A River Runs Through IT – the Gatineau location experience
Here in Silicon Valley North, most of the technology companies are based in the west of Ottawa. Many also make downtown their HQ. Very few go east. Virtually none cross the mighty Ottawa River to settle in Gatineau. Last year when I was with Provance Technologies we were one of the brave few. The benefit of being there – no high tech congestion, a big mall across the street and a gym next door. The down side – your neighbours are not like you.
In our building the floor beneath us was occupied by a provincial cabinet minister – Benoit Pelletier. His portfolio attracted a lot of angry unions who would sometimes ambush the building.
One afternoon, I had an important meeting with our patent lawyers downtown – I looked out the window – and like WTF – about 500 people demonstrating in the parking lot. My van was parked right in the middle of them… I braved the crowd… declared myself a techie NOT a politician.. to my surprise – the crowd erupted with laughter and applause. With the help of a few union leaders and the Gatineau police I was able to back my beastly van out, get to Smart&Bigger and file my patent application!
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