Business June 2017 by Scott Sumner

Thunder Bay Truck Centre Celebrates 40th Anniversary serving Northwestern Ontario!

INSIDE Real Estate Deposits World’s Largest One-day Leadership Conference was Simulcast in Thunder Bay Better water infrastructure for Thunder Bay residents North Superior Publishing @tbay25

BDC Office Celebrates 55 Years in Thunder Bay

World’s Largest One-day Leadership Conference to be Simulcast in Thunder

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BDC Office Celebrates 55 Years in Thunder Bay BY SCOTT A. SUMNER

Thunder Bay BUSINESS Many years ago as a young person who had recently finished the Honours Bachelor of Commerce program at Lakehead University I got a job in business banking.That job was with the FBDB or Federal Business Development Bank which is now known as BDC! It was fun to sit down with John Guarasci, age 41, the Manager Business Centre Ontario North Thunder Bay and Sault Ste Marie to find out the Thunder Bay BDC has been open for 55 years. 55 years is a long time to be in Thunder Bay serving Northwestern Ontario? “ It started as FBDB. The organization began with a need to support entrepreneurship in some way. The support has changed throughout the years. BDC had a big manufacturing focus at the beginning and things are changing with manufacturing still important but now with ICT- tech companies and innovation. I can see how much it has changed in the last 5 years, working here, with more focus on ICT,

tech support, women entrepreneurs and indigenous groups for entrepreneurship. BDC is trying to cater to the change and be on the forefront in these areas.” How did your career lead you to working at BDC? “ I graduated in business from Brock University in St Catherines after doing my first year at Lakehead. My dad was interested in getting a franchise going here in Thunder Bay and we went down to Southern Ontario and talked to a few franchises he was interested in. None of it went through but what happened was I realized what I wanted to do in business was work with entrepreneurs. I loved the process of looking at the market, the opportunity and the specialization of this entrepreneurship focus was at Brock.” What is your goal at BDC? “ BDC’s number one focus is supporting entrepreneurs. Our anniversary event recently was really celebrating 55 years helping entrepreneurs in the region. We’re not successful unless they are successful. Our anniversary was to recognize some success in the community.”

“We are a federal crown corporation with a mandate of supporting entrepreneurs and being complimentary with other financial institutions. We can provide financing. Our second part is advisory services working with companies to get them the advice they need to be successful. It can be be from strategic planning, marketing, HR, financial management and being efficient and more innovative. Our advisory group has a roster of consultants in different areas. Our support is behind the consultants. As a business centre we like to have workshops in the community and recently did an innovation seminar. In Thunder Bay we have 4 account managers, a client relations officer and myself, as well as 2 account managers in Sault Ste Marie.”

where more people are looking to transition their business to new owners. BDC can help with this locally. We have a head office growth and transition division if it is a larger transition.”

What is your impression of the local economy? “ I see our economic environment has a lot of change happening right now. The traditional business are still here but I am seeing more technology and software companies coming in. The university and college are seeing growth in this area as well. For business here now it is not just about being local but how you reach new markets through the internet. This transition is happening.” “ Change of ownership is happening

You can contact our office, we will connect you with an account manager and then see where we can help!”

THUNDER BAY BUSINESS JUNE 2017

Publisher’s Note Scott Sumner

Leadercast is the world’s largest oneday leadership conference, broadcast live from Atlanta and simulcast to hundreds of locations around the world on

May 5th, 2017. This year marks the seventeenth year of the annual leadership conference and the first year that Leadership Thunder Bay and the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce hosted the event locally at the Victoria Inn Hotel & Convention Centre. The theme of this year’s conference was “Powered by Purpose.” Purpose is what defines us, drives us and empowers us. It is the glue for an organization and the fuel for an individual. Today’s organization can’t rely on old practices. A new organization is emerging and at the center of its driving force is the igniting power of purpose. • Companies with ideals of improving people’s lives at the center of all they do outperform others by 400% • More than 70% of people consider an organization’s environmental and/or social impact when deciding where to work

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World’s Largest One-day Leadership Conference was Simulcast in Thunder Bay May • Employees that feel they are working towards a good cause show increased productivity by up to 30% • People who are able to make a social or environmental impact on the job are more satisfied by a 2:1

ratio The conference allowed attendees to discover the steps they can take to uncover their purpose, to reconnect to their organization’s “why”, to attract and engage the right people for your efforts and to thrive as a team. Key speakers – with purpose-driven leadership– inspired the hundreds of people who attend locally, and the more than 100,000 people that did attend the event live in Atlanta or at hundreds of other simulcast locations in more than 20

countries. Among the keynote speakers are: • Daniel Pink – Behavioral Science Expert, Best-Selling Author & Host of Crowd Control • Molly Fletcher – Former Top Sports Agent & Author • Andy Stanley – Leadership Author & Communicator • Suzy Welch- Author, TV Commentator, & Business Journalist • Henry CloudAcclaimed Leadership Expert, Clinical Psychologist, & Best-Selling Author • Jess Ekstrom- CEO of Headbands of Hope • Tyler Perry- Director, Playwright, Screenwriter, Producer, Actor, Author & Entrepreneur For years, Leadercast has brought people together and equipped them to become better leaders, managers, community members, and employees. Here is what people have to say about Leadercast: “With a constantly impressive lineup of speakers and the on-target themes yearover-year (and at such a value), I consider Leadercast a ‘can’t miss’ event,” Kalpana OOmmen, Vice President Talent Acquisition, Cox Enterprises & 9-year Leadercast attendee. “The whole day was interesting from start to finish. It was valuable to hear from leaders from various fields, as each had different perspectives and

ThunderBay Business Next Issue Deadline: 150 Canada Celebrations June 26th Contact Sylvia 629-7599 or Scott 628-7095 www.thunderbaybusiness.ca

experiences. I was able to learn from leaders whom I otherwise would not have known of because I was unfamiliar with their work,” Katie Booth, Mount Vernon Nazarene University. “For me, it’s a re-charge. For one day I can plug-in, focus on me – my impact, obstacles, and growth opportunities. I love that it is not only a lecture but it’s an immersive experience that keeps me engaged…by a multisensory approach,” Patrick Williams, Marketing Director, SunTrust Bank.

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terms.

When you agree to buy real estate, you pay a deposit to the seller’s realtor or lawyer. This deposit does more than show your willingness to buy the property. In most cases, if you fail to complete the purchase with no good excuse, that

There are some cases in which the buyer argues that the deposit was not intended to be forfeited, and that does depend upon the wording of the agreement of purchase and sale, but the use of the word “deposit” without qualification indicates that the deposit is forfeited. The standard form residential agreement provided by the Ontario Real Estate Association provides for forfeiture. Custom drafted commercial agreements might vary.

Legal Matters deposit is forfeited (paid to the seller) without the seller having to prove that they suffered any damages at all. You should know your rights, and if necessary, may wish to negotiate favourable

Even where the seller turns around and sells the property at a higher price, the deposit may still be retained by the seller, in most cases. This is not the end of the story. The buyer

may argue for “relief from forfeiture”. This may be available where the deposit is out of proportion to the seller’s losses, and thus is a “penalty”. There is however, the further requirement that it be “unconscionable” for the seller to retain the funds. The law as to what facts constitute unconscionability is still developing. It depends upon the entire context of the transaction. Courts avoid classifying deposits as penalties, and prefer to classify them as stipulated damages., because enforcing the parties’ agreement is part of the recognition that contracts are bargains made by the parties. The analysis however, turns on the concept of equity, or fairness to the parties, rather than strict rules of law.

In a recent Ontario Court of Appeal decision, it was held that retaining a deposit of $750,000.00 on a failed $10,225,000.00 warehouse purchase was not unconscionable. In particular, the court considered the fact that the deposit had been increased in response to a request from the sophisticated buyer for an extension of the closing date. Although the deposit was large in straight dollar terms, it was only 7 per cent of the purchase price. Prior cases had upheld forfeiture in cases as high as 20 per cent. Lawyers at Weilers Law have been advising on real estate deals for over 70 years.

Aviation Centre of Excellence Adds Outdoor Space to Engage Community “The new outdoor space not only acts as a way to welcome visitors to ACE, but also presents an opportunity to recognize the contributions made by those members of the School whom we’ve lost,” said Paul de Oude, Chair of Aviation. “We are grateful to SUCCI for having the vision to create this important space for our students, employees and community.”

Confederation College’s Aviation Centre of Excellence (ACE), with the support of the Student Union (SUCCI), has added an outdoor space for students and employees to enjoy, which is also open to members of the community. With a clear view of the ACE runways, visitors will be able to witness the College’s flight activities first-hand. The new space also honours members of the School of Aviation who have lost their lives, including students, alumni and employees. “We wanted to create an accessible space for members of our College and the community to further engage with our aviation programs by giving them a place to watch the flight activities comfortably,” said Jodi Connor, President of the Student Union. “We also know the space will become a gathering place for students and employees to enjoy camaraderie and pause to remember those members of the School of Aviation who are no longer with us.”

Caption – The Aviation Centre of Excellence at Confederation College opened a new outdoor space for students, employees and community members to enjoy. Pictured (L-R) are Chair of Trades and Apprenticeship John Kantola, Chair of Aviation Paul de Oude, incoming SUCCI Senator of Aviation Daniel Link and SUCCI President Jodi Connor. Missing from the photo is outgoing SUCCI Senator of Aviation Callum Kyle, also integral to the project.

SUCCI contributed approximately $9,500 towards a flag pole being installed, while students from the College’s skilled trades programs crafted picnic tables. MP Don Rusnak generously donated the Canadian flag for

the pole and a memorial plaque was created using Aerospace Manufacturing technology to accompany the memorial tree, which was planted when the Aviation Centre of Excellence opened in 2003.

Community engagement and support has always been a priority for the Aviation Centre of Excellence. It has hosted several community events, most recently the 2016 visit from the Legends of Victory Tour in partnership with the Thunder Bay International Airport and the Northwestern Ontario Aviation Heritage Centre. It also proudly supports northwestern Ontario as it can, one such example being when the ACE team worked together with the Thunder Bay Airport Authority to help displaced residents of Sandy Lake First Nation during the forest fire evacuation in 2011.

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Concussions – A Primer There has been a lot of media attention over the last five years about concussions, mainly due to the impact concussions have had on high profile athletes like Sydney Crosby and several NFL players.

