THE SPARKLE OF SASKATCHEWAN DIAMONDS
A CLOSER LOOK AT “FRACKING”
FALL 2014 VOLUME 3 ISSUE 3
CANADIAN INDUSTRIAL PARAMEDICS LTD: AN INTERNATIONAL SOS COMPANY
Providing Services & Opportunities Across the West
MISSION ZERO: SAFETY IS NO ACCIDENT
south sask
THE
SAFET Y EDITION
www.worksafesask.ca
www.safesask.com
I BELIEVE IN MISSION: ZERO
“
Mitsubishi Hitachi President and CEO, Tom Kishchuk
Our investment in safety starts at the top, with real time knowledge of our safety performance. We are committed to identifying and systematically managing risks and hazards in our workplace. The return on our investment in safety has been a continual decrease in injury frequency and severity. For us, Mission: Zero means striving to achieve zero injuries in our workplace through the elimination and control of risks and hazards. We seek to first eliminate, and then control, risks and hazards. The safety of our people is our number one priority.
�
Tom Kishchuk President and CEO Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems Canada
Join the Mission: Zero movement by signing the Saskatchewan Health & Safety Leadership Charter. Call 306.352.3810 or email info@safesask.com for more information.
Driven by Safety Safety innovation means not waiting for an incident to happen. Our Know Before You Dig Safety Patrol is a proactive approach to safety that engages contractors, businesses and homeowners in safe digging practices.
WiTH business & indusTRy associaTe publisHeR, paul HubeR
S
afety is an issue this magazine strongly endorses, and it is great to partner with the Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board and Safe Saskatchewan to help achieve the goal of Mission: Zero. Unfortunately, this mission hit close to home for me recently when a friend passed away as a result of a workplace injury. It was a sad and shocking reminder of how easily something can go wrong and put your safety at risk. The great message of these aforementioned organizations is so important. We cannot settle for low statistics for injury rates in this province; we have to strive for zero injuries. We must take the steps required to establish the safest homes and workplaces possible. When an injury affects you or somebody you know, you realize even one injury is too many. We are pleased to showcase Canadian Industrial Paramedics in this fall edition. With our natural resource sectors booming in the province and attracting people and investment from across Canada and beyond, it is satisfying to know there are companies devoted strictly to safety. It demonstrates that safety has to be a major priority for industry to succeed in these modern times. By extension, it also demonstrates Saskatchewan fosters this culture of safety. The exciting result is that more people will recognize its importance and choose our province to come to work, live and raise families. Undeniably, building safety culture into our everyday lives is going to improve our quality of life. Thank you for reading the magazine and please visit our website: www.businessandindustry.ca. You can also find us on Facebook and Twitter.
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Business AND INDUSTRY SOUTH SASK
south sask
volume 3 issue 3 editors erin legg lori mcKay sherry lee
erinl@bizmags.ca lorim@bizmags.ca sherryl@bizmags.ca
Art Direction amber moon, senior lisa Redden, associate Design natasha burkholder, candace Haiko staff Writers melanie Furlong, Tobie Hainstock, Tonya lambert Cover Photography canadian industrial paramedics Photography calvin Fehr, canadian industrial paramedics clayton didier photography, greg Huszar photography, Heather Fritz, lisa landrie mike parsons, nigeria canada Forum pat gould, saskatchewan Research council Worksafe saskatchewan Contributing Writers ahmed a. malik, paul Huber, phil symchych saskatchewan Research council, shawn ell Worksafe saskatchewan Advertising Consultants brooke Watson crystal Reich Jason booker paul Huber Associate Publisher paul Huber paulh@bizmags.ca
brookew@bizmags.ca crystal@bizmags.ca jason@bizmags.ca paulh@bizmags.ca
306.551.6632
Distribution & subscriptions paulh@bizmags.ca business & industry south sask is published four times a year. We reserve the right to edit any materials chosen for publication including photographs. We reserve the right to reject or accept any article, photograph, image or advertisement. all contents of business & industry south sask is copyrighted 2014 with all rights reserved, except for original articles submitted to business & industry south sask, where copyright resides with the author. no other part of this publication may be reproduced without the written permission of business & industry south sask or its writers. The name business & industry south sask, its logo and material cannot be reproduced without the written consent of the publishers. The views and opinions expressed in the expert advice columns herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of business & industry south sask or the companies it represents. The information contained herein is of a general nature and is not intended to address the circumstances of any particular individual or entity. although we endeavour to provide accurate and timely information, there can be no guarantee that such information is accurate as of the date it is received or that it will continue to be accurate in the future. no one should act upon such information without appropriate professional advice after a thorough examination of the particular situation.
From Your Office to Your Home, We’ve Got You Covered
1600–8th Avenue, Regina | 306.525.9125 www.parklandcarpetoneregina.com
CONTENTS
ENTREPRENEURSHIP NEW CEO FOR WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS OF SASK.
10
Safety
16
Saskatchewan Industry
45
Environment
48
Finance
54
Legal
56
Science & Technology
58
International Trade
6
8 CANADIAN INDUSTRIAL PARAMEDICS:
Mission Zero: Safety is No Accident
Saskatchewan vs. Norway: Non-Renewable Resource Royalties; Dispelling Misconceptions About “Fracking”
The Sparkle of Saskatchewan Diamonds
The Status Quo is Dangerous
Safety First: Changes to Saskatchewan’s OHS Legislation
26
Providing Services & Opportunities Across the West
Synchrotron Light Monitoring Mine-Tailings Site
Nigeria Canada Forum Forging Strong Partnerships
Business AND INDUSTRY SOUTH SASK
60
Philanthropy
Huddling Up to Provide Coats 4 Kids
63
Sask. Life
Saskatchewan: Live, Work and Play
EvEnt
Upcoming Conventions, trade Shows, Workshops and Events
CalENDaR NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2014 ▶
November 1
Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce AbeX Awards Delta Regina
▶
November 1
Saskatchewan Federation of Labour 59th Annual Conference Queensbury Convention Centre
▶
November 24–29
November 17 & 18
regional Planning for Growth Summit Double Tree by Hilton Hotel
▶
November 24–29
Canadian Western Agribition Evraz Place
▶
DeCember 2
DeCember 2
Premiere’s State of the Province Address Conexus Arts Centre
▶
DeCember 10
mayor’s breakfast Queensbury Convention Centre
DeCember 10
Business AND INDUSTRY SOUTH SASK
7
[ ENTREPRENEURSHIP ]
Women entrepreneurs of Saskatchewan Inc.:
Women Helping Women By Tonya LamBerT PhoTos courTesy Women enTrePreneurs of saskaTcheWan Inc.
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S
ince its inception in 1995, Women Entrepreneurs of Saskatchewan Inc. (W.E.) has experienced incredible growth, going from six members to over 900. This phenomenal expansion speaks volumes about the great need for such an organization, as well as to its proven ability to help the women of this province to succeed in business. Combine the strong provincial economy — the second strongest in the world — with W.E.’s dynamic new CEO, Prabha Vaidyanathan, and these numbers are practically guaranteed to continue their meteoric rise.
Introducing prabha Vaidyanathan, Ceo The organization and its members will benefit from Vaidyanathan’s years of leadership experience within the province’s business community. Most recently, Vaidyanathan served as CEO of Certified General Accountants Association of Saskatchewan (CGA SK) for seven years. In that role, she was responsible for the strategic and operations management of the organization, including business development and growth. In recognition of her vast contributions to the field of accounting in the province, Vaidyanathan was made an honorary CGA by CGA SK. Vaidyanathan is skilled at developing strategic alliances and partnerships for
the businesses and organizations with which she is involved and W.E. will certainly benefit from her talents in this area. Vaidyanathan contributes her expertise to many groups in the province: the Board of Directors of Family Service Saskatoon, the Immigration Discussion Group, Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce and the Government Affairs Committee, Greater Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce. In addition, Vaidyanathan is the President of the Leaders Council at the Paul J. Hill School of Business and the Kenneth Levene Graduate School of Business. There can be no doubt that Vaidyanathan is well equipped to advance the mission and vision of W.E.
Being Your own Boss W.E. is a non-profit membership organization supported by Western Economic Diversification Canada. W.E. was designed to help women at every stage of their journey as business owners, from dreaming to retiring. W.E. is there for women who are just starting out and need help to develop a business plan, learn the skills required to own and operate a business, and obtain the financial assistance required. W.E. is here for women who already own and operate a business and want to expand with advice, guidance and financial support. W.E. is also there for women
business owners who are ready to retire and need help with succession planning. Chris Wood of Wood’s Body Goods states, “I am thrilled to be a part of Women Entrepreneurs because of the ongoing support, incredible mentorship and the learning opportunities. My business is a success largely due to the things I have learned and the connections I have made at W.E. I recommend it to anyone starting or thinking about starting their own business.” Mentorship opportunities and opportunities to network are just two of the services W.E. offers its members. Members also receive business advisory and support services, start-up and expansion lending (up to $30 million has been lent so far), and business development seminars which focus on entrepreneurial skill development. Saskatchewan women looking to start, purchase or expand a business can go to www.womenentrepreneurs.sk.ca for more information. PreVIous PaGe Prabha Vaidyanathan, ceo, Women entrepreneurs of sask. Inc. Photo courtesy heather fritz mIDDLe & BoTTom kick-off BBQ 2014 Women Entrepreneurs of Saskatchewan Inc. #108 502 Cope Way, Saskatoon 306.477.7173 #100 1919 Rose Street, Regina 306.359.9732 TF 1.800.879.6331 www.womenentrepreneurs.sk.ca
Business AND INDUSTRY SOUTH SASK
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[ SAFETY ] The Charter principles can be applied in any workplace or home.
SAFETY IS NO ACCIDENT PHOTOGRAPHY BY GREG HUSZAR PHOTOGRAPHY, COURTESY OF WORKSAFE SASKATCHEWAN
“A bruise is just a badge that you had fun.” “S&%t happens.” “Shake it off.” These used to be common sayings in Saskatchewan. Injuries used to be considered a normal part of life, but since 2008, Mission: Zero and the goal to achieve zero injuries at home, at work and at play has been building momentum.
