Podcasts about Eastern Canada

JD sits down with Virgil from NorthBound Expeditions and NBX Trail Gear for a laid-back conversation about Jeeps, handmade gear, and the kind of trips that stick with you long after you get home. Virgil shares how he went from growing up in Luxembourg to building a life in Nova Scotia, serving in the Canadian Army, creating overland content, and turning his own need for better storage into NBX Trail Gear. The conversation gets into his JK “Fury,” his new 2025 Gladiator build, G.A.R.B. bags, custom trail gear, Cordura fabric, YouTube storytelling, and why good overlanding gear usually comes from people who actually spend time on the trail. JD and Virgil also talk about Eastern Canada travel, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick woods restrictions, and how quickly access issues can hit a community when nobody is organized to push back. This one is a good hang for anyone who loves Jeep builds, overlanding, handmade trail gear, and the stories behind small companies in the off-road world.

Electricity Canada CEO Francis Bradley joins thinkenergy to unpack the 2026 State of the Industry report, Forging Canada's Electricity Future. Why is public trust in utilities peaking in light of extreme weather? Why is a single word in the Fisheries Act halting major hydro projects? They dive into supply chain headaches, bureaucratic red tape, and how treating the power grid like core tax-funded infrastructure can make electricity bills more affordable for consumers. Related links  Electricity Canada: https://www.electricity.ca/ Francis Bradley on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/francis-bradley-icd-d-ias-a-3617802a/   Electricity Human Resources Canada: https://ehrc.ca/  Trevor Freeman on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevor-freeman-p-eng-8b612114  Hydro Ottawa: https://hydroottawa.com/en    To subscribe using Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/thinkenergy/id1465129405  To subscribe using Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7wFz7rdR8Gq3f2WOafjxpl  To subscribe on Libsyn: http://thinkenergy.libsyn.com  --- Subscribe so you don't miss a video: https://www.youtube.com/@thinkenergypod Follow along on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thinkenergypod/  Stay in the know on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thinkenergypod Keep up with the posts on X: https://twitter.com/thinkenergypod - Transcript: 00:01 Trevor Freeman: Welcome to Think Energy, a podcast that dives into the fast-changing world of energy through conversations with industry leaders, innovators, and people on the front lines of the energy transition. Join me, Trevor Freeman, as I explore the traditional, unconventional, and up-and-coming facets of the energy industry. If you have any thoughts, feedback, or ideas for topics we should cover, please reach out to us at thinkenergy@hydroottawa.com. 00:27 Trevor Freeman: Hi everyone, and welcome back. Here's something you've heard me say before: the energy transition isn't coming, it's here now. And that's showing up in a lot of different ways—from the significant increase in demand that we're seeing driven by AI data centers and electrification, to the ever-increasing adoption of distributed energy resources by everyday Canadians in their homes and businesses. Even utilities looking to non-wire solutions as a strategy to employ alongside the traditional poles and wires approach to meet this growing demand. That's all happening now. 01:03 Trevor Freeman: And that really underscores the message that the time for talking about how we will eventually build out our grid to handle the energy transition has turned into the time to build and deliver on that talk. But, as with most things, it's never just that easy. This is all happening against the backdrop of an energy industry that is, to say the least, facing some pretty significant turmoil. What sector isn't right now? There's global conflict, there's a need for bold new policy direction, changing technology—these are not insignificant factors. 01:38 Trevor Freeman: And so, to help us understand where we currently are at and where immediate action is necessary, I think it's time we check in with a two-time previous guest on this show: Francis Bradley. Francis is the President and CEO of Electricity Canada, the leading voice for the electricity industry in this country. We've had Francis on the show before in the past and it's great to have him back here today to chat about some of these issues. 02:04 Trevor Freeman: Every year, Electricity Canada releases a State of the Industry report that serves as kind of a pulse check on our sector. You'll hear shortly in my conversation with Francis that there is something to the naming of these reports. In 2023, the message was "Build It". In 2024, they used the title "Getting to Yes". But the 2026 report, which was just released, has a bit of a different title: it's called "Forging Canada's Electricity Future". 02:35 Trevor Freeman: Now, to forge something implies heat, pressure, a lot of hard work. And this report does exactly that. It dives into the regulatory system that we operate in, the gaps in our labor and supply chains, and this new geopolitical reality that's pushing Canada to prioritize our own domestic production. But it's not all warnings. There is a roadmap, so to speak, in the report that specifies 18 recommendations that Electricity Canada proposes be addressed in order to help our industry thrive. As the need to increase our capacity and meet these rising energy demands intensifies, getting projects moving, getting shovels in the ground is absolutely critical. So, it's really great to have Francis here today to chat through that and talk about what's in the report, and I'm sure it'll be a great discussion. 03:26 Trevor Freeman: Francis Bradley, welcome to the show—welcome back to the show. 03:29 Francis Bradley: Oh, delighted to be back. Good to see you. 03:32 Trevor Freeman: So Francis, it's great to have you back on the show. It's always a pleasure to catch up and get, you know, your perspective, your take on what's happening in the world of energy, and particularly the Canadian energy landscape. So, we chatted just under a year ago, and I don't think it's an exaggeration to say that was a pretty tumultuous time in the world of energy, at least here in Canada. 03:52 Trevor Freeman: So, just for context setting for our listeners as a reminder: we had just come out of both a provincial and federal election here in Ontario. Our various levels of governments were responding to actual tariffs and threats of additional tariffs. There was a lot of talk about national energy projects from pipelines to east-west electricity grids. So, with that as the backdrop, how has the last year been for you and Electricity Canada, being kind of the main association representing the electricity industry in Canada? Have we seen some of those big projects move forward? Is it all talk or have things actually happened in the last sort of 10, 12 months? 04:36 Francis Bradley: Yeah, I mean, this is a—this is a really good question and it's a great place to start our conversation. You're right, things have been pretty crazy this past year. But also, from the perspective of energy and electricity, there's also been some pretty significant developments as well, particularly I'd say the people who are responsible for the things that we care about in the federal government. 05:04 Francis Bradley: So we've, you know, we've got a Prime Minister that used to be Vice Chair at Brookfield; we've got a Minister of Energy that used to chair the board of Hydro One; the head of the civil service most recently was the President of Hydro Quebec. So, you know, among all of that massive change, we also saw now a team in Ottawa that actually understands our sector and that gets the challenges that we're talking about. 05:32 Francis Bradley: So, you know, have we seen significant projects moving forward? Well, I mean, part of the challenge, of course, is projects in this sector are very, very long-term. I mean, they take a long time. These are not, you know, kind of shovel-ready projects that are just sitting on the sidelines and immediately you get a go, you can move forward. These are generational investments. But what we have seen, I think, is some real movement by the federal government and a very significant change in terms of their approach. 06:05 Francis Bradley: Bill C-5, for example—the first piece of legislation that we saw moving through—that sent a real signal that the government was serious, as serious as you can be in a minority government situation. Short of changing a large number of laws, they essentially do a carve-out for those projects of national interest—or some people call them "PONIs," Projects of National Interest. So we saw addressing, trying to move that small set of projects more quickly through the process. We saw the establishment of the Major Projects Office as a kind of a concierge for these major projects. We saw the MOU with the province of Alberta also, I think, a sign that there is a real desire to see major projects move forward. 07:01 Francis Bradley: But the challenge here—and this is what I raised when I appeared before the parliamentary committee reviewing Bill C-5—is that's all well and good if you happen to be one of those PONIs. If you happen to be the proponent for one of these projects of national interest, that's terrific; you're able to move through this project more quickly. But you know, the reality is the vast majority of the projects that are going to make a difference for the electricity sector and ultimately for Canadian customers may not rise to that level of a Project of National Interest. And so, all of the concerns that we had previous to Bill C-5 really remain for the vast majority of projects that we're going to be facing. 07:44 Francis Bradley: So, yeah, have we seen movement? Yeah, I think we've seen pretty significant movement. We've seen all of the right signals, but as I said, the government can only go so far as a minority government. Now, that's today when we're recording this, but by the time this plays, we may not be in a minority government situation anymore. But that is the reality; it is difficult for the government to get legislation through as a minority, and I'm certainly pleased that one of the first priorities was addressing "how do we get projects built?" because that's something that we've been talking about for a long time. 08:24 Trevor Freeman: And do you see—you know, obviously Canada exists within the broader backdrop of global energy politics or the energy kind of situation? There's a lot going on there right now, of course, you know, conflict in energy-producing countries. Do you see us continuing to move forward on these? So, the last year was kind of a foundation setting, figuring out how to get major projects done, and now we're moving into hopefully implementation, or have we been knocked off course? Do you see something changing significantly in Canadian energy policy and politics as a result of what's happening globally? 09:03 Francis Bradley: Yeah, you know, again, a really good question, Trevor. Because certainly the short-term challenges that we've seen with now the war in the Middle East and the roiling of markets and the significant increase, I think if anything, it's going to prove to be an even greater impetus for us. I don't think it's going to slow us; it's probably going to get us to speed up. I think it certainly will with respect to our colleagues that are in the oil and gas space, but also for electricity. 09:37 Francis Bradley: I think it's going to increase the desire that people will have to see greater energy sovereignty in Canada. And so, a lot of the issues that we've been talking about with respect to building out, meeting the future demand, and getting things built were not directly addressing Canadian sovereignty, but they indirectly address Canadian sovereignty. And over the last year with the challenges with the Trump administration, suddenly questions around Canadian sovereignty are getting more traction. So yeah, I think what's happening in the world today—certainly the most recent past—is going to prove to be, I think, even more impetus for us to want to move and move expeditiously in this space. 10:24 Trevor Freeman: Yeah, I guess something that I think has become clear to folks outside of us who kind of are in the industry is just how tied our energy reality and energy policy is to what's happening globally. And to your point, kind of that global policy, global economics—it's all intertwined and probably people are paying attention to it more now than at least in recent memory. 10:48 Francis Bradley: Yeah, and the good news, at least with respect to electricity, is we are not tied to a world market for electricity and electricity pricing the way like the oil and gas and the price at the pump. If you're filling up your car—I don't fill up my car anymore, I drive electric. But I, you know, I've got family and colleagues that are filling up and I'm hearing, you know, already feeling pain at the pump, which is, you know, the reality of having an international world market. 11:21 Francis Bradley: Our electricity market thankfully doesn't get that kind of—of an impact as a result of those changes. However, what happens in the U.S. with respect to supply and reliability certainly affects us, and it's something that we're watching closely. You know, we've seen cancellations of offshore wind projects, for example, off the East Coast of the United States. You know, we've seen a step back from a number of different types of technologies in the U.S.. So, while international affairs are not necessarily making me as concerned directly with respect to electricity, the North American picture, though, is raising questions with respect to reliability. 11:58 Trevor Freeman: We always go to interesting places during these conversations, right, Francis? 12:02 Francis Bradley: We do, I know. And I kind of—you got my brain going here. Sometimes I like to go down a rabbit hole. 12:09 Trevor Freeman: Okay, so I think that's a good context setting. That's a good place to start to understand where we are, what's been kind of going on, who knows what's coming up. But I do want to spend the bulk of our conversation here talking about Electricity Canada's 2026 State of the Industry report, and the title of that report is "Forging Canada's Electricity Future". 12:31 Trevor Freeman: So, not to spend too much time on semantics, but in previous years, you've titled these reports "Build It," "Getting to Yes" was another example. This year you've chosen "Forging." Is there a play on words there? You know, we're moving into a more high-pressure, difficult phase of the energy transition? Is there anything that we should read into that title, or am I kind of just picking at straws here? 12:56 Francis Bradley: No, you're not. We've been very intentional in terms of what we've been titling our State of the Industry. And so, you know, we've seen an evolution in terms of the thematic approach that we've been taking to this report. And so, you know, when I moved into the role of CEO, we began producing sort of these annual snapshots of the sector. They're intended to kind of lay out what we see as the current state of the electricity sector in Canada and our prescriptions for, you know, what should be done to be able to address our challenges. 13:30 Francis Bradley: And you know, if I look back over the last several years—and you noted some of the thematic approaches we've had in the past—2019 we started with, you know, it was all about "Resilience". 2020 it was about "Transformation". 2021 it was "Renewal". 2022 everybody was talking about net zero, so our theme back then was "Accelerating to Net Zero". 2023, "Build It," you noted that. 2024 was "Getting to Yes," and you noted that one as well. That was an interesting report because it really did focus on—it seemed to have a culture of "no" when it comes to "can we get stuff done?" and it attempted to address that. 14:14 Francis Bradley: 2025, last year's report, you know, as you noted, we were in an interesting place this time last year. You know, we'd just come out of an election. So at the beginning of last year, we put out our annual State of the Industry and it was focused on—we called it "Electricity is Essential" and it really was kind of our election platform edition for electricity. 14:38 Francis Bradley: And yeah, here we are in 2026, so "Forging Canada's Electricity Future." And now, you know, we were very conscious; we wanted to use that term "forging". And forging is, as we note in the report at the very beginning, it means to create something strong and something lasting. So, for example, one forges steel, but you just bake a pie. So, like, we're talking about what is going to be long-lasting and sustainable in terms of our build-out for the future. 15:11 Francis Bradley: So, it isn't necessarily about higher pressure, but it's that it's time to build. It's time to build now, but it's time to build stuff that is going to be enduring, especially given the moment we're in. And that moment includes—well, some things that we haven't seen for a while: federal-provincial-territorial consensus on the need to address long-term electricity needs. 15:37 Francis Bradley: You know, as I mentioned a little bit earlier, we've got people in the key offices in Ottawa, for example, that actually understand the electricity sector, and a federal government that has said that they're going to be introducing very soon—by the time this airs, it's probably already out there—a federal strategy with respect to electricity, something that we've been asking for for a while. So, it isn't necessarily about pressure; it's more about building something that is enduring and something that will last and something that is sustainable given the sort of the time and place that we find ourselves in. 16:15 Trevor Freeman: And in light of that, like looking at the fact that we are hopefully moving into this period of building, of growing, you know, something that jumps out from the report is trust in electricity companies. So, you note that trust is at an all-time high in the players in the sector, even as a majority of Canadians are feeling, you know, to put it in quotes, "financially paralyzed"—and that's from a 2025 RBC study. Trust isn't usually a word that we use for large institutions, large organizations, which a lot of our energy companies are. Why do you think that Canadians are feeling an all-time high in trust in their utilities right now, maybe more so than other parts of the sector? And how do we protect that trust, and I'm thinking especially as we move into periods of growth, periods of change in the industry? How do we protect that? 17:08 Francis Bradley: Yeah, trust is—it's an interesting concept, particularly with sort of institutions when we're approaching it from that perspective. So, you know, what we're talking about here in the report is a specific measure on favorability, and the favorability towards electricity companies specifically. And so, this comes from the polling work that we do, the annual polling that we undertake on behalf of the sector. 17:39 Francis Bradley: Now, polling is interesting; public opinion research is interesting. Almost 40 years ago, when I was hired into this sector, I was hired at the Canadian Electrical Association at the time specifically because of the work that I'd previously and quite recently been doing in public opinion research in the oil and gas sector. So, you know, when we've got questions about what our polling is, I bring both some historical perspectives and I perhaps bring some biases to these conversations. 18:13 Francis Bradley: So, what is trust and why are we suddenly seeing this upswing in favorability? So, my take on it is that it's all about reliability. My take is that favorability is being driven, I think, partially by extreme weather of all things. Because, you know, the last time we saw favorability ratings this high was following the ice storm in Eastern Canada in 1998. 18:41 Francis Bradley: So, customers are seeing electricity companies now, today, keeping the lights on, restoring power following extreme weather events. And they're being told by the media, and they see it and read it everywhere, that weather events are becoming more frequent, they're becoming more extreme, and yet the companies are maintaining reliability. And that is something I think the customer is feeling. 19:10 Francis Bradley: So, like, if you think of sort of a hierarchy of needs from a customer's perspective of what they need from an electricity company—and while, you know, it's going to differ from person to person in terms of what the ordering is going to be—I can guarantee that the top three will be environmental impact, cost, and reliability. And of those three, that last one is actually the first one: reliability. For the customer, they want all of the different attributes that you get from electricity, but the one thing that is non-negotiable is reliability; the lights need to stay on. 19:48 Francis Bradley: And you know, I approach this based upon the work that I've done, as I said, historically. I recall doing focus groups in the spring of 1998 following the ice storm, when we saw the last really major surge in favorability. And I was asking customers about their views, and you know, at the time, as I said, you've got people that are suddenly more favorable towards the sector. 20:13 Francis Bradley: And what I was getting in the focus groups, in the conversations, was people had seen a lot of images on television news and on the cover of newspapers and magazines back when people actually had hard copies of newspapers and magazines. Of images of crews doing heroic things—you know, like hanging off of helicopters, working on lines, and so on. And so, you know, I really do think there is a direct relation between people's favorability of the sector and their perception that given that reliability is so critically important, we as a sector seem to be doing really good stuff. And, you know, they continue to see images on the net as opposed to necessarily in hard copy newspapers of the sector doing incredibly, you know, difficult and challenging things to make sure that the lights stay on for customers. 21:12 Francis Bradley: But of course, it isn't all about simply favorability, and as I said, it's reliability, it's environment, and its cost. And the biggest challenge outside of that, I think over the long term, is going to be the whole question around affordability and cost to the customer. So, you know, you're asking what's driving it, I think it's reliability, but what's the major challenge going forward? I think it's going to be all about affordability for the customer. 21:40 Trevor Freeman: Yeah, it's this interesting, almost ironic feature of extreme weather, of these major outage events—and you know, I'm speaking from Ottawa, we've had our share in the last number of years, let me tell you—that it does force the customers to think more about what it takes to keep the lights on. And if everything's running smoothly and there's no bumps in the road at all, it almost gets forgotten a little bit. But it takes those big events to sort of bring that back to the forefront and there's inconvenience, of course, in the outage, but it also helps people to understand, yeah, this is what is required for this, you know, a grid that is complex and difficult to keep up and running. 22:24 Trevor Freeman: So, I kind of hear what you're saying, affordability you've highlighted a couple times there in the last little bit, and that's kind of where I want to go next. That continues to be top of mind for customers, and you've highlighted it, we hear that from our customers, we see that in the kind of conversations that we're having with our customers. Electricity Canada runs a national customer survey; back in 2024, 84% of respondents to your survey said that an increase in my electricity bill would have a major impact on my finances. So, you know, customers are saying, we'll feel it if electricity bills go up. 23:02 Trevor Freeman: And there's a tension in that because for the foreseeable future, affordability and the need to invest in the grid to build, to grow—we talk about that a lot on the show about how we kind of need to allow for more capacity, accept more distributed energy resources—those two things are going to be in tension with each other. How can utilities manage that, work with other stakeholders—for example, like various levels of government—how do we work together to ensure that the need to expand and invest in the grid doesn't impact rates too dramatically and impact affordability that customers say is so important? 23:44 Francis Bradley: Yeah, and that's the—that's the, you know, that's I think probably the most fundamental challenge that the sector is going to face in the years ahead, the whole challenge around affordability. But sort of I come at this in a bit of a different way, and that is not, you know, not the question of what the customer is paying but what the customer should be paying versus the taxpayer, right? 24:14 Francis Bradley: And so, the question I have is, you know, shouldn't we be looking at treating electricity as part of our core infrastructure? Right? And you know, we've actually started to have conversations around this with respect to our, you know, our defense spending targets. We're going to go from 2 to 3.5%, but that includes, you know, sort of all the supporting infrastructure for defense. Well, geez, shouldn't that actually include, you know, the defense infrastructure, the defense critical electricity infrastructure? 24:49 Francis Bradley: So, you know, if we're thinking about infrastructure and electricity being part of the core infrastructure, as we do with roads or ports or public transit, for example—core infrastructure that is required to enable the economic prosperity of the country—then we shouldn't be looking at relying solely on the kilowatt-hours paid by customers. Because this isn't simply, you know, delivering electricity to a customer; it is ensuring that we have the infrastructure that the economy as a whole needs. 25:27 Francis Bradley: So, you know, just like transit users today, when they buy their transit pass, are not paying 100% of the cost because we recognize that that's actually part of core infrastructure for a country and it needs tax-based funding. So, you know, we need to be looking at more creative ways to be able to address what that funding gap is going to be. 25:54 Francis Bradley: You know, we've got existing tools; we've got the clean technology and clean electricity investment tax credits, we've got the Canada Infrastructure Bank, we've got indigenous loan guarantees—there's a number of other programs that the federal government has in place. But we're going to need to do a lot more if we're going to actually look at kind of growing the Canadian economy and bringing in the investments of basically $2 trillion over the next 25 years. All of that $2 trillion can't go on the rate base, right? But by the same token, when you look at every other piece of core infrastructure that we've got, it is paid for by a mix of user fees and tax base because this is what one does as a nation—one supports the core infrastructure that we've got. So, I think that's how we're going to have to address this in the future. It is kind of having a clear understanding of what one does as a country for our infrastructure, and so it should be paid for as infrastructure as opposed to consumption of electricity by consumers. 27:01 Trevor Freeman: Now, in Canada—like a lot of other jurisdictions—energy is a provincial jurisdiction. So, the kind of change and change in thinking that you're talking about, it's not just one conversation you need to have with the federal government across the country; you're talking about multiple different stakeholders and players and trying to move that conversation. How do you go about that? And I know you're not starting from scratch; this is a conversation you've been having for a while. What does that change look like in a country like Canada where we've got so many different jurisdictions? 27:37 Francis Bradley: Yeah, well, you know, we've done this before. And we've done this with other sectors. No, I mean we have, right? You quite rightly point out that electricity is a provincial responsibility according to the Canadian Constitution. But guess what? So is health. So is public—I mentioned public transit. You know, when we build the next LRT line, it's not going to be all paid for by transit users in Ontario. Some of it is going to be paid for by the provincial government and some of it is going to be paid for by the federal government. You're not seeing any major transit infrastructure in this country—and that is not a federal responsibility—not being built today without some federal contribution. 28:23 Francis Bradley: So, we're not starting from zero from a conceptual standpoint; we do this with many other sectors, but it is those sectors that we know are the kind of the core infrastructure that we require as a country, you know, from health care to public transit to roads and so on. And the conversations are not, you know, not just starting tomorrow, right? These are conversations that have been going on for quite some time. 28:50 Francis Bradley: But yeah, you know, it's interesting when talking to folks that don't spend a lot of time in this space, they ask, like you did, they ask the question, "Wait a second, this is provincial responsibility, isn't it going to be just like an absolute bear to try and have this conversation?" Yeah, not so much. It's like, this is—we've had this conversation on a whole pile of other files where we recognized that we needed a more holistic approach and a national approach that brings together the federal government, the provincial government, the regional municipal governments, and the local community. 29:26 Trevor Freeman: Great. So, pulling on that same thread, regulatory constraints—we all like to talk about regulatory constraints, it's a reality in our industry. The report talks about this being a system that chooses delays. So, tell me a little bit about that and about some of the specific challenges that utilities are hitting right now when they're trying to get projects moving, trying to get things off the ground, and what do you recommend, what does Electricity Canada recommend to streamline that process and get things moving? 30:00 Francis Bradley: Right. So, you know, and we talked earlier about some of the themes of the previous reports—one of them was thematically called "Getting to Yes". Because yeah, I mean, at least our view is by and large the approval regimes that we've got for projects in this country are biased towards figuring out how to turn down projects. You know, what are all of the ways that one can say no, as opposed to like, how do we actually get to yes, and how do we use these—and that isn't to say that it should automatically be a yes or automatically be a no. It should be a clear process that isn't biased one way or the other. 30:41 Francis Bradley: And also, you know, the way we've kind of built this system over the years, we've got multiple levels of government—we were chatting about that just a moment ago with respect to funding—from municipal to regional to provincial and territorial and federal government. And on any project, there's requirement, there's regulations, and there's requirement for approvals and need for coordination, and so inevitably right off the bat, it's going to result in delays. Delays, as I always like to point out to people, delays mean costs—additional costs, additional costs are borne by the customer. So, you know, if we can address this, it also helps us to address the question that we were talking about earlier about affordability. 31:30 Francis Bradley: Right? Like, how long does it take to get a major project built? Depending upon the kind of project that you're talking about, it can be decades or more. So, you know, to what degree can we simplify this? We've got duplication—federal and provincial processes. As well as, in addition to that duplication and different layers, we've got unnecessary regulatory actions that crop up, and the example that I often use—because it's a real head-scratcher for me—is a couple of years ago, the federal government changed the Fisheries Act. 32:07 Francis Bradley: And the Fisheries Act now protects fish as opposed to protecting fisheries. And that sounds like a fairly simple esoteric issue, but it is massively now complicating the licensing and the relicensing even of existing facilities when their licensing comes up. So, by—it wasn't intentional to make it that much more complicated, but it is almost impossible right now to license a hydro facility. There are very few hydro facilities that are currently compliant with this new Fisheries Act that protects individual fish as opposed to fish populations. I don't know, maybe part of the problem is the word fish is both singular and plural, but that just gives you a little more complication for when lawyers get involved in this. 32:59 Francis Bradley: So, listen, what do we need, right? For years, we've had, in four or five years in a row, either in the federal budget or in the fall economic statements or in other pronouncements by the government of Canada, a promise to bring in a "one project, one approval" regime, which sounds great, but we haven't gotten there yet. And it's something that keeps getting promised year after year after year. We need to get to that one project, one approval regime. 33:34 Francis Bradley: And then the other thing is the federal government has also now committed—they introduced it in Bill C-5 for the projects of national interest—a two-year federal approval timeline for major projects. Well, we actually need that for all projects, not just those "PONIs," not just those projects of national interest. We should have a federal timeline on all projects. Again, which isn't to say that every project gets approved within two years, but like, if it's going to get a thumbs up or a thumbs down, you need to know in a reasonable amount of time so that you can figure out what the alternative will be if it's a thumbs down. 34:16 Francis Bradley: So, you know, I think it's just as reasonable to say we need to know if we're getting approval, but we also need to know if we're not getting approved so that alternatives—and that needs to be done in a timely manner. And so the federal government has permitted, has committed to like this two-year timeline for projects of national interest; we'd like to see that across the board—federal government, provincial governments as well—for all projects. We've got the Major Projects Office that's been set up; I'm certain that already there's lessons that are being learned from the Major Projects Office. Well, let's draw those lessons and apply them to all projects, not projects of national interest. 35:00 Francis Bradley: Red tape reduction—we've heard of desires to ensure that we're looking at opportunities—well, that should be a continuous and ongoing process. And then finally, duplication between the federal government and the provinces—we need to eliminate that duplication. You know, for example, even on things as simple as environmental assessments—well, pick one, right? Let's get an agreement between both levels of government that one project, one review for that project will be sufficient. And so the feds can recognize the provincial process, the provincial can recognize the federal—one or the other as opposed to having multiple levels of government essentially doing the same work over and over again. And again, as I said earlier, as you well know, Trevor, these additional costs land in one place and one place only right now, and that's on the ratepayer, that's on the customer. 35:56 Trevor Freeman: And it's that double cost of the additional time and effort necessary as well as delaying whatever kind of economic activity the customer might be waiting for, which kind of ties into my next question here of we're seeing more and more—and this has always been the case but maybe it's just a little bit more on the forefront now—the importance of energy for economic development, for attracting investment and business. And that's true in our service territory absolutely as well as others. So, supply chain challenges have cropped up in the last little while and are getting into the mix and causing some of those delays. In order to move forward, what can the federal government do to bolster supply chains? Is it bringing more things domestically? Are there other tools that they have at their disposal? How do we go about addressing the supply chain challenge? 36:52 Francis Bradley: Yeah, and this is a real issue—as you know from your perch at Hydro Ottawa—it's a challenge for even a company such as yours and it's right across the sector. The delays and the time that it takes to get into the queue to get particularly for large pieces of equipment, but even for some of the smaller stuff, is simply becoming more and more challenging. We thought it was a COVID-19 blip, but it wasn't, right? I mean, it is continuing, it is persisting six years later; the supply chains remain as challenged as they were, probably even more so. I mean, a couple of years ago we saw a ship get stuck sideways in the Suez Canal and it affected supply chains for every sector right across the globe. 37:46 Francis Bradley: So yeah, you know, we need to be addressing this. So what we're proposing is we look at the establishment of what we're calling a Canadian Electricity Supply Chain Roadmap. This, done in partnership with the federal government, electricity companies, suppliers, and so on—everybody that's got a stake in this—to take a more systematic and collaborative and cooperative approach to addressing supply chains, and come together to identify those opportunities to do some of the things that you mentioned. You know, what about domestic production on some of these things? What about domestic production in those areas where we've got the potential for exports as well? So that would be potentially not only an ability to address a supply chain issue, but also to look at economic opportunities for Canadian businesses. 38:43 Francis Bradley: And can we look at leveraging some of the existing tools that we've got and repurpose them so that they are focused on addressing what would be identified as needing to be in that supply chain roadmap? Let's leverage tools such as tax credits, Business Development Canada, Export Development Canada, the Canada Growth Fund. So, you know, it'd be interesting if there were other venues and other opportunities, but we have existing tools; we're just not, I think, focusing them directly and specifically with respect to the supply chain requirements for the electricity sector and we should be looking at doing that. And you know, the challenges—I've spent time with the steel producers, for example—it is fascinating to try and get a sense of what those challenges are for the partners that we've got, whether it's steel or aluminum or finished products or transformers; it is endlessly complex, evolving, and so you know, we really do think developing some kind of a clear roadmap with all of the stakeholders would benefit the sector as a whole. 39:56 Trevor Freeman: Yeah, I mean certainly those challenges are ubiquitous across multiple sectors, and I think the one thing that we do find is when we bring up the challenges we're having with our customers or potential customers, they all get it, it's not a surprise. They don't sit there kind of surprised to hear that oh, it's going to take us this much time to bring in that transformer because they're going through some of those same challenges and I think the need is cross-cutting to address it. Another input, of course, into any sector and certainly the electricity industry is just the human capital required—the skilled labor required on the design side, on the construction side. Your report recommends establishing a Federal Industry Workforce Advisory Council. What would the priority be for that council and how do you help the utility industry compete against other industries that are also out there kind of participating in this war on talent trying to get the best and brightest into their sectors? 41:03 Francis Bradley: Yeah, no, I mean it is definitely a challenge. It's something that we've been addressing for, geez, probably two decades now at the association. We helped establish Electricity Human Resources Canada back in the day; it was spun off from some of our activities we'd done previously. So, you know, this is an area that we've been particularly concerned about in the sector for, well, as I say, you know, 20 years, it's been a generation that we've seen this challenge coming and we know it's on its way. 41:38 Francis Bradley: We are seeing, I think, some very good work in this space—I did mention Electricity Human Resources Canada; they do some terrific work, they are absolutely a critical stakeholder, increasingly a thought leader in this space. But you know, as you note, we have a very specific ask in our State of the Industry and that is getting the federal government to pull together a senior-level advisory committee with representatives from industry associations, from unions, from training providers, from the sector as a whole, to discuss these emerging labor market issues, to review the forecasts. 42:18 Francis Bradley: They need to address strategies, and so the mandate needs to be very specific: ongoing review, monitoring, and improvement of our workforce mechanisms to ensure that they remain adaptive and responsive to labor market realities. And so, this is not something that the sector and the electricity companies themselves control; this is something that requires the collaboration and participation of governments with respect to the policies that they bring forward, with unions, and with the training providers. 42:55 Trevor Freeman: Yeah, and as we look at sort of that next generation—you talk about this being a generational challenge—it's one thing to attract the skilled workers of today, it's another to bring up and build those skill sets. We talk about that a lot on the show about how we kind of need to build those skill sets. So, a bit of a platform for you here: why should someone consider that career in the electricity industry? What's the hook? What's the thing that you would convince them to come? I kind of know what my pitch is, but I'm curious to hear what yours is. 43:29 Francis Bradley: All right. Well, listen, I mean, like, sort of on the first piece, you know, I think this is where the adaptive and responsive comes into play. That advisory council I talked about I think would be able to recommend how we adjust and how we adapt our programs to further, you know, promote the sector. But why would I recommend somebody in this sector, and who would I begin with? Absolutely. 43:56 Francis Bradley: I mean, first off, I mean, this is a sector where we're going to see massive growth. We know that it is coming; we know that we're going to see a doubling of demand out to 2050. And so, with that massive growth, the prospects for skilled trades, the prospects for anybody in this sector is very bright. 44:21 Francis Bradley: And you know, one of the other things as well that I'd like to point out is we hear a lot of talk about how AI is going to massively change the workforce of the future. But when we're talking about skilled trades, you know, AI can do a lot of things, but ChatGPT is never going to be able to climb a pole, swing a hammer, or install an insulator. So, you know, not only is this a sector where the growth is going to be very significant over the next 25 years, it's also one where we know we actually need people to do these things. 44:54 Francis Bradley: And these are, you know, for a certain type of person, this is really cool and interesting stuff. So, you know, whether it is in the skilled trades or people in the technologies, this is a sector that has some really interesting, fascinating career choices and they're ones that, you know, the ChatGPT is not going to be taking away from you. 45:18 Trevor Freeman: Yeah, and it is this—the sector is evolving, it's innovating, it's changing, but to your point, we still need that traditional infrastructure. We need that growth, there will be more poles and wires, there will be cooler technology to work on, but we still need folks to install them. And something that I tell people that are interested—you know, a lot of younger folks coming up are really passionate about the environment, climate change—this is a great sector for that. This is a great spot to focus on that; the electricity industry is the, you know, tip of the spear when it comes to addressing climate change—electricity is the solution. 46:01 Francis Bradley: And it will continue to be so well into the future. Yeah, no, absolutely couldn't agree more. 46:07 Trevor Freeman: So, pivoting then to climate change, and we're seeing we've talked here a couple times about the increase in severe weather events, you know, wildfires in parts of the country. Utilities are facing this challenge of not only meeting growing demand but also meeting it in a harsher environment—I think there's no better way to say it—our grid needs to be more resilient and people are relying on it even more. What are some of the recommendations that you've identified on how utilities adapt to this changing world and become more resilient? 46:46 Francis Bradley: Yeah, well, you know, you're right, the conditions, the extreme weather that we're facing is not something that's going to go away. I find it interesting that I think every six months we add something new to the lexicon to try and just describe how crazy the weather has gotten—you know, like atmospheric rivers and heat domes and... 47:09 Trevor Freeman: Derecho! 47:11 Francis Bradley: Yeah, right, like when did we—I never heard of a derecho until it ripped through, I don't know, how many thousands of poles it tore up through Ottawa. Exactly. So, you know, this stuff is real and it's evolving. 47:25 Francis Bradley: And so, yeah, what are we proposing? We've kind of got three big asks in this area. The first one is we need to do a review of those federal and provincial legal frameworks. Do we have the appropriate protections related to industry-caused ignitions as we say? So, you know, if inadvertent but there is a spark from infrastructure that causes, for example, a fire, you know, do we actually have legal frameworks that can address this in a way that doesn't simply go in and bankrupt a company as happened in California? So we're supporting work in this space. 48:06 Francis Bradley: Second, we want to establish formal coordination mechanisms between our sector and—it may sound a little esoteric for us sitting here in downtown Ottawa—but Parks Canada, to address vegetation management on federal lands. There is a lot of federal land particularly, for example, in the Rockies, but not exclusively; there's lots of other parts of this country where there's vast swaths of land that is owned by Parks Canada that our infrastructure transits through, and so we need better coordination mechanisms. And we saw that frankly with respect to the fire in Jasper a couple of years ago that we could and need to do a lot better in terms of our coordination. 48:54 Francis Bradley: And then finally, we're suggesting looking at a resiliency tax credit or some kind of a targeted funding program to support weather hardening of electricity infrastructure, to protect the system from growing exposure to extreme weather. To cover off all of those things, whether it's wildfires or ice storms or windstorms or floods or tornadoes. You know, again, it kind of comes back to that concept of this is core infrastructure; there are some things that actually should be tax-supported, and weather hardening of our core infrastructure is something that we should be thinking about. Is that should be on the bills of customers, or is that something that as a country we need to address? 49:43 Trevor Freeman: Great. So Francis, as we wrap up our conversation here—you know, if we go to the end of your State of the Industry report, you've got 18 recommendations. We're not going to go through each one individually. Is there one that rises above the rest, or let me put this a different way: if you could sum up or distill this kind of entire report into a key takeaway or a key action item, what would that be? How do you kind of wrap all this up in a bow, which I know is a difficult thing to do for such a comprehensive report as this? 50:23 Francis Bradley: Right. So, you're actually asking two questions there: is there one I want to point out or and what's the wrap-up? I mean, if there was one thing of those 18 that I'd say, "Please in the next 12 months, for goodness' sake, at least do this one thing," it would be reforming the Fisheries Act, and I mentioned that earlier. Because right now, it focuses on individual fish as opposed to the impact on fish populations. So, that's one if I wanted one that I think should be fairly easy to address and to move forward with, it would be that one, which I think was number two on the list. 51:03 Francis Bradley: But you know, of all of the 18, they're all about "can we get our stuff built?" and "can we get it done in a timely manner because the customer is counting on us?" So, you know, if one of those encapsulates that, I would say it's probably the first one, which, though talks, specifically to this two-year federal approval timeline. Thematically, what it's all about is we have to move and we have to move quickly, but we have to do it in a collaborative manner. 51:35 Francis Bradley: But you know, in the end here, what we're talking about is demand is going to double in the next 25 years. We need to invest $2 trillion. So let's do this in a manner that is sustainable and enduring, so not piecemeal, not piece by piece. So that kind of brings me back full circle to the very beginning of this report: "Forging Canada's Electricity Future." Forging is to create something strong and lasting through effort. And so I think thematically it's "let's build sustainably and in an enduring manner and not piecemeal". So, let's forge. 52:13 Trevor Freeman: I had planned on wrapping this up with inviting you back on the show a year from now to kind of talk about where we go, but you've recently announced that you're retiring soon—the next sort of few months are going to be wrapping up your time at Electricity Canada. So first of all, congratulations on that. 52:32 Francis Bradley: Thank you. 52:33 Trevor Freeman: The invitation stands, so you're welcome to come back out of retirement to come on the show and check in with where we are, and so the invitation will remain open. 52:43 Francis Bradley: Well, and as you know, I do a podcast, and I may continue to do my podcast on the future of electricity beyond that. Remains to be seen. 52:54 Trevor Freeman: That's great. Well, I hope that on your show, on this show, we'll be able to talk through how some of these things that we're discussing now, how they've been implemented, how they've actually moved forward and we're able to see some results in that. Francis, thanks so much for coming on the show. Always appreciate your insight and appreciate you being here and looking forward to chatting again soon. 53:18 Francis Bradley: Awesome, always great to chat. Thanks for the invitation. 53:21 Trevor Freeman: Take care. 53:26 Trevor Freeman: Thanks for tuning in to another episode of the Think Energy podcast. Don't forget to subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and it would be great if you could leave us a review—it really helps us to spread the word. As always, we would love to hear from you, whether it's feedback, comments, or an idea for a show or a guest. You can always reach us at thinkenergy@hydroottawa.com.

