atlantic canada

Join us for an exciting journey in Episode 5 of Trans Canada Stories, titled 'Equitable Horizons: Conversations on Workplace Inclusion'! In this episode, we're thrilled to welcome B Adair (he/they), a fresh addition to the SGF Inclusion team. B shares their inspiring journey from navigating the challenging anti-trans climate in Alberta to embracing new horizons on the East Coast of Canada.

Get ready for an engaging discussion as we delve into topics ranging from beachcombing adventures to the vital concept of privilege, and why equity work is beneficial for everyone. Plus, we tackle burning questions about inclusive forms and the imperative to redefine professionalism in the workplace.

But wait, there's more! We absolutely adore hearing from our listeners, and during our TD Connected Community Moment, we extend an invitation for you to send in your questions. Your queries might just be featured in our next episode of Trans Canada Stories!

Let's embark on this enlightening journey together! 🎙️✨

TD Connected Community Moment
Don't miss out—share your questions with us right here: https://forms.gle/e4mUyfaQEwWRftC77
We'll include answers in an upcoming episode! 

For more information on Simply Good Form, follow this link: https://www.simplygoodform.com/

Find us on: 

• Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/SimplyGoodForm/)
• Twitter (@simplygoodform)
• Instagram (@simplygoodform)
• LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/simply-good-form/)

This podcast is created by Simply Good Form, with production assistance and editing from Podstarter. 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/simply-good-form/ 

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/SimplyGoodForm 

Trans Canada Stories is proudly partnered with TD Bank Group.

Hosts: Emma Stanley (She/Her) and Cyn Sweeney (She/Her)

Canada's Ocean Supercluster - Growing the Blue Economy

This episode of the Insights Podcast takes a close look at the amazing opportunity Canada has to grow its blue economy and the role of Canada's Ocean Supercluster (OSC) in ensuring that we take full advantage of that opportunity. The ocean sector in Canada is worth nearly $40 billion in GDP and employs more than 300,000 Canadians. The blue economy is disproportionately important to Atlantic Canada, and Kendra MacDonald, the CEO of the OSC, provides an excellent overview of Ambition 2035, Canada's effort to increase the value of the blue economy to $220 billion by 2035 and the role that OSC is playing to achieve that goal. We discuss sustainable seafood, green energy, marine transportation and tourism as the key areas of focus for growth. The Ocean Supercluster is working on 90 different projects involving more than 300 companies and has invested $150 million to date in these projects, which has been matched by a similar investment from private sector partners. It is an exciting story, especially for Atlantic Canada.

A Mid-Mandate Update with Nova Scotia Premier, Tim Houston

This episode of the Insights Podcast features a conversation recorded live with Premier Tim Houston at the Halifax Chamber's Economic Forum. Premier Houston is halfway through his mandate. We talk about the accomplishments of his government and his personal disappointments over the first half of his mandate. We review the major healthcare initiatives undertaken to date to deliver on his promise to fix healthcare, including the government's willingness to use the private sector to deliver publicly funded healthcare services. We also discuss his ambitious goal to double the population to 2 million people by 2060 and the stresses caused by the recent increases in the population, as well as the government's strategies to address the housing shortages. Premier Houston acknowledges the high tax environment in Nova Scotia and hinted that some relief may be coming. He also acknowledges the need to mine more critical minerals in the province and lessen the current regulatory burden for mining. We talk about the potential of offshore wind. At the same time, he has a surprising answer regarding whether or not nuclear power could be a potential solution to achieving net zero, something that has been banned in Nova Scotia for decades and whether he would support the mining of uranium. The podcast provides a good assessment of the government's progress to date.

Please subscribe to the Acadia Insights podcast on your favorite platform so that you are alerted to the upcoming podcasts including the CEO of the Ocea Supercluster Kenra MacDonald, Roger King, CEO of Supplement King and Dan Kelly, CEO of CFIB.  Or subscribe to our weekly newsletter at this link.

