PwC’s annual CEO survey is a big indicator of business confidence. The bottom line for 2021: Canadian CEOs are optimistic—and anticipate immense growth in the upcoming year—but they’ll need to be smart about their priorities to sustain it. In this first episode of our mini-series exploring CEOs’ plans for the future, National Managing Partner Matthew Wetmore shares insights from PwC’s 24th Annual Global CEO survey. 

This is the first episode of Beyond the Bounce, a three-part mini-series from The Conference Board of Canada and PwC Canada.   

Read the Canadian findings from PwC’s 24th annual CEO Survey at https://www.pwc.com/ca/ceosurvey. 

Find the global results at https://www.pwc.com/gx/en/ceo-agenda/ceosurvey/2021.html.  

Matthew Wetmore is the National Managing Partner of PwC Canada’s Industries and Regions and a member of the Canadian Leadership Team. He oversees PwC’s industries, market segments, major cities, and regional offices, and works with our leaders to address evolving market trends and needs. With more than 20 years’ experience delivering strategic advice and practical, value-add solutions to clients in Canada, the US and the UK, Matthew has led projects ranging from business transformation and cost alignment to risk mitigation and business integration. Learn more about Matthew at linkedin.com/in/matthew-wetmore.     
 
Stay in the loop. Access all Conference Board of Canada research and insights at conferenceboard.ca. 

How has the pandemic impacted Canada’s immigration admissions? Dr. Iain Reeve explains what’s changed in our intake numbers and the characteristics that set the COVID-19 immigrant cohort apart.
 
Find out more about our immigration research at https://www.signal49.ca/focus-areas/immigration  
 
And access all our research at signal49.ca 

In its November 30th fiscal update, Canada’s federal government tallied up the costs of COVID-19. The deficit will swell to $385 billion in 2020–21. The provinces and territories have also tallied record deficits—$92 billion, on aggregate. What do figures like these mean for our recovery? Keara talks to Chief Economist Pedro Antunes for these answers and more. 

The full story:
Challenges Ahead: Canada’s Post-Pandemic Fiscal Prospects (February 2021). View the report at Digging Out of the COVID-19 Fiscal Hole: Canada’s Fiscal Policy Outlook to 2040 - Signal49 Research 

Access all our research at  Home - Signal49 Research

The role of technology in Canada's post-pandemic recovery is top of mind right now at IBM Canada. How are they responding to businesses' need for speed, flexibility and agility in 2021? 

We learn from President and General Manager Claude Guay about how IBM is helping companies accelerate their digital transformations. He talks about how technologies like hybrid cloud and artificial intelligence as well as investing in people and skills will play a critical role in Canada’s recovery.

See the highlights from IBM’s C-suite research at   https://www.ibm.com/downloads/cas/OXZE0YWE. 

This is the sixth episode of Breakthroughs, our mini-series from The Conference Board of Canada that profiles Canadian business leaders and innovators on their plans, successes, and challenges during COVID-19. Access all our research at signal49.ca

Canada’s track record on mortality rates due to cancer isn’t as good as you might think. Isabelle Gagnon-Arpin joins us to talk about provincial disparities, COVID-19's impact on cancer detection, and how we measure up internationally. 

The full story: Measure of Life: Is Canada Doing Enough to Reduce Deaths from Cancer? 

View this online experience at conferenceboard.ca/focus-areas/health/measure-of-life. 

Discover more Health projects and access all our research at conferenceboard.ca.

Dr. Olateju returns to our podcast to talk plastics—and how the sustainable finance industry could give Canada’s plastics recycling market a much-needed boost.  

Discover more sustainability and access all our research at https://www.signal49.ca/focus-areas/sustainability/

https://www.signal49.ca/product/banking-on-a-dual-transition-sustainable-finance-for-petrochemical-plastic-producers/

https://www.signal49.ca/product/bagging-capital-attracting-private-investments-in-canadas-plastic-recycling-industry/

https://www.signal49.ca/product/tipping-points-toward-policies-for-plastics-recycling-in-businesses-and-institutions/

What happens when businesses go local on their supply chains—especially during COVID-19? Julie Ades from the Global Commerce Centre explains the motivations, trends, and possible impacts. 

The full story: Bringing Them Home: Reshoring Supply Chains Is Not a Panacea (Issue briefing, October 20, 2020) 

Discover more Canadian Economic projects and access all our research at conferenceboard.ca. 

Richard Chartrand, 3M’s USAC R&D Operations and 3M Canada Sustainability Leader, explains how 3M is balancing sustainability and innovation—and how a company known for over 100 years of ingenuity is planning a better future for everyone. 

Learn more about 3M’s initiatives at sciencecentre.3mcanada.ca/sustainability.  

This is the fifth episode of Breakthroughs, our mini-series presented by the Council for Innovation and Commercialization. Discover more at https://www.signal49.ca/council/cic/  and access all our research at signal49.ca

Chris Dulny, PwC’s Chief Innovation Officer, explains how rapid technological change demands new skills to help people thrive and future-proof themselves in the new world. This affects every company.

Learn about PwC’s journey and check out their New world. New skills. initiative here: pwc.com/ca/en/today-s-issues/upskilling.html.  

This is the fourth episode of Breakthroughs, our mini-series presented by the Council for Innovation and Commercialization. Discover more at Council for Innovation and Commercialization - Signal49 Research. And access all our research at Home - Signal49 Research

Discover how two major Surrey, B.C. projects are repurposing and reinventing the region. We talk to Rowena Rizzotti, Vice President, Healthcare & Innovation of Lark Group in British Columbia, about the Health & Technology District and the Legion Veterans Village. 

This is the third episode of Breakthroughs, our mini-series presented by the Council for Innovation and Commercialization. Discover more at conferenceboard.ca/networks/cic/. 

Check out Lark Group’s projects at larkgroup.com. 

And access all our research at conferenceboard.ca.