Edmontonians Feb09

PM 40023292

Call Today...780-423-2020

ALBERTA’SLARGEST

INDEPENDENTPAGING

COMPANY

T H E P E R S O N A L I T Y O F B U S I N E S S I N T H E C A P I T A L R E G I O N

Reg MilleyChair, Port Alberta

2 EDMONTONIANS FEBRUARY 2009

Proof__2_________PROOFED BY:_______________________________________________CHANGES MADE:__________________________DATE:_________________

ell, the first month of semi-retirement from the radio biz hasgone well… no surprise, eh?

I headed south with my family forthe Christmas holidays and I’m fortunate enough tostay here in Phoenix, Arizona until the end ofFebruary. No worries about items for my column—I’ve found lots of Edmontonians ‘snowbirding’ it inthe Desert State.

John Yerxa, who was just granted a new FMlicence for Edmonton, is down here doing his pre-planning for the launch of his new station. Media-wise it looks like the new stations that were grantedlicences along with John’s are not going to rush theirnew stations on. Just as the announcement from theCRTC was made, the economy went into the dumperand most of these guys figure that the best strategy isto wait things out. I understand we may hear themon-air by the fall.

Al Anderson, former Newcap General Manager,has been here in the desert for the past few yearsenjoying his full retirement. Other media folksinclude CTV news anchor CarrieDoll and husband Steven Petasky,who have a place in beautiful TroonNorth, one of the nicest golf coursesin North America. Word has it thatCarrie’s co-anchor Daryl McIntyrewill be visiting Phoenix with his wifeMary in February as well—for free:It was his prize for winning theDancing for Kids charity contest lastNovember. Also ran into former CTVVP/GM Fred Filthaut.

Among Edmonton’s broadcastalumni spending time in Phoenix areformer CTV news gal Lisa Millerwith her family, and Wanda Street,formerly of CHED.

Neil Cunningham, general salesmanager for the Corus stations is alsostate-side. Man-about-town PeteKozial, known for somehow talking his way intoevery major sporting event in the world (with his palBernie Robitaille), has just set up his marketingcompany here for a few months and will return toEdmonton late in the spring.

Sun Media big wig Craig Martin is in the samecomplex as the Forbes clan. He and wife Janet enjoygolfing and spent most of the Christmas break withclubs (and a cigar) in hand.

Dennis Mozak from Synergy Products has a newhome in Scottsdale, and media lady SusanO’Conner came along for the ride this season. I ran

into casino wizard Howard Worell at the Cardinal’stailgate party prior to the NFC final. And, wellknown Edmonton lawyer Jack Agrios is also in thestate.

The Edmonton Oilers visit February 16th, so Ihope to hook up with my media pals Rod Phillips(who also has a home down here now) and myformer Total Sports host Bob Stauffer.

I expect I’ll bump into more part timeAmericanucks over the next few weeks—especially atthe big Canadian Snowbird Party. There’s also aCanadians in Arizona Facebook site so you cankeep in touch with friendsthat are down here too.

As things heat up onEdmonton’s downtownentertainment complex, it’sinteresting to note that Phoenixhas five almost new sportingstadiums or arenas for its majorsports teams.

The NFL ArizonaCardinals play on a grassfield that is on a tray thatslides out during the weekand slides back in to thearena for Sunday’s games—it’s amazing. And everyoneshould experience an NFLtailgate party to really seehow Americans love theirsports.

Right beside the stadium is the Jobing Arena, home

of the NHL Phoenix Coyotes, coached by some guynamed Wayne who claims to also have spent time inEdmonton.

The centre area between the NFL and NHL arenasis a full entertainment complex, with about 10excellent restaurants, sports bars, live outdoorentertainment, two hotels, a 24-hour a day movietheatre, and valet parking.

The fountains do a spectacular show all day long,co-ordinated with music, and the speakers blare rock

music at high levels, whilea virtual circus showsurrounds you.

The ArizonaDiamondbacks footballteam has a domedstadium that actually hasa swimming pool in oneof the private suitesbehind the left outfieldwall. Next to that arena,the Phoenix Suns havetheir own NBA Stadium,which hosts this year’sall star game, while the

US AIRWAYS Stadium houses thePhoenix Road Runners hockeyteam.

The new Phoenix Light RailTransit system just opened and itonly took a few years to build a20-mile route through Mesa,Tempe and Phoenix. Cost to ride:$2.50 all day—and it has 20 stopscompared to Edmonton’s eight at$2.50 one-way.

The Canuck buck is alittle off these days;however, the prices downhere are much lower andoften the difference, evenwith the exchange factoredin, is minimal.

Plus, the other bonus:270 golf courses—and noshovelling.

See you back home…next month. √

Marty Forbes is the recentlyretired VP and general manager of The Bear,EZRock and The TEAM 1260 Sports Radio.Contact [email protected]

WWwith Marty & Mark

Marty and KimAmericanucks

Arizona Cardinals merchandise

University of Phoenix StadiumUniversity of Phoenix Stadium

Cardinals’ tailgate party

outside University of Phoenix Stadium

EDMONTONIANS FEBRUARY 2009 3


oin.” “Moin.”That is how I have been greeted byeveryone on the street, in the shops andin my family’s homes here in and

around the Ammerland area of Germany. It comes from alocal dialect called Plattdeutsch or Plattdüütsch. Moin islike “aloha”. Although I think it’s a morning greeting only,I was using it in the pub last night and it worked well. I’mhere visiting family with my brother Kurt for just a week,then back to Edmonton. So to you: “Moin.”

I will get to the trip later but, first, some hatsoff to Guiseppi Albi, his staff, the crew and especially tothe volunteers of Events Edmonton. They held a great NewYear’s Downtown event in and around Churchill Square.

It was a wee bit nippy but the crowds came out to enjoygreat live entertainment and outstanding fireworks. I woundup watching the fireworks on Global Edmonton and theywere impressive. We have a gem on our hands in our city.NYE Downtown is a free family event and I look forwardto its ongoing success.

Some music musings… I grew up on the East Coast.Big name bands would get to Portland, Maine and notmake it around the New Brunswick corner very often. I didsee Tina Turner’s Private Dancer tour two of the 5-ish(can’t recall) nights she played in Halifax. Some bandswould come to the coast to get their shows polished beforethey headed west or south. I’m sure, if you have been inEdmonton long enough you know what I am talking about.Don’t get me wrong, I have seen many great shows backEast but I had to travel to see the big name acts.

I have thoroughly enjoyed living in Edmontonconsidering who has played here. I have seen the best ofthe best so far and, in the last few years with such a robusteconomy, it has been fantastic. Clapton, Petty, Waters andWillie, to name a few.

But the Eagles and Fleetwood Mac are now turning mea wee sour. Come on now… $110 plus all the evil‘ticketmaster’ charges for the cheapest seat in the house?And $199 plus the evil for Rexall’s better seats—andChristine MacVee is not in the line up? I love these twobands, but no thanks. My father has always used theexpression, “make hay when the sun shines” but the Eaglesand Fleetwood Mac seem to be grabbing the coin duringdusk. This long-winded babble translates to: Anybody outthere have any free tickets to those shows?

I would suggest that we get out to the clubs and the soft-

seat houses to support and enjoy live local music because$199 plus the evil covers a lot of cover charges. Here are afew suggestions not to miss: Serena Ryder at the MyerHorowitz Theatre on March 25th, Martin Sexton at theFrancis Winspear Centre for Music on April 11th, GordonLightfoot at the Jubilee on April 14th.

And check out the Celtic Fusion Illusion with theMattierin School of Irish Dancing on March 14th at theLondonderry Community Hall. Tickets for the gig can bepurchased from Lynn Wells at 780-455-3900.

Final music musing: Alas… the Sidetrack. I have nevermissed it more. RIP

Also wanted tosay... I was honouredto be part of theGlenn Andersoncivic ceremony at cityhall last month— aclass event. I wasthrilled to see so manygreat Oilers in oneroom… and to havemy picture take withone of my favourites,Yari Kuri who flew infrom Finland to see“Number 9” raised to the rafters.

Back to Germany… a few thoughts…Why are the Fords and GMs here not available in NorthAmerica? In fact, why aren’t all the cars here available?Customer is king… bring it on. We can make any car wewant in Canada: We have the talent. Now, about theproduction costs?

Watched Barack Obama being sworn in, live and inGerman. Not sure what

he said but it lookedgreat. My relativesleft the TV room halfway through hisspeech. Bored? Not

inspired? Hungry? Notsure but food and eatingare important aroundthese parts. Nonetheless,good riddance to GeorgeBush and good luck toBarack.

No sign of the Edmonton Oilers here so I took it uponmyself to plant the seed. I brought all of my youngerrelatives some Oiler pride. They are not too sure what thepompom is all about but then again, neither am I.

I asked my second cousin, Alexander von Essen who isstudying to be a journalist, to write a few paragraphs about

where he is from and his thoughts on Canada. Here he is…Hello Canada!I am really proud of getting the chance to write a little

bit about Germany, more precisely about my homeRastede, in [Edmontonians]. My idea is to show you thebeauty of this place, how the people live, our traditionsand why you should think about a holiday trip to Rastede.

Rastede is a little town in north-west Germany. It isabout 60 kilometres west of Bremen and 15 kilometresnorth of Oldenburg City. The counts and dukes ofOldenburg chose Rastede 950 years ago as their summerresidence, where they spent the best weeks of the year inmagnificent houses and picturesque parks.

