Tariffs and Trade Updates and Information, visit www.chambercheck.ca
Tariffs and Trade Updates and Information, visit www.chambercheck.ca
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The Cambridge Chamber of Commerce celebrated the work of some outstanding individuals, not-for-profit organizations, and volunteer-led groups at its recent 2025 Cambridge & North Dumfries Community Awards.
The awards ceremony, held Monday, Nov. 10 at Hamilton Family Theatre, brought together nearly 200 community leaders, volunteers, partners and supporters to honour the remarkable achievements of those working quietly and boldly to improve life in Cambridge and the surrounding area.
The event featured reflections from multiple community voices and promoted a strong sense of collective pride about what’s possible when people work together. This year’s recipients were chosen from among dozens of nominees representing nearly 40 local organizations. An independent group of judges were given the tough task to select recipients from among the nominations, apart from the Community Impact People’s Choice Award recipient whom was selected by Chamber Members.
Arts and Culture Award
Nominees:
Recipient: A. Decker Creations
Art can be a powerful tool, especially when it is used in a way to heal, empower, and build community belonging – something Artist Alana Decker of A. Decker Creations knows all about. Looking for a way to heal from a past bad situation has led to the creation of a creative mission to assist others. Through the creation of Art from the Heart processing workshops in partnership with Rhythm & Blues Cambridge, she has helped combine expressive art with movement, exploring Black identity, and communal care. These sessions have given countless participants tools for processing emotions, helped them build confidence, and connect with others who share their experiences in safe, supportive spaces. Many have expressed that Art from the Heart was the first time they felt truly safe expressing themselves. Young people leave these sessions feeling seen and more confident in their identity, something our recipient cherishes thanks to her work as a board member at Preston Heights Community Centre and as a youth program facilitator at YWCA Cambridge. Embracing social media has allowed our recipient – a queer Black visual artist whose work has been promoted and displayed extensively throughout Waterloo Region and beyond - to connect directly with young people and community members.
Best Event of the Year
Nominees:
Recipient: Emancipation Day Celebration (Rhythm & Blues Cambridge)
Creating a significant cultural community event is not an easy task, but Rhythm & Blues Cambridge has done just that. In only three years, this event has not only raised the profile of this organization as a cultural leader but has strengthened the city’s own reputation as a hub for equity and inclusion. Organized entirely by a small team of Black women, this event shifted resources that once flowed exclusively to KW or Toronto, bringing government funding, sponsorships, and investment directly into Cambridge. The 2025 event demonstrated unprecedented growth, drawing 1,500 attendees to Soper Park for a free, all-day celebration. A vibrant market, local food vendors, and artist booths showcased the work of Black creators and small businesses, circulating dollars back into the community. This very successful event was designed as both a cultural festival and an act of restoration - reconnecting Cambridge residents to histories and traditions too often left out of mainstream narratives. For Black community members, it was a long-overdue chance to see their heritage celebrated in a public, joyful way. Most importantly, the event placed Cambridge firmly on the map as a place where Black culture is visible, valued, and celebrated.
Board Member of the Year Award
Nominees:
Recipient: Bob Irwin, Chair of Hashtag Hope
Finding a committed and passionate volunteer who is willing to step into a board member role to help a not-for-profit organization achieve its goals and objectives is never an easy task. However, it’s a task Bob Irwin not only relishes but excels. In 2024, he stepped into the role as interim board chair and dedicated countless hours to strengthening this not-for-profit drawing on his career in business, financial, and team leadership to address pressing challenges. He has brought stability, wisdom, and personal dedication that ultimately saved this organization from closing its doors. While Bob joined as a temporary commitment and could have easily just ‘coasted’ during his short interim, he instead chose to dig into the programs and outreach of this organization which he grew to love and recognized the need for it to thrive. In just one year, he balanced the budget, established a solid financial foundation, and secured community partnerships that will sustain the organization for the next decade. At meetings, his fellow board members often joke that when he decides to leave, they will retire his ‘jersey number’ in the rafters as one of the greats and if there was a local charity hall of fame, he would be first ballot nomination.
Community Collaboration Award
Nominees:
Recipient: Shelter Movers Southwestern Ontario
Collaboration is key for Shelter Movers Southwestern Ontario as it strengthens its work in the community to ensure every member of in the region is supported in their transition to a life free from violence. In addition to removing barriers associated with leaving a dangerous environment, this organization prioritizes clients' physical safety by coordinating the presence of security personnel or law enforcement officers. It works closely with service providers in the field, including the WRPS, OPP, and over 35 local referral agencies, to ensure all organizations in the gender-based violence sector is aware of its services and can direct clients in need. From September 2024 to August 2025, its many dedicated volunteers conducted almost 300 moves – its busiest year so far making it clear that the need for its service is, sadly, increasing. Having many local vehicle, storage, and security partnerships offer unique deals has helped this organization maximize its budget. Regular fundraising events with the Cambridge Bingo and Gaming Centre, as well as Penske's Annual Golf Tournament has helped raise crucial funding. Additionally, local community grants, rotary clubs, and organizations like Google have also been incredibly helpful in the past year.
Community Leadership Award
Nominees:
Recipient: Wayne Paddick, Executive Director, Cambridge Shelter Corp.
Wayne Paddick has been leading Cambridge Shelter Corp. for the past several years during a very tough time. Using the mantra ‘Change the Conversation’, he and his team use positivity to change how critics view those who are experiencing homelessness and help them realize that these are individuals that they may have gone to high school with or remind them they are somebody's family member. Wayne’s goal is to encourage the community to shift how it views this population despite how they often treat the community itself. He constantly seeks out opportunities to present to community groups, churches, service clubs and schools to speak to excellent work his organization does, thanks to such programs as its social purpose enterprise called ‘In Our Backyard’ which provides work opportunities for the vulnerable people they serve. His organization has also expanded its housing operations to include a new Ending Veteran Homelessness Initiative (EVHI) which sees his team helps homeless veterans find affordable housing. Wayne leads by example and makes a point to meet with every resident at their facility to better understand their story and solicit feedback on how his organization can improve its services.
Organization of the Year – Under 10 Employees
Nominees:
Recipient: Food4Kids Waterloo Region
For this Food4Kids Waterloo Region, the well-being of children is at the heart of everything it does. It is committed to ensuring accessibility and inclusiveness as the group works towards eliminating chronic hunger and food insecurity among children. This organization was launched in September 2016, in response to a critical gap in food security for children across the region—specifically on weekends and during school breaks. While many students have access to food programs during the school week, weekends, holidays, and school breaks often leave vulnerable children without reliable access to nutritious food. What began in the dining room of its founder, with just 19 children across six schools, has significantly grown thanks to the incredible support of community volunteers and donors. Food4Kids serves children of all backgrounds and cultures, including newcomers to Canada, Indigenous Peoples, and Black and racialized communities. The group is proud to be providing food packages tailored to meet cultural and dietary needs—including Halal and other specific dietary restrictions. Currently, this organization supports thousands of children in 116 schools across Waterloo Region.
