Business in Winnipeg & Manitoba

[wags_in_the_peg]

Originally Posted by Keng

Sounds like we may need "The Iceberg" for it's community access component. Maybe it would solve some issues with R.B. Russell as well, not having any facility of their own.

You mean Gorden Bell, RB Russell is much furhter North

[Keng]

^^ Yes, meant Gorden Bell H.S.

[1ajs]

rb russel is on duffren...

gorden bell is to the sw of the u of w were broadway meets portage...

[viperred88]

Originally Posted by Keng

Sounds like we may need "The Iceberg" for it's community access component. Maybe it would solve some issues with R.B. Russell as well, not having any facility of their own.

what do you mean by iceburg?

[1ajs]

Originally Posted by viperred88

what do you mean by iceburg?

this

Originally Posted by trueviking

Ha…..i did the iceberg….I cant believe the name has caught on….it was kind of just a joke…like the butterdome in edmonton….that’s one of those projects that you think has no hope and all of a sudden its in the front section of the free press……hilarious.

[1ajs]

Originally Posted by viperred88

what do you mean by iceburg?

this
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/show...postcount=1122

Originally Posted by trueviking

Ha…..i did the iceberg….I cant believe the name has caught on….it was kind of just a joke…like the butterdome in edmonton….that’s one of those projects that you think has no hope and all of a sudden its in the front section of the free press……hilarious.

[1ajs]

Manitoba trade with China and U-S grows

Updated: Fri Feb. 13 2009 16:15:38

var byString = ""; var sourceString = "ctvwinnipeg.ca"; if ((sourceString != "") && (byString != "")) { document.write(byString + ", "); } else { document.write(byString); } ctvwinnipeg.ca
Manitoba's total trade with China and the United States continued to increase in 2008, rising by 11 per cent to $27.9 billion from $25.1 billion in 2007, Competitiveness, Training and Trade Minister Andrew Swan said Friday.
"Increasing our trade with key markets has been a priority and our international trade has grown steadily," Swan said.
"In these challenging times, it is especially important to keep Manitoba moving forward. We must continue to pursue business and trade opportunities in new and emerging markets. This diversity is one way to help ensure that our economy remains stable in tough times," added Swan.
Chris Lorenc, president of the Manitoba Heavy Construction Association says business supported by government makes a difference.
"Co-operative trade missions like the recent mission to China helps open doors to new opportunities and are an important part of continuing our growth and ensuring a prosperous future," said Lorenc.
Lorenc was a member of the Manitoba delegation that joined the recent trade mission to China led by premiers Gary Doer, Dalton McGuinty of Ontario, Shawn Graham of New Brunswick, Robert Ghiz of Prince Edward Island and former Quebec premier Pierre Marc Johnson.
"The aggressive pursuit of trade and investment with the Chinese market has never been more important particularly in these tough economic times," said Dave Angus, president and CEO, Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce.
"As business with the U.S. is pressured, trade diversification will be the strategy of choice for Manitoba exporters. The mission not only served to create relationships that are ready to be leveraged, but it also identified the many tremendous opportunities that await Manitoba business in the world's fastest growing economy. The time is now for us to pursue these opportunities," adds Angus.
Overall, Manitoba's two-way trade has grown by 42 per cent over the past four years to $28 billion in 2008 from $19.8 billion in 2004.
During that time, total trade with the United States grew by 39 per cent to $21.3 billion in 2008 from $15.4 billion in 2004.
Trade with China grew by 63 per cent to $1.3 billion in 2008 from $804 million in 2004.
The total cost of the China mission to government was $67,332 including $39,428 for the Canada-China Business Council, which partnered with the Council of the Federation on the mission, to provide support, promotions and programming for business delegates, $15,710 for transportation, $6,660 for accommodations, $1,993 for meals, $280 for translation and $102 for hospitality.
Members of the business delegation paid their own travel costs. Mission costs were comparable to previous missions to India in 2006 and to Mexico in 1998.

