May 2023 InTouch Magazine

Mental Health Month

Why Workplace Mental Health is More Important Than Ever – See Pages 12 & 13.

The old adage “The customer is always right” permeates through many client relationship conversations even today. When you have a valuable client or patron, it is often critical to ensure that their myriad needs are constantly being met, even if this forces you to be flexible in your service or production. This can cause great strain to your business, but sometimes can lead to tremendous

new business opportunity; this client has potential to bring about growth into a new sector you have dreamt about. As negotiations proceed, however, the demands of this client start to increasingly put demands on your resources (supply chain, employees, capital, etc.), apply pressure to your profit

centres, and undermine your ability to service your existing client base. Do not let the dream of potential new business undercut the performance of your core strengths that keep your enterprise afloat. As a business owner or operator, you must adeptly weigh the opportunity cost of what this potential customer is demanding at the cost of your existing customers.

Don’t hear me say that you shouldn’t explore new opportunities. New opportunities lead to innovation, but at the same time you must ensure that you will not undermine your own value to your organization or existing client base. Sometimes the ability to say “No” and walk away from an opportunity that

When your “No” is more valuable than “Yes”

Paul Bisanti

Brant County Health Unit Offers Workplace Mental Health Guidance

Coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic, mental health and issues like anxiety, depression and burnout, especially in the workplace, have become increasingly important to discuss and address.

At the Brant County Health Unit, it’s Laura Fretz’s job to work with community partners, like school boards and local businesses, to support

By Serena Austin

them with mental health promotion, and issue prevention according to The National Standard of Canada for

Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace (The Standard).

Interested businesses can reach out to Fretz for advice and guidance on the process of doing a workplace assessment to “establish the priorities of the workplace based on any resources they have available to develop their own programs,” said Fretz.

“What I’m now offering the community is an opportunity to look at the standard, to understand it…and to give advice to organizations on how to approach implementing the standard,” she said.

Fretz hasn’t had the opportunity to do any consultations with businesses yet because she’s a registered nurse, and like many others across the province and country, has been swamped dealing with the effects of COVID, but she’s eager to begin.

Continued on Page 26 >

Welcome New Members

n Contact Brant for Children’s and Developmental Services

SOCIAL AND HUMAN SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS

Jane Angus (519)758-8228

Jane@contactbrant.net

643 Park Rd. N Brantford, ON

n Document Imaging Partners

PHOTOCOPIERS & SUPPLIES

Andrea Owen (519)648- 9420

Aowen@docpartners.ca

130 Goddard Cres. Cambridge, ON

n Dreams Crumb True Inc. (COBS Bread Brantford)

BAKERIES

Marc Kilchling (519)751-3535

Parkwaymall@cobsbreadmail.com 61 Lynden Rd. Brantford, ON

n GEM Electrical Services Inc.

ELECTRICIANS & ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS

Zach Manto (226)802-8436

Zach@gemelectrical.ca

1-71 Craig St. Brantford, ON

n Grand River Bean Inc.

AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRIES

Tiffanie Weber (519)442-2760

Tiffanie@grandriverbean.com 872 Paris Plains Church Rd. Paris, ON

n Hamilton Tiger-Cats Football Club

SPORTS CLUBS & ORGANIZATIONS

Justin Glover (905)547-2287

Tickets@ticats.ca 500 Sherman Ave. N Hamilton, ON

n Joanne Sparrow Consulting

HUMAN RESOURCES CONSULTANTS

Joanne Sparrow (226)259-6536

Joanne@joannesparrow.com Brantford, ON

n Kandy Intimates

ACCESSORIES - FASHION

Julie Ann Johnson (289)682-9895

Julie-annkohnson@hotmail.com

33 King St. Brantford, ON

n Revera Brierwood Gardens

RETIREMENT HOMES & COMMUNITIES

Bhavik Sharma

(519)759-1040

Bhavik.sharma@reveraliving.com

425 Park Rd. N Brantford, ON

n St. Louis Bar & Grill

RESTAURANTS

Karim Virani (548)885-5268

Slbg5268@stlouiswings.com

B1-A 181 Lynden Rd. Brantford, ON

Advocacy

Budget Season: What the new Federal and

Provincial

budgets mean for local business

With the Federal and Provincial governments issuing their budgets within days of each other, and the frantic pace of the news cycle, it has been a busy spring with not a lot of coverage of the analysis of the budgets and their impact on business. Let’s take a look.

