Profile: CanadaDocks

The national capital region can boast about many things that make for a great standard of living. I’d say easy and quick access to lakes and rivers is at the top of the list. Name another major urban area where cottage country is only 30 minutes from the downtown core. The municipality of Val-des-Monts alone sports 220 lakes, starting just beyond the upper edge of Gatineau. Torontonians, eat your hearts out.

The national capital region can boast about many things that make for a great standard of living. I’d say easy and quick access to lakes and rivers is at the top of the list. Name another major urban area where cottage country is only 30 minutes from the downtown core. The municipality of Val-des-Monts alone

sports 220 lakes, starting just beyond the upper edge of Gatineau. Torontonians, eat your hearts out.

For many local residents, cottage life is a year-round love affair with a quick commute into the city. Lakes like MacGregor, Grand, and Meech feel more like neighbourhoods with all of the amenities of suburbs minus the asphalt. Whether it’s full-time, summer time, or a day visit, the dock is the gathering place for families and friends, and the heart of fun for any waterfront property. Slap some lumber and Styrofoam together, attach a car battery to an electric motor, and you’ve got a party barge. You’ll find signs attached to hydro poles about some local guy who’ll build one for you. Unfortunately, it will eventually

fall apart and have to be dragged to the dump. If you’re looking for a dock that’s pre-made, easy to assemble, with a 25-year warranty, and delivered to your waterfront property, then that’s where CanadaDocks comes in.

The company was founded in 2006 and produces the only formed aluminum, bolt-together, do-it-yourself dock kits on the market. The engineering is impressive and based on automotive manufacturing techniques. Strength is derived from forming each truss from a single sheet of marine-grade aluminum, which eliminates the weakness of welded joints. The process uses less material, making the dock sections lightweight, eco-friendly, and strong. Each dock kit is packed in easy to handle boxes for quick and convenient delivery.

The CanadaDocks provides easy to read instructions with every product they make, there are even instructional

videos and PDFs available on their website. A good thing, since nobody wants cottage time turned into an exercise in aggravation (that’s what extended family is for). All you have to do is await delivery, gather together a basic toolkit, set aside a day and you’ll have a lightweight, solid dock assembled, installed and ready for coolers and beer by happy hour. In the case of peculiar locations, an installation expert may be required and is readily available through local authorized dealers. There is even assistance with seasonal removal, which is recommended for docks on bodies of water that freeze over. the standing sections. Don’t let summer laziness stand in your way. CanadaDocks dealers with help with the build and installation, no matter what.

No two shorelines or lake bottoms are the same, so CanadaDocks offers a range of products that fit together like puzzle pieces. There’s your classic standing dock with telescopic legs that adjust to create a level surface over uneven terrain. Leg extensions go deeper. There’s the floating dock option, built upon a product known as Eagle floats; another seriously-engineered component that provides maximum buoyancy and durability while avoiding the pollutive effects of Styrofoam that disintegrates into little blue fragments as it bumps up against rocks. There are ramps to connect land to dock, and boat lifts for getting watercraft up and out of the way of repeated impacts in choppy water. Finally, there’s a wide range of accessories to connect, anchor, illuminate, and access the final design. My personal favourite is the solar light safety ring station. Did I mention the CanadaDocks’ product line is also super good looking? The best part is the docks will stay good looking for years to come due to the anodized aluminum, stainless steel hardware, and plastic composite decking, which creates the ultimate maintenance free dock. So, you can spend your time at the cottage, actually enjoying the cottage!

Your new dock begins with CanadaDocks’ online design tool. I created a plan for my own shoreline in Val-des-Monts, which, coincidentally, needs a new dock. Like all waterfront, it’s a bit complicated, so CanadaDocks’ Your new dock begins with CanadaDocks’ online design tool!

modular puzzle pieces will provide the right solution once you determine the requirements. Chez moi, the terrain leading to the water is level, but is interrupted by a shoreline of stacked rocks whose average size makes them impossible to move by hand. Once over and into the water, the bottom is sandy and gently slopes out. The goal is to make the transition from rock barrier to lake, and then to get the thing extended out enough to make a running cannonball into the depths. It’d also be nice to ladder in, or step onto the sandy, shallow spots to walk in with a floaty noodle. A large surface is essential for furniture, planters, and social distancing from that one sweaty guy who shows up empty-handed.