Even today, the historical surroundings, the attractivecountryside and the healthy effects of the maritimeclimate provide the ideal conditions for a holiday that isfull of fresh air.

Many festivals and events like the international musicdays or the world championships of sled dog racing aremaking Rastede an important place in Lower-Saxony.

The towns and municipalities around Rastede arealso nice and worth seeing. The whole Ammerland, thedistrict where Rastede is located, is one of the mostbeautiful landscapes in Germany.

The people here are very different than otherpeople. Tradition and community are very important

for the people in the Ammerland and the clock does notrun as fast as anywhere else. If you have a problem, asksomebody on the street, you can be sure he will help youas well as he can.

Interesting are also the national sport and the languagein our district. People here speak a traditional dialectcalled “Plattdeutsch” (Low German). If you can’t speakGerman, it will not be such big problem, because“Plattdeutsch” is very similar to the English language. Thenational sport is called “Bosseln” (ball shooting). In thisgame, participants meet on the road and try to throw a ballas far as they can. It looks very easy but it is hard to keepthe ball away from obstacles like ditches, streams, longgrass etc., which would obviously reduce the distance ofone’s “shoot”.

You see, landscape, people and life in and surroundRastede are very special. I hope we will see us here, if youspend your holidays in Germany.

Canadians are very welcome in Northern Germanybecause of their help after the Second World War. On thebasis of my family, I have a special relationship to yourcountry and I like Canada so much. I hope I can visit myfamily in Canada soon, so that I can enjoy thecharacteristics of Canada—not only in pictures andmovies.

Alexander von Essen, 18 years (high school graduateand editor of local newspaper)

Danke shoen. √

Mark Scholz, owner of MES Communications Inc. offers avariety of services including production, creative andentertainment. For more information or to suggest a storyidea, email [email protected]

“M“M

Mark and Yari

Alexander

Mark’s cousins in GermanyMark’s cousins in Germany

“Silicone calf implants for men are therage. Pat Sajak auctioned to Peoplemagazine exclusive coverage of hiswedding. Though a lover of free markets,I find these examples obscene.”

~ Tom Peters On Excellence 1990

“Since 1986 the number of Albertaexporters has more than doubled with over2,000 companies now active... they haveboosted the 1990 value of Alberta’s exportsto almost $16 billion…”

~ Lois BridgesAlberta Business Outlook 1991

“If Mr. (Bob) Rae had not squanderedhis first 40-something formative yearssteeped in leftist ideology, wallowing ininterventionist economics and cavortingwith union leaders, the good people ofthe province of Ontario would not todaybe sitting in so deep a pile of goo.”

~ Terence Corcoran, The Globe & Mail—quoted in Business Diary 1992

“Albertans have endured their eleventhconsecutive year of recession. (Editor’snote: Statistics Canada says therecession is over.)”

~ Paul Near Business Difficulty Management 1993

“We are the only culture in the worldwhose culture is dominated by aneighbour.”

~ Rebecca Jenkins, Actor/SingerRound Table on Alberta’s Film Industry 1995

“The original Capital Health Authorityboard worked very hard. It’s just absurdthat front line people weren’t involved.Hopefully, the situation is changing.”

~ Dr. T. Alex MacPherson,former executive director & deputy

commissioner of the Premier’s Commission

on Future Health Care, commenting seven yearsafter release of The Rainbow Report 1997

“To date, Leuders has won a total of eightworld cup titles in all categories. Butthere’ve been no parades—no PierreLeuders day in Edmonton.”

~ Ken Karpoff Edmonton’s best Olympic contenderis faceless at home 1998

“Young Entrepreneurs OrganizationAnnual Survey: Question 8—TheGovernor of California announcedrecently that by 2003, 20 percent of allautomobiles in California must be 100percent non-polluting. By 2007, 50percent will be non-polluting. How aremanufacturers going to achieve this?a) Fuel cell (17.1%)b) Hydrogen (19.5%)c) Electric (12.2%)d) Can’t be achieved (51.2%)”

~ YEO Polling results from January 18, 2000

“We also changed our logo, which had beena Phoenician sailing ship, which didn’tseem to fit this Internet and e-age...”~ Mike Percy, Dean of the U of A School of business

to Catherine Carson The Dean’s List 2001

“Jana Clarke left the DowntownBusiness Association to join GrantMacEwan College as marketing directorfor its business department.”

~ Linda Hall Business Buzz 2003

Sharon MacLean on the passing of LoisHole: “In honour of Lois, we encourageyou to support the Lois Hole Care &Nurture Fund... Please, keep it growing.”~ Muggsy Forbes, Funny, Pompous and Unfair 2005

“Our work is one part therapy and twoparts marriage counselling. Renovation isa big challenge for homeowners,” says(contractor) Paul Hastings.

~ Peter RocciaThe Renovation Generation 2006

“People aren’t necessarily upset with mepersonally, but take great exception tothe ideas I often bring to the table—issues that are disturbing or dangerousto the status quo.”

~ Don Hill Iconoclasts 2007

A glimpse into Edmontonians pages overthe years—month by month in 2009.

THAT WAS THE FEBRUARY THAT WAS

Celebrating 20 YearsCelebrating 20 Years



STATIONoter turnout hit a record low in the most recent federal election. To gainsome perspective on the issue, this month we asked Edmontonians for theirthoughts on the voter turnout and the results of the federal election.

With Linda Banister

PollPoll

FOUNDERDICK MacLEAN

FEBRUARY 2009Vol. XX

Published by 399620 Alberta Ltd. on the first day of eachmonth at C-100 Park Side Tower, 8920-100th StreetEdmonton AB CA T6E 4Y8. ©All rights reserved. Nopart of this publication may be reprinted or reproduced inany form without written permission from the publisher.

Manuscripts: must be accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope. Edmontonians is not responsible forunsolicited manuscripts.

All stories Copyright ©Edmontonians

Publications Mail Agreement No. 40023292Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to:Circulation DepartmentC-100 Park Side Tower, 8920-100th StreetEdmonton AB CA T6E 4Y8Email: [email protected]

SHARON MacLEANPublisher and Advertising Director

Telephone: 780.482.7000Fax: 780.488.9317

e-mail: [email protected]

INSIDEVOX POPMarty Forbes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2Mark Scholz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2CELEBRATING 20 YEARS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

POLL STATIONVoting/Banister . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

CORPORATE ETHICSCompensation/Somji . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

CIVIC BUZZGripes/Norwood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6MEDIA MINUTENobody asked/Hogle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

COVER STORYPort Alberta/McHugh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

VISIONARIESTom Ogaranko/Gazin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11NINT/Croucher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12Briefs/Croucher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12Social Media/Schwabe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

MY E-SPACEUrban Insight/Rayner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

THE BUSINESS OF LOVEUninvites/Jespersen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

BARB DETERSEditor

[email protected]

COLUMNISTSLinda Banister

John BerryLinda Bodo

Cheryl CroucherMarty Forbes

Muggsy ForbesBruce Hogle

Ryan JespersenDavid Norwood

Erin RaynerMark Scholz

Walter SchwabeNizar J. Somji

FEATURE WRITERSBarb DetersGreg Gazin

Peter Drake McHughMarg. Pullishy

PHOTOGRAPHERSTerry Bourque

Barb Deters

SPECIAL PROJECTSEdmontonians Transformers

Tom BradshawLes Brost

Steffany HanlenLarry Ohlhauser

GRAPHIC PRODUCTIONRage Studios Inc.

THIS MONTH’S COVER

Edmonton International AirportPresident & CEO Reg Milley

No. 2

2020YEARS

C E L E B R A T I N G

VVDID YOU FOLLOW MEDIA COVERAGEPRIOR TO THE FEDERAL ELECTION?

To begin the survey, respondents were asked how closely theyfollowed media coverage leading up to the 2008 federal election.Almost half of the respondents (45 percent) indicated they followedthe coverage closely, while 28 percent reported they did not.

WHY WAS VOTER TURN-OUT SO LOW?

Respondents were informed that voter turnout for Canadians wasreported at 59.1 percent, and 52.9 percent for Albertans—a record low.They were then asked why they thought so many people in Alberta didnot vote. Many (23 percent) thought that Canadians were disenchantedwith politics and politicians, followed by a lack of interest in politicsand governments (12 percent), and the belief that the Conservativeswould win regardless of their vote (11 percent). Fifty-four percentthought the reasons why Albertans specifically did not vote were thesame compared to the rest of the country. Of the 33 percent thatbelieved the reasons were different, 24 percent thought Alberta’s needsare different and that Albertans are facing different issues compared tothe rest of Canada. Eighteen percent said Albertans are busier anddoing better economically. Another 18 percent indicated the lack ofcompetition in Alberta, stating they knew the Conservatives would win.

DID YOU VOTE AND WHY OR WHY NOT?When asked if they voted in the recent federal election, 76percent stated they had. Their reasons included civic duty (54percent) and wanting their voice to be heard (47 percent). Of the23 percent that did not vote, 30 percent stated voting wasinconvenient and takes too much time, followed by not knowingenough to vote (13 percent), no real choice (13 percent) and notbeing a Canadian citizen (13 percent). Respondents that did notvote were then asked what actions could be taken for them to bemore likely to vote in the future. Twenty-two percent wantedcandidates who better represented their views, and 17 percentwanted more information on candidates’ positions.

DO POLITICAL POLLS AFFECT YOUR VOTE?Next, respondents were asked if they had seen any political pollresults prior to the election. Over half of the respondents (54percent) reported they had. Those who had voted and seen thepolitical poll results prior to the election were then asked if theresults impacted their vote. Eighty-eight percent stated it did notaffect their personal vote. However, 57 percent of all respondentsbelieved the results impact voting in general.