Organization of the Year – 11 and over Employees
Nominees:
Cambridge Food Bank
Recipient: Cambridge Food Bank
For 40 years, the Cambridge Food Bank has been a trusted anchor in the community, always standing beside people, listening deeply, and responding with action that reflects both compassion and courage. The work its dedicated team of employees and volunteers do is woven into the fabric of our community — not just as a service provider, but as a trusted partner, neighbour, and connector. Whether it's someone recovering from illness, a parent trying to stretch their grocery budget, or a newcomer building a new life — the Cambridge Food Bank is often the first door they walk through when everything else feels closed. The many programs the food bank offers grow in direct response to what they hear from the community. Its team actively collaborates with partners across the region to coordinate services, share resources, and make sure support reaches those who need it most. When others pull back during hard times, they dig in deeper — applying for grants, rallying volunteers, and reimagining what's possible. At the heart of its leadership is a simple belief: when we care for each other, everyone rises.
Volunteer of the Year Award
Nominees:
Recipient: Tara Ross (Shelter Movers Southwestern Ontario)
Having dedicated and committed volunteers are key for any not-for-profit organization looking to make an impact. Making an impact is something Tara Ross has accomplished not only physically, but emotionally by sharing her own story with others as a past recipient of its services which centre on helping women and children move away safely from abusive situations. In the past year, she has dedicated more than 350 hours to supporting this organization which translates into over 70 moves. As well, Tara has assisted with eight new volunteer orientations, and helped at fundraising and volunteer events. However, her passion for clients shines through and helps her to pave innovative avenues for peer encouragement. As well, Tara has managed maintain additional roles as a Girls' Ringette Coach, a member of the John Howard Society of Waterloo- Wellington, and a volunteer with Victim Services Waterloo Region. Thanks to her roles with Victim Services and the John Howard Society, she has also helped build a knowledgeable and collaborative network between all these organizations. Her impact on this organization, and the Cambridge community at large cannot be understated.
Community Impact People’s Choice Award
Nominees:
Recipient: Cambridge Neighbourhood Table
The Cambridge Neighbourhood Table (CNT) is committed to building strong community relationships and every week creates welcoming spaces where neighbours gather around a meal, connect with one another, and access resources that strengthen their well-being. It works closely with local organizations, neighbourhood associations, faith communities, volunteers, and residents to ensure its programs are collaborative and shaped by community voices. This organization offers more than a meal; it serves as a hub where neighbours nurture connections, strengthen partnerships, and grow community resilience. CNT’s many partnerships have led to multicultural meals, youth-led recreation activities, and seniors sharing their skills and traditions, all of which celebrate the diversity of our community and set the tone for a welcoming, respectful environment. In 2024, it welcomed more than 4,000 community members to a meal, including more than 1,100 children and youth. During this same time, 141 volunteers contributed 3,032 hours through this organization, demonstrating the deep investment and shared ownership our neighbours feel in building this initiative together. These numbers represent more than meals; they reflect thousands of opportunities for neighbours to connect, reduce social isolation, and strengthen community bonds.
Lifetime Achievement Award
Recipient: Mike Lawrie (Retired medical doctor, award-winning Rotarian, and dedicated community volunteer & champion)
Mike Lawrie is the epitome of a community champion thanks to his unwavering dedication to making a difference in the lives of countless others in Waterloo Region well beyond the last 15 years. This journey began upon his graduation from medicine at the University of Toronto in 1975 which led our recipient to follow a calling to help others by spending 40 years supporting the medical needs of thousands of people through his work as a family doctor in Cambridge. He amplified this community involvement by becoming interim Chief of Staff at Cambridge Memorial for several years and remains connected to the hospital as an enthusiastic ambassador for the CMH Foundation. However, his professional outreach went beyond family medicine and throughout most of the 1980s and 1990s, our recipient also acted as team doctor for the Cambridge Winterhawks Jr. B team as well as supporting the Preston Figure Skating Club for many years. It likely came as no surprise to many that he was named the 2006 Physician of the year by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario. But his commitment to championing community has always extended beyond his medical vocation, especially once he joined the Rotary Club of Cambridge Sunrise in 1987 where he has remained a dedicated member since. D During his nearly 40 years as a Rotarian, Mike has not only served three times has his club’s president and is a multiple Paul Harris Fellow winner for making significant contributions to the Rotary Foundation but is the past Rotary 7080 District Governor which encompasses 48 clubs throughout southern Ontario. Through his Rotary work he not only took the lead for the Cambridge Times Rotary Classic Fun Run but participated in two humanitarian trips to the Dominican Republic. That same sentiment has held in true with the many other community initiatives and projects he has been heavily involved with for years including the United Way, Cambridge Symphony Orchestra, Wesley United Church, and the Out of the Cold Program which evolved into the Cambridge Shelter Corp. When he isn’t giving back to his community our award recipient - who has been married to his wife, Louise, for 54 years and is the proud father of three and grandfather of seven - is an avid fantasy mountaineer and coin collector who still finds time to look after his own health by running and cycling. |
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The not-for-profit sector plays a vital role in the well-being and development of communities, providing services and support that often fill the gaps left by government and private enterprise.
One of the most significant contributions of the not-for-profit sector is its ability to promote social inclusion and cohesion. Many not-for-profit organizations (NPOs), especially in Cambridge and the Township of North Dumfries, work directly with marginalized or disadvantaged groups, offering services such as housing assistance, mental health support, food security programs, and youth outreach.
These services help ensure that vulnerable populations are not left behind, building a stronger, more equitable community for everyone. In doing so, they promote civic participation and a sense of belonging, which are crucial for maintaining social harmony.
Economically, the not-for-profit sector is often underestimated, yet it contributes significantly to both local and national economies. NPOs create jobs, attract funding and grants, and often support local businesses through partnerships and procurement.
Organizations incubators for innovation
In many regions, they are among the largest employers, particularly in health care, education, and social services.
By addressing needs that may otherwise become economic burdens—such as homelessness, addiction, or chronic illness — NPOs also reduce long-term costs to public services and improve productivity within communities.
Another critical function of the not-for-profit sector is advocacy. Many organizations serve as voices for those who are underrepresented or unheard, influencing policy decisions and public attitudes. Also, NPOs often serve as incubators for innovation because being unencumbered by the pressure to generate profits provides them with the opportunity to experiment with new models and approaches to social problems.
The commitment of the many people employed in this sector, as wells as those who volunteer their time assisting local charities and services clubs, is something the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce celebrates annually at our Cambridge & North Dumfries Community Awards.
Variety of award categories available
These awards recognize the contributions of individuals and organizations in a variety of categories, including impact, leadership, volunteer of the year, as well as lifetime achievement.
“The people who work in this sector often become so focused on the great work they are doing they don’t take a moment to appreciate the impact they make in their communities,” says Cambridge Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Greg Durocher. “That work is pivotal to the continued successes in our communities, and we’re honoured every year to have an opportunity to show our appreciation by presenting these awards.”
