Vol . 4 B iz MB
business is booming.
November 2013
new directions Full Coverage of our awards gala p9
OPPORTUNITY TO EXPAND. Where do you go from here?
Seizing the right opportunities is only the first step towards realizing the growth potential of your business. The second step is working with a trusted, experienced advisor whose entrepreneurial approach will help you recognize the right opportunities and drive your business in the right direction.
MNP has 10 offices located throughout Manitoba.
Contact Andrew Stibbard, CA, Regional Managing Partner at 204.788.6097 or andrew.stibbard@mnp.ca.
November 2013 Vol. 4 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 Edith Bonner edith.bonner@freepress.mb.ca Editor Pat St. Germain pdstgermain@gmail.com Writers Kathryne Cardwell
At the Manitoba Chamber we have already or are in the process of establishing President’s Committees made up of experts who can provide insight and policy recommendations to MCC in the areas of: • Manitoba’s Economic Competitiveness • Workforce • Tourism • Northern Economic Development • Health Care It’s my goal and job to work with these committees and chambers around the province to develop strong, credible policy positions and to advocate on their behalf. We are also working with local chambers, as well as the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, to ensure we are consistent in our communications and remain a strong “Voice of Business.” As you read this issue of MBiz, I hope you get a better sense of some of the work that is happening throughout the province and why the role of the chamber is so important to the Manitoba economy.
O ver the past couple of months I have had the opportunity to meet with a lot of business owners across the province to discuss issues of importance to them. I have heard about the acuteness of the workforce shortage in northern Manitoba; the optimism surrounding the oil and gas industry in southwest Manitoba; the concerns around changes in immigration in the Red River Valley; and the potential opportunities around tourism in this province. I’ve also heard what the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce can do to improve the value proposition, to not only chambers around the province, but also the business community. I think a big part of that value proposition is the way we engage business leaders and communities in the development of credible policy positions and the way we advocate those position on behalf of the business community. We are in a great position here in Manitoba, but we can be in an even better position if we can understand the challenges our economy is facing and how to best address the issues and make the changes needed to really move us forward.
Chuck Davidson President & CEO Manitoba Chambers of Commerce
Roger Currie Wendy King Cory Kolt Todd Lewys Jennifer McFee David Square
Jon Waldman Lindsey Ward Photography Darcy Finley Fred Greenslade Numerous organizations supplied Design Jane Chartrand Printing Quantum Graphics
Featured this Month in MBiz:
• 2013 MBiz Awards........ 4 • Norman ...................... 12 • Parkland .................... 14 • ’pegBiz Magazine... 17(1) • Pembina Valley ........... 18
• Central ....................... 20 • Interlake ..................... 22 • Midwest ..................... 24 • Western ...................... 26 • Eastern ...................... 28
Master of ceremonies Dan Belhassen (left) poses with the recipients of the 2013 MBiz Awards and Lieutenant-Governor’s Award recipients David Friesen (seventh from right), and Albert El Tassi of Peerless Garments (second from right).
Photos courtesy of Manitoba Chambers of Commerce
SALUTING THE BEST IN MANITOBA BUSINESS The 2013 MBiz Award Winners By Cory Kolt
D. A. LOEWEN ELECTRIC (Outstanding Small Business) Founded in 1948, this Winkler company provides agriculture, commercial/ industrial and residential electrical services and contracting. D.A. Loewen’s strengths begin with its people; their commitment and customer-first attitude are integral to the company’s success. They strive to be leaders in providing electrical services through professional, knowledgeable and reliable service, while conducting themselves with honesty and integrity. More than 300 people gathered at the Fairmont Winnipeg on Oct. 17 to hear the winners announced at the 2013 MBiz Awards Gala. We salute the class of 2013:
MANITOBA BLUE CROSS (Long-term Achievement Business - Winnipeg)
This not-for-profit organization has existed as Manitoba Blue Cross for 39 years, but its history dates back to Jan. 1, 1939, when The Manitoba Hospital Services Assoc. began offering hospital benefits on a prepaid basis. The company is built on providing peace of mind to Manitobans and it creates and delivers benefit and health-care solutions to improve the quality of life and well-being of its clients and customers. Finalists: Manitoba Marathon Foundation Inc.,
Finalists: Crampton’s Market, Medigas Manitoba Ltd. EPIC INFORMATION SOLUTIONS (Outstanding Medium Business)
A Winnipeg-based information technology company established in 1995, Epic Information Solutions believes in core values such as sharing, commitment and trust. It partners with only the best technology companies — including Hewlett-Packard, IBM and Microsoft — and has built an outstanding services organization that delivers superior solutions to customers. Finalists: Think Shift, Western Financial Group HYLIFE (Outstanding Large Business) Started in September 1995, with headquarters in La Broquerie, HyLife also has sites across southern and western Manitoba and a plant in Neepawa. HyLife is a vertically integrated pork production operation that has expanded from commercial production to a fully integrated farm-to-fork organization with 1,500 employees. The keys to its success are its ability to turn challenges into opportunities and a dedicated, determined and innovative management team. Finalists: Genesis Hospitality, Stantec
WISL Group Inc. CHABOT IMPLEMENTS (Long-term Achievement Business – Rural)
Chabot Implements was started in 1935 by Charlie Chabot, and now employs 80 staff members at four locations in Manitoba — in Portage la Prairie, Steinbach, Elie and Neepawa. Manitoba’s oldest family-owned and operated Case IH equipment dealer, it services and sells lines including Case IH, Bourgault, Kubota and MacDon. Chabot’s goals are to continue to provide excellent service to customers and excellent career options in its communities. Finalists: Access Credit Union, W.B. Webber & Sons Ltd.
