Business Examiner Victoria - February 2016

FEBRUARY 2016

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Best of the best businesses on Vancouver Island unveiled at packed Gala January 21

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Greater Victoria

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Esquimalt 11 West Shore

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Sooke 25 Who is Suing Whom 26 Movers and Shakers 27 Saanich Peninsula 29 Salt Spring

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Harbour Air named Business of the Year at BE Awards A NA I MO – H a r b ou r Air Group was named Business of the Year at the packed 16th Annual Vancouver Island Business Exellence Awards Gala Thursday night at the Coast Bastion Hotel.

Harbour Air Group, with offices in Victoria and Nanaimo, is the largest all-seaplane compa ny i n the world w ith over 50 a i rcra f t a nd subsid ia ries Whistler Air, Westcoast Air and SaltSpring Air. Gold Sponsors of the Awards were H aye s S t ew a r t L i t t le Chartered Professional Accountants, RBC Royal Bank, Air Canada and Coastal Community Credit Union. Category sponsors included Grieg Seafoods, CIBC, CTV, Thompson Cooper LLP, Helijet and Invest Comox Valley. Bruce Williams of CTV Vancouver Island served as Master of Ceremonies for the awards.

“Some truly amazing

businesses were honoured at the awa rds, a nd deser ved ly so,” says Mark MacDonald of Business Examiner, which coordinated the event. “There are some very positive stories, and it’s astonishing to see the variety of ideas that have become successful businesses all across Vancouver Island.”

Judges for the event were Derrold Norgaard, Senior Principal of Norgaard Kratofil Professional Group of Victoria, Jolynn Green, Executive Director of Community Futures Central Island, and Marilyn Hutchinson, Director of HR, Sustainability and Growth of Greig Seafoods of Campbell River.

Their decisions were difficult, tasked with choosing winners in 17 categories from the 81 finalists. Following is some background on those taking home an award.

SEE BE AWARDS | PAGE 14

John Winter of Harbour Air Group shares about his company during his acceptance speech upon receiving the Business of the Year Award for companies over 50 employees.

JADE DU PHOTO

Proven Leader in Office Equipment Sales & Service Unity Business Systems is the Island’s only authorized Canon dealer

BY DAVID HOLMES

V

ICTOR I A – For nearly 40 years Unity Business Systems has been a proven leader in the field of selling and servicing the very latest in office technology. Thanks to a corporate transition that occurred last year that tradition of providing technological excellence will only get better. “Unity Business Machines was started back in 1978 by three service technicians in Victoria. My business partner

(Brent Cartier) and I acquired it in May of last year,” explained company President Andre Brosseau.

“I’ve been in the office equipment business since 1991, in Alberta and most recently in the Interior, but this is the first time I’ve operated a business on the Island. I’m not a new comer to the office equipment field as I also operate Innov8 Digital Solutions based out of Kelowna and Kamloops which I acquired after moving from Red Deer in 2013 where I was the President

and Founding Partner in Digitex Canada Inc., which had offices in Red Deer, Calgary, Edmonton and Fort McMurray.”

For Victoria-based Unity Business Systems the arrival of new ow nersh ip a lso broug ht the introduction of a market-leading product line that was previously unavailable. “A recent addition for us, and something not carried by the previous ownership, is the Canon product line. There is no other Canon authorized dealer on the Island, so we are the first

BUSINESS SYSTEMS 250.384.7243 www.unitybusiness.ca

Canon dealer on Vancouver Island which is really big news for us,” Brosseau said.

“Up until now these systems had only been sold and serviced through Canon corporately. Becoming an authorized Canon dealer was an important business move for Unity. Canon is the industry leader and they’re very stringent about the level of service their dealers must provide. They don’t give that SEE UNITY BUSINESS SYSTEMS | PAGE 5

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FEBRUARY 2016

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A Memora ndu m of Understa ndi ng was sig ned today between the provinces of British Columbia and Nova Scotia to strengthen workforce co-operation including innovation and participation in trades training in the shipbuilding and industrial marine industries.

“Shipbuilding and marine industries are important to the economies of both our coastal provinces,” said Shirley Bond, BC Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills T raining. “T hrough our Skills for Jobs Blueprint, we are re-engineering our apprenticeship and skills training programs using a data-driven system to better match industry needs.

We will continue to work with government and industry partners to align and improve apprenticeship training across Canada.”

“Seaspan is developing and growing a shipbuilding and ship repair centre of excellence in British Columbia,” said Jonathan Whitworth, CEO – Seaspan ULC. “This announcement supports our efforts to attract, train and retain the labour force we need to deliver on our government shipbuilding commitments.”

T he MOU is a resu lt of a n ag reement-in-principle Premier Christy Clark a nd Prem ier Stephen McNeil signed during the 2015 Summer Meeting of Canada’s Premiers.

Shipbuilding and industrial marine industries have unique training requirements. This MOU positions British Columbia and Nova Scotia to work together to innovate trades training in the shipbuilding and industrial marine industries, improving outcomes for apprentices and the sector overall.

Key commitments identified in the MOU include: Share and leverage best practices in trades training including the evaluation of international training models in the shipbuilding and industrial marine industries; Assess and evaluate the application of innovative training delivery models for marine sector trades training and jointly develop and implement identified new models as appropriate in the shipbuilding and industrial marine industries; P romote yout h a nd Abor ig i n a l people’s participation in trades training in the shipbuilding and industrial marine industries; Facilitate the deployment of British Columbia and Nova Scotia apprentices by removing barriers to employment opportunities and certification, including taking all necessary steps to vary any provincial apprenticeship requirements; British Columbia and Nova Scotia will share labour market information such as workforce demand projections, initiatives to support sector-based workforce planning and best practices in labour market data analysis.

VICTORIA Tourism Victoria Announces

2016 Board of Directors The results are in and the 2016 Board of Directors has been confirmed for Tourism Victoria. Announced at the Annual Tourism Victoria Christmas Luncheon and Elections Meeting in December 2015, the 2016 Board began their term on January 1, 2016.

“Over the past couple of years, Tourism Victoria’s volunteer Board has worked hard to shift to a strategy focused Board that handles issues critical to both the organization and the destination,” says Paul Nursey, President & CEO of Tourism Victoria. “I look forward to working with this group of professionals as the destination moves through a period of significant investment and ongoing growth.”

“I am looking forward to helping the Tourism Victoria management team to strengthen our tourism industry for future generations,” says Bill Lewis, incoming Chair of the Board. “Our object ives a re to help move a long key priority initiatives to strengthen and reinforce our position as tourism leaders and innovators within BC and Canada.”

2016 Board of Directors Chair: Bill Lewis, Magnolia Hotel & Spa; First Vice Chair: Starr McMichael, Starrboard Enterprises Inc.; Vice Chairs: Darlene Hollstein, The Bay Centre; Derek Sanderson, Island IT; Kimberley Hughes, Delta Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort & Spa; Past Chair: Dave Cowen, The Butchart Gardens.

Directors: Geoff Dickson, Victoria Airport Authority; Tom Benson, WildPlay Element Parks; Erika Stenson, Royal BC Museum; Brett Soberg, Eagle Wing Tours; Janet Docherty, Tourism Vancouver Island Appointee; Mark Mawhinney, Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce Appointee; Suzanne Gatrell, The Oswego Hotel; Allison Fairhurst, Abigail’s Hotel; Margaret Lucas, City of Victoria Appointee; Judy Brownoff, District of Saanich Appointee.

GULF ISLANDS Southern Gulf Islands Makes New York Times 52 Places To Go In 2016 From the rock y coast a nd pebble beaches to rolling pastures and forested peaks, the New York Times names the Southern Gulf Islands as one of their ‘52 Places to Go’ in 2016, making it one of only two Canadian locations to make the cut.

T he New York T i mes a n nu a l ‘5 2 Places to Go’ aims to narrow down travel choices for readers. The Southern Gulf Islands is described as having winding roads leading from farms and wineries to cheeseries, breweries and artist studios. Each of the dozen islands is noted as having its own character.

Tourism Victoria’s Media Relations department works with journalists from around the world, including the journalist who wrote the piece on the Southern Gulf Islands. The team also assisted with another recent piece of coverage in the New York Times entitled In Victoria, British Columbia, W here to Go on Trounce Alley. This a rticle describes T rou nce A l ley as

NEWS UPDATE

FEBRUARY 2016

a ti ny Eu ro-ch ic pedestria n passage connecting two busy downtown thoroughfares. The New York Times circulation is 2.1 million daily in print and 152.5 million unique views per month online.

VICTORIA Active December Caps a Busy Year for the Victoria Real Estate Market 2015 Victoria Real Estate Board President Guy Crozier confirms that the year’s real estate market ended w ith a ba ng. “We wrapped up 2015 with numbers we haven’t seen si nce 2007.

T h is past yea r we saw 8,295 transactions on the Multiple Listing Service, an increase of 23.8 per cent from last year.”

A total of 465 properties sold i n t h e V ic tor i a R e a l E s t ate Board region this December, an increase of 19.5 per cent compared to the 389 properties sold in the same month last year.

There were 2,517 active listings for sale on the Victoria Real Estate Board Multiple Listing Service at the end of December, 21.6 per cent fewer than the 3,210 active listings at the end of December 2014.

Crozier notes that the Victoria Real Estate Board serves more than 1,200 realtor Members.

“The great news for our Board’s membership is that in 2015 more than sixteen thousand buyers and sellers hired a local agent to sell or purchase a property.

Our profession couldn’t be happier about that kind of consumer confidence. With a market that’s ever-changing, and with a transaction process that gets more complicated each year, now more than ever buyers and sellers need the expertise of a Realtor. Whether it’s pricing a home in this evolving environment, finding a home before others do, or navigating a multiple offer situation through to success, our members are up for the task.”

What’s Crozier looking forwa rd to i n 2016? “It’s h a rd to imagine 2016 won’t bring more of the strong demand we saw throughout 2015. The inventory available for sale lags behind historical levels and if sales continue to be strong, it will be hard for inventory to bounce back. Sales show no sign of slowing this spring and Victoria remains one of the most popular destinations to live in the country. All of this points to a continued strong market.”

The Multiple Listing Service Home Price Index benchmark value for a single family home i n t he Victor i a Core i n December, 2014 was $560,900.

The benchmark value for the same home in December 2015

has increased by 9.4 per cent to $613,600.

BC New funding program helps technology-sector employees upgrade I n a sector t h at i s m a rked by rapid ly ch a ng i ng equ ipment and systems, technology employees need to keep upto-date with the latest information, skills and tools to stay competitive.

Premier Christy Clark along with the Honourable MaryAnn Mihychuk, federal Minister of Employment, Workforce Development a nd L abou r, a nnounced that a new stream of funding under the Canada-BC Job Grant (CJG) has been created to help employees in the technology sector get the training they need to succeed in the future.

A total of $4.5 million under t h e C JG o v e r t h e n e x t f i v e years will be provided to employers and organizations in the technology sector to help their current and future workers upgrade their skills. In the 2015-16 fiscal year, $500,000 will be available for eligible employers and organizations for employee training that begins before April 1, 2016. In each

of the following four years, $1 million will be made available for eligible employers.

BC’s technology sector is a priority sector identified in the BC Jobs Plan and a key driver of the province’s diverse, s t ro n g a n d g ro w i n g e c o nomy, c re at i n g over 86,000 jobs and housing over 9,700 technology companies. To ensure British Columbians have the skills necessary for these i n-dema nd jobs, BC’s Sk i l ls for Jobs Blueprint is re-engineering education and training toward a data-driven system so that programs are focused on training for jobs that will be in demand.

The CJG is a partnership between the federa l a nd provi nci a l gover n ments a s wel l a s employers. G over n ment

3 provides two-thirds of the total training cost for an employee up to $10,000 per person, while the employer is responsible for the remaining one-third of the training cost.

I n for m at ion on CJG el ig ibi l it y c r ite r i a , ap pl i c at io n procedu res a nd dates a re available on WorkBC’s website at: https://www.workbc.ca / canadabcjobgrant Additional CJG applications are being accepted this January and program details are now available at: WorkBC.ca T he tech nolog y sector i ncludes information and comm u n i c a t i o n s t e c h n o l o g y, clea ntech, eng i neeri ng, l i fe sciences and biotech, and digital media. It is one of the key economic sectors identified in the BC Jobs Plan.

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FEBRUARY 2016

German Firm Acquires Clipper Vacations New owner planning to begin Victoria to Vancouver foot passenger service

V

ICTORIA – There’s been a significant shake-up in the British Columbia marine transportation industry. On January 19 the Germany-based FRS Group (Fast Reliable Seaways) considered to be Europe’s leading international ferry specialist, announced that it had acquired a majority share in Clipper. This Seattle headquartered firm currently operates a passenger ferry service linking Victoria with Seattle.

In addition to the surprise purchase announcement, Clipper stated it will develop a new hub in Vancouver to allow it to begin a passenger ferry service between Victoria and Vancouver. Once approved Clipper stated the daily round trip will make use of a new vessel that is larger and faster than any it currently operates. The new ferry could carry as many as 400 passengers.

As part of the acquisition plan, the German firm also announced that it will seek US Government approval to launch a ferry service that will connect Florida to Cuba. The proposed service would be established with Clipper’s support.

