Business Voice Magazine (July-August 2022)

H A L I FA X C H A M B E R O F C O M M E R C E | J U LY-A U G U S T 2 0 2 2 | V O LU M E 3 1 I S S U E 7- 8

PRIDE IN THE HALIFAX BUSINESS COMMUNITY Pg 14

SHOWSTOPPING CINEMA IN HALIFAX Pg 20

MEET THE WELL CREATIVE CONSULTANTS Pg 18

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Possibility, prosperity, and pride in Halifax It's time to take advantage of everything Halifax has to offer

PATRICK SULLIVAN PRESIDENT & CEO

H

ello and welcome to our summer issue of Business Voice magazine!

This is the first summer in two long years that we have been able to fully experience our local business community. I can’t

03 Chamber Events 06 New & Noted 10 Members in the news 14 "Queer all year" Exploring Pride in the Halifax business community

18 Member Profile The Well Creative Consultants

20 Showstopping cinema in Halifax 23 Working for You 27 Trends

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emphasize enough how terrific it has been to connect again — in local shops, in the meeting room, and over lunch.

Thank you to everyone who attended our luncheon with the Honourable Jill Balser this past June.

Summer is a great time to reflect on how we can engage with our communities — see Faten Alshazly’s article for tips. It’s also a great time to celebrate the many 2SLGBTQ+ business-owners in Halifax. According to StatsCan, Nova Scotia (and Halifax in particular) leads the country in gender-diversity. What a fantastic opportunity to consider how we’ve cultivated such a welcoming place and what we can do to keep the momentum going. Thank you to Eastern Shore’s Gallery, Rooted Rose Community Acupuncture, Simply Good Form, and Venus Envy for taking the time to speak

Board of Directors – Officers

Faten Alshazly, WeUsThem, Chair Chris Cowper-Smith, Spring Loaded, Vice-Chair Mark Sidebottom, Nova Scotia Power, Past-Chair Roger Boutilier, Nova Scotia Association of REALTORS Ann Divine, Ashanti Leadership Caroline Wolfe Stewart, Nova Scotia College of Nursing

Directors

Andrew de Freitas, TMSI Ltd Christopher Googoo, Ulnooweg Captain (N) A.S. Williams, CD, Maritime Forces Atlantic Hon. Joanne Bernard, Easter Seals Nova Scotia David Rideout, MetroWorks Martha Casey Paul Way, TD Private Wealth Kimberly Stephens, Acadian Seaplants Donna Harding, Engel & Völkers Heath Moore, Grant Thornton Katherine Risley, KBRS & Meridia Recruitment Solutions Ifeanyi Emesih, My East Coast Experience Media Group Inc. Nancy Foran, ESG Partners Wade Keller, Labatt Brewing

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 Emily Bednarz, Communications Coordinator

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@prezhfxchamber

with us. Your insights were invaluable for considering how the business community can support the 2SLGBTQ+ community in Halifax — during Pride season and beyond.

One way we can foster growth in Halifax: show it off! Check out our spotlight story on the film industry in Halifax to see how local film producers are strengthening our economy and increasing our cultural capital across the world.

Creativity is also at the heart of our Member Profile this issue. Sammy Davis speaks about the innovative, creative hub that The Well Creative Consultants has built.

While we’re able to travel freely again, I would like to encourage you to take advantage of everything Halifax has to offer. No matter the season, it’s always the perfect time to shop local. ■

Volume 31 • Issue 7-8 Business Voice is published 11 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: Carolina Andrade

EVENTS

CHAMBER EVENTS

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

FREE UPCOMING EVENTS

SAVE THE DATE

JULY 14

AUGUST 18 2022 CHAMBER GOLF CHALLENGE (NEW DATE)

ROOFTOP YOGA WITH O2

WELLNESS JULY 20 PATIO AFTER HOURS: OFFICE INTERIORS AUGUST 24

SWEAT IT OUT WITH

ORANGE THEORY FITNESS OCTOBER 19

BUSINESS AFTER HOURS:

PEOPLECAN TRAINING THANK YOU TO OUR JUNE EVENT SPONSORS:

SEPTEMBER 9 2023 HALIFAX BUSINESS AWARDS SUBMISSIONS CLOSE SEPTEMBER 23 DIVERSITY, EQUITY, ACCESSIBILITY & INCLUSION CONFERENCE OCTOBER 4

TRADE ACCELERATOR PROGRAM — COHORT 7 Applications due September 23. Cohort runs from October 4, 2022 to November 2, 2022.

OCTOBER 17-21

SMALL BUSINESS WEEK

OCTOBER 27 SMALL BUSINESS BIG GROWTH SUMMIT

BUSINESS VOICE

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BUSINESS VOICE

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NEWSMAKERS

NEW & NOTED We welcome our new Chamber members ABILEX FOOD AND BEVERAGES CO Our vision at Abilex is to promote our rich, delicious, and nutritious Nigerian and African food and beverages in Canada and beyond. Our pilot beverage (made with hibiscus flower) is packed with antioxidants and antibacterial properties. Say “Hello!” to our healthy alternative to sodas and artificial flavors.

Abiola Alifa

Halifax, NS (647) 674-0701 abilexco@gmail.com abilexfoodbeverages.com RESTAURANTS, FOOD & BEVERAGE - Catering/Food/Drink

ATLANTIC PUBLISHERS MARKETING ASSOCIATION The Atlantic Publishers Marketing Association is an industry support trade association which represents book publishers in Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland and Labrador. We carry out joint promotion and marketing activities to support and expand the sales of books published by our members.

Karen Cole 1888 Brunswick Street Suite 719 Halifax, NS (902) 420-0711 karencole@atlanticpublishers.ca Atlanticpublishers.ca BUSINESS & PROF. SERVICES Writing

BELMONT HEALTH & WEALTH Belmont Health and Wealth is one of Atlantic Canada's leading Health and Wealth Resource firms. Focused on innovation and delivering value to its customers, Belmont Health and Wealth provides education, information, tools, products, and services to a diverse client base of unions, groups, and associations, including their members and employees.

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Jon Chisholm

33 Alderney Dr Dartmouth, NS (902) 465-5687 jchisholm@gobelmont.ca gobelmont.ca FINANCE & INSURANCE - Financial/ Insurance Services

CANADIAN BEVERAGE ASSOCIATION Alex Greco

20 Bay Street, 11th Floor Toronto, ON (416) 362-2424 alex@canadianbeverage.ca canadianbeverage.ca NOT-FOR-PROFIT GROUPS Associations/Agencies

CANADIAN RENEWABLE ENERGY ASSOCIATION (CANREA) The Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA) is the voice for wind energy, solar energy, and energy storage solutions. We work to create the conditions for a modern energy system through stakeholder advocacy and public engagement. Our members are positioned to deliver reliable, flexible, and scalable solutions for Canada’s energy needs.

Jean Habel 240 Bank Street Suite 400 Ottawa, ON (800) 922-6932 jhabel@renewablesassociation.ca renewablesassociation.ca ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT Energy/Natural Resources

COME AND BE RELAXED HEALTH CLINIC DARTMOUTH Nariman Ghassemi Abadi

25 Boutiliers Lane Dartmouth, NS (902) 240-7073 nariman101@gmail.com HEALTH CARE - Acupuncture J U LY / A U G U S T 2 0 2 2

COVE Dara Conrod

27 Parker St Dartmouth, NS (902) 334-2683 dara.conrod@coveocean.com coveocean.com ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT - Ocean Technology

DB PEARLZ DESIGNS DB Pearlz Designs is an Afrocentric fashion brand with a unique selling point of blending the best of modern Western and African fashion cultures. We make apparel (bespoke and ready-to-wear) and accessories using quality African and Western fabrics. Our products are meticulously handmade to provide our clients with utmost satisfaction.

Blessing Owowa Halifax, NS (902) 233-2670 dbpearlzdesigns@gmail.com dbpearlzdesigns.com PERSONAL CARE & SERVICES Tailor

DISTINCTABILITY INC., BRAIN IN HAND CANADA Pete Bennett

Halifax, NS (902) 840-3499 Pete@Distinctability.ca distinctability.ca BUSINESS & PROF. SERVICES Business Advisors

DR MICHELLE CIACH INC. Dr. Michelle Ciach and LPN Amy Bradley have opened a community wound-care clinic in Clayton Park to help alleviate the over-burdened healthcare system, particularly for at-risk diabetics. To subsidize this community action plan, they have opened an Aesthetics clinic to help defer the heavy costs of the wound-care supplies.

Justin Lorusso

NEWSMAKERS 255 Lacewood Drive Suite 310 Halifax, NS (902) 450-0008 jmlorusso@hotmail.com HEALTH CARE - Health Care Services, General

EMPATHIZE OTHERS CONSULTING SERVICES Empathize Others Consulting Services is a platform centered on the public speaking excellence of Augy Jones. Augy has conducted numerous professional development sessions that facilitate conversations around race, class, ability, and gender in society. Augy utilizes an inclusive lens to clearly outline the professional and personal benefits of 'empathizing others.'

Agassou (Augy) Jones Halifax, NS (902) 800-5571 agassoujones@yahoo.ca empathizeothers.com EDUCATION & PROF. DEVELOPMENT - Seminars/ Speakers

EPILEPSY ASSOCIATION OF THE MARITIMES The Epilepsy Association of the Maritimes, as its mandate, offers education, support, and advocacy to help our clients increase their quality of life, grow, and prosper in our society.

Robert Howlett 7075 Unit 215 Halifax, NS (902) 429-2633 ed@epilepsymaritimes.org epilepsymaritimes.org NOT-FOR-PROFIT GROUPS Charitable Organizations

Support@fiercedigitalmedia.com fiercedigitalmedia.com COMPUTERS, IT & TECHNOLOGY Web Design

camryn@goldenliving.ca goldenliving.ca HEALTH CARE - Health Care Services, General

FISH SAFE NOVA SCOTIA

HABIT STUDIO INC.

Fish Safe NS is a non-profit, industryfunded safety association representing 1,566 seafood companies in Nova Scotia.

Our mission is to inspire a strong safety culture for the NS seafood industry through collaboration, education, and promotion. By increasing safety, we reduce injuries and re-training costs and ultimately lower WCB premiums.

Matthew Duffy

Habit Studio is the leading authority on sustainable home design in Nova Scotia, specializing in whole home renovations and custom Passive House design. We design beautiful houses that create a deep connection between homeowners and their homes, promoting health, wellbeing, and exceptional comfort.

Judyann Obersi

127 Chain Lake Dr Suite 9 Halifax, NS (902) 471-3534 matthew@fisheriessafety.ca fisheriessafety.ca NOT-FOR-PROFIT GROUPS Associations/Agencies

FRANYZ KITCHEN NIGERIAN CUISINE Franyz Kitchen Nigerian Cuisine is a catering and takeout food service that specializes in authentic Nigerian cuisine.

