Business in Edmonton - July 2022

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MIKE’S MISSION PM42455512

A DOCTOR TOOK A CHANCE AND SAVED MIKE’S LIFE. NOW MIKE IS ON A MISSION TO SAVE OTHERS.

E DMONTON’S OFFICE AND INDUSTRIAL SPACE

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STORY TITLE // SECTION

Supporting the visions of entrepreneurs one story at a time.

Volume 10 | Number 7

REGULAR COLUMNS

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Another Alberta Boom

By John Liston

Community Partnerships are Good for Business

By Elan MacDonald

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UN’s Guterres on Wrong Track with Message to Students

By Cody Battershill

CONTENTS

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Edmonton Chamber of Commerce

COVER FEATURE

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Mike’s Mission A doctor took a chance and saved Mike’s life. Now Mike is on a mission to save others.

By Nerissa McNaughton

ON OUR COVER: ABOVE: MIKE HOUSE, MBA ICD.D, PRESIDENT & CEO OF THE STOLLERY CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL FOUNDATION. PHOTO SOURCE: LANA ZHANG

FIND US ONLINE! B US I N E SS I N E DMONTON.COM BUSINESS IN EDMONTON

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Supporting the visions of entrepreneurs one story at a time.

Volume 10 | Number 7

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CONTENTS THIS MONTH’S FEATURES

COMPANY PROFILES

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P aradise Carpets Celebrates 40 Years

CP Distributors

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dmonton’s Office and E Industrial Space Same sector, different trends

By John Hardy

Celebrates 60 Years

34 43 6

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REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS Cody Battershill John Liston Elan MacDonald

THIS ISSUE’S CONTRIBUTORS Nerissa McNaughton John Hardy

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ANOTHER ALBERTA BOOM // JOHN LISTON

Another Alberta Boom

BY JOHN LISTON, VICE PRESIDENT, ALBERTA ENTERPRISE GROUP

A

nother Boom in Alberta? Let’s remember the past with gratitude, live the present with enthusiasm and respect, and look forward to the future with optimism and hope.

I’ve had the pleasure of attending multiple events through the second quarter of 2022. It seems many organizations missed hosting events for the past two years and were making up for lost time before summer arrives. There seemed to be a conference or two every week. I’ve attended hydrogen conferences, artificial intelligence conferences, business club meetings and more in the Edmonton region. My general take away is that Alberta is well into an awakening to a new reality, and it feels great.

The energy and enthusiasm of our young brilliant capable population is contagious. They see Alberta as a land of opportunity – one they want to plant roots in, can live an affordable life in and aspire to find the elusive work-life balance.

The brilliance of the Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute (AMII) is a beacon for so many tech start-ups. The work of groups like StartupTNT and multiple others across Alberta is now producing the fruits of their efforts.

Twenty years ago, the Alberta government, and all Albertans, paid a very heavy price to get out of debt and set Alberta up to flourish. This extraordinary work through the late 1990s by the Klein conservatives created a strong financial picture that allowed visionary investment into concepts like the Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute. Twenty years later, AMII is among the best in the world.

The effort through the 1990s and the early 2000s was to reduce expenses and drive revenues to pay off debt. Paying interest on debt can be such a drain on a governments’ ability to invest in the future while paying for the past.

Many of the expenses were borne by our most expensive infrastructure pieces which was healthcare and education.

Much of the revenue was driven by our development of Alberta’s natural resources and the royalties that came as a result of that development.

When we see the new young tech boom that is so exciting and energizing, and the resulting diversification of our economy, it would be a mistake to forget about the link to our past that allowed it to happen. The stresses and strains the healthcare system and its people experienced in the mid 1990s were very challenging. The management of expenses within our education system were borne by both the teachers and administration.

It was necessary, but it wasn’t fun. That willingness of the Klein government to say “no” was based on a vision that short term pain would beget long term gain. Fiscal conservatism places limits and when you get to the limit you have to stop. It is no different in your businesses or your families. We define ourselves by what we are prepared to say “no” to.

When we see agritech, biotech, cleantech, aviation and logistics along with other incredible work coming out of our province, let’s remember the efforts of our resource development industries who drove incredible revenues into our provincial coffers which allowed the investments 20 years ago.

Another boom in Alberta? We have built a diverse economy in Alberta. Let’s celebrate it, develop it and respect it. But let’s keep in mind the past and its required sacrifice. Let us also remember that we are responsible to build a legacy for the generations which follow us.

Let’s remember the past with gratitude, live the present with enthusiasm and respect, and look forward to the future with optimism and hope. As John McCrae wrote: “To you from failing hands we throw the torch, be yours to hold it high.”

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BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // JULY 2022

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COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS ARE GOOD FOR BUSINESS // ELAN MACDONALD

Community Partnerships are Good for Business

BY ELAN MACDONALD, VP EXTERNAL RELATIONS, U OF A

T

his pandemic has presented a series of complex balancing acts for businesses, like when to open your doors or work from home and how to manage health regulations. For businesses especially, there is no doubt that over the past two years the scales tipped to create a digitally dependent world.

Digital platforms were important for small businesses before the pandemic, but now, “If you don’t have a digital platform, you may as well not exist,” says Heather Thomson, executive director of the U of A’s Centre for Cities and Communities and leader of the Digital Economy Program (DEP).

DEP is a free initiative that sees a team of U of A students help build the online presence of small businesses in the Edmonton area. That could be adding e-commerce, creating a social media plan or even designing a website. And thanks to partnerships with Business Link, Digital Main Street and the Alberta government, it will move more than 3,400 of Alberta’s small businesses into the digital world by April 2023, all while giving students real-world business experience.

Amid the enduring economic hardships of the pandemic, we can’t lose sight of these kinds of extraordinary community partnerships, which help businesses in the Edmonton region endure.

“The Edmonton Chamber of Commerce understands the power of partnering,” says Jeffrey Sundquist, president and CEO, Edmonton Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber saw this during the pandemic and worked to provide the Edmonton business community with critical supports. These helped people sustain their business while ensuring they followed restrictions and guidelines.

“From creating a ‘support local’ hub to providing rapid tests that allowed safe operations, we leveraged our partnerships

to ensure we reached as many organizations as we could,” says Sundquist.

Partnerships are more important now than ever before.

Many of the city’s organizations are still experiencing increased demands because of the pandemic and need the support of Edmonton’s local businesses and skilled professionals.

Your staff members’ talents and time could be part of the solution, as proven by some suggestions offered by the chamber. Volunteering, in even the smallest ways, makes a world of difference to a local organization. If you can’t offer hands-on help, consider giving the gift of business advice or mentorship. Even donating your leftover PPE and hand sanitizer makes an impact.

“Edmonton is a natural leader in partnering with community,” says Sundquist. “We’re stronger when we work together.”

My experience at the U of A underlines the importance of community connection. In 2018, the university spent a year consulting with around 250 organizations and more than 1,500 individuals to reimagine how we engage with the community. We learned a lot about how to create deeper, more meaningful partnerships, which is why we are releasing our Report to Community this summer. Like you, we will use the lessons we learned to strengthen our community connections. The result will strengthen both the U of A and our surrounding community.

In the end, we are all part of this community, and we are here for the long haul. Your partnerships will prove it, and your business and community of supporters will strengthen and grow because of your engagement.

ELAN MACDONALD IS PAST CHAIR OF THE EDMONTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND A FOUNDING DIRECTOR WITH EDMONTON GLOBAL. SHE ALSO SITS ON THE BOARDS OF COVENANT HEALTH, ATLAS BIOTECHNOLOGIES AND ALBERTA BALLET. SHE IS THE VICE-PRESIDENT (EXTERNAL RELATIONS) OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA. HER COLUMN APPEARS MONTHLY IN BUSINESS IN EDMONTON.

