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

JUNE 2015

» COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE

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NANAIMO Eriks Industrial Services is the island expert in hoses and fittings

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PAGE 24

PORT ALBERNI Dol Construction is a petroleum focused construction firm that delivers quality service

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INDEX News Update 2 Sales 7 Cowichan Valley 9 Nanaimo 10 Parksville 22 Qualicum 22 Port Alberni 30 West Coast 34 Comox Valley 38 Campbell River 39 Who is Suing Whom 46 Movers and Shakers 47 Law 51 Contact us: 1-866-758-2684

OUR 10TH YEAR

Business background will help new Ucluelet First Nation President Excited about the future, Les Doiron’s homecoming 50 years in the making

CLUELET – Les Doiron has been a business owner and most recently a salesman at Alberni Toyota. Those skills will come in handy in the next chapter of his life, as the newly elected President of the Ucluelet First Nation. “T here is no such th i ng as ‘President’ school,” says Doiron, a l low i ng he ex pects a steep learning curve in his new position. “My thought was ‘I can make a difference here’. That’s why I threw my hat in the ring.’ Following a two-year tenure as a member of the Nation’s operating board, Doiron put his name forward for the President’s position, running on a diverse platform focused on uniting the Nation and driving it towards self-sufficiency. “I was intrigued by the potential that I saw,” he says. “My time on the board provided me with a look at the big picture of what was going on.

SEE BUSINESS BACKGROUND | PAGE 6

Les Doiron, President of the Ucluelet First Nations

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In addition to the role of President, he also chairs the Treaty Implementation and Economic Development committees. Economic development is another significant component of Doiron’s vision. The Nation has a treaty with the provincial government that requires it to become self-sustainable in the next few years. “There have been a number of successful projects initiated through the Ucluth Development Corporation,” he says. “My goal is to build off of that and develop new long-term partnerships with government and business that are mutually beneficial. “There are employment needs here,” he adds. ”We need jobs that pay, and are able to sustain our members. Self-sustaining businesses will fund the preservation of our heritage, and give our youth opportunities in

ANAIMO - As CEO Morgan Carey puts it, “Real Estate Webmasters is a 16-year overnight success.” With its recent acquisition of 8, 10 and 12 Church Street, following on the heels of its purchase

of the historic Great National Land Building, and adding that to its first downtown building at 223 Commercial Street, the Real Estate Webmasters (REW) campus now pretty much owns that section of Nanaimo’s core. With 200 staff housed in those three buildings plus two other

buildings on Terminal Avenue and Fourth Street, REW is rapidly becoming one of the largest and most successful enterprises in the city. Carey attributes the company’s success to his team, but it would be remiss not to give due credit to a man who fought against all

odds to achieve what many can only dream of. His mother was a Nanaimo street musician who would often put him to sleep in her guitar case. But from her, he learned a love of music that has stayed with SEE NANAIMO’S 16-YEAR | PAGE 42

2 NANAIMO Curious Comics, Nanaimo Wins Retail Award

VANCOUVER ISLAND Coastal Community Credit Union’s VanGo Winner of prestigious marketing award Coastal Community Credit Union (CCCU), the largest Island-based financial services organization, was recently honoured with three Achievement in Marketing awards by Canada’s Marketing Association for Credit Unions. The Credit Union won for its RRSP television advertising, its external newsletter and for VanGo, CCCU’s ATM-on-wheels. The van, appropriately done up in a Vincent Van Gogh-inspired wrapping and equipped with an ATM, has been a big hit with both members and the public since it debuted last summer—which is why the win has struck a special chord with the Credit Union. “VanGo is very much a community-focused vehicle,” says Allyson Prescesky, Manager of Community Experience and Communications at CCCU. Prescesky is referring to the fact that because of its cash dispensing abilities, and its unique look, VanGo makes a perfect complement to Island community events, including farmers’ markets and CCCU’s own Sunset Cinema. “We love the buzz VanGo gets,” Prescesky adds. “People are excited to see it, and we’re just as excited to share what it’s all about.”

AGS

Curious Comics at Country Club Centre in Nanaimo has recently earned a prestigious industry award. After competing with 17 other entries world-wide, Curious Comics has won the Diamond Comic Distributor’s Best Retail Practices Award in the category Best Retail Relocation/Expansion. Entrants submitted summaries and photos profiling their recent store expansion or relocation. According to Curious Comics owner Bill Rice, “There were some awesome looking stores competing, so the win was a surprise. Curious Comics is very proud of this award because the submissions are voted for on-line by fellow retailers.” Curious Comics relocated their store within Country Club Centre in July 2014 expanding their store size from 933 square feet to 2043 square feet. The expanded store allowed Curious Comics to use a variety of free standing floor units to categorize their vast selection of comics and graphic novels. The store also includes pops of eye-catching signage as well as quirky merchandise and its backlit wall shelves feature today’s most popular collectables and games. In addition to their Nanaimo location, Curious Comics also has locations in Langford and downtown Victoria.

NEWS UPDATE This summer, the award-winning VanGo is slated to make many appearances including at events like Courtenay’s Centennial Tailgate party on June 27th, CCCU’s Sunset Cinema series (running from July 13th to the 18th), Victoria’s Rock the Shores event (July 18th- 19th) and the VIEX (August 21st to 23rd). Plus, credit union members who use VanGo to access their cash are able to do so surcharge-free.

TOFINO Luxury Tenting on the West Coast receives Attention For years, Relais & Châteaux have designated “Routes de Bonheur” – delightful road trips between the association’s luxurious properties in France and beyond. Now the latest, most exciting Route de Bonheur links the legendary Wickaninnish Inn with Canada’s newest Relais & Châteaux property, Clayoquot Wilderness Resort, for an unforgettable West Coast adventure. The journey begins at Clayoquot Wilderness Resort, a one-hour floatplane flight from Vancouver deep into the breathtaking Clayoquot Sound UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. It includes three nights in a luxury guest tent with comfortable beds, antique furnishings, thermostat-controlled wood stoves and ensuite bathrooms. During the day there is hiking, kayaking, and horseback riding, wildlife viewing

JUNE 2015

or just sitting and watching the unsurpassed scenery. All the gourmet meals and wine pairings are included in the cost of the package, along with a one-hour massage treatment and an Arc’teryx Atom LT hoody to take home. Then it’s on to the second part of the journey. It begins with a 30-minute boat ride across the sound to Tofino, where a representative from the Wickaninnish will be waiting. Then three nights in a Chesterman Beach Loft Suite, just steps from spectacular Chesterman Beach and the crashing waves of the Pacific Ocean. The cost of this package begins at $14,057.60 for two, including flight to and from Vancouver, as well as the boat ride from Clayoquot Wilderness Resort to Tofino.

BC Ministry investing $24 million over next three years in the new BC Air Access Program Through the BC Air Access Program, the ministry will cost share with public airports on projects such as lighting and navigational systems, terminal building expansion or upgrades, and runway improvements. These types of projects will allow airports to improve safety and accommodate larger aircraft and more frequent flights, supporting the continued growth of local and provincial economies.

The program will also encourage funding partnerships with the federal government, local and regional governments and agencies, and the private sector. This year’s BC Air Access Program funding allocation is $6 million. Applications will be accepted from public airport operators, including local governments and other operating authorities. The deadline for applications is June 22, 2015. During consultations for BC on the Move, 70% of respondents said it is important to support the improvement of infrastructure at small and regional airports in the province. Many local government stakeholders emphasized the importance of funding for these infrastructure improvements. BC on the Move is government’s new 10-year plan for the improvement of the province’s transportation network. It provides a comprehensive road map for transportation investments and strategic policy actions over the next decade. The actions prioritized in BC on the Move will enhance safety, grow the economy, maintain and replace aging infrastructure, and support trade for BC’s expanding resource sectors through Canada’s Asia-Pacific Gateway. Over the next three years, the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure will invest almost $2.5 billion to improve British Columbia’s transportation network. SEE NEWS UPDATE | PAGE 3

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JUNE 2015

NEWS UPDATE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

CAMPBELL RIVER Independent tourism board to set the future direction A renewed and expanded focus on Campbell River tourism will include an independent tourism board to attract visitors to the city and region. “After a thorough and detailed review, which included significant discussion between City Council and Rivercorp board members, we’re moving forward with a restructured model for managing and coordinating tourism for Campbell River and the surrounding region,” says Mayor Andy Adams. “With Council confirming last month that the economic development function will move into City operations, it is now time to establish a new board with a sole focus on tourism. “We hope to have a new board with a new tourism focus established before the end of the year that will build on past efforts and set the direction for effective tourism marketing and promotion,” Mayor Adams says. “The Campbell River Economic Development Corporation fully supports the restructure of local economic development and tourism promotion and the establishment of a new tourism board,” says current board chair Donna Hains. “The existing economic development board had a wide-ranging mandate with a number of responsibilities, and I am pleased that Council is providing the opportunity to continue to support tourism promotion in a more focused way. We have already begun talking about how to enhance and support Campbell River’s 2016 tourism strategy to meet the needs of tourism operators and attract visitors to the region. “A key aspect of the tourism board’s success will be to seek new sources of funding to further enhance promotion and marketing initiatives,” Hains adds. The new tourism board will include a cross section of industry members representing the accommodation industry, tourism operators, the Tourism Leadership Committee, and potentially other board members who have indicated a desire to contribute to the new tourism model. “We recognize that the time needed by Council to properly review and assess the economic development and tourism delivery models has caused uncertainty and stress for current economic development and tourism staff and board members alike. Council is very grateful for their continued patience and professionalism throughout the past few months,” the Mayor adds. “We would like to thank the Campbell River Economic Development Board

for their continued dedication and cooperation while we transition to the new structure over the next few months and look forward to continued close cooperation with the many other organizations that work to promote the region, including local First Nations, Tourism Association of Vancouver Island and Island North, Destination BC, and other tourism agencies and organizations.” Upcoming changes for economic development and tourism promotion include: 1) Integration of economic development function within and across City’s operations. 2) Establishing a new Tourism Campbell River and Region corporation. 3) Recruiting members and establishing Tourism Campbell River & Region board members. 4) Create and implement a renewed tourism strategy.

CAMPBELL RIVER

“When I went in to City Hall to seek clarification on bylaws and rules through the design process, everyone was very helpful and informative.” says Nikolaisen. “I would recommend this program to anyone.” Grants of up to 50 per cent of eligible project costs – to a $10,000 maximum – are available for commercial storefronts located within a special revitalization area of downtown Campbell River. See attached map for specific locations. Types of improvements supported by the program include exterior architectural details, exterior decorative details, windows and window openings, exterior lighting and façade painting to name a few. Stay tuned for the 2015 Downtown Façade Improvement Program launch in early June. For more information, please contact the Community Planning and Development Services at planning@campbellriver.ca or call 250-286-5725.

CAMPBELL RIVER City to sell surplus industrial land The City of Campbell River will sell vacant industrial land at 4300 Midport Road. “The sale and future development of this parcel by the purchaser will create new opportunities for light industrial businesses and create additional tax revenue for the City,” says acting Mayor Marlene Wright. During a review of City-owned properties conducted in 2012, this property was found to be surplus to the City’s needs. The sale has been confirmed, agreements signed, and property ownership will transfer to A.B. Edie Equities on September 1, 2015. The City will receive $697,500 for this property. SEE NEWS UPDATE | PAGE 4

Downtown improvement program returns A hometown version of Total Makeover is coming to downtown Campbell River store fronts. Back by popular demand for the second year, the City is offering the Downtown Façade Improvement program to improve to the look of buildings in the downtown. The program is designed to encourage business and building owners to invest in building upgrades, creating a more interesting and appealing streetscape. This program is one of several City initiatives aimed to attract more people and businesses to Campbell River’s downtown core. “One of Council’s priorities is to encourage downtown revitalization,” says Mayor Andy Adams. “The Downtown Façade Improvement Program is intended to make city streets more visually appealing, inviting and interesting places to walk and shop. This type of initiative is designed to help promote development and activity in our downtown.” Last year grants were provided for improvements to 920 Island Highway, 990 A Shoppers Row and 1170 Shopper’s Row. TomOlsen and WayneNikolaisen, co-owners of 920 Island Highway where the Ridgerider business is located, spruced up their building with many simple changes, such as improved lighting, a new awning design and using cedar shingles for siding. “We enjoyed being part of the program immensely,” says Olsen. “This program offered the assistance needed to understand certain design principles, including how reducing the bulky awning would really lighten the look of the building. The building looks way more in proportion and the end look and feel is amazing.”

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4 NEWS UPDATE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3

COMOX Waste Management Centre Begins Phase 1 of Landfill Closure Work will begin later this month on the phase 1 closure of the landfill at the Comox Valley waste management centre as adopted in the 2013 solid waste management plan (SWMP). According to the SWMP, the Comox Strathcona waste management (CSWM) service is required tobegin closing the existing Comox Valley landfill in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and prevent environmental impacts. The closure of the landfill supports environmental compliance regulations that address landfill leachate and landfill gas management. The existing landfill will be replaced with a new engineered landfill slated for construction in 2017. The landfill closure project is a large, complex capital project with an aggressive spring–fall 2015 construction schedule. The initial construction work requires areas of the landfill that have reached final capacity to be graded and capped with an impermeable liner. The liner controls water from entering into the landfill, which in turn protects the quality of the groundwater. In addition, a landfill gas collection system will

NEWS UPDATE be installed to significantly reduce the release of greenhouse gas emissions and to also decrease odours from decomposing waste. On the access road leading to the Comox Valley waste management centre, visitors will also notice the cutting of trees, allowing for the excavation and construction of a large storm water infiltration pond. The purpose of the pond is to collect and temporarily store storm water and surface water draining from the closed landfill slopes and other areas of the site. The SWMP that received approval from the Ministry of Environment in May 2013 includes a long-range vision for residual waste management for the CSWM service based on two regional lands (one in the Comox Valley and the other in Campbell River). For more information and project updates on the solid waste management plan including staff reports and presentations, visit www.cswm. ca/plan. The Comox Strathcona waste management (CSWM) service is a function of the Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) and is responsible for two regional waste management centres that serve the Comox Valley and Campbell River, as well as a range of transfer stations and smaller waste handling and recycling facilities for the electoral areas of the CVRD and the Strathcona Regional District. The CSWM service manages over 100,000 tonnes of waste and recycled material and oversees a number of diversion and education programs.

NANAIMO Provincial tourism update BC Ferries has shown strong growth in passenger and vehicle traffic over the last 4 months. The rising US economy and the effect of the declining CDN dollar have boosted performance significantly. Year to date growth is positive, up 4.61 per cent. The Board of Directors of the Tourism Industry Association of BC (TIABC) have selected Walt Judas as the new CEO. Walt is the former Vice President, Marketing Communications, Member Services & Sport for Tourism Vancouver. “The Board is thrilled to have Walt Judas working with us,” said Jim Humphrey, Chair of TIABC. “His tourism experience in BC is a great asset for our organization as we continue to move forward. We look forward to having Walt engage and work collaboratively with all our members.” According to the CTC’s Global Tourism Watch Canada report: 38 per cent of Canadians anticipate travelling more in the next 2-3 years (up from 31 per cent in 2012), 48 per cent of Canadians are considering a vacation to the US, while 28 per cent are consider a vacation in Canada. Among those Canadians traveling within Canada, 25 per cent chose BC as their top destination, while Alberta, Ontario and Atlantic Canada each received 18 per cent of the vote.

JUNE 2015

The BC Tourism Industry Conference, hosted by the Tourism Industry Association of BC will take place at the Pan Pacific Hotel in Vancouver, October 19-21, 2015. The theme is “Connect. Innovate. Inspire.” and delegates will come from all sectors of the industry and all regions of the province to participate in this tourism industry event of the year. Visit www.bctourismconference. ca for more information. The BC Ocean Boating Tourism Association has launched a new website to provide information to marine tourists navigating our western waters. Visit this great new resource at www.ahoybc.com.

BC Researchers to identify critical teaching and learning methods Ed Holder, Minister of State (Science and Technology), has announced investments in research grants to identify the most effective curriculum, methods of learning and teaching to prepare Canadians for the 21st century, to create jobs, continue economic growth and promote long-term prosperity. New ways of learning and teaching to maintain a highly-skilled workforce is one of six challenge areas identified in the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council’s Imagining Canada’s Future initiative. In total, SSHRC is providing $488,969 through its Knowledge Synthesis

Grants to 20 projects at postsecondary institutions across Canada to address this issue. The projects involve Canadian and international collaborators across the academic, public, private and not-for-profit sectors which focus on two themes: demand for skills in tomorrow’s Canadian labour market; and supply and development of skills for the future Canadian labour market. Results are presented in a format accessible to a broad audience, and are intended to foster collaboration among academic researchers, industry stakeholders and government policy-makersinaddressingCanada’s future labour market challenges. TheSocialSciencesandHumanities Research Council is the federal research funding agency that promotes and supports postsecondary-based research and training in the humanities and social sciences. Through its programs, SSHRC works to develop talented leaders for all sectors of society. SSHRC supports over 8,400 research projects annually. SSHRC’s KnowledgeSynthesisGrantscombine or “synthesize” current academic knowledge, and make the information accessible to a broader audience. The grants examine existing research emerging over the past 10 years to address future challenge areas, such as the Imagining Canada’s Future initiative. The purpose of this funding opportunity is to support researchers, teams of researchers and knowledge userstoproduceknowledgesyntheses andscopingreviewsthatwillcontribute to the use of synthesized evidence in decision-making and practice.

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JUNE 2015

STRUCTURE YOUR BUSINESS TO MAXIMIZE THE CAPITAL GAINS EXEMPTION

t is never too early to plan an exit strategy from your business to ensure you leave it in the most tax advantageous position possible. Currently, the biggest federal tax break available for businesses is the Capital Gains Exemption (CGE). For residents of BC, the tax savings resulting from claiming one full CGE are approximate $180,000. Each individual shareholder in a business is entitled to claim all or a portion of his or her CGE on the sale of his or her shares of the company – provided certain conditions are met. First, you must sell shares of a private company actively engaged in business in Canada, one in which all or substantially all of its assets are in use by the business at the time of sale. Generally speaking, the exemption is only available if the shares were held by the individual or related persons for at least 24-months immediately preceding disposition. The final condition is that more than 50 per cent of the fair market value of corporation’s assets must be used in an active business carried on primarily in Canada by the corporation or a related corporation, throughout the required two-year holding period. Multiplying CGEs will maximize their tax savings and can be achieved by having different individuals holding shares of the company, or by using a family trust. Redundant assets, such as cash, marketable securities, loans receivable, and rental properties can be a problem when

Jamie Kungel, CPA, CA attempting to utilize the CGE. If structured correctly, redundant assets can be moved into a holding company without incurring any taxes, thereby ensuring the operating company qualifies for the CGE, and deferring personal taxes until the funds are actually required. All of the above takes time to set in place, making it important to have an exit plan long before you actually intend on leaving your business. Jamie Kungel, CPA, CA is a Taxation Specialist with MNP LLP. Contact Jamie at 250.753.8251 or Jamie.kungle@mnp.ca. Please consult a tax advisor for advice on how the above information should be applied

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“We’re always looking

BUSINESS BACKGROUND CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

to expand, and to find

the future.” The Ucluth Corporation boasts a diverse portfolio, which includes assets like the Wya Point Surf Shop & Café, Kwisitis Feast House, a restaurant and museum operated in partnership with Parks Canada, a new $8 million government house and gymnasium, and the Wya Point Resort. “The resort is absolutely stunning,” says Doiron. “It looks like Mother Nature had a say in its design. You’re in your own little world.” “It’s addicting being there, my wife and I have been there more than 40 times. The facility is so intriguing and there’s a lot of cultural significance in the design.” Building off of the success of its current assets, the Nation is focused on growth. “ We’re a lw ay s lo ok i n g to expand, and to find the right partners to take us forward,” he says. “We have a service station and food outlet planned for the Lost Shoe Creek area. “T he location sees a lot of tourist traffic drive through as they head to Tofino and Ucluelet. It’s been in the works for a while, and we feel it represents untapped potential.” The Nation is also exploring renewable energy solutions that include electricity generation

the right partners to take us forward. We have a service station and food outlet planned for the Lost Shoe Creek area.” LES DOIRON PRESIDENT OF THE UCLUELET FIRST NATION

Ucluelet First Nations’ Members of the Legislature: front row, left to right: Jordan Touchie, Jeneva Touchie, Melody Charlie andX Richard Mundy. Back row: Alan McCarthy, Gordon Taylor, President Les Doiron and Taayii Hawił Wilson Jack. through wind and wave energy tech nolog y. A bottled water plant has also been discussed. Joining Doiron is an almost

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completely new council, with ju st one i ncu mbent gett i ng re-elected. The council consists of Doiron and six members of the Legislature: Alan McCarthy, Jeneva Touchie, Gordon Taylor, Jordan Touchie, Richard Mundy and Melody Charlie. Wilson Jack Tyee also sits on the council as a Hereditary Chief representative. “T his election represented a big shift. . .the people spoke and they wanted a change,” says Doiron. “To date the transition has been great, the staff and executive are amazing people, and I’m really excited about working with everyone.” Adding to the near complete overhaul in leadership is the fact that Doiron hasn’t lived on his Nation’s land for 50 years. He is a n ‘away from home’ member of the Ucluelet First Nation, and is one of 430 who live off of the Nation’s traditional lands. There are 200 residents of the lands themselves. Both residents and away from home members have access to land title transfer, something that Doiron and his wife Rosanne have taken advantage of. The unique population makeup was a key component of his platform. “Communication between our government and the community members is limited,” he says. “When I started to run, I made a point of inviting four of our Hereditary Chiefs to the all candidates meeting in Port Alberni. “They hadn’t been consulted with for some time. I wanted to reunite the community, and I think those invitations really

opened up a lot of respect and showed my intentions.” Right now, ‘away from home’ members have to travel back to Ucluelet to access band and government information. They used to have direct access to their home community through a satellite location in Port Alberni, but the office was closed within the past few years by a previous leadership team. “Establishing a new Port Alberni office is a priority right now,” says Doiron. “We want to give all of our members the opportunity to easily communicate w ith thei r fa m i l ies a nd friends. They need to be able to stay on top of what’s going on. “It’s important for our cultu re a nd heritage that there is a high level of transparency here, information needs to be readily available to everyone. If we want to move forwa rd a nd ta ke adva ntage of t he Nat ion’s p otent i a l , it’s goi ng to sta r t by i mprov i ng communication.” Doiron and his new council know that unity is going to be key in order for the Nation to be successful. “For long-term self-sufficiency, we need the involvement of both the elders and youth. “No one is going to be excluded as we go forward. The elders represent our ancestors, and the youth are our future, we need them involved.” Currently Doiron and his team are in the process of developing an Elder and Youth Advisory Council to ensure input from all areas of the community. www.ufn.ca

JUNE 2015

ARE YOU BUILDING YOUR DREAM HOUSE ON SWAMPLAND? Until you’ve completed your due diligence— stringently qualify the opportunity—and you know you’re on

SALES

solid ground, you shouldn’t be working on

JOHN GLENNON

“blueprints”—proposals

magine buying a plot of land on which to build your dream house. Imagine hiring an architect to turn your dream house vision into a working design and detailed set of blueprints. Imagine spending hours with the architect going over each and every detail of the design making sure that it accurately reflects your vision. Imagine hiring contractors and artisans to transform your dream house design into a reality. Imagine hiring an interior designer to create a most magnificent interior and obtain unique accents for your dream house. Now imagine the construction crew beginning to dig the footers for the foundation and discovering that four feet below the surface of your plot of land lies a boggy substrate that would neither support the foundation nor the infrastructure for your dream house. Hopes and dreams (not to mention time, energy, and money) vanish in an instant. Of course, that would never have happened. Why? Because you would not have purchased the land without first performing your due diligence (such as examining the survey and structural analysis reports) and determining the parcel to be suitable for the intended use. If the particular piece of land was unsuitable for your dream house, you would have searched elsewhere for a more suitable parcel on which to build.

and presentations

those outcomes), you’re not yet on solid ground. Once you have a complete picture of your prospects’ situations, you must decide if you can deliver best-fit solutions for their needs. “Best fit” not only from your perspective, but from their perspectives as well. To determine if you can earn best-fit status, you’ll need to know the expectations and priority prospects assign to all of the various aspects of the sale—initial investment, total cost, delivery, implementation, service, and so on.

