Ottawa Business Journal 20150427

2070207 2773811

Office • Industrial Space Retail • Development Land

613-226-2000 www.arnon.ca

Fab forty revealed Region’s exceptional up-and-comers include a beermaker, political pundit, hockey coach and even a sculptor > PAGE 6

April 27, 2015 Vol. 18, NO. 12

FORTY UNDER40

Ottawa Commercial Leasing creating the right space for your business merkburn.com 613.224.5464

For daily business news visit obj.ca

Bargain hunter Do so-called dollar stores really deliver value? After a bit of a shopping spree, Michael Prentice gives his verdict: yes. > PAGES 8-9

Worldly ambition Omar Allam left the security of the civil service to start an international trade consultancy with a bit of a twist.

Steve Ball, president of the Ottawa Gatineau Hotel Association, is one of many tourism insiders who think the Rideau Canal is underused. PHOTO BY MARK HOLLERON

On board for a new vision of the canal

> PAGES 10-11

Experts call for ‘buzzworthy’ ideas to rejuvenate tourism on historic waterway

Canada Post Publications Mail: Agreement No. 41639025

Longtime operator’s decision to end boat tours opens up new opportunity for ‘one-of-a-kind’ downtown attraction > PAGE 4

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— SPONSORED CONTENT —

Local businesses forge a new kind of partnership Waterbridge Creative Media, iNSiDE Out STUDiO barre tackle growth fitness market

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hat opportunities do you have to work with another business in the community to build something bigger and better than either of you could alone?

MONDAY, APRIL 27, 2015

This isn’t about a merger between competitors in the same industry. For the team of Waterbridge Creative Media, the goal was to work with another business where it could apply its skills and expertise to help that business grow in exchange for an equity stake.

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The Waterbridge team has made a big splash in the Ottawa market in recent years by helping area businesses tap into the power of strategic online marketing strategies which uses a combination of custom adverts, video promotion and niche content blogging.

“We wondered how we could apply our expertise to help another business take their online social presence to the next

level and grow,” said Brian Frank, President of Waterbridge Creative Media.

But not just any business would do. It had to be one with strong growth potential, where Waterbridge’s skillsets could play a pivotal role in realizing that potential. More than that, there had to be a cultural fit between the teams of both businesses.

Brian and his team found there way to Janine and Greg Charron, founders of Ottawa’s first barre studio, iNSiDE Out STUDiO barre.

we fatigue each major muscle group using tiny isometric movements to burn away fat, sculpt muscle and protect your joints.”

After being created in Europe decades ago, barre has taken the U.S. market by storm and is now catching on in Canada.

The Charrons opened Ottawa’s first barre fitness studio three years ago on Wellington Street. It’s become such a success they are preparing to open their second location in Sittsville.

What is barre? It’s an exercise and conditioning routine that uses the kind of horizontal bar, or “barre,” used in a dance class.

Barre draws a broad mix of people of all ages, said Janine, from dancers to hardcore professional athletes and martial artists looking to improve their endurance and build lean muscle with a low-impact workout.

Janine describes STUDiO barre as “a fun, upbeat, low-impact workout that incorporates elements of yoga, pilates, strength training and barre dance conditioning movements. For 60 minutes

With a young family, a busy location to manage and a second one in startup mode, the Charrons needed help to effectively market and promote their business.

Rather than having to pay an agency for those services, iNSiDE Out STUDiO barre has partnered with Waterbridge. That means the Waterbridge team was a vested interest in the fitness studio’s success, just like an investor.

“They are so passionate about our business and we haven’t paid them a cent,” said Janine. “It’s so great to see how they believe in what we are doing.”

“It all comes down to trust,” said Brian.

“When we met the team here, we could see right away that these are two downto-earth and enthusiastic people who practice what they preach when it comes to fitness and health. As entrepreneurs ourselves we can relate to that, we get excited by that.”

To learn more about Waterbridge Creative Media and its services, please visit www.waterbridgemedia.ca

— SPONSORED CONTENT —

One thing this team never cuts is a corner Brook Restoration bulks up in Ottawa with new office

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hen your property needs restoration, maintaining good relations with tenants is just as important as getting the job done right, on time and on budget.

Your tenants are your business, whether the property in question is a residential high-rise, or an office complex. The last thing you want is to have tenants looking to move at the end of their lease.

You need a restoration team with the right skills and expertise, as well as the right attitude.

Over the past 15 years, Brook Restoration has grown into one of the largest and most trusted restoration companies serving Ontario. The awardwinning Brook team includes more than 300 skilled craftsmen, dedicated labourers and strategic managers available to provide service anywhere in Ontario.

Geoff Grist founded Brook in Toronto, but the company has been steadily growing its business in the Ottawa area. In March, it opened a full professional office and storage facility on Stevenage Drive.

Local Project Manager Jeff Keays has for several years been Brook’s feet on the ground in Ottawa. He has worked with local clients on multimillion projects that include the Radisson Hotel on Queen Street, the Holiday Inn on Cooper Street and apartment high-rises at 1240 and 1244 Donald Street.

“The growing volume of our business in Ottawa required that we evolve our local presence to serve our clients better,” Keays said. “Our Ottawa office has a local focus, committed to hiring local tradespeople and buying from local suppliers.”

A certain joie de vivre They head up a team that includes several foremen and a roster of skilled tradespeople. Brook also maintains

relationships with local trade unions and a deep network of specialized contractors it can call on as needed to meet the demands of any job.

But it’s not just about expertise. Attitude is important as well, said Roodman.

“This is an upbeat company with great team morale,” he said. “When people enjoy what they are doing it creates a positive atmosphere on the job site that is good for the project, our clients and their tenants.”

This joie de vivre arises in part from Brook’s emphasis on the highest standards of safety and professionalism.

All workers employed by Brook are required to attend and pass a minimum of six courses offered by its own industrycertified training school prior to stepping foot on a worksite. Brook uses tablets on

the jobsite to provide up-to-the-minute updates on site conditions. All foremen are required to submit multiple daily documents over and above the standards required by law.

Brook also employs an independent safety consultant to ensure conformity, not only with industry safety requirements, but also with its own stringent guidelines.

“We take safety above and beyond common standards,” said Roodman.

“Good isn’t good enough. When you work with Brook, you can trust that we are not cutting any corners.”

To discuss your project needs, visit www.brookrestoration.ca, call Gary at 613-796-9913, or call Jeff at 613-716-6305.

MONDAY, APRIL 27, 2015

Keays is a 33-year veteran of the restoration industry with substantial hands-on experience with restoration work and project management. Joining him is new Ottawa General Manager Gary Roodman, a licensed engineer and project management professional with 35 years experience.

One of Brook’s current Ottawa projects is Vachon Place, an Ottawa Community Housing property at 18 Burnside Ave. Brook is overseeing about 25 workers on three teams (including specialized subcontractors) to replace windows, replace deteriorated stucco with a new exterior insulated finishing system and carry out other interior repairs related to water damage. The work has been carried out through the winter using enclosed scaffolding with portable heating.

03 OBJ.CA

TOURISM Charting a new course for the canal Demise of venerable cruise line gives local businesses a chance to reinvent historic waterway as a modern tourist destination, observers and industry insiders say

BY DAVID SALI david@obj.ca

MONDAY, APRIL 27, 2015

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ith the Rideau Canal’s main summer attraction grounded for the season, it’s time for Ottawa to rethink the way it promotes its membership in “one of the most exclusive tourism clubs in the world,” local industry experts say.

After more than six decades ferrying visitors up and down the canal, Paul’s Boat Lines said earlier this month it won’t be offering tours this year. The family-owned company failed to reach a new lease agreement with Parks Canada, balking at the $75,000 minimum annual rent the agency is requesting from a single operator that can offer “innovative experiences and leadingedge services” on the canal.

With Paul’s out of the picture, those who keep close tabs on local tourism say an opportunity has opened up for the city to better capitalize on the canal’s status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, one of just 17 in Canada.

“It’s been sitting there for a long time and we see little flurries of effort … but we haven’t seen the massive, co-ordinated effort that you’d find if you travelled the globe and looked at other UNESCO attractions,” says the University of Ottawa’s Michael Mulvey, an assistant professor of marketing in the Telfer School of Management.