WERE YOU SURPRISED AND SATISFIEDWITH THE ELECTION OUTCOME?Seventy percent of respondents indicated they were not surprisedby the outcome of the election. Among the other 30 percent, 20percent were surprised with how many seats the Conservativeswon, while 17 percent thought the Conservative would win moreseats.

Finally, respondents were asked how satisfied they were withthe results of the past election. Roughly one-quarter ofrespondents (24 percent) indicated they were highly satisfied,while 45 percent indicated a low level of satisfaction. Among thelatter, 20 percent said their candidate’s party was not elected, 20percent indicated nothing changed as a result of the election, and18 percent had hoped for a Conservative majority.

Monthly Poll Station Online QuestionVisit www.edmontonians.com to register your opinion

Want a question included in the Edmontonians Poll?Contact Linda at 780.451.4444 or e-mail

[email protected].

Linda Banister is a certified management consultant and the owner ofBanister Research and Consulting Inc., a full service provider ofmarket research and program evaluation services.Visit www.banister.ab.ca.

Perc

ent

Perc

ent

45%

28%

23%

12% 11%

Said they followedthe coverage closely

Thought that Canadianswere disenchanted

with politics

Thought lack of interest inpolitics and government

was the reason

Believed that theConservatives would winregardless of their vote

Said they did notfollow the coverage

pedicures. manicures. facials. aroma therapy message

Slimming Secret!

Why it works?The wrap detoxifies the body.

The body can get overloaded with toxins becauseit cannot keep up with the filtration process.

The more toxins in the body, the more lymphaticfluid increases to protect cells.

You force out toxins. Once the toxins are gone,the lymphatic fluid decreases and you lose

inches. It is not water loss—rather, an exchangeof minerals for toxins.

780.459.3444

Lose 4 to 20 inches in an hour!A hot new detoxifying body wrap!

That’s a Wrap!Call Linda Perras

at Suddenly Slimmer Day Spa

www.suddenlyslimmerdayspa.com



all 2008 brought about freshdiscussion on the age old topicof compensation: How much istoo much? It started locally with

the severance packages paid to the CEOand key individuals in two Alberta Healthregions. Journalists gleefully communi-cated the extent of the package,implicating that the extravagance includednot just the severance but the totalcompensation package received by theseindividuals. This was quickly followed bythe federal election where some keyindividuals lost their seats. Again, thejournalists had a field day with thepension amounts for the departingpoliticians.

The impetus for renewed focus oncompensation in the global communitystarted with the collapse of many of thefinancial institutions. The collapserevealed excessive executive compen-sation levels. On the other side, asignificant number of investors lost entirelife savings. While what the executivestook home is interesting and enablespoliticians and regulators to grandstand, itenables everyone involved to hide the truecause of the collapse: an abundance ofgreed at all levels and the failure toenforce or practice governance theories.The executives became merely theuniversal scapegoats.

The journalists, seeking to improvereadership, created controversy and the

masses became enraged by the perceivedexcesses and unfairness. Since theindustrial revolution, there has been an on-going debate on compensation: What isfair? Why does one make more thananother? What should the boss make?How much should the owner or investorend up with?

To protect the employee—who is the“underdog” in the employer/employeerelationship model—unions found a homein the business world to ensure fair wagesand working conditions.

Toward the end of 2008 came thedebate over the bail out of the automotiveindustry in the USA. It became clear thatthe compensation structures within theauto industry were not competitive, andwith the unions unwilling to be part of thesolution, no amount of money wouldenable this industry to recover and becompetitive. The media reports of thesignificant differences in compensationearned by those working for Americanauto makers versus non-American automakers in the USA was not quite asenthusiastic as other compensationcontroversies. While the low cost oflabour in developing countries isfrequently reported, discrepancies in ourown backyard are seemingly easier toignore.

Over the years I have had theopportunity to debate compensationmodels with many very talented human

resource professionals. The discussiontypically incorporates various externalfactors—inflation, cost of livingadjustments, market conditions, and thecompetitive landscape. Rarely does thediscussion centre on the value that theindividual delivers to the organization. Irecall an interesting discussion with asalesperson. He made a case for asignificant raise based on the usualexternal factors. When questioned abouthis recent sales quota to actualperformance, his response was “That doesnot matter; the cost of living has increasedsubstantially!”

The reality is not about external factors,but based on two critical fronts: the valuethe individual delivers to the organization,and the financial performance andviability of the organization as a whole.Smaller organizations do a tremendous jobof instilling “performance-based compen-sation”, since they are unable to rewardtheir more senior individuals any otherway. As organizations grow, such modelsbecome more complex as it takes groupsof individuals to deliver performance asopposed to the heroic efforts of one.

It is always a challenge for largeorganizations, such as the Capital HealthAuthority with a budget in excess of $2billion, to attract and retain someone toprovide leadership and manage theportfolio. The stakes are high. Thecompensation levels are significant. If the

individual performs it is money wellspent. However, should the individual notperform, the cost of parting can besignificant and the exercise expensive, andthe cycle begins again. When one isworking for a public organization, thecosts (and benefits) both to the Board thatdoes the hiring and the individual inquestion can be huge. While you mayquestion the salary of the Capital HealthAuthority CEO, the real question thatshould be asked is: What kind ofindividual do I want to run thisorganization? The answer will dictate thecompensation.

So when looking at compensation, don’tthink in terms of what an individual makes.Think of what you get for that salary.Borrowing from the familiar “Where’s thebeef?” slogan, ask “Where’s the value?”

Talking about compensation forpoliticians…it is anticipated that themayoral candidates for New York City willspend over $75 million on campaignsduring the election. To add perspective, thejob pays less than $200,000. Clearly, thosein the race are not doing it for the pay. √

Nizar J. Somji is presidentand CEO of Jaffer Inc., amanagement/investmentconsulting firm; andchairman of the board ofMatrikon Inc., a companyhe founded in 1988.

FF

Compensation Culture…where is the value?

By Nizar J. Somji

ETHICScorporate



t seems that no matter whereyou live, there is always something togripe about regarding your homecity. In Edmonton, depending on the

time of year, we complain about the roadsnot being plowed quickly enough—if atall… too much road construction… slowdecision-making by City Council… or anyone of dozens of issues. Having just spentnine days in San Francisco, I can assure youthat its residents have gripes as well.

One complaint I heard more than oncehad to do with the San Francisco transitsystem, a topic familiar toEdmontonians. Thegripes concernedscheduling more thananything else, and thepossibility of cutbacksdue to an increasingdeficit. By Edmontonstandards, SanFranciscans have nothingto complain about.

In addition to the city’sfabled cable cars, SanFrancisco offers twoseparate and efficientrapid transit systems: BayArea Rapid Transit orBART, and the Muniwhich is almost a hybridof our own LRT and theheavy rail subwaysystem. It also offersstreetcar service, usingrestored cars from as faraway as Milan, Italy, aswell as trolley (electric)buses on many routes, hybrid diesel-electricand standard diesel buses.

Moreover, San Francisco offersinexpensive Muni passes (daily, three-day,weekly and monthly) which can be used onevery system except BART, which isoperated separately from the San Franciscosystem and covers much of the Bay area. Ipurchased a seven-day Muni pass for $24…considering that a one-way trip on a cablecar is $5, the pass paid for itself within a

day. The result is that both residents andvisitors alike can get around inexpensivelyand efficiently.

San Francisco—and presumably the Stateof California and the U.S. government—have invested heavily in the area’stransportation system which, because it’s soefficient, is used by hundreds of thousandsof people every day. Forexample,Market Street,a mainthoroughfarecutting through

the centre ofSanFrancisco, isserved byboth under-ground railsystems, the

streetcar, trolleys and buses.The lesson we can learn from San

Francisco is not a new one: Investing in anefficient transportation system encouragesmore people to use public transit. In recentyears, Edmonton has begun to moveforward with LRT expansion, and the costis anything but cheap. However, thesavings—fuel efficiency, roadwayinfrastructure repairs, transportation-oriented developments, among others—

make it a worthwhile investment. My fear isthat the City will slow down its plans forLRT expansion, citing a lack of financialsurety in the face of the economicdownturn. If anything, it should be speedingit up—this is not the time for short-termthinking or planning.

Despite the overalleconomic slowdown, mostif not all indicators suggestthat the metro Edmontonarea will remain aboveaverage in growth andeconomic performanceover the next year. Onesector which this columnhas examined in past

issues iscondominiumdevelopment. Asof early 2009, theEdmonton condomarket isgenerallysaturated, meaningthat we likely willnot see many newdevelopmentsannounced.Moreover, manywhich have beenannounced—such

as Century Park, Vision for the Cornerand Strathearn—will likely be slow-tracked until the market improves. But,unlike other cities including Calgary andVancouver, no major projects in Edmontonhave been cancelled… at least, not yet.

For now, the 35-storey Icon II and 23-storey Quest are proceeding downtown, anda host of condos just west of the downtowncore—including AltaVista South,Meridian Plaza, the Venetian, Uptownand Serenity—are nearing completion. Aswell, Urbia Developments, working withBrinsmead Kennedy Architects, isproposing a twin-tower, 400-unit condo for104th Street and 102nd Avenue. The tallestof the two towers will reach 50 storeys, the

shorter one in the range of 40. The projecthas to go through a number of regulatoryand approval processes, but the developersare confident that the project will go ahead.Further east, the 23-floor Mira, the first ofthe five-tower Aurora project, continues tobe marketed with a projected construction

start later this year. The first high-rise in TheQuarters, Vinterra Properties’ Valleyview,is expected to go ahead later this year. Anumber of high-rise condos have also beenapproved for the 97th Avenue area east of106th Street, ranging from 26 to 34 floors;at some point, they too will go ahead.