“A Made-In-Canada Plan”, the Government of Canada budget released March 28, includes significant new funding and incentives to drive investment in the green economy. This includes tax credits for investments in clean energy, commitments to reduce red tape for impact assessments,

Membership Renewals

n Ad Plus Promotions Inc.

n Air Liquide Canada

n Antech Design and Engineering Group

n Anytime Fitness-Brantford

n Balram’s Immigration Consultancy

n Betco Products Inc.

n Bowman Precision Tooling

n Brant County Federation of Agriculture

n Brant United Way

n The Brantford Club

n Brantford Golf and Country Club Ltd.

n Brantford Home Builders Association

n Brantford Toyota

n Harold E. Brown Auto Service Centre

n Business Development Bank Of Canada

n D. A. Campbell Amusements Ltd.

n CaptCan Comics Inc.

n Charlotte Villa Retirement Residence

n Community Resource & Employment Service

n Conestoga College

n Cornell Construction Limited

n Crabby Joe’s Bar & Grill

n Desjardins Insurance- Andrew Schwalm, Agent

n Devlins Country Bistro & Catering

n DQ Brant

n E & M Copper Products Inc.

n Easton Mechanical Contracting Limited

n Elastochem Specialty Chemicals Inc.

n Eric Sterne Consulting Ltd.

n Farringdon Burial Ground

n Curtiss Wright Flow Control Corporation, Farris Engineering

n Forest of Flowers-Brantford

n Full Frame Signs Limited

n Gates Canada Inc.

n Glenhyrst Art Gallery of Brant

n Grand Erie District School Board

n Grand River Insurance Brokers Inc.

n GrandBridge Energy Inc.

n Greenview Mechanical Inc

n Hawco Products Limited

n Hooton Pools & Spas

n HUB International Ontario Limited

n IDS Inc - Integrated Digital Solutions

n Incor Enterprises Inc.

n J T Auto Repair

n S. C. Johnson and Son, Limited

n Ken’s Towing Services

n Lionhead Electric Inc.

n LJS & Associates Consulting Inc.

n Maxwell Management Group Ltd.

n McNaught Home Improvements Inc.

n BINPAK Compactors

n Oak House Benefits Inc.

n Ogwehoweh Skills and Trades Training Centre

n Oriental Restaurant & Tavern

and investments in carbon capture, contracts, and innovation funding. These efforts are seen by the Ontario Chamber of Commerce as the government “staking its claim in the green economy,” in light of the US Inflation Reduction Act. Staying competitive in areas where Canada has an existing advantage is essential against our largest trading partner. An advocacy win for our Chamber, the budget proposes measures to address the rising mental health and addictions crisis. Our Chamber co-sponsored a Canadian Chamber of Commerce policy – The Economics of Addictions –with our friends at the Greater Moncton and Lethbridge Chambers of Commerce in October, and we are pleased to see a renewed Canadian Drugs and Substances Strategy, and over $359 Million to combat the opioid crisis. Continued on Page 22 >

n Participation Support Services

n Peek Digital Imaging Inc.

n Pencar Sales Rental Leasing

n Pioneer Family Pools

n Paules Wet Side Boiler Services Ltd. (PWBS)

n Rick Sterne

n Roger’s Services Electrical & Mechanical Inc.

n RV Parts Plus

n Scotiabank

n Six Nations Polytechnic Inc.

n Solo Cable Solutions Inc.

n Southwest Safety & Supply

n Sparling’s Propane Co. Ltd.

n Steve’s Tea Company

n Strodes BBQ & Deli - Strodes The Pit

n Strong Start to Reading

n TD Canada Trust

n TDG Marketing Inc.

