August 2013
NEW BUILDING FOR TBAYTEL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT –‘Moving’ Into the Future! See Inside
Ross Judge: A Tribute Give your children a head start on their financial futures Idea Factories Abitibi Geophysics Expands to the Thunder Bay area EcoSuperior Plans New Resource Centre
Scott Dixon Sweeps Honda Indy Toronto for 2inTO
2014 Chevrolet Silverado: All New From The Ground Up!
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THUNDER BAY BUSINESS AUGUST 2013
THUNDER BAY BUSINESS AUGUST 2013
Publisher’s Note Scott Sumner The Toronto Honda Indy race this year was unique featuring two full length points counting races for the ultimate racers of the IZOD Indycar series. This series offers the best open wheeled race cars in North America and a lot of history. The Indy 500 is the flagship race each year and Toronto has proven to be one of the most popular events on the circuit. This year there was much excitement in the air with both Saturday and Sunday main event races that provided fans with lots to see. The 24 Indycars and their 12 teams create quite a spectacle at Ontario Place in Toronto near the Direct Energy Centre. This convention area offers over 1 million square feet of indoor space and with the CN Tower in the back drop creates a perfect setting. This years races were very exciting and Scott Dixon put in two dominating performances to win twice for the Target Chip Ganassi team. This team along with Penske and Andretti are really super teams with great funding and a real professionalism to their operations. Scott Dixon along with Canadian Alex Taglinai of Barracuda Racing teamed up
with the Power of 2 to support charity by raising money online. Whoever raises the most will require the other to wear a costume of a beaver or sheep. Tagliani is supporting Anaphylaxis Canada, a non-profit organization that helps people with lifethreatening allergies. Dixon is backing youth cancer organizations CanTeen and Teens Living With Cancer. “ I was happy to get involved in this fundraising event. As a teen it is a difficult
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Sonia Rutter @ 807-631-4244
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Scott Dixon Sweeps Honda Indy Toronto for 2inTO time with your body changing and then trying to figure out what you want to do in life.” said Scott Dixon. The Toronto Honda Indycar race has many support series races on the three day weekend and it was fun to see the new
series “Stadium Super Trucks” race and even do some impressive jumps on the pavement. Robby Gordon is President/ Founder of Stadium Super Trucks and is well known as a off road truck racer, Indycar winner and former Nascar driver. “ It is a series we just started in March so we are very, very new. This is round 7 and 8 of our series “Stadium Super Trucks” but maybe we need to change the name to Street Super Trucks when we go Indycar racing here,” smiled Robby Gordon. “ The truck is just different on pavement. We could lower them down to handle better on pavement but then we wouldn't be able to do the jumps as well.” This year Robby has won every off road desert race including the Baja 500. “ We do these cars out of Charlotte, NC in a 100,000 square foot Nascar shop and have a lot of fun. This is a truck that we purpose built for off road racing or stadium racing. It has 20 inches of wheel travel with 625 HP,” said Gordon. “ When we go over the jumps and hit the pavement with the truck it may look insane when they start to lunge sideways but it isn't that big off a deal. They handle very well but the truck can roll. We have some great drivers in the series including Sheldon Creed, age 15. who has a bright future for sure.”
Sheldon Creed started racing at age 3 with BMX bikes, and then raced dirt bikes at age 5. His ultimate goal is to drive Nascar down the road. “ The jumps aren’t that scary. I have rolled the trucks before!”said Sheldon Creed. “ I like racing a lot. Anytime driving is good. This truck can go 127 MPH down the back shute.” Maurice Ortega is sponsor, grandfather and crew chief for Sheldon and has a family owned business with about 300 employ-
ees, doing underground utilities and natural gas pipelines work in Souther California and Nevada. “ Sheldon is a pleasure to work with. You challenge him to do something and he does it. He knows how to figure out the truck and talk set up so can communicate with others. He drives the truck and works on them as well,” said Ortega. “ Sheldon is in a high school that allows him to go Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and have Monday and Friday off.”