“We’re in one of the most exclusive tourism clubs in the world. This UNESCO thing is fabulous. You have the opportunity here to create something that’s absolutely one of a kind and can’t be easily emulated. It would be buzzworthy.”

Former Shaw Centre CEO Pat Kelly, who recently launched his own tourism consulting firm, agrees.

“Once they’ve done a river tour of the canal, there really isn’t a whole lot more that the canal offers,” he says.

“When you think that we are a city that is privileged to have a UNESCO World Heritage site winding its way through the core, it’s something that from a tourism perspective, you certainly want to take advantage of. In terms of the enjoyment of people who live in Ottawa, you certainly want to make sure that

we’re making good use of it and doing a good job of animating it through various activities.”

While Mr. Kelly says it is “very unfortunate” that Paul’s, a fixture in Ottawa since 1949, won’t be running its tours this year, he praises Parks Canada “for having the vision and the foresight to come up with an RFP that … does open the door for an enhanced level of animation on the canal.”

Experts say there are a whole host of ways to liven up the 183-year-old waterway while still respecting its heritage status. Mr. Mulvey says historic boat tours featuring guides in period costumes and pubs modelled after taverns of the mid-19th century are examples of tourist attractions that would connect the canal’s past to the present and be “more interactive and Tourism industry veteran Steve Ball says the canal is “underutilized.” PHOTO BY MARK HOLLERON more authentic” than a straightforward, leisurely cruise.

“We’re in one of the most exclusive tourism clubs in the world.

Steve Ball, the president of the Ottawa Gatineau Hotel Association and You have the opportunity here to create something that’s a longtime member of the industry, absolutely one of a kind and can’t be easily emulated.” seconded Mr. Kelly’s suggestion of – MICHAEL MULVEY, ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF MARKETING, water taxis that transport visitors from downtown to Lansdowne Park and other TELFER SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT tourism hubs.

“I’ve always thought our waterfront is a little underutilized,” says Mr. Ball, an buzz about the heritage site during peak Parks Canada appears to agree. avid boater himself who often docks his tourist season in July and August.

Its latest request for proposals issued 38-foot cabin cruiser on the waterway “It’s kind of ironic that you could recently calls for “leading-edge services in the summer. “I’d love to see more argue that the animation is greater on that will maximize the potential” of the smiling faces as they cruise by me on the canal when it’s frozen than it is when canal as a “world-class site, vibrant, the canal because of the experience. You it’s liquid,” Mr. Kelly says with a chuckle. animated and engaging.” want people to get off the boat and say, “I think we’ve got the winter part down But at least one local tourism ‘That was great.’” pretty well, but we need to improve the entrepreneur says the agency’s annual Mr. Kelly says the trick is to make summer offerings.” base rent of $75,000 or a percentage sure whatever the new services are, they Martin Taller, the co-ordinator of of gross revenue, whichever is greater, are delivered tastefully.

Algonquin College’s Tourism and Travel will rule out many potentially strong “We don’t want to see a bunch of fastdiploma program, says the canal needs candidates who lack the resources to get food outlets, and we don’t want to see to become a destination tourists actively their plans off the ground. anything that takes away from the heritage seek out.

“New and innovative ideas don’t nature of the canal, but there are certainly “Perhaps we need to create some come out of the old money,” says Brad some quality activities and offerings that events on the canal that people will be Campeau, owner of local microbrewery could be put together,” he says. drawn to,” he says. “In the same way tour operator Brew Donkey.

About eight million tourists visit the that we do Winterlude, we need to create Still, while there are bound to be capital each year, with five million of some of these new events on the canal hurdles to overcome with reinventing those staying downtown or visiting the that will become attractions. The canal the canal as a more modern tourism city’s core at least once during their stop. is pretty static over the summer – there destination, experts believe it will Yet many observers say that although isn’t a lot going on. It’s great to encourage happen eventually.

February’s annual Winterlude festival business to come, but if we don’t have “We’re getting there,” says Mr. Taller. and the canal’s skateway have put it the traffic … along the canal and in the “In the interim, we’ve lost a family on the map as a destination for winter area, then business will be slower to get business, which is sort of sad to see travellers, there is surprisingly little activity going.” happen.”

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2015 RECIPIENTS! Obaid Ahmed

Pat Gilbert

Charles-Antoine Rozon

Omar Allam

Marie-Claire Holland

Steve Schmalz

F. Shawn Argue

Jonathan Hughes

Denise Siele

Steve Beauchesne

Neil Kennelly

John-Philippe Smith

Tim Beaulieu

Martin Krátký-Katz

Martin St-Onge

Brian W. Boucher

Alice Lafferty

Jenna Sudds

Yanick Brule

Shawn Lamarche

Rebecca Trueman

Greg Burwell

Paul Lem

Gordon Wadley

Roberto Campagna

Adam Mallory

Brandon Waselnuk

Ian Capstick

Jennifer McAndrew

Amy E. Yee

Ian M. Charlebois

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Allam Advisory Group Argue Construction Ltd. Beau’s All Natural Brewing Maplesoft Group

Lee Valley Tools, Ltd. Acquadrain Fusebill

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Michael Crichton Gowlings

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Lago/Hooley’s/Booster Juice

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Corporate Housing Interiors Limited

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KPMG LLP

Santé Universelle

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PCL Constructors Canada Inc. Equal Voice

First Aid 4 U Inc

Smith & Barber - Sculpture Atelier Inc.

MicroMetrics

Canada Post Corporation

Perley-Robertson, Hill & McDougall LLP/s.r.l.

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05 OBJ.CA

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MONDAY, APRIL 27, 2015

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Network with the city’s rising business stars!

EVENTS Forty Under 40 recipients in the spotlight

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ne of Canada’s top craft brewers, a sculptor who is helping to restore the Parliament Buildings, the founder of a leading bioscience firm and a nationally known political pundit are among this year’s Forty Under 40 recipients.

The 2015 awards again saw an impressive number of people engaged in the nomination process. More than 240 applications were started, half that number were submitted and 80 were sent the finalist stage, where all the judges spent a total of about 100 hours in review.

“It speaks volumes about the depth of businesspeople in Ottawa that we continue to see so many quality nominees come forward,” says OBJ publisher Michael Curran, who has chaired Forty Under 40 for more than a decade. “On the one hand, Forty Under 40 is such a big undertaking. And on the other hand, it’s so fascinating to see how nominees are achieving success. It’s a rewarding process.”

Forty Under 40 recognizes accomplished leaders who are under the age of 40 and also give back to their community. The awards are co-hosted by Ottawa Business Journal and the Ottawa Chamber of Commerce.

“Ottawa strives to be the centre of talent attraction and innovation, and the 2015 Forty Under 40 recipients are the economic trailblazers our community needs to meet this objective,” said Ian Faris, the chamber of commerce’s president and CEO. “These young entrepreneurs and business leaders demonstrate a commitment to community development, industry expertise and business accomplishments that distinguish not only themselves, but reflect our business and civic capacity to be a global leader.”

Besides Mr. Curran and Mr. Faris, the judging panel included Sophia Leong of Telfer Executive MBA, past recipients Marie Boivin of Accu-Rate and Patrick

Dion of Greenbridge Consulting Group, Robert Rheaume of BDO Canada and OBJ print editor David Sali.

Each judge spent a dozen or more hours individually assessing the finalists on a 40-point system. Recipients received a maximum of 20 points for business accomplishments, 10 points for professional expertise and 10 points for community involvement.

The 2015 recipients will get together in early June at the Telfer Executive MBA facility for an afternoon of introductions and sharing.

OBJ will profile each recipient in a special issue of its newspaper on June 8.

On June 18, the group will be celebrated at a gala at the Hilton Lac-Leamy, an event that will also raise funds for the Royal Ottawa Foundation for Mental Health through a charitable draw.

Twitter users are encouraged to tweet their congratulations to the group using #OTT40.

