Confederation College Celebrates 50 Years!
INSIDE Delta By Marriott Waterfront Hotel Officially Under Construction YOU KNOW IT’S SPRING WHEN… You see the first signs of BUILDING CONSTRUCTION!!! New Entrepreneurship Program Announced
North Superior Publishing @tbay25
Lower Hydro Bills for Thunder Bay Households and Small Businesses Ontario Cutting Electricity Bills by 25 Per Cent
How Is The Economy Of Northwestern Ontario Doing in 2017?
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THUNDER BAY BUSINESS MAY 2017
Lower Hydro Bills for Thunder Bay Households and Small Businesses Ontario Cutting Electricity Bills by 25 Per Cent Ontario is lowering electricity bills by 25 per cent on average for residential customers and small businesses, as part of a significant system restructuring that will address long-standing policy challenges and ensure greater fairness. In a visit to Thunder Bay Hydro, Glenn Thibeault, Minister of Energy, explained that starting this summer, Ontario’s Fair Hydro Plan would provide households with this 25 per cent break. Many small businesses in Northern Ontario would also benefit from the initiative. ?As part of this plan, rate increases over the next four years would be held to the rate of inflation for everyone. These measures include the eight per cent rebate introduced in January and build on previously announced initiatives to deliver broadbased rate relief on all electricity bills. Taken together, these changes will deliver the single-largest reduction to electricity rates in Ontario’s history. Recently, electricity rates have risen for two key reasons: § Decades of under-investment in the electricity system by governments of all stripes resulted in the need to invest more than $50
Mayor Keith Hobbs, Glenn Thibeault, Minister of Energy, Robert Mace, President and CEO of Thunder Bay Hydro
billion in generation, transmission and distribution assets to ensure the system is clean and reliable. § The decision to eliminate Ontario's use of coal and produce clean, renewable power, as well as policies put in place to provide targeted support to rural and low-income customers, have created additional costs. The burden of financing these system improvements and funding these key programs has unfairly fallen almost entirely on the shoulders of today’s ratepayers. To relieve that
burden and share costs more fairly, two system fixes are being undertaken. Recognizing that the electricity infrastructure that has been built will last for many decades to come, the province would refinance those capital investments to ensure that system costs are more equitably distributed over time. In addition, a number of important programs, such as the Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP), will now be funded by the government instead of by ratepayers. The province will also launch a new Affordability Fund, enhance the existing
OESP and Rural or Remote Rate Protection (RRRP) program and provide on-reserve First Nations households with a delivery credit. These new measures will cost the government up to $2.5 billion over the next three years. Notwithstanding that hydro rate relief costs will add significant pressure on the fiscal framework, the province continues to project a balanced budget for 2017-18, and will provide a full update on its fiscal plan in the spring budget. Reducing electricity costs in Northern Ontario is part of Ontario’s plan to create jobs, grow our economy and help people in their everyday lives. “Ratepayers in Northern Ontario have been loud and clear — we need to do more to help reduce costs. Ontario’s Fair Hydro Plan would reduce costs now and ensure an affordable and reliable electricity system. These new measures would have a significant impact on your monthly hydro bill and would help the most vulnerable.” –– Glenn Thibeault, Minister of Energy “Ontario’s Fair Hydro Plan will see a total average reduction of 25 percent on all residential customers’ hydro bills starting this summer. Rural customers will be receiving enhanced support in addition to savings already on their bills. Providing further relief to my rural constituents without access to natural gas and higher delivery charges has been my focus for some time now. I believe our government has addressed the need for fairer energy rates for all Ontarians.” –– Bill Mauro, MPP Thunder Bay—Atikokan "Thunder Bay Hydro has seen the positive results of offering customers opportunities to reduce their electricity costs. We are encouraged by the province’s support to expand eligibility to a wider range of customers and look forward to working with the government in delivering these anticipated cost reductions to our customers." –– Robert Mace, President and CEO of Thunder Bay Hydro Glenn Thibeault, Minister of Energy “ Today we are talking about Ontario’s Fair Hydro program but talking about some very specific programs that will help families and businesses in Thunder Bay and area. Part of that is bringing forward the 25% reduction in electricity for families farms and small businesses. Hydro One customers R 1 and have been paying more and our program will help them save between 40 and 50% on their bills as well. That is significant when the legislation passes through the summer if passed. We want to let more people know about all the programs we have in place that may not be known about enough, say to change their windows or upgrade their insulation with the Affordability Fund as well as seeing the 25 % reduction coming. Small business, some 500,000, and farms will qualify for the 25% reduction as well. If they are time of use customers or see general service on their bill they will qualify. We want small business to know they are part of this reduction as well. Every political party kicked electricity to the curb and didn’t make the improvements needed so we are proud of beginning the changes. “The Green Energy program created 42,000 jobs in Ontario which was good for the economy but we may not have talked about this as much as we needed.” “The costs were falling on the ratepayer for the $50 billion investment we made. We were going to pay for this in 20 years but now extended it as it will be used by future generations. It is fairer and lowers cost for everyone.” Robert Mace Thunder Bay Hydro “We are glad the Minister came to day to further point out some changes they are making in electricity. Small businesses will qualify for the 17%. Larger businesses will qualify for the Industrial Conservation Initiative depending on their operation. It could open the reduction to hundreds of medium to large sized customers that didn’t qualify before.”
