d like to give special thanks to Ken L’Heureux, Matt Newton and Gerald Roth for their many years of service and projects completed.” For Longhouse Forest Products, the wood that serves as the company’s stock and trade is not something that it takes lightly. As a business person, Jenkins is well aware that it’s crucial for the province to maintain and enhance its available wood supply, and he has taken steps to ensure his firm does what it can to encourage and support sustainable forestry. “All of our products come from locally sourced wood, mostly from sustainable sources. Longhouse is FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) Certified, and the company is also a member of the Canadian Green Building Council. The company is a member of the Greater Vancouver Homebuilders Association and also a member of the Victoria Residential Builders Association.” Longhouse’s products are most commonly found in one-off custom manufacturing applications, such as in high end residential construction. “A lot of our market share is located in Victoria and in the Vancouver area as much of SEE CUSTOM MILLING | PAGE 31

One of the team at Longhouse Forest Products puts a custom milled board through the resaw, resizing it to meet a client’s need

The spectacular wooden siding at the Tillicum Lelum Aboriginal Friendship Centre was yet another of Longhouse’s custom-milled projects

Breaking new ground with the world’s oldest building material.

Where the Skeena joins the Kitsumkalum river, tradition meets cutting edge design in the new Kitsumkalum Health Centre. Lubor Trubka Architects built on a historic tradition of Western Red Cedar structures among the Kitsumkalum First Nation – with engineered wood and timbers from Longhouse Forest Products, protected with the natural beauty of Sansin Enviro Stains. longhousecedar.com |

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An example of the specialty milling the company has handled is this unique wall of wood for the Duchess Park Secondary School in Prince George

Custom milled, locally sourced timber created by Longhouse was used in the construction of Nanaimo’s new Cruise Ship Terminal

The new Bayview Medical Clinic in Nanaimo is clad in Vancouver Island sourced lumber, custom cut by Longhouse Forest Products

CUSTOM MILLING CONTINUED FROM PAGE 30

what we produce is used in the construction of high end homes.

However we’ve also shipped product to many different countries around the world. We haven’t done anything in Asia for about 20 years, but we have supplied projects in

Europe, Puerto Rico, and in almost every state in the United States including Hawaii. It doesn’t matter if it is a residential or commercial project we’ve supplied products

for both.” When a custom-shaped wooden element for a building project is needed, Longhouse has the experience and the tools on-site to produce it. “When I talk about a wood’s profile I’m referring to shaping it to meet a specific need or project. Shaping and profiling are essentially interchangeable terms in regard to the products we produce. We have the capability to make any profile that can be drawn by an architect, for instance we have the machine that makes the knives to do that,” he said. In addition to the creation of custom-milled, specialty profiled custom projects Longhouse is also capable of producing all standard size lumber products, all custom cut to match the orders of their clients. “We also run a traditional sawmill as well. We’re capable of completing every aspect of the manufacturing process starting from breaking down the log. We have our own dry kilns, we have our own molder-shaper, re-saw and we also have our own coatings plant so that we can provide pre-staining and fire-treating services. Being part of the Central Vancouver Island business community for more than three decades Longhouse Forest Products, in addition to being a significant local employer, has also played a very active role in its community through its involvement with different groups and organizations. “We’re certainly active in the

organizations we’re members of, the professional organizations such as the Green Building Council and the Homebuilder’s Association,” Jenkins said. “But we’re active in our local community in that we do support children’s charities and the homeless.” With an established and proven track record during the past 30 years, Longhouse Forest Products has custom-milled products for more than 13,000 projects including numerous First Nation projects. Among these are seven longhouses making up the Haida Heritage Centre at Kay Llnagaay, Haida Gwaii, Tillicum Lelum Aboriginal Friendship Centre (Windley Contracting), Snuneymux First Nations Community Building (Island West Coast Developments) and many Heritage buildings including the Vancouver Salt Building. “We’re here and we’re open for business. The other key point is that it’s reasonable that a company like ours can survive in the forest product industry and make finished products with the fiber that grows here on Vancouver Island,” Jenkins said. “We’re definitely a value-added producer and as long as logs are going to be shipped offshore there’s not a lot of incentive for foreign companies to set up shop here. Our survival for three decades is proof that companies like ours are viable. There are a few others on the Island and on the Lower Mainland, however there certainly could be a lot more.” www.longhousecedar.com

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The Victoria team left to right: Sean McDowell, Dan Grant, Brent Lalonde, Marco Cavallari, Susan Harcott and Stuart Cuthbert alliance with the Wenner Group of Companies. Wenner has been in business in Nanaimo for 72 years. Between them, the two familyowned businesses have more than 120 years of experience. Rob Andrews, director of Wenner Security Incorporated, said that no one else is currently offering a complete security solution. “We are providing an end-toend turnkey solution. We’re really excited because we see some real benefits to the client.” He noted that the new alliance is rolling out in Nanaimo first because the city is central in the Island and a convenient place to service all points north and west. Currently MAC is marketing its new service chiefly to general contractors and project managers, who Andrews called the decision-makers. “This will give the marketplace a single solution to what has historically been a headache for general contractors,” he said. “The contractor now has only one point of contact who has the responsibility for making sure the job is done right. There’ll be no finger pointing if something goes wrong. I see that as a very tangible benefit.” Victoria branch manager Stuart Cuthbert said that security is especially paramount especially in commercial and public buildings like schools and hospitals. “Having control of access is key. Even people with a single family house can control access from their cell phone and know who is going in and out of their house.” He added that many businesses that have multiple employees entering and exiting throughout the day, want more control over who enters and at what times. “There’s a real shift from a traditional door handle with a key,” he said. “There are other options and that’s what the access control part of McGregor Access Control is all about.” Installation is the key, he said, noting that companies, including McGregor & Thompson, have been installing traditional doors and dead bolts for years. Today, there is more

specialization in installation that involves low voltage electricity. Installers must be able to get that electricity to the hinge. “This is a seamless solution,” Cuthbert said, noting that MAC has already begun operations in the Nanaimo office and is already slated to do access control and installation on the first phase of the hew hospitals in Courtenay and Campbell River. MAC in Nanaimo operates under the guidance operations manager, Dave Taschuk, with 15-years of experience in installation, locksmithing and electronics access control. McGregor & Thompson operates eight locations in Canada and Seattle with two locations on Vancouver Island. Cuthbert said that MAC will arrive in all McGregor & Thompson locations at a steady pace. As always MAC will sub-contract part of the work, but will oversee all of it with in-house expertise. Cuthbert said that the new division underlines McGregor & Thompson’s commitment to having a strong presence on Vancouver Island. In the last three years the Victoria office and team has doubled in size while the brand new facility in Nanaimo is just over a year old and serves as a distribution, manufacturing and showroom location. “We don’t believe that we can service the island well from the mainland,” Cuthbert said. “That’s why we have manufacturing in Nanaimo to service the island and we have distribution in Victoria and Nanaimo to make sure we can service both those major markets.” Shelton said his team and the Wenner team are excited about the opportunities MAC creates for them. “We have very experienced people who can sit down together and work on a package together. We can both interview the customer and give them the solution that works best for them.” McGregor & Thompson Hardware Ltd. is at 1920 Boxwood Drive in Nanaimo. www.mcgregor-thompson.com

OCTOBER 2015

COMOX CONTRACTOR SPECIALIZES IN RENOVATION PROJECTS The core of Bohmer Construction’s daily workload typically consists of residential renovation projects

OMOX VALLEY- Small jobs have tra nslated into big business for the Comox Valley’s Bohmer Construction. Founded by the now husband and wife team of Jake and Sherri Bohmer the company handles commercial and residential renovation projects. “We sta rted the busi ness i n 2009. We began doing small renovations at the time. Then in 2011, we landed a fairly large govern ment project doi ng a bridge restoration in conjunction with Mainroad Contracting. We were doing things like replacing the concrete on the abutments and the piers,” expl a i ned compa ny co-ow ner Sherri Bohmer. “That project was the turning point for us as it allowed us to become a full time business. Since then, we’ve done a few other bridge projects, but we’ve done mostly residential renovations and a few commercial renovations – we try to stick to the residential projects because that’s what we enjoy doing.” The company has over time ea r ned a reputat ion for t he quality of its work and for the variety of projects it has completed – often having several underway at any one time. “We’re not homebuilders, at least not yet. We specialize in home renovations, however we do build new structures like garages and additions, but we haven’t built a full house yet as a company,” she explained. “There are four of us including Jake (a Red Seal carpenter) and myself. T here’s another carpenter and an apprentice carpenter, we’re pretty small at th is poi nt. We work w ith other sub-trades on projects, such as electrical, plumbing

