SPRING 2018, VOL. 13
87th AGM Looks Forward in Clear Lake Country PAGE 6 FUTURE IN FOCUS
DOWNTOWN BRANDON Sneath Group transforms historic area P34
THAT'S THE SPIRIT Distiller makes his mark P28
CLEAR (LAKE) VISION Creating a new brand identity P24
CONTRIBUTING $1.7 BILLION AND 13,000 JOBS TO OUR MANITOBA ECONOMY EVERY YEAR
Olivia Penner Future Generation Manitoba Hog Farmer Blumenort, MB
Manitoba’s pork industry contributes over $1.7 billion to our economy annually and employs over 13,000 Manitobans, helping to create economic stability and opportunity right here at home. Learn more at manitobapork.com/community
Featured this month...
NORMAN: Churchill Chamber of Commerce Flin Flon & District Chamber of Commerce Gillam Chamber of Commerce Snow Lake Chamber of Commerce The Pas & District Chamber of Commerce Thompson Chamber of Commerce 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 CENTRAL: Carman & Community Chamber of Commerce Chambre de commerce Notre-Dame-De-Lourdes MacGregor & District Chamber of Commerce Oakville & District Chamber of Commerce Portage la Prairie & District Chamber of Commerce Treherne & District Chamber of Commerce CAPITAL: Aboriginal Chamber of Commerce Assiniboia Chamber of Commerce Chambre de commerce francophone de Saint-Boniface East St. Paul Chamber of Commerce Headingley Regional Chamber of Commerce La Salle & Area Chamber of Commerce Niverville Chamber of Commerce Ritchot Regional Chamber of Commerce Selkirk Biz Stonewall & District Chamber of Commerce Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce PEMBINA VALLEY: Altona & District Chamber of Commerce Crystal City & 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
EASTERN: Beausejour & District Chamber of Commerce Chambre de commerce de Saint-Pierre-Jolys Falcon/West Hawk Chamber of Commerce Grunthal & District Chamber of Commerce Lac Du Bonnet & District Chamber of Commerce Landmark & Area Chamber of Commerce Pinawa Chamber of Commerce Piney Regional Chamber of Commerce Reynolds & Whitemouth District Chamber of Commerce Springfield Chamber of Commerce Chambre de commerce St. Malo & District Steinbach Chamber of Commerce WESTERN: Boissevain & District Chamber of Commerce Brandon Chamber of Commerce Carberry & District Chamber of Commerce Deloraine & Area Chamber of Commerce Elkhorn District Chamber of Commerce Melita & District Chamber of Commerce Rapid City & District Chamber of Commerce Souris & Glenwood Chamber of Commerce Virden Community Chamber of Commerce Waskada & Area Chamber of Commerce INTERLAKE: Ashern & District Chamber of Commerce Central Interlake Chamber of Commerce Eriksdale & District Chamber of Commerce Fisher Branch Chamber of Commerce Gimli Chamber of Commerce Teulon & District Chamber of Commerce MIDWEST:
Capital K Distillery wins gold — and silver and bronze — at national competition. 28
and natural beauty to woo visitors. 24
Clear Lake Country showcases experiences
Bioscience company Emergent BioSolutions focuses on protecting and enhancing lives. 42
Hamiota Chamber of Commerce Minnedosa Chamber of Commerce
Neepawa & District Chamber of Commerce Rivers & District Chamber of Commerce Shoal Lake and District Chamber of Commerce Wasagaming Chamber of Commerce
is among Just Watch Me! winners. 30
Leave it to Chance lawn business entrepreneur
A MESSAGE FROM MCC PRESIDENT & CEO CHUCK DAVIDSON
BUILDING A BETTER MANITOBA TOGETHER
JUNE 2018, VOL. 13
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 MANAGER OF NICHE PRODUCTS Barb Borden barb.borden@freepress.mb.ca EDITOR Pat St. Germain pstgermain@mail.com
We have been asked to play a leading role in the province’s work towards a new, focused tourism strategy, and have been helping former Chamber executive Dave Angus and his co-chair Barb Gamey as they seek input on the province’s economic development strategy. Our mission continues to champion sustainable economic growth leading to greater prosperity for business and communities in Manitoba. As we enjoy spring and prepare for another glorious summer in our province, MCC looks to build on our strategic plan and strengthen and focus on our advocacy efforts, development of the Chamber network, and our organizational development. As the voice of business in Manitoba, MCC is working to gain greater insight from the business community via a business survey in the coming months and develop research projects that will shed more light on key issues facing our members. The strong work and growth within MCC do not happen alone. I want to take this opportunity to thank the MCC Board of Directors and Past Chair Judy Murphy for their support and commitment to the Chamber network. My dedicated staff also deserve recognition for the effort they put forward as they continue to provide exceptional customer service and value to both our corporate and Chamber members. Thank you for your continued support, and I hope you enjoy the spring edition
I would like to thank you for once again taking the time to read the latest edition of the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce (MCC) MBiz magazine. We are now a few months into the MCC rebrand that we showcased in the previous edition of this magazine. We would once again like to share our gratitude and thanks to Kyle Romaniuk and the team with Vantage Studios for all the hard work leading up to and following the launch of the new brand. The feedback that we have received to date on the new look and feel has been overwhelmingly positive, and members will continue to see an increase in MCC marketing with the new brand in the coming year. The first quarter of 2018 has been a productive time for MCC and sets the stage for a busy remainder of the year. Along with our continued work towards a revitalized North through the Look North initiative, our voice and the voice of the Manitoba Chamber network continue to be heard by government.