“This is an exciting day for Clipper, as we are thrilled to join forces with another industry leader,” explained Merideth Tall the founder, CEO and Chair of Clipper in a media release.

Once launched the vessel to be used on the planned Victoria to Vancouver run will be larger than Clipper’s current ferries “FRS is a company that shares our values and our vision for travel and tourism in North America, and has long-term experience in markets around the world. Combining with FRS will allow us to expand our travel products and services to provide many more options for our customers that will now include Vancouver and Cuba.”

A Brisbane, Australia based company, Riverside Marine which is currently in the process of setting up an identical service between the two British Columbia cities stated publicly that it was surprised by the announcement, but not dissuaded

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from proceeding with its development plan.

In a published report Nick Cheong a Vice President with Riverside Marine said his firm is still proceeding with its plans. “Did this surprise us? Yes, it definitely came out of the blue. However, it’s not one of those things that would cause us to change our plans or rethink our whole decision to come to Victoria and Vancouver.”

The Australian company is hoping to have its city to city service in place by summer, using a vessel very similar in size and performance to the ferry used by Clipper on its Seattle

run. Riverside is spending an estimated $15 million get its service into operation.

“By acquiring Clipper, we are expanding our presence in the North American market, bringing with us our long history of operational acumen and connection to the European tourism market,” explained Götz Becker, CEO of FRS. “Clipper has an impressive track record in the Pacific Northwest and Canada, and will now serve even more of the Canadian market with a new Vancouver service. With

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the support of Clipper, we are also thrilled to launch a new ferry service between Florida and Cuba.”

The FRS Group is a global ferry and shipping conglomerate that currently operates a fleet of more than 60 vessels in 12 countries. During 2015 the company carried more than seven million passengers and 1.9 million vehicles on it various national and international ferry lines.

Clipper, and its subsidiary firm Clipper Vacations has been in operation for more than three decades and uses high speed catamaran vessels to service its Victoria to Seattle run and a companion ferry service that links Seattle to the San Juan Islands.

Tall is expected to continue in her role as CEO of Clipper, and expects to expand the Clipper team to support this announced growth. She also retains a minority ownership of the family-owned company. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed during the announcement.

“Together with FRS, we will continue to build our role as a major presence in the tourism industry throughout North America,” she said.

To learn more visit the Clipper website at this link: www.clippervacations.com/

ROB COOPER

T

echnology is often associated with software and gadgets, but t here a re ma ny compa n ies leverag i ng technology to improve on traditional safety and protection.

Cooler Heads is one such company, developing a flame shield for head and face protection. Historically, in industries like mining, oil and refineries, workers in high risk situations have had no way of protecting their face and head from flash fires.

W hile fire retardant boots, coveralls and gloves have long been used there has been nothing to protect the face and head.

It’s simply expected that workers unlucky enough to be caught in a flash fire will suffer third degree burns to their face and head.

Not being willing to accept the status quo, local businessman Edward Sawchyn decided to do

something about it. Despite the fact he did not have scientific training, he was certain that using sensor and airbag technology concepts that something could be created to solve this problem.

While the Cooler Heads Flame Shield FX1 is not expected to be commercially available until early next year, the product recently went through an official “fully destructive burn test.” The mannequin wearing the Flame Shield suffered 0 per cent 3rd degree burns to the face and head, a groundbreaking achievement.

One of the challenges of launching the Flame Shield is that the product has never existed before so there is no actual standard through which to approve it for use in the field. Says’ Edward, “There are no standards as there is simply no comparable product!”

Nonetheless, with Edward’s pa ssion for i n novat ion, t he ingenuity shown in this invention, and the life changing differences this product will make, we’re sure it’s only a matter of time before it becomes standard issue safety gear in many industries.

Rob is a Director at VIATeC and founder of PlusROI Online Marketing, a web development & marketing firm. He can be reached at Rob@PlusROI.com.

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FEBRUARY 2016

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The staff at Unity Business Systems is at the core of the company’s ongoing business success

Email: Info@FinelineMarking.com Phone: The company’s 5,000 sq ft warehouse facility has room to store machines, parts and a full range of consumables

UNITY BUSINESS SYSTEMS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

coveted aut hor i zat ion to just a nybody. T here are high benchmarks for a business to reach to be considered as a dealer for them.”

In addition to the Canon line of office systems, the Unity name has been a ssoci ated w it h Sharp a nd Lexmark bu si ness systems, companies that produce products suitable for any size or complexity of business. “One of the benefits of working with an independent business is that you’re not married to the manufacturer. If you’re working directly with the manufacturer they take a narrow focus on promoting software and products.

Since we carry multiple products we can recommend to an organization the correct equipment they are going to require, not basing that decision solely on one product line,” he said.

“There are pros and cons to every different product line. Our competitive advantage is that we can analyze someone’s business and then match their needs to the right system.”

W hile Unity Business may have had a change in

“We can analyze someone’s business and then match their needs to the right system.”

ANDRE BROSSEAU PRESIDENT UNITY BUSINESS SYSTEMS

leadership its clients continue to be serviced by the same sales and service experts they’ve come to know and trust. For Brosseau it didn’t make good business sense to break up a winning team. “It’s important that this business is truly a local business. We always want to ensure that we have a local dispatch, local service, local parts and local toner supplies. The customer has to know that this is still a locally-owned corporation. Unity has done a wonderful job in the past we have great people here,” he said.

“Our customers don’t have to call a 1-800 number back east for service, ours is a local organization where you get to talk to real people from your community who will assist you immediately.”

Un it y ’s e mph a s i s on quality extends particularly to its service department, which is staffed and equipped to handle virtually any maintenance or supply need. “Everything is centrally warehoused in our 5,000 sq ft facility. We carry all the parts, toner, and supplies for the machines we service on site.

If your machine goes down and for some unforeseen reason we can’t repair it we’ll provide you a loaner machine within a day.”

With nearly four decades of successful operation behind it, Unity Business Systems is looking forward to the challenges the future will offer. “Of course the future holds expansion opportunities, it’s going to happen it’s just a matter of when,” Brosseau said.

“Our clients range from small businesses right up to firms with more than 500 employees. Our customers ra nge f rom the person with one Lexmark printer to organizations with multiple pieces of equipment. Regardless of the size of the business each customer will receive the same level of care and service.”

To learn more visit the compa ny’s website at: www.unitybusiness.ca/

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FEBRUARY 2016

REGIONAL COOPERATION A SUCCESS – WITHOUT AMALGAMATION When the Goods and Services Tax (GST) was introduced in 1991, the federal government

GREATER VICTORIA

recognized that it could undermine housing affordability

BRUCE CARTER A new economic development group is being formed to promote Greater Victoria and help create the clean, household-sustaining jobs we need to sustain our community and contribute to our GDP. Over the last two months, the South Vancouver Island Economic Development Association (SVEIDA) has received the support of the majority of municipalities and a large number of local private sector companies.

Many households are having difficulty finding new opportunities to increase their income, some are struggling to simply keep up with rising costs. Students are graduating and moving away to start the careers they want. To build a robust, sustainable community, we need to

help create the type of jobs our residents need now and in the future.

With its 13 municipalities and the Capital Regional District, Greater Victoria has a complex arrangement of local governance, yet no one municipality has exclusive influence over any one resident. For example, while we shop, work, play, learn, we regularly – and often without t h i n k i ng – cross mu n icipa l boundaries.

Such an environment is not conducive to coordinated and

targeted job creation. Nanaimo and Vancouver invest more than $4.00 per capita in economic development; comparatively Greater Victoria’s municipalities currently invest less than $1.00 per capita at the regional level. In the last five years, Greater Victoria dropped from 4th to 27th in GDP growth compared to Canada’s other large city-regions.

On November 7, The Chamber’s Greater Victoria Development Agency (GVDA) hosted a public summit to discuss a proposal to fund a new regional economic development model.

The summit was a resounding success. The new economic development organization caught the attention and imagination of local governments, businesses, post-secondary institutions and First Nations throughout the south island.

In December, 25 regional leaders from across the south island laid out the framework for a new way of working together across political boundaries, SVEIDA, a tactical and collaborative economic development organization.

By April, SVEIDA should be fully functioning, with a Board and an Executive Director, at which time the GVDA will close its doors.

Although there is much work

FEBRUARY CHAMBER EVENTS • Tuesday Feb 2 Social Media 101: Getting Started in 2016 - 2 pm to 4 pm Chamber Office (852 Fort St.)

• Wednesday Feb 17 BC Finance Minister Luncheon - 11:30 am to 1 pm Fairmont Empress (721 Government St.)

• Tuesday Feb 16 Create & Deliver a Compelling Elevator Pitch - 2 pm to 4 pm Chamber Office (852 Fort St.)

• Thursday Feb 18 3 Steps to Becoming a Better Manager - 2 pm to 4 pm Chamber Office (852 Fort St.)

• Wednesday Feb 17 Chamber Week Member Breakfast - 7:30 am to 9 am The Bay Centre (1150 Douglas St.) • Wednesday Feb 17 Business Expansion Series: Selling to Latin America - 9 am to 4 pm Fort Tectoria (777 Fort Street)

• Thursday Feb 18 Business Mixer - 5 pm to 7 pm Coastal Community Credit Union (762 Fort St.) • Friday Mar 4 to Saturday Mar 5 Export Bootcamp: New Market Entry Plan - Fri: 9 am - 4 pm/Sat: 9 am to noon The English Inn (429 Lampson St.)

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FEBRUARY 2016

AWARDS OF DISTINCTION

Gold Magellan for Travel Agent Innovation,

By Travel Weekly Top Destination Wedding Award Mexico

By Love Mexico Karisma Hotels & Resorts; Hall of Fame Award Top Home Based Agent Canada Top Wedding Producer Award Top Sales Producer Award

DESTINATION WEDDING SPECIALIST IS MULTI AWARD WINNER BETH HENDRY-YIM

K

i m Cro s b y, o w n e r o f SunLovers Travel, is a pioneer in her field, one of the first travel agents in Canada to focus solely on providing fully customized destination weddings. It’s allowed her to develop extensive connections and expertise in the industry and special insight into what a bride really wants and needs for her special day.

“After I meet with the bride and groom in the initial consultation, they tell me how much they appreciate all the information I’ve provided and that they feel relief that they aren’t doing it alone.”

Crosby said her goal has always been to provide an experience that goes above and beyond expectations, not just by organizing the travel but a lso i n pla n n i ng t he whole wedding.

“I work with a couple for at least a year prior to the actual wedding day and offer advice and suggestions to make the wedding reflect their own vision and personalities.”

Crosby’s attention to detail a nd passion for her job has earned her some of the most prestigious awards in her field, including, what she calls, the Oscar of travel, the 2013 Travel Weekly’s Gold Magellan Award for Travel Agent Innovation in Destination Weddings. She has also won numerous awards from Karisma Hotels and Resorts and their Gourmet Inclusive Vacation Consultant program including: Top Home

Wedding at El Dorado Maroma Resort

Kim Crosby B a s e d A ge nt-Ca n a d a , Top Wedding Producer, Top Sales Producer, and the coveted Hall

of Fame Award in 2013.

“It’s a real validation of the many years of dedication and hard work,” she said, adding that over the past decade the industry has seen d ramatic grow th, and being awarded top in her field is a real honour.

She stressed that because the industry has grown it is important for a couple to find the right destination wedding specialist, one who has firsthand travel experience and has developed a partnership with the destinations and hotels to ensure they fit the couples needs and standards. Most importantly, the specialist should have a relationship with the

Travel Agent turned wedding specialist wins the Oscar of travel awards For more than 20 years Kim Crosby has been creating memorable travel experiences for her clients.

In 2001 however, when an existing vacation client asked for help planning a wedding in Mexico, Crosby’s business evolved into one of the first in Canada to focus on destination weddings.

Crosby planned and organized the wedding from start to finish in addition to booking the group flights and accommodation. It was her first, but it wouldn’t be her last, as not long after the group returned, a member of the bride’s party asked SunLovers to plan her destination wedding.

Since then Crosby has developed extensive knowledge and experience to help hundreds of brides turn their wedding into more than a ceremony and union between two people, but a sunloving celebration shared with family and friends.

onsite wedding team to access special attention and perks.

“They should also be able to arrange and coordinate groups with departures from all over t he c ou nt r y a s fa m i ly a nd friends don’t always live in the same community.”

Crosby believes that planning the most important day of a couples’ lives shouldn’t be stressful.

“A couple should be able to enjoy their engagement. A true specialist doesn’t just focus on booking the travel but in helping with the different decisions that need to be made and in creating the whole wedding experience.”

8

FEBRUARY 2016

WISHART ESTATES LAUNCHES IN THE HEART OF WEST SHORE

Contractors prepare Wishart Garden Estate lots for development

Mixed-use development offers unique opportunity for homebuilders

C

O LW O O D – G r e a t e r Victoria’s West Shore is now home to Wishart Garden Estates, a new, multiphase, mixed-use ocean view development.

B u i lt b y BC A lta Developments, t he Colwo o d-ba s e d resident ia l a nd com mercia l project will be built through five phases.

The first and second phases feature 24 single-family lots, and 22 town homes, with unobstructed ocean and mountain views of the Ogden Point breakwater, across the Strait of Juan de Fuca spanning The Olympic Mountains to Port Angeles.