[newflyer]

Winnipeg tradespeople only upbeat group in 20 cities polled
By: Martin Cash


THERE'S more anecdotal evidence that Winnipeg is in some sort of rare economic sweet spot while the rest of North America spirals into a deep recession.
In a straw poll of drywallers and ceiling and wall-system tradespeople done by a U.S. trade publication, Winnipeg was the only city cited among 20 U.S. and Canadian cities where respondents said there was excess work available.

In the January issue of AWCI's Construction Dimension, published by the Association of the Wall and Ceiling Industry in Virginia, editors asked association members to rate the market in which they worked in one of three ways: if there was no work in the area; some work but not a lot; or plenty of work.

The only place respondents indicated where there was extra work to be had was Winnipeg.

Cities where AWCI membership said there was no work included Buffalo, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Kansas City and Pittsburgh. According to them, it was only marginally better in Edmonton, El Paso, Phoenix, Seattle and Wichita.

Joe Wedge, owner of Penta Protective Coatings Ltd. of Winnipeg, said he doesn't argue with that take on the situation.

"Last year was our best year ever and we continue to be very busy here," he said.

He employs about 13 people in Winnipeg as well as 11 in two offices in Alberta.

Among other things, his company installs blow-in insulation, He said provincial rebate programs have provided a spike in that business in Winnipeg.

Wedge said 2009 continues to be busy for Penta in Winnipeg and he is hopeful that can continue through the year.

Manitoba employers like Buhler Industries and Aveos (formerly Air Canada Technical Services) have been hiring people while their sectoral competitors have been cutting staff.

The AWCI represents 2,200 companies and organizations in acoustics systems, ceiling systems, drywall systems, exterior insulation and finishing systems, fireproofing, flooring systems as well as insulation and stucco contractors, suppliers and manufacturers and those in allied trades.

The publication did not release data on how many people participated in the survey, but did acknowledge that the results are not scientifically accurate.

[email protected]
source: Winnipeg FreePress

[viperred88]

Originally Posted by 1ajs

this

thx bud for reminding me I almost forgot

[Keng]

^^^Thanks, for reposting and links...

[Keng]

Winnipeg's housing market appears to be doing well.

Canadian house sales drop again in January, agents report
Weakest markets were Ont. and B.C., while Man. and N.L. saw sales increase
Last Updated: Friday, February 13, 2009 | 3:09 PM CT Comments55Recommend53
CBC News

The number of properties sold through agents who use the MLS listing system fell a seasonally adjusted 3.1 per cent in January from December, the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) reported Friday.

The seasonally adjusted residential sales figure fell to 26,376 units. That's down 37.3 per cent from January 2008.
Major market year-over-year price changes
Market Per cent change
Vancouver -8.8
Calgary -11.4
Regina +7.6
Winnipeg +5.1
Toronto -8.2
Ottawa +1.8

Montreal
+2.2
Saint John -13.9
Halifax-Dartmouth +11.1
N.L. +20.1
Source: CREA

Ontario and British Columbia were especially weak, while sales rose in Manitoba and Newfoundland and Labrador.

Prices also fell, with the seasonally adjusted national average dropping 11.3 per cent from January 2008.

"This national average price continues to be skewed lower in large part by fewer sales in British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario, where homes are more expensive and demand has softened most," CREA said in a news release.

The actual average price in major markets fell 10.3 per cent to $300,930.

The actual unadjusted number of new listings was the largest year-over-year decline on record, falling 14.2 per cent in January 2009 compared to January 2008. But the lack of sellers is a positive, CREA said.

"The decline in supply to meet lower demand is expected to help stabilize the resale housing market balance and put a floor under prices."

However, closing a deal is taking longer because buyers and sellers are negotiating more, said CREA president Calvin Lindberg.