We offer dishes will tantalize your taste buds, including jollof rice, egusi soup, moin-moin, and plantain pie. Our mission is to introduce Nigerians and non-Nigerians alike to the flavors of our homeland cuisine.

Clara (Frances) Dadin-Alli

1000 Sackville Dr Sackville, NS (902) 402-9989 franyzentertainment@gmail.com RESTAURANTS, FOOD & BEVERAGE - Restaurant

FIERCE DIGITAL MEDIA

GOLDEN LIVING - SENIOR LIFESTYLE SUPPORT

Fierce Digital Media is a WordPress web design agency. We help businesses focused on growth by working with you to understand your business goals and create a plan to reach those goals. Our services include web design, site audits, security and maintenance plans, sales funnels, and email marketing.

Jen Rand

Golden Living - Senior Lifestyle Support offers a unique in-home service to seniors wanting to age in place. We provide lifestyle enrichment and non-medical home support services that improve overall quality of life and well-being, so seniors can live into their golden years with purpose and joy.

Camryn McNeil

2-207 Hwy 2 Enfield, NS (902) 912-2552

Halifax, NS (902) 414-5722

BUSINESS VOICE

6437 Cork St Unit 4 Halifax, NS (902) 791-0558 jude@habitstudio.ca habitstudio.ca BUSINESS & PROF. SERVICES Drafting/CAD Services

HFX.DURAGS Shirley Hodder

Halifax, NS (902) 599-0849 shirley.hodder@dal.ca SHOPPING & SPECIALTY RETAIL Wholesale

IFORMIT SOLUTIONS INC iFormit Solutions Inc. is a startup based in Nova Scotia with a deep focus on simplifying smart metering infrastructure using the sub-metering approach to help promote clean utility consumption for a greater future.

Abdul Onabanjo

1597 Bedford Highway R202 Halifax, NS (902) 292-6497 ganionabanjo@iformitsolutions.com iformitsolutions.com ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT - Energy Management

KAP UNITY CANADA Kap Unity Canada, Inc. is a licensed recruitment and immigration consultancy agency advantageously located in Bedford Highway, Nova Scotia. Headed by Ms. Amelia Ajoc, our licensed Immigration Consultant with ICCRC #R518392, we specialize in hiring foreign workers and providing services 7

NEWSMAKERS to individuals or corporations in all aspects of Canadian Immigration.

Joey Moreno 1181 Bedford Highway Bedford, NS (902) 797-0486 joey@kapunitycanada.ca kapunitycanada.ca BUSINESS & PROF. SERVICES Immigration

LOWER SACKVILLE NURSERY SCHOOL Chelsey Vanrossum

567 Sackville Drive Lower Sackville, NS (902) 865-9765 lsnurseryschool@gmail.com lsnurseryschool.wixsite.com/lsns EDUCATION & PROF. DEVELOPMENT - Education/Schools

METRO COMMUNITY HOUSING ASSOCIATION Metro Community Housing Association is a non-profit service provider that assists people experiencing mental health difficulties with housing, support, and advocacy. We offer a range of community-based services in our residential and apartment settings. We employ over 200 full-time, part-time, and casual staff and support over 130 participants.

Natasha Marsh-Hanlon 7071 Bayers Rd Suite 280 Halifax, NS (902) 453-6444 nmarsh@mcha.ns.ca mcha.ns.ca NOT-FOR-PROFIT GROUPS - NotFor-Profit Groups

THE MIDDLETON GROUP At the Middleton Group, we provide operational leadership to help grow companies, teams, and communities.

We have operational investments in real estate, commercial, and industrial services, as well as professional management of complex care facilities.

Our M&A team is continuously exploring commercial/industrial acquisitions and other strategic investments across Nova Scotia.

Nadia Middleton 6779 St. Margaret's Bay Road 8

Halifax, NS (902) 223-8226 nadia@themiddletongroup.ca themiddletongroup.ca REAL ESTATE/CONSTRUCTION Developer

NICOLE DORIA - STUDENT MEMBER Nicole Doria is a PhD in Health student at Dalhousie University exploring dating app-facilitated sexualized violence. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science (University of Guelph), a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Health Promotion (Dalhousie University), and a Master of Arts in Health Promotion (Dalhousie University).

Nicole Doria Halifax, NS OTHER - Student Member

NORTH AMERICAN INDIGENOUS GAMES 2023 Neal Alderson

120 Eileen Stubbs Ave Unit 102 Dartmouth, NS (902) 223-0412 neal.alderson@naig2023.com naig2023.com NOT-FOR-PROFIT GROUPS - First Nations

NOVA SCOTIA COLLEGE OF PHARMACISTS The Nova Scotia College of Pharmacists (NSCP) is the regulatory authority governing the practice of pharmacy in Nova Scotia, in the interest of the health and well-being of the public. Its role is to regulate pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and the community pharmacies where they practice.

Kate Wall Halifax, NS (902) 422-8528 kwall@nspharmacists.ca nspharmacists.ca HEALTH CARE - Pharmacy

O2 WELLNESS o2 Wellness is a full-service fitness center designed to train each member for success with fresh-stocked meal services, restorative health rooms, and exercise that will invigorate the mind, J U LY / A U G U S T 2 0 2 2

body, and spirit. Members are served by passionate employees that live fitness every day to produce results and accomplish goals.

Brad Bodnarchuk 1595 Bedford Hwy, Suite #210 SunnySide Mall Bedford, NS (902) 706-1700 bbodnarchuk@o2wellness.ca o2wellness.ca HEALTH CARE - Health Club

OT DEVELOPMENTS Mark Higgins

800A Windmill Road Suite 1 Dartmouth, NS (902) 880-7044 mark@invoguedesign.ca REAL ESTATE/CONSTRUCTION Contractor/Construction

PROEDGE ELITE TRAINING Proedge is revolutionizing the training industry in Halifax by offering a space exclusive to personal trainers and their clients. Trainers pay a flat rate to use our gym and keep all their profits, while everyone gains access to the best trainers in the city without worrying about gym membership fees.

Marvi Carandang 36 Duke Street Bedford, NS (902) 835-8502 marvi@proedgetraining.com Proedgetraining.com SPORTS & RECREATION Recreation/Sports/Fitness

PSA HALIFAX PSA Halifax is Canada’s Ultra Atlantic Gateway connecting us to more than 150 countries. The Port of Halifax has one of the largest and deepest natural harbours in the world, and with year-round icefree access, PSA Halifax can handle the largest container vessels calling at any port in Canada.

Andrew Snelgrove 577 Marginal Road Halifax, NS (902) 421-1778 andrew.snelgrove@psahalifax.com psahalifax.com TRANSPORTATION - Marine Industries/Port Facilities

NEWSMAKERS QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY IRC Queen’s University Industrial Relations Centre (IRC) is Canada’s leading provider of premium professional development programs in labour relations, human resources, and organization development. Queen’s IRC programs are designed for busy practitioners, delivered by industry leaders and subject matter experts, with all programs grounded in adult learning principles.

Brian Rebec

SKYROCKET YOUR SUCCESS INC.

THE BRAIDING LOUNGE SALON SERVICES

We help small business owners to strategically create and execute their individual Success Plan. Using our Success Maximizer™ system, entrepreneurs get clear on their marketing strategy and the tactics needed to reach their business goals.

This focus allows them to profit more quickly and to consistently grow their profitable business.

Melanie Rhora

Tara Taylor

275 Ontario St 3rd Floor Kingston, ON (888) 858-7838 brian.rebec@queensu.ca irc.queensu.ca EDUCATION & PROF. DEVELOPMENT - Prof. Development

Halifax, NS (902) 907-4410 melanie@skyrocketsuccess.biz skyrocketsuccess.biz ADVERTISING, PR & MEDIA - Direct Marketing

RATINAUD FRENCH CUISINE

Our small homes are as beautiful and functional in your backyard as they are on the water or in the woods. We’ve got a big vision for introducing the Maritimes to the benefits of these backyard suites and cottages, and we’ve surrounded ourselves with skilled individuals to ensure we deliver.

Oliver Nemeskéri

What we do every day at Ratinaud is offer Halifax the highest-quality Nova Scotian ingredients prepared in a traditional style of French cuisine. We see our specialty shop as more than just an authentic charcuterie. It’s a mission we invite you to share.

Frederic Tandy

Halifax, NS (902) 452-0425 oliver@sproutdwellings.com sproutdwellings.com REAL ESTATE/CONSTRUCTION Builders Residential

SEMGRO INC.

The Acrylic Pouring Studio is a mobile fluid art studio operating in the Halifax area. We offer interactive paint pouring classes for the public as well as private workshops for any occasion in a judgement-free, creative environment.

All ages and skill levels are welcome; no previous art experience is required.

Daria Mantsurova

Halifax, NS (902) 314-7489 ceo@stallionempiregroup.com stallionempiregroup.com REAL ESTATE/CONSTRUCTION Contractor/Construction

Are you a new member?

To submit your 50-word description for New & Noted, please contact Mandi Bowser, Administrative Specialist at mandi@halifaxchamber.com or 902-468-7111 within the first six months of membership.

SPROUT DWELLINGS INC.

2157 Gottingen Street Halifax, NS (902) 446-8222 info@ratinaud.ca ratinaud.ca RESTAURANTS, FOOD & BEVERAGE - Food Manufacturer

Taking industry expertise and a hands-on approach, Stallion Empire Group combines the investing and strategic knowledge of our partners with operational insights from our functional experts. We offer a wide range of construction services and solutions, and we work in close partnership with management teams to maximize impact and returns.

Nisha Kaur (Ish) Tarnjit Singh

2260 Gottigen St Halifax, NS (902) 210-4252 thebraidingloungesalon@gmail.com thebraidingloungesalon.com PERSONAL CARE & SERVICES - Hair Services

THE ACRYLIC POURING STUDIO

Halifax Regional Municipality, NS (902) 304-0944 acrylicpouringstudio@gmail.com ARTS, CULTURE & ENTERTAINMENT - Art

BUSINESS VOICE

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NEWSMAKERS

MEMBERS IN THE NEWS How our members are growing Halifax CONGRATULATIONS TO BECKY DAVISON!

NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR PUBLIC IMPACT AWARD

The Chamber team is so proud of Becky Davison, our VP Marketing and lifelong learner! Becky put in so much extra work over these last few months to learn about Chamber best practices through the Certified Chamber Executive (CCE) program. The CCE program is designed to assess the four core components of the chamber Body of Knowledge: management; planning and development; membership, communications, and revenue; and operations. CCEs exemplify commitment to the chamber of commerce profession, dedication to managerial and leadership excellence, and leadership in state, regional, and national chamber professional associations. We’re excited to learn from Becky as she takes on this new certification!

