The Advocate Magazine - March | April 2012

advocate MARCH | APRIL 2012

Building Blocks for Tomorrow’s Economy Second of a Three Part Series

Government Policy is Critical for Waterloo Region Development Shale Gas Development: Environmental and Energy Issues on Both Sides of the Border Recognizing the Benefits of Reurbanization Work & Play at The Boardwalk on Ira Needles Blvd.

advocate MARICH | APRIL 2012 WWW.GREATERKWCHAMBER.COM

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FEATURE

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF:

Shale Gas Development: Environmental and Energy Issues on Both Sides of the Border

Art Sinclair EDITOR:

David P. Flynn

Heather Hutchings

FEATURE

DESIGN AND PRODUCTION:

Internationally Trained Individuals – An Ongoing Source of Talent for Employers

Cober Evolving Solutions

Carol Simpson

Adamski Photography and Van Valkenburg Communications

COVER STORY

ADVERTISING AND SALES:

Government Policy is Critical for Waterloo Region Development

David MacLellan - dmaclellan@greaterkwchamber.com Don Critelli- dcritelli@greaterkwchamber.com JR Waddell- jwaddell@greaterkwchamber.com

Chamber Staff

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FEATURE

Recognizing the Benefits of Reurbanization Mike Maxwell

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FEATURE

Health Minister Outlines Major Changes at Chamber Event

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS:

Brian Bennett, Steve Brown, Mary Sue Fitzpatrick, David P. Flynn, Dana Gies, Jeff MacIntyre, Mike Maxwell, Ian McLean, Carol Simpson, Art Sinclair CONTRIBUTORS:

Bryan Atcheson and Teri Hetherington

FEATURE

Stantec develops a Made-in-Kitchener environmental solution for Victoria Park Lake Steve Brown

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PHOTOGRAPHY:

FEATURE

Work & Play at The Boardwalk on Ira Needles Blvd.

Jeff MacIntyre

ADVERTISING AND COPY DEADLINES:

March 19, 2012 for May | June May 18, 2012 for July | August July 20, 2011 for September | October Sept. 21, 2012 for November | December SUBSCRIPTION AND BACK ISSUE INQUIRIES:

Darlene Jones djones@greaterkwchamber.com SUBMISSION POLICY:

departments 4

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR

Remember Our Environment

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Brian Bennett

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MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

The Challenge of Funding Infrastructure Development Ian McLean

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ADVOCACY

We won’t need Farmland if we have no Farmers Art Sinclair

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Winter Networking

PUBLICATIONS PERMIT:

#40026716

FOR PERMISSION AND REPRINT REQUESTS

12 18 25

NEW CHAMBER MEMBERS

Heather Hutchings - hhutchings@greaterkwchamber.com

December 1, 2011 to January 31, 2012

PRINTED IN CANADA BY:

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Mary Sue Fitzpatrick

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PUBLICATION OF:

EVENTS

Mark Your Calendar SPONSOR PROFILE

CMA Spells Prosperity Dana Gies

PERSPECTIVE ON HEALTH CARE

Welcoming the McMaster MD Class of 2014

EVENTS

Proposals and articles are accepted via mail or email c/o Editor - Advocate. Please do not send originals.

All contributors articles must be accompanied by a head shot in a jpg file and a 40 word author’s bio.

MEMBER NOTABLES

Achieving Success Chamber Members SPONSORSHIP

Chamber Sponsors

POSTMASTER ADDRESS CHANGES: C/O

ADVOCATE - PUBLICATIONS OFFICE 80 QUEEN STREET NORTH, PO BOX 2367 KITCHENER, ONTARIO N2H 6L4 The Advocate is a bi-monthly membership benefit publication of the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce.

Advertising content and the views expressed herein are those of the contributors and do not constitute endorsement by the Chamber.

The Advocate follows the Canadian Code of Advertising Standards (1990), copies are available through the Publisher. The Chamber cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions that may occur and has the right to edit material submitted. The Chamber will not accept advertising with competitor comparison claims and has the right to refuse advertising that is deemed to be false, misleading, or inappropriate.

advocate MARCH | APRIL 2012

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message from the chair

Remember Our Environment

BY BRIAN BENNETT This edition of The Advocate continues our series of Building Blocks for Tomorrow's Economy, with a theme around environmental leadership.

impact which can include LED lighting and motion sensors, enhanced heating and cooling systems, and something as simple as turning off computers and monitors.

Stantec shares their unique made in Waterloo Region solution for the removal of soil from Victoria Lake, which has the potential to rehabilitate the material to cap or cover landfill sites and ultimately save money.

Locally we are seeing significant municipal leadership, which not only sets the bar, but also provides the opportunity to save taxpayer money. The Region of Waterloo has replaced lights in traffic signals with LED lights saving up to $500,000 annually. The City of Waterloo's new Fire Station #4 has been built to Silver Leeds accreditation, while the Waterloo Recreation Centre, Albert McCormick and Moses Springer Arena renovations have all incorporated energy saving measures.

There is an overview of reurbanization, including intensifying our urban areas to comply with Places to Grow legislation. We can expect our urban areas to get much taller with enhanced environmental and economic benefits.

We will learn more about the exciting Boardwalk development, Kitchener and Waterloo's newest locally developed commercial and business mixed use node, providing services to support residents of the west side to reduce their carbon footprint.

Law firm Phillips Lytle reviews the emerging technology around Shale Gas reserves, which has both potentially positive and negative environmental implications. This low cost affordable fuel can power trucks and energy generation enhancing air quality, while the extraction can have potential adverse impacts to ground water and waste water treatment.

Locally, environmental stewardship can be as simple as reducing our carbon footprint through a reduction in travel. Enhanced use of public transit, carpooling, GO or Via travel to Toronto, office hotelling, teleconferencing and video conferencing are all ways that can allow us to do our part. Considering more efficient use of procurement including ordering in bulk to reduce the frequency of deliveries is also an option. The proposed LRT has the potential to make a sustainable contribution to reduce our footprint.

Energy conservation is becoming more top of mind, and one of the more visible ways to enhance our environment. We know what we can accomplish around conservation initiatives, considering how effective we have been with water conservation by reducing our consumption by 9% since 2005, while economic growth continues to increase. New and retrofit initiatives can have a substantial

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The City of Kitchener facilities include the Leeds Gold Status Activa Sportsplex, while Fire Hall #7 and the consolidated Operations Facility on Goodrich Drive have all been built to Leeds Silver accreditation. The consolidated Operations Facility also boasts an impressive 500KW solar energy system on its rooftop, the largest clean energy solar rooftop installation in Canada.

Although the Ontario Power Authority is in the process of re-evaluating the Feed- In Tariff (FIT) program for both wind and solar, the cost to produce solar panels has dropped 40-60% as a result of competition, and it is anticipated that any reduction in FIT prices will be offset by the cost reduction to purchase and install new solar panels.

Many of the initiatives discussed can be easily incorporated providing leadership to preserve our local footprint.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Brian Bennett CHAIR, BOARD OF DIRECTORS Brian Bennett is a Financial Services Executive and the owner of BME Consulting, a financial consulting services firm.

message from the president

The Challenge of Funding Infrastructure Development

BY IAN MCLEAN During recent 2012 budget discussions at municipalities across Waterloo Region, the issue of who will pay for infrastructure repairs assumed increasingly prominent attention.

City of Waterloo staff assessed their municipal infrastructure deficit at $250 million. A similar estimate for the entire Region of Waterloo was reported at $265 million in 2008, indicating the problem is escalating at an alarming rate. Regional Chair Ken Seiling noted they have always compiled a ten year forecast, however with a growing population the ability to meet increasing demands is challenging.

The issue of infrastructure funding is certainly not confined to Waterloo Region or Ontario – it is a major national public policy issue. In late 2007, a study compiled by Dr. Saeed Mirza from McGill University for the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) estimated the national deficit was approximately $123 billion. The key categories where upgrades and maintenance are urgently required include water and wastewater, transportation, solid waste management, and recreational/community infrastructure.

At the time of release of the aforementioned document, the FCM asked the federal government to acknowledge the problem and develop a national plan for addressing the deficiencies.

Municipalities alone lack the financial resources since property taxes are 8 percent of aggregate Canadian tax revenues.

Following that rationale, Cambridge Mayor Doug Craig appeared before Waterloo City Council on December 12 of last year and requested that Waterloo Region councils collaboratively approach the senior levels of government to secure the necessary funding for their infrastructure requirements. Mayor Craig has estimated his municipal deficit is currently $450 million, where $305 million is funded leaving the city $150 million short.

City of Waterloo staff recently proposed an additional tax on property owners of up to two percent for infrastructure repairs and maintenance. The Citizens’ Budget Task Force recommended Council not proceed with this measure, arguing that savings should be pursued through existing programs, creating a culture of efficiency at city hall, and comparing wages to the private sector.

members of Toronto City Council have on occasion suggested that residents from the 905 who commute into the city core should assist with the maintenance of existing infrastructure, however the logistics of this proposal could present some significant challenges.