WRITERS Wendy King Cory Kolt
Patrick Rediger Pat St. Germain David Square Jim Timlick PHOTOGRAPHY Darcy Finley Numerous organizations supplied DESIGN Jane Chartrand
of MBiz magazine. CHUCK DAVIDSON President and CEO Manitoba Chambers of Commerce
View online at: winnipegfreepress.com/ publications
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87TH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
FOCUS ON THE ROAD AHEAD PROVINCIAL CHAMBER SETS SIGHTS ON THE FUTURE DURING 87TH AGM
BY CORY KOLT
C hambers from across the Manitoba Chamber network made their way to one of the province’s most picturesque areas to renew old acquaintances, talk policy, and hear from business leaders who are leading a new wave of innovation. Hosted in the heart of Riding Mountain National Park by the Wasagaming Chamber of Commerce in Clear Lake Country, the 87th Annual General Meeting (AGM) & Conference kicked off with the swearing in of a new board to be
led by long-time education advocate and business leader Paul Holden as the chair for 2018-2019. Holden has an extraordinary record of leadership and achievement which spans many sectors — from education and workforce training to business and government. Paul is well known for his innovative, yet practical and outcome- oriented hybrid approach to education. He is a leader who has delivered strategies which have transformed organizations and led to significantly improved results. This year’s AGM had a keen eye for the
future and was highlighted by a series of speakers who are reshaping the way business is done and presented to the public at large. During a rousing hour-long speech, Jeff Ryzner, president of Manitoba’s innovation hub North Forge, spoke about the growth and diversity of creative activity in Manitoba. From the development of robotic chicken coops to new safety technology for high- performance skates and innovations in wakeboarding design that are revolutionizing the sport, Manitoba is
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SPRING 2018
Clockwise from top: MCC president & CEO Chuck Davidson with economic development panelists Joe Masi (left), Dave Angus and Dr. William Ashton; Minister of Growth, Enterprise and Trade Blaine Pedersen; board chair Paul Holden and past-chair Judy Murphy. Photos by Cory Kolt
a hotbed of ingenuity, much of it arising from a simple idea to create the hub and a drive to make it come to life. Ryzner’s vision for the company is to celebrate people who try. That goal has helped more than 60 companies access over $180 million in financing and create hundreds of jobs. Ryzner’s captivating presentation highlighted the acceptance of the concept of Fail Fast. He told the AGM audience that it's okay to fail and to not look at it as a waste of time; failing is simply
stepping closer to getting it right. The AGM delegation also heard from the national Chamber on the current state of its policy work, with a specific focus on the current state of trade. The Canadian Chamber of Commerce’s senior vice-president of Policy, Jason MacDonald, talked about the possibilities that exist with global trade deals like the Canadian/European Union Trade Agreement and the renewed Trans- Pacific Partnership. He added that a renewed North American
Free Trade Agreement should be a welcome additional piece for Manitoba businesses. The best ways to address economic development were tackled from a variety of angles during a panel session featuring Association of Manitoba Municipalities executive director Joe Masi, Brandon University Rural Development Institute director Dr. William Ashton, and Dave Angus, co-chair of the province’s economic development task force. The session focused on how we can
CONTINUED >>
SPRING 2018 7
<< CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS work on building sustained development. A constant message was not on who should be driving economic development but on building the structure for success. When the Chamber network gathered in Brandon for the 84th AGM, then-NDP MLA Kevin Chief provided a rousing speech about the work he was doing with Indigenous youth in his community. In the wake of the current Truth and Reconciliation work being done across the country, Chief, now Vice-President of the Business Council of Manitoba, returned to talk about the role business and Chambers can play in this process. He shared emotional stories of his youth, the challenges he faced, and the
challenges living in poverty posed for him and pose for others who continue to live with little. He talked about the opportunities he had as he grew up and how he is working to provide the same chances to youth today. He called on our organization and the local Chambers to look at doing the same, changing perceptions and offering less fortunate youth a chance, saying we will not regret sharing of ourselves to help others. The AGM also heard from a member of the Chamber network who took on the challenge of building a new brand and external direction for our organization (highlighted in the Fall 2017 edition of MBiz magazine). Past board chair and Principal with Vantage Studios
Kyle Romaniuk received the Harry Mardon Award for his contributions to our organization. MCC would like to thank our partners, along with all those who attended this year. We are looking forward to seeing you at the 88th AGM next May, when we will be hosted by the Gimli Chamber of Commerce. ■ Clockwise from top: Travel Manitoba president & CEO Colin Ferguson with branding and marketing panelists Karly McCrae, Doug Darling and Kyle Romaniuk; North Forge Technology Exchange president Jeff Ryzner; Paul Holden (left), Chuck Davidson and Judy Murphy; former MLA and current vice-president of the Business Council of Manitoba Kevin Chief. Photos by Cory Kolt
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SPRING 2018
Strengthening the bioscience sector while helping to feed, fuel, sustain and heal the whole world.