The Public Impact Award, presented

by Research Nova Scotia in support of the Discovery Centre, will recognize a Nova Scotian researcher in academia, a public research institution, government, or the private sector, whose research has benefited Nova Scotians by tangibly improving the economy, environment, healthcare system, or society.

The recipient’s work has developed in response to the needs of society, and is solving a problem, managing a risk, or creating an opportunity for Nova Scotians. The Award will be presented at the 20th Annual Discovery Awards on Wednesday, November 23 at the Halifax Convention Centre in Halifax, NS. Nominations are due on August 12 at researchns.ca.

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Hannah Hicks won the CASE (Canadian Association for Supported Employment) art contest. Her stunning abstract art "Lava Dance" will be featured at the CASE conference in Winnipeg in June.

Hannah is thrilled to be able to represent Halifax and Nova Scotia as the CASE Artist in Residence. Hannah is an advocate for inclusion and is an artist-entrepreneur on a mission to spread happiness through Hannah Hicks Art.

RIDERSHIP INCREASES AS VIA RAIL IMPLEMENTS RECOVERY PLAN AND MEETS KEY MODERNIZATION MILESTONES IN 2021

INCLUSIVE FROM THE START Inclusion Nova Scotia recently welcomed The Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion for a visit. The Minister was accompanied by Kevin Murphy, Director of Disability Inclusion and Member of Parliament for Halifax-West Ms. Lena Metlege Diab. The recent announcements of new funding to help connect persons with disabilities to jobs, Canada's 1st Disability Action Plan, and the reintroduction of the Canada Disability Benefit Act before the House of Commons rises in June, created the perfect backdrop for us to highlight our work around Financial Security, Employment, Accessibility, and Inclusive Communities in Nova Scotia.

HANNAH HICKS CASE ARTIST IN RESIDENCE

NORTH END FAVOURITE DEE DEE’S ICE CREAM IS GETTING NEW OWNERS From The Coast: After serving delicious homemade ice cream for nearly 20 years, founder of Dee Dee’s Ice Cream Ditta Kasdan is ready to retire. She assures her loyal customers that the Cornwallis Street institution is in good hands.

Filling Kasdan's shoes are Jenna Mooers, co-owner of CHKN CHOP and Lindsay MacPhee, owner of the Floatation Centre. Read the full story at thecoast.ca.

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Despite challenges in 2021 stemming from the global pandemic, VIA Rail Canada (VIA Rail) continued to connect communities and to deliver on its mandate of operating the national passenger rail service. At the same time, the Corporation moved forward with key elements of its modernization program aimed at creating the VIA Rail of the future. VIA Rail achieved its goal of staying on budget within the funding allocated to the Corporation by the Government of Canada benefitting from an increase of 31.9% in ridership and of 54.3% in passenger revenues compared to 2020. Read the full report at media. viarail.ca

NEWSMAKERS

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September 30, 2022 Courtyard Marriott - Dartmouth

DOCTORS NOVA SCOTIA WELCOMES NEW PRESIDENT AND PRESIDENT-ELECT Dr. Leisha Hawker, of Halifax, N.S., was installed as Doctors Nova Scotia’s President during the association’s virtual annual conference on Saturday, June 4, 2022. Dr. Hawker’s work has been recognized by the Nova Scotia College of Family Physicians, which awarded her the Award of Excellence in 2016, and The Medical Post named her one of the Top 20 Physicians to Watch in 2015. Also on Saturday, Dr. Colin Audain was endorsed as President-Elect. Dr. Audain is an anesthesiologist practising in the Central Zone. Dr. Audain believes there is an opportunity to work with health-system partners to improve health care in Nova Scotia. His term as President will begin in June 2023.

RECOGNIZING UNSTOPPABLE ENTREPRENEURS Honoured to announce Amanda Rogers, CEO of iPlume Writing Inc. has been named an Atlantic finalist for Canada’s EY Entrepreneur Of the Year 2022. "I’m truly grateful to be named as a finalist and I want to express my heartiest thankfulness to EY Canada and the national sponsor, Toronto Stock Exchange, and everyone that has supported me through my journey. With a passion for creating change. I’ve built a team at iPlume Writing that wants to create change in the world. What's important is how we are enriching the lives of underrepresented communities, driving positive change, and building ground-breaking companies,” says Rogers.

BUSINESS VOICE

THREE ATLANTIC CANADIAN EARLY-STAGE STARTUPS JOIN THE 10TH VOLTA COHORT, RECEIVING $25,000 INVESTMENT, MENTORSHIP AND RESOURCES Three Atlantic Canadian early-stage technology startups will join the Spring 2022 intake of the year-long Volta Cohort program. The companies will each receive a $25,000 investment from a fund co-founded by Volta, BDC Capital and Innovacorp, along with resources to help grow their businesses and mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs.

The program’s operations are supported by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). Companies in the program will have access to the Volta community space and meet with ongoing advisors to assist them with tackling problems specific to their businesses.

Visit voltaeffect.com/cohort to learn more.

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NEWSMAKERS

PATRICK PARENT JOINS SYMPLICITY DESIGNS

INTRODUCING PROEDGE ELITE TRAINING

DISTINCTABILITY ANNOUNCES CCRW AIE INCUBATOR FUND

Symplicity Designs is pleased to announce the appointment of Patrick Parent as Chief Operating Officer. Over the past 25 years, Parent has held roles in both the corporate world and the startup space, including Moosehead Breweries (VP Operations & HR), ANBL (CEO), CannabisNB (CEO), ITacit (COO), MBNA Bank among others. “From day one of my career, my focus has been on making a transformative difference and creating growth for organizations, communities and people I work with,” says Parent. A leading organizational design firm based in Atlantic Canada, Symplicity Designs has helped +550 companies with strategy, execution, and growth.

Proedge Elite Training is revolutionizing the fitness training industry by offering a space designed exclusively for Personal Trainers and their clients.

Our Elite Trainers pay an affordable flat rate to rent our space and access all the benefits at Proedge while our members gain access to the best trainers in the city without any extra gym membership fees.

Our model allows for personal trainers to set their own rates, control their schedule, keep all their profits, and take control of their career. In turn, members of the community enjoy 1-on-1/partner/group training in privacy & comfort without the commitment of a gym membership, saving them money. Learn more at proedgetraining.com!

Nova Scotia based employment support provider Distinctability is launching a new service delivery model, Embedding Supported Technology Capabilities (ESTC), thanks to the Canadian Council on Rehabilitation and Work (CCRW) AIE Incubator Fund. Embedding Supported Technology Capabilities (ESTC) is designed to enhance the knowledge and understanding of assistive technologies. ESTC combines Brain in Hand, the hybrid digital self-management tool for individuals, with EmployerConnect, an innovative technology service for employers to help them shape the work experience and career development of persons with disabilities. Learn more at distinctability.ca

ANNOUNCING NEW PRESIDENT & CEO AT SAFETY SERVICES NOVA SCOTIA

COLLIERS PRELIMINARY Q2 2022 MARKET STATISTICS

RBC PARTNERS WITH CNIB FRONTIER ACCESSIBILITY TO IMPROVE ACCESSIBILITY FOR CANADIANS

Jackie Norman has announced her retirement after 40 years at Safety Services Nova Scotia, the last 20 as President & CEO. "It is with bittersweet emotion that I announce leaving this organization that has offered me such a rewarding career and great opportunities to grow and learn." states Norman. "The organization is sustainable and set up for success - I expect that under new leadership, Safety Services Nova Scotia will continue to prosper and grow." The Board of Directors is pleased to announce the new President & CEO, Craig Whitehead.

Craig has been in many high-level operations and managerial roles and looks forward to providing quality safety solutions in road, workplace, and community safety in Nova Scotia.

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Preliminary findings tell an increasingly familiar story for the Halifax industrial market. Demand remains ravenous and is expected to continue unabated as limited amounts of new supply are in the pipeline. New industrial developments in various stages of construction have experienced unprecedented pre-leasing activity. There are more than 260,000 square feet of new industrial space under construction in Burnside, with several of these properties already fully pre-leased.

As one of the most rapidly growing cities in the country, the Halifax commercial real estate market is expected to continue to flourish. More information is available at collierscanada.com.

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RBC has partnered with CNIB Frontier Accessibility to offer BlindSquare, the world’s most widely used accessible GPS app developed for people who are blind or partially sighted, at more than 305 RBC branches across Canada. This customized integration by CNIB Frontier Accessibility will provide a new level of access for all users. Paired with thirdparty navigation apps, BlindSquare’s self-voicing technology delivers detailed points of interest and intersections for safe, reliable travel at the branches – both inside and outside. BlindSquare EVENT is available for download on the App Store.

NEWSMAKERS

PREDICTIVE SUCCESS AWARDED #1 PI PARTNER Predictive Success Corporation is Canada’s leading distributor of the Predictive Index System. For the third straight year, Predictive Success Corporation has been awarded the Glengarry Glen Ross Award for having acquired more clients than any other distributor. In 2021, Predictive Success topped globally in new Predictive Index accounts out of over 1,000 agents, acquiring over 200 new clients.

Predictive Success Corporation was recognized as #1 in overall sales growth with the Jack and the Beanstock Award—43% growth in 2021. Our client base exceeds 800 leading companies across the globe.

The success of each client continues to be our top priority.

AMERICAN AIRLINES RETURNS TO HALIFAX STANFIELD Travelling by air between Halifax and the United States just got easier! As of June 3, American Airlines has resumed its non-stop service to Philadelphia for the first time since 2019, marking the official return of flights from Halifax to the northeastern U.S. As of June 4, American Airlines began offering non-stop service to Boston and to Washington, D.C., a new destination for Halifax Stanfield. The non-stop flights to Philadelphia, Boston and Washington will allow Atlantic Canadians to easily explore the northeastern U.S., and beyond, while presenting an incredible opportunity to increase inbound tourism and restart business travel to Atlantic Canada as the industry recovers from the pandemic.

CALL FOR BLACK WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS PITCH CANDIDATES Join BLK Women in Excellence for their Pitch Competition on September 10, 2022. The competition supports Black women entrepreneurs, 18 years of age and older, who have been in business five years or less. The competition will not only include women-only entrepreneurs, but also a panel of women judges highlighting female representation in entrepreneurship. The event will be streamed for the public; stay tuned for more information on how you can register to be a part of the virtual audience.

Candidates interested in the competition must submit applications by August 1, 2022 to bwiecanada.com.

WELCOME BACK CAMPERS! For everyone here at Easter Seals Nova Scotia, we are over the moon excited to finally be re-opening our beloved Camp Tidnish and welcome back our campers for the first time since Summer 2019!

Camp Tidnish is the only barrier-free, fully accessible residential camping program for Nova Scotian children, youth, adults and seniors with physical and/or intellectual disabilities. Due to lockdowns and restrictions, we were unable to run Camp Tidnish for the past two years. We are very fortunate to finally welcome back our campers and look forward to a summer of fun vacations, camping, swimming, picnics and reuniting with old friends we haven’t seen in way too long.

