HALIFAX CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | FEBRUARY / MARCH 2024 | VOLUME 33 ISSUE 2
There’s no one action or answer to the current housing crisis, so everyone, including communities, are needed at the table
A ONCE-IN-A-
LIFETIME FIGHT Pg 14
ON THE FRONTLINES
GROW LIKE SHIVANI
A POSITIVE IMPACT
Adsum keeps going and growing after 40 years Pg 15
How a Nova Scotia business reimagined itself Pg 20
Developing Black community housing solutions Pg 22
SMALL BUSINESS IS ALWAYS A BIG DEAL. Sure, it can be a challenge for a single small business to make noise. But when you’re a member of the Halifax Chamber of Commerce, it’s not you against the world—it’s the world behind you. Our thousands of members act as a single, powerful voice to promote local business interests. We also support businesses of all sizes with with training, information sessions, and networking events. Become a member today.
HALIFAXCHAMBER.COM
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FEBRUARY / MARCH 2024
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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33 04 President’s Message 04 Event Calendar 05 New & Noted 08 Members in the News 14 Mayor’s Message 15 Member Profile Sheri Lecker, Adsum
16 Cover Story
A once-in-a-lifetime fight
20 Spotlight
Shivani’s Kitchen
22 Spotlight
Community Housing Growth Fund
24 Working for You
Board of Directors — Officers
Chris Cowper-Smith, Mable Health and Cedar Point Solutions, Chair Ann Divine, Ashanti Leadership, Vice-Chair Faten Alshazly, WeUsThem, Past Chair Roger Boutilier, Nova Scotia Association of REALTORS Donna Harding, Engel & Völkers Caroline Wolfe Stewart, Nova Scotia College of Nursing
Directors
Mohammad Ali Raza, Cox & Palmer Hon. Joanne Bernard, Easter Seals Nova Scotia Martha Casey, International Institute for Sustainable Development Ifeanyi Emesih, My East Coast Experience Media Group Inc. Nancy Foran, ESG Partners René Gallant, Independent Consultant Martina Kelades, Life Out Loud - Mental Health Consulting Wade Keller, Labatt Brewing Captain (N) A.W. MacKenzie, CD, Maritime Forces Atlantic Melissa Mbeba, Delectable Desserts Heath Moore, Grant Thornton David Rideout, MetroWorks Katherine Risley, KBRS & Meridia Recruitment Solutions Kimberly Stephens, Acadian Seaplants Paul Way, TD Private Wealth
Chamber Staff
Patrick Sullivan, President and CEO Becky Davison, Vice President, Marketing Kent Roberts, Vice President, Policy Sandra White, Director of Finance and Administration Emma Menchefski, Communications Manager
Volume 33 • Issue 2 Business Voice is published eight times a year for members of the Halifax Chamber of Commerce and Metro Halifax’s business community. Views expressed in Business Voice are those of the contributors and individual members, and are not necessarily endorsed by, or are a policy of, the Halifax Chamber of Commerce. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written consent of the publisher. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, the publisher cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions that may occur. Please address editorial enquiries and changes to information to: Halifax Chamber of Commerce 100-32 Akerley Boulevard Dartmouth, Nova Scotia B3B 1N1 Tel: 902-468-7111 Fax: 902-468-7333 info@halifaxchamber.com www.halifaxchamber.com Cover Image Credit: Chetanpreet Singh Sachdeva, Unsplash
28 Trends 31 Sponsored Content BUSINESS VOICE
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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Building on progress What’s new at the Chamber
PATRICK SULLIVAN PRESIDENT & CEO HALIFAX CHAMBER
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ach year comes with exciting plans, but 2024 feels especially promising. The Halifax Chamber has just celebrated the 25th year of the Halifax Business Awards with 35 finalists, sponsors, judges and the community. We’re so grateful to all of you who came out to support the event, who shared the finalists’ stories on social media and who congratulated our fabulous finalists. Every entrepreneur and not for profit that was nominated this
year deserves your congratulations and positive words. We’re also refreshing our Strategic Plan this year, redefining our focus with our staff and our Board of Directors, and you will see more of this as the year unfolds. We based our plans on conversations with members and will be driving the most pressing issues facing businesses now and in the next five years with all levels of government moving forward. Among the most pressing issues, which is the theme of our 2024 February/ March issue of Business Voice, is the housing crisis. With a fast-growing population, Nova Scotia — along with most of the country — is experiencing massive shortages of housing units and affordable housing. In this issue, we talk to Nova Scotia’s housing minister, the Honourable John Lohr about the provincial government’s five-year plan on addressing these shortages. We hear from Halifax’s mayor on the city’s plans. We also hear from Chamber members who are supporting this issue in their industries, including tiny house construction, immigration
settlement, and more. In February, we will also host our second annual Economic Forum, discussing key economic issues impacting our city and province. The Forum will feature a broad range of topics including big projects in sustainability, the Black economy, the business of politics, Indigenous business impact, and roundtables with Provincial Ministers. February is African Heritage Month in Nova Scotia, featuring a full lineup of events, educational opportunities, concerts, and lots of culture. We encourage you to take part and support Black-owned businesses in your neighbourhood. Check out the Black Cultural Centre’s website for a calendar of events. As always, we love to hear from our members. Please reach out if you have ideas for future magazine topics, concerns impacting your business, or just to say hi. president@halifaxchamber.com @prezhfxchamber
CHAMBER EVENTS February 28
April 3
April 25
June 14
ECONOMIC FORUM
ANNUAL SPRING DINNER: OCEANS & AI
LUNCHEON: STATE OF THE MUNICIPALITY
WONDER WOMEN CONFERENCE
9:00am – 4:00pm Halifax Convention Centre
Halifax Convention Centre
Presented by RBC, in collaboration with Halifax Partnership 11:00 am – 1:30pm
THANK YOU TO OUR JANUARY SPONSORS:
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For a full list of Chamber events, visit: halifaxchamber.com/events
FEBRUARY / MARCH 2024
Halifax Convention Centre
NEWSMAKERS
NEW & NOTED We welcome our new Chamber members Are you a new Chamber member?
Paula Calnen
Bedford, NS 902-420-0779 info@balance360health.ca www.balance360health.ca HEALTH CARE - Physiotherapy
Joe Kosin
Get listed in New & Noted! Contact Mandi Bowser, Administrative Specialist at mandi@halifaxchamber.com or call (902) 468-7111 to submit.
AERGO FINANCIAL PLANNING
BEDFORD FAMILY CARE ASSOCIATES
THE CLEANING SNOB
Aergo Financial Planning, based in downtown Halifax, delivers unbiased, personalized financial strategies to clients in Atlantic Canada and Ontario via Zoom. We focus on project-based planning and hourly advice, dedicated to converting your dreams into plans and plans into reality. Ben Mayhew Halifax, NS ben@aergofp.ca www.aergofp.ca FINANCE & INSURANCE Financial Planner
ATLANTIC PURIFICATION SYSTEMS LTD. Kathy McDonah
Dartmouth, NS 902-469-2806 kathy@aps.ns.ca www.aps.ns.ca BUSINESS & PROF. SERVICES Rentals/Sales/Service
BALANCE 360 HEALTH Welcome to Balance 360 Health, your top destination for advanced physiotherapy in the Parks of West Bedford. We specialize in the assessment and treatment of dizziness, vertigo, and imbalance, while also offering expert orthopedic physiotherapy and massage therapy. Our clinic features innovative tools for falls prevention training and precise dizziness assessments. Discover a healthier, more balanced you with Balance 360 Health.
Elena Swift
Bedford, NS 902-835-6200 Bedfordfamilyclinic@gmail.com HEALTH CARE - Medical Consulting
BLUE WAVE CLEANING SERVICES We are happy to announce that Blue Wave Cleaning Services has become a member of the Halifax Chamber of Commerce. Serving the Halifax Regional Municipality, including Dartmouth, Burnside, and Woodside, we are committed to delivering unparalleled commercial cleaning, office cleaning, and janitorial services. Your trusted cleaning services provider in HRM. Joshua Garland Dartmouth, NS 902-997-1546 customercare@bluewavecleaning.ca www.bluewavecleaning.ca INDUSTRIAL & MANUFACTURING Cleaning/Janitorial
BROADWAY IN HALIFAX Broadway in Halifax, bringing the best of touring Broadway, direct from New York to Halifax! With award-winning productions such as Jersey Boys, The Book of Mormon, Come From Away, and more! Visit HalifaxBroadway.com for more information.