Tyler Scott is the owner of the Lost Channel CE5 Research Centre and is the Host of The ExCoppernikiss Show. What if everything we perceive as reality is actually egregorical? – which means we do have a say when it comes to our personal and shared reality! Tyler is currently organizing a conference in Eastern Canada and he has brought with him one of the presenters: Mike Paterson who just released his Novel about the sasquatch people. Thank you for leaving me a comment, like my videos, and do share my content with your friends!YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/rCTL7GVaMMA Tyler Scott's Links:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheExCoppernikissShow Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/969011221067495/Tic Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@excoppernikiss?_t=ZM-8v7it2GmwLv&_r=1Mike Paterson's Link:https://invisiblegiantmedia.wixsite.com/invisiblegiant?fbclid=IwdGRjcARUnXtjbGNrBFSddWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHry4uxhCBEsd2DPem3hSfTnH0iKIsnitKclBL4bPqheuzRIuITjAVrQ_BSOo_aem_IIZreF8GUjjNW9HHsnyeFQKaren Holton's Links:• Link Tree: https://linktr.ee/karenholtontv• TRANSDIMENSIONAL: Meet the New Neighbours by Karen Holton (paperback & Kindle now available from Amazon Worldwide) US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1069173509 & Canada: https://www.amazon.ca/TRANSDIMENSIONAL-Neighbours-Ms-Karen-Holton/dp/1069173509• TRANSDIMENSIONAL 2: Meet the Greys Picture Book by Karen Holton (paperback & Kindle now available from Amazon Worldwide) US: https://www.amazon.com/TRANSDIMENSIONAL-Meet-Greys-Picture-Book/dp/B0DVSRX8BQ & Canada: https://www.amazon.ca/TRANSDIMENSIONAL-Meet-Greys-Picture-Book/dp/B0DVSRX8BQ • Download my exclusive audio content found only on SPREAKER, Spotify, Apple, Podbean, iHeart, Goodpods and more – https://www.spreaker.com/show/quantum-guides-show-with-karen-holton   • Buy Me A Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/karenholtontv • Join My YouTube Channel to receive my perks! https://www.youtube.com/@KarenHoltonTV/join• Website: https://www.karenholtonhealthcoach.com/• Inspired Images: https://www.karenholtonhealthcoach.com/product-category/inspired-images/• Signed Books: https://www.karenholtonhealthcoach.com/product-category/signed-books/ • Channels:• Censored Content: https://www.youtube.com/@KarenHoltonTV• Uncensored Content: Odysee: https://odysee.com/@KarenHoltonTV - Rumble: https://rumble.com/KarenHoltonTV - X (Twitter): https://x.com/KarenHoltonTV and Telegram: https://t.me/KarenHoltonTVInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenholtontv • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karen.holton3 Please follow me on Odysee, X, Telegram & Rumble and help me to grow my channels!The Quantum Guides Show, and the Aliens & Angels Podcast are now part of the Forbidden Knowledge News Network! https://forbiddenknowledge.news/Other valuable content from Karen Holton:Quantum Health Transformation V.3.0 - a free, no strings attached, 9 Step online, lifestyle course to give you the tips and resources you need to thrive! By following my own channeled advice, I made my dreams come true! Whether you are in the awakening process, or simply want more out of life, this course is for you.Complete Quantum Health Transformation V3.0 Playlist on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwSmOYvGXBA&list=PLe1pNMTCSTLlzyU9vc_SmK4zs4_JCcpa1&pp=gAQBiAQB - or watch the Quantum Health Transformation V.3.0 program on Karen's website:https://www.karenholtonhealthcoach.com/quantum-health-transformation-free-online-course/ Complete Quantum Guides Show 2024 Playlist on YouTube (Episodes 148+) - Interviews with Awakened Masters! Their quantum work will inspire you! This podcast is ideally suited to the newly awakened, and for those who wish to learn about the greater reality which lies outside of the mainstream construct. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ObUkKS6g4kM&list=PLe1pNMTCSTLkNBkKxasRct_8h7STDzaqv&index=1Aliens & Angels Podcast: Featuring real-life people with real-life experiences. Complete playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIOYsBqbk1U&list=PLe1pNMTCSTLk4saG-kQHgWqx-QQ7BtMAv Karen's Free Resources - https://www.karenholtonhealthcoach.com/free-resources/  Support Karen Holton TV:Zen Domes Orgonite - https://www.karenholtonhealthcoach.com/product-category/zen-domes-orgonite/  Comfort Crystals - https://www.karenholtonhealthcoach.com/product-category/comfort-crystals/  Services & Support - https://www.karenholtonhealthcoach.com/product-category/services/  PDF Downloads - https://www.karenholtonhealthcoach.com/product-category/downloads/ Thank you for subscribing, liking, commenting and sharing!