FORTY UNDER40 2015 RECIPIENTS: Obaid Ahmed, OAK Computing Omar Allam, Allam Advisory Group F. Shawn Argue, Argue Construction Steve Beauchesne, Beau’s All Natural Brewing Tim Beaulieu, Maplesoft Group Brian W. Boucher, Lee Valley Tools Yanick Brule, Aqua Drain Greg Burwell, Fusebill Roberto Campagna, Roca Homes

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Tuesday, April 28, 2015 11:30 am – 1:30 pm

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06 OBJ.CA

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The City is accepting Expressions of Interest from businesses of all sizes. Available naming rights include: • Lansdowne Park, Ottawa’s 18‐acre urban park – Aberdeen Pavilion, Aberdeen Square, Horticulture Building, Skating Court, Basketball Court and Children’s Water Plaza and Play Area with skate board ramps • Centrepointe Theatres – building and two theatres • Minto Recreation Complex - Barrhaven –aquatic centre, fitness centre, gymnasium, two ice arenas and eleven hockey arena change room doors • Nepean Sportsplex – building, aquatic centre, athletic and fitness centres, one ice arena and two ball diamonds • Ray Friel Recreation Complex – wave pool, fitness centre, gymnasiums, two arenas and sports fields

Call Richard Barton at 613-580-2424 ext. 25632 or visit ottawa.ca/Corporate Partnerships to find your perfect Community Champion opportunity.

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COMMENTARY Dollar stores fit the bill Their price limit might no longer be a loonie, but Dollarama and its competitors still deliver plenty of bang for your buck, Michael Prentice discovers

MONDAY, APRIL 27, 2015

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ike most smart consumers, I’ve known for years that it’s possible to save by shopping at a dollar store. But I was surprised recently to learn how much it’s possible to save.

A basket of items that cost me less than $50 in a dollar store could have cost more than twice that amount if I had purchased them at my neighbourhood supermarket, drugstore or hardware store.

Dollar stores have been around for decades, but the days are long gone when they sold nothing priced at more than $1.

Dollarama, a leading chain of such stores, now sells items priced as high as $3. Still, hundreds of items on the shelves of any These are some of the bargains Michael Prentice found at Dollarama. PHOTO BY COLE BURSTON dollar store are priced at $1 or less.

To test the potential savings offered by HOW SAVINGS MOUNT UP dollar stores, I visited a Dollarama outlet in Ottawa’s west end.

ITEM DOLLARAMA PRICE COMPETITORS’ PRICE I roamed the store picking items I needed or items I knew I would need in the Four small, decorative paper gift bags $2 $13.96 near future, such as painting and gardening Five birthday cards $5 $24.95 equipment, light bulbs, batteries, envelopes, Two packets of gravy mix $1.25 $1.98 toothpaste, soap, cleaning products, E.D. Smith raspberry spread, 375 mL $2 $2.61 greeting cards and gift wrap.

Garden trowel $1.50 $8.99 The bill came to $47.50 before tax.

Arm & Hammer toothpaste, 90 mL $2 $2.24 Then I priced each of these items Dove beauty cream bars, 200 g $2 $3.65 – identical wherever possible, or ones 18 ballpoint pens $1.50 $3.74 that were similar and appeared to be of Scotch gift wrap tape, 16 m $2 $2.98 comparable quality – at a Real Canadian 10 large envelopes $1.25 $3.82 Superstore, Shoppers Drug Mart or Home 100 letter-size envelopes $1.25 $7.48 Hardware.

I shopped as I normally would, except Four AA batteries $1 $4.29 that now I looked for items that I had Four 100-watt light bulbs $2 $3.79 purchased at Dollarama, and went from Eight small adhesive floor protectors $1 $1.75 store to store until I had found them all.

Toilet bowl plunger $1.25 $3.99 The total cost of all these items, before Large glass mug with handle $1.50 $3 tax, was $122.19 – or almost $75 more Small cushion $3 $6.94 than the $47.50 I had paid at Dollarama.

Thin doormat $2.50 $8.99 When the 13 per cent sales tax is added, the 100 coffee filters $2 $2.50 savings were close to $85 on the basket of Lysol toilet cleaner, 473 mL $2 $1.25 items that I had bought at Dollarama.

Four packs of 15 decorative paper napkins $5 $3 (As an aside, I find it maddening that Glad ClingWrap, 50 m $2.50 $2.30 most Canadian retailers do not include sales tax in their posted prices, as stores do Paintbrush, 2 inches $2 $3.99 in some civilized parts of the world, notably TOTAL $47.50 $122.19 Europe. Addition of the taxes magnifies the difference in prices charged by retailers.)

NOTE: Prices are before 13 per cent harmonized sales tax, payable on all items except raspberry spread and gravy mix.

Continues on page 9

Great River Media 250 City Centre Ave., Suite 500 Ottawa, Ontario, K1R 6K7 obj.ca PUBLISHER Michael Curran, 238-1818 ext. 228 publisher@obj.ca SENIOR VICE-PRESIDENT OF SALES Don Mersereau, 238-1818 ext. 286 CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER Terry Tyo, 238-1818 ext. 268 EDITOR, PRINT CONTENT David Sali, 238-1818 ext. 269 david@greatriver.ca EDITOR, ONLINE CONTENT Tom Pechloff, 238-1818 ext. 291 editor@obj.ca COPY EDITOR Krystle Kung CREATIVE DIRECTOR Tanya Connolly-Holmes, 238-1818 ext. 253 creative@obj.ca ART DEPARTMENT Jamie Dean, 238-1818 ext. 278 jamie@greatriver.ca Regan VanDusen, 238-1818 ext. 254 regan@obj.ca ADVERTISING SALES Wendy Baily, 238-1818 ext. 244 wbaily@obj.ca Kimberley Allen-McGill, 238-1818 ext. 299 kimberley@obj.ca Alison Stewart, 238-1818 ext. 226 sales@obj.ca Susan Salsbury, 238-1818 ext. 229 ssalsbury@obj.ca MARKETING & SALES CO-ORDINATOR Cristha Sinden, 238-1818 ext. 222 cristha@greatriver.ca INSIDE SALES SUPPORT Marc Nordemann-Keller, 238-1818 ext.259 marc@obj.ca CAREER ADVERTISING & MARKETPLACE ADVERTISING SALES 238-1818 ext. 251 VICE-PRESIDENT OF OTTAWA BUSINESS EVENTS Susan Blain, 238-1818 ext. 232 susan@ottawabusinessevents.ca FINANCE Jackie Whalen, 238-1818 ext. 250 jackie@greatriver.ca SUBSCRIPTIONS/DISTRIBUTION 238-1818 ext. 248 subscribe@obj.ca PRINTED BY Transcontinental Qualimax 130 Adrien-Robert, Parc Industriel Richelieu Gatineau, QC J8Y 3S2

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READER COMMENTS Let businesses regulate own hours Re: “Whole Foods charged in connection with Good Friday opening” (April 20 on obj.ca)

What happened to the separation of church and state? I agree with the need for rest and holiday, but in a truly nonpartisan, democratic system with freedom of religion as a cornerstone, why are municipal governments making laws based on Christian holidays and a public police force enforcing them? – John-David

The city should not be getting involved in this at all. Businesses should be allowed to open and operate when they choose. I have no concerns about rest and family time. There are many people available to cover the holiday hours. – Bill

inundated with mismanagement, fraud and corruption allegations that is also awaiting the result of THREE separate OPP investigations for alleged illegal misdeeds? I’m sure they’ll get this one right! – Anthony

Brewers have legitimate beef

California drought could heat up inflation

Re: “Ontario craft brewers skeptical about new deal with the Beer Store” (April 22 on obj.ca)

Hutchison

Why would anyone be skeptical of a deal brokered by a government

Re: “Ottawa’s inflation rate matches national rate for March, at 1.2 per cent” (April 17 on obj.ca)

A basket of items that cost me less than $50 in a dollar store could have cost more than twice that amount if I had purchased them at my neighbourhood supermarket, drugstore or hardware store

Continued from page 8 How do Dollarama and other dollar stores undercut prices charged by their competition? For one thing, Dollarama and some of its competitors save on fees by requiring cash or debit card payments – no credit cards or cheques. Also, it offers no refunds or exchanges. And then there is the self-imposed discipline of that retail price ceiling of $3. If Dollarama can’t make a profit on an item with a maximum price of three bucks, it doesn’t stock it.

I found that some of the biggest savings offered by Dollarama were on

paper products such as greeting cards, gift wrappings and envelopes.

The greeting card industry is notorious for slapping suggested retail prices on its products. It’s none of a manufacturer’s business to tell retailers how much to charge.