BUSINESS VOICE
Chicago, IL 312-274-1800 joe@innovationae.com www.halifaxbroadway.com ARTS, CULTURE & ENTERTAINMENT Entertainment
Collette Genereux
Halifax Regional Municipalty, NS 902-293-9249 Thecleaningsnob@mail.com INDUSTRIAL & MANUFACTURING Cleaning/Janitorial
DAIRY SWEET MOON Khalil El Attar
Halifax, NS 902-789-5553 dairysweetmoon21@gmail.com RESTAURANTS, FOOD & BEVERAGE Food Manufacturer
DHANDALK IMMIGRATION CONSULTING INC. We provide LMIA applications, work permits, and extensions applications, assist in meeting compliance requirements for business clients, and permanent resident applications, including endorsement and provincial nominee program applications for individual clients. Visit our website to learn more about our offerings, our commitment to sustainability, and our dedication to customer success. Kamaldeep Singh Halifax, NS 902-402-8530 ksingh@dhandalk.ca www.dhandalk.ca BUSINESS & PROF. SERVICES Immigration
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NEWSMAKERS DIABETES CANADA The Canadian Diabetes Association became Diabetes Canada on February 13, 2017 to shed the light on the diabetes epidemic Canada is facing. In Nova Scotia alone, there are more than 315,000 people are living with diabetes and prediabetes. Diabetes Canada is here to provide a strong voice on behalf of everyone living with diabetes and to advocate for the best access to health care that will help people live healthy lives and avoid devastating complications while we continue to fund research toward a cure. Tanya Poulton Halifax, NS 902-453-3228 tanya.poulton@diabetes.ca www.diabetes.ca NOT-FOR-PROFIT GROUPS Charitable Organizations
INSIGHTS PERCEPTION We provide executive coaching, corporate training, and management consultancy for businesses looking to upgrade their workplace culture, elevate their adaptability for change, and boost their employees engagement. We do that through a series of tailored frameworks and holistic development programs using leading-edge concepts provided by Desiree Juzdan Ghosn, an Accredited Certified Coach. Desiree Juzdan Ghosn Halifax, NS 902-989-5604 desiree.ghosn@gmail.com EDUCATION & PROF. DEVELOPMENT - Org. Development
MARITIMES IMMIGRATION CONSULTING Our primary goal is to make the immigration process smoother for those who want to visit, study, work or immigrate to Canada. We’re here to tell you that immigrating to Canada WILL be easy, with our specialized immigration consultation process. Lucas Nonnemacher Bedford, NS 902-410-9046 info@maritimesimmigration.ca www.maritimesimmigration.ca BUSINESS & PROF. SERVICES 6
Immigration
MECHANICAL FLOOD PROTECTION Jacqui Allemang
Halifax, NS 902-397-4938 mechanicalfloodprotection@gmail.com www.mechanicalfloodprotection.com REAL ESTATE/CONSTRUCTION Contractor/Construction
INDUSTRIAL & MANUFACTURING Manufacture/Process
RTOWN Monika Greetham
Halifax, NS 902-292-8217 sales@rtown.ca www.rtown.ca ADVERTISING, PR & MEDIA Marketing
MO GÂTO MAURITIAN BAKED GOODS
SCOTIA PERSONNEL LTD.
A love-infused Mauritian Bakery, founded by a couple, Tanya and Hans. Inspired by a cross-continental love story, our delightful creations bring the flavors of Mauritius Island to Halifax. Indulge in our specialty, Napolitaine cookies, and savor a taste of Mauritius through our diverse range of baked goods. Tanya Suenfa
Halifax, NS 902-422-1455 info@scotiap.com www.scotia-personnel-ltd.com HR, EMPLOYMENT & STAFFING Recruitment Services
Halifax, NS 902-580-3098 mogato.ca@gmail.com www.mogato.ca RESTAURANTS, FOOD & BEVERAGE Bakery
NEW START COUNSELLING Tammy Josey
Dartmouth, NS 902-497-1089 tammy.josey@newstartcounselling.ca www.newstartcounselling.ca HEALTH CARE - Counselling
NOVA SALUTEM INC. Patricia Auchnie
Halifax, NS 1-855-267-6286 info@novasalutem.ca www.novasalutem.ca BUSINESS & PROF. SERVICES Consulting (General)
ROTHMANS, BENSON & HEDGES INC. Dan Michael
Toronto, ON danmichael.abecassis@rbhinc.ca www.rbhinc.ca
FEBRUARY / MARCH 2024
Marilyn Vansnick
SCOTIA PHYSIOTHERAPY Alison Beaton
Halifax, NS 902-425-3065 info@scotiaphysiotherapy.ca www.scotiaphysiotherapy.ca HEALTH CARE - Physiotherapy
SCT CONSTRUCTION SERVICES INC. Fran Thomas
Halifax, NS 902-220-1467 samcthomas3@gmail.com REAL ESTATE/CONSTRUCTION Contractor/Construction
SM MOCKTAILS SERVICES Sharifah Nansukusa
Halifax, NS 902-989-2217 nksharifah2009@gmail.com RESTAURANTS, FOOD & BEVERAGE Catering/Food/Drink
ST. BARBARA ATLANTIC OPERATIONS Dustin O’Leary
Mooseland, NS 902-384-2772 brenna.reynolds@atlanticgold.ca
NEWSMAKERS www.atlanticgold.ca AGRICULTURE, FISHING & FORESTRY - Mining
TAILORED CONSULTING SERVICES Based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Tailored Consulting Services is a local full-service, for-impact agency dedicated to supporting community-based, non-profit organizations and registered charities to reach their strategic goals in governance, operations, fund development, and community engagement. We also support local social enterprises and small businesses in building highly effective advertising campaigns. Jamie Matthews Halifax, NS 902-986-4031 jmatthews@ tailoredconsultingservices.ca www.tailoredconsultingservices.ca
BUSINESS & PROF. SERVICES Consulting (General)
TERRADYNE WELLNESS CENTRE ADDICTION TREATMENT Terradyne is a safe, therapeutic environment where individuals can concentrate on their recovery journey. Terradyne’s holistic approach to rehabilitation addresses not only addiction, but the underlying causes and mental health issues. Our mission is to provide personalized, evidence-based treatment that is tailored to the individual. Laurie Burns
Head of Jeddore, NS 902-889-2121 officeadmin@terradynewellness.ca www.terradynewellness.ca HEALTH CARE - Health and Wellness
BUSINESS VOICE
TURKISH SOCIETY OF NOVA SCOTIA Burcu Kaptan
Dartmouth, NS 902-266-7210 Info@tsns.ca www.TSNS.ca NOT-FOR-PROFIT GROUPS Associations/Agencies
WESTJET Tara Jago
Enfield, NS www.westjet.com TRANSPORTATION Air Transportation
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NEWSMAKERS
MEMBERS IN THE NEWS How our members are growing Halifax
CONGRATULATIONS TO CHAMBER BOARD MEMBER
WE ARE YOUNG GRANTS BERNARD’S WISH Bernard, 83, was born and raised in Nova Scotia. With a lifelong career based in nature, he uncovered rare plants unknown to Nova Scotia and banded more than 800 barred owls. He did this in his spare time while raising three children alongside his late wife, and while working full time as a contractor (with no vacation). Bernard’s lifelong dream has always been to visit Sable Island. His enduring fascination with nature, especially birds, has been a constant thread throughout his life — from his teenage
years onward. As an adult, he became quite interested in the breeding biology of birds, collecting nests, studying them, and keeping records of them and submitting more than 4,000 to be studied. Although the horses would be nice to see, Bernard’s true fascination is the nature of the island: exploring plants and seeing the birds. A true lifelong wish, Bernard happily danced through the beaches of Sable Island, climbing every sand dune he could find to get a better view of the birds through his binoculars.
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FEBRUARY / MARCH 2024
On behalf of the Halifax Chamber team and its Board of Directors, we would like to congratulate Mohammad Ali Raza, a Chamber Board member, who has been recognized as a Rising Star: Leading Lawyer Under 40, by the national publication Lexpert® Magazine. Mohammad Ali has built a successful practice supporting businesses in a wide variety of sectors, particularly in the energy and oceans sectors of the economy and has a reputation as an industry and community leader. Congratulations Mohammad Ali!
AWARD-WINNING LARDER MARKETING GROUP With more than two decades of marketing and public relations experience, Lana Larder founded Larder Marketing Group in December 2022. Our dedication has been noticed. Recognized as the International Startup of the Year in 2023 by GLOBEE and again by GLOBEE for Women-Owned Startup of the Year. Driven by an unwavering commitment to foster growth and prosperity for businesses, Larder Marketing Group was recognized as the Most Influential Business Leaders to Follow in Canada in 2023 by Insights Success. Other news includes being a finalist for the Canadian Choice Awards in December 2023. The final vote is still ongoing. Spectacular growth and recognition for Larder Marketing Group in year one.
NEWSMAKERS
ICELANDAIR RETURNS TO HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA Icelandair officially announced the return of Halifax, Nova Scotia to its route map, with seasonal non-stop flights beginning May 2024, from Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ) to Reykjavík, via Iceland’s Keflavik International Airport (KEF). The flight time from Halifax to Iceland is approximately four hours, with connections available at Icelandair’s Keflavík hub to more than 30 destinations in Iceland, Greenland, the Faroe Islands, the United Kingdom, Scandinavia, and Continental Europe. Icelandair passengers can also take a Stopover in Iceland for up to 7 nights at no additional airfare, enroute to their final destination. “We’re delighted Icelandair is returning to Halifax Stanfield,” says Joyce Carter, President & CEO, Halifax International Airport Authority. “We know Iceland is a top travel destination for many Atlantic Canadians, and this non-stop flight makes visiting Iceland easier than ever. We are looking forward to the restart of this service next summer and we can’t wait to welcome visitors from Iceland and beyond back to this beautiful region of Canada.”
POWERING E-SCOOTERS
BIONOVA IS NOW LIFE SCIENCES NOVA SCOTIA
BUSINESS VOICE
Max Rastelli runs HFX e-Scooters in Halifax, Nova Scotia. It’s a business he started in 2019, extending his commitment to alternative mobility solutions for the city. Rastelli took delivery of his Ford F-150 Lightning in October 2022, excited to show Halifax residents that not only were his scooters electric, but his truck was as well. What started as a way to showcase electric mobility quickly turned into a business accelerator. In 2021, he introduced swappable, rechargeable batteries for his e-scooters, which helped to eliminate some of the downtime. “Thanks in part to these trucks, I’ve been able to double the number of e-scooters in my fleet, with near-zero downtime related to charging, making my business twice as efficient. And it doesn’t hurt that this truck is a lot of fun to drive, with its low center of gravity and smooth ride,” says Rastelli.
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NEWSMAKERS
DIGITAL NOVA SCOTIA’S TECH FORWARD AWARDS RECOGNIZE OUTSTANDING INNOVATION AND DIVERSITY WITH EIGHT AWARDS Nova Scotia’s ICT community united in November to honour the trailblazers, visionaries, and advocates for diversity and inclusion within the industry at the 2023 Tech Forward Awards, presented by RBC. More than 260 guests gathered to celebrate eight outstanding individuals and organizations reshaping and positively impacting our digital landscape. These awards not only highlight leaders in the field, but also aim to recognize those who are actively fostering diversity and inclusion while contributing to the overall growth of Nova Scotia’s technology sector.
OUR 2023 AWARD WINNERS: • Talent Champion award winner: Content Bloom, sponsored by Venor • Tech for Good award winner: Virtual Hallway, sponsored by Avanade • Thinking Forward award winner: Gail Tomblin Murphy, sponsored by SaltWire • Provincial Spotlight award winner: 45Drives, sponsored by Invest Nova Scotia • Best in Tech 2022 award winner: Sparrow BioAcoustics, sponsored by BDC • One to Watch award winner: Dr. Emily Johnston, sponsored by Dash Hudson • Role Model award winner: Ogechukwu Nwachukwu, sponsored by Compugen • Diversity and Inclusion Champion award winner: COVE, sponsored by CEED
MC ADVISORY WELCOMES MICHAEL J. LAVIGNE MC Advisory is delighted to announce our new Senior Advisor! Boasting an impressive track record, Michael J. Lavigne comes with a remarkable 30-year career in business leadership and consulting. He’s held multiple executive leadership positions in technology, healthcare, government, education, training, and development. Michael is well-equipped to provide strategic guidance and insight to help clients manage and grow effectively in challenging environments. Michael looks forward to connecting with clients looking to foster a culture of excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement in their organizations. 10
FEBRUARY / MARCH 2024
NEWSMAKERS
INTRODUCING THE NEW WAVE PODCAST Life Sciences Nova Scotia is fueling innovation and commercial success of the life sciences sector in Nova Scotia by amplifying the ambition of founders and visionaries who aim to change the world through the commercialization of game-changing ideas. In partnership with Snack Labs, we bring you New Wave, a podcast series about innovation in life sciences. Our eight-episode series profiles groundbreaking entrepreneurs and their companies tackling global challenges. From combating food scarcity to extending human longevity, “New Wave” promises to not just inform but to inspire. Discover how these Nova Scotia pioneers are making waves globally. Learn more at www. lifesciencesnovascotia.ca/podcast/
CANADA-WIDE SOLUTION FOR ADHD TREATMENT ADHD impacts more than 1.8 million Canadians, yet less than 20 per cent have been officially diagnosed. Keith Gelhorn, Founder & CEO of ADDvocacy (Halifax, NS); Marlee Boyle, Founder & CEO of Sleep-Works (Greenwood, NS); Dr Mark Johnston, Founder & CEO of True North Psychological Services (Halifax, NS); and Dr. Hanif Chatur, Founder & CEO of BeyondADHD (Woodstock, NB), have joined forces to offer holistic care for children, youth, and adults living with ADHD and co-occurring mental health/executive function challenges. BeyondADHD: ADHD Assessments for $278; True North Psychological: Counselling & Therapy; ADDvocacy: Academic & ADHD Coaching (Funding avail.); Sleep-Works: Sleep Therapy (Funding avail.)
WELCOMING OUR NEW TEAM ABOARD! uptreeHR is thrilled to announce the latest additions to our HR consulting firm! Join us in welcoming our newest HR Consultant and HR Coordinator, Michelle MacFadgen, CPHR, and Coralyn Fraser, respectively. Since the fall, they’ve been busy working with
new and existing clients to support their growth and HR strategy. As we enter our eighth year in business, we’re excited to add their skillset and expertise to our business in order to continue supporting Atlantic Canadian businesses — both remotely and onsite.
AETHERA CELEBRATES A SUCCESSFUL 2023 Aethera Technologies is reflecting on a successful 2023, growing both our business and our team. In September 2023 we proudly released our 14 MHz, 40 kW solid-state radio frequency Aethera Power Generator (APG14-40) and sold all available units for the year. We were able to add seven new full-time employees to BUSINESS VOICE
the team, host two co-op students, and begin the search for a larger space. We also made a minority equity investment in Ad Astra Rocket Company, an organization we have previously worked with and continue to have a strong relationship with. As we dive into 2024, we look forward to more growth and success. 11
NEWSMAKERS
NEPTUNE THEATRE’S NEW BOARD OF DIRECTORS At their Annual General Meeting on Nov. 23, the Neptune Theatre Foundation saw Anna Hurshman elected as new Board Chair, and welcomed Lauren Wu, Shani Hamilton Greenlaw, Alexandra Harris, Brynn Leard, April Howe, Scott McGaw, Jerid Watton, the Hon. Patricia Arab, and Erin McSorley as new Board Members. They are joined by returning Members Paul Laberge, Catherine Bagnell Styles, Leslie Hawco, Krista Grant, Mary Clancy, Tracey Jones-Grant, Wendy Davis Johnson, Stella Balfour and Kelly Boudreau. A cornerstone of Nova Scotian culture, the Neptune Theatre Foundation is thrilled to welcome this new Board of Directors.
EDDIE LEMOINE NAMED SPEAKER OF THE YEAR Halifax’s own Eddie LeMoine has been honoured with the TEC Canada Speaker of the Year award, awarded in 2023, celebrating his exceptional contributions in 2022. Recognized for his dynamic impact on Canadian business through engaging speeches and deep insights, Eddie’s passion for personal and professional development has significantly influenced TEC Canada’s community. This award underscores his dedication to inspiring Canadian business leaders and driving the conversation on growth and success. Congratulations to Eddie for this well-merited recognition, reflecting the powerful resonance of his work with audiences nationwide. 12
CASINO NOVA SCOTIA HONOURS THE LATE BRUCE GUTHRO Casino Nova Scotia is proud to announce that its popular Schooner Showroom will be renamed the Bruce Guthro Theatre, a heartfelt tribute to the late award-winning Canadian singer-songwriter, Bruce Guthro. The newly renamed live entertainment venue is a testament to the enduring friendship between Bruce Guthro and Casino Nova Scotia, where he hosted the majority of his renowned Songwriters’ Circle evenings.
FEBRUARY / MARCH 2024
NEW STORY SERVICE OFFERS HOPE IN THE FORM OF GOOD NEWS CLIMATE INITIATIVES Chamber member Sean Kelly, formerly of Clean Nova Scotia, has recently created a new non-profit story service offering free and copyright-free, professionally written articles on climate solutions happening across the province. The Climate Story Network (CSN) makes its articles available for upload to community newspapers, newsletters and magazines, First Nations publications, radio broadcasts, online curators, and anyone else looking to deliver impactful climate content to their audiences. The story network is an initiative of Climate Focus, a new Nova Scotia-based, non-profit organization dedicated to covering stories about community-driven climate solutions. The climate stories (with photos) can be downloaded at www.ClimateStoryNetwork.ca. In addition to downloading free stories, community publications, interested readers and community members can also reach out directly to suggest ideas about climate change solutions they’d like to see covered. For more information, contact Managing Editor, Pam Sullivan at editor@climatestorynetwork.ca.
NEWSMAKERS
SOLID YEAR-OVER-YEAR CRUISE GROWTH AT PORT OF HALIFAX The cruise season at the Port of Halifax concluded on Nov. 9, 2023, with the departure of Silver Shadow, a Silversea Cruises vessel. Overall, it was a very solid cruise season in Halifax and across Nova Scotia, approaching historical highs in terms of vessel calls and passengers. Planning for the 2024 season is already underway. “The need for sustainable development and delivering authentic experiences are among the key takeaways from the 2023 Halifax cruise season,” says Captain Allan Gray, President and CEO, Halifax Port Authority. “There is a lot happening with cruises in Halifax. This includes the work we are doing to further develop our destination and overall cruise experience in a way that is sustainable and complements the surrounding community.”
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BUSINESS VOICE
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MAYOR’S MESSAGE
People, planet and prosperity The municipality’s plans for continued progress and success in 2024
Despite the challenges thrown our way, we made sustained progress in 2023 with more to achieve in 2024.”
MAYOR MIKE SAVAGE
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s we look ahead into 2024, it’s time to take stock and resolve to take on the year ahead with renewed spirit and commitment. This is also the last year for this Council term. I continue to be impressed by the earnest desire of my Council colleagues to represent their communities and find a principled position that advances the common good in a sea of competing interests and a time of increased political polarization. When this Council took office in 2020, we were clear about our priorities: a prosperous economy, communities that are safe and inclusive, integrated mobility, including enhanced transit and cycling, and the environment. We committed to advancing these priorities through a Strategic Priorities Plan that holds us to account on our progress. The experiences of the past year have reinforced the need for this clear vision, married with tangible actions, to improve the well-being of our residents and communities. We’ve been tested by unprecedented fires, floods and storms, which have demonstrated how we come together in times of need and how our Emergency
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Management team, first responders and others from throughout the municipality work tirelessly to keep our communities safe. Despite the challenges thrown our way, we made sustained progress in 2023 with more to achieve in 2024. Extensive infrastructure investments are underway as the Cogswell District Project takes shape (with an eye toward completion in 2025) and we are investing further in the Rapid Transit Strategy. The municipality continues to be a leader in environmental action. In November, I had the pleasure of sharing our HalifACT climate plan at COP28, where Bloomberg Philanthropies hosted mayors from around the world for a local climate action summit. Our plan recognizes that cities, as holders of major infrastructure and centres of population, can ill afford to sit back and wait on the policies of other orders of government. We are transitioning more municipal vehicles to electric, retrofitting municipal buildings to meet our environmental commitments and working to decarbonize the Halifax Transit fleet, with electric buses scheduled to be in service later this year. Additionally, we also look forward to more work on a new Regional Plan as we prepare to responsibly manage the continued growth of the HRM while we cross the half-million population mark.
FEBRUARY / MARCH 2024
The municipality is poised to receive $79.3 million through the federal Housing Accelerator Fund, which will shape housing development and community growth for generations to come. Among the earliest Canadian cities to receive approval under this program, Halifax was able to demonstrate a determination to planning responsively and reducing approval times for a diversity of housing types—connected to transit—and with a focus on increased density; consistent with our work in recent years to accommodate a growing population and our desire to build communities that encourage growth. The housing and homelessness crises remain at our doorstep and will require our ongoing attention. Governments and the community sector are working toward solutions, from getting new housing built, to providing the simplest of shelter to the most vulnerable. We remain committed to getting more people under a safe, supportive roof in the year ahead. We are a fast-growing municipality, one of the fastest in Canada. Our economic development plan—People, Planet, Prosperity—reflects the idea that as we harness growth and encourage achievement, we can also work to build more opportunity for more people, while still respecting our planet and continuing to grow.
MEMBER PROFILE
Reporting from the front lines of the housing crisis With Sheri Lecker at the helm, Adsum keeps going and growing after 40 years By Pam Sullivan
E
xecutive Director of Adsum for Women & Children, Sheri Lecker knows better than most how recent costof-living increases, including high interest rates, inflation, and an out-of-control housing and rental market are affecting people in the province. At the helm of the Halifax nonprofit—which helps support women, families, trans and gender diverse persons, and, more recently, men who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk—for the last 21 of the organization’s 40 years in operation, Lecker is increasingly alarmed at the lack of progress she’s seen over the last two decades. “Things have not gotten better and especially in the last four or five years. We’ve seen a devastating deterioration in people’s income, but also in the current housing and homeless crises, which are really humanitarian disasters that many major cities, but also more rural parts of the province and country, are experiencing,” Lecker says. Another alarming trend Lecker says they’re now seeing is a segment of the population they’ve typically not heard from, and are not mandated to assist. “Our work is primarily with people who have the fewest resources. But increasingly, we’re hearing from people who have significant resources but are also facing housing insecurity,” she says. “ They’re losing their housing, and they don’t know what to do. It’s extraordinary when people who are earning $40,00060,000 a year cannot find housing.” Lecker, a Sydney, Cape Breton native with a background in journalism, humanitarian assistance, and public health, says she returned to Halifax from Angola back in 2002, along with her young family and British husband, to be closer to her aging parents. A career spent working for groups such as Médecins Sans Frontières and Save the Children UK put her in good stead for the position she’s now held for more than two decades.
threesixfive media
“I saw Adsum as a place where I could do good work and use that good work to try and influence and advocate for change in systems,” Lecker says. And although seemingly upbeat, Lecker also gives off a sense of weariness for what she and the rest of the Adsum staff see on a daily basis. “It’s not that I’m tired, just overwhelmed at all the major structural changes that are needed,” she says. “And a lot of what we call homelessness or people not being housed now are fairly recent situations related to the market and people’s incomes, which are insufficient.” Though dealing with the realities of life on the frontlines can be challenging, Lecker is excited to talk about the many programs and housing projects which Adsum is involved with. Beyond the hundreds of people living in Adsum-run facilities and staying in hotels throughout HRM, there are hundreds more who are supported through outreach (its Diversion program) to avoid eviction or with help getting housed. Lecker tells me about a recent phase 1 pocket community development (The Sunflower) which Adsum opened in 2022 in the Lakeside area, which currently houses approximately 50 people. BUSINESS VOICE
“It’s a really beautiful sustainably-built development with a combination of one, two, and three-bedroom units. A number are fully accessible, and we also have a community centre, offices, office space, and a large community space with a fully-equipped accessible kitchen,” Lecker says. Phase 2 will include a further 15 to 18 units. The development, Lecker says, was a combination of Adsum resources, as well as federal and provincial funding. Rents, she says, are low—in the vicinity of $300 per month which, thanks to a sustainable, green building model, will result in lower annual operating costs and the ability to keep rents down. And when asked about her thoughts on the currently trending idea that the market will eventually rectify the current housing crisis, she quite handily cuts through the rhetoric. “Affordable housing does not trickle down and there’s definitely not enough that’s affordable. At the end of the day, it’s going to be government, nonprofits, and co-ops that are going to develop and run affordable housing—not the big operators.”
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COVER STORY
A once-in-a-lifetime fight There’s no one action or answer to the current housing crisis, so everyone, including communities are needed at the table By Moira Donovan
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o look at the Halifax skyline is to see a city in transition, with cranes bisecting the horizon and new buildings taking shape. In literal and figurative terms, it’s a city on the rise. This trajectory has rippled out beyond Halifax too, with towns like Wolfville growing by 20 per cent between 2016 and 2021. Overall, Nova Scotia’s population is leaping ahead after years of standing still; the growth rate in 2022-23 was the province’s fastest since 1951, bringing economic growth, diversity, and energy to communities across the province. But beneath this picture, trouble has
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We’re just seeing a lot of people who have run out of options in terms of affordable places to live, so it’s a really dire situation.” — Kevin Hooper,
Senior Advisor of Social Development and Housing, United Way Halifax
FEBRUARY / MARCH 2024
been brewing, from the growing numbers of tents clustered below those new buildings, to the increasing strain homeowners and renters face in trying to find—and stay in—their homes. “We’re just seeing a lot of people who have run out of options in terms of affordable places to live, so it’s a really dire situation,” says Kevin Hooper, Senior Advisor of Social Development and Housing at United Way Halifax. “And we have ignored it for so long, that we really don’t have the tools at this point to really address it effectively.” But people in the province — from
COVER STORY elected officials, to tradespeople, to non-profits—are searching for solutions, nonetheless. Given the scale of the need, there is no one action that represents a fix. Instead, reining in Nova Scotia’s housing crisis requires a wide array of actors and multiple levels of government to address issues like the longstanding shortfall in public funding for housing, the lack of skilled workers, and the need for new models of housing delivery. Tackling these challenges won’t be easy, even as the need for a solution grows more urgent; the CMHC has estimated the province needs an additional 70,000 homes built by 2030 to restore affordability, and Turner Drake & Partners estimates that at the current pace of construction, Nova Scotia could be short 41,200 housing units by 2027. But some say there’s hope in the fact that, after years of ignoring the issue, Nova Scotians are starting to treat the housing crisis like the
once-in-a-generation fight it is. “It needs to be addressed at all sorts of levels, because otherwise, we are just not really going to be able to respond,” says Hooper. “On the whole, I think it’s really encouraging that the complexity and the depth of the issue is being recognized.” The area where the need is most serious is in the population of people who can’t afford a place to live. Since 2019, the number of people experiencing homelessness in the HRM has increased fourfold, and now stands at roughly 1,060 people, a figure that is increasing at the rate of about 10 people a week. “It’s ramping up so fast, and it’s just a by-product of a market that’s completely out of bounds,” says Hooper. “The vast majority of the people who joined that list of homeless individuals over the last year especially, are people who just have been priced out of the market. We’re not seeing a huge increase in people with complex needs.”
But homelessness can derail people’s lives, nonetheless. Advocates say people who end up homeless for more than six months face significant challenges in getting themselves back on track. Since the 1990s, the province’s solution to fixing this problem has focused on the private sector as the source of housing development. But with housing costs having outstripped so many people’s means – the median after-tax household income in HRM is currently $59,000, meaning they can spend about $1,400 on housing, while the cost for an average one-bedroom is more than $2,000—Hooper says the private sector can’t respond to the issue in full. “It is such a huge imbalance between what housing currently costs and the amount of money in people’s pockets, that there’s just no private sector solution to this problem.” Hooper says in recent years, there’s been recognition at the provincial level that a new strategy is needed,
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COVER STORY particularly in the government’s 2023 announcement of 222 new units of rentgeared-to-income units in communities across Nova Scotia—the first time the government has built public housing since 1993. The province is sharing the cost with the federal government, with the former contributing $58.8 million and the latter $24.4 million. New units will be constructed on provincial land near existing public housing. Housing Minister John Lohr says since coming into power, the provincial government has come to appreciate the need for different housing types. “We realized that we need to have housing right across the spectrum,” says Lohr. “There has to be affordable housing, but there also has to be market housing at every level. So, we want to do what we can to enable housing right across the spectrum, but particularly affordable, of course, and deeply affordable also.” As part of the province’s five-year housing strategy, Lohr says the province is dedicating other public resources towards affordable housing, including the land-for-housing program—where 37 parcels of provincial land will be offered for housing development, with a priority for projects that offer rent at least 20 per cent below market.
“We’re literally using the value of the land, so to speak, to buy affordability,” says Lohr. Through a partnership with the federal government, the province has also increased the funding offered to
So, we want to do what we can to enable housing right across the spectrum, but particularly affordable, of course, and deeply affordable also.” — The Honourable
John Lohr, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing
developers — to construct units that remain affordable for 15-25 years — to $100,000, from $50,000, as the latter amount was no longer enough. “That’s incredibly important to the people who are able to get into those
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FEBRUARY / MARCH 2024
units, that are income tested,” he says. Overall, the province is aiming to support the provision of at least 17,250 affordable units over the next five years, through a combination of construction, rent supplements, and home purchase assistance. Regardless of housing type, a significant bottleneck is in the construction—an issue that has long preoccupied some people in the construction sector. “I’ve known this for 25 years, that this day was coming,” says Duncan Williams, President and CEO of the Construction Association of Nova Scotia. Not only did governments stop putting public funding towards housing, he says, they also turned their attention away from the trades, with a decline in training through the school system and an immigration process that favoured formal academic qualifications over work experience in fields like carpentry. Williams says the sector is now starting to see progress from the province in some areas, including waiving the requirement that immigrants with a trade have the equivalent of a high school diploma before they can start as an apprentice, and a 50 per cent reduction in the length of pre-apprenticeship training programs at community colleges. “I refer to it often as, there’s a thousand small levers, there’s no silver bullet to this.” Housing Minister John Lohr also points to programs like the More Opportunity for Skilled Trades program, which offers a provincial tax rebate on the first $50,000 of income for skilled tradespeople under 30. Despite the recent advancements, Williams says there’s still more to do, including greater cooperation between levels of government, and more engagement with industry. “This is not about the industry getting its way; we are the experts,” Williams says. “Bring us to the table, and you’d be amazed at the complex problems that our industry solves on a daily basis.” Williams compares the current problem to the aftermath of the Second World War or the Halifax Explosion—a challenge requiring a wartime response. Part of that effort, he says, entails recognizing the need to make way for a range of housing types, including different kinds of density and co-ops or community-based housing as well as private options by clearing away bureaucracy that has
COVER STORY
stymied development. “Nobody wants the wild west. But you have to find the happy medium,” he says. The province has made attempts to address this through the housing strategy, especially in HRM. These measures include a temporary freeze on municipal permit and development fees and allowing for more flexibility in minimum lot sizes and lot coverage. Williams says there also needs to be a recognition of the role of players other than the private sector. “One of the challenges that we’ve got to recognize and overcome is the private market cannot respond and be the choice for everything,” he says. Advocates say this needs to include community involvement in decisions around housing. Kevin Hooper says while having the province work with community organizations to provide housing — part of the housing strategy — is an important step, communities need to be engaged on a deeper level. “I think in one way or another we need to build housing development capacity in a much broader sense than we’ve been used to in the past,” he says. This could look like community land trusts, like the Black community land trusts in Hammonds Plains and Truro; United Way and partners are also
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exploring a land trust in Halifax. Land trusts offer long-term affordability and are governed by a board where a third of members are community members, giving them a direct role in decisions over
mix, including a $22 million dollar investment in modular houses for healthcare workers and tradespeople, and a pilot to incentivize construction of backyard or secondary suites through a $25,000 forgivable loan, in exchange for rent pegged at 80 per cent of market rates. “We know we have to change the way we build houses,” says Lohr. “We have to start looking at other more efficient ways of building.” Hooper says provincial programs that encourage co-housing, such as Happipad, the home-sharing platform the province created to connect the people in possession of some of the province’s 130,000 empty bedrooms to renters in need of accommodation, also highlight the opportunity for different approaches to providing housing. “It certainly makes clear that we are operating our existing stock of housing in a pretty inefficient way,” he says. Taken together, these measures represent a shift in mindset—a no-less complicated task than accelerating the construction of housing. But for something as important as ensuring that all Nova Scotians have a place to call home, it’s clear that the outcome is well worth the effort.
I think in one way or another we need to build housing development capacity in a much broader sense than we’ve been used to in the past.” — Duncan Williams,
President and CEO, Construction Association of Nova Scotia
how the land is used. It also means looking beyond detached homes or high rises for a solution. In this respect, the province points to programs meant to change the housing BUSINESS VOICE
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SPOTLIGHT
Grow your business like Shivani’s Kitchen A Nova Scotia business powerhouse reimagined itself with the help of the province’s WIPSI program SUBMITTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOUR, SKILLS AND IMMIGRATION
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rom its humble beginnings as a meal delivery service in 2014, through the opening of its first restaurant in 2018 and plans for a second in 2020, Shivani’s Kitchen has been a Nova Scotia business powerhouse. With their long-planned expansion derailed by COVID-19 and a global recession, the team immediately reimagined itself into the production of products for home cooks. They also offer a variety of recipes that are perfect for anyone looking for inspiration on how to use their products. Venturing into manufacturing introduced many unforeseen challenges, notably the substantial difference between federal requirements for kitchen operations and the dynamics of a small restaurant. Founder Shivani Dhamija, who is driven to overcome challenges and recognizes the value of continuous learning, pressed on. She attended Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) training and, after a substantial monetary investment and a deep dive into the myriad of rules, documents, and regulations, successfully established a facility for chicken meals. It paid off. Shivani’s Kitchen doubled its sales that year. Today, Shivani’s Kitchen offers a wide range of Indian spice masalas and ready-to-use sauces for healthy and delicious meals. Dhamija has a passion for cooking and sharing her love of Indian cuisine. When asked about any formal background in cooking, she credits her family. “I only know that my mom and aunts make amazing food. That’s how I learned. I am no professional chef. I just know how my mom cooks. So, I’m selftaught, or mom-taught.”
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Shivani’s Kitchen is committed to using high-quality ingredients. All their spice blends and sauces are free from preservatives and additives. This means that consumers can enjoy delicious Indian food without worrying about harmful chemicals or artificial flavours. In 2019, when the company moved from supplying Sobeys Local to Sobeys FEBRUARY / MARCH 2024
Atlantic Canada, production had to go from 150 to 900 meals a week. Dhamija credits the Workplace Innovation and Productivity Skills Incentive (WIPSI) program for their success. The funding let them discover that with a small investment, they could produce 3,000 meals per week.
SPOTLIGHT
I only know that my mom and aunts make amazing food. That’s how I learned. I am no professional chef. I just know how my mom cooks. So, I’m self-taught, or mom-taught.” — Shivani Dhamija, Founder, Shivani’s Kitchen “I moved my meals from 17 stores to 37 stores (Sobeys) in May 2023,” she says. “We are unable to distribute to all of the stores yet and waiting to get into the warehouse.” WIPSI is a training grant administered by the Nova Scotia Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration (LSI). The grant supports the development of new skills to help businesses increase their productivity, innovation, and competitiveness, while also addressing inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility (IDEA) to make them more competitive outside Nova Scotia. WIPSI typically supports training on new software or equipment, continuous process improvement, and training that can make workplaces more inclusive. Some examples of WIPSI training support include retooling and skill development, technology and optimization, robotics and automation, and IDEA training to help improve an organization’s current services, workplace culture, and hiring processes. For eligible businesses and training, WIPSI can support up to 100 per cent of the direct training costs up to $10,000, and 50 per cent of the remaining training costs. Through WIPSI, Shivani’s Kitchen participated in the SKU Food C.A.R.T master class skill development. The training transformed staff skills to allow
them to grow sales and access markets previously not possible for the company. The training starts with a business assessment prior to working through the C.A.R.T. process. This ensures participants proceed in a step-by-step manner to understand where to find and how to assess important consumer trends, learn how to align the business with retailer needs, create a retail action plan, and transfer learnings into relationships that build customer trust, increase sales, and help their businesses grow. As a result of this training, Shivani’s Kitchen reported increased sales and increased competitiveness, while also developing new products. “The training helped us use creative ways to promote it, and we also developed a new product which will increase the sales of the old product,” she says. Dhamija says she also learned the importance of using locally grown vegetables and how they can improve business revenue. Shivani’s Kitchen has also taken part in Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) system training and integrated cloud-based training, both supported by LSI; all of which, says Dhamija, have helped her business grow. “More retail companies are interested in carrying our products now because we have been trained […] on BUSINESS VOICE
how to handle our products,” she says. “We also now have a better knowledge of the costing of our products, and better chances to compete with other companies.” Shivani’s Kitchen has an unwavering commitment to community engagement. Dhamija believes that food has the power to bring people together and transcend cultural boundaries. To foster this spirit of togetherness, she organizes weekly community dinners where locals and visitors gather to share a meal, stories, and laughter. Shivani’s Kitchen extends its reach beyond its dining tables through monthly charity dinners. The business contributes a portion of the proceeds to local causes—from food banks to initiatives that empower marginalized communities. Shivani believes that good food should not only tantalize the tastebuds, but also contribute to the well-being of a community. If you want to discover more about Shivani’s Kitchen and their products, recipes, or cooking classes, visit: www. shivaniskitchen.ca And to learn more about available funding to support improvements in productivity and innovation, take a look into the WIPSI program at: www.novascotia. ca/programs/workplace-innovation-productivity-skills-incentive 21
SPOTLIGHT
Curtis Whiley in Upper Hammonds Plains at the Community Center prior to a zoning meeting that happened in the community.
A positive impact Photos Contributed
Developing Black community-driven housing solutions through the Community Housing Growth Fund By Pam Sullivan
H
ousing issues around Halifax and the province as a whole have far-reaching implications for most communities, and increasingly for those traditionally not impacted by these typically urban issues. Black communities in the Halifax Regional Municipality and throughout the province are now facing their own dilemmas around the housing crisis and the challenges it brings with it. This past November, in response to the crisis, the province announced an additional $2 million toward the Community Housing Growth fund and dedicated toward the development of Black community-driven housing solutions. In April 2022, the Nova Scotia government announced the Community Housing Growth Fund—a $2.5 million investment to “strengthen the sector and grow the number of non-profit housing units in Nova Scotia.” This recent additional funding—earmarked for Black community housing—will allocate community grants across a three-year timeline and assist communities in capacity building, planning and pre-development, and research and innovation.