Congratulations Jake and Sherri on your success! Dianne Larson, CAIB, CIP Commercial Insurance Account Executive 260-470 Puntledge Road Courtenay, BC V9N 3R1

250-331-0527

Jake Bohmer, 28, operates his Comox-based construction company with his wife Sherri. The company was started in 2009

Bohmer Construction has also had experience completing such home upgrade projects as new kitchens or back decks like this one

While not a homebuilder yet, Bohmer Construction does handle new build projects such as this garage

“In the future we’d like to take on bigger projects and one day we would like to become home builders.” SHERRI BOHMER OWNER, BOHMER CONSTRUCTION

and drywall.” Bohmer’s current workload is reflective of the scale and variety of the projects it routinely undertakes. “Right now, we’re building a garage out in Fanny

Bay for a nice lady who owns the Ellerslie B & B. We are also doing a kitchen renovation in Comox where we’ve altered the existing kitchen, adding new cabinets and installing flooring

Proud to work with Sherri and the Bohmer team!

throughout. We’re a general contractor focusing on renovations – that’s probably the most accurate way to describe what we do.” Wit h a n eye on tomor row, Bohmer would ultimately like to see her f i r m ex pa nd i nto other areas, “In the future we’d like to take on bigger projects and one day we would like to become home builders, it’s just not in the cards yet. We’re busy; we’re booked right now through the end of the year, which is really exciting for us. When you first start out in this business it’s hard to get jobs lined up that far in advance,” she said. She also said there’s an unex pected feel i ng of accomplishment in running a family b u si ne ss. “ We re a l ly enjoy w o r k i n g t o g e t h e r a n d i t ’s worked out well for us. Jake and

I have always wanted to run our own business and we really love what we do.” www.bohmerconstruction.com

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OCTOBER 2015

LOCAL COMPANY SPECIALIZES IN OVERHEAD DOORS Garage Door Mechanix boasts superior reputation with both public and contractors

A NOOSE BAY - Garage Door Mechanix in Na noose Bay has one major specialty – and it does it very well indeed. The company focuses on installing and servicing overhead doors. Company owner Curtis Weme has honed his skills in the business for 28 years. When people call him to install a door, they know they can expect quality both in the installation and the product. Spea k i ng f rom a worksite, Weme sa id, “ We’re good at this and we give prompt and friendly service. I’ve got tons of word-of-mouth customers. The job I’m at right now is where a neighbour referred me.” Weme was only 20 years old in 1987 when he started working for an overhead door company. He remained with that company for almost 10 years. “I enjoyed the work because I felt a sense of accomplishment every day from finishing a job. I also liked that there was a big

CONGRATULATIONS TO GARAGE DOOR MECHANIX ON ALL OF YOUR SUCCESS!

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Garage Door Mechanix does repairs and maintenance of overhead

Curtis Weme and his son, Jarrett, expertly install overhead doors

“I think our edge is that variety of work.” After a brief stint installing overhead doors in Northern BC, Weme came back to the island and became a sub-contractor, picking up work from some of the big names in the mid-island region like Slegg Lumber, Complete Pre-Hung, Windsor Plywood and McGregor Thompson. The companies sold the doors and then contacted Weme to install them. But then, in 2009, the economic downturn hit and work slowed. So Weme decided to make a change. “I realized that I was relying on someone else to dig up the work, and if they weren’t doing it, then I would suffer.” So Weme struck out on his own with the help of a partner. Today, Weme is the sole owner. Weme said that the first year was a struggle, mainly because he couldn’t rely on one manufacturer for his product. B ut

the contractors know I’m honest and our reputation speaks for itself. Probably

Garage Door Mechanix installs high quality Canadian made SteelCraft doors

80 per cent of my business is word of mouth – and that’s awesome.” CURTIS WEME OWNER, GARAGE DOOR MECHANIX

then he formed a relationship with Steel-Craft Door Products Ltd. It seemed like the perfect fit. Steel-Craft has been manufacturing residential, commercial and industrial doors since 1963. Its 325,000-square-foot manufacturing facility is located i n Ed monton where it SEE GARAGE DOOR MECHANIX | PAGE 35

The company installs doors of every type and style

BUILT TO WITHSTAND THE HARSHEST CLIMATES. AND THE BIGGEST STREET HOCKEY GAMES.

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OCTOBER 2015

Garage Door Mechanix has installed overhead doors in entire subdivisions

GARAGE DOOR MECHANIX CONTINUED FROM PAGE 34

bu i lds ga rage doors w ith a n R-value high enough to withstand the coldest winters. The polyurethane foam is injected between the steel door frames, creating a well-sealed door. Weme described Steel-Craft doors as some of the highest quality doors available on the market.

He said that today business is growing quickly. He and his son, Jarrett Weme, handle the work but expansion is going to be inevitable. “I think our edge is that the contractors know I’m honest and our reputation speaks for itself. Probably 80 per cent of my business is word of mouth – and that’s awesome.” A s we l l a s i n s t a l l i n g n e w doors, Garage Door Mechanix

also specializes in overhead door repa i rs. T hat i ncludes broken spri ngs, gea r repl acement a nd even a n nu a l maintenance. “Your door is the largest moving object on your home,” Weme said. “Proper maintenance and lubrication is important to ensure your family’s safety.” Garage Door Mechanix also carries garage door openers. Garage Door Mechani x

specializes in the replacement, repair, sale, and installation of garage doors in residential a nd com mercia l properties. From noisy or squeaky doors and driveway gates to broken springs, cables, rollers, broken tracks a nd m isa l ig n ment, opener gear replacement, lubrication, annual safety checks and service contracts, the company guarantees 100 per cent satisfaction w ith work done

properly the first time. Weme said that the company’s commitment is to providing its customers with friendly and courteous services at competitive prices. “We are always prompt and reliable and we offer quick turn around times and strive to form a n honest relationsh ip w ith you,” he said. Garage Door Mechanix works from Ladysmith to Courtenay but has also been known to take on jobs as far south as Victoria and to the west in Ucluelet and Tofino. The company’s clients include the public as well as Vancouver Island contractors. Weme note d t h at some d evelopers call him when they first begin a new subdivision, recommending him to everyone who buys a lot. “I’ve been involved in a few subdivisions where I’ve done every house i n the project,” Weme sa id, add i ng that it’s those k i nds of projects that a re encou rag i ng h i m to expand. His plans include hiring a couple more employees a nd stay i ng w ith control led growth. “I want the company to remain relatively manageable,” he said. “My son can grow into a management role as the company grows and continues to take on more jobs.” Garage Door Mechanix Ltd. is at 1634 Yeo Street in Nanoose Bay. www.garagedoormechanix.com

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OCTOBER 2015

Steelhead LNG Granted Five Export Licenses By NEB

ANCOUVER - The National Energy Board ( N E B) h a s approved Va ncouver-based Steelhead LNG’s applications for five licenses to export in the aggregate up to 30 million tonnes of liquefied natural gas (LNG) per year for 25 years from its two proposed LNG projects on Vancouver Island. The NEB decision is subject to approval of the Governor in Council. One license to export up to 6 million tonnes of LNG for 25 years is allocated to Malahat L NG, t he proposed f loat i ng liquefaction and export LNG terminal adjacent to Malahat First Nation land, eight kilometres south of Mill Bay, B.C. The other four licenses, to export in the aggregate up to 24 million tonnes of LNG per year for 25 years, are allocated to the proposed LNG project Steelhead L NG is ex plori ng w ith the Huu-ay-aht First Nations on Huu-ay-aht land at Sarita Bay, 75 km southwest of Port A lberni on the west coast of Vancouver Island. “We welcome this decision by the National Energy Board, which represents a significant m i lestone for ou r compa ny a nd ou r projects,” sa id Nigel Kuzemko, CEO, Steelhead LNG. “We’ve made tremendous

s t r i d e s i n p ro g re s s i n g o u r projects over t he past yea r, including our announcement of Ma la hat LNG, ou r ag reement with Williams subsidiary Northwest Pipeline LLC to commence with the design and approval process for a proposed natural gas pipeline to Vancouver Island, and our agreement w ith Höegh LNG, for Höegh LNG a nd Bechtel to perform the pre-front end engineering and design work for Malahat LNG,” he said. “While these developments and the regulatory approval by the NEB are being well received in the global LNG marketplace, we recognize that we are still at the beginning of a long process that will see us engage and work closely w ith Fi rst Nations, government, communities, residents and regulators to secure the environmental and regulatory approvals we need for our projects to continue to move forward.” Steelhead LNG and the Malahat First Nation announced the proposed Malahat LNG project on August 20, 2015, along with the successful completion of a Mutual Benefits Agreement and a Long-Term Lease. T he proposed project would include floating liquefaction facilities moored to the shoreline and

s u p p o r t e d b y m i n o r l a n dbased facilities. The project’s significant economic impact would include up to 30 years of revenue generation, from construction to operation to decommissioning, for local, prov i ncia l a nd federa l governments, along with the creation of up to 200 high-paying long-term positions once the facility is operational. The project would also create hundreds of additional indirect jobs on Va ncouver I sl a nd i n a w ide variety of sectors, as well as specific training and employment opportunities. “Today’s approval is exciting news, as it represents one of many steps in the process a head for Ma la hat L NG a nd the proposed Steelhead LNG facilities on Malahat Nation lands,” said Lawrence Lewis, Chief Executive Officer, Malahat Nation. “T h is proposed project represents a significant opportunity for Malahat Nat ion to d emon s t rate a nd exercise its inherent right to self-determination, the protection of its aboriginal rights and title, and a meaningful role in environmental stewardship and reclamation of the marine resou rce so importa nt to its people.” The proposed LNG project at

Sarita Bay, which is in the feasibility stage, is also projected to create hu nd reds of direct local jobs from construction to operation to decommissioning. Once operational, hundreds of additional spin-off jobs and business opportunities in the region will be created in the hospitality, recreation, tourism, transportation, security and other service sectors. In November 2014, Huu-ay-aht citizens voted in favor of continuing to explore developing the project at thei r People’s Assembly. “These export licenses represent another positive step forward,” said Robert Dennis, Elected Chief Councilor, Huuay-a ht F i rst Nat ion s. “O u r Nation will continue to work closely w ith Steel head L NG and is committed to keeping our Hereditary Chiefs and citizens informed throughout the process.” On September 1, 2015, Steelhead announced a Pre-Const r uct ion Ag reement w it h Williams (NYSE: WMB) subsid i a r y Nor t hwest P ipel i ne LLC. to com mence w ith the d e s i g n a n d re g u l a to r y a pprova l s for a proposed n atural gas pipeline (the Island Gas Connector Project) that would deliver Canadian natural

gas to Vancouver Island. On September 23, 2015, Steelhead announced an agreement with Höegh LNG, for Höegh LNG a nd B echtel to p er for m t he pre-front end engineering and design work for Malahat LNG. To learn more visit Steelhead LNG’s website: http://www. steelheadlng.com/

CAMPBELL RIVER

OCTOBER 2015

CHAMBER TAKING ACTION – THE VOICE OF BUSINESS

CAMPBELL RIVER COLLEEN EVANS

usiness is the backbone of our economy and a d r iv i n g forc e towa rd s creating jobs and opportunities in Campbell R iver. October is Small Business Month i n BC, a month ded icated to recognizing entrepreneurs and celebrating all that business c ont r i b ute s. Fol low i n g t he Chamber’s Business Awards of Distinction event that recognized those businesses, organizations and individuals who are shaping Campbell R iver, we now look forward to taking new act ion to represent t he collective voice of our members and business community. ■■■ The Business Leaders Luncheon in October will be the final event this year in a series presented by the Chamber in pa r t nersh ip w it h M NP. T he series prov ided a n engaging glimpse into the success and challenges of business leaders across BC who are driving ch a n ge t h rou g h i n novat ive ideas and inspired leadership. Guests attending the

Business Leaders luncheon in Octobers w i l l hea r from the father and son who created the Berwick concept and what it took to achieve their success and the challenges and opport u n i t i e s t h e y e n c o u n t e re d along the way. Tickets are now on sale and c a n b e p u rch a sed on l i ne at www.campbellriverchamber. G o r d o n D e n fo r d h a s b e e n bu i ld i n g homes i n Wester n Canada for over 50 years. In the mid 1980’s, Mr. Denford wanted to create a residence that was specifically designed for sen iors, somet h i ng t hat e x c e e d e d t h e s t a n d a rd s o f the day. It had to incorporate state-of-the-a r t com mu n ication systems within a purpose-built building. It also had to offer a full range of exceptional amenities and services w it h i n a ca r i ng com mu n ity setti ng. H is ex perience, resea rch a nd d i scu ssion w it h sen iors g roups a nd le ad i n g local consultants, ultimately led to the creation of Berwick House Victoria in 1989. With the success of that first venture, he continued to raise the ba r w ith five add itiona l resort-style retirement commu n ities, each i nd iv idua l ly unique and built specifically for their location. Christopher Denford works with Berwick’s architectural te a m i n t h e d e s i g n o f e a c h reti rement com mu n ity. M r. Denford has over 20 years of residential development exp e r i e n c e, e x te n s ive k n owledge of sen iors’ housi ng requirements and a keen eye fo r a e s t h e t i c d e t a i l s . T h i s

combination of skills enables him to assist in the design and development of award-w inning independent living residences that, as he says, “he wou ld be happy to l ive i n himself”. ■■■ On October 19th, Canadians will go to the polls to elect a new federal government. Now, more than ever, Canada needs a strong business community, and our elected officials need to hear from businesses large and small. Today, we a re i nv iti ng ou r members to submit a potential question for the candidates. This is a great opportunity for our future M.P. to hear from our business leaders and citizens on the issues that matter to a strong and vibrant community. T he Campbell R iver Ch a mb er of Com merc e i s a non-pa r t isa n orga n i zat ion. We do not endorse candidates. Take the time to make an informed decision - make your vote count. All questions from the Chamber and Mirror will be considered as we develop t h e f i n a l q u e s t io n s fo r t h e forum. Go to www.campbellrivercha mber.ca a nd fol low the links to submit your question(s) online. Don’t miss this opportunity to ask your important questions before the polls open. W hat a success! T he nominees have been honored, the a w a rd s p re s e n te d , a n d t h e guests have now enjoyed the 2015 Ca mpbel l R iver Cha mb e r B u s i n e s s Aw a rd s o f Distinction, an event that received rave reviews from our

nominees, award recipients, sponsors and guests alike. On beha l f of the Ca mpbel l River Chamber Board of Directors a nd Sta f f, we wa nt to ex tend a hea rt-felt tha n k you ever yone who cont r i buted to making this event so successful. 2 015 Aw a r d R e c i p i e n t s: Bik ra m Yoga Ca mpbell R iver received the 2015 Business of t he Ye a r (1-5 employees) Award; FYidoctors – Campbel l R iver received t he 2015 Business of the Year (6-25 employees) Award; Ocean Pacific M a r i ne Store & B oatya rd received the 2015 Business of t he Yea r (26-49 employees) Award; Gr ieg Sea foo d BC Ltd . received t he 2015 B u si ness of t h e Ye a r ( 5 0 e m p l o y e e s o r more) Awa rd; Nor t h Isla nd E m p l o y m e n t Fo u n d a t i o n s Society received the 2015 Div e r s i t y L e a d e r s h i p Aw a rd ; Fresh Dental received the 2015 Excellence in Workforce Development (1-50 employees) Awa rd; McDonald’s Restaurants of Ca mpbel l R iver received the 2015 Excellence in Workforce Development (over 50 employees) Awa rd; Quay West Kitchen & Catering Ltd. received the 2015 Community Spirit Award; Campbell River Volunteer Society received the 2015 Not For Profit of the Year Award; She Works She Plays Active Wear Inc. and Signature Oil & Vinegar both received the 2015 New Business of the Year Award; Jennifer Lestage of CR Animal Parties received the 2015 You ng P rofession a l Awa rd;