I
n December 2013, 88 per cent of people surveyed by WorkSafe Saskatchewan said they believe injuries are preventable. Unfortunately, we aren’t always putting our thoughts into action quickly enough. Our
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injury and fatality rates at work, at home, and on our highways are still among the worst in the country. While we believe injuries are preventable, only 35 per cent of people surveyed say
that they have done something at work to prevent injuries because of Mission: Zero. “Believing that injuries are predictable and preventable is the first step,” says Phil Germain, vice president of prevention
for the Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board. “We need to move from knowing to caring enough to take action. People need to act to protect themselves and their families — to prevent the immeasurable pain and suffering that injuries cause. When people think getting hurt is inevitable, then we are victims to our environment. We don’t realize we can stop, identify hazards and remove them. We need to commit to taking control, and when we do, it’s a fact that we keep people from getting hurt.”
The Health and Safety Leadership Charter launched in 2010. Since then the Charter group’s Total and Time Loss injury rates have been dropping faster than the provincial average.
Committing to safety makes a difference. In 2010, WorkSafe Saskatchewan and Safe Saskatchewan launched the Health and Safety Leadership Charter. The injury rates of the Charter companies began dropping the year the Charter launched and continues to drop at a faster rate than the rest of the province. The example of the Charter signatory can be applied in any workplace or home. Thinking about safety first, and investing time and effort into watching for hazards prevents injuries. Gord Moker, CEO of Safe Saskatchewan, says, “We’ve made progress in our workplaces. We’ve reduced the number of claims. We’ve reduced pain and suffering. We have kept people from being permanently disabled. We’ve saved lives. Now we need to take those safety habits home with us when we leave work. There are 382 signatory companies. Imagine if all those employees and their families — an estimated 300,000 people — became just a little more diligent about safety. It would have a huge impact on our province.”
Comparison of Total Injury rates: province vs. companies that signed the Health and Safety Leadership Charter in 2010.
Charter Time Loss injury rates (red line) are higher than the provincial average, but dropping more quickly.
We have the ability to save hundreds of millions of dollars in healthcare costs and to help solve the labour shortage that is plaguing employers in the province. —Phil Germain Business AND INDUSTRY SOUTH SASK
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[ SAFETY ]
We’ve reduced pain and
What’s the problem here?
suffering. We have kept people from being permanently disabled. We’ve saved lives. Now we need to take those safety habits home with us when we leave work.
The real problem here is too many people in Saskatchewan are getting hurt every day. We have the worst injury rate in all of Canada. What are YOU doing to prevent injuries at home, at work and at play?
—Gord Moker
Zero injuries. Zero fatalities. Zero suffering.
Did you spot all the hazards in this picture? Go to: worksafesask.ca/problem
worksafesask.ca
WCBSK-0585D_CHAMBERLINK_7.5x10h.indd 1
2014-04-15 1:51 PM
What’s the problem here?
What’s the problem here?
The real problem here is too many people in Saskatchewan are getting hurt on the job. We have the second worst workplace injury rate in all of Canada. What are YOU doing to prevent injuries and stay safe where you work?
The real problem here is too many people in Saskatchewan are getting hurt on the job. We have the second worst workplace injury rate in all of Canada. What are YOU doing to prevent injuries and stay safe where you work?
Zero injuries. Zero fatalities. Zero suffering.
Zero injuries. Zero fatalities. Zero suffering. Did you spot all the hazards in this picture? Go to: worksafesask.ca/problem
worksafesask.ca
WCBSK-0585B_CHAMBERLINK-7.5x10h.indd 1
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scsaonline.ca
2014-02-13 9:42 AM
WCBSK-0585C_champerlink_7.5x10h.indd 1
Did you spot all the hazards in this picture? Go to: worksafesask.ca/problem
worksafesask.ca
2014-03-24 1:44 PM
Germain explains, “We need to take what we’ve learned from the workplace — that injuries are preventable — and put it into action through small changes in our everyday lives. My daughters play ringette. They can’t play if they don’t wear their helmets, but I can’t tell you the number of adults and coaches I see at the rink who don’t wear their helmets. Why not? We know what happens when a competent skater loses an edge. Yet we continue to take unnecessary risks. We all see people take unnecessary risks every day: risks that result in preventable injuries and deaths; risks that hurt our families and the people around us. We have the ability to save hundreds of millions of dollars in healthcare costs and to help solve the labour shortage that is plaguing employers in the province.”
People need to act to protect themselves and their families — to prevent the immeasurable pain and suffering that injuries cause. It’s a fact that we can keep people from getting hurt. —Phil Germain
Moker challenges all of us to act, “Ask yourself, ‘What can I do today to keep myself, my family or my child from getting hurt?’ ”
Business AND INDUSTRY SOUTH SASK
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EXPERT ADVICE ADVICE EXPERT
MANAGEMENT AND HUMAN RESOURCES Money Makes Money — When It Is Wisely Invested In Safety Training! (Tim Lane et al., Learning to Succeed in Business with Information Technology, Motorola; www.Forbes.com)
Photo by Calvin Fehr
Peter Neufeldt President, Peak Performance Consulting 201 - 2161 Scarth Street Regina S4P 2H8 306.790.4570 peter@peakperformanceconsulting.ca www.peakperformanceconsulting.ca www.freetools.lucrativeleadership.com
W
hat is your best investment in your business? Is it leadership training or staff development? Is it hiring the right staff ? Is it reducing work-related injuries? All of these initiatives will impact the growth of your bottom line if they are appropriately applied and supported. We continue to see an increase in training and development spending, and overall it is worth the investment. U.S. spending on corporate training rose by 15 per cent last year. This represents the highest growth rate in seven years, according to a study from Bersin by Deloitte Research Services. Motorola calculated that every dollar spent on training yields an approximate 30 per cent gain in productivity within a three-year period. They also used training to reduce costs by over $3 billion and increase profits by 47 per cent.
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Business AND INDUSTRY SOUTH SASK
Over the past several decades, most workplaces have also invested in training to lower the incidence of work-related illness and injury. It has become evident that training to reduce workplace injuries is an effective way to reduce costs and increase the bottom line. We have ample evidence of the positive results of safety training in our own backyard. George Marshall, director of operations for the Service and Hospitality Safety Association of Saskatchewan Inc. (SHSA), noted a 53 per cent reduction in injuries and related costs in the Saskatchewan hotel industry between 2008 and 2013. This positive change was due to extensive SHSA training, plus leadership buy-in by the hotel industry for the creation of work cultures that value safe work environments. Though there has been significant progress in the quest to reduce injuries, in some cases the results have not been as positive. The investment has not always delivered the expected returns. “You can do all the safety training you want, but it will be of no avail if those in leadership positions don’t ‘buy in’ to creating a sustainable safety culture,” Marshall observed. Leadership is the key to managing any kind of change in business. This is why SHSA focuses on “safety-centred leadership.” Their initiative to help leadership teams embrace safety as a core value has been pivotal to building safety-conscious workplace cultures, thus reducing work-related injuries. The key is effective leadership!
Effective leaders are strategic. They wisely invest in training and professional coaching for themselves and for their teams. This kind of investment will result in significant returns that are not only evident in reduced workplace injuries, but also in enhanced teamwork, motivation and productivity. To achieve these results and to take their teams to the next level, effective leaders need to: • Have clear vision, purpose and values • Have the ability to “walk the talk” of organizational values • Be self-aware regarding their strengths and weaknesses • Have high Emotional Intelligence: EQ • Work strategically with determination and focused execution • Be courageous, persistent, resilient and able to drive change • Be inspirational, engaging, responsive and respectful. For a free “Lucrative Leadership Assessment” to check your leadership skills, go to www.freetools. lucrativeleadership.com. For professional and executive coaching and leadership training call Peter Neufeldt at 306.790.4570.
1.306.209.8283
CONNECT@ASCENTMANAGEMENT.CA
[ SK INDUSTRY ]
NoN-ReNewable
ResouRce Royalties: should saskatchewan Follow Norway’s lead? By Shawn Ell
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Business AND INDUSTRY SOUTH SASK
I
n the 2014 First Quarter Budget Update, the Government of Saskatchewan reported $2.8 billion in non-renewable resource revenue, up $110 million from the First Quarter Forecast. Clearly, these are good times for governments and resource companies. Many people, both scholars and politicians alike, have wondered about a new savings fund for such revenue for Saskatchewan, but starting such a fund is fraught with questions. First and foremost, how would the province transition from spending that revenue to saving it? Moving almost any money out of the budget is politically difficult, and certainly the full amount would be a shock no politician could recover from.
Þ 2.8
In the 2014 First Quarter Budget Update, the Government of Saskatchewan reported $2.8 billion in non-renewable resource revenue, up $110 million from the First Quarter Forecast
When, at Premier Brad Wall’s request, former University of Saskatchewan president, Peter MacKinnon, made his recommendations for a heritage fund late last year, he used Norway as an example of what we in Saskatchewan should aspire to. Norway, with 5.83 billion barrels of proven oil and gas reserves as of January 1, 2014,¹ is perhaps not a reasonable comparator to Saskatchewan, which according to the Centre for Energy, has oil and gas reserves of 1.15 billion barrels. However, there are principles the fund’s managers follow that may be useful to future decision makers and could set us in a good direction should the government so choose. The Norwegian fund, the world’s largest sovereign wealth fund valued at $770 billion USD, was created in the 1970s and was called the Petroleum Fund until 2006. Throughout the ’70s and ’80s this oil money was spent without guidelines, so when the Norwegian government changed the fund in the 1990s they resolved to learn from these mistakes and establish some new rules. First, revenue from petroleum activities goes straight to the fund. Second, all investments from the fund’s holding are made outside the country to avoid the so-called “Dutch disease,” whereby an economy with rapidly increasing oil revenues suffers from currency inflation and weakened manufacturing and agricultural exports. Third, all spending on the return of the investment has to
Business AND INDUSTRY SOUTH SASK
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1970
The norwegian fund, the world’s largest sovereign wealth fund valued at $770 billion USD, was created in the 1970s
450
$
The original Saskatchewan heritage Fund, which operated from 1978 to 1992, was started with a large injection of over $450 million and was intended to receive all resource revenues.
