The Voice of Business in Saskatchewan
action! online In this issue... • Rail Study Update • Issue in Focus: Unconstitutional Employment Legislation • How to be taken seriously as a young entrepreneur ... and more!
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The Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce’s report on the impact of rail access on the province’s export potential is slated to be released March 30.
Social Media www.facebook.com/saskchamber www.twitter.com/SaskChamber
Get in Touch Tel: 306.352.2671 Email:
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Table of Contents 3
CEO’s Message
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Update on the Rail Study Report
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Advocacy In Action
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Dates to Remember
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Issue in Focus: Saskatchewan’s Essential Services Legislation Ruled Unconstitutional
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SIMS Database (OH&S)
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Farm Ownership (submitted by CPP Investment Board)
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Membership Central
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Members in the News
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Be Taken Seriously as a Young Entrepreneur (submitted by BDC)
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CEO’s Message Not our first rodeo
The key to that, though, is that with experience and good training more riders will survive the ride.
This is not our first rodeo. It’s an old line, likely originated with cowboys, used by many people to describe the fact whatever they’re going through – they have been here before and have gotten through it. They may have been tossed around and eaten a little dirt but they got back up and dusted themselves off and looked forward to their next ride. Lessons were learned and some bruises were earned but the fact they got back up is a testament to their commitment to get better at their craft and to learn what not to do again next time around. The provincial economy is bit like a bucking bull right now. And for some people who are experienced and were ready when they tipped their hat to have the chute open their ride is ok. Those who were surprised when they saw the gate open found themselves either in the dirt at the one second mark or holding on for the ride of their lives. Changes to the economy - like bull riding - provide a completely different experience depending on what you know about it and where you are sitting. Changes to the economic landscape are often brief. Sharp turns can’t always be predicted and even the most experienced get caught off guard some times.
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Many people saw the last decade as a rough ride but for many if felt like sitting on top of a race horse, not a bucking horse. The pace was breathtaking but as long as you stayed in the saddle you were moving forward. The point is that we have been here before, and while every ride is different the better prepared you are the more likely you will be to get to the desired outcome. Now is the time for businesses to train, to prepare and to learn from others and most importantly to expand their horizon on markets, services and products offered. There are opportunities to increase staff training by using the Canada Job Grant so you get twothirds of the costs covered. Take this chance to add innovation and productivity to your operations and to ensure your workplace safety plan is in place, ensure that it’s working and finally that you have people focused on new markets and product you can sell once the phones start ringing again. We understand this current situation is affecting different companies in ways that cover the spectrum. But I want to remind you we have all been here before. Celebrate every win and get ready for the next wave of customers because they are coming. Saskatchewan survived the Dirty 30s and the various crashes since. Continued on next page
CEO’s Message
(continued)
Most hurt a little and some a lot - but we survived. This is not our first rodeo, and it won’t be the last, so use the time to focus on positive thoughts and get yourself faster and tougher and stronger when you come out of the chute.
(There are lots of options to do the things I referenced so have a look at the list below to enhance your level of readiness.)
Business Readiness Service Resources Productivity Enhancement • On the Sask Chamber website: http://www.saskchamber.com/default.aspx?page=107 Several items, books, video and presentations all focused on enhancing our business productivity Skills Training • Canada Job Grant: http://economy.gov.sk.ca/job-grant Innovation Enhancement • http://www.saskchamber.com/assets/Files/action%202015/Innovation%20Skills.pdf Workplace Safety • http://www.worksafesask.ca Contact your sector safety association or go to the WorkSafe Saskatchewan site for info and resources Are health and dental plans a tax effective way to compensate employees? Employees receive the full benefit of every dollar spent, employees can get significantly more out of a benefit plan than they would a pay increase. For Saskatchewan Chamber members
visit Group Benefits with a Difference.
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Petroleum Industry Overview - Saskatchewan Focus Mar. 25-26, 2015 Sandman Hotel, Saskatoon This 2-day course is designed to familiarize non-technical personnel in the petroleum and related supply and service industries, as well as financial, legal and government sectors with the basics of the upstream (exploration and production) and downstream (processing and marketing) petroleum industry. Pipeline Industry Overview May 12-13, 2015 Sandman Hotel, Saskatoon This intensive 2-day course is designed to familiarize non-technical personnel in the pipeline construction and related supply and service industries, as well as financial, legal and government sectors with the basics of the pipeline industry. Book today through www.simsa.ca.
