Innovation + Job News

The California-based company Better Place, who promote the use of electric vehicles, officially opened their Toronto operations earlier this month.  As of March 4, the company is operating a electric vehicle demonstration centre at Toronto's Evergreen Brick Works in the Don Valley just east of Rosedale, where members of the general public can learn more about electric vehicles and see a sample of a charging station.

The project, which received $1 million in funding form the provincial government, also includes eight GTA charging stations that will mostly serve participating corporate partners for now, located in Barrie, Toronto, Bowmanville, Markham, Vaughan and Ajax.

Better Place's North American VP, Jason Wolf, says in a statement that this type of project is part of setting the stage for "mass adoption" as the first-generation of electric vehicles rolls off the assembly lines. "This project highlights some of the key building blocks to get there: government leadership; public education; and a smart network system that scales and delivers benefits to the grid, rather than strains it." In addition to the provincial government, Better Places is working with the City of Toronto and regional utilities in the suburbs.

Writer: Edward Keenan
Sources: John Proctor, Better Place; Leigh-Ann Popek, office of the Minister of Economic Development

The GTA region of Durham--including Ajax, Whitby, Pickering and Oshawa--has traditionally had its employment anchored by the Oshawa GM plant. As the economy around car manufacturing undergoes a massive global transition, so is the regional economy.

To help that transition along, the provincial government recently announced an $83,000 grant aimed at job-creation projects in the region that will focus on driving the local economy into new sectors around innovation and cleantech. The funding will go to four specific projects: developing a strategy to attract clean technology investment; hosting a manufacturing expo aimed at attracting and showcasing innovation; launching a local business development website; and strengthening the "supply chain" in the local energy sector.

Roger Anderson, the regional chair, said that this investment will give companies a better look at why local municipalities are good places to invest, by promoting "economic development opportunities," letting employers "see what Durham Region has to offer."

Sandra Pupatello, Minister of Economic Development and Trade, said in announcing the grant that "Helping Durham region evolve its economy" will ensure the region's municipalities remain "globally competitive."

Writer: Edward Keenan
Sources: Melissa Bies, Region of Durham; Tim Weber, Office of the Minister of Economic Development and Trade

Earlier this month, the provincial government announced changes in Ontario's pharmacy regulations that will, as the announcement says, "enable prescriptions to be dispensed using remote dispensing technology without a pharmacist being physically present."

This is good news for Oakville-based tech firm PharmaTrust, whose technology MedCentre is designed specifically to enable remote prescription medication dispensing. Don Waugh, chairman of PharmaTrust's parent company, greeted the news, saying demand for his service is growing due to an aging population. "This is good news for patients who require greater access to pharmaceutical care."

The MedCentre technology is called a "pharmacy in a box" -- a station with a video monitor that allows patients to have a face-to-face consultation with a pharmacist even when they are located miles from the actual building that the pharmacist is in. It takes payments and dispenses drugs on the spot, eliminating the need to open whole new pharmacies in remote areas.

As the news of growth prospects arrives, the company is hiring now.

Writer: Edward Keenan
Source: Susan Fenton, PharmaTrust

Oakville's Pipeline Studios has grown quickly since its launch in 2007, taking on computer animation projects for such entertainment powerhouses as Nelvana, Nick Jr., Hasbro and the Disney Channel, including working on the kids' show blockbuster The Backyardigans. In that time they've also grown from 24 to 90 employees, and continue to hire now, according to company co-founder Juan Lopez.

"It's a constant process of growing and hiring," Lopez says. "it's a key advantage, having made a large investment in technology, but also being close to a pool of very highly skilled labour." He notes that Canada�and the GTA and Sheridan College in particular�have a global reputation for excellence in animation. "That reputation means that major worldwide productions come here, even though there's competition from lower-cost areas such as China. We control the standard of quality." He notes that the company's reputation for quality and for employing the best has also attacted some of the best animators in the world to relocate here. "People like the quality of life here. They mention it."

Mac Holyoke was a Sheridan College graduate and an employee of Nelvana when he hooked up with fellow Sheridan Grad Lopez to found the company in January 2007. They formed a partnership with Sheridan College's business incubator Spark, and have since recruited more than 60 per cent of their staff from the school, which is known around the world for its animation program. Pipeline's success at Spark was recently held up as a model by the Ministry of Research and Innovation when it announced the creation of an Ontario Centre of Excellence research hub called HalTech at Sheridan.

Writer: Edward Keenan
Sources: Juan Lopez, Pipeline Studios; Ontario Ministry of Research and Innovation

Canadian Tire -- the Canadian retailing institution based in Toronto -- has embarked on an innovative sustainability strategy that measures both the environmental and business impacts of its green initiatives. The company says in an announcement that it introduced measures in 2010 that it expects will save the company $6 million per year in costs, while also diverting 610 tonnes of waste from landfill and produce 7,800 tonnes fewer greenhouse gas emissions.

Tyler Elm, VP of business sustainability with the company, says that going green is key to profitability. "In fact we see it as a business strategy  that has environmental benefits rather than as an environmental initiative," he says. "This is based on innovation, value creation and generating organizational enhancements. We want to integrate it into our business operations."

At the same time, the company has announced the results of its energy production efforts: between 2008 and 2010 Canadian Tire claims to have generated enough energy to reduce greenhouse emissions by 41 tonnes through geothermal and solar installations. The 389 initiatives that the company has undertaken under the program include aspects that touch on transportation, lighting, heating, cooling and waste reduction.

Writer: Edward Keenan
Source: Tyler Elm, VP Business Sustainability, Canadian Tire

A group called Toronto Homecoming (see Yonge Street's feature from January 2010) is accepting applications from talented Torontonians who've moved away in an attempt to lure them back home. Those who qualify will attend a conference held June 9-12 that will showcase what Toronto has to offer and put them in touch with large firms firms and headhunters looking to hire executive talent.

This is the second annual Toronto Homecoming conference -- last year's attracted 40 Torontonians back to the city, according to organizers.

Toronto Homecoming co-chair Eva Wong Scanlon said that the genesis was a desire to help build on Toronto's recent economic growth. "Many organizations are trying to improve the economy by attracting corporations here, but we also realized that high-level talent is important to driving growth, so we came down on the personal side, to attract professionals." The organization's research shows that a significant number of Toronto's most talented and promising professionals leave the city to seek employment opportunities elsewhere.

The event is sponsored by the Toronto CivicAction Alliance (formerly the Toronto City Summit Alliance), a group devoted to fostering growth and innovation in the city, headed by prominent politician, business executive and radio host John Tory. In a statement, Tory said that he had met some of the participants at last year's conference. "This event meets a real need in the city by connecting talented individuals with great jobs in the region."

Wong Scanlon says that in the past decade, Toronto has developed a more global outlook that would value the foreign experience of its expatriates, and the conference will help dispell uncertainties by introducing professionals directly to potential employers.

Applications to attend the conference can be filed by early to mid-career "thought leaders" and executives at the organization's website.

Writer: Edward Keenan
Source: Eva Wong Scanlon, Toronto Homecoming

Scribble Technologies Inc, based on Niagra Street near King West, has announced the latest coup in its steady march to dominance in the online breaking news business. UK multimedia news agency The Press Association will use the ScribbleLive content management system to syndicate live coverage of the royal wedding to its customers around the world. According to information provided by Scribble Technologies COO Mark Walker, this is the first time news agencies will ever be able to license real-time digital breaking news coverage through an online content management system platform.

This is just the latest milestone in the company's rapid growth since its launch in 2008. Back then, CTV employees Michael De Monte and Jonathan Keebler, starting with $1,500 according to TechCrunch, developed the platform in their spare time as a superior form of live blogging, able to take inputs from mobile phones and email. Since then, they've added functionality (allowing enhanced social media and photo capabilities, among other things) and have added high-profile clients including Reuters, Toronto Star, National Post, Hearst and theScore.com.

Walker says the company has grown from two to 12 employees and that more growth is on the horizon. "The first stage to world dominance is to own your home market," he said. "We've done that, and our partnerships with Press Association and Reuters are key for our global expansion.

Walker says the key is that readers want the pace of Twitter with the reliability of a news organization and that capability is what ScribbleLive provides..

Writer: Edward Keenan
Sources: Mark Walker, COO, Scribble Technologies Inc; TechCrunch

SmartSoft, a European-based card-payment company that serves the global banking industry has made the GTA a prominent part of its plan to ramp up North American business. With a strong base in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, CEO Ayse Nil Sarigollu said in a release, "We see a tremendous need for our award-winning payment solutions in Canada and the USA and our rapid growth in the region supports this notion." As such, the company is making a "significant investment" in opening two sales and support centres in North America, one in Portland, Oregon, and the other in Toronto.

Greg Smith of SmartSoft said that the company chose to spearhead its North American expansion from Toronto because of the strong partnerships the company already has in place here, and said there would be a number of jobs created by the new office.

The company specializes in the design, manufacture and marketing of card payment systems and software for the global banking and payment processing industry.

Writer: Edward Keenan
Source: Greg Smith, SmartSoft

When Markham-based OnX solutions was recently recognized for the third year in a row for its commitment to its ongoing drive to "grow, innovate and deliver continuous business value," by being named to the Deloitte list of the 50 Best Managed Companies in Canada, OnX President Ed Vos issued a statement attributing the honour to the strength of his "world-class team of IT professionals."

Now, the company is looking to expand that team by adding 11 staff in its offices in Markham and Toronto.

The company, founded in 1983, was also recognized in 2010 as one of the best places to work in Canada. OnX designs, builds and operates "mission-critical computing environments" and cloud computing solutions to companies across Canada and around the world.

Writer: Edward Keenan
Source: Ed Vos, President, OnX Solutions

Michael MacKenzie, the COO of Transportation for Thales Canada's Toronto Transportation unit says that Toronto's diversity has been a strength for his company. "Having employees of international origin who can speak the language and understand the culture of our customers in regions such as China, Korea or Turkey, for instance, has greatly aided our ability to meet our project obligations, which leads to continued growth."

For exactly that type of business acumen, MacKenzie's Thales Canada Transportation was awarded the RBC Immigrant Advantage Award at the recent Immigrant Success Awards presented by the Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council. In the award's citation, TRIEC says that Thales "systematically targets and cultivates internationally-trained professionals to ensure its position as a leader in transportation systems worldwide," and notes the company's 95 per cent retention rate of skilled immigrant employees.

Other Immigrant Success award winners announced last week were the Toronto Foundation for Student Success, Deloitte and Nancy Steele of American Express Technologies.

The awards recognize companies, non-profits and individuals who demonstrate exemplary practices at integrating skilled immigrants into the Toronto region. "Over five years we've seen a notable uptake and sophistication of recruitment and retention strategies. Employers are now realizing the benefits of a more diverse, globally aware and connected workforce," TRIEC executive director Elizabeth McIssac said in announcing this year's fifth annual awards. "IS Award winners are real examples of the benefits that can come from mobilizing the best and brightest in our city."

Writer: Edward Keenan
Sources: Julia Howell for TRIEC, Roger Fradgley, Thales Group

The Toronto studio that did the animation work for the blockbuster film Gnomeo and Juliet, Starz Animation Toronto, has been sold to a majority ownership group of Canadian investors led by J. Thomas Murray and Steven B. Hecht. While the former owner, US-based Starz LLP, will retain a minority ownership stake, Hecht says that being Canadian-owned will allow new routes for "aggressive growth."

Hecht says Canadian ownership will allow the company to take advantage of "significant grants, labour tax credits and subsidy opportunities available in Canada." He says the plan is to continue its production work for major studios while building a larger multimedia business using the company's animation, CG and visual effects expertise.

The company notes that in 2009 the provincial government contributed just under $23 million to a total $153 million investment in the Toronto studio to create 250 jobs, and anticipates the province's continued support under the new ownership group.

In addition to the $100 million success of Gnomeo and Juliet, the studio has also worked on the TV series Camelot, the film 9 and the upcoming Warner Brothers film Dolphin Tale.

Writer: Edward Keenan
Source: Stephen B. Hecht, Starz Animation Toronto

York Region's so-far-successful bus network, Viva, launched the next innovative faze of its development with the opening of Warden Station in downtown Markham on March 6, the first of 11 stops on its planned 35.8 kilometer Bus Rapid Transit Network. Branded VivaNext, the network features buses running on dedicated, separated lanes that could at some future time be converted to light rail if York Region decides it would be advantageous.

The entire network is expected to cost $1.4 billion, and the construction process is expected to create more than 11,000 jobs. Viva's bus service has consistently featured innovation since the launch of its conventional bus service in 2004 -- it was launched as the province's first transportation public-private partnership and from the start featured GPS navigation and real-time scheduling information for riders as well as the province's Presto card fare system, features the larger Toronto Transit Commission is only now implementing.

The entire network is expected to be completed by the end of 2013.

Writer: Edward Keenan
Source: Dale Albers, York Region Rapid Transit Corporation

GE Canada announced last week that it will open a new $40 million "Grid IQ Innovation Centre" in Markham. The 200,000-square-foot centre will be devoted to developing and manufacturing sustainable energy products to modernize the electrical grid. It will also contain a global testing and simulation lab.

This is the second major innovation centre in the GTA announced by GE this year. Just last month, we reported that the company would be opening a Digital Pathology Imaging research centre. As in that case, the new Grid IQ centre draws on provincial government investment -- the Government of Ontario will be contributing $7.9 million towards the project.

GE General Manager of Smart Substations Juan Marcias said the project would create approximately 146 new "innovation-related jobs" over the coming four years, and would also have an even greater indirect job creation effect through design and manufacturing, which are scheduled to begin within months. Marcias said that Markham's population of "highly skilled, educated and multi-lingual workforce" were a contributing factor to the planned location, which he expects to engage in significant global collaboration. The facility should be completed by July 2012.

Writer: Edward Keenan
Source: Sarah Triantafillou, GE Canada

In a move that provincial Minister of Tourism and Culture says will help the province's "diverse cultural communities" and contribute to the economic development of the province, his government has given grants totalling slightly more than $2.76 million to eight Greater Toronto Area cultural organizations.

The grants are part of the province's Community Capital Fund, administered by the Trilium Foundation, which is a $50 million pool of grants specifically designed to help non-profit organizations who serve "diverse cultural communities." According to a spokesperson, the funding is explicitly designed to stimulate the economy and create jobs.

This round of grants go to the following GTA groups:

Black Coalition for AIDS Prevention: $49,600 to renovate its Financial District office

Catholic Family Services Peel Dufferin: $310,400 to retrofit its Brampton location to begin offering services to abused families in 12 languages as well as specialized services for South Asians

Dejinta Beesha Somali Multi Service Centre: $409,100 for a designated office and programming space in Rexdale

J.H. Chinese Professionals Association of Canada: $342,200 for classroom and counselling space for its programs serving skilled foreign-trained professionals

Parya Trillium Foundation: $439,200 to transform its Markham office building into a community service centre for the region's Farsi-speaking community

Sampradaya Dance Creations: $233,800 for the South Asian dance company to expand its performance and training space in Mississauga

Sanatan Mandir Cultural Centre: $500,000 to build an addition onto its Markham community centre serving the Hindu and Indian communities (read more details in our Development News section here)

The Church of the Virgin Mary and Saint Athanasius: $500,000 to build a recreation and wellness centre for Arabic speaking seniors in Dufferin County


Writer: Edward Keenan
Source: Alexis Mantell, Ontario Trillium Foundation

Experts seem to agree that a "smart grid" is on the way -- a key to the sustainable energy picture in the future. But as it stands, an important mechanism for managing the smart grid, a reliable way to manage and monitor power flow, has been missing from the picture. At least one estimate puts the annual cost of "power quality events" resulting from this hole in the system cost $180 million per year in North America.

Enter Smart Energy Instruments (SEI) of Oakville, Ontario, formerly known as ANI Technologies Corp. Incorporated in 2004, SEI has developed a technology that measures power flows, allowing utilities and grid operators identify problems in the grid and better regulate the energy supply. According to CEO Jeff Dionne, who has been developing the technology for the past 15 years, the company's device facilitates the type of management that is "the very definition of the smart grid."

SEI began life with a $600,000 investment from its founders and has raised additional funds from two rounds of angel funding -- one $150,000 round in 2010, and an $850,000 round announced in early February. The three-person shop will use the funding to file patents on its proprietary technology and to run pilot products with its existing prototype, as well as hire some additional significant employees, Dionne says.

The company's business plan calls for deployment of the technology through licensing arrangements with large multinational partners in North America and Asia.

Writer: Edward Keenan
Source: Jeff Dionne, CEO, Smart Energy Instruments