Business Voice Magazine (October 2022)

H A L I FA X C H A M B E R O F CO M M E RC E | O C TO B E R 2 02 2 | VO LU M E 3 1 I S S U E 1 0

"HALIFAX IS THRIVING AGAIN"

SMALL BUSINESS, BIG TECH

DELICIOUSNESS IN DARTMOUTH

Events East on the return to live events Pg 16

Celebrating Small Business Week Pg 20

Delectable Desserts on creating joy Pg 23

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

16 20 IMAGE CREDIT: CBC

23 IMAGE CREDIT: JAMES INGRAM

04 President's Message 05 Chair's Message 06 Event Calendar 08 New & Noted 11

Members in the news

16 Cover Story Return of live events in Halifax

20 Spotlight Story Small businesses in tech

23 Member Profile

Delectable Desserts

24 SURGE Spotlight Upshaw's Roller Dome

25 Working for You

IMAGE CREDIT: BALANCE CREATIVE

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

Volume 31 • Issue 10 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: Scott Munn

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

28 Trends BUSINESS VOICE

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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Showcasing small business Highlighting the impact of small business and in-person events in Halifax this Fall

PATRICK SULLIVAN PRESIDENT & CEO

F

all is upon us once again. With this sweater weather comes new opportunities to discover our city and all the exciting things happening in the business community. Returning to some sense of normalcy means the return of Small Business Week. We are pleased to showcase a number of small businesses making a big impact in Halifax, Nova Scotia and beyond. Be sure to register for

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the return of our annual Small Business Big Growth Conference, happening on October 27, 2022.

In addition, we chatted with Events East, the operators of the Halifax Convention Centre and Scotiabank Centre, about how the events industry drives our local economy and supports several layers of suppliers and businesses with Halifax as a highly desirable event location. During the pandemic, we were reminded of how integral this industry is not only to our GDP and job opportunities, but to our culture as maritime hosts.

Read through their interview on page 16 to hear more about what’s happening in Halifax.

With events finding their resurgence after a tough couple of years, the Chamber hopes to see you at some of our events this fall! This is one of our strongest event line-ups in years, so head to page 6 or halifaxchamber.com/events to see the full lineup. Ranging from free webinars to our in-person dinners, there

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is something for every member (and future member!).

We also had the opportunity to meet with business owners at the forefront of tech innovation here in Halifax. As some businesses struggled during the pandemic, many tech firms thrived. Learn just how valuable tech can be in times of economic struggle, and how it can keep us connected, innovative and creative.

Flip to page 20 to read about local business owners using tech to service our city and markets abroad.

Fall is my favourite time of year. A return to school, fresh faces, and a ramp up of activity after a slower summer.

Let’s embrace our return and enjoy the remainder of our year!

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

CHAIR'S MESSAGE

Every week should be Small Business Week!

The first step in "turning on" our economic engine should be small business focused

FATEN ALSHAZLY PRINCIPAL & CHIEF CREATIVE OFFICER WEUSTHEM

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ny small business owner will tell you that all their time (yes, 100% of it) is consumed in the first few years thinking about their business. It’s their passion, their baby, and their dream. They want to see it succeed, and they will do what it takes to ensure it does. I can share statistics with you on how much small businesses add to our economy and what levels of employment they provide. But what’s most important to know is that behind all these small businesses are hardworking entrepreneurs and teams of people adding to the diversity of our ecosystem each day.

The past couple of years have not been easy for anyone. As part of the “turning on” of our economic engine in Canada, this part of the economic recovery needs to be about small businesses. If there was ever a time to support a small business, it is now. The last quarter of this year needs to bring our economic engine roaring back in Nova Scotia, and we need to add fuel to this fire of recovery and growth.

Now is the time for you to show off your products and services. Share them with us, your Chamber Community of

IMAGE CREDIT: DISCOVER HALIFAX

1,850 members strong, and let us help celebrate your unique businesses and your offerings. Remember that there are no geographical boundaries to a borderless economy and the further you take your offerings, the greater and more diverse your consumers become. Let’s show the world how innovative and creative Nova Scotians are and how we aren’t just defined by one or two commodities — we have a lot more to offer that highlights exactly how unique our coastline is.

As a Chamber, one of the largest membership cohorts that we have are self-identified small businesses. The work we have done through the pandemic, engaging all levels of government, has been to support entrepreneurs and small businesses. Reach out to us at the Chamber, attend our events and our workshops, and consider the supports that are available through the Government of Canada and the Province of Nova Scotia. In addition to all these supports, there are also programs local to Nova Scotia from a variety of organizations that are accessible and available to ensure you get to build your dream.

These supports will ensure you continue BUSINESS VOICE

to research, innovate, and develop new creative offerings while taking you to new shores. As always, you are also welcome to reach out to me should you have any thoughts on how else the Chamber can support you —this week and all weeks ahead.

With that, let’s all remember: every week is Small Business Week. These businesses don’t just exist in our communities; they provide employment, resources, and investments back into our communities. Find your unique experiences, your hidden gems, and your local delights. As much as you can, make sure every week is Small Business Week!

Connect with me at: weusthem.com @fatenalshazly @fatenalshazly

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EVENTS

CHAMBER EVENTS WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12

POWER LUNCH: WORKPLACE WELLNESS STRATEGIES FOR THE POST-PANDEMIC WORLD With Bradley Daye and Karn Nichols 12:00PM - 1:30PM Halifax Chamber of Commerce

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9

SMALL BUSINESS WEEK BUSINESS AFTER HOURS: PEOPLECAN TRAINING

BREAKFAST: KEYNOTE WITH JOYCE CARTER, HALIFAX INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY

4:30PM - 6:30PM The Barrington Steakhouse & Oyster Bar

7:30AM - 9:30AM The Prince George Hotel Halifax

Free for members and future members.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15

SMALL BUSINESS BIG GROWTH SUMMIT

POWER LUNCH: ANSWERS TO YOUR MOST CHALLENGING SELLING QUESTIONS

Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21

OCTOBER 16 - 22

BDC SMALL BUSINESS WEEK An annual celebration of entrepreneurship organized by BDC. Every year, close to 10,000 entrepreneurs gather to learn, network, and celebrate! Learn more at: bdc.ca/small-business-week

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The Small Business, Big Growth Summit brings connection, information, and inspiration to the Halifax business community. Participants will learn from industry experts in brand development, risk reduction, talent acquisition, diversity and inclusion, leveraging global markets, and securing capital.

If you are a small business owner/ entrepreneur, looking to grow your business, in need of a strategy expert to help enhance your goals, or ready to take your business to the next level, this event is for you!

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WITH TANGENT STRATEGIES 12:00PM - 1:30PM Halifax Chamber of Commerce

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24

BUSINESS AFTER HOURS: HOLLIS HALIFAX 4:30PM - 6:30PM 1649 Hollis St, Halifax Free for members and future members!

EVENTS

FALL 2022

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 6

THURSDAY, JANUARY 26

ECONOMIC ENGINE: DRIVING NOVA SCOTIA’S ECONOMY FORWARD

2023 HALIFAX BUSINESS AWARDS

Join us for our 2022 Fall Economic Forum, where we will talk about where the economy is headed and what your business needs to know for 2023. Tickets available soon!

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 14

ANNUAL FALL DINNER

CHAMBER BREAKFAST: EXPLORING INNOVATIVE ROBOTICS WITH QEII

5:00PM - 9:00PM Halifax Convention Centre NEW DATE! The Halifax Chamber's annual Fall Dinner is one of our most popular events, regularly attracting an audience of over 600 business professionals. Join us as we explore important topics effecting the Halifax Business community.

With labour shortages, wage discussions, and a global rethinking of how we look at work, it’s time to look at new and creative ways to attract and retain labour in Halifax.

5:00PM - 9:30PM Halifax Convention Centre Launch into the stars for the most glamorous night of the year in the Halifax business community!

THANK YOU TO OUR SEPTEMBER EVENT SPONSORS:

Stay tuned for details!

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15

HOLIDAY AFTER HOURS: BNI AT THE HALIFAX CLUB 4:30PM - 6:30PM 1682 Hollis Street, Halifax Free for members and future members!

BUSINESS VOICE

To learn more, register, and view a full and updated list of Chamber events, visit: halifaxchamber.com/events 7

NEWSMAKERS

NEW & NOTED We welcome our new Chamber members Are you a new Chamber member?

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

BRAWTA JAMAICAN JERK JOINT Christine Allen

Halifax, NS (902) 404-8282 brawta3j@gmail.com brawtajamaicanjerkjoint.ca RESTAURANTS, FOOD & BEVERAGE - Restaurant

BREWERY MERCH We know great design can work wonders for your brand — that’s why we make it simple to create promotional materials that will help you stand out. From initial concept to production, we help your brand come to life. With over nine years in the print design and global sourcing industry, Brewery Market has established direct relationships with Far East Asia and local factories.

Jordan Engman Williamswood, NS (416) 206-4598 jordan@brewerymerch.ca brewerymerch.ca ADVERTISING, PR & MEDIA Displays

COMMUNITY COURIER Julia Benoit

Bedford, NS (902) 943-1797 jbenoit@communitycourier.ca communitycourier.ca BUSINESS & PROF. SERVICES Courier/Postal/Mailing

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COOPÉRATIVE RADIO HALIFAX METRO C-98 FM, La Coopérative radio Halifax Metro operates a French Community Radio station in the greater Halifax area.

With a potential of 40,000 Francophone listeners, this radio station has been broadcasting top French Hits over the port city for the last 15 years. C-98 FM is part of C-Média which also operates 3 community radio stations in New Brunswick.

Jason Ouellette Dartmouth, NS (902) 490-2574 direction@cjpn.ca oui98.ca COMMUNICATIONS - Broadcasting

EAST COAST SMOKEHOUSE BBQ DELI & CATERING East Coast Smokehouse is a small, female-run business serving unique and delicious smoked in-house meats, poutines, salads, soups and more. Come try our weekly specials. We also provide catering, large events, corporate lunches, on-site meals for production companies, weddings, charity and community events, music events, and more.

Paula Drew Middle Sackville, NS (902) 706-0204 eastcoastsmokehousebbq@gmail. com east-coast-smokehouse-bbq-delicatering-co.business.site RESTAURANTS, FOOD & BEVERAGE - Restaurant

ENGAGE NOVA SCOTIA Engage NS is an independent non-profit striving for a more vibrant, inclusive, equitable, and resilient province. We work collaboratively with community, business, government, and academic sectors, and aspire to centre wellbeing as a measure of success and progress that guides us all. Our focus is the Quality of OCTOBER 2022

Life Initiative.

Danny Graham

Halifax, NS (902) 407-2582 dgraham@engagenovascotia.ca engagenovascotia.ca NOT-FOR-PROFIT GROUPS - NotFor-Profit Groups

ESINAM COUNSELLING INC. Stacy Darku

578 Sackville Drive Lower Sackville, NS (902) 690-5153 Info@esinamcounselling.ca esinamcounsellinginc.com HEALTH CARE - Counselling

GONZALEZ & HART Gonzalez & Hart is a boutique law firm in Halifax and Miami, Florida dedicated to U.S. immigration and specifically employment, business, and investment visas. We guide companies seeking to expand by selling products and services in the U.S. We assist Canadians with visa-free business travel and NAFTA (USCMA) employment opportunities.

Jordana Hart

Fall River, NS (902) 240-3060 jordana@gonzalezhartlaw.com gonzalezhartlaw.com BUSINESS & PROF. SERVICES - Law

GRAFTON CONNOR GROUP Grafton Connor Group owns and operates Halifax’s most unique collection of restaurants, bars, nightclubs, entertainment and special event venues. Famously known since 1963 for the iconic 5 Fisherman Restaurant. Our newly opened DECKS on Argyle is a must see during the summer. We host private events from 30 to 1500 guests — let us help you make your next event a memorable one.

Valerie Corkum Halifax, NS

NEWSMAKERS (902) 454-9344 valeriecorkum@graftonconnor.com graftonconnor.com RESTAURANTS, FOOD & BEVERAGE - Catering/Food/Drink

HALIFAX HURRICANES MINOR BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION Ian Bilek

Halifax, NS (902) 476-7645 ian@hhbball.com hhbball.com SPORTS & RECREATION Recreation/Sports/Fitness

HARVEST WINE BEER & SPIRITS Dartmouth, NS (902) 482-9463 harvestwines.ca RESTAURANTS, FOOD & BEVERAGE - Beverage Sales

IMPACTFUL HEALTH RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT INC. Mina Mekhail

Dartmouth, NS (514) 663-6462 mina.mekhail@impactfulhrd.com impactfulhrd.com COMPUTERS, IT & TECHNOLOGY Biotechnology

JAZZ CABBAGE GARDENS Jazz Cabbage Gardens is Nova Scotia’s first-ever ‘seed-to-sale' cannabis microproducer and Canada’s first net-zero emissions facility. Using innovative growing techniques, we grow premium small-batch craft cannabis that is tuned to the tastes of consumers looking for high-quality and consistent cannabis experiences.

Samuel Harrison Halifax, NS (902) 448-4569 sam@jazzcabbage.ca jazzcabbage.ca AGRICULTURE, FISHING & FORESTRY - Agriculture

JUDY LEWIS - STUDENT MEMBER Halifax, NS OTHER - Student Member

LOC INTERNATIONAL Founded in 1988, and focusing on service and quality, LOC International has become a leader in the conception, manufacturing and distribution of products for the hospitality industry.

LOC International supplies electronic hotel safes, minibars & fridges, keycards, intelligent RFID door locks, LG/ Samsung/Philips hospitality solutions, radio-clocks, phones & connectivity devices to over 10,000 satisfied clients throughout North America, the Caribbean & Europe.

Mathew Lewis

Halifax, NS (902) 809-5835 mlewis@locinternational.com locinternational.com BUSINESS & PROF. SERVICES - Sales

LOMEE Lomee is a new dating platform designed to remove social barriers and restore the organic nature of meeting new people. A key aspect of our approach to socializing is to build self-confidence in social situations or in public places.

Sulaimon Salako Halifax, NS (902) 999-5656 sulaimonasalako@lomee.ca lomee.ca COMPUTERS, IT & TECHNOLOGY Computer Software

P3 HAIR & BEAUTY SUPPLIES Princess Octavious

Halifax, NS (902) 453-1973 princessoctavious03@gmail.com p3hairandbeautysupplies.com PERSONAL CARE & SERVICES Esthetics

PATHWAY GROUP Pathway Group is a full-service firm that offers integrated government relations and strategic communications consulting. We collectively have over 100 years expertise and experience in navigating governments to pursue procurement and funding opportunities and to navigate regulatory environments for organizations of all sizes across a BUSINESS VOICE

variety of sectors.

Gregory J. Stulen

Charlottetown, PE (905) 741-1417 Gregory@PathwayGroup.com PathwayGroup.com BUSINESS & PROF. SERVICES Consulting (General)

PILOT X TECHNOLOGIES INC. Pilot X is to be an all-in-one ride-share and delivery service platform that aims to directly address the negative attributes of the gig economy. Our mission is to create a platform where people can get everything and anything that complements transportation right at their fingertips.

Kendall Darling Amherst, NS (902) 329-1074 kendall.darling@pilotx.ca pilotx.ca COMPUTERS, IT & TECHNOLOGY Internet

QUANTAFIC DIGITAL INC Sachin Kulkarni

Halifax, NS (647) 949-9745 sachin.kulkarni@quantafic.com quantaficdigital.ca COMPUTERS, IT & TECHNOLOGY Computer Software

SCHULICH EXECUTIVE EDUCATION CENTRE An extension of the Schulich of Business, Schulich ExecEd is a team of professionals with expertise in leadership and professional development. Schulich ExecEd offers micro-credential upskilling and reskilling in management, leadership, and business operations. Our programs are for working professionals to rapidly build skills and offer 11 Masters Certificate's, 30+ short programs and Canada’s leading Mini-MBAs. Stefania Gargaro Toronto, ON (416) 360-8850 sgargaro@schulich.yorku.ca seec.schulich.yorku.ca EDUCATION & PROF. DEVELOPMENT - Training Programs

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NEWSMAKERS SKC CONSULTING SKC Consulting facilitates strategic conversations, plans for impact, and tells stories that inspire. We focus on climate change, inclusive economics, and social equity. Strategy, Knowledge, and Communication are critical to change. Principal consultant Sean Kelly has 30 years’ experience in program development and management, strategic planning, communications, and public education.

Sean Kelly Halifax, NS (902) 880-5390 Sean@SeanKellyConsulting.ca seankellyconsulting.ca BUSINESS & PROF. SERVICES Consulting (General)

STARK IDENTITY DESIGN SERVICES Patricia Kobusingye

Halifax, NS (902) 414-4563 patricia@startkidentity.com starkidentity.com ADVERTISING, PR & MEDIA Graphic Design

SUPPORT SERVICES GROUP COOPERATIVE LTD Support Services Group is a non-profit organization that serves and advocates for persons with disabilities. SSG provides person centered supports, necessary for the members to live independently in the community, while maintaining personal choice and control. Established in August 1991 as a cooperative of families who had a vision of their children living independently in their communities, we are now in HRM, Bridgewater and the Annapolis Valley.

Mariana Manole-Baker Dartmouth, NS (902) 818-9297 Mbaker@ssgns.ca ssgns.ca HEALTH CARE - Disability Services

UCORE RARE METALS INC. Ucore Rare Metals Inc. is focused on rare and critical metal resources, extraction, beneficiation, and separation

STEELWAY BUILDING SYSTEMS Steelway Building Systems is the leading Canadian manufacturer of steel buildings. Since 1976 Steelway has provided customized steel products to fit any needs, be it structural framing, roof or wall installations, repairs to an existing structure and cladding/roof upgrades.

Any Nova Scotia builders interested in erection or customers interested in purchasing steel buildings contact Sandy Goodine for more information.

Sandy Goodine Halifax, NS (506) 875-4677 sandy.goodine@steelway.com ardent.ca REAL ESTATE/CONSTRUCTION Builders Commercial

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technologies with the potential for production, growth and scalability. Our vision is to become a leading advanced technology company, providing bestin-class metal separation products and services to the mining and mineral extraction industry.

Tyler Dilney Halifax, NS (902) 482-5214 cindy@ucore.com ucore.com ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT Energy/Natural Resources

VENTURE COUNSELLING THERAPY Rose Degenhardt

578 Sackville Drive Lower Sackville, NS (506) 644-9093 Rose@venturecounsellingtherapy.ca rosedegenhardt.wixsite.com/venturecounselling HEALTH CARE - Counselling

NEWSMAKERS

MEMBERS IN THE NEWS How our members are growing Halifax

COMFORTING COMPANIONS CONTINUED COMMITMENT TO DEMENTIA CARE

CHALLENGING THEMSELVES TO CHANGE LIVES!

QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY IRC TURNS 85

On August 14th brave rappelers challenged themselves and changed lives by rappelling down Halifax’s tallest office building 1801 Hollis Steet. Drop Zone is Easter Seals Nova Scotia’s signature fundraising event that supports our programs and services for Nova Scotians living with cognitive and/or physical disabilities. We would like to thank our top fundraising team “High Exposure” who raised over $6,000 and our top individual fundraiser Beverly Jones who raised over $9,000 for programs and services at Easter Seals Nova Scotia. Thank you to Team High Exposure, Beverly and all our rappelers for supporting Nova Scotians living with disabilities at Drop Zone 2022!

To say it’s been a wild year is an understatement. Queen’s University IRC has been working hard to ensure we’re making the most of it. As if celebrating our 85th anniversary isn’t exciting enough, we’ve returned to in-person training across Canada, welcomed new talented staff and facilitators to our team, have been nominated for the HRD’s Readers’ Choice Award for Best Service Provider, and to top it off we joined the Halifax Chamber of Commerce. Our experience with our partners and the community of Halifax has been overwhelmingly positive. We have proudly served businesses in Halifax with professional development training since 2016, and we can’t wait to return in 2023.

BUSINESS VOICE

Comforting Companions is pleased to announce its continued dedication to helping others live well with dementia, with the additional certification of ‘Consultant’ for Yvette Gagnon, Founder and CEO. Yvette has trained under world renowned Dementia Care Expert, Teepa Snow and her team at Positive Approach to Care, helping businesses, communities understand brain change through unique, hands-on learning. Now with the additional certification of Consultant, Yvette will help families and individuals better understand the dementia journey by working with them to increase their awareness, knowledge, and skills. For more information call/text 902-430-2233 or visit comfortingcompanions.ca.

REALTORS(R) EDUCATION PROGRAM WINS AWARD The Education Certification Committee of the Association of Real Estate License Law Officials (ARELLO®) has selected the Nova Scotia Association of REALTORS® as their Education Award Winner for the All About Offers mandatory CE course. The award was presented in Nashville, TN at the 2022 Annual Conference at the General session on August 31.

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NEWSMAKERS

JDRF WELCOMES REBECCA SATURLEY!

DGH FOUNDATIONS' NEWEST TEAM MEMBER

ATLANTIC BOOKS TODAY CELEBRATES 30 YEARS

JDRF Canada is so pleased to welcome Rebecca Saturley, Managing Partner at Stewart McKelvey as she joins our Board of Directors. JDRF is the leading charitable funder of research into type one diabetes (T1D), and Rebecca’s experience and knowledge will help the organization better accelerate the most promising research into treatments and cures. Rebecca's son was diagnosed with T1D at age 9 and his determination is an inspiration to her and so many others affected by this disease. For more information on how you can make a difference in the lives of over 300,000 Canadians living with T1D, please visit jdrf.ca, email the Atlantic Canada office at TPoulton@ jdrf.ca, or call 902-453-1009.

Shannon joined the Foundation this past spring and has been making connections with donors and local businesses while helping to fundraise for a new MRI. As an experienced entrepreneur and philanthropist herself, Shannon has spent the last 15 years developing her communication and analytical skills in business and charitable settings, making her an exceptional fit for her role at DGHF. A lover of all things Local Nova Scotia, you’re likely to spot Shannon at a local café or event, so please be sure to say hello if you see her! Learn more about Dartmouth General Hospital Foundation by visiting dghfoundation.ca.

Atlantic Books Today is celebrating its 30th year of publication. With our fall issue, we focus on a topic that was barely discussed in early 1990s Atlantic Canadian literature: the environment.

There were more books on the subject than we could include. In our cover story, environmental journalist Erica Butler discusses the dual need for books exalting the nonhuman world and books lamenting its decline at our hand. We also have stories on reconciliation in Indigenous art books, a 50-year publishing venture, and a new graphic imprint for young readers. That’s sustainability and renewal, right there.

NSBI SUPPORTS MARINER IN LOCAL JOB CREATION

DASC CELEBRATES 50 YEARS OF BUTTONS This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Dartmouth Adult Service Center producing buttons as part of our social enterprise revenue! Help us celebrate by 12

putting in an order and supporting our programs for persons with intellectual disabilities! Learn more at dasc-ns.ca.

SO E PCTTEOMB BE ERR2 200 22 2

Nova Scotia Business Inc. (NSBI) has approved a business development incentive in the form of a payroll rebate for Mariner Partners Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Mariner Group Inc. Founded in New Brunswick in 2003, Mariner is a technology company that provides IT and strategic advisory services and invests in the development of enterprise product offerings within the areas of data analytics, automation software, information security, change management, and IT consulting. The company has the potential to create up to 60 new jobs. Based on the maximum growth forecast of the agreement, NSBI estimates that the company could spend up to $14,940,000 in salaries and benefits. Based on this forecast, it is also estimated that the new employees would contribute provincial tax revenues of around $1,959,000 through their income and consumption taxes. Learn more at marinerinnovations.com.

NEWSMAKERS

CHAMBER BOARD MEMBERS RECEIVE DISTINGUISHED AWARD Chamber Board member and CEO of Ashanti Leadership, Ann Divine, and Ifeanyi Emesih, Chamber Board member and CEO of My East Coast Experience, were recently honoured

with the Platform Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II to mark the 70th Anniversary of Her Majesty’s accession to the Throne. Divine and Emesih give thanks to their nominator and to the

Honourable Lena Metlege Diab, MP. Congratulations, Ann and Ifeanyi! We are so proud of you both!

HOLIDAY GROUP BOOKINGS AVAILABLE

CONTACT LESLIE MACDONALD LMACDONALD@NEPTUNETHEATRE.COM DICKENS’ A CHRISTMAS CAROL RUNS NOV 24 - DEC 30 | ELF THE MUSICAL RUNS NOV 22 - DEC 31 BUSINESS VOICE

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NEWSMAKERS

ARMOUR GROUP UNVEILS 60-FOOT ART INSTALLATION Sitting on top of Rise Again, the standalone building featured at the edge of the waterfront in the Queen’s Marque courtyard, ‘Tidal Beacon’ is now open to the public. The 60-foot structure is both an environmental art installation and

tide clock, making visible our natural connection with the sea through light, sound and motion. Designed by internationally-recognized artist and sculptor Ned Kahn, ‘Tidal Beacon’ is transformational piece responding to tides, weather

A better looking bottom line.

You can bet your bottom dollar.

Learn what we can do for you at efficiencyns.ca/business

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and the surrounding environment. ‘Tidal Beacon’ represents a private art investment in the region and is a fundamental piece of the newly-built Queen’s Marque district.

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NEWSMAKERS

HANNAH HICKS ART 2023 DESKTOP CALENDAR

WELCOMING SEVEN NEW TRAINERS AT PROEDGE

DIGITAL ADOPTION GRANTS AVAILABLE FOR BUSINESSES

Following her recent CASE art contest win and CASE conference artist in residence time, Hannah is happy to unveil her newest product. Hannah’s 2023 desktop calendar showcases 12 of her stunning abstract paintings. Hannah’s hope is to bring a daily splash of happiness through her calendar. The custom wood stands are made by LakeCity Works, a social enterprise supporting people with mental health challenges.

After rebranding, rebuilding, and renovating at the height of the pandemic, 2022 has become a big year for Proedge Elite Training. With the various supports we offer at Proedge, many certified personal trainers are now discovering that there is a home for them to build and grow their training career. So far this year, we have welcomed seven new personal trainers to our space: Grace Zima, Tyree Haley, Dere Akindoju, Lindsey Golding, Dusan Miletic, Hayley MacDonald and Cody Demings. We are excited to help them grow and expand their training business!

To view their trainer profiles, please head to proedgetraining.com/trainers.

In the digital age, it's crucial for consumer-facing businesses to develop and implement e-commerce capabilities to remain competitive. Eligible businesses will receive a micro-grant of up to $2,400 to help with the costs related to adopting digital technologies. The eligible businesses will have the opportunity to work with e- commerce Advisors to assess their digital needs and help them develop their e-commerce strategies and deploy new digital technologies. Small business can visit CBDC.CA to register and for program details

SPCA WELCOMES NEW VETERINARIAN The Nova Scotia SPCA Veterinary Hospital in Burnside is please to announce our newest veterinarian, Dr. Mike Ackerley, With over a decade of experience, Dr. Ackerley is a welcome addition to our experienced veterinary medical team of veterinarians, vet technicians, and vet assistants. As a full-service hospital open to everyone, Dr. Ackerley is excited to offer services including preventative medicine, dental surgeries, and wellness check ups to Halifax's cats and dogs.

