Canada’s Entrepreneur

In this interview, Jaimie Boyd, National Digital Government Leader for Deloitte Canada, discusses a new report highlighting the demand for digital skills today in the workplace.

Boyd talks about the difficulties in finding talent, why it’s important for companies to adopt new technologies, the challenges and the investment in cyber security.

PRESS RELEASE

TORONTO, Nov. 14, 2023 /CNW/ – As some organizations begin to reap the benefits of the digital revolution, the disparities that threaten progress have become more apparent for others. A new report by Deloitte’s Future of Canada Centre, Digital equity: Empowering all organizations to succeed in the digital era, finds that not all Canadian organizations are equipped to seize the opportunities created by digital technologies.

The third and final digital equity report from Deloitte’s Future of Canada Centre reveals that small and medium enterprises (SMEs), Indigenous-owned and -led organizations, public sector organizations, and not-for-profit organizations, face disproportionate barriers to digital equity. Existing and emerging digital technologies carry huge potential to benefit Canadian organizations and spur economic growth, but a lack of in-house specialized technology experience to shape digital strategies or guide digital investment decisions, digital skills shortages in the labour market, and a constantly evolving regulatory and cyberthreat environment, interfere with these organizations’ ability catch up, keep up or thrive in a digital era.

“Our people are the lifeblood of a resilient economy, and we must first identify, then work to eliminate barriers and ensure they have the skills needed for the future,” says Anthony Viel, CEO, Deloitte Canada. “Thriving organizations create the foundation for thriving people, communities, and societies. The current convergence of cutting-edge technologies underpins a future of possibilities, promising enhanced efficiency, growth, and innovation for all Canadians, and organizations of all sizes across the country. If we act now, Canada’s future can be bright, with outcomes for government, business, and people.”

Deloitte’s new report, which is based on original research including a survey of 804 Canadian senior business leaders, examines the ongoing challenges organizations face across three pillars—access, participation, and ecosystem. The report makes practical and actionable recommendations for leaders of organizations and policymakers on how to work together to ensure a more equitable future.

Some of the survey findings include:

Some of the recommendations from the report include:

About Deloitte Canada

Our global Purpose is making an impact that matters. At Deloitte Canada, that translates into building a better future by accelerating and expanding access to knowledge. We believe we can achieve this Purpose by living our shared values to lead the way, serve with integrity, take care of each other, foster inclusion, and collaborate for measurable impact.

To learn more about Deloitte’s approximately 330,000 professionals, over 11,000 of whom are part of the Canadian firm, please connect with us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook.

About The Future of Canada Centre

Mario Toneguzzi is Managing Editor of Canada’s Podcast. He has more than 40 years of experience as a daily newspaper writer, columnist, and editor. He was named in 2021 as one of the Top 10 Business Journalists in the World by PR News – the only Canadian to make the list

About Us

Canada’s Podcast is the number one podcast in Canada for entrepreneurs and business owners. Established in 2016, the podcast network has interviewed over 600 Canadian entrepreneurs from coast-to-coast.

With hosts in each province, entrepreneurs have a local and national format to tell their stories, talk about their journey and provide inspiration for anyone starting their entrepreneurial journey and well- established founders.

The commitment to a grass roots approach has built a loyal audience on all our social channels and YouTube – 500,000+ lifetime YouTube views, 200,000 + audio downloads, 35,000 + average monthly social impressions, 10,000 + engaged social followers and 35,000 newsletter subscribers. Canada’s Podcast is proud to provide a local, national and international presence for Canadian entrepreneurs to build their brand and tell their story.

#business #CanadasNumberOnePodcastforEntrepreneurs #digital #entrepreneurs# entrepreneurship #smallbusiness

In this interview, Corinne Pohlmann, Executive Vice-President of Advocacy of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, discusses the big challenges small businesses continue to face in Canada.

Pohlmann talks about the looming repayment deadline for the Canada Emergency Business Account as well as the increases in employers’ payrolls with hikes for Canada Pension Plan and Employment Insurance.