BI O stre ngth feed fuel sustain heal wh ole wo rld Bioscience companies in Manitoba employ more than 5,600 people, have exports of over $2 billion and have an average salary greater than $77,000 . Now that’s good for Manitoba!
2018-2019 BOARD OF DIRECTORS OFFICERS CHAIR Paul Holden, Education Canada Group (ECG) VICE CHAIR Robert Lajoie, BDC VICE CHAIR Peggy May, Southport Aerospace Centre Inc./ Portage la Prairie & District Chamber of Commerce PAST CHAIR Judy Murphy, Safety Services Manitoba TREASURER Kevin Ploegman, Fort Group Chartered Professional Accountants Inc. SECRETARY Michelle Aitkenhead, RBC Royal Bank LEGAL COUNSEL Nicole Smith, Pitblado Law DIRECTORS Mike Boucher, Deloitte Carolynn Cancade, Brandon Chamber of Commerce/ Chamber Executives of Manitoba Darin Downey, Gardewine Helen Halliday, Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada Alison Kirkland, Women’s Enterprise Centre of Manitoba Michelle Kuly, Blueprint Inc. Karly McRae, Lakehouse/ Wasagaming Chamber of Commerce Priti Mehta-Shah, 49-97 Capital Partners / Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce Justin Phillips, Sycamore Energy Inc. Paul Provost, 6P Marketing Inc. Dave Van Hooren, PCL Constructors Canada Inc. DIRECTORS AT LARGE Kyle Romaniuk, Vantage Studios Frank Sottana, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC)
SPRING 2018 9
EXPANDING TOURISM HORIZONS More options for anglers and campers could spur growth for industry
accessible short-term fishing licences and the need for expanded camping options in provincial parks. Fishing remains one of the most popular industries in Manitoba. Whether it be fly- in fishing or unique species fishing, the industry provides tourism with a significant monetary injection and remains a focus of Travel Manitoba’s marketing campaign. However, jurisdictions like Ontario have implemented policies that place Manitoba fishing stakeholders at a distinct disadvantage. The absence in Manitoba of a one-day or one-week licence option for non-residents is very significant. When looking at the overall state of the fishing industry, providing short- term licence options for visitors seems like a no-brainer when you think about it. From a pure dollars-and-cents approach, including such options would help to attract more tourists to our province, encourage those who already visit us to experience one of the activities that make our province
great, and dissuade people from fishing without a licence. In Ontario, there is such an option. Another major difference is that Ontario’s licences are available for purchase online. That is not yet the case in Manitoba. With that in mind, MCC will be looking to make progress by working with the government, Travel Manitoba and Manitoba’s fishing stakeholders to implement and offer three- year, one, three and eight-day licences, as When looking at the overall state of the fishing industry, providing short- term licence options for visitors seems like a no-brainer.
BY CORY KOLT P olicy development is often seen by those from the outside as challenging, complex and intimidating. Sometimes, however, it can be the opposite. Such was the case during the recent policy development process that led to the list of resolutions presented to the members at the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce 87th Annual General Meeting. As Manitoba continues to see significant increases in tourism dollars, the importance of positioning tourism stakeholders and industries remains critical to future growth. Any aspect that puts Manitoba’s industry at a disadvantage can severely hamper the efforts of those within the tourism industry, including Travel Manitoba’s marketing efforts to attract visitors (both local and international). Two areas of concern emerged where this could be the case — the lack of easily
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SPRING 2018
TOURISM AND POLICY
well as looking at making all fishing licences available for purchase online. Manitoba’s 92 protected provincial park spaces are among the most respected and popular destinations for locals as well as visitors to our province. Every year, the opportunity to reserve a campsite in Manitoba is met with a wave of excitement, but spots are gone in short order.
Typically, the camping season starts in early May and, in some cases, extends until Thanksgiving. Extending the annual operating season for Manitoba Provincial Park campgrounds from April 15 through Oct. 25 would acknowledge and accommodate the changing behaviour and preferences of visitors to the province. It’s a small change that would contribute new
dollars to the provincial economy. If we aren’t open for business that market will go elsewhere. By failing to take advantage of the possibilities an extra two months of campsite availability would bring, the majority of the parks are not supporting the work that many, including Travel Manitoba, are doing in marketing ourselves as a four-season province. ■
Jason Rauhaus President, Sandler Training Manitoba
Office: 204-806-0031 Jason.Rauhaus@sandler.com www.mvp.sandler.com Authorized Licensee
126 Sheffield Road | Winnipeg, MB | R3Y 1P3
SPRING 2018 11
POLITICS AND THE MANITOBA CHAMBERS
BY CORY KOLT P olicy over politics is a statement the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce (MCC) believes in and consistently reiterates to government officials and the Manitoba Chamber network. It is etched in how we develop policy, how we advocate, and how we position our organization when talking to leaders from all political stripes. It is also something that’s reflected in the diverse range of speakers we host at our numerous events. Manitoba Chambers opens the door to multitude of ideas POLICY OVER POLITICS
Above: MCC president & CEO Chuck Davidson with federal Innovation, Science and Economic Development Minister Navdeep Bains. Clockwise from top left: Manitoba NDP Leader Wab Kinew, provincial Finance Minister Cameron Friesen; Premier Brian Pallister; Manitoba’s senior MP Jim Carr (left); Manitoba Liberal Leader Dugald Lamont.