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Above left: David Friesen, MLA Steve Ashton (centre) and Lt.-Gov. Philip Lee. Above right: Lee and Calvin Shepard congratulate Albert El Tassi (centre).
David G Friesen (Lieutenant-Governor’s Award Recipient for Outstanding Contribution by an Individual to the Community) David G. Friesen is chairman of Friesens Corp. The company was founded in 1907, and today is involved in several businesses. David is a graduate of the University of Manitoba (1969) and chaired the U of M capital campaign Building on Strengths, which raised $233 million. He has served on the national boards of the Canadian Printing Industries Assoc. and the National Assoc. of Printing Leadership in the U.S., and as chair of the Canadian Book Manufacturers’ Assoc. A member of the Soderstrom Society, David serves or has served on many boards including the Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters Assoc. (Manitoba Branch), Manitoba Museum, The National Arts Centre, the Economic and Innovation Technology Council of Manitoba, the Fort Whyte Centre for Environmental Education, Pembina Valley Development Corp., Blue Cross Life Insurance Company of Canada, the Business Council of Manitoba, Winnipeg Airports Authority, Manitoba Hydro and the Premier’s Economic Council. He has been a director of the Altona Community Foundation and is presently a director of Altona Mall Development Ltd. David was also a driving force behind the Gallery in the Park art gallery ( www. galleryinthepark.com ), a major legacy project for Altona that attracts more than 5,000 guests each year. He has been involved with the Chamber of Commerce and Scouts Canada, and served as a local school trustee. In 2002, David was named Entrepreneur of the Year for the Prairie Region by Ernst & Young. In 2003, he was recognized for his many years of community service as the recipient of the Altona Citizen of the Year award. In 2004, Friesens was named one of the 50 Best Managed companies in Canada by Deloitte and Touche. That same year, David was made an Honourary Fellow of University College of the University of Manitoba and also received an Honourary Doctorate of Laws from the university. In July 2008, he was presented with the Order of Manitoba. Recently, the Assoc. of Canadian Publishers recognized him with a 2013 award for long-standing support of the publishing industry in Canada. Peerless Garments (Lieutenant-Governor’s Award Recipient for Outstanding Contribution by a Business to the Community) Peerless Garments has been a leader in the garment industry for 70 years. Founded in 1941, the Winnipeg company has been a proud supplier to the Canadian military since 1950. It was privileged to design and develop the first coat sets that were worn by troops from 1950 to 1974. This design was replaced in 1974 by the Extreme Cold Weather Parka system, which served until the bid conference in l99l to design the Clothe the Soldier program. Peerless Garments was instrumental in the design and development of this new system. The company has also supplied Sears Canada with men’s leather outerwear for more than 37 years, and it’s a leader in the production of
highly technical garments that provide water-resistance, wind-proofing and warmth. It’s experienced with fire-resistant materials, anti-static products and chemical warfare-protective materials. Over the years Peerless Garments has been instrumental in creating jobs in the garment industry for new Canadians. During a time when many garment manufacturers closed down because of economic conditions and an increase in imports, Peerless Garments has grown and continues to provide quality “Made in Canada” garments at competitive prices. The company is ISO 9001-certified and committed to quality; its employees are skilled workers and its products display the union- made label. Throughout its history Peerless Garments has been proud of its standing as a unionized factory delivering the best Canadian-made jackets, parkas and apparel for the public, government agencies and private companies.
Manitoba Hydro is committed to helping businesses of all types and sizes become more energy efficient. We offer a variety of incentive programs to help reduce your energy costs and protect the environment. Contact us: 204-360-3676 (Winnipeg) or 1-888-624-9376 powersmartforbusiness@hydro.mb.ca hydro.mb.ca/psfb Let us show you how. Being Power Smart can improve your bottom line.
*Manitoba Hydro is a licensee of the Trademark and Official Mark.