The online tool is built around a step-by-step tutorial, which is a good thing for someone like me for whom the term ‘idiot-proof’ was coined. Select the standing, floating, or mixed component option, and the fun begins (and it really is fun!). I selected the mixed dock type, which popped open a set of instructions that prepares you for the interactive visual designer to follow. Once inside, you can grasp and click together individual pieces or assemblages of pieces to make bigger assemblages. A panning feature lets you view your creation from different locations along the handy background, which depicts a shoreline with benchmarks at 8, 16, 24, and 32 feet.

Okay, so step one is over the rocks from shore to dock. I select a 4’x8’ ramp, and somehow the intuitive tool then recommends a 4’x8’ section of standing dock, which makes sense at this point because the gentle slope will not allow for a floating section so close to shore. I use a 4’ transition ramp as the first step from land, making it easier to roll furniture or unruly guests on and off the thing. There is the option of stairs with a railing, but the elevation gain is not that great.

Now that I’m out on the water, it’s time to build a large floating surface, and this is where CanadaDocks has a ton of choices to suit all needs. The longest piece in the catalogue measures 8’x48’! I don’t need it, but a cedarlined lake with a mulch-filled bottom and tall weeds would. There is a variety of squares and rectangles of different dimensions. I chose the 16’ hexagon to accommodate a chair in each of the six angles. That leaves plenty of room for a table in the middle. The online tool recommends accessories for connecting the whole thing together, to which I add a couple of railings, a ladder, and the solar post with life ring. Once you’re done, it will generate an estimate. My only question is: can I detach the hexagon and electric-motor it around the lake?

Like all great companies with an engaging online presence, CanadaDocks offers real-people support and sales through its network of dealers, four of whom are located in Eastern Ontario. The company provides financing up to $10,000 OAC that can be paid off in full at any time without penalty. The whole process is meant to be as easy as possible. All CanadaDocks frames come with a limited lifetime warranty; as they say: “We guarantee that our dock kits will last for generations giving you peace of mind when choosing a new dock for your waterfront property.”

CanadaDocks’ informative website is filled with lots of answers and a great photo gallery that will have you imagining and realizing an easy-breezy dock experience in no time. Summer is short, so get out there and make the most of it n

Introducing Destination Istria - in celebration of the arrival in Ontario of a unique selection of wines from some of Croatia’s leading winemakers … Istria — a kaleidoscope of colours and a treasure trove of gastronomic delight

Introducing Destination Istria — in celebration of the arrival in Ontario of a unique selection of wines from some of Croatia’s leading winemakers

ABOVE (LEFT TO RIGHT): The view from Kozlovic Winery. Beautiful Rovinj. Croatia’s

Perched at the northeast tip of the Adriatic, lies the heart-shaped peninsula of Istria. If you are in search of a gourmet retreat, far from the madding "Game of Thrones" crowds, then look no further.

Istria is ultimately, and figuratively, a land of colours - a land that the Fauves artists would no doubt have embraced - and its colours play an important part in its gastronomic profile. The dazzling coastal regions of Blue Istria provide a wealth of gourmet treats, care of the Adriatic Sea, with the small bustling fishing towns sourcing the freshest, top-quality, sea-to-table fare for the impressive local restaurant scene.

The hinterland is known as Green Istria. A few hours roaming the interior and it will be clear to you why this is. Days can be whiled away exploring the medieval hilltop towns encircled by olive groves and vineyards as far as the eye can see, before descending into the, often misty, Mirna valley, where you will find yourself surrounded by dense forests, hiding their own precious treasures, including his majesty the white truffle.