These suggested retail prices on greeting cards can be as high as five times what Dollarama charges for many of its cards. Dollarama, it seems, can make a profit while selling these cards for $1, even if the manufacturer’s suggested retail price is $4.99. (With tax, Dollarama’s price for

The great California drought, if it continues, will see food prices go up one quarter this year and become significantly worse in the event of a major seismic event – an earthquake and aftershocks that knock out a of important infrastructure like roads and bridges and even food storage warehouses. Furthermore, a bad hurricane season that sees a major storm hitting the southern coasts of Florida and the Gulf of Mexico will exacerbate the pending big food price problem. – Rudy Haugeneder

such cards is $1.13. For a store charging a suggested price of $4.99, the customer pays a whopping $5.64.)

In my price comparison, Dollarama was cheaper for most items. In the few cases where I found a competitor with a lower price, such as Glad ClingWrap, the competitor offered the product in a larger size.

Michael Prentice is OBJ’s columnist on retail and consumer issues. He can be contacted at news@obj.ca.

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Those tired old lights are eating your budget Local hospital cuts light pollution, finds big savings

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and other gear to audit power usage and measure the level of light pollution at night. They charted traffic movement through the garage and calculated the savings that could be realized by replacing existing halogen fixtures with LED lights and occupancy sensors.

With any large-scale energy conservation project in a public sector facility, buy-in from senior management and the board level is crucial. With energy conservation already a priority for the Queensway-Carleton Hospital, the business case built by the Algonquin students made a retrofit of the garage that much easier to sell, said Lecuyer.

“The students did a great job,” he said.

“I was really impressed.”

To defray a portion of the upfront cost of the retrofit, the hospital qualified for funding through a provincial saveONenergy program offered through Hydro Ottawa.

Where you can start What saveONenergy programs can help your business retire those costly old light fixtures, just like the Queensway-Carleton Hospital did?

One place to start is the Small Business Lighting Program, in which up to $1,500 worth of lighting in your small business can be upgraded, at no cost to you.

Another is the Retrofit Program. This can cover up to 50 per cent of the cost for a project that will improve the energy efficiency of your business.

To learn more about these programs, and the full range of conservation programs that may be available for your business, please visit www.hydroottawa.com/business/conservation.

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What’s been the outcome?

The new system is saving the hospital about 310,000 kilowatt hours per year, or about $48,500. That does not include the maintenance savings, which Lecuyer said will pay back the initial cost of the retrofit within three years.

Gilles Lecuyer, Facilities Manager, QueenswayCarleton Hospital

MONDAY, APRIL 27, 2015

oes a multi-level parking garage really need to be lit up like a Christmas tree around the clock?

That was a question on the mind of Gilles Lecuyer, facilities manager at the Queensway-Carleton Hospital.

The hospital had already been working with the team at Hydro Ottawa to find ways to cut its power consumption by replacing old halogen lighting fixtures with much more economical LEDs. Hydro Ottawa, through Ontario Centres of Excellence, also works with Algonquin College – a training ground for its next generation of skilled workers – to support practical, real-world projects that count as credits towards students’ courses of study.

“We approached Gilles about allowing a team of students from Algonquin’s Electrical Engineering Program to conduct a lighting audit of the hospital’s parking garage,” said Hydro Ottawa’s Supervisor of Energy Conservation, Richard Thorne.

Lecuyer considered it a win-win situation. “I help the kids and they help me save money,” he said. “It was a joke around here that a plane was going to land on the roof of that garage.”

The students came armed with sensors

GO GLOBAL THE TOP 5 MISTAKES SMEs MAKE WHEN TRYING TO GO GLOBAL: OMAR ALLAM MISTAKE 1: NOT HAVING CLEAR OBJECTIVES AND A ROAD MAP Having clear goals is essential to making a smart plan for global expansion. It can also help you assess which international markets are ideal for your company, and which ones are extremely risky.

MISTAKE 2: MISJUDGING RISK Make no mistake, going global is very risky. However, you can mitigate this risk by understanding and knowing how to safely manage it. For example, don’t fail to consider the significant role that politics play in markets where the contract has a shelf life that lasts until the next election. The new political party might have different priorities and might not be prepared to honour previous governments’ commitments or contracts.

MISTAKE 3: GOING GLOBAL FOR THE WRONG REASONS Businesses frustrated with the lack of growth in the domestic market might set their sights on the global marketplace.

Although the promise of emerging markets is enticing, global expansion is a long-term investment, not a get-rich-quick scheme.

Businesses looking to make a quick buck shouldn’t expand. But those that are patient, plan for gradual growth overseas and are prepared to take their time could reap long-term rewards.

MONDAY, APRIL 27, 2015

MISTAKE 4: SKIMPING ON TALENT Many startups and SMEs are tempted to take the do-it-yourself approach or rely on Google for outdated market information simply because it’s cheaper. Don’t make this mistake. Although the budget may be tight, don’t cut corners by not hiring seasoned experts. Having the right team is one of the most important factors for success.

Talent is an investment and be willing to pay accordingly.

OBJ.CA

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MISTAKE 5: BEING INSENSITIVE TO CULTURE As obvious an error as it might sound, business leaders typically fail to adequately appreciate just how important it is to learn about what people in other cultures consider respectful, and what offends them.

In Canada, having the right product or service at the right price usually trumps all.

Not so in other countries, where you can kill deals by bringing up business too quickly, not asking about family, handling a business card too casually, wearing colours that might offend, shaking someone’s hand or politely refusing a second drink. That sort of sensitivity has to be developed and applied to everything your company does.

Omar Allam had already built an impressive resume when he left the civil service at 32 to enter the world of business. PHOTO BY MARK HOLLERON

Bringing a world of expertise to would-be exporters Ottawa’s Omar Allam traded in life as foreign affairs bureaucrat for the rough-and-tumble world of business

BY JENNIFER CAMPBELL SPECIAL TO OBJ

O

mar Allam was just 32 years old and already he’d climbed a significant portion of the steep government bureaucracy ladder at the Foreign Affairs Department. He’d had two overseas postings, one as commercial counsellor and head of trade in Ghana

and another as consul and senior trade commissioner for South India.

But the pull of entrepreneurship – and the ability to succeed on one’s own – was too strong to keep him in his comfortable government job. And besides, it had its downsides. He felt as though he’d hit a ceiling in the foreign service and his career wasn’t going anywhere. So he gave it all up to join the fiercely competitive

world of business.

Two years in, he’s been a builder and investor in four different companies, at least three of which are now already profitable, and recently founded his own international business consultancy.

“The government had made a lot of cuts, I felt disconnected, my skills weren’t being used to their full potential,” Mr. Allam says. “And I wanted to service

Who are Ottawa’s startups to watch?

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“We know we are facing a serious problem with Canada lagging behind its competitors internationally. As G20 competitors, we are way behind the mark, especially smalland medium-sized companies.”

— OMAR ALLAM, FOUNDER

OF ALLAM ADVISORY GROUP

New business arriving at Ottawa International Airport Airport Authority meeting revenue generation challenges

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hen Canada’s National Airports Policy came into effect in 1994, the federal government stepped away from the operation of airports and handed that role over to various Airport Authorities.

These not-for-profit organizations receive no public financial support and are required to reinvest any excess revenues in the operation.

As Coleman Swartz, Director of Commercial Development for the Ottawa International Airport Authority explains, they are also beholden to a stringent regulatory regime and governance and operational requirements contained in a long-term ground lease with Transport Canada.

“That means maintaining runways, navigation aids and the other infrastructure required to run a safe, modern airport.”

Fees paid by passengers and airlines account for roughly two-thirds of airport revenues, Swartz says. The remainder needs to come from nonaeronautical sources.

Food service and retail storefronts located within the airport are one

such source, and Swartz notes that exciting changes are afoot at Ottawa International in this regard: Calgarybased Good Earth Coffee will open its first-ever Ontario location in the airport in June.

Also coming in June is Tulip Bar and Wine Lounge.

“We’ve seen wine bars and other specialty bars be very successful at other airports,” says Swartz. “The tulip is an emblematic flower for Ottawa; it’s going to be very cool.”

With several master leases soon coming to an end in the airport, visitors can expect still more new storefronts to be announced in the next 12 to 18 months.

“We want to cover all the bases,” Swartz says. “We want to satisfy healthy and high end at the same time.”

