Business Voice Magazine (January 2023)

PRESIDENT’S

MESSAGE

Facing headwinds in 2023

Preparing for economic challenges, opportunities ahead

and now a potential looming recession. We are all facing significant headwinds from inflation and labour shortages.

As we head into the new year, however, there is much to look forward to. Even though Tiff Macklem, Governor of the Bank of Canada, announced at our luncheon last October that he was not done raising interest rates, he was also optimistic that inflation would be under control by the middle to end of 2023.

with influential guests and speakers at our events in 2023.

PATRICK SULLIVAN PRESIDENT & CEO HALIFAX CHAMBER

Welcome to 2023, Chamber members! We’re look forward to what 2023 will bring, but most importantly, we’re focusing on increasing the value we bring to our members every single day.

As we begin to look back at a busy “post” COVID season, we know our members are dealing with the economic challenges arising from the pandemic

While costs and inflation are still high, Halifax remains in a building and immigration boom. The forecast for both remains strong, as reinforced by Federal Minister Sean Fraser at a recent Chamber roundtable discussion. Minister Fraser also reiterated that he felt there would be significant movement on interprovincial trade in 2023 — a position we have been routinely advocating for. This past October, we had a chance to advocate for interprovincial trade in person at the Prime Minister’s office with our partners at the Canadian Global Cities Council. We hope to continue these conversations

TABLE OF CONTENTS

And now the year begins with one of our most exciting events fast approaching. We hope you will be joining us on January 26 for our annual Halifax Business Awards gala! We will be launching into orbit with a space-themed celebration, highlighting some of the most fantastic business leaders and innovators in our community. It’s an event you truly won’t want to miss.

Finally, we’re happy to share that Business Voice magazine will continue in full force for 2023. As our main communications vehicle, Business Voice features 50+ members per month and keep members informed of Chamber work. If you’re interested in supporting the magazine, please contact Emily Bednarz at emily@halifaxchamber.com.

Connect with me anytime at: president@halifaxchamber.com @prezhfxchamber

EVENTS

CHAMBER EVENTS

FRIDAY, JANUARY 20

FUTURE OF THE NOVA SCOTIA HEALTHCARE SYSTEM

WITH KAREN OLDFIELD AND MINISTER MICHELLE THOMPSON

11:30AM - 1:30PM

Westin Hotel Halifax

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10

FREE TRAINING:GENDER, EQUITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

9:00PM - 4:00PM

Halifax Chamber of Commerce

Free for members! Sessions also open on March 3 and March 10.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14

POWER LUNCH: HOW INFLATION IMPACTS YOUR BUSINESS INSURANCE

WITH BAULD INSURANCE

12:00PM - 1:30PM

Halifax Chamber of Commerce

THURSDAY, MARCH 2

BUSINESS AFTER HOURS: EASTER SEALS NOVA SCOTIA

4:30PM - 6:30PM

22 Fielding Ave, Dartmouth

Free for members and future members.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 26

2023 HALIFAX BUSINESS AWARDS GALA

5:00PM - 9:30PM | Halifax Convention Centre

For a full list of Chamber events, visit: halifaxchamber.com/events

Launch into orbit with the Halifax business community for the most glamorous night of the year! Your ticket to the Awards Gala includes networking at the pre-reception, a delicious three course meal, top-notch entertainment, attendance to the exclusive after party, special hotel room rate at the Sutton Place Hotel, and more.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5

ANNUAL STATE OF THE MUNICIPALITY

WITH MAYOR MIKE SAVAGE

11:00AM - 1:30PM

Halifax Convention Centre

THANK YOU TO OUR NOVEMBER / DECEMBER EVENT SPONSORS!

WEDNESDAY, MAY 17

ANNUAL SPRING DINNER

5:00PM - 9:00PM

Halifax Convention Centre

Save the date and stay tuned for details!

NEW & NOTED

We welcome our new Chamber members

Are you a new Chamber member?

Get listed in New & Noted! Contact Mandi Bowser, Administrative Specialist at mandi@halifaxchamber.com or call (902) 468-7111 to submit.

3 P'S IN A POD ART STUDIO

3 P's in a Pod Art Studio is dedicated to the highest quality of visual artwork, including art classes delivered with creativity, originality, and imagination to all art lovers. Paintings, photographs, and pottery are available for your viewing pleasure and/or purchase. We also offer ''Empowering your Creativity'' workshops and courses.

Janice Webber

Dartmouth, NS (902) 469-2689 3psart@gmail.com 3psart.ca

ARTS, CULTURE & ENTERTAINMENT - Art

3D AUDIO VISUAL SOLUTIONS

3D datacomm was formed in Fredericton, New Brunswick in 1998 and now has offices across Atlantic Canada including Halifax, St. John’s, Moncton and Saint John offering a host of AV technologies aimed at Corporate, Government and Education sectors.

Geoff Baker

Dartmouth, NS (866) 461-6622 gbaker@3dav.ca 3ddatacomm.com

EVENTS - Audio/Visual Equipment/ Services

ARTSY FARTSY

Rhonda Frank Halifax, NS (902) 222-5227 rhondafrank@artsyfartsy.ca ArtsyFartsy.ca

ARTS, CULTURE & ENTERTAINMENT - Art

AYRUZ DATA MARKETING INC

Nivin Xavier Halifax, NS (782) 882-5111 nivin@ayruz.com ayruz.com

COMPUTERS, IT & TECHNOLOGYSoftware Consulting

CBBC CAREER COLLEGE

Greg Cole Dartmouth, NS (902) 593-0651 greg.cole@cbbccareercollege.ca cbbccareercollege.ca EDUCATION & PROF. DEVELOPMENT - Training Programs

COLOURSMITH LABS INC.

Gabrielle Masone Halifax, NS (416) 660-1036 gabrielle@coloursmith.com coloursmith.com HEALTH CARE - Medical Technologies

COVE

The Centre for Ocean Ventures and Entrepreneurship (COVE) brings together people, ideas, and resources that propel Canada’s marine technology sector.

Dara Conrod 27 Parker St Dartmouth, NS (902) 334-2683 dara.conrod@coveocean.com coveocean.com

ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT - Ocean Technology

CRATEC CONSTRUCTION

Cratec Construction is committed to every stage of your renovation project. From the products we use to the trades we hire, everything must meet the standards and expectations you have. This enables us to deliver the high-end

product you expect. Proudly serving the Halifax area!

Gaius Carmichael Dartmouth, NS (902) 830-5768 info@cratec.ca cratec.ca

REAL ESTATE/CONSTRUCTIONRenovations

DARTMOUTH LEARNING NETWORK SOCIETY

Alison O'Handley

Dartmouth, NS (902) 463-9179 executivedirector@ dartmouthlearning.net dartmouthlearning.net EDUCATION & PROF. DEVELOPMENT - Education/Schools

DR. LEE-BAGGLEY & ASSOCIATES

Dr. Lee-Baggley and Associates is a team of experienced health psychologists and legal professionals who provide evidence-based workplace solutions to improve psychological health and safety concerns at both the systemic and individual level. They handle conflict resolution, diversity equity and inclusion, and more using behaviour change science techniques.

Dayna Lee-Baggley Halifax, NS (902) 800-0018 drleebaggley@gmail.com drleebaggley.com HEALTH CARE - Counselling

DYNAMIC LEARNING INC.

For decades, Eileen Pease and Dynamic Learning have been offering practical techniques to increase productivity and enhance working environments. Our live, interactive training programs help you motivate, develop, and focus your people on the issues that matter most to your organization. We are experts on the

brain at work.

Eileen Pease Halifax, NS (902) 453-5700 epease@eileenpease.com dynamiclearning.ca

BUSINESS & PROF. SERVICESManagement Consulting

EAST COAST DOG SHOP & GROOMING CO.

East Coast Dog is a specialty boutique pet store and professional grooming salon, located in the North End of Halifax. We sell dog food, treats, supplements, toys, apparel, gear, accessories and other essentials.

Jennifer Marotta Halifax, NS (902) 200-8332 info@eastcoastdog.ca eastcoastdog.ca

PETS & VETERINARIAN - Pet Supplies/Services

ESINAM COUNSELLING INC.

Esinam Counselling Inc. provides counselling therapy to individuals that are struggling. We provide client-centred approaches to ensure our clients' needs are being met. We support individuals that are facing racial trauma, sexual trauma, PTSD, domestic violence, anxiety, struggling with addiction, and undergoing life transitions.

Stacy Darku Lower Sackville, NS (902) 690-5153 Stacy@esinamcounselling.ca esinamcounsellinginc.com HEALTH CARE - Counselling

FORTUNESTART CONSULTING INC

FortuneStart is a business consulting firm that helps Nova Scotian small businesses source products and materials from China and sell their services and products to both the Chinese market and the Chinese community in Nova Scotia.

Jonathan Chen Halifax, NS (902) 809-6650 jonathan.chen@fortunestart.ca fortunestart.ca

NEWSMAKERS

BUSINESS & PROF. SERVICESBusiness Consulting

FULLY ALIGN STUDIO

Jeannine Riant Bedford, NS (902) 514-3804 fullyalign@gmail.com HEALTH CARE - Health and Wellness

FUSION GROUP INC.

Jen Warrington Bedford, NS (902) 329-3888 jen@thefusiongroup.ca thefusiongroup.ca HR, EMPLOYMENT & STAFFINGRecruitment Services

HAZELVIEW PROPERTIES

Atiya Khan Toronto, ON (647) 619-0211 akhan@hazelview.com hazelviewproperties.com

REAL ESTATE/CONSTRUCTIONProperty Management

HEALTH CARE HUMAN RESOURCE SECTOR COUNCIL

Janet Everest Bedford, NS (902) 835-1455 everest@hcsc.ca hcsc.ca NOT-FOR-PROFIT GROUPSAssociations/Agencies

J D FACTORS

J D Factors provides non-recourse factoring to turn your unpaid invoices into the immediate cash you need without credit risk or debt. Getting started is easy and usually takes just a few days. Once your account is established, simply submit your invoices and receive your cash within 24 hours.

James Dunnett Halifax, NS (902) 993-0808 jdunnett@jdfactors.com jdfactors.com

FINANCE & INSURANCE - Financial Services

KELLY DEVOE ILLUSTRATION

& DESIGN

Kelly Devoe Halifax, NS (902) 877-7296 kellydevoe@gmail.com kellydevoe.com ARTS, CULTURE & ENTERTAINMENT - Art

KRYS DEVELOPMENT INC

Krys was established three years ago and is primarily involved in project management for the construction business, the building of new construction single family homes, and property management. Our main aim is to build quality homes and provide highquality service in managing commercial properties.