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MBiz Awards Sponsors
BDC: Entrepreneurs First The Business Development Bank of Canada is the only bank dedicated exclusively to entrepreneurs. We serve 28,000 of them across Canada. From more than 100 business centres, we help build strong, profitable companies by offering financing and consulting services that are tailored to the needs of each business. Small and medium- sized businesses are creating wealth and opportunity in our province and our country. The stronger and more competitive they become, the stronger our economy becomes. To find out more, visit www.bdc.ca or give us a call at 204-983-7900. Certified General Accountants Association of Manitoba CGA Manitoba is the province’s largest and fastest-growing body of professional accountants. Incorporated in 1973, CGA Manitoba serves over 3,600 resident CGAs and CGA students. Manitoba’s CGAs provide financial management expertise across the province’s economic landscape, in public accounting firms and with corporate, government and not-for-profit entities. To ensure Manitoba business has access to world-class accounting personnel, CGA delivers the profession’s preeminent program of professional studies. Individuals who achieve the leading- edge technical, professional and ethical competencies required by CGA’s rigorous certification standards are conferred the prestigious designation, CGA. CIBC Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce is a leading Canadian-based global financial institution. Through our three main business units – Retail and Business Banking, Wealth Management and Wholesale Banking – CIBC provides a full range of financial products and services to more than 11 million individual, small business, commercial, corporate and institutional clients in Canada and around the world. We have more than 42,000 employees dedicated to helping our clients achieve what matters to them; delivering consistent and sustainable earnings for our shareholders and giving back to our communities. CIBC’s vision is to be the leader in client relationships and our mission is to fulfill the commitments we make to each of our stakeholders. Our vision and mission are driven by an organizational culture based on core values of Trust, Teamwork and Accountability.
Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries The newly established Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries is a Crown corporation of the Province of Manitoba, responsible for the distribution and sale of beverage alcohol, and for providing gaming and entertainment experiences, all in a socially responsible manner. Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries operates the Liquor Marts and Liquor Mart Express stores, Club Regent Casino, McPhillips Station Casino, Video Lotto and PlayNow. com. We work in partnership with a network of Lottery Retailers, private wine and food stores, Manitoba’s hotel and restaurant industries, as well as veterans’ organizations. Revenues generated by Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries are returned to the Province to support priority programming in areas such as health care, education, social and community services, economic development and public safety initiatives. Manitoba Pork Council Created in 1999, Manitoba Pork Council is the organization of the province’s pork producers. The council delivers a wide range of programs and activities designed to benefit Manitoba hog producers and promote the industry as a whole – activities such as support for research related to hog production, environmental practices, quality assurance and animal welfare; initiatives related to sustainable hog production practices, human resources, education and training; and programs related to market development, community relations, promotion and consumer education. See more at www.manitobapork.com. MTS For over 100 years, MTS has enjoyed a reputation as Manitoba’s leading ‘home town’ communications provider. MTS is also Manitoba’s largest private sector employer, and a strong community partner. MTS’s suite of products and services has evolved and expanded over the years. The days of rotary-dialled phones have given way to advanced 4G wireless networks, which provide wireless coverage to 97% of Manitoba’s population. MTS uses fibre-to- the-home technology to provide residential customers with award-winning MTS Ultimate TV Service® and ultra-fast Internet services that offer download speeds of up to 250 Mbps. MTS business customers have the option to choose from the most comprehensive suite of IP communications services in the province, including voice, data, wireless and IT infrastructure services.
Protegra A business performance and technology company, Protegra launched Protunity in May 2013. Protunity is a quality, online B2B matching network that helps buyers and sellers efficiently connect based on business needs and offerings. “What makes Protunity different from other online platforms is that it is invitation-only, subscription and referral-based, and members are in control of their own information and with whom they connect,” according to Protegra CEO, Wadood Ibrahim. “We have solid partnerships with Chambers of Commerce, World Trade Centres and trade associations who screen members before joining, making Protunity a private, trusted network.” To learn more and register for the first two free months, visit protunity.com. Taylor McCaffrey LLP When lawyers with complementary areas of specialization are strategically bundled together, they create a team of legal expertise that extends far beyond the sum of their individual capabilities. Taylor McCaffrey LLP is one of Manitoba’s largest law firms, and over the last several decades, through the development of specialist teams, has come to be known as one of Manitoba’s most focused and formidable law firms. Our clients come to us for our help. And the best way to help them is with expert advice. Please visit www.tmlawyers.com for more information about our Core Areas of Practice and Additional Areas of Specialization. Third Quarter ThirdQuarter is a national job service for people aged 45 and over, who are in the “third quarter” of their professional and working careers. One of our goals is to help reverse the skills gap in Canada. We use a skills-based matching system that links the diverse requirements of companies to qualified applicants. Companies save both time and money since they ultimately hire experienced people who are more than just job-ready but who make ideal mentors for other staff. We were founded in 2010 by the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce and continue to be closely aligned. For more information, visit www.thirdquarter. ca, www.skillsconnectinc.com or c all: 204- 272-4011 or Toll Free: 1-855-286-0306 ext 305.