On this week's Insights podcast, Don and David talk with Chief Terry Richardson and Councilor Jim Richardson from the Pabineau First Nation in Northern New Brunswick. This is another in our series of conversations with First Nations leaders who are driving economic development across Atlantic Canada.  There are many inspiring stories including our conversation today.  We talk about commercial development, housing, and the long-term opportunities for energy development in northeastern New Brunswick.  Chief Terry and Jim also reflect on the challenges that still remain and the need for a stronger partnership between First Nations and the provincial government. 

When to Sell or Grow Your Business 

In this episode of the Insights Podcast we talk with Rob Normandeau, the Managing Director and CEO of Seafort Capital, a regionally based private equity company that is part of a growing eco-system of private equity investment companies in Atlantic Canada. Founders East and Sandpiper Ventures are other companies in this space. Rob provides an excellent overview of Seafort's investment strategy and the attributes that his company looks for in making a capital investment. His company is not just focused regionally, but nationally as well. He also provides the key considerations for business owners trying to decide whether to sell or grow their companies, as well as the basis for evaluating the market value of your business. He also defines the difference between a strategic buyer and a financial buyer and the advantages and disadvantages of a management buyout.  According to Rob, there is growing interest in the investment community for the opportunities that are emerging within Atlantic Canada. That is good news for those seeking capital.

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Health care in Atlantic Canada is under significant pressure on many fronts.  There is a growing shortage of health care professionals, and the talent pipeline is not keeping up. The cost-of-service delivery is rising fast.  Technology is changing how health care is delivered and managed and, to top it off, the region is experiencing unprecedented population growth. Bruce Fitch, the Minister of Health for the Government of New Brunswick, joins us this week to discuss what his department is doing to cope with these pressures.  We discuss everything from the expanded role of international talent in the workforce to the role of virtual health care.  Minister Fitch weighs in on ways to reduce ER wait times, the expanding role of pharmacists, and what needs to be done to help address the mental health challenges in New Brunswick.  

A Conversation with Canada's Ambassador to the United Nations 

On this episode of the Insights Podcast, we turn our attention to the national scene and have a candid conversation with Bob Rae, Canada's ambassador to the United Nations. Rae has had a long and distinguished career as a lawyer, politician, law professor and now diplomat. We talk to him about his time as the first NDP Premier of Ontario and as the Interim Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, as well as one of the founding members of the Forum of Federations. Also about his work as an envoy for Canada and finally about his current role as the Canadian UN ambassador. Rae is a highly cerebral individual, and he provides his thoughtful perspectives on the challenges south of the border, his views about the future of Canada and his advice for Atlantic Canadians. You will enjoy this conversation with this important national figure.

Membertou, An Indigenous Economic Model of Success

In this episode of the Insights Podcast, we have an inspiring conversation with Terry Paul, the long-term Chief of Membertou First Nation (celebrating his 40th Anniversary as Chief this year). Chief Terry is a residential survivor who was recently named as one of Canada's most admired CEOs. He has helped develop the Membertou Model of economic development to improve his community. Membertou is part of the Mi'kmaq Coalition of seven First Nation communities who purchased 50% of Clearwater Seafoods in 2020 with Premium Brands of BC. Last year Membertou generated $80 million in revenue and has created 600 jobs in a community with 1,850 members (including those living outside the community itself). In the last ten years alone, Membertou has spent $91 million in capital investments in the community. It continues to expand its fishery operations and is the major owner of two wind farms that will be developed to support EverWind's green energy project. The ambition and success of Membertou is clearly a model for other indigenous communities across Atlantic Canada.

Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date on the weekly Acadia Insights podcast.

On this week's Insights, Don and David talk with Sean Leet, Managing Director and CEO at World Energy GH2 about their exciting green hydrogen project in western Newfoundland. World Energy GH2 is proposing a $6 billion project that would use 160 wind turbines generating renewable energy to produce green hydrogen, initially to meet demand in Europe.  The Stephenville area is one of the best sites in all of Canada for a project such as this.  Sean tells us why in the podcast and also why World Energy GH2 could have 'first mover' advantage in this new industry.  

