TBB May 2022 by Scott Sumner

Thunder Bay Co-op Farm Supplies Celebrate 70 Years!

INSIDE Thunder Bay Port Virtual Open Of Navigation Oshki-Wenjack Launches the Goyce Kakegamic Student Bursary The Construction Climate in Thunder Bay North Superior Publishing

@tbay25

ARRIVAL OF FIRST OCEAN-GOING VESSEL

Bob Watts, Vice President of Indigenous Relations at NWMO

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THUNDER BAY BUSINESS MAY 2022

The Construction Climate in Thunder Bay BY SCOTT A. SUMNER

Thunder Bay BUSINESS There are many good construction projects happening in Thunder Bay this season. The Thunder Bay Conservatory will be undergoing some major improvements. The City of Thunder Bay awarded an $ 4.8 million contract to M Builds Thunder Bay which involves building an upgraded greenhouse and new annex to connect the conservatory and greenhouses. The City of Thunder Bay contract for the reconstruction of Balmoral Street from the Alloy Drive intersection northerly to the Beverly Street intersection, including the reconstruction of the Balmoral Street/Central Avenue intersection is upcoming. The work generally includes earth excavation and grading, asphalt removal and paving, asphalt multi-use trails, granular A and B supply and place-

ment, street lighting, curb and gutter and storm sewer construction. The Thunder Bay Airport will receive funding of over $12.4 million in Airports Capital Assistance Program funding for the rehabilitation of air side surfaces, lighting and electrical systems; the construction of runway end safety areas; the installation of air side LED guidance signage; and the purchase of two aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicles. In addition to the support from Transport Canada, the Thunder Bay International Airports Authority is also receiving more than $1.5 million in financial assistance from the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario (FedNor). The funding, made available through the Aerospace Regional Recovery and the Regional Air Transportation Initiatives, will be used to upgrade lighting and HVAC equipment, as well as replace two

aging escalators in the terminal building. The projects are designed to enhance safety and maintain air service. Some other projects underway in Thunder Bay are an addition at Gore Motors Honda,

addition and an addition and improvements to the Home Hardware Memorial Avenue.

correctional facility. This project supports the ministry's strategy of replacing aging institutions to address health, safety and security issues, including efficiencies of design, technology and space. It will improve access to

programming, living conditions and education, while also updating automation and technology.

On the horizon from Infrastructure Ontario is a$1.2 billion project that will result in development of a 345-bed, multi-purpose

Next Issue:

Thunder Bay Business Main Topic: Economic Report on Thunder Bay Ad Copy Deadline May 20,2022 Contact Sylvia @807-629-7599 www.thunderbaybusiness.ca

THUNDER BAY BUSINESS MAY 2022

Publisher’s Note Scott Sumner

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Thunder Bay Port Virtual Open Of Navigation Event

The Thunder Bay Port Virtual Open Of Navigation event provided some good information on how 2021 went and what can be expected in 2022. Port officials were quite happy with some good activity in the 2021 season. There were record grain shipments through Thunder Bay from Manitoba, the majority

of their grain, despite the overall lower grain shipments. The port transported 74% of all Manitoba exports. Overall the grain shipments was a decline from last year but well above the pre wheat board days. The Port of Thunder Bay did decline the least of any wheat port. The Port of Thunder bay is the largest export port on the seaway and the furthest inland port in Canada. Potash shipments saw a very nice rebound

doubling in 2021 and they are expecting further increases this year. The Port of Thunder Bay had some major inbound shipments of gas pipe that were very sensitive to damage to Alberta and were handled very efficiently through the Port during the year. The latest project cargo ship came to Thunder Bay in January 2022

program of further track improvements and lay down areas came fully in to effect and was fully utilized in 2021. It was a good investment as it came in handy for the port. Thunder Bay saw some improvements to the shipyards with ship inspections and is starting to show promise for the City of Thunder Bay as further economic activity.