A five-story, 48-unit condo makes up the third phase, and includes an additional 360-degree view of the southern tip of Vancouver Island, with Mount Baker, Port Angeles, and Sooke all visible.

Phase fou r is comprised of 15,000 square feet of retail and com merci a l space, i n add ition to 30 residentia l u n its.

T h i s p or t ion of t he proje ct will be located alongside the

Veterans Memorial Parkway, bordering Woodhaven Park.

The fifth phase adds another 21 single-family lots in a similar location on the west side of the Parkway.

“T here is noth ing like th is ava i l able i n t he a rea,” says BC A lta P resident a nd CEO Parminder Saroya. “It’s a really special project that’s going to give residents a unique balance between living close to nature,

and easy access to all of the incredible amenities the region has to offer. We’ve made some significant investments into the development that enhance the views and give current and prospective residents of Greater Victoria an opportunity to build a truly one-of-a- kind home.

“One of the things I’m most proud of is the fact that there SEE WISHART ESTATES | PAGE 9

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FEBRUARY 2016

One of the picturesque, unobstructed ocean views available at Wishart Garden Estates

WISHART ESTATES

“It’s a really special project that’s going to give

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

residents a unique balance between living close

is a 50-50 split between land committed for construction and land to be used for green space.

I th i n k that spea ks volu mes about our intentions with Wishart, the goal here is not just to come in, develop the land and make a quick sale, we’re here to build something that residents can be proud to call their own for years to come.”

Saroya and his team came up with the concept for this project approximately a year ago. They visited the area and saw the tremendous opportunity offered by the region’s environmental aesthetics, and the potential for a very strong real estate value proposition.

“L egacy a nd longev ity a re two things that we really focused on,” he says. “We wanted to be able to give people the opportunity to have a cost-effective, yet high- end living experience; this site has some

to nature, and easy access to all of the incredible

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amenities the region has to offer. We’ve made some significant investments into the development that enhance the views and give current and prospective residents of Greater Victoria an opportunity to build a truly one-of-a- kind home.”

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of the most picturesque views the southern tip of the Island has to offer. I bel ieve we’ve been able to do this through our multi- phased approach.

Where buyers can come in at the price-point and location s i z e t h at f it s t h ei r b u d ge t, but not have to ma ke a sacrifice in terms of location or environment.

“Another key component of this development is the access to m ajor a men it ie s. You’re minutes from Costco, Superstore, Rona, Walmart, Canadian Tire, movie theatres, ice rinks, recreation centers, golf courses and turf fields. There are 2 new high schools in the area, in addition to middle and elementary schools. You’re also close to the Trans-Canada and Old Island Highways, 30 minutes from the airport, and 40 minutes from BC Ferries. A lot of thought went into selecting this site, and we feel that it’s one of the most advantageous loc at ion s ava i l able for new construction.”

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Saroya has developed residential, commercial and industrial projects all throughout North America, and sees Vancouver I sl a nd a s one of t he fa stest growing real estate markets in Western Canada.

“We’ve noticed a boom on the Island in recent history,” he says. “There has definitely been a shift over the past few years, with a steady increase in people retiring, looking to downsize, or just avoiding the busyness of the Lower Mainland. This area offers many of the same amenities the larger centers do, but at a lower cost, and a slower pace. Wishart gives people the opportunity to live in a modern contemporary home anywhere from 1,700 to 3,100 square feet.

The first phase lots start at $315,000, and inquiries relating to options for future phases are invited.

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10

FEBRUARY 2016

MCCAULEY LODGE IS RECOGNIZED WITH TWO AWARDS After decades of service the new McCauley Lodge provides residents and staff with a roomier home and workplace

E

S Q U I M A LT - O n e o f the oldest mental health residences in the capital region, McCauley Lodge, has seen its fair share of change.

But last year’s redevelopment of the facility saw its biggest in decades and netted the $6 million project two commercial building awards: the Victoria Real Estate Board’s Commercial Division’s annual Commercial Building Excellence Award and the Douglas Magazine Community Award. “ Ment a l he a lt h i s mov i n g toward a more inclusive and modern community model,” sa id Darrion Campbell, past president, Island Community Menta l Hea lth A ssociation, who also accepted the plaques.

“These awards are an acknowledgement of the importance of mental health recovery to the individual and the city.”

The original residence, built in 1906 in the Esquimalt municipality, has seen many additions and retrofits, but after decades of service as a group home, it needed renewal, said Campbell, that fit the vision of the new model of mental health care and recovery.

T h e p ro j e c t i n c l u d e d t h e demolition of an existing 22unit group home, the recycling of an adjoining residence and the construction of a new three-storey non-combustible building on the combined and rezoned properties. It provides residents and employees with an upgraded and roomier home and workplace.

Each of the three self-conta i ned f loors have private rooms, a lou nge, k itchen, dining area and laundry

Darrion Campbell receives the Douglas Magazine Community Award CREDIT:DARRION CAMPBELL

“We wanted to build something that was sustainable, not just financially but environmentally as well.”

DOUG HOHENSTEIN DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS AND SPECIAL PROJECTS ISLAND COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION

facilities. There is a large commercia l k itchen, sepa rate staff kitchen and lounge, ten wheelcha i r-friend ly rooms, elevator and plenty of parking.

The backyard includes a smoking hut and, for summer use, a barbecue and a gazebo.

Doug Hohenstein, d i rector of operations and special projects, Island Community Mental Health Association (ICMH), said

that the project required a real attention to detail.

“We wanted to build something that was sustainable, not just financially but environmentally as well.”

Modeled using the LEED checklist, the lodge includes a north/south orientation for passive solar gains in winter and solar cooling in summer, a 90 per cent high efficiency condensing boiler with radiant panel heating, occupancy sensors for the LED lighting, triple glazed windows, R26 for wall insulation and R40 for roof insulation.

“Doug Sollows, the architect on the project, worked w ith us at each of the initial design phases to ensure the building wasn’t so much institution as home,” Hohenstein said, adding that the site development complemented t he ex i st i ng neighbourhood and residential character.

It was a pleasure moving McCauley Lodge in 2014.

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Construction on the new three-storey non-combustible building was on time and budget CREDIT:DOUG HOHENSTEIN

Residents have a dedicated smoking area in the backyard CREDIT:DOUG HOHENSTEIN

11

FEBRUARY 2016

PROJECT MOVING FORWARD ALONG MAIN COMMERCIAL STRIP The Township did issue 19 new business licences during Q3 of 2015

ESQUIMALT RJ SENKO

A Each floor of the Lodge has private rooms, a kitchen, lounge and laundry facilities CREDIT:DOUG HOHENSTEIN

He added that the project was also finished on time and on budget because of companies like West Rock Construction, lead contractor, and West Bay Me ch a n ic a l, w h i c h d i d t h e plumbing and heating.

Lori Mist, program director at McCauley Lodge, said that the lounges on each floor were designed to include space for exercising, arts and crafts or watch i ng T V, a nd that each floor is wired to allow for a separate locked ward, should that be something the community and Island Health require in the future.

“We also have a respite bed to assist the health authority and caregivers or for overflow from the hospital.”

Mist explained that ICMH’s vision is in providing supported care in an environment that enables recovery and the learning of necessary skills for working towards more independent living.

“We have residents who have lived at McCauley Lodge since

the 1960’s,” M ist said. “But we also have people who stay for two to three years until recovered and are able to move on to their own housing.”

Campbell said that the success of the rebuild was symbolic of the changes seen within mental health care, with care moving away from institutions and into recovery and integration.

“Much like mental health is foundational for overall health, h o u s i n g i s fo u n d at ion a l to mental health,” he said. “It’s one of the first building blocks you have to have i n place to start to rebuild your life, get a job a nd rei nteg rate i nto a community.”

H e a d d e d t h a t IC M H w a s supported at every level, from funding provided by BC Housing, Island Health, the Capital Reg ion a l Hospita l D i st r ict, United Way of Greater Victoria and the federal and provincial governments, to the neighbouring community.

“W hen we first started the public meetings we expected

some opposition,” said Hohenstein. “But the only questions we got were about where the current residents would stay during renovations, and when they would be coming back to the neighbourhood.”

Mist said that both residents and staff are pleased with the results, adding that the employees aren’t wasting time fixing things and instead are spending more time with the resident’s rehabilitation needs.

The lodge employs activity coordinators, practical and registered nurses, dietician, chef and support staff to work with the 30 residents.

Campbell said that the Island Com mu n it y Ment a l He a lt h A ssociat ion is t he la rgest community mental health organization on the lower island and offers housing programs and psychosocial rehabilitation programs across Victoria.

MCCauley Lodge is at 1037 Lyall St in Victoria www.islandcommunitymentalhealth.ca

Congratulations to Island Community Mental Health & all those involved in the redevelopment of McCauley Lodge!

CitySpaces is proud to have been the Project Manager from inception through to completion of this important project.

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s of the writing of this colu m n Cou nci l has had more than a month to review the results from the Request for Proposals (R FP) for t he Esqu i m a lt Vi l l age Project (EVP) and not a word from Town Hall other than the Mayor’s “Stay tuned!” statement in her A n nua l Add ress of December 14.

Wel l, E squ i m a lt residents and businesses have been “ s t a y i n g t u n e d” s i n c e t h e M ayor prom i sed to develop t h e p r i m e p i e c e of re a l e st a te a l o n g E s q u i m a lt R o a d as pa r t of her 2008 election ca mpa ig n. It’s u nclea r as to why Council refuses to even disclose the number of qualified bids it received or give a timeframe for an announcement. So for now it’s business a s u su a l rega rd i ng t he E V P – hurry up and wait – but if someth i ng concrete doesn’t get pou red soon, Mayor a nd Council may find that voters have “tuned out” at the next municipal election.

O n e p r o j e c t t h a t i s m o vi ng for wa rd a long ou r m a i n c o m m e rc i a l s t r i p i s a p rop o s e d 3 0 -u n i t c o n d o m i niu m at 826 Esqu i ma lt Road.

Proponent Mark Eraut of the Merdyn Group presented his plan to Council on January 4 and received approval to move forward to a public hearing.

According to Eraut’s proposal, the building will offer one and two-bedroom affordable s u ite s i n a s t yl i s h , mo d er n building that if approved will no doubt enhance the streets c ap e n e a r t h e e nt ra n c e to Esquimalt.

F rom a n e c onom ic s t a ndpoi nt it’s ou r hop e t h at t he Eraut project will be the start of a good year for redevelopment i n Esqu i ma lt contra ry to t he latest nu mbers for 2015, which show that Esquim a lt cont i nued to buck t he growth trend experienced in the Capital Region. According to the Township’s Third Period Report the total value of building permits issued during the first three quarters of 2015 was just over $9.5 m i llion. T hat’s less than a third

of the value compared to the same period the previous year ($30.2 million through Q 3 of 201 4). T he tot a l nu m b er of building permits issued is also down dramatically year over year – 85 in 2015 compared to 110 in 2014.

••• On a sl ightly brighter note the Township did issue 19 new business licences during Q 3 of 2015. That is just slightly less that the same period in 2014 (21) but it does bring the total number of businesses in Esquimalt to 692, which are 38 more than this time in 2014.

••• F i n a l l y, p l e a s e j o i n u s i n welcom i n g Wi l low T hompson as our new Administrative Assistant. Willow began her duties January 14 and will be i n the office T hu rsdays a nd Fridays (9am – 4pm). One of her top pr ior it ies w i l l be to help the Boa rd pla n ou r upcom i ng AGM slated for th is March.

••• Fo r m o r e i n fo r m a t i o n o n business opportunities in Esquimalt visit our new website (esquimaltchamber.ca) built

by Kelly Darwin from Seriously Creative or you can give us a call at 250-590-2125.

RJ Senko is a Vice-President at the Esquimalt Chamber and President of RJStrategies.

He can be reached at 250-888-3534.

12

FEBRUARY 2016

WELLNESS IN THE WEST SHORE: THE PACIFIC CENTRE HAS A PLAN

WEST SHORE JULIE LAWLOR

T

he WestShore Chamber’s February Mixer is being hosted on t he 10t h by the Pacific Centre Family Services Association (PCFSA). It is therefore perfect timing to tell you about their plans for a new Wellness Centre on Goldstream Avenue. This will be a 15,000 square feet centre of regional significance, based on Trauma-Informed design. While the whole second floor will be the counselling and meeting suites for PCFSA, the approximately 7,200 square feet of street level space will be available for rental from other health and wellness professionals.

PCFSA has been serving the community since 1968 and prides itself on taking a true pulse of the needs of families in our region. It is in order to continue to operate excellent services to a

rapidly growing community that PCFSA is investing in this new building. They will also continue to offer services from their other collaborative locations.

PCFSA serves 1000 adults and children each year, and they are finding there is an increase in pressure on services every year.

In November 2015 there were 50 youth who had requested service from PCFSA and could not be immediately allocated a counsellor. Mitzi Dean Executive Director says with urgency that “the planned new building is essential for PCFSA to be able to expand our high quality programs in response to community growth.”

T his increased demand for services led the PCFSA Board to approve the acquisition of a strategically located development site in the heart of Colwood.

