info suisse Oct-Nov 2012 - Chambre de Commerce Canado

^c[dhj^hhZ
Publication of the Swiss Canadian Chambers of Commerce Ontario and Quebec
Publication des Chambres de Commerce Canado-Suisse de l’Ontario et du Québec
October/November Octobre / Novembre 2012
Feature/Reportage
eature/Reportage::
Swiss Success Stories / Histoires de Succès Suisses
www.swissbiz.ca
www.cccsqc.ca
La route est longue pour devenir un véritable Barista.
Mais il existe un raccourci.
Chaque Barista a son secret. Et vous, quel sera le vôtre ?
www.nespresso.com/maestria
7322-CANaug12 InfoSuisse MaestriaSP 7.25x10_CB.indd 1
17/07/12 15:46
Publication of the Swiss Canadian Chambers of Commerce Ontario and Quebec
Publication des Chambres de Commerce Canado-Suisse de l’Ontario et du Québec
FEATURE / REPORTAGE
Health Care / Soins de santé
4
6
Histoire d’un succès suisse au Canada par Raphael Delacombaz
Jurg Gfeller, Founder, National Ski Academy
BUSINESS AND OTHER NEWS
ACTUALITÉS ÉCONOMIQUES ET D’AFFAIRES
7
8
10
14
15
18
20
27
28
Getting Hung-Up on Driving With Hand-Held Mobile Devices
Should Your Corporation’s Shareholder be a Family Trust
Instead of a Holding Company?
The Death of Equities, Really?
Tips and Taxes in Canadian and Swiss Restaurants
Business News
Karin’s Performance Solutions – Happy People = Better Work
Tribeca Insights: A New Dawn for Swiss Banking
Travel News
Trade Fairs
CHAMBER NEWS
NOUVELLES DE LA CHAMBRE
2
3
17
17
19
21
22
22
23
27
28
President’s Message SCCC/Upcoming Events
Message du Président CCCS / Evénéments
Member Profile
Quote of the Month
Scholarship Fund
Nouveaux Membres – CCCS
Festival international de Cirque
Le Jura à Montréal
Une belle réception pour la nouvelle responsable
de SWISS
Member Travel Bulletin Board
SCCC Group Health Plan
Swiss man at a Lake in the Canadian Rockies
Homme suisse au bord d’un lac aux Rocheuses canadiennes
CONTENTS / INDICE
^c[dhj^hhZ
Swiss Canadian Chamber of Commerce (Ontario) Inc.
756 Royal York Road • Toronto, Ontario M8Y 2T6
Tel: (416) 236-0039 • Fax: (416) 236-3634 • E-mail: [email protected] • www.swissbiz.ca
BOARD OF DIRECTORS • 2012 – 2013
President / Director:
Philipp Gysling
Mesh Innovations Inc.
174 Hallam Street, Toronto ON M6H 1X5
Tel: 416-871-8159
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.meshinnovations.com
Vice-President
Ernst Notz
Nacora
2 Hunter Avenue; Toronto ON M6E 2C8
Tel: (416) 784-2872
Email: [email protected]
Treasurer/ Director:
Monica Stevens-Wyss
Trowbridge Professional Corporation
25 Adelaide St. E.; Suite 1400; Toronto, ON M5C 3A1
Phone: (416) 214-7833 ext.104
Email: [email protected] Website: www.trowbridge.ca
Secretary & Legal Counsel:
Bernard Lette
Lette LLP
20 Queen Street West, #3300, P.O. Box 33, Toronto ON M5H 3R3
Tel: 416-971-4898
Email: [email protected] Website: www.lette.ca
Past President / Director:
Hans Munger
Auto Motion Shade Inc.
400 Bentley Street; Unit 7-11; Markham ON L3R 8H6
Tel: 905-470-6198 x 33
Email: [email protected] Website: www.automotionshade.com
Directors:
Babette Baars
Marché Restaurants Canada Ltd.
8 King Street East, Suite 838, Toronto, ON M5C 1B5
Tel: 647-341-1444 Cell: 647-969-1445
Email: [email protected] Website: www.marche-int.com
Rudi Blatter
Lindt & Spruengli (Canada) Inc.
181 University Avenue, Suite 900, Toronto ON M5H 3M7
Tel: (416) 351-8566
Email: [email protected] Website: www.lindt.com
Mirko Capodanno
Switzerland Tourism
480 University Avenue, Suite 1500
Toronto, ON M5G 1V2
Tel: 416-695-3375 Cell: 416-841-6644
Email: [email protected] Website: www.MySwitzerland.com
Yves-Daniel Cochand
Swiss Reinsurance Company
150 King Street West, # 2200, Toronto, ON M5H 1J9
Tel: 416-408-5945
Email: [email protected] Website: www.swissre.com
Julien Favre
UBS
154 University Avenue, Toronto ON M5H 3Z4
Tel: (416) 345-7033
Email: [email protected] Website: www.ubs.com/1/e/canada
Sandra Leuba
136 Curzon Street, Toronto ON M4M 3B5
Tel: 416-616-4251
Email: [email protected]
Ronnie Miller
Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd
2455 Meadowpine Boulevard, Mississauga ON L5N 6L7
Tel: 905-542-5522
Email: [email protected] Website: www.rochecanada.com
Daniel Oehy
Swissmar
35 East Beaver Creek Rd, Unit 6, Richmond Hill, ON L4B 1B3
Tel: 905-764-1121
Email: [email protected] Website: www.swissmar.com
Barbara Sutton
Neuchâtel Junior College
44 Victoria Street; Suite 1310; Toronto ON M5C 1Y2
Tel: (416) 368-8169 ext 223
Email: [email protected] Website: www.njc.ch
Urs Uhlmann
Zurich
400 University Avenue, 25th Floor, Toronto ON M5G 1S7
Tel: (416) 586-2959
Email: [email protected] Website: www.zurich.ca
Andrea von Moeller
B2-125 The Queensway; Toronto ON M8Y 1H3
Tel: (416) 907-8012
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.2marketinternational.com
Honorary Director:
Bernadette Hunkeler
Consulate General of Switzerland
154 University Avenue, Suite 601, Toronto ON M5H 3Y9
Tel: 416-593-5371
Website: www.eda.admin.ch
Liaison Officer Consulate General of Switzerland:
Emil Wyss
Consulate General of Switzerland
154 University Avenue, Suite 601, Toronto ON M5H 3Y9
Tel: 416-593-5371
Email: [email protected] Website: www.eda.admin.ch
Executive Assistant:
Patricia Keller Schläpfer – SCCC
756 Royal York Road, Toronto ON M8Y 2T6
Tel: (416) 236-0039 Fax: (416) 551-1011
E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.swissbiz.ca
Typesetting and Assembly: Nancy Raitt @ corptype
Printed by: J. B. Deschamps
2
INFO SUISSE
Dear Members,
Summer has drawn to a close and for many this means that it is
back to “business as usual”. The fall is traditionally a pretty busy
time for the Chamber as well and even though this year has seen
some changes to our calendar of events there are nonetheless a
number of things going on. The 2012 iteration of the spousal event
was moved from its conventional early summer spot to a later
date in September and based on member demand we decided
to do a dinner cruise again this year. We had a wonderfully clear
summer evening for our cruise around Toronto harbor and it was a
memorable night for the ones who were able to make it. Coming up soon will be another
Swiss Night, which will once again be held at the Marché at First Canadian Place. To give
this event a new twist we are going to try to incorporate in our event the new fondue on
offer at the Marché.
The yearly Dinner & Dance preparations are also going full-force. Don’t forget to mark the
date in your calendars (November 17) or better yet, go to our website to register for this
classy event (www.swissbiz.ca). The casino themed night will feature an elegant dinner
menu prepared by Swiss chef Schick and entertainment by BluSoul, as well as many
fabulous door prizes.
As many of our members and readers already know we recently found out that the
Consulate General of Switzerland in Toronto will be closing its doors in the relative near
future. It is with great sadness and disappointment that we take note of this news. The
Consulate General and its staff have always been great supporters of the SCCC. Not only
was the Consulate an anchor for many Swiss citizens in Ontario and Manitoba but it also
represented an important resource for trade and commerce. The Chamber is currently
preparing a document to send to Switzerland to voice its displeasure with the EDA’s decision.
There are also some changes happening at info suisse. Sandra Leuba who has been one of
the heavy-lifters in the info suisse team over the last couple of years is going to take on a
more reduced role with the publication and instead concentrate on her new role as a mom.
Her son Lucas was born September 17th. Congratulations to Sandra, Marc and Lucas!
This issue of info suisse is focusing on Swiss success stories. We had no problem finding
stories that qualified for this issue and actually had to pick a few from a good number of
valid candidates. We hope that you enjoy the selection and wish you happy reading!
Happy reading!
Philipp Gysling
President
2012 COMING EVENTS
October 23:
Fondue Night @ Marché Restaurant
November 17:
Gala Dinner Dance @ Le Meridien King Edward
Further Information can be found on www.swissbiz.ca/upcoming_events
Dates above are subject to change
La Chambre de commerce canado-suisse (Québec) Inc.
Swiss Canadian Chamber of Commerce (Quebec) Inc.
1572 Avenue Docteur Penfield, Montréal, Qué. H3G 1C4 • Tél: (514) 937-5822 • Fax: (514) 954-5619 • E-mail: [email protected] • Web site: www.cccsqc.ca
CONSEIL D’ADMINISTRATION / BOARD OF DIRECTORS
2012 – 2013
Président / President
Mr. Jean Serge Grisé
Directeur, Communications et Affaires publiques
Fondation Lucie et André Chagnon Conseiller en affaires publiques
Tel: 514.380.2001, # 1058
E-mail: [email protected]
Secrétaire / Secretary
Me Monica Schirdewahn
Avocate / Lawyer
Lette & Associés
Tel: 514.871.3838, # 213
E-mail: [email protected]
Vice-présidents / Vice-Presidents
Mr. Bruno Setz
Consultant
Tel: 514.767.5123
E-mail : [email protected]
Mr. Olivier Rodriguez
Gestionnaire de portefeuille
Mirabaud Canada Inc.
Tel: 514.393.1690
E-mail : [email protected]
Chères et chers membres,
Voilà tout le monde est de retour avec des beaux souvenirs dans
la tête et en forme pour des mois chargés de travail et d’action.
Vos représentants de la Chambre n’ont pas chômé cet été; en
plus de participer à diverses activités, nous avons travaillé à vous
concocter des événements intéressants. Le calendrier des activités
sera disponible très bientôt, mais vous constaterez que nos activités
traditionnelles (la Fondue, la Raclette et le Golf) sont déjà en
développement.