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Update: The Impact of Rail Access on Saskatchewan’s Export Potential By Kristin McKee, Director of Policy Development Last year the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce contracted the Conference Board of Canada to conduct research on The Impact of Rail Access on Saskatchewan’s Export Potential. We knew that after the 2013/14 backlog, clearer data around rail transportation was necessary in order to facilitate informed decision making for both private businesses and governments, particularly as the province plans to grow its economy and exports. Based on our request, the Conference Board of Canada constructed a model to relate export demand to demand for rail capacity then estimated the extent to which Saskatchewan’s export growth targets (as found in the Province’s Plan for Growth) will rely on railway capacity. From this they estimated the extent to which rail capacity that falls short of demand may limit the economic growth of Saskatchewan’s economy by
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the year 2020. Based on these findings they put forward nine recommendations to improve the efficiency of Saskatchewan’s rail-based supply chains to ensure that they will not be a constraint to export growth in the future. “The numbers are quite startling,” noted Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce CEO Steve McLellan. “If we don’t fix these issues with transportation out of Saskatchewan, it will cost each and everyone of us a lot over the long term. The Chamber is very pleased to have lead in the creation of this report." “We are eagerly awaiting the full public release, currently slated for March 30th, as we believe this will add a much needed fact based perspective on the issues our businesses and the railways have struggled with.”
ADVOCACY in ACTION By Curtis Hemming, Director of Government Relations
The most important thing happening over at the Legislature this month is the provincial Budget that will be tabled on March 18. While the dropping price of oil has resulted in reduced revenues for the Government of Saskatchewan, there is still confidence within the government that the Budget will be balanced again this year. Proceeds from potash and uranium sales, personal income tax and sales tax, and other sources of revenue still remain relatively high, so while it will be a very lean year for the government, it seems like they should be able to meet their goal. The Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce will be at the Legislature on Budget Day for the presentation of the document and will then be participating in the media afterward. As in past years, we will try to do a variety of interviews with radio, television, and print reporters and also send out a recap of the Budget to all of the local Chambers of Commerce soon after.
On April 9 we will be holding our Make a Connection Reception at the Royal Regina Golf Club, which is an opportunity for our members to meet with Deputy Ministers from the provincial government, as well as Assistant Deputy Ministers, Chiefs of Staff, and Crown Corporation CEOs. While this is a less formal event than Political Forum, it is just as important because the people who attend this event are the ones that implement the policy decisions made by our MLAs. We are also looking to create a new event for later this year which will be a more formal event for business leaders to meet with provincial Deputy Ministers to have dinner and discuss timely issues in a format similar to our Provincial Political Forum. There is a lot of support for this new event, so we expect to move forward with planning it over the next few months. In the next while we will be hosting another series of
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ADVOCACY in ACTION (cont’d) policy discussion roundtables across the province to get more grassroots input from our members and local Chambers about the issues they are facing in their communities. We went to Swift Current, Regina, Saskatoon, and Weyburn last November to do roundtables, so we are looking forward to visiting four new communities in the next while to gather feedback on what we are currently doing, as well as what issues we should be focusing on this year.
This year is going to be particularly busy for the Sask Chamber because there is going to be a federal election and potentially also a provincial election. During every election we put a lot of time and money into promoting the views of Saskatchewan’s business community so that all of the candidates and the public are kept informed on our positions. With the reality of possibly having two elections this year, we are going to be doing a lot more work with the media to make sure your voice is heard amidst all of the campaigning.
DATES to REMEMBER The Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce’s member-only Make a Connection Reception event sponsored by CPA is now open for registration. It will be held April 9, 2015 from 4:30 p.m. to 630 p.m. at the Royal Regina Golf Club. This event brings Chamber members together with senior government officials. A comfortable and casual opportunity to establish and reaffirm good working relationships between government officials and the business community, Make a Connection Reception has limited registration, and regularly sells to capacity. Register today at http://tinyurl.com/2015MaC. Also, mark May 5 and 6 on your calendars, and plan to join us for the Conference On Business in Regina at the Hotel Saskatchewan Radisson Plaza. The Conference on Business includes the inauguration of the 2015-16 Chair, the Saskatchewan Chamber AGM, and professional development and networking opportunities. Opportunities to sponsor the Conference on Business are available. For more information, click here or contact Cindy Wright at
[email protected], or 306.352.2671. The Saskatchewan Manufacturing Centre of Excellence is holding a LEAN Accounting &Administration Workshop March 23-25 in Saskatoon. Curriculum includes basic LEAN concepts, terms and tools and how to apply LEAN principles to simplify acounting processes and eliminate non-value-added, non-essential activities. Visit https://sk.cmemec.ca/mpower/event/loadevent.action?e=26 to enter. Farm Credit Canada is holding Feeding the Global Middle Class, a symposium April 22-23 at the Sheraton Cavalier Hotel in Saskatoon. Earlybird deadline is $245. For more information, see http://www.cwf.ca/cwfevents.