We won’t see a plethora of cranes on theskyline for the next year or two—actually,the last time Edmonton saw a plethora ofcranes was the late 1970s. Nonetheless,developers seem to have maintained theirconfidence in the Edmonton market, whichcontinues to have the lowest unemploymentrate of any major Canadian city and is stillattracting in-migration. With construction ofEPCOR’s new office tower well underwayand the Ironwood office condo on 103rdStreet and 102nd Avenue expected tocommence in the near future, the Edmontonskyline will evolve and change for thebetter. Further, when and if the City CentreAirport is closed, thetransformation will bedramatic. We just have tobe patient, something thatEdmontonians are verymuch accustomed to. √

David Norwood is afreelance writer/editor.Contact [email protected]

ivic Buzzwith David NorwoodC

II

...Rather than Jeh Custer of Sierra ClubCanada wasting time with legal actionagainst Syncrude over the loss of 500birds in a tailing pond last year, why don’tCuster and his cronies do somethingabout the tons of raw sewage continuallybeing dumped daily into the PacificOcean at Victoria. Over Christmas, therewas so much poop and pee on the shoresin and around Victoria, that the VancouverIsland Health Authority had to erectwarnings on every beach. While theHalifax Harbour is now clean enough toswim in, Victoria’s Capital Region districtadmits it doesn’t treat its waste. Further: Ithas no intention of eliminating thisdespicable practice until 2016 at theearliest. I can only presume the health of

B.C. seals, otters, birds and fish—including, I’m told, brown salmon—isirrelevant to Mr. Custer.…I was happy the Edmonton Journal wassuccessful last year in eliminating a two-year ban on the name of Dexter IanEstacio, former member of the CrazyDragons street gang. To impress gangmembers, Estacios stabbed EvanGrykuliak to death on the night ofEvan’s 17th birthday. Estacio’s identitywas originally protected by the YouthCriminal Justice Act. But Youth CourtJudge James Koshman lifted that banafter Journal lawyer Sean Ward arguedthat a young offender’s name is no longerprotected when sentenced as an adult.…I’m not so happy, however, with thefact that the 33-year-old Edmonton fostermother, who was sentenced in Decemberfor murdering her three-year-old fosterchild, will never have her name revealed.The feeble excuse given is to protect thename of the foster child. Why? Thenames of the foster mother and fosterchild are completely different. Protect thechild if you will, but why this sadisticfemale? Alberta’s Child, Youth and FamilyEnhancement Act allows only the

Enhancement Act Director to identify thewoman. Amendments to this Act bycabinet minister Janis Tarchuk foolishlydisallow any judge from revealing thatname. Bad legislation, Ms. Tarchuk.…In early 2000, my wife Gail and I led atour of the Middle East. At that time, theregion expected millions of tourists, so allsides put away their arms. When thetourists didn’t come, the arms came outand haven’t been put away since. Thesituation continues to worsen. Sadly, Ifear permanent peace will never come tothat part of the world. That’s becausethousands of children have been, andcontinue to be, raised in homes whereoutright hatred prevails against those ofother races and religions. Edmonton hasdemonstrated how these barriers can beeliminated with such groups as theArab/Jewish Coalition. Also: the PhoenixMulti Faith Society for Harmony wasformed by the late Larry Shaben,Canada’s and Alberta’s first Muslimcabinet minister, and Sol Rolingher, aJewish lawyer, after two city synagogueswere fire bombed in 2000. Mr.Rolingher’s faith had to be tested lastNew Year’s Day after the front window of

his home was smashed. Despite the hopesof the two groups I’ve mentioned, plusothers, I fear that Middle East animosityis permeating throughout too manyCanadian cities.…I love the passion of PK Subban of theCanadian Junior Hockey team. Afterwinning the World’s Championship lastmonth, he said: “We came to Ottawa asone team, one nation and one mission.”Aside from the sport connotation, I trulysee Canadians of all colours and creedsbeing one team. I also see Canadians,regardless of where they live, what theybelieve and the language they speak,being one nation. And I certainly see ourcollective one mission as workingtogether for the betterment of one and all.What better vision could we have for thisCanada of ours — both for those bornhere and for those to whom we haveopened our doors and our hearts. √

Bruce Hogle is the formernews director at CFRN TVand recently retired head ofthe Alberta Press [email protected]

Nobody asked me,

but...

edia Minutewith Bruce HogleM

Urbia Towers

View of the Golden Gate Bridge

Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART)Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART)

San Fransico Skyline

a universal gripePublic Transit:



f you want to talk about the PortAlberta, you can always start with,“Stop me if you’ve heard thisone”—you are almost guaranteed

that nobody will and nobody has. Veryodd for a blockbuster of an idea whosesuccess could parallel that of Alberta’soil boom.

It is called Port Alberta, but Edmontonstands to gain many millions of dollars ifit can out-compete other centres that seeworld trade as their ticket to long-termdevelopment, full employment and ahedge against resource-based economiesthat currently come with a best-beforedate.

Alberta and Edmonton Region are onthe verge of an incredible economicopportunity—and, for the first time in along time, it is not oil based. World tradehas grown at such an astonishing ratethat West Coast ports in the UnitedStates and Canada can no longer keep upwith the pace. Canada’s newest deep-water port is Prince Rupert on the BritishColumbia coast. It can offload themighty trade that exists betweenAmerican consumers and Chinese

factory workers, but the trick is to getthe products to the U.S. Midwest. Figureout how to do that efficiently and there isa huge reward: managing thetransportation of freight between theworld’s largest markets.

If it works, it will position Alberta andCanada as one of the world’s greattrading nations and leading economies.

Edmonton Mayor Stephen Mandel ison board, “The future of Edmonton as aninland port is key to Canada’s economicprosperity.”

Reg Milley, president and CEO ofEdmonton International Airport andchair of the Port Alberta steeringcommittee, says Canada is bracing for a“tsunami of trade with China, Japan, andIndia.” He’s thought about this a lot. Hebegan by looking at air freight strategiesat a time when Calgary had been chosenas the air hub for Alberta and AirCanada seemed not interested in servingcentral and northern Alberta. “We are onthe Can-Mex corridor, and we have avariety of competitive advantages. Whatwe are doing now is the research,everything from textiles to electronics.”

He believes Nisku Business Park willplay a role. It is the second largest oiland gas park in North America (Houstonis first) and 65 per cent of goods aredestined for export.

Port Alberta project lead Janet Riopelis no less enthusiastic. She reminds thatthe Edmonton-Calgary corridor “is thefastest growing economic zone in NorthAmerica.” She says that will help engageindustry partners. “Private sectorinvestment is a significant strategicgoal.”

As an inland port transportation hub,Port Alberta will handle air, truck andrail shipments with containers ofproducts from North America and theFar East giants.

The federal government is investingheavily in Canada’s Asia-PacificGateway and Corridor program. PrinceRupert is already living the dream. Inrecent years, tens of billions of federal,provincial and private sector dollarshave dramatically expanded containerhandling capacity at the Port of PrinceRupert, transforming it into one ofCanada’s largest intermodal facilities

with direct rail connection to the NorthAmerican industrial heartland. A steadystream of ocean freighters unloadsconsumer goods, automobiles and othermerchandise from Asia, then loadstonnes of Canadian wheat and othergrains, iron ore, pulp, lumber andpotash to meet the ever growingChinese demand.

This, at a time, when North Americaports are increasingly congested asfalling trade barriers prime the pumpfor the flow of goods between regions.Gateways are under growing strains tohandle the Asian boom, and there isconcern Canada could suffer ifbacklogs begin to build. Business hasgrown so rapidly that major ports likeVancouver and Long Beach cannotkeep up. Containers can sit idle for upto a week in congested ports. Inlandports are important to manage theanticipated rush and to ensureincoming products and materials aremoved quickly away from increasinglycongested marine facilities.

IIBy Peter Drake McHugh

Continued on page 8

If you think Alberta’s economy is doing well, you may be right. But,according to the Western Centre for Economic Research, WesternCanada needs a wake-up call or we could once more be hewers ofwood and drawers of water while others handle huge internationalmarkets more competitively.

A December 2007 report says Western Canada has increased thevolume of trade to the United States, but “we have neglected otherpotential markets,” according to Rolf Mirus, a lead researcher.

“Western Canada has not been competitive, particularly in Asianmarkets.” The region’s manufacturing sector imports jumped from$1.2 billion in 1995 to $3 billion in 2007, and the share of exports toNAFTA partners has increased from 63.5 percent of exports to 77percent in 2007, says Mirus, a professor at the University of AlbertaSchool of Business.

But, in Asian markets, we are a disaster. Annual growth was lessthan inflation at 2.3 percent, he says.

Trade with smaller Free Trade Agreement (FTA) partners such asCosta Rica, Chile, and Israel showed only “mixed results.”

