thunder bay business may 2013

Tearing down walls tobuild a dream is key inClub ResidenceCondominiumDevelopmentSee Inside Pages 5-12!

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New Thunder BayEntrepreneur

Likes Thunder Bay:George

Contracting

THE BOOM CONTINUES

It’s Back! Shoes &Champagne 2

Storm Warning byNorm Foster: MagusTheatre’s Last Play of

the Season

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THUNDER BAY BUSINESS MAY 2013

Back by popular demand, Shoes &Champagne 2 is coming to the waterfrontthis summer. Touted the best event of theyear back in 2010, Habitat for HumanityThunder Bay is thrilled to announce thegala event on June 20th at BightRestaurant & Bar and the Mariner’s Hall.Highlighting the event is the chance forattendees to purchase shoes from interna-tional designers and right off the foot ofhigh-profile celebrities.

“If you’ve ever wanted to walk in yourfavourite celebrity's shoes- this event willprovide you with that opportunity;” saidHabitat for Humanity Thunder Bay CEO,Diane Mitchell. Several pairs of shoesfrom major celebrities will be up for grabs.Those in attendance will be able to bid onshoes from the likes of Canadian croonerMichael Bublé, the Kardashians, LisaVanderpump of Dancing with the Stars andthe Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, theTrudeau Family, and Taylor Swift.“You will actually have the chance to meet

a celebrity as well,” continues Mitchell.New to the event this time around is aCelebrity VIP Guest. Leaving the dramaand her friends behind in B.C., JodyClaman of the Real Housewives ofVancouver is attending the event. She willprovide a keynote address at the event andgive 50 lucky fans a chance to rub shoul-ders with one of the countries most elitehousewives at a special VIP cocktail party.

Claman admits that sometimes stars caneasily get wrapped up in the small thingsin life that don’t really matter. But shenever forgets that there are real womenacross Canada who are struggling every-day to afford a decent home for their fami-lies. “Providing a safe and decent place tolive is truly what every housewife wants togive to her children. We are ecstatic thateveryone’s favourite real housewife will bejoining us for Shoes & Champagne 2;”says Mitchell. “We know that she willbring the right mix of celebrity chic andempowerment to everyone in attendancethrough her presence and story.”

Claman is a successful, self-made businesswoman with an empire that includes anupscale boutique, a fashion line, a teahouse and a catering company, AsClaman’s career and success has grown,she tries to give back to communities asmuch as possible. Claman has establishedan organization called Larry Lunch Bucketto help fight hunger in Vancouver’sEastside. She will share this story alongwith some others during her talk. Clamanwill also hand out the best-dressed awardsat the event.

Along with the celebrity shoe auction,high-end designers shoes will also beavailable to bid on. Popular designers suchas Prada, Gucci, Michael Kors, and Diorwill be featured in the silent auction.

Tickets for Shoes & Champagne 2 areavailable at the Habitat for HumanityReStore at 660 Squier St., by calling(807)345-5520, or online at www.habitat-tbay.com.

All funding raised will contribute to nextyear’s home builds in the city of ThunderBay. Since its inception on 1994, the not-for-profit organization has provided 23homes for families in need.

We will see you on the red carpet!

It’s Back! Shoes & Champagne 2

Jack Forrester, a Second World Wararmy vet, is spending his summer at aserene lakeside retreat until Emma Currie;a brassy big-city girl involved in the musicscene, shows up to disrupt his life.

Debra Hale plays Emma and ScottMaudsley Jack in this funny and thoughtprovoking Norm Foster play that focuseson the relationship between Jack andEmma who are brought together bychance. They both have issues going on intheir lives which many of us do. The playtakes us through each character with con-versations between them that cover all

aspects of their lives.Emma is a brash outgoing girl who

reminded me very much of someone Iknew personally. She probed Jack eventu-ally finding out even his most innermostthoughts. Jack is a reserved military guywho really doesn’t want to spend muchtime in conversation but has little choicewith the outgoing Emma. Emma is a beerdrinking, pot smoking and pill poppinggirl who works all night, sleeps in til noonand needs to change her life really hoping,I think, for a long term relationship. Jackis troubled by his war experience thatinvolved the death of a friend and resultedin him spending months in the hospital formental reasons. The play is set in a remotelocation on a lake with cabins and as usualMagnus creates a beautiful set.