And, you wouldn’t have engaged an architect until you had secured an appropriate spot. After all, it wouldn’t make sense to invest time and money developing plans for your dream house if you have nowhere to build it. Right? The same strategy holds true for developing “dream” sales. Until you’ve completed your due diligence—stringently qualify the opportunity—and you know you’re on solid ground, you shouldn’t be working on “blueprints”—proposals and presentations. So, how do you stringently qualify an opportunity and make sure you’re on firm footing? First and foremost, you must thoroughly understand your p ro s p e c t s’ s i t u a t i o n s—t h e challenges they are facing, the problems they are attempting to solve, and the goals they desire to achieve. Additionally, you must be able to view those situations from the prospects’ points of view—rather than through the lens of any preconceived ideas you may have. And that means doing a lot of “asking” before you do any “telling.” Until you fully understand the outcomes prospects are after (and the events that precipitated the desire for

If, for example, you can deliver what you believe to be a best-fit solution for the amount of money the prospect is willing to invest, but the implementation time (which is extremely important to the prospect) lies outside the window the prospect has set, your solution is not a best fit. And regardless of how detailed a set of “blueprints” you submit, your sale will never get built. W hether you’re bu i ld i ng a house or a sale, you’ll need solid ground on which to build it. If the base is unstable, it’s only a matter of time before the structure

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collapses. So, before you begin working on “blueprints” (presentations and proposals), dig around in the dirt for a bit and make sure you’re not standing in a swamp. Copyright 2015 Sandler Training and Insight Sales Consulting Inc. All rights reserved. John Glennon is the owner of Insight Sales Consulting Inc, an authorized Sandler Training Licensee. He can be reached at jglennon@sandler.com, toll free at 1-866-645-2047 or visit www.glennon.sandler.com

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JUNE 2015

Historic Vancouver Island Blue Grouse Wines held grand opening

lue Grouse Estate Winery held the grand opening of their new tasting room and winery facility at 2182 Lakeside Road in Duncan, British Columbia on May 23rd. Nestled in the heart of Vancouver Island’s Cowichan Valley, Blue Grouse is one of Vancouver Isla nd’s fi rst w i neries, work i ng with vines originally planted in 1977. Wi nema ker Bailey Williamson, was in attendance to showcase the latest vintages from the historic estate. The winery released ‘Paula’, a brand new sparkling wine cuvée, named in honour of the owner’s daughter. T he Fa m i ly-ow ne d , i n s pi re d new w inery facility was built w ith many sustainable elements including locally-sourced construction materials, the use of geothermal energy, onsite water col lection a nd treatment, as wel l as other features that reduce mechanical heating and cooling.

Blue grouse estate winery new tasting room and bar

BETTER OFF Breaks Through

he Municipality of North Cowichan, i n pa rtnersh ip w ith BC Hydro, FortisBC and City Green Solutions, is launching BET- TER OFF North Cowichan this month. This commu n ity-ba sed energ y con ser vat ion i n itiative is a i med at i mprov i ng the energy efficiency of homes in North C o w i c h a n , h e l p i n g re s i d e n t s s a v e money and reducing our community’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

“BE T T E R OF F Nor t h Cow ich a n i s another example of how we are working to meet the energy and GHG emission reduction targets in our Climate Action a nd Energ y Pla n,” stated Mayor Jon Lefebure. “We are excited to be working with City Green Solutions, a non-profit energ y efficiency orga n ization, because they have so much experience SEE COWICHAN VALLEY BRIEFS | PAGE 9

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JUNE 2015

COWICHAN VALLEY BRIEFS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

work i ng w it h loca l gover nments across the Province on similar programs.” With the launch of the BETT ER OFF North Cow icha n program, for a limited time, North Cow- icha n residents c a n n o w p i c k u p t h e i r f re e energy and water con- servation kits. T hese kits include a brand new high-efficiency showerhead a nd two faucet aer- ators—one for the kitchen and one for the bathroom. To

participate, just be one of the first 75 homeowners or renters to bring in your old fixtures to the Municipal Hall in exchange for one of the free kits. “ I n s t a l l a t i o n i s s o e a s y,” says Peter Sundberg with City Green Solutions. “All you need to do is unscrew your old fixtures, screw in the new ones and start saving.” Mayor Lefebure concluded, “We’re not just saving water, we’re reducing our energy use and GHG emissions. In short, we’re a l l BET T ER OFF w ith high-efficiency fixtures.”

Dakova Square project receives approval

he Dakova Square project loc ated i n dow ntown Duncan has received development permit ap prova l f rom c it y c o u nc i l fol low i n g a 4-3 vote. It’s a 5-story, 36-unit mixed residential and commercial structure that w ill be built at the i ntersection of G overn ment St reet a nd Ca n ad a Avenue. The project is focused on reti red i nd iv idua ls i nterested in access to outdoor activities a nd a men it ies such as gol fing, fishing and boating. It’s a lso pet friend ly, a nd renta l friendly. T he developer, The Dakova G ro up, i s i n t h e p ro c e s s of

seeking a building perm it from city staff. T hey are a privately owned western Canadian real estate ser v ice compa ny w ith more than 30 years of industry exper ience. V lado Brcic is t he president and founder of the company, which had its head of f ice located i n St. A lber t, Alberta. T hei r por t fol io i ncludes projects i n E d monton, For t Saskatchewan, St. Albert and Vancouver Island. T hey also have planned projects in Fort McMurray. A lex Robertson of Royal LePage Duncan Realty is the sales agent.

UPCOMING EVENTS IN THE VALLEY At the Pacific Rim Wine Competition in San Bernadino, California, Rocky Creek won a silver medal for their Robin’s

COWICHAN VALLEY

Rose and a bronze for their Siegerrebe

KATHY LACHMAN

e w Fa r m e r s ’ M a rk e t Launched A new mid-week farmers’ market is set to start June 3rd from 4:00 pm to 6:30 pm in the field between Beverly Corners and the Cowichan Aquatic Centre in Duncan. The market will feature food and beverage items and will run every Wednesday through the summer and fall. ••• Islands Agriculture Show set for 2016 The Islands Agriculture Show Society is pleased to announce that the 2016 Islands Agriculture Show will be held at the Cowichan Exhibition Park in Duncan from February 12-13, 2016. The 2016 show is shaping up to be the

best ever. New for 2016 will be a pre-show workshop on water storage and irrigation options for farmers with a tour of best practices in the Cowichan Region. Stay tuned for more information by going to the web site at www. iashow.ca. ••• Cowichan Exhibition The 147th Cowichan Exhibition is set for September 11-13, 2015 at the Cowichan Exhibition Park

in Duncan. The theme for this year’s show is Blue: Liquid GoldWater and Agriculture. New for this year will be a Kid’s Zone with lots of activities for kids of all ages. Activities include Hobbies & Crafts, Lego, Creation Contest, Zucchini Race, Scarecrow Contest, Gardening, Kitchen Creations and Poster Contest. For more information go to www. cowex.ca ••• Rock y Creek Wi ner y Wi ns Medals Rocky Creek Winery h a s brought home 10 medals to date in 2015. At the Pacific Rim Wine Competition in San Bernadino, California, Rocky Creek won a silver medal for their Robin’s Rose and a bronze for their Siegerrebe. Almost 2,000 wines entered this competition. At the Northwest Wine Summit in Oregon, Rocky Creek won four silver and two bronze medals. These award winning wines can be purchased at the winery, online or at farmers’ markets from Nanaimo to Victoria. For more information, go to www.rockycreekwinery.ca Kathy Lachman is the Acting Manager for Economic Development Cowichan, a division of the Cowichan Valley Regional District.

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recently had the good fortune to tour North Vancouver’s waterfront led by Mayor Darrell Mussatto and Councillor Linda Buchanan. We also got to experience the launch of their Friday Night Food Truck Festival, but that’s a whole different story for next month! Just over a year ago, North Vancouver published their ‘Central Waterfront Development Plan’ describing a vision to rehabilitate their historic industrial waterfront. Five words: ‘this vision is about people’ kicks off the 65page report. Some highlights of the plan’s mission include statements like “culturally and historically rich, it must be a year round gathering place, be void of vehicles yet accessible, make it intimate, must be programmed and must be monetized”. In the end, the

be a year round gathering place, be void of vehicles yet accessible, make it intimate, must be programmed and must be monetized” report cited these among the ‘ten commandments’ of downtown waterfront development. Their project is quickly becoming a ‘people place’ of outstanding proportions. As Mayor Mussatto led me running up and down the piers, around construction barricades, and over graveled environmental remediation sites, through a 750 seat Tap & Barrel restaurant (to open this summer), I couldn’t stop making comparisons with Nanaimo’s South Downtown Waterfront. In North Van, the pace of progress seemed incredibly rapid in contrast with our experience in

Nanaimo. When I questioned how you turn a plan into reality in such a short time frame, his answer was simple. Choose the best help to help develop and define your community’s vision, get buy-in from elected leaders -- because it’s the right thing to do, ensure staff understands clearly what plan they’re following, and move forward with deliberation and commitment. Most importantly, “don’t sweat the small stuff”. North Vancouver’s modus operandi is simple, the ten points of their mission clearly detail their vision and their committed actions demonstrate they’re moving forward with determination on behalf of the community. Is this a model that we could be following more closely here? Is it possible to consider North Van as a ‘best practice’ to adopt for our South Downtown Waterfront? Can we trying doing it that way, and be careful not to ‘sweat the small stuff’? The evidence of a potentially incredible successful outcome is there, and from what I saw it looked VERY good for business. And that’s good for any community. Kim Smythe is CEO of the Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce. He can be reached at ceo@ nanaimochamber.bc.ca

VIU Faculty Receive Teaching Excellence Awards

Specializing in; · Income splitting structures (Family Trusts) · Corporate reorganizations (section 86 & section 51)

· Section 85 rollovers Kevin Beausoleil BA, MBA, CPA, CGA

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A NA IMO - Four Vancouver Island University (VIU) faculty members received teaching excellence awards during this week’s convocation ceremonies. Tourism and leadership professor Dr. Ken Hammer and English professor Dr. Katharina Rout each received a Provost Award for Excellence in Teaching Design and Practice that Employs Innovative Practices for Student Learning. Math professor Dr. Dave Bigelow received an excellence award for a teaching style that enhances deep learning, while Biology professor Dr. Tim Goater was recognized for teaching excellence that employs experiential learning. Dr. Nicole Vaugeois, who nominated colleague Dr. Hammer in the Department of Recreation and Tourism Management, said Hammer’s students “never know what to expect” in his classes. “On one day, he might break out in a song that he’s written for the class to summarize key points, or have students meeting downtown with community leaders to discuss leadership, or have students share what they’ve learned from a reading circle,” she says. “I was once a student of Ken’s at Red Deer College. Everything I learned about effective teaching has been instilled from his mentorship and his passionate and

unwavering interest in how to facilitate learning. His ability to innovate and create opportunities for learners to explore topics in creative ways makes him an excellent teacher.” Former student Katherine Anderson describes math teacher Dr. Dave Bigelow as the kind of math teacher who “transforms the stereotypical culture of mathematics from dreary and drab to fun and exciting. “He makes class a place where students want to be by stimulating imagination and nurturing critical thinking and reasoning,” Anderson said. Laura Johnson, another former student and now an English instructor, says Bigelow’s sense of humor and theatrical tendencies infused the classroom with energy and enthusiasm, and students could not help but be swept away in his serious yet playful love for math.” Dr. Ross MacKay, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities at VIU, who nominated Dr. Katharina Rout for the teaching excellence award, said that, “Katherina works tirelessly to enhance the classroom experience for students who often describe her as one of the best teachers they’ve ever had.” Faculty member Marni Stanley adds that Rout has consistently stretched herself as an instructor

by taking on complex new courses that require extensive preparations. Rout teaches courses about Arab literature and international Nobel Prize authors, among others. “She is constantly trying new things, reading new things and developing new courses or new versions of old courses,” adds Stanley. “She is innovative, creative and passionate about teaching.” Biology professor Dr. Tim Goater integrates hands-on learning experiences in the classroom, in laboratories and, especially, in the field, into his first year zoology and advanced parasitology, invertebrate zoology, and entomology courses. Goater’s experiential teaching and learning involves frequent field trips to local ecosystems and the Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre. He also co-teaches a Tropical Biology Field School in Belize. Nom i n ator Dr. Erik K rogh (Chemistry Department, VIU) says, “Tim Goater brings unbridled passion into the classroom, has an unfettered dedication to student’s success, and is unparalleled in his integration of hands-on laboratory and field experiences.” Each year, VIU issues Provost Awards for Excellence in Teaching Design and Practice in several categories to celebrate and recognize faculty’s dedication to students.

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id you know that as a resident of Canada and as an inventor, you are able to file your own patent applications i n Ca nada a nd the US? Assuming that the invention is owned by you and not owned or licensed by a company, you are able to deal directly with both patent offices from beginning to end. There are step by step guidelines on both the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) website and the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) website that take you through the requirements and the steps for filing.

Filing can be done electronically, or as a paper copy. If you are filing a paper copy w ith CI PO, ma ke su re to send it as registered mail at the post office, if the filing is time sensitive, as CIPO will use the date of receipt in the post office as the filing date – but only if it is sent by registered mail! Remember, i f you a re filing an application on your own, there are other steps that you will need to take. For a Canadian application, you will receive a notice that maintenance fees are due by the second anniversary after the filing date. After that, maintenance fees will be due yearly – and no reminders will be sent! As the fifth anniversary approaches you will receive a reminder that a request for examination needs to be filed. The fee and the request must be received by the deadline. At some time after that, you will receive a n E x a m i ner’s report. For a US application, you will not be required to pay

the maintenance fees for the application and you will have already paid the search and examination fee at the time of filing. At some ti me, you w i l l receive a n E x a m i ner’s report. Fo r b o t h a US a p pl icat ion a nd a Ca n ad ia n application, the Examiner’s report is the first indication as to whether the appl ication that you filed is going to have any chance of becoming a granted patent. If you really know what you are doing, and you truly have an invention that is novel and is non-obvious, the prospects are good. Going it alone is not for the faint of heart – but it is possible! Anne Flanagan is the principal at Alliance Patents. She works with a cadre of highly skilled professionals and can help you build the team you need to succeed. She can be reached at anne.flanagan@ alliancepatents.com

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NEW DOWNTOWN PANTRY AIMS TO ‘WOW’ Franchise owners bring decades of experience to new restaurant

ANAIMO – One thing’s for sure, Peter and Patricia Dolan know how to build a successful franchise. After five years in retirement, the couple has re-entered the world of food and beverage with the opening of The Pantry in Downtown Nanaimo. “When we were building I told them, ‘give me the best of everything’,” says Peter. “There isn’t any other Pantry location that looks like ours. “The restaurant has the newest and best of everything that was available, it’s state-of-the-art. The aesthetics and feel of the building represent the brand’s new look going forward.” July 1st will mark the first anniversary since the location opened, and Dolan has been pleased with the community’s reception so far. “So far the feedback has been positive, we have a high level of service and a great ambience,” he says. “The staff are mature, and they want to be at work. Any complaint is handled personally;

Congratulations to Peter & Patricia, of The Pantry! Tel: (250) 758-8464 www.denmarelectric.com

The Pantry Nanaimo’s state-of-the-art bar the goal here is to ‘wow’ people. “We have a very ha nds-on m a n a gem ent s t yle, a nd we want to make the customers feel like it’s their own place, we’re tou ch i n g ever y t able a nd en g a g i n g w it h p e ople. That approach is less common than it should be in this industry, I think that’s how we’ve seen success throughout our careers.” The Pantry isn’t the Dolan’s fi rst foray i nto the world of franchising. In 1998 they left Northern Ontario after selling a grocery store they had owned, and moved to BC. “We started looking around the province, trying to find something that was going to be a good fit for us business-wise,” he says. “A friend of ours told us that Tim

Hortons would be a good fit given our background. “We applied to become a franchisee and they offered us a location in Nanaimo on Bowen Road. We visited the City and fell in love.” In 2002 they won an award as the #1 Franchise Operator in Western Canada and the Yukon for excellence in service, cleanliness, and high quality standards. That year they also opened a second franchise at Southgate-Chase R iver, and a few years later a third on the corner of Wallace and Comox. In 2008 they made the decision to retire. “T hose ten yea rs were the busiest of our lives,” says Dolan. “They were very rewarding, Tim Hortons was good to us and we

have nothing but good things to say, but we needed a break.” When the benefits of retirement wore off, the couple started looking for a new challenge. “We reti red a nd travel led, but after a while we found out we didn’t have any hobbies,” laughed Peter. “We had always been interested in running a restaurant, and started looking for the right fit in 2013. “There were a number of different brands that we looked at. We knew that we wanted something in the City Centre, family focused and not a pub, that was our criteria.” Peter a nd h i s w i fe sett led on T he Pantry after visiting the brand managers, Vancouver-based Triumph Hospitality

Group. “There were a lot of positive associations with the brand name for us,” he says. “The current owners are pretty new, and we were pleased with the direction they were headed. “To be successful, it’s really important for there to be strong infrastructure behind you.” Dolan attributes much of his achievements in business to being a franchisee. “Being a part of a brand takes care of so many of the details associated with the industry,” he says. “We haven’t had to develop a menu or brand. Head office takes care of new marketi ng ca mpa ig ns, prov ides SEE PANTRY | PAGE 13

Wishing Peter & the team continued success, from all of us at Sleeman Breweries!

Jarett Fleming

| Sales representative Cell 250-714-5745 | Order Desk 1-800-652-0755 jfleming@sleeman.ca • sleemanbreweries.ca

JUNE 2015

A exterior view of The Pantry in Nanaimo Patricia and Peter Dolan, Owners of The Pantry Nanaimo

PANTRY CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12

An example of the redefined Pantry brand menus

back-of-hou se suppor t a nd stability. “Otherwise you’re on your own, it takes a long time to build everything from scratch. The royalties and fees we pay are absolutely worth it.” Throughout BC and Alberta there are twelve Pantry locations, with two additional planned for Vancouver Island. Triumph Hospitality also operates the Rockwell’s Grill & Bar brand, and is in the process of launching the ICON TastingBar & Distillery. The Dolan’s used local developer Island West Coast Developments for their project. “They had done the main building that our unit is in, it was an easy fit,” he adds. “The process was amazing, we were very happy with the job they did. “It was on time and on budget, which is often unusual in these kinds of projects, especially with the tight time frame we were working with.” Highlights on the construction side include an environmentally friendly focused design. The kitchen features industry leading range hoods and ventilation systems In the upcoming months the Dolans are looking at getting

involved in community events and programs. “We want to grow steadily,” says Peter. “Outside input is always appreciated. There have

been suggestions to do a Sunday buffet and we’re looking at really focusing on our patio this summer. www.thepantry.ca

open happiness

®Coca-Cola Ltd., used under license.