There are many exciting stories of First Nations economic development across Atlantic Canada.  This week Don and David interview John Davis, the CEO of Qalipu Holdings in Newfoundland and Labrador about the potential of green hydrogen and other emerging industries and how the Qalipu First Nation will play a role including ownership stakes in various projects, governance and environmental oversight, supply chain opportunities and Indigenous workforce development. The Qalipu First Nation represents 25,000 people in 67 traditional Mi’kmaq communities across the province. The Indigenous population in Newfoundland and Labrador makes up a larger share of the provincial population than all other provinces except Manitoba and Saskatchewan.  Economic development is an important priority and John provides an excellent overview of the initiatives they are involved in to strengthen the economic foundation supporting the Indigenous population in Newfoundland and Labrador. 

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As the year comes to a close, we felt it appropriate to revisit some of the most important and most popular podcasts of 2023. Below is a recent podcast with the Chair of the Canadian Climate Institute, Peter Nicholson.   

A new report called “Catching the Wind” from the Public Policy Forum outlines how Atlantic Canada can become an energy superpower by harnessing offshore wind. On this episode of the Insights Podcast we talk with Peter Nicholson, the Chair of the Canadian Climate Institute and author of the report about the opportunity to harness the winds for environmental and economic benefit. Peter has had a distinguished career in both the private and public sectors and makes a compelling case that the region has a generational opportunity to be a net exporter of green energy to the rest of the country that will transform the economy of the region and generate the same kind of economic benefits for the region that Alberta has enjoyed form their oil and gas industry. He outlines the challenges associated with realizing this opportunity, including the substantial capital investment required. He also emphasizes that addressing climate change requires bold vision and audacity to seize the potential of offshore wind in particular.

As you close out the year, and celebrate the New Year, we hope you enjoy the listening to some of our other top podcasts of 2023.

Glenn Cooke Discusses How Cooke Inc Has Quietly Become The Largest Privately Owned Seafood Company In The World
Jim Irving Discusses The Importance Of The Forestry Sector For The Future Of New Brunswick
Discussion With Minister Arlene Dunn On The Growing Population And Job Vacancies In NB
Phil Fraser, CEO Of Killam Properties, Tells The Story Of Atlantic Canada’s Largest Landlord
Bernard Lord Discusses How Medavie Is Changing Health Delivery In Canada
A $10-Billion Opportunity To Mine Manganese In New Brunswick
How Jacques Dube Really Feels About Your Tax Bill
The Entrepreneur Fighting To Dismantle P.E.I.'s Development Roadblocks

There is something going on in Newfoundland and Labrador.  The province's tech sector is booming.  Real GDP from the IT sector has more than doubled since 2018, IT employment is up 46%.  The number of tech firms is up more than 20 percent just since 2019.  The number of life sciences startups has more than doubled.  On a per capita basis, the province has surged from 9th in the country among the 10 provinces to 3rd for the level of Research and Development spending per capita.  Michelle Simms, the CEO of Genesis, the province's startup incubator, has a front row seat.  A decade ago, Genesis worked with eight startups in a year.  In 2023, the number is closer to 200.  Michelle joins Don and David to discuss the drivers of this impressive growth and the outlook for the future.  

Forestry Sector in Recovery Mode in Nova Scotia 

The closure of Northern Pulp was a significant blow to the forestry sector in Nova Scotia creating a gap in demand for low grade fiber of 1.5 metric Tonnes. Despite this blow, the forestry industry still employs 6,000 workers in the province and generates $1.8 billion of economic activity and remains an important contributor to the economy in Nova Scotia. Our Insights Podcast this week features a wide-ranging conversation with Stephen Moore, the Executive Director of Forest Nova Scotia. One of those topics is the impact of the implementation of the Lahey Report on the industry which has a target of conserving 30 percent of forest lands in the province. As Moore points out, this conservation goal has the potential to increase the risk of forest fires in the province if those lands are not properly managed. In terms of conservation, the industry currently harvests about 2.5 million trees annually of the 600 million trees in the province. The goal of tripling housing means the demand for lumber will also triple in this region in the near future. This presents an unprecedented opportunity for the forestry industry to grow and expand while ensuring the long-term sustainability of this sector.

