January/February 2020 Advocate

J a n u a r y | F e b r u a r y 2020

Waterloo Region The Corridor of Prosperity

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advocate January | February 2020 www.greaterkwchamber.com

features Cover Story 16 Inventing the Future (is what we do)

Tony LaMantia

editor-in-chief:

Feature

design and production

Rick Jaques

Photography: Adamski Photography

Feature

Brian Bazely

Sponsor Profile

Patti Creed

Art Sinclair editor:

Heather Hutchings

23 Change, Innovation and Opportunity for Waterloo Region Business

M&T Printing Group

advertising and sales:

25 Driverseat & Waterloo Region – A Strong Combination

Bonnie Frank- bfrank@greaterkwchamber.com Dana Walton- dwalton@greaterkwchamber.com Ian Davis- idavis@greaterkwchamber.com contributing writers:

26 MCAP Hard at Work in the Waterloo Community

Brian Bazely, Patti Creed, Rick Jaques, Tony LaMantia, Kelly McManus, Ian McLean, Jenna Petker, Art Sinclair contributors:

Natalie Hemmerich, Carolyn Marsh advertising and copy deadlines:

January 17, 2020 for March-April 2020 March 16, 2020 for May-June 2020 July 17, 2020 for September-October 2020 September 18, 2020 for November-December 2020 subscription and back issue inquiries:

Darlene Jones djones@greaterkwchamber.com submission policy:

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. publications permit: #40026716 for permissions and reprint requests

Heather Hutchings - hhutchings@greaterkwchamber.com

departments

Message from the Board

PRINTED IN CANADA BY:

New Members

4 Waterloo Region Business is Prepared for 2020

Kelly McManus

10 October 1, 2019 to

12 Fall Networking

Message from the President

November 30, 2019 Networking

5 Waterloo Region in Strong Position for 2020

Ian McLean

Hi-lighting Members

Advocacy

Events

7 Equalization Payments and a

Fair Deal for Alberta Art Sinclair

Perspective on Health Care

8 Family/Emergency Physicians

Explore Kitchener-Waterloo Jenna Petker

PUBLICATION OF:

19 Health and Wellness 20 Mark Your Calendar

Member Notables

32 Chamber Members Achieving Success

postmaster address changes c/o

Advocate - Publications Office 80 Queen Street North, PO Box 2367 Kitchener, Ontario N2H 6L4 519.576.5000 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 January | February 2020

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message from the board

Waterloo Region Business is Prepared for 2020 As we begin a new decade, our Chamber and community partners are collectively in an excellent position for economic, population and institutional growth.

The Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce proudly serves local business through member services, education, and advocacy. We will continue to assist members with their daily challenges in finance, human resources, export development, sales and marketing through on-going programs such as the Accelerator Mentorship Program and Chamber Academy. New offerings are consistently available along with expansion of the existing agenda to meet elevated levels of interest among the membership.

In particular, the new ShopKW initiative recognizes the importance of small business and retailers for our local communities. By participating in ShopKW, businesses who have limited financial and human resources internally can collectively market and promote their services and allow shoppers to access the products they require through local companies.

We have also maintained an excellent series of speakers and related events on political issues of concern to local municipalities and business. In 2019, we hosted the federal minister of finance and five senior Ontario cabinet ministers who addressed local perspectives on climate change, taxes, government spending restraints and provincial economic development assistance programs. We highly value the support of our many sponsors that recognize the importance of an engaged and active local business community and assist us in organizing these forums.

As the Region of Waterloo economy and population continues to grow, the Chamber and our partners must elevate our presence and influence with the provincial and federal levels of government. Growth in our community requires government financial commitments for infrastructure, education, and health care along with an appropriate and effective climate for investment. Through our strategic and collaborative advocacy efforts, the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce will ensure our local businesses are situated in a thriving environment for success.

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Part of our strength in advocacy is our strategic alignment with the Toronto Region Board of Trade and other Chambers and Boards of Trade within the Waterloo –Toronto Corridor.

A stronger collective voice on transportation, innovation, education, skills training and other portfolios is designed to ensure that the Corridor remains a global leader for investment and jobs.

Waterloo Region’s post-secondary institutions continue to make a significant contribution to the local economy and Chamber of Commerce. The University of Waterloo, like the Greater KW Chamber, has deep connections to the Toronto market, with close to a third of alumni residing in the broader Greater Toronto Area. The strength of the institution’s alumni base on both sides of the corridor allow for unique synergies in research and commercialization.

The University of Waterloo is very engaged in ways to deepen our strategic relationships with our Toronto partners. Velocity, Canada’s most productive startup incubator, hosted its first ever pitch competition in downtown Toronto to a sold-out crowd.

As Board Chair, I look forward to working alongside the Board, staff, and members as we carry out the exciting agenda ahead.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kelly McManus CHAIR, BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Kelly joined the University of Waterloo in May 2013 as Senior Director, Community Relations & Events. In her role, Kelly represents the University on a wide range of community initiatives, including the Region’s Immigration Partnership Council, the City of Waterloo’s Town & Gown Committee and the Board of the Waterloo Public Library. Kelly earned her Masters degree from the University of Guelph and is currently a part-time PhD student at the University of Waterloo

message from the president

Waterloo Region in Strong Position for 2020 The Canadian economy is known for boom and bust cycles.

In early 2009, Waterloo Region along with Windsor and St. Catharines had the highest unemployment levels in Canada, due mainly to structural changes across the auto manufacturing sector and the global financial crisis.

During this downturn, commodity prices such as oil were relatively strong across global markets. As a result of Ontario’s economic decline, it was eligible for equalization payments from the Harper administration in Ottawa. As we turn to today, commodity prices have plummeted, and the western provinces are suffering while Ontario is experiencing positive growth Nationally the early November numbers from Statistics Canada indicate that the local unemployment rate dropped from 6.1 percent in September to 5.4 percent in October of this year. At this level, it is generally accepted that the economy is quite strong.

The political climate for Waterloo Region business is positive for a number of reasons. Last year, the province of Ontario passed legislation to allow municipalities to terminate closed tendering on infrastructure projects. This meant that for the summer of 2020, which is anticipated to be a heavy construction season, all qualified private sector bidders regardless of union affiliation can participate in the selection process. This is a win-win situation for both businesses and taxpayers who will benefit from lower construction and infrastructure costs achieved by a thorough and reasonable process.

The Chamber extends our thanks to Premier Ford, former Economic Development Minister Todd Smith, and our local MPPs for resolving this major issue for the Waterloo Region business community.

Another positive development for business locally is that progress is being made toward our objective of Two-Way, All-Day GO train service from Kitchener to Union Station.

Minister of Transportation Caroline Mulroney recently announced the formation of a new Business Advisory Council, which I am honoured to Co-Chair, to work with her ministry and Metrolinx on ensuring the plan for two-way, all-day GO unlocks the full potential of business to grow and create jobs in Ontario.

The Business Advisory Council’s mandate is to deliver a set of recommendations to Minister Mulroney by March of 2020, including key economic data, solutions developed by the innovation and business community to push two-way, all-day rail forward, and a proposed timeline for service delivery.

The Connect the Corridor coalition supports a collaborative approach that brings municipalities, business and the province together as key to unlocking the full economic potential of a vital rail link. This important infrastructure project will enhance Ontario’s ability to attract and retain talent, and help businesses succeed and complete globally.

Our Chamber looks forward to working with Minister Mulroney, ministry staff and our local MPPs to make this plan a reality.

