UPFRONT

‘The greatest gift’ Ten years after 9/11, the legacy of the special bond between stranded passengers and their local hosts remains strong

Story and photos by Rob Antle

he contributions have streamed “To me personally, 9/11 events in in from all over the world. They Lewisporte have provided innumerable began the day of Friday, Sept. 14, opportunities to reaffirm the genuine T2001, with the passengers and crew of Delta goodness of a people who honestly care for Flight 15 making the first pledges as their their fellow human beings, who are not aircraft completed a transatlantic journey afraid to be different, and who have accepted from Frankfurt to Atlanta interrupted three me as if I were one of their own,” says Shirley days earlier. Since then, the offerings kept Brooks-Jones, a passenger on Delta Flight 15. coming, from a two dollar gift by a struggling “This, to me, is perhaps the greatest gift — student in Columbus, Ohio, to a $15,000 to be a part of a place and a people who are corporate donation. simply extraordinary.” The Delta Flight 15 scholarship fund was Brooks-Jones is a retired Ohio State created to thank the residents of Lewisporte, University administrator who has tirelessly N.L., who provided shelter and warmth to promoted the fund. Her visit to Lewisporte diverted passengers forced to land far away this month will be her 20th since that first from home on 9/11. unscheduled stop on 9/11. In recognition Today, Raie Lene Kirby is a fourth-year of her efforts, the provincial government medical student at Memorial University in St. awarded her honourary membership in the John’s. She is focusing on family medicine. Order of and in 2007. Raie Lene Kirby was a Grade 12 student Ten years ago, she was a 17-year-old Grade 12 The story of Delta Flight 15 is just one in Lewisporte, N.L., when the town student at Lewisporte Collegiate enlisted to of many positive tales to come from that took in stranded passengers on Sept. help out with the influx of hundreds of so- most terrible of days. According to figures 11, 2001. Kirby was among the first recipients of the Delta Flight 15 schol- called “plane people” on their doorsteps. compiled by NAV , more than arship fund, created as a thank you by “Everything stopped, and all the attention 130 aircraft were diverted to locations in those diverted to central Newfound- land that day. Below, the new World was on making these people feel comfortable, Atlantic Canada on 9/11. Thirty-eight went Trade Centre is under construction in making sure that they had everything they to Gander, one to Deer Lake, 21 to St. John’s, the left of this August 2011 image of needed,” she recalls. Kirby mainly helped eight to Stephenville, seven to Goose Bay, the Lower Manhattan skyline. The origi- nal Twin Towers were destroyed in the care for the children of passengers when they 47 to Halifax, and 10 to Moncton. Gander 9/11 terrorist attacks. needed a break. It was an “amazing thing,” — a town of about 10,000 — received she says, to see how people came together. 6,600 diverted passengers alone. A year later, Kirby was among the first A number of events are planned to recipients of a scholarship from the Delta commemorate the tenth anniversary. Kirby Flight 15 fund. To date, 134 scholarships has been invited to a dinner at the Canadian have been presented to local students, consulate in Atlanta — the home of Delta’s helping them pursue fields from medicine headquarters — this month. “In the end, to engineering to business to the ministry it’s always important to remember what to teaching to nursing to geophysics. The happened that day, and that the world came fund is now closing in on $1.5 million in together to try to make a difference,” Kirby total value. says.

Online extras: atlanticbusinessmagazine.com | 9 SUSPENSE BUILDING Halifax shipyard awaits federal contract decision

rving Shipbuilding hopes the contents of that politics will be left out of the process, I16 bankers boxes delivered to Ottawa in and the two shipyards selected will be those July will transform into billions of dollars that represent “best value” to Canada. But in federal contracts spread over the coming that hasn’t stopped feverish provincial lobby- years. ing efforts. The boxes contained plans, diagrams, Three bidders have qualified for the work. and detailed documentation related to the Irving is one. Vancouver Shipyards Co. Ltd. Halifax yard’s bid for one of two lucrative is the second. The wild card is a last-minute federal shipbuilding contracts. entry that replaced individual bids by yards in “We are very confident in our bids, our Ontario and Quebec. The assets of financially- facilities, our partnerships and, most impor- troubled Davie Yards of Lévis, Que., were tantly, our workforce and their ability to build sold to a consortium that included Ontario’s the best ships to meet the needs of the fed- Upper Lakes Group, SNC-Lavalin Group Inc. A welder at Irving Shipbuilding works on the first of nine mid-shore patrol vessels for the Canadian Coast eral government well into the future,” said and South Korea’s Daewoo Shipbuilding and Guard in this March photo. The Halifax yard is in the Jim Irving, CEO of Irving Shipbuilding, in Marine Engineering. The feds had agreed to running for billions in upcoming federal shipbuilding a statement formally confirming delivery of extend the final deadline for bids two weeks, work. Photo courtesy Shipsstarthere.ca the bids. allowing time for the Hail Mary Davie acqui- Up for grabs are two contracts in the Na- sition. Irving proponents say the Halifax ship- tional Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy. Meanwhile, back on the East Coast, Ir- yard’s bid is the option “that will drive superi- One shipyard will be selected to build combat ving’s bid has the support of not just Nova or benefits to all parts of Canada.” And with- vessels, a contract worth roughly $25 billion. Scotia Premier Darrell Dexter, but also his in the province, the combat contract could The second piece of work will see construc- counterparts in New Brunswick and Prince create and sustain up to 11,500 jobs at peak tion of non-combat vessels, mostly for the Edward Island. (The Kiewit Offshore Servic- employment periods across Nova Scotia. coast guard, with a price tag of about $8 bil- es shipyard in Newfoundland withdrew from For now, it’s wait and see — and hope. lion. contention just months before the deadline Ottawa’s decision on the contract winners is The feds have taken great pains to stress to file bids.) expected this fall.

10 | Atlantic Business Magazine | September/October 2011 UPFRONT

THROUGH THE BACK DOOR Partnership gets private sale listings included on broker site

or years, lack of access to Realtor.ca can now list their properties on the national F(formerly MLS) hindered the success of service for a set fee rather than a commission private real estate sales. Simply put, sales is based on a percentage of the final sale. a numbers game: the more people who see What’s the difference? Five per cent your property, the more likely you are to sell commission on the sale of a $300,000 home it. People who tried to avoid paying Realtor is $15,000. PropertyGuys.com advertises a fees by selling their own home or property basic self-service sales package for $399; it’ll were at an inherent disadvantage compared to cost another $299 to get listed on realtor.ca those who registered with a licensed broker. – which means a home could be sold for less Brokers can list with the national real estate than $700, regardless of its price tag. listings on Realtor.ca; private sales cannot. Though the deal could mean huge Rather, they could not – until now. changes for the traditional real estate New Brunswick’s ‘for sale by owner’ industry, a representative of the Canadian realty pioneers, Propertyguys.com, have Real Estate Association is circumspect in his joined forces with maverick real estate assessment. “Stories about new entrants or (L-R) Ken LeBlanc, CEO of Moncton-based PropertyGuys.com broker Lawrence Dale, president and CEO business models are common,” noted Pierre has partnered with Lawrence Dale of RealtySellers to of- of Realtysellers. Dale, a licensed broker in Leduc of CREA media relations. “CREA and fer fee-based access to national real estate listings. “This is the type of deal that consumers want and traditional Toronto who is well known for challenging its members believe in offering a range of agents fear,” says Dale. his industry’s norms, purchased shares services. Each consumer is unique and has of PropertyGuys.com and now lists unique needs, but whatever those needs their properties. But as more people get used PropertyGuys.com properties on the national may be, there is a Realtor who can offer an to transacting online, especially younger real estate listings website, under his license. appropriate level of service.” people, they’re having a hard time swallowing Founded in 1998, PropertyGuys.com PropertyGuys.com CEO Ken LeBlanc the thousands of dollars in commission fees. provides a sliding scale of services at set fees, believes the deal is a harbinger of significant I think, over the next four to five years, we’ll all of which can help a property owner sell his change in the real estate industry. “Most see a shift in how people buy and sell real or her own real estate. As a result, consumers people still use traditional agents to sell estate, with half opting to do it themselves.”

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Online extras: atlanticbusinessmagazine.com | 11 The Empathy Factory’s Blair Ryan (CEO) and Stephanie Shute (president) are on a mission to put kids to work.

