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April 2011 • VOLUME 51 • NUMBER 3

Inside

Marine pilots 14-15

Darcy Rezac

Federal Budget grade 5 Darcy Rezac Events Calendar 2 Events & Speakers 3 retires after Key Issues 5 Chairman’s Message 6 24 years as Guest Column 6 As Japan is recovering from the worst earthquake recorded and ensuing disasters, The Vancouver Board of Trade’s honorary Footprints 7 representative to the country, Wilf Wakely, is urging Canadian businesses to engage with counterparts in Japan to help in the managing Member News 8-9, 16-19 rebuilding. ©iStockphoto.com/Robert Churchill Spirit of Vancouver 10-11 director Spring Getaways 12-13 Business builds recovery Vancouver Board of Trade’s Coastal Waters 14-15 chairman Jason McLean has an- Con’t Education 20-22 By Daniel Pi crisis, Wakely said Japan’s recovery also depends on nounced that managing director Around the Board 23 getting its economy back on track. Darcy Rezac, 65, will be retiring Wilf Wakely, The Vancouver Board of Trade’s honorary “So the guy whose business has been shattered has from The Board on April 5 after 24 representative and special correspondent to Japan, is the opportunity to do more and new business,” Wakely years of service. Quote of the month urging Canadian businesses look for partnership op- explained. “My suggestion is re-engage (with Japan) if “Darcy Rezac has been an out- portunities in the earthquake-devastated country. you haven’t in a while. If you haven’t been engaged, get standing managing director since 21 In the aftermath of the March 11 disasters, Wakely engaged... Don’t shy away from doing business with 1986 and is a driving force behind Those that do said many in the country are already in the rebuild- Japan. The Board of Trade’s growth, in- this with us will ing process and Canadian companies with expertise “See what you do and see if it fits in here.” fluence, and good name. He is a stay our friends in housing, energy, food and water can find potential Wakely, who studied law at UBC and has been prac- man of boundless energy, integ- markets there. ticing in Japan for 30 years, said those who remained rity, and vision and his decision for some time. We “On the back of a lot of sadness, there is a sense there after the natural disasters and nuclear threat are seen to retire, while well earned, has (Japan) will be is going to be a great deal of economic activity,” said as being unified in the desire to rebuild. It speaks to the been met with much praise for stronger after this. Wakely, principal at Japan law firm Wakely Foreign Law Japanese culture which values loyalty as a virtue, he said. his career accomplishments from Office. “This event is going to generate an enormous “That is the theme, those that do this with us, will stay our members and a host of others reconstruction program.” our friends for some time. We (Japan) will be stronger in the extended business commu- While some companies may feel it is inappropriate after this,” Wakely said. “Yesterday (March 22) was nity,” commented McLean. to seek connections in the country still coming to terms boardoftrade.com Japan recovery Rezac continued with the 9.0 magnitude quake, tsunami and nuclear continued on Page 4 on Page 9

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604-272-8123 or 1-877-399-8123 londonair.com board calendar For full details or to register, visit www.boardoftrade.com Events catch-up The Vancouver Board of Trade Cable Program Guide The Vancouver Board of Trade Miller Thomson LLP. Full-day and April Business Hall of Fame 2011 – a lunch-only tickets available. DAILY PROGRAM SCHEDULE! The Vancouver Board of celebration of Vancouver’s 125th SEE TIMES BELOW* Trade Governors’ Banquet 5| Birthday – featuring Gregor Rob- Women’s and Rix Center Awards ertson, Mayor, City of Vancou- 12| Leadership Circle® KNOW YOUR POWER: Canada’s electricity April 3, 6:30 p.m. 2011 – SOLD OUT ver. 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Vancouver Lisa Martin, CEO, Lisa Martin In- system in transition to April 10, 6:30 The Vancouver Board of Trade will Convention Centre West Build- ternational; and Jill Earthy, exec- Pierre Guimond, president and CEO, a.m. induct immediate past chair Sue ing – Summit Level. Sponsored by utive director, Forum for Women Canadian Electricity Association Paish, CEO, Pharmasave Drugs Concord Pacific Developments. Entrepreneurs. PRACTICES OF (National), into the Council of PROGRESSIVE EMPLOYERS: How Governors. The Rix Center Award ABORIGINAL to attract, grow and retain talent. for Engaged Community Citizen- 15 YEARS OF DOING THINGS April 10, 6:30 p.m. 7| OPPORTUNITIES FORUM 11:45 a.m.-2 p.m. The Sutton Place ship will be awarded to Brandt C. DIFFERENTLY: A WestJet success story to April 17, 6:30 Shawn A-in-chut Atleo, National Hotel – Versailles Ballroom. Spon- Louie, OBC, LLD, FCA, chairman of Gregg Sareksky, president and CEO, WestJet a.m. Chief, Assembly of First Nations; sored by Certified Management the board, London Drugs Limited Airlines and Kim Baird, Chief, Tsawwas- Accountants of British Columbia. and chairman, H.Y. Louie Co. sen First Nation. ABORIGINAL Limited. The Rix Center Award for OPPORTUINITIES FORUM: Cul- Members’ Reception Engaged Corporate Citizenship will tivating prosperity and empow- 12| Members’ Reception at ABORIGINAL OPPORTUNITIES FORUM: April 17, 6:30 p.m. be awarded to Vancity. The Board erment. 7:15 a.m.-2 p.m. Hyatt Oculus Hospitality Training & Cultivating properity and empowerment to April 24, 6:30 will also recognize Darcy Rezac’s Regency Vancouver – Regency Business Solutions. 4:45 p.m.-7 Kim Baird, Chief, Tsawwassen First Nation a.m. retirement after 24-years of service Ballroom. Title sponsor Teck Re- p.m. 808 Davie St. Sponsored by as managing director. sources Ltd., presenting sponsors Caya and Oculus Hospitality BC Hydro and RBC, and sup- Training & Business Solutions. Special porting sponsors Deloitte and 6| Speaker Program™ ®  Spirit of Vancouver ABORIGINAL OPPORTUNITIES FORUM: April 24, 6:30 p.m. 15| Craig Kielburger, chair, Cultivating properity and empowerment to May 1, 6:30 a.m. clip clip clip clip clip clip clip clip clip clip clip clip clip clip clip clip clip clip clip Free The Children; The Right Hon- Shawn A-in-chut Atleo, National Chief, clip clip clip clip clip clip clip clip clip clip clip clip clip clip clip clip clip clip clip ourable Michaëlle Jean, UNESCO Assembly of First Nations clip clip clip clip clip clip clip clip clip clip clip clip clip clip clip clip clip clip clip special envoy for Haiti and former- clip clip clip clip clip clip clip clip clip clip clip clip clip clip clip clip clip clip clip governor general and commander- clip clip clip clip clip clip clip clip clip clip clip clip clip clip clip... in-chief of Canada. 11:30 a.m.-2 The Board’s 30-minute time slots show one Board of Trade p.m. The Fairmont Hotel Vancou- event for a week starting Sundays, 6:30 p.m. (new program); ver – British Columbia Ballroom. Mondays, 4 a.m.; Tuesdays, 3 a.m.; Presenting sponsor LifeLabs. Wednesdays, 1 a.m.; Thursdays, 3:30 a.m. & 10:30 p.m.; Fridays, 4:30 a.m. & 3:30 p.m.; Saturdays, 1:30 p.m.; Sundays 3:30 a.m. New Members’ on Cable Channel 4. Air dates are subject to change. Check schedule at www.boardoftrade.com. 18| Orientation Are you a new member of The Vancouver Board of Trade? This Networking Roundtable productive evening. 3:15-5 p.m. session is a must for all those 20| Improve your business Pan Pacific Hotel - Oceanview 5/6. wanting to add value to their with The Vancouver Board of membership. Find out what The Trade Networking Roundtable May Board can do for you and spend an series. 7:15-9 a.m. Terminal City Young Professionals hour networking with other new Club – President’s & Terrace A members. 5-7 p.m. Pan Pacific rooms. 3| Leadership Bootcamp Hotel – Pacific Rim 2. Cammi Granato, Olympic gold Distinquished medalist and 2010 Hockey Hall Click Special Event 20| Speaker Program® of Fame inductee; Rick Kroetsch, 19| Stephen M.R. Covey, co- Dave Anderson, president and program head, Entrepreneurship, The are two ways to get the information • Access over 230 full text news and founder, Franklin Covey’s Global CEO, WorkSafeBC. WorkSafeBC: BCIT School of Business. Leading you need to stay on top of what’s business sources from major Speed of Trust Practice. THE Others Through Change. 4:45-7:30 happening. Canadian dailies and newswires, A report to shareholders. 11:45 regional community papers, TV and SPEED OF TRUST: The critical a.m.-2 p.m. The Fairmont Wa- p.m. BCIT Downtown Campus. You can subscribe to a clipping service radio transcripts, specialty trade leadership competency of the Sponsored by BCIT School of and wait or you can click on the Media terfront – Waterfront Ballroom. journals and magazines. Plus Business. (Please note this event is Monitoring service from FPinfomart.ca new global economy. 7:15-11 a.m. Sponsored by Deloitte and TELUS. access to major American information and get the right information right now. Vancouver Convention Centre limited to CYP and LOT program sources. participants). Call us at 1 800 661-7678 or click us and West Building – Ballroom D. Title Future Members’ • Instant delivery of results. we’ll sign you up faster than you can  nd sponsor ICBC and presenting 20| Networking Roundtable Distinguished a pair of scissors. • Timely updates. sponsors WorkSafeBC and Central If you are not yet a member of ® 1 Credit Union. The Vancouver Board of Trade, 10| Speaker Program but have been thinking about Pierre Gratton, president and Members’ Reception how to network to leverage your CEO, Mining Association of All at your  ngertips. All in one place. 19| Members’ Reception at business, then this is the event Canada. RESPONSIBILITIES Deeley Motorcycle Exhibition. for you. Bring at least 30 busi- IN THE NEW ERA OF MINING 5 p.m.-7 p.m. 1875 Boundary Rd. ness cards and any promotional GROWTH. 11:45 a.m.-2 p.m. Pan noway.inddNEXT 1 ISSUE 6/8/05 11:23:45 AM Sponsored by Deeley Motorcycle material you wish to distrib- Pacific Vancouver – Crystal Pa- Exhibition. vilion. Coming up in the May 2011 issue of Sounding Board look for special ute, and look forward to a very features covering topics on:

Business Meetings Recruiting Help fuel Meals on Wheels Socially Responsibly Business Set to tee off on Sept. 19 at the University Golf Club Arts & Festivals By Terrene Conway at UBC, this golf tournament will also include dinner and a fantastic silent auction. For more information on MEMBERS ONLY: Does your company have news to share? Send Health and Home Care Society of BC’s Meals on Wheels how you can be a corporate sponsor, contact Health your editorial submissions (350 words max.) to dpi@boardoftrade. program, a service delivering hot meals to seniors in and Home Care Society of BC at 604-733-6614 or visit com. Please confirm you area Board of Trade member in your Vancouver and Richmond, needs some help filling up www.carebc.ca. email. For more information on upcoming special features, go to the gas tank. The Meals on Wheels program has been operated by boardoftrade.com and click on Resources for more information on As the cost of food and fuel continues to rise, the the society since 1967 delivering more than 400 meals Sounding Board. society is facing additional strain providing its Meals on Wheels service. In a bid to avoid passing on the ad- each weekday to homebound individuals. Besides the meals the visits provide social contact and act as an MEMBERS (20% discount) & NON-Members: To advertise in ditional expenses to its clients, many of them seniors informal check on the safety of meal recipients. Sounding Board, please contact Gary Fach at [email protected] or on fixed incomes, the society is seeking corporate st Terrene Conway is the communications coordinator call 604-876-0463. sponsors to make its 1 annual Meals on Wheels Golf Tournament a reality. with the Health and Home Care Society of BC.

2 Sounding Board/April 2011 The Vancouver Board of Trade/Spirit of Enterprise® events & speakers At the podium Stephen M.R. Covey talks trust and its virtues and benefits

Stephen M.R. Covey, an expert speaker on trust, leadership, ethics and high H adley . performance, will speak to The Vancouver Board of Trade on trust and how it T can make or break an organization. hoto: P hoto: Presented in cooperation with the Franklin Covey Company (Corporate) and The Rix Center for Corporate Citizenship & Engaged Leadership, this morning “To make meaningful progress on session is based on his bestselling book The SPEED OF TRUST – The One Thing removing barriers to trade and in- That Changes Everything. The event is sponsored by title sponsor ICBC with vestment requires two things... policy presenting sponsors WorkSafeBC and Central 1 Credit Union. focus and the political strength and Covey will challenge the audience to rethink will to look past domestic sensitivities what trust is and means. It is not the assumed soft, should they arise.” Michael Holden, social virtue but rather a learnable and measur- senior economist, Canada West able skill that makes organizations more profit- Foundation. Feb. 22, 2011 able, people more promotable and relationships more energizing. Trust, Covey will demonstrate, can be hard edged and an economic driver. Covey will also cover why timeliness is impor- tant in building trust. As a critical leadership com- petency, how fast trust is established or restored can change everything in an organization and have long-term effects on performance. Covey is the co-founder and CEO of Franklin Covey’s Global Speed of Trust Feature Event Practice. A keynote speaker and author,

he is a well respected and influential The future of mining in B.C.: D . Roel s P hoto: consultant for many executives and leaders of Fortune 500 companies “Falling is good for resilience... We’re and mid- and small-sized companies in the private and public sectors. then more willing to take risks and Covey is the son of Dr. Stephen R. Covey, who wrote The 7 Habits of growth and sustainability when we learn that, we go to the Highly Effective People. Covey personally led the promotional strategy As the mining industry in British Columbia experiences next level and take our leadership for his father’s book which earned the distinction as one of the two most unbelievable growth – contributing to the province’s eco- to the next level... These things don’t influential business books of the 20th century. nomic recovery following the 2008 recession – the sector happen unless we take a fall.” Tara This Board of Trade event takes place Tuesday, April 19, 7:15-11 a.m. is also experiencing a renaissance. Cree, principal & national coaching at the Vancouver Convention Centre West Building, 1055 Canada Pl. Mines and smelters are making major investments in lead, Knightsbridge Human Capital Tickets are $139 for members and $194 for future members. A table of modernization, new mines Solutions. Feb. 23, 2011 eight for members is $1,334 and future members, $1,862. are under construction and For more information about THE SPEED OF TRUST: The critical operators are in advanced leadership competency of the new global economy, visit www.board- permitting and exploration oftrade.com. stages. This is translating into th billions of dollars of new 124 investment in the province ANNUAL and thousands of new jobs and business opportunities. GENERAL In this context, the newly MEETING appointed president and CEO of the Mining Asso-