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UN’S GUTERRES ON WRONG TRACK WITH MESSAGE TO STUDENTS // CODY BATTERSHILL

UN’s Guterres on Wrong Track with Message to Students

BY CODY BATTERSHILL

S

ince the 1945 founding of the United Nations, Canada has played a key role in helping shape UN policy. Canadians have generally seen our longterm UN involvement as a smart way to advance our own strong commitments to multilateralism and international cooperation.

For the most part, it’s been a good forum for Canada because it’s provided us with some outsized influence beyond our middle-power status. The theory is that we’ll see benefits as we help advance other less advantaged nations.

But the theory breaks down when the UN decides to push a flawed narrative through its communications channels.

Take, for example, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ recent speech to Seton Hall University’s commencement ceremonies in New Jersey.

During the speech, Guterres said that “investing in fossil fuels is a dead end, economically and environmentally… My message to you is simple: Don’t work for climate-wreckers.

Use your talents to drive us toward a renewable future.”

Could the Secretary-General have gotten it more wrong?

I doubt it. Young people want a secure future for themselves and for their eventual families, communities and the global environment. Why wouldn’t they work in an industry that is the largest Canadian spender on environmental protection, clean tech and climate-related research and development?

has brought major disruptions to the global energy system (so) it’s clear to us that any immediate shortfalls in fossil fuel production from Russia will need to be replaced by production elsewhere – even in a world working towards net zero emissions by 2050.”

The IEA chief added that, on the production side, “the most suitable options for this are projects with short lead times and quick payback periods,” including “shale oil and gas which can be brought to market quickly, extending production from existing (oil and gas) fields, and making use of natural gas that is currently flared and vented.”

Similarly, the UK government has been warned of potential power cuts to as many as six million households this winter after models of a “reasonable” worst-case scenario predicted major gas shortages if Russia cuts off more supplies to the EU, according to The Times.

Allowing the Guterres point of view to win the day means the West, including Canada, will lose its future pool of energy workers within 20 or 30 years. Who does that help?

It helps other, less-regulated regimes that will inevitably step in and fill the energy supply gap.

If Russia’s illegal conflict in Ukraine has taught us anything, it’s that the world needs a broad, pragmatic, environmental and human rights-focussed approach to filling the energy shortfall.

And that means more Canadian oil and gas, not less.

The International Energy Agency’s (IEA’s) executive director Fatih Birol wrote recently that: “Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

CODY BATTERSHILL IS A CALGARY REALTOR AND FOUNDER / SPOKESPERSON FOR CANADAACTION.CA, A VOLUNTEER-INITIATED GROUP THAT SUPPORTS CANADIAN NATURAL RESOURCES SECTOR AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC BENEFITS THAT COME WITH IT.

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Edmonton Innovator Wins Award for First-of-its-Kind Cleantech Robot Submitted by Gail Bergman PR Nicolas Olmedo is on a mission to keep people safe by sending robots where no human should ever have to go: into the murky, muddy sludge of industrial mine tailing ponds and other hazardous terrains that need to be continually monitored. His ground-breaking work to develop intelligent robots capable of traversing mud, snow, ice or rock using screw-shaped pontoons has earned Olmedo a prestigious award from Mitacs, a national innovation organization that fosters growth by solving business challenges with research solutions from academic institutions.

In recognition of his efforts to advance the robots through his company, Copperstone Technologies Ltd., Olmedo was presented the Mitacs Outstanding Entrepreneur Award on June 2 at a ceremony in Montreal.

“It’s critical that industrial companies and mines continually monitor their waste areas, to measure their progress on environmental mitigation and remediation, yet the terrain involved is extremely dangerous,” said Olmedo, explaining that it’s like trying to move through thick, black honey, which makes travel with wheels, tracks and boat propellers impossible.

Even if floating excavators are used to carry a team of geotechnical experts out into the middle of a waste pond, the process is time-consuming, costly and there’s always the risk of getting stuck, meaning a backup crew must be on standby.

“We thought, instead of trying to send people, why aren’t we sending robots?” he added.

The company’s HELIX family of amphibious cleantech robots – which can be remotely controlled by a human or programmed to operate autonomously – use a patented combination of screw-propulsion and four-wheel drive technologies to float on water or scroll across any terrain, no matter how wet, muddy, snowy or sticky. At the same time, they’re equipped with state-of-the-art tools to collect mud or water samples and perform geotechnical measurements required to monitor environmental clean-up efforts.

HELIX robots can be purchased directly or contracted out as a robot-as-a-service, in which case Copperstone employees are responsible for deploying and operating

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them. In both instances, the machines are customized for each specific industrial application, including water surveys, water profiling, water and sediment sampling, geotechnical surveys, or assessing ice thickness, necessary to ensure the safety of ice roads in winter, for example.

Olmedo is one of five winners of the Mitacs Entrepreneur Award who are being recognized for their efforts to turn their research into an innovative business that impacts the lives of Canadians.

“Mitacs has been invaluable in helping to build my company, allowing me to keep connected to the best the university has to offer, as well as understanding and supporting my needs as an entrepreneur,” Olmedo said.

“Mitacs is committed to helping up-and-coming innovators through their entrepreneurial journey, and we’re extremely proud of the remarkable accomplishments of each of this year’s award winners,” said Mitacs CEO John Hepburn, adding that 20 per cent of Mitacs interns successfully turn their innovations into startups. “The success of our country’s entrepreneurs in commercializing ground-breaking innovations not only goes a long way in boosting Canada’s economic future, but also helps put Canada on the map as a research and innovation leader.”

22_1405_Business_in_EDM_JUL_CN Mod: May 19, 2022 10:48 AM Print: 05/31/22 page 1 v2.5

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U of A Rises in Latest QS Global University Rankings Source: www.ualberta.ca/news (folio)

The University of Alberta moved up 16 places to rank 110th among the best places in the world to pursue postsecondary education, according to the latest QS World University Rankings.

More than 1,400 institutions around the world were ranked in the 2023 QS rankings, placing the U of A in the top eight per cent globally and fourth in Canada.

“This ranking is something for our entire U of A community to celebrate,” says U of A president Bill Flanagan. “The fact that we are among the top eight per cent in the world – combined with other great showings in international rankings this year – is strong recognition of the tremendous work happening across the U of A.” The move up in the rankings comes with a boost in several important categories including academic reputation (up three spots to 139th), employer reputation (up 11 spots to 181st) and citations per faculty (up 20 spots to 237th). The U of A also jumped 21 spots in the faculty-student ratio category.

The International Research Network metric, which highlights

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the number of global research partnerships an institution is able to form, was the U of A’s highest category ranking (57th). This metric is not weighted in the final results.

In the categories that do count toward the final ranking, the most notable increase was in the international faculty ratio category, in which the U of A moved up 36 spots to 125th globally. This measure examines the attractiveness of the institution to academic staff around the world.

“These increases tell us that the U of A is regaining important ground in key metrics with international students, colleagues and employers,” says Flanagan. “These metrics are important as they reinforce our reputation as a place that attracts and nurtures talented people.”

The new QS rankings follow the U of A’s best ever showing in the Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) World University Rankings 2022-23, coming in 77th in the world among nearly 20,000 universities considered.

Additionally, the U of A climbed 53 spots to rank as the world’s 11th most sustainable university by the

OFF

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Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings in April 2022, highlighting the university’s leadership toward achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals for 2030.

The university also had a strong showing earlier this year in the QS World University Rankings

By Subject, in which QS ranks institutions globally in particular areas of study. The U of A was named best in Canada for nursing and petroleum engineering.

Also notable among the subject rankings were sports-related subjects (16th in the world), anatomy and physiology (21st), agriculture and forestry (74th), pharmacy and pharmacology (85th), education (87th), medicine (90th) and accounting and finance (95th), among others.

