Bright Future

Technology has been affecting how we make a living since we first started using tools. Never before, though, has technology changed as quickly as it does today. As artificial intelligence becomes more common in our everyday tasks, we can expect even more disruption: No longer will a human be the smartest entity in the room.   This disruption goes beyond just how we work. According to this episode’...

About 15 years ago, then-Prime Minister Paul Martin announced the Kelowna Accord. It was an agreement intended to close the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples, and it was ground-breaking for modern politics in terms of consultation and collaboration with Indigenous groups.  Mere days after the announcement, however, parliament was dissolved and leadership of Canada’s government chan...

Canadian businesses have been scrambling to find ways to stay afloat since the beginning of the pandemic in March. Government programs have helped, but they can’t last forever. We’ve all had to adapt to whatever “normal” was as we progressed through lockdown. As our businesses incrementally reopen, they are tasked with the challenge of being both safe and profitable. Our guest this episode is well...

It’s back to school season, but many families are uneasy this year.   The suddenness of school closures last March had parents—and schools—scrambling to keep kids engaged and learning. We simply weren’t ready to be that nimble. What have we learned since then?   These are the types of questions that keep this episode’s guest busy. Paul W. Bennett, author, education policy researcher, and founder a...

This past June, the Parliamentary Black Caucus issued a statement calling on Canadian governments to take five specific steps toward reducing the harms caused by systemic racism.   Greg Fergus, MP for Hull–Aylmer and chair of the Parliamentary Black Caucus, joins us to talk about what he hopes the statement will achieve. We discuss the importance of having—and understanding—good data to know what...

As peaceful protesters around the world have taken up the chant of Black Lives Matter, the push to address systemic racism in Canada has opened the eyes of many to some of the hurdles Black people in this country face. The conversations we’re having today are the same ones Black activists were having in the 1970s. The information, the stories, the solutions are all there. Waiting for people to lis...

As we enter the recovery, many people are wondering if they can get back in the air. Airlines are investing in new equipment and developing protocols to try to provide a safe environment. But the global nature of the industry means airlines—and their passengers—all need to do their part to keep everyone safe. When you get into the details, things can get incredibly complicated.   Duncan Bureau, se...

As the pandemic spread around the world, normal life shut down to shelter people. In its wake, millions were left unemployed. As regions start to relax their restrictions, many people are returning to their jobs or have found new ones. But many are still looking.  This episode’s guest has published articles and books on career development and has been involved in a number of award-winning career d...

We need a vaccine for COVID-19. There have been many advancements in helping people recover, but the surest way to get back to a place where we can shake hands with strangers again is a vaccine.   And the race is on. Labs around the world have been working hard to understand this virus, develop a vaccine, and get it through the various stages of testing to be sure it is safe.  Our guest this episo...

Are our cities a reflection of the people who live in them? Are they built for people? As our economy starts to recover, will our cities? Or are these sprawling urban jungles built for a different time, retrofitted as our needs have changed?  Is now a good time to rethink the city?  Our guest this episode, Jennifer Keesmaat, is passionate about creating places where people flourish. She was Toront...

Millions have been relying on the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) these past few months. This has been an extraordinary response to an extraordinary time. But people concerned about fighting poverty are looking to draw lessons from the pandemic for the future. Discussion is growing around the creation of a universal basic income for Canadians.  This episode, the Honourable Hugh Segal, Can...

Immigration is vital to Canada’s economic growth and competitiveness. The people we welcome fill the gaps in our labour market, bring valuable skills and experience, and have connections around the world. But they can face an uphill battle to have their credentials or experience recognized in Canada.  This episode, Shamira Madhany, Managing Director, Deputy Executive Director, World Education Serv...

The territories face special challenges when it comes to dealing with an outbreak. Many communities are remote or isolated, and emergency health care is often far away.   On this episode of Bright Future, The Honourable Ranj Pillai, Deputy Premier of Yukon, shares his personal experience with COVID-19 and how it helped shape the territory’s response. He talks about the territory’s labour shortage...

Health columnist André Picard joins us to talk about what we can expect as we move to the next phase of the COVID-19 crisis: the slow reopening. What lessons have we learned so far? And will we remember them? How will we bring social distancing to the workplace? And what are the “bright spots” in this—the changes that are happening that have been a long time coming. Learn more about André Picard a...

Stéphane Hamel is a leader in the digital marketing, analytics, and privacy world. He has been working in it and speaking about it for over 20 years. In this episode, he talks to us about privacy, consent, trust, and what it will take for Canada to get ahead of COVID-19.  Learn more about Stéphane at his website: stephanehamel.net .  Find Signal49 research on innovation, technology and AI here: In...

This new series from The Conference Board of Canada connects you to leaders with big ideas. Find more Conference Board insights at conferenceboard.ca . Listen to our other podcasts at conferenceboard.ca/insights/podcasts .