Pierre Gratton, president and D . Roel s P hoto: ciation of Canada (MAC), CEO, Mining Association of Thursday, June 16, 2011 Pierre Gratton, will give Canada “I recognize gambling will always his annual address at The be an emotional issue… The fact is Business Portion AGM (members): Vancouver Board of Trade. The event is sponsored by PwC. gambling is one of the oldest forms Welcome Incoming Chair Registration and Program: Gratton previously served as the president of the of entertainment known to mankind. Wendy 10:00 – 11:30 a.m. Mining Association of B.C. (MABC). With an in-depth Clearly gambling does appeal to us.” Lisogar-CoCChia knowledge of the exciting developments in the local in- Michael Graydon, president and President, Century Plaza hotel AGM Lunch & Keynote: dustry, including the move towards using more sustain- CEO, BCLC. March 9, 2011 & Absolute Spa Group Registration and Program: able practices, Gratton will speak about how the MABC 11:15 a.m. – 2 p.m. is implementing the national association’s Towards Sus- Presenting Sponsor: tainable Mining initiative, which encourages industry to Tickets develop new best practices and demonstrate continuous Early Bird (until April 29): improvements. $99 members and guests/ Gratton replaced former MAC president and CEO $138 future-members (+HST) Gordon Peeling on March 10, 2011. Gratton had previously Reserved tables of 10 (no visibility): $1188 members / been with the MABC since 1999 and served as its president $1656 future-members (+HST) and CEO since 2008. The MAC is the national organization, based in Ottawa, Regular (after April 29): for the Canadian mining industry representing members $129 members and guests/ $180 future-members (+HST) in mineral exploration, mining, smelting, refining and hoto: D . Roel s P hoto: Reserved tables of 10 (no visibility): $1548 members/ semi-fabrication. “Energy is the lifeblood of the $2160 future-members (+HST) RESPONSIBILITIES IN THE NEW ERA OF MINING economy.” Pierre Guimond, presi- GROWTH takes place May 10, 11:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the dent and CEO, Canadian Electricity Pan Pacific Vancouver – Crystal Pavilion, 999 Canada Pl. Association. March 10, 2011 Tickets are $69 for members and guests, $96 for future Register now: www.boardoftrade.com members. A table of eight is $622 for members and $921 for future members. To purchase Chairman’s Circle tables of 10 with corporate visibility, please For more information, visit For more information, visit www.boardoftrade.com. contact Lori Dick, Events Sponsorship Specialist at [email protected] www.boardoftrade.com

3 Sounding Board/April 2011 The Vancouver Board of Trade/Spirit of Enterprise® member news

Japan recovery continued from Page 1 Hastings Crossing really the first day of normalcy… I’d say people are back at their desks and carrying BIA approved on with business.” Wakely’s firm has formed a committee By Lynn Kitchen to try and gather as much information and contacts to make sure they can quickly Vancouver’s newest business improvement association (BIA), connect those looking to help with the right the Hastings Crossing BIA, was officially approved Feb. 15 at a people on the ground in Japan. City of Vancouver Court of Revisions meeting. The BIA covers “There are relationships to be made,” the diverse community centred on Hastings Street between Wakely said. Richards Street and Gore Avenue. The March 11 earthquake was the The creation of the BIA started in April 2009 when the original hardest to hit Japan since the country Hastings Corridor BIA Formation Committee began meeting. started keeping track. It has left nearly The Inner City Development Subcommittee of The Vancou- 27,000 dead or missing, and hundreds of ver Board of Trade’s Small Business Council played a leading thousands without shelter. role in the production of the first draft of the BIA business plan. Wakely said the danger, particularly sur- The BIA’s goal is to hire residents in the area for positions that rounding the nuclear leaks, is less than what will become available as the BIA grows and develops. has been reported in the media. There were three public outreach meetings held at Building “If there was any health threat you know Opportunities with Business (BOB) for businesses and prop- erty owners to attend through October 2010. After gathering To customize solutions that fit your business, consider a real live IT the Canadian Embassy would pack up as partner who starts by actually visiting your business. We recommend the many people and send them home,” he feedback from the meetings and two additional surveys, the people at TLD Computers. They’re an HP Gold Business Partner offering said, adding that several counties’ embas- boundaries of the BIA were moved as well as a name change local business savvy right here. That means they’ll combine exceptional sies and diplomats have been working hard from Hastings Corridor to Hastings Crossing. resources and technology of HP and Intel with their in-person support and At a City of Vancouver meeting in February, proponents in- expertise—aiming to reduce your IT costs and position your company for to assist where they can. success. As an HP partner, their on-site service offers extra confidence Wakely, a Canadian, doesn’t see any cluding The Vancouver Board of Trade’s chief economist Bernie and support and as part of the London Drugs family of companies you reason to leave either. “It’s my community… Magnan, and Small Business Council’s Bob Laurie and Lynn know you’re getting a trusted partner. TLD Computers stands ready to (and) there’s no pressing need to.” Kitchen spoke about the benefits of the BIA, both to business deliver on the HP Total Care experience by helping you get the most and the community in the area. out of your technology – which helps you get the most out of your business. Call TLD for your face to face meeting. Are you prepared? For more informa- The BIA would not have been possible without commitment tion on emergency preparedness, the prov- and volunteer hours that went towards the creation of the busi- invcial and federal governments provide ness plan and the door-to-door canvassing for the BIA outreach Get in touch: [email protected], 604-272-6024 or www.tld.com good sources at www.pep.bc.ca and www. meetings. The Inner City Development Subcommittee plans getprepared.gc.ca. Businesses can find more to continue to be a supportive partner with future Hastings industry related information through the Crossing BIA initiatives. Emergency Preparedness for Industry and Lynn Kitchen is the manager of Custom Training at Langara Commerce Council, www.epicc.org. College, vice-chair of the Small Business Council and chair of the Inner City Development Subcommittee.

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4 Sounding Board/April 2011 The Vancouver Board of Trade/Spirit of Enterprise® key issues

Board of Trade holds online survey on looming labour and skills shortage

Competition for skilled workers is heating up. Dr. Linda Duxbury, a well-respected Ca- nadian demographer recently warned, “The tsunami of demographic change is here.” B.C. and Canada face a shortage of skilled, trained workers now and in the foreseeable future that will impact the province’s produc- tivity and ability to compete nationally and internationally. To prepare for the shortage, The Vancouver Board of Trade is canvassing its “The issue of members via an online survey, labour supply and through the productivity must month of April, on Vancouver Board of Trade chief economist Bernie Magnan and Government Budget and Finance Committee co-chair Elise Reese address the media the human capital be of concern to during a press conference on the 2011 federal budget. Following the announcement in Ottawa, The Board presented its annual Budget Report Card imperatives in- and graded the federal budget with an overall B+. photo: D. Pi creasingly facing Board of Trade British Columbia. members and The informa- tion from the we will actively Board of Trade grades ‘stable’ survey will help shape the work pursue addressing of the Education these matters with federal budget with an B+ and Skills Task Force this year policy-makers and The Vancouver Board of Trade, representing 5,500 members, of this category.” in representing awarded the federal budget an overall Report Card grade Debt Management (B-): Board members’ leaders in B.C.” of B+ today, saying the budget was conducive to a “stable The Board recommended a target debt-to-GDP ratio of interests and will Canadian economy.” less than 35 per cent by 2012 and 30 per cent by/or before establish a base The Board’s Government Budget and Finance Commit- 2015 with an allowance of $3 billion for debt reduction per for future work in the area of education and tee commended the federal government’s spending control year once the deficit has been eliminated. skills and labour supply. and deficit reduction, but felt the deficit could be eliminated “The government has succeeded in keeping the debt- In a recent interview, the chairman of The at least a year earlier than promised. to-GDP ratio below 35 per cent (just over 34 per cent in the Vancouver Board of Trade, Jason McLean, said: “This is a budget that will please an awful coming year). However, it has “The issue of labour supply and productivity lot of people; there were a lot of small mea- promised a balanced budget must be of concern to Board of Trade members sures. In some areas, it has exceeded our by 2015/16, and we believe and we will actively pursue these matters with expectations, but had insufficient long-term this could be achieved at least policy-makers and leaders in B.C.” economic measures,” said Bernie Magnan, one year earlier – by 2014/15 The most effective way for The Board of chief economist, The Vancouver Board of – which brought this category Trade to represent its members’ interests to dif- Trade. down to a B- grade,” explained ferent levels of government and other relevant “However, overall, it is a budget that will Magnan. institutions is if members share their concerns, preserve the stability of today’s Canadian Long-term Vision (B): issues and interest on particular subjects. economy,” he said. The Board commends the This online survey is an important step in The Board graded the 2011/12 federal measures announced in the tackling this issue on behalf of Board of Trade budget in the following four categories to budget which give better access members. Members are encouraged to par- reach its overall grade of B+: to capital, enabling business to ticipate. Spending Control (A): invest in the economy, much- If you, as a member of The Board of Trade, As The Board recommended spending needed infrastructure and are a sole practitioner, business owner, manager increases on non-stimulus items to be less capital goods. or professional, we want to hear from you. than the combined rate of population growth The Board also saw this Results of the survey will be posted on The and inflation (3.5 per cent annually), it com- budget as one that enhances Board of Trade’s website, www.boardoftrade. mends the government for keeping increases innovation and productivity com, and published in the Sounding Board at 3.1 per cent over the previous year’s bud- which is good. newspaper. geted expenditures for the next year – below “However, the government Responding to this online survey should take The Board’s recommendation. is maybe not going as fast in approximately 10 minutes and could produce a Tax Competitiveness (B+): some of these areas as it could,” said Magnan. good return on investment in that it will facili- The Board specifically recommended the government In 2009, The Board suspended its letter grading criteria tate the work of the task force and The Board of continue its announced program of business tax reductions. in recognition of government having to invest in economic Trade in representing your interests and influ- “We commend the government for continuing its an- stimulus spending when dealing with the challenge of tough encing policy-making decisions on the critical nounced reduction of business taxes to 15 per cent by economic times. subjects of education, skills development and January 2012, combined with a variety of small tax credits The Board has reinstated its federal budget Report Card labour supply. for both individuals and business,” said Magnan. “However, following the economic turnaround experienced in the last Vancouver Board of Trade members should when looking carefully, this budget has closed some per- year and the projected end of stimulus spending. expect upcoming email surveys from Board of ceived loopholes, such as corporate partnership tax deferrals The Board of Trade awarded the federal government an Trade chair Jason McLean. and a tightening of the definition of charitable donations, so overall B rating in its 2008 Report Card, up from C+ the pre- there are some negatives in there, leading to our B+ grading vious year, before it was suspended in 2009.

5 Sounding Board/April 2011 The Vancouver Board of Trade/Spirit of Enterprise® chairman’s message People power

publisher The Vancouver Board of Trade disaster. The people of Japan have Rezac. He has, as more than a few set high standards for others in previous chairs have observed, managing editor Terry Hadley, 604-641-1271 [email protected] their preparation, fortitude, and the magic touch when it comes to calm. Now is the time to act on Positive Networking®. editor Daniel Pi, 604-640-5450 [email protected] their example. Rezac, who recently turned The power of nature may have 65, officially retires as The Board’s design & layout Jennifer Silver, 604-640-5465 [email protected] spoken but the power of people managing director on April 5. He will respond. On behalf of The leaves with the thanks and good advertising representatives Deborah & Gary Fach, 604-876-2513 wishes of the multiple chairs, di- [email protected] Vancouver Board of Trade and its hoto by D . Roel s by P hoto 5,500-plus members then, I begin rectors, governors and members Jason McLean, Chairman this month’s message by extend- – all of whom have benefited Want more information about joining The Vancouver Board of Trade? The Vancouver Board of Trade Call 604-641-1260 or e-mail [email protected]. ing my deepest condolences to all from his leadership and expertise A lot can happen in three minutes those with family members and over the years. Rezac, who has and on March 11 – midway through loved ones in Japan. amassed a few holidays in 24 years a Friday afternoon – the people of A little closer to home, a lot of service, will be traveling until Japan endured a three-minute, 9.0 can also happen in 24 years and April 5 and Grayden Hayward magnitude earthquake that set in nowhere is that more evident than will continue to ably serve as our motion a devastating sequence of in the contributions of our retiring interim managing director. A per- catastrophes. managing director, Darcy Rezac. A manent replacement will be iden- We in the Pacific Northwest man of boundless energy, integrity tified at a later date, following an have witnessed Japan’s anguish The Sounding Board is the official publication of The Vancouver Board of Trade and is and goodwill, Rezac has not just international search for high-level the major communication vehicle with members. The publication is sent automati- from the safety of distance, but given 24 years of service to The candidates. cally to all 5,800 Board members. Additional copies are sent to downtown Vancouver. we are bound by friendship and Board but 24 years of example. As I count myself fortunate to have ISSN: 0381-5471. The views expressed by contributing writers are their own and do not necessarily reflect the policies or positions of The Vancouver Board of Trade. The compassion to help Japan recover managing director, he has come to experienced Rezac’s extraordinary Vancouver Board of Trade reserves the right to edit all submissions for content, length, and rebuild. The Canadian Red embody many of our basic prin- commitment to The Board during style, format and legality. Cross has the capacity and in- ciples as an organization and done my time as a member and director. The Vancouver Board of Trade is Vancouver’s chamber of commerce. Since 1887, The frastructure to work effectively so with strategic care for our mem- I wish him continued adventure Board has been an active proponent of business in Vancouver. The World Trade Centre Vancouver is the international division of The Vancouver Board of Trade and is affiliated with the people and government bership, our programs and our and purpose in all things and with more than 300 WTCs worldwide. of Japan in the long and difficult responsibilities to the extended extend my personal thanks for days ahead and I urge all of our business community. We would be his counsel on many a matter. An our mission statement The Vancouver Board of Trade works in the enlightened interest of its members to members to give generously. I also hard-pressed to describe exactly opportunity to celebrate Rezac’s promote, enhance and facilitate the development of the region as a Pacific centre for urge members to carefully review what our catch-phrase (which long and illustrious career will take trade, commerce and travel. their own personal and business Rezac invented, by the way) – place at the Governors’ Banquet on our basic principles disaster preparedness and recov- ...connecting for good ® – means to April 5, when he will be recognized The Board believes that the market system is the only system that works effectively in ery plans. Awareness is heightened an extra-terrestrial visitor without with the honorary title of Manag- the allocation of scarce economic resources for efficient and stable economic growth and job creation. The Board recognizes the imperfections of the market system and in the aftermath of a large-scale first introducing them to Darcy ing Director Emeritus. supports the need for publicly provided services such as social services, health services and public education. The Board supports the philosophy of less government involve- ment in the business sector and believes that governments should not do what can be done in whole or in part by the private sector. guest column

Publications Mail AGREEMENT No. 40011551 RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO Education key to Haiti recovery the vancouver board of trade/world trade centre vancouver Suite 400, 999 Canada Place Vancouver BC V6C 3E1 tion to the Haitian people for their students, male and female, teach- e-mail: [email protected] capacity to create, to think, to in- ers and employees of the Education novate, to produce, and to reach Ministry also perished under the Executive committee beyond itself. tremor. chairman & chief elected officer Jason McLean, President & Chief Operating Officer The McLean Group The future of Haiti can only I was in Port-au-Prince last

senior vice-chair Wendy Lisogar-Cocchia come from sustained investments February as a guest of the two co- President, Century Plaza Hotel & Absolute Spa Group in the strengthening of human re- chairs of the Interim Haiti Recovery vice-chair Elio Luongo, Managing Director KPMG LLP sources, in the building of institu- Commission, Haitian Prime Minis-

vice-chair Ken Martin, President & CEO tional and governance capacities, ter Jean-Max Bellerive and former

Pacific Blue Cross S. G ouin, Rideau H all Sgt. photo: in the expansion of knowledge and U.S. president Bill Clinton, to secretary-treasurer Jack McGee, CD, President The Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, know-how, in the empowerment present UNESCO’s strategy in close The Justice Institute of BC UNESCO special envoy for Haiti and of civil society dynamics and, of working relationship and coopera- immediate past chair Sue Paish, Chief Executive Officer former governor general and commander- Pharmasave Drugs (National) Ltd. in-chief of Canada course, in the creation of condi- tion with the country’s authorities managing director Darcy Rezac, CD, The Vancouver Board of Trade tions favourable to the develop- and civil society as a whole, specifi- When I got involved with the ment of a national economy. cally in the education sector. board of directors United Nations Educational, Sci- Nothing shall work in Haiti if My plea was to say loud and janet austin YWCA Vancouver entific and Cultural Organization efforts are not focused on educa- clear that the time has come to kevin bent Pacific Newspaper Group peter brown,obc, lld Canaccord Capital Inc. (UNESCO) to campaign tirelessly tion. take action on Haiti and its future, george cadman, qc Boughton Law Corporation in support of Haiti, it was because Without solid education, a it is one of the most pressing issues dave cunningham TELUS yvonne devalone Downtown U-Lok Storage Ltd. I could no longer bear to hear labour force can never be competi- of present day. The Haitian Na- calvin helin RCI Capital Group Inc. about the “resilience” of the Haitian tive on the world market. tional Pact on Education, to build david helliwell Pulse Energy people. Yet, even before the earth shook a national education system, is craig hemer odgers Berndtson terence hui Concord Pacific Groups Inc. It sounds as if the Haitian’s were my native Haiti on Jan. 12, 2010, completed. The studies have been chris kelly Vancouver School Board (ret.) put on this earth only to recover nearly a third of Haitians never had done. Now we must, within a rea- v. paul lee Vanedge Capital from one calamity to the next. tim manning RBC Royal Bank access to education. With this lack sonable and responsible timeline, derral g. moriyama BMO Bank of Montreal It was at the end of my tenure of an accessible, public education do everything in our power to bring evi mustel mustel Group Ltd. as the 27th Governor General of system deployed over the national into being the long sought-after john w. nightingale Vancouver Aquarium tina osen Hub International Canada, and I was tired of hearing territory, there are still more than dream of the daughters and sons david m. poole Scotiabank everywhere how much the Haitian 140 communes in Haiti that do not of this land who hunger for knowl- tracy redies Coast Capital Savings people are a resilient people. have any schools, leaving hundreds edge, skills and training. dr. mark schonfeld BC Medical Association jon schubert ICBC Resilience is but the last resort of thousands of children without It is this dream, as requested lorne segal Kingswood Properties Ltd. before dying. education. This, for the Haitian by the state of Haiti and Haitian dennis skulsky BC Lions Football Club Inc. The time has urgently come for ron w. thiessen Hunter Dickinson Inc. people, is a calamity, a disaster that partners, that UNESCO has com- anibal valente PCL Constructors Westcoast Inc. a major shift in paradigm in Haiti, hinders advancement, and stunts mitted to accompany and help to move past the logic of aid and the growth in standards of living. bring to reality. standing committee chairs handouts, dependency and near This earthquake struck a Michaëlle Jean will be address- communications Brett Manlove, Consultant tutelage that has ruled this country community affairs Barbara R. Hislop, Variety Club of British Columbia country that was already down, ing The Vancouver Board of Trade membership marketing mary Anne Davidson, Acciona Infrastructures over the last few decades, towards destroying and damaging more April 15 with Craig Keilburger, small business council Victor C. Wong, Make It Business a new logic of investment, partner- than 5,000 schools, including two founder, Free The Children. To ship and accomplishment. universities. register for the event, visit www. We should give more recogni- Thousands upon thousands of boardoftrade.com.

6 Sounding Board/April 2011 The Vancouver Board of Trade/Spirit of Enterprise® Salmon in our busy waterways

By Michael Meneer

Looking at the extensive development along Vancouver and the Lower Mainland’s waterways, it may be hard to believe that Pacific salmon still thrive here. But, as last year’s historic run of Fraser River sockeye showed, salmon are a strong and resilient part of our en- vironment. Two Vancouver Board of Trade members, Port Metro Vancouver (PMV) and the Pacific Salmon Foundation (PSF), have worked together since 2007 to ensure the sus- tainability of Pacific salmon in the busy waters of the Lower Mainland. The port operates in waters that are home to all five species of Pacific salmon and works with the foundation to restore salmon habitat in watersheds within 16 munici- palities bordered by the port. Through a five-year, $250,000 contribution, PMV has partnered with the foundation to support several Pacific salmon restoration projects. For example, PMV has funded the restoration of important vegetation along a stretch of the Alouette River in Maple Ridge – a habitat for all five species of Pacific salmon. The project includes the con- struction of a “green roof” for a salmon hatchery run by a volunteer watershed stewardship group called the Alouette River Management Society. The “green roof” will feed into a 1,500 to 2,000 gallon rain cistern that will store water for river-side vegetation during dry spells. Abundant vegetation along rivers and streams is important for salmon because it provides a food source for young, developing salmon and offers shade during hot summer months when salmon need Volunteers with the Alouette River Management Society conduct water quality tests on the North Alouette River. The group’s salmon conservation cold water to successfully return to spawning sites. work is supported by Port Metro Vancouver and the Pacific Salmon Foundation. Submitted photo “We recognize that without healthy watersheds salmon cannot survive, and we are proud of the work we do with jump up to a fish passage culvert by way of stepped swim- are a ‘keystone species’ and are central to the health of the Pacific Salmon Foundation to minimize the impact of ming pools (salmon are capable of jumping up to two metres everything around them,” said Pacific Salmon Foundation port operations on salmon and to enhance the overall en- using their tails for momentum). president and CEO Brian Riddell. “Their support shows vironment,” said PMV director of Environmental Programs Ensuring salmon can return to the spawning grounds how well conservation and commercial interests can work Darrell Desjardin. is critical not just to salmon numbers, but for the local together. We hope the port’s example encourages other The port was also a major funder of a project on Bowen environment as well. businesses to support salmon conservation and restora- Island that more than doubled accessible Pacific salmon Through the spawning process, salmon die and their tion, because salmon truly are essential elements of our habitat in Explosives Creek. The creek was once a rich pas- decomposing carcasses leach nutrients back into the river environment, culture and economy in British Columbia sageway for salmon, but it became problematic for salmon system, providing nourishment for some 130 species of and must be sustained.” when new road cut off access to their spawning grounds. plants and animals including algae, fungi, mosses, insects, Michael Meneer is vice president for communications at Through the creativity and hard work of the Bowen Island birds and large mammals. the Pacific Salmon Foundation. For more information, visit Fish, Wildlife and Streamkeeper Society, salmon can now “Port Metro Vancouver recognizes that Pacific salmon www.psf.ca.

Quick Salmon Factoids • There are about 900 unique stocks of salmon in BC Hydro Power Smart Tips B.C. • Salmon in their saltwater phase travel an esti- Cooking requires a necessary daily expenditure of energy: for ovens, microwaves, toasters and mated 29 km a day, but they are capable of maintain- other food preparation appliances and gadgets. Some cooking methods are more energy ef- ing an average of 55 km per day over long distances. ficient than others. Choosing the best one for each situation can reduce your energy bill – and • Salmon need cold, clean, well oxygenated water. might increase your cooking repertoire as well. Without healthy watersheds, salmon cannot survive. • When buying new appliances, always choose ENERGY STAR to maximize energy efficiency. • Females lay thousands of eggs (usually between 2,000 and10,000). Less than 1 per cent of these eggs • Use smaller appliances when possible. Slow-cookers (crock pots), toaster ovens, and microwave survive to reproduce. ovens use less energy than your full-size oven. • Salmon can migrate more than 3,000 km upstream • When you do use your oven, try to cook more than one dish at a time. through freshwater to spawn. That is like driving halfway across Canada. • Thaw food in the refrigerator. This reduces the energy required to run your fridge, as it con- • Salmon often travel 50 km per day on their spawn- tributes to cooling. Thawing in the microwave uses much more energy. ing journeys. This would be like running more than a • Use pots with flat bottoms. Use the stove-top element most closely matched in size to the marathon every day. size of the pot. Cook with a lid whenever possible to retain heat. • Salmon can jump up to 2 metres to cross obstacles in rivers. That is about as high as a female Olympic • Use glass or ceramic cookware instead of metal. You can turn your oven heat down by 14˚C athlete can jump. (25˚F) and your recipe will cook in the same amount of time. • Spawning salmon do not eat on their return trip. • Use the window to peek at a recipe’s progress; opening the door releases energy and can This means that adults can go six months without food. slow your cooking time. • A typical orca eats 25 kg of salmon a day. The 300 resident orcas in B.C. probably consume 1,000 • Turn the oven off 15-20 minutes before cooking time is over; your food will continue to cook tonnes of salmon per year. That is the weight of 100 while you reduce energy use. large trucks.