THUNDER BAY BUSINESS MAY 2017
Publisher’s Note Scott Sumner I asked three Thunder Bay people involved in our economy for their opinions about what to expect in 2017 in Northwestern Ontario. Here is what they said!
Richard Pohler, Senior Economic Development Officer at the CEDC What is your opinion of our current local economy? “ It is an economy that is in constant change and transition. We have seen new activities come to the region particularly in gold mining. Forestry has rebounded somewhat since it had declines in the mid 2000’s, and its nice to see that type of development taking place.” “We have manufacturing through Bombardier that has a number of orders to complete. That will create work for the foreseeable future- the challenge will be to get new work. We recently worked with a company from Hamilton that has acquired the former shipyard operation in Thunder Bay and they have some exciting plans for the future.” “The University is working on another facility, the CASE project, so there is lots to celebrate. The hotel on the waterfront is starting with steel on order which will be a concrete step in the construction. There is a new office building going up on Balmoral, a large structure, and other developments being contemplated in the retail sector. There are a few more fast food chains coming in which is good to see because it reflects growth.” “ Our economy is progressing nicely, the challenge is to build on that progression, amplify it, to expand it and try to attract
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How Is The Economy Of Northwestern Ontario Doing in 2017? value added businesses and services that inject money into the economy and support the existing base of companies and services that are here now.”
Keith Hobbs, Mayor of Thunder Bay “ I think our economy is stable. We have seen a lot of growth in small business. Small business is what drives the City of Thunder Bay right now as we have lost so much of our industrial base. We are hopefully going to get that back as well.” “ We had a nice presentation recently from KWG Resources on the Ring of Fire. Once those roads get built either north south or east west, which ever way they choose, that will be great for our economy, the lifeline. We do have so much else happening, we have diversified the economy so much and are not relying on industry only anymore. We do need it to take some of the burden off the residential tax payer.” “On the city books we have $100 million in reserves. The art gallery on the waterfront is good debt, we may also have to take out a small debenture on the Event Centre. Yes we have debt but it is not bad debt. The city books are in great shape. The city made a huge investment in water and waste water which is $100 million of our debt. We have world class water treatment. Our debt is around $190 million but looking at our debt to reserve ratio we are not that bad. We have been elevated to AA rating and when I came in we were at an A rating. I think the last two councils have been fiscally responsible. We had the flood that really set us back, we are still reeling from that. I think the bill for our water pollution control plant work was about $70 million so those are the types of things that set you back as a community.” “The hotel on the waterfront is moving ahead with a concrete pour and steel is coming in. It is a great development for the city and another piece of the puzzle for the waterfront. We have direction from city council to still proceed with the Event
Centre project and see that project to fruition. I firmly believe it is a great project for Thunder Bay. People said when I became Mayor wait for 10 years for the event centre, well we have waited for 7 years now and as soon as we hear about funding and I am hearing rumbling about funding, we will do it. We may have to drop the convention section, we don’t know yet, council hasn’t directed that yet, but we could build a beautiful rink. I met with the Mayor of Sault Ste Marie recently and he said if they had to do it over again they would make some changes to their facility and we can learn from others. We have done a lot of the planning and we have time to get it right so I am still excited about the project. It may be after I step down.” “On Costco, I talked to the VP of Costco because we had the land assigned and their developer dropped out of the picture. They said we are on the list and they have 30 they are building in Canada and Thunder Bay is probably going to be in a few years but they want to be here. I can’t speed up Costco but they have advised they want to be here and we are on their list.” “Without small business we would collapse. If you look at May Street right now we have 5 new entrepreneurs that are developing that area. If we tear down Victoriaville and open up that street, which I am a proponent of, I think we will attract more business. The courthouse has helped the south ward as well. In the downtown North ward you can’t get a parking spot which I love, it is exciting times. ” “ I would like to see Simpson Street developed and get the buildings full. There is great landscaping there. Small business is value added and I don’t think the public realizes how much they contribute to the economy.”