The Port of Thunder Bay capital spending

What is the TMJ and why does mine hurt? The temporomandibular joint (tmj) is your jaw joint. It is what allows you to open and close your mouth when you speak or chew. It is made up of the mandible (lower part) and your temporal bone. The tmj is what we call a sliding hinge joint. This means that when it opens or closes it also moves forwards and backwards. Unlike your knee joint or your finger and toe joints, which are also hinge joints, your tmj also has a cartilaginous disc that sits between the bones. When you open your mouth, this disc becomes compressed as the mandible moves forward. If this motion does not occur easily and freely it can cause symptoms such as clicking or locking of the joint, deviations in jaw movement, jaw pain, headaches,

and neck pain. The most common reasons for poor tmj movement could be due to injury, muscle tension, sprained ligaments, local arthritis, infection, teeth problems and stress. Because of this, when assessing the cause of and planning care of abnormal jaw movements, it is important to address the entire region and not just the tmj. Quiet often, someone with temporomandibular joint dysfunction has associated signs of abnormal upper neck joint movements, tension in the front and back neck muscles as well as the muscles of mastication (chewing). Often people will grind or clench their teeth while sleeping. Quite often there is a psychological association to life stresses, either at home or at work. Because of so many possible symptoms and causes patients often benefit from a team of health practitioners such as chiropractors, dentists, massage therapists and counselors. In my office I find that a combination of chiropractic adjustments, pressure points and myofascial work, acupuncture and home exercises are quite effective. I also always refer patients to their dentist to assess grinding and clenching issues or possible tooth infections. A mouthpiece worn at night can help reduce recurrent aggravation. In severe or chronic cases I often will order x-rays (open and closed mouth) to assess joint motion and bone integrity. Other modalities such as laser therapy may also show benefit. Finally, no strategy for improving your health is complete without addressing the possibili-

ty that life stress may be significantly holding back full recovery. Becoming aware of and then acknowledging this influence is important. It allows the patient to reassess areas of their lives they can change and get professional help for those areas that are more difficult. Temporomandibular joint dysfunction is quite common. The best approach to correcting this problem is to visit a health practitioner that is knowledgeable about the various causes and understands the value of collaborating with a variety of other healthcare professionals.

James DiGiuseppe is a local chiropractor with a busy family and wellness practice. For more health information or to contact Dr. DiGiuseppe visit: www.portarthurchiropracti.com

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THUNDER BAY BUSINESS MAY 2022

Oshki-Wenjack Launches the Goyce Kakegamic Student Bursary Oshki-Pimache-O-Win: The Wenjack Education Institute (Oshki-Wenjack) has launched the “Goyce Kakegamic Student Bursary and Fund.” The bursary and fund were created in honour of the late former Deputy Grand Chief of Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) and leader in Indigenous education, Goyce Kakegamic. Oshki-Wenjack, alongside members of the Kakegamic family, announced the establishment of a student bursary and fund for eligible post-secondary students enrolled at the Indigenous Institute. Most students at Oshki-Wenjack reside in northern NAN communities, and the bursary fund will ease the financial burden experienced by students and their families while they are attending on campus programming in Thunder Bay. Oshki-Wenjack President Lorrie Deschamps spoke of Goyce’s passion and dedication to Indigenous education: “Goyce Kakegamic was a champion of our Institute and we miss his words of encouragement and gentle wealth of advice he

instilled over the years. The bursary will help support our students and the potential he truly believed in as they work toward a brighter future for themselves and their families.” The eldest son of Goyce, Jonathan Kakegamic, who is an educator himself, also spoke of his father’s belief in education as a tool of empowerment and hope: “Goyce understood from his elders the importance of gaining an education as a means to elevate from hardship and lack of opportunity. Education is a way of embracing life and gaining the confidence to achieve a meaningful livelihood and making a difference. We are happy to help make a difference for students in a way that honours his wishes for our people.” The inaugural bursary award will be presented to a student recipient at OshkiWenjack’s graduation to be held on August 26, 2022, by representatives of the Kakegamic family. Donations to the bursary fund can be directed to: Goyce Kakegamic Bursary Fund c/o Oshki-Pimache-O-Win: The

Wenjack Education Institute 106 Centennial Square, 2nd Floor Thunder Bay, ON P7E1H3 Backgrounder - OshkiPimache-O-Win: The Wenjack Education Institute Founded in 1996 by the Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN), OshkiWenjack is an Indigenous post-secondary Indigenous Institute committed to increasing access to accredited postsecondary

education in NAN’s 49 First Nation communities, as well as Indigenous learners from across Ontario. Oshki-Wenjack focuses on creating a safe learning environment that is designed for Indigenous learners and feels welcoming at every step along the learning journey

Lakehead University earns first place at the Student Steel Bridge Regional Competition The team representing Lakehead Engineering has won first place overall at the Student Steel Bridge Regional

Competition held in Illinois April 7 to 9, organized by the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) and the American Society of Civil Engineers

(ASCE)

paper.