Ten award categories encompass this event including Volunteer of the Year, Community Collaboration, Best Event of the Year, and Arts and Culture, which ensures the achievements of these organizations and individuals will not go unnoticed.
However, in order ensure this happens, the Chamber is calling on its members and the community to reach out and nominate those they feel deserve recognition.
“We want to make sure all potential nominees are given the chance to have their names put forward,” says Greg.
The Cambridge & North Dumfries Community Awards will be handed out in early November and the ceremony itself honouring these community builders has continued to be one of the Chamber’s most popular events since 2012.
The deadline for submissions is Sept. 1, 2025. Click here for information and to submit nominations.
The award categories include:
Community Collaboration Award Nominees for this award stand out because of their exceptional professional and/or volunteer achievements in the community, which are above and beyond their role in a paid position. This award recognizes any exceptional employee of a non-profit organization. These nominees embody the spirit of the community and, through their actions and accomplishments, are an inspiration to others.
Community Leadership Award Nominees for this award stand out because of their exceptional professional and/or volunteer achievements in the community, which are above and beyond their role in a paid position. This award recognizes any exceptional employee of a non-profit organization. These nominees embody the spirit of the community and, through their actions and accomplishments, are an inspiration to others.
Nominees for this award are organizations that recognize new and better ways to address a need in the community despite the many demands, and sometimes too few resources available. The efforts of this organization have a positive and meaningful impact on the broader community, resulting in clear and measurable change. Nominees in this category demonstrate a commitment to building relationships and collaborating meaningfully with the individuals and communities they serve. They have changed the culture of their organization or worked towards shifting systems by listening to the voices in their community and involving them in solutions and/or processes.
Arts and Culture Award Nominees in this category, either individually, as ensemble or as an organization, have worked diligently and selflessly in a variety of creative, applied, and fine art genres to benefit the community. Their efforts have made a significant contribution to the cultural scene in Cambridge/Township of North Dumfries, while creating access and inclusion to arts and culture.
Best Event of the Year Award Nominees for this award have created an event or program which has made a significant impact that increased awareness and/or boosted the bottom line of the organization. The recipient of this award has worked tirelessly to ensure the quality of this event or program has left an indelible mark on their community.
This award is presented to a board member who have demonstrated outstanding service to a not-for-profit organization in the City of Cambridge or Township of North Dumfries through the giving of their time, talents, and resources as a board member to further the goals and objectives of the organization.
Volunteer of the Year Award Nominees must have been involved in volunteering for the equivalent of at least 100 hours over a 12-month period. Nominees must have volunteered for a legitimate not-for-profit organization, service club or community group. The communities of Cambridge/Township of North Dumfries or Waterloo Region must be significant beneficiaries of the nominee's volunteer work.
Organization of the Year - Under 10 Employees Are you a not-for-profit organization or service club that provides outstanding programs, services, events, or campaigns that support the needs of the community and its residents? Does your organization successfully raise awareness of issues affecting the community and its residents? Does your organization successfully raise awareness of issues affecting the community and successfully raise funds to support its mission and goals?
Organization of the Year- 11 and Over Employees Are you a not-for-profit organization or service club that provides outstanding programs, services, events, or campaigns that support the needs of the community and its residents? Does your organization successfully raise awareness of issues affecting the community and successfully raise funds to support its mission and goals?
Lifetime Achievement Award Will be awarded to an individual who, over the past 15 years or more, has made significant contributions to the community and has improved the quality of life for citizens or whose accomplishments have brought recognition to the Waterloo Region. |
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The outstanding accomplishments of the local business community was in the spotlight at the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce’s 2025 Business Excellence Awards. The awards were presented in front of a sold-out crowd of more than 300 business leaders and Cambridge/Township of North Dumfries officials at Tapestry Hall on May 22. The Business Excellence Awards is the Chamber’s premier event and has honoured the contributions and achievements of business leaders in the City of Cambridge and Township of North Dumfries since 2000, and features 11 award categories, nine of whom require nominations. In total, nearly 70 nominations were received.
Award recipients
Community Impact award: John D. Wright, developer and community builder
A successful business leader for many years, John D. Wright is one of those individuals who often flies under the radar but has managed to play a significant role in the evolution of Cambridge becoming a great community to live, work and play. He was the driving force in the success of the legendary South Works Mall, which following extensive restoration work in the mid 1990s, became one of Cambridge’s most valued tourist attractions. Along with his late father (Ken), the pair became big proponents of Drayton Entertainment to bring a professional theatre to town after paving the way by starting a professional community theatre company themselves. John also played a key role in bringing together a consortium of business leaders in the early 2000s who raised millions of dollars towards bringing the University of Waterloo School of Architecture to town. His commitment to creating opportunity and prosperity also reached beyond the downtown core by being a strong proponent of the creation of the Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory as well as a champion for the Chamber’s own Toyota Tour initiative at TMMC.
Chair’s Award: Linton Window & Door
For 50 years, Linton Window & Door has stayed ahead by combining old-fashioned integrity with forward-thinking innovation. For this company, customer service isn't about making a sale—it's about creating relationships built on trust. Its commitment to quality goes beyond the industry standard, ensuring full labor coverage on its manufactured items for up to 25 years and offers a full-time service team—something no one else in the Cambridge area does. Linton is also an expert at employee retention offering not only competitive wages, strong health benefits and real career growth, but by supporting their team beyond the workplace. It is committed to ensuring its team feels valued and has created a work culture like no other by providing a gym and massage chairs to ensure their staff is well looked after. This is a company that builds to last.
Business of the Year 1-10 employees: Home Cleaning KWC Inc.
Professionalism and excellence are the key ingredients in the recipe of success at Home Cleaning KWC. It’s founder jokingly credits her ‘picky mom’ for instilling values that celebrated exceptionally high standards of precision and attention to detail, something this company holds dear since it began in 2022. In that time, Home Cleaning KWC has quickly gained a growing list of satisfied clients who relish the unmatched service it provides which is designed to offer peace of mind, allowing them to focus on what truly matters—spending quality time with loved ones. Creating a healthy, stress-free environment for clients is a priority for this company. Their approach has resulted in not only a 40% growth in its client base sparking a massive sales leap but has allowed it to grow from a one-person operation to a 10-person team in less than three years.
Business of the Year 11-49 employees: VIG Computers
VIG Computers is driven by commitment to innovation, industry leadership, and community impact. Through a combination of sustainable business practices, technological innovation, and unwavering commitment to community development, this is a company that continues to lead in its industry while making a meaningful impact in the world. This commitment has seen it grow from a small local operation to a global leader in sustainable IT solutions, expanding its reach into the U.S., Mexico, and the Middle East. VIG Computers is a company that fosters an inclusive and dynamic workplace, ensuring that its team remains motivated and at the forefront of industry advancements. It’s also a company that gives back to the community in many ways, including by funding a fully equipped post-surgery recovery room at CMH, as well as providing low-cost refurbished computers to school boards provincewide.
