Solid 2022 Shipping Season at the Port of ThunderBay

Continued from page 2

The Port of ThunderBay has diversified overthe years which has helped operations?

“ All of our buildings at the port are full as there is a big demand for warehousing with the pandemic because of the take off of couriers and companies like Amazon. Direct delivery businesses require warehouse space.We have the largest warehouse space between Sault Ste Marie and Winnipeg.”

“The continuing of Phosphate shipments from Morocco is a new thing for us.”

“ The best thing for us was pipe shipments coming from Europe. Once you get good at handling it it is very consistent, a repeat business.”

How did the Ukraine conflict affect the port?

“ We couldn’t supply the short fall of grain because of the Ukraine war because we didn’t have the harvest to ship. It will be interesting to see how much grain we will have this year to ship because of the Ukraine situation. The crops around the world affect the situation. Ukraine grain is relied upon for some markets.

The 2023 season looks to be betterfor the Port of ThunderBay?

“We feel grain will be better this year and are hoping to build on this pipe business, as well as potash. There is a new potash mine coming on board in Saskatchewan, which was accelerated due to the demand for potash in the world, so that will help us.”

“ The Port is linked to the outside world and things from very far away can affect us. We were affected by Covid and the situation in the US with the tariffs during the Trump years which affected steel shipments and actually benefited us. Supply chains were dramatically affected by Covid and are still affected.The trucker situation has had an impact with driver availability and electronic logs especially to the US.”

“ We are strengthening the business development side of the port with the appointment of Chris Heikkinen to a new position.We had one retirement.”

©2023 Brian Babcock

In business you may judge your success by profit, but other key indicators also measure your performance. Which are most important to you?

However you approach performance, you likely realize that if you do not know where you want to end up, it is difficult to get there.

The same is true in legal services. Both you and your lawyer need to know where you hope to end up, in order to find the best path to get there with the greatest odds of success and the most reasonable cost.

Strategy and tactics, whether in negotiat-

What is YourObjective? Legal Matters

ing a deal or resolving a dispute, are important parts of the lawyer's job that are often overlooked. Even if we are simply drafting you a contract, it helps to know whether it is a “one off” or is intended to be a template for you to do a series of transactions.

Clear communication with your lawyer is essential to reaching your objectives. Together with clear thinking about your goals, it will help you avoid winning the battles but losing the war.This applies not just when drafting or negotiating contracts. It also is important in any sort of negotiation or dispute resolution, whether commercial litigation, family law, or an estates matter.

If you are not clear on your must haves, traders, and nice to haves, your lawyer is left working in the dark, unable to spot any legal landmines,not fully armed to assist you in the negotiations. If you are not clear on your objectives, your lawyer is handicapped as to strategies and tactics.

This is a reason to develop a trusting relationship with a lawyer who knows you and understands your business. Otherwise, you might find yourself struggling like in the old story of the six blindfolded men trying to describe an elephant.

Your lawyer can help you sort out your objectives, but that takes time and money and sometimes there just isn't enough time. Far better that your lawyer understands from past shared experience.

Knowing your desired destination is also a beginning point if damage control becomes necessary, together with understanding where you ended up, and why. Objectives change, and you and your lawyer need to keep that in mind.

At Weilers LLP, we are goal oriented lawyers. We enjoy helping clients achieve their objectives. If you think that fits your needs, and it should, give us a call.

ThunderBay CEDC Board of Directors welcomes two new Board Members

The Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission Board of Directors are pleased to announce the appointment of Michelle Salo and Roger Souckey to the Board of Directors.

“On behalf of the Board and staff I would like to welcome Michelle and Roger to the Thunder Bay CEDC," says Peter Marchl, Chair, Thunder Bay

CEDC Board of Directors. “Both individuals bring new perspectives and fresh ideas to our organization. We look forward to working together for the benefit of our community.”

Michelle is a Certified Professional Accountant (CPA) with over 30 years of experience.She is currently the Chief Operating Officer at Confederation College where she has been employed since May 2019. Michelle spent most of her career in the Pulp, Paper, and Personal Care sector where she had the opportunity to serve in many different finance roles. Her strengths are in strategic planning, finance and operations, her knowledge and expertise will be a great asset to the CEDC Board of Directors.

Roger is the Vice President of HR and Environmental, Social and Governance with Argonaut Gold. Born and raised in Northwestern Ontario, Roger is an active community member and previously served as an elected official in Marathon Ontario and on various boards.Roger has over 35 years of experience in the mining sector with international expertise, his knowledge will be an invaluable asset to the CEDC Board of Directors.