7 Sounding Board/April 2011 The Vancouver Board of Trade/Spirit of Enterprise® the international division of The Vancouver Board of Trade Vietnam an opportunity for business The Asia-Pacific region is the largest and fast- Q: Can you comment on the importance and medium-sized Canadian businesses is penetrate emerging markets like Vietnam. est-growing economic region in the world and of Asia-Pacific trade for the overall prosperity the lack of local expertise to penetrate new, Q: How do Canadian companies finance as a result investors are looking there for export of Canada and B.C.? emerging markets, and not taking the time, or their expansion into overseas markets? market diversification and foreign investment A: Asia, and South Asia, will be key to the making the investment, to establish the local A: Most Canadian companies finance their opportunities. Vietnam is one country offering prosperity of Canada and B.C. in the 21st relationships that are necessary to success- expansion with their own investment capital, a favourable investment climate with its tal- century. The consumption power of Asia is fully implement their business plans. except for occasional project funding through ented and willing workforce, robust and the economies Q: What opportunities could be real- agencies like CIDA. low production prices and of China, and the ASEAN ized by strengthening educational linkages Q: As Vietnamese outward investment cultural connections with countries, are sustain- between Canada and Vietnam? grows, will companies look to Canada for Western Canada. ing very positive growth. A: There are huge opportunities here, all more investment opportunities? What chal- The Vancouver Board Trading with the Asia- based on the universal historic relationship lenges do they face? of Trade posed a series of Pacific region will provide between education and trade as the real A: Ever more Vietnamese companies questions to governor Frank Canadian businesses with foundation for economic development. Just are beginning to actively look to developed S. Borowicz, QC, who has immense new market op- one example is the substantial economic countries for investment opportunities. Some been actively engaged in de- portunities, which will foster contribution to Canada made by Vietnamese of Vietnam’s largest corporations now look veloping trade with Vietnam our own growth and have students who come to study here, not only to the U.S., Japan, and the EU, to grow their for almost 20 years. Below a large positive impact on through tuition fees, but through the wealth own markets. If Canada wants to compete, are some of his responses: both top and bottom lines. generated from their spending. When they more effort will be needed to make them feel Q: What is your overall Q: Are Canadian busi- return home, they are familiar with Canadian welcome, and to help them find the right part- perception of the economic nesses taking full advan- culture, products, services, expertise and ners. The connecting opportunities available outlook for Vietnam in tage of the opportunities standards. So they tend to favour Canada over through The Vancouver Board of Trade can 2011? Vietnam and Asia have to other countries, creating a niche opportunity be vital to promoting and facilitating these Frank S. Borowicz, QC, A: The economic outlook offer? for Canadian enterprise to compete for their opportunities. Board of Trade govenor for Vietnam in 2011 is posi- A. Very few Canadian business. To learn more about Vietnam, The Van- tive. The national GDP is estimated to be at 7 businesses are active in Vietnam and Asia even Q: Can you identify policy actions or couver Board of Trade is hosting the Canada- per cent, and the GDP for Ho Chi Minh City, though Canada has a positive image among initiatives that you feel should be given a Vietnam Business Opportunities Forum Vietnam’s economic hub, will likely be around Asians as a tolerant, multi-cultural nation. high priority by the Canadian government on April 26. Held in cooperation with the 12 per cent. With a stable government and solid Q: What business barriers do Canada’s to enhance trade conditions with Vietnam? Embassy of Vietnam in Canada, the forum GDP growth, foreign investor interest remains small and medium-sized businesses en- A: At the moment, there remains a percep- will feature Bill Johnson, former consul strong, especially in the areas of information counter when developing trade partners in tion that applying for entry visas to Canada, general of Canada to Vietnam; Ha Ke Tuan, technology, real estate, tourism, health care, Vietnam? whether for business or study, is more difficult commercial counsellor, Embassy of Vietnam and education and training. A: The biggest barrier to entry for small than other countries. Our government also in Canada; and Le Sy Voung Ha, ambassador, does not give much support to Canadian busi- Embassy of Vietnam in Canada. ness wanting to expand to other countries. If you are a business interested in learning Other governments, notably the U.S., Austra- more about the opportunities in Vietnam and lia, and the EU, have much larger marketing wish to attend this event, please contact Lesley assistance budgets to help their businesses Niven at [email protected]. MAPPING SALARIES Need to find a supplier at the best & TOTAL REWARDS possible blend of quality and price? By Milos Pospisil their corporate industry classification. www.wcbc.ca/surveys This allows your organization to instantly Issue your Request for Proposal (RFP) to a capture the attention of the most relevant captive audience of 5,500 Vancouver Board potential suppliers and save time and money Access to current, accurate, of Trade members and optimize your costs looking for that optimal blend of price and and delivery requirements through the E- quality with local suppliers. market data is the only way to Marketplace, an unprecedented online tender B.C.-based buyer organizations are now know if your salaries & total management system brought to you by The also able to provide local small and medium- Board of Trade and it’s Small Business Council. sized businesses with opportunities to work rewards are competitive. The E-Marketplace is a key part of the together and bid on lucrative and high-profile online Board Business Exchange (BBX) launch contracts in their respective industries. Our 10 compensation surveys provideoverall scheduled for this month – April 2011. The increased value for Board of Trade QUESTIONS? members is significant. data, along with data specific to the Metro BBX will provide members with exciting Nancy MacLeod new opportunities in online and social media Member bidders will experience the excit- Vancouver: 604-683-9155 marketing and networking, while the E-Mar- ing prospect of enhancing their business devel- ketplace will give members the opportunity opment efforts through access to a centralized 1-800-781-2411  Clerical/Administrative Support to find new clients, and bid for new contracts. electronic database of proposals from buyers [email protected]  Middle Management & Professional Designed by Centaurus Consulting, a across the Lower Mainland and the world.  Information Technology firm specialized in procurement and business We are currently seeking out potential operations optimization and powered by Silk- buyer organizations in the Lower Mainland  Marketing & Sales start, a social membership solution platform, and across B.C. who would be interested in  Engineering & Technical the E-Marketplace is built on best practice taking advantage of the E-Marketplace for  Production & Distribution principles in procurement and simplicity. their procurement needs. Membership is not The system allows organizations to run a requirement to post an RFP and the service  Executive Compensation their tenders with the focused attention of is currently free of charge.  Members of the Board of Directors more than 5,500 Board of Trade member busi- Full access to BBX, and the chance to bid Vancouver Board  Total Rewards Practices nesses throughout Vancouver and the Lower for contracts, is exclusive to Board of Trade of Trade receive & Employee Benefits Mainland. members. Check out BBX at www.board- an additional 15% Organizations seeking to identify potential oftrade.com.  Salary Increases & Compensation Policy discount. suppliers or partners have the opportunity to For more information, please contact Milos quickly create online RFPs and easily compare Pospisil, managing director, Centaurus Con- and manage bids from interested suppliers. sulting at [email protected]. See STOP Guessing  START Knowing  ORDER Today The E-Marketplace is also designed to alert also www.centaurusconsulting.com and www. member bidders when an RFP is posted within silkstart.com.

8 Sounding Board/April 2011 The Vancouver Board of Trade/Spirit of Enterprise® member news

Clockwise from top: Over his 24-year career with The Vancouver Board of Trade, man- aging director Darcy Rezac has been a major player in business in Vancouver and has hosted dignitaries from all over the world including the 42nd President of the United States, Bill Clinton. In March 2010, Rezac and Free The Children (FTC) founder Craig Kielburger, along with Board of Trade director Lorne Segal, signed a historic Spirit of Vancouver/FTC partnership to raise funds for Haiti following the devastating January 2010 earthquate. While working at The Board, Rezac also made numerous media ap- pearances as a well-known speaker and consultant on the power of networking and engaged leadership, including an appearance on CNBC in 2004. As The Board’s chief engagement officer, Rezac embraced the concept of corporate stewardship and worked closely with the late Dr. Don Rix, CM, OBC, Board of Trade governor, who founded The Board’s Rix Center for Corporate Citizenship & Engaged Leadership, along with contributors to the concept (L-R) John Helliwell, fellow, Canadian Institute for Advanced Reseach, UBC; Frank S. Borowicz, QC, and Daniel Muzyka, Board of Trade governors; Rezac and Ali Dastmalchian, dean of the Faculty of Business, University of Victoria. File photos

In addition to his service to the Board of Rezac continued from Page 2 Trade, Rezac is a well known author, guest speaker, and international consultant on the Rezac has an extensive background in power of networking and engaged leader- public policy. He participated in and con- ship in work and in life. His book, Work the tributed to many major Board of Trade un- Pond! co-authored with Judy Thomson and dertakings. Gayle Hallgren-Rezac, has been published He authored, in partnership with John in Canada and the U.S. and translated into Hansen and John Weibe, The Asia Pacific several languages. Rezac will continue to Initiative, which created the International work in this area through his work as a con- Maritime Centre, the International Finance sultant, researcher, writer, and teacher at the Centre in Vancouver, and the establishment university level. of YVR as a local airport authority, all under “The Vancouver Board of Trade has been separate federal legislation. one of the great passions of my life,” said He and then Board of Trade chairman Rezac, “and I am very proud of its emergence Graham Clarke took leadership roles on as Pacific Canada’s leading business organiza- behalf of the business community during a tion. I have always believed in the power of six-year period when the airport was trans- networking when people of vision and good- ferred to local management. Clarke went on to will come together. We call it ‘...connecting for serve as chairman of YVR with Rezac serving good®’ but its deeper meaning has anchored as a founding director for eight years. Today, my belief that healthy business communities YVR is ranked as one of the best in the world give back to their communities in meaning- with a governance model adopted by every ful ways. It has been a great feeling to get up airport in Canada and a number of overseas every Monday morning for 24 years and know airports which YVR manages. I couldn’t wait to get to the office and for that, Other initiatives Rezac contributed to I have to thank The Board’s tremendous staff include the FAST (Free and Secure Trade) lane and volunteer directors – past and present (now NEXUS) at the border; and promotion and members. Connecting for good always of the Canada-US Free Trade Agreement and started with them.” subsequently, the North American Free Trade Grayden Hayward, FCA, will serve as Agreement. Rezac is also recognized for his interim managing director until a permanent role in organizing and leading the task force replacement for Rezac has been identified to save the Canada Line when it was initially through an international search. Hayward has cancelled in 2004. This led to a reversal of the held senior executive positions in both the decision and the opening of the Canada Line private and public sectors and was a director in time for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic and the secretary-treasurer of The Vancouver Winter Games. Board of Trade for many years.v

9 Sounding Board/April 2011 The Vancouver Board of Trade/Spirit of Enterprise® Get ready, set and mark the date for the 27th Vancouver Sun Run

The Vancouver Sun Run is back for the 27th year and set to fill the streets of beautiful downtown Vancouver with 50,000 plus runners and walkers. The annual run, open to international elite com- petitors, recreational runners, joggers and walkers, wheelchair competitors, teams, schools and children, takes place Sunday, April 17, and gets underway at 9 a.m. in downtown Vancouver. The popular 2.5K Shaw Mini Sun Run starts at 8 a.m. “The Sun Run is a special celebration of the benefits of personal achievement through health and fitness and a tribute to the magic of community spirit,” said Jamie Pitblado, vice-president of Promotions and Community Investment for the Vancouver Sun. “The enthusiasm is growing as we draw closer to the 2011 date and it is always heartwarming to see so many embrace the Run as their ‘can’t miss’ event of the year.” There is still time to take part as individual regis- trations are being accepted until the final registration deadline on Saturday, April 16, a day before the run. The Vancouver Sun Run is Canada’s largest 10K road race and the second largest timed 10K in the world.

Registration details: • Register on-line until midnight Tuesday, April 12 at www.sunrun.com

• Register in person on April 14, 15 and 16 at the 2011 Vancouver Sun Run participants cross the Burrard Street Bridge during the 2010 edition of the annual run. Photo: J. Vinnick location for the Sun Run Fair at Concord Place, across from Rogers Arena. Enter off Pacific Boulevard. This is register. There is no fee for adult escorts or parents also the location for this year’s race package pick-up Registration Fees: unless a T-shirt is requested) and Sunday’s Wrap Party. • Individual 10K costs $50 All fees include a souvenir 100 per cent cotton T-shirt The times of the Sun Run Fair are: Thursday, April • 2.5K Shaw Mini Sun Run is $25 for runners under featuring artwork by Vancouver artist, Tiko Kerr. 14, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Friday, April 15, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; 18 years and $35 for those 18 years and older. Kids get a paint-your-own T-shirt and a box of paints. and Saturday, April 16, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Adults or escorts must accompany children in the For more information, visit www.sunrun.com or call Please note there is no race day registration. Shaw Mini Sun Run – all adult escorts or parents must 604-689-9441.

Vancouver Canadians see return of fans

By Rob Fai

We all know in business it is about your return on investment. If you put in five dollars, you hope in a perfect world to make more when everything is said and done. Since 2007, the Vancouver Canadians owners of Jake Kerr and Jeff Mooney have invested in professional baseball, and now, they are finally starting to see a return on their invest- ment. It isn’t the type of return you would imagine with bean counters running around kicking heaps of money at their feet. The return is fickle sports fans starting to believe once again in their local baseball team. These two long-time business partners put both their names and wallets behind the Canadians nearly five years Under new ownership, the Vancouver Canadians baseball club have seen a return of fans as the team set out a new vision and built new relationships with the community including scholarships to UBC and the Vancouver chapter of Kids Up Front, which supplies tickets Vancouver Canadians to sporting and entertainment events to underpriviledged children. Submitted photo continued on next page

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10 Sounding Board/April 2011 The Vancouver Board of Trade/Spirit of Enterprise® A team of 53 ICBC employees will be taking part in this year’s BC Cancer Foundation Ride to Conquer Cancer journey from Vancouver to Seattle. TEAM ICBC will be one of the largest corporate teams in the ride and has set a goal to raise $200,000 for cancer research. photo: W. Peters

TEAM ICBC joins the fight to Conquer Cancer

By Tanya Oliva ride raising $9.5 million for the BC Cancer Foundation. ones who have been stricken by cancer. In British Columbia, we’re fortunate to have world- The team has created an “Honour Wall” at ICBC’s Statistics show that two in five people will be diagnosed class researchers and clinicians at the BC Cancer head office in North Vancouver where employees are with cancer in their lifetime. Agency and incredible progress has been made. invited to submit a photo of a person they would like Most of us know a colleague, family member or Twenty years ago childhood cancers had an 85 per to honour with their donation. friend who has battled this disease or has been taken cent terminal outcome, but today, through research, The wall serves as a very vivid reminder of the impact too soon. better diagnosis and treatment, this has been reduced of this dreaded disease and as ongoing inspiration for So chances are all of us will be touched by cancer to 15 per cent. the team’s riders as they train for their 260 km journey in some way. ICBC employees have a long history of giving back in June. This marks the third year of the BC Cancer Founda- to their community by donating their time and money Help TEAM ICBC improve outcomes for future tion’s Ride to Conquer Cancer, a two-day cycling journey to many worthy causes. cancer patients, and perhaps even yourself or someone through the scenic Pacific Northwest from Vancouver For the first time, a group of employees have banded you love, by making a tax deductible donation to the to Seattle. together to form TEAM ICBC for the 2011 Ride to BC Cancer Foundation. All funds raised from the ride goes to support criti- Conquer Cancer taking place June 18 and 19. To donate, go to www.conquercancer.ca/goto/team- cal research, care and treatment of those stricken with The team of 53 will be one of the largest corporate icbc. cancer in B.C. teams on the ride and aims to raise $200,000 for this To find out more about the Ride to Conquer Cancer, Last year, 2,200 riders and crew participated in the important cause. including volunteer opportunities, please visit www. TEAM ICBC is riding for all employees and loved conquercancer.ca.

Vancouver Canadians known locally, unveiled the Vancou- at all age levels. izing that this isn’t the Vancouver Cana- continued from next page ver Canadians Baseball Foundation A sold-out crowd back in January dians of old – the ones who swung open this past January with a focus on local welcomed the Toronto Blue Jays to town the gates and said, “It’s Nat Bailey, and ago, and sunk a fair share of money into children aged 5 to 10 who couldn’t play as the new affiliate of the Canadians and that should be enough.” an aging ballpark and a brand that hadn’t baseball in their community without a helped raise the curtain on the C’s new This organization has changed, in- seen a “heyday” in nearly 20 years. little help from their hometown team. community efforts. vested with the heart and shown itself But they went in full bore, took their Throw in the fact that the “Boys of The Canadians also continue a mu- to have the community firmly in their lumps and hoped that we would end up Summer” also committed scholarships tually rewarding relationship with the sights. seeing what their vision was from the to the University of British Columbia local chapter of Kids Up Front helping With tickets providing more value start: a legitimate, living and breathing Baseball program and are preparing to countless children in need find their way than ever before, the return on your in- baseball franchise committed to the host a Premier Baseball League Cham- to a baseball game at historic Scotiabank vestment with the Canadians might be community. pionship and it’s fair to say that the Field at Nat Bailey Stadium. more than you expected when everything The C’s, as they are affectionately foundation looks to hit a homerun locally It’s those efforts that have fans real- is said and done.