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All funding is managed by the Community Housing Transformation Centre. Twila Grosse, MLA for Preston, says the fund, in part, acknowledges past inequities in housing for Black communities. She says it also made sense to incorporate direct representation in the decision-making process. “Grants will be approved by a dedicated selection committee that will include African Nova Scotians, the whole idea being that for this particular initiative, the fund will be Black-led and also Black-focused,” she says. Grosse also agrees that the fund allows Black communities to start the process of designing a housing roadmap for what they feel is needed in their own communities. “The idea is to try to make sure that potential housing development happening in Black communities, well, that the impact won’t be negative, but rather, positive, allowing them to stay as thriving Black communities – and not be forced out or displaced by development and a lack of affordability,” Grosse says. One group which will be using the fund to inform and improve upon future builds is Dartmouth’s Akoma Holdings Incorporated, which, under the auspices FEBRUARY / MARCH 2024
of the Nova Scotia Home for Coloured Children (NSHCC), in 2014 acquired the assets of the NSHCC, including 310 acres of property. Akoma Property consultant Sunday Miller says the newly earmarked funding will allow the group, which builds affordable housing for Black families, to build better. “We’re using [the grant] for a geotechnical study on other lands that we’re looking at developing,” Miller says. “In the past, with the rapid housing initiative and the tight timeline, there were things we weren’t able to do, like have a geotechnical study. At that time, if we’d been able to get a study, we probably wouldn’t have built where we did because of the shale and rock that was just underneath.” Another community which has accessed both grants is the Upper Hammonds Plains Community Land Trust. The group’s mission, as presented on their website, is “Preserving and Protecting our Historic community.” This is telling part of the story, as well as the larger worries and issues facing not only this traditionally Black community, but others like it around HRM and the province. Founder of the land trust (and ongoing member-volunteer) Curtis Whiley, who also works as Manager, Land Titles
SPOTLIGHT
Curtis Whiley, Dr. Lynn Jones (founder of Down the Marsh Community Land Trust) and Brian Gifford (volunteer)
Inside a zoning meeting in the community.
Initiative, with the Provincial government, is pleased with the recent funding announcement, but also says it barely scratches the surface of the issues Black communities and land trusts are facing when it comes to the housing challenges now impacting their communities. “Some of this funding, these grants are to help with very preliminary organizing, the organizing of communities—to just even start talking about how we want to improve our communities, to make them work better for us in the future, including housing,” Whiley says. A complicated affair, Whiley says that though a good start, most communities will need help not only getting organized, but knowing how to move ahead in the first place—a sentiment echoed by Dr. Lynn Jones, Order of Canada recipient and founder of the DowntheMarsh Community Land Trust in Truro. “I’m in no way, shape or form any kind of housing expert, organizer or what have you, and there’s no yardstick, there’s no manual, like ‘first do this, then that,’ and that’s the kind of help we need,” says Jones. “Oftentimes, you don’t even know that you don’t even know.” Though pleased to see the funding, Jones admits to also feeling frustrated at the lack of understanding at how complicated and costly even just getting the initial relationships up and running is for groups like DownTheMarsh or the Upper Hammonds Plain Land Trust. She adds that their first funding—which they received in 2022, allowed them to get off the ground only to have them start almost from scratch once that funding ran out. “Last December, to get a bit of a startup, we hired two consultants—one a lawyer and one a community development person, which was fabulous to have, then the funding ends,” she says. “This is the terrible thing about nonprofits—you
“From a historical and cultural perspective that has been denied us, we’re very much in a Eurocentric environment. And we’ve adopted a Eurocentric way.” This Eurocentric way, says Jones, doesn’t acknowledge Black community differences such as working relationships with family members, and housing that allows for multigenerational living. Additionally, says Whiley, there’s the issue and challenge of representation. “We don’t have a single African Nova Scotian planner in Nova Scotia, or representation in fields required in development, so planning, architecture, engineering, site planning, or surveying,” he says. “And I do a lot of surveying with the land title’s initiative.” But challenges aside, Whiley and Jones will be pushing ahead and putting the new housing initiative grant to good use. And though Whiley obviously sees the challenges, he’s also excited about the future of his community. “We want our community to grow, and we’re excited for development. We see Upper Hammonds Plains as a beautiful place that should be shared with more people,” he says. “It’s just the way public policy is formed around these activities. It leads us to have an adversarial relationship because we have to advocate rather than facilitating a partnership.” This coming year, says Whiley, the group is excited at the possibility of acquiring parcels of historical land, which he says is the crucial first step to an actual development. “If we’re able to get titles to that land, then we’ll be able to do pre-development planning and go back to the growth fund because we’ll actually have the land to start developing and building our community our way. In the words of one famous American ‘… by the people, for the people’.”
lose the people. I like to say I train them for somebody else. They’re just gone. And now, with this funding, we’re having to start from scratch again.” Both Whiley and Jones share common worries, hopes, and concerns about the communities they love and are trying to protect. Both once primarily Black communities, with housing pressures and developers looking farther and farther afield to develop, they’re struggling to hold back the incoming tide of development which they say is overtaking, and in some ways, forever changing the face of their communities. “In terms of actual residents, there are several hundred, but now there are thousands of people living in Upper Hammonds Plains,” says Whiley. “And there’s significant development pressure. That’s why we had to rezone, but still, 985 units got approved, so, we’ll see thousands more people moving into our community.” Whiley says that because his community has not been part of any planning practices, and because of general use zoning, the area became “very valuable to developers.” What Whiley, Jones, and Miller would like to see happen going forward, along with ongoing funding, is greater assistance for Black communities to advocate and plan on behalf of their communities in a more efficient and effective way. And though that may look slightly different, depending upon the community or development needs, the one thing they’re all looking for is a respect for and an understanding of the past experiences and unique needs of Black communities. “I think we need to talk about an afro-centric approach to things. And I say, well, we don’t even know. We know something, but this is the whole idea of why we got into this mess,” Jones says. BUSINESS VOICE
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WORKING FOR YOU
New government programs attracting more skilled trades professionals Introducing the MOST program
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HON. JILL BALSER, MINISTER OF LABOUR, SKILLS AND IMMIGRATION
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ova Scotia is a province on the move! As a result, the Halifax area is experiencing tremendous growth, bringing in many new customers and entrepreneurs to help local businesses thrive. While a growing province means welcoming new economic opportunities and the talent that we need to support important sectors like healthcare and construction, it also means experiencing growing pains. So, now is the time to be thoughtful in building our plan for a stronger future. We are now setting the stage for Nova Scotian businesses to succeed, and that means finding solutions to build the workforce that our growing economy needs right now. We understand that
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We understand that swift action is needed to get more people working in skilled trades faster.” swift action is needed to get more people working in skilled trades faster. Recently, we announced a series of actions to accelerate growth in the skilled trades workforce and modernize the apprenticeship system. Our goal is for Nova Scotia to be a skilled trades leader in Canada. With an investment of $100 million over three years, we will invest in recruitment and training, and we will also focus efforts to retain more of the skilled trades professionals that we already have. We want to make the apprenticeship pathway seamless for those who choose this career path and support skilled trades professionals throughout their pathway to certification. We are working FEBRUARY / MARCH 2024
with many partners on dozens of new initiatives, and there is an important role for employers to help support this work. Many people can choose “direct entry” into the skilled trades. This means that workers can be hired by a company that is participating in the apprenticeship system and acquire skills and progress through their training while working under the supervision of a journeyperson. Nova Scotia needs more employers to participate in apprenticeship, and more journeypersons to engage in training and mentoring more apprentices to acquire the skills needed to become journeypersons. So, we have increased the number of apprentices that a journeyperson can train on job sites—one
WORKING FOR YOU
journeyperson can now train up to three apprentices in most trades. We’ve also removed final level senior apprentices from the training ratio calculation in all trades. In 2024, we plan to offer new incentives to journeypersons to mentor apprentices as they successfully progress to certification. And we are working to make it easier for people with skilled trades experience to become certified, so they can earn more money and mentor the next generation. To encourage small and medium sized employers to register, retain and support apprentices to completion, employers can receive up to $25,000 in funding for the duration of an apprenticeship. If the employer hires an apprentice from an equity-deserving group, the funding increases to a maximum of $30,000 with support from the Apprenticeship START program. To modernize our approach to apprenticeship and continuously listen to what’s happening in the system, we are refreshing our approach to industry engagement. We’ll be establishing new Industry Sector Committees under the Apprenticeship Board and will soon be looking for new voices and perspectives at those tables. I am so pleased with the positive feedback we’ve received from all sectors, especially from the construction sector, on these innovative options to train more people, faster. I am also incredibly pleased with the engagement and recommendations we’ve received so far from the Pre-Apprenticeship Panel. This group of sector experts, which includes industry and employee representatives, and Nova Scotia Community College are helping to inform the work the agency is focused on now, and for years to come. These measures have been chosen to generate meaningful results. These actions will add up to 5,000 more new apprentices to the system in the next three years and increase the number of journeypersons and trades qualifiers by 1,000 per year. We are also aiming to increase the retention to completion rate of apprentices from 43 per cent to 60 per cent—one of the highest in the country— within five years. These initiatives build on work already underway. To support recruitment and retention, the More Opportunity for Skilled Trades (MOST) program offers eligible skilled workers a refund of the provincial
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We are also working hard to ensure young people, women and equity-deserving groups, know about and consider a career in the skilled trades through marketing, in-school programs and hands-on opportunities.” income tax paid on the first $50,000 they earn. So far, almost 2,000 young workers under the age of 30 have benefited from the program, and we know many others are eligible to apply. A new immigration stream of Nova Scotia’s Provincial Nominee Program is the Critical Construction Worker Pilot. This stream includes 21 in-demand occupations in the construction sector, largely focused on the residential building trades. What’s new about this pilot is that it does not require a high school diploma—a barrier we heard from industry—rather it prioritizes industry-specific training and on-the-job work experience. We are also working hard to ensure young people, women and equity-deserving groups, know about and consider a career in the skilled trades through marketing, in-school programs and hands-on opportunities. Employers will have greater success when they offer workplaces that are inclusive, diverse, equitable and accessible. I encourage employers to check out the free Welcoming Workplaces toolkit at novascotiaworks.ca to learn about ways to make sure your workplace is more welcoming and inclusive. These efforts can help businesses retain the skilled talent that employers have worked so hard to attract, while also BUSINESS VOICE
recruiting new talent and building businesses to meet the needs of our growing economy. As Minister, it is important to me that the voices of Nova Scotians—business owners, young workers, experienced workers, industry experts, those new to the province, the post-secondary sector—are heard. And that is why I’m so appreciative of all our partners and the work we’re doing together. The goals we’ve set for our province are bold and ambitious. We want a modern, thoughtful, and hands-on Apprenticeship system to support apprentices through to completion because when we think of the work to come, we’ll need everyone working together to make it happen. That is why this work excites me. We won’t shy away from the challenges we face as a province, but instead we’ll tackle these challenges head on, together. Let’s keep moving our province forward in the best possible way for all Nova Scotians. I’m committed and our government is committed. I hope you are, too. To find out what we do next to help action more skilled trades faster, please visit the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency: www.nsapprenticeship.ca. 25
WORKING FOR YOU
Knowing our numbers Tracking African Nova Scotian economic progress and prosperity
SUBMITTED BY THE AFRICAN NOVA SCOTIAN ROAD TO ECONOMIC PROSPERITY ADVISORY COUNCIL
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ould you be surprised to learn that, in this day and age, Black Nova Scotians make on average only 85 cents for every dollar earned by non-minority workers? Would it trouble you to hear that 17.5 per cent of our Black population lives in poverty? Would it concern you to know that Black Nova Scotians continue to make up the largest share of Nova Scotians without a high school or post-secondary diploma, certificate, or degree? This is a reality that African Nova Scotians know well. We live and experience it every day, and we see the intergenerational socioeconomic impacts in our communities. However, until our community led the development of the African Nova Scotian Prosperity and Well-being Index, we didn’t have all the statistics and facts to help tell the story of our lived experience. This Index is the first of its kind to focus on statistics for Black Nova Scotians. Knowing our numbers gives African Nova Scotians a credible starting 26
point from which to chart a more prosperous future and measure our progress. Historically, collecting data on the African Nova Scotian population has been challenging. This is partly due to mistrust from the community about how the data would be used by government or research institutions; in the past, data has been manipulated to create harmful policies. To improve faith in the processes and encourage more participation in the national census and other data-collecting initiatives, the African Nova Scotian Prosperity and Well-being Index was created by community, for community, to track and measure progress toward economic equity and prosperity. Modelled after the Halifax Index, the African Nova Scotian Prosperity and Well-being Index is led by the African Nova Scotian Road to Economic Prosperity with support from the Halifax Partnership’s research team and other partners. Launching at a special event in the spring, the 2024 African Nova Scotian Prosperity and Well-being Index will report on key labour market, demographic, housing, education, income, and well-being data for Black Nova Scotians. Data are sorted by racial identity, including generational status, offering a detailed understanding of the experiences of first, second and
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third-generation Black Nova Scotians. The Index provides baseline measures and enables us to track progress over time, serving as the annual report on the state of African Nova Scotian economic and community progress. It also helps inform policy changes, laws and regulations, program funding, and economic development initiatives impacting Nova Scotia’s Black population. Following the launch event, the Index will be available on the Road to Economic Prosperity website. To learn more and register for the event, visit www.anseconomicprosperity.co Developed and led by community, the African Nova Scotian Road to Economic Prosperity Plan (REPP) is a five-year economic development strategy that aims to address systemic issues and improve economic and quality of life outcomes for African Nova Scotians. The plan is delivered in partnership with the Halifax Regional Municipality and Halifax Partnership and with support from the Province of Nova Scotia, the private sector and community partners.
WORKING FOR YOU
The millenial dilemma Will millenials ever be able to afford a home (or even retire)?
NICK CUNNINGHAM POLICY ANALYST, HALIFAX CHAMBER
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istorically, owning your own home was an important life goal for most people. It represents security and stability and is an investment in your future. However, in recent years, homeownership has been falling in Canada while the number of renters has been on the rise. On Dec. 13th, the Halifax Chamber hosted the Provincial Minister of Housing, John Lohr, along with over 300 attendees at the Halifax Marriot Harbourfront Hotel, to discuss the ongoing housing crisis in Nova Scotia, as well as the Province’s new 5-year housing strategy, Action for Housing. Following the discussion, I couldn’t help but wonder what the implications might be on future generations’ retirement plans if they are unable to build enough equity through home ownership. Will social assistances in Canada for seniors like Old Age Security (OAS) be enough for millennials by the time they retire? The majority of us spend our working years saving for retirement and strategizing about how to make the most of our investments to enjoy our lifestyle into old age. More and more, Canadians are planning to rely on their home as a big part of their retirement plans. A new RBC survey says home equity is playing a bigger role in Canadian’s retirement plans. More than half (55%) of non-retired Canadians age 50+ said
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they expect to leverage the equity in their home as a source of retirement income (up from 49% in 2018). The survey also found that 25% of these non-retired Canadians would borrow against the equity in their home if needed, and 12% believe they would rent out a part of their home for additional funds. For millennial workers who rent their entire careers, they need to save 50% more than homeowners in order to have enough monthly income in retirement, according to the 2023 Mercer Retirement Readiness Barometer. Edward Jones Canada released a study that found millennials (ages 26-41) are more likely than other generations to be off-track when it comes to saving for retirement. The study also found that 70% of respondents in this age group are not saving enough for their retirement, with 27% unable to afford to do so at all. This isn’t because millennials are inherently stupid when it comes to personal finances. They are in fact the most educated generation in history. However, the cost of this education is one of the issues. For the millennials who paid excessive tuition rates to obtain that education, BUSINESS VOICE
they now have debt-to-income ratios of 216%, compared to 125% for gen-xers, and 80% for baby boomers. Coupled with a period of high inflation and relatively small wage increases, saving for a down payment now takes an average of 13 years compared to just five years in 1976, according to Statistics Canada. For businesses who are looking to attract and retain talent, employers should really consider a matching workplace retirement savings plan if possible. These group plans can help employees feel valued and build financial security for themselves and their families through tax-advantaged savings. A survey by Maru Group Ltd. on behalf of the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan found that 88% of those that offer a benefit pension plan said it was “extremely important” or “very important” to their employee retention efforts. While our government officials toil with short-term strategies and solutions to address the immediate need for more housing units across the country, businesses that understand the plight of their younger workforce will be better able to retain the talent they need for long-term success. 27
TRENDS
Five easy ways to spice up your online presence – it’s not as hard as you think! Things you can do on a daily, monthly, or annual basis to help your business stand out online Start Blogging
JAMES GAUDET, GRAPHIC DESIGNER & DIGITAL MARKETING SPECIALIST
Google My Business (GMB) is an oftenunderutilized social media platform with the potential to significantly boost a business’s presence on Google Maps.”
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s a graphic designer of 10+ years who has helped businesses establish an identity of their own, there are a few primary points that I suggest whenever a business chooses to opt for the DIY route.
Optimize your website First, ensure your website is mobile-responsive to cater to a diverse audience. Next, conduct thorough keyword research related to your industry and integrate these keywords naturally into website content, including headings, meta descriptions, and blog posts. Speed and user experience are critical, so compress images, enable browser caching, and simplify navigation. Regularly update content to keep it fresh and relevant. Utilize local SEO strategies by listing the business on online directories, Google My Business, and encouraging customer reviews. Lastly, monitor website analytics to track performance and make data-driven improvements for ongoing optimization.
Google My Business (GMB) is an often-underutilized social media platform with the potential to significantly boost a business’ presence on Google Maps. By claiming and optimizing their GMB listing, businesses can provide crucial information like operating hours, contact details, and photos. Regularly posting updates, events, and promotions enhances engagement and visibility. Customer reviews, when managed effectively, build trust, and improve search rankings. GMB also enables businesses to monitor user insights, allowing for data-driven decisions. With its integration into Google Maps, GMB can put a business on the map, literally, making it easier for local customers to discover and engage with them—making it a valuable yet underappreciated tool in the digital marketing arsenal.
Leverage social media 28
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Begin by identifying your target audience and their interests. Choose topics related to your industry that address their needs or problems. Set a consistent publishing schedule, whether weekly or bi-weekly, to keep readers engaged. Create high-quality, informative, and engaging content, using a mix of text, images, and perhaps videos. Optimize each blog post for search engines with relevant keywords. Promote your blog on social media, email newsletters, and other marketing channels to reach a wider audience. Encourage reader engagement by responding to comments and asking for feedback. Over time, blogging can establish your expertise, drive traffic to your website, and foster customer loyalty.
