Business June 2015

Enhancing Post-Secondary Education in Northwestern Ontario

INSIDE Certified Character Background Services Holds Grand Opening!

What is your SPA? (Self-Perceptions of Aging) CAREFREE CLOTHING

Thunder Bay Hydro Recognizes Retrofit Award Winners

Thunder Bay’s TIL-KA Construction Inc. Sees Good Growth

PAGE 2

THUNDER BAY BUSINESS JUNE 2015

www.thunderbaybusiness.ca www.golfingnews.ca www.northsuperiorpublishing.com

THUNDER BAY BUSINESS JUNE 2015

Publisher’s Note Scott Sumner

Certified Character Background Services Holds Grand Opening!

Converting Ink-and-Roll to Digital

A unique new business has officially opened it’s doors in Thunder Bay. Canadian Character Background Services or CCBS is located at the Corner of Victoria Ave and Simpson Street at 314 E Victoria. “ We started the business 1 year ago doing our first fingerprints and were doing record checks several months earlier. I have been here in this building for 15 years operating another business,” said Rick Melnychuk, CSO Certified Security Counselor of CCBS. “We do criminal or character background checks for people who need them for work, pardons, waivers, adoption or immigration. There are many reasons why people require these services. In the mining sector for example gold mines and diamond mines require them for their employees.”

According to Melnychuk the RCMP expect that the security checks required will probably go up 10 fold in the next ten years. “ We are not trying to take over the service from the police but we will do our part. They are the only ones that can do the vulnerable sector check. It is too bad I am not 40 years younger to see this business grow over many years.” “ More and more background checks are being required. All our applications go to the RCMP, they do the check and send it back to us. We are open and available for people to come in and can take care of the work for you. We had a long process of about 6 months through the RCMP to get certified.” said Rick Melnychuk .

CCBS Services This process of fingerprinting is ink-less, accurate and speedy, if no issues.

Fingerprint based criminal history screening is now required by a number of organizations. It is expected with the general availability of this service and the RCMP’s growing ability to respond quickly to fingerprint based screening requests that this will become broadly accepted as the standard method of identity assurance throughout Canada.

Digital fingerprints are now available.

PAGE 3

The world is moving toward exclusively digital fingerprint identification. In order to successfully immigrate to Canada, it is now a requirement to have digital fingerprints. CCBS can take your finger prints

Landed Documents Work Permits Student Permits Provincial Identification Card Birth Certificate Citizenship Card

with theft, mischief, property damage and/or fraud.

You can protect your customers and your businesses reputation, by requesting a Background Check on potential employees!

Once the background check application is processed, results are returned within 48 hours (for non-vulnerable checks only!)

In Office Fees Level 1 CPIC $70 + HST Online Fees Level 1 CPIC $75 + HST

produced with the traditional ink-and-roll method, and convert them to electronic imaging, and submit them directly to the RCMP’s Canadian Criminal Real Time Identification Services (CCRTIS) for processing. This service is also available to individuals whose fingerprints were taken outside of Canada. Submitting fingerprints electronically substantially reduces the processing time for criminal records, including vulnerable sector checks.

Conversion to Digital fingerprints are available for $150.00 + HST Identification In order to move forward with a fingerprint / character check service, CCBS require two pieces of valid government issued ID including one piece of photo ID.

Acceptable Identification includes: Passport Drivers License Health Card

Non-vulnerable checks only! All Vulnerable Background Checks are to be completed with a Police Agency only.

Why is a Background Check important?

A Canadian background check will provide you with a detailed report of past convictions for all provinces and territories in Canada.

A background check will provide insight into the applicant’s involvement with substance abuse, potential for aggressive and threatening behaviour and involvement

A valid unexpired passport would be one of the best forms of valid ID’s with a second piece. All background check applications and identification can be scanned and emailed to ccbs@live.ca for processing.If you have had any prior criminal charges please call our office to make an appointment as more information will be required and another document signed. Background check application processing can take up to 48 hours for completion.

CCBS will provide you with a CPIC Records Search showing results for Negative, Confirmation of Criminal Record and/or Incomplete.

CCBS wants to be the most convenient method for the people of Northwestern Ontario, Canada and the rest of the world to acquire the background checks and finger print records.

PAGE 4

THUNDER BAY BUSINESS JUNE 2014

CAREFREE CLOTHING

By Sherry Aalto Getting dressed…

If you or someone you know suffers from mobility issues due to pain or impairment …you’ll want to read this!

That is exactly what the title says…CAREFREE CLOTHING! You probably have an image in your mind right now about clothing that is easy to fasten and unfasten, accommodates for body shape and size and is easy to wear and looks great too! Well! You are right!

That is exactly what Carefree Clothing is all about!

Valarie Midgley of Thunder Bay is the owner and operator of Carefree Clothing, located just inside The Whole Nine Yards at #3-899 Fort William Road, and is right across the street from the Intercity Shopping Centre. Valarie, who is a world class seamstress and now new owner of Carefree Clothing, brings comfort to Thunder Bay people who just want or need to have easy to get into or out of clothing they wear. Valarie, owner of the Whole Nine Yards for the past 10 years, was so impressed by the ease of which people with physical restrictions could attire themselves, that when she heard this well needed service was no longer going to be available to the people of Thunder Bay, she decided to purchase the business from the two ladies that were retiring after 20 years. The only condition was that she, Valarie, keep the name “Carefree Clothing”. Valarie opened this new addition to her business in 2014. As it is with the Whole Nine Yards, great service from people that care and are skilled in their craft-trade, Carefree Clothing is nothing short of unique when it comes to what is needed in making everyday dressing easier!

