May 27, 2008

Irving’s Tidal “What If”

Irving Oil Ltd, which is planning a second major refinery in New Brunswick, announced it - and not Minas Basin Pulp and Power – won the contract to study the potential for a tidal power development in the Bay of Fundy. Irving teamed up with the non-profit Huntsman Marine Science Centre to conduct two years of research on 11 prospective generating sites near the north shore of the bay, which lies between New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. But tidal power is not washed up for the Jodrey’s business just yet. John Woods, VP of energy development, confirmed the company has been invited to meetings to discuss the matter further. ALLNS.com reports NB Natural Resources is meeting with Minas Basin, which proposed 4 sites around the same area, to see if their proposals can be re-worked. It’s also reported that Minas Basin’s proposal was 6-8 inches thick, while the Irving’s came in the form of a single white envelope from environmental engineering firm Jacques Whitford. Results from the environmental assessment are due this summer. [Source: Globe and Mail, ALLNS.com]

New Pumpkin Paint

Home Hardware pays tribute to the late Howard Dill this year on a national level, with the debut of a warm, orange paint colour dubbed “Dill’s Atlantic Giant.” Jeff Redden from Windsor’s Home Hardware shared the news and an advance copy of the paint brochure with Dill a few weeks ago. “Howard, as he always is, was humbled, but was honoured and thrilled to see it.” Redden’s respect for Dill stems from a certain kinship. “They have a family business, just as we do…There is a certain pride in a family business, especially when it is passed down to the next generation. I have always connected to Howard because of that tie.” More than business tied the two families together, Redden noted. “Howard was a good friend of my dad’s. They had a connection through their love of hockey and their community. Both Danny and I learned from our fathers in giving back to the community.” [Source: Nova News Now]

Commuter Matchmaker

Halifax Regional Municipality wants more commuters to carpool to help cut down traffic congestion, accidents, road damage, the emission of greenhouse gases and arrive to work happier. So when they announced a new website to facilitate this — HRMSmartTrip.ca  — it begged to be given a test-drive. According to the website, HRM SmartTrip is an electronic ridematching system that allows commuters to "quickly and securely" find carpool partners. HRM staff says the site will help match people by location, travel route and working hours. HRMSmartTrip is part of a larger initiative by Nova Scotia’s largest municipality to encourage more sustainable transportation methods, said Roxanne MacInnis, regional transportation planner with the city. HRMSmartTrip is also interlinked with Metro transit, and commuters can search for partners with whom to walk or bicycle to work, too. A carpool discussion check-list is provided to help users with talking points they should address with potential partners. Upon further investigation, the software was actually developed by an Ottawa-based IT company called Rideshark, a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner and “software solutions provider.” Once equipped with a username and password, the site asks you to plug in your hours of work, up to a maximum of five weekdays, with some options for flexibility. In theory, it sounds like a great idea, until one registers with the system as a commuter from the Newport area. Registering for an account was simple enough, but when it came to entering in address details, it is clear the system was designed by ‘city folk’. Rural routes in the area are not recognized, and Belmont Road was found in Halifax and in Truro under the B0N postal code. Alas, Newport – with approximately 1400 households an hour outside of HRM and includes Brooklyn - was not even recognized in the field labeled as just "city".

A second option to source your address by way of Google map fared no better. Entering West Hants as a city is more acceptable for some Brooklyn-area addresses. A search from Etter Road netted a potential match in Sackville. Technical assistance for the site maintains while those living in rural areas of the province can use the system, "addressing databases are not comprehensive for rural areas." So while it’s not exactly ‘true love’ for Newport commuters quite yet, and the whole system requires lots of users to make it worthwhile, one handy feature of the system is a “Cost of Commuting’ calculator. Upon adding your information, it calculates both your cost to get to work driving your car and computes one’s greenhouse gas (ghg) emissions. An economical Honda Civic traveling to downtown Halifax 5 days a week at $1.35/litre for gas and paying $130/parking can expect to pay $727.37/month, or $8728.44/year, and emits 4 metric tones of ghg’s/ year. Earning $40,000/year, this works out to approximately one-third of one’s salary. [Source: Avondale Media]