The option of toll roads did generate national media attention recently when Ivan Court, the mayor of St. John New Brunswick suggested publicly, and emphatically, that commuters living in lowtax suburbs and working in the city should start paying tolls and higher parking fees to help defray the cost of maintaining infrastructure. Court told Toronto Star National Affairs Writer Richard Brennan that you can’t have a sustainable community if you have almost fifty percent of the population who works in the city living in the periphery.

St. John Councillor Donnie Snook has suggested, to address traditional logistics concerns, that tolls could operate like Bob Rae’s photo radar where licence plates would be photographed and St’ John residents exempt. A special sticker or other marker would provide the exemption.

Development charges, which have evolved into significant economic issues in municipalities across Ontario and in particular the Greater Toronto Area, are collected to fund future growthrelated infrastructure costs. They do not address the evolving requirement for maintenance of existing sewers, watermains, or roads, providing another infrastructure challenge for municipalities.

There are no universal answers to the national challenge however there is a requirement for all governments to operate as efficiently as possible to ensure all available funds are allocated to this priority spending function.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ian McLean Ian McLean is President and CEO of the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce.

Another option for infrastructure funding which periodically appears on municipal agendas is road tolls. Former and current

advocate MARCH | APRIL 2012

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awards nominations

2012 BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS GALA

thank you

The Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce would like to thank all our sponsors This Gala event recognizes Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce members who have made exceptional contributions through their involvement and leadership for the betterment of our community.

EVENT SPONSORS Cowan Insurance Group

CIBC

Manulife Financial

Gowlings LLP

BMO Financial Group

Sun Life Financial

Hatch Mott MacDonald

CMA Ontario Bronze

Media Sponsor

WalterFedy

Delta Kitchener-Waterloo

Waterloo Region Record

BDO Canada LLP

Goliger’s TravelPlus

91.5 the Beat and 107.5 Dave FM

Bell Canada

CHYM FM, 570 News and KIX 106

Title Sponsor Reception

Nominee Reception Centrepiece Wine Gift

Gold

Gold Gold Gold

Bronze

Contributor

Media Sponsor

CKWR

Media Sponsor

CTV

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94.3 Faith FM

Media Sponsor

Jewel 92

Media Sponsor

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105.3 KOOL FM and 99.5 KFUN FM Media Sponsor

AWARD SPONSORS

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Borden Ladner Gervais LLP Conestoga College Conrad Business, Entrepreneurship & Technology Centre Equitable Life of Canada Grand River Hospital Laurier School of Business & Economics WWW.GREATERKWCHAMBER.COM

Libro Financial Group Lutherwood Research In Motion Union Gas- A Spectra Energy Company University of Waterloo Waterloo Inn Conference Hotel

Adamski Photography AVW Telav Audio Visual Solutions Bingemans Brentwood Livery eSolutions Group The Event Firm Memory Tree Moore’s Clothing for Men

advocacy

We won’t need Farmland if we have no Farmers

BY ART SINCLAIR Former Ontario Premier Mike Harris often noted there was little value in preserving farmland if there are no farmers to grow crops and raise livestock. The inference is that if governments are ineffective in financially supporting the primary agriculture sector there is limited value in maintaining land for future production.

Farmland preservation is an issue that has existed, and has remained unresolved, at Queen’s Park from Oliver Mowat through John Robarts to Dalton McGuinty. Also, decisions to allow development on working farms has dominated many council debates in every municipality, urban and rural, across Ontario for that same period of time. The most intense have historically occurred and continue in Niagara Region.

In early January of this year, an article by Greg Mercer appeared on page 1of a Saturday edition of the Waterloo Region Record which outlined a series of challenges that local farmers must contend with on a daily basis. The issues range from irate motorists caught behind slow moving machinery to construction waste dumped on fields.

As Mercer noted, the nuisance of farming near an urban area can send some farmers to look for other occupations. However the loss of farmers is much more the result of urban sprawl. A local representative from the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, the province’s largest general farm organization, was quoted that no one will continue when the price of land is well past the value for farming purposes.

Ironically, against the challenges of farming locally, growth in Waterloo Region over the next two decades will be initiated by farmland preservation – in the Greater Toronto Area. A major component of the provincial strategy to manage the Greater Golden Horseshoe is the Greenbelt, an area of 1.8 million acres of land protected from any form of development. A 2008 report from Bank of Montreal Capital Markets noted that as housing leapfrogs the Greenbelt, the population of Waterloo Region will expand rapidly. Sprawl in areas across the western GTA, such as Oakville and Burlington, will be severely restricted and result in an escalating population for Cambridge, Kitchener and Waterloo.

In reference to the quote from former Premier Mike Harris and maintaining farmers in Ontario to produce food for the nation and world, international trade discussions have provided far larger threats to Waterloo Region agriculture than any of the factors mentioned previously. Late last year, the federal government indicated they were entering negotiations for a Trans Pacific Trade Pact, or TPP, with the Asia-Pacific region. Media scrutiny and analysis from trade experts immediately focused – again - on the future of supply management in domestic dairy and poultry production. The presence of these systems has been perceived as a barrier on improving access to foreign markets for Canadian products across all sectors.

Elected and non-elected officials have insisted that supply management will not be on the table for negotiations, however concern persists on the future of this system that has existed for nearly fifty years and has been highly controversial dating back to the years prior to its implementation. Although poultry and dairy production exists across Canada, the industries are centred in southern Ontario and Quebec. Changes in supply management will have a significant impact on these areas which have already been the major victims of global restructuring across manufacturing. Waterloo Region will be, literally and figuratively, in the middle of a storm which won’t be perfect.

Farmland preservation policies are not required in a province or municipality with no farming.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Art Sinclair Art Sinclair is the Vice President Policy and Advocacy for the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce.

advocate MARCH | APRIL 2012

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perspective on health care

Welcoming the McMaster MD Class of 2014

BY MARY SUE FITZPATRICK The Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber Health Care Resources Council welcomed the first 15 undergraduate medical students – the Class of 2010 – when they arrived in Kitchener in 2007 to begin their first year studies at the new Waterloo Region Campus of the McMaster Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine.

Since then, we have welcomed four more classes and seen that first class graduate and move into residency programs on their way to practicing medicine. A number of these graduates chose family medicine over other specialties and four were accepted into the K-W Family Medicine Residency Program where they are currently in their second year residencies.

This past December the Chamber again sponsored the School’s annual Welcome Reception & Dinner for 29 first year undergrads – the Class of 2014 – at the Waterloo Inn Conference Hotel. We were joined as sponsors this year by Doctors4Cambridge, the Cambridge & North Dumfries Recruitment Committee.

This year, McMaster Director of Student Affairs, Dr. Dorothy Emslie was the recipient of the Mentorship Award. She was praised for her commitment to the Waterloo Region Campus, her enthusiasm for medical education and her outstanding dedication to student well-being.

Dr. Jeff Nagge, a PharmD and Clinical Pharmacist from the UW School of Pharmacy Faculty, was recognized for Excellence in Academic Teaching. An exceptional clinician and teacher, he has a great ability to bring his expertise from Pharmacy to the McMaster MD program.

DR. DOROTHY EMSLIE

DR. JEFF NAGGE

Dr. Nicole Didyk, Dr. Brian Finn and Dr. Rob Chernish all received Excellence in Clinical Teaching Awards. As outstanding teachers they were praised for their enthusiasm and ability to engage and encourage their students.

CLASS OF 2014

Recognizing Outstanding McMaster Faculty Members & Staff The new class met some of their second and third year class peers and members of the local McMaster faculty and staff. They also joined them in recognizing physician preceptors and advisors who have made outstanding contributions to the medical students’ education experiences this past year. Nominations for these annual Faculty Awards come from the medical students and the recipients are selected by a student selection committee.

Awards for mentorship and excellence in academic and clinical teaching were conferred by a group of very enthused and grateful medical learners. **Photos by Lisa Malleck Photography

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The Waterloo Region campus of the McMaster medical school is truly DR. NICOLE DIDYK privileged to have such high caliber physician educators and mentors among their faculty to enhance the learning experiences of these bright and aspiring young health care professionals. And we, as a community, are privileged to have these students living and training here.

DR. ROB CHERNISH

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mary Sue Fitzpatrick Mary Sue is Vice President Family Physician Resources and Health Advocacy.

feature

Shale Gas Development: Environmental and Energy Issues on Both Sides of the Border

BY DAVID P. FLYNN There are a number of environmentally related issues that have cross-border implications for Canada and the United States. These issues, and how they are addressed, help define the Canada-U.S. relationship, and sometimes bring into focus differences in policies and priorities between the two countries.

A significant, emerging issue is the development of shale formation natural gas reserves in the United States. Based on certain industry estimates, development of shale gas reserves in the U.S. could significantly alter the fuel mix for energy in the U.S. and transform the U.S. into a net-exporter of natural gas, resulting in increased exportation of natural gas to Canada, which has historically been a major supplier of natural gas to the U.S. The environmental implications of shale gas development are potentially as significant as the energy market-based impacts.

Greater reliance on natural gas as the fuel of choice for generating electricity will, over time, likely displace a significant amount of coal-based generation in portions of the United States, as well as in Ontario. Repowering existing coal-fired power plants to use cleaner natural gas or building new natural gas-fired power plants should result in trans-border improvements from an air quality perspective. Some are even suggesting that recent events in Japan, together with increased supply of natural gas from shale formations, may cause policy makers in Canada and the U.S. to rethink further development of nuclear energy.

While development of shale gas reserves may provide cleanerburning natural gas for energy generation, there are environmental impacts from shale gas development that must be understood and addressed. These issues and concerns have become highly visible in New York as a result of the State’s ongoing process to quantify the environmental impacts of shale gas development via the use of high-volume hydrofracturing, and a parallel process to promulgate a package of comprehensive regulations to address the shale gas development process. The proximity of shale gas development to The Great Lakes watershed and Canada is a concern for Canadians as well.

The primary environmental issues with potential cross-border implications involve potential impacts to groundwater and the treatment of wastewater that results from the development of shale gas formations using high-volume hydrofracturing. Each well

developed through the use of high-volume hydrofracturing generates 3 to 8 million gallons of wastewater that can contain high levels of dissolved solids, metals, proprietary chemicals and naturally occurring radioactive materials, and experts predict that the development of thousands of such wells over the next 20 years could lead to proper well construction, water treatment and disposal being significant issues on both sides of the border.

Much work is underway to evaluate drilling and water treatment technologies and to determine how to construct wells and treat wastewater from high-volume hydrofracturing so that shale gas development does not impact the environment and, in particular, the Great Lakes. It appears that New York, and perhaps other states in the U.S., will require well set backs from groundwater supply areas in order to protect this resource and construction techniques that protect groundwater from impacts. With respect to wastewater treatment, New York’s proposed regulations would require a party seeking to develop a shale formation well using high-volume hydrofracturing to have an approved plan detailing the method of treatment, and to certify that the well developer has secured the adequate treatment capacity to properly treat all wastewater resulting from the construction and development of a well.

The continued development of shale gas formations in the U.S. has the potential to significantly alter certain fundamentals of the North American energy market. If this development is done in a responsible way, it has the potential for significant, positive environmental benefits in Canada and the U.S.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

David P. Flynn David P. Flynn is a Partner at Phillips Lytle LLP, a U.S. based law firm with an office located at The Communitech Hub. His practice is concentrated in the areas of environmental law and energy. He can be reached at (519) 570-4800 or dflynn@phillipslytle.com.

advocate MARCH | APRIL 2012

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networking

Winter networking 1

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1) JASON KIPFER, TD CANADA TRUST, AND DON ANDREWS, IRONWEALTH LTD. 2) NETWORKING AT CHERVIN KITCHEN & BATH. 3) MARILENA BENAK AND SONIA JOSHI, YMCA EMPLOYMENT SERVICES.

4) GREG SCHOTT, DAVE GASCHO, DON WALES AND IAN INGLIS. 5) JEFF MACINTYRE SPEAKS TO A GROUP AT THE AML CHAMBER CONNECTIONS.

*Photography by Adamski Photography

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networking

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6) DR WILLIAM MORRISON AT THE KNIGHTSBRIDGE LEADERSHIP BREAKFAST: GATEWAYS AND CORRIDORS. 7) CATHERINE COPP FROM KNIGHTSBRIDGE HUMAN CAPITAL SOLUTION.

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8) CHAMBER CONNECTIONS ATTENDEES AT CHERVIN KITCHEN & BATH. 9) DR. GENE DEZSCA AT THE KNIGHTSBRIDGE LEADERSHIP BREAKFAST: LEADING CHANGE.

*Photography by Adamski Photography

One Team. Infinite Solutions.

Stantec provides professional consulting services in planning, engineering, architecture, interior design, landscape architecture, surveying, environmental sciences, project management, and project economics for infrastructure and facilities projects.

For more information, contact Kevin Fergin at kevin.fergin@stantec.com

advocate MARCH | APRIL 2012

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new members

December 1, 2011 to January 31, 2012 2012 Waterloo Region International Plowing Match & Rural Expo

Canadian Home Healthcare Inc.

Charitable & Community Organizations David Pyper, Chair & CEO 1606 Spragues Road, RR 4, Cambridge, ON N1R 5S5 Email: davidpyper@ipm2012.ca / Web: www.ipm2012.ca Phone: (519) 621-0446

Insurance Sara McLennan, Director Marketing & Product Innovation 252 Dundas Street North, Cambridge, ON N1R 5T3 Email: smclennan@goremutual.ca / Web: www.goremutual.ca Phone: (519) 618-2040 / Fax: (800) 601-9773

ABA Architects Inc.

CareerNiche

Home Improvements & Renovations Brian Hergott, Owner 200 Louisa Street, Unit 10, Kitchener, ON N2H 5M7 Email: brianhergott@rogers.com Phone: (519) 577-9636

Architects Andrew Bousfield, President 564 Weber Street North, Unit 5, Waterloo, ON N2L 5C6 Email: office@abarchitect.ca / Web: www.abarchitect.ca Phone: (519) 884-2711/ Fax: (519) 884-2289

Career Counselling & Education Christian Smith, Managing Director 30 Duke Street West, Unit 1000, Kitchener, ON N2H 3W5 Email: csmith@careerniche.com / Web: www.careerniche.com Phone: (519) 489-2190

Aberdeen Homes Limited

Creative Enterprise Enabling Organization

Home Builders Nathan Hallman, President 20 Crestview Place, Kitchener, ON N2B 0A2 Email: nhallman@aberdeenhomes.ca Web: www.aberdeenhomes.ca Phone: (519) 744-1991 / Fax: (519) 744-1997

Social & Human Services Organizations Heather Sinclair, Chief Executive Officer 151 Charles Street West, Unit 112, Kitchener, ON N2G 1H6 Email: heather@creativeenterprise.ca Web: www.creativeenterprise.ca Phone: (226) 929-5622 / Fax: (519) 804-2224

Alger Brand Works

Desire2Learn Inc.

Promotional Products Dave Alger, Owner 447 Frederick Street, Unit 10, Kitchener, ON N2H 2P4 Email: dave@algerbrandwords.ca / Web: www.algerbrandworks.ca Phone: (519) 279-9002

ANTVibes Inc.

Internet Products & Service Karen Winter, Executive Vice President 295 Hagey Boulevard, Waterloo, ON N2L 6R5 Email: karen@antvibes.com / Web: www.antvibes.com Phone: (289) 997-2127 / Fax: 1 (519) 513-2421

Banasch Automation Inc

Automation Systems & Equipment Erwin Banasch, President 144 Jansen Avenue, Unit 2, Kitchener, ON N2A 2L7 Email: ebanasch@rogers.com Phone: (519) 571-0537

Bin There Dump That

Waste Management & Recycling Services Brad Erhardt, Owner 576 Mill Park Drive, Kitchener, ON N2P 1W1 Email: kw@bintheredumpthat.com Web: www.bintheredumpthat.com Phone: (519) 212-7333

Canadian Council of Christian Charities

Charitable & Community Organizations Heather Card, COO 43 Howard Avenue, Unit 1, Elmira, ON N3B 2C9 Email: heather.card@cccc.org / Web: www.cccc.org Phone: (519) 669-5137 / Fax: (519) 669-3291

Internet Products & Service John McLeod, Senior Director, Marketing & Alliances 43 McBrine Place, Kitchener, ON N2R 1H5 Email: john.mcleod@desire2learn.com Web: www.desire2learn.com Phone: (519) 772-0325 / Fax: (519) 772-0324

Fermon Construction

Home Improvements & Renovations Fermon Martin, Manager 1182 Geddes Street, Hawkesville, ON N0B 1X0 Email: fermon@fermonconstruction.com Web: www.fermonconstruction.com Phone: (519) 699-4095

Flyin' Fisch Synthetic Lubes

Lubricants Holger Fischer, Independent AMSOIL Dealer 593 Ephraim Street, Kitchener, ON N2B 2C7 Email: amsoil@flyinfisch.ca / Web: www.flyinfisch.ca Phone: (519) 571-9640

Gabe's Automotive Centre Waterloo

Automobile Repairing & Service Gabe Choujaa, Owner/Operator 339 Erb Street West, Waterloo, ON N2L 1W4 Email: gabe@gabesautomotive.com Web: www.gabesautomotivecentre.ca Phone: (519) 886-6220 / Fax: (519) 885-0179

GFL Environmental Corporation

Waste Management & Recycling Services Karyn Imrie,Territory Manager 16 Centennial Road, Kitchener, ON N2B 3G1 Email: kimrie@gflenv.com / Web: www.gflenv.com Phone: (519) 578-8821 / Fax: (519) 578-8270

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Gore Mutual Insurance Company

Medical Equipment & Supplies Amanda Fordham, President and CEO 647 King Street West, Kitchener, ON N2G 1C9 Email: info@canadianhomehealthcare.ca Web: www.canadianhomehealthcare.ca Phone: (519) 576-6544 / Fax: (519) 576-7284

WWW.GREATERKWCHAMBER.COM

Handyman Services

Harms Security

Locks & Locksmith Arron Harms, President 595 Peach Blossom Court, Kitchener, ON N2E 3Z9 Email: arron@harmssecurity.com / Web: www.harmssecurity.com Phone: (519) 635-8269 / Fax: (519) 208-1369

Heer's Decorating & Design Centres Inc

Interior Design Services Sue Schmidt, Manager 1120 Victoria Street North, Kitchener, ON N2B 2T5 Email: sue.heers@gmail.com / Web: www.heersdecorating.com Phone: (519) 576-6082 / Fax: (519) 576-6082

Heer's Decorating & Design Centres Inc

Interior Design Services Laurie Prior, Manager 583 King Street North, Waterloo, ON N2V 2E5 Email: kingstore@heersdecorating.com Web: www.heersdecorating.com Phone: (519) 772-1127 / Fax: (519) 746-7544

Herc's Waterloo

Health Foods Rick Hurl, Owner/Operator 98 Weber Street North, Waterloo, ON N2J 3G8 Email: richardhurl@rogers.com / Web: www.hercs.com Phone: (519) 513-9108 / Fax: (519) 489-4743

Hold Please Communications

Telephone On Hold Messages & Music Joe DiGiorgio, President 3850 Dougall Avenue, Windsor, ON N9G 2Y2 Email: info@holdplease.com / Web: www.holdplease.com Phone: (519) 972-7171 / Fax: (519) 972-5149

HRG Management Inc.

