Thunder Bay Business February 2013

February 2013

Energy Task Force and City Officials meet with Minister of Energy

Do You Want an Umbrella or a Parasol?

“MAKING IT HAPPEN” Retiring a millionaire may be easier than you think HELPING WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS SUCCESS IN NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO NOSM Faculty Members Honoured

by College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario

Lakehead University Names Former Canadian Ambassador as its Eighth Chancellor

Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund Introduces New Executive Director and Initiatives for 2013

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THUNDER BAY BUSINESS FEBRUARY 2013

MAKING IT HAPPEN" Greetings faithful readers, I am hoping that you find this new format helpful, informative, useful and thought-provoking!

Making Opportunities Under the leadership of Joe Moses of the RBC a new committee of the Chamber of Commerce has been formed, the "Aboriginal Opportunities Group" which has been tasked with finding ways to seize the potential from mining and other investments happening in our community. This is not your typical one-way street. We already should understand that if our City is to prosper then the entire Region has to be part of the picture. Whether it is jobtraining to meet future needs or inclusion of our neighbouring communities in lobbying the Province and the Feds we will achieve presenting an united front. Thank you Joe for your initiative.

Speaking Of When it comes to making commitments it reminds me of a business guy who came to the Chamber demanding that they "do something" about taxes. A reasonable request for sure except that he had never made the step to become a Member of the Chamber! It is one thing to complain, it is quite another to expect others to carry the

load. In spite of many predictions to the contrary the Chamber remains an effective voice not only for business but for the entire community. Indeed regionally the Northwestern Associated Chambers of

Commerce are articulate and focused in bringing our similar concerns to the fore.

There was a time not too long ago when the politicians and business folks disagreed on just about everything and took their divergent cases to the other orders of government. The Federal and Provincial governments just waited as the divided positions delayed actions. I am really encouraged by the new era of communication and cooperation.

Chiefs and Mayors In October of last year an historic meeting

was hosted by the Fort Frances Chiefs' Secretariat. They invited the Mayors and Reeves of the Rainy River District to talk about issues of common concern. It was my honour to be asked to Chair the meeting which turned out to be a very honest and open groundbreaker. Last week it was the Rainy River District Municipal Association's turn to follow-up on the plans of the initial session. Again, very positive results in the formation of a Working Group who will take the priorities and coordinate actions. This is such an excellent example that, "Working Together Really Works" (good memory if you recalled this as my second term Mayoralty slogan!) BTW Obama used my first term's slogan (Yes We Can)! The Chiefs and Mayors will be appointing 1 rep and meeting in a few weeks. We are well aware of the strength of an united front using our success when the First Nations joined our lobby for a Full medical school. In fact I had a chance to thank former Premier Ernie Eves at an interesting event in Tarana (translation:Toronto"!

Thanking Bombardier On very short notice local business leader and Past Chair of the Chamber took a very timely initiative to assemble a group of businesspeople to hop a plane and head

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May

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Report On Thunder Bay Manufacturing

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down to a special lunch meeting of Toronto's Board of Trade. The guest speaker was none other that Bombardier's International President Andre Nevam.

Craig's idea was that we make our presence known to publicly thank Bombardier for their faith in our community and the growth from 157 to today's 1400 jobs at our plant.

We received lots of recognition for making the effort and we (Mark Wright, Rob Bell, Tere MacDonald, Tim Heney and John Aiken) were particularly pleased when the Toronto Transit Commission acknowledged that it was not often that Cities came to show gratitude. Thanks Craig and team.

Gastronomic Observation Isn't it fantastic to see the number of incredibly good restaurants investing in our community! Welcome All !

Respectfully submitted, Ken Boshcoff Councillor City of Thunder Bay

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THUNDER BAY BUSINESS FEBRUARY 2013

Publisher’s Note Scott Sumner The people of Quebec have a passion for the sport of snowmobiling. It was fun for me to travel to the town of Saint Raymond for three exciting days of riding on their comprehensive trail system. It was very easy to fly to Quebec City from my hometown of Thunder Bay. You have your choice of many flights on Air Canada, West jet or Porter. After leaving at 8am I was in the beautiful Quebec City terminal building at 12:30 and ready to begin my adventure.

Annie Martel of the Development Office of Saint Raymond was there to meet me and we began our 40 minute drive east to Saint Raymond with lots of snow evident on the ground. Our first stop was to the Hotel Roquement which features 44 rooms including 17 brand new with an recent addition, as well as dining area, bar and even a gated compound to store your snowmobile. This hotel caters very much to the snowmobiler and offers packages that feature breakfast and dinner included.

This very nice property is located right on the trail that allows you to explore 500 km in Saint Raymond alone!

A few miles away is Quebec’s largest Ski Doo dealer, Dion Moto. They offer 70 2012 and 2013 Ski Doo rental sleds including the GTX, MXZ Renegade and Expedition models featuring 600 ACE and 1200 4Tec engines. You can also get all your clothing if required from boots to helmet.

The cost to rent your Ski Doo can range from around $200 to $288 per day and that includes all taxes,trail permit and insurance. There is what they call a franchise deposit of $1500 to $3000 in case of an accident. Dion Moto also has guides available that will travel the whole trip with you and show you the area in style.

Another great feature of Dion Moto is they will pick you up at the Quebec City airport and bring you to their location eliminating the need for a rental car.

Dion Moto is a very impressive snowmobile dealer that sells 500 sleds per year including 300 brand new and 200 used Ski

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Great Snowmobiling at Saint Raymond, Quebec Doos. Their market is 60% from the area including Quebec City and 40% from the northern regions. They have 35 employees and operate from a 25,000 square feet building. Very interesting is their building previously was a motel operation. They purchased the building and have made it

snow per year,” said Christine Clouthier, General Manager of Development for Saint Raymond- Residential, Commercial and Tourism. “ The trails are groomed 4 times a week and kept it in good condition with 10 volunteers and 4 groomers. In the town the trail is on the old railroad track

their own including large showroom, rental area, enclosed sled storage and even a used showroom in the basement. It is really quite impressive and great to see if you are an snowmobile lover. The rental side of the business sees 60% of their business from Quebec and area and 40% European people. The European audience rides during the week and weekends the renters are from Montreal and Quebec.

It was fun to talk to Mr. Dion with Annie as my interpreter. “ He likes to ride snowmobiles but doesn’t have the time today.

Mr. Dion used to do 5000 km a season but not now. In Saint Raymond the snowmobile is much more popular than ATV because there are more trails for snowmobile,” said Annie Martel. “ We have 1300 trail permit members in Saint Raymond and the trail system works only because of volunteers . We can start the season around December 15th and ride until March 15th.

You can also travel a bit more north and ride until April 30th.” The trail permits costs if you bring your own sled is $280 until Dec 8th and $340 after that. We had our 2013 Ski Doo Expedition 600 ACE and were ready to begin our snowmobile adventure the next day.

Our first ride was to Lake Edward, 160 kilometers one way up into the mountains to Demain Lake Edward. The day was bright and sunny, about -9 degrees Celsius and our group of 11 was ready to put on some kilometers! The first thing I noticed riding was the excellent marking of the trails. You had signage everywhere you needed and this makes you feel more comfortable riding in a new area. Of course our guide today was the local Snowmobile Club President who knew the trails like the back of his hand and also had a GPS mounted on his sled! “ We are in Port Neuf Capital National, the 03 region which used to be called Quebec. In Saint Raymond we have 500 kms of trail and the district has 7 or 8 clubs. The snow conditions have been excellent and were open before Christmas time. We can get 250cm to 400 cm of

and in the summer becomes a bicycle trail.

We have people coming here to ride from Ontario, Vermont, Maine and New York.

They come back year after year because we have lots of snow and they like the conditions. Also they can do some loops and come back to the same hotel every night if that is what they prefer. There is even a storage location for snowmobiles you can rent near our town offices. We have Americans who store their sleds there and come here 5 or 6 times a year, buy a trail pass and ride.”

It was fun to stop along our ride in the club shack that had the wood stove going and made for an interior temperature of 92 degrees Fahrenheit! The club has even installed solar power with batteries here to provide lighting. Our ride continued on a variety of trails some winding as well as more open to our lunch stop at Demain Lake Edward. The ride back was excellent as well with a stop at historic Relais de la Marmite in Portneuf National Park.

Operator Clement Tardif, a former radio

announcer in Quebec City, served me hot chocolate and introduced a local trapper there taking a break. The trapper showed me some of his recent catch including an otter on his I phone! Todays trapper is high teck! After this stop we hopped back on to our sleds to an ice condition. It has started raining and made the remaining 50 kilometers ride back a little harder to see. Overall we rode 325 kilometers on our trip and this was a great riding day. Rain in January in Quebec is pretty rare but I guess we must expect everything in 2013!

Our next day’s ride was to include an overnight trip to Lac St Jean and the Mont Valin but the rain meant we decided to stay closer to home. It was fun to ride the trails near Saint Raymond and one stop was to an ice fishing area, which is a passion here. It was a carnival atmosphere on the ice and the beaver tail sugary treat was excellent.

My last riding day included a ride to Duchnesnay Station Touristique that is a 5 star hotel that used to host the famous ICE Hotel operation in Quebec. Their buffet breakfast is well known and was a real treat to experience. The food options are great in Quebec and the people are very passionate about their food.

My last night’s stay in Saint Raymond would be at the historic La Bastide bed and breakfast. This 110-year-old property features 7 rooms each with their own bathroom and fine dining at it’s best. It is located in the village setting of Saint Raymond and snowmobilers can ride their sleds right to the back door. La Bastide offers snowmobiler packages including breakfast and a 5-course fine dining experience if you choose. It is a fun place to stay and offers a contrast to the traditional hotel setting of today.

My trip to Saint Raymond was excellent and included 600 Kilometers of great snowmobiling. The people here were a highlight of the trip. The small town nature of the area meant everyone you met was very genuine and ready to help at all times.

Their goal is to make your time there special!

I would like to thank Christine, Dave and Annie for all their help during my visit and I hope to return again one day. www.motoneigesaintraymond.com www.villesaintraymound.ca www.dionmoto.com www.bastide.ca www.roquemont.com

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THUNDER BAY BUSINESS FEBRUARY 2013

10 ways to reduce your tax bill as the funds stay in the plan.

(NC)—The days are starting to get longer, and you can feel that spring is right around the corner. With spring, of course, comes tax-filing season, so as “filing taxes” joins “spring cleaning” on your to-do list, here are 10 ways to save you money—and even land you that refund you've been hoping for.

• Tax-free savings account: Using a TFSA is a smart way to save on tax. Generally, the interest, dividends, and capital gains earned on investments in a TFSA are not taxed—not when they are held in the account or when they are withdrawn.

• Registered retirement savings plan: Pay less tax and save for your retirement at the same time. Any income that you earn in your RRSP is usually free from tax as long

• Charitable donations: Donations of cash, goods, land, or listed securities made to a registered charity or other qualified donee may be eligible for a tax credit.

• Parents: All those mornings spent at the hockey rink and afternoons spent at the ballet studio can mean savings—with the children's fitness and arts tax credits. Child care is also deductible, so gather up your receipts.

You may be able to claim tuition, textbook, and education amounts, as well as moving expenses if applicable. And if you've recently graduated, you can claim the interest you paid on your student loan.

• Public transit amount: If you are a public transit rider, you may be able to save by claiming the cost of your transit passes.

You can get up to 15% of the amount claimed.

• Family caregivers: If you have a dependent with a physical or mental impairment, you could be eligible for an additional $2,000 this year with the new family caregiver amount.

• Seniors: If you receive income from a pension, you can split up to 50% of eligible pension income with your spouse or common-law partner to reduce the taxes that you pay. You may also be eligible to claim the age amount, medical expenses, and the disability amount.

• Student: Were you a student in 2012?

• Home buyers: You may be able to claim

up to $5,000 if you bought your first home in 2012.