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T he province has been praised for its success in helping businesses attract immigrant workers, especially in industries like manufacturing and agriculture. But recently, the federal government enacted changes to the immigration process that make it harder for businesses to bring in foreign workers — and tougher for immigrants to receive approval for permanent residency. The Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program is operated co- operatively by the federal and provincial governments. The province can nominate people for permanent residency if they Closed Door Policy? New immigration rules may block foreign workers By Kathryne Cardwell
Manitoba businesses — may not be able to come to Canada. The biggest changes to the federal rules are in the areas of education and language. All applicants are required to take an English-language proficiency test, which is graded on a scale of 1 - 9. Applicants have to score at least seven, which displays language ability close to that of a native English speaker. But critics say a person only needs to score a five to communicate effectively in most work environments. Adele Dyck, an immigration consultant in Winkler, worked on the 1996 pilot project in which the policies for the existing nominee program were developed. She says the new requirements will make it easy for wealthy, well-educated, young immigrants to come to Canada. But as there is a lot of competition around the world for people who meet these criteria, fewer immigrants will ultimately make it to Manitoba. Dyck says it’s already becoming more difficult to attract foreign workers, and the higher language and education requirements are unnecessary. “Employers are willing to teach English to foreign-trained workers and train them on the job,” she says. Additionally, the job areas in which Manitoba businesses most desperately need workers are in production, skilled trades and labour — areas in which highly educated, specially trained
have job skills in an area where Manitoba has a shortage of workers, such as manufacturing, trades or farming.
Potential immigrants can apply for nomination, which expedites the process when they apply to the federal government for permanent residency. Since the program began in 1996, it has helped companies fill thousands of positions, and it’s been a model for other provinces developing their own nominee programs.
David Davis Law Office Keith Levit Photography
But now, even applicants who are nominated by the province — including those with jobs skills desperately needed by
>>
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immigrants would not likely choose to work. David Davis, a Winnipeg immigration lawyer with 24 years experience and a licensed foreign worker recruitment officer, points out that Manitoba’s manufacturing and production industries are growing, but a large proportion of the workers in these industries are now approaching retirement age. “Our skilled worker population is aging,” Davis says. “We’ve got all these baby boomers getting older; what are we doing to replace them?” It is essential, he adds, to continue bringing in appropriate immigrant workers to fill these jobs so Manitoba businesses can keep growing. Davis says that employers can continue to recruit foreign workers, but they need to be aware that it can be time-consuming. “I recommend that employers looking to recruit foreign workers plan at least nine months in advance,” he says. “Even the perfect client needs nine months for everything to be processed.” Davis also cautions that an applicant who is nominated by the province for immigration is not guaranteed to receive permission to immigrate from the federal government. Dyck says companies that rely on foreign workers should continue to work with the provincial government and impress upon the federal government the importance of bringing in workers who do not meet the new requirements.
DAVIS IMMIGRATION LAW OFFICE
Suite 201 - 233 Portage Ave.,Wpg., MB R3B 2A7 We specialize in legal strategies for individuals and corporations in all areas of Canadian Immigration Law for over 24 years. We also possess the foreign worker recruitment license issued by Employment Standards Branch of the Provincial Government of Manitoba which allows us to assist employers with their recruitment needs to fill vacancies in key occupations within their company.
Phone: 204-956-2336 Fax: 204-975-1655 www.daviddavislaw.com
We understand business immigration Are you looking to invest in a business? Are you looking to sell your business? Do you have a franchise system looking for owner-operators?
Our immigration team understands the nuances of these new rules and can advise you on what they mean for you and your business. Learn how Pitblado Law can help you every step of the way at www.pitblado.com/Immigration_Law atio te nd st ds nd st ds
The rules and criteria of business immigration in Manitoba have changed. New rules mean a path to Canadian permanent residence for entrepreneurs AND a way for businesses in Manitoba to expand or transition ownership.
PaulHesse Lawyer and Notary Public Phone: (204) 956-3561 Fax: (204) 957-0227 Email: hesse@pitblado.com
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Spam a Lot? Better Not Prepare to comply with new spam rules now By Wendy King T he strictest anti-spam legislation in the world could come into effect as soon as January in Canada. Bill C-28, known as the Fighting Internet and Wireless Spam bill, will impact businesses that keep customer databases and send mass emails to clients and potential clients. “Most local businesses know that the best way to grow your local network and customer base is a healthy relationship with your clients, and you don’t get that with spam.”
Bowman offers these pointers for getting ahead of the curve — which is where you need to be when this law is proclaimed: • Build your consent strategy now: Once Bill C-28 is in force, seeking consent from consumers to send them messages in order to comply with the legislation may in itself be seen as spam.Review customer databases and determine what type of consent you have received for the messages you send now or that you plan to send in the future. • Make sure all messages have notices and opt-out mechanisms in place now. • Make sure contracts with service providers like email marketers are refreshed to comply with the legislation. • Be ready to respond to complaints and queries from individuals. • Marketing apps? Watch out for anti-spyware provisions. Installing spyware on somebody’s computer is already illegal, but the legislation has new disclosure rules for apps. For example, if you install an app on somebody’s phone and information is going from their PDA into the cloud and vice versa, there are new disclosure obligations. “Businesses should be doing their homework and their due diligence now,” Bowman says. “It’s a beast of a law and it’s not user-friendly.”