There were wide variations in actual year-over-year price changes in major markets. The average price in St. Catharines, Ont., fell more than 22 per cent to $206,233, while in Newfoundland and Labrador, it surged 18.1 per cent to $178,853.

There were big drops in Trois-Rivières, Que., Saint John, N.B., Victoria and Calgary. Prices rose more than 10 per cent in Halifax-Dartmouth and Saskatoon.

MLS is a co-operative marketing system used only by Canada’s real estate boards. CREA represents more than 98,000 Realtors.

[1ajs]

anyone have the data for canada after the big bust in 80?

[1ajs]

CanWest seeks financial saviour amid debt crisis

Price of avoiding bankruptcy may be steep for Aspers, including loss of control of the company

By SINCLAIR STEWART , ANDREW WILLIS and GRANT ROBERTSON AND TARA PERKINS

• Sinclair Stewart:
• E-mail
• | Read Bio
• | Latest Columns
• http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servl...Story/Business

February 20, 2009

Leonard Asper is scrambling to secure a financial lifeline for CanWest Global Communications Corp. before the end of the month to prevent his family-run media empire from sliding into bankruptcy protection.
Yet even if he is successful, the price of that lifeline could be steep. Some potential investors - including Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd.- want to take control of CanWest away from the Asper family in exchange for any cash infusion.
At least one investor weighing a proposal said it would insist that Mr. Asper step aside as chief executive officer and that he and his siblings eliminate the dual-class share structure that gives them control of the company, according to sources familiar with the matter.
Officials at some of CanWest's main creditors believe that if the company cannot find access to hundreds of millions of dollars in new credit within the next few weeks, it could be forced to seek protection from lenders and restructure under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act. CanWest, which owes $3.9-billion, and its primary adviser, RBC Dominion Securities, have approached numerous institutional investors to gauge their interest in a deal.
The response from potential backers has been lukewarm, not merely because of CanWest's economic woes brought on by the recession, but because several creditors are jockeying for protection in any restructuring process.
CanWest's borrowing capacity was put on a tighter leash this month when a senior credit facility was cut back to $112-million from $300-million by Bank of Nova Scotia. The new limit is about $20-million above what CanWest has already drawn.
The limit is in place until next Friday and Mr. Asper is now trying to negotiate a new borrowing agreement by that date, in order to have the full amount of credit reinstated.
"Options on the table include some sort of recapitalization that would see creditors take a haircut, and the Asper family squeezed out," said one banker working on CanWest. "Leonard Asper ... is still focused on trying to find some sort of solution that salvages something for the family."
CanWest spokesman John Douglas said "we have ... a very structured process. It has checkpoints all along it, and one of those checkpoints is reaching an agreement with our senior lenders. That is where all the attention is being devoted right now."
CanWest's largest non-family shareholder, Fairfax Financial, is among investors that have expressed interest in a new capital injection to forestall bankruptcy protection. Bankers close to the company suggest Fairfax or other investors would have to inject about $300-million to be effective. A condition of such an investment by Fairfax would be a change in control at CanWest, according to sources.
Some other funds, including the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, have been approached by CanWest officials, but said they were not interested in investing in the media company, sources say.
Sources familiar with the matter said Fairfax is holding off on a proposal until it gets more information on the state of CanWest's financial health - something it has been unable to obtain thus far. Any proposal would require an investor to hammer out a separate agreement with Goldman Sachs, which is a partner in CanWest's specialty channels, a stable of assets that rank among the company's most prized properties.
CanWest borrowed heavily to acquire a nationwide newspaper chain and specialty television network, Alliance Atlantis Communications, bought in 2007 for $2.3-billion. Mr. Asper anticipated paying down loans with the cash flow that comes from advertising in near-monopoly properties.
But advertising spending has dropped sharply, leaving CanWest in breach of debt covenants.
CanWest's lenders, led by the Bank of Nova Scotia, are reluctant to push the company into CCAA protection, but are pushing Mr. Asper for a plan that will see their loans repaid, banking sources say. Options being discussed by lenders include parachuting in a restructuring expert, who would supervise the sale or closing of operations.
Mr. Douglas said the company is reviewing all strategic alternatives as part of its restructuring. Relinquishing control, either by stepping back from the CEO role or allowing an investor to acquire CanWest voting shares, is not a scenario Mr. Asper has been wiling to pursue so far.
In a CCAA filing, creditors would take the reins at CanWest, and the Asper family's control of the company, based in part on a dual share structure, would disappear.
CanWest (CGS)
Close: 42.5¢, up 2.5¢