This year’s competition included eight categories: aesthetics, construction speed, lightness, stiffness, construction economy, structural efficiency, cost estimation, and overall performance. Lakehead’s

“The whole Lakehead Engineering team has made us proud,” said Dr. Janusz Kozinski. Lakehead’s Dean of Engineering.

team placed first in seven of the eight categories and came second in the other category.

“It is an extraordinary achievement that demonstrates the excellence of our students with the support of all their supervisors. We will be cheering for them at the Nationals next month,” Dr. Kozinski said.

Dr. Yanglin Gong and technologist Cory Hubbard supervised the team, comprised of fourth-year Civil Engineering students Damien Grayda, Paul Graham, Philip Duke, Felix Lasalle, and Matthew Scott. The Lakehead Engineering team won the competition for Western Great Lakes region, hosted at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. They were the only Canadian university in this regional competition that featured over 400 students from 13 American universities. Dr. Juan Pernia was faculty advisor for the ASCE student chapter. Technologists Morgan Ellis, Kailash Bhatia and Stefanie Stangier also acted as machinist advisors to the team. Josh Fiegehen, representing the student chapter, participated in symposiums and presented a technical

The annual Student Steel Bridge Competition, which began in 1987, challenges student teams to develop a 20foot-long steel bridge to fit a given hypothetical environment. Each team must determine how to design and fabricate a bridge and then plan for an efficient assembly under timed construction at the competition. Bridges are then load-tested and weighed. After triumphing in the regional competition, Lakehead’s team will go up against top universities from across North America in the National Finals from May 27-28 at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia.

THUNDER BAY BUSINESS MAY 2022

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Thunder Bay Co-op Farm Supplies Celebrate 70 Years! BY SCOTT A. SUMNER

Thunder Bay BUSINESS Many local residents in the Thunder Bay area are familiar or have some knowledge of our farming community in the Slate

River area to the south of the city. They have been working together for 70 years now with the Thunder Bay Co-op Farm Supplies business that helps them operate as a team and more efficiently. Since then the Co-op has opened to the public and begun expansions in order to better serve farmers, home-owners and seasonal residents in Northwestern Ontario. Co-operatives uphold certain other principles, including concern for community, educating the public and youth about co-operative values, voluntary and open membership, and autonomy. The business started in 1952 as a cooperative of local farmers. There were a handful of members at the start when it was established to provide better purchasing power from suppliers. Instead of each farm buying individually, for example say fertilizer, they pool all of their needs together to get better deals. To be a member of Thunder Bay Co-op Farm Supplies you have to be a bona fide farm with a farming number. Today there is a board of directors of Thunder Bay Co-op Farm Supplies who represent about 130 members who are all farmers. The Co-op started in the basement of an old schoolhouse and has expanded to today. They meet annually and the 7 member board is chosen that provide the management direction on the business operations. “ It is their business, they own it and receive the rewards. We report to the board. Most of our staff are all farmers and jack of all trades ,” said Darren Fisk, General Manager of Thunder Bay Co-op Farm Supplies for the past 5 years. “We don’t just supply the larger local farms that are primarily dairy, beef and potato farm-

ing; but also many of the smaller vegetable farmers and many of the hobby farmers.” Thunder Bay Co-op Farm Supplies have three full time and two part time employees plus their controller, Carol Maki who is part of the management team. One of

their mission statements is to provide quality employment to local community members. “ The Co-op has been very a positive operation for the farming community from the start. It has had it’s ups and downs but with lots of growth over the last 10 to 15 years. In the last 5 years there have been a lot of capital improvements. Two years ago we expanded our fertilizer plant from 1000 tons to a 1800 ton capacity for storage. We blend the fertilizer all locally here to support the farmers. We sell a lot of fertilizer for peoples lawns and small

gardens as well and it is all blended here. Additionally, there is seed and livestock feed as well.” said Darren Fisk. “ This is our biggest capital expansion ever over the last two years, over $2 million, with some help from Fednor and NOHFC on the fertilizer plant, but not the retail store. The fertilizer plant was finished last January 2021. The retail building should be finished mid May. We used to be about 1200 square feet of retail space and now with the expansion will be approximately 3000 square feet with another 900 square feet of office space,” said Darren. “ Our renovations have been so professional and well done especially given the winter. Tyler Wade Contracting, our general contractor, have been amazing and we are thrilled with their work. Their staff are very intuitive and also provide us with ideas we can use to improve the construction process. The building that was

designed by Approach Design, is beautiful and fits the farm vibe we are going for." “ We saw a need here to service the local community. During Covid we never shut down as we are an essential service.What happened was many people started coming here for our lawn fertilizer and other garden supplies because it was hard to get in the city. The new customers loved it here and the next year they came back with their friends so it has grown,” said Darren. “ The Board had been planning a retail expansion for many years but felt the timing was right to build a local hardware store. A a lot of times we get people who stop in and say we just need this one thing and I don’t want to go to town for it. So we want to provide that one thing as much as possible. It is really to service Neebing and the Slate River Valley, as well as the entire region.” Continued

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THUNDER BAY BUSINESS MAY 2022

Thunder Bay Co-op Farm Supplies Celebrate 70 Years! Continued For the expansion Thunder Bay Co-op

Farm Supplies decided to partner up with ACE Canada, owned by Peavey Mart, a Canadian owned company that specializes

in agricultural retail for rural communities out west.

implements or barbeques,” said Darren Fisk. “ To be able to provide the E Commerce site is really exciting for us. In

“ We will carry their ACE brand here as our supplier. By doing this it allows us to be part of their supply chain and what that enables us to do is provide an E Commerce platform. We can’t stock everything and people want to support us so they can go online, order it and it will be shipped to the Co-Op. This could be everything from riding lawn mowers, farm

addition, physically we will be quadrupling our inventory with the expansion, and will have an infinite supply with e commerce. When you go online to ACE Canada, you pick our store and the product is shipped free to the Co-Op.”

Continued

THUNDER BAY BUSINESS MAY 2022

Continued Thunder Bay Co-op Farm Supplies did see an increase in sales during COVID, especially in metal roofing with many people doing home projects. Last year they were a top 10 retailer for Ideal Roofing products in all of Canada and it is a significant part of their business. “ Our profits are returned to the farmers

who get dividends. This helps the farmers off set their costs of operation” said Darren. “ During Covid people realized the value of local businesses and supply chains so they want to support local. We want to grow the service we provide to people. Farming can be a tough gig but is very important and we see the potential of farming in our region.We have a lot of land in our area and the governments want to promote farming here and see an opportunity

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for agriculture to grow, where it is actually retracting in Southern Ontario.” Be sure to take the short drive south on HWY 61 to Boundary Drive and turn right to 560 Boundary Drive just near the intersection to visit the newly expanded Thunder Bay Co-op Farm Supplies.

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THUNDER BAY BUSINESS MAY 2022

Thunder Bay Co-op is one of the largest distributors for Ideal Roofing in Northwestern Ontario Choose from an amazing palette of colours for sheet metal roofing, siding and metal shingles, all guaranteed by their very nature to last for over 40 years, reduce insurance costs and add value to your home, camp and out-buildings. Need To Know Items For Pricing Your Metal Roof 1 Size of the roof: How large is your project? This is the peak to eave

measure and also how many areas to be covered 2 Style of the roof: Hip roof, flat roof, gable roof, cottage… Each of these house styles need different calculations to determine how to cover the roof. 3 Roof slope or pitch: The slope of your roof can determine lengths of the metal sheets and can determine the difficulty level for installation. 4 Type of application: Low slope vs steep slope systems need different types

of metal profile designs. Low pitch profiles prevent ponding. 5 Material choice: Prices vary depending on the profile or type of metal roofing. There are also premium colours and finishes. 6 Roof Preparation/Condition: If your current roof has multiple layers of roof shingles, this may increase the amount of preparation needed before installing the metal roofing. Many times metal roofing can be installed over the existing roofing.

7 Roof Adornments (wall flashings, chimney flashings, skylights, plumbing stacks, etc.): There are trims, pipe boots and snow guards available for these items to prevent shearing and leaks. 8 Venting: There are multiple ways of venting including vented ridges, vented closures and more. Frequently Asked Questions on Metal Roofing Do you install? No. We have several contractors that we can recommend. Call us to get some contacts of experienced professionals who can handle your building project. Can you install over the existing roof? Yes! No need to remove the roofing you have. Please talk to our staff to come up with installation tips and tricks specific to your project. Can you give me an estimate? Yes! Let us know the area of roof that you are trying to cover and our metal roofing estimator will work with you to make a quote. Do you offer delivery? Yes. Give us a call to see if we can drop your shipment at your building site for a fee. What is the difference between square feet and linear feet? There are two difference measurements discussed when referring to metal roofing: square feet and linear feet. Square feet refer to the area while linear feet refer to the length of the metal sheets. For example, a metal sheet 3 feet wide and 10 feet long has 30 square feet and 10 linear feet. Can you make a custom trim? If you give us a picture with dimensions, we can investigate getting the trim made to your specifications. Do you do eave trough and/or waterspouts? No. Our supplier cannot make these for you. We can help you find someone else to call. How noisy is the metal roof? If you are remembering the noisy metal roof sounds of the past, the metal roof on a modern house is a different experience. With insulation, sound barriers, and attic space, most metal roof sounds are not echoing into the house. You may hear a slight pitter patter on the roof but it is a soothing sound. Get a Free Quote

THUNDER BAY BUSINESS MAY 2022

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Thunder Bay Cooperative Farm Supplies is a proud supplier of Landmark Feeds Farm animals Pets Thunder Bay Cooperative Farm Supplies is a proud supplier of Landmark Feeds, a leader in the livestock and poultry industry since 1954 (almost as long as the Thunder Bay Cooperative Farm

Supplies!). We have a wide array of feed and minerals for chickens, beef, dairy, geese and deer. Each feed product is specially formulated by nutritionists to make sure you have complete nutrition for your animals. No need to worry that your livestock are missing out on needed vitamins and minerals as these rations are complete. No more supplements needed. Most of the feed options come in 25 kg bags. If you want to feed a larger amount, many of our feeds come in bulk options.

We carry an assortment of common pet accessories and treats and premiumbrand pet foods at Co-op prices. Visit us to talk about the best diet for your

pet.

We are a pet friendly store. Feel free to bring your animal with you when you shop.

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THUNDER BAY BUSINESS MAY 2022

Fencing and Gates Whether you’re looking to keep pets, kids or farm animals in or the wildlife out, you’ll find exactly what you need with our staff. We sell everything from garden fence to dog kennels, livestock panels and gates. Come talk to us to learn about the options our huge stock of fencing solutions offers you. If you want a fence for your field or your yard, we have the supplies you need to get the job done. We have

metal t-posts, cedar fence posts, welded wire fencing, electric wire, step-in posts, insulators, staples, and dog kennel sets. We also have corral panels, hog panels, and dog kennel panels. Gates are available in sizes ranging from 4 feet to 16 feet, with varying styles including light duty and wire filled. To get a quote, let us know: • the size of the area to be fenced, • the size of the wire, • the height of the fence, and • the size of the openings in the fence. We will try to find the best fencing options for your needs and your price point.

Livestock gates, feeders and animal handling are supplied through: We are a pet friendly store. Feel free to bring your animal with you when you shop.

THUNDER BAY BUSINESS MAY 2022

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Lawn, Home and Garden Supplies Lawn, Home and Garden

sow for gorgeous results.

Lawn seed

Grass and forage seeds are supplied through General Seed Company.

The most cost-effective way to landscape. Whether you’ve got kids,

created on site with urea, ammonium sulphate, monammonium phosphate and potash. To read a fertilizer name, the first number is the percentage of nitrogen, the second number is the percentage of phosphorus and the third number is the percentage of potassium. Talk to us about the best choice for your plants.

The most popular blends are: • 17-17-17, an all-purpose lawn and garden fertilizer • 8-32-16, starter fertilizer for your lawn or great for your flowering plants • 26-4-6, slow release lawn fertilizer that releases nitrogen

pets, sun or shade you’ll be able to grow the thickest, greenest lawn you could ask for with our lawn seed blends, engineered for our northern climate and active use. Talk to us about your plans and we’ll help you determine how much you need, which blend you should use and how best to

Fertilizer

We blend our own fertilizer for your lawn and garden needs with just the boost for your plants to grow, grow, and grow. Most fertilizer blends are

after rain throughout the growing season

Gardening Supplies

We have supplies to start your plants indoors, soil options such as Promix, black earth and manure as well as seeds, seed potatoes and onion sets for your garden.

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THUNDER BAY BUSINESS MAY 2022

P AGE 13

to know when you need a building permit.

Failure to obtain a building permit when one is required can have serious and expensive consequences.

It should be obvious that if you are doing new construction whether residential commercial or industrial, you need a building permit. The grey area, or the area where

The Building Code Act protects important public interests including public safety and consumer protection. Because of this, the courts ensure that the provisions of the Building Code and the Act are enforced. Consequences may range from a stop work order to an order to have an engineer inspect the construction and certify its compliance or safety, all the way to an order for demolition.

some people intentionally decide to ignore the need for a permit, is renovations to existing properties.

Your first and best protection against having any of these bad things happen to you is

If you are building a deck, porch or balcony you need a permit if the structure is more

Legal Matters

than 60 centimeters or 24 inches above the ground. A shed or detached garage requires a permit if it is more than 10 square meters, so an 8 by 12 shed does not require a permit. If you are adding a carport or attached garage you need a permit regardless of the size. That carport or garage is in addition to your house, and any addition requires a permit. Most fences do not require a permit, but pool fences or fences which encroach on public property do require a permit. Installing an exterior basement stairwell or entrance requires a permit. Inside your house, finishing your basement

is an example of a common renovation where a permit is required but frequently not obtained. Kitchen renos are another. Any structural changes within your house require a permit. Removing load bearing wall can create a very unsafe and dangerous situation and frequently requires the assistance of an engineer. Most plumbing and electrical repairs require a permit including drain repair or installing a back water valve. Lawyers are not the experts that you need to draw up the plans required for a permit. Lawyers such as my colleagues at Weilers Law are the help you need if you find yourself in a dispute over your building permit, or lack of a permit.

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THUNDER BAY BUSINESS MAY 2022

Bob Watts, Vice President of Indigenous Relations at NWMO speaks on reconciliation Bob Watts, Vice President of Indigenous Relations at NWMO was in Thunder Bay to be keynote speaker at the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce’s “Aboriginal Partnership Exchange” (APEX) Speaker’s Series.

“ Early on the NWMO reached out to indigenous people in the first year and have continued. We have a council of elders that help guide the work we are doing from an Indigenous knowledge, values and princi-

I asked him some questions just before his remarks began. How are things going with reconciliation in Canada? “ I wish some things were happening at a faster phase but generally things are going well. I think corporate Canada has a huge opportunity to play a role in advancing reconciliation and will have a hard time advancing their own work if they are not serious about reconciliation with indigenous people.” “We see some changes in government with investment in education which has been strong in recent years. You see signs of progress. Looking back at Covid we have done extraordinary things we thought we could never do and it makes me think why can’t we do this well on some of these pressing indigenous issues.” “ I have seen a lot of change in my lifetime- sometimes leaps and bounds progress and sometimes so slow it can make you cry.” How does a nuclear organization and reconciliation work together?

How is it working with the NWMO organization? “ The organization is a little bit different that your typical nuclear organization.We educate all of our staff on reconciliation and assess all of our policies. Some people look at us and say we are a bit of a role model in some areas. I know we can do better but we are pushing to do even more.” “ It has been a good experience for me coming from working in the indigenous world to a corporation, a nuclear one, but it has been really good.” Bob Watts Background Bob Watts is a much sought after expert in Indigenous policy, negotiations, training and conflict resolution.

pals perspective which has been tremendously valuable in our work. We take pretty strong pride in how we work with indigenous communities and communities more generally.We say no community should be no worse off for having worked with us, so we make sure they have the capacity to work with us and to make decisions moving forward to participate with our work.”

He is the former Interim Executive Director of the Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which examined and made recommendations regarding the Indian Residential School era and its legacy. Bob led the process, supported by an excellent team and many organizations from across Canada and internationally, to create the policies and processes in order to firmly establish the Commission. Bob also served as the Chief of Staff to the National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations Phil Fontaine, where he was a

member of the team that negotiated the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement, the largest class action settlement in Canada’s history. His public service includes Assistant Deputy Minister for the Government of Canada and Senior Executive in Ontario. Bob is a graduate of the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University and Fellow at the Harvard Law School where he researched and lectured on the role culture plays in conflict. Bob has had the benefit of excellent Indigenous mentorship and western learning which allows him to work well in both worlds. Some of his Indigenous learning has focused on medicine plants, traditional songs, traditional environmental knowledge and leadership. Bob has led the negotiations of co-management agreements, helped build strong corporate partnerships and has lead processes focused on strategic plans and community development. In 2019 Bob served as Chief of Staff to National Chief Perry Bellegarde and played a key role in historic budget allocations and the passage of Bills C-91 and 92. Currently, Bob is the Vice President of Indigenous Relations at the NWMO and an Adjunct Professor and Distinguished Fellow at Queen’s University, Kingston Ontario where he developed one the first graduate level courses on Reconciliation in the country.

ARRIVAL OF FIRST OCEAN-GOING VESSEL The Port of Thunder Bay has opened to international shipping with the arrival of the first ocean-going vessel to port during

the 2022 navigation season. MV Blacky crossed the Thunder Bay breakwall at 0825 Monday, April 18, 2022.

Blacky was loading Western Canadian wheat and oats at Richardson

ninth voyage to Thunder Bay since being constructed in 2008. The vessel has shipped 150,000 metric tonnes of Western Canadian grain from Thunder Bay to destinations in Europe and Latin America. Blacky is the second Canfornav vessel to receive Top Hat honours in the past three shipping seasons, following Tufty in 2020. The Montreal-based shipping company operates in the Atlantic handy size market linking the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence to ports around the world. Blacky Captain Oleg Gerasymchuk and Chief Engineer Igor Matsala were recognized in the Top Hat Ceremony this afternoon at the Richardson elevator. Port Authority Board Director Pat Bushby presented the Top Hat and welcome remarks were given by Hon. Minister Patty Hajdu and Mayor Bill Mauro.

International’s main elevator and sailed for Puerto Rico on April 20th. The Cyprus-registered Blacky is on its

Over 100 ocean-going ‘salty’ vessels visit the Port of Thunder Bay annually, with the final vessels departing late December.

THUNDER BAY BUSINESS MAY 2022

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MY DAY AT THE MASTER'S, AUGUSTA GEORGIA Each April, the televising of the famed Master’s on CBS would signal the beginning of golf season. One year recently would be my first time to attend the tournament and see first hand the beauty and prestige of this event. My journey was possible this year because of my new membership in the Golf Writer’s of America

famed 16th hole where the players performed the traditional skipping of their balls over the pond to land on the green. It is a tradition. Out on the course I enjoyed lunch with the famous pimento cheese sandwich for $1.50 and drink for $ 1.50. That was a good deal. People were talking about how difficult it was to get a weekly

Association. This organization holds their annual meeting each year in the media centre at Augusta on the Wednesday of the tournament which afforded me the opportunity to see this great event.

badge for the Masters which has a waiting list of over 30 years.

My journey began with a flight to Atlanta and then a 2 hour drive to Augusta. The temperature outside my car was 92 degrees on the drive and I was looking forward to seeing the famed Augusta course. Our meeting was at 9am the next day so after a good night’s rest it was off to the course when it opened at 8am. The traffic to the course from my hotel, some 2 miles away, was intense even quite early and people were in long lines making their way to the gates. I noticed the 45 foot John Daly motorhome right across from the entrance and could even see John Daly himself signing merchandise. Daly has gone from Grip It and Rip It to Sign It and Sell Items! Once parked in the press parking lot it was a short walk to the entrance, where you were scanned in, had your camera bag searched and wisked off in a cart to the media centre. Here the guards with metal detectors scanned you and then you were escorted to the large media centre. Augusta has some 500 media that cover the event and it seemed each one had a desk location in a bowl like setting facing big screen TV’s and scoreboards. Also there was a large food area with some of the Master’s favourite food selections. After our meeting and a group photo of the GWAA members on the course, we were free to check out the course for the day and see some of the players during this practice round. Tiger Woods was out on the course at 8am and I didn’t see him until later in the day at the practice area. For me it was fun to go right to Amen Corner and see the famous holes we watch each year during the broadcast. I also liked seeing the

It was fun to sit back and watch the groups of golfers come through hitting multiple practice shots. The mood was upbeat. People (or the patrons as they are called) who were lucky enough to get even a practice round ticket were happy to be there, in awe almost it seemed. My day was coming to an end as I had to make the drive to Chattanooga, TN that evening. As you left the grounds your pass was scanned showing your exit. I had at least 5 people come up to me to buy my practice round ticket which of course you

can’t sell. The Master’s is certainly a hot commodity. Overall I was very impressed with Augusta National. The place was pristine and brimming with tradition. Everyone should experience it at least once. Be sure to enter their practice round lottery system and give it a try. Maybe next year you’ll see this golf tradition up close and personal!

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THUNDER BAY BUSINESS MAY 2022