Brian Bowman, a partner at Pitblado Law, is the national expert on this topic. He says the bill is intended to reduce the number of spam emails and messages (including text messages) we receive as Canadians. He says that for consumers, it will be a good thing. “It’s a growing problem and legislators and parliamentarians are hearing from Canadians that they just want them to do something about spam.” The problem is it doesn’t have the power to regulate spam coming from outside the country. And that means that Canadian businesses will be spending time and resources complying with a law international competitors — who generate the vast majority of spam — can ignore. But the news isn’t all bad. It’s one form of legislation that businesses can actually use to market to their customer base. “Most businesses don’t send out glossy brochures to their customers saying: Guess what? We pay our taxes! But you can do that with this law,” Bowman says. “You can say: Here’s how we’re protecting your privacy and here are all the choices you have as a customer in terms of messaging.
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"Ask us and we’ll tell you that experienced workers are dynamic and active, and highly adept at performing a variety of tourism jobs."
Experience Key to Tourism Success
By Iris Chrol
T he word is out. Call us boomers, zoomers and everything in between, but workers aged 45 and over are great ambassadors for Manitoba tourism as more of today’s companies choose to hire experience. Ask us and we’ll tell you that experienced workers are dynamic and active, and highly adept at performing a variety of tourism jobs. “ThirdQuarter candidates bring with them many transferable skills. Often having held full-time positions in the service industry at one time, they aren’t entirely ready to be without that interaction,” explains Tim Jones, ThirdQuarter CEO. One of Canada’s fastest-growing industries, tourism encompasses a full range of employment opportunities: Retail, food and beverage, accommodation, transportation and travel, recreation and entertainment. Fortunately, Manitoba’s tourism-industry partners are catching on to the benefits of utilizing the many talents of zoomers. At Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport, Goldwing Ambassadors provide assistance to passengers and other airport visitors. Goldwings are easy to spot with their gold jackets. “Our diplomats of goodwill ensure visitors at the airport have a pleasant experience,” says Breanne Talbot, Winnipeg Airports Authority manager of communications and public affairs. The volunteer program began in 1997 with 20 ambassadors and has grown to a pool of more than 122, who speak a total of 19 different languages. During that time, Goldwings have contributed more than 180,950 combined hours. There are almost 200 museums in Manitoba, employing hundreds of people full time, part time and seasonally. They also have the support of thousands of local volunteers who are in this age demographic. Museums are found in
every region of the province and they house wide-ranging collections that benefit from the vast experiences and interests of the boomer population. Hotel general managers and directors of housekeeping are needed to ensure that accommodation properties run smoothly, generate profit, and deliver high-quality guest experiences. Seasoned workers understand the need to provide the keen attention to detail that guests demand and deserve. In addition, they are great leaders, excelling at motivating and inspiring younger employees to create a superior service culture. “Flexibility in scheduling on the part of the employer is key for this demographic,” explains Jones. “Some people like the option of working only three or four days a week, or being able to work fewer hours.” This flexibility complements the cyclical schedule of tourism- based businesses as well. “Manitoba is on a roll, with new assets coming to market and significant investments being made in Winnipeg and throughout the province that are further positioning Manitoba as a unique destination of choice,” says Colin Ferguson, president, Travel Manitoba. Travel isn’t exclusive to one demographic group and the tourism and hospitality industries provide the ideal opportunity to build a multigenerational workforce. As an equal-opportunity employer, Avis Budget Group is proud to provide an inclusive workplace that embraces and celebrates demographic, cultural and lifestyle differences. “Attention to diversity helps us make sure that we as a company are drawing fully on our creative and intellectual resources,” explains Darlene Hill, director of Equal Employment Opportunity. “This important focus empowers us to tap into new markets, enhance our work environment, and better serve our customers.”