[newflyer]

There are a few sizable funds waiting in the weeds on this one. All media companies are taking an incredible beating, but ones with large debts are the most vunderable. One thing is for certain .. the share structure will be changing.

CGS may rise again ... but not in the same form.

[newflyer]

On a good news story ...

City Hall proposes another year of property tax freees ... and a tax credit for small business.

Katz keeps the city business community humming.


... of course Gerbasi is against it, but she is anti-everything to do with economic growth.

[newflyer]

Business tax eliminated for smallest firms
By ROSS ROMANIUK, SUN MEDIA


It's not the way he had initially planned to do it, but Mayor Sam Katz's tax break for Winnipeg's private sector is back in business.

The city is immediately launching a business tax credit for what Katz and Coun. Justin Swandel describe as "the smallest of the small" companies -- eliminating the levy for about 3,800 firms, or more than 30% of Winnipeg businesses, whose premises have a maximum rental value of $14,040.

Departs from pledge

While acknowledging that the credit departs from his pledge years ago to phase out the tax altogether over several years, the mayor said "when you can stand up and say you're eliminating one-third of the businesses in your city from having to pay this, it's a major statement."

The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce said the move says a lot about the appreciation of private investment.

"We knew they couldn't eliminate the business tax in one fell swoop. The tax credit will help the smallest companies in Winnipeg, and relieve some of their burden," said chamber president Dave Angus.

Angus added that the rebate -- worth about $2.5 million in city revenue -- builds business confidence in economic conditions where it's needed.

While Colin Craig of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation lauded the credit as "a good step in the right direction," he said it would be more equitable if the city were to simply reduce the overall tax rate from 7.75% of assessed rental value.

Falls short

Shannon Martin, Manitoba director for the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, charged that the rebate falls short of Katz's original tax-cut plan and is "welcomed and disappointing" in bringing relief for one-third of local firms while the remaining two-thirds "are left holding the bag."

Katz said he's not done cutting the levy.

"We'll continue to work toward the balance," he said. "It's not over. This is another step."

[email protected]

[Jeff]

considering how good the city is holding up through this economic turmoil, it's actually good to see the above post happen at all.. as much as the fiscal conservative in me is holding up lately......

[1ajs]

We're first for Finnish firm
Winnipeg office company's debut in North America
By: Martin Cash
Winnipeg Free Press

Feb 27/2009

A Finnish environmental technologies company, which received a national innovation award in December from that country's president, is planning to set up shop in Winnipeg this year to serve as a beachhead for expansion throughout North America.

Mikko Kantero, managing director and chief executive of Preseco Oy, was in Winnipeg last month making preparations for the company to open a Canadian office, probably by summer.

"Most of our business is already outside Finland in the Arabic world, Asia, South America and now we want to get into North America," he said in an interview in Winnipeg in late January. "We decided to make our entry into North America from Winnipeg because we believe it makes more sense to start with a market that has a manageable size."

Preseco offers integrated technology solutions for waste, water and energy management. The company was formed in the mid-'80s after it developed technology to produce biogas from protein-rich waste material.

But since the early part of the decade, it has developed a more comprehensive and creative approach to waste, water and energy solutions for its public- and private-sector clients. In addition to licensing third-party technology and bringing on partners for projects, the company also offers financing options for its customers.

