Business in Edmonton - October 2018

OCTOBER 2018 | $3.50 BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM

PM42455512

A MAN ON A MISSION TIM LATIMER SHARES HIS SIDE OF THE STORY ON WHAT IT TAKES TO PROVIDE “RELIEF FOR TODAY AND HOPE FOR TOMORROW.”

S MALL BUSINESS WEEK

PAGE

47 |

EDMONTON CHAMBER SECTION

PAGE

39

STORY TITLE // SECTION

Supporting the visions of entrepreneurs one story at a time.

Volume 6 | Number 10

REGULAR COLUMNS

9

Cannabis Consequences: Is Legalization a Pandora’s Box?

By Terry O’Flynn

10 12

CONTENTS COVER FEATURE

20

14 39

Kenney Should Tackle Labour Costs

By Colin Craig

Axe the Carbon Tax to Restore Alberta Business Confidence

By Amber Ruddy

Manufacturing Month: Celebrating Wins and Driving Growth

By David MacLean

Edmonton Chamber of Commerce

A Man on a Mission Tim Latimer shares his side of the story on what it takes to provide “relief for today and hope for tomorrow.”

By Nerissa McNaughton

ON OUR COVER: ABOVE: TIM LATIMER. PHOTO SOURCE: EPIC PHOTOGRAPHY INC.

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

@BUSINEDMONTON

BUSINESSINEDMONTON

4

OCTOBER 2018 // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM

44

SHARING YOUR VISION. BUILDING SUCCESS.

By using the latest technology and applying innovative building practices, PCL is able to provide superior construction services from the start of a project to its completion. Our Business Technology group stays ahead of the technology curve to help us be a better builder, and continue to lead the construction industry.

Watch us build at PCL.com

STORY TITLE // SECTION

Supporting the visions of entrepreneurs one story at a time.

Volume 6 | Number 10

60

THIS MONTH’S FEATURES

26

Rural and Small Businesses Are the Highlight of Parkland County

By Laura Bohnert

CONTENTS Western Modular Homes Celebrates 25 Years

K err Interior Systems Celebrates 40 Years

Celebrates 45 Years

Edmonton is Ready to Recognize Entrepreneurs with BDC Small Business Week™

By Laura Bohnert

51 55

A ction Electrical

Why Tech Startups are Choosing Edmonton Three Edmonton startups talk about what they do and why they choose Edmonton as their headquarters

By Zachary Edwards

47

COMPANY PROFILES

60 63 67

30

Steady as she Goes Despite new stricter rules and slow economic recovery, Edmonton’s homebuilders remain stubbornly optimistic

By Ben Freeland

Is ICE District Revitalizing Downtown?

ICE District was supposed to revitalize downtown, create jobs and attract people. Now that it’s in full swing, it’s time to check in on the progress

By Zachary Edwards

67 6

OCTOBER 2018 // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM

Hustle for your business, not your banking.

You know who you are. The movers and shakers, the doers and makers. And even though it’s Small Business Week, we know there’s nothing small about being an entrepreneur.

atb.com/amplifybusiness

PUBLISHER

This is the bolt that will come off the lawnmower that will send the blade flying through the living room window and destroy the TV.

Business in Edmonton Inc.

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER

Brent Trimming brent@businessinedmonton.com

EDITOR

Nerissa McNaughton

COPY EDITOR Nikki Gouthro

ART DIRECTOR

Jessi Evetts jessi@businessinedmonton.com

ADMINISTRATION

Nancy Bielecki info@businessinedmonton.com

REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS Colin Craig Brock Harrison Amber Ruddy Ben Freeland

THIS ISSUE’S CONTRIBUTORS

When life happens, it’s good to know there are more than 18,000 Chartered Insurance Professionals working in the Canadian insurance industry. Every day they put their training, knowledge and high standards to work for lawn mowing people like you. preparedformore.ca

CLIENT

PROJECT FILENAME CREATED BY CREATED ON

Mark your calendar for payroll education!

PUBLICATION

Insurance Institute

Business in Edmonton

IIC-18-01

LIVE AREA

4.5˝ × 4.75˝

CIP Consumer 2018/2019

TRIM SIZE

4.5˝ × 4.75˝

BLEED SIZE

4.5˝ × 4.75˝

IIC_Bolt_JournalEdmonton_2018-09-06

PREPARED AT

Kyle Gallant

06/09/2018 @ 04:21PM

PHOTOGRAPHY

Cover photo by Epic Photography Inc.

ADVERTISING SALES

Sarah Sikora ssikora@businessinedmonton.com Evelyn Dehner evelyn@businessinedmonton.com Bobbi Joan O’Neil bobbi@businessinedmonton.com Chris MIller chris@businessinedmonton.com

DIRECTOR OF CUSTOM PUBLISHING

Professional Development IT PAYS TO KNOW

DOCKET

Nerissa McNaughton Laura Bohnert Zachary Edwards

100%

Teresa S., PCP - COLORS Member4 Prairie Region

Colour

With more than 200 federal and provincial regulations and changes each year, staying payroll compliant is one of the biggest challenges employers face.

Mark McDonald mark@businessinedmonton.com Gary Caouette gary@businessinedmonton.com

EDITORIAL, ADVERTISING & ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES

#1780, 10020 - 101 A Ave. NW Edmonton, AB T5J 3G2 Phone: 780.638.1777 Fax: 587.520.5701 Toll Free: 1.800.465.0322 Email: info@businessinedmonton.com

SUBSCRIPTIONS

JAWADVERTISING.COM Online

at www.businessinedmonton.com Annual rates: $31.50 | $45 USA | $85 International Single Copy $3.50

The CPA offers seminars for all levels, from beginner to advanced. On a variety of topics covering Learning Payroll, Taxable Benefits & Allowances, Employment Standards, Pensions and more.

Business in Edmonton is delivered to 27,000 business addresses every month including all registered business owners in Edmonton and surrounding areas including St Albert, Sherwood Park, Leduc/Nisku, Spruce Grove, Stony Plain and Fort Saskatchewan.

The publisher does not assume any responsibility for the contents of any advertisement, and all representations of warranties made in such advertising are those of the advertiser and not of the publisher. No portion of this publication may be reproduced, in all or in part, without the written permission of the publisher.

Learn more at payroll.ca.

Canadian publications mail sales product agreement No. 42455512

Improve compliance and reduce the risk of audits and penalties with help from Professional Development seminars from Canadian Payroll Association (CPA).

Stay Current Stay Compliant

Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to circulation dept. #1780, 10020 - 101 A Ave. NW Edmonton, AB T5J 3G2 info@businessinedmonton.com

Business in Edmonton magazine’s circulation is audited twice a year by BPA International.

WWW.BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM

8

OCTOBER 2018 // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM

CANNABIS CONSEQUENCES: IS LEGALIZATION A PANDORA’S BOX? // TERRY O’FLYNN

Cannabis Consequences: Is Legalization a Pandora’s Box?

BY TERRY O’FLYNN, CHAIRMAN, ALBERTA ENTERPRISE GROUP

C

annabis legalization is almost here and it’s coming with more than joints and edibles. It’s coming with legitimate concerns. Chief among them are questions about what happens the day after cannabis is legalized. Are there unintended consequences to legalization? What will happen when it becomes widely available?

THE PSYCHOACTIVE COMPONENT

Generally, there are three key anxieties surrounding the legalization: increased crime, increased exposure of the drug to children and impaired driving. All of these are critical issues that can be somewhat answered by looking to our southern neighbours.

AND STAYS IN THE BODY LESS

On the subject of increased crime, for example, Colorado and Washington experienced a drop in crime rates after legalization, which is to be expected when a crime is no longer a crime. Colorado did, however, see an increase in illegal distribution and possession of illegal cannabis, yet almost all of those crimes were about moving the product to states where it was still illegal. Since Canada is legalizing federally and simultaneously, trafficking issues won’t translate the same way. Overall, the increased crime element will probably not be an issue outside of driving high, but new opportunities begets entrepreneurs. The potential for an entire industry to spring up around cannabis masking agents could enable employees to “beat” a drug test while high.

As for cannabis finding its way onto the playground, many parents are rightfully concerned about such a scenario.

Thankfully, states that legalized cannabis saw slight decreases in youth usage instead of increases. The reasoning is still subject to debate, but you can never underestimate the power of parents doing something that teens once thought was cool.

IN CANNABIS, THC, IS NOT AS CONSISTENT. IT AFFECTS DIFFERENT PEOPLE IN DIFFERENT WAYS CONSISTENTLY THAN ALCOHOL. Finally, there is the issue of intoxication. Legalization does lead to higher instances of driving while high, so it is likely to happen here. Treating high driving like drunk driving, both in legal consequences and as culturally unacceptable, will hopefully curb these instances, but it will take time and it will never truly go away. The real problem is in the intoxication testing, especially when it comes to being high at the workplace.

Alcohol, for better or worse, is surprisingly consistent in terms of its effects and how long it stays in the human body. It’s what makes testing for it so easy. The psychoactive component in cannabis, THC, is not as consistent. It affects different people in different ways and stays in the body less consistently than alcohol. So, when someone smokes up on the weekend and has an accident at work on Monday, they could be testing positive for THC without being impaired. We currently have few methods for concretely proving intoxication, and that could lead to some intense courtroom battles.

This is a new frontier for Canada. Education and responsibility, as always, will play a key role in keeping Canadians safe as cannabis makes its legal debut.

BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // OCTOBER 2018

9

KENNEY SHOULD TACKLE LABOUR COSTS // COLIN CRAIG

Kenney Should Tackle Labour Costs

BY COLIN CRAIG

I

t’s the worst-kept secret – people who are employed by the government tend to make more money, and enjoy better benefits, than those who have similar jobs outside of government. It doesn’t matter if we’re talking about salaries, pension benefits, sick leave or job security, study after study shows government employees – on average – are doing much, much better.

Canadian politics, he holds another important distinction.

He is the only premier in the last 30 years of Canadian politics to actually require government employees to take a significant pay reduction. Back in the 1990s, while Klein was trying to get the province’s debt under control, he negotiated a five per cent pay reduction for government employees – one they agreed to without a strike.

So, the big question is: will someone ever tackle the problem and justifiably save taxpayers billions of dollars or will politicians just keep raising taxes?

That’s the type of leadership Alberta needs right now – someone who isn’t afraid to make tough choices to get our province’s growing debt problem under control.

Here in Alberta, Premier Rachel Notley has refused to tackle ballooning labour costs. Her party has always had a cosy relationship with powerful government employee unions so the situation isn’t too surprising.

And to be clear, making tough choices doesn’t mean health care and education will fall apart – as the government likes to claim. Next door in British Columbia, they’re providing health care, education and other government services for a fraction of the cost. If the Alberta government merely reduced its per capita spending levels down to what the B.C. government spends per person, we wouldn’t have a deficit right now.

While she claims to have frozen pay for teachers, nurses and other government employees, data obtained by the Canadian Taxpayers Federation shows thousands of those employees are still receiving pay increases because of the way the government negotiated the so-called “freezes.” Yes, our government is barrelling towards $96 billion in debt and Premier Notley is still agreeing to pay increases for employees. Given our province’s economic woes, a poorer managerial approach is hard to imagine.

There is hope, however, that Notley’s chief competitor, Opposition leader Jason Kenney, might tackle this problem if he is elected premier next year.

For starters, unlike some conservatives, Kenney proudly trumpets the accomplishments of former Alberta premier Ralph Klein.

While Klein’s debt repayment accomplishment in 2004 was perhaps his most epic and unique accomplishment in

At $27 billion, salaries and benefits make up roughly half of the provincial budget. Pruning this area of spending could be done through a number of different means including reducing salaries across the board – just like Klein did.

Alternatively, the government could reduce salaries for current employees by a set amount, but require an even larger reduction for future employees. Thus, over time, the pay gap could be reduced immensely. The government could also scale back the number of sick days it offers to government employees and put new government employees in a less costly type of pension plan.

Would Kenney pursue such ideas? Try asking him.

Perhaps remind him that this is the type of leadership we saw from Ralph.

COLIN CRAIG IS THE ALBERTA DIRECTOR FOR THE CANADIAN TAXPAYERS FEDERATION.

10

OCTOBER 2018 // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM

AXE THE CARBON TAX TO RESTORE ALBERTA BUSINESS CONFIDENCE // AMBER RUDDY

Axe the Carbon Tax to Restore Alberta Business Confidence

BY AMBER RUDDY

A

ll along, small business owners in Alberta have had concerns about introducing a provincial carbon tax.

The recent court decision revoking approval of the Trans Mountain pipeline project only further cements those concerns.

Earlier this year, uncertainty on the Trans Mountain pipeline project’s livelihood began to seriously erode confidence in the Canadian business climate. In light of this, a group called Confidence in Canada formed to press for a resolution to the impasse on the project. Confidence in Canada represents more than 110 business, industry and community groups, and hundreds of thousands of Canadians.

Now, we are at a stalemate. This is no longer an issue about whether a pipeline should be built. It’s an issue of whether or not businesses – large or small, across our country – can invest with confidence knowing the rules won’t retroactively change.

Following the court announcement rescinding the pipeline’s approval, Alberta’s Premier Rachel Notley began backing away from the federal climate plan, which includes yearly carbon tax increases. While there is still much uncertainty for the pipeline, this is a step in the right direction for Alberta. But let’s not stop there – provincial carbon taxes should be repealed, too.

According to new analysis by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB), 87 per cent of business owners surveyed in Alberta want to axe the carbon tax.

profitability, 66 per cent say it increases pressure to freeze and cut salaries, while 59 per cent warn it causes a delay in investments in employee training and business equipment.

The concept of social licence is to take steps to protect the environment and in return gain support for developing our natural resources in a sustainable way. Under the current circumstances, the carbon tax doesn’t do much to gain socalled “social licence.”

This year, business owners faced a carbon tax increase of $10 per tonne, hitting $30/tonne in 2018. If Alberta is to maintain its carbon tax, at minimum it should be revenue neutral. CFIB survey data shows that 83 per cent of entrepreneurs believe the provincial small business corporate income tax rate should be lowered to zero to mitigate the impact.