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THUNDER BAY BUSINESS AUGUST 2013
Ross Judge: A Tribute Š2013 Brian Babcock Ross Judge was a lion among lawyers. He left us too soon, on July 3, 2013. Ross was a noted community leader and always first and foremost a family man, but Ross loved the law, and loved helping his clients. We are not likely to see expertise like his again, and anybody who deals in real estate is worse off for it. He was a great person to turn to when a difficult puzzle needed solving. Ross was one of the first Ontario lawyers certified as a specialist in real estate, which required that he demonstrate not just that he had a vibrant practice in the area, but that he handled a wide range of issues, from condominiums to zoning;
mortgages and subdivisions. Ross knew his stuff - clients who met with Ross left knowing exactly what they had agreed to and why. Much has changed in how real estate law is practiced since 1967, when Ross was called to the bar. The 1960s was a decade
Legal Matters of residential subdivision expansion in Thunder Bay, and was followed by commercial intensification and sprawl into what was once farm land and countryside. Ross worked closely with realtors,
developers and planners and became an expert in the law of surveys and boundaries. Forty years later, with properties described simply by PINs, this knowledge might seem archaic, but just this month, we got a reminder that a PIN description does not guarantee the boundaries of a parcel of land. An avid cottager, Ross did a lot of rural conveyancing, and we co-wrote an article for our website about the intricacies of road access, which, through the mysteries of Goggle, attracted province-wide attention.
Ross started his practice. His knowledge helped him explain to clients the limitations of title insurance; that insuring over an issue of an encroachment or iffy access might not solve the problem, and clients had to know the risks. Electronic registration has made real estate law seem routine, but we at Weilers will do our best to honour Ross by maintaining his high standard of treating each client as special. He will be deeply missed.
These days, clients often turn to title insurance to protect against boundary issues. Title insurance did not exist when
Idea Factories When you think about all the amazing ideas, thoughts, hypotheses, concepts that could have made you a fortune but somehow didn't make it past the brain wave--it should be at least somewhat frustrating ! So what if after all these conferences, seminars, thinktanks, symposiums and gatherings of intelligence we are pretty much in the same place? Then it means there is a critical gap between thinkin and doin !
Even with the drop in commodity prices that is having its own impact on mining, there are several minerals that the world has need of. Note that I didn't say what the world has "want of", which is a different kind of supply/demand that what we require or must have to keep this planet turning and its industries working.
If we apply our creativity to making opportunity then we can set aside whether there is a recovery, a boom, or a downturn on the horizon and just fire up the imaginative processes.
The pace at which the film industry is growing tells us with the diversity of our natural settings that site selectors and production operations can easily be centered right here in the centre of North America.
The minerals won't go bad so sure enough we better be ready for the next cycle
We haven't been beating the bushes for grain movements through our Port and there is huge opportunity to engage the western agricultural industries.
We have always know that we have many distinct advantages of which other parts of the world can only become more jealous. The most obvious of these is water, which covers a large part of our advantage list from transportation, sports, recreation, tourism to just good old drinkability. When we think environment hopefully it is in its widest context which allows to take a larger perspective on growing ideas. There are historic mining sites on Lake Superior dating to hundreds of years B.C. This tells us that in the evolution of humans they recognized the practical value of even the rock they walked upon.
Tourism works. You go away as a tourist so why can't we coordinate in a "Region of Festivals" during all seasons to make visitors stay longer? The needs for health care professionals and for all trades have been cried about for years. Now is the time to get those young people skilled and educated into something dignified and that is a true career. which seems to have blended into whichever one we think we're in.Therefore whilst everyone else may be thinking there's slowdown is when we ramp up and nurture our supply chain incubators for the mining industries. Forestry's resurgence remains strong so there's another shift in focus. Changing policies to adapt to new sustainable harvesting can be done now. The Chamber of Commerce's Aboriginal Opportunities is chuck-full of positive people committed to ensuring that Thunder Bay becomes known as one of North America's most welcoming communities.