I really enjoyed the sincere revelationsbetween the characters that cut to the mostimportant aspects of their lives. It showedtrue emotions ranging from humour tosadness and made the playgoer think aboutlife in a real way. Storm Warning was anexcellent close to the year and look for-ward to attending more Magnus plays nextseason!

StormWarning byNorm Foster

Scott Maudsley as Jack and DebraHale plays Emma

THUNDER BAY BUSINESS MAY 2013 PAGE 3

The snow was falling, temperatures werecool and we had new direct jet servicewith United from Thunder Bay to Chicago.It seemed like a good opportunity for meto travel to Orlando, see the Arnold PalmerInvitation PGA Tour event and TigerWoods as well as play some golf andcheck out Disney!

The new United service to Chicago isreally good for Thunder Bay as it offers amuch quicker gateway to the US than wehave had for awhile. You leave here at 6amand arrive in Chicago’s O’Hare airport at6:30 am when this large airport isn’t totallybusy, which makes for easy movement inthe terminal.It even gave me time to havebrekfast at McDonalds, which is where theiconic fast food brand began. My flight toOrlando landed at 1pm and it was off tostart this adventure.

My first stop the next day in Orlando wasto the famed Bay Hill course owned byArnold Palmer. Ironically as soon as I hitthe media centre Arnold had just begun hispress conference event. It was fun to seehim up close and personal and hear hiscomments on the game today from the per-spective of a golf icon!

Some of the thoughts of Arnold Palmer.“ I give Tiger the chance to get the recordof 18 majors but he will have to keep him-self up mentally and physically. I thinkTiger can beat his overall record of 82wins as well. “

“ In the 1960’s I had a wooden club andit was totally different than it is today. I amstill playing golf now because of theequipment coming out on the market. Thegame will advance and continue toadvance. I would like to see them slow theball down. Somewhere you will run out ofroom and the golf courses will not be ableto handle it.”

“ The Masters starts our year and is thehighlite of our year. We do need to take alook at the international aspects of golf andwe may see other events come along.” After a quick lunch I made my way to the

range to see my golf hero, Tiger Woods,warming up. Tiger was the subject of most

of the fan attention and watching him allweek and win the event was fun.

The theme parks of Orlando alwaysinterest me because of their magnitude andthe large numbers of people there enjoyingthemselves. This time in Orlando it was atreat to spend time at Disney at theirMagic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios andEpcot. Disney is a must visit for everyonewhile in Orlando.

As a Canadian you just have to play golfwhen you are down south during our win-ter months. It was great to play the ShingleCreek Golf Club during my trip.

Shingle Creek Golf Club at Rosen is alarge hotel property of over 1500 rooms,450,000 square feet of convention space ,8 places to eat on property, pools, a spa

and fitness centre and golf academy. It islargely a convention hotel but they do a lotof leisure business on the weekends andthis time of year have many golf packagesbecause of the weather in Canada.

“ We opened December 1st, 2003 andwere designed by David Harman who wasat one time the lead designer for ArnoldPalmer. He has also done courses in thearea such as Orange Country National and

Red Tail,” said David Scott, Director ofGolf at Shingle Creek Golf Club. “ We are10 minutes from the airport, 1 mile fromthe 2 million square foot Orange CountyConvention Centre, within a mile ofUniversal Studios, 3 miles away fromSeaworld as well as 15 to 20 minutesfrom Disney. There are 50,000 hotel roomsright in this area.”

“ The Bay Hill week is the busiest of theyear for us with the PGA Equipment Weekthe second busiest. We have a local pro-gram where you can join and get discount-ed fees, food and beverage. We get a lot ofconvention and non resident business,”said Scott. “ I like the course conditionshere number 1 here. The course hasmatured. It isn’t very hilly, sort of Doralishwithout the palm trees but with big greensand a lot of water and sand. We have 5 setsof tees you can play from 5800 yards to7200 yards. The fairways are generallywide so if you can get the ball in the fair-

way you can reach the green.”In the summer the green fees at Shingle

Creek can get down to $75 and includecart and range balls. This time of the yearit is $135. They do about 48,000 roundspaid which is pretty good in this market as

there are way too many golf courses inOrlando according to Scott.