Business of the Year 50 employees & over: Ayer Welding
For nearly 60 years, Ayer Welding has continued to build a strong reputation for outstanding craftsmanship and exceptional customer service. Starting as a small family-owned business in 1967, it has continually diversified its services while staying true to its founding values and now operates from three locations. It has continually broadened its capabilities entering the U.S. market in 2017 and its dedicated team has continued to achieve success by exceeding its customers’ expectations and by taking pride in collaboration with various industries, providing innovative solutions and high-quality work. Its continued success can be attributed to its competent and knowledgeable staff, who thrive in the company’s positive work environment. Ayer Welding is an organization that treats each employee with kindness and compassion. Their staff is their family which make this a great place to work.
Outstanding Workplace – Employer of the Year: Canadian Western Bank
Developing a dynamic and healthy workplace is essential for boosting employee morale and is something Canadian Western Bank (CWB) does very well. Creating a culture through innovative programming and ensuring all employees are valued and appreciated is its forte. This is a company that listens to its people and hires those who share its values of diversity, innovation, and excellence which in turn has made it a beacon for talented individuals as well as boosting creativity and collaboration. Employees are provided with tools to foster a positive team environment. These include the Teal Champion Recognition program that allows employees to honour colleagues who exemplify the company’s values, and its quarterly Pillars of Excellence Awards which results in cash awards and gift cards for the winners. CWB is a company that truly recognizes that everyone has different needs and finds ways to seamlessly accommodate them all.
Marketing Excellence: From Farm to Table Canada
Creating innovative partnerships has been key to the success for From to Table Canada. Three years ago, a very successful partnership with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats & Tim Hortons Field to distribute a cobranded popcorn and its focus on differing markets - stadium sales, retail, and e-commerce – resulted in phenomenal gains for this local company. However, it took things one step further this past year by creating a custom cobranded bag of kettle corn for the CNE – highlighting vintage rides and the famous Princess Gates. On the back, a QR Code brought buyers to the CNE's website where tickets could be purchased. As well, by providing samples to more than 30 media outlets, social media influencers, and even shipping cases of kettle corn to Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow's office who distributed the bags to staff at City Hall, this move resulted even more excitement for the historic fair and created credibility for From Farm to Table in the tourism industry.
Spirit of Cambridge: New Hope Properties
Creating an even better community means a great deal to New Hope Properties. For more than 30 years, this company has taken corporate leadership and the notion of social responsibility to new heights. Their interest was first ignited in 1997 after purchasing the former Artex Woolen Mill in Hespeler and then undertaking a nearly two-year campaign to completely rejuvenate the plant which now employs more than 100 people. Since then, New Hope Properties has brought new life to more than 20 derelict or near derelict industrial/commercial and residential properties creating a major impact on the Cambridge community. But their commitment to community extends beyond revamping buildings. Also, this company has made significant donations to Cambridge Memorial Hospital to support the WeCareCMH Campaign to support the capital and equipment needs of the hospital, the Royal Canadian Legion, and Lisaard House, along with donations to the local Salvation Army and Red Cross several times a year.
Young Entrepreneur of the Year: Cole and Kortnie Wigboldus of Doggie Stay N Play
Combining creativity, vision, and a love for animals has been key for Cole and Kortnie Wigboldus of Doggie Stay N Play. They have transformed a standard business idea into something unique by introducing a ‘kennel free’ environment in their dog daycare and boarding operation. Allowing their furry ‘guests’ the chance to socialize in wide-open spaces has created a stress-free environment that’s good for their health and they are constantly finding ways to improve their service. Doggie Stay N Play has a business vision where every dog feels loved and part of a community and continues to do everything it can to build strong relationships with pet owners, promoting responsible pet ownership. This vision inspires the daycare to be a leader in the pet care industry.
New Venture of the Year: Syed Health & Wellness Clinic
A commitment to compassion, and community impact has resulted in continued success for Syed Health & Wellness Clinic. This business prides itself on the unique technologies it offers, which are designed to address a wide range of health and aesthetic needs pertaining to many things, including hair removal, acene and scar therapy, as well as non-surgical facelifts. These technologies have ensured its clients benefit from safe, precise, and highly effective care. But its impact extends beyond treating clients and into the community through the establishment of meaningful partnerships with local healthcare providers, including a skin cancer screening clinic in Guelph and the Family Dental Centre. These collaborations enable Syed Health & Wellness Clinic to provide holistic and comprehensive care, ensuring its clients receive support that extends far beyond the clinic’s doors.
WoW Cambridge of the Year: Dr. Kevin Waddell at Townline Animal Hospital
Providing exceptional customer service is something Dr. Kevin Waddell and his staff at Townline Animal Hospital has always taken to heart, which isn’t easy considering their clients do not speak. But their clients’ owners have been doing a great deal of talking about the wonderful treatment their beloved pets receive. We all know that pets often become ‘part of the family’ and when it comes to ensuring they stay healthy, the recipient of this award is known for always going that extra mile for clients. According to one very satisfied customer whose dog – after having a very bad experience elsewhere – has blossomed by the treatment she continues to receive and now actually looks forward to every visit. The owner is also grateful for the extra time Dr. Waddell takes during every appointment to address concerns.
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Small businesses are the cornerstone of Canada’s economy and communities.
Defined as businesses with fewer than 100 employees, small businesses make up about 98% of all businesses in Canada. This sector employs nearly 70% of the private workforce, highlighting its significance in providing employment opportunities to millions of Canadians.
Approximately 70% of the workforce in Cambridge is employed by small businesses with less than 10 employees, according to the City of Cambridge website. But the impact of small businesses extends beyond mere job creation. They contribute significantly to Canada’s GDP, generating more than 30% of the total economic output.
They also form the backbone of local communities, offering personalized services, creating local jobs, and supporting other local businesses by sourcing products and services from nearby suppliers. This interconnectedness strengthens local economies and builds a sense of community, as small business owners frequently engage in community events, sponsorships, and charitable activities.
Small businesses are community builders which is why in the October edition of our INSIGHT Magazine – coinciding with Small Business Month - we profile six local businesses and the people behind them, each of whom have followed different paths towards success. However, they do share one important characteristic necessary to become a successful entrepreneur and business owner: drive.
They are all driven by not only success, but the need to be an integral part of their community and a desire to see it continue to succeed and grow.
A snapshot of our profiles:
The Poop Valet – Pet Waste Removal Service – Rick & Sherry Couchman
What began as a ‘hobby’ born out of a serious need 18 months ago to find a sense of new purpose following years of dealing with mental health issues led Rich Couchman to create a niche company that continues to skyrocket towards success. With the assistance of his wife, Sherry, the couple have turned The Poop Valet into an award-winning enterprise that not only enhances the overall living conditions for pets and their owners, but also offers viable solutions for dog lovers facing physical challenges or senior pet owners living on their own and helps create a more environmentally healthier community. The Poop Valet now operates from the couple’s Hespeler home with two trucks and serves approximately 80 clients weekly or biweekly, as well many one-time service calls. Also, the company is now working with land property management companies to install and service pet waste stations and collects approximately a ton and half of dog waste a month, which in partnership with another local business is disposed of at a local landfill.
Roseview Global Incubator – Rob Douglas
As CEO of Roseview Global Incubator and one of its founding principals along with Mike Dearden and Melissa Durrell, Rob has the opportunity daily to make a difference thanks to the Cambridge company’s commitment to assisting international entrepreneurs pursue permanent residency in Canada through the Start-up Visa Program (SUV). Created in 2020, Roseview Global Incubator is the latest in a long list of ventures for Rob who since the late 1970s has owned and operated several small businesses since obtaining his accountant designation. He partnered with another local business leader, Carol Furtado, in 1998 to create Roseview Capital Consultants – the name ‘Roseview’ inspired by a street in which he once owned a house. Roseview Global Incubator’s approach relies on a self-paced, custom-tailored incubation and accelerator program that focuses on meeting the specific needs of each SUV applicant, as well as an extensive curriculum touching on topics that are important to new business operators in Canada, including tutelage on legal issues, budgeting, real estate, and government operations. As a result, Roseview has worked with a broad range of exciting entrepreneurs with businesses that extend from medtech to food import, to drone technology to education and everything in between.
Jackman Construction Ltd. – Eric Jackman
Jackman Construction Ltd. is the ideal example of how thinking big can help a small business to grow and prosper. What began as the brainchild of Eric Jackman in a Kitchener garage in 2011 as a small home-grown reno and drywall business has grown to become a leading firm that specializes in construction management, general contracting, renovation, and drywalI, now employing more than 60+ people that work collaboratively under multiple divisions. Innovation is important at Jackman Construction, which heavily relies on the expertise and experience of its staff to ensure excellent workmanship is provided to clients and their projects. Jackman Construction continues to undertake a wide variety of projects and clients. Building and maintaining relationships and being an active community supporter are key to creating business success and is something the company has continually put in motion. As well, Jackman Construction ensures it remains a good corporate citizen by supporting a variety of charitable endeavours, and causes, including the Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region, plus holiday toy and food drives. Also, the annual Jackman Charity Golf Tournament has raised money for organizations throughout the community, including this year’s recipient, House of Friendship.
Valet Car Wash – Mike Black
Valet Car Wash owner Mike Black says a clean car was a must while he was growing up since his father was an executive at Chrysler Canada. However, transforming this passion into a viable business venture seemed like an almost insurmountable task when after five years of planning he opened Valet Car Wash in April of 1991 during a recession accompanied by sky-high interest rates. But he made it work. Located at the site of the former Sunset Drive-In, which closed in 1986, and encompassing 20,000 square feet, Valet Car Wash was the largest car wash facility in Canada when it opened. The business offered a wide range of services and prices using the latest technology which has continually been adapted thanks to new advancements. Being creative has been a top priority at Valet Car Wash in Cambridge and the implementation of its Standards of Excellence initiative is a prime example. This company-wide plan calls for employees to deliver exceptional customer service, and prioritizing hiring based on personality traits, character, and values which has created a supportive and welcoming workplace, one that celebrates its diverse workforce, valuing the opportunity to learn from each other's strengths and cultural perspectives.
Weber Immigration – Olena Weber
Starting a new life in another country can be a daunting experience. But Olena Weber, who left behind her family and friends in the Ukraine to study abroad in Canada and later created a successful business, it was something she fully embraced. Thirteen years have passed since she first arrived and Olena has transformed her experiences into Weber Immigration, a successful Canadian-based firm that specializes in economic and family immigration programs to assist those seeking a new life in this country. Olena credits her parents, now retired business owners, for inspiring her to become an entrepreneur. They had been in the fashion industry and owned several retail stores in Kyiv, which Olena says wasn’t easy due to the political situation. With a desire to take her business to another level, Olena became a registered immigration consultant in 2016. She was joined by her husband, Cory, who also became a licensed immigration consultant in 2021 after stepping away from his work in the aerospace manufacturing sector. Building strong connections with clients is important to Olena and her team at Weber Immigration, which on its website refers to itself as a ‘boutique immigration firm’.
Cambridge Ford – Kevin Zimic
As a teenager living in Welland, Kevin Zimic can clearly recall standing outside the local GM dealership with his then high school sweetheart – now wife – dreaming of what the future could bring. He made that dream a reality and credits his time growing up in Welland for instilling the fortitude he needed to become a successful entrepreneur as owner of Cambridge Ford and a community champion. His resilience proved invaluable during his time working for the Ford Motor Company where he held many positions in a 16-year period before deciding to leave the corporate world and follow a more entrepreneurial path. Taking that first step, says Kevin, is the toughest part of becoming an entrepreneur and his resulted in the creation of an event marketing company that ran alumni fantasy hockey camps and later he shifted gears by obtaining the Canadian rights to sell a polyurethane lining system under the banner of Rhino Linings. After buying into Ridgehill Ford (rebranded as Cambridge Ford following its move to a larger location on Eagle Street North at the end of the pandemic), Kevin strengthened ties to the community by serving as both the CMH Foundation Board Vice-Chair and as the co-chair of the very successful $10 million #WeCareCMH campaign when his family relocated here in 2014. |
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The Cambridge Chamber of Commerce has unveiled the nominees for its 2024 annual Cambridge & North Dumfries Community Awards.
The awards celebrate the successes and accomplishments made by the dedicated volunteers and staff of local not-for-profits and services clubs throughout the last year by recognizing the impact they’ve made in the community through collaboration and outstanding leadership.
This year, more than 50 nominees representing nearly 40 groups are being recognized by the Chamber in nine award categories. An additional award, the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award, will be presented to one individual who during the past 15 years or more, has made significant contributions to the community and whose accomplishments have brought recognition to Waterloo Region.
“We created these awards as a way to acknowledge how much we appreciate and admire these organizations and individuals and what they do to make our community a great place to call home,” said Cambridge Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Greg Durocher. “These awards are an important way to show these dedicated individuals who operate in the non-profit community that their commitment has not gone unnoticed.”
The awards represent a wide spectrum of categories highlighting the great work undertaken by these individuals and organizations. These include the Community Leadership Award, which is given to an individual who stands out because of their exceptional professional and/or volunteer achievements in the community, as well as the Arts and Culture Award, recognizing an individual or organization that has contributed significantly to the local cultural scene in the past year.
Several hundred community leaders and guests will attend the awards event on Thursday, Nov. 14, at Hamilton Family Theatre Cambridge. The ceremony is one of the Chamber’s most popular events and has honoured the contributions and achievements of these community builders for more than a decade.
Learn more about the Cambridge & North Dumfries Community Awards.