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Good as Cold Thompson’s climate is ideal for ice-testing facility By David Square
A Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engine on the test stand. Photo courtesy of GLACIER
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C old weather is proving to be a valuable natural resource in Thompson. Two of the world’s largest engine manufacturers are testing for icing problems at a site near the city — creating jobs and injecting cash into the local economy at the same time. Rolls-Royce PLC and Pratt & Whitney U.S.A. partnered recently to create a $42-million state-of-the-art ice-testing facility. The Global Aerospace Centre for Icing and Environmental Research (GLACIER) uses a huge wind tunnel to spray super-cooled water mist into jet engines while they are running. “This enables us to recreate and monitor operating conditions that can cause internal icing on the engines’ turbines and other interior parts,” says Don Pereira, general manager of MDS Aerospace Ltd., the company that built, designed and maintains the GLACIER facility. “Air turbine icing can reduce power and, in rare cases, flame out or damage engines. It can also choke multiple sensors, misleading computers that now manage airliner flight control systems.” Dr. Ibrahim Yimer, of the NRC Institute for Aerospace Research, says that to date icing has caused no deaths, but it may have played a role in dozens of cases involving engine power loss. “New generations of turbofan engines destined for commercial aircraft are now required to be certified against icing by North American and European regulators,” he says. Thompson was chosen as the test site because it’s one of the coldest cities in the world readily accessible by road, rail or air. Engines and jet fuel can be trucked to the site and small parts can be shipped quickly from Winnipeg via Calm Air. “The NRC has a gas turbine icing certification lab in Ottawa; however, it only has the capacity to test small jets used on light corporate aircraft; GLACIER’s test bed can accommodate engines with up to 150,000 pounds of thrust,” Pereira says, adding that the largest turbine currently built produces about 115,000 pounds of thrust and is used on the Boeing 777. He says the facility is expected to have a long lifespan as it is designed to test future generations of engines. “To this point, we’ve certified Rolls-Royce’s XWB class of engines that will be used on the new A350 Airbus and generate from 85,000 to 97,000 pounds of thrust,” he says. A less powerful engine with 25,000 to 35,000 pounds of thrust developed by Pratt & Whitney for smaller Bombardier C-series commuter jets has also undergone and passed certification testing. The benefits of the facility to Thompson are manifold. Through an agreement between GLACIER and the National Research Council, students and turbine-engine researchers from around the world have access to the site to work on their own projects. Moreover, when an engine is being tested, scientists and engineers representing Rolls- Royce or Pratt & Whitney flood into Thompson for months at a time, which is a boon to hotels and motels, restaurants and retailers. Small businesses that sell and service machinery are called upon to supply hydraulic, electrical and industrial products, while local general contractors are hired whenever possible. “GLACIER has indicated that it will continue to utilize the Thompson facility well into the future,” Pereira says. “This bodes well for the budding aero-industry and the town, too.”
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
>> More than 450 homes and 25 businesses have already hooked up with Norway House Cree Nation Broadband Inc. High-speed Internet and digital TV service is being extended to 1,400 homes and 7,000 residents. Communities Economic Development Fund partnered with the First People Economic Growth Fund to act as the two lenders for the project. Industry Canada, Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada, Western Economic Diversification Canada and Norway House Cree Nation also played important roles. >> The province and Parks Canada have partnered to ensure one of the world’s largest polar bear denning areas will have more environmental protection, better tourism management and enhanced research opportunities. Both levels of government have agreed to work together to make licensing for tourism operations easier, standardize protocols for rescuing orphaned cubs and improve wildlife management and research facilities for Wapusk National Park and the Churchill Wildlife Management Area. >> The Atoskiwin Training and Employment Centre in Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation (Nelson House) will deliver a 12-week training program to provide students with essential skills to enter the mining industry. The program is part of the Process Operator in Training Program developed by Vale Manitoba Operations with Workplace Education Manitoba and the Northern Manitoba Sector Council. It’s one of three northern training initiatives the province included in a recent $1.9 million funding announcement. New & Noteworthy
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Company WomeN Entrepreneurs mean business in Roblin By David Square S mall businesses are key economic drivers in Manitoba, and entrepreneurial spirits are high in Roblin. Wanda Jordan and her mother Linda Regehr are among the latest entrepreneurs to step up to the plate with their sodas,” Jordan says. Mary Newton discovered Roblin is a great place to run a business and raise a family after she opened the Crazy Daisy Hair and Tanning Studio five years ago.
Starving Artist Bistro Café. When they discovered Roblin’s historic 1903 train station was available for lease, the duo undertook renovations and opened the unique restaurant in late June. Regehr now lives in a suite above the restaurant. A former waitress from Saskatchewan, she also creates oil paintings that adorn the walls of the eatery. Along with an extensive menu that includes traditional hardy meals to feed farm crews during harvest, she and Jordan offer gluten-free items, local and natural products. They also offer live entertainment, playing host to local musicians. “We want this to become a place where people feel comfortable just to drop in for a cup of tea or one of our specially mixed
Before her two young sons came along, Newton leased a rundown building that had previously housed a secondhand store and transformed it into a modern salon, complete with hardwood and tile floors and chic black-leather seating. “It required a complete overhaul, from new flooring and paint to new electrical lighting and a complete plumbing job,” Newton says. “The renovation wasn’t inexpensive, but it was cheaper than leasing or renting commercial real estate in Calgary, where I’d been living before I moved to Roblin to be with my husband.” Newton learned her trade in Winnipeg, where she grew up. Along with hair-styling and tanning services, she also markets a line of beauty products that are well received by both men
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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 New & Noteworthy >> The fifth annual Take the Leap rural entrepreneurship conference drew business owners from across the province to Dauphin on Oct. 21. Jones Soda Co. founder Peter Van Stolk was the keynote speaker at the event, which provides tips and practical information to help entrepreneurs grow their businesses. >> Ontario sculptor Ruth Abernethy’s life-size bronze statues of Sir John A. Macdonald, Oscar Peterson and other luminaries grace public places across the country. Now you can add Rossburn’s Duke the Bear to the list. Abernethy was in attendance when the statue of the 812-pound, eight-foot tall black bear who roamed the area from 1978 until 1992 was unveiled at Rossburn’s centennial celebration in July. Duke holds a place of honour at the town’s Memory Park.