There is merit for the provincial government to decrease small business taxes – as was done January 1, 2016 from three down to two per cent. So why haven’t small business taxes continued to go down?

The Alberta government’s so-called “Climate Leadership Plan” belongs in the recycle bin. Small businesses support further development of the province’s resources with appropriate environmental safeguards but levying more taxes doesn’t get us there. Real leadership would show action on getting our valued natural resources to new markets for the benefit of the Canadian economy.

Furthermore, 86 per cent say carbon taxes increase their operating costs, 85 per cent state it reduces their

AMBER RUDDY IS THE DIRECTOR OF PROVINCIAL AFFAIRS FOR THE CANADIAN FEDERATION OF INDEPENDENT BUSINESS. SHE CAN BE REACHED AT AMBER.RUDDY@CFIB.CA. FOLLOW HER ON TWITTER @ARUDDY.

12

OCTOBER 2018 // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM

π SHIPPING SUPPLY SPECIALISTS

FOOD SERVICE ESSENTIALS ORDER BY 6 PM FOR SAME DAY SHIPPING

HUGE SELECTION

COMPLETE CATALOG

1-800-295-5510

uline.ca

- We Are Transportation Insurance Experts -

DELIVERY YOU CAN COUNT ON Dedicated service team, dedicated claims handling, strong access to insurance markets.

• Over 30 years of experience • We know your business • We are always at your side

We are your local team of transportation insurance specialists.

Talk to us!

BFL CANADA INSURANCE SERVICES INC. Good People. Great Coverage. Peace of Mind.

1 833 229-3770 | bflcanada.ca

BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // OCTOBER 2018

13

MANUFACTURING MONTH: CELEBRATING WINS AND DRIVING GROWTH // DAVID MACLEAN

Manufacturing Month: Celebrating Wins and Driving Growth

BY DAVID MACLEAN

T

here are more than 9,000 manufacturing operations in Alberta, responsible for $71 billion in sales – of which $27.6 billion is exported. The manufacturing sector is a huge contributor to Alberta’s economy, but often gets overshadowed by our massive oil and gas industry.

While Alberta manufacturers suffered along with their key clients in the oil and gas industry in recent years, the industry has been steadily recovering. In fact, in 2017 manufacturing output increased by a whopping 16.5 per cent over the previous year.

Every October, Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) and our partners across Canada celebrate Manufacturing Month. We host plant tours, hold special events (including our national conference held in Ottawa on November 7th) and engage in an honest conversation about how to expand the manufacturing sector.

The key to growing Canada’s manufacturing sector is capital investment. A steady and increasing flow of investment dollars into the sector drives innovation and enhances competitiveness. On this measure, sadly, Canadian manufacturers aren’t keeping pace with trade partners around the world.

Since 2011, Canadian capital investment growth has been 2.5 times lower than the OECD average and three times slower than the United States. Foreign direct investment flows into Canada in 2016 were 50 per cent lower than the pre-recession levels of 2005-2007 while globally, investment has increased by 20 per cent.

Since 2013, United States’ investment in Canada has dropped by nearly half, while Canadian investment in the States has more than tripled.

In other words, there is investment flowing into manufacturing around the world, but the level of investment in Canada is not where we want it to be.

What can policymakers do to boost investment in Canadian manufacturing? For starters, we can’t ignore our neighbours and biggest competitors to the south. For a time, in terms of how our tax systems treat capital investment, Canadian firms enjoyed an advantage over international competition, but that advantage has now disappeared.

That’s why CME is calling for federal and provincial combined corporate tax rates to be immediately lowered from about 28 per cent to 20 per cent. In addition, the Government of Canada should match the accelerated capital cost allowance provisions now in place in the United States, giving businesses an immediate 100 per cent tax write off on qualifying capital asset purchases.

Finally, the Canadian tax system should be reviewed and modernized by tax and economic policy experts with the goal of increasing innovation, investment and economic growth.

The state of Alberta’s manufacturing sector is strong and getting stronger, but there is much that can be done to boost investment, innovation and further diversify the economy.

This October let’s celebrate the great work being done in Canadian manufacturing and think about how we can work together to make it even stronger.

CANADIAN MANUFACTURERS & EXPORTERS (CME) IS THE VOICE OF CANADIAN MANUFACTURING. CME REPRESENTS MORE THAN 2,500 COMPANIES WHO ACCOUNT FOR AN ESTIMATED 82 PER CENT OF MANUFACTURING OUTPUT AND 90 PER CENT OF CANADA’S EXPORTS.

14

OCTOBER 2018 // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM

24 HOUR ONSITE SECURITY QUOTE HIGH DEFINITION SEE EVERYTHING

EASY TO USE SOFTWARE

Cameras

Access

Alarm

Intercom

EXPERIENCED & SAFETY CERTIFIED

(403) 288-6468

sales@survshop.com

www.survshop.com

OFF

THE

Costco’s Latest Alberta Grand Opening Marks 100 Stores in Canada In August, Costco Wholesale opened a new warehouse club in Nisku, bringing the total clubs in Canada for the brand to 100.

“We are thrilled to welcome Costco Wholesale to Leduc County,” said Leduc County Mayor Tanni Doblanko. “The new Costco has created valuable employment opportunities for the region, and it will strengthen the local economy by offering a wider selection of goods and services to our residents and visitors.”

The 149,610 square foot facility has added 150 new fulland part-time jobs in Nisku. The average salary of the workers is $24.50 per hour. Considering employees to be one of its most important assets, Costco pledges to its team competitive wages, a safe environment, career growth, opportunities to give back to the community, a harassment and discrimination-free workplace, and an open-door policy with access to management.

“With the opening of our 100th warehouse in Canada, we can bring the benefits of Costco membership to the doorsteps of Nisku and the surrounding area,” said David Skinner, senior vice president and general manager, Costco Wholesale Western Canada. “This warehouse provides a convenient location for our valued members and members’ businesses in the local community and throughout the area.”

Other dignitaries who attended the grand opening were Honourable Shaye Anderson (NDP), MLA for LeducBeaumont and Minister of Municipal Affairs; several Leduc County councillors; Earle Genik, the new store’s general manager; and Tom Ruth, CEO of Edmonton International Airport.

The new location has everything Costco shoppers have grown to love, including an on-site bakery, meat and produce departments, stacks of its famous rotisserie chicken, an independent optometrist and optical centre, a tire centre,

ABOVE: THE RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY AT THE GRAND OPENING OF COSTCO’S 100TH CANADIAN LOCATION.

16

OCTOBER 2018 // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM

OFF

THE

THE NEW LOCATION HAS EVERYTHING COSTCO SHOPPERS HAVE GROWN TO LOVE, INCLUDING AN ON-SITE BAKERY, MEAT AND PRODUCE DEPARTMENTS, STACKS OF ITS FAMOUS ROTISSERIE CHICKEN, AN INDEPENDENT OPTOMETRIST AND OPTICAL CENTRE, A TIRE CENTRE, HEARING AID CENTRE, GAS STATION, PHARMACY, FOOD COURT, AND LIQUOR STORE. hearing aid centre, gas station, pharmacy, food court, and liquor store. More than 4,000 items retail at Costco at warehouse prices, serving both individuals and small-tomedium-sized businesses (SMEs) that prefer to buy in bulk.

Costco members can also purchase items online at Costco.ca.

For over 20 years, Costco has carried its own brand, Kirkland Signature™. The private label was created so “We could take a more active role in ensuring even better value for our members— the highest quality standards at the lowest possible prices. The Kirkland Signature brand allows us to control every aspect of the product: freshness, ingredients, production, packaging, and more,” explains a statement on the Costco website. Kirkland branded products are sourced from all over the world and are, at times, created just for the brand.

Nisku’s Costco is located at 2584 46th Avenue East and is now one of the 758 warehouses the brand operates worldwide. Costco employs more than 39,000 people across Canada, including over 5,500 Albertans. Revenue from the 2017 fiscal year topped $126.2 billion USD. The brand boasts more than 10 million Canadian members, and averages $15 billion CAD annually.

Costco has deep Canadian roots and is important in Canada as an employer, and for giving individuals and SMES access to quality brands at warehouse prices. The opening of the 100th Canadian store is a welcome addition to the Edmonton area.

35 Years of Distinction JR. KINDERGARTEN TO GRADE 12

“Outstanding students, outstanding results.” proacad.ca

PERFORMING ARTS, VISUAL ARTS & TECHNOLOGY We are committed to maintaining a caring and creative environment that fosters the natural curiosity to learn.

BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // OCTOBER 2018

17

OFF

THE

The Earth Group Joins MacEwan University’s Social Innovation Institute as the Social Entrepreneur in Residence Partnering with Roundhouse, a coworking and collaboration space at MacEwan University, and the university’s Social Innovation Institute, The Earth Group is pleased to be the first social entrepreneur in residence.

The Earth Group will spend its year-long of residency working with up-and-coming entrepreneurs, showing them how to combine the principles of business with social and environmental goals.

Ten years ago, Edmontonians Kori Chilibeck and Matt Moreau founded The Earth Group. Both were avid travellers who had seen the unfortunate economic circumstances faced by thousands around the world. They pledged to help provide food, water, and education to help combat global poverty.

Things started off on a small scale, with Chilibeck and Moreau selling products from the back of their van; today, however, their Earth Water, Earth Coffee, and Earth Tea is sold in 700 locations. Earth Water is bottled from springs around the world, and the caps and labels are sourced locally from the areas they are retailed in to reduce shipping costs

and lower The Earth Group’s carbon footprint. Earth Coffee is fair trade and organic. Earth Tea is grown in central Alberta (one of the very few teas grown in Canada) and is picked by hand in an isolated, vehicle-free environment.

The Earth Group sells its products online, as well as through corporate and independent retailers. The company was recently certified as a B Corporation by the non-profit B Lab, ensuring it meets strict social and environmental practices and operates with accountability and transparency.

A worldwide agreement with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) enables The Earth Group to donate 100 per cent of its profits to WFP. To date, this has resulted in 3,650,000 school meals for children in need around the world.

“We believe how you spend your dollars is more important than how you vote, and we’ve created a vehicle to affect positive change in the world simply through your everyday purchases,” Chilibeck and Moreau say in a statement on their website.

All customers are free to purchase natural gas services from the default supply provider or from a retailer of their choice and to purchase electricity services from the regulated rate provider or from a retailer of their choice. The delivery of natural gas and electricity to you is not affected by your choice. If you change who you purchase natural gas services or electricity services

18

OCTOBER 2018 // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM

OFF

THE

The Earth Group also has a fundraising program for students where they sell Earth Group products to raise money for their school, social club, or sports teams while also funding school meals, water, and education for children in developing nations. The fundraising program empowers students to learn about humanitarianism and about how social change can be enacted on a global scale.

During The Earth Group’s residency at MacEwan University, Chilibeck and Moreau will speak at campus events and

share their story and ideals with the Edmonton business community. They will also act as advisors to Roundhouse, discuss careers in social entrepreneurship, and collaborate on a social project with MacEwan University’s Social Innovation Institute and Roundhouse.

To learn more about The Earth Group, visit earthgroup.org.

To learn more about MacEwan University’s Social Innovation Institute and Roundhouse, visit macewan.ca/innovate and roundhouse.net.

ABOVE: KORI CHILIBECK AND MATT MOREAU ON A PROJECT IN TAJIKISTAN IN 2017 PHOTO SOURCE: THE EARTH GROUP

Tips like this are just one of the ways we can help you take control of your energy costs. Sign up and get $1,000 of FREE power or natural gas on us, your new business partner.

Get started at encorbyepcor.com/$1000off

from, you will continue receiving natural gas and electricity from the distribution company in your service area. For a current list of retailers you may choose from, visit ucahelps.alberta.ca or call 310-4822 (toll free in Alberta). Some offers, in whole or in part, may not be available in gas co-ops, municipally owned utilities, and some Rural Electrification Associations.

BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // OCTOBER 2018

19

A MAN ON A MISSION // COVER

A MAN ON A MISSION

TIM LATIMER SHARES HIS SIDE OF THE STORY ON WHAT IT TAKES TO PROVIDE “RELIEF FOR TODAY AND HOPE FOR TOMORROW.”

BY NERISSA MCNAUGHTON

A

lternative lending. It’s not a term many have heard or even used, but Tim Latimer prefers it (and to be honest, may have even coined it).

As the CEO of Cashco Financial, Latimer is frustrated with the negative perceptions. The industry has been accused of loan sharking and being predatory, has been slapped with regulations, and has struggled with public misinformation for years. Now, after a successful a partnership with ATB, Cashco is adding a new mission to its relentless drive to offer meaningful banking that provides “relief for today and hope for tomorrow.” That mission? To spread the word about how alternative banking makes a difference.

Cashco is the financial institution that fills the gap for those that don’t qualify for conventional loans. This is a passion for Latimer because he has walked many, many miles in his clients’ shoes.

20

OCTOBER 2018 // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM

“I grew up without any money,” he says bluntly. “It was the ‘where is my next meal coming from’ type of poor.

What I knew early on was that I didn’t want to be poor.

After I wasn’t poor anymore, I realized I wanted more.

Not more money, but to make a real difference in the lives of others.

“Because I grew up broke, I have a lot of empathy for people who are struggling. With one or two decisions, anyone can be on either side of the income gap.”

In his early 20s, Latimer got into the pawn business because he saw a desperate need in the community to have fast access to small loans. I also started the buy-here-pay-here car business in Edmonton by taking a small down payment and allowing 10-month installments. I was good at that business of serving the working poor, but it’s a tough industry. I would say I was a… character.

A MAN ON A MISSION // COVER

ABOVE: TIM LATIMER. PHOTO SOURCE: EPIC PHOTOGRAPHY INC.

BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // OCTOBER 2018

21

A MAN ON A MISSION // COVER

“The day I started offering payday loans without clients leaving a television, car, or other possession as collateral, people lined up at the door. I made some money, but I wanted something more.”

In his early 30s, Latimer decided to make some changes.

“I worked hard on my life’s purpose and wrote a mission statement about who I was and what I wanted to do.