Over the course of the year that PCFSA has owned this two acre site, there has been tremendous engagement from a wide cross section of stakeholder groups as to the mission of planning a “wellness centre of regional significance.” These groups include the City of Colwood (who recently approved three zoning variances), Vancity (who is providing construction financing), and the citizens of the West Shore (who attended the Open House.)

This project is a significant

development for the region and will aid the continued growth and economic development of the community. “The City of Colwood is excited that Pacific Centre Family Services Association has purchased land to build a facility in our community. We have supported their youth programs for over 30 years and see how effective and cost saving their service is” Councillor Cynthia Day of the City of Colwood has commented. “Knowing the high

level of need, waiting lists for child and family counselling, and the lack of counselling offices, we understand the need for more community-based options for children and families in need.”

While this centre is being supported with funds from the sale of another building, this sale will not cover the cost of the whole project. PCFSA has launched a campaign to raise funds through donations and in kind contributions. Funding is being sought

from all levels of government, businesses, foundations and the public.

Would you like to help with in kind or financial support?

Please contact Mitzi Dean on 250.886.2481.

Julie Lawlor is the Executive Director at the WestShore Chamber of Commerce. You can reach her at 250-478-1130 or jlawlor@ westshore.bc.ca

13

FEBRUARY 2016

‘Madison & Muse’ Models Small Business Innovation Home décor e-commerce boutique launches storefront

V

ICTORIA – Home décor boutique Madison & Muse has made a habit of challenging traditional business models since the day it opened.

The company was launched back in 2012 by Margo Freigang and Stacey Baker as an e-commerce website ded icated to importing European linens for North American customers. After seeing success in that corner of the market, they expanded their offerings to include other premium home products, and last year made the decision to open a storefront in Cadboro Bay. “There is nothing like stepping into a shop full of fragrant soaps a nd ca nd les, r u n n i ng you r f i ngers across a swat h of B e l g i a n l i n e n , o r t r y i n g on a velvet linen scarf,” says Freigang. “Those are things you just can’t experience online, and this expansion to brick and mortar has allowed us to provide our customers with a new premium experience.”

“We’ve built our own kind of retail laboratory,” adds Baker.

“The store is our own testing facility that we use to gauge customer interest in new products, and we leverage the results of our ‘tests’ to help us make better buying decisions for our e-commerce platform. Webpage views and other online metrics only tell you so much, the instant feedback that we get every day has given us access to a whole new level of insight that will enable the business to take on the next phase of growth.”

A key component of the overwhelming positive reception Madison & Muse has seen so far has been its focus on developing a company culture centered on quality.

“Home décor in North America has trended in a temporary a nd a l most tra nsient d i rection,” says Baker. “Many people now go into a big box store with the knowledge that the goods they’re pu rchasi ng w i l l last for a shor t a mou nt of t i me.

Ou r compa ny operates from the other end of the spectrum, where many of the things that we offer may last longer than a lifetime.

“Quality is critical to the experience we provide, and that’s rooted in our product’s European origins, where families often pass down heirlooms like linens, furniture and kitchenware from generation to generation. The fact that the pieces we offer are so rare in today’s world have been a big part of the growth and positive response we’ve seen.”

T h e c o m p a n y ’s d i s t i n c t

“There is nothing like stepping into a shop full of fragrant soaps and candles, running your fingers across a swath of Belgian linen, or trying on a velvet linen scarf.”

MARGO FREIGANG MADISON & MUSE, OWNER

Madison & Muse owners Margo Freigang and Stacey Baker in front of their recently launched storefront

A look at some of the different home décor products offered by Madison & Muse merchandise, combined with the intentional design and layout of its retail platforms are intended to deliver a unique experience that many consumers haven’t been exposed to.

“It was really important to us to develop something that we would actually use ourselves,” says Baker. “When the website was launched the goal was to

create something simple and aesthetic. We used the space on the page well, the photos were large and of high quality; our focus was to give visitors the best possible look at the product without them actually touching it.

“That simplicity and elegance has translated into our brick a nd mor ta r ventu re. M a rgo

spent a lot of t i me work i ng on creating just the right environment, one that ref lects our brand’s European roots.

Every aspect of the store has a purpose, from the fixtures to the products and colors on the walls. The passion and time that we’ve invested in creating this experience really sets us apart in the industry, and it’s

our hope that the customers coming through our door feel inspired to try something new and rethink their approach to home décor.”

T ra n sit ion i ng to t h i s new hybrid business model is anything but traditional for smaller-sized companies. However, it presents strong growth possibilities if leveraged correctly.

“T he relationship between the storefront and e-commerce platform is quite complimenta ry,” says Ba ker. “T hey enhance each other’s potential, and have given us a new kind of flexibility that wasn’t available when we were just online.

There were products we wanted to offer that didn’t necessarily lend themselves to being shipped safely or economically, and now we’re able to provide those larger, high-end goods because of the storefront.

“Throughout this journey of challenging the conventional business model, we’ve found that not only is there room for both platforms, but it became a near necessity for us if we were going to grow the company. As a small business we’re up against some pretty significant competition, big-box stores have i m mense buy i ng power a nd marketing budgets that we’re not able to contend with headto-head. However, what we’ve done is take advantage of the differences, our smaller size allows us to offer unique products, and really focus on delivering a premium experience that other larger brands aren’t willing to invest in.”

Standing apart from the rest of the industry has been an intentional and effective strategy for Madison & Muse, and one that took a bit of bravery.

But for Freigang and Baker, the risks have paid off.

“We couldn’t be happier with the reception we’ve received so far,” says Baker. “The future is bright for us, and we’re excited about what’s in store.” www.madisonandmuse.ca

BE AWARDS

14

Charles Garcia, VP Business Development for StarFish Medical of Victoria, receives the Technology Business of the Year Award from Doug Thompson of category sponsor Thompson Cooper LLP PHOTO BY JADE DU

BE AWARDS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Harbour Air Group – Business of the Year Founded in 1982 by three forward-looking pilots, the Harbour Air Group now has over 50 aircraft and is the world’s largest all-seaplane company and North America’s first Carbon Neutral airline, servicing around 400,000 passengers each year.

It also includes subsidiaries Westcoast Air, Whistler Air and SaltSpring Air. Industry Hair and Body Care – Small Business of the Year Industry Hair and Body Care offers a full service hair salon combined with a spa section that brings big city expertise together with small town concierge service. After their first year in business they came in the Top 10 for the Premier’s Choice Award

THOMPSON COOPER LLP

FEBRUARY 2016

Dan Little of Hayes Stewart Little Chartered Professional Accountants presents the Health Care Business of the Year Award to Thuy Lam and Jenecka Garton of Victoria Eye for the province.

Tigh-Na-Mara – Accommodation Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Spa Resort & Conference Centre is an all-season destination resort and has been proudly offering guests and the business community outstanding service and experiences since 1981. Just one of their many awards includes being named winner of the Humanitarian Award of Excellence

BARRISTERS & SOLICITORS

from the Hotel Association of Canada.

Hol lie Wood O ys t er s – Agriculture/Aquaculture Hollie Wood Oysters has been in business since 2010, and they supply fresh ocean-wise sustainably grown seafood direct to high-end restaurants and also help other smaller farms develop their businesses by partnering together to help out smaller farmers. Their farms are located

on Denman Island.

Associated Tire & Auto – Automotive A sso ci ated T i re & Auto i s a locally owned and operated tire and automotive repair facility in Campbell River, started in March, 2011 by Kermit and David Dahl. They provide ser v ice to a l l ty p es of r ubber-tired industrial machines SEE BE AWARDS | PAGE 15

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE WINNERS, FINALISTS & NOMINEES!

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BE AWARDS

FEBRUARY 2016

BE AWARDS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 14

Gwen Clavelle of Air Canada, left, presents the Hospitality/Tourism Award to Lauren Douglas of Orca Spirit Adventures of Victoria Client: HELIJET / Size: 9.80” x 9.30” / CMYK / BE Awards Ad

and automobiles, in all types of industry, from the Oyster River north on the Island.

Pheasant Hill Homes - Construction/Development Pheasant Hill Homes began in 1999 when Ken Connolly embarked on his long-held dream of becoming a quality new home builder and renovator. In 2007 Jason Schmidt joined the company as a partner and continued down the path of offering clients quality, integrity, and a commitment to listening to them.

Cumberland Brewing Company – Entrepreneur Cumberland Brewery is a tiny

millwork, manufactured lumber and architectural products serving local, national and international markets.

Oughtred Coffee & Tea Ltd. – Green Oughtred Coffee & Tea has been a fa m i ly-ow ned, Va ncouver Island business for over 40 years. Their mission is “to foster the growth and awareness of specialty coffee through education, customer service, relationsh ips a nd susta i nability. Oughtred is a leader in environmental responsibility and has taken its passion beyond its doors by i n spi r i ng other local businesses to adopt

brewery in the thirsty Village of Cumberland. It was started almost one year ago by the team of Michael Tymchuk who makes the beer, Caroline Ty mchuk who counts the beer, and Darren Adam who sells the beer.

Caroline and Michael opened Riders Pizza then waited for the right time and the right partner to realize the next step, building a brewery.

Canadian Bavarian Millwork & Lumber Ltd. - Forestry/Wood Products 34 years ago, Canadian Bavarian Millwork & Lumber Ltd. sta rted as a sma l l Eu ropea n style w i ndow a nd custom kitchen producer. It has since specialized in high-end custom

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FEBRUARY 2016

Congratulations to all the Nominees!

Best wishes for continued success in the year ahead.

CIBC Vancouver Island Commercial Banking Team Simon Philp Director 250-356-4271 simon.philp@cibc.com

Scott White Manager 250-756-3430 ext. 402

Garry Griffin Senior Manager 250-286-4300 ext. 401

scott.white@cibc.com

garry.griffin@cibc.com

www.cibc.com

Josh Higgins of Business Examiner Victoria presents the Green Business of the Year Award to Oughtred Coffee & Tea

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commitments to sustainable practices.

Victoria Eye – Health Care V ic tor i a Eye wa s e stablished in January 2015 as the first cataract surgical facility on Vancouver Island to house the latest Femtosecond Laser Technology and implant t h e s t a t e - o f-t h e - a r t intraocular lenses. It is a multi-physician practice that is equipped with the latest diagnostic and surgical technology to offer patients the highest level of ocular care.

Orca Spirit Adventures – Hospitality/Tourism Orca Spirit founder John Douglas was instrumental i n bu i ld i ng the wha le watching industry in the SEE BE AWARDS | PAGE 17

Bruce Williams of CTV provided ongoing entertainment as Mast of Ceremonies of the evening

COASTAL COMMUNITY CREDIT UNION – TOGETHER, LET’S DO GREAT THINGS!

P

rov id i n g ser v ic e s for almost 70 years, Coastal Community Credit Union (CCCU) is the largest Vancouver Island-based financial services organization, and among the top 25 largest credit unions in Canada when measured by asset size.

CCCU provides personal, business and commerci a l ba n k i n g ser v ice s, complemented by its wholly-owned subsidiaries Coastal Community Insu ra nce Ser v ices (2 0 07) L td ., (o f f e r i n g personal and commercial

insurance solutions) and Coastal Community Financial Management I nc ., (of fe r i n g w e a lt h m a n a ge m e n t s e r v i c e s through its Coastal Commu n ity Private Wea lth Group division). In total, t he Coa sta l Com mu nit y fa m i ly of compa nies serves over 110,000 people on Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands, f ro m V i c to r i a to P o r t Hardy.

CCCU was the first to b r i n g c ut t i n g-e d ge I nteract ive Tel ler M achine technology to the

I s l a n d , i n c o r p o ra t i n g live video teller service a nd ex tended hou rs of operation. Past recipient of the Corporate R e s p o n s i b i l i t y Aw a rd for the Vancouver Island re g io n , C o a s t a l C o mmu n ity is a lso one of BC’s Top Employers® for 2015. At the heart of it all is Coastal Community’s passion for improving financial health, enriching people’s lives and building healthier communities. Learn more at cccu. ca, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.

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FEBRUARY 2016

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A part of coastal communities

Kevin Gillanders, right, of RBC Royal Bank, presents the Manufacturing Business of the Year Award to Dhalie Patara of Revolution 3D Printers of Sidney

griegseafoodcanada.com

B:5.75” T:5.75”

The evening began with a Seafood and Prime Rib dinner served by the Coast Bastion

BE AWARDS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 16

region, launching the first covered vessel operation in Victoria almost 30 years ago, and helping to create the original responsible whale watching guidelines designed to prevent their harassment and injury.

Revolution 3D Printers – Manufacturing Revolution 3D Printers is a proud Canadian manufacturer

and research and development company that in 2015, launched the award winning and affordable Infinity 3D printers for schools and small businesses.

Pacific Rim College – Professional Pacific Rim College is Canada’s leading college of complementary and integrative medicine.

It offers nine diploma and certificate programs in natural SEE BE AWARDS | PAGE 18

For more information on Air Canada, please visit: www.aircanada.com, follow @AirCanada on Twitter and join Air Canada on Facebook and LinkedIn.

Learn more at aircanada.com T:6.25”

a Four-Star ranking according to independent U.K. research firm Skytrax.

