Volume 4 • Issue 3
Message From The Editor
Towards innovative solutions for the industry
Successfully navigating through our uncertain economic climate may require the electrical industry to focus on new and innovative solutions, suggests Jim Taggart in his column. The economic climate has been the subject of much discussion since the arrival of the new U.S. administration, and here contributor Paul Eitmant talks about issues related to the possible renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement. These changes are not just limited to the political scene. The sad events earlier this week in Quebec concern us all, and argue for an open industry in which we must show leadership and promote our openness to diversity. It's a guarantee of prosperity. Good reading!
Line Goyette, Managing Editor
linegoyette@kerrwil.com
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Changing Scene
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EFC Appoints New President & CEO
Electro-Federation Canada's Executive Committee and Board of Directors are pleased to announce the appointment of Carol McGlogan as President & CEO of EFC, effective April 1, 2017…
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Hubbell Canada Announces Structural Changes
Hubbell Canada LP has welcomed the Burndy Canada organization under its umbrella of premium brands, effective January 1. This brings the two organizations closer to building a single operating business later this year…
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Stelpro Joins Forces with Three IoT Leaders to Develop Maestro - Smart Thermostats
Stelpro has teamed up with three Internet of Things (IoT) partners to develop and bring to market Maestro - Smart Thermostats, a game changing smart home solution for electric heat that enables users to easily customize their home comfort experience while reducing heating expenses…
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- YPN National Committee Plans for 2017
The Young Professionals Network's National Committee met recently at the Standard Products office in Montreal to lay out a roadmap for 2017, which is shaping up to be an even greater success than 2016…
- Douglas Lighting Controls Opens New Office Space in Canada
Douglas Lighting Controls has opened a state-of-the-art facility in Burnaby, BC to serve as its headquarters. The new space exclusively features Douglas lighting systems throughout, as well as other advanced technologies and best design practices…
- Viscor Inc. Appoints New Regional Sales Manager for Western Canada
Viscor welcomes the newest addition to its team, Max E. Andrews. Max will be joining Viscor as a regional sales manager, supporting the Visioneering and Certolux brands in Western Canada…
- Patricia Dennison Joins Hammond Manufacturing as Ontario Data/Comm Product Manager
With over 16 years of experience working in wholesale distribution, Patricia Dennison is responsible for developing new business opportunities and growing the demand for Hammond's racks, cabinets and accessories within Ontario…
- GTHA Conservation Group Members Partner with Sonepar Canada - BlueWay
A partnership between Sonepar Canada - BlueWay and LDC members of the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) Conservation Group and could help small businesses manage electricity costs…
- François Deschênes Named President and CEO of Groupe Deschênes Inc.
Groupe Deschênes Inc., has appointed François Deschênes as President and Chief Executive Officer. François previously held the position of Vice President, Operations, for the Quebec Region…
- ABB to Establish North American R&D Facility in Montreal
Canadians will develop next-generation solutions for electric vehicles as a result of a $90-million investment by ABB, which is establishing a new headquarters and research and development centre in Montreal…
- Siemens Investing $133 million in Dorval, PQ Plant
Siemens plans to invest $110.6 million in research and development activities at its plant in Dorval to design and make improvements to aero-derivative gas turbines. The firm also intends to invest $22 million in a platform that will help businesses boost productivity and improve employee training…
- Lumen Atlantic Announces New Employees
Shannon Fougere, Regional Director at Lumen Atlantic Provinces, has appointed Wayne Hall as Branch Manager at the Dartmouth location, and Janet Anthony, who will support Operations and Project Coordination at both the Dartmouth and Moncton locations…
- EiKO Global's Rick Laird Takes Over for Gary Withers
Rick Laird, formerly President of EiKO Global, has assumed the role of President and CEO. Outgoing CEO Gary Withers retired on December 31…
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Opinion
The Solution
By Jim Taggart
Living in Ontario, it's easy to get depressed about the state of our economy. With excessively high electricity rates, additional "cap and trade" costs under the new Climate Change Action Plan, and higher corporate tax rates when compared to Trump's proposed 15% U.S. rate, it is getting tougher to control costs and remain profitable. In this tough economic climate, what can/should we do? I suggest we focus on the emerging growth segments. With our government's sustainability push, our industry is ripe with potential for selling new electrical solutions.
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Trade
Trump Will Sign Executive Orders to Renegotiate NAFTA and Pulls Out of TPP
By Paul Eitmant
Today we still do not have details from President Trump concerning NAFTA. The North American Free Trade Agreement took effect in 1994. Trade experts, academics and government officials say Canada and Mexico will also seek tough concessions, and that NAFTA's zero-tariff rate would be extremely difficult to alter. Any renegotiation would likely take several years, they say. Here are a few examples concerning what might happen and the concerns and issues that need to covered if and when the agreement is changed.
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Looking Back
The Future of the Small Independent Distributor
Electrical distribution companies operating in British Columbia will continue to get larger while most smaller independents will gradually disappear, predicted Art Reid, manager, B.C. District, Wesco Westinghouse Sales & Distribution Co. of Burnaby. In fact, he pointed out, there are no small independents left in British Columbia. He believed Quebec is the only province where many small independents continue to exist.
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Technology
Rise of the Supergrid: DC Electricity Now Flows Across Continents
Transmitting power over thousands of kilometres requires a new electricity infrastructure, asserts The Economist in a recent article. Here's an example already in the works: later this year construction may begin on a 1,100 km long cable between Oklamoma and western Tennessee. The line will use direct current (DC) rather than the alternating current (AC) that electricity grids usually employ, and will run at a higher voltage than such grids use — 600,000 volts, rather than 400,000. This is a possible solution to the problem of how to transport green power generated by fixed sources, such as wind, solar and hydroelectric, to power stations located elsewhere.
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Economy
November Investment in New Housing Construction up 4.1% YOY
Investment in new residential construction totalled $4.5 billion in November, up 4.1% from November 2015. For the second consecutive month, the increase at the national level reflected higher investment in all types of dwelling. However, only three provinces reported gains. The seven others reported a year-over-year decrease. Spending on single-family dwellings accounted for over half of the advance, and totalled $2.3 billion in November.
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Economy
Q4 Non-residential Construction Investment Declines for 7th Time in 8 Quarters
Investment in non-residential building construction totalled $12.3 billion in the fourth quarter, down 0.7% from the previous quarter. This marks the seventh decrease in eight quarters. Nationally, the decline reflected lower spending on commercial and industrial building construction. Overall, non-residential investment fell in six provinces, with British Columbia posting the largest decline and Alberta a distant second. New Brunswick and Manitoba both recorded their third straight quarterly advance.
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SURVEY SAYS
Median Salary by Employer Type
Franchises lead, but not by much. See how three other types of employers compare.
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In The Next Issue
The most recent changes in copper
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The Electrical Stock Market
Track the stock market performance of 25 publicly traded electrical equipment suppliers and electrical wholesalers. Updated weekly.
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Careers
Time for a Change? New Job Openings
Access the latest job and career opportunities in Canada's electrical industry today. New listings posted regularly.
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Events Calendar
Training, networking and professional development opportunities for members of Canada's electrical industry.
2017 Canadian Energy Industry - Updates and Insights
February 6, 2017
Ottawa, ON
Manitoba Electrical Expo
February 22-23, 2017
Winnipeg, MB
View all Events
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