ASAP Geomatix received the 2015 I n novation & Tech nology Award; York Portable Machine Tools received the 2015 International Export Award; Skyline Productions Confidential Paper Shredding/File Safe (Campbell River and District A ssociation for Com mu n ity Living) received the 2015 Social Enterprise Award and Kermit Dahl of Associated Tire & Auto received the 2015 Board of Governors Award. I n a d d it ion to t h e awa rd s presentat ion, h ig h l ig hts of the evening included the del iciou s app et i zers a nd desserts, the l ive auction a nd d raws a nd t he enter ta i n i ng commentary from emcee, Ian Roberts. The Chamber would like to express a sincere thank you to Campbell River Kitchen Depot, Daves Bakery, Fusilli Grill, Grieg Seafood, Quay West Kitchen & Catering, Royal Coachman, SoCal and Tim Hortons as the featured chef and dessert stations. “On behalf of the Chamber, we wa nt to ex press ou r appreciation for the outstandi n g com mu n it y s upp or t we received for this event. Thank you to t he m a ny sponsors and talented volunteers who helped m a ke t he 2015 Bu siness Awards of Distinction a success,” comments Colleen Evans, President & CEO of the Campbell River Chamber.

by Innovation Island as part of t hei r “R et h i n k. R ew i nd . R e b o o t .” wo rk s h o p s e r i e s , starting October 27. The first i s t he “C u s tomer D evelopment Methodology” session, followed by “Challenge Your

SWOT”, “Pivot or Persevere”, and “Team Building”. Fees to attend the sessions v a r y f r o m f r e e t o $ 15 , d epending upon the session. FMI and to register online visit businesscounts.ca

Colleen Evans is CEO of the Campbell River Chamber of Commerce. She can be reached at colleen.evans@ campbellriverchamber.ca

Workshop Series Supports Small Business

OMOX VA LLEY — Existing businesses are the source of the majority of new investment and employment growth, providing more than 80 per cent of job growth i n a ty pica l com mu n ity, according to recent studies. As part of its suite of support services it provides to industry sectors and businesses, Comox Valley Economic Development (CV EDS) has a n nou nced its annual Business Counts Workshop Series, being hosted this fall. The speaker and topic line-up ref lects the wide diversity of industry and businesses within the region. With online marketing continuing to drive so much commerce, the “Online Reputation M a n a g e m e n t Wo r k s h o p ”, being hosted by Destination BC i n pa r tnersh ip w ith CVEDS, will be led by Daniel E. Craig, Fou nder, Reknown on October 14. Craig will explore

add it ion a l soci a l ch a n nel s, discuss branding and visioning, and will show attendees ways to bu i ld advocacy, resolve challenging situations and measure results. For the restaurant and food & beverage sector Ian Tostenson, President a nd CEO, BC Restaurant and Foodservices Assn will present “The Business of Restaurants in BC Workshop” (October 21), bringing together restau ra nt a nd pub ow ners, chefs, distributors, and producers to discuss trends and cha l lenges w ith the BC restau ra nt i ndustry. T he event will also feature discussions on the 2016 Dine Around Comox Valley campaign and other culinary marketing initiatives. T hat sa me a fternoon representatives from the Va lley’s tourism industry will join the food and beverage sector for a “Fall-Forward Tourism Marketing Forum” to review upcoming destination marketing

strategies, events and explore how tourism businesses can leverage these initiatives. T he “Understa nd i ng the Provincial Nominees Program (PNP)”, being held October 27, will feature Erin Seeley, Executive Director, BC PNP program, responsible for the overall direction of the Program. The BC Provincial Nominee Program focuses on attracti ng workers and entrepreneurs to meet the Province’s economic and labour market needs. The BC PNP has recently undertaken a redesign process, and this session will provide an update on recent changes and outline future plans for continuous program improvements to ensure the BC PNP continues to be a key tool to support the province’s workforce development and economic growth. Finally, a series of technology based workshops for small to med iu m sized busi nesses and start-ups is being hosted

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OCTOBER 2015

SHARING KNOWLEDGE AT BCCE CONFERENCE These presentations asked the questions of who do Chambers of Commerce serve, and what those people really need from us

TOFINO JEN DART

he recent BC Chamber Executives Conference a n d A n n u a l G e n e ral Meeting in West Kelowna (Sept. 9-12th) was a valuable opportunity to reenergize after the summer and learn from fellow Chamber managers and speakers. T he Cha mber network is a supportive one—we rely on the expertise and work of our colleagues, which benefits newer managers greatly. This knowledge sharing benefits our own Chambers, and by extension our members. T h i s yea r’s BCCE Con ference theme was “Fresh Thinking – Expedited Change”. The focus was on bri ng i ng fresh energy to the Chamber model as we continue to evolve as organizations.

Session s i ncluded look i ng at t he ch a l lenges of ch a nge (many of which can be found within ourselves), evolving the Chamber model, and the role of the Chamber in economic development. These presentations asked the questions of who do Chambers of Commerce serve, and what those people really need from us. As managers, we know the varied nature of the tasks the Chamber performs, especially in smaller communities like Tofino, but are our members aware? And how can we enga ge them so we are continuously providing what’s needed? Not on ly d id we hea r from our fellow managers, but this year’s conference team called on the leaders of other membership-based organizations, including the Canada West Ski Association, t he Vancouver Regional Construction Association, The Vancouver Board of Trade, the Forum for Women Entrepreneurs, and Today’s BC Liberals. Karen Beaubier and her team at the Greater Westside Board of Trade were exceptional hosts in West Kelowna, showcasing the local organic Rollingdale Winery as part of a gourmet barbecue event, and The Cove L a ke s i d e R e s o r t f o r a g a l a

awards evening. My thanks extend as well to the conference and AGM volu nteer orga n i zat ion a l tea m fo r p ro v i d i n g s u c h a v a l uable learning and networking experience. ■■■ Here in Tofino, we are gearing up for a fall full of Chamber events. We have already had the opportunity to experience our welcome back after summer. There will be a members Boat Cruise aboard the Leviathan II from Jamie’s Whaling Station. General Manager Corene Inouye and her crew were gracious hosts and we are grateful for Jamie’s sponsorship again this year of this favourite event. S e v e ra l m e m b e r s p ro v i d e d complimentary appetizers for t he event, i nclud i ng P icnic Charcuterie, Red Can Gourmet, Rhino Coffee House and Sea Shanty Restaurant. We are grateful for your sponsorship! We a re a lso look i ng a head to the Federal All Candidates Meeting, which the Chamber is organizing for Thursday, October 8th at the Tofino Community Hall from 7-9pm. All four Courtenay-Alberni candidates have confirmed attendance and we look forward to a lively debate ahead of the October 19th election.

Congratulations to the Ucluelet Chamber of Commerce for winning their bid to host the 2016 Tourism Vancouver Isl a nd con ferenc e a nd AG M! Sally Mole, her team and the community of Ucluelet will undoubtedly provide an unforgettable event. Jen Dart is Executive Director of the Tofino-Long Beach Chamber of Commerce.

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Busy coffee shop in Departure Bay Ferry Terminal.

Profitable seasonal Mexican Restaurant located on the waterfront. Established in 2002. Nanaimo l $395,000

Nanaimo l $78,000 Under Contract

News Stand Departure Bay Ferry Terminal, steady year round traffic.

New Listing!

Travelodge Reputable 91 room hotel situated on approximately 2.28 acres in the heart of Courtenay. Courtenay l $6,900,000

Floral Shop

Cabinet Shop

Successful flower shop with established clientele.

Thriving woodworking operation inclusive of land & buildings. Specializing in cabinetry and countertops. Port McNeill | $395,000

Nanaimo | $850,000 Nanaimo l $295,000 Flooring Retail/Distributor

Well Established Pub

Moving & Storage

Popular discount flooring retailer founded in 2003.

Superb neighbourhood pub operation in leased premises.

Nanaimo l $295,000

Nanaimo l $398,000

31 unit storage facility and moving company on 1.96 acres. Parksville l $2,495,000 l L&B

Gerry Van Vaals*

Hotel & Pub

Manufacturing Company

250 616 2155 gerry.vanvaals@DTZnanaimo.com

7 room hotel and neighbourhood pub. Land, building & business.

Well-established, profitable business located on 1.3 acres.

*Personal Real Estate Corporation

Port Alberni l $439,000 l L&B

Duncan l $4,975,000 l L&B

DTZ Nanaimo Real Estate Ltd. |

TF: 800 769 5757

T: 250 753 5757

www.DTZnanaimo.com

WEST COAST

OCTOBER 2015

CHAMBER WINS BID FOR 2016 TOURISM AGM Our own infamous Oyster Jim has been working on some awesome additions to our renowned Wild Pacific Trail that promises

WEST COAST

to be an experience to remember

SALLY MOLE

he Ucluelet Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce that we were the successful proponents in the bid to host the 2016 Tourism Vancouver Island conference and AGM. We’re looking forward to showcasing our members and our community and have a great team working on all of the logistics. Big thanks to Campbell River for putting on a great event last month and showing us how it’s done! We’ve had a very busy summer in our visitor information centres with our visitor stats showing a 40.9 per cent increase over last year. We were happy to hear that our funding will remain in place over the next three years which enables us to finally make some long term plans. As we move into our

membership drive season, we are loving seeing new, locally based entrepreneurs establishing themselves in our community. From new eating venues, to local public art, to clothing ventures, our community is quietly thriving. It will be interesting to see where we are at this time next year.