Imagine not having the strength of your extremities to button a button, never mind

for the client so they blend in with trending fashions. You might be surprised how some little adjustments can make a huge difference for reducing the stress of getting dressed and save you money for not having to buy new clothes.

Carefree Clothing is the place to go for your alterations to make dressing an easy part of your day. Anyone who has to make any adjustments for dressing, whether it be because of a debilitating condition or physical restrictions due to an accident or pain sufferers from arthritis or fibromyalgia or even if you don’t want to wrestle with buttons and such…come and see the people at Carefree Clothing. You will be delightfully amazed at what a stress reliever just having the right kind of application to dress oneself can be.

a lot of them? Or having to fiddle with zippers and clothing that is difficult to get into and out of for daily activities.

Carefree Clothing can create new clothing attire for anyone with almost any physical restrictions! For wheelchair persons, you may stay seated to slip a top or a dress on as the garment is made with full open back to be able to be slipped up to the shoulders where then the generous overlap offers complete discreet coverage. And the great part is….you’re still stylin’…looking gooooooood! Or maybe…you don’t need new clothes? Carefree Clothing can do almost anything with your current wardrobe. You can start small…say…with a couple of your favourite blouses, shirts or pants…bring them in to see Valarie and her staff at Carefree Clothing. Or you can just call Carefree Clothing and someone will come to you residence and fit you in the privacy of your residence for your selected items and/or alterations of your current wardrobe. All attire is designed with style and patterns in mind that retains dignity

Valarie has been sewing, creating and making adjustments for others and herself since she was seven years old. A successful business entrepreneur for over 25 years and to her credit, Valarie is a graduate of Sheridan College, Oakville, Ontario in Fashion Technique and Design, fulfilling her dream of becoming a designer. In the last 25 years of her professional career she had had a wide variety of experiences working on different theatre productions like : Lion King, The Producers and Mamma Mia for Mervish industries in Toronto, along with International movies – Beowulf (released Aug. 2006). Valarie was also published in OPRAH Magazine, Dec. 2004. Combined with various other contracts, she has had a successful business in Toronto for 6 years as well as being Head Designer & Head Drafter for Finelines Dancewear. Now! After having said all that, do you think that she, Valarie, could help you with your wardrobe? The answer is…YES

Continued Next Page

THUNDER BAY BUSINESS JUNE 2015

PAGE 5

CAREFREE CLOTHING Continued From Previous Page And did we mention that Valarie Midgley is currently developing a ‘clothing manufacturing’ company as well, here in Thunder Bay, which will be all part of making adaptive/accessible clothing. The company will also design and manufacture hospital gowns that will be more comfortable to wear, plus will be more easily adaptable and, shall we say….give better coverage! The name of her new company

It will be a wholesale company and will pretty much go national as soon as it ‘hits the ground’! With such an amazing line of clothing being offered nationally, Valarie would not be surprised to see her company go international! Yes, you can say, ‘Canadian Made!’ Valarie owns and operates her four companies simultaneously and they are: The Whole Nine Yards, Carefree Clothing, Pampered Chef and Superior Clothing Manufacturing.

Superior Clothing Manufacturing will be tapping into labour base that is dying for attention and this is….home sewers! The ‘home sewers’ (as in sewing) will work at home to manufacture the clothing items under piece work. That is will be a great convenience for the worker who can choose the schedule that fits the life style and commitments of their home. The sewing machines and the textiles will be supplied to the home sewers. The new business will be opening soon but the exact date is not yet revealed.

will be Superior Clothing Manufacturing.

Valarie wants everyone to know that, along

with alterations in clothing for men, women and children, custom creations are also part of what she and her creative staff offer. The Whole Nine Yards offers everything from sewing buttons back on to designing and creating graduations and prom dresses, to complete wedding attire for the bride, the groom and the entire wedding party, family members and guests.

And speaking of those special occasions, with her new line of Carefree Clothing, anyone can attend these or any everyday activity knowing they have the ease of wearing and dressing themselves while feeling comfortable, maintaining dignity

and style!

Call Valarie today for your free in-home consultation for Carefree Clothing at (807)768-7397 or you can e-mail her at carefree@twny.ca and also check out their web site at www.twny.ca or just click here on the web site and you will be hyperlinked to the site now! Your other choice is to drop down to see Valarie and her staff at #3-899 Fort William Road, across from the Intercity Shopping Centre.

If you are going to make changes in your life, this is a good place to start. Comfort with style!

PAGE 6

THUNDER BAY BUSINESS JUNE 2015

FORM Architecture Engineering In the world of architecture, “forms” are the structures, buildings and environments designed by architects and engineers that engage and enrich the way people experience life. For FORM Architecture Engineering, the word represents three different meanings: giving “form” to

buildings and structures, the “forming” of multi-disciplinary professional teams to produce the work, and “built form” - the work itself. The name of the partnership also communicates FORM’s primary mission, which is to help create “better places for people.”