The Authority also generates revenue from leases on its land holdings along Hunt Club Road, including the extensive shopping plaza at Hunt Club and Riverside Drive.

“We’re very proud that we’re able to contribute to the community’s economy and to the neighbourhood.”

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expertise among its consultants. Using a non-traditional business model, Mr. Allam has attracted retired executives and former business and government moguls, some of whom no longer wanted to work full-time and others who were tired of traditional workplace politics and 9-to-5 hours. Consultants are paid by the project and receive a percentage of the total value of the contract.

“Come work for us,” Mr. Allam tells them. For AAG customers, he says, it’s a win because they get executives managing their projects, a difference from traditional firms. Consultants are not full-time staff members, making AAG more nimble than traditional firms that have salaries to pay and bricks and mortar to sustain, he adds.

Clients so far have included private equity firms and their portfolio companies, one- to three-year-old startups and three- to seven-year-old high-growth companies. Areas of focus include life sciences, technology, health care, infrastructure and mining. AAG has also served foreign governments and trade associations.

At the moment, for example, AAG is representing a U.S. private equity firm and its portfolio company in Canada.

It has invested more than $20 million in the Canadian life sciences sector, a highly regulated industry. Mr. Allam’s company is providing government relations on that job.

AAG also recently hosted a seminar in Toronto in conjunction with the Turkish Embassy to help Canadian companies learn about the opportunities in the country.

“We do that within markets that we focus on,” Mr. Allam says. “We try to team up with the diplomatic corps, consulates, trade associations and chambers of commerce to help provide information to Canadian companies on market opportunities. It’s not your generic canned presentation. We try to provide prequalified opportunities and then we build out from that on how they would successfully enter the market.”

MONDAY, APRIL 27, 2015

companies in the way that I wanted.

We know we are facing a serious problem with Canada lagging behind its competitors internationally. As G20 competitors, we are way behind the mark, especially small- and mediumsized companies.”

He also thought the government was promising more than it could deliver. Yes, it was building the right infrastructure, signing free trade agreements with Europe and Korea and investment protection agreements throughout the world, even in markets such as sub-Saharan Africa that most wouldn’t consider.

But he thought government should be doing more in terms of nitty-gritty help for would-be investors.

“We weren’t going back to exporters and providing the right support with respect to finance, helping them identify the right strategic partners and teaching them how to build markets,” Mr. Allam says.

That was a niche he thought he could fill. With this in mind, he cofounded and managed the Canadian and global operations of an Australiabased financial advisory and trade law operation with investments in Southeast Asia, China and Western Europe. He also co-founded a technology agency focused on mobile applications and web development and was a lead player in a global education technology services startup.

In May 2014, he started up Allam Advisory Group, a Canada-based consulting firm that advises would-be exporters. It became profitable in less than a year and has recently named a powerful board of strategic advisers, including Jillian Stirk, former Canadian ambassador and one-time assistant deputy minister of global affairs at the Department of Foreign Affairs; Peter Sutherland, former Canadian ambassador to Saudi Arabia and the Philippines and high commissioner to India; and Karl Moore, an associate professor at McGill University.

AAG has more than 40 associates working around the world in Hong Kong, Chennai, Cairo, Zurich, London, Ottawa, Mesa, Ariz., and San José, Costa Rica, with a goal of helping clients assess and manage risk, identify commercial opportunities, build relationships and strategic partnerships and secure trade financing.

Mr. Allam calls his company a “disruptor” in the management consulting category because of the way it’s set up. Executives manage AAG customers’ projects, in comparison with traditional firms where a managing partner secures a contract and then junior members come in to do the bulk of the work.

It also boasts a high calibre of

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Shopify delivers ‘Stanley Cup’ of tech deals to Ottawa E-commerce giant’s $100M bid to go public could lead to ‘tremendous opportunities’ for other upstart firms, local observers say

BY DAVID SALI david@obj.ca

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hile the city was in the grip of playoff fever last week, Ian Graham reached for a hockey metaphor when asked about what is bound to be the biggest tech deal of the year in Ottawa.

“Shopify going IPO is the equivalent of the Senators winning the Stanley Cup,” said Mr. Graham, the founder of local incubator TheCodeFactory. “I think it’s a very good thing for Ottawa. It’s nice to have success stories like that.”

An e-commerce powerhouse valued at more than $1 billion, Shopify delivered perhaps the most anticipated local

business news of 2015 on April 14 when it announced it was planning to go public on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges with the goal of raising $100 million.

Shopify’s IPO would be the third major public offering by a locally based company in the past two years, following Halogen Software’s $55-million debut on the TSX and Nasdaq in 2013 and Kinaxis’s $100-million offering last June.

But Shopify, with an online storefront creation and management platform used by more than 150,000 merchants around the world, has a much higher profile than those firms. Long recognized as the darling of the Ottawa startup community, the company that was originally

launched in 2004 to sell snowboards has become the city’s biggest tech success story of the past decade.

Lately, the firm’s rapid growth has been turning heads beyond the capital as well. Last November, founder and CEO Tobias Lütke was named Canada’s CEO of the year by the Globe and Mail’s Report on Business Magazine.

“I want Shopify to be a company that sees the next century,” Mr. Lütke wrote in a letter attached to the company’s official filing document. “To get us there we not only have to correctly predict future commerce trends and technology, but be the ones that push the entire industry forward.”

Lorraine Mastersmith, a partner at

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Harley Finkelstein of Shopify. FILE PHOTO

Perley-Robertson, Hill & McDougall who works with many local startups, said Shopify’s decision could inspire other growing tech enterprises to take a closer look at going public themselves.

“It’s a great company and their leadership is very involved in the community, so my thinking is that by them actually taking the step and

READ IT AND REAP: TIMELINE OTHER TECH IPOs FROM OTTAWA COMPANIES IN THE LAST 10 YEARS: 2014 — Kinaxis Inc. (TSX:KXS) $100.6 million 2013 — Halogen Software Inc. (TSX:HGN;

NASDAQ: HGENF) $55 million 2013 — Magor Communications Corp.

(TSX-V:MCC) $5.9 million 2010 — Mitel Networks Corp. (TSX:MNW;

NASDAQ:MITL) $147.4 million 2007 — DragonWave Inc. (TSX:DWI;

NASDAQ:DRWI) $32 million 2007 — Bridgewater Systems Inc.

$35 million 2006 — RAMTelecom Inc. $2.5 million 2006 — Corel Corp. US$69 million 2005 — March Networks Corp. $56.4 million

announcing their IPO, that’s going to foster the same sort of level of thought process for other companies to consider,” she said.

“Three years in a row, you’ve had nice, high-profile IPOs out of Ottawa. That’s a good thing. That’s got to draw attention from venture (capitalists) for the smaller companies who are starting to grow.”

While a recent PwC survey found about two-thirds of startup CEOs across Canada still see acquisition as their preferred exit strategy, Ms. Mastersmith said she is sensing a subtle shift away from that mindset.

She has several clients who are “contemplating and strategizing” potential IPOs, she said.

“To me, that’s a positive indication, whereas in prior years they were more focused on, ‘Well, is there somebody who could buy me or some M&A I could do to get some liquidity?’”

Mr. Lütke and Shopify’s chief platform officer Harley Finkelstein have always been enthusiastic mentors to fledgling business owners, Ms. Mastersmith said, offering them advice on growth strategies.

If Shopify’s IPO succeeds as well as the company hopes, Mr. Lütke and his business partner could encourage other companies to take the same route, she suggested.

“I think they’ll continue that (mentorship role), and maybe that will foster some additional companies to actually take the leap (to an IPO).”

Still, going public does have risks and usually takes a couple of years of major planning, she added. Good candidates for

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IPOs typically need significant revenues, broad client bases that span multiple industries, experienced leadership teams and a product with a competitive edge.

“There are some companies that have been percolating along really well here in Ottawa with established management teams,” Ms. Mastersmith said. “There’s a lot of experience here in Ottawa to draw upon.”

With customers in more than 150 countries, including companies such as Budweiser and Google, Shopify is an ideal candidate for an IPO, she added.

“Companies need to have a global outlook,” she said. “They can’t be focused on just the North American market. They need to be targeting clients all over the world. Strategy is a big thing.”