That process changed my life from ‘being a character’ to ‘developing character.’ Now I’m doing the same as a businessman. I’m working hard to create a different kind of bank and improve the lives of others.”

He says decisively, “I help people in need. Most people misunderstand the business. They misunderstand alternative banking. In pawning, when people leave something with you, that’s the deposit, and the successful broker tells clients not to take more than they need.”

Latimer is not blind to the problems that have always plagued the industry, such as the practice of rolling over loans, which he says creates an “unfortunate need” for the clients and the business.

“Our purpose of ‘relief for today, hope for tomorrow’ is all about helping people move back to conventional credit,” Latimer says firmly. “The relief for today, that’s the easy part. That’s a loan. The hope for tomorrow is what is more compelling. We are not trying to trap people. We know life is life and that things come up. People say if they can just get rid of businesses like us society would be better off, but there is a need out there.” Without us the need does not go away.

“Do that 12 times and you have $120.00. and with the matching that turns into $240.00 for Christmas,” Latimer says.

The structures of the accounts are not by accident.

“Here’s how it works for the underbanked in Canada,” Latimer says with obvious frustration. “You try to deposit a cheque and the bank says, ‘We don’t trust you, so we will hold this for 10 days.’ Our clients often have low balances in their accounts. One mom came to me saying ‘I had just $8.00 and went to the bank to withdraw it to buy meat and milk for the family – it wasn’t there. They had charged a $12.00 bank fee and overdrawn me, and I had to pay $45.00 in fees!’ That’s punitive banking! The $500.00 overdraft on the Everyday Use account is designed to combat that.

Sometimes, there has to be a little wiggle room. Meaningful banking means everyone gets an overdraft regardless of their credit rating.”

Cashco also offers flex loans of up to $7,000.00 with the aim of helping establish/re-establish the client’s Canadian credit score and consolidate other debts. There is no penalty for paying out the loan early, and the amount and terms of the loan are flexible enough to meet each client’s needs.

However, it’s not just the accounts that Cashco uses to help the disenfranchised get back on their feet. Under Latimer’s leadership, the company has become “best practice junkies.”

The need is for those that need money now for food, shelter, and transportation. While a conventional bank that gives an employed person quick access to enough credit to bury them in debt for life is not frowned upon, giving a disenfranchised person a loan for food somehow carries a stigma.

The CEO continues, “In 2012, we asked ourselves what our Big Hairy Audacious Goal (BHAG) should look like, and we challenged ourselves to be globally recognized as ‘another kind of bank’ by 2025. My job was to call banks and get them to agree to make us a white-label bank account.

So, how is Cashco tackling the need and the negative perceptions? They are giving away meaningful banking.

“I called banks and explained how I thought meaningful banking could make a difference and asked for their help. I’d get put on hold. I imagined they were calling out, ‘There’s a predatory on line two! Anyone want to help?’ I wasn’t getting anywhere. So, I tried innovating debit cards to behave like a meaningful account. It didn’t work either. As we worked through the process (and were getting turned down), it

Clients have an option among three types of meaningful accounts, and all three have zero fees. The Everyday Use account comes with a $500.00 overdraft and pays $0.25 up to $5.00 per month for each transaction. Jumpstart Savings

22

deposits the first $10.00 on the house and allows unlimited deposits without service fees. Mom Matched Savings matches a mom’s first $10.00 of savings for every month.

OCTOBER 2018 // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM

YOU’RE PAYING MORE THAN YOUR FAIR SHARE OF TAXES

Where do you go from here?

Alberta’s dynamic market makes it difficult for municipal assessors to accurately estimate the market value of your property. To determine if you are paying your fair share of taxes in relation to neighbouring properties, you need a proper evaluation of the value placed on your property. Serving a diverse range of industries, MNP delivers expertise in realty taxation, expert witness testimony, business valuation, intangible asset valuation, litigation support and appraisal services to ensure you are protected.

Contact Walid Melhem, Senior Manager, Property Tax Recovery at 780.969.1476 or walid.melhem@mnp.ca

A MAN ON A MISSION // COVER

happened. We voted in the NDP, and they decided to shut down payday lending.”

Latimer points out that to their “credit,” the NDP did an academic study and hired a researcher to write a report to support their position. She spoke with Latimer, toured several locations, and was both surprised by the reality of the need for the product and impressed by the service and attitude provided to the clients. Because of her findings the final paper was sympathetic to the purpose of the industry and recommended a cautious approach to regulations and sanctions, and to stop calling them names. However, the paper was quietly tucked aside, and the hammer came down on the industry.

“The NDP enacted their new legislation and called it An Act To End Predatory Lending. They put it out there in big type letters.” Latimer sighs, then says a bit cheekily, “We are not calling them names…”

Now, Cashco’s position was more precarious than ever, but Latimer was not about to give up. With the early days of his struggle to survive financially always top of mind, he reached

out to the last place anyone expected: a crown corporation.

ATB is not a charter bank. It is incorporated under the ATB Financial Act and is regulated by the Alberta Superintendent of Financial Institutions. Contacting ATB was a risky move, but Latimer points out, “I heard Dave Mowat [former president and CEO] would respond to anyone that wrote to him, and their mandate is to serve every Albertan. Their slogan is about listening. I wrote to Mowat and challenged him to serve the Albertans struggling on the lower rungs of the credit ladder. He wrote back and said he would send someone to see us.”

The rest is history. The representative, came, saw, and ATB swung into action.

“That’s what made it work with ATB,” Latimer says with pride. “They came alongside because of our sense of purpose and how it worked with their own 94-word mission that banking can make a difference. They said, ‘Tell us what you want in a white-label account and a savings account. They gave us a code name called Firecracker, and they didn’t

ABOVE: TIM LATIMER. PHOTO SOURCE: EPIC PHOTOGRAPHY INC.

24

OCTOBER 2018 // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM

A MAN ON A MISSION // COVER

tell anyone besides the team about it for a year while they created the bank account, software, and support. Now we have an account with ATB and it’s like nothing else in North America. We have this amazing thing we started.”

Finally, Latimer and Cashco were headed to where they wanted to be, not only operationally, but also in the public perception; but he’s not anywhere near finished. Latimer is a man on a mission.

“Canadians have the mentality of ‘I deserve it. I need it.’ The banks used to lecture people and say, ‘you deserve it when you can afford to pay for it.’ But the banks are not lecturing anymore. Financial institutions have turned into lenders instead of vehicles for savings. Research says that’s what has derailed society and put many on a path of debt that is very hard to get out of. What we really, really need is to bring back meaningful banking to the underbanked, the poor, and the working poor.

“How do we bring community circles back and get people talking openly about money, spending, and saving? How do parents come up with money to pay for school bills, stretch the food budget, etc.? This is the information about money that needs to be shared. I would love to come up with capital to research how to get those conversations flowing. We started something now, but how do we go even further?

“We need to be bigger. The NDP government devastated our sector. They took us down drastically in four months, and they were not gentle about it at all. They came at us as hard as they could and yet the need of the people is still great. We think there is a better fix for this sector. We know there is an appropriate time to issue and use a loan. We know that offering too much of a loan is actually a disservice.

“Going forward, we want to build a bigger suite of real-world banking services, like a credit card with a low sum ($500) to help rebuild credit, or by promoting RESPs to those who are not connected to one. We want to raise more capital so we can offer the types of services that are needed. I’d love for us to finish building out a suite of services for the unbanked, the disrespected, the near-poor and the working poor.”

Cashco doesn’t have any service awards to speak of.

Their storefronts are tucked into strip malls and are not in the poshest parts of town. The are located where they are needed. Latimer and his team, who span 59 branches across Canada, get up every morning, greet clients as they are, and offer the biggest possible helping of respect and non-judgement alongside customized banking solutions. They do this with no expectation of industry recognition.

“If we want the industry to reach the next level, we have to share what we’ve learned and invite in competition so they can take advantage of our learning.,” Latimer says wryly.

“We are not big enough for that yet, but we don’t have much time. They are watching.”

Most entrepreneurs have an eye on aggressively crushing the competition, but Latimer welcomes it. The more the merrier because, as more alternative bankers set up shop, more of Canada’s underbanked can work their way back to stability with no-fee daily accounts and savings accounts that actively encourage long-term savings.

He’s a bit tired. Latimer has been fighting hard all his life.

He fought his way out of poverty. He fought his way into the pawn and buy-here car business when those concepts were fledgling in Alberta. He’s fought for his concept in the courtroom, and he fought the NDP. Today, he fights the perception of “predatory lender” and he fights hard for the underbanked and the disenfranchised. For anyone else, the years of constantly battling uphill would wear them down and make them bitter, but it hasn’t worn down the CEO of Cashco.

“I wish on everyone three things,” he smiles with the steadiness of a man that has come to terms with the perceptions and knows he will overcome them all. “I wish for all gratitude, humbleness, and selflessness. When you mix those together, they bring such joy.”

And with that, he squares his shoulders, takes a deep breath, and opens the door to provide another day of opportunities for those that need them the most.

BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // OCTOBER 2018

25

RURAL AND SMALL BUSINESSES ARE THE HIGHLIGHT OF PARKLAND COUNTY // PARKLAND COUNTY

RURAL AND SMALL BUSINESSES ARE THE

Highlight

OF PARKLAND COUNTY

BY LAURA BOHNERT

I

f you’ve experienced Parkland County, then chances are you’ve experienced the charm of Parkland County’s small and rural businesses—businesses whose strong history, the County is proud to point out, share an even stronger connection to the ongoing success of the culture and economy of the area.

“Small businesses throughout Alberta have proven that they are an essential part of the provincial economy, and Parkland County certainly is no exception to this,” says Candace Charron, business development officer, Parkland County.

“In 2016, the County had 1,226 businesses registered in our region, and of that number, 94.9 per cent were considered small businesses. This number isn’t decreasing, either; there is a strong history to show that there will be continued growth of small businesses. Just between 2015 and 2016, Parkland County saw an increase of 90 businesses.

“Parkland County’s economy and location support a variety of different rural and small businesses. You’ll find all types of businesses in the region, ranging from home-based companies

to family-run farms, trucking companies and food production plants. The opportunities really are limitless.”

“We understand these small businesses are directly contributing to employment in rural areas, increased tax revenue, and an improved quality of life in the communities they reside in,” Charron adds, “and we are here to support our entrepreneurs throughout this process.”

How does Parkland County go about supporting its rural entrepreneurs? By innovating to resolve the challenges they face—like those that were written into the Land Use Bylaw.

“After noticing some gaps within Parkland County’s Land Use Bylaw,” Charron explains, “our planning and development department has done a great job in coming up with innovative solutions. The first change was the addition of the Cottage Industry Land Use, making it a lot easier to start or expand a small business in the County. The amendment allows for a more diverse range of creative, rural cottage businesses, even if they are not located in traditional commercial districts. For

ABOVE: GOOD MORNING HONEY HIVE. PHOTO SOURCE: JODY BAILEY

26

OCTOBER 2018 // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM

RURAL AND SMALL BUSINESSES ARE THE HIGHLIGHT OF PARKLAND COUNTY // PARKLAND COUNTY

example, a farm can now have a gift shop, farmer’s market, or café located directly on their property. With this amendment, the permit process is more efficient and inclusive of the types of businesses that are allowed on rural properties. Since the inception, we have had many businesses approved under the use, including a wedding venue, an eco-education centre, a brewery, and a café.

“The second change is the addition of the Agriculture Industrial Development (AGI) District. This new district allows for rural-based, value-added agriculture and alternative energy-based developments outside of industrial areas where serviced-land costs can be as high as $450,000 per acre. Heading west in the County, un-serviced land prices can be as low as $2,500 per acre. Once land is re-zoned, approved uses include extensive agriculture developments, general industrial manufacturing, and processing focused on agriculture and solar farms. Companies such as Pinnacle

Renewable Energy, located in Entwistle, have already taken advantage of the benefits this new district provides.

“The third change is the addition of the Cannabis Production Facility Land Use. This has been added as a discretionary use under the Agriculture District. Now cannabis growers looking to come to the County can consider both industrial and agriculture areas. We have just approved a 22,000 square foot medicinal cannabis facility in the western portion of the County through this amendment.”

She adds, “We are hopeful that these changes will increase the types of innovative businesses that are coming to rural Parkland County.”

“As proven by the solution-based changes to our Land Use Bylaw, Parkland County embraces change that will help our community and businesses thrive,” Charron

BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // OCTOBER 2018

27

RURAL AND SMALL BUSINESSES ARE THE HIGHLIGHT OF PARKLAND COUNTY // PARKLAND COUNTY

emphasizes. “Looking through the lenses of innovation and open-mindedness, we are dealing with challenges and opportunities while staying focused on areas that increase the wellbeing of Parkland County economically, socially, and environmentally. In doing so, we have become very customer centric in our approach to how we work with all businesses and community partners.”

The businesses aren’t the only ones taking note. Even the bees in Parkland County are benefitting from the energy the County is bringing into its community.

Good Morning Honey Ltd. is a family owned and operated, CFIA registered and inspected apiary; it is also a member of the Alberta Honey Producers Co-Operative, which is marketed under the Bee Maid Honey brand. The company, which produces honey that is sold across North America as well as in Europe and Asia, was incorporated in 2011 after Richard Ozero was given the opportunity to take over for a retiring beekeeper.

“I grew up on a mixed farm,” Ozero, co-owner, Good Morning Honey, explains. “I got away from it for a while and started a radio/TV career, then I realized that I was missing a lot about agriculture.”

Hoping to get back into farming, he began cold calling farmers for their insights and to inquire into possible land for sale. In the process, he ran into a beekeeper. When he bought his farm property in July of 2006, a place for the “Noah’s Ark of animals” he wanted, the idea of beekeeping was still in his mind.

“I thought it would be cool to put a couple of hives on my property. I could help the beekeeper, maybe buy one or two hives, and be the cool kid on the block with beehives (back before owning hives became a trend).” Then he heard

the beekeeper was retiring. “I had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take over his territory,” he describes, so he took it.

