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Doors Open at the University Of Guelph March 13–17
College Royal Open House March 18–19
Employment Lands in Guelph Open for Business
Downtown Renewal Where Heritage meets Economics
Innovation at City Hall Applying Technology to Solve Problems
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About the cover
A message from the mayor
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Cam Guthrie, Mayor
want to thank Perspective Marketing for producing this insert to showcase all the great reasons to live, work, and do business in Guelph! Guelph was recently ranked as the 4th best large city in Canada to start and grow a business. It’s one of Canada’s safest cities and best places to live. It’s been ranked the 3rd best city in Canada to raise a family, and one of the top 10 best places for new Canadians to live. It’s been called “Canada’s jobs powerhouse” and “the little city that could.” Businesses who have located in Guelph rave about our city’s central location, skilled labour pool, and the outstanding research capabilities at the University of Guelph. They also applaud the co-operation and partnership they get from the City and local business support organizations
such as the Chamber of Commerce and Innovation Guelph. Guelph ticks all the right boxes when it comes to factors like competitive land and operating costs. But we also have all the intangible quality-of-life factors that businesses are looking for. Here, you’ll find bigcity amenities like a vibrant downtown; a beautiful performing arts centre; and a top-notch OHL team.You’ll also experience a sense of community spirit and neighbourliness you would only expect to find in a small town. It truly is the best of both worlds.
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Publisher, CeO Steve Montague ViCe-PresiDeNT Ed Martin Marketing Coordinator Sabrina Woods Account Executive Graeme Molloy
Welcome to Guelph! We hope our city can be part of your success story.
PerspectiveTM Guelph was produced Independent of the City of Guelph. Contents are copyrighted and may not be reproduced without the written consent of Perspective Marketing Inc. The publisher is not liable for any views expressed in the articles and opinions do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher or the City of Guelph.
T 226.366.9090
AVAILABLE | GUELPH 100% LEASED
This March, the University of Guelph opens its doors to high school students, inviting several thousands of them and their families to campus for March Break Tours, and Campus Day.
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FOR LEASE
FOR LEASE HANLON CREEK BLVD • Up to 34,000 sf brand new • Industrial
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• 32,243 sf
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• 8,761 sf Retail
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HANLON CREEK BLVD • 4,100 sf to 6,100 sf • Industrial • Office build to suit
Partnership. Performance. Avison Young Commercial Real Estate (Southwestern Ontario), Brokerage 231 Shearson Crescent, Suite 210, Cambridge, ON N1T 1J5 | T 226.366.9090
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The information contained herein was obtained from sources deemed reliable and is believed to be true; it has not been verified and as such, cannot be warranted nor form any part of any future contract. ©2017 Avison Young (Canada) Inc. All rights reserved.
FOR LEASE HANLON CREEK BLVD • 66,000 sf to be constructed • New class A office
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There is a New Agri-Food Revolution on Our Planet. Visit College Royal At the University of Guelph and see for Yourself. Be a part of this FREE weekend March 18-19. Fun for all ages. Celebrating 93 years.
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t’s a defining University of Guelph event. More than that – and especially important in this sesquicentennial year – it’s a Canadian happening. And in a world facing the defining challenge of sustainably feeding a growing human population, it arguably reaches beyond our borders as well. “It” is College Royal, the annual student-run open house at the University of Guelph, and the largest event of its kind in North America. Now in its 93rd year, the campus-wide event will be held March 18-19. This year’s edition will feature the kinds of activities that have long attracted visitors – some 30,000 of them each year – to the Guelph campus. Visitors can take in livestock shows, dog and cat shows, square dancing, a flower-arranging competition, club demonstrations and campus tours. Also on the bill are family favourites, from Old Mac’s New Farm in the campus barn to teddy bear surgery at the Ontario Veterinary College. But College Royal is more than that, says Vanessa Crowley, student president of this year’s event. The 2017 open house is being branded as part of Canada 150 celebrations marking the country’s sesquicentennial. That’s appropriate, for two reasons. Just a few years after Canadian Confederation, the Ontario Agricultural College – one of U of G’s three founding colleges – was established in 1874. And with its own roots extending back almost a century, says Crowley, the annual open house is “part of Canada’s 150 years of tradition and innovation. We want to celebrate College Royal as one of Canada’s events.”
College Royal still links the campus with its rural and agricultural beginnings. Just look at the program’s perennial offerings, including a junior tractor rodeo, a seeds and forages competition, and milkshakes in the Department of Food Science. “It’s important to know how the food on your plate is getting there,” says Karly Rumpel, a second-year student in agricultural science and this year’s College Royal ambassador. But there’s a new agri-food revolution afoot – one connecting anyone who eats food, whether they live in the country or the city. Imagine self-driving tractors that automatically plant, irrigate and fertilize crops without wasting seed, nutrients or water. How about a smartphone app that allows a farmer to identify
insects to help predict and control pest infestations? Or what about robotic milking systems to collect the milk for those food science milkshakes – systems already being used in dairy farms and at U of G’s Elora dairy research facility. In a new digital agricultural revolution, innovations such as these will come from linking agri-food expertise with information technology. That revolution is needed to meet a defining challenge of our time: how to farm smarter to feed a projected mid-century population of nine billion without depleting the Earth’s ecosystems. Finding ways to do that is the point of Food From Thought, a new $76.6-million research project at U of G that brings together more than 100 researchers and external partners to change the way we produce food.
“That’s a prime example of how we’re going to sustain the population,” says Crowley, now completing her fourth year in food and agricultural business. “We’re in a very urban area, but we’re still working on feeding the world.” Those efforts are attracting wider attention. In early February, a federal report from Ottawa’s Advisory Council on Economic Growth said Canada is currently the world’s fifth-largest agricultural exporter but has the potential to leap into second place. The study pinpoints the University of Guelph as a key contributor toward helping the agri-food sector to meet that potential for growth. Bringing Canada to the world through agri-food: that’s something to think about while you sample that milkshake at College Royal this year.
A WORLD OF OPPORTUNITY AN OPPORTUNITY TO SEE THE WORLD
LEARN TO BE HUMAN!
