The COLLECTIVE Architects of our city and Covid Recovery!
INSIDE Thunder Bay Ventures announces new support for micro-enterprises affected by Covid-19 What Do You Eat? Crucial Questions To Superior Sales North Superior Publishing
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Cardiovascular Surgery Gets Boost from Masons of Western District
Are You Looking Forward To The 2020 Golf Season!
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THUNDER BAY BUSINESS JUNE 2020
Cardiovascular Surgery Gets Boost from Masons of Western District Preceptory #70 ( Knights Templar) from Kenora; an organization affiliated with Masonry.
Freemasonry is a fraternal organization that arose from obscure origins in the late 16th to early 17th centuries and exists in various forms all over the world, with a membership estimated at around three million. Freemasons seek to improve themselves as they improve the communities in which they live; something which the Masons of Western District demonstrated recently with a donation of $12,000 to the ‘Our Hearts At Home Cardiovascular Campaign’!
Pictured are Masons from Atikokan Lodge, Granite Lodge, Manitou Lodge and Ionic Lodge from Western District.
at local schools.
Glenn Craig, President and CEO, Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation said, “The effort that went into the organization of this donation was incredible. We’re so thankful that Masons from across Northwestern Ontario came together to lend their support to cardiac and vascular surgery. Residents of Northwestern Ontario will soon be able to have lifeand limb-saving surgery closer to home surrounded by family and friends, thanks to the generosity displayed by the Masons of the Western District.”
Carson (Bud) McQuaker, District Deputy Grand Master of Western District explained, “Western District often chooses a charity to support for a given term, usually within some of the communities of the District. This year we decided to take a regional approach and since the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre serves all the communities of Northwestern Ontario, we decided to support it.” In addition to the donation to the Health Sciences Foundation, the Lodges of Western District individually support many local causes within their own communities such as youth programs, food banks, local health care and bursaries
Pictured are Masons from Pequonga Lodge, Keewatin Lodge, Lake of the Woods Lodge, Chukuni Lodge, Sioux Lookout Lodge, and Golden Star Lodge from Western District.
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Western District is the geographic area that lies west of, but does not include, the city of Thunder Bay. Within Western District there are 10 Lodges. Pequonga, Keewatin and Lake of the Woods Lodges are all in Kenora, Chukuni Lodge is in Red Lake, Sioux Lookout Lodge is in Sioux Lookout, Golden Star Lodge is in Dryden, Atikokan Lodge is in Atikokan, Granite Lodge is in Fort Frances, Manitou Lodge is in Emo and Ionic Lodge is in Rainy River. Joining the Western District in making this generous donation was the Ledger
For more information on the Our Hearts At Home Cardiovascular Campaign, including how you can bring life- and limb-saving cardiac and vascular surgery to Northwestern Ontario, please visit ourheartsathome.ca.
Together, We're Healing Our Hearts at Home
THUNDER BAY BUSINESS JUNE 2020
Publisher’s Note Scott Sumner What do you eat each day? Have you ever really looked at if its good for you. Basically, Canada's Food Guide suggests eating 5-12 grain products like bread, cold cereal, pasta, rice, bagels or buns per day. Next it recommends 5-10 vegetables or fruit servings per day, including apples, bananas, brochili, juice, or salad. You can use fresh, frozen, or canned, depending on your availability or your budget. The milk products are the third part of the program, and as an adult 2- 4 serving per day are required. This includes not only milk, but cheese or yogurt as well. Lastly, meat or alternatives of 2- 3 servings per day are important and include choices such as meat, poultry or fish, eggs, beans, tofu, or peanut butter. The amount of servings you eat depends on your age, body size, activity level, sex, as well as other factors. The first person to start with would be your family doctor, followed by a registered dietician. In Canada everyone can see a doctor at no cost. Many people who are covered by health plans can see a registered dietician as part of their coverage. This is an
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What Do You Eat? excellent beginning for you, as it allows a professional to see your own specific circumstances and make an informed plan for you. Eventually you will establish a routine for yourself but a good start is important. I believe the Canada Food Guide forms a great basis of your own individual program. Remember that most of our body is made up of fluids, and every organ in our body needs water to function. Eight to ten glasses per day of water will allow your body to function well. That is typically more water than most people drink in a day, but the proper amount will allow your body to cleanse itself and operate more efficiently. It is possible to consume all the right food and still eat too much. My dietician has "plastic food" to demonstrate proper portions. For instance, a serving of meat is about 4 inches by 2 inches, and a glass of water is 8 oz. A bowl of cereal is a normal size, about 5 inches wide, and salad dressing is a table spoon. You have to get a handle on quantities to be certain of your program. Determining how many calories you
should eat is a very personalized custom exercise. Your dietician will make a determination based on your height, weight, activity level, current weight, sex and other factors . Usually this could range from 2000 to 3000 calories per day, but it is always a complex determination. Be sure you get it right. Be comfortable with this decision. I spent 6 years at university in business schools in order to graduate with commerce and MBA degrees. Perhaps the most important thing I learned in this experience was to make decisions based on the accumulation of as much relevant information as possible. The more input you have in terms of the facts and data, the better the decision you make. The best thing that happened with my ongoing visits to a dietician was the daily recording of everything that I would eat. Following her advice at first seemed like a chore. The forms to record my meal intake were small and detailed. At the end of the day, I used a notepad to jot down all the data. This procedure illustrates what you really put into your body each day. You quickly get a clear idea of how your eating patterns stack up to YOUR OBJECTIVES
. You gain a notion of the breakdown in the 4 areas of grain products, vegetables and fruit, milk products and meat and alternatives. It is very enlightening, and in my case I could see that I ate too much meat. It's probably a common custom because the amount of meat we should eat daily is really not that large. Each visit to the dietician ends with a trip to the scale. This is whay I see todayon the the TVshow 600 pound with Dr. Now! Your weight is an excellent way to determine your progress in choosing foods. When you set your goals you can determine the weight you want to be based on your circumstances, like height sex, body type, and structure. Your doctor can help you with this. Once you starting eating properly you will start to move to the ideal weight. Other tests such as your chlolestoral level or blood pressure can also determine how you are doing in your health. Don't be afraid to ask your doctor to test you for these, and then keep your results. When you track your own progress, you will witness improvements. Visit www.scottsumner.com
New data says fewer Ontarians are seeking mental health supports during COVID-19, but services are helping those who use them As more details emerge about the psychological impact of COVID-19, CMHA Thunder Bay is encouraging anyone who is struggling with mental health and addictions issues at this time to reach out and seek help.
Ontario Division, only 13 per cent of Ontarians who identified as having a mental health condition said they’ve accessed mental health supports since the outbreak, compared to 39 per cent before the pandemic.
The call comes as new provincial data this week showed that far fewer people with a mental health condition have been seeking formal supports since the crisis began.
Further, nearly one-third (31 per cent) of those diagnosed with a mental health condition feel they do not have all the supports they need.
In the first of three polls by Pollara Strategic Insights on behalf of Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA),
On the flipside, 77 per cent of those who have accessed mental health supports during the outbreak have found these supports to be helpful. Also of interest is that 41 per cent of the general population in Ontario wish they had someone to talk to about the things that are worrying them now, and 43 per cent do not feel confident in their ability to find mental health supports. “Our polling data suggests people don’t know where to find mental health and addictions resources or are just hesitant to reach out, but those who are reaching out and getting the help they need are being effectively supported,” said Jennifer Hyslop, CEO, of CMHA Thunder Bay. “Despite the limitations that come with physical distancing and isolation, the CMHA has found ways to continue providing support to our clients. This may be in person with the appropriate safety precautions, by phone, videoconferencing or other means,” Jennifer Hyslop, CEO, said. “Help is still available and CMHA is here with our programs and services.” Looking ahead, the Pollara research shows that seven out of 10 Ontarians (69 per cent) believe the province is headed for a “serious mental health crisis” as it
emerges from this pandemic and nearly eight of out 10 (77 per cent) say more mental health supports will be necessary to help society. “In order to meet an upcoming mental health crisis coming out of COVID-19, community mental health agencies need increased investment from government,” Jennifer Hyslop, CEO said “The province has promised $3.8 billion over 10 years for mental health and addictions service but the investment has been slow to materialize.” Additional findings from the Pollara research about mental health and addictions: · While 43 per cent of Ontarians do not feel confident in their ability to find supports if they were needed, 44 per cent do. · The things we recommend to stay mentally healthy are taking a hit. For example, 36 per cent of Ontarians say their diet has gotten worse, while 48 per cent say exercise habits have worsened. · A quarter (23 per cent) of Ontarians are consuming more substances such as alcohol, tobacco or cannabis. Among those who are consuming these substances, 29 per cent have changed the time of day when they consume. · Despite trying to make a daily routine, 59 per cent are finding it hard to be productive while in self-isolation. This is true of those who are currently employed and those not working. · 29 per cent of those who have been diagnosed with a mental health condition say they’ve had issues accessing
the supports they need during this time. Pollara’s online research of 1,001 Ontario residents over 18 was conducted from April 16-23. It carries a margin of error of ± 3.1 per cent, 19 times out of 20. Two more surveys will follow in the coming months as restrictions loosen around COVID-19 and the economy continues to re-open during this unprecedented time. CMHA Ontario is looking to evaluate how Ontarians’ perceptions of their mental health are changing as they come out from the pandemic. Read CMHA Ontario’s news release: https://thunderbay.cmha.ca/news/newdata-shows-majority-of-ontariansbelieve-mental-health-crisis-will-followcovid-19-impact/
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Crucial Questions To Superior Sales When your customers aren’t sure which of your products or services they should buy, consider this handy tool that not only helps create clarity, but also positions you as a trusted advisor. I’m referring to a time-test sales tool known as SWOT. SWOT stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats. When I do customer service and sales seminars and speeches for groups, I often hear this is one of the most useful tools people learn. Here’s how to ask SWOT questions.
that you are not threatened by discussing the positive aspects of your competitors’ products and services. In your customers’ view, this alone makes you different than other sales people who want to run-down the competition. It’s a generous way to start building trust at the outset.
Explain to your customer that every customer is different and you want to come up with a solution to suit their unique needs. Then explain that you’d like to ask them a few questions to help them narrow the field. Now ask these SWOT questions: W-Weaknesses S-Strengths “When you think about other products/services in this category that you’ve used in the past, what have you liked about them?” If, for example, you’re a travel agent discussing vacation options with a client, ask them where they’ve vacationed before and what they liked about it. If you’re a hairstylist, ask the customer about the last time they loved their hairstyle and what they liked about it. Starting with strengths about current and past purchase helps the customer clarify what’s important to them. And it shows
“What have you not liked about those previous products/services?” Again, the customer is not only clarifying in their own mind what they don’t want, they are also telling you the flaws of the competition. Much better that this comes from the customer than from you. Any time you point out your competitor’s faults you expose yourself to three negatives: 1) the customer disagrees with your negative assessment; in which case they no longer trust your judgment. 2) Even if you’re right about your competitor’s weakness the customer may not appreciate you running-
down the competition behind their backs. It looks like a cheap-shot. 3) The customer feels like they made a bad decision in the past and that you think they aren’t smart. Not a good thing. That’s why it’s so much more effective when your customerpoints out the weaknesses. The fact that you
right for them, because theyare creating the product in their mind. Does it get any better than that?
already encouraged them to point out the strengths makes them feel less guilty about talking about the weaknesses. That’s one reason why the order that the SWOT questions are asked creates such positive feelings.
What fascinates me about using SWOT is during this entire part of conversation, you haven’t begun to talk about your products/services. Instead, you’re focused on the customer’s unique needs. When you do this with the customer they realize that you actually get them. When you cross that threshold, you’re no longer a pushy salesperson – you’re a trusted advisor.
O-Opportunities “What would be a perfect product/service solution in your mind?” With this question, you are asking the customer to dream big. People like this. It’s almost like asking, “If you won the lottery, what would you do with the money?” When you ask this question, you are creating an emotional connection to the product that is exactly
T-Threats “What’s prevented you from buying this perfect product/service in the past?” After the customer imagines the perfect solution, now is the time for reality. At this point in the buying conversation, the customer tells you their limits and buying objections. They share their budget, or time constraints, or that they weren’t aware that this type of solution existed. In other words, the customer tells you what you need to know to help them make buying decision that’s tailor made for them.
Jeff Mowatt is a customer service strategist, Hall of Fame speaker, and bestselling author. For more tips, training tools or to inquire about engaging Jeff for your team visit www.JeffMowatt.com
MECG Evaluates First Phase of COVID-19 Situation The Municipal Emergency Control Group (MECG) met today with various community partners as part of its ongoing management of the COVID19 situation. Officials are starting to assess lessons of the first phase wave of the pandemic as re-opening starts, and they look ahead to preparing for fall and winter. “There is some discussion for the potential of regional re-openings according to local conditions,” said Mayor Bill Mauro. “The Premier has
indicated that he is not entertaining that option at this time, but discussions are occurring. I have spoken with Dr. DeMille, and Medical Officers of Health from across the province are providing input from a public health perspective on how this might occur.” “Collectively, we are doing quite well in terms of our response and current situation in the City, and I’d like to thank everyone for their dedication and hard work throughout this crisis.” Dr. Janet DeMille said public health is
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awaiting more details on the provincial testing strategy. “Testing plays an important role in how we move forward with re-opening both to quickly identify individuals with COVID-19 as well as to monitor what’s happening in the community,” she added. Dr. DeMille continues to encourage anyone with any symptom, even if mild, to get tested. The strategy is also expected to provide more details on the testing of individuals without symptoms, including individuals concerned that they have been exposed to the virus, and front-line workers who interact with the public. Those in attendance represented the City of Thunder Bay, Thunder Bay Police Service, Thunder Bay Fire Rescue, Superior North EMS, tbaytel, Synergy North, Thunder Bay Airport, Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, Thunder Bay District Health Unit, District of Thunder Bay Social Services Administration Board, Aurora Borealis Catholic District School Board, Lakehead Public Schools, the Catholic District School Board, Lakehead University and Confederation College.
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Police, Health Unit and By-law Officers have taken an active role in educating members of the public about the importance of physical distancing. As some restrictions are lifted, residents who have concerns about busi-
nesses and individuals who are not following Ontario’s COVID-19 related orders can phone (807) 625-5900 or toll-free 1 (888) 294-6630 to report any instances of non-compliance. This phone line will be monitored between 8:30 am and 7:00 pm, Monday to Friday, and between 9 am and 5 pm Saturday and Sunday. This includes residents gathering in large groups.
The MECG is holding weekly meetings. For more information: • www.thunderbay.ca/coronavirus - read the latest City news releases related to the virus. • www.ontario.ca/coronavirus - the Ontario Ministry of Health reports on the status of cases in Ontario each morning at 10:30 am. • www.TBDHU.COM/coronavirus - the Health Unit’s website contains links to credible sources of information for both the public and local health care providers.
THUNDER BAY BUSINESS JUNE 2020
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Lakehead professors awarded $500,000 for important research Two Lakehead University professors have been awarded $250,000 each from the federal New Frontiers in Research Fund – Exploration to pursue important work that will benefit Canada and beyond. Dr. Zubair Fadlullah, associate professor in Computer Science and Research Chair at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute, is receiving $250,000 over two years to investigate the use of drones to address the lack of reliable internet access and health-care connectivity in rural areas in Northern Ontario. The aim of this research is to address both the urban-rural digital and healthcare gaps in an interdisciplinary manner. “Connectivity is a key enabler for providing smart health care by monitoring and managing physical/mental health conditions and addiction trends,” Dr. Fadlullah wrote in his research proposal. To tackle the digital divide issue, this research will use a robust communication infrastructure by leveraging Unmanned Aerial Vehicles such as drones, equipped with communication and energy harvesting modules as well as robotic arms, to form an agile network. To address the healthcare gap in Northern Ontario, the drone-aided network, coupled with cost-effective device-to-device relays composed of smartphones, will offload the health data collected by Internet of Things and wearable devices deployed at the remote communities. Dr. Fadlullah will carry out the research at two locations: the preliminary research investigation and experiment will occur at a Lakehead University research lab and the field experiment will be carried out at one of the Keewaytinook Okimakanak First Nations communities. He will work with co-principal investigator Dr. Vijay Mago, an associate professor in Computer Science at Lakehead who is assisting with data analytics, and with co-applicant Keewaytinook Okimakanak eHealth Telemedicine, which will provide insight as they work toward implementing a successful solution. Dr. Maryam Ebrahimi, assistant professor in Chemistry and Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in LowDimensional Nanomaterials, is receiving $250,000 over two years to address the enduring mystery of life’s origin in the cosmos. In collaboration with her co-applicants at the Technical University of Munich, Dr. Ebrahimi and her team will study the peptide bonds formation from non-amino acid reactants under ultra-high vacuum (UHV) conditions, which resembles outer space.
“If peptide bonds are formed from a nonamino acid pathway under controlled UHV conditions, can amino acids still be assigned as the unique evolutionary path of the origin of life?” Dr. Ebrahimi wrote in her research proposal. This question frames her motivation for the project. In her newly established Nanoscale Science Laboratory, her team will investigate the on-surface reactions of suitable reactants, identified in an interstellar medium, for the synthesis of peptide bonds. “This project will have a critical impact on our understanding of the origin of life in extraterrestrial environments.” Dr. Ebrahimi emphasized. “Congratulations to Drs. Ebrahimi and Fadlullah for receiving these grants and thank you to the Government of Canada for recognizing the important work of our researchers,” said Dr. Andrew P. Dean, Lakehead’s Vice-President, Research and Innovation.
New Frontiers in Research is a highly competitive tri-agency program designed to support groundbreaking interdisciplinary research.
Title: Drone Aided Device-to-Device Networks for Communications and Health Connectivity in Remote Northern Ontario Total amount awarded (over two years): $250,000 Grantee Zubair Fadlullah, Lakehead University, Computer Science
Collaborator Supuneet Bismil, Department of Psychiatry, Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Canada
Title: Revisiting the pathway to the origin of life - Peptide bond formation from non-amino acid reactants Total amount awarded (over two years): $250,000 Grantee Maryam Ebrahimi, Lakehead University, Chemistry
Co-principal Investigator Co-applicants Vijay Mago, Lakehead University Co-applicants Mohamed Elmokadem, Keewaytinook Okimakanak Tribal Council (Northern Chiefs) Cheryl Bechard, Keewaytinook Okimakanak
Johannes Barth, Technical University of Munich Wilhelm Auwarter, Technical University of Munich
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THUNDER BAY BUSINESS JUNE 2020
Save even more on your upcoming renovations (NC) Planning an energy-efficient renovation that will help you save on home and/or business expenses? The best way to get the most out of your time and money is to start by doing your research. Schedule consultations with contractors — they'll be able to tell you if you can save by refurbishing what you already have, or need to buy new equipment and appliances.
Chris Burns, chair of the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning System Mechanics Trade Board for the Ontario College of Trades says getting the results you want may be as quick and simple as tuning up the equipment currently sitting in your own home. “When considering retrofitting or replacing a refrigeration or air conditioning system, always consult a certified refrigeration and air conditioning systems mechanic for advice,” Burns recommends. “In some cases, your current system may be designed to
operate efficiently and might just require regular maintenance.” It's also important to keep in mind that if any of the work involves one of Ontario's 22 compulsory trades, the tradesperson you're hiring must have a valid certificate of qualification from the college. This certificate can easily verified using the college's online Public Register. “I encourage everyone to inquire before they hire in order to make informed decisions,” says Bob Onyschuk, the college's director of
compliance and enforcement. “The goal of the Public Register is to prevent problems before they arise and give people the tools to protect themselves, their families and their businesses.” Verify the tradesperson you're planning on hiring by typing in their name or eight-digit number found on their membership card or certificate of qualification at collegeoftrades.ca. www.newscanada.com
DESIGN LOCAL – BUILD LOCAL THUNDER BAY North Superior Publishing wants our Local Businesses involved in ALL aspects of residential and commercial building and/or renovation projects in Thunder Bay including: * Purchasing & preparing the property for construction and/or renovation – real estate agents, surveyors, architects, engineers, etc. * All aspects with respect to designing the structure – interior design, exterior design, architects, engineers, etc. * Building products – lumber, cement, windows and doors, interior walls, indoor and outdoor stairs and railings, exterior
finishing, etc. * Trades – plumbers, electrician’s, carpenters, roofers, installers, brick layers, etc. * Interior finishing – window coverings, flooring, paint and wallpaper, furnishings for residential and commercial projects, cupboards, closets, elevators, security systems, etc. * Outdoor finishing – landscaping, lawn and garden, railings, curb appeal, parking lots and driveways, sidewalks, paving, outdoor entrance ways, wheelchair ramps and lifts, etc. DESIGN LOCAL – BUILD LOCAL THUNDER BAY Thunder Bay Business is delivered by Canada Post to businesses in Thunder Bay and is also available online. Back issues are available
online for no less than 12 months, and all ads link directly to the advertisers’ websites. Thunder Bay Business is also promoted on North Superior Publishing’s Facebook Page and Twitter Feed. All ads will link directly to your website on the online version of this publication: www.thunderbaybusiness.ca
THUNDER BAY BUSINESS JUNE 2020
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Are You Looking Forward To The 2020 Golf Season! Great Outdoors
No shaking hands at the end of the round. You won’t be entering you score in the pro shop computer!
My first golfing experiences were during the summer of 1975 at a golf course in Manitouwadge my father helped create. That year only 5 holes were ready to go but it was fun. Fast forward 45 years and
I’m sure conditions will change for the better over the summer. Maybe we will have some tournaments, competitions. It’s going to be interesting. See you on the course!
BY SCOTT A. SUMNER
in this time of COVID 19 my course here in Thunder Bay is opening a little later than usual. As usual golfers look forward to the season but this year things will be somewhat different. Here are some of the new rules for now, they could change but just getting out will be fun! You are allowed on property 15 minutes before your tee time. Our tee time intervals are now 10 minutes apart to practice safe social distancing. You are to be off property 15 minutes after you exit the eighteenth green. • Due to the reduced tee sheet, onesome will only be able to play in quiet times and we will limit the start times for twosome. • Walk-on will not be permitted. You must have a tee time! • We will not be accepting cash for payment at this time. • Only 2 people at any one time will be allowed in the pro shop for any processing. • The Clubhouse will be closed. There will be no dining, bag storage or locker room facilities. • There will not be any league, event or tournament play until restrictions allow. • There will be no club rentals available. Yes 6 feet apart, no sand rakes, no benches, no ball washers and the ball will stay on top of the hole!
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THUNDER BAY BUSINESS JUNE 2020
The COLLECTIVE Architects of our city and Covid Recovery! By Sherry Hanes Building a city is no easy feat! As a matter of fact, building anything takes, first and foremost, determination and … a great plan! Making Thunder Bay our home and creating influences that attract global investment opportunities through industry, manufacturing, mining, forestry, education and medicine, just to list a few, is, and has always been, the focus in creating, our ‘Portrait city’. One could say that the evolution of our city, is the result from the collective thinking, transparency, methodical orchestration and planning of where we are today. We, as a corporation, operating just as any business would, require all of the aforementioned plus, community, government and corporate support, adherence to collectively following the plans, long with materials, labour, supervision, to build and maintain our civil infrastructure and of course, we need excellence in performance in every department, for every undertaking. Could you imagine the number of meetings and communications that happen in a just to put an idea into motion? It’s overwhelming! Now, mind you….no one is perfect but, looking back over our history and taking into consideration the present global circumstances, our successes far outweigh our setbacks! Prior to forming of Thunder Bay, the early 19th century government policies to build a rail road, the CPR, through Northern Ontario, opened up an industrial revolution for the area which built the foundation for what is now known to be Northern Ontario’s largest city. Construction of the new rail road in Port Arthur and Fort William, became grain shipment points for the prairies, which was very prosperous for both cities. Following, was an influx of new industry opening up in the North, the government was supportive of the myriad that followed in forestry, mining, shipbuilding and rail car manufacturing and in the pulp and paper industry too. ‘This time period’, in early economic development, is referred to as ‘The golden age’. Close to the end of the 20th century, the infrastructure was formulating and with the demand for labour, immigrants from all over the world, found opportunity in the manufacturing and mills, in this area of our Northern terrain. And to no one’s surprise, by the 1970’s, Thunder Bay was offering great paying jobs for unskilled labour in the industrial and transportation sectors. All these high paying jobs boosted the economy, building homes and then more businesses opened and the cycle was in motion. The retail and supply shops were prospering, all due to a few major industries that really, were the heartbeat of the North. As with everything though, change is ever immanent. Just before, and coming into the early 2000’s, industry was beginning to decline, due to global competition. Grain markets and paper mills were both seriously affected, here in Thunder Bay. And another type of threat to standard practices in manufacturing, was the
advancements in new mechanical technology…labour-saving technology, I might add. With labour being reduced and manufacturing coming to a low point. Thunder Bay leaders took a serious look at what
look at things from the microscopic perspective, just how people are trying to move into the survival and recovery mode. Business owners and managers alike, have made adjustments to their routines
ounce of precaution is worth a pound of prevention!’ Now, coming to the part of this article where we want you to know something about the ‘light at the end of the tunnel’,
Prince Arthur’s Landing is much quieter than usual during COVID 19 times direction they should lead our city in. Primarily, influencing investors, nationally and internationally, was now, more than ever, the determination, to promote and protect the economics of our city and our region. So, as the old adage goes, ‘If you can’t beat them…join them!’ and join them we did. The new frontiers were there for the taking and our leaders have been building on them ever since. They turned to presenting Thunder Bay as THE place for investing in health services, government services, post-secondary education in health sciences developments and research, all aspects in research and education in all kinds of technology, mining technologies, computer science, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, cancer research and other forms of education that are of major interest and need, all over the world. They took the time to validate the course of their plan and collectively, navigated Thunder Bay into becoming, a global hub, for post-secondary education, amongst other important developments and research. Moving forward with the times, Suffice it to say, our communities, our government bodies and the business community, have been faced with extraordinary challenges of the recent global pandemic. But, rest assured, the challenges are being met, and they are being met with the collective determination, ‘We’ve got this’! We, as a community, can appreciate what it must be like to take on such an undertaking in usual circumstances, let alone a pandemic. We all are trying to wrestling with the daily decisions of how to navigate our way through the devastation of our current ‘portrait’. We know things are looking pretty grim but we also know that focusing on that does nothing about changing the circumstance, therefore, we must ask ourselves, ‘WHAT CAN BE DONE?’ We have to
and have found that not everything is as hopeless as it appears. Yes. It is true that not everyone can survive in times like this, in health or in business, and we certainly can empathize with those who suffer loss, directly and indirectly. Some entrepreneurs, who have just spread their business wings to fly, and have been caught in the effects of the downward spiral of economics, seem to have the determination, despite their devastation, to keep forging ahead. Amazing! Large franchise companies have boarded up their stores and hotels, experiencing great losses but, some have managed to stop the financial hemorrhaging and are able to do business, even if it is on a low scale. And yes. Just driving by the empty parking lots at the malls and casinos, restaurants and bars alike, showing no signs of operating for ‘business as usual’, the recent good news is, some places are just now, beginning to open their doors again, welcoming IN, customers and clients, alike. The financial devastation, loss of life and surviving illness of this magnitude, cannot be expressed in simple words. This article in not intended, in any way, to discount or minimize the seriousness of the effects of the Covid virus. The purpose of the article is to express how, even in the face of such devastating adversity, a lot of companies, under all genres, have strategized to survive and remain accessible for essentials needs for the public, like health and emergency services, including mental health assistance. Other services such as grocery stores, pharmacies and liquor stores, are all part of essential services. Even though, practicing social distancing and other measures for health safety concerns has been somewhat of an inconvenience for community members, most people have implemented the health practices to curb the spread of the virus. ‘An
…even though it seems almost non-visible, … we, as a nation, as a region and as a community, will RECOVER. Maybe not in the way that would expedite the expedience we are looking for but, nonetheless, still a recovery, but with everything that has happened and even with things that did not happen, we have learned a number of important things about ourselves and our leaders…and I guess, the word I would choose is ‘resilient’. And as it is said, … ‘We always get the test first and the lesson later.’ So, … ‘Easy does it but, do it!’ More confirmation about moving forward and recovery. Accepting the New Norm! After speaking with some top management, of our local businesses, businesses have been and continue to take the necessary actions and precautions, in light of the Covid, and are truly advocating for your health safety and theirs, now and into the future! Stuart Bagnall, Manager of Thunder Bay’s, Best Western Crossroads Hotel, shared this with Thunder Bay Business Magazine: “Good afternoon Sherry. Thank you for reaching out to us. Our off occupancy for April was 65 percent down from last year, and this month, we are currently about 50 percent down. There is some improvement. I have noticed that ever since the start of the pandemic, that guests, that did stay, most did so without making reservations. I now see that the reservations are now starting to come in again. Businesses are restarting, including the mines, and construction. – there is some light at the end of the tunnel, although slight.”
Continued
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The COLLECTIVE Architects of our city and Covid Recovery! Continued
The Best Western Crossroads Hotel is well-established and comes highly commended when considering ‘A home, away from home!’ Also, we had the opportunity to speak with Lynn Flury, Corporate Director of Marketing with Thunder Bay’s Valhalla Inn. Ms. Flury had this to share with our readers: “The Valhalla Inn has been a strong community partner in Thunder Bay for many years, and as we all move into our new normal, we plan to continue this tradition. Our team members are especially looking forward to being able to welcome back guests and friends that have not been traveling during these times. As with most businesses, we’ve implemented many new safety measures to protect the wellbeing of our guests and our associates. We couldn’t be prouder of our very own front-line workers who have embraced these new protocols and have showed exceptional hospitality and commitment to our guests and each other during this time.” Those words are very positive, offering confidence in the strategies of what is becoming our New Norm, for healthy, safe living. As daily operations in business begin to open up more and more,
being ‘socially health minded’ is key to a happier and safe life, for all. On the construction frontier, Parker Jones of Tom Jones Corporation, Thunder Bay, shared this with TBB Magazine: “We did have some projects that were shut down, some deemed, essential businesses, and now they’re all back opened. We’re getting work and we will pretty well be working all summer and into next year.” Involving the industry of Architectural Design, Cory Stechyshyn, OAA - and President - I4Architecture shared these comments with Thunder Bay Business Magazine on how COVID-19 has
affected their business: “The two greatest factors that impacted our business that resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic were the closure of construction projects and the inability to meet with clients or visit their buildings / communities. This prevented us from carrying on with ongoing projects under construction and starting up any new projects. The closure of non-essential businesses was another factor impacting our office. This required us to lay-off some staff while adjusting to the remaining staff working from their homes. The governments relief effort is helping the staff that had to be laid off and they have indicated that the CERB money was processed quickly. The wage subsidy was a bit problematic for consulting businesses such as architecture, we don’t work on monthly revenue “targets” and monthly earnings change each month and every year those same months can be drastically different. This made it challenging to demonstrate a 30% revenue loss but the fact of the matter was, we had to lay three people off. We were able to collect the wage subsidy for the second month and it did allow us to bring one employee back off lay-off. We have been holding all meeting virtually. For those construction projects of ours that were deemed essential, and continued under construction, I, myself, handled any necessary site visits and the job
has jumped on board, implementing the safe guards against the spread of the virus. We also can show our appreciation for the immediate actions on the part of our governing bodies and leaders, to bring financial relief through
Each day, Monday through Friday, a random winner will be chosen from among qualifying posts and the winner will be awarded a $100 gift certificate to a Thunder Bay business. The contest opened on the day of launch, May
Many empty parking lots and shuttered businesses during the COVID 19 pandemic various programs, involving receipt of funds and extended payment forgiveness. On a community level, here is something you and your family can take part in and maybe even with some extra money! Who doesn’t love that?! On MAY 25, 2020 – the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce and the Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission, with the support of Impala Canada, launched the #ReImagineTBay promotional campaign. The campaign invites the public to SHOP LOCAL and to post #reimaginetbay images to Facebook or
25, 2020. And just as a reminder in our collective efforts to recover in health and in health finances, Please SHOP LOCAL! Our local vendors have been there to provide for us all these years so, let’s show our gratitude and spend our money locally! After all, as the old saying goes, ‘CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME!’ I’ll be in the line-up at Maltese’s on Pearl Street with my face mask and some disposable gloves on! See you there and remember, smiles and a nod are always welcomed! Stay safe!
sites were practicing safe distancing and other measures mandated by the Ministry of Labor and Ontario General Contractors Association. No on-site meetings are being held, even now with the return of all construction. Our office will re-open once the government deem it safe, but it will be for staff only and will remain closed to the public other than for drop offs at the front desk. This will be the case for the foreseeable future.” We, as a community, take notice and give thanks to all who follow our governments direction for safety in our health concerns. We also take notice of the expedience in which everyone
Instagram, at any time, for the next four weeks with the hashtag #reimaginetbay, highlighting the many ways that Thunder Bay businesses are reimagining themselves to keep staff and patrons safe during COVID-19.
Stay Healthy and extend smiles where ever you can because others need a little uplifting too!
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THUNDER BAY BUSINESS JUNE 2020
Acceptance and Me By Sherry Hanes June 2020 A lot of us have heard our parents tell stories from their past, and also stories coming from their parent’s past, about the very difficult times they faced during the ‘Great Depression Years’. I, myself, recall the telling’s from my grandparents and all the things they had to endure, just to survive. A very debilitating time for all! But one of the things I do remember clearly, is my Grandmother explaining to me about, the acceptance of the situation, and how she and others, had to do everything one can do, to add to the benefit for all. She would also tell me ‘There are things in life that we can do only so much about and feeling angry, serves no good purpose for anyone.’ Many of us may feel the bottom of our world has fallen out, but when we look around, we see that government has stepped in to help us, ensuring we would be looked after and so far, they have not failed us. The damage we are experiencing is a far cry from what was experienced in the 1930’s. There is much more support today and most everyone is working together to get the ‘good times’ back on track…here in Thunder Bay and all over the world for that matter. So, here is something to consider on a daily basis … Thinking ‘the worst’, will only perpetuate the worst, and the result is then a manifested reaction that will be equal to the thoughts. At best, mental,
emotional and maybe even physical harm, to yourself and those around you could be the result in a heated moment. We, all of us, can experience feelings of anger, fear, defeat, depression and some may even entertain thoughts of suicide. For some, this situation is a total devastation. But if one can look at any part of the good out of all of this? For example, if you are not living on the street or starving…due to the covid effects, one can see that there is an upside to the downside and that recovery is definitely on the way. Businesses are starting to open up and more people are once again going back to work and feeling the freedom to visit openly, but maybe not like before. Feelings of isolation are disappearing because we are able to get out a little and enjoy seeing people once again. Granted, we are not there yet but, the other things we might notice of these times are that, as a community and as a ‘global community, collectively, we are able to make the choice to, set aside feelings of lurking prejudices, financial jealousies, seething judgments and contempt and be more neighbourly in our momentary presence and also be courteous and friendly towards others , because they suffer too. That is not to say that we don’t observe others in their form of negative actions or harmful practices, but the we are careful to not continue on, allowing ourselves to entertain, in our minds, conceptual judging of others. After all, we, us, you, me are not always going to be the picture-perfect portrait of what others see in us either. We can make the decision to allow ourselves to see past the exterior of a person(s) and become more aware of looking for the good spirit in others. Yes, it will be some-
thing that a person will have to make themselves aware about, and make the conscious choice about, but think about all the good that can come out of it, even if it’s just for that moment? And since our circumstance is perpetuating A New Norm, people from all over the world are working together, in companies, government bodies and individuals, to create the world we all want to live in ….but it is up to us as individuals, which then forms the collective thinking of bodies of people. So, when you think of recovery…think about how it begins with an attitude, a thought, a practice, for becoming aware of your own thinking and attitude, and contribute positively for the best results. After all, when you think of it…Smiles, like laughter is contagious…not just the COVID? Change, for anything, starts in a thought and with all the media pouncing on our brains, perpetuating fear, because BAD NEWS SELLS and fear mongering has always produced the desired results, which then produces, MONEY!!, but not for you! And those are the statistical facts. Therefore, drive your thoughts away from the ‘fear mongered feelings’ that you are most likely experiencing at this moment, even as you read this, and turn your thoughts to greater things, not for the future, but just for right now, in this very moment. Start with gratitude for things you still have, even though ‘things’ don’t define you as a person, only your ego can do that. Think about the fact that your children are learning by example, and we want to be careful that we are not using them as our venting outlet. Nor do we really want to do this to our significant others, husbands, wives, friends or neighbours. When we take back our independent thinking, from the mass-manipulating fear mongers, we can experience the freedom of non-manipulated choices, and then we can start removing unnecessary anger, fear and blame, because they serve no viable purpose. We can then have great, free flowing communication, first with ourselves and then with the people closest to us and that alone will deliver the ability to work together as a collective body to progress out of these times and even other situations we will face in our life time. Our future is not down the road. It won’t be better when we get ‘over there’. It is right here! Right now! Without a person recognizing there being a moment of ‘now’ …there can be no future…because the future is ‘NOW’. We can have a goal, of course but, getting there depends on what we do now…as a person, as a collective body, in our homes, in our places of work and as a community and a nation, it would be nice if we recognize, we have a social responsibility to teach ourselves and then others about living in the NOW. There are quite a few adages, metaphors, if you will, like, ‘Attraction rather than Promotion’, meaning…don’t beat someone over the head so they can get the message….live it yourself first and be the example of what they want to become. Even if they never get it, you will be a much better person unto yourself, reaping the rewards of your self-directed changes. Another old adage is, ‘But by the grace of God…there go I’, … in other words, that individual you may be having condemning thoughts about…that could have easily been you…after making the wrong turn in life or having been raised in a unescapable toxic environment. Many who are raised in a toxic environment, think that this type of life is ‘normal’. Poor souls! We can never know what type of background a person comes from that sets them up for all the wrong conceptions and feelings, resulting in a very painful life for them, their loved ones and society as a whole.
Another old story is… ‘Two adult individuals were standing on the river’s edge, needing to swim to the other side. A woman of low social standing was also in need of getting to the other side, but could not swim. One of the individuals carried her on his back when he and his friend swam across to the other side. Once they got there, the woman thanks the individual and went on her way. That evening at the camp site, the one who did not carry the woman, said to the one who did, “Why did you carry THAT woman across the river?” and the reply from his friend was, “I only carried her across the river…You carried her all day!” In other words, it is the thoughts that we choose to not look at that make us who we think we are, and in most cases, it is ‘superior’, or in others words, justified ego. Another old adage that can be looked at here, might be, … ‘Honesty ceases to be a virtue when it offends someone.’ It is always a good idea to examine our thoughts first, before we open the vocal flood gates and impose our distain for others, but not many make themselves aware of the ‘Think First’ practice. It doesn’t seem to register, in most cases that, we have the power to manage our expectations, especially in a short-lived moment. More important than the state of any situation, is being aware of your state of consciousness. In other words, what it is you are telling yourself in your mind…the egoic mind? In most cases, when one is aware of their state of consciousness, they can navigate their way out of mental, emotional and vocal, controversial difficulties. Recovery is something that everyone can be a part of. In most cases, recovery usually means, ‘recovering something that is good but then was lost’. We, some of us have lost sight of such things as, good will towards others, good thoughts, even good times that can evolve waiting in line at a grocery store? The gentleness of yourself, when you were just a young child or a toddler is something that gets lost, due to the immersion of imposed concepts of what others think and do. Everything about goodness or ‘Good will’ IS NOT just reserved for Christmas. It is a practice that can benefit everyone, anywhere, all years long and since some cannot think themselves into good acting, we can always act ourselves into good thinking! No one actually wants to recover something that is NOT good…right? So, let your personal recovery begin, right here, right now…and with all the information one could have access to on the internet these days, aside from fearmongering, mass-manipulating news and Facebook posts…one could easily checkout some YouTube videos on how to go about freeing oneself from unpleasant or negative imprisoning, life manipulating thoughts. The one drawback and the only drawback is, the egoic mind will tell you that you don’t need to ‘do that’ and which will then keep you in an everlasting state of ‘ignorance’, never freeing yourself to experience a sense of calm and eventual bliss, not to mention better decisions in life. So, don’t think about it past this moment … just do it! And here is one link just to get you started! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdMEt pXoMkY and as with anything, ‘Don’t discount the message, because you don’t like the messenger.’ And one final adage, ‘If you always do, … what you always did, … you’ll always get, … what you always got.’ Hmmmm!
THUNDER BAY BUSINESS JUNE 2020
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Thunder Bay Ventures announces new support for micro-enterprises affected by Covid-19 Effective immediately, Thunder Bay area entrepreneurs who are not eligible for other recently-announced federal government relief programs for businesses affected by Covid-19, will have the opportunity to apply for up to loans of up to $40,000. The new loans are offered in partnership with FedNor, through the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund. Key features of the loans include: * 0% interest and no payments required until December 31, 2022 * If the loan balance is paid before December 31, 2022, 25% of the loan may be forgiven * Any loan balances not paid before December 31, 2022 will be converted to a term loan, offered at prime rate * The full balance of loans need to be paid before December 31, 2025 To be eligible, applicants must: * confirm that they are ineligible or have been rejected for other federal government Covid-19 business support programs * demonstrate that they were established and viable before March 1, 2020 * indicate how their business has been adversely affected by Covid-19 According to Martin Wyant, Executive Director of Thunder Bay Ventures, this new support is necessary and timely. “The overwhelming majority of businesses in our community are micro-businesses, with annual revenues of less than $500,000 and less than 9 employees. Many of these businesses have either shut down or severely curtailed their operations. These ‘main street’ businesses improve our quality of life and make significant contributions to our community and we have heard that some of them have not been eligible for other Covid-19 business support programs, so we know that this announcement will be welcomed by many”.
According to Wyant, loans will be processed quickly and Thunder Bay Ventures will be seeking less information and security than normal. “We want to make the process as simple and quick as possible. We will be asking applicants to describe the challenges they are facing as a result of Covid-19 and how the funds will be used”, said Wyant. Online application forms will be soon be available at www.thunderbayventures.com. In the meantime, applicants with questions about the new funding are encouraged to contact Martin directly at 807 768 6652. martin@thunderbayventures.com. About Thunder Bay Ventures… Thunder Bay Ventures, the Community Futures Development Corporation for the Thunder Bay area, supported by FedNor, provides services to help strengthen and diversify our economy, including: - loans and equity investments to help entrepreneurs; - business advisory services; - community economic development projects; - support for community economic planning.
COVID-19: FedNor now accepting applications for the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund Recently, the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages, announced that Northern Ontario businesses can now apply for Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF) support through FedNor. The Government of Canada’s efforts are making a difference for many local businesses, but some are still falling through the cracks — particularly in rural and remote communities. This is where the RRRF comes in, with $962 million nationally — including $49.5 million in Northern Ontario — to support businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic who are unable to qualify for existing measures. Canada’s businesses are as diverse as Canadians are, and the fund’s immediate, concrete help will be tailored to their unique needs. In Northern Ontario, FedNor will deliver: · $24 million for small and mediumsized enterprises (SMEs) facing financial pressure; and · $25.5 million for rural businesses and communities with access to capital and technical support, delivered by Northern Ontario’s Community Futures Development Corporations. $24 million for SMEs facing financial pressure Eligible applicants must: · Be Canadian or provincially incorporated SMEs located in Northern Ontario; · Be facing funding pressures with operating costs as a result of COVID-19; · Have attempted to get access to other Government of Canada COVID-19 emergency supports and were deemed ineligible or were declined; · Have been a viable business before the COVID-19 pandemic and plan to continue to operate their business or resume operations. Priority may be given to SMEs in sectors such agri-food, forestry, health and life sciences, mining and supply services, manufacturing, information and communications technology, tourism and others that are of significant importance to a region, community or supply chain. Please consult the Program Guidelines for more information. Applications can be submitted for: · Financial contributions (interest-free repayable loans) to help support SMEs with operating costs, where business revenues have been negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. · Costs that will help mitigate impacts of COVID-19 on SME operations, such as but not limited to lease payments for existing equipment and machinery, property taxes and utilities. The RRRF will provide repayable or conditionally repayable contributions to eligible SMEs, up to a maximum of $250,000. Support to eligible not-for-profit organizations will be non-repayable.
Recipients of contributions up to $40,000 who repay 75 per cent of their contribution before December 31, 2022, will be granted a 25 per cent forgiveness up to a maximum of $10,000.
* have not or will not apply for or accept other Government of Canada equivalent support.
For more information, including how to apply, please visit the FedNor website.
A high volume of applications is anticipated. All applicants are encouraged to consult the Program Guidelines prior to submitting an application, and contact FedNor directly should they have additional questions.
$25.5 million to support rural businesses and communities with access to capital, delivered by Northern Ontario’s Community Futures Development Corporations In order to provide targeted assistance to the small towns and communities they serve, CFDCs will focus on assisting SMEs, including “main street” businesses, such as retail shops, restaurants and corner stores, and businesses of strategic importance to the community with loans normally up to $40,000. Sole proprietors may qualify for loans through their local CFDC. · Eligible CFDC applicants must also meet the following criteria: * established prior to March 1, 2020; * impacted adversely by the COVID19 pandemic; * viable and not experiencing liquidity or other financial difficulties prior to March 1, 2020; * have attempted to access other federal relief supports and were ineligible, rejected, or require funding for expenses in excess of support already received (priority will be given to applicants who were ineligible or rejected from other federal relief supports);
Application Details
FedNor is accepting applications on an ongoing basis and will be reviewed on a first-come-first-served basis until funding is fully committed. For more information about additional support offered by FedNor and the Government of Canada, please visit the FedNor COVID-19 response page. Related Products News Release: COVID-19: FedNor launches Regional Relief and Recovery Fund to support local economies
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THUNDER BAY BUSINESS JUNE 2020