“I went from zero to 920 hives,” he laughs. “It was a leap of faith, but it worked out. I loved the idea that the harder you work, the more potential there was—and the fact that bees are a beneficial, clean, and essential part of agriculture—and they make honey!”

Ozero now keeps 3,200 hives, but the business isn’t the only thing that has history beyond its incorporation; some of his bee yards go back generations, handed down from beekeeper to beekeeper.

It’s a feature that’s in keeping with much of Parkland County, Ozero points out. “Parkland County is a great agriculture county with a good variety of land, and many farms here are multigenerational. The County itself is very supportive in helping grow business and getting those businesses market exposure, right in your backyard to neighbours as well as to the rest of the province.”

Of course, there is a good reason for offering that support.

“Small businesses are the lifeblood of a community,” he explains. “Those are the businesses that care about their surroundings. As a small business owner, you have a stake in what’s around you. You want to make your neighbourhood better, so you are more likely to do what’s right instead of only chasing margins.”

Karen Sievwright, partner, Spruce Park Ranch, is quick to agree. “Rural and small businesses help keep Parkland County relevant when Edmonton and other surrounding communities are so nearby,” she explains. “Parkland County is home. It’s beautiful and has so much to offer. It’s not only a fantastic place to live, but having access to so many ABOVE LEFT: EDMONTON CORN MAZE. PHOTO SOURCE: PARKLAND COUNTY

CENTER: GOOD MORNING HONEY. PHOTO SOURCE: AMBER OZERO

28

OCTOBER 2018 // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM

ABOVE RIGHT: SPRUCE PARK RANCH

RURAL AND SMALL BUSINESSES ARE THE HIGHLIGHT OF PARKLAND COUNTY // PARKLAND COUNTY

treasures makes this a community worth living, playing, and shopping in.”

wanted the space to look attractive. We had no idea that this would spark the store we have today.”

Spruce Park Ranch Country Store’s history also points to the attribute of Parkland County that speaks to its success: longevity. The family-run home decor and coffee shop is located on its original homestead, one that has been around for over 112 years. The store itself is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.

“A business in Parkland County,” Sievwright observes, “has the huge advantage of being close to Edmonton while still keeping the destination location/daycation feel. It becomes an escape from the everyday bustle of the city, but is close enough to be convenient. Small and rural businesses in Parkland County become almost a local attraction.”

“The store has blossomed from a tiny one-aisle shop to over 2,000 square feet of country- and farmhouse-style retail shopping,” Sievwright notes. “It is also well known for its seasonal set ups and events and for its support of many of Parkland County’s local artisans and businesses.”

That destination location or daycation vibe is an important economic driver, and it’s something small and rural businesses are especially capable of achieving, not just due to the uniqueness of their industry, but also because of the rich histories behind them.

She reminisces, “The store started as a way to reach out and keep up with the demand of our farmer’s market clientele all year long, but because my mother and I are crafty people, we

The next time you are enjoying the unique charm Parkland County has to offer, be sure to thank the small and rural businesses that have given their all to make it possible.

Highlands Business Park Acheson | AlbertA highwAy 60 & 92 Avenue

Zoned Industrial Lots Now Available Lease | Build-to-Suit | Sale 5 to 150 acres 780-409-8047

www.panattonicanada.com BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // OCTOBER 2018

29

WHY TECH STARTUPS ARE CHOOSING EDMONTON // BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY

WHY TECH STARTUPS ARE CHOOSING EDMONTON Three Edmonton startups talk about what they do and why they choose Edmonton as their headquarters

BY ZACHARY EDWARDS

E

dmonton’s tech sector is growing at an incredible rate. The city, long known for its entrepreneurial spirit, has a number of programs in place that help young businesses develop and grow, and many local startups are making waves both here and internationally.

The leaders of three such companies share their stories, their successes, and why they continue to choose Edmonton as their headquarters.

30

OCTOBER 2018 // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM

WHY TECH STARTUPS ARE CHOOSING EDMONTON // BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY

COMPANY: FRETTABLE Industry: Music & Artificial Intelligence President & Founder: Gregory Burlet

Like many great startups, Frettable was born of frustration.

“Back in college, I was in a band and our guitarist moved to Vancouver and we still really wanted to write music together.

So, what do you do as a musician?” says founder Gregory Burlet. “You can record an MP3 and email to them. They get it on their side and just have the audio. They have no idea how to play it, so they have to figure out by ear what was played, modify it, record the modified version and email that back. That person then needs to figure out the changes and everything. It’s a really time consuming process.”

Instead of going through all that back-and-forth, Burlet designed his own solution: an app that could “listen” to your song and turn it into shareable sheet music.

“After graduate school I had a lot of intellectual property but no minimum viable product,” he explains. “I had to take all the ideas and commercialize them as something ready for people to use.”

Edmonton is home for Burlet, but there were plenty of other reasons to set up shop here.

“We have this fantastic research institution in town with the University of Alberta,” he says. “I know that there are a number of skilled people coming out of the institution, particularly in the fields of artificial intelligence. There’s a real community of innovation, along with programs and institutions like Startup Edmonton to help entrepreneurs grow here.”

“At this point, I can just send him my music in the app,” he explains. “I can say, ‘Here’s the audio of what I played but also here’s the sheet music, the MIDI, and all the notes that I played.’”

Frettable has used local resources like courses at Startup Edmonton and Alberta Innovates to help get off the ground, create a viable product, and market it to investors. Looking forward, he hopes investors in Edmonton will start to take more risks.

The idea became the basis for Burlet’s work in the University of Alberta’s computer sciences department, where he worked on an artificial intelligence program that can translate music into sheet music. After graduation, he started turning his work into a business.

“Investors in Edmonton are usually looking for low-risk opportunities; it’s hard to find people willing to invest in seed or pre-seed projects,” he says. “There are a lot of things on the horizon, though, including Edmonton.AI and the Edmonton Innovation Hub.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 34

ABOVE: GREGORY BURLET, CEO & FOUNDER, FRETTABLE.

BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // OCTOBER 2018

31

where conductive wires are layered in rows and columns on two parallel sheets of glass and voltage is then applied sequentially to the rows and columns. Wherever the screen is touched by a finger (or touch pen), the controller identifies the change in capacitance in the grid of wires. While this technology allows for multiple touchpoints, ‘noise’ and unintended touch inputs can still “The use of be a problem. touchscreen

Interactivity has become the norm for life today; think about it… touchscreens are everywhere - one may even be in your hand right now! Phones, tablets, ticketing machines, even your local ATM are all running some sort of interactivity!

But, applying touchscreen technology to large screens is more difficult; which is why we look at trusted professionals to recommend, provide and install the proper solution for every need.

monitors enhances presentations in boardrooms, increasing attention and engagement, and bringing a new level of control.”

Let’s take a look at how ordinary captive touchscreens work. The easiest way to make a capacitive touch screen is to coat one side of the screen with a transparent conductive layer, such as indium tin oxide. A small voltage is applied to the four corners of the screen and this creates a uniform electric field. When a human finger (or touch pen) touches the other side of the glass the device’s controller can determine the location of the touch from the change in the capacitance as measured from the change in voltage in the four corners of the panel.

This technology is fine for small screens and simple applications, which only need one touch at a time. When it comes to the traditional large format touchscreens, the typical technology used is based on infrared (IR), but this technology introduces latency issues that can be distracting to the user.

Sharp is combating these problems with their new professional-class interactive whiteboards which enhance the Projected Capacitive Touch technology with an advanced controller and faster sampling techniques.

This achieves high sensitivity and precision by reducing the noise level to one-eighth of conventional models.

Touch accuracy is improved, unintended and false inputs are almost completely eliminated, and latency (time lag) is virtually eliminated. With up to ten simultaneous touch points, this technology delivers a natural and fluid experience for effortless collaboration and communication and sharing.

These models include face-up installation! The screens are available in both 70” and 80” and are rated for 24/7 usage.

To see a demonstration of this latest technology, contact Matrix Video Communications in Edmonton at 780-4898787 or visit www.mvcc.ca

Recently, we have been introduced to a new technology called Projected Capacitive Touch (PCT or PCAP). This is *Awards belong to model PNL705H

www.sharp.ca

SHARP Professional Display with Built-in SoC Smart Signage Solutions PNM/PNB Series Complete, out-of-the-box solution for digital signage with built-in System on Chip with Android TM OS.

Reliable

Expandable

Versatile

24/7 and 16/7 available

Calgary

Vancouver

Edmonton

Regina

Winnipeg

w w w. m v c c . c a

Victoria Saskatoon Toronto

Š2018 Sharp Electronics Corporation. All rights reserved. Prices, design and specifications subject to change without notice. Sharp and related trademarks are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sharp Corporation. All other brand names and product names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. Screen image is simulated. Android is a trademark of Google Inc. The Android robot is reproduced or modified from work created and shared by Google and used according to terms described in the Creative Commons 3.0 Attribution License.

WHY TECH STARTUPS ARE CHOOSING EDMONTON // BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY

COMPANY: DRUGBANK Industry: Computer Science & Pharmacology CEO & Co-Founder: Michael Wilson

DrugBank is, in many ways, a logical extension of much of Edmonton’s expertise, namely in its large medical industry and growing tech sector. The company, which offers “a curated pharmaceutical knowledge base for precision medicine, electronic health records, and drug development,” was founded in and stayed in Edmonton precisely because of the city’s strong medical industry and community.

“DrugBank was born in Edmonton because of the huge amount of talent and knowledge in the computing sciences, pharmacology and pharmacy programs at the University of Alberta,” says CEO Michael Wilson. “Being in Edmonton gives us a big advantage because we can hire talent coming out of the university.”

Outside of the university, DrugBank has benefitted from Edmonton’s proud entrepreneurial spirit.

“There’s a real culture of helping each other out and cheering on each other’s successes,” says Wilson. “It’s certainly a steep learning curve when you start out with a new company, and we received so much helpful advice and knowledge from people in the community.”

Some of those programs include Startup Edmonton and the STEP Program, each of which helped DrugBank get on its feet and make an excellent product, company and culture.

Wilson notes, “Startup Edmonton is one of the major contributors to our success. In the early days they helped us with basic knowledge and pushed us to think bigger. We also rented office space in Startup Edmonton for a couple of years and the energy there helped us attract talent and provided a social element for our employees that is difficult to provide as a small company.

“We have also benefited from the STEP program grants (federal and provincial) to hire summer students from the University. Often these students have come back fulltime after they graduate.”

On the subject of Edmonton’s tech sector, Wilson says it has a lot of strengths and a lot of unrealized potential. “We need to have consistent funding in the right areas, focusing on existing strengths with the expectation that growth will happen organically.”

CONTINUED ON PAGE 38

ABOVE: MICHAEL WILSON, CEO & FOUNDER, DRUGBANK. PHOTO SOURCE: SHAYNE WOODSMITH

34

OCTOBER 2018 // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM

WHY TECH STARTUPS ARE CHOOSING EDMONTON // BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY

ON THE SUBJECT OF EDMONTON’S TECH SECTOR, WILSON SAYS IT HAS A LOT OF STRENGTHS AND A LOT OF UNREALIZED POTENTIAL.

Thank You!

To the following industry partners for your support:

POINTS WEST W

MARKETING Celebrating 50 years!

PLUMBING & HEATING

2107 - 87 Avenue Edmonton, AB T6P 1L5 Phone: 780-449-1400 | Fax: 780-449-5022 www.mastermechanical-ltd.com

BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // OCTOBER 2018

35

Are Edmonton’s Businesses Prepared for New Mandatory Privacy Breach Notifications?

C

anadian businesses are facing a perfect storm of new notification regulations, rampant data breaches, escalating cyberattacks and inadequate cybersecurity defences.

Customers, investors, employees and regulators will judge how you respond.

In an update to the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA), new regulations come into force on November 1, 2018. These regulations mandate notifications “as soon as feasible” of security breaches which have a “real risk” of identity theft, humiliation, financial loss, or harm to reputations and relationships.

Cybercriminals have stolen billions of personal and corporate passwords, now for sale on the Dark Web. From LinkedIn to MyFitnessPal, from Equifax to Facebook, mass breaches are snowballing. It isn’t just the big players who are hit. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are soft targets for ransomware, social engineering, data theft and espionage. The CIRA reported that last year 19 per cent of businesses suffered ransomware and 32 per cent had divulged personal information through a phishing attack.

Organizations must step up their ability to detect, assess and respond to cybersecurity incidents. That is a big ask. Detection involves complex tools and systems to sift through a mountain of events and logs. Advanced skills are needed to triage and investigate alerts. It takes time and effort to develop and test response plans. A thorough incident investigation demands forensics experience.

Most IT departments and IT service providers do not have the time, budget or human resources to develop the expertise and systems to address today’s cybersecurity challenges. In the “always on, always connected” world we live in, if detection and response is not 24-7, it’s not very useful. Fortunately, there are options.

Managed security services offer a shortcut to maturity. Cybersecurity competency was once the exclusive domain of large enterprises. Now, managed security service providers have stepped up to fill the void. For example, F12.net recently announced Dark Web Monitoring and F12 Secure solutions designed for businesses with between 25 and 250 people.

Where should a concerned business leader start? A third-party security assessment will arm you with analysis of your security posture, will alert you to “weak links” and will advise you of steps to take.

See Our Video Online at www.f12.net

What’s your weakest link?

Your business depends upon keeping your intellectual property and sensitive client data secure. But is it?

Problem is, you only need one weak link in your security for the bad guys to get in.

What’s the weak link in your Cybersecurity?

Call 1-833-F12-SAFE to book your security assessment and find your weakest link.

WHY TECH STARTUPS ARE CHOOSING EDMONTON // BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY

COMPANY: CANBIOCIN Industry: Food Safety & Agriculture CEO: Jake Burlet

While Edmonton’s tech sector is increasingly focused on artificial intelligence, the city is also home to a strong agriculture and food production sector. CanBiocin is one such company that has changed how we preserve foods.