n TK Liquidation and Auction

n United Compressed Air Inc.

n University of Waterloo

n Sandra Vos

n W.A. Maguire Sales Ltd.

n Waterous Holden Amey Hitchon LLP

n Westland Insurance Group Ltd.

n Woodburn Insurance & Consulting

n Workforce Planning Board of Grand Erie

n YMCA of Hamilton/Burlington/Brantford

David Prang

Hot Business Summer – How to Make the Most of

Membership

Ah, summer. The season of barbecues, beach trips, and… networking? While it may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of summer, networking with local business leaders is crucial for any local business leader, and the Chamber offers some pretty great ways to help us do just that.

First up at Copetown Woods Golf Club on June 6th, the Chamber’s 56th Annual Golf Tournament, presented by Millards. Not only is it a chance to

show off your skills (or lack thereof) in the RBC Putting Challenge, but it’s also the perfect opportunity to chat

with other local leaders over a few cold ones. Just make sure you don’t get too competitive - a lost ball or two is a small price to pay for a new business connection.

Next, the Chamber’s networking events; local members including Six Nations Development Corporation, Misty’s Kitchens, and Manns Distillery are proud to be hosting summer events you aren’t going to want to miss. Business After Hours events are a great way to meet other local business leaders and exchange ideas.

But perhaps the best perk of a Chamber membership? The membership Directory. It’s like Tinder, but for businesses and nonprofits; you can browse through the entirety of the Chamber’s membership and connect with the organizations that catch your eye. Just don’t try to swipe left or right. Networking sometimes seems like a chore, but it’s essential for the growth of your business. Plus, it’s a chance to meet some pretty cool people. Who knows - maybe you’ll hit it off with the owner of that new craft brewery and end up with a lifetime supply of IPA. In a tight-knit region like ours, it’s especially important to build those local connections.

So this summer, while you’re sipping on a cold drink and enjoying the sunshine, don’t forget to take advantage of your Chamber membership and make some new connections. Who knows, maybe you’ll even score a hole-in-one (or at least a new client).

Greg Evans

Residential Tenancies: Ending a Tenancy

The Residential Tenancies Act governs the relationship between residential landlords and tenants. The ability for a landlord or tenant to terminate a tenancy is confined to those outlined in the Act

Fixed Term Tenancy Agreement

A landlord and tenant have the option to enter into a fixed term (i.e. 1-year), monthly, weekly or daily tenancy agreement.

It is a common misconception that a fixed term tenancy terminates on the last day of the term and a tenant must vacate unless the parties renew the term. A lease automatically renews on a month-to-month basis following the end of term. As such, a landlord or tenant may terminate a tenancy only in accordance with the Act

Tenants’ Written Notice

A tenant may end a tenancy by providing a landlord with at least 60 days’ written notice. For a fixed term tenancy, the notice cannot be effective before the last day of the fixed term. For example, if the lease provides for a 1-year fixed term, a tenant’s notice must not have an earlier termination date than the last day of the 1-year fixed term.

A tenant does not require a reason to terminate a tenancy but must comply with the proper notice requirements.

Fault vs. No Fault Evictions

The circumstances under which a

landlord may provide a notice to terminate a tenancy fall under two categories: fault and no-fault evictions. For fault evictions, a landlord may give notice for non-payment of rent, damage to the rental unit or building and/or substantial interference with the rights or enjoyment of other tenants or the landlord.

For no-fault evictions, a landlord may give notice because they require the unit for themselves, a family member or a purchaser, or they intend to demolish or extensively repair the rental unit. A no-fault eviction notice has strict requirements, such as good faith and payment of compensation. A landlord also cannot provide a termination date earlier than the last day of a fixed term.

If a tenant does not vacate a rental unit in accordance with a notice to end a tenancy, a landlord will be required to apply to the Landlord and Tenant Board to obtain an eviction order.

With any notice provided by a landlord, the notice must be on the applicable Landlord and Tenant Board form, completed properly and served in accordance with the Landlord and

Tenant Board’s Rules. If not, a landlord’s notice may be deemed void and a new notice will be required.