FORM is deeply rooted in our community and has had the great pleasure of working with a number of local clients, including St. Joseph’s Care Group, Confederation

ly believe it is important as members of the community to develop partnerships with other local business. Thunder Bay businesses share a collective heritage and

College, Lakehead University, City of Thunder Bay, and Fort William First Nation, to name a few. Their accomplishments are only as great as our client’s dreams, which has resulted in a number of innovative building designs becoming part our landscape. The firm’s partners strong-

interest in developing our neighbourhoods. They understand the importance of promoting and encouraging the “design local, build local” initiative and that by doing so we strengthen Thunder Bay’s identity and cooperatively support our economy. “As a result we see our hometown flourish and continue to grow and attract new opportunities.”

Continued Next Page

THUNDER BAY BUSINESS JUNE 2015

PAGE 7

FORM Architecture Engineering Continued From Previous Page Currently FORM is working with True Grit Consulting, Oshki Aki LP, and Fort William First Nation on the development of an Elders Housing and a Community Centre projects. Last year the firm was honoured to have worked with this partnership on the new Mount McKay Pow Wow Grounds. “While partnerships contribute to Thunder Bay’s overall economic growth, it is also one of the fore most ways we can share information about our culture and society which in turn strengthens our community,” shares John Stephenson, partner of the firm.

FORM has completed numerous designbuild projects with Tom Jones Corporation and recognizes the benefits of collaborations with other businesses from the onset of design. These types of projects have witnessed the completion of the Hospital’s new Health Services Centre on Oliver Road and numerous tenant fit-ups, one of which includes the Cyclotron and Radiopharmacy. Other projects include the new Tbaytel Engineering Office, the Northern Lights Credit Union on Red River Road, and White Cedar Healthcare Centre. All of these projects have a positive effect and benefit to our society.

FORM is an active participant in the region and our local community, engaging in charity functions, supporting youth and creating partnerships that align with the firm’s values. “We participate and sponsor a variety of activities that add value and richness to society” shares Michelle Gibson, partner. “We participate and support numerous initiatives as both business owners and members of the community to help make our community a better place.”

The partners of the firm have practical experience and knowledge of the region’s social and economic sensitivities and are passionate toward economic growth and prosperity in the north. The firm’s philanthropic endeavours support a variety of groups, non-profits and agencies both locally and regionally. FORM was the title sponsor of the George Jeffrey Soap Box

Derby for five years and continued to participate in the event. The firm was also a proud visionary sponsor of the Walk A Mile Film Project with the overall objective of strengthening relationships between the community at large and Urban Aboriginal Peoples. Recent commitments also include Habitat for Humanity, Superior Youth Symposium, and annual commitments to foundation campaigns.

As one of the largest privately owned architectural firms in the Northwestern Ontario, FORM Architecture Engineering evolved from the partners’ shared approach to designing better places for people to live, work and interact. Architecture is an art form that considers the elements and principals of design both structurally and aesthetically. The firm carefully works with clients to develop a shared project vision and to create an innovative design that exceeds their needs. At the same time, FORM’s designs are strongly connected to and expressive of the surrounding environment. The importance of using sustainable design and building techniques was rooted in the firm long before these ‘green’ approaches became mainstream. It was never a question for the firm whether to consider greener design methods and ecologically sound practices, rather simply a natural part of the creative process. Living in Northwestern Ontario, a region filled with rich valuable natural resources, wood is one of the first choices of FORM’s architects for the construction of their projects.

These approaches have also helped to develop FORM’s distinct organizational culture, which continues to attract likeminded professionals to the firm. The FORM team is comprised of over 25 people including architects, structural engineers, technologist, interior designers, contract administrators, and administrative staff. This culture is rooted in how the team thinks, creates and interacts with clients. The talents of this diverse team, many who have been with the firm since graduating, are well seasoned and contribute significantly to the strength to the practice. The natural synergy between the partners, staff and clients also contributes

its success.

For over twenty-five plus years, the partners and staff have worked on a considerable number of institutional, commercial, industrial and residential projects, each building unique to itself and filled with rich character. While the firm offers expertise in health, long-term care, retirement living, schools, commercial, and residential projects, it prefers to keep an open mind regarding projects and new clients.

For this multidisciplinary design practice, the diversity, skills and knowledge of the partners and staff make the possibilities endless.

FORM Architecture Engineering is committed to its on-going evolution, continually looking at the needs of the community and its clients in relation to what services it provides. Keeping an open mind and considering all possibilities, FORM Architecture Engineering is ready to build “better places for people.”

“One of the essential keys to our community’s success is recognizing that amazing design and construction can happen right here in our own backyard. “states Kimberley McKee, another partner of the firm.

PAGE 8

THUNDER BAY BUSINESS JUNE 2015

Thunder Bay’s TIL-KA Construction Inc. Sees Good Growth

BY SCOTT A. SUMNER

Thunder Bay BUSINESS You may have seen the many trucks driving around Thunder Bay with the unusual name TIL-KA. The name TIL-KA is a blending of two previous companies that merged together. In 1995 there was Tiller Construction and Cibirka Construction and the beginning and end of the names became the company TIL-KA. “ I have been in Thunder Bay since 1988 in construction business. We partnered in 1995 and incorporated in 1996.