A visual aid to help with pronunciation, and no, we didn’t forget the “e” It is great to see our community investing in infrastructure that puts children and families first and furthers the vision of our town being a “family friendly” community. Our bike park has seen recent upgrades and we are the recipients of a grant that

will help us finish our skate park. Our own infamous Oyster Jim has been working on some awesome additions to our renowned Wild Pacific Trail that promises to be an experience to remember. With the great weather we have been having, expanding our outdoor

opportunities to get out and be active just keeps us wanting more. Bring it on! Sally Mole is Executive Director of the Ucluelet Chamber of Commerce at 1604 Peninsula Rd.

Tofino Bus connects North Island with South

on’t let the name fool you — Tofino Bus doesn’t just go to Tofino anymore. As of October 1, Island-owned Tofino Bus Service has taken over all Vancouver Island bus routes north of Nanaimo and expanded service on established routes between Campbell River and Victoria. With its new “All-Island Express” service, Tofino Bus now offers the largest scheduled bus service on Vancouver Island. Most notably, the company has added an additional bus between Victoria and Campbell River, now offering three runs daily and allowing for earlier morning and later evening departures. “When we saw that the former bus service provider had applied to abandon their routes north of Na na i mo, we saw a g reat opportunity to not only keep that service going, but also expand it in communities along those routes,” says Tofino Bus founder and president Dylan Green. As an interline partner with Greyhound, Tofino Bus uses a l l t h e s a m e s t a t i o n s , a ccepts Greyhound tickets and freight and has scheduled its buses to coordinate with Greyhound’s Victoria and Vancouver connections.

“Other than passengers getting used to the new name and the more frequent buses between Campbell River and Victoria/Vancouver, it’s going to be a seamless transition,” says Green. In addition to the more frequent South Island service, Tofino Bus now also provides daily service to Port Hardy. Naturally, it still offers its namesake daily express service between Victoria, Port Alberni, Ucluelet and Tofino two to three times daily. Founded in 2002, Tofino Bus h a s g row n f rom t h at si ng le route into a true Island-wide c oa ch ser v ic e, a d d i n g fou r coaches and mini-buses to its f leet and increasing its staff from 20 to 30. “Employing local people is just one of our company’s founding philosophies,” says Green. “We’ve always wanted to provide a convenient, carfree way to explore the beauty of the Island, and to do what we can to promote other Island businesses.” One featu re u n ique to Tofino Bus is that, when pre-arranged, its buses accommodate up to two bikes per departure. The company also offers discounts for online and advance bookings.

Tofino Bus Service isn’t just for Tofino-bound passengers anymore. The Island-owned company has taken over all Vancouver Island bus routes north of Nanaimo and has expanded service on established routes from Campbell River to Victoria. “We’re really excited to bring the philosophy and service of Tofino Bus to the eastern and northern parts of the Island,”

says Green. “It’s great to be part of the Vancouver Island entrepreneurial community!” For route schedules and more

information on freight, fares a n d c h a r t e r s e r v i c e s , v i sit www.tofinobus.com or call 1-866-986-3466.

OFF THE COVER

40 HELIJETâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S NEW ROUTE

OCTOBER 2015

Currently, they employ

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

more than 100, and the years can be largely attributed to a n across t he boa rd commitment to fine tuning the little things. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We pay attention to details at ever y oppor tu n ity,â&#x20AC;? says Sitnam. â&#x20AC;&#x153;T here are so many different moving pieces behind the scenes that create a seemingly effortless experience for our customers, but the reality is that the service we offer takes a h ig h level of coord i nation at every level of the business. Our commitment to those little things has allowed us to build a very strong operating record, and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve become widely known as a leader in air transport safety. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sa fety i s at t he center of everything we do, and that sets a precedent for every other decision thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s made. Our front l i ne employees a re ded icated to exceed i ng the cl ientâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

offer between 10 and 33 daily flights from their operations in Vancouver, Victoria, Prince Rupert, and the only year-round air base serving the Haida Gwaii region expectations, and if challenges come up, the management team is focused on making the customer a part of the solution. T hat combi nation of strong culture and processes has taken us to where we are today.â&#x20AC;? W h i le sche du le d ser v ic e s make up a signification portion of the compa nyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s business, it has diversified over the

Danny Sitnam, president and CEO of HeliJet

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years and added air medical transport to its portfolio, in addition to its highly customizable charter operations that serve sport fishing resorts, resource development operations and other corporate needs. Its cl ient list includes the likes of Telus a nd Steelhead LNG, among many others. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Diversification has played a bi g role i n t he s u c c e ss of HeliJet,â&#x20AC;? says Sitnam. â&#x20AC;&#x153;To grow a company you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t rest on your laurels and wait for things to happen. We took calculated business risks, some failed, and others have been successful such as our air medical operations. Sometimes you have to stare the devil in the face and make tough decisions if you want to grow. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Air medical has developed into almost 50 per cent of our business, and not only is it economically sustainable program, but the staff really enjoy knowing that theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re making a big difference in the world every day. T he g row th weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve seen within the sector is a testament to the way we do business. Our focus on doing the little things really well has opened up doors that have enabled us to have a big impact in BC.â&#x20AC;? Currently, they employ more than 145, and offer between 10 and 33 daily flights from their

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operations in Vancouver, Victoria, Nanaimo, Prince Rupert, and the only year-round air base serving the Haida Gwaii region. The combination of physical operations and a diverse fleet of helicopters and fixed wing aircraft give it one of the most flexible service offerings in the province. Since 2006 the business has served nearly every major sport fishing resort in Haida Gwaii, B el l a B el l a a nd t he Cent ra l Coast, providing a dedicated f leet from May to September that delivers daily transports of lodge guests and supplies. The air medical division received its first contract in 1998, and has grown to be the provinceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest dedicated provider. It serves the BC Ambulance Service with both a helicopter fleet and an on call fixed wing a i rcra f t that tra nsports patients from remote areas of the province to the care they need. HeliJet is also a major contributor to a number of different community organizations and initiatives, including the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation â&#x20AC;&#x201C; BC/Yukon, Prostate Ca ncer Ca nada, the Ca nuck Autism Network, The Arts Club Theatre Company, The Belfry Theatre, Dance Victoria and Rugby Canada, among many others. www.helijet.com

Global Connections.

FEATURE PROPERTY

Local Experience. Trusted Results.

Units For Sale or For Lease 1825 Bowen Road

Gerry Van Vaals

Quality Strata Office/Retail Building

Senior Vice President, Sales

x High traffic, central location x 1,049 sq ft to 8,000 sq ft

250 616 2155

Personal Real Estate Corporation

gerry.vanvaals@DTZnanaimo.com

INDUSTRIAL Greenrock Industrial Park

1930 Northfield Rd, Nanaimo

200 Tenth St, Nanaimo

4 & 8, 9 & 10 - 2525 McCullough Rd

75% SOLD!

Opportunity to position your business in this new industrial development in central Nanaimo. 1 acre lots available. For Sale | Prices Starting at $499,000

3,400 sq ft steel frame warehouse/shop with office featuring excellent visibility from Northfield Rd. For Sale | $575,000

Approx. 3.79 acres of industrial zoned land located in South Nanaimo. Suitable for single or multiple users. For Sale | $1,095,000

Operate your business in this ideal Nanaimo location. High-tech industrial zoning. For Sale l $429,000 l $595,000

5352D Island Hwy North

8755 Granville St, Port Hardy

INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES Nanaimo

Retail, Commercial & Warehouse

COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL MIX 20,000 sq ft building on 0.65 acre in Coombs. Ideal for owner-occupier &/or lease a portion of the premises. For Sale | $1,495,000

MEDICAL OFFICE BUILDING Well-maintained, fully leased, in prime corner location. For Sale | $3,300,000

Multi-tenanted property including residence. Property consists of three different zones.