Agreement to End the Tenancy

Since COVID-19, the Landlord and Tenant Board has experienced significant backlog which has caused many to negotiate agreements to end a tenancy instead of waiting for eviction hearings.

The landlord and tenant can agree to end a tenancy at any time, including during a fixed term, by signing an Agreement to End the Tenancy form. The parties may negotiate additional terms, such as a payment in exchange for vacant possession, commonly referred to as ‘cash for keys.’

If you have questions about your rights and obligations under the Residential Tenancies Act, the lawyers at Waterous Holden Amey Hitchon LLP can assist.

Waterous Holden Amey Hitchon LLP Brantford 20 Wellington St., Brantford.

Courtney Boyd

Mental Health and Mental Illness: What’s the difference?

• Mental health and mental illness are often used interchangeably, but they are not the same thing.

• “Mental health” is a concept similar to “physical health”: it refers to a state of wellbeing. Mental health includes our emotions, feelings of connection to others, our thoughts and feelings, and being able to manage life’s highs and lows.

• The presence or absence of a mental illness is not a predictor of mental health; someone without a mental illness could have poor mental health, just as a person with a mental illness could have excellent mental health.

• Problematic substance use is sometimes linked to poor mental health or mental illness; it can be a coping strategy for untreated trauma, pain, challenging thoughts or emotions, or other health symptoms.

Who is affected?

• In any given year, 1 in 5 people in Canada will personally experience a mental health problem or illness.

•By age 40, about 50% of the population will have or have had a mental illness.

• Systemic inequalities such as racism, poverty, homelessness, discrimination, colonial and gender-based violence, among others, can worsen mental health.

• Major depression affects approximately 5.4% of the Canadian population, and anxiety disorders affect 4.6% of the population.

•Substance use disorders affect approximately 6% of Canadians.

How does mental illness impact youth?

• When it comes to mental illness, youth is a critical period: most people living with a mental illness see their symptoms begin be fore age 18.

•Approximately 20% of Canadian youth are affected by a mental illness or disorder.

• In 2011, 11% of 15-24 year olds reported experiencing depression.

• Between 2008–2009 and 2018–2019, among youth there was a 61% increase in emergency department visits and a 60% increase in hospitalizations for mental disorders.

Data provided by the Brant County Health Unit.

Other references include:

https://www.nami.org/About-Mental-Illness/Mental-Health-by-the-Numbers/Infographics-Fact-Sheets

https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/82-003-x/2020012/article/00002-eng.htm

https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/82-619-m/2012004/sections/sectiond-eng.htm https://nied.ca/about-eating-disorders-in-canada/

https://www.mentalhealthcommission.ca/sites/default/files/2016-06/Investing_in_Mental_Health_FINAL_Version_

ENG.pdf

https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=1310039401

https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/190628/dq190628c-eng.htm

https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/healthy-living/suicide-canada-key-statistics-infographic.html

https://www.mentalhealthcommission.ca/English/what-we-do/children-and-youth

https://www.cihi.ca/en/child-and-youth-mental-health-in-canada-infographic

•Suicide is the second leading cause of death among youth and young adults between 15-34 years.

• In Canada, only 1 out of 5 children receive appropriate mental health services.

Together, we can realize our shared vision of a nation where anyone affected by mental illness or mental health can get the appropriate support and quality of care to live healthy, fulfilling lives.

Father-Son Duo Build Canada’s Largest Online Comic Shop

In late 2019, Warren and Jayden Mitchell embarked on a journey to open their own online comic shop. Despite starting from the basement of their family home, they persevered and worked hard to make their dreams a reality. Warren, a long-time collector and fan of comics, had previously sold his collection but was reignited with a passion for the hobby when his son Jayden began to show interest in it.

Over the next few years, Warren and Jayden flipped books online to support their growing hobby, and eventually decided to create CaptCan Comics, which offered a more modern

approach to comic book retail. Even though they were working at it part-time, they launched their website and were one of the first in Canada to offer an app that could be downloaded on both iOS and Android devices.