Human Resource Consultants Dan Scott, President 620 Davenport Road, Unit 36, Waterloo, ON N2V 2C2 Email: laurah@hrgmanagement.com Web: www.hrgmanagement.com Phone: (519) 603-0440 / Fax: (519) 772-0256

new members

Industrial Waterproof Systems Ltd.

One Source Mechanical

SETTLE IN

Jason O’Keefe – Remax Twin City Realty Inc. Brokerage

Ontario Table & Chair Inc.

Spike Mobile

Real Estate Brokers & Sales Representatives Jason O'Keefe, Sales Representative 83 Erb Street West, Waterloo, ON N2L 6L2 Email: jay@kwlistings.ca / Web: www.kwlistings.ca Phone: (519) 503-5828

Jenna Lee Cody - Re/Max Twin City Realty Inc. Brokerage

Plumbing Contractors Steven Pfeffer, Owner 66 Rankin Street, Unit 4, Waterloo, ON N2V 1V9 Email: reception@onesourcemechanical.ca Web: www.onesourcemechanical.ca Phone: (519) 885-2828 / Fax: (519) 885-2821 Furniture Dealers Kim Kinat, Owner 428 Gage Avenue, Unit 3, Kitchener, ON N2M 5C9 Email: kimotchair@bellnet.ca Web: www.ontariotableandchair.com Phone: (519) 585-1000/ Fax: (519) 585-0967

PocketNerds

Relocation Services Hilde Bouckenooghe, Owner 464 Old Oak Drive, Waterloo, ON N2T 2V8 Email: hilde@settleinrelocation.com Web: www.settleinrelocation.com Phone: (519) 589-3250 Marketing Consultants Michael Lockston, Owner 18 Brant Place, Cambridge, ON N1S 2V8 Email: mlockston@spikemobile.net / Web: www.spikemobile.net Phone: (519) 501-4339

Stanson Electric Inc.

Website Design & Development Scott Hyslop, Lead Developer 47 Erinbrook Drive, Kitchener, ON N2E 2Z9 Email: sahyslop@gmail.com / Web: www.pocketnerds.ca Phone: (519) 572-9455

Electrical Contractors Matt Stanson, President 65 RoseNeath Crescent, Kitchener, ON N2E 1V8 Email: stansonelectric@gmail.com Web: www.stansonelectric.com Phone: (519) 747-2406 / Fax: (519) 742-8155

John Robson

Primerica Financial Services Ltd.

Stevens Exhibit Design Group

Laura Secord

Quint Systems Inc.

Real Estate Brokers & Sales Representatives Jenna Lee Cody, Real Estate Salesperson 901 Victoria Street North, Kitchener, ON N2B 3C3 Email: sold@jennaleecody.com / Web: www.jennaleecody.com Phone: (519) 729-3018 / Fax: (519) 579-3442 Financial Planning Consultants John Robson, Financial Advisor 370 University Avenue East, Suite 104, Waterloo, ON N2K 3N2 Email: jr3755@gmail.com / Web: www.edwardjones.com Phone: (519) 589-3118

Financial Services Products Bradley Jacobs, Division Manager 1601 River Road East, Unit 307, Kitchener, ON N2A 3Y4 Email: bradjacobs57@gmail.com Phone: (519) 748-4785

Chocolate Tracey Saraceni, Store Manager 550 King Street North, Waterloo, ON N2L 5W6 Email: tsaraceni@rogers.blackberry.net Web: www.laurasecord.ca Phone: (519) 885-3730

Automation Systems & Equipment Greg Currie, Director of Sales 245 Labrador Drive, Unit 6, Waterloo, ON N2K 4M8 Email: info@quintsystems.com / Web: www.quintsystems.com Phone: (519) 747-3232 / Fax: (866) 523-1585

Linus Creative Services

Computer Software Sami Abu Shawarib, Owner 175 Cedar Street, Unit 6, Cambridge, ON N1S 4X8 Email: samiak2011@gmail.com Phone: (226) 499-1652

Advertising Agencies & Consultants Bradley Southam, Creative Director 120 Main Street, Unit 9, Cambridge, ON N1R 1V7 Email: bradley@linuscreative.com / Web: www.linuscreative.com Phone: (519) 772-4554

Moose Winooski's

Restaurants Tom Wideman, Co-owner 100 Sportsworld Drive, Kitchener, ON N2P 2J1 Email: admin@moosewinooskis.com Web: www.moosewinooskis.com Phone: (519) 653-9660 / Fax: (519) 653-0021

Nicole Hacock CGA Professional Corporation Accounting & Bookkeeping Services Nicole Hacock, Owner 825 Weber Street East,Kitchener, ON N2H 1H5 Email: info@hacockpc.com / Web: www.hacockpc.com Phone: (519) 578-4166 / Fax: (519) 578-6507

Sami Abu Shawarib

Display Designers & Producers Jane Marshall, Exhibit Marketing Specialist 32 Brant Road North, Cambridge, ON N1S 2W2 Email: jmarshall@stevensdisplays.com Web: www.stevensdisplays.com Phone: (519) 242-9581 / Fax: (519) 453-6760

T2 Training Solutions

Training & Development Mark Tessier, Co-Owner 275 Tagge Crescent, Kitchener, ON N2K 3R7 Email: mtessier@t2trainingsolutions.com Web: www.t2trainingsolutions.com Phone: (519) 608-2969

TEDxWaterloo

Charitable & Community Organizations Ramy Nassar, Director & Co-host Email: ramy@tedxwaterloo.com / Web: www.tedxwaterloo.com

Sanclara Corporation

The Achievement Centre

Sarah Yetkiner - Freedom 55 Financial

The Bookkeeping Edge

Construction Dan McNally, President PO Box 700, Beamsville, ON L0R 1B0 Email: dan.mcnally01@gmail.com Phone: (289) 439-2365

Management Training & Development Cody O'Brien, Principal 483 Whitelaw Road, Guelph, ON N1K 1E7 Email: cobrien@tacresults.com / Web: www.tac-excel.com Phone: (519) 265-3786

Financial Planning Consultants Sarah Yetkiner, Financial Security Advisor 101 Frederick Street, Unit 800, Kitchener, ON N2H 6R2 Email: sarah.yetkiner@f55f.com Phone: (519) 895-2044 / Fax: (519) 895-2013

Accounting & Bookkeeping Services Beverley Snider, Owner 20 Barbara Crescent, Kitchener, ON N2M 4N2 Email: thebookkeepingedge@live.com Web: www.thebookkeepingedge.homestead.com Phone: (519) 603-0466 / Fax: (519) 603-0466

(continued on page 30)

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Roofing Contractors Paul Campbell, Manager, Business Development 440 Newbold Street, Unit A, London, ON N6E 1K3 Email: paul@iws-ltd.com / Web: www.iws-ltd.com Phone: (519) 645-6726 / Fax: 1 (519) 645-6589

advocate MARCH | APRIL 2012

13

feature

Internationally Trained Individuals – An Ongoing Source of Talent for Employers

BY CAROL SIMPSON According to a recent report by the Ontario Construction Secretariat, industrial and commercial building has cooled in some areas of the province however it continues to remain strong in Central and Southwestern Ontario. In our area this means a continued demand for workers at all levels from labourers to trades and professionals. Immigrants bring with them a variety of skills and certifications but sometimes it’s not simple to have their credentials recognized as effortlessly as they would have hoped.

Over the years various bridging and support programs have enabled foreign trained workers to eventually access appropriate employment opportunities in Ontario including the establishment of the Centre for Engineering Excellence established at Conestoga College in 2000. In 2010 the Ontario government announced an additional bridging programming to support internationally trained construction related workers including electrical workers and various other skilled tradespeople as well as engineers and surveyors.

Another area of growth is the environmental sector. New bridging programs were announced at that same time for environmental engineers, geoscientists and other types of engineers in the green sector. ECO Canada is a not for profit organization that supports Canada’s environmental sector’s human resources needs. According to their website, the organization recently piloted a program for foreign trained environmental workers which they expect will roll out in 2012. ECO Canada’s Environmental Immigrant Bridging (EIB) Program consists of 180 hours of training. Delivery organizations were located in Toronto and Edmonton with future programming expected in Hamilton and Brampton. This program can be licensed by Immigrant Serving Agencies to deliver to their

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clients and so may also provide future opportunities in Waterloo Region and elsewhere.