Photos by Cory Kolt
Over the first quarter of 2018, MCC played host to seven political leaders, from the federal Liberals, federal Conservatives and the three main political parties in Manitoba. Each speaker provided attendees with a vastly different political and policy perspective. In January, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Minister Navdeep Bains brought a message from Ottawa about the importance of innovation, improving remote communities’ access to high-speed internet and opening up new avenues of learning. The month of March was focused on breaking down both the federal and provincial budgets. Manitoba’s senior MP in Ottawa, Jim Carr, spoke about the importance of trade and the opportunities available to Manitoba businesses. From a provincial standpoint, Finance Minister Cameron Friesen provided insight into the decision to return all money collected from the upcoming carbon tax to Manitobans.
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SPRING 2018
When the provincial carbon tax was announced last fall, MCC hoped the government would use the revenue collected to invest in green technology and other green initiatives, to ease the burden on industries like trucking and manufacturing while still returning some of the revenue back to Manitobans. Minister Friesen explained that the government preferred to provide Manitobans with tax relief and maintains, given the circumstances, that it was the right decision. Over the course of six weeks, MCC provided the leaders of the Manitoba Liberals, NDP, and Conservatives a platform to share their unique visions for Manitoba. As MCC plans our advocacy strategy, it remains imperative that we have effective and open relationships with all decision makers. Opening our speaking opportunities only to the government of the day would be short-sighted and would not provide any real value to those who attend our events. The vision of our organization is to make Manitoba the
best place to live, work and call home. Whether it is for the development of a long-term vision for Manitoba with measurable outcomes that incorporate the needs of all residents, or the continued push to improve and recognize the importance of Churchill and northern Manitoba, we must be leaders in working together, bridging political differences with a singular and strong voice. By providing a venue for a diversity of ideas, MCC is also opening our doors to people and business leaders who might not have engaged with our organization in the past. Whether it’s through our signature breakfast series or our unique dinner events, we provide an opportunity for members to network with non-members and discuss the work we are doing to grow Manitoba businesses and the connections that can be made through membership. If you haven’t attended one of our events, contact us. There is a seat waiting for you. ■
SPRING 2018 13
PORK PRODUCTION AN ECONOMIC DRIVER FOR MANITOBA
T he new trade agreements between Canada and Pacific Rim countries (CPTPP) and the European Union (CETA) offer new opportunities to the meat sector in Manitoba. The CPTPP alone offers the potential to expand Canadian pork sales by over $500 million per year. Pork dominates the meat sector in Manitoba, with 90% of production exported to other provinces and to the United States, Japan, Mexico, South Korea, China and other countries. The hog sector now has the challenge of increasing production to take advantage of these profitable markets. Our processing plants need to be able to operate at efficient levels to be competitive. Hog farmers want to invest in new or expanded operations, to meet the higher demand and standards that the marketplace requires. Manitoba Pork has estimated that over $2 billion will be invested over the next 10 years by farmers and meat processing companies, creating jobs and raising the economic wealth of all Manitobans. New operations will incorporate emerging technologies – such as computerized feeding systems – to improve animal care, cost competitiveness and further reduce the sector’s impact on the environment. The sector is already investing in new facilities in 2018. Some examples are: 1. In southwest Manitoba, HyLife, a large integrated farm and meat processor, is investing more than $170 million in six new barns and a feed mill in the Killarney area, along with expanding the processing capacity at its Neepawa plant.
2. Topigs Norsvin Canada, an international swine genetics company, has invested $15 million in a new boar testing facility in the Woodlands area. 3. Maple Leaf Foods invested over $90 million in new bacon processing facilities in Winnipeg, making Winnipeg the “Bacon Capital” of Canada. 4. Construction is completed or underway to replace at least four existing barns. Hog farmers are modifying their operations to replace older barns and equipment, upgrading electrical systems and adopting new technologies such as group housing of sows and computerized feeding systems. Manitoba Pork and its partners are reaching out to investors, local governments and rural communities to discuss the investment opportunities and benefits for regional economic development. There are numerous areas in agro-Manitoba that could benefit from the development of their livestock
potential. The hog sector has already positively transformed communities such as Brandon, Neepawa, Steinbach, Niverville and many others. Manitoba Pork is ready and willing to come to local Chambers of Commerce to discuss how the hog sector can benefit their communities.