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The QS World University Rankings have been published since 2004 by QS Quacquarelli Symonds, a global higher education consultancy. QS takes six key criteria into account for the rankings – academic reputation (40 per cent weighting), employer reputation (10), facultystudent ratio (20), citations per faculty (20), international faculty ratio (5), and international students ratio (5).

QS analyzed 117.8 million recorded citations and 16.4 million recorded publications for this year’s ranking. There were a total of 124 new institutions entering to be considered, including three new entrants from Canada.

BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // JULY 2022

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MIKE’S MISSION // COVER

MIKE’S MISSION A DOCTOR TOOK A CHANCE AND SAVED MIKE’S LIFE. NOW MIKE IS ON A MISSION TO SAVE OTHERS.

BY NERISSA MCNAUGHTON

M

ike House, MBA ICD.D, president & CEO of the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation, was not supposed to live. At birth he suffered from craniosynostosis, a defect where the bones in the fetus’ skull fuse too early, leaving no room for the brain to grow. The surgery to correct the problem is risky with a high chance of death or disablement, and about a 10 per cent chance of success. Few doctors are willing to do the surgery, but House’s parents finally found one willing to take the risk to save their child.

“There’s also a one per cent chance of becoming a genius, but clearly that didn’t happen,” laughs House, “but I did beat the odds.”

Not only did he sail through the surgeries, he only suffered what he calls “a funny shaped head for awhile and a scar for life.”

He also came away with a burning passion for children’s health.

“Somebody decided I was worth taking a chance on and because of that, I have been able to realize my potential in life. My career aspirations have been focused on giving back and trying to maximize the time I have on this earth. I’m so appreciative of every moment. As a teen or young adult, you seldom think about your expiration date. When you are a kid in my position and have to think about it, well, that changes how you view the world.”

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While House had his surgeries and was recovering, events were underway to bring about the realization of the Stollery as we know it today. In 1978 the Northern Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation was formed to advocate for a children’s hospital in Edmonton. It was a long journey but in 2001, the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation came into being.

Mike talks about how his journey dovetailed with the progress on establishing the Foundation. “In 2002 I was sitting in my apartment talking to my wife. She asked, ‘what would be your dream job?’ I said, ‘running the Stollery Foundation.’ For the next 10 years I built up my skill set and my resume so when an opening occurred to be the president and CEO, I’d be ready to apply. In October I’ll celebrate my 10th year with the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation.”

His dream of giving back and helping to save lives had become a reality – and House is working hard to ensure that when he leaves the position, the Foundation continues to grow and fulfill its mission.

House says, “In this position it is a privilege to meet every family and every child. We never know what kind of impact they have in the lives of others. Some need a major transplant or have a chronic disease. Some children sadly pass away. No matter what happens, these kids leave an indelible impact on the world, and we want every child to get the best chance possible to realize their full potential. At the

MIKE’S MISSION // COVER

Foundation, it’s more than about raising money and giving back. It’s about helping people become the best version of themselves in the time they have, be it our patients, donors, partners, medical care teams or administrative staff.”

There are many things the average citizen does not realize about The Stollery; namely, its reach. The Stollery is the second largest children’s hospital in Canada, and it is the number one place in Western Canada for pediatric heart surgery and organ transplants for children and teens. The Stollery also has the largest catchment area of any children’s hospital in North America with patients and their family members often coming from as far as Vancouver, Winnipeg and Yellowknife. Patient care covers genetic disease, trauma, viral disease, mental health, cancer and more. While Edmontonians are used to associating the hospital with its location at the university, it is actually operating out of three sites, including the Stollery’s

79-bed Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) within the Royal Alexandra Hospital and the 6 unit NICU at the Sturgeon Community Hospital in St. Albert. The funds raised for the Stollery support all three locations.

It’s not just the patients who receive world-class care.

“The Foundation strives to do the extra things to help relieve stress on the families,” shares House. “We know the

ABOVE: MIKE HOUSE, MBA ICD.D, PRESIDENT & CEO OF THE STOLLERY CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL FOUNDATION. PHOTO SOURCE: LANA ZHANG

INSET: FIVE-MONTH-OLD HOUSE POST-SURGERY, 1967.

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MIKE’S MISSION // COVER

importance of doing the little things like providing parents with breakfast, finding phone chargers, etc. At the Stollery we take a full family approach to ensure that everyone is taken care of. The parents are there to advocate for their child’s health. We are there to support the child and their caregivers.”

Part of this support is seen in the many inclusive spaces catering to every culture and spiritual practice. A prayer chapel is available for all faiths. The healing garden with its celebration of earth, air, fire and water provides both a green space and safe space for those that draw spiritual strength from the elements. A labyrinth and indoor garden gazebo provide yet another place to rest in contemplation. The Kaw Kaw Koo Aboriginal Gathering Room allows families to come together for cultural ceremonies on site. The colourful, children’s themed witch tree outdoors offers a conical shape used by those that visualize and work with energy for spiritual healing. At the Stollery Children’s Hospital, the care fully embraces the patient, their families, their culture and their spiritual beliefs. A full spectrum approach has proved to be key in the physical and mental wellness of everyone that passes through the doors.

But it’s not enough. House and his team are determined to work with donors to fill the gaps still existing in the model of care.

“The next evolution is investing in a Stollery network of care, and it stems from the fact that children are best served close to their home, communities and parents,” explains House.

“Currently, 40 per cent of our patients come from outside Edmonton. With a network of care, instead of coming to a facility, the care operates around a central hub. Out of seven developed countries, Edmonton is the only city that does not have its own standalone children’s hospital. With the Stollery currently operating within an adult hospital setting at the University of Alberta Hospital, our goal is to ultimately convince our government to construct a purpose-built children’s hospital to serve northern Alberta and beyond.”

The vision for the dedicated children’s hospital space is to tie it into the University of Alberta for research, allow children across Western Canada to experience the highest level of care without leaving (where possible) their communities, and to correct a longstanding wrong – a lack of resources and programming for Indigenous and multicultural communities.

“When hospitals were designed in the 70s and built in the 80s, cultural programs were not built into the infrastructure or the programs. With the hub, we want to include this from the start,” says House.

The Stollery is not waiting for the hub to move swiftly and proactively on Indigenous programming.

“The Awasisak Indigenous Health Program at the Stollery is the first of its kind in North America,” says House. “We do not want Indigenous communities waiting until there is an emergency situation before seeking help. Awasisak strives to heal past trauma, build bridges and gain trust to improve the health status, outcomes and services for Indigenous infants, children, youth and their families who require tertiary neonatal, pediatric or outreach care. We ABOVE: MIKE HOUSE IS IN THE HOUSE! (TREE HOUSE, THAT IS) WITH SOME STOLLERY KIDS AT THE SPRING 2022 MIGHTY MILLIONS LOTTERY GRAND PRIZE SHOWHOME. PHOTO SOURCE: KAREY WOOD PHOTOGRAPHY

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MIKE’S MISSION // COVER

do this by actively including Indigenous communities as part of the health care team who speak Cree and Dene and work collaboratively for patient-focused solutions that are culturally safe and accessible.”

Awasisak has been in operation for five years and the success of the program continues to grow. Should a new children’s hospital come to fruition, this program, and many other innovative solutions, would be a part of the path forward.

“A needs assessment has been completed by Alberta Health Services to demonstrate the need for a standalone children’s hospital that focuses on mental and physical health,” says House.

“The provincial government is developing a business case to show where it’s best to break ground, and how much the facility will cost. At that point it will be up to the government to commit capital dollars. But to help with capital costs, and to speed the progress of the build, the Foundation will commit $250 million to the project. Once the hospital is complete, the Foundation would help support operating costs with a further $20-$30 million annually. We want this to be the most attractive philanthropic offer any government capital project could receive. The response from all parties has been good so far.”

At birth and as a child, children’s health care saved his life.