Food festivals galore are poised to welcome you in every season – the locals understandably embrace every opportunity to celebrate the seasonal bounty of their land. Truffle fairs abound in central Istria, chestnut festivals grace the hilltop villages, olive oil, wine and grappa festivals, honouring the local varietals, take place in medieval towns scattered across the region, and the annual international prosciutto fair is not to be missed!

Beyond the blues and greens there are many other colours in the kaleidoscope that have a profound influence on the gastronomy of the region. Istria is blessed with four distinct soil types: red, white, black and grey. This variety of terroir combined with old world wine making traditions have resulted in leading Istrian wine-makers making an indelible mark on the international wine scene, as well as the colour map of the region. The vivid ruby, purple hues of Moreno Coronica’s elegant Gran Teran leave a lasting impression; many hours can be gloriously spent at the Kozlović family’s stunning winery, sampling their impressive line up of white, or should I say golden, Malvazijas; and Giorgio Clai’s resolute mission of sustaining the regional

Magnificent Medieval hilltop towns.

traditions of orange wine making continues to yield extraordinary results.

And then there is the pride of Istria: liquid gold. For the past five years Istria has been named the best olive oil producing region in the world. Tasting experiences opened my eyes (and taste buds) to the remarkable depth and variety of this gift from the gods. You will not find a table in this land that is not dressed with at least one top quality olive oil. It is part of the way of life, a very healthy one, and one that is impossible not to embrace.

Is Istria alone in it's gastronomic richness? Absolutely not, in fact it stands in excellent company alongside Croatia's other regions. It is, however, impossible to deny that this small, hidden gem of a peninsula, the one that I fell in love with a number of years ago, is a treasure trove of gourmet delights, and a very colourful one at that n

Where to stay: Villa Oliva is a luxurious, five star villa located in the heart of Green Istria, offering spectacular views and a variety of unique experiences to make your stay in Istria unforgettable. www.experienceistria.com If you are interested to experience Istria in the comfort of your own home... Wines: Istrian wines from renowned producers Coronica, Kozlović and Clai, are now available in Ontario, care of Croatia Unpacked. www.croatiaunpacked.com Truffles: Authentic Istrian truffle products are available in Canada care of White Truffles.

www.whitetruffles.ca

“Cop Connects” Tow truck drivers allege more Police involved in scam

On April 23, 2020 three Ottawa drivers who disagree with Chief Sloly’s backlash from police and others in the Police Service (OPS) officers were statement that these three officers do tow truck industry. charged by the RCMP with breach of not represent the entirety of the police trust in relation to an alleged tow truck service. Many say that the corruption Even with the challenges of working kick-back scheme in Ottawa. Veteran in the OPS is widespread and goes far in an industry that often sees violent Constable Hussein Assad, Constable deeper than the three officers charged turf wars with cars torched and shots Kevin Putinsky and Constable Andrew in April. Some say it even extends to fired, tow truck operator Sam Abadi Chronopoulos all face multiple charges the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP). says rival tow truck companies are not for being involved in tipping off local Many are fearful of both police services his main concern. For over the past tow truck drivers about accidents in and the power that they wield to three years Abadi has been trying to get Ottawa for a fee. “The charges laid affect their livelihood. Because of this the attention of both the OPS and the today are very serious but do not reflect OLM agreed to change some of their OPP about officers giving an unfair the overall integrity of OPS members names to protect them from potential advantage to certain tow companies nor do they represent what we in the Ottawa area, affecting his stand for as a police service,” said business. OPS Police Chief Peter Sloly in a ...These three officers do not statement after the charges were laid. represent the entirety of the police Abadi has been in the towing industry since 2011. At first he service. Many say that the corruption dealt only in scrap cars but in In an investigation that began before the three OPS officers in the OPS is widespread 2015 he turned his attention towards towing accidents because were charged, Ottawa Life and goes far deeper than the three it made a lot more money than Magazine spoke to several Ottawa tow truck operators and officers charged in April. scrap metal. He says that it has been increasingly hard to tow cars