Think, create, engage and know yourself and the world around you. It's all happening here at the College of Arts.
Take a first-year seminar and learn about the
impact of our faculty’s research on culture, society, and the environment Study for a semester in Paris, London, Krakow, India, Germany, or Shanghai or go on an exchange in one of 30 countries while earning credits at Guelph Go outside the classroom by participating in field trips or other experiential learning opportunities -- see theory put into practice in the real world Participate in academic research through paid research assistantships
DISCOVER WHY OUR STUDENTS AND OUR COMMUNITY LOVE THE COLLEGE OF ARTS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF GUELPH! Thursday at noon free concerts Internationally renowned faculty, musicians, artists, critics, and thinkers Open Mic Night at the Bullring Student-mounted exhibits at Zavitz Gallery Live theatre written, directed, and designed by students at the George Luscombe Theatre
WWW.UOGUELPH.CA/ARTS
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Downtown Guelph’s Impressive Story Downtown Guelph has no shortage of heritage buildings finding new life in a growing city.
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t’s a very entrepreneurial city. We have a strong and vibrant downtown already and it’s just getting better,” said Julia Grady, cofounder and executive director of 10 Carden Shared Space Inc., which will soon shift its operations into 42 Carden St., the former Acker’s Furniture. The four-storey property will offer shared work and event space for social enterprises. The purchase was financed through traditional funding and community bonds, which have raised $825,000. “There is a magic about Guelph that is really hard to define. But volunteering and non-profits are a large part of that,” said Grady, who moved to Guelph 22 years ago.
Downtown Guelph is an impressive story, says Peter Whatmore, executive managing director for southwestern Ontario for commercial realtor CBRE. “There are not a lot of vacancies, it’s vibrant with restaurants and bars, and there is a robust condominium market there.” No one need convince Kirk Roberts about what the Royal City has to offer. He’s a partner in Tyrcathlen Partners, which is now working on its fourth adaptive reuse project in the city. The 14,000-square-foot A.B. Petrie Building had been on Heritage Canada’s 2014 most endangered list. It’s considered the most complete remaining example of a stamped metal building in the country. Soon, an ale house and Mediterranean restaurant will move into the ground floor and a bridal boutique will take up space upstairs. Three commercial suites remain available. “So far, most of our tenants have chosen to start a business in Guelph or are relocating from another city,” said
Roberts. The residential push, especially infill developments downtown, are creating both a more liveable city and a market for small businesses. “It’s definitely a downtown in transition. There are a lot of opportunities to get in, maybe not on the ground floor, but certainly on the middle floor, for people with foresight.” Digital marketing and tech company Inbox Marketer Corporation bought the former King Edward Hotel at 2 Wyndham St. It will allow the company to consolidate two locations in Guelph and allow for anticipated growth, says owner and CEO Geoff Linton. “My vision is to create a hub to connect businesses looking for innovative ways to grow their business. The hotel was a real hub for community activity in Guelph. It was always a gathering space and we’re picking up on that history and vibe and creating something new out of it.” The four-storey 1860s building has retail on the ground floor while the
17,000 square feet on the upper floors is tranforming into office space for Inbox Marketer’s 81 employees. “Guelph is the perfect place for us to be,” said Linton, who co-founded the company 14 years ago. “It’s at the epicentre of a great innovation ecosystem along the Waterloo-Toronto corridor with a newly revitalized transportation hub across the street. The City’s commitment to building a vibrant and diverse downtown was a key consideration in our decision to purchase the property.” Two other major downtown adaptive reuse projects underway are Budds department store, and the Guelph Mercury building. Both are owned by Guelph businessman Serge Moraca and both will be mixed-use developments. “He is doing wonderful things for the downtown,” said realtor Ted Davis, broker of record and managing director of Avison Young. “These projects are changing the landscape.”
University of Guelph Taking the Lead on
Leadership Development
Employee engagement and performance management are the essential drivers to organizational success. Known for its engaging continuing education offerings— including non-degree certificates, diplomas, workshops, conferences, and customized programs—Open Learning and Educational Support (OpenEd) at the University of Guelph has taken the lead on an original leadership development program. Launched in the fall of 2012, the online Certificate in Coaching for Leadership encourages leaders to take on a coaching role, which reflects a fresh approach to leadership development. Using technology to facilitate face-to-face practice coaching conversations, the Coaching for Leadership certificate program has been customized to meet the learning and development needs of employees within many organizations.
“The Coaching for Leadership program has developed my leadership skills, which has been extremely useful in all facets of work and life.”
“The convenient online format allowed me to connect with classmates, through online discussions and videoconferencing, which provided a great opportunity to create a professional network,” says a recent graduate of the program. Participants in the program include senior leaders, managers, supervisors, human resources professionals and project managers.
Complete the Certificate in Coaching for Leadership and increase your leadership capacity. For a full list of courses and programs offered through OpenEd at the University of Guelph, visit courses.OpenEd.uoguelph.ca.
UPCOMING COURSES May 8: Creating a Foundation for Leadership Coaching Sept 18: Performance Management Fundamentals
REGISTER TODAY CoachingforLeadership.ca
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Innovative Solutions for Guelph can be Found at the Civic Accelerator What happens when startups are embedded in City Hall, paired up with an expert project team, and given the mandate to explore innovative solutions to complex challenges?
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he City of Guelph found out with its Civic Accelerator, which recently wrapped its first round. City staff faced two challenges: How to help residents conserve water and how to better engage the public in the planning process. Promising answers came through a leading-edge initiative to connect frontline City experts with startups looking to develop and sell new products to the municipal market. The Civic Accelerator brings them together to co-develop market-ready solutions. The company retains all ownership rights to the product. “We knew the RFP (request for proposal) system works really well in most cases but not so well when there is new technology involved or when applying technology to old problems,” said Andy Best, the City’s advisor for service design and innovation. “In an RFP, City staff detail the solution required. But that doesn’t work when staff don’t know what that solution is or where there’s no easy off-the-shelf answer. And the RFP process is inflexible. It doesn’t allow for experimenting or prototyping or trying before you buy. This is meant to be a complement for traditional purchasing in cases where there is no clear path forward.” That was the case in searching for a way to offer tracking of real-time water usage to residents of Guelph, the largest city in Ontario to get its water exclusively from ground wells. The City has aggressive water conservation targets but no
smart meters. Residents only see consumption on monthly bills. Alert Labs in Kitchener has developed technology that “hacks” traditional water meters in a non-invasive way and sends real-time information to a resident’s phone. The system will also send alerts warning of costly floods, frozen pipes or leaks. The other City challenge was to better inform residents of planning applications and to make it easier for them to engage in the approval process. Provincial regulations require that applications be published in the newspaper and on posted notices. But that misses a lot of residents, especially since Guelph lost its major daily last year. Ottawa-based company Milieu has developed a web and mobile application where planners can post planning files and calendars of meetings. The public can add comments and questions.
“For planners, it streamlines the collection of feedback and for the public, it means they are getting good quality information and it’s easier to participate in the process,” said Best. After six months of team collaboration, the Civic Accelerator announced in February that both projects will move forward with paid pilots. Best is now searching for challenges to embark on Round 2. “Mid-sized cities are the best placed for this kind of innovation. We have the range and complexity of a big city but we’re small enough to be quick and nimble.” The business accelerator model is common in the private sector but is only recently making its way into city halls, says Best. Guelph examined similar programs in Montreal, San Francisco and Amsterdam.
“I think we’ll see this a lot more in the next 18 months. We’ve been called by the federal and provincial governments and a whole bunch of cities who are interested in the program as a way to solve tricky problems. We’re open sourcing the Civic Accelerator, sharing all our process and insights, so that others can try it too.”
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Partners in prosperity: Innovation Guelph helps businesses grow and communities thrive
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very day at Innovation Guelph (IG), diverse groups of enterprising people – from novice founders of startups to veteran CEOs and serial entrepreneurs – meet amid the high ceilings and exposed beams of the historic Granary Building to find new ways to move businesses forward. Since its inception in 2011, IG has become a springboard for entrepreneurism, prosperity and community building in Guelph, located in the heart of Ontario’s innovation corridor stretching from Toronto to KitchenerWaterloo. The support IG provides is a lifeline for many entrepreneurs facing the daunting challenges of starting or growing a company. “Most entrepreneurs are working so hard in the business they don’t have time to step back and look at big picture,” says mentor Steve Barrett, who specializes in guiding early-stage technology companies. “We see people who are working 100 hours a week; they can’t take vacation. While they may have had some early success or sustained success in a niche, they don’t know what to do next and it’s scary. “They need someone in their court who they can rely on, who they can confide in, who they can trust. It’s important to reach out, to have a sounding board, in order to step up and take risks.”
“Our mentors quickly zero in on a company’s unique circumstances and deliver advice and support to remove obstacles and realize opportunities.” The difference IG can make in an entrepreneur’s journey comes from “an exceptional team of mentors, industry specialists and staff members dedicated to helping local startups and SMEs achieve their business goals and overcome barriers to growth,” says Executive Director Anne Toner Fung. “The coaching and networking made available through IG’s programs, workshops and courses help our clients tackle strategic and operational challenges; maximize value from existing markets and find new opportunities; commercialize new technologies, create jobs and enhance the quality of life in our region.”
HELPING COMPANIES START, THRIVE AND SUCCEED IG’s suite of novel business acceleration programs has helped hundreds of clients and engaged many valued community partners
including the City of Guelph, University of Guelph, Bioenterprise Corporation, the Guelph Chamber of Commerce, and neighbouring municipalities including the County of Wellington and Town of Minto. IG is also a portal to Ontario Network of Entrepreneurs (ONE) resources. IG programs include:
Speedway Designed for entrepreneurs and highpotential startups, Speedway provides mentoring, hands-on courses and workshops, networking opportunities and business analysis. Speedway is supported by the Ministry of Economic Development and Growth/ Ministry of Research, Innovation and Science, through the Business Acceleration Program administered by MaRS. Fast Lane Fast Lane provides up to $5,000 in services to help small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) identify roadblocks and develop novel strategies to overcome challenges to growth as they scale up. Fast Lane is supported by the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP). Fuel Injection Fuel Injection supports scale-up projects for startups and SMEs in the manufacturing, sustainable technology, agriculture/agri-food and social innovation sectors. The program, delivered in partnership with Bioenterprise, provides up to $30,000 in matching seed funding and specialized business advisory services. Fuel Injection is funded by the Government of Canada (FedDev Ontario). The Rhyze Project The Rhyze Project aims to raise the number of businesses owned by women in the region to 30 per cent by helping them build financial capital, business skills, peer networks and confidence — no matter their career path or experience. “More and more women are starting their own businesses and creating jobs, but they still face barriers to success that their male counterparts don’t — particularly with respect to accessing capital and tapping into networks of peers who can provide practical advice and moral support,” says Kristel Manes, Director of the Rhyze Project, which is supported by The Ontario Trillium Foundation. “It’s essential that we harness the energy of women entrepreneurs and provide the support they need because when we empower women, we build stronger, more prosperous communities.”
Innovation Guelph mentor Steve Barrett discusses market value.
B Corp Bootcamp IG’s B Corp Bootcamp teaches clients the basics of sustainable business practices and the ins-and-outs of B Corp certification. B Corps are certified by the nonprofit B Lab to meet rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. IG’s goal is to help make Guelph the B Corp capital of Canada.