HALIFAX PORT AUTHORITY RELEASES ITS 50-YEAR PLAN The Halifax Port Authority 50-Year Plan looks at port planning to 2070 and the various benchmarks that will trigger expansion projects. “We are preparing now to ensure our assets are ready for where the industry is going, not just where it’s at currently,” said Captain Allan Gray, President and CEO, Halifax Port Authority. “This includes our landside infrastructure, digital systems, and people. Containerized cargo and cruise will be the drivers of port-related growth over the next 50 years. By 2070, the Port of Halifax could be handling 1,600,000 TEU and upwards of 2.4 million cruise passengers a year. To capture the full potential of these markets, infrastructure will need to be developed in a way that is complimentary to the needs of the surrounding community.” The full 50-Year Plan 50-Year Plan and an Executive Summary are available on the One Port City Halifax website.

BUSINESS VOICE

ONE YEAR IN BUSINESS Camryn McNeil, 23-year-old Founder and Owner of Golden Living - Senior Lifestyle Support, celebrated one year in business on June 28, 2022. She started her dream business from her living room, mid-pandemic, and she has grown her business beautifully over the last twelve months. Her work has helped enrich the lives of seniors and their families along the way!

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COVER STORY

“Queer all year” Celebrating Pride season in the Halifax business community — and moving beyond it By Emily Bednarz ALL IMAGES CONTRIBUTED

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ccording to recent census data from Statistics Canada, Nova Scotia leads the country in gender-diversity. About one in every 300 people identify as trans or non-binary in our province, and Halifax is the second most gender-diverse city in all of Canada. On the one hand, this data serves as an excellent prompt to promote 2SLGBTQ+ initiatives and businesses in our city, especially during Pride season. On the other hand, it can feel like every month brings its own hashtag. What does meaningful change, all year long, look like?

In this cover story, we celebrate and promote 2SLGBTQ+ businesses, and how we can weave Pride into our everyday business practices. Every business owner we spoke with identified actionable ways the business community can meaningfully affect change in our 2SLGBTQ+ community. Given the recent census data mentioned above, it is imperative that the local business community acknowledges Pride season, but — perhaps more importantly — that we grow beyond it.

Eastern Shore’s Gallery easternshoresgallery.com Eastern Shore’s Gallery first opened its doors during the initial waves of the COVID-19 pandemic. In January 2022, owner Anthea Taljaard purchased a new premises in Head of Chezzetcook — the former St. Barnabas church.

The historic building is a fitting place for the eclectic gallery, which brings together Taljaard’s love of art, diversity, and business. “I love finding the beauty inherent in life,” she says.

“Art embodies that for me, and as I have a business degree, it's been wonderful to make a living creating and doing what I find pleasure in.”

Taljaard was born and raised in South Africa, meeting her wife in the Middle East before settling on Nova Scotia’s Eastern Shore. She aims to attract more people to the area by way of the gallery. “Our purpose is to promote the Eastern Shore of Nova Scotia and

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“Business can play a role in opening minds to accommodate and embrace that which is different among us, not as an anomaly to be entertained, but rather as a strength and complement to a community.

Business can be powerful and enabling when it chooses.”

— Anthea Taljaard Eastern Shore’s Gallery Canada as a diverse, vibrant, and creative tourist destination,” says Taljaard. “We use art and our in-house artists and staff to do this.”

The pandemic brought its challenges to Taljaard, along with finding and the right team members and acceptance in parts of the community. The new space, however, has fostered a new sense of belonging for Taljaard. “Moving to our own premises and being unhindered in our ability to create something unique to us, inside of a strong Chezzetcook community, has helped with acceptance and feeling that we belong,” she says.

Creating a welcoming space has been liberating for Taljaard. “Everyone is J U LY / A U G U S T 2 0 2 2

welcome with us,” she says. “I love being able to provide a fully inclusive social and business space in the gallery and host events that openly reflect this.” In April 2022, Taljaard added a South African Kitchen to the space. The kitchen serves up authentic South African street food and functions as a “mini multicultural hub,” says Taljaard.

The gallery team is now planning on opening a permanent outdoor barbeque space that will host concerts, markets, and other events. “We are a one-stop destination for shopping, arts and crafts, and delicious food,” says Taljaard. “If you have not had an opportunity to come out, please pop by!”

COVER STORY

Rooted Rose Community Acupuncture rootedrose.ca There is a splash of bright blue on the corner of Wentworth and Portland in downtown Dartmouth. The colourful storefront belongs to Rooted Rose Community Acupuncture, which first opened its doors in 2021. Ever since, owner and acupuncturist Bria Goodreid has been working to bring acupuncture to a broader community.

The “Community Acupuncture” movement traces its beginnings to 1970s New York City, particularly in South Bronx and Harlem, says Goodreid. “It was originally used to help the community overcome addiction and substance abuse problems associated with the opioid crisis,” she says. “Community Acupuncture is now used to treat a wider range of conditions, including chronic and acute pain, anxiety, depression, headaches, nausea, and menstrual problems.”

The key to community acupuncture is accessibility, adds Goodreid. The typical fee for an acupuncture session can run upwards of $150. “In a community acupuncture setting, the range is much lower,” she says. “There are a range of payment options to choose from. You choose what you can afford, no questions asked!”

The flexibility of the sliding scale model is motivating for Goodreid.

“Providing treatment plans that people can work with is really rewarding,” she

“Provide your staff with training on inclusion. Teach your staff not to gender people as they enter your doors, ask people for their pronouns, and provide gender neutral washrooms. All people deserve access to safe public bathrooms. Gender neutral washrooms make a huge difference in the safety of trans and gender non-conforming people.”

— Bria Goodreid Rooted Rose Community Acupuncture says. “Ultimately, we want to give our patients affordable care, with more consistent and long-lasting results.”

Goodreid says her approach to client service is simple: “Just treat people with respect and cater to their individual needs.” She admits that while the recent census data hasn’t impacted this approach, the data underscores the health needs of the 2SLGBTQ+ in our province, especially when it comes to receiving gender-affirming care.

Businesses also need to demonstrate real, impactful supporting for the 2SLGBTQ+ community, says Goodreid.

“I love seeing all the inclusive Pride flags posted outside local businesses. It sends a message of safety for sure,” she says. “But do you have policies in place to protect and empower your 2SLGBTQ+ staff?”

Goodreid acknowledges the challenges inherent in being a 2SLGBTQ+ BUSINESS VOICE

business owner. “But as a white person who can pass as cis and straight, I know I have a lot of privilege,” she says. She takes the opportunity to highlight some of her favourite local businesses run

by Black entrepreneurs: Delectable Desserts, R&B Kitchen, tREv Clothing, Bad Publicity, Bailly Fragrance, Queens & Kings Natural Products, and Sankofa Afrikan Gifts. She recommends visiting the Black Business Initiative’s website for more opportunities and recommendations, adding that she would love to see a similar platform created for businesses owned by 2SLGBTQ+ entrepreneurs.

If you’ve ever felt curious about acupuncture, Goodreid recommends scheduling a free consultation at Rooted Rose.

“If you’re new to acupuncture or new to us, we have a great starter package, she says. “Once you come for community acupuncture and feel the euphoric effects, you’ll want to be coming back.”

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COVER STORY

PICTURED: ISAAC COOK (LEFT), CYNTHIA SWEENEY AND HER CHILD (RIGHT)

Simply Good Form simplygoodform.ca When Cynthia Sweeney learned that she was the parent of a trans child, she immediately began seeking information and resources to help her family.

The search was challenging. “We didn’t have the full story or access to accurate information,” says Sweeney. “This systemic ‘unknowing’ within our society is harmful.”

This experience drove Sweeney to found Simply Good Form in 2019. “I was inspired to address the void in awareness, intentional policies, and communication tools around inclusion for employees, clients, students, and community members,” she says. “I began creating a platform that would bridge this gap and engage business professionals, service providers, and educators.”

Simply Good Form works to close information gaps and foster new connections through education, engagement, and collaboration. “It is nearly impossible to find a DEI consultancy that can speak to every aspect of marginalization and inequality,” says Isaac Cook, Senior Inclusion Educator at Simply Good Form.

“This is why we often collaborate with fellow DEI experts across Canada — to provide our clients with a wide range of expertise. We are always learning to do better and be better for our community.”

Sweeney adds that businesses working towards inclusion need to be thoughtful in their approach — and get comfortable with discomfort. “There really is no space for business leaders 16

“Seeing businesses embrace Pride with rainbows and flags is great if it inspires a conversation. I would like to see more businesses leading the way by getting the tools to be intentional about it. There are years of struggle, erasure, exclusion, and lost lives embedded in those bright rainbow colours. There is a responsibility for everyone to be part of changing this narrative.”

— Cynthia Sweeney Simply Good Form and professionals to approach inclusion without true intention,” she says. “This means embracing difficult situations with an open mindset, recognizing biases, and unlearning barrier-perpetuating habits.”

Without this close examination, businesses and organizations risk further harm to members of our 2SLGBTQ+ community. “Growing up being one of the few openly queer and transgender people in Truro was incredibly isolating,” says Cook. “Today, as a queer professional, I feel it is important to be openly and unapologetically me — not just for myself but for the 2SLGBTQ+ community as a whole.”

Cook sees the newly released census data as a call-to-action. “Recognizing that transgender people exist coast-tocoast is vital to developing policies and initiatives that protect our communities,” they say. “Now that the data is out there, our presence and the need for more 2SLGBTQ+ centered spaces, especially J U LY / A U G U S T 2 0 2 2

throughout Nova Scotia, is evident.”

The Simply Good Form team is motivated by the need to create positive change — and seeing the fruits of their labour is its own reward. “It is incredible to see how many equity-focused initiatives are blossoming in Nova Scotia today,” says Cook. “I am excited to be a part of Simply Good Form and support like-minded initiatives for years to come.” Sweeney agrees: “I am grateful to be raising a family in a place that values inclusion and celebrates diversity,” says Sweeney. “We still have a long hill to climb, but there is no other place I would rather be.”

If you are interested in boosting inclusion in your workplace, visit the Simply Good Form website to see their full program offerings. Members of the Halifax Chamber of Commerce gain a special PRIDE Access Pass throughout July and August!

COVER STORY

Venus Envy venusenvy.ca In 1998, Shelley Taylor saw the need for a queer, feminist, sex-positive space in Halifax — a place to find books, resources, and sexual health and pleasure products. A few years later, Taylor opened an additional store in Ottawa, Ontario.

While Venus Envy has shifted and evolved over the years — changing hands from Taylor to current owner Marshall Haywood in 2008 — the ethos remains the same. “Over the past two decades, we've expanded and grown, always with a keen interest in social justice and deep roots in our community,” says Haywood.

“Our curated book selection reflects our values: on our shelves you'll find books on feminism, queer culture, Indigeneity, disability, Black Studies, sex work, fat politics, gender identity, as well as a large selection of queer fiction and poetry.”

When it comes to their products, the Venus Envy team’s approach to client service is driven by their enthusiasm and strengthened by their personal experiences. “As a staff, we are passionate about creating a space that feels safe for people to explore their sexuality and gender identity,” says Haywood. “As a queer and trans business owner, I want to create an environment that is explicitly welcoming to those who might feel othered in other retail places.”

“As a ‘queer all year’ business, we'd love to see more recognition and support outside of Pride season. I'd love to see support and training for gender-neutral customer service and advocacy for businesses to have gender neutral washrooms.”

— Marshall Haywood Venus Envy Interested clients can also expand their knowledge beyond the bookshelves at Venus Envy. “Education is an important aspect of our business,” says Haywood. “We host workshops on a wide variety of topics related to sexual pleasure, health, and wellness. Our workshops have been held virtually via Zoom through the pandemic, and we are excited to be getting back to in-person sessions — while still offering virtual attendance for accessibility.”

Venus Envy won Gold for the Best Independent Bookstore as part of The Coast’s 2021 Best of Halifax Awards.

Haywood is grateful that their book collection can be recognized in this way, especially after the challenges the business faced during COVID-19. “We had to move to a new location last year, with not a lot of time or money,” he says.

The relocation started in February 2021, says Haywood. “We found out that BUSINESS VOICE

the space we had called home for 22 years in the Tramway Building was going to be renovated in a way that made it impossible for us to stay,” he says.

The Venus Envy community came together to lend support. Former staff members created a GoFundMe, and within 24 hours, they raised $20,000 to fund the May 2021 move to 1727 Barrington Street. “Moving was a real team effort involving current and former staff, as well as friends and community members,” says Haywood. “I am so grateful to everyone who helped us.”

Haywood encourages the community to come and visit the new space.

“Our new shop is beautiful,” he says.

“We're in a lovely heritage building with big windows, high ceilings, and exposed brick walls. We're loving the vibe of this new space and are excited for everyone to come visit!” ■

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MEMBER PROFILE

Tapping the well of talent Building a roster of creative and technical professionals at The Well Creative Consultancy By Emily Bednarz PICTURED: GLEN SWANN, CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, AND SAMMY DAVIS, FOUNDER AND CEO, OF THE WELL CREATIVE CONSULTANTS (IMAGE CREDIT: CHRIS GEWORSKY).

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n 2014, Sammy Davis drew up a wish list and turned it into a business.

His wish list was for modern day marketing and technical team leaders.

It was about creating accountability in the online marketplace, highlighting the human element in the search for talent, and the next evolutionary step in what we know as the ‘gig economy.’ By 2020, The Well Creative Consultants has expanded across Canada, with localized services now offered in Halifax, the GTA, Calgary, and Vancouver.

The Well Creative Consultants connects clients to talent, using their curated roster of creative and technical professionals. “We consider ourselves the human-centered digital marketplace for marketing, advertising, communications, and technology talents,” says Davis.

“We created a model that has embedded flexibility, price benefits, and extended accountabilities — which are especially sought after right now.”

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Getting noticed in the freelance market If you are (or are looking for) a freelancer, you might be familiar with online marketplaces like Fiverr or Upwork.

These marketplaces allow freelancers to create free profiles advertising their services — from editing, to web design, to market research.

The Well stands apart from these options in a few ways. “One of the biggest shortcomings of the marketplace world is that it's predicated on the idea that the person making the order knows what to order,” says Davis. “It’s predicated on the idea that the tags and buzzwords the marketplaces use have the same meaning for the person making the order.” Davis provides an example: visit an online marketplace, search for “brand,” and check out the variety of results. “People have all kinds of ideas about what ‘brand’ is,” says Davis. “You need to work with a J U LY / A U G U S T 2 0 2 2

person to decipher what it means to you.”

The Well brings a human-centered focus into the mix. “In our process, we call it our ‘free concierge service,’ we put our experience as staff into helping people decipher what to do next and who to work with,” says Davis. “We create the pairing, making sure that all the key financial components are beneficial to both the client and the talent. We've become a freelancer or consultant whisperer of sorts.”

Davis’ team has found success in this bespoke process, for everything from $200 jobs to $50,000 campaigns, and turnaround can be as quick as twelve hours to create a match. “We look at everything from skillset, to partnerships, to expectations, to background, to personality,” says Davis. “We take people past the idea of the portfolio and keyword matching, and we're constantly curating our roster.”

MEMBER PROFILE

Highlighting the human element On the talent side, creative and technical professionals need to apply to be included on the roster. “We have to approve membership into The Well,” says Davis. “No one can just ‘sign up’ with us.”

Davis’ team runs through a number of vetting protocols, considering everything from reputation, to background, to skillset. “We look at the human first, not at how good your portfolio is,” says Davis.

“Is there trust there? What contracts did you have in the past year? How many did you fulfill to the end? How many were cut short? How many were cut short in a good way, and how many were cut short in a bad way?”

Although the human element is essential to their approach, it would be a mistake to think that technology has no role to play at The Well. “Other marketplaces out there have shortcomings in their over-reliance on technology, or the technology being in the wrong place and being asked to do the wrong thing,” says Davis. “But just because we're human-centered doesn't mean we don't

use technology. We're human-centered and supported by technology, as opposed to technology-first. It's not one or the other — it’s both. The two are symbiotic.”

Since The Well opened in 2014, the labour market, and particularly the freelance or ‘gig’ economy, has certainly changed. Davis says that up until 2018, “the evolution of the gig” required a lot of explanation. “It was on the forefront, and our market in Halifax might not have been seeing it, but it was there,” says Davis. “As soon as the pandemic hit, I didn't have to have those conversations anymore. People now understand right away.”

Redefining the gig economy Davis doesn’t think of The Well as fitting squarely within the gig economy.

“But there's research that backs up what's happened with us,” he says. “The number one segment of growth in the gig economy is knowledge-based and creative industries, and that's given rise to this evolution. It’s people building a gig-based business out of a career of experience.”

As for the future of gig work? Davis believes a shift in the workforce is

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inevitable. “A recent case study suggests that there will be more gig workers than full-time workers in the US by 2027,” he says. “I think the same will be said for Canada — we can already see that people are leaving full-time positions, and not because of salary. There's a whole new playbook that HR is having difficulty keeping up with. People are now negotiating on everything from lifestyle to the hours in the day they are committing to.”

The growth in the freelancing sector is a natural motivation for Davis. “It's really easy to stay motivated when you know you're solving major issues for folks. It's easy to get energized by that kind of stuff for my talent team.” These talent teams have created success stories across Canada, but Davis isn’t looking for The Well to take credit. “Our whole idea is about making that strong match, connection, and recommendation. We put the right people in the right place to do the work,” he says. “We know these people, so we know who to recommend where — and why.”

Visit The Well Creative Consultants at: gotothewell.ca

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SPOTLIGHT

Showstopping cinema in Halifax Local film and television productions shining spotlight on Nova Scotia By Emily Bednarz

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his past March, the provincial government announced $23 million in funding to support Nova Scotia’s film and television industry, which contributed over $180 million to the local economy last year — more than double from the year prior.

What has led to such rapid growth in Nova Scotia’s film and television industry, and how can we keep the momentum going? We spoke with Screen Nova Scotia, Mirror Image Media, and Popular Demand Pictures for insight.

Screen Nova Scotia screennovascotia.com Screen Nova Scotia is a not-forprofit association that promotes and advocates for our local screen industry.

If you’re planning on producing a movie or tv show in the province, Screen Nova Scotia is your first point of contact, according to Tara McClair (Operations & Communications Manager) and Melanie Solomon (Industry Services & Locations Manager). “Our membership includes producers, service providers, local cast and crew, unions, and industry organizations,” says McClair. “We are dedicated to building a strong and sustainable future for the province’s production sector.”

McClair and Solomon point out that as our film industry grows, so too does its impact. “A thriving film industry strengthens Nova Scotia, both economically and culturally,” says McClair.

“When producers spend their production dollars here, it injects money right back into the local economy.”

Beyond the economic impact, the industry works to uplift voices from all walks of life. “Culturally, the screen industry in Nova Scotia is working to tell important and diverse stories,” says McClair. “While there are many big-budget US productions that choose to film in the province, there are also local 20

ON THE SET FOR THE HEALER (2017), WHICH FILMED ON LOCATION ACROSS NOVA SCOTIA.

storytellers in our writers, directors and producers that are getting their projects made — putting our culture onto screens both nationally and internationally.”

What makes Nova Scotia such an attractive place to produce? First, location is key. “Our province has been an in-demand location for regional and international filmmakers for decades,” says McClair. “Whether a production requires downtown urban sophistication, small-town ambience, or miles of unspoiled coastline, we have it all right here!”

Second, local support is unparalleled. “The communities and residents of Nova Scotia are enthusiastic and excited to see production happening in the province,” says McClair. “Trust us, this is noticed and appreciated by visiting producers, directors, and cast!”

Third, the financial incentives and funding opportunities are some of the most competitive in the country.

Lastly, our industry professionals are exceptional. “Our world-class crew and talent love what they do, and it shows in the quality of the work on screen,” says McClair. “We've heard from several J U LY / A U G U S T 2 0 2 2

large-scale productions that our Nova Scotia crew are among the best they've ever worked with.”

McClair and Solomon highlight a number of recent Nova Scotia productions. Diggstown made history when Halifax director, Juanita Peters, became the first Black woman in Nova Scotia to direct an hour of primetime drama for a network series. Wildhood is a feature film by Two-Spirit L'nu filmmaker Bretten Hannam and was recently nominated for six Canadian Screen Awards.

Washington Black, an adaptation of Esi Edugyan’s novel and Disney/Hulu production, is filming right now in locations across the province.

What’s on the horizon for Screen Nova Scotia? In addition to their robust slate of programs and events, they recently launched their Diversity Mentorship Program — a paid mentorship opportunity for emerging professionals representing a diverse array of communities. “The opportunities at Screen Nova Scotia are always growing and expanding,” says McClair. Be sure to visit their website and sign up for their newsletter to keep informed!

SPOTLIGHT

MARIE AND MEAGHAN WRIGHT ON SET FOR LIVING IN FLOW (2021), A SIX-PART DOCUMENTARY SERIES FOR VICE (IMAGES CREDIT: CAROLINA ANDRADE).

Mirror Image Media mirrorimagemedia.ca Mirror Image Media is a full-service video production company based in Halifax. The founders — twin sisters Marie and Meaghan Wright — create commercials, branded content, and documentaries with a focus on social and environmental impact.

The Wrights first got their start when they began documenting their travels backpacking through New Zealand.

While working toward their business degrees, they were hired to create promotional content for St. Francis Xavier University. “We were drawn to more impactful storytelling and worked with various organizations and initiatives on campus,” they say.

They worked with Get REAL, which strives to eliminate homophobia and transphobia, as well as the Canadian Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. “We lost our mom to cancer when we were 14,” the Wrights say. “We attribute that to our

urge to bring more meaningful stories and marginalized voices to the forefront through film.”

Their personal perspectives continue to influence their work, according to the Wrights. “We’re lucky to have each other, both professionally and personally,” they say. “We’re two young, vibrant queer women, and our goal is to push the boundaries of what is portrayed in media — as well as who brings these stories to life.”

Regardless of the project, the Wrights are united in their thoughtful and sensitive approach. “We’re always asking how we can we make a production more inclusive and change the narrative on projects we’re working on,” they say.

“Media is more saturated than ever, and our goal is to create an impact.”

Being able to generate an impact is one of the main perks of the profession to the sisters. “The film industry is an integral and influential part of every community, not only because it employs folks and creates jobs, but because it has the

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potential to educate and inspire people,” they say. “For us, it’s been a great opportunity to combine our passion for creativity with our sense of entrepreneurship.”

Producing in Nova Scotia has many benefits for the Wrights. “We’re lucky to live and work in ‘Canada’s Ocean Playground,’” they say. “Having access to so much beauty in this province is a gift when it comes to filmmaking.” They also appreciate the supportive and enthusiastic community, as well as the natural sources of inspiration. “There’s a plethora of impactful stories to tell, whether that be from individuals, programs, or organizations,” they say.

The pair have been keeping busy with multiple projects on the go. Be sure to check out Living in Flow, their six-part documentary series for Vice and TelusFund that focuses on the mental health healing powers of water. Login to CBC Gem to watch their feature film, Freedom Swell, which recently took home Best Documentary Film at the 2022 Screen Nova Scotia Awards!

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SPOTLIGHT

JON MANN AND THE POPULAR DEMAND TEAM ON THE SET OF PUB CRAWL, A DOCUSERIES THAT TELLS HALIFAX HISTORY THROUGH LOCAL BARS AND RESTAURANTS.

Popular Demand Pictures jonnymann.com Like the duo behind Mirror Image Media, Jon Mann, the creator behind Popular Demand Pictures, is driven by the power of storytelling. “I founded Popular Demand Pictures in 2012, between graduating from Acadia University and the New York Film Academy,” says Mann. “I wanted to create a production company that focused on telling authentic, meaningful, and purpose-driven stories.”

Mann first found notoriety after writing a short documentary called Drink ‘Em Dry, which chronicled the lockout of 172 brewery workers at Moosehead in 2011. He went on to complete his first feature-length documentary titled Project Power, which followed the social movement against the sale of NB Power to Hydro-Québec.

Mann has since expanded into

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television and commercial work, most recently creating the Pub Crawl series for Bell. “Pub Crawl is an unscripted series that tells the history of Halifax through the lens of its bars and restaurants,” says Mann. “Our second season went live in March.” You can catch the series on the Bell Fibe TV Channel and the Fibe TV app.

Producing a film is a tough job says Mann, but it also creates so many other jobs along with it. “Even the smallest production can provide jobs for over ten people,” says Mann. “It offers a diversity of employment and drives tourism to destinations that become iconic features in productions.”

Mann points out the versatility of Nova Scotia’s landscapes. “We have the scenic and cultural aspects that everyone wants to capture,” says Mann. “Look at the roles Halifax has played. Our city has been small town Maine, our waterfront has played Miami – and I’m pretty sure Lunenburg has played every state in New J U LY / A U G U S T 2 0 2 2

England.”

The industry also attracts students to the area — and helps keep them here.

“Having films produced in Halifax means that those graduating from our local colleges and universities have opportunities to put their skills into action,” says Mann. “We have some of the most incredible creative programs, and we need people to feel like this city offers them opportunities.”

The increased level of government funding will allow for larger productions in Nova Scotia, notes Mann. This increase won’t just help the economy; it will also strengthen and diversify our cultural capital. “Creators want to be in Halifax,” says Mann. “The strong quality of life and social fabric in Nova Scotia exists because of the culture shared by our most creative people. The film industry is another vehicle that needs to be taken seriously as an opportunity to leverage what this province has to offer.

It’s good business.” ■

WORKING FOR YOU

Celebrating all of us Diversity is not just a buzzword, it’s who we are

FATEN ALSHAZLY PRINCIPAL & CHIEF CREATIVE OFFICER WEUSTHEM

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he summer months in Halifax are unlike any other city. The days are warm, the nights are breezy, and the shimmering ocean is only minutes away.

Patios begin serving up everything from traditional east coast pub fare to comfort food from all over the world. The summer streets make the city feel vibrant and alive, and it all contributes to our high quality of life.

The summer also brings about several important celebrations, including cultural festivals (like Greek, Lebanese, Multicultural, Asian, and Philippine) and Halifax Pride starting in late July. This year, as you’ll read about in our cover story, Statistics Canada released a report announcing Halifax as Canada’s second most gender-diverse city. Our welcoming atmosphere and strong network of community organizations are certainly to thank for this distinction. If it hasn’t already, this report should mobilize business-owners in their efforts to make every person living in or visiting our beautiful city feel welcome.

Canadian culture brings together our varied and diverse attributes, be it our ethnicity, race, gender, ability, religion, or sexuality. In my time here, Halifax has specifically been a great reflection of this diversity. I will be sharing more thoughts on diversity in an

IMAGE CREDIT: UNBOUND MEDIA

upcoming issue of Business Voice, but for now I will say: enjoy the summer, take in the sun, and celebrate each other after such a long period of time being indoors.

Below are my thoughts on how we can further our involvement with our broader community. I encourage you to get involved with the variety of fabulous organizations we have in the city — they are welcoming you every day to do so.

1. Volunteer Find something that interests you and donate your time and energy to help bring it to life! There is always a community need for eager and dedicated volunteers. Festivals, shelters, food banks, community events, and more need your enthusiasm!

2. Participate Get out and enjoy what Halifax has to offer. See a theatre performance during Fringe Festival. Go shopping on Quinpool Road. Grab a lobster roll at Peggy’s Cove. Becoming an active member of your community strengthens our foundation as a city.

BUSINESS VOICE

3. Listen The last few years have been a catalyst for important conversations. Being part of the conversation also means stepping back — it requires listening with open hearts and minds. (As Frasier would say, “I’m Listening.”) Halifax is home to many different communities, and many of them need our support and our advocacy. Sometimes, the best thing we can do is be an engaged listener.

If there has ever been a time to get out and enjoy our beautiful city and the people that inhabit it, it is now. Let’s show the world how we did the pandemic well, and how we will do the post-pandemic even better!

Our city has it all. It can be relaxing, but also invigorating. Take this time to not only tap into your inspiration, but act on it! Our city will become more colourful and flavourful when you do. If you see me on a patio or at a festival somewhere, feel free to say hello.

To connect with Faten, visit: weusthem.com

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WORKING FOR YOU

Strong momentum, new challenges, broader goals Halifax Index summarizes city’s ups and downs through 2021 and shines light on how 2022 may unfold

IAN MUNRO CHIEF ECONOMIST HALIFAX PARTNERSHIP

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OVID-19 remains with us and, tragically, every week we still are losing friends, neighbours, and family members to the disease. Its grip on our economy, however, has loosened, and most aspects of life are in the process of returning to normal.

Many of our economic vital signs — like GDP expansion, population growth, and the unemployment rate — are solidly in the “recovered” category. An additional 9,300 people called Halifax home last year. Our key population concern now is not bringing people to Halifax, but rather finding housing for our rising number of residents.

Halifax’s unemployment rate has plummeted over the past year and now sits at its lowest rate since the booming summer of 2019. The major issue today in our labour market is not finding jobs for unemployed people, but rather filling vacant positions. Every week seems to bring the announcement of new flight routes at Halifax Stanfield and cruise

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ships have returned after a two-year absence; tourism and travel are getting their groove back as well.

In addition to being the first time in a century that we are emerging from a pandemic, this marks the first time in decades that inflation, consumer purchasing power, and interest rate increases are top-of-mind concerns. Prices for housing, food, and energy have risen rapidly through 2021 and into 2022. A good chunk of our population would have no memory of living in a high-inflation environment, and few of today’s leaders and managers have experience leading and managing in one.

These twin currents — of strong economic recovery on the one hand and uncertainty and unease (in paying the rent, stocking the fridge, and filling the gas tank) on the other — result in an interesting contrast in terms of confidence. Our annual business confidence survey, carried out by Narrative Research in March, showed a record high for the Halifax Business Confidence Index.

However, Narrative’s most recent consumer survey, carried out a few weeks later in May, found that their Consumer Confidence Index had hit a record low.

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Halifax did have the highest level of consumer confidence across Atlantic Canada. More broadly, actions are underway to address the real difficulties that come with tight housing markets and rising prices. Furthermore, Halifax is in a strong position on many fundamentals that will continue to attract people and investment.

This encapsulates the essence of People. Planet. Prosperity., Halifax’s new inclusive economic strategy for 20222027, adopted by Regional Council in April. To meet longer-term demographic challenges, continued action is required to drive prosperity, growth in population and the labour force, and in the economy overall. But success means more than just increases in aggregate economic statistics: the state of our planet and the well-being of our people, including those who may not yet have been lifted up by the city’s rising tide, are critical as well.

Please check out the Halifax Index 2022 to review the status on a wide range of economic and social fronts and to track our progress as we pursue goals for people, planet, and prosperity.

Learn more at: halifaxpartnership.com

WORKING FOR YOU

Work-Integrated Learning A win for students, businesses, and our province as a whole By Brittany Warren, Dalhousie University

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n 2017, Xiyu Zhou moved to Halifax from Changsha, China. Despite being a significant change from the big city she was used to, she now calls Halifax her second home.

Zhou came here to pursue a Bachelor of Commerce Co-op degree at Dalhousie University, initially drawn by Canada’s reputation for being welcoming. “I’ve always been interested in doing business, and one of the reasons I picked Dal was the co-op program,” she says. “I knew a program that included work terms would give me more experiences and opportunities to network.”

The program includes three mandatory four-month co-ops. Zhou completed two co-ops with Halifax Chamber of Commerce member TEAM Work Cooperative (TWC), a Nova Scotia Works Employment Services Centre that helps connect people to jobs by supporting and empowering Nova Scotians. “My first co-op was as Project Coordinator in winter 2019, liaising between internal staff,” Zhou explains. “For my third co-op in summer 2020, I was an Information Resource Specialist.”

Daniel Riley, Client Service Coordinator at TWC, says that supervising co-op students is an opportunity to see somebody grow and carve out a potential career path. “Xiyu made herself available for new tasks and if she needed help, she asked questions,” he says.

“That’s what you hope to see in a student employee.”

After she graduated in May 2021, Zhou maintained her relationships at TWC. When she was about to start her post-grad job search, TWC posted an open position. She reached out and landed an interview, which led to securing the position as Employment Support Practitioner.

“I was hired in August, and at the end of October they told me there was another opportunity on the team, Assistant to the Financial Controller,” Zhou says. “They asked me if I was interested because of my finance major. I was excited to move into this new position to apply the learning from my degree. I can see my career path ahead of me.”

Jeanette Paynter is the Financial Controller at TWC and Xiyu’s current supervisor. “We hired Zhou in this role because we knew her work ethic, her enthusiasm, and her willingness to learn, and because of her background and interest in finance,” she says.

Robert Wooden is Director of Dalhousie’s Management Career Services and a member of the Chamber’s Accessing a Skilled Workforce Task Force. Pillars of the Task Force include promoting and encouraging immigration, entrepreneurship training, and youth retention through work-integrated learning.

“Hiring a co-op student is like pre-screening candidates for a future position. You can reduce recruitment and onboarding timelines for full-time positions by considering candidates who have already completed a work term with your organization,” says Wooden. “We know employers that don’t hire co-op students sometimes struggle with recruitment, as they aren’t as well known by co-op students. Hiring students is one way to increase employer brand recognition.”

Students and new grads, whether from Canada or from abroad, have a lot to offer Nova Scotia businesses. “For any forward-thinking business, it’s essential to embrace new ideas. The problems businesses face rarely change over time.

The key is finding new solutions,” says Riley. “Students bring creativity and new ideas, and also help diversify the organization, which is also important for making your business reflect the community it serves.”

“Retaining international students like Xiyu in Nova Scotia after graduation is crucial for our city’s and province’s growth,” adds Wooden. “It directly links to several points in the Chamber’s Strategic Plan. Businesses: if you want to learn more about recruiting students and recent graduates, connect with local post-secondary institutions to recruit student talent directly.” ■

IMAGE CREDIT: NICK PEARCE

BUSINESS VOICE

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WORKING FOR YOU

“Like winning the lottery” Trades exploration courses creating new opportunities, launching new careers

SUSANNE ORYCHOCK COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING MANAGER NOVA SCOTIA APPRENTICESHIP AGENCY

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rom an early age, Chyenne McPherson knew that she wanted to be a skilled tradesperson. She grew up around skilled tradespeople and enjoyed math, problem-solving, and hands-on work. She originally thought she wanted to be a steamfitter/pipefitter, but after exploring a variety of skilled trades, she realized that her passion was in the industrial mechanic millwright trade.

It was after a 15-week trades exploration course through Women Unlimited when Chyenne realized that she wanted to become an industrial mechanic millwright. She took a one-year millwright course while bartending and graduated at the top of her class.

After finishing her course and applying to a variety of positions, she accepted a labouring job ‘out West.’

Having returned to bartending after a plant shut-down, Chyenne received the call she had been waiting for in September 2018: an offer to work at the Department of National Defense at the Halifax Dockyard in her home province of Nova Scotia. Chyenne says the job is similar to an automotive mechanic’s work, only “working on a ship and with bigger equipment.”

Chyenne became an apprentice a few weeks after working at the Halifax Dockyard, where she was able to learn

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more about the millwright trade from a variety of experienced journeypersons.

“When you get to your job or work term, it’s more hands-on,” she says. “It’s where the practical learning comes from. You’re working under smart people who have been at this for a long time.”

Chyenne spends most days in the antenna shop, where she installs, removes, or repairs antennas and the radars that are on Navy ships. She also works on the chillers that cool the antennas and radars, making sure air dryers are clean.

As a Black female in the trades, Chyenne said that she feels good to know that more women of colour are being introduced into the trades. “Being a Black female in the trades down at the Dockyard — there weren’t many there when I started,” she says. “When I realized there weren’t many females either, it

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felt good as a Black female to have made it somewhere great.”

After almost four years at the Halifax Dockyard and now a newly certified Red Seal Industrial Mechanic (Millwright), Chyenne describes her job like “winning the lottery.” “I pay into a pension, I have great benefits, great vacation — stuff I didn’t have when I was bartending,” she says.

Chyenne is still learning, enjoying the challenges that come her way and happy that she decided to pursue a career as a skilled tradesperson. “Every time I go into work, I’m always there with a smile and I can’t say that about my past jobs,” she says. “The trades just made me an overall happier person.”

Learn more at: nsapprenticeship.ca

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Turning on the youth talent tap in 2022 How to make your job postings resonate with a young, diverse, and skilled workforce

HAMNA AWAN MANAGER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING CIVICACTION

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n 2022, there is no denying the unique value that young, diverse talent can bring to entry-level positions in your organization. Tapping into the youth population can help employers address growing talent shortages, increase workforce diversity, and improve retention rates — not to mention the added benefits of greater availability, lower salary expectations, comfort with new-age technology, and more (see “Untapped Talent: Exploring the Benefits of Opportunity Youth for Employers” for more details).

So, why are 71% of employers having a hard time finding applicants for their entry-level roles — and at the same time, over 800,000 Canadian youth are not in employment, education, or training?

Here’s what we know One of the barriers keeping youth from applying starts at the beginning of the process: the job posting itself. How many times have you posted a role and simply recycled the last posting you made? Most of us are guilty of this, but the truth is that traditional entry-level job

postings may inadvertently screen out young, diverse candidates who have the skillsets and capabilities to be successful.

We know that because, with the help of Accenture and NPower Canada, we conducted a survey of over 200 students to understand their perspectives on traditional job postings. Here are some of the barriers they identified: • Overcomplicated or vague job responsibilities.

• Job titles that they can’t identify with or cause them to lose interest.

• Arbitrary requirements (75% of youth said they felt their capabilities and skillset were suitable for a role, but the mandatory education or experience requirements listed stopped them from applying).

• A focus on number of years’ experience instead of a focus on capabilities (4 out of 5 youth wanted employers to focus on the capabilities required to succeed in a role rather than number of years of experience).

• Lack of information (85% of youth wanted organizations to share more about their organization in the posting, including on their workplace culture).

• Over half wanted to see an organizational inclusivity statement and links to the company’s social media platforms and review sites.

BUSINESS VOICE

Young, Diverse Talent is just a Click Away Want to improve your postings but don’t know where to start? To help combat these barriers, CivicAction developed an online Job Posting Assessment that — in just a few simple steps — provides employers with recommendations on how to improve their job postings so they resonate more with the young talent they are looking for.

This free, easy-to-use, online tool helps in the following ways: • Using Artificial Intelligence, the Job Posting Assessment scans your job postings for problematic language and content using several lenses (e.g., youth, gender, and disability biases; buzzwords and cliches; jargon and acronyms; and clarity).

• Flags content or requirements that youth may not understand, don’t identify with, or may not have.

• Provides tailored recommendations on how you can make your job posting more accessible to youth.

Are you ready to start recruiting next-gen talent? Upload your job posting and, in less than three minutes, the Job Posting Assessment will do the rest!

Begin attracting next-gen talent today at: hirenext.civicaction.ca 27

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Dementia: what is it and why does it matter?

We are always the key to the wellbeing of others

"We may feel impatience when someone has difficulty using the debit machine at a checkout, or when someone can’t seem to understand why a certain item is not in stock. But behaviours like this tell us that there is something else going on."

— Yvette Gagnon Founder & CEO, Comforting Companions Care Providers Inc

YVETTE GAGNON FOUNDER & CEO COMFORTING COMPANIONS CARE PROVIDERS INC

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sk ten people what dementia is and most will tell you it’s “the same as Alzheimer’s Disease” or it’s “memory problems.”

However, dementia is not a diagnosis. Dementia is caused by damage to or changes in the brain. The most common source of this damage is Alzheimer’s disease, but there are over 100 causes and forms.

Dementia is a term used for a collection of symptoms that affect someone’s cognition, such as the ability to understand, communicate, plan, reason, learn, or remember. Speak to your doctor first about these symptoms, as they may be a result of a treatable condition. If symptoms worsen over time, to a point where it interferes with your ability to function independently day-to-day and there is no other medical explanation, it may be dementia. Its progression can start subtly. But it is progressive and, in later states, having dementia requires being fully dependent on others day-to-day.

Dementia is not a normal part of aging (although age is the single biggest risk factor) and, sadly, it is always fatal.

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When we understand that dementia is caused by damage to the brain, and not a normal part of aging, we can ensure that our loved one is given the proper diagnosis and medical treatment. We can start the journey with awareness, education, and skills, and we can seek to understand how those living with brain changes see the world. Then, we can adapt our expectations and support to help them continue to live well as changes occur.

Understanding what dementia is can also help us to be more patient and sensitive to others. We may feel impatience when someone has difficulty using the debit machine at a checkout, or when someone can’t seem to understand why a certain item is not in stock.

But behaviours like this tell us that there is something else going on. As a caring member of society, we must practice being patient and kind. We can do this by not rushing them, being calm, and by offering simple step-by-step instructions.

Helping others who are living with brain changes live well in their community is a social responsibility, and all it takes is awareness, patience, and kindness to support them.

Consider when someone has been diagnosed with cancer, heart disease, or other serious and potentially life-limiting conditions. In these cases, we may be more likely to understand their needs,

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and we would not ask more of them than they can give. However, for someone who is living with dementia, we may try to get them to see our way, or we may not understand why they can’t remember the doctor’s appointment that we have been reminding them of daily. We may also try to use reasoning to convey why they can no longer drive or live independently, but this approach will likely not work.

To the person experiencing dementia, their reality often does not match ours, due to specific areas of the brain being damaged.

Communicating with someone who is experiencing brain changes takes more than kindness, but it’s a great start. It begins with each of us having awareness, knowledge, and building our skill to understand that those living with dementia are doing the very best they can. We all have the need to be accepted and cared for exactly as we are. Those living with dementia are no different.

Yvette Gagnon is a Positive Approach to Care Consultant, Trainer, and a Certified Dementia Care Practitioner. She owns Comforting Companions, a service dedicated to the social and emotional wellbeing of others by providing dementia education/ consulting and companion care.

Learn more at: comfortingcompanions.ca

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What does Psychological Safety mean to you?

S.A.F.E.T.Y. MODEL

By Ann Divine CEO, Ashanti Leadership & Professional Development Services

How do we develop Psychological Safety in the workplace?

Psychological Safety is a practice that needs to be emulated from the top-down. In a survey from February 2021, McKinsey & Company indicate, “According to the data, fostering Psychological Safety at scale begins with companies’ most senior leaders developing and embodying the leadership behaviors they want to see across the organization.” Promoting inclusiveness can be a part of developing skills related to leadership, open dialogue, and relationship-building.