John Fjeldsted, executive director of the Manitoba Environmental Industries Association, said while Preseco may have some of the characteristics of a specialized engineering firm, it may be a unique enterprise.

"Preseco looks to take a holistic approach to issues," Fjeldsted said. "Not a lot of engineering firms are prepared to do that."

Jim Downey, a former Tory industry cabinet minister and a business development executive with PricewaterhouseCoopers in Winnipeg, is advising Preseco in its move into the Manitoba market.

"This is green technology that can provide some real solutions for shovel-ready projects that are out there right now," Downey said.

Kantero said a couple of people from Preseco's headquarters in Finland will probably be in Winnipeg in the next couple of months. He said he believes the firm may need to hire as many as 10 people within a year.

The company has grown substantially for several years -- annual revenue is about $35 million -- servicing the densely populated European market and developing markets like the Middle East and northern Africa. But it is not a foregone conclusion that its solutions will be effective in Manitoba.

Paul Deprez, president of Nordevco Associates, a Winnipeg environmental technologies company, noted there might be challenges for a company with European technologies operating in a small province with cheap energy and lots of land.

"We are bit players when it comes to environmental technologies and there is an inclination to import technology from outside the province and then apply it here," Deprez said.

But he said he believes homegrown solutions might make more sense in Manitoba, at least partially because hydroelectricity rates are among the lowest in the world, rendering the economics of alternative energy production, like biogas, more questionable.

Another industry source, who asked that his name not be used, said early experiments in biogas production in Manitoba have proven to be management-intensive and costly.

Fjeldsted said Preseco's creative solutions may well be what's needed, but he agreed the North American market might pose a few challenges.

"In Europe, the tipping fees are much and there are far more stringent regulations when it comes to bio-waste in landfills," he said.

Kantero said he has heard all of the concerns and understands his company needs to be able to overcome the "bad experiences, rumours and negative perceptions" that are part of the industry chatter.

"Because the environmental business is growing and changing fast, there is space for all kind of actors," he said in an email exchange.

"I am very confident to say that whenever we get customers or other interest groups visit our reference sites and talk to our customers, they realize that what we are selling and talking about is true, proven and yet novel."

Kantero would not be specific, but said there are potential customers -- both private sector and municipalities -- that the company is negotiating with.




They answered call to come



FINNISH environmental technologies company Preseco Oy's announcement it is planning to open a Winnipeg office comes just weeks after a local business group launched an effort to attract new businesses to the city.
Company officials said Winnipeg's size and economy suited the family-owned Finnish company.

Bill Morrissey, the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce executive heading the new initiative -- the Business Call Team -- to attract businesses to the city, said issues about how the size of the market suits certain companies is one of the things that could influence businesses to come here.

"As we move forward, we will find out what the Winnipeg niche is," Morrissey said.

Preseco decided to come to Winnipeg after a cold call from Finland's honorary consul in Winnipeg, Heikki J. Sairanen.

Sairanen, who moved to Winnipeg in the late '70s from Finland, said Preseco is the first company to take the bait on one of his cold calls.

Morrissey said he plans to contact Winnipeg's honorary consul corps and enlist their support in getting Winnipeg on the radar screen of businesses of the world.

[viperred88]

this is primarily the reason why I am in the pre-employment plumbing trade is the fact new technologies are emerging tech on waste, energy and water management is the future and it will rely more on the plumbing trade such geo thermal.

Originally Posted by 1ajs

We're first for Finnish firm
Winnipeg office company's debut in North America
By: Martin Cash
Winnipeg Free Press

Feb 27/2009

A Finnish environmental technologies company, which received a national innovation award in December from that country's president, is planning to set up shop in Winnipeg this year to serve as a beachhead for expansion throughout North America.

Mikko Kantero, managing director and chief executive of Preseco Oy, was in Winnipeg last month making preparations for the company to open a Canadian office, probably by summer.