Jim Madder, President Confederation College “ I have been here for 6 years now and when I came here there was a pretty major
affect with the decline of the forestry industry. In the last six years I have seen a reconfiguration including some rebirth of forestry but a huge change to our area has happened such as medical devices and computer programming. Our graduates are doing well. It is below the radar but we are supporting other parts of the world.The economy is certainly growing.” “I am optimistic because of diversification in the economy. There is no home run in the economy but the analogy of bunts, base hits and maybe doubles- those things working together all help and we are not dependent on one thing. Forestry and mining are still very important.” “Here at the college we have some new construction underway. We are tearing down the Conmee building which has had great service over the last 40 years but is was a temporary building that was used for 40 years. All of our buildings were being heated by electricity so it cost a lot. The current Fitness Centre situation has changed after the current Sports Dome came down. We were going to take the building down but were approached to use it for soccer now. The money we have used to operate the facility has to go into the new building and so if it is going to stay up someone else has to pay for those bills. We’ll see what happens. In January it is so expensive to heat.”
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THUNDER BAY BUSINESS MAY 2017
A Post-Secondary Update by Mike Morrow, CFP www.morrowfinancial.ca Students today are entering the workforce as the most university-educated generation of all time. According to Universities Canada (www.univcan.ca), 1.7 million students were attending Canadian universities in 2014-15, continuing a steady upward trend. In 2011, about 27 per cent of Canadians aged 25 to 64 had a university degree, an increase from 18 percent in 1998, says the Conference Board of Canada.
Statistics Canada indicates that 1.4 million new jobs were created for university graduates between March 2008 and March 2016. Young people know that post-secondary education is the path to success. Their challenge is how to pay for it.
According to Statistics Canada, students enrolled in full-time undergraduate programs in the 2016/2017 academic year paid $6,373 in tuition. Add to that the cost of student housing, books, supplies, food,
recreation, a phone plan and return trips home and the cost goes up exponentially.
Post-secondary education is expensive, many students graduate with a huge debt load. Graduating students carry an average debt burden of $27,000, according to the 2015 graduating student survey by the Canadian University Survey Consortium.
There are a number of sources of financial assistance for students. These sources include educational institutions, the government, private companies, charities and community organizations.
Scholarships and bursaries are generally based on academic attainment but may also focus on community involvement and financial need. 3 percent of awards go unclaimed, especially the smaller award amounts but students can win several smaller awards that add up to a sizeable amount. More than 80,000 awards are listed on websites, such as Scholarshipscanada.com and Yconic.com. Despite popular belief many don't require a high academic average. One lucrative scholarship is offered annually by TD Canada Trust to 20 students. The award, which is valued up to $70,000 and comes with summer jobs over four years, requires only a 75-per-cent average.
Here are 3 financial opportunities available to students: The Ontario Student Grant (announced in the government's provincial budget in February 2016) is available for students from families with annual incomes of less than $50,000 have access to free tuition.
up to 20% in grant money to a lifetime maximum of $7,200 per child.
There are financial opportunities available to help pay for post-secondary education. Begin by asking guidance counselors, university scholarship offices, financial aid offices and online research.
Michael Morrow, CFP Michael is a Certified Financial Planner and President of Morrow Financial and The Benefit Experts. For more information, please contact Michael @ 807 684 1805 or visit: www.thebenefitexperts.com l www.morrowfinancial.ca
Other students may rely on their own savings or contributions from family. One key source of family help is a Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP), which includes grants from the government based on the amount contributed. You can earn
Delta By Marriott Waterfront Hotel Officially Under Construction The Resolve Group Inc held an event at Mariners Hall at the waterfront April 25th to announce the new Delta by Marriott Waterfront Hotel is now officially under construction. Taking part in the announcement were: Gisele MacDonald, President ReSolve Group Inc. Mayor Keith Hobbs Mark Smith, General Manager Development & Emergency Services John Guarasci , Business Centre Manager Ontario North Business Development Bank of Canada Sam Romeo, Burmet Northern LTD. “ As part of Thunder Bay’s world class waterfront redevelopment on Lake Superior,the hotel will become the
Sam Romeo, Burmet Northern LTD., Mark Smith, General Manager Development & Emergency Services, Gisele MacDonald, President ReSolve Group Inc. , John Guarasci , Business Centre Manager Ontario North Business Development Bank of Canada, Mayor Keith Hobbs City’s first full service upscale hotel and conference centre after more than a $25,000,000 investment,” said Gisele MacDonald, Resolve Group Inc. Delta by Marriott looks forward to servicing the Thunder Bay community in the summer of 2018. The Delta by Marriott Hotel and Conference Centre will offer 150 guest rooms and suites including 18 penthouse suites. The Hotel will feature Delta’s new brand standards laden with technology features.The majority of the guest rooms will provide spectacular views of Lake Superior and the Sleeping Giant. The Delta by Marriott Hotel and
Conference Centre will be managed by Marriott Hotels and owned by the ReSolve Group Inc.,who developed Vue on the Water Condominiums at Prince Arthur’s Landing. The hotel and conference centre will be comprised of a 9000 square foot conference and meeting spaces including a 5,300 square foot ballroom,all offering magnificent waterfront views, a full service restaurant and lounge with an outside terrace overlooking Lake Superior, business centre, and a state of the art fitness centre.