Apart from the Business Advisory Council, Metrolinx has provided additional afternoon and night service into and out of Toronto. While these routes are not the morning Waterloobound service we have been highly anticipating, they are a great benefit for the community particularly local residents attending evening Toronto sports and cultural events.

Finally, the recent decision by the Ford government dropping provincially mandated restructuring in Ontario should provide stability across Waterloo Region. Many important decisions around infrastructure and other projects that are important for local growth management have been delayed or cancelled in the past year because of the potential ramifications of municipal amalgamations. Councils and staff can now proceed with the knowledge that current decisionmaking structures will remain intact.

We are expecting further announcements from both the federal and Ontario governments on major investments into our Region in the New Year. The prospects for Waterloo Region as the calendar turns provide great economic opportunities for businesses of all sizes and all sectors across Waterloo Region.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

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

advocate January | February 2020

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advocacy

Equalization Payments and a Fair Deal for Alberta On February 29, 1984, the Concourse was the centre of activity at Wilfrid Laurier University. Around 11 that morning an unusual noise began to hover around it and the Torque Room.

lot to complain about and were justified.

People started the “have you heard” discussion. Then the words “prime minister “began to surface. Finally it all connected – Prime Minister Trudeau was quitting.

For close to four decades Chicago-born Diane Francis has been analyzing Canadian business closer than anyone inside or outside government through her heavily- read and respected columns in the National Post and other outlets.

She recently wrote that Alberta needs a new deal fast or separation is inevitable.

If you are under 30, please understand there was neither social media nor wireless handhelds in the early 80s.

However on-campus residences had televisions as well as the games/pool room in the Student Union Building. Anyone hanging around residence floor lounges watching normal weekday morning programming was bolted into reality when all Canadian stations were interrupted for important news originating out of Ottawa.

The ballot box did not work and quite simply the rest of Canada cannot expect Alberta to pay everybody else’s bills.

Her suggestion is a referendum before Christmas of opting out of Canada’s unfair equalization system where, since 2010, Ottawa has extracted $20 billion annually out of Alberta and sent $13 billion to Quebec. Alberta Premier Jason Kenney was asking for this vote long before the final results were calculated on the October 25 general election.

George Mitchell was a graduate student from Calgary who lived in the Leopold residence and watched the Trudeau resignation. His family was in the oil business and he arrived at the Concourse describing other memorable aspects of that day. Free champagne at the Petroleum Club in Calgary. An oil business board meeting where members screamed like first graders getting ice cream. Downtown streets that were compared later to the Oilers and Flames winning the Stanley Cup. For Toronto reference both Alberta events occurred after 1967. Actually five times in Edmonton with four parades lead by Wayne from Brantford.

As many analysts have noted, the current equalization formula funnels money out of Alberta to provinces with falling GDPs. When oil prices drop, the formula does nothing for Saskatchewan or Alberta.

Thirty five years later, remarkably with another Trudeau as Prime Minister, Canada again faces another regional crisis following the recent October election. The provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan have no MPs and obviously no ministers unless the PM at some point takes the unusual but not unprecedented measure of appointing a non-member of his caucus to cabinet. In 1980, there were no Liberal MPs in the two aforementioned provinces plus British Columbia.

Western alienation has now been extended to western separatism. As Drew Anderson of CBC News observed, the anger in Alberta has climbed from its already considerable heights to where separatism is part of the narrative.

Karen Bartko of Global News concisely observed that thirty years ago when Preston Manning started the Reform Party, the founding slogan was “The West Wants In.” In 2019, the focus has evolved to “The West Wants Out.” Also, in 1980, Alberta Premier Peter Lougheed indicated that he believed the people of Western Canada did not want to separate but rather be part of mainstream Canada. He did however say Albertans had a

Ipsos conducted a poll for Global News immediately after the 2019 federal campaign asking if Canada is now more divided than ever. Nearly 80 percent of respondents in Alberta and Saskatchewan agreed. Furthermore one-third of Albertans surveyed supported separation.

Borrowing from New York Yankee catcher Yogi Berra, Rosemary Barton of CBC recently wrote that current OttawaAlberta relations are déjà vu all over again. Her analysis, using the election of 2000 as a benchmark, was that western alienation is not new. Only the players have changed.

Maybe or maybe not. The next year will tell us how serious this wave of separation is for the Alberta electorate who in the end will make their decisions.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

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

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perspective on health care

Family/Emergency Physicians Explore Kitchener-Waterloo This past November, local family physicians, emergency physicians, business and community leaders joined volunteers of the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce in hosting 15 family medicine residents and 4 emergency residents and their partners from across Ontario.

This was our 21st Annual Family/Emergency Medicine Resident Weekend. This weekend is our largest recruitment initiative to promote Kitchener-Waterloo as a great place to live and work. This weekend is thoughtfully planned and organized by our amazing volunteers of the Chamber Health Care Resources Council’s Family Physician Liaison Task Force, chaired by Mark Christensen of WalterFedy.

During their three-day community visit, family/emergency medicine residents and their partners toured urban and rural communities with a stop at the St. Jacobs Farmers' Market.

Family Medicine residents toured the Medical Centre at The Boardwalk while the emergency residents toured both St. Mary’s and Grand River Hospital. Over the weekend, the residents and their partners met some high profile business and community leaders and learned more about the Region’s diversity and its strong innovative and entrepreneurial spirit.

Residents and partners were guests of Communitech at a special luncheon prepared by Chef D of Touch of Class Catering while Communitech’s Iain Klugman spoke about our leading-edge, collaborative and innovative communities.

Special guest, Dr. Mohamed Alarakhia of eHealth Centre of Excellence spoke about how they are using technology to improve patient care. Another highlight was taking a personal guided tour of Google, where our guests were able to see inside and explore the innovative and creative workspace built in downtown Kitchener by local contractor SG Cunningham Construction Ltd. According to Chamber President & CEO, Ian McLean, this weekend has been crucial in residents’ decisions to establish their practices in the area. “New family doctors are sought after by communities across Ontario, Canada and the U.S. This weekend is an opportunity to highlight all that Waterloo Region offers as a place for them to practice, their partners

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to build a career and for them to raise a family. We are very fortunate to have wonderful sponsors, partners, and volunteers that showcase our community.”

Chamber Health Care Resources Council initiatives are only made possible by the generous support and investment of our sponsors who are recognized on page 6. Along with these major corporate and community investors, the Chamber Health Council extends special thanks to this year’s resident weekend supporters who added the special touches that thoroughly impressed our visiting family medicine residents and their partners: Brentwood Livery, Medical Centre at The Boardwalk, Communitech, Google, Delta Waterloo, Tomasz Adamski and Chef D. Members of the Health Council’s Family Physician Liaison Task Force are to be congratulated on another successful Family/Emergency Medicine Resident Weekend. Your support and involvement and that of Chamber Board members and local business and community leaders over this important annual weekend made it especially warm and welcoming for our visiting residents and their partners.

Working with community partners, the Chamber has helped to attract well over 230 family physicians since 1998 with the number of people without a family doctor being cut in half.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jenna Petker Jenna is Physician Recruitment Lead for the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce.

perspective on health care

Photos by Adamski Photography

advocate January | February 2020

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new members

October 1, 2019 to November 30, 2019 Accord Financial Inc.