Cet été, il y a eu le Festival international de Cirque de Vaudreuil- Dorion (voir l’article à
ce sujet). C’est une initiative intéressante et nous avons été heureux de faire rayonner
notre Chambre auprès d’un public prestigieux. Quelques jours plus tard, des centaines de
Trésorier / Treasurer
personnes se sont retrouvées à Sutton pour la fête nationale suisse. Our Chamber was
Mr. Othmar Widmer
Consultation Widmer
Tel: 514.290.4822
E-mail: [email protected]
present and we are always proud to support that important event for the Swiss community.
Directeurs / Directors
Two other events happened on September 12, and 13. Premièrement, nous avons accueilli
Mr. Jacques Demont
Managing Director
Nespresso
Tel: 514.287.1222
[email protected]
une délégation de gens d’affaires du Jura dirigée par le ministre de l’Économie, monsieur
Mr. Christian G. Dubois
Conseiller de la Ville
Ville de Montréal (Arrondissement Pierrefonds-Roxboro)
Tel: 514.624.1488
[email protected]
Me Jean-Marc Ferland
Avocat
Ferland, Marois, Lanctot
Tel: 514.861.1110
E-mail: [email protected]
Mr. Moritz Gruber
Président
System Huntingdon Inc.
Tel: 450.264.6122
E-mail : [email protected]
Michel Probst. Vous pourrez lire les détails dans un article un peu plus loin. Secondly, SWISS
International Air Lines, introduced the new General Manager for Canada to the Montreal
business community. Nous souhaitons la bienvenue à madame Mina Cicale, qui deviendra
sans doute une participante active de nos activités (voir article dans ce numéro).
In the next few weeks, the new General Consul in Montreal will be introduced officially
to our members during a welcoming cocktail. Nous sommes très heureux de l’accueillir et
nous avons hâte de travailler avec lui. C’est un diplomate avec beaucoup d’expérience qui
sera un allié important pour notre communauté d’affaires.
Mr. Olivier Schlegel
Consultant agro-gastronome
E-mail: [email protected]
Bon automne, et au plaisir de vous rencontrer lors de nos prochaines activités.
Mr. Patrick Veenhuizen
Conseiller de développement, financement et conseils stratégiques
CLD Beauharnois-Salaberry
Tel : 450.373.2214, poste 132
E-mail : [email protected]
Jean Serge Grisé
Mr. Paul Wieser
PDG pour le Canada
Busch Vacuum Technics Inc.
Tel: 450.435.6899
E-mail: [email protected]
Président du conseil d’administration
Chambre de Commerce canado-suisse du Québec
EVÉNÉMENTS / UPCOMING EVENTS 2012
Directeur honoraire / Honorary Director
Mr. Beat Kaser
Consul général de Suisse
Tel: 514.932.7181
E-mail: [email protected]
21 Novembre 2012 / November 21st 2012
Soirée Fondue / Fondue evening
21 Février 2013 / February 21st 2013
Soirée Raclette / Raclette evening
3 Juin 2013 / June 3rd 2013
Tournoi de Golf / Golf Tournament
Liaison au Consulat général de Suisse
Mr. Paolo Bezzola
Consul
Tel: 514.932.7181
E-mail: [email protected]
Conseiller juridique / Legal Counsel
Lette & Associés
Tel: 514.871.3838, # 213
E-mail: [email protected]
Des événements supplémentaires seront ajoutés au fur et à mesure
Additional events will be added as soon as the dates will be known
Dates sujet à changements / Dates subject to change
Responsable de l’administration / Administration Officer
Mr. Andreas Kräuchi
Tel: 514.937.5822
Fax: 514.954.5619
E-mail: [email protected]
INFORMATION et détails/and details : www.cccsqc.ca ou/or (514) 937-5822
O C T O B E R /N O V E M B E R
3
Swiss Success Stories
Histoire d’un succès suisse au Canada
LA FROMAGERIE FRITZ KAISER INC.
459, 41ÈME CONCESSION
NOYAN, QUÉBEC
par Raphael Delacombaz
Originaires de Rümlang dans le canton de
Zurich, Fritz Kaiser et son épouse Kristin ont
immigré au Québec il y a plus de 30 ans. Ils
se sont installés à Noyan, petite municipalité
de la Montérégie située près de la frontière
américaine.
En respectant la devise de réussite de
Fritz : Persévérance, Travail, Esprit d’équipe
et Sens de l’innovation, ils ont fondé une
entreprise qui est devenue une des meilleures fromageries de tout le continent nord
américain.
En effet, loin de se confiner exclusivement à la production de fromage à raclette,
la fromagerie Fritz Kaiser Inc., au long
des années, en est venue à fabriquer une
vingtaine de différents fromages : des fro-
4
INFO SUISSE
mages à raclette mais aussi des fromages
fins tels que le Chevron, l’Empereur léger, Le
Douanier ou le Sœur Angèle.
Ce succès s’est confirmé par l’obtention
de prix d’Excellence remis depuis plusieurs
années consécutives tant pour le fromage à
raclette que les fromages fins, produits que
l’on peut retrouver d’un bout à l’autre du
Canada et distinctions qui leur permettent
désormais de s’attaquer graduellement au
marché nord-américain.
Le succès de la fromagerie Fritz Kaiser
Inc. est également le fruit d’une belle histoire familiale car toute la famille a participé
et contribué à cette réussite; en effet, leurs
quatre enfants, Adrian (actuellement aux
études en fromagerie en Suisse), Raphael
(étudiant), Noah et leur fille Samantha
(étudiante en hôtellerie en Suisse) ont tous
travaillé et aidé Fritz et Kristin.
Malgré cette spectaculaire réussite, Fritz
et Kristin demeurent humbles et continuent
d’investir temps et argent dans leur entreprise, une compagnie qui procure une bonne
vingtaine d’emplois dans le petit village de
Noyan.
Fritz est un visionnaire, il n’en restera pas
là. Déjà, moult projets de produits l’occupent,
qui sauront encore nous surprendre et, nul
doute, qui remporteront encore des récompenses dans les années à venir.
Bravo à toute la famille Kaiser pour cette
belle réussite !
Pour plus d’informations sur les produits de la
fromagerie Fritz Kaiser, nous vous invitons à
visiter le site web de l’entreprise à l’adresse
suivante : www.fkaiser.com
■
Gestion privée
Gérants indépendants
Family Office
Global Custody
Gestion institutionnelle
Fonds de placement
Nous avons un
centre d’excellence,
établi dans 20
places financières.
JURG GFELLER, FOUNDER,
NATIONAL SKI ACADEMY
IT’S ALL BEEN “DOWNHILL” FOR JURG
SINCE COMING TO CANADA…
By Barbara Sutton
Born in Solothurn, Switzerland, Jurg Gfeller
grew up with skiing and the feeling of
freedom that comes from being outdoors
Genève Lausanne Zurich Bâle Londres
Luxembourg Francfort Paris Madrid Barcelone
Turin Milan Rome Florence Dubai Singapour
Hong Kong Tokyo Montréal Nassau
www.pictet.com
Front Row (from left to right): Michael Pratt, Raymond
Pratt, Germine Barrett, Jim Kirby
Second Row (from left to right): Jurg Gfeller, Peter
Monode, David Roth, Greg Han, Scott Hutcheson, Gary
Athens, Jean Bellumat
in an alpine landscape. As a young man in
the early 1970s, he was drawn to Canada
because he wanted to improve his English
skills and he liked the look of the Canadian
landscape, filled with lakes, forest and
mountains.
“I remember how everything seemed
bigger in Canada and there was so much
distance between places, much more than
I was used to in Switzerland,” Jurg recalls. “I
heard there were mountains in Collingwood,
so I went there and I liked it right off
the bat.” Collingwood has been his home
ever since.
It was in Collingwood that Jurg met
Ernie McCullough, the great Canadian ski
racer from Trois Rivieres, Quebec. In the
early 1970s, Ernie was Director of the Blue
Mountain Ski School, and he approached Jurg
to work with him as his assistant and be in
charge of the racing programs. For five years,
the two worked together. When Jurg moved
over to coach at Georgian Peaks Club, Ernie
Esprit d'indépendance
came with him, this time as Jurg’s assistant,
as Ernie was, by then, semi-retired.
“Together we coached and helped a lot
of talented kids,” remembers Jurg. “In 1980,
some of our former students had made it to
the Canadian National Ski Team and were
showing Olympic promise, and I was asked
to coach them with the Canadian Alpine
Ski Team.”
The next five years were a whirlwind. Jurg
coached the team over two Olympics, World
Championships and on the World Cup. Todd
Broker, Steve Podborski, Brian Stemmle,
were among this elite group of World Cup
O C T O B E R /N O V E M B E R
5
Swiss Success Stories
Histoire d’un succès suisse au Canada
the academy launched. Founded in 1986,
The National Ski Academy is a non-profit
organization, and the only one of its kind in
Canada. The NSA’s mission is to provide an
environment for talented student athletes
to maximize individual potential through the
pursuit of alpine ski racing excellence, academic achievement and personal growth.
and Olympic skiers who accomplished so
much in the early 1980s.
“In 1985, I returned to Collingwood and
several people approached me with the idea
of building an academy for skiers that would
combine academics and athletics,” Jurg says.
“When youngsters have a talent for skiing,
they have to spend so much of their time
training, competing and traveling, that
their education will suffer. We decided to
create an academy that would allow them
to develop their athletic abilities without
sacrificing their education.”
Working with public and private sector
supporters, Jurg worked for a year to get
6
INFO SUISSE
“I was happy to do this because Canada
and skiing has given me so much and I
wanted to give back,” says Jurg. “Right from
the start, I made it clear that the NSA could
not just be a place for gifted athletes, but
for any student who has a passion for skiing.
That is because no matter how hard we
work, only a handful of graduates are going
to make it to the Olympics. It’s not about
that – it is about creating a holistic program
that uses the love of skiing to teach students
about life and about how to make a positive
difference in this world. NSA graduates are
well educated, live a healthy lifestyle, know
how to perform under pressure, manage
their time, get along well with others. This
is what skiing gave to me and what I try to
pass on to every student.”
From middle of August to middle of
October each year, Jurg takes the students
to Saas-Fee and Zermatt to train in the high
Alps. The Student Athletes also complete
two full academic credit courses while in
Europe. Teachers will conduct classes in
late afternoon and evening. If the weather
is bad the Student Athletes will be in the
classroom all day. In November, additional
training camps take place in Canada and,
when the snow flies in Ontario, they return
to the slopes in Collingwood. They compete
all over Canada and the USA in the winter.
