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action! online March 1, 2012
The Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce Update
Events:
ABEX AWARDS
April Make a Connection Royal Regina Golf Club April 19, 2012
Nominations Now Open
Register online today! www.saskchamber.com
The Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that nominations for the 29th annual Achievement in Business Excellence Awards, presented by Conexus Credit Union, are now open!
May Conference on Business Sheraton Cavalier Saskatoon May 9 & 10, 2012
A new award is being introduced this year sponsored by Innovation Saskatchewan. The Innovation Award will be presented to a Saskatchewan business that demonstrates excellence in the utilization of an innovative product, technology or system which has tangibly contributed to improved sales and/or productivity. Judging takes into account the originality of the innovation and its impact.
Inside this issue: Communities of Tomorrow Article Series
2
Members in the News
3
Apply to be a finalist in the following award categories:
Conference on Business & 3 New Members
Legislative Report
4
Aboriginal Communities Article
5/6
Immigration Meeting
7
Contact Us
7
Service Export Community Involvement Aboriginal Business Partnership New Venture
Young Entrepreneur of the Year Growth and Expansion Marketing Environment Innovation
All nomination forms are available online at
www.saskchamber.com
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Communities of Tomorrow Article Series (Part 1 of 5) We Have to do Better on Infrastructure Thinking It’s no secret that, for the last 30 to 40 years, western civilization has been essentially living off of its credit cards. We see this in the level of debt piled up by many countries. We see it in the unsustainable funding structures for some government programs. And we also see it, perhaps most alarmingly, in what has come to be called “the infrastructure deficit.” Now, I know that infrastructure on the surface doesn’t seem like a very exciting topic. In my job, one of my top challenges is getting people past that initial, silent question “Why should I care?” From the perspective of regular tax-paying citizens, it’s pretty easy to explain why we should all care a lot about the infrastructure deficit. We all use public infrastructure constantly, even though we often take it for granted. It’s an interesting exercise to try to count the number of times you use infrastructure during the day. You get up, turn on the lights, go to the bathroom, brush your teeth, take a shower, fix breakfast, drive to work, stop at a stoplight and use the sidewalk; there are likely more than a dozen separate uses of infrastructure that have to work right just for you to make it to the office in the morning. These fundamental components of our cities and towns – roads, bridges, water systems, sewer lines – are in many cases coming to the end of their operational lives. And not just here in Saskatchewan or Canada. Communities all over the world will soon be faced with the massive task of replacing, repairing and renewing their vital systems. If we don’t, our communities could quite literally start crumbling around us. Don’t think we are being “Chicken Littles” about this. Right here in Canada, we have seen some major examples of what happens when cities have not been able to renew their infrastructure. Montreal has suffered significant consequences from infrastructure neglect. Last summer, the Ville Marie Autoroute, a major traffic tunnel, collapsed and the Champlain Bridge is likewise in danger of collapse unless it receives $150 million in repairs. But even that may not be enough. The bridge has been neglected for so long that independent civil engineer Helen Christodoulou recently told Global Television that “Any maintenance you do is really money wasted” and that the city would be better off just tearing the whole bridge down. Other engineering reports have likewise told city officials that, over the next 15 years, it will cost just as much to tear down the Champlain and start all over with a new bridge than to continue to try to maintain it. And that’s just one city. Multiply that by every city in Canada, in North America and the world and you can start to get a sense of the scope of the challenge.
A US-based infrastructure think-tank CG/LA Infrastructure recently estimated the global need for infrastructure spending will reach $10 trillion by 2015. That’s “trillion” with a ‘T’. And how much will be spent over the next three years? CG/LA Infrastructure’s best guess is $4.5 trillion. That will still represent a major strain on the budgets of the governments involved but obviously it isn’t enough. We have to do better. Since time and funds are limited, we won’t be able to do better just by throwing money at the problem. We will have to find ways to do things smarter – to find more and more innovative, cost-effective and efficient ways to keep our cities running smoothly. That’s where the business community comes in. Communities of Tomorrow is looking for entrepreneurs with innovative infrastructure solutions to the problems municipalities face every day - things like transportation, water, sewer, and waste systems, and soil remediation solutions. If you’ve got an idea for a great new infrastructure product or technology, call us. Our work holds tremendous potential for municipalities everywhere, and we are interested in building strong working relationships with civic governments. We are also interested in municipalities and researchers with project ideas for innovative infrastructure solutions, and those in the disciplines that may be able to create new solutions based on the needs of industry or municipalities. Our people are dedicated to linking industry, researchers, and municipalities that are developing innovative infrastructure, and assisting them in bringing those innovations to market, from conceptualization, through testing and to commercialization for the Canadian and global markets. It is a big challenge. That’s where Saskatchewan is emerging as a national leader, creating Canada’s first infrastructure innovation hub. Saskatchewan has proven to be an excellent location for infrastructure development. Our cities are small enough to be feasible as “living labs” or test centres yet large enough that the results are applicable to other cities around the world. This creates the prospect of developing major infrastructure industries based right here in Saskatchewan and marketed to the world. Those opportunities – measured in the trillions of dollars – are the ultimate answer to any entrepreneur who asks “why should I care about infrastructure?” In my next column, I’ll talk more about these opportunities and some Saskatchewan companies that have already used innovative thinking to revolutionize the way we build our cities. John Lee is President of Communities of Tomorrow, a publicprivate partnership advancing Municipal infrastructure innovation by bringing together municipalities, industry, researchers and other stakeholders. You can contact John at
[email protected]
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Members in the News Ground Effects Environmental Services Ltd. of Regina will receive $49,000 from the provincial government’s Go Green fund to test its new ElectroPure Technology, which is designed to limit the use of fresh water by industry through the treatment and reuse of existing industrial waste water. Evraz Inc. N.A., the Regina-based steel and pipe manufacturer who is also a member of the Chamber, is the test partner and expects to save three million litres of water during this project. Congratulations to both Magna Electric Corporation and Airline Hotels Ltd. for being named one of Canada’s 50 Best Managed Companies of 2011 by the Financial Post. The complete list can be found at the Financial Post’s website. Cravings Maternity & Baby Boutique of Saskatoon is giving back to the community and making mothers happy at the same time! Co-owners Rebecca Simpson and Jordana Jacobson have been recently working to update and refurnish the maternity lounge at the Royal University Hospital in celebration of their sixth year of business. February 16th was the big reveal, and the results were spectacular. Check out Cravings’ facebook page to get more information and pictures.
Upcoming Chamber Event The 2012 Conference on Business May 9 & 10, 2012 Saskatoon, Saskatchewan The Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce annual conference hosts business people from in and around the province, representing a wide variety of commercial enterprise. The 2012 Conference on Business will include a variety of professional development sessions for chambers and non-profits, our Chair’s Dinner, annual policy session, and dynamic business speakers. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor of this year’s conference, please call Cindy Wright at 352-2671 or visit our website www.saskchamber.com. Save the date and watch for more information to come!
Welcome to our New Members North Prairie Developments Ltd. www.northprairiehomes.com
Beer Bros. Gastro Pub & Deli www.beerbros.ca
Restorex Disaster Kleenup www.restorexsask.com
ASL Paving Ltd. www.aslpaving.ca
Essence Recruitment www.essencerecruitment.ca
For membership information, or to refer your leads, please contact Jesse Chatterson at 306-352-2671.
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Legislative Report Essential Services Legislation Saskatchewan Court of Queen's Bench recently found elements of Saskatchewan’s Public Services Essential Services Act to be unconstitutional. The problem with Saskatchewan's law, according to the court ruling, is that it does not give employees an adequate dispute resolution process where they can challenge which employees are designated as essential. However, the ruling did uphold the principle of essential services legislation. For the next year, the court is allowing the current legislation to remain in place to give the provincial government time to resolve the issues.
New Uranium Deal The government of Canada has reached a new deal to allow uranium sales to China. The deal allows Canadian uranium producers more access to China’s civilian nuclear power industry. Under existing regulations, China was prohibited from purchasing Canadian Yellowcake (Uranium as U3O8). This new agreement calls on the Chinese government to verify Canadian uranium is being used for appropriate civilian purposes but allows for the sales. Saskatchewan is one of the world's largest producers of uranium.
