SASKATOONEXPRESS - July 11-17, 2016 - Page 1
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Volume 14, Issue 27, Week of July 11, 2016
Saskatoonʼs REAL Community Newspaper
Innovation key to Saskatoon economy New Chamber president Jason Yochim weighs in on real estate, the economy, and an Uber moment
Joanne Paulson Saskatoon Express rom farming to big business to real estate, Jason Yochim has learned a lot about the Saskatchewan economy over the years. As of May, Yochim – the CEO of the Saskatoon Region Association of REALTORS™ (SRAR) – will spend a year as president of the Greater Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce. It won’t be a year without challenges, but he’s excited about the task. “To me, it’s humbling,” he said in an interview. “I have a great deal of respect for the board that I’m part of, and the leadership that’s there, and the expertise – the diversity of it. I take that seriously. “I always try to look down the road and see what’s coming, what are we dealing with in this community, how can we better prepare for it, how can we work better with our stakeholders – our membership, and (levels of) government. “I think change is rapid and we have to make sure we’re responsive to the change and not get too comfortable as an organization. We really need to be attuned to the challenges that our members face ... I think we really need to keep those communication lines open. You can get comfortable pretty easily.” There was indeed some comfort during our decade-long boom, but Saskatoon and KK071120 Karen the province have seen a downturn over
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Jason Yochim, new president of the Greater Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce, says amenities such as the Remai Modern Art Gallery are important to the quality of life in Saskatoon. (Photo by Steve Gibb) the last two years, driven largely by plunging oil prices and other, lower commodity prices. With the economy still struggling, what does Yochim see coming in the next year? “That’s the million dollar question, as to what, economically, will happen,” he said. “But we’re in for a challenging year or so. “When resources come back, particular-
Community
ly oil, it won’t be the same as it was in the past. We can’t rely on it as we used to. “The nice thing about Saskatchewan and Saskatoon is we have a very entrepreneurial, innovative, creative type of businessperson. We see a lot of industry that quietly goes under the radar, doing really cool things as far as innovation and manufacturing and R&D go. We need to
be sure we’re capitalizing on that, so when we develop new things, we’re not exporting the manufacture somewhere else. “That diversity, it’s here.” Yochim points particularly to the food, agriculture and health sectors as places where Saskatoon can innovate – indeed, is innovating – and make a difference. (Continued on page 8)
t e k r a M s r e m n r o o t a a k F s a S f o wn Produce
Bringin g a Slice of the Country to the City
4pm Locally Gro m a 9 : n o i t ra Hours of Ope
London Drugs on 8th Street
Peavey Mart on 51st Street