As local organizations such as Sustainable Waterloo continue to highlight more and more businesses looking to decrease their environmental footprint, demand for green workers will continue to rise steadily as will the greening of existing jobs. If you would like employment information on over 70 local green occupations, and related potential employment opportunities, you can visit www.workgreen.ca.

In both the construction and environmental sectors, immigrants will continue to contribute to the increasing pool of workers required to support both of these major employment sectors.

Carol Simpson is a member of the Working Action Group of the Immigration Partnership of Waterloo Region. If you would like more information about the Immigration Partnership, please contact Nora Whittington at nwhittington@regionofwaterloo.ca.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Carol Simpson Carol Simpson has been the Executive Director of the Workforce Planning Board for 11 years. She is currently a member of the Waterloo Region Immigration Partnership’s Working Action Group and is also Co-Chair of the Guelph Wellington Immigration Partnership.

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cover story

Government Policy is Critical for Waterloo Region Development

BY CHAMBER STAFF In the current global economy where attracting new jobs, investment, research funding and skilled professionals are the corridor to prosperity and sustained economic growth, the responsibility for the public sector to ensure their jurisdictions are competitive becomes exponentially critical.

Education development charges fund the acquisition of school sites and site-related costs to accommodate growth related pupil costs.

The fees are collected by local municipalities on behalf of catholic and public school boards, and typically designate a residential and non-residential rate.

In the January/February edition of the Advocate Waterloo Region Homebuilder’s Association President Jamie Adams noted that it is imperative that all levels of government take a sober second thought when considering additional regulatory, financial or land supply restrictions on the residential construction industry that creates jobs and is one of the few bright spots in the Ontario economy. This assessment is shared by all industrial, service and commercial sectors across Waterloo Region.

In early 2011, the two local school boards commenced a review of their Education Development Charges By-law passed in 2006.

Watson & Associates Economists Ltd. from Mississauga was contracted to conduct the background study, as required under the Education Act, for both boards. After limited consultation with the local business sector and municipal economic development officials, the new Waterloo Region District School Board charge to be applied on non-residential building permits is $0.92 per square foot, while the corresponding Waterloo Catholic District School Board charge is $0.31 per square foot. It should be noted that 20 percent of local charges are funded through non-residential development, the highest percentage in Ontario behind the Toronto Catholic District School Board.

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce has been a leading advocate for equitable corporate taxes at the federal level to ensure business costs are comparable to our trading partners. Provincial labour laws can build barriers to investment, as indicated by the exodus of jobs from Ontario in the early 1990s when the Bob Rae administration provided a series of initiatives that were strongly supported by organized labour and universally opposed by small and large businesses.

Increasingly, the municipal level of government in Ontario – whether two-tiered regional such as Waterloo, single-tier, or the two-tiered county system in rural areas has been placed under increasing scrutiny for ensuring their by-laws and overall regulatory regime is not uncompetitive with neighbouring municipalities.

An on-going and significant issue for both the residential and nonresidential construction industry is development charges. The Mike Harris administration passed the Development Charges Act in 1997 that, in legal terms, allows municipal authorities to impose charges against land to pay for increased capital costs for services initiated by new development.

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In response to the new By-laws and their significant potential impact on business and economic development across Waterloo Region, our Chamber filed Ontario Municipal Board appeals against the two local boards in June. The appeal focused on the lack of consultation with local public and private sector officials, noting also that correspondence was directed to the boards from the cities of Cambridge, Kitchener and Waterloo expressing concerns on the process and analysis of potential economic impacts.

Although the appeal was withdrawn in November, our Chamber has received assurances that for all future increases the boards will be more proactive in their relationship with businesses and municipalities to ensure we remain competitive with similar jurisdictions across Ontario in terms of the cost of doing business.

Development charges will continue as a significant issue across the municipal sector. Ryerson University urban and regional planning

cover story

professor David Amborski has warned that rising fees will lead to a lack of affordable housing, leading to workforce shortages and employers relocating their operations.

Development charges fund new infrastructure. Apart from this aforementioned issue is the cost of maintaining existing sewers, watermains, roads and other systems providing the foundation of future population and economic growth. In November of 2007, the Federation of Canadian municipalities released a report estimating all three levels of government in Canada must spend $123 billion to repair the nation’s deteriorating infrastructure.

During recent municipal budget discussions, the City of Waterloo estimated their deficit has escalated to $250 million, while a 2008 staff report from the Region of Waterloo indicated a regional shortfall of $265 million. The potential for these figures to increase exponentially is staggering for municipal taxpayers, particularly businesses that pay twice the residential property tax rate.

Another prominent municipal issue that requires action from the provincial government is labour arbitration. Our Chamber first raised this issue as a public policy priority approximately one year ago and subsequently asked candidates during the recent provincial election campaign for their positions. We also succeeded in passing a resolution at the Annual General Meeting of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce in May of 2011.

Our resolution noted that the 2010 Ontario Budget indicated that to manage spending pressures and help redirect $750 million to sustain public services such as schools and hospitals, the compensation structure for all non-bargained employees in the Broader Public Sector and Ontario Public Service was frozen for two years. Municipalities were excluded, however Queen’s Park recommended they exercise restraint in order to address the provincial deficit.

The failure of the province to impose wage freezes on unionized public sector workers continues to place significant pressure on upper and lower-tier municipalities. Numerous contracts are

settled through arbitration, a process that provides employers with limited control over the outcome. Most significantly, decisions by arbitrators do not incorporate the ability of municipalities across the province to pay higher wages.

The Emergency Services Steering Committee, a partnership between provincial municipal organizations and police services boards, indicated in an April 2011 report that labour costs within emergency services continue to escalate at rates exceeding those in other sectors, including higher wage increases, better benefits, and superior pension plans. In addition, the disproportionate increase of costs in emergency services is adding to the diminishing capacity of municipalities to fund key projects and essential programs.

The Emergency Services Steering Committee’s position is that a large part of the municipal employers’ decreasing control over these costs is attributable to the current provincial arbitration system. The current process routinely fails to properly incorporate the criteria established in the applicable legislation, most notably the economic situation in Ontario and the relevant municipality.

In the majority of awards delivered in 2010, arbitrators did not provide any rationale for their decisions, essentially failing to establish that the relevant criteria was considered and the accompanying analysis conducted to reach a final decision.

Finally, there needs to be a comparison of overall compensation levels of other union and non-union employees in the community who ultimately utilize the same resources and contribute to the municipal tax base. This comparison should not be limited exclusively to emergency services personnel.

The public sector responsibility on ensuring a competitive environment for business is immense. The local business sector, over the past recession, has been forced to examine new and innovative ways to maintain and expand their operations. To meet the challenges of a growing population and economy in Waterloo Region, all governments must pursue that same objective.

advocate MARCH | APRIL 2012

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events

Mark Your Calendar

BY CHAMBER STAFF

March 2, 2012

March 8, 2012

March 22, 2012

International Women’s Day Breakfast

Point of View with Berry Vrbanovic

The WalterFedy Networking Breakfast Series Presents Growth in the Region

7:30am-9:00am Location: Kitchener City Hall Rotunda Member: $25 General Admission: $35 Pre-Registration is required.

Join us to recognize and celebrate the outstanding achievements of women in our community and around the world.

Title Sponsor:

11:30am-1:00pm Location: Bingemans, Embassy Room Member: $35 General Admission: $50 Pre-Registration is required.

Join Berry Vrbanovic, President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and Councillor of the City of Kitchener, as he discusses the diverse role the FCM plays.

He will focus on the key priorities of the FCM such as Infrastructure, Transit and Transportation, Policing and Public Safety.

7:15am-9:00am Location: Holiday Inn Kitchener Waterloo Member: $28 General Admission: $40 Join us for a panel discussion featuring representative from both the public and private sectors focusing on the merits of growth from various perspectives, and how this growth affects the region.

Title Sponsor:

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March 20, 2012

In Kind Sponsor:

Research In Motion Chamber Young Professionals Present Board Basics 5:00pm-7:00pm Location: Waterloo Inn Conference Hotel Member: $10 General Admission: $15 Pre-Registration is required.

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events

March 28, 2012

April 10, 2012

April 24, 2012

125th Anniversary Point of View Luncheon with Mark Carney

AML/Rogers Chamber Connections

Energy & Environment Forum

11:30am-1:30pm Location: Waterloo Inn Conference Hotel Member: $35 General Admission: $45

5:00-7:00pm Location: Destination Inn Member: Complimentary General Admission: $10 Exhibit Booth: $75

Join us for a Point of View Luncheon featuring Bank of Canada Governor and Head of the international Finance Stability Board, Mark Carney.

Join business professionals in a lower pressure atmosphere where you can meet new people, greet existing contacts and develop your business circle.