THUNDER BAY BUSINESS MAY 2017
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Confederation College Celebrates 50 Years! BY SCOTT A. SUMNER
Thunder Bay BUSINESS Confederation College has been an important part of Thunder Bay for 50 years now and 2017 will be a year of celebration! The college opened in September 1967 with a grand total of 238 students and 9 programs with a staff of 9. It intially opened on May Street and at Churchill High School before their initial building at the current site, the McIntyre building. “ We still have one old portable that has been with us for 50 years. It is at the foot print where we will be building the new Tech Hub building.” said Jim Madder, President of Confederation College.
total of 1400 including part time.” How have the facilities at Confederation College performed over the years? “At this point we are looking at renewing our buildings say with the Neebing building. This Shuniah building is still operating beautifully for almost 48 years now. The REACH building was a wonderful addition that is fully integrated with this building. The REACH atrium is a phenomenal part of the building. We have a ROI out for the Neebing and BUBBLE building for someone else to take over.” “ Our infrastructure is pretty good. The REACH building helped us a lot as it has technology that allows us to teach in the smaller communities. The new TECH Hub building will even help us with the
will cooperate with Canadore in North Bay, Cambrian in Sudbury, Sault College in Sault Ste Marie, Northern in Timmins and Boreal in Sudbury as well.” “Right now about 15% of our students have a international heritage from say India, China and other countries. These students help the college. Right now we are in decline in terms of the number of
Wellness Centre of $12.5 to $13 million and Tech Hub at about $19 million. Their studies say Confederation College has an over $411 million impact in NW Ontario. “ 50 years is a long time and it is very exciting to have the events we have coming up this year,” said Jodi Connor, President of SUCCI. “ The Wellness
Top: Jim Madder, President of Confederation College and Jodi Connor, President of SUCCI Side: New Wellness Centre “It was a humble start with the vision of Bill Davis and Leslie Frost the dream of building colleges. Here we are today with 34,000 alumni, which is amazing in my opinion. We have a major presence in Thunder Bay and 8 other communities in NW Ontario. We started with squawk boxes which were telephones you put on a desk and listened to and now are all the way to full video conferencing and simultaneous feeds through fiber optics throughout NW Ontario.”said Jim Madder. “ It all started here in 1967 with 238 students. Today we have more than 7,800 students in all of our programs, including 1000 part time students. Right now in the winter we have 800 full time staff with a
McIntyre building because the heating system will heat both buildings and be more efficient.” There has been a lot of growth at Confederation College? “ We started with 9 programs and today have 58 of our own as well as partnering with others. If you go into any college in this province you will find each one has its own personality and it reflects the region and its employers. 28 of our programs are available at our smaller campuses through out the north. We have just started our business programs with the six other colleges in the North. We don’t have the mass here for the 3rd year program alone but
people living here in NW Ontario. If we don’t try to replace those people with others from other locations we will lose some programs. The international students help fill the seats in our programs. If we didn’t have them I would probably lose 10ish of those programs so it is that important. They are in fact sustaining our programs. They pay a premium to cover our recruitment costs. Our normal tuition is $2200 and they will pay from $10,000 to $13,000 tuition or many times more.” said Madder. Confederation College has an annual operation budget of $75 million and in addition capital spending this year with the
Centre is a great example of a project for the students. It has been good to listen to the students as to what they want to see in the new facility. The students are providing $8.5 million of the cost of the $13 million dollar project along with NOHFC and the College. It will be a beautiful facility for the community as well who can become members.” “ The Wellness Centre fits well into the whole student village concept of food, fitness and accommodation.” said Jim Madder, President,Confederation College. Continued
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Confederation College Celebrates 50 Years! “Continued “There are windows of opportunity for government funding and after chatting with our students we knew we needed new student accommodation, a new Wellness Centre and with the right leadership we
moved forward. The new Tech Hub is a combination of the Federal and Provincial government through NOHFC to do the capital. You have to always be ready with a new project.”