Financial Services Kevin Westfall, Vice President 40 Eglinton Ave E, Suite 602 Toronto, ON M4P 3A2 kwestfall@accordfinancial.com accordfinancial.com Phone: (416) 961-6620

Alzheimer Society Waterloo Wellington

Charitable & Community Organizations Lorri McDermott-Holmes, Director Fund Development 831 Frederick St Kitchener, ON N2B 2B4 lorri@alzheimerww.ca alzheimerww.ca Phone: (519) 742-1422

BEECH Infrastructure Group Ltd.

Canada General Warranty Warranty Programs Carol Roy, Office Manager 240 Holiday Inn Dr, Unit 0 Cambridge, ON N3C 3X4 admin@canadageneral.ca canadageneral.ca Phone: (226) 319-1735 Fax: (226) 319-1736

Carriage Crossing Animal Hospital Veterinarians Mara Gerriets Ashby, Veterinarian 105 Oak Park Dr, Unit 3 Waterloo, ON N2K 0B3 info@ccahvet.ca ccahvet.ca Phone: (519) 725-1777 Fax: (519) 489-2825

China Smart IP

Construction Adam Brown, Vice President 32 Vic Chambers Place Paris, ON N3L 0E6 contactus@beechig.com Phone: (226) 600-3067

International Business Consultants Tao Sang 53 Werstine Terrace Cambridge, ON N3C 4G8 tao.sang@chinasmartip.com chinasmartip.com Phone: (519) 716-8581

Berlin Kraftworks Inc.

Coral Joyce

Engineers Matt Weller, Co-Founder/CEO info@berlinkw.ca berlinkw.ca Phone: (519) 588-2900

Beverly Brown Professional Corporation Accountants, CPA-CGA Beverly Brown, Principal 1062 Doon Village Rd Kitchener, ON N2P 1A5 bev@beverlybrown.ca beverlybrown.ca Phone: (519) 651-9634

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Real Estate Coral Joyce, Real Estate Sales Representative coral.l.joyce@gmail.com soldbycoral.com Phone: (519) 580-0428

DermaEnvy Skincare

Spas - Beauty & Health Dara Murray, Owner 99 Northfield Dr E, Suite 305 Waterloo, ON N2K 3P9 kw@dermaenvy.com dermaenvy.com Phone: (519) 888-8149

Diana’s Divine Escape Mobile Spa Services Spas - Beauty & Health Diana Strickland, Owner diana@dianasdivineescape.com dianasdivineescape.com Phone: (519) 497-9501

Diandi Immigration Inc.

Immigration & Naturalization Consultants Neng Wang, President diandicanada@gmail.com diandica.com Phone: (289) 684-0793

Diva International Inc.

Health & Wellness Virginia Shay, Communications Specialist 222 McIntyre Dr, Kitchener, ON N2R 1E8 info@divacup.com divacup.com Phone: (866) 444-3482

Doug Cormack

Automobile Dealers Doug Cormack, Sales Representative dbcormack@gmail.com waterloonissan.com Phone: (519) 722-9573

DreDix Inc.

IT Consultants Andre Dixon, Software Solutions Engineer 181 Erinbrook Dr Kitchener, ON N2E 3C7 info@dredix.io dredix.io Phone: (289) 206-5644

DROM

Health & Fitness Program Consultants Val Shah, CEO/President 454 Calbot Trail Waterloo, ON N2K 4C8 val@drompractice.com drompractice.com Phone: (519) 208-2882

new members

October 1, 2019 to November 30, 2019 Electrade Electrical Contractors Electrical Contractors Jon Fraser, Master Electrician 78 Maplecrest Dr Breslau, ON N0B 1M0 jfraser@electrade.ca electrade.ca Phone: (519) 590-0292

Emily Paints Events

Artists - Fine Arts Emily McDougall, Artist emilypaintsevents@gmail.com emilypaintsevents.com Phone: (226) 600-4558

Essential Auto Service

Automobile Repairing & Service Rich Gregg, Owner 80 Baffin Pl, Unit 3 Waterloo, ON N2V 1Z7 service@essentialauto.ca essentialauto.ca Phone: (519) 747-5530

Exhale Therapy Inc.

Health & Wellness Dajana Beckman, Owner 944 King St W Kitchener, ON N2G 1G4 info@exhaletherapy.ca exhaletherapy.ca Phone: (226) 338-4158

F45 Training Kitchener Sportsworld Recreation & Leisure Brittany McLean, President 4336 King St E, Unit G11 Kitchener, ON N2P 3W6 kitchenersportsworld@f45training.com f45training.com/kitchenersportsworld Phone: (905) 467-2425

FBC - Canada's Small Business Tax Specialist Tax Consultants Sarah Macleod, Marketing & Events Co-ordinator 2109 Oxford St E London, ON N5V 2Z9 sboyko@fbc.ca fbc.ca Phone: (403) 351-1042

Fractional Financial Management & Accounting Business Consultants Michael Plauntz, Owner michael@ffma.ca ffma.ca Phone: (226) 747-3494

Gather & Graze Co.

cont'd on page 18

Junxion Strategy

Consultants Garth Yule, Managing Director 148 Driftwood Dr Kitchener, ON N2N 1T1 garth@junxion.com junxion.com Phone: (519) 778-6978

LavAzza Professional

Coffee Break Service & Supplies Hasib Javed, Sales Specialist 10 Planchet Rd, Unit 21 Vaughan, ON L4K 2C8 sarah.larbi@lavazzapro.com lavazzapro.ca Phone: (647) 964-4571

LAX Coach Locker

Caterers Lisa Nowak, Owner 141 Whitney Place, Unit 104 Kitchener, ON N2G 2X8 gatherandgrazeco@gmail.com gatherandgrazeco.com Phone: (226) 791-5453

Sporting Goods Tom Bileski, Owner 410 Old Oak Dr Waterloo, ON N2T 2V5 info@laxcoachlocker.com laxcoachlocker.com Phone: (519) 591-3211

Good Karma Retail / Retail by Evace

Life Recovery Program

Retail Gene DiMira, COO 322 Schooner Cr Waterloo, ON N2K 4M6 care@goodkarmaretail.com goodkarmaretail.com Phone: (226) 507-8975

Health Care Service & Supplies Paul Radkowski, CEO 55 Erb St E, Suite 309 Waterloo, ON N2J 4K8 info@liferecoveryprogram.com liferecoveryprogram.com Phone: (519) 746-0490

HIP Developments

MERAK Systems Corporation

Real Estate Developers Joel Doherty, Vice President, Real Estate & Development 700 Rupert St Waterloo, ON N2V 2B5 joel.doherty@hipdevelopments.com hipdevelopments.com Phone: (519) 886-8855

Computer Software Brett Bickerton, President 930 Woodlawn Rd W, Unit 7 Guelph, ON N1K 1T2 sales@meraksystems.com www.meraksystems.com Phone: (519) 767-1292 Fax: (519) 767-9790

The perfect venue for your unique: corporate event wedding function fundraising bash THEMUSEUM.ca

Book your experience! GroupSales@THEMUSEUM.ca | 519 749 9387 Ext. 228 or 233

D OW N TOW N K I TC H E N E R

advocate January | February 2020

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networking

Fall Networking

Panel discussion at a Point of View Luncheon discussing Immigration and the Economy

Sold out crowd to hear Karen Redman speak at an MNP Networking Breakfast Event

The team from B Hospitality posing at the Annual Business Expo

Tasty treats served up from Little Mushroom Catering at the Annual Business Expo

Chamber staff and board member posing for a picture at the Chamber Annual General Meeting

Attendees at a Point of View Luncheon at the Delta Waterloo

Tara Bedard and Perrin Beatty at a Point of View Luncheon in partnership with Waterloo Region Immigration Partnership

Kathryn McGarry, Karen Redman and Berry Vrbanovic at an MNP Networking Breakfast Event

Photos by Adamski Photography

Phone (519) 249-1209 or Connect With Us! Visit www.dskcpa.ca/outsourced-cfo-services

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networking

Attendees enjoying breakfast at an MNP Networking Breakfast

The team at Warm Embrace Elder Care Team at the Annual Business Expo

Karen Redman, Regional Chair, presenting at an MNP Networking Breakfast Event

Connections being made at our AGM

One of the amazing businesses at the Annual Business Expo

Perrin Beatty, President & CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, presenting at a Point of View Luncheon

Our Annual General Meeting held at the University of Waterloo

Great networking taking place at the Chamber AGM

Photos by Adamski Photography

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advocate January | February 2020

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PR ESENT ED BY

FUELING THE CORRIDOR WITH TALENT Benefit from industry collaboration and world-class research, enabling communities to scale for national and international success.