8:00am-1:00pm Location: Wilfrid Laurier University Member: $50 General Admission: $75 Member Exhibit Booth: $150 General Admission Booth: $200

Title Sponsors:

Title Sponsor:

The Energy and Environment Forum promotes awareness of environmental issues within the business community and the community at large through a half day event that will bring the attendees face to face with experts who will share practical information that can be implemented both at work and home.

Prestige Sponsors:

April 18, 2012 Research In Motion Chamber Young Professionals Networking Event 5:00-7:00pm Location: The Embassy Member: $5 General Admission: $10 Come on out to this casual networking event and meet new contacts and reconnect with existing contacts!

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advocate MARCH | APRIL 2012

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feature

Recognizing the Benefits of Reurbanization

BY MIKE MAXWELL It is time to recognize the unique characteristics of reurbanization development in municipal policies and update revenue tools which do not recognize its reduced costs for municipalities. As intensification and redevelopment projects need to become a more important part of the region’s answer to growth pressures, policies must be evaluated to ensure that planning and revenue tools are aligned to encourage growth which is most beneficial to existing and new residents.

With the population of Waterloo Region projected to reach 730,000 in the next two decades, increased pressure on area farmland, and a substantial infrastructure deficit, intensifying our urban areas must grow in importance. According to the Region of Waterloo Reurbanization Market Study, reurbanization units reached 50% of new construction in 2010. And the study indicates increasing acceptance of these projects, especially among senior, empty nesters, young singles and couples. Higher density redevelopment projects such as high-rise, mid-rise and townhomes are consistent with the urban housing demands of residents attracted to the area for postsecondary education or employment. The demand and need for this type of development are clear.

Reurbanization development offers considerable sustainability benefits for the environment and the local economy. The benefits reach further than just the residents of these projects.

Environmental Benefits: • Smaller physical footprint: less than half of the land area, servicing road, water, sewer, hydro lines per resident • More energy efficient for heating and cooling • More transportation efficient: greater use of existing and future public transit and roads, increased walk-ability and proximity to employment and amenities

• Infill and redevelopment projects provide the density to support public transportation and neighbouring businesses • CIBC’s Canadian Metropolitan Economic Activity Index recently identified construction as a major contributor to Waterloo Region’s ranking as Canada’s third strongest economy The demand and the benefits are clear; the challenges are cost and affordability. The opportunity exists now to improve the affordability of these reurbanization developments for purchasers or residents while decreasing the future infrastructure deficit for municipalities. Infill and intensification projects are less expensive for municipalities to service in terms of capital and operating costs, yet the revenue policies such as development fees, parkland fees and property taxes do not recognize this. There is a real opportunity for regional and municipal leadership to align revenue policies with planning policies in order to promote reurbanized projects.

The Regional municipalities have taken some enormous steps over the past few years to promote the strengthening of its cores. As witnessed by the Growth Management Strategy in the City of Cambridge, the Economic Development Investment Fund (EDIF) in Kitchener, and the progressive objectives set out in the draft Official Plan in the City of Waterloo, the municipalities are well equipped to make reformist decisions to steer revenue policies toward the promotion of urban redevelopment.

While most planning policies encourage infill and intensification, many revenue policies have yet to align with the opportunity to direct positive growth. The time is right to consider marginal cost of development when setting municipal fees for development and to recognize the substantial benefits of reurbanization in meeting the development, environmental and economic needs of the region.

Economic Benefits: • The cost for municipalities to deliver services to reurbanization residents is much lower for water, sewer, road maintenance, and fire and community services, as many services already exist; yet, a typical reurbanization project could increase property tax revenue by 25 times.

• Reurbanization projects contribute $20,000 - $25,000 per unit in development, parkland, education and other local fees while requiring very little new infrastructure.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mike Maxwell Mike Maxwell is President of Momentum Developments, a Real Estate Development Company Specializing in Sustainable, Urban Infill Projects.

feature

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advocate MARCH | APRIL 2012

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feature

Health Minister Outlines Major Changes at Chamber Event On January 31, 2012 at the Holiday Inn Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario Minister of Health and Long-Term Care Deb Matthews outlined her plans for reform in the delivery of services across the province. The new Action Plan for Health Care in Ontario will focus on illness prevention, increasing access to family doctors, and supporting Ontario’s growing senior population.

historically been among the lowest in Ontario. Our rate of population growth has not been matched by increases in financial support for many local health and social services. Minister Matthews did indicate that the long-awaited expansion of Cambridge Memorial Hospital (CMH) will proceed, expected to commence in late 2013 and reach completion by 2018. Along with Grand River and St. Mary’s, the Cambridge facility provides care to residents across Waterloo Region and the expansion is a benefit for all municipalities.

Minister Matthews emphasized the status quo is no longer an option in the delivery of health care across Ontario. Our Chamber, through the Health Care Resources Council and other ongoing initiatives, will maintain a major presence in this portfolio and direct considerable efforts towards ensuring we have the local services to match our expanding economy and population.

The Chamber has been active for nearly two decades in the critical physician recruitment portfolio, including the formation of the Chamber Health Care Resources Council in 2006. Through the efforts of a committed group of volunteers we have reduced the number of local residents seeking a family doctor in half from 40,000 to 20,000. The successes of this Chamber initiative have been significant however the ambitious objective is to ensure that within five years every person in Kitchener Waterloo will have access to a physician and the best primary care possible.

Along with our local recruitment efforts, we have secured major reforms to the provincial Underserviced Area Program (UAP) and the system of offering financial incentives to doctors relocating to communities with chronic shortages. Through the changes implemented by the Ministry of Health and Long-Care two years ago, Kitchener Waterloo is on a level playing field with neighbouring municipalities across southern Ontario and capable of recruiting the human resources capacity required for the demands of a growing population.

Access to hospital services remains a critical priority for Waterloo Region, where provincial funding on a per-resident basis has

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*Photography by Van Valkenburg Communications

feature

Stantec develops a Made-in-Kitchener Environmental Solution for Victoria Park Lake

BY STEVE BROWN, MBA, P.ENG.

Innovative sediment management strategy could be utilized across Ontario A made-in-Kitchener solution designed for the city’s Victoria Park Lake Improvements project could have positive environmental impacts across the province.

By managing the minimally impacted material in this way, the City of Kitchener will save the significant costs of disposing the material at permitted landfills.

At Stantec, our hope is that at the end of the three years, we will be left with a nutrient rich topsoil product that can have useful applications.

This would be a much more sustainable solution than trucking the material to landfill where it would simply sit and take up space.

One potential use for the rehabilitated sediment could be as a topsoil to cover landfill sites. Currently, trees and plants at capped landfill sites cannot be fertilized, as those added nutrients can interfere with ongoing surface water quality monitoring. But, because the rehabilitated sediment is expected to be nutrient rich, it would help trees planted at old landfill sites thrive, without interfering with essential testing.

RECONSTRUCTION OF VICTORIA PARK LAKE EDGES NEAR JUBILEE DRIVE.

Engineers and scientists at Kitchener’s Stantec have developed a test program with the City of Kitchener and the Region of Waterloo to find a beneficial re-use of the sediment that must be removed from the popular SEDIMENT BEING REMOVED FROM THE SOUTHEAST END OF VICTORIA PARK LAKE. lake as part of the lake improvement program.

Victoria Park Lake was created as part of the original Victoria Park development over 100 years ago and has since become a beloved gathering place for the community. But water quality has been an ongoing concern. Stantec is currently working with the City of Kitchener to reconfigure the lake to address the management of sediment accumulation, while maintaining the footprint and cultural heritage landscape.

We are already in the process of removing approximately 60,000 tonnes of accumulated sediment from the lake and transporting it to the Cambridge landfill site. Once there, the sediment will be turned regularly and analyzed over a three-year period to determine its viability as a topsoil product given its nutrient value. The Region of Waterloo and the City of Kitchener are equally partnering over the testing period.

ONGOING IMPROVEMENTS TO VICTORIA PARK LAKE SHOWING SEDIMENT REMOVAL, RE-CONSTRUCTION OF LAKE EDGES AND THE EXISTING TRUNK SEWERS THROUGH THE MIDDLE OF THE LAKE.

If the process proves successful, the implications could be huge.

Instead of land filling this type of material each time it comes out of a stormwater pond or other source, we would have a sustainable use for it. This project gave our team at Stantec the opportunity to look at an environmentally friendly, long-term solution that can be applied throughout the province.

The improvements to Victoria Park Lake will continue through the winter, with restoration expected to be completed for summer 2012.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Steve Brown Steve Brown is Stantec’s Canada East Surface Water Discipline Leader. He has more than 20 years of experience working in the water resources field. Based in Stantec’s Kitchener office, Steve is also the Project Manager for the Victoria Park Lake Improvements project. advocate MARCH | APRIL 2012

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feature

Work & Play at The Boardwalk on Ira Needles Blvd.

BY JEFF MACINTYRE When The Drifters’ song about the boardwalk plays on the radio, we’re all transported to a time where things seem romantically simple.

We’re reminded of leisurely walks, special shops to enjoy, and a place where community can come together. Similarly, KW’s The Boardwalk is quickly becoming an exciting mixed use shopping and commercial destination for our region to work at, escape to, and enjoy a relaxing shopping experience.