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Issue in Focus: Saskatchewan’s Issue in Focus: Essential Services Legislation Saskatchewan’s Essential Ruled Unconstitutional
Services Legislation Ruled
By Kristin McKee, Director of Policy Development
Core Issue: Saskatchewan’s essential services legislation, which limits the ability of public sector workers to go on strike, was ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court of Canada on January 30, 2015.In making this ruling, the majority of Supreme Court Justices determined that the right to strike is protected under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The decision has a significant impact on the interpretation of the freedom of association guaranteed by section 2(d) of The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms Protecting the right to strike under the Charter is a fundamental change in Canada’s labour environment that could potentially impact both the public and private sector by unleashing a series of unintended consequences. Background In 2008, the Government of Saskatchewan introduced the Public Service Essential Services (PSES) Act, making it the last province in Canada to adopt essential services legislation. Under this Act, public sector employees who were recognized as being essential were no longer allowed to participate in a work stoppage. Under the PSES Act, employers and unions had a duty to sit down at least six months prior to the expiry of their collective agreement and determine what jobs are considered essential. If the parties could not agree on an essential services arrangement, the employer (i.e. the government) had the unilateral ability to determine what employees were designated essential. If
there continued to be disagreement between the parties, the Saskatchewan Labour Relations Board had the ability to designate the number of employees required to work under each classification, but did not have the authority to review which services were designated essential by the employer or the specific persons who must work. Shortly after the PSES was introduced, Saskatchewan’s major public sector unions, lead by the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour, challenged the constitutionality of the PSES Act. Similar to the intentions of the PSES Act, all other Canadian jurisdictions use a designation or
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Issue in Focus (cont’d)
“controlled strike model” for essential services, which places limits on which public sector employees can go on strike. However, Saskatchewan’s legislation varied from the other provinces in several significant ways. 1 Unlike other jurisdictions, the PSES Act applied to a broad range of “public employers” including the Government of Saskatchewan, all Crown corporations, regional health authorities and affiliates, the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency, the Universities of Saskatchewan and Regina, all cities, towns, villages and other municipalities, all Boards that employ police officers, the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology, and with respect to the Government of Saskatchewan, all persons agencies or bodies that the government may prescribe by regulations.2 The application of Saskatchewan’s essential services legislation to all of these public employers made it the broadest in Canada.3 In addition to its broad application, “no other essential services legislation is as devoid of access to independent, effective dispute resolution processes to address employer designations of essential service workers and, where those designations have the effect of prohibiting meaningful strike 1
“Saskatchewan v. Saskatchewan Federation of Labour, 2012 SKQB 62." 06 02 2012. CanLII. 12 02 2015
. 2 Ibid., 3 Saskatchewan Federation of Labour. "Brief to Minister Norris: Bill 5, The Public Service Essential Services Act and Bill 6, An Act to amend The Trade Union Act." 15 February 2008. Saskatchewan Federation of Labour. 01 April 2012 .