Their timing could not have been better, as COVID-19 caused the closure of brick-and-mortar stores, leaving customers with limited options for purchasing comics. However, this worked to CaptCan Comics’ advantage, as their online presence was already solidified.

Today, CaptCan Comics has grown into the largest online comic book retailer in Canada. With a team of 13 and a 4,000 square foot space on Elgin

Street, they offer a unique hybrid shopping experience for comic book customers. Their online inventory boasts nearly 400,000 books, allowing them to offer something for almost every customer.

The success of CaptCan Comics is a testament to the power of passion and perseverance. Warren and Jayden’s hard work and dedication have paid off, and they have created a thriving business that serves a growing customer base. As they continue to innovate and adapt to the ever-changing world of comics, it’s clear that their success will only continue to grow.

I

MILLARD ROUSE & ROSEBRUGH LLP, 96 NELSON STREET, BRANTFORD, 519.759.3511

PARTNERS:

M.J. Dixon, CPA, CA • R.D. Sciannella CPA, CA, CBV • H.C. Johnston CPA, CA • S.E. Goodwin, CPA, CA

•D.A. Cleary, CPA, CGA, CFI • S.D. Klein, CPA, CA • G.S. Gravett, CPA, CA • S.A. Salole, CPA, CA

•J.B. Baetz, CPA, CA • R.W. Storoschuk, CPA, CA • S.W. McGaghran, CPA, CA • J.E. Chowhan, CPA, CA

• P.E. Merrylees, CPA, CA • J.A. Laporte, CPA, CA • R.A. Parker, CPA, CGA, CFI • G.M. Malecki, CPA, CA

• Q.E. Bateson-Hotte, CPA, CA, LPA • W.A. Deane, CPA, CA

ASSOCIATES:

B.Y. Brenneman, CPA, CA • C.J. Storoschuk, CPA, CA • K.B. Weames, CPA, CA • D.E. Paxton, CPA, CA

•M.M. Malecki, CPA CA • N.T. Nguyen, CPA CA • S.C. Dykstra, CPA CA • Wes. E.B. Caldwell, CPA CA

• T.W. Schein, CPA, CA

Mandatory Disclosure Rules of the Income Tax Act

The “Mandatory Disclosure Rules” of the Income Tax Act (ITA) regime initially applied to transactions or series of transactions entered after 2010 to address aggressive tax planning.

The original legislation required that two of three hallmarks were required to trigger reporting. The hallmarks are as follows:

1. Contingency Fees

2. Confidential Protection required by the promoter or tax advisor

3. Contractual Protection is afforded to the taxpayer

Updated filing requirements

On November 3, 2022, legislative changes were made to the reporting requirements as follows:

1. Reportable transactions and notifiable transactions will be the date the enacting legislation receives royal assent. (As of the writing of this article, the legislation has not received royal assent.)

2. Specified corporations and uncertain tax treatments will be taxation years beginning after 2022, with penalties only applying upon royal assent of enacting legislation.

Reportable Transactions

Only one of the hallmarks is required

to trigger reporting. A transaction or series of transactions is reportable if one of the main purposes of entering the transaction is to obtain a tax benefit.

Notifiable Transactions

Notifiable transactions are any transaction or series of transactions that CRA may find to be abusive (tax avoidance) and transactions of interest.

Uncertain Tax Treatments

Uncertain tax treatments are tax treatments used or planned to be used in an entity’s income tax filings where there is uncertainty over whether the tax treatment will be accepted in accordance with tax law. This reporting applies to “specified corporations” (assets greater than $50 million or publicly traded).

The transaction or series of transactions must be reported by the taxpayer (or their promoter, or their advisor on behalf of the client) within 45 days of the earlier of:

n The day the taxpayer becomes contractually obligated to enter the transaction

n The day the taxpayer enters the transaction

Penalties For Failure to Report

For taxpayers with reportable or notifiable transactions the penalty is $500 per week up to the greater of $25,000 and 25% of the tax benefit or, for specified corporations, $2,000 per week up to the greater of $100,000 and 25% of the tax benefit. For taxpayers with uncertain tax treatment the penalty for each uncertain tax treatment is equal to $2,000 per week to a maximum of $100,000. The changes are broad. We would advise that you review the mandatory reporting requirements with your tax professional, where you are entering into a transaction outside of normal business practices.