Alex Webb, CEO of F12.net and Leanne Yeatman, chief of staff at F12.net F12.net has completed more than 15 acquisitions since founder and CEO Alex Webb and Chief of Staff Leanne Yeatman made their first deal in 2006. What started as a circumstantial opportunity evolved into a deliberate growth strategy that has taken the company from its Alberta roots to a national MSP with offices across Canada and over 500 employees. In this conversation, Webb and Yeatman open up about how they evaluate potential acquisitions – and why the criteria that matter most aren’t the ones on their website. Culture, resilience, and how distributed the workload is across the team all weigh more heavily than the financial table stakes. They also share hard-won lessons on integration, including why they stopped calling deals “mergers” and why leadership can’t outsource the transition work. The conversation takes a turn when Webb discusses F12’s recent private equity transition from Clairvest to Audax, putting him on the other side of the due diligence process he’s put sellers through for years. “Gives me a lot of empathy for what we put our sellers through,” he says. For MSP owners considering a sale, there’s practical advice throughout – from cleaning up your P&L and building leadership depth to understanding why recurring professional services isn’t managed services, and how that distinction affects your valuation when it surfaces in due diligence. Webb and Yeatman also weigh in on the AMTRA Solutions acquisition, a capability play that signals a shift in what acquirers are looking for beyond geographic expansion. Read Full Transcript Robert Dutt:  Hello and welcome to In the Channel from ChannelBuzz.ca, bringing news and information to the Canadian IT channel community for the last 16 years. I’m Robert Dutt, editor of ChannelBuzz.ca, and your host for the show. If you go to F12.net right now — one of Canada’s largest managed service providers — you’ll find something you don’t see on most MSP websites. A page that says “Looking to sell? Let’s talk!” And it’s not vague. It lists exactly what they’re looking for and exactly what a seller gets. That kind of openness tells you something. It tells you that for F12, M&A isn’t opportunistic. It’s a core part of how they’ve grown from an Alberta basement operation in 1994 to a national MSP with over 500 employees and more than 15 acquisitions under their belt. My guests today are Alex Webb, founder and CEO of F12.net, and Leanne Yeatman, Chief of Staff, who’s been deeply involved in the company’s acquisition strategy and adds some valuable perspective throughout our conversation. We cover the full picture here — how F12 decides what to buy and what to walk away from, what integration actually looks like after the deal closes, and what MSP owners on the other side of the table need to know if they’re thinking about selling someday. Alex also shares what it was like to recently go through a recapitalization of his own company, putting him on both sides of the M&A equation. Let’s get right into it. My chat with Alex Webb and Leanne Yeatman. Robert Dutt:  Alex, Leanne, thanks for joining us. Alex Webb: Thanks. Leanne Yeatman: Thank you for having us. Robert Dutt:  Not every MSP has a “looking to sell” page on their website — much less one that is as prescriptive as listing what you’re looking for and what a potential seller gets. Pretty deliberate signal. When did M&A go from something that happened at F12 — an opportunity that came along — to something that became a core part of how you grow and something that you approach intentionally? Alex Webb: Going back to the memory here — I would say that transition happened right around 2015. Prior to that, we did two acquisitions and they were more circumstantial, opportunistic, presented themselves more than us actually going out and seeking them out. But that shifted when we wanted to expand into a new region that we targeted. That region was Ontario. We were Alberta-based in 2014 and we had a plan to expand into two more provinces — Ontario being first, then BC being second. So I would say that was the date. Robert Dutt:  Your first acquisition was CPU Technologies, way back in 2006 — 20 years ago. What was that experience like, and how much of what you do now was shaped by what you learned, for the good and the bad, doing it for the first time? Alex Webb: I’ll actually let Leanne go first. She played a big role in that acquisition. Leanne Yeatman: Going back a long time in history — that was our first transaction. It was different in the sense that we had some outside influence. One of our partners at the time, Wayne Scrivens, played a big role in coaching and teaching us what to look for and how to go through that process. I would say it was foundational in that it sparked this desire to do it more and to recognize that this can be a huge part of our growth story. It’s not the only piece of the journey, of course, but it definitely was a foundational moment for us. And while no two transactions are the same, there are obviously similarities. The more you do it, the more you look back and remember the specific things that went well and the things that maybe didn’t go so well — that you would do differently if given another shot. I remember the details very clearly still to this day. What we learned in that early phase of the CPU acquisition was that when you don’t have the relationships, it’s very hard to convert clients, because they don’t trust you, they don’t know you, they don’t believe you. You have to work really hard to build that trust. That was the biggest education we had: that integration and converting clients was going to be way harder than we thought. Robert Dutt:  Obviously it didn’t scare you off, because you’ve done 15 or so acquisitions over those last 20 years. Is there a rhythm to it? Is it a “you’re always looking” kind of thing, or do you find it comes in waves? Alex Webb: I would say waves. We found it a little easier to have a few acquisitions brought in and do that integration work together, because you’re usually assembling teams, and it tends to work a little better than fully integrating one and then starting another. You can do a lot of things in tandem, because you’re generally ripping and tearing not only at their systems but at your own — learning as you go all of the inadequacies in your own systems that need to be redeveloped. That work has to happen while you’re doing integration. So we just found it a little easier to do them in waves. Robert Dutt:  The technology tradition of batching — it kind of makes sense from that regard too. Your website lists the criteria you look for: north of $5 million in revenue, low churn, a majority of managed services, healthy EBITDA. Those are the table stakes. What’s the stuff that’s not on the website? What makes you lean in on a company that maybe looks more marginal on paper but gives you a good vibe — or conversely, walk away from one that checks all the boxes but just leaves you with a “no” feeling? Alex Webb: Culture plays a big role. The depth in the organization — how distributed is the effort? Does it all sit on one or two people? Or, even if they’re smaller, have they found ways to distribute the workload across the team? The test of resiliency in the organization matters too. Sometimes longevity brings a certain amount of resilience to a team and a culture. Sometimes experience doing their own expansions or acquisitions brings some of that. That’s important, because when you go through integration, things change — and not just for one entity. A wise person in the industry once explained it to us as: there are two cultures, and both cultures change and become one going forward. The pressure integration puts on both teams is significant. So you really want to look for a team that’s going to be able to weather that storm — one that has a good amount of trust built up with their leadership and with each other. Robert Dutt:  How much of the decision comes down to the owner? Their personality, their readiness to move, what they want their life to look like after the acquisition? Alex Webb: That’s a big one. The motivation for why they want to do it is a key ingredient. We try to get to that early, because in M&A, some owners might feel like they can get a little more value out of the business if they portray that they’re staying — but it’s actually traumatic on the business when the alignment is wrong. So we work really hard up front to figure out what’s actually going on. And it’s okay if you want to transition out, or if you want to stay and we work a role around you. Those are very important ingredients for a successful integration outcome. Sometimes there’s indecision — do I want to be part of it or do I want to leave? We just help them with that. We make it okay either way. F12 is a good home for their people and their clients, so they don’t have to worry about that part. We can concentrate our efforts on the outcome the owner actually wants. Robert Dutt:  To Leanne’s point about two cultures becoming one — you close the deal, it’s Monday morning. I presume champagne pops, but that’s just my vision of how these things work. What does that first week actually look like for the employees and the clients of the company you just acquired? Alex Webb: If you’ve done it right, it doesn’t feel any different. I know that’s a bizarre answer, but I think that’s what people build up in their minds — that day one, a bunch of things are going to change. Balloons and fanfare. And really you just wake up Monday morning and, you know what, we need to collect some money, answer the phone, go to the client site. All of the things just keep happening. The only difference is generally that there’s a little more money in your bank account than there was the day before — and that’s significantly the only difference. That’s a bit of an out-of-body experience for most owners who’ve never done it. The real work starts more like two or three weeks in. You want things to be business-as-usual for a beat, and then you’re working through the integration plan and executing against it. But that doesn’t happen on Monday morning. Robert Dutt:  After 15 or more acquisitions, what have you learned about that integration process? How does the playbook look different now than it did for deal three or four — once you’d realized you were going to do this more than once, but before it had become the muscle memory it is today? Alex Webb: I can say for sure what we don’t do: don’t call it a merger anymore. That’s the tendency with people who are new to it — “we’re merging, we’re going to take the best of both businesses.” That communication is false, because inevitably an acquisition is going to become one entity, and you’re not going to change the processes of the mothership too quickly. You might learn some things and adapt, but you’re not going to adopt their RMM tool or their PSA tool — not likely, because you’ve done so much work building your own. On the communication side, we’re very clear on that now. I think we presented it more like a merger in those earlier days, and it didn’t create a better outcome. The better outcome comes when it’s highly communicative all the way through the process, so people know what’s going on and can plan accordingly. Leanne Yeatman: I’d add two things. One — you can’t outsource the integration work. You can use outside parties to support it, but the leadership team needs to be present and own those pieces of integration very intently. And two — really understand the essence of the business: the things that make the culture what it is, the things that drive people’s loyalty and love for that entity. Make sure you foster those things and allow them to continue. Robert Dutt:  What does that transition look like? When you acquire a company, they have their own name, their own culture, their own way of doing things. How do you handle that — it doesn’t sound like it’s “welcome to F12” from day one? Alex Webb: It starts with core systems — getting the tools in place so that we have shared visibility into how the business is performing. That’s the first wave. What we’ve discovered from a culture perspective is that you can still have your identity as a region, as a location. Just because the logo is different, that doesn’t need to change how you do things. You can still have that Friday lunch if that’s what you did. You can still have the barbecues. You could still race RC cars in the parking lot. We don’t need to have a brand above the door to enable those things — but it’s bizarre how people interpret that they’re suddenly not allowed to do them anymore. So for us, it’s about being, as Leanne said, very intentional — making sure people continue doing the things that kept that culture alive. Then when the logo changes over, it shouldn’t feel that different other than it’s a different brand. And now there’s marketing support, sales support, and a lot of things that help that business that they didn’t have before. If you’ve done it right, you’ve added capabilities, expanded the offerings, and people can be more successful and feel more security about their future. That’s the magic. When that occurs, retention stays high — for both clients and team members. Robert Dutt:  You mentioned that you initially started doing acquisitions to expand geographically, and a lot of your acquisitions have looked like that going across Canada. AMTRA Solutions last year looks a little different, though — that’s a capability play, adding Microsoft Cloud and AI Copilot expertise. Is what you’re looking for in an acquisition changing? Alex Webb: It certainly is — or, maybe I should rephrase: it’s not so much changing as expanding. We’re still doing what we did on the geographic side, but we’re now adding strategic capabilities as an additional objective. For us, it’s either build it or buy it, and if it makes sense to buy it and bring that capability in, we will. AMTRA really presented a very unique opportunity. In full transparency — when clients get larger, into that upper mid-market range of roughly 350 to 500 seats, their IT needs shift from what a traditional managed service provider does. We handle level one, level two, level three help desk, patch management, backup, infrastructure management — all of those things. But as those organizations get a little larger, the needs change. They want to bring in more advanced Microsoft capabilities, and we would either lose those clients to larger enterprise providers, or bring those capabilities in-house. AMTRA presented that opportunity. It’s been incredibly successful, and we’ve been able to bring those technologies to our upper-end clients in a way that’s really working. Robert Dutt:  Without tipping your hand on anything specific — where are the gaps? Is the next chapter more geography, more capability, or are you looking at different frontiers altogether? Alex Webb: For us, the primary frontier is still geographic expansion — into Central Canada and Eastern Canada. That’s still on the to-do list. We also have our eye on more advanced security capabilities, because that’s forever changing and moving more toward the AI front. And we’re not ruling out ERP — the things I like to see are capabilities that all of our clients could utilize and benefit from. When we look at ERP applications, Dynamics 365, these are technologies that the broader client base can use and benefit from, having a mid-market provider able to bring them to market at scale. And we’re not ruling out going south of the border either. We already have clients in the U.S., and we’re starting to see opportunities in states just adjacent to Canada. Robert Dutt:  In December, Clairvest exited and Audax came in. You’ve spent 20 years as the buyer. What was it like to be on the other side of that process — having someone evaluate your company the way you evaluate the companies you acquire? Alex Webb: It gives me a lot of empathy for what we put our sellers through. How’s that for an answer? It’s tiring. It was a tiring process. It’s enjoyable on a lot of fronts, and incredibly rewarding when it’s done. But the six to eight months leading up to it — that was a ton of work for the organization. We had some really good support from our banking partners, from Clairvest, and the Audax team were terrific to work with. But even with all that, a lot of work and a lot of sleepless nights. That wasn’t our first experience on that side of the table, though. That was our third private equity transaction. We’ve been through it a few times — just enough to stay in tune with what it actually feels like. Robert Dutt:  You’ve got the muscle memory built on both sides of the equation — that’s an interesting place to be. You mentioned how it gave you empathy for what sellers go through. Did going through it change anything about how you think about and deal with the sellers you work with? Or did it confirm what you already believed, having lived as an MSP in this industry? Alex Webb: I think it did both. It confirmed some things, and I think we approach the process with a little more maturity now — on how we handle due diligence, data collection, and integration strategy — because every time you go through it from the other side, you learn a little more. And even when we’re not going through a full business integration, we’re still integrating at a board level, reporting to different people, going through change when you move from one private equity partner to another. I think that leveled us up a little bit and is making us stronger on the buyer side — helping sellers through the process with a little more elegance. Robert Dutt:  A lot of MSP owners hear “private equity” and get nervous. They picture cost-cutting and layoffs. From your point of view — having been through it a few times now — what actually changes when you have an institutional capital partner? Does it speed up acquisitions? Redirect them? Put guardrails on them? Alex Webb: Every private equity firm has their own view of what a good target looks like. So for any listeners thinking about private equity, it’s really critical that you align on strategy upfront. That becomes part of the conversation — what’s the tolerance, how does this look, who’s driving the acquisitions? These are important questions. Generally speaking, the private equity partners we’ve worked with liked that we had M&A capability and could hit the ground running. But the types of businesses and the size of acquisitions does change as you grow and move from one partner to the next. As your business gets larger, you can take on larger transactions. Leanne Yeatman: I’d add — knowing what you want to get out of the relationship and how you intend to continue operating the business with that new partner is critical. What we would do leading up to any transaction is decide on the top three things we were looking for in a new partner and what our vision for the organization was for the next five years — then stay focused on that through the process, to make sure you’re finding the partner that’s going to help you execute that vision. When done well, it should be a true partnership. It comes down to alignment. Robert Dutt:  You’ve sat across the table from a lot of MSP owners who want to sell. What’s the most common disconnect between what they think their company is worth and what the market says it’s worth? Alex Webb: I would answer that with their understanding of what should be normalized in the business and what shouldn’t — as it relates to EBITDA. The multiples vary a little, but M&A is generally a multiple of EBITDA. So what is that EBITDA, and what’s normalized? The biggest disconnect usually comes from owners running what you might call a lifestyle business — where a lot of their personal world is woven into the business finances. When it comes to doing a transaction, it’s very tricky to determine what’s truly in the business and what isn’t, and to convince the accountants, bankers, and funders of what the real number is. Owners who operate with a clean separation — who take a dividend and keep their personal world out of the business P&L — those are by far the easiest transactions, and you might even pay a little more for a company that runs a pure P&L. That’s one of those intrinsic things we look for. Robert Dutt:  In your experience, how many owners who say they want to sell are actually ready to sell? And what does “not ready” look like when you’re sitting across the table? Alex Webb: Tough to quantify, but I’d say it’s usually not a matter of “no” — it’s “not right now.” Either they’re ready and it makes sense, or they just need another year or two to readjust and get things to where they need to be. Everybody has a number in their mind: “If I could get this number for my business, I would sell it.” But nobody wants to reveal that number, because maybe they’d get more. The reality is, people who know their number and understand the mechanics of what it’s going to take to get there tend to have more success. Maybe they’re there now, or maybe they can get there in six months. But that’s the financial side. The mental side is probably trickier. Am I ready to let go? Am I ready to report into an entity? Am I ready to walk off into the sunset? Because sometimes the motivation for doing the transaction is fear — fear of industry change, all of the AI coming, feeling like you’re not ready to compete. That can be traumatic for an owner, because they’re doing it from a position of fear rather than from a position of opportunity for themselves and for their family. Robert Dutt:  There’s a whole generation of MSP founders who started their businesses in the nineties and early 2000s who are approaching retirement. Is that creating a wave? And if so, does that make it a buyer’s market? Alex Webb: I would still say it’s a seller’s market. The multiples are still high, there’s still lots of opportunity, and the industry loves businesses focused on recurring revenue with multi-year contracts — there’s real value in those businesses. As for the retiring founders — I’d say we’re just at the beginning of that wave. I haven’t seen a meaningful change in M&A deal flow as a result of it yet. But I believe we’re at the beginning, as some of these groups hit their late fifties and early sixties and start thinking about succession. In fact, I just had one of those conversations recently. Robert Dutt:  If I’m an MSP owner three to five years away from wanting to sell, what should I be doing right now to put myself in the best position — not just financially, but operationally and personally? Alex Webb: I’ll let Leanne start with this one. Leanne Yeatman: Build depth in the organization — have multiple leaders present and capable of guiding the rest of the organization through that change. On the normalization side, be clear on what’s acceptable going forward: anything personal that’s wrapped up in the business should start coming out. And third — focus on organic growth. Being able to demonstrate that the business is actively growing and has the ability to keep moving forward. Those three would be my top priorities. Alex Webb: I would add — bring your management team into the conversation when you’re ready to start thinking about a sale. It’s a tough situation when an owner goes through the LOI and due diligence process and then reveals it to the team at the very end. Everybody feels like, “why didn’t you trust me with this earlier?” Bringing them into the dialogue — saying “here’s what I’m thinking about” — you get their input, you get buy-in, you work it together. We do that even when we’re going into a transaction ourselves. When we were going through the Clairvest to Audax transition, we didn’t do it as a cloak-and-dagger move. It was intentional. And I think when it’s done that way, the outcome is even better. Leanne Yeatman: Exactly. The length of the process — if you’ve been in that seat for six or eight months going through due diligence, you’ve already had the time to mentally transition yourself to what’s next. But everybody else at close is just finding out. The more people who are part of that journey earlier, the easier that first week and beyond is. Robert Dutt:  My last question — if you could sit down with every MSP owner in Canada at one big table and tell them one thing about M&A that they probably don’t want to hear, what is it? Alex Webb: That recurring contract revenue needs to actually be in managed services. Meaning: you’re getting compensated on a contract whether you put a person out there or not. Recurring professional services — that isn’t managed services. This comes out in due diligence. People take that bucket of revenue and pile it in, trying to present it as managed services. But it gets found out and the deal gets discounted. So: be really clear about your lines of business. What’s product, what’s professional services, what’s managed services. You can have recurring professional services, and if it’s contractual, you’ll get a little more for it. But if you have true managed services, isolate it — because it won’t have the same revenue volatility, and you’ll get better rewarded for it. And if you want to improve your position, convert that recurring professional services to recurring managed services. It’s a lot of work, but we’ve successfully done that through integration for years. People are afraid to have those conversations — it goes back to the old time-and-materials, block-time days. That was the first wave. But when you look at block time and ask “why does this revenue move up and down?” — well, that’s because it’s getting classified as managed services when it isn’t. To hammer again on normalizations: less normalizations will actually benefit you more. Robert Dutt:  Great insights, and I appreciate you sharing what you’ve learned through 20 years of acquisitions. Good luck on the next 15. Alex Webb: Thank you very much. Leanne Yeatman: Get it. Robert Dutt:  There you have it — Alex Webb and Leanne Yeatman from F12.net. I’d like to thank Alex and Leanne for their time and for their candor. These aren’t always easy conversations to have publicly, and they were both remarkably open about what they’ve learned across 15-plus acquisitions and 30 years of building the company. A few things that stuck with me from this conversation. First, the shift from opportunistic to intentional. 2015 was the year that F12 decided M&A wasn’t just something that happened when a deal fell into their lap, but a deliberate growth strategy. That distinction matters, because it changes everything about how you prepare, how you evaluate, and how you integrate. Second, the culture point. Alex and Leanne both kept coming back to the idea that the numbers can look perfect and you still walk away if the culture isn’t right. And on the flip side, integration isn’t about slapping your logo on the door — it’s about two cultures becoming one new thing. “You don’t need a brand above the door to race RC cars in the parking lot,” as Alex put it. And third — and this is the one I think every MSP owner listening needs to sit with — Alex’s closer about recurring professional services versus managed services. If your recurring revenue is really just project work on a retainer, that gets found out in due diligence and your deal gets discounted. That’s specific, actionable, and probably uncomfortable for more than a few people listening. If you found this episode valuable, I’d appreciate it if you’d follow or subscribe to the show. We’re on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and most other podcast directories. And if you’ve got a minute, a rating or a review goes a long way to helping other people in the channel find us. Until next time, I’m Robert Dutt for ChannelBuzz.ca, and I’ll see you in the channel.

As edible bean growers look ahead to the 2026 season, lessons from last year’s crop — and early signals from the marketplace — are shaping management decisions across both Western and Eastern Canada. In this first episode of the 2026 Edible Bean School, RealAgriculture’s Bernard Tobin connects with Manitoba Agriculture pulse and soybean specialist Dennis... Read More

While new episodes are currently in production, we're revisiting past conversations that remain timely, impactful, and truly worth revisiting. Thank you for continuing to listen as we build what's ahead for But What Do I Know? --- Summer is officially in full swing! So here's an episode for you to listen to on the way to that day party or BBQ because duality is a thing. For the Clue In Segment, Chid discusses the recent wildfires in Eastern Canada that impacted the air quality for some Eastern provinces in Canada as well as some Eastern states in the USA. Chid also reminds listeners of the upcoming mayoral election taking place in Toronto and shares that season 2 of Run The World is back! For the Main Segment, Chid is joined by Creator and Host of the Black Girls Have Anxiety Too Podcast, Ashley Noz for a mental health discussion on anxiety and anxiety disorders from a lived experience. From the way anxiety can impact sex to methods of coping with anxiety disorders, the ladies are getting into it all in this conversation. --- Connect with the "But What Do I Know?" Podcast: Insta: @BWDIKPodcast TikTok: @BWDIKPodcast Podcast Community: ⁠In The Know Community⁠ You can watch our main segments on youtube! Subscribe and watch this episode at the ⁠"But What Do I Know Podcast Youtube Channel"⁠ Podcast Sponsor: Use the link to receive 10% of your first month with BetterHelp therapy sessions: ⁠https://betterhelp.com/BWDIK⁠ --- Connect with Ashley: Instagram: ⁠Black Girls Have Anxiety Too⁠ Podcast: ⁠Black Girls Have Anxiety Too⁠ --- Information on upcoming Mayoral Elections in Toronto: Voting & Election Information: ⁠https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/elections/by-election/⁠ Notable Candidates Platform: ⁠https://thelocal.to/toronto-mayor-candidates-2023/⁠ --- Episode Credits: Intro/Outro Song: Remsen- BWDIK Podcast Theme Song Insta: @itsremsen Transition Songs: Take Care - Julian Avila ⁠http://SoundCloud.com/julian_avila Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the price of oil surges, U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that NATO faces “a very bad future” if U.S. allies don't help to open up the Strait of Hormuz. Trump claims he has asked seven countries to escort ships through the strait, but Canada isn't one of them. Foreign leaders are reacting cautiously to the request. Prime Minister Mark Carney hasn't said how Ottawa will respond.And: Research in the Canadian Medical Association Journal suggests better care after mothers give birth could save lives, or avoid hospitalization and long-term disability.Also: A massive winter storm is spreading heavy rain and deep snow across a huge swath of Eastern Canada and the US. The system reaches from northern Florida to northern Ontario and beyond — spawning tornados in some places, and huge dumps of snow in others.Plus: Man arrested in Nova Scotia for labour trafficking, U.S. health care workers lured to B.C., the Middle East war's economic impact on China, and more.

You can listen wherever you get your podcasts or check out the fully edited transcript of our interview at the bottom of this post.I am so excited I was able to interview a parenting thought leader I greatly admire. Lenore did not disappoint! So much wisdom, and so much fun! I think you'll love this podcast episode.In this episode of The Peaceful Parenting Podcast, I interview Lenore Skenazy, author of “Free-Range Kids,” which grew into the Free-Range Kids movement. Now she is president of Let Grow, the national nonprofit that is making it easy, normal, and legal to give kids back independence. We talk about screens, anxiety, free play, and why childhood independence matters more than ever.

Interview with Max Porterfield, President & CEO of Visionary Copper & Gold Inc.Our previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/visionary-copper-gold-mines-tsxvvgc-pitch-perfect-9001Recording date: 4th March 2026Visionary Copper & Gold is focused on unlocking the value of Point Leamington, a polymetallic VMS deposit in Newfoundland, Canada, that holds over 20 million tonnes of gold, silver, copper, and zinc mineralisation and has seen no modern exploration since 2004. The company's current Phase 1 drilling programme is delivering early results that management believes confirm the deposit's potential to grow significantly from its existing resource base.The deposit's existing pit-constrained resource contains approximately 500,000 ounces of gold, 8 million ounces of silver, 170 million pounds of copper, and 700 million pounds of zinc. Gold currently accounts for approximately 55% of contained metal value. However, the most consequential development from recent drilling is not within the known resource but within the footwall beneath it.Visionary has confirmed a new copper zone, named Kraken, in the footwall to Point Leamington's main massive sulphide lens. This type of structure is a defining characteristic of the world's largest VMS deposits. At Ming in Newfoundland, a copper stringer zone sits below the main lens. At Flin Flon Bay in Manitoba, the copper-rich footwall accompanies a zinc-dominant main horizon. The first Kraken hole returned a 76-metre interval at 0.45% copper and a second intersection of 23 metres at 1.5% copper which are consistent with the early-stage definition of footwall zones that have materially expanded comparable systems.Alongside the Kraken results, the company has extended the confirmed strike length of Point Leamington to over one kilometre. This is an important structural distinction. Most large VMS systems — including Ming, Lalor, and 777 in Manitoba — have strike extents of 200 to 250 metres, with their tonnage coming primarily from depth. The small number of VMS systems with significantly longer strike extents, such as Kidd Creek and Flin Flon, have produced some of the largest total resource outcomes globally. Point Leamington's confirmed kilometre-plus strike places it in this rarer category.The development plan for 2026 is clear and sequenced. Phase 1 drilling will continue stepping out around the Kraken intersection. Phase 2 will follow after ground conditions improve, targeting resource upgrades and further Kraken delineation. A two-phase metallurgical programme will collect data to support economic studies, and the company is targeting an updated resource estimate and a preliminary economic assessment within the year.Beyond Newfoundland, Visionary holds the Rainbow/Pine Bay copper asset in Manitoba. An advanced exploration permit application is currently under review, and an Environmental Act licence for full-scale production is being prepared. The asset sits within trucking distance of three concentrators and approximately 30 minutes from a rail line linked to Canada's proposed Churchill port export corridor — a route that has attracted attention from federal and provincial governments in the context of critical mineral supply chain security.The entire Eastern Canada portfolio was assembled in 2016 for $1.1 million. With gold above $3,000 per ounce and structural copper deficits widening, Visionary is positioned at an early stage of what could be a significant resource expansion cycle at one of Canada's most overlooked large-scale VMS systems.View Visionary Copper & Gold's company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/visionary-copper-gold-minesSign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

The Rebel News podcasts features free audio-only versions of select RebelNews+ content and other Rebel News long-form videos, livestreams, and interviews. Monday to Friday enjoy the audio version of Ezra Levant's daily TV-style show, The Ezra Levant Show, where Ezra gives you his contrarian and conservative take on free speech, politics, and foreign policy through in-depth commentary and interviews. Wednesday evenings you can listen to the audio version of The Gunn Show with Sheila Gunn Reid the Chief Reporter of Rebel News. Sheila brings a western sensibility to Canadian news. With one foot in the oil patch and one foot in agriculture, Sheila challenges mainstream media narratives and stands up for Albertans. If you want to watch the video versions of these podcasts, make sure to begin your free RebelNewsPlus trial by subscribing at http://www.RebelNewsPlus.com

Filling in for Stephen LeDrew, Former MPP and Broadcaster Peter Shurman delivers a rant on rising talk of Alberta separation and what it actually means.Shurman explains why Alberta is collecting signatures to allow a referendum, how equalization and federal redistribution fuel Western frustration, and why many Albertans believe they are paying more into Confederation than they receive back.He argues that while Alberta is unlikely to separate in the near term, the movement is about leverage, negotiation, and forcing Ottawa to confront uncomfortable realities. Shurman asks a provocative question: if Alberta had to join Confederation today under current terms, would it say yes?A blunt look at regional power, economic imbalance, and why Eastern Canada may be underestimating the seriousness of Western discontent.You can subscribe to Peter Shurman's Substack here - https://substack.com/@shurmanator Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bryan Gould, Executive Chairman of Aspenleaf, joins Stephen LeDrew to give a frank view from the West on rising frustration, representation, and the growing tension inside Confederation.Gould explains why many in Western Canada feel financially exploited, politically ignored, and vilified for the industries that help support the national economy. While pipelines dominate headlines in Eastern Canada, he argues the real issue is deeper – a sense of taxation without representation and the feeling that Ottawa benefits from Western prosperity while actively constraining it.The conversation explores the risks of internal division within Alberta, the dangers of shutting down open debate, and even the unthinkable question of whether the United States might successfully lure parts of Canada away.This is a sober, reality-based discussion about national unity, political discourse, and the consequences of refusing to confront uncomfortable truths.Independent media depends on your support. If you value honest conversations Canadians are not getting elsewhere, please contribute. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Blending Project Management with Business Development Guest: Ryan Labus In this inspiring episode of the Find Your Leadership Confidence Podcast, host Vicki Noethling sits down with wellness educator, professional speaker, and 4-time author Ryan Labus, a thought leader who has dedicated his life and career to empowering individuals and organizations to thrive. As the Owner of Fahey Consulting, Ryan blends his deep passion for personal growth with practical expertise to help people move from good to great. His widely acclaimed book How to Thrive in Remote Working Environments recently hit #1 on Amazon in Canada and ranked in the top 40 entrepreneurship books in North America. Originally from Eastern Canada, Ryan brings a unique combination of project management experience, business development insight, and holistic wellness philosophy to every conversation. In this episode, he shares how his transition from project management in the hotel development industry to business development at Pro Engineering Consulting, Inc. reflects a deliberate pursuit of meaningful work, client relationships, and continuous growth. Ryan discusses how architecture and design trends fascinate him, how he builds long-lasting relationships that fuel business growth, and the strategies he uses to identify opportunities and expand his organization's client base. He also offers a powerful perspective on balancing personal interests with professional performance—highlighting the importance of teamwork, collaboration, and wellbeing for sustained success. Whether you’re navigating a career transition, seeking to strengthen your business development skills, or wanting to integrate more wellness into your leadership journey, Ryan's insights will inspire you to approach your work with curiosity, intention, and purpose. Some questions explored in this episode include: • What motivated Ryan's shift from project management to business development? • How does he use his knowledge of architecture and design in his current role? • What strategies help him build strong, long-lasting client relationships? • How do personal interests influence well-being and teamwork? • What qualities drive success in both business development and project management within the construction industry? Schedule an intro meeting with Ryan to discuss engineering on your upcoming projects. https://www.proengc.com/   Subscribe to Our PodcastConnect With Our Guest Website: https://www.proengc.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-labus-685466133/ The post Ryan Labus on Blending Project Management with Business Development first appeared on The Find Your Leadership Confidence Podcast with Victoria Noethling.

Ian & Martyn take part in Eastern Canada's big one, the CCKO!The lads go head to head on day two. Can Ian break his duck?Martyn and Ian welcome the announced return of the last remaining team of legend to Blood Bowl... The High Elves! Music from this episode:Get With You - The Damn TruthMarket Forces - Flat WormsPerfect (Exceeder) - Cowboy HuntersContact us: Join us on our Eye of Nuffle DiscordFind us on FacebookEmail - eyeofnuffle@gmail.com    

You might be the adult, but when you have a baby, they're the boss. Fun story about a baby born in the snow storm that's hammered Eastern Canada and the US. Plus: The Seattle Seahawks are going back to the Super Bowl! A woman got a huge surprise when she went to open the wedding dress she had sealed and preserved 30 years ago How did Nat "accidentally" spend over $400?

Why is Manitoba's Premier trying to get John Cena's attention?  Will Montreal fans leave Saturday Night's Main Event happy next weekend? Does London REALLY have a hope of getting a WrestleMania?  Plus, was TNA's premiere on AMC as bad as the internet is saying?  We cover all these topics and more this week! Join Mike McGuire with guests Dave Meltzer and Joe Aguinaldo to go over the week in wrestling, including all those stories, plus results from TNA's Genesis Pay-Per-View, an update on Powerhouse Hobbs, MJF v. Bandido and a preview of this week's WWE from Ireland and Eastern Canada! Also, a list of upcoming events Celebrate Wrestling will be present at or supporting in Western Canada and more! For more on our shows, visit celebratewrestling.com  

It's our first episode of 2026!

From Danielle Smith's year end chat with long time bestie Bruce "Spanky" McAllister to the resignation of Rebecca Schulz to the very uncomfortable press conference that followed to a deep dive on the two Eastern Canada podcasters who allegedly were paid to try and discredit a witness in the "CorruptCare" Scandal, we're starting the new year off with some fireworks!If you're able to support our legal defense fund to fight back against the $6 Million lawsuit against us by Sam Mraiche, the man who imported Vanch masks and the Turkish Tylenot as well as who hosted MLA's and Ministers in his skybox as he had business with the government...You can do that at www.savethebreakdownab.ca!As always, if you appreciate the kind of content that we're trying to produce here at The Breakdown, please consider signing up as a monthly supporter at our Patreon site at www.patreon.com/thebreakdownab and we can now accept e-transfers at info@thebreakdownab.ca!If you're looking for our new merch lineup, you can find that at www.thebreakdownabmerch.comIf you're listening to the audio version of our podcast, please consider leaving us a review and a rating, and don't forget to like and follow us on Bluesky, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Threads!

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Sarah Plowman has the latest on the hectic weather conditions wreaking havoc from Ontario to Newfoundland and Labrador, as icy conditions impact holiday travel. Andrew Johnson reports on Russia's latest assault on Ukraine, after an alleged drone attack by Ukraine targeting Russian President Vladimir Putin. Long drive-thru lineups at a newly reopened Taco Bell have slowed traffic for days, forcing Mount Pearl to step in with traffic control. Garret Barry reports.

For the latest and most important news of the day | https://www.thecanadianpressnews.ca To watch daily news videos, follow us on YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@CdnPress The Canadian Press on X (formerly Twitter) | https://twitter.com/CdnPressNews The Canadian Press on LinkedIn | https://linkedin.com/showcase/98791543

In this episode, host Nick Larson is joined by Andrew Lowles and Mark Symes of Ruffed Grouse Society of Canada, as they discuss the state of grouse and woodcock hunting in Atlantic Canada. They cover their unique experiences managing land for upland birds, their passion for conservation, and what makes hunting in their regions special. From forest management practices to the challenges and rewards of bird hunting in the varied landscapes of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, Andrew and Mark share their wealth of knowledge, offer advice to hunters, and highlight the exciting potential for growth within the Ruffed Grouse Society of Canada. Expect to Learn: The diverse forest types in Eastern Canada and how they contribute to grouse and woodcock habitats. The role of the Ruffed Grouse Society Canada in promoting habitat management and conservation in the region. How hunters can use modern tools like OnX to plan their hunts on Crown land and private property. The unique challenges and opportunities of hunting in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, including woodcock flight patterns and grouse cycles. Insight into how the Ruffed Grouse Society Canada is growing and how members can get involved in local conservation efforts. Episode Breakdown with Timestamps: [00:00] - Podcast Introduction and Welcoming Andrew and Mark from  [03:40] - Andrew's Background and Journey into Grouse Hunting [07:53] - Mark's Path from Moose Hunting to the Uplands [09:24] - Managing Forest Lands for Upland Birds in Atlantic Canada [11:30] - Public Land and Crown Land Access in Nova Scotia [14:40] - Old Farmsteads, Wild Apples, and Hidden Grouse Habitat [19:43] - Defining Good Grouse Cover and Forest Types in New Brunswick [25:15] - Private Land Regulations and Trespass Law Differences [33:01] - Regional Differences in Habitat Across Canada [35:46] - Softwoods, Christmas Trees, and Grouse Habitat Impacts [37:00] - The Mission and Growth of Ruffed Grouse Society Canada [43:03] - Habitat Projects and Access Initiatives [52:53] - Exploring New Covers and Hunter Observations [57:08] - Training Dogs and Transitioning to Pointing Breeds [01:05:00] - Hunting as a US Visitor and Guide Requirements [01:10:35] - Promoting Awareness and Conservation Opportunities [01:17:14] - Closing Remarks and Episode Wrap-Up Follow the Host Nick: Instagram: @birdshot.podcast Website: www.birdshotpodcast.com Listening Links: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/17EVUDJPwR2iJggzhLYil7 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/birdshot-podcast/id1288308609 YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@birdshot.podcast SUPPORT | http://www.patreon.com/birdshot Use Promo Code | BSP20 to save 20% on https://www.onxmaps.com/hunt/app Use Promo Code | BS10 to save 10% on https://trulockchokes.com/ The Birdshot Podcast is Presented By: https://www.onxmaps.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tonight's Creepypasta story, “Candle Wax,” follows a seasoned detective in Eastern Canada as she investigates a seemingly routine missing persons case—only to uncover a nightmarish truth hidden beneath the surface. As the clues pull him deeper into the cold, isolated wilderness, she stumbles upon a horrifying cult shrouded in secrecy and drenched in the paranormal. What began as a search for the missing becomes a desperate fight for survival against a force far beyond human comprehension. Perfect for fans of Creepypasta, True Scary Stories, Deep Woods Horror Stories, Horror Stories, and unsettling Scary Stories, Candle Wax delivers chilling suspense, eerie atmosphere, and a descent into madness you won't forget.

Send us a textRamzi Marjaba is a seasoned Solution Engineer and consultant currently with Veeam Software, working remotely from Ottawa since March 2025. Prior to this, he spent nearly four years as a Senior Solution Specialist at Keysight Technologies, managing Eastern Canada accounts and mentoring both SEs and account executives. Earlier in his career, he held technical roles at Spirent Communications, Alcatel‑Lucent, and Nortel, starting as an embedded software tester and evolving into a network design engineer and systems engineer.In 2018, Ramzi founded We the Sales Engineers, a coaching platform and podcast designed to help sales engineers grow through thoughtful conversation, expert mentorship, and practice‑based learning. With hundreds of episodes and written content to his name, he's built a global community for pre‑sales professionals seeking to sharpen their craft.Ramzi emphasizes the difference between treating symptoms versus diagnosing root business needs—with a heavy focus on discovery, customer context, and vision building. He often compares SEs to business athletes: they don't get to practice outside the field, and must deliver under pressure with clarity and impact. He also explores the evolution of presales roles in a shifting job market, noting the increasing competitiveness and need for strategic, value‑centered hiring.Outside of client work, Ramzi mentors aspiring SEs, runs podcast and written series, and leads workshops—from quick discovery techniques to advanced whiteboarding and objection management.  LINKS:Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramzimarjaba/?originalSubdomain=caGuest website: https://wethesalesengineers.com/ Aaron Moncur, hostClick here to learn more about simulation solutions from Simutech Group.

Ian Roberts travelled to St. John's, Newfoundland and met with Canadian aquaculturists at the Cold Harvest Conference & Trade Fair (Sept. 23-25). He sat down with Keith Sullivan, executive director of Newfoundland and Labrador Aquaculture Industry Association; Joel Richardson, vice-president of public relations at Cooke Aquaculture; Aaron Bennet, development and compliance director at Mowi Canada East; Janice Duggan-Malloy, technical operations supervisor at Cold Ocean Salmon; and Fabian Manning Jr., owner and president of 360 Marine Ltd.

In this episode of The Food Professor Podcast presented by Caddle, co-hosts Michael LeBlanc and Dr. Sylvain Charlebois bring their trademark mix of food industry news analysis and an in-depth conversation with a leading Canadian food entrepreneur.The episode opens with a wide-ranging look at the Canadian retail and restaurant landscape. Sylvain shares highlights from his keynote in Brampton, Ontario, where the city is building momentum as a potential logistics hub for food and agriculture. Michael and Sylvain discuss strong retail sales numbers, resilience in consumer spending, and a new Restaurants Canada report. The report highlights shifting meal occasions, with Canadians dining out less often but increasingly turning to delivery services like UberEats and DoorDash. They also unpack the surprising rise of solo dining, with nearly 30% growth in single reservations year over year, and how restaurants can adapt to this trend through design and menu innovation. The hosts then tackle Farm Credit Canada's call for greater export diversification, weighing the challenges of competing in heavily subsidized global markets. Finally, they examine the U.S. government's controversial decision to cut data collection on food insecurity, with Sylvain stressing the long-term risks of limiting access to robust research data.The second half of the episode welcomes Kirk Homenick, President of Naturally Homegrown Foods, the Surrey, B.C.–based company behind Hardbite Chips and PopTastic popcorn. Kirk shares the story of his company's growth from humble beginnings in Maple Ridge to its current 42,000-square-foot facility. He explains how Hardbite has stood out in the competitive snack aisle by emphasizing transparency, Canadian-grown ingredients, and lifestyle-driven branding. Kirk highlights the role of avocado oil in fueling 82% annual growth since 2018, how PopTastic quickly became an award-winning hit, and why innovation in seasonal flavours and packaging keeps the brand fresh and relevant.Kirk also offers a candid look at challenges, from volatile ingredient costs to managing manufacturing complexity, and how his team leans on operational excellence and creativity to stay ahead. Looking forward, he outlines plans for geographic expansion into Eastern Canada and the U.S., while teasing the development of entirely new snack brands focused on functionality and evolving consumer demand.With both big-picture analysis and insider insights from one of Canada's most dynamic snack entrepreneurs, this episode delivers food for thought on the future of retail, restaurants, and the growing snack market. The Food Professor #podcast is presented by Caddle. About UsDr. Sylvain Charlebois is a Professor in food distribution and policy in the Faculties of Management and Agriculture at Dalhousie University in Halifax. He is also the Senior Director of the Agri-food Analytics Lab, also located at Dalhousie University. Before joining Dalhousie, he was affiliated with the University of Guelph's Arrell Food Institute, which he co-founded. Known as “The Food Professor”, his current research interest lies in the broad area of food distribution, security and safety. Google Scholar ranks him as one of the world's most cited scholars in food supply chain management, food value chains and traceability.He has authored five books on global food systems, his most recent one published in 2017 by Wiley-Blackwell entitled “Food Safety, Risk Intelligence and Benchmarking”. He has also published over 500 peer-reviewed journal articles in several academic publications. Furthermore, his research has been featured in several newspapers and media groups, including The Lancet, The Economist, the New York Times, the Boston Globe, the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, BBC, NBC, ABC, Fox News, Foreign Affairs, the Globe & Mail, the National Post and the Toronto Star.Dr. Charlebois sits on a few company boards, and supports many organizations as a special advisor, including some publicly traded companies. Charlebois is also a member of the Scientific Council of the Business Scientific Institute, based in Luxemburg. Dr. Charlebois is a member of the Global Food Traceability Centre's Advisory Board based in Washington DC, and a member of the National Scientific Committee of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) in Ottawa. Michael LeBlanc is the president and founder of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc, a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and now, media entrepreneur. He has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions and participated worldwide in thought leadership panels, most recently on the main stage in Toronto at Retail Council of Canada's Retail Marketing conference with leaders from Walmart & Google. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience with Levi's, Black & Decker, Hudson's Bay, CanWest Media, Pandora Jewellery, The Shopping Channel and Retail Council of Canada to his advisory, speaking and media practice.Michael produces and hosts a network of leading retail trade podcasts, including the award-winning No.1 independent retail industry podcast in America, Remarkable Retail with his partner, Dallas-based best-selling author Steve Dennis; Canada's top retail industry podcast The Voice of Retail and Canada's top food industry and one of the top Canadian-produced management independent podcasts in the country, The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois from Dalhousie University in Halifax.Rethink Retail has recognized Michael as one of the top global retail experts for the fourth year in a row, Thinkers 360 has named him on of the Top 50 global thought leaders in retail, RTIH has named him a top 100 global though leader in retail technology and Coresight Research has named Michael a Retail AI Influencer. If you are a BBQ fan, you can tune into Michael's cooking show, Last Request BBQ, on YouTube, Instagram, X and yes, TikTok.Michael is available for keynote presentations helping retailers, brands and retail industry insiders explaining the current state and future of the retail industry in North America and around the world.

Today, we're back in Eastern Canada in the province of New Brunswick, chatting with Lynn Colepaugh, founder and CEO of Cyber PR Army Solutions, a digital strategy studio built on the belief that marketing isn't just about noise; it's about continuity, memory, and systems that actually serve the humans running them. And as Lynn says at Cyber PR, we help organizations across Canada and the world demystify the digital maze. From SEO and automation to social media strategy, content creation, and full platform transitions, our work turns scattered tech stacks and marketing headaches into clarity, structure, and measurable growth. Over the years, they've partnered with clients in arts and culture, HR, construction, medical, and food and beverage, building campaigns, and digital ecosystems that last. Visit the C4C website to gain full access to the transcript, show notes, and guest links. Coaching 4 Companies

Air Canada flights are still grounded, as flight attendants defy a back-to-work order and continue their strike over wages and unpaid duties. The disruption, which the government has called illegal, has disrupted hundreds of thousands of passengers since it started Saturday.Plus: Ukraine's president returns to the White House for a summit over the Russian war, with reinforcements. Volodymyr Zelenskyy and EU leaders sat down with U.S. President Donald Trump to discuss ways to end the fighting, and signalled this meeting could lead to trilateral talks with Russia's Vladimir Putin.And: Raging wildfires in Eastern Canada affecting community after community.Also: Breaking down a recent study that suggests children who exclusively breast-fed as infants are less likely to experience early puberty, Gaza ceasefire talks, Pierre Poilievre eyes return to Parliament in Alberta byelection vote, and more.

Wildfires across Canada are forcing thousands of Canadians from their homes. Power & Politics hears from Newfoundland's Public Safety Minister John Haggie and a New Brunswick mayor about the situation in their provinces. Plus, Ontario Premier Doug Ford says he's headed to Ottawa next week to talk U.S. tariffs with Prime Minister Mark Carney. The Power Panel weighs in.

Wildfires are burning across Newfoundland and Labrador, prompting the provincial government to significantly increase fines and prison time for people who violate a fire ban. We speak to Scott Chandler, who lost his home in Conception Bay North, and ask Premier John Hogan about investigations into allegations of arson — and the latest on the firefighting effort. Plus, we hear from Janet Barlow of Hike Nova Scotia about the province's sweeping ban on activities in wooded areas and the impact on outdoor recreation.

There is fear and uncertainty for many Newfoundlanders this weekend. Volatile weather is making it even more challenging to fight wildfires in that province. At the same time in Nova Scotia, critics say the government is overstepping by banning people from hiking and camping in the woods.Also: Israel's Prime Minister is defending his government's plan to take over the whole of Gaza. Benjamin Netanyahu insists it is the best way to defeat Hamas and end the war. But several other countries are warning the plan risks violating international humanitarian law.And: An expo showcasing Korean culture and content is drawing big crowds in Toronto — the first of its kind in North America. Organizers say the high turnout is a testament to how popular Korean culture has become. We'll take you inside for a firsthand look.Plus: An infestation killing trees in Newfoundland, The creative ways NATO allies are meeting military spending requirements, and more.

Three Canadian premiers are pushing for a new pipeline to be built from Western to Eastern Canada to help reduce our dependence on foreign oil. An Ontario Superior Court Judge halted an immigrant's guilty plea in a homicide case due to concerns about the accused's potential deportation. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre calls for a crackdown on what he calls the longest ballot “scam" flooding elections with record numbers of protest candidates. Tune into The Daily Brief with Cosmin Dzsurdzsa and Alex Zoltan! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's time to empty out the junk drawer. This time, Lee and Nathan find stories about how it might not actually be the year we think it is, a strange flying jellyfish over Eastern Canada, and how the CIA might be spying on you through your video games.

Helen Vysotska speaks to Bishop Bryan Bayda, Ukrainian Catholic Bishop and head of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Toronto and Eastern Canada about the unique contributions of Ukrainian youth to this year's Jubilee of Youth Festival in Rome. Bishop Bayda also shares about his musical performance and songwriting. Catch his inspiring music during the Jubilee! […] L'articolo Jubilee of Youth: Helen Meets Bishop Bryan Bayda proviene da Radio Maria.

We dive into the latest exploration updates from Kenorland Minerals, featuring CEO Zach Flood. Discover the strategic advancements in their South Uchi project, where significant gold intersections have been made, and learn about their strategic positioning in the Ivory Coast with Koulou Gold. We also explore the promising prospects at Tanacross in Alaska and the extensive grassroots exploration efforts in Eastern Canada.

Reverend Lydia Fougères is a Canadian author born in a small mining town in Eastern Canada. She is fluent in both English and French. She is a very independent woman. Always willing to stand for others' rights. She has been a bookworm all her life and has started practicing meditation at a very young age. She is a born medium and energy healer. Where she was born and raised where there were no forms of racism whatsoever so she grew up in the mind frame that everyone was equal, no matter the color, language or religion. She is a loving mother and grandmother. She has been known for all the charity work she has done in her life. At the age of 8 years old she was already in the 4H club helping others. She walked, danced 24 hours in a row, ran 30 yearly miles walks, read and did as many challenges as asked for charity. She does other volunteer work now. Her life has been a series of challenges that she overcame. She blesses every single one of them. She thinks that without them she would not have acquired such wisdom nor power to forgive. She chose to be a Registered Nurse first line as a career. She loved her duty. She had to give it up due to an illness. She was diagnosed with a parasite at the age of 41 and told she would not make it. Only a few did not give up on her. She leads a quiet life. Her motivation to live was to see her daughter graduate so she fought as hard as she could and won against all odds. She had to accept life in a wheelchair at one point and live with constant pain. She had love and support from her children and that is all that mattered to her. Lydia Fougères has learned to be extremely resilient in the harshest way. She challenged herself in a Holistic Nursing Degree, a quantum touch instructor degree and 4th degree Reiki Master in the Usui method. She became a representative of the Canadian Holistic Association for her province at some point. Since then she has retired from that duty also. She studied to have a bachelor then a Master's degree in Metaphysics. She is now doing her PH.D.She met with the most famous metaphysicians in North America. She now walks again. Her optimism and realistic optic on life is contagious. She brightened the lives of those that surrounded her even though she was the one going through such an ordeal.Reverend Fougères is one of those people that has an open mind about everything, She is willing to listen to anyone without judgment. Contact Reverend Lydia Fougères:Greatdivinemother@gmail.comInstagram accounthttps://www.instagram.com/divadivinemother_?igsh=cjdrMGc4dGVwdDFm&utm_source=qrDr. Kimberley LinertSpeaker, Author, Broadcaster, Mentor, Trainer, Behavioral OptometristEvent Planners- I am available to speak at your event. Here is my media kit: https://brucemerrinscelebrityspeakers.com/portfolio/dr-kimberley-linert/To book Dr. Linert on your podcast, television show, conference, corporate training or as an expert guest please email her at incrediblelifepodcast@gmail.com or Contact Bruce Merrin at Bruce Merrin's Celebrity Speakers at merrinpr@gmail.com702.256.9199Host of the Podcast Series: Incredible Life Creator PodcastAvailable on...Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/incredible-life-creator-with-dr-kimberley-linert/id1472641267Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6DZE3EoHfhgcmSkxY1CvKf?si=ebe71549e7474663 and on 9 other podcast platformsAuthor of Book: "Visualizing Happiness in Every Area of Your Life"Get on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3srh6tZWebsite: https://www.DrKimberleyLinert.comThe Great Discovery eLearning platform: https://thegreatdiscovery.com/kimberleyl

"Interested Meow" has a beef with school librarians, Lynne says you don't have to have kids to have an opinion, Karen's calling out Alberta's Education Minister, Alberta Gengar's standing in solidarity with postal workers, Andre in Eastern Canada says build the pipeline, and Jeff says it's Danielle Smith's fault young drivers can't afford cars. It's The Flamethrower presented by the DQs of Northwest Edmonton and Sherwood Park! FIRE UP YOUR FLAMETHROWER: talk@ryanjespersen.com When you visit the DQs in Palisades, Namao, Newcastle, Westmount, and Baseline Road, be sure to tell 'em Real Talk sent you! FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, X, INSTAGRAM, and LINKEDIN: @realtalkrj & @ryanjespersen The views and opinions expressed in this show are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Relay Communications Group Inc. or any affiliates.

Greg Marchildon speaks with Micah True about his book, The Jesuit Relations. The Jesuit Relations were annual reports written between 1632 and 1673 by Jesuit missionaries in what is now Eastern Canada. Traditionally viewed as firsthand missionary narratives, Micah True's work challenges this notion by revealing that the texts were shaped by many contributors—including Indigenous people, settlers, nuns, and editors in France. He explores the influence of historical context, such as Jesuit writing traditions and the Paris book trade, on their creation. True also examines how different editions since the 19th century have altered the interpretation of these texts. His analysis offers a more nuanced understanding of the Jesuit Relations and their role in shaping the history of New France and Indigenous-European encounters. Micah True is professor in the Department of Modern Languages and Cultural Studies at the University of Alberta. Image Credit: McGill-Queen's University Press If you like our work, please consider supporting it: bit.ly/support_WTY. Your support contributes to the Champlain Society's mission of opening new windows to directly explore and experience Canada's past.

Nearly 35% of 2SLGBTQI+ business owners report hiding their identity due to fear of discrimination. 25% say they've lost contracts because of who they are. As hundreds of Queer entrepreneurs from around the world gather in Toronto for the  2SLGBTQI+ Global Business Summit, we talk to Sarah Evalina, COO at Canada's 2SLGBTQI+ Chamber of Commerce, award-winning storyteller and activist Sarain Fox, and Moe Yassine from the Alberta 2SLGBTQI+ Chamber of Commerce for a Real Talk Round Table about Pride and business (4:00). CANADA'S 2SLGBTQI+ CHAMBER of COMMERCE: https://cglcc.ca/ ALBERTA 2SLGBTQI+ CHAMBER of COMMERCE: https://ab-lgbt.com/ 50:00 | Jespo and Johnny link up with the Real Talk Live Chat powered by Park Power. SAVE on INTERNET, ELECTRICITY, and NATURAL GAS: https://parkpower.ca/realtalk/ 1:03:30 | On the heels of a HUGE win in Game Four of the Stanley Cup Final, we find out where Real Talkers are at, and take on a troubling story about goalie Stuart Skinner's family facing death threats. TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: talk@ryanjespersen.com  1:23:30 | Alberta Premier Danielle Smith was heckled alongside a couple cabinet ministers at a Coal Town Hall. Jespo shares his thoughts on the future of coal mining on the Eastern Slopes.  1:30:45 | "Interested Meow" has a beef with school librarians, Lynne says you don't have to have kids to have an opinion, Karen's calling out Alberta's Education Minister, Alberta Gengar's standing in solidarity with postal workers, Andre in Eastern Canada says build the pipeline, and Jeff says it's Danielle Smith's fault young drivers can't afford cars. It's The Flamethrower presented by the DQs of Northwest Edmonton and Sherwood Park! FIRE UP YOUR FLAMETHROWER: talk@ryanjespersen.com  When you visit the DQs in Palisades, Namao, Newcastle, Westmount, and Baseline Road, be sure to tell 'em Real Talk sent you!  FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK, X, INSTAGRAM, and LINKEDIN: @realtalkrj & @ryanjespersen  JOIN US ON FACEBOOK: @ryanjespersen  REAL TALK MERCH: https://ryanjespersen.com/merch RECEIVE EXCLUSIVE PERKS - BECOME A REAL TALK PATRON: patreon.com/ryanjespersen THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR SPONSORS! https://ryanjespersen.com/sponsors The views and opinions expressed in this show are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Relay Communications Group Inc. or any affiliates.

What caused the mystery of the Dark Day? On May 19th, 1780, multiple states in New England and parts of Eastern Canada turned completely dark for the entire day. For the past 232 years historians and scientists have debated on what caused this bizarre occurrence. To watch the podcast on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/TheoriesOfTheThirdKindYT⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Get instant access to 200+ bonus Audio episodes - Sign up here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://theoriesofthethirdkind.supercast.com To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This is quite possibly our most Canadian episode to date. We are joined by John Batt of @canada.gov.ca instagram fame. For those of you who don't live in Canada, John is basically Canadian royalty at this point. Topics include the NHL playoffs, Sloan, Wolf Parade, The Junos, Weird Al (not Canadian somehow) and Eastern Canada's love of Jam bands. 

Interview with Justin Reid, President & CEO of Troilus Gold Corp.Our previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/troilus-gold-tsxtlg-700m-debt-secured-for-quebec-gold-copper-mine-6856Recording date: 6th May 2025Troilus Gold stands at the forefront of copper-gold development in Canada, with the company making remarkable strides toward production at its flagship project in Quebec. The company has secured a game-changing $700 million US debt package backed by export credit agencies and led by SOCGEN, KFW, and Export Development Canada. This financing structure, relatively rare for junior miners, leverages Troilus Gold's strategic position as the only near-term copper concentrate producer in Eastern Canada at a time when global smelters face severe supply constraints following the closure of major operations like Cobre Panama.Recent high-grade drill results have enhanced confidence in the project's first five years of production, with CEO Justin Reid noting that "the higher grade is larger than we thought," providing greater certainty for both lenders and shareholders. The company is progressing through Quebec's permitting process with anticipated approval by mid-2026, targeting construction by early 2027. Significantly, Troilus isn't waiting for final permits, having already begun early works under existing exploration permits to de-risk the timeline and reduce future capital expenditures.The project benefits from its history as a previously producing mine with 14 years of successful operation, substantially reducing technical risk. This historical performance provides valuable data on metallurgy, processing, and geotechnical aspects that new developments typically lack. The company has assembled an exceptional leadership team, including VP Operations Andy Fortin, who worked at the original Troilus operation and built major Quebec mines including Meadowbank, and construction leader Denis Rivard, who recently completed Montreal's REM rail project on time and on budget.Troilus Gold has established strong partnerships with the Cree Nation, whose traditional territory hosts the project. With 25% of the current workforce from Cree communities and three major contracts with Cree partners already in place, the company has built a genuine relationship that goes beyond mere consultation. This partnership represents a significant advantage in a time when indigenous relationships are increasingly recognized as essential to successful mine development in Canada.From a market perspective, Troilus offers investors exposure to both copper and gold – combining industrial demand from electrification trends with monetary hedge characteristics. The company's market capitalization has grown to approximately $250 million, aligning with historical valuations of other major Quebec gold developments at similar stages. With copper fundamentals particularly strong due to global supply constraints and multiple near-term catalysts including offtake agreement finalization and environmental assessment filing, Troilus Gold presents a compelling opportunity for investors seeking exposure to critical minerals in a tier-one jurisdiction with a clear path to production.—View Troilus Gold's company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/troilus-goldSign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

Samuel de Champlain and French Jesuit Priests are featured in the movie BLACK ROBE, set in Eastern Canada during the early 1600s. Check out the YouTube version of this episode at https://youtu.be/YUc889DK_6E which has accompanying visuals including maps, charts, timelines, photos, illustrations, and diagrams. Black Robe novel by Brian Moore available at https://amzn.to/48d10Y2 Black Robe movie available at https://amzn.to/4alI8YD ENJOY Ad-Free content, Bonus episodes, and Extra materials when joining our growing community on https://patreon.com/markvinet SUPPORT this channel by purchasing any product on Amazon using this FREE entry LINK https://amzn.to/3POlrUD (Amazon gives us credit at NO extra charge to you). Mark Vinet's HISTORICAL JESUS podcast is available at: https://parthenonpodcast.com/historical-jesus Mark's TIMELINE video channel: https://youtube.com/c/TIMELINE_MarkVinet Website: https://markvinet.com/podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mark.vinet.9 Twitter: https://twitter.com/MarkVinet_HNA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/denarynovels Mark's Books: https://amzn.to/3k8 Podcaster Steve Guerra invited me on his show Beyond the Big Screen to discuss the movie BLACK ROBE, set in New France during the year 1634. (2E272)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week's episode features MINING.COM Editor-at-Large Frik Els in conversation with host Adrian Pocobelli, diving into the latest developments at First Quantum Minerals' Cobre Panama mine. Els shares insights from his recent visit to the site, where he spoke with local residents, employees, and company officials. He unpacks the complex social, political, and economic forces at play that may be paving the way for the mine's reopening. Els also explores the improving diplomatic ties between Panama and the United States—particularly concerning the Panama Canal—and how the Cobre Panama project could factor into broader bilateral discussions. All this and more with host Adrian Pocobelli. This week's Spotlight features Olympio Metals General Manager Sean Delaney, who discusses the company's Dufay Copper-Gold Project and Bousquet Gold Project in Eastern Canada. To learn more, visit: https://olympiometals.com.au/ Music Credits “Rattlesnake Railroad”, “Big Western Sky”, “Western Adventure” and “Battle on the Western Frontier” by Brett Van Donsel (⁠www.incompetech.com⁠). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License ⁠creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0⁠ Apple Podcasts:⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-northern-miner-podcast/id1099281201⁠ Spotify:⁠ https://open.spotify.com/show/78lyjMTRlRwZxQwz2fwQ4K⁠ YouTube:⁠ https://www.youtube.com/@NorthernMiner⁠ Soundcloud:⁠ https://soundcloud.com/northern-miner

In this episode, we dive into the what cold chain solutions and capacity looks like in Eastern Canada. Our guest, Evan Sandhu, head of special projects and partnerships at Amplify Group helps to break down some of the most common problems and their solutions they see shippers make. For more information subscribe to Running on Ice the newsletter or podcast. Follow the Running on Ice Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tristan Hughes explores Ancient America's true age; how 19th-century fossil discoveries across North America revealed a history far older than previously believed, challenging the notion that the Americas were a 'New World.'Tristan is joined by Professor Caroline Winterer as they discuss walking on 4 billion-year-old rocks in Eastern Canada, uncovering the first trilobites and the sensational dinosaur discoveries like the T-Rex and Brontosaurus that mesmerised the public and scientific community alike.More on:Ice Age America:https://open.spotify.com/episode/4KZruCMwpO7TakuiMs7DMp?si=2b1fdca8b18c4ef4The Ancient Amazon:https://open.spotify.com/episode/5YxnzfGa4x4Z8l4JE6Uwmh?si=0ec9d00afb0b476eTyrannosaurus Rex:https://open.spotify.com/episode/3uxH3HHjSuEk0mHmjFU9k7?si=1f57b9a555ac4bffPresented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan, the producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.All music from Epidemic SoundsSign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe. You can take part in our listener survey here

A plane has crashed and flipped upside down on the runway at Toronto's Pearson airport. We will have the latest on the incident, and the injuries of those on board.The investigation is just beginning, but weather may have played a factor in the crash. Central and Eastern Canada are buried in snow, and the winds are still high in several places. The storms are slowing, but the cleanup is expected to take weeks. The challenges – where to put all the snow.And: European leaders meet in France to discuss the war in Ukraine. UK prime minister Keir Starmer says the future of Ukraine is a “once in a generation moment for the collective security of Europe.”Also: A Calgary woman has been in prison in Sierra Leone for nearly two months, after being arrested live on TV during a reality show. Her family, and Amnesty International, say she is a political prisoner and should be released.Plus: Canadians buying Canadian, Liberal leadership deadline, coyotes in cities, and more.

Dan engages in a detailed discussion with Jim Bretz, a scouting supervisor for the Detroit Tigers and an experienced baseball figure with a rich history as a coach and scout. Bretz discusses his rigorous scouting schedule for the new college baseball season, particularly focusing on the Northeast region, which includes New England, New York, New Jersey, and Eastern Canada. The conversation covers the challenges and rewards of scouting in the Northeast, the impact of the transfer portal on college baseball, and the scouting process for high school and college players. Bretz shares insights on notable programs like Northeastern and UConn, and personal anecdotes about notable players he scouted.    Topics   00:49 Scouting the Northeast Region 02:03 Fall Scouting Insights 04:24 Northeastern University Prospects 06:48 UConn Baseball Program 10:09 Boston College and Coaching Transitions 13:05 High School Prospects and Transfer Portal 20:10 Scouting Collaboration and Draft Stories 21:00 Reflecting on Missed Opportunities 21:25 Rajai Davis: The One That Got Away 22:45 Success Stories: Brad Brock and Jason Foley 25:01 The Rise of Northeast Baseball Talent 28:10 Three Up, Three Down: Baseball Personalities 28:57 Would You Rather: Barry Bonds or Barry Zito? 32:11 Would You Rather: Mike Trout or Mike Timlin? 34:39 Would You Rather: Jim Thome or Jim Bouton? 38:56 Wrapping Up and Final Thoughts

We will have the normal Friday Q and A, but first, a few words on the debate... Did it matter? Do we know any more about the candidates? Does the format serve the intended purpose? Could we make the format better? Switching gears to normal Friday programming: Embracing Life's Big Changes: A 30-year-old listener is on the brink of several life-changing events—marrying the love of his life, becoming a homeowner, and launching his own land surveying business. How do you navigate these milestones successfully while minimizing missteps along the way? Cross-Border Concerns: An audience member from Eastern Canada raises concerns about gun trafficking and the influence of U.S. gun laws on Canadian crime rates. Citing statistics about firearms from the U.S. being involved in crimes in Ontario, how could changing gun laws help reduce criminal access to weapons? Growing a Passion Project: A U.S. Marine Corps veteran, fire captain, paramedic, and podcaster shares his struggle to expand his podcast's audience and attract guests. Despite positive feedback from listeners, growth has been slow. How can you amplify a message and sustain a passion project?

Dan's  first story  revolves around a Realtor trying and failing to sell a property that seems to clearly have something supernaturally wrong with it.  Then is off to Eastern Canada, between Montreal and Toronto. Two young men head out to go camping and see more than they bargained for. One of them swears off camping forever as a result! Lynze crushes this week with two tales! Her first is a classic haunted New Orleans hotel story. What could be more spoopy that that? Then, a ouija board tale like none we have ever told. It will stick with you and make you wonder just how powerful those boards might actually be. Street Team 2024: September 16th at 12 noon PT is when the stickers go live on our website- BADMAGICPRODUCTIONS.COM. Winner will be announced on November 4th on socials and on the shows- we record ahead of time so our personal announcement may be delayed so keep an eye on socials. Ok, let's talk about Street Team now. The last 5 rounds have been an absolute blast!! We are talking a $200 merch credit just by slapping some stickers around your neck of the woods! Here's the details…These stickers are free… but there will only be 500 sticker packs available… first come, first serve. Once they're gone, that's it… and only one sticker pack per person. Once you receive your stickers, all you have to do is slap them all over the place, snap a picture of where you put them, and then post that picture on IG and FB using the hashtag #BadMagicStreetTeam. That's it!!The goal is to have fun with this. Don't do anything stupid and let's grow this amazing Bad Magic community one sticker at a time.*Legal Disclaimer. Bad Magic will not be held liable for any misplaced or illegally placed stickers. Please use discretion and be smart. "Thank you for continuing to send in your stories, Creeps and Peepers!**Please keep doing so!!Send them to mystory@scaredtodeathpodcast.comSend everything else to info@scaredtodeathpodcast.comWant to be a Patron? Get episodes AD-FREE, listen and watch before they are released to anyone else, bonus episodes, a 20% merch discount, additional content, and more! Learn more by visiting: https://www.patreon.com/scaredtodeathpodcast.Please rate, review, and subscribe anywhere you listen.Thank you for listening!Follow the show on social media: @scaredtodeathpodcast on Facebook and IG and TTYouTube: Website: https://scaredtodeathpodcast.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/scaredtodeathpodcast/](https://www.facebook.com/scaredtodeathpodcast/)Instagram: https://bit.ly/2miPLf5Mailing Address:Scared to Deathc/o Timesuck PodcastPO Box 3891Coeur d'Alene, ID 83816Video/Audio by Bad Magic Productions with support from Logan Ray KeithOpening Sumerian protection spell (adapted):"Whether thou art a ghost that hath come from the earth, or a phantom of night that hath no home… or one that lieth dead in the desert… or a ghost unburied… or a demon or a ghoul… Whatever thou be until thou art removed… thou shalt find here no water to drink… Thou shalt not stretch forth thy hand to our own… Into our house enter thou not. Through our fence, breakthrough thou not… we are protected though we may be frightened. Our life you may not steal, though we may feel SCARED TO DEATH."