WEDNESDAY APRIL 29, 2020 BINGEMANS CONFERENCE CENTRE MARSHALL HALL CORRIDORSUMMIT.CA

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Inventing the Future (is what we do) For many, the Toronto-Waterloo Corridor is a combination of geography and investment marketing.

The reality is that the Toronto-Waterloo Corridor is a worldclass innovation corridor, akin to Silicon Valley or LondonCambridge in the United Kingdom. Such scale brings advantages, from a more visible brand to the sheer size of available workforce. Waterloo benefits from its proximity to Toronto, particularly in terms of access to capital, Canada’s largest consumer market and Canada’s largest airport.

What is Waterloo’s role in the Corridor?

The easy answer would be talent. We have three excellent post-secondary institutions producing some of Canada’s best computer scientists, engineers and technicians.

Having said that, we’re much more than just a talent engine.

Reducing our contribution to that of a couple of universities and a college shortchanges this community and misses what really makes us a special and vital part of the TorontoWaterloo Corridor. It misses the reasons why we’re globally competitive.

Punching above our weight While I’m a University of Waterloo graduate, much of my career was spent outside this community.

It wasn’t until about four years ago, when I returned to help build Waterloo EDC, that I began to re-acquaint myself with the Waterloo story. Like many people who experience this region, my first impression was simple: this region punches above its weight.

This old boxing metaphor is central to our reputation, but it’s an empty metaphor if we can’t explain why we accomplish so much, especially for a relatively small community. What makes us globally competitive?

The defining feature that drives this metaphor in Waterloo Region – and is a key differentiator in the Corridor – is that the whole community possesses a growth mentality.

This is certainly true in the tech community, where Deloitte recently recognized three Waterloo-based companies as the fastest-growing in Canada. We had another two companies listed in the top-50, plus an additional two with operations

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in our community. That means 14% of Canada’s 50 fastest growing tech companies are operating in a region with less than 2% of Canada’s population.

However, this isn’t just a tech phenomenon. We’re also home to Canada’s largest robotics and automation cluster, thanks to the growth mentality of companies like ATS Automation, Clearpath Robotics and DeepTrekker. In advanced manufacturing, whether we’re talking about Toyota or LEONI Elocab, there’s a tangible drive to deliver the best products and grow mandates. We’re a globally-recognized centre of manufacturing excellence.

It isn’t just the business community, either. Civic leadership has also been a change agent. When Waterloo Region launched its light rail system it was Canada’s first new-start light rail transit project in over 30 years. This decision, made nearly a decade ago, was prescient – about $3 billion in new development is landing along the rail line.

It’s this growth mentality – and the energy it represents – that attracts investment into our region.

A community built to invent the future The old story is that our Mennonite heritage – hard work, collaboration, etc. – gives us the foundation for success. It’s a convenient narrative, but I can tell you that most of the people pushing the pace in this community don’t have a Mennonite heritage.

If you ask me, this mentality comes from three sources.

First, our talent is incredible. We produce some of North America’s best computer scientists, engineers, business students and skilled workers. It isn’t just about new graduates, either – we have one of Canada’s most technically capable experienced workforces and an openness to new immigrants that sets us apart from many global competitors.

Tech companies like Enlighted and myKaarma – which both landed in Waterloo this year – and manufacturers like Toyota and LEONI Elocab – which both made announcements of their own in 2019 – put high value on the Waterloo workforce.

Second, the combination of a smaller scale with a worldclass ecosystem makes us uniquely capable of delivering innovation. Simply put, you don’t find communities with our

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mix of big business, start-ups, business supports and research assets very often, and when you do, they’re huge. Our size – the fact that you can build meaningful relationships in the community – lends itself to a cross-pollination that encourages new ideas.

This is our value proposition. If you want to join one of the world’s top business ecosystems – the Toronto-Waterloo Corridor – and your focus is innovation, impact and quality of life, Waterloo is the place for you. Inventing the future is what we do.

Finally, our culture. It’s unique and I still don’t know how to capture it in words. We have a few words that get at the central tenets of our culture – collaboration, hard work, etc. – but the Waterloo EDC team still leans on “you have to see it” when inviting companies to visit. When Insticator – a New York-based fintech company – landed here in 2019, their CEO said as much. He knew what Waterloo was, but until he visited, met people in our community and saw this culture in action he didn’t understand what made us special.

This value proposition is key to our future prosperity and it depends upon our continued focus on strengthening what makes us unique. As we enter 2020, we must continue to embrace the growth mentality that has helped us make it this far – we need to train and retain top talent, we need to continue to strengthen our ecosystem and continue to be a willing host community for immigrants. We also need to grow more local unicorns and go out of our way to support new scale-ups.

These three factors – all of which play a key role in Waterloo’s value proposition– are driving companies to our community.

If we succeed, the next decade may be more prosperous than the last one, which is saying a lot.

The “make it happen” end of the Corridor

Let’s get to work!

Toronto is a business and financial centre. It’s the driver of the Canadian economy. It certainly has a tech community, but it isn’t a highly concentrated applied technology hub.

Waterloo is.

Tech defines us, and it’s in everything we do. But it isn’t everything we are. We have a 150 year history with manufacturing, and a long history in the automotive sector.

In addition to producing some of the world’s best computer scientists, we also produce some of the best engineers and technicians.

This mix makes us unique in the Corridor. The way we blend tech wizardry with hands-on know-how makes us ideally suited to drive innovation, because innovation comes at the convergence of ideas. Our scale makes this cross-pollination possible. It also makes it possible to grow your company in friendlier atmosphere, where the potential for success is much higher. Our culture – however you define it – prevents us from believing that things are impossible.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tony LaMantia Tony LaMantia is President & CEO of Waterloo Region Economic Development Corporation. A University of Waterloo alumnus, Tony’s had executive roles in investment marketing, technology sales and mining, as well as the public sector where he was ADM of Investment and Industry (Ontario).

advocate January | February 2020

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new members

October 1, 2019 to November 30, 2019

cont'd from page 11

MVPsoft

Rhyno Cybersecurity

The Franchise Academy

Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen(Malik Delight Services Inc.)

Right On Landscaping Inc

The Wright Limousine Service Inc.