Now, House will never stop working to help as many children as possible reach their fullest potential, no matter how many, or few, years they are given.

“Kids are the most complex patients,” he says. “Some don’t walk.

Some don’t talk. They come in all shapes and sizes – as small as your cell phone and as big as a professional athlete – and they are constantly changing and growing between appointments over decades of time. They come with caregivers breaking under the stress of the situation. They come with problems that can turn into lifelong conditions due to obesity, organ failure, even a lack of flexibility. The Stollery is here to intervene on all levels. We see the full picture, from how a child’s health and circumstances (poverty, homelessness, victims of racism and/ or crime) all affect their outcomes – both physical and mental.

Full spectrum intervention at the beginning of a child’s life has a profound effect on their future.”

He continues, “Some circumstances are beyond our control.

But we never stop moving, growing or achieving in what we can do for our patients and their families.”

The commitment of House and the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation has not gone unnoticed. Recently House was recognized as the Network Person of the Year among the 170 children’s hospital foundations that make up the Children’s Miracle Network. In early 2022, House was a YPO Global Impact Award Honoree representing Canada.

Since 1950 YPO has shared the vision of extraordinary CEOs. On an annual basis, YPO recognizes some of the most impactful work coming from its members around the world with the Global Impact Award. House was humbled by the recognition that took into account his professional fundraising for 25 years; his work in the charitable sectors of health, social service, art and education; raising more than 300 million US dollars for charity over the course of his career and his 2019 trip to Africa where he and several other community leaders climbed Mount Kilimanjaro to raise funds for the Stollery.

ABOVE: WHEN HE’S NOT CHANGING LIVES OUTSIDE OF WORK, HE CONTINUES TO CHANGE HIS OWN. MAINTAINING BALANCE MEANS TAPPING INTO HIS CREATIVE SIDE.

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JULY 2022 // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM

MIKE’S MISSION // COVER

HOUSE CONCLUDES, “IN A LOT OF WAYS THE STOLLERY IS A REPRESENTATION OF HOW AMAZING THE CITY IS; JUST THIS LITTLE CITY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PRAIRIE PROVINCES THAT HAS THIS INCREDIBLE FACILITY AND POTENTIAL. House is adamant, “The success is not a ‘me’ thing. It’s a ‘we’ thing. It’s not about me. It’s about elevating children’s health in Edmonton in ways unlike anywhere else in the world.”’

When he’s not changing lives outside of work, he continues to change his own. Maintaining balance means tapping into his creative side.

“I have always had a creative side, whether it’s through pottery, painting or carving soapstone,” smiles House. “On my last birthday I got to spend time with local artist Giselle Denis and paint alongside of her. I’m proud of my painting from that experience. I also grew up playing sports and I am an avid golfer.”

House has heartfelt thanks for a long list of people that have heavily influenced him, his career and the Stollery.

“There are 100,000+ people in our community who make a difference and make the Stollery what it is, along with medical professionals, families and researchers, rural and general practitioners. I also thank the board of directors who have believed in me for 10 years. I’m grateful to be able to work with Alberta Health Services and our government, and for my amazing family – my wife, daughters and extended Stollery family. I thank my parents too…I want to thank everyone I know!”

TOP: STOLLERY KID PORTER WITH PARENTS CRAIG AND CORINE STANLEY OF ONOWAY, AND HOUSE AT THE FOUNDATION’S 2018 AMBASSADORS RECEPTION. 2-4: HOUSE ENJOYING SOME GAMING AT THE FOUNDATION’S 2019 SNOWFLAKE GALA IN SUPPORT OF STOLLERY KIDS.

House concludes, “In a lot of ways the Stollery is a representation of how amazing the city is; just this little city in the middle of the prairie provinces that has this incredible facility and potential. The Stollery is such a big part in giving children a great quality of life. We should all be proud of what we accomplish together and when the new hub is (hopefully) completed, there will be a network through the Stollery so some children won’t have to leave their community to experience this outstanding level of care. To me, that would be a career highlight. We’re working on it.”

BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // JULY 2022

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Did you accept Visa or Mastercard credit cards between March 23, 2001 and September 2, 2021?

If so, apply now to receive money from class action settlements WHAT IS A CLASS ACTION? A class action is a lawsuit filed by one person on behalf of a large group of people with the same legal claims.

WHAT IS THIS CLASS ACTION ABOUT? Class actions were started in Canada claiming certain banks and Visa and Mastercard conspired to set higher interchange fees and to impose rules restricting merchants’ ability to surcharge or refuse higher cost Visa and Mastercard credit cards. Interchange fees are charges that merchants have to pay in order to accept Visa and Mastercard credit cards.

Settlements totaling CDN$131 million in net compensation were reached with Capital One, Citigroup, Bank of America, Desjardins, National Bank, Visa, Mastercard, CIBC, Royal Bank, Bank of Montreal, TD Bank, and Bank of Nova Scotia.

The settlements have received court approval. The settlements are a compromise of disputed claims and are not admissions of liability.

If you are a large merchant (your average yearly revenue is over $20 million), you are eligible to receive $250 for each year that you accepted Visa or Mastercard credit cards. Large merchants must provide proof that they had at least one agreement with an acquirer (also known as a payment processor) since March 23, 2001.

To be eligible to receive more than $250 per year, large merchants must provide documents showing credit card sales volume or payment of interchange fees.

Large merchant claims made with documentary proof will be paid proportionally relative to the value of all approved large merchant claims.

Visit www.creditcardsettlements.ca for more information.

HOW DO I MAKE A CLAIM TO GET A PAYMENT? Claims can be submitted online at www.creditcardsettlements.ca. If you do not have internet access, call the Claims Administrator at 1 (877) 283-6548.

WHAT IS THE DEADLINE TO MAKE A CLAIM?

CAN I RECEIVE MONEY?

Claims must be made no later than You are eligible to receive money if you accepted Visa September 30, 2022. or Mastercard credit cards between March 23, 2001 WHEN WILL I GET MY MONEY? and September 2, 2021.

Accurate processing takes time. Depending on the HOW MUCH MONEY WILL I GET? number of claims filed, it could be up to one year The settlement funds (plus any costs awards and before you receive compensation. Please check accrued interest and less approved fees and expenses) www.creditcardsettlements.ca for regular updates. are available for distribution to eligible claimants.

CAN I APPLY A SURCHARGE? Subject to further orders from the courts: In addition to money, the class actions also secured If you are a small merchant (your average yearly the ability for merchants to apply a surcharge when revenue is under $5 million), you are eligible to receive accepting credit cards. The rules affecting surcharging $30 for each year that you accepted Visa or Mastercard are set to change in October 2022. You cannot impose credit cards. Small merchants do not need to provide surcharges before October 2022. For details of how any documents proving payment of interchange fees. and when you can implement surcharges, check for If you are a medium merchant (your average yearly updates on www.creditcardsettlements.ca. revenue is $5 million to $20 million), you are eligible WHO ARE THE LAWYERS? to receive $250 for each year that you accepted Visa or Mastercard credit cards. Medium merchants must You are represented by: Camp Fiorante Matthews provide proof that they had at least one agreement Mogerman LLP (Vancouver, BC), Branch MacMaster with an acquirer (also known as a payment processor) LLP (Vancouver, BC) and Consumer Law Group since March 23, 2001.

(Montréal, QC).

Questions? Visit www.creditcardsettlements.ca, Email info@CreditCardSettlements.ca or call 1 (877) 283-6548

2022 Board of Directors Board Executive

Chair: Dennis R. Schmidt Principal, ALTURA Legal Advisory

A Snapshot of the Chamber’s Spring Event Lineup

Vice-Chair: Haydar Al Dahhan President and CEO, Design Works Engineering

Catch up on the latest highlights from our notable events hosted in the second quarter of 2022.