Khaled Mohamed Halifax, NS (902) 414-7593 Krysdev.ca@gmail.com BUSINESS & PROF. SERVICESProject Management

LEUKEMIA & LYMPHOMA SOCIETY OF CANADAATLANTIC REGION

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada’s mission is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease, and myeloma and to improve the quality of life of patients and their families. Our strategy to achieve this mission is based on three areas of focus: research, patient support, and advocacy.

Fallon Jones

Halifax Regional Municipality, NS (902) 802-0871 fallon.jones@lls.org bloodcancer.ca HEALTH CARE - Health and Wellness

LOMAS FINANCIAL INC

Daniel Lomas Halifax, NS (902) 209-0855 daniel.lomas@dfsin.ca dfsin.c/danlomas

FINANCE & INSURANCE - Financial/ Insurance Services

MARI-TECH APPRAISAL & INSPECTION NOVA SCOTIA LTD.

Darren Horne Dartmouth, NS (902) 233-6715 darren.horne@mari-tech.ca maritechappraisal.com

REAL ESTATE/CONSTRUCTIONInspection Services

MCCALLUM ENVIRONMENTAL LTD.

Jamie MacDonald Bedford, NS (902) 446-8252 jaime@mccallumenvironmental.com mccallumenvironmental.com

ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT - Energy Efficiency

MFONIRII STUDIOS

Jermaine Addo Halifax, NS (902) 456-4991 info@mfonirii.ca mfonirii.ca

ADVERTISING, PR & MEDIAAdvertising

MILLER THOMSON LLP

Hugh Wright

Halifax, NS (416) 595-8500 hwright@millerthomson.com millerthomson.com BUSINESS & PROF. SERVICES - Law

MR SMOOTH

Ronald Beals

Dartmouth, NS (902) 579-0618 mrsmooth29@gmail.com mrsmooth.ca

RESTAURANTS, FOOD & BEVERAGE - Catering/Food/Drink

MR. ROOTER PLUMBING OF NS

Richard Samways

Middle Sackville, NS (902) 832-8000 halifax@mrrooter.ca mrrooter.ca/halifax

INDUSTRIAL & MANUFACTURING –Plumbing

NEWSMAKERS

MY GRANDFATHER'S CAT

My Grandfather's Cat is a registered Canadian charity that helps seniors and terminally ill people find homes for their pets before they move into retirement homes or pass away. We are operational in all provinces and territories.

Angela Rafuse Halifax, NS (902) 279-0242 hello@mygrandfatherscat.ca mygrandfatherscat.ca NOT-FOR-PROFIT GROUPS - NotFor-Profit Groups

NOVA SCOTIAN COOKIE COMPANY

Jenna Ross Dartmouth, NS (902) 495-6684 jenna@nscookieco.com nscookieco.com

RESTAURANTS, FOOD & BEVERAGE - Food Manufacturer

NSE REAL ESTATE

Nick Skalkos is a prominent real estate investor and co-founder of NSE Real Estate. We help accredited investors passively create wealth through investing in multi-family assets throughout Canada and the southern United States.

Nick Skalkos Halifax, NS (519) 573-2636 nick@nserealestate.com nserealestate.com

FINANCE & INSURANCE - Venture Capital/Equity

PARACHUTE EXECUTIVE COACHING

Karen Wright Halifax, NS (416) 910-9683 kwright@ parachuteexecutivecoaching.com parachuteexecutivecoaching.com EDUCATION & PROF. DEVELOPMENT - Prof. Development

PROGRESSIVE HEALTH

Debbie Kennedy Halifax, NS (902) 463-7857 deb@24care.ca

cpmhalifax.ca HEALTH CARE - Health Care Services, General

PTT CONSULTING AND TRADING CORPORATION

PTT Consulting and Trading Corporation has been incorporated since 2016. It offers consulting services to Vietnamese and Canadian customers to explore and pursue business opportunities between Vietnam and Canada focusing on immigration, education, import-export, investment, and trading.

Tuy (David) Dinh Halifax, NS (506) 852-1378 director@pttcanada.com pttcanada.net

BUSINESS & PROF. SERVICESBusiness Consulting

QUICKFACTS INC

QuickFacts is a consulting service that improves operations and efficiencies, reduces employee turnover, and allows key employees to focus on their responsibilities. We analyze business practices, create custom workflows, and provide a lasting solution complemented by our web-based offering. Imagine: a search engine for your business!

Christy Silvestri Bedford, NS (902) 448-6680 christy@quickfactsinc.com quickfactsinc.com

BUSINESS & PROF. SERVICESConsulting (General)

REAZENT INC.

Sumit Verma Halifax, NS (902) 425-6500 sumit.verma@reazent.com reazent.com

ENERGY & ENVIRONMENTSustainability

RICHARDSON'S LAW OFFICE

Kim Richardson Lower Sackville, NS (902) 864-2300 kim@novalawyer.com novalawyer.com

NEWSMAKERS

BUSINESS & PROF. SERVICES - Law

ROMAIN BERG

Digital marketing agency delivering affordable and effective service packages for local businesses along with unique solutions for digital businesses that are growing outside of their local area.

Romain Berg brings award winning competency and a data-driven approach to ensure our clients surpass their competition.

Gensen Gisborne Halifax, NS (902) 906-5858 gensengisborne@romainberg.com RomainBerg.com

ADVERTISING, PR & MEDIAMarketing

SCOTIA KELP PRODUCTS

Based in Nova Scotia, Scotia Kelp Products sustainably harvests, processes, and through research and development, creates all-natural skin, plant and pet care products derived from sea algae. With over 25 years of experience, our focus is on kelp nutrient products, sustainability, environmental accountability, and social responsibility.

Darron Hill Halifax, NS (902) 880-3148 Scotiakelp.ns@gmail.com scotiakelp.ca

INDUSTRIAL & MANUFACTURINGManufacture/Process

SPORTBALL ATLANTIC

Sportball offers fun, high-energy sports programs and parties for children ages 16 months to 12 years. Professional coaches use methodology-based instruction to help kids develop physical literacy and discover their lifelong love of sport — without the pressure of competition. At Sportball, we always value positive learning outcomes over winning!

Scott Reinhardt Halifax, NS (902) 478-1115 novascotia@sportball.ca sportball.ca/nova-scotia

SPORTS & RECREATIONRecreation/Sports/Fitness

STRAY DOG ART HOUSE

Stray Dog Art House is a makers’ lab and curio-market fusion located in Mahone Bay. This unique space is a working basecamp for a family of diverse local artists offering workshops in visual art and film, maker events, and a vast array of one-of-a-kind artisan goods. Kellie Anderson Mahone Bay, NS (902) 482-4449 Kanderson@straydogarthouse.com straydogarthouse.com

ARTS, CULTURE & ENTERTAINMENT - Film/Television

SYLVAN LEARNING - HALIFAX

Sangeeta Khurana Halifax, NS (902) 422-7323 sangysak@gmail.com SylvanLearning.com/HalifaxNS

EDUCATION & PROF. DEVELOPMENT - Coaching

TANYA SMYK, REALTOR® KELLER WILLIAMS SELECT REALTY

Tanya Smyk Halifax, NS (902) 237-2437 tanya@tanyasmyk.com tanyasmyk.com REAL ESTATE/CONSTRUCTIONReal Estate Residential

THE PREP ACADEMY

Ashley Hill Halifax, NS (902) 334-6260 ashley@theprepacademy.ca theprepacademy.ca NOT-FOR-PROFIT GROUPS - NotFor-Profit Groups

UNMISSABLE INC.

Unmissable is a marketing agency and solutions provider based in Halifax Nova Scotia that serves a global client base. Unmissable might be new, but individually we’ve been going strong for more than 20 years. We have a foundation in technology and innovation and experience working with global and local brands.

Robert Snell Halifax, NS

(902) 706-8100 robert@unmissable.ca unmissable.ca ADVERTISING, PR & MEDIAMarketing Consulting

UPLAND PLANNING & DESIGN

Since its inception in 2014, UPLAND has quickly become recognized as a leader in developing locally owned and innovative planning and design strategies that are as unique as the many Atlantic Canadian communities we are fortunate to work with. UPLAND provides award-winning planning and design services for the diverse places and communities of Atlantic Canada.

Beth Freeman Dartmouth, NS (902) 423-0649 beth@uplandstudio.ca uplandstudio.ca BUSINESS & PROF. SERVICESPlanning

WESBEN GLOBAL LTD.

Wesben Global offers risk, strategy, and sustainability consulting and advisory services to clients and partners, supporting them to shape integrated investor and social value propositions through the lens of environment, social, and governance related risk.

Danielle Comeau Halifax, NS (902) 225-2644 dcomeau@wesbenglobal.com wesbenglobal.com

BUSINESS & PROF. SERVICESBusiness Consulting

MEMBERS IN THE NEWS

How our members are growing Halifax

making donations or learning more about our programs, visit mulgravepark.ca.

AS MANY AS 100 NEW BUSINESSES STARTING IN NOVA SCOTIA THIS YEAR

PELVICO’S FIRST SIX MONTHS OF OPERATIONS

Pelvico Health Centre opened on May 1, 2022, and they haven’t looked back since! In a short six months, Pelvico has quickly become a multidisciplinary clinic offering comprehensive pelvic health services. We specialize in supporting all individuals in their pelvic health journey as well as through the prenatal and postnatal period through pelvic floor and orthopedic physiotherapy, massage, acupuncture, chiropractic, personal training and group fitness, plus nutrition advice. Our team shares one common goal: to change how pelvic health is treated in Nova Scotia. We want to empower all individuals in their pelvic health journey and support those of all genders.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRE IN MULGRAVE PARK

These past few months with the Mulgrave Park Caring and Learning Centre have been a pleasure to witness. Taking the time to build and enhance our relationship within the community is an ongoing process, but it has been vital to our strategic approach in delivering diverse and inclusive programming to best serve and reflect our families. Through the month of October, we facilitated eight separate programs which brought the community together and played a crucial role in breaking down the barrier of food security within our community. For anyone interested in

Mashup Lab received a record-setting number of applications for its Virtual Business Incubator back in May. “For the first time in the history of the program in Nova Scotia, we had over 70 people working on business ideas over the same six-week period, resulting in nearly 40 active and growing businesses in over 25 communities in every region of rural Nova Scotia” shares Andrew Button, Founder & CEO of Mashup Lab. “This just indicated the deep well of untapped entrepreneurial talent sitting ‘on the sidelines’ in every corner of our province.” Since then, Mashup Lab has launched another three cohorts in September with over 30 people currently working on business ideas. Learn more at mashuplab.ca.

owners. Each bi-weekly episode features a guest from the community who will share their journey and what they have learned along the way. Kickstart Connections is available on Apple, Spotify and Amazon now. For more info, email podcast@kickstartconsulting.ca.