DUGGAN INTERNATIONAL GROUP EXPORTS TO BELIZE The Duggan International Group is working with the Commonwealth Secretariat in the UK to manage the Belize Export Diversification project – Capacity Building for Agribusinesses.

Company president, Darlene Duggan, will be visiting Belize this Fall to work with Belizean producers on their export market entrance strategies. She will also BUSINESS VOICE

be working Beltraide, a government economic development organization in Belize. Atlantic Canadian companies interested in importing ingredients such as chocolate, turmeric, sugar, fruit juices, pulses and coconut from Belize should contact Darlene at cdntrade@dugganinternational.ca

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COVER STORY

“Halifax is thriving again” Return of live events generating impact beyond the venue By Emily Bednarz IMAGE CREDIT: MEGHAN TANSEY WHITTON

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t’s hard to overstate the impact of live events in Halifax. “Live events are critical to the recovery of the tourism industry and our local economy,” says Ross Jefferson, President and Chief Executive Officer at Discover Halifax. “In an average year, visitors to the Halifax Region spend approximately $1.3B on a variety of services, from accommodations and restaurants to transportation, retail, and entertainment. Over 4,000 businesses and over 34,000 jobs in HRM are tied to these industries directly.”

At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the rate at which visitors came to Halifax was down 85% from pre-covid levels. “We are delighted to report that we are now fully returned and surpassed these pre-pandemic numbers,” says Jefferson.

Events East manages and operates the Scotiabank Centre and the Halifax Convention Centre on behalf of the city and province, and they’re in the middle of one of their busiest seasons yet. Suzanne Fougere, Executive VicePresident at Events East, spoke with Business Voice about the impact of live events and how the Events East team is creating connections, supporting local, and showcasing our city and province on the global stage.

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“One in 27 people who stay in HRM overnight are temporary visitors, which means the region hosts 5.3 million overnight visitors who need meals, accommodations, and more.”

— Ross Jefferson President & CEO, Discover Halifax “A city in a province unlike any other” Events East is on a mission to connect the world to Nova Scotia through welcoming, timely, and immersive events. “Our focus is about attracting and hosting great events that showcase the best that Halifax and Nova Scotia have to offer,” says Fougere. “This is a growing and thriving province and city, and events play a key role in driving economic and community vibrancy that benefit our businesses, our communities, and the people who live here.”

Tapping into that vibrancy means making connections in the neighbourhood and beyond. “All of the things that surround our venues are part of what makes an event in Halifax so special,” says Fougere. “To leverage the true

OCTOBER 2022

power of an event, it’s important that we showcase the culture of Nova Scotia to visiting delegates and give them the opportunity to experience what's beyond our walls. It leverages the strength of what Halifax and Nova Scotia have to offer, which is a city in a province unlike any other.”

To offer authentic Nova Scotia experiences, Events East partners with organizations like the Airport Authority, Discover Halifax, and local Business Improvement Districts. “We have created partnerships with organizations who play a role in showcasing Nova Scotia,” says Fougere. “We're looking at how we can expand the footprint of our impact to make sure that when people come here, there's no way to escape it: you're in Nova Scotia, you're going to see it, you're going to feel it, and you're going to taste it.”

COVER STORY

IMAGE CREDITS: RYAN WILLIAMS PHOTOGRAPHY (TOP LEFT), ATLANTIC LIVESTREAM (BOTTOM LEFT), JAMES INGRAM (RIGHT)

Charting impact “beyond our walls” In Events East’s 2022-2023 Business Plan, President and CEO Carrie Cussons says, “With the full return of events, we will focus on ensuring the impact of our business extends beyond our walls and into the community that we serve.”

How does the impact move beyond the walls of the venues? “First, we play a critical role as a participant in the hospitality and tourism sector of this province,” says Fougere. “Many of our partners had a very challenging couple of years — restaurants and small businesses were directly impacted by the pandemic.

The most immediate impact that we've seen coming from the spring and into the summer is the power of live events and the vibrancy that drives back into a community.”

The impact is most immediately

seen in the areas surrounding of the Convention Centre and Scotiabank Centre, according to Fougere. “We're coming off the busiest convention season that we've had since we opened the doors to the Convention Centre,” she says. “I think you could see it everywhere. You couldn't turn a corner without seeing delegates at our restaurants, visiting our shops, and driving traffic back onto main streets — a key part of helping the economy and communities recover.”

Jefferson adds that other types of businesses feel the impact. “While we think of the obvious benefactors of tourism being hotels, restaurants, and tour operators, the majority of visitors’ spending happens in less obvious businesses, from dry-cleaning to drug stores, convenience stores, and general retail,” he says. “A lesser-known fact: one in 27 people who stay in HRM overnight are temporary visitors, which means the BUSINESS VOICE

region hosts 5.3 million overnight visitors who need meals, accommodations, coffee, sunscreen, and more.”

Halifax drives “social energy” in the province, according to Jefferson.

“To experience social or cultural events, Atlantic Canadians in rural communities need to travel, whether to their nearest city or town for an evening or overnight,” he says. “Halifax has a significant portion of the market share of this group, and over 67% of our leisure visitors are coming from Atlantic Canada. Events, culture, and animations in the community are critical to the market strength we retain.”

In addition to business, Events East boosts sectors that are relevant to the city and province. “When we're thinking about attracting national and international events, we try to focus on key sectors of advantage for Nova Scotia,” says Fougere. “Events in sectors 17

COVER STORY

IMAGE CREDITS: MIKE DEMBECK (TOP LEFT), JODY WAGSTAFF (TOP RIGHT), NATIONAL BLACK CANADIANS SUMMIT (BOTTOM LEFT), ASPEN FILMS (BOTTOM RIGHT)

like life sciences and oceans reflect the policy focus and research strengths of this region. This year alone, we will host ten national and international medical conferences and six ocean tech aquaculture events.”

Chris Bourque, Executive Director of the Ocean Technology Council of Nova Scotia, speaks on the benefits of hosting the H2O Conference and Exhibition in Halifax. “Our industry is very much relationship and technology forward, so there is a great benefit in supporting connections in-person as well as being able to showcase technology and equipment,” he says. “Halifax is a hot spot for Ocean Technology with access to the ocean and world class local facilities.”

Finally, Events East supports events tied to the local community. “We play an important role as a backdrop for important community conversations,” says Fougere. “While we focus on attracting national and international conventions, 18

it's equally important to us that we're supporting homegrown organizations that rely on event activity to drive fundraising streams, important conversations, and celebrations in the community.”

Fougere cites events like the Halifax Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Fall and Spring Dinners. “Those are important milestones in the community calendar that create opportunities for people to gather, celebrate, and support nonprofit and fundraising initiatives that are key to keeping a vibrant community thriving,” she says.

Supporting local through authentic Nova Scotia experiences In their efforts to showcase authentic Nova Scotia experiences, Events East has launched the Local Program. “What we try to do through the Local Program is create opportunities that can help visitors OCTOBER 2022

learn to love Nova Scotia like a local,” says Fougere.

That love can come from culture, music, and culinary experiences. “We spend a lot of time making sure that when people are here, they're getting a true Nova Scotia culinary experience,” says Fougere. “We make sure the menu our in-house culinary team delivers showcases the best in Nova Scotia's culinary offerings. We work with over 70 local food and beverage suppliers, and we feature their products on our menu — that can be everything from signature dishes to the real, simple ingredients that go into making every dish.”

Delegates can also have an authentic Nova Scotia experience through their pop-up program, which is hosted in partnership with Taste of Nova Scotia and Craft Nova Scotia. “We invite those organizations and their purveyors and members to come directly inside the Convention Centre and we operate

COVER STORY

pop-up shops during conventions,” says Fougere. “So, if you don't have time to travel the entire province, you can still get a taste of everything.” At the National Black Canadians Summit in July 2022, the Events East team helped to organize a successful pop-up program showcasing local Black-owned businesses.

The National Black Canadians Summit was first established in 2017 by the Michaëlle Jean Foundation. “The African Nova Scotian experience was the beating heart of our event,” says Tara Lapointe, Executive Director of the Michaëlle Jean Foundation. “The city of Halifax warmly welcomed the delegates, and many participants spoke to the deep emotional connection they now have with Halifax, having learned firsthand about significant Black Canadians at the Black Cultural Centre and having visited the Africville museum. I’m sure many will plan return visits, bringing their families in the future.”

"The most diverse mix of events we’ve seen.”

What events are on the horizon for Events East? A strong mix of corporate, sports events, entertainment, and community events. “It's probably the most diverse mix of events that we've seen in years,” says Fougere.

This year, the Convention Centre will host over 120 events, including 30 national and international events, with a total of 80,000 delegates. Be sure to reserve your tickets for the Chamber’s upcoming Fall Dinner, along with The Laing House Masquerade Ball, Phoenix Youth Holiday Luncheon, and the 2023 Most Inspiring Immigrants in Atlantic Canada.

The Scotiabank Centre will host 500,000 attendees over 100 events.

In addition to performers like Sting, Bryan Adams, and Michael Bublé, the Scotiabank Centre will host sporting BUSINESS VOICE

events with the Halifax Mooseheads, Halifax Thunderbirds, and the 2023 World Junior Hockey Championship.

“That is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to host an event like that, which will attract sold out audiences and will be televised around the world,” says Fougere.

Fougere reflects on what the return to live events has meant to the Events East team. “It's a strong reaffirmation that people want to be here and that Nova Scotia has something special to offer,” she says. “Our focus now is to continue driving that momentum of event activity into the downtown core and to ensure that those we work with are feeling the full benefit of what it means to have live events back — back, and back strong.”

Learn more about upcoming events at: halifaxconventioncentre.com scotiabank-centre.com

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SPOTLIGHT

Small business, big tech How small businesses in Halifax are using technology to innovate and support By Emily Bednarz

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or the past 43 years, the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) has organized Small Business Week, an annual celebration of entrepreneurship in October. To promote the hardworking small businesses in our community, we spoke with five local, innovative small businesses in the technology industry.

Their products, services, research, and software have all impacted how (small) business is done in Halifax!

Maritime Robotics maritimerobotics.ca Maritime Robotics is a start-up tech company that was first established in 2018.

The company was founded by a female entrepreneur and is led by a female researcher, says Huijing He, Director of Maritime Robotics. “I spent a lot of time working from home during the pandemic, which gave me a whole lot of new ideas,” says He. “My friends encouraged me that women can do well in technology sector too.”

Maritime Robotics specializes in robotic software solutions for retail, food services, and events. “We came together with a shared vision to provide a solution for businesses to reduce the human workload by using our intelligent robot,” says He. “We simply put all the best local intelligence together and serve local businesses who need it.”

The company currently builds two types of robots: the delivery robot and the guiding robot. You may have seen their delivery or “server robots” in local restaurants like Upstreet BBQ Brewhouse and May Garden, where food is delivered from the kitchen to tables. Their guiding robot provides navigation and promotion services in the retail and hospitality industries.

The Maritime Robotics team can make modifications to their robots, based on the needs of a business. “We’re not simply selling the robots,” says He. “We’re providing local on-site service and training service through the entire automation process to help our clients stay competitive.”

Part of staying competitive means 20

PRESTON MULLIGAN AND HUIJING HE (IMAGE CREDIT: MARITIME ROBOTICS, CBC NEWS NOVA SCOTIA)

helping their clients find solutions to the current labour shortage. “The pandemic made the labour shortage worse in industries like hospitality,” says He. “Restaurants and retail stores rely heavily on the labour, and under labour shortage pressure they have maximized productivity — one solution is automation.”

He addresses the anxiety those in the workforce may feel about robotics and automation. “There is growing social acceptance of robotics since the global pandemic,” she says. “A lot of countries have applied service robots in restaurants, malls, and airports. Atlantic Canada is still early in the overall adoption of automation.”

The overall benefit of robotics and automation, according to He? “The combination of human work processes and technology automation can offer improved reliability and capability,” she says. “It frees up people from simple tasks and allows them to handle a more complex workload.”

Enginuity enginuityinc.ca Twenty years ago, Ben Garvey, a mechanical engineer at Dalhousie University, started a business from his basement.

With the first contract, Enginuity began delivering creating engineering to local communities, particularly in the harsh OCTOBER 2022

environment sector, fishing industry, and marine science.

Enginuity has continued to grow its team and talents ever since, with a focus on problem-solving and solutions. “We help clients understand the challenge they’re facing and discover solutions,” says Alastair Trower, Director of Business Development.

Their staff of 50 boasts expertise in mechanical engineering, controls, AI, manufacturing, design, and electronics. “If you wrap up all of those skills together, it’s a bit of a Swiss army knife,” says Trower. “Once you understand the challenge you’re working with, you can pull out the right blade and assemble the right team.”

That begins with a formal discovery process. “We wrap a team of engineers around a challenge,” says Trower. “Say you have an idea for a new product. We break the idea down and ask: who's going to buy this product? Where and how would they interact with it? Those questions steer the design direction and qualify the scale of the challenge.”

The result is a clear path forward.

“We now understand what you want to achieve, and we have a clear understanding of how much money will take you where you want to go. We are the steppingstones you need to get this working in a commercial environment.”

For established companies,

SPOTLIGHT

THE ENGINUITY TEAM (TOP LEFT) HELPS TO CREATE PRODUCTS LIKE A MEDICAL BEAD DISPENSING SYSTEM CANNING AUTOMATION SOLUTION (BOTTOM LEFT). THE IMMEDIAC TEAM (TOP RIGHT) WORKS WITH STUDENTS AND LOCAL BUSINESSES TO CREATE WEBSITES AND MOBILE APPS (BOTTOM RIGHT).

Enginuity helps evaluate strategies for improvement. “We work through the entire production process, and we identify steps where we can make improvements,” says Trower. “We determine what it’s costing you and the potential value that can be gained by fixing the problem.”

Trower provides an example: “Production machinery lasts for a long time, but they need adjustments,” he says. “The problem with manual checking is that you may pick a defective product off the line, but you don’t know when the problem happened in the process.

With AI, you can start flagging issues earlier, reducing the amount of lost and recalled product.”

Beyond the product line, the team at Enginuity are inspired by making an impact. “We’re motivated by curiosity and by wanting to be part of the solution,” says Trower. “In segments like the environment and renewable energy, we’re able to assess new technologies to solve big problems. We love being in a position where we can push those initiatives forward.”

ImmediaC immediac.com When John Leahy, Founder and CEO of ImmediaC, begins speaking about his business, he says: “I’m the luckiest guy in the world.” The ImmediaC team first

started building web-enabled databases in 1998. “Once upon a time it was me writing code in my basement,” says Leahy.

The company’s services have grown to include web and app design, with the help of their innovative team. “We have 20 people — almost all under 40 — who are all doing that work,” says Leahy.

“They’re bright, brilliant, motivated, and their standards are off the charts. That’s why I’m the luckiest guy in the world.”

From conferences, to registration, to membership management, to voting software, Leahy is proud to help businesses and organizations get online. During the pandemic, ImmediaC worked with local breweries like Big Spruce and Spin Drift to build online stores for home delivery.

“Together, we helped our clients earn $1 million during the first few months of the pandemic,” says Leahy. “We weren't unique — everyone figured out how to do it — but we were in a position to help a few of them.”

Listening and being present for customers is also key to ImmediaC’s success. “What sets us apart? Support,” says Leahy. “We answer the phone — still! Your website or web app sits quietly most of the time until a change needs to happen. ImmediaC is about being responsive. We upgrade and update and keep our clients protected.”

When it comes to advice for small BUSINESS VOICE

businesses, Leahy has two tips. “To solve customer problems, be careful and listen to what your clients are asking for and they’ll tell you,” he says. It also helps to ensure your customer support team is patient and understanding. “We don’t have a technical person doing frontend support,” says Leahy. “The person who answers our phone is empathetic and does triage for after launch support.”

While ImmediaC works with many clients in the United States, working with small businesses in Nova Scotia keeps their team energized. “There are lots of opportunities here locally,” says Leahy “We live here, we work here, and we want to do business here.”

Couryah couryah.com Halifax-based Couryah is a local courier service looking to bridge the gap between business and consumers. “Couryah launched in 2019 with a mission to improve the livelihood of our local community,” says Omar Soliman, Co-Founder and COO. “From our customers who want convenience without breaking the bank, to local retailers who are unable to afford and maintain an online presence or offer delivery, and to workers who are looking for fair pay and flexible hours.”

Couryah’s capabilities and impact have grown significantly since launching.

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SPOTLIGHT

MOHAMED AND OMAR SOLIMAN, CO-FOUNDERS OF COURYAH (LEFT AND BOTTOM CENTRE). RAFFLEBOX HALIFAX OFFICE (TOP CENTRE) AND CO-FOUNDERS MATTHEW BROUSSARD, SIMON CUSACK, DAVE CHEUNG, AND JAMIE ARCHIBALD (RIGHT).

“Three years ago, when technology was limited, we started with just a website as a storefront for our platform,” says Soliman. “After over 8,900 hours of planning, design, and development, we launched our new and improved platform. We delivered over 30,000 orders and served over 5,000 people throughout Halifax during arguably one of the most difficult times of our lives.”

Today, Couryah works with over 40 partner stores and their database contains over 17,000 grocery products.

“Our partner business owners can fully customise and control their digital stores through our web dashboard,” says Soliman. “They can create unique and segmented promotions for separate audiences. Many of the features we now provide are designed specifically for local grocers and ethnic mini markets that have thousands of products and can benefit from the ease of creating weekly flyer deals and bundles.”

For local businesses interested in joining Couryah, the process is simple, according to Soliman. “We charge a small fee for orders placed through our platform; this fee supports our technology, couriers, and customer service,” he says. “We support local businesses in setting up their digital store online for free — we help them to get online with the right tools for increased visibility and to reach new customers throughout the city.”

When reflecting on his journey as a small business owner, Soliman highlights local impact. “As an entrepreneur, you embark on this perilous journey in the hopes of creating something valuable 22

and beneficial for yourself and your community,” he says. “During the pandemic with Couryah, we saw firsthand the impact of our business on the people in the community. We received feedback from business owners about how Couryah was a life saviour for them and their families during a time of need. This kind of feedback fuels our desire to continue providing innovation and service to our community.”