Secretary-Treasurer: Jason Pincock CEO, DynaLIFE Medical Labs

Jeffrey Sundquist, President & CEO

Past Chair: Elan MacDonald Vice President (External Relations), University of Alberta Jeffrey Sundquist President & CEO, Edmonton Chamber and World Trade Centre Edmonton

Board Directors Nicole Bird Owner, Rsvp Design Inc.

Aziz Bootwala Managing Principal, Edmonton, Vice President, Business Development, Kasian Architecture Interior Design and Planning Ltd.

I

t’s been a busy six weeks for the Edmonton Chamber! We’ve hosted a variety of noteworthy, educational, and networking events for our business community. These opportunities have given our local leaders and political figures an opportunity to connect with our business community and provide ample networking to those looking to make new connections and stay informed as our policies and economic forecast continuously evolves in the Edmonton Metropolitan Region.

Canada’s Economic Outlook with Hon. Randy Boissonnault, presented by Air Canada The Hon. Randy Boissonnault joined us on April 22 for a keynote presentation where he touched on how Canada is set to be a leader in revolutionizing energy production, tackling affordability, meeting climate goals, and promoting our number two export – tourism.

Nathan Carter Vice President, Projects and Construction, ATCO Energy Solutions Jonathan Gallo Managing Partner, Gallo LLP Chartered Professional Accountants Sandy Jacobson Vice President, Richardson Executive Search Sam Kemble Chief Operating Officer, Workforce Delivery Inc. Annemarie Petrov President and CEO, Francis Winspear Centre for Music Amir Shami President and CEO, Rotaflow Celia Wanderley Chief Customer Officer and Head of AltaML Invent, AltaML

Edmonton Chamber Executive Cadence Bergman Director, Policy

Alexandra Hryciw Director, Strategy and External Affairs Bobbi Elliott Executive Director, Finance and Operations Amin Samji Director, Member Services

Contact

Edmonton Chamber of Commerce #600 World Trade Centre 9990 Jasper Ave, Edmonton, AB T5J 1P7 T: 780.426.4620 | F: 780.424.7946 edmontonchamber.com

Share your thoughts on business issues with the Edmonton Chamber at policy@edmontonchamber.com

A Conversation with the Minister of Natural Resources, Hon. Jonathan Wilkinson, presented by Capital Power On April 26, Minister Wilkinson spoke about how critical minerals, clean hydrogen, and renewable energy can drive economic growth and create thousands of jobs. He also added that getting to net zero by 2050 will provide significant economic opportunities for every region of Canada, with vast opportunities right here in Edmonton.

2022 Chamber Ball, presented by Servus Credit Union Our signature event – Chamber Ball – made its return on April 30 as we shared the evening with various Edmonton Metropolitan Region business community members and leaders.

We also celebrated various organizations on their accomplishments and positive impacts made to our community. Visit our website to learn more about our award winners. Plus, if you attended the event make sure to check out the online photo gallery available.

BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // JULY 2022

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2022 Mayor’s State of the City, presented

by EPCOR Mayor Sohi delivered his inaugural State of the City address back on May 10, where he spoke about the importance of building an Edmonton for everyone.

Sohi noted, “I know that by implementing our economic action plan, fast-tracking our reconciliation strategies, investing in a wholistic childcare strategy, surpassing our affordable and supportive housing goals, boosting our creative economy, and leading the world in clean energy and sustainable development, we can help all Edmontonians thrive as we emerge from these difficult years.”

A Conversation with Rachel Notley, Leader of the Official Opposition, presented by GT & Company

SOCIAL MEMBERSHIPS & EVENT HOSTING

Glendale Golf & Country Club

A Treasured Place that fosters community and enriches lives.

Join us poolside this season!

Contact our Communications and Memberships Manager Alix Evans at aevans@theglendale.com for more details!

www.theglendale.com

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JULY 2022 // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM

On May 31, Rachel Notley spoke about her vision for Edmonton’s role in economic recovery through creating more jobs, managing labour shortages and addressing the growing inequalities of our community.

It’s been a pleasure to reconnect in-person with our growing business community. As we head into the summer months, your Chamber team will be in planning mode to ensure we have a wide variety of networking, educational and policy related events in the fall and into the new year. I’d like to thank our Edmonton Chamber of Commerce team for their hard work and dedication these past few months.

Stay tuned to our social media channels to learn more about what we have planned for you in the coming months. And, be sure to enjoy a bite to eat on one of Edmonton’s great patios, take in a festival, visit our different farmers markets, get out and enjoy the river valley – this is summer in Edmonton!

SYC Brewing, Edmonton Alberta

Here for the passionate and dedicated.

As a member, you have a range of resources, discounts, and networking opportunities to help you do what you love.

Discover for yourself at edmontonchamber.com

KSM Mortgages - A division of Dominion Lending Centres Mortgages Member Profile Kim Schmidt, Mortgage Broker www.ksmmortgages.ca What’s your story?

Before becoming a broker, like many people when renewing our mortgage, we went to a broker and found a great interest rate. We signed on the dotted line and thought nothing of it. At the time we had planned to buy our first rental property in 3 ½ years. When the time came, I called our current lender to get the process started, only to be told it was not possible.

We had a great rate on our mortgage, but it came with many clauses. The biggest one being that it wasn’t even portable. My husband is a military member, and we could have been posted at any time, so breaking our mortgage would have cost us a fortune. Not one to accept no, I called every lender and broker I could until one broker finally helped us make it work with just a tweak here and there. I knew there had to be a better way to educate people about this industry, so I decided to become a broker who has been determined to make sure I knew my client’s story, and their short- and long-term goals when finding them a great mortgage.

What do you enjoy most about being a member of the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce?

I enjoy the opportunity to connect with other members in our community. The diverse network of members gives me a chance to interact with professionals from various industries who I can learn from to help me grow my own business.

What is one thing people are surprised to learn about your business?

There is so much more to a good mortgage than a low interest rate. The easiest measure of mortgage “victory” seems to be the interest rate we are offered. But everyone’s lifestyle, goals and dreams are unique. Your mortgage should be too. Many of those extra low-rate mortgages have a lot of clauses in them that surprise people if (and when) they break their mortgage term. As a mortgage broker, I do so much more than just shop for a great rate.

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JULY 2022 // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM

Award-winning Edmonton Mortgage Associate, Kim Schmidt.

I make sure I know what your short and longterm plans are and help find a mortgage that will fit within those plans.

Who is your ideal client?

I love working with people who have been previously turned down for a mortgage or have simply been told no by their bank or even other mortgage brokers. Turning that no, into an “approved” or setting clients up for success to be able to get to hear “approved” makes my day.

What has been your biggest challenge in business, and how did you overcome it?

Getting my name out there to the public has been difficult, as some people think going with their bank may still be their best option.

However, I continue to be dedicated to making sure people know how many different mortgage options are available and that their mortgage should fit their lives and unique needs.

What is your favourite thing to do in Edmonton?

Strolling through the River valley. We live in such a beautiful city.

If you could make one substantial improvement to Edmonton’s business environment, what would it be?

For more locally owned businesses to find new and innovative ways to support each other.

EDMONTON’S OFFICE AND INDUSTRIAL SPACE // COMMERCIAL LEASING

EDMONTON’S OFFICE AND INDUSTRIAL SPACE SAME SECTOR, DIFFERENT TRENDS

BY JOHN HARDY

E

dmonton’s commercial real estate. Same sector.

Different dynamics, issues and factors. Different trends. Different results. Downtown office vacancy rates remain high, while the city’s industrial market is red hot with low vacancies, according to recent CBRE’s quarterly report. As with many other Edmonton-based businesses, analysts and insiders suggest that – while the two COVID years took their toll in many aspects of Edmonton business – in mid-2022 and planning for 2023, putting too much blame on COVID is getting lame and stale. As benchmarks, maybe, but not excuses.

In Edmonton, as in most of Canada’s major commercial markets like Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, Calgary and Vancouver, the commercial real estate’s industrial sector has been very active.

A comparison of Edmonton stats with national averages tells the story: • Edmonton – office space: vacancy 21.3%, absorption 91,104SF • National – office space: vacancy 16.3%, absorption 189,242SF • Edmonton – industrial space: vacancy 3.9%, absorption 1,871,192SF • National – industrial space: vacancy 4.6%, absorption 863,902SF “Last year, Edmonton’s industrial market finished the year with 2.1 million square feet of positive net absorption, the highest quarterly level since the third

BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // JULY 2022

29

EDMONTON’S OFFICE AND INDUSTRIAL SPACE // COMMERCIAL LEASING

quarter of 2013,” notes David Young, executive vice president and managing director of CBRE Edmonton.

“The overall availability rate dropped 1.4 per cent in fourth quarter of 2021 to 7.0 per cent, mainly due to significant leasing activity in the northwest submarket.

As newer warehouses continue to be built and brought into the market, tenants in older buildings are expected to shift to the newer buildings. Class B vacancies are expected to increase. Rates are expected to increase with rising construction costs for the newer builds.

“Limited industrial product for larger users will continue to put upward pressure on rental rates. It’s a fact! Edmonton’s office rents have remained flat but industrial rents have increased,” he notes.

“We expect that this will continue into the near future. There is a flight to quality and it shows in the AA vacancy being considerably lower than the overall market. B buildings must compete on rates. Rising construction costs have started to push industrial rental rates and this will continue. Limited vacancy and availability will make renewal probabilities higher with continued rental rate growth.”

Young explains that the Edmonton office market is starting to see return-to-office plans unfold and tenants are still trying to get a feel for what the office will look like, in terms of the new normal of how much space and how the space is best and most efficiently configured.

“Our challenge in the industrial market is just pure supply.

There’s not a lot,” he says. “Our industrial market is doing well due to the fact the region is witnessing continued investment. The hydrogen initiative along with investment in carbon capture technology is bringing global investors to our city.” Young points out the example of that shortage of land in the GVR market is also pushing tenants to the Alberta market. He expects the trends to continue.

Edmonton development is also on the rise, with a seven-year high of 4.6 million square feet of space under construction. Major projects include Panattoni’s 545,000-square-foot building in the northwest, the Monarch and Discovery Business Parks in Nisku-Leduc, and the 2.9-million-square-foot Amazon fulfillment centre in Highlands Business Park.

“LIMITED INDUSTRIAL PRODUCT FOR LARGER USERS WILL CONTINUE TO PUT UPWARD PRESSURE ON RENTAL RATES. IT’S A FACT! EDMONTON’S OFFICE RENTS HAVE REMAINED FLAT BUT INDUSTRIAL RENTS HAVE INCREASED,” NOTES YOUNG. “Although it will not be official and open until 2025, the Canadian Western Bank will have a new tower in ICE District and be the anchor tenant, occupying 200,000 square feet.

When the building is ready, they will vacate approximately 150,000 square feet from the current Canadian Western Bank Place.”

Richard Darling, managing director of Colliers’ Edmonton office, also suggests definite trends, at least for Edmonton industrial space. “There is very much a spill-over-effect due to an increase in demand from other major markets with higher costs, tighter markets and lower vacancy. Edmonton rental rates are increasing as the supply of available properties decrease and demand keeps growing. He highlights some examples of Edmonton’s hot industrial market and notes that Edmonton currently has 4,729,413 (4.7 million) square

ABOVE: DAVID YOUNG, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND MANAGING DIRECTOR OF CBRE EDMONTON.

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JULY 2022 // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM

Connect to your Customers

at one of our high-quality groceryanchored shopping centres.

LEASING OPPORTUNITIES IN Calgary & Area Edmonton & Area Red Deer Greater Vancouver Winnipeg

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EDMONTON’S OFFICE AND INDUSTRIAL SPACE // COMMERCIAL LEASING

feet of industrial space under construction. “Like the 2.91 million square feet in the new five-storey Amazon building in Acheson; more construction projects are continuously being announced due to the high demand for industrial warehousing and distribution space,” he says.

Edmonton’s industrial market is doing better than the downtown office market. Richard Darling emphasizes that “low vacancies and high demand are signaling to developers that more supply is needed. When it comes to industrial space, there is 762,194 SF of new supply expected in the next six months. There’s a significant demand for shop space due to rising WTI crude oil prices. Low downtown office occupancy results in a negative outlook by tenants on the office market and leads to an expectation of lower rental rates or higher incentives.”

Reduced activity in small to mid-size users and taking longer to test out new return-to-work options and strategies has maintained lower than normal activity levels in the core.

“The Alberta Government transitioned back-to-office in April,” he says. “It paved the way for businesses to start making decisions regarding their own office space.

Edmonton landlords are aware that tenants are beginning to make longer-term decisions with the removal of mandatory WFH (work-from-home) trends.”

Darling predicts that, over the next few months, there will likely be a decrease in subleases on the market as businesses transition back to the office.

“Landlords could potentially implement creative rent structures for third party users who provide retail/services to tenants in their building. An increase in the number of Edmonton residents downtown, such as new multi-family developments, will help increase the number of people who want to work near where they live.”

With much Edmonton expertise, Darling emphasizes that adding and improving office building amenities – like fitness, social lounges, other creative spaces – to provide a similar work/life balance to WFH may be in-demand features.

“Those along with other possibilities of employee wants and must-haves. Quirky or not, features like a decrease in monthly downtown parking rates. After not paying $200 -

DARLING PREDICTS THAT, OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS, THERE WILL LIKELY BE A DECREASE IN SUBLEASES ON THE MARKET AS BUSINESSES TRANSITION BACK TO THE OFFICE. $300 monthly for two years, parking costs could be reduced to reflect demand, since these haven’t come down since the onset of the pandemic and have been a bit of a deterrent for staff retuning to the office. Also consider health, safety and wellness components in buildings, like good air circulation and light penetration. No doubt about it. It’s a chicken and egg situation in which the more people that come downtown, the more vibrant downtown becomes, and the more people are enticed to return.”

Young underscores that, compounded with the economy, the new normals of the workplace and new hybrid WFH routines, Edmonton landlords are now dealing with tricky and competitive rates. “I think a lot of big tenants are getting back into the office right now as it relates to trying to build culture, trying to coordinate training, etc. It’s kind of hard to do some of those things when you’re not with your team.”

He concludes, “For the balance of the year, and likely the first half of 2023, the winner will continue to be the industrial sector given our location in Western Canada, our access to roadways, railways and population. I’m looking for big things in the industrial market this year.”

ABOVE: RICHARD DARLING, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF COLLIERS’ EDMONTON OFFICE.

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Vail McColman, Megan Smyth and Laine McColman.

FROM OUR FAMILY TO YOURS Paradise Carpets Celebrates 40 Years

By Nerissa McNaughton with photos by Rebecca Lippiatt

P

aradise Carpets, a proud locally owned and operated family business, is pleased to offer an incredible selection of carpet, tile, hardwood and other sought after flooring options to the residential housing market, as well as the commercial and retail renovation space. In addition to an impressive showroom, Paradise Carpets offers

in-house design consultation and a highly qualified team of sales and installation specialists along with a comprehensive after sales service team. Expert product knowledge combined with a wide range of experience in all types of flooring applications and friendly service make this south side destination a true customers’ oasis.

Paradise Carpets || Celebrates 40 years

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The company was founded 40 years ago by Ernie McColman who had built up over 10 years of experience working his way through the ’70s from the shipping dock to department store sales at Simpson Sears, eventually becoming VP of a renowned local carpet store. Always striving to be self sufficient and build something for his family and the next generation, his dream came to fruition as he and his wife established Paradise Carpets as a leading provider of flooring sales and service throughout the greater Edmonton area. After stepping away from the helm in 2012, his legacy has now been passed into the capable hands of his children Laine McColman, Vail McColman and Megan Smyth.