Rita Olejko - Combined Insurance

Trainer Jane

Ronan Consulting

Waterloo Walk-in Clinic

Sage Naturopathic Clinic

Women that Give

Information Technology Vladica Ognjanovic, Principal 405 Erb St W, Unit 301 Waterloo, ON N2L 1W7 vladica.ognjanovic@mvp-soft.com mvp-soft.com Phone: (226) 929-8396

Restaurants Khalil Malik, Director 725 Ottawa St S, Unit F1 Kitchener, ON N2E 3H5 khalilamalik@yahoo.ca popeyeschicken.ca Phone: (519) 584-2000

Prica Global Enterprises Inc.

Construction Management Consultants Alicia Monteith, Manager of Planning 388 Phillip St Waterloo, ON N2L 6R7 reception@pricaglobal.com pricaglobal.com Phone: (519) 340-0171

Red Automotive

Automobile Service & Supplies Katherin Nowalk, Owner/Operator 1215 Victoria St N Kitchener, ON N2B 3C5 contact@redautomotive.ca redautomotive.ca Phone: (519) 497-5042

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IT Security Robert Brake, Sales Manager 283 Duke St W, Suite 301 Kitchener, ON N2H 3X7 Robert@rhyno.io bwired.ca Phone: (519) 744-7000 Landscape Contractors & Designers Evan Woods, Owner 79 Watermill St Kitchener, ON N2P 0H4 evan.w@right-on.ca right-on-landscaping.ca Phone: (519) 280-6855 Insurance Rita Olejko, Owner 283 Winston Blvd Cambridge, ON N3C 3C3 ritaolejko@gmail.com combinedinsurance.com Phone: (226) 500-0799 Management Consultants Kris Ronan, Owner 634 Strasburg Rd, Unit 6 Kitchener, ON N2E 2G8 kris@ronan.consulting Phone: (519) 222-1998 Health & Wellness Rahima Hirji, Naturopathic Doctor 585 Queen St S, Suite 101 Kitchener, ON N2G 4S4 info@thesageclinic.com thesageclinic.com Phone: (519) 573-6700

Business Consultants Rashid Karimi, Franchise Consultant 127 Clark Ave Thornhill, ON L3T 1T1 rashid@franchiseacademy.ca franchiseacademy.ca Phone: (416) 459-8243 Limousines Patrick Wright, Chief Executive Officer 33 Manitou Dr Kitchener, ON N2C 1K9 corporate@thewrightlimousine.com thewrightlimousine.com Phone: (519) 894-5555 Sales Training Jane Warr, CEO, Sales Trainer 998 Renaissance Dr Oshawa, ON L1J 8B2 jane@trainerjane.ca www.trainerjanesays.com Phone: (905) 422-9998 Medical Centres Rex Mohamed, Medical Director 170 University Ave W, Unit 13 Waterloo, ON N2L 3E9 asamedical@gmail.com Phone: (519) 725-1514 Charity Fawzia Khan, 2355 Derry Rd E, Unit 27 Mississauga, ON L5S 1V6 womenthatgive@gmail.com womenthatgive.ca Phone: (416) 823-8838

hi-lighting members

Health and Wellness Carriage Crossing Animal Hospital

Carriage Crossing Animal Hospital

3-105 Oak Park Drive Waterloo, ON (519) 725-1777 www.ccahvet.ca

To help pets and their families live healthier happier lives, we work together to detect disease early while it is treatable, educate to prevent problems, and improve your ability to understand what your pet is feeling.

DEPTH Training & Physiotherapy

DEPTH Training & Physiotherapy

483 Conestogo Rd, Unit 2 Waterloo, ON (226) 748-9494 dave@depthtraining.ca www.depthtraining.ca

DEPTH Training & Physiotherapy was created to change the lives of the members of Waterloo Region by helping them realize their true potential.

Our services include rehabilitation, nutrition coaching, personal training, adult fitness classes and elite athlete strength and conditioning.

Frontline Forward Ltd. Frontline Forward Ltd.

Frontline Forward Ltd. offers a fully functional gym, yoga/meditation studio, psychotherapy, physiotherapy, massage, fascial stretching therapy and MOVESTRONG, a program exclusive only to Frontline Forward. As a support and education wellness centre, dealing primarily with frontline staff and their families, the mission/practice of Frontline Forward is an innovative approach to complete wellness based on proven methods to treat the mind, body and soul.

Home Care Assistance

Home Care Assistance

45 Shirley Avenue Kitchener, ON (519) 742-5409 www.frontlineforward.com

Matt Vijayan, CEO Home Care Assistance Waterloo & Wellington 324 Highland Rd W, Unit 12A Kitchener, ON (519) 954-2111 www.HomeCareAssistanceWaterloo.ca

Our mission at Home Care Assistance is to change the way the world ages.

We provide older adults with quality care in Kitchener and Waterloo that enables them to live happier, healthier lives at home. Our services are distinguished by the calibre of our caregivers, the responsiveness of our staff and our expertise in live-in care.

Insist on Fit

Insist on Fit

492 Westforest Trail Kitchener, ON N2N 3J8 (519) 502-5701 frangarton27@gmail.com www.insistonfit.ca

Insist on Fit is a private fitness studio where exercise is fun, easy and effective. We offer Health & Wellness Workshops, 1-on-1 Personal Training, and Group and Senior Fitness. Our unique and extensive head to toe assessments help identify strengths and imbalances which allow us to effectively tailor your training plan to your needs and goals resulting in improved strength and quality of life. Book your complimentary assessment today.

Run Waterloo

Run Waterloo

2 Weberlyn Crescent Conestogo, ON (226) 750-0017 info@runwaterloo.com runwaterloo.com

St. John Ambulance

250 Gage Avenue, Kitchener (519) 579-6285 Maggie.Sieber@on.sja.ca www.sja.ca

Inspiring community through running. Run Waterloo is a non-profit that advances individual and community health through fun and challenging events and programs. Any time is right to take the first step. Add running to your team building and wellness programs in 2020!

St. John Ambulance

St. John Ambulance, Canada’s leading authority in First Aid, trains thousands annually in first aid, health and safety courses. As a charitable organization proceeds from our training support programs such as Medical First Response, Therapy Dog and Home Caregiver Support. advocate January | February 2020

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events

Mark Your Calendar January 28th February 11th & 25th March 10th & 24th April 7th

January 21st Immigration Partnership: Investing in Your Workforce 7:30-9:30am Location: Sunbridge Hotel & Conference Centre, Kitchener Pricing: Member $35 ∙ Future Member $45 ∙ Table of 8 $260

Manulife Chamber Academy 8:00-9:30am Location: Kitchener Public Library – Main Branch Member $25 ∙ Future Member $35 ∙ Member Season Pass $110 Do you own a start-up or work for a small business? This year’s Manulife Chamber Academy Series will provide 6 sessions on a variety of topics, helping you grow your business. We’ll go beyond the basics on areas such as Marketing, Sales, Branding, Talent, and more. You’ll gain valuable skills and learn best practices, through engaging expert-led sessions.

Looking for new ways to recruit and retain talent? The Chamber and Immigration Partnership will be hosting an informative morning session on Investing in your Workforce. We’ll be joined

by Jennifer Roggemann (Roggemann Immigration Law) and Bill MacGregor (Gowling WLG) who will share their vast experience in immigration law and discuss opportunities available to help fulfill talent needs.

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January 23rd MNP Networking Breakfast Series Speed Networking

Libro Chamber Young Professionals Mentor Mix & Mingle

7:00-9:00am Location: Inn of Waterloo Member $35 ∙ Future Member $45

5:30-7:30pm Location: Maxwell’s Concerts & Events Member $10 ∙ Future Member $15

The MNP Networking Breakfast Series presents Speed Networking. This is a fantastic and efficient way to make dozens of valuable connections, before your workday even begins.

The Libro Chamber Young Professionals is proud to bring back the annual Mentor Mix & Mingle. If you’re looking for best practices on making the most of your network, or advice on how to advance in your career, this event is a must-attend!

January 16th

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events

Mark Your Calendar February 5th

March 6th

Jay Fencing Business After 5

International Women’s Day Breakfast

5:00-7:00pm Location: MCAP Complimentary for Members ∙ Future Members $10 Exhibitors $60 The Jay Fencing Business After 5 Series will be held at MCAP’s dynamic office space. The event will include complimentary appetizers, a variety of local exhibitors and the opportunity to make lots of great connections.

7:00-9:00am Location: TBA Member $40 ∙ Future Members $45 ∙ Table of 8 $310 The Annual International Women’s Day Breakfast is an event held in partnership between the Greater KW Chamber of Commerce and respected community leader, Karen Redman. This year’s program is focused on #EachForEqual – an equal world is an enabled world.

Title Sponsor:

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Gold Sponsor: Event Sponsors:

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February 20th Business Excellence Awards Gala 6:00-10:00pm Location: Bingemans Member $175 ∙ Future Members $200 ∙ Table of 8 $1350 The 2020 Business Excellence Awards Gala is almost upon us!

This premier event recognizes businesses in Waterloo Region who have made exceptional contributions to the community through their involvement and leadership. This year’s celebration will include 14 awards. Join the Chamber in celebrating these outstanding local businesses!

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advocate January | February 2020

21

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We also offer the following products Backyard Customization • Screens for Patios and Pool Cabanas • Security Shutters Garage Customization • Hoists • Flooring • Cabinets Commercial and Industrial • Sales and Service

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255 Bathurst Drive Waterloo ON N2V 2E4

519-888-9111

feature

Change, Innovation and Opportunity for Waterloo Region Business Nowadays, it is often said that the business landscape is undergoing unprecedented change. The reality is: when hasn’t change been the only constant? What matters is how we adapt to that change, how we innovate.

The Waterloo Region has been a source of innovation in business for over 150 years – innovations that have shaped the world, like the first smartphone, have come from right here. The super-cluster of the Toronto-Waterloo Region Corridor now contains one of the world’s fastest-growing tech sectors. There is no better place to be in Canada for a smallmedium enterprise (SME).

It is one of Canada’s strongest economic regions with a population of over six million people. You have direct access to the country’s financial capital, Toronto, and are positioned in its tech hub. The educational infrastructure here is tremendous with 16 universities and colleges nearby producing among the best and brightest graduates from all over the world. The access to financial and intellectual capital is astounding. It is a place of enormous potential and as startup ecosystems go, it is hard to beat.

However, the challenges for small businesses are many and varied, particularly in the current geopolitical and economic climate.

While funding is being made increasingly available by governments at both federal and provincial levels and the private sector, competition for that funding has never been higher. Differentiation from the crowd is a challenge for any company but in the early stages is vital to get noticed and earn that lifeline. The broader global economic context also brings its own challenges, especially for SMEs that operate or do business outside Canadian borders. Together, each of these factors can be headwinds for SMEs. Yet from a vibrant business culture and community will come solutions to these challenges. We invest in being a part of that ecosystem because its health is to the benefit of all and a vibrant economic culture requires the participation of businesses of all sizes. Opportunities for SMEs will arise from the necessity for symbiosis, our increasing interconnectivity will open niches to fill and demand for new products that must be supplied. If change is a constant, then so is opportunity.

Reflecting upon my own industry, until recently, the provision of tailored offerings to small businesses by larger financial institutions has generally been inadequate. The approach to any investment requires a degree of nuance and understanding, so a one-size-fits-all solution does not work.

This has created a sense of mistrust in large banks amongst SMEs that often have little choice but to rely on those institutions. That must change. Our industry must reconsider its approach to rebuilding the system of support SMEs so we can establish a system that is fit for purpose and future-proof.

These are reflections all industry sectors must undertake to provide the catalyst to accelerate growth and leverage the potential of our great community.

Given how adverse the landscape can be for SMEs it is crucial that the system adapts whereby they remove complexity and foster growth. We must remove obstacles for small business to get what they need, when they need it. The business ecosystem must, therefore, adapt at every level to ensure it is able to efficiently cater to its own needs. Innovation breeds innovation. If we can change, it might be that we are helping ourselves clear a future hurdle of which we are presently unaware.

There is huge potential for opportunity in supporting SMEs in the Waterloo Region that are creating products and technologies that could provide solutions to tomorrow’s problems. We must be determined to help Canada’s entrepreneurs to fulfil their potential because, ultimately, their success is our success.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Rick Jaques Richard is the Regional President, Personal & Small Business Banking, BMO Bank of Montreal for the Greater Ontario Region, where he leads a team of retail banking professionals across 11 markets and 169 branches. Rick is an active and passionate member of the community he lives and works in.

advocate January | February 2020

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RBC Dominion Securities Inc.

RBC Dominion Securities Waterloo is hiring new Investment Advisors RBC Dominion Securities in Waterloo is seeking motivated individuals for a fulfilling career in the wealth management industry.

If you’re looking for the support you need to build a successful career, RBC Dominion Securities offers several advantages:

● ● ● ●

Strength and stability Independence with support Powerful tools and technology Top-calibre training

With an independent focus that encourages and rewards initiative, industry-leading investment and

wealth management support, and the backing of Canada’s largest financial institution, RBC Dominion Securities is the premier choice for investment professionals who want to build a successful wealth management practice.

For more details, please contact Vice-President and Branch Manager Mark Hodson at 519-747-7790 or mark.hodson@rbc.com.

We value diversity in the workplace, are committed to Employment Equity and will provide reasonable workplace accommodation to applicants with disabilities. RBC Dominion Securities Inc.* and Royal Bank of Canada are separate corporate entities which are affiliated. *Member-Canadian Investor Protection Fund. RBC Dominion Securities Inc. is a member company of RBC Wealth Management, a business segment of Royal Bank of Canada. ®Registered trademarks of Royal Bank of Canada. Used under licence. ©2017 RBC Dominion Securities Inc. All rights reserved. 17_90561_001

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Our service is free, so call now to see what we can do for you while funds last.

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feature

Driverseat & Waterloo Region – A Strong Combination Driverseat is opening new franchise locations every week across North America. In 2020, we expect to open up to 80 new locations, an average of one every 4.5 days. Our corporate office is located in Kitchener where we develop technology, support franchisees, design marketing and determine strategy.

Local Co-founders and brothers, Luke Bazely and Brian Bazely with their team of chauffeurs from the KW franchise.

We are fortunate to house our corporate headquarters in Waterloo Region as we continue to access top talent that can build their careers with a brand that has a focus on five “P’s”; profit, people, purpose, progress and play. Our recent additions of two full time franchise sales development managers, a paralegal, a marketing manager, a graphic design artist and an operations manager demonstrate the wide array of talented people we can access from the region.

In addition, as we focus on developing people, we continue our partnerships with the co-op and placement programs at Conestoga College, Laurier, University of Waterloo and triOS College. We have hosted many co-op or internship students

over the years, extending some to a second term and hiring others after their coop has finished. The talent and quality of the programs in our institutions facilitate building a strong head office team in the region.

Driverseat has won numerous awards over the past 7 years. The most recent award, being named the top franchise system in Canada in 2019, was made possible due to the strength of our Canadian Franchise Association President Sherry franchisees across North McNeil with our magazine cover featuring our award winning brand.

America along with the talent and competencies of our support team at head office. The award helps highlight Waterloo Region as a great place to develop a business. As a result of this prestigious award, the CEO of the Canadian Franchise Association visited our office for lunch, with 4 staffers and a reporter in tow. In addition, Driverseat was featured as the cover page and feature story in Canadian Franchising Magazine in November, creating exposure for both the brand and the region.

We are proud to build our business in Waterloo Region.

To learn more about our initiatives, connect with me on LinkedIn.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Brian Bazely Brian Bazely is CEO of Driverseat, Canada’s largest transportation franchise.

Founded in 2012, Driverseat provides chauffeur and shuttle transportation services across North America. In 2019, under Brian’s leadership, Driverseat was named the top franchise chain in Canada.

Graphic Design Conestoga College Co-op, Sharan, working with Brian Bazely on brand materials.

Photos by Sami Bazely, Studio Baze Photography

advocate January | February 2020

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sponsor profile

MCAP Hard at Work in the Waterloo Community Success in business means achieving a pinnacle in industry leadership and solid financial growth. As one of Canada’s largest independent mortgage financing companies, MCAP has over $100 billion in assets under management, over 30 institutional investors and nearly 340,000 mortgages.

However, HOW our company reached this venerable position over its 34-year history has just as much to do with people – our employees, our customers, and our communities – as it has to do with strategic vision, sales and business acumen.

With over 750 staff members in eight offices across Canada, nearly half of our employees live and work right here in the Waterloo region, home to our largest office outside of Toronto headquarters. In fact, MCAP has had a presence here for over 30 years. Even more if you count that MCAP’s President and Chief Executive Officer Mark Aldridge and his family are from the area. And that five of MCAP’s top executives are Wilfrid Laurier University grads. Go Golden Hawks!

“Kitchener-Waterloo has played an intrinsic role in the growth of our company,” notes Don Ross, Executive Vice-President, Corporate Strategic Initiatives and WLU alumnus. “Our connection and commitment to the area as a business, and as an employer, has always been incredibly strong, and will continue to be into the future.”

Being a pillar in the business community is vital. It’s one of the reasons MCAP joined the Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber of Commerce last year. Membership has opened up an exciting collaboration-and-ideas-exchange network with other local business leaders, and it’s been an invaluable conduit for establishing MCAP as an employer of choice.

Proactive involvement has also provided us with connections to meaningful projects that allow us to give back to the community.

MCAP originates, securitizes, trades and services residential and commercial mortgages and development financing loans with the vision to be the largest mortgage finance company in Canada. Our firm’s accomplishments to date are directly attributable to people as underscored by our motto “Your Success is Our Success,” and to our company values which include pride, integrity and transparency, innovation, teamwork, respect and fun.

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MCAP’s values definitely shape life here in our Waterloo office, where we have over 350 staff members between the single-family mortgage operations group and our information technology. It’s been an amazing year, on so many different levels, since moving August 2018 into our new state-of-theart Waterloo office in the Factory Square Campus on Phillip Street in the Idea Quarter.

Our staff love being all together in the open-concept space.

It’s bright. It’s collaborative. It’s huge – 74,000 sq. ft. And, it’s cool!

Fostering creativity, innovation and health and wellness was foremost in mind in its design and furnishings.

Office desks are electronic sit-stand models with dual monitors. There are 40+ meeting rooms including eight agile rooms where business and IT can work together as well as collaborative conversation stations. Unique conference settings are also encouraged, like in the beautiful 451 Phillip St. courtyard, or while strolling one of the many walking trails that surround us. Even over a game of ping pong or foosball (we have tables!). For those who don’t drive, or opt not to, we’re a convenient stone’s throw from Waterloo LRT’s Research and Technology station.

Participation in in-office wellness sessions is encouraged.

Like yoga, kickboxing, massage, and aromatherapy. We also organize after-work socials, such as paint nights.

Perhaps the most powerful force behind our strong people culture, however, is our community engagement. Not just from a business perspective, but from hands-on staff involvement.

MCAP has always been a proactive supporter of community events and charitable causes. Habitat Canada is among them. Since 2000, the company has contributed more than $3.87 million in cash and in-kind services to supporting the organization’s building of affordable homes to help families achieve self-reliance through homeownership.

In addition to co-sponsoring builds, every year MCAP employees volunteer their home-building muscle in their local communities. Paid volunteer days and planned giving through payroll deductions make it easy for employees to give back. MCAP’s Key-to-Hope initiative also offers our mortgage

sponsor profile

borrowers the opportunity to add an ongoing donation to Habitat Canada through their mortgage payments.

Here at the Waterloo office, employees take giving back to the community to a very enthusiastic nth degree. Upon moving to this location, we made the decision that everything we do and celebrate must have a social-engagement tie in to this great area we live and work in.

Our Community and Social Engagement Committee, comprising a dozen employees, helps suss out opportunities.

Usually there’s a monthly activity – we try to find a scheduling balance between small and large campaigns -- that staff can voluntarily support. And, we make fundraising fun, with rewards like desk-delivered ice cream days, and contests that rally incredible in-office camaraderie and competitive spirit.

The generosity of my colleagues simply astounds me! Over the last year, we’ve contributed countless volunteer hours and donations to local causes, including: •

Filling backpacks for kids/teens affected by domestic violence for Victim Services Waterloo Region

•

Collecting 593 lbs of food and $500 in donations for The Foodbank of Waterloo Region

•

Donating toys and $1,242 for The Salvation Army’s local toy drive

•

Delivering 70 shoe boxes, more than half physically filled by our staff, to Outreach Services for Indigenous Women

•

Pulling together 1,586 lbs (139 bags) of clothing for Cinderella’s Boutique/Beauty for Ashes Transformation House and The Green Door/The Working Centre

In addition, we participated in two local Habitat Canada build days with 30 volunteers. Staff members also took part in the regional events of national campaigns, raising a total of about $21,500 (including MCAP matching funds, but excluding online donations). Over $18,000 of the funds raised were for Cystic Fibrosis Canada’s Shinerama. Other charities to benefit from MCAP support include Breathe The Lung Association, Canadian Cancer Society’s Run for the Cure, and Heart & Stroke’s Ride for Heart.

I am very proud to work at MCAP, which has been the recipient of several prestigious awards including the Canadian Mortgage Awards of Excellence’s 2018 and 2019 Monoline Lender of the Year. The fact that over 30% of employees have been with the firm for over 10 years speaks volumes about the company culture. Non-stop learning and several diverse job roles have certainly shaped my 30-year tenure at MCAP, and are a testament to the firm’s focus on professional development and career opportunity for staff.

The company chose the new Waterloo office location for its close proximity to Wilfrid Laurier University, University of Waterloo and Conestoga College, all with which it has intern-co-op partnerships. We hosted the region’s HackerX networking and recruiting event for developers earlier this year, and in early 2020, we will be a host company for one of the Chamber’s Business After 5 networking events.

As active members of the KW Chamber of Commerce, and membership with Waterloo’s Communitech, MCAP, a chamber Business of the Year and Community Builder of the Year awards nominee, is deeply committed to further advancing business development and recruitment opportunities.