Concussions: A type of traumatic brain injury (TBI) caused by a blow or sudden force to the body strong enough to cause the brain to jar or shake inside the skull. Loss of consciousness is not necessary although it does increase recovery time. When alive, the brain is much like Jello. Therefore, when jarred or shaken the entire brain is affected and not just the site of impact. This is the reason why there are so many different symptoms from headaches to concentration issues, emotional and mood changes to sleep disturbances, balance and physical effects. The mechanism of injury can be linear (moving front to back or side to side) or rotational. Rotational forces are much more damaging as nerve axons

and interconnections are much more prone to tearing. Once the brain is rattled (concussed) it causes an immediate chain reaction of biochemical and neurological events. Certain neurotransmitters spill out over the injured area causing a hyper excited state which causes blood vessels to first expand then contract - migraines and vision symptoms. This leads to imbalances and lack of good blood flow and oxygen to the brain tissue creating an “energy crisis”. At this point any stimulation or mental or physical effort becomes difficult. It takes approximately one week for the energy crisis to dissipate. This is a very sensitive and critical time in the healing process. Any premature return to activity can significantly compromise brain healing. A second concussion during this “energy crisis” phase can be catastrophic as there is a risk of death. So if in doubt, sit it out. Initial treatment should consist of drastically reducing but not completely eliminating stimulus. Keeping a teenager completely away from social interaction and media for extended periods of time can create anxiety and depression. The idea is to rest the brain with a slow introduction of various activities up to when symptoms reappear and then back off and rest some more. The brain is not like a muscle. Pushing past the pain or symptoms is counter productive and will lead to slower recovery. As the brain heals the increased activity should reflect what the person does most. If they are a hockey player get on the ice, a swimmer in the pool, a soccer player on the field touching the ball, a student back to school. When in school, initially it’s a good idea for someone else to take notes and sit at

the back of the class. Also of prime importance is getting proper nutrition and oxygen to the brain. The nervous system needs food. Making sure you are taking in protein with every meal as well as omega fatty acids and B vitamins can greatly improve the proper blood sugar to the brain. Practicing proper breathing techniques to maximize oxygen to the brain is also very important. Not everyone responds in the same way to concussion injuries. Modern day teens are wired differently than previous generations due to the high amount of screen time they experience. As a result there brains are more hypersensitive and thus amongst other factors could account for the dramatic increase in concussions seen. Male and female brains are also wired differently. The male brain could be compared to a diesel truck that just keeps chugging along while the female brain tends to be more like a sports car, high performance and better at multitasking. As such females may find it more difficult to recover from a concussion. Also, seniors are more susceptible to concussions even with minor traumas

such as a fall or walking into walls. Other health issues can mask or mimic concussion symptoms which can often lead to delayed or a missed diagnosis. Most people (90%) will fully recover from a concussion within 30 days. The other 10% could have persistent symptoms for several months or longer. Repetitive concussions can lead to serious health problems. It's nothing to shake your head at.

James DiGiuseppe is a local chiropractor with a busy family and wellness practice. For more health information or to contact Dr. DiGiuseppe visit www.portarthurchiropractic.com.

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Businesses Shift Forward with Corporate Memberships Businesses are helping to shift Thunder Bay forward by fostering growth among their under 40 employees and in turn, fostering growth within the community. Local organizations are becoming corporate members of SHIFT: Thunder Bay’s Young Professionals Network. The corporate membership includes annual registration for up to five employees, all of whom gain full access to membership benefits. “We wanted to provide a bundled option for our corporate supporters. We recognized that there were several organizations with multiple SHIFT members and wanted to reward those organizations by creating a package with some additional corporate benefits,” said Ashleigh Quarrell, Director of Membership Services for

SHIFT. “Through this approach, we hope more organizations will see the value of supporting their under 40 employees to become SHIFTers. SHIFT represents an opportunity for young professionals to focus on career and personal development, while getting involved and making an important impact in our community.” The corporate membership starts at $250 for up to five employees, but at the time of registration, organizations can include additional members at the discounted annual rate of $50. Member benefits include a 20% discount for all SHIFT events, invitations to SHIFTer only events, an online membership profile and more. The corporate membership also provides the organization with the opportunity to send an e-mail to members throughout the year. The first corporate member to sign up in early 2017 was long-time SHIFT supporter, RBC. “RBC is extremely proud to be the first corporate member of SHIFT Thunder Bay,” said Michael Nitz, Regional Manager, Small Business at RBC for Northern Ontario. “We have been involved with the organization since day one, with members on the inaugural board, and we continue to recognize the great work of this group of young professionals. Corporate membership offers a great opportunity to encourage more employees to become involved, and further demonstrates our commitment to the community of Thunder Bay.” Other corporate members include Copperfin Credit Union, Grant Thorton and Sencia Canada Ltd., all of whom have been important supporters of SHIFT. The opportunities for businesses don’t end with corporate membership. Organizations can get involved with SHIFT in a variety of other ways including event sponsorship and offering a SHIFTer benefit. Benefits are provided to SHIFT members and can range from discounted products or services to reserved seats or free tickets to events. Each opportunity represents a way to connect with the young professionals in Thunder Bay and promote an organization to the membership. For more information and to register for a corporate SHIFT membership, visit www.shiftnetwork.ca. To inquire about sponsorship opportunities or to discuss offering a benefit to SHIFT members, please e-mail info@shiftnetwork.ca or call (807) 624-2628.

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Thunder Bay Truck Centre Celebrates 40th Anniversary serving Northwestern Ontario BY SCOTT A. SUMNER

Thunder Bay BUSINESS It isn’t every day you get to visit a long time successful business in our area. It was fun to sit down with Dave Mack, General Manager of Thunder Bay Truck Centre, to talk about their 40th year anniversary of starting as a Peterbilt dealer in 1977. The company was previously known as KBM with various businesses. The maintenance division of that company was turned into

Montreal that manufacture the smaller trucks like dump truck type vehicles. Perterbilt has long been known as the “Cadillac” of trucks and the most prestigious in the industry since its inception. “ We began operation on Cumberland Street and then built a new facility on Commerce Street in 1979. There was a fire here in 2008 when 65 % of the building was destroyed but we rebuilt and made it better and bigger,” said Dave Mack. “ We have grown, starting with 15 employees

bring the trucks to our shop to fix. Parts are open Saturday morning as well. We usually have 10 to 60 trucks here at one time including customers trucks and between 5 and 15 new to sell.” said Dave Mack. This year because of the Thunder Bay Truck Centre 40th anniversary, they took some paint designs from 1977 and had some new trucks decaled by Pro graphics with the same artwork from 1977, a sample of which is on our front cover These massive impressive units including the Manac trailer and new truck can cost as much as $275,000 plus tax and could haul wood chips, hog fuel or that kind of product. The Thunder Bay Truck Centre AOR, or area of responsibility, is from the Manitoba border to White River and Hearst and everything north. “ We have owner operators in the logging, construction, road repairs, gravel, haulage, floats that do contract logging, chipping, construction and freight haul, say with Courtesy Freight. The units could be

the Peterbilt division!

and today with a staff of 70 people.”

Dave Mack has been working in the business since it’s start working part time at a young age for 5 years and then full time now for 35 years. He saw the first trucks go out and is one of three owners of the business.

Thunder Bay Truck Centre provide sales of trucks and trailers, both new and used. There is a parts division and service division.

Thunder Bay Truck Centre is the oldest original consecutive Peterbilt dealer in Canada. There are a total of 10 dealer groups and 33 stores. Thunder Bay Truck Centre has stores in Thunder Bay, Dryden and Fort Frances. Large Peterbilt trucks are manufactured in Denton, Texas near Dallas and there is another plant at St Terese Quebec just near

The customers of Thunder Bay Truck Centre are in industry. They have customers from all across Canada who are passing though Dryden and Thunder Bay and are open 8am to midnight 5 days a week to deal with transient business and fleet accounts. “We are 8 hours from Winnipeg and 8 hours from Sault Ste. Marie so it is a good middle point. For break down services we

float trucks, cement mixers, garbage, hauling or freight. Truck means it could have a dump attacked or tractor means you hook up to a trailer to haul.” said Mack.

The trucks are all diesel powered. The Thunder Bay Truck Centre mechanics are trained extensively at the factory, on line and in house. They go through an apprenticement program say at Confederation College with beginning, intermediate and advanced levels and it takes 5 years to become a Class A Truck and Coach mechanic. They are paid well, and Thunder Bay Truck Centre hasn’t had a layoff since the early 2000’s. It is consistent employment. Service is a big part of the business and they will work on any vehicle with a rubber tire that will fit through the door of Thunder Bay Truck Centre building which is 18,000 square feet.

Continued Next Page

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Thunder Bay Truck Centre Celebrates 40th Anniversary serving Northwestern Ontario Continued From Previous Page “ We are quite happy with our overall sales today. Parts are excellent, service is good and sales of trucks and trailers are good. We are very optimistic about the next couple of years and watch the economy very closely. The biggest thing that affects our business is housing starts, especially in the US. Housing starts drives everything as trucks haul all our lumber goods. Housing starts are looking good, they are forecasting through 2020 that is will be a good market,” said Dave Mack. “ I’m hoping Trump won’t have an

impact. The one thing we have going for us is the high US dollar. If the US dollar dropped and the tariffs stayed on we could have trouble but the sawmills are doing well with the exchange rate. If the US realize their own domestic market for lumber can’t fulfill their needs they will have to do something.”

in Canada due to our conditions being harsher here versus Florida with some additional warranty costs built in.” said Dave Mack.

The trucks today are much better on fuel economy according to Dave Mack. “When we started nobody looked at fuel

“ The dollar at 73 cents is a big plus for our customers when they are selling their products. For us at Thunder Bay Truck Centre we buy in the US and are billed in US dollars. A 1 cent rise in the US dollar can be $1500 to $1800 additional cost per unit. When we were on par with the US Dollar to now 73 cents just on the exchange it was over $ 27,000 per truck unit or more on exchange. The trucks cost the same in the US and Canada after currency costs with some additional costs economy, it wasn’t a factor as gas cost was less. You would get 3 to 3 1/2 miles per gallon. Now we use the Paccar engines which are owned by Peterbilt. We just love the engine now and fuel economy is much better with regulations on green house gases. More of the fuel is turned to power than exhaust. Before more fuel was going out the stack so now the fuel economy it is 7.5 to 8.5 miles per gallon, over double than the past. Today the clients are watching fuel economy which is nice for us as we always wanted to sell efficiency and provide an efficient truck.”

The trucks you will see on the road include Volvo, Freightliner, Western Star, Kenworth and Peterbilt. There are three other full large truck dealerships in Thunder Bay.

You need a Class A or D license to operate this size of unit and a Z endorsement for airbrake. Continued

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Thunder Bay Truck Centre Celebrates 40th Anniversary serving Northwestern Ontario Continued “ I love the truck industry. I love the people. We have a fantastic staff here. The truck industry is advancing quicker than almost any other industry. We are on par with aviation with changes in the products,” said Dave Mack. “ I tour the plants quite often and the use of robotics has increased so much. It is a very changing industry but yet the

same.”

