MBiz | May 2015

business is booming. b iz mb Vol .7

May 2015

great neighbourS How One Family Keeps Manitou in Good Company p20

FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015 p14 Score for the economy Manitoba Chambers AGM focuses on putting Manitoba first p4 compete to Win

Deciding to sell your business, buy a business or find new financing for your business is one thing. Deciding which approach to take is another. MNP Corporate Finance transaction advisors know the right roads to take – and the connections you need – to make whatever direction you’ve decided on work for you. We’ll develop strategies for every km of the journey – whether that journey is across the street or across the international date line. No matter which direction you’re thinking of taking your business, the right guidance and transaction advice will help you choose the best route.

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2 mbiz | may 2015

MAy 2015 VOl. 7 b iz mb manitoba chamberS of commerce mbchamber.mb.ca PresIdent & CeO Chuck davidson dIreCtOr OF POlICy & COMMunICAtIOns Cory Kolt Winnipeg free preSS winnipegfreepress.com PublIsHer bob Cox VICe PresIdent sAles laurie Finley MAnAGer OF nICHe PrOduCts barb borden barb.borden@freepress.mb.ca edItOr Pat st. Germain pstgermain@mail.com

o ne of the key elements that sets the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce apart from the 69 local Chambers in the province is our focus on policy development and advocacy. When we launched our new three-year strategic plan in 2014, it was clearly identified as one of the key pillars of our organization to which we would pay particular attention. Since its release, we have continued to be a vocal advocate for the importance of the tourism industry; ensured workforce issues were addressed and have spoken on numerous occasions about the need for Manitoba to have a more competitive business climate. To ensure we have a clear understanding of the challenges and issues facing the business community, we have made it a point to engage with as many Chambers throughout the province as possible. Over the course of the past year we have met with or attended over 50 Chamber events in the province from Churchill to Elkhorn and from Steinbach to Dauphin, and we have made a point of listening to business leaders in those communities. In addition, we have taken concerns from those local Chambers and advocated on their behalf in more than 40 meetings with various federal and provincial ministers, ambassadors and consul generals, local mayors and bureaucrats. With both a federal and provincial election to be held in the next 12 months, we will groWing the chamber netWork capS off buSy Six monthS

chuck davidson

ensure that the issues most important to the Manitoba business community are addressed in both campaigns. Finally, I want to take this opportunity to thank our board of directors, partners and the Winnipeg Free Press for their continued support of this magazine and commitment to the Chamber network. I would also like to say special thanks to the hard-working, dedicated staff at MCC, whose belief in providing great customer service and value to both our corporate and Chamber members has made this another great year. With an engaged board, a growing Chamber network and a focused staff, I’m confident MCC will continue to increase its profile and stature as the “Voice of Business” in Manitoba. chuck davidson president and ceo manitoba chambers of commerce

WrIters Cory Kolt Wendy King

Jennifer McFee david square Pat st. Germain Jim timlick Jon Waldman PHOtOGrAPHy darcy Finley numerous organizations supplied desIGn Jane Chartrand

featured thiS month in mbiz:

• AGM ............................. 4 • norman ........................ 8 • Parkland .................... 12 • Capital ....................... 14 • Pembina Valley .......... 24

• Central/Midwest ........ 26 • Central/Midwest ........ 28 • Interlake .................... 30 • eastern ...................... 32 • Western ...................... 36 26 28 30 32 36

View online at: winnipegfreepress.com/publications

3 mbiz | may 2015

Above from left: New MCC Board chair Merv Gunter with outgoing board members Wayne McWhirter (MNP), Jack Wilson (Manitoba Hydro International), Brian Kelly (Kelwin Management Consulting), Kenneth Thomas, (Outgoing MCC Board chair) and Chuck Davidson (MCC president & CEO). Above right: Todd Andres (Pitblado LLP partner) received the 2015 Harry Mardon Award, which goes to an MCC Board member who shows outstanding dedication to the organization. Right: Todd Birkhan (Brandon Chamber of Commerce president) was named 2015 Chamber Volunteer of the Year.