“ Our location and course conditionsalong with our hotel mean we do OK. Wecan get some pretty nice weather inJanuary. Cold for us is a high of 60degrees. In the summer time you can do a

stay and play package for $159 per nightwhich includes 1 room accommodationand two rounds of golf. It is hot in thesummer in the low 90’s but very humid.Some people like the heat such as the UKpeople. The morning starts may still begood then. We’d love to have you play andstay at our property” said David Scott.

Orlando was a fun destination fro me.There are lots of activities for all ages hereand it is a great winter getaway from thewinter time in Canada!

Orlando Offers So Much To DoPublisher’sNoteScott

Sumner

Robbyn Stajkowski

We are very fortunate indeed that the con-struction boom shows no signs of abating.Just today I was advised that another fullhangar has the green light for the Airportand that is only one more of ongoing orplanned serious buildings slated for thisyear and next.

It is easy to say that the run will end even-tually as if that is something that can bepermanently avoided. If we haven't cometo grips with economic cycles and the wayother international and national cycles have

the audacity to interfere with us then weare being naive.

What we are now enjoying is long overdueso I want you to savour it and hopefullyconsider your own expansion or refurbish-ing. In spite of the complications comingfrom the hail storm and the flood our Cityand Region clearly has some years of workto come. We are also blessed with yuppiesby the bunch who have decided to stay intheir homes and upgrade them to enjoy thecomforts even more.

This upturn is much better than the yearswe suffered. The results of perseverance bythose who believe in our City is showingresults. This is really a fundamental attitu-dinal shift brought out in part by newcom-ers pointing out the benefits to living hereand the positive approach by the invest-ment community who came to an eureka

moment. It was this-we can complain andsurely things will get worse or we canextoll our strengths and make it easier tosee investments flourish.

When you consider the number of groupsand organizations focused on making ourcommunity more attractive it really talliesup impressively. The Chamber ofCommerce, the Ambassadors Group,SHIFT (the dynamic youth movement),PARO (the dynamic women's movement),the Innovation Centre, Ventures, theCEDC, the College, the University, theAirport Authority,the Nishawbe-AskiNation, the Port Authority, Fort WilliamFirst Nation, the Thunder Bay DistrictMunicipal League, the Northwestern

Ontario Municipal Association, theLabour Council, the DevelopmentNetwork, and countless others, includingyour Council and Civic Administrationwho have the wheels and the brains topromote, encourage, and showcase ourCity.

I offer this because once in a while youhear some folks asking why "someone"isn't doing "something" about "it". Let mesay that I meet people daily who just wantour City to grow and foster. Directing themto the right group to see ideas come tofruition means that seizing opportunitiescan be made into an accepted practice anda trait our community is known for.

The key here is for any of you to adoptwhat I call "Becoming a Catalyst". In otherwords the link, the connection, the fusionof people and ideas. To be this kind offacilitator you must firstly care passionate-ly about this place. You have to believe inits potential and know its many assets to beconvincing. You have to display yourenergy and your enthusiasm on your sleeveso that people immediately see you aremaking a credible argument.

As a case study let us use Bombardier asan example. And please feel free to goback to the organizations listed above. Somany came to the table that it truly con-firms the term "team effort". Over a periodof years politicians of all stripes, businesstypes from all over the Province,"Canadian Content" advocates from labourand manufacturing sectors were all therewhen needed. For me getting to play a rolemunicipally and federally was particularlygratifying and I know with certitude thatall who contributed to growing the work-force from 157 to 1400 deserve applauseand should take a bow.

We thank a great company likeBombardier for investing in us, our com-munity and our people.

Respectfully submitted,Ken BoshcoffDirector of Business StrategiesCrupi Consulting Group