or “hook” in Ottawa because of police Metro Towing, but it could also be any the 416 and 417 highways which are interference. other tow company in the Ottawa area patrolled by the OPP. He quickly found with whom they have a connection. that even with no police tow contract According to the OPS they have a Abadi says that what tow truck many OPP officers automatically went procedure for dealing with tow trucks operators call “cop connects” are a big with Response Towing, Canadian on the scene of an accident. Tows of problem in the city. Different tow truck Towing or Wazzy Towing, blocking a vehicle involved in a collision with drivers have relationships with police other tow companies from getting injuries or any vehicle thought to have officers who either inform them about business. According to the OPP been involved in a crime automatically collisions or favour them at the scene. Ottawa detachment Tow Policy it is goes to Ottawa Metro Towing, with Often for a fee. Abadi says he knows the responsibility of the vehicle owner/ whom they have a contract to tow this happens all the time because he has operator to decide who is going to tow and store vehicles at a reduced rate. In done it himself, a necessity he says if he their car. The exception to this is if the any other scenario, drivers who call wants to maintain a sustainable towing tow needs to be expedited to ensure the police should be advised to obtain business in Ottawa. He says he has highway safety. It is also at the OPP advice from their insurance company given things like money, motorcycles officer’s discretion to reject a tow service about which tow company to call and and cars to Ottawa cops in exchange if the operator is not legally capable where the car should be taken. When for something as simple as information of driving (impaired), does not have asked to comment OPS pointed to about an accident. He has also heard their Commercial Vehicle Operator their website which clearly states that of other tow operators doing things Registration (CVOR) license, does not “If requested by the owner or driver, a like sending a police officer and their have the proper equipment, or there police officer may offer advice on the family on vacation or doing renovations are reasonable grounds to believe that options available but shall a criminal activity will not recommend or act as occur as a result of the tow. an agent for any particular Different tow truck drivers In areas of Ontario where towing service.” there is a tow association, have relationships with police officers they often provide a list The City of Ottawa also to OPP detachments so has a bylaw in place that is who either inform them about collisions or favour officers can call the various meant to keep tow truck local tow companies on a drivers from racing to the them at the scene. Often for a fee. rotating basis. There is no scene of an accident. Tow tow association in Ottawa, trucks should only come to so this list does not exist. the scene if they have been called by on their house just so they can hook. a customer and they must stay at least Abadi says it is very common for him Abadi says these caveats basically 200 meters away from the collision. to be told he can’t hook by the police, give OPP officers free reign to do If they don’t they can be handed a even if he has been called to the scene whatever they want at a collision scene. hefty fine of over $600 for soliciting by the customer. “It happens once a This includes threatening tow truck their businesses. Abadi says it is not day,” he says. drivers with tickets and charges and uncommon for tow truck drivers to even physically pushing them around be aggressive and solicit their business Abadi has been very vocal about these and calling them names. “I have been on scene. However, many operators arrangements since 2018. In fact, he was pushed and called a retard,” Abadi says. are also handed tickets unfairly, even one of the first to bring OPS’ attention “We have no rights as a tow truck if they are playing by the rules. Abadi’s to a relationship between tow operator operator.” wife Amanda is a licensed paralegal Jason Ishraki of Ottawa United Towing and built an entire business based on and Constable Putinsky back in May Abadi says he and a few other Ottawa helping tow truck operators fight unfair 2018. “I called the Ottawa Police and tow truck operators have had issues tickets. “I would get soliciting tickets said you have a corrupt cop,” he says. with one specific OPP officer named for tow operators and they would end Abadi says he knows that this is just Constable Greg Bell. In July 2019 up getting withdrawn because we had the tip of the iceberg. When asked Ottawa tow truck operator Randy proof that the insured called them to about the potential of more of their May decided it would be a great idea that scene,” she says. “I’ve represented officers being involved in taking kick to implement what he called “no at least 15 different towing companies backs, OPS advised that they could charge Fridays” on Highway 417. As in Ottawa in some capacity at some not comment so as not to jeopardize a gesture of goodwill and to get his point.” the RCMP investigation which is business name out there he said he ongoing. would tow anyone who broke down In Abadi’s experience many police on the highway on Friday over the officers are not following protocol and When Abadi got tired of fighting the summer for free. “The dispatcher loved giving tows unfairly to companies that corruption that seemed rampant in it,” May says. “She announced it over they favour. Often this means Ottawa the OPS he started focusing more on the radio.”