S.A.F.E.T.Y. MODEL

Security

Autonomy

Security

Our need to feel we Autonomy have control over our Our need to feel we environment and havehave control over our environment and have choices choices

Our need for predictability: Consistency Commitment Certainty (No) Change

You

You

Fairness

Factors unique to you: Personality profile Biases How you are influenced Your context (past present, future)

Factors unique to you: Personality profile Biases How you are influenced Your context (past present, future)

Our need to engage in and experience fair exchanges, both to us andEsteem to others

Trust Our social need to belong to and protect our "tribe"

Esteem

Trust Our social need to belong to and protect our "tribe"

S.A.F.E.T.Y. MODEL Security

The concept of Psychological Safety gained increased attention in 2015, following Google’s Project Aristotle.

The company wanted You to build successful teams, and so they embarked on a study which lasted several years. The results were not what they expected. Google found that it was not their Trust employees’ background, education, or experience that defined their success. Instead, it was an open environment for thinking, creativity, and innovation where they had the ability to grow professionally. In their view, this environment led them to form collaborative relationships and increase productivity.

What do teams and organizations need, whether remotely or in the office, to create an environment that promotes Psychological Safety? To help answer this question, Radecki, Hull, and others created the S.A.F.E.T.Y. Model. The factors identified in the model are designed to help us become more aware and better equipped to resolve conflicts, leading to the sense of security we all want to feel in the work environment.

COVID-19 created a tectonic shift in how organizations and business leaders Our need for predictability: Consistency Commitment Certainty (No) Change

Factors unique to you: Personality profile Biases How you are influenced Your context (past present, future)

Our social need to belong to and protect our "tribe"

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Fairness

Our need to engage in and experience fair exchanges, both to us and to others

Our need to be regarded highy, derived by how we: See ourselves Compare ourselves to others Think others see us

Our need to be regarded highy, derived by how we: See ourselves Compare ourselves to others Think others see us

Autonomy view the workplace.

The perception of remote work and virtual workplaces has been reimagined. As such, leaders must have the required skillsets to lead and Fairness manage new and emerging complexities in the workplace.

In order to make employees feel valued and Esteem appreciated, regardless of the setting, leaders must: facilitate opportunities for employees to speak up; encourage employees to experiment and take risks; create opportunities for team members to put forward new and creative ideas; have critical conversations, hearing different perspectives without being defensive; let employees make mistakes, experience failure, and learn from them; and build trust and confidence between team members.

When it comes to leaders and employees bringing their best self to work, Psychological Safety is critical. Whether remotely, virtually, or physically, a work environment that is Psychologically Safe brings people together and allows employees to feel safe and supported.

Our need to feel we have control over our environment and have choices

Our need to engage in and experience fair exchanges, both to us and to others

Our need to be regarded highy, derived by how we: See ourselves Compare ourselves to others Think others see us

Learn more at: ashantileadership.com 29

Adapted from 2018 The Academy of Brain-Based Leadership

Our need for predictability: Consistency Commitment Certainty (No) Change

Adapted from 2018 The Academy of Brain-Based Leadership

he concept of Psychological Safety is not new. Since the onset of the pandemic, however, employers are looking more closely at how to create the best environment for their employees.

Employees also want more from their employers. They want to feel empowered, and they want to work for organizations that align with their values of inclusivity.

Having Psychological Safety means employees feel comfortable enough to express themselves in the presence of their employer and colleagues without fear of retaliation. It means they can ask for help when they feel vulnerable, and they feel confident that their voices will be heard and accepted.

Recent research supports this perspective. Harvard Business School Professor Dr. Amy C. Edmondson suggests: “People need to feel comfortable speaking up, asking naïve questions, and disagreeing with the way things are in order to create ideas that make a real difference.” Edmondson continues: “Psychological Safety at work doesn’t mean that everybody is nice all the time.

It means that you embrace the conflict, and you speak up, knowing that your team has your back, and you have their backs.”

Adapted from 2018 The Academy of Brain-Based Leadership

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TRENDS

A smarter, cleaner energy future Collaboration is key to Nova Scotia's path towards 80% renewable energy ADAPTED FROM THE APRIL 25, 2022 SMART ENERGY CONFERENCE KEYNOTE SPEECH BY MARK SIDEBOTTOM, CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER AND PAST CHAIR OF THE HALIFAX CHAMBER’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

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ova Scotia has been on a clean energy journey for over 15 years.

We’ve made progress and changes together, thanks to the innovative and determined spirit of all Nova Scotians and our collective commitment to a cleaner energy future for our families and our communities.

Our energy future includes battery technology, solar and wind systems, smart meters, and a smarter grid working together to provide green energy options.

It’s a future where customers can better understand and control their energy use, and new green jobs are created for the green economy in Nova Scotia and across the region.

This future isn’t far off. Together, we have successfully reduced coal use by 44% and are on track to generate approximately 60% renewable energy this year.

The next steps are ambitious and will take all of us working together: customers, industry partners, government, First Nations, communities, and stakeholders.

The Path to 2030 In Nova Scotia, we have eight coalfired units to retire by 2030 to achieve our legislated target of 80% renewable energy. The Path to 2030 will require a mix of energy solutions. One of them is the Atlantic Loop, a new transmission line connecting Nova Scotia and New Brunswick to clean energy sources in other parts of Canada.

The Nova Scotia Government has been working to advance discussions and secure funding for this important solution for our region. We’re supporting these efforts and confident the Atlantic Loop will help achieve Canada’s and Nova Scotia’s ambitious 2030 climate goals. But Nova Scotia’s energy future must include more than imported energy.

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The grid of the future As we move forward on our Path to 2030, we’re focusing on wind energy, battery storage, and converting coal units to natural gas.

Wind energy: With some potential new locations identified, our team is collaborating with stakeholders to bring more wind energy onto the system. Like past wind collaborations, including Sable Wind and South Canoe, we look forward to opportunities to incorporate feedback and input from customers, stakeholders, and local communities.

When we work together, the result is a more reliable system, an engaged community and the most affordable approach for customers. We want to do more of the same.

Battery storage: Despite its best efforts, wind can’t solely keep the lights on. It needs a backup energy source.

Our team will be incorporating several grid-scale batteries to store energy and ensure continued reliable service for our customers.

As part of the Intelligent Feeder Pilot Project, a 1.2-MW battery installed at our Elmsdale substation is enabling us to store power generated at the nearby wind farm and then supply that electricity to the grid to match customer demand.

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working on converting two coal units to natural gas, while also considering the future potential for hydrogen, which is incredible! Hydrogen can be produced from diverse local resources and generate electricity with potentially near-zero greenhouse gas emissions.

We’re exploring all options—blue hydrogen, carbon capture, and Small Modular Reactors. It’s all about balancing priorities and cutting carbon, while also keeping electricity affordable and reliable for our customers.

Working together Nova Scotia can potentially become one of the cleanest and most resilient provinces in Canada. The important changes we’ve made together so far took effort and coordination from all of us: utility, government, customers, industry, communities, and other stakeholders.

Together, we’re laying the groundwork for transformative change and a greener Nova Scotia. The momentum is building because we're all rowing in the same direction. It’s an exciting time. The future is happening now, and if we continue to work together, we can secure it.

For more information about Nova Scotia’s clean energy transition, visit: nspower.ca/clean

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Employee retention in the post-pandemic market Invest in them, train them, provide opportunity for growth By Lucinda Underwood, Kickstart Consulting

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he Great Resignation. The Great Reshuffle. We’ve heard these terms with increasing frequency over the last year and the phenomenon is real. In March 2022, Statistics Canada reported 915,500 job vacancies in the fourth quarter of 2021. This is an 80% increase over 2019 and a 63.7% increase over 2020. If you are hiring currently, you are seeing the challenge firsthand of being able to attract top talent and stand out from your competitors.

It is no secret that high employee turnover is expensive and damaging to both an organizations’ internal culture and external reputation. According to Forbes, two of the top five strategies to improve retention in 2022 are related to training and development. Furthermore, a survey by LinkedIn found that 94% of employees would stay at a company longer if it invested in their professional development.

Now more than ever, having a robust training and development program is crucial and certain steps should be taken to set your program up for success:

1. Initial Assessment The first step is to assess what training is needed and who will benefit from it. For example, job-specific and technical training would likely be aimed at a smaller team, but overall soft-skill training can be a company-wide initiative. A strong culture of internal development is an important consideration for applicants, and a standardized program will help you attract quality employees who are invested in their future and that of the organization. These individuals tend to be more engaged and motivated.

A best practice is to offer a program that analyzes and develops your future leaders by educating them on leadership styles. This will ensure you promote the right individuals and that they are set up for success.

2. Goal Setting

5. Evaluation

A clear vision on the end goal is critical. What ROI do you want to achieve from your training program? For example, you may set a specific goal for customer experience training to increase your online review volume and average scores. Or, you may be looking to achieve a more consistent experience for your customers by establishing a set process for each department. Regardless of the desired outcome, a good framework to follow is the SMART model. Your goals should be Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Time-Bound.

A quality external trainer will take the time to seek feedback from your employees and yourself to ensure that the training had the desired impact.

They will ask if there is anything that can be improved and continue to follow up with you to learn how the training has impacted your business.

3. Delivery Strategy Do you have the resources to create and deliver the program in house? Or would it be more efficient to outsource the project to a third-party? The biggest consideration here would be the content of the training. More job-specific, technical, and internal process training may be better delivered in-house but for broader programs it’s likely more beneficial and affordable to collaborate with a professional trainer with applicable expertise.

A quality trainer will help you assess your opportunities, take the time to familiarize themselves with your culture, and develop a customized program to meet your unique needs.

4. Curriculum Development & Delivery Should you decide to keep things in-house, the next step is to develop the curriculum and deliver the program.

If you out-source, your trainer should develop the content and seek approval before the training takes place. This enables you to ensure that they have correctly understood your vision for the training and have a firm grasp on your company culture and development opportunities.

BUSINESS VOICE

6) Repetition = Retention Effective training is not a one-anddone. A quick online search of ‘training retention statistics over time’ paints a bleak picture of how employees retain the information they are given during training. Spoiler: 70% is lost within 24 hours.

Training needs to be an ongoing focus.

External training should be given at least twice a year with an internal process implemented to give employees access to the learning whenever they need it.

When delivering a new program to your team, have a follow-up session within a month to discuss how the training has been implemented and to refresh any topics that have not been well retained.

Taking the step to invest in quality training results in what I like to call ‘Retention to the Power of 3’: i. The retention of information to allow your employees to perform at an optimal level. ii. The retention of the employees themselves as they are engaged in their role and feel valued by the organization. iii. Ultimately, having a strong team who are engaged, driven and knowledgeable leads to the retention of your biggest stakeholders: your customers.

For more information, advice, or to book a consultation, please contact: lucinda@kickstartconsulting.ca

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