Whats on the horizon of Thunder Bay Truck Centre? “ Peterbilt wants us to expand and have every 200 miles coverage for their products. NW Ontario is a little differ-

Congratulations Thunder Bay Truck Centre on 40 years of growth in Northwestern Ontario From the Team at North Superior Publishing Inc

ent with less population. We are always looking to expand, to grow and have a fairly good chunk of the market now on parts and trucks sales. They are very happy with us. We exceed our market share requirements by a lot,” says Mack. “ I’m happy with the local economy. I like consistency you can plan for and I don’t like spikes. We have friends who have dealerships in Alberta and would not change places with them

as they are up and down and it is hard to gear up sometimes. We like consistency and growth and we haven’t out grown this facility. Our goal is to expand coverage down the road in Northern Ontario east from here.”

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Thunder Bay Truck Centre History does, and offering Best in Class products whether it be parts, service, trucks or trailers. Since its inception, TBTC has prided itself in its Commitment to Excellence.

In 1972 three brother-in-laws formed KBM Investments. KBM specialized in forestry, construction and equipment maintenance. Their offices were located at 115 N. Cumberland St. in Thunder Bay.

only dealership in North America to be a dual dealer for Peterbilt and Freightliner/Mercedes Benz. With the acquisition of the Freightliner dealership the company name was changed to Thunder Bay Truck Centre Inc.

In the fall of 1976, KBM applied for a Peterbilt truck dealership. On March 7, 1977, they were awarded the third Peterbilt franchise to come to Canada.

Thunder Bay Truck Centre remained a dual dealer until 1992 at which time they dropped the Freightliner/Mercedes Benz franchise.

In 1979, they built a new dealership at their current location at 1145 Commerce St. in Thunder Bay and moved their operations here in June of the same year. With the move, Peterbilt Thunder Bay was established.

In 1999, TBTC began construction on their second branch, Peterbilt Fort Frances, at 505 McIrvine Rd in Fort Frances. The new store opened in July of 2000. The Thunder Bay location went through major renovations in 2003 with a change to open concept parts display area and the addition of 1,600 square feet of warehouse

In 1984, Peterbilt Thunder Bay became the

space. In the early morning of February 21, 2008 the service area of the Thunder Bay location was destroyed by fire. After a very trying and difficult year the newly designed and expanded facility was reopened on February 21, 2009. In the fall of 2013, the third location, Peterbilt Dryden, was started. An existing building at 70 Keith Avenue, in Dryden was gutted and renovated. It opened on May 3, 2014 with a Grand Opening Celebration which involved all three stores. Thunder Bay Truck Centre has built itself up through the years by hiring the best in employees, providing excellence in all it

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Better water infrastructure for Thunder Bay residents 221 new projects approved in 86 communities The governments of Canada and Ontario are committed to investing in local infrastructure that ensures Canadians and their families have access to modern, reliable water and wastewater services that meet their needs. These investments safeguard the health and well-being of residents, protect waterways and preserve local ecosystems, while also laying the foundation for new economic opportunities to strengthen the middle class across the province. The federal government is providing up to 50 per cent of funding for these projects— over $5.5 million. The provincial government is providing up to 25 per cent of funding for these projects—just over $2.7 million of total eligible costs, and the City of Thunder Bay will provide the balance of funding. Thanks to this investment, residents of Thunder Bay will benefit from city-wide stormwater infrastructure inventory assessment, as well as design and construction of 16 storm water management facilities. The region will also benefit from the construction of new stormsewers and outfalls to improve stormwater passage and capacity. These projects are essential to keeping our waterways clean and our communities healthy and livable. In addition to these projects, over $13.6 million in federal funding for 187 water and wastewater projects will benefit 85 other communities across Ontario.

This investment is part of an agreement between Canada and Ontario for the Clean Water and Wastewater Fund. Quotes “Investing in water and wastewater treatment infrastructure is essential to maintaining a healthy environment and providing access to clean, reliable drinking water. The Government of Canada is working with provinces, territories and municipalities across the country to support important projects like those in Thunder Bay, which ensure that Canadian communities are healthy and sustainable now and for years to come.” The Honourable Patty Hadju, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, and Member of Parliament for Thunder Bay-Superior North, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities “These investments will mean real change for community members living in Thunder Bay and the region. Water and wastewater infrastructure are essential to the health and well-being of families across Northwestern Ontario and I am proud that our government recognizes the importance of reliable access to clean drinking water.” Don Rusnak, Member of Parliament for Thunder Bay-Rainy River

wastewater infrastructure for municipalities, First Nations and Local Services Boards across the province. We continue to invest in the kinds of infrastructure projects that keep our communities safe, provide reliable access to clean water, and protect our waterways.” Bill Mauro, Member of Provincial Parliament for Thunder Bay-Atikokan “The City of Thunder Bay is pleased to receive the $8.3 million in funding from the Federal and Provincial Governments. Thanks to this investment, our residents will benefit from infrastructure improvements that are essential to keeping our waterways clean and our community healthy. We appreciate the commitment to enhance local infrastructure that citizens rely and depend upon every day.”

· The Government of Canada will provide more than $180 billion in infrastructure funding over 12 years for public transit, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, transportation that supports trade, and Canada’s rural and northern communities. · Budget 2017 proposes $21.9 billion for investments for green infrastructure. This amount includes $5 billion that will be available for investment through the Canada Infrastructure Bank. · The Government of Ontario is making the largest infrastructure investment in hospitals, schools, public transit, roads and bridges, and water and wastewater infrastructure in the province’s history – more than $190 billion in public infrastructure over 13 years, starting in 2014–15. To learn more about what’s happening in your community, go to Ontario.ca/BuildON.