So what are the problems with setting up a fund? What might hold this government back? First, finance officials often argue against “dedicated” funds, which is perhaps why we haven’t seen a rush to Medicare premiums. All funds, the “bean counters” argue, should go into general revenue. Political will is able to overrule that policy objection. The second problem may be that no monies would flow into the fund for a few years, depending on the world economy. Potash prices, oil prices, the strength or weakness of the Canadian dollar and other externalities can have a big effect on resource revenues. Why set up a fund that never receives monies? Another issue is public expectations of resource revenues. Voters may not like that this fund is not readily available to meet their desires if the rules are as prescriptive as Norway’s.
be approved by the parliament through the budget process, stopping use of the fund for politician’s parochial concerns outside the budget process. Another rule is the so-called spending rule, which means no more than four per cent of the fund over time should be spent on the annual national budget.²
help pay down debt. Or, alternatively, the government could come up with $100 million to start the fund. The original Saskatchewan Heritage Fund, which operated from 1978 to 1992, was started with a large injection of over $450 million and was intended to receive all resource revenues.
Peter MacKinnon’s very “flexible”³ (in the words of Bruce Johnstone) proposal is to cap non-renewable resource revenues into the budget at 26 per cent, which has been the average of the last five years. Anything above that would go into the Saskatchewan Futures Fund, or would go towards both the fund and to
Johnstone further notes the MacKinnon proposal would mean the fund wouldn’t have received any monies in the last few years with the exception of 200809, when it would have received $500 million. He points out that isn’t much now, “but give it a few decades. Then you’re talking real money.”³
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What should Saskatchewan do? Our natural gas reserves seem to be vast, as do our potash fields. The Bakken oil find is extremely active. There is gold in the north, and Saskatchewan remains a major source of uranium. Should we learn from the Norwegian experience and be very strict about the parameters of any fund we create? Or should we have one at all, and simply continue to integrate resource revenues into our yearly budget? In these times of upwardly tracking non-renewable resource revenues, these important and timely questions deserve public debate before any decisions are made. SOURCES 1. Oil and Gas Journal (OGJ) 2. From the norges Bank Investment Management Fund website, accessed august 4, 2014 at 9:15 am. CST. 3. Bruce Johnstone, Fund plan good, not perfect. Regina leader Post, Saturday nov. 16, 2013.
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[ SK INDUSTRY ]
ProjectLine Solutions Inc.:
Helping You Do What You Do... Better by Tonya LamberT PhoTos Lisa Landrie
T
his past year has been a banner one for ProjectLine Solutions Inc. Business has more than doubled as the company established a firm customer base across Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario. Such growth has necessitated the need to establish a new branch office in Edmonton, as well as a move into a much larger head office in Saskatoon.
TOP-BOTTOM darrell McClarty, derin hildebrandt
aboVe derin hildebrandt
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Partners Darrell McClarty, Derin Hildebrandt and Collin Dennison couldn’t be more thrilled at the evergrowing success of the company they
founded together in 2001. Starting out as a small software development company, ProjectLine has grown into a sizeable software solutions and business consulting firm that specializes in helping small and mid-sized companies across Canada and the U.S. to manage their businesses more efficiently. A world-class provider of business management solutions, ProjectLine has a large number of staff members who are ready and able to assist clients with all their business needs. Coming from a variety of backgrounds, from technical
to financial to business, ProjectLine’s staff members have a great wealth of knowledge and expertise from which to draw to help clients from all commercial and industrial sectors, including manufacturing, distribution and field services, to overcome obstacles to business growth and expansion. Partnered with SAP®, one of the largest software companies in the world and a pioneer in business software development, ProjectLine is a gold level certified provider of SAP Business One. It is also SAP’s only Canadian partner, hosting a private cloud service with business management solutions and IT resources. In April, ProjectLine Solutions acquired the SAP Business One division of the Torontobased firm, ACCEO Solutions Inc.
SAP Business One is a user-friendly automated solution for business management that integrates financials, sales, services, customer relationship management (CRM), enterprise resource planning (ERP), e-commerce, supply chain management (SCM), inventory and operations. Quick and easy to install, use and expand, SAP Business One can be tailored by ProjectLine to fit the unique needs of your business and is easily integrated with other technology solutions used in your organization. SAP Business One allows you to access the information you need when you need it, lessening your stress and increasing your profits. ProjectLine and SAP Business One have helped numerous small to mediumsized companies, such as Aircom Instrumentation in Edmonton, to adapt and grow, increasing their efficiency and profitability. Aircom’s director of business development explains, “SAP Business One allows our team to be more efficient by having the information we need at our fingertips. Average daily time savings across 12 users is almost one hour per day. One month after going live we calculate that over $60,000 of our annual labour budget has already been reinvested back into higher value tasks.” This ability to help clients achieve real, tangible results fast has made ProjectLine one of the top five SAP partner companies in the country and one of their top 100 partners globally. ProjectLine Solutions Inc. 3030 Louise St. Saskatoon 306.373.3150 Toll free 1.800.460.7765 info@projectline.ca www.projectline.ca
Business AND INDUSTRY SOUTH SASK
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[ SK INDUSTRY ]
West Wind AviAtion:
Taking Care of You by Tobie HainsTock PHoTos HeaTHeR FRiTZ
A
s you walk toward the reception desk you are addressed warmly. “Welcome to ExpressAir,” greets the smiling receptionist. After giving your information and having your bags checked you are asked if you’ll need a taxi at your arrival. As you look around the stylish waiting area you are pleased to see the comfortable chairs, free snacks, newspapers, magazines and television. Typically, travelling back and forth between Saskatoon and Regina for meetings would take a large part of the
day and could even add a day to the trip. By booking one of ExpressAir’s daily flights, you are able to shave a large amount of travel time off your busy day. “It’s the easiest aviation service you’ve ever seen. We offer free parking and complimentary in-flight beverages and snacks. Arrive just 20 minutes before your flight, relax in the waiting area and let us do the rest,” smiles Dennis Baranieski, vice president of business development and customer relations for West Wind Aviation. On average, the flight between the two cities takes about 45 minutes. aboVe Photo courtesy Josh nagy RiGHT Photo courtesy of Pat Gould
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While aboard, you can travel worry-free, reading, taking care of paperwork, resting for the busy day ahead, or just enjoying the view below. The flight crew consists of a pilot, co-pilot and flight attendant — all dedicated to your comfort and welfare as you travel. Business development manager, Alison Murawsky, says West Wind ExpressAir is now celebrating its tenth year. “We’ve recently added new fare options for passengers to choose from, which include EXpress or EXclusive fares, depending on their needs for flexibility, changes and cancellations,” she notes. Corporate packages offering discounted travel for companies that travel frequently are also available. West Wind Aviation got its start in 1983 and offers a wide range of aviation services. With bases in Saskatoon, Regina and Stony Rapids — plus satellite locations in northern communities such as Prince Albert, La Ronge, Buffalo Narrows, Wollaston Lake, Uranium City and Fond du Lac — West Wind Aviation offers a varied fleet of aircraft which accommodates a large selection of passenger and cargo services. The company offers a range of services including workforce transportation and leisure travel charter flights, freight and cargo services, medevac and air ambulance flights and more. West Wind operates a variety of aircraft from large ATR-42s to smaller 19 seat, eight seat and cargo-only aircraft allowing you to choose the right aircraft for each trip. In addition to ExpressAir, they also operate Pronto Airways which offers scheduled flights into Saskatchewan’s far north. West Wind’s quality of service has even turned the heads of their peers. Earlier this year West Wind was named a Platinum Member of the Best Managed Companies’ Program after six consecutive years of qualifying for the award. The company also received the North Saskatoon Business Association’s Quality Management Award in the spring of 2014. Whether booking a flight for a business meeting or chartering a plane for your crew, West Wind Aviation’s outstanding safety record and stellar customer service has earned them a reputation for excellence.
West Wind Aviation www.westwindaviation.com 1.866.636.9121
Business AND INDUSTRY SOUTH SASK
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[ SK INDUSTRY ]
LNG Benefits Considered by Potential Saskatchewan Markets SaskEnergy Exploring Opportunities Behind New Industry Application PHOTO DAVE STOBBE
SaskEnergy is working closely with private industry players to determine whether Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) could be a future energy source for Saskatchewan markets, from fueling tractor-trailers to powering drilling rigs.
P
otential markets for LNG use in the province include industrial and mining operations, the transportation sector, power production and oil and gas production. The Saskatchewan Crown Corporation is currently analyzing the potential market interest in LNG applications. “SaskEnergy is excited about bringing the benefits of natural gas to new markets like long-haul trucking and remote industry,� says Deidre Donaldson Meyer, executive director of business ABOVE An ISO container under construction at Hitachi
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30% Cost-effective up to
less than diesel
Similarly, if someone wanted to take LNG by truck to remote northern communities or industries, that could be a possibility as well. Some industries, like mining operations in Northern Saskatchewan, currently use a combination of diesel, propane and electricity as energy sources, as it is difficult to build a natural gas pipeline in the area due to the terrain. LNG could offer operations like these the opportunity to realize significant costs savings, says Donaldson Meyer. Technology is quickly developing to support this new industry. Engine technologies for long-haul trucks are under development from companies like Westport and Volvo, and bulk transport containers are being developed through companies such as Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems Canada, Ltd. (MHPSC). The company is currently manufacturing a prototype LNG storage container (ISO Container), with a storage capacity of about 42,000 litres. “MHPSC is interested in the manufacture of LNG ISO Containers, as it is a natural extension of our 25 years of work as a manufacturer and service provider in the power generation and energy markets,” explained Tom Kishchuk, president and CEO of MHPSC, based at their Saskatoon manufacturing facility. development for SaskEnergy. “We’ve been looking at the opportunity for the development of LNG infrastructure in Saskatchewan. This would allow natural gas to be used as an alternative to traditional fuels in the transportation and oil and gas drilling sectors.”
equivalent of removing as many as 325 cars from the road. There are also highhorsepower applications that can take advantage of significant operational cost reductions and environmental benefits (rail, drilling, mining and power production).
LNG, which is created by chilling natural gas to -160ºC, offers advantages over traditional fuels, such as diesel, gasoline and propane. As a fuel source, LNG is cost-effective (up to 30 per cent less than diesel) and environmentally friendly. Natural gas vehicles are up to 30 per cent cleaner than those that run on gasoline or diesel — converting just one waste truck from diesel to natural gas is the
“If you’re a grain producer, and you’re moving grain out of the province via truck or rail, it’s to your benefit that transportation of product is the most cost-effective method possible,” explained Donaldson Meyer. “A longhaul trucking company wanting to convert their fleet to LNG could work with SaskEnergy and private industry to put the required elements in place.”
The prototype container is expected to be completed by the end of December 2014, with production of the containers beginning in 2015, and it is forecast that the containers are going to be in high demand. “Based on forecast market demands for LNG ISO Containers, additional production capacity will be required in Saskatoon to achieve the necessary rates of production,” says Kishchuk. With the widening spread between natural gas and oil prices, LNG is gathering attention as an attractive substitute fuel that offers substantial long-term cost advantages and environmental benefits over the other petroleum-based fuels.
Business AND INDUSTRY SOUTH SASK
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[ COVER FEATURE ]
Canadian industrial ParamediCs ltd: AN INTERNATIONAL SOS COMPANY
Providing Services & Opportunities Across the West By ToBie HainsTock PHoTos courTesy canadian indusTrial Paramedics
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Business AND INDUSTRY SOUTH SASK
M
eet Canadian Industrial Paramedics (CIP). This onsite industry-leading emergency services company provides the right professionals, equipment and expertise for industry, helping create a proactive approach for a healthier and safer environment for all workers.
A Brief History For almost a decade, CIP has offered onsite emergency services to oil, gas, construction, mining and other industries in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and the Northern Territories. The company was founded in 2007 by Barry Croft, who is still actively involved in day-to-day business as president and CEO. Croft comes from an extensive background in emergency medical services, serving as a paramedic and working as a training officer and head of public safety and education. He attained a background in adult education as a facilitator through the University of Alberta and received his formal incident command training from the Vermillion Fire Fighting Academy in Alberta. Throughout his career, Croft heard about paramedics working in the oil and gas industry and noted the lack of resources for emergency services in remote industrial locations. This prompted Croft to look deeper into the need for enhanced emergency services in the oil and gas industry.
In all industrial sectors throughout Western Canada, workplace health and safety is a top focus and priority, constantly evolving with the growing workforce and industry demands. An integral part of providing the very best for workers in any industry is a strong emphasis and focus on having exceptional onsite emergency services.
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[ COVER FEATURE ]
The Very Best Personnel and Services Today, CIP takes pride in the quality and professionalism it delivers to industry and its valued clients. The company has expanded with increasing industry demand and provides full-scale emergency services, including:
response planning services, working in conjunction with local emergency services, hospitals and emergency flight response resources. CIP employs the most esteemed professionals in the industry, backed by the very best equipment which allows them to manage the emergency onsite and utilize resources to the fullest.
• Customized Emergency Training
With the ever-changing industries in which they work and the increasing demands for full-service health and safety, CIP became a complete health and wellness provider by adding to its services the ability to provide largescale physician-directed clinics. These clinics specialize in health and wellness promotion, injury prevention, injury and illness case management, drug and alcohol testing, flu immunizations and expanded scope of practice for all medical professionals.
CIP is able to mobilize on any site and provide customized emergency
To accomplish this, CIP became part of the International SOS family, a world-
• Emergency Medical Services at all levels • Remote Medical Clinical Services • Alcohol and Drug Testing • Firefighting/Fire Suppression Services • Technical Rescue: Confined Space/ Rope Rescue • Safety and Air Quality Monitoring Services
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Business AND INDUSTRY SOUTH SASK
wide industry-leading intensive clinicbased health and wellness provider. CIP keeps its branding and is part of a “one company, two brands” philosophy with the ability to provide unparalleled clinical and emergency expertise. International SOS comes with industryleading experts and the experience in remote clinics that enhances CIP’s provision of remote emergency services. These clinics are designed with specific protocols and equipment to allow treatment and ongoing monitoring of all basic and advanced illnesses and injuries onsite, including radiology and lab services. CIP has one of the largest working fleets throughout Western Canada consisting of mobile treatment centres, ambulances, fire combination units and more. All equipment meets and exceeds regulatory standards in all Western Canadian provinces. Every professional at Canadian Industrial Paramedics
is fully licensed in accordance with the standards of each profession and province of work.
Building Partnerships As CIP continues to move forward in providing services to a growing number of businesses and industries, the company has expanded from Alberta into British Columbia, Manitoba, the Northern Territories and Saskatchewan. Croft is enthusiastic about their recent moves toward a thrilling new partnership with Yellow Quill First Nation. On February 13, 2014 a new joint venture business agreement was signed between the Yellow Quill First Nation and CIP. This is a true joint venture with equal ownership and direction. It will provide onsite emergency services to the industrial sectors in Saskatchewan. Revenues from the partnership will assist in funding various programs and services that will enrich the community as a whole.
One of the first items on the company’s agenda is a labour market study focusing on high school and post-secondary student interest in the emergency medical services field. Accredited Saskatchewan educational institutions will be approached with the proposition of providing emergency medical education for workers. For the past five years, CIP has been in Saskatchewan working on several major projects. Croft is optimistic about the opportunities that wait for CIP in the province. “Our growth is very rapid,” he expresses. “We plan to be moved into the province by spring and have our offices up and running by the summer.” Croft adds that he and the entire team at CIP are very excited about this new venture. “Saskatchewan is wonderful and we’re really looking forward to continue providing service and expanding our opportunities in the province.” Saskatchewan’s unique economic strengths
are very appealing for CIP who, already having a presence in the province, want to expand with the growing industries and sectors. One of the largest contributors of this growth and development is their existing Saskatchewan-born talent. Born and raised in Saskatchewan, Lucy Lax is keenly aware of the needs and demands that exist in the province’s communities and she works continuously at developing business relationships and enhancing CIP’s presence and services in the province. It’s about realizing how Saskatchewan’s business culture is different from Alberta’s and striving to be good corporate citizens that work well with local business and communities.
Culturally Aware CIP is very sensitive to the cultural diversity within the areas they serve. “We make Aboriginal awareness a priority,” Croft remarks. “Our business approach
Business AND INDUSTRY SOUTH SASK
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[ COVER FEATURE ]
Lucy Lax, Business Development
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Business AND INDUSTRY SOUTH SASK
is to be a relevant contributor in the regions where we operate, including Aboriginal communities.” The company has established a number of partnerships throughout Alberta, Saskatchewan and British Columbia. CIP believes in providing long-term opportunities and growth for local Aboriginal people with employment opportunities. “We’re continually looking for opportunities to develop new relationships with local Aboriginal communities in all areas we’re located in.”
utilize their services ahead of doing things on our own,” he says.
Community-Focused
Staying True to their Goals
Because CIP works in a variety of rural communities, they are mindful of the people and lifestyles of those regions. “We have to respect the communities we work in,” states Croft.
As CIP moves more fully into the industrial sectors throughout Saskatchewan, the company remains true to their initial goal of providing the highest quality of emergency care and services available. By remaining professional and community-oriented, Canadian Industrial Paramedics continue to serve Saskatchewan and other provinces with excellence and integrity.
CIP believes in the importance of building relationships by working with the local residents and businesses. This takes place in a number of ways corporately and individually among their staff of over 400 employees. By volunteering and participating in local events such as tradeshows and rodeos, the employees at CIP establish themselves as part of the community. As CIP establishes satellite offices in various locations, they pursue partnerships with local businesses. “We will look at the services available within that community and
CIP also works within the community through their hiring program. “We offer a lot of unique training opportunities and we like to look first within the community that we are working in,” remarks Croft. Not only does CIP get the privilege of hiring great new people, but they also gain more firsthand knowledge and understanding of the local area.
Canadian Industrial Paramedics Ltd. 1.888.802.4247 Info@canadianindustrialparamedics.com www.canadianindustrialparamedics.com
EXPERT ADVICE ADVICE
MANAGEMENT
EXPERT
Having a Quality Management System in Lexcom: Helping Municipalities Place is the Key to Success
Solve Their Infrastructure Asset What types of questions does a quality auditor ask? Management Challenges Some of the best quality management systems are found where company management understands that quantifiable data is needed to better manage the business.
Some of the best quality management systems are found where company management understands that quantifiable data is needed to better manage the business. Usually these companies would have ample safety statistics and financial data from production, sales, as well as a lot of data from their quality management system.
from customer satisfaction will be providing a multitude of data for management and owners to make informed business decisions, reduce business risk, and better manage the company. They understand that the unlocked value from their QMS comes from understanding that a QMS should be considered a “business management system”, not just something for the quality group to implement on the shop floor, the assembly line, or in the field.
Principle #2: Manage the business - A high-functioning QMS results in great business management. Companies that are measuring quality, setting measurable objectives and KPI’s, and are mining data
Principle #3: Manage the basics – Get the simple things such as customer satisfaction, non-conformances and COPQ, and corrective/preventive actions for continual improvement working to their full
tion processes, what value can it provide to management?
Bryan Janz, CEO
Lexcom Systems Group Inc., 306.545.9242 ext. 5001 bjanz@lexcom.ca www.lexcom.ca
potential before implementing advanced tools and spending money on such items as Lean or Six SIGMA. Bottom line then is if you have a quality management system in place that is not providing you the value it could be, or if you are considering implementing a new quality management system, the key to success is to remember those three important principles: what we measure, we manage; treat the QMS as your business management system; and manage the simple things proficiently before using any advanced quality tools. Scott Boker is a quality management consultant at Lexcom. X
QUALITY MANAGEMENT CONSULTING CONSTRUCTION DATA MANAGEMENT s CUSTOM APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT s INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY s HOSTING
M L
companies have excom, aany progressive information formal ISO founded 9001 — technology company in www.lexcom.ca quality Regina, is2008 usingregistered its experience in management IT service management systems to take (QMS), and manyofmore use the ISO on the challenge managing capital 9001 standardsassets. as their primary quality infrastructure tool. Often, these same companies are also using advanced tools such as lean or A large portion of our infrastructure is Six SIGMA, and of yetits they are struggling nearing the end useful life. With with QMS. agingtheir infrastructure, municipalities can expect an increase in maintenance and When asked how much value their operational costs, as significant QMS provides to as thewell company, senior increases for renewal and replacement management and company owners often costs going Research supports answer “veryforward. little.” Aft er asking a few that ifc they can proactively specifi questions about the manage owner’s infrastructure assets they degrade quality system, thebefore answer to this significantly, municipalities can save question becomes obvious.