Video content Begin by identifying relevant topics or stories that resonate with your audience. Plan your content with a clear message and structure, focusing on keeping videos short and engaging. Use good lighting to enhance video quality and invest in a smartphone tripod for stability. Record in quiet environments to ensure clear audio. Edit your videos with user-friendly apps like iMovie (iOS) or Adobe Premiere Rush (Android/iOS). Incorporate text overlays and captions for accessibility. Finally, publish your videos on platforms like YouTube, Instagram, or TikTok to reach your target audience. Consistent, authentic video content can help businesses connect with customers and boost their online presence. Graphic Design Halifax Inc. info@graphicdesignhalifax.com
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Small and mighty solution Innovative housing solutions, and the rising role of backyard suites
SEAN KIRKWOOD CO-OWNER, SPROUT DWELLINGS
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alifax and various communities around the province are currently grappling with a significant housing crisis, a challenge that affects entire communities, both directly and indirectly. The province is witnessing its largest population growth in more than half a century, exacerbating the housing shortage. This situation calls for a coordinated response from all levels of government, as well as innovative, creative solutions to address the growing need for housing. The approval of secondary and backyard suites by the Halifax Regional Municipality marked a pivotal moment for inventive housing solutions. Sprout Dwellings emerged from this opportunity, focusing on creating purpose-built, energy-efficient, and sustainable homes with locally sourced materials. Our goal is to transform the concept of accessible and efficient housing into a tangible reality for the residents of Halifax. More than just a home builder, Sprout Dwellings is a leader in community design, accessibility, and sustainable living. We specialize in high-performance backyard suites, providing an innovative solution to the challenge of increasing housing density in a way that is both subtle and rapid. By utilizing existing land already serviced
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with utilities, we create new homes that harmoniously integrate into the city’s existing urban landscape. This gentle density approach effectively addresses the housing shortage by enhancing availability in established areas without drastically altering their residential charm. This strategy not only maintains the distinctiveness of neighborhoods but also improves housing affordability by increasing availability in sought-after locations. It fosters a mix of residents, enhancing the vibrancy and inclusivity of communities. Additionally, this approach is in line with sustainability goals, promoting compact, energyefficient living spaces and encouraging a lifestyle less reliant on vehicles by supporting pedestrian-friendly and public transport-oriented areas. The response to Sprout Dwellings from clients and industry professionals has been overwhelmingly positive. A great example of why we began this endeavour is a recent project for a family in Hammonds Plains to help their aging parents—residents of the area for nearly 60 years, find a new home right in their backyard. Their parents’ existing living situation and traditional alternatives weren’t suitable due to developing health concerns. Sprout provided a solution that kept the parents close to their support system and comfortable in their familiar neighborhood. BUSINESS VOICE
“Today my parents are settled in their new home … they refuse to call it tiny. To them it is a vast new world where my mom can enter every room—barrier free, even outdoors on their patio—without being lifted. It is such an amazing feeling seeing them so happy and we cannot thank Sprout enough,” the family shared. Moreover, Sprout Dwellings received accolades at the 2023 Halifax Urban Design Awards, earning an Award of Merit. The jury commended our commitment to sustainability and affordability and recognized our innovative approach to promoting gentle density in the region. Despite appreciating the legislative efforts and supportive programs aimed at facilitating housing growth, we understand our clients’ concerns regarding the pace and effectiveness of these initiatives. We have worked closely with HRM to streamline development processes and advocate for more programs and clearer guidelines to assist homeowners financially. Bridging the gap between intention and execution is crucial to making housing solutions more accessible. At Sprout Dwellings, we are proud to offer innovative housing solutions in Halifax and are eager to expand our services across Nova Scotia and beyond. We invite those interested in our approach to reach out to us. Our team is committed to simplifying the process and offering clear guidance every step of the way. 29
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Housing issues and immigration Meeting the challenge in true Canadian fashion
PRATIMA DEVICHAND NEW LEAF CANADA IMMIGRATION SOLUTIONS INC.
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e Nova Scotians have had a long-standing dream: that of making our beautiful province stand tall, being the best amalgamation of history and modernism, being synonymous with good education and a great place to work and live in, while cherishing and preserving the natural beauty of the Maritimes and honing its character as we grow. We wish to bring the world’s finest skills on board with an unmatched lifestyle. With the increase in immigration, we have started on our path but there is much to be accomplished before we reach our destination. The current housing crisis in Nova Scotia is a true snapshot of the national scenario. And with housing being a basic need, is it going to affect immigration? People need a place to live, and if this basic need is not met, then sadly they may move elsewhere. Nova Scotia crossed the one million population mark in December 2021 and has been growing ever since. But even as we attract more skilled professionals to our door, the big question is, where are they going to live? To quote Federal 30
Discover Halifax
Immigration Minister Marc Miller, “Volume is volume, and it does have an impact.” In my almost 25-years-strong experience in the Canadian immigration sector, I have never seen such a spurt in the influx of people into the province as I’ve seen recently. Even in early 2020, you’d see much fewer non-local faces around— and now, at least three out of five are immigrants. My office receives queries from people all over the world, wanting to come to Canada to study, work, or live. Those who are already here are now keen to make Nova Scotia their permanent home and bring their families too. The government released a new five-year housing plan on Oct. 23, 2023, with a projected $1 billion investment and a vision to create more than 40,000 new housing units all across the province. While promising, this is a tall order and will need to be a very well-coordinated project to succeed within the projected timeframe. I feel that, while more and more people seem to be keen to move to this side of the world, the need for transparency FEBRUARY / MARCH 2024
is greater than ever before. There is a wealth of highly skilled people outside Canada, wanting to move in—but the current policies do not allow for much value of their expertise unless they have Canadian backing. We need to have clarity around immigration policies in order to attract and retain the skilled immigrants that we need. Interestingly, it is noteworthy that immigration, or an increase therein, is not the cause of the housing crisis in Canada or even NS—in fact, one view is that we should be bringing in more skilled workers — to build the new housing units, increase our childcare potential, and address the labour gaps in healthcare systems. People who choose to take the big leap of stepping out of their comfort zone and moving to another country are not faint-hearted. It is understood that while the housing crunch is real, it may well be a time-bound problem. With the government addressing the matter as one of paramount importance, I feel it’s only a matter of time before we start getting that world-famous Canadian response to dealing with the housing crisis, eh?
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The 50 – 30 Challenge Discover your diversity advantage Contributed
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diverse workforce helps organizations ttap into new markets, attract the best and brightest talent, and drive innovation and performance. Many of Canada’s entrepreneurs and businesses understand this and are striving to increase diversity within their organizations, but need help to do so. Recognizing this need, the Canadian government created the 50 – 30 Challenge, which encourages organizations to increase representation at the senior leadership and board levels to 50 per cent for women and non-binary people, and to 30 per cent for other equity-deserving groups. As one of five founding partners of the 50 – 30 Challenge, the Diversity Institute (DI) helped to create the Challenge and hosts the What Works Toolkit, which provides resources to organizations that want to adopt or improve diversity practices. When it comes to advancing diversity and inclusion in Canadian workplaces, good intentions are not enough, said Dr. Wendy Cukier, founder and academic director of the Diversity Institute (DI). “We need to move from good intentions to action. While representation in leadership is not the only thing that matters, it signals who belongs and can help an organization better respond to the changing world,” says Cukier. “We have definitely made progress, but it’s glacial. This year there were only four women among the 100 top-paid CEOs in Canada. And DI research has found that white women outnumber racialized women 12 to one on corporate boards in Toronto, even though women make up 50 per cent of the population. Of 1,600 corporate board members across Canada, there were nine Black men and four Black women. Improving representation in leadership requires action at many levels,” she said. Equity-deserving groups for the purposes of the Challenge include Indigenous Peoples; racialized, Black and people of colour; persons with disabilities and those in the 2SLGBTQ+ community. The 50 – 30 Challenge is grounded in the evidence that better representation can
drive organizational performance including access to talent, access to markets, and innovation. Along with Colleges and Institutes Canada, Global Compact Network Canada, Women’s Economic Council and Egale Canada, DI is working to promote The 50 – 30 Challenge and support organizations, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, in improving representation in leadership. Organizations of all sizes and from all sectors can sign up. There are many benefits. Organizations that are more diverse: • are more likely to outperform their peers • are twice as likely to meet or exceed financial targets • are eight times more likely to achieve better business outcomes • foster fresh insights, new ideas and creative solutions • draw on the full talents of their people. Signatories of The 50 – 30 Challenge gain access to tools and expert guidance to reach these goals. One, the What Works Toolkit, is an online suite of resources and best practices designed to help organizations meet their diversity and inclusion goals. The Diversity Institute has been promoting equity, diversity and inclusion as BUSINESS VOICE
essential to Canada’s competitiveness for more than two decades. Drawing on the expertise of 130 full-time staff, more than 100 research collaborators and 200 partner organizations, DI has extensive experience working with businesses, nonprofits and equity-seeking groups across Canada in both official languages. The Contributed Diversity Institute leads the government of Canada’s Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub and is the research lead for the Future Skills Centre. To support 50 – 30 Challenge partners, DI is providing training programs, including the Diversity Assessment Tool, best practices and access to specialized tools such as the Micropedia of Microaggressions. It also has one of the largest databases in the country of women and diverse leaders; along with DI’s See It. Be It. database, it offers an unmatched pool of women and diverse people to help Challenge participants access talent. While achieving the goals of The 50 – 30 Challenge will not happen overnight, transformation starts with taking the first step. Join DI and the more than 1,800 organizations who have already pledged to increase the representation and inclusion of diverse groups within Canada’s workplaces. Sign up today by visiting: diconsulting.ca 31
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