Developed in partnership by local developers, The INCC Corp. (Ira Needles Commercial Centre) has invested significantly knowing our region will benefit in countless ways. Providing the much needed commercial and retail services for the under serviced west-side of the twin cities, along Ira Needles Boulevard, is the most obvious benefit.

But the 4,000 new jobs, $500,000 that will be paid monthly in municipal taxes to the cities, and the $6 million that will be paid in development charges should not be dismissed. And the timing could not be better - job creation, regional revenue, and amenities for residents make this development an incredible win-win situation for everyone involved.

Built on about 90 acres spanning both Kitchener and Waterloo, The Boardwalk has been under development since its inception in 2005, when public and private planners worked together to create a master concept plan to meet today’s design excellence requirements. When fully constructed, thirty buildings will have compatible architectural design features, and three modern roundabouts will provide safe accessibility for vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians. Coordinated landscaping of the private storm water features including walkways and sitting areas has quickly made The Boardwalk a destination offering something for everyone. And, it has become a labour of love for the local developers as they live where they build.

With construction ongoing from 2009 to the present, The Boardwalk is over sixty-percent complete at 700,000 square feet. The site includes Walmart, Lowes, eight sub-anchor retailers, three banks, three restaurants, a ten screen Empire movie theatre, plus The Athletic Club. A section of stores retailing apparel and accessories is under construction, together with two additional sub-anchor stores and three fast food restaurants. The first phase of office space at approximately 80,000 square feet is being readied for construction

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this spring. When fully complete, the site will offer residents one million square feet of commercial retail to enjoy with one quarter of it as an office park.

Environmental initiatives have also been voluntarily incorporated into the development where feasible and practical including white roofing materials, low energy LED parking lot lighting, a commitment to salt reduction during the winter, and use of 100% post consumer recycled plastic creating a boardwalk that connects an elaborate pedestrian sidewalk network.

Grand River Transit is committed to the site as a west-side hub, offering the same transit capacity provided to other shopping sites in the region. The site will operate as a lifestyle centre for residents of the region to “work” and “play” on one site. The planned office towers will allow employees to eat, exercise, bank, shop and be entertained without ever leaving the site (or driving in their car from place to place). This transition serves Waterloo well, as employment lands generally fill the gap between University Ave. and Erb St., an area that is mostly undeveloped at the present.

Romancing The Boardwalk nostalgic theme while providing the much needed commercial and retail space required in our region will prove to be exciting to watch over the next three to five year years when the development is fully complete. Whether residents are looking to work or play, meeting at The Boardwalk will be a phrase of the future.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jeff MacIntyre Jeff MacIntyre is the owner of two small businesses in Waterloo Region. Winexpert Kitchener South is an on-premises winemaking shop. So There Business Solutions assists employers to increase profitability through market access, sales assistance, business development planning strategies, mentoring and training.

sponsor profile

CMA Spells Prosperity

BY DANA GIES The letters “K” and “W” represent a prosperous community poised for continued growth and success – Kitchener-Waterloo. Kitchener had one of the best ranked economies among Canada’s 25 largest cities, ranking third in CIBC’s 2011 Canadian Metropolitan Economic Activity Index thanks to a very strong labour market and a low level of business bankruptcies.

Similarly, the letters “CMA” represent a community of strategic management professionals with accounting expertise who create a foundation for success – for entrepreneurs, employers and internationally educated professionals alike. Certified Management Accountants are professionals who provide leadership, innovation and an integrating perspective to organizations of all sizes in all sectors of the economy.

Certified Management Accountants of Ontario awards the CMA designation to qualified professionals, and is more than 25,000 members strong across the province. Founded in 1941, CMA Ontario celebrated its 70th anniversary last year and has been a member of the Greater Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber since 1999.

Its foundation in strategic business management and accounting makes CMA the designation of choice not only for management professionals, but also entrepreneurs who want to drive their businesses forward.

“The CMA designation improved my critical thinking skills and financial prowess - two key skills for every entrepreneur,” says Samantha Hurwitz, CMA, CHRP. Samantha is the founding partner of FlipSkills, a leading strategic HR consulting firm based in Waterloo. “It has given me the confidence to make bold and informed choices for my business. The result? Outstanding growth and an improved bottom line.”

CMA Ontario and the Kitchener-Waterloo community At CMA Ontario our drive to create the best possible results for organizations through the development of skilled professionals goes beyond the walls of our offices. CMA Ontario’s tradition of service to the community is born out of our responsibility and commitment to the communities in which CMAs live and work. Part of that support is the development of new business talent in Kitchener-Waterloo which CMA Ontario supports through the Chamber’s Young Professionals Group. Beyond developing new business talent, recognizing success is just as important which is why CMA Ontario supports the Chamber’s Business Excellence Awards Gala.

Chamber membership has offered CMAs and CMA Ontario tremendous opportunities to connect with the community and Kitchener-Waterloo businesses.

In addition to supporting the Chamber, CMA Ontario fosters the development of future business leaders by providing financial support to Waterloo’s premier business and technology educational institutions, Wilfrid Laurier University, University of Waterloo and Conestoga College.

The further development of Kitchener-Waterloo’s strong tech and business sectors is vital to the region’s continued prosperity. As such,

CMA Ontario is a title sponsor of Communitech, an organization dedicated to the growth and commercialization of KW’s digital media and technology industries.

Beyond KW’s business and tech communities, CMA Ontario reaches out to KW’s internationally educated community through Focus for Ethnic Women, a career and resource centre for immigrant and visible minority women, and the YMCA. A tradition for many years, CMA Ontario’s annual United Way campaign has helped strengthen our community and improves the quality of life for those living in it.

On a personal level, many CMAs are involved in their community, including myself as a Director on the board of the KitchenerWaterloo and District chapter of Cystic Fibrosis Canada.

CMA Ontario and your organization’s success CMAs keep the economic engines of the KW region running. More than 1,500 CMAs and CMA candidates create value at more than 300 KW organizations. In roles ranging from analyst or manager to director or CEO, CMAs contribute to the success of top KW organizations including Manulife, Open Text and Sunlife among others.

CMAs add value to business by developing total business solutions, identifying new market opportunities, and maximizing shareholder value. The CMA designation is an excellent program to pursue for those looking to create possibilities in their careers or for organizations wishing to further develop their internal resources.

The CMA designation and your business Learn how the CMA designation can support your business success.

Whether you are an entrepreneur or recruiting for your company, learn how the CMA designation can support your goals at one of our many upcoming events in the region. Choose from interactive information sessions, transcript evaluation submission clinics, speed networking opportunities and special guest speakers.

To register for events, please visit http://forms.cmaontario.org/infosessions/ and select Midwestern ON & Niagara To request an information session for your employees during office hours, or to learn more about the CMA designation contact Dana Gies, MBA, CMA at dgies@cmaontario.org or visit www.becomeacma.com.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dana Gies Dana Gies, MBA, CMA, is a Regional Marketing Manager with CMA Ontario, where she develops strategic partnerships with employers and businesses in the Kitchener-Waterloo area. To learn more about the CMA designation and how it can support your business success, please email Dana at dgies@cmaontario.org. advocate MARCH | APRIL 2012

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feature

Member notables Peter Cober Recognized as Printer of the Year Peter Cober of Cober Evolving Solutions in Kitchener was recently recognized by the publishers and editors of Graphic Monthly Canada as Printer of the Year.

The award is given to an individual who in the course of building his or her business has changed the industry and placed a mark upon it, and also contributed to the betterment of the sector as a whole.

Vernon Cober founded Cober Print in 1916 at his home on Samuel Street in the East Ward of Kitchener. Peter Cober and his sister Billie-Anne Gural are the third generation to run the company with the fourth generation of family members now assuming principle roles.

Conestoga College Receives Federal Funding for Institute of Food Processing Technology On February 10, 2012, Minister of State for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) Gary Goodyear announced that up to $2.3 million will be invested in the Conestoga College Institute of Food Processing Technology (IFPT).

Conestoga will utilize this funding to equip the IFPT with modern food processing lines that simulate actual work environments across Ontario’s many facilities.

The funding will assist in producing a more highly skilled group of graduates to meet the current and future demands of Waterloo Region and province-wide employers.

City of Kitchener CAO Carla Ladd Departs for Barrie After 26 years of service with the City of Kitchener, Carla Ladd has departed to assume the Chief Administrative Officer position in Barrie.

Ms. Ladd became Kitchener CAO in 2004 and managed ambitious plans to revitalize the city core, expand the central library, and elevate support for the arts and culture sector. Also within her term as chief administrator the University of Waterloo School of Pharmacy and McMaster University Waterloo Regional Campus of the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine were both established at King and Victoria Streets.

Our Chamber extends best wishes to Ms. Ladd as she assumes her new position in Barrie and expresses appreciation for her many years of dedicated public service to the residents and businesses of Kitchener.

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CANADIAN PRINTER OF THE YEAR

member notables

The Economical Insurance Group Appoints New Directors The Economical Insurance Group recently announced the appointment of Richard (Dick) Freeborough and David Wilson to their Board of Directors.

Mr. Freeborough retired from KPMG LLP in 2004 after a 39 year financial service practice and currently chairs the Board of Governors at the University of Guelph.