PAGE 4 THUNDER BAY BUSINESS MAY 2013

By Leon Vainer, Marketing Consultant toAccurassay LaboratoriesApril 2, 2013Thunder Bay, ON – AccurassayLaboratories, with the support of theNorthern Ontario Heritage FundCorporation (NOHFC), is pleased toannounce the commissioning of a state-of-the-art, fully integrated sample crushingsystem at its Thunder Bay facility. Thissystem, engineered by Australia’s IMPGroup, features German Herzog technolo-gy and delivers enhanced accuracy andprecision, superior process control, andimproved occupational health and safety.Accurassay unveiled this equipment with aribbon-cutting ceremony on April 2nd,2013 at their Gorham Road facility afterthe conclusion of that day’s proceedings ofthe Northwestern Ontario Mines andMinerals Symposium (NWOMMS) at theValhalla Inn.Rob Duncan, President of Accurassay stat-ed that “While we have been investing inthe automation of our laboratory for many

years now, this new crushing system is ourlargest investment to date, and represents asignificant milestone on our path to fullautomation. Improved process control,worker health and safety and productivityare all benefits that we will achieve, andwe are excited about what this technologymeans for us, the customers we serve andthe community of Thunder Bay.”The ribbon-cutting ceremony included anaddress from Michael Gravelle, Minister ofNorthern Development and Mines who hadsaid that: “Key investments are essential togrowing Ontario’s mining and mineralexploration industry. I am delighted that,with NOHFC support, AccurassayLaboratories is expanding its services. Theinstallation of their new automated crush-ing system is certainly a welcome additionthat will create new jobs for Thunder Bay.”This system is the first if its kind for anycommercial lab in the Americas andAccurassay is proud to be the lab that isputting Thunder Bay into the spotlight ofautomation excellence. This system repre-

sents a fundamental shift in thetechnology that is used in sample process-ing as well as the skill development of itsoperators.About AccurassayAccurassay Laboratories is an independent,privately owned laboratory with 30 yearsof experience in the mineral

analysis business in Canada. The companyserves the North and South American min-ing and exploration industry withaccredited fire assay and geochemicalanalysis for precious and base metals, aswell as turnkey on-site prep and minelab installations.

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THE BOOM CONTINUES


It used to be that a project the size andscope of The Club Residence was handledby one developer who would in turn con-tract out to trades on an as-needed basis.However, with Thunder Bay’s most ambi-tious condominium project entering themajor construction stage, it’s clear that themanagement team has embraced modernitynot only in the design of the luxury resi-dence, but also in the way project contrib-utors are coming together.

Indeed, there are many partners involvedin the development of the 109 suite condo-minium. Each partner has been strategical-ly chosen to execute its core competencies,leading to an approach that has transcend-ed the antiquated notion of simply ‘hiring’subtrades. Instead, the project allows for acontrolled, collaborative atmosphere whereexperts in differing fields are able to con-tribute to the build.

Initially, the dream of The Club Residencewas hatched when Thunder Bay’s premiereCondo developer, Robert Zanette, beganbrainstorming with the executive member-ship of Thunder Bay Country Club – nowknown simply as ‘The Club’ – about adevelopment that could transform theiroutdated clubhouse while simultaneouslybuilding an exclusive Country ClubResidence in the heart of Thunder Bay.

While the golf course has had some unan-ticipated setbacks, optimism with theboard increases as the framework is reach-ing ground level and above. There current-ly remains a fully functioning temporaryclubhouse with bar and pro shop, and thecourse is expected to be in top shape head-ing into the 2013 golf season. Bob Swan,the The Club president, has noted that thenew clubhouse, which will make up muchof the ground floor of The Club Residence,provides a state-of-the-art experience forits members and act as a multi-functionalrestaurant, clubhouse, and conference cen-tre.

Robert Zanette, the lead developer of thisproject certainly appreciates the patienceand partnership exhibited by The Clubmembership. “When we started this devel-opment, there was a leap of faith demon-strated by the Club’s Board of Directors.Their clubhouse was over 100 years oldand needed to be replaced, and we’re ontrack to build them something amazing. Itwill not only be Thunder Bay’s most mod-ern Clubhouse, but will simultaneouslyadd value to the fortunate residents on theupper stories of the Condominium, by pro-viding them with a modern facility formeeting, dining, and relaxing. We’re build-ing something that both members and resi-dents can call home and we couldn’t do itwithout the cooperation of our partners at

The Club.”

Of course, a project of this scope doesfollow certain traditional tenets of buildingdevelopment. There remains a hierarchy tothe construction management, withDowland leading the team. Don Wing,who is one of Thunder Bay’s most experi-

enced large-scale project developmentmanagers, leads the local operations ofDowland, and is enthusiastic that the ClubResidence project will meet the highestpossible standards regarding safety, effi-ciency and building quality.