Proud partners of spirit of vancouver® Premier PARTNERS Supporting PARTNERS PNE Sauder School of Business Scotiabank Vancouver Canadians Vancouver Whitecaps FC

11 Sounding Board/April 2011 The Vancouver Board of Trade/Spirit of Enterprise® spring getaways

Curtains rise for 22nd season of Bard on the Beach Bard on the Beach, the popular summer Shakespeare’s unparalleled dramatic range. Shakespeare festival, will welcome audi- As You Like It is a merry romantic comedy ences under a new tent and stage this year. defined by favourite Shakespearean themes Helping make the 22nd season even more of love, mistaken identity and the pleasures memorable, Bard is unveiling its new Main- of pastoral life. stage tent at Vancouver’s Vanier Park and a The Merchant of Venice is a timeless, mes- move to reserved seating. merizing tale that pits youth against age and The 760-seat Mainstage tent will increase idealism against compromise as it travels that venue’s seating capacity by 40 per cent the incredible landscape between extremes. and incorporate a redesigned stage plus Henry VI: The Wars of the Roses distills the more comfortable seating for patrons. The Henry VI trilogy into a single thrilling narra- festival’s introduction of reserved seating tive filled with dirty politics, illicit romance will eliminate site-entry lineups and allow and family violence. patrons earlier access to the Bard Village’s In the closing chapter of the history amenities and services. series, Richard III presents one of Shake- Bard’s 2011 season will open with a Main- speare’s most villainous and fascinating stage production of the romantic comedy characters as it follows the epic struggle As You Like It, directed by David Mackay. between the houses of York and Lancaster Playing in repertory with As You Like It on for the ultimate prize – the English throne. the Mainstage is the classic The Merchant Ticket prices include HST and are $40 of Venice, directed by Rachel Ditor. (evenings) and $21 to $33 (previews and In the intimate 240-seat Douglas Camp- matinees) with a new youth rate (25 years bell Studio Stage tent, Bard concludes its and under) for evening performances. Prices three-year The Kings History Cycle as Chris- for special events and the four-play Bard topher Weddell directs Henry VI: The Wars of Pack can be found on the Bard website. the Roses, his adaptation of Henry VI, Parts Early booking is recommended, as many I, II & III. Kathryn Shaw directs the power- performances sell out in advance. ful drama Richard III, playing in repertory For more information and tickets go to with Henry VI. www.bardonthebeach.org or call 604-739- Duke of York (Scott Bellis) and Henry VI (Josue Laboucane) are two key players in Bard on the Beach’s The 2011 plays are a celebration of 0559 or (toll free) 1-877-739-0559. thrilling compilation of Shakespeare’s Henry VI trilogy, Henry VI: The Wars of the Roses. Photo D. Cooper Escape to the mountains and enjoy springtime in Whistler

By Lindsey Turner

Escape to the mountains this spring and enjoy the spring in with a visit to the Nita Lake Lodge. With longer daylight hours, this is the perfect time for skiers and snowboarders to experience some fabulous late season skiing or boarding. Uniquely situated on the shores of Whistler’s Nita Lake, the 77-suite lodge features spacious deluxe studios, one and two-bedroom suites that reflect a discerning lifestyle. At the lodge’s Aura restaurant, guests can expect a dining experience that incorporates the finest Situated on the Sunshine Coast where there is an annual 2,400 hours of sunshine a year, Rockwater Secret Cove Resort a coastal destination and freshest ingredients from the area and dishes for those seeking a quick, quiet getaway. Photo: L. Forsberg treated with respect and a clean hand. Set lakeside, Aura features a private dining Let Rockwater Secret Cove Resort ease room and an expansive outdoor patio where diners can enjoy their meals while soaking in the the transition from frost to flowers breathtaking views of the water and surrounding mountains. By Liz Sperandeo One of Canada’s only authentic Ayurvedic spas, the new Ashram Spa features a comprehensive As the relentless wet of Vancouver’s winter outstays its welcome, early signs of spring encourage eager thoughts of range of Ayurvedic therapies including massage, weekend getaways. Spring brings renewal, and what better place to restore a healthy body, mind and soul than on the yoga, exercise, diet and nutrition to help guests Sunshine Coast at Rockwater Secret Cove Resort. and visitors reestablish health, harmony and The 2,400 annual hours of sunshine and stunning oceanside views are guaranteed to boost spirits just in time for balance. spring. Throughout the entire month of April, guests The resort is a private paradise located a short ferry ride from Horseshoe Bay and a 15 minute drive north of Sechelt. who ask for the “Best Available Rate” will be offered The accommodations are varied and unique, and highlight the resort’s close relationship with nature. So turn off your 30 per cent off regular season rates. Those lucky email, switch your phone to silent and escape to the Sunshine Coast, where a stress-free weekend of rejuvenation awaits. enough to be booking select midweek dates will Departing Friday after work, guests arrive at Rockwater for a two-night stay in their choice of digs: a luxury tenthouse will be offered an additional 10 per cent off for a suite, poolside room, cabin or ocean-view room. Mornings are spent enjoying breakfast for two in the oceanfront res- 40 per cent discount off regular season rates. Rates taurant, before relishing in a 60-minute Tandem Bliss Massage for two. start at $210 per night plus tax based on double Should you want to get active during the day, choose between hiking, biking or taking part in a group or private yoga occupancy in a luxurious Studio Valley Trail suite. class. In the evening, savor a gourmet, five-course dinner for two prepared by the resort’s executive chef and paired Lindsey Turner is director of Sales & Market- with B.C. VQA wines. ing at Nita Lake Lodge. For reservations or more By the end of your weekend away from city and winter distractions, you will feel fully recharged. information about Nita Lake Lodge visit www. To switch gears for spring, Rockwater Secret Cove Resort offers this special package from April 16 to June 9, 2011. nitalakelodge.com. For more information, visit www.rockwatersecretcoveresort.com.

12 Sounding Board/April 2011 The Vancouver Board of Trade/Spirit of Enterprise® spring getaways

Empowering girls to be Indulge in an open-air prepared for high school shopping adventure in Victoria

By Lisa Hanson By Valentina Castilla

The YWCA is committed to achieving Imagine a shopping experience in the open air, walking down a “Main Street” with women’s equality and 10 years ago created a stores opening to sidewalks flanked by street parking and generous landscaping. summer camp for girls to help them develop That’s Uptown, Canada’s first LEED Gold open-air destination shopping and busi- the strength, knowledge and skills to address ness district, situated in beautiful Greater Victoria at the crossroads of the Trans-Canada the issues they face as they become teenag- Hwy. and Hwy. 17. ers and prepare for high school. “We think beyond the buildings to create an experience for everyone visiting The result was Camp Fun Girl, a camp Uptown,” said Valentina Castilla, project manager at Chandler Associates Architec- focused on fun and female empowerment. ture. Through developing positive peer re- The open-air experience begins on a “Main Street” that seems to have grown in place lationships, encouraging a healthy body over time. Detailing includes classical brick arches, art deco ornamentation, contem- image and taking part in fun outdoor porary classic and international styles, while still complementing the regional style. activities, Camp Fun Girl supports the The open spaces also make for an outstanding venue to showcase works by three YWCA’s strategy to provide healthy choices renowned Canadian artists. Canadian sculptor and painter Ann Bartok, Vancouver for youth. For example, in the past activi- Island First Nations artist Joe Wilson and Master Carver Doug LaFortune all have their ties have included such things as making a work situated around the new shopping destination. friendship box, which highlights how choos- LaFortune’s striking carving marks the gateway to Uptown at Blanchard Avenue ing friends who are a positive influence is and Saanich Drive while the Town Plaza makes for a fabulous backdrop for Wilson’s one of the most important decisions a young At the YWCA Fun Girl camp, girls ages 9 to 13, participate New Fountain Mosaic – an installation that’s fun for the kids and beautiful to view girl can make. in activities focused on fun and female empowerment. day and night. The camp also works with young girls Submitted photo Uptown is designed to be a LEED Gold Neighbourhood Development to respect to explore and foster their own creativ- Welcome to My LifeTM after-school program the environment and also be a proud part of the community residents will enjoy. ity through activities such as photography to initiate discussion on topics such as Environmental considerations include green roofs and reflective roofing material to and dance, ultimately promoting a sense of healthy relationships, personal and internet keep the local environment cool, and a rain water collection system from the roofs to achievement and greater self-confidence. safety, body image and self-esteem. a 200,000 gallon underground cistern to water the landscape. At the YWCA Health + Fitness Centre, the Camp Fun Girl runs for one week in The concept and respect for the environment make Uptown a model for future girls participate in a variety of team games July for girls aged 9 to 13, and takes place shopping centre developments to aspire to, Castilla said. and recreational activities to show them the in downtown Vancouver at the YWCA on With Phase 1 now complete and Phase 2 of the project slated for completion in importance of having a healthy body and Hornby Street. summer 2012, the Uptown experience will only become more spectacular. mind, and also demonstrate how much fun For more information on the YWCA and Valentina Castilla is a project manager at Chandler Associates Architecture. For more exercise can be. Camp Fun Girl, visit www.ywcavan.org/ information on Uptown, visit www.shopuptown.ca. Some activities are taken from the content/Camp_Fun_Girl/237.

YUKON. THIS LAND WAS MADE FOR YOU AND ME.

Packages from $ * Round-trip airfare from Vancouver to Whitehorse with two nights’ accommodation. 399 * For travel between May 20 – Sept. 12, 2011. Per person, based on double occupancy. Breakdown – Airfare & Hotel Package $399 • Fuel Surchargeº $100 • Security Fee $14.24 • Airport Improvement Fee $5 • Taxes $55.26 • Total $573.50 º Fuel surcharge valid March 2011 and changes monthly. To learn why, visit flyairnorth.com/fuel-surcharge.

add-ons

Mountain GoLF WHite Pass & daWson citY Horseback ride Tee off under the Yukon route Visit historic Dawson Ride the pristine midnight sun for the 7th Ride the famous White City. Includes airfare from mountain ridges overlooking Annual Air North Midnight Pass & Yukon Route Railway. Whitehorse to Dawson City Bonneville Lakes. Sun Golf Tournament, June 18, 2011. WP&YR Day Combo trip. with two nights’ accommodation. $135 + GST $314 + GST Amazing views and possible wildlife Learn more at mountainviewgolf.ca. sightings, so have your camera $100 + GST ready! Available June 1 – September 12 from Sky High Wilderness Ranch. $124.50 + GST

flyairnorth.com To book, call your local travel agent, or Air North at 1.800.661.0407 or (867) 668.2228

Departures available from Vancouver on Friday/Saturday, returning on Sunday/Monday. All fees and taxes subject to change without notice. Subject to availability and some restrictions apply. Travel option for a third night stay available. Three day advance booking required. All flights booked in Economy “Y” Class.

13 Sounding Board/April 2011 The Vancouver Board of Trade/Spirit of Enterprise® coastal waters

Vancouver Convention Centre: Marine a hotbed for sea creatures pilots keep

By Jinny Wu coast, Fraser

The thousands of delegates meeting at the Vancouver Convention Centre each year River and aren’t the only ones keeping the facility bustling. An entirely different community is also “meeting” at the Centre – or beneath its vessels safe foundation to be exact. With 40 per cent of the Vancouver Con- By Bruce Chadwick vention Centre’s West building built over the harbour, a unique marine habitat was Did you know that there are 100 coastal and developed as part of its foundation. Installed seven Fraser River marine pilots that have in 2008, this first-of-its- kind habitat skirt has a prominent role in most cargo shipped attracted a wide variety of marine life, includ- through British Columbia ports? ing barnacles, mussels, seaweed, starfish, Vessels of 350 gross tons or larger, while crabs and different fish species. travelling in Canadian waters, are legally “The marine habitat has truly trans- obliged to use the services of a Canadian formed the waterfront at the convention marine pilot as per the Pilotage Act. centre,” says Richard Sims, the convention Headquartered in Vancouver, the Pacific centre’s marine environmental consultant Pilotage Authority (PPA) is a federal Crown and principal scientist at EBA, a Tetra Tech corporation, whose mandate is to admin- Company. “We now have a thriving marine ister this service in the waters of Western ecosystem in an area that was once a con- Canada. taminated industrial site.” The PPA is financially self-sufficient as it The marine habitat consists of seventy- charges users aservice fee every time a pilot six stair-style frames that descend into the is dispatched. harbour around the waterside perimeter of The authority is prohibited from receiv- the building. The frames are topped with ing appropriations from Parliament as per the Pilotage Act. “The marine habitat The authority’s area of jurisdiction encompasses the entire British Colum- has truly transformed bia coast, including the Fraser River, and stretches from Alaska in the north to Wash- the waterfront at the ington State in the south. convention centre. We now In an average year PPA pilots will do ap- proximately 12,000 assignments on vessels have a thriving marine carrying such diverse cargo as automobiles, grain, containers, coal, petroleum products, ecosystem in an area that forest products, potash and sulphur. was once a contaminated The cruise ships that transit B.C. waters to and from Alaska are also served by PPA industrial site.” pilots. When a vessel intends to enter compul- horizontal concrete benches that provide a sory pilotage waters on the British Columbia home for sea life to rest and feed. coast, it will initiate an order for a pilot at a specified time, date and boarding station. “We are consistently seeing an increasing The new Vancouver Convention Centre has not only attracted plenty of human visitors. Recently, a flock diversity of marine flora and fauna on each of nearly 100 ducks, consisting of Barrow’s Goldeneye and Surf Scoter, have taken up residence under the The authority operates four boarding sta- level of the skirt,” adds Sims. “Apart from convention centre and are quite the sight diving for food in the water beside the centre. Submitted photo tions: Brotchie Ledge at Victoria, Sandheads sea life, we’ve also observed other animals are seen daily frolicking in the area for the in various formations to feed on the inverte- at the mouth of the Fraser River, Triple Island feeding on the benches of the skirt like seals past two months. brates on the marine skirt. It’s quite a sight.” outside of Prince Rupert and Pine Island at and birds.” “The ducks are getting a lot of atten- Jinny Wu is the communications manager the northern tip of Vancouver Island. Recently, the most noticeable example tion from our staff and visitors,” says Ken at the Vancouver Convention Centre. For more Pilots are boarded on vessels by pilot is a flock of up to 100 ducks, consisting of Cretney, general manger of the Vancouver info, visit www.vancouverconventioncentre. launch and are disembarked in similar Barrow’s Goldeneye and Surf Scoters. They Convention Centre. “The ducks are diving com. fashion when a vessel leaves local waters. Marine pilotage is all about safety as it serves to protect the environment and thus the interests of the Canadian people. The PPA holds itself accountable to the Canadian public in this regard. Bruce Chadwick, CMA, is director of finance for the Pacific Pilotage Authority. For more info, visit www.ppa.gc.ca. EXPOSE YOURSELF... To the power of B.C.’s most active business To get a glimpse of what a day in organization. From senior executives to small the life of a marine pilot is like, look business owners to community leaders, The on the next page for a photo spread Vancouver Board of Trade’s 5,500 members meet by The Vancouver Board of Trade’s on boardoftrade.com. photographer-in-residence, Dave Roels. For more information on Roels, visit www.daveroels.com.

starting at $160

14 Sounding Board/April 2011 The Vancouver Board of Trade/Spirit of Enterprise® coastal waters

Photography by Dave Roels

15 Sounding Board/April 2011 The Vancouver Board of Trade/Spirit of Enterprise® member news

Minerva Foundation celebrates 10 years in 2011 The Minerva Foundation for BC Women is celebrating its 10 year anniver- sary in 2011. Since its inception, Minerva has been dedicated to inspiring and empowering motivated women to explore and develop their potential. The foundation does this by creating opportunities and offering programs through trusted partnerships in the areas of leadership skills, connectivity and education. The Minerva Foundation honours personal power, courage and growth. It maintains a strong sense of values-based leadership. Board members, staff and volunteers dedicate time, energy and love to its mission, enabling the successful results of Minerva’s programs through the years. Entering 2011, the foundation is feeling proud and excited, with many projects to announce. This year, for the first time at its annual Alumnae Event on May 5, Min- verva will be distributing The Spirit of Minerva Alumnae Awards to 10 women in the following five categories: Overcoming the Odds, Excellence in Personal Growth, Making a Difference in Her Community, Leadership, and Mentor- ing. The foundation is eager to honour these incredible women. Therefore, Minerva alumni are encouraged to connect with the foundation regarding how the program they took affected their lives. Minerva is also extremely excited to announce the launch of its three- year advanced leadership program called Women Leading the Way. The first cohort, with 26 participants coming from all corners of B.C., started on Jan. 28, 2011. This is a hands-on, advanced leadership training program that encourages women to move to the next level in their leadership journey. Women will learn techniques to develop their leadership abilities that will enable them to move into positions of greater influence and responsibility, and affect political, business or social change. This year, Minerva’s new Patrons Circle is spearheading community events including a 10-year Commemorative Event in June. Minerva’s Patrons Circle is composed of Elise Rees (chair), Debra Hewson, Jill Leversage, Jody Wilson- Raybould, Lis Welch, Nancy McKinstry, Patricia Graham, Peter Ladner, Yuri Fulmer and Zahra Mamdani. With such a strong team of individuals The Minerva Foundation’s Women Leading the Way advanced leadership program was officially launched on Jan. 28 and 29, and volunteers, Minerva’s 10th year is going to be really special. 2011. The weekend was a huge success and included a keynote presentation by Lt. Col. Maryse Carmichael, the first female For more information on the Minerva Foundation for BC Women, visit Commander of the Canadian Forces Air Demonstration Team, the Snowbirds. Submitted photo www.theminervafoundation.com. Why the ‘one-person’ IT shop is failing Vancouver businesses

How reliant are you on designing IT infrastructure your computer network? If for a customer. The typical it goes down, what is a day IT roadmap looks three of lost productivity worth? years down the road. It con- Businesses need their siders vendor infrastruc- Create a Lasting Impression... computer hardware and ture, software support, best with Dave Roels Award-Winning Photography software to work. The true practice methods, budget cost of network downtime and warranty. Always re- should consider lost pro- member that a respectable ductivity as well as hard- IT consultant will provide ware replacement costs if products and services that it is to be justly quantified. reduce interruption down This idea may seem the road. trivial, but there have Here are some of the been instances when a main advantages to con- company, trying to save sulting and hiring a busi- Rob Sarkissian money, chooses the lowest ness IT provider: quote from an IT provider • Strong relationships thinking price is the only variable to consider. with business grade hardware and software As a result, consumer grade hardware is pur- vendors, chased and software is either misconfigured • Testing configurations before imple- or unlicensed. mentation, When a system failure occurs the ill- • Direct contact with a team of techni- informed technician has very little he or cians, not just one or two, she can do to fix the problem because the • Proper offsite backup solutions, computer was custom built. When custom • Timely onsite warranty service, consumer grade equipment is used there are • Industry training accreditations and numerous vendors to contact for trouble- certifications, shooting purposes. The warranty process • Greater accountability. is usually a drawn out procedure involving Before you make your next IT purchase shipping costs and testing offsite. No single decision, please think long-term. Look for an business should accept losing their network IT partner, not just a provider. Accountable IT for two weeks, but it seems to be happen- companies will lead you in the right direction ing more often these days because some IT and tell you why it is in your company’s best consultants do not provide customers with interest to pursue a specific path. Ask ques- the appropriate information. tions and look for the qualities above to help “A rare and perceptive eye for capturing the character A business should always consult an IT reduce downtime and increase productivity. of his subjects – first rate portrait photographer.” provider that specializes in business solu- Rob Sarkissian is the business development Peter C. Newman, C.C. tions. Business IT consultants understand manager at Sea to Sky Network Solutions. For time sensitivity and they factor this in when more information, visit www.seatosky.com.

16 Sounding Board/April 2011 The Vancouver Board of Trade/Spirit of Enterprise® member news

Choosing the most effective security for your business

By Carolyn Smith

A break-in or theft at any business is unpleasant and problematic. Damage or theft of property, loss of sensitive information and reduction in employee morale can bring any company to a standstill. The barrier between businesses and the most effective security system is often a lack of knowledge. With so many options available, it’s hard to know what system to choose, and unfortu- nately, the most common security offerings on the market fail to protect. The most widely popular or traditional security measures require costly investment, yet they do not result in the most effective protection. Conventional alarm systems have a 98 per cent false alarm rate, so police do not respond promptly or at all. Security guards are very expensive and often sleep through a crime as it takes place. Closed-circuit surveillance can be complicated to install and only offers a video tape of a crime taking place, only allowing you to watch the theft after the fact. Criminals know these systems and how to beat them. However there are emerging technology solutions available that are capable of eliminat- ing the crime woes many companies face. The latest security technology is verified only dispatch by Sonitrol. Sonavision watches compounds, construction sites and is used to provide police with live intelligence of hold-up situations. Sonitrol also actively listens to facilities and hears break-ins as criminals are attempting to gain entry through walls, roofs, windows or doors. Audio sensors are strategically placed around a facility and can instantly detect the sounds of unusual activity. Infrared video cameras are mounted around the perimeter of a site that can sense heat and motion, sending live video to Sonitrol. When the alarm is activated, the Sonitrol monitor team verifies the cause and determines if the video or audio is threatening. If it is not, the system is re-set. If it is threatening, police are immediately dispatched and have a documented average Joe Wilson of Sonitrol Canada with some of Sonitrol’s cutting edge video and audio monitoring equipment. response of 3.5 minutes. Submitted photo Police have apprehended more than 160,000 criminals in the act of breaking into Sonitrol protected sites. There is no better deterrent to crime than a captured criminal. Why would anyone settle for a conventional alarm when Sonitrol is available? Deter crime, catch criminals, do your part to help police make safer communities through the use of Sonitrol Verified Security. For more information on how Sonitrol reduces crime and creates safer communities, go to do www.sonitrol-canada.com. Insure your data by backing it up

By Kate MacDonald computing and for good reason. Backing up documents to a web-based service is It’s a common story – a laptop is stolen relatively inexpensive and allows access or a hard drive fails and the data is gone. from anywhere with an internet connec- Whether business documents or family tion. The key is to ensure the security of photos, almost as upsetting as the loss is the service meets your industry’s SLAs and the realization the situation could easily protocols. have been avoided with a data backup The simplest and most reliable option program. – and the one that appeals to most busi- We all recognize the importance of in- nesses – is a local/remote site backup. In suring our possessions, however when it the case of ImogoVault, your data is en- comes to insuring our data, the numbers crypted and backed up daily on two drives, tell a sobering story. the first at your office and the second at a • Only 50 per cent of small businesses separate location of your choosing. That back up their data (and of those that do, way if something unforeseen happens at only 10 per cent do it regularly); your home or business, your information is • 7 out of 10 businesses go bankrupt still safe at the second location. It’s simple following a major data loss; enough that you don’t require IT support to • 31 per cent of PC users have lost all of back up or recover your data and the best their locally-stored files to events beyond part is that your data remains completely their control; within your control.” • Recreating data from scratch is esti- Realistically, the loss or theft of data mated to cost between $2,000 and $8,000 and mobile devices will happen to all of per megabyte. us. While potentially devastating, insuring While many businesses consider your data with a backup program now will backup to be time consuming and expen- save a lot of headaches later on. sive, ImogoVault manager and data secu- Kate MacDonald is the communications rity expert Juan Quijano explains there are manager at Imogo Mobile Technologies simple solutions: Corp. For more information, visit www. “There’s a lot of buzz around cloud imogo.com.

17 Sounding Board/April 2011 The Vancouver Board of Trade/Spirit of Enterprise® member news

Vancouver Bach Choir celebrates 80th season with performance at city’s 125th

By Terry Pask separate choirs. The chorus has introduced thousands of young people to the joys of The Vancouver Bach Choir is celebrating music, many of whom have gone on to enjoy two milestones this year. a career in opera and recital. On April 6, the 160-member choir is In its 80th season, the choir is celebrat- participating in celebrations marking Van- ing “New Beginnings” with charismatic couver’s 125th birthday. This year is also the new music director Leslie Dala. The choir 80th season for the choir. looks forward to continuing to bring new Founded in 1930, the and exciting musical projects to the stage in Vancouver Bach Choir Vancouver and to a wider audience. staged its first concert at However, this April, the choir does not the Orpheum Theatre, forget its roots in Vancouver and its role which that year just in the cultural life of the city. It is pleased opened its doors on Gran- to be able to help Vancouver celebrate its ville Street. milestone birthday. The choir has since Dala The Vancouver Bach Choir will sing April delighted audiences with 6, during Birthday Live, an afternoon-long a broad spectrum of music conductors celebration for Vancouver 125th birthday, at such as Bruno Walter, Zubin Mehta, Sir Jack Poole Plaza at Thurlow and Cordova Andrew Davies and Sir Simon Rattle and streets. has featured Canadian and British Columbia The choir will also perform Hector Ber- The Vancouver Bach Choir celebates its 80th season this year when Vancouver also marks its 125th birthday. premieres of many important choral works. lioz’s Damnation of Faust on April 16, 8 p.m. The celebrate both occasions, the choir will be singing April 6 during Birthday Live, the official celebration at the Orpheum Theatre and take part in the The choir has also developed a repu- for Vancouver 125th. Can’t make it? The choir also performs April 16 and also June 8 when it joins the tation as the choir that has performed Vancouver Symphony Orchestra in Last Night of the Proms. photo: K. Tregillas Last Night of the Proms with the Vancouver Mahler’s 8th Symphony more often than any Symphony Orchestra, June 8, also at the allowed the choir to sing from Warsaw to The Vancouver Bach Youth Chorus was other North American choir. Most recently, Orpheum. Tokyo, London and Birmingham, Toronto started nearly thirty years ago as an outreach the group performed it in Vancouver as part Terry Pask is a director for Vancouver and Calgary, and elsewhere, representing project, and currently involves 300 young of the 2010 Cultural Olympiad. Bach Choir. For more information, visit www. Vancouver in the process. people from age five to mid-twenties in 10 National and international tours have vancouverbachchoir.com.

Social networking policy - do you have one?

By Nicole Byres there are privacy laws that prohibit the dis- closure of private information (including The majority of employees, young and old, photographs) of co-workers. are accessing social networking sites on a • Because comments posted on social daily basis. networking sites can spread virally, are We are often asked to speak about or searchable, and can stay online even if the advise employers on how their policies original posting is removed, emphasize that should be updated to deal with some of employees are expected to use caution and the negative consequences of employee good judgment when posting comments access to social media – including breaches or information on social networking sites of privacy, disclosure of confidential infor- that can be identified or associated with mation, bullying, and damage to business the employer. reputation or brand. Updating company policies to deal Because comments posted with social networking sites ensures that appropriate rules (and awareness) are in on social networking sites can place. By doing this, employers will be better able to manage the legal liability spread virally, are searchable, and business risks, employees will be and can stay online even clear about their responsibilities to the company and their co-workers, and if the original posting is both employers and employees will be able to enjoy the communication and removed, emphasize that marketing benefits associated with em- employees... use caution and ployee use of a social networking sites. The following is a summary of some good judgment when posting of the key components of a social net- working policy. comments... • Make it clear that employee poli- cies apply to all communications, includ- ing those made on social networking sites, • Ensure that employees understand that whether such communications are posted social networking sites are not appropriate during personal time at work or at home. For forums to engage in differences of opinion example, comments that would otherwise with respect to work-related issues, or be inappropriate because they are consid- engage in criticism of management, co- ered insubordinate, constitute harassment workers, customers or clients. or result in a poisoned workplace should • Include warnings that violation of the also not be posted on social networking sites policy may result in disciplinary action, up (during or after work hours). to and including termination of employ- • Confirm that social networking discus- ment. sions should not disclose confidential pro- Nicole Byres is a partner at Clark Wilson prietary or business information (whether LLP and chair of the Labour and Employ- it be yours or that of your customers or ment Practice Group. For more information, clients). Employees should be warned that visit www.cwilson.com.