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Glenn Cooke discusses how Cooke Inc. has quietly become the largest privately owned seafood company in the world

This episode of the Insights Podcast features an exclusive and rare interview with Glenn Cooke, the driving force behind New Brunswick based Cooke Inc., which through acquisitions around the world (14 major acquisitions since 2016 worth $2.5 billion) now has annual revenues of $4 billion and nearly 13,000 employees, of which 2,500 are within Atlantic Canada. With operations in 14 countries, Cooke is a fully integrated seafood company utilizing 800 vessels and 30 processing plants, as well as its own transportation, hatcheries and feed plants. And it all started in Blacks Harbour, New Brunswick. Cooke uses a scientific based approach to fish farming and invests heavily in research and development efforts to improve production and environmental practices. It is clear that the regulatory environment within the region is holding back the expansion of the aquaculture sector in Atlantic Canada, especially with regard to the site approval process that can take years. The advent of offshore fish farming may help open up the industry in Canada.

Few Webcomics have been as prolific and long-running as Assigned Male, the brainchild of trans Québécois cartoonist Sophie Labelle. First releasing in October of 2014, Assigned Male portrays life through the eyes of a trans middle schooler named Stephie who alternately makes light of, and chafes under the realities of growing up a transgender child in a cisgender world. The webcomic series is still ongoing.

In 2017, Labelle first squared off against the rising tide of anti-trans and fringe-right haters, when a book reading for her new comic, Dating Tips for Trans and Queer Weirdos, was cancelled under threats of violence. During this time, Labelle received death threats and was doxxed, which would ultimately lead to her resettling with her partner in Finland, where she lives today. In the wake of these events, however, Labelle's audience expanded rapidly across Canada and the world. Today, she has more readers and supporters than ever before.

To see Sophie's work, or to purchase one of her books, visit her website at https://www.serioustransvibes.com/

TD Connected Community Moment
For a chance to win a signed copy of one of Sophie Labelle's books, follow this link and fill out the form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeiXNtHEfun9GeOwTQs_vnf7ahZurKtjfkIu9VTfUxE0pIbkA/viewform?usp=sf_link

Contest runs until January 6.

For more information on Simply Good Form, follow this link: https://www.simplygoodform.com/

Find us on: 

• Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/SimplyGoodForm/)
• Twitter (@simplygoodform)
• Instagram (@simplygoodform)
• LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/simply-good-form/)

This podcast is created by Simply Good Form, with production assistance and editing from Podstarter. 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/simply-good-form/ 

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/SimplyGoodForm 

Trans Canada Stories is proudly partnered with TD Bank Group.

Hosts: Emma Stanley (She/Her) and Cyn Sweeney (She/Her)
Producer: Connor Sampson (He/Him) podstarter.io

Sean Fraser Outlines Federal Government's Housing Strategy

This episode of the Insights Podcast features a live, in-person conversation with Sean Fraser, the Federal Minister of Housing, Infrastructure & Communities that was held at the "Partners for Progress " Conference sponsored by the Nova Scotia Regional Enterprise Networks in New Glasgow. The Minister presented an excellent overview of the government's housing strategy, including the recently announced $4 billion Housing Accelerator Fund, plus plans to address homeless and housing affordability. Fraser presented an articulate and clear understanding of the housing challenges Canada faces, including the need to construct housing differently to meet the needs of a growing population while defending the goal of continuing to grow the population. It is one of our best podcasts to date, especially for those interested in better understanding the housing crisis facing Canada.

The decision to appoint someone outside the healthcare community to lead the NS Health Authority was met with considerable scepticism across the healthcare sector in Nova Scotia, yet that was exactly what the doctor ordered to introduce  a series of innovations that is set to transform healthcare, not just in Nova Scotia, but potentially across the country. Using pharmacists to treat and prescribe drugs was a first in Canada and is being adopted elsewhere already. Introducing urgent care centres to take the pressure off emergency rooms is another. Providing Nova Scotians with an app to access their own health records is another. Expanding access to more surgery time after hours and on the weekend is another. 