“Our Dorian Trades building moves around and has it’s issues with the foundation here in the wet ground we are located at. We have great people and if I can work on replacing that building that would be my next big project.”said Jim Madder.
Jim Madder has been at Confederation College for 6 years now and is contracted for a further 4 years. He was born and raised in Winnipeg and likes a day with the
Top: Jodi Connor, President of SUCCI and Jim Madder, President of Confederation College Side: Reach building sun shining and it is cold. On our interview ic development here in Thunder Bay. The opportunity to work with the college on day in March he was going to visit his developing a new set of skills for the future mom in Winnipeg who is 100 years old! was very exciting for us and we saw an opportunity to take some investment dollars “ Thunder Bay has been spectacular with from our fund and use that to lever funds great people to work with, a great organifrom both levels of senior government and zation here at Confederation College. I create an exciting development here in love the people and feel lucky to live on Thunder Bay for students to learn the latest Lake Superior in Shuniah. Gardening is skill sets for the future work force. Our pure therapy and my wife and I love the fund has been long established and was set place.” aside for specific opportunities that might Thunder Bay CEDC Commits $500,000 arise for economic development initiatives.This is the single largest investment to Confederation College’s TEC Hub from the fund. In 2006/7 the fund was created when the current CEDC was formed.” “Confederation College has long been seen said Richard Pohler, CEDC. by the CEDC as an integral part of econom-
THUNDER BAY BUSINESS MAY 2017
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Thunder Bay CEDC Commits $500,000 to Confederation College’s TEC Hub mation, visit www.confederationcollege.ca/TEC-Hub. From left: Confederation College’s Vice President, College Services Ken Adams and President Jim Madder, City of Thunder Bay Mayor Keith Hobbs, and the Thunder Bay CEDC’s Board Member Peter Marchl and Senior Development Officer Richard Pohler
Thunder Bay’s Community Economic Development Commission (CEDC) announced a $500,000 commitment in support of Confederation College’s Technology, Education and Collaboration (TEC) Hub today. “The CEDC was happy to approve $500,000 in spending for the Confederation College TEC Hub because it will contribute to the development of a skilled, employment ready technology and trades workforce for northwestern Ontario,” said Doug Murray, CEO of the Thunder Bay CEDC. Keith Hobbs, Mayor of the City of Thunder Bay, applauded the decision. “Confederation College’s TEC Hub will help to connect students with industry in our city and will foster new and stronger collaborations locally and regionally. Through the support of the Thunder Bay CEDC, we are proud to be a part of this innovative project focusing on skills training, manufacturing and entrepreneurship.” Confederation College President Jim Madder, expressed his appreciation. “The
Thunder Bay CEDC is a longstanding and valued partner of Confederation College and we are incredibly grateful for their significant contribution towards this project. Our TEC Hub will enable us to reach more students and further prepare them with the training needed to meet the growing demand for skilled workers in our region. These dollars demonstrate the CEDC’s commitment to advancing education and innovation in our community and northwestern Ontario.” The Technology, Education and Collaboration Hub will include three main clusters: industry skills and sustainability instruction, advanced manufacturing tech-
nology, innovation and incubation. In addition to providing skills training and postsecondary programming, the facility will host vibrant research, incubation and technology transfer services to support the region’s advanced manufacturing, technology and resource sectors. The $19 million project has received funding from the Government of Canada, the Province of Ontario, the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation, the Thunder Bay CEDC and Confederation College. Currently in development, the TEC Hub is slated for completion in the spring of 2018. A ground breaking ceremony will take place later this month. For more infor-
Confederation College has been serving the citizens of northwestern Ontario since 1967 meeting the educational needs of students in a catchment area of some 550,000 square kilometres. Along with its main campus in Thunder Bay, Confederation College has eight regional sites located in Dryden, Fort Frances, Geraldton, Kenora, Marathon, Sioux Lookout, Red Lake and Wawa. Confederation College delivers exceptional education and training to an average of 7,800 combined full and part-time students per year and currently has a total of 805 full and part-time employees. Confederation’s regional economic impact and contribution is valued at $411.2 million annually.