The report was commissioned by Canada West Foundation. √

GO EAST YOUNG MANGO FAR EAST



Advocates say the turn-around timefor rail cars and ships arriving at the Portof Prince Rupert is up to three dayssailing time faster than to other WestCoast ports. If cargo can push on quicklyto the proposed transportation hub ofEdmonton, there can be a seamlesstransfer to the markets—two-thirds ofover three million containers importedfrom Asia end up in the U.S. Midwest.The rapid turn-around time for ships andreduced terminal-handling charges meancost and time savings. And incomingcontainers could be broken down andredistributed by the tenants of PortAlberta.

FROM CONCEPT TO REALITYIn a $1.5-million cost-sharingarrangement between Western EconomicDiversification Canada and EdmontonInternational Airport, two keycomponents are being developed. EIA isalready establishing a logistic supportcentre that will serve as a one-stop cargoprocessing facility for services such assecurity and regulatory clearance. Acresof land around the airport will serve as a“SmartPort Platform” that uses state-of-the art information technology fortracing and monitoring cargo. Planes,trucks and trains will stream into PortAlberta with cargo from marine ports,from Alberta industries and from the restof the continent. The airport has 3,000acres of land surrounding it—1,400 areimmediately available for the first stagesof Port Alberta in an area designated asAirLINKS Business Park. Edmontonmay be on the cusp of a new era—warehouser to the world.

Milley’s vision goes well beyond theclearinghouse scenario. He believesmanufacturing could be the next driverof the Alberta economy. “We’re looking20 or 40 years into the future,” he says.“This is not short term.” He believes thatby establishing a Foreign Trade Zone inEdmonton, manufacturers abroad wouldsee the advantage of doing assemblywork in the Edmonton area: The additionof Canadian content or labour to the

goods would qualify them under NAFTAfor sale anywhere in North Americawithout the duties overseas exporterswould otherwise have to pay. It is one ofmany innovative ideas that is keeping theidea growing. However, it also offers oneof the first big challenges.

For a trading nation, Canada issomewhat left-footed. A Foreign TradeZone (FTZ) is critical to the success ofPort Alberta to provide importers withthe facilities to store or process goodsduty and tax free before sending them onto a third country or into the domesticeconomy through the normal customsprocess. FTZs in the U.S.and othercountrieshave provento be strongeconomicgenerators. Thezones providethe supportneeded tocompete in theglobalmarketplace andan umbrella underwhich operationcosts can bestreamlined.Probably becauseover 80 percent ofour exports go to theUnited States,Canada stands aloneas the only G8country that does nothave FTZs. The federalgovernment is said to be re-thinking itspolicy but, for it to be changed, thefederal, provincial and municipal levelsof government must be in agreement.

Alberta’s labour shortage could impactinvestment decisions. More workers—perhaps foreign and from provincesharder hit by the economic downturn—will be required, and some companieswill have to adjust their operation toutilize higher levels of automation. And,because speed and efficiency will becritical in attracting investors and tenants

to the new facilities, more and betterinfrastructure will be required.

The plan is not without its naysayers.We are now entering what could be amajor recession but advocates of theplan argue this may prove to be anopportunity to build infrastructure forthe future. Critics also point out that freetrade has not brought the rewards toAmerica that its politicians promised.Still, say backers, this is not the world ofyour father: Wake up, or lose. The factswould seem to support that view.

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATIONEdmonton is Canada’s most northernmajor city. This has not always beenviewed as an advantage. It is on theshortest route to Europe and from theAsian countries. With a population ofover a million people, the region is hometo world-class education institutions andis the gateway to Canada’s resource-richNorth and the second largest oil reservesin the world. We have the fifth largest

airport in Canada—one of thefastest growing in NorthAmerica. Unlike elsewhere,there is a substantial amountof land available fordevelopment and it isstrategically located on keyaeronautical trade routes.There is a lot of geographyin Canada but no placelooks better situated tobenefit from trade with

Continued from page 7

Loading container on Bombcart

Loading container on Bombcart



China and other Asian countries thanEdmonton.

It is not lost on any number ofAlbertans that the 19th Centuryinvention of railroads could well beresponsible for pulling Alberta kickingand screaming into the 21st Century.

Ron Gilbertson, president and CEO ofthe Edmonton Economic DevelopmentCorporation, cautions that “populationalone is not enough to create a hub (fortransportation). We need rail... we needair... we need pipelines... we needtrucking. There are tremendousopportunities here.”

Edmonton’s topography, geographyand planning already hold promise.There are major air, rail and surfacetransportation routes andthe city is strategicallylocated on a number ofkey internationaltrucking routes. Most

major global freight forwarders haveoperations in the region. When we reachout, we can touch Alaska, the AmericanMidwest, Mexico, Central Canada andthe world, all from our backyard.

Leduc-Nisku—long a hotbed of oiland gas servicing companies that bandedtogether—makes the area a big player,not only in Alberta but around the world.It already has a full range of commercialand airfreight services that send 30,000tonnes of freight per year out ofEdmonton International. It is on theCNR north-south main line with links toCalgary and beyond. How big an impactwill it have? You only have to look at themajor trucking companies in LeducCounty to see the potential benefits.

Canada’s two rail companies are

on board. CP is investing $15 million ininfrastructure in the Edmonton Region,and $25 million betweenLeduc and Scotford. It alsoplans to build a newintermodal terminal insouth Edmonton,based on estimatedgrowth of 12 to 15percent, projectedprior to theeconomicdownturn.

CN’s WesternCanadianNetworkOperation Centre isin Edmonton. Thecity is the first majordistribution centre on

CN’sline outof PrinceRupert—a fast andefficient line throughthe NorthernTransportationCorridor, with capacityto expand.

Both rail carriers seethe Edmonton Regionas an important link inmanaging the increasedtraffic to and fromCanada’s West Coastports. Prince Rupert isviewed as a welcomeaddition. It boasts thedeepest natural harbour inNorth America and thesailing time between Asiato Prince Rupert issignificantly less

compared to North American ports. Itscompetitive advantage includesstreamlined infrastructure, with directinterface between the container vesseland the rail line. West Coast containertraffic is expected to triple in the next 20years. Where will we store all thosetrade goods? Virtually every other majormarine port in the world is exploring aninland port option to ensure processing

and distribution free of congestion. Thesmart money is betting on Edmonton.

Back in 2007, Premier EdStelmach acknowledged,

“With expansion of thePort of Prince Rupert,

we can establishAlberta as animportant inlandterminal anddistribution hub. Thefederal governmentpredicts that by2020 containercargo comingthrough British

Columbia ports isprojected to increase

by up to 300 percent—from 1.8 million

containers to as many asseven million. And Alberta can

serve as an essential link in asupply chain that would be efficient andreliable.” So far, the Alberta governmenthas put up $250,000 to research thebenefits of a Port Alberta. Many millionswill likely be needed to make it happen.

A TWO-WAY DEALThere is a stumbling block. Alberta willneed critical mass to encourage theworld to stop at its door. Currently, amajor problem has been the number ofcontainers dead-heading back to thecoast empty because there is not enoughmerchandise to fill them. Dave Bedwellwith Cosco Container Lines is hopefulAlberta can play a major role. “You cansend anything to the (far) East, but youcan’t send air and expect a profit,” hesays about the disproportionate containercontent coming in compared to emptycontainers returning to Asia. Thedownturn in the economy doesn’t botherhim nearly so much. “The cost ofbringing ‘project cargo’ (material to buildrefineries, for instance) has beensubstantially reduced.” And, because thevalue of coal and iron ore is dropping, thecost of steel is as well.

To some degree, the deadheadingproblem can be mitigated by businesses

Continued on page 10

Alberta bound train

Ron GilbertsonEEDC PresidentRon GilbertsonEEDC President

Fairview container terminal



Join the

edmontoniansvisionaries.wordpress.comhave your say online at

CONVERSATION

pooling containers and trains and ships toensure competitive pricing and timing tooutside markets. One more piece of the jig-saw in place.

The possibilities seem endless. Forest andagriculture products are high on the list.Sulphur, seen as a waste product inAlberta, is used with potash as fertilizerin China. Grains have traditionallybeen poured into the belly of aship, but being containerizedguarantees higher quality.They become premiumproducts and caninclude grains, oilseed, malt, pellets andhay. But, according toCN’s Jim Feeny, theAsians are notinterested in ourplans. “They areinterested in what wecan do for them now,”he says. “They may notyet have a good idea ofwhere Alberta is but, if ithelps their marketing, they willcome.”

And no wonder. In a short span nearly300 million Chinese have entered themiddle class—about the size of the entireAmerican population—and 30 millionmore—approximately the population ofCanada—will soon join them. With themiddle class comes demand for goods.Over 1.3 billion people—one-in-five of allpeople on Earth—live in China, and Indiais not far behind. Both have a burgeoningmiddle class with an appetite for westernproducts and goods. They need rawmaterials to build their economies.

With funding from Western EconomicDiversification, the Asia PacificFoundation of Canada is also researchingdevelopment of value-added opportunitiesacross a range of industries. Yuen PauWoo, its president and CEO, understatesboth the challenges and the rewards, “Therise of Asia as an economic power willrequire profound adjustment in the waywe do business. Canada is a committedmember of the Asia-Pacific Region.”

BUSINESS INVOLVEMENTIMPERATIVE“The time has come for a new vision ofour role in the changing globaleconomy,” says Riopel. “The entirespectrum of the emerging local economycan be to our advantage because we canprove front-line access to the global

supply chain.”There are some concerns.She has only been in her

job a year, startinglong after other

jurisdictions hadbeen busyplanning forincreased trade.But Edmonton ismaking up forlost time as moreand morebusinesses beginto see a very

bright future just off the coast of BritishColumbia.

In fact, the Alberta Enterprise Group,chaired by Cal Nichols, is hugelycommitted. Member companies of AEGcollectively employ more than 20,000

people across most industrial sectors,and generate billions of dollars ofeconomic activity. Last September, thegroup was front-and-centre at the largestAlberta trade delegation to ever descendon Washington, DC. Its primarypresentation to U.S. legislators andadministrators was titled Port of Alberta:Strategic Gateway in the Emerging Asia-North America Trade and TransportationLandbridge. In trumpeting the virtues ofthe Port of Prince Rupert and theestablishment of Port Alberta, it stressedthe advantages to the U.S.:

“The integrated supply chain conceptor strategic gateway is meant to securenot only speed of delivery but certaintyof delivery… The Port of Alberta willexpand market access, reducecongestion, and reduce bottlenecks thatare currently inhibiting economicgrowth. America’s interest in thedevelopment of the Port of Alberta will

boost American commerce with Asia,improve reliability for U.S. exports tothe Asian markets, and connect theUnited States further with Asia and itsrapidly expanding markets.”

Such strong support should ease

Riopel’s burden of convincing small,medium and large businesses to invest inthe opportunities that are presentingthemselves. “This is very much businessdriven,” she insists. “It won’t workunless the business community takes thelead and becomes very involved. Wemust not miss the opportunity to becomea player in the global economy.”

A growing number of Port Albertaproponents have seen the future: Itincludes ships, planes, trains and trucksand millions of 20-foot containersappearing on Edmonton’s horizon.

The next year will probably tell whatsort of a niche Edmonton can find inworld trade. It may just be a gusher. √


PORT ALBERTASTEERING COMMITTEEChair Reg Milley, President & CEOEdmonton Airports

Martin Salloum, President & CEOEdmonton Chamber of Commerce

Ron Gilbertson, President & CEOEdmonton Economic Development Corp.

Doug Maley, Assistant Deputy MinisterWestern Economic Diversification Canada

Gary Boddez, Deputy MinisterAlberta Transportation

Al Maurer, City ManagerCity of Edmonton

Paul Benedetto, City ManagerCity of Leduc

Doug Wright, County ManagerLeduc County

Pat Klak, Executive DirectorLeduc Nisku Development Authority

Janet Riopel, Project LeadPort Alberta

Ken Mamczasz, Interim Executive DirectorPort Alberta

Project LeadJanet RiopelProject LeadJanet Riopel

AEG President Tim Shipton introduces PremierEd Stelmack in the U.S. Senate in Washington, DCAEG President Tim Shipton introduces PremierEd Stelmack in the U.S. Senate in Washington, DC



hree days into law school, Edmonton-bornTom Ogaranko decided he was not going tobe a lawyer—for the information andcommunication technologies (ICT)

industries in Alberta, that’s a good thing.Recently, Ogaranko became chair of the Alberta ICT

Council, an industry-led organization comprised of ourlargest infotech and public sector support associations,whose goal is to deliver programs to strengthen ICTsector companies.

“It’s not just about the technology. It’s about using it tosolve fundamental problems in healthcare, education andthe heritage industries—agriculture, energy and forestry.”

The 39-year old is extremely passionate about thisprovince and about ICT. He has firm beliefs.

“Fundamentally, ICT is an enabler to everything. Weneed to ensure that sector is healthy.” Ogaranko feels thatmore established industries must recognize and leveragethe value that ICT can deliver to drive productivity,adding that the sector needs to be seen as more than just

an input factor to those other sectors.“There are huge opportunity costs to the province

because we’re not embracing technology as aggressivelyas we might. Fundamentally, without a strong ICT sector,we do not have an economy.”

Ogaranko is on a crusade. He wants to open the door toa broader provincial debate on the importance of theprovince’s ICT.

Timing couldn’t be better. In light of the currenteconomic situation, there are opportunities to helpAlberta deal with the global recession and make it morecompetitive.

“Alberta is certainly well positioned. It has the networkinfrastructures and Albertans have the highest adoptionrate of consumer electronics… and we have no shortageof imagination.”

So, what’s holding us back?“We don’t install technology fast enough in our

businesses. We (often) don’t understand business modelsand how they can change because of technology. We also

have a fear of implementation and, of course, there isoften both a resistance to and a cost of change.”

According to Ogaranko, we work in our businesses andnot on them… so there is a huge need by the ICTindustry, with the help of the Alberta ICT Council andrespective associations, to communicate its valueproposition. Another way is by assessing successeselsewhere.

Ogaranko cites a Harvard Business Review study of theU.S. economy over the last decade that found 80 percentof productivity growth has been correlated with industrialinvestment in IT. He mentions that similar studies inAustralia, New Zealand and the UK, show that between78 and 82 percent of their improvement in GDP wasdriven by ICT-related investments.

He argues that this can apply directly to Alberta where“…we have a sector with 6500 companies (according totax authorities)… 54,000 people directly employed and,when you factor in indirect occupations in establishedsectors, you have 105,000 people in IT in Alberta.”

TTBy Greg Gazin

Continued on page 14

for ICTTom’s CrusadeTom’s Crusade

Tom OgarankoChair of Alberta ICT Council

ow many angels dance on thehead of a pin? In today’s worldof nano sophistication, you justmight get an answer to this age

old question.When asked what excites him about

nano science and the potential fornanotechnology, Dr. Nils Petersen repliesemphatically, “It’s the fascination of beingable to work in a world that you cannot see.I sometimes compare it to people’sfascination with astrophysics, where youneed tools so you can see the stars that arefar, far away. You get fascinated with theunknown.”

He is the director-general of NINT, theNational Research Council’s NationalInstitute for Nanotechnology at theUniversity of Alberta. He is also aprofessor in physical chemistry at the Uof A where he researches intermolecularinteractions in biological membranes.

Petersen and his cadre ofresearchers at NINT depend on an

array of specialized equipment to study the universe at thenano scale. And here, we’re talking many times smallerthan the size of a human hair.

Nano science is all about getting down to basics:understanding how the world operates, molecule bymolecule, then manipulating those molecules or buildingblocks to develop something new.

Says Petersen, “That, I think, is exciting—the ability tolearn from nature and use nature in a constructive andplanned way. You can actually start to design newconstructs, new types of materials that will create differenttypes of things.”

Learning from biological systems at this molecular scalewill also help in the development of new systems ortechnologies based on biological insights. Nano-producedsynthetic biology has spin-offs for medical treatments, newforms of energy, and environmental mitigation, just to namea few.

Researching at this molecular scale brings togetherscientists from across many disciplines—chemists,physicists, biologists, engineers, computer scientists.Petersen calls it a convergence of the sciences, somethingthat is physically reflected in the design of the NINTbuilding on campus.

t’s taken millions of years for tiny microbes in the ground to break down organicmatter and turn it into oil.

Using the new science of genome sequencing, it may be possible to speed upthat process. That’s certainly the prediction of Dr. David Bailey, president and

CEO of Genome Alberta. Dr. Bailey says once the important microbes are identified, they can be seeded into oil

wells where they can change the viscosity of the crude. This, in turn, will make extractioneasier and more efficient.

But how do you compact millions of years of microbial action into mere decades?“In the past,” says Dr. Bailey, “you would have had competing microbial communities

working very slowly over time. If you remove some of that or influence the number ofmicrobial populations of a specific type, you could actually increase the rate of thathappening. I think that is all we’re looking at here. This would be more efficient if youused these communities versus that. The communities vary from location to location, butthat’s an important thing to determine and figure out because you don’t want to be seedingthem with a population that is not going to help them at all.”

This project is the highest priority for Genome Alberta. And Dr. Bailey believes wecould see results within one or two decades. √ ~ Cheryl Croucher

www.genomealberta.ca

ne of thematerialsSyncrudeCanada is

using to reconstruct theboreal landscape aftermining bitumen is tailingsleftover from production.

Through its instrumentedwatersheds program,Syncrude scientists havefound that tailings behavelike fine sand with lots ofsilt.

According toenvironmental scientistClara Qualizza, theexperimental tailingswatershed acts as a largestorage site for sand, butwithout artificial drainage.

“When we place tailingssand, we pour it. It’s movedin a pipeline so it is carriedin water. It takes a while forthat water to drain out of thetailings sands and so thatwater seeps out at the lowpoints in the landscapewhere the wetlands wouldbe.”

As part of the experimentin rebuilding watershedsremoved during oil sandsmining, the scientists constructed one area without topographic relief and another areawith a lot of hills and valleys. They found the reconstructed watershed with the hills in itflushed and the water drained out of those sands quicker.

As Qualizza explains, this flushing is important to reducing salinity in thereconstructed watershed. √ ~ Cheryl Croucher

www.syncrude.ca

II

OOMicrobesand Oil

Tailings SandWatershed



HHBy Cheryl Croucher

Working in a worldyou cannot see

Nanotech:Nanotech:

InstrumentedWatersheds III:

Clara Qualizza

Dr. David Bailey

Dr. Nils Petersen

BRIEFS

“It is designed to optimize interaction of people fromdifferent disciplines. So if you look through the design ofthe building, we have created it so that the chemistry labsare next to the biology labs which are next to theengineering labs so that you have a natural flow of peoplewho will interact with each other. You will also see thatthe seating arrangements are fairly open space so there arelots of opportunities for people to talk to each other acrossthe different disciplines… it is almost like a socialengineering environment from that point of view.“

The building is also constructed to shield the sensitiveequipment these scientists are working with from sound,vibration and electromagnetic radiation.

And just what exactly are these nano scientists workingon?

As Petersen explains, the NINT program is strategicallyfocused on four major areas: energy, medicine, molecularelectronics, and bio-industries. In the case of bio-industries, these are related to agriculture and forestry.

“We are trying to understand how one might be able toget new materials that come from a biological source andcarbon source other than the petrochemical one, and see ifwe can substitute the plastics of today with another kindof material with similar or better properties.”

In terms of energy research, Dr. Petersen is looking foropportunities that combine Alberta’s expertise in this areawith the innovation potential of nanotechnology.

One such opportunity is research on creating betterstructural materials for solar cells. Engineer Dr. MichaelBrett and inorganic chemist Dr. Jillian Buriak arecombining their expertise to make some interestingmodifications at the molecular level. According toPetersen, “They think they have an edge in trying to createnew kinds of materials that will improve the efficiency ofcapturing light and converting it into electricity.”

Another project is focused on hydrogen storage. Led bymaterials scientist Dr. David Mitlin, the goal here is tomodify materials so they absorb hydrogen and store it as

an energy battery, then release it when needed.Dr. Petersen explains the significance of this effort.

“That’s another example of a niche area of energy that webelieve will be important, particularly for Canada, becausehydrogen is coupled with fuel cells and Canada has astrong effort in general in fuel cells. There are somecompanies in this area. So it feeds into a strength for thecountry.”

He believes Canada can be a world leader in thedevelopment of new nanotechnologies and that we cancompete at an intellectual level.

“Globally speaking, Canada corresponds to about twopercent of GDP, but we generate four percent of theknowledge. We have a knowledge edge relative to the sizeof our economy.” He goes on to say this extra knowledgegeneration attracts scientists to Canada from other parts ofthe world, and “it also allows us to create newtechnologies here that hopefully will lead to new businessdevelopment as well.”

Certainly, there is strong support from the Albertagovernment for economic development based onnanotechnologies. Its most recent investment is inACAMP, the Alberta Centre for Advanced Microsystemsand Nanotechnology Products, a $11.5-million partnershipwith Western Economic Diversification.

Dr. Petersen sees the development of nanotechnologyover three phases. He describes the first phase as“mundane applications” such as nano particles to enhancepaint, cosmetics or cookware. Currently, the WoodrowWilson Foundation counts about 700 nano-enabledproducts worth $50 billion on the world market.

Phase two is replacement technology. Over the next fiveto 10 years, nanotechnology will invade our currentproduct lines, improving cell phones, cameras, andcomputer technology.

“And the third phase,” says Dr. Petersen, “which formany scientists is the most exciting, is the possibility ofseeing nanotechnology be transformational. That means

creating new products that we haven’t even thought abouttoday, creating new kinds of structures, materials that aresmart, respond to the environment and do things we arejust dreaming about from a science fiction point of view.”

How about nano paper that in itself is a computer?That’s just one example of sci-fi dreaming.

NINT is young, but it hit the road running. “We’vedefined the institute around 23 people we call principleinvestigators. Of those 23, 18 are new to Edmontonbecause of the institute,” explains Petersen.

He also credits his predecessor, Dr. Dan Wayner, withsome innovative talent development strategies. “Hecreated some positions for very young people who werejust starting out in their careers. We basically hired themand then seconded them to go to work in other institutionsbecause we did not have the lab space here. So we sentpeople to MIT, to Cornell, to Standford and to Cal-Tech.They learned some tools and then we repatriated them...Now they are building their own careers on the basis ofwhat they learned there.”

Given the quality of the team Dr. Nils Petersen hasgathered around him, NINT has all the right stuff to putEdmonton and Canada centre stage in the new era ofnanotechnology.

He’s confident we’ll see the NINT label on nanoinventions before too long. √

Learn more at www.nint.ca

To hear Cheryl’s conversation withDr. Nils Petersen, visitwww.innovationanthology.com

Cheryl Croucher hosts InnovationAnthology which is broadcast onCKUA Radio at 7:58 am and 4:58pm Tuesdays and Thursday. Ordownload the podcasts at www.innovationanthologyy.com

he mad cow crisis that hit Canadian beef farmers five and half years agohas given rise to a concerted scientific effort.

Some researchers are looking for the cause of the disease. Others arelooking for treatments.

And then, there is Dr. Ellen Goddard, a professor and co-operative chair inagricultural marketing and business in the department of rural economy at theUniversity of Alberta.. She’s leading a broad investigation into the social andeconomic impacts of mad cow disease for the Alberta Prion Research Institute.

One focus is whether the mad cow crisis changed consumer behavior. Dr. Goddardfound that at the discovery of the first mad cow in Alberta, consumers actually ralliedto support farmers, and beef consumption increased for a time. Mad cow disease is nottop of mind when it comes to buying food.

Dr. Goddard explains, “We’ve done comparisons of Canadian consumers toconsumers in the Netherlands. And there are other concerns that seem to be muchmore strongly felt by Canadian consumers than mad cow disease. Canadian consumersseem to be much more concerned about things like antibiotics in food. The whole trendabout buying local, buying natural seems to have its roots in production practices thatmight be based on the farm.”

The social research of Dr. Goddard’s team will help inform the development ofbetter public policy toward food safety and the mitigation of catastrophic loss forproducers. √ ~ Cheryl Croucher

www.ales.ualberta.ca

TT

TheSocio-Economic

Side of

Mad Cow



Dr. Ellen Goddard



re you in touch with yourorganization’s soul? If not, it’stime to look in the mirror. Why?Simple, you’re planning to

implement social media enterprise-wide andyou should ensure you’ve completed thisfirst step. Understanding your owncorporate culture, that of the social web,and then calculating your willingness tofully participate openly and honestly is acrucial first step. The technology is so easyto implement, liken it to quicksand—easyto get into, near impossible to get out ofand, in this case, we’re talking about yourbrand and livelihood that are at stake.

A common misconception today is thatsocial media is an information technologyproject. Social media is not first andforemost an IT project. All due respect tothose really smart guys and gals in your ITdepartment but simply handing over yournew social media idea to them forces theorganization down a slippery slope from thebeginning. An initial focus on the Web 2.0technology—quicksand. You’ve just armedyour organization with a powerful set ofcommunications tools that exposes yoursoul. Is your IT department equipped toensure you’re ready for that reality?

This is the precise stage of evolutionwhere Troy Wason, senior communicationsofficer for Government Caucus Communi-cations (Social Media) finds himself withhis www.mypcmla.ca project. He attendedmy recent presentation to the Edmontonchapter of the Canadian Public RelationsSociety, after which he introduced himself.Fast forward to a follow-up meeting wherewe talked about, among other things, hisexperiences and passion for Alberta politics,his love for the Edmonton Eskimos and thegreat Bobby Orr. Wason explained that thepurpose of this website project is to create aseries of inter-related websites that contain

social media influences and capabilities,one for each member of the PC caucus.

The goal: Increase the dialogue betweenAlbertans and their PC MLAs. Accordingto Wason, they regularly communicate withtheir constituents throughout the province inmany different ways. In fact, he’s a largepart of that effort. However, because of thedesired social media influences within thisproject, Wason feels this is a new direction.As such, he’s spending a great deal of histime communicating what he believes to bethe virtues of social media to the MLAs.

Wason has consensus from caucus tomove forward. He pointed out that thepremier likes social media too. “PremierStelmach understands that it can changehow we communicate with Albertans,especially with the millennials.”

Having the support of the premier iscertainly critical. That said, there is more

work ahead. Wason still faces severalchallenges as I see it: convincing MLAsthat learning these new skills and thenintegrating them into daily routines is aworthy effort… convincing Albertans toengage with their MLA in the way he’sproposed… and, despite having severalchoices, using the appropriate technologiesto support and encourage the dialogue heenvisions.

Can Wason do it? Not without thesupport of the entire caucus.

Is caucus prepared for this? I hope, forAlberta’s sake, it is. √

Walter Schwabe is the Chief EvolutionOfficer of fusedlogic inc., a social mediastrategy firm and Alberta company since2000. You can learn more atwww.fusedlogic.com

AA

February 4AWE Inspiring Women LuncheonSpeaker Katherine Lomax11:30 to 1:30pmUnion Bank Inn 10053 Jasper AvenueRegistration: www.awebusiness.com

February 5THECIS Breakfast Club Dr. Gary Albach, Nanotechnology in Alberta7 to 9amRoyal Glenora ClubRegister www.thecis.ca

February 8-10Bio Partnering: North AmericaSupported by Canadian Trade Commissioner In Vancouver at the Westin Bayshore Resortwww.biopartnering.com/home/home/section.htm

February 10Alberta Women Entrepreneurs AssociationInformation Session for Your Business12:15 to 1 pm Suite 100, 10237–104 Streetwww.awebusiness.com

February 18ECAT and Digital Solutions AllianceOne day seminar and ECAT AGM-DinnerMaking IT in Alberta Ingenuity 2009: Reflation 101Royal Glenora ClubContact [email protected]

February 25UofA School of Business4th Annual TechnologyCommercialization DinnerGuest Speaker Ken Brizel CEO of ACAMP6-8pmU of A Faculty Clubwww.business.ualberta.ca/tcc/events.htm

February 27-28Health and Wellness ShowMayfield Inn Trade CentreProduced by The Kachkar GroupPhone: 780.424.9224www.edmontonhealthandwellness.com

On theHORIZONFEBRUARY

101with Walter SchwabemediamediaSocial

Ogaranko confesses he hasn’t run this by an economist,nor is he one. Nonetheless, he says applying the samesettings to Alberta implies that 15 percent of our GDP isdirectly or indirectly driven by information technology. Bysector, this makes it the third largest industry—after energyand agriculture and ahead of forestry—with 20,000employees and a $20-billion dollar direct or indirect impacton the economy.