Our local food is just fantastic but we still don't have a recognizable district brand the way "Rainy River Raised" has become so well known. I will of course except Thunder Oak Cheese and persians ! Overall we need to collaborate our efforts to maximize the energy being demonstrated by groups such as Shift, who brag about our community and extol its virtues as mantra. We simply must foster a culture of Thunder Bay as a "Place To Be" for work, play, learning, and life. Respectfully submitted, Ken Boshcoff Director of Business Strategies Crupi Consulting Group
THUNDER BAY BUSINESS AUGUST 2013
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For Openers Five greetings that boost sales to walk-in customers by Jeff Mowatt Quick, what's the typical greeting used most often by 60% of retail stores? You're right if you guessed, "Can I help you?" The visitor's usual response, "No thanks, just looking." The problem is the walk-in customer is never "just looking." They came into the premises because at some level they perceived a need. This greeting only reminds visitors that they're not here to buy. Lousy selling strategy. The way you and your front line employees greet walk-in customers has a huge impact on your bottom line. Here are some tips to ensure that you and your employees greet customers in a way that makes them want to buy and keep coming back. 1. Show that you recognize them. If you deal with customers, the two most important words are not, please or thank you, but are your customer's first and last names. Take the restaurant I patronized in Greece, for example. As I walk in with my friends, he shouts, "Jeff, you're back! Welcome!" He smiles at the rest of my party and says, "I see you've brought your friends, excellent! We'll clear one of our best tables for you!" At this point I don't care what the food tastes like -- this guy gets my business. If you don't remember the customer's name, you need to at least let them know that you recognize them and are happy to see them. So an effective greeting would be, "Well, Hello! It's nice to see you again." Customers return to secure, friendly environments. Show that you recognize them, and they'll want to come back. 2. Ask if they've been in before. One of the best money making greetings is, "Hi, have you been here before?" Michael Gerber, author of the best seller, The E-myth, says that his clients who have switch from, "Can I help you?" to this greeting have seen sales increase by 16%. While Gerber claims to have no idea why this works so well, I think it's because this greeting reminds the customer that they've been at your business before, so it's a familiar place. Familiar means safe. Safe means trust. And trust means buy. "If saying, 'Hi, have you been here before?' can increase sales by 16%, then it's certainly worth a test." With this greeting the employee can also add, "Welcome back, we appreciate your coming to see us again." That provides that all-important recognition. They can ask the customer about what they bought on their last visit and how they like it. That provides the opportunity to provide positive reinforcement and/or clear up any concerns. If this is the visitor's first visit, then the employee has a great excuse to show them around, identify needs and point out specials. At any rate, if saying, "Hi, have you been here before?" can increase sales by 16%, then it's certainly worth a test. 3. Ask about the weather. I realize the weather is an often-used topic,
but it's disarming, and gets the customer talking about something where they can be the expert. The critical step that's often missed is you need to respond to the customer's comments. That shows that you're listening -- not just techniquing them. Once you've addressed their comments, you can then transition from the weather to identifying their needs. Example: "Well, at least you're in from out of the wind now. What brings you in aside from the cold weather?" 4. Compliment appropriately. Be careful with this one. If you do it wrong, you be construed as being a phony and will lose the most important thing you need to sell -- trust. So don't offer a general complement such as, "Don't you look good today." Instead make sure your complement is relevant and specific. If you work in a clothing store you might say, "That scarf is terrific; its autumn colors are per-
fect with your coloring." 5. Use a conversation piece. Interesting artwork, a talking parrot, or anything you place near your entrance that draws comment is great. It gets the customer talking, questioning and interested. Timing is everything. More important that what you say, is the fact that the visitor is acknowledged -- not necessarily served -- the moment they enter. One study revealed that 68% of customers who leave do so because they feel like no one cares that they're there. Picture entering an establishment waiting to be served. Then use your watch to count off 30 seconds. You realize that even half a minute is too long to wait. One of my seminar participants, a bakery owner, ensured a fast greeting if the employees were working in the back room by installing a doorbell that rings as the visitor enters. They call out, "Hi there, I'll be right out!" and they keep the business. Simple and smart.
The Six Worst Greetings 1 A stare -- like employees are watching to see if you're going to steal something. 2 The daze -- they pretend they're so busy they can't see you. 3 (As you enter a restaurant) "Just one?" 4 "Can I help you" 5 "Next!" 6 A canned phony sounding speech.
This article is based on the critically acclaimed book Becoming a Service Icon in 90 Minutes a Month, by customer service strategist and professional speaker Jeff Mowatt. To obtain your own copy of his book or to inquire about engaging Jeff for your team, visit www.jeffmowatt.com or call 1.800.JMowatt (566.9288).
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THUNDER BAY BUSINESS AUGUST 2013
MORE NEEDS TO CHANGE CANADA’S BUSINESS By Bruce Whitestone
has been tantalizingly slow.
Recently, there have been heated discussions about women’s experience in the workplace and in the overall economy. Then a columnist triggered a stormy exchange about the right of women to be in men’s locker room at sporting events, presumably so that they could report on the aftermath of a game. This brings up the entire question of women’s progress.
In Canada women finally (belatedly) receive the right to vote in federal election in 1918, and ever so slowly the number of women participating in governments at all level has been on the rise. Even now in the House of Commons there are only 77 women or 24.4 percent of total and in the cabinet 10, or 37 per cent of the full membership. Then too, it is obvious that women are under –represented in senior positions in government agencies and in industry.
It must be acknowledged that both men and women are learning that one could not really advance without the other, but progress
Heretofore under ancient law women no matter how old were treated as minors, always subject to male guardians. This tra-
dition continues in some other nations, notably in Middle East. Fortunately, in Canada things are improving. Women now outnumber men in many post-graduate institutions, law and medical schools and veterinary colleges. Still, much need to be done. The question remains why women have not ascended to the most senior jobs in government and in overall economy. It is partly women’s own fault. They are disinclined to assert themselves. There are interesting perspectives on how women are coping at work, and what is holding then back. As stated in new book, “Work With Me” by Barbara Annis and John Gray, women seems ask more questions and seek collaboration with co-workers. Men are more inclined to view that as signs of weakness. Witness the well- known reluctance of men to ask for road directions while women are more willing to do so.
tive at work, are more likely to unilaterally make decisions and do not appear to be anxious to have the needed harmonious workforce as women. According to anecdotal evidence women leave their jobs as they believe that they are excluded too often and their contributions are ignored. There are social reasons at play. Women executives have fewer children and are less willing to disregard family obligations. As a generalization women have more common sense than men and are more caring and responsible. First and foremost, the moral reasons all this should change. Then too, In view of the looming shortage of qualified people, women should rightly assume a larger share of the nation’s economy for the betterment of everyone.
It is obvious to all men are more competi-
For videos and more info visit
www.thunderbaybusiness.ca
THUNDER BAY BUSINESS AUGUST 2013
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EcoSuperior Plans New Resource Centre A local non-profit organization has big plans for a long-neglected piece of property on Red River Road. EcoSuperior has been delivering environmental programs under contract with all levels of government since 1995, and has a long history of office moves as well. “When we purchased this property in 2010, it was the fifth office move for us,” notes executive director Ellen Mortfield. “And two of those five buildings have since been demolished, so we’ve occupied a lot of less-than-desirable real estate! But this property represents an opportunity to re-purpose older buildings and showcase green renovations, highlighting ways for people to conserve energy and water.” The organization purchased the former chiropractor office and rental house at the corner of Red River Road and Hill Street with the intention of transforming the property into a centre of environmental excellence. The property includes a 2 story office building and a small bungalow, both constructed in the 1940s, as well as a vacant lot. “We need to house our staff of approximately 15 people and enhance our retail
opportunities, but the larger goal is to be able to practice what we preach and demonstrate environmental stewardship in very practical ways,” adds Mortfield. The Ontario Trillium Foundation has contributed funding to the current stages of renovation planning and developing a fund raising strategy for the project. Earlier this year, Confederation College construction students completed some interior demolition to prepare the house, and Lakehead University engineering student researched and prepared recommendations for the renovations. Work is currently underway to renovate the office building’s basement to add meeting space, and the foundation of the house has been excavated for waterproofing and exterior insulation. Plans are for a phased approach, with the completion of the small house retrofit first, then the construction of an addition to join the two buildings and provide additional workshop/teaching and storage space. “Our objective is to incorporate learning opportunities into this project and also provide opportunities for local businesses to showcase their products and services, through donations of materials, sponsorships or volunteer time. We want this to be
a community project, with lots of participation by area citizens, students and businesses,” says Mortfield. The organization will be launching an official fund-raising campaign later this fall,
but welcomes inquiries from anyone interested in participating as a volunteer, sponsor or donor. Raphael Shay is the project coordinator and he can be reached at 6242144 or raphael@ecosuperior.org
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NEW BUILDING FOR TBAYTEL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT –‘Moving’ Into the Future! By Sherry Aalto ‘Moving’ into the future! Ongoing developments and engineering in telecommunications and technology, necessitated a new home for the Tbaytel Engineering Department…and that, is exciting news! The new residence for the Tbaytel Engineering Department offers 10,000 square feet of ‘design specific to needs’ accommodations for its employees and its operations. The new building, located at 751 Tungsten Street, will be ready to receive its new occupants nearing the end of August, 2013. A request for lease space was sent out in
2012 by Tbaytel. Tom Jones Corporation responded to the ‘request for proposals’, with a ‘new building in close proximity to their already existing (Tbaytel) campus. Tom Jones Corporation secured the property next door to Tbaytel and responded with a design build lease proposal. The proposal consisted of an ownership group and financing group, a design team, a construction team and facilities management company; Tom Jones Corporation was able to react quickly as most of these services are provided ‘in house’. They had twelve months to complete a ‘design, build, lease, program for Tbaytel and not surprisingly, all was achieved within eleven months,
slightly ahead of schedule. The three million dollar project, involved Tom Jones Construction, FORM Architecture Engineering, working Directly with Michelle Gibson, who was key for getting the design rolling and getting ground preparation quickly under way. FORM Architecture Engineering designed the building towards LEEDS (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) standards, implementing all their ‘green’ initiatives. Parker Jones, Estimator and Project Manager, explains, “The large windows on three sides of the building, offers a lot of natural day light into the building which helps to create a more positive work
environment for employees”. Materials used to construct the new building, incorporated ‘green construction’ or sustainable building materials. It refers to a structure and using process that is environmentally responsible and resource-efficient throughout a building’s life-cycle: from siting to design, construction, operation, maintenance, renovation and demolition. This requires close cooperation of the design team, the architects, the engineers and the client at all project stages. The success of the new build, according to Mr. Parker Jones, “is because of the strong Site Superintendent, Project Manager from their office and a great group of sub-trades that were able to pull it all together.” The ‘Design – Build Format’ is one consideration for new construction projects and is becoming the more popular way to do business. Currently Tom Jones Corporation has several other design build projects across the region. “It works well for everyone involved”, says Parker Jones and “it is a growing part of our business and we have had great success with the format in the recent years. Land acquisition, financing, design construction and leasing, can all be done by our group in house with total transparency for the client.” The Tbaytel Engineering Department is looking forward to operating out of their new residence and with the latest in ‘state of the art’ materials and format for ‘design-build’, one could almost say they are ‘moving’… into the future!