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Short Legs and Where to Find Them Quite often, during the initial consult in our office, patients will tell me that another health practitioner has told them they have a short leg. What does that mean? Is there anything you can do about it? Should you do anything about it? Having a short leg or more accurately a leg length inequality (LLI) can be either an anatomical issue or a functional one. Anatomically our legs should be the same length. This means all the leg bones and joints should be more or less symmetrical. An anatomically short leg may be a result of fractures, unequal hip or knee angles (which could be caused during
birth or during early development), hip or knee surgeries, congenital malformations, or trauma. Various measuring techniques can be employed some more accurate than others. My clinical estimation is that only about one in ten leg length differences are of anatomical origin. The vast majority of LLI is due to functional changes, the most common reason being torsion or maladaptive motion of the pelvis and lower back. A fallen foot arch or inverted ankle could also cause one leg to appear shorter than the other while standing. Functional LLI are best assessed first with the patient prone (lying face down) and then on standing postural observation. The scientific literature states that up to a 4 mm difference is acceptable while other references suggest as high as 10 mm to be a normal variant. My professional opinion is that even at a 4mm LLI, some form of compensation will show
up along the kinetic chain. That is, everything is connected and you can’t change one part of the body without affecting the other parts. So is there anything you can do about LLI? Absolutely. But first you must be properly assessed by a health professional who has expertise in spinal and body mechanics. What is the primary cause and what are the secondary compensations? Depending on the diagnosis you may need some form of therapy on the spine, pelvis, hips, knees, ankles, feet or all the above. Therapies could include spinal manipulation (adjustments), exercises, ergonomic education, soft tissue therapy, or custom made foot orthotics (insoles). Once you are assessed and it is obvious that there is a LLI, the question then becomes what are the goals of any therapy. Is it to reduce the LLI? Is it to increase function of the involved structures? How well has the body adapted to the LLI? Heel lifts or foot insoles with an attached heel lift on the short leg side are quite popular. However, one should be
extremely cautious about adding any type of heel lift that was not prescribed by a health practitioner who assess the entire body mechanics and not just the foot. Adding a heel lift to a functional short leg is one sure way of encouraging and keeping those pelvic and lumber torsions and misalignments fixed permanently. That is not what you want. A more thoughtful approach would be to strengthen and promote whole body function and movement. Custom made foot orthotics can be an effective complement to the other therapies. But, only as a last resort should a small heel lift be added on the short side, if necessary, once the body has reached its maximum LLI improvement. Are short legs real? Yes. The key is to know where to find them and what to do about them. 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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YOU KNOW IT’S SPRING WHEN… You see the first signs of BUILDING CONSTRUCTION!!! By Sherry Aalto Oh!!!!!! The dreaded (building) Construction Season!!! (Yes! Construction does have a season!) But instead of dreading it…welcome it! It is a sure sign of economic growth, development and employment for Thunder Bay and area and that transforms into vitality and prosperity. Construction alone, offers employment opportunities, and the spin-off from dollars earned and circulated in the community, is what keeps any economy alive and well! Commercial sites developed can only mean one thing…progress! After commercial sites are constructed and opened for business, more employment opportunities also become available, driving the unemployment rate in the city just a little lower than it was prior to new developments brought to completion. If you are lucky enough to travel around this beautiful country of ours, you will notice that most everywhere you go there is building construction going on. That is indicative of a community focused on advancement. In Thunder Bay, commercial development may have seemed miniscule in 2016, but the overall outlook for commercial construction in 2017, is even better than last year. Thunder Bay is moving ahead with some pretty exciting developments in 2017! Here are few that strike interesting to many in the community. The Thunder Bay Art Gallery is currently in the planning stages for a new $33 Million Dollar art gallery on the waterfront, next to the Prince Arthur Landing. The Gallery is tentatively scheduled to open as early as 2019. · The Delta Hotel on the waterfront is under construction. · The Thunder Bay Country Club Condominiums will soon be underway for construction. · Shoeless Joe’s Restaurant is near completion. · The new Beer Outlet on Fort William road is now completed. · Downtown Volkswagen on Central near Golf Links Road is gearing up for their new home, located at the corner of Central Avenue and Golf Links Road. · The Student Wellness Centre at Confederation College is currently under construction and this component attaches to the main campus building. · St. Joseph’s Care Group is moving ahead with their $60 Million Dollar Mental Health Wing. Also, Des Stolz, Chief Building Official, Director Building Services, Building Services Division Development and Emergency Services Dept. City of Thunder Bay, shared this…(April 24, 2017) ‘Our office is reviewing building permit applications for the following’: · Addition to Confederation College McIntyre Building for a Technology Hub · New restaurant on the former labour centre site · Addition to Kingsway Park School · 24 unit apartment building on Royston Ct · 24 unit apartment building on the corner of Algoma and Cornwall · We’ve issued a permit for an addition to a retail building at the Thunder