And, of course, where there is a community event, there’s a good chance MCAP employees will be there, pitching in for a good cause.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Patti Creed Patti Creed is Senior Vice-President, Information Technology, based out of MCAP’s Waterloo office. Patti was born and raised in the area, and is very excited for MCAP as an employer of choice in the region, proactive business leader, and community champion.

advocate January | February 2020

27

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Helping Us Make Our Vision Possible A special Thank You to each of these Chamber Sponsors.

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advocate January | February 2020

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advocate January | February 2020

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Member Notables

Joe and Stephanie Mancini Receive Honourary Doctorates from University of Waterloo Alumni Joe and Stephanie Mancini of The Working Centre in downtown Kitchener received honourary doctorates from the University of Waterloo in recognition of their outstanding service at the morning convocation on October 26, 2019.

Founded in 1982, The Working Centre serves as an on-going response to unemployment and poverty within the community. At its roots, the Centre exists not only as a project of development but also as a movement for social change. In addition to being an outstanding model for community cooperation, The Working Centre creates a space for gathering where people respect and support one another.

Joe and Stephanie provided significant assistance to the Waterloo Region Immigrant Employment Network (WRIEN) which was hosted at our Chamber from 2006 to 2011. We thank them for many years of dedicated and committed support.

St. Mary’s Hospital Appoints New President On October 10, 2019, the Board of Trustees at St. Mary’s General Hospital in Kitchener announced the appointment of Ms. Lee Fairclough as their new president.

According to a hospital news release, Ms. Fairclough is a seasoned healthcare leader with broad experience working with patients and healthcare partners to improve the quality of care. Her new role is effective January 6, 2020.

Since 2014 Ms. Fairclough has been Vice President, Quality Improvement at Health Quality Ontario, a provincial advisory body. Beginning in July of 2019 she also served as Interim Lead with the new Ontario Health agency, providing the foundations for a proposed Centre of Excellence in Mental Health and Addictions.

St. Mary’s Hospital and Grand River Hospital have been partnering with our Chamber on physician recruitment and we look forward to working with Lee and her exemplary staff.

Second Anniversary of Conestoga College Supply Chain Research Centre An event was held at the John W. Tibbits campus in Waterloo on November 7, 2019 to recognize the second anniversary of Conestoga’s Magna Centre for Supply Chain Excellence (MCSCE). Attendees included representatives from the manufacturing, logistics, transportation and warehousing, food service and education sectors as well as members of local and provincial government.

On October 1, 2017, the Magna Centre for Supply Chain Excellence was launched thanks to a generous donation from Magna International. For the past two years the MCSCE has focused on laying a strong foundation by taking action on four strategic initiatives, including the shortage of specialists, closing the knowledge gap, innovation, and collaboration.

Conestoga’s supply chain management programs have a proven track record in developing talent and graduates are well-positioned to add value to the firms that hire them.

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WWW.GREATERKWCHAMBER.COM

Member Notables

University of Waterloo Chancellor Appointed as Canadian Ambassador to China In early September of 2019, Prime Minister Trudeau appointed University of Waterloo Chancellor Dominic Barton as Canada’s Ambassador to China.

Mr. Barton chaired Canada’s Advisory Council on Economic Growth. From 2009 to 2018, he was the global managing partner at McKinsey, where he gained vast experience in international business and trade – including as head of their office in Korea and as chairman in Asia based in Shanghai.

Mr. Barton was installed as University of Waterloo 11th Chancellor in October 2018.

Eric Davis and David Marskell receive Waterloo Awards Lawyer Eric Davis of Miller Thomson LLP and David Marskell, chief executive officer at TheMuseum in downtown Kitchener, each received the Waterloo Award at the October 28, 2019 meeting of City Council.

Mr. Davis has participated on the Chamber Federal and Provincial Affairs Committee and currently assists with the Connect the Corridor initiative. Mr. Marskell is a long-serving local advocate for government funding for arts and culture and has built TheMuseun into a major tourist and education destination.

The Chamber congratulates both recipients on their extraordinary achievements.

Canada's Innovation Corridor Business Council Three years ago Chambers of Commerce and Boards of Trade between Waterloo Region and Toronto formed the Canada's Innovation Corridor Business Council with representation from Brampton, Cambridge, Kitchener-Waterloo, Guelph, Halton Hills, Hamilton, Milton and Mississauga.

The original mandate was to optimize economic opportunities within the growing Innovation Corridor and lobby for appropriate infrastructure support most notably improved passenger rail service. The group was also active in the establishment of Next Generation Manufacturing Canada, the recipient of funding under the Super Cluster Innovation Fund to support the integration of Canadian advanced manufacturing and IT resources.

The work of the Business Council is strongly supported by many business and institutional partners and we thank them for making the Waterloo Region-Toronto Corridor a premier location for investment, research, and job creation.

Thanks to the Greater KW Chamber partners that sponsor our efforts on this important initiative.

advocate January | February 2020

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FOR LEASE

FOR LEASE

FOR LEASE

RETAIL/OFFICE | 1,675 SF 190 ST ANDREWS ST, CAMBRIDGE

MEDICAL/OFFICE | 4,697 SF 16 ANDREW ST, KITCHENER

FLEX INDUSTRIAL-OFFICE | 4,127 SF 5 GODDARD CRES, CAMBRIDGE

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RETAIL/OFFICE | 1,200-4,379 SF WATERLOO TOWN SQUARE, WATERLOO

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INDUSTRIAL | 20,000 SF 8 ADAMS ST, PARIS

RETAIL/OFFICE | 1,488-80,000 SF SPORTSWORLD CROSSING, KITCHENER

INDUSTRIAL/WAREHOUSE | 31,767 SF 275 GAGE AVE, KITCHENER

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RETAIL | 536-5,085 SF 600 LAURELWOOD DR, WATERLOO

RETAIL | 2,144-5,611 SF 100 JAMIESON PKWY, CAMBRIDGE

OFFICE | 25,325 SF 565 KUMPF DR, WATERLOO

cushwakewr.com | 519-585-2200 Cushman & Wakefield Waterloo Region Ltd., Brokerage

Doors open at 6:00 pm | Show runs from 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm

3 OFF

$

per ticket

SPECIAL OFFERS

GROUPS: Buy 16 or more tickets for the same show (can not be combined with any other offer or promotion)

60

$

incl. HST & Gratuities

Corporate Gatherings

Join us for all of your meeting and event needs.

Companies who book tickets to our Musical Murder Mysteries will receive $3** off per ticket and have complimentary use of our Wellington & Board Room* on the day of their booking *based on availability **can not be combined with any other offer or promotion

CCR's murky 'swamp rock' sound provided a dark alternative to the peace-and-love psychedelia of the late 1960s. Now let's imagine the darkness inside the band, as battles raged between frontman John Fogerty and his guitar-strumming older brother Tom. Looks like we may need a different kind of revival.

Soft rock’s most fabled soap opera comes to life on stage! The making of Fleetwood Mac’s classic album ‘ Rumours’ was fraught with break-ups, betrayals and three-part harmonies. But what if it was marred by murder?

Mick and Keith have put aside their personal differences so that the world’s greatest rock n’ roll band can once again kick off a massive world tour! Bandana? Check. Cigarettes? Check. Pulse? … Uh-oh. Let’s spend the night together to solve this mystery!

Companies, Groups of 16+ or to purchase tickets over the phone please call:

(519) 846-5455 ext 288

Purchase tickets online at our website

(online booking fee extra, Group Orders can not be processed online)

www.GrandRiverRaceway.com or on-site at the Gift Shop