Commentary on Business, Politics and Culture in Atlantic Canada
If you were to conjure up an image of a custom dress shirt maker from Fredericton, New Brunswick, you could be excused if your imagination didn’t veer far off the rack of button-down Oxford cloth. Nothing could be further from the reality of Jeff Alpaugh. Jeff graduated from business school and promptly joined the …
Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray became Saint Mary's University's 34th President on July 1st, 2015. Born in Christchurch, New Zealand, Robert came to Canada in the 1980s receiving his Ph.D. in Geography from the University of Toronto. He has served in a number of senior academic roles, including the Dean of Social Sciences at Mount Allison University …
Continue reading "Fall Back Up with Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray"
Steve Poltz is taking the world by donkey. Originally from Nova Scotia, Steve left with his family as a child to move to California. He attended the University of San Diego, earning a degree in political science, where he met guitarist Robert Driscoll and formed the indie band The Rugburns. He holds dual citizenship and regularly …
George Armoyan is one of Atlantic Canada’s most successful developers and investors. George’s family arrived in Boston from Syria in the early 1970’s. George came to Halifax to attend Dalhousie University and decided to make Nova Scotia his home. Since he was a kid, George has been making deals. His philosophy in business has been …
Last week, I participated in the Atlantic Provinces Economic Council panel discussion asking the question; what is the right minimum wage for Atlantic Canada? Certainly, one way to get to good public policy is asking the right question. Asking what the right minimum wage for the region is a fair academic question, but we should …
Continue reading "Let’s Tone Down the Hyperbole and Have a Sensible Discussion of Minimum Wage"
Ray Ivany's professional career has been distinguished by his interest in two things: post-secondary education and public policy. Ray graduated from University College of Cape Breton and East Tennessee State University, followed by a research fellowship at Harvard. He worked in Nova Scotia's college and university system for more than 35 years. At the University College …
Jonathan Torrens is probably best known currently for his roles of J-Roc in the popular television series Trailer Park Boys and CBC's current comedy Mr. D. His career, however, extends back to his high school years when he hosted the teen-oriented consumer affairs series Street Cents from 1989 until 1996. He then went on to host, co-produce and write for …
Jim Spatz is the Chairman and CEO of Southwest Properties Limited, one of Atlantic Canada’s leading real estate developers. Southwest owns, operates and develops residential and commercial real estate in Atlantic Canada, extended stay accommodations across Canada, as well as multi-unit residential portfolios in four Florida cities. Recently, Southwest completed The Maple, a residential hi-rise …
Lisa Coates is a driver. She was born in Los Angeles in 1964. Her mother was a white Scottish Cape Bretoner and her father a black musician and teacher. Lisa moved back to Cape Breton with her mother and then on to Boston as a teenager to complete her education and begin work. Being a …
Federal Finance Minister Bill Morneau is being widely criticized for not meeting with the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB). Why he chooses not to accept direct input from CFIB which represent 110,000 small- and medium-sized business is puzzling, especially in light of the ongoing issues tied to his government's proposed tax changes. This time last …
Continue reading "Proposed Tax Changes Remain an Ongoing Battle"
Recently I was involved in a lively discussion about the provincial government’s new plans to change how first responders suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) are managed under Workers’ Compensation (WCB). Everyone in the room had a working knowledge of the current system and it was clear there are still many unanswered questions about how …
Continue reading "Are Mental Health Issues Best Managed by Putting People Off the Job?"
Small business is offering some constructive advice to municipalities. A new report from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) is calling on municipalities to compensate businesses beaten up by infrastructure projects and major projects. The new national report had its genesis in complaints from businesses in downtown Halifax decimated by adjacent infrastructure upgrades and …
Continue reading "Small Businesses Face Construction Destruction"
Brookes Diamond has managed the careers of Rita MacNeil, The Rankin Family, singer-songwriter Bruce Guthro, Aselin Debison, comedian Bette MacDonald, Ryan's Fancy and children's entertainers Sharon Lois and Bram. With his wife and business partner Fiona, Brookes Diamond Productions has produced countless successful entertainment events including the G-7 Summit Ceilidh, the Tall Ships 2000 main stage shows, the Symphony Explosion with Symphony Nova Scotia, Remembering Stan Rogers, live shows, and television and radio specials. …
Brookes Diamond has managed the careers of Rita MacNeil, The Rankin Family, singer-songwriter Bruce Guthro, Aselin Debison, comedian Bette MacDonald, Ryan's Fancy and children's entertainers Sharon Lois and Bram. With his wife and business partner Fiona, Brookes Diamond Productions has produced countless successful entertainment events including the G-7 Summit Ceilidh, the Tall Ships 2000 main stage …
Commentary on Business, Politics and Culture in Atlantic Canada
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