KICKSTART LAUNCHES NEW PODCAST

In collaboration with BNV Media, Kickstart Coaching & Consulting is proud to announce the launch of the Kickstart Connections Podcast -— a podcast focused on small business that strives to provide local business owners with a free platform to share their stories and market their ideas. Lucinda Underwood, owner of Kickstart, hopes that the podcast will also provide a resource for other entrepreneurs, business students and future business

A NEW LEAF ENTERPRISES SUCCESS STORY

Since 2012, Christine Riley has been involved with New Leaf Enterprises — a Social Enterprise program of Easter Seals Nova Scotia. Two years ago, Christine participated in The Next Step Youth Employment program, completing workshops and training classes designed to provide youth with disabilities the necessary skills and opportunities to enter the labour market. Christine participated in New Leaf Enterprises’ first ever Reverse Job Fair, where employers and potential employees with disabilities come together to discuss employment opportunities. Thanks to this program, Christine is now successfully and meaningfully employed with Delectable Desserts and loving her new job.

LOCAL LEADER WINS AWARD FOR GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP

The Atlantic Council for International Cooperation proudly recognizes Kathryn Anderson as the recipient of the 2022 Shirley Case Leadership Award for Global Citizenship. Anderson has shown sustained dedication and engagement in the global cooperation sector and an intrinsic sense of volunteerism

for over 30 years as a leader, educator, author, change-maker, and founder of the Maritimes-Guatemala Breaking the Silence Network. Anderson received the award on October 28 at the Atlantic Council for International Cooperation Annual Symposium in Halifax.

NEWSMAKERS

as a network of supportive experts and investors in the AI space.

completing a wall mural to represent the diversity of youth who stay in the facility and included inspirational quotes in ten languages.

STUART MACLEAN ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT

EDUNOVA LAUNCHES THE SEVENTH YEAR OF THE STUDY AND STAY NOVA SCOTIA PROGRAM

A record number of 97 international students have been selected for the seventh cohort of EduNova’s award-winning Study and Stay Nova Scotia program. These students, from 27 countries, are in their final year of study at ten post-secondary institutions across Nova Scotia. To date, 402 students across Nova Scotia have completed a Study and Stay program. A retreat event was held to kickoff the 2022-2023 programming. From October 14 to 16, over 100 people gathered at the Annapolis Basin Conference Centre, including 97 international students from the seventh cohort year of the Study and Stay Nova Scotia program.

FIVE STARTUPS ACCEPTED INTO VOLTA AI COHORT TWO

Five supply chain-focused AI startups founded out of Atlantic Canada have been accepted into the second cohort of the Volta AI program. The Volta AI program provides early-stage supply chain-focused AI companies access to funding and resources to scale, courtesy of Scale AI. Acuicy, Agyle Intelligence, KorrAI, Picketa Systems and Scient Analytics will each receive up to $14,000 in grants to develop their product and grow their business. Along with funding, the companies will have access to Volta’s co-working space in downtown Halifax where they can connect with a community of visionary tech founders as well

GOLDEN LIVING WINS AWARD

Golden Living - Senior Lifestyle Support has won the Platinum Award for Best Home Health Care Business in Halifax through Community Votes. Thank you so much to those who voted for my business. Creating a small business from scratch is serious, hard work. With much trial and error along the way, I am creating a business that is changing the way we think and feel about aging. Thank you for being here and following along!

After dedicating 36 years to inspiring safer workplaces, Stuart MacLean is retiring from WCB Nova Scotia. Stuart joined the WCB in 1986, quickly progressing through management and executive roles. He has served as Chief Executive Officer since 2012. As CEO, he has guided the WCB through a comprehensive modernization and into an era of financial sustainability, and workplace injury has declined by nearly 20 per cent in our province. Following Stuart’s retirement, Shelley Rowan will serve as the WCB’s Interim CEO. Shelley is currently Vice President of People and Strategy.

MUNN INSURANCE WINS BROKER OF THE YEAR AWARD

Munn Insurance was awarded The XN Worldwide Award for Brokerage of the Year (10-100 staff) during the 2022 Insurance Business Canada Award’s Ceremony in Toronto, Ontario. The Insurance Business Canada Awards (IBCAs) ceremony and dinner banquet took place Thursday, November 17 at the Liberty Grand in Toronto, Ontario. The annual IBCAs is the leading independent awards program across the nation’s insurance profession. For further information, visit ibawards.ca.

NSCAD UNIVERSITY TAKES A BOLD STEP TOWARDS AN ACCESSIBLE, UNIFIED CAMPUS AT HALIFAX SEAPORT

BEHR PAINT COMPANY CELEBRATES 75TH ANNIVERSARY

To commemorate their anniversary, Behr Paint company gave a mood-boosting makeover to the Youth Shelter at Phoenix Youth Programs, a non-profit organization in Halifax dedicated to supporting youth between the ages of 11 and 24, their families, and communities. The objective of the makeover was to inspire positivity and refresh the surroundings of this deserving organization. A donation of $7,500 was also given to help residents have access to vital essentials. Michael Burt complemented the project by

NSCAD University announced it has signed a long-term agreement with the Halifax Port Authority to create an accessible, unified campus that will be the cornerstone of the vibrant creative and social district at the Halifax Seaport. NSCAD helps creators and makers flourish in a sector that is increasingly important to the success of Nova Scotia’s regional economic development goals, cultural action plan, and economic diversification. NSCAD’s current Port Campus is one of the university’s three distinct sites in downtown Halifax. For more information, visit nscad.ca.

BLUE NOSE

MARATHON

CELEBRATES 20 YEARS RUNNING AND NEW TITLE SPONSOR

Blue Nose Marathon recently announced a new title partner, Emera Inc. Together, the community-minded duo has joined forces to build on Blue Nose’s 20-year legacy of inclusion and deepen its work with equity-seeking groups on a journey towards a more diverse, equitable and inclusive sporting event. The two organizations are hard at work building a momentous event weekend, which will include the highly anticipated return of the Active Living Expo, coming to the Zatzman Sportsplex this May! To learn more about this exciting new partnership or get involved in the 20th Annual Emera Blue Nose Marathon, visit bluenosemarathon.com.

REVOLVE IS NOW BELIEVECO

Revolve is now part of a new powerhouse marketing and communications agency, born from a hand-picked selection of Canada’s most successful independent firms. Believeco is the consolidation of Revolve, Calgary-based Venture Play, and Toronto-based Brightworks and Zync. The vision for this new agency model was crafted by Canadian business leader and Venture Play founder Arlene Dickinson. Now one of Canada’s largest independent marketing and communications firms, Believeco:Partners is launching with over three hundred people in seven offices spread over six provinces and two countries.

INNOVATION, DIVERSITY IN DIGITAL RECOGNIZED AT AWARDS CEREMONY

Innovators, change-makers, and diversity champions in Nova Scotia’s technology sector were celebrated by 240 guests

at Digital Nova Scotia’s Tech Forward Awards, presented by RBC. These eight awards recognize leaders and organizations making waves in the digital industry, while promoting diversity and inclusion and helping to drive the sector’s growth. Our 2022 Award Winners include Outshine, Adaptiiv Medical Technologies, Dr. Israat Haque, wordcraft, Rafflebox, Saratu Yakubu, Prag Ravichandran Kamalaveni, and ISANS. Find more information at digitalnovascotia.com.

making the trek into the city. Good Robot Elmsdale’s retail store will be open Wednesday-Sunday, and the team hopes to eventually include products from other local vendors.

2022 SACKVILLE BUSINESS AWARDS

This past October, the Sackville Business Association hosted its annual Business Breakfast in celebration of Small Business Week. Local legend and singer songwriter, Joel Plaskett, delivered an engaging keynote speech to over 120 Sackville business owners and community members. SBA Executive Director, Michelle Champniss, and Board Member, Caylum Evong, then presented three awards to deserving members of Sackville’s business district, including Bader Rached (Supreme Auto Service), Brian Smith (Brian’s Barber Shop), and Tina Chiasson and Blair Gleeson (Payzant Building Products). Voting was held online throughout the month of September with over 800 votes from the community.

GOOD ROBOT OPENS RETAIL STORE IN ELMSDALE

Good Robot gave the folks of Elmsdale a new space to gather and wet their whistle this past summer when they opened their beer garden at 14 Industrial Way. Now, just in time for the holiday season, they’re opening their brand-new retail store. Good Robot fans in the area can now purchase all of their favourite Good Robot brews, merchandise and more without

SIMPLY GOOD FORM INC. RECOGNIZED AT CGLCC’S 2022 ANNUAL BUSINESS AWARDS

Cynthia Sweeney (She/Her), CEO and Founder of Halifax-based equity, diversity, and belonging consultancy, Simply Good Form Inc. , attended the CGLCC’s annual LGBT+ Business Awards in Toronto this November. Sweeney attended as an award finalist in the category Business Advocate of the Year. The Gala was attended by more than 500 ‘game-changers’ from across the country. Cynthia is honoured to be recognized for her work supporting trans and beyond binary inclusion and supporting clients in eliminating barriers to inclusion within their organizations, schools, and non-profits.

REFRAMING TO 5D CORPORATE TEACHING AND LEARNING CENTRE

We are excited to announce that a change has taken AWENS into the future world of workplace education. At AWENS, we heard from our clients that our name did not describe our unique program offerings, so we asked our clients how they would describe us. They responded with: Innovative, Collaborative, Purposeful, Diverse, Transformational, Customized, Flexible, and Impactful. These words took us to the five dimensions of teaching and learning, and for this reason, we are now 5D Corporate Teaching and Learning Centre. Check out our new website at 5dlearning.ca.