Keith Hobbs, Mayor of Thunder Bay “The government of Ontario is proud to be investing almost $270 million in water and

Quick facts

Five New Companies Announced for Costarter The Costarter Accelerator Program introduced its third cohort of five innovative companies at the hub:north incubator space in Waverley Library.

“ Right now we are dedicated to Thunder Bay but could expand to other cities as well. Many other cities could benefit from this service.”

The Costarter Accelerator Program is a three month intensive and mentorship-driven program in which the five companies receive a small investment of $15,000, office space, advisory assistance and access to funders. Over the three month period, each company will focus on moving their idea or early concept towards a viable and revenue generating business using a lean start up methodology. The Costarter Program participant companies are: Redox North – On the cutting edge of battery technology, Redox North is looking to create the next big thing in battery technology. Kumbaya Kombucha – Following the emerging beverage trends in North America is Kumbaya Kombucha. Their locally grown kombucha tea is set to hit retailers by storm and give a new and exciting tea drinking experience. Rent Panda – This company wants to revolutionize the living space rental industry by providing an eye-pleasing and user-friendly experience to those listing or looking to rent. ASM Innovations – Wants to change the way people look at greenhouses. Their innovative greenhouse designs integrate cutting edge technology that stands to revolutionize how food is grown in the North. NWO Solutions – This year’s winners of DisruptIT weekend are building an exciting customer service application that creates a

Kyle Rodrigues, Chief Technology Officer and Bradley Momberg CEO at Redox North, They are both Lakehead University graduating electrical engineering students who transferred from Southern Ontario after completing technology programs there. They are both 26 years old.

better help desk experience for a telecom company’s customers, while reducing the telecom company’s costs. The Costarter Accelerator Program is a collaboration between the Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre, the Thunder Bay CEDC and Entrepreneur Centre, Thunder Bay Ventures, and Thunder Bay Public Library. Richard Togman, Rent Panda “ Our company is really unique both in terms of the technology we use and the services we provide. For the rental market you are maybe using Kiijii or Facebook which aren’t built or designed for rental housing, basically just a blank sheet for you to use.” “ At Rent Panda we have something that is designed for renters and landlords. We talked to hundreds of tenants and dozens of landlords and have a really to use interface, with up to 12 criteria you can choose your properties by. The site has the latest technologies using cameras with professional photography and 360 video tours for an immersive experience for you by phone or

laptop. It gives people an experience they couldn’t get before.” Richard Togman recently finished PHD at the UBC and then his partner got a job in Thunder Bay so decided to join her. “ When we came here I looked for a rental and it wasn’t easy so I came up with this idea to do it better and be something I would want to use.” “ We can take categories like price, bedrooms, pet friendly and neighbourhood. You home really can determine your quality of life in some way so you need to find a good one.” “ Co-starter has been a good experience helping us with our business plan, mentors, the real estate industry introductions and the influx of capital and marketing material.” “Tenants use the service for free and landlords get professional photography. If you want a 360 video service that will cost more. We are communicating with tenants to determine how the landlord has been to work with to build a review system.”

“ We were able to start a company here with access to the expensive tools we needed.” Why become entrepreneurs? “We both come from large company backgrounds and turned down job offers when we graduate. We had a school project to complete and decided to do something that will make a difference in society.” “ Since then it is what wakes me up in the morning, it has been our passion and I can’t imagine doing anything else. It is the chance to build something that will be useful for society.” “We make super capacitors for energy storage. It is cost effective for us to do it now by bringing on a new method of manufacturing. We want to apply it to specific markets like off grid applications or basically where battery technology doesn’t work well say because it’s too cold or discharges constantly. We want these capacitors at every wind or solar plant so we can provide energy to the grid when the wind isn’t blowing or sun shining. It store like a battery but not electro chemically. Our technology is different process than a battery. You apply voltage to our super capacitors and now you have a charge.”

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Design Local Buy Local Build Local You Nailed It! By Sherry Aalto DESIGN: When it comes to designing something for your home, no matter if it is a big project or a small one, local business people are there for you. They want to help you and you can tell they put passion into serving you! They can advise on the best design, best products and can help you save dollars and time! The best part is, you get to talk to actual people, either over the phone or in person. Many contrac-

tors and home improvement companies will come out to your home or site and prepare an estimate for you. In the stores, you can actually see and touch the products you are interested in, that way you can feel so much more confident when you can actually see the product or even take a number of the swatches home with you by shopping local. Local business owners want to help you. Yes! To get really honest…they are also in business for the same reasons you go to your job….to make a living! Can you blame them? With Fall just around the corner, people like yourself, will be wanting to get a few projects completed before the snow flies. You may want to do some cosmetic updating to your home or your landscaping. You may want to install a wood fireplace or install new cabinets in your home. There are many things that you can do and so before you rush over to the computer to shop online or drive a couple of hours across borders, give your local business people the opportunity to show you what they can do for you, in your home and in your wallet! Everything from architecture, professional home designs and products for every part of your home. Kitchens, baths, recreational areas, patios, fencing, yards, driveways, garages, sheds, lighting, landscaping, bird baths, just about everything you can imagine, Thunder Bay has it all covered for you! BUY: With all the competition out there these days, it is a wonder how local business actually stay in business! But

the reason they do is because a lot of you still believe in the ‘buy local’ program! Everyone knows it is easy to get things online these days and have them shipped directly to your home…only problem is…if the wrong product is sent or you ordered the wrong thing yourself, or ordered too much, sending it back can be a little costly. When you deal with local business their services and expertise is all about getting you what you need, how much you need, when you need it with a price that is satisfactory and in a cinch. It is this simple…if there is a problem, they take care of it locally. If you need help with instructions or directions for applications, even though there is youtube, local merchants are happy to help you with that. Business relationships are built on great service and the merchants and contractors want to give you your monies worth. They want you to come into their store and feel like you know them personally! And merchants? Yes! You! The merchant! Give your very best to every customer, the first time and every time! Train your staff how be the best in customer care! You will at times have new people training under you or your store manager and staff. Your new employee wants to feel competent and even though they may be in the preliminary stages of product knowledge and applications, they CAN give the best customer service starting with the greeting, followed up with direction to other staff members who have the knowledge of what your customer is looking for. And your staff should all take part in the professional mentoring of the new personnel. Also bear in mind that when staff has been with you for a while, unknowing to themselves and maybe even yourself, complacency sets in. Complacency has no place in business! Period! Re-energize your staff with enthusiasm, make their what they do for you rewarding, even if it is simply by way of positive acknowledgment for their efforts. Continued

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Design Local Buy Local Build Local You Nailed It! Con tinued Anyone and everyone can point out what is not right but, it takes that extra effort to offer up praise. Your staff is your front line. The first person the customers see when entering your place of business and the last person that the customer completes his or her experience with. You want them, the customer and the staff, to have a remarkable exchange so much that, everyone will want to work for you and customers with be telling everyone else about you! When it comes right down to it, your store is only as good as your staff and if invest in your staff well, not just for knowledge but for the best friendly customer service, you will gain more recognition and that can turn into some pretty serious coin! You feel great! Your staff feels great! And guess who else gets to feel great? That’s right! The customer! Your customer! Treat EVERYONE special! Because they are! BUILD: When you think of building, renovating, redesigning your home or business, performing repairs, landscaping for esthetics or drainage issues,

repairing a basement or expanding or creating new decking for the recreational and relaxation part of your soul, you should consider LOCAL merchants, contractors and design engineers before anyone else! Also there could be some big or small projects that you may want to do yourself around your home and that is great when you have the knowledge to fulfill the task, but when you also do not possess such skillset, seek out the knowledgeable services at your local merchants, contractor and supply companies. You are going to have to buy sup-

plies or product for your task anyway…why not let the local merchants guide you with their knowledge. They really want to take care of you and they want you to come back again and again. There dozens of established local contractors, designers and builders just waiting for your call. Along with the aforementioned, you will also find painters, plumbers, electrician’s, professional window makers and window dressers, cabinetry designers and installers, floor specialists for hardwood, laminate, carpeting, tiling, roofing, soffit and fascia, need I go on? You will be amazed at the amount of information that will be given you when talking with any of these professionals. Here you will find many places that are waiting just to serve you. But with winter coming in so fast, you might want to start dialing now! Even if you have no idea what exactly you want to do, or how much you want to spend…the people at these locally owned business can help guide you and give you the foresight and confidence you need to move forward with your design project and budget in mind. So

give them a call. You won’t be disappointed! The entire process will be an informative and enlightening experience that will have you feeling confident, that you made the right decision to design local, buy local, build local! O.k! You can go online for THIS…the listings of the local merchants and contractors…but then…you have to at least promise to give your local suppliers, designers and builders a call first! Everything you search for on the internet, when it comes to home build, home design or home improvement, is right in

your own home town! You can search on the home pages for your product or service interest…just type in Thunder Bay at the end of your search word in the address bar and see what appears.

You Nailed It!

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THUNDER BAY BUSINESS JUNE 2017

New Regional Search Engine Makes Job Hunting Easy Searching for job opportunities in Northwestern Ontario just became much easier. Recently, the Local Employment Planning Council (LEPC), Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission (CEDC) and www.MovetoNWOntario.ca launched a new regional job search engine at: jobsearch.nswpb.ca. The one-stop job search engine pulls job postings from all major online sources such as career sites, employer job listings and other job boards from Thunder Bay, as well as from the Districts of Kenora and Rainy River. It is free to use and will better connect job seekers with hundreds of career opportunities across the region.

Says Madge Richardson, Executive Director of LEPC: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Because there are so many individual job boards, it is hard for job seekers to effectively search for employment and find the right match for their career goals. The new job search engine simplifies how people will look for employment in Northwestern Ontario but also showcases the diversity, quality and high number of available jobs.â&#x20AC;? The job search engine is designed to help local residents but also better supports newcomers as well as international job seekers who want to relocate to the region. Says Cathy Woodbeck, Executive Director at Thunder Bay Multicultural Association; "With 32 municipalities in Northwestern Ontario, searching for a job is time consum-

ing and an overwhelming task for newcomers. We are working to attract professionals, skilled workers, and international students to our region from within Canada and from overseas but they constantly tell us that they don't know where to start when it comes to finding work. Our project www.MovetoNWOntario.ca is proud to partner with this initiative to connect newcomers to the right employment opportunities." Almost 1,000 jobs are currently available on the search engine in a wide range of thriving sectors and industries. Job opportunities include positions in business, finance, design, architecture, teaching, retail, hospitality services, administration, legal, skilled trades, warehousing, medical, dental and I.T., to name a few. Key functionalities of the search engine allow job seekers to search by their preferred region in Northwestern Ontario, as well as by job title, company or keyword combinations. Best-matched job listings are then provided instantly. Says Doug Murray, CEO of Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission; â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ensuring that Thunder Bay residents find quality employment and attracting newcomers to fill current labour market shortages will make our communities stronger and more prosperous. The job search engine will facilitate improved employment connections between job seekers and employers, and hopefully helps us to dispel the misconception that there are no jobs in Thunder Bay." The job search engine was funded in part by FedNor with design provided by Firedog Communications and the technology platform developed by Vicinity Jobs Inc. Says Strac Ivanov, President Vicinity Jobs; "With its support from key local community players, the job search engine is an ideal example of how leading edge technology is transforming Northern Ontario's job markets, making them more transparent and efficient. It is now easier for local job seekers to find and pursue job opportunities close to their homes, for employers to reach the local community, and for those considering a move to Northwestern Ontario to research the possibilities available to them."

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SHOWCASING…Guess Who? By Sherry Aalto Living your best life! There is a lot to be said when it comes to appreciating those who went before us, that helped make our city, our country, what it is! But we will say it in one word… SENIORS!!! From Homemakers to Blue Collar Workers (labourers)! From Red Collar (farmers) Workers to White Collar Workers (office and administration)! Pink Collar Workers (who’s labour is related to customer interaction, entertainment, sales or other service orientated work)! Black Collar Workers (miners and oil workers) and to those who served in The Armed Forces! From advocates, who fought for change of every kind, not to mention, advancement in law, political reform, social and moral responsibility, to those in power for ‘in the interest of the citizens’! Today, the citizens of, not only our city, but that of Canada, enjoy the best life ever because of those who stood strong in the face of depression….war… economic disaster, sickness and decease, personal loss, The Suffrage, (you might want to look that up?), wage parity, union solidarity, discrimination and prejudice and many other events that would have beaten others down! We are the benefactors of what others before us have done! Seniors have given us not only a voice, but a far better existence than they themselves had the privilege to enjoy!! They have blazed the trails that led to our freedoms that we enjoy

today and in abundance I might add! Abundance of, not only a wealthier lifestyle, simply because our seniors made

They are us…just the older version of us! And we, are them! Heading that way ourselves someday!

See the youth that still lives in their souls, not their bodies, they are tired. If they had to do it all over again? They would…but

We Salute and respect you! whatever contribution was necessary for advancement! We have roads that lead to almost anyone’s door! We have aircraft, automobiles, boats, trains… all kinds of recreation vehicles! Places to vacation, on homeland and abroad! We have pensions and pension plans and bargaining units! We have health care and education systems. We have schools of medicine and engineering, science and technology! We have electricity and gas! We have a political body that encourages and supports the acquisition of knowledge and commerce. We have gender equality for job opportunities, instead of stereotyping for gender specific (equal pay is still being worked on in some corporations)! We have an economy that continues to grow and there are many opportunities for new entrepreneurs. We have a lot!!! ACTUALLY! WE HAVE IT ALL!! Women now have status! Men now have parental leave! WOW! That’s great!! There is not one thing that we enjoy today that a senior didn’t have a hand in it somewhere along the line, that made life better for us today! So! When you think of Grandparents (AKA, Seniors), you are right to think of them as ‘GRAND’! Because, that is exactly what they ARE! GRAND!

So! When you see a senior… try not to look at them as old and feeble!! Look at them as one of the greatest contributors to our nation, your city! And realize… you are here…because they were there for you!

this time, you would be standing beside them!!!!! So, say a big ‘Thanks’ to our seniors!

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Health Sciences Centre Announces Advancements in Cardiovascular Care with On-Site Endovascular The Honourable Dr. Eric Hoskins, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, was at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre to celebrate an exciting advancement in comprehensive cardiovascular care. The implementation of vascular surgery and on-site endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) now available in Northwestern Ontario is a major milestone in the establishment of a full cardiovascular sur-

gery program for the region. From left to right: David Stephens, first EVAR patient at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, Honourable Bill Mauro, MPP, Jean Bartkowiak, President and CEO of Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, Honourable Dr. Eric Hoskins, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, and Dr. Mark Henderson, Executive Vice President of Patient Services at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. EVAR is a minimally invasive surgery in which a modular stent graph is inserted into the femoral artery and passed up into the weakened part of the aorta. Prior to this development, patients requiring this potentially life-saving procedure had to travel outside of the region to access the service. The first EVAR procedures in Thunder Bay were performed in January, 2017. This accomplishment stems from a partnership with the University Health Network (UHN), which began in 2015. The partnership has and will continue to be instrumental in Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre’s quest to expand and improve our comprehensive cardiovascular care program in accordance with the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, ensuring access to the highest quality of care, close to home. Quotes “It’s an exciting day for the dedicated team here at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre and for the people of Northwestern Ontario. I’m glad that I could be here today as we mark this important milestone in the development of the local cardiovascular program and in the delivery on our commitment to give patients in Northern Ontario access to the care they need when and where they need it, close to home.” - Dr. Eric Hoskins, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care “Providing local vascular surgical services at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre is very welcome news for patients in our region. I am proud of our government’s commitment to improving cardiovascular services and I’m looking forward to our long term goal of providing full cardiovascular surgery here in Thunder Bay, building upon the establishment of local angioplasty services in 2009” - Bill Mauro, MPP Thunder Bay – Atikokan “Learning that I could receive my treatment here at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre was a huge relief. Undergoing a medical procedure is stressful enough without the added difficulties of having to travel and leave your support team behind. I am so thankful for the excellent quality of care that I received right here at home.” - David Stephens, first EVAR patient at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre

THUNDER BAY BUSINESS JUNE 2017