‘Give them a chance’

Chamber speaker urges local businesses to tap the potential of disabled workers

An entrepreneur from Yarmouth urged local businesses to give disabled workers a shot in a keynote address to the Truro and Colchester Chamber of Commerce.

Chris Quesnel delivered his message, with fellow guest speaker Aimee Acker, at the chamber’s second annual Legacy Awards that honoured the contribution of both established businesses and recent start-ups in Truro on Oct. 18.

“It makes me feel disappointed. They’re an untapped resource in Nova Scotia and they’re just like us. They want to be able to work, they want to be able to pay their own bills. They want to make friends and have the same successes that we do as individuals,” said Quesnel. “Give them a chance.”

The social enterprise that Quesnel helps run employs people with physical, mental and intellectual disabilities at three locations.

Some are also recent immigrants.

The three businesses are Always Us, the Shanti Café and The Store Next Door. At the Shanti Café, workers from India, Iraq and Cuba serve up delicacies from their birth countries.

“We have no qualms about hiring anybody based on their disability,” said Quesnel.

Regarding the training of disabled workers, Quesnel said employers may have to spend some more time with them, for example by repeating instructions two or three times instead of once to someone with an intellectual impairment.

For those with physical disabilities, many workplaces are now wheelchair- accessible and their number continues to grow.

“It doesn’t take much accommodating, believe it or not,” said Quesnel.

As Quesnel promoted a more inclusive workplace, local businesses reflected on their wins.

Andrew Searle, from Hildenbased Searle’s Gardens and Florals, won this year’s Agricultural/ Agri Food Award.

“You put a lot of effort into building a business up. Usually I don’t take the time to celebrate it but I feel at this stage in my life it’s maybe time to slow down and relax on days like this and appreciate the moment maybe a little more,” said Searle.

His firm started as a garden centre and flower shop business and plant material was sourced from their greenhouse in Middle Stewiacke which were two separate locations.

After the death of his father, Searle moved the Stewiacke greenhouse operation over to Hilden, with his garden centre and landscape business he had established.

“As difficult as it is, it’s starting to all take shape and things (are falling) in place there for us,” said Searle.

Legacy award - Peaceful Places Chamber executive director Sherry Martel with Cheryl Myers of Peaceful Places and chamber president Joanne Mcrae.

New Small Business of the Year – Levels Game Loft Dave Ritcey of award sponsor Community Credit Union with Derek, Christine and Paige White of Levels Game Loft in Truro and chamber president Joanne Mcrae.

Agriculture/agri Food Award – Searle’s Gardens and Florals Shawn Smith of award sponsor MNP, LLP with Andrew and Diana Searle of Hilden and chamber president Joanne Mcrae.

Small Business Achievement – Blenkhorn Auto Recyclers Ltd. Jessica Langille of award sponsor Pricewaterhouse Cooper with Blenkhorn family members Shelley Roy, Evelyn, Sheldon and Paul Blenkhorn with chamber president Joanne Mcrae.

FRAM DINSHAW/ TRURO NEWS Chris Quesnel wants to see a more inclusive workplace where the talents of disabled Nova Scotians are recognized and their potential fully tapped into. He delivered his message at Truro’s Holiday Inn on Oct. 18 during the Chamber of Commerce’s second annual Legacy Awards.

Excellence in Community Development – Aggregate Equipment Atlantic Ltd. Truro Deputy Mayor Tom Chisholm, Jennie Johnson of Aggregate Equipment in Truro and chamber president Joanne Mcrae.

Exporter of the Year – Pure Paint David Copus of award sponsor NSBI, Gena Arthur of Pure Paint in Bible Hill and chamber president Joanne Mcrae.

Business Growth Award - Coldstream Clear Distillery Michelle Bursey of award sponsor BDC with Riley Giffen of Coldstream Clear Distillery in Stewiacke and chamber president Joanne Mcrae.

Small Business Innovation Award – Ditch Doctor Sara Boss, representing award sponsor RBC, Adam Fisher of Ditch Doctor of Glenholme and chamber president Joanne Mcrae.