The nominees and award categories include:
Community Collaboration Award
Community Leadership Award
Arts and Culture Award
Best Event of the Year Award
Volunteer of the Year Award
Organization of the Year - Under 10 Employees
Organization of the Year- 11 and Over Employees
Lifetime Achievement Award
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The following profile appeared in the spring edition of our Insight Magazine celebrating the Chamber’s 100th anniversary
Like many couples, Art and Deb Mosey share many similar interests.
But it was their mutual interest in promoting the success of the business community that would eventually bring the pair together many years ago when they found themselves enveloped by their work for the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce.
“It was essentially a retail operation then. I think it had a couple of hundred members in Galt,” says Art, describing how the Chamber’s membership looked when he first arrived in the area in the early 1970s.
“The downtown back then was really thriving,” says Deb, who had already been immersed in the Chamber world since her father, the late Don Faichney, became general manager of the former Galt Chamber of Commerce two years prior to the big amalgamation.
“The funny things my sister and I did for dad and the Chamber,” laughs Deb, recalling how they once dressed up as ‘Easter bunnies’ as teens to promote a raffle the organization was running.
She pursued a career in nursing before returning later as a Chamber volunteer after her mother, Betty, became general manager of the still relatively ‘young’ Cambridge Chamber of Commerce in 1975 after her father passed away.
A paid position developed for her in the early 1980s when the Chamber struck a deal with Bell Canada to temporarily house its payment office at its headquarters in Preston after the company closed its Cambridge office.
“The Chamber took that on as a contract so people could still come into the office and pay their bills,” says Deb, who was hired to spearhead this service. “They didn’t know who to hire for this position because nobody was really interested working a six-to-nine-month contract.”
That led to an administrative position at the Chamber overseeing its group benefits program, which was launched to coincide with the amalgamation of the former Galt and Preston Chambers of Commerce and Hespeler Retail Merchants Association on Jan. 1, 1973 – the same day the City of Cambridge was officially born.
Benefits package program a hit
“The benefits package certainly broadened the horizon of bringing in Chamber members who were in manufacturing, or were service or supply industries,” says Art. “It broadened the scope of the different types of members.”
To say he knew the power of the program, the first of its kind for Chambers in Canada, is an understatement since Art was its official ‘architect’ after arriving to Cambridge that year to work for Marshall Insurance Brokers Limited (now BGM Financial) to develop its Employee Benefit and Life Insurance business.
Art had connected with the local company while still working for a large Toronto brokerage and implemented this new local plan following a year of intense study, which included reaching out to Cambridge businesses.
“We were able to bring a lot of new members with that plan. Most of them were smaller industries, plus we had an upper-level tier for larger companies where they could participate and get discounts,” says Art. “It was unique in its formation and was copied by the national plan (Canadian Chamber of Commerce).”
Creating the plan also gave him valuable insight into what the Chamber did for businesses and after being elected to the board, found himself moving up the ranks to serve his first term as board president in 1978, followed by a second term in 1991-1992.
“I think the general public maybe has never really appreciated the scope of the Chamber and its relationship with provincial and national Chambers to have more clout and knowledge in certain government areas,” he says. “Chambers are a voice and a very powerful voice throughout the country.”
Closer to home, Art says the Chamber, particularly in the 1970s, kept a very close eye on local government and served on its Government Relations committee.
“I sat on that committee making sure the city didn’t screw up,” he jokes, adding how Chamber staff and board members often attended city council meetings and reported back to the board. Art jokes city staff often inundated the Chamber with pages of minutes from its meetings, making it nearly impossible to review them in time to present a report at board meetings.
“I think they purposely swamped us with paper,” he laughs. “We became the critics of municipal politics, and that’s not to say we also didn’t criticize provincial and federal politics as well.”
Chamber has always advocated for businesses
Deb says at the time, there was not much trust, especially in regional government, following Cambridge’s amalgamation.
“With the amalgamation, I think people were on edge because they thought they were losing their identity,” she says, noting the businesses in the Chamber were a very cohesive group following the amalgamation. “Trust was built over time.”
Art agrees.
“The Chamber was considered advocates for business in a big way and that was the role we played, but it became more harmonized as time went on and we realized we didn’t need to be such big critics when municipalities did something,” he says. “We could find areas of common ground where we could convey our side of the story without blasting opinions out in news articles.”
Deb left the Chamber in the late 1990s to work with Art at BGM, where they soon married. Art and Deb sold BGM in 2006 but stayed on an additional three years to manage the transfer of ownership.
“You can only carry on in business for so long,” he says, adding being part of the Chamber was, and remains, a great way to be part of the community. “You really get to know what’s going on in the city and its relationship to other communities.” |
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Sometimes, yes only sometimes, do I feel sorry for elected officials at all levels. Now is one of those times, however, I also firmly believe it is their own doing. Some of the problems the Chamber and our colleagues provincewide and nationwide are dealing with right now is ensuring that all the issues related to businesses can get highlighted and dealt with.
The reason I say much of this is of their own doing is because, in fact, it is either the action government officials have taken, or it’s their inaction. This is, without question, a result of simply not paying attention to what is happening in the world of business.
Earlier this year, our former Past Board Chair Kristen Danson and I converged on Queen’s Park in Toronto for the Ontario Chamber network’s annual ‘Advocacy Day’ event. This was a time for us to meet with senior government officials and lay out the issues and solutions they can implement to assist businesses.
While this is extremely valuable and important, this is often just the beginning of the process. The wheels of government turn very, very slowly; Ontario Premier Doug has said this to me personally and that he is as frustrated as many of us are as well.
At some point, however, we need to get our provincial and federal governments to act, and act as quickly as we need them to act.
Connecting people is our job
Local governments are not any different, which is what I hear nearly daily from a business owner, contractor, or developer who is in the process to get some of the simplest answers out of City Hall. These answers can often take far too long and require correction. In some ways, I think politicians need to stay out of the way because they often slow the process down, but at the same time should be involved to insist on immediate action.
Another vital job we have as a Chamber is connecting people. You see, no one has ever purchased a major product or service from a company. You don’t buy a car from the manufacturer; you buy it from the salesperson at the dealership.
People are the endearing element in the equation of sustainable economic prosperity. So, we embark down the path routinely by creating programs and events that centre on connecting one another.
Among these is our new Chamber Circles mentoring program which enlightens participants on connecting and benefiting from each other's experiences and knowledge. As well, our staff regularly facilitates meetings with buyers and sellers to ensure that everyone understands we all do business with people we know, like and trust.
And finally, bringing our community together in these ways, working hard on behalf of our business community and the broader community to find solutions to our problems is at the core of our existence in this community.
It is why we’ve had 100 successful years of building, fostering, influencing, and leading our community in many different directions. We connect, we influence, we drive, we solve, and we are committed to you and this community today. We expect to be here for at least another 100 years, ringing a bell which tolls for you, too.