Centre – they are currently driving piles · We’ve also had enquiries regarding a proposed new Salvation Army Building on Cumberland St beside their existing facility Commercial development and the construction industry has quite a history that brings us to this point in time in our city for the advancements, challenges and successes in the industry. It is not without great orchestration and organization, that progress in commercial construction is able to develop. When you are driving around, take a look and imagine for the moment of what had to take place to have such availability to and venues we need and enjoy! For example, we need our hospitals and health facilities. Centres for our loved ones’, when they have had to leave their own homes and be cared for. Places to shop, dine and entertain. Places to exercise and enjoy our growing culture. Places that we would enjoy taking our children and to have family time. Places of higher learning and esteemed education. Places that express our identity…and even just places that are nice to look at and bask in! And did you know?… http://www.catb.on.ca/ The CATB was Established in 1949, (the Construction Association of Thunder Bay (CATB)) has serviced the construction industry in Northwestern Ontario for over half a century. With a specific focus on the ICI (industrial/commercial/institutional) sector of the construction industry. CATB provides a broad range of services and programs to its members. It encompasses the suppliers of products, service and labour in the construction of industrial, commercial, institutional, and residential building. The industry also includes a supporting network of distributors, financial institutions, educators, industry associations, exporters, importers, regulatory agencies, buyers of construction, consultants, allied professions and government. Today’s construction business has become a complex, multifaceted industry and a dynamic force in our Canadian society. That’s why no single employer can be expected to stay on top of all the issues and concerns necessary to ensure a healthy, thriving business in today’s competitive marketplace. Yet, if you don’t have the fact you’re left at the starting gate. This is where CATB starts.
The Facts The Construction Industry of Ontario § A Huge Industry – Out of the goods producing industries, construction ranked second to manufacturing and is larger than industries like tourism, agriculture and auto making. § A Large Employer – In 2004, construction employments reached roughly 6 percent (400,000) out of the provincial
them in their business needs. Whether arbitrating a contract dispute or offering advice on marketing your products locally, regionally and internationally, CATB exists to serve you. Whether you are interested in CATB’s advanced Plans Room service, or need a document notarized at a minute’s notice, CATB is ready to help you. Our many services are designed to meet the needs of the con-
workforce of 6.8 million. § Job Creator – Every $1 million invested in construction produces more than 25 jobs directly and indirectly. § Powerful Economic Force – The construction industry in 2004 contributed approximately $35 billion to the province’s Gross Domestic Product, with the non-residential sector accounting for just under $10 billion § Outstanding Safety Record – For many years now, the lost-time injury frequency in construction continues to drop. It has dropped to a point where Ontario is amongst one of the best records in the world. § Environmental Leadership – The construction industry has been at the forefront of activities to clean and maintain the environment. § Innovators – Contractors worldwide are constantly seeking information on techniques and procedures pioneered by Canadians.
struction industry in Northwestern Ontario.
That’s where the Construction Association of Thunder Bay comes in. Members have come to rely on the services of CATB to assist
There is much more information about commercial construction in your city and there are many available sources to satisfy one’s curiosity. The newspaper or local news channel. City planning department and city hall can provide some information along with other corporations. But one thing is for sure…it is all progress and Thunder Bay is becoming recognized more and more for its commercial, professional, educational, indigenous, health and wellness and natural resources. It is “Construction Season”! Isn’t it great?!
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New Entrepreneurship Program Announced Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission (CEDC), along with the Ministry of Economic Development and Growth (MEDG) announced a call for applications to the new Starter Company Plus program.