Continued Next Page

Tearing down walls to build a dream is key in ClubResidence Condominium Development

Continued From Previous Page

“Dowland has accomplished safe andexpedient builds of major scope through-out Canada, and our local business opera-tions have quickly grown to become a topplayer in the construction managementfield” notes Wing. “That said, with all ofthe projects that we have achieved, theClub Residence exemplifies the pinnacleof luxury. I’m proud of what our team isundertaking, and expect fortunate buyerswill be equally proud to call The Clubhome.”

Joining the team is designer, Jim Peterson,who is one of Thunder Bay’s top engi-neers. Peterson plays an active role in thedevelopment of the project, working close-ly with other project contributors to ensurethe highest standards of design are met.

Another key player, Magest BuildingSystems, of Stratford, Ontario is providingthe steel frames for the building, which arealready manufactured for Phase 1 and willbe shipped within weeks to the build site,where the 6 story condominium will soontake shape. As is the case in other facets ofthe project, Magest is not just a subtrade orsimple supplier, but rather a partner in theprocess. Gary Martin, president of Magestis excited about the build, and plans tobring his unique process of cold form steelconstruction to other regional projects withthe Dowland team in the future.

Finally, adding to the local collaborativeapproach to this development project are anumber of Thunder Bay’s top consumersuppliers. Businesses like Bob’sWoodburners, Design Build Centre, andeven the Power Centre are working withtheir own suppliers to provide cost effec-tive, yet luxurious and modern options tooutfit each suite with top-of-the-line cus-tomizations, as per the owners’ requests.

Ultimately, this atmosphere of collabora-tion among the development team willmake for a unique and luxuriousCondominium and Clubhouse. The ClubResidence construction is being phasedwith the 10,088 square foot Clubhouse and37 suites comprising the entire west andclubhouse wings are being constructed asPhase One. A very limited amount ofsuites remain available in the exclusivefirst phase of the project with constructionwell underway and steel framing slated tobe erected this spring. Completion ofPhase One is on track for early 2014.Phase Two will comprise the entire southwing, consisting of 72 suites, and is slatedto be ready for occupancy starting inAutumn 2014.

The Club Residence management team isexcited to announce that moving forward,there are now many more suites availableto meet consumer demand. With suitesstarting at just over $330,000, the ClubResidence simultaneously becomesThunder Bay’s most luxurious condomini-um development as well as one of the bestvalues in the market.

PAGE 6 THUNDER BAY BUSINESS MAY 2013


CongratulationsTo The Team

On ThisExciting NewProject For

Thunder Bay at

The Club

From North SuperiorPublishing Inc.


New Thunder Bay Entrepreneur Likes Thunder Bay:George Contracting

Larry and Michelle George have beensuccessful entrepreneurs in Fort Francessince 1998 . They recently decided tomake Thunder Bay home. The young busi-ness owners have purchased an existingThunder Bay company, brought in theirequipment and management skills and areready to grow their business, employingmany more people in the process.

Larry George is the CEO of GeorgeContracting Group and was born andraised in Fort Frances. In 1996 he gotinvolved with operating equipment in the

bush as a 26 year old. Before that heworked in sawmills and went to school inSouthern Ontario.

“ I started with my Dad and Uncle Johnat Wayne George Grading. In 1998 mywife Michelle and I took over the businessand between 1998 to 2006 expanded onthe road maintenance my Dad had done toinclude building water crossings and theharvesting operation of timber. We grewthe business from 3 to 45 people, havingsome good years but also some difficultones when the forestry industry dropped,”said Larry George. “ We had made largeinvestments with big hopes to expand themarket but it crashed in 2008 and we hadto lay off staff and divest ourselves ofquite a bit of equipment that ended upgoing all over Canada. We were able tokeep going and survive by taking a look atthings and evaluating where were at andwould go in the future. We shifted moreto mining but would still do some forestryon a smaller scale, focusing on road con-struction contracts. The mining became anopportunity.”

Larry and Michelle eventually foundeda partnership with an economic develop-ment organization in Fort Frances calledRLTC- Rainy Lake Tribal Contracting. In2009 they formed and founded this compa-ny as a relationship between themselvesand the 6 first Nations communities thatmade up the economic development organ-ization.