JUNE 2015

COMMUNITY BASED - COMMUNITY DRIVEN

• VIIC can trace its roots back to the BC Land & Insurance Group established in 1863

s of March 1 of this year, Nanaimo’s Lenhart Insurance became a member of the Vancouver Island InsuranceCentres (VIIC) family. The purchase continues the VIIC tradition of joining with community-based independent brokerages that value their brand and want to see their legacy thrive. The addition of Lenhart Insurance will enhance the VIIC presence in the Nanaimo region and open new opportunities for the Lenhart staff and clients. “We are known in our communities as top-notch, excellent service providers and advisors,” said Melanie Davies, VIIC director of sales and marketing. “We train our staff to have conversations that build relationships and assist people. And we’re about finding solutions for people.” She noted that because VIIC started as a group of independent insurance brokerages that came together to strengthen their offerings, they have a strong community orientation. “When we joined together under the banner of VIIC, we kept our community focus. At the same time, we have realized the efficiencies that come with being a larger organization.” VIIC offers every type of insurance including Autoplan, private auto, residential, recreation vehicle, watercraft, travel, life, group benefits and and commercial insurance. “We have a very large and very experienced commercial insurance team on the island,” Davies said. “And we also have regional life insurance advisors. We can put together a package that fits everyone.” VIIC deals with every major domestic insurer as well as international insurers. CEO Tony Hayes said that with 15 offices located from Victoria to Port Hardy, the brokerage is pleased with the acquisition of a second office in Nanaimo. It not only helps Lenhart’s customers but also adds to the overall strength of VIIC. More than 100 years of Service VIIC is the largest privately owned insurance brokerage on

INTERESTING FACTS:

• V I I C o p e r a t e s a n exclusive home i nsu ra nce prog ra m, custom-designed for the needs of its clients • VIIC is a strong claims advocate for its clients; in 2014 it helped it s c l ient s re c over more than $16 million in insurance claims • 180 plus Employees in 12 communities on Vancouver Island • I n 2014, V I IC contributed more than $ 13 0,0 0 0 to w a rd s sponsorship and charitable activities in its communities

Nanaimo’s VIIC team celebrates the addition of Lenhart Insurance

“We grew up with the communities around us. We’ve had success alongside our communities.” Tony Hayes CEO, Vancouver Island InsuranceCentres

The Lenhart Nanaimo team has recently joined VIIC Vancouver Island with roots going back over 100 years. The history of VIIC is the history of each of the 15 offices that make up the VIIC group. In most cases, especially in the Mid to North Island region, VIIC firms were the first insurance brokerages in their communities. Hayes said the VIIC is proud of

the history of its offices and of the service they have provided for the various communities. “We are locally owned and grown,” he said. “We grew up with the communities around us. We’ve had success alongside our communities.” The company’s head office is

Call us at

310-viic

or visit us online at viic.ca

located in Courtenay. Each office is operated by a manager who has a great deal of autonomy in his or her community while receiving strong support at a leadership level. Each office is profoundly in touch with the needs of its community. VIIC is also employee-owned, with profits going back

into the community through wages, local purchasing and community sponsorship. “We’ve been a great success story over our 100 years,” Hayes said, “And we are actively looking to grow our business up and down the island.” www.viic.ca

JUNE 2015

COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE

Commercial Real Estate is viable option for investment dollars Commercial Real Estate varies across BC BY BETH HENDRY-YIM

nvestors looking for better returns on their investment dollars are turning to commercial real estate as a viable place to put their money. T he attraction, sa id Tim Dow n, com merci a l re a l estate agent and past president of the BC Commercial Council and current director with the Okanagan Mainline Real Estate Board in Kelowna, is a combination of capital preservation and return on investment. “Investors are looking for a ‘return on’ and a ‘return of’ their investment,” he said. In other words they want to be able to get their money back, but they also want a rate of return that pays more than bank rates and has a lower risk than the stock market. Dow n ex plained that commercial real estate is defined as non-residential property zoned for com mercia l, i nvestment and industrial uses as well as hotels/motels and large-scale residential rental complexes. There are a variety of property types from office buildings to industrial warehouses that can be either owned and occupied or leased out to a tenant who pays rent as well as the entire annual operating costs for the

SEE REAL ESTATE | PAGE 16

“A realtor with a background in business has a greater understanding of the challenges and sophistication behind the purchase of commercial real estate.” JAY COUSINS COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE SPECIALIST, NANAIMO

Jay Cousins said the mid-island region is slated for sustained and future growth

NANAIMO & VANCOUVER ISLAND PROPERTIES GAS BAR & CONVENIENCE STORE 6,000 SQ. FT. COMMERCIAL BUILDING Across from new to be constructed waterfront Hilton Includes land & buildings, Two - 3 bedroom suites. $ Manager/Operator in place. 1,080.000 hotel. 2 levels plus rear parking from back street FOR LEASE OR SALE $849,500 HOTEL, RESTAURANT + LIQUOR STORE 34 UNIT OCEAN VIEW $ For Sale. Yearly gross sales $2.8 Million $2,965,000 Approved condo dev. site. 759,000 45 UNIT 2 YR OLD OCEAN VIEW APARTMENT BLOCK 13 UNIT APARTMENT HOTEL Excellent monthly income. Low vacancy, on site Excellent monthly income. Pub & liquor licensed + $ management. Ideal for strata conversion. Gross commercial space. 729,000 $ revenue $38,000 monthly 5,850,000 $ 19 UNIT CONDO DEV. SITE 369,000 FORECLOSURE 5,000 SQ. FT. BUILDING $ 459,000 NANAIMO 250 SEAT NIGHT CLUB 4 bay doors, office, hwy exposure. $ 295,000 Qualified PNP 24 UNIT OCEAN VIEW APARTMENT BLOCK JUST LISTED 2 LIQUOR STORES $ Next to seawalk. Excellent condition. 2 buildings on LOCATION A 1.5 MILLION $ $ separate titles. 2.195,000 LOCATION B 1,050,000

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JUNE 2015

REAL ESTATE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15

Hans Van de Kamp

Providing Business Broker and Commercial Real Estate Sales & Services Based in Victoria - Specializing on Vancouver Island

FEATURED VANCOUVER ISLAND OPPORTUNITIES: this month’s FEatUrEd oPPortUnitiEs: Victoria NORTH ISLAND HOTEL & MOTEL Two buildings - Total 69 rooms with 18 kitchen units. Includes Liquor Store, Pub, Café & locally acclaimed Restaurant. Situated

Victoria Victoria & so. island VICTORIA LIGHT INDUSTRIAL Warehouse & Showroom with 2nd. Floor Offices. Ideal Owner Operator Investment Opportunity. City Core - Features Countless Upgrades. $749K

on a 2.19 Acre Lot. Price includes

SOLD

adjacent 1.3 Acre C-1 Lot. $3.998M

VICTORIA MULTI-FAMILY Light Industrial Building New Listing – Office For Sale Clients Seeking Multi-Family 8 Apartments – Never Vacant! Great, close to Warehouse & Showroom on the main Strata office in city center location, steps to Revenue Properties Downtown Location. parking floor with 8 offices on the 2nd. Ideal Owner the Provincial Court House and Parliament MustIncludes have decent Cap. Rate and / or demonMID-ISLAND EXCLUSIVE Operator Investment Opportunity. City Buildings. 655 Sq.for Ft. plus Ft. sunny strateGood upside potential. up300toSq.10 vehicles! Revenues. Core - Countless Lease Options deck. Nice outlook. Ideal for accountant, INVESTMENT RANGE: $1M to $5M PUB, LANDUpgrades. & BUILDING $1.098M$159K available. $749K legal or medical professionals. Premiere location, well established with quality building. Full kitchen nanaimo and potential for additional restaurant. Excellent year over year Revenue Growth - attractive Cap. Rate. $1.9M

mid-island north island INVESTOR SEEKING LOWER ISLAND - LIGHT INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY. Tenanted Warehouse(s) or similar. Must generate a good ROI and/or demonstrate near-term upside potential. INVESTMENT RANGE: $1M to $3M

Manufacturing, Service & Installation Business Extensive customer base of national, regional and island businesses. Exceptional NOI, generating recurring revenues and experiencing solid growth. In business for over 50 years! $650K

Pub, Land & Building Premiere location,

Hotel - Total 69 rooms,18 with kitchen

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property. “It ca n a lso i nclude multi-purpose and mixed use multi-family dwellings,” he said adding that trends in lifestyle, urban planning, environmental factors and building costs are driving how commercial space is developed, especially in centralized locations and specific regions in BC. “Planning departments of mu n icipa l ities a nd regional districts prefer mixed use development because it enhances the liv ing ex perience. Vertica l bu i ld i ng creates a community where people can live, work and shop, cutting down on the land footpr i nt a nd t ra f f ic congestion.” Jason Kahl, Chair of the Commercial Council of Victoria Real Estate Board, said “Municipalities like Langford in the Greater Victoria Regional District are encouraging higher density development through comprehensive zon ing reg u lations a nd a s t re a m l i ne d a mendment process because it enc o u ra ge s b e t ter d evelopment that results in a stronger tax core.”

David Black said knowing the market helps get the right place for the right price He added that a municipality’s attitude around zoning leads everything to do with developing or investing in a property. “Some cities will look at zoning as a way of cont rol l i n g d e ve lop m e nt, wh i le others use it as a way of inviting development,” he said. Demographics have a big

say in commercial real estate trends. According to Ron Rodgers, Chair of the BC Northern Commercial Council, Fort St. John has the highest birthrate in Canada and the youngest population in BC with a large majority of residents working in trades within SEE REAL ESTATE | PAGE 17

COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE

JUNE 2015

REAL ESTATE

Top Five Considerations When Purchasing Commercial Real Estate for Your Business

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 16

the oil and gas industry. Workers’ needs and wants and where they spend thei r dol la rs a re different from an older, more established population like Kelowna or Victoria. He said people living in the northern community aren’t necessarily looking for variety in retail and shopping, or multi family dwellings. They’re looking for space. “Our demographic, weather and topography play a factor.” Rodgers said. “With 40 b e low we at h e r a nd s e ve ra l feet of snow, the typical, ‘city c a r ’ d o e s n’t c u t i t. T ra d e s need ATV’s in the summer and snowmobiles in the winter just to get into job sites. So the need for additional parking, warehouse and shop space is a necessity with most families.” He added that with northern BC’s rapid growth in the natural gas industry, commercial real estate is skewed towards light industrial. P ri nce G eorge com mercia l realtor David Black, President of the BC Northern Real Estate Board and Vice Chair of the BC Northern Commercial Council, said his city’s economy has been fairly stable for the past 25 years, especially with the addition of the university. He added that there is some speculation and waiting to see what LNG will bring to the community

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Ron Rodgers recently won 2014 MLS Top Commercial Realtor from the Commercial Council of the BC Northern Real Estate Board

Location. Location. Location. Know your target market. Understand what is needed financially. Evaluate business needs, not just wants. Work with a commercial real estate specialist.

and the impact it will have on the economy and growth, but with the city’s stability comes a better rate of return on investment dollars. He said that part of that return is based on the future value of a property. “In Vancouver you can expect a sizeable appreciation on the value of the building,” he said. ”In Prince George the value of a property will appreciate at a slower rate then the larger city, so the CAP rate or rate of return is higher here.” Nanaimo commercial real estate specialist Jay Cousins said the mid-island region is one of two areas that he feels will be a source of sustained and future growth. The other area is the Okanagan. Both regions, he said, host a population wanting lifestyle a men it ie s t h at a re clo se at hand, which makes mixed-use bu i ld i ngs, where reta i l, office and residential spaces are combined, ideal for living and investing. “Historically it was a slower paced lifestyle region up until

20 ye a rs a go, i n t he l a st 10 years Kelowna and area have seen dramatic growth,” Down said. “The University of British Columbia Okanagan h a s sign ificantly ex panded. Kelowna International Airport is the tenth busiest i n Ca nada, and we’ve got improved, state-of-the-a rt hea lthca re centers.” The result, he said, is a community where people may have their second and third homes, including those in highend multi-use buildings and resorts. D o w n s a i d t h a t t h e O k anagan is seeing an increase in investment dollars from across Canada and as a result of the Alberta oil economy, Cousins said the mid-island region is seeing investors from Vancouver, Alberta and Asia. He added that when investors look to invest in commercial real estate they choose either a passive or an active investment depend ing on the investors’ SEE REAL ESTATE | PAGE 20

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JUNE 2015

COMMERCIAL BANKING BUILT OF RELATIONSHIPS Coastal Community Credit Union offers a full suite of products and services to businesses BY GOODY NIOSI

t Coa sta l Com mu n ity Cre d it Un ion (CCC U ) commercial banking is different – it’s all about relationships. Joel Scobie, associate vice president of commercial services, put it this way, “It’s about a mutually beneficial relationship. And the key to our relationships are the people, both our members and our Coastal Community employees, who truly care about the needs, goals and dreams of those we serve. It’s about setting our members up for lasting success.” I n t h e s p i r i t o f r e l a t i o nship-building, Scobie said that it’s essential to understand a business member’s full picture so that CCCU can skillfully provide helpful, all-encompassing advice and solutions, rather than simply selling a product. “Members can have all their financial needs taken care of at Coastal Community,” he said. “And what we do with our full suite of services is personalized bundling. We like to say that we do the knitting – we will knit that suite of products together to best suit the member’s short and longterm goals and dreams.” CCCU maximizes its services by utilizing the expertise of the entire CCCU team and family of companies. The result is a personalized, integrated solution for each business that goes well beyond just addressing banking needs. While parent company Coastal Community Credit Union delivers a full range of options in personal, business and commercial banking, CCCU also has its two other wholly owned subsidiaries at its fingertips. P rov id i ng a w ide va riety of wealth management services is Coastal Community Financial

Coastal Community Credit Union’s head office is in Nanaimo on Vancouver Island Management Inc., while Coastal Community Insurance Services (2007) Ltd. offers extensive personal and commercial insurance options. At Coa s t a l Com mu n it y, a business relationsh ip starts with a meaningful, in-depth conversation. “This is so important because we have to come from a place of understanding our members’ needs so that we can provide them with a helpful and a meaningful financial solution,” Scobie said. A conversation might start with asking how the business is running and continue with questions specific to the industry the client is in and what the requirements are for the business and the member, both now and in

the future. “We’re looking to provide proactive solutions that help with their business growth, rather than just a solution that helps them today,” Scobie said. “We can grow together.” CCCU offers business loans ranging from the thousands to loans in the millions. Each loan application requires different information including revenue, profitability and strength of the balance sheet. Does the business need a line of credit? A mortgage? Each loan is as unique and personal as the business itself. However, each loan has at least one similarity, Scobie said. “It’s the people that run the businesses. We like to say that we lend money to businesses, but

what we’re really doing is lending money to the people who run them.” Because CCCU is a local institution with local decision-making capacities, it operates differently from large, national financial institutions. CCCU has 22 branches on Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands, including a new branch that opened this May in Victoria’s Goldstream Village, with a 23rd branch opening in the fall on Fort Street in downtown Victoria. On Vancouver Island it has branches as far north as Port Hardy. “ We a re t r u ly i n t he loc a l market,” Scobie said. “All our employees live right here on Vancouver Island, as do our board of directors, so our decisions are made locally by people who

live and work here.” The decision-makers at CCCU share the same marketplace and the same communities, he said: they understand intimately the challenges local businesses face as well as the strengths they have to offer, and can then tailor solutions accordingly. “We’re the home team,” he said. “And we have the home field advantage.” That plus personal service are just two of the reasons CCCU i s successf u l a s a f i n a nci a l institution. “The staff get to know you in your branch location. We are accessible. If you want to contact me or anyone on our staff at our Business Centres, we have direct phone numbers,” Scobie said.

Our experts offered her a combination of banking, borrowing and insurance solutions that supported her growing business.

Visit us at any location, online at cccu.ca or call 1.888.741.1010.

JUNE 2015

“It’s the people that run the businesses. We like to say that we lend money to businesses, but what we’re really doing is lending money to the

More about Coastal Community: • •

people who run them.” JOEL SCOBIE, ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT OF COMMERCIAL SERVICES, COASTAL COMMUNITY CREDIT UNION

•

Joel Scobie says good business banking starts with building strong relationships In addition, CCCU also has an Island-based member and client contact centre, known as the Relationship Centre, with extended hours of service available by phoning 1-888-741-1010 or using its webchat service through cccu. ca. The centre is open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays. “You’re a member, you’re not

just a customer,” Scobie said. “We want to get to know our members. And it all comes back to our vision. At Coastal Community, we exist to improve financial health, enrich people’s lives, and build healthier communities.” He added that with its range in loans, CCCU is intent on building relationships with a variety of businesses and business

sizes, including those in the small to medium range, to ensure they continue to grow and thrive. “We have the banking and lending capacity to really meet the needs of any number of businesses on Vancouver Island,” he said, stressing that CCCU delivers full service banking with products and services to meet all business needs. Scobie pointed out

that feedback from new members often is centered around the issues they had getting a loan from other financial institutions, simply because those institutions didn’t like the client’s type of business. “Our commercial loans and deposit totals grow year after year,” Scobie said, noting that CCCU’s helpf u l a nd k nowledgeable people and community visibility are just some of the reasons why business members find CCCU better than other financial institutions. “ We of ten hea r ou r members say, ‘We didn’t know that banking could be this easy.’ It’s all about the relationship. They come into any of our locations and meet with our staff face-toface, or we can visit them, whichever is more convenient. That’s when you can have a really good conversation about your business and your business needs so that the business owner can understand what Coastal Community can do for them and Coastal Community can understand how it can provide the business with a helpful, complete solution.” It all boils down to relationships, he said. At CCCU, the strength of its business in the commercial sector sits squarely on the relationships it builds and nurtures every day. Coastal Community Credit Union’s head office is at 220 – 59 Wharf Street in Nanaimo. www.cccu.ca

• •

•

CCCU has been providing services on Vancouver Island for almost 70 years In total, the Coastal Community family of companies serves over 110,000 people and businesses on Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands, from Victoria to Port Hardy The largest Island-based financial services organization—a position held since 2005 The 23rd largest credit union in Canada in terms of asset size CCCU offers full retail and business banking services at its 22 branches and has three specialized business service centres in Nanaimo, Parksville and Courtenay that service the entire Island. CCCU’s wholly owned s u b s i d i a r y, C o a s t a l Community Insurance Services (2007) Ltd., operates 16 insurance offices across the Isl a n d . C C C U ’s o t h e r wholly owned subsidiary, Coastal Community Financial Management Inc., provides comprehensive wealth management services All operations, employees and the Board of Directors are based on Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands, with all decisions made locally The first to bring Interactive Teller Machines (ITMs) to the Island, which provide extended hours of live teller service including early mornings and evenings Depositors are 100 per cent protec ted, w ith protection provided by the Credit Union Deposit Insurance Corporation of British Columbia.

COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE

REAL ESTATE

Rodgers stressed that

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17

desired level of involvement. “Some investors want a strictly passive investment. They buy a property with a good tenant and a long term lease. The only involvement they have is cashing a monthly rent check.” An active investment, he said, is more hands-on and in many cases involves the purchase of a business. He used the exa mple of a 20-suite building where the manager takes care of day-today maintenance and the investor enjoys a passive income. A mini-storage facility, on the other hand, where the investor opens and closes the gates and mans the front desk, would be more active and hands on. Cousins added that the type of i nvestment chosen is determined by the required and expected rate of return. In his com mu n ity of Na n a i mo, he said, the multi-suite building could potentially bring in a five per cent rate of return whereas industrial property could bring in as much as seven per cent. W hether the investment in commercial real estate is for creating a location for a business or a s a n i nvest ment, a qualified real estate specialist can help at every stage. Black sa id asking the right questions creates a clear picture of the clients’ short and

any realtor who is part of a real estate board’s commercial membership, has to pass a criteria that is skewed to commercial experience and education

Some cities zone to attract development according to Jason Kahl long-term goals and will determine the best fit for their needs. He added that knowing and understanding market trends, demographics and the community are part of how a

commercial realtor helps an investor find the right property. “K now i ng wh at i s com i ng up in the market helps get the cl ient the rig ht place at the right price,” he said.

Dow n sa id pa r t of what he does is help clients through the negotiation process whether it is for the purchase of a property for an investment return, starting or expanding business operations, or negotiating the right lease space with appropriate leasehold improvements or free rent and annual operating expenses. He said that for business owners, purchasing a building may not be a desired or financially feasible option. Leasi ng a l lows the busi ness

JUNE 2015

owner to rent at a desired location without having the added cost and hassle of managing the building; a qualified commercial realtor can help determine which is the best fit. When looking for a commercial realtor, Down suggested the investor look at the experience level a nd backg rou nd of the professional. He also said to ask questions about local trends to determine the realtor’s understanding of the market. Kahl said to look at the industry criteria on the association’s websites and find out the depth of their knowledge of the market inventory. Rod gers st ressed t h at a ny realtor who is part of a real estate board’s commercial membership, has to pass a criteria that is skewed to commercial experience and education. “Seeking out a realtor who is a commercial member of the local real estate board is a good way to find a qualified commercial realtor,” he said. Black added that the investor should take the time to interv iew potent i a l rea ltors a nd create a relationsh ip; wh i le Cousins said to look for maturity of experience in business. “Most investors are entrepreneurial,” he said. “A realtor with a background in business has a greater understanding of the challenges and sophistication behind the purchase of commercial real estate.”

JUNE 2015

May Housing Sales Boost Strongest Spring Market Since 2007

a le s i n t h e V IR EB area rose once again in May, contributing to the strongest spring the board has witnessed since 2007. I n May 2015, 527 si ng le-fa m i ly homes sold compared to 450 in April 2015, with year-over-year sales up by nine per cent. I nve ntor y l e ve l s h ave steadily declined over the last 12 months, with active listings down 10 per cent from May 2014. BCREA Chief Economist Cameron Muir states that after several years of subpar housing performance, 2015 is shaping up to be a robust year in terms of unit sales. Interest rates continue to support housing demand while lower oil prices hurting other parts of the country have left British Columbia relatively unscathed. “ Ho u s i n g d e m a n d i s certainly on an upward trajectory throughout the province, except for northern BC,” says Muir. “Canadians are out spending in a big way, which demonstrates high consumer

confidence.” Although the Canadian economy posted a weak first quarter, Muir expects that BC’s gross domestic product (GDP) of 2.47 per cent will lead the country. VIREB President Jason Finlayson confirms that the continued slow-butsteady gains from 2007 point to a housing market that has substantially recovered. Although the summer months are traditionally quieter, activity in our area shows no signs of slowing down. “Despite healthy sales throughout our area, we’ve been in balanced market conditions for some time now,” says Fi n l ayson. “However, continually decreasing inventory levels and steady price increases could start to push us into seller’s territory.” Finlayson reiterates that the VIREB area offers tremendous value for buyers in comparison to many larger urban Canadian centres, so it is an excellent time to enter the housing market. I n M ay 2015, t he

bench m a rk pr ice for a single-family home in the VIREB coverage area was $332,600, up approximately f ive per cent f rom 2014. Benchmark pricing tracks the value of a typical home in the reported area. The average price of a single-family home was $363,195 compared to $345,895 in May 2014, an increase of five per cent. The May 2015 benchmark price of a single-family home i n t he Ca mpb el l River area was $278,400, an increase of 6.35 per cent from last year. In the Comox Valley, the benchmark price was $323,800, up slightly over 2014. Duncan reported a benchmark price of $297,300, an increase of 5.42 per cent over the same month in 2014. Nanaimo’s benchmark price rose 3.90 per cent to $351,600 while the Parksville-Qualicum area saw its benchmark price rise by 4.10 per cent to $362,000. The price for a benchmark home in Port Alberni was $197,200, an increase of approximately two per cent since May 2014.