- Cambridge Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Greg Durocher |
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One hundred years (plus) of economic history in our community is truly something that needs to be unpacked and we have been working hard throughout this year to capture some of those highlights over those years, even stretching back to the 1800s. Cambridge (Galt, Preston, Hespeler, and Blair) has always had a strong beat in its heart for industry. It’s not surprising since being located at the convergence of the Speed and Grand rivers where the water moves at a pace fast enough to turn mills that we quickly became a prized location to build business and community in the early days of industrialization of this country. I am sure that has been our collective “secret sauce” over the years. Our predecessors were innovators, dreamers, and action oriented. I can recall when I served on Cambridge City Council in the 1990s, walking along the Grand River on the Linear Park Trail with a senior staff member from the City discussing a ditch that ran adjacent to the river and the trail because it seemed an odd anomaly for nature to have left behind. I discovered nature wasn’t involved at all. In fact, during the early days of community building an early settler had come to Preston to find a place to build his mill operation. The Linear Park area, undeveloped, looked like the right spot to do that so he started to dig the waterway for the mill. Just as he was ready to open the ditch to the incoming water that would power the mill, his river access was denied, abruptly ending the project which, as memory serves me, was later revived in Hespeler. However, if you head out for a walk along Linear Park Trail today, you can still see the ditch, now overgrown, but still there.
Chamber history is your history
In the spring edition of our Insight Magazine, you will find some fascinating information on the building of this community and the integral part business played in that. The Chamber’s history is your history and the business community’s history tells the story of how we became who we are today. Innovation, determination, dedication, and a love for our community have always been the driving force behind our Chamber of Commerce. When we look around our community, we see evidence of our impact on the world. For instance, IMAX creator Graeme Ferguson was a Galt Collegiate Institute grad, and one of his partners Robert Kerr, former owner of Kerr-Progress Printing Company was mayor of Galt, and later Cambridge. Also, Cambridge-based Heroux-Devtek Manufacturing built the landing gear for the Apollo Lunar Module that landed on the moon. As well, COM DEV (now Honeywell) developed a spinoff company called exactEarth Ltd. (now Spire) that monitors all the shipping traffic in the world via low earth orbiting satellites which were built right here in Cambridge. That same company is also responsible for developing the key equipment on the James Webb Telescope which now allows us to see back in time to “first light”. These are just a few of countless others who are changing our world for the better, every single day. The Chamber solidified its purpose for existing through the pandemic, amplifying its dutiful responsibility for ensuring the voices of business are always heard and that economic vitality remains our No. 1 priority. We have always insisted the community’s problems become our problems to solve, and that we connect the community to those who can develop, provide, and inspire solutions that champion economic growth.
Test kits helped businesses
During the pandemic, even the Federal Government couldn’t figure out how to distribute COVID test kits to small businesses, that is until they mentioned their troubles to me. On a cold Saturday in March of 2021, I suggested to the Assistant Deputy Minister on the phone that the Chamber of Commerce could get them out faster than anyone, and we would be happy to help. Within a couple of weeks, we had thousands of rapid screening kits piled up at our Hesepler Road office and within a month, every Chamber of Commerce in Canada was distributing the kits to small and medium-sized businesses from coast to coast. Locally, we distributed about 1.5 million kits, and collectively Canadian Chambers of Commerce distributed more than 15 million. These kits not only assisted businesses stay open despite a tight regulatory environment but helped keep workplaces safe and employees feeling safe at work, which in turn saved lives. The Chamber is the place to turn when problems require solutions, where things need to get done, and where momentum must be forward moving. That is what we do day in and day out, and that is what we’ve done for the past century on your behalf, always keeping you in mind and community in our heart. We are just celebrating now the impact we’ve had in the past 100 years, which serves as a reminder that we have lots of work to do. The next 100 years begins right now!
- Cambridge Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Greg Durocher |
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What began as a sunny spring day 50 years ago would end in a disaster causing millions of dollars in damages in the city’s downtown core, leaving lasting memories etched in the minds of many long-time residents.
The Grand River flood on Friday, May 17, 1974, lives on as a pivotal moment in Cambridge’s history because it showed not only the power of community spirit but the resiliency of local business leaders as they rallied back from this major disaster.
“Everybody was helping one another, no doubt about that,” says Murray Garlick, retired business leader and former board president of the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce. (The organization had been created in 1973 by the merger of the Galt and Preston Chambers of Commerce and the Hespeler Retail Merchants Association).
Murray, who owned the former Barton’s Men’s Shop at 51 Main St., recalls returning to work after lunch that day from his new home in Blair when he received an emergency message from the Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA). Not only was he Chamber board president at the time, he also was serving as chairman of the Downtown BIA and was that organization’s key contact for the GRCA in case of an emergency.
“I got the call in the early afternoon that we were going to have at least two to three feet of water on lower Main and Water streets,” says Murray. “Driving to the store, water was coming onto Blair Road and by the time I got downtown, the Main Street bridge was shaking because the water was so intense.”
The spring melt, plus a 50-mm rainfall across the top of the Grand River watershed had created prime conditions for major flooding.
Merchants warned about the flood
Springing into action, he began going door-to-door warning the downtown businesses about the looming disaster urging them to start preparing.
The Chamber’s general manager, the late Don Faichney, did the same after also learning of the flood around 11 a.m. and asked the Waterloo Regional Police if they had a megaphone to inform residents of the impending disaster. The police did not have one.
“I would say half the people I contacted told me I was out of mind,” says Murray, who went back to his store and began moving his stock onto higher racks and to the second level. “By the time I called my wife (Susan), the carpet at the front of the store was starting to get wet and the water began seeping in. We just locked up and headed to higher ground.”
According to a 2014 article in the GRCA’s GrandActions newsletter, by 7 p.m. that night, the Grand River was rushing through downtown Galt at a rate of 1,490 cubic metres per second, nearly 100 times the normal summer flow. Floodwaters engulfed parts of Paris, Caledonia, Cayuga and Dunnville, and left about four feet (1.2 metres) of water filling Galt’s downtown core.
Murray says many of the merchants who were affected ended up waiting out the disaster at the Iroquois Hotel, which had been located at the southwest corner of Main and Wellington streets and was destroyed by fire less than a year later.
He vividly can recall seeing the floodwaters pouring into the former Right House building located at 60 Main St.
“I remember the floodwaters filling up the store and then bursting through the front doors dumping water all over the top of the lower end of Main Street,” he says, adding at that point, it became a matter of ‘wait and see’ until the floodwaters began to recede later that evening.
The cleanup began almost immediately, says Murray, describing how he and Don used snow shovels to remove the silt left behind in his store by the floodwaters.
“Everybody went back to doing business the best they could and got cleaned up as best they could, and did what they could with their merchandise,” he says.
In fact, in a Cambridge Times article Bill Couch, who was the ‘retail chairman’ of the Chamber for the downtown, was quoted as saying approximately 90% of the 45 businesses that were severely flooded were back in business with their doors open soon after.
Financial impact hits hard
“Many brought their merchandise on to the street since it was nice sunny weather. Some of the goods were very dirty, and they knew they would have to reduce their prices,” says Murray, adding he was grateful when the City finally closed Main and Water streets to traffic. “The silt was so bad on the roads and all these people driving by to have a look were raising all kinds of dust and the merchandise was getting filthy.”