As soon as the word was out, May officers to call someone down to a Former tow truck driver Todd Mills alleges Constable Bell made it known fight?” he asked. The officer on the worked for Canadian Towing back that he was against the idea. He even phone didn’t believe him saying that in 2018. He says he has an idea called May on a Sunday and snapped none of their officers would do that. why Constable Bell and other OPP at him for having the audacity to offer On February 18, 2020 Abadi was officers wouldn’t like the idea of more towing for free. When Abadi hopped on pulled over and arrested by the OPP regulation on Ottawa’s highways. board with no charge Fridays he also and charged with criminal harassment “They’re getting bribes, 100 per cent” got on Constable Bell’s bad side and and uttering threats. He is still unsure Todd says. “The owner, when I worked has continued to have issues with him of what incident lead to the arrest as at Canadian, admitted it a few times.” as well as a few other OPP officers for they are still waiting for disclosure and Mills says he would often see off duty over a year. On October 22, 2019 a small initial court date due to COVID-19. officers showing up to the Canadian group of tow truck operators including Acting commander of the Ottawa Towing office. “You’d assume they May and Abadi planned a slow-rolling OPP detachment Staff Sergeant were just there to get paid,” he says. blockade on Highway 417 during rush Julie Prud’homme said she couldn’t hour to protest unfair treatment by the comment on specific complaints and Mills left the industry and went back OPP and to request more regulation in that they have a procedure that they to a job in municipal law enforcement the tow truck industry. The blockade follow when someone has an issue with services because of the corruption and was called off when OPP liaison team one of their officers, which sometimes poor working conditions at Canadian member Sergeant Diana Hampson includes referring them to the Office Towing. He calls the whole industry promised a meeting with OPP traffic of the Independent Police Review the tow truck mafia. “They have a supervisors to hear the tow operators’ Director (OIPRD), if it cannot be whole underground kind of deal with concerns. police here in Ottawa and Abadi, May and another Things really escalated for Abadi he says. tow truck operator met it’s extremely obvious,” with the then Ottawa on February 8, 2020 when Constable Bell called Mark Graves of the detachment commander Provincial Towing Staff Sergeant Bob him to meet at the Rochester off ramp to fight. Association of Ontario Wheeler and another (PTAO) says they have member of the liaison “He was bating me,” says Abadi. seen problems in the team, Jason Findlay, at the industry escalating over beginning of November the past ten years. “In the 2019. Abadi says they talked about resolved internally. Abadi has filed past couple years it’s gotten much more how to work more effectively with several complaints with the OIPRD all brash and criminal activity has really OPP officers on the highways and which have all been dismissed. increased,” he says. “It has brought the many benefits there would be to everything to the forefront.” more regulation and oversight in the Sergeant Kerry Schmidt of the OPP industry. Although it seemed like the Highway Safety Division confirmed As the result of a panel discussion OPP listened in the meeting Abadi that they do not have any ongoing held at their annual Tow Show in says he was very disappointed by the investigations into any of their officers. September 2019, the PTAO put outcome. “They did nothing,” he says. He also said there is no way that any together a task force to facilitate the OPP officer would be favouring one implementation of provincial licensing Things really escalated for Abadi on tow company over another. “OPP across the province. Graves says he was February 8, 2020 when Constable Bell officers are required to document pleased to hear Premier Doug Ford’s called him to meet at the Rochester the tow company they call and who announcement on June 29, 2020 that off ramp to fight. “He was bating me,” provides the tow service on their traffic the province had also created their own says Abadi. Amanda says she heard him reports,” he wrote in an email. task force to address the issues of the screaming on the phone and thought tow truck industry in Ontario. “Our he was yelling at someone from a rival Amanda says that if the OPP wanted to understanding is they want to clean up tow company. “He was like it’s that fix the problem, they could. She wonders the industry and with the news that’s cop Bell,” she said. “You can hear about why an OPP officer would continue with come out they know it’s not just an it, but it’s a totally other thing to hear it a personal vendetta against specific tow industry problem,” he says. “There are with your own ears.” truck drivers if he didn’t have anything outside factors that are putting pressure to lose. “If you’re not benefitting from on the industry also.” Abadi did not respond to the challenge that then why wouldn’t you want to and immediately called the Ottawa change it?” she wonders. “Regulating Graves says that the PTAO is pushing for OPP detachment to report Constable it is the solution and everything else provincial licensing that has the ability Bell and asked to speak to the staff stems from this bizarre nonsensical fight to take licenses away from tow operators sergeant. “Is it normal for one of your against regulation.” if their drivers and/or companies are