THREE SITE SYSTEM
SOW BARN
Weanlings (3 weeks old)
NURSERY BARN
Feeders (9 weeks old)
FINISHER BARN
Market Weight (125-130 kg)
MANITOBA FACTS
• About 220 commercial farm operations on over 600 sites, using the Three Site System (see diagram) • Most barns were built in the 1990s, with an expected lifespan of 25-30 years • Over 2,500 people are employed on-farm as animal care technicians and managers, with almost 13,000 people working in the hog sector
• Hog farmers buy 2 million tonnes of feedstuff per year, valued at $400-500 million • Pork farm gate receipts are over $1 billion • Manitoba hog farmers annually produce 4.7 million market hogs for processing in Manitoba and 2.8 million weanling/feeder pigs for export to the U.S.
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SPRING 2018
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SPRING 2018 15
ON SCREEN MANITOBA
THE FRENCH CONNECTION Francophone film community brings business opportunities to Manitoba
producing children’s TV series Canot cocasse (Crazy Canoe) ; a second season of documentary series Au pays des Mitchifs , about hunters and trappers in the Métis community of St. Laurent; new documentary series La terre en nous , and a doc on the 200th anniversary of the University of St. Boniface. Clément says competition in the field is fierce for both French and English production, but there are differences in terms of content, and that’s where Franco- Manitoban production has an edge. “It’s the nature of the content that’s unique to Francophone producers outside Quebec in that almost all of our shows are trying to reflect the reality and special aspect of being a minority in a sea of English,” he says. “I think there’s been an increase in demand in French production, especially when it’s content that’s unique to (markets) outside Quebec.” While some companies coming to do business in the province only seek local services, Clément says the co-production model, where ownership stays here, is the better model. “We have provided services twice for the same show, technically Media RendezVous did it because it was an English show, but the advantage of a co-pro where we retain
Manitoba could be viewed strictly as a competitor to Quebec, but Louis Paquin, executive producer at Les Productions Rivard, sees an opportunity for more business, one that wouldn’t exist without French-language production. “It is important that Manitoba continue to promote its bilingual status as a territory that welcomes French productions and co- productions,” says Paquin. “It would be great if this could be an incentive in funding co- productions with Quebec producers.” Les Productions Rivard produces in both French (80 per cent) and English. “We collaborate on Métis and Aboriginal products as co-producers,” he says. “There is greater awareness of Indigenous content providers and, it would seem, greater interest by broadcasters.” Les Productions Rivard, which retains its production ownership, is hoping to see 15 per cent growth in the coming years, and Paquin points to three factors that would support that growth. “Additional support in training writers and directors; maintain the tax credits; and support efforts in building opportunities to expand our co-productions internationally.” Patrick Clément is an owner/producer at Manito Média (French only) and Media RendezVous (English only) and is currently
BY WENDY KING M edia production in Manitoba is a growth industry — and not just in English. The Francophone community has a strong presence, with three French- language production companies bringing Franco-Manitoban stories to the world, and bringing significant business opportunities to the province. “The media production industry is international, and the fact that we produce for both English- and French-language markets offers a competitive advantage,” says Nicole Matiation, executive director at On Screen Manitoba. She points out that Manitoba’s French- language productions — which appear on screens locally, nationally and internationally — garner both audiences and awards. That might surprise some people, since French TV and film production in Canada is primarily associated with Quebec. “Marketing Manitoba in both official languages sparks a different conversation,” Matiation says. “And every one of those conversations is an opportunity to promote Manitoba's world- class media production industry for both English- and French-language projects.”
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SPRING 2018
Top left: A shot from Wookey Films’ Les boys du ballet . Siblings Janelle and Jérémie Wookey. Photos courtesy of Wookey Films. Top Right: Participants in Les Productions Rivard docuseries La grande traversée recreated an epic 18th-century ocean crossing. Photo courtesy of Les Productions Rivard. Above: Manito Média is producing a second season of documentary series Au pays des Mitchifs . Photos courtesy of Manito Média.