“This is the argument I want to build on my crusade.”He has many examples, but Ogaranko favours the impact

of deploying ICT in the agriculture sector: “There are threemillion cows in Alberta. If you can trace information andeverything related to raising a cow”—from gate to plate, ashe called it—that added value could add $20 to $100 perhead having that information.

“Across Alberta, that’s $50 million in revenue that wecould be leaving on the table… with the industry average of(only) $5 to track that information.”

And while part of the challenge is in the pace of theeconomy, the other has been within the ICT sector itself.Ogaranko sees them as opportunities and strategic prioritiesfor the council.

“We have less than three percent of Alberta’s venturecapital. It’s been tough to compete with the recent returns inthe oil and gas and real estate sectors. We have severelabour shortages—at less than one percent unemploymentrate in ICT, a crisis and a serious issue—and, of course, theview of ICT companies as being simply service providers.”

Access to capital, particularly at early and growth stages,is being addressed by the Banff Venture Forum and otherangel investment networks and initiatives like IVAC andAlberta Capital Corporation. There are recruitmentcampaigns put on by the council and the province,including one called Check out IT, to address workforcechallenges, deal with reduced enrolment in educationalinstitutions, and create awareness of related occupations.

Health of the ICT sector also relies on companiesdeveloping their own intellectual properties rather thanbeing service providers.

A RECORD OF ACHIEVEMENTOgaranko is humble about his own success and how heapplied his philosophies to his own business, RedengineInc. At one point, it was strictly an IT and managementconsulting firm and well known as a “web” shop. Today,with customers in eight countries, 75 percent of its revenueis from software licensing and subscriptions for e-learning,collaboration tools and decision support. Redengine haswon 25 awards and been named one of our best-runcompanies.

His latest venture, Redengine Health Inc, was formed lastJuly as the commercial component to market the WirelessWearable Physiological Monitor (WWPM), after five yearsof R&D conducted at the U of A. This project was designedto develop new physiological sensors for integration intohealth monitoring, health promotion and illness prevention.We can expect to hear more about this in the future.

Despite his accomplishments and those of many others,the relationship between the traditional sectors and ICT hasyet to produce a billion dollar market-cap company in thissector. According to Ogaranko, the closest is Bioware, in anunrelated sector, entertainment and gaming.

Initiatives put on by industry associations like DigitalAlberta, an Alberta ICT Council member, help buildcapacity. Market access programs prepare and supportdigital media companies looking to enter new marketsacross Canada and around the world.

Ogaranko appears well qualified for his role. That he isnot an economist—having dropped out of the coursebecause he hated calculus and linear algebra, in favour ofa philosophy and law degree—does not diminish hiscapabilities or the value of what he has to say.

His roots in ICT are deep. “It paid my way through aphilosophy degree,” he remembers. “It got me started inthe industry.”

Through the U of A, he worked on a study of the broadimpact of ICT on society from an inter-disciplinaryperspective. It found its way to the Premier’s Council inScience and Technology. Upon graduation, a phone call

from director Barbara Nyland resulted in an interviewand subsequent research position.

“They asked me to assist in doing an assessment ofAlberta’s info tech infrastructure. That led to a list of awhole host of consulting engagements in the area ofunderstanding the industry and the strategy to develop thesector in the province.”

He eventually became involved with Minister LorneTaylor and the ICT Task Force on strategy developmentin 1998. It became Ogaranko’s inspiration andmotivation.

“I decided to live that vision by building a company—that’s Redengine. As we built the company, I realized thatthere were a variety of things in the context of thatexperience that really required companies to bandtogether to figure things out for themselves, particularlyin an emerging sector.”

First, Ogaranko became an attendee at myriad industryevents and then sought ways of becoming engaged withassociations directly. His service on various boards overthe past decade has given him a strong perspective onbroader strategies that can generate sector growth.

So, passion and vision aside, why is Ogaranko doingall this?

“I have a sense of obligation. I was handed someopportunities that shaped me.” Getting emotional, headds, “I was inspired and was grateful. And second—paying it forward.”

Ogaranko, who lives in Sherwood Park with wifeHeather and children Sophie and Alan, explains, “I havetwo small kids. What kind of Alberta do I want them tobe in?”

Thus, his crusade continues. √

Greg Gazin, “The Gadget Guy”, is a serial entrepreneur,freelance technology columnist, small business speaker,an avid Podcaster and producer of Toastcaster.com. Gregcan be reached at 780. 424.1881 or [email protected]




n the ever-changing landscape of the travel andtourism industry, Edmonton welcomed a new playerto the arena in 2007. Urban Insight, founded byKaren Evenden, offers individual travelers, travel

agents and tour operators an authority on Edmonton and itsattractions.

Growing up in England, Evenden imagined herself onthe sunny beaches of Australia… not the beautiful butdistant coast of Newfoundland. After six years as ownerand operator of a travel agency there, she moved to

Edmonton three years ago. WhileEvenden was working withHostelling International atCanada’s West Market PlaceTrade Show, Miranda McKinleyplanted the seed for Urban Insightby saying “we need a company tospecialize in Edmonton.”

“We needed someone whocould focus on this city as afantastic destination with lots tooffer, in addition to WestEdmonton Mall,” says Evenden.With travelers focusing more onan all-inclusive travel experience,Urban Insight combines her

agency expertise with the knowledge she gained inbecoming an “Edmontonian” to assist travel agents inpackaging Edmonton and Alberta.

Urban Insight has begun to market itself using variousmedia such as a full page ad in STAY magazine, distributedthroughout Western Canada. While its website,urbaninsight.ca, is easy for the individual traveler to use tochoose local activities and accommodation, the mainaudience is travel agents and tour operators. A website is a

must in the travel industry since many travelers use theweb to research specific destinations even if they do notactually book their trips online. But, how do you get theright people to visit? Possibilities include SEO or SearchEngine Optimization, a process of cross referencing mostsearched words in an industry and ensuring they areincluded in the site content… purchasing googleadwords… or advertising on specific travel industry sites.

One marketing option Evenden hadn’t consideredusing—many businesses don’t—is public relations as atool to reach potential buyers. For new initiativesespecially, notifying editors and writers about the businessand asking for editorial coverage in industry publicationscan be an inexpensive, effective way to announce to thetarget audience that you’re open for business.

Evenden’s favourite mistake? “People said that leavingNewfoundland and quitting the business there was amistake, but I haven’t regretted it.” √

Erin Rayner is president of ED Marketing andCommunications Inc. You can submit marketingmaterials for review; suggest young entrepreneurs tobe profiled; nominate a Top Three; or ask a businessdevelopement question. [email protected]

By Erin Rayner

For Young Entreprenuersmy spaceE

EdmontonDestination

II

The Businessof Lovehere’s the wedding invite, and then there’s thewedding unvite. The latter, an unofficial“Seinfeldian” term for a last-minute weddingwelcome that falls short of sincere.

In the classic Seinfeld episode called The Betrayal,character Elaine Benes receives her invitation to a weddingin India just one day before the ceremony. It’s obvious thecouple doesn’t really want Elaine at their nuptials but theydon’t have the heart to tell her.

Unvites are not unusual, says wedding expert AnneMacLean, who consults with up to five couples a day inher role at Notables Stationers.

“Couples will order two sets of invitations well inadvance with two separate reply dates,” says MacLean.“They’ll send one set out, wait for a reply, and then sendtheir second set out at a later date.”

The thought of trying to execute such a cloak and daggerstrategy has my head spinning already. On the heels ofselecting (and excluding) friends for my wedding party,choosing a far-away destination and going “Adults Only” (awhole other column), I’m not so sure I can handle morecontroversy.

With our intimate Costa Rican weddingjust months away, my fiancée, CapitalFM’s Kari Skelton, and I had to makea tough decision: Keep the group smalland step on more toes than ShaquilleO’Neal at a salsa dancing class, or openup the guest list and break the bank likeJesse James.

MacLean’s advice is to make your bigday your own. “It’s your wedding so theguest list is your decision. Some peopleare going to take offence no matter what.That’s not a problem with the couple getting married. It’s aproblem with the couple receiving the invitation.”

That said, it’s tough to imagine simply shrugging off thehurt feelings of a friend or relative who didn’t make the cut.But, in the age of e-mail RSVPs, wedding websites, cost-splitting between couples and parents, and decliningnumbers of traditional church ceremonies, is there evensuch thing as wedding etiquette anymore?

“It’s really what the bride and groom want, even if itseems improper,” MacLean assures me. “When there’s

limited space, your list is short for areason.”

Seinfeld enthusiasts will neverforget the debacle that unfolded when

Elaine actually accepted her unvitation, flyingall the way to India to publicly prove a point. The thoughtof a similar tropical tantrum in Costa Rica this Marchhelped Kari and me decide against sending out unvitations.

If I get a call from somebodywondering where their invitation is, I’mblaming the postman. √

Ryan Jespersen hosts Breakfast Televisionweekday mornings from 6-10 am onCitytv. E-mail Ryan [email protected]

TTWith Ryan Jespersen

Kim and hermom, Kay

Invites...unvites?

Edmontonians Feb09

Documents

Transcript of Edmontonians Feb09