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action, an independent, efficient, overall dispute mechanism.”4 The unions argued that the Act would prohibit those employees designated to provide essential services from participating in a strike. The right to strike, they argued, and in particular the activity of picketing during a strike, are forms of expression, assembly, and association protected by the Charter.5 They further maintained that when unions have no ability to strike, employers have no incentive to bargain in good faith. If employers know that workers are powerless to withdraw their services, they can act in a unilateral fashion.6 It is the creation of this power imbalance that violates the right of workers. Supreme Court of Canada Decision In a 5-2 majority, the Supreme Court found the right to strike was an integral component to meaningful collective bargaining and was constitutionally protected under freedom of association. After determining the PSESA limited the freedom of association, the Court further decided that the infringement was neither minimally impairing nor proportionate and therefore was not saved by s.1 of the Charter. Based on this determination the Court struck down the PSES Act as unconstitutional. One of the core reasons this ruling was made against Saskatchewan’s legislation and not others 4
"Saskatchewan v. Saskatchewan Federation of Labour, 2012 SKQB 62 ." 06 02 2012. CanLII. 12 02 2015 . 5 Ibid., 6 Ibid.,
Issue in Focus (cont’d) was because there was no meaningful dispute resolution mechanism for determining which services were essential.7 In light of its ruling, the Supreme Court gave the Government of Saskatchewan one year to enact new, more balanced legislation. During this year, the PSES Act will continue to apply.8 Implications The basis upon which Saskatchewan’s PSES Act was recently was found unconstitutional could have further and broader implications. The Supreme Court of Canada’s decision as to how freedom of association, one of the key freedoms guaranteed by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, applies in the context of labour relations may start to define an employer’s obligations over and above those required by ordinary labour relations legislation. This is of particular concern for private sector employers who act both as a private employer and a provider of essential public services. As the two dissenting Justices put it, striking is an economic and political 7
Schatz, Leah. "Supreme Court of Canada Finds Constitutional Right to Strike and Upholds Amendments to Saskatchewan’s Trade Union Act." 02 02 2015. Westrn Employers' Counsel. 12 02 2015 . 8 Schatz, Leah. "Supreme Court of Canada Finds Constitutional Right to Strike and Upholds Amendments to Saskatchewan’s Trade Union Act." 02 02 2015. Westrn Employers' Counsel. 12 02 2015 .
weapon and “constitutionalizing a right to strike restricts governments’ flexibility, impedes their ability to balance the interests of workers with the broader public interest, and interferes with the proper role and responsibility of governments.”9 Giving the right to strike protection under the Charter could create a dangerous precedent that gives public sector unions the power to hold government hostage as they threaten to cut off essential services, an experience not unheard of in Saskatchewan labour relations history, and one that this legislation was specifically designed to prevent in the future. 10 Further to these concerns, “constitutionalizing a right to strike introduces great uncertainty into labour relations: it will make all statutory limits on the right to strike presumptively unconstitutional.”11 The ramifications of this are currently unknown as it will be left to future Supreme Court rulings to determine when an infringement of the right to strike is justified as a reasonable limit on the right to freedom of association. “In practical terms, this means costly litigation with no predictable outcome.”12 9
"Saskatchewan Federation of Labour v. Saskatchewan." 30 01 2015. Judgements of the Supreme Court of Canada. 12 02 2015 . 10 Canadian Constitution Foundation. "R v. Saskatchewan Federation of Labour." 2015. Canadian Constitution Foundation. 12 02 2015 . 11 "Saskatchewan Federation of Labour v. Saskatchewan." 30 01 2015. Judgements of the Supreme Court of Canada. 12 02 2015 . 12 Honickman, Asher. "Asher Honickman: A troubling decision on the ‘right to strike’." 05 02 2015. National Post. 12 02 2015
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Issue in Focus (cont’d) The establishment of the scope of a justified, reasonable limit on the right to strike will have an impact across the country, most notable within the federal government’s own labour laws that govern collective bargaining in the federal public service. The provisions dealing with essential services federally are particularly similar to Saskatchewan’s and could well be the next set to be legally challenged.13 “With the passage of Bill C-4, federal public service employees are faced with very similar legislation which grants the government carte blanche over essential services designations, leaving bargaining agents with little recourse.”14 However, unlike Saskatchewan’s law, the federal law allows unions access to arbitration but only in cases where 80% of employees have been designated essential. Whether this provision is enough to salvage the law will be determined as it works its way through the court system. Regardless of what happens in relation to clarifying the justifiable, reasonable limit on the right to strike, the Supreme Court’s ruling has bound the governments’ hands in balancing the complex competing interests in labour relations, and significantly limited its ability to respond to changing needs and circumstances, and the public interest more broadly, in this
. 13 May, Kathryn. "Supreme Court ruling could pave way for federal union challenge on right to strike." 30 01 2015. Ottawa Citizen. 12 02 2015 . 14 Ibid.,
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regard.15 As a result, it is likely that government decision making will increasingly focused on legal parameters and less on social and economic implications. The ripple effect of this ruling is also currently unknown and again will likely be determined through costly and lengthy litigation. Over the long term protecting the right to strike under the freedom of association could potentially allow other labour practices. Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce Position The provision of essential services during public sector work stoppages impacts the private sector business community, and the provincial quality of life as a whole. As such the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce supports the adoption of essential services legislation in Saskatchewan. The organization anticipates that the Government of Saskatchewan will be able to craft legislation that reflects a justifiable, reasonable limit on the right to strike for public sector employees within the year granted by Supreme Court. However, the Chamber is concerned with how protecting the right to strike in the Charter will impact private sector employers, through yet unforeseen implications. The provision of essential services is not solely within the domain of the public sector and the Chamber is particularly concerned with the potential ramifications that this ruling 15
"Saskatchewan Federation of Labour v. Saskatchewan." 30 01 2015. Judgements of the Supreme Court of Canada. 12 02 2015 .