Voluntary Planning May 27

The Voluntary Planning Natural Resources Citizen Engagement committee, which is holding community meetings throughout the province in May and June, makes a stop in Windsor this week. Members of the public are invited to participate and share ideas about the future of Nova Scotia’s biodiversity, forests, minerals and parks. The meeting will be held in an interactive format where all participants are encouraged to contribute their views in large and small group conversations. Meanwhile, reports surfacing from these meetings around the province are making residents very anxious about what they might face as they attend their local meetings. Reports from some meetings held so far are indicating that the smaller discussion groups at the meetings are being hijacked. Representatives from DNR or the mining industry are either placed as facilitators or recorders, in some cases, without identification of who they are. “But who they are quickly becomes apparent, I guess,” said Raymond Parker, President of the Avon Peninsula Watershed Preservation Society (APWPS).”It’s very disappointing considering this is a process we learned to trust and looked forward to.” Notes taken at a meeting in Middle Musquodoboit included a quote from one woman, not identified, as saying, “I hate to be counted as one who has been heard when I was one who was told." Barb Gallagher, President of CAPE, or Citizens Action for the Protection of the Environment, which is also based in Hants County, said, “Voluntary Planning is respected for being a worthwhile, democratic process. It is supposed to be arm's length from government and I am worried that these sessions might not be.” Members of both the APWPS and CAPE are expected to participate in the Voluntary Planning session being held at Windsor’s Community Centre on Tuesday, May 27th, beginning at 6:30 pm. Windsor will be an area hotly debated with Fundy Gypsum proposing a 1,000 acre open pit mine in the Avon Peninsula watershed, in addition to uranium exploration actively happening in the area west of Windsor Forks. [Source: Avondale Media, CAPE Press Release]\

Mermaid’s Homecoming

Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia’s acclaimed production of The Very Hungry Caterpillar and other Eric Carle Favorites will take the stage at the Mermaid Imperial Performing Arts Centre in Windsor on Thursday, May 29th at 6:30 PM. Featuring innovative “black light” puppetry, the show will return from a five-month cross-country tour just in time to participate in the Apple Blossom Festival. Tickets are available in advance from Mermaid Theatre at 132 Gerrish Street, Windsor, or at the door. Admission is $10.00 for adults, and $8.00 for seniors and children. For further information, please call Mermaid Theatre at 902 798 5841 ext. 1 http://www.mermaidtheatre.ns.ca


Regional and National Headlines

Seeking Gas Tax Relief

Owners of small businesses feeling the pain at the pump are again asking the Province to cut the provincial fuel tax. Leanne Hachey, Atlantic VP of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, said she delivered 2,500 signed faxes demanding the cut to Service NS and Municipal Relations Minister Jamie Muir on Friday. “Increased transportation costs are compounded by other energy cost hikes,” said Ms. Hachey. “What is different for business is that they’re facing additional pressures too, like wage pressures.” Ms.Hachey said unlike in some provinces, there’s been no tax relief in sight in NS to offset these rising costs. “Newfoundland and Labrador, for instance, made major cuts to personal income tax last year and eliminated another tax this year,” she said. “Efforts like these help.” Ms. Hachey continued to say that the Premier’s suggestions to use alternative modes of transportation or reduce consumption aren’t practical for many businesses for lots of reasons, including the fact that most commercial vehicles use diesel. “The goods have to go where the goods have to go – there are no shortcuts and no carpooling. And there’s no such thing as a fuel-efficient combine of a hybrid fishing boat,” Hachey said. [Source: The Chronicle Herald]