My partner was orginally from Barrie, Ontario and moved back to Barrie in 2000 when we opened an office there. In 2007 we decided it was better to have two separate offices and we each ran offices with only the TIL-KA name remaining in Thunder Bay,” said Jim Tiller, President of TIL-KA Construction Inc. Today TIL-KA has two sides or areas of work in the company. The exterior side includes windows, doors, siding, soffit, fascia and roofing. Then there is the construction side which does new construction, renovations, light commercial including smaller commercial jobs like putting the steel on buildings and roofing. “ Most of our work is residential exterior work but we do build houses and have done so more aggressively the last few years. We do all the work needed in a house and are headed more into build-

Jim Tiller, President of TIL-KA Construction Inc. ing houses but the bulk of our work now windows, doors and siding as well as is home renovation. We are also current- blow in insulation.” ly finishing two houses, a custom home and a spec home that is being sold by “ Our customer normally is the regular Belluz Realty in Tuscony Estates off consumer that see our trucks, go to the Hilldale Road. ” said Jim Tiller, age 54. yellow pages or our web site, or heard “ We have about 20 people on staff about us from their friends. Word of especially in the summer period. We mouth has been our biggest advertisestarted with 2 partners and a couple ment,” said Tiller. “ If someone even workers and have grown since then. just wants a new front door we can do Today we are one of the main exterior that. We also have done all Home renovation companies in Thunder Bay. We don’t do stucco or brick but almost everything else. We are busy with 7 crews out there doing roofing, shingling,

Depot’s exterior work since when they opened here in Thunder Bay. Our company is one of the few that do everything in house- we don’t sub anything out with our crews doing specific jobs.

We are a one stop shop for exterior and can build the entire house. We do interior residential as well but usually only in the winter because we are so busy during the summer with our exterior work.”

Continued Next Page

THUNDER BAY BUSINESS JUNE 2015

PAGE 9

Thunder Bay’s TIL-KA Construction Inc. Sees Good Growth Continued From Previous Page “ The market is a little bit slow right now in Thunder Bay but our closing rate is good, so our pricing is good and

protected from the rest of Canada to some degree. It goes up and down a little but is quite stable. Thunder Bay is a good place to live.” www.tilkaconstruction.com

“ The economy of Thunder Bay is good right now and I think it is going to get better. The housing market is a little

service good. The season started earlier this year from last year when everyone was in a rush to get their jobs done with the late arrival of spring. It is still good this year. We are very busy from when the snow goes to Christmas- pretty

Next Issue:

Thunder Bay Business Topic: Lakehead University 50th Year!

Deadline June 23rd Contact Sylvia at 628-7095 or Sonia at 631-4244

much flying.” said Jim Tiller. “During the start of the business I was working 12 to 14 hours a day growing the business until we hired more staff and are still continueing to grow.”

www.northsuperiorpublishing.com

bit soft now but we have had a boomer the last 3 or 4 years so it has to slow down a little bit. Thunder Bay is kinda

PAGE 10

THUNDER BAY BUSINESS JUNE 2015

Shift Young Professional Challenge Local Leaders and Businesses fessional at your office. * As a community member send a special YPWeek E-Thank you card to a young professional in the community to express how important they are to you and why. * Attend SHIFT’s Annual General Meeting being held annually in Thunder Bay. Come out and network and connect with hundreds of young professionals in Thunder Bay. Hundreds of young professionals leave Thunder Bay each year, a growing concern for the local business community and the economy. SHIFT, Thunder Bay’s Young Professionals Network wanted to start a conversation to reverse that trend. May 10th –May 17th was officially declared the first ever Young Professionals Week (YPWeek) in the City of Thunder Bay, an initiative driven by the SHIFT organization. Says SHIFT President Peter Marchl; “ SHIFT prides itself in its ability to think outside the box; something that young professionals strongly desire from their community and employees. Together, our community needs to be creative on our approach to retaining young professionals

in the city and highlighting the importance they have in Thunder Bay. We need to creatively establish Thunder Bay as an ideal place for young professionals.”

The community is encouraged to participate in YPWeek through various initiatives: * As a young professional in the community post a selfie or a photo on social media showcasing what you do in the community using the hashtag #YPWeekTBAY. * As an employer share a story on the YPW Facebook page or on your personal page by hash-tagging #YPWeekTBAY about the top young pro-

“Currently there isn’t enough recognition on how important the under 40’s are to the community;” Continues Marchl. “YPWeek will focus on what it means to be a young professional in Thunder Bay and educating employers on retaining professionals.

SHIFT has a vision to quantify the impact of young professionals in the City of Thunder Bay.” Over the next year, SHIFT is committed to collaborate with the community to conduct research to understand and realize how integral young professionals are to the community and the role that they play.

Says SHIFT Vice-President Jon Hendel; “Where are young professionals working?

How many are employed? What are they doing? Do they own a house? Do they have a family? What would make our city more attractive to keep them here? With this information we can work together to provide programming to familiarize people with what our community has to offer and enhance retention of young professionals in the community. To start this process we need to do a better job at sharing our story and that is where YPWeek comes into play. “ Says Community Economic Development Commission, Development Officer, Stacia Kean; “The Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission actively promotes and supports the growing segment of young professionals in Thunder Bay’s business community. As baby boomers retire, the knowledge economy expands, and the cultural fabric of the community diversifies, young professionals play a vital role in the economic health of our growing city. They do this by starting and growing businesses, creating jobs, and attracting other young professionals to Thunder Bay.”