Third Quarter Budget Update General Revenue Fund (GRF) expenses in Saskatchewan are up $331 million from budget, reflecting the unexpected flooding costs, the teachers' settlement, an increase for teachers' pensions and other pressures. GRF revenues are also up but only $272 million from budget. This increase in revenue reflects higher than expected oil, potash, PST and Fuel Tax revenues. However, these increases are offset by lower-than-expected Crown land sales and Corporation Income Tax. The province will balance its budget in 2011-12 by utilizing a $120 million special dividend from SaskPower. Based on these changes the province is set to finish the year with a pre-transfer surplus of $56 million and a balance of $709 million in the Growth and Financial Security Fund.
The spring session of Saskatchewan’s Legislative Assembly will begin on Monday, March 5 with the 2012-13 provincial budget to be delivered on Wednesday, March 21. Census Released The 2011 Census shows that Saskatchewan grew by 65,224 people or 6.7% between 2006 and 2011. That is by far the largest population growth in any census period since Statistics Canada started doing the Census every five years in 1956. Saskatchewan's population as of the Census date in May 2011 was 1,033,381, however because the Census experiences an undercount the current quarterly population estimates will remain the official population estimates for the province. Saskatchewan's quarterly population estimate stood at 1,063,535 as of October 1, 2011.
Saskatchewan’s Workforce The number of Employment Insurance (EI) recipients in Saskatchewan dropped by 18.2% December 2011, compared to the same month in 2010. In Saskatchewan, 1.2% of the labour force population received regular EI benefits in December compared to 1.9% nationally, ranking Saskatchewan second lowest among provinces, behind Alberta at 1.0%. Saskatchewan's average weekly earnings for December 2011 increased by 3.3% compared to the previous year. This was the third highest increase among the provinces and above the national average of 2.4%. For December 2011 Saskatchewan's average weekly earnings were $893.21, above the national average of $888.26.
Nuclear Innovation The government of Saskatchewan has signed a multi-year agreement to provide funding for the new $30 million Canadian Centre for Nuclear Innovation (CCNI), a research center housed at the University of Saskatchewan to support nuclear research, development and innovation. The CCNI expects to issue a call for research proposals later this spring.
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Aboriginal Communities Ready for Succession & Seeking to Buy Businesses Saskatchewan is blessed with top notch First Nation business leaders who are quietly building the foundations for a bright future with astute business investments. Organizations like Whitecap Dakota First Nation, Athabasca Basin Development Limited Partnership, Meadow Lake Tribal Council, Prince Albert Grand Council, Kitsaki Development Corporation, and the Muskeg Lake Cree Nation are leading the way, establishing profitable partnerships for long term wealth creation and sustainability. Following in their footsteps are 16 First Nation and Metis (FN/M) BRIDG Communities aspiring to be the best of the best, replicating the business processes, structures, and leadership styles of the most successful Aboriginal communities in North America, and seeking targeted investments in companies in Saskatchewan. These next generation leaders are participating in the Business Ready Investment Development Gateway (BRIDG) program delivered by Westcap Management. Since 2009, BRIDG has been working with the communities to establish the appropriate governance structure and to get the communities business ready, incorporating best practices identified by the Harvard Project on American Indian Economic Development. The Communities have established business development corporations, led by experienced, business boards of directors and are managed by professional CEOs, have structured investment decision-making processes and regular reporting to the ownership group and are now seeking to invest in businesses across Saskatchewan. The investment can be in the form of an acquisition or joint venture with typical transaction values ranging from $1M to $5M while a $20M investment would be
Advertise with us! action! online is sent to over 1000 business leaders who want to know about you! Contact Jesse Chatterson for more information.
[email protected]
306.352.2671
considered for the right opportunity. Westcap’s BRIDG Clients’ are seeking solid low-risk business investments with reputable, well-run businesses who have positive cash flow and earnings.
Businesses Wanted: Aboriginal Clients seeking solid business investments. Will consider both passive and active participation in the management of operations. Willing to buy or invest in businesses that:
ARE reputable HAVE good cash flow HAVE good earnings ARE well-run ARE prepared to Mentor and transfer business knowledge WOULD benefit with First Nations or Metis shareholders. REQUIRE an investment of $1 to $5 million SEEKING to close a deal within 1 year
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Aboriginal Communities continued... Through BRIDG, Westcap provides a defined process for screening, nurturing, advancing and closing investment deals.
For more information or to provide a referral on a potential business opportunity, please contact Westcap Management at (306) 657-0200 or send an email to:
[email protected]
For businesses, the investment may provide: a succession plan solution or an exit option (for retirement, health reasons, or other reasons), an investment partner for employee buyouts, access to new markets through an FN/M partner, preferred supplier status with companies who have Aboriginal or Northern preference policies, access to land through a FN/M partner, access to natural resources through a FN/M partner, and access to human capital through a FN/M partner. For the BRIDG Clients, they wish to learn the business over time and to participate in its success. Their investment provides:
A revenue stream, corporate dividends, and wealth generation business knowledge, skills and experience Investments are not location sensitive, and are not limited to the region surrounding the community. In many cases the BRIDG clients are investing in operations that are in other regions of the province. The goal of this initiative is to build investment infrastructure and knowledge within Aboriginal communities and form the foundation upon which wealth creation can be sustained. It is designed to bring First Nations and Métis communities together with industry partners to facilitate the completion of mutually beneficial investment transactions.
April 24-25, 2012 Queensbury Convention Centre, Regina Join over 500 of Saskatchewan’s business and technical professionals to discuss ways to sustain Saskatchewan’s economic growth through the accelerated adoption of digital and social technologies.
Early bird registration ends March 15, 2012. Saskatchewan Chamber members receive a discount (code: GOV). Visit www.sask3summit.com for more information.
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Contact Us 1630-1920 Broad Street Regina, SK S4P 3V2 306.352.2671 Steve McLellan, CEO
[email protected] LaTonya Luhr, Administrative Assistant
[email protected] Curtis Hemming, Director of Government Relations
[email protected] Kristin McKee, Director of Policy Development
[email protected] Dawn M. Barker, Director of Communications
[email protected] Jesse Chatterson, Director of Member Services
[email protected] Cindy Wright, Event Coordinator
[email protected] Dawn Boxall, Manager of Finance & Special Projects
[email protected]
Immigration Meeting in Weyburn Representatives from the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce, along with the Regina and Weyburn Chambers of Commerce, recently met with the federal Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism in Weyburn to discuss a variety of immigration-related issues facing Saskatchewan’s business community. Also in attendance were MPs Ed Komarnicki and David Anderson, Minister Dustin Duncan, municipal leaders, and various business owners from the area. At the meeting the Chambers of Commerce reiterated a number of concerns regarding immigration that Premier Brad Wall had previously contacted Prime Minister Harper about. Included among these were increasing the existing immigration cap on the Provincial Nominee Program, relocating labour market opinion (LMO) processing back to Saskatchewan from Vancouver, and transferring administrative responsibility for settlement and integration programs from the federal government to the Government of Saskatchewan. The Saskatchewan Chamber also presented to Minister Kenney the results of a recent survey on immigration that had been sent out to all of the organization’s members. Some highlights of the survey results were that the majority of respondents felt that the retention and integration of foreign workers was going very well, they plan to hire a significant number of additional foreign workers over the next 4 years, and they hope that the provincial and federal governments start using electronic forms for immigration applications and skill assessments as much as possible. Overall, the meeting went very well and there was a lot of productive discussion on the issue. Chambers of Commerce throughout Saskatchewan will continue to encourage both levels of government to further streamline the existing immigration programs and also look at ways to enhance interprovincial migration and Canada-US immigration as well.
From left to right: Steve McLellan (Saskatchewan Chamber), John Hopkins (Regina Chamber), Minister Kenney, MP Ed Komarnicki, Curtis Hemming (Saskatchewan Chamber), Jeff Richards (Weyburn Chamber), Minister Dustin Duncan, MP David Anderson.
