Speaking of Business with Goldy Hyder

Canada needs a strong economy to help it address significant post-COVID challenges, says the outgoing CEO of National Bank of Canada, Louis Vachon. In a conversation with Goldy Hyder in the Speaking of Business podcast, Vachon says Canada is facing four areas of transformation: technology, demographics, geopolitics and climate change. Connecting them all, he says, is “clearly the economy … you nee...

At the age of 24, Ben Cowan-Dewar set out to build a golf course in a remote part of Cape Breton. Construction began around the time of the 2008 financial crisis. Did he think it was a risky venture? “In hindsight,” he says, “obviously it was.” But it paid off. Now, Cowan-Dewar’s Cabot Cape Breton golf courses are ranked among the best in the world and the company is expanding, building new course...

Lisa Raitt and Anne McLellan know first-hand the challenges of governing in a minority parliament. They both served as cabinet ministers in minority governments – Raitt as a Conservative and McLellan as a Liberal.  “Long term planning is harder,” McLellan told Goldy Hyder in the Speaking of Business podcast, “but that doesn't mean you can't get big things done.  It actually requires you to make co...

Canada’s  Magna International is a $40 billion company that employs more than 158,000 people in 28 countries. Yet in the eyes of its CEO, it’s really “a 60-year-old startup”. “We are still a startup because we are in a $3 trillion industry and it's changing,” says Swamy Kotagiri. “Every time there is change, there is opportunity.” The Aurora, Ont.-based auto parts manufacturer knows it has to stay...

Mallorie Brodie wants to see a cultural shift in Canada – one that embraces risk.  The CEO and co-founder of Kitchener, Ont.-based Bridgit Inc. says Canadians have a “level of discomfort” when it comes to taking risks, but it’s essential when scaling up a business. She should know. Over the past eight years Brodie and co-founder Lauren Lake have built their  construction software startup into one...

As Guy Cormier looks ahead to a post-COVID Canada, the president and CEO of the Desjardins Group says it’s time for all of us to embrace a new approach. “Capitalism has lifted a lot of people out of poverty,” he says. “[But] at the same time, I think it's quite obvious that there is some collateral damage.”  Cormier points to climate change and income inequality as examples of the myriad social ch...

When the federal government appealed to business for help in the fight against COVID-19 last spring, technology company CAE answered the call.  It developed a ventilator prototype in 11 days and started manufacturing it soon after.  But that’s not all. CAE designed online training programs to teach healthcare workers how to protect themselves from infection. It also started manufacturing air sanit...

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed how Canadians live, work and interact . Whether we are working from home or trying to stay in touch with friends and family while complying with stay-at-home orders, digital technology has become an essential tool. The demands on Canada’s communications systems have never been greater. For Bell Canada, the pandemic spurred a rapid increase in network capacity.   “...

The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated a digital transformation that was already well underway in Canada - just look at the phenomenal rise in online shopping and video conferencing over the past year. But the digital economy requires new skills. Is Canada’s workforce ready? “There is this stat that 40% of work is going to be impacted by automation,” says Sabrina Geremia, VP and Country Manager of...

A year into the COVID-19 pandemic, and many of Canada’s downtowns are still eerily quiet. Thousands of employees continue to work from home, leaving many office buildings sparsely occupied. But Jon Love , founder and CEO of KingSett Capital, believes Canadian cities will bounce back after the pandemic. The reason? Connection. “We can connect digitally, but it's so different than connecting live,”...

On April 19th Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland will unveil Canada’s first federal budget in more than two years – a budget she has described as the most significant of our lifetimes. What will it take to build a stronger, healthier and more resilient economy after the pandemic? In a timely conversation at the Canadian Club Toronto , Goldy Hyder discusses the path forward with Monique Leroux, Cha...

In this rapidly changing world, Canada needs an economic plan that builds on the country’s strengths, addresses its weaknesses, and reduces the risks from future disruptions.  In late October the Business Council of Canada created a roadmap to help get there.  In our report “ Powering a strong recovery: an economic growth plan for Canada ”, we outline a plan that builds on three key pillars: peopl...

What’s it like to start a new job in the middle of a global pandemic?  Claude Guay knows.  He became President and General Manager of IBM Canada last May.  Since then he’s been finding creative ways to connect with employees and clients, while developing solutions to help the country respond to the economic and health crisis. How do you stay agile as a leader in a world of disruption?  What role w...

“Corporate Canada needs to look more like Canada.”  That’s the call to action from Jaqui Parchment.  As CEO of Mercer Canada she is one of only a very few Black women CEOs in the country. She is also a Director of the BlackNorth Initiative and a founding member of the Black Opportunity Fund.  And she is a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion. This summer, over 200 business leaders gathe...

“Each day is truly a gift.” Lisa Lisson, President of Federal Express Canada Over the past few months we’ve heard from many business leaders as they have responded to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Guests on this podcast have told us how they have overcome unique challenges and we’ve heard about the many ways corporate Canada has supported communities through the crisis.  Today, in our final podcast of t...

“We’re business people, let’s figure it out.”  For Wes Hall, Executive Chairman and Founder of Kingsdale Advisors, the death of George Floyd was a call to action.   He speaks with Goldy Hyder about July’s Black North summit, and why he’s urging corporate Canada to find solutions to end systemic racism through the creation of the Canadian Council of Business Leaders Against Anti-Black Systemic Raci...

“I’ve seen how business relationships can lift a community and a person out of poverty into a place where they’re full of pride.” Indigenous business leader JP Gladu speaks with Goldy Hyder about forging ties between Indigenous businesses and corporate Canada. He also reflects on calls for action against racism, and discusses the impact of COVID-19 on him and his community. Revealing conversations...

“We’ve pulled the future forward here.”  John Baker, President and CEO of D2L discusses the future of online learning in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and what parents and educators can expect when schools resume in the fall. Revealing conversations with influential innovators, entrepreneurs and leaders. Listen to more episodes here: thebusinesscouncil.ca/podcasts/

“We will come out of this stronger.”  Charles Brindamour, CEO of Intact Financial Corporation, reflects on the need to build confidence as the economy restarts, what he has learned from dealing with other crises, and how Intact is helping the most vulnerable with food support. Revealing conversations with influential innovators, entrepreneurs and leaders. Listen to more episodes here: thebusinessc...

“The energy industry has got to be part of the solution.”  Al Monaco, President and CEO of Enbridge, discusses the role of energy in Canada, how Enbridge is supporting communities through the COVID-19 pandemic, and the transition to a low carbon economy. Revealing conversations with influential innovators, entrepreneurs and leaders. Listen to more episodes here: thebusinesscouncil.ca/podcasts/

“There’s no textbook on how to manage under COVID-19.”  Nicolas Marcoux, CEO of PwC Canada, shares his thoughts on Canada’s future business landscape, adapting to the challenges of the pandemic, and why cyber attacks are becoming more of a threat to businesses. Revealing conversations with influential innovators, entrepreneurs and leaders. Listen to more episodes here: thebusinesscouncil.ca/podcas...

“I’m encouraged by the capacity to change at an accelerated pace.”  Heather Chalmers, President and CEO of GE Canada, reflects on how the COVID-19 pandemic is hastening innovation, and what she is learning about Canada as the country responds to the crisis. Revealing conversations with influential innovators, entrepreneurs and leaders. Listen to more episodes here: thebusinesscouncil.ca/podcasts/

“Canadians will be a lot more digital post COVID.”  Stacey Madge, Country Manager and President of VISA Canada, offers insight into how the pandemic is changing consumer behavior, what that will mean in the future, and how VISA is helping small businesses through the crisis. Revealing conversations with influential innovators, entrepreneurs and leaders. Listen to more episodes here: thebusinesscou...

“The bright side of this is that it’s accelerated innovation everywhere.”  Faisal Kazi, President and CEO of Siemens Canada, reflects on how the COVID-19 pandemic has spurred technological advancements.  He also discusses what he has learned as a leader, how he and his employees are giving back to the community during the crisis, and the many steps the company is taking to ensure employee safety....

“I’ve never been more proud of our people.”  Paul Mahon, President and CEO of Great-West Lifeco and Canada Life, discusses the challenges of maintaining an essential service while employees are working from home, how the COVID-19 pandemic is accelerating change to the business model, and how Great-West Lifeco and Canada Life are addressing the mental health of both clients and employees. Revealing...