BONO AT THE G-MEX HELP WANTED N.S.-based Empathy Factory invests in child labour

Job 1911-130B lair Ryan and Stephanie Shute believe in File Name 1911-130B Atlantic Business Journal 4.625x7.125 Whether you’re bringing electrical Bputting kids to work. They want to see Last Modifi ed BW.indd children grooming dogs, cleaning city parks Prev. Users 6-6-2011 11:08 AM service to a public arena, a health and organizing social programs. And they don’t wantClient to paySommers for it either; they think Black it clinic, a restaurant or a should beBleed a labourNone of love. Trim 4.625” x 7.125” Such is the philosophy behind The EmpathyInks country home... Setup Factory, a school-basedLive None program and summer camp foundedScale byNone Ryan. It’s designed to teach kids, Noneages eight to 13, to be better citizens. How realistic is it to think that the same childNotes who refuses to make her bed or put his clothes away will voluntarilyFonts & Placed work Graphics to improve theFonts community? The answer, according to Myriad (Bold, Roman, Italic), Helvetica Neue (53 Extended, 83 Heavy EmpathyExtended) Factory volunteer Scott Blunden, wouldLinks shock you. “The enthusiasm on the kids’winco.tif faces (Up speaks to Date; Gray;for 9635itself. ppi), They generator_greyscale.psd love the (Up to Date; Gray; 251 ppi), 30kW-150kW_System_greyscale.psd (Up to empowermentDate; Gray; 822 ppi),and Sommers_Logo_BW.eps watching their (Upideas to Date) become reality.” ...Work with Sommers to be sure your Here’s how it works: first, children take part in an introductory workshop that describes project gets the standby power what the organization is and does. Then, they submit ideas for community projects, outlining solution it really needs. – in their own words – what the benefits would be and what they need to accomplish • Canada’s best-built generator systems for 75 years their goal. A panel selects a project(s) from Easy-to-buy Sommers systems from 10 kW the submitted proposals, and the kids, with • the help and support of the Empathy Factory, to 2000 kW take on that project(s). They fundraise for their Rental units available for immediate service initiatives, with 100 per cent of funds raised • going towards the project(s). • Nearby installation, service & parts throughout Blunden says response to the program has Atlantic Canada been overwhelmingly positive since it was launched last October, and that there are • Over 200 systems in stock for expedited lead times already six schools signed up to participate in the coming year. He says Ryan dreams of having it become part of the school curriculum, and having Empathy Factory 1959 Upper Water Street, Suite 1700 Halifax, NS Canada outlets across the country. Tel: (902) 482-2669 The organization also hopes to get the Fax: (902) 422-2388 business community on board as sponsors. 1.800.690.2396 “Fundamentally, this gets to the heart of www.sommersgen.com corporate social responsibility,” Blunden says. Authorized Distributor “It’s about stepping up to do what we can to encourage future leaders.”

12 | Atlantic Business Magazine | September/October 2011 UPFRONT

POLL POSITION X to mark the spot in N.L., P.E.I.

oters in two Atlantic provinces go Vto the polls in October to elect new governments, with both incumbents boasting big leads and big majorities heading into the campaigns. In Newfoundland and Labrador, the Progressive Conservatives are seeking a third term. But this time they will be led by Kathy Dunderdale, not the wildly-popular Danny Williams. Under Williams, the Tories garnered 70 per cent of the popular vote in the last election and 44 of the legislature’s 48 seats. That level of support has dropped under Dunderdale, according to recent public-opinion polling by Halifax-based Corporate Research Associates, to a still-healthy 57 per cent of decided voters as of June. The race took a twist in August when Liberal Leader Yvonne Jones announced her resignation from the party’s top job. Jones — who publicly fought breast cancer for the previous year — stepped down on the advice of doctors, just two months before election day. Her departure led to a mad, five-day scramble that saw the party executive select veteran former cabinet minister Kevin Aylward from a field of seven hopefuls. Meanwhile, the provincial NDP hopes to make gains from their traditional one- Sales Performance seat stronghold in downtown St. John’s. Improvement This spring’s Orange Wave saw the party Get trained. Get certified. Get recognized as an industry leader. sweep both federal seats in the capital city. Provincially, the NDP has a slate Advantages of LIVE ONLINE classes: No travel expense of strong local candidates in place, and Complete Participant Interaction | Convenient classes from your recent polling put them neck and neck office or home | National and International Participant Feedback with the Liberals for second place. World Class Facilitators | International Certification Recognition Meanwhile, on Prince Edward Island, it’s the Robert Ghiz-led Liberals with a Who Should Attend: Sales Managers | Sales Professionals commanding majority (24 seats to two HR Professionals | VP Sales | Director of Sales | Trainers for the PCs, with one vacancy). According Finance and Accounting Personnel | Business Owners to CRA, the Grits had a 16-point edge in decided voters’ support over the Olive Professional Selling Oct 25-Nov 15, 2011 Crane-led PCs this June, down from a Sales Management Oct 24-Nov 14, 2011 37-point advantage in the previous polling The Retail Sales Accelerator Oct 13, 2011 period. The number of undecided voters Sales Compensation Review Oct 7 & 14 remained high, however, at 40 per cent. Sales Playbook Development Oct 11 & 12, 2011 Polling day in P.E.I. is Oct. 3. Voters in Sales Performance Consultant Certification (CSPC) Newfoundland and Labrador mark their Information Session Sept 23, 2011 X on Oct. 11.

