Business

Personal Reflections: Western Training

Cory Devoe, is a 25 year old Journeyman Pipefitter, From Newfoundland & Labrador. That I trained with on a project outside Grande Prairie, Alberta with Reed Energy Group.

A new chapter begins

Life is about making decisions and some are easier than others but all have consequences. The reality of these decisions when unprepared to face them can be emotionally damaging, and lead a person astray.

“Believe in your vision, and work hard to achieve your dream. Never quit, live with integrity, unite, don’t divide.” – Lessons From My Grandfather

When deciding to advance my education it required me to move from my home and love in Ottawa, ON Canada. Unlike many of my peers who choose to advance their education by enrolling in a Masters degree. After 7 years of work experience in the finance and business technology sector, I felt that there was a missing element to my professional development that needed to be addressed. I needed to develop a hard skill, that would compensate well and support my life and small family. Despite my strong academic background and proven abilities the excess supply of undergraduates and limited demand made this a differentiation characteristic I knew would be valuable in the present, and future.

I have learned project management, procurement, health & safety, engineered drawings, and the importance of financial controls at a ground level, not to mention how to cut, thread, measure, and assemble steel production; this experience has helped balance out my liberal arts, urban, digital perspectives and allowed me to see first hand the true potential of Canadian industry development and the importance of the Build Force Canada initiative.

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A Brotherhood Of Hard Workers

For more information viisit www.boilermakers.org

Sometimes I feel that modern digital technology has made our society forget about the original and real innovators in our time. Understanding the scope and importance of traditional trades is important to the long term stability, strength and integrity of our modern domestic city infrastructures.

Computers assist and aid in productivity of our work there is zero debate about that, however in the end we need strong men and women to execute and build the things we dream of. Manpower is something that can’t be replaced no matter how much technologist try.

What is a Boilermaker?

Many boilermakers are employed in repairing, repiping, and re-tubing commercial steam and hot water boilers used for heating and domestic hot water in commercial buildings and multi-family dwellings. Sometimes these boilers are referred to as pressure vessels. Generally, a pressure vessel is a storage tank or vessel that has been designed to operate at pressures above 15 p.s.i.g. The two main tasks of boilermakers involve using oxy-acetylene gas torch sets to cut or gouge steel plate and tubes, followed by gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW), shielded metal arc welding (SMAW), or gas metal arc welding (GMAW) to attach and mend the cut sections of tubes and steel plates.

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Analytica Advisors: Open Letter Canadian Cleantech Sector

Dear Jerome,

Last week the Globe and Mail reported that Mark Carney, in his final speech as Governor of the Bank of Canada, said that faster economic growth will depend on business investment and export growth. He stated that exports should be $130 billion higher now if the trajectory of previous recessions is a guide, and that the central bank expects business investment to remain below average.investment to remain below average.

CleanTech

In the previous Spotlight on Cleantech we discussed the contributions of small and medium-sized enterprises to as was the case before the disappearance of liquidity during the global financial crisis and the loss of more than 10 years of export gains by SMEs, including rising exports during the appreciation of the Canadian dollar starting in 2003.Canada’s exports. Canadian SMEs have proven that they can deliver $84 billion on non-resources exports annually [i],

Canadian clean technology companies are accomplished exporters, with 48% of industry revenues being derived from exports and 44% of these exports being to countries other than the US. Estimated exports for the clean technology industry were $5.2 billion in 2011, approximately 9% of 2010 SME non-resources-related exports. We forecast that the industry will deliver between $10.6 and $17.5 billion in exports by 2015, a doubling or tripling of 2011 exports. Continue reading →

Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission

About the CRTC

telecom_sector

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) is an independent public organization that regulates and supervises the Canadian Radio, Television and Telecommunications sector.
The CRTC does NOT regulate newspapers, magazines, cell phone rates, the quality of service and business practices of cell phone companies, or the quality and content of TV and radio programs.broadcasting and telecommunications systems.
As an independent organization, the CRTC works to serve the needs and interests of citizens, industries, interest groups and the government.
The CRTC reports to Parliament through the Minister of Canadian Heritage.

Mandate

The CRTC’s mandate is to ensure that both the broadcasting and telecommunications systems serve the Canadian public. The CRTC uses the objectives in the Broadcasting Act and the Telecommunications Act to guide its policy decisions.

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Harper announces energy innovation projects across Canada

May 3, 2013
Quebec City, Quebec

Click the logo to read the press release from CO2 Solutions

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced support for 55 innovative new projects aimed at producing and using energy in a cleaner, more efficient way. Support is being provided through the Government of Canada’s ecoENERGY Innovation Initiative, which was introduced in Budget 2011, and is being led by Natural Resources Canada. The Prime Minister was joined by Christian Paradis, Minister of Industry and Minister of State (Agriculture), and Steven Blaney, Minister of Veteran Affairs and Minister for La Francophonie.

“Our Government is positioning Canada as a global leader in the clean energy sector by supporting innovative projects across the country aimed at producing and using energy in a cleaner and more efficient way,” said the Prime Minister. “The research and development generated by the projects being announced today will also maintain and create jobs, while benefitting the environment.”

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PM Announces Investment Treaty with Nigeria

May 1, 2013

Ottawa, Ontario

Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Mohammed Namadi Sambo, Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, today announced the conclusion of negotiations toward a Canada-Nigeria Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPA). The announcement was made following a bilateral meeting that was part of Mr. Sambo’s visit to Canada from April 30 to May 4, 2013.

Photo credit curtsey of businessnews.com.ng/business/

Photo Curtsey of businessnews.com.ng/business/

“This agreement will facilitate investment flows between Canada and Nigeria, contributing to job creation and economic growth in both countries,” said Prime Minister Harper. “It will provide Canadian companies and investors with the protection and confidence they need to take advantage of the many commercial opportunities in Africa’s most populous nation.”

The Agreement will come into force once both parties complete their respective domestic ratification processes. There are significant Canadian investment opportunities in Nigeria, including in the extractive, information and communications technology, agriculture and infrastructure sectors.

Nigeria is Canada’s largest trading partner in sub-Saharan Africa. Since 2006, annual bilateral trade between the two countries has more than doubled, reaching $2.3 billion by 2012. In 2011, Canadian direct investment in Nigeria totalled $36 million and is expected to grow as a result of this FIPA.

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Spotlight: Canada’s Green Technology Leader – Energate

Â About The Founder

NIRAJ BHARGAVA, BASc, MBA, ICD.D Co-Founder, Chairman & CEO, Energate Inc.

NIRAJ BHARGAVA, BASc, MBA, ICD.D Co-Founder, Chairman & CEO, Energate Inc. Niraj Bhargava is Co-Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Energate Inc., a company specializing in home energy management solutions. Previously, Niraj was President and CEO of Enerstat Limited, the company that first commercialized the electronic programmable thermostat. After Enerstat, Niraj became a faculty member in Entrepreneurship at Queenâ€™s University, Founder and CEO of Queenâ€™s Centre for Enterprise Development, and then Dean of the Business School at Royal Roads University. Earlier in his career, Niraj practiced engineering at Bell-Northern Research, marketing and business development at Northern Telecom and General Electric, and was General Manager of GE Energy Management. Niraj has a BASc from University of Waterloo and an MBA from Ivey Business School, including an International Business Certificate from Stockholm School of Economics. With his degree in Systems Design Engineering, Niraj received his Professional Engineering license in 1989.

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Royal Bank Takes Social Finance Leadership

By: J eromeDowney

Recently the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) suffered a public relations setback with the announcements of the outsourcing of jobs within the banks internal administrative IT division. This type of negative media focus has been prevalent since the 2008 financial crisis for many banks. With record job losses, home foreclosures and the rise of predatory B lending capital there has been no shortage of material for public’s scrutiny. However with that said positive solutions must come out of this financial crisis one way or another. And that is where the concept of social finance as a new financial tool of lending capital has an opportunity to succeed.

Finance As a Tool of Equity and Growth

The financial service sector has always been an engine of economic growth for North America’s economy. The development of different financial instruments, products, services and credit approval criteria has revolutionized how money is exchanged between consumers and merchants. In Canada our finances have become increasingly digitized. We have online banking, secured/unsecured credit cards, and simple debt cards. We have online equity trading platforms and a verity of other tools that enables the economic flow of capital. However there has been little development on the technology of lending criteria. The big question social finance can help us answer is “How do we value the human element of capital”?

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Leadership Development and Executive Coaching

Professional Development

I have always encouraged and supported the practice and development of professional executive coaching. Any young or seasoned professional that is developing businesses or working within established corporations can gain and benefit from the insights of a coach in the business world. Nikoleta understands the challenges of today’s business leaders. And it is for that reason that I highly recommend Nikoleta & Associates services particularly for those within my network who want to take things to the next level.

Founder of Nikoleta & Associates.

The Power of Executive Coaching

The process of becoming a leader involves commitment to growth, courage and penetrating guidance. At Nikoleta & Associates, we offer executive coaching and leadership development services designed to forge each client’s individual journey.

Executive Coaching – Executive coaching begins where the clients are, not where they think they should be – at Nikoleta & Associates, this is the origin of the journey. Executive coaching can accelerate a leader’s commitment to growth, propel team effectiveness and cohesion, and serve a strategic purpose for transition. Nikoleta & Associates is committed to helping executives garner the full opportunity that transitions offer, whether these transitions are between traditional jobs, between roles within a firm, or the day to day mini-transitions that highlight the executive’s inner challenges to growth and self-authorization

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Ottawa City’s First Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Roundtable

Ottawa – The City will be hosting its first ever Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Roundtable on Saturday, March 23, 2013. Predicted to be a day of engaging discussion, response to the event has been extremely positive, with registration filling up within a week of its announcement. The morning will feature presentations by well-known and respected panellists who will provide an update on the state of the issue, with a focus on both policies and programs that are being implemented to address climate change issues. The presentations will be followed by an open mic exchange between panellists and participants. The morning session will be webcast to give all residents an opportunity to share in the discussion.

“Climate change is a significant and well-documented phenomenon,” said Mayor Jim Watson. “Working with our residents and both levels of Government, the City of Ottawa will continue the challenging task of reducing the long-term, harmful effect of GHGs on our climate and the environment.”

City Council committed to hosting the Roundtable when the results of its 2004 and 2008 GHG inventory were received. This event supports the City’s commitment to producing a renewed and integrated Climate Change Plan for Ottawa that will build on the important work currently underway with the Official Plan, Transportation and Infrastructure Master Plan updates. These, combined with the reporting of the 2012 GHG inventory, will set the stage for delivery of a comprehensive Air Quality and Climate Change Management Plan for Ottawa to be completed in the first half of 2014.

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