A GREAT PLACE TO DO BUSINESS Blessed with a diverse, highly skilled workforce and world-class education system, the Guelph region is home to some of Canada’s leading companies in key growth sectors. This includes the many innovators that make up IG’s client list — some of whom are profiled in this special supplement — in burgeoning industries such as food and beverage manufacturing, clean tech, agrifood innovation, advanced manufacturing, social innovation and information and communications technology. With an eye to the future, IG also mentors the next generation of entrepreneurs through The Hub Incubator Program at the University of Guelph’s Centre for Business and Student Enterprise (CBaSE). The innovation bug is also catching at Guelph’s city hall, where IG is involved in the Civic Accelerator project that embeds private companies seeking to commercialize new technology aimed at solving complex civic challenges. “What we offer is far from a one-size fits all approach,” says Kevin Boon, IG Client
Services Manager. “Our mentors quickly zero in on a company’s unique circumstances and deliver advice and support to remove obstacles and realize opportunities. When more specialized help is needed – for example, in product development or financial analysis — we augment mentors’ services by tapping IG’s roster of highly qualified industry specialists for solutions to specific, hard-to-solve challenges.” It’s no accident that Guelph now ranks among Canada’s most entrepreneurial cities, according to an October 2016 report by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business. That kind of recognition is validation that Guelph is on the right track, says Toner Fung. She encourages entrepreneurs and companies of all sizes to connect with IG to explore opportunities to go to the next level in terms of business growth and development. “It’s exciting to see the energy and enthusiasm our clients bring to the innovation ecosystem and we are proud to help them achieve their goals. It’s about building a prosperous future for all citizens in our region and beyond: when our clients succeed, our communities flourish.” www.innovationguelph.ca 519-265-4495 • info@innovationguelph.ca 111 Farquhar Street - 3rd Floor Guelph, ON N1H 3N4
Innovation Guelph Client Showcase Embracing southern Italian food culture La Cucina di Natalina Italian Cooking School inspires, educates and delights home cooks and foodies with authentic Italian recipes and cooking tips delivered through hands-on classes, how-to videos and our food and wine tours to the Mediterranean region. Established in 2011, the school embodies the lifelong dream of founder Natalina Bombino Campagnolo to share the vibrant food culture of her Southern Italian heritage and her passion for wholesome, authentic Italian food. A wife and mother of four, Natalina spends the majority of her time in the kitchen developing recipes and cooking for her family. She embraces the “Italian Mamma” lifestyle – family, food, passion and love – successfully blending it with the 21st century approach of a hip, multi-tasking entrepreneur. La Cucina di Natalina Italian Cooking School is a member of Taste Real, Guelph Wellington Local Food and Tourism Guelph, and proudly supports Slow Food Wellington County. To learn more visit italiancookingschoolguelph.com
Putting the brakes on highway smog Envision SQ is a research and development company creating innovative air pollution control technologies to provide healthier environments for families and communities around the world. The company’s first product is the SmogStop™ Barrier, a transparent, aerodynamic highway barrier that reduces air pollution and traffic noise along transportation corridors, lowering smog-related health risks for the people who live and work nearby. A single kilometre of SmogStop Barrier removes an estimated 16 tonnes of nitrogen oxides (NOx) from the air each year – the amount of pollution produced by 200,000 vehicles. Envision’s disruptive technology promises to save lives and reduce the economic impact of premature deaths, illnesses, emergency room visits and lost wages by $10.4 million annually. Learn more at envisionsq.com.
Making happy happen
Fermenting goodness Green Table Foods is an innovative producer of certified organic, fermented prepared foods inspired by the great cooking traditions of the world. “We use only the finest organic and farm-direct ingredients in all our products, which we make from scratch in our allergen-free, federally registered facility,” says Caroline Pilon, who founded the company in 2005 with husband Josh Whitehead. With authenticity and integrity that you can taste in every bite, Green Table Foods’ healthy and delicious lacto-fermented vegetables, kimchis and sauerkrauts are now available at fine food retailers across Ontario as well as Quebec and Western Canada. Delicious, nutritious and convenient, these wholesome food products are handmade with love and add sparkle to any menu. Visit greentablefoods.com to learn more.
www.innovationguelph.ca
Improvising effectively can mark the difference between time wasted and time well spent. This is why The Making-Box helps individuals and organizations become more productive and happy by harnessing the tools of improv theatre and applying them at work. In a country where lost productivity caused by workers’ depression and anxiety costs the economy nearly $50 billion annually, this company fosters trust, transparency and adaptability among engineers, marketing firms, healthcare professionals, bankers and builders. With founders that hold business degrees and Canadian Comedy Award nominations, it’s no surprise The Making-Box feels less like a company and more like a movement of people using improv and comedic tools to achieve personal fulfillment, professional prosperity and community-elevation. Visit themakingbox.ca to learn more.
We’re in the business of attention
The spirit of craftsmanship
Intrigue Media, a Canadian-owned Get Noticed. Get Found. digital marketing company with headquarters in Guelph, Ont., is celebrating 10 years of helping businesses Get Noticed. Get Found®. Built upon a commitment to empowering leaders and strengthening communities, our services help businesses drive revenue. Intrigue Media harnesses the power of social media, online advertising, content marketing, SEO, website creation, brand development, video production, and graphic design to help your business attract and engage ‘A-Clients’. We focus on authentic interaction, and our in-house experts will collaborate with you to build a comprehensive digital marketing strategy that aligns with your goals, your values, and your brand. This promises to be another exciting year for Intrigue Media as we grow our team and move into a beautifully renovated historic building in Guelph. Come visit us at our new location, or check us out at intrigueme.ca and learn how we can help your business.
The Science and Art of Performance Most learning and development programs are disappointments, producing momentary flashes of excitement, but no real change. Dialectic works the other way around, using science and art to target real change first, and then creating anything and everything required to bring that change about. Dialectic has created coaching programs, staged live crisis simulations, crafted digital storybooks, and designed integrated “edumarketing” campaigns. The external forms of intervention always differs. The Dialectic design process unites them. Dialectic uses social science research methods to understand stakeholders. Cognitive science drives our instructional design. Persuasive arts move learners' hearts and minds. And media arts create unique experiences that learners won’t forget. “There is no Nobel prize for human performance improvement, but we are trying to win it anyway”, concludes Aaron Barth, Ph.D., President of Dialectic. “We bring that drive for breakthrough performance to everything we do.”
