editor’s
        
        
          letter
        
        
          From auto racing to Ontario’s wilderness to cheesecake, we’re wel-
        
        
          coming spring with an information-packed issue that we think offers
        
        
          something of interest to all of our readers. Canada’s business landscape
        
        
          is a diverse one, and this month we’re celebrating that diversity with
        
        
          articles that introduce some truly unique businesses that are not only
        
        
          surviving, but thriving in today’s economy.
        
        
          HOK is a global firm specializing in innovative architectural designs.
        
        
          With locations in four of Canada’s major cities, the company is making
        
        
          its mark across the country’s landscape. Inside, we’ve looked at a few
        
        
          of HOK’s most exciting projects, including CISCO Waterpark Place in
        
        
          Toronto and Tunney’s Pasture in Ottawa.
        
        
          A different type of construction is catering to a very specific market in one of Toronto’s largest
        
        
          districts. Trinity Ravine Towers Condo Residence, built by Global Kingdom Ministries, is offering
        
        
          seniors a progressive style of residence located in an active community in Scarborough. Using a life
        
        
          lease model, the units will offer residents a sense of comfort and mobility in a setting that encour-
        
        
          ages socialization and healthy living.
        
        
          Heading west, we spoke with the mayor of the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo in Alberta for
        
        
          a special profile of the evolving community. Wood Buffalo is a place that has traditionally seen life
        
        
          revolve around the oil sands, but today they’re looking to the future with plans for sustainability
        
        
          and new ways to generate revenue for their communities.
        
        
          Also, look inside for our review of this year’s Restaurants Canada show, held in Toronto earlier this
        
        
          year. There’s no doubt that food is big business, and we enjoyed an opportunity to catch a glimpse
        
        
          of the newest that this industry has to offer.
        
        
          Finally, while we’re talking about food, you won’t want to miss a feature on Carole’s Cheesecake
        
        
          Company. The “cake lady” turned entrepreneur began making sweet treats for friends and family
        
        
          from her kitchen, and has turned that talent into a booming business.
        
        
          We hope you enjoy this month’s issue and, as always, we welcome your comments and feedback!
        
        
          
            Cheryl Long
          
        
        
          
            Editor
          
        
        
          APRIL 2016
        
        
          H
        
        
          business elite canada   3