“ We were able to bring in our assets,including our staff and equipment, to fur-ther pursue opportunities primarily in themining but still a little bit in forestry. Ournew company also became involved in thediamond drilling business. Previously wehad some experience in mining by provid-ing equipment to mining contractors andhelping with camp mobilization,” saidLarry George. “We got into diamonddrilling in an large way with OsiskoHammond Reef Golf previously known asBrett Resources. Bud Dixon, fromAtikokan, really helped us out a lot then

with his expertise. At that time we did a lotof work on the road to the mine site.Additionally we were involved with RainyRiver Resources in both site developmentand diamond drilling opportunities. At thepeak of our business cycle then we hadabout 175 people working directly andindirectly. Our sales were incredible. Itwas about developing relationships. Wedelivered on what we said we would deliv-er and came through with what we prom-ised. That opened other opportunities forus.”

After the great success of the newcompany, RLTC, the partners approachedLarry and Michelle and wanted to buy out

their shares, so they sold out and relocatedto Thunder Bay.

“ We had planned to relocate toThunder Bay anyway to expand our formerbusiness but once we sold our shares webought an existing business in ThunderBay called RM Durand WeldingEnterprises, which is a welding fabricationshop that has been operating for manyyears. The previous owner and staff hadworked for Superior trailers and came witha wealth of experience and are very capa-ble. We have a 10,000 square foot shopand 3 acres of land at the Twin CityCrossroads. We took over December 1,2012 and have 10 to 15 people workinghere now.” said Larry George.“ The company is now George Contractingbut we are going to maintain RM Durandas a subsidiary and will continue to do log-ging trailer repair and manufacturing. Thecustomer base we have treat us well. Wealso have an interest in mining and con-struction with our heavy equipment thatincludes excavator, bulldozer’s, rock trucksand grader. We will put them to workoperated or unoperated- dry bed.”

One of the objectives of the new com-pany is to get involved with the miningcompanies like North American Palladiumor Musslewhite rebuilding their scoopbuckets or any repairs modifications.They have also partnered with the LegrosBrothers, based in Thunder Bay to team upto build new logging trailers.

“ There are a number of new regula-tions out there surrounding trailers. Wehave secured two new trailers to manufac-ture with the new technology. It is impor-tant to team up with people who haveexpertise in this area. We will build themin our facility with the Legros staff work-ing here as well.” said Larry George.

George Contracting also have recent-ly announced a new partnership with amajor North American diamond drillingcompany.

“ Orbit Garant is one of the largestdrilling companies in North America. Theyare young, aggressive and have similarambitions as we do. They do have abranch in Sudbury but can't service thisregion as well as they should so needed toexpand their presence in NW Ontario. Weare now officially partners and they willset up shop here in Thunder Bay at ourfacility,” said Larry George. “ We willstore diamond drills here including surfaceas well as underground rigs that will beavailable with all the supporting equip-

ment. Our shop will look after all therepairs of equipment as well as providesupport equipment and manpower. It is anice fit and will allow Orbit Garant to havea presence in NW Ontario.”

There is a lot of enthusiasm for min-ing in NW Ontario according to George.“ There has been a blip on the radar and

things have slowed down with some jun-

iors having a tough time raising money. Inorder to secure contacts in this environ-ment you have to be very aggressive withyour bidding. Partnering with the largeorganization Orbit Garant allows us toaccommodate an economy of scale and bidaggressively. They have the resources totake on any project. Our intension is to

grow our business. We understand thereare bumps in the road and setbacks butalso moving forward. We had a bump in2008 but found our way through that.”

“ Thunder Bay has been good to us.We have done business here since 2004and have found Thunder Bay to be a verybusiness friendly place and have been wellreceived here. We have a lot of connec-tions, contacts and feel it is a very progres-sive community. It is a hub; a gateway andwe have an international airport. You canfly to Toronto for meetings and be home

the same day,” notes Larry George. “ It isalso a great lifestyle for the family. Ourkids have lots to do here. The school andeducation system we have found to be fan-tastic. People are friendly and you are ableto get out and network with the businesscommunity, which is important. You haveto surround yourself with others in busi-ness because opportunity breeds opportuni-

ty. I think Thunder Bay is a good place tobe in the middle of that opportunity.Working in this business is fun for me.Ilike building things and working with peo-ple.”