Some observers have suggested the company’s decision to list on the TSX could usher in a new golden age of Canadian tech giants. Mr. Graham isn’t quite ready to go that far, but he has no doubt the sector is on a winning streak.

“There’s definitely a new wave of tech entrepreneurs, for sure,” Mr. Graham said. “I think if all the players work together, there are some tremendous opportunities there.”

FILE PHOTO

“Three years in a row, you’ve had nice, high-profile IPOs out of Ottawa. That’s a good thing. That’s got to draw attention from venture (capitalists) for the smaller companies who are starting to grow.”

– LORRAINE MASTERSMITH, PARTNER AT PERLEY-ROBERTSON, HILL & MCDOUGALL

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Does corruption destroy freedom?

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and we have big issues, but I firmly believe that if you are diligent about the small issues, you avoid the large ones.”

Cutler is President of Allan Cutler and Associates, and President of Canadians for Accountability, a not-for-profit that supports whistleblowers.

If his name sounds familiar, it should. Cutler is the whistleblower who blew the roof off the federal sponsorship scandal that led to the Gomery Commission.

“It’s important that we create a more ethical framework in business, in our values and in politics,” Cutler said. “I applaud uOttawa and the Telfer School for adding this valuable topic to its MBA Conferences series.”

Allan Cutler, President of Allan Cutler and Associates.

Service Canada (PIPSC).

Does Corruption Destroy Freedom? takes place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 9 at the Desmarais Building, 55 Laurier Ave E. The event is open to the public, but

space is limited. Please confirm your attendance by May 7.

To learn more or to register, call 613-562-5800 ext. 7019 or visit telfer.uOttawa.ca/conferencesmba

13 OBJ.CA

The event panelists include: • Michel W. Drapeau, Barrister & Solicitor, Michel Drapeau Law Office and Professor, Faculty of Law, University of Ottawa • Norman Rebin, President, Success Mentors International • Steve Hindle, Vice-President, Professional Institute of the Public

“

It’s important that we create a more ethical framework in business, in our values and in politics.”

MONDAY, APRIL 27, 2015

earning is a lifelong experience.

That’s why the University of Ottawa’s Telfer School of Management has created its MBA Conferences series. These public events dig into the business and management issues that matter to both seasoned executives and the leaders of tomorrow.

Coming up: Does corruption destroy freedom?

Telfer runs six conferences through the year. The next, taking place on May 9, will take a hard look at the growth of corruption in our society and whether we have become enablers of corruption instead of defenders of democracy.

We see corruption at work every day, from so called white-collar crime, to government spending scandals that in some cases cost lives. But too many Canadians are apathetic about the issue, said Allan Cutler, the moderator for the event.

“There is a lack of awareness, a lack of commitment to try and improve things,” he said. “People don’t think these things matter, but they do. We have small issues

EVENTS

What do the experts think? Check out Expert Blogs OBJ.CA

“Ottawa businesses have told us they want access to skilled workers, increase that talent pool. They want investment in infrastructure and they want assistance with company creation, creating and building that culture of entrepreneurship.” — IAN FARIS, CEO OF THE OTTAWA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Minister of Employment and Social Development Pierre Poilievre speaks to an audience of business leaders at the Westin Hotel on April 22. PHOTO BY MARK HOLLERON

MONDAY, APRIL 27, 2015

Budget gives small businesses a break, Tory minister says

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Poilievre says Conservatives have cut corporate taxes to firms with revenues under $500K by 46 per cent over past decade

The Conservative government’s senior cabinet minister for Ottawa touted tax breaks for small businesses as a key outcome of the federal government’s recent budget.

Minister of Employment and Social Development and Nepean-Carleton MP Pierre Poilievre told a crowd at a postbudget breakfast that small businesses with annual revenues of $500,000 have seen their corporate taxes reduced by 46 per cent since the Conservatives were elected.

And with the new federal budget, further reductions in taxes for small businesses will mean they pay only nine per cent, down from 11 per cent.

Mr. Poilievre made the remarks during the joint OBJ-Ottawa Chamber of Commerce Post-Budget Breakfast at the Westin Hotel on April 22, an event that attracted 200 business leaders.

Mr. Poilievre also highlighted a new program that evolved from a pilot project

in Calgary that is designed to help immigrants find work related to their training.

The program provides guaranteed loans, about $6,000, to help immigrants get their educational credentials recognized by Canadian bodies. In the pilot project, said Mr. Poilievre, there was less than three per cent default rate on the loans and, in some cases, the new immigrant’s income doubled after credentials were recognized, sending more money back to the federal government in income taxes.

Speaking after the Post-Budget Breakfast, Ottawa Chamber of Commerce CEO Ian Faris said, “Ottawa businesses have told us they want access to skilled workers, increase that talent pool. They want investment in infrastructure and they want assistance with company creation, creating and building that culture of entrepreneurship.”

– OBJ staff

What do 10,000+ local business leaders like Jonathan Westeinde know that you don’t?

“I get a lot of emails in a day, but I look forward to the OBJ. It keeps me well informed of what’s going on here locally, and it’s always very informative.”

- Jonathan Westeinde, CEO, Windmill Development Group

Visit objtoday.obj.ca to sign up.

MONDAY, APRIL 27, 2015

THE ESSENTIAL EMAIL UPDATE FOR OTTAWA BUSINESS LEADERS

15 OBJ.CA

TECHNOLOGY

Scott Helmer, Mxi’s chief financial officer, says the company’s pending move to a single office in Kanata will make it easier for employees to work together on projects. PHOTO BY MARK HOLLERON

Aviation software maker cleared for takeoff After nearly two decades in the east end, Mxi Technologies says growth spurt makes move to Kanata best option

BY DAVID SALI MONDAY, APRIL 27, 2015

david@obj.ca

OBJ.CA

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fter years of flying under the radar – metaphorically speaking – local aviation software company Mxi Technologies is hoping a change of scenery will help raise its profile.

The firm, which was founded in 1996, is getting set to vacate its eastend headquarters on Blair Road and head west to Kanata. Its chief financial officer Scott Helmer told OBJ in a recent interview the company has always been “somewhat of a well-kept secret” in the city’s tech scene.

“That’s partly, I think, because we’re a bit of an outlier just where we exist geographically,” he said. “When people think of software innovation, they don’t think of east-end Ottawa very much.

They think either Kanata or downtown.”

Mxi makes a software maintenance platform for aircraft, aviation equipment such as engines and in-flight entertainment systems. The company’s 200 employees are currently spread out over four floors in three separate buildings at Blair Place.

The firm’s new office at 175 Terence Matthews Cres. will actually be slightly smaller than its current space, at about

45,000 square feet. But the layout – Mxi will occupy two floors in a single building in Kanata – will make it easier for groups of workers to collaborate on projects, Mr. Helmer said.

“That’s always been somewhat of a challenge,” he said.

Mxi spent 18 months looking at locations across the city before deciding on the west-end property that was the former home of BlackBerry subsidiary QNX. Mr. Helmer said being located in the heart of the Kanata technology hub will serve the dual purposes of helping the company raise its profile and attract top talent.

“You get some exposure and some level of attention just by being closer to other successful companies,” he said.

“Just being where people would expect to find a company where they can have a great career helps us be discovered and it helps us discover those people.”

The company, whose client list includes Qantas, Air France, KLM, Boeing and the U.S. Navy, is poised for major growth over the course of 2015, he added.

Buoyed by a number of high-profile customer wins over the past six months, including the likes of Southwest Airlines and Saab, Mxi expects to boost its head count at least 15 per cent by the end of the year, Mr. Helmer said.

Annual revenues are “well north of eight figures” and the firm hopes to keep gaining altitude in the aviation software space, he said.

Still, he cautioned it can be a fickle business.

“Aviation always will remain a challenging industry,” said Mr. Helmer, who joined Mxi about four years ago. “In the first five months I was here, there were

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“When people think of software innovation, they don’t think of east-end Ottawa very much. They think either Kanata or downtown.”

— SCOTT HELMER, CFO OF MXI TECHNOLOGIES

earthquakes, tsunamis, terrorist attacks, oil shocks, a volcano in Iceland – all of those things have an impact on airline traffic as well as our customers’ ability to operate effectively.”

For much of its existence, the firm has also been dogged by legal wrangling.

In 2012, the Ontario Court of Appeal ordered Mxi to pay more than $12 million in damages to local competitor GasTOPS after several Mxi employees who previously worked for GasTOPS were found in breach of fiduciary duty, breach of confidence and breach of employment contract.

The judgment ended years of litigation between the two rivals. The

Ontario Superior Court of Justice ruled in 2009 that after several employees left GasTOPS to start Mxi Technologies, their former employer lost tens of millions of dollars in business, partly because Mxi’s founding executives used insider information to solicit the older company’s customers.

Later in 2012, the firm’s original founders sold it to New York-based Moelis Capital Partners.

Now, Mxi hopes new customers and a new product launch – the company recently introduced a new suite of maintenance, repair and overhaul software – will keep it in the headlines for all the right reasons.

Weave your Business Plans at the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum The Mississippi Valley Textile Museum, a National Historic Site in Almonte Ontario, was formerly the annex of the Rosamond Woolen Company.

Brothers Bennett and William Rosamond took over the business in 1862 and built one of the largest textile mills in Canada. The company was so successful that Almonte soon became known as “the Little Manchester of Canada.”

Aside from providing a fascinating glimpse into this part of Mississippi Valley history, the Museum also offers meeting spaces where you can plan your own business successes.

The Mill Workers’ Learning Centre has a seating capacity of 50 and state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment.

The Norah Rosamond Hughes Gallery is also available for special events and can accommodate 100.

The Museum offers other must-haves, including wifi folding tables, stacking chairs and free parking. The Museum is wheelchair accessible and several local caterers offer outstanding food service.

For booking information, please contact Barb Dickson at 613 256-3754, or e-mail rentals@mvtm.ca.

and present:

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Mayor’s Breakfast Series ENSURING CANADA’S GLOBAL LEADERSHIP IN ICT

A unique opportunity to enjoy breakfast with His Worship Mayor Jim Watson and hear from business and community leaders about issues critical to Ottawa.

Guest Speaker: Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of National Defence and Minister for Multiculturalism Tuesday, May 12, 2015 Location: Ottawa City Hall Registration: 7:00 am Buffet breakfast: 7:30 am Presentation: 8:00 am

Sean Yang President of Huawei Canada

Thursday, May 28, 2015 7:00 am - 9:00 am

Sheraton Ottawa Hotel –150 Albert St., 2nd floor- Rideau Room Individual Tickets: $30.00 + HST (Members) $45.00 + HST (Non-Members)

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MONDAY, APRIL 27, 2015

Register online at www.ottawachamber.ca

INDIVIDUAL TICKETS: $35.00 + HST (Members) $50.00 + HST (Non-Members)

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(Ranked by attendance at most recent event)

2013 attendance/ Time of year of festival/ Location

Single adult admission fee/ Key local Group rates available? official

Year founded in Ottawa/ No. of employees/ No. of volunteers Description

Canadian Tulip Festival 600,000 Free WND 1953 Fireworks, food and music amongst the tulips; includes special 343 Preston St. May 8-18, 2015 N WND children's interactive programming on May 12 and 13.

Ottawa, Ontario K1S 5N4 Dow's Lake WND 613-567-6216/WND tulipfestival.ca TD Ottawa Jazz Festival 305,500 Varies Catherine 1980 Celebrates jazz with musicians reflecting a cross-section of the genre's 602-294 Albert St. June 18-July 1, 2015 N O'Grady 20 history and influences.

Ottawa, ON K1P 6E6 Confederation Park 590 613-241-2633/613-241-5774 ottawajazzfestival.com RBC Royal Bank Bluesfest 300,000 $45-$60 Mark 1994 Multi-stage music festival featuring blues, R&B, pop, rap, funk, world, 450 Churchill Ave. N. July 8-18, 2015 Y Monahan 24 rock, EDM and more.

Ottawa, ON K1Z 5E2 LeBreton Flats Park 4,000 613-247-1188/WND ottawabluesfest.ca Ottawa Ribfest 250,000 Free Kevin 1990 Ribbers from across North America set up along five blocks of Sparks 300-35 O'Connor St. Third week of June N McHale 3 Street, competing to be the rib champion.

Ottawa, ON K1P 5M4 Sparks Street 50 613-230-0984/613-230-7671 ottawaribfest.ca Ottawa International Busker Festival 225,000 Free Brian Wilson 1991 Showcases top international performers to family audiences. Features 300-35 O'Connor St. August Civic Holiday weekend N 5 hundreds of shows all along Sparks Street.

Ottawa, ON K1P 0A1 Sparks Street Mall 30 613-230-0984/613-230-7671 ottawabuskerfest.com Ottawa International Chamber Music 101,000 Tickets starting at $20; passes Maxim 1994 The world's largest chamber music festival presents early music, core Festival July 23 to August 6, 2015 starting at $59; community Antoshin 10 repertoire, contemporary, and fringe in churches and venues across 201-4 Florence St. Eight historic sites throughout events are free to all.

325 downtown Ottawa.

Ottawa, ON K2P 0W7 Ottawa.

Y 613-234-6306/613-234-7692 chamberfest.com Westfest 100,000 Free Elaina Martin 2004 Two-day outdoor celebration of Canadian art and culture. Showcases 103-39 Vaughan St. First full weekend in June N 2 Canadian artists and their work, such as music, contemporary dance, Ottawa, ON K1M 1W9 Richmond Road, between McRea 160 visual art, media art, performance art, spoken word, poetry and fiction 613-729-3565/WND and Berkeley readings and Aboriginal art forms. westfest.ca Tim Horton's Ottawa Dragon Boat 75,000 Free John 1993 A four-day celebration of the arts, sports, culture and heritage.

Festival June 25-28, 2015 N Brooman 10 4-180 Kent St. Mooney's Bay Park 1000 Ottawa, Ontario K1P 0B6 613-238-7711/613-565-2662 dragonboat.net The Capital Fair 65,000 Free Harley Bloom 1975 Ten days of summer celebration with free admission and family fun, 906 Shefford Rd. Aug. 21-30, 2015 N 1 including a monster truck show.

Ottawa, Ontario K1J 6X4 Rideau Carleton Entertainment 80 613-741-3247/613-744-2672 Centre capitalfair.ca CityFolk Festival 50,000 $45-$60 Mark 1994 Five-day celebration of music, dance, visual arts and community 450 Churchill Ave. N. September 16-20, 2015 Y Monahan WND featuring a mix of musical performances.

Ottawa, ON K1Z 5E2 Lansdowne Park 1,000 613-230-8234/613-247-2220 ottawafolk.com Ottawa GreekFest 50,000 Free Eleni Dellis 1972 Family-oriented celebration of Hellenism, featuring Greek food, live 1315 Prince of Wales Dr. August 13-23, 2015 N WND music, traditional dancing and the Zorba show.

Ottawa, ON K2C 1N2 1315 Prince of Wales Dr. 300 613-225-8016 ext. 234/613-225-8545 ottawagreekfest.com Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend 47,500 $25-$105 John 1975 Sports and fitness expo; 2 k.m. race; 5 k.m. race; 10 k.m. race; 45-5450 Canotek Rd. May 23-24, 2015 N Halvorsen 6 marathon; half marathon; 1.2 k.m. kids marathon Ottawa, ON K1J 9G2 Ottawa City Hall 2,500 613-234-2221/613-234-5880 runottawa.ca RCMP Musical Ride Sunset Ceremony 35,000 Free Martin 1988 Annual event with performances, family activities, Kids Zone, pipe 1 Sandridge Rd. June 24-28, 2015 N Kohnen WND and drum band, dancers; Special events in 2015 include the Ottawa, ON K1G 3J2 1 Sandridge Rd., Canadian Police 300 bicentennial anniversary of Sir John A MacDonald, 50th anniversary 613-843-4514/WND College/Musical Ride Centre of Canadian flag; Celebrating our Nation's Heroes. rcmp-grc.gc.ca/mr-ce/sunset-crepusculeeng.htm Richmond Fair 35,000 $10 Dale Greene 1844 Promotes agricultural awareness within the City of Ottawa. Offers a 6121 Perth St., P.O. Box 1210 September 17-20, 2015 N 2 venue for those in the community to showcase their arts, crafts, Richmond, ON K0A 2Z0 6121 Perth Street, Richmond 400 livestock and produce. Includes non-agricultural events such as 613-838-3420/613-838-3933 demolition derby, music shows, midway. richmondfair.ca Ottawa International Animation 30,856 $13 Kelly Neall 1976 Festival celibrating cutting-edge, quirky and important animation.

Festival September N 5 120-2 Daly Ave. ByTowne Cinema; National Gallery 200 Ottawa, ON K1N 6E2 of Canada; Arts Court; Saint 613-232-8769/613-232-6315 Brigid's Centre for the Arts animationfestival.ca Canada Army Run 25,000 $45-$90 Gus Garant 2008 Canadians and the Canadian Armed Forces joining together in the 101 Colonel By Dr. September 18-20, 2015 N WND spirit of camaraderie and community. Also serves as a fundraiser for Ottawa, ON K1A 0K2 Ottawa City Hall and 800 the Soldier On program and the Military Families Fund.

613-794-4806/WND Confederation Park armyrun.ca Ottawa International Children's Festival 22,000 $13 Catherine 1985 Annual celebration of live performing arts for children.

602-294 Albert St. May 4-13, 2015 Y O'Grady WND Ottawa, Ontario K1P 6E6 LeBreton Flats and the Canadian 120 613-241-0999/613-241-5774 War Museum ottawachildrensfestival.ca Franco Ontarien Festival 20,000 $15-$35 Josee 1976 Celebration of French culture featuring music performances, street 123 Beechwood Ave. June 11-13, 2015 Y Vaillancourt 6 arts and entertainment.

Ottawa, ON K1M 1L5 Major's Hill Park 80 613-321-0102, ext. 26/WND ffo.ca Maker Faire Ottawa 9,000 $5 Remco 2010 Family-friendly festival of invention, creativity and resourcefulness.

2 Daly Ave. 7-8 November, 2015 N Volmer WND Showcases simple craft projects to complicated interactive tools.

Ottawa, ON K1N 6E2 Aberdeen Pavillion 50 613-686-1941/WND makerfaireottawa.com SugarFest 9,000 Free Marie-Claude 1987 Labyrinth; maple taffy; hayrides; reptiles and farm animals; 300 Pères Blancs Ave. March-April N Dicaire WND storytelling in a teepee; craft workshops; mentertainment and Ottawa, ON K1L 7L5 300 des Pères Blancs Ave., Ottawa 100 multicultural as well as craft vendors; sugar shack brunch; music 613-580-2424 x32001/613-580-2897 bands; singers museoparc.ca *Did not respond - using 2014 data.

Should your company be on this list? If so, please send details to research@obj.ca. This list is current as of April 27, 2015 by Ottawa Business Journal. All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced by any method in whole or in part without written permission by Ottawa Business Journal. While every attempt is made to ensure the thoroughness and accuracy of the list, omissions and errors sometimes occur. Please send any corrections or additions by e-mail to research@obj.ca. OBJ lists are primarily compiled using information provided voluntarily by the organizations named. Some firms that may qualify for the list are not included because the company either failed to respond to requests for information by press time, because the company declined to take part in the survey or because of space constraints. Categories are drawn up in an attempt to gather information of relevance to the Ottawa market.

Research by Patti Moran. Please send questions and comments to research@obj.ca.

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Attraction/Address/ Phone/Fax/Web

Ottawa's most popular festivals

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FOR THE RECORD Contracts The following contains information about recent contracts, standing offers and supply arrangements awarded to local firms.

S.i. Systems 170 Laurier Ave. W. Description: Informatics professional services Buyer: Employment and Social Development Canada $4,644,300 Med-Eng Holdings ULC 2400 St. Laurent Blvd.

Description: Armour, personal Buyer: DND $2,825,000 Tetra Tech EBA Inc. 5556 Manotick Main Description: Expert engineering scientific, technical and environmental evaluations associated with northern development Buyer: Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada $1,999,250 Stantec 1331 Clyde Ave. Description: Expert engineering scientific, technical and environmental evaluations associated with northern development Buyer: Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada $1,999,250 Modern Hieroglyphics Inc. 5586 Pettapiece Cr. Description: Victoria building exterior maintenance repair Buyer: PWGSC $899,831 PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP 99 Bank St. Description: Project management support services Buyer: DND $883,806

Francis Canada Truck Centre Inc. 3818 Russell Rd. Description: Truck, heavy, dump, plow, spreader Buyer: DND $826,965 Mindwire Systems Ltd. 1545 Carling Ave. Description: PCO-TBIPS Buyer: Privy Council Office $462,170 Brenning Construction (1986) Ltd. 2741 Quinn Rd. Description: Septic system replacement Buyer: PWGSC $453,500 Ottawa-Carleton Assoc. for Persons with Developmental Disabilities 229 Colonnade Rd. Description: Preparation and disposal of excess and surplus movable assets Buyer: Employment and Social Development Canada $442,149 Gannon/Blackburn Electric Inc. 2000 Thurston Dr. Description: New 200 kW diesel generator Buyer: PWGSC $439,000 Upstream Business Solutions Ltd. 1000 Thomas Spratt Pl. Description: Pedestals and cabinets Buyer: Health Canada $316,396 Zylog Systems LTS 1545 Carling Ave. Description: Intermediate engineering graduate Buyer: DND $254,382 Asokan Business Interiors Inc. 25 Eddy St. Description: Treasury Board seating Buyer: PWGSC $242,392

Mindwire Systems Ltd. 1545 Carling Ave. Description: Informatics professional services Buyer: RCMP $224,144 Zylog Systems LTS 1545 Carling Ave. Description: Functional analyst – senior Buyer: DND $222,167 Royal Canadian Legion Dominion Command 86 Aird Pl. Description: Memorials, cemeterial and mortuary equipment and supplies Buyer: Veterans Affairs Canada $215,053 Amtek Engineering Services Ltd. 1676 Bank St. Description: Junior electrooptic technician Buyer: DND $171,542 R.A. Malatest & Assoc. Ltd. 294 Albert St. Description: Public opinion survey of electors for the 42nd federal general election Buyer: Elections Canada $160,338

People on the move Sustainable Development Technology Canada announced Leah Lawrence as its new president and CEO. Ms. Lawrence has held a wide range of senior leadership positions in both the corporate and non-profit sectors.

Most recently, she was the president of Clean Energy Capitalists Inc. Wes Durow has joined Mitel as chief marketing officer. Mr. Durow is a 20year tech industry veteran with deep domain knowledge in cloud-based, real-time communications for both enterprises and service providers.

He was most recently vice-president of global marketing at Sonus Networks.

Rupert Bonham-Carter is joining Klipfolio as vice-president of customer success, a newly created role that encompasses sales, support and services. Mr. BonhamCarter comes to Klipfolio from previous roles with Cognos and IBM.

Hats off Christie Walther Communications, a Motorola Solutions partner, was selected by Motorola for Empower Circle recognition for its performance and commitment to excellence in customer service.

AC Nielsen Co. of Canada 160 Elgin St. Description: National youth survey Buyer: Elections Canada $159,240 Rutherford McKay Assoc. Inc. 275 Slater St. Description: Communication support products Buyer: DND $157,070

Salute the top ten!

Promaxis Systems Inc. 2385 St. Laurent Blvd.

Description: Junior project administrator Buyer: DND $150,939

Ottawa Business Journal and the Ottawa Chamber of Commerce will announce the top 10 Fastest Growing Companies on Thursday, April 30th.

Join us for a cocktail & networking event

Please note

Incorrect information appeared in the April 13, 2015 issue.

Correction

PHOTO BY COLE BURSTON

Join us at an awards reception to celebrate and honour this year’s winners and their business accomplishments.

Find out how these companies achieve success through an informal panel discussion.

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19 OBJ.CA

A sponsored content article published in the March 30 issue of the Ottawa Business Journal contained a reference to HCM Works President and CEO, Julia Fournier as a supporter and honorary member of Fondation Solution Haiti(FSH). This information is incorrect and the OBJ regrets the error.

Wednesday, May 20 5:00 pm – 7:30 pm The Annex (Kivuto) 151 George Street

MONDAY, APRIL 27, 2015

Photographer Jean-Marc Carisse should have been credited with taking Fred O’Riordan’s photo in the Post-Budget Breakfast ad.

MONDAY, APRIL 27, 2015

Project1:Layout 1 16/03/2015 12:09 PM Page 1

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