Issue in Focus (cont’d) may have on private employer labour relations, during the execution of public-
private partnerships for the delivery of services to name just one example.
Works Cited Canadian Constitution Foundation. "R v. Saskatchewan Federation of Labour." 2015. Canadian Constitution Foundation. 12 02 2015 . Honickman, Asher. "Asher Honickman: A troubling decision on the ‘right to strike’." 05 02 2015. National Post. 12 02 2015 . "Saskatchewan v. Saskatchewan Federation of Labour, 2012 SKQB 62 ." 06 02 2012. CanLII. 12 02 2015 . May, Kathryn. "Supreme Court ruling could pave way for federal union challenge on right to strike." 30 01 2015. Ottawa Citizen. 12 02 2015 . "Saskatchewan Federation of Labour v. Saskatchewan." 30 01 2015. Judgements of the Supreme Court of Canada. 12 02 2015 . Saskatchewan Federation of Labour . "Brief to Minister Norris: Bill 5, The Public Service Essential Services Act and Bill 6, An Act to amend The Trade Union Act." 15 February 2008. Saskatchewan Federation of Labour. 01 April 2012 . Schatz, Leah. "Supreme Court of Canada Finds Constitutional Right to Strike and Upholds Amendments to Saskatchewan’s Trade Union Act." 02 02 2015. Western Employers' Counsel. 12 02 2015 .
SIMS Database The Ministry of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety’s Occupational Health & Safety Division has officially launched SIMS, a new integrated safety information database which will allow employers to interact online with the OHS Division. Registration can be completed easily online. Please visit http:// www.saskatchewan.ca/sims and scroll to the bottom of the page where you will see “Safety Infomation Management System Online Access and the user guide.
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Farmland Ownership
amount to much less than one per cent of the provincial farmland market.
Submitted by the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board
The province cannot risk sending a signal to important investors such as CPPIB that The Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce has investment rules change on the fly, because there taken a stance in the current debate about the is a real danger that investors will fear investing province’s farmland ownership rules because in other assets in this province. A strong business this is an important issue. It is important that the climate is vital for all residents of Saskatchewan. long-term interests of farmers and ranchers are broadly considered, but it is equally important The Chamber has written to and met with that Saskatchewan’s reputation is not diminished Minister of Agriculture Lyle Stewart and believe in the eyes of investors. Hasty changes to he is thinking seriously about this complex regulations or legislation could damage the file. Land ownership is really part of a bigger economy by chasing away potential investors question around investment opportunities and in the province. Creating a safe climate for the challenges of equity. Whether its farmland, businesses to invest in is crucial to the provincial manufacturing, or real estate development we want to ensure that people see this province as economy. a positive location for their capital. The Chamber has canvassed views from members including farmers, ranchers, investors Click here to view the 2012 Policy and the in equipment and land, and others. The average letter the Sask Chamber sent to Minister age of farmers in Saskatchewan has been steadily Stewart. increasing during the past 20 years. More than 70 per cent of the farms in the province are now operated by farmers who are over the age of fifty. A rising proportion of farmers are exploring what to do with their land once they retire, and many of them like the idea of having more potential buyers rather than fewer. As the Chamber noted in its original “Farmland Ownership In Saskatchewan” policy, farmers both young and old wishing to expand or diversify are faced with limited available capital and cash flow to finance new opportunities as they arise. It’s also noteworthy that renting has long been an important part of Saskatchewan’s farmland market; from 1986 to 2011, the proportion of Saskatchewan farmland that has been rented has floated between 37 and 39 per cent.