LEADING BY EXAMPLE

Congratulations Mike Delves Leaders are made, not born. That’s why MNP continues to develop and promote our best people to ensure we continue to meet all your business needs. Congratulations to Mike Delves on his appointment to the Partnership. As an integral member of MNP’s Forestry and Real Estate & Construction Services teams, Mike has 20 years of experience delivering industry-specific advice and results-driven solutions to a diverse range of clients from across Vancouver Island. His relationship-based approach and proven commitment to his community continues to set a standard for our entire team to follow. As a leading national accounting and business consulting firm, MNP continues to lead by example by delivering the people and the results you need to be successful. Contact Mike Delves, CPA, CGA, Business Advisor, Forestry and Real Estate & Construction Services at 250.734.4324 or mike.delves@mnp.ca

PARKSVILLE/QUALICUM BEACH

JUNE 2015

Duncan presents $5.1 million in funding for Qualicum fire hall

UALICUM BEACH - Minister of State John Duncan, on behalf of Greg Rickford, Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources and Minister for the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario, recently announced the federal government’s contribution of $5.1 million from the Green Municipal Fund to the Qualicum Beach innovative, energy-efficient fire hall project at 130 Rupert Road recently. T he Green Municipal Fund helps cities and towns across the country increase their energy

efficiency and create a cleaner and healthier environment while supporting jobs, promoting environmental sustainability and driving economic growth. “Our funding will support the fire hall’s implementation of a proven — but often overlooked — heat-exchange system that will extract heat from an adjacent municipal well field,” said Duncan, the Government W hip and sitting Member of Parliament for Vancouver Island North, who will be running in the newly created riding of Courtenay-Alberni in the 2015

federal election. This project will integrate a water-to-water heat-pump system that takes advantage of the nearby geothermal resources. In turn, the new energy-efficient fire hall will reduce energy and maintenance costs. The goal is to lower energy consumption by as much as 75 per cent below the Model National Energy Code for Buildings. In addition, 80 per cent of the new structure will be made of wood — which is particularly important to the province’s forest sector. “Initiatives like this represent

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the kind of progress and environmental responsibility that we are trying to promote in communities across the country,” Duncan adds. “That’s why the Government of Canada is delivering programs that significantly benefit the environment while helping to improve local economies and quality of life for communities like Qualicum Beach.” “Since the depth of the global economic recession, the Canadian economy has created over one million new jobs in the private sector. This is the strongest

record of growth and job creation among countries in the G7 during the economic recovery,” Duncan says. “We are achieving this through our government’s plan for Responsible Resource Development, which is fundamentally changing Canada’s regulatory approach to major natural resource projects. Our plan is not just about developing resources efficiently — it is about developing them responsibly. Our government understands that economic prosperity and environmental responsibility go hand in hand.”

IT SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS FOR BUSINESS

nformation technology (IT) security should be an important area of consideration for every business. In light of all the sensitive information businesses keep on record – from financialrecordstoprivateinformation, it is easily understood how a single data breach could seriously damage a business and its reputation. A database of publicly reported data breaches released in February by security vendor Gemalto showed there were at least 57 incidents in which 276,789recordsweretakenfromCanadian institutions including governments, banks and hospitals in 2014. “Many data breaches are avoidable throughtheuseofbestpracticeswhen it comes to IT Security.” says Aaron Butters,PresidentofTechnologyGuys IT Solutions, a Managed Service Provider based in Victoria, B.C. Password Policies - Implementing strong passwords and changing them on a regular basis is an easy first step to strengthening security. Using a combinationofcapitalandlower-case letters, numbers and symbols, as well as ensuring the password is 8 to 12 characters long is recommended. Each user should have their own unique login and user password for system login, network access, and application access. “Sharing a single login and password for a number of employees creates a number of weaknesses from a security perspective,” explained Aaron “so too is sharing passwords or making them so complex you have to write them down.” In thesamevein,PasswordManagement tools are becoming increasingly useful with the number of accounts and devices that people have to manage. Security Hardware As a front line of defence, firewalls are a necessity for all businesses. Most businesses use a device called a router whichalsoactsasafirewall–although firewalls and routers can be separate devices. “A firewall protects a network by controlling traffic coming in and out of the network. We also have clients whose needs exceed those of routers and firewalls.” explains Butters, “In these cases we often use security appliances to provide additional filtering and reporting.” Important to note is the need to properly configure whatever devices

are implemented. “It’s one thing to have the hardware, and it’s another having it working as it should.” explained Butters. Antivirus Software - Antivirus and anti-malware solutions provide an excellent line of defence and are an important part of a security strategy. Offerings and features can vary significantly. “There are basic antivirus programs available for free – however licensing often prevents them from being used in a business setting. Free applications also tend to lack reporting systems preferred in a business setting,” explains Aaron. Additionally - ensuring antivirus, antimalware, operating system and applications are updated and patched on a regular basis is critical to ensure things are working correctly. Securing the Mobile Worker Smartphones, tablets and laptops are at a higher risk of being lost or stolen than traditional desktop computers and hard-wired office phones. Steps need to be taken to ensure sensitive informationisprotected.“Encrypting devices, enabling lockout periods, and enabling remote wiping of data when available are all effective methods in approaching security of mobile workers”, explains Aaron, “The key is having options available to protect and secure company data if a device goes missing.” BackupBackupBackup-Therearea variety of methods of backing up data availableforbusinesses. Inrecentyears automated online methods have become popular because of relative ease –howeverAaronwarnsabout“Cloud” solutionsthatbackuptolocationsgeographically distanced from Victoria. “If your business can not afford to be offline for days, it is critical to consider wherethebackedupdataactuallyresides – and how you would get the data back in the event of needing it.” Technology Guys IT Solutions is a Victoria BC based MSP, who offer IT support services for Small business to Enterprise clients. Technology Guys areas of specialization include Networking, Security, Hosting, Storage, Disaster Recovery and Planning. For more information, please visit www. technologyguys.ca

JUNE 2015

THE WATER DEBATE RAGES ON This would be fine if we were prepared to abandon the resource dollars spent in our local economy, or if we were to stop using petroleum or stop using

PARKSVILLE

wood

KIM BURDEN

t the time of writing; at the urging of the publisher to stick to the deadline I am away from my community. Being away from my community always provides me with some much needed comparisons and prompts a few interesting questions. I have always believed and continue to believe that Vancouver Island is the most beautiful place to live. I am obviously not alone. Our tourism industry is showing positive growth with numbers at the Parksville Visitor Centre up by 25% over the first quarter of 2015. My travels have taken me to the north centre of the province where resource extraction is flourishing and to the southern interior where tourism numbers

are also booming. British Columbia’s primary industries all revolve around resource extraction, mining, forestry and oil & gas. Now the questions or truthfully, the observations. How many of our tourists are spending resource extraction dollars and supporting our economy through their visits to Parksville. I too often hear conversations about stopping mining, stopping

U.S. TAX RETURNS MUST BE FILED “The conclusion those of us KMA Chartered Accountants are fully qualified to help people file U.S. returns

who practice a lot of U.S. tax have reached is that now is the time to start filing.”

ANAIMO - If you are a U.S. citizen living outside the U.S. you have to file a U.S. tax return, even if you do not have any U.S. source income. Most U.S. citizens living in Canada will not have to pay any U.S. tax but are still required to file. The U.S. and Canada have a sophisticated tax treaty; the goal of KMA Chartered Accountants Ltd. is to ensure that you don’t pay tax twice. KMA partner Doug Parkhurst, is one of the few Chartered Accountants on Vancouver Island who has the necessary qualifications and the full expertise required to file U.S. returns. In fact, KMA files U.S. returns for individuals all over the province. “It’s impossible to overstate how important it is to do so,” Parkhurst said, noting that as of 2014 Canada’s CRA has been reporting bank balances held by U.S. people with its U.S. counterpart. “The conclusion those of us who practice a lot of U.S. tax have reached is that now is the time to start filing. The last thing you want is to have trouble crossing the border or to get a letter in the mail.” He added that the

DOUG PARKHURST PARTNER, KMA CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS LTD.

U.S. is also considering something called a “customs embargo” where they will let U.S. people into the country but will send an IRS agent to visit them where they are staying. Parkhurst estimates there are about a million people living in Canada who need to file a U.S. return. Some simply don’t know that while others have been putting it off. “It can certainly be a daunting task,” Parkhurst said – “but there is help.” The U.S. has a system that allows people to catch up. He noted that people who use his company’s services to do that, invariably achieve much greater peace of mind – and almost 95 per cent don’t have to pay U.S. taxes. “If you’re an American, you need to file,” Parkhurst said.. “And we can help you.” KMA Chartered Accountants Ltd. is located at Unit C – 5107 Somerset Drive in Nanaimo. www.kmacpa.ca

pipelines, stopping forestry. This would be fine if we were prepared to abandon the resource dollars spent in our local economy, or if we were to stop using petroleum or stop using wood. I a m not i n support of u nsustainable resource extraction but much as I appreciate the lifestyle from the beautiful surroundings I also appreciate the lifestyle from the financial contribution of resource extraction through their contribution of fees and taxes providing services to all British Columbians and the contribution to our local economy through tourism. At home I know the water debate rages on. To summarize; Island Health has dictated that the City of Parksville upgrade the treatment of the current water system. There is a cost to upgrading. Requests to both senior levels of government have been made to assist with funding through various infrastructure grants. The grant requests will result in a contribution or not. Either way we have no choice. We must upgrade our water treatment, the decision is not dependant on growth; it is to satisfy our current requirements. The City has been forward thinking in their planning process and are planning for growth so we do not have to go through this process

and expense in another ten years. The Parksville & District Chamber of Commerce has endorsed the Englishman R iver Water Services Plan and urges the City to move forward in the interest of all Parksville residents and

businesses. Kim Burden is Executive Director of the Parksville & District Chamber of Commerce. He can be reached at 250.248.3613

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U.S. Citizens living in Canada

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JUNE 2015

OPEN HOUSE CELEBRATES AN EXTRAORDINARY COMPANY “We know what we’re Eriks Industrial Services is the island expert in hoses and fittings

ANAIMO - Friday May 22 saw the grand opening of the new Boxwood Road location of Eriks Industrial Services LP in Nanaimo – and it was quite a day. With tours of the new facility, prizes, refreshments, tunes and a BBQ, it was a true celebratory event – as well it should be. Eriks has a lot to celebrate including continued growth and a new name. Until last year, the company was known as The Goodall Rubber Company. The Goodall brand remains the company’s premier industrial hose brand with Gates as the premier hydraulic hose brand. Eriks is the new brandneutral distribution channel, capable of carrying more brands without being perceived as direct ma nu factu ri ng competition for other bra nded products. Eriks’ distribution also offers a strong global link to the market resources of Eriks worldwide. The company is a 75-year old international industrial service prov ider w ith more tha n 65 companies in 27 countries. And even though the na me has changed, Eriks believes that Goodall hoses are the pinnacle of the industry and a product bra nd t h at h a s t remendou s market awareness and customer loya lt y. E r i k s h a s i nve s te d heavily in a new state-of-the art hose manufacturing facility in Collingwood, Ontario, thereby underlining its dedication to the growth and expansion of the Goodall name throughout North A merica and into the global marketplace. G ood a l l h as been a st rong presence on Vancouver Island for 40 years, with an office and warehouse facility in Nanaimo for the past 31 years. Branch manager Jim Nash said it was clear some years ago that the c ompa ny h a d outg row n it s

doing. We can test and certify any hose, which means a certificate goes out with the hose that we’ve tested and tagged.” JIM NASH BRANCH MANAGER, ERIKS INDUSTRIAL SERVICES LP

McGarrigle Road location. After knocking down walls, taking over a neighboring warehouse and squeezing maximum function out of the space it had, it was clear that it was time to move. In 2013, the company found a lot on Boxwood Road owned by Lance McNabb of Fleet Ventures. “We drew up a custom plan,” Nash said. “I kind of drew it up and Lance had his architect make it work. So it’s a custom design for us, which really worked out perfectly.” Constr uction bega n i n the su m mer of 2014, w ith Eri ks moving into the new facility in February of this year. The new facility, at 10,000 sq. ft., gives Eriks considerably more space. “Lance was a great guy to work with,” Nash said. “It couldn’t have been any better. He ran the project hands on and put it all together. We’re extremely pleased with how all that went. It turned out better than I had envisioned.” Now that the new facility is up SEE OPEN HOUSE | PAGE 25

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Eriks new location gives it more space to better serve customers

Eriks has a huge inventory of hoses and fittings

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Congratulations on your new, bigger building. We all appreciate your support

JUNE 2015

OPEN HOUSE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 24

Eriks staff: (l to r front) Dave Poirier, Kevin Labatt, Jason Dye, Marc Morin, Peter Dubenski, Jim Wyness. Stuart Reusch in back and Jim Nash in front

and running, it’s busier than ever. Eriks is well known for industrial hoses and fittings. The company caters to a variety of industries including logging, pulp mills, sawmills, mining, marine, military and shipbuilding. “Anybody that uses hose and fittings, we’ve got the full gamut here, Nash said, noting that the company has a huge amount in stock and specializes in custom hose assemblies, manufacturing hundreds of assemblies each month. “We’ve got quite a production facility here with some very modern equipment,” he said noting that the shop has five crimp machines, giving it the capability to complete orders very efficiently. Eriks’ main area of expertise is hydraulic hoses and fittings. Nash said that Eriks is certainly the largest supplier of hoses and fittings on Vancouver Island. The company’s hoses are used for pumping chemicals and for fueling everything from aircraft to marine vehicles. Hoses also include air, water, steam, slurry and food transfer. Ducting hoses are used to carry out noxious fumes from places like mines and ship’s holds and for carrying fresh air in. Eriks does all the assembly testing and certifying in-house, all employees are well trained, SEE OPEN HOUSE | PAGE 26

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ERIKS AND AMERICAN BILTRITE,

PARTNERS FOR THE FUTURE WITH A SOLID HISTORY. We would like to celebrate your choice of American Biltrite as your authorized supplier of sheet rubber products. American Biltrite’s steadfast commitment to this mutually beneficial partnership will certainly be our focus year after year for decades to come. We sincerely appreciate your selection of our company as a trusted partner. Eriks and American Biltrite, a rewarding alliance.

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JUNE 2015

Eriks has a huge inventory of hoses and fittings

OPEN HOUSE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 25

including three certified “Master Couplers”, which means they have passed 50 hours of theoretical and practical training and testing. “We know what we’re doing,” Nash said. “We can test and certify any hose, which means a certificate goes out with the hose that we’ve tested and tagged.” He added that the certification is essential for insurance and safety purposes. “We do all that in-house. And basically, we can do it in a day; if somebody comes in in the morning, they can leave with their tested, certi fied a nd tagged chemical or petroleum hose assemblies the same day.” At Eriks, know-how makes the difference. Nash said it’s not surprising that the company adopted that as its tag line – it happens to be exactly what sets Eriks apart from the rest. But Eriks also has high quality products including Gates, the world leader in hydraulic hoses. Naturally, it also has its own Goodall line of hoses. “O u r s er v ic e i s s e c ond to none,” Nash said. “We generally have everything in stock and we can custom assemble about 90 per cent of the hoses used in

the industry immediately. We have a lot of hoses and fittings here.” He added that experience i s a l l pa r t of t he compa ny’s know-how. Nash has been with the company for 40 years. His top sales person has been working in the industry 35 years as has his operations ma nager. T he crew a lso has enormous amounts of training and experience. And now, the know-how of the staff is backed by a company with an impeccable international reputation. Headquartered in The Netherlands, Eriks has over 100 divisions in North America. Nash said that training is key. Every month, staff take more training and re-certify every few months. “We actually have a computer desk dedicated to training,” he said, adding that safety training is an equally important concern. Eriks Nanaimo has not had a recordable accident in the warehouse in eight years. The Nanaimo office looks after a large territory that includes all of Vancouver Island, Powell River and the Sunshine Coast – and that keeps staff busy, with many consistently putting in overtime to get orders out on time. “The future looks good,” Nash said. “We have a distributor

network and we pretty much have a distributor in every town on Vancouver Island.” That means that every distributor buys bulk from Eriks and makes custom assemblies for its market area. Each distributor also has a crimping machine, which is the key to the process. “I’d venture to say that we have well over 50 crimpers out in the territory,” Nash said. “At logging camps, sawmills, mining operations and ship repair yards – we’re big into supplying manufacturing as well, we supply logging equipment manufacturers, for instance. We continue to grow our business – fish farming is another growth area.” He said that the company has a strong focus on its particular area of expertise, whereas many competitors often supply hoses and fittings as a secondary part of their goods and services. “What sets us apart from our competitors is that we are specialists. This is what we do all day long, every week and every month – and we strive to get better at it every single day.” Eriks Industrial Services LP is at 1960 Box wood Road i n Nanaimo. www.eriks.ca

Jim Nash says that at Eriks, know-how makes the difference

Congratulations ERIKS Industrial! from your

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BBB isn't the only organization that monitors advertising in Canada. The Advertising Standards of Canada similarly is a non-profit advertising self-regulatory body. The CRTC and Competition Bureau are also examples of government agencies that monitor advertising to some degree. Each province also has organizations that review and monitor advertising claims for specific industries. BBB's Code of Advertising and approach to monitoring advertising differs from these organizations in that our Code applies to all businesses, in all industries and it clearly identifies specific phrasings, claims and statements that BBB considers unethical. We expect businesses to at a minimum be in compliance with local, provincial and national laws governing advertising, but we also know that you can often abide by the law and still be unethical. The purpose of our Code of Advertising is to ensure that all advertising is being interpreted accurately by all consumers. Our standards apply to advertising placed in all forms of media including print, broadcast, online and mobile formats. And because we have a comprehensive database of company Business Reviews, we report on and link advertising review information on individual company reports. Business must be truthful in what they say, what they infer and what the omit from their advertising. The primary responsibility for truthful and non-deceptive advertising rests with the advertiser. All advertisers should be prepared to substantiate any objective claims or offers made before publication or broadcast. We’ve recently updated our Code to more clearly address some contemporary trends in advertising. The updated Code of Advertising specifies that ads that make claims about environmental benefits should be backed up with solid evidence and should be specific about how the product is beneficial to the environment. This should dis-incentivize” greenwashing” and help consumers to understand their impact on the environment more clearly. Similarly, advertising claims that products are “Made in Canada” are also required to be precise and to be backed up by evidence. The updated code also addresses the trend of hiring celebrities to endorse products on social media. The new Code specifies that these new kinds of ads have to genuinely represent endorsers’ opinions, just like any other endorsement. Overall, the BBB's Code of Advertising is really intended to help businesses and consumers to communicate more clearly with one another. Whether you are a BBB Accredited Business or not, the BBB Code of Advertising provides a framework to ensure your advertising and market materials remain concise, honest and effective. To find out more about BBB’s Code of Advertising visit the “For Businesses” section of our website at: bbb.org/vancouver-island.

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JUNE 2015

CRA PROCESSING REVIEW PROCEDURE

ncome tax is the number one source of revenue for the Canada Revenue Agency. With millions of tax returns transmitted every year it is not feasible to check them all for accuracy. The CRA processing review program selects a sample of tax returns to check that tax payers report their income and expenses are in accordance with the Income Tax Act. Some typical areas of tax that get reviewed are: • Medical expenses • Employment expenses • Charitable donations • Childcare expenses Processing reviews are normally conducted between June and November. The CRA reviews the income, deductions, and credits you claimed and will ask you to send in

S W E

Joyce Smith, President and CEO of JA Smith & Associates supporting documentation that meets all of their requirements. For example, if you claimed medical expenses the CRA will want to see that the expenses claimed are eligible (not all medical expenses

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can be claimed), that the expenses were paid for in the period that you claimed them for, the exact amount of the expense, and that the expenses were actually incurred for you or your spouse. If your documentation does not fulfill all of their requirements, they may disallow your claim and you may have to pay additional taxes.

The CRA tends to review tax returns that contain deductions and credits for large dollar amounts, and returns that vary significantly from year to year. For example, if you become divorced or separated and begin to claim the eligible dependent tax credit for your children for the first time, this may generate a query from the CRA by either spouse. If you get a request for more information from the CRA, it doesn’t mean there is anything wrong with your tax return; CRA is just trying to confirm the validity of your return so that the system remains fair to all taxpayers. When you receive a letter from the processing review program, it is important to make sure you send the requested information within the specified time period, which is usually 30 days from the date of the letter. Be sure to send in all requested documentation, as sending in only a portion can lead to your claim being disallowed. If you disagree with changes made to your return as a result of a processing review, you have 30 days from the date you receive notice of the changes to respond with any questions or discuss any errors that could have been made. After this period a notice of reassessment will be sent to you, and if you still cannot come to an agreement you have 90 days to file a formal notice of objection with

CRA. A professional accountant or a tax lawyer should assist you with these proceedings. While you can’t always avoid a review, here are some tips to make it go as smoothly as possible: • Send your response within the specified time frame, usually 30 days • Organize the documents you are submitting to make it easy and clear for the CRA agent to review • If you don’t have the proper supporting documents, explain it in your response rather than ignoring it. If they know the reason that a receipt of form wasn’t included, they may be able to suggest an alternative supporting document • Always include your case reference number, found at the top of the request form, with all correspondence with CRA If you receive a CRA processing review letter and are feeling overwhelmed, talk to your professional accountant. J.A. Smith & Associates Inc. is a team of dedicated professionals who provide reliable accounting, financial management and tax services to businesses and individuals. They can be reached at 1-800-343-6133.

