F E AT U RE JAY RYAN, BRYTOR INTERNATIONAL MOVING INCS CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER IN TORONTO Paramount Transportation Systems Ole Jensen, Managing Director, David Emery, General Manager, and Bob Johnson, Vice President, Strategic Development Wages must be attractive and benefits extensive to attract a quality workforce and minimise turnover infrastruture. Commute times from many of the neighboring communities easily exceed one hour to get into the city centre. Improvements in public transit are helping, however the sheer pace of growth seems to outpace governments ability to proactively deal with the transportation challenges. At Brytor, Ryan notes the expansion of cheaper housing in rural areas just outside Toronto. We are still seeing a fairly steady ow of import traffic. The older generations are returning to their countries of origin to spend their POPULAR ATTRACTIONS FIDI Affiliates recommend some of their favourite haunts in Toronto Arthur Drewry, Manager at Taylor International, says: Check the weather before venturing out, especially in winter. Enjoy a show at a Toronto theatre. Watch the Jays play at the Rogers Centre or The (Maple) Leafs at Scotiabank Arena. Visit Niagara Falls. Or Toronto Centre Island by boat. David Emery, of Paramount Transportation Systems, says: Witness social ice skating the quintessential Canadian activity on a frozen articial pond at City Hall or the Harbourfront Centre, where beer, wine and warm cocktails are available. Or visit the CN Tower, a dicult-to-miss landmark and originally the tallest free-standing structure in the world. Book an EdgeWalk at 356 metres above ground, if you dare! Armstrong International Movers Derek Duffy recommends: Take a ferry to Toronto Island, which is great for bike riding, walking or jogging. Bring your running shoes and explore some of the trails and jogging paths. And eat well by exploring the citys extensive culinary scene. Brytor Internationals Jay Ryan says: Dont miss the Art Gallery of Ontario, the Science Centre and our excellent theatre district, Harbourfront, the Toronto Islands, the CN Tower, Ripleys Aquarium, the Hockey Hall of Fame, and the Royal Ontario Museum. We also have a world-class zoo. 76 FF289FebMar19 pp70-79 City on the Move Toronto.indd 76 retirement years back home in more cost-effective locations, he says. The biggest challenge, he adds, is finding and retaining a strong and experienced workforce. Wages must be attractive and benefits extensive to attract a quality workforce and minimise turnover, Ryan says. Our senior crew supervisors have each been with Brytor for more than 25 years, and Im in my 30th year working here. Taylor Internationals Drewry believes the FIDI FAIM certification gives companies a competitive advantage once the concept is properly explained to clients. In terms of business challenges, he says: The moving industry in Canada is unregulated, which means it is pretty easy to start up a moving company. As with all markets, there are rogue players out there. Right now, the labour market is pretty tight, with unemployment at around six per cent which makes it harder for HR [to recruit]. THE BIG FREEZE The freezing Canadian winters are not usually a great challenge; Toronto is far south of the countrys coldest belt and, consequently, warmer. While the temperature still dips well below freezing during the cold months, its a rare winter that stops consignments moving altogether. One unusual consequence of the Canadian chill though, explains Duffy, is when expats import wine and it freezes! The freezing point of wine is approximately -14C [depending on the alcohol content], he says. This often leads to disappointment and frustration for the transferee. Paramount agrees that the impact of winter is negligible. Its Vice President, Bob Johnson, says: There may be the odd day of heavy sleet, hail, freezing rain or snow, but these are anticipated by the citys roadmanagement departments and our operational staff, to the extent that a delivery may be delayed but is WWW. F I D I . OR G 23/01/2019 16:56