For companies looking to save on air travel, Air Canada offers corporate programs for businesses of all sizes including Air Canada Corporate Rewards which is designed to help companies save on business travel, earn rewards and enjoy exclusive member services every time they book with Air Canada and Lufthansa Group* carriers.

Visit www.airanada.com/corporate to enroll your business.

Over 192 destinations worldwide.

B:6.25”

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ir Canada is Canada’s largest domestic and international airline serving more than 200 airports on six continents. Canada’s flag carrier is among the 20 largest airlines in the world and in 2014 served more than 38 million customers. Air Canada provides scheduled passenger service directly to 63 airports in Canada, 52 in the United States and 86 in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Australia, the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America and South America. Air Canada is a founding member of Star Alliance, the world’s most comprehensive air transportation network serving 1,321 airports in 193 countries. Air Canada is the only international network carrier in North America to receive

THE DOOR TO THE WORLD IS OFFICIALLY OPEN. S:6.25”

AIR CANADA THE COUNTRY’S FLAGSHIP AIR CARRIER

S:5.75”

BE AWARDS

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FEBRUARY 2016

7th Annual EVENTS & TOURS

MAR B 18 -

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• Kick off Dine Around at Tap Takeover – Feb 18 • Dine Around Mystery Mix – Feb 25 & March 9 • The Brews Cruise – Feb 27 • Wine Time – March 5th

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Every Friday / Saturday 5 – 7 pm

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Shawn Bishop of Business Examiner Vancouver Island presents the Professional Business of the Year Award to Pacific Rim College of Victoria

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Kal Dlay and Sharon Rai of Sharon Rai Hair and Makeup Artistry

BE AWARDS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17

CONGRATULATIONS to all the nominees

health, many of which are the most comprehensive programs in North America, and some in the world.

The Dave Team – Real Estate T he Dave Tea m is the

Here’s to your continued success, from all of us at RBC® Vancouver Island Commercial Banking.

Board CARE Award.

Level 10 Eurospa – Retail Level 10 Eurospa celebrated 25 yea rs of providing a “beautiful experience” in the Comox Valley in 2015. It was also SEE BE AWARDS | PAGE 19

RBC SUPPORTS VANCOUVER ISLAND ENTREPRENEURS

R

BC is proud to be a key sponsor of the Business Examiner’s 2016 Business Excellence Awards. This wonderful event celebrates our best and brightest businesses across Vancouver Island, a nd we at R BC wa nt to congratulate all the nominees and Award winners for this very well deserved recognition.

Entrepreneu rsh ip is a powerful force that drives innovation, productivity, job creation and economic growth. Here on Vancouver Island, more and more people are becoming entrepreneurs. T he desire to create and grow

Tom Siemens Vice-President Commercial Banking South Vancouver Island 707 Fort St. 2nd Floor Victoria, BC 250-356-4544

Kevin Gillanders

Vice-President Commercial Banking North Vancouver Island 205 Commercial St. Nanaimo, BC 250-741-3516

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® / ™ Trademark(s) of Royal Bank of Canada. VPS94217

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mastermind of Dave Koszegi, who has been in the rea l estate busi ness i n Port Alberni for 25 years – and maintains a 25 per cent market share. Dave is the only Global Marketing Agent in Port Alberni, and is a recipient of the Vancouver Island Real Estate

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a business, large or small, requires a combination of character, talent, vision, energy, timing and good advice.

Successful entrepreneurs know that good practical information and advice ca n m a ke a big d i f ference i n ru n n i ng a successf u l busi ness. You r R BC Accou nt Ma nager is your business partner and advocate, providing solutions to meet you r business needs, and help your business to achieve its fullest potential.

Your RBC Account Manager will: • Understand your company’s goals and vision

for the future, • Share their in-depth industry-specific knowledge and experience, • Deliver products, technology and services to help your business save money, seize opportunities and reduce risk, • B e your Go-To Financial Partner, working closely with your lawyer, accountant, R BC specialists, and other key partners.

Contact your RBC branch. Let’s make your Someday happen.™ Congratulations to all those nominees and winners at the 2016 Business Excellence Awards.

BE AWARDS

FEBRUARY 2016

19

Danny Sitnam, right, of Helijet, presents the Forestry/Wood Products Business of the Year Award to George Woernle of Canadian Bavarian Millwork & Lumber Ltd. of Chemainus

Michael Tymchuk of Cumberland Brewing Company receives the Entrepreneur of the Year Award from Alana Carroll of Coastal Community Credit Union

BE AWARDS

technology, improving health and saving lives throughout the world.

York Machine – Trades York Machine Shop Ltd. was founded in the 1980’s and employed four people when Dennis Cambrey bought it in 1992. The

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18

named the Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year. This is a full service salon and spa with an outstanding reputation.

St arFish Medical – Technology S t a rF i s h M e d i c a l i s Ca nada’s leading medical device development company, and it was founded in Victoria. It now works on some of the most interesting challenges in medical

HAYES STEWART LITTLE & CO.: HELPING COMPANIES GROW

H

elping companies grow and succeed by integrating business excellence in their day to day practices is what Hayes Stewart Little & Co. (HSLCO) does each and every day for its clients.

That’s why Janet Rowe, a partner in the firm, says that sponsoring the annual Business Excellence Awards is a natural fit. “Due to our size we have a lot of diverse businesses as clients. We want them to succeed, to grow and create jobs in our communities. We use our business knowledge to help them make decisions that should ultimately make them successful.”

“A lot of our clients are small businesses,” Rowe says. “It’s nice to be able to recognize and congratulate them on having an outstanding, successful business.”

Hayes Stewart Little & Co. is Vancouver Island’s largest independent accounting firm with offices in Duncan, Victoria and Nanaimo. In business for more than 40 years, the firm offers specialized services and core services including auditing, accounting and tax. They also provide many other services

While the firm prides itself on its professional services it also commits to supporting the community

i nclud i ng strateg ic pla nning, business valuations, corporate restructuring and reorganization, business succession, and corporate and personal financial advice.

“We have our own in-house specialists,” Rowe explains.

“So we can meet any special needs our clients have.” As a side note she added “With the change in governments there have been changes to tax rates that will affect tax planning; additionally, changes have been made to Trust r u les, ch a r itable g iv i ng, and life insurance. People should meet with their CPA to ensure their current tax or estate plan still works for them.”

While the firm prides itself on its professional services it also commits to supporting the community. Among the many community organizations HSLCO sponsors are the Cowichan United Way, The Festival of Trees in Victoria and Nanaimo, the Victoria Conservatory of Music, and U Vic’s Distinguished Entrepreneu r of the Yea r Award. “We believe in participating and being active in the communities where we live and raise our families,” Rowe says. “Especially in the smaller communities on the island, we’re all interdependent. Our clients are local. They support us, so we want to give back to those communities.” www.hslco.com

business serviced local mills, mines and logging camps, and today, with 44 employees, York Machine has 65 per cent of its business in building and exporting machines all over the world.

The Official Program of the event, featu ri ng photos a nd

a r t ic le s a b o ut a l l 81 f i n a li s t s i n t he B u si ne ss E xc ell e n c e Aw a rd s , i s a v a i l a b l e on-line at http://issuu.com/ markmacdonald7/docs/ be_awards_book_2016lowrez For further information, visit www.businessexaminer.ca

We recognize the hard work it takes to stand out in today’s business world.

Congratulations to every finalist.

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PRINTING Printing Industry Has Embraced the New Technologies Focus on Printing: The modern printing industry is alive and well right across BC

BY DAVID HOLMES

T

here is virtually nothing in our modern world that isn’t touched, enhanced or made more understandable through the involvement of the printing industry. From the color and logos on your take out espresso cup, to the shrink-wrapped transit bus you went to work on this morning, to the logos on the computer you worked on all day – somewhere down the line a designer and a printer played pivotal roles in making your day better informed and more enjoyable.

“Of course printing is far more than merely words on paper. Printers today are into car wrappings and building wrapping, signage and packaging. These are all huge parts of the industry. When you think about it pretty much everything that you touch has involved the printing industry,” explained Marilynn Knoch, the outgoing Executive Director of the British Columbia Printing and Imaging Association (BCPIA).

“It’s clearly a changed industry but I honestly believe the future is bright for it. It’s growing strong.”

One sign that the provincial printing industry is gearing up for the future are the recent enhancements made to the state of the art printing program offered at the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT). “BCIT was instrumental in starting its printing program and many of us from the BCPIA are part of that program’s advisory committee,” Knoch explained.

“We’re very excited about the program as it has kept pace with the industry, the instructors are taught by people in the industry so they’re never out of date. I believe this program’s graduates have about a 100 percent employment rate and they’re pretty well paying jobs as well so that’s all a plus,” she said.

“One problem with the industry is the low key manner with which it has trumpeted its own successes.

I think we need to be a bit better about getting the word out about the opportunities that are available in this industry.”

To help remedy that oversight, and to throw a well deserved spotlight on some of the province’s premier printing and imaging companies here is a brief profile of some of the operations found throughout BC.

The updated printing program at BCIT is helping to train tomorrow’s leaders in the printing industry

“Pretty much everything that you touch has involved the printing industry.”

MARILYNN KNOCH BCPIA

The “I” in BCPIA stands for Imaging, and for more than 40 years Coastal Imaging Arts in Comox on Vancouver Island has been preparing materials for printers across the Island and beyond. The firm offers a full range of pre-press services for printing companies, book publishers, artists and many others. Using both traditional and state of the art color management systems, Coastal Imaging’s creative team have the technical skills and perfectionist’s passion to handle all levels of pre-press services including color optimization, proofing and image scanning. The company takes its motto: “The Art of Imaging Excellence” seriously.

To learn more check out its website at: www.coastimagingarts.com/ With branches in Trail and in Nelson Hall Printing has earned a solid reputation as one of the SEE PRINTING INDUSTRY | PAGE 21

Virtually all aspects of modern society are impacted by the printing industry, including the printing of plans and blueprints

Thanks to precision color management techniques contemporary printing products are truer to life than ever before

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A new but very popular product offered by modern printers is the sign wrapping of vehicles and even buildings

PRINTING INDUSTRY CONTINUED FROM PAGE 20

premier printers in the Kootenays. With a team of more than a dozen printing professionals the company is equipped to handle all types of commercial printing assignments from business cards and labels to large format scanning, laser engraving, binding, mail services and more.

Serving business and private clients across the region Hall Printing can complete all routine printing tasks such as designing and producing letterhead, envelopes, wedding invitations, business forms, magazine printing and a full range of printed promotional products.

To learn more visit the company website at: www.hallprinting.ca/ Serving Northern British Columbia and beyond, Prince George based SpeeDee Office Experts is a family owned full service printer

that has been serving the region since 1958. An expanding enterprise, the SpeeDee family of businesses began its growth in 1964 when it opened a second location in Terrace. It grew again when it purchased a stationery store in Smithers in 1991 and an office supply store in Fort Saint John in 2013.

Today SpeeDee offers a wide range of printing services including catalogs, flyers, promotional products and even books. The firm, through its various holdings can also sell everything from office and art supplies to office machines and furniture. To learn more check out the company website at: www. speedee.ca/ In the provincial capital Hillside Printing has been serving the Victoria and southern Vancouver Island market for more than 30 years. Recently investing more than $1 million into new production equipment, the company’s

ISLAND BLUE: SERVING THE CITY FOR MORE THAN A CENTURY Victoria-based company has been in the printing business since 1912

V

ICTORIA – A fixture in the Capital Region’s printing industry for more than a century, Victoria-based Island Blue has adapted, evolved and prospered as technologies and consumer demand have changed it beyond anything its original founders could have imagined.

“We’ve been around since 1912.

The company was started by a map cartographer who had to reproduce his blueprints, hence the name. The company got going and it’s evolved well beyond that since then,” explained current company Vice President Rob Shemilt.

“Today we class ou rselves as a digital printer, your one stop for digital printing. We do everything from what we call small format right up to large format – indoor and outdoor.

The difference between us and what could be called a commercial offset printer is where they are ink on paper we are strictly toner or inkjet printing on paper which allows us to have very fast

turn-around times on projects.”

Over the years the company has moved from its original location, having moved several times around the downtown Victoria core. The company currently has two locations, the main office at 905 Fort Street, which is attached to a companion fine art store and a location at 2411 Beacon Avenue in Sidney.

In addition to the digital printing services and the framing and fine art sale at its art store, Island Blue also prints a full range of signs, banners and even soft bound books through it Printorium Bookworks division. An increasingly important part of its business model is the firm’s Net2Print online order site. “This is where you can either upload print ready files or create your own project using ready-made templates.

It’s a template service, you go in and select your background, add your text, add photos and you can create everything from business cards to books,” Shemilt said.

“We’re a family run business so we always make sure you get looked after with a great product. The key now is to embrace the technology that will streamline the process and keep costs down.”

To learn more visit the company’s website at: www.islandblue.com/

staff has a collective printing experience of more than 250 years!

A full service printer capable of handling everything from wide

format printing to embossing and hot foil stamping, Hillside Printing’s staff can take care of all of their customer’s pre-press and

graphic design requirements.

Popular product lines regularly produced include business cards and company letterheads, brochures, marketing flyers, post cards and rack cards. If you’d like to learn more you can explore the firm’s website at: www.hillsideprinting.com/ As is the case of Hillside Printing, remaining a leader in the printing industry requires companies to keep up with the latest trends and technologies – something the sector is well known for doing.

