All Publications

Pandemics, pivots and patience: BlackBerry’s John Chen on adapting to change

If there’s one word business leaders have heard throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s “pivot.” John Chen knows it better than many. Long before the pandemic, BlackBerry’s Executive Chairman and CEO led the storied Canadian company through what he calls “a […]

Louis Vachon on leadership, transformation, and the central role of the economy

Canada needs a strong economy to help it address significant post-COVID challenges, says the outgoing CEO of National Bank of Canada, Louis Vachon. In a conversation with Goldy Hyder in the Speaking of Business podcast, Vachon says Canada is facing […]

Learning to take the “long view”: lessons in entrepreneurship

At the age of 24, Ben Cowan-Dewar set out to build a golf course in a remote part of Cape Breton. Construction began around the time of the 2008 financial crisis. Did he think it was a risky venture? “In […]

Searching for common ground: teaming up to address Canada’s economic future

Lisa Raitt and Anne McLellan know first-hand the challenges of governing in a minority parliament. They both served as cabinet ministers in minority governments – Raitt as a Conservative and McLellan as a Liberal. “Long term planning is harder,” McLellan […]

The 60-year-old startup: How Magna stays agile in a fast-changing industry

Canada’s Magna International is a $40 billion company that employs more than 158,000 people in 28 countries. Yet in the eyes of its CEO, it’s really “a 60-year-old startup”. “We are still a startup because we are in a $3 […]

Scaling up: why Canada needs a startup mindset

Mallorie Brodie wants to see a cultural shift in Canada – one that embraces risk. The CEO and co-founder of Kitchener, Ont.-based Bridgit Inc. says Canadians have a “level of discomfort” when it comes to taking risks, but it’s essential […]

Pressing the reset button on capitalism: how to build a more inclusive society

As Guy Cormier looks ahead to a post-COVID Canada, the president and CEO of the Desjardins Group says it’s time for all of us to embrace a new approach. “Capitalism has lifted a lot of people out of poverty,” he […]

A war-time effort: How Montreal’s CAE pivoted from aerospace to ventilators … in 11 days

When the federal government appealed to business for help in the fight against COVID-19 last spring, technology company CAE answered the call.  It developed a ventilator prototype in 11 days and started manufacturing it soon after.   But that’s not all. […]

Connecting Canadians: why communications infrastructure will be key to economic recovery

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed how Canadians live, work and interact . Whether we are working from home or trying to stay in touch with friends and family while complying with stay-at-home orders, digital technology has become an essential tool. […]

Canada’s digital future: learning new skills in a rapidly changing world

The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated a digital transformation that was already well underway in Canada – just look at the phenomenal rise in online shopping and video conferencing over the past year. But the digital economy requires new skills. Is […]