Salon owner Mary Newton (above), restaurateurs Linda Regehr and daughter Wanda Jordan (opposite page) and boutique owners Angela and Melissa Martens (left) mind their own businesses. Photos by David Square
and women. The owners of the The Secret Butterfly Boutique transformed another former secondhand store before they opened their popular shop three years ago. Angela Martens and daughter Melissa stock an eclectic collection of merchandise, from jewelry to LUG handbags, home decor, gifts and party supplies. “I’d always wanted to own my own business,” Angela says. “When my husband, who is a pastor, resigned from the local church in 2010, I decided the time had come to become an entrepreneur.” Daughter Melissa graduated from high school the same year and joined her mother in the business. As it happened, local jeweller Kim Campbell was
closing her own shop and offered to help with the jewelry side of the new business. “In return, I purchased Kim’s leftover stock and cabinets,” Angela says. Campbell accompanied Angela to her first gift show in Edmonton, helping her select the best products for her niche market. The Martens also rent out wedding supplies, such as glassware and tablecloths, and Angela says customers are spreading the word about The Secret Butterfly. “We’re beginning to make progress in paying down debt and, if the economy remains stable and we can continue to attract customers without spending a lot of money on advertising, I believe we’re positioned to make a real success of our venture.”
15 MBiz November 2013
safemanitoba.com
16 MBiz November 2013
biz ’peg Vol.2 Winter 2013
idea City the Creative Campaign to build a bold new vision for winnipeg, page 14
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WINTER 2013 Vol. 2 biz ’peg winnipeg Chamber of CommerCe winnipeg-chamber.com PREsIdENT & CEo dave Angus PolICy & CommuNICATIoNs mANAgER Alana odegard winnipeg free press winnipegfreepress.com PublIshER bob Cox VICE PREsIdENT sAlEs laurie Finley mANAgER oF NIChE PRoduCTs Edith bonner edith.bonner@freepress.mb.ca EdIToR Pat st. germain pdstgermain@gmail.com WRITERs Nancy boomer Wendy King
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Chambers within the Capital region: 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 selkirk biz stonewall & distriCt Chamber of CommerCe winnipeg Chamber of CommerCe
Jennifer mcFee holli moncrieff Judy owen david schmeichel
Pat st. germain PhoTogRAPhy darcy Finley shane henderson Numerous organizations supplied dEsIgN Jane Chartrand PRINTINg Quantum graphics
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Manitoba’s pork industry means: $ 1.5 billion in domestic sales and exports annually and 13,000 jobs in Manitoba
manitoba pork.com
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of tomorrow For over 75 years the Asper School of Business has provided students with exceptional leadership development opportunities, applied learning experience and connections with the global business community.
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bold During its 140th anniversary year, the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce is building on BOLD momentum to encourage and embrace fresh new visions for the future. With that initiative in mind, the Winnipeg Free Press and its ’pegBiz partners chose to focus on innovation in our winter issue. And as often happens when you direct your attention to a particular subject, we started seeing it everywhere: In the collision between art and technology that produced the Exchange District’s Innovation Alley; in business incubators and I.H. Asper School of Business competitions that are matching inventors with entrepreneurs and investors; and in BOLD ideas like forming a creative campus at the Manitoba Museum, opening Portage and Main to pedestrians and mounting a Winnipeg We Day to encourage philanthropy. At the same time, we recognized that the city has a long history of innovative thinking. The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce Spirit of Winnipeg Awards have turned a spotlight on a wealth of what chamber president Dave Angus has called “news-to-me stories,” about businesses, charities and not-for-profits whose innovations deserve to be acknowledged and celebrated. The fifth annual awards, co-founded with BDO Chartered Accountants and Advisers and presented with Fillmore Riley LLP — which celebrates 130 years of innovation this year — will be held at the Fairmont Winnipeg in February. The chamber is encouraging members to take the opportunity to tell their own stories, and ’pegBiz is looking forward to sharing the news. is Creating a lot of buzz in winnipeg these days.