BY SCOTT A. SUMNERThunder Bay BUSINESS


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A series of recent cases have reminded usthat relying on an unregistered easementis a recipe for disaster. Many of us alsoenjoy the benefit of easements, morecommonly known as a “right of way”,ranging from a shared driveway to anaccess road to a path to the beach. Most

of us have utilities easements crossingour property and never give them athought. An easement is the right to usesomebody else’s real estate without actu-ally taking possession of it.

The right of way problem usually startswith friendly neighbours. Often, the onebenefiting from the easement buys prop-erty subdivided by the neighbour. Perhapsseveral generations ago. Nothing is put inwriting, and everybody lives happily. Justnot ever after.

Sooner or later, that friendly neighboursells, subdivides further, or dies and theirheirs take over the property. Frequently,this is when disputes arise. Barriers arebuilt, fences erected. The new neighbourshaving bought with no notice of such aneasement say “tough luck” to their nowformerly friendly neighbours.

Many people are familiar with the term“adverse possession” and think that itshould protect them. Historically, that

may have been so, but adverse possessionhas always been hard to prove as the nestwitnesses are often dead.

Two developments, often working togeth-er, make it even more risky to rely onadverse possession:

• Since 1999, all land inOntario has been transferred from theland registry system to an electronic LandTitles system. Under the Land Titles Act,no new claims of adverse possession canarise (except in perhaps extreme rareexamples).

• Pre-existing rights ofadverse possession can still be enforced,BUT, here is what most people missabout the concept - adverse possession, tocreate a right, must be adverse - thatmeans, without permission from theowner of the land being used. In other

words, that verbal agreement with yourfriendly neighbour twenty years ago willdefeat your rights today!

The solution is to lock in your rights byentering into an easement agreement now,while that neighbour is still friendly, andregistering the easement on title. This willgive purchasers notice of your rights, andthey will buy the neighbour’s propertysubject to those rights.

We at Weilers have been drafting ease-ments for over 65 years, and helpingsolve neighbour disputes as efficiently aspossible, whether through negotiation,mediation, arbitration or litigation.

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future.”


You know that owning and running yourown business has its advantages. But ifyou’re responsible for all aspects of yourbusiness, you’ll need to put some of that“entrepreneurial spirit” to work to pro-tect what’s important to you.As a small business owner, risk manage-ment is an important part of your finan-cial security. You need to know yourrisks and cover them, to ensure businesscontinuation and to protect your family’scurrent and future financial security.If you become ill, disabled, or if youdied, your business would lose a keyperson and your family’s income sourcewould be affected. That means yoursavings or retirement plans could be atrisk.And if you died, your estate would stillbe responsible for your business liabili-ties. Would your family lose the busi-ness or be forced to sell all that you’veworked for?Some key consideration for you, as asmall business owner, include:Life insuranceDo you know if you have enough life

insurance to protect your business andyour family if you died? Have you alsoconsidered the financial impact if thecaregiver in your family died?Personal health insuranceWithout a plan for you and your family,your out-of-pocket expenses can reallyadd up. Did you know that your healthinsurance premiums may also have taxadvantages?Disability insuranceHave you considered what would happento your business and your family if youwere disabled and couldn’t work?Disability insurance can replace lostincome.Critical illness insurance (CII)If you became seriously ill, a CII policywould pay a lump sum benefit, follow-ing your diagnosis* of a covered illness.And you could spend the money anyway you want. Whether you put it intoyour business, or use it to hire someoneto run the business for you, you’ll beable to concentrate on your treatmentand recovery.Long term care insurance (LTCI)If you needed substantial physical assis-tance from another person to perform

two or more of the six activities of dailyliving (e.g. bathing and dressing), or yourequired continual supervision becauseof deteriorated mental abilities, LTCIwould provide a weekly income benefitto help pay for the care you need. Themoney could be used for professionalhelp, or you could pay a family memberto care for you.You’ve worked hard to run a successfulbusiness. You need to make sure you,your business and your family are wellprotected. Having the right financial

plan in place can help guarantee “busi-ness as usual” no matter what happens.We can help.*The insured must survive the amount oftime specified in the policyNorthwestern Ontario Financial Centre1139 Alloy Drive, Suite 100Thunder Bay, ON P7B 6M8Tel 807-346-8880Fax 807-346-8885

It’s “business as usual” with the right insurance protection

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