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FEBRUARY 2016

The core business of many local print shops remains the routine production of business cards and company letterhead

PRINTING INDUSTRY CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21

technology has certainly changed the industry in the last few decades it has given it tremendous new reach. The printing industry is able to do so much more now. The kind of technology that’s available and the kind of output you can get is dramatically different from what it was 20 years ago for example,” Knoch explained.

“There are a lot of things you can do now that you couldn’t before, new textures, new flavours and smells, it’s really pretty marvelous some of the things you can do with printing today.”

Continuing with the tour of printers around the province, returning to Vancouver Island, Print Three in Nanaimo has been a leader in the local industry for decades. A full service printer and copy centre, Print Three’s staff are trained to provide services ranging from scanning and digital printing to sign making, publishing and even book printing.

The company also provides its customers, primarily small to medium sized businesses, with various integrated marketing services such as direct mail design and distribution, the development of promotional products and different online marketing services. To learn more visit the company’s website at: www.print3nanaimo.com/ The appropriately named Kelowna Insta Print has been serving the Kelowna region for many years offering a one stop shop for a full range of design and print solutions. A partial list of the company’s product line include professional graphic design services, full and spot color traditional printing, digital printing and a variety of bindery options. Geared to serve the needs of small to medium business Kelowna Insta Print also provides full web design services, from concept right through to online publishing.

The firm’s team (with more than 30 years of combined experience) takes pride in providing creative solutions for any design or print assignment. To lean more the company’s website can be viewed here: www. kiprint.com/ Servicing North British Columbia, Community Printers and Stationers opened its doors in 1981 in Dawson Creek before opening a second outlet in Fort St. John in 2002.

Providing printing services for both business and personal clients the firm operates the only full color Heidelberg Sheet-fed press in the entire Peace River Country. For short runs the company operates a range

of digital color printing options, handling projects up to 60” wide.

Quick to embrace new technologies the company also has a large laminating system that can handle everything from large photos to maps and also completes projects such as car wraps and floor graphics. To see how this company can help your business pay a visit to its website at this link: www. communityprinters.com/ Returning to Vancouver Island, Flynn Printing has been serving the Victoria market since 1954. A true full service printer the company delivers a complete range of color process printing services. This capital city printer can handle any task from simple black and white photocopying to the design and printing of full color catalogs.

Routine printing jobs such as corporate letterheads, envelopes, business forms, post cards and other marketing pieces are also handled on an almost daily basis. To learn more visit the company’s website at: www. flynnprinting.com/ “Sure companies can have a color laser printer in the office and figure it’s just as easy to run off their jobs in-house, but when you start to add up the cost of the consumables for those things you’ll soon realize that it often makes more sense to take the job to the printer down the street as they can offer very competitive prices, especially at the per unit cost,” Knoch said.

“Printing is alive and well in BC. It’s a growing and vibrant industry and one that’s well suited to the needs of the 21st Century.

It’s not a sunset industry by any stretch of the imagination. The technology is getting more fantastic all of the time.”

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HOPE CENTRE: A PROVEN MODEL FOR FUTURE PROJECTS Sooke affordable housing project a true collaborative effort

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O OK E – T here a re few better examples of a successful collaborative effort tha n the Hope Centre affordable housing project in Sooke. Opened about a yea r ago at 6750 West Coast Road in the community, the mixed-use development was designed and built through the determined Kevin Albers is the Chief effort of the M’akola Group of Executive Officer of the Societies a nd the Society of M’akola Group of Societies Saint Vincent de Paul of Vancouver Island.

“Everybody involved T he project was developed as a mixed-use facility featur- played a critical role in ing low income rental accommodation in addition to office seeing this through.” and commercial space. As the M’a kol a Group wa s cre ated KEVIN ALBERS in large part to help provide CEO M’AKOLA GROUP safe and affordable housing for First Nation families, the development is one of a number of projects the Society has been instrumental in establishing around the province since its inception in 1984. “ We h a v e b u i l d i n g s a n d p ro j e c t s a l l o v e r B C . C u rrently weCongratulations house about 5,000 Campbell Construction family members in about 1,600

The innovative design of the centre earned it a Commercial Building Award last year

on this incredible milestone of 50 years!

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Angela Hudson is the Executive Director of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul of Vancouver Island

housing units. Our focus is on providing affordable housing for both aborig i na l a nd non abor ig i n a l fa m i l ies. We offer a mix of different levels of affordability,” explained Kevin Albers, M’akola’s Chief Executive Officer.

“This is a good demonstration of how mutually beneficial partnerships help to achieve affordable housing solutions by offering a mixed use type of development in a community that has a need for affordable housing options for its residents.”

T he Hope Cent re i ncludes nearly 15,000 sq ft of residential space divided up into 25 individual units as well as more than 3,000 sq ft of commercial space. Designed to provide affordable housing for at risk youth, high rental rates

in the Victoria area was one of the catalysts for starting the project.

“The BC Non Profit Housing Association just released the Rental Housing Index wh ich shows just how expensive housing is in the province, especially in areas such as the CRD (Capital Regional District). High rents, coupled with low vacancy makes it very difficult to find safe secure housing. Providing affordable housing is a mandate of both M’akola and the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul and this site was a perfect fit to redevelop. The project includes a ffordable housi ng, a la rger thrift store, and the social concern office,” explained Angela Hudson, the Executive Director of Saint Vincent de Paul in Victoria.

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FEBRUARY 2016

THE WHOLE IS GREATER THAN THE SUM OF ITS PARTS The gravest mistake a leader can make is keeping someone in an illfitting role

SOOKE KERRY CAVERS

The Hope Centre is a 15,000 sq ft mixed use complex in Sooke which features 25 affordable housing units for at risk youth “By focusing the housing for abor ig i n a l a nd non abor iginal youth, Hope Centre has prov ided 25 u n its of a ffordable housing within the town centre, close to supports and work, wh i le ensu ri ng the youth are able to live within the community they grew up in. Affordable housing is the first step in providing support for these youth to go to school or work and really break that cycle of homelessness for the rest of their lives.”

T he project, which was the winner of a Victoria Real Estate Board Commercial Building Award last year, was designed from the outset to featu re a commercial component as well as its main residential role. “In order to build affordable housing now in British Columbia you really have to look at multi use projects like this, multi development with commercial, affordable housing and other services in the same building,” Hudson said.

T he successful completion of the development was due in large part to the synergy the two organizations developed; from conception, through construction and now into operation. “When Kevin and I got together to take a look at doing some projects together we looked at the sites that we had and th is one came up as one that needed to be developed,” Hudson said.

“Saint Vincent de Paul didn’t really have the economies of scale to be doing housing out in Sooke so we said why don’t we partner here, M’akola will do the housing and we’ll do all of the non-housing components. We supplied the land and M’akola supplied an amount of money equal to the value of the land, so that was the beginning of the partnership.”

Involv ing a nu mber of d ifferent partners and levels of go v e r n m e n t , t h e s u c c e s sful opening of the centre is a significant testament to the determined focus of all those involved in the development.

“There were five or six different funding agencies involved with this project that have donated cash or in kind support including the District of Sooke who has been a fantastic partner in this project. Everybody involved played a critical role in seeing this through,” Albers said.

“If you pulled one piece out t he whole t h i ng cou ld h ave fallen apart. It’s an incredible balancing act and achievement when you have everyone putting in their commitment and ma ki ng su re they stay comm itted. No one g roup cou ld

carry out a project like this, not anymore.”

“This is definitely a proven business model that could be employed elsewhere and it’s been supported by BC Housing. To get these kinds of projects off the ground and to get a ffordable housi ng bu i lt we need to look at a business model that involves active partnerships and by thinking outside of the box. The Hope Centre is an excellent example of a successful partnership,” Hudson said. makoladevelopment.com/ hope-center/

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ou could put all the g reatest hockey players on one tea m a nd still not be guaranteed to win every game. In fact, they might not win any games. The reason could be, they simply don’t mesh, or there are too many similar playing styles, or they can’t fit all their egos on the ice at the same time. However, get together a team of misfits and because of their drive, desire, heart and talents, they could be the underdog that takes the cup.

Due to th is pri nciple – the whole being greater than the sum of its parts – building a cohesive, successful team is a tricky thing to do. As illustrated above, it is not all about having the greatest minds or the best talent. To a great extent, the success of a team is a function of inspirational leadership creating opportunities for meaningful collaboration while recognizing and utilizing the specific talents or expertise of its members. T he gravest mistake a leader can make is keeping someone in an ill-fitting role.

To get the most out of your team, take the time to get to k n ow w ho t h e y a re – t h e i r s t ren g t h s, we a k ne sse s a nd interests – and build roles for them around those attributes.

Change up titles, job descriptions and expectations. Because really, what’s more important, a standardized job title or organizing your team in a way that facilitates accomplishing both your and their goals? Then, allow them to do what they do and accept that they will fail.

Because from fa i lu re comes wisdom, insight and, if managed well, a desire to do better.

T he Sooke Region Chamber of Commerce has that desire to do better. We are a Board of misfits coming together with the shared objective of realizing upon Sooke’s potential. We have brainstormed, organized and created action plans. We have refined our role to our core mandate and will be focusing our efforts on economic development and supporting our members. We will do what the Chamber does and we will do it well.

But we a re on ly one player amongst the larger team of organizations in our community and it is now time for us to collaborate to accomplish our common goals. It is time for us to partner with our members and the other volunteer organizations in Sooke to move our projects forward and to assist them in theirs. It is imperative for Sooke’s future that the Chamber, its members, and all the individual organizations in Sooke cease being just parts of a whole. We must become a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts.

The article published in January’s edition for the Sooke Reg ion Cham b e r of Comm e rc e was a re print of Dece mbe r’s article written by the past p re s id e nt . You c a n f in d th e correct article by the current president titled “Sooke’s time to thrive” on our web edition here: http://businessexaminer. ca/victoria-articles/item/ it-s-sooke-s-time-to-thrive Kerry Cavers is the new president of the Sooke Chamber of Commerce.

WHO IS SUING WHOM

26 WHO IS SUING WHOM The contents of Who’s Suing Whom is provided by a thirdparty resource and is accurate according to public court documents. Some of these cases may have been resolved by publication date.

DEFENDANT 0707874 BC Ltd 710 Memorial Lane, Qualicum Beach, BC PLAINTIFF Mcgorman, Maclean CLAIM $ 18,373 DEFENDANT 0714576 BC Ltd 6-2966 Kilpatrick Ave, Courtenay, BC PLAINTIFF Stamp, Briana CLAIM $ 5,700 DEFENDANT Accountability Plus Business Centre Ltd 4th Flr 888 Fort St, Victoria, BC PLAINTIFF 888 Fort St Holdings Ltd CLAIM $ 22,174 DEFENDANT ASAP GEOMATIX LTD 16-2000 Jubilee Parkway,

Campbell River, BC PLAINTIFF Hanssen, Terje CLAIM $ 5,819 DEFENDANT ASAP Janitorial Services Ltd 16-2000 Jubilee Parkway, Campbell River, BC PLAINTIFF Hanssen, Terje CLAIM $ 5,819 DEFENDANT Best Buy Canada Ltd 101-145 East Columbia St, New Westminster, BC PLAINTIFF Unisync Group Limited CLAIM $ 134,390 DEFENDANT Canadian Northern Shield Insurance Company 1900-555 West Hastings St, Vancouver, BC PLAINTIFF RA McNally Planning & Development Ltd CLAIM $ 5,199 DEFENDANT Choice Building Contractors Ltd 23766 24th Ave, Langley, BC PLAINTIFF Pacific Coast Mortgage Investment Corporation CLAIM

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$ 820,375 DEFENDANT Easy Living Holding Ltd 251 Pine St, Nanaimo, BC PLAINTIFF Iritex Pumps and Irrigation Inc CLAIM $ 5,503 DEFENDANT Harrison Logging Ltd 2800 – 10060 Jasper Ave, Edmonton, AB CR 92 Holdings Ltd CLAIM $ 162,845

DEFENDANT

DEFENDANT

Kilgours Plumbing Service 621 South Alder St, Campbell River, BC PLAINTIFF Owners of Strata VIS 252 CLAIM $ 8,743

Remax First Realty 710 Memorial Lane, Qualicum Beach, BC PLAINTIFF Lambert, Valerie Charlene CLAIM $ 7,275

DEFENDANT McMullen Mechanical 1250 Judge Pl, Victoria, BC PLAINTIFF Earthbound Homes CLAIM $ 25,105

DEFENDANT Evans Bay Contracting Ltd 4 Lambert Rd, Surge Narrows, BC PLAINTIFF CR 92 Holdings Ltd CLAIM $ 69,276

DEFENDANT Mountain Equipment Co-operative 1077 Great Northern Way, Vancouver, BC PLAINTIFF Burman, Peter Duncan, Rosetta $ 15,396

DEFENDANT Hyundai Canada 75 Frontenac Dr, Markham, ON PLAINTIFF Harlow Mortiner, Billie CLAIM $ 6,469

DEFENDANT R Parsons Construction Ltd 309-895 Fort St, Victoria, BC PLAINTIFF Copperstone Electrical Systems CLAIM $ 10,702

DEFENDANT Intact Insurance Company 1500A-700 University Ave, Toronto, ON PLAINTIFF MacNab, Williams S CLAIM $ 20,176

DEFENDANT Remax Anchor Realty 710 Memorial Lane, Qualicum Beach, BC PLAINTIFF Lambert, Valerie Charlene CLAIM $ 7,275

Custom and commercial tile work

DEFENDANT Samsung Electronics Canada 20th Flr 250 Howe St, Vancouver, BC PLAINTIFF Barclay, Chris CLAIM $ 10,792 DEFENDANT Sears Canada Inc 4750 Kingsway, Burnaby, BC PLAINTIFF Barclay, Chris CLAIM $ 10,792 DEFENDANT SLC Fisheries Ltd 166 Station Rd, Duncan, BC PLAINTIFF Altech Diesel Ltd. CLAIM $ 10,409 DEFENDANT Vancouver Island Insulation Inc 474 Hewgate St., Nanaimo, BC PLAINTIFF Commercial Construction Supply Ltd CLAIM $ 8,746

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APRIL 20152016 FEBRUARY

MOVERS & SHAKERS

21 27

approval to modify natural gas and propane rates as of Jan 1 as part of a three-year plan to establish a common rate for natural gas across the province.