Does the company have a quality policy? Does haveofclearly stated and up to 50 peritcent the operational measurable objectives? theof objectives costs and improve the Are health a larger measured reviewed?capital Does portion ofand theirregularly assets. Lexcom’s the company have key performance infrastructure management system will indicators (KPI’s) designed to matchtheir the help municipalities better manage company’s quality objectives? Does the current and future infrastructure assets. company’s non-conformance defi nition For example, the system will directly revolve around “non-conforming import PSAB 3150 Asset Lists into an product?” NCRspolicies were asset registry,How assignmany maintenance written last year? much was to the asset, then How manage themoney inspection lost the previous year, month, etc., process. Collecting information in due the to poor Whateasier. is the Forms company’s field hasquality? never been can customer and what be quicklysatisfaction converted rating, from paper into are the most commonly identifi ed areas a digital format, eliminating problems for withimprovement? illegible handwriting and extensive hours paperwork. If manyprocessing of these questions are Problems answered with assets can be logged to a in the negative, and there arerisk no registry records where they can be tracked resolution. available regarding cost of topoor quality This typeit can of proactive (COPQ), be expectedmanagement that senior focuses on utilizing systems to ensure management or company owners would processes solve issues before they say the quality system provides little become non-compliant with policy. value to their company. Unlike paper, digital forms also provide So us why with isa this? significant amount of new features. Alerts can be sent to the user Principle #1: Manage using data — simply by walking near an asset that What we measure, we manage. Company requires an managers inspection.need We data. can attach owners and If the metadata to the form, including the quality system is not providing data, temperature, directional, and the time it based on measurable objectives and takes to complete an inspection. We can KPI’s, and metrics from their NCR/ also attach pictures and video. Data can be continual improvement and customer collected both online and offline, meaning satisfaction processes, what value can it we do not an Internet connection provide to require management? for the application to work. This connection is required, however, to upload Some of the best quality management information. soon aswhere the information systems are Asfound company is uploaded, we canunderstands see key performance management that and riskable metrics real time. The quantifi datainisnear needed to better visualization data is really wherethese the manage the ofbusiness. Usually power is. We would can nowhave track asset companies amplelocations safety
2014 PotashWorks 149
statistics and financial data from production and sales, as well as a lot of data from their quality management system.
on the map,#2: buildManage relationships between Principle the business the assets to determine the health — A high-functioning QMS resultsand in potential impactmanagement. of problem areas, forecast great business Companies the of an assetquality, and determine that lifecycle are measuring setting measurable and KPI’s, and are whether it objectives makes sense to perform mining data from satisfaction, maintenance on ancustomer asset or replace it. For will be providing a multitude of near data fixed assets, we can interface with the for andcapability owners to fieldmanagement communication on make most informed decisions,and reduce smartphonesbusiness to scan barcodes read business risk, and better manage the RFID tags for asset and inventory control. company. They understand that the unlocked value from theirLexcom QMS comes The technology that has from understanding that a QMS should developed can be applied across many be considered a “business management industries and can be used to solve real system,” not just something for the world We are already qualityproblems. group to implement on thebeing shop approached by building, quality and floor, the assembly line, or in the field. safety managers looking to apply this Principle #3: Manage theday-to-day basics — technology to solve their Get the simple things, such asfinding customer problems. In Saskatchewan, the satisfaction, non-conformances and right people can also be a challenge. COPQ, andtechnology, corrective/preventive actions Using our we can also help for continual improvement working to eliminate people from the equation by their full potential before implementing integrating robotics and smart sensors to advanced tools and spending money on help processes, providing suchautomate items as Lean or Sixwhile SIGMA. information back to people who make The bottomWhile line isthis if you have a quality decisions. may sound like management system in place that is something out of a sci-fi novel, it not has providing the to value it could than be, or never beenyou easier accomplish it if you are considering implementing a is today. new quality management system, the key to success is toits remember Lexcom maintains corporate those head three important principles: what office in Regina, a branch office we in measure, the QMS Saskatoonwe andmanage; a globaltreat resource pool as of your business management system; and 130 consultants and developers located manage the simple things proficiently in Calgary, Austin, Bangalore, Monterrey before using any advanced quality tools. and Mexico City. Read more on our Lexcom expertise in asset Bryan Janz is the CEO management of Lexcom Systems Group Inc. at www.lexcom.ca
Business AND INDUSTRY SOUTH SASK
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not your average DRILLING COMPANY. GEOTECHNICAL, OIL AND GAS, AND POTASH DRILLING PROFESSIONALS.
CROSSBORDERS.CA 32
Business AND INDUSTRY SOUTH SASK
Photo by Kevin Hogarth for the Government of Saskatchewan
www.worksafesask.ca
www.safesask.com
I BELIEVE IN MISSION: ZERO
“
Schulte invests in safety because we care about our employees. We don’t want to see anyone get hurt, and we want everyone to go home to their families at the end of each day. Investing in safety is also part of good overall business management. It costs the company to have injured employees. Mission: Zero means that we have a world-class safety culture. It means our employees believe and act so that we have injury-free work sites and an incident-free company.
”
Greg Archibald President, Schulte Industries Ltd.
Join the Mission: Zero movement by signing the Saskatchewan Health & Safety Leadership Charter. Call 306.352.3810 or email info@safesask.com for more information.
[ SK INDUSTRY ]
A CLOSER LOOK AT “FRACKING”: Dispelling Misconceptions
BY PAUL HUBER
W
hen an industry practice such as hydraulic fracturing comes under public scrutiny, misconceptions are bound to arise. Engineers working within the industry are tired of the negative publicity and are looking for common sense discussion on the topic. They believe “fracking” represents innovation that brings a safer, more efficient and more environmentally-friendly method of oil and gas extraction. Fracking, the process of creating fractures in rocks and rock formations by injecting fluid into cracks to force them open and allow more oil and gas to flow out into the wellbore, has a long history in Saskatchewan. The process was first used in the early 1950s, and by the mid2000s, fracking of horizontal wells was underway, giving an increased viability to old and tired oil fields.
from the wellbore. Ed Dancsok, assistant deputy minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas at Saskatchewan’s Ministry of the Economy, elaborates, “Making sure wells and drilling strictly follow regulatory specs eliminates the threats of seepage.” Steel casing and cement with triple redundancy ensures the environmental integrity of these wells. Some jurisdictions allow storage of frac fluid in open pits, while Saskatchewan regulates that all flow-back fluids be captured in a fully closed loop system and disposed of through approved waste management facilities where the treated used fluid is either recycled or injected into deep subsurface formation to prevent surface and groundwater contamination.
Fracking has also been actively regulated in Saskatchewan for some time, protecting environmental standards and ensuring public safety. Current legislation pertaining to oil development includes The Oil and Gas Conservation Act, The Oil and Gas Conservation Regulations 2012, and the Saskatchewan Hydraulic Fracturing Fluids and Propping Agents Containment and Disposal Guidelines.
Cam Taylor, COO of Villanova 4 Oil Corporation, explains the corporate viewpoint for a properly regulated industry. “Oil development is very well regulated in places like Saskatchewan and Alberta with a long history of regulating drilling and fracturing. This regulatory framework allows the best safety practices learned over the years to become entrenched in the regulations. Any deviations from what is normal are extremely expensive for companies and usually result in a complete failure of the well, so companies themselves are very highly motivated to keep the entire frac product and energy contained within a thin zone way deep down.”
A key element of the legislation regulates the design and drilling of wells to eliminate any movement of fluid coming back up
Water usage threat posed by frac fluids is another outstanding concern. Ed Dancsok points out, “…in Saskatchewan
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Business AND INDUSTRY SOUTH SASK
the use of freshwater is closely regulated by the Saskatchewan Watershed Authority and Saskatchewan Water Corporation. Before an oil and gas company can use any freshwater in its development or productions operations, they must acquire an approval or permit from the aforementioned agencies.” The chemical additives, which make up less than one percent of total fluid volumes, are typical of those chemicals commonly used in household, cosmetic, medical and agricultural products. Water usage is minor for this industry in Saskatchewan; in fact, oil and gas water usage in Saskatchewan is minute compared to other sectors. Agriculture uses the majority of freshwater at approximately 67 per cent, communities about 21 per cent, mining at three per cent, thermal power production at two per cent, and oil and gas at approximately one per cent. Many companies point out there is huge economic incentive to manage water appropriately and avoid any risks to surface and ground water. Over the past 50 years, some 40,000 oil and gas wells have been hydraulically fractured in this province and no documented cases of impacts to freshwater have ever been recorded. Regulation and good industry practices are ongoing and evolving, helping to develop a successful provincial oil and gas sector.
1950s Hydraulic fracturing has been used in Saskatchewan since the early 1950s
FRESHWATER USAGE
67% 21% 6% 3% 2% 1%
AGRICULTURE COMMUNITIES MISCELLANEOUS MINING THERMAL POWER PRODUCTION OIL AND GAS
HANDS ON TRAINING IS VITAL FOR A COMPLETE LEARNING EXPERIENCE
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©2014, NCS Energy Services, LLC. All rights reserved. Multistage Unlimited and “Leave nothing behind.” are trademarks of NCS Energy Services, LLC. Patents pending.
Let’s talk Navigating the complex world of business technology can be a challenge. SaskTel can help you overcome these challenges by providing: • Insight through IT consultation • Strategies for systems implementation • Expert solutions to suit your unique business needs With world-class infrastructure and local Experts, SaskTel is committed to providing you quality end-to-end solutions for your business.
Insight. Strategy. Expert solutions.
sasktel.com/business
Your Life. Connected.™
We Are Your Solutions Provider SMS Equipment prides itself on diversity and customer support. We offer a broad range of products and services to meet your particular construction equipment needs. Whether you're in the market for intelligent Machine Control dozers and excavators for construction, large mining trucks (up to 360mt), shovels (up to 42cu/mtr), dozers (up to 1150hp) and loaders (up to 35cu/mt) for moving more material more efficiently, or the most productive log loaders, harvesters and feller-bunchers, SMS has you covered. Across Canada, SMS Equipment: • Strives to be the No. 1 equipment solution provider to our customers • Values safety — We work 'safe by choice, not by accident' • Handles the full line of Komatsu products and is one of their largest North American distributors • Supports Wirtgen, Vögele, Hamm, and Kleeman Crushers as the largest North American distributor • Sandvic Down Hole Blast Drills • Newly appointed FECON Brush Cutter dealer across Canada • Offers full parts and service capabilities • Has more than $100 million worth of parts inventory on hand
SMS Equipment’s branches in Saskatoon and Regina are two of 38 branches in Canada. Both of these offer fully qualified mechanics, specialized tooling, six full field service trucks and modern, up-to-date shops. The Saskatoon branch also has a full track shop capabilities for undercarriage re-builds and repair service. To augment Komatsu, Wirtgen and Fecon product lines SMS also specializes in: • Hensley Ground Engaging Tools (GET) • BND Safety Stands, Wheel Chocks, and Tire Manipulators • Rhino Quality Cutting Bits • Jetco Lighting Products • Cummins Engines parts and service • Cero Mine Lighting • Jadco Impact and Abrasion specialty products • Wright Tools • Black Cat Blades
For Further inFormation, please contact sms equipment
highway 1 east, north service road, regina | 306.359.3121 | sales: Dennis Kasdorf, clinton templeton, Wally andrews | smsequip.com
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Business AND INDUSTRY SOUTH SASK
rental SolutionS
the right solution. Right noW.