AGM Puts Focus on 2016 Election and Strengthening the Chamber Network

O ver the past year, political upheaval in Manitoba provided numerous headlines and plenty of opportunity for the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce (MCC) to solidify its message of policy over politics and putting Manitoba first. That message — along with two days devoted to examining the issues facing Manitoba businesses and the importance of economic competitiveness — highlighted the MCC’s 84th Annual General Meeting, held May 1-3 in Brandon. More than 100 representatives from local Chambers and corporate members descended upon the Wheat City to listen to and discuss ideas that would help re-establish the confidence of national and international business and investors, a confidence that was eroded by political infighting within the provincial government. The big question of where Manitoba stands today and, more importantly, where Manitoba is going, was top of mind for the new chair of the MCC Board of Directors, Frontiers North Adventures co- owner Merv Gunter. He, like many, is left wondering where the plan is for business to grow so Manitoba can prosper. “I don’t get a sense as a Manitoban that we have a clue where we are, fiscally and financially, or where we’re going,” Gunter said, shortly after being sworn in. “I don’t see any indication that we’re going to improve our financial position as a province. I don’t see a plan.” Creating a plan for Manitoba was a constant theme from members and MCC leadership. With a provincial election set for April 2016, this AGM presented Chamber President Chuck Davidson and his policy department with an opportunity to build on current policies focused on key areas of workforce, tourism, health, northern economic development, environment and, what is clearly the MCC’s most important issue, economic competitiveness. The 18 policy resolutions that were passed by local Chambers — including a call for a comprehensive review of taxes, a shot in the arm for pork producers and improved flood prevention measures — will be the basis of the MCC’s advocacy work moving forward. “Economists keep saying we are growing but it doesn’t feel that

way,” Davidson said. “The government continues to have some of the highest and most cumbersome business tax rates and that leaves us uncompetitive with neighbouring provinces. This needs to be addressed if we want to attract new investment.” Whether it was keynote speaker Federal Employment Minister Pierre Poilievre, or panelists like Vale CEO Ryan Land and Winnipeg Chamber vice-president Loren Remillard, the sentiment was similar — Manitoba should be doing much better. Between extending the policy book and galvanizing the Chamber network on the Chambers efforts, the focus will be to set the election agenda. “We should not have to hear the words “Manitoba” and “have- not province” in the same sentence,” Davidson said. “There is opportunity to move Manitoba forward and the will to do so from our Chamber members is strong. This next year will be very telling for the next chapter in our history.” While the AGM was dedicated to discussions on policy and business sessions intended to provide direction on key issues, MCC also welcomed five new board members and recognized the outgoing chair and long-serving members of the Chamber movement. The Chamber’s success relies on the guidance, advice and support from dedicated business leaders across the province. This year, Brian Kelly (Kelwin Management Consulting), Jack Wilson (Manitoba Hydro International), Wayne McWhirter (MNP), and David Newman (Pitblado LLP) all ended their tenure on the board. Their impact on MCC goes beyond words or simple a thank you. The same could be said of outgoing chair Kenneth Thomas (Rainbow Residence). The Winkler resident logged thousands of kilometres travelling across Manitoba touting the Chamber message. “The past year has been busy and taught me a lot about the people that work to make our province great, and about myself,” said Thomas. “I feel confident that we are better today than a year ago. The goal was to help create change and make a lasting impact on Manitoba. I hope we did.” With the 84th AGM now officially in the books, work begins on the 85th gathering May 6-8, 2016, in Portage la Prairie. ■

4 MBiz | May 2015

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clockwise from top left: new board members this year are carolynn cancade (chamber executives of manitoba directors, corporate), helen halliday (delta Winnipeg), paul holden (manitoba institute of trades & technology), alison kirkland (Women's enterprise centre) and paul provost (6p marketing).

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• Chair: Merv Gunter, Frontiers North Inc. • Vice Chair: Kyle Romaniuk, The CHR Group • Vice Chair: Judy Murphy, Safety Services Manitoba • Past Chair: Kenneth Thomas, Rainbow Residence • Treasurer: Regan Windsor, Manitoba Hydro • Secretary: Michelle Aitkenhead, RBC • Legal Counsel: Todd Andres, Pitblado LLP directorS • Scott Whitmore, Dauphin Chamber of Commerce • Brian Scharfstein, Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce • Gerry Glatz, Assiniboia Chamber of Commerce • Damon Johnston, Aboriginal Chamber of Commerce • Johnathan Fahr, East St. Paul Chamber of Commerce • Carolynn Cancade, Chamber Executives of Manitoba Directors (Corporate) • Dale Lacombe, DMT Development Systems Group • Kevin Ploegman, Deloitte • Helen Halliday, Delta Winnipeg • Paul Provost, 6P Marketing • Paul Holden, Manitoba Institute of Trades & Technology • Alison Kirkland, Women's Enterprise Centre directorS at large • Frank Sottana, CIBC • Wadood Ibrahim, Protegra meet the neW manitoba chamberS of commerce board of directorS:

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5 mbiz | may 2015

Just Watch Me! Winning entrepreneurs are contest video stars By David Square

C ommunity Futures’ Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Program (EDP) provides advice, training and access to loans to help people with disabilities or ongoing health conditions start businesses in rural Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Since 2011, EDP’s Just Watch Me! video contest has invited rural entrepreneurs to share their stories and inspire others. Meet three Manitoba winners in this year’s contest: Sydney Deneka (Seasoned Entrepreneur, first place) started Kozy Kritters by Sydney, an embroidered blanket home business, in 2012. “Sydney was really, really excited about winning first prize,” says her mother, Heather Deneka, adding Sydney was showered with accolades when the principal of her school, Edward Schreyer High School in Beausejour, announced her win over the intercom. Area residents got behind “the blanket girl,” and voted for her

video by the thousands. She received over 15,000 votes — 52% of the total, according to EDP coordinator Susan Bater. Since her win, Sydney has received 130 orders for her blankets, which she embroiders on a machine purchased with earlier profits. The packaged blankets include a dog or cat motif, a toy and a home-made pet treat. A veterinary clinic in St. John’s, Nfld. orders her pet blankets regularly. She also receives commissions for newborn baby fleeces, which are packaged with a toy and a copy of Sydney’s Story, a description of her triumphant struggle over the debilitating effects of a rare genetic disorder known as Coffin Siris Syndrome. Heather says the $1,000 Just Watch Me! prize money is being invested in a renovation of Sydney’s work room. Sydney has two dogs — shih tzu Lily and poodle-yorkie mix Maggie — and to date, she has donated nearly $600 to pet shelters, rescues and the Winnipeg Humane Society.

6 MBiz | May 2015

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beausejour’s Sydney deneka, with her dog maggie, and holland’s nancy Weicker are Seasoned entrepreneurs. Photos by Darcy Finley

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7 mbiz | may 2015

cloSeup on churchill Filmmakers Focus on manitoba’s north By Wendy King

n orthern Lights! Camera! Action! That could be the command given by a movie or television director on a shoot in Churchill. And that phrase, or something like it, has been uttered on two different productions in just the last year. Movie-making is big business in Manitoba, and having a production company in your community can be an economic mini-boom. Carole Vivier, Manitoba Film & Music's CEO & film commissioner, heads up one of the organizations that invests in, and wants to see, as many of those mini-booms happen as possible. "The thing that doesn’t get communicated enough is that when productions are here, 90% of the people working on those productions are Manitobans that live and work here," says Vivier. Merit Motion Pictures (MMP) is one of the top producers of blue- chip science documentaries in Canada, specializing in natural history and current affairs. Merit Jensen Carr, MMP’s executive producer and president, just had a crew wrap a major project that tracks the migration of 1,000 polar bears through Churchill. " Polar Bear Town is a documentary series that we’re doing for Outdoor Life Network (OLN) and Smithsonian Channel in the

U.S. and Earth Touch internationally," she says. That international connection is fostered significantly with provincial funding through tax incentives, something Jensen Carr says is key to pitching a project outside of Canada. "Our polar bear project is a really good example of that," she says. "We took the provincial tax credit and went into the States and found an international partner, and then we came back and found our Canadian partner." She says the tax credits are the way to ensure Manitoba’s indigenous film industry remains stable and continues to thrive. "I think that the provincial government really gets that," she says. Kim Todd, founder, president and executive producer at Original Pictures, says Manitoba has many strengths as a production centre. "Manitoba has great incentives, talented crews and cast, a wide variety of locations and very helpful and supportive governments at the provincial and civic levels," says Todd. "Our feature film Midnight Sun , for example, which is an international production, had a budget that was at the top of the range for Canadian movies."

8 mbiz | may 2015

manitoba film and tV producers put churchill in the spotlight. Photo courtesy of Merit Motion Pictures

norman churchill chamber of commerce flin flon & diStrict chamber of commerce gillam chamber of commerce the paS & diStrict chamber of commerce thompSon chamber of commerce

left: Slating the next shot for midnight Sun. below: director roger Spottiswoode and the camera crew on one of the many special rigs designed to travel across the ice. Photos by Allen Fraser, courtesy of Original Pictures.

Set for release in 2015, the $17-million feature film is about a teenage boy who tries to reunite an abandoned polar bear cub with its mother in northern Canada. The project is an international co-production between Canada and Italy. That kind of relationship can be helped along with Access funds, which give local production companies the finances to connect internationally, says Nicole Matiation, executive director of On Screen Manitoba. "Access funds let film companies attend markets where they have the opportunity to meet with broadcasters or

towns and regions with sparser populations, like Churchill, get to participate. Tourism and ecotourism are major contributors to the local economy, with the polar bear season in October and November being the largest tourism draw. So it’s important to recognize that filmmakers have the potential to impact the local economy long after everyone has gone home. Once those productions are broadcast, they act like a kind of travelogue, advertising a location. "There is a tie-in to tourism," Carole Vivier says.

"Tourism and film work hand in hand, and that’s something we’ve been doing some work on with Travel Manitoba." ■

distributors as well as co-production partners and lets them develop the relationships that let them produce the shows that we see in Manitoba," Matiation says.

"A show like Polar Bear Town , where American broadcasters were secured to the show first, is a clear example where you need to be out in the market to secure the

appropriate partners." Manitoba has seen nearly $1 billion dollars in production in the last 10 years and over half of that was spent in the province on salaries, supplies and services, so it’s significant when

Small toWn SerVice general store keeps old-Fashioned values By Wendy King

"Our store is a place to have a coffee in the morning, stop for treats for the kids after the school day, or a quick visit after picking up the mail."

12 mbiz | may 2015

a small-town general store can have a big- time social impact on a community. Becky and Bryan Flundra own and operate the Angusville General Store, and Becky says she’s seen that impact first-hand. "One thing we’ve noticed is more people walking down the street, just being more mobile in town and stopping to chat with one another," she says. “Sometimes, I get people into the store that only live one street away from each other and they’ll meet and say, ‘Oh I haven’t seen you all winter!’ So a lot of the neighbours get to reconnect because of the business." The Flundras are in their second year of marriage and are establishing their store as a "mom and pop" business that serves the needs of the local community. Bryan grew up in Russell and moved to Angusville about 10 years ago, while Becky grew up in Grandview and moved to Angusville three years ago. They met on a blind date and hit it off from the start. Before long, they were brainstorming about how to start a business. "Bryan was chatting with his shift partner at work about it and he told us to go and talk to Grandma Baker about the fixtures left in her store," she says. Grandma Baker’s store was the old Vista General Store. It was established in 1907 and it was a fixture in the region for many years. After Mr. Baker's passing, the store was closed down, but all of the beautiful, turn-of-the-century counters and fixtures remained until the Flundras purchased and moved them to Angusville. "We went to check things out, and if money grew on trees, the whole building would have been moved to Angusville to really keep the old general store feel," says Becky. The Flundras value history and stories of the old days, which include little details like pointing out the worn-out spot on the counters where Becky says thousands of penny matches were lit over the years. This was the inspiration to recreate the old general store feel, and so far everyone loves it. "They think it’s great that we have a little bit of everything and they don’t have to start a vehicle and drive to a neighbouring community for one or two things,” she says.

"We really do carry a little bit of almost everything, just like an old-fashioned general store.” Customers will find the usual milk, eggs, candy, toys, fuses, gloves and hats, but also more newfangled commodities like soft ice cream, specialty coffees and fresh flowers. The floral service is a passion of Becky’s. "I do flowers because I absolutely love it," she says. "I took some courses to boost my confidence and learn a few new techniques." The store also holds special events, such as ladies’ evenings and an evening of gift shopping for holidays such as Mother’s Day. "We are working with some of the other business owners in town to have a big community day fair on June 20," Becky says. "It’s gearing up to be a fundraiser for the chemo unit in the Russell Health Care Centre." She says people who come from other communities often comment on how fortunate Angusville is to have such good businesses, something many smaller towns are lacking. "Our store is a place to have a coffee in the morning, stop for treats for the kids after the school day, or a quick visit after picking up the mail. "We believe in community and having an independently owned business boosts your community and allows you to give back every day." ■

parkland dauphin & diStrict chamber of commerce roblin & diStrict chamber of commerce roSSburn & diStrict chamber of commerce ruSSell & diStrict chamber of commerce SWan Valley chamber of commerce

the store, which features the counter from the old Vista general Store, has become a gathering place. Photos courtesy of Angusville General Store

13 mbiz | may 2015

FiFa Women’s World cup canada 2015 brings net gains By Jim Timlick kick for the economy

W hile it’s far too soon to say who will be crowned champions at the FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015, one big winner has already been determined — the city of Winnipeg. Winnipeg will host seven matches during the tournament, which will see 24 nations battling for soccer supremacy from June 6 - July 5 in six Canadian cities. Preliminary projections compiled by the Canadian Sport Tourism Alliance estimate the event will generate more than $267 million in economic activity across the country, and Winnipeg stands to reap a significant portion of that windfall. Chantal Sturk-Nadeau, vice-president of tourism for Tourism Winnipeg, expects the World Cup to cement the city’s reputation as one of the country’s preeminent host cities. She notes Winnipeg’s size and central geographic location make it an ideal location to host national and international sporting events such as the Grey Cup, coming up in November, and the Pan Am Games. “A lot of large sporting events actually do look for a little bit smaller cities,” Sturk-Nadeau says. “Yes, the big cities have the money, but the smaller cities are easier to get around and there’s a lot more of a community feel to them.”

Winnipeg’s ability to draw on dedicated volunteers is another factor that helps to make major sporting events a success. “You’ll go to other cities and they say they have a really hard time getting the volunteers to help out,” she says. “In Winnipeg it’s almost a given.” The World Cup stands to be an economic bonanza for the local hotel industry. Nearly 90% of the city’s 7,000-plus hotel rooms had already been booked for the period of June 10 - 14 by late April. Hotel industry experts have predicted nearly a quarter of all revenue generated during the World Cup in Winnipeg will be spent on accommodations. “We’re already looking at what can be used outside the city because our hotels are almost sold out,” Sturk-Nadeau says. The local retail sector can anticipate a big bump in its bottom line. And Winnipeg’s restaurants and bars can expect to do brisk business, with fans, volunteers, organizers and coaches looking to wet their whistles and fill their bellies. Tourism Winnipeg has also worked with the hospitality industry to create an athletes’ attraction pass that will provide players with free or discounted access to a number of local attractions. It’s part of an effort to encourage them to promote the city to friends and family back home and across the world.

14 mbiz | may 2015

capital aboriginal chamber of commerce aSSiniboia chamber of commerce chambre de commerce francophone de Saint-boniface headingley regional chamber of commerce la Salle & area chamber of commerce StoneWall & diStrict chamber of commerce Winnipeg chamber of commerce

fans got a preview of international soccer action during a friendly game between canada and the u.S. last may at investors group field. Photos by Douglas Portz

“Not only will the FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015 be a fantastic event, but we hope visitors will be able to experience all of the sights and sounds that our city has to offer,” says Chad Falk, Winnipeg’s venue general manager for the World Cup. While all the game action will take place at Investors Group Field, Sturk-Nadeau says the economic impact will be felt throughout the city.

“You’ve got people everywhere from the airport to the south end of the city to downtown,” she says. “All areas (will benefit), which is different than when you bring in international conferences and they’re meeting at the convention centre.” Teams from the U.S., Sweden, Nigeria, Australia, Germany, Thailand, Ecuador, Japan and New Zealand play seven games from June 8 - 16. See www.fifa.com/Canada2015 for details. ■

15 mbiz | may 2015 15

happy trailS Wilderness supply marks 20th anniversary By Jon Waldman

f or 20 years, Wilderness Supply has been outfitting loyal clients for outdoor pursuits ranging from hiking, camping and canoeing to climbing the world’s tallest peaks. Assiniboia Chamber of Commerce executive director Ernie Nairn says it’s quite a feat that the store’s clientele includes mountaineers who have attempted to climb Mount Everest among other major adventures. “For a Winnipeg company to have outfitted people who have gone to the Arctic Circle and Everest Base Camp is pretty amazing,” he says. When Frank and Jan Sjoberg opened the flagship store on Ferry Road in 1995, it was a small labour of love. The couple had spent their formative years camping, paddling and enjoying other outdoor activities in Manitoba and Ontario. Current owner Rick Shone says the original location was affordable and had space for both the new venture and for Frank to continue plying his trade as a carpenter.

“He was using the back room as a carpentry shop, but they both transitioned to working full-time in the store and business a couple years later,” Shone says. The Sjobergs retired a few years back, but by a stroke of fate, Wilderness Supply remains a family business. Shone joined the company in 2001, working on the assumption he might be able to buy the store when Frank and Jan were ready to bow out. “I didn’t know them at all, but through them and working here I met their daughter, Elysia, and we ended up getting married,” he says with a laugh. “So it ended up becoming a family business where it wasn’t supposed to.” The business and the original store have seen steady growth over the years. “We basically started selling canoes, kayaks and related items, then over the years we expanded this store,” Shone says. “The guy behind us left so we expanded, opened up to the space we’ve got today on Ferry, and in the same year expanded into Thunder Bay.”

cmyk

16 mbiz | may 2015

b&w

Soon after Shone bought the business in 2009, he opened another new outlet on Speers Road in Winnipeg, but the Ferry Road store remains the flagship location. “We developed a following in the area,” Shone says. “Like any store, it’s a really big decision to try and change a location once you’ve got a clientele who knows who you are. And we found too, because of what we sell, it’s a pretty big product. It’s a bit off the beaten path but it’s not too far from retail areas.” One factor that keeps Wilderness Supply on top is its ability to evolve, adding equipment for new sports like standup paddleboarding, and offering new services to customers. This includes courses in kayaking and canoeing, paddleboarding and wilderness first aid training to help customers elevate their paddling skills and stay safe on the water. “It’s an augment to what we’re already doing,” Shone says. “We were passionate about providing product for people to go out and challenge themselves to do different things.” ■ “We were passionate about providing product for people to go out and challenge themselves to do different things.”

Wilderness Supply owner rick Shone became part of the

original owners’ family. Photo by Darcy Finley

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17 mbiz | may 2015

port authority proFessor explores neW strategies For churchill

i t seems every cloud has a silver lining. An internationally recognized expert on seaports and strategies for adapting to climate change is focusing on new opportunities for the Port of Churchill. Dr. Adolf K.Y. Ng, a professor of transportation and supply chain management at the I.H. Asper School of Business at the University of Manitoba, says the downside of climate change is obvious, but there is an upside for Manitoba’s northern port. “Usually the negative effects are clearly, explicitly visible to everybody,” Ng says. “Positive impacts are not clearly visible and are relatively long term." However, Ng does see opportunities for Churchill. Recently, the U of M honoured Dr. Ng with an Rh Award in the Interdisciplinary category. He plans to use the award to research ways Churchill can maximize its potential as a port and promote shipping along the Northwest Passage. While Churchill is primarily a port for grain shipments, Ng says it needs to build more infrastructures to accommodate different types of cargoes, an investment that would enhance capacity for both the port and northern economic development. It could also position itself as a centre for security and search-and-rescue operations, he says, adding that the latter necessity has been largely overlooked. “Not only in Churchill but in northern Canada in general along the Hudson Bay, Baffin Island and the Northwest Passage, there

is a very serious lack of supporting infrastructure which would support maritime transport in that region, which includes, for example, infrastructure for potential accidents,” he says. “It’s still a pretty dangerous and risky waterway.” Ng points out that Arctic ice doesn’t just melt into water, it melts into icebergs. It only took one iceberg to sink the Titanic in 1912, and ships in the Northwest Passage and the Davis Strait along Baffin Island may encounter multiple icebergs, which makes the need for rescue operations inevitable. “I believe that Churchill has the potential to become a kind of centre to coordinate these types of activities, not only within Manitoba but within Hudson Bay and even within northern Canada,” he says. “You need several bases in order to carry out these activities and I really believe that Churchill can be one of them, which is also good for the region around Churchill.” Ng co-authored the book Climate Change and Adaptation Planning for Ports , which examines ports on five continents. It will offer guidance to governments, industry and academics when it’s published in September. It’s just one of many projects he’s undertaken on port’s adaptation to climate change, including establishing an international research consortium. Ng earned his PhD in human geography from the University of Oxford in 2006. He joined the I.H. Asper School of Business in January 2013. ■

i.h. asper School of business professor dr. adolf k.y. ng is an expert on the effects of climate change on ports. Photo by Darcy Finley

18 mbiz | may 2015

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15-03-24 10:29 AM

ALL iN the fAmiLy thANks to A LoNG-ruNNiNG pArtNership with eNbridGe, subcAN hAs buiLt A soLid fouNdAtioN of sAfety, security ANd commuNity.

A s a youngster, Brodie Dobson it was time for Brodie to take over the controls himself. The Manitou, MB native has done more than just taken the reins of the family business; he and fiancée Charissa St-Cyr have turned Subcan Ltd. into a successful heavy equip- ment company with some 40 employees. “We’re the largest single employer in guesses he spent thousands of hours watching his dad run heavy machinery. That was long before Manitou,” he says of his hometown of 800, surrounded by productive farmland within the Municipality of Pembina. One of Subcan’s largest customers is Enbridge, which contracts with Subcan to install and maintain some of its pipeline infrastructure in the region. A LoNG history of sAfety “Subcan has worked with Enbridge since 1965, and that company’s first priority has always been ensuring the work is conducted safely and to the highest environmental standards,” said Dobson. “And with Enbridge’s help, we’ve instituted a tough quality control and assurance program that ensures the job gets done right,” added St-Cyr. Subcan is closely involved with Enbridge’s integrity digs in the region. An integrity dig allows pipelines to be closely inspected to ensure safe operation. A section of pipe is excavated and checked visually. If a defect is found, the pipe is repaired, recoated and reburied. In some cases, old sections of pipe are replaced entirely with new ones. Enbridge’s rigorous monitoring, inspection and maintenance is how the company has achieved a 99.9993 percent safe delivery record – but the goal is always to reach 100 percent. For Enbridge executive Cynthia Hansen, success takes real investment and constant commitment. “Each year Enbridge continues to invest in our assets and people to ensure we can safely deliver the energy that people need.

Brodie Dobson and Charissa St-Cyr of Subcan Ltd.

Photography by Thomas Fricke.

Subcan ensures integrity through rigorous monitoring,

inspection and maintenance.

GiviNG bAck to the commuNity A few highlights from

Enbridge’s long relationship with Manitoba communities.

$14M iN tAxes iNjected iNto the commuNity $40M iNvested iN mAiNteNANce ANd equipmeNt 99.9993% sAfe deLivery record $7M iN pAid sALAries pArtNers siNce 1950 70 jobs creAted

LiNe 3 repLAcemeNt proGrAm After working at building up the business for the family, in June of last year Dobson took over ownership of Subcan. And he’s excited about the timing. “I’m looking forward to working with Enbridge on the new Line 3 Replacement Program,” said Dobson. The $7.5 billion Line 3 Replacement Program is the largest project in Enbridge’s history and one of the largest oil pipeline infrastructure projects ever undertaken in North America. The program will replace existing Line 3 pipeline infrastructure on both sides of the Canada-U.S. border with the latest pipeline technology. The L3RP will stretch from Hardisty, AB to Gretna, MB and south from the U.S.- Canada border into North Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. “The Line 3 Replacement Program will create an enormous economic boost for businesses in Manitoba and will result in thousands of new jobs during construction,” said Dobson. Line 3 replacement will take three years and create an estimated 24,275 direct jobs in Canada during that period and will provide $108.2 million in tax revenue to Manitoba and $514.3 million to Canada as a whole. The National Energy Board is slated to hold a hearing on the project and Enbridge will consult closely with local and Aboriginal communities as the L3RP moves ahead. For Dobson and St-Cyr, the opportunity to continue working with Enbridge on its latest – and largest – project is their chance to make history. “My father and great uncle started working on one of Enbridge’s first pipelines and laid the groundwork for a successful family business that’s making an important contribu- tion to this community,” said Dobson. “We’re proud to be carrying on the family tradition of helping build and maintain vital energy infrastructure for Manitoba and the country as a whole,” Dobson noted. 

For example, in 2014, we spent about $40 million in Manitoba for maintenance work and equipment purchases,” explained Hansen, the company’s Senior Vice President Operations, Liquid Pipelines. “Enbridge paid over $14 million in taxes across Manitoba last year. We help support Manitoba communities each and every year. In addition, we employ approximately 70 people in the province. Our Manitoba employees receive salaries totaling $7 million each year,” Hansen said. “We have been in Manitoba for over 65 years and will be here for another 65,” added Hansen. A Good NeiGhbour Enbridge’s relationship with Subcan and Dobson’s family goes back to the time Dobson’s father and great uncle purchased one of the first backhoes in Southern Manitoba and went to work for Enbridge building Line 13, now part of the Southern Lights pipeline delivery system. “Now we think of Enbridge as family,” Dobson said. “I grew up around the company, sitting in backhoes, watching my Dad and great uncle help build and maintain this province’s pipeline infrastructure,” Dobson noted. “Enbridge helped grow our company and today our employees have an opportunity to stay in town and support their families locally rather than move away to find jobs,” Dobson said. “Enbridge is a great company to work with because they have a long history here, they strongly support small businesses – and they care about their surroundings. That’s key,” said St-Cyr. As a volunteer firefighter, Dobson under- lines how important Enbridge’s financial support has been to ensuring the Pembina Volunteer Fire Department has the equipment it needs to keep the community safe. “And that’s only one example of how Enbridge supports communities,” said Dobson.

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22 mbiz | may 2015

Manitoba’s Educational Resource Center on Life Issues We are a charitable organization

capital neW & noteWorthy

dedicated to the protection of life from the moment of conception to natural death. Life’s Vision is committed to raising public awareness on life-affirming options, and speaking out on behalf of those who cannot speak for themselves. The resource centre is open Monday to Thursday 10:00 am to 4:00 pm in the lower level of the Boyd Building, 388 Portage Avenue. Our educational resources include books, DVD’s and pamphlets on life issues.

>> mbiz salutes the 2015 inductees to the Junior achievement of manitoba business hall of fame: • Arthur DeFehr, majority owner and CEO of palliser furniture holdings ltd. • Elmer Hildebrand, CEO of Golden West Broadcasting Ltd. • Duncan M. Jessiman, chairman and owner of Bison Transport • Mary Kelekis, owner of Kelekis Restaurant

• The late Hugh Munro. The founder of Hugh Munro construction ltd., will be inducted posthumously. the fundraising gala in support of Junior achievement of manitoba will be held June 2 at the metropolitan entertainment centre. See www.mbhf.ca for details. >> the manitoba lgbt* chamber of commerce held a Supplier diversity information session in april. businesses that are majority owned by shareholders or individuals who self-identify as lgbt can apply for certification to gain access to purchasing, networking and mentorship opportunities, among other benefits. national corporate members include rbc, ey, kellogg’s, bmo, td, bell and telus. the canadian gay & lesbian chamber of commerce is the certifying organization for lgbt businesses. members of the manitoba lgbt* chamber receive special application rates. See www.mb-lgbt.biz.

toll-free: 204.233.8048 website: lifesvision.ca

Proud to be a part of the legal landscape in Manitoba.