Starter Company Plus is open to entrepreneurs over the age of 18 will provide one-to-one counseling with the program coordinator as well as informative workshops for participants to learn from local experts how to effectively start or expand their businesses. Participants
have the opportunity to apply for a grant of up to $5,000 upon the completion of a business plan and receive mentorship from local business and community leaders. It is the follow up to the Starter Company program, which provided comprehensive training to 178 entrepreneurs between the ages of 18-29 during the last three years. Of those businesses, 51 accessed grant funding and were paired with a mentor. “We’ve had a lot of success with Starter Company, and we have even higher expectations for Starter Company Plus given that the program does not have an age restriction,” tells Ryan Moore, Development Officer for the Thunder Bay CEDC/Thunder Bay & District Entrepreneur Centre. “I’ve seen many entrepreneurs pass through the program who are now
operating profitable businesses, and a lot of that is attributable to the running start they got from Starter Company. Our hope is that Starter Company Plus will assist a broader group of entrepreneurs and have an even bigger impact on Thunder Bay and surrounding communities.” Bill Mauro, Minister of Northern Development and Mines says, “The original program proved to be very successful, and I’m particularly proud of local volunteers who were dedicated to mentoring and training the next generation of entrepreneurs. Together, the Starter Company and Starter Company Plus Programs encourage area youth and all residents to fulfil their dreams of becoming successful business owners. At the same time, they are stimulating economic development and building the spirit of entrepreneurship in our community.” New, existing, and aspiring entrepreneurs who want to start, grow, or buy business can apply to the Starter Company Plus program at www.EntrepreneurCentre.ca. Ryan Tarabocchia, age 30 is the owner of Northwest Gourmet Mushrooms and has been in business about 1 year and longer growing mushrooms. Before that he was building and prepping his business plan and started selling May 2016. “ We are out in Lappe. We are selling to restaurants and trying to work our way into grocers and back into the farmers market. We just started offering grow kits as well.” “ Two years before this I was working a construction job but had some spinal surgery and had to try something else.”
Ryan Tarabocchia
“ Our mushrooms are as fresh as you can get and we have a wider variety of mushrooms that aren’t available in town, say too fragile to ship. I got sick of working for other people and want to make my own dream come true in a good and bad way. It has been pretty rough starting out with 2 kids with ups and down but we are keeping going. We’re really good at scraping by.” Doug Murray, CEO CEDC “ The new program is for any age group over 18 to buy a business, expand a business or start a business. The government sets the rules for number of companies and grants. We have had very diverse group of businesses in the past with tourism, manufacturing, health care and food so that helps. They are very small with 1 or 2 employees but may grow.” “ In Thunder Bay 90 % of the people employed are in small and medium sized businesses. This is where the growth will come from. We want to help the older business people sell their companies to the next generation as well. Health care for instance represents about 17% of the employees in Thunder Bay right now with more room to grow with many vacancies.” “ The higher age group allowed in the new program will help with more applicants. It is a great opportunity. The training is important and then you write a business plan. A most important part of what we do are the mentors and we would like to have more mentors as it is the key to this program. Their experience is so important to help a new business succeed.”
THUNDER BAY BUSINESS MAY 2017
When Commercial Tenants Default Š 2017 Brian Babcock Commercial landlords have choices to make when a tenant fails to live up to their end of the bargain. Making the right choice as your first choice is important, because mistakes can often not be fixed. Each lease
Legal Matters dispute is unique, and an early investment in good legal advice can save much heartache later. Case law recognizes three mutually exclusive approaches that a landlord may take where a tenant is in fundamental breach of the lease or has repudiated it entirely. He may do nothing to alter the relationship of landlord and tenant, but simply insist on performance of the terms and sue for rent or damages under the ongoing lease. Second, he may elect to terminate the lease, retaining the right to sue for rent accrued due, or for damages to the date of termination for previous breaches of covenant, plus damages for future rent, subject to a duty to mitigate by finding a new tenant. Calculation can be a nightmare. Third, he may advise the tenant that he proposes to re-let the property on the tenant's account and enter into possession on that basis. If this option is selected, giving proper notice is crucial. Either option involving re-entry to the premises requires close reading of the technical requirements of the Commercial Tenancies Act and the lease. Distraining against the tenant’s goods is particularly tricky. A seldom used fourth option is to not accept the repudiation, and give notice to the tenant of the intention to sue for future rent. In a recent Superior Court decision, the landlord was successful in obtaining partial summary judgment for arrears of rent after a tenant (a national chain) abandoned the location after a dispute about what the future rent should be. The landlord kept the lease alive, retaining the right to sue for future rents if not paid, and most significantly, neatly sidestepping the usual argument as to whether or not the tenant gets credit for a reduction in those damages by arguing that the landlord ought to have been more successful in finding a new tenant. The judge particularly noted that this was a very efficient way to deal with the claimsthe landlord gets paid now for the indefensible arrears, while the dispute about future rent goes toward trial. The lawyers at Weilers Law have been advising landlords and tenants on their rights for over 70 years.
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Visit www.thunderbaybusiness.ca
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