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NEW BUILDING FOR TBAYTEL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT –‘Moving’ Into the Future! FORM Architecture Engineering completed the design of the new building
and I asked Michelle Gibson, OAA, MRAIC, LEED AP Partner FORM some questions about the project. This project has happened with quite a short turn around time. Did this present any challenges for your team? “ Working on a tight schedule for any project requires communication and a clear definition of goals and expecta-
tions. As a design/build project, the contractor, owner and architect come to the table to determine the requirements and
“ TBaytel was very clear in their desired vision for the facility, recognizing the need for fiscal responsibility while ensuring the work environment embraced good design practices such as daylighting and natural materials, where possible. Utilizing wood frame construction allowed for a quick construction start and introduced sustainable building products into the aesthetic. From an overall design perspective the intent was to provide a simple and functional working environment that could take advantage of the open spans to allow for flexible staffing arrangements and still maximize the amount of daylighting into the interior spaces. In addition, we introduced glazed screens to any closed office spaces to further improve the light and ambience within the interior space. Complementary colours are used to enhance the natural wood and provide a thoughtful backdrop to the facility.”
quickly define any constraints that could affect the schedule downstream. This communication is vital in the success of the project meeting or exceeding client expectations. The finished building is a testament to those shared goals.”
Photos by FORM Architecture Engineering
The building looks like a very attractive facility. What was your design approach to make it appealing for Tbaytel?
Congratulations TBayTel on your new Facility from your Landscape Contractor Our Best for You!
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THUNDER BAY BUSINESS AUGUST 2013
KBM Resources Group Expands its Aerial Survey Capacity with Canada’s First Trimble Harrier 68i KBM Resources Group’s Aerial Survey and Geomatics division with the new Trimble Harrier 68i. Thunder Bay, ON – June 3, 2013 Locally owned KBM Resources Group has purchased new state-of-the-art remote sensing equipment to complement its existing suite of camera systems and thermal imaging technology. The new equipment (from Trimble) includes: • Advanced LiDAR sensor head; • Integrated digital camera; • Inertial direct georeferencing and advanced flight management system; • Computer system; and, • Data storage and backup system. KBM Resources Group is the only firm in Canada to own a Trimble Harrier 68i LiDAR system. “We are excited about the wide variety of uses our new LiDAR technology has for our clients,” Higgelke explained. “KBM has the most advanced LiDAR system in Central Canada, and we are the only company in Northern Ontario that owns and operates our own system. We are proud of the assurance we can provide our clients of timely delivery of top quality products.” KBM Resources Group has been providing remote sensing and GIS services for over 20 years. KBM’s aerial survey and geomatics division has expanded considerably, having purchased a third fixed-wing aircraft, initiated plans for
construction of a new hangar and nearly doubled its staff over the last year. KBM has nine softcopy workstations for photo interpretation, and up to 17 photo interpreters on staff. KBM not only captures aerial survey data, but also provides services and products that easily integrate into existing geospatial systems. By turning spatial data into information, KBM can help maximize the power of the data to inform and support clients’ decisions. KBM’s experienced technicians provide geographic data enrichment through spatial analysis, visibility analysis, volumetric analysis, terrain mapping, hydrological modelling, advanced cartographic mapping and modelling, 3D photointerpretation and client training.