Mr. Wilson was Chair of the Ontario Securities Commission from 2005 to 2010 and also served as Vice-Chair of Scotiabank and Chair and CEO of Scotia Capital.

Based in Waterloo, Economical is a Canadian-owned and operated company that serves the insurance needs of more than one million customers, with $1.7 billion in premiums and $4.6 billion in assets. The organization is preparing to be the first Canadian property and casualty insurance company to demutualize.

BMO Boosts Credit to Canadian Businesses by $10 Billion On January 26, 2012, BMO Bank of Montreal announced they would make $10 billion available to businesses across Canada over the next three years.

Frank Techar, President and CEO, Personal Commercial Banking at BMO noted in a company news release that this new money will provide small and medium-sized businesses with more certainty of available credit and represents an on-going commitment in them and the Canadian economy.

The Bank is seeking to increase lending in every region of the country by actively reaching out to women and aboriginal entrepreneurs. In this respect, 16 percent of Canadian SMEs are led by women employing over 1.5 million people, while aboriginal entrepreneurs are increasing at a rate of over three times faster than the rest of entrepreneurs.

© 2012 Phillips Lytle LLP

Member Notables are taken from local news sources and member submissions. In order to be considered “notable” an item must be an accomplishment or event that is outside of the ordinary course of business and therefore deemed newsworthy. While we would like to include all submissions, space constraints make it necessary for the Advocate editors to choose items that best fit the above criteria and are most timely.

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THE COMMUNITECH HUB, 151 CHARLES STREET WEST, SUITE 152, THE TANNERY KITCHENER, ONTARIO N2G 1H6 (519) 570-4800 PHILLIPSLYTLE.COM

advocate MARCH | APRIL 2012

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member notables

Shveta Mohan, CMA Project Accountant Blast Radius

I USE FINANCIAL DATA TO BUILD VIRTUAL WORLDS. As a project accountant, Shveta uses strategic thinking and leadership skills to manage the finance behind some of the world’s coolest websites. At Blast Radius, she has her hands in everything from analyzing financial data to project reporting and tracking for big international brands. When she was in university, Shveta quickly realized she didn’t want to be just a regular accountant. So when she graduated, she went straight into the CMA program. Now, two years later, Shveta is finished her CMA and can concentrate 100% of her time on loving her job. Visit becomeacma.com to learn more about becoming a CMA yourself.

Create Possibilities.

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becomeacma.com 28

®/™ Registered Trade-Marks/Trade-Marks are owned by WWW .GREATERKWCHAMBER COM The Society of Management.Accountants of Canada. Used under license.

GROUP BENEFITS GROUP PENSIONS DISABILITY SOLUTIONS INDIVIDUAL FINANCIAL SERVICES The Williamson Group 225 King George Road Brantford, Ontario N3R 7N7 Tel Local: 519-756-9560 Toll Free: 800-265-9973 info@williamsongroup.com williamsongroup.com HEALTH AND WEALTH SOLUTIONS

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The Kitchener-Waterloo Humane Society invites you On the Cat Walk Fashion Show presented by Ren’s Pets Depot

Sunday March 25th, 2012 St. George Banquet Hall 665 King Street North Waterloo Doors open at 12:30 p.m.

Showtime 2 p.m. $30/ticket or $100/4 tickets Go to www.kwhumane.com for more details

Kathy’s visits with her mom used to be about groceries, laundry & cleaning

Comprehensive health assessments without leaving the region.

NOW OPEN www.aimilm.com

340 Hagey Blvd Waterloo, ON N2L 6R6 P: 519 747 2677 F: 519 725 4809 lifestyle@aimhealthgroup.com

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new members

December 1, 2011 to January 31, 2012 (continued from page 13) The Event Firm Inc.

Tyromer Inc.

Welker & Associates Inc.

The Kitchener Waterloo Racquet Club

Unit Precast (Breslau) Ltd.

Westmount Funeral Chapel

Event Planning Carolina Soares, Owner 72 St. Leger Street, Kitchener, ON N2H 6R4 Email: reception@theeventfirm.ca Phone: (226) 476-1186 Charitable & Community Organizations Corey Martella, President 138 Duke Street East, Kitchener, ON N2M 2L2 Email: manager@kwracquetclub.com Web: www.kwracquetclub.com Phone: (519) 745-6108

The Williamson Group

Financial Services Products Dante DeDominicis, Business Development Consultant 225 King George Road, Brantford, ON N3R 7N7 Email: ddedominicis@williamsongroup.com Web: www.williamsongroup.com Phone: (519) 756-9560 / Fax: (519) 756-9914

TribeHR

Business Consultants Jaclyn Halliwell, Marketing Officer 151 Charles Street West, Suite 120, Kitchener, ON N2G1H6 Email: info@tribehr.com / Web: www.tribehr.com Phone: (855) 874-2347

Manufacturers Michael Winter, President and CEO 295 Hagey Boulevard, Waterloo, ON N2L 6R5 Email: mwinter@tyromer.com / Web: www.tyromer.com Phone: (647) 963-9094 Concrete Products Gail Caswell, Controller 43 McBrine Place, Kitchener, ON N2R 1H5 Email: upbadmin@unitprecast.ca / Web: www.unitprecast.ca Phone: (519) 648-2101 / Fax: (519) 648-3585

Vipond Inc.

Fire Alarm Systems Terri Webb, Sales Representative 29 Manitou Drive, Unit 1F, Kitchener, ON N2C 1K9 Email: terri.webb@vipond.ca / Web: www.vipond.ca Phone: (519) 895-0280 / Fax: (519) 895-0091

Virtualn Sys Engineers

Computer Consultants Phillip Williams, Owner 550 Silvermeadow Place, Waterloo, ON N2T 2P9 Email: phillip_williams@virtualnfrastructure.com Web: www.virtualn.com Phone: (519) 572-8179

Bankruptcies - Trustees Chris Welker, President & CEO 420 Weber Street North, Unit B1, Waterloo, ON N2L 4E7 Email: info@welker.ca / Web: www.welker.ca Phone: (519) 885-4411 / Fax: (519) 885-6511 Funeral Homes Pam Dawson, Location Manager 1001 Ottawa Street South, Kitchener, ON N2E 2X5 Email: pamela.fertile@dignitymemorial.com Web: www.westmountfuneralchapel.com Phone: (519) 743-8900 / Fax: (519) 743-8054

Westmount Moving

Moving & Storage Joe Gagnon, President 335 Gage Avenue, Kitchener, ON N2M 5E1 Email: joe@westmountmoving.com Web: www.westmountmoving.com Phone: (519) 895-1100 / Fax: (519) 895-1105

Wildcraft Grill Bar

Restaurants Ashley Howat, General Manager 425 King Street North, Waterloo, ON N2J 2Z5 Email: ashleyh@charcoalgroup.ca / Web: www.charcoalgroup.ca Phone: (519) 885-0117 / Fax: (519) 747-3492

Attention Payroll, Accounting & HR Professionals (CPA) has over 30 years As Canada’s foremost trainer of payroll practitioners, the Canadian Payroll Association payroll professionals, of experience designing and delivering up-to-date and comprehensive education for ibility for payroll. payroll service providers and other business professionals who have a functional respons

Upcoming Seminars in the Kitchener-Waterloo area: HR FUNDAMENTALS FOR THE PAYROLL PROFESSIONAL - MARCH 29 Learn proven ideas and approaches and receive practical recommendations that can be easily and cost-effectively implemented back on the job. The tools provided will allow you to play a more valuable role in your organization and develop skills required for success within HR.

TAXABLE BENEFITS & ALLOWANCES - APRIL 19 Learn the payroll implications for a full range of taxable and non-taxable benefits and allowances.

ADDITIONAL SEMINARS: Payroll Administration in Quebec - May 3 Learning Payroll I - June 20 Learning Payroll II - June 21

QUESTIONS? register@payroll.ca | 1-888-729-7652

Visit www.payroll.ca/go/?KW12 for curriculum, costs, location and to register online.

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sponsors

Helping us make our vision possible A special Thank You to each of these Chamber Sponsors.

CHAMBER CHAIR’S CIRCLE

CHAMBER PATRON

CHAMBER

CONNECTIONS Manulife Financial

TITLE SPONSOR

LEADERSHIP SERIES

CHAMBER TRUSTEE

MEDIA PARTNERS advocate MARCH | APRIL 2012

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What makes a strong bio-economy?

People.

Which is why BioTalent Canada™ is working with industry and job seekers in Kitchener-Waterloo, Dufferin to meet the HR needs of the bio-economy.

Canadian biotechnology companies are currently suffering from a nationwide skills shortage. BioTalent Canada is working with industry to implement solutions, by leveraging its skills development and recognition resources including the BioReady™ label.

Find out what we can do for you as Canada’s only national organization devoted exclusively to bio-economy HR. Connect with us if you manufacture: bio-energy | food processing | medical devices | nutraceuticals | pharmaceuticals | other bio-products

© 2012. BioTalent Canada and BioReady are registered trademarks of BioTalent Canada.

www.bioready.ca BioTalent Canada: The HR hub of Canada’s bio-economy.

Proud member of the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce This project is funded by the Government of Canada's Sector Council Program.