The Halifax Business Awards finalists are chosen every year by an independent Judging Committee. The nominees can self-nominate or be nominated by someone in the community. Self-nominations are strongly encouraged. The nominees receive email notification of their nomination and are prompted to fill out their submission. The completed submissions (made up of six questions) are then reviewed by the Judging Committee. Comprised of six local business and community leaders, the Committee reviews all nominee submissions (usually over 100!). They then assign each submission a score — all the judges’ scores are added up and averaged. The Committee reviews the top five (who are deemed finalists) and approve a winner in each category.

To learn more about the submission process, our finalists, and annual gala please visit: halifaxchamber.com/awards

NEW

BUSINESS

OF THE YEAR

CHAPMAN FAMILY LAW

What inspired you to open a new business? Like many industries, I have observed a solid glass ceiling in place for women in the private practice of law. The high attrition rate of women from private practice also means there are limited mentorship opportunities to have with other women and far fewer role models that are women. Beyond the goal of providing compassionate and quality client service, I started Chapman Family Law with the aim of mentoring, empowering, and advancing women in the legal profession.

Where do you see your organization in 10 years? In ten years, we hope to be a leader in mentorship, empowerment, and advancement of women in the legal profession in Nova Scotia. Providing women with mentorship beyond the substantive practice of law, including how to set healthy boundaries within the emotionally intense nature of our work, allows these women to become less susceptible to the burnout. They are then afforded the opportunity to build a more sustainable longterm career in the helping profession that is family law.

IMAGES CREDIT: UNBOUND MEDIA

THE HALIFAX CHAMBER OF COMMERCE is pleased to present this year’s Halifax Business Awards finalists. Presented by RBC, longtime supporters of the business community, the annual awards gala is hosted at the beautiful Halifax Convention Centre and showcases Halifax’s best and brightest business leaders and entrepreneurs. This issue is dedicated to the hardworking and innovative people behind these remarkable business ventures. We hope you enjoy getting to know them, and we hope their vibrancy shines through these pages.

L-R Back: Jessica Chapman (Chapman Family Law), Houston Barnaby (Indigenous Treaty Partners), Christy Silvestri (QuickFacts) Front: Cynthia Sweeney (Simply Good Form), Nancy Foran (ESG Partners).

PRESENTED BY:

ESG PARTNERS INC.

What inspired you to open a new business? I have been surrounded by entrepreneurs most of my professional life and have aways been pulled toward their energy and unwavering commitment to achieve their vision. Shortly after the pandemic shut things down, including international travel — something on which my previous role depended — I was given the rare opportunity to create a vision that would support sustainable business growth in this region. Recognising the awareness gap that existed around ESG (environmental, social and governance), I launched ESG Partners.

Why did you choose Halifax? There was never any question — Halifax is my home. This city and this region are like no other. We are highly skilled, motivated, connected, and supportive of each other. Being part of the momentum that exists here right now is an incredible opportunity. Most importantly, I want my children to see Halifax as a place full of opportunities, where they too can grow their career and families one day.

INDIGENOUS TREATY PARTNERS

What inspired you to open a new business? Having done work with and for Indigenous communities for many years, we noticed an opportunity to lend our experience and expertise to the broader business community to foster meaningful relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous businesses. Another factor is the willingness on behalf of Canadians to meaningfully connect with Indigenous people, which was a catalyst for us to help create that bridge between our Nations as we identified the growing demand for this service.

Do you have any tips for people thinking about starting their own business? For those looking at starting their own business, we cannot stress enough the importance of finding the right mentor to guide them through the initial phases of a start-up and help introduce them to other like-minded businesspeople. I would also recommend that they take advantage of the great support offered by their local Chamber of Commerce and partner with the right person or people. By multiplying capacity, great things can happen.

QUICKFACTS INC.

What inspired you to open a new business? For years, I tried to update all the information myself for the brokerages I worked for and realized there had to be a better way. I got tired of waiting for somebody else to build the software. I’ve put everything into every company I’ve ever worked for, so why not do it for myself instead?

Why did you choose Halifax? Halifax has been my home for many years. I love the city and the people. There is significant support here for entrepreneurs, especially in the technology space. I was able to attend the Grow Now program to gain excellent business knowledge, expand the software, and begin building my team.

What is your proudest accomplishment? Launching our software and hearing incredible customer feedback is our proudest accomplishment. At every brokerage that we onboard with our software solution, numerous employees have thanked us and said how much happier they are at work.

SIMPLY GOOD FORM INC.

Where do you see your organization in 10 years? Simply Good Form grows alongside the communities we live in. We are proud to be supporting not only companies in becoming more inclusive, but also individuals within the 2SLGBTQ+ community in becoming their true, authentic selves. Simply Good Form has seen national growth in 2022 and in the years to come, we’re focused on employing more trans and non-binary leaders. We aim to not only educate but inspire.

How can we encourage youth to explore entrepreneurship as a possible future career? Support marginalized communities in entrepreneurship. Include 2SLGBTQ+, BIPOC, and disabled people on panel discussions; share opportunities for capital funding; and allow young entrepreneurs to see relatable individuals who are thriving within our ecosystem. Growing up being one of the few openly queer and transgender people in Truro was incredibly isolating, and it was difficult to find local role models to help inspire me.

SMALL

BUSINESS

OF THE YEAR

ART PAYS ME

What would you say is your organization’s proudest achievement? Outside of being a finalist for this award, I would say that I’m most proud of an art and fashion show that we co-hosted in 2018 where Art Pays Me was the primary draw. To have over 100 people pay to see my work at a venue like the Halifax Central Library felt surreal for someone who has often felt like an outsider in the creative industry.

Does your business engage youth and/or immigrants? What does that bring to your business? Yes to both. I am an immigrant and recently sponsored the ISANS Immigrant Entrepreneurship Awards. I also volunteer on an anti-racism committee at NSCAD University where I have the chance to engage directly with students. I received a lot of support throughout my journey and I enjoy helping people reach their full potential.

JOYFUL SOUNDS MUSIC STUDIO

What would you say is your organization’s proudest achievement? Having Kindermusik International recognize my studio as one of the Top Programs in the world is one of my proudest achievements. We have increased our rankings for several years now, going from 7th in Canada in 2009 to our most recent announcement of 2nd in Canada for 2022! Knowing that we are reaching so many children and families with the power and joy of music is our passion, and having it recognized nationally and globally is so special.

How is your business contributing to making Halifax a better place? We are giving a creative outlet to all ages. We know the importance of music as a means of expressing oneself, as a positive mental health exercise, and pure fun. We are ensuring there is a safe space in our community to participate in music education, and we continue to add programs and classes to meet the needs of our families. Every person who comes into our studio has the potential to bring immense joy to those around them.

PLACEMAKING 4G

How is your business contributing to making Halifax a better place? We connect and help build relationships between employers and deserving candidates — many being members of underrepresented communities. We also contribute to the positioning of leaders of colour into c-suite roles in Halifax’s business community, which is essential for influencing equitable decision-making power. We have been going beyond the recruiting process to help organizations create safer spaces where everyone feels celebrated.

What brings customers back to you? We are known for our drive to help make workplaces more human, meaning more diverse, inclusive, and equitable. We see that clients come back to us because they know we are going to challenge them on hiring people who ‘fit in’. Fitting in implies conforming to make yourself agreeable. We believe in building teams of people that are intrinsically different, while aligning with the organization’s vision, the why, the how and the what that makes it tick.

L-R: Louise MacDonald (Joyful Sounds Music Studio) Joyce Adom (Simply Go Natural Cosmetics), Duane Jones (Art Pays Me), Jahtaya Skeete (Taya Ties), Matt Thomson and Bradley Daye (Placemaking 4G).

PRESENTED BY:

SIMPLY GO NATURAL COSMETICS

Why did you choose Halifax? I chose Halifax because of its supportive community and accessible lifestyle. It was a great place to start and grow a business because of the business support programs and supportive craft communities willing to support a start-up. I love the business community with its ever-changing ecosystem that helps small businesses to grow and excel.

How is your business contributing to making Halifax a better place? At Simply Go Natural Cosmetics, we run natural hair care workshops to help educate and empower girls and women with curly, coily, and textured hair. Participants learn how to better care for their hair without toxic chemicals and embrace their natural beauty. We do this to fight hair and skin discrimination (Colourism) in schools, workplaces, and other public places as we believe the lack of education contributes to bullying.

TAYA TIES

What would you say is your organization’s proudest achievement? Last year, being a finalist in the category of “New Business of the Year” at the Halifax Business Awards. The recognition has been outstanding. It exposed my business to different people, businesses, and communities. Being part of the entire process with the Chamber has increased my visibility and credibility as a new business. It put my business in the spotlight and helped me network to further grow my business.

Does your business engage youth? What does that bring to your business? Being a “kid-preneur,” I never in a million years thought that I would encourage others to start their own business. Over the last two years, there have been other kids who have asked for advice and encouragement to start their journey in starting their own business. Being a young black girl, it's important that other kids who look like me can see themselves as business owners. I hope in the near future to hire youth from my community, receive services from diverse local businesses, and encourage others to do the same whenever I have the opportunity.

EXPORT BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

CLOUDKETTLE

What inspired your company to become involved in export? Exporting to major US tech markets was always part of our plan as a business. As a consultancy focused on Cloud Services, the remote nature of our work allows us to export our services while maintaining a strong and thriving employee base in Nova Scotia. By GDP, California is one of the largest economies in the world, so servicing that market (particularly Silicon Valley) has been an integral part of our business from day one.

What do you feel is your biggest contribution to the local business community? CloudKettle is part of the 1% initiative, meaning that we’ve formally committed to donating 1% of our profits and 1% of our employee’s work hours to non-profits. While they can choose any registered charity, we encourage them to apply their technical skills to problems to help organizations. The high-end skills our team can contribute are often much needed, but out of reach from a cost perspective for the organizations we help, so we’re happy to give back in this way.

L-R: Blair Donovan (Nautel), Lister Li (First Catch Fisheries), Greg Poirier (CloudKettle), John Lewis (Outdoor-Fit Exercise Systems), Mahmoud Mirmehrabi (Solid State Pharma Inc.).

PRESENTED BY:

FIRST CATCH FISHERIES

What do you enjoy most about working with international markets? Globalization impacts our company in many ways. Many businesses gain much from globalization, including new customers and diverse revenue streams. We are interested in these benefits and looking for flexible and innovative ways to grow our business in the international marketplace. We believe working with international markets makes us more accessible than ever to be successful if we can effectively manage a global seafood supply chain from the source.