acting irresponsibly or unethically. He changed overnight.” no nothing,” he says. “Twenty-two says the PTAO still sees issues in the years later you’d think that we would industry even if a municipality does More regulation will also make it have gained some ground and had have a licensing system of their own. harder for dishonest police officers some industry standards, but there’s “I’m not saying that the [municipal] to favour tow companies and accept nothing.” He is hopeful that with licensing is a problem, but I am saying kick backs which has been happening the government announcement at that it is not fixing the problem,” he in both Toronto and Ottawa. “If it’s the end of June they will finally see says. “The idea is to have something happening in one spot it’s likely to some provincial regulations put in provincially standardized, so it doesn’t be happening somewhere else also,” place. “It makes the government look matter where you are in the province, Graves says. The PTAO is also looking good, it makes the towing industry you’re legal.” at the implementation of a third-party look good and it protects the public,” dispatching system which would help he says. “You can’t ask for anything Graves says that another thing they will put an end to police officers directing more than that.” have to look at is regulating pricing in where the tow goes. “It’s independent, the industry, possibly by region. He says free of controversy and protects the In Premier Ford’s announcement he that fixing the price across the province public,” he says. “Then you wouldn’t promised to come after all the bad actors doesn’t make sense because operating have the wild west going on at accident in the industry. “We’re coming for you costs are different depending on where scenes.” and we’ll catch you and we will lock you go. “Fuel is more expensive in you up,” he said at the press conference Timmins than it is in Toronto, in June. It remains to be insurance is more expensive seen whether this will in Toronto then it is in Provincial licensing and include investigations Timmins,” he says. He believes into the OPP and other creating standardized rates regional pricing models will not only help municipal police forces by region is the way to go to weed out all the “bad rather than having piecemeal to weed out the bad tow truck operators, actors” in their ranks, city rates and regulations that which seem to be more could cause even more issues. but it will also help those who are trying to prolific than anyone “We looked at breaking up could have imagined. the province into four to six make an honest living in the industry . . . regions and looking at costing For tow operators just averages based on those (they) will also make it harder for dishonest looking to make a regions,” he says. living, the industry in police officers to favour tow companies and Ottawa is a nightmare Graves says that provincial and the police are licensing and regional pricing accept kick backs which has been happening only making it worse. models will not only help to Abadi and many other weed out the bad tow truck in both Toronto and Ottawa. operators and drivers operators, but it will also want some regulation in help those who are trying to the industry desperately make an honest living in the industry. Graves says it is surprising that it has so that they will be able hook “Companies that have a sustainable taken this long for the government consistently and support themselves business model and understand that to make a move on implementing and their families. Amanda says the their income is going to be relatively regulations for the tow truck past few years have been very stressful stable have no problem investing in industry. He started his own towing with Abadi making an effort to play better equipment and training and company over two decades ago and by the rules and make and honest providing better services,” he says. “It’s he says the industry hasn’t changed living, while also dealing with unfair hard to do that if there is no consistency much since then. “I bought a tow and abusive treatment by some police in the work load you are getting or the truck and the next day I was towing officers who are enabling an already fact that your business model could be for the police, no background checks, corrupt and violent industry n