the advocate magazine - september | october 2011

advocateS E P T E M B E R | O C T O B E R 2 0 1 1

The importance ofaggregates for the futureof Waterloo RegionWill the Ontario election beanother taxpayers’ revolt?

Business priorities for the 2011election

Laurier’s Global Innovation Exchangewill foster greater engagement withbusiness community

The importance ofaggregates for the futureof Waterloo RegionWill the Ontario election beanother taxpayers’ revolt?

Business priorities for the 2011election

Laurier’s Global Innovation Exchangewill foster greater engagement withbusiness community

Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce One Source Advantage™

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advocate SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2011 3

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF:Art Sinclair

EDITOR:Heather Hutchings

DESIGN AND PRODUCTION:Cober Evolving Solutions

PHOTOGRAPHY:Adamski Photography and Chamber staff

ADVERTISING AND SALES:David MacLellan - [email protected]

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS:Dr. Max Blouw, Nicholas Bogaert, Darrell Bricker, Alexis Conrad,Len Crispino, Mary Sue Fitzpatrick, Jeff MacIntyre, Ian McLean,Art Sinclair,

CONTRIBUTORS:Bryan Atcheson and Teri Hetherington

ADVERTISING AND COPY DEADLINES:September 26, 2011 for November | DecemberNovember 7, 2011 for January | FebruaryJanuary 23, 2012 for March | AprilMarch 19, 2012 for May | JuneMay 18, 2012 for July | AugustJuly 23, 2011 for Sept | October

SUBSCRIPTION AND BACK ISSUE INQUIRIES:Kathryn [email protected]

SUBMISSION POLICY:Proposals and articles are accepted via mail or emailc/o Editor - Advocate. Please do not send originals.All contributors articles must be accompanied by a head shot in ajpg file and a 40 word author’s bio.

PUBLICATIONS PERMIT: #40026716FOR PERMISSION AND REPRINT REQUESTS

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The Advocate is a bi-monthly membership benefit publication ofthe Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce.Advertising content and the views expressed herein are those of thecontributors and do not constitute endorsement by the Chamber.The Advocate follows the Canadian Code of Advertising Standards(1990), copies are available through the Publisher. The Chambercannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions that mayoccur and has the right to edit material submitted. The Chamberwill not accept advertising with competitor comparison claims andhas the right to refuse advertising that is deemed to be false,misleading, or inappropriate.

features

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR

4 Moving forward togetherJeff MacIntyre

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

5 Provincial election campaignimportant for local businessIan McLean

ADVOCACY

7 The economy, education andhealth care are all prioritiesArt Sinclair

PERSPECTIVE ON HEALTH CARE

8 OMA: Health Care should be apriority in the ProvincialElectionMary Sue Fitzpatrick

EVENTS

10 Summer networking

NEW CHAMBER MEMBERS

12 June 1, 2011 to July 31, 2011

EVENTS

18 Mark your calendar

SPONSOR PROFILE

24 Borden Ladner Gervais LLPadvocating for the Chamber'sfuture successAlexis Conrad

PROFILE

26 Chamber Star -Don Wates

MEMBER NOTABLES

27 Achieving SuccessChamber MembersSPONSORSHIP

31 Chamber Sponsors

departments

FEATURE

9 Will the Ontario election be another taxpayers’ revolt?Darrell Bricker

FEATURE

14 Laurier’s Global Innovation Exchange will foster greater engagementwith business communityDr. Max Blouw

COVER STORY

16 The importance of aggregates for the future of Waterloo RegionNicholas Bogaert

FEATURE

20 2011 Election of Directors Nominating Committee’s Slate ofCandidates Nominee ProfilesFEATURE

30 Being Solutions-Focused: business priorities for the 2011 electionLen Crispino

advocateSEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2011

WWW.GREATERKWCHAMBER.COM

message from the chair

Moving forward togetherBY JEFF MACINTYRE

The Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce’s journeyhas just begun. What we know and what we continue to see ischange. As we progress we understand that the future is dynamicand the needs of our members will continue to evolve. Thefundamentals are the same. Business associations must providenetworking opportunities, advocacy support, education foremerging changes and products and services that will assist themember to be more successful and profitable.

The task of staying relevant to members can be daunting but is reallyquite simple. Listen. What we have learned over the past 125 yearsis to get out there, talk to the members and ask questions and thenlisten. Keeping an eye out for issues that are both currently relevantand those that will surface will be the key to our next 125 years.

The year has been fascinating as we celebrate a significantmilestone. The dialogue and discussions we have had with new andlong term members have been both insightful and educational.They have been inspiring and have taught us about creativity,resiliency and motivation. We have talked to those that havecreated community and can draw a straight line between theirbusiness, volunteerism and the look and feel of the GreaterKitchener Waterloo Region. We have talked to people fromWoolwich Township, Kitchener, Waterloo and people from farreaching communities.

The Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce has andwill continue to shape the future of our area. This is somethingthat we should all be proud of. We will listen, we will learn, we willguide and we will connect our members and all other businessesthat either reside or want to work with local businesses.

It is with great appreciation that we celebrate our milestone andtake the opportunity to thank all of those who have made us what

we are. Your efforts and dedication to the community have resultedin what we are today. It has been the devotion of our staff, manyvolunteers and fellow board members over the years that have givenguidance and resulted in success. It has been the countless hoursthat we have put in for the benefit of others. As we move towardsthe future, it is hard to imagine what our future will look like.Technology, advances in manufacturing and a social media processthat seems to change by the day will articulate what is to come.

As much as the future will be directed by things that may not evenbe invented and we could thank everyone with a masscommunication sent in seconds, we need to step back andappreciate everyone with the time and sincerity they deserve. Anold fashioned thank you and a handshake are necessary at this time.Thank you to everyone for your commitment to making us whatwe are today. The handshake is on its way.

4 WWW.GREATERKWCHAMBER.COM

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jeff MacIntyreCHAIR, BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Jeff MacIntyre is the owner of two smallbusinesses in Waterloo Region. WinexpertKitchener South is an on-premiseswinemaking shop. So There BusinessSolutions assists employers to increaseprofitability through market access, salesassistance, business development planningstrategies, mentoring and training.

message from the president

Provincial election campaign importantfor local businessBY IAN MCLEAN

Over the last year, local businesses have been required to maketough choices to deal with the economic downturn. They continueto tell us that they expect governments at all levels to do the same.

The recent recession did require employers to examine all theirfinancial and operational components. However, business ownersand managers have not seen the same expenditure controlmeasures being implemented within the public sector. This is apattern that needs to change for Waterloo Region to lead aprovincial economic recovery.

As the October 6th Ontario election approaches, the focus of ouradvocacy will be on making certain that candidates from the majorparties are aware of issues for the business community. Thecommon element across the spectrum is ensuring fiscallyresponsible and efficient government.

A major issue in the upcoming election is the provincial labourarbitration system. The current controversy extends back to the2010 Ontario Budget where Finance Minister Dwight Duncanindicated that in order to manage spending pressures and helpredirect up to $750 million by 2011-12 to sustain public serviceslike schools and hospitals, the compensation structure for all non-bargained employees in the Broader Public Sector and OntarioPublic Service would be frozen for two years while all existingcollective agreements will be honoured. Municipalities areexcluded, however the province recommended they exerciserestraint in order to address the provincial deficit.

The failure of the provincial government to impose wage freezeson unionized public sector workers is placing significant pressureon municipalities. Many large urban centres will be completing orhave completed recent negotiations with transit workers, police,and firefighters. Many of these contracts are ultimately settledthrough arbitration, a process that provides municipal employerswith limited control over the outcomes.

Fundamentally, the current arbitration system fails to recognizethe relative costs of living and other factors for the provision ofservices. More importantly, the system erodes the capacity ofelected officials to make local decisions for local issues.

Small businesses are a significant component of the national,provincial and local economies. Approximately 80 percent of our

organization is comprised of small and medium enterprises.Controlling costs, particularly government fees and taxes, is criticalfor their success.

Many members across the small business sector are concerned withhigher energy prices. In a past Advocate article, I noted thatmodernizing the energy supply, adopting a culture of innovation,and constructing the relevant infrastructure are essential factors inthe overall economic renewal of the province. Queen’s Park mustensure that the demand for electricity is met while keeping pricesaffordable and stable for all consumers.