adulte (How to Become an Adult). “Being Francophone outside of Quebec definitely has been and is an asset for us in terms of the production funds that are available to us as a Francophone minority,” she says. Wookey says they’d like to grow their team to about 10 members. Right now, growth is more about time than money. “Outsiders looking specifically for French- language partners is huge,” she says. “We are an incredibly attractive province for co-producers, both internationally and from other provinces.” She says that the arrival of Bell Media on TV in 2013 was extremely important for Francophone producers outside of Quebec, and it has added to the demand. “Our content is community heavy and
ownership is that we retain control of the content itself,” he says. That means higher quality, which leads to better productions. “So if The Real Housewives of Winnipeg came to town, we probably wouldn’t want to service them no matter what,” says Clément. “We need to be passionate and attached to the content in order for us to be motivated to produce it.” Janelle Wookey is an executive producer, who, along with her brother Jérémie Wookey, runs Wookey Films, an Indigenous-owned company that produces in both English and French. Past projects include documentaries Les boys du ballet (Ballet Boys ) and Le social manitobain ( The Wedding Social) , and they are currently in production on a second season of youth TV series Comment devenir
because we are also Métis-owned we’ve been given a lot of opportunity to tell the stories of the Métis people of the Prairies and of Western Canada as well as our First Nation communities here in Manitoba,” says Wookey. “And while they are very locally oriented, they have universal themes and are very people-based stories that are very appealing to everyone.” Wookey points to On Screen Manitoba’s (OSM) support and advocacy on behalf of filmmakers as an additional advantage in the market. “They do such a good job leveraging so many more opportunities for us than we can even keep up with,” she says. “Our success is very much attributable to everything OSM has done.” ■
SPRING 2018 17
CENTRAL INTERLAKE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
POOLING REGIONAL RESOURCES Merger creates new Central Interlake Chamber of Commerce
BY PAT REDIGER T wo Chambers of Commerce in the Interlake are thinking outside the geographical box. The Riverton and Arborg Chambers have joined forces to form the Central Interlake Chamber of Commerce. Owen Eyolfson, previously the president of the Arborg Chamber, will be the first president of the new Chamber, while former Riverton Chamber president Mark Myrowich will serve as vice-chair. “We have so many shared members and people that are located between the communities that it just seemed to make sense that we merge,” Eyolfson says. When Myrowich was elected president of the Riverton Chamber, it was with a mandate to create a new joint operation. He met with Eyolfson and they saw eye-to-eye on several issues, both as Chamber executives and as members of the business community. Eyolfson is the owner of the Arborg Hotel and Myrowich is the CEO of Erosion Control Blanket. “I asked Owen how many people work for him and he said 22. I asked him how many of those people live in Arborg and he said three. There are 69 people working for me, but less than 15 live in Riverton,” Myrowich says. “My community is not just Riverton. I thought that our new Chamber should adopt this philosophy.” The Central Interlake Chamber is already looking to expand beyond Riverton and Arborg and join up with Chambers in Fisher Branch, Gimli and Ashern. They’re also reaching out to Winnipeg Beach, which currently doesn’t have a Chamber. Myrowich says it’s important to grow in order to survive, and the larger, collaborative format will allow for new opportunities and more benefits. Communities need to think on a regional level rather than as separate entities. “In the time it takes me to drive from the north side of Winnipeg to south side of Winnipeg, I could drive from Riverton to Gimli. In the time it takes me to drive from the west side of Winnipeg to Transcona, I could drive to Poplarfield or Teulon. Winnipeg is one big city, so why aren’t we looking at ourselves as one big geographical area? The province looks at areas as regions. Our region should be a voice to the provincial and federal governments about our business needs.” The executives of the Central Interlake Chamber feel they will be able to provide enhanced benefits to members. With a wider range of businesses to draw from, they are planning more educational opportunities for members. Before the merger took place, the Arborg Chamber had established the Central Interlake Training Facility. “We were always trying to attract training sessions in different
areas and joining forces will definitely give us more opportunities to attract bigger and better things,” Eyolfson says. “When you have a smaller Chamber you really don’t get to talk to a lot of your peers. You can talk to other businesses, but they won’t have the same challenges in one industry as another does. We’re looking at having a manufacturing forum where they can all get together and talk about their industry issues, or a transportation forum where they can talk about collective issues.” Myrowich says there will also be increased cross- promotion opportunities. “We could have a burger week where all the restaurants make a specialty burger, or a fish week where fish processors from Riverton and Gimli sell their fish to the local restaurants to create special dishes,” he says. “It attracts more people to all the communities. Instead of just coming to Gimli for tourism, they can drive through Arborg, go through Riverton and end up at Hecla to spend the night.” The Central Interlake Chamber is in the process of incorporating and getting its finances in order. The founders are also deciding whether or not they will establish a physical office. “I run a large manufacturing company and I don’t have an office,” Myrowich says. “We need a mailing address, of course, but are people going to come and knock on our door to visit us? With technology nowadays we don’t necessarily need to have a physical office somewhere.” ■ New Central Interlake Chamber of Commerce vice-chair Mark Myrowich (left) and Chamber president Owen Eyolfson.
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SPRING 2018
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QUINTEX SERVICES
COMMITTED TO COMMUNITY Quintex fosters culture of caring
David Quinton's family has operated Quintex Services for well over a century.
Photo by Darcy Finley
D avid Quinton has been at the helm of third-generation family business Quintex Services for a little over 30 years. But as president of the 117-year-old company, he doesn’t think in terms of legacy. “Supporting local businesses and the economy in Winnipeg has always been first for us,” he says. The company’s roots in Winnipeg run deep. Alec Quinton came to Canada from England at the age of 19 and founded Quinton Dye Works at the corner of Daly Street and Jessie Avenue in 1911. Following his service during the First World War, Alec’s brother Sidney, David Quinton’s grandfather, came to Winnipeg and joined the business, becoming full owner when Alec left the company in 1922. Now a full-service supplier of uniforms, linens and safety mats, with a 55,000-square- foot facility at 332 Nassau St. North, Quintex has remained proudly Manitoban, delivering exceptional service to clients, providing a fulfilling workplace for staff, and demonstrating a company-wide commitment to lending a helping hand in the community. “One of our greatest attributes is our Q-Crew, which our executive vice-president Janette Millar started,” says Quinton. “I like to call her The Captain.”
The Q-Crew is made up of Quintex employees who enthusiastically volunteer for such worthy causes as Habitat for Humanity, the Manitoba Marathon, Children’s Rehabilitation Foundation, the Canadian Women’s Foundation and more. “It has been the greatest success — our staff absolutely love going to Siloam Mission or out to help at a women’s shelter,” says Quinton. “It tells us a lot about our people. These are just good, community-minded people with good attitudes.” Quintex supports that spirit with a healthy workplace, featuring a four-day work week to ensure staff get the family time they need. “One of our goals is to provide for our families and this is a vehicle for that,” Quinton says. “Our staff want to do a good job, feel proud when they come here, have lots of time with their family while at the same time share the responsibility to make sure the company continues and provides for all of the people that are here.” Quintex has adopted environmentally friendly products and policies, and it continues to grow and evolve under seasoned management. “We have a really good mix. Our team is made up of two women and four men. We share great ideas that move our company forward,” Quinton says, adding that their
primary business goal is simple. “We’re trying to create an experience so compelling to the customer that their loyalty becomes assured.” Quintex serves more than 2,500 businesses and organizations, helping them maintain clean, safe premises and present a professional appearance. “That’s really what we do. We try to make them look better and partner with them so that they can do a better job for their customers,” he says. Building relationships — with staff, the community and clients — has been key to making Quintex a long-running success. “I didn’t join the family business because of a legacy,” says Quinton. “But I am very proud to accept the responsibility to move the company forward and I do always enjoy thinking back to the roots of the company, the dedication and commitment that my grandfather, and then my father and uncle and other family members that I’ve worked with have shown over the years. “We’re very proud when people ask us about Winnipeg, and I’m proud that we’re all part of growing a small company in the city and province that we’ve raised our families in.” ■
Learn more at quintexservices.com
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DIAMOND GALLERY
A FAMILY GEM Diamond Gallery excels at personal, professional service
BY WENDY KING
S ome things just run in the family. value for clients who treasure the heirloom-quality pieces so much, they pass them down through their own families. Lisa Malbranck is co-owner of the Diamond Gallery with her parents, Anita and Allan Malbranck, and whose grandfather was Al Malbranck of Al’s Jewellers, which operated from 1951 to 2008. The thing that runs in the Malbranck family is a love of exquisitely crafted jewellery; the pleasure of creating something of enduring “We are a modern-day, old-fashioned business, owner- operated and we know our clients by first name,” says Lisa. “Whatever work we are completing for a client, whether it’s repairing a chain or custom designing an engagement ring, they often share with us that our family puts them at ease and makes them feel comfortable in an area that isn’t their specialty.” Allan is a certified appraisal professional and he and Lisa are both GIA trained Graduate gemmologists, which means clients receive an unparalleled standard of expertise. Lisa and her father are also designers, specializing in Canadian crafted custom design, and they enjoy re-mounting clients’ jewellery — carefully removing their clients’ gemstones from old jewellery and creating a new design to set the gems. “We are a vertically integrated business, manufacturing our creations with our hand-picked team of European- trained craftspeople,” Lisa says. Technology includes state of the art CAD-CAM, induction casting, laser soldering, or 3D printing to meet the optimum specifications of the particular design at this uniquely Canadian operation. Whether clients are celebrating an engagement or the birth of a child, or memorializing a loved one, customizing jewellery is very personal. One common scenario is the client who wants to create a new piece from precious jewellery passed down from her mother. “The client would like to take the few pieces that she has and have us re-design them into a piece she could wear close to her heart every day to remember her mom. It’s technically complex work to re-set jewels into something new, but we are proud of the challenge of
Diamond Gallery co-owners Allan, Anita and Lisa Malbranck are the only retail jewellers in North America who have built their own sustainable geo-thermal building. Photo by Darcy Finley
Ingrid Misner | aiphotography.com
ensuring the design looks intentional. The result is a design that really represents her relationship with her mom, to really pay homage and make a piece that can be handed down through generations,” Lisa says. “It’s highly emotional. There are often tears, and we receive all kinds of responses to thank us for the great experience and for the happiness of the finished piece.” The Malbrancks are keenly aware of the importance of family and community. They’re proud to work with a variety of non-profit organizations. Whether it’s the arts, youth-based organizations or supporting families in need, they make it a priority to continue to help make Winnipeg thrive. One of their many events includes an annual Mother’s Day infant formula drive for Winnipeg Harvest, for which their family matches all the donations. “Our business is owned by three family members, two of whom are mothers.
Knowing there is a constant need of formula at our local food banks we wanted to do something for the moms with infants in our community who are going through a difficult time, especially around Mother’s Day.” They’re also an eco-sensitive company, located in a very special building at 1735 Corydon Avenue. “In 2009, we decided to invest into our future in Winnipeg. We are the only retail jeweller in North America to build their own sustainable, geo-thermal building,” Lisa says. These attributes and more led to the Diamond Gallery being named the 2017 Independent Retail Ambassador of the Year by the Retail Council of Canada. The honour recognizes vision, innovation and outstanding contributions to the community.