18 Sounding Board/April 2011 The Vancouver Board of Trade/Spirit of Enterprise® member news

Cdn Blood Services to create umbilical cord blood bank

By Daniel Pi a greater role since 1998. CBS also manages the national stem cell and bone marrow Canadian Blood Services, with its proven national delivery registries and is helping create a national tissue and organ do- model and expertise in blood research, has been asked by the nation and transplant system. Both the umbilical cord blood federal and provincial governments to create a national public bank and new tissue and organ donation and transplant system umbilical cord blood bank. will be major undertakings for the CBS in the years to come, “It’s a recognition of the hard work and success CBS has had Sher said. since 1998,” said Dr. Graham Sher, CEO of Canadian Blood Today, while CBS collects on average 21,000 units of blood Services (CBS). a week from its blood clinics around the country, Sher said the Umbilical cord blood is a high source of stem cells which organization is still challenged to attract more regular donors, is an important blood product used to treat diseases like leu- particularly from younger individuals and those from different kemia. ethnic communities. According to Sue Smith, executive director of OneMatch According to CBS, one out of four donors begins giving or Stem Cell and Marrow Network, the new blood bank will create becomes a regular donor through workplace clinics or because more opportunities to collect blood to save lives. of their employers support of blood donation. In 2010, more “It will allow more input from Vancouver-based physicians, than 3,400 organizations or community groups donated patient groups, and community groups into 160,000 units of blood through CBS’s Partners for Life program. Canada’s stem cell system, and it will allow “We rely extensively on companies lending us staff for blood us to reach different ethnic groups in the city donations,” Sher said of the program. and surrounding areas with a new opportu- For more information on Canadian Blood Services and nity to rally together to save lives” Smith said. Partners for Life, visit www.bloodservices.ca. Since taking over Canada’s blood supply in 1998 following the tainted blood scandal, On an average week, Canadian Blood Services will ellection up to 550 CBS has made huge strides in improving units of blood in Vancouver. Each unit is half a litre and is separated into Blood broken down: three products: red-blood cells, platelets and plasma. Submitted photo Sher safety of the blood system while increasing In an average week Canadian Blood Services col- donations and investing in innovation and lected just 680,000 units of blood and often could not meet the lects 21,000 units of blood across the country. B.C. blood research. demand for blood by hospitals around the country. contributes 2,500 units and Vancouver about 550 units. Then a hematologist at Toronto Hospital, Sher worked But a strategic plan focused on improving safety measures, Each unit of blood is half a litre. extensively treating patients with the blood-clotting disorder increasing the blood supply and investing in innovation and The collected blood is separated into three differ- and recalls how the scandal acutely affected the nation’s con- research has turned CBS into a trusted partner in Canada’s ent products – red blood cells, platelets and plasma. fidence in the blood supply and damaged Canada’s reputation health care delivery and made the nation’s blood supply one The red blood cells are kept as a unit, the platelets are around the globe. of the safest in the world. pooled with four or five other donations and plasma “People stopped donating in large numbers… (and) the Ca- “Today we know 86 per cent of the general population will is further separated into other products. nadian blood supply was reduced dramatically,” Sher recalled. give Canadian Blood Services a very high rating,” Sher said. “We According to the Provincial Blood Coordination When CBS took over took responsibility of the collection know 10 years ago it was at 50 to 56 per cent.” Office, in 2010 there were 132,940 transfusions for red and distribution of blood from the Red Cross, Sher said, “We The request by government to spearhead the umbilical blood cells, an average of 364 a day. inherited an organization that was in crisis.” That year CBS col- cord blood bank is just one example of how CBS has taken on

HST tax tips for businesses the Canada Line to the airport, these are spin- By Merrill Leung credits (ITC) for the HST paid on off benefits and not the business inputs. However, transi- purpose of the gathering. While the B.C. Harmonized Sales tional rules restrict the ability of The Board’s Literary Critic The purpose is to bring Tax (HST) has simplified sales tax financial institutions and “large Dr. Owen A. Anderson out the best in each of filings for many businesses, there businesses” to claim ITC on the us, to think a bit bigger, is some ongoing HST compli- provincial portion of HST paid Alberta Ballet Company came to and most importantly, to ance issues that B.C. businesses on certain property and services. Vancouver and performed an origi- create a longer time horizon. Study need to consider. In B.C., the recapture rule denies nal work set to the music of Alberta’s after study shows that the ability Place of Supply Rules 100 per cent of the ITC on these Joni Mitchell. to think long term is the prereq- Businesses selling goods and property and services from July Because of the Olympics, we uisite for success in any activity. services across Canada must use 1, 2010 to June 30, 2015. The Patriot Hearts: Inside the Olym- witnessed countless cultural per- Eventually Jack Poole became chair place of supply rules to deter- recapture will be phased out by pics that Changed a Country by John formances by Canadian aboriginals of VANOC and John Furlong took mine which GST or HST rate to June 30, 2018 by reducing the ITC Furlong with Gary Mason (Douglas from every part of our country. over as CEO. But their friendship charge to customers. Supplies denial by 25 per cent each year & McIntyre: Vancouver, 2011) We need to appreciate that in remained strong right up to Poole’s made in B.C. attract a 12 per starting July 1, 2015. addition to the love of sport, the passing. cent HST rate. A 13 percent HST A “large business” is a busi- In this book we are privileged Olympics is about culture too, Furlong’s book ends on a con- rate applies to supplies made ness that has annual sales of to learn about our author celebrating a wide range of excel- fessional, apologetic note with in Ontario, New Brunswick, more than $10 million in its John Furlong’s early life lence in human activities. Dancers, a reflection on his family life and Newfoundland; a 15 per preceding fiscal period, includ- growing up in Dublin, Ireland. musicians, artists, and storytellers through four generations. Furlong cent HST rate applies in Nova ing sales by “associated persons.” One of the main events is the father- all are part of the bigger picture that now has many grandchildren. Scotia; and a 5 per cent GST rate These restrictions will gener- son relationship, which had such the Olympic spirit represents: chal- Many of the lessons Furlong takes applies to supplies made in the ally apply to purchases of energy an important role in John Furlong’s lenging ourselves to find, sharpen, from his Dublin upbringing are the remaining non‐HST provinces (except for energy used in the life. and finally share our best. standard but critical characteristics and territories. production of goods for resale), Furlong, as we no doubt recall, That includes our best in hos- needed in sport and in business: Generally speaking, the place telecommunications services was the leader and public face of pitality, welcoming new friends, in endless hard work, perseverance, of supply for goods is the prov- (except for internet access ser- the recent 2010 Winter Games – an raising our level of appreciation and strategic thinking, and a culture ince where physical possession vices, web‐hosting services, or event that changed us all. the expanded consciousness that described as, “Every single thing of goods is transferred and the toll‐free telephone services), Because of the Olympics, the results from these high exchanges. matters.” place of supply for services is motor vehicles weighing less Opera Louis Riel played at the As we discover a higher purpose, Furlong’s story is a case study the province of the recipient of than 3,000 kg, and meals and en- Chan Centre, the only performance we are all enhanced. in leadership. He demonstrat- the services. However, there are tertainment. Businesses should outside of Toronto. The opera is The involvement and engage- ed the characteristics of vision numerous exceptions to these ensure that the recaptured ITC about the role of the Métis in estab- ment of volunteers, the awareness plus values plus the ability to rules which must be carefully are properly reflected in their lishing and building the West in the of school children and seniors, the execute through teamwork. considered. HST returns. 1800’s – it was a timely performance involvement of Inuit, Métis and first You and your team should read this Restricted Input Tax Credits Merrill Leung, CA, is a senior as the late great Jack Poole, CEO of nations people were all built into remarkable book. Businesses carrying on busi- manager of Canadian Taxation the Vancouver Whistler 2010 Bid the model of the 2010 Winter Games Gary Mason also deserves ness in Canada in the course of at DMCL Chartered Accountants Society, used to show his Métis card in Vancouver. credit for the hours he worked with commercial activities are gener- in Vancouver. For more info, visit on every first meeting. While everyone appreciates a Furlong to make Patriot Hearts a ally able to claim full input tax DMCL’s website at www.dmcl.ca. Because of the Olympics, the new road, a bigger skating rink, memorable and inspirational book.

19 Sounding Board/April 2011 The Vancouver Board of Trade/Spirit of Enterprise® continuing education

Canada’s output connected to our own First Nations

By Laurie Sterritt nal men and women, investment in educa- tion and training in the growing aboriginal The impending labour shortage facing population will help to ensure a supply of Canada’s exploration and mining indus- skilled labour for the future and facilitate try means companies across the country an increase in aboriginal contributions to are looking for ways to attract and retain the Canadian economy. skilled workers. According to a 2009 study by the The British Columbia Aboriginal Centre for the Study of Living Standards, Mine Training Association (BC AMTA) if Canada can increase the levels of ab- was created in late 2009 to help connect original education and participation in aboriginal people to jobs in B.C.’s mining the labour market, it will not only boost sector. national and provincial productivity and BC AMTA takes a practical approach gross domestic product (GDP) – a $401 toward real inclusion, using a business billion potential cumulative effect on model that engages industry, educators Canada’s GDP between 2001 and 2026 – it and communities in removing barriers will also increase tax revenues and reduce to employment for under-represented government expenditures for programs groups. aimed at improving standards of living, With a focus on preparation and skills providing adequate health care and pre- upgrading, BC AMTA has begun building venting crime. capacity with and for communities in the Building partnerships and develop- central interior and northwest regions of ing capacity within our aboriginal com- B.C. and is positioned to be a leader in munities is one way Canada will remain creating employable, job-ready aborigi- competitive. nal candidates for the mining sector and Labour shortages as a result of retire- beyond. ments will be the dominant economic A student from Northwest Community College’s School of Exploration and Mining examines an ore sample. BC AMTA is an essential force in the trend for the next couple of decades, and Submitted photo hiring processes for its partner mines, like economic growth will slow down as a New Gold’s New Afton mine, and Teck Re- result, unless we proactively tap into the sources’ Highland Valley Copper. talent pool here at home, within aboriginal In just 15 months, it has 109 employed communities. candidates, proof that BC AMTA programs Laurie Sterritt is the executive director and services are getting tangible results. for the BC AMTA. For more information While today the mining industry is the about BC AMTA and its partners and proj- largest private sector employer of aborigi- ects visit www.bcamta.ca.

The JIBC has partnered with Mercyhurst College to offer two new one-year certificants on Intelligence Analysis and Tactical Criminal Analysis in response to feedback from the law enforcement community. Submitted photo Debbies 1/4BW JIBC launches new analysis graduate certificates Membershi AD By Valder Belgrave provided by Mercyhurst, students enrolled in these graduate certificate programs will The Justice Institute of British Columbia enjoy state-of-the-art learning resources, (JIBC) Justice & Public Safety Division is excellent liaison with potential employers in launching two new graduate certificate government and the private sector, and ex- programs through a unique partnership posure to an experienced and accomplished with Mercyhurst College. The one-year pro- faculty. Graduates will also be eligible to grams on Intelligence Analysis and Tactical apply for Mercyhurst’s two-year master’s Criminal Analysis were created in response degree program in applied intelligence, to feedback from clients in the law enforce- under an accelerated arrangement. ment community who view improved crime “We are in the process of adapting the and intelligence analysis as tools to enhance Mercyhurst course materials with Canadian both their efficiency and effectiveness. content, including our laws and protocols, “We identified a need for this kind of but all the practical application and theory curriculum – which is virtually nonexistent behind the Mercyhurst curriculum will in post-secondary academic institutions in remain the same,” Trump said. Canada – and we turned to Mercyhurst, rec- Registration for the first cohort of stu- ognizing its world-renowned reputation as dents opened on March 14, in anticipation leaders in the field of intelligence analysis,” of a May 9 course start date. Students en- said Mike Trump, director of JIBC’s Justice rolled in both the Intelligence Analysis and & Public Safety Division. Tactical Criminal Analysis programs will In the past, the Mercyhurst College In- complete three foundational courses that stitute for Intelligence Studies (MCIIS) has will provide a grounding in the theory and created training courses for use off-site, but practice of analysis and a range of specialist this marks the first time MCIIS has leased courses that give analysts and their employ- the same courses it teaches in its Mercyhurst ers more tools to add to their toolboxes. classrooms to another academic enterprise, Valder Belgrave is the communications according to Robert J. Heibel, MCIIS execu- and marketing manager at the JIBC. For tive director. more information about the new graduate In addition to the quality curriculum certificate programs, visit www.jibc.ca.

20 Sounding Board/April 2011 The Vancouver Board of Trade/Spirit of Enterprise® continuing education

Continuing education crucial to success

By Andy Gregory

A wise businesswoman once said, “A company is only as good as the people it keeps.” So how will you stand out? Workplace roles in today’s economy are rapidly changing. Many companies are faced with new technologies, different business processes and revamped organizational struc- tures. In the span of an average career, deadlines will get shorter, budgets tighter and staff levels will decrease. Competition is fierce, which means the status-quo approach isn’t good enough. In order to excel, employees often need to pursue new learning opportunities and busi- nesses must find new ways to enable and motivate employees. With this in mind, access to continuing education studies has become a crucial part of success. Offering more than 40 certificate and diploma options, the Continuing Studies program at Vancouver Community College (VCC) can help people upgrade their skills or prepare for a big promotion. “VCC’s Continuing Studies programming is relevant, applied and specialized,” says Judy Turner, interim vice-president of Continuing Education and Contract Training. “We are eager to work with the business community to meet their training needs in response to labour market trends.” Many individuals seek out continuing studies education outside work hours, which can be a challenge. VCC offers companies the option of on-site course training for groups of employees, available year-round. VCC instructors have extensive experience working with public and private sector organizations throughout Metro Vancouver. Training is customized to meet the needs of each company and employees come out of the sessions with new skills that are immediately relevant to their work. Some key areas of focus for on-site training are leadership management skills, busi- Meaghan Buisson, a national team inline speed skating member and 11-time international medallist, has ness writing, business English and business communication. VCC’s on-site training clients successfully balanced post-secondary education with her hectic training and international competition include the City of Vancouver, Township of Langley, District of Maple Ridge, the B.C. schedule thanks to Thompson Rivers University Open Learning program. Submitted photo Government, BC Hydro, TransLink and the Fraser Health Authority. Many sessions last one or two days. VCC also offers a variety of lunch and learn training sessions for companies in the downtown Vancouver area. Meaghan’s TRUe Story Vancouver Community College is B.C.’s largest and oldest college, giving students the skills they need to improve their lives, their job opportunities and their careers. By Franca Zumpano Andy Gregory is a writer in Communications and Marketing at Vancouver Community