Guelph’s first craft distillery is winning over consumers with a thirst for artisanal, small-batch spirits and beverages. Dixon’s Distilled Spirits uses Ontario-grown grain to produce hand-crafted gin, vodka and whisky products that are carving out a tasty niche in the marketplace. “We’re proud to create 100% made-in-Canada spirits for those who appreciate the pure, smooth taste of libations that are literally forged from the land,” says co-founder Jeremie Dixon. Dixon’s products are earning kudos from folks who know their spirits: the company’s VIRGIN was selected to represent Canada and compete against gins from 10 other countries in the Contemporary category of the 2017 World Gin Awards. Dixon’s Silvercreek Vodka is now available at select LCBO stores and their refreshing GinFusion beverage, naturally flavoured with ginger, cucumber, mint and lime, will arrive on LCBO shelves across Ontario in April. Learn more at dixonsdistilledspirits.com.
Bringing ideas to light for 40 years METALUMEN designs and manufactures a wide range of innovative lighting systems for the education, commercial, health care and transportation sectors. As a leader in North America’s $12-billion lighting sector, METALUMEN has built a reputation for excellent designs and outstanding performance. Customers across Canada, the United States and overseas choose METALUMEN to develop customized lighting solutions tailored to their specific needs using sustainable processes and materials in Guelph, Ontario. Visit metalumen.com to learn more.
Get In Touch. 226.979.2424 info@dialectic.solutions www.dialectic.solutions
www.innovationguelph.ca
GlobalOD makes bestin-class organizational development solutions available 24/7 to help companies build strong teams, solve challenges, maximize opportunities and achieve results.
Raw goodness for your pets Bold Canine is the Canadian leader in raw pet food manufacturing, providing dog and cat lovers with a better way to feed their furry companions. Based in Erin, Ont., the familyowned company’s Bold Raw and Mega Raw brands serve up all-natural, raw pet food diets free of antibiotics and hormones and made with ingredients from Canadian farmers. The business is a labour of love for Caroline Bolduc and Dave Herz, who started making pet food as a result of their own search for a healthier alternative to kibble for their dogs. “We aimed to create a blend that had minimal amounts of vegetable and plant matter, large amounts of omega oils, probiotics and digestive enzymes, and was more geared towards the natural canine prey model diet. It’s easy for them to digest, and they thrive on it.”
Steven Li, Giovanni Salas, Christy Pettit, Lisa Cunningham
GlobalOD is the outcome of years of developing best practices by organizational development company ODScore® (www.odscore.com), an elite team of change and transformation specialists, performance measurement experts, industrial and organizational psychologists and business strategists.
You can find Bold Raw & Mega Dog Raw in over 600 retail stores across Canada. Visit www.boldraw.com and www.megadograw.ca to learn more.
We stop disease spreading. Be Seen Be Safe Ltd creates programs and applications for the agricultural sector to identify and monitor disease outbreaks to control them before they get out of hand. Our Farm Health Monitor system rewww.beseenbesafe.ca cords and maps clinical signs of disease and our flagship product Be Seen Be Safe tracks and maps the movement of fomites in real time. Together they form a powerful tool for livestock and crops sectors to predict the movement of catastrophic and production limiting diseases, get ahead of them and stop their spread. Be Seen Be Safe internationally patented systems are already being used in the Ontario Poultry Industry, the Australian wine industry and the US poultry sector and will soon be deployed in Spain and the UK in the pig and poultry industries. Be Seen Be Safe Ltd received a 2016 Ontario Premiers Award for Innovation
www.innovationguelph.ca
The digital platform (www. globalod.com) features a comprehensive mentoring program, hiring, assessment and scorecarding tools, and personalized learning programs.
“Many organizations struggle with common issues like knowledge transfer, getting the right people into the right jobs, meeting goals and managing change,” says ODScore CEO Christy Pettit. “GlobalOD makes our unique methods and tools available around the clock to help companies of all sizes solve difficult organizational problems, enhance performance and productivity, and create new opportunities. It delivers the expertise individuals and companies need, when they need it.”
Special thanks to our generous sponsors for all they do to support Innovation Guelph programs.
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Visit the University of Guelph this March!
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ow is the time of year when thousands of high school students are researching universities. Where will they attend come September? What will they study? With twenty-one universities in Ontario and a large a variety of programs from which to choose, finding that ‘perfect’ university can be a daunting task. This March, the University of Guelph opens its doors to high school students, inviting and welcoming several thousand of them and their families to campus for March Break Tours, and Campus Day. Michelle Seaton, Assistant Manager of the Campus Visit Program at U of G, knows the value of offering prospective students the chance to explore the campus before finalizing their decision on where to study. “We hear all the time that students ‘get a feeling’ or ‘know right away’ that Guelph was the place for them the moment they stepped foot on campus. When we ask our current students why they chose Guelph, the majority say that one of the biggest influencing factors was their visit to campus,” she said. This year, March Break Tours will be held from March 13 – 17, offering visitors a guided 2-hour tour of campus, that includes residence buildings, lecture halls, labs, athletic facilities, the library, and many of the dining facilities available to students. These tours depart twice each day, at 10:00 am and 1:30 pm. Preregistering online is strongly encouraged.
CAMPUS DAY March 13–17
Visit admission.uoguelph.ca/tours
Visit UofG this March!
For those wanting a deeper look into academics and the student resources available on campus, Campus Day, that takes place on March 26, is a must-attend event. Campus Day offers guests a full day of drop-in and guided tours of labs, studios, and academic facilities, along with academic and general information sessions ranging from living on campus, to financing your education. Students,
staff and faculty will also be available to speak informally to visitors at the Student Services Fair and Academic Resource Fair portion of the event. “Our goal through March Break Tours and our Campus Day open house is to showcase all that the University of Guelph has to offer, and give prospective students the opportunity to get to know us a little better, to get a feeling for what
life would be like as a ‘Gryphon’,” said Seaton. We hope to see you this March! Those interested in pre-registering for March Break Tours should visit admission.uoguelph.ca/tours. A full schedule and registration form for those planning to attend Campus Day is available at admission.uoguelph.ca/campusday.
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Guelph Is Home to Prime Land That Suits the Needs of a Variety of Business sizes Available City-owned land consists of the Hanlon Creek Business Park, with future developments planned such as the Guelph Innovation District.
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undreds of acres of employment lands in Guelph’s south will be the underpinning of the city’s economic future for years to come. “A key economic driver is having available employment lands for business investment and expansion,” said Barbara Maly, manager of economic development with the City of Guelph. “It’s important for a community to be ready for new investors and employment. This is a good example of how we’re planning our community. We have a nice balance of employment lands and residential to go forward into the future.” The lands have been earmarked for employment development for well over 20 years. The first phase of the 675-acre Hanlon Creek Business Park (HCBP) is primarily owned by the City and is just over 50 per cent sold. The business park has frontage on the Hanlon Parkway (Highway 6 North) and is just a few minutes to Highway 401. About 40 acres remain in the City holdings, in parcels ranging from about 3 acres to almost 14 acres. The zoning is flexible to allow a wide variety of uses. Tenants include Fusion Homes, Raymond James, Granite Works, Woodhaven Furniture, RLP Accountants and Jam School. The 156-year-old Halwell Mutual Insurance Company moved into a 14,500 square foot head office that more than doubled the space of its previous Guelph location. The HCBP is also home to industrial materials distributer Würth Canada, a German multinational that relocated from Mississauga in 2014.
Invest In Guelph guelph.ca/business A 120,000-square-foot bright red building serves as the headquarters and distribution hub for the company’s eastern Canada operations. “Guelph is really blossoming very nicely in the market right now,” said Peter Whatmore, executive managing director for southwestern Ontario for commercial realtor CBRE. “There is a lot of attractiveness there in being the first community west of the Greenbelt. The whole world changes inside the Greenbelt.” That has meant both tremendous residential growth and strong employment development. As an investment sector, Guelph is very strong, he says, with better returns than the GTA and substantially the same risk. “The Hanlon business park is very attractive to GTA companies because
industrial land in Guelph averages about $350,000 an acre. If you can find anything in Milton, you’re looking at $800,000 or more an acre.” The second, 140-acre phase of the HCBP, is owned by Cooper Construction and includes an industrial mall and office centre on about 20 acres. Much of what remains is general and prestige industrial in parcels of 20 to 70 acres. The HCBP features a combined heat and power cogeneration facility and a 165-acre environmental reserve, including 12 km of walking trails. “What is unique is that the park has been constructed around an environmental reserve with nature trails, allowing employees to enjoy the natural scenery outside of their workplace,” said Maly.
(The third phase, roughly 110 acres, is yet to be graded or serviced.) “Guelph is very cost competitive, especially compared to the GTA. The cost of land and development charges is very competitive in Guelph,” said Ken Nevar, president of Cooper Construction. “Guelph also has low unemployment, a good lifestyle and a city actively trying to attract more industry,” added Bill Luffman, vice-president of development at Cooper. The company has developed and leased about 580,000 square feet of space in four industrial buildings over the last eight years just across the Hanlon Parkway in the 300 acre Southgate Business Park.
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This park includes 1080 Southgate Dr., a 23.5-acre industrial development that recently received the Certified Site designation from the Ministry of Economic Development and Growth. It’s the first such certified site for Guelph and is being marketed by Colliers International. The designation tells a potential investor that all servicing, studies and approvals are in place and the land is development ready. Maly in the city’s economic development department says Guelph is outpacing the growth of many other Canadian cities.
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“We are strategically located in a unique nexus between Waterloo to the west and the GTA to the east. We are in an ideal location in Ontario’s tech corridor and our quality of life is second to none.” Along with strong highway corridors, companies have access to a 25-mile, City-owned Guelph Junction Railway that connects to CN and CPR rail networks, and a labour force built on the foundations of the University of Guelph and Conestoga College, both providing talent for a highly diversified economy. “Advanced manufacturing is the largest sector in Guelph but there’s
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also lots of growth in clean tech, such as renewable energy, water and soil remediation, agri-tech and agri-food and biotech. Guelph is the Canadian headquarters for a number of global companies,” said Maly. That includes automotive parts giant Linamar, Canada’s second-largest auto parts maker, which employs more than 8,000 people at 24 sites in Guelph. “Guelph plays a huge role in the country’s agri-food sector. The University of Guelph is renowned as Canada’s Food University. Recently, the university received a $77-million research grant aimed at developing
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sustainable agri-food technologies to produce enough food for a growing global population. It’s advancing the growth of this innovative sector,” said Maly. The City promotes economic development opportunities to potential investors, developers and realtors in a tour called Quest for the West. The most recent one showcased the HCBP, along with other employment lands, the university’s research parks, and investment opportunities in Guelph’s downtown. Ted Davis, broker of record and managing director of Avison Young, says his company is seeing strong interest in the HCBP from manufacturers, technology companies, and financial firms. “What’s been primary for big-box manufacturers is distribution points. We just finished a deal with Regency Fireplaces before the building is even built. They are relocating to Guelph to consolidate their light manufacturing and distribution.” Companies are motivated by highway links, border access, and development costs but mostly by affordable real estate and good quality of life for their employees, said Davis. Guelph delivers on both scores. “The number of people commuting from Guelph and Waterloo into the GTA is significant but companies are now locating their businesses where their employees are coming from.” Those employees enjoy a much lower cost of living but also a community with its own identity, he says. “There is a sense of independence in Guelph and a real, standalone culture.”
The Guelph Advantage • • • • • •
Excellent transportation links to millions of consumers in Canada and the U.S. An internationally recognized University of Guelph with access to 17,500+ students and 1,200+ graduates. Well educated and skilled workforce at competitive wage rates. Access to a variety of employment lands and buildings at competitive prices. Competitive business costs and access to a wide range of business support services. Quality of life that provides an active and healthy lifestyle that is second to none.
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As Agricultural Goods Progress from Field to Fork They Require Attention, Tracking and Integrity SGS offers an end-to-end supply chain range of services that reduce risk, ensure quality and improve productivity.
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GS, the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing, and certification company in a joint venture with Grain Farmers of Ontario launched the Grains Analytical Testing Laboratory in Guelph in July 2016 – an investment that is already paying dividends to the Ontario agriculture sector. “This lab is the first of its kind in the province and is helping to position Ontario as a strong leader, in domestic and international markets, for cereal crops,” says Barry Senft, CEO of Grain Farmers of Ontario, the
province’s largest commodity organization, representing Ontario’s 28,000 barley, corn, oat, soybean, and wheat farmers. There are few analytical testing labs in the country and most are located in Western Canada, where even western farmers send samples to the U.S. when things get backlogged, further suggesting the value of this investment. The facility brings an entirely new talent base and value to Ontario’s agriculture and food sector concentration in Guelph according to Paolo Santangelo, Commercial Manager at the Grains Analytical Testing Laboratory. “We’ve seen a significant interest from Ontario’s wheat breeding programs, using our facility to help determine which varieties of wheat add value to the industry moving forward,” says
Santangelo. “As an organization Grain Farmers of Ontario is committed to providing end users with reliable information on quality that highlights what they can expect from that year’s crop. This allows them the opportunity to expand their market share, and it’s getting noticed by end user (industry bakers) because the information is now available quicker.” The lab is intended to test wheat and flour in controlled conditions, from grains to milled flour to dough used in the production of breads and cookies, to identification of the best quality wheat for this purpose. The lab is looking to expand in the years to come to cover other crops grown in Ontario such as barley, corn, oats and soybeans as well. “The process begins when the Grains Analytical Testing Laboratory receives a sample of wheat. A sample of the grain is
evaluated, and the balance milled using a Buhler Laboratory Mill. The flour is further tested for qualities useful to processors and end users, as to how it will bake and compare to other samples,” says Santangelo. For bread, technicians look at the overall physical characteristics – colour, crust, shape, height, and volume – what a bread consumer sees as a “first impression”. Some customers also want some sensory analysis done such as smell and crumb feel. For cookies, industry is concerned about how much spread there is during baking. “The data collected helps farmers market their grain nationally and internationally, and by marketing the end-use quality of the resulting flour, value is added to the Ontario crop for farmers and the industry at large,” says Santangelo.
SEO Content Writing that Gets Your Website Found, Engages Visitors, and Makes Sales AGRICULTURAL SERVICES FROM FARM TO FORK, WE ARE FULLY EQUIPPED TO MEET YOUR NEEDS Our experts can offer guidance on the following testing: Soil Feed and Forage Greenhouse Fertilizer and Compost Grains Analytical Testing Laboratory SGS IS THE WORLD’S LEADING INSPECTION, VERIFICATION, TESTING, AND CERTIFICATION COMPANY. 503 Imperial Road North, Guelph, ON N1H 6T9 Toll Free: 1-800-265-7175 Phone: (519) 837-1600 Fax: 519-837-1242 E-mail: ca.agri.guelph.lab@sgs.com
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Introducing Food from Thought: Agricultural Systems for Healthy Planet By Evan Fraser
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ith the world’s population set to reach between nine and 10 billion later this century, the challenge of global food security has never been greater. Fortunately, the potential of our technology has also never been so great. Thanks to advances in robotics, low-cost sensors, artificial intelligence, machine learning and big data analytics, we have the potential to produce more than enough food while reducing agriculture’s burden on the environment. Feeding the future, however, will require a collaborative effort from all corners of society. First, we need major industrial players, such as IBM and universities like the University of Guelph, to team up and develop the technological infrastructure to drive a new wave of innovation. Next, we
need civil society, which includes NGOs, to work with scientists and ensure technologies are appropriate and acceptable to the public. Finally, government needs to strategically invest in this area and create policy framework to drive innovation. These components have all come together through the University of Guelph’s “Food from Thought” initiative, which is a $76.6 million federal investment that brings together a diverse range of partners, including IBM and other industry players, government, and other academic institutions. The goal of Food from Thought is to catalyze a new agricultural revolution by bringing the power of big data analytics to food and agricultural systems. Food from Thought will work at three distinct scales. At a global scale, Food from Thought will develop an analytic infrastructure to understand better
agriculture’s impact on the environment, with a special focus on protecting global biodiversity. At the farm scale, Food from Thought will work with producer groups to ensure Canadian farmers have access to the technologies they need to produce the maximum amount of food with the fewest possible inputs. The goal is to produce more food on less land while maintaining the highest qualities of ecosystem health and animal welfare. The third scale is to work at the level of the micro-biome to reduce the burden of food borne ailments, the threat of zoonotic diseases, and problems pertaining to animal health. By bringing together universities, industry, civil society and government to develop the technologies needed to sustainably feeding the world’s future population, Food from Thought will help catalyze a new industrial revolution focused on food and agricultural
systems. Our consumers benefit, industry benefits, and, through initiatives such as this, Canada will become a global food superpower, helping to address the needs of the 21st-century by supplying safe, sustainable and nutritious food.
Researching how to produce enough food for the world’s growing population while protecting the environment.
Food From Thought Graduate students at the University of Guelph are provided with unique, funded opportunities to work with thought leaders at Canada’s food university and contribute to research that improves life. Discover more at foodinstitute.ca/grad
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Guelph – One Nine Oh Explore, reminisce and celebrate in Guelph in 2017.
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uelph has a unique history to share. It was selected as the headquarters of British development firm The Canada Company in 1825 by its first superintendent John Galt, a popular Scottish novelist who designed the town to attract settlers to it and the surrounding countryside. Galt designed the town to resemble a European city centre, complete with squares, broad main streets and narrow side streets, resulting in a variety of block sizes and shapes which are still in place today. Guelph is also home to several National Historic sites including the magnificent neo-gothic Cathedral, The Basilica of Our Lady Immaculate, and the McCrae House, the former home of Colonel John McCrae, author of In Flanders Fields. Guelph has diverse experiences waiting to be discovered: from award winning festivals, one-of-a-kind events, incredible public art, bustling weekly farmers’ market, and a vibrant, friendly downtown scene. Join us! Come celebrate the 150 anniversary of Canadian Confederation and the 190 anniversary of Guelph’s founding at events throughout 2017, such as College Royal, Founders Day, and Aboriginal Day. For a complete listing of events go to visitguelphwellington.ca or call 1-800-334-4519.
Visitor Information is conveniently located at the Guelph Civic Museum. Get social with us! We’re connected to the vibe of Guelph and surrounding Wellington County. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram, or check us out on Facebook. We’re mobile-friendly, so you can take us with you wherever you roam. If it’s happening here, we’ll get you there. For a complete listing of events check us out at visitguelphwellington.ca or call us at 1-800-334-4519.
Visitor Information Guelph Civic Museum 52 Norfolk St Guelph, ON N1H 4H8 Open Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 5pm
visitguelphwellington.ca
275 Hanlon Creek Blvd. Unit 5, Guelph Text eveclaxton to 85377 to Connect with Me!
519.766.7650 eveclaxton.ca
163 SUFFOLK STREET W #2C GUELPH, ON $8.50 Sq. Ft. Net Three separate units available on the second floor. Units start at 885
9 LOCHSIDE DRIVE STONEY CREEK, ON $3,399,000 Unheard of 1 acre waterfront with beach and riparian rights. This outstanding rare offering is located in a very quiet and sought after cul-desac location on a full acre. The home features nearly 9000 sq. ft. of living space w/indoor pool. Completely redesigned and renovated main floor is without question one of the best
Eve Claxton
Lezlie OReilly
Direct: 519.831.7653
Direct: 519.546.4095
BROKER OF RECORD
eve@eveclaxton.ca
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Ask us about upcoming Communities, estate subdivisions and houses that are not on MLS.
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meghan@eveclaxton.ca
Heritage Lake
sq. ft. and go up to 1,454 sq. ft. Reasonable lease rates at $8.50 a sq. ft. net. There is ample parking and comfortable work spaces with an abundance of natural light. The building is located on two bus routes, right outside the office, close proximity to the Hanlon and steps to downtown. Call for more information on leasehold improvements, to make your dream office a reality. Suitable for professional small businesses.
you’ve seen. Open concept main floor captures breathtaking views over the lake that can be enjoyed from all principal rooms. Picture a 16’ high, floor to ceiling wall of windows for high impact and soaring ceiling heights, plank wood floors, heated limestone baths/laundry floors, kitchen with walk through pantry/servery, Thermador appliance package and 15’ island with seating, 3 or 4 bedroom main, smart wire rough-in and 8’ solid doors. Core slab floor provides soundproofing to the fully finished basement with 2 bedrooms each with en suites/2nd Kitchen/Laun. Fantastic opportunity to own a landmark piece of property within minutes to QEW/Hamilton/ Burlington.
Meghan Barber
starting at $1.5m A picturesque community of estate style homes with a lakeside setting is located only minutes away from Hwy #401, Guelph, Cambridge and only 35 Mins from Toronto.
15 WESTRA DRIVE GUELPH, ON $998,650 Welcome to 15 Westra drive. A Peaceful retreat nestled on a beautiful and quiet Street in a high demand neighbourhood. This 50x180 ft Lot backs onto conservation and provides the serenity and privacy of a natural landscape right in your backyard. If you love the Muskoka feel of outdoors, entertaining and swimming then you have found your home. Close to schools, shopping, Hanlon Expressway and public transit this 5 +Bedroom home is perfectly located. Enjoy summers
from the expansive deck overlooking the saltwater pool, taking a stroll on the walking trails from your back yard or the relaxing with lastest flick in your very own theatre room. Impressive 3100 Sq Ft home features custom finishes from top to bottom with natural wood flooring, custom cabinets, quartz counters. Eat in Kitchen, Separate Living, Dining and Great Room, optional 6th bedroom or office and laundry on the main floor. Oversized 4+1 bedrooms with grand master suite complete with WIC, Luxury ensuite and fireplace. The fully finished basement adds an additional 1200 sq ft of finished living space with huge rec room, games room/bar, 3pc bath and Theatre room. Add a Venmar system, tankless water heater, surround sound and security and you have a move in ready home with all the upgrades included. This rare offering shows beautifully and is move in ready.
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Where Students Go Beyond
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t. John’s –Kilmarnock School (SJK) is the leading co-educational independent school in the Waterloo and surrounding region. Established in 1972, the School is located on a beautiful 36-acre natural campus. It offers enriched educational programming for students from JK – Grade 12 through its accredited International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum. In an increasingly globalized world, many are beginning to opt for an approach to learning that embraces a global perspective and exposes students to the reality of a connected planet. Assignments that go beyond the textbook and classroom as well as progressive approaches to teaching and learning are hallmarks of an IB continuum education. At SJK, students exceed expectations in an environment where they are engaged, understood and supported. Specialized teachers, lower studentteacher ratios and involvement of parents as partners in education, result in individualized attention for students and the guidance they need to reach their fullest potential. Teachers at SJK have the freedom to pursue innovative approaches to learning
and collaborating, in technology-rich environments, which equip students with a new kind of thinking for a new kind of world. Students learn through inquiry-based instruction where they are encouraged to be knowledgeable, inquirers, communicators, open-minded, risk-takers, and principled - to name some of IB’s Learner Profile Attributes. A dynamic and diverse co-curricular program helps develop the whole child and extends learning beyond the School’s gates. Students have the opportunity to try new things, discover their passions and learn the value of different perspectives and cultures. Travel abroad, experiential learning and service projects are part of the learning experience offered through the global classroom. At SJK students find their excellence within, love to learn, and graduate as confident, well-rounded individuals, fully prepared for post-secondary education and life beyond. The journey begins here. Call Ms. Britt Leeking, Director of Enrolment at 519-648-ww2183 to book your personal tour.
GO BEYOND. Learn more at www.sjkschool.org 2201 Shantz Station Road, Waterloo Region (Breslau), Ontario N0B 1M0
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biological REVOLUTION is here.
You can be too.
Introducing Research Park North: Lease to build on prime, serviced land, strategically located in the heart of the University of Guelph R&D cluster. UNIVERSITY OF GUELPH
WHERE INNOVATION COMES TO LIFE Learn why the University of Guelph Research Park is the right place to be right now: www.uoguelph.ca/realestate UNIVERSITY OF GUELPH call us at 519-767-5014