Rafflebox rafflebox.ca In 2016, Matthew Broussard, Simon Cusack, Dave Cheung, and Jamie Archibald founded Rafflebox, a platform that helps local sports teams, charities, and non-profits raise funds through online and in-person raffles. “Thinking outside the box, we created a secure, online fundraising platform that streamlines the payment process for ticket buyers and simplifies the tracking process for organizations,” says Simon Cusack, COO and Co-Founder. “We’re increasing the organization’s ability to reach new donors within their target audience by simply sharing a link.”

Rafflebox has helped their partners raise millions of dollars in recent years.

“In September 2020, we celebrated the first $5 million raised for our charitable partners,” says Cusack. “Flash forward to September 2022, we are currently celebrating the $100 million raised milestone. We’re humbled that so many charities trust our platform, but we are now pushing to make it to the $1 billion raised milestone. There’s still much more OCTOBER 2022

work to be done.”

To date, the largest fundraiser on the Rafflebox platform was hosted by the Nova Scotia Firefighters. Their 2021 50/50 Christmas Draw hit a jackpot of $1.76M, and they continue to host Canada’s largest weekly 50/50 fundraiser through Rafflebox. “This raffle program has helped over 268 fire departments across Nova Scotia upgrade their level of service and support other charities and community organizations in need,” says Cusack. “With over 120 weekly draws to date, winners across Nova Scotia have been going home with over $150,000 weekly.”

Rafflebox is also taking fundraising to your fingertips. “Our newest product, In-Venue Ticket Sales, helps organizations raise funds in-person using cash, credit or debit,” says Cusack. “This product is perfect for any event, conference, sports game, or festival. In some provinces, they allow both online and in-person ticket sales. This allows organizations to easily sell tickets to people at their event, as well as people who want to support their cause but couldn’t make it to the event.”

The Rafflebox team is made up of over 30 individuals across the country, with 22 stationed in their Halifax office.

“Our community is made up of people who are passionate about making a difference, who are ready to roll up their sleeves and get to work making their communities better places to live,” says Cusack. “Their dedication and passion drive us to continue building a fundraising platform that makes a difference.”

MEMBER PROFILE

Delivering deliciousness in Dartmouth Delectable Desserts filling the gap for locally sourced, menu-ready desserts By Emily Bednarz IMAGE CREDIT: BALANCE CREATIVE

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hen Dennis and Melissa Mbeba stepped on stage at the 2022 Halifax Business Awards to accept their trophy for Small Business of the Year, everyone in the room felt their joy and enthusiasm. It wasn’t hard to imagine how their passion and energy could translate into award-winning desserts.

For Melissa Mbeba, creating joy is at the heart of the business. “Desserts make people happy,” she says. “They add something special to any celebration, they bring families and friends together, and they delight people of every age. We love putting smiles on the faces of our customers and hearing how much they loved their dessert.”

Back in 2017, Dennis and Melissa Mbeba first opened Delectable Desserts after noticing a need in the Halifax Regional Municipality for locally sourced, menu-ready desserts. “Many foodservice operators are unable to produce desserts in-house because of staffing, space, or time constraints — so they outsource,” explains Melissa Mbeba.

“Most menu-ready desserts are imported from western Canada or the United States via international foodservice distributors. We provide a fresh alternative to those looking for it.”

Delectable Desserts can tailor their desserts to suit any type of establishment or event, and they typically cost less than desserts made in-house. They can be delivered decorated or undecorated and can be stored frozen for up to nine months. “We have an amazing team of professionally trained bakers who help to produce our desserts from scratch each day,” says Melissa Mbeba. “We use only high-quality ingredients that are locally sourced whenever possible. We crack every egg, use real cream, and we honestly bake with love.”

While the bulk of their revenue is now made through wholesale sales, it

took time and hard work to generate customer trust. “Our biggest challenge was securing wholesale customers when we first opened,” says Melissa Mbeba.

“We had no reputation, and there was rightfully some hesitation from foodservice operators about providing a new and unknown product to their customers.

Once chefs started buying from us, they quickly became regular customers.”

Their regular customers helped Delectable Desserts find success across Halifax. “They started spreading the word to other chefs and restauranteurs in the city,” says Melissa Mbeba. “Word of mouth has been our most effective form of advertising.”

BUSINESS VOICE

The popularity of Delectable Desserts has opened a new revenue stream outside of wholesale sales.

“We’ve developed a loyal following of retail customers, and this now accounts for almost one third of our business,” says Melissa Mbeba. “We sell our products in our retail shop in Burnside from Tuesday to Saturday, as well as online.

This is something we didn’t plan for, but we love it!”

Melissa Mbeba notes that success has brought its challenges, too. “As an established business, our biggest challenge is securing the production space and sourcing necessities like packaging needed to keep up with demand,” she says. “We haven’t overcome these obstacles yet, but being too busy is a good problem to have!”

Expansion and innovation are on the horizon for Delectable Desserts. “With fall just around the corner, new seasonal flavours will be available very soon,” says Melissa Mbeba. “We are also looking to expand our production facility in 2023 to keep up with local demand and broaden our geographic market to include all three Maritime provinces.”

Learn more about Delectable Desserts at: delectabledesserts.ca 23

SURGE SPOTLIGHT

Retro refresh Upshaw’s Roller Dome putting a new spin on a family favourite By Emily Bednarz IMAGES CONTRIBUTED

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ho’s ready for a roller dome reboot? The romance, the snacks, the...K-Pop? Located in the Spryfield Shopping Centre, Upshaw’s Roller Dome is a 6,500-square-foot roller rink equipped with groovy mood lighting, the latest hits, and enough pairs of roller skates to outfit your next corporate retreat!

Upshaw’s Roller Dome opened this past June. For owner Shane Upshaw, the timing was perfect. “The business started out with the idea that after COVID-19 restrictions were lifted, communities would be looking for fun and affordable entertainment to enjoy with their families or significant others,” says Upshaw.

Opening a new business wasn’t without its challenges, though. “Competing against sunny beach weather, concerts, parades, and vacations has been a challenge,” says Upshaw. “But that's part of summer vacation!”

The challenges have brought opportunities for learning at Upshaw’s Roller Dome. “When Upshaw's first started, we were unsure of what our demographic would be,” says Upshaw. “Over the past two months we have realized that there are all sorts of skaters each with their own styles.”

For Upshaw, getting to know their demographic has been one of the most rewarding parts of running the roller dome. “At Upshaw's we try and make a personal connection with all the patrons to make them feel safe and comfortable,” he says. “Once skaters learn the basics, we engage them to step out of their comfort zone and try new things. We put down pylons and show people how to navigate through them — we also have a whole 'TRICK’ board for people to challenge and improve their skills.”

Maintaining a welcoming and fun customer experience is top-of-mind for Upshaw. “Now that we can gauge our busy times — and plan accordingly with specific genres of music — we are able to have a schedule that fits all ages,”

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he says. “By doing this, we have a good advantage to ensure everyone has a good time. The happiness we see, in both younger and older people, is amazing.

It motivates us to keep the smiling faces coming back for more and more fun.”

There's plenty to look forward to on the horizon for Upshaw. “We have so many special events and services yet to initiate — besides birthday parties OCTOBER 2022

and corporate events that have become regular bookings, we will soon have a VIP lounge and a full canteen with hot foods,” he says. “And holiday parties are just around the corner.”

Book your next gathering at Upshaw’s Roller Dome by visiting: hfxrollerdome.com

WORKING FOR YOU

Hiring international students Benefiting employers, students, and the local economy

LAURA HANUSIAK AND SUZANNE RIX, QC IMMIGRATION LAWYERS COX & PALMER

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hroughout the past few years, and particularly in light of the COVID19 pandemic, Nova Scotia’s appeal as a desirable place to live has only increased.

Many international students in Nova Scotia wish to remain in the province following their graduation; however, they require worthwhile employment opportunities to be able to do so. Fortunately, the federal and provincial governments have created programs which will allow many to settle in Nova Scotia with relative ease.

Hiring an international student is a great way for employers to grow their workforce in Nova Scotia. International students are often well-educated, English- or French-speaking, and eager to integrate themselves into the community.

Over the past several years, the process for hiring an international student has become increasingly simplified. In brief, students holding a Study Permit who have completed a full-time program of study of at least 8 months at a qualified educational institution are eligible to apply for a Post-Graduate Work Permit (“PGWP”). A PGWP is an open Work Permit, meaning that it allows the Permit holder to work for almost any Canadian employer.

The length of the PGWP will depend on the length of the student’s studies. If the student’s program lasted more than 8 months but less than 2 years, a student can obtain a PGWP for the length of their studies. If the program of study was 2 years or longer, a student can obtain a PGWP valid for 3 years. In many cases, international students can begin working while they wait for their PGWP

application to be processed, as long as they held a valid Study Permit at the time their application was made.

In recognition of the difficulty that many recent graduates have encountered finding employment during the COVID19 pandemic, the federal government has introduced a new public policy allowing international students whose PGWP expired or will expire between September 20, 2021 and December 31, 2022 to apply for an additional 18-month extension of their Work Permit. This gives them more time to find skilled work experience in Canada.

Hiring a former international student on a PGWP can be done with ease

by Nova Scotia employers as, unlike other Work Permit programs, the employer does not need to prove that they were not able to find a qualified Canadian or Permanent Resident to fill the position prior to offering employment. Rather, they can simply extend the offer of employment to the PGWP holder. There are no extra steps the employer must take when hiring a PGWP holder as opposed to a Canadian candidate.

International students often have diverse backgrounds, have had unique experiences, and may view the world through a different cultural lens that could help bring new perspectives and innovation to Nova Scotia’s businesses.

They may also have global connections which can be utilized by an employer looking to expand their business and reach new markets outside of Nova Scotia or Canada. Hiring an international student who speaks another language (as many do) may also prove to be hugely beneficial for employers in today’s globalized economy.

International students who intend to remain in Canada on a permanent basis will often be seeking skilled work experience. Gaining skilled work experience in Nova Scotia will help international BUSINESS VOICE

students to carve their pathway to Permanent Residence by way of the Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry program. To avail themselves of this program, international students must have studied in Nova Scotia and have one year of full-time, skilled work experience in Nova Scotia at the time they apply. For employers, all that is required is that they provide a reference letter confirming the international student’s length of employment, job title, job duties, number of hours per week, and salary.

By hiring international students, employers have the opportunity to gain new perspectives, increase their innovation, diversify their workforce, make new connections, expand their business globally, and reach new markets. For international students who studied in Nova Scotia, working in a skilled job for a Nova Scotia employer for one year will provide them access to a straightforward Permanent Residence program, ultimately creating a win-win situation for both Nova Scotia employers and recent international graduates.

Suzanne Rix, QC, is the Managing Partner of Cox & Palmer’s Halifax office. She was called to the Nova Scotia Bar in 1998.

Suzanne assists clients with all types of Work Permit Applications, Permanent Residence Applications and Canadian Citizenship Applications. Suzanne can be reached at srix@coxandpalmer.com.

Laura Hanusiak is an Associate in the Halifax office of Cox & Palmer. She is the Chair of the Citizenship and Immigration Law Section of the Canadian Bar Association – Nova Scotia Branch. Laura assists clients with various Work Permit, Temporary Residence and Permanent Residence Applications. Laura can be reached at lhanusiak@coxandpalmer.com.

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WORKING FOR YOU

People, planet, prosperity Halifax’s Inclusive Economic Strategy for 2022-2027

“Over the next five years, we will continue to leverage our city’s strengths and momentum and build upon lessons learned.”

— Wendy Luther President & CEO, Halifax Partnership

WENDY LUTHER PRESIDENT & CEO HALIFAX PARTNERSHIP

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magine it’s 2037. Halifax is a prosperous, growing city with 650,000 residents and a booming economy valued at $32 billion. We are recognized as one of the greenest and most inclusive cities in North America — a city that puts the well-being of its people and planet first.

This is the long-term vision set out in People. Planet. Prosperity. Halifax’s Inclusive Economic Strategy for 20222027. Launched in April, the city’s new economic strategy is about growth, but not growth for growth’s sake. It focuses on ensuring all our residents can contribute to, and benefit from, Halifax’s growing economic prosperity.

Halifax Partnership led the development of the strategy, guided by the Economic Strategy Advisory Committee and in collaboration with the Halifax Regional Municipality. More than 2,500 business leaders, residents, and partners throughout the municipality contributed to this work by sharing ideas to build a more inclusive, sustainable, and prosperous Halifax.

Since the last economic plan spanning 2016-2021, Halifax has experienced remarkable economic and population growth. This is thanks to our post-secondary and community partners; all three orders of government; and the steadfast commitment, investment, and hard work of our business community.

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Together, we have driven growth and innovation in our key sectors, created new jobs, and attracted new people and companies. Even during the uncertainty of the pandemic, Halifax has experienced increased prosperity and record population growth which has created both economic opportunities and challenges.

Over the next five years, we will continue to leverage our city’s strengths and momentum and build upon lessons learned to execute on three priorities: promote and maximize inclusive and sustainable growth; attract, retain, and develop talent; and make Halifax a better place to live and work. This includes tackling growing pains such as increased pressure on housing, transportation, and talent availability, while seizing opportunities to grow Halifax’s green economy and accelerate innovation and entrepreneurship.

Most importantly, we will focus on driving inclusive economic growth that creates a better quality of life for all residents while reducing our city’s carbon footprint. These are the fundamental values that will guide the implementation of the strategy’s 73 actions. Our ability to deliver on that promise and realize our long-term vision depends on all of us working together, and the private sector has a significant role to play.

Here are five actions your business can take today: 1.

Explore the economic strategy at hfxeconstrategy.com and think about which goals and actions most align with your own. Bring your ideas and resources to the table and work with us to contribute to OCTOBER 2022

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3.

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Halifax’s future success.

If your business needs talent, consider hiring internationally trained professionals or recent graduates.

The Partnership’s labour market team can help you become a designated employer with the new permanent Atlantic Immigration Program and join the Halifax Connector Program where you will meet international and emerging talent.

Start-ups and SMEs are the foundation and future of our city. Give founders and small business owners the gift of your mentorship and be an early adopter and customer of their products and services. This will go a long way to ensuring the success of our business community.

Support the African Nova Scotian Road to Economic Prosperity by hiring and developing African Nova Scotian talent and by becoming a customer, mentor, or investor in Black-owned businesses.

Think about how you can green your business by developing or adopting energy efficiency plans, products, and practices. Reach out to Efficiency Nova Scotia to take advantage of programs that can make your business more competitive and comfortable while reducing your costs and carbon footprint.

As business leaders we all have work to do to realize our city’s full potential.

Halifax Partnership looks forward to doing this work with you.

Learn more at: hfxeconstrategy.com

WORKING FOR YOU

A Love Letter to Small Businesses Small businesses are the foundation of Nova Scotia's economy

ASHWIN KUTTY CO-FOUNDER & CEO WEUSTHEM

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ear Small Business Owner:

We all know that small businesses are the foundation, the lifeblood of the Nova Scotian economy. Small businesses contribute greatly to our local economy by creating jobs, paying sales and property taxes, and further supporting the local business community by buying from other local suppliers. For every $100 spent at a small business, $68 returns to the local economy (see Prime Pay for more details).

Small businesses can be in any industry, be developing a product or service, and serving customers locally or internationally. I know that you are diverse in who you are and what you do. For so many great ideas and entrepreneurs with a strong work ethic, the main issue can be getting off the ground.

I am glad there are a lot of incubators, startup seed organizations, and government supports that exist for you here in Nova Scotia and across the country. Any company may not plan to go national or international, but the important thing is that you coat our shores and the mainland with a healthy injection into our local economies that these supports are here for.

The unfortunate reality of the past couple of years is that small businesses were stuck in limbo due to the uncertainty of our economy and widespread closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

That said, you, my fellow entrepreneur, have a drive that has resulted in you coming back even stronger than you once were. I am here cheering you on each day and will rally behind your continued growth as, regardless of the inflationary

pressures we all feel, our economy restarts and roars back.

Everyone has an idea; the difference for us in Nova Scotia is that it seems to be full of people with fantastic ideas. You, small business, are innovative create over 16 times more patents per employee than large companies (see Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council). According to Statistics Canada, small businesses accounted for 98.1% of all employer businesses in Canada, in 2021. Last year, they employed 10.3 million Canadians, equating to 63.8% of our total labour force. Innovation is in your blood and the chutzpah to survive and thrive is within you.

There’s something about small businesses that is not only inviting to do-ers and go-getters but to customers as well. A mom-and-pop shop like yourself selling suits for the past 50 years has a special draw to potential customers — you offer a unique type of attention and service.

How can we help ensure a prosperous future, full of small businesses? Help those who have an idea find out how to make it work. Teach them the good and the bad of being a small business owner through your own journey. Sure, in the beginning it can be slow, working a hefty 60-hour week or on the opposite end, not having the time to dedicate to the concept, but the rewards of pursuing your dreams has no equal. Remind them to be BUSINESS VOICE

tenacious and not lose hope when it gets tough. Tell them to avoid the naysayers and to chase their dream with everything in them. Also tell them that there are a whole bunch of us that they can reach out to for help, or at the very least for a check-in to get them through the tough times. We are lone rangers as you well know, but a helping hand never hurt us so, let's ensure the new aspiring small businesses know that as well.

You may no longer be a small business someday, and my hope remains that each of you to find success, as you define it. Don’t forget that you too struggled, you too built this from the ground up, and now there are others that can follow suit with your guidance, mentorship, and sage advice. By participating in building yet another small business, you are adding to the bloodline of our economy.

We need you and more of you, so go forth and propagate by bringing on new players to ride this tumultuous wave of entrepreneurship. Rest assured the rest of the community will be here cheering you on. They appreciate you as much as I do and will continue to support you as you do them.

To you and everyone that make you possible, Happy Small Business Week!

Love, The Community

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SPONSORED CONTENT

The secret ingredient Reestablishing sustainable growth at Halifax Stanfield

JOYCE CARTER PRESIDENT AND CEO HALIFAX INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY

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here’s something special about Halifax. We’re quaint but dynamic, bold yet refined, beautiful and understated. A little sweet and a little salty.

Our reputation precedes us. It’s engrained in our culture — even the volunteers at our airport are known for it. It’s the people, your businesses, our communities. That’s what makes Halifax special. It’s what separates us from the rest of the world.

And when the world seemingly shut down, the people and businesses of Halifax rose to the occasion. It’s been gritty and challenging to say the least, but you’ve shown up with integrity and courage to make Halifax a safe and hopeful place to do business, all while highlighting what’s needed for a better way forward.

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Like so many of you, we took the opportunity to re-evaluate our plans and now starting to see them unfold. As an integral part of the air transportation supply chain and the larger travel ecosystem, we’re working to safely return Halifax Stanfield to previous business activity levels and reestablish sustainable growth.

We’re focused on recovery, but we’re also looking forward to address ongoing challenges. We’re streamlining processes, filling labour shortages, getting new destinations, ensuring there’s enough demand, attracting people to Halifax, and connecting with our community.

By working together, we can better understand where we can make the greatest impact. Our airport contributes to the vibrancy and accelerates the growth of our region in myriad ways.

From welcoming newcomers, to investing in infrastructure that allows for more imports and exports or increasing non-stop flights that save you time and money. We’re inspired and want to create Canada’s best gateway airport for you.

When you put all the pieces together, it’s no wonder Halifax has so much to offer. Despite recent challenges, we’re more motivated than ever to improve and grow. The world better watch out.

Joyce Carter will be speaking to Chamber members on Wednesday, November 9.

Get your tickets now at: halifaxchamber.com/events.

OCTOBER 2022

TRENDS

Invest in your workplace wellbeing Employers must develop and maintain healthy work environments to compete for talent

ERIN CHRISTIE COMMUNICATIONS AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT CANADIAN MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION NOVA SCOTIA Quiet quitting. Hybrid workspaces.

Vaccine policies. The pandemic has impacted the way we feel about where we work, how we work, and the way we work. Job vacancies are at a high, having climbed 3.2 per cent in June from a month earlier, as employers sought to fill more than one million positions for a third consecutive month.

October is Canada’s Healthy Workplace month, a national initiative that focuses on raising awareness around the importance of workplace mental health. Prioritizing the mental well-being of workers is not only the right thing to do but a smart business move. Peoplecentric spaces and programming that support overall health are becoming essential to attract and retain top talent.

Reviewing workplace processes, policies, and access to support can seem like a challenging and overwhelming task. But it is well worth the time, cost, and energy. It’s an opportunity to both get it right with employees and improve the work landscape for the future.

BUSINESS VOICE

The Canadian Mental Health Association — Nova Scotia Division (CMHA NS) offers workplace wellness information and psychological health and safety training, as well as free programming that supports mental health literacy and wellness. These trainings and programs cover a range of topics, from stress management, to building boundaries, to self-care, to community suicide prevention.

To discover how CMHA NS can help employers and employees meet their mental health and wellness goals, visit: novascotia.cmha.ca

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TRENDS

Electrifying opportunities Leveraging Québec expertise into partnerships for a greener Nova Scotia Submitted on behalf of the Bureau du Québec dans les Provinces atlantiques

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s Nova Scotia moves forward with its goal of becoming Canada’s first carbon neutral province by 2050, Québec innovators and entrepreneurs are poised to assist their Maritime neighbours in meeting their ambitious greenhouse gas reduction targets. With a large percentage of current GHG emissions in Nova Scotia attributable to the transportation sector, Québec’s thriving electric transport mobility sector offers a smorgasbord of partnership opportunities that may hold the key to transitioning to an electrified future.

In May 2022, that future was brought into focus when Québec’s Nova Bus announced it had entered a contract with Halifax Transit for the purchase of up to 60 new electric buses. The new 100% battery electric buses will replace up to 60 diesel-powered buses by 2024, helping to advance the City of Halifax’s pursuit of its 2050 goals.

Dressed for success In recent years, Québec expertise in the electrification of transport has matured to a level where the province enjoys a reputation as an emerging North American leader. Québec’s concentrated efforts to continue developing innovative technologies and manufacturing capabilities positions the province as a global force in the electrification of transportation. From the manufacture of electric school and public transportation buses to 100% electrified commercial vehicles and sidewalk sweepers, Québec has developed an eye-opening ecosystem of ingenuity and expertise in the sector.

In total, Québec’s electric transport sector accounts for $1.3 billion of the province’s annual GDP, with 147 businesses actively engaged in exporting an estimated $830 million of related goods and services. Beyond the provision of electric vehicles, Québec’s thriving ecosystem extends to infrastructure expertise for the maintenance of vehicles, the installation of electric terminal stations, 30

and the storing of heavy electric vehicles.

Additionally, Québec is home to more than 80 players dedicated to every facet of lithium-ion battery production and battery recycling processes. With Lion Electric’s announcement of a new $185 million battery manufacturing plant and innovation centre set to open in Québec in 2023, the sector continues to expand at a rapid pace as invaluable links in the supply chain continue to close.

Fostering collaboration The Bureau du Québec dans les Provinces atlantiques (Québec Office in the Atlantic Provinces) is a gateway to Québec expertise and business opportunities. Since 1980, the office has represented the gouvernement du Québec in intergovernmental and institutional relations, cultural partnerships, and economic and commercial development — first in Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia, and then in Newfoundland and Labrador. As part of its mandate, the office’s economic Attachés promote Québec innovation and know-how in the Atlantic provinces.

They also provide strategic market intelligence to Québec businesses looking to expand into those markets, as well as to Atlantic businesses interested in partnering and investing in Québec.

Under the guidance of Maud-Andrée OCTOBER 2022

Lefebvre, Chief Representative, the office has organized hundreds of meetings, in a variety of economic sectors, between Québec and Atlantic province businesses. As a result, a growing array of Atlantic municipalities have expressed interest in tapping into Québec’s transport electrification ecosystem.

The Québec Office’s introductions have included collaborations with Propulsion Québec, an organization comprising more than 260 startups, established companies, institutions, research centres, and mobility operators tasked with consolidating Québec’s industrial cluster of electric and smart vehicle expertise.

The road ahead The future is brightly illuminated with electrified visions of mobility hubs featuring high concentrations of transportation modes, including public transit, bike sharing, ride sharing, electric vehicle charging stations, and much more.

As Nova Scotia pursues its ambitious NetZero goals, Québec’s innovative entrepreneurs are willing and able to share their expertise to help pave the road to a better world.

Learn more at: sqrc.gouv.qc.ca

TRENDS

Think Africa Spotlighting opportunities for Nova Scotia businesses to access the fastest growing continent

ADVERTISE IN

KEN OGUZIE INTERNATIONAL TRADE ANALYST AND CONSULTANT AFRICA CANADA TRADE AND INVESTMENT VENTURE PLC

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he Government of Canada has continually stated its commitment towards strengthening Canada’s connections to the global economy. A key part of this strategy is around increasing overseas exports by 50 percent by 2025 as well as attracting Foreign Direct Investment to Canada (see international.gc.ca for more information).

Canada will require an “outside the box” export and investment attraction strategy to meet this target. It will require a focus on “non-traditional” high traffic markets in a bid to penetrate these markets. As always, the Government of Canada must create the necessary “comfort” programs to give private sector businesses access these markets.

As of today, Canada’s major trade partners include USA, China, Japan, and the European Union. The focus on the Asia-Pacific region was a result of the rise of the middle class in Asia; a diversification strategy was developed in line with the changing demographic, and this strategy has yielded visible results to date. However, in light of recent socio-political events affecting China (to a larger extent) and the USA (to a lesser extent) — as well as the Brexit situation in the UK and the rest of Europe — a business case for diversification into new markets has

For over 100 years, Business Voice has been the main communication vehicle for members of the Halifax Chamber of Commerce. The magazine promotes the Halifax business community and keeps our members informed.

Get started today at: halifaxchamber.com/business-voice

become a focus for discussion.

The recently enacted Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA) made Africa the world’s largest free trade area. Along with AFCFTA and a market of 1.2 billion people, Africa seems to be a logical destination to support Canada’s Trade and Export Diversification Strategy. Africa today accounts for around 17% of the world’s population.

Countries such as Nigeria (a population of over 200 million people), South Africa, Kenya, and Egypt all lead the pack with consistently growing economies (4.5% average) and unlimited international trade opportunities. The AFCFTA agreement will not only boost intra-African trade — it will also make it easier for exporters to access the African market.

According to data from Nova Scotia Department of Finance and Treasury Board as well as OECD, Nova Scotia’s top exports include rubber products, seafood products, fishing and aquaculture products, pneumatic tyres, and uncoated paper. These are all products sought after in the African Market. Specifically, Nigeria currently imports more than 2.5 million tonnes of seafood annually and South Africa currently imports paper and BUSINESS VOICE

paper board estimated at $800 million USD annually. Services and products related to IT, engineering, and technology all present opportunities for companies based in Nova Scotia to explore.

A recent review focused on major companies based in Europe and the USA who have made major successes in Africa. According to the review, their strategies included building partnerships with local companies in the target market and developing mutually beneficial relationships with suppliers. Critical to the success of this strategy for Nova Scotian businesses will be utilising the various supports available for businesses looking to export their products and services.

As we move into the post-pandemic recovery phase, with the “economy reset” button turned on, it is imperative that Nova Scotian businesses seek out new export markets outside the traditional export destinations. With recent socio-economic and political changes in China, the USA, and Europe, there has never been a better time to explore the markets in Africa.

Learn more at: activafr.com 31

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OCTOBER 2022