The Student Athletes spend approximately
120 days on snow in a season. The NSA had
three Student Athletes competing at the
Vancouver Olympics and currently has four
Student Athletes on the Canadian National
Ski Team.
Continued on page 24
Business and Other News
Actualités économiques et d’affaires
GETTING HUNG-UP ON
DRIVING WITH HAND-HELD
MOBILE DEVICES
By Michael MacLellan of Crowford Chondon &
Partners LLP
Recent Court decision sheds light on when
an offence is committed.
On June 20, 2012 the Ontario Court of Justice
rendered a decision that now defines what
constitutes an offence under section 78.1 of
Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act. In 2009 the
Highway Traffic Act was amended to include
section 78.1 which provides in part: 78.1 (1)
No person shall drive a motor vehicle on a
highway while holding or using a hand-held
wireless communication device or other prescribed device that is capable of receiving
or transmitting telephone communications,
electronic data, mail or text messages.
2009, c. 4, s. 2.
The intent of the legislation is clear
enough – to deter drivers from being distracted by handheld devices in an effort
to make Ontario’s roads safer – but the
interpretation of the actual offense has
been ambiguous. This issue came to a head
in the recent case of R. v. Kazemi, (2012
ONCJ 383) when a police officer observed
Khojasteh Kazemi handling her cellular
phone in her car. Ms. Kazemi stated that her
phone dropped to the floor while she was
driving, and after pulling off the highway
and stopping at a red light, she took the
opportunity to retrieve her phone and put
it back on the passenger seat. The police did
not take steps to determine whether the cell
phone was in use at the time Mr. Kazemi was
observed holding the device. There was no
question, however, that at some point she
was “holding” a hand-held wireless communication device. The Crown prosecutor
argued that was all the legislation required
for a conviction, since for a Provincial offense
to be made out, there is no requirement that
the accused possess a guilty mind. In order
to violate the legislation, it is sufficient that
the person has committed a prohibited act.
The Justice of the Peace agreed that
“holding” her cell phone was illegal, and
stated that Ms. Kazemi committed the
offence. Accordingly, she was convicted and
fined $200.
Ms. Kazemi appealed to the Ontario Court
of Justice which determined that it needed
to interpret the legislative provision prohib-
iting “holding or using a hand-held wireless
communication device or other prescribed
device” as in section 78.1(1) of the Act. The
Court agreed that holding one’s cell phone
while driving is illegal per se, and that there
is no need to establish any intent to use the
phone. However, given the purpose of the
legislation, the Court refused to interpret
any handling of a phone whatsoever as an
illegal act.
The Court disagreed that it is illegal
to merely touch a phone and stated that
“cell phones are not inherently dangerous
or noxious products.” The Court therefore
interpreted the legislation in the following
manner:
Given the objective is to promote road
safety by banning resort to and the use of
such devices while operating a motor vehicle,
it is not necessary to prohibit a driver from
merely touching a cell phone, for example,
just to hand it to a passenger or to move it
within the car. The short mental distraction
and physical interference with the ability to
drive caused by such acts are not intended
to be caught by the provision. There must
be some sustained physical holding of the
O C T O B E R /N O V E M B E R
7
Business and Other News
Actualités économiques et d’affaires
device in order to meet the definition found
within ss. 78.1(1).
The Court therefore allowed the appeal
and overturned the conviction.
Since the introduction of Ontario’s cellphone driving prohibition in 2009, employers have been well-advised to draft policies
requiring employees to refrain from using
their hand-held phones while driving. The
reason for such advice is that an employer
could be held liable if an employee is at fault
in a car accident caused by being distracted
by using their hand-held phone in the
normal course of employment.
Vicarious liability is the principle that an
employer can be liable for the wrongful or
negligent act of its employee where the
employee is acting within the course and
scope of his or her employment at the time
the wrongful or negligent conduct occurs. The
Supreme Court of Canada has taken a broad
view of what it means for an employee to
be acting in the course of employment, and
accordingly, even though it is the employee
committing an unauthorized or illegal act,
without proper governance, an employer
can still be held legally responsible in order
to provide a just and practical remedy and to
deter future harm.
There are practical reasons why employers will want to be aware of this decision.
First, employers can now draft policies concerning cell phone use while driving with a
better understanding of the kind of conduct
that the Courts have determined are unacceptable, that which was not intended to
be caught by the purposes of the Highway
Traffic Act. Second, in the unfortunate event
that an employee is caught allegedly violating section 78.1 of the Highway Traffic Act,
employers will have an established defense
to their potential vicarious liability.
For more information on above or other topics,
visit their website at www.ccpartners.ca or
contact Dave by e-mail at
[email protected].
■
SHOULD YOUR CORPORATION’S
SHAREHOLDER BE A FAMILY
TRUST INSTEAD OF A HOLDING
COMPANY?
By Mark Goodfield, managing partner of
Cunningham LLP
I am often asked by clients incorporating a
new company, whether they should hold
the shares of the new corporation directly
or whether they should utilize a holding
company or a family trust.
The exact same question often arises a
second time, years later, when a business
has been successful and the shares of the
corporation have been held by the client
For over 25 years, Swissmar has offered a selection of leading brands and products from around the world to meet all your entertaining needs.
Our Swissmar brand continues to develop and has expanded from raclettes and fondues, to wine accessories, cheese knives and most recently pepper and salt mills.
At Swissmar, quality, value and ingenuity are our key commitments for creating entertaining necessities.
Fuelled by a passion for innovation and design, and 120 years of precision craftsmanship, Wenger®, maker of the genuine Swiss Army Knife offers multi-functional equipment for the outdoor enthusiast.
The Swiss Military® Watch collection continues the tradition of quality, heritage and Swiss craftsmanship that began more than a century ago with the Swiss Army Knife™
Visit us at www.swissmar.com
8
INFO SUISSE
and/or their spouse directly and the client
is now contemplating whether it makes
sense to introduce a holding company or
family trust into their corporate ownership
structure, for creditor proofing and/or estate
planning purposes.
I have discussed utilizing a holding
company and introducing a family trust as a
shareholder of a private corporation in prior
blogs. Today I will discuss these alternative
structures in context of a newly incorporated
business and a mature business.
When a person decides to start a new
business and incorporates there is often a
level of uncertainty as to whether the new
venture will be successful and cost control is
often paramount. Thus, most people opt to
keep their corporate structure simple (which
really means, they do not want to spend
money on lawyers and accountants to set-up
holding companies and trusts) which is very
understandable.
However, if you have the resources upon
incorporation, you may wish to consider
having a family trust own the shares of the
private corporation rather than directly owning
the shares or using a holding company from
the outset. The two reasons you may wish
to consider this corporate structure are as
follows: (1) you can have a holding company
as a beneficiary of a family trust which can
provide all the benefits of a direct holding
company; and (2) a family trust provides the
ultimate in tax planning flexibility.
There are several benefits to having a
family trust as a shareholder of your private
company (I am assuming your corporation
is an active company, not an investment
company, for which the above is problematic). If the company is eventually sold, a
family trust potentially provides for the multiplication of the $750,000 lifetime capital
gains exemption on a sale of qualifying
small business corporation shares. That is, it
may be possible to allocate the capital gain
upon the sale to yourself, your spouse, your
children or any other beneficiaries of the
trust, resulting in the multiplication of the
exemption and creating substantial income
tax savings. For example: where there are
four individual beneficiaries of a family trust,
the family unit may be able to save as much
as $700,000 in income tax if a corporation
is sold for $3,000,000 or more. In addition,
where your children are 18 years of age or
over, the family trust can receive dividends
from the family business and allocate some
or all of the dividends to the children. The
dividends must be reported in the tax return
of the child, but in many cases, the dividends
are subject to little or no tax (if a child has
no other income, you can allocate almost
$40,000 in dividends income tax-free).
Finally, where you have surplus earnings
in a corporation and you wish to creditor
proof those earnings, but do not want to
allocate those funds to your spouse or your
children, you may be able to allocate those
funds tax-free to the holding company if it is
a beneficiary of the trust. This provides for
an income tax deferral of the personal taxes
until the holding company pays a dividend
to its shareholders.
So you may be asking “Mark, why would
I ever not choose a family trust? Some of the
reasons are as follows:
1. The initial accounting and legal costs
may be as high as $7,000 - $10,000.
2. You may not have children or, if you
do have children, they are young and
you cannot allocate them dividends
without the dividends being subject to
the “Kiddie Tax” (a punitive income tax
applied when minors receive dividends
of private companies directly or through
a trust).
3. You are not comfortable with allocating
to your children any capital gains from
a sale of the business and/or any dividends since legally that money would
belong to them.
4. If the business fails, it may be problematic to claim an Allowable Business
Investment Loss (a loss that can be
deducted against any source of income)
that would otherwise be available if
the shares of the company were held
directly by an individual.
5. There are some income tax traps beyond
the scope of this blog post when a
holding company is a beneficiary.
O C T O B E R /N O V E M B E R
9
Business and Other News
Actualités économiques et d’affaires
As discussed in the opening paragraph,
once a business is established and has
become successful, clients often again raise
the issue of whether they should introduce
a holding company or a family trust into the
corporate ownership structure. At this stage,
a holding company can easily be introduced
as a shareholder. The mechanics are beyond
the scope of this blog but the transaction
can take place on a tax-free basis. However,
the holding company essentially only serves
one purpose, that being creditor proofing. A
holding company is also often problematic,
as the level of cash the holding company
holds can put it offside of the rules for
claiming the $750,000 lifetime capital gains
exemption if the business is sold in the
future. Thus, you may wish to consider utilizing a family trust, unless you do not have
children or do not anticipate being able to
sell the corporation.
If one waits until the business is successful to introduce a family trust, as opposed to
introducing one as an original shareholder
when the business is first incorporated, the
value of the business as at the date of the
reorganization must first be attributed to
the original owner(s) utilizing special shares
(typically referred to as an estate freeze).
This means the beneficiaries of the trust
only benefit from the future growth of the
corporation (i.e.: if the corporation is worth
$2,000,000, the parent(s) are issued shares
worth $2,000,000 and the children will only
benefit on any increase in value beyond
the $2,000,000). The costs of introducing a
family trust with a holding company beneficiary as part of an estate freeze could be
as high as $15,000 -$20,000 as a business
valuation is often required.
The above discussion is very complex.
The key takeaway should be that having a
holding company as a direct shareholder of
an operating company, may not always be
the most tax efficient decision. A family trust
with a holding company beneficiary may
be the more appropriate choice depending
upon the circumstances.
In any event, believe it or not, the above
discussion has been simplified and you
10
INFO SUISSE
should not even consider undertaking such
planning without consulting a professional
advisor to understand the issues related
to your specific fact situation to ensure the
planning makes sense and that you are
not breaching any of the hidden income
tax traps.
Cunningham LLP is an accounting firm focused
on serving mid-market entrepreneurial
business clients. For more information, visit
www.cunninghamca.com or contact Mark at
[email protected]
■
THE DEATH OF EQUITIES, REALLY?
I am not sure what the saying “Death of
Equities” really means, especially in this low
rate and low growth environment, but it is
a phrase I keep coming across that quite
frankly worries me. The more I contemplate
it, the more I tend to whole heartedly disagree and feel like reiterating that this feels
more like the rebirth of equities and the
death of fixed income.
Not that I know much more about fixed
income then I used to know about European
politics, but yields at these historically low
levels can only mathematically prove investors in mid to long term dated government
and certain corporate bonds are going to lose
money, real money that is. It seems like you
have only 2 choices with regards to bonds;
1) you can hold to maturity and collect the
coupons then redeem the principal or 2) you
can sell the bond later at some point down
the road at some fair value. Under situation
one, your coupons come in fixed every year
of whose purchasing power is given an
annual haircut for the fact that each year it
costs slightly more to maintain your current
lifestyle. At a CPI YoY rate in Canada of 1.5%
and 1.7% in the US (a pretty good barometer but probably is a conservative view
considering everything you actually use),
real 10 year yields on government bonds
are 0.35% and 0.03% in both Canada and
the US respectively (08/14/2012 – it was
worse had I wrote this two weeks ago)*.
This may be an oversimplified definition of
dead money. The second situation would
be to sell your bonds at some later date,
when the bonds are marked to market
with higher rates, prices drop. If however
rates don’t move upwards and stay at 100
year lows, you at best make no money but
presumably have a return of your capital. It
is not certain that rates will rise, they may
even drop a little further, but one thing is for
certain in both US and Canada, assuming all
else equal, it will cost me more to wake up
in the morning and have breakfast, shower
and go to work on August 14, 2022 than it
will tomorrow on August 15, 2012.
The other major asset class that comes
to mind is equities. Should bonds not be
destined to return very much and liquidity
is a concern for the majority of professional
managed money (accounts for greater than
90% of capital market volume), where else
can money flows look? Since the beginning
of 2007 your typical mid-term government
bond fund is up over 41% with coupons
reinvested, which equates to a compound
annual growth rate of roughly 7% a year
(taxes aside but would have pressured your
reinvested coupon by an annual tax rate
on interest income)*. Compare that to the
Standard & Poor’s 500 index which over the
same period would have returned -1.65%,
which compounds to an annual growth rate
not worth calculating*. (Dividends reinvested
and tax would apply, which you would be
less happy paying since the value of your
stock portfolio would be down compared to
your bond portfolio) (I know this calculation
is heavily dependant on period start date,
but 5 years seems like a reasonable horizon.
You can also go out 10 or 12 years, and the
point still rings clear)
Investing in an environment where the
bar for success is low (earnings and growth
estimates) makes us feel comfortable.
Reduced expectations are increasingly good
when trying to avoid major disasters in
your portfolio; it is when expectations and
consensus are too high that prices may be
getting ahead of themselves. You can own
the best business in the world, but if you pay
too much you may end up earning something sub-par; too many stars need to be
aligned. If you compare the bond and stock
markets now, it seems like the bond markets
are priced for utter perfection while the bar
has been dropped pretty low for equities, so
the risk to reward trade off (what investing
seems to be all about) materially favors
buying equities. This tells me the yield differential does not tie to the fundamentals.
All this at a time when balance sheets
for US corporations are generally strong as
explained by cash balances and book values
at 20 year highs accompanied by debt and
leverage levels well below pre crisis norms*.
Banks are flush with liquidity (which may
be a reason a QE3 may not have a huge
impact), are well capitalized and not nearly
as leveraged as they once were. They are
ripe to increase lending to healthier borrowers (as evidenced by the latest bank results
on reserves and charge off levels) which
should drive their own profitability and
returns on capital.
Earnings statements also look good
as gross margins make their way back to
pre-recessionary levels, just north of 45%.
”We had to move this 700 ton
component more than 400 miles.
Scores of risks, but Zurich made us
feel confident we were well covered.”
Herbert Peters, Managing Director,
Sasol-Huntsman, Moers, Germany
Integrated insurance solutions for even the most
specialized projects.
We provided Sasol-Huntsman, one of the largest producers of Maleic
Anhydride in Europe, with an integrated insurance and risk prevention solution to address the risks associated with moving a 700 ton
factory component across Germany. By helping our customer ensure
the necessary precautions were taken, and providing coverage for the
entire trip, everyone was breathing easy. It’s an example of how Zurich
HelpPoint delivers the help businesses need when it matters most.
To learn more about this case,visit www.zurichcanada.com/risks
Because change happenz®, Zurich® and Zurich HelpPointTM are trademarks of Zurich Insurance Company Ltd.
O C T O B E R /N O V E M B E R
11
Business and Other News
Actualités économiques et d’affaires
Operating margins on the other hand
are well above 20%, a level that hasn’t
been achieved for some 15 years*. This is
explained by higher efficiencies evidenced
by record high sales per employee and a
more hawkish manager base who seem to
be operating companies on a leaner footing.
Although these operating margins may come
down in the coming years (or quarters), we
expect the market to pay a higher price for it
as more employees are hired.
Returns relative to levels of capital
employed are also on the rise from where
they where 5 years ago and well above
pre-recessionary levels for both returns
on assets and returns on equity. However,
valuation multiples still stay depressed,
well below 5, 10, 30 and 130 year averages
which is reaffirming the fact we are in a low
growth environment and/or investors are
not willing to pay up for equity investment
risk due to scars from the credit crisis which
still have not healed. We currently stand at a
price to earnings ratio of 14x (earnings yield
of 7.1%) when the 130 year average is 16x
(earnings yield of 6.3%), when you apply
this to an earnings base for the S&P500 of
roughly $110 (depending on who you ask)
we have at least another 220 points just
to reach the mean, reflecting a stock index
value in the range of 1,575 to 1,625*.
Although global macro conditions are
forcing the market to price in lower growth
rates for the top line, the bottom line has
been quite resilient, and the market does
not pay it any justice. While the dividend
yield on the market is currently 2.07%, stripping out financial companies you are probably closer to 2.4% all while the 10 year US
government bond hovers around 1.7% (up
from 1.44% a couple of weeks ago)*. The
incongruity of an equity market yield being
higher than US Government notes has only
happened once in the last 50 years, during
the 2008 credit crisis**. This time around
corporate financial statements which, as we
all know, are corporate America’s scorecard,
have never looked better.
If companies start deploying cash
by investing in both fixed and human
12
INFO SUISSE
resources, efficiencies may come down
slightly as more people work, but that also
means more people have money to spend
which is extremely healthy for the economy.
That may be slightly oversimplified but
companies need to spend, so Main Street
can spend and finally so governments can
stop spending. (The US government is currently responsible for $1 of $4 spent in the
economy**).
“Return of capital instead of return on
capital.” Has been a popularized statement
over the last 12 months as Europe fights
with fiscal and monetary incongruence,
China tries to level a playing field and the US
weighs spending cuts and tax breaks with
political ambitions. Every time these issues
become muted by the media, you garner
a sense of normalcy which is reflected by
some confidence in investor buying reflecting a more optimistic stance on risk undertaking, i.e.: buying equities.
Baron Edmond James de Rothschild once
said, “Buy when there’s blood in the streets,
even if the blood is your own.” This method
of thinking usually seems to work out in the
long run and I am not advocating that there
is blood in the streets right now, but it is not
lined with roses either. The headline volatility we face creates some good buying oppor-
UNE BONNE MEMOIRE
EVITE LES MAUVAISES
SURPRISES.
Pensons long terme.
En deux siècles de pratique de la ¿nance, nous avons
traversé et surmonté le choc pétrolier de 1974, la crise
de 1929, et la panique de 1847. Durant chaque crise,
nous avons respecté les mêmes principes simples :
la création de valeur sur le long terme et la protection
de nos clients.
Nos 200 prochaines années
w w w . l o m b a r d o d i e r. c o m
Lombard Odier Darier Hentsch Gestion (Canada) Inc. Commandité, pour Lombard Odier Darier Hentsch (Canada), Société en commandite 1000, rue Sherbrooke Ouest
Bureau 2200 · Montréal (Québec) H3A 3R7 - Téléphone 1 514 847 7748
tunities. If you take a position in a stock and
it goes down another 10% or 15%, all else
equal in your analysis, you should welcome
sell offs so you can buy more. All you need
is patience to see through short term gyrations when the headlines fill the street and
fundamentals have not materially changed.
Disclaimer
Although Mirabaud Gestion Inc. employs the best
services available, there is no guarantee as to the
accuracy of information presented in this document.
This publication is for information purposes only. The
analysis and conclusion detailed in this publication
may be revised at any time. Past performance should
not be taken as a guarantee of future performance.
Views expressed are those of the individual.
■
Derrick R. GUT, CPA, CA, CFA
Associate Advising Representative
MIRABAUD Gestion Inc.
1501 McGill College Avenue, Suite 2220
Montréal, Québec H3A 3M8 Canada
Sources:
*Bloomberg, Mirabaud Gestion Inc.
** Wall Street Journal
Visit a Lindt Outlet Boutique
and discover a wide selection of irresistible Lindt Chocolates and gifts at delectable deals.
Etobicoke - 1557 The Queensway
Kitchener - 4500 King Street East
Brossard - 7200 boul. du Quartier
Mississauga - 7090 Kennedy Road
Scarborough - 2250 Markham Road
Toronto Eaton Centre - 290 Yonge Street
Ottawa - 1763 St. Laurent Blvd.
Laval - 2360 Autoroute Chomedey (Aut 13)
Pointe-Claire - 58 boul. Brunswick
Sainte Foy - 1454 Avenue Jules Verne
For all store locations, please visit lindt.com
O C T O B E R /N O V E M B E R
13
Business and Other News
Actualités économiques et d’affaires
CANADA
TIPS AND TAXES IN CANADIAN
AND SWISS RESTAURANTS
by Kurt Schläpfer,
Switzerland
When you eat out in
a Toronto restaurant,
your bill does not only
show the price listed
on the menu, but you
pay an additional 13% tax and at least 15%
tip for the waiter. In Switzerland, however,
the tax is included in the menu price and
tipping is optional. Which of these two
systems is more preferential?
SWITZERLAND
The principle in Swiss restaurants is that
what you see on the menu is what you
pay on your bill. In fact, there is a “hidden”
value-added tax included in the menu price
amounting to 8%, which is one of the lowest
in the world. Although tipping is clearly
optional, there is some debate whether or
not a minimum tip should be added. The
author of this article remembers those days
in Switzerland when tips in restaurants were
mandatory. When they were abolished in
1974, the prices on the menu were adapted
accordingly. Therefore tips are no longer
necessary. But it is very common to round up
to a straight sum, which can easily amount
to 5% or 10% for smaller sums. In case of
larger bills, however, 5% can be considered
a good tip.
legislature. The Bill prohibits restaurant
owners and operators from charging automatic service charges in restaurants, except
for private functions or banquets.
In an internet forum the question has
been raised: “If I go to a buffet restaurant,
how much should I tip? My friends have told
me that because this is a kind of “self-serve”
restaurant, we can leave whatever amount
we like.” A typical answer to this question
is: “If you want to “do it right,” leave 10%.
Removing plates and refilling beverages do
not call for the 15% to 20% standard that
full service calls for.”
Since July 2010, the province of Ontario
levies the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) being
13% for food and beverages in restaurants.
Unlike in Switzerland, this tax is not included
in the menu price and charged separately.
Tipping is not mandatory, but Ontario allows
employers to pay lower than minimum
wages to waiters who, as a consequence,
expect to be receiving tips. In Ontario, the
minimum wage is $10.25 per hour, which
is less than what you pay for a teenage
babysitter.
The commonly accepted tip nowadays
is between 15 and 20% and higher if you
find the service exceptional. An expert
says: “Some people tip 25%. I don’t know
anybody who tips 10% anymore. 15% is the
bottom line here.”
It is a point of confusion whether the tip
should be calculated on the amount before
tax or on the total after tax. It would make
sense to base the tip on the amount spent
before any taxes. However, in restaurants
where handheld electronic terminals are
used, the tip is added on the total after tax,
if you choose the automatic tip percentage.
Some restaurants automatically add 20%
gratuity to the bill, whether you were happy
with the service or not. Many Ontarians
have objected so vehemently to automatic
tipping that a Bill under the title “Elimination
of Automatic Tips Act” passed in May 2010
on its preliminary reading in the provincial
COMPARING SWITZERLAND AND
CANADA: THE AUTHOR’S OPINION
It is certainly convenient to pay a restaurant
bill in Switzerland, because there is no need
for mental arithmetic. However, if you are
used to giving a fixed percentage of gratuity,
it is equally easy to settle a restaurant bill
in Canada.
■
Seit über 20 Jahren in Ontario zugelassener, deutschsprechender Anwalt
und Notar bietet Ihnen persönliche Betreuung und fachliche Kompetenz.
ALEXANDER SENNECKE
BALDWIN ANKA SENNECKE HALMAN LLP
BARRISTERS & SOLICITORS
Helping you
make the Right
Moves
14
INFO SUISSE
Victoria Tower
25 Adelaide Street East
Suite 900
Toronto, Ontario M5C 3A1
www.bashllp.com
Direct:
416.410.2113
Facsimile:
416.410.9423
Cell:
416.816.2113
Handy:
+49.171.713.4423
[email protected]
Für weitere Fragen stehe ich gerne zur Verfügung.
OTHER BUSINESS NEWS
For the second year running, Switzerland,
Sweden, and Singapore lead in overall
innovation performance according to the
Global Innovation Index 2012 (GII): Stronger
Innovation Linkages for Global Growth, published by INSEAD, the leading international
business school, and the World Intellectual
Property Organization (WIPO), a specialized
agency of the United Nations. The report
ranks 141 countries/economies on the basis
of their innovation capabilities and results.
Switzerland ranks 3rd after Hong
Kong and the US in the 2012 World
Competitiveness Yearbook published by
the Institute for Management Development.
The alpine nation rose from 5th place in the
2011 edition. The WCY ranks 59 economies
on how well they manage their economic
and human resources to increase their
prosperity.
Geneva ranks 5th and Zurich 6th as the
world’s most expensive cities for expat
workers in a list headed by Tokyo, The
Mercer Cost of Living 2012 survey covers 214
cities across five continents and measures
the comparative cost of over 200 items in
each location.
Switzerland is the world’s 4th happiest
nation in terms of life satisfaction according
to the Better Life index produced by the
Organization for Economic Cooperation and
Development (OECD). Denmark leads the
pack with the US ranking 11th. The Better
Life index is based on criteria including
income, jobs, housing and health, and compares well-being across 36 countries, based
on 11 topics in the areas of material living
conditions and quality of life.
OECD has found that of the 6.2 million
people judged as having the most soughtafter skills in the world, some 200,000 live
in Switzerland as reported in Tages Anzeiger.
The majority of those living in Switzerland
are from the expat community, who are
attracted, together with their families, to
the country’s high quality of life as well as
to top salaries. A recent study conducted in
Basel also showed that expats earn more
than their Swiss counterparts for the same
work. The study found that the Swiss were
happy with their salaries, but that the expats
had made acceptance of the overseas job
conditional on a higher salary.
Ascom, headquartered in Berne, has
acquired all assets pertaining to the Nurse
Call business of GE Healthcare. Based in
Bradenton, FL GE Healthcare is one of the
leading nurse call suppliers in the US and
Canadian market. This acquisition gives
Ascom access to the North American nurse
call market and creates opportunities to
combine GE Nurse Call systems with Ascom’s
existing mobility offering.
Nestlé Health Science in Lutry has acquired
a stake in privately held Accera based in
Broomfield, CO. Accera specializes in the
research, development and commercialization of medical foods for neurodegenerative
disorders like Alzheimer’s which affects
more than 30 million people worldwide.
Zurich Insurance will boost its presence in
downtown Chicago by adding 150 jobs to its
headcount, raising it to about 500 insurance
and risk management professionals over the
next few years.
Novartis has signed a definitive agreement
to acquire specialty dermatology generics
company Fougera Pharmaceuticals based in
Melville, NY. Under the terms of the agreement, Novartis will acquire the business for
$1.525 billion in an all-cash transaction.
UBS is to establish its first administrative
office in New York City to serve as the
group’s third in North America, after Toronto
and the Cayman Islands.
Dow Automotive Systems is expanding
its composite processing capabilities with
For over 50 years, many of Europe’s largest corporate groups, as well as numerous
small and medium-size companies, have counted on Lette to provide them with
practical, sophisticated and cost-effective legal advice in Canada.
Contact
Bernard Lette at
[email protected]
Toronto: +1.416.971.4898
Montréal: +1.514.788.0998
WWW.LETTE.CA
Lette LLP
Lette & Associés s.e.n.c.r.l.
Lette Alérion
Lette & Knorr
toronto
montréal
paris
munich / ulm
O C T O B E R /N O V E M B E R
15
Business and Other News
Actualités économiques et d’affaires
the opening of development facilities in
Freienbach.
Veeam Software, the Columbus, OH provider
of VMware and Hyper-V VM backup and
replication, and virtualization management
solutions for virtual datacenter environments, has located its global headquarters
in Baar.
Florida-based AppRiver, a provider of email
messaging and Web security solutions,
opened its new Europe, Middle East and
Africa (EMEA) headquarters, AppRiver AG, in
Canton Aargau.
Saama Technologies Inc., a Campbell
CA-based provider of data and analytics has
opened a new office in Solothurn to serve
the growing demand for business analytics
and data management solutions across the
European region.
Evalueserve, headquartered in Malvern,
PA and a global specialist in knowledge
processes, inaugurated its Swiss office in
Dübendorf.
SWISS BIOTECH INDUSTRY:
HIGH LEVEL OF PERFORMANCE
DESPITE CURRENCY EFFECTS
2011 was a surprisingly good year for the
Swiss biotech industry despite negative currency effects and the continuing economic
weakness that affected all export-driven
industries. But according to the 2012 Swiss
Biotech Report the signs are positive as
exemplified by the volume of investment in
private and listed Swiss biotech companies,
which increased sharply compared with the
previous year.
HIGHLIGHTS
•
•
16
Net sales amounted to a total of CHF
8,696 million, representing a decrease
of 558 million compared with the previous year. The decline is mainly attributable to the weakness of the US dollar
and the Euro against the Swiss franc.
The industry suffered a total loss of CHF
350 million, which can also be attributed
to the negative exchange rate influences CHF - Euro and CHF - USD, as well
INFO SUISSE
•
•
as to non-recurring items concerning
individual companies.
Investments in private and listed companies, however, increased compared with
the previous year by 203 to 458 million.
Viewed over the long term, the investments made in 2011 are again at a high
level.
At the end of 2011, the industry showed
a net increase of 12 companies. This
brings the total number of companies in
the industry to 249 (excluding branches
•
of foreign companies and the biotech
activities of large Swiss pharmaceutical
and agrochemical firms).
The number of employees has risen to
just under 19,200.
■
Source:
Switzerland Trade & Investment Promotion
Member Profile
CRAWFORD CHONDON
& PARTNERS LLP
Crawford Chondon & Partners LLP is a law
firm engaged as a strategic and trusted
advisor and representative to employers
in labour and employment matters in all
sectors of the economy.
In 1998, David Chondon and Susan
Crawford left downtown Toronto where they
were practicing at a management labour
and employment law firm to strike out on
their own. They chose Brampton because of
its location, growth potential, accessibility
to clients and to take advantage of family
connections in the local and expanding Peel
business community. Today, the firm represents clients across the province and country
as well as many international employers
with Ontario operations.
As the firm now enters its 15th year in
business, it has steadily grown to ensure
depth in all the key areas of labour and
employment law. The firm presently provides a range of labour and employment
law services to employers of all sizes.
On the labour side the firm represents
employers in certification applications, unfair
labour practice complaints, sale of business
applications, rights and interest arbitrations,
collective agreement negotiations, labour
injunctions as well as providing employers
with general labour advice and training on
issues relevant to unionized workplaces.
On the employment side, the firm drafts
employment agreements, independent contractor agreements, restrictive covenants,
and policy manuals in addition to representing employers in wrongful dismissal
litigation, injunctive proceedings and other
employment-related litigation.
The firm also represents employers in
human rights, occupational health and
safety, employment standards, WSIB/
workers compensation, workplace investigations, pay equity, employment equity and
privacy matters.
Presently, the firm has 10 lawyers
together with a number of legal support staff
and students to enable it to effectively represent employers of all sizes. Although many
of our clients have hundreds of employees,
the firm’s depth and diversity of experiences
enables it to effectively represent employers
with only a few to thousands of employees;
from simple hiring inquiries to complex corporate restructuring or employment litigation. Whether union or non-union, public or
private sector, multinational corporation or
sole proprietorship, the firm has the experience, depth and expertise to help employers
navigate any workplace issues.
The firm success in building the business
and developing new client relationships is
also attributable to two new partners who
joined David and Susan over the years. In
2001, Jay Rider, a close friend and former
colleague joined the firm. Like David and
Susan, Jay had spent a number of years practicing in Toronto as a management labour
and employment lawyer before deciding to partner with the firm. Jay brought
tremendous experience in both the labour
and employment law fields, with a unique
emphasis on construction labour relations.
In 2004, Karen Fields came on board as
a partner to provide leadership and depth
in the area of health and safety. Karen had
many years of experience in this area having
been a partner at a Toronto management
labour and employment law firm. Like Jay,
Karen was yet another example of “friends
becoming business partners”.
Just recently, the firm has been pleased
to welcome Rob Boswell as counsel. Rob
has the distinction of being recognized
by his legal colleagues as one of the best
lawyers in Canada in workers compensation
law. His considerable expertise in this area
is an important addition to the firm’s team
of advisors.
The firm has always believed community
involvement is important and many of its
lawyers are involved in charitable organizations and initiatives including Kiwanis, Big
Brothers Big Sisters, Interim Place, Zonta
and the Brampton and Area Community
Foundation as well as sponsoring and participating in various charitable golf tournaments and events.
The firm’s growth has made it the largest
specialized firm of its kind in Peel Region
and one of the largest firms in the Province
outside of downtown Toronto. What started
off as a husband and wife practice has grown
to ten lawyers who act as “trusted advisors”
for employers in managing their workforces.
In this regard, the firm has embraced technology to assist in the delivery of its services
across the province and beyond. This has
also included frequent blogging on important issues affecting employers. Crawford
Chondon & Partners LLP has become a true
“full-service” management labour and
employment firm.
David has been participating in the Swiss
Chamber’s golf tournament for a number
of years and enjoyed the festivities and
relationships. As a new member, the firm
looks forward to participating in events and
further developing relationships with other
Chamber members in the years to come.
If you would like to learn more about any
of our lawyers or the firm, or to receive our
weekly blog, please visit www.ccpartners.ca.
Quote of the Month
There’s nothing wrong with having
a plan.
Plans are great.
But missions are better.
Missions survive when plans fail, and
plans almost always fail.
Seth Godin
O C T O B E R /N O V E M B E R
17
Ka r i n’s Pe r for m a nce S olut i o n s
Happy People = Better Work
HAPPY PEOPLE = BETTER WORK
By Heidi Garcia
There’s nothing new under the sun. We’ve all
heard that catch phrase. The fact that happy
employees significantly boost the bottom
line is also not new and there is plenty of
scientific data to prove that. But have you
ever considered what really makes workers
happy in a meaningful way? And how can
you create a company culture that nurtures
this happiness?
In her book “The Extraordinary Workplace:
Replacing Fear with Trust and Compassion”,
author Danna Beal says “When a company
ignores the hearts and souls of its employees, it can be likened to shooting a hole
in the gas tank and then asking why they
aren’t getting better mileage. People are
the energy that drives the company. When
companies help people develop as whole
people, they then develop their full potential – including at work.”
18
INFO SUISSE
Most bosses equate happy employees in
terms of tangible rewards: a good salary, a
pleasant work environment, and generous
benefits. While these aspects are important,
they will only go so far. From my own experience, I have found that intangibles such
as respect, trust, and fairness play a much
larger role in overall employee happiness.
Early in my career I personally witnessed
a situation that I will never forget. The
company was losing money and significant
cost cutting measures were being implemented. As a result, a number of employees were being laid-off. Two of the top
executives were assigned this task. From my
cubicle I had a clear view to the offices of
each executive and I was able to see one
employee after the other going into either
one office or the other. What happened
during the course of the day was unbelievable. As each person came out of the one
office they were visibly shaken, upset, and
very emotional. It was very sad and hard to
watch. However, as each employee came
out of the other office, they held their heads
high, extended their hand to the executive
and smiled as they walked by. How could
this be? They were just laid-off and yet they
were smiling. Clearly, the message was
the same but the delivery was very different. I asked the executive what he said to
the employees that resulted in a positive
outcome under difficult circumstances. His
words had a profound impact on me. He
said, “I made sure to thank each employee
for their hard work and let them know that
they were valued. I also told them that they
were great employees and had it not been
for the financial difficulties the company was
experiencing, they would still be employed.
I made sure they knew that I would provide
them with excellent references and that
they each had much to offer. I treated them
the way that I would have wanted to be
treated - with respect.” I was able to speak
to a few of the employees who were laid-off
by the other executive and they told me that
they were basically told that they no longer
had a job and to pack their things and leave.
No one wants to be laid-off, but under
the circumstances which of the two executives would you have wanted to lay you off?
It reminds me of what a wise person once
said: “They may forget what you said, but
they will never forget how you made them
feel”.
Treating employees with dignity and
respect cannot be over-emphasized.
According to leading workplace experts,
there are seven intangibles that employees
need most to be happy and productive:
1. Appreciation – It costs nothing and yet
the benefits are priceless.
2. Respect – People want to be paid what
they’re worth, treated like adults, and
rewarded for their good work.
3. Trust – As a boss, you have to trust first
in order to be trusted.
4. Individual Growth – Employees want
the opportunity to grow and learn on
the job. Help them to reach their full
potential.
5. A Good Boss – People don’t leave companies, they leave bosses.
6. Compatible Co-Workers – Employees
like to work with people they get along
with well, with whom they can laugh
and who share a sense of pride in the
work they do together.
7. A Sense of Purpose – Employees
want to understand how their efforts
contribute to the success of the business
and want to feel that they are making
a difference to their team, department,
and the company.
If you want to know more about what
makes employees happy just take a look at
yourself for the answers. What makes you
happy about your job? Don’t you find that
when you are happy and enjoy the work you
do, you actually do better work, your energy
level is high, and you have a greater sense
of accomplishment?
Employee satisfaction increases productivity, increases happiness, decreases
absenteeism, and decreases job turnover. In
other words, Happy People = Better Work.
Remember, excellence is not a skill. It’s
an attitude.
Heidi Garcia is a Human Performance Specialist
working with KARICO Performance Solutions,
located in Richmond Hill, Ontario. Karin Lindner
is the founder and owner and her mission is to
“help organizations and individuals in manufacturing environments to become the best
they can be by positively impacting their ROI
(Relationships, Outcomes and Improvements)”.
Karin can be reached at 1-647-401-5274
or by e-mail at [email protected];
you may also visit her website at
www.karicosolutions.com
■
SCHOLARSHIP FUND
OF ONTARIO
The Swiss Canadian Scholarship
Fund of Ontario is pleased to offer
yearly scholarships. It is open to
members of the SCCC and the
Swiss Community in Ontario.
To find out more about the
availability and eligibility criteria,
please visit the Ontario Chamber’s
website at:
www.swissbiz.ca/scholarship
YOUR GLOBAL LOGISTICS NETWORK
#SJUJTI$PMVNCJBt"MCFS U Bt.BOJUPCBt0OU BSJPt2VFCFDt/FX#SVOTXJDLt/PWB4DPUJB
Kuehne + Nagel Ltd.
info.toronto@kuehne–nagel.com
www.kuehne–nagel.com
O C T O B E R /N O V E M B E R
19
Tribeca Insights
A N ew D awn for Swi ss B a n k in g
A NEW DAWN FOR SWISS
BANKING
By: Beat J. Guldimann, LLD
Switzerland’s banking
sector has seen better
days. Over the past
couple of years, the
world witnessed the
destruction of Swiss bank secrecy as we
knew it by a concerted effort of American
and European governments to outlaw the
cross-border reach of Swiss secrecy rules
in tax matters. Old established foundations
of Swiss private banking have eroded as
bankers had to watch their own government
cutting deals with U.S. authorities and negotiating new tax treaties with neighboring
European nations.
While the Swiss government caved in
when confronted with global pressures to
give up tax sovereignty, German officials
took advantage of the greedy nature of different individuals with access to confidential
bank data. The German-orchestrated theft of
bank data was as successful in scaring noncompliant taxpayers, as it was illegal under
any given principle of international law. And
it continues to this day in an unprecedented
disregard of the rule of law or political
protocol displayed by some German political
leaders.
The Swiss reaction so far was to put
everybody in the industry on a mandatory
“white money” prescription. No Swiss banker
shall accept any new money from customers
without ascertaining that taxes have been
duly paid in the country of residence. In
addition, bankers in the business of crossborder wealth management shall make sure
that their existing clientele comes clean
with their tax departments or face expulsion
from the vaults of Bahnhofstrasse.
Ironically, the compliant Swiss are alone
in this type of house cleaning. Bankers in
Stuttgart or Miami are happy to continue
dealing with all sorts of foreign clients
without concern for the tax status of any
moneys that are to be deposited with them.
20
INFO SUISSE
The hypocrisy could not be more obvious.
And in it lies the biggest opportunity for the
Swiss banking sector.
After taking the challenge presented by
Washington and Brussels on the chin, the
Swiss can now claim the high ground in the
debate about who has the cleanest private
banking system.
Switzerland’s private banking sector has
gone through a similar transformation some
twenty years ago. Mired by allegations of
hiding money on behalf of foreign dictators
and criminals, the Swiss Bankers Association
established new rules on the identification
of clients, persons beneficially interested in
deposited moneys as well as the provenance
of funds.
These new “Know-Your-Client” or “KYC”
rules soon became the new standard for
cross-border wealth management and
were adopted in a host of private banking
jurisdictions around the globe. They were
augmented by the adoption of a series of
Anti-Money-Laundering or “AML” rules in
the Swiss criminal code, making the com-
TANT D’HORIZONS À EXPLOR R
MIRABAUD ÉLARGIT SON HORIZON, AUTANT
POUR LA GESTION PRIVÉE QUE L’ASSET MANAGEMENT
ET L’INTERMÉDIATION.
S’ENGAGER AUTREMENT POUR ALLER PLUS LOIN.
www.mirabaud.com
MIRABAUD Canada Inc. - Olivier Rodriguez / MIRABAUD Gestion Inc. - Yves Erard
1501, avenue McGill College - Bureau 2220 - Montréal (Québec) H3A 3M8 - T +1 514 393-1690 - F +1 514 875-8942
MIRABAUD Canada Inc. est membre de l’Organisme canadien de réglementation du commerce des valeurs mobilières inc. et du Fonds canadien de protection des épargnants.
bined KYC and AML framework of the Swiss
the toughest in the world.
Meanwhile, the dubious moneys of the
world continue to find a safe harbor in the
U.S. State of Delaware where companies can
be created without any disclosure of any
sorts. These companies can then open bank
accounts in the U.S. with the stroke of a signature by a nominee director and no further
information on shareholders or individuals
beneficially interested in the assets.
Now that the Swiss government and
the Swiss private baking industry have yet
again leapt to the leading edge of regulatory transformation, it is time that they both
start acting assertively and with confidence
on the global scene. Enough with the apologies for the past, enough with the constant
paranoia of being dragged into yet another
legal dispute with foreign nations about
where their hypocrisy ends and where Swiss
sovereignty starts.
This is a historic opportunity for the Swiss
financial services sector to lead again by
setting the example of how a globally compliant cross-border business has to be run.
No doubt, the most recent changes will
lead to some short-term pain for an industry
that is already challenged by a recessiondriven decline in revenues. However,
Switzerland can show the world how a
sustainable, ethical and clean global private
banking business looks like and how best
practices are defined.
To achieve this will require clear leadership and stamina within the industry as well
as by the Swiss government, something that
has not always been evident in the recent
past. There are many signs out there that
this is about to change, and this is reason
for confidence in the ability of Switzerland
to defend its leadership in international
private banking.
Beat Guldimann, owner of Tribeca Consulting
Group, holds a Doctorate in Law from the
University of Basel; he was legal counsel at
the former SBC (86-96), President and CEO
of UBS Canada (97-01), Head of Global Private
Banking at CIBC (01-04) and Vice-Chairman at
Hampton Securities (05-07).
■
BIENVENUE AUX NOUVEAUX MEMBRES
CCCS (QUÉBEC) INC.
Corporate
Swiss International Air Lines
membre additionnel / additional member
Madame Mina Cicale
Directrice générale pour le Canada
Tél. 514.954.5600
e-mail : [email protected]
www.swiss.com
The bigger the questions our changing climate
poses, the better our answers need to be.
As natural catastrophes increase in frequency and severity, no one has all the answers. But what we do have
at Swiss Re is the depth of expertise and global capacity to offer innovative ways to transfer financial risk and
rebuild. Moreover, we have the most advanced proprietary natural catastrophe modelling system in the re/insurance
industry. Pioneered in partnership with scientists and engineers, this provides our clients with a unique, constantly
updated perspective on natural catastrophe risks. So can there be anyone better placed to help you anticipate, evaluate and mitigate the impact of climate change? At Swiss Re, risk is our raw material; what we create is opportunity.
Looking for better answers? Plug into swissre.com
©2012 Swiss Re
O C T O B E R /N O V E M B E R
21
Chamber News
Information de votre chambre
LA CHAMBRE DE COMMERCE
CANADO–SUISSE DU QUÉBEC
HEUREUSE DE PARTICIPER
AU PREMIER FESTIVAL
INTERNATIONAL DE CIRQUE
DE VAUDREUIL–DORION.
Par Jean Serge Grisé
Le 25 juin dernier, une délégation de notre
Chambre a assisté au Gala de remise des
prix à l’occasion de la première édition ce
nouveau festival. Notre collègue Christian
Dubois a attiré notre attention sur cet événement après avoir rencontré les représentants
de la Ville de Vaudreuil-Dorion. Étant donné
la thématique du festival et l’hommage
au grand clown suisse Grock, nous n’avons
pas hésité à nous joindre à nos amis de la
Fédération des sociétés suisses de l’est du
Canada afin d’offrir une bourse de 1 000$
La photographe pour le Festival : Josiane Pharand
Raphael Delacombraz, Angelica Bongiovonni et
Jean-Serge Grisé
à une jeune artiste de cirque prometteuse,
Angelica Bongiovonni.
Le spectacle Le Grand Cirque est la
première compétition internationale de
cirque au Canada. Le trophée Grock d’or,
récompense ultime, a été remis à l’artiste
s’étant le plus illustré. Avec sa compétition internationale, le Festival de Cirque
Vaudreuil-Dorion s’est inscrit parmi les plus
prestigieuses manifestations mondiales
dans le monde du cirque.
Nous avons eu le plaisir de rencontrer le
porte-parole du festival, Eugene Chaplin, qui
a discuté avec nous de son projet de Musée
en l’honneur de son père, le grand Charlie
Chaplin, qu’il est à mettre en place à Vevey.
Le Festival a été un grand succès et nous
vous suggérons de surveiller les journaux et
de préparer une visite à Vaudreuil-Dorion à
l’occasion de la deuxième édition du Festival
en 2013.
■
LE JURA À MONTRÉAL
Le 12 septembre dernier, nous avons eu le
plaisir de rencontrer un groupe d’une vingtaine de dirigeant(es) d’entreprises venus
du Jura. Cette délégation économique était
dirigée par le ministre de l’Économie et de
la coopération du Canton du Jura, monsieur
Michel Probst.
Du chocolat suisse sur tous les vols ?
Les clichés ont parfois du bon !
À part le chocolat, SWISS a bien d’autres bonnes choses à oø rir. Comme des temps de
transit rapides et la qualité du service. Chaque jour, SWISS relie sans escale Montréal à
la Suisse, où des correspondances optimales vous attendent pour d’autres destinations
européennes. Bienvenue dans le monde de SWISS. Pour informations et réservations
appelez le 1-877-FLY SWISS, contactez votre agence de voyages ou visitez le swiss.com
De nombreuses récompenses :
SWISS Business avec des lits
parfaitement horizontaux.
*
*Notre emblème est notre promesse.
22
050_300_Tailfin_7.25x5_Canada 1
INFO SUISSE
13.12.11 10:20
Chambre et Christian G.Dubois, au nom de
la Ville de Montréal ont aussi pris la parole.
La délégation a séjourné au Québec
durant une semaine et ont visité des entreprises de Québec à Montréal, en plus de
tenir diverses réunions avec divers experts.
Une membre de la Chambre, Marie-Josée
Caroline Blaser, Directrice Swiss Business Hub Canada
entourée de deux membres de la délégation
économique du Jura
Le nouveau Consul général de Suisse à
Montréal, monsieur Beat Kaser était l’hôte
de cette soirée qui s’est déroulée à l’Auberge
Saint-Gabriel du Vieux-Montréal. Un trentaine d’invités du Québec étaient aussi
présents pour entendre le ministre Probst et
l’Ambassadeur de Suisse au Canada, monsieur Ulrich Lehner. Jean Serge Grisé de la
Michel Probst, ministre de l’Économie du Jura
Loiselle, s’était vu confier l’organisation de
cette mission.
■
Consul général de Suisse à Montréal Beat Kaser, Jean
Serge Grisé, Michel Probst, ministre de l’Économie
du Jura, Christian G. Dubois (Ville de Montréal) et
Ambassadeur de Suisse au Canada Ulrich Lehner
Mrs. Cicale began her career with
Swissair in 1999. At SWISS she served in
various functions in sales before heading to
JFK International Airport to take on the role
as Deputy Station Manager.
Recently Mina served as General Manager
Sales & Services USA based at the USA headquarters of SWISS in East Meadow, NY.
UNE BELLE RÉCEPTION POUR
LA NOUVELLE RESPONSABLE
DE SWISS.
M. Sergio Carin, Responsable ventes & marketing les
Amériques, Zurich Dr. Holger Hätty, Chef de la direction
commerciale, Zurich Mme Mina Cicale, Directrice pour
le Canada M. Arved von zur Mühlen, Responsable des
marchés intercontinentaux, Zurich
Ambassadeur de Suisse au Canada Ulrich Lehner, Mina
Cicale, directrice générale de SWISS au Canada, Consul
général de Suisse à Montréal Beat Kaser
Le 13 septembre, un grand nombre de
personnalités du milieu des affaires montréalais se sont réunis au prestigieux restaurant
Laurie Raphaël de l’Hôtel Le Germain pour
souhaiter la bienvenue à la nouvelle directrice générale de SWISS pour le Canada,
madame Mina Cicale.
À cette occasion plusieurs membres de
notre Chambre avait été invités. Le chef de
la direction commerciale de SWISS, Dr Holger
Hätty , ainsi que monsieur Arved von zur
Muehlen, responsable, étaient venus au
Canada spécialement pour cette soirée.
Gervais Rioux (Cycles Gervais Rioux) un membre de la
Chambre et Jean Serge Grisé
SWISS International Air Lines a toujours
été un membre corporatif très actif de notre
Chambre et nous sommes heureux de constater que madame Cicale nous a assuré de
maintenir cette tradition.
■
O C T O B E R /N O V E M B E R
23
Swiss Success Stories
Histoire d’un succès suisse au Canada
Continued from page 6
As a private school, the National Ski
Academy is equally proud of the Student
Athletes achievement in the class room.
All NSA graduates are Ontario scholars and
have earned opportunities at the universities of their choice in Canada and USA. Some
Student Athletes receive full Scholarships.
Our class grade average is over 86%.
Public and private sector support has made
this unique Canadian institution possible.
“The graduates come back years later and
tell me that the NSA years were the most
important in their lives, experiencing the
highs and lows, learning to accept defeat,
and how to handle success. As I look back
over the 26 years, I am very honoured to
have had the chance to be a positive influence in the lives of so many young people.”
You can make a positive difference by
making a tax-deductible donation to the
National Ski Academy, at www.nsa.on.ca
Above article is based on an interview by
Ms. Barbara Sutton with Jurg Gfeller.
R e stau r a n t, bar
et douc e s fo l i e s
426, RUE SAINT-GABRIEL
M O N TREA L Q C
T 514.878.3561
A U BE RG E S A I N T- G ABR I E L . C O M
24
INFO SUISSE
■
Travel News
AIR ZERMATT ADDS THE LATEST
BELL 429 HELICOPTER TO
ITS FLEET
Air Zermatt has expanded its fleet with
Europe’s most modern helicopter. From
mid-September, a helicopter Type Bell 429
will fly for the famous mountain rescue
service. The Swiss helicopter company
stands for reliability and speed. The Air
Zermatt specialists rescue casualties
from the mountains and out of glacier
crevasses as well as performing transport
assignments and touristic flights.
The Zermatt mountain rescue pioneers
continually develop and perfect rescue techniques, which achieve maximum efficiency
thanks to team work between the helicopter
crews and rescuers. Gerold Biner, CEO of Air
Zermatt: “With the new Bell 429 helicopter
we will also be able to carry out difficult
night rescues.” The helicopter, registered as
HB-ZSU, has specially built-in, highly-efficient
SX5 searchlights, a Max Viz infrared camera,
the certified NVG (Night Vision Goggles)
night vision system, a 90-metre-long winch
and modern medical technology. It is also
approved for blind flights and will go into
service from mid-September 2012.