As an article by Ontario Chamber of Commerce President & CEOLen Crispino later in this edition notes, elimination of theprovincial deficit remains a paramount concern. Althoughprojections have been shrinking due to increased economicactivity, the shortfall will remain in double digits for a significantlyextended period of time. The OCC argues that the schedule fordeficit elimination requires acceleration, a message that isconsistent with what we have heard fromWaterloo Regionbusinesses of all sizes and in all sectors. Apart from the budgetarydeficit, it should also be noted that Ontario carries a debt well inexcess of $200 billion. Interest payments on these charges couldalternatively be spent in health care and education, making astrategy for eliminating these shortfalls a priority.

As we did in April for the federal vote, the Chamber will beconducting candidate meetings in our three local ridings where wewill advance issues of concern for the local business sector. If youhave any issues for discussion at these sessions, please contact meand I will ensure they are included on the agenda.

5advocate SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2011

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ian McLean

Ian McLean is President and CEO of theGreater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber ofCommerce.

Mark your Calendars! Notice of Annual General Meeting

The 2011 Annual General Meeting has been called for Wednesday, September 14, 2011

at which time the new Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce

Board of Directors will be installed.

Date: Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Registration: 4:30 pm to 5:00 pm

Business Meeting: 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm (reception to follow)

Location: Waterloo Inn Conference Hotel

475 King St. N., Waterloo

Please register online at:

www.greaterkwchamber.com

For more information, please contact the Chamber office at [email protected] or

by telephone at 519.576.5000.

For more information, please contact the Chamber office at [email protected] or

by telephone at 519.576.5000.

Chamber members have the opportunity to vote at the Annual General Meetingto confirm the Nominating Committee’s slate of names to the 2011-2012 Boardof Directors. The Nominating Committee, appointed by the Board, recommendedthirteen candidates for the thirteen available positions on the Board. The call forindependent nominations for the 2011-2012 Board of Directors closed onAugust 8, 2011 with no additional nominees. Therefore, an election is not required.

advocacy

The economy, education and health careare all prioritiesBY ART SINCLAIR

There has been a traditional perception in Ontario politics thateconomic issues tend to dominate the Queen’s Park agenda duringa recession. When the economy recovers and the level of activityincreases, the government and voters switch their focus to the highspending portfolios such as health care and education. Anexpanding public treasury from more businesses and individualspaying taxes will illicit committed responses from across thepolitical spectrum on how to most effectively spend the newrevenue.

In recent history, Bob Rae faced an electorate in 1995 that wasobsessed with job creation and regaining some significanteconomic momentum after the devastating recession thatcommenced in 1991. Rae essentially committed to staying thecourse and found out the electorate empathically wanted change.Four years later, in 1999, the economy was relatively strong andthe opposition Liberals attempted to win the vote on Mike Harris’record in health care and education spending. However, the Toriesmanagement of the economy convinced the electorate that asecond term was warranted.

In 2011, the economy, education and health care are all highpriorities. In Waterloo Region, it has often been stated that wewere well into a downturn long before the collapse of LehmanBrothers in September of 2008. The Goodrich plant closed in2006 while the Canadian dollar started rising relative to UScurrency. The layoffs and restructuring in manufacturing wereevident long before any Wall Street chaos, subprime mortgagefiascos, and global recessions.

As the 2011 provincial vote approaches, the compilation ofeconomic issues that can win or lose the election is significant.Voter response to the HST is at the top of most agendas, eventhough it is highly unlikely this measure will be repealed afterOctober 6. Hydro rates and the energy portfolio may dominatecandidate debates while WSIB premiums are a perpetual concernfor many businesses.

The latest CIBCWorld Markets’ (July 18) Canadian MetropolitanEconomic Activity Index rankings place the Kitchener CensusMetropolitan Area (CMA) second nationally behind only Toronto.Our region was cited for a very strong labour market, healthypopulation growth, relatively high quality employment, and low

business bankruptcies. The news is positive and indicates we maybe close to our economic performance of 2005 when localunemployment was among the lowest in Canada.

The education and health care portfolios will also be priorities inWaterloo Region. Local per resident funding for hospital servicesis among the lowest across Ontario. The provincial governmenthas not increased expenditures at a rate consistent with ourpopulation growth, leaving significant issues within the entirehealth care system. This funding inequity impacts our capacity toattract businesses and investment.

The presence of two large universities, a community college, andtwo school boards serving urban and rural students ensures thatthe education portfolio remains a local priority. On a positivenote, all three post-secondary institutions have benefited fromsignificant infrastructure investments from Queen’s Park andOttawa. The new Conestoga College campus in Cambridge opensin September while Wilfrid Laurier recently received $73 millionfor their new Global Innovation Exchange facility on the Waterloocampus. However, with the increasing importance ofuniversity/college and business collaboration for meeting theopportunities of a global economy, future federal and provincialinvestment in the education system remains critical.

After five years of restructuring and uncertainty in WaterlooRegion and across Ontario, indicators are directed towards asignificant positive shift to sustained economic and employmentgrowth. It is incumbent upon the provincial government, and theirfederal counterparts, to maintain an environment that allows theprivate sector to continue leading this recovery.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Art Sinclair

Art Sinclair is the Vice PresidentPolicy and Advocacy for the GreaterKitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce.


perspective on health care

OMA: Health Care should be a priority in theProvincial ElectionBY MARY SUE FITZPATRICK

Recent polling conducted by the Ontario Medical Association(OMA) revealed that 9 in 10 Ontarians believe that health care isthe most important issue, despite the focus on jobs and theeconomy of late. In addition, their polling data shows thatregardless of which party Ontarians affiliate with, they still choosehealth care as their number one issue.

With the next provincial election scheduled for October 6th,Ontario’s doctors have developed a thoughtful and practical set ofpolicy recommendations that they believe can enhance andstrengthen our health care system.

Released earlier this year, the OMA’s provincial election platform“Better care. Healthier patients. A stronger Ontario” contains 41recommendations designed to improve patient care andstrengthen Ontario’s health care system. There are three broadobjectives of the platform: promoting healthier living;modernizing our health care system; and, helping more patientsobtain the care they need.

Specific policy recommendations developed through comprehensiveand thorough consultation with patients and physicians include:

• Fighting childhood obesity by requiring fast food chains to listcalorie contents on menu boards, and by mandating physicalactivity in our high schools;

• Ensuring every person in Ontario has an electronic medicalrecord (EMR) by 2015 and expanding EMRs to 5,000 morephysicians;

• Expanding the number of Family Health Teams;

• Implementing a mental health strategy with a focus on ouryoung people whose parents continue to find significant gaps inresources and care options;

• Reducing the number of Alternative Level of Care patients byincreasing long-term care capacity and home support services;

• Expanding the number of Physician Assistants (PAs) andallowing them to work across the spectrum of medical care;

• Introducing new measures to make it easier for low incomestudents to consider medical school.

Looking ahead to the provincial election, Ontario’s doctors havebeen urging all political parties to make health care a top priority.

The OMA has asked that serious consideration be given to theirproposals and that the parties incorporate some of theserecommendations into their respective platforms.

According to OMA President, Dr. Stewart Kennedy, “Health careisn’t just a cost, it’s an investment. If people are healthy and well they aremore productive members of society. More importantly, if you have astrong health care system, employers from around the world will beattracted to invest in Ontario. A strong health care system is thefoundation for a strong and vibrant economy.”

While investments in health care are necessary, they are becominga challenge to maintain. The OMA believes that the futuresustainability of health care in this province is crucial and thataction must be taken to make it more resourceful. Ontario doctorshave been able to help find efficiencies that will save the systemover $100 million. They want to have an Ontario health caresystem that is comprehensive, that improves access and results inbest outcomes for patients.

The Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commercecouldn’t agree more. Our Chamber Health Care ResourcesCouncil applauds the OMA and our Ontario doctors fordeveloping the association’s 2011 provincial election platform andrecommendations to enhance patient care and strengthen theprovincial health care system. We would like to see many of theirrecommendations incorporated into a provincial health carestrategy that is both sustainable and resourceful.

To learn more about what Ontario’s doctors are recommending,“Better care. Healthier Patients. A strong Ontario.” can be viewedon the OMA website at www.oma.org.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mary Sue Fitzpatrick

Mary Sue is Vice President Family PhysicianResources and Health Advocacy.

feature


Will the Ontario election be another taxpayers’revolt?BY DARRELL BRICKER

The end of what feels like the longest election campaign in thehistory of Ontario is rapidly approaching. And, as the finish linelooms into sight, a few things are becoming clearer. First, theProgressive Conservatives under new leader Tim Hudak haveopened up a comfortable 10 point lead over incumbent PremierDalton McGuinty and his Liberal Party. In this game, 10 points isa difficult but not impossible gap to close. Second, this race ispredominately between a country mouse and a city mouse. TheLiberals remain strong in their Greater Toronto Area (GTA)bastion, but the Tories have consolidated their lead outside of thebig city. Finally, new NDP leader Andrea Horwath could stillserve as a spoiler in this campaign (a la Jack Layton in the federalelection), but it isn’t happening yet. Nonetheless, this is animportant trend to watch.

Events in other elections may point to what could happen in theupcoming provincial vote. Both the federal election and theToronto municipal election show that the most influential trend oflate is the re-emergence of the GTA suburbs as an importantpolitical force. In both elections we saw the suburbs, including thenear suburbs (now part of Toronto as a result of amalgamation),vote overwhelmingly for government restraint. Put simply, bothelections were taxpayer revolts.

The question now is how people who support strong publicservices and aren’t afraid to increase taxes to get them (the left)will vote in October. In the last two outings, the left split theirvote or stayed home, which allowed the energized and unifiedtaxpayers coalition to win. Will the left do the same in October?

The big challenge for both the NDP and Liberals will be tomobilize and consolidate left and centrist voters. That’s becauseHudak and the PCs now own the right and center right (thetaxpayers’ coalition). What might help the left to come togetheris the expenditure review process that the Ford government inToronto is currently undertaking. While this may seem too“Toronto-centric” for many readers, the truth is that Toronto iswhere the next provincial election will be fought and won. Theresimply aren’t enough seats in play in other parts of the province toimpact the results the way that a big move in Toronto could.

Also, Ford’s review process is reminiscent of the way that MikeHarris handled the first part of his tenure as Ontario’s Premier.

Harris promised a “Common Sense Revolution” to Ontario’svoters, and he immediately implemented a series of major cuts andcost transfers to other levels of government that showed that hemeant business. By following a similar approach to dealing withthe “Gravy Train”, Mayor Ford could remind people of what theHarris government did. And, if either the Liberals or NDP areable to use the Ford example as a way to “paint” a relatively-unknown Tim Hudak (i.e. Hudak is the new Harris, and Ford isshowing you what that means), they could consolidate the left,and potentially drag some centrist voters away from the Tories.

While McGuinty and the Liberals are formidable and disciplinedcampaigners (just ask John Tory), they are less likely toconsolidate the left than the NDP. Why? Because this is shapingup to be a “change” election. In the end, every election is abouteither change or continuity. And, in a change election it isextremely difficult for a two-term majority government to looklike anything but continuity. This gives Horwath and the NDP atremendous opportunity to consolidate a new left that still lookslike change. And, if that happens, there’s still potential for thebottom to drop out of Liberal support. In the end, this should allwork to the advantage of the PCs who have a unified coalition anda large lead in the polls.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Darrell Bricker

Darrell Bricker is Chief Executive Officer,Ipsos Public Affairs.

Ipsos Public Affairs – a Division of Ipsos, theworld’s second largest market research firm,conducts corporate reputation & socialresearch around the world.

Dr. Bricker holds a PhD in Political Sciencefrom Carleton University in Ottawa, and aBA and MA fromWilfrid Laurier Universityin Waterloo.

networking


5

Summer networking

1) EXECUTIVE CHEFS LORI MAIDLOW AND KEITH FROGGETT IN THE KITCHEN AT THE100 MILE FEAST*

2) ADAM SMITH, JESSICA OLMSTEAD, REBECCA VOLLMER AND GRAHAM MCCORMICK

3) ERIN AND RYAN SCHNARR OF SPRINGPAD MEDIA WITH LINDA JUTZI OF GOWLINGS LLP*

4) THE CEO DAY PANEL FIELDS QUESTIONS ABOUT SOCIAL MEDIA’S ROLE IN BUSINESS

5) MIKE HEWITSON OF ROYAL LEPAGE WOLLE REALTY AND CHRIS KLEMMER FROM GIFFEN LLP6) MONIKA DUJMOVIC, JASMINE KOBLIK, SAMANTHA LOWE, LAURA RICHARDS AND

CAITLIN FITZPATRICK7) THERESA MCDERMOTT FROM WHISTLE BEAR EXPLAINS GOLF TECHNIQUE TO CYP ATTENDEES

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2 3

6

4

*Photography by Adamski Photography

networking


84,600 MORE ADULTS DAILY77,200 MORE ADULTS ON SATURDAY*

THE RECORD REACHES MORE ADULTS THAN THE TORONTO PAPERS COMBINED!

To advertise or partner with the Waterloo Region Record please call 519-894-2250.

*Source: NADbank® 2009

please call 519-894-2250.oigeRoolretaWehtraproesitrevdaoTTo

4-2250.droceRnohtiwrentr

8) GLENN THORPE, CANDICE MCLELLAN AND ANN JENNINGS AT THE CYP EVENT AT FLYING DOG

9) RANPRO INC.’S BOB RICHARDSON AND MALCOLM MATHESON FROM STEED & EVANS LIMITED

10) CHELSEY SHANTZ, JENNY CYR AND JACQUELINE NINABER FROM HIGH RISE STUDIO

11) JEFF MACINTYRE ADDRESSES THE 100 MILE FEAST GUESTS AT THE WATERLOO INN*12) RUTH ANNE BAUMAN OF SYSTEMATIX INC AND ARNOLD DRUNG OF CONESTOGA MEAT PACKERS13) THERESA DEVINE, MATTHEW ICHIM AND KEITH CLARK AT THE FINAL CYP EVENT OF THE SEASON

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*Photography by Adamski Photography

new members

June 1, 2011 to July 31, 2011

ABCO GroupOffice Furniture & EquipmentGlenn Elliott, Manager107 Manitou Drive, Unit #14Kitchener, ON N2C 1L4Email: [email protected]: www.abcogroup.caPhone: (519) 742-0222Fax: (519) 748-4705

AerotekEmployment AgenciesAdam Cichorzewski, Account Manager4275 King Street East, Suite 310Kitchener, ON N2P 2E9Email: [email protected]: www.aerotekcanada.comPhone: (519) 707-1000Fax: (519) 707-1050

Alliance Selection Group Inc.Employment AgenciesGreg McKeown, Owner348A King Street EastCambridge, ON N3H 3M8Email: [email protected]: (519) 618-9269

Auburn DevelopmentsConstructionJamie Crich, President560 Wellington Street, 2nd floorLondon, ON N6A 3R4Email: [email protected]: www.auburndev.comPhone: (519) 954-3859Fax: (519) 954-4859

Boomers Senior Golf Tour Inc.Golf CoursesWilliam (Bill) Shaw, President360 Devonshire AvenueWoodstock, ON N4S 5P6Email: [email protected]: www.boomersseniorgolftour.comPhone: (519) 539-7987

Crankworks Creative Inc.Marketing ConsultantsYvan Lamouveur, Principal7 Richmond AvenueKitchener, ON N2G 1Z1Email: [email protected]: www.crankworkscreative.caPhone: (519) 741-0032

Dr. Wilma Stern-CavalcantePsychologists & Psychological AssociatesWilma Stern-Cavalcante,Clinical Psychologist99 Northfield Drive East, Unit 305Waterloo, ON N2K 3P9Email: [email protected]: www.kwpsychologicalservices.comPhone: (519) 954-7304Fax: (519) 954-7364

Edelweiss CateringCaterersLorne Miller, Owner600 Doon Village RoadKitchener, ON N2P 1G6Email: [email protected]: www.edelweisstavern.caPhone: (519) 748-0221Fax: (519) 748-4854

Euro Tech Window Industries -CambridgeWindows & DoorsIsabella Brener, Partner-Owner470 Collier MacMillan Drive, Unit 8Cambridge, ON N1R 5Y7Email: [email protected]: www.eurotechwindows.caPhone: (519) 623-4643Fax: (519) 622-4943