KBM has the expertise to acquire, analyze, visualize and communicate the spatial information required for environmental and feasibility studies, mineral exploration, site planning and monitoring. KBM has been evaluating the use of LiDAR in collaborative R&D projects for several years, and is confident that this versatile technology has exceptional potential for utilities, forestry, mining, energy and other resource sectors.
Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. KBM Resources Group – originally KBM Forestry Consultants – expanded from a leading service provider in forest management to one that also provides a comprehensive range of natural resource management solutions for mining, energy and other resource sectors. For more information on KBM, please visit http://w
KBM will be offering its airborne LiDAR service to clients across Canada and the United States. About KBM Resources Group Founded in 1973, KBM is based in Thunder Bay and has a satellite office in
Sonia Rutter 807-631-4244
THUNDER BAY BUSINESS AUGUST 2013
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Give your children a head start on their financial futures ClientLine—A look at timely financial issues One of the greatest gifts you can give to children or grandchildren is a head start on their financial future. Perhaps you’ve already taken steps in the right direction, like setting up an RESP or a savings account. But did you know that life insurance offers several benefits—beyond traditional protection—that make it an important part of a child’s financial future? Here are just a few of the benefits of purchasing life insurance for your children today. 1. Lower payments
As all parents know, kids grow up fast— and one day they’ll probably want their own life insurance policy, especially if they have a family. Buying a permanent insurance policy now means that premiums will be paid over a longer period, but your children will pay less if they take over the policy when they become an adult.
ing, may also make them ineligible. Even if they’ve accepted, the bigger the risk, the higher the premium they’ll have to pay. A “guaranteed insurability benefit” allows your children to purchase additional life insurance coverage, at specified times up to a certain age. This ensures they’ll have access to additional life insurance, even though health, occupation or lifestyle choices might otherwise make them uninsurable.
2. Guaranteed future insurability
3. Tax-deferred growth in value
It’s possible that some day your children might not be able to get life insurance because of a health condition. Or the hobbies and adventures your child chooses, things like scuba diving or motocross rac-
Premiums paid into a permanent life insurance policy build up equity
If you have funds you intend to pass on as part of an inheritance, you can invest them by making additional payments into the policy. Since this investment grows taxdeferred, transferring these assets to your heirs while you’re still living reduces the amount of tax for your estate. Not all policies are built this way, so check with your advisor. It’s never too early—or too late—to start planning your child’s financial future. Talk to your Sun Life Financial advisor about the options available.
in the form of cash value. The cash value of the policy is an asset that can help to establish credit, enabling your children to, for example, obtain a down payment from a bank or a first car.
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Whole Body Vibration and Degenerative Disc Disease lems. Studies have shown that whole body vibration is closely related to the development of several low back disorders such as degenerative disc disease. Benoit Lafleur is a 4th year Kinesiology student at Laurentian University currently doing an internship with the Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers (OHCOW). For more information please contact the OHCOW at 705-523-2330, 1-800-4617120 or visit our website at www.ohcow.on.ca/clinics/sudbury Introduction In Northern Ontario, there are many workers in mining, forestry, construction, and steel making industries. These industries use a variety of heavy machinery such as forklifts, loaders, bulldozers, CAT machinery, backhoes, etc., to complete tasks. Although these machines can do a great amount of work in a short period of time, they expose the operator to whole body vibration that can put him or her at serious risk of developing long term health prob-
What is degenerative disc disease (DDD)? Intervertebral discs are like shock absorbers between each vertebrae of your spine that help absorb pressure. Think of a jelly donut, when pressure is applied, the jelly in your donut will go in the opposite direction of where the pressure is applied. If there is too much pressure, the jelly inside of the donut will bulge and possibly pop out. This bulge or “jelly” from the discs can irritate the nerves in your spine, causing mild to severe pain. Intervertebral discs within the spine will naturally degenerate with age, explaining why we get shorter as we age. However, when someone is diagnosed with DDD, it usually means that the degeneration of their disc(s) is faster than normal. The accelerated physiological changes will make the “jelly” more likely to bulge or eventually leak (in medical terms, this is referred to disc herniation and prolapse). DDD is
more commonly seen in the neck and the lower back region. Causes of the accelerated changes are uncertain, but many researchers are linking whole body vibration and DDD together. How does whole body vibration from heavy machinery lead to low back injury? Every part of the body has a different resonant frequency; a frequency that creates maximum amplification of the incident vibration. When the vibration frequency from the machine is the same as the resonant frequency, more mechanical energy is absorbed by the body. The absorbed energy will slowly strain and fatigue surrounding muscles rendering the spine less stable and making it more prone to injury. The vibration frequency of most heavy equipment is in the same range as the resonant frequency of the lumbar spine. Therefore, operating heavy equipment can lead to a high risk of low back injury. How can you protect yourself from whole body vibration? Decrease the amount of vibration to which the driver is exposed by: • reduce the speed of travel (especially
on rough terrain) • minimize the exposure period by alternating working tasks where vibration is not present • increasing rest/recovery time between exposures • Where feasible, reduce or isolate yourself from the vibration source. For example: • in seated tasks, use a spring or cushion as a vibration isolator • in standing operations, use a rubber or vinyl floor mat • minimize the undulations of the surface over which the vehicle must travel • install air ride seats on machines that do not have them Conclusion It is important to note that it usually takes several years to notice health effects from whole body vibration. The likelihood of acquiring DDD depends on how often and how long someone is exposed to whole body vibration.
