North Country Cycle & Sports: 40 Years of Success
INSIDE An exceptional month begins for SHAD participants at Lakehead University Chiropractic: The Myths and the Facts
Donors Fund Over $100,000 in New Equipment for Operating Room
North Superior Publishing @tbay25
Hockey Meets Health Care: Stanley Cup Visits Health
TAYLOR MOORE WINS STAAL FOUNDATION OPEN PRESENTED BY TBAYTEL
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THUNDER BAY BUSINESS AUGUST 2016
Donors Fund Over $100,000 in New Equipment for Operating Room The Operating Room at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre is an area most people have never seen, but is one of the busiest areas in the building. With over 15,000 cases done annually, there is a critical need for up-to-date equipment to ensure each patient receives high-quality care.
Today, it was announced that $109,806 was granted through the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation, thanks to the generosity of donors, to provide enhancements to equipment within the Operating Room.
Chief of Surgery at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre and Board Director, Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation, Dr. Mark Thibert made the announcement, stating, “Our Operating Room is one of the most advanced in the province and patients can feel very confident in the quality of care they receive here. This funding provides
the opportunity to enhance the care we currently provide and ensures we are wellpositioned to meet future surgical needs.”
Our community should be very proud of the care that’s provided here, and I’m thankful to those who have made the decision to make a gift to support the excellent care we offer.”
older machines, but is now possible with our new generation of machines. We really see this when we have patients who have long thoracic or gastrointestinal cancer surgeries.
Added Christine Erickson, Manager, Perioperative Services, Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, “The equipment we have here ensures that our surgeons, anesthetists, nurses and learners are able to deliver exceptional care. They use evidence-based practice, while working collaboratively, to make sure our patients receive the care that’s most appropriate for them.”
Because of the new machines, we are able to care for patients here instead of having to send them to a larger academic centre, meaning world-class care is available, closer to home.
Items funded were: • 5 new anesthesia care machines ($96,717) • 1 skin graft mesher ($5,000) • 1 TURP (transurethral resection of the prostate) instrument set ($8,089)
“Our Operating Room continues to evolve as techniques become more advanced and patients require increasingly complex procedures,” said Adam Vinet, Director, Surgical and Ambulatory Care Services, Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. “Thanks to donors, we are able to select and purchase equipment that provides support for the multitude of cases we perform here in Thunder Bay – whether it be neurosurgery, dental surgery or orthopaedic surgery. We offer a full complement of services, with the exception of cardiac surgery, which is in development.
Long-time donors Maurice and Jackie Black were thrilled to be a part of today’s announcement, knowing their most recent gift to the General Healthcare Fund of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation would make a tangible difference in the Operating Room. “We’ve been happy to support the hospital in a variety of ways, many times to the Cancer Centre,” said Maurice, “but we made the decision to give to the area of highest need this time.” Added Jackie, “We know that whenever we do make a gift, it will always be used for equipment purchases that advance healthcare here in Thunder Bay. We’re exceptionally fortunate to be in good health and not needing the services of the Operating Room, but are glad to know that the patients who need this vital care will be receiving it thanks to this latest equipment and the team of professionals who are so adept at using it.”
About the Equipment Funded
Anesthesia Care Machines (5) $96,717 As explained by Dr. Ian Dobson, Chief of Anesthesia, Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre
For the past ten years, we have been using an older generation of anesthesia machines, which are functional but did not allow us to evolve as a service to deal with the increasingly complex and challenging surgeries that we now perform as a regional academic centre. Newer technologies now exist which have been adopted at all teaching hospitals in Ontario and are becoming the standard of care.
These new machines help us to meet the challenges of new programs such as vascular and bariatric surgery and will eventually help us when we have a full cardiovascular surgery program. With the rapid evolution of laparoscopic and minimally-invasive surgeries, our ability to handle the demanding respiratory issues in positioning these patients isn’t possible with the
Skin Graft Mesher (1) $5,000 As explained by Dr. Mark Thibert Chief of Surgery, Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre
When we do skin grafts, we are treating extensive wounds, trauma, burns or areas of extensive skin loss due to infection like necrotizing fasciitis or removal of skin cancers. The skin graft mesher creates small perforations in the skin graft so it can be expanded to cover a recipient site that’s larger than the donor site.
It is extremely helpful because it provides improved draining, increases the edge exposure and helps provide more successful outcomes for our patients. These are very delicate surgeries and any equipment that helps us facilitate this process is of utmost importance to our patients.
TURP Instrument Set (1) $8,089 As explained by Ryan Kelly Registered Nurse & O.R. Team Leader for ENT, Neurology, Ophthalmology, Urology
One of the most common procedures that we perform in the O.R. are transurethral resection of the prostate procedures, or more commonly known as a TURP. TURPs are performed to relieve moderate to severe urinary symptoms often caused by a benign enlarged prostate, and annually we perform almost 300 TURPs alone.
This versatile piece of equipment, known as a resectoscope, doesn’t begin and end with TURPs, however. We also use this same equipment to treat or prevent complications due to blocked urine flow from a variety of conditions, as well as removal of bladder tumours. Having this set of instruments added to our complement decreases the chance for a delay to patient care, as well as relieves the added stress on the staff, knowing that they will have enough sets of instruments to be able to provide for their patients.
THUNDER BAY BUSINESS AUGUST 2016
Publisher’s Note Scott Sumner BY SCOTT A. SUMNER
Thunder Bay BUSINESS Taylor Moore,Winner 2016 Staal Open “ It feels awesome. An incredible day. I was lucky to have my dad up here this week to kind of comfort me on the weekend. I didn’t want to think about playing on the PGA Tour next week with this win. It has been a life long dream of mine to play on the PGA Tour so I’m excited to get going. After being an amateur just a few weeks ago it is awesome to see my college days have
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My STAAL FOUNDATION OPEN PRESENTED BY TBAYTEL Notes tour have said it is the best course on tour and definitely a tournament course.” “My favourite memory is having my dad on the bag as he doesn’t have the chance to be at the tournaments that often.” “ At Holes 16 or 17 I kinda had a good feeling if I could play in and get in the house I could win.” Eric Staal “ This event is top notch and done better every single year and is now imprinted in the community. We want to be able to give back to some great organizations through our foundation. We are hoping for a big week and kinda enjoying it like the rest of the community. Camp Quality, Northern Cancer Funds and Families Fighting Cancer are our three great charities.”
A good crowd following the last group to 18!
players when they first come here are blown away by what they see right from
here all week.” “ The players love coming here and
the git go. “ “ We are in discussions and everybody feels positive about this event and fully expect it to continue. It is a model event for us. It is a joint effort with the host group and sponsors. The Staal involvement is crucial. They don’t just put their name on it but are actively involved in the planning and are out
playing Whitewater Golf Club. It has great shot variety, a good mix of holes and is always in good condition and on top of that it is very pretty out there.”
“ We are discussing this event going forward as a family and it has been a great relationship.” “ I am average as a golfer but it is a lot of fun to get out there to play and relax at the same time. It will be fun to play with some of these pros and see how good their game is.”
Linda & Henry Staal paid off. My dad being on the bag is something I will remember forever.” “ I shot 65 in the Pro Am and it helped me during the week. I was trying to take it a shot at a time, a hole at a time.” “ Whitewater Golf Club is a really nice golf course. It is probably one of the best or the best on the McKenzie Tour I have played so far. The other guys on
“ I want to prove to myself that I have a lot of time left and gas in the tank to play NHL hockey. The goal is to win another Stanley Cup. It will be a little different living in the snow again in Minnesota but my kids are looking forward to it. I spent a lot of time as a kid growing up in Minnesota at tournaments and now getting the chance to play for the Minnesota Wild is great.” Jeff Monday. President Mckenzie Tour PGA Tour Canada “ This event has almost the same atmosphere as a PGA Tour event. When you get to a PGA Tour event there is a hubub of activity like there is here. The
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THUNDER BAY BUSINESS AUGUST 2016
Managing Multiple Customers 5 tips for juggling customers, callers and walk-ins By Jeff Mowatt You know the scenario… your workday is running smoothly and manageably when suddenly you find yourself dealing with one customer in front of you, another on the phone, while a third arrives with just a quick question. When organizations bring me to conduct customer service seminars, I find this is one of the most frequent challenges frontline employees ask me to address. While there are no absolute rules for juggling customers (you need to adapt to your workplace’s business realities) here are 5 tips that we find work well for our clients in reducing stress and boosting customer loyalty.
Tip #1 Remember, this is good
Having lots of customers wanting to do business with you is wonderful. It means you and your organization are in demand. The obvious solution to juggling multiple customers is just to hire more people. Of course that’s oversimplified, and may make no economic sense – especially when there may be only one or two rush periods during the day or week. When you see more customers arrive, don’t let them see you sweat. Take the professional approach and broaden your smile – even though it may be slightly forced. Keep in mind the adage of LL Bean who said, “Customers are not interruptions to your work, they are the purpose of your work.” Tip #2 Don’t make things worse
One of the most frequent gaffs in frontline service is when a customer needs to ask a question but the employees are preoccupied – talking with each other. Even more aggravating is when the staff congregates to socialize while customers are left to fend for themselves. The place for employees to chat and hold meetings is in the staff area; not in front of customers. When you’re
on the floor, make yourself visible and available to customers. Of course, that also means not interrupting your coworkers who are talking to customers. If you need to talk to a coworker who’s
taking care of a customer, give your colleague a quick nod, then let him/her come to you when they’ve finished with the customer. If you absolutely must interrupt, then excuse yourself and apologize to the customer for the interruption, and as you leave, thank the customer for their patience. Tip #3 Walk-ins take priority over phone-ins
If you already have a visitor in front of you when the phone rings, the visitor gets priority. The visitor took the time/spent the gas money to arrive in person. Unless you have callers with genuine emergencies, don’t interrupt a visitor to pick up the phone. That’s what voice mail is for. If you must take the phone call, ask the visitor’s permission, explain that you want to focus on them, so you’ll quickly take a message and get back to your conversation. Then tell the caller that you are with another customer but will look into their request and call them back. That way, even if the caller insists on immediate service, the visitor sees that you are at least trying to make them the priority. Tip #4 Acknowledge walk-ins right away
If you are on the phone or face-to-face with a customer when a visitor walksin, acknowledge the visitor immediately with eye-contact, a smile and a quick, “I’ll be with you in just a few minutes (or however long it will be).” By acknowledging the visitor, you are conveying that you are aware of them and that you are working quickly. And it tells the person in front of you that you have other people waiting. Usually, they’ll get the hint that you need to wrap-up.
www.hatch.com
A common challenge is how to politely interrupt a phone caller to acknowledge a walk-in visitor. Here’s a quick tip – say the person’s name. “John, excuse
me. I just had someone walk into my office, may I put you on hold for a moment? Thanks.” Beginning with the person’s name gets their attention immediately without being rude. For new arrivals who have just a quick question… If it is indeed quick, that’s great; give them the ten seconds they need and then get back your first person. If it’s going to take more than ten seconds then tell the person, “That’s going to take a few minutes to go over, so I’ll finish taking care of this person which will take me about x minutes, then I’ll be happy to help you. Meanwhile, if you’d like to sit, grab a coffee… Thanks.” Tip #5 Address chronic staffing/line management issues
In tip #1 I pointed out that hiring more staff may not make economic sense. However, when customers constantly get the impression the organization is disorganized, understaffed or uncaring about customers’ time, that’s a problem that requires more than just having staff work faster. Managers need to either hire more staff, consider moving phone calls to a call centre, or implement line management practices. Speaking of which, you’ll find tips on handling waiting lines by clicking on my related article, Yes, I Mind Waiting. Meanwhile, be thankful that business is so good. Here’s hoping that this helps makes managing multiple customers less frustrating for everyone concerned. Jeff Mowatt is a customer service strategist, Hall of Fame speaker, and bestselling author. For more tips, training tools or to inquire about engaging Jeff for your team visit www.JeffMowatt.com
THUNDER BAY BUSINESS AUGUST 2016
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North Country Cycle & Sports: 40 Years of Success BY SCOTT A. SUMNER
Thunder Bay BUSINESS The company we are familar with today as North Country Cycle & Sports was started in 1975 by Larry Brownlee as a used car dealership called AutoMart on Memorial Avenue. Today the well known recreational powersports dealer operate from their own building on Russell Street. “ In 1980 my dad got out of the used car sales and the business became Honda Hut with motorcycles at a location across from the current Super 8 Hotel on Memorial Ave. In1984 we moved to Euclid
Avenueand took on the Yamaha and Polaris brands including snowmobiles as well as Honda ATC’s as they were called then- 3 wheelers before ATV’s that are 4 wheels of today.” said Laura Guadagnolo
( formerly Brownlee), General Manager of North Country Cycle & Sports. “ We were
there for several years before moving to May Street where Norm’s Boat is now. At this location we added marine products to our line up. It was then we changed our operating name to North Country Cycle & Sports.” In 1996 the company moved to Squier Street, operating out of the old Walker’s Marine building, but in 1999 moved into their our own building where they still are located today. Laura Guadagnolo started working in the business as a teenager at the age of 13 or 14, doing inventory at year end and has been at the dealership almost ever since. Larry Brownlee has been retired for 10
years. “The business is about fun and I like it. I have a sled, motorcycle, quad and boat and have been involved in these sports since I was young with a quad and dirt bike which we rode at camp. I like the industry and had fun growing up in the sport and hope future families can do it. My son,who is 2 1/2, loves seeing the machines.” said Laura Today North Country Cycle & Sports have a full time staff of 15 with certified mechanics, parts and sales people certified by the suppliers. Laura works in the business with her sister Darrah and are the next generation.Their brother Cameron works full time in the industry as well as a District Sales Manager for Brunswick Corporation.
North Country Cycle & Sports offer Lund, Mercury, Polaris, Yamaha and Lowe boats in their product line of snowmobiles, ATV’s and boats.They recently stopped selling motorcycles. “We have many long term customers since our start, November 1975.There are seasonal customers like boaters who come in spring time and we ask how was their winter was and in the fall see say you next year. Then the snowmobile customers might come in. Some of our customers have products all year round.” said Laura. “ We have seen customers come in over the years with their children and now those children are grown up and come in themselves. It is generational.” “ When I got into motorcycles at the first I didn’t even know how to ride one but I quickly learned, ” laughed companyfounder, Larry Brownlee. “ I started out with a friend in the used car business with Automart (Thunder Bay ) Limited. North Country is our operating name. The local Honda car dealership wanted to get out of the motorcycle and small engine side of the business. I could never afford the car business but we added motorcycles to our operation. We did sell used cars and motorcycle at two different locations for a while. In 1984 we stared with Polaris and also Yamaha bikes.” said Larry Brownlee. “ The building we constructed for our business was a good step and we should have done it sooner. It is nice to have my daughters in the family business. Today my health doesn’t allow me to ride all the products but I do some boating.” North Country Cycle & Sports has been
very involved in the AYA fishing tournament which has been going in Thunder Bay for 7 years now, is very successful and good for the future of the sport. The AYA Fishing event gets young kids interested in fishing and being outdoors all day instead of in front of screens smiles Laura! Be sure to visit the bright showroom of North Country Cycle & Sports for all your recreational product needs!
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THUNDER BAY BUSINESS AUGUST 2016
From one Local Business to another… and another… and another… Welcome to our Shop Local – Shop Thunder Bay section which is now a regular monthly feature in Thunder Bay Business. North Superior Publishing is a local business celebrating its 33th anniversary this December. Because of our longterm success, we decided to create a section in Thunder Bay Business where local businesses can be showcased. WHY? · Because we want to support local business. After all, local business has supported us for almost three decades.