We’ve moved! Please visit our new Regina location on the corner of Albert Street North and Inland Drive.
saskatoon
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regina
2351 Albert St. N. 306.564.6464
kramer.ca
We provide customized courses that meet your trades, skills, and employment requirements. The Regina Trades and Skills Centre is industry driven, flexible, innovative and responsive to Regina and area employer needs for skilled workers. Custom training courses provide a basic understanding of tools and equipment used on the job, terminology, common safety issues and practices, and other components needed to prepare employees for the workplace.
1275 Albert St Regina 306.337.0533 www.rtsc.org
Ensuring our children see these images themselves
Safe Responsible Committed
1-888-8PLAINS
[ ENVIRONMENT ]
THE SPARKLE OF SASKATCHEWAN DIAMONDS BY SASKATCHEWAN RESEARCH COUNCIL (SRC) PHOTOS COURTESY SRC
W
hen people think of Saskatchewan, diamonds aren’t usually the first thing that comes to mind. Usually this hard-to-pronounce, harderto-spell province provokes images of endless skies with splashy sunsets and farmers leaning against red pickup trucks chewing on wheat stems. But, the Saskatchewan of today looks much different than the Saskatchewan of yore. And while the phenomenal sunsets and hardworking farmers are still here, this resource-rich province is growing, thriving and, yes, it has diamonds. What’s more, Saskatchewan actually has one of the world’s largest diamond laboratories. Smack in the middle of Canada, Saskatchewan is a major player in the global mining scene and is a great place for Saskatchewan Research Council (SRC) Geoanalytical Laboratories to call home. Its high-security diamond facility is located in Saskatoon and has services aimed at early exploration to advanced exploration and metallurgical testing. The diamond facility expanded in 2007 to much industry excitement and now boasts clients from numerous countries around the world, including South Africa, Botswana, Australia, Brazil and, of course, Canada.
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Business AND INDUSTRY SOUTH SASK
The lab has several different parts: there’s the heavy minerals circuit, which includes kimberlite indicator mineral recovery by heavy liquid separation, as well as a micro dense media separation plant for heavy mineral concentration. Recovery of kimberlite indicator minerals can provide clients with valuable information when targeting diamond deposits. This aids in grassroots exploration when looking for diamond deposits — one of the first steps in diamond exploration. The lab is high-capacity, so SRC is able to have quick turnaround times and dedicated service to make sure results are delivered on time. A total of 80 kilns are used to recover diamonds as small as 75 microns by caustic fusion. It’s made continuous improvements to the caustic fusion method for accuracy and efficiency, with internal quality control recovery rates greater than 97 per cent over a five-year average. Extracting micro-diamonds from the parent material is a laborious process. The material is loaded into large stainless steel crucibles filled with sodium hydroxide and heated to 550 C for two days. The host rock is dissolved, exposing diamonds that are then sieved to keep everything larger than a tenth of a millimetre.
Every recovered stone is assigned a globally unique identification number (GUID) for unmistakable reference. Diamond size distribution plots can also be attained with higher assurance using data as each diamond weight is cross-referenced to its sieve size to provide a check that all micro-diamonds are classified to their proper size class. All diamond weights are obtained using the most modern technology commercially available. Another aspect of the lab is mini-bulk sample processing and diamond recovery by X-ray and grease table. A fully indoor, highly secure, five tonnes per hour dense media separation plant gives SRC added capacity in producing concentrates from bulk samples for macro-diamond recovery. A high-pressure grinding roll (HPGR) recirculation circuit improves liberation potential, while at the same time minimizing diamond breakage. X-ray and grease table final recovery methods make certain the highest attainable recovery rates can be achieved. SRC hand-sorts all recovery concentrate in sealed glove box enclosures for added sample integrity and improved security. Recovered diamonds undergo microscopic documentation for size, weight, colour, clarity, crystal shape, and primary and secondary surface features. An extensive description can tell a fairly accurate story of how the diamond was formed and what kind of environment it evolved in. SRC often sees the diamonds from a new discovery for the first time after being locked up in the earth for billions of years. Descriptions can provide a preliminary idea of the quality of diamonds in the deposit.
Sustainability has been a trendy word in the last couple years. But it’s not just a word for SRC. It has scientists who have developed strategies to minimize its environmental impact, from equipment modifications to improved efficiency and also proper chemical waste recycling programs and practices.
Security is obviously a high priority for SRC; it’s dealing with diamonds, after all. A high level of security is maintained 24/7 through a series of physical, electronic and personal security measures. Safety is also a top priority. The facilities are purposely designed with best safety practices in mind. All of the processes used undergo regular reviews to evaluate safety practices and to make sure they meet or exceed the highest level of employee safety.
SRC offers a full spectrum of diamond exploration and mining services right here in Saskatchewan. Companies looking to streamline their laboratory services should consider Saskatchewan. If the dramatic sunsets and 100,000 lakes aren’t enough of a lure, then the innovative technologies and integrated services Saskatchewan offers are a significant incentive to pursue exploration here.
Business AND INDUSTRY SOUTH SASK
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[ FINANCE ]
THE STATUS QUO IS
DANGEROUS BY PHIL SYMCHYCH
Why did you start your business? What risks and challenges have you overcome to grow your business? Business isn’t about being safe; it’s about taking calculated risks and stacking the odds in your favor through courage, confidence, persistence and brute force!
B
ut that was yesterday. The most dangerous place in business today is thinking that tomorrow will be exactly like yesterday. At the very least, this might be a symptom of denial, and at the worst, psychosis.
A business is a living organism — like a tree, it wants to keep growing. It’s your job to feed it and make it stronger and more profitable. Here is a powerful framework to keep your business growing, based on my SME AdvisorSM model.
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First, it’s about your mindset. Are you playing to win (develop new products, obtain new customers, grow revenues) or are you playing not to lose (retain key accounts, reduce costs)? Mindset is about your business strategy. How are you proactively innovating your business and providing more value to your ideal customers? Uber, the upstart global taxi company, is rapidly gaining popularity because it integrates technology, clean cars, friendly drivers and ease of customer use. Next, it’s about marketing and attracting your ideal customers. In my experience, most new business comes from referrals. What is your referral strategy? Do you have a formal process and budget for referrals? The web is a powerful tool to do business with your customers 24/7 from anywhere, provide free value to your prospects, and build your credibility through your intellectual property and client testimonials. How are you using the web to grow your business? Just think how Amazon’s strategies could be applied to your business. Methodology is about how your internal procedures create value for your external
customers. This includes everything from administration and billing to sales, delivery and follow up. You need muscle; too much lean thinking can turn you into a wimp. You need courage and capital to deliver optimal value at higher margins. What can you learn from your favorite sports team with multiple plays to execute and score? Do you have multiple ways of delighting your customers? Monetizing is about turning your ideas, passion and value into cash. Cash flow comes from three factors: margin, volume of sales and velocity. Are you giving your customers different pricing options that maximize your margins and increase sales volumes? Are you offering incentives for early payment to increase velocity and provide fuel for growth? How can you turn your business into your own cash machine?
The most dangerous place in business is standing still while your competitors gain and your customers think you don’t care. Full speed ahead! Phil Symchych CA, MBA is the president of Symco & Co., author of Phil’s Profit Points, co-author of the upcoming book called The Business Wealth Builder and an expert in maximizing business valuation and wealth for closely-held businesses. For more information, go to www.symcoandco.com.
306.992.6177 Phil@symcoandco.com
It’s your role as the manager to keep everyone focused and aligned on maximizing value for your ideal customers while improving your profits. What key metrics show your true business performance, in real time? What information do your managers need to make better decisions, faster?
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EXPERT ADVICE ADVICE EXPERT
FINANCE Freezing Your Assets Off taxed in the hands of the beneficiary. Since an estate freeze requires you to give up future growth on the asset, estate freezes are usually done when you are comfortable with the value of your estate.
Sheldon Gray, CIM, CFP Director, Portfolio Manager
ScotiaMcLeod 305-3303 Hillsdale Street, Regina, SK 306.761.6512 www.thegrayteam.ca
W
ith the days getting shorter and temperature falling we thought it would be appropriate to write an article on the business ‘climate’ in Saskatchewan. Many local businesses have grown with the success Saskatchewan has experienced over the past business cycle and many business owners are considering transition planning. One of the strategies we work with our clients on is called an ‘estate freeze.’ Estate freezing is an effective method of minimizing the amount of tax you will pay upon your death. This is because the value of the asset (the business) will be frozen at the time of the estate freeze, resulting in the future growth being
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If you would like to retain control of the assets in your lifetime, a formal estate freeze can be used on a variety of assets, including a portfolio of investments, family business, or real estate holdings. This strategy involves setting up a corporation, or reorganizing an existing corporation. Here is an example: Let us assume Mr. Smith, age 60, has a daughter, Sarah, age 42. Mr. Smith is the sole owner of a small business corporation, XYZ Corp. XYZ Corp is currently worth $1 million and is expected to increase in value substantially over the next 10 years. Mr. Smith is comfortable with his current net worth and would like any increase in XYZ Corp shares to attribute to Sarah. To effectively transfer the future growth of XYZ Corp to Sarah the following steps need to be taken: 1. Mr. Smith exchanges his 1,000 shares of XYZ Corp common shares for 1,000 preferred voting shares with a redemption value of $1 million. These shares are retractable, meaning that at any time Mr. Smith is able to redeem his shares for cash (due to a special section in the income tax act,
this reorganization of shares does not trigger any tax consequences). 2. Sarah then subscribes for 100 common shares of XYZ Corp at a nominal value ($1/share). As a result of this corporate reorganization, any future growth of XYZ Corp will belong to Sarah, as she owns the common shares of the company. Tip: If the business owner would like to pass on the future growth of an asset to a number of beneficiaries, including minor children, a discretionary family trust could be used. A discretionary family trust would provide protection from the minor children mismanaging the shares and in addition allow the trustees to determine which beneficiaries get which assets and the timing of these distributions. It is very important that you speak to your professional advisors prior to undertaking an estate freeze. The Gray Team and their partners in law and accounting can help you determine what is ultimately appropriate for you. This article is intended as a general source of information and should not be considered as personal investment, tax or pension advice. We are not tax advisors and we recommend that individuals consult with their professional tax advisor before taking any action based upon the information found in this publication
THE WAY WE WORK: no.
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SECOND-GUESS OPPORTUNITY AND IT’S GONE.
Business banking is about a shared perspective. Being headquartered in the West has its advantages. We understand your industry and make timely decisions, locally. As a bank focused on entrepreneurs, we partner with you to find the solutions perfectly suited to your business financial needs. Learn more at cwbank.com
EXPERT ADVICE ADVICE
EXPERT
MISCONCEPTIONS OF BARTER 12 statements a year like any other bank account, and these reconcile exactly with all your invoices and receipts, just like your normal accounts. We can give advice for best practices, but at the end of the day we aren’t accountants, so please consult your tax professional.
“Cash is KING. I have gas and salaries to pay for.”
Dan Benesh Tradebank Regina dan.benesh@tradebank.ca 306.596.8502
H
ere at Tradebank, we live, sleep, eat and think barter all day and night. Yes, we dream of barter sometimes too. Here are a few of the most common misconceptions we run into about network trading on a daily basis:
“I could never join Tradebank. It’s illegal. What would the CRA think? Must be an accounting nightmare.” I can’t think of any franchise in operation for 20 years in Canada that is illegal. The CRA is entirely satisfied with our business practices. All of our barter is 100 per cent legal — invoices are exchanged and taxes are collected on all applicable sales. In fact, you simply get
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Exactly! This isn’t a myth and we couldn’t agree more. There are two ways to improve cash flow: 1) Make more cash. 2) Stop giving away so much cash. Tradebank helps with No. 2 (technically #1 as well sometimes, but that’s just an added perk). Unless your business is functioning at 110 per cent capacity with no downtime, and all of your inventory sells immediately, then barter can help improve your cash flow. If you are going to spend cash on printing, advertising, dining out, repairs/ renovations, bookkeeping, etc., would you rather spend your current cash, or pay for it using idle inventory, empty tables or gift cards? Before you spend your cash, think “TRADE” first.
“I tried trading before and had a bad experience.” Most people who try to barter on their own have mixed results. You end up not being able to trade as much as you’d like, not needing what the other person has, or feeling forced to take something you wouldn’t otherwise want. Worst-case scenario is you take an IOU and the other person goes out of business. In this regard, Tradebank more closely approximates the cash dollar than it does contra/trading. I need to make this concept the most clear: You do not need to trade directly with clients in a barter network. The purpose of a trading group is that your credits are good for anything within the network, and you can also tell your TRADEbroker to obtain things outside the Tradebank network as well. So what do you have to lose? You are always in control of how many or few TRADEdollars you take in. Give trading a try. Mention this article and get a bonus 500 TRADEdollars to test us out. You will be glad you did. Join 160 other locally owned and expanding businesses in Regina and Moose Jaw in B2B barter and make 2015 your best year yet.
POSURE MARKETING Holiday Gift Giving that Works for You
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214 4th Avenue East, Regina | toll free: 1.888.330.2080 | p: 306.781.4914 kpiper@xposuremarketing.ca | www.xposuremarketing.ca
[ LEGAL ]
Safety First: Changes to Saskatchewan’s Occupational Health and Safety Legislation
O
Ahmed A. Malik Associate, McKercher LLP Regina a.malik@mckercher.ca
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n April 29, 2014, Saskatchewan made sweeping changes to its labour and employment legislation. As part of the change, the old Occupational Health and Safety Act has been repealed, while The Occupational Health and Safety Regulations (“OHS Regulations”) remain in force and continue under the new Saskatchewan Employment Act. A number of significant changes have been made to the OHS Regulations. These
changes reflect an increased focus on safety, accountability and enforcement. The first major change has been in the enforcement of penalties under the OHS Regulations. Fines for OHS violations have been doubled. Under the new scheme, the maximum penalty for individuals who breach the legislation will now be $500,000 and for corporations the maximum will be $1.5 million.
In addition, the province has introduced a new enforcement mechanism for minor offences called the Summary Offence Ticket (“SOT”). The SOT system came into force as of July 1, 2014. Under this system, employers may be given fines between $250 and $1,000 for each violation. Tickets may be issued at the worksite by an OHS officer or sent by mail after an assessment by the officer. Any person or employer who receives a ticket has the right to challenge the ticket in court. Currently, there are 12 violations for which an SOT may be issued. In certain circumstances, employees may be fined for safety violations. Prior to issuing such a ticket, OHS officers will assess to make sure the employer has met its safety obligations and the fault for failing to comply lies with the employee. The second major change is the introduction of the concept of the “prime contractor” by reference in the OHS Regulations. It is anticipated detailed prime contractor regulations will come into force in early 2015.
Under the new regulations, worksites will be required to designate a prime contractor if: (i) there are 10 or more workers at the worksite under the direction of two or more employers; and (ii) the worksite is in a construction, forestry or oil and gas industry. By default, the project owner will be designated as the prime contractor. However, the project owner may designate a prime contractor by written agreement. The designation of prime contractor will carry certain responsibilities under the regulations, such as ensuring all employers have the requisite policies and procedures in place and employers and employees are informed about the hazards at the worksite. With these changes to the OHS Regulations, it has become even more important for employers to ensure they are complying with safety rules. It is recommended employers familiarize themselves with the OHS Regulations. If possible, employers should establish a safety committee, which is responsible for developing and enforcing the safety policies at the worksite. Similarly, employers should ensure the worksite’s safety policies are readily available for the employees and employees (and contractors) are educated on the site’s safety policies. Good preventive practices could help avoid expensive penalties. This article presents a summary of certain provisions of the OHS Regulations and does not constitute legal advice. Ahmed A. Malik is an associate in the Regina office of McKercher LLP with a general corporate/commercial practice. He has experience in commercial and secured transactions, mergers and acquisitions, construction law and corporate governance. He was assisted by Katherine S. Melnychuk, student at law at McKercher LLP in compiling this article.
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[ SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY ]
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What Amphibians Tell Us About Arsenic Levels in the Environment Scientists use synchrotron light to monitor mine-tailings site in Nova Scotia Courtesy Canadian Light sourCe Photos Courtesy Mike Parsons, geoLogiCaL survey of Canada
A
mphibians living in an old mine tailings site near Upper Seal Harbour, Nova Scotia, show high levels of arsenic after being tested using synchrotron light, leading scientists to believe these animals could be the canary in the coal mine for monitoring fresh water sites and understanding health concerns with arsenic in the environment. Groundwater arsenic contamination is an international health concern. Many countries including Bangladesh, India, Nepal and China are dealing with widespread contamination issues in their population. Canada is not immune to arsenic in our fresh water supply, so Dr. Iris Koch and a team of researchers from the Royal Military College of Canada (RMCC) and the Canadian Light Source (CLS) collected samples from two different species of frogs and toads, as well as water samples from the Nova Scotia site, to find out how arsenic is absorbed in the environment. The frog samples were tested using powerful X-rays at the CLS synchrotron in Saskatoon. The results were published in the Royal Society of Chemistry journal “Environmental Science: Processes & Impacts” by Koch and her colleagues.
She says the results of the research show the amphibians have very detectable levels of inorganic arsenic, a substance that is typically toxic, yet these animals appear to be relatively healthy. “We really don’t know if this is having an effect on the frogs or not,” said Koch. “We know the levels of inorganic arsenic are not enough to kill them, but whether this is affecting their hormone levels is another question altogether.” The biggest outcome of the research, said Koch, is understanding arsenic movement in the environment. According to the published article, the total arsenic concentration in the frogs from the contaminated site was significantly higher than samples taken from another location not near a mine tailings site. “At the end of the day, looking at a contaminated site like the one in Nova Scotia, we are interested in whether any of the arsenic in the soil and tailings gets into plants and animals. We can learn about what animals do with the arsenic in their bodies and this might be helpful in predicting how people might interact with the arsenic, if they were exposed to it.” Koch finds it interesting that frogs can live in an area with such high arsenic levels, and understanding how they are biologically coping will be the next step in her research. This could be key to helping human populations suffering from health-related issues due to arsenic contamination in the water supply. “We still don’t know how the arsenic is excreted or exactly how it’s changed in the body, so understanding how the amphibians are coping will be the next step.”
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[ INTERNATIONAL TRADE ]
$2 billion
since 2012, more than $2 billion in trade has been exchanged between canada and nigeria.
Nigeria CaNada Forum Forging Strong Partnerships By ToBie HainsTock PHoTos courTesy nigeria canada Forum
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ith a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of more than half a trillion dollars, Nigeria has exceeded South Africa as the largest economy on the African continent. This growth has established the country as one of Canada’s most strategic trading partners. According to Fred Olayele, CEO of the Nigeria Canada Forum (NCF), growth in such sectors as entertainment, financial services and IT has contributed to a jump in Nigeria’s GDP. “The economy is huge now and the GDP has grown to 58
Business AND INDUSTRY SOUTH SASK
about $510 million. With a population of approximately 170 million people and a seven per cent growth rate every year… one out of every six Africans is Nigerian. Nigeria also offers a high rate of return on your investment,” Olayele explains.
Canada and Nigeria: Creating New Partnerships
Trade relations between Canada and Nigeria have strengthened over the past few years. Since 2012, more than $2 billion in trade has been exchanged between the two countries. Olayele notes their many
similarities, adding that Nigeria needs Canada’s expertise and Canada needs Nigeria’s large market for exports. The number of Canadian companies doing business in Nigeria is on the increase. These larger companies are present in the country, helping develop infrastructure and moving the economy forward. “Both countries are really benefiting from the complementary relationship,” Olayele says. When looking at foreign investment, Olayele points out five important factors
PreVious Page ncF Board members and officers after a strategy session with the High commissioner of nigeria to canada, ambassador ojo maduekwe, in ottawa. ToP ncF welcomes canada’s minister of social development, the Honourable Jason kenney, to the 2013 nigeria-canada exchange series. midLe ncF Board members and officers with senator raynell andreychuk at the may 2014 annual stakeholders dinner. BoTTom Fred olayele, President/ceo of ncF
in building relations and understanding between the two nations. The Forum’s head office is located in Ottawa and includes offices in major cities in Canada and Nigeria. The NCF’s board of directors, advisory council and senior management team consists of highly experienced professionals who are leaders and experts in business, government, media, academia and civil society.