This episode of the Insights Podcast features an in depth conversation with Karen Oldfield, the interim CEO of NS Health Authority who acknowledges that the province needs to do a better job informing Nova Scotians about the changes happening in healthcare and their impacts on the public, in particular the need to reset expectations regarding the access to primary care which will not longer be based on a sole practitioner family doctor model.

Atlantic Canada Can Become an Energy Superpower 

A new report called "Catching the Wind" from the Public Policy Forum outlines how Atlantic Canada can become an energy superpower by harnessing offshore wind. On this episode of the Insights Podcast we talk with Peter Nicholson, the Chair of the Canadian Climate Institute and author of the report about the opportunity to harness the winds for environmental and economic benefit. Peter has had a distinguished career in both the private and public sectors and makes a compelling case that the region has a generational opportunity to be a net exporter of green energy to the rest of the country that will transform the economy of the region and generate the same kind of economic benefits for the region that Alberta has enjoyed form their oil and gas industry. He outlines the challenges associated with realizing this opportunity, including the substantial capital investment required. He also emphasizes that addressing climate change requires bold vision and audacity to seize the potential of offshore wind in particular.

Subscribe to the newsletter to be notified of future podcasts.

On this week's podcast we talk to the CEO of one of Atlantic Canada's oldest family run companies, Crosby Foods.  Founded in the late 19th Century as an importer of molasses from the Carribean, Crosby's continues to be a family business serving national and international markets.  James Crosby talks to Don and David about the company's long history, the current challenges and how the company is building new business opportunities and addressing key challenges.  The future of food manufacturing is a key question for not only Atlantic Canada but the country as a whole. 

Subscribe to the newsletter to be notified of future podcasts.  Next week’s guest will be Karen Oldfield, Interim CEO of Nova Scotia Health.

In anticipation of Shelley Thompson's novel Roar hitting shelves, Emma and Cyn take the opportunity to learn more about the process behind the publication of this fiercely anticipated novel. This episode, we're taking a peek into the world of sensitivity reading, and the sorts of insights this process gives to authors looking to properly represent marginalized communities in their works of fiction.

Emma and Cyn are joined by Ronnie Ali, a Registered Psychotherapist, Diversity and Wellness Consultant in the arts and entertainment production, a Trauma-Informed Practice Specialist with Challenge Accepted, and Clinical Supervisor at the Toronto Institute for Relational Psychotherapy. Due to these exceptional qualifications and her insightful nature, Ronnie was chosen to be a sensitivity reader for Roar, and worked closely with Shelley Thompson to deliver a narrative that felt respectful, gripping, and authentic to the trans experience.

Outside of her work as a sensitivity reader, Ronnie focuses on ending cycles of violence by addressing the roots of oppression and discrimination through research, psychoeducation, social programming, mindfulness training, and consultation services. The majority of the clients at her practice are trans and gender non-conforming. Ronnie identifies as a trans woman of colour and an immigrant settler in Turtle Island.

Order your copy of Shelley Thompson's Roar
Follow this link to order from the publisher: https://nimbus.ca/store/roar.html

TD Connected Community Moment
Here are a couple of book recommendations from our guest, Ronnie. Both are written by trans BIPOC femmes. Check them out: 

• From the Stars in the Sky to the Fish in the Sea by Kai Cheng Thom
  https://arsenalpulp.com/News/2020/LISTEN-Julie-Andrews-reads-from-From-the-Stars-in-the-Sky-to-the-Fish-in-the-Sea-by-Kai-Cheng-Thom-for-Julie-s-Library 
• Zom-Fam by Kama La Mackerel
  https://metonymypress.com/shop/books/zom-fam-la-mackerel/

For more information on Simply Good Form, follow this link: https://www.simplygoodform.com/

Find us on: 

• Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/SimplyGoodForm/)
• Twitter (@simplygoodform)
• Instagram (@simplygoodform)
• LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/simply-good-form/)

This podcast is created by Simply Good Form, with production assistance and editing from Podstarter. 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/simply-good-form/ 

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/SimplyGoodForm 

Trans Canada Stories is proudly partnered with TD Bank Group.

Hosts: Emma Stanley (She/Her) and Cyn Sweeney (She/Her)
Producer: Connor Sampson (He/Him) podstarter.io