welCome the new lgbt* Chamber of CommerCe page 8 how do you build a Creative City? page 10 mining for bold page 14 it's miller time for blue bombers page 16 why pay inequity saps motivation page 20
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world trade centre
there’s a demand for Cypher environmental’s products in mining and other industries that use private roads and heavy vehicles. Photo courtesy of Cypher Environmental
building ConneCtions world trade Centre helps pave road to suCCess by Nancy Boomer
C ypher Environmental Ltd. president Todd Burns tried several avenues to gain access to the lucrative Brazilian mining market before discovering the road to success started at home – at the World Trade Centre Winnipeg. Cypher designs and manufactures dust-control, soil-stabilization and water-treatment products that are sold through a network of distributors across 30 countries. The company saw significant growth after it shifted its focus to the mining industry a few years back. Previously, it promoted its products for general road improvements, as well as for wastewater remediation. “Our focus on water treatment is still fairly broad as the products we sell are tailored to be applicable to a wide variety of applications,” Burns says. “However, we realized a few years ago that the mining industry produced a huge demand for our products and they could afford to pay the premium associated with environmentally friendly and, in most cases, cost-effective alternatives.” Focusing on mining and other industries that use private roads and heavy, expensive vehicles gave Cypher a deeper understanding of mining so it could design its marketing approach and product development to serve this niche market. “We have not abandoned sales to other markets or industries as we do have distributors in countries where mining is almost non- existent and we are still successful,” Burns says. “In fact, the increased revenues we have generated through sales in the mining industry have helped us serve other markets better.” Despite its success, acquiring a distributor to help access the mining industry in Brazil proved to be challenging. “Brazil being one of the fastest-emerging Brazil-Russia-India- China (BRIC) countries, with a huge emphasis on mining, made it an attractive target for us,” Burns says. “As the fifth largest country by land mass in the world, with over 90% of its roads
being unpaved, Brazil presents us with huge opportunities for both road improvements and dust application products. “We have already had great success in other parts of South America, such as Peru, Ecuador and Colombia, so it made sense for us to target Brazil, the largest economy in South America.” It was a meeting with WTC Winnipeg representatives at the 2012 Centrallia business match-making forum that ultimately provided the solution. “The WTC Winnipeg connected us with the WTC Sao Paulo,” Burns says. Cypher was able to find a distributor in Belo Horizonte, the capital city of Minas Gerais, the state where most of Brazil’s mining takes place. Just a few weeks after his initial meetings with Brazilian executives at a company called Asperminas, Burns was back in Belo Horizonte to strengthen his working relationship with the firm. The two companies joined forces at the largest mining event in Latin America – Exposibram 2013 – where they officially launched the promotion of their products to the mining industry. Virginie De Visscher is a project manager with WTC Winnipeg, created in partnership with the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce. She says co-ordinating international connections that lead to productive partnerships is what the network is all about. “There are more than 300 world trade centres around the world, operating in 100 countries. Together, they form the World Trade Centres Association, a great, reliable business-to-business global network.” WTC Winnipeg led a trade mission to the Philippines in September with the support of the Manitoba Filipino Business Council. And in early November, it led a mission to the Netherlands with Manitoba business executives who, like Todd Burns, hoped to make the kinds of connections that spell success in any language.
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lgbt* chamber
lgbt* chamber president paul hesse (left) and director of membership patrick o’reilly celebrate at the 25th anniversary event. Photo by Darcy Finley
open market Chamber inCreases aCCess to lgbt* businesses by David Schmeichel
T he city’s status as a stronghold of diversity is being bolstered even further, thanks to the recent reboot of a long-running network of LGBT business owners, professionals and allies. The newly launched Manitoba LGBT* Chamber of Commerce seeks to build a strong and inclusive local economy — one that’s both supportive of and supported by diverse communities. Formerly the Lambda Business Chamber, the organization used its 25th anniversary as an opportunity to rebrand itself and renew ties to the community. “This is the evolution of an organization that’s existed for 25 years,” says chamber president Paul Hesse. “We’re relaunching that organization in a new form and as a new entity.” Formed in 1988, Lambda at first had only a handful of members, who provided moral and strategic support via informal meetings at a local restaurant. Over the years, it’s helped lay the framework for a far more structured — and visible — lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender business community. While society has grown more inclusive, the chamber’s director of membership says there’s more need for a network now than ever before. “Regardless of how much we all acknowledge our equality, there are also distinctive differences in various markets,” says Patrick O’Reilly, owner of Padraig Coaching & Consulting.
“Businesses have differentiated markets for hundreds of years, and LGBT consumers are a big market. “As we become better integrated into everyday life, it doesn’t change the fact there are some aspects that make us unique. An LGBT chamber really helps businesses work with that market segment.” Membership benefits include networking opportunities, seminars and member-to-member discounts. Partnerships with the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce and Manitoba Chambers of Commerce are being explored, and discounted participation is available in the supplier diversity program managed by the Canadian Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce. “Chambers in general are important because they allow businesses to connect with each other and build on each others’ strengths,” O’Reilly says. “We bring certain things to our members that they won’t find elsewhere, including increased access to LGBT markets — both to the knowledge and understanding of how to reach LGBT markets, and also of how to be very LGBT-positive.” Recent statistics and news stories support his case for getting involved. Despite the fact Canada’s LGBT travel market is valued at $7 billion annually, a 2011 survey of 50 Winnipeg hotels found fewer than 20% were open to helping guests find out about LGBT events, while only one identified publicly as
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