9th Floor - 400 St. Mary Avenue Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 4K5

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23 mbiz | may 2015

Westfield industries, now owned by ag growth international (agi) was one of the first manufacturers in rosenort, and it’s still the largest. Photos courtesy of Ag Growth International (AGI)

giantS of induStry rosenort is big on manuFacturing By David Square

f arming has always required hard work and ingenuity, so it’s no surprise that Manitoba’s bread basket is also hotbed of innovation when it comes to farm equipment. Manitobans lead the way on a global scale, manufacturing innovative soil preparation and harvesting machinery, conveyors, storage containers and more. The small town of Rosenort, population 700, is a major manufacturing centre with clients throughout the world, and that’s largely thanks to good old Mennonite ingenuity, says Chamber of Commerce chairman Shane Kroeker, who is also vice-president of Marketing for K-Tec Earthmovers Inc. One of the first businesses in Rosenort was a grain auger manufacturing company established in the early 1950s when a local entrepreneur improved the design of a commercially built auger that collapsed under loads. Inventor Abraham Plett rebuilt the undercarriage of the auger so that it would meet or exceed load requirements during operation.

When the manufacturer refused to use his design innovations, Plett decided to open his own business and Westfield Industries was born in 1951. Plett’s company was bought in 2000 by Ag Growth International (AGI), a large manufacturer and worldwide distributor of agricultural equipment, including a line of portable augers made in Rosenort by Westfield. Today, Westfield is the largest company in the southern Manitoba town, with more than 300 employees and 175,000 square feet of manufacturing space. Kroeker says K-Tec Earthmovers Inc. has a similar history. It was founded in 2000 by Ken Rempel, who grew up on a farm and owned a dirt-moving company. Rempel was not satisfied with the quality of the dirt scrapers on the market. They were prone to bogging down in Manitoba gumbo, creating stress fractures and resulting in too much downtime. So he designed and built the first K-Tec scraper, a durable, lightweight machine that went into full-scale production in 2004.

24 mbiz | may 2015

pembina Valley altona & diStrict chamber of commerce morden & diStrict chamber of commerce morriS & diStrict chamber of commerce plum coulee & diStrict chamber of commerce roSenort & diStrict chamber of commerce Winkler & diStrict chamber of commerce >> former dragons’ den regular arlene dickinson, ceo of Venture communications and youinc.com, was the keynote presenter at the 2015 p.W. enns business awards, presented by the Winkler & district chamber of commerce in april. congratulations to the honourees: • Business Builder Award, under 10 employees: ens farms • Business Builder Award, over 10 employees: centennial Supply • Customer Service Award: impact Signs • Not-for-profit Award: Genesis House • Business Excellence Award: kroeker farms

The company was awarded the Young Entrepreneur of Manitoba Award in 2005 and it survived the recession years of 2008 - 2010 by creating work-share schedules rather than laying off staff members — a strategy that helped the company retain trained workers and benefitted the community, as well. By 2012, a new manufacturing facility with an ISO 9001 certification was completed in the Rosenort Industrial Park. “Our future looks very bright,” Kroeker says. “There is a growing demand for our equipment throughout the world, including the United States, Australia, Canada, Europe and the Middle East. The industrial park was built in 2010 with 30 lots, and a 15-lot expansion is expected to be completed by the end of summer. The RM of Morris is upgrading eight kilometres of PR330 from gravel to pavement this summer in a cost-sharing initiative with Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation, and the town is seeing new housing developments to accommodate a growing population. Kroeker says the Rosenort Chamber has more than 50 members, and it’s working to retain and attract skilled workers for local businesses.

One initiative is a high-school resume program. The Chamber acts as a liaison between new graduates and local business, gathering resumes and cover letters and passing them on to Chamber members. “It’s a kind of a win-win for everyone involved. The kids get to learn their resume skills and the companies in the area don’t have to spend on newspaper ads for hiring,” he says. It’s also a way to keep young workers in Rosenort. Opening the door for manufacturers to court more workers from Winnipeg is another goal. The Chamber is looking at the possibility of having a rural bus service to make commuting to the town more attractive, a move that could be another win-win if some of those commuters decide to settle in the town. ■

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25 mbiz | may 2015

the community. They had a deadline of 30 days, the project had to be documented, and it had to be kept secret until the big reveal. The financial investment? $100. Change effected? Priceless. Cindy McDonald, executive director of the Portage Chamber, says the idea had been floating around for a few years, but suddenly, the timing was right. poSSible miSSionS force agents oF change take on secret challenge By Wendy King

i n September of 2014, a select group of people were recruited by the Portage la Prairie & District Chamber of Commerce (PPDCC) as ‘Agents of Change’ in a highly secretive undercover project: Mission of Possibilities. Each received a package which included recorded instructions and a small amount of cash in unmarked bills. It was not wired to self-destruct. The PPDCC joined forces with the Portage la Prairie Community Revitalization Corporation to launch the project, which challenged the agents to make a positive change in

"We called it Mission of Possibilities because our city had just inaugurated the new slogan City of Possibilities," she says. McDonald needed people with a very particular set of skills to pull off the caper. Nine agents were chosen based on their active involvement in the community. They were so successful at keeping the project under wraps that it wasn’t until the launch of the results video at the Chamber’s Best Business Awards that one community member realized she had been

26 mbiz | may 2015

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