Sellers Beware? © 2015 Brian Babcock We have all heard the term “buyer beware”, but is it still the rule in Ontario?

A recent Court of Appeal decision

Legal Matters leaves me wondering.

Leaky basements are a common spring feature in Thunder Bay. Most homeowners insurance will not pay for a flooded basement, so if the house was recently purchased, the buyers look to sue the sellers. These cases are often very driven by their particular facts.

What did the sellers know? What did they tell the buyers? What did the agreement and other documents say?

The Court clarified that the failure to disclose flooding may not be excused by a term in the contract stating that there are no representations and warranties other than those set out in the agreement of purchase and sale, the so-called “entire agreement clause.”

In that case, after the agreement was signed, but prior to closing, there was flooding. The sellers signed the Sellers Property Information Statement AFTER the agreement of purchase and sale was signed and after the flooding.

The sellers, thinking that it was a “one off” event did not disclose this fact on the SPIS. The new owners discovered the hard way, when they had a wet basement after a hard rain.

The sellers argued that since there was no warranty of “no flooding” in the agreement, they did not have to pay for the basement repairs. The Court ruled for the buyers, saying that the application of the clause is restricted to limit representations, made prior to or during

the negotiations leading up to the signing of the contract.

Despite the unusual facts, this is an important case, because the Court goes on to say that the vendor cannot hide behind the doctrine of buyer beware if he or she breaks the silence by signing a SPIS. Earlier cases have said that inaccurate SPIS incorporated into an agreement (as is the usual case) is bad for a seller.

Now, we see that signing one prior to closing is bad. Yet realtors still require or recommend that they be provided.

This leaves sellers in a difficult spot, and leads me to think that we should be saying “Sellers Beware”.

At Weilers Law we have over 65 years of experience in helping clients avoid trouble, or solving problems after they arise, including on real estate deals.

THUNDER BAY BUSINESS JUNE 2015

PAGE 11

Enhancing Post-Secondary Education in Northwestern Ontario Ontario Bringing Learning Opportunities Closer to Home Ontario is investing in new technology that will provide students in Kenora and Sioux Lookout with an interactive university experience.

With an investment of $1 million from the province’s Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC), Lakehead University is establishing immersive technology telepresence systems in Kenora and Sioux Lookout. The life-size screens will allow students to feel as though they are present in the classroom by supporting communication, providing access to interactive functions such as touch-screens, and reducing travel costs.

Investing in post-secondary education in the North is part of the government's plan to build Ontario up. The four-part plan includes investing in people's talents and skills, making the largest investment in public infrastructure in Ontario's history, creating a dynamic, innovative environment where business thrives, and building a secure retirement savings plan.

QUOTES “By investing in this project, we are help-

ing Lakehead University train northerners closer to home and ensuring that students continue their learning to prepare for the marketplace. I congratulate Lakehead for working with other community partners to enhance learning opportunities for residents across the Northwest.”

— Michael Gravelle, Minister of Northern

Development and Mines and Chair of the NOHFC “Our government’s investment in this interactive technology project will train students and help connect the community to services such as training sessions, professional support and video-conferencing.

This is an important investment for Lakehead, one of Northern Ontario’s most innovative academic institutions.”

— Bill Mauro, MPP for Thunder BayAtikokan “Investments in modern, innovative solutions, such as Lakehead’s immersive technology project, are vital to our province’s future economic growth. Now students in Kenora and Sioux Lookout will have access to state-of-the-art technology, which will give them the skills and knowledge they need for the 21st century economy, closer to home.”

— Reza Moridi, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities and Minister of Research and Innovation "This investment allows Lakehead University to further its plan to bring exceptional post-secondary education opportunities to Northern Ontario using telepresence classrooms. This engaging

technology offers students of all ages the very peak of fully-immersive, distance learning environments right in their own community.”

— Dr. Brian Stevenson, President and Vice-Chancellor, Lakehead University …QUICK FACTS * Through this project, Lakehead University is working with Confederation College,Contact North and the Keewatin Patricia District School Board to bring courses to learners in the Northwest. * Since 2003, the NOHFC has invested more than $1 billion in 6,620 projects in Northern Ontario, creating or sustaining more than 25,300 jobs. * In the Thunder Bay region, the NOHFC has invested $162 million in 1,330 projects, creating or sustaining more than 5,180 jobs, since 2003. * The NOHFC’s investments in post-secondary education are an important part of the Ontario government’s Growth Plan for Northern Ontario.Northern voices reflected in pan-Ontario vision

Growth Plan for Northern Ontario Northern voices reflected in pan-Ontario vision Investing in the success of our aboriginal peoples, understanding and reflecting the diverse labour markets of Northern Ontario, committing to better Northern infrastructure, being a flexible and committed partner in pursuit of Northern opportunities; these are just some of the recommendations northerners put forward to guide future federal activity here in Northern Ontario.

The experts listened and have reflected these priorities in a new publication outlining a vision for what the federal government should do after the coming election, regardless of who wins.

The Mowat Centre, in partnership with Northern Policy Institute, today released their latest report “A Federal Economic Agenda for Ontario.” It sets out 33 recommendations across six key issue areas.

