OBJ REGIONAL: VIDEO In a series of video interviews, OBJ’s Mark Van Dusen speaks to eastern Ontario’s entrepreneurs, business executives and political leaders to explore the trends shaping the region’s economy. Through his conversations, Van Dusen uncovers stories of innovation, industry leadership and perseverance. To watch the full series, visit obj.ca/videos. KINGSTON’S SPECTRA PLASMONICS PILOTS RAPID TESTS TO FIND ‘FINGERPRINTS’ OF TOXIC CONTAMINANTS IN STREET DRUGS
SUMMER 2021
As the opioid crisis continues to take lives in big cities and small communities across Canada, a Kingston technology company has developed a rapid testing system to identify the lethal contaminants sometimes present in street drugs. Spectra Plasmonics’ drug analysis system identifies the unique chemical “fingerprints” of various substances found in a sample and can detect the presence of dangerous contaminants such as fentanyl. The technology is currently being piloted at
OBJ.CA
58
a supervised consumption site in Kingston, but company officials say they’re eager to roll out the devices across North America. “We want this to be in the hands of everybody whose job it is to save lives in this crisis,” says company co-founder and CEO Malcolm Eade.
KILLALOE BUSINESS OWNER, BEAVERTAILS FOUNDER TEAM UP TO KEEP SNACK FRANCHISE AFLOAT A local business owner has stepped in to keep Killaloe’s BeaverTails outlet alive – with a little help from the company’s founder. Dave Virk, whose family owns and operates the Freshmart supermarket in the town about 160 kilometres west of Ottawa, has purchased the deep-fried snack franchise from previous owners Brent and Linda Bistrisky. BeaverTails Ottawa, which is owned by company founders Grant and Pam Hooker, provided additional financing for the deal. The Hookers have a special connection to Killaloe – they’ve lived in the area for nearly 50 years and still reside in the same homestead they built on 100 acres of land south of town in 1976. Their attachment to the Renfrew County community runs so deep they named one of the most popular BeaverTail flavours – Killaloe Sunrise – after their adopted hometown. Grant Hooker, who opened the first BeaverTails stall at a local community fair back in 1978, says he couldn’t be happier with the new owners. “They are BeaverTail-type folks,” he said, praising Virk for the high standards of customer service he and his family maintain at the local supermarket. Virk also purchased the nearby Creekside Grille as part of the deal.