Down to Business
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What you need to know about Canadian business this week in under 30 minutes. Hosted by the Financial Post's Emily Jackson.
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1 day ago
Buttergate, the Canadian dairy controversy that swept the world
This week Down to Business talks to Sylvain Charlebois, professor and director at the Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab, about 'Buttergate,' the hard butter controversy that cast a global spotlight on Canada's dairy business.
Feb 24, 2021
COVID-weary Canada should brace for 'worst wave of them all' in April
This week Down to Business looks at how we are coping with the pandemic one year on and the challenges of vaccine rollout in Canada, perhaps the single biggest issue right now affecting the economic recovery
Feb 17, 2021
How Alberta's old oil wells could feed the world's growing hunger for lithium
This week on Down to Business, Chris Doornbros explains how his company Calgary-based E3 Metals is working on technology to extract lithium from old oil and gas reservoirs in Alberta, and how this process could help revolutionize the way we use energy.
Feb 10, 2021
Brace yourself for 'very dismal' economic numbers, then a rush for restaurant reservations
Deloitte chief economist Craig Alexander talks about what lies ahead as we battle a second wave of the coronavirus and how the pandemic's legacy will be deep economic scars, but also opportunities and innovation.
Feb 3, 2021
Market manipulation or David vs Goliath? Unpacking the Reddit trader phenomenon
This week on Down to Business, host Gabriel Friedman talks to two financial experts with very different takes on the wild run-up in stocks brought on by Reddit message boards and online trading.
Jan 27, 2021
David Dodge on the challenges ahead for Canada's post-COVID economy
This week on Down to Business, economist David Dodge, former governor of the Bank of Canada, talks about missed opportunities during the pandemic and how the government now must find a way to invest money so that it increases the country’s productivity.
Jan 20, 2021
'Real potential for on-going terrorist acts' in wake of Washington insurrection: expert
This week on Down to Business, Carleton political science professor Laura Macdonald talks about the angry mobs storming the Capitol and what U.S. instability means for Canada, and for the North American regional economy.
Jan 13, 2021
Outlook for the economy brighter than many think: CIBC's Royce Mendes
This week on Down to Business CIBC senior economist Royce Mendes tells us why he is more optimistic than many of his peers and how the economic recovery is already within sight.
Dec 23, 2020
How COVID will change how small business is conducted (Andy Yan)
This week on Down to Business Andy Yan of Simon Fraser University, who has earned a reputation as a keen observer of trends in real estate and small business, talks about how the pandemic has interrupted, accelerated and amplified trends and what our economy and cities could look like once we come out the other side.
Dec 16, 2020
Hoping 'this nightmare will be over soon': On the frontlines of a restaurant in the pandemic
On this week’s episode of Down to Business, Trevor David, the owner, and self-described “chief cook and bottlewasher” at The Art of BBQ smokehouse in locked-down Toronto, describes how restaurants who have had their business cut by more than half in the pandemic are struggling to survive.
Dec 9, 2020
The 'inspiration and anxiety' of running a high-risk meat business during a pandemic (Michael McCain)
This week on Down to Business, Maple Leaf Foods CEO Michael McCain, a billionaire known for his ability to handle a crisis, says 2020 has generated new levels of anxiety and inspiration.
Dec 2, 2020
The best way to get people the help they need in a pandemic
This week on Down to Business, Shari Eli, an economist at the University of Toronto, explains what history says about the long-term effects of welfare and work programs and talks about the recovery from the pandemic and who is affected most.
Nov 25, 2020
Misconceptions about the COVID vaccines now hitting the headlines
This week on Down To Business, Tom Blackwell, a reporter for the National Post, talks about how we are not getting the whole story on the new COVID-19 vaccines and how it’s a mistake to think they can end the pandemic.
Nov 18, 2020
Canada could be stuck with holdovers from Trump for a long time
This week, on Down to Business, Meredith Lilly, a former trade adviser for Stephen Harper, discusses how Canada’s trade relationship with the U.S. has evolved.
Nov 11, 2020
Stephen Poloz on interest rates, our oil industry and the K-shaped recovery
This week on Down to Business, the former governor of the Bank of Canada talks about the state of Canada’s affairs, including its economic recovery and any potential impacts from the U.S. election.