Galt Country Club LimitedGolf CoursesMichelle Kienitz, Membership& Marketing Manager750 Coronation BoulevardCambridge, ON N1R 8E3Email: [email protected]: www.galtcountryclub.comPhone: (519) 621-7020Fax: (519) 621-4955

King Street Trio UptownRestaurantsBrian Plouffe, Owner40 King Street SouthWaterloo, ON N2J 2W8Email: [email protected]: www.kingstreettrio.comPhone: (519) 804-9989Fax: (519) 744-9510

Miele Gallery GoemansAppliancesRuth Coneglio, Public Relations Manager151 Charles Street West,The Tannery BuildingKitchener, ON N2G 1H6Email: [email protected]: www.goemans.comPhone: (519) 578-0100

New Orleans Pizza - LaurelwoodPizzaRosie Kellendonk, Finance645 Laurelwood DriveWaterloo, ON N2V 2W9Email: [email protected]: www.neworleanspizza.caPhone: (519) 888-0887

New Orleans Pizza - UniversityPizzaRosie Kellendonk, Finance425 University Avenue East,Waterloo, ON N2K 4C9Email: [email protected]: www.neworleanspizza.caPhone: (519) 585-0002

New Orleans Pizza - WestforestPizzaRosie Kellendonk, Finance540 Westforest TrailKitchener, ON N2N 3J4Email: [email protected]: www.neworleanspizza.caPhone: (519) 743-0080



Our Homes MagazineMagazinesTracie Zorzi, Vice President / Publisher1375 Marshall CrescentMilton, ON L9T 6N4Email: [email protected]: www.ourhomesmagazine.comPhone: (905) 875-3509Fax: (905) 636-8395

PI Web SolutionsMarketing ConsultantsTyler Slijboom, Consultant40 Byton Lane,Cambridge, ON N1S 4L9Email: [email protected]: www.piwebsolutions.caPhone: (519) 622-7979Fax: (186) 691-0251

PM365 Inc.Property ManagementSandy Chambers, Leasing Manager18 Fischer Hallman Road NorthWaterloo, ON N2L 2X3Email: [email protected]: www.pm365.caPhone: (519) 886-5400Fax: (519) 886-5411

Renate Donnovan - EmergenceHypnotherapy & CoachingCoachingRenate Donnovan, Owner417 King Street West,Located in K-W Health ConnectKitchener, ON N2G 1C2Email: [email protected]: www.emergencehypnotherapy.comPhone: (226) 789-8983

Sports Properties International Inc.Marketing ConsultantsHugh Morrow,Chief Executive Officer / Chairman584 Colby Drive, Unit 1Waterloo, ON N2V 1A2Email:[email protected]: www.sportspropertiesinternational.comPhone: (519) 884-5742

Trovo Resources Inc.Employment AgenciesTony Pace, Managing Director30 Duke Street West, 10th FloorKitchener, ON N2H 3W5Email: [email protected]: www.trovoresources.comPhone: (519) 804-1591Fax: (519) 342-0970

Ultimate Vision Web Design &ConsultingWebsite Design & DevelopmentCraig Herner, Owner66 Mooregate Crescent, Unit 601Kitchener, ON N2M 5E6Email: [email protected]: www.uvwebdesign.comPhone: (519) 749-9741

WNCC 37(Sanderson Management Inc.)CondominiumsCasey Beacock, Property Manager225 Harvard PlaceWaterloo, ON N2J 4H4Email: [email protected]: www.sandersonmanagement.comPhone: (519) 884-3140Fax: (519) 884-6002

WSI | Absolute MarketingSolutions Inc.Marketing ConsultantsHenry Bendik, Owner640 Waterbury LaneWaterloo, ON N2V 2C4Email: [email protected]: www.thinkwsi.comPhone: (226) 565-2303

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feature


Laurier’s Global Innovation Exchange will fostergreater engagement with business communityDR. MAX BLOUW

It has been a wonderful year for Wilfrid Laurier University as wecelebrate our 100th anniversary as a post-secondary institution andas an engaged member of the local community.

Laurier traces its roots to the opening of the Evangelical LutheranSeminary of Canada in 1911. From the very beginning, theuniversity has enjoyed a supportive relationship with the localbusiness community. As historian Kenneth McLaughlin noted inthe previous issue of the Advocate, the Waterloo Board of Trade,through the generosity and foresight of local business andcommunity leaders, provided the five acres of land upon which theWaterloo seminary was established.

Indeed, this region’s enduring prosperity is due in no small way tothe recognition among local leaders that post-secondary educationis vital to the health of a community.

This understanding was evident when Kitchener Centre MPPJohn Milloy, Ontario’s Minister of Training, Colleges andUniversities, recently announced that the province was investing$72.6 million in Laurier’s new Global Innovation Exchange, a$103-million educational facility that will be built on UniversityAvenue on the site of the former St. Michael’s school, across fromLaurier’s Waterloo campus.

The Global Innovation Exchange is a transformational project thatwill propel Laurier’s renowned School of Business & Economics tonew heights. Both a concept and a physical structure, the GlobalInnovation Exchange will house Laurier’s business and economicsprograms together with our mathematics programs. The buildingwill include classrooms, lecture halls, math and computer labs, anauditorium, and meeting space, all of which will be equipped withthe latest technology to enhance the university’s interaction withindustry and academic partners locally and around the world.

At four storeys and 215,000 square feet, this exciting new facilitywill enable Laurier to accommodate an additional 2,000 students.More importantly, it will bring Laurier’s unique focus onintegrated and experiential learning together with partners at thelocal, national and international levels.

The Global Innovation Exchange will also help Laurier carry onthe tradition of mutual support that has existed between theuniversity and the community for the past century.

Over the years, Laurier has provided tens of thousands of youngpeople — many fromWaterloo Region — with the quality

education they need to pursue successful careers in a wide range ofindustries. The university has also worked hard to developprofessional development opportunities for working people whowant to improve their knowledge and skills. Laurier was the first inCanada to offer a one-year MBA, and our part-time MBA optionsare popular with those balancing education and full-time jobs.More recently, we’ve added the Laurier Executive DevelopmentCentre and an Executive Masters in Technology Managementprogram. As well, Laurier is a founding partner in theCommunitech Hub in Kitchener, where our faculty and studentsinteract with aspiring and established technology entrepreneurs.

Laurier is a leader in applied business research. The School ofBusiness & Economics is home to research chairs and researchcentres in a variety of areas, from financial services and supplychain management to insurance, brand communication and themanagement of technology enterprises.

For the past century, local business leaders have supported theuniversity through volunteer leadership, student mentorship andfinancial support. Laurier will again need this support as we workto secure the $30-million investment that is still needed, inaddition to the province’s $72.6-million contribution, to realizeour full vision for the Global Innovation Exchange.

We’re confident that the people of Waterloo Region and thebusiness community will recognize the value in supporting thisstate-of-the-art educational facility. As TheWaterloo RegionRecord said in a recent editorial, the province’s contribution to thisproject “is, at once, a meaningful recognition both of what WilfridLaurier has achieved and what it can accomplish in the years ahead.”

To learn more about the Global Innovation Exchange and how youcan participate, please contact Rob Donelson, Vice-President ofDevelopment and Alumni Relations, at [email protected].

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr. Max Blouw

Dr. Max Blouw is the President and Vice-Chancellor of Wilfrid Laurier University.

cover story

The importance of aggregates for the future ofWaterloo RegionBY NICHOLAS BOGAERT

Aggregate extraction has been a hot topic in the communityrecently, as evidenced by high levels of media attention and publicinvolvement in current applications. Proposals for new orexpanded extraction sites can cause substantial controversy. Thecommon refrain from groups opposed to new pits and quarries issome acceptance of the need for aggregate, but opposition to aspecific proposal because itis in the wrong place. Itseems “the wrong place”depends on thecircumstance, and could befarmland, a natural area, arural residential area, acultural resource, or theGreenbelt. These positionscannot all be correct. Thereality is that aggregate canonly be extracted where itgeologically occurs, andthis often involves areaswith competing land usesor resources.

It is well established thataggregate resources play animportant part of our dailylives. They are used in the construction of our roads, bridges,homes, schools, and hospitals. The following are some examplesof the amount of aggregates used in some typical constructionactivities:

- A brick home typically uses about 22 truck loads;

- The average school needs approximately 650 truck loads;

- A typical large office block uses approximately 800 truck loads;

- One kilometer of a six-lane road utilizes approximately 2,590truck loads.

As Waterloo Region continues to experience strong economic andpopulation growth (60% population growth and 55% employmentgrowth projected between 2001 and 2031), an increasing amountof aggregates will be required to construct buildings and renew /

build our public infrastructure. Much of the new growth is tooccur in built-up areas in the form of infill development, and thetrend will be to move away from single family homes in favour ofmore apartments and townhouses. This is not expected to reduceoverall aggregate consumption, and will require more high-qualityaggregates (such as crushed stone) for larger buildings.

In 2010, Ontario producedapproximately 166 milliontonnes of aggregates, withWaterloo Regioncontributing 7.5 milliontonnes (4.5%). As localsupplies of aggregatesincreasingly becomedepleted, new sources arerequired to replace them.Recycling of aggregateproducts is on the rise(amount recycled doubledbetween 1991 and 2006),but it cannot replace theneed for new licencedreserves.

There are inherentenvironmental and economic benefits to making aggregateresources available close to where they are required. Extractingaggregate resources further from market areas consumes morefossil fuels and produces more greenhouse gases, due to longertransportation distances. Moving aggregate operations furtheraway only transfers the impacts to other areas of the Province.There may be less people living in the immediate area of a remotepit or quarry, but the material still has to be transported to marketareas (such as Kitchener-Waterloo) through the use of more largetrucks on our highways, more trains on rail lines travelling throughnumerous communities, and additional urban fringe redistribution/ transfer yards. There is a movement towards increasing the localsourcing and consumption of food to reduce trucking costs andenvironmental impacts, and the same principle should apply toaggregate resources. In fact, this has been the cornerstone ofOntario aggregate policy for decades.


PORTION OF REHABILITATION AREA AT THE DUFFERIN AGGREGATES MILTON QUARRY(SOURCE: DUFFERIN AGGREGATES)

cover story

In Ontario, a sophisticated planning system protects the mostimportant environmental features and directs aggregate extractionto rural areas. Approximately 25 pieces of provincial and federallegislation apply to the extraction of aggregate resources. Newapplications must complete a variety of studies, examining aspectssuch as land use compatibility, traffic, noise, and environmental

impacts (including water and natural heritage). These studies arereviewed in detail by the Provincial Ministries, Municipalities, andConservation Authorities. The decision by the Province (or theOntario Municipal Board in the case of an appeal) to issue anaggregate licence is based on a number of factors, includingminimizing social and environmental impacts.

Aggregate operations are required to be rehabilitated tocompatible after-uses following the completion of extraction, andthere are some excellent rehabilitation examples located inSouthern Ontario. Examples include: rehabilitation to public use(Snyder’s Flats along the Grand River outside Kitchener, DonValley Brick Works in Toronto, Kerncliffe Park in Burlington);rehabilitation to specialty crop lands (tender fruit production andvineyards on the Niagara Peninsula); rehabilitation to golf courses(Osprey Valley in Caledon, Fanshawe Golf and Country Club inLondon), rehabilitation to urban uses (U of T Erindale Campus inMississauga), and thousands of acres of land rehabilitated toagricultural and pasture use.

Aggregates are an integral part of modern society, and if southernOntario is to continue to accommodate more growth as outlined inthe Provincial Places to Grow plan, additional aggregate resourceswill continue to be required. Aggregate operations can co-existwith other rural uses through careful site design and working withthe local community.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Nicholas Bogaert

Nicholas Bogaert is a Senior Planner withMacNaughton Hermsen Britton ClarksonPlanning Limited, who is a planning,urban design, and landscape architecturefirm with offices located in Kitchener,Woodbridge, London, Barrie, andKingston. He is a land use planner, withexpertise in aggregate resourcemanagement, heritage resource planning,subdivision planning and design, andcommercial planning and site design.

REHABILITATION TO TENDER FRUIT LANDS AT THE LAFARGE FONTHILL PIT(SOURCE: MHBC)

REHABILITATION AT SYNDER’S FLATS (SOURCE: MHBC)

events

Mark your calendarBY CHAMBER STAFF


September 14, 20112011 Annual General Meeting

4:30-7:00pmLocation: Waterloo Inn Conference HotelAdmission: Complimentary

September 20, 2011Chamber After 5 regionaltradeshow4:00-8:00pmLocation: BingemansAdmission: Complimentary

September 22, 2011Networking Breakfast Seriespresents State of the Arts7:00-9:00pmLocation: Holiday Inn KitchenerMember Advantage: $28General Admission: $40

*A panel discussion will explore what’s reallygoing on in our local arts organizations andwhy it’s good business to support the arts.

September 29, 2011Research In Motion ChamberYoung Professionals Kick-OffEvent5:00-7:00pmLocation: Walper Terrace HotelMember Advantage: $5General Admission: $10

Title Sponsor:

October 4, 2011Cowan Insurance Group presents aNew Member Welcome5:00-7:00pmAdmission: Complimentary

Learn how working together can work foryou! Find out how the Chamber’s servicesand events can help your business grow.Learn about volunteer opportunities andnetwork with other new and currentChamber members.

Title Sponsor:

Host:

Notice of Revision to Chamber By-Laws

The Chamber Board of Directors Governance Committee is recommending to the Membership that the Chamber General By-Laws(No. 1) be revised. A blackline version of Chamber General By-Law (No .1) showing the revisions being recommended can be viewedonline at www.greaterkwchamber.com, as well as the clean version of the revised Chamber General By-Law (No. 1). Visit the websiteand click on “Media Centre” and select “Nominating Committee Report” dated July 29, 2011. The Chamber membership will vote onthe approval of the revisions to Chamber General By-Law (No. 1) at the 2011 Annual General Meeting on September 14, 2011.

events


October 4, 2011Rogers Chamber Connections5:00-7:00pmLocation: Waterloo-WellingtonFlight CentreMember Advantage: ** New this season-Complimentary admission**General Admission: $10

*Does networking intimidate you or doyou thrive on meeting new people? Comeout to this casual bi-monthly event withfriendly faces and easy conversation thatprovides an opportunity for B2Bnetworking.

Title Sponsor:

Host:

October 13, 2011Chamberfest6:00pm-9:00pm(Ticket also includes access to the Tent forthe remainder of the night)Location: Concordia Hall,Concordia ClubAdmission: $35

*Don’t miss an opportunity to entertainyour clients at one of Kitchener-Waterloo’s most distinctive eventattractions: Oktoberfest! For $35, receiveadmission to Corporate Night atConcordia Club, a Souvenir pin, one (1)serving of schnitzel or sausage on a bun, acomplimentary beer and enjoy anetworking opportunity that includesOktoberfest programming such asauthentic German dancers and the tappingof the Keg.

October 25, 2011Research In Motion ChamberYoung Professionals7:00pmKitchener Memorial Auditorium Complex

*Rangers vs. London Game

Title Sponsor:

October 26, 2011Women’s Leadership Committeepresents a Financial Planning Event11:30am-1:30pmLocation: Waterloo Inn Conference Hotel

feature


2011 Election of Directors Nominating Committee’sSlate of Candidates Nominee Profiles

Kathryn Allamby is responsible for providing strategic support to divisional senior management, as well as oversight and leadershipto the finance teams across the division. Her accountabilities include leading the division’s financial planning and reporting processes,ensuring a robust accounting and control environment across the division, and partnering with businesses on key transactions andinitiatives.

During her 15-year tenure with Manulife, Kathryn has held a variety of positions and was appointed to her current role in April 2006.Prior to that, she played leadership roles in the U.S. Insurance Business Unit; Corporate Controllers where she was responsible for co-ordinating the company-wide planning and management reporting functions; and Corporate Risk Management.

Prior to joining Manulife, Kathryn worked at another global life insurance company and articled at KPMG in Toronto. Kathryn is aChartered Accountant and holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Toronto.

Rick Baker is Founder and Chairman of Spirited Leaders Corporation (Spirited Leaders). Spirited Leaders is an education resource, acompany created to help local business leaders build the business success they desire - with focus on positive culture, strong businessvalues, people strengths, and positive change.