JUNE 2015

DOL CONSTRUCTION PUTS PRIORITY ON PROJECT POTENTIAL Petroleum focused construction firm delivers quality, detail oriented service

ORT ALBERNI – Winner of the 2015 VIREB Commercial Building Award’s MixedUse category, Ray Dol knows what it takes to be a successful builder. “It comes dow n to ma k i ng sure every project is as good as it could be. We’re always looking for improvements, working with the developers throughout the process to get the best product we can out of it. “That’s what really stood out with the Oceanside Gas Bar project,” he says. The Mid Island Co-Op used his company, Dol Construction, to build their mixed-use development at 222 Island Highway East. The location is managed by Glynnis Andre, and includes a gas bar, convenience store, and two, two bedroom residential apartments above the store. “We worked with them to turn their project into what it needed to be,” he says. “We didn’t just take the drawings and build it, we collaborated with the architect and made them better. “The significance of this building, and what made it an award winning site, was the additional storey. It added challenges and complexities that we don’t normally experience.” The company is a second-generation family business, and was started in 1978 by his father Anton. Ray took over in 1993, but before doing so completed a carpentry apprenticeship under his father. He also holds formal training certifications as a designer and draftsmen. Since taking over the reigns, the business has evolved into a petroleum site specialist. “Construction is a very broad i ndu st r y, a nd we needed to focus,” said Dol. “12 years ago we made the decision to work only on petroleum sites, and we’ve had a

The Mid Island Co-Op Oceanside Gas Bar, located at 222 Island Highway East steady stream of projects to work on ever since.” “My goal became pursuing clients instead of dollars, and to build the business relationships instead of my bank account.” The results speak for themselves, on top of this year’s award win; his company has been the petroleum site builder of choice for Co-Ops throughout mid and north Vancouver Island. T hey have completed both design and construction of fuel station projects in Port Alberni, Parksville, Campbell River, the Gulf Islands and other island communities. “It’s been a pleasure working for the Island Co-Ops over the years, they’re a different type of corporation” says Dol. “I have an ‘at home’ feeling with them because they’re local, I’m working with real people, not some company from another country.” “Ian Anderson and Blair Gjevre at Mid Island were great people to work for through this project. “We learned together through the process, and built something really special.” Anderson is the General Manager of the Mid Island Co-Op, and Gjev re is the Petroleu m Operations Manager. The Mid Island Co-Operative began in 1959, and boasts 51,000 members through its territory, reaching from North Cowichan to Whisky Creek.

250-248-8355 randy@vikingreinforcing.com d @ ik ki i f i

Kelly’s Kitchen and Kool & Child. Co-op revenues stay in the communities they serve, through re-investment in the Co-op, equity allocations to its member-owners and through contributions to community organizations and local youth.

Commercial & Industrial

Proud to work with Dol Construction.

Becoming an award-winning builder doesn’t just happen over night. “Many business owners are going to laugh, but they key to success has been by putting in way to many hours,” says Dol. “There’s no other way to put it,

The Convenience Store component of the Oceanside Gas Bar

Hub City Glass Ltd.

Congratulations on a job well done!

INDUSTRIAL, COMMERCIAL RESIDENTIAL

Under its management are thirteen retail petroleum locations, fourteen Co-op Convenience Stores, five commercial cardlocks, and a Co-op Centre in Nanaimo which houses Coastal Community Credit Union, Centric Health Home Medical Equipment,

“Keepi ng the compa ny the size that it is has allowed me to keep tabs on the pulse of the organization,” he says. “A smaller company allows me to personally manage the overhead and maintain control of what’s going on.” Currently there are five Dol Construction employees, split between the administration office and job sites. L ook i ng i nto t he f utu re, the company plans to remain steady and focused on its core competencies. “Right now we’re in Nanaimo, building a cardlock for Mid Island Co-Op, after that there are a number of potential projects we’re looking at,” adds Dol. “We want to remain steady.” Company expansion will not be a focus for the foreseeable future. “We’re at a size that we’re comfortable with, five people seems to be a number that works. I don’t like the idea of being big, I like to give high quality service, and for me that means a small crew that’s

Congrats Ray!

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From all of us!

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a tremendous amount of time goes into having a long-lasting company.” Effective management of the company’s operations has also played a n i mpor ta nt role i n growing into an accomplished business.

able to keep on top of everything. “ My fo c u s i s to m a i n t a i n the high company standards. Big companies don’t have the capabilities that we do to manage every little detail, we’re very happy with where we are.” www.midisland.coop

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30 COMMUNITY IN

JUNE 2015

PORT ALBERNI Alberni Clayoquot Regional District boasts more than stunning scenery Strategic partnerships and a strong work ethic are bringing jobs and investments to the region BY BETH HENDRY-YIM

EST COAST - At the heart of Vancouver Island, the Alberni Clayoquot Regional District boasts stunning scenery, from mountain vistas to ocean panoramas. But it i sn’t ju st t he n atu ra l environment that is attracting attention to this region. A cooperative vision of sustainable economics and strong work ethic is turning local entrepreneurs into successful and award winning business people. And it’s creating an upswing in housing starts, building permits, entrepreneurial opportunities and ecommerce. Covering 6,658 square kilometers of Vancouver Island West Coast, the d istrict i ncludes three municipalities: Port Alberni, Tofino and Ucluelet and is within the traditional territory of 10 Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations communities. A unique and world-renowned destination, the region is made up of a diverse population, from those with generational and traditional ties to the land to those seeking opportunities from its rich resources and lifestyle. M i ke Rutta n, Port A lbern i mayor and long time resident, said this diversification is key to growth in his city. “We’re not after big change,” he said. “Rather we’re encouraging multi-purpose use of existing resources.” Wood fiber, a byproduct of the town’s pulp and paper mill, is in plentiful supply and in demand for use in extracting essential oil products, converting to bio char for pharmaceutical use, and even in producing petroleum for conversion to jet fuel. “The fiber can even be processed into a material for body panels of cars that works better than plastic,” Ruttan said. The benefits of repurposing adds value to an already valuable resource, minimizes waste, and creates new investment opportunities and jobs. “We want to make it happen,” he said. “That means asking

SEE ALBERNI CLAYOQUOT | PAGE 32

Local “Business Walk” with Artist Mark Hobson, the Honourable Naomi Yamamoto, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training, Tofino Mayor Josie Osborne and Lori Henderson CREDIT: JOSIE OSBORNE

”People come her as lifestyle entrepreneurs.” Josie Osborne said, “finding jobs in tourism, aquaculture, government and retail.” MAYOR MUNICIPALITY OF TOFINO

Mayor Mike Ruttan sees a new fueling station and boardwalk improving access and diversity to an existing resource CREDIT: BETH HENDRY-YIM

Welcome to Port Alberni

www.portalberni.ca See us by Land, Water & Air… STEAM TRAIN: 1.855.866.1376; alberniheritage.com; Every Thur, Fri, Sat, Sun June 27 – Aug 30

COASTAL FREIGHTER: 1.800.663.7192; ladyrosemarine.com; Daily to Bamfield or Ucluelet Year Round Sailings

SAILPLANES: 250.667.3591; visc.ca; Daily 11 AM – 7 PM

Contact Pat Deakin, Economic Development Manager, 250.720.2527 or patrick_deakin@portalberni.ca

PORT ALBERNI

JUNE 2015

ALBERNI CLAYOQUOT CONTINUED FROM PAGE 30

potential businesses what the city can do to help with the purchase of land, tax breaks, and information on regulations and permits.” Last year alone, 68 new businesses opened their doors in Port Alberni and 2015 promises to be just as optimistic, with West Coast Aquatic will soon be about to celebrate the opening of a Stewardship Centre and aquarium at the Harbour Quay. The Uchucklesaht Nation is developing a $7.5 million complex for offices, work/art/craft rooms, shops and 22 apartments. Also new are a new kiteboard launchpad, agriculture initiatives for attracting young farmers to the more than 7,000 acres of agricultural land available, and advisory committees looking at how to use existing assets to boost tourism. “It’s all about curb appeal,” Ruttan said. “If you want people to visit your house, you make it appealing.” The Port Authority could make that appeal sweeter with big plans and proposals for the city’s deep-water port. Ruttan said it would be building a multipurpose fueling station, with boardwalk and kiosks on the north side of Fisherman’s Harbour, an LNG export plant and a proposed container port in Sarita Bay. “It would be the largest container port in the world,” Ruttan said, adding that because of the city’s unique location on Barkley Sound it’s also the most wired community on Vancouver Island due to a cabled ocean observatory connected to BC’s universities and supported by Ocean Networks Canada. With traditional First Nations lands located throughout the district making up more than 20 per cent of the population, municipal, provincial and federa l govern ments a re working with individual nations to create workable and profitable partnerships. Diane St. Jacques, mayor of Ucluelet, a community famous for its storm watches, cliff-side trails and 100-year-old lighthouse, said these collaborative connections are vital for economic growth in her town. “We have formed a corporation with our neighbours the Toquaht First Nation and are on the verge of being awarded a community forest. It will be 27,000 cubic metres and will be operated with our partners for opportunities in harvesting, education, tourism, and recreation.” And through the city’s ongoing efforts to reclaim tree farm land, the Onni Corporation, a privately owned real estate development company, recently purchased a 360 acre parcel of land which, according to St. Jacques, will open up opportunities in housing, employment and business. Fo r J o s i e O s b o r n e , m a yor of Tofino, partnerships are

Diane St. Jacques sees strategic partnerships as a good move for sustainable and economically viable growth CREDIT:TRACEY BOND, ALBERNI CLAYOQUOT REGIONAL DISTRICT

changing how her community does business. “People come here as lifestyle entrepreneurs,” she explained, “finding jobs in tourism, aquaculture, government and retail. They also use technology for ecommerce so we are excited over our partnership with First Nations, the Province, BC Hydro and TELUS that will bring high speed Internet to our area by early 2016.” Osborne added that w ith a strong and supportive business culture, almost 80 per cent of business license holders in Tofino are members of the Chamber of Commerce; the focus for her council is to encourage retention and expansion. “We’re looking at smart growth through increased density and shared amenities, and by effectively managing the seasonal influx of visitors and workers with our current infrastructure.” Alberni Clayoquot is the only regional district boasting First Nations membership. Collaboration has created unique opportunities for nation communities, individuals and youth. Al Little, general manager of Nuu-chahnulth Economic Development Corporation, a Community Futures partner, said his organization provides services and loans for business development from between $40,000 to $2.5 million. Last year alone it provided 125 loans in tourism, hospitality, transportation, nature tours and retail, including a green energy project called ‘Run of the River’ where water, a plenti f u l commodity of the “wet” coast is diverted and converted into electricity. “It’s a small hydro project that generates electricity through minimally invasive water diversion. It generates energy and provides a constant source of revenue for the community by selling excess power back to the hydro company,” Little said. Although 2008 saw a downturn in the economy, 2014 shows the tide is turning. Building permits were up on average in the three

Bob Duncan, CEO Hupacasath First Nation, and Al Little, NEDC General Manager Award Shawnee Casavant and Upnit Power Corporation best Environmental & Sustainable Business Award CREDIT:NUU-CHAH-NULTH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

communities by more than 50 per cent with Ucluelet coming in at an impressive 86.8 per cent over 2013. In addition, not only a re u nemploy ment nu mbers below the provincial average at 5.2 per cent, but the district also cashes in with higher median earnings than the rest of BC. Improving existing transportation hubs, supporting and preparing for growth, and increasing accessibility is key. Strategic upgrades and expansion to the airport, harbour and roads are setting the stage, but according to Ruttan, it’s the people and the collaborative work being achieved that is moving this region forward for both jobs and investments.

Lewis & Cathy George from House of Himwitsa, First Nation Art and Culture draws thousands of tourists to Tofino every year CREDIT:NEDC

POLICY RECOMMENDATION AT BC CHAMBER AGM Our policy recommendation looks to find ways to better understand the real level

PORT ALBERNI BILL COLLETTE

he Alberni Valley Chamber of Com merce held it AGM on Wednesday, May 20th at Chances Rim Rock – Port Alberni. We welcomed new President Jan Lavertu owner of West Coast Home Hardware (BVI Business of the Year – 2014) along with new Directors to our board including: Dale Henderson – Coastal Community Credit Union, Bill Brown – Alberni Valley Employment, Rebecca Palmer – Gayle’s Fashions/YPAV, Sarah Jones – Coast Orthotics/Walk the Coast, Heather Graydon

of taxation in British Columbia so that we can more accurately assess where we’re at on the National scene

– Heather’s Balloons, and Cindy Solda – former City Councillor. They join our returning directors; Neil Malbon, Teresa Bird, Gord Groves, Deb Haggard, Brad Minton, Bob Kanngiessor, Kris Patterson and Nicole Mitchell. A few days after our AGM we participated in the BC Chamber

AGM presenting our first Policy Recommendation – “A More Transparent Approach to Taxation” which passed alongside many others that AVCOC is supportive of. Our policy recommendation looks to find ways to better understand the real level of taxation in British Columbia so that we can more accurately assess where we’re at on the National scene. Finally, the Chamber through its Visitor Centre Contract spent three days over the last while touring Tofino/ Ucluelet with its VC staff so that we can better relate to travellers in the area. Our VC looks forward to other communities engaging in FAM tours to the Alberni Valley to see many of the hidden treasures that we have in our back yard. Come visit us! Bill Collette is executive director of the Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce. Reach him at 250-7246535 or bill@albernichamber.ca

JUNE 2015

FROM THE ‘HEART OF VANCOUVER ISLAND’ TO THE ‘MIDDLE OF EVERYWHERE’ The Hospitality Inn, the Best Western Barclay, the Redford Motor Inn and the Riverside Motel have each put a significant

PORT ALBERNI ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

amount of money into their premises over the last few months and are looking great Sproat Lake Landing

PAT DEAKIN

usinesses in Port Alberni are benefiting from recent and current investments totaling over $70 million in a variety of infrastructure, industrial and commercial projects. A few of these investments are featured in the popular ‘Heart of Vancouver Island’ Facebook Page which presents Port Alberni through video and photos. The HOVI page, as locals’ call it, is well worth the visit if you would like to see what our community has to offer visitors and residents. The most noticeable commercial investment to travelers to

the west coast will be the $5 million Sproat Lake Landing, a boutique hotel on Sproat Lake, 14 kilometres west of Port Alberni. Four of the seven luxurious rooms over top of the Drinkwaters Social House provide a fabulous view of lake activities and Mount Arrowsmith. The Drinkwaters Dining Room features a farm to table approach that highlights growers from the Alberni Valley and seafood from both coasts on the Island. Drinkwaters recently catered the Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards to rave reviews from a sold out crowd. The Lounge and

Dining Room feature floor to ceiling glass and a large patio area. They have become a topof-mind favourite so quickly that reservations are h igh ly recommended. The ‘nextable’ online reservation service makes that easy; alternately one may call 250.723.2722. Sproat Lake Landing, whose tag line is ‘the Middle of Everywhere’, offers lake tours on the iconic Drinkwater IV tugboat. On a recent visit to Sproat Lake Landing, I met a supplier who sa id to me “th is cou ld be i n Whistler” and he is absolutely right. The craftsmanship and

f u r n i sh i ngs a re completely ‘high-end’ and the view totally delights the eyes. Speaking of high-end craftsmanship and furnishings, four of our other accommodations providers have also been investing heavily in their facilities recently. The Hospitality Inn, the Best Western Barclay, the Redford Motor Inn and the Riverside Motel have each put a significant amount of money into their premises over the last few months and are looking great. Those facilities were featuring ‘No Vacancy’ signs during the recent Salmon Enhancement

Program Community Workshop which brought 200 volunteers and their spouses from all over BC into Port Alberni for a twoday workshop. And the ‘No Vacancy’ signs will be out again this coming week when the BC School Sports Golf Tier A A A Championships are played at the Alberni Golf Club June 1st to 3rd. For information on other investments being made and upcoming events, please email, call or text Pat Deakin: patrick_deakin@ portalberni.ca or 250.720.9117.

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Greenhouse Operation

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Cabinet Shop

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Successful seasonal wholesale operation, established in 2005.

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Flooring Retail/Distributor

Well Established Pub

Moving & Storage

Popular discount flooring retailer founded in 2003.

Superb neighbourhood pub operation in leased premises.

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31 unit storage facility and moving company on 1.96 acres.

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WEST COAST

JUNE 2015

TOFINO HAS A STRONG VOLUNTEER BASE Many local businesses and Chamber members are participating in the Tofino Food and Wine Festival, which runs from

TOFINO

June 5-7th

JEN DART

ne of our members p oi nted out at a recent Chamber event that we’re lucky to have the business community we do in Tof i no a nd I cou ld n’t ag ree more. Not only do we have a community of vibrant entrepreneu rs, but here busi ness owners work collaboratively to bring about positive impacts for the community as a whole. That mentality is also evident in the town’s volunteer base t h at suppor ts a n i ncred ible number of organizations and services. T he District of Tofino recently held an event to recognize local volunteers, and also issues volunteer awards each year. Ma ny loca l busi nesses a nd Ch a mber members a re pa rticipating in the Tofino Food and Wine Festival, which runs

f rom Ju ne 5-7 th. Gra zi ng i n the Gardens is the main event on June 6th at the Tofino Botanical Gardens, w ith ma ny other events also taking place throughout the weekend. For more information, visit www. tofinofoodandwinefestival. com. T hose who were for tu nate enoug h to attend ou r M ay Members’ Luncheon at the Ice House Oyster Bar were hosted us in style by Alan Beesley

a nd sta ff w ith fresh oysters to sta rt, fol lowed by a twocou rse lu nch. We welcomed Bill Collette from the A lbern i Va l ley Cha mber of Commerce and Sally Mole from the Ucluelet Chamber of Commerce as g uest speakers to discuss regional collaboration around visitor’s services. Bill noted there is a Tofino section at the Alberni Valley Visitor’s Centre complete with a surfboard and video screen where several Tofino businesses are listed. This initiative, developed and partially funded by Tourism Tofino, is aimed at the many v i sitors on t hei r way to t he coast who stop in Port Alberni. Thanks to the many Port Alberni businesses and Chamber members that provided gifts for the business card draw – we were overwhelmed with your generosity! Our members also have the opportunity for regional marketing at both the Pacific Rim Visitor’s Centre (at the junction) and the Ucluelet Chamber of Com merce. Sa l ly a nd her team at the Ucluelet Chamber are also busily preparing for the Edge-to-Edge Marathon on Sunday, June 14th. Volunteers are still needed, so if you’re in the area, visit www.edgetoedgemarathon.com for more information.

TLBCC president Jennifer Steven welcoming members Here at the Tofino Chamber, we have just received economic development funding from the District of Tofino to develop our Buy Local and Made in Tofino program that will focus on the positive impacts of buying locally, and also highlight products unique to this area. I will share more details about t h i s e xcit i n g prog ra m a s it develops. The Tofino Public Market recently started up again for the su m mer season. Held ever y Saturday from 10am-2pm on the Village Green until Labour Day, the market allows vendors who Make it, Bake It, Grow It or Gather It to offer their wares. T h e r e ’s e v e r y t h i n g f r o m locally made jewelry and

cloth i ng, to coffee, ta ma les and bread products, and much more. New t h i s ye a r i s Tofino-grown fresh produce from the Tofino Community Food Initiative, a group focused on loca l food production. T h is group of volu nteers a lso recently presented at our Green Breakfast meeting about their efforts, which include dispelling the myth that food can’t be grown on the west coast. If you’re in town on the weekend this summer, be sure to check out the market in the centre of town. Jen Dart is Executive Director of the Tofino-Long Beach Chamber of Commerce.

EDGE TO EDGE MARATHON APPROACHING

WEST COAST SALLY MOLE

e are definitely experiencing a busy atmosphere here in our little tow n, compared to past years. Recently, cou nci l a nd Chamber board members teamed up for a series of business walks through town. One of the questions we asked on the walk was a rou nd per m i ssive ta x exemptions for a business doing major façade or frontage improvements. We’d b e i n te re s te d i n hearing from other communities that might have explored this same option. Some of t he com mon issues cited i ncluded c o n c e r n s a b o u t p a rki ng, sig nage a nd bylaw

Spinnakers up enforcement. It was great to touch in with our local businesses and not only hear their concerns, but also about their successes and future goals. It is so nice to touch base with the many new businesses establishing themselves this year. It looks to be a busy year for us, so we are all putting our shiny faces on! The Chamber is gearing up for a busy June, with the Edge to Edge Marathon taking place June 14, and we’re expecting over 400 runners, plus supporters, coming to town. Part of the race will take place on the Wild Pacific Trail, recently named the number one outdoor attraction in BC.

As the runners start crossing the finish line, yachts competing in the Van Isle 360 sailing race around Vancouver Island will start to arrive in our harbor T he Ch a mb er i s bu sy pl a n n i n g a welcom i n g ba rbecue a nd awa rds ceremony June 16 in partnership with the Westerly News and Solidarity Snacks. The community will come together for a big send-off at the lighthouse as the next leg of the race starts June 17. Sally Mole is Executive Director of the Ucluelet Chamber of Commerce at 1604 Peninsula Rd.

JUNE 2015

MARTIN CUSTOM BUILDERS CREATES AWARD-WORTHY HOMES Builder is committed to high quality, low volumebuilds from the ground up

ANAIMO - Martin Custom Builders Ltd. recently walked away f rom t he Va nc ouver I s l a nd Bu i ld i ng Excel lence Awa rds (V I BE) as a fi na l ist i n th ree categories: • Best Single Family Kitchen over $50,000 • Innovative Feature New or Renovation • Best Residence or Renovation $350,000 and over. “It was pretty great, said office manager Tara Martin, who ow ns the compa ny w ith her husband, Greg Martin. “We had some very sti ff competition and there were over 180 nominees all the way from Oak Bay to Ucluelet.

“I’m proud to be recognized among the lead builders on the island,” Greg said. T he k itchen f i na l ist was a project called T he Point, a waterfront timber frame hybrid home. With its open concept and ocean views, it is clearly spectacu la r. W hat ma kes it even more so, Greg said, is the massive cathedral celling and very special countertops made of labradorite, a natural stone that can display an iridescent optical effect known as labradorescence. The counters a re l it f rom t he u nd ers id e, making the countertops glow. “It looks like stars at night,” Tara said. T he k itc hen a l so fe at u re s natural wood cabinets and a walk-in butler’s pantry, two dishwashers, a warming oven and a wine fridge. The Point was also a finalist for the innovation category – in

“If we’re going to build a big custom waterfront home for a client, we’ll often bring them to one of our custom homes. They can ask how it was to work with us and they can see the quality of our work first-hand.”