"Most of our business is already outside Finland in the Arabic world, Asia, South America and now we want to get into North America," he said in an interview in Winnipeg in late January. "We decided to make our entry into North America from Winnipeg because we believe it makes more sense to start with a market that has a manageable size."

Preseco offers integrated technology solutions for waste, water and energy management. The company was formed in the mid-'80s after it developed technology to produce biogas from protein-rich waste material.

But since the early part of the decade, it has developed a more comprehensive and creative approach to waste, water and energy solutions for its public- and private-sector clients. In addition to licensing third-party technology and bringing on partners for projects, the company also offers financing options for its customers.

John Fjeldsted, executive director of the Manitoba Environmental Industries Association, said while Preseco may have some of the characteristics of a specialized engineering firm, it may be a unique enterprise.

"Preseco looks to take a holistic approach to issues," Fjeldsted said. "Not a lot of engineering firms are prepared to do that."

Jim Downey, a former Tory industry cabinet minister and a business development executive with PricewaterhouseCoopers in Winnipeg, is advising Preseco in its move into the Manitoba market.

"This is green technology that can provide some real solutions for shovel-ready projects that are out there right now," Downey said.

Kantero said a couple of people from Preseco's headquarters in Finland will probably be in Winnipeg in the next couple of months. He said he believes the firm may need to hire as many as 10 people within a year.

The company has grown substantially for several years -- annual revenue is about $35 million -- servicing the densely populated European market and developing markets like the Middle East and northern Africa. But it is not a foregone conclusion that its solutions will be effective in Manitoba.

Paul Deprez, president of Nordevco Associates, a Winnipeg environmental technologies company, noted there might be challenges for a company with European technologies operating in a small province with cheap energy and lots of land.

"We are bit players when it comes to environmental technologies and there is an inclination to import technology from outside the province and then apply it here," Deprez said.

But he said he believes homegrown solutions might make more sense in Manitoba, at least partially because hydroelectricity rates are among the lowest in the world, rendering the economics of alternative energy production, like biogas, more questionable.

Another industry source, who asked that his name not be used, said early experiments in biogas production in Manitoba have proven to be management-intensive and costly.

Fjeldsted said Preseco's creative solutions may well be what's needed, but he agreed the North American market might pose a few challenges.

"In Europe, the tipping fees are much and there are far more stringent regulations when it comes to bio-waste in landfills," he said.

Kantero said he has heard all of the concerns and understands his company needs to be able to overcome the "bad experiences, rumours and negative perceptions" that are part of the industry chatter.

"Because the environmental business is growing and changing fast, there is space for all kind of actors," he said in an email exchange.

"I am very confident to say that whenever we get customers or other interest groups visit our reference sites and talk to our customers, they realize that what we are selling and talking about is true, proven and yet novel."

Kantero would not be specific, but said there are potential customers -- both private sector and municipalities -- that the company is negotiating with.




They answered call to come



FINNISH environmental technologies company Preseco Oy's announcement it is planning to open a Winnipeg office comes just weeks after a local business group launched an effort to attract new businesses to the city.
Company officials said Winnipeg's size and economy suited the family-owned Finnish company.

Bill Morrissey, the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce executive heading the new initiative -- the Business Call Team -- to attract businesses to the city, said issues about how the size of the market suits certain companies is one of the things that could influence businesses to come here.

"As we move forward, we will find out what the Winnipeg niche is," Morrissey said.

Preseco decided to come to Winnipeg after a cold call from Finland's honorary consul in Winnipeg, Heikki J. Sairanen.

Sairanen, who moved to Winnipeg in the late '70s from Finland, said Preseco is the first company to take the bait on one of his cold calls.

Morrissey said he plans to contact Winnipeg's honorary consul corps and enlist their support in getting Winnipeg on the radar screen of businesses of the world.

[1ajs]

not to mention viper theres a serious shortage of trades people