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Online extras: atlanticbusinessmagazine.com | 13 HHC-Stairlift-AtlBusMag-1-3pg_4.625 11-08-02 11:56 AM Page 1

ISLAND INVESTMENT Jack and P.E.I. bioscience cluster Mildred getting a $2.8-M boost have a Residential Stairlift ovartis Animal Health Canada Inc. has so they can sleep Nannounced a $2.8-million investment in its research and development (R&D) facilities in in their own Victoria on Prince Edward Island. bedroom. “Innovation and long-term sustainable growth are shared priorities for Novartis and the government of Prince Edward Island,” Dr. Riad Sherif B., president of Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc., said in a press release. “(This) announcement was made possible by the government’s commitment to leading and advancing its life sciences industry now and into the future. We look forward to continuing to grow our Novartis presence on the Island.” The expansion of the Novartis facility in Victoria will take place in two phases over the coming months and into 2012. The first phase will provide new state-of-the-art laboratory space; the second, increased office and meeting space. Fourteen new employees have already been hired to support bolstered R&D activity. The investment will aid Novartis’ capabilities in vaccine and novel pharmaceutical drug development focused lawtons.ca on the aquaculture industry. “We are proud to be working with Novartis as it continues to invest in and expand its Island operations, and employ more than 95 individuals,” P.E.I. Premier Robert Ghiz noted. “The addition of new laboratories and office Add instant space in Victoria means more jobs, a stronger economy and significant research contributions glamour for the sustainability of our fisheries.” to your winter look In addition to the research and development this year! plant located in Victoria, Novartis has three ALWAYS IN VOGUE locations in the Charlottetown area, two for product development and one housing vaccine production. Novartis recently completed the second phase of expansion at its Charlottetown facilities. Bioscience is one of four sectors targeted for investment and development in the Prince Edward Island government’s Island Prosperity Strategy. Since 2009, the government says, the bioscience sector has increased revenues to $78 million and added 200 full-time positions.

Premier Robert Ghiz (second left) is joined by Novartis officials and staff from the Victoria research facility, along with the local MLA. Photo by Brian Simpson, Government of P.E.I.

Newfoundland & Labrador 709.722.9432 www.alwaysinvogue.ca

14 | Atlantic Business Magazine | September/October 2011 UPFRONT

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CENTRE OF ATTENTION Federal contribution moves convention facility closer to reality

ttawa will provide $51.4 million to aid the Oconstruction of a new convention centre in Halifax, pushing the long-awaited project closer to reality. “Our government is proud to invest in infrastructure priorities that enable communities to continue to grow and prosper,” Defence Minister Peter MacKay said last month in confirming the federal investment. MacKay said the new multi-level, 306,500 square foot convention centre “allows for important opportunities for economic growth” that will benefit all of Nova Scotia. The federal contribution is higher than the original $47 million requested by the provincial government. MacKay told reporters in Halifax that increasing cost estimates led the province to up the amount sought from the feds. “This is great news for the people of Nova Scotia,” Premier Darrell Dexter said. “This convention centre will mean new jobs during construction and operation, and it will put this province on the map as a premiere destination for conventions and other tourism activities.” The convention centre component is part of a half-billion-dollar project by developer Rank Inc. that includes a financial centre, hotel complex, retail and public space. The province has committed $56 million toward the convention centre portion of the For more than 40 years, Truefoam has built insulation products project. The Halifax Regional Municipality designed to provide the highest effective R-Values available. So if matched that amount with its own $56-million commitment. you want to save money and the environment, now and for years According to the Nova Scotia government, the to come, add Truefoam EPS insulation products to your home. convention centre is expected to create more than 12,000 person years of employment and $40 million in provincial tax revenue during the first 10 years of operation alone. But the project is not without critics. Kevin Lacey, Atlantic director with the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, said “taxpayers will be on the hook for a heavy initial outlay as well as millions more in future operating losses.”

Online extras: atlanticbusinessmagazine.com | 15