Nov 4, 2020
What went wrong with Ontario's COVID-19 testing
On this week’s Down to Business, the National Post's Richard Warnica talks about how the province has not been able to meet its testing needs and the lack of foresight behind it.
Oct 28, 2020
How luxury parka maker Canada Goose filled a critical need in the pandemic
This week, on Down to Business, Dani Reiss, chief executive of Canada Goose, talks about how his company stepped up when the country found itself facing a critical shortage of personal protective equipment.
Oct 21, 2020
Unpacking the ugly conflict over lobster fisheries in Nova Scotia
This week on Down to Business, Dalhousie’s Megan Bailey sets the record straight on the historical, legal and environmental facts of the dispute that has sparked shocking violence in southern Nova Scotia.
Oct 14, 2020
Will Canada's housing friendly recession last? (With Benjamin Tal, CIBC Deputy Chief Economist)
This week on Down To Business, Gabriel Friedman talks to CIBC Deputy Chief Economist Bejamin Tal about how high housing prices in the middle of one of the worst recessions in history have exposed Canada’s income inequality crisis and where the housing market is going from here.
Oct 7, 2020
Oil’s demise will be more gradual than many imagine (Daniel Yergin)
This week on Down To Business, Gabriel Friedman talks to pulitzer prize-winning analyst Daniel Yergin on the future of energy and Canada’s oilsands and how pipelines have become the new political battleground.
Sep 30, 2020
How Canada can pull from behind the curve to a world leader in EVs
This week on Down to Business, Cedric Smith, an analyst at the clean energy think tank, Pembina Institute, talks about the opportunities for this country in the green economy.
Sep 23, 2020
Oil and Blood: Saudi Arabia's crown prince poses a challenge for the West (with journalist and author Justin Scheck)
This week, on Down to Business, Justin Scheck, a reporter at the Wall Street Journal and co-author of Blood and Oil, a new book about Saudi Arabia, discusses how the oil-rich nation is trying to diversify its economy. The book takes a closer look at Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, who has been making huge bets on tech companies with money from the country's oil revenues.
Sep 16, 2020
How consumer behaviour has changed during COVID-19 (Economist Anindya Sen)
The last recession gave birth to the gig economy, in which companies like Airbnb and Uber convinced people to monetize their houses and cars. COVID will make changes too, in commerce and beyond. This week, on Down to Business, Anindya Sen, an economist at the University of Waterloo, talks about how consumer behavior has changed during the pandemic and how that in turn could change our economy.
Sep 9, 2020
Why the world’s resource king is so interested in Saskatchewan
BHP Group, one of the world’s largest mining corporations, is known for iron ore and copper, petroleum and coal, not potash. But that may be changing. This week on Down to Business, host Gabriel Friedman talks to BHP’s new chief executive Mike Henry about the mega-miner’s interest in mining potash in Saskatchewan and how climate change is changing the commodities game.
Sep 2, 2020
Conflicting data show this recession is anything but normal
Despite a record drop in economic activity, 2020 is set to be a bumper year for growth in disposal income — what gives? This week on Down to Business host Gabriel Friedman talks to Conference Board of Canada chief economist Pedro Antunes about the unusual nature of this recession and the speed and quality of the economic recovery so far.
Aug 26, 2020
What Chrystia Freeland brings to the table as Canada’s finance minister
Canada’s finance minister Bill Morneau abruptly resigned last week in the middle of one of worst economic crises since the Second World War. His replacement, deputy prime minister Chrystia Freeland, has strong experience on Parliament Hill but less on Bay Street. To help break down the news, Down to Business interviewed Rebekah Young, director of fiscal and provincial economics at Scotiabank, who has been keeping a close eye on the state of Canada’s recovery.
Jul 29, 2020
What record high gold prices mean for mining companies in Canada (with Agnico Eagle Mines CEO Sean Boyd)
On this week’s Down to Business, host Gabriel Friedman speaks with Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd. CEO Sean Boyd about what it’s been like to run a gold company amid a pandemic and record gold prices.
Jul 22, 2020
What the decision whether to reopen schools this fall means for the recovery — podcast
On this week’s Down to Business, as part of our series on Reopening Canada, Clementine Van Effenterre, an assistant professor of economics at the University of Toronto, talks about how the pandemic is affecting working families and what that means for the economy
Jul 15, 2020
How consumer behaviours are changing as a result of the pandemic (with Ernie Johannson, BMO Financial Group)
On this week’s Down to Business, Ernie Johannson, group head of personal and business banking in North America for BMO Financial Group, speaks to host Gabriel Friedman about shifting consumer habits and describes the initial challenges of trying to stabilize bank operations during a financial crisis and a health pandemic.
Jul 8, 2020
We’re going to be living in a deflationary world (economist Irene Lauro)
On this week's Down to Business, Irene Lauro, a senior economist at Schroders, explains the ripple effects of “reshoring” and how deflation is a top concern for economists as the recovery moves forward.
Jul 2, 2020
How the world of work is changing in Canada for better and worse (Mercer Canada CEO Jaqui Parchment)
This week on Down to Business, Jaqui Parchment, chief executive of Mercer Canada, one of the largest human resources consulting firms in the world, talks to Gabriel Friedman about what’s happening in workplaces throughout the country, whether in the office or at home.
Jun 24, 2020
The Canadian economy is reopening, get ready for some false starts (CIBC chief economist Avery Shenfeld)
On this week's Down to Business, CIBC chief economist Avery Shenfeld talks to host Gabriel Friedman about the shape and speed of the recovery. While some sectors will rebound quickly, a second big chunk of the economy will see a very shallow recovery or no recovery at all.
Jun 17, 2020
How the COVID-19 pandemic could – and should – change the tourism sector (G Adventures founder Bruce Poon Tip)
This week on Down to Business, G Adventures founder Bruce Poon Tip talks to host Emily Jackson about how COVID-19 has affected his business and how he believes the travel industry should evolve once people are free to move around again.
Jun 10, 2020
How corporate Canada can address systemic challenges faced by the black business community
Nadine Spencer, president of the Black Business and Professional Association, talks to host Emily Jackson about the ongoing challenges faced by Canada’s black business community and what can be done to improve access to capital and diversity in the boardroom.
Jun 3, 2020
New leader takes helm of Bank of Canada in the throes of a global crisis
Financial Post columnist Kevin Carmichael talks to host Emily Jackson about the legacy of outgoing Bank of Canada governor Stephen Poloz, the decision to replace him with Tiff Macklem, what the bank needs to focus on going forward and why leadership at the bank is so critical now to the Canadian economy.
May 27, 2020
‘Health and Safety is the new Black’: How COVID-19 will permanently change Canada’s retail sector – podcast
This week on Down to Business, Retail Council of Canada CEO Diane Brisebois talks with host Emily Jackson about the challenges facing retailers as they re-open and how between 25% and 30% may never come back.
May 20, 2020
Goodbye office space, hello suburbs: Canadian real estate in pandemic times
This week on Down to Business, Ryerson University real estate management professor Murtaza Haider talks to host Emily Jackson about the pandemic’s impact on housing and rental prices, how the shift to working from home could affect real estate in downtown cores and a rethinking of the suburbs.
May 13, 2020
Screen time is way up, and this Vancouver production studio is hiring to keep up with demand
Demand for entertainment has skyrocketed during the pandemic shut-in. Thunderbird Entertainment chief executive Jennifer Twiner-McCarron talks to host Emily Jackson about how her company has been able to thrive even with employees working from home and how she expects this crisis will change the entertainment industry in the long term.
May 6, 2020
Canada’s auto industry gears up to go back to work (Honda Canada CEO Jean Marc Leclerc)
Auto sales are down 75% as the industry struggles with closed dealerships and shuttered factories. This week on Down to Business, Honda Canada’s new chief executive Jean Marc Leclerc discusses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the auto sector and its global supply chains, and how long he expects it will take for the industry to recover as Honda looks to resume production next week.
May 1, 2020
Shockproofing Canada: How business can prepare for the next shock
As COVID-19 continues to wreak havoc on people and economies around the world, Canada’s business community is starting to ask – what can we do to better prepare before the next crisis hits? Conference Board of Canada senior economist Julie Ades joins Down to Business host Emily Jackson to discuss how the pandemic could be a catalyst for long-term changes to Canada’s supply chains.
Apr 29, 2020
How farmers are taking the brunt of meat industry’s problems in COVID-19 pandemic
This week on Down to Business, host Emily Jackson talks to food market analyst Kevin Grier about why the meat industry was one of the first hit by the novel coronavirus outbreak in China, how big is the risk of a meat shortage and why this break in the supply chain will hurt farmers.
Apr 24, 2020
Shockproofing Canada: Why our drug supply can’t be 100% self-sufficient
Canadian Generic Pharmaceutical Association president Jim Keon joins Down to Business host Emily Jackson to discuss the vulnerabilities in Canada’s drug supply chain during the pandemic, which has led to a run on drugs hospitals use to sedate coronavirus patients and help them breathe.
Apr 22, 2020
Why Canada’s economy must reopen gradually to avoid devastating second lockdown (Vancity CEO Tamara Vrooman)
This week on Down to Business, the CEO of the country’s largest community credit union talks to host Emily Jackson about how COVID-19 has affected members, the government’s response to the crisis, the lessons financial institutions can learn and why a gradual, uninterrupted reopening is the economy’s best bet.
Apr 16, 2020
Shockproofing Canada: How secure is our food supply? (Canadian Federation of Agriculture president Mary Robinson)
Canadian Federation of Agriculture president Mary Robinson joins Down to Business host Emily Jackson to discuss how the coronavirus pandemic exposed vulnerabilities in our food system and what lessons Canada can learn from the crisis.
Apr 15, 2020
As internet and phone usage skyrockets amid coronavirus, will Ottawa still push for affordability?
This week on Down to Business, host Emily Jackson talks to Telus executive Jim Senko about how telecoms are grappling with the huge boost in demand because of the pandemic shutdown and the industry’s earlier view on Ottawa’s push for a 25% price cut.
Apr 9, 2020
Shockproofing Canada’s energy sector: Former Saskatchewan premier Brad Wall
Former Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall joins Down to Business host Emily Jackson to discuss what energy self-sufficiency would look like in Canada and how the government could take action to create such a strategy. This special episode of Down to Business is part of the National Post’s new series Strong & Free: Shockproofing Canada.
Apr 8, 2020
How Canada’s billions in coronavirus emergency spending could help you
CIBC tax expert Jamie Golombek talks to host Emily Jackson about new benefits designed to help Canadians weather the coronavirus crisis financially and how to access them.
Apr 1, 2020
Meet the small manufacturers scaling up to build made-in-Canada coronavirus testing kits, ventilators
Ventilators, surgical masks and testing kits have become hot commodities as countries race to buy up the medical equipment needed to fight the coronavirus pandemic. Host Emily Jackson talks to the small Canadian manufacturers who are stepping up to make the vital gear that our front-line health workers need.
Mar 25, 2020
How coronavirus market chaos compares to 2008 financial crisis (Jonathan Chevreau)
Watching the stock market these days is like looking at a falling elevator — and investors are starting to panic. Personal finance columnist Jonathan Chevreau joins host Emily Jackson with advice on how best to ride out this storm
Mar 18, 2020
Just how bad will the coronavirus pandemic be for Canada’s economy? (BMO chief economist Doug Porter)
BMO Financial Group chief economist Doug Porter joins host Emily Jackson to talk about the unprecedented turmoil the Canadian economy is already going through from the impact of coronavirus shutdowns and what it faces ahead.
Mar 11, 2020
Why Canada needs more women in finance (Women in Capital Markets’ Camilla Sutton)
Canada lags the G7 on promoting women in leadership roles. Only four per cent of companies listed on the TSX have a female CEO and 15 per cent a female chief financial officer. This week on Down to Business, Women in Capital Markets chief executive Camilla Sutton joins host Emily Jackson to discuss why Canada has a long way to go when it comes to equality
Mar 4, 2020
The inside story of Bombardier's asset sales (CEO Alain Bellemare)
Bombardier chief executive Alain Bellemare joins host Emily Jackson on this week’s Down to Business to talk about why the one-time Quebec manufacturing giant sold off major assets to focus exclusively on business jets
Feb 26, 2020
How rail blockades are connected to cancelled $20-billion oilsands project (Financial Post’s Gabe Friedman)
This week on Down to Business, Financial Post resources reporter Gabe Friedman joins host Emily Jackson to discuss how the Wet’suwet’en rail blockades are connected to Teck Resources' decision not to build a $20-billion oilsands mine in Alberta, and what it means for Canada’s reputation with investors.
Feb 19, 2020
How we will be using drones in five years (Drone Delivery Canada CEO Michael Zahra)
Drones are poised to be a big future player in the logistics and delivery business, whether they drop off pizza on your doorstep or carry replacement parts to offshore oil rigs. Drone Delivery Canada CEO Michael Zahra talks to host Emily Jackson about the scope of the industry, its potential for growth and why Canada is ahead of the game
Feb 12, 2020
What makes Canada’s real estate market tick (Re/Max Canada’s Pamela Alexander)
This week on Down to Business, host Emily Jackson speaks with Re/Max Canada owner operator Pamela Alexander about the boom in real estate agents, how technology may disrupt how homes are bought and sold, and where she sees the real estate market going next.
Feb 5, 2020
How Canada’s online grocery market could grow to $30 billion a year (Goodfood CEO Jonathan Ferrari)
Canadians buy almost everything online these days, yet we have lagged behind other countries when it comes to purchasing groceries over the internet. This week host Emily Jackson talks to Goodfood CEO Jonathan Ferrari about how that trend is turning, shown by his meal subscription and grocery delivery company growing 90% last year.
Jan 29, 2020
Powersports therapy: Inside the astonishing success of Canada’s snowmobile maker BRP (CEO José Boisjoli)
Seventeen years ago BRP was split from its parent company Bombardier; today its market value is almost twice as much. BRP CEO José Boisjoli talks to Down to Business host Emily Jackson about how they did it and what’s next
Jan 22, 2020
Stock market bonanza due for ‘interruption’ of 5% to 10% (Manulife chief economist Frances Donald)
The stock market is on fire this year even as economic indicators remain on the shaky side. Exuberance on one hand, skepticism on the other. Manulife chief economist Frances Donald talks to host Emily Jackson about how she sees the year unfolding for the markets and economy
Jan 15, 2020
What’s in store for Canada’s energy sector in 2020 (with Jackie Forrest, senior director, Arc Energy Research Institute)
On this week's Down to Business, host Emily Jackson speaks with Jackie Forrest, senior director at the Arc Energy Research Institute, about some of the pressing issues facing the country’s oil and gas sector, from rising tensions in the Middle East to increased investor focus on carbon emissions.
Dec 23, 2019
Top takeaways from the Canadian business world (Financial Post editor Nicole MacAdam)
Financial Post editor Nicole MacAdam is moving on to become editor-in-chief of the Ottawa Citizen and Ottawa Sun. In this Down to Business bonus episode, she talks with host Emily Jackson about the important trends she has seen over the past four years, including the disruption of businesses by innovation and technology, trade protectionism and the rise of the #MeToo movement in the business community.
Dec 18, 2019
One trillion reasons investing will change in the new decade (BMO’s Joanna Rotenberg)
On this week’s Down to Business, Joanna Rotenberg, group head of BMO wealth management, talks to host Emily Jackson about three sweeping changes coming in the next decade, how investment strategies will evolve and where the smart money is going in 2020.
Dec 11, 2019
How Canada's economy fared in 2019
This week on Down to Business, Financial Post national business columnist Kevin Carmichael joins host Emily Jackson to discuss Canada’s economic performance in 2019 and what it says about 2020.