What is your favorite region or country to do business with? Nova Scotia, without a doubt. Nova Scotia offers the best quality seafood worldwide and raises the nicest people in the world. Since day one, Nova Scotia Seafood Alliance has given us all the support we need to be successful in the international marketplace. With their help, we successfully established a fishermen's alliance with most local lobster fishermen and placed all the orders through this alliance to ensure the best quality of the products supplied to the market.

NAUTEL

What inspired your company to become involved in export? Survival. From our earliest days, Nautel knew it had to export to grow and to tap into markets big enough to sustain the company for the long term. So, from the beginning, we have made products that are specialized to the needs of not just Nova Scotia or Canada, but the world. We’re proud to say our products truly compete on a world scale. Export thinking is engrained in our culture. It’s the default way we look at the world.

What do you enjoy most about working with international markets? I think it’s the diversity of customers, cultures, relationships, and the excitement of solving tough technical problems. What an opportunity it is to build high tech products by the ocean in beautiful St. Margaret’s Bay and interact with people all over the world. We’re small enough that our employees get to make a real difference in what we do and yet large enough that we get to do cutting-edge, world-class design, manufacturing, and marketing.

OUTDOOR-FIT EXERCISE SYSTEMS

What do you feel is your biggest contribution to the local business community? All our vendors and suppliers are Nova Scotia-based businesses. For our operations, we work closely with over 20 different companies. With 90% of our business done outside of Canada, and well over 95% of our business done outside of Nova Scotia, almost all Outdoor-Fit’s sales are export dollars that are then spent back in Nova Scotia with local companies.

Do you have any advice for other businesses that want to start exporting? Enroll in the Trade Accelerator Program (TAP) put on by the Halifax Chamber and Invest Nova Scotia. This program gives businesses tools to help either start or grow export sales. The program also provides strategic contacts and information on potential government funding programs that will allow you to get off on the right foot with exporting. While we are very experienced with export, the TAP program is a great help and a powerful tool to help grow our export business.

SOLID STATE PHARMA INC.

What do you feel is your biggest contribution to the local business community? One of SSPI’s four missions is to contribute to our community. With 100% of our business coming from outside Nova Scotia, we bring “fresh” money into the Halifax economy. This year we hosted the 24th Larson Conference, a high-profile event bringing together the top pharmaceutical scientists and engineers worldwide. We also seek out local businesses when outsourcing our operations and prioritize donating to local charities, including Adsum House, RMHC, Feed NS, Red cross for Hurricane Fiona, and NSHA.

Why did you choose Halifax? Halifax has many parameters that are intrinsically in favour of a high-tech business. There are multiple local universities that provide high-quality, educated talent. The proximity to Boston is also a major factor for us because the Northeastern United States is a global hub for pharmaceutical research and development. The unique lifestyle of Atlantic Canada is also a plus, as well as the supportive business ecosystem.

NOT-FOR-PROFIT BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

PARKER STREET FOOD AND FURNITURE BANK

What has been your favourite campaign or fundraiser this year? Parker Street’s Back-to-School program 2022 distributed over 1200 backpacks filled with school supplies to families within the HRM this summer! The community came together to donate school supplies, make monetary donations, and volunteered to make students happy going back to school equipped and ready to learn. Education is one solution to combating food insecurity and many other social problems, so getting kids ready for school and excited to learn with valuable tools was very rewarding for us.

How can the business community help support your growth? The business community can support us via the Parker Street Partnership Program. Partnering with Parker Street means serving over 1000 food boxes per month and providing clients in our community with furniture, clothing, school supplies, emergency financial assistance, and prescribed medication. Businesses may host a food drive, concert, or fundraiser on our behalf and direct the proceeds towards a program of choice. It’s one step towards corporate social responsibility and building community impact.

REACHABILITY

How is your organization contributing to making Halifax a better place? We are living in a time that holds a great deal of uncertainty on a daily basis for many individuals. reachAbility stands firm in staying consistent and reliable for our community. We provide programming, counselling, food security, and so much more. Even through the uncertain times, our commitment to our clients has never wavered.

How did COVID-19 impact how you offer your services? Many of our clients seek to extend their journey with reachAbility because of the community feeling we provide. During COVID-19, we had to close our doors twice which affected in person visits. For those who were already feeling isolated, this was devastating. We quickly found a way to move our programs online and developed Hello Reach — a food security program. We were able to put recipes/ingredients together and do door drops of packaged meals for our clients.

SPENCER HOUSE SENIORS CENTRE

What would you say is your organization’s proudest accomplishment? Along with the Halifax Business Awards nomination, our proudest accomplishment was our in-person programming in the fall of 2020. With a determination to provide social interaction safely, we were able to offer a much-needed alternative for seniors who were feeling isolated from their community. A long-time member said that what she missed most during the initial lockdown was “community, conversation, and connection.” I think that we achieved that then, and we continue to provide that now.

What has been your favourite campaign or fundraiser this year? The Buddy Project was inspired by the lived experience of staff members at Spencer House. As newcomers in Canada, working with older adults, they knew how daunting it could be to settle in a new country and the importance of making new connections and friends. The project paired newcomers and seniors, based on similar interests and hobbies, and gave them an allowance to remove any barriers from engaging with each other and the community, including translation services and transportation.

L-R: Chelsea Coffin (reachAbility), Ashley Hill (The PREP Academy), Dr. Denise Daley, (Parker Street Food and Furniture Bank), Allison Davis (Spencer House Seniors Centre), Chantal Davie (VON Greater Halifax).

PRESENTED BY:

THE PREP ACADEMY

How is your organization contributing to making Halifax a better place? The PREP Academy inspires and prepares African Nova Scotian students for college, university, and beyond — and we continue to provide wraparound support to help students complete their education and transition to their chosen careers. We are influencing representation within postsecondary institutions, we are developing access for our students, and we are creating pathway programs that bring awareness to exciting career opportunities industry sectors offer.

What has been your favourite campaign or fundraiser this year? Our Micro-Internship Program, which equips African Nova Scotian students with enriched experiences to explore career possibilities and receive job readiness training through a week-long paid internship. The program helps students gain valuable experience to grow professionally, make connections with mentors and industries and receive job shadowing experience. We’re getting kids dreaming about possibilities.

VON GREATER HALIFAX

How is your organization contributing to making Halifax a better place? VON’s mission is to help HRM citizens, of all ages and walks of life, stay healthy and safe in their homes and community. Last year, we made over 400,000 visits to clients across the HRM — from infants, to new mothers, to persons recovering from surgery, to centenarians. We also delivered over 16,000 meals to seniors and persons with disabilities who needed meal support and/or were food insecure.

What has been your favourite campaign or fundraiser this year? We’re currently raising funds for VON Connect, a digital health technology platform that will be a game changer in the way we provide services. The digital health platform will transform our clinical practice and streamline how we utilize our nursing hours to best serve our clients. It’s an exciting time to be meeting this new frontier of digital health, as we’ve just celebrated 125 years in our community!

INNOVATIVE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

ELEVATE & EXPLORE BLACK NOVA SCOTIA INC.

What inspired your business’ innovation efforts? “There’s Black People in Nova Scotia?” This question inspired me to create a business that helps fill a unique niche in the Nova Scotia tourism industry. I knew I could bring a fresh perspective to both the tourism and business community by targeting a new market of visitors and residents that have been historically underrepresented. In doing so, I’m promoting the inclusivity of Black presence in Nova Scotia and the Black community that has existed here for over 400 years.

What is your organization’s proudest accomplishment? We’ve had so many amazing accomplishments thus far, however, I absolutely love seeing so many beautiful people show up to our curated events that centre and celebrate the Black experience. Some of these events include our Black Excellence Boat Cruise, Elevate & Explore Wine Tour, Black History Bike Tour, and Elevate & Explore Wellness Retreat. We are also super grateful to be featured in the New York Times and Travel Noire!

L-R: Lindsey Coshell (Nothing Cleaner by AquaNaka), Chernise Clayton (ProEdge Elite Training), René Boudreau (Elevate & Explore Black Nova Scotia), Rod Parr (ROCK Networks) Not Pictured: Mina Mekhail (Impactful Health Research and Development).

PRESENTED BY:

IMPACTFUL HEALTH RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

What inspired your business’ innovation efforts? Global food waste results in $2.6 trillion in annual economic losses and produces 10% of the total GHG emissions. As a biomaterials scientist, I wanted to find a solution that could put a dent in the food waste problem. IHRD was born to develop sustainable active packaging that extends the shelf life of fresh proteins, starting with fresh fish. IHRD's solution increases return on investment for the entire value chain while reducing food waste and reliance on traditional plastics.

What advice would you give to another business that wants to embrace innovation? Innovation is the only way to ensure lasting business prosperity. However, adopting innovation involves change. In the short term, it can seem daunting to implement change and disrupt the status quo. But I advise that you embrace long-term vision and not let short-term comfort and gains come at the expense of long-term growth. Choose innovations that are in line with the company’s core values and ideologies. Consider people, planet and profit when embracing innovation.

NOTHING CLEANER BY AQUANAKA

What inspired your business’ innovation efforts? Sanitizers and disinfectants were promoted as our first lines of defense during COVID, used everywhere without a second thought to health risks. They’re toxic in nature by virtue of the active ingredients and exacerbated by multiple applications of different chemicals. We had a hunch that we could invent a solution that could kill bacteria and viruses and that would be safe on skin and for the environment. We felt ethically and morally obliged to research and pursue.

How can Halifax become leaders in innovation? We believe great innovation starts right here in Halifax. Create opportunities for entrepreneurs because entrepreneurs are innovators. Promote a culture wherein entrepreneurs and innovators are welcomed, assisted, and applauded. Great things are being created right here in Halifax. Why aren’t we hearing about them?

PROEDGE ELITE TRAINING

What is something new that’s happening at your company? We’re constantly improving to make our space more inclusive and accessible. For example, it was brought to our attention that there are no women-only gyms in Bedford, where women with religious or personal restrictions could comfortably workout. As a private gym, we were able make the space exclusive for women during our first Community Day. We will now be hosting this program every month!

Why did you choose Halifax? We (co-owners) are both from Nova Scotia. We want to stay and make fitness and personal training more accessible in the community. We also wanted to empower trainers and create opportunity for them to stay in Halifax and grow. We’re local and want to support local — and we want to encourage everyone to do the same.