“CanBiocin is the result of the work and ideas of people from the University of Alberta,” says Jake Burlet, the company’s CEO. “The founders, Dr. Michael Stiles and Dr. Lynn McMullen, discovered bacteria that prevents the growth of bacteria that can make people sick. It became evident that it could be used commercially as a natural food preservative.”

McMullen and Stiles maintained their professorships at the University of Alberta, which was a major factor in the decision to grow the business in the city. Burlet says the university’s groundbreaking research and talent development has directly helped CanBiocin’s success.

“The University of Alberta is a world-renowned university that allowed CanBiocin to make connections to people around the world, including multinational food ingredient companies. Those relationships help us stay in Edmonton while commercializing our products.”

CanBiocin has since discovered other kinds of bacteria that are useful in other areas, including probiotics for pets. With

these new discoveries, Edmonton continues to be integral to CanBiocin’s development.

“There are lots of reasons to be in Edmonton, including the quality of life offered here, says Burlet. “The university continues to be important because it gives us access to world-class scientists trained at the institution, and they want to stay because of the lifestyle the city can offer them.”

TEC Edmonton has been integral to CanBiocin’s growth and development as well. Their lab is located within TEC Edmonton’s Enterprise Square location. Beyond the convenience of location and access to growth resources, TEC Edmonton assists with making connections to important organizations like Alberta Innovates.

Edmonton has long been a city that encourages and fosters new companies and entrepreneurs. The province’s latest economic changes, coupled with the area’s high concentration of qualified and trained tech experts, is making many people reconsider a move elsewhere for their tech company. Low rents, proximity to incredible talent, and plenty of programs that help founders get started means the city is keeping the talent it creates, and with talent staying in the area, Edmonton’s tech sector is slated to grow even larger and more successful.

ABOVE: JAKE BURLET, CEO, CANBIOCIN.

38

OCTOBER 2018 // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM

Edmonton Chamber Remains Focused on Competitiveness

2018 Board of Directors Board Executive

Chair: Len Rhodes President & CEO, Edmonton Eskimo Football Club Vice Chair: Dawn Harsch President & CEO, ExquisiCare Senior Living and Care at Home Treasurer: Bryan DeNeve Senior Vice President Finance & CFO, Capital Power Past Chair: James Merkosky Partner, Tax Services Pricewaterhouse Coopers LLP

Board Directors

Dr. Glenn Feltham President & CEO, Northern Alberta Institute of Technology Crystal Graham Partner & Licensed Interior Designer, Kasian Architecture Interior Design & Planning Ltd. Elan MacDonald Senior Vice President, National Client Development Global Public Affairs Scott McEachern Vice President, Engineering & Projects, Enbridge Pipelines Inc. Dennis Schmidt Legal Counsel and Associate Development Manager Alldritt Land Corporation LP Craig Thorkelsson Head of Tax PCL Constructors Inc. Dr. Jenelle Trenchuk-Saik President & CEO, Parker Ford and MacKay

Chamber Executive

Janet Riopel President & CEO Edmonton Chamber of Commerce Tim Ferris Director, Member Services Edmonton Chamber of Commerce Brent Francis Director, Advocacy and Outreach Edmonton Chamber of Commerce Ian Morris Director, Organizational Excellence Edmonton Chamber of Commerce

Contact

Edmonton Chamber of Commerce #600 – 9990 Jasper Avenue Edmonton, AB T5J 1P7

By Janet Riopel, President and CEO, Edmonton Chamber of Commerce

O

ver the Summer and into the Fall, the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce has been hard at work ensuring political leaders are keeping competitiveness top of mind.

City of Edmonton 2019–2022 Budget In November and December of each year, the City of Edmonton presents its proposed budget to City Council. Every year, I present to Mayor and Council in order to ensure that the voice of business is heard loud and clear. I’ve delivered an important message to Council for the last three years — property tax increases, on top of increased taxes, fees, and other costs from all orders of government, are pushing many Edmonton businesses to the breaking point.

Businesses simply cannot handle further tax increases. Last year, we were told

by City Council that this message is not enough. They asked us to dig deeper and suggest specific areas where the City can find savings, avoiding the tax increases needed to pay for added spending.

We took Council’s advice seriously and made the decision to become a helpful partner for the City and offer them constructive advice as they work to develop their budgets for the next four years.

Earlier this year the Edmonton Chamber formed a Municipal Budget Task Force to work with the City, to represent the interests of job creators, to find areas where the City can achieve savings, and to avoid further property tax increases as we advocate for conditions that keep businesses competitive. Along with our Policy team, the Task Force spent the Spring and Summer undertaking an independent and detailed analysis of the City’s budget. We also consulted with our members in order to gain a better understanding of how their businesses are affected by rising costs. All of this work has resulted in a strong understanding of where we can be most effective in making recommendations to hold the line on costs and reverse the trend of ever-increasing property taxes. Starting in September the Task Force’s results have been published through a series of weekly City Budget Bulletins which highlight possible solutions and raise important questions for our members to ask our Mayor, Councillors and Administration.

City Council will begin deliberations on the 2019–2022 budget this November.

As Mayor and Council debate the budget, we will continue to urge them to find ways to make it easier for businesses to succeed — not more complicated and costly. Our job creators are focused on maintaining and building strong, sustainable operations. It is critical that business gets a clear signal from the City that they are working to create a climate that welcomes investment, boosts confidence, and keeps our businesses successful right here at home.

T: 780.426.4620 • F: 780.424.7946

Continued on next page...

BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // OCTOBER 2018

39

2019 Provincial Election We’ve also spent the Summer surveying our members to better understand their priorities for the upcoming 2019 provincial election. They tell us that the economy and competitiveness are top of mind as they consider which candidates best represent their vision for Alberta.

directly from the leaders of every political party represented in the Legislative Assembly about their vision for Alberta’s future. Through these events, and our continued advocacy leading up to the election, the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce will ensure that competitiveness and economic growth remain at the forefront throughout the campaign.

In recent years, all orders of government have layered new and increased costs on the backs of business. Alberta’s minimum wage rose to $15 per hour on October 1st, which represents a whopping 47% increase over three years. In addition to the rising minimum wage Edmonton businesses have faced higher corporate taxes, new federal tax rules, the introduction of a carbon tax, and ever-increasing property taxes.

These layered cost increases have all come down during the worst economic downturn in a generation, when businesses were least able to afford them.

The Edmonton Chamber would like to hear from you. How are property taxes affecting your business? What are your priorities leading into the 2019 election? Contact us at policy@edmontonchamber.com.

Alberta’s economy has been fundamentally changed since the last election. The energy industry remains Alberta’s top economic driver, but the boom times of $100/barrel oil prices seem far behind us and unlikely to return.

Private and public capital investment in the province is projected to drop to $54.1 billion in 2018, far from the $97.8 billion we saw in 2014.

Thankfully, other industries are starting to grow and flourish. Edmonton’s burgeoning artificial intelligence and health technology industries are gaining ground, and cannabis legalization will result in an entirely new opportunity for significant investment and new business growth.

In preparation for the election, our members want to hear how each party intends to improve conditions for business and grow the economy over the next four years. That’s why we have arranged a Provincial Leaders Series, where the Edmonton business community can hear

October 2

Stephen Mandel,

Leader of the Alberta Party

November 14

Hon. Jason Kenney, Leader of the United Conservative Party

Date to be confirmed Hon. Rachel Notley,

Premier of Alberta, Leader of the New Democratic Party

Date to be confirmed David Khan,

Leader of the Alberta Liberal Party Tickets at EdmontonChamber.com

Members in this Issue BDC in Edmonton is Ready to Recognize Entrepreneurs with BDC Small Business Week™ on page 47 Jayman MasterBUILT Inc., Homes By Avi (Canada) Inc. and Melcor Developments in Steady as she Goes on page 51 KMG Events & Catering and The Oasis Center - Conferencing and Events in Is ICE District Revitalizing Downtown? on page 55

40

OCTOBER 2018 // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM

Let’s get you back out on the road faster!

To view our inventory, visit drivingforce.ca

AMVIC Licensed

It’s all about the experience.

Great Cookies By George Inc. Member profile Faye Mowers and Judah Busheikin, Co-Owners cookiesbygeorge.com What’s your story?

In 1985, Judah was a young Edmonton lawyer looking for a new business endeavor (something that did not involve wearing a suit every day). In 1988, Faye was looking for a store manager’s job before starting university.

We both tried a George’s cookie and were convinced that Cookies By George was a great fit for us. After Faye received her Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Alberta, we joined together as business partners and haven’t looked back since.

In 2001, we seized the opportunity to buy out the Great Cookies By George head office and relocated it to Edmonton. We attribute our success to a great business partnership, supportive families and life partners, amazing staff and franchisees, loyal customers and, of course, the best cookies in North America.

Edmonton is truly a great community and it’s a privilege to be a part of it.

What are three things people are surprised to learn about your business/or don’t know about your business?

1. We are a Canadian franchise.

2. Our head office is located in Edmonton.

3. We still use the same small-batch recipes that George developed in 1983.

What has surprised you in the last 12 months?

The excitement around Canada’s legalization of cannabis and the number of baby boomers asking us for “special” cookies.

What has been your biggest challenge in the last 12 months?

Trying to predict the next 12 months!

What do you think is the biggest issue impacting Edmonton’s small businesses at this time?

Economic uncertainty.

42

OCTOBER 2018 // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM

Judah Busheikin & Faye Mowers, Co-Owners of Great Cookies By George Inc. Photo by EPIC Photography Inc.

What’s your secret to keeping your employees engaged?

We are very fortunate to have amazing staff that care about our company. We value our staff (and their families), and we try to show them this every day.

Do you have a personal mantra?

Lead by example—if you want your staff to work hard, you had better work hard. If you want your staff to make the right decision and be caring and compassionate, you had better make decisions that are about more than the bottom line.

What do you enjoy most about being a Chamber member?

Faye loves going to the Showcase & Socials and chatting with other business owners. There are so many amazing people in Edmonton and hearing their stories is truly inspiring.

Our Chamber mandate is to create the best environment for business in Edmonton. If you could make one substantial improvement to Edmonton’s business environment, what would it be?

Commit to a vision, plan for that vision and stay 100% committed to the vision.

For example, if transit/biking is a top priority, expand more bike paths and improve transit service. We often hear from newcomers to Edmonton that our transit system is not as strong compared to other major Canadian cities.

What is your favorite thing to do in Edmonton?

Edmonton Folk Music Festival and checking out all the new restaurants!

Apple or android?

Apple. We were devoted Blackberry fans, but once we made the switch it was instant gratification.

Your most favorite place in the world?

Edmonton, of course! There is no place like home.

Coffee or tea?

Both! Faye loves our Java Chai Latte—a shot of espresso with chai tea. Judah is a double shot latte kind of guy.

Connecting Business Members of the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce were busy hosting a number of great and unique events throughout August. Take a look at what some of our members were doing in our capital region this summer!

The expert team of childcare professionals at Kepler Academy were proud to show off their new natural outdoor play space in their recently opened downtown childcare facility at their Patio Picnic on August 21, 2018.

BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // OCTOBER 2018

43

Grandstands at the 89th Canadian Derby at Northlands Park Racetrack & Casino. Photo courtesy of Northlands and Ryan Haynes.

44

The 89th and final Canadian Derby at Northlands Park Racetrack & Casino on August 25, 2018, capped off a tremendous day of thoroughbred horse racing with an amazing win by Sky Promise ridden by Rico Walcott. In front of a packed crowd, the thoroughbreds ran the track for one last time, conjuring up images of the rich history of racing that has taken place for the past 118 years. Photo courtesy of Northlands and Ryan Haynes.

Optimax Benefits had a successful sold-out 7th Annual Optimax Open on August 15, 2018, which raised $5,000 to contribute to the continued vision of the Bissell Centre. Even though the sky was filled with smoke, hearts were warmed with fun, food and learning more about the tremendous charity work of the Bissell Centre. Photo courtesy of Optimax Benefits.

EPCOR President and CEO, Stuart Lee, and Edmonton Chamber President and CEO, Janet Riopel, get ready to float down the North Saskatchewan River during EPCOR RiverFest, an annual event focused on educating Edmontonians about the role we all play in protecting our river valley and the watershed. Photo courtesy of EPCOR.

Political and business leaders were part of the more than 2,200 attendees who enjoyed Edmonton’s river valley by way of paddling the North Saskatchewan River in small and large rafts or voyageur canoes at EPCOR RiverFest on August 11, 2018. Photo courtesy of EPCOR.

OCTOBER 2018 // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM

Edmonton Chamber members NABI, TEC Edmonton and NAIT along with Startup Edmonton and FrancoPreneurs took time to celebrate and recognize Edmonton’s community of talented entrepreneurs in honour of World Entrepreneurs’ Day on August 21, 2018.

Hon. Deron Bilous, left, and Kasim Hassam, Owner of Chamber member Jump Candy, pose together with their delicious, date-based sweets at the launch event for Business Link’s new Immigrant Entrepreneur Program on August 22, 2018. Photo courtesy of Kasim Hassam.

Second Chance CPR & First Aid / Spectrum Safety Services hosted a fun and free “BBQ for Bissell” on August 10, 2018, which raised $300 for the Bissell Centre. Photo via @SCCPRFirstAid on Twitter.

Music fans braved the rain to enjoy live music by top folk music talent from around the globe during the 38th year of the Edmonton Folk Music Festival—one of the world’s leading folk festivals—August 9–12, 2018.

Photo via @edmfolkfest on Twitter.

BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // OCTOBER 2018

45

Tuesday, October 16 Save Your Bacon: Join us this October for BDC Small Business Week™ 2018 as we recognize and celebrate the valuable contribution small businesses make to our city and community.

BDC Small Business ™ Week 2018

Cybersecurity Breakfast with Microsoft Canada

Wednesday, October 17 Return on Engagement: Steering Organizations Toward Social Media Success

BDC Small Business Week™ Showcase & Social Hosted by

+27(/6

Presenting Sponsor

Supporting Sponsors

Contributing Sponsors

Thursday, October 18 Empowering Women in Business Creative Connections: Paint Night

Learn more and get your tickets for these great events today by visiting EdmontonChamber.com

46

OCTOBER 2018 // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM

Friday, October 19 Driving Growth Through Digital Transformation: E-Commerce Workshop Featuring experts from BDC and PayPal

EDMONTON IS READY TO RECOGNIZE ENTREPRENEURS // SMALL BUSINESS WEEK

Edmonton is Ready to Recognize Entrepreneurs with BDC Small Business Week™

BY LAURA BOHNERT

A

re you ready for BDC Small Business Week™ 2018? The national event, (the local celebration is hosted by the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce) will be held between the 15th and 19th of October.

Titled Digitize Now: Transform Your Business, this year’s event will focus on digital performance and technologies, and provide educational sessions on topics ranging from cybersecurity to digital empowerment in the world of e-commerce. As always, the event features the best in business: the Canadian entrepreneurs who contribute greatly to Canada’s economy.

“This year, BDC Small Business Week is focused on the digital economy and business transformation,” explains Janet Riopel, president & CEO of the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce. “In order to stay competitive, even small business owners need to embrace technology, diversify their operations, and seek new markets. The Edmonton Chamber is in the business of helping business, and BDC Small Business Week provides us with the perfect opportunity to both celebrate and inspire our members to conquer new challenges.”

ABOVE: POPPY BARLEY STOREFRONT. PHOTO SOURCE: JILLIAN SCHECHER

INSET: JANET RIOPEL, PRESIDENT & CEO OF THE EDMONTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // OCTOBER 2018

47

EDMONTON IS READY TO RECOGNIZE ENTREPRENEURS // SMALL BUSINESS WEEK

“We are offering an inspiring range of highenergy, high-value events focused on connecting the business community to the people and ideas that will foster innovation, growth and success,” Riopel adds. “From protecting against cyberattacks to a panel discussion on empowerment, our program will energize entrepreneurs to digitize their business, which is crucial in our increasingly connected, automated and data-driven world.”

“We like to think of BDC Small Business Week as a celebration of small business and the incredible contributions entrepreneurs make to our economy,” elaborates Todd Tougas, vice president, financing and consulting, BDC. “There are over a million businesses in Canada, with small and midsized businesses comprising approximately 99 per cent of that figure.”

He adds, “The origins of BDC Small Business Week go back close to 40 years, when a few BDC offices combined their efforts with their local Chambers of Commerce to arrange activities for local business. It has since mushroomed into a national event that is celebrated from coast to coast to coast, recognizing the important contributions of our entrepreneurs to the Canadian economy.

“Each year we choose a relevant theme for BDC Small Business Week. The theme this year is Digitize Now: Transform Your Business because we want to reach out to entrepreneurs and convey the importance of digitizing their businesses. In an increasingly connected and automated world, we need to embrace new technologies to keep from falling behind. Our Digital Readiness study, available through our website, provides many important insights in this regard.”

The week will feature special guests. Riopel says, “We will be kicking off the week with a security expert from Microsoft Canada who will discuss best practices in cyber defense and educate our members on how best to protect

ABOVE: KENDALL AND JUSTINE BARBER..

PHOTO SOURCE: JILLIAN SCHECHER

48

OCTOBER 2018 // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM

Digital Marketing:

Small budget, big results! themselves. I’m also very pleased to be moderating a panel on Empowering Women in Business, featuring three influential and dynamic leaders: former Deputy Prime Minister Anne McLellan, who is now an advisor with Bennett Jones; Laura Didyk, vice president Alberta South, BDC, who is the national sponsor for the bank’s Women Entrepreneur strategy; and the Chamber’s own vice chair, Dawn Harsch, who is the president & CEO of ExquisiCare Senior Living and Care at Home.”

The main events include: • Save Your Bacon: Cybersecurity Breakfast with Microsoft Canada (Tuesday, October 16 from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.) an education session on business security featuring Microsoft’s new Business Self-Defense Boot Camp and keynote speaker Gui Carvalhal, national partner development director at Microsoft Canada.

• Return on Engagement: Steering Organizations Toward Social Media Success (Wednesday, October 17 from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.) an education session on social media strategizing, featuring ATB Financial.

• BDC Small Business Week Showcase & Social (Wednesday, October 17 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.) a trade show style networking event hosted by The Sutton Place Hotel.

• Empowering Women in Business Panel (Thursday, October 18 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.) a moderated discussion recognizing women’s important contributions to business success.

• Creative Connections: Paint Night (Thursday, October 18, 2018 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.), a creative networking event.

• Driving Growth Through Digital Transformation: E-Commerce Workshop (Friday, October 19 from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.) a workshop on using e-commerce to grow your business, featuring keynote speakers Michael Denham, president and CEO, Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC), and a representative from PayPal (TBA).

Being able to do more with less has become essential in the world of digital marketing.

Here are 3 tips on how to optimize your digital marketing strategies to ensure they provide great results:

1. Demographics & Optimization Digital marketing is an extremely valuable advertising channel due to the amount of data that can be pulled from a campaign.

The gender, age, interests and engagement of your target audience can be observed and recorded in order to allow you to properly optimize your content.

2. Tracking your Performance Coupled with the enhanced demographic information, the performance tracking aspect of digital marketing allows you to view the performance of your ads in real time. It allows you to customize and change your ads on the fly if you feel they’re under-performing.

3. Ready-to-Buy Customers Digital marketing platforms such as Yellow Pages Listings can help SMB owners to expand their reach, but also increase their significant interactions with potential customers. In fact, 66% of the 8 million Canadians people who visit YP sites and apps engage in a meaningful contact.

Digital marketing provides you with incredible value, no matter your budget.

Learn more on how to harness the power of digital marketing, visit business.yellowpages.ca today!

BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // OCTOBER 2018

49

EDMONTON IS READY TO RECOGNIZE ENTREPRENEURS // SMALL BUSINESS WEEK

APPALLED BY THE TERRIBLE CONDITIONS AND LOW-PAID WORKERS THAT ARE OFTEN BEHIND SOME OF THE MOST POPULAR AND EXPENSIVE FASHION LABELS, THE BARBERS DECIDED TO MAKE DOING THINGS DIFFERENTLY A BUSINESS PRIORITY. THEY WANTED THE VALUE OF THE SHOE TO BE REFLECTED IN EACH ASPECT OF ITS BEING, FROM QUALITY TO COMFORT, TO CREATION. However, the real stars of Small Business Week are the small businesses and entrepreneurs who have worked (and continue to work) so hard to bolster Edmonton’s economic success and its reputation.

Their success reflects the ongoing determination of the company—along with the power of a good idea, a strong dedication to a vision, and the added benefit of digital technology.

One such business—and one that can attest to the importance of e-commerce—is Poppy Barley.

“Growing Poppy Barley to be a national brand across Canada is a top priority,” Barber explains. “We are looking at opening retail stores (Poppy Barley currently has a physical store in Edmonton with popups opening in Calgary, Vancouver, Ottawa, Toronto, Winnipeg, Saskatoon and Regina) as well as continuing to funnel resources into our e-commerce operations.”

Poppy Barley, which is named after poppy seeds and barley corns, the original unit of measurement in shoemaking, was launched by Edmonton sisters Justine and Kendall Barber in 2012. As their name indicates, the sisters shaped the company around the traditional roots of shoemaking, with a dedication to creating the high-quality, tailored, and handcrafted footwear that the days of poppy seeds and barley corns were known for; however, they’ve also given that dedication an even more important focus: the ethics of the fashion industry.

Appalled by the terrible conditions and low-paid workers that are often behind some of the most popular and expensive fashion labels, the Barbers decided to make doing things differently a business priority. They wanted the value of the shoe to be reflected in each aspect of its being, from quality to comfort, to creation. The sisters travelled to screen potential factories for positive working conditions that include fair wages and benefits, worker’s rights and freedoms, health and safety, and opportunity.

Kendall Barber attributes the business’ success to “people and courage”—although, she confides, the company has a long way to go before it catches up to the team’s vision and ambition.

“Our success comes from having the courage to have a vision, share that vision, and onboard the right people: people who share our vision and beliefs, and people who had the courage to say yes, including the initial factories who had the courage to say yes to two people who had no product and an idea.”

50

OCTOBER 2018 // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM

The company’s ability to digitize has provided it the opportunity to reach a national market without being hindered by the challenges and limitations of physical expansion. It’s a business model that has also brought them to the leading edge of their industry. Poppy Barley was the first company in North America to offer handcrafted fashion boots online.

Her biggest piece of advice to Edmonton’s entrepreneurs?

“Think bigger!”

“Sometimes being in Edmonton, because of the size of city, causes people to think too small in terms of the size of our businesses. There is lots of room for us to be bolder in our dreams,” she encourages.

“It is unexpected for a company like Poppy Barley to come from Edmonton,” she concludes, “and by creating companies that are unexpected and different, we position the city differently in the minds of those who are both from and not from Edmonton—and that is vital to encouraging people to stay in Edmonton, especially creatives who are looking to stay in the field.”

If you are interested in registering for any of the BDC Small Business Week’s events, visit www.EdmontonChamber.com.

STEADY AS SHE GOES // REAL ESTATE

Steady as she Goes DESPITE NEW STRICTER RULES AND SLOW ECONOMIC RECOVERY, EDMONTON’S HOMEBUILDERS REMAIN STUBBORNLY OPTIMISTIC

BY BEN FREELAND

S

pend enough time talking to Edmonton homebuilders and one is left with the impression that this industry—in Edmonton at least—is populated by people with an incurable sense of optimism. To most Edmontonians, the pre-2014 era of skyward property prices and spellbound optimism over the city’s downtown redevelopment feels like ancient history. However, for Edmonton’s residential construction leaders, a series of tough years marked by stagnant growth appears to have done little to dampen their stubborn optimism. A glass-half-full perspective on the world appeared to be baked into their psyche.

“I always like to be optimistic,” says Charles Fay, general manager for Edmonton at Jayman BUILT, one of the city’s largest homebuilders. “Business is nowhere near where we want it to be, but things could be way worse.”

Despite modest economic growth and improvement in employment, 2018 has proven to be a tough year for Edmonton’s residential real estate market. As of July 2018, the average residential selling price had dropped to $370,046, a decrease of 3.63 per cent compared to July 2017. Aside from the condominium market, which saw a 3.40 per

BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // OCTOBER 2018

51

STEADY AS SHE GOES // REAL ESTATE

cent increase over the year, sales across the residential market have slid since July 2017, with a 3.29 per cent drop for single-family homes and a 3.31 per cent decline for duplex/ rowhouses. Meanwhile, as of July 2018, condominiums were spending an average of 67 days on the market, an increase of five days over the previous year, while single-family dwellings were taking an average of 50 days longer to sell.

That being said, Edmonton’s homebuilders don’t seem particularly worried. Residential housing starts, while down from mid-2017, had shown three consecutive quarters of increases as of July 2018, with an increase of over 20 per cent from Q1 to Q2 of 2018.

Housing permits are up, and total inventory is up 12.62 per cent from June 2017. New market listings increased by 4.04 per cent over the same period.

Residential construction continues to boom in multiple areas in the city, especially in the south and southeast, with neighbouring St. Albert and Leduc also showing strong activity.

One reason for the optimism, industry leaders assert, is that the current lack of growth in the market is largely due to a non-economic factor, namely the government of Canada’s new mortgage rules, which took effect on January 1, 2018. The latest in a series of federal measures aimed at limiting the amount of debt that Canadians and financial institutions can take on, the new rules impose stringent new stress tests on borrowers—even those with a down payment of 20 per cent or more. A recent Bank of Canada analysis suggests that the new standards would exclude some 10 per cent of Canadians who qualified for uninsured mortgages between mid-2016 and mid-2017.

“We’re seeing a lot of would-be buyers having a hard time in terms of financing,” says Maria Kennedy, general manager for Edmonton at Homes by Avi. “The new mortgage rules have meant an increase in co-signers, of homes having to be sold beforehand, and significantly longer buying cycles. However, we think this is temporary and that we’ll see things return to normal once people become accustomed to the new standards.”

Other causes for optimism in the sector include Alberta’s overall economic performance.

While investment in oil and gas remains tepid and anxiety over the United States trade tariffs continue to cast a shadow, the province’s economy grew by 4.9 per cent in 2017 and is expected to continue growing in 2018, albeit at a slower clip at 1.9 per cent—concurrent with a national slowdown. Unemployment continues its slow decline, down to 6.7 per cent from 7.8 in 2017. Equally important to this sector has been an improvement in net migration to Alberta, which, while still well below pre-recession levels, has improved markedly since 2016.

“There is a lot going on in the market right now that gives us cause for optimism,” says Susan Monson, vice president of commercial development for Edmonton at Melcor Developments. “Retail and industrial activity are up. Employment is growing.

RIGHT: SUSAN MONSON, VICE PRESIDENT OF COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT, EDMONTON, MELCOR DEVELOPMENTS.

52

OCTOBER 2018 // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM

STEADY AS SHE GOES // REAL ESTATE

“THERE IS A LOT GOING ON IN THE MARKET RIGHT NOW THAT GIVES US CAUSE FOR OPTIMISM. RETAIL AND INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITY ARE UP. EMPLOYMENT IS GROWING.” ~ SUSAN MONSON

CHRISTENSON Quality Retirement Living Southwoods Court North is a fun and social Christenson Community for active adults. Tour this multigenerational village and discover how our projects are revitalizing mature neighbourhoods like Hazeldean, Westmount and Sherwood Park.

9430-67 AVENUE NW Ph: (780) 975-2509

Learn more at ChristensonGroup.ca BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // OCTOBER 2018

53

STEADY AS SHE GOES // REAL ESTATE

Migration, which is fuel for our industry, is up. We’re still well below pre-recession levels but pretty much every non-oil-and-gas industry is doing well, and this is exactly what you see before any boom we’ve ever had in our industry. For the time being, however, people are very much focused on affordability, which translates to a competitive entry-level housing market—smaller houses, zero-lot-line properties, and places set up for secondary suites—and an extremely shallow market at the estate level. In sum, 2019 looks to be very similar to 2018, namely slow and steady.”

Other factors that were expected to influence Edmonton’s housing market, include the LRT expansion and the city’s push for greater infill, appear to have had little impact thus far, while others, namely school and hospital construction projects, as well as access to arterial transport lines, do appear to be having an impact, particularly in Edmonton’s fast-expanding southern periphery.

Demand for green features, such as solar panels, remains low as a result of price being buyers’ unparalleled concern.

“We’re seeing a lot of interest in solar panels and the like, but very little followthrough,” says Monson.

“Affordability is everybody’s focus right now, and small things like this tend to tip the scale for people. What we are seeing a lot of, however, are designs that can be easily retrofitted with sustainable features once they become financially feasible for homeowners. Buyers do indeed care about sustainability, and these days better quality windows and insulation are now industry standard.”

A classic Alberta-style economic boom that would send Edmonton’s residential real estate market skyward once again in 2019, or any time in the foreseeable future, appears highly unlikely, and Edmonton’s residential construction companies appear to have embraced a new reality.

“Long gone are the days where you had people working in oil and gas simply opening their wallets and not worrying about cost,” says Kennedy. “We still have a broad array of people buying homes and it definitely feels like things are coming back to normal, but it’s a different sort of normal.”

Fay concurs, adding, “A flat or slightly inclining market really isn’t such a bad thing at the end of the day.”

54

OCTOBER 2018 // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM

IS ICE DISTRICT REVITALIZING DOWNTOWN? // EVENT PLANNING & CATERING

IS ICE DISTRICT REVITALIZING DOWNTOWN? ICE DISTRICT WAS SUPPOSED TO REVITALIZE DOWNTOWN, CREATE JOBS AND ATTRACT PEOPLE. NOW THAT IT’S IN FULL SWING, IT’S TIME TO CHECK IN ON THE PROGRESS.

BY ZACHARY EDWARDS

ABOVE: ICE DISTRICT’S DEVELOPMENT IS ONGOING. PHOTO SOURCE: ICE DISTRICT

BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // OCTOBER 2018

55

IS ICE DISTRICT REVITALIZING DOWNTOWN? // EVENT PLANNING & CATERING

I

t may be hard to remember now but the initial announcement for Rogers Place was instantly connected to stories of a revitalized downtown core. Like many stadiums before it, the Oilers’ proposed new home was supposed to bring new venues and new areas for people to explore and enjoy. With these, of course, a renewed excitement was supposed to follow, and more development as a result.

ICE District was announced not long after Rogers Place and with it, the claim that it would “transform Edmonton and [become] the largest mixed-use sports and entertainment development in Canada.” Even today, ICE District’s own website claims that the area is “leading a major rejuvenation — and shakeup of commercial real estate — in downtown Edmonton.”

Such promises of revitalization are the go-to marketing strategy for many stadiums, often used in an effort to get the approval of the public and consequently, public funding.

Few stadiums, however, actually deliver on such promises.

Edmonton’s own Commonwealth Stadium, for example, was supposed to make its surrounding area a hotspot, something that never really happened. More broadly, a 2008 survey study concluded that “peer-reviewed literature on the economic impact of stadiums, arenas, sports franchises, and sports mega-events has consistently found no substantial evidence of increased jobs, incomes or tax revenues for communities associated with [sports subsidies].”

That made Rogers Place and its significant public funding quite the risk with a slim chance of reward. With a final price tag just shy of $614 million, including the Winter Garden and connection to the LRT, it’s not unreasonable to look at whether the new arena and surrounding area are performing for the city as a whole. This is especially true since the City

itself contributed $313 million and the Katz Group added $166 million, mostly in the form of rent payments to the City. A surcharge to fans is expected to make up the rest.

With such a significant strain on the public coffers, both in terms of cash and potential for lost revenue, it begs the question: have ICE District and Rogers Place started to deliver on their promises?

Renee Williams, director of international market development for Edmonton Tourism, says the district has already become a major part of the city’s revival and reimagining, and is delivering on its promises both for itself and Edmonton’s downtown. “ICE District is a catalyst.

It has played a significant role in the redevelopment and reimagining of downtown,” she says. “I think the people at ICE District and the Oilers Entertainment Group have done a fantastic job with the concert series and looking at ways to have acts in town for more than one day.”

ICE DISTRICT WAS ANNOUNCED NOT LONG AFTER ROGERS PLACE AND WITH IT, THE CLAIM THAT IT WOULD “TRANSFORM EDMONTON AND [BECOME] THE LARGEST MIXED-USE SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT DEVELOPMENT IN CANADA.

ABOVE: ROGERS PLACE. RIGHT: ICE DISTRICT RENDERINGS. PHOTO SOURCE: ICE DISTRICT

56

OCTOBER 2018 // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM

IS ICE DISTRICT REVITALIZING DOWNTOWN? // EVENT PLANNING & CATERING

BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // OCTOBER 2018

57

IS ICE DISTRICT REVITALIZING DOWNTOWN? // EVENT PLANNING & CATERING

Williams cites Garth Brooks specifically, whose nine sold-out shows generated an estimated $42 million for the city’s economy, according to the Oilers Entertainment Group. This is a significant number, not just as a signal that people are seeing downtown Edmonton as a destination, but to the economic benefits of the stadium.

One of the reasons that Edmonton may avoid the issues that come with most big stadiums is the significant amount of redevelopment in the area, and the major impact that development is already having. To date, $2.5 billion in development is underway, completed, or planned, which is what interests many events professionals in the city. It isn’t just Garth Brooks or other high-profile events that are happening downtown, it’s the excitement surrounding everything that brings people to the core.

For Kate Gallagher, owner and operator of KMG Events, ICE District’s new venues mean more opportunities, but in general her business has been unchanged by its arrival.

58

OCTOBER 2018 // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM

“Overall, we haven’t seen much of a change to our business with ICE District opening up,” she says, but, “New venues are always good to have, and we are open to using them. It depends entirely on our clients’ wants and needs.”

What Gallagher has noticed is that people, even those from out of town, want to spend time downtown as opposed to flying in, doing their work, and flying out again. “The downtown has become sexier in the past few years and we are noticing our clients are more open to staying and doing things downtown,” she says. “Rogers Place is bringing more people downtown and there’s more to do, so they are more open to staying.”

Christine Dimler, conference director at The Oasis Centre, has similarly noticed little changes in their business because of ICE District, and that the area is changing people’s opinions of Edmonton’s downtown and the city as a whole.

“As the Oasis Centre is a unique venue for comparably smaller, exclusive events, the downtown redevelopment did not really affect our business,” she says. “We feel that

IS ICE DISTRICT REVITALIZING DOWNTOWN? // EVENT PLANNING & CATERING

WHAT GALLAGHER HAS NOTICED IS THAT PEOPLE, EVEN THOSE FROM OUT OF TOWN, WANT TO SPEND TIME DOWNTOWN AS OPPOSED TO FLYING IN, DOING THEIR WORK, AND FLYING OUT AGAIN.

our exclusive venue and high-quality service complements the downtown redevelopment, making Edmon-ton an even more attractive meeting destination. The venues downtown challenge us to stay on the cutting edge of providing outstanding, flexible service to our clients.”

Overall, ICE District’s presence and impact is happening in conjunction with revitalization efforts all around the city, not just in the small section immediately around Rogers Place. In essence, it hasn’t happened in a vacuum. “I think you’ve got all the development that’s been happening all over downtown,” says Williams. “You’ve got things like the Royal Alberta Museum and all the development on 104th St. You’ve got Oliver and the Brewery District and the new hotel property opening up in The Quarters.”

Each of these areas are bringing people downtown, whether it’s a new art exhibit or museum exhibit, a new restaurant, or new conference spaces opening up that attract professionals and experts from around the world. All of it is

making Edmonton a more significant player in events and conferences, and the entire city is benefits.

Williams concludes, “When you look at the picture holistically, you can see that downtown Edmonton has really become a destination. We have seen so much investment and development in the area that it’s only going to make the destination even greater.”

Over 10 years ago, when the new arena was first announced, many people in Edmonton were excited by its impact on a somewhat-sleepy downtown core. With its arrival and the accompanying ICE District, we are seeing tangible changes to the area. It seems Edmonton, through a focused development and opening up of its downtown restrictions, has avoided many of the issues that often come with new stadiums. With the many changes, Edmonton’s downtown has already become a destination like never before, and with more development on the way, its success will only continue.

BUSINESSINEDMONTON.COM // BUSINESS IN EDMONTON // OCTOBER 2018

59

Customized Solutions Western Modular Homes celebrates 25 years of making a difference for homeowners and pioneering in the industry.

By Nerissa McNaughton

S

innovating in ways that make the brand stand out and provide an almost endless variety of luxurious styles, finishes, floor plans, and options.

“Most people still think modular means the old definition of a mobile home,” says former owner Dwight Kuhn. “I love it when people say in our showhomes, ‘this isn’t a trailer! It’s a home!’”

“We don’t say no to custom requests,” says Rogers. “We try to help the customer figure out exactly what they want, then we build it for them. We don’t push products on customers. Our goal is to offer the best process to build a custom house. It’s a different process than you’d find anywhere else.”

weeping staircases. Dream kitchens. Spacious mudrooms.

Luxury ensuites. These are priority items for homeowners, and they can get all this and more within budget by choosing Western Modular Homes.

Western Modular has built more than 900 custom homes and is now building for the second generation of some of its clients. Dwight and Cal Kuhn, the company’s founders, made the decision early on to challenge what a modular home could be. This included using better quality materials than most builders and engineering the modules to allow for things like open concept floor plans and large, complex, multi-module homes. Mike Machtans, project manager, and Rob Rogers, construction manager, and their team continue

Best Plumbing and Lighting would like to congratulate Western Modular Homes on their 25th Anniversary!

11703 154 Street Toll Free: 1-800-330-1843 | bestplumbing.ca

“Building indoors has many advantages, especially in our unpredictable climate,” adds Machtans. “Keeping the building materials and our skilled trades dry and out of the rain, snow, mud, wind and cold allows for a better-quality product and a more predictable, faster schedule than a house built on site.

This truly is the future of home building.”

Transparency is important to Western Modular. At any time during the build the homeowner can arrange to visit the home in progress, and they can bring friends and family along. “We encourage that because it allows the homeowners to feel involved and excited about their home as well as give feedback on changes as the home is built. We also offer detailed pricing.

Each component is individually priced. You can add or subtract components to fit a budget,” says the management team.

After the fire in Fort McMurray, Western Modular completed the first home (on a basement) in the city. As a modular builder, the company was able to mobilize and complete homes faster than site builders in the area, and they delivered the first completed foundation home just four months after the blaze.

Western Modular competed nearly 20 fully customized homes for Fort McMurray and area families, including a replica of one they had built for a client in 1993.

Western Modular Homes celebrates 25 years 60

gemcabinets.com Dwight Kuhn, Rob Rogers and Mike Machtans.

The company turns 25 this year and would like to thank the many clients, trades, contractors, vendors, and staff it has been privileged to work with in the past, and will continue to work with in the future. With many of these relationships already 10-15 years strong, with a few dating back the full 25 years, something must be working! Western Modular values these partnerships highly and recognizes them as a key to the company’s success.

Innovation and customization remain top of mind as the company strives to offer the best process to build a custom home, and continues to add additional services like foundations, on-site heating/plumbing, garages and decks to better serve its clients.

CONGRATULATIONS WESTERN MODULAR HOMES

2323 4th Street Nisku, Alberta T9E 7W7 Phone: (780) 955-9710 westernmodular.com

25 YEARS

Congratulations Western Modular on 25 Years!

S p e c i a l i z i n g i n S t e e l F r a m i n g , I n s u l a t i o n , D r y w a l l , Ta p e & Te x t u r e .

9734 – 47 Avenue Edmonton, AB T6E 5P3 Office: 780-439-4519 | Fax: 780-439-3527

www.bwrightdrywall.com Western Modular Homes celebrates 25 years

C o m p l e t e Fa m i l y D e n t a l C a r e Teeth Whitening • Orthodontic Treatment • Dentures

• General Dentists • Dental Laboratory & Registered Dental Technician on site • Prosthodontists (Specialists in Dentures, Implants & Crowns) • Emergency Dental Care & Denture Repairs

Now neuromoffering (botox © odulators , xe for den omin ©) tal!

Open 8 A.M. Monday to Friday Evenings Monday to Thursday & Saturdays by Appointment

Complimentary parking: 10126-118 Street

780-482-4000 | empiredentists.com

Wendell Wiebe, Partner; Darryl Wiebe, President and Barry Derkson, Partner. Photo Rebecca Lippiatt Photography.

KERR Interior Systems Constructs a Better Future

By Nerissa McNaughton

K

ERR Interior Systems Ltd. is a construction company specializing in light gauge steel studs, acoustic ceilings, drywall and taping, load bearing steel studs, and COMSLAB® and Ultrabond floor systems. This year the company celebrates its 40th anniversary.

It all started in 1978, when Ken Rubin, Ed Wiebe, Russ McAuley, and Ron Creusot (whose first initials combine to KERR) decided to leave their employer and start their own company. At first, things went very well. KERR earned around $500K in revenue in its first year, and revenue continued to climb quickly until the recession in the 80s. Life, however, started to intervene. Creusot and Rubin moved away for personal reasons, and when McAuley faced health issues, he and Wiebe decided to sell the company to (Ed) Wiebe’s sons, Darryl and Wendell.

Already long-term employees of KERR, the boys were happy to accept the offer. Their father continued on for three more years, and later, the family business would be joined by their uncle, Barry Derkson.

Today, Darryl Wiebe is the company president. In the early 2000s, he incorporated computerization into the operations, and this caused the company to grow rapidly – but he’s not shy in admitting that the company has, at times, struggled.

“In approximately 2003, KERR started to experiment with load bearing steel stud and panelization,” says the president. “KERR quickly became the leader in the Edmonton area for load bearing steel stud construction and pre-finished panelization during the boom. However, due to rapid growth and other factors, KERR entered bankruptcy protection in November of 2007. Fortunately, KERR was able to come to an agreement with its creditors. It took approximately four years for KERR to complete its plan and get back on its feet.”