Nigeria Canada exchange Series
The NCF hosts an annual three-day event known as the Nigeria Canada Exchange Series (NCES) dedicated to strengthening cooperation between Canada and Nigeria in matters of the economy, business and public policy. “It [the NCES] is our flagship event and it brings together top executives, diplomats, government officials, business leaders, senior government and other leaders from Canada and Nigeria,” remarks Olayele. He also promotes the upcoming annual NCF Stakeholders Dinner set for May 2, 2015.
“When you look at the universities in Canada, you will find Nigerian students everywhere,” Olayele says. Many Nigerians are immigrating and satisfying the needs of the Canadian job market. “There are many Nigerian professionals located across Canada working in a variety of sectors such as health care, IT, government, academia and more,” he adds.
The Nigeria Canada Forum to consider: capital, technology, raw materials, the market, and return on investment. In terms of raw materials and agriculture, Nigeria has about 84 million hectares of land, of which 40 per cent can grow virtually anything. Relations in education and human resources are also well underway.
The motivation behind the NCF — an independent, non-partisan organization — is to transform ideas into action by facilitating and promoting the bilateral exchange of ideas, trade and investment between both countries to further their growth and development. Through functions, discussions and special events, the NCF provides a venue for many topics and action which, in turn, assists
Another NCF initiative is the emerging Canada Nigeria Link (CNL), the only business magazine dedicated to CanadaNigeria business relations. “CNL provides direct access to international investors, suppliers, senior business and political leaders in Canada, Nigeria and beyond,” Oaylele says.
gaining momentum
As Canada and Nigeria gain momentum on the global stage, it’s evident they can complement each other’s needs in many areas. Their strengthening partnership continues to benefit both countries. For more information about the NCF, to become a member or volunteer, visit the website. “We welcome members and volunteers from all backgrounds,” states Olayele. www.nigeriacanadaforum.org info@nigeriacanadaforum.org |
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[ PHILANTHROPY ]
LET’S HUDDLE UP:
COATS 4 KIDS
PHOTO COURTESY CLAYTON DIDIER PHOTOGRAPHY
They say great things come from humble beginnings. For CFL legend, Geroy Simon, a touch of greatness started with a September, 2013 text message to his friend, Nathan Elliott: “Let’s do a coat drive for kids.”
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lliott, founder of Insight Interactive, a Regina and Calgary-based multimedia agency, and his business partners Dwayne Melcher, Clayton Didier and Paul Drouin went to work. Video shoots featuring Simon and his teammates were the first orders of business. A new website quickly followed. Then, the Saskatchewan Roughriders secured a pregame coat drop off location at Mosaic Stadium — fittingly, on Thanksgiving weekend. Just like that, Geroy’s Coats 4 Kids was born. Rider Nation stepped up. The sight of thousands of fans hauling bags of coats to the stadium will not soon be forgotten. One committed fan literally gave the coat off his back in what would turn out to be a symbolic gesture. Within a few months, winter coats were on the backs of Saskatchewan’s deserving kids. Fast forward one year. Simon has retired from playing football — his two touchdown performance in the Grey Cup will be forever etched in the shared memory of Roughrider faithful. Now a member of the team’s front office, the CFL’s all-time leading receiver is building on the momentum of his inaugural campaign, which was the impetus for the creation of the Huddle Up Foundation and its mission to improve the lives of kids across North America by embracing the philanthropic visions of professional athletes. Huddle Up Foundation Chair Paul Drouin notes, “Geroy’s Coats 4 Kids will always be our flagship initiative, but we recognized the power of bringing multiple athletes together to affect positive change in the lives of kids.” Geroy’s Coats 4 Kids 2014 got off to quick a start at Mosaic Stadium in early October, where fans once again came out in droves to donate funds and winter coats. The event was also marked by a pre-game concert headlined by country music star Jason Blaine.
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This year’s drive pays homage to that unforgettable fan who gave the coat off his back last year. Simon and a number of Roughrider players have taken to social media using the hashtag #coatoffmyback encouraging people to share the story of the coats they are giving in a short YouTube video. “This time around we are on Mission Zero — no kid without a winter coat,” remarks Huddle Up board member Scott Love. To achieve this goal, the Huddle Up Foundation partnered with the Knights of Columbus to spread the initiative across the province. Geroy’s Coats 4 Kids has also seen businesses across the province invest in innovative ways. Funds from the campaign’s title sponsor, Co-op Refinery Complex, go to purchasing toque and mitt sets for kids in need. Cameco’s investment ensures kids in the province’s North receive warm winter clothing this winter. A sponsorship from Original Joe’s buys new coats for kids in each of the cities the restaurant operates. Executive Mat Service offered to clean every donated coat with its environmentally-friendly products. Tallman Geological Consulting Ltd. provided a sizeable donation to the cause. And, investment dollars from Agribition, IKS, Extreme Hockey, Phenomenome Discoveries, Western Litho Printers, Sleek Signs, Shermco Industries, SGI, Subway and Tesco will also fund coat programs province-wide. Finally, Jump.ca and the Dilawri Group of Companies stepped up to the plate, serving as drop-off locations for Geroy’s coats. Reflecting on the support the province has shown for his cause, Simon concludes, “Only in Saskatchewan would support of this magnitude be possible. Still, we must to continue to huddle up, as there is much more work to do.” For more information, please visit huddleupfoundation.org.
THANK YOU! TOGETHER WE RAISED 2.5 MILLION DOLLARS TO BUY URGENTLY NEEDED SURGICAL EQUIPMENT Thanks to everyone in southern Saskatchewan who gave to our Million-Dollar Match surgical campaign. And thanks to PotashCorp for matching one million dollars of your generous donations. Those donations will help our surgeons provide patients with the very best care. We couldn’t have done it without your support. To learn more, visit hrf.sk.ca
Welcome to York Executive Properties For your short or extended stays in Saskatoon, York Executive Properties offers a leading alternative to hotels. Whether temporarily assigned on business, or relocating and need a place to stay, you can feel at home away from home in a beautiful, contemporary suite in the heart of the city. York Executive Properties offers fully-furnished, spacious one or two bedroom suites featuring several amenities to ensure a comfortable stay, including: • • • • • •
fully equipped kitchen in-suite washer and dryer housekeeping services workspace with free Internet access and cable TV surface or underground parking fitness club access
Please contact us at 306.229.9098 for reservations or for more information on how York Executive Properties can help make your stay in Saskatoon an effortless and hassle-free experience.
York Executive Properties 306.229.9098 www.yorkexecutiveproperties.com
[ SASK LIFE ]
House Trade Built – Lockup Edition Construction is well underway for the House Trade Built project. In our last issue we explained the purpose of the project and all the work that was involved in getting us ready to build. In this issue, we’ll update you on the contractors we’ve worked with to get us up to lockup stage. In case you missed the last issue, we are bartering (trading) for every component required to build a house from foundation to finishes. Every company we are working with has local Regina ownership, so you can also be connected to the same companies that we use in your renovations or build, too. Supporting the local business community is of the utmost importance to us.
Update Our second “Trade For It” contest for a $500 gift card to the Rider Store was a smashing success. We had offers ranging from a vehicle, to Tupperware, to a closet organizing system, to cupcakes. In the end, our winner was a landscaping design service. We traded them the $500 Rider Store gift card in exchange for the landscape design service for the entire property. We’ll have more details once design is complete. Our next contest is on now, so visit us at www.tradebuilt.ca to make an offer. Trade what you don’t want for something you do want.
www.tradebuilt.ca |
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Lauren Benesh tradebuilt@tradebank.ca 306.530.6007
Excavation Phil from Bergen Excavating has been great to deal with. He has been very accommodating with our timelines and worked to fit us into his busy schedule. For all of your excavation and trenching needs, contact Bergen Excavating. You won’t be disappointed with his exceptional service.
Foundation We hired Brant and Geoffrey from Safrane Construction to do the concrete foundation and footings for House Trade Built. The city inspector came by a few times to inspect their work and made a point of phoning us just to tell us that everything was done in accordance with building codes and it all looked great so far. For all of your foundation, ICF, and concrete flatwork needs, contact Brant at Safrane Construction.
Framing We had a local framing company lined up for the past month, but with only a few weeks to go before framing was set to begin, he had to back out as he was unable to meet our winter lockup deadline. We immediately began our search for another, and that search came to an end when we met Manny from Limitless Construction. He has framed thousands of homes during his 15 years of experience across the country. From garages to whole homes, we felt in good hands with his services.
Roofing and Solar Panels
Sound Solar Systems Inc.
We have been working with Brooke and James from Sound Solar Systems for the past six months. They came highly recommended from another Tradebank member that we’ve worked with for years. We honestly love everything about what the company stands for and what they are trying to do to bring solar and clean energy technologies to Saskatchewan. Mention the House Trade Built project when contacting them to get a special deal! At the time of writing, we are still deciding between one of two great local roofing companies.
Windows Humphrey Window and Door supplied our windows and doors. The owner, Mike, loves the idea of everyone supporting their local community instead of the big box stores. Window and door technology has come a long way in the last 20 years. If you are in need of windows, contact Mike and his team for a quote.
Please Help Us! We are still looking for trading partners for the House Trade Built project. If you know a business in the following industries, please contact us: central vacuum, closet organizers, disposal bin rentals, garage doors, landscaping, kitchen, finish carpentry, furniture, home electronics, flooring, appliances, painting, concrete, fencing, HVAC, and more. If you are a part of a charity that would benefit from products or services, please let us know as we will be making some charitable donations along the way.
www.tradebuilt.ca |
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Sara Rosetown, Saskatchewan
What’s the opposite of a selfie? years
of nourishing human potential.
To us, it’s a picture of young people working selflessly to create a better world. This summer, PotashCorp sent Sara and 24 other high school students to a village in India, where they helped villagers grow more food and build a school to grow young minds. See their inspiring story at PotashCorp.com/nourish.
Photos: a4gpa/G. Moore Modified and used under CC BY-SA 2.0/CC BY 2.0
If you wouldn’t multitask on the back of a 400 kg bronco, why would you work behind the wheel of a 2 tonne truck? Be safe out there.