For further information please do not hesitate to contact us at Millards at (519) 759-3511 or visit www.millards.com

I

Joshua Laporte, CPA, CA Partner

From Here to There

It was March 1st, 1993, and my first day as an employee of the radio stations in town. The first time I pulled into the parking lot at 571 West Street, I had the sense that I was about to embark on a grand adventure, but very little idea of just how much of an adventure it was going to be. If you had asked me back then if I could picture myself pulling into the exact same parking lot on a daily basis more than 30 years later, the answer would have been ‘no’.

There have certainly been a lot of changes since I was that 24 year-old at the beginning of my career. Back then, Arnold Anderson and I would chat every morning when I passed his office on the way to my own. There was a seven-person newsroom staff with the likes of Murray Moffatt, Bob Greenfield, and Tim Symons on deck. Ed McMahon was the ‘Mayor of the Morning’ on CKPC AM, and David Georgeff had his wildly-popular ‘Sunday Morning Oldies’ Show & Kevin Rolph anchored the ‘Saturday Night Memories’ Show on CKPC FM (now known as Lite 92).

It’s not a secret that the building and land on West Street have been sold. The idea of going to work in a location other than that particular spot is still rather foreign to me. I’m certain that after we move into a new building sometime during the next year, I’m still going to somehow end up turning into the parking lot on occasion.

I’m going to miss the old place. The Ghosts of Coworkers Past are ever present, and I swear that I see Mr. Buchanan (the former owner) still wandering its hallways on occasion.

CKPC is marking 100 years of broadcasting this year, and in future editions of In Touch, I’ll share some of those stories with you. After all, as we move towards Brantford-Brant

County’s promising future together, honouring and remembering the past helps to make our journey there that much more meaningful. Here’s to the next chapter (in more ways than one)!

I

“Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.”

Soren Kierkegaard

Photo credit: Pete Byerlay

Kimberlee Taplay

Evanov Communications Inc. and Project Dragonfly

Joanne Sparrow Offers HR Advisory Services and Emerging Leader Training

Imoved to Brantford in August of 2022. What a time to try to meet locals!

Since joining the Chamber a few months ago, I’m thrilled to have met so many great business owners and entrepreneurs in the community.

A recent corporate dropout, I chose to set myself up as an independent consultant, taking 20-plus years of human resources experience to

serve clients who have little to no HR function.

I offer Human Resource Advisory services to business leaders and training for emerging leaders (people managers). I am a strategic Human Resources Executive and Certified Coach. I build and execute programs and services that drive people and businesses forward. Show me the data!

I am an out-of-the-box thinker, who can problem-solve efficiently; always in pursuit of the truth, continually looking to do things better – driving efficiencies and best practices. Committed to lifelong learning. Offering fractional services and new leaders’ training

*Emerging Leaders Operating System*

I am a Certified Human Resource Leader; Certified Payroll Manager, Certified Coach, and GENOS Emotional Intelligence Practitioner.

In my spare time, I enjoy floating down the Grand River on my SUP board. I do my best to take in the fresh air by hiking and long walks with my chihuahua Ava.

FUN FACT: I earned my PPL wings with the Hamilton Flying Club - YHM in 2004.

Visit: www.joannesparrow.com

Book a call: 289/259-6536

joanne.sparrow.hr I

< Continued from Page 8

Budget Season: What the new Federal and Provincial budgets mean for local business Contd.

Additional investment in Labour Market Transfer Agreements, and over $4 Billion (over 7 years) for an Urban, Rural and Northern Indigenous Housing Strategy, are also key investments. Provincially, “Building a Strong Ontario” was released by the provincial government on March 23rd.