Stronger than ever, KERR re-established itself as one of the top interior system companies in Edmonton.

“Now we have about 10 administrative employees and 70 in the field,” says Wiebe with pride. “KERR has always operated with KERR Interior Systems | 40 YEARS

63

the goal of being the most professional, highest quality interior systems company in Northern Alberta. We are leaders when it comes to implementing and adapting new technology, and we feel we have the best trained staff in the industry. Our envisioned future is to improve lives and certify 100 tradesmen by 2028.

Our core values are: PRIDE - professional, relationships, integrity, development, and excellence. Our core purpose is to elevate people, and our brand promise is: constructing a better future. We are very people focused, and our employees are our #1 priority.”

updates the apprenticeship program) for over 20 years. I served the maximum amount of time possible on the PAC, serving six years as a committee member and another six as presiding officer. We plan to always have someone on the PAC for Alberta.

Wiebe continues, “The biggest factor to our success and longevity is the fact that we can do a wide range of work. We will do projects in value from $1,000 to our largest of about $5M, and everything in between.

With four decades of hard-won success behind KERR, Wiebe pauses to think of some of the company’s milestones.

“We work hard at training our staff and making sure as many as possible go through the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) apprenticeship program. This is extremely important to us. Our goal is to have our industry become certified, which means every journeyman must have a ticket.

KERR has had someone on the Provincial Apprenticeship Committee (PAC - the governing body which controls and

“Another thing that makes us successful is that we have a very inclusive, family-oriented culture that is built on mutual respect, where everyone from the owners to the truck drivers are treated the same.”

“Opening our pre-finished panelizing factory in 2006/2007 was a huge accomplishment and very industry-leading at the time.

Our most recent memorable moments include completing the Gran Villa and Starlight casinos for Clark Builders. Our team loved working on those projects because of the high level of detail and artistic work involved.

Wiebe and his team are committed to giving each client an outstanding experience.

GIVE THEM A HAND. DLA Piper (Canada) LLP congratulates Kerr Interior Systems Ltd. on their 40 th anniversary and their many accomplishments over the years.

As their proud legal advisors, we are honoured to be part of their success.

dlapiper.com

DLA Piper (Canada) LLP is part of DLA Piper, a global law firm, operating through various separate and distinct legal entities. Further details of these entities can be found at www.dlapiper.com.

KERR Interior Systems | 40 YEARS | 2

“KERR has an excellent safety rating and regularly gets a rebate from the Workers Compensation Board of Alberta,” admits Wiebe. “We have been COR certified since the inception of COR, and we use a digital safety platform for all of our foremen to fill out toolbox meetings, hazard assessments, etc.”

“We take great pride in being the most professional interior systems company in Edmonton,” he smiles. “Unfortunately, our trade and industry have a very bad reputation for being unprofessional; we are working very hard to change that image.

We give each customer and every project a very high-quality finished product with as few deficiencies as possible, and we maintain a high quality of communication and professionalism throughout the project. We are also very consistent in our pricing, which our customers value because they always know what to expect.”

Equal care is taken to ensure the staff remain safe on the job.

Congratulations to Kerr Interiors Systems on 40 years of success!

The company is also very committed to staying efficient with the latest technology, something it achieves in a unique way.

“We have recently created an internal ‘disruption council’ with one owner and four employees, where we have regular meetings to look at all types of new technology, methodology, and anything that can make us better and separate us from our competition,” Wiebe points out.

The commitment to customer satisfaction, the outstanding safety record, the embrace of technology – it all cumulates in being awarded challenging projects that are integral to the fabric of Edmonton.

780.414.0330

WE ARE PROUD TO BE A PART OF YOUR TEAM AND TAKE PRIDE IN BUILDING THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER…

CONGRATULATIONS ON 40 YEARS Kerr Interior Systems Ltd.

Here’s to a continued successful future serving the communities of Edmonton. www.rmsbuilders.ca 10050 29a Ave NW, Edmonton, AB T6N 1A8 (780) 463-7413 • www.shoemakerdrywall.com

KERR Interior Systems | 40 YEARS | 3

Wiebe explains, “Peter Lougheed Hall is a new grad student residence at the University of Alberta. This project was all load bearing steel stud and COMSLAB products. It is very unique due to the small site size and the curved walls in the courtyard area. It also has a very interesting roof truss design.

“The Grand Villa and Starlight casinos were also very interesting projects. They are full of specialty products and lots of curves and intricate details.”

Giving back to the community is very important to KERR. Last year, the company donated labour to complete four units for the Carter Work Project with Habitat for Humanity. KERR also supports various charities thought the year, and the company recently contributed to the Show the Love campaign for the Cross Cancer Institute’s 50th anniversary.

Wiebe and his team feel humbled to have received many recognitions for their hard work over the years. “KERR recently received a project of the year award for its light steel framing of the Gran Villa Casino and for SportChek in West Edmonton Mall. Personally, I have a BSc. degree from the U of A, and I won first place in every year that I went through the apprenticeship program. In my third and final year, because I was first place, I was able to go to Philadelphia and compete in the North American ISM competition, where I placed 3rd in North America.”

On behalf of the team and the past and present ownership, Wiebe thanks the Alberta Wall and Ceiling Association,

Congratulations Kerr Interior Systems on 40 years We wish you many more years of continued success

BURKE INTERIOR SYSTEMS LTD. 10809 182 St NW Edmonton, AB, T5S 1J5 Tel: 780-483-1454 • Fax: 780 484-9515 www.burkeinterior.ca

Edmonton Executive Association, MacKay CEO Forums, and especially Results Canada for their positive influence in networking and personal and professional growth.

Wiebe looks forward to the future of KERR and is open to how that future will develop.

“There will be continued growth and implementation of new technology,” he concludes. “In the next few years, there will probably be another transition of ownership as the current group retires. We don’t know what that looks like yet, but we have some great young talent in the company, and we hope that KERR will keep going for another 40 years.”

9335 - 62 Ave Edmonton, AB T6E 0E1 Phone: (780) 466-2800 • Toll Free: 1 (866) 610-5188 www.kerrinterior.com

Congratulations to Kerr Interior Systems on this amazing milestone.

We wish you continued success in the future and look forward to working with Kerr for another 40 years.

Congratulations to Kerr Interior Systems on 40 years!

Wish you many more years of continued success.

Congratulations KERR Interior Systems on 40 years in business

Unit #244 - 2301 Premier Way Sherwood Park, AB T8H 2K8 P: 780 449 5825 www.amanbuilders.ca

KERR Interior Systems | 40 YEARS | 4

780 718 1373

ACTION ELECTRICAL: STILL SHINING CELEBRATING 45 YEARS OF SUCCESS

Blake & Don Bunting.

Photo by EPIC Photography Inc.

BY NERISSA MCNAUGHTON Action Electrical Ltd. is a commercial electrical contractor providing services through their three distinct divisions: Projects, Service and TEGG.

“We are blessed with long term staff, having over one third of our team being with us for over 5 years and many much longer,” adds Don.

Don Bunting launched Action Electrical Ltd. from his home basement in 1973. Today, Action is a thriving enterprise with more than 100 employees. Action provides design builds, new builds, electrical service, lighting maintenance and TEGG preventative maintenance testing. Five years ago, Don, president, and his son Blake, general manager, sat down with Business in Edmonton magazine to share the company’s 40-year history. Now, as Action celebrates 45 years, we get a look at what’s changed.

There has been a great focus on developing the team through training and education. In January, the leadership worked with the staff on a theme for 2018: Intentional.

“We are making it a priority to be intentional with our people, clients, and our unique business model,” shares Blake.

Since 2010, Action is proud to have become Alberta’s only licensed TEGG provider. TEGG is a global organization that is focused on the preventative maintenance of electrical distribution systems. Action is able to provide specialized electrical testing, which includes infrared, ultrasonic, energized/de-energized, arc flash and coordination studies and guaranteed maintenance agreements.

“Corporately, we have done a good job of adding to our core staff in the field and office,” starts Blake. “We’ve been able to find qualified people, and that has allowed us to diversify even more.”

1

67

warranty to our service manager and he becomes the point of contact for warranty repairs. It’s a team approach. Our goal is to maintain that building and retain that client for years to come.”

Another change is the introduction of the company’s fullcircle mandate. Blake explains, “At the time the building we are constructing is energized, our TEGG technicians come in and complete a quality control inspection on all of the electrical distribution. Our certified Level 1 and 2 thermographers utilize state of the art equipment to take infrared photos of each piece of distribution and ultrasonic equipment to locate any potential arcing, corona or mechanical looseness. These steps allow us to determine if there are any electrical anomalies. Then, Action repairs any deficiencies and creates a detailed report. We meet with the owner and general contractor and show them everything we determined through our general inspection. Then, we hand off the next year’s

“Full circle,” Don points out, “Is a step above the normal expectations of our clients.”

With the cost of steel and copper increasing as much as 85 per cent with the tariff war, in addition to other economic impacts, Action Electrical has remained agile, planning out inventory, labour, and strategy for long-term projects. It’s this kind of thinking that has kept Action in business for nearly half a century.

Happy 45th, Action Electrical!

We’re proud to grow together with you as family-owned, Edmonton-owned companies. Here’s to our future success!

2

Congratulations Action Electrical on your 45th Anniversary

Congratulations Action Electrical on your 45th Anniversary!

1-866-WESCOCA (937-2622) | Shop conveniently online buy.wesco.ca

Successful growth inspires us all Congratulations to our client Action Electrical Ltd. on 45 years of remarkable growth.

grantthornton.ca Audit | Tax | Advisory

Providing innovative solutions for residential, commercial, and industrial applications

© 2018 Grant Thornton LLP. A Canadian Member of Grant Thornton International Ltd

www.schneider-electric.com/ca

Congratulations

Nedco would like to congratulate Action Electrical on 45 Years of Excellence.

Nedco is proud to have been a part of your business as a primary supplier for 33 years.

We wish you continued success in the future and look forward to working with Action Electrical for another 45 years.

EATON CANADA WOULD LIKE TO CONGRATULATE Action Electrical on 45 Years!

Tom Pfaffinger General Manager at Nedco West

• Commercial Construction • Industrial • Machinery OEM’s • Residential • Panel Builder & Electrical OEM’s • Utility

www.eatoncanada.ca 3

In 2015, Action was a runner up for Alberta Venture’s contractor of the year, and in 2016, they achieved that honour. In 2018, Don and Blake were humbled and proud to be named Business in Edmonton Leaders.

“There is nothing really magical about it,” smiles Don. “You have breaks and you have challenges. It all comes down to hard work, relationships, and being able to hire and retain good people. That is so important because the people are the company.”

After 45 years, the next goal is hit 50 – and beyond.

Like most businesses in Edmonton, Action has been affected by Alberta’s economic challenges. Thankfully, a very strong foundation, a great team, an outstanding reputation, and a commitment to excellence in the electrical field, all while earning customers’ long-term trust through prompt, skilled, and personalized service, has served Action Electrical well.

“There is no right economy,” concludes Don with his ever-present optimism. “Some years are just easier to handle than others, but you just do your best under any condition.” That is why Action Electrical is thriving year after year, and that’s why it will continue to be a leader in electrical contracting for many decades to come.

7931 Coronet Road, Edmonton, AB T6E 4N7 Phone: 780-465-0792| Fax: 780-469-5407 |

www.actionelectrical.net

Offering corporate, commercial and real estate related legal services to Action Electrical and other great Alberta-based businesses.

Congrats to Don and Blake and the rest of the crew at Action Electrical!

Suite 302, 91 South Building | 1524 91st Street S.W. | Edmonton, Alberta T6X 1M5 Phone: 780.436.8554 | www.richardslaw.ca

4

FOR EVERYTHING THAT CAN GO WRONG UNDER YOUR ROOF, THERE’S THE NUMBER THAT LIVES UNDER OURS. Fifty percent of businesses may never re-open after a disaster. That’s why knowing the easiest way to contact SERVPRO® is so important. Because the sooner you get in touch with us, the quicker we can start to minimize the damage, as well as the cost. Just contact SERVPRO of Calgary South or SERVPRO of Edmonton Southside to activate the cleanup team that’s faster to any-sized disaster. We’re a leader in giving control back to homeowners, property managers and even entire communities after the ravaging effects of water and fire. So whether you’re responsible for 1,000 square feet or 100,000 – it’s your decision to call on the very best. Your trusted, local SERVPRO professional.

Services in Canada provided by independently owned & operated franchises of SERVPRO International, LLC.

NFP GOVERNANCE ESSENTIALS PROGRAM

Better serve your Not-For-Profit organization

AND ITS MISSION. APPLY BEFORE DECEMBER 20, 2018 FOR THE NEXT EDMONTON OFFERING

“The ICD-Rotman NFP Program is an excellent preparatory course for those new to governance—not-for-profit or otherwise.

The instructors were engaging and expertly illustrated theory through real-life experiences. The course material covers broad areas that are critical to today’s boards; covering essentials for those new to board work, while rounding out and enhancing the effectiveness of experienced directors.”

MARGIE PARIKH, MBA, CFP BOARD MEMBER, BC OIL & GAS COMMISSION, CISV INTERNATIONAL FORMER CHAIR, MOUNTAIN EQUIPMENT CO-OP

The NFP program is the only national program of its kind and provides learning that can be immediately applied. Participating directors in this premier course will focus on key accountabilities and responsibilities for NFP directors and leaders through the extensive use of team-based, board-simulated learning to ensure participants benefit from the experiences of both faculty and their peers.

PROGRAM DATES: February 11-12, 2019 APPLICATION DEADLINE: December 20, 2018 CITY: Edmonton COLLABORATING SCHOOL: Alberta School of Business,

University of Alberta

A LIMITED NUMBER OF RBC FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPS VALUED AT $2,500 EACH ARE AVAILABLE FOR THIS OFFERING. MAKE A DIFFERENCE AS AN NFP DIRECTOR. CONTACT THE ICD AND APPLY TODAY.

Supported by:

1.877.593.7741 x245 education@icd.ca

Jointly developed by:

icd.ca/NFP

In collaboration with: