Business in Winnipeg & Manitoba

[1ajs]

come on andy rgalston i know this city can toss alota crap around as history shows but inless everyone gets in and joins and does somthing then it just fails and fails and fails i am sick of the people that put shit down and make this city a fail boat of sorts.......

[wags_in_the_peg]

GORD'S Bike and Ski on Kenaston and Donald closed it's doors. Local guy can't compete with the biggies.

[Jolly]

That's too bad. There goes one more amenity in the village. BTW, anyone remember the "walkscore" webpage?

http://www.walkscore.com/

I'm still curious as to what the score would be if the Village Safeway were actually in the database. My current place gets a lower score than my old place in Vancouver (West 10th just off Granville) and though there are certain amenities that I do miss (Chapters, a huge selection of restaurants and fast food places), having a grocery store so close is a definite plus.

[rypinion]

Originally Posted by wags_in_the_peg

GORD'S Bike and Ski on Kenaston and Donald closed it's doors. Local guy can't compete with the biggies.

The facebook group has a little bit on it. It looks like it is hopefully just temporary.

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=6895426319

[wags_in_the_peg]

not in 'PEG but close.

Headinlgey Biz park lands $8M building
By: Steve Pona

Updated: October 17 at 03:16 PM CDT

Marmon/Keystone Canada Inc. has begun construction of an $8 million service centre on Winnipeg’s western outskirts – making it the first tenant of the new Headingley Business Park.

The 60,000-square-foot pipe and tubing distribution centre is scheduled for completion late next summer. It doubles the size of the company’s existing facility on Sylvan Way near Richardson International Airport.

David Rombough, president and general manager of Marmon/Keystone Canada, said the company employs 17 people in the province and the expansion will add two to three more to the payroll.

Marmon/Keystone has operated in Winnipeg since it acquired the assets of distributor Lyman Tubeco in 1993.

It operates facilities in each of the western provinces.

Rombough said the company was looking for a sizeable property for its expansion because of the manoeuvring room needed for its large transport trucks which haul tubular and bar products. The Headingley lot is 7.1 acres in size, just off the Trans-Canada Highway, and suits the company’s needs for space, he said.

The company will be the first tenant of the business park.

“The new location will give us better access to the growing manufacturing base in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, plus easier handling of the increase demand for value added parts," Rombough said.

Ross Hunt, group vice-president, said the expansion is a demonstration of the company’s commitment to this market, based on its Prairie customers’ strong support.

“By doubling our capacity and increasing the products offered, we are providing an unbeatable combination of service and products to this market,” Hunt said.

The new warehouse/office complex will be equipped with modern cutting and handling equipment, and new rollout racks will be added to the pigeonhole and stanchion racking system, the company said in a statement.

Marmon/Keystone Canada, with corporate offices in Burlington, Ont., is an affiliate of Marmon/Keystone Corp. of Butler, Penn. They are members of The Marmon Group, an international association of more than 125 business units in diverse business sectors, with revenues of $7 billion. The Marmon Group is a Berkshire Hathaway company.

[1ajs]

Controversial ballpark parking lot changes hands again

Last Updated: Monday, October 20, 2008 | 12:57 PM CT Comments4Recommend14

CBC News


Commuters encountered chaos at a controversial parking lot in Winnipeg on Monday morning after management of the site again changed hands.
For about a decade, Riverside Park Management has been renting the 2.4 hectares of land near Canwest Park, home of the minor-league Goldeyes baseball team, whose majority owner is Winnipeg Mayor Sam Katz.
Canwest Park, home of the Northern League's Winnipeg Goldeyes baseball team, opened in 1999 just north of The Forks and east of Portage and Main. (CBC)Then, last Friday, CBC News learned the city had taken back control of the lot after Riverside Park Management's lease expired on Sept. 30. Imperial Parking moved in the following day to manage the site on behalf of the city.
Now, its appears management of the lot has changed hands again. All Impark signage had been removed from the lot Monday morning.
"There's no way to pay, either by ticket or by phone," said Judy Stanley, who has been parking in the lot for several years.
"I don't want to leave my vehicle, come at the end of the day and either have it been towed or ticketed."
Most city councillors were not aware that Imperial Parking had taken over management of the lot until they were informed by CBC News on Friday.
Later that same day, Impark's contract was cancelled, and the city-owned Winnipeg Parking Authority took over.
WPA officials arrived on the lot later Monday morning to reassure worried commuters. The first ticket dispensers would be installed by noon, they said.
Riverside Park Management had been renting the land, off and on, for a decade. The not-for-profit company paid $1 per year to the city for the parking lot land and the land occupied by Canwest Park; the Goldeyes team, in turn, paid rent to Riverside Park for the use of the land.
However, it recently came to light that the company paid almost nothing for the land for several years because the city had failed to legally establish the boundaries of the parcel of land during ongoing construction in the area.
In 2005, the right paperwork was done, but Riverside Park Management disputed the city's assessment of the land value, arguing that a recent hike in its value meant they would have to pay too much in taxes on the site.
Last month, after a bitter debate, city councillors agreed to waive $233,000 in back taxes Riverside Park Management had owed on the land.
Six councillors then called on the province to investigate Riverside Park Management and its relationship to the Goldeyes baseball team and the City of Winnipeg. Mayor Sam Katz had sat on Riverside's board until earlier this year, when that post was taken over by the team's chief financial officer.
The premier rejected that request.
City officials have said the land may eventually be needed by the proposed Canadian Museum for Human Rights.

[DowntownWpg]

Talk about bungling what should be considered a trivial and easily manageable issue.

Is it really that hard to make a decision and 'stick to it?'

"It's so Winnipeg!"

[1ajs]

no i bet the mayor was just playing a game to move it to one of his friends...

[1ajs]

interesting i didn't know there was a firetruck manufacturer in town

Local company claims it was hosed on fire truck contract with City

10/20/2008

Winnipeg City Hall is coming under fire from a local fire truck manufacturer for the way they award tenders for new equipment.

The last biggest contract involved the supply and delivery of triple combination pumper fire trucks to the City.

Rick Suche, the President of Fort Gary Fire Trucks, says they were under bid on the tender because the city went with a company that didn't meet the actual specifications of the tender.

Suche wonders how the City can ignore one of their own specifications.

The ten vehicles in question went to the lowest bidder, E-One Canada Inc. for 4.867 million dollars.

The Fort Garry Bid was slightly higher at 4.931 million dollars.

[thegreattait]

From the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce

NEWS RELEASE
CHAMBER EMBARKS ON BOLD NEW STRATEGIC
PLAN FOCUSSED ON THE FUTURE OF WINNIPEG


Chamber Launches Vision Winnipeg Initiative and Plan to Sell Winnipeg to the World
October 17, 2008 – Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Dave Angus outlined The
Chamber’s bold new three year strategic plan today, which once completed will result in a clear vision
for the City of Winnipeg and the development of an economic partnership that will be responsible for
identifying businesses that may be considering opening, expanding or even relocating to Winnipeg.
“Over the past number of years The Chamber has experienced tremendous growth to the point where we
have more members today than at any other time in the 135 year history of our organization,” said
Angus. “Our membership and our Board of Directors believe that now is the time that we leverage that
growth and the credibility of our organization to initiate and create real change in the City.”
Today The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce launched two major initiatives:
1. Vision Winnipeg – will result in the development of a comprehensive vision for our community
through a broad and public discussion of Winnipeg’s strengths.
2. Selling Winnipeg to the World – a private sector led, Winnipeg Chamber directed, proactive and
aggressive program to identify companies outside of Manitoba who are considering opening,
expanding or relocating their business, and to sell them on why doing so in Winnipeg is their
best decision.
In addition The Chamber will continue to work with members in areas of trade and workforce
development and as an organization will strive to be a model of excellence for small to medium sized
businesses in the areas of technology, human resources and environmental sustainability.
“These are extremely ambitious initiatives that The Chamber is prepared to undertake, but ones that we
believe are vital to the future prosperity of not only the business community but the City as a whole,”
added Angus.
The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce, founded in 1873, is the largest organization representing the
voice of business in Winnipeg. Our mission is to foster an environment in which Winnipeg business can
prosper.

[wags_in_the_peg]

New Flyer wins innovation award

Updated: October 21 at 01:30 PM CDT

Print Article E-mail Article ShareThisWinnipeg’s New Flyer Industries has received the Canadian Innovation Award for Global Business of the Year.

The award was presented to the manufacturer of heavy-duty transit vehicles by Economic Development Canada at a weekend ceremony in Toronto.

The award recognizes successes at adapting products and processes to new export markets.

“The 2,300 women and men of New Flyer are very pleased to have received this prestigious award which recognizes our global leadership in the manufacture of advanced transit vehicles that help clean the air, reduce dependency on non-renewable fossil fuels and create high quality jobs,” said John Marinucci, New Flyer’s President and CEO.

Seventy-five per cent of the company’s production is exported. Earlier this year, the bus maker was also presented with Manitoba’s 2008 Export Award.

[Only The Lonely..]

Manitoba Company Forced To Look Elsewhere

10/22/2008 | CJOB 680 AM

Economic conditions are tempting a Manitoba company to look south of the border. Joe Williams of Innovative Hydrogen Solutions tells CJOB, some investors have run away as a result of recent developments:

Williams says an incentive package offering tax breaks, training programs, and breaks on facilities .. from states such as West Virginia is making a move to the U.S. very tempting.

I'd imagine that as the rest of the North American economy cools there will be a lot more offers for Manitoba companies to move to other jurisdictions.

What can we do to keep MB companies here?

It sounds like so far we aren't doing all that much.

But I guess that is to be expected, Gary Doer has never ran his own business nor have any of the other dirty socialists in his party. How would they know what it takes to make private industry succeed?

[DowntownWpg]

It's not just Doer's elected Dirty Socialist Commie Pinkos that come up with ideas to keep business here and the economy strong. There are many unelected bureaucrats with notable degrees in economics, business, commerce, etc, that advise relevant deputy ministers and the Premier's office. In fact, did I not just read that Manitoba had one of the most booming economies and population growth in Canada? I'm sure I could find that one of you guys posted that article from a few weeks ago.

This guy, IMO, is probably just publicly lobbying the provincial government though the media (which he can easily access as Vic Grant gets a hard-on for this sort of tactic played out as a legitimate story).

One thing he won't mention, the wages and health care benefits that he'll have to pay down south usually make it not a profitable move, at least, not substantial enough to be worth the move. This is also building in the cost of the move itself.

Slightly related, but does the Manitoba patriot in you guys get sick and tired of hearing the excuse from so many people that they are considering leaving due to the NDP not doing enough for their own personal interests? Doesn't it just sound like an excuse... they're blaming Manitoba rather than admitting they're chasing dollar signs and have given up on the province?

If you truly want to change government policy, you need to get involved. Run for a political party, or at least advise one. If you're that passionate that you'd leave Manitoba, why can't you be just as passionate to stay and fight to improve it?

Manitoba does have a lack of bright business minds in elected government, and I would say that this also extends to the PCs. Quick! Name some PCs who have a notable track-record in the business world, or degrees such as an MBA or a MA in Economics?

Seems to me that a lot of the PCs are former farmers, small-town mayors, and pastors. The other side of the aisle, a lot of the NDP are nurses, teachers, union people and social workers.

Anyway, if he does leave, what a defeatist attitude by Joe Williams of Innovative Hydrogen Solutions. Cut-and-run, don't even attempt to stay and fix the problem.

I know this will be unpopular with many, but if MLAs, Ministers and the Premier were paid more, they could attract the business people that you so want to be elected. Joe Williams should maybe lobby for this as well, but wait, that wouldn't be the PC thing to do.

[drew]

^ it's an obvious attention grab from a "fair weather fan" company.

I have a problem when companies are grown and conceived in the province and then turn a blind eye on the very people that made the company a possibility and a success.

I truly believe that companies should be inherently loyal to where they were "born". Don't bitch and moan to the press about the lack of tax incentives. If this was truly an issue, why did this company start here in the first place? Why didn't this guy move down to West Virginia years ago?

I agree that we should try to foster a competitive business environment in Manitoba, but I also believe companies should remain loyal to the people and places that helped them grow.

[wags_in_the_peg]

Katz shuffles council executive to seize ‘renaissance’

First term city councillor Scott Fielding has been promoted to executive policy along with Coun. Mike Pagtakhan who returns to the inner circle, Mayor Sam Katz announced today.

Coun. Russ Wyatt, who some had speculated might be shown the door as a result of voting to block forgiveness of $233,000 of rent assessed against a business founded by Katz, was moved out of EPC and into a new role as secretary of infrastructure renewal.”He’s someone who can get the job done,” the mayor said.

Coun. Fielding becomes chairman of property and development committee, where his immediate challenge will be a review of Plan Winnipeg.

“It’s exciting to be part of the team,” the rookie councillor for St. James said.

Pagtakhan, an inner-city councilor representing Point Douglas, will steer downtown development.

“I’m still wrapping my head around it,” he said when asked what would be his first priority. “But, ahh, I’d like to see more housing downtown.”

Katz said he needed fresh thinking on EPC to “seize the momentum our city is experiencing.

“Such a renaissance hasn’t been seen in along time” he said listing plans for radid transit, a new stadium, the inland port initiative and the right museum development at The Forks.

[wags_in_the_peg]

Red River Co-Op buys out Charleswood Hotel

The Charleswood Motor Hotel, a longtime area fixture, is being sold to Red River Co-Op to make way for a new gas bar.

Greg Reiter, general manager of Red River, said today the deal is all but signed, and construction could begin as early as May for an October 2009 opening.

Variance notices have been posted on the two-acre hotel property. The hotel, beer vendor and a laundromat will be levelled and replaced by the gas bar, a carwash and a convenience store.

This will be Red River’s 31st gas bar in Manitoba. The company has been on an expansion drive over the last five years, growing at the rate of one or two locations a year and to 185,300 members, up from 70,000 in 2003.

Reiter said Red River’s new stores are all larger than the 500 square foot models they started out with. The new one will be 2,042 square feet in size, but some are about 1,000 square feet larger still, like a new one that will be opened soon in St. Norbert.

A small Red River gas bar a block away from the Charleswood on Roblin Boulevard will likely close, Reiter said.

[sledhead35]

jeld win windows had their ribbon cutting for their downtown showroom yesterday.

[DowntownWpg]

Saskatchewan, Manitoba to weather economic storm: Conference Board

Last Updated: Thursday, November 13, 2008 | 9:20 AM CT
CBC News

Saskatchewan and Manitoba will buck the global economic downturn and post strong economic growth this year and next, according to a new forecast released by the Conference Board of Canada on Thursday.

The Ottawa-based business think-tank said the two Prairie provinces will post GDP and employment growth much better than the Canadian average.

"No province will be sheltered from the storm of uncertainty hitting the global economy. However, the Prairies will remain on a strong footing next year as they largely avoid the economic turbulence," said the Conference Board in its most recent provincial economic outlook.

Commodity kings

That is true if you stop at the Saskatchewan-Alberta border.

The two former western weaklings of Confederation will be the only provinces to post growth rates in excess of the forecast by Ottawa's Export Development Canada that the developed world's economy will expand by 1.7 per cent this year.

The Conference Board now predicts that Saskatchewan will grow by an impressive 5.2 per cent in 2008 and 3.6 per cent in 2009.

Employment growth in that province will be strong as well, up 1.9 per cent in 2008 and 1.8 per cent in 2009. That compares with flat employment growth for the country as a whole in 2009.

GDP growth (%) 2008 2009
Saskatchewan 5.2 3.6
Manitoba 2.7 2.4
Canada 0.7 1.5
Source: Conference Board of Canada

Manitoba, while expanding at a slower clip than its western neighbour, still should post GDP growth of 2.7 per cent this year and 2.4 per cent in 2009.

By contrast, Alberta, once believed to be growing too quickly for the health of the national economy, will be hurt the most by falling oil prices. The province's economy will expand by only 1.2 per cent in 2008, but will beat out Manitoba for second place in 2009, with a growth rate of 2.6 per cent.

Oil, which had peaked at $147 US a barrel in July, is now worth less than $60 as slumping global economic growth threatens crude demand.

Manitoba and Saskatchewan will benefit from strong prices for grains and other commodities, such as potash, the Conference Board said.

By virtue of its extensive oil and gas operations, Alberta is exposed more than its two Prairie cousins to tumbling crude prices.

Canada lags

The Conference Board predicts that economic growth in Canada, at 0.7 per cent, will barely move the needle this year. The country will expand at a quicker pace next year with national GDP growing at 1.5 per cent, just beating EDC's 2009 projection of developed world growth of 1.2 per cent.

The rest of Canada will face all sorts of economic problems in 2008-09, according to the Conference Board.

Employment growth (%) 2008 2009
Ontario 1.4 -0.5
Quebec 0.7 -0.3
British Columbia 2.4 0.6
Source: Conference Board of Canada

Ontario, for instance, will edge dangerously close to recession territory for the next 14 months. Canada's biggest province will only expand marginally in 2008, posting a growth rate of 0.2 per cent. Next year is only slightly better, with Ontario's GDP expanding by 0.8 per cent.

British Columbia, a recipient of the past boom in commodity prices, is paying the price of falling demand for its wood and other products.

Growth in B.C. will reach 1.2 per cent in 2008 and 1.8 per cent in 2009. Only with the economic upturn associated with the 2010 Olympic Games will British Columbia see its GDP expand at a pace beyond three per cent.

The four Atlantic provinces will average a paltry growth rate of 0.6 per cent in 2009, with Newfoundland shrinking by 0.7 per cent.

Finally, Quebec, now in the midst of a provincial election, will mirror Canada's situation, growing 0.9 per cent this year and 1.5 per cent in 2009.

[Archiseek]

Asper siblings add to holdings of marked-down Canwest shares

By: THE CANADIAN PRESS

9:00 AM | Comments (0)

* Print
* E–mail
* ShareThis

TORONTO - The children of Canwest Global Communications Corp. founder Izzy Asper have added to their holdings of the media company's subordinate voting shares (TSX:CGS).

The Asper family members, who control Canwest through multiple voting shares, now own 84.2 million shares or 47.6 per cent of the total, assuming conversion of their multiple voting stock into common shares on a one-to-one-basis, according to disclosure released Monday evening.

Leonard Asper, chief executive officer of the company which owns the Global TV network, the National Post and the former Southam big-city daily newspapers, has bought 2.7 million subordinated voting shares - whose price has plunged in the past year from $7.50 to Monday's close of 69 cents.

As the stock price has plunged, speculation has grown that the family might move to take Canwest private.

Leonard Asper bought his 2.7 million subordinate voting shares at between 68 cents and 72.6 cents per share. He now owns 4.1 million subordinate voting shares or 4.1 per cent of the total, as well as 25.6 million multiple voting shares, one-third of that class of stock.

David Asper, executive vice-president of Canwest, has bought 1.8 million subordinated shares to go with his one-third ownership of the multiple voting stock.

The brothers stated that their latest share purchases were "for investment purposes."

Sister Gail Asper owns the other one-third of the multiple voting shares and holds 1.1 million subordinate voting shares.

[newflyer]

Two publication notices..

The Winter edition of the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce Magazine in out : you can read it online for free.


Also there is a very good article about Winnipeg in the current edition of the Western Investor.