Notably, the document supports greater productivity and workforce development, and was immediately followed up by the Less Red Tape, Stronger Economy Act, 2023, continuing the Ford government’s notable efforts to reduce the cost of doing business by dedicating a Minister to the task, and introducing 42 new measures in April.

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program sees a further investment of $25 Million over three years to attract more skilled workers to Ontario. Of note, Brantford is a target area for a portion of this project, targeting Entrepreneurs. The OINP –Entrepreneur Success Initiative seeks to identify prospective immigrant

entrepreneurs to either create or buy existing businesses in Ontario. The Chamber is working with local partners, including the Brantford Immigration Partnership, to raise awareness of this opportunity. Please reach out the Chamber if you are aware of opportunities or prospects.

The budget also supports young and diverse entrepreneurs, and an expansion of the small business Corporate Income Tax, and, in another policy win for the Chamber, $202 Million over three years for the Homelessness Prevention Program and Indigenous Supportive Housing Program. I

ATTRACT AND RETAIN

At just 24 years of age, Dean Braund opened the doors of Callahan’s Restaurant on King George Road in Brantford, which turned out to be the first of many restaurants he would open. After opening two more Callahan’s locations, he sold the business in 1989 and that’s when the Ardency Corporation was born.

Ardency by definition: “to pursue with feverent desire, passion, and eagerness.” Braund ventured on to pursue the quick service industry by developing over 20 Wendy’s Restaurants in the south-western Ontario region. Along with Wendy’s, Ardency Corporation has been involved with Days Inn Hotels, Williams Fresh Cafés, commercial real estate and Home Building Centres. Over the past 30 years, Ardency Corporation has employed thousands of employees and continues to strive to create jobs for our local community of Brantford.

Ardency Corporation

Giving back has always been a primary focus for Dean, partnering up with numerous charities such as Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, the Board of Governors for Wilfrid Laurier University, The United Way, among others. Even though work has brought him all over the globe, he remains to have an unwavering loyalty to his hometown of Brantford.

Dean was a key member of the Wendy’s Canada Advertising Program for 13 years, five of which serving as the President of the Board. Dean and Patsy’s son, Evan Braund, was recently appointed onto ‘WCAP’ and is dedicated to growing the Canadian side of the Wendy’s Brand. Alanah Braund is also a key member of the

Title Sponsor:

Ardency Corporation, helping Evan with the Operations and continuously learning the financial side of the business.

The Ardency Corporation is most definitely a family-run-business, but not only to those who share the last name - every employee who works for Ardency is considered family as well. I

56th

If you are interested in sponsoring a hole or contributing to the golfer goodie

please contact leslie@brcc.ca

$190

Inclusive per golfer

ANNUAL CHAMBER GOLF TOURNAMENT

Includes your round of golf, GPS power golf cart, lunch, dinner, putting contest, golfer goodie bag and golfer prize.

bag,

< Continued from Page 6

“My plan is to support workplaces because that’s where the population that might need this information lives,” said Fretz. “I want to meet people right where they work… we might be able to do ‘lunch and learns’ for folks and provide some free education.”

Anxiety and depression are key issues across the general population, but Fretz says substance use is “creeping into people’s lives in an unhealthy way,” so people are wanting to learn more about it.

A psychologically safe and healthy workplace is one that actively works to prevent harm to workers’ psychological health from both intentional and unintentional harms, and promotes psychological well-being, said Fretz, paraphrasing from the Mental Health Commission of Canada’s website. There are four main factors to consider when

trying to create a psychologically safe and healthy workplace; risk mitigation, cost effectiveness, recruitment and retention, and organization excellence and sustainability.

Fretz says the public health unit is encouraging everyone to practice self-care, prioritize themselves, their families, and their own health and care. There are many ways to practice self-care and self-restoration, Fretz said, such as “counselling, downtime, physical activity [and] healthier nutrition.”

Fretz and the Brant County Health Unit will be running Mental Health Week from May 1-7. Organizations interested in learning more about The Standard are encouraged to contact Laura at laura.fretz@bchu.org.

Serena Austin is a 4th-year Digital Media and Journalism student at Laurier Brantford. I