WCB 2015
Compensation Institute Saskatoon, SK March 23-24
Much of the current debate seems to be focused on the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB). That seems odd since it is foreign investors and publicly-traded companies that the Saskatchewan Farm Security Act restricts. CPPIB is a Canadian Crown corporation and pension fund that invests on behalf of 18-million contributors and beneficiaries, including nearly three-quarters of a million people in Saskatchewan. It followed the rules in The Saskatchewan Farm Security Act. Its investments
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You are invited to attend WCB’s annual learning event. • • •
Injury prevention Claims management Return-to-work
For more information or to register visit www.wcbsask.com
MEMBERSHIP Central
By Jesse Chatterson, Director of Membership Services
Welcome to our new members! N. L. Construction Inc. Yorkton http://www.nl-construction.com
Rick Mantey Consulting Regina
To refer a business for membership, please contact Jesse Chatterson at [email protected], or call him at 306.352.2671.
Thanks to our returning members! Thank you to our members who renewed last month! Your continued support of the Chamber movement makes it possible for us to achieve on your behalf, and we want you to know we appreciate you as members! • • • • • • • • • •
My Canada Payday Keystone Group of Companies Bayshore Homes Canadian Red Cross O&T Farms Clark’s Supply Radisson Plaza Hotel Saskatchewan Graham Group BHP Biliton Brandt Group of Companies
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Willoughby & Associates Kennibar Resources Deloitte Schulte Industries Borden Ladner Gervais LLP Technical Safety Authority of Saskatchewan Evraz Inc. Saskatchewan Hotel & Hospitality Association Global TV Double K Excavating Q Line Trucking Loraas Disposal Canpotex Limited Coldwell Banker FP Bourault Tillage Tools Rogers Media Direct West Montessori School
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Miller Moar Grodecki Kreklewich & Chorney Serco First On Site Restoration NWL Big Quill Resources MNP LLP Bunge Canada Castelton Industries Drs. A & C Malan Regina Public Library Virtus Group LMC Manufacturing Globe Theatre Regina Exhibition Association Stantec Battleford Furniture Regina Hotel Association Payworks Payroll Services SGI
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Members in The News By Elissa LaLiberte, Director of Membership Engagement
Several SCC members were recently recognized at the IR Magazine Awards on February 4th in Toronto. Please join us in congratulating the following members: CN, TD Bank, Cenovus Energy, Loblaw Companies, ARC Resources, and Stantec. To view the full listing of winners as well as categories and criteria visit the IR Magazine website at: http://www. irmagazine.com/events/ir-magazine-conferenceawards/ir-magazine -awards- canada-2015/ nominations/
www.millerthomson.com/en/news-and-events/ news/reuters-quotes-rick-van-beselaere-on-large
Brandt recently announced the acquisition of On Grade. On Grade is the exclusive distributor for Topcon Positioning Systems for Atlantic Canada since 2001. With the recent acquisition of On Grade, Brandt’s Positioning Technology Division is now able to provide even greater access to sales and service for surveying equipment.
Saskatchewan Polytechnic has created a partnership in Prince Albert with Habitat for Humanity, and soon, Sask Polytech students will, over five years, help build affordable houses in the city. Students will frame houses and install windows, exterior doors, siding, soffits and shingles. Kudos to organizers and students for helping out a worthy cause!
For the third year in a row, PotashCorp contributed $150,000 to the University of Regina Athletics program. The funds will be used to enhance the program offerings for each of the University’s 16 varsity teams. On Saturday February 7, Rhonda Speiss, PotashCorp’s Manager of Community Investment, presented the cheque to the U of R Acting Director of Athletics, Curtis Atkinson, and SCC member, Seed Hawk Inc of Langbank was University President and Vice Chancellor, Dr. Vianne awarded the AE50 Award for their iCon™ Wireless Timmons. Control System and their Precision Seed Meter. The AE50 Awards celebrates companies for their Congratulations to the Regina International Airport. developments in agriculture, food and biological The Airport Authority recently was presented systems. The prestigious AE50 award is sponsored with the Marketing Award in the Under 4 Million by the American Society of Agricultural and Passengers category at the 2015 Routes Americas Biological Engineers. Marketing Awards in Denver. Outstanding work!