Rick has served as a Director on the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce Board since 2007. Prior to his appointment tothe Board, Rick was Chair of the Chamber Energy & Environment Forum Committee, and a member of the Chamber NetworkingBreakfast Series Committee. He has played an active role in business development for over 20 years as Founder and CEO of SpiritedInvestors Corporation and Founder and President of Baker Investment Group Inc. (BIG Inc), BEST Co. Inc. (now, VIP EnergyServices Inc.), The Baker Energy Service & Trading Company Inc. (The BEST Co), Gazbec Inc., and Gas Ontario Inc., all based inWaterloo. Rick also was a Founder and owner of Cibola Canada Energy Marketing Company (Kitchener) and the Founding Chairmanof the Ontario Energy Marketers Association (Toronto).

Rick has served as Chair on industry self-regulating associations, managed major energy industry rule changes, and is well known andrespected both in the energy industry and the business community. He also served as a Director of the Brantford Chamber ofCommerce in 1989-1990.

Brian Bennett has been on the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors since 2005.

Brian has over 28 years of extensive Financial Services experience in retail and commercial banking, and is currently a self employedProfessional Consultant. Brian has lived in a number of communities in Southwestern Ontario during his career, and has been an activeparticipant in local activities. He lived in Waterloo Region from 1996-1998 and relocated here again in 2004.

He is a graduate of the University of Windsor with a Bachelor of Commerce degree, and is a Fellow of the Institute of CanadianBankers.

Paul Eichinger has been with Coldwell Banker Peter Benninger Realty (CBPBR) since September of 2004 as Vice President ofDevelopment Services. Paul provides direction and support (in a non-licensed capacity) for a variety of development related projects andactivities. Paul came to CBPBR from the City of Waterloo, where he served in several roles, including Director of EconomicDevelopment.

Paul’s engineering training and background, and his experience in land development, building construction, real estate and economicdevelopment are skills that are beneficial to both the clients and staff at CBPBR.

Paul is a member of the Professional Engineers of Ontario, and has been a Chamber Board member for two years and a member of theChamber’s Regional and Municipal Affairs Committee for over 10 years. Paul is also a member of the University of Waterloo President’sGolf Tournament Committee and is the former Chairman of the Board of Advisors for the Waterloo Region Small Business Centre.

KATHRYN ALLAMBY, CAVice President & ChiefAccountant, Canadian DivisionManulife Financial

W.F.C. (RICK) BAKER,P. Eng.Founder & ChairmanSpirited LeadersCorporation

BRIAN BENNETTProfessional ConsultantBME Consulting

PAUL EICHINGER,P. Eng.Vice President,Development ServicesColdwell Banker PeterBenninger Realty (CBPBR)

feature


Sabrina Fitzgerald is a senior manager in the Tax group of PwC. Sabrina is a Chartered Accountant, and specializes in the high networth area working with small to medium sized business owners on succession planning, estate planning, remuneration strategies, andcorporate re-organizations as well as corporate and personal tax integration. She is also an active member of the PwC Private CompanyServices team in Waterloo.

Her keen interest in entrepreneurship was developed at an early age being involved in several family businesses over the years, includingrunning a franchise from both the perspective of a franchisee and franchisor.

She received an Honours Bachelor Degree in Business Administration fromWilfrid Laurier University, with a minor in Business French.

Sabrina is an active member in the community, a Past-President for the Waterloo Wellington CA Association, a member of the Centrefor Family Business, Waterloo Wellington Estate Planners Council, Women’s Leadership Exchange, and a committee member for theChamber of Commerce Breakfast Networking Series.

Neil Henderson is a partner practising in the Borden Ladner Gervais (BLG) Waterloo Region office. Neil earned a B.A.Sc. inEngineering Science from the University of Toronto in 1986 and obtained a law degree from the University of Western Ontario in1990. Neil is a registered Canadian and United States patent and trade-mark agent.

Neil has a depth of experience in working with clients ranging from individuals, SMEs, to large multi-nationals. Although his specialtyis Intellectual Property law, he is sometimes described as a corporate commercial lawyer who knows way too much about IP. Because ofhis engineering background, he takes a practical, system-based, and inventive approach to working with clients on their legal issues andopportunities.

Dave Jaworsky is the Senior Director of Corporate Responsibility at Research In Motion, the designer and manufacturer of the BlackBerry®smartphone. Dave and his team manage global corporate citizenship, and BlackBerry sustainability & accessibility initiatives for RIM.

Dave serves on the boards of the Ottawa Centre for Research and Innovation (OCRI), Communitech and the Greater Kitchener WaterlooChamber of Commerce. He is a former board member of the Centre for Communications and Information Technology (CCIT, part of theOntario Centres of Excellence organization). He is an active volunteer in his community, working with Capacity Waterloo Region, theChamber’s Health Care Resource Council, the Airport Business Advisory Committee, as well as minor sports.

Dave has been working in the Canadian high-tech sector for 25 years, in roles ranging from software development to corporate sales. Davejoined RIM over 10 years ago, and he holds a Bachelor of Mathematics degree in Computer Science from the University of Waterloo. Davelives in Waterloo with his wife and two sons.

Cameron Kozlowski is the Commercial Banking Area Manager at BMO Bank of Montreal with responsibility for the bank’scommercial financial services in Kitchener, Waterloo and Cambridge. Cameron has been employed with BMO for over three years andhas held several senior commercial positions. Prior to joining BMO, Cameron worked in financial services for 21 years at the Canadianoperations of a major international bank in the areas of commercial, retail, corporate, loan recovery and asset acquisitions.

Cameron has a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Manitoba with majors in Finance and Economics combined withaccreditations from the Canadian Securities Institute and Institute of Canadian Bankers. Continuing education goals include thecompletion of a CGA designation and enrolment in a MBA program.

Cameron is a member of the Kitchener Westmount Rotary Club and has held various board positions. He also served on the board ofthe Kitchener Waterloo Alzheimer Society and the Finance Committee of Knox Presbyterian Church Waterloo.

Cameron was born and raised in Gimli, Manitoba. He has worked and resided in Kitchener-Waterloo for the past nine years. Cameron ismarried and has three children.

Sandra Schelling is the Dean of Continuing Education and Corporate Training at Conestoga College. Prior to Conestoga sheworked at York University in the Centre of Continuing Education meeting the needs of the GTA. She is active in numerous collegeboards including the Provincial Contract Training Network that meets the needs of local industry province-wide, and the Heads ofContinuing Education that meets the needs of individuals upgrading their skills.

SABRINA FITZGERALDSenior Manager, Tax GroupPwC

NEIL HENDERSONPartnerBLG Borden LadnerGervais LLP

DAVID JAWORSKYSenior Director, CorporateResponsibilityResearch in Motion

CAMERON KOZLOWSKICommercial Banking AreaManagerBMO Bank of Montreal

SANDRA SCHELLINGDean, Continuing Education &Corporate TrainingConestoga College

feature


Ron Schertzer has 30 years of National and International business experience from the electrical, packaging, and most recentlygeothermal industries. He is presently Vice President, Sales for NextEnergy and is responsible for NextEnergy's Regional SalesManagers, Business Development staff, as well as their National network of more than 250 qualified dealers and installers.

Prior to joining NextEnergy, Ron was Vice President with the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA), who is responsible for public electricalsafety in the Province of Ontario. Ron is an expert in creating and implementing regulatory systems, as well as training standards.

Tim Sothern is a Partner with BDO Canada LLP Chartered Accountants and Advisors. He is a Chartered Accountant and receivedhis BBA fromWilfrid Laurier University and his MBA from the University of British Columbia. Tim is also a Certified HumanResources Professional (CHRP).

An active Chamber member, Tim’s volunteer commitment spans more than 15 years and has included commitments to the United Way,Supportive Housing of Waterloo, Waterloo Minor Girls Softball Association, and the Waterloo Catholic District School Board. Timhas been a member of the Chamber Volunteer and Member Services Committee since 2003, including 2006 and 2007 as its Chair. Timhas also chaired the Committee Leadership Group meetings for the Chamber and in 2007 was the winner of the “Volunteer of the Year”award at the annual Chamber Business Excellence Awards. Tim was appointed to the Chamber’s Board of Directors as Treasurer inMarch 2008. He now serves as the Board Secretary and is a member of the Board Finance and Governance committees.

A resident of Waterloo, Sandra Stone has been the General Manager of Conestoga Mall for the last 12 years. She has worked withIvanhoe Cambridge Inc.* (owner of Conestoga Mall) for 23 years, serving in various marketing and management positions at MarketSquare (Kitchener), Burlington Mall, Waterloo Town Square and Lynden Park Mall (Brantford), as well as the Regional CustomerService Manager overseeing customer service functions of 16 regional shopping centres in Ontario, Manitoba and Nova Scotia.

Prior to joining the commercial real estate industry, Sandra was the national marketing manager of a Kitchener-based chain of jewellerystores, which saw growth from 12 to 32 stores in six years. Originally from Northern Ontario, Sandra was attracted to the Kitchener-Waterloo area when recruited to work in the Record's advertising department.

She is the Canadian representative on an ICSC committee focused on education and professional development. Sandra is also a memberof the K-W Oktoberfest Advisory Committee and the City of Waterloo's Economic Development Committee. She previously served onthe joint Kitchener Waterloo StormWater Management Advisory Committee, City of Waterloo 150th Anniversary Committee,Waterloo Region District School Board Fast Forward Advisory Council as well as several fundraising events.

For the past four years, Sandra's professional focus has been on the expansion and redevelopment of Conestoga Mall.

*Ivanhoe Cambridge Inc. has been named one of Canada's 50 best employers for the past six years.

Martin van Nierop is currently Senior Director, Government Relations and Strategic Initiatives at the University of Waterloo. Hehas been in this role for the past two years, at one point also wearing another hat as Director of Communications & Public Affairs, thelatter position he enjoyed for more than 20 years and four presidents.

As Government Relations Director, he is commissioned to work with all levels of government — municipal, provincial, federal and evenforeign, to advance the university’s priorities. He works closely with political leadership, government staff and the business communityto ensure that there is advancement on key projects (such as LRT) for the university, community, government and all stakeholders.

He has been involved with the business community in a number of ways, typically as Director of the university’s public affairsdepartment. He has enjoyed working closely with such business community and advocacy organizations as Leadership Waterloo,Communitech, CTT, and the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce. His current role as Government Relations SeniorDirector is an excellent conduit for close collaboration with the business leadership of Waterloo Region and beyond.

Martin is a resident of the City of Waterloo, is married with two daughters, and enjoys coaching hockey and soccer.

RON SCHERTZERVice President, SalesNextEnergy Inc.

TIM SOTHERNPartnerBDO Canada LLP

SANDRA STONEGeneral ManagerConestoga Mall(Ivanhoe Cambridge Inc.)

MARTIN VAN NIEROPSenior Director, GovernmentRelations & Strategic InitiativesUniversity of Waterloo

feature


The first executive MSc program in technology and innovation for up-and-coming leaders in Canada

This one year program meets on alternating weekends on our Waterloo campus

E M T M

L E A D I N G A N I N N O V A T I V E O R G A N I Z A T I O N

We welcome our inaugural class of Fall 2011

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sponsor profile

At Borden Ladner Gervais LLP (BLG), our drive to deliver thebest possible results for all our clients goes beyond the walls of ouroffices. Our tradition of service to the community is born out ofour responsibility and commitment to the communities in whichwe are located. As such, BLG has proudly supported the GreaterKitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce as a corporatesponsor since 2006.

BLG has deep roots in the Kitchener-Waterloo communitythrough its predecessor firms in the region, most recently viajoining forces with the team from Shortt Hanbidge Richardsonand Welch in 2008.

BLG's Waterloo Region office has access to a national firm and isable to assist with all of your legal needs, including a completerange of day-to-day and transactional corporate, intellectualproperty, commercial and residential real estate, and labour andemployment legal services. Our clients benefit from access tonational resources and expertise on any given area of law, whileenjoying the personal relationships that make the region a uniqueplace to do business.

Our Firm believes it is important to support the organizations thathelp our communities thrive. Collaboration with our communityorganizations is a key element to the success of the WaterlooRegion office, and without it, we wouldn’t be the largest and oneof the most successful law firms in Canada.

In addition to our corporate sponsorship of the Chamber, manymembers of our Waterloo Region office are active participants inthe Chamber. For example, Suzanne Gross, a member of ournational Business Development team, has been a member of theWomen's Leadership Committee since 2006 and the Chair sincelate 2009. She was invited to the committee after acting as theFirm's liaison with the Chamber.

Drawing on his previous work experience in the environmentalbusiness arena, Chris Toal, a Corporate/Commercial lawyer, hasserved as the Chamber's representative on the Region ofWaterloo's Water Efficiency and Advisory Committee since 2007,and was recently re-appointed for a three-year term. Chris has also

helped coordinate speakers for the Chamber's Energy andEnvironment Forum on topics of interest to the local businesscommunity, such as the region's Commercial, Industrial,Institutional Water Efficiency programs.

Also in our Business Development department, Alexis Conrad is aformer employee of the Chamber, working as the Events andSponsorship Manager from 2006 to 2008. Since joining BLG,Alexis continues to work with the Chamber as a volunteer on theBusiness Excellence Awards Committee and more recently, thePhysician Recruitment Task Force.

BLG's sponsorship of the Chamber also allows us to further servethe region's business community by supporting the Chamber'sadvocacy efforts. Understanding your business and how legalchanges affect you today and tomorrow is BLG's business, and likeus, the Chamber plays a major role in listening to the wants andneeds of the business community in order to help it succeed.

"BLG knows that the Chamber is an important and effective partof supporting our clients' interests and the interests of the greaterbusiness community," said Neil Henderson, BLG's WaterlooRegion Office Managing Partner. "The Waterloo Region is hometo a diverse business community that encompasses both traditionalindustries and high-tech players and the Chamber gives us acohesive voice that advocates for our collective interests."

The Chamber acts as an important partner to the Firm to help usachieve our goals. For example, the Chamber and BLG areinvolved in similar recruitment activities to attract the best andbrightest professionals to the area. Just as the Chamber has beenworking tirelessly to attract new family physicians to the area, ourWaterloo Region office has been actively scouting the top legaltalent from around the world.

Recently, BLG welcomed Todd Bissett to the team. Todd is anM&A lawyer who has worked in Beijing and Shanghai, China, andSilicon Valley, California. His wealth of knowledge andinternational experience not only allows BLG to better serve ourclients, his connections to venture capital firms abroad is an assetto the region's business community as a whole.


Borden Ladner Gervais LLP advocating for theChamber's future successBY ALEXIS CONRAD

sponsor profile

The Firm's involvement in the Chamber has also played a majorrole in our networking initiatives, helping us grow our business bydeveloping relationships with existing and new Chamber members.The Chamber's networking events are also a fantastic way ofintegrating new members of our team into the businesscommunity. For example, when Leah Elliott, of our CommercialReal Estate Group, joined the Firm in 2009, the Chamber playedan essential role in introducing Leah to her current network.

Outside the Chamber, many of our team members are involved invarious groups throughout the region. Leah sits on theCommunitech Board, and Jeffrey Wong, a Partner and Patent Agentat BLG, is an active volunteer and board member of Ray of Hope.Also, Matt Certosimo, a Labour and Employment lawyer with BLG,is a member of Wilfrid Laurier University's Board of Governors.

Whether volunteering with a local community group or sitting ona committee with the Chamber, BLG's professionals and staff areactively involved in the Waterloo Region. We take great pride inour citizenship role and strive to continue to deliver meaningfulbenefit to the region through our partnership with organizationslike the Chamber.

For more information on BLG, please visit blg.com


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Alexis Conrad

Alexis Conrad is the BLG Business Development Manager,Waterloo Region.

FRONT ROW (LEFT TO RIGHT): NEIL HENDERSON, LEAH ELLIOTT, LARRY RICHARDSON, HEATHER TANNER, JEFF WONG

BACK ROW (LEFT TO RIGHT): KEN HANBIDGE, SUZANNE GROSS, TODD BISSETT, ALEXIS CONRAD

ABSENT: DAVE SHORTT AND CHRIS TOAL

profile


Chamber Star - Don Wales

2012 CALENDAR

Produced by the KWSVolunteer Committee; all proceeds support theKitchener-Waterloo Symphony.

Only $10!

Purchase the 2012 Leejay Levene calendar online orthrough local businesses. For details, go tokwsymphony.ca/calendar

If your business would like to sell these calendars on our behalf please [email protected].

buytoday! kwsymphony.ca/calendar 519.745.4711 888.745.4717

PRESENTED BY

Founded in 1948

musicforyou

IN SUPPORT OF

The Chamber Star was developed to recognize volunteers and is away for the Chamber to show appreciation for their significantefforts. It is awarded to an active committee member three timesa year, following a Committee Chair nomination process. We areexcited to announce that Don Wales is the newest recipient of theChamber Star.

Don is Chair of the Chamber Connections Committee and amember of the Golf Committee. He played an active role inrevamping the Business After 5 event series into the successfulChamber Connections it is today. Don has a positive attitude andenergy which is seen in everything he does.

Through his commitment to volunteering, he has introduced newexhibitors to the Chamber Connections series and has assistedwith creatively strategizing new sponsorship and silent auctionideas for the Chamber’s Golf Scramble. This has made Don aninvaluable asset to the Chamber and the committees where heparticipates.

Don is a Registered Insurance Broker for Commercial Lines atErb and Erb Insurance Brokers Ltd. He has been in this role forthe past year. Prior to working in Commercial Lines, Don assistedin the Personal Lines Department since September 8th, 2009.Don worked in Marketing at Enterprise Rent-A-Car before hismove to insurance.

Thank you Don, for your time and support of the Chamber,its members, and our community!

member notables


Member notables

(continued on page 28)

MMMC Architects

MMMC Architects, a full service architectural firm with studios in both Kitchener andBrantford, is proud to be the recipient of the Chamber of Commerce Brantford -Brant’s 2011 Company of the Year Award.

Based in Brantford since 1960, MMMC Architects Kitchener Studio opened in 2006 tobetter service the fast growing golden triangle area. The Kitchener Studio, a member ofthe Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce since 2009, employs 8 full-time staff and the Brantford Studio currently has 19 employees.

MMMC Architects KW projects include the recently opened new Anselma HouseWomen’s Shelter, Sunnyside Long-Term Care Home, W.T. Townshend Public School,St. Luke Catholic Elementary School, Cambridge Library & Gallery and the iconicKinsmen Headquarters.

Funding Announcements for improvements at Region ofWaterloo International Airport

The Region of Waterloo International Airport recently secured significant fundingcommitments from the federal and provincial governments for facility improvementsand upgrades.

The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities,announced $3.2 million in federal funding on August 2, 2011. Under the AirportsCapital Assistance Program (ACAP), the money will be used to partially rehabilitate thepavement on Runway 08-26.

On August 3, local officials gathered at the airport to officially open the new combinedmaintenance and fire hall facility. The governments of Canada and Ontario eachcommitted nearly $2.4 million towards this project through the Infrastructure StimulusFund. The Region of Waterloo contributed the balance of the total eligible project costof $7.1 million.

New Executive Director for Kitchener Waterloo Humane Society

On June 29th, 2011 the Board of Directors for the Kitchener Waterloo HumaneSociety announced the appointment of Jack Kinch as Executive Director.

Mr. Kinch possesses an extensive background in business leadership across the privateand public sectors and has, for the last decade, managed community programs for theYMCAs of Greater Toronto and Simcoe/Muskoka. His experience includesorganizational development, operations management, business development and humanresource management.

The Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce would like to congratulateMr. Kinch on his appointment and welcome him to our community.

member notables


(continued from page 27)

K-W Realtors donate $23,000 to ROOF

The Kitchener-Waterloo Association of Realtors (KWAR) recently donated $23,000 toReaching Our Outdoor Friends (ROOF), a local organization providing support tohomeless and at-risk youth. The donation originated from KWAR’s 18th annual charitygolf tournament held at Conestoga Golf Club on Tuesday, June 21, 2011.

With the support of many sponsors, the 2011 tournament exceeded last year’sfundraising effort by $3,000. Since 1993, KWAR has donated more than half a milliondollars to support local charities.

The Frugal Decorator & Boutique Grand Re-Opening

On Thursday July 28, 2011, The Frugal Decorator & Boutique held a grand openingparty at their new 50 Ottawa Street South, Unit 101 facility in Kitchener.

Carolann Mackie, the Frugal Decorator, and her staff offer a wide variety of services forresidential and commercial projects including colour consulting, space planning,lighting plans and residential staging to sell. The new location is a unique retro-fittedspace with brand new home decor.

The MT Spaces receives grant

The MT Space recently received a $100,000 grant from the Ontario TrilliumFoundation (OTF). These funds are specifically dedicated to hiring a general managerto focus on the day-to-day development and sustainability of the company over the nexttwo years.

MPP for Kitchener Centre John Milloy and Ontario Trillium Foundationrepresentative Peter Hinchcliffe announced the financial support of the OTF at theofficial launch of IMPACT 11 on July 27th at The Walper Hotel.

IMPACT 11, which runs September 21–25, 2011, received an essential boost of $48,000from the Canadian Heritage and $25,000 from the Kitchener and WaterlooCommunity Foundation earlier this summer.

Member Notables are taken from local news sources and member submissions. In order to be considered “notable” an item must be an accomplishmentor event that is outside of the ordinary course of business and therefore deemed newsworthy. While we would like to include all submissions, space constraints

make it necessary for the Advocate editors to choose items that best fit the above criteria and are most timely.


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feature


Being Solutions-Focused:business priorities for the 2011 electionBY LEN CRISPINO

Elections are a time for platforms and promises, debate anddivision. But they can also be a time for ideas and insight, valourand vision. It is during these times that advocacy can have themost impact on Ontario’s future prosperity.

The Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) has been Ontario’snon-partisan business advocate for 100 years and acutely aware ofhow critical government policy is to the competitiveness ofOntario’s business community.

Public policy can encourage or deter foreign direct investment. Itcan upskill workers and legislate safe working environments. Itcan mandate industry practices and bind businesses in red tape.Government can ease or increase the cost of doing business.

Hence the private sector’s keen interest in Ontario’s 40th generalelection. Where will the elected members of Ontario’s 40thLegislative Assembly take the province over the next four years?

The OCC, in direct consultation with its members and thebusiness community at large, have identified several public policyareas of strategic importance to the private sector in Ontario.They all play a critical role in creating a world-renowned businessenvironment.

One priority is eliminating the provincial deficit.

The province’s fiscal situation is a significant impediment toOntario’s future prosperity. Thus, it is important for the newgovernment to accelerate the pace for balancing its budgetarydeficit. Such action maintains Ontario’s dept-GDP ratio in areasonable range over the next five years.

Elimination of the deficit is intrinsically linked to improvingOntario’s economic outlook and attracting foreign directinvestment, much like tax change – another priority for businessesacross Ontario.

Decreases to corporate and personal income, business educationand fuel taxes are important to attracting investment to theprovince and keeping the businesses that are already here healthyand vibrant as well. Capital costs, Ontario Health Premiums andpayments associated with the Workers Safety and Insurance Boardall contribute to a heavily burdened private sector.

But enhancing economic activity is not only about cutting taxesand eliminating deficits. Strategic investments into basic publicservices are also needed to boost productivity and encourageinvestment.

Transportation infrastructure is one such public service that is apriority for businesses in Ontario. With the growing populationand increased pace and quantity of cross-border and inter-provincial trade, Ontario’s transportation infrastructure requiresmajor new investments to overcome existing constraints.

Ontario is also in desperate need of a reliable and sustainableenergy infrastructure that will serve the growing number of users,including new enterprise. Energy is closely tied to the cost ofdoing business and is evermore a determining factor in where toinvest and set up production facilities. Thus, energy costs arecausing trepidation among more and more businesses across theprovince.

All of that said, while the public sector is working to reduce thedeficit and tax burdens and make strategic investments, the privatesector has an important role to play in boosting innovation.

Existing provincial innovation policy results in many emergingopportunities and valuable investments being missed or arisingelsewhere outside the province. This is a major concern forOntario businesses and the overall economy. To reverse this trend,Ontario needs to increase its focus on fostering a culture ofinnovation and supporting research and developmentopportunities that can yield high return on investment.

With a combined 225 years of advocacy experience, the OntarioChamber of Commerce and the Greater Kitchener WaterlooChamber of Commerce are committed to working with theGovernment of Ontario and all local chambers and boards oftrade to find solutions to the issues facing the private sector inOntario. Working together and being solutions-focused can onlyserve to make the province stronger and more prosperous.

For more information on the Ontario Chamber of Commerce,visit www.occ.on.ca.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Len Crispino

Len Crispino is the President and CEO of theOntario Chamber of Commerce.

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the advocate magazine - september | october 2011

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