Autumn Maxwell, owner of Cold Comfort Ice Cream, was ordered by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to have its product removed from local grocery stores due to insufficient nutritional labelling, and a lack of French labelling on the products.

To get in Movers and Shakers, call Thom at 250661-2297 or email thom@businessexaminer.net Construction is expected to start in the new year on the six-storey, $30-million condominium and commercial project on Fort Street, to be built by Abstract Developments Inc. Cascadia Architects was hired to design the development, with the ground floor covering 11,000-square-feet of commercial space, topped by five floors of condominiums.

Esquimalt Mayor Barb Desjardins has been elected as the new chairwoman of the Capital Regional District board. Desjardins hopes to complete a number of projects, including the sewage treatment plant and the regional growth strategy. David Howe, southern Gulf Islands Electoral Area director, was re-elected as vice chairman.

The City of Victoria has opened its new business hub at City Hall, which will operate as a resource to encourage economic growth in Victoria. The hub functions to streamline and demystify business and development processes at City Hall, make it easier to do business in Victoria, advise on how to reduce unnecessary red tape, connect entrepreneurs with resources they need, and accelerate the development of a vibrant downtown.

The Belmont Market Shopping Centre project, owned by Sobey’s, will feature a Thrifty Foods, as well as other yet-unnamed vendors. The expected occupancy date for the first phase of the development is to be in July of 2017.

WIN Langford is now open for business, located at 735 Goldstream Avenue.

The Capital Regional District has awarded a contract for hauling and processing kitchen scraps to D.L. Bins Ltd. Ann Makosinski, a University of BC student hailing from Saanich, has won Shell Canada’s

$50,000 2015 Quest Climate Grant for her latest invention – a coffee mug that charges a smart phone using heat from the beverage.

Makosinski displayed her invention on NBC’s Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in a recent episode.

Kent Bendall has purchased Pic A Flic Video, located in the Cook Street Village for almost 15 years. Bendall plans to continue the business’ success by continuing to provide the selection and customer service that has made it successful in the past.

Departures Travel, Victoria’s oldest travel agency with 30 years of business, celebrated its grand re-opening under the new ownership of Cathy Scott. Scott is also the founder and owner of Niche Travel Inc., a boutique tour company.

Nat Bosa, the Empress Hotel owner, has defended his approach to upgrading the hotel, which includes closing the colonialthemed Bengal Lounge. Bosa will be pumping substantially more than the $30 million he originally estimated for the renovations, as the building needed more upgrading than initially assessed. The hotel’s dining room will include a new 88-seat restaurant, 65-seat bar and a 58-seat patio as part of the renovations, with an opening estimated for May.

group. Under this new ownership, plans have been announced to include a new harbourto-harbour service between Victoria and Vancouver.

Benula Larsen, president of the Greater Victoria Teachers’ Association, is opposing the agreement that would see the former Blanshard Elementary School building sold to the Capital Regional Hospital District – an agreement that is still awaiting the Ministry of Education’s approval.

The Greater Victoria automotive Salespeople of the month have been announced for November, and include: Ashafu Lawal of Harris Auto; Don Rusk of Jim Pattison Toyota; Bob McMillan of Pacific Mazda; Frank Obrien of Wheaton; David Vollet of Audi Autohaus; Mike Benford of Volkswagen Victoria; Tyson Johnson of Porsche Centre; Adam Mikasko of Three Point Motors; Matthew Traynor of BMW Victoria; Dustin Hofer of Volvo; Jim McLeod of Wille Dodge; Connie Wilde of Jenner; Felipe Prado of Campus Honda; Ethan Han of Campus Infinite; Nelson Chan of Graham KIA; Frank Pecorelli of Campus Nissan; Phil Hines of Saunders; Jason Ogilvie of Campus Acura; Alex Tiginagas of Galaxy Motors.

Fortis BC has received BC Utilities Commission

Victoria councilors have approved heritage-related permits for the Lee Cheong Alley building at 533-537 Fisgard Street and the Lum Sam Courtyard building at 534 Pandora Street. Le Fevre will be keeping the ground-floor commercial in the Lee Cheong building, with the rest of the site, as well as the Lum Sam building, being converted into 25 condos priced at around $300,000.

DFH Real Estate Ltd. announced its December office leaders, which included: Stephanie Peat of Sidney, Sandy McManus of Victoria and Mike Hartshorne of West Shore.

Coastal Community Credit Union’s Capital Regional District and Cowichan Valley branches has welcomed Dianne Dohan to its team as its new Mobile Mortgage Manager.

The Canadian Culinary Federation’s Victoria branch is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.

Park’s Kitchen Japanese & Korean Cuisine celebrated its grand opening at 606 Trounce Alley.

Cassidy Country Kitchen will open its doors in February. The restaurant is located next to the Cassidy Hotel near Nanaimo River just north

u str con the n ni u me str wo con d d for n a the sl roun n i I r en sg ry ve om tego ou break aw nc orC df Va Hais n u gro aks bre s i Ha

SEE MOVERS & SHAKERS | PAGE 29

Victoria Caledonian Distillery and Brewery will be opening for business at 761 Enterprise Crescent. The business is housed in a 17,000-square-foot space that expects to be up and running for the public in June, producing both beer and whiskey. When open, the facility will also house a gift store, as well as a space to host corporate, family or community events.

Victoria International Airport passengers reached a record 1.71 million for 2015 – a 3.6 per cent increase from 2014.

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new Director of Planning and Community Services for the Municipality.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 27

of the Nanaimo Airport, on the site where a former restaurant burned down last year.

Chroma Paint & Design Inc., a Benjamin Moore dealer, is a new business open at 132B Roberts Street in Ladysmith.

The board of directors for the Capital Regional Emergency Service Telecommunications has announced a $13 million investment to upgrade current radio systems across 50 emergency response agencies – including Saanich Police, Saanich Fire and BC Ambulance Service.

Little Otters Consignment Den has opened at 425 Blair Place in Ladysmith.

Sidney’s Arbutus RV has congratulated Dean Hoff on achieving the top sales for that branch in the 2015 year.

After 40 years in business, Vince Herkle has closed Ladysmith Sound Centre. Vince’s store was formerly under The Source and Radio Shack banners.

Graham KIA, located at 2620 Government Street, congratulated Nelson Chan on achieving the dealership’s top volume award for 2015.

Ladysmith & District Credit Union congratulates Vice-President Elaine Layman upon successfully completing the Director Education Program.

Ladysmith’s Chief Executive Officer Ruth Malli has announced she will retire in June.

The Island Agriculture Show will be held Feb. 12-13 at the Cowichan Exhibition Grounds in Duncan.

Coastal Community Insurance Services Ltd.’s Fort Street Agency and Goldstream Agency have welcomed Kari McLellan as its new Agency Manager.

The District of Saanich has announced the appointment of Anne Berry as its

Organizers of the Sunfest Country Music Festival will be moving the hugely popular Cowichan Valley event to a new location at Laketown Ranch – a privately owned, 172-acre parcel of land near Lake Cowichan.

Schibli Stedman King Chartered Professional Accountants has congratulated Addison Mollon on his successful completion of the 205 CPA final exam.

A plan to develop a 10-acre parcel of Victoria Airport Authority has taken a step forward now that it has been excluded from the Agricultural Land Reserve. The plan must still go before Sidney council, which will consider the project that requires a rezoning and amendment of the official community

The Sooke Region Chamber of Commerce’s 2016 board of directors plan.

Genome British Columbia has welcomed Dr. Catalina Lopez-Correa as Vice President, Sector Development and CSO. Genome BC is a catalyst for the life sciences cluster on Canada’s West Coast, and manages a cumulative portfolio of over $710 million in 254 research projects and science and technology platforms.

Knappett Projects pitched a sewage plan to Capital Regional District politicians, which proposes a $177-million treatment plant at Clover Point that would be both attractive and effective.

The Sooke Region Chamber of Commerce

CREATING CONNECTIONS AND PARTNERSHIPS Chamber members have expressed keen interest in seeing students gain more practical skills they

SAANICH PENINSULA CRAIG NORRIS

B

efore Christmas I received a call from a local business person and entrepreneur who was looking to bounce ideas around about an upcoming marketing and promotional event. His ideas are almost always outside the box, and his latest did not disappoint.

His plan was to engage a local high school in a community-wide food drive event that would raise awareness not only for the humanitarian cause itself, but also for his business.

The company runs a fleet of electric delivery vehicles, which would be loaned for use in the food drive.

Because the vehicles are

29

can use in an actual work place electric, they could be driven in to the school gymnasium to receive a paint job from the students, an activity that would also serve to build up excitement for the event.

The high school staff, in addition to their wanting to support a humanitarian effort, liked the idea because it would put a real world, local entrepreneur in front of their students, giving them an opportunity to interact with, ask questions of, witness his passion and better understand the challenges faced by risk takers.

Our Executive Director, Denny Warner has had recent discussions with Parkland Secondary School Vice Principal Aaron Buckham and Assistant Superintendent Scott Stinson about

how to begin creating connections and partnerships between regional K-12 educators and employers. They are enthusiastic about students having more abundant and varied work experience opportunities to gain a fuller understanding of potential post-secondary career options. Chamber members have expressed keen interest in seeing students gain more practical skills they can use in an actual work place.

School District 63 has just begun a visioning exercise: Project 2020, Focus on the Future so the timing is ideal for the leaders in our business community to provide their input, promote their trade, profession, business and inspire the workforce of the next generation. Please contact Denny Warner at the Chamber Office by phone at 250-656-3616 or by email at execdir@peninsulachamber.ca if you are interested in participating in the discussion.

Craig E. Norris is president of the Saanich Peninsula Chamber of Commerce.

He can be reached at 250-656-3616.

has announced its board of directors for the upcoming year, which includes: Travis Butler, Bryan Mooney, Scott Votour, Frederique Philip, Sean Dyble, Steve Grundy, Kerry Cavers as President, Kevin Pearson, Karen Mason, Pooja Barooah, Terry Cristall, Dana Lajeunesse, and Allen Krutz.

The Capital Regional District Board has approved the recommendation from the Sooke and Electoral Area Parks and Recreation Commission to go to referendum this spring to purchase 23 acres of land located at 6518 Throup Road. The commission is a partnership between the District of Sooke and the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area, with the mandate of providing recreational

facilities and opportunities for its residents.

The District of Highlands has appointed Loranne Hilton as its new Chief Administrative and Financial Officer.

Thrifty Foods’ Cloverdale location is one of seven new venues on Vancouver Island that could offer liquor sales in the near future, as the grocery chain has obtained a liquor license.

Wilson’s Transportation has been named the Family Enterprise of the Year by the Island branch of the Canadian Association of Family Enterprise.

OPINION

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MAYBE IT’S TIME TO MIX BUSINESS AND POLITICS IN THE OFFICE

MARK MACDONALD

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e are often advised to separate business and politics.

Maybe it’s about time we did.

We know the logic behind this, and it is sound. Don’t contaminate the workplace with political discussions, knowing it could engender strife and division amongst the staff. Don’t use your position of influence as an owner/manager to share your political beliefs with staff, as it could possibly be viewed as intimidation. And generally, it’s not good for business. It takes away from the valuable time you’re paying for, and that is to have your workers work on your business – not ruminate about municipal, provincial or federal political campaigns.

But have we reached a point

in our societal conversations that those owning or operating businesses need to inject their opinions into their companies, to make sure employees are getting important information they will need to make truly informed decisions?

Look at the landscape. Unions are unabashed of their support of the NDP. They dream of the day when a socialist party can wrest the controls from free enterprise, thinking this will bring untold prosperity to their dues-paying members. They spend thousands of dollars in union dues to try and make it happen.

While the nightmare of a decade of NDP rule in B.C. under the combined Mike Harcourt-Glen Clark-Ujjal Dosanjh-Dan Miller leadership may seem a distant memory to some, it certainly isn’t to those operating businesses during the 1990’s in this province. The NDP produced a madein-BC recession that the rest of the country avoided. Business owners remember that. A new generation of voters does not.