ROCK NETWORKS

What inspired your business’ innovation efforts? When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, many Canadians easily made the switch to remote work, telemedicine, and distance education. Rural Canadians without access to high-speed internet, however, could not thrive in this new normal. It was clear that the current telecom model in Canada wasn’t working, and rural Canada deserved better. Understanding that there is no one-size-fits-all solution, ROCK Networks partners with municipalities to create broadband networks that connect rural Canadians.

What is your organization’s proudest accomplishment? When the Federal Government created the Universal Broadband Fund in the autumn of 2020, we made significant engineering, sales, and marketing investments in our community broadband network model. Awarded nearly $140 million in government grants, we were able to begin work on our first community broadband project in Northern Ontario. With more projects in the works in other parts of the country, ROCK Networks is poised to forever alter the telecommunications landscape in Canada.

BUSINESS

OF THE YEAR

CGI

How have you helped Halifax grow? Since CGI expanded our presence in Halifax in 2004, we have been an important part of the local business and community fabric. Our 400+ person Halifax team contributes employment and financial benefits to the city and are also involved in the community with sports, associations, schools, and business groups. As a long-standing technology employer in the region, we have helped establish a solid foundation for other technology firms and start-ups to be successful in the region.

Why did you choose Halifax? As a Canadian company, CGI prides itself on having a presence in every major Canadian city. When CGI opened our Atlantic Global Delivery Center in 2004 and grew our Halifax member base to over 250 employees, we did so with the knowledge that Halifax’s geographic position, talent pool, local universities, and supportive government partners were going to ensure CGI achieved the full growth potential and our vision for the region.

CYCLESMITH

How have you helped Halifax grow? By implementing a living wage policy. We have invested in our staff through proper wages, we’ve helped them to flourish in the city and enjoy what Halifax has to offer. They frequent other businesses within Halifax keeping the local economy going. We have been a leader in the retail environment, with a hope to inspire others to create their own living wage policy.

What is one thing people may not know about your business? Our size and the fact that we are local. We currently have a 14,000 square foot facility housing over 35 staff, and we ship product across Canada. When most new customers come in, they figure we are a franchise as we are professional, well-stocked, and properly staffed. We are very much locally-owned and have created the best retail experience with the amazing team we have assembled, all in one Halifax location.

ENGINUITY INC.

Enginuity is a creative engineering consulting firm based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. As a Canadian leader in design engineering, mechanical engineering, electronics design, robotics, automation, and product design, we are on a mission to be the region’s most impactful design and engineering group.

Owner and CEO Ben Garvey started Enginuity out of his basement 18 years ago with one contract. Today, Enginuity employs 30+ experts and works with dozens of corporations, inventors, and strategic partners to design, prototype, and manufacture world-class products and processes. We provide world-class technical leadership, practical solutions, and innovative products to improve the world around us.

L-R: Julie Darnbrough (Northern Business Intelligence), Ryan Thomson (CGI), Andrew Feenstra (Cyclesmith), Ben Garvey (Enginuity Inc.), Rob Forsythe (Milk Moovement).

PRESENTED BY:

MILK MOOVEMENT

What is something new that’s happening at your company? There is always something new happening at Milk Moovement, as we are disrupting the dairy supply chain in real time — building out new features to better serve dairy suppliers, producers, cooperatives, and processors. This gives our team new challenges each day and no day is ever the same. We have just partnered with Cargill, a company based in the United States, and are rolling out a new project with them in a couple of months with more details to be released soon!

What is one thing people may not know about your business? Much of the dairy industry supply chain still relies on outdated systems to transfer data. Our business is built around the idea that sharing data in the supply chain should be transparent and happen in real time. That's easier said than done given the complexities in industry. For example, some dairy producers live and work in Amish communities. Believe it or not, we have found a workaround for integrating people who do not use smartphones or computers into our software!

NORTHERN BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE

What is one thing people may not know about your business? When it comes to telematics and fleet management, most people don’t even know the industry exists. Most commercial and transport vehicles on the road are digitally tracked for safety and compliance. Tracking devices monitor GPS locations and collect engine data like speeding, seatbelt usage, and maintenance alerts. Most fleets don’t take full advantage of the data they’re collecting — that’s where we come in. We take the data and provide insights into your business to improve productivity, efficiency, and safety.

What is something new that’s happening at your company? As a tech-based fleet management company, it’s important we always stay up to date on new products. We’re constantly testing new fleet technologies including integrated software, asset trackers, and dashcams to equip our clients with the latest technology. We’ve also increased our investment in sales and marketing to help us reach more prospective clients. With these added resources, we’ve been able to attend more tradeshows, host webinars, and present at a variety of conferences across Canada and the United States.

BUSINESS LEADER OF THE YEAR

L-R Back: Tia Upshaw (BWIE), Lana Elewa (Grant Thornton), Chantal Davie (VON Greater Halifax). Front: Joanne Bernard (Easter Seals Nova Scotia), Rodney Belliveau (Grant Thornton), Andrew Doucet (RCS Construction) Not Pictured: Rod Kerr (Kerr Group).

JOANNE BERNARD

What would you say is your biggest accomplishment to date as a business leader? I have had accomplishments like developing the Marguerite Centre from an idea to a reality, but growing Easter Seals Nova Scotia over the last five years in terms of capacity, space, footprint, revenue, partnerships, research, and profile would be my biggest accomplishment to date.

What steps does Halifax need to get to the next level? There needs to be a multi level short term and long solution framework on the lack of affordable housing. Lack of housing deters immigration, migration of skilled workers, new healthcare practitioners and just about every other sector associated with the growth of a healthy city.

What’s the best business advice you’ve ever been given? “If everything is a priority then nothing is a priority.” I got that advice about ten years ago and it has helped me tremendously with prioritizing, so that the cream rises to the top and everything else settles below.

PRESENTED BY:

CHANTAL DAVIE

What would you say is your biggest accomplishment to date as a business leader? Building trust with our 300 staff members. With remote staff, this can be difficult. With an environment that changes daily during the enormous pressures of the pandemic, a team could easily falter in their belief that their leader is supporting them. I'm proud of building a team that trusts me, through the good and the bad. With this trust, I've decreased staff turnover rate by 50% year over year. That's something I'm proud of, especially in this challenging healthcare climate.

What steps does Halifax need to get to the next level? I’ll focus on healthcare here. I believe we must innovate. While there isn’t a one size fits all answer, I know dedicated people are now looking for solutions through innovation. For example, opening multi-service nursing clinics for treatment and adding technology to our practice can help make better use of the healthcare resources we have (like our fabulous front-line staff!). Innovation will take us into the next level of providing excellent care to Haligonians and all Nova Scotians.

ANDREW DOUCET

What would you say is your biggest accomplishment to date as a business leader? My passion for mental health and implementing critical staff support systems has been rewarding. Being on the Mental Health Foundation board for over four years and being able to introduce financial wellness and different awareness campaigns in our business has been amazing over the last several years.

What steps does Halifax need to get to the next level? Leave the past in the past — celebrate it, but don't get caught up in it. Now is the time to be innovative and disruptive, whether it's by building a building or uplighting communities through diversification and culture.

What's your favourite thing about Halifax? Driving over the MacDonald Bridge and looking at our incredible skyline. It never gets old for me.

ROD KERR

What would you say is your biggest accomplishment to date as a business leader? Being in business 25 years and seeing the number of individuals we have employed as team members. As we continue to grow as an organization, it’s nice knowing we’ve been able to employ and assist in developing their careers. I’m extremely proud of the team we’ve built and look forward to our growth in 2023.

What leadership advice would you give an up-and-comer? Surround yourself with smart people and create a strong network. As a leader, you must be bold and take calculated risks. You also need to rely on the skills and knowledge of the people you’ve employed. You hired them for a reason and need to trust in their experience to help guide the organization. It’s also important to remember to take care of yourself. Taking time to recharge and investing in your development makes you a stronger leader.

TIA UPSHAW

What would you say is your biggest accomplishment to date as a business leader? My biggest accomplishment to date is working with, supporting, and inspiring 67 Black women to start businesses across Canada. It’s all about creating safe spaces for Black women in business to enter and having the tenacity to do so!

What’s something new that’s happening at your organization? BWIE is always creating new ways and means to accelerate and celebrate Black women entrepreneurs. Our newest venture is securing a partnership with a financial institution to be able to offer micro-loan opportunities through BWIE for Black women-owned businesses with low interest rates and a scaling payback system.

CHAIR'S MESSAGE

Celebrating you

FATEN ALSHAZLY PRINCIPAL & CHIEF CREATIVE OFFICER WEUSTHEM

Entrepreneurship is a hard thing to get right. Yet 86% of our membership at the Chamber represents small businesses in our economy. If that isn’t a testimony to a strong entrepreneurship mindset in Halifax, I do not know what is.

We want to start the year off right, and we want to make sure we celebrate our entrepreneurs that are making a mark in their industries. For those who were nominated, who became finalists, and those who will win on our magical night at the 2023 Halifax Business Awards, know that we see you, we recognize you, and we celebrate you all.

To my friends in the non-profit sector: your tireless work making our communities what they are is not forgotten. We may be entrepreneurs, but we also reside in the communities you make better for us all, and we celebrate you as well. Your work in our community is tireless; know that we appreciate all you do, and we look forward to celebrating you as well.

To the leaders defining what Halifax is and will be, salutations! You are our very best and you will be joining a long list of leaders that have helped shape the Halifax you live, work, and play in today. Cheers to you, those who support you, and those you uplift!

Recognizing oneself is not easy.

We coined a phrase in our early days at WeUsThem: “Be Humble, Not Shy.” Humility is great, but don’t forget to take a bow. You deserve it, and we want to hear about it.

I want to use this space to thank everyone who made the 2023 Halifax Business Awards possible. Thank you to our Judging committee (who read and adjudicated over 100 applications this year), our dedicated Chamber staff (who oversee the submission process and plan our annual gala), and the businesses who took the time to submit. A special thank you also goes to our dedicated sponsors. Thank you to our Presenting Partner RBC and to our Category Partners: BoyneClarke, CN, Invest Nova Scotia, Medavie, Dalhousie University Rowe School of Business, BDC, and Grant Thornton. You make it possible to celebrate the best Halifax has to offer and your continued support of these awards are a testimony to your recognition of the life blood of our economy.

To those who attend the gala, I want to thank you for coming to celebrate the best Halifax has to offer. I also have

an ask of you: it has been a tough time for business, so let’s make it a night to remember. Cheer as loud as you can and use your social media fingers to show your love online with the hashtag #HBA2023. They deserve it and more. My thanks again — your attendance reaffirms what I have always known: our community always comes together to celebrate each other.

While there will be a lot of cheering on the night of the event, I will also be looking to cheer you on in Business Voice magazine. I look forward to connecting with each one of you as I continue to learn about the wonderfully diverse organizations and individuals that make our city great.

With that, make sure you get your outfits in time from a local designer or business, calm those butterflies, and see you at the gala! Share your thoughts and recommendations with me at:

weusthem.com

Congratulations to our 2023 Halifax Business Awards nominees, finalists, and winners

ABOVE: DENNIS AND MELISSA MBEBA (DELECTABLE DESSERTS), TIFFANI YOUNG (NATURAL BUTTER BAR). BELOW: VINITA SAVANI (RBC), KATHLEEN JAY (MAPLEWAVE), FATEN ALSHAZLY (WEUSTHEM). KELLIE SAURIOL (RBC).

50 years with the Halifax Chamber

Celebrating the accomplishments, developments, and growth of longstanding Chamber members

In every issue of Business Voice, we take the time to introduce our new members in our New & Noted section. This issue, we want to also feature our longstanding members celebrating their 50th anniversary as Chamber members. We asked

Atlantic Hardchrome Limited, Maritime Paper Products Limited Partnership, Nautel Limited, RBC, and Stantec Consulting to reflect on outstanding moments from their past half-century in business as Chamber members.

Thank you to our members, both new and established. We are supported by your membership. You are the reason we can work every day to make Halifax a better place to do business. Here’s to the next 50 years!

Atlantic Hardchrome, the region's first hard chrome plating facility, was founded in 1971. The company's Burnside facility expanded its reach soon after from heavy equipment repairs to the provision of a full range of industrial rebuilding, machining, manufacturing and plating services across sectors as diverse as marine, industrial, pulp and paper, forestry and offshore.

2002 2022 1967

MOVE TO BURNSIDE

In 1967, Maritime Paper moved from its original location on Almon Street in Halifax to the ten-acre site we call home today in Burnside. The company also purchased a new corrugator, along with the first three-colour printer slotter in Canada. Since then, the plant has gone through several equipment upgrades and expansions.

In 2002, Atlantic Hardchrome added an entire Computerized Numerical Control department to its Burnside manufacturing and repair facility, as well as extensive new plating capabilities and Non-destructive Testing inspection. This expansion increased the company's campus to more than 35,000 square feet.

LARGE MACHINING INVESTMENT

Atlantic Hardchrome substantially increased Eastern Canada’s machining capacity with the installation of a 14,000 lb-capacity CNC lathe and a 44,000 lb-capacity CNC horizontal mill. These two acquisitions will attract much bigger projects and allow them to stay in Atlantic Canada.

HIGH-SPEED FLEXO INVESTMENT

As markets appeared to shift following the recession, Maritime Paper recognized a critical time to invest by installing a four-colour, high-speed flexo printer. The Bobst 618 was capable of converting up to 26,000 cartons per hour. This targeted investment for high-volume orders would allow for setups while the machine was running and automated stacking. It would print, fold, glue, and stack an entire pallet in under one minute.

CELEBRATING 90 YEARS IN BUSINESS

Maritime Paper Products was established in 1931 by three Halifax businessmen, Colonel S. C. Oland, W.H.C Schwartz, and J.R. Cullen. The company originated from a need for corrugated containers in the brewery industry, and while we continue to fill this need today, we also service over 700 customers with 16,000+ customized products. After 90 years of success, we continue to be well established throughout Atlantic Canada and in the countries we ship to around the world!

ATLANTIC HARDCHROME LIMITED atlantichardchrome.com

AN ATLANTIC CANADIAN FIRST

1971

BURNSIDE CAMPUS EXPANSION

MARITIME PAPER PRODUCTS LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

maritimepaper.com

1969

NOVA SCOTIA’S FIRST "GARAGE" START-UP

After immigrating from the UK to St. Margaret’s Bay, Dennis Covill and his two close associates started Nautel. Nautel sprang to life in the tiny fishing village of Hackett’s Cove; Covill and the first employees built a wooden structure that would become Nautel’s initial factory on a piece of Dennis’ land. It has expanded more than seven times since then.

ENTERING THE BROADCAST INDUSTRY

For years, Nautel attended US broadcasting shows to promote their designs and sometimes faced ridicule at the “preposterous” idea that transistors could replace tubes for broadcasting. A new generation of transistors gave Nautel the opportunity to launch robust transmitters for radio stations named the AMPFET series. Many of these transmitters are still on the air 40 years later.

2018

ENTERING THE SONAR AMPLIFIER SPACE

Nautel, together with General Dynamics, was selected to upgrade and maintain underwater sensors on the Halifax-class frigates for the Royal Canadian Navy. Not unlike the determined foray into the radio broadcast industry 40 years earlier, Nautel is entering a new space where our designs can be harnessed to satisfy customers worldwide.

IWK FOUNDATION SUPPORT

2022 marks RBC’s 39th year of supporting the IWK Foundation. As one of two organizations that have been there since day one, RBC employees are proud fundraisers and donors of the IWK. The RBC IWK Employee Cabinet, made up of nine team members from across the Maritimes, has led initiatives that have raised over $3.5 million over 39 years.

HALIFAX BUSINESS AWARDS

The integral role that entrepreneurs and innovators play in our communities should be recognized. This is one of the reasons RBC joined as Presenting Sponsor of the Halifax Business Awards in 2010. In addition to celebrating the finalists and winners, RBC helps nominees through the application process with workshops that feature previous winners who share their experiences and best practices.

ATLANTIC NEWCOMER SPECIALIST TEAM

Everyone plays a role in welcoming and supporting newcomers in our region. This belief is one of the principles behind the RBC Atlantic Newcomer Specialist team. Liliane Saad, Vasuki Samir, and Tieming Wang provide advice and services to newcomers throughout the Maritimes, setting them up for success in the part of Canada they now call home.

Dr. Don Stanley launched Stantec in 1954.

Headquartered in Edmonton, Alberta, Stantec transformed from a one-person firm into a company with close to 30 employees working on major projects extending across Alberta and into British Columbia. Stantec now has 400 offices across six continents and more than 26,000 employees. The firm’s presence in Atlantic Canada features eight offices across the east coast, including Dartmouth and Sydney in Nova Scotia.

SUSTAINABILITY PLEDGE

In early 2021, Stantec was named the fifth most sustainable company in the world — the first in North America — by Corporate Knights. Further reinforcing its commitment to sustainability, the company also pledged its commitment to carbon neutrality by 2022 as a first step in achieving net zero operations by 2030. In doing so, Stantec continues to demonstrate leadership in aligning its goals to the ambitious Paris Agreement to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.

APEC REPORT RECOGNIZES STANTEC

NAUTEL LIMITED

RBC rbc.com

STANTEC CONSULTING

stantec.com

STANTEC FOUNDED IN EDMONTON

Medical device start-up on the cutting edge

Have you ever visited a local hospital and had a power tool from the local hardware store used in your medical procedure? Hardware in healthcare doesn’t sound appealing, and yet it’s a common treatment option for folks who find themselves with a ring stuck on their finger.

“Electric power tools from a hardware store are often used for difficult stuck ring removals that have failed other attempts,” says Dr. Kevin Spencer, an Emergency Department doctor at Dartmouth General Hospital. “Rotary grinders spin at high speeds and can rapidly generate heat that can easily cause severe finger burns within seconds if extreme care is not taken. One misstep with those kinds of tools can cause serious injury, and the sparks they eject into the air can pose an eye injury risk as well.”

“There are also multiple providers needed for lengthy periods to complete a difficult ring cut with those tools,” adds Spencer. “One person tries to protect the finger, one person applies cooling water to try and mitigate burn risk, and another person is using the rotary grinder, so there's a crowd of people around the patient trying to use a non-medical device hardware store tool. It’s an

unsophisticated, resource intensive and risk prone medical procedure that needs to be changed.”

Spencer, along with co-founders Brad MacKeil and Patrick Hennessey, are helping to make that change happen at Ring Rescue.

Familiar problem, innovative devices

Ring Rescue was founded in 2018 to tackle the problem of stuck rings. MacKeil, Co-Founder and Lead Operations Engineer explains that he and Hennessey were in the engineering program together at Dalhousie and approaching their final year in 2016. The pair were brainstorming for their final engineering Capstone project.

“We were throwing ideas around, and the idea of a compression device to reduce swelling in a finger to help facilitate ring removal bubbled to the top,” MacKeil says. “We pitched it to Dalhousie, and they took a chance on us — they let us form a group to pursue the project later in that year.” In the spring of 2017, MacKeil and Hennessey presented the device at the Capstone project showcase, where Spencer was a judge. “He saw the project, and a few months later he

reached out and we started talking about what is now Ring Rescue,” says MacKeil.

Hennessey, Co-Founder and Chief Technical Engineer, adds that since the Capstone project, the team commercialized the compression device as a medical device and has sold over 1,600 units. More development was in store, however. “Our customers also expressed a desire for a better ring cutter,” says Hennessey. “There are cases where you simply cannot compress a finger to remove a ring, as is the case with significant finger injury or arthritic bone growth. So, we embarked on a two-year research and development project to develop what is now known as the Dolphin Ring Cutter.”

While the Compression Device provides a non-destructive option that shrinks the finger to help remove the ring, the Dolphin Ring Cutter cuts any ring metal, quickly and safely. Hennessey explains that there are three important innovations in their ring cutter: the cutting discs that use a special abrasive, the minimization of heat generation through a computer-driven feedback loop, and the user-friendly design. “It is, in our view, the best ring cutter in the world, and it is also the only apparent electric ring cutter registered as a medical device with the

Ring Rescue co-founders on innovation and collaboration in Halifax By Emily Bednarz

MEMBER PROFILE

FDA,” says Hennessey. “We have just started shipping that in September of this year. It's the second medical device that we have commercialized and we're really proud of that.”

“It

takes a village”

It becomes clear when interviewing all three co-founders together that Ring Rescue is based on a culture of collaboration and problem-solving. “For me, the medical device space — and having a start-up in this space —offers a great intersection between business, engineering, and solving problems for people,” says MacKeil.

Halifax has also been the ideal place to set up shop for the Ring Rescue team. “There's a common point for start-ups where you have to decide whether to stay or go, but the ecosystem here is great,” says MacKeil. “We found everything we need to be successful in Halifax. We really want to highlight that you can do big business here — you can have great ideas here and you don't need to leave.”

Hennessey adds that Halifax is not only home to the trio, it’s also the place where Ring Rescue has been able to flourish. “We've grown our team from the three of us working in Kevin’s

basement to a team of ten, full-time, very talented people,” he says. “That's something that I'm super proud of. We have a phenomenal team here.”

Spencer adds that the local start-up infrastructure has been key to Ring Rescue’s success, alongside a formidable list of supporters. “The list of people that have helped us is huge,” he says. “It truly is. I mean it takes a village, and there is a strong village here that has helped us and is willing to help others get involved in the medical startup space. It's an exciting field, and it’s growing.”

The cutthroat myth

Headlines from Silicon Valley may give the perception that tech startups operate in cruel and ambitious environments. But all three Ring Rescue co-founders emphasize how positive their experiences have been.

“The cutthroat start-up climate has not been in our experience,” says Spencer. “When we talk to international companies — big medical device companies with massive brands — they're collaborative. They'll pick up the phone and talk to us. It's quite incredible. The medical device field is a big industry, but it feels smaller than you would expect

and truly, the big players are generally interested in you and want to see you succeed.”

MacKeil adds that the local start-up community is just as supportive as the big companies. “We've done collaborative work with a lot of people in the local startup community. You just have to find the right people and just ask questions. Don't be afraid to reach out. Everybody wants to help around here — which is great about Atlantic Canada in general!”

Spencer adds a list of thanks to everyone who has supported Ring Rescue, including the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program, Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, Dalhousie University, Halifax Chamber of Commerce, Creative Destruction Lab, Dartmouth General Hospital, IWK, and the Ring Rescue Board of Directors. “There's a lot of people with incredible backgrounds that have all stepped up to help us achieve our goals of truly changing the standard of care worldwide for this problem, and we couldn't do it without them.”

Learn more about Ring Rescue at: ringrescue.com

In October 2022, Ring Rescue was featured on CBC's Dragons' Den. The Ring Rescue team scored a $400,000 combined deal from two of the 'dragons.' Dr. Kevin Spencer says, " The Dragons' Den experience was a great opportunity to meet high-level investors and get our brand out there. My advice to entrepreneurs thinking about going on the show is that there are no guarantees. It could be negative for your brand if it if you don't do well. If your company or the product doesn't resonate, they'll call you on that. If it does make sense, they will get behind you." Also pictured: the Dolphin Ring Cutter and Ring Rescue Kit, which includes the Compression Device.

What to watch for in 2023

NICK CUNNINGHAM POLICY ANALYST HALIFAX CHAMBER

If our news feeds have any similarities, you are likely inundated with talks of recessions, interest rate hikes, and labour shortages.

As a business owner, spending your precious time analyzing macroeconomic data is likely not a priority. So, we’ve picked a few key indicators that you should keep an eye on in the new year. Keep reading to discover how inflation, employment, population, and interest rates impact your business.

Canadian Inflation Rate

Significance: If there is an economic equivalent to the boogeyman, its inflation. Inflation is a rise in prices, which can be translated as the decline of purchasing power over time. The rise in prices, which is often expressed as a percentage, means that your money effectively buys less than it did in prior periods. How economists track inflation is generally through the Consumer Price Index (CPI) — it’s the most widely used measure of inflation. There are several factors that can contribute to rising inflation; today, we see inflation driven by increased consumer demand and supply chain issues. Simply put, as demand increases and supplies are limited, prices increase. The Bank of Canada (BoC) estimates that inflation should be back in the target range (2%) by the end of 2023.

Why it Matters: As things become more expensive and consumers’ real income declines, their ability to buy goods and services also declines. This can not only have revenue implications for your business, but wage implications for your workforce, as some employees may demand cost of living adjustments to offset their decline in real income. In addition, rising inflation triggers the BoC to increase the country’s benchmark interest rate in effort to combat rising prices. By doing this, it helps to slow demand, which allows supply to catch up and ease inflationary pressures. This, however, has negative implications on your cost of borrowing and debt servicing costs, as lenders tend to increase their rates as well.

Canadian Employment

Significance: Being employed is a good thing — for an individual and for society. Beyond the obvious benefits of income and contributions to society through tax generation, being employed helps an individual’s wellness through socialization, fulfillment, and meaning. Conversely, elevated levels of unemployment impose high costs on the individual, society, and the country.

Why it Matters: As companies cope with diminished demand, declining profits, and elevated debt, many start

to lay off workers to cut costs. When the economy is doing well, the opposite happens: companies need workers to meet the increased demand, which is why you hear so much discussion lately on labour shortages across so many industries. Because of this, economists closely monitor employment numbers as a key indicator of recessions. Keeping an eye on national and provincial employment numbers will allow you to gauge the health of the economy. It can also provide insights into the labour market, which can help to guide your recruitment and retention efforts depending on the broader trends.

Nova Scotia Population

Significance: In the same vein as employment, having population growth is key to economic development and meeting the increased demand. Population growth leads to more access to labour, which will lead to higher productivity. This means more goods can be produced and increase output (GDP). More people in Nova Scotia will also lead to more demand for goods. Demanding and producing more goods will yield economic growth.

Why it Matters: As many industries grapple with a shortage of labour, attracting new bodies to the region is key to meeting demand. Nova Scotia’s

Understanding key economic indicators will better position your company for economic shifts and shocks

IMAGE CREDIT: DISCOVER HALIFAX

aging population, along with our natural population change (births less deaths), puts continued downward pressure on Nova Scotia's population. Nova Scotia's extraordinary population growth over the last few years is attributable to a sharp increase in immigration as well as interprovincial migration. Attracting outsiders through both streams is important to addressing our labour shortages and for increasing economic output.

U.S. Federal Reserve Interest Rate

Significance: The U.S. Federal Reserve is the central bank of the United States and, much like the BoC, has one primary focus: managing and improving the overall economic health of the country. To do this, they must balance economic growth with employment through monetary policy. Monetary policy refers to the measures taken by central banks to influence the economy, like regulating the amount of money in circulation. One of the central bank’s greatest tools is setting the interest rate (overnight rate)

for the country. They may raise or lower interest rates, depending on whether they are trying to heat up or cool down economic demand.

Why it Matters: Normally, Canada and the U.S. have monetary policies that move in similar directions. If U.S. interest rates go up, Canada’s rates will typically follow. The movements of U.S. interest rates have a critical effect on the Canadian Dollar. In 2015, the BoC cut the benchmark rate twice in an attempt to stimulate the economy, but when the U.S. Feds finally hiked their rate in December of that year, the loonie lost 16% of its value.

This is especially important for businesses that import or export goods and services. Relatively higher interest rates in Canada increase foreign investors’ demand for Canadian dollar-denominated securities, which can increase the value of the Canadian Dollar. For businesses that source their materials from foreign countries, a higher dollar value could mean lower prices on imports. Conversely, businesses that sell their

products in foreign markets could receive less money from export sales. Monitoring both U.S. and Canadian rates provides clear indicators of our country’s battle against inflation, and it is also critical to businesses with cross-border operations.

Challenges for Businesses

In times of uncertainty, managing risk is a critical element for any business. Understanding the economy in the short-term through the indicators like CPI, interest rates, and employment rates will help you to better position your company for near-term economic shifts and shocks. Longer term shifts in demographics, sustainability, and digitization will also be key elements to pay attention to in order to capitalize on new opportunities and global shifts.

If you have any questions, concerns, or comments about how the economy is affecting your business, please reach out to me at: nicholas@halifaxchamber.com

SOURCE: BANK OF CANADA

SOURCE: STATISTICS CANADA

SOURCE: STATISTICS CANADA

SOURCE: U.S. FEDERAL RESERVE

Run, rabbit run!

A good luck outlook for the economy in the Year of the Rabbit

IAN MUNRO CHIEF ECONOMIST HALIFAX PARTNERSHIP

Here we are in 2023. While very real health issues remain in play, the direct economic impacts of COVID-19 seem finally to be behind us as most of the world, like Halifax, is essentially open for business once again. Longerterm effects on the nature of work, commuting, and travel continue to unfold. No one knows yet if the pandemic marked an inflection point towards a “new normal” or whether we are simply in the slow process of getting back to our 2019 ways and customs.

After the 2020 crash and then the rebound that began in 2021 and carried over into 2022, economic growth in Halifax is expected to return to more normal pre-pandemic levels. A number of strong underlying fundamentals provide reason for long-term optimism: continued expansion of work at the Halifax Shipyard; robust residential construction activity; growth of firms and employment in our finance, life science, cleantech, and information technology sectors; and a steady pipeline of talented graduates from our post-secondary institutions.

However, elevated levels of inflation, rising interest rates, labour shortages, and international tensions also generate risk and uncertainty over the shorter run.

With constraints on travel now fully removed, we also should see international migration return to its pre-pandemic trajectory. An interesting question is whether the recent bump in migration to Halifax from other Canadian provinces was a one-time anomaly, or instead is the beginning of a new trend. Evidence over the past year from provincial-level population figures suggests that the next set of population estimates for Halifax will show growth well above anything that we have ever seen before.

This population growth is welcome. It is what we need to ensure that we have the labour force and the tax base we need as a growing share of our population moves into its senior years. Whereas most long-term population projection scenarios issued by Statistics Canada even just a few years ago predicted a shrinking population for Nova Scotia in only a few years’ time, new forecasts

issued recently show that we have “bent the curve” towards steady growth.

However, as we have seen, with growth can come growing pains, most visibly in terms of tight rental markets and sharply rising housing costs. This remains our biggest problem to solve, both to assist those whose housing needs are currently not being met and to ensure we do not stifle the very growth we desire by gaining a reputation as a place where people cannot afford to live.

John Maynard Keynes did not mean it literally when he wrote of how economies are driven by animal spirits, but it is interesting how the year of the rat in 2020 actually brought a global plague, how its effects stubbornly stayed with us through the year of the ox in 2021, and how we re-emerged with the energy of a tiger in 2022.

With the lunar new year close at hand, the year of the rabbit – an animal synonymous with good luck – is in sight. Here’s to getting back on track to normalcy, growth, and prosperity in 2023 – quick like a bunny!

“In only a few years’ time, new forecasts show that we have ‘bent the curve’ towards steady growth.”

RIDE BIKES HAVE FUN FEEL GOOD