“We are from Winnipeg. We believe in Winnipeg,” says Lisa. “Winnipeg is home.” ■ To learn more, visit diamond-gallery.com
SPRING 2018 21
UNITED WAY WINNIPEG
WORKING FOR ALL MANITOBANS United Way Winnipeg’s helping hands reach across the province
“These are groups that either visit various communities or actually have a satellite office in different communities,” Passey says. “This means that people from all over the province can come in and access their services.” Over the past year, more than $20 million was raised, and approximately $3 million went to organizations operating province-wide, such as the Arthritis Society, Canadian Red Cross, CNIB, Society for Manitobans with Disabilities, Canadian Mental Health Association and the Stroke Recovery Association of Manitoba. This money is going directly into frontline services, Passey notes. “When we’re providing funding to health-related organizations, for example, we’re focusing on the services,” she says. “These services are often available for people to access right in their communities. If someone is losing their vision and they need that support, the CNIB would be there
BY PAT REDIGER T he United Way Winnipeg is focused on paving a better way forward for people throughout Manitoba. The agency is well known for the services it supports in Winnipeg, through the collaborative efforts of local agency partners, all levels of government, special partnerships, caring workplaces and thousands of donors and volunteers. What some people don’t realize, however, is that United Way Winnipeg’s reach extends far beyond the Perimeter. Bev Passey, vice-president of donor relations and resource development, says 15 of the 100 agencies the United Way funds provide services province-wide. Many of these groups have strong ties to Chambers of Commerce throughout the province.
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“People want to
for them. If somebody’s family member has a stroke, they can receive support from the Stroke Recovery Association.” United Way locations in Brandon, Portage la Prairie, Winkler and Morden are focused on helping people in their cities and surrounding districts, and United Way Winnipeg supports some of the activities of these smaller branches. Since there is no United Way location in northern Manitoba, the agency works with local groups such as the Thompson Community Foundation. “People want to give where they live,” Passey says. “Even though we have these services that support our province, we strongly believe in giving locally. We will partner with community foundations so we have good coverage of the province. People can donate and the money will go back to wherever their local community is. “We try to make sure we’re investing where there are important needs being met. We use research to do that and educator tools that talk about some of the issues in communities. We’re a convenor that brings groups together from different sectors to talk about emerging needs and how can we address these needs.” Passey says the most important aspect of giving collectively to the United Way is that it creates stability in the funding it provides to groups across the province. “Our goal is that when we invest in organizations, it’s a long- term investment,” she says. “This doesn’t mean that we’ll fund them forever, because we certainly have accountabilities and effective practices and principles in place, but we will provide funding as long as there is still a need in the communities that they serve and they are meeting all those standards of operations.” She adds that it is critical for these organizations to be able to count on that stable funding to support their core operations. Passey says the Province of Manitoba deserves a lot of credit for helping the United Way Winnipeg maintain a provincial reach. The province covers all of the United Way’s costs in relation to raising funds and administration. “Every dollar of your donation goes directly into our community, thanks to a generous grant from the Province of Manitoba.” ■ give where they live...”
BBB Accreditation Because Trust Matters. bbb.org
THE PATH YOU TAKE IS JUST AS IMPORTANT AS WHERE YOU GO
scu.mb.ca
SPRING 2018 23
CLEAR LAKE
BRAND AID Clear Lake partners with Travel Manitoba to maximize marketing strategy
BY JIM TIMLICK
I t’s been five years since Clear Lake and the town of Wasagaming in Riding Mountain National Park last hosted the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce (MCC) annual general meeting. A lot has changed since that time, as delegates to this year’s AGM discovered May 3-4, when they convened at Elkhorn Resort and Conference Centre. A bustling hub of tourism in the 1980s and ’90s, Clear Lake began to experience something of a downturn by the early 2000s. Visitor numbers began to drop and investment by the local business community started levelling off. It’s a much different story these days. New businesses have begun popping up, existing business owners are reinvesting in the community and the number of visitors has been steadily increasing. The turnaround began in earnest in 2015, when local business leaders came together to form Clear Lake Country, a community- based group that is the marketing arm for the Wasagaming Chamber of Commerce. Its mandate is to increase tourism and focus more attention on what the community has to offer.
Karly McRae, founder and chair of Clear Lake Country (CLC), saw the MCC’s AGM as a perfect opportunity to showcase everything new and exciting that is going on in and around Clear Lake. In addition to several new restaurants opening, Elkhorn Resort recently completed a multi-million-dollar expansion of its pool and recreational facilities. Nearby Hwy 10 was recently resurfaced to make it easier to get to the park and the federal government plans to spend some $11 million on upgrades to the visitor centre at Riding Mountain and several other key park buildings. “We’re starting to bolster tourism here in a big way again and it’s great to have the attention of the Chamber audience, who are all fellow business owners and partners, to choose Clear Lake as their leisure destination in the summer or winter months,” says McRae, who is also co-owner of the Lakehouse boutique hotel with her husband. “I think a big reason why Clear Lake was selected (to host the AGM) was because of all the buzz that is happening in and around tourism country here in Clear Lake and Riding Mountain National Park.”
CONTINUED >>
A new destination brand campaign is aimed at bolstering tourism in the Riding Mountain National Park area. Photo courtesy of Clear Lake Country.
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