We actually don’t need our memories to see what damage an NDP government can do to an economy. We have a vivid example right next door in Alberta, where Premier Rachel Notley’s

crew is inflicting devastation on the province, with thousands and thousands of jobs lost already – and they’re only a year into the mandate.

In times past, municipal governments were viewed as the NDP farm teams, reloading for runs at provincial and federal levels.

The media can share that mantle now, almost as unofficial, unpaid NDP staff. We saw during the last federal election how the media, in general, forfeited any semblance of objectivity to push their own opinions through the news to influence the public. If you don’t believe it, watch what’s happening again, right now, with the by-elections.

With provincial by-elections underway, the political machines are firing on all cylinders. In BC, this is a two-horse race, with the NDP battling the reigning BC Liberals for two lower mainland ridings.

Premier Christy Clark’s government is being raked over the coals by the lower mainland media, as “in-depth” articles expose the supposed/alleged missteps of the provincial government. At the same time, nary a negative word is spoken or written about the NDP. Almost no one in the media holds the NDP to task for its dark

history, or even draws the link between the NDP in BC and the Notley Crew in Alberta. But it’s exactly the same philosophy that is ruining Alberta that would wait BC if voters ever decide again to give the NDP a chance here.

I have spoken to media owners, asking them directly why they, as owners of businesses, turn the most influential part of their business – the editorial departments – over to the left? Why don’t they at least insist on having something close to a balance in their newsrooms of right/left employees with differing voices and thought?

Wouldn’t that best serve the public – and their business, because an anti-business government would hurt their companies too?

And if we think students are getting a balanced view of both sides of the political spectrum from unionized teachers, then we’d better think again.

So, with all that, who is talking about the importance of government policy on creating wealth and jobs? The jobs that your company provides, which help people raise families, educate their children, and give them a great quality of life? They’re not getting that from the classroom or the media. In fact, the media and Hollywood seems to

do their best to demonize business under the collective cloud of “corporate greed”, and developers as individuals who are intent on destroying the environment in pursuit of profit.

Maybe it’s time for you to have some fireside chats with your employees about what an anti-business government’s policies would do to their jobs, and ultimately, their families. Perhaps they’ll ponder those points and bring them up at the dinner table, so that everyone in the family receives a balanced viewpoint on the importance of not just getting out to vote, but vote with a healthy perspective on politics, period.

I know business friends of mine who are much more direct in addressing their staff about political matters, and how voting a certain way could likely affect their future employment opportunities.

They don’t threaten their workers, and don’t know how they’ll actually cast their ballots, but they do have their say.

Unions do it. The media does it. Perhaps it’s time that business owners and managers get involved in that conversation with those who work for them, because a good economy is necessary for their jobs, too.

the provincial homeowner grant went up shortly after the assessment notices landed to protect many residents from what would effectively feel like a tax increase.

Meanwhile, the province is as guilty of charging businesses more than their fair share on the portion of the property tax bill that is under their control. For example, in Vancouver, businesses pay 4.4 times more than residents in school taxes. In dollar terms, a resident pays $2,020 on an average value property, while a business pays $8,890.

Show i ng leadersh ip by reducing this inequity is something Finance Minister Mike de Jong should seriously consider for his upcoming budget, as it is considered important by 77 per cent of BC small businesses, according to a survey done by t he Canadian Federation of Independent Business last September. Ninety per cent of businesses support the province limiting the amount of property taxes that businesses can pay relative to residents (e.g. small businesses pay a maximum of

tw ice t he a mou nt residents pay).

It’s not all bad news. For businesses, the gap between what they should pay and what they do pay is still way too high, but it has been getting better in many municipalities, including Vancouver.

Another ray of hope for business is that there is g reater understanding of the problem than there was 10 years ago.

R esidents c a re ab out sm a l l busi ness because they contribute so much to making our communities livable. Increasingly, people understand that i f govern ments a re u n fa i rly taxing small businesses, their favourite restaurants, dress shops, bakeries and dry-cleaners have less capacity to keep prices reasonable, create jobs, or even exist at all.

BC BUSINESSES WANT UNEQUAL TAX BILLS CUT A resident would pay $2,713 in municipal property taxes on that value, while a small business would pay $11,260 for a property of the same value LAURA JONES

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asps were heard across the Lower Mainland last we e k a s prop e r t y a ssessment notices landed and thoughts of, “My property is worth how much???” gave way to, “Holy mackerel, what does this mean for my taxes?”

It’s even worse for businesses.

On average, BC small businesses will pay 2.6 times the municipal property tax of an equivalently valued residence.

I n m a n y M e t ro Va n c o u v e r municipalities, this gap is far worse. For example, Coquitlam businesses pay 4.2 times more municipal taxes, while companies in Vancouver and

Burnaby pay four times more than residents. To put this in dollar terms, in 2015 an average residential property in Vancouver was worth $1,532,937.

A resident would pay $2,713 in municipal property taxes on that value, while a small business would pay $11,260 for a property of the same value. A greengrocer has to sell a lot of oranges to pay that bill.

This unfairness is even worse than it seems on the surface because businesses use fewer mu n icipa l ser v ic e s t h a n residents. A 2007 report done

by MMK Consulting for the City of Vancouver fou nd that, on

average, residential properties in the city paid approximately $0.56 in property taxes for each dollar of tax-supported service consumed, while business paid $2.42 in property taxes for every dollar of tax-supported services consumed. While the study is a bit dated, there is no reason to think the numbers would be much different today.

One automotive shop owner com ica l ly captu res how the i nequ ity feels: “I k now now what it must have been like for the peasants in medieval times, as far as having to pay taxes that amounted to a lot of nothing in return.” His property tax bill is now over $60,000. “It’s like paying an employee … but this one never shows up to work!”

What drives the inequity? I have yet to hear of a sound public policy rationale for charging businesses more than residents.

But the political temptation is clear — businesses don’t vote, residents do. The reaction to this incentive both municipally and provincially is also clear. At the provincial level, the threshold for property values eligible for

Laura Jones is executive vicepresident of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business. She can be reached at laura.jones@cfib.ca. Follow her on twitter @CFIBideas.

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FEBRUARY 2016

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TRANSITIONING FROM ANGEL INVESTMENT TO VENTURE CAPITAL LAW

The venture capitalist looks for rapid growth potential

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entu re capita l ists a re generally not interested in business “start-ups”.

With business start-ups there a re too m a ny u n a nswered questions regarding the product or service, and the market.

That is why “angel” investors are needed to bridge the gap and assist the entrepreneur, both fi na ncia l ly a nd w ith business advice, until a track record is developed.

If things go well, there will likely come a stage when the b u si ne ss ne e d s a m ajor i nject ion of f u nd s to ta ke t he b u s i n e s s to t h e n e x t l e ve l .

Rapid growth can be a curse.

Without adequate fi na ncia l back i ng, rapid ex pa nsion of a successful business can involve an immediate increase in costs with a delayed increase in revenue, and may result in bankruptcy.

T he ventu re capita l ist is look i ng for a bu si ness w it h

Within limits, the angel investor will try to accommodate the entrepreneur when problems are encountered

Michael Cooper and Doug Thompson of ThompsonCooper LLP rapid growth potential and is prepared to provide the funds to fuel that growth. I compare a ngel i nvestment to a sma l l stakes poker game played a mong friends a nd compa re venture capital investment to a high stakes poker game played with people whose only interest is the game. In the small stakes game, it is real money; but the small stakes moderate the tone.

Within limits, the angel investor will try to accommodate

IT’S A SSNAP on SALT SPRING ISLAND From the word “go” the event was destined to be a success, attracting over 800 artists from every province and one territory with 1376

SALT SPRING ISLAND JEREMY MILSOM

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n Salt Spring Island, the “Arts” categorically claims a big part of a decades old island identity. Now more organized and represented by the Salt Spring Arts Council, the diverse Arts community has flourished with regionally popular events such as the famous Saturday Market, the annual Studio Tour and “Workshops on the Rock”. When one adds the many other events which promote expression of individual creativity and accomplishment in films, poetry, music, crafts, pottery and ceramics and much, much more, Salt Spring Island has become a premier arts community where the celebration of vibrant individuality and artistic leadership is a West Coast treasure Last year’s Salt Spring National Arts Prize (SSNAP) “was inspired by the Arts Council to recognize, showcase and publicize the accomplishments of

works and vying for prizes totaling $25,000 Canadian visual art; Salt Spring Island is establishing one of the few national, juried competitions in the country” From the word “go” the event was destined to be a success, attracting over 800 artists from every province and one territory with 1376 works and vying for prizes totaling $25,000. Submission of visual art works began in January and the unveiling of finalists’ works opened in July with a gala closing event in late October. 52 entries including 4 from Salt Spring Island were chosen as finalists.

When SSNAP’s founding director, local painter and stone sculptor Ronald T. Crawford stated the goal: “How do we get people to come here for art?” he may have underestimated the response.

The success of SSNAP touched so many community members as the activities of the organizers, sponsors and volunteers became visible. We cannot even begin to estimate the contribution to the local economy. Visitations from

not only artists and their families but many others added to what was a successful season. It became evident that SSNAP was an opportunity to see the best art in Canada in a BC community with a well-known artistic presence.

A Times Colonist writer who made an early visit to the event could not have said it better; “I came away certain that cultural tourism, and well-educated and creative youth, are our best hope for the future of the arts. Let the SSNAP show lure you to Salt Spring Island; the SSNAP event is an example of what can be done to promote and “grow” an identity”.

Even though there are artists on Salt Spring who exhibit nationally, and internationally like wildlife painter Robert Bateman, the island has long been home to a variety of galleries and dozens of artist studios which can be visited by tourists year-round.

The Salt Spring Arts Council makes it a “snap” to share their creativity and enthusiasm starting in February with the Valentines “Lovers Weekend” and a special Indoor Saturday Market on the 20th. Check for more great art events at ssartscouncil.com and the links within saltspringtourism.com.

Join us soon!

Jeremy Milsom is the Communications Director of the Salt Spring Island Chamber of Commerce.

the entrepreneur when problems are encountered. In the high stakes game, the amount of money at sta ke i ncreases the i ntensity of the players.

To ma ke matters even more i ntense, ex pectations a re sky high. There are also time l i m its, a s t he ventu re h a s a monthly “burn rate” and must reach set milestones before the allocated funds are exhausted. T he venture capitalist is ga mbl i ng. He or she k nows that out of ten businesses that

receive i nvest ment capita l, on ly one or two w i l l rea l i ze their potential.

T he potential return must, t h e re fo re , b e m u l t i p l e s o n the i nvestment to cover the losses on businesses that do not succeed. Those multiples can be between ten and thirty times investment funds. It is not acceptable for the business to merely create a l iv i ng for the entrepreneur and jobs for a handful of employees.

The investment must result in the business “scaling up” to provide significant returns.

If the entrepreneur does not have the skill set to guide the business to the next level, he or she may be demoted and replaced by someone who does.

I f t he bu si ness i s u n able to meet expected milestones, the business will be cut off from further funding. Those are the rules of the game. Sorry, it is just business.

Wilson’s Transportation Named Family Enterprise Of The Year

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he Canadian Association o f Fa m i l y E n te r p r i s e (CA FE) Va ncouver Island is excited to announce that John Wilson, CEO of Wilson’s Transportation, will receive the 2016 Family Enterprise of the Year Award (FEYA®) on February 11th at a gala held at the Victoria Golf Club. The Business Examiner and Tru Value Foods were awa rd fi na l ists.

The Award is given annually by CAFE Vancouver Island to recognize, celebrate and promote ach ievements of Va ncouver Island family businesses and the considerable contribution they make to both their local communities and our national economy.

Wilson’s Transportation can then apply to be a part of the national FEYA award process.

One national finalist will be selected from across Canada and featured at a gala dinner, du ri ng wh ich they del iver a presentation about the history and success of their business family. This will be followed by an award presentation on Tuesday, May 16, 2016, at the Hyatt Regency, Ca lga r y, A B. T h i s prestigious title was awarded to Victoria’s Capital Iron in 2014.

Wilson’s Transportation Ltd. i s a lo c a l, t h ree generat ion fa m i ly-ow ned a nd operated charter bus company based in Victoria. The company started on Salt Spring Island in 1963 as

a simple transportation company, later moving to Victoria where today their fleet includes 140 vehicles and up to 175 staff i n pea k periods. E x pa nd i ng well beyond its simple origins, the business is now involved in chartering and renting buses which include the YYJ Airport Shuttle contract, the Ogden Point Cruise Shuttle contract and Sightseeing Victoria.

T he company actively part icipates i n t he com mu n ity and supports various organizations, schools, charities and sport tea ms, i nvesti ng over $300,000 each year to small and large scale events on Vancouver Island. Wilson’s Transportation represents the values of so many great family businesses in Canada while building on their relationships in the community and the respect and trust they have earned over the past 35 years.

Past recipients of the CAFE Vancouver Island FEYA Award include The Canada Homestay Network, Capital Iron, Country Grocer, McCall Brothers Funeral Directors, Pacific Sands Resort, Robinson’s Outdoor Store, Monk Office, and Accent Inns. To purchase tickets, visit www.cafecanada.ca/chapters/ vancouver-island.

For more information about Wilson’s Transportation see: http://wilsonstransportation. com

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