Cameco On February 6th reported their fourth quarter and 2014 financial results. “The uncertainty in the uranium market has persisted for longer than expected, but 2014 was another year of strong financial and operational performance,” said president and CEO, Tim Gitzel. See the full press release here: http:// www.cameco.com/media/news/ cameco-reports-fourth-quarterand-2014-financial-results. Miller Thomson partner, Rick Van Beselaere was recently quoted by Reuters on large-scale farmland purchases in Saskatchewan. The full article link can be found on Miller Thomson’s website: http://
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Members in the News (cont’d) In other Sask Polytechnic news, students will be able to earn high school credit and Sask Polytech credit at the same time, thanks to an innovative initiative that will begin this winter. These dual-credit courses are an ideal opportunity for students to test the post-secondary waters. Courses include CAD Drafting Level 1, Applied Trades Measurement and two courses in Medical Terminology, which pair respectively with high school Drafting and Computer-Aided Design, Workplace & Apprenticeship Math, Medical Terminology and Health Sciences. Great idea! The Town of Nipawin will be hosting the 3rd annual Municipal Infrastructure Conference April 21-23, 2015. The event will provide a range of learning opportunities in an interactive plenary and concurrent session format. Early bird registration is March 13, 2015. Visit the conference website for more information: http://municipalinfrastructureconference.ca. Input Capital Corp. recently won the award for “Best IR by a TSX Venture Exchange-listed company” in the IR Magazine Awards. Congratulations to Input President & CEO Doug Emsley for this notable achievement! The Board of Directors of Regina Airport Authority recently announced the appointment of Richmond (Dick) Graham as the Authority’s new President & CEO. Graham’s recent experience includes President & CEO, Banyan Gold Corp., Vice President, Distinct Resources Corp. and Vice President, AltaGas. Mr. Graham will assume his duties March 23. Congratulations to the Saskatchewan Chamber members who won in the 23rd annual Bridges Awards: Homes By Dream (Best brochure), North Ridge Development Corporation (Best Apartment Style Development, Best Production Home with Secondary Suite, Best Custom Home Under 1500 sq’, Best Custom Home over 2200 sq’, New Home Warranty for Multi-Family Builder), and North Prairie Developments (Best decor, Professional Service, Customer Service). Congratulations to North Ridge Renovations, who received SCSA Safety Certification, and Sales Achievement Award winners Homes by Dream and North Ridge. Scott Hodson, President & CEO of Superior Cabinets was awarded the Maple Leaf Award. Congrats to all! We love to hear from you! Send your accomplishments, and your members in the news tips to Elissa at [email protected]!
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we can!
visit Group Benefits with a Difference.
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Be taken seriously as a young entrepreneur | BDC.ca
Follow these eight tips to help ensure you’re taken seriously as a young entrepreneur 8 tips on how to be taken seriously as a young entrepreneur? Knowing yourself is the first step in entrepreneur finding out your talents, but also understanding where you need help. Are you a young entrepeneur with a great business idea? If so, you’re probably bubbling with confidence Why are you passionate about your idea? Are you a and optimism about your future success. people person? Do you get intimidated easily? Are you good with numbers? But you need potential customers, lenders and other business partners to believe in you, too. So If you haven’t already asked yourself questions like how can you get others to take you seriously and these, now’s the time. believe in your venture? Knowing yourself is also key to being authentic in Here are eight ways to inspire confidence in others your business. If you’re genuine about your product that you have the right stuff as a young entrepreneur. or service, your partners and clients will sense it. They will be more trusting and take you more 1. Be passionate seriously. Make sure you’re passionate about what you do. For help, take BDC’s entrepreneurial self-assessment Owning a business is not easy and you’re going to at http://tinyurl.com/mpf58vc. It’s free. be in it for the long haul, so make sure you’re fully committed through the ups and downs. 4. Do your homework And let your passion shine through. Your clients, Make sure to research and know your industry business partners and employees need to see it in inside and out. Read up on the latests trends and your eyes, hear it in your voice and feel it in your connect with experts in the field. actions. Ask lots of questions and dig for answers. Who 2. Have a plan are the key players in your sector? Who are your competitors? Who are your target customers? Why It’s great to be passionate, but it’s also essential to has the market responded (or not) in a certain way frame your passion in a structured and effective to a given product? How do you know there’s a need way. You need to slow down, think and reflect on for your product? Why are you establishing your where you plan to take your business in the months price at this level? Who are you hiring and why? to come. “If you take the time to develop a strong Make sure you have a business plan clearly laid out understanding of the industry, your pitch will on paper. You should also be able to explain your be solid and well-articulated,” Bornais says. “Your business in person in a clear, concise way. audience will see that you know the issues and challenges facing the industry and that you can add “Lenders, suppliers and clients who see a solid value.” Preparation is key. business plan will know you took the time to think things through and will take you seriously,” 5. Be open to advice says Valérie Bornais, who manages BDC’s Entrepreneurship Centre in Quebec City. “I would You may have already demonstrated leadership immediately think: ‘Wow, this young entrepreneur or management skills, but that doesn’t mean you is solid.’” know it all. People are far more likely to take you seriously if you listen to and heed advice. 3. Know yourself “Don’t be afraid to ask questions or to say you don’t Do you know your strengths and weaknesses as an know the answer but will come back shortly with
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one,”Bornais adds. People will respect your willingness to learn, your curiosity and your openness.