Tara and Greg Martin never compromise on quality

TARA MARTIN OFFICE MANAGER AND CO-OWNER, MARTIN CUSTOM BUILDERS LTD.

SEE MARTIN CUSTOM | PAGE 36

A pinwheel shape was an elegant solution to a building problem

Quality is in every detail of a Martin Custom Builders’ home

JUNE 2015

MARTIN CUSTOM CONTINUED FROM PAGE 35

this case the house presented a challenge that Greg and the owner turned into a very special focal point. “ We h ad a sit u at ion a r i se with the timber framing details,” Greg said. “Structurally it didn’t work out the way it was originally drawn by the architect, so we had to really scratch our heads and come up with a solution.” So they took themselves to the best place to come up with answers: the local pub. The issue was finding support for the massive fir rafters, weighing 900 pounds each, which met at one location, forming pinwheel. The solution was a cluster of fir posts set closely together to give the impression of a tree trunk stretching to the ceiling. The solution is so elegant that it has become the focal point of the house. The last finalist category Martin Custom Builders was named to was for a massive renovation on a project called Vishnu. Vishnu is a lakefront home set on acreage: a home that has been in the client’s family for generations and needed extensive work to bring it to modern standards. The new owner, a family member, wanted the old farmhouse to be restored to its original glory. It took 12 months of intensive work, starting with stripping the home down to the bare structure. It also involved

Martin Custom Builders does extensive and thoughtful renovations new wiring, plumbing and heating systems as well as building a large dormer on the second floor and adding an ensuite bathroom. It was a massive undertaking, Greg said, but as with any giant meal, it had to be eaten one bite at a time. The key was to keep everything as original as possible; that even involved removing the old cedar plank siding and then re-installing it when the exterior work was completed. The owners wanted to keep everything as authentic as possible, furnishing the house with carefully sourced antiques. “The homeowners shopped at antique stores and everything from the area rugs to the chandeliers is period,” Tara said. “When you walk in, its like entering a prestigious farmhouse from the 1920s or 30s.” Greg added that the house offered more than one challenge. One corner, with three storeys resting on top, had sagged six inches. That part of the house had to be jacked up and the original stone foundation replaced SEE MARTIN CUSTOM | PAGE 37

Working with timbers is one of the company’s strengths

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JUNE 2015

Greg Martin is hands-on and involved in every one of his building projects

MARTIN CUSTOM CONTINUED FROM PAGE 36

with poured concrete. The old furnace was replaced with an energy efficient in-floor heating system and the old stone fireplace was removed and replaced with an equally massive but safe fireplace that still fit the period perfectly. The recognition Martin Custom Builders received recently is not the first time the company has been singled out. In 2012, it a lso won fou r si lver CARE awards, presented by the Canadian Home Builders Association – Vancouver Island. Greg and Tara don’t build with the idea of winning awards, but their quest for quality naturally leads them there. Greg began his career in construction as soon as he graduated from high school.

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“I like to build things,” he said. “And I also like to be outside whenever I can.” Within a year, he was offered an apprenticeship and completed it West Vancouver where he worked for Russell Hollingsworth, a prestigious architect constructing waterfront homes. B efore s ta r t i n g t hei r ow n company, Tara and Greg took a two-year sabbatical to travel the world. When they came back in 1997, Martin Custom Builders was born. Greg said he had always known that he wanted his own company. Tara calls him a “born leader.” While Greg built up the company, Tara gained valuable experience working at Insight Group in Nanaimo before joining her husband in the family business. In the early days, Martin Custom Builders did contract work for a n a rch itect, wh i le a lso

picking up smaller projects. In 2001 the company became a licensed builder with the Home Owner Protection Office and is registered with Travelers Warranty Canada. At the same time, it began taking on larger and more challenging projects. “If there is a challenging project where Greg really has to use his skills, he really thrives,” Tara said. “He‘d rather use his skills on something interesting, creative and challenging than just a typical suburban home. Timbers are also a speciality.” Greg sa id that ma ny of h is clients come to him as recommendations from other satisfied customers. He has a reputation as a high quality builder, usually surpassing all expectations. Tara said the company’s track record also speaks for itself. “If we’re going to build a big custom waterfront home for a

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client, we’ll often bring them to one of our custom homes,” Tara said. “T hey can talk to previous clients directly. We have no secrets. They can ask how it was to work with us and they can see the quality of our work first-hand.” Ma r ti n Custom Bu i lders boa sts a n excel lent crew of workers, including brother-in law, Yves Martineau, who has b e en w it h t he compa ny for eight years. Greg oversees each project paying attention to detail and quality craftsmanship at every step of the build from framing to finishing. He said that he believes in building a relationship with his customers and having a constant dialogue. When something needs to change, as it often does in custom building, that conversation occu rs qu ickly. Open d ia log ue a nd f lex ibi l ity a re essential in a quality project, Greg said. Along with their award finalists, Greg a nd Ta ra a re a lso i nvolved i n nu merous other projects. They have recently completed a 500 sq. ft. laneway cottage in Nanaimo and are about to embark on another similar project. The cottage is energy efficient and beautiful with vaulted ceilings, timbers and in-floor heating. A nother recent project is a West Coast contemporary with a butterfly roof, architecturally designed by John Gower

of Gower Design Group. T he 4,500 sq. ft. home is ca rved into the side of a mountain and boasts 180-degree ocean views. It is equipped with an elevator, wave wall, floating staircase, w ine room, med ia room and ref lecti ng pond. I n a l l thei r projects, Greg said that he and Tara are a team committed to building as energy efficiently as possible and making the most effective use of natural, locally sourced materials. Martin Custom Builders has also dealt with archeologica l ly sensitive a reas a nd had successful outcomes with the challenges that entails. Ma rti n Custom Bu i lders is Built Green certified is a member of the Canadian Home Builders Association Vancouver Island and Greg sits on the board. He said that he cares deeply about the health of the industry and about the f utu re of h is ow n company. “We strive to continue to be a high quality and low volume builder,” he said. “This is an ever cha ng i ng i ndustry a nd we’re constantly taking training courses and seminars to keep our knowledge up to date. This way we will continue to build custom homes exceeding both industry standards and homeowner expectations.” Martin Custom Builders Ltd. is at 6537 Dou mont Road i n Nanaimo. www.martincustombuilders.ca

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JUNE 2015

OPENING OF ELK FALLS SUSPENSION BRIDGE The structure includes two viewing platforms and a cantilevered platform that provides an extension over the falls

BUILDING LINKS CLARICE COTY

he Elk Falls Suspension Bridge officially opened on May 9th. This project has been built at the same time as the upgrades to the John Hart Dam. The bridge is 90 metres long and hangs 60 metres above the Campbell River canyon floor offering a top to bottom view of Elk Falls. The structure includes

two viewing platforms and a cantilevered platform that provides an extension over the falls. The first 40 metres of the bridge on the south side of the canyon is in the tree canopy. This will allow the suspension bridge to start slightly below the elevation of the existing trail along the south side. This project is a partnership between BC Hydro, BC Parks and the Rotary Club of Campbell River and is expected to be a must-see tourist destination for visitors on Vancouver Island. There parking for approximately

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75 vehicles, and the walk from the parking lot to the suspension bridge is just under 1 kilometre long. The park is located in BC Park Land, Hwy 28, Campbell River, enroute to the John Hart Dam Interpretive Centre. The centre is now open and serving approximately 1,200 visitors per month and is open five days a week from Wednesday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm. ••• John Hart Community Site Event – July 12 Construction of the John Hart Dam is underway and completion is expected in 2018/2019. The project is on budget at an estimated cost of $1.093 billion. This project will improve seismic

performance, improve reliability, and will protect downstream fish habitat. The public will be able to see the progress on the dam, as BC Hydro and InPower BC will be hosting an annual community event on July 12. This event allows people to safely access the construction site and view some of the work and equipment; • The project team is working on the details of the event for 2015 and will communicate more information is the day nears. It takes place Sunday, July 12, from 10 am to 3 pm; • The only way to access the underground portals construction site area will be by bus; • People will not be able to walk into the underground tunnels

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- they will be able to walk partially down the entrance ramps; • The concept is that people will catch a bus in downtown Campbell River, with the buses making constant loops to the portal site area, the interpretive center parking lot for various activities, and then back downtown. For more information, contact Stephen Watson, Stakeholder Engagement and Communications for Vancouver Island at: steve.watson@bchydro.com or go to bchydro.com

DIANNE HAWKINS

ne of t he m a ny f u nctions of the Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce is to promote the business, social and civic welfare of all the communities in the Comox Valley. This year, we will once again fulfill this goal with the 2015 Great Valley Rally. On Saturday, July 25th, the Great Valley Rally w ill once again bring all the communities in the Comox Valley together in support of a positive, valley-wide community building initiative. The event is modeled after The Amazing Race with teams facing maps, challenges, check points, business stops and more as they wind their way through the Comox Valley. The race will end with a fun afternoon party with food and drink in Courtenay.

through the Comox Valley

Each year, this event benefits a different community project in the Comox Valley. Last year’s event proceeds of $7000 benefited the Cumberland Community Forest Society. We look forward to supporting a Courtenay community project this year.

Ways for you and your business to get involved: • Be an event sponsor • Contribute prizing • Be one of the limited number of businesses to host a challenge or check stop • Contribute in-kind services of volunteer resources • Enter as a team Registration will open in June at www.comoxvalleychamber. com For more information, or to submit your idea for a Check Stop hosted by your business or organization, please contact the Chamber Office at 250.334.3234 or by email at communications@ comoxvalleychamber.com A Welcome to New Members A warm welcome goes to our new members joining the chamber family as of May 1st. Alice East, CFB 19 Wing Comox, Connect Hearing, Core6 Environmental, Downtown Social Club, Meaghan Cursons and Original Restorations. We look forward to supporting you and the future of your businesses. Dianne Hawkins is president and CEO of the Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce. Reach her at dhawkins@ comoxvalleychamber.com

CAMPBELL RIVER

JUNE 2015

RECEIVE UP TO $8,500 WORTH OF PROMOTIONAL EXPOSURE The Chamber is excited to announce the next Business Leader Luncheon with Kris Mailman Sr, CEO of Seymour Pacific

CAMPBELL RIVER

Developments and Broadstreet Properties

COLLEEN EVANS

ominations for the 2015 Business Awards of Distinction are just around the corner! Join the Campbell River Chamber in recognizing and celebrating business excellence, innovation, entrepreneurship and leadership in our community and nominate deserving businesses, organizations and individuals today. Don’t be afraid to self-nominate either; qualifying nominees receive over $8,500 worth of promotional exposure! “T here is an abundance of great local businesses in our community that deserve to be recognized and celebrated. These organizations are the backbone of our local economy and we want your help to show them Campbell River’s appreciation,” said Colleen Evans, Chamber President & CEO. “Nominees will receive extensive promotion leading up to and during the awards and it is a fantastic way to showcase all of the fabulous things these businesses, organizations and leaders are doing in our community and the unique offerings they provide Campbell River,” furthered Evans. Nominees can be nominated in more than one category and businesses, organizations and individuals are also encouraged to self-nominate. Nomination forms, and more information about the award categories will be available on line at www. campbellriverchamber.ca next month. As Campbell River’s outstanding businesses, organizations and entrepreneurs, all the nominees will be honoured and award recipients will be announced at the Business Awards of Distinction Gala on Saturday, September 19th at the Tidemark Theatre. Be sure to save the date and get your tickets early as the event has sold out the past six years! ••• High Profile Speakers at the Business Leader Luncheons The Chamber’s first Business Leader Luncheon with high profile guest speaker, Jessica McDonald, President & CEO of BC Hydro proved to be a great success. With over 70 guests, the luncheon was both engaging and informative.

Mix and Mingle held at newly opened Signature Oil and Vinegar The Chamber is excited to announce the next Business Leader Luncheon with Kris Mailman Sr, CEO of Seymour Pacific Developments and Broadstreet Properties. June 11th will be the opportunity to hear from Kris Mailman Sr. and tour the new downtown Seymour Pacific building as part of the Business Leaders Luncheon series being presented by the Campbell River Chamber. Tickets are now on sale at www. campbellriverchamber.ca. B ot h B roa d s t re et P rop erties and Seymour Pacific Developments were founded on hard work, strong family values and a progressive vision. T he buildings that Seymour Pacific purchased had been derelict for quite some time and had been long in need of replacement. Now, the vacant lot has been replaced with a five story state of the art constructed building, complete with Energy efficient LEED standards, an engineered office building that houses the growing team required to manage the thousands of rental units of Seymour Pacific’s affiliate Broadstreet Developments, and the expanding staff contingent for Seymour Pacific itself. ••• Panelists shared new insights on the state of education i n Campbell River Local businesses came out to the recent Chamber luncheon held at Sequoia Springs golf course, to hear what the state of education is in our community from kindergarten through to post-secondary. Guests learned how North Island College and SD72 are collaborating to ensure opportunities are available through education, to support our community and what role municipal government is taking to facilitate this. Panelists included Mayor Andy Adams who spoke to the new

four-year municipal plan; Randall Heidt, VP Strategic Initiatives North Island College (NIC) identified innovation and new opportunities at NIC; and Tom Longridge, CEO of SD72, shared information on the significant changes in our education system. Panelist highlights included: Recent updates on international students and exchange students and our relationships with China and Japan; What’s happening in Campbell River to meet the needs of the tech sector, technology and the creative industries; Funding decisions that will impact kindergarten through to post-secondary How Campbell River will have access to a skilled workforce to meet employer needs New opportunities in Campbell River for collaboration around education “What these engaging panelists had to say has importance for not only the business community and employers but for our future and community well-being”, said Chamber Board Chair, Corby Lamb. ••• Business After Hours Event a Foodie Favorite Chamber members sampled fabulous food, made great connections and found new clients at the Chamber Business After Hours event held onsite at Signature Oil and Vinegar. The store was packed and many were new clients who experienced for the first time the extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar tasting bar. T he B u si ness A f ter Hou rs events are one of the many benefits and added value that being a Chamber member provides and only a Chamber member can host an After Hours event. “Joining the Campbell River Chamber of Commerce is the best business decision we have made since opening our Tyee Plaza store. Almost immediately,

we were more plugged into the community and have had the opportunity to make important connections and expand our customer base. Our recent Business Mix and Mingle event was an outstanding success due in large part to the support and expertise of Chamber staff. Anyone looking to succeed in this marketplace would be well served to join

the Chamber of Commerce. It is the starting point for smart business,” Lisa Whitmore, Partner at Signature Oil & Vinegar. Colleen Evans is CEO of the Campbell River Chamber of Commerce. She can be reached at colleen.evans@ campbellriverchamber.ca

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JUNE 2015

SCHAFFERS LOOKS AFTER BIG RIGS “Making people happy Nanaimo Company is diversified in all things related to trucks and trailers

A NA I MO - W hen big rigs on Vancouver Island ru n i nto trouble they turn to Schaffers’ Equipment, Truck & Trailer Repairs (2012) Ltd. Schaffers is a family-owned Canadian company located in Nanaimo that has been in business since 1978. The company does • He av y dut y t r u c k a nd heavy equipment repair • Engine overhaul on Cummins & International • H y d r a u l i c / a i r h o s e assembly • “U” bolt bending • Trailer suspensions • Custom fabricating • Mig & Tig welding • Air conditioning repairs • Driveline repair and build It i s a l so a desig n ated i nspection facility, and a federally licensed facility for the testing, repair and inspection of highway fuel tanker trucks - one of the company’s areas of special expertise. It is an I.C.B.C. Approved Repair Facility, sells heavy-duty parts from its parts depa r t ment a nd h a s a f u l ly equipped field service truck. Sch a f fers wa s fou nded by George and Sylvia Schaffer, with their son, Bryan, coming on board in 1989 after completing his heavy-duty apprenticeship program. Today the family business is thriving and continues to diversify. Back in 1978, George was working as a mobile heavy-duty mechanic, servicing and repairing heavy equipment. He had been working, for the most part in logging camps, particularly Inglewood in the north part of Vancouver Island for 12 years. He was the master mechanic in several camps. He and Sylvia decided to move to Nanaimo because the kids were growing up and needed more

is what we’ve always done – making sure that customers are satisfied. A lot of customers we have had over the years are still coming to us.” BRYAN SCHAFFER CO-OWNER, SCHAFFERS EQUIPMENT, TRUCK & TRAILER REPAIRS (2012) LTD.

opportunities. In Nanaimo, he worked for several companies as a heavy Duty Mechanic, including Finning for five years. “But I’ve a lways been i n ma nagement,” G eorge sa id. “And I really needed to work for myself so I started out on my own.” At first, he outfitted a 14-foot van with his tools and shop in the back. In 1980, he moved the business into a shop on Southside Drive in Nanaimo. In 1990, Sylvia joined the company fulltime, leaving her job as a legal secretary. By then, she had more than enough experience to look after the full complement of administrative work required to run the company. Even before they founded the company, Sylvia had been working in the office in the logging camp where George worked. In Nanaimo she worked in a law firm for 20 years while looking after Schaffers business at night, all while also raising a family. There likely isn’t a single aspect of the business that Sylvia isn’t intimately familiar with. From the family’s point of view, her steady hand at the tiller is a big part of Schaffers success. 1990 was also the year that Schaffers moved to its current location on Bowlsby Street in Na n a i mo. O ver t he nex t 20 years, the business continued to grow, adding two more service bays and expanding the

Schaffers is a family business operated by George, Sylvia and Bryan Schaffer

Tanker trucks are on Schaffers’ areas of expertise parts department by adding a large warehouse. Schaffers also obtained a B620 license to test and repair highway fuel tanker trucks. In 1995, the company became an associate dealer for International Trucks. Schaffers has been a truste d n a me for ye a rs. Even i n

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the beginning, the company experienced almost immediate success. George attributed that success to his years of experience. “All the years of working in t he log g i n g c a mp s, we h a d diesel/electric locomotives, we had steam engines – and I got

involved in all of that and became quite knowledgeable in all of it. I learned all about trucks and equipment. We had a big shop and fixed all the equipment. In fact, I was managing a l l of that.” T he ex perience served him well, especially in the early days. When he started

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JUNE 2015

Schaffers crew has the know-how to repair trucks and trailers

Schaffers has the equipment necessary to do the job

Schaffers repairs every kind of truck and trailer his company and later, when he opened his shop in 1980, his years at Finning also familiarized him with the various models of Cat equipment. His expertise even goes farther than that. George is also an experienced carpenter and has even turned his hand to wrought iron

work. Schaffers also operated a fuel injection shop for five years. George said that, thanks to his son, Bryan, the company has been able to expand and diversify in many ways. And while diversification and expertise are two of the company’s strong

suits, Sylvia noted that service is an essential element in the company’s success. “When people call, the office staff make sure they refer you to the appropriate person. We have after-hours call-out for a nyone need i ng assista nce. Consequently, people don’t get

an answering machine – they talk to a real person. We have always prided ourselves that you get personal contact.” “That’s the main things we strive for – customer service and satisfaction,” Bryan said. In 2007, Schaffers sold the busi ness to I nternat iona l Trucks but bought it back in 2012. George admits that retirement was just not his cup of tea. A nd customers were pleased that was true. Sylvia recalled that many customers were delighted that the Schaffers were back. “We had lots of phone calls and people dropping by to welcome us back.” After an absence of five years, Bryan said he was pleased to be back and working in the family business again. “I enjoy the challenges and I like dealing with the people,” he said. “Making people happy is what we’ve always done – making sure that customers are satisfied. A lot of customers we have had over the years are still coming to us.” To d ay, Sch a f fers b oa sts a staff of experienced heavy-duty and commercial mechanics and parts people, providing its

customers with a fully diversified service. In fact, the Schaffers agree that diversity is the key to continued growth. The company has recently moved into truck rentals as well as repairs and parts. Just last year Schaffers’ purchased Western Drive Train and Machine Works, (now called Western Driveline), which repairs drivelines on light and heavy-duty trucks. “George and Bryan are very good about paying attention to opportunities that come along and taking advantage of them,” Sylvia said. Bryan said that he wants to see the company move forward and continue to pursue growth and new opportunities. “We’re always looking at new ideas and adding more diverse offeri ngs. A nd people come to us because of our service – that’s key. We also like to know people on a first-name basis. Our service is personal, honest and upfront. And it’s important to note that we have a very good safety record too. We care about our people.” Schaffers’ Equipment, Truck & Trailer Repairs (2012) Ltd. is at 110 Bowlsby Street in Nanaimo. www.schaffersequipment.com

Congratulations Schaffer’s Equipment Truck and Trailer Rental Heavy Duty Parts t Service t Rentals www.harbourint.ca Phone: 1-800-563-8777

www.schaffersequipment.com 110 Bowlsby St., Nanaimo

OFF THE COVER

42 NANAIMO’S 16-YEAR CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

him all his life. He was taken into foster care as a child but came back to Nanaimo to play with his mother as a teen. “T he whole downtown Nanaimo scene has been a big part of my life,” he said, adding that when he was 15, he was playing at the World Beat Café when he received a phone call telling him that he was going to be a dad. “It’s the best thing that ever happened for my life,” he said. “It caused me to become responsible. I‘ve always had something to prove.” Carey went on to attend Vancouver Island University (VIU) where he studied molecular and cellular biology before switching to liberal arts, completing his degree in Florence, Italy under VIU’s liberal studies abroad program. “Then I came back,” he said. “A nd I wa nted more for my family than I had ever been able to see in my life. I never wanted my children to experience what I had experienced. So I decided to be very successful very early.” Carey put in long hours building up his first company, SEO Guy. In fact, he was one of the world’s first search engine consultants working with some of the most prestigious international company’s like Adobe and Digital River. He was successful but he also learned that he couldn’t personally take on more and more work.