5th Annual Clean, Green & Beautiful Awards The District of Thunder Bay Social Services Administration Board offices, Confederation College’s REACH Building and the International Taiji Park each were recognized at the Clean, Green & Beautiful Awards tonight during Council’s Committee of the Whole meeting. Two City projects, Prince Arthur’s Landing and the new Superior North EMS Headquarters also were acknowledged for reaching Clean, Green & Beautiful Award standards. The Clean, Green & Beautiful Committee presents the annual awards to celebrate organizations and businesses whose building and renovation projects enrich the life of the community through public art, beautification, heritage and environmental greening. The District of Thunder Bay Social Services Administration Board offices received a Diamond Award for its use of
sustainable products and incorporation of public art. Confederation College’s REACH Building earned a Gold Award for innovative architecture and extensive use of natural material. The InternationI Taiji Park earned a Bronze Award for its dynamic landscaping, celebrating cultural heritage and public creating amenities, along with other Clean, Green & Beautiful elements. Prince Arthur’s Landing at Marina Park and the new Superior North EMS Headquarters also achieved Diamond Level Status. Diamond Award – District of Thunder Bay Social Services Administration Board (DSSAB): The new amalgamated DSSAB offices incorporated wood and natural, sustainable materials throughout the design – even in the building’s structure – and capitalized on natural light and solar energy. The DSSAB offices were opened in February 2012, and designed by FORM Architecture Engineering with contribu-
tions from other local engineering firms and built by Finnway General Contractors. Highlights include: • 54,800 sf, three-storey wood-frame facility • Public Art installation, River Song by Artist Joseph Fredric, welcomes users to the main reception area • Candidate for LEED Gold certification due to energy and environmental design • High thermal performance of building envelope • Bike amenities at both entrances • Light sensors for illumination and natural light wells to bring light into central spaces • Low VOC finishes to combat environmental sensitivities • Photovoltaic panels use alternative energy
Gold Award – REACH Building at Confederation College: The Regional Education Alliance for Community Health (REACH) facility at the College used innovative fire suppression techniques to allow for three-storey height, non-combustible, timber tree structures as the structural centerpiece in the atrium. The building maximizes natural light to use less electricity and features sustainable flooring products. The Atrium features an Aboriginal art display depicting the Teachings of the Seven Grandfathers that includes local photography. REACH was designed by FORM Architecture Engineering with contributions from other local and provincial engineering firms. Highlights include: • Silver LEED candidate • Light sensors for illumination • High thermal performance building envelope • Recycled content on construction materials where possible • Recycling facilities available throughout • Landscaped green space around building addition Bronze Award – International Taiji Park: A volunteer initiative by the Peng You Taiji Quan Association, the International Taiji Park at Prince Arthur’s Landing began as a dream for a space to practice Tai Chi in an unsurpassed location. The concept incorporated a strategically erected Moon Gate to provide an entrance to a peaceful, serene destination for the community to practice a healthy activity and connect with the natural surroundings. The Taiji Park was designed by Walter Kuch of FORM Architecture Engineering and built by NST contracting. Highlights include: • Care and maintenance of public space • Preservation of views, highlighting the Sleeping Giant • Creation of civic space • Landscaping continuous parks and open spaces
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Abitibi Geophysics Expands to the Thunder Bay area There's a new, dynamic young and aggressive company that has expanded in to the Thunder Bay area - and they're not really that new. Abitibi Geophysics, under the direction and guidance of President/CEO Pierre Bérubé, is forging new ground in Northwestern Ontario as they open yet another office in Canada, capitalizing on pent up demand for geophysics technology in the area. An innovator in patented geophysics surveying technologies - Bérubé leads what many consider to be the top geophysics contractor in performing ground and borehole surveys. "Geophysics is to mining exploration as x-rays and scanners are to modern medicine" said Bérubé. "We try to see underground without digging and
the results are often quite fantastic overall." "Much of the area in Northwestern Ontario has never been exposed to this higher level of technology and geophysics expertise, and, given our commitment to advanced innovation with respect to proprietary equipment - the Abitibi Geophysics approach can often lead to shorter mine discovery time, not always - but there's a good chance that better technology will lead to enhanced exploration ability." Abitibi Geophysics has worked on more than 300 survey projects throughout Ontario in the past few years - often for blue-chip clients such as Noront, Cliffs, Rainy River, Osisko and Gold Corp -just to name a few. With up to 50% of its business coming from Ontario in its most recent history, the
firm felt strongly that Thunder Bay is and will continue to be - the centre of mining exploration and development activity in the future. “For the past five years Thunder Bay has been the central place for exploration with nine projects that may eventually become mines - and, with the Ring of Fire, it's really the place to be in the next 5 to 10 years.” Abitibi Geophysics is intent on seeking First Nation trainees that have had an abundant exposure to vast sections of tough-to-negotiate bush in Northern Ontario, and has approached a local College (Confederation College) to help create proprietary programming to educate and make-ready applicants for further work with the Quebec-based company in this
immediate area. "No one knows the bush in this area better than those that live, fish, hunt and feed their families from the land," said Berube when referring to our local aboriginal residents. However, while the grounds for financing exploration are soft at the moment, it is predicted that things may kick back into high gear in the next few months, and when this happens, Abitibi Geophysics intends to be poised to capitalize on the new growth - at the epicentre of mining exploration in Canada. Abitibi Geophysics has three offices in Canada - St. Johns' Newfoundland, Thunder Bay, Ontario - and their head office is situated in Val-d'or in Northwestern Quebec.
2014 Chevrolet Silverado: All New From The Ground BY SCOTT A. SUMNER
Thunder Bay BUSINESS The truck business is big part of the automotive manufacturers overall sales and that is true especially in Northwestern Ontario. The big three of Chrysler, Ford and General Motors as well as Nissan and Toyota rely on trucks for lots of their profit. GM with Chevrolet and GMC has just released a brand new pick up truck that will make the segment even more competitive. “ The last major change of the Chevy pickup was in 2007. For 2014 it has been totally redesigned from the frame up. We wanted a 6 ft 6inch box on a crew cab and they provided that. (You can also get a 5 ft 8inch.) The motors are also brand new with the 4.3 V6, 5.3 engines, and the 6.2 hauler engine. All have been totally redesigned. The engines are much more fuel efficient,” said Pat Spina, Sales
Manager of Badanai Motors. “ The interior of the truck now has more of the I Pad look, with a lot of touch screen capabilities, three different radio options, back-up cameras, NAV systems, 100 volt plug ins for your computers, lots of power outlets and three places for memory sticks or to plug in an I Phone or I Pad.” When I sat in the 2014 Silverado, ergonomically it offers more legroom, more options on the steering tilt and position and a totally new cockpit. It is very comfortable. The exterior look changes are subtle but if you park a 2013 and 2014 Silverado side but side you will see them. The truck business is well over 50% of the business at Badanai Motors, according to Pat Spina. The truck is becoming a people mover and is bigger and safer. “ This new Silverado truck has been a long time coming. Ford put a new one out
last year. Dodge also put out their new truck. I think GM has a winner here with many new features we weren't accustomed too in the old truck,” said Spina. “ The exterior look is quite similar for a reason. GM surveyed their customer base and found they really like the look of the exterior of the truck. The changes are subtle, but it is a refreshed new truck. The air drag
Spina. “ The incentive programs will arrive as it is a big part of the market and you have to be in the game with the right price. The customer has to get the best bang for their buck and we need to offer value. I think GM has a winner here,” said Spina. “ I love the truck. It is quiet. You have to really drive it to feel the comfort and the changes that have been made. The ease of
is better and there is more sound deadening equipment. We are sitting in a truck with cloth seats that has heated seating which we couldn’t get before.”
using the features like the back up camera are great. We sold our first 2014 Silverado as soon as it landed. You can order a truck exactly how you like and we can get it landed here for you in Thunder Bay in 6 weeks.”
“Working with business for a sustainable and prosperous future.”
Pricing for the 2014 Silverado will be similar to last year pricing according to
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