The recommendations focus on policy steps the federal government can take to help Ontario grow.

In June 2014, The Mowat Centre convened a group of leaders from Ontario’s key industry and sector organizations to discuss what a federal agenda for Ontario might look like. Over the past six months, Northern Policy Institute worked to give northerners an opportunity to share their ideas with this group of leading experts.

This involved the distribution and discussion of Mowat’s interim working paper.

The final Mowat paper, released online today, reflects much of the key feedback provided by northerners. The paper includes proposals for: · Aboriginal controlled and culturally sensitive education. · A more ambitious digital strategy including enhanced wireless infrastructure throughout Ontario. · Enhanced collection of local labour market information and the return of the long form census.

· Flexible training programs available to more Ontarians and tied to this enhanced knowledge of local needs. · Strengthened evaluation of and targeted expansion by FedNor in programs that have the greatest impact. · Federal commitment to working with all stakeholders to develop, and fund, an actionable, inclusive plan for the Ring of Fire.

Says Charles Cirtwill, President of Northern Policy Institute: “Northerners took the opportunity we offered them to have their voices heard by the experts and the experts listened. The next step is for Northerners to take the opportunity offered by the upcoming election to have their voices heard by the federal parties.”

Northern Policy Institute will make the Mowat paper available online to any northerner who wishes to use it and will be providing a copy to every northern candidate and federal party leader.

A Federal Economic Agenda for Ontario, can be found on the Northern Policy Institute website at www.northernpolicy.ca and The Mowat Centre website at www.mowatcentre.ca.

About Northern Policy Institute: Northern Policy Institute is Northern Ontario’s independent think tank. We perform research, collect and disseminate evidence, and identify policy opportunities to support the growth of sustainable Northern Communities. Our Operations are located in Thunder Bay and Sudbury. We seek to enhance Northern Ontario’s capacity to take the lead position on socio-economic policy that impacts Northern Ontario, Ontario, and Canada as a whole.

About The Mowat Centre: The Mowat Centre is an independent public policy think tank located at the School

of Public Policy & Governance at the University of Toronto and Ontario’s nonpartisan, evidence-based voice on public policy.

We undertake collaborative applied policy research, propose innovative research-driven recommendations, and engage in public dialogue on Canada’s most important

national issues.

Our policy areas of expertise are intergovernmental economic and social policy, state transformation, energy policy and not-for-profit policy.

PAGE 12

THUNDER BAY BUSINESS JUNE 2015

CELEBRATING! . . . SENIORS!

By Sherry Aalto Say what??...

Yes! That’s right! It is time to take notice and appreciate those who brought us up! Those who are and were the major, if not the only, contributor to our independence, our freedoms and our advancements in all aspects of life!

When you look around you, and if you are old enough to realize it, yet young enough to remember, you are probably a person who reflects on simpler times like, that of the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s and 80’s. Times when good paying jobs were more plentiful…times when, what you ate didn’t have to be examined by a toxicologist….think about that for a minute? A time when you could leave your baby sleeping in a carriage on your front porch and the only people that would approach the carriage were the neighbours, just to have a peek at the little darlin’ all bundled up under the carriage canopy. And then of course there is the home front…who was it that made the house a ‘home’? Who prepared the meals, did the laundry, baked the pies, cakes and cookies?

Who built the house, mowed the lawn, fixed the plumbing and the car, the toys that got broken, taught you how to ride a bike and play ball? Fought wars? Made sacrifices?...

Men and women alike…the seniors we see all

around us today.

That’s right! The people that were your age then that you are now!

And now, all those who have done their part and in some cases are still doing their part, who ask for nothing in return, maybe, just maybe, should get a handshake, an ‘Atta boy, or girl!’, or how about some goodies to eat or better still…some of what they gave you…like love and care! And let’s call it…celebrating!

So! Just how does one celebrate seniors you ask? There are all kinds of ways to make the senior in your life feel celebrated! For example: just spending some time with them. A phone call is always good too! Think about offering personal and professional care for them when we can’t be there ourselves.

We’re all going to get there someday and probably sooner than we think! So let’s hope someone celebrates us when we arrive at those ‘golden years’!

It has been said that…. ‘Seniors know more about being young, than we do about being old!’

So true! So true!

Introducing The… DREAM ON- SENIORS WISH FOUNDATION The Dream On – Seniors Wish Foundation is cared for by Nurse Next Door.

Suzanne Tighe, owner and Managing Director of Nurse Next Door and Maria Baker, Assistant General Manager of McKellar Park

Senior Apartments, are very proud of this very special foundation, (established in 2012). The foundation is comprised of an Executive Director and a Board of Directors. The idea for the Dream On - Seniors Wish Foundation was formulated by an inspiring story that took place in 2011 in Vancouver B.C. The Nurse Next Door Corporate Head Office (Vancouver B.C.) received a call from a hospital in Vancouver and asked if they (Nurse Next Door) could help them out. They had a patient there that was dying and his last wish was to see his son he has not seen for 35 years. His son lived in Calgary, Alberta (at the time).

That was this man’s last wish. Nurse Next Door, Franchise Corporate Head Office, eagerly rose to fulfill the last request. They got his registered nurse, put him on the plane bound for Calgary, where the man met with his son at the airport and was able to connect with him for the very last time before he passed away shortly after! Then they, meaning Nurse Next Door, thought, ‘How many others dreams are out there that we can help facilitate, that we can help put together for people?’