ACTIVE IN THREE SECTORS
Material transport is an important business
sector of Air Zermatt. Transport flights take
up 60% of flying hours. Lama and Ecureuil
helicopters carry up all shapes and sizes of
building material as under-slung loads to
mountain building sites, mountain rail &
cableways, mountain huts and avalanche
barrier sites. Air Zermatt also specializes in
timber transport, assembly work, greening large areas, fire-fighting missions and
special assignments with working platforms.
The new Bell 429 is for example particularly
suitable for maintenance work on high-voltage power lines because it has two motors
and thus is especially safe. The second
largest number of Air Zermatt flying hours
is taken up by rescue and transfer flights for
casualties. The third largest number of flying
hours involves touristic flights. The offers
include round-flights over the Alps, around
the Matterhorn, taxi flights from Swiss
and international airports to the holiday
destination of Zermatt and heli-skiing from
Continued on page 27
Swiss chocolate on every Ðight?
Don’t you just love clichés?
It’s what you’d expect – and more. When you Ð y SWISS Business, discreet service and
regional cuisine come standard – and so does a fully Ðat bed. SWISS oøers a daily
non-stop Ðight from Montreal to Zurich with excellent connections to many other
European destinations. For information and reservations please call 1-877-FLY SWISS,
contact your travel agent or visit swiss.com
Award winning:
SWISS Business with
fully Ðat bed
050_300_Wing_7.25x5_Canada 1
13.12.11 08:45
O C T O B E R /N O V E M B E R
25
Andrea von Moeller
Director, Business Development
2Market International
B2-125 The Queensway, #131
Toronto, Ontario M8Y 1H6
Canada
Phone:
Mobile:
Fax:
Fax:
+1-416-907-8012
+1-416-505-1870
+1-866-407-0719
+1-647-439-0831
[email protected]
chartered accountants | tax advisors
trowbridge.ca
We take the complication out of tax
•
•
•
•
•
Corporate and Expatriate tax services
Full cycle accounting services
Business and corporate structure consulting services
Managed payroll services
Multilingual−English, German, French
Monica Stevens-Wyss
Manager, Accounting & Business Services
[email protected]
25 Adelaide St. E., Suite 1400, Toronto, ON M5C 3A1
Now is the time to give
your child a head start
to a great education.
77 Foster Crescent
Mississauga, Ontario L5R 0K1
L
L
L
L
Trilingual private school.
Preschool to grade 12.
International community.
No eligibility certificate
required.
corptype
Proud to be of service to the
Swiss Canadian Chambers
of Commerce
Nancy Raitt
416.444.6102
[email protected]
26
INFO SUISSE
Travel News
Continued from page 25
mountain landing sites. The entire annual
kerosene consumption of Air Zermatt for
flights to these landing sites is equivalent to
one single full tank for the flight of a large
passenger airliner from Zurich to New York.
INTERNATIONALLY LINKED
Air Zermatt has international links thanks
to its leading global position in mountain
rescue. The company works with research
stations in Germany and Austria as well
as with the ISSM (International Society for
Mountain Medicine) and other internationally active organizations. Gerold Biner, CEO
of Air Zermatt, has been president of the
IKAR/CISA – the world-wide platform for
the exchange of mountain rescue knowhow – since October 2010. Air Zermatt’s
links also ensure that know-how is regularly
communicated. And so since 2010, Air
Zermatt has been working in Nepal to build
a rescue station where helicopter pilots and
mountain rescuers can be trained for highly
complex rescue missions at altitudes up to
7000 metres. During its 40-year history, Air
Zermatt has already received three heroism
awards (1972, 1976, 2010) as well as many
other international honours.
SWITZERLAND: UNLIMITED
TRAVEL THROUGHOUT
SWITZERLAND!
With the new holiday passport, this fall you
can travel throughout Switzerland by train,
post bus and boat at an extremely low price:
from 129 francs on four flexibly chosen days,
from 199 francs for 15 days in a row.
Thanks to the holiday passport, you can
travel the length and breadth of Switzerland
and get on and off public transport services
as you wish. You can enjoy unlimited travel
on trains, post buses and boats. Moreover,
you’ll benefit from discounts on many Swiss
mountain railways. By the way: if you’d
like to stay overnight as you tour through
Switzerland, Switzerland Tourism has a wide
selection of attractive hotel offers for you.
SWITZERLAND:
VIAPOSTAALPINA – EXPLORING
THE CENTRAL ALPS BY POST
BUS AND ON FOOT
Steep roads, tight bends, the sound of the
post horn, and a skilful Post Bus driver – the
ViaPostaAlpina brings to life the time-honoured alpine post system, still going strong
after more than160 years. A generous dose
of romanticism, a pinch of myth, a dash of
serendipity and a few surprising twists and
turns. In other words, the very ingredients of
a good journey.
The ViaPostaAlpina takes you by post bus
and on foot through the Swiss Alps using
historic paths and roads. The six-day round
trip takes in the four passes of the Grimsel,
Nufenen, Gotthard and Susten. Combine
hiking with spectacular Post Bus tours, as
the mood takes you. Whatever the weather,
the ViaPostaAlpina is always fun, and ideal
for groups and families, catering for all their
different tastes. ViaPostaAlpina – Exploring
the central Alps by post bus and on foot.
LAKE LUCERNE REGION:
WORLD PREMIERE ON MOUNT
STANSERHORN
A new cable car system lets guests enjoy
fresh air and great views around Mount
Stanserhorn. The double-decker cable car
has an open upper deck.
Riding to the top of the 1,900-meter
Mount Stanserhorn with the wind in your
hair, the blue sky above you and a fantastic
360° panorama: that was the concept of
the new cable car to replace the one from
Kälti to Stanserhorn. The so-called “Cabrio”
cable car is the world’s first cable car with a
roofless upper deck. The comfortable “Swiss
made” double-decker is the very latest in
cable car technology. The lower level (with
nearly wall-to-wall windows) has space for
60 people. From there, an elegant staircase
leads up to the sun deck, which has room
for about 30 people. The guests can enjoy
360° panoramic views as well as the fresh
mountain air.
■
Member Travel
Bulletin Board
Dear Member and Info Suisse Reader:
Many of you travel on business or privately
within Canada or overseas; I am sure that
during such trips you often have some
great or a few totally frustrating experiences with airlines, hotels, car rentals or
restaurants. We would like to hear your
stories, suggestions, recommendations
or travel tips that are interesting for our
readership. Maybe you have come across
a great website, a fantastic deal for a
great, little-known hotel, an unusual
must-see site to explore, a wonderful,
restaurant that you loved, etc. and you
would like to share this with us. We will
select the best stories and/or information
that we are provided with and will publish
it in info suisse under a new section called
“Member Travel Bulletin Board”. The info
suisse committees of the SCCC and CCCS
will then select the “story / information of
the year” and award a prize to the winner
at the annual general meeting.
We will shortly post a special info
suisse e-mail address for your submittals,
but in the meantime please send any
contributions to [email protected] (SCCC
members) and [email protected] (CCCS
members).
Hans Munger
On behalf of your info suisse editing
committee
I have come across several travel apps for
mobile devices that I find quite useful,
one of which I would like to share with
those of you who are not already familiar
with it: (Hans Munger)
Around Me
allows you to find
information about
surroundings such
as nearest banks,
gas stations, hotels,
hospitals, taxis, restaurants and more
while on trips.
O C T O B E R /N O V E M B E R
27
SWITZERLAND CENTRE FOR
TRADE FAIRS/ LA SUISSE –
PLACE DE FOIRES
Basel Wine Fair
Date: 27-OCT-12 to 04-NOV-12
Basel Wine Fair - 2012 One of the largest
wine fair in Switzerland, Basel Wine Fair has
become the leading commercial platform for
boutique wineries from around the world
with limited-production wines available
only in a handful of fine restaurants and
specialized retailers.
Venue: Basel Exhibition Center, Basel,
Basel-Stadt,Switzerland
Slow Food Market
Date: 09-NOV-12 to 11-NOV-12
The Slow Food Market event is one of the
biggest shows for the agricultural industry
in Zurich. The event will be held for a period
of three days. The event will display a huge
variety of food items like the flour, bread,
pastries, cookies, cakes and stock flour,
chocolate, jam, honey, ice-cream, wines,
juices, beverages, non-veg food items, dairy
products, crops, fruits and vegetables.
The Slow Food Market event will be hosted
by more than 160 exhibitors and is expected
to draw in more than 7400 visitors. The
visitors will come across various food items in
the show and will also be able to taste them.
The show will be accompanied by cooking
shows from the reputed chefs.
Venue: Messe Zurich
Zurich,Switzerland
Si je savoure si souvent ces si purs suisses-ci de la Suisse, c’est parce que ces si purs
suisses-ci de la Suisse sont si savoureux. Pourquoi ces si purs suisses-ci de la Suisse
sont-ils si savoureux déjà? Ces si purs suisses-ci de la Suisse sont si savoureux parce
qu’ils sont faits comme seule la Suisse sait les faire. Si vrai, si pur, si Suisse. Si, si.
Découvrez-les sur les
authentiques-suisses.com
Through your membership in the
SCCC, you can join a
group health insurance plan
The country’s leading benefit program
for small business
•
•
•
•
•
Covers businesses with up to
35 employees, including one
person firms
Is open to all industries
Pools claims for price stability
Never targets an individual firm for
a rate increase or cancellation
Offers a full range of benefits,
including coverage normally
reserved for big businesses
Discover the wide range of benefits
available to you, such as Health and
Dental, Critical Illness coverage, Short &
Long Term Disability income replacement
and more!
For more information, contact
Patricia Keller Schläpfer at the SCCC
or visit www.chambers.ca.
28
INFO SUISSE
Just how pure is this Swiss? Well, it’s so pure and so savoury that every taste is 100%
pure bliss. So when it comes to Swiss, there’s one thing that you should never miss.
Make sure to put authentic Swiss on your list. Because nothing else is this Swiss.
Get the real Swiss on
swiss-authentics.com
Imagine a country where public
transport is always on time.
Steamboat “Lötschberg” on Lake Brienz, Bernese Oberland
SwissTravelSystem.com
Just imagine. You can travel 26,000 kilometers by train, bus and boat with just one ticket. Switzerland is a country where
travel by public transport is as exciting as it is relaxing. Whether you are heading for the heights, traveling from city to
city or off the beaten tourist track – in Switzerland, trains, buses and boats are always ready and waiting to take you to
your dream destination. It’s not a transfer – it’s an experience. For more information go to SwissTravelSystem.com,
www.raileurope.ca, or call 1-800-361-RAIL (7245).