“Our Dad founded the company in 1982 and along with our stepmom Marilyn, steadily built a solid reputation in the builder and retail market for 20 years,” explains Vail. “Dad was the engine and Marilyn was the steering wheel. Together they built a strong vehicle with a clear path for us to follow.”

With the outward growth of the company ever expanding, it was time to start growing internally; what better place to recruit from than within your own family?”

Vail continues, “My sister joined the organization in 2001, myself a year later and my brother the year after that. Of course, there was never any guarantee it was going to work out as well as it has.” Megan came from hospitality, Laine had a strong retail sales background and Vail was in construction. “There are 14 years between us siblings so we each have different strengths and perspectives, which I think has really helped us grow into a solid unit,” adds Laine. “We even have some of the third generation dipping their toes in the water and considering this path as a tradition to carry on.”

Despite the transitions in the company over time, a few things have never changed: the commitment to customer service, the family values that infuse every interaction between the team and its clients and vendors, and the focus on providing an outstanding selection of products. From the fully stocked, high-end showroom, which is meticulously maintained and organized, to the after sales services that Paradise Carpets prides itself on, the love of the craft is evident in every step.

Making amazing lives happen is easier on Paradise Carpets.

Happy 40th Anniversary!

While their wide array of products is sourced globally, a Canadian focus and foundation has been beneficial during the supply chain and transportation logistics problems caused by COVID since 2020. Shipping and sourcing continue to be challenging for the company, as they do for most small businesses, but thanks to strong supplier relationships locally and abroad there are still plenty of readily available flooring products on the Paradise Carpets sales floor.

Paradise Carpets || Celebrates 40 years || 2

Megan says, “Part of Paradise Carpets’ success is due to the depth of experience in our company.

Between the three of us we have nearly 70 years of combined experience – and that number obviously grows when you include our parents’ wealth of knowledge. We know and understand all the aspects of the business from the inside out.”

“We see customers through from the beginning to the end of their projects,” Laine confirms. “Each

project becomes very personalised. We love to hear our clients’ feedback when they see the end results and are genuinely happy with what we have done.”

Over the years Paradise Carpets has built longterm relationships with several of the area’s most notable home builders including Cantiro Homes, Morrison Homes and Brookfield Residential among others. “The primary focus is on new construction.

The support from our builders is incredible and we

Happy 40th anniversary to

Paradise Carpets Beaulieu Canada is very proud to have been associated with your tremendous success over the years.

Here’s to your continued prosperity!

Paradise Carpets || Celebrates 40 years || 3

BUCKWOLD WESTERN WOULD LIKE TO CONGRATULATE PARADISE CARPETS ON 40 YEARS!

have several great renovation contractors that we have worked with for years as well as our faithful retail customers,” says Vail.

Laine, Vail and Megan are always happy to share their experience with those looking to elevate their spaces with beautiful flooring. They advise, “Vinyl plank is an extremely popular option right now. It is cost effective, durable and waterproof. Hardwood is still in demand but due to the lower maintenance required for vinyl, and the fact that the photo finish on vinyl plank looks surprisingly like real hardwood, the requests for vinyl products continue to grow.

We are using it in a lot of renovation projects right now and in our work with new home builders.”

They continue, saying, “Laminate is also making a comeback as it is another very durable option and has recently, due to new technologies, become a waterproof choice as well. That said, many clients still love the classic look and durability of ceramic tile and of course there is nothing like a beautiful luxurious carpet underfoot. Carpet has always been a core part of our business and so we have stuck with that identity throughout the years.”

Western Canada’s Most Trusted Name in Flooring Distribution

www.buckwold.com

After many years of fostering relationships with builder partners clients and vendors, while giving Edmonton and area residents a variety of flooring options for any need, the siblings have certainly not forgotten all of the elements that have contributed to their success. The solid foundation and work ethic that were passed on keep them eternally grounded and grateful. “From our parents, to our repeat customers, our trusted builder clients and our dedicated installation teams, we know that when we go to work every day there is a mountain of support behind us.”

From the start, Paradise Carpets has been intent on giving back to the community in return for that support. Through the company Ernie and Marilyn contributed generously to causes like Habitat for Humanity, the Christmas Bureau, STARS Air Ambulance and the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation. The second generation of ownership is pleased to continue the tradition of giving back, adding the Mustard Seed to the list among others.

As the family reflect on the 40th anniversary, they think about aspects of the company that bring them joy. For Megan, it is the ability to work together so seamlessly. “We all have our strengths that play off of each other. As a family our core values are aligned. Of course, we don’t always agree on every little thing but there is always the love and respect that comes from a lifetime of knowing and understanding each other.”

Laine adds, “The one thing we can always agree on is how important it is to be attentive to our cus-

Paradise Carpets || Celebrates 40 years || 4

Paradise Carpets stands on a rich history and sound foundation from it’s past and has an eye to continue evolving into the future. The ability to see and anticipate the coming trends and remain ahead of them is a vital aspect of staying current in today’s market. Changing and adapting to the latest trends is key.

With that in mind, one of the exciting developments at Paradise is the addition of Angela Marchese, who recently joined Paradise as an in-house design consultant. Angela, who was the principal/designer at Luxe Design Inc. in Edmonton, brings more than 14 years of hands-on experience to the role. In addition to elevating homes through outstanding interior design, Angela’s decorating advice has appeared in several publications including the Edmonton Journal and Calgary Herald.

tomers’ needs and focus on providing a positive experience and an outstanding result.” He really appreciates the customer service aspect and being able to present a finished product that the customer loves.

For Vail, a critical aspect is the contractors in the field that bring the projects from conception to reality. “We can’t say enough about our contractors, their dedication, and how they represent our brand on site. Our clients can be assured that our installation teams are extremely qualified, conscientious and are working safely to ensure the best possible result.”

“You can do all the sales you want, but without our crews in the field making it happen, you don’t move forward,” Laine agrees.

Laine, Vail and Megan conclude, “We want to say a heartfelt thanks to the many customers we have had the privilege to serve over the years and to our wonderful vendors, suppliers and contractors. We also can’t say enough about our parents Ernie and Marilyn for building something to be proud of and for trusting that they have left it in capable hands.

Regardless of where this journey takes us, what will never change is our passionate commitment to our clients, our focus on providing quality products, installations and service and maintaining the spirit upon which this company was founded. From our family to yours... welcome to Paradise.

3651 – 99 St Edmonton, AB T6E 6K5 Phone: 780.437.1957 • info@paradisecarpets.ca www.paradisecarpets.ca

CONGRATULATIONS PARADISE CARPETS ON 40 YEARS! We wish you many more years of continued success.

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OPENING NEW DOORS CP DISTRIBUTORS CELEBRATES 60 YEARS

C

By Nerissa McNaughton

anadian owned and operated, and with six locations across four provinces, CP Distributors is growing steadily and surely across the nation. The company is most well known for its doors, frames, hardware overhead doors, toilet partitions and door hardware. As a one-call-does-it-all service, CP’s projects come with the full support of architectural openings consultants, estimators, project coordinators and install technicians.

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Calgary Cancer Centre

CP Distributors was founded 60 years ago by John Hall (majority shareholder) and Roy Coulman (minor partner). A successful start meant additional team members were soon needed; Ken Suppes and Martin Scobie soon joined the brand. In 1972, Suppes and Scobie bought out Hall and Coulman. In 2004, management and ownership transferred to Scott Suppes, Kevin Suppes and Gerald Haller. Today, Scott, Ken’s son, is CP Distributors’ President and CEO. Scott Suppes

Rob Grant, Vice President, Director of the Central Project Team, talks a little more about those early days, saying, “The first location was in Saskatchewan in 1962 and that quickly kicked off the train of growth. A second location opened in Regina in 1978, then Edmonton in 1980. Just three years later we expanded to Calgary, then on to Surrey, BC in 1987.