During this time, the financial impact of the disaster was being tallied.
In a Cambridge Times article published a few days after the flood, Right House manager Elmer McCullogh estimated damage to the store was at least $750,000. Major financial losses were also reported by many larger downtown businesses and industries, including Dobbie Industries Limited, Mannion’s Quality Furniture, and Canadian General Tower Limited.
“The monetary figure on our losses will be substantial. Plastic material can be cleaned up, but General Tower got a hard kick in losses of some paper products, materials and cores,” said Gord Chaplin, former president of the company, in a Cambridge Daily Reporter article. The late Francis Mannion was also quoted in that same article stating his company suffered at least $100,000 damage to the building and stock.
Being located on a floodplain, many businesses did not have flood insurance.
“It was just too expensive,” says Murray.
In the end, the total damage amount in Cambridge was pegged at approximately $5.1 million (the equivalent of $33 million in 2024), with approximately $2.9 million suffered by small businesses and residences, with industries facing $1.9 million in damages. These figures do not include cleanup.
Calls for compensation surfaced almost immediately, as the scope of the disaster continued to unfold.
Former Ontario Premier, the late Bill Davis, toured the area four days after the flood and eventually heeded demands for financial relief by unveiling a compensation formula where the Province agreed to provide $4 for every $1 raised by the Grand River Disaster Relief Committee.
“The province feels a deep sense of concern for those whose properties who have suffered from the Grand River flood, and the measure of relief we are announcing today is a direct reflection of that concern,” he was quoted in a Cambridge Times article.
Public inquiry held
As well as compensation, calls for a public inquiry were also growing as anger over how the disaster unfolded grew, much of it aimed at how the GRCA handled the situation when it came to warning of the disaster.
To assist, the Chamber’s general manager sent out a questionnaire to all citizens who suffered flood damage to gauge how they were warned of the impending disaster. Of the 546 that were sent out, 320 responses were returned with the results indicating a severe lack of notice had been received.
“One can understand the bitterness of the large number of victims who had no notice or had inadequate notice. A flood warning system must be devised to give citizens reasonable notice of a threatening flood,” wrote the Hon. Judge W.W. Leach in the conclusions of his 1974 Flood Royal Commission Report. “I have been critical of the City Engineering Department, the City Administrator, the Police, and the Fire Department, for the role they played in the flood warning system. However, in all fairness to them, once the city was in flood, they performed outstanding services to the citizens. This extended right through the clean-up.”
Despite any controversary in the aftermath, Murray can still recall some lighter moments during the disaster, including how he found his friend, the late Aubrey McCurdy, wading through three feet of water in his flower shop trying to retrieve flowers for a Saturday wedding.
“I told him he had to leave, and he said, ‘No, I have to finish this’,” laughs Murray.
And even when Aubrey told a Cambridge Daily Reporter journalist a few days later his store suffered a $10,000 loss, he still found a reason to remain positive.
“The flood did have its good points,” he was quoted as saying. “It showed how unified merchants are and highlighted a spirit of co-operation never seen before.”
Grand River Flood facts
Flood prevention measures
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The following piece is one of several that appears in the special summer edition of our INSIGHT Magazine celebrating Cambridge’s 50th anniversary as we recognize just a few of the people, businesses and institutions that have made our community great.
As dignitaries gathered for the ground-breaking ceremony of Toyota Motor Corporation’s much anticipated Cambridge assembly plant on May 6, 1986, the Waterloo Record reported that four windsocks painted to look like fish hung outside the tent where officials had gathered.
Called ‘koinobori’ or carp streamer, Toyota Motor Corporation’s late president Dr. Shoichiro Toyoda explained the significance of the gesture, noting the fish is known as one that fights its way, even up a waterfall.
“The carp streamer is used as a symbol of vitality for parents who wish good health and strong development for their children,” he was quoted at the time. “We have hoisted the koinobori here in the hope that our company will grow to become a business appreciated and respected by everyone as a whole.”
Nearly 40 years later, it’s clear this ‘hope’ for success has manifested as Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada Inc. continues to be a major industry and economic leader, and community partner for Cambridge and southwestern Ontario as a whole.
From the moment the first Corolla rolled off the assembly line at its Cambridge facility shortly before 10 a.m. on Nov. 30, 1988, the company has continually succeeded creating hundreds of new jobs over the years through the expansion of new product lines.
Cambridge was selected from over 40 municipalities in Canada for the plant and federal government incentives were a consideration. Former Cambridge MP Chris Speyer, quoted in an article in the Dec. 12, 1985, edition of the Cambridge Reporter announcing the news, said there were incentives in the contract to encourage Toyota to buy Canadian parts and that the provincial government would contribute $15 million over five years toward a program to train Ontario workers.
“I’m extraordinarily proud of our community that Toyota would choose us to locate such a major enterprise. This is the happiest day of my political career,” he told the Reporter, before describing the “tremendous positive impact” the plant would have on the local economy, noting the average salaries at that time would range from between $25,000 to $30,000.
“Just think of what that means to housing in our area, to shopping and small business as well as the spin-off effect by other industries locating within our area in order to service Toyota,” said Speyer.
The Cambridge plant was expected, in the beginning, to produce 50,000 cars a year with the capacity to reach 100,000 when market conditions permitted, providing work for 1,000 employees.
In a Reporter article published a year before the plant opened, it was reported that a progress report indicated it would provide 1,000 direct manufacturing jobs that would result in another 2,000 new jobs in the automotive and service industry.
To date, TMMC now employs more than 8,500 people across its three production lines in Cambridge and Woodstock. In Cambridge alone, its North and South plants encompass three million square feet on 400 acres located at the corner of Maple Grove Road and Fountain Street North.
The company, which has won numerous awards recognizing it as a ‘top employer’ and ‘greenest employer’, continues to thrive and evolve.
In August of last year, it marked a special anniversary when a red Lexus NX 350h hybrid electric luxury SUV, rolled off the line in Cambridge representing the 10th million vehicle produced by TMMC.
“Today’s milestone speaks to how far Toyota’s manufacturing operations in Canada have come over the past three decades,” said TMMC President Frank Voss in a press release at the time. “In 1988, the year we opened our first plant in Cambridge, our team members built 153 Toyota Corollas and it took over 11 years to produce our first 11 million vehicles. Today, we’re Canada’s largest automaker and leading maker of electrified vehicles, building half a million Toyota and Lexus vehicles for the North American market every year. Our world-class team members have been trusted to build some of the most popular vehicles in North America and that’s something we’re very proud of.”
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Brian Rodnick 300 June 7, 2026 |
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Greg Durocher 41 July 28, 2023 |
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Canadian Chamber of Commerce 24 January 29, 2021 |
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Cambridge Chamber 2 March 27, 2020 |
750 Hespeler Road Cambridge, ON N3H 5L8
Phone: 519-622-2221
Fax: 519-622-0177
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