Thus…fund raising for the foundation began!

Funds for the foundation are raised through community events through Nurse Next Door or through donations. The Dream On – Seniors Wish Foundation is cared for by the Nurse Next Door Franchise Corporation and the franchisees.

As for Thunder Bay, the Dream On – Seniors Wish Foundation is currently fulfilling a wish

for 83 year old, Esther Taylor, through Nurse Next Door Home Health Care Services, located in the McKellar Place Senior Apartments, where Esther is a resident. There is a three question criteria and one can make their wish known by applying online to http://dreamonseniorswish.org. Esther Taylor’s wish?…to have one hot meal once a day! Esther will receive her wish for the next three months through the foundation, in the dining room at her place of residence, where she will also enjoy the added social benefit of the company of others. Every wish is considered by the board of directors and funds are then allocated

for the wish, once the wish has been approved.

Anyone who is interested in making a donation to the foundation can contact the Dream On – Seniors Wish Foundation at http://dreamonseniorswish.org . You can also reach the foundation by calling Nurse Next Door (Thunder Bay Ontario), (807)346-0055.

THUNDER BAY BUSINESS JUNE 2015

PAGE 13

NURSE NEXT DOOR

By Sherry Aalto CELEBRATING SENIORS Nurse Next Door, located in the McKellar Place Senior Apartments, knows how to celebrate seniors! Suzanne Tighe, Owner/Managing Director, realizes the needs of seniors. Whether you are looking for home care for yourself or a loved one, Nurse Next Door knows that it’s about caring, not just health care. You can choose from services spanning a full range of both medical and non-medical home care for seniors. You can select from their three pillars of caring which offers senior home care support ranging from just a few hours a week of caring companionship and light housekeeping right through to ‘around-the-clock’ caring from a registered nurse – and everything in between.

The senior home care services are about more than just providing the clinical health care the clients need. They’ll work to get you, or your loved one, back to doing the things you love – because – it’s time to

celebrate aging! It all starts with a FREE Caring Consult with one of their expert Care Designers. Their purpose is ‘Making Lives Better’!

The services they provide are: Taking Care - Attentive visits, delicious meals and light housekeeping, of course but what do you love to do? We'll help you set achievable goals to improve your health and independence.

Enriched Care - Stay comfortable and safe in your own home. Medication and daily living.

Support with life's essentials - bathing, dressing and toileting Delicious meal preparation and assistance (if required) Ensure home safety Medication management (and reminders) Alzheimer's and dementia support And everything including the previous pillar Vital Care - Daily, live-in, or even end-oflife caring. A qualified caregiver or nurse ensures attentive caring.

Alzheimer's and dementia support Live-in caring Skilled nurse caring

End-of-life caring Wound care / post-operative caring / complex caring Special needs caring And everything included in the previous Pillars Nurse Next Door Home Care Services (Thunder Bay) 325 Archibald Street South Thunder Bay, Ontario P7E 1G6 (807)346-0055 E-Mail, thunderbay@nursenextdoor.com. www.nursenextdoor.com/home-care/thunder-bay-on It is very reassuring to know that meaningful and caring people such as Suzanne Tighe and her caring team of professionals

offer such services in our city, for ourselves and the seniors in our families.

Suzanne has dedicated herself to her true calling!

It is also important to mention that this year, May 28, 2015, was a proud day for Suzanne Tighe, when she accepted the award for Influential Women, Entrepreneur of the Year! The award was presented at the annual Influential Women of Northern Ontario Awards, at the Valhalla Inn, here in Thunder Bay. Congratulations to all and to Suzanne Tighe Owner/Managing Director - Nurse Next Door.

PAGE 14

THUNDER BAY BUSINESS JUNE 2015

What is your SPA? (Self-Perceptions of Aging) Many people have a pre-determined idea of what they will be like once they get to

their senior years. Based solely on their family history and experiences, some may already even be inclined to accept their limited longevity as well. Henry Ford, the founder of the Ford automobile and line assembly, once said “ If you think you can or you think you can’t, you are right.”

There has been over twenty years of research by psychologists into this whole topic as it is related to health, longevity

and mortality. These researches wanted to know if a person’s positive or negative attitudes about aging along with their attitudes about their personal health actually could predict their future health and longevity. Results were impressive.

Older adults (70 years old) who had the poorest SPA lived ten years less than those with the highest SPA. This association continued even when taking into account factors like age, physical health, cognitive function and well-being. Another study looked at young adulthood (18-49) and found that a negative SPA was predictive of increased angina attacks, congestive heart failures, myocardial infarctions, stokes and transient ischemic attacks.

The general conclusion then is that your SPA becomes a self-filling prophecy. If you think you are going to be in poor health or consider yourself “over the hill” at whatever arbitrary age you have decided upon, then there is a high likelihood that it will happen. However, if you alternatively believe that you will be fit, healthy and live to a long a ripe old age then your chances are considerably better that that will happen. Of course, this only goes along with your natural desire to do all the

right things to get you there.

Sometimes, some of my patients will make comments such as “well, my father/mother/uncle had heart disease at sixty years old” or that “this or that disease runs in the family”. If you remember from one of my previous columns I mentioned how lifestyle and environment have a much bigger influence on your health (80-95%) than does your genetic make-up (5-20%).

Some of you may be aware of the Blue Zone project. The origins of this project came from research and a book called The Blue Zone, 2004. The book focuses on five regions of the world where people live the longest and the healthiest and then categorizes nine lifestyle, dietary and cultural factors which have allowed these populations to live much longer lives than the average person living in modern society.

Key factors included things like daily low impact activity and exercise (walking, gardening), decreasing calorie intake, minimal to modest consumption of meat with heavy consumption of vegetable, fruits, legumes and nuts. Cultural factors included daily social networking and laughter, regular interactions with youth, strong family, community and spiritual connections, and

regular rest periods throughout the day and week. Very obviously missing from all of these factors is any reference to, prescription or OTC drugs or high tech medical examinations and procedures. The Blue Zone project then attempted to use this information to create longevity in some American cities and work places. In Alpert Lea Minnesota (population 19 000) within just one year, the Blue Zone project was able to decrease health care expenses for city employees by 49% and also increase the average estimated longevity by 2.9 years.

Perhaps Henry Ford’s saying could be paraphrased to read: If you believe you will (live a long and health life) or you don’t believe you will (live a long and health life), you are correct.

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.

THUNDER BAY BUSINESS JUNE 2015

PAGE 15

Thunder Bay Hydro Recognizes Retrofit Thunder Bay Hydro recently recognized four local businesses at its 2015 Retrofit Excellence in Energy Efficiency &

Conservation Awards. Each award recipient had made a significant impact on Thunder Bay’s green economy over the past year, demonstrating leadership to save energy by participating in the Thunder Bay Hydro saveONenergy RETROFIT PROGRAM. The conservation program provides incentives for commercial operations to install newer, more energy efficient solutions.

Says Tim Wilson, Vice-President, Customer and Information Services, of Thunder Bay Hydro; “The Retrofit Awards highlight how many Thunder Bay organizations are putting an increased focus on energy conservation. These efforts are a triple win for our community because they help our electricity system, the environment and the wider economy.”

Two new awards have been added to this year’s initiative. The Not-For-Profit Award recognizes one local organization that has exhibited leadership in energy efficiency through the Retrofit Program, while the Electrical Distributor Award is being presented to the distributor that conducted the highest amount of retrofits in the community this year. The recipients of the 2015 Retrofit Excellence in Energy Efficiency & Conservation Awards are as follows: Best Western PLUS Nor’Wester Hotel & Conference Centre • Retrofit Measure: Interior & Exterior LED Lighting • Key Stats: Saved 72,969 kWh, which translates to 6% annual electricity savings.

Bombardier Transportation in Thunder Bay • Retrofit Measure: Installed commercial high-bay lighting • Key Stats: Payback period for installation is less than one year. Saved 348,998 kWh, which is enough to power 35 homes in Thunder Bay for a year.

George Jeffrey Children’s Centre • Retrofit Measure: LED lighting fixtures • Key Stats: Retrofit incentives covered over 35 % of project costs.

MGM Electric Limited • Key Stats: Secured the most Retrofit projects in 2014.

The RETROFIT PROGRAM involves upgrades to high efficiency equipment such as lighting, motors and heating, and for installing new control systems. In 2014 over 100 retrofits were completed in Thunder Bay, saving over 3.9 million kWh. In total $493,000 was paid out in

incentives to local participating businesses.

“It is exciting to see the increasing adoption of energy efficient solutions by local organizations;” says Jake Allen, Energy

Services Advisor of Thunder Bay Hydro.

“Better energy management can help organizations cut costs but in addition to as

helping the bottom line, many organizations know that energy efficiency is a substantial business growth opportunity.”

Thunder Bay Hydro Conservation is now seeking 2015 RETROFIT Recruits to participate in the program over the next year.

Continues Allen; “With a large focus on lighting in 2014, we are challenging Thunder Bay businesses to consider upgrading HVAC units, motors, controls, ventilation systems along with refrigeration.” www.tbhydro.saveonenergy.ca/retrofit Tom Walters CEO of George Jeffrey Treatment Centre. “ Like all organizations we are interested in being green and also in saving some money. We had some broken lights on the exterior of our building and the cost to replace with LED light made sense. It was an easy process and we have gone from 175 watts to 35 watts which means for us as a non profit we can put more money into services for kids. We are currently examining our lighting inside the building to see if we can save there as well.The lights are much brighter and we are very pleased with how the place is lit up at

night.”

Tim Wilson VP Customer Service nd Conservation Thunder Bay Hydro “It is important for customers a s it helps them reduce their hydro bills and they can put that money to better uses whether it is to increase sales or make capital improvements. At Thunder Bay Hydro we have provincially mandated hydro savings targets we have to achieve. We are doing our best to encourage customers to make these savings. The customer saves money and the hydro gets to make our targets.

We are just entering into a new 6 year program and have to achieve further savings.

It is getting harder to achieve the savings based on what we have done already. We are looking to step it up to heating and cooling saving from just lighting. The bigger you are the more opportunity you have to achieve savings. We see small business can easily get into 10% and even 20 %. The private sector is the easiest to reach because they understand the savings and how it effects their business results.”

PAGE 16

THUNDER BAY BUSINESS JUNE 2015