Dec 4, 2019
Inside the strategy of one of Canada’s fastest growing retailers (Saje CEO Kate Ross LeBlanc)
25 years ago Kate Ross LeBlanc and her husband started a company selling the essential oils that had helped him recover from a car accident. Now they have 84 stores in North America and revenue has grown 1,500% over the past five years. Host Emily Jackson talks to Kate about how they did it
Nov 27, 2019
How Shopify is 'arming the rebels' as Amazon builds its empire (with COO Harley Finkelstein)
Black Friday and Cyber Monday are here, along with the onslaught in advertising. We know these shopping holidays, and the holiday season in general, are massive events for major retailers. But what about the entrepreneurs navigating e-commerce? Shopify Chief Operating Officer Harley Finkelstein joins host Emily Jackson to discuss how Shopify is helping businesses in the new direct-to-consumer retail world.
Nov 20, 2019
How Ikea Canada plans to get shoppers through the door or online in the digital era (CEO Michael Ward)
Big box stores have had to rethink their strategies in a digital world where online shopping has taken a bite out of in-person sales. Disruption to distribution models and demographic shifts in where people live have forced even the biggest retailers to rethink their plans for the future. Ikea Canada president Michael Ward joins host Emily Jackson to discuss how Ikea is evolving for the digital world.
Nov 13, 2019
Streaming wars a game changer for Canadian content production: (Project 10’s Andrew Barnsley)
Streaming has shaken traditional TV as Canadian consumers get more choice than ever before. This week on Down to Business, host Emily Jackson discusses how the streaming wars have affected Canada’s TV production industry with Andrew Barnsley, the chief executive of production company Project 10, and executive producer for Emmy-nominated Schitt’s Creek.
Nov 6, 2019
Are we a country that can build things anymore? (Business Council of Canada CEO Goldy Hyder)
Canada is falling behind on the global stage and Big Business is worried. On this week’s episode of Down to Business, host Emily Jackson discusses the to-do list for the new government with Goldy Hyder, CEO of the Business Council of Canada which includes such heavy hitters as Bombardier, TD Bank, and Rogers Communications.
Oct 30, 2019
The race between hackers and cybersecurity companies trying to stop them (Absolute Software CEO Christy Wyatt)
At this point Canadian businesses know they need to take cybersecurity seriously, but how prepared are they for the inevitable attacks? On this week’s Down to Business, host Emily Jackson speaks with Christy Wyatt, the chief executive of Absolute Software Corp., a Vancouver-based cybersecurity company. They spoke about emerging cybersecurity risks and the state of the industry in Canada.
Oct 23, 2019
‘Uncertainty’: What Canada’s minority government means for our economy (BMO Chief economist Doug Porter)
The Liberals are back in power with a minority government – and that means uncertainty for Canada’s economy and its businesses. This week on Down to Business, host Emily Jackson speaks with BMO chief economist Doug Porter about how the election results could affect deficit spending, the energy sector and the housing market.
Oct 16, 2019
Why Canada's stuck in an energy vs environment debate (Questor Technology’s Audrey Mascarenhas)
Canadians, increasingly worried about climate change, are having a bit of an existential crisis over the country’s status as one of the world’s largest energy producers. This week, host Emily Jackson discusses the future of Canadian energy with Questor Technology CEO Audrey Mascarenhas, who doesn’t think protecting the environment and supporting the energy sector are mutually exclusive goals.
Oct 9, 2019
Why ‘cannabis 3.0’ is the real opportunity for Canada: (former Canopy Growth CEO Bruce Linton)
It’s been one year since Canada legalized the cannabis industry after a century of prohibition. But it’s just the beginning of the journey from the black market to “cannabis 3.0.” Host Emily Jackson talks with Bruce Linton, the former chief executive of Canopy Growth, Canada’s largest cannabis company, about where legal cannabis is at in Canada a year in, and where it is going.
Oct 2, 2019
'An illusion of competition': Wind founder on the state of Canada's wireless market (Anthony Lacavera)
Anthony Lacavera, the founder of Wind Mobile (now called Freedom and owned by Shaw) and private equity firm Globalive Capital, talks to host Emily Jackson about the state of competition in Canada’s telecom market and what he thinks the government should focus on instead of pricing.
Sep 25, 2019
What our politicians really need to do to make housing affordable (Mattamy Homes CEO Peter Gilgan)
Peter Gilgan, founder and CEO of Mattamy Homes, the largest privately held residential construction company in North America, talks to host Emily Jackson about the state of real estate in Canada and the federal election promises on housing.
Sep 18, 2019
Protectionism is here to stay: (Rona Ambrose, trade adviser and former interim Tory leader)
Rona Ambrose, former Conservative interim leader and current member of the NAFTA advisory council to Canada’s foreign affairs minister, talks to host Emily Jackson about the cloud of uncertainty hanging over Canada’s economy
Sep 11, 2019
What is the Liberals' strategy for the Canadian economy? (with Finance Minister Bill Morneau)
Finance Minister Bill Morneau joins host Emily Jackson on Episode 21 of Down to Business to discuss his party’s economic strategy should they win the October election. The Liberals, he says, would continue course.
Sep 4, 2019
What is the true cost of congestion in Canada? (CPCS Transcom’s Peter Harrison)
Congestion is stalling Canada’s biggest cities and costs us between $6 billion to $10 billion a year. On Episode 20 of Down to Business, host Emily Jackson talks to Peter Harrison, vice president, Canada, of CPCS Transcom Ltd., a global transportation and infrastructure consulting firm, about this problem and possible solutions.
Aug 28, 2019
What is the Conservatives' strategy for the Canadian economy? (with Pierre Poilievre, Conservative MP and finance critic)
Business issues have a distinctly political flavour, especially in an election year.
With two months to go before Canada’s federal election, we decided to ask the two leading political parties about their economic plans should they win in October. This week we hear from the Conservative party.
Conservative MP for Carleton and shadow finance minister Pierre Poilievre speaks with host Emily Jackson about the underlying direction of the party's strategy.
Aug 21, 2019
Why industrial real estate is having a hot moment in Canada’s biggest cities (with Collier International's Craig Hennigar)
Industrial real estate is having a moment. Online shopping means e-commerce vendors need more warehouses for last mile deliveries, jacking up demand for industrial land in urban centres. That means higher prices and astonishing low vacancy rates in Canada’s biggest cities. Colliers International’s Craig Hennigar, director of market intelligence for Canada, speaks to host Emily Jackson about industrial real estate on Episode 18 of Down To Business.
Aug 14, 2019
Why Canada can’t escape a recession if the global economy heads south (economist Frances Donald)
Manulife Investment Management’s chief economist Frances Donald talks to host Emily Jackson about how Canada could get dragged into a recession no matter how healthy its economy looks now.
Aug 7, 2019
Why electric scooter sharing company Bird is racing to expand in Canada (with Bird Canada CEO Stewart Lyons)
Over the past two years e-scooter sharing systems have launched in more than 100 cities around the world, where people can pay by the minute to scoot to their destinations, leaving scooters parked on sidewalks when they arrive. And now the trend is coming to Canada. Bird Canada CEO Stewart Lyons discusses scooter sharing on Episode 16 of Down to Business.
Jul 31, 2019
Why Canada is backing Telesat in space race for faster, cheaper internet (CEO Dan Goldberg)
On this week’s Down to Business, Telesat chief executive Dan Goldberg speaks to host Emily Jackson about the Ottawa-based company’s ambitious plans to launch a constellation of low-earth orbit satellites that would provide faster and cheaper broadband coverage, a technology he describes as revolutionary.
Jul 24, 2019
How carbon capture tech could transform the Canadian economy and the energy industry (with Carbon Engineering Inc. CEO Steve Oldham)
How to tackle climate change can be a tense conversation in Canada given the importance of the oil and gas industry to the economy. But the oilpatch is one of the biggest spenders on clean tech in Canada and the country is a leader in the development of carbon capture technology. Steve Oldham, CEO of Carbon Engineering Inc., explains how carbon capture works and how it offers hope for climate change on Episode 14 of Down to Business.
Jul 17, 2019
The next big thing in cannabis (with Vanmala Subramaniam and Truss Beverages CEO Brett Vye)
Smoking marjiuana is so 2018. This October, new rules from the federal government around the legal production and sale of cannabis edibles, drinkables and other alternative pot products will come into force, a new market that could be worth $2.7 billion a year. Geoff Zochodne talks with cannabis reporter Vanmala Subramaniam and Truss Beverages CEO Brett Vye about the second wave of cannabis legalization and what it means for business and consumers.
Jul 10, 2019
How open banking could change our lives (with Wealthsimple CEO Michael Katchen)
Geoff Zochodne talks with Wealthsimple CEO and co-founder Michael Katchen about what open banking is, what it will do for consumers and how Canada risks falling behind in this global trend
Jul 3, 2019
Why Sidewalk Labs' sweeping Toronto smart city proposal faces hurdles (with Financial Post reporter James McLeod)
There are a few hurdles that need to be cleared before a prime piece of real estate on Toronto’s waterfront is turned into what could be the first of many smart city developments. Financial Post reporter James McLeod explains the challenges the proposal is facing on Episode 11 of Down to Business.
Jun 26, 2019
Why Ottawa wants small businesses to export more (with Minister of Small Business and Export Promotion Mary Ng)
Only 12 per cent of small businesses export outside of Canada. Ottawa wants to change that. Minister of Small Business and Export Promotion Mary Ng explains why on Episode 10 of Down to Business.
Jun 19, 2019
Why Huawei thinks Canada should trust its 5G gear (with Huawei Canada chief security officer Olivera Zatezalo)
The Government of Canada is reviewing whether to allow Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. equipment in the country’s wireless networks, and getting pressure from the U.S. to ban it. Huawei Canada chief security officer Olivera Zatezalo discusses 5G security with host Emily Jackson on Episode 9 of Down to Business.
Jun 12, 2019
How Canadian National Railway is working to keep Canada's economy moving (with CEO JJ Ruest)
Canadian National Railway CEO and President JJ Ruest speaks with host Emily Jackson about CN’s milestone 100th birthday and what it means for the company and what CN is doing to set itself — and the Canadian economy — up for the next 100 years.
Jun 5, 2019
Why A&W made a bet on Beyond Meat (with CEO Susan Senecal)
Our seventh episode covers A&W breaking new ground with Beyond Meat. Susan Senecal, president and CEO of A&W Canada, joins host Emily Jackson to talk about why her chain was the first national fast-food restaurant to introduce Beyond Meat burgers, and why she thinks the plant-based protein trend is here to stay.
May 29, 2019
How Canada's largest sports company is grappling with digital disruption (with MLSE's Humza Teherany)
To celebrate the Toronto Raptors making the NBA finals, our sixth episode covers North America's $70-billion sports market. Humza Teherany, the chief technology and digital officer at Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, talks to host Emily Jackson about how technology is changing the business and fan experience of major league sports.
May 22, 2019
The real culprit behind Vancouver’s runaway real estate (with housing finance expert Andrey Pavlov)
Andrey Pavlov, real estate finance professor at Simon Fraser University, joins host Emily Jackson to talk about what’s really driving British Columbia’s sky-high housing prices: money laundering or constraints on new supply?
May 15, 2019
The Canada-China trade relationship (with Naomi Powell)
Reporter Naomi Powell joins host Emily Jackson to discuss one of Canada's most important trade relationships — and why it's making businesses uneasy.
May 8, 2019
Canadian oil industry (with Peter Tertzakian)
Economist Peter Tertzakian, executive director of the ARC Energy Research Institute, joins host Emily Jackson to discuss Canadian oil, pipelines and Alberta politics.
May 1, 2019
Canadian airlines (with WestJet CEO Ed Sims)
Ed Sims, CEO of WestJet for the last year, joins host Emily Jackson to discuss the challenges of heading a Canadian airline during turbulent times — how he dealt with headwinds including labour strife, high-fuel costs and the worldwide grounding of the Boeing 737MAX8.
Apr 24, 2019
Innovation and disruption (with Michele Romanow)
Michele Romanow, tech entrepreneur and Dragons' Den judge, joins host Emily Jackson to discuss innovation and disruption in Canadian business.
Apr 17, 2019
Introducing Down to Business
Coming April 24: There hasn’t yet been a podcast dedicated to a wide range of Canadian business stories. We want to change that.
Down to Business is a new podcast devoted to what you need to know about Canadian business this week in under 30 minutes. Hosted by the Financial Post's Emily Jackson.