· Because we wanted to create a place specifically for local businesses where they can promote and advertise their goods, products, services, events, etc. Our local businesses carry many of the same items that are found in non-locally owned businesses, and we want everyone to know who they are and where they are. · For the purposes of this publication, a local business is defined as: o You are a locally owned BUSINESS operating in Thunder Bay o You are a locally owned and operated FRANCHISE that makes advertising decisions independently from its Corporate Offices o You are a BIA who wants to promote your Shopping District HERE’S WHAT ELSE WE ARE DOING
We will be doing a feature article on one of the advertising businesses each month. You may be asking, “How are you going to make THAT decision?” On the 16th of each month, we will put the names of all the businesses advertising in the next issue of Shop Local – Shop Thunder Bay in the proverbial hat and draw a name. This means that each business has an equal chance of being our Featured Business of the month. We can’t make it any simpler than that!
advertised in those issues. This is just one more way that we are helping businesses to promote themselves at no additional charge. All the ads will link directly to the businesses’ website – not only for the current issue but for all online back issues. (Issues prior to May 2014 will not hyperlink to websites). In future issues, we will be including more editorial about the local economy, statistical information, articles on events, and more.
Thunder Bay Business is also available online for no less than 12 months. These are the complete issues of each publication which means that EVERYTHING that was in the print issue is online for an entire year! So, not only can people read the articles in the back issues, but they can also see who
We would like to invite YOU to submit articles about shopping local such as how local businesses are working together, tips on marketing locally, what BIA’s are and why they work, etc. The bottom line – North Superior Publishing wants our local businesses to THRIVE! For more information on Shop Local – Shop Thunder Bay, contact: · SYLVIA GOMEZ – (807) 6297599 – sylvia@northsuperpublishing.com · SONIA RUTTER – (807) 6314244 – sonia@northsuperiorpublishing.com · BY THE WAY… Did you Shop Local today? Could you have?
Visit www.thunderbaybusiness.ca for further indepth information on business in NW Ontario including videos and an electronic version of this publicationwith website links! Contact Scott for further information nspinc@tbaytel.net 807-623-2348
THUNDER BAY BUSINESS AUGUST 2016
Hockey Meets Health Care: Stanley Cup Visits Health Sciences Centre The Stanley Cup came to our Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. Patients and their families had an exclusive opportunity to view the Stanley Cup and meet Matt Murray, NHL goaltender for the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Golf In Canada Doing Well! BY SCOTT A. SUMNER
Thunder Bay BUSINESS I met with Scott Simmons, Executive Director of Golf Canada recently at the 2016 RBC Canadian Open at Glen Abbey in Oakville Ontario to ask some questions about our sport! Golf Canada is the governing body of golf.
ers, Club link, are real estate developers and they are trying to get the zoning changed so they can redevelop it. These things take a long time and every time I get asked this question I say it is business as usual. We now have to figure out where we go in 2018 and 2019 and Glen Abbey is high on the list for consideration. In 2017 the RBC Canadian Open will be held at Glen Abbey. We have resigned RBC?as title sponsor until 2023 which is fantastic ”
Why do you like about Glen Abbey as a venue to hold out national championship? “ It is good to be close to home. The
How is this year's RBC Canadian Open going? “The heat and drought we have had here has made the course so firm and fast, like I have never seen before. You could have said with no rough to speak of the guys would be burning it up but I tell you its hard to spin the ball and go flag hunting. It is also windy out there so this is a real test of golf and interesting to see the course play this way after events here in 08 and 9 when it was rain soaked. This week it is a completely different golf course. We have Number 1 and 2 players in the world here, Jason Day and Dustin Johnson and some interesting Canadian performances. The weather is hot but better than rain.” \ Sometimes I hear people talking about Glen Abbey being sold. Is that true? “ Glen Abbey will never be sold. The own-
“ I am proud of our Green Energy investments for healthier communities and economic prosperity.”
Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and Museum and our offices are here. It is nice to have a home game. There are many fans that like coming back because of the fan friendly nature of this course. Nicklaus designed it and you can see 10 holes from near the clubhouse. The amphitheater greens make it the best spectator course in the world in my opinion.” How is golf doing in Canada in 2016? “Canada is the number one country for golf in terms of participation. 5.7 million people play at least one game a year for the highest participation sport in Canada a year, 1 in 6 Canadians. We have 2,346
facilities in Canada, more golf facilities than any country in the world outside of the US.” “ I would say the game is really healthy. Is there room to grow it, absolutely? The biggest challenge for golf is kids and just the way life is changing. Kids are taking up sport at a lower rate that they did 10 or 20 years ago so every sport has the challenge of attracting kids. Golf has so many inherent values that other sports don’t have. The core values it teaches, the physically of it with injuries say with concussion. Golf doesn't have that negative factor.”
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THUNDER BAY BUSINESS AUGUST 2016
Ontario Investing in Northwest Highways Northern Highways Program Strengthening Province’s Transportation Network ects across Ontario’s North in 2016-17. Ontario is making travel easier and safer for residents in the Northwest by repairing and expanding the highway network.
Through the Northern Highways Program, the province is investing $541 million in highway infrastructure proj-
This investment includes the ongoing expansion of the Highway 11/17 corridor between Thunder Bay and Nipigon. Construction is underway on 19.5 kilometres of four-laning, as well as the Nipigon River bridge and approaches.
In addition, the province recently approved funding for the expansion of an additional 15.1 kilometres in the corridor. These contracts are expected to be tendered by 2018. To date, more than half of the four-laning of this 105-kilometre corridor is now complete, under construction or in design. Ontario is making the largest investment in public infrastructure in the province's history -- about $160 billion over 12 years, which is supporting 110,000 jobs every year across the province, with projects such as hospitals, schools, roads, bridges and transit. Since 2015, the province has announced support for
more than 475 projects that will keep people and goods moving, connect communities and improve quality of life. To learn more about infrastructure projects in your community, go to Ontario.ca/BuildON.
QUOTES “Investing in highways creates jobs, spurs economic growth and ensures safe and efficient travel for Northerners. Under the leadership of Premier Wynne, building up Northern Ontario has been made a priority like no previous government in Ontario's history. Our government is committed to continuing these unprecedented investments in our part of the province.” — Michael Gravelle, Minister of Northern Development and Mines
“Investment in our Northern highways is an investment in the future of Northern communities, businesses and families. Connecting our communities with safe and efficient roads is a foundational part of our government’s plan to build up the North.” — Bill Mauro, MPP for Thunder Bay-Atikokan
“These highway improvements will help ensure our roads are safe and maintained in good condition for years to come. In addition, Ontario uses the latest technology and greener construction practices whenever possible. These modern methods help minimize traffic delays and keep construction impacts on the environment to a minimum.” — Steven Del Duca, Minister of Transportation
QUICK FACTS * Since 2013, the province has committed nearly $1 billion to highway infrastructure projects in Northwestern Ontario. ? The 2016 construction season schedule includes improving 551 kilometres of highway, 23 bridges and 54 culverts in Northern Ontario.
* The northern highway system is 10,775 kilometres in length and comprises roughly 60 per cent of the entire provincial highway network. ? Investing in roads, highways and bridges is part of the Ontario government’s Growth Plan for Northern Ontario.
*Ontario’s green construction practices for highways and roadwork include recycling existing pavement, using recycled and shredded tires for bridge embankment fills and rapid bridge replacement.
THUNDER BAY BUSINESS AUGUST 2016
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The High Cost of Spills (c)2016 Brian Babcock If you think about the Environmental Protection Act and your property at all (and you should), you most likely worry
Legal Matters about the cost of complying with an Order, or a fine for failure to comply or for a spill or other violation. Well, now there is something further for you to worry about- the risk of a lawsuit for civil damages under section 99(2) of
the Act. This private right of action has existed for over 35 years, but was virtually unused. Since a 2015 Ontario Court of Appeal ruling however, your neighbours (or their insurers) may be more likely to sue you if pollution escapes your property and damages their land. You may also be personally required to pay, even if you hold the property through a corporation. Section 99(2) provides compensation for loss or damage incurred as a direct result of the spill of a pollutant that causes or is likely to cause an adverse effect. In the case at the Court of Appeal, the Ministry had charged the operator of the chemical storage facility, so the spill was easily proven. Unlike negligence, once a conviction results, under section 99, a reverse
onus requires that the polluter show “due diligence” in their efforts to prevent or contain the spill, The court specifically stated that s. 99 “eliminated in a stroke such issues as intent, fault, duty of care, and foreseeability.” This makes a section 99(2) claim attractive. Although punitive damage claims are not available for a section 99(2) claim, the amount of damages awarded may be higher than in nuisance or negligence. At common law, in most situations, damages are limited to the lesser of the diminution in value of the property, or the cost or remediation. Remediation cost may be much higher than the land value.
Appeal awarded $50,000 against each of the corporate offender and its owner, in a situation where the company had intentionally violated the terms of a permit for decades, out of a profit motive. The moral of this story is that if you own property or run a business with a pollution risk, you need to review your insurance with your broker. Pollution insurance is an add-on to standard policies, and the terms are variable. Weilers has considerable experience in helping clients who have issues with the Ministry of the Environment or contaminated properties.
Regarding punitive damages- the Court of
Chiropractic: The Myths and the Facts In this column, I decided to stray from my usual broad health care professional approach and speak directly about chiropractic. Chiropractors are the third largest primary health care profession in Canada (behind medicine and dentistry). 4.5 million Canadians per year visit a chiropractor. However, only 25% of the Canadian population will ever visit a Chiropractor in their lifetime. This
leaves 75% of the population with little to no knowledge about the profession and often getting biased misinformation from third party sources circulating the same few negative stories over and over. Here are some myths and the correct facts. “Chiropractors aren’t real doctors” : To apply to chiropractic school one must first complete a minimum of 3 years university, most chiropractors have a science degree. Chiropractic education is a four year doctoral program (4200 hours) including 12 months of clinical internship. Courses include gross anatomy, pathology, microbiology, physiology, orthopaedics, biomechanics, neurology, nutrition, diagnosis and radiology. At the end of this course work they must pass provincial and national board exams. “Chiropractic is dangerous”: Chiropractic care is a very safe and conservative approach to health care. There is less than one in a million chance of serious complications. The list of things that are 1000x more likely than chiropractic care to cause serious injury include: flying in a commercial jet plane, getting hit by lightening, lying in
a bathtub, taking just one aspirin, Aleve, Ibuprofen or any other antiinflammatory drug. “Chiropractic is unscientific”: Chiropractic is based on the sound basic principles that the body is a self- healing, self- regulating organism and that the nervous system is the master control of all systems in the body. There have been several studies proving the effectiveness of chiropractic care for matters such as decreasing pain, increasing function, decreasing the usage of medications and over all well being. The Index for Chiropractic Literature (ICL) provides substantial references and the most up to date studies on chiropractic care. “Once you see a chiropractor you will always have to go”: Your idea of what it means to be healthy and to what extent you want to achieve optimal health is an individual concept and what will most influence your care. Your chiropractor will give you evidence- based recommendations on spinal health, lifestyle changes and nutrition. Based on whether you are seeking quick pain relief, rehabilitative care, or long term improved function and well being, your plan of management will then be determined. How long or how often you see a chiropractor is ultimately up to you. Chiropractors “crack your bones”: Chiropractors most often will use manual treatments, more specifically, what we like to call a spinal adjustment. This is also known as spinal manipulative therapy (SMT). This type of therapy is delivered by a highly skilled and trained practitioner to reduce the restrictions of the joints, and affect the surrounding nerves and tissue. This quite often leads to improved function locally as well as effecting other areas of the body. The cracking sound is actually caused by changes in pressure of the joint capsule which releases gas as the joint is opened rather than compressed. An audible crack is common but is not necessary to create therapeutic benefit. It would be similar to the gas being released when you open a can of soda. “Chiropractic is not good for children”: Children are susceptible to trauma and injury from the minute they begin to enter our world, right through their developmental years to full maturity.
Checking for abnormalities and injuries at a young age can be critical in detecting dysfunction quickly. This is particularly important for young athletes playing competitive and recreational sports. In this era of electronic screens and gaming, poor posture and lack of activity is even more of a problem. Chiropractic care allows children to have healthy development by improving optimal nerve function. I hope this column has helped debunk some of the chiropractic myths. Thunder Bay has many excellent chiropractors. Looking up clinic websites is a good way to start getting informed. Not everyone has the same practice
styles, which I think is a good thing, but they all have the same goals in mind which are to help you improve your health and quality of life, naturally. James DiGiuseppe is a local chiropractor with a busy family and wellness practice. For more health information or to contact Dr DiGiuseppe visit www.portarthurchiropractic.com.
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THUNDER BAY BUSINESS AUGUST 2016
WATER! I NEED WATER!! By Sherry Aalto Water! A resource that is more valuable than all the gold in the world! It sustains all life forms! It provides recreation! It is used in food processing, cooking and baking and a thousand other uses that would just take up your entire afternoon reading about them! Now, having said all that, as individuals, companies and power sector industries, what are we doing to respect our resource water, specifically? And what new ways have thus been scientifically developed to sustain our resource…WATER? Today there are other natural resources that when, utilized properly, can save billions of gallons of water for the planet. We all have a stake in ensuring we are doing the best for sustainable, clean water. Recently, there are been controversy over Wind Energy, and rightfully so. Communities do not fully understand Wind Energy, it advantages or its’ consequences, if any, to humans, wildlife or the planet, but sometimes we have to choose the lessor evil, according to some, if you will. Read on. Well, with Wind Energy, some very interesting facts have emerged, shall we say. The larger percent of us are not scientists
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Thunder Bay Business August 29th Contact Sonia @ 631 -4244 or Sylvia @ 629-7599 www.northsuperiorpublishing.com
nor engineers concerning the environment, but, we as a world, are now starting to see the benefits of just what Wind Energy can do for our planet. Again! The lessor of the evils! The AWEA (which stands for American Wind Energy Association) has presented some very interesting facts about wind energy. The information is put out by the American Wind Energy Association but, the facts have a global effect that is most beneficial for everyone! Here are some of those facts: Wind Energy Conserving Water: www.awea.orgwindandwater The production of clean wind energy reduces the consumption of water, which is heavily relied on to cool thermal power plants. It also avoids significant carbon dioxide emissions annually by displacing generation from fossil fuel power plants. Next: Water Use in the Power Sector: The power sector withdraws more water than any other sector in the United States, including the agricultural sector. By displacing electricity generation from other sources, wind energy avoids water withdrawals and consumption, preserving the water for other uses. For thermal power plant cooling (coal, natural gas, nuclear), water is withdrawn to circulate for cooling, therefore is removed from the ground or diverted from a surface source for use. A fraction of the water withdrawn is actually consumed (or not returned to the source) because it evaporates or transpires. Even through the fraction of water consumption is small compared with water withdrawals in the power sector, water consumption for power generation still totals an estimated 1 to 2 trillion gallons of water each year (~11 trillion bottles of water). Withdraws of water for power sector cooling total an estimated 22 to 62 trillion gallons annually. Remember. These are based on U.S. values. Water Conserved by Wind Energy: The 191 million megawatt-hours (MWh) generated by wind energy during 2015 helped avoid the consumption of roughly 73 billion gallons of water, the equivalent of 226 gallons per person, or 553 billion bottles of water. During 2014 in California, wind energy saved 2.5 billion gallons of water by displacing water consumption at the state’s thirsty fossil-fired power plants, playing a valuable role in alleviating the state’s record drought. Wind energy’s annual water savings work out to around 65 gallons per person in the state (200 gallons per household), or the equivalent of 20 billion bottles of water. Now on the Canadian Side, we are also very environmentally conscience and developing and implementing new science can help to save our planet from an early demise…think it can’t happen??? If there is no reason to worry, then why are we all
scrambling for solutions to environmental issues?? The CANwea has this to say: The Facts: The balance of scientific evidence and human experience to date clearly concludes that wind turbines are not harmful to human health. In fact, wind energy provides electricity without emitting greenhouse gases or air pollutants, and uses no fresh water to generate electricity – creating a healthier environment for people and wildlife. A growing number of scientific, medical, and acoustical experts have studied wind turbines and health around the world and authored more than 17 comprehensive reviews on the matter. The global wind industry collectively continues to engage with experts in science, medicine and occupational and environmental health to monitor ongoing credible research in the area of wind turbines and human health. “There is a large body of literature on sound and health and they do not emit enough acoustical energy to have a pathological effect on human tissues.” – David Colby, MSc., MD, FRCP (C) Medical Officer of Health, Chatham-Kent Public Health Unit “In all forms, renewable energy is a safe and healthy alternative to fossil fuels.” – Dr. Robert Oliphant President and CEO of the Asthma Society of Canada It is universally recognized that wind energy is one of the safest and most environmentally friendly sources of electricity available to us today. Check out the Water Footprint table as expressed by the Water Footprint Network (WFN): Water Footprint Network (WFN) The Water Footprint Network is an international learning community (non-profit foundation under Dutch law) that serves as a platform for connecting communities interested in sustainability, equitability and efficiency of water use. The organization has two work programs: A Technical Work Program and a Policy Work Program. In addition, there is a Partner Forum which offer partners of the WFN a way of receiving, contributing and exchanging knowledge and experience on water footprint. Its mission and activities are listed below and taken directly from the Water Footprint website. blue water footprint The blue water footprint is the volume of freshwater that evaporated from the global blue water resources (surface water and ground water) to produce the goods and services consumed by the individual or community (either lost through evapotranspiration, incorporated in products or transferred to non-blue catchments).
green water footprint The green water footprint is the volume of water evaporated from the global green water resources (rainwater stored in the soil as soil moisture) during production or those incorporated in products. grey water footprint The grey water footprint is the volume of polluted water that associates with the production of all goods and services for the individual or community. The latter can be estimated as the volume of water that is required to dilute pollutants to such an extent that the quality of the water remains at or above agreed water quality standards. It is calculated as: {\display style WF_{proc,grey}={\frac {L}{c_{max}-c_{nat}}}} WF_{{proc,grey}}={\frac {L}{c_{{max}}-c_{{nat}}}} where L is the pollutant load (as mass flux), cmax the maximum allowable concentration and cnat the natural concentration of the pollutant in the receiving water body (both expressed in mass/volume). The Water Footprint Network maintains a global database on the water footprint of products: WaterStat. waterfootprint.org/en/resources/water-footprint-statistics/ WaterStat currently includes five datasets: 1) Product water footprint statistics 2) National water footprint statistics 3) International virtual water flow statistics 4) Water scarcity statistics 5) Water pollution level statistics When one considers the water footprint that we as humans leave in our wake, it makes perfect sense to use a re-newable resource, especially when it comes to our own sustainability! There are some that will have a different view but, that is perfectly wonderful because we need to question anything that might be invasive to we, as living creatures on this earth and also we need to question any long term effects that certain applications may have on our planet! So thank you to those who oppose, causing governments to be more transparent and responsible. And thank you to the scientist and engineers and anyone involved in energy and environmental concerns and re-newable resources for helping to make a better world for all of us. Hundreds of studies, if not thousands have proven for this re-newable resource, wind energy, to be the most environmentally advantageous to us and our planet. Wind Energy…The lessor evil…if you will! Saves our planet! Saves our water! I NEED Water…WE ALL NEED WATER and Wind Energy will help us all to have water for now and in the future! Just in case you didn’t know.
THUNDER BAY BUSINESS AUGUST 2016
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2016 Northwestern Ontario Highway Construction Highlights Ontario is investing $541 million in the 2016-17 Northern Highways Program to support highway rehabilitation and expansion projects across the province’s North. Recent highway construction contract awards in Northwestern Ontario include: Highway 11 * Replacing culverts at Shamrock and Helen Lakes on Highway 11 east of Highway 17 at Nipigon ($2.6-million contract awarded to KA Vanderzwaag Construction Inc.) * Rehabilitating the Kaministiquia River bridge at Kakabeka Falls on Highway 11 west of Thunder Bay ($3.0-million contract awarded to L H North Ltd. & L H Crane and Rigging Ltd.) * Replacing two Oskondaga River Tributary culverts and rehabilitating the Brule Creek culvert on Highway 11 near Shabaqua Corners ($3.5-million contract awarded to Louis W Bray Construction LTD) Highway 17 * Removing rock from a high cut on Highway 17 west of Pays Plat First Nation ($3.2-million contract awarded to Bot Construction) Highway 105 * Replacing the Pickerel River culvert on Highway 105 north of the Highway 609 junction near Vermilion Bay ($1.2million contract awarded to The Sharp Group) Highway 502 * Resurfacing 11.6 kilometres of Highway 502 south of the Highway 594 junction west of Dryden ($3.7-million contract awarded to Miller
Northwest Limited) * Replacing the culvert at Kawawiag Creek on Highway 502 north of the Highway 11 junction ($1.5-million contract awarded to L H North Ltd. & L H Crane and Rigging Ltd.) Highway 527 * Replacing culverts at the Dog River on Highway 527 north of the Highway 11/17 junction and at the Kabitotikwia River on Highway 811 west of the Highway 527 junction northeast of Thunder Bay ($2.8-million contract awarded to L H North Ltd. & L H North Crane and Rigging Ltd.) Highway 596 * Replacing the Alice Creek culvert on Highway 596 south of Highway 525 northwest of Kenora ($1.2-million contract awarded to Facca Incorporated) Highway 614 * Rehabilitating the Black River bridge on Highway 614 south of Manitouwadge ($2.4-million contract awarded to Innovative Civil Constructors Incorporated)
Rehabilitation projects in Northwestern Ontario announced to date for the 2016 construction season include: * Resurfacing 26.3 kilometres of Highway 11 from east of the Fort Frances town limits * Resurfacing 25.7 kilometres of Highway 11 east of Rainy River * Resurfacing 29.2 kilometres of Highway 17 from west of Peninsula Road in Marathon * Resurfacing 28.6 kilometres of Highway 71 south from the Nestor Falls bridge * Resurfacing 20.4 kilometres of Highway 71 south of the Highway 17 junction east of Kenora
*Resurfacing 39.9 kilometres of Highway 105 from north of the Highway 17 junction at Vermilion Bay * Replacing bridges and culverts at Cedar Creek, Crow River, Flynne Creek, Mineral Creek, Pays Plat Creek, Pays Plat River, Rae Lake, Rainy River Tributary, Sitch Creek and Suckle Creek * Rehabilitating bridges and culverts at Bunting Creek and Ozone Creek In addition, work is continuing on these multi-year projects: * Four-laning 2.8 kilometres and new Nipigon River cable-stayed bridge on Highway 11/17 * Four-laning11.8 kilometres of Highway 11/17 between Red Rock Road #9 and Stillwater Creek * Fourlaning 6.6 kilometres of Highway 11/17 between Birch Beach and Pass Lake * Rehabilitating the Noden Causeway
(final phase) on Highway 11 near Fort Frances * Replacing the CPR overhead bridge on Highway 17 at Selim, east of Rossport *Resurfacing 31 kilometres of Highway 17 from Ignace westerly * Replacing bridges at Pic River and Gravel River on Highway 17 * Reconstructing and paving 31 kilometres of Highway 105 from 30 kilometres north of the Highway 17 junction at Vermilion Bay northerly
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THUNDER BAY BUSINESS AUGUST 2016
An exceptional month begins for SHAD participants at Lakehead University Debbie Dada considers herself a world changer. The Grade 11 student from Weston Collegiate Institute in Toronto is one of 65 of the top high school students from across Canada who are participating in SHAD at
lems.” This year’s group is coming from Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia.
“It is an honour to be heading up an organization that is doing such important work for Canada at SHAD Lakehead and our 11 other host campuses,” said Tim Jackson, SHAD’s recently-appointed President and Chief Executive Officer.
SHAD youth, working in small teams, collaborate to design and engineer a new solution that addresses the problem. As part of this challenge, teams conduct market
“By exposing high achieving high school students to great ideas from leading faculty and some of the world’s biggest challenges, the students are inspired by the SHAD network to start making an impact now,” Jackson added. SHAD has a formidable track record as an incubator fostering leaders in many different areas. It has 15,000 alumni among its powerful network including 30 Rhodes Scholars.
Group photo - This year’s group of SHAD students comes to Lakehead University from Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia. Lakehead University. One example of change she’d like to make would help reduce the high infant mortality rate in developing countries like Mali and Afghanistan. Dada has already done research on global health and she is trying to find creative ways to approach the issue. “I hope to combat this with innovative research in the field of medicine,” she said. These students, who competed for coveted positions at SHAD, arrived on campus July 3 and will live in residence until July 29, attending lectures and participating in workshops put on by Lakehead faculty. Another one of Dada’s passions involves helping young people. She and a colleague are in the process of creating a grassroots organization called Find Your Path, which aims to close the gaps in student achievement by creating programs and opportunities to support marginalized youth. Find Your Path was also the name of an event Dada organized in March that inspired young people to aim high academically and professionally by helping them understand that they have potential. It educated youth about the opportunities available to them. This is Dada’s first time in Thunder Bay. She’s confident she will gain a lot from SHAD. “I hope to learn more about science, technology, engineering, and math fields, beyond what I've been exposed to through school and my own research,” she said. “SHAD is a very unique program because it gathers together many high achieving young people and allows us to grow and learn from one another, which will undoubtedly help us be successful in our individual future goals.” The program specializes in STEAM subjects (science, technology, engineering, art and math) and is for students currently completing grade 10, 11 or 12, Quebec secondaire IV, V or CEGEP I, or the international equivalent. “SHAD is an exceptional experience for students,” said Dr. Sultan Siddiqui, Mechanical Engineering Professor and Director of SHAD Lakehead. “This program encourages them to work together and think outside the box to solve prob-
In one of the unique elements at SHAD, each year, youth are challenged to innovate on a specific theme, built around a current economic and social problem.
Debbie Dada - Debbie Dada is one of 65 SHAD students who will be working in small teams at Lakehead University for the whole month of July. research, write business and marketing plans, and design and build working prototypes. For more information, please visit www.shad.ca.