Speaking of Business with Goldy Hyder

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,” he says.  “Relationships are the currency of business. And connection and relationships are built in person. They can be maintained digitally. But the fact is, new relationships or building relationships or the nuanc...

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, Chair of the Industry Strategy Council, Mark Little, President and CEO of Suncor Energy and Darryl White, CEO of BMO Financial Group.

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: people, capital and ideas. Share your thoughts here.

On today’s podcast, Senior Vice President of Policy, Robert Asselin, walks us through the framework, and discusses why it’s needed now more than ever.

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 will innovation play in helping Canada rebuild?  And what needs to happen to ensure the future workforce has the training and skills the count...

“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 gathered to participate in the BlackNorth Summit, making commitments to address anti-Black racism in their workplaces.  

But change doesn’t happen overnight.

What do comp...

“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 the season, we’re continuing on the theme of leadership and resilience … but this time the story is much more personal.

Ten years ago Lisa Lisso...

“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 Racism.

“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.

“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.

“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.

“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.

“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.

“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.

“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.

“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.

“The overarching power of the human spirit.”  Chuck Magro, President and CEO of Nutrien, discusses how they are supporting employees, farmers and the community during the COVID-19 pandemic, keeping essential workers safe, and lessons in leadership.

“The companies that manufacture were able to quickly pivot to make masks, respirators … hand sanitizer.”  Jerry Dias, president of Unifor, discusses the mobilization of the manufacturing sector in the COVID-19 pandemic, the role of essential workers, and plans to reopen the GM plant in St. Catharines, Ontario.

“You drive by and people are saying thank you.”  While public health officials are telling us to stay home, truck drivers are crossing the country delivering essential food and supplies.  Rob Penner, President and CEO of Bison Transport, discusses the challenges his drivers are encountering, how his business is being affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the positive impact of expressions of gratitude like the #Thank A Trucker movement.

Penny Wise, President of 3M Canada, reflects on the challenges of leadership in the COVID-19 crisis as her company performs essential services, including distributing N95 masks to frontline workers.

Sam Sebastian, President and CEO of Pelmorex, discusses the use of alerts and tracking in the fight against COVID-19, learning how to innovate in the midst of the pandemic and how employees in Madrid provided an early warning for what to expect in North America.

Longtime businessman, philanthropist and mentor John Risley of CFFI Ventures shares his thoughts on how business in Canada will change after COVID-19

“Like a tap being turned off and at the other end you’ve got an open sinkhole.”  Ed Sims, President and CEO of WestJet, describes the effects of a precipitous drop in airline travel, how COVID-19 compares to other crises, repatriation flights to countries WestJet has never flown to before, and why his colleagues are “battle-scarred but still smiling.

“These people are dedicated to making sure the energy flows every day”  Russ Girling, President and CEO of TC Energy, discusses pandemic preparedness, keeping essential workers safe and lessons in leadership during a time of crisis.

Jeffrey Russell, President of Accenture in Canada, discusses how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected his employees, how Accenture is helping governments get help to those who need it, and what the new economy could look like in the future.

Rola Dagher, President and CEO of Cisco Canada, discusses the rapid increase in demand for technology to work from home, how Cisco is giving back to the community, and what she is learning as a leader through the COVID-19 crisis.

Doug Murphy, President & CEO of Corus Entertainment discusses the importance of providing trustworthy news to Canadians during the COVID-19 pandemic and he explains why Corus launched #CanadaTogether to share uplifting stories during this difficult time.

Keeping afloat.  Dennis Darby of Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters talks about what manufacturers need to help them weather the COVID-19 crisis, and why consistent rules across the country will be key to business recovery.

How do you keep workers in essential services safe during a pandemic?  Rod Graham, President and CEO of Horizon North Logistics, describes the challenges and solutions to ensuring safety in remote work sites.

“There’s going to be a new normal.”  Mark Barrenechea of Open Text discusses how the COVID-19 crisis will change the way we live, and why he says “there’s a special place in hell” for cyber criminals who are trying to capitalize on the crisis. 

At a time when Canadians are relying on phone and digital communication like never before, Rogers Communications President and CEO Joe Natale discusses what they are doing to keep the country connected.  And he explains why Rogers is focused on helping Food Banks, Women’s Shelters, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dani Reiss, President & CEO of Canada Goose, discusses the company's retooling of their Canadian manufacturing lines toward the production of Personal protective equipment (PPE), the impact of the pandemic on their operations in China, and why there's still reason to be hopeful.

Linda Hasenfratz, President & CEO of Linamar shares her company's fast-paced ventilator production initiative, how they're keeping workers safe, and what we might learn from how other countries have responded to the COVID-19 crisis.

Mark Little,  President & CEO of Suncor Energy talks about the oil and gas crisis in Alberta in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the work his company is doing to keep workers and northern communities safe, and how all this might lead to more collaboration between business and governments.

Dean Connor, President & CEO of Sun Life Financial discusses rapidly bringing his global leadership team and workforce together during the COVID-19 crisis, to go above and beyond for Sun Life customers.

Dan Kelly, President, CEO & Chair of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) discusses the devastating impact of COVID-19 on his members, the government's response, and where he believes we need to go from here.

Tabatha Bull, President & CEO of the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business discusses the impact of the federal government’s wage subsidy plan, the unique challenges faced by indigenous companies during the pandemic and what we can learn from elders during a time of crisis.

On this COVID-19 Special Edition of Speaking of Business: Goldy speaks with Stephen Liptrap, President & CEO of Morneau Shepell about caring for the mental health of employees and customers during the current health emergency.

On this COVID-19 Special Edition of Speaking of Business: Goldy speaks with Dax Dasilva - CEO of Lightspeed about what the company is doing to help their customers - 75,000 independent retailers and restaurants around the world - cope through the current crisis.

On this COVID-19 Special Edition of Speaking of Business: Goldy speaks with Michael McCain, President and CEO of Maple Leaf Foods, and Michael Burns, President and CEO of The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation about the business community's response to the current crisis, and a major fundraising effort to support front line healthcare workers.