• Hiring an apprentice: Did your business employ an apprentice? An employer who paid a salary to an employee registered in a prescribed trade in the first two years of his or her apprenticeship contract qualifies for a non-refundable tax credit.

Make filing your taxes this spring even easier by doing it online. It's fast, secure and you may be able to use cost-free filing software. The Canada Revenue Agency offers step-by-step instructions at www.cra.gc.ca/getready. www.newscanada.com

Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce Calls on Government to Take Action for Forest Sector The Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce is adding their support to the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association (NOMA) following the release of the Endangered Species Act Panel Report and Recommendations (ESA) Monday January 21. The Chamber is also urging the Ontario Government to take immediate action to fulfill their commitment and to act on the forest sector recommendation 3.5-3a of the ESA Panel report and develop a regulation under the ESA which rec-

ognizes the Crown Forest Sustainability Act (CFSA) as equivalent to the ESA in its provision for species at risk. We also ask the government to disregard the contrary proposal 3.5-3b which would increase costs to the industry unnecessarily.

“The ESA has created a lot of uncertainty for the forest sector, and unless immediate action is taken, this uncertainty will remain”, states Harold Wilson, Chamber President, adding, “Ontario’s forest sector already provides for the protection of species at risk and their habitat under the CFSA and other provincial legislation.”

Forestry is in fact, one of only a few sectors in the province to have class approval under Ontario’s rigorous Environmental Assessment Act (EAA). “By acting on this specific recommendation the provincial government will be sending a clear message that Ontario is in fact “open for business”, adds Wilson, noting that the government had committed to developing such a regulation during the development of the ESA. The Chamber was also very pleased with recommendation 3.6-6: It is recommended that formal socio-economic assessments be incorporated into the process of the development of Habitat Regulations and Government Response Statements and that

periodic reviews of the broader impacts and benefits of the legislation be undertaken. Such assessments should be shared with the public and stakeholders in a timely and transparent manner.

The Thunder Bay Chamber successfully championed a similar resolution at the Ontario Chamber of Commerce AGM May 5 in St. Catherines which is now OCC Policy: The Ontario Chamber of Commerce urges the Government of Ontario to: Conduct and release publicly socio-economic impact assessments of all legislation, regulation, and policies that could reduce the provincial fiber supply and/or reduce access to the land base/natural resources.

Tax Tip: The Hiring Credit for Small Business Has Been Extended Did you know?

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Jan. 23, 2013) - The Government of Canada has extended the Hiring Credit for Small Business (HCSB) for 2012. The 2011 federal budget created the HCSB to create jobs, grow the economy and support small businesses.

If you are self-employed, you may be eligible for the hiring credit for small business. This credit gives small businesses relief from the employer's share of employment insurance premiums paid in 2012. The credit of up to $1,000 will be automatically credited to your payroll account.

Facts about the HCSB -- The HCSB is a credit of up to $1,000.

-- The actual amount credited (up to $1,000) is equal to the increase in the Employment Insurance (EI) premiums paid by a business in 2012 over those paid for 2011.

-- The HCSB is available to employers whose total employer EI premiums were $10,000 or less in 2011. Employers who created a new business in 2012 may also be eligible.

-- The credit is automatically applied when a business files a 2012 T4 information return. To be eligible, the 2012 T4 return must be received prior to January 1, 2016.

-- Eligible employers who have outstanding debt are still eligible for the HCSB. The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) applies the amount of the credit to reduce any outstanding debt owed.

-- For more information, go to www.cra.gc.ca/hiringcredit.

THUNDER BAY BUSINESS FEBRUARY 2013

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NOSM Faculty Members Honoured by College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario Each year the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) honours members of the College who demonstrate outstanding achievement. Candidates for the CPSO’s Council Award are nominated for demonstrating excellence in the categories of: Medical Expert/Clinical Decision Maker; Communicator; Collaborator; Gatekeeper/Resource Manager; Health Advocate; Learner; Scientist/Scholar; and, Person and Professional.

Recently, the CPSO released the names of the 2013 recipients of the Council Award.

The Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) is thrilled to announce that two out of the four recipients this year are NOSM faculty members. It is with great pleasure that NOSM congratulates Drs. Yvon Gagnon and Paul Mulzer on their outstanding achievement.

Since the School’s opening in 2005, several of NOSM’s dedicated faculty members have been presented with the Council Award, which honours “Outstanding Ontario Physicians.” Past recipients include: Dr. Mark Dahmer Dr. David Marsh

Dr. George Freundlich Dr. Malvinda Parmar Dr. Robert Hamilton Dr. Janice Willett Dr. William McCready Dr. Diane Zielke Dr. Shelagh McRae “It gives me great pleasure to congratulate Drs. Yvon Gagnon and Paul Mulzer as this year’s College of Physicians and Surgeons Council Award recipients.” expressed Dr. William McCready, Acting Dean of NOSM and Associate Dean of Faculty Affairs at NOSM. “It is exciting to see faculty members at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine recognized for excel-

lence by the College. These faculty members are part of a vast network of Northern educators and mentors of an entire future of health-care providers,” he said.

The Northern Ontario School of Medicine is committed to the education of high quality physicians and health professionals, and to international recognition as a leader in distributed, learning-centred, community-engaged education and research.

MINING IN CANADA’S NORTH EXPECTED TO NEARLY DOUBLE BY 2020 Ottawa, January 28, 2013 – The mining sector in Canada’s North is forecast to almost double its output and employment by the end of the decade – staggering growth compared to the Canadian economy as a whole.

Achieving this outcome, however, depends on greater efforts by industry, governments and communities to address key issues including infrastructure, regulatory uncertainty, skills shortages and Aboriginal rights, according to a Centre for the North report, The Future of Mining in Canada’s North.

The Conference Board of Canada forecasts that Canada’s overall northern metal and non-metallic mineral output will grow by 91 per cent from 2011 to 2020, a compound annual growth rate of 7.5 per cent. In contrast, the Canadian economy is forecast to grow by an average of just 2.2 per cent annually over this period.

The annual gross domestic product of mining in the north, which was $4.4 billion in 2011, is expected to reach $8.5 billion in 2020 (both figures in constant 2002 dollars).

Northern Ontario’s mining output will expand by 66 per cent from 2011 to 2020, a compound annual growth rate of 5.8 per cent. A number of new projects will boost metal mining production.

More than 11,000 Northern Ontario residents were employed in the mining sector in 2011, and an additional 7,000 Northerners will be needed by 2020 due to the growth forecast in metal mining.

HIGHLIGHTS • Inadequate or non-existent infrastructure is often the greatest deterrent to mining development in the North.

• Skilled labour shortages pose a risk to this growth.

• Aboriginal rights must be respected, and communities must be consulted, for projects to be developed sustainably.

“Mining is the future economic driver of Canada’s North. To fully reap the benefits of this potential, we must find the right balance between risk and opportunity,” said Anja Jeffrey, Director, Centre for the North. “For instance, governments need to be conscious of how changes to the regulatory environment can affect communities and industry. Strong efforts to ensure a favourable business climate can leave communities feeling vulnerable. Going too far in the opposite direction can act as a deterrent to investment.

“Equally importantly — and amplified right now by current Aboriginal demands for greater self determination — is the need for trust between Aboriginal communities, governments and industry. Many northern and Aboriginal regions continue to worry about the effects that mining projects may have on their lands and on the environment. Such issues can only be resolved through dialogue.”

Community engagement and environmental protection has improved in recent decades, and the business climate in Canada has been stable. But impediments to sustainable growth remain.

The report identifies six main issues and potential solutions.

Improvements to regulatory processes.

A solution to cumbersome regulations and duplication among governments may be to conclude more transparent impact and benefit agreements – allowing companies to accommodate local residents’ needs and give communities a chance to participate in negotiations.

Inadequate or non-existent infrastructure. The lack of transportation, energy and communities infrastructure is the biggest obstacle to northern mining development. Companies currently provide much of their own infrastructure public-private partnerships could relieve them of some of these costs.

Shortage of skilled labour. Women, new Canadians and youth are under-represented in the mining industry. The North’s Aboriginal population could supply many new workers, but

Aboriginal peoples will require education and training needed to work in mining.

Engagement of local and Aboriginal communities. Mining companies need to demystify their activities.

Communication that begins at the outset of a project and continues through the life of the mine is vital. So are the settlement of outstanding land claims and the conclusion of resource agreements.

Environmental stewardship. Despite a substantial improvement in the industry’s environmental performance in recent decades, communities still have legitimate concerns about the ecological impact of projects on natural habitats and traditional lands.

Clarity around mine closure. In addition

to implementing sustainable practices during production, the industry must develop plans for mine closure, decommissioning and reclamation – in collaboration with the local communities.

The Conference Board of Canada’s Centre for the North works with Aboriginal leaders, businesses, governments, communities, educational institutions, and other organizations to provide new insights into how sustainable prosperity can be achieved in the North.

The Centre will help to establish and implement strategies, policies and practices to transform that vision into reality.

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THUNDER BAY BUSINESS FEBRUARY 2013

Energy Task Force and City Officials meet with Minister of Energy

BY SCOTT A. SUMNER

Thunder Bay BUSINESS Leaders and experts from the City of Thunder Bay, Northwestern Ontario Municipal League (NOMA) and Fort William First Nation met today with the Honourable Chris Bentley, Minister of Energy and officials from Ontario Power Authority (OPA) to present and discuss the comprehensive energy needs of the region.

They also want to develop supply plans to meet several future deadlines, develop contingency plans for the full development of the Ring of Fire and develop and implement transmission links to key communities in the region.

Mayor Keith Hobbs, City of Thunder Bay “ I want to thank the Minister of Energy for coming to Thunder Bay. We had some

engaged, OPA is engaged as well as the task force. I am a half glass full guy and will remain positive. My former career was evidence based and we need to produce the evidence to justify the action.”

Chris Bentley, Minister of Energy. “ There has been excellent work done by the Energy Task Force with a lot of very detailed work. Our commitment from the beginning has been to make sure that the

“It’s encouraging that Minister Bentley took time out of his busy schedule to attend this meeting. The Energy Task Force and the OPA had a very engaging session and have identified the areas where we are on the same page and where we differ,” said Mayor Hobbs.

Michael Gravelle, Minister of Forestry “ This was the meeting that needed to take place. Everyone that spoke today stated the need to get the OPA and Energy Task Force together to listen to each other. From my perspective it is the commitment our government made and the commitment of the OPA as well, to meet the energy needs that are going to be in the Northwest, particulary with the exciting economic opportunities coming forward. It was a wide ranging and very honest discussion and I am pleased this was a worthwhile meeting that will lead to more complex discussions where we will work towards to the same shared objectives.”

“We were under the impression that a resolve would not happen today and that much more dialogue has to take place on a regular basis, and we intend to do that.”

Members of the Energy Task Force presented an overview of the implications of the current and future supply of energy requirements, the historical and projected load analysis and comparisons of the numbers that OPA is supplying compared to the task force.

“The mining companies that are looking at Northwestern Ontario need certainty in our energy for them to invest here and produce their products,” said Councillor Iain Angus, Co-Chair of the Energy Task Force.

“From our perspective we want to make sure that we have the power we need when we need it, and the closure of the Thunder Bay Generating Station will create a gap.”

The group’s requests included retaining the Thunder Bay Generating Station (TBGS), immediately converting it to natural gas and operate the facility to full capacity.

cussion will take place to make sure the Northwest achieves it’s full economic potential. I am looking forward to the next steps. I was determined not to come in with a conclusion until I hear from the people in the Northwest. After all the information is together we will produce a report. The OPA has done lots of study and analysis for example on the First Nations energy needs, the Musselwhite Mine and generation station. The success of the Northwest is to gain the best information.

It is important to get the experts together and understand what the power requirement may be.”

very engaging talks with the Energy Task force and OPA today as well as with Minister Gravelle and will work together and find some common ground. There are similarities when we talk but we have different opinions on what the mining industry is going to need and we need to sort that out. You have to be happy when you meet face to face. The government is

Northwest including Thunder Bay has the energy it needs today as well as into the future. We have been encouraged to take a regional approach to the energy needs here. Infrastructure takes many years and a lot of planning to get right and the more information we get the better. This meeting was crucial to gaining the information needed and in the coming weeks more dis-

Iain Angus, Energy Task Force “ We got more agreement than not. The biggest difference in on the load side.

Through the work of John Mason of the CEDC, we have identified the mines coming on stream until 2020 and identified the load requirements. We are confident those mines will come on stream when they say they will but the OPA has a more conservative view of that, so part of the challenge is to give the OPA the confidence that the mines will come on stream. We can’t build a mine on might, we have to build it on facts and numbers.”

THUNDER BAY BUSINESS FEBRUARY 2013

PAGE 7

Lakehead University Names Former Canadian Ambassador as its Eighth Chancellor

BY SCOTT A. SUMNER

Thunder Bay BUSINESS Lakehead University is proud to announce distinguished former career diplomat, entrepreneur and political strategist, Dr. Derek Hudson Burney, as its eighth Chancellor.

completed a variety of assignments at home and abroad, including a period as a Deputy Minister of External Affairs.

From March 1987 to January 1989, Dr. Burney served as Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister. He was directly involved in the negotiation of the Canada-U.S. Free

Chancellor Derek Burney “ My commitment to education is why I accepted the position. I have been a long time supporter of Confederation College for more than a decade. This was a way I could balance what I did at the college at the level of the university. To me education

University can maintain the intimacy.” “ If you are fortunate to run into one good teacher in your educational journey you will be blessed and never forget them. I am committed to eduction because if we maintain a good education system we open avenues for our children and grandchildren that very few other countries have. Where

“Dr. Burney is an accomplished individual with a national and international reputation and deep roots in Thunder Bay,” said Lakehead University President and ViceChancellor, Dr. Brian Stevenson.

“Lakehead University is honoured that this former ambassador to the United States from 1989 – 1993 will now represent our great university at home and abroad."

As Chancellor, Dr. Burney will use his experience, contacts and wisdom to fulfill various duties, including the promotion of Lakehead University’s diverse local, national and global interests. In addition, Dr. Burney will have the authority to grant degrees at Convocation and represent the University at special occasions.

“I am personally honoured to accept this appointment and look forward to representing Lakehead University as a beacon of academic excellence in my home town,” said Dr. Burney, an Officer of the Order Canada.

“We are very fortunate to have as our new Chancellor someone with so much energy and vast experience in diplomacy, business, politics and academe,” said Mr. Cameron Clark, Chair of the Board of Governors at Lakehead University. “Dr. Burney will help us achieve our strategic goals and connect us to the world.”

Dr. Burney is Senior Strategic Advisor to Norton Rose Canada LLP. He is Chairman of GardaWorld’s International Advisory Board, a Director of TransCanada Pipelines Limited, a Governor of the Ottawa Hospital Board of Governors and a member of the Advisory Board of Paradigm Capital Inc. Dr. Burney was President and Chief Executive Officer of CAE Inc. from October 1999 until August 2004. Prior to joining CAE, Dr. Burney was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Bell Canada International Inc. (1993-1999). Dr. Burney’s assignment as Canada’s Ambassador to the United States culminated a distinguished thirty-year career in the Canadian Foreign Service, during which he

Trade Agreement. He was the Prime Minister's personal representative (Sherpa) in the preparations for the Houston (1990), London (1991) and Munich (1992) G-7 Economic Summits.

Dr. Burney, who was born in Fort William, married his Port Arthur sweetheart Joan Peden and together have raised four boys.

Dr. Burney will take on his official duties after he is installed as Lakehead University’s Chancellor in a special ceremony at Convocation in June 2013.

The selection process for Chancellor of Lakehead University involved soliciting the public and University community for nominations. Candidate nominations were received and reviewed by a Chancellor’s Electoral Board, who recommended the appointment of Dr. Burney.

Dr. Burney succeeds Dr. Arthur Mauro, who served as Lakehead University Chancellor from 2009 to 2012. Click here to view Dr. Burney’s biography.

is the most important thing in life. Without it you can’t do very much and with it you can do almost anything.” “ I realize it is primarily a ceremonial role but I know theat Dr Stevenson wants me to help with representing of the university and with fundraising, bolstering the image and attraction of the university.” “ Thunder Bay has always been a very important part of my heritage as I grew up and went to school here. My mother was a great believer in education and had very rigid standards. She didn’t accept second best at any time. I like the idea of the more intimate campus. University's with 50,000 students are not something I look at with positive views. I hope Lakehead

else do you think a kid growing up in Fort William could become Canadian Ambassador to the US.”

President Brian Stevenson. “ We wanted to have a Chancellor to follow Dr. Arthur Mauro, who was a great and wonderful Chancellor for Lakehead University. We wanted someone who had roots in the community and whom could help us connect to the world with government, diplomacy and the corporate area.

Dr. Derek Burney brings all these attributes. The Chancellor also confers degrees which is an important role at the university.”

PAGE 8

THUNDER BAY BUSINESS FEBRUARY 2013

Becoming the Employer of Choice How to boost staff loyalty - without buying it

by Jeff Mowatt If you think you have staffing shortages, you ain't seen nothing! Come to my town, Calgary, Alberta and we'll talk. The economy of this boom town is so overheated that managers and business owners are scrambling to hang-on to even mediocre employees. Far too many managers figure the only way to gain staff loyalty is to buy it. That's a myth - and it's an excuse that you shouldn't accept of yourself or other managers. Of course money is important - but there is another way to gain employee loyalty that doesn't cost a thing.

I'm referring to employee recognition. Just how important is this to employees?

According to the landmark studies in employee motivation spearheaded by Dr. Kenneth Kovach at George Mason University, the second biggest motivator for employees is recognition. Number one is interesting work- which requires an investment in staff training. Since I want to focus on zero cost ways to increase staff retention, let's talk about recognition. The question you need to ask yourself is, "Do you recognize the performance of your employees as much as you know you should?" For most managers and business owner the answer is a cold, hard no. I think the simple explanation is managers get so busy they tend to forget to express appreciation to the people who deserve it.

Although, this is generally an oversight, it

is an expensive oversight.

Employee recognition is relatively cheap, yet it has a tremendously high payoff in terms of morale, reduction in staff turnover, and most importantly customer satisfaction. I believe part of the problem is that when you work with employees for a long time, it's hard to find creative ways to recognize them. Plus, mangers tend to view employee recognition as being a scattering of random events rather than an ongoing process. Fortunately, there is a systematic on-going process for recognizing your employees that goes far beyond an isolated slap on the back.

Recognition in CAST Meetings© I'm referring to recognition that happens in a CAST Meeting. CAST stands for Customer Service Team Meeting. CAST is a monthly, 90 minute in-house forum where managers and front line employees discuss how to enhance the customer experience.

Of five elements that are covered in a CAST Meeting, one of the most motivating is the agenda item I call Service Legends. At this point in the meeting, managers point out specific incidents where certain employees have provided exceptional service. The employee is asked by the manager to share the details of the incident with everyone and why they did what they did. Then the whole group joins in a round of applause for the person.

When you see employees literally cheering each other on for providing exceptional service, you know that the customerfocused culture is growing roots. That was certainly the case with one of our clients, a government-run vehicle-registration department...

During the Service Legends portion of a CAST Meeting, a manager asked 'Richard,' a vehicle-registration clerk, to share with the group what happened when a customer phoned and asked for a refund cheque.

Richard explained to the group the dire circumstances that the person was in. He realized that 'standard practice' was to mail the cheque and the customer would receive it in a couple of weeks. However, it didn't sit well with him, so he drove the check over himself that same day. He introduced himself and said that he figured she could use the refund right away. "You could see that tears were welling in her eyes as she thanked me. I was really glad I did it." At that point in the CAST Meeting the group erupted in heartfelt applause for Richard.

Richard's co-workers and supervisors were doing more than expressing their support for what he had done; they were also demonstrating their pride in the way people in their department respond to the individual needs of customers. That story, and the fact th at the manager brought it to everyone's attention, provided a lot of lessons about customer service that no policy will ever be able to convey.

That's recognition based not on seniority,

but service. And the approval doesn't just come from the employees' supervisors, but from their peers. Most importantly the stories that emerge become your own inhouse parables that serve as wonderful learning examples for everyone. In other words, the CAST Meeting's Service Legends piece transforms recognition into part of your ongoing education process that people learn from.

We all want to do well - and be recognized for doing so. Of course people need to be paid market value for their services. But hard cash is cold. You'll warm the hearts and the loyalty of your team members when you take the time - and have a process - to recognize actions that merit talking about. It doesn't cost a thing and in this marketplace - and with the impending staffing shortages that all the experts are forecasting - it just may make you the employer of choice.

Customer service strategist and professional speaker, Jeff Mowatt is an authority on The Art of Client Service . . . Influence with Ease®. For Jeff's other tips, self-study resources, and training services on this topic, click Improving the Sales and Service Culture.

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).

Resolute Announces Sawmill Investment in Northwestern Ontario MONTREAL, CANADA, January 31, 2013 – Resolute Forest Products (NYSE: RFP) (TSX: RFP) today announced its intention to build a new sawmill in the area of Atikokan, Ontario. This investment reflects Resolute’s ongoing commitment to the lumber business and will provide significant economic opportunities for First Nations in the region.

The Atikokan project will involve the construction of a single line random length sawmill with an annual capacity of

150 million board feet. Approximately 90 people will be directly employed by the operation, and additional indirect positions will be created for hauling finished lumber and residual chips. Final site selection in the Atikokan area will be completed in the next few weeks, and construction is anticipated to begin in the spring, with completion targeted for early 2014. The capital cost of the project is estimated at C$50 million.

“We believe in our lumber business and we’re taking action to grow and improve

it. The new random length sawmill will complement our existing lumber product mix in Ontario and will allow Resolute to improve our product offering to customers in central Canada and key markets in the United States,” stated Richard Garneau, President and Chief Executive Officer. “We are particularly excited about the active involvement of First Nations in the project and the opportunity for shared economic benefit that this represents.”

and the Company’s upgraded Ignace facility re-opens, Resolute will have three modern sawmills in Northwestern Ontario, with a combined production capacity approaching approximately 600 million board feet. In addition to producing lumber, the sawmills will also contribute to the long-term competitiveness of the Company’s pulp and paper operations in Thunder Bay through the supply of residual chips, as well as support efforts to reposition the currently indefinitely idled pulp mill in Fort Frances.

When the Atikokan project is complete Today’s announcement was welcomed by Ontario Natural Resources Minister Michael Gravelle. “This is extremely good news for the economy in Northwestern Ontario, and specifically the Atikokan area. I am particularly pleased to see Resolute’s proactive effort to involve First Nations in a manner that creates opportunities and shared benefit.

Our Ministry has worked hard with First Nations and municipalities to increase opportunities for direct involvement in the rebounding forestry sector, and today’s announcement is a real indicator of the progress we have made,” said Minister Gravelle. “We welcome the additional investment by Resolute in Ontario. Over the past 18 months, the Company has announced over C$175 million of capital infusion into the province, and I am certainly encouraged that a new sawmill in Atikokan could potentially make a positive contribution as Resolute continues to look at viable options for its Fort Frances pulp mill.”

THUNDER BAY BUSINESS FEBRUARY 2013

PAGE 9

Do You Want an Umbrella or a Parasol? estate. © 2013 Brian Babcock and Fhara Pottinger Family law lawyers are frequently asked whether getting legally married makes a difference anymore. Typically, the person asking assumes that common law spouses are entitled to half of everything even if they are not married. That is not correct - marriage still matters.

Marriage and common-law relationships share a lot of similarities but only some of the same legal protections.

A recent example is the Stieg Larsson estate. The author of the “Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” series died shortly after completing the third book.

Unfortunately for his long term common-law partner, he did not have a will.

Therefore under Swedish law, she was not entitled to the bulk of his significant

Could something similar happen in Canada? Absolutely!

We like to compare marriage and com-

Legal Matters mon-law to an umbrella and a lacy parasol. Marriage is an umbrella – the rights and protections of each party are clearly defined. The lines are straight and the spokes are sturdy. When dealing with a legally married couple in the event of a death or a separation and divorce, all of the rights and obligations are spelled out by the law. There is a lot of protection.

A common-law relationship is more like a lacy parasol that people use to shade

themselves from the sun. The general shape (the relationship) may be the same as marriage and does offer some protection, but not as much. If a common-law spouse wants all of the protections and rights that are offered by legal marriage, they need to paper over those holes.

If a couple chooses not to marry, they need to legally “paper” over the gaps in protection.

For example, they could: 1. hold all real property as joint tenants; 2. hold bank accounts and other assets in joint names; 3. make certain that debt is also held jointly; 4.

pensions, RRSPs, TFSAs, life insurance etc.; 5. ensure there are properly executed Wills and Powers of Attorney; and 6. ensure there is a properly executed cohabitation agreement, which remains the best means of defining the financial terms and consequences of a relationship.

Or they could just get married…but that is a decision each couple must make together.

We at Weilers have over 60 years of experience in helping couples ensure their assets and their rights are protected.

Whether or not to marry is still up to them.

name beneficiaries with respect to

Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund Introduces New Executive Director and Initiatives for 2013 strong gains in taking advantage of the pending opportunities particularly as is related to mining. NADF needs to do what we can to be a part of the overall business development. Most of our work is in the business opportunity side. We want to strengthen the relationships with First Nations business and others.” said Davey.

Currently the NADF has a staff of 15 and are hoping to more than double that to 30 in the upcoming months. “ The government is looking to us to develop capacity and promote the climate of entrepreneurship. We want to provide better opportunities for our youth including at the Ring of

BY SCOTT A. SUMNER

Thunder Bay BUSINESS The Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund (NADF) has introduced Brian Davey as the new Executive Director of the organization. Brian previously worked as NADF’s Special Initiatives Advisor, and has a very strong background in economic and business development. “ We are pleased to have someone lead our organization of such a high calibre,” said NADF Board Chair Arlene Meekis. “ Brian brings many talents to our team, having spent the last 30 years working on First Nation issues in both the private and public sector as an independent business person and in senior management positions. He also served six years as Deputy Grand Chief for Nishnawbe Aski Nation.” “ The Fund has been around for 22 years and has disbursed $30 million in loans, created 2000 jobs and maintained 545 businesses with funding. Our job is to continues to do that kind of business. We want to create wealth and prosperity in our communities, that is what we are all about. Our primary purpose is to create wealth and prosperity in the Nishnawbe Aski Nation,” said Brian Davey. “ We do this through providing loans and business advisory services including business support with business plans, some equity financing and

Fire. We need to gear up and get into overdrive.” noted Davey. “ We give advice on what we can do for the client. It could be a young entrepreneur who has an idea. We look at management with some experience, a track record and committed customers and if they have done it before. We can help in expanding their markets. Our focus is small and medium business but there are larger projects coming on stream as well.

We could get a number of First Nations involved and help in these projects.”

administering some of the government programs. We are more tolerant of risk and fund small and medium businesses. A goal we have is to establish as equity fund to help business access the loans.” “ My goal is to grow our organization from a $30 million asset base to $60 million in 5 or 6 years. We need to make

Our Northern Industrial Electricity Rate program is creating jobs and prosperity.

Proud that our government has extended its commitment to NIER for another three years!

PAGE 10

THUNDER BAY BUSINESS FEBRUARY 2013

HELPING WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS SUCCESS IN NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO Mauro announces $178,500 to expand PARO microlending program Women in remote communities will soon have more access to small business loans, as the PARO Centre for Women’s Enterprise will receive $178,500 to expand and adapt its programs in Northwestern Ontario.

Through the Microlending for Women in Ontario program, six not-for-profit organizations, including the PARO Centre for Women’s Enterprise in Thunder Bay, will receive funding to support low-income women who are seeking to start their own business. These organizations will offer financial literacy training, entrepreneurial mentoring, skills development, and life skills support – and this new allocation will allow PARO to expand its microlending program into more remote communities.

Women who become business-ready through these programs will be eligible to receive small loans, or microloans, to start their own business. Close to 400 microloans will be given out across the province.

Helping women succeed in business is part of the McGuinty government’s plan to create new opportunities for jobs and growth.

QUOTES “This program will help low-income women in small communities by giving them the necessary support and skills to succeed as entrepreneurs. Getting a loan can help start new businesses that will contribute to Ontario’s economy.”

- Bill Mauro, MPP Thunder BayAtikokan

“Finding the financing to start a business in remote communities is challenging to say the least. This new Ontario funding allows us to extend our successful women’s peer lending circle model to remote communities to help meet these challenges. Because we know and understand the realities of starting a business in remote communities, PARO is raising money from investors and donors to add a small grant component to make this initiative even more valuable to women in the north.”

– Rosalind Lockyer, Executive Director PARO Centre for Women’s Enterprise

allowing women not only to survive, but to thrive.”

— Laurel Broten, Minister Responsible for Women’s Issues QUICK FACTS • Ontario is funding six not-for-profit organizations across Ontario that will support low-income women who are seeking to start their own business.

• Microlending programs have been found around the world to be successful in lifting women out of poverty.

• Microloans are traditionally targeted towards low-income individuals who lack the credit history or collateral to start their own businesses.

“Women are best able to support themselves and their families when they are empowered to become financially self-sufficient. Microlending has been proven effective in lifting women out of poverty here in Ontario and around the world -

Start saving now and watch your nest egg grow (NC)—Have you started saving for retirement? No matter what your age, the answer for most adults should be “yes”.