has one and who doesn’t,” says Bornais.
Having a mentor not only shows others that 6. Consider your personal appearance you understand the importance of learning from someone with more experience, it’s also an It may seem trivial, but the way you present yourself invaluable source of contacts and potential is critical. How you dress and carry yourself says a lot business opportunties. Futurpreneur Canada has about your personality. a well-structured program for putting young entrepreneurs together with mentors. That said, it all depends on the environment. If you’re in IT, you will dress differently than if you’re 8. Network, network, network in accounting or construction. Just be sure to dress Get into the habit. It’s essential. Meeting new appropriately for the situation. business associates is a valuable way to expand Always ask yourself: Does my appearance reflect my your knowledge, learn from the successes and desired business persona? failures of others and find new clients. It’s also a great way to form long-term relationships and build 7. Find a mentor your reputation. Try to build a relationship with an experienced businessperson who you can turn to regularly for For more advice on succeeding as a young support and advice. “It’s extremely important to entrepreneur, check out our Entrepreneur’s toolkit have a mentor, and we can immediately see who (includes a sample business plan).
Professional Development Bursary Available Do you work at, or serve on the Board of Directors of a local Chamber of Commerce? Are you interested in attending the 2015 Conference on Business May 5-6 in Regina? If so, you may be eligible for financial assistance toward your registration fees, hotel costs and travel expenses (to a maximum of $550). Chambers of Commerce Group Insurance Plan provides bursaries to assist Chamber reps to attend the Conference, but you have to act quickly - the deadline for application is March 31. For information and application forms, contact: Pamela Brace, Regional Manager, Chamber Marketing 28 Greenwood Close Spruce Grove, AB T7X 1Y1 or email them to [email protected].
action! online is a monthly membership e-publication of the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce.
CHAMBER STAFF Steve McLellan CEO [email protected]
Curtis Hemming Director of Government Relations [email protected]
Jesse Chatterson Director of Member Services [email protected]
Marilyn Leier Administrative Assistant [email protected]
Kristin McKee Director of Policy Development [email protected]
Elissa LaLiberte Director of Membership Engagement [email protected]
Cindy Wright Director of Special Events [email protected]
Libbey Morin Research & Policy Analyst [email protected]
Dawn M. Barker Director of Communications [email protected]
CHAMBER BOARD OF DIRECTORS Chair - Bruce Anderson (b-creative group) 1st Vice-Chair - Randy Beattie (PFM Capital Inc.) 2nd Vice-Chair - Shawna Nelson (Sheraton Cavalier Saskatoon) Immediate Past-Chair - Marion Ghiglione (Handy Group of Companies) Directors Cam Cooper (Praxis Analytics) Trina Warren (MNP LLP) Patricia Warsaba (McKercher LLP) Sean Young (Young’s Equipment) Michael Cossar (Federated Co-operatives)
1630 - 1920 Broad Street
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Andrew Geary (Deloitte LLP) Greg Hanwell (Beer Bros. Gastropub & Deli) Ricardo Silva (Quickthree Solutions) Monica Kreuger (Global Infobrokers Inc.)
Regina, SK S4P 3V2
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www.saskchamber.com
