Ford, Chrysler, and General Motors are desperate for financial aid after falling US sales and growing losses have hit the three largest US auto makers hard, and Democrats and Republicans are clashing over where the money should come from.   Congressional Democrats gave proposals yesterday giving seven to 10-year loans to domestic automakers and their suppliers amounting to $25 billion, with the money coming from the $700 billion bank rescue package.

From blue sky to reality┬áBluewater Health is amalgamating all of SarniaÔÇÖs hospital services on one site through a big construction and renovation project. Tracy Gazarek explains to Gay Sutton how the project was designed for the local community and to help protect the environment. On the shores of the southernmost tip of Lake Huron lies the city of Sarnia, Ontario. Enjoying an enviable position at the point where the St. Clair River exits the Great Lakes, it is one of the busiest gateways to the US from Ontario.

Well-equipped manpower┬áCerPro Energy Services provides value for its clients by investing in its workforce and an ever-growing equipment fleet, Jaclyn Beck reports.  Four years ago, when oil prices began climbing toward $100 a barrel and exploration and drilling companies were pursuing the oil and gas boom that had started in Alberta, industry veteran Peter Pleskie saw an opportunity.

Well-equipped manpower┬áCerPro Energy Services provides value for its clients by investing in its workforce and an ever-growing equipment fleet, Jaclyn Beck reports.  Four years ago, when oil prices began climbing toward $100 a barrel and exploration and drilling companies were pursuing the oil and gas boom that had started in Alberta, industry veteran Peter Pleskie saw an opportunity.

Growing green┬áColumbia Power recently completed one major power plant upgrade and is about to start work on another, setting the stage for it to help feed the growing demand for sustainable energy in British Columbia, as Keith Regan details.  Since it was formed in 1994, the mission of the Columbia Power Corporation has been to invest in hydroelectric power generation capacity. The provincial corporation and its joint venture partner, the Columbia Basin Trust, bought its first assetÔÇöthe Brilliant DamÔÇöin 1996.

The glow of a bright future┬áKeith Regan learns how Ember Resources has positioned itself to weather any downturns in commodities prices and take advantage of long-term trends. The province of Alberta has become a key producer of energy for much of North America, mining and pumping natural gas to heat and cool homes and businesses across Canada and the United States.

Designing the future┬áAndrew Pelis learns how Graziani + Corazza Architects is leaving its mark on TorontoÔÇÖs skyline by designing for the 21st century with modern innovation. The Toronto skyline is currently undergoing a transformation.

Measuring performanceIn part six of his series on managing and leading people, Jon Minerich, Principal, Oliver Wight Americas, Inc., discusses the importance of performance measurement, and in particular, ensuring that the right things are measured. IntroductionMeasuring performance is a perennial topic in the executive suite, in board meetings, and at meetings of management scientists. To paraphrase Dr. Deming, measuring performance is good; measuring the right things is the trick executives must learn.

David Lengacher, a six sigma master black belt, tells us what high dollar consulting firms donÔÇÖt want us to knowÔÇöthere is little return from expensive training programs. The answer is to find the ÔÇ£pullÔÇØ from within. Traditional analysis tools common to continuous improvement initiatives are long overdue for an upgrade, as is the method for selecting those who should be trained in these tools. In todayÔÇÖs business environment, companies are collecting more customer, supplier, and operational data than ever before.

The business of remembrance┬áWilbert Funeral Services, Inc. is the largest supplier of concrete vaults and memorials to funeral directors throughout North America. John OÔÇÖHanlon talks to vice president of manufacturing Denny Knigga about how he is bringing kaizen thinking to the most traditional of professions. The funeral industry deals in bereavement and loss; its image is a timeless one, and nobody would want that to be otherwise.