DFAIT Minister Resigns

Foreign Affairs Minister Maxime Bernier resigned his cabinet posting after admitting he left classified NATO documents in a non-secured location at the home of his former girlfriend, Julie Couillard. David Emerson, the Minister of International Affairs, will be taking over the cabinet position on an interim basis until Prime Minister Harper appoints a new minister. Said Harper, “Let me be clear: this is not to do with the minister's private life. What matters here is that rules respecting government classified documents were broken. Obviously it was not done on purpose … but it was clearly done and it has to be treated appropriately." Bernier previously served as Minister of Industry. [Source: Global News]

Sonny just might stay home

Mammy in Sonny’s Dream, a popular folk mantra of Atlantic Canadian families written by songwriter Ron Hynes, might just get her wish yet. The Atlantic Provinces Economic Council (APEC), the a regional economic think-tank based in Halifax, says that after a decade of depopulation, there are signs people are choosing to stay home or return to Atlantic Canada to work on selection of offshore mega projects. The Council says in an analysis released this week that the region has lost population because of out-migration, with an estimated 340,000 people — or 14 per cent of the population — moving to another part of Canada since 1997. That represents a net loss of 72,500 people to other parts of Canada, enough to reduce the region's population by two per cent, says the study, which uses Statistics Canada data. However, the study also sees some hope in the data from the last six months of 2007, when:

• Newfoundland and Labrador had a net inflow of 1,739 people,

• New Brunswick had a net gain in the same period of about 1,100 people.

• Nova Scotia saw a slight gain of 271 people.

• Prince Edward Island's population remained roughly static.

Elizabeth Beale, APEC’s chief executive, states in her analysis that the overall gains are driven, in part, because of the labour shortages created by the out-migration. As a result, there have been more job openings and wages have gone up — particularly in urban areas. "Average weekly wages in Atlantic Canada rose faster than the national average in 2007," Beale writes. "In Newfoundland and Labrador, wages increased at more than double the national rate in the first four months of 2008. These conditions may increase the flow of population into Atlantic Canada, particularly if Ontario's economic situation continues to soften." Beale says it remains unclear if the gains will continue, but if they do, "this would represent the most significant change in inter-provincial migration trends since the early 1980s." Between 2001 and 2006, the population of Atlantic Canada's top six cities — Saint John, N.B., St. John's, N.L., Halifax, Moncton, N.B., Fredericton and Charlottetown — increased by 3.8 per cent.

The report says APEC remains worried about the exodus from rural Atlantic Canada, which they believe has shown little sign of a turnaround. Newfoundland and Labrador's small gain represents only a small fraction of the net loss of 42,000 people, mostly from small communities, over the past decade. The study also argues it's likely that Alberta's booming economy will continue to draw younger workers from throughout the region over a longer period of time than previous episodes of out-migration. Atlantic Canada will need those blue-collar workers for a series of upcoming energy projects, particularly in Newfoundland's booming offshore oil industry, along with the Voisey's Bay nickel and copper development.

In New Brunswick, NB Power is spending $1 billion to refurbish the Point Lepreau nuclear plant, and a second refinery worth as much as $7 billion near Saint John is being proposed by Irving Oil.

Nova Scotia is expecting the development of EnCana's Deep Panuke gas field to proceed in the next few years as well. Beale concludes that it will require more than a boost in several big projects in Atlantic Canada to keep its young people from leaving over the longer term. She says employers must be "willing to offer the wages and salaries to workers that can compete with opportunities anywhere in Canada." In addition, companies and governments must increase the number of apprenticeship programs, provide training and offer "the flexibility in employment that young people seek." [Source: APEC, cbc.ca]

Supreme Court makes June Call

In a victory for BCE Inc., the Canadian Supreme Court agreed to expedite the process of deciding whether to hear the telecommunications firm's appeal of a lower court decision that imperils its C$34.8 billion ($35.2 billion) buyout – the country’s largest corporate takeover in history. The court set May 28 as a deadline for BCE to file its application for permission to appeal, and May 30 for a response from the debt-holders, who won a Quebec court decision last week that the leveraged buyout was unfair to them. [Reuters]