Three level 18,000 sq ft commercial building. Situated in downtown Port Hardy on 1.55 acres. Court Ordered Sale | $429,000

For Sale | $1,395,000

DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES Commercial Land, North Nanaimo

1.84 acres of mixed-use corridor zoned land located near Nanaimo North Town Centre. For Sale | $1,295,000

4901 & 4951 Jordan Ave, Nanaimo

Build-to-suit opportunity located in Nanaimo’s most successful business park. Approximately 1.63 acres. For Sale or For Lease

6201 Doumont Rd, Nanaimo

Excellent 2.55 acre investment opportunity for multi-family including a well-established Pub. For Sale | $1,698,000

2601 Mission Rd, Courtenay

Highly visible 2.8 acre development site adjacent to the newly constructed Comox Valley Hospital. For Sale | $1,960,000

Information contained herein has been obtained from the owners or sources deemed reliable by DTZ Nanaimo Real Estate Ltd. While we have no reason to doubt its accuracy, we regret we cannot guarantee such information. All measurements and other information herein should be independently verified by the reader or prospective user and is subject to the user’s own inspection of the premises and due diligence work and to the user’s satisfaction with the results of such review.

DTZ Nanaimo Real Estate Ltd. |

TF: 800 769 5757

T: 250 753 5757 | www.DTZnanaimo.com

MOVERS & SHAKERS

OCTOBER 2015

up Great Greens Farm Market on June 1st at the corner of Koksilah Road and the Trans-Canada Highway. Great Greens Farm Market is a 5,000 square foot full service grocery store with Produce, Grocery, Meat, Deli, Dairy, Frozen Food and Nursery Departments that employs 40 people. Inside the market is a café that offers homemade soups, sandwiches and specialty coffees.

COWICHAN VALLEY Suzan Kostiuck is the new owner of Excellent FrameWorks and the E.J. Hughes Gallery. The 30 year old business was started by Michael Shaw and Janet Martinez who opened E.J. Hughes gallery at their 28 Station Street location in 2001. Michael and Janet are now concentrating on their online business, Pacific Outlook.

NANAIMO Artist Heather Goldminc recently held an open house in her Lantzville studio on Arbutus Cres. Her creations are sold in Costco stores. She creates wall art, Christmas decorations and more. Lantzville welcomes new councilors: Bob Colclough, Mark Swain, Dot Neary and Will Geselbracht. Fun Fashions has opened in Woodgrove Centre. Owner Cheryl Sharpe offers hundreds of styles of leggings.

Ryan and Kim Smith of Great Greens Farm Market the BC Hockey Hall of Fame. The ceremony took place this summer in Penticton

Dee Kinee CARLYLEART.CA

Dee Kinee has been appointed Community Engagement Manager of the Chemainus Festival of Murals Society (CFOMS). Former Chemainus hockey star Don Bodger was recently inducted into

Robin Ramalho has opened The Music Hall Food Co. in Ladysmith. It is located at 18 Roberts Street and offers everything from Burgers to Burritos, 12 different local beers as well live entertainment.

Thetis Island Ferry may undergo some upgrades according to rumours. The work would likely happen between January 2017 and March 2017. Chemainus Health Food Store is celebrating 8 years in business. They are located at 9738 Willow Street. The Owners of Cowichan Liquor Store, Ryan and Kim Smith, opened

Custom and commercial tile work

Cobs Bread is opening their second location in the renovated strip Mall that previously housed United Furniture. Nanaimo’s Real Estate Webmasters has been ranked by Canadian Business and PROFIT magazine as Canada’s 248th fastest growing company in its 27th annual Profit 500 listings. 49th Parallel Grocery Cedar Store had

its 17th anniversary. Rumour has it that Quality Foods has now applied to build their new store at 867 Bruce Ave in Harewood. The plans include a three storey 27 unit multiple family residential building on the property as well as the grocery store. Suncor is planning a dock expansion and is adding an office to their wharf facility on Stewart Ave. Bunzl Distribution that purchased Acme Supplies in Victoria has just purchased Planet Clean. Marshall & Associates move into their new office tomorrow at 35A Commercial Street. Damsels at 413 Fitzwilliam Street is celebrating 41 years in business. Coldwell Banker Slegg Realty announced the addition of Chris Sutton to their Nanaimo office. Chris is a licensed realtor working in the Commercial Division and holds a degree from UBC in Urban Land Economics. Empire Clothing opened at 202-1925 Bowen Road, offering both man and woman’s clothing. They provide a variety of easy to wear fashion for any occasion. Shima Karate is starting construction on a new dojo on Norwell Drive. They SEE MOVERS & SHAKERS | PAGE 43

Concrete polishing and preparation

Quality Flooring - From People you can Trust- Over 100 yrs of expertise Visit our showroom 3061 Barons Rd. Nanaimo ~ www.cornerstone-tile.ca 756-9996

MOVERS & SHAKERS

OCTOBER 2015

MOVERS & SHAKERS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 42

will offer 4,000 square feet and a guest suite. The building is scheduled to be completed in March. The Taphouse Restaurant is now open at 321 Selby Street in the old Nanaimo Train Station. Dennis Reading and Assoc. is moving to 55 Museum Way Discovery Community College opening at 101-495 Dunsmuir. A new express bus route, VIU Express Frequent Transit Network, has been launched and will run seven days a week. It connects the north and south ends of the city. The City of Nanaimo has declined a request to turn the parcel of land slated to be the downtown luxury hotel into a parking lot. The property is located next to the Vancouver Island Conference Centre. Windley Contraction Ltd. is constructing a 50 unit residential complex at 6330 McRobb Avenue. Olive This and More located at #2 – 6332 Metral Drive is celebrating their first anniversary. They offer fresh

olive oils from around the world, and oak barrel aged balsamics from Italy.

Valley Regional District is the city’s new Director of Human Resources.

Community Futures celebrated 30 years in business. The organization is for people wanting to start, expand, franchise or sell a business.

Inuktun Services Ltd has launched Inuktun InCommand Robotics in Houston, Texas. According to President, Colin Dobell, many of their clients are closer to this area and it will enable quick problem solving. They have satellite offices in Scotland, Asia and the U.S. but this is the first wholly owned by the company.

Foley Dog Treat Company, owned by Cheryl Foley has expanded and moved to 1945 Bolinger Road. Her business has grown to seven full-time employees and one part-time in four and a half years. She ships products across Canada and now into the U.S. The company has created Dog’n It, Bully Bites and Vitality Dog. They are offered at local grocery stores and specialty pet stores. Peter Morrison and brothers Michael and Ian Reid have been working to build a social network called Kube. They formed Red Scotch Software less than two years ago and will soon be ready to unveil their product. The City of Nanaimo has hired Victor Mema as new Director of Finance. He replaces Brian Clemens who retired after 15 years. Mema was Manager of Financial Planning for Wood Buffalo, Alberta and Chief Financial Officer at the District of Sechelt. John Van Horne, previously with the Cowichan

Rhythm Chinese Restaurant opening in University Mall next to Quality Foods. Wayne Krawchuk, owner of McDonald’s Restaurants in Nanaimo, Ladysmith, Duncan and Mill Bay has purchase three more locations in Victoria. He is now the largest McDonald’s franchise owner in western Canada and second largest in Canada. A new bakery to be located next to the new Riverside Fresh food store in Southgate is now expected to open late October. Northwest Environmental Group has moved to 1-1611 Bowen Road from former location at 151 Skinner. Their head office is in Victoria.

Locally Owned & Operated since 1993 We Service what We Sell 951 A Canada Avenue Duncan (250) 748-4847

Cowichan Commons (250) 715-1599

Now Open Thursday & Friday until 7 pm

SEE MOVERS & SHAKERS | PAGE 44

8ųŅĵ ƋĘåĜų ĀųŸƋ Ú±Ƽ ƋĘųŅƚčĘ ƋŅ čų±Úƚ±ƋĜŅĹ

Learn more today! 250 390 2201 AspengroveSchool.ca

N A N A I M O ’ S J K -12 I N T E R N AT I O N A L B A C C A L A U R E AT E W O R L D S C H O O L

44 MOVERS & SHAKERS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 43

MOVERS & SHAKERS PARKSVILLEQUALICUM Krystal Vaudreuil has opened Rocka-Bear Baby Swag and Spa. The 80 square foot spa is located at 147 Morrison Avenue in Parksville. She has combined her aesthetic skills with the growing need of local baby products. Most products are made in Canada.

Please send any business news to Shawn Bishop. shawn@businessvi.ca 250-758-2684 ext. 130

Locally owned and operated Ken-Dor Garden Centre celebrated their 5th anniversary at the new location on Qualicum Road. Qualicum Beach Fire Hall was the winner of the 2015 Community Recognition Awards presented by

Wood WORKS! BC at the recent UBCM Convention. They were recognized for their leadership in wood use for design and building of local government project. Vancouver Island Regional Library received an award of Merit. Melody’s Gifts had their grand opening at 142 West 2nd Avenue in Qualicum Beach. Carsten Krogh and Dan Harlow have joined the Bluenose Motor Company sales team. Van-Isle Essentials is now open offering everything from generators, bikes, furniture to clothing. They are located in the Pinetree Centre, Unit #6 – 1343 Alberni Hwy in Parksville. Parks West on Hirst Avenue, has been

OCTOBER 2015

operating for 35 years and has been purchased by Kevin Kinnear. He took over in February from previous owner Rick Westaway. The store employs 10 people and managed by Kat Vincent. Longevity Medical Aesthetics and Laser Clinic has opened at their new location 155 Jensen Ave East. New Qualicum residents, Sean Lymworth and Darcy Smith has opened Qualicum Beach Wellness, found along West Second Avenue. They offer a range of holistic services. Oceanside Travel Inc has consolidated with the Nanaimo branch and moved to 503-5800 Turner Road, effective October 1st. They have added Skype and at-home travel consultations to their services. RDN transit manager Daniel Pearce has announced Parksville will be serviced with a 20-person bus instead of the 60-person capacity bus. The North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre continues its 30th anniversary celebrations.

Road now offers Stair lifts and walk-in tubs to their product line of mobility aids.

CAMPBELL RIVER Merecroft Veterinary Clinic has celebrated 20 years in Campbell River. Sandra Poirier has joined the team of professionals at Septen Financial Ltd. She brings 26 years of investment and banking experience. They are located in the Georgia Quay Complex at 909 Island Highway. Somae Ranger joins the team at Campbell River Honda. Ron May is top salesman for the month of August at Bill Howich Chrysler. Hair, Nail and Pedicure Specialist has opened at 1688 Aspen Way. Metro Liquor has been in business for one year at Discover Harbour Shopping Centre.

The Errington Volunteer Fire Department is marking 50 years in the community.

The Ironwood Wok is now open at Thrifty Food Campbell River location.

Success Weight Loss had their 2nd Birthday celebration at 702B Memorial Avenue in Qualicum Beach.

COMOX VALLEY

PORT ALBERNI The Aberni-Clayoquot Regional District is considering hiring a collection agency to chase delinquent accounts. The City of Alberni uses collection agents. The City of Parksville uses Nanaimo based J. McMillian Bailiff & Collection, the company recommended to the District. Re/Max Mid-Island Realty moved October 1st to 4213 Princess Road. Walter Tarnowsky is the new VicePresident and General Manager of Catalyst Paper. He has been with Catalyst since 2000, most recently as director, Paper Mill Productivity. Graham Kissack was named VicePresident, Corporate Social Responsibility. Clip 21 Hair & Nail Studio welcomes back Delphine Matthews and Tammy Burns. They can be found at 4311 10th Ave. Alter Ego Studio and Cosmetology Institute held their graduation. Hannah Schuhmann, Paige Beardworth, Tanya Wilson and Kim Lauder received their certificates of graduation. Local sculptor Dave Parsanishi is one of 2 artists from across Canada showing artwork in the Salt Spring National Art Prize exhibition that finished October 26th at Mahon Hall on Salt Spring Island. The Card Corner at Kingsway Crossing now has an online store. The Comfort Zone on China Creek

Katie Maximick has joined the St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation team as Communications and Fund Development Assistant. Beachcombers Academy has almost completed its new Little Oyster Preschool. Beachcombers Education Society received $219,000 in provincial funding for the project. The preschool facility will accommodate 16 children and provides a nature inspired environment. Carmen and Glenn Wakeling of Eatmore Sprouts & Greens Ltd., is receiving $26,500 in Buy Local funds to promote their Vancouver Islandgrown products through retailers, farmers markets and food-related community events. Their business is located on 1.5 hectares (3.75 acres) near Courtenay and employs 35 people. Jonathan Woodhall is the owner and head trainer of Inner Dragon Personal Training. He trains his clients at Fitness Excellence. www. jonwoodhall.com Pearl Ellis Gallery celebrates its 37th year. Rumour has it that Bosley’s Pet Store is opening a new location in Courtenay and Duncan. NIDES principal, Jeff Stewart, has received an honorary alumni recognition from the Faculty of Education at UBC. He is among an elite group of the Education’s 100 list. He was described as an innovator in SEE MOVERS & SHAKERS | PAGE 45

MOVERS & SHAKERS

OCTOBER 2015

Inside B. Gallant Homes

A view inside B. Gallant Homes’ 2015 Vancouver Island Building Excellence Award winner of the Best Single Family Kitchen Renovation Under $50,000

An alternate look at B. Gallant Homes’ 2015 Vancouver Island Building Excellence Award winner of the Best Single Family Kitchen Renovation Under $50,000

MOVERS & SHAKERS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 44

technology and education. Maureen Glowasky, owner of Engrave it and Honor Your Pet Aftercare Services, has received the Minerva Award from the Women’s Business Network. She is recognized for her commitment to the Network and community. She has served on its Board of Directors for five years. Thermolec Mechanical Ltd heat pump specialist have been in the Comox Valley for 10 years. Vancouver Island Mountain Sports Society has been given a $9,000 grant-in-aid from the regional district. The Joint pediatrics welcomes Brianne Epp to their team. She will be the lead in the new pediatric program.

targeted to open at the end of October. Altiveris and Origin are proposing a new mixed-use development at the south side of Central Builders, fronting the Courtenay River. They are currently in discussions with city planners. Shelter Point Distillery’s 2.1-millliongallon cement tank is being repurposed as a film set. The former UBC research facility turned whiskey distillery is being used to film HBO’s Lewis and Clark. The tank is 300 feet long and 100 feet wide and will prove useful for movies water scenes. The Courtenay council have authorized the Courtenay Rotary Club and Island Corridor Foundation to redo the exterior of the Courtenay train station. The ICF owned building is a designated heritage site.

Local Surgeon Dr. Tom Woods, an orthopedic surgeon at St. Joseph’s Hospital is featured in the show ‘Keeping Canada Alive”. It offers a look at the Canada’s health care system. Executive producer John Ritchie and series producer Diana Bodnar selected St. Joseph’s because of its unique location on the Island.

Tofino artist Claire Watson is working on the new trend of colouring books for adults.

The Comox Valley Curling Club is almost finished the newly renovated Comox Valley Curling Centre. The project cost about $2-million and

Cleo Tetrault, RMT is now at Pacific Coast Massage Therapy. They are located at #11 – 1636 Peninsula Road in Ucluelet.

Cathy Beise joins the team at Septen Financial Ltd.

WEST COAST

An interior view of Schooner Cove, a project that received a complete renovation of the main floor, and was named as a Finalist for Best Renovation Under $50,000

OPINION

OCTOBER 2015 A division of Invest Northwest Publishing Ltd. Vancouver Island Office 25 Cavan Street,Nanaimo, BC V9R 2T9 Toll free: 1.866.758.2684 Fax: 1.778.441.3373 Email: info@businessexaminer.ca Website: www.businessexaminer.ca

PUBLISHER/EDITOR | Lise MacDonald, lise@businessexaminer.ca SALES | Shawn Bishop – shawn@businessexaminer.ca, Josh Higgins – josh@businessexaminer.ca, Joanne Iormetti – joanne@businessexaminer.ca WRITERS | Goody Niosi, Julia MacDonald, John MacDonald, Beth Hendry-Yim, David Holmes WEBSITE | John MacDonald – john@businessexaminer.ca

EXPLAINING THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SOCIALISM AND FREE ENTERPRISE IS A SIMPLE BUT NECESSARY EXERCISE

MARK MACDONALD

re we equipping our children with tools and information they’ll need to succeed once they leave school? We know – and boy do we know – that our kids are being taught the epi-importance of having a healthy level of self esteem. And the environment. But what about other important things in life? Specifically, what are our children learning about the economy and business? Very little, it seems, and when the lessons are presented, the information can be somewhat jaded. It is a common misconception with young people that just

because someone is in business, they’ve made it. They’re rich! Somehow they’re getting the idea that success in business is achieved “By taking advantage of others, or at the expense of customers,” are other erroneous thoughts. In reality, those that conduct their affairs thusly soon find out they’re putting up “Closed” signs. Businesses are not easy to run, as an estimated 50 per cent of businesses fail – and that number rises to 85 per cent for restaurants and eating establishments. Clearly, it is not easy, and from my own anecdotal research gleaned from 25 years of interviewing business people, I can tell you that anyone who has had corporate success has followed a path complete with many bumps and divots that they’ve managed to navigate in order to reach their goals. And, as I’ve said many times, they’ve injected plenty of elbow grease and good old hard work into their companies. A recent conversation with a young high school graduate (or thereabouts) was, I believe, a microcosm of what kids today are

being taught – or not being taught – about the connection between the economy and the lifestyle we live as Canadians. I asked if he knew the difference between free enterprise-style government and socialism. He didn’t, and I could tell from the puzzled look on his face that this topic had never been broached. So I explained it to him. Free enterprise governments believe in lower taxes for individuals and businesses. To those that don’t understand this concept, they think it will directly result in lower government revenues, and thus less publicly funded programs. In reality, what happens when governments take less from our pockets is that people spend more. They redistribute that money throughout the communities they live when they choose where to spend it. Businesses thrive this way, as they’re busier. Companies also benefit when their tax burden is lightened. With less obstructive up-front tax costs, business owners are more willing to take calculated risks to move their firms forward, which often

results in expansion. Growing companies hire more people, which means more people employed, more taxes for the government, and at the end of the day, business owners write cheques to the government based on their profitability. Government revenues rise this way, meaning the costs of social programs and benefits we’ve come to expect are covered. Literally, everyone benefits. “Oh,” he responded. I could tell that for him, this was an entirely new concept. I then explained socialism, or what I term “Robin Hood Economics”, where governments rob from the so-called rich and redistribute to whom they deem to be in need. That puts government in a position to play favourites when it comes to wealth redistribution, and also makes citizens more government-dependent. Taking more tax dollars away from people and corporations are major disincentives and such initiatives are ambition killing. Why work any harder or expand if employees and owners can’t get more

out for putting more in? A basic understanding of the relationship between salespeople and commission - and in the restaurant business, servers and customers – reveal that people work harder if there’s a reason to, namely more earning potential and bigger paycheques. Is that crass commercialism, or a simple deduction about human nature? I boiled it down for him: “Would you work harder if you kept less and the government kept more?” “No,” he replied. And why would he? Why would anyone? That, I explained, is the bottom line with Socialism. Free enteprise, on the other hand, thrives on incentives and offers opportunity and hope. These are the types of things our young people should be taught in school. They’d be much better prepared for life, and they’d understand the importance of a thriving, healthy business community and economy. It is that, after all, which pays for the services and lifestyle we hold dear in Canada, and provides jobs and futures for individuals and families.

RAISING CORPORATE TAXES IS BAD ECONOMIC POLICY

CHARLES LAMMAM

ne of Canada’s most important positive policy reforms over the past 15 years has been on corporate taxes. Federal and provincial governments of all political stripes realized the economically damaging effect of corporate income taxes and lowered rates to make the business tax regime more competitive. This includes Jean Chrétien’s federal Liberals, Gordon Campbell’s BC Liberals, Ralph Klein’s Progressive Conservatives, Lorne Calvert’s NDP government in Saskatchewan, Gary Doer’s NDP government in Manitoba, Shawn Graham’s New Brunswick Liberals, and Dalton McGuinty’s Ontario Liberals. As a result, from 2000 to 2015, Canada’s combined federal-provincial corporate income tax rate fell dramatically from 42.4 per cent to 26.3 per cent (see chart below).The

cross-party agreement on cutting corporate taxes is because of the significant benefits provided to all Canadians by making the economic landscape more attractive for investment. Jurisdictions that lower business taxes increase the after-tax rate of return on investment. And increased returns improve the incentives for investment. When businesses invest in machinery, equipment and technology, workers have more capital to work with and can produce more and higher valued output for each hour they work, making them more

productive. Because increased productivity leads to higher wages, workers, in the end, benefit greatly from corporate tax reductions. And increased investment can also lead to more jobs and a faster growing economy. Unfortunately, we’ve seen some backsliding recently with governments in Alberta, British Columbia and New Brunswick raising corporate taxes. And now, federal politicians are making pronouncements along these lines. But in the past, Liberal, NDP, Conservative and Progressive

Conservative governments all reduced corporate tax rates to improve our economy because the evidence on the beneficial economic impact of lower corporate taxes is well-documented (see also here). For instance, a recent Department of Finance Canada study analyzed corporate tax cuts implemented by the federal Liberals between 2000 and 2004 and found that each 10 per cent reduction in the after-tax cost of capital increased the amount of capital by 7 per cent. In a study led by former World Bank Chief Economist Simeon Djankov, the authors analyzed data from 85 countries and found that higher corporate taxes produce negative economic effects including reduced investment and entrepreneurial activity. An OECD study explored the direct relationship between various taxes and economic growth for 21 developed countries over the period 1971 to 2004. While personal income, consumption and property taxes all had negative effects on per person income growth, corporate income taxes had the most damaging effect. A similar result was found in an analysis of Canadian provinces by professors Bev Dahlby and Ergete Ferede: higher corporate taxes are associated with greater declines in

the tax base compared to other taxes. Aside from the formal studies, Canada’s recent experience is telling of the beneficial results of tax reductions and fiscal reforms, which helped drive strong economic performance relative to the U.S. and most other G7 countries over the period 1997 to 2007. As corporate and other taxes declined, Canada outperformed other countries on investment growth, job creation and overall economic growth. The reality of the global economy is that countries compete with one another for investment, so any advantage is critical. And the corporate income tax rate is an important component of a positive economic environment. Yet, according to OECD data, Canada’s combined federal-provincial corporate income tax rate (26.3 per cent) is currently 15th highest among 34 OECD countries (our statutory rate, however, is much lower than the U.S. rate of 39.0 per cent—see chart below). The evidence is clear: raising corporate taxes is bad economic policy. Authors Charles Lamman, Director, Fiscal Studies and Feixue Ren, Economist are both with the Fraser Institute.

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LAW

OCTOBER 2015

TAKING PREVENTATIVE MEASURES LAW

e have seen it many times before. A busin e s s m a n o r b u s inesswoman attends our office outraged that another business is blatantly copying their product. They want action taken and want it taken now. Copyright protection has no time limitation. If we can claim copyright protection on the product, we can take immediate action. However, design protection and patent protection each have a time limitation. If an application for design protection or patent protection has not been filed within 12 months of the first public disclosure of the product, it is no longer possible to obtain design protection or patent protection. Sadly, we mu st somet i mes adv i se t he b u s i n e s s m a n o r b u s i n e s swoman that they missed their deadline (sometimes by several years) and have no recourse. We cannot over emphasize the importance of taking early action to protect your product. Unfortunately, due to time limitations, a decision must

The law recognizes

would never have been granted by the Trademarks Office had the facts been known. Unlike other types of property, such as real estate and automobiles, it is possible to lose control of “Intellectual Property” assets. The title of this article is “taking preventative measures”. The intended message is to caution you to take steps to protect your Intellectual Property assets as soon as you rea lize that you have created something of value that others may wish to take and use for their own purposes.

“common law” Trademark rights, if a competitor is using a similar Trademark in a geographical area in which you have worked hard to establish a reputation for your business

Michael Cooper and Doug Thompson of ThompsonCooper LLP sometimes be made before it is clear whether or not your product has significant commercial potential. Equally important is the name of the business and the name of the product or service. The law recognizes “common law” Trademark rights, if a competitor is using a similar Trademark in a geographical area in which you have worked hard to establish a reputation for your business. However, you cannot rely upon a “common law” Trademark if the use by another business is not in a geographical area in which your business operates and has an established reputation. We were recently consulted by a

client who received a “cease and desist” letter from a legal firm. A person, who was aware of ou r cl ient, took t he concept to a different city a few yea rs ago a nd sta r ted usi ng very similar Trademarks. To make matters worse, they subsequently filed and obtained Federal Trademark Registrations. T he lega l fi rm is now demanding our client change the name of their service business and Trademarks used in association with the service. In order to deal with this threat, the client is going to have to ask the Federa l Cou rt to i nvalidate the Federal Trademark Registration on the basis that it

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