Our most recent expansion was into Halifax in 2016.”

Grant continues, “The foundation of CP Distributors has always been the door and door hardware business, but over the years we have really branched out into niche areas for building specialties such as lockers, toilet partitions, washroom accessories, and more. At one point we even provided the boxes/bodies for the back of ambulances. While we don’t provide those anymore, it shows how we are always willing to lean into opportunities and branch out to fill market needs. If it makes sense and can be profitable, we will invest our resources. Our focus today is providing solutions for all types of door openings which basically means if you can walk through it or drive through it, we have a solution for you.

Rob Grant CP DISTRIBUTORS • 60 YEARS • 2

This updated focus is not strictly for products that help in these situations, but we now have a full line of access control systems to help augment our opening solution package. In addition to a growing product list, we have recently redefined and redeveloped our processes. It’s all part of our vision to enhance our offerings with new services, products, and capacity for our customers.”

One of the recent process overhauls took place in 2018.

Grant says, “We launched a phone app called CP360.

It’s for internal use as well as for project sites. This tool maintains everything online from photos to shipping and documentation. It helps us remain proactive and ahead of developing issues, and empowers us to be quickly reactive if something, for example, was short shipped.”

The next year CP Distributors made another change and launched its pre-assembled program. Grant explains, “Now we can provide fully pre-finished metal or wood doors in any colour required. We fit all the door hardware ahead of time and send it out to site as a complete package. It did take our customers some time to acclimate to this new convenience, but now it’s really starting to steamroll, and the majority of our projects are going out as pre-assembled.”

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PARTNERS IN ARCHITECTURAL OPENINGS FOR 60 YEARS AND COUNTING

CP DISTRIBUTORS • 60 YEARS • 3

Nutrien Tower

From the start, the company’s innovation, customer care and quality products empowered CP’s continued growth. The early days of the company saw a staff of around 15. Now there are more than 270 staff corporately including 48 in Edmonton and 54 in Calgary.

“A big part of our success is the extent of knowledge and expertise in our team,” says Grant. “We have quite a number of people with 20+ years of service; some have over 30 and a handful have 40! I’ve been with CP for 29 years myself. We take serious pride in our ability to retain people for as long as we have. A key to success is to have this level of technical knowledge and expertise in house and in the industry.”

CP Distributors empowers each team member with training in all positions, providing a safe and inclusive workplace and providing outstanding working conditions.

“We choose to invest very strongly in our people,” Grant reaffirms. “However, like any other organization right now, continuing to build the team is a challenge post-COVID. As we come out of the pandemic, we see a lot of change within our organization and within our industry. We remain in serious growth mode and are committed to hiring people that will contribute to, and make a difference for, our brand.”

CP DISTRIBUTORS • 60 YEARS • 4

Grant enjoys working from the Edmonton location. “With the number of years I have been involved in the construction industry and with CP, Edmonton has always stood out as a great place to run a business. It really has a small town feel with big town dreams. I have seen a lot of positive changes in Edmonton in my time and developed a lot of very positive relationships with industry partners, clients, and friends. Everyone that grew up in Edmonton and got into the construction industry, we all have one goal in mind – and that is to build a better community.”

Grant says about the Calgary branch, “Calgary is unique among the cities in which we operate. Where other cities, such as Edmonton, are focused on industry and manufacturing, Calgary is focused on head offices and administration. We have enjoyed seeing the developments downtown that are designed to cater to the big operations, whether it is oil and gas or other sectors. We do see that Calgary shares a lot of the same traits as Edmonton, though, when it comes to that cando, entrepreneurial spirit.”

CP Distributors’ work may not be as visible as one of the city’s high-profile towers, but their work has made a tangible difference in many more humble ways. For example, in 2012 CP completed a landmark project for the Edmonton Remand Center.

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CP DISTRIBUTORS • 60 YEARS • 5

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Congratulations CP Distributors on 60 Years!

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CP DISTRIBUTORS • 60 YEARS • 6

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“That was when the Remand moved from downtown to it’s current location on the north side,” Grant reminisces. “At the time it was the biggest contract we had ever landed! CP handled all the commercial doors and door hardware, as well as the detention equipment package.

Although it was a massive undertaking, and a really big learning curve, it was an incredibly successful project experience all around. I started out on this one in the estimating side of things but as the job progressed and when we got into the final stages of the project, I ended up spending a lot of time on time on site to manage the close out of the project. Once were able to turn the final screw, well, it was a very rewarding feeling for everyone involved.”

CP Distributors is also pleased to count the Royal Alberta Museum (RAM) among its many successful projects. “The RAM was complicated with many new scope items,” says Grant. “It was an enjoyable learning experience.”

Today, the largest contract secured by CP, and the one that has eclipsed the Remand in scope, is the in-progress Calgary Cancer Centre for Alberta Health Services.

“This state-of-the-art Centre will be a hub for cancer research in addition to a treatment facility,” explains Grant. “Upon completion this year, it will serve as a hub to consolidate and expand the range of cancer services in southern Alberta. CP Distributors was pleased to supply and install the hollow metal doors, plastic laminate wood doors, the finish hardware, and automatic door openers along with automatic and manual sliding doors. Additionally, all of the steel and wood doors were supplied as a prefinished/pre-assembled product along with pressed steel frames and STC windows.”

Since it’s start 60 years ago, one thing has remained unfailingly consisted for CP Distributors: giving back. Every generation of ownership and every management team at each location has been heavily invested in giving back to the communities that have helped build the brand. Just

CP DISTRIBUTORS • 60 YEARS • 7

Wishing you many more years of unparalleled success.

a few of the organizations CP Distributors is proud to support include Arthritis Society, Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, Make-A-Wish Foundation, MS Society of Canada, and many more.

Happy 60th Anniversary!

On behalf of the ownership and management group, and the teams in all six locations, Grant says, “A very big thank you to all our client partners, trade partners and industry cohorts. Our industry partners have been very instrumental to our success and growth. The teams also thank and acknowledge the leadership of President & CEO Scott Suppes and CFO Gerald Haller.”

CONGRATS CP DISTRIBUTORS ON THEIR 60TH YEAR IN BUSINESS!

Sixty years and two generations of ownership have brought the company to where it is today.

The past informs the future as the plan is to keep growing, keep learning and remain ready to take on opportunities that CP can execute while learning new concepts.

Y O U R

PA R T N E R

I N

S U C C E S S

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CONGRATS CP DISTRIBUTORS ON your 60th Anniversary!

Grant concludes, “Anyone can sell products; at CP we offer solutions. We recently had our management meeting in Halifax and Scott disclosed the next goal in terms of sales. It’s a hefty number but we are ready for the challenge!

The way to get there is to keep building our partnerships and relationships. We plan to expand into new markets and geographical areas and are heavily looking into acquisitions to introduce and develop a security department. Adding the scope of security services ties perfectly into our door and door hardware expertise.”

For CP Distributors, the future is an open door. Learn more at cpdist.ca online, @cpdistributors on Twitter and Instagram and @cpdistributorsltd on Facebook.

The company is also active on LinkedIn.

CONGRATS CP DISTRIBUTORS on your 60th anniversary!

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585 St-Rémi Street Montreal, Quebec H4C 3G6, Canada Tel: (514) 934-0385 (833) 434-0385 Fax: (514) 934-1732 E-mail: info@riopelnet.com Website: www.riopelnet.com

4715 Eleniak Rd NW, Edmonton, AB T6B 2N1 (780) 468-6754 • Toll Free: 1-888-875-9090 sales.edmonton@cpdist.ca cpdist.ca

CP DISTRIBUTORS • 60 YEARS • 8

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