Green Sweep

Last week, the CBC’s National presented a special report on the business of recycling of some of the biggest problem items in our homes, from electronics to household waste. “Green Sweep “addresses despite our best efforts, Canadians are generating more waste than ever. Anything that can be recycled should be. The special features take a look at the innovative recycling programs and profitable companies that have sprung up across the country to keep waste out of the landfill. One company is MattCanada in Montreal. Despite being almost entirely recyclable, most mattresses end up in the trash. But MattCanada has saved a quarter of a million so far and now serves now over thirty clients from various sectors, not only commercial establishments such as retail chains, manufacturers and hotels but also municipalities and private citizens. More info online...

Also, read this helpful Carbon Tax Primer courtesy of the Halifax Chamber of Commerce called
Carbon Tax 101, available online...


Business Events List:

Wednesday May 28th – June 2: The 76th Annual Apple Blossom Festival
http://www.appleblossom.com

Friday, May 30th - Can-Am Breeds Equine Emporium & Better Living Show
Hants County Exhibition Grounds, 9:00 am - 7:00 pm Admission: $5.00 to enter the Trade Show Area, additional $10.00 to attend clinics, $15.00 for trade show and all clinics. Info online: http://www.canamequine.ca

Tuesday, June 3-4: 3rd Annual Renewable Energy Conference, Halifax
Producers of renewable energy, manufacturers, suppliers, large energy consumers, municipalities, and governments are meeting to discuss the advancement of wind, tidal, geothermal, biofuel, biomass, and solar projects and technologies in Atlantic Canada. With an anticipated $6 billion in renewable energy project expenditures in Atlantic Canada between now and 2014, the conference is attracting local, national and international delegates. A complete list of presenters and the conference agenda is available online...
 

Friday June 6-8th : Acadian international trade mission
Le Conseil de développement économique de la Nouvelle-Écosse (CDÉNÉ), the provincial francophone economic development council, will be holding its Expo Acadie international trade mission in Halifax from June 6-8. Expo Acadie 2008 will bring together regional, national and international entrepreneurs from various key sectors such as life sciences and e-health, building products, tourism, culture, and much more. Business market expansion and matchmaking sessions will be a vital feature of Expo Acadie 2008. For more information, please contact communications officer Nathalie Poirier at (902) 424-7052 or npoirier@cdene.ns.ca
 

Sunday June 8-10: Wine Symposium

Atlantic Canadian grape growers, fruit growers and wineries will come together at the Old Orchard Inn in Wolfville from June 8-10 for seminars concerning cool climate viticulture, grape genetics, organic growing and winemaking as well as quality control. The gala dinner on Monday, June 9 will highlight a course from each of the four Atlantic Provinces paired with appropriate wines. Wines from each province will be highlighted throughout the symposium. Tickets for the symposium or gala dinner may be purchased by contacting Joanne Moran at 902-847-0577or ggans@ns.sympatico.ca. For more information about the Atlantic Canada Wine Symposium or the Winery Association of Nova Scotia, visit www.winesns.com
 

Saturday, September 27th – Gala Fundraising Event
Hantsport Memorial Community Centre celebrates 60 Years. Play in the Casino and bid for prizes. Music by Route 66.Tickets are available from the Hantsport Pharmasave, 684-3255 or 684-3166.  For more info, visit www.hantsportnovascotia.com


Chuckles:

A man learned shortly before quitting time that he had to attend a meeting. He tried unsuccessfully to locate his car-pool members to let them know that he would not be leaving with them.

Hastily he scribbled a message to one fellow and left it on his desk: "I have a last-minute meeting. Leave without me. Dave."

At 7:00 p.m., the man stopped at his desk and found this note: "Meet us at the bar and grill across the street. You drove, you idiot!”

E-News info:

E-News Deadline - Our next issue of WHCC E-News will be published on June 10th. You are invited to submit your business news, event or announcement by June 1st.