According to a recent study by the Investor Education Fund (IEF), more than four-in10 Canadians (44 per cent) aren't saving or investing for retirement. On average, the most common reasons for not saving or investing were lack of income (48 per cent) and too much debt (27 per cent).

“Many people seem overwhelmed by the demands on their finances, but the reality is that the sooner you start saving for retirement, the better off you'll be,” says Tom Hamza, the president of IEF. “Even if you start small, investing over 30 years or longer has a powerful effect on growth.”

The value of compound growth is that the longer you save, even small amounts can grow significantly. For example, if you invest just five dollars a day for 30 years at an interest rate of five per cent, your sav-

ings will grow to just over $125,000 – including more than $71,000 in interest.

In addition to putting the power of compounding to work for you, Hamza adds that saving in a Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) can give you additional benefits. Any contributions you make in an RRSP are tax-deductible, and you don't pay tax on your earnings until you withdraw the money. “Together, tax deferral and compound growth pack a onetwo punch for growing your savings,” says

Hamza.

The compound interest calculator at www.GetSmarterAboutMoney.ca can show you how savings can grow over time. www.newscanada.com

Save time by filing online receives the file, you'll get a confirmation number and you're done.

payments.

(NC)—Are you putting off the annual task of filing your tax return? With a little guidance it doesn't have to be difficult and time-consuming. This year for example, why not save yourself the headache and file online? Just think: no more broken pencils, no mountain of pencil shavings, and no waste bin full of crumpled papers. Even if you've always filed on paper, you'll find that breaking your routine will save you time.

Here are a few more benefits of filing online: • Filing online is fast: It cuts the processing time of your return from up to six weeks to less than two weeks. Combine online filing with direct deposit and you could have your refund in your bank account in as little as eight days. Using direct deposit is also the quickest and easiest way to get your benefit and credit

• Filing online is secure: The Canada Revenue Agency, or CRA, uses the same high level of online security that your financial institution uses to protect your banking information.

• You may file online for free: Find a list of certified online filing software and web services at www.netfile.gc.ca.The list includes free and paid options.

• Filing online is simple: The certified software package does all the work for you. All you have to do is fill in the amounts, and the software does the calculations. No more worrying about missing out on credits, benefits, and deductions that you may be eligible for. Once you've filled out your forms using your software program, it creates a “.tax” file that you then send to the CRA through their NETFILE system. Once CRA

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• You may be able to make a payment online: If you have a balance owing, you may be able to use online banking to pay your tax bill, the same as you would your cable bill. Talk to your financial institution about online payments.

If you need help, check out www.cra.gc.ca/getready for step-by-step instructions. Also, grab a copy of last

year's return—it will serve as a reminder of where to focus as you fill out your return for 2012. www.newscanada.com

THUNDER BAY BUSINESS FEBRUARY 2013

PAGE 11

Tips for Dealing with Debt

by MNP LLP - Grant Bazian, President with MNP's Insolvency Inc. ( based out of Edmonton Alberta)

1. Recognize the signs of financial distress.

The first step in dealing with debt is to recognize the warning signs that you are struggling financially: • continually going over your spending limit, spending more than your earned wages; • using credit cards as a necessity; • living from one payday to the next; • borrowing money from friends or relatives to make ends meet; • garnishment of wages for outstanding debts; • only paying the interest or service charges on monthly bills; • pressure from creditors or collection agencies; • utilities and services have been cut off due to unpaid or late payment of bills.

Tackling your debt can be tough! Once you've started to manage your debt, build in mini-rewards so you don't feel like all you do is pay bills and never have any fun. Work mini-rewards in to your monthly budget such as going to a coffee shop once per week, or a dinner out once a month to give yourself a bit of a break from feeling debt fatigued.

Find out More For more information on frequently asked questions about debt and bankruptcy, or to test drive our online Debt Calculator or Budget tracker workbook, visit MNPDebt.ca.

About MNP Ltd. For more than 50 years, MNP Limited has helped individuals resolve their financial problems by offering lifechanging debt solutions tailored to each

2. Goal setting The second step is to set goals that help you pay down debt: • have a large debt-free goal in mind, but break it into smaller goals that are easier and faster to achieve; • use tracking tools to help you eliminate unnecessary spending, stay motivated and keep on track; • encourage yourself with a journal or pictures of what you want to do once you're debt-free.

3. Do your homework There are many resources to assist you with managing your debt. Look into the options first to see what's right for your unique situation: • credit counselling companies are available and may assist you if you're having troubles making a budget and sticking to it. Note: services may differ from province to province; • a government licensed Trustee can provide you with personalized advice on debt management and help you determine which strategy is right for you including filing a consumer proposal or declaring bankruptcy; • beware of services offering quick credit fixes or instant debt removal as some of these are "too good to be true" and may end up costing you more in the long run.

4. Start taking action • set a budget and stay within it; • begin paying bills on time - paying bills late incurs additional interest charges and can affect your credit rating; • eliminate impulse spending and evaluate "want to buy vs. need to buy" items.

5. Mini-rewards

Thunder Bay, Ontario

person's unique situation. With government licensed Trustees located in over 70 offices in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Quebec and Ontario, MNP Limited offers an unparalleled depth of Canadian consumer and corporate insolvency expertise to those experiencing financial difficulty.

About MNP MNP is one of the largest chartered accountancy and business consulting firms in Canada, providing clientfocused accounting, taxation and consulting advice. National in scope and local in focus, MNP has proudly served individuals and public and private companies for more than 65 years. Through the development of strong relationships, MNP provides organizations with personalized strategies and a local perspec-

tive to help them succeed. For more information, visit www.MNP.ca.

Next Issue of

Thunder Bay Business Forestry & Mining Ad copy Deadline February 20th Contact Sylvia at 623-2348 www.northsuperiorpublishing.com

PAGE 12

THUNDER BAY BUSINESS FEBRUARY 2013