College. Receiving a degree marked the culmination of Meaghan Buisson’s long, hard journey racing around the world, literally. As a national team athlete and 11-time international medallist in the sport of inline speed skating, sitting in a traditional classroom simply wasn’t an option for Buisson who bounced through five universities before finally finding the right “fit” at Thompson Rivers University, Open Learning (TRU-OL). Through TRU-OL’s flexibility and support, Buisson was able to not only work towards her Bachelor of Science program and complete her degree while studying “in trains, planes and automobile” as she criss-crossed oceans and continents, but also become the current world record holder in inland skating. “My reading selection caused raised eyebrows on the World Cup circuit “I’ve stood on international more than once,” Buisson said. “What, take to the doesn’t everyone read a biology text- podiums and known the book while sitting on a stationary bike?” pride of hearing the Canadian Through TRU-OL’s open and flex- next level. ible approach to education through anthem play following a online and distance learning, Buisson it managed to “balance school and sport; skating victory. However, I can breaking a world record one day and honestly say the feeling of PART-TIME STUDIES AT BCIT writing a final exam the next.” “I’ve stood on international podiums finishing my degree is every bit It’s a great way to brush up your skills, and known the pride of hearing the Ca- as special to me as anything I advance your career or explore new career nadian anthem play following a skating possibilities without a full-time commitment. victory,” Buisson said. “However, I can have accomplished on skates.” honestly say the feeling of finishing my degree is every bit as special to me as anything I have accomplished on skates.” Visit bcit.ca/pts and register now. As Buisson continues to grow her education, she does so with the knowledge that her TRU-OL degree is recognized worldwide and that the skills she gained through her under- graduate program, including time management and self-motivation will serve her well in her pursuit of graduate studies. “My degree has opened doors I didn’t even know existed,” Buisson said. “I wouldn’t have graduated without having the online learning option.” TRU-OL’s open approach to education provides students with flexibility and choice re- garding how, when and where they learn. As a result, location and educational background no longer limit student choice as admission into TRU-OL’s programs and courses have few geographical and academic restrictions. In order to uphold the motto of Thompson Rivers University – “Quansem Ilep,” meaning “to strive ahead” in Chinook – and serve the needs of its mainland student population, It’s your career. Open Learning officially launched its Vancouver Open Learning Centre on Nov. 3, 2010. The Centre is located in the midst of the city at 1030 West Georgia St. Get it right. scan with your smartphone Franca Zumpano is director, Strategic Partnerships at Thompson Rivers University, Open Learning. For more information, visit www.truopen.ca.

21 Sounding Board/April 2011 The Vancouver Board of Trade/Spirit of Enterprise® client: Lynne Cruz ad name: PTS_level publication: Sounding Board docket #: A16618 size: 5" x 7.5" colour: institute blue template: typographic designer: Mirabelle proof 2: Mar 10, 2011 required: Mar 14, 201 special notes: ‘it’ status: n/a continuing education

SFU Continuing Studies BCIT School of Business offers education in insurance celebrates 40 years By Mark Chiarello insurance business diploma and degree pro- grams across Canada boast a 100 per cent By Marianne Meadahl tional students better prepare for their futures. In order to meet the employment demands placement rate (www.career-connections. The SFU NOW – Night or Weekends program of a growing industry, the BCIT School of info). Its mission was to bring education to the draws more than 1,400 registrants annually by Business with the cooperation, support and In B.C., as in the rest of Canada, the community and 40 years later, Simon Fraser offering courses tailored to fit working students’ guidance of leaders from various companies insurance industry wants to hire individu- University’s Continuing Studies is celebrat- schedules. and organizations from within the general als who possess a formal business educa- ing the connections it has built between the Two programs – Stepping Stones, to help insurance industry, is offering a Diploma tion background, with a concentration on university and various communities, enabling improve literacy in remote regions of B.C., and of Technology program in General Insur- industry-specific insurance topics. Due to thousands to learn. Literacy Lives, to help socially excluded adults ance and Risk Management. The program new technologies, traditional entry-level, A community open house in February drew gain reading skills – exemplify community initia- is unique in B.C., and is one of the few clerical jobs where employees learn the hundreds to commemorate 40 years of Con- tives being developed. programs in Canada that works to serve an business on the job are diminishing. The tinuing Studies, which opened in a small Howe Among new programs being offered include industry need while preparing graduates for projected need is for employees who are Street office before moving into the new Harbour a course on Surrey’s transportation picture in- a career in insurance. initially more qualified and able to progress Centre campus in 1989. An expansion to Surrey volving city staffers in its first run last fall, and a One of the greatest challenges facing more quickly. led to more than 80 courses being offered across certificate program in Canadian business man- the Canadian insurance industry today is The BCIT School of Business program the Fraser River. agement fundamentals – taught in Mandarin – to finding willing, capable and properly meets industry requirements. Building on a Learners from all walks of life have studied in and run in partnership with Sing Tao newspaper educated individuals to work in this growing strong first year of general business courses, courses and attended lectures, forums and cafés. which helps Mandarin-speaking professionals sector. It is forecast that two-thirds of the students begin to specialize in year two They have undertaken degree-completion pro- grasp management concepts and techniques available insurance jobs in Canada in the of the diploma program. The second year grams and obtained certificates and diplomas. needed to succeed in business. next six years will be due to attrition, while of the program includes twelve insurance Students range from mid-career profession- Future plans include creating more degree one-third will be due to sector growth. The and risk management courses. Seven of als and new Canadians to marginalized social completion and professional development Canadian insurance industry boasts sales of the risk management courses are based on groups and the regionally remote, from seniors programs for mid-career workers, and programs over $21 billion and assets of over $66 billion courses offered by the Insurance Institute to the simply curious. More than 10,000 adult enabling access to education for all learners. (www.career-connections.info). This makes of Canada (IIC). Students will write five IIC learners pass through the program each year. Wussow says Continuing Studies will con- the companies of the property and casualty exams during the BCIT program and may “Our aim has always been to help people to tinue to act as a bridge between SFU and its insurance industry a major contributor to be granted advanced standing towards the achieve their career goals, and satisfy their need communities, particularly those traditionally the economic well-being of Canada. B.C. Chartered Insurance Professional (CIP) for personal growth and engage with the com- under-represented in Canadian universities. represents approximately 10 per cent, or $6 designation. munities where they live and work,” said Helen Marianne Meadahl is the assistant director, billion, of Canada’s industry total. Mark Chiarello is manager, Marketing Wussow, Dean of Lifelong Learning. external, Public Affairs and Media Relations at Even in today’s economy, individuals and Strategic Business Development at the In the past year, the English Language and Simon Fraser University. For more information with an education background in insurance BCIT School of Business. For more info, visit Culture program helped more than 650 interna- about Continuing Studies, visit www.sfu.ca/cs/. are in high demand. In fact, graduates from www.bcit.ca/business.

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Spotlight on...

Congratulations to the following companies and organization that have reached milestone anniversaries with The Vancouver Board of Trade:

Twenty Five Years YWCA Vancouver

Twenty Years Whistler Blackcomb Mountains

BMO Bank of Montreal’s Derral Moriyama (centre), senior vice president, commercial banking, presents a $5,000 cheque to the National Nikkei Museum and Fifteen Years Heritage Centre in Burnaby towards its education programs that teach about social justice issues and tolerance with the goal of building a Canadian society that values diversity.The presentation occured with visiting high school students, Nikkei Centre’s education coordinator Raymond Moriyama and BMO Burnaby branch Original Organic Garden Products managers Memphis Hsu and Ronald Lee. Submitted photo Corp. News 1130 Top 100 Gold List. Catered Arts Through Innovative Excellence APPOINTMENTS Holloway Schulz & Partners, a member (CATIE) Awards at the 2011 Catersource Ten Years of the Adecco Group of Companies, is Conference. The con- Casa Del Caffé The North West & Canada Cruise Associ- pleased to announce the appointment ference attracted more Pfizer Canada Inc. ation (NWCCA) has appointed Greg Wirtz as of Lana Bradshaw to the role of branch than 4,000 catering in- Pique Newsmagazine the association’s new president. Wirtz brings manager for its relocated Vancouver office. dustry professionals and Hill & Knowlton more than 20 years experience in market- Bradshaw brings nine years of extensive the awards recognize the University of Victoria ing, planning and trade development to the expertise in recruitment and direct recruit- achievements of caterers Angus One Professional NWCCA, the association that represents the ment fields to Holloway Schulz, a well- from around the world. Recruitment Ltd. major cruise lines operating in the Pacific known and reliable executive search firm Chisholm joined Culinary Pearl International Limousine Northwest. “The Pacific North West has a with more than 40 years experience in the Chisholm Capers in 1997 and some Services Ltd. long history with the cruise industry dem- industry. Holloway Schulz recently relo- highlights for her and onstrating years of growth and success, with cated its office to the Bentall I Building, 505 the company include providing catering Five Years Burrard St., Vancouver. services in Torino, Beijing and Vancouver tremendous potential for the future,” Wirtz Levy Show Service Inc. Lawson Lundell LLP is pleased to while the Olympic Games took place in said. “It is an enormous priviledge to lead DA Architects + Planners welcome new associate Samantha M. those cities. NWCCA in the years to come.” Wirtz will be Visa Canada based out of the NWCCA’s Vancouver office. Fenton who joins the firm’s Corporate Com- HSBC Group has pledged US$15 million “The Corporate Yacht at the Westin The executive search firm Pinton Forrest mercial group. Fenton was formerly with over five years to expand Future First, the Bayshore Hotel” & Madden (PFM) is pleased to announce Borden Ladner Gervais LLP in Calgary. financial services group’s flagship global Best Western Chateau Granville the appointment of Esther McGregor to education programme that aims to tackle Georgian Court Hotel the elevated position of associate partner. announcements child poverty through education projects. Barkerville Gold Mines Ltd. McGregor has been in the The funding adds to the US$10 million com- From the Beach Marketing mitted in 2006 at the launch of Future First executive search sector Sorrell Financial Capilano University’s new Nat and that funded 314 projects across 49 countries for more than ten years Lower Mainland Steel Limited and provides exceptional Flora Bosa Centre for Film and Animation delivering vital support to more than half Partnership search services to many has been acknowledged with an Award of a million street children, children in care Mark James Group senior Canadian leaders Excellence by Canadian Architect Magazine. and orphans. The new funding will expand WestEnder and organizations. Since Designed by Vancouver architectural firm the programme to new countries includ- joining PFM in 2005, Mc- Cannon Design, the building responds to ing Africa and expand its scope to cover Gregor continues to dem- the West Coast landscape of the university’s all children at risk. “At HSBC, we believe McGregor onstrate her North Vancouver campus, and will house that education is one of the most power- commitment the latest in S3D technology, a 200-seat high ful tools to reduce poverty and inequality to candidates definition/3D theatre, industry-standard and with Future First, we can help deliver and clients by sound mixing and recording studios, an projects that provide young people with a helping them 8,000-square-foot sound stage, picture more sustainable and prosperous future. define and meet and sound editing labs, digital and com- I wish everyone involved the very best their executive search needs. The PFM mercial animation labs, a teaching studio success with this important programme,” team congratulates McGregor on her new for cinematography, costuming studios said Douglas Flint, HSBC Group chairman appointment. Pinton Forrest & Madden is and two visual effects labs. The Canadian during the funding announcement in New widely regarded as one of Canada’s leading Architecture awards honour architectural Delhi, India. executive search firms. Recognized for the design excellence for in-design projects. Business in Vancouver has released its skill and collaborative approach it brings to Jurors consider the scheme’s response to the 12th annual Influential Women in Business the executive search process, PFM search client’s program, site and geographic and Awards recognizing six B.C. women for capabilities extend beyond its home base social context, while evaluating the project’s their achievements in business, contribu- Angela Wong of Golden Properties in Vancouver to across Canada and around physical organization, form, structure, ma- tion to their industry, and influence in Ltd. was The Vancouver Board of Trade’s the world. For more information, visit www. terials and environmental features. Cannon the local business community. Among the January early renewal prize draw winner. pfmsearch.com. Design was also a recent recipient of the honourees were three Vancouver Board of Wong won two round-trip tickets from The Fairmont Vancouver Airport wel- distinguished Facilities of Merit Award at the Trade members including Tracy Redies, Vancouver to Whitehorse with Air North. comes Craig Reaume as its new general Athletic Business Showcase in San Diego president and CEO, Coast Capital Savings; Renew your membership and you manager. Reaume previously served as hotel for designing the Richmond Olympic Oval. Tina Osen, president and CEO, HUB In- could qualify to win one of many great manager at Toronto’s Fairmont Royal York Culinary Capers’ executive chef Mar- ternational Insurance; and Christine Day, prizes from The Board of Trade. For more and brings his 20-plus years experience garet Chisholm was recently named the CEO, lululemon athletica. Redies and Osen information, contact Maria Braungart, in the hotel industry back to Vancouver. recipient of the Chef of the Year Award are also directors at The Board. The annual director, membership services, at 604-641- Reaume is taking over the only airport hotel from the International Caterers Associa- awards took place on March 2 at the Fair- 1228, 604-640-5472 or email mbraungart@ to be recognized on the Condé Nast Traveler’s tion. Chisholm was recognized during the mont Waterfront. boardoftrade.com

23 Sounding Board/April 2011 The Vancouver Board of Trade/Spirit of Enterprise® It’s Our BusIness tO repOrt On BusIness. Connect with the Vancouver sun’s award-winning columnists for the local, national and international business climate with a B.C. perspective.

MATTERS Columnist Don Cayo takes on tax and a host of other policy issues at www.vancouversun.com/cayo.

OPEN FOR BUSINESS Follow reporter Jenny Lee with business tips on how to survive and showcasing tales of success at www.vancouversun.com/smallbusiness.

YOUR MONEY Keep your money in your pocket with personal finance reporter James Kwantes at www.vancouversun.com/yourmoney.

INNOVATION reporter scott simpson tracks B.C.’s next big things at www.vancouversun.com/innovation.

STICKY NOTES take a closer look inside the workplace with Darah Hansen at www.vancouversun.com/workplace.

CITY OF INDUSTRY Mine Derrick penner’s blog for what’s happening in forestry, fishing, mining and more at www.vancouversun.com/resources.

HOWE STREET FILES Columnist David Baines’ will take you into the heart and heat of the securities world at www.vancouversun.com/baines.

FROM THE DESK OF THE EDITOR read business editor Fiona Anderson’s take on what’s new and noteworthy at www.vancouversun.com/business.

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24 Sounding Board/April 2011 The Vancouver Board of Trade/Spirit of Enterprise®