“I needed to focus on something where I could build a new brand,” he said. “I had some very successful real estate clients who loved what we were doing, and so I just decided, let’s get into real estate. In 2003, he started the brand, Real Estate Optimization, focusing on marketing services and Search Engine Optimization (SEO). What was missing was web design. Carey did his best to find great graphic designers but realized quickly that to get the best work possible, his company would have to be in charge. By 2004, he brought design in-house and changed the name to Real Este Webmasters. “And we launched our first website and took off from there,” he said. “Taking off” has included a spot on Dragon’s Den where he received a lucrative offer he later turned down. It has also included a partnership with Barbara Corcoran of the Corcoran Group, New York’s largest real estate company; she is also a Shark on ABC’s hit reality show Shark Tank. What sets REW aside from the rest? Carey calls it consistent core values. It starts with innovation. “There are no other large custom houses in the entire world,” he said. “There are a lot of barriers to entry to my space. Being that innovative custom company and being niche focussed sets us apart.” The company’s second core value is heavy investment in customer success.

JUNE 2015

“All our leads come not from how well we promote ourselves, but from how well our customers do.” MORGAN CAREY CEO, REAL ESTATE WEBMASTERS

“All our leads come not from how well we promote ourselves, but from how well our customers do,” Carey said. “And we’re very expensive. We joke that REW stands for ‘Really Expensive Website.’ But the reality is that they couldn’t afford us if we didn’t make them far more than what they pay.” The company’s third, and perhaps most important core value is ABA – Always Be Awesome. And that’s awesome as the customer defines it, Carey said. “It’s not about what we do, it’s about how we interact with people, whether it’s our co-workers, whether it’s our boss, whether it’s our family, whether it’s our customers.” Three buildings downtown – three core values – and they will be publicly displayed with a sign on each building, clearly defining what REW is all about. By any definition, REW is a staggering success story – but for Carey, the company still has a way to go. This year, REW will

The Ridge, Nanaimo

Morgan Carey heads one of the most successful enterprises in Nanaimo achieve a $100 million valuation, putting it on track for Carey’s goal of a valuation of $1 billion. He also aims to be a dragon on Dragon’s Den – and, to still be a

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rock star when he isn’t growing his business. Real Estate Webmasters is at 223 Commercial Street in Nanaimo. www.realestatewebmasters.com

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JUNE 2015

THE FUTURE OF RECRUITING

nyone who follows me on Linked In w i l l see that I’m pretty pumped about social recruiting. A nd for good reason. By 2016 the number of mobile devices will surpass the world population! Not yet convinced? Here are 15 more (some truly gob-smacking) statistics I’ve gathered to make my point about social ergo mobile - recruiting: • 60% of North Americans use a Smart Phone. • 1 Billion job searches are done per month on a mobile phone • 9 i n 1 2 job se ekers say they will use their mobile device to job search in the next 12 months • 10% of job board visitors do so using a mobile device A ND they spend four times longer reading the ad than non-mobile visitors • 7 2 % o f w e b s i t e v i e wers do so using a mobile device • 64% use mobile devices to browse career, social and professional website • 45% apply for jobs using mobile devices • 6 1 % o f s o c i a l m e d i a visitors and 95% of social media applicants arrive in the first 7 days. • 33% of job v iews come

Personalize your message to be sure your brand is clearly conveyed and that you are speaking the same language as the audience you want to hire

Barbara Ashton of Ashton & Associates from a mobile device 23% of job applications come from a mobile device • 5 8% o f j o b a p p l i c a n t s come from social media vs website • 81% of youth say they’d rather spend their last $10 on thei r phone tha n on food. Are we surprised? • 60% of youth sleep with their mobile phone. • 72% use a mobile device while in the office • 350 million mobile Facebook users a re tw ice as engaged as regular users There are 200 million Yo u T u b e v i e w s o n m o bile devices every day And now, drum roll, here are my top 5 Do’s for making the •

most out of your social media / mobile recruiting campaigns: #1 Slow down to speed things up. Use data to target the right job Seekers. Take some time to research most likely geography, key words, behaviours, tech nolog ies a nd on l i ne activ ities to help you hone your ad and target your ideal candidates #2 Info-tain! W hen you see that jobs are

being viewed but there is little uptake, it’s time to re-script your message. Personalize your message to be sure your brand is clearly conveyed and that you are speaking the same language as the aud ience you wa nt to hire. Put other employees on video (ideally those who typify the demographic and cultural fit you’re after) to share their story and experiences around working for your company. #3 Engagement T r u mps Click-Thru’s Don’t get caught up in counting click-thru rates as they are only telling one part of the story. Click-throughs generate traffic, but these number don’t translate to effective messaging. Relevant content is what engages users. Develop not just your ad, but your ongoing follow-up conversations, using the same target data above. Then, even if you can’t hire them all, you will keep them on the “I’m interested in futures” warming tray for the next time you’re hiring. # 4 Te s t, Te s t, a nd Te s t Again. Are your career page and web site truly mobile responsive? With 1/3 of career site traffic coming from mobile, job seekers will want to experience the same across all their devices – desktop, tablet, phone - and it needs to be fast, clear and

extremely user friendly. Getting there poses a whole new set of challenges for traditional website designers who aren’t keeping up (and lots of them aren’t). So be sure to test your site regularly on iPhones, SmartPhones and a variety of tablets to ensure you’re not missing out on any of these mobile prospects. #5 Engage with Individuals Social media isn’t just about broadcast i ng to reach t he highest number of people as f re q u e nt ly a s p o s s i bl e, a lthough it certa i n ly ca n look t h at way. It’s ab out h av i n g two-way conversations. This mea ns respond i ng to a nd messaging with people indiv idua l ly, a nd keepi ng those conversations going. Social media recruiting takes far more time and effort than most people realize. You don’t have to do it all but by incorp orat i n g ju st one or t wo of these tips will give you payoffs well worth the investment of your time and money.

B1 ge pa – dS Barbara Ashton is a leading B1 aR ge aW B paucket g executive search consultant andIRe – dS B Fillin ge a social recruiter with close tod at V aWaR ep Se W B et o ck R 11,000 followers on LinkedIn. To Re Bu lling I C V Fi e ag Rd at & ep m learn more about what Se s Co Ashton i Wd Re t o c R Associates can do »for your je nstr d C company pro e co d oR an or 05stage in th is m visit www.ashtonassociates.com l eC 13 s 5 e R 0 2 1 p t 2 12 w rI » s e20130 oormy en jec str ve nk li ve n g ha di ams il d to Bu ee te cte for 1T3hr sele ids land

OURTENAY - The Comox Valley Small Busi ness Association (SBA) hosted its annual awards reception last night to honour some of the association’s members in various categories. The recipients were chosen from nominations submitted by other members of the organization. The recipients of the 2015 SBA awards include: Russ Ball, Audio Xcellence DJ Services, Business of the Year; Carmie Dixon, Carmie’s Catering, New Business of the Year; Heather Thompson, Dove Designs (Sewing & Alterations), Lawrence Belfrage Memoria l Awa rd a nd Lori Ball, Comox Valley Fossil Adventures, Merit Award Elva Murdoch of Touch of Wellness Reflexology, Garry Dixon of Carmie’s Catering and Maureen Glowasky of Grace Cosmetics are the members who coordinated the June 4th awards ceremony. The SBA, which started in 1998 as the Comox

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and participates in decision-making about economic development that affects the Valley. T here are a variety of industries represented-from bookkeeping and marketing to interior design and catering. Membership is $95 each and is open to any small business. Business owners are invited to attend up to two meetings at no charge as guests to determine if the group is a good fit for them. www.CVEntrepreneurs. com.

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Vancouver Island | Victoria | thompson-okanagan | Fraser Valley

Valley Home-Based Business Association, provides networking and educational opportunities for sma l l a nd home-based businesses that operate in the Comox Valley or neighboring areas. The association, which h o s t s t w i c e-a-m o n t h meetings (Sept-June), encourages and assists members in their personal and professional growth, acts as an advocate to promote the growth and acceptance of home-based business in the Comox Valley,

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Entrepreneurs Honoured At Annual Awards Reception

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JUNE 2015

BC Chamber AGM develops recipe for economic growth Annual gathering unites businesses from across province

he BC Chamber of Commerce A n nu a l G enera l Meeting is a rallying point for the provincial business community to establish its priorities. “Every year the discussions trend in a certain direction,” said Brant Hasanen, the incoming Chair of the BC Chamber Board of Directors, following the recent AGM in Prince George. “The direction this year was the tall list of major resource projects, and what Chambers can do to help them move forward. “This has become a priority because it’s our feeling that if the project proponents and government wait too long, the province and the rest of the country are going to miss out on a big opportunity.” Hasanen and the board are prepared for the upcoming year, and have four clearly defined points of focus for their term, one of which speaks specifically to the potential to miss out on these opportunities. “One of our primary goals - and while this may seem cliché - is that we’re interested in building a better future here,” he says. “We have a habit of being complacent in BC, and not collectively focusing on what it is that we’re capable of doing as a province. “During the next year, we’ll be focused on identifying who the movers and shakers and leaders are. We want to gather and align them to enable other businesses and communities to take advantage of the potential here.” Complementing the visionary focus of the board is its advocacy strategy. “We’re continuing to work hard to discover issues that are important to our membership and effectively bring them to government,” he said. Leading up to the AGM, member chambers prepare policies and

Brent Hasanen, Chair of the BC Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors advocacy points to debate and promote. “This year we noticed that a high number of really good policies were brought forward,” says Hasanen. “The chambers are becoming very advanced in their policy preparation, in that they’re doing the proper lobbying and collaboration work amongst themselves before they get to open debate. “Many policies are well-prepared and viable for us as a board to work with. Each year this event gets better, and so does the content.” After the AGM, the BC Chamber Board and staff refine and amend the policies that have been passed, and begin their advocacy efforts. “Advocacy and lobbying isn’t a science, it’s an art,” says BC Chamber President and CEO John Winter, who will retire after 18

John Winter, President & CEO, Director at the BC Chamber of Commerce

years at the helm on June 30. “It becomes effective when a number of interested stakeholders come together and agree on common ground.” Winter’s tenure at the Chamber began in the late 90s during challenging economic times, and he knows first hand about the power of a unified voice. “When we were going through a difficult time as a province, businesses from 66 different associations, totaling 800 businessman, came together for the BC Business Summit,” he says. “The Chamber was able to market the recommendations that came out of that event, and ultimately we developed a recipe for economic growth. That’s the power of collaboration, and that’s what happens at events like our AGM.” While there’s little doubt about the role the Chamber played in

Patrick Giesbrecht, Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors

positively impacting the economic output of BC after the iconic Summit. Today, some regional chambers face competition for membership dues and revenue from networking groups and industry associations. Hasanen and his board are working to address this. “One of our four focus points is on enhancing the Chamber brand,” he says. “We want to build on the similarities and strengths of our members, and help them to remain successful and effective.” Patrick Giesbrecht, incoming Vice-Chair, added, “Northern BC chambers have been growing at a rapid pace, the high value projects up there have really increased business interest. “It’s exciting for us at the board level to look at how those chambers are being successful, and use some of those same strategies to

help other areas of the province.” Giving its members the ability to engage with the major infrastructure and resource project proponents will be a focus for the board as well. “Right now we’re in a business environment that we’ve never seen before,” says Hasanen. “In order to take advantage of the upcoming economic activity that we expect here, businesses need be educated about how to grow their companies.” Some of the professional development topics covered will include leadership and business development training. “We want to be able to go to these big businesses who are investing in the province, and let them know that there are capable companies here that can support and add value to their projects.” www.bcchamber.org

Coming next month:

Industry in Focus - Community in Focus -

AUTOMOTIVE NANAIMO

Toll free: 1-866-758-2684

Contact Swasn Bishop Joanne Iormetti shawn@businessexaminer.ca joanne@businessexaminer.ca

Vancouver Island

Global Connections.

FEATURE PROPERTY

Local Experience. Trusted Results. Units For Sale or For Lease 1825 Bowen Road

Gerry Van Vaals

Quality Office/Retail Building  High traffic, central location  1,049 sq ft to 8,000 sq ft  Strata

Personal Real Estate Corporation

Senior Vice President, Sales

250 616 2155

gerry.vanvaals@DTZnanaimo.com

INDUSTRIAL Greenrock Industrial Park

861 Maughan Road, Nanaimo

200 Tenth St, Nanaimo

4 & 8, 9 & 10 - 2525 McCullough Rd

75% SOLD!

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

1.24 acres in the Duke Point Industrial Park. Excellent access. Zoned I-4 Heavy Industrial. SOLD

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

Operate your business in this ideal Nanaimo location. High-tech industrial zoning. For Sale l $445,000 l $595,000

6201 Doumont Rd, Nanaimo

4901 & 4951 Jordan Ave, Nanaimo

DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES Commercial Land, North Nanaimo

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

Highway Commercial, Nanaimo

Just over 1/2 acre of highly visible commercial zoned property fronting onto Nicol St. For Sale | $495,000

RETAIL/OFFICE D - 2517 Bowen Rd, Nanaimo

RARE OPPORTUNITY to position your business in the Co-op Centre. Approx 18,550 sq ft commercial space. For Lease | $11.75 per sq ft

Excellent 2.55 acre investment opportunity with 3 separate buildings including a well-established Pub. For Sale | $1,698,000

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

INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES 4700 Hammond Bay Rd

5,585 sq ft lease space available next to Piper’s Pub in North Nanaimo. This modern lease space won’t last long! For Lease | $19.50 per sq ft

Central Vancouver Island

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

Retail, Commercial & Warehouse

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

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

DTZ Nanaimo Real Estate Ltd. |

TF: 800 769 5757

T: 250 753 5757 | www.DTZnanaimo.com

WHO IS SUING WHOM

46 WHO IS SUING WHOM The contents of Who’s Suing Whom is provided by a third-party resource and is accurate according to public court documents. Some of these cases may have been resolved by publication date. DEFENDANT Ashya Properties Ltd 6054 165th St, Surrey, BC PLAINTIFF Ryan Mortgage Income Fund Inc CLAIM $447,777 DEFENDANT Boardwalk Custom Hardwood Floors 950b Gillespie Rd, Sooke, BC PLAINTIFF Schick, David R CLAIM $6,337 DEFENDANT Christie’s Carriage House Pub Ltd 7th Floor 1175 Douglas St, Victoria, BC PLAINTIFF Olson, Kirk CLAIM $10,385 DEFENDANT Condor Properties Ltd 200-931 Fort St, Victoria, BC PLAINTIFF Canadian Western Bank CLAIM

$1,174,5830 DEFENDANT Double T Developments 3908 Island Hwy South, Royston, BC PLAINTIFF McElhanney Consulting Services Ltd CLAIM $7,054 DEFENDANT Innovative Ventures Ltd d 4th Flr 1007 Fort St, Victoria, BC PLAINTIFF 0728721 BC Ltd CLAIM $356,065 DEFENDANT Interior Sport Boats Ltd 505 Fifth St, Courtenay, BC PLAINTIFF Kay, Eric L CLAIM $9,330 DEFENDANT Jason Meng Construction 201-1801 Fern St, Victoria, BC PLAINTIFF Lumberworld Operations Ltd CLAIM $11,907 DEFENDANT Kelly Carpet Cleaning Ltd 4th Flr 931 Fort St, Victoria, BC PLAINTIFF Johansson, Paul Robert CLAIM $15,352

JUNE 2015

DEFENDANT

Kinship Maritime Inc 201-5710 Teredo St, Sechelt, BC PLAINTIFF Rapid Towing Company Ltd CLAIM $6,419

Permadeck & Rails 3059 Glen Lake Rd, Victoria, BC PLAINTIFF Barnes, Marguerite Elizabeth CLAIM $12,827

Sysco Canada 2881 Amy Rd, Victoria, BC PLAINTIFF Christie’s Carriage House Pub Ltd CLAIM $10,385

DEFENDANT Koto Japanese Restaurant (2012) Ltd 510 Fort St, Victoria, BC PLAINTIFF C2 Contracting Inc CLAIM $14,475

DEFENDANT Ray Baker Appraisals Inc 9830 4th St, Sidney, BC PLAINTIFF Bancorp Balanced Mortgage Fund Ltd CLAIM $4,853,639

DEFENDANT Taylor’s Sandy Beach Resort 8950 Clarkson Dr, Black Creek, BC PLAINTIFF Kay, Eric L CLAIM $9,330

DEFENDANT Line Level Landscaping & Development Corp 163 Levista Place, Victoria, BC PLAINTIFF Wes-Tech Irrigation Supply Ltd CLAIM $7,462

DEFENDANT Renew Building Services Inc 3059 Glen Lake Rd, Victoria, BC PLAINTIFF Barnes, Marguerite Elizabeth CLAIM $12,827

DEFENDANT Matt Gruber Construction Ltd 201-2377 Bevan Ave, Sidney, BC PLAINTIFF King’s Granite Works Inc CLAIM $11,248

DEFENDANT River Optical Ltd 5-1065 Herring Gull Way, Parksville, BC PLAINTIFF Nikon Optical Ltd CLAIM $13,703

DEFENDANT Mills Appraisal Group Ltd 500-645 Fort St, Victoria, BC PLAINTIFF Bancorp Balanced Mortgage Fund Ltd CLAIM $4,853,639

DEFENDANT SW Coastal Builders Ltd 4249 Middle Point Rd, Campbell River, BC PLAINTIFF Upland Ready Mix Ltd CLAIM $7,938

DEFENDANT Tm Roofing 153 Surfside Dr, Campbell River, BC PLAINTIFF Pioneer Hardware Ltd CLAIM $15,892 DEFENDANT Valleywide Excavating Ltd 3881 Fraser Rd, Courtenay, BC PLAINTIFF Handfield, Lynda Marie CLAIM $20,826 DEFENDANT Westwood Roofing Inc 2450 Highland Blvd, Nanaimo, BC PLAINTIFF Roofmart Pacific Ltd CLAIM $7,802

t n em

t s nve

i e te h

c i w T ACREAGES STARTING AT $239,000 LOT 12

CAN I BUILD TWO HOMES ON MY PROPERTY? HOW DO I STRATA EACH OF MY HOMES?

LOT 6

LOT 13

Pratt Road, Coombs

LOT 2 LOT 3 LOT 4 LOT 5

LOT 8

LOT 10 LOT 7

LOT 11 LOT 9

AVAILABLE

For more details please call 1.877.239.4811 or visit:

SOLD

ROAD

CREEK N

MOVERS & SHAKERS

JUNE 2015

COWICHAN VALLEY SKILLZ Canada, a Vancouver Islandbased organization, has opened its fourth location at 5833 York Road. They offer age-specific martial arts programming and fitness kickboxing for adults. Task Engineering is planning on opening a new 10-person office at 161 Trunk Road in July. Cowichan Collision is building an addition to their shop at 5194 Mearns Road. Red Arrow Brewing is now open for business at 5255 Chaster Road. Merridale Ciderworks, owned by Rick Pipes, has announced the launch of its new Cowichan Gin product, to be officially released June 12. Aaron Stone has been named as a Director with the Cowichan Valley Regional District. He’s also currently the Mayor of Ladysmith, Director with the Island Coastal Economic Trust and president and general manager of his own computer business. Other notable positions on his record include: President of the Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce and Director with the Ladysmith and District Credit Union.

Aaron Stone, Mayor of Ladysmith. Great Greens Farm Market has recently opened its doors at 4485 Trans-Canada Highway.

NANAIMO The Young Professionals of Nanaimo have elected Daniel Martinez as its new President. Joining him on the board are Elise Morgan, Vice-President; Erin MacDonald, Public Relations; Louise Torch, Communications; Chris Widsten, Events; Karrissa Henderson, Professional Development; Lauren Holden, Membership; Taylor Osmond, Treasurer and Alana Carroll, Secretary. Caleb McIntyre, is a new Regional Marketing Assistant with Meyers Norris Penny. The YPN also welcomed new members: Brent Rushton, an accountant at Philips and Co., Luke Nixon-Janssen, Director of Sales at Tigh-Na-Mara, Christopher Alexander Wilson, artist/entrepreneur at Loud Alive International, Darren Hill, owner of DH Contracting, Mandy Colfor, realtor at Coast Realty Group, Robert McIntyre, Business

she has worked for Allan Francis & Pringle (now Davidson Pringle LLP), McCarthy Perrault.

Reed Botwright has been named as the new Applications Analyst at the City of Nanaimo. Previously, Botwright was with VIU as a Technical Support Representative.

Relationship Manager at Island Savings, Jeremy Stewart, owner of Right Call Contracting and Alex Hu, Financial Advisor at Sunlife Financial Group.

Street.

The St. Paul’s Anglican Church Hall is currently undergoing demolition; it will be replaced with a new $3.5 million, two-storey Centre for Ministry and Community Service.

Bill Woldnik and Ron Perry of Aztec Appliances have made the decision to part ways. Ron will remain at the Barons Road location, while Bill will be relocating to 3451 Shelton Road.

Christine McCubbin has joined StaffQuest Placement Group’s Nanaimo office as a contract employee.

K.D.Beausoleil & Company Inc., currently located at 6-77 Victoria Crescent, will be moving to 255 Terminal Avenue this October or November.

Canadian Western Bank has added Mackenzie Remmington and Abi Minami to its front line staff. Carman Fine Cars has recently undergone an ownership change to a yet undisclosed buyer. Ocean Trailer will be opening in the near future at the Industrial Park en route to the Duke Point Ferry Terminal. Lenhart Insurance Brokers Ltd. will now be operating under the banner of Vancouver Island Insurance Centres, and is relocating to Westhills Plaza at 101-1808 Bowen Rd. United Way Central and Northern Vancouver Island has added three new staff members to its team. Jennifer Kennedy joins as Financial Controller, Kyla Karakochuk as Marketing and Communications Officer, and Corrie Fortner as Manager of Resource Development. Quizno’s in Brooks Landing has closed but will be re-opening as another to-be-determined food and beverage outlet. Dr. Alison Croome, who has been sharing a practice with Dr. Naomi Glick has moved to 102 – 1125 Dufferin. Dr. Glick will remain at the existing location, which is #20 - 1521 Dufferin. Discovery Community College will be moving to new location in the Dunsmuir Building at end of August. Top-Lite Car Service Ltd. has moved to 11 Cliff Street. KA Trend Boutique, a gently use clothing store, has opened up at 10-1925 Bowen Road. The Coombs Vet Hospital is expanding and installing an MRI Machine, the first on Vancouver Island. Dr. Martin Randle will be joining the team as Chief Surgeon in July. The Arlington bar in Nanoose has closed its doors. The Milton Street Restaurant is now open for business at 247 Milton

Brad Holman has left Malaspina Dental and opened his own practice on Ross Road.

The Salvation Army Thrift Store in Southgate mall is being renovated to allow four new retail shops. They will include a butcher, a fresh fish store, a fresh produce store and a fish & chips restaurant. The Green Rock Liquor Store is now open at 1860 Dufferin Crescent. The Nest Bistro has officially re-opened at their new location on 77 Skinner Street. Smitty’s will be moving into a portion of the former Earls location, a second tenant, who has yet to be determined, will occupy the other portion.

Leon Davis, Branch Manager for the BC SPCA’s Nanaimo location, has been presented with the Society’s 2015 Leadership Award. Marilyn Zink, Publisher and Editor of Pro Write Publishing, has celebrated the company’s 21st year in business.

Dan Hurley, Executive Director of University Relations at Vancouver Island University, has been announced as the President of the Canadian Public Relations Society of Vancouver Island. Erin MacDonald has been named the Society’s new Communications Director, and Rolanda Murray joins them as its new Secretary.

Jenna Forster, Managing Partner of J. Forster & Associates, has made the decision to host her own radio talk show called Our Leading Edge Radio Show on the Bold Radio Station.

Vancouver Island University’s Elder In Residence, Geraldine Manson has announced that she will be putting her name forward to sit as a Councillor for the Snuneymuxw First Nation in its upcoming by-election.

St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church is celebrating its 150th Anniversary this year.

Big-O Tires, owned by Tim Mitton, is preparing to celebrate its 50th Anniversary.

Kristina Crowson, Managing Director of Array Web & Creative, is celebrating her 5th anniversary with the company.

Colby Scott has joined the Coast Bastion Inn as its new Sales and Events Coordinator. Previously, Scott was with TD Canada Trust.

Derek Lewis has been named as the new Regional Manager of Commercial Services with Coastal Community Credit Union. He joins them after more than a decade at Prospera Credit Union as a Sr. Commercial Account Manager. He had formal education from BCIT, the Credit Union Institute of Canada and UBC.

Andy Capadouca, is the owner of a new Pro Works Painting franchise, which focuses on commercial, retail and residential painting projects.

Chelsea Winton has joined 460 Realty as a realtor. Her background is in real estate and law, in the past

Amanda Daly has been appointed as a Visitor Services Specialist at Tourism Nanaimo. The Columbian Centre Society has rebranded after 40 years, to the SEE MOVERS & SHAKERS | PAGE 48

Glamour Lounge is celebrating its grand opening at 164 Wakesiah Avenue. Amy Pye of Pye Design has opened an office at the Realty Executive Office on Comox Rd. City Art is now open at unit 113 at the Woodgrove Centre. This is the company’s third location; there are two separate locations in Victoria.

City Construction has moved from unit 5-3179 Barons Road to #2 and 2A 3179 Barons Road.

Great Shows!

Brook Law, owned by Erin Brook, has opened its doors at #206 – 155 Skinner Street.

Plus 3 extra special shows

The Nanaimo Airport Commission has appointed Alex Stuart to its board as a representative of the Town of Ladysmith, and David Witty as an appointee from the Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce. They replace retiring Russ Burke and Joe Burnett. Also on this year’s board: Chair John Craig, an appointed by the Cowichan Valley Regional District, Al Tully for the Regional District of Nanaimo, Mike Kandert for the City of Nanaimo, in addition to community directorsat-large Lucie Gosselin, Dixon Kennedy, Wendy Clifford and Ray Gauthier.

SEASON TICKET PACKAGES NOW ON SALE! All Vancouver Island Symphony tickets are sold through The Port Theatre Ticket Centre

250.754.8550 vancouverislandsymphony.com 2 01 5 – 2 01 6

Lowe’s Canada will be taking over the former Target location at Nanaimo North Town Centre.

SEASON SPONSOR

MOVERS & SHAKERS

48 MOVERS & SHAKERS

JUNE 2015

The Port Boat House and marine store, owned by Mike Hudson, is celebrating its 35th anniversary.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 47

Vancouver Island Mental Health Society. Dr. Barnabas Walther is the society’s Executive Director. James MacIntyre, a graduate of York University and Queen’s University, has joined Cross and Company accountants as an Associate.

Senator Nancy Greene Raine officially welcomed the new Canadian Coast Guard Ship M. Charles M.B. into service at a ceremony in Port Alberni, British Columbia. This ship is named after Seaman Martin Charles, S.C. M.B., Hereditary Chief of the Nitinaht Band.

Blue Poppy, owned by Kim McNutt, has moved from its location in the Heritage Mews, in the Old City Quarter, to 208 Wallace Street. The Nanaimo and District Hospital Foundation has been formerly accredited by Imagine Canada for its effective and transparent governance model. They are one of 25 organizations in Canada. The Regional District of Nanaimo board of directors has voted in favour of joining the Vancouver Island Economic Alliance. Dylan Chapdelaine, a former Vancouver Island Raiders player, has been announced as the winner of the Wally Buono Award at an event at the Nanaimo Sports Hall of Fame. Next season he will be playing with the UBC Thunderbirds. The award goes to a Canadian Junior Football League player who demonstrates leadership on and off the field. Skye Creba, a doctor at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital, will be receiving the 2015 Distinguished Alumni Early Achievement Award from Vancouver Island University. Lantzville Municipal Council has undergone a high rate of turnover recently, with Councillors Graham Savage, Dave Scott, Jennifer Millbank and Rob Negrave resigning since the beginning of the year.

Global Village Nanaimo has opened a temporary location in the Nanaimo North Town Center to celebrate Fair Trade Month. The store is featuring Fair Trade soccer balls, which display the flags from countries in the 2015 FIFA World Cup. Lee Rowley is celebrating his 10th Anniversary with Herold Engineering Limited. McLean’s Specialty Foods, a popular foodie destination in Downtown Nanaimo’s Old City Quarter, has recently celebrated its 23rd Anniversary. Medigas, the Home Health division of Praxair Canada, has moved to a new location at Rock City Centre, beside Gone Fishing. The company’s focus is on sleep apnea screening and treatment. Nine Nanaimo chartered accountant (CA) students graduated from the CA qualification program. They include: Kendra Bajkov (Hayes Stewart Little & Co.), Carolyn Gillis (MNP LLP), Kirsten Hais (Church Pickard), James Henderson (Manning Elliott LLP), Kylie Lowe (KPMG LLP), Megan McKenzie (MNP LLP), Nicholas Przada (MNP LLP), Trevor Riddell (MNP LLP), and Jessica Venables (Hayes Stewart Little & Co.). Students recognized at the convocation ceremony are eligible for membership in

the Institute of Chartered Accountants of BC (ICABC) this year. Sharecost Rentals & Sales welcomes John Russell, Harry Fiddick & Levar Hayden to its landscape sales team. Douglas Rae and Nick Walther have joined the rentals team, while Mike O’Toole has joined as delivery driver/yard hand. Laura-Lee Bowers will be rejoining their sales staff, and Lee Champagne will be rejoining the driving fleet. The Network Hub Nanaimo has opened a new co-working space at 256 Wallace Street. Ohana’s Café and Gain Foods Ltd. have recently relocated to 32-1708 Bowen Road, at the backside of the Pine Tree Square plaza. Sears is celebrating its 25th Anniversary at its location in the Nanaimo North Town Centre. David LeNeveu, former goalie for the Nanaimo Clippers, has re-located back to town and is currently serving hockey teams throughout the island as a goaltending coach.

PARKSVILLE Canadian Tire has announced that it will be moving into Wembley Mall, in the former SaveOn-Foods location. The Parksville and District Historical Society has celebrated the opening of its museum and farmer’s market. The market opened with 19 vendors on its first day and runs every Friday from 5-8PM until October 9.

Now Open Thursday & Friday until 7 pm

Gone Fishin’ is celebrating the grand opening of its new location at 4985 Johnston Road. Wes Patterson, current Volunteer Chief of the Thornhill Fire Department, has been named as the new Deputy Fire Chief of the Port Alberni Fire Department. He replaces outgoing Deputy Chief Chris Jancowski, and will be taking over the role on July 1st.

TOFINO Chef Ryan Gark has won Chopped! Canada, a reality television show that airs on Food Network. Gark plans to open a food truck called the Salish Spoon in the near future. The Tofino Ucluelet Culinary Guild was the overall winner at the Social Enterprise Catalyst Gala.

COMOX VALLEY

QUALICUM BEACH

The Elevate Arts Festival celebrated its 4th annual event at the beginning of the month.

Radius Food Co. has recently celebrated the grand opening of its restaurant, located at 3298 Island Highway.

The 2015 Van Isle 360 International Yacht Race is celebrating its 10th Anniversary this year, and will be spending two days in the Comox Valley.

Skydive Vancouver Island has launched as a tenant of the Qualicum Beach Airport.

Charlene Gray, Executive Director at the Comox Valley Children’s Day Care Centre, has been named as the recipient of the Kay Britton Mentorship Award at the 44th annual Conference for Early Childhood Educators of BC.

Ronald Amos has been hired as the new secretary treasurer of School District 69.

Cowichan Commons (250) 715-1599

The Telus Days of Giving program is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, to help contribute and participate volunteers repainted the Port Alberni Youth Centre.

A new 9,000-square-foot BC Liquor Store, managed by Rich Cordocedo, has opened up at 826 Island Highway.

Olive This and More, owned by Laura and Will Levirs, will be opening a second Vancouver Island location in Qualicum Beach.

951 A Canada Avenue Duncan (250) 748-4847

Coast Claims has now relocated to 5588 Meadow Drive.

Two Eagles Lodge, owned by Carolyn and Steve Touhey, has just been inducted into the TripAdvisor Hall of Fame after receiving the 2015 Certificate of Excellence. The Hall of Fame is a special designation for properties that have earned the Certificates of Excellence for maintaining a five-star rating for five consecutive years. The company was also awarded with the Award of Excellence from Booking.com, an international booking service that also bases awards on guest reviews.

The Parksville Lions Club now has its own annual day of recognition in the City. May 8th has been named Parksville Lions Club Day.

Locally Owned & Operated since 1993 We Service what We Sell

Viens voir ici!, a French language program, will be featuring various Port Alberni amenities in an upcoming episode.

Café Brie is now under new ownership, as Donna Mcleod has taken over the business.

PORT ALBERNI Walk the Coast, a comfort footwear specialist, is celebrating its 10th Anniversary this year.

The Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD), along with retiring fire chief Niels Holbek, welcomes former deputy chief, Bruce Green, as the new fire chief of the Oyster River volunteer fire/rescue service. Chief Holbek has served the community as a firefighter for 37 years and has been chief since 2007. His official last day as chief is June 30, 2015. The BC Shellfish and Seafood Festival runs June 12-21, highlights include at Seafood SEE MOVERS & SHAKERS | PAGE 49

MOVERS & SHAKERS

JUNE 2015

Sally Kew and Gordy McLellan of Macs Oysters will be presenting unique Beach Tours at Ships Point, June 15-19.

Oyster River fire department’s retiring fire chief Niels Holbek, CVRD director Edwin Grieve, SRD director Brenda Leigh, and incoming Oyster River fire department chief Bruce Green.

Chef Ned Bell, of the Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver will be in Comox for the BC Shellfish and Seafood Festival, which runs from June 12-21.

MOVERS & SHAKERS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 48

Producers Tour, the Comox By the Sea Celebration featuring Chef Ned Bell, and Harbour Air Glacier Tours. Calorie Connection vending has recently celebrated its 15th year in business. Modern Windows is celebrating its 25th Anniversary; visit them at 432 Puntledge Road. The Courtenay and District Fish & Game Protective Association will be hosting a celebration of the City of Courtenay’s 100th Anniversary on June 6-7.

CAMPBELL RIVER Campbell River City Council has appointed seven members to fill terms that had expired on the Community Partnership Committee (CPC). Scott Cessford, Lesia Davis and Kevin Weighill were re-appointed, and Gregory Batt, Danna Lamb, Poppy Steele and Mary Storry join the

committee for their first term. The CPC reviews applications for permissive tax exemptions and grants-in-aid, using Council’s Finance Policy to determine eligibility, and provides recommendations to Council. Chris Barron has been named as the Territory Manager for the North Island at Canadian Blood Services. The John Hart Project Interpretive Centre has expanded its hours of operation to five days per week, from Wednesday to Sunday, from 10AM-5PM. City Council has also appointed five members to the Advisory Planning and Environment Commission (APEC). Stacey Larsen and Steve Woods were re-appointed, and John Andres, Brett Giese and Christine Petrovcic join the commission for their first term. APEC provides policy advice and recommendations to Council, on various issues related to long range planning (Official Community Plan), land use and development planning, permitting and development application processes, transportation planning and environmental and sustainability issues.

OPINION

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

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

BUSINESS SUCCESS AND HARD WORK ARE INTRICATELY LINKED

MARK MACDONALD

“W

hat’s the most important thing we learned by playing

sports?” It’s a question a good friend and I discussed over lunch one day, musing about the benefits of having played junior hockey, and its impact on our lives, overall. Dealing with pressure, making decisions, being held accountable, handling the media, working with the public... Those were all good things, and we couldn’t disagree. My friend stopped: “You know what I think it was? Hard work.” He explained it this way: “Think about it. When we were losing, we had to work harder so we could win. And if we were winning, we

had to work harder, in case we’d lose.” Hard work. I had to agree. What we learned while playing under those pressure-packed – yet fun – conditions was, ultimately, that it was good old-fashioned hard work that brought success. Not short cuts, fancy equipment, not-asgood-as-we-thought rosters. It was hard work, plain and simple. That “life lesson” holds true in business. I’ve heard the same story, from a multitude of successful business owners, over the years. July 1 will mark 25 years since I started with the Business Examiner, which we now own. Over that time, I’ve interviewed hundreds of leaders who all attribute hard work to be a key part of their success. In all my years of writing business stories, almost unanimously, every person who has shared their successful journey with me spoke of putting in long, long hours. They all know firsthand that there is no substitute for hard work. It’s what keeps us all pushing in order to attain the goal of every entrepreneur: A better financial future for ourselves and our families, and

independence. And let’s not forget that one of the perks a small business owner has is the right to work whichever 80 hours of the week we choose. Our willingness to do whatever it takes, however long it takes, to make things work, is essential. Of course, the goal is to work smarter, and by doing so, we avoid becoming a literal slave to our business. Efficiencies and improvements, are, hopefully, a by-product of ingenuity and longevity. But if they’re slow in arriving, there’s always an able substitute: Hard work. There is a common misconception that once a person starts a business, they’re printing money. They simply have to go to their back yard, whenever they feel like it, and pick as many bills off “the money tree” as they desire. When we first started our company, some congratulated us like we had won the lottery. They probably didn’t know that over 50 per cent of businesses fail. Other business owners officially welcomed us to “the club” by nodding knowingly that we would soon enjoy many long hours, most

of which paid out at less than minimum wage if we bothered to count. A salesman once told me: “I know what you go through as a business owner. I was in a commission sales job.” I had to stifle a laugh, before gently responding “With all due respect, you don’t. Not even close.” Entrepreneurs need to be able to do a little bit of everything, including, of course, sales. As revenues build, business owners tend to end up doing a little bit of everything else, including marketing, maintenance, receivables, payables, dealing with suppliers, and even janitorial duties. By the time the entrepreneur reaches the point of achieving success, they’ve probably used every tool in their toolbox, and borrowed some from others. Then there are the uncomfortable “payroll sweats”, an experience shared by business owners if cash flow and reserves are lower than the impending payment of staff wages. Now that’s pressure. Like many traits, hard work can be both good and bad. In the formative stages of a company,

it’s better and much cheaper to simply do a job by our self, rather than paying someone else to. As the business builds, entrepreneurs need to bring on others and trust them to get the job done, as opposed to doing everything, alone. If they don’t, they’ll inevitably burn out, and the success they seek will undoubtedly prove elusive. Ideally, along the way, the work ethic the owner has demonstrated will be instilled in the staff, and the company gets to where it actually runs, profitably, without the owner. That’s when it ‘officially’ becomes a business. Otherwise, it’s just a job. Then the owner can slow down a bit as staff continues on with the same work ethic. Legendary golfer Jack Nicklaus recognized the value of hard work. Someone once told him they were amazed at how lucky he was. His response spoke volumes: “The harder I practice, the luckier I get.” There are not many short cuts in life, but there is one when it comes to success in business: Hard work.

CANADA STANDS OUT FOR REDUCING RED TAPE We had hit a wall, and there was an appetite for bold solutions. The government set a goal of reducing regulations by a third within three

LAURA JONES

ometimes it takes talking to an American to appreciate what is happening in Canada. I recently spoke to Uri Berliner, a journalist with National Public Radio, who was absolutely flabbergasted that Canada just became the first country in the world to legislate a cap on regulation. It is now the law that one regulation has to be removed any time a new one is added. “How can this be?” he asked. “How can this be in Canada?” Two big factors made it possible for the Red Tape Reduction Act to become law in Canada. First, the federal government had a strong model of successful regulatory reform to borrow

years. To achieve the goal, a policy was put in place that for every new regulatory requirement introduced, two must be eliminated.

from in B.C. — it was the first Canadian jurisdiction to get serious about controlling regulation starting in 2001. At the time, excessive regulation was a widely acknowledged problem in the province. Forest companies were being told what

size nails to use when building bridges, restaurants were being told what size TVs they could have in their establishments, and children needed two permits to bring a tadpole to show and tell, to name just a few examples. We had hit a wall, and there was an appetite for bold solutions. T he government set a goal of reducing regulations by a third within three years. To achieve the goal, a policy was put in place that for every new regulatory requirement introduced, two must be eliminated. B .C .’s “o n e-i n-t w o - o u t” policy was culture-changing. Regulators started to see their jobs very differently. Success wasn’t defined as continuing to add more rules, but to keep the needed ones and get rid of the rest. Bureaucrats got so good at finding stuff that wasn’t needed that at one point they were eliminating five regulatory requirements for every new one introduced. Today, in order to maintain the reduction, B.C. has a “one-in-one-out” policy for regulatory requirements. Uri, the N PR reporter, was even more gobsmacked to hear

that there was no strong opposition to Canada’s Red Tape Reduction Act. He ex pected controversy and partisanship. In response, I ex plained the second reason regulatory reform has traction in Canada: Small businesses have put the issue on the political map. Small businesses are telling their stories and helping the public understand the negative consequences of too much regulation. They are asking business associations to make it a priority. They are filling out surveys that have helped us put a dollar figure on the cost of regulation to business ($37 billion a year). They are cheerleading progress, even when it is slower than they might like. They are telling politicians it is important to keep a lid on regulation if we want the next generation of entrepreneurs to succeed. Having small business owners — a respected, non-partisan voice — speak up for regulatory reform is making all the difference in Canada. It is paving the way for sensible policy that creates a better, less-adversarial relationship between

government and the citizens it serves. T h is is a sha rp contrast to what is happening south of the border. Last weekend’s Wall Street Journal featured an article by author Charles Murray, amusingly titled “Fifty Shades of Red.” The article describes out-of-control regulating by the U.S. government and advocates that people deliberately ref use to comply w it h rules they disagree with. To protect against a reg ulatory agency coming after you, he suggests: “Let’s treat government as an insurable hazard, like tornadoes.” Is this really the most hopeful approach to dealing with too much regulation in the U.S.? No wonder it is big news that Canada’s government is trying to deal with the problem more constructively. Laura Jones is Executive Vice President 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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LAW

JUNE 2015

RECENT CASE ON THE USE OF METATAGS – RED LABEL VACATIONS V. 411 TRAVEL BUYS LAW

The judge in the Red Label

Was this a just result?

case, Justice Manson, held that the doctrine of “initial

ed Label Vacations v. 411 Travel Buys (2015 FC 19) is a recent decision of the Federal Court of Canada that clarifies trademark law as it relates to the use of metatags on websites. A metatag is a word or small phrase that is embedded in a website but is not visible on the actual webpage(s). When a person types a phrase into a search engine, such as Google, the search engine uses an algorithm to search the Internet for web pages containing the particular words. Metatags are merely one of the factors that affect search results. However, generally, the greater the number of times a search term appears in metatags and in the text of the webpage itself, the greater the likelihood that a search engine will rank the website higher in the search results (page 1 of the results list as opposed to page 6, for example). Red Label is a travel business

interest confusion” does not apply in Canada. Justice Manson concluded that a search engine merely gives the consumer a choice of independent and distinct links that he or she may

Michael Cooper and Doug Thompson of ThompsonCooper LLP

choose from, rather than directing a consumer to a particular competitor. that offers online travel information services and bookings t h roug h its website redtag. ca. Red Label has three registered t radem a rk s: “redta g. ca”, “redtag.ca vacations” and “Shop. Compa re. Pay less!! Guaranteed.”

411 Travel is an online travel agency offering information to customers through its website. Red Label uses Google A nalytics to monitor traffic on its website. When Red Label experienced a lull in web traffic, their investigation revealed that 411 Travel had been using Red Label’s registered trademarks as metatags. As a result, some people searching for the Red Label website, instead ended up at the 411 Travel website providing the same travel services.

Red Label alleged lost revenue of $760,000. US trademark law has a doctrine of “initial interest confusion”, under which trademark confusion (and thus infringement of a reg i stered t rademark) occurs when a customer seeking a particular brand of goods or services, is drawn to a competitor’s business through the competitor’s use of the first company’s trade name or trademark to misdirect the customer’s initial interest.

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T he judge in the Red Label case, Justice Manson, held that the doctrine of “initial interest confusion” does not apply in Canada. Justice Manson concluded that a sea rch eng i ne merely gives the consumer a choice of independent and distinct links that he or she may choose from, rather than directing a consumer to a particular competitor. Rankings may affect the choice to be made, but nevertheless, such a choice exists. Justice Manson declined to find that the use of metatags alone constituted “passing off” or “trademark infringement”. Here, there was no use of any of Red Label’s trademarks or trade names on 411’s visible website. The website was clearly identified as 411 Travel Buys’ website. There was no likelihood of deception as to the source of the services provided on the 411 Travel Buys website, and the consumer was free to select the link to the Red Label website and disregard the 411 Travel Buys website. Please drop the writer an email at dthompson@tcllp.ca if you have any comments as to whether this was a “just” result.

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