NEWS RELEASE

No cost relief in sight for Canadians and small businesses as government hikes CPP and EI yet again

Toronto, January 4, 2024 – As of Jan. 1, Canadians will be seeing a drop in their take-home income, while employers will face another increase to their payroll budgets due to Employment Insurance (EI) hikes and adding a second earnings limit to Canada Pension Plan (CPP) thereby hiking CPP, says the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB).

These latest hikes increased payroll taxes for employers by up to $366 per employee, and up to $348 for workers. This year, total employer contributions for CPP and EI alone could amount to $5,524 per employee.

“That’s a significant increase in the cost of labour for employers and puts them in an even tougher position, especially when many employees will be looking for a salary increase at the beginning of the year. Business owners may be forced to rethink their wage and hiring plans for 2024. And that is over and above other cost pressures small businesses are dealing with right now, such as the looming Canada Emergency Business Account repayment deadline,” said Corinne Pohlmann, Executive Vice-President of Advocacy at CFIB.

Heading into 2024, most small businesses (77%) want governments to focus on addressing rising prices and the cost of doing business, while another 74% want governments to reduce the overall tax burden, according to a recent CFIB survey. If governments reduced the overall tax burden, over half (57%) of small businesses said they would increase employee compensation such as wages and benefits.

CFIB is calling on Ottawa to work with the provinces to offset the CPP hikes, implement a 50:50 split in EI premiums between employers and employees, or introduce a refundable credit, similar to the 2015-16 Small Business Job Credit, to offset the rate increases for small businesses.

With the carbon tax set to increase to $80 per tonne on April 1, the federal government should overhaul the entire carbon tax system by halting future carbon tax increases, immediately returning all promised funds to small businesses that paid into the tax and expanding the carbon tax exemption to all forms of heating fuels, including natural gas and other sources used by small business.

“Ottawa is sitting on $2.5 billion in carbon tax revenue that it promised to return to small businesses, at the same time it’s providing large subsidies to multinational corporations, while small businesses and Canadians are struggling with the increased costs of living. Is this where government priorities lie?” Pohlmann said. “Ottawa must wake up and realize the impacts its recent decisions on CEBA and rate hikes will have on small businesses’ ability to continue to operate, much less compete.”

Methodology:

Final results for the Your Voice – December 2023 survey, conducted from December 7-19, 2023, number of respondents = 2,966. For comparison purposes, a probability sample with the same number of respondents would have a margin of error of at most +/-1.8%, 19 times out of 20.

Final results for the Your Voice – November 2023 survey. The online survey was conducted November 2-20, 2023, number of respondents = 3,265. For comparison purposes, a probability samples with the same number of respondents would have a margin of error of +/-1.7%, 19 times out of 20.

About CFIB

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) is Canada’s largest association of small and medium-sized businesses with 97,000 members across every industry and region. CFIB is dedicated to increasing business owners’ chances of success by driving policy change at all levels of government, providing expert advice and tools, and negotiating exclusive savings. Learn more at cfib.ca.

Mario Toneguzzi is Managing Editor of Canada’s Podcast. He has more than 40 years of experience as a daily newspaper writer, columnist, and editor. He was named in 2021 as one of the Top 10 Business Journalists in the World by PR News – the only Canadian to make the list

About Us

Canada’s Podcast is the number one podcast in Canada for entrepreneurs and business owners. Established in 2016, the podcast network has interviewed over 600 Canadian entrepreneurs from coast-to-coast.

With hosts in each province, entrepreneurs have a local and national format to tell their stories, talk about their journey and provide inspiration for anyone starting their entrepreneurial journey and well- established founders.

The commitment to a grass roots approach has built a loyal audience on all our social channels and YouTube – 500,000+ lifetime YouTube views, 200,000 + audio downloads, 35,000 + average monthly social impressions, 10,000 + engaged social followers and 35,000 newsletter subscribers. Canada’s Podcast is proud to provide a local, national and international presence for Canadian entrepreneurs to build their brand and tell their story.

#business #CanadasNumberOnePodcastforEntrepreneurs #CFIB #entrepreneurs #entrepreneurship #smallbusiness

In this interview, Tim Sanderson, Executive Vice President, Retail, for JLL Canada, discusses the real estate firm’s latest holiday shopping survey.

Sanderson talks about how 39% of Canadians are looking for ways to save money this year, what retailers will benefit from that, and the preference of in-store shopping.

PRESS RELEASE

TORONTO, November 22, 2023— JLL released today the Canada Holiday Shopping Survey Report 2023, highlighting the preferences and behaviours of holiday shoppers across Canada.

The report indicates that 39% of Canadian holiday shoppers prioritize saving money, while the remaining 61% expand their holiday budget to make the season more fulfilling for their loved ones. Despite inflation concerns, shoppers’ average holiday budgets increased by 16% from last year, with Canadians planning to spend an average of $1,049.00 on holiday related experiences, gifts, and merchandise combined in 2023.

Clothing, shoes, and gift cards are the top choices for holiday gifts, with shoppers planning to visit a total of five stores and purchase seven different gifts on average. Moreover, the report reveals that shopping centers, restaurants, food courts, and movie theaters are the most sought-after destinations for holiday experiences.

Shopping centres dominate as the preferred method of shopping, with 95% of holiday shoppers planning to visit them, an average of three times. Dining out at restaurants is also highly popular, with 93% of shoppers planning to eat out two or more times during the holiday season.

As more shoppers plan to eat and/or drink in shopping centres, average dwell time continues to increase, reaching an average of 65 minutes this year. In 2021, average dwell time was 50 minutes. With fewer shoppers concerned about health and safety, short trips have become less popular. Half of shoppers plan to stay at a shopping centre between 30 and 90 minutes.

The report indicates a preference for physical stores over online shopping, with big box and discount stores remaining highly popular among shoppers. However, deal-hunters tend to favor e-commerce platforms, with Amazon topping the list of preferred retailers in Canada.

In terms of social media use for shopping decisions, YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram are the most popular platforms among Canadian shoppers.

“A significant change in 2023 is the prioritization of emotional connection with loved ones through gifts and experiences,” said Tim Sanderson, Executive Vice President, Retail, JLL Canada. “Despite economic uncertainty, many will spend 30% of their budget on experience such as dining, recreation and travel.”

Methodology

The report surveyed 1,000 online respondents throughout Canada across gender, age, ethnicity, education, income, marital status, number of children, employment status, career, and province. The survey was conducted in English on October 24-25, 2023.

To access the full Canada Holiday Shopping Survey Report 2023 and learn more about the findings, please visit jll.ca.

About JLL

For over 200 years, JLL (NYSE: JLL), a leading global commercial real estate and investment management company, has helped clients buy, build, occupy, manage and invest in a variety of commercial, industrial, hotel, residential and retail properties. A Fortune 500® company with annual revenue of $20.9 billion and operations in over 80 countries around the world, our more than 105,000 employees bring the power of a global platform combined with local expertise. Driven by our purpose to shape the future of real estate for a better world, we help our clients, people and communities SEE A BRIGHTER WAYSM. JLL is the brand name, and a registered trademark, of Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated. For further information, visit jll.com.

Mario Toneguzzi is Managing Editor of Canada’s Podcast. He has more than 40 years of experience as a daily newspaper writer, columnist, and editor. He was named in 2021 as one of the Top 10 Business Journalists in the World by PR News – the only Canadian to make the list

About Us

Canada’s Podcast is the number one podcast in Canada for entrepreneurs and business owners. Established in 2016, the podcast network has interviewed over 600 Canadian entrepreneurs from coast-to-coast.

With hosts in each province, entrepreneurs have a local and national format to tell their stories, talk about their journey and provide inspiration for anyone starting their entrepreneurial journey and well- established founders.

The commitment to a grass roots approach has built a loyal audience on all our social channels and YouTube – 500,000+ lifetime YouTube views, 200,000 + audio downloads, 35,000 + average monthly social impressions, 10,000 + engaged social followers and 35,000 newsletter subscribers. Canada’s Podcast is proud to provide a local, national and international presence for Canadian entrepreneurs to build their brand and tell their story.

#business #CanadasNumberOnePodcastforEntrepreneursentrepreneurs #entrepreneurship #retail #Shopping #small business

Emily Hosie has a track record of effecting industry-shifting growth and success in the retail space through her tenure at fashion powerhouses, TJ Maxx, Saks Fifth Avenue, Saks Off Fifth, and Holt Renfrew. A dynamic millennial mom, Emily recognized a huge void in the baby gear retail market that was ripe for innovation, within a legacy industry in need of an update. Her solution for the industry was Rebelstork – a certified B Corp and purpose-driven company dedicated to creating a marketplace that connects brands and retailers to parents across North America. Her innovative AI-powered ecosystem enables frictionless movement of overstock, open box (store returns), and quality used baby gear between buyers and sellers. In four short years, Emily has brought her vision of a re-commerce and circular economy to life across two countries. To date, Rebelstork has saved over 180,000 pieces of baby gear from ending up in landfills and instead into the homes of parents across North America at a fraction of the original retail price.

Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

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In 2017, Sean Alexander and his family built a home in the new community of Harmony, a lake community just west of Calgary. For a side business, outside of his oil & gas career, Sean began importing Standup Paddleboards (SUPs) to sell to his neighbours out of his garage in late 2019, branding them KAILANI. Shortly after that, he realized not everyone wanted to paddleboard, so he expanded his product range and began manufacturing and importing brightly coloured coolers and started initially selling them to his Friday night shinny hockey team. In early 2020, he found himself laid off from his job in the oil and gas sector, and that’s when he decided to go all in on his idea of starting an outdoor lifestyle company.

Eight months later, following a 7-day road trip through the interior of BC, he had secured $130,000 in purchase orders for his colourful collection of coolers, landing him a $1M investment with an Alberta-based private equity group. On November 2, Sean appeared in episode 7 of Season 18 on Dragons’ Den and secured a $1,000,000 deal with Wes Hall, $500,000 for 15% of his company and an additional $500,000 as an Operating Line of Credit. You can view the segment at https://www.cbc.ca/dragonsden/pitches/kailani.

Today, he is selling coast-to-coast in over 200 retailers, 120 Pro Shops, 50 Promotional Marketing Companies and successfully selling in his Amazon Canada Storefront. He is an Official Partner with PGA Alberta and as of Nov 28th, 2023, and just signed a 3 year Agreement as a National Partner with the CPRA, Canadian Professional Rodeo Association, which is the sanctioning body for Pro Rodeo Events in Canada with 1100+ Athlete Members.

Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Want to stay up-to-date on the latest #entrepreneur podcasts and news? Subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter

Emily Ward is the co-founder of Canada’s leading global influencer talent management agency Shine Talent Group. Emily transformed her PR agency (which she had for 10+ years) into a full influencer talent management agency. In this session we discuss, knowing when to make a change, knowing when it's time to bring on a business partner, and how to find the right person.

Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Want to stay up-to-date on the latest #entrepreneur podcasts and news? Subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter

As a highly accomplished senior executive with 30 years of international experience across multiple industries, Rhea Dubois-Phillips has a track record of building and leading strong teams, advising C-Suite, and managing integrated campaigns to promote and protect reputation, revenue and business objectives. She is a respected leader, motivator, and strategist with the ability to empower employees and transform businesses.

Rhea draws on her extensive experience living and working abroad, including 15 years working across Asia in key markets such as Hong Kong, Beijing, Jakarta, Seoul, Singapore, and Tokyo, where she provided senior counsel to major blue chip companies including ING, Lehman Brothers, LG, Lockheed Martin, Microsoft, Phillips, the Russian Space Agency, Samsung, and Starbucks.

In her most recent professional chapter, Rhea Dubois-Phillips dedicated two decades to Edelman, the world’s largest private PR agency. Her journey unfolded across six of Edelman’s offices in Asia, culminating in her role as the accomplished General Manager of the Vancouver office. Here, she skillfully navigated a thriving business spanning diverse sectors and specialties. Rhea’s leadership was instrumental in curating a dynamic portfolio of clients, including Colliers, QuadReal, Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, Coast Capital Savings, eComm 911, Prospera, Westminster Savings, BC Ferries, Canfor, LNG Canada, City of Surrey, and more. Her legacy is her prowess to cultivate profitability, nurture client relationships, and build cohesive teams that transcend geographical boundaries. Rhea’s extensive experience positions her as a seasoned expert in the dynamic realm of public relations, solidifying her reputation as a collaborative industry leader.

Rhea holds a Master’s of English from the University of London, a Diploma from the University of Paris, Sorbonne, and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of British Columbia. In 2022, Rhea was named one of Business in Vancouver’s most influential leaders in marketing, public and media relations.

Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Want to stay up-to-date on the latest #entrepreneur podcasts and news? Subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter

Aditya Dutta, Co-Owner of Monki Breakfast Club & Bistro in Calgary, is a seasoned entrepreneur who has led and helped startups in the hospitality, fashion and real estate industries. An engineering graduate of McGill University, Aditya loves innovation and is now following his childhood passion of revolutionizing the hospitality industry in Calgary, Alberta. A Management Consultant by trade, he worked for more than three years in the Business Strategy and Transformation teams encompassing many industries.

Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Want to stay up-to-date on the latest #entrepreneur podcasts and news? Subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter

As country leader for Sage in Canada, Mark Hickman helps to empower Canadian businesses by simplifying workflows to break down barriers and achieve growth. With more than 20 years of experience at the executive management and leadership-levels, where he consistently grew revenues at leading organizations, Mark brings a wealth of knowledge essential to successfully navigate the channel, partner, and SMB landscapes in Canada. As a leader, Mark looks to empower colleagues, partners, and customers to seek out solutions through creativity and innovation.

As VP of Research and Public Policy for the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business, Matthew Foss helps position Indigenous business at the focal point for strengthening Indigenous communities and promoting prosperous relationships. Foss has ample years of experience in consulting management and mentorship with entrepreneurs. The Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business provides key resources and learning opportunities for Indigenous businesses across the country.

Company social links 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CanadianCouncilforAboriginalBusiness

Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Want to stay up-to-date on the latest #entrepreneur podcasts and news? Subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter

Cate & Levi was founded in 2008 after the CEO & Founder's first son Levi was born. Although Josh Title graduated from law school and practiced corporate law, "making" has always been his true calling. His mom is an avid crafter and father a committed and successful small business owner. You may say that Josh is the perfect marriage of both!

As Josh and his wife awaited the birth of their first child, he noticed that there was a lack of one of a kind, responsibly made, and beautifully designed products for children. He decided to create a unique collection of products that would be intricately crafted and environmentally responsible. Josh started by designing a handful of stuffed animals made from upcycled sweaters. These quickly became their signature pieces distributed and collected around the world.

The Cate & Levi Collection is handmade at Josh's studio in Toronto, Canada. Together with his talented production team, he oversee every aspect of this collection. All the materials are sourced as close to home as possible. This process cuts down on shipping and reduces the carbon footprint. Cate and Levi produces three distinct product lines: One Of A Kind Reclaimed Wool Finished Products, DIY Wool Crafting Kits, and Softy Polar Fleece Finished Products.

Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Want to stay up-to-date on the latest #entrepreneur podcasts and news? Subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter