Canada’s Entrepreneur (Canada’s Podcast)

Nancy Wood was a senior business communications specialist in Toronto for several years. In her "rewirement" years in B.C. she has toiled to transform her business-style writing into more creative writing - non-fiction essays, prose and books for little kids. She has written five books for kids, but it was not until an interesting opportunity came her way last year, that the first one of her books, The Magical Power of Color was published.

Nancy prefers writing to marketing and so getting the book in the hands of kids has been a bigger challenge. If anyone thinks it is a piece of cake to write a short book for kids, Nancy has learned that the old adage, "If I had time, I would have written a shorter letter," really applies when it comes to books for kids.

Visit www.ebay.ca/upandrunning to open your online shop.

Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada's economy. To support Canada's businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Edwin Frondozo is Co-founder & CEO of Slingshot VoIP. He is a fellow podcaster and social buzzer, who has built an awesome company on his 100 x goals. He shares his audacious goal of 100xing his tech business within 100 days. Something, he publicly declared on Sept 22, 2020, during a global pandemic. Before the pandemic hit, he was already questioning his decision, whether he should leave his tech business and pursue a life around impact and purpose. Like many entrepreneurs, he started to look for collaborations, partnerships and projects. The buzzword in the community was pivoting. Don't stay still; look for opportunities. He ended up joining different startups, initiatives and partnerships. Almost all failed, which brought him to a dark place, looking within to find out who he was. Realizing that was the answer, he faced fear and took the plunge to make an audacious goal publicly. In this podcast we share why he did it, what happened, and some of the tools and frameworks he developed on his journey to 100x. As an award-winning podcaster, Edwin gives some key takeaways for us.

Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Want to stay up-to-date on the latest #entrepreneur podcasts and news? Subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter

Annee Ngo is the co-founder and CEO of Startup League, an educational gaming platform for students to learn creative problem-solving through competition and play. She is a serial entrepreneur whom scaled global ed-tech company into more than 30 cities across 12 countries in under 3 years with clients like Adobe and Stanford. She exited her first startup in 2016, returning 3x to her investors. Annee is also the proud recipient of Women Tech Founders’ Award for Gaming/AR/VR and BC Business’ 30 Under 30.

In this video interview, Paula Allen, Global Leader, Research & Client Insights, TELUS Health, discusses the latest Mental Health Index and its key findings.

Allen talks about how many young workers feel isolated and lonely, the impact that is having on them and on businesses, how many workers are high at risk of mental health, and the importance of an employee feeling valued.

PRESS RELEASE

TORONTO, March 19, 2024 /CNW/ – Today, TELUS Health released its TELUS Mental Health Index (“the Index”) with reports that examine the mental health of employed people in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe, Singapore, New Zealand and Australia. The Canadian report reveals that young Canadian workers under 40 are increasingly feeling isolated and lonely compared to their older colleagues. Further, nearly half (45 per cent) of workers say they do not have relationships with people they trust at work with younger workers more likely to lack trusted relationships. The lack of trusted relationships is a factor in loneliness, which can lead to lower mental health scores and poorer physical health.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared loneliness to be a pressing global threat, with the effects of isolation and loneliness now being recognized and compared to well-known health risks such as smoking, obesity and lack of physical activity. In fact, the US surgeon general is saying that its mortality effects are equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

“The Index findings reflect a concerning reality, in particular for our younger workers. It also impacts businesses as loneliness and social isolation negatively impact both health and workplace productivity,” said Paula Allen, Global Leader, Research & Client Insights, TELUS Health. “Rapid societal changes, alongside diminishing social support, are taking their toll. Additionally, there are challenges like inflation, housing affordability and job loss risks that are clear stressors, especially at the start of a person’s career when there is typically less financial stability. Organizations can help by focusing on building a culture of trust, which counters isolation, and highlighting their health, personal and financial programs, which offer crucial support.”

Efforts to combat the negative impacts of isolation and loneliness on employee health and productivity not only improve wellbeing but also have financial benefits for employers.

The TELUS Mental Health Index also found:

Thirty-three per cent of workers in Canada have a high mental health risk, 45 per cent have a moderate mental health risk, and 22 per cent have a low mental health risk. One in ten workers in Canada (10 per cent) do not feel valued and respected by their colleagues; this group has the lowest and worst mental health score (49.1), 20 points lower than workers feeling valued and respected (69.1). Women are 50 per cent more likely than men to report that harassment, bullying, unhealthy conflict and other harmful behaviours are not quickly and fairly resolved in their workplace. More than one in seven (15 per cent) rate their company’s culture around mental health as negative. Twenty-one per cent of workers in Canada do not know if their employer provides mental health benefits or their employer does not provide mental health benefits. In January 2024, the mental health scores of workers in various regions were:

Canada: 63.5 United States: 70.7 United Kingdom: 64.7 Europe: 62.0 Australia: 63.1 New Zealand: 59.6 Singapore: 62.6 The TELUS Mental Health Index is based on a response scoring system that then turns individual responses into point values. Higher point values are associated with better mental health and less mental health risk. Scores between 0 to 49 correspond with distress levels, scores between 50 to 79 correspond with strain levels and scores between 80 to 100 correspond with optimal levels of mental health.

“Creating a supportive and inclusive work environment is not only a responsibility, but also an invaluable opportunity for employers to proactively shape the wellbeing of their teams,” said Dr. Matthew Chow, Chief Mental Health Officer, TELUS Health. “With the physical and mental impacts of isolation now being discussed more broadly, it would be wise for employers to acknowledge it as a health risk and prioritize meaningful social connections to support employee wellbeing. In addition to implementing employee assistance programs and other initiatives to address the mental strain, fostering a healthy and connected workplace environment enables individuals to thrive. This, in turn, leads to improved retention, productivity, engagement and overall better health outcomes.”

The January TELUS Mental Health Index also includes important findings related to key psycho-social risks in the workplace. Read the full Canadian TELUS Mental Health Index here.

About the TELUS Mental Health Index The data for the TELUS Health Mental Health Index was collected through an online survey in English and French from January 13, 2024 to January 22, 2024 with 3,000 respondents. All respondents reside in Canada and were employed within the last six months. The data has been statistically weighted to ensure the regional and gender composition of the sample reflects this population.

About TELUS Health TELUS Health is a global healthcare leader providing comprehensive primary and preventive care services and solutions to improve physical, mental and financial wellbeing for employees and families worldwide. With our advanced technology and dedicated team members, including more than 100,000 compassionate health professionals, we are covering more than 70 million lives in 160 countries. We are on a mission to become the most trusted wellbeing company in the world by building the healthiest communities and workplaces on the planet through simplifying access to care and improving the flow of information between care providers, insurers, employers and individuals. For more information please visit: www.telushealth.com.

Mario Toneguzzi is Managing Editor of Canada’s Podcast. He has more than 40 years of experience as a daily newspaper writer, columnist, and editor. He was named in 2021 as one of the Top 10 Business Journalists in the World by PR News – the only Canadian to make the list. He was also named by RETHINK to its global list of Top Retail Experts 2024.

About Us

Canada’s Podcast is the number one podcast in Canada for entrepreneurs and business owners. Established in 2016, the podcast network has interviewed over 600 Canadian entrepreneurs from coast-to-coast.

With hosts in each province, entrepreneurs have a local and national format to tell their stories, talk about their journey and provide inspiration for anyone starting their entrepreneurial journey and well- established founders.

The commitment to a grass roots approach has built a loyal audience on all our social channels and YouTube – 500,000+ lifetime YouTube views, 200,000 + audio downloads, 35,000 + average monthly social impressions, 10,000 + engaged social followers and 35,000 newsletter subscribers. Canada’s Podcast is proud to provide a local, national and international presence for Canadian entrepreneurs to build their brand and tell their story.

#business #CanadasNumberOnePodcastforEntrepreneurs #entrepreneurs #entrepreneurship #MentalHealth #small business

Paul Bain is the Tea Captain at JusTea, the first farmer-direct tea partnership between Kenya and Canada. Born and raised in Vancouver, Paul is passionate to connect tea drinkers with the small-scale farmer who made their cup possible. JusTea’s healthy new Purple Tea won the top food and beverage award in BC in 2018: Gold Medal for "Product of the Year".

Guillermo Salazar is a Co-Founder of ICwhatUC, an industry-leading augmented reality virtual work platform that helps the mobile workforce execute remote work. He is a 20-year data & analytics professional and multiple-time founder. He began his career in consulting, left PWC to start his own ERP firm, and then sold Quatro Integration Group to Deloitte Consulting.

His entrepreneurial spirit meant starting another company of his own, and Salazar set about finding a solution to the frustration of dialing into a call centre, trying to communicate a problem and then waiting for days to get it fixed. Hence, ICwhatUC was born.

Salazar earned a finance degree from the University of Calgary’s Haskayne School of Business. He is in his ninth year as a member of its management advisory committee and is past chair of the Haskayne Alumni Board.

Shape your future in #Lethbridge. Bold. Vibrant. Technological. The bright, affordable choice for business builders. Grow now at https://entrepreneur.chooselethbridge.ca

Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Want to stay up-to-date on the latest #entrepreneur #podcasts and news? Subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter.

Josh Green was born and raised in Vancouver (Coquitlam until he was 18). Raised by a single mother. Josh received a degree in theatre and worked in the film industry, traveled a lot while he was growing up, then went back to school and got his BBA from BCIT. Now he runs an open-world fantasy adventure The Empty Chest - think Westworld, but with fantasy creatures. Still small, but growing is now in its fourth year.

Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Want to stay up-to-date on the latest #entrepreneur podcasts and news? Subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter

Dr. Ken Keis is President and CEO of Consulting Resource Group International, which has served thousands of companies, associations, industry groups, and leaders in over 30 countries. In the past 29 years, Ken has personally conducted more than 3,000 presentations and 10,000 hours of coaching and consulting. He is a highly sought-after author, speaker, trainer, podcast host, TV and media guest. His latest books include: Why Aren't You More Like Me?, Deliberate Leadership, and The Quest For Purpose.

Melanie Chin is the Brand & Community Manager for CIBC SQUARE, Toronto’s new international standard of community, providing an elevated environment for all to thrive through work, wellness and sustainability. Chin leads the marketing, communications, branding and programming direction for the development. Prior to joining Hines and the CIBC SQUARE team, Chin worked at Midway in Houston, TX, a real estate investment, development and management firm, as a Senior Marketing Coordinator managing the marketing programs for multiple developments. Throughout the years, Chin has worked with a number of global brands such as Kia, Nike, the NFL, and the Houston Rockets to create unique experiences. Melanie holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies from Wilfrid Laurier University.

Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Want to stay up-to-date on the latest #entrepreneur podcasts and news? Subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter

Vivian Liu stumbled into the auto industry via a marketing competition back in 2015, from there she suddenly found herself in rural BC managing and consulting dealerships in sales and marketing as a District Manager. 7 years later, she has managed over 80 dealerships from BC to all the way to Saskatchewan on behalf of General Motors. In her tenure at GM, she was responsible for growing the Cadillac brand in the province of BC as well as managing partnerships in Vancouver, such as the PNE, Vancouver Giants, and luxury car shows. Today, Vivian has found herself deeper into the auto industry, more than she has expected, an executive at an auto tech startup as well as founding her own, Mae or Making Auto Easy.

Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Want to stay up-to-date on the latest #entrepreneur podcasts and news? Subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter

Desirée Amanda Bombenon has over 30 years of business operational experience, and strategic leadership. Awarded Ernst & Young 2019 Entrepreneur of the year for the Prairies in Communication Technology, she is a bold innovator, futurist, and purpose driven leader. Her portfolio includes business strategy, social enterprise, and culture building. Desirée is an active member of a number of organizations including YPO (formally Young President’s Organization) and International Women’s Forum, and has chaired several industry boards and focus groups. She is a past director of the National Music Centre, is a past Chair of YPO Alberta Chapter, and a past Chair of YPO Canada Region. Desirée currently serves as Chair of the Governance & HR committee for the Calgary Chamber of Commerce, Chair of Governance, HR & Nominating committee for Children First Canada, and Vice Chair with CAMX, the Canadian Call Management Association. She also currently Chairs the YPO International Wine Network and is an Executive Committee member of the YPO Sustainable Business Network. She is a cohort for Singularity University and a Harvard Alumni for the Advanced Leadership Initiative 2017 Cohort. She is involved in mentorship programs in her community and through Women’s Executive Network. Desirée has earned her B Admin, CIAC Certification as a Strategic Leader, and is a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, and is currently enrolled in Queen’s University EMBA program through Smith School of Business.

Under Desirée's leadership SureCall has been recognized for numerous industry awards for service excellence, ethics, and integrity. The Centre for Economic and Leadership Development, in consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council, recognized Desirée as a transformational leader naming her "Champion of Sustainable Development" and honouring her with the ‘Enabler of Vision’ award at the 2017 UN Summit in New York.

Desirée has pivoted her company into a social enterprise and through the "GoodCall" program has established SureCall as a "purpose driven" organization. SureCall became a Certified Benefits corporation (B Corp) in April of 2019 and was named a ‘Best For the World’ Honouree in 2019, rounding out Desirée's vision of utilizing business as a Force for Good.

Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Want to stay up-to-date on the latest #entrepreneur podcasts and news? Subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter

Virginie Fisette, pour Tamélo boutique. Nous sommes établis à Montréal. Après mes études en art dramatique au Cégep Marie-Victorin, j'ai complété un certificat en Histoire de l'art à l'UQAM, puis on BAC en communication également à l'UQAM. Je me suis ensuite investi dans la mise en place du projet de centre d'art Le Livart à Montréal, j'y suis restée environ 3 ans à titre de directrice des opérations. À cette époque, ma soeur Mélodie et mon amie Tamara avaient lancé Tamélo Boutique et m'ont demandé de me joindre à l'aventure. Depuis maintenant 4 ans, je m'occupe notamment des communications (internes et externes), du marketing, de la publicité, des partenariats, collaborations et de toutes autres tâches connexes !

L’équipe de la Banque Silicon Valley au Canada peut vous aider à faire avancer vos idées audacieuses – rapidement.

En apportant une expertise mondiale aux fondateurs, investisseurs et innovateurs.

Visitez svb.com/fr/canada pour en savoir plus.

Les entrepreneurs sont l’épine dorsale de l’économie canadienne.

Pour soutenir les entreprises canadiennes, abonnez-vous à notre chaîne YouTube et suivez-nous sur Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn et Twitter.

Vous voulez rester au courant des derniers podcasts et actualités #entrepreneur? Abonnez-vous à notre newsletter bimensuelle.

Phil Bliss, Founder of Canada’s Podcast interviews Clive Kinross after receiving the Award November 26, 2024.

EY Entrepreneur Of The Year National Award winners:

Tobyn Sowden | Redbrick (Pacific)

Denis Jones | Deveraux Group of Companies (Prairies)

Clive Kinross | Propel Holdings (Ontario)

Hakan Uluer | The Bertossi Group (Atlantic)

Ken Harris | Plusgrade (Québec)

National Honouree Citations:

Jeff Dirks | KBL Environmental Ltd.

Terry Raymond | Fire & Flood Emergency Services Ltd. 

Mina Mekhail | Freshr Sustainable Technologies Inc.

The Canadian entrepreneurs in the EY Entrepreneurial Winning Women™ North America Class of 2024 and the EY Entrepreneurs Access Network Canadian Class of 2024 were also honoured at the awards show. These programs support high-potential women entrepreneurs and Black and Indigenous leaders by providing access to networks, advisors, learning and resources to help scale their businesses. All three entrepreneur programs are part of EY’s 30-year commitment to fostering entrepreneurship in Canada at every stage of the growth journey.

The 2024 National independent judging panel comprised Tania Clarke, Corporate Director; Andreea Crisan, President and CEO, ANDY Transport; Arlene Dickinson, General Partner, District Ventures Capital; Joanna Griffiths, Founder and President, Knix and Kt by Knix; Ashif Mawji, Managing Director, ScaleGood Fund LP; Kristi Miller, Managing Partner, Krystal Growth Partners; Imran Siddiqui, Managing Director, Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan.

This year’s program national sponsors are TSX Inc., Air Canada, The Printing House, The Globe and Mail and Hillberg & Berk.

Mélissa Lambert est une femme de tête et de convictions qui, ne trouvant pas le produit de ses rêves sur le marché, a décidé de lancer sa propre marque de sacs à dos et sacs à main. Avec plus de 10 ans d’expérience en communication et en gestion de marque, Mélissa a voulu se lancer un nouveau défi; celui de réinventer la mode du sac à dos. Étant convaincue qu'il est possible d'allier confort avec élégance, l’entrepreneur lance sa marque de sac en cuir végane, certifié Peta en 2017. Lambert est issu d’une histoire d’amour entre la maternité et l’envie de changer le monde, un achat consciencieux à la fois. C’est lorsqu’elle attendait son 3ème enfant que Mélissa eut l'idée de lancer son entreprise, avec le rêve d’un modèle d’affaires responsable, écologique et du slow fashion.

Vous voulez vous assurer que votre #smallbusiness est protégé en cas d'imprévu? Co-operators peut vous aider! Pour trouver un conseiller Co-operators et commencer dès aujourd'hui, allez à lp.cooperators.ca/canadapodcast

Les entrepreneurs sont l’épine dorsale de l’économie canadienne. Pour soutenir les entreprises canadiennes, abonnez-vous à notre chaîne YouTube et suivez-nous sur Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn et Twitter.

Vous voulez rester au courant des derniers podcasts et actualités #entrepreneur? Abonnez-vous à notre newsletter bimensuelle.

The Tattons are the co-founders of BReD, a B Corp-certified vegan sourdough bakery located in the premier ski and mountain bike resort of Whistler, BC, Canada. The bakery specializes in sourdough and vegan baked goods. Their new debut cookbook, also called BReD, is an homage to the Tattons' bakery and mission to inform and provide their community with cruelty-free food.

ED TATTON (he/him) is a professional chef who has been to culinary college and worked in high-end kitchens in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada, but now specializes in making organic naturally leavened sourdough. As co-owner of BReD–Organic Sourdough with his wife Natasha, Ed leads a small bakery team, making and baking bread, pizza dough, and other small baked goods. These days, Ed’s food is compassionately vegan, a movement he is passionately excited to be part of and help grow for the benefit of people, animals, and the planet.

NATASHA TATTON (she/her) is an English teacher turned bakery manager, animal rights advocate and co-founder of BReD–Organic Sourdough, a B Corp-certified 100% plant-based café/bakery in Whistler, BC. Natasha has taught English all over the world but now leads a small front-of-house team of cashiers and baristas. She has ventured into various food and beverage roles, nurturing her desire to establish a vegan eatery to provide more compassionate food choices for people.

The bakery specializes in sourdough loaves and sourdough cinnamon buns complete with house-made vegan cream cheeze frosting, and has many other sweet and savory vegan treats which are made using locally sourced, seasonal and organic ingredients. Everything is made in-house and baked fresh daily and served alongside their specialty beverage programme.

Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Want to stay up-to-date on the latest #entrepreneur podcasts and news? Subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter

The three university students from three different countries serendipitously crossed paths while working part-time at a local hardware store. Little did they know, their common interests for business, tech and sustainability would result in the launch of ALLPA Vertical Farms in 2019, a hydroponic microgreen company located in Calgary, Alberta. ALLPA is named after Mama Allpa, in South America’s Inca religion and empire, the goddess of the Earth and fertility, responsible for fruitful harvests. Their civilization was one of the first to grow vegetables in water and this inspired us deeply. They contribute to the local economy by buying their compostable containers and seeds from Canadian companies. The thing that really makes them unique is that every one of their microgreen packages has a donation built into it! They carry four products: Arugula, Radish, Sunflower and Broccoli.

Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Want to stay up-to-date on the latest #entrepreneur podcasts and news? Subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter

Lesley Dumlao is the Director of Engagement at Perceptible Group Inc., a marketing and technology agency based in Burlington, Ontario. Lesley leads Perceptible’s business development, client engagement, social media marketing, and is also a host on Canada’s Podcast in Toronto! She and her husband are business partners and part-owners of Perceptible Group Inc. Having grown up within an entrepreneurial family, Lesley always knew that she would end up starting her own business. She also is confident in the fact that entrepreneurs have a certain make-up that sets them apart– a higher tolerance for risk and innate creativity. Lesley holds a Bachelor of Applied Health Sciences from the University of Waterloo and a Project Management Certificate from Humber College. With education in Recreation and Project Management, she spent most of her career working in government sector roles, and took the leap into entrepreneurship only two years ago.

Welcome to FuturVille – Your Hub for Healthy Longevity and Sustainable Living

Who Are We? We are a for-profit company building a network of healthy longevity villages that plans to be in business for 100+ years where each of our stakeholders – residents, visitors, shareholders – will add minimum 10+ healthy years onto their life by actively up-leveling their quality of life, contribute and grow in a collective economy, and live, work and play in purpose-driven communities. 

Our Vision Everyone lives in vibrant villages, thriving with health and vitality, reaching age 100+ free from disease, embracing technology for good, and achieving remarkable environmental, social, and governance achievements, and measurable sustainable development goals.

Our Mission By 2035, develop, promote, and connect 1 million residents and 20 million visitors to healthy longevity experiences across 4,000 villages.

Website: https://futurville.com | Phone: 250-713-9409 | Email: alive@futurville.com https://www.youtube.com/ @futurville   https://www.instagram.com/futurville_ex/ https://x.com/FuturVille_eX https://www.facebook.com/FuturVille.Ex

DISCLAIMER This media is intended to inform Canada's Podcast audiences about development and engagement opportunities with VulcanVille, Canada's first Healthy Longevity Village in Alberta. Any interaction with Angela Faye, FuturVille, or affiliates is at the audience's discretion. The content is strictly promotional and does not represent an offer or solicitation.

----

Stay Connected with #CanadasPodcast!

Join our growing community of entrepreneurs across Canada! Don't miss out on inspiring interviews, expert insights, and the latest business trends from the people shaping the future of our economy.

👉 Subscribe to our YouTube channel for full episodes: https://www.youtube.com/c/canadaspodcast 🌐 Explore more on our website: https://canadaspodcast.com 📸 Follow behind-the-scenes on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/canadaspodcast 👍 Stay in the loop on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/canadaspodcast 🐦 Join the conversation on Twitter: https://twitter.com/canadaspodcast 💼 Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/canadas-podcast

💡 Want exclusive updates on the latest #entrepreneur podcasts and news? Make sure to subscribe and never miss a beat! Your support helps us continue bringing you the best stories from Canada’s top business leaders.

Payton Nyquvest is CEO of Numinus Wellness Inc., a leading, integrated mental health care company providing psychedelic-assisted therapies,, Payton has an incredible personal healing story to share about his journey with psychedelics and what led him on this new path of conscious leadership and making psychedelic therapy available and accessible for everyone. Numinus Wellness Inc. is a leading, integrated mental health care company providing psychedelic-assisted therapies, with 13 wellness clinics across North America, four clinical research sites and a bio-analytical research lab. Numinus is one of the top revenue-generating companies in the psychedelics sector, working to address a growing societal need by providing a wide range of proven and innovative therapies to treat and potentially cure mental health conditions. Numinus is the only company in Canada with permission from Health Canada to grow and extract pspsilocybin for research for anxiety, depression and PTSD.

Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Want to stay up-to-date on the latest #entrepreneur podcasts and news? Subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter

Megan Szanik is the owner, visionary, creator and proprietor of espy. With a career spanning more than 20 years in all realms of the fashion industry she has truly lived every fashionista’s dream. Megan’s vivacious and bold energy is hard to miss and she definitely knows how to make an entrance. Her ultimate desire alongside her team of professional stylists is to show you how amazing you look, and to make you truly feel your best, one styled outfit at a time. Standing at the helm of a multi-million dollar independently owned business, Megan and the stylish espy team have to date raised more than $500,000 for charitable causes close to their hearts, racked up thousands of followers on their social platforms, and proudly sold more than 60,000 pairs of jeans to their adoring retail fans.

Join Our Community of Canadian Entrepreneurs!

Entrepreneurs are the driving force behind Canada’s economy, and we’re here to support them every step of the way. For exclusive insights, tips, and success stories from Canada's top business leaders, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter.

Want to stay ahead with the latest #entrepreneur podcasts, business strategies, and news? Don’t miss out—subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter for updates delivered straight to your inbox! Join thousands of Canadian entrepreneurs who rely on us for the resources they need to succeed.

In this video interview, Cal Jungwirth, Director of Permanent Placement Services with Robert Half, discusses some new research indicating more than four in 10 professionals today are looking for a new job. He talks about the reasons for that and what companies need to do to attract and retain people.

PRESS RELEASE 

Despite an uncertain economy leading to less turnover in the labour market recently, the demand for skilled talent remains high, which is good news for the Canadian professionals looking for new opportunities. According to new Robert Half research, 42 per cent of workers have already started looking or plan to look for a new job in the first half of 2024, up slightly from 41 per cent in July 2023, but down from 50 per cent in December 2022.

Professionals Most Likely to Make a Move

Workers’ Main Motivators

With inflation and cost of living top of many people’s minds, it’s no surprise that salary is the largest motivating factor. When asked what would lead them to look for a new position, workers cited:

A higher salary (47%) More advancement opportunities (32%) Better perks and benefits (31%) A job with more flexibility (31%) What’s Making People Stay? 

Though slightly more professionals are seeking new roles compared to 6 months ago, the number is down from where it was a year ago. Some of the reasons behind this are:

Their current job offers a level of flexibility that they aren’t willing to lose (38%) They feel fulfilled in their current role (36%) They feel well compensated for their work (30%) Demand is High for Skilled Workers

Our research shows that over half (54 per cent) of hiring managers are actively seeking talent for new roles, mostly to support company growth, and organizations are primed to move ahead with strategic initiatives. However, competition for professionals with in-demand skills remains high. Most managers (64 per cent) say it takes longer to hire now than a year ago, and they risk losing skilled people to competitors if they don’t speed things up.

For more information about The Demand for Skilled Talent, visit our report here.

About the Research The online survey was developed by Robert Half and conducted by an independent research firm from October 27-November 17, 2023. It includes responses from more than 765 workers 18 and older in finance and accounting, technology, marketing and creative, legal, administrative and customer support, human resources, and other areas at companies with 20 or more employees in Canada.

Mario Toneguzzi is Managing Editor of Canada’s Podcast. He has more than 40 years of experience as a daily newspaper writer, columnist, and editor. He was named in 2021 as one of the Top 10 Business Journalists in the World by PR News – the only Canadian to make the list

About Us

Canada’s Podcast is the number one podcast in Canada for entrepreneurs and business owners. Established in 2016, the podcast network has interviewed over 600 Canadian entrepreneurs from coast-to-coast.

With hosts in each province, entrepreneurs have a local and national format to tell their stories, talk about their journey and provide inspiration for anyone starting their entrepreneurial journey and well- established founders.

The commitment to a grass roots approach has built a loyal audience on all our social channels and YouTube – 500,000+ lifetime YouTube views, 200,000 + audio downloads, 35,000 + average monthly social impressions, 10,000 + engaged social followers and 35,000 newsletter subscribers. Canada’s Podcast is proud to provide a local, national and international presence for Canadian entrepreneurs to build their brand and tell their story.

#business #CanadasNumberOnePodcastforEntrepreneurs #Employment #entrepreneurs #entrepreneurship #Jobs #Labour #smallbusiness

Josianne Lapierre (www.comptesrecevables.net), une femme axée sur le côté humain et la communication a toujours eu un faible pour le service à la clientèle. À la suite d’un imprévu, elle décide de se lancer dans le domaine du crédit. Pour bien faire les choses, elle s’entoure de personnel compétent et s’inscrit à de multiples formations afin de bâtir son entreprise. En amour avec son domaine d’activité, elle fera tout pour devenir la référence en gestion des comptes au Québec. Malgré les multiples embûches et les difficultés vécues par les femmes se lançant en affaires, Josianne se dévoue corps et âme afin de faire croître son entreprise afin d’offrir un service d’exception.

Les entrepreneurs sont l’épine dorsale de l’économie canadienne. Pour soutenir les entreprises canadiennes, abonnez-vous à notre chaîne YouTube et suivez-nous sur Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn et Twitter.

Vous voulez rester au courant des derniers podcasts et actualités #entrepreneurial? Abonnez-vous à notre newsletter bimensuelle.

Cynthia Lockrey is a changemaker + communications expert. She shifts people, teams, organizations and cultures to go from overwhelmed to clear and activated. Having worked in public relations for 25+ years, Cynthia is skilled at breaking down communications fundamentals into bite size and easy to implement pieces. She does this in her writing, communications consulting, speaking, training and coaching. While based on Vancouver Island, Cynthia works with individuals, non-profits, businesses and organizations from across North America. She is passionate about helping people share their stories and be heard.

Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Want to stay up-to-date on the latest #entrepreneur podcasts and news? Subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter

Alex MacGregor has worked as a professional in the oil and gas industry for over 10 years including eight years in energy technology. He was formerly the Canadian sales and distribution manager for Ambyint and prior to that worked as a consultant for Aucerna in their Canadian, Australian, and Houston offices. He holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Geological Engineering from the University of British Columbia.

Qube Technologies Inc. (Qube), a new Calgary-based technology company, uses artificial intelligence and low-cost, high-sensitivity sensors to continuously and autonomously measure a host of gases in real-time to detect the source and severity of emissions faster than traditional industry approaches.

Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Want to stay up-to-date on the latest #entrepreneur podcasts and news? Subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter.

Legend has it, Sean Hoff started out his career as a Banker but cast off to start Moniker, after being an attendee on a number of "President Club' trips and believing he could do it better. Fast forward several years, some amazing adventures around the globe, and a talent for creating magic from a blank canvas. Sean plays the role of creative devil's advocate, always asking "why not" and figuring out ways to squeeze in that little extra personality to create truly bucket-list worthy programs for their clients.

Visit www.ebay.ca/upandrunning to open your online shop.

Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

In this interview, Mark von Schellwitz, VP Western, Restaurants Canada, discusses how many restaurants in Canada are on the brink of closing because they can’t meet the repayment deadline of January 18 for the Canada Emergency Bank Account loan.

PRESS RELEASE

With just days remaining until the Federal Government enforces the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) loan repayment, Restaurants Canada is urgently calling for a last-minute extension to prevent the devastating consequences facing the food service industry.

Despite the best efforts made by Restaurants Canada, the Federal Government has declined to extend the CEBA loan repayment deadline of January 18th, 2024. This decision leaves our members, representing thousands of restaurants across the country, with limited options to avoid bankruptcy and recover from the ongoing financial challenges that arose during the pandemic.

A startling survey of the industry reveals that 1 in 5 restaurants with a CEBA loan are now on the brink of closing one or more of their locations.

The food service sector has been disproportionately affected by the pandemic lockdowns, enduring the longest lockdown period in North America, which has led to a significant accumulation of debt. Additionally, the foodservice industry operates on traditionally low profit margins, rendering it further vulnerable to external pressures.

Recovery in the food service industry has been painfully slow because of several factors beyond the control of restauranteurs, including record-high inflation, the rising cost of food, and labour shortages. We are not asking for a hand-out; we are asking for more time.

Currently, a staggering 53% of restaurants are operating at a loss or barely breaking even compared to 10% pre-pandemic, underscoring the obvious connection to this unique and devastating period in our industry and the urgent need for further support and assistance.

Kelly Higginson, President, and CEO of Restaurants Canada stated, “People understand that restaurants are part of our social fabric, they are gathering spots to celebrate life’s milestones and achievements and the place where friends come to reconnect.” Higginson continued, “Your favourite mom and pop restaurant and local gathering place is at risk. If what the industry is telling us comes to fruition, Canadian communities will lose something very special, simply because of an arbitrary deadline.”

Restaurants Canada strongly urges the Federal Government to reconsider their decision and provide an extension to the CEBA loan repayment deadline. Immediate action is essential to prevent further closures and ensure the long-term survival of this critical sector, which contributes significantly to the nation’s economy.

In the face of these challenges, Restaurants Canada stands firmly with our members and encourages them to visit our website at restaurantscanada.org for guidance on how to navigate this difficult period and learn about available resources.

Mario Toneguzzi is Managing Editor of Canada’s Podcast. He has more than 40 years of experience as a daily newspaper writer, columnist, and editor. He was named in 2021 as one of the Top 10 Business Journalists in the World by PR News – the only Canadian to make the list

About Us

Canada’s Podcast is the number one podcast in Canada for entrepreneurs and business owners. Established in 2016, the podcast network has interviewed over 600 Canadian entrepreneurs from coast-to-coast.

With hosts in each province, entrepreneurs have a local and national format to tell their stories, talk about their journey and provide inspiration for anyone starting their entrepreneurial journey and well- established founders.

The commitment to a grass roots approach has built a loyal audience on all our social channels and YouTube – 500,000+ lifetime YouTube views, 200,000 + audio downloads, 35,000 + average monthly social impressions, 10,000 + engaged social followers and 35,000 newsletter subscribers. Canada’s Podcast is proud to provide a local, national and international presence for Canadian entrepreneurs to build their brand and tell their story.

Gregory Rozdeba is advisor and co-founder of a Canadian fintech/insurtech startup, Dundas Life. Previously, he served as Director of Sales at another fintech firm where he took the company from no product to raising over $7M+ in funding and building out their sales team. He started budgeting at age 15 and has coached dozens of clients on saving, investing, & smart money tips. In his spare time, Gregory enjoys traveling (30+ countries), cycling, & has taken up an in-depth study of Ancient Rome.

Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Want to stay up-to-date on the latest #entrepreneur podcasts and news? Subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter

Tomas Romero is the co-founder of Romero Distilling Co. The largest rum producer in Canada making rum from scratch. Their product portfolio is comprised of international award-winning rums and pre-mixed cocktails. The rum is crafted in Calgary, AB with glacier fed water from the Canadian Rockies and Crosbys molasses.

Tomas along with his Dad, Diego Romero, started Romero Distilling Co. in 2018. Prior to starting the distillery, Tomas worked in both Construction and Oil and Gas. He has a B.Sc. from the University of Calgary and an MBA from Athabasca University. With products currently sold in Canada, the US and Europe, he looks forward to expanding their product portfolio with unique cask expressions and growing the company’s presence both domestically and abroad.

Join Our Community of Canadian Entrepreneurs!

Entrepreneurs are the driving force behind Canada’s economy, and we’re here to support them every step of the way. For exclusive insights, tips, and success stories from Canada's top business leaders, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter.

Want to stay ahead with the latest #entrepreneur podcasts, business strategies, and news? Don’t miss out—subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter for updates delivered straight to your inbox! Join thousands of Canadian entrepreneurs who rely on us for the resources they need to succeed.

A globally active strategist, executive coach, and board advisor, Alex Brueckmann partners with corporate leaders, entrepreneurs, and (small) business owners. He coaches them on designing intentional strategies with measurable impact, and on shaping cohesive teams able to implement strategy faster and more successfully (http://www.brueckmann.ca/)

Alex Brueckmann has been in the trenches as a strategy manager for a global media company, and later as a management consultant. His academic background is in General Management with degrees from EBS University (Germany) and Universidad ORT (Uruguay), as well as certificates from INSEAD (France) and Harvard Business School (USA). Today, he lives in Vancouver, Canada.

Clients include industry leaders in healthcare, finance, tech, engineering, and retail, as well as high-growth / late-stage startups, not-for-profits, and (E)NGOs. They value Alex’s hands-on approach of combining the strategic side of business and the human aspect of transformation.

This podcast is brought to you by Schneider Electric. Supporting Canadian businesses with innovative energy management and automation solutions. Schneider Electric…your digital partner for Sustainability and Efficiency. Click here to learn more.

Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Want to stay up-to-date on the latest #entrepreneur podcasts and news? Subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter

In this video interview, Samantha Villiard, Regional Vice President, RE/MAX Canada, discusses the real estate company’s latest luxury home market report.

Samantha Villiard

FULL PRESS RELEASE  TORONTO, April 2, 2024 /CNW/ — With the end of quantitative tightening in sight, luxury home-buying activity in most markets across the country are slowly shifting into high gear as buyers reap the benefits of softer housing values, according to a report released today by RE/MAX Canada.

RE/MAX Canada’s 2024 Spotlight on Luxury Report examined luxury home-buying activity in 10 markets across the country in the first two months of the year and found that, despite a disconnect between buyers looking for deals and sellers’ price expectations, almost all regions reported a strong start to the year. Ninety per cent of markets experienced an increase in high-end sales, with more than two-thirds recording double-digit growth. Saskatoon led the country in terms of percentage increases, with a 57-per-cent uptick in luxury home sales, followed by Montreal at almost 56 per cent and Calgary at 52 per cent. Edmonton posted a 32-per-cent increase in luxury sales year-over-year, while Winnipeg, Halifax, Toronto and London reported increases of 19.4 per cent, 16.7 per cent, 14.4 per cent, and 9.4 per cent respectively. Only Ottawa saw a decline compared to year-ago levels, with sales down nearly eight per cent.

“While figures remain off peak levels reported during Covid, the upswing in luxury sales signal a return to overall health in the country’s major centres,” according to RE/MAX Canada President Christopher Alexander. “The ripple effect is already underway, with stronger home-buying activity at lower price points pushing sales into the upper end. In some cities where inventory levels are particularly challenging at the lower end, multiple offers have returned with a vengeance. While that isn’t the case at the top end, pent-up demand does exist, and activity is gaining momentum.”

Lower overall values, strong equity gains and downward trending interest rates are supporting demand for luxury product including freehold and condominium properties in markets across the country. While a disconnect is somewhat hampering activity in larger markets, with sellers holding out for Covid-era values and buyers seeking bargains, those serious about making moves are finding common ground. An ample supply of product exists in most markets, although some neighbourhoods are experiencing exceptionally low inventory levels at sought-after price points. An influx of fresh, new properties in the spring will renew buyer interest and activity, but chronic supply issues will likely persist at the entry level to luxury.

“Equity continues to play a significant role in the marketplace, driving demand at the top end of the market,” explains Alexander. “Although overall gains have been elusive in recent years, a good percentage of buyers who purchased in 2018 and 2019 are well positioned to make their next moves. For example, in the Greater Toronto market, buyers who purchased homes at an average price in 2018 saw equity rise by almost 43 per cent by the end of 2023 ($787,842/$1,126,591). These buyers are coming to the table with a larger downstroke and reduced risk from a lending perspective.”

Luxury home-buying activity is also undergoing change as a younger demographic moves into the upper end of the market. Demand is strongest for newer, well-appointed homes in traditional hot pockets. Turnkey properties are most coveted, although there are some buyers that are willing to renovate. The desire for more space and less congestion is once again an emerging trend, as acreage properties boasting large homes in suburban-rural or rural areas experience an upswing in popularity in London, Ottawa, Edmonton and Saskatoon. Building activity is also making a comeback, with new construction and infill on the rise in half of all markets examined.

Some luxury buyers looking to expand their purchasing power are moving over into markets such as London (drawing buyers from the Greater Toronto Area), Halifax, Calgary, Edmonton and Saskatoon (drawing buyers from Ontario and British Columbia). However, activity among foreign buyers has fallen dramatically since the introduction of the Foreign Buyer Ban by the Federal Government in January 2023, which it extended through to early 2027. The impact has been palpable in the uber-luxe segment of major markets, such as Metro Vancouver and Toronto, as well as the condominium market in the City of Montreal.

“While the idea of a Foreign Buyer Ban sounds good in principle, it makes less sense in practice,” says Alexander. “The ban was originally intended to make a greater number of properties available to Canadians and reduce upward pressure on housing values. The Bank of Canada’s 10 rate hikes were all that was needed to achieve that objective, all the while supply remains at historical lows.”

Condominiums have been a popular option this year, despite single-detached homes comprising the lion’s share of luxury sales. Condo activity was strongest in Metro Vancouver, where sales climbed close to 70 per cent in the first two months of the year (27 versus 16). Solid condominium activity at the high-end price points was also reported in London, fuelled by empty nesters and retirees, and in Ottawa and Montreal. Halifax, which has limited condo product in the top end, has already recorded four sales to date. Some baby boomers in Saskatoon are also opting to downsize from larger homes in high demand areas to newer luxury condominiums in the core.

“Buyer enthusiasm is evident as the spring market ramps up,” says Alexander. “Yet, despite the uptick, we’re still seeing some factors constraining sales at luxury price points. Most significant is the tax implications at the uber-luxe levels, which have been weighing down the segment, particularly in the Greater Toronto Area.”

On the sale of a $4 million home in Vancouver, for example, buyers will pay $90,000 in land transfer taxes. On the sale of a property of similar value in the City of Toronto, land transfer taxes will set buyers back close to $183,000. While sale under $7.5 million remain surprisingly resilient, only one sale has occurred over that threshold (and it was not located in the City of Toronto). The adjustment to higher taxation levels has been slow, but it is being offset somewhat by pent-up demand, with some deciding they can only hold off for so long. Others, meanwhile, are reluctant to list their properties, impacting supply, or are choosing to renovate rather than take a substantial tax hit.

“Assuming a continuation of current economic fundamentals, momentum is set to climb at luxury price points from coast to coast,” says Alexander. “With recent inflation numbers coming in lower than expectations at 2.8 per cent, the possibility of further improvement in interest rates only strengthens growing optimism. Yet, there is an air of caution as the challenges of recent years remain fresh in the minds of buyers and sellers. Confidence is building, with the light at the end of the tunnel clearly visible. Demand is coming from a mix of high-income professionals/executives, retirees, empty-nesters, Gen X and millennials, newly landed immigrants, as well as large and multigenerational families – a good sign, as the diversity of buyers at the top end of the market today bodes well for its overall health in the future.”

HIGHLIGHTS

Condominium sales are up almost 70 per cent in Greater Vancouver. Multiple offers occurring in Calgary; some homes selling sight unseen. Some multiple offers are occurring in Saskatoon, although at the lower price points. This may filter upward in coming months. Alberta markets remain strong – Calgary and Edmonton have been bolstered by affordability, providing buyers with more bang for the buck. Double-digit sales growth was seen in two-thirds of markets (70 per cent or seven out of ten markets examined), including Halifax, Montreal, Toronto, Winnipeg, Calgary, Edmonton and Saskatoon. London is close behind with a 9.4-per-cent increase in top-end sales. The uber-luxe market has heated up significantly in Toronto, with a 77-per-cent jump in sales over $5 million (32 vs. 18), split evenly between the 416 and 905. On the west coast, demand for uber-luxe properties has fallen year-over-year, largely attributed to the Foreign Buyer Ban. Inventory in Toronto is tight in many hot-pocket areas, but values are being held in check for the most part, for now. MARKET-BY-MARKET OVERVIEW

METRO VANCOUVER

Although softer housing values and greater selection have bolstered sales of detached homes over $3 million in the luxury segment of the Metro Vancouver market in the first two months of the year, strata condominium sales have taken the lead in terms of percentage increases, with sales volumes up 68 per cent year-over-year.

Twenty-seven strata condo sales averaging $4 million were recorded between January 1 and February 29 of this year. In contrast, there were 16 sales during the same period in 2023, with an average price of $4.5 million. Just over half of 2024’s strata sales (14) occurred in Vancouver’s Westside, compared to 11 sales in 2023. Luxury condo buyers at the top end of the market have adjusted expectations, allowing them to sidestep higher interest rates by choosing smaller apartments rather than larger units in the city’s most coveted strata buildings.

While 2024 appears to be the year of the condominium, year-to-date sales of luxury detached properties in Metro Vancouver have climbed as well, rising almost three per cent in the first of two months of the year. One hundred and fifty-five detached homes changed hands over the $3 million price point so far this year, compared to 151 properties sold during the same period in 2023. Nearly half of those sales (74) occurred in the Westside, where the lion’s share of high-end activity occurs in communities, including Point Grey, Dunbar, Kerrisdale, Kitsilano, Kerrisdale and S.W. Marine Dr.

Demand for detached housing at uber-luxe levels has fallen this year in large part due to today’s high interest rate environment coupled with the Foreign Buyers Ban (implemented by the Canadian government in 2023 and extended until early in 2027). For every quarter point uptick in interest rates, a $50,000 increase in income is required. Those factors, combined with local municipal taxes, including a vacant home tax at two per cent of the total value of the property, and a hefty land transfer tax, have proven insurmountable. Just nine detached homes were sold over $6 million in the first two months of this year in Metro Vancouver, compared to 20 during the same period in 2023.

Evidence of the shift in the detached uber-luxe market appeared in the second half of 2023 but has accelerated in the first few months of 2024. Fewer buyers and an increase in the number of high-end detached properties listed for sale in Metro Vancouver has resulted in some downward pressure on values, as evidenced from the sales stats. However, many sellers are holding firm, rather than entertaining lowball offers.

Local buyers are the driving force in Vancouver’s housing market, but momentum has yet to reach the upper price points for detached housing. Long-anticipated cuts to interest rates are expected to breathe new life into the city’s luxury segment as the ripple effect moves through the overall market in the latter half of the year. Demand for both condominiums and detached homes at the top end is expected to improve, especially with rate cuts on the horizon, moving through 2024.

CALGARY

Calgary’s juggernaut real estate market continues to advance, with home-buying activity at the top end of the market climbing 52 per cent in the first two months of 2024. Seventy-six single family homes changed hands over $1.5 million between January 1 and February 29, up from 50 properties during the same period in 2023. Nearly 60 per cent of sales took place in February.

Considerable equity gains have allowed local homeowners to step up to larger homes organically in recent years, while luxury buyers from provinces such as British Columbia and Ontario are realizing their dollar stretches much further in the city. The vast majority of purchasers are active in the lower end of the luxury market, stimulating sales between $1.5 million and $2 million. Multiple offers are occurring, and some properties have sold sight unseen in recent weeks. Two-thirds of sales are taking place in Calgary’s inner city – including Mt. Royal, Elbow Park, Britannia and Belair – and in neighbourhoods on the periphery of the core such as the Westside, which offer a balance of accessibility and amenities. Communities on the city’s outskirts make up the remainder of sales, where the combination of the luxury lifestyle and acreage play a substantial role.

Ninety-five per cent of luxury sales are now taking place between $1.5 million and $3 million, with uber-luxe sales over the $4 million price point representing a smaller share of the market. Strong activity at the lower end is likely connected to the mortgage sliding scale and general affordability, with higher interest rates having a greater impact on momentum at the top end. Just over 190 properties are currently listed for sale over $1.5 million, which represents approximately 15 per cent of total inventory. There is a 4.9-month supply of luxury product, which is likely to increase slightly with the spring market just around the corner.

The city is on track for a record year of real estate activity in the high end, with any Bank of Canada cut to interest rates expected to encourage greater activity in the luxury segment. With an estimated 3,500 inter-provincial migrants arriving monthly, the pressure on the middle of the market, priced from $800,000 to $1.2 million, will promote spillover into higher price points, further enabling current homeowners to trade up with relative ease to more expensive homes.

EDMONTON

Edmonton’s luxury market continues to fire on all cylinders as both local buyers and those migrating from Ontario and British Columbia spark home-buying activity over the $1 million price point. Sales of high-end homes are up 32 per cent year over year, with 33 single-family and condominium properties sold between January and February of 2024, up from 25 sales during the same period one year earlier.

Detached homes in the $1 million to $1.5 million range remain the sweet spot in the market, with the vast majority of sales occurring between these price points. Demand has been greatest in infill core areas of South University, near the University of Alberta and the opposite side of the North Saskatchewan River, including neighbourhoods such as Crestwood, Laurier, and Glenora. The suburban outskirts have also experienced a surge in demand, given new construction in areas like Windemere and acreage properties offering homes with considerable square footage. Condominium sales, on the other hand, are fewer and farther between, with just two sales occurring this year, compared to three one year ago.

Large families, multi-generational families, professional athletes, and high-income professionals are behind the push for luxury product in Edmonton. Equity gains have played a role as prices have edged upwards in recent years. Downsizing, lateral moves, and life events have also prompted movement in the market.

The upward momentum in the high end is driven by in-migration and relative affordability, where buyers’ dollars stretch further. An adequate supply of homes is currently available for sale in Edmonton, with many new builds under construction. The landscape is also changing in many established neighbourhoods as tired, older homes are renovated, or if need be, demolished and replaced by custom builds as investors and builders move to meet the demands of today’s buyer.

Continued strength and growth are forecast for Edmonton’s luxury sector, where the high end represents approximately one per cent of total sales. There are 20 properties pending at present, which foreshadows the strength of the overall market heading into the spring. With lower interest rates on the horizon, there’s little doubt that Edmonton’s housing market will continue to thrive throughout the remainder of the year.

SASKATOON

Saskatoon’s luxury market is off to a strong start heading into the traditionally busy spring market. Sales of high-end homes over $700,000 are up 57 per cent in the first two months of the year, with 22 homes changing hands between January 1 to February 29, up from 14 during the same period in 2023.

A healthy economy and an influx of new Canadians and out-of-province buyers have buoyed home-buying activity in Saskatoon. Net international immigration to the province was just short of 30,000 in the first three quarters of 2023, according to Statistics Canada Quarterly Demographic estimates, provinces and territories: Interactive Dashboard. The strong demand for housing, coupled with a shortage of available properties, is placing strong upward pressure on pricing. Multiple offers are already occurring at lower price points – $350,000 to $500,000 – and threatening to spill over into higher-price ranges.

Seventy-nine properties are currently listed for sale over $700,000, with 14 conditional offers pending. New home builders are trying to make up for time lost during the pandemic, when soaring construction and labour costs stymied homebuilding activity. Prices for new construction now start at $600,000 in Saskatoon, with pressure building on existing housing stock. The greatest demand exists at luxury’s lower price points, between $700,000 and $800,000 at present, although that could rise in coming months as more sales push through higher price points.

Affordability has been drawing buyers from other provinces and there has been a significant increase in young professionals working in oil and gas, mining, and technology. Many are buying properties with small acreage on the outskirts of town where prices are affordable.

Equity gains have also played a role, helping local buyers to move up to the next level, particularly those in their late 20s and early 30, who tend to stay in the same neighbourhoods where they grew up. Many are choosing to renovate the older character homes on large lot sizes. Infill is on the rise in many established communities as empty nesters make lateral moves, trading larger lot sizes for newer homes with all the bells and whistles. Baby boomers are selling homes in desirable enclaves such as Caswell Hill, River Heights, Mayfair, Buena Vista, Mt. Royal, North Park, and the original homes along the South Saskatchewan River, and moving to some of the newer condominiums in the centre of the city or across the river in Nutana. The trend toward multi-generational living has also contributed to the uptick in luxury sales, with immigration helping to prop up this segment.

With Saskatchewan’s commodity-based economy expected to rebound, demand for homes in Saskatoon’s luxury segment is forecast to accelerate in 2024. GDP growth in the province is expected to be the second highest in the country in 2024 at 1.3 per cent, following on the heels of Alberta, according to the 2023-24 Mid-Year Report by the Government of Saskatchewan.

WINNIPEG

Affluent purchasers were strong out of the gate in Winnipeg’s luxury housing market, with sales up 19 per cent in the first two months of the year. Forty-three homes sold for over $750,000 between January and February of 2024, the most expensive of which topped $4 million, up from 36 sales during the same period last year.

While interest rates have proven challenging for many buyers, the downward trend in mortgage rates has provided some additional incentive for sidelined buyers to take advantage of lower housing values in advance of a Bank of Canada rate drop. Pent-up demand will likely play a significant role in the city housing market once rates fall, placing additional pressure on Winnipeg’s already tight inventory levels. Just 130 properties are currently listed for sale over $750,000.

Most high-end sales are occurring at entry-level price points, typically between $750,000 and $1 million. Most buyers are young professionals, but there are a growing number of multi-generational purchasers who are looking for larger homes that can accommodate several families. In the city’s older luxury enclaves, buyers are looking for dated properties with good bones that are ripe for renovation, allowing them to customize their homes and build value immediately.

Demand for infill product is on the upswing, with teardowns now occurring with greater frequency in Tuxedo and North River Heights, where older character homes situated on sprawling lot sizes are commonplace. While many buyers choose to work within the existing structure, custom home builders typically target homes that have been neglected and require a full gut. In some communities, builders are working with the city to sub-divide larger lots in line with the city’s commitment to increase density.

Depending on their price point, buyers are typically drawn to established communities in Tuxedo, North River Heights, and Victoria Crescent in Norberry, or newer communities in the south including South Pointe, Bridgwater and Sage Creek. These new developments, part of a 15-year development plan between local homebuilders and the Province of Manitoba, are now nearing completion. The average price for a new home in these sought-after communities is close to $1 million.

With affordability driving sales at the lower end of Winnipeg’s housing market, spillover is expected into higher price points in the months ahead. Many buyers are reluctant to place their homes up for sale too early, fearing that they will not be able to find their next home. Those on the fence are waiting patiently for the right listing to come along, and once it does, they will pounce.

LONDON

London’s housing market is off to a strong start overall with sales up almost 30 per cent in the first two months of the year. Multiple offers are occurring unabated between $400,000–$700,000, yet softer demand exists for luxury properties in the city. Fifty-eight properties have sold to date over $999,999, up 9.4 per cent from year-ago levels for the same period. Most luxury home sales occurred between $1 million and $1.3 million, with just 10 sales reported over the $1.3 million threshold, signifying some hesitancy at the high end. The exception to the rule is the rare uber-luxe property that offers acreage (two to 10 acres), a larger home, and a triple-car garage. Impeding activity at the luxury price point is a disconnect between buyers and sellers, with many sellers still listing properties at loftier 2021 values while buyers are looking for deals.

An ample supply of luxury homes is available for sale heading into the busy spring market, where sales of all homes, including freehold and condominium properties, are expected to see increased pressure as the ripple effect takes hold. London continues to experience an influx of buyers from other areas of the province, with the largest segment coming from the Greater Toronto Area. Drawn to the value proposition of the city’s residential real estate and its growing base, these affluent buyers are competing with local buyers at the mid-to-top end of the market. Most of the activity in the higher end is occurring in the Southwest (18 sales), where selection is greatest, and the Northwest (20 sales). The remaining sales are occurring on the outskirts of the city.

Retirees and upgrading millennials are responsible for the lion’s share of activity in the luxury segment, which represented 4.5 per cent of total sales (58/1,036) between January 1 and February 29. Most of the buyers in the city’s luxury market are seeking newer homes that are bolder architecturally, with most offering a modern twist, including an open concept, high ceilings, and all the usual bells and whistles. Older character homes in the city’s most prominent areas close to the university are also experiencing solid demand, but higher price points are proving challenging. Empty-nesters and retirees are opting for condominiums in close proximity to the city core. Many are willing to renovate older condominiums offering good square footage to their specifications.

Home-buying activity in London’s luxury segment is expected to heat up in coming months, with lending rates already reflecting the easing expected to impact overall interest rates in the months ahead. Momentum is anticipated to build as buyer’s move to realize homeownership before housing values climb beyond their reach.

GREATER TORONTO AREA

The Greater Toronto Area’s (GTA) luxury market has sprung back to life in the first two months of the year, with home sales over the $5 million price point leading the way. Thirty-two freehold and condominium properties changed hands between January 1 and February 29th, up 77 per cent from the 18 sales reported during the same period in 2023. Of the 32 properties sold over $5 million to date, 17 sales occurred in the 416, while 15 were located in the 905. While the new municipal land transfer tax on the luxury segment in the City of Toronto has had some effect on housing sales at the $3-million-plus price point, sales over $7.5 million have borne the brunt, with only one sale occurring over $7.5 million to date, compared to three during the first two months of 2023.

Overall luxury sales priced over $3 million are trending higher than year-ago levels, with 167 freehold and condominium properties sold between January and February, up more than 14 per cent from the 146 sales that were recorded during the same period last year. Demand is particularly strong between $3 million and $4 million for detached product, but activity in this range is largely hampered by fewer listings available for sale. Just 115 properties were available for sale between $3 million and $4 million in the central core heading into the traditionally busy spring market. Some communities were down to single-digit inventory levels, including Leaside (3); Cedarvale, Humewood, Forest Hill South, and Yonge-Eglinton (5); Banbury-Don Mills (7); the Beaches (4); and Stonegate-Queensway (5).

Realtors with interested buyers have been in constant contact with other realtors regarding upcoming listings in coveted hot pockets and heated price points. Inventory levels remain tight throughout the Greater Toronto Area, with few new listings coming to market at the top end. At least one-third of properties currently listed for sale over $10 million are carryovers from 2023. The disconnect between buyers and sellers remains an issue at luxury price points, where many sellers still expect their homes to fetch similar value to that of the Covid years. Buyers, particularly at uber-luxe levels, are submitting offers at 80 per cent on the dollar but quickly realize that high-end sellers are holding their ground in anticipation of a stronger luxury market down the road. Some areas are more impacted than others, with the Bridle Path in a world of its own, given that listings are especially scarce in the neighbourhood.

Some downsizing is also occurring in the market, with empty nesters and retirees making more lateral moves into luxury condominium apartments, townhomes, and new builds on smaller-sized lots in desirable neighbourhoods. Eleven condominiums have sold for more than $3 million in the first two months of the year, compared to 10 between January and February of 2023. Despite strong demand, new builds on small lots are few and far between.

Interest rates remain the greatest roadblock to homeownership at present, with many waiting on the sidelines for rate cuts. It’s anticipated that once rates start to fall, Toronto’s housing market will be exceptionally robust, with pent-up demand the driving force behind heated home-buying activity.

OTTAWA

While luxury home-buying activity in Ottawa was strong out of the gate, sales softened somewhat in February with affordability taking a backseat to inventory. Just 48 freehold properties priced over $1.2 million changed hands in the first two months of 2024, down over seven per cent when compared to the 52 sales that took place between January and February of 2023.

Fewer homes are listed for sale at the top end of the market this year, which has hampered sales activity to some extent. Less than 400 properties are currently available over $1.2 million, 30 per cent of which are priced over $2 million.

Equity has played a role in luxury sales this year, as existing homeowners seek to leverage gains against softer housing values. When combined with lending rates that are trending lower, buyers are finding that affordability has improved and what was once beyond their grasp is now attainable.

Buying patterns have also changed in the high end this year, given increased demand for detached properties that offer greater privacy and larger lot sizes. As a result, there have been more sales occurring in suburban-rural neighbourhoods, including Stittsville, Kanata, Riverside South, Greely, and Manotick. Demand for more traditional areas, such as McKellar Heights and Westboro, have experienced an uptick. Fewer sales have occurred in Ottawa’s coveted Golden Triangle.

Luxury condominiums have experienced a slight increase in sales over year-ago levels. Twelve properties were sold over the $800,000 price point in January and February of 2024, up from 10 during the same period in 2023. Condominiums continue to be a popular choice amongst young professionals and downsizing empty nesters and retirees who want to be in the city’s core. An ample supply of condominium apartments is available, with 39 properties currently listed for sale.

Heated home-buying activity at lower price points, characterized by strong demand and multiple offers, is expected to spill over into Ottawa’s luxury market in the second quarter of the year. While a bounce-back is anticipated in the top end, fuelled by lower lending rates and lower housing values, concerns in the civil service sector over the possibility of a federal election could serve to dampen buyer enthusiasm in the short term.

CITY OF MONTREAL

Strong activity early in the year has set the stage for a robust spring housing market in the City of Montreal’s luxury sector. Year-to-date (January 1 – February 29) sales priced over $2.5 million have increased 55 per cent, with 14 freehold and condominium properties changing hands so far this year, compared to nine during the same period in 2023.

As lending rates trend lower and consumer confidence levels climb, more buyers and sellers are expected to enter the top end of the market. While inventory is currently ample at higher price points, much of the existing supply has been carried over from 2023. That scenario is expected to change in coming weeks as sellers move to take advantage of the vibrant spring market. While some luxury buyers are still sitting on the fence, hoping values will fall, increased activity is expected to place upward pressure on pricing in the months ahead.

Pricing is key in today’s market, with local buyers more selective than in years past. Well-appointed homes are generating the greatest interest, especially when located in the city’s premier communities that have withstood the test of time – Westmount, Outremont and Hampstead. Younger buyers, looking for more funky architecture, tend to be drawn to areas like Plateau-Mont-Royal, Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie and Villeray, where modern renovations and custom builds are cropping up. New infill properties with the latest finishes, located in established older neighbourhoods have also drawn the attention of some high-end buyers.

While luxury condominiums sales are up over last year, the market has been somewhat affected by the Foreign Buyer Ban. Would-be buyers from France, the Middle East, and Asia have been shut out of the market in recent years, and the extension of the Federal government’s Foreign Buyer Ban to early 2027 has not helped. Evidence of the slowdown is most noticeable at the $800,000 to $1.3 million price point this year.

With the end of quantitative tightening by the Bank of Canada in sight, a much-improved housing market is expected to emerge in the City of Montreal. Sales are forecast to be especially brisk at the lower end of the luxury market, priced under the $1.4 million price point, where multiple offers are expected to be commonplace.

HALIFAX

Despite an overall flattening in residential real estate activity at luxury price points, sales of properties priced over $1.2 million in Halifax reported a 16 per cent increase in the first two months of the year. Fourteen sales occurred between January 1 and February 29, with 10 single-family homes and four condominium/townhomes changing hands, compared to 12 sales during the same period in 2023.

Local executives and newly-landed immigrants have been behind the push for high-end housing in Halifax this year. Some softening in values have contributed to the uptick in activity, with the average price of a luxury property sold in 2024 hovering at $1.56 million compared to $1.73 million one year ago. Halifax’s Peninsula area continues to draw the greatest number of buyers, with 50 per cent of sales occurring in the community to date. The area offers up a limited supply of stately character homes, some offering waterfront with riparian rights, in a picturesque setting within five minutes of the city core. While listings are scarce on the Peninsula, there are several properties in the area that offer potential for renovation where the money invested will usually provide a decent return upon sale. The remainder of sales activity is occurring in sought-after suburban neighbourhoods and on the outskirts of town where waterfront properties offering lake frontage are a popular choice. Newer, contemporary construction is cropping up in established older communities such as Bedford West, where modern homes are quickly snapped up.

An influx of listings early in the year has contributed to greater selection at the top end of the market for buyers but have held price appreciation in check for sellers. This is primarily due to strong upward momentum at lower price points which has pushed more properties into higher price points. As a result, many would-be trade-up buyers have been sidelined, especially at the $800,000 to $1.2 million price point. There are currently 78 properties listed for sale over the $1.2 million price point.

The economic impact of 10 rate hikes by the Bank of Canada in a relatively short period of time has affected a large percentage of local buyers, but falling lending rates are slowly drawing some back into the market at lower price points. On the cusp of the traditional spring market, the forecast is promising. Although the flurry of activity experienced during the Covid era is unlikely to repeat itself, the Halifax housing market is expected to ramp up in coming months.

About the RE/MAX Network As one of the leading global real estate franchisors, RE/MAX, LLC is a subsidiary of RE/MAX Holdings (NYSE: RMAX) with more than 140,000 agents in over 9,000 offices with a presence in more than 110 countries and territories. RE/MAX Canada refers to RE/MAX of Western Canada (1998), LLC, RE/MAX Ontario-Atlantic Canada, Inc., and RE/MAX Promotions, Inc., each of which are affiliates of RE/MAX, LLC. Nobody in the world sells more real estate than RE/MAX, as measured by residential transaction sides.

RE/MAX was founded in 1973 by Dave and Gail Liniger, with an innovative, entrepreneurial culture affording its agents and franchisees the flexibility to operate their businesses with great independence. RE/MAX agents have lived, worked and served in their local communities for decades, raising millions of dollars every year for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals® and other charities. To learn more about RE/MAX, to search home listings or find an agent in your community, please visit remax.ca. For the latest news from RE/MAX Canada, please visit blog.remax.ca.

Mario Toneguzzi

Mario Toneguzzi is Managing Editor of Canada’s Podcast. He has more than 40 years of experience as a daily newspaper writer, columnist, and editor. He was named in 2021 as one of the Top 10 Business Journalists in the World by PR News – the only Canadian to make the list. He was also named by RETHINK to its global list of Top Retail Experts 2024.

About Us

Canada’s Podcast is the number one podcast in Canada for entrepreneurs and business owners. Established in 2016, the podcast network has interviewed over 600 Canadian entrepreneurs from coast-to-coast.

With hosts in each province, entrepreneurs have a local and national format to tell their stories, talk about their journey and provide inspiration for anyone starting their entrepreneurial journey and well- established founders.

The commitment to a grass roots approach has built a loyal audience on all our social channels and YouTube – 500,000+ lifetime YouTube views, 200,000 + audio downloads, 35,000 + average monthly social impressions, 10,000 + engaged social followers and 35,000 newsletter subscribers. Canada’s Podcast is proud to provide a local, national and international presence for Canadian entrepreneurs to build their brand and tell their story.

businessCanada's Number One Podcast for EntrepreneursentrepreneursentrepreneurshipHomesHousingLuxuryReal Estatesmall business

Mark Tsemak is the owner of Red Square Bakery and Powerflax Holdings in Burnaby BC. He started the company in 1990 manufacturing Authentic Russian Food Products: That include piroshki, vareniki and others. 20 years ago he invented Diabetic Friendly Keto Powerflax Baking mix and started producing Keto Baked Products: breads, buns, waffles, cinnamon buns and much more. They currently produce over 140 products helping their clients to overcome autoimmune system disorders with our Keto Powerflax Healing Food Regimen.

Canada’s Trade Accelerator Program is presented by the World Trade Centre Vancouver. It gives BC-based businesses the training and support needed to become a successful exporter. Go to www.wtcvancouver.ca/tap and find out more.

Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Want to stay up-to-date on the latest #entrepreneur #podcasts and news? Subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter.

Traci Bateman's journey into wellness began at the age of 14, following the loss of her mother to breast cancer. This experience sparked a lifelong passion for living fully and helping others do the same. Traci pursued a degree in Economics from the University of Calgary, later studying Interior Architecture and Design at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. She has since become a certified Health and Life Coach, as well as a certified menopause coach.

Traci’s approach to life is driven by the belief in living fully, loving deeply, and embracing change. She has rebranded herself multiple times, from owning businesses in marketing and interior design to founding Bliss MediSpa & Integrated Wellness in 2012, a resort-style spa that combines wellness with rejuvenation. Her career is marked by a commitment to helping others achieve their best selves through her extensive knowledge, personal experiences, and ability to connect deeply with those she supports.

Traci’s work is rooted in a lifelong pursuit of healing the mind, body, and soul. Her journey has equipped her with the tools and insights to guide others toward a life of balance, fulfillment, and well-being.

Join Our Community of Canadian Entrepreneurs!

Entrepreneurs are the driving force behind Canada’s economy, and we’re here to support them every step of the way. For exclusive insights, tips, and success stories from Canada's top business leaders, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter.

Want to stay ahead with the latest #entrepreneur podcasts, business strategies, and news? Don’t miss out—subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter for updates delivered straight to your inbox! Join thousands of Canadian entrepreneurs who rely on us for the resources they need to succeed.

Entrepreneur depuis plus de 18 ans, Philippe Goulet est visionnaire et polyvalent. Soucieux du travail bien fait et des chiffres, c’est un homme d’action qui aime être au cœur des décisions.

Co-fondateur du Boucan Boucherie et Traiteur, il a occupé le poste de président de 2017 à 2022 avant de vendre ses actions pour se consacrer à son entreprise en pleine expansion, Biotero.

L’idée de l’entreprise Biotero a germé dans son esprit alors qu’il était propriétaire d’une entreprise de paysagement et d’entretien extérieur à Lac-Beauport.

Suite au moratoire interdisant les engrais et les pesticides près des bassins versants, ses clients lui demandaient une alternative pour leur pelouse. Après des recherches, il a découvert ce procédé bien connu en Europe et utilisé sur les terrains de golf. En voulant l’appliquer, il a réalisé que les coûts de production étaient très élevés donc très dispendieux pour le client. C’est ainsi qu’il a imaginé la machinerie nécessaire pour le concept Biotero, le seul joueur majeur dans le domaine du terreautage et de l’ensemencement dans la province de Québec

Sa plus grande force en affaires est la gestion de la production et le contrôle des ressources. Pour lui, l’efficacité est primordiale. Sa meilleure qualité humaine est sans aucun doute son naturel communicatif. Il a réussi à se construire un énorme réseau de gens d’affaires et d’intrants professionnels.

Les entrepreneurs sont l’épine dorsale de l’économie canadienne.

Pour soutenir les entreprises canadiennes, abonnez-vous à notre chaîne YouTube et suivez-nous sur Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn et Twitter.

Vous voulez rester au courant des derniers podcasts et actualités #entrepreneur? Abonnez-vous à notre newsletter bimensuelle.

Responsible for leading Edgewater Wireless, Andrew Skafel's broad strategic perspective comes from his work with both multinational equipment vendors and a number of start-up network operators. Andrew has significant multinational experience. He was based in Asia for seven years where he worked for Newbridge Networks/Alcatel; Silicon Valley-based, InterWAVE Communications and the Commercial Division of the Canadian High Commission (Malaysia). His roles included strategic marketing, international business development, and business planning. A proven telecom innovator and leader, Andrew founded an innovative GSM operator in Brasil, taking the project from concept to fundraising, license acquisition and launch phases. Mr. Skafel holds an MBA from INSEEC (Paris), a graduate diploma from the McRae Institute of International Management (Vancouver) and a BA in Economics & Politics from the University of Western Ontario.

Andrew is a Senior level international business development and strategic marketing executive with multi-faceted telecommunications experience. Demonstrated innovative and results-oriented approach to start-up and listed companies on both vendor and service provider aspects of the telecom industry.

Specialties: International business development; strategic marketing; telecommunications; data communications; contract negotiations; channel management; strategic planning; GSM; CDMA; IP; VoIP; hosted key systems

Benjamin Achache comes from the south of France. Growing up, it came naturally to respect his environment and everything in it. His career path led him to Canada where he was lucky to meet his partner, Arantza while looking for ways to improve our wellbeing. They discovered Marine Phytoplankton and this resulted in MARPHYL®️ Marine Phytoplankton, a line of products dedicated to Phytoplankton.

Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Want to stay up-to-date on the latest #entrepreneur podcasts and news? Subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter

Brian Kingston, Vice President of Business Council Canada speaks to Canada's Podcast about the issues business are dealing with as a result of COVID-19, government's response to the crisis and BCC's position & recommendations.

Alexandre Turbide, B.Eng, MBA, is the co-founder and CEO of BeatConnect where he coordinates and leads the marketing efforts, strategic planning, resource management, and other administrative tasks pertaining to the business, including orchestrating financing, building networks around the business, and working with the company’s legal counsels. Before becoming an entrepreneur, Alexandre worked as a product and program manager for both Aeroplan and Air Canada, and as a personalization strategist for CBC/Radio-Canada. After successfully completing one of the most ambitious single-sign-on consolidation projects in the airline industry at Air Canada and future-proofing the data acquisition model at CBC with initiatives across 15 digital products, Alexandre now focuses on leading BeatConnect through the startup phase and bringing the business to profitability.

Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Want to stay up-to-date on the latest #entrepreneur podcasts and news? Subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter

As an entrepreneur navigating significant life changes and milestones, Jacquie Verenka embarked on a transformative journey of healing and self-discovery. Through this process, she realized the vital importance of prioritizing self-care—a lesson that resonated deeply with many others she encountered along the way. Witnessing firsthand the struggles of those around her ignited a passion to create a space for healing and renewal. This inspiration led to the founding of JV Ventures Retreats, where she aims to provide others with the time and tools they need to reconnect with themselves and embark on their own journeys of growth. Through these retreats, she aims to foster a community of healing and transformation.

Her retreats are designed not only to foster personal growth and well-being among participants but also to create a positive impact in the community. She believes that meaningful transformation extends beyond individual experiences: by partnering with local charities and causes, Jacquie aims to Give Back and support those in need. Each retreat incorporates opportunities for participants to engage with and contribute to these initiatives, fostering a spirit of connection and shared purpose. Together, people can grow while uplifting their community.

Join Our Community of Canadian Entrepreneurs!

Entrepreneurs are the driving force behind Canada’s economy, and we’re here to support them every step of the way. For exclusive insights, tips, and success stories from Canada's top business leaders, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter.

Want to stay ahead with the latest #entrepreneur podcasts, business strategies, and news? Don’t miss out—subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter for updates delivered straight to your inbox! Join thousands of Canadian entrepreneurs who rely on us for the resources they need to succeed.

John Bromley is the Founder and CEO of Charitable Impact. After a decade of working in corporate finance and charity law, John founded Charitable Impact to transform how Canadians experience giving. John is a two-time TEDx speaker, Business In Vancouver’s Forty Under 40 winner and a proud father of two kids.

Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Want to stay up-to-date on the latest #entrepreneur podcasts and news? Subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter

Welcome to FuturVille – Your Hub for Healthy Longevity and Sustainable Living

Who Are We? We are a for-profit company building a network of healthy longevity villages that plans to be in business for 100+ years where each of our stakeholders – residents, visitors, shareholders – will add minimum 10+ healthy years onto their life by actively up-leveling their quality of life, contribute and grow in a collective economy, and live, work and play in purpose-driven communities. 

Our Vision Everyone lives in vibrant villages, thriving with health and vitality, reaching age 100+ free from disease, embracing technology for good, and achieving remarkable environmental, social, and governance achievements, and measurable sustainable development goals.

Our Mission By 2035, develop, promote, and connect 1 million residents and 20 million visitors to healthy longevity experiences across 4,000 villages.

Website: https://futurville.com

Phone: 250-713-9409

Email: alive@futurville.com

https://www.youtube.com/ @futurville  

https://www.instagram.com/futurville_ex/

https://x.com/FuturVille_eX

https://www.facebook.com/FuturVille.Ex ----

Stay Connected with #CanadasPodcast!

Join our growing community of entrepreneurs across Canada! Don't miss out on inspiring interviews, expert insights, and the latest business trends from the people shaping the future of our economy.

👉 Subscribe to our YouTube channel for full episodes: https://www.youtube.com/c/canadaspodcast 🌐 Explore more on our website: https://canadaspodcast.com 📸 Follow behind-the-scenes on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/canadaspodcast 👍 Stay in the loop on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/canadaspodcast 🐦 Join the conversation on Twitter: https://twitter.com/canadaspodcast 💼 Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/canadas-podcast

💡 Want exclusive updates on the latest #entrepreneur podcasts and news? Make sure to subscribe and never miss a beat! Your support helps us continue bringing you the best stories from Canada’s top business leaders.

David J. Greer is an entrepreneurial coach, author, and professional speaker (coachdjgreer.com). He is the catalyst who gets you to fully live your dreams now. Spend one hour reading his book Wind In Your Sails, attend a one hour talk with him, or get one hour of 1-to-1 coaching and you will have 3 concrete action items that will shift and accelerate your business within 90 days. David and his wife Karalee are committed to each other and their three children, spending time supporting them in the many and varied activities they are involved with. They live in Vancouver, Canada.

Lewis Vandervalk (www.lewisvandervalk.com) is a serial entrepreneur located in New Brunswick, Canada. With a background in construction and trades and a degree in mechanical engineering, Lewis started a business doing digital marketing for contractors in 2019. With no formal business or sales experience, he has ridden the roller coaster of business and personal development and surrounded himself with coaches and mentors who have helped him grow and develop. Currently, Lewis is the owner of Blue Crocus Solutions, a digital marketing company providing web design, SEO, and Google ads to contractors. As well, in May of 2021, he partnered with and helped grow a local junk removal company using these results-driven marketing tactics.

Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Want to stay up-to-date on the latest #entrepreneur podcasts and news? Subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter

David Lucatch is Co-Founder and Director of Kabn Systems. David has a long entrepreneurial career and provides some great insights. David started his career during the emergence of desktop publishing in the mid 1980’s and as an early Internet adopter, David has spent more than 35 years inventing technology and business solutions in the international marketing arena and over 20 years of that developing Internet and mobile based platforms and taking them to market. David has held senior management posts and directorships at both private and public media and technology firms. Throughout his business career David has been an active supporter of numerous organizations and has been recognized and awarded internationally for his fundraising activities and dedication to service and community support activities.

Eno Eka is a highly accomplished business analyst and consultant based in Calgary, Alberta, who has made significant contributions in helping professionals and immigrants kick-start their careers. With more than 100,000 professionals from over 90 countries benefiting from her career coaching and keynote speaking, she is widely recognized as an award-winning career coach and mentor.

Eno Eka's expertise in business analysis extends to her role as a content developer and course instructor at the University of Manitoba, where she develops and teaches courses on the subject. Her passion for business analysis led her to establish the Business Analysis School, where she helps professionals harness their skills in the field to secure lucrative 6-figure jobs. Additionally, Eno is the CEO of Eny Consulting Inc., where she helps businesses optimize their performance and achieve their revenue goals through the effective use of digital technology. Eno's dedication to the field of business analysis and her commitment to helping professionals and businesses succeed have established her as a respected leader and authority in the industry.

In just six years since arriving in Canada, Eno has touched the lives of thousands of immigrants, curating mentorship and coaching programs that have earned her global recognition and awards. She is a dedicated volunteer and sits on the Board of the IIBA Calgary Chapter as Director of Education, and also volunteers at several non-profit organizations such as the Calgary Region Immigrant Employment Council (CRIEC), Calgary Dream Centre, and the Calgary Drop-in Centre.

Eno is also the host of the Fireside Chat with Eno Livestream Podcast, where she shares valuable insights on job search tips and strategies for new immigrants. She is a Giving Back Sponsor for the Women in Need Society (WINS), and a Campaign Ambassador for the United Nations and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

Her remarkable awards and achievements speak for themselves, including Forbes 30 under 30 nominees 2020, Education Category; Alberta Top 30 under 30 recipients 2021; Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100 award Winner 2022; RBC Women of Influence 2020 Award Recipient; and Top 100 Black Women to Watch in Canada 2020 Award Recipient, among others. She was also a Finalist for the RBC Top 75 Canadian Immigrant Awards 2020, Alberta Women Entrepreneurs Nominee 2021, and a Women Empowerment Awards and Women of Impact Awards Nominee in 2022. Additionally, she was a Tällberg/Eliasson Global Leadership Prize Nominee in 2020 and a Black Entrepreneur of the year Finalist in 2022.

Eno's exceptional contributions to the industry have earned her recognition as one of the Top 8 Female Business Analysis Influencers to Watch in 2021, and she is also an IIBA Global Corporate Member and an IIBA Endorsed Education Provider for all IIBA certifications. Her dedication to her profession and to helping others is evident in her numerous achievements, and she continues to inspire and impact the lives of professionals and immigrants alike.

Join Our Community of Canadian Entrepreneurs!

Entrepreneurs are the driving force behind Canada’s economy, and we’re here to support them every step of the way. For exclusive insights, tips, and success stories from Canada's top business leaders, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter.

Want to stay ahead with the latest #entrepreneur podcasts, business strategies, and news? Don’t miss out—subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter for updates delivered straight to your inbox! Join thousands of Canadian entrepreneurs who rely on us for the resources they need to succeed.

Embarking on a remarkable journey in the realm of B2B along with B2C sales and marketing, Tony Scaffeo has dedicated more than 30 years to mastering the intricacies of sales processes, training, and management.

His career, marked by significant milestones, began with a stellar performance at Soundsaround Inc., a prominent consumer electronics retail chain based in Calgary.

As Vice President Tony distinguished himself as a top-notch revenue generator, outperforming competitors across Canada and significantly contributing to Soundsaround's growth witnessed an exponential increase in annual sales, soaring from $5 million to a staggering $50 million.

Tony's innovative approach led to the creation of the iconic "12-hour Liquidation Sale," a landmark event in Canadian retail history.

This event alone generated a breathtaking $4 million in sales from a single location in just one day, setting a national record.

Join Our Community of Canadian Entrepreneurs!

Entrepreneurs are the driving force behind Canada’s economy, and we’re here to support them every step of the way. For exclusive insights, tips, and success stories from Canada's top business leaders, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter.

Want to stay ahead with the latest #entrepreneur podcasts, business strategies, and news? Don’t miss out—subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter for updates delivered straight to your inbox! Join thousands of Canadian entrepreneurs who rely on us for the resources they need to succeed.

Dr. Emeka Nzekwu is CEO and Founder of Nation's Vision, a grassroots portable optometry clinic based out of Calgary Alberta. He believes in accessible, affordable, and equitable eye care for all. Nation's Vision serves the general public and local priority populations. They have partnerships with senior homes, post-secondary institutions, immigration programs and drop-in centres to serve its community's vision!

Shape your future in #Lethbridge. Bold. Vibrant. Technological. The bright, affordable choice for business builders. Grow now at https://entrepreneur.chooselethbridge.ca

Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Want to stay up-to-date on the latest #entrepreneur #podcasts and news? Subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter.

Frank Lonardelli is a "serial entrepreneur" who has been investing and developing Real Estate since he was 25 years old and built and sold two of his former companies to public entities by age 35.

Since launching ASI as his full-time focus in 2012, the company has amassed over $1 billion dollars in commercial real estate development assets and has attracted dozens of articles written about its successful strategy and projects from both regional and nationally recognized business and industry publications.

ASI owns some of the most high-profile development sites on and around Calgary’s 17th avenue corridor. ASI’s focus is the development of "Live, Work and Play" projects within these urban areas.

Committed to innovation, strategic thinking, transparency, accountability and performance, ASI has become a respected and sought-after real estate company. Winning multiple awards including the PCMA Commercial Real Estate Deal of the Year, Frank has also been recognized as one of Alberta’s 2016 Business Leaders of the Year and was recently named as an EY 2016 Entrepreneur of the Year Finalist.

ASI creates projects which generate significantly higher returns than traditional Real Estate investment options. The company exclusively raises private equity from their growing list of accredited investors, family offices and institutional investment houses.

Frank’s proudest achievement to date is the launch of the Arlington Street Foundation Scholarship Program in 2009. He intends to expand the program nationally within the next 5 years.

Frank is a graduate of the University of Winnipeg with a major in Political Sciences and has completed the Executive Master’s Program through the Sloan School of Management.

Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Want to stay up-to-date on the latest #entrepreneur podcasts and news? Subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter

Marcia Harris is the owner of Mini Monet Art. She's an accomplished Canadian painter and artist. Educated at the University of British Columbia Okanagan, Marcia specializes in landscapes, urbanscapes and portraits. Marcia's works are nationally recognized and have been shown by numerous galleries throughout Western Canada. Marcia has two children and teaches art avidly to both kids and adults alike.

Shape your future in #Lethbridge. Bold. Vibrant. Technological. The bright, affordable choice for business builders. Grow now at https://entrepreneur.chooselethbridge.ca

Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Want to stay up-to-date on the latest #entrepreneur #podcasts and news? Subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter.

Chelene Knight lives and writes in Vancouver. She has published essays in the Globe and Mail, The Toronto Star, and in various Canadian and American literary magazines. Chelene’s work appears in many anthologies including Making Room, Love Me True, Sustenance, The Summer Book, and Black Writers Matter. Chelene‘s literary career includes being managing editor at Room magazine, the Programming Director for the Growing Room Festival, and CEO of #LearnWritingEssentials

Visit www.ebay.ca/upandrunning by August 22nd.

In this video interview, Emily Gardner,  Vice President, Consumer Products, Spring Financial, discusses the trend in 'loud budgeting."

Less than half of Canadians currently keep up a budget, but TikTok’s latest personal finance trend, “loud budgeting,” could change that. The trend is reshaping the narrative around money conversations by encouraging people to be more vocal about their finances and prioritize smart financial decision-making.

Gardner believes the “loud budgeting” trend is a step in the right direction for social media finance tips.

According to RBC data, 40% of Canadian Gen Z report learning about money tips from at least one social media platform. As a result, viral trends can have a huge impact on young people's finances. 

#business #money #finances #budgeting #smallbusiness #entrepreneurs #entrepreneurship 

Mario Toneguzzi is Managing Editor of Canada’s Podcast. He has more than 40 years of experience as a daily newspaper writer, columnist, and editor. He was named in 2021 as one of the Top 10 Business Journalists in the World by PR News – the only Canadian to make the list

Entrepreneur et visionnaire technologique, Jean-Michel Lebeau se motive jour après jour à trouver comment repousser les limites du possible à travers la créativité et l’innovation. Fondateur de Cortex en 2009, il occupe désormais le poste de VP Exécutif chez nventive ; une firme de développement multiplateforme et de conseil en transformation numérique qui dispose d’un campus à Québec et à Montréal. Le jeune exécutif de 32 ans gravite dans l’industrie technologique depuis plus de 15 ans, ayant livré plusieurs centaines de projets numériques à travers le monde. Son parcours impressionnant d’entrepreneur à succès lui a valu d’être couronné « Jeune Personnalité d’affaires » en technologies par la JCCQ et « 30 Sous 30 » par Les Affaires et Infopresse. L’entrepreneur fasciné par la création d’impact cherche toujours à se perfectionner tout en essayant, lentement mais sûrement, de bâtir un monde meilleur.

Brad Warren is the CEO and Founder of Our Invisible Empire, a company dedicated to assisting entrepreneurs and small businesses. His passion revolves around helping entrepreneurs surmount challenges, with a strong belief that solutions can be found for almost any business problem. Brad's leadership principles emphasize self-awareness, working diligently, remaining adaptable, and executing consistently!

In Brad's own words, Our Invisible Empire is on a mission to "keep as many small businesses alive as possible, so that all of our kids aren't working for Amazon in 20 years from now!" Brad and his team embarked on this journey starting out in a pandemic and a recession, with a clear objective of simplifying the path for struggling business owners and emerging entrepreneurs.

Brad's own personal journey highlights his dedication to entrepreneurship and business support. He began his career with an opportunity to transition from hands-on work to a management role at a young age, working closely with his mentor, the founder of a retail service business, for nearly a decade. This experience exposed him to various aspects of business, from sales and operational management to financial data tracking, forecasting, marketing, and scaling. As the company expanded across different cities and provinces, Brad's role grew, eventually leading to his position as a shareholder and General Manager, with scaling and expansion becoming his passion.

Brad's path took a significant turn when he partnered with his wife, who is a CPA accountant and Founder of White Raven Accounting. Recognizing the combined breadth of their expertise in small business needs, they established Our Invisible Empire. Their motivation is evident — to create opportunities and support small businesses in Alberta's competitive market.

Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Want to stay up-to-date on the latest #entrepreneur podcasts and news? Subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter

Adam Niman has been selling life insurance for more than a decade, and as a result, he is committed to ensuring everyone understands that the insurance policies sold, the buyer's expectations of the policies, and the reality of what the buyer is getting, don't always match up. He is committed to building trust and educating Canadians because he believes that truth and transparency matters. His newest book, "Fortune or Fiction: Why the ‘Be Your Own Banker’ concept is flawed" is available now.

Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Want to stay up-to-date on the latest #entrepreneur podcasts and news? Subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter

In this video interview, Paul Cataford, Executive Director, Business Link, discusses the new pilot Mentor Program which aims to support grassroots small businesses.

PRESS RELEASE

CALGARY (January 15, 2024) – Business Link, a provincial support organization for entrepreneurs, has officially launched its pilot Mentor Program. This free mentorship initiative is designed to support grassroots small businesses, including retailers, mom-and-pop shops, consultants, and sole proprietors in Alberta. It’s especially well-suited for Indigenous and newcomer entrepreneurs in Alberta, providing a welcoming space for diverse business ideas and cultures. The program connects aspiring business owners with experienced entrepreneurs, facilitating a dynamic and non-judgmental exchange of expertise and insights.

Uniquely, this program operates like “speed dating for entrepreneurs,” offering flexible mentor-mentee matching. This process ensures that each mentee is paired with a mentor whose expertise and experience align closely with the mentee’s business needs and goals. There is also the option to switch mentors if desired, ensuring the most beneficial and comfortable partnership for both parties.

The program kicks off with an initial 30-minute intake meeting, allowing mentors and mentees to establish their objectives and discuss potential challenges. This is followed by a focused 90-minute session, aimed at developing strategies to tackle these challenges and set the path for future success. From there mentees and mentors have three distinct paths to choose from: formalizing their relationship through regular meetings, opting for a more flexible approach with informal interactions, or continuing to access Business Link’s resources and events if immediate challenges are resolved.

“Starting a business can be overwhelming. Our Mentor Program ensures that budding entrepreneurs don’t have to navigate this path alone,” says executive director, Paul Cataford. “Our goal is to create a supportive environment where new business owners can develop and grow with the guidance of those who have experience and valuable advice.”

To be eligible for this pilot program, businesses must be Alberta-based and in operation for less than a year or in the initial stages of developing a business plan. Business Link is also calling on experienced entrepreneurs to join as mentors. This role offers a chance for established business owners to share their knowledge, guide new entrepreneurs, and to help strengthen Alberta’s small business community.

In addition to the mentorship sessions, Business Link provides an array of resource materials and educational content to enhance the experience for both mentors and mentees. The program also lays a foundation for ongoing professional relationships, encouraging participants to maintain their connections beyond the program’s duration.

As a pilot initiative, the Business Link Mentor Program is dedicated to testing and refining effective support strategies for new entrepreneurs. This approach ensures that the program is responsive to the evolving needs of Alberta’s small business community.

For more information on the Mentor Program or to register, please visit https://businesslink.ca/programs/mentor-program/.

About Business Link

Business Link, a non-profit organization established in 1996, is dedicated to nurturing the growth and success of Alberta’s small businesses. As a cornerstone in the entrepreneurial community, Business Link offers comprehensive support services to early-stage and small business entrepreneurs including personalized coaching, market research, educational programs, online resources, networking opportunities, and targeted referrals. Notably, Business Link’s commitment extends to tailored assistance for Indigenous and immigrant entrepreneurs. In recent years, the organization has broadened services to encompass digital support programs, catering to the evolving needs of modern businesses.

Mario Toneguzzi is Managing Editor of Canada’s Podcast. He has more than 40 years of experience as a daily newspaper writer, columnist, and editor. He was named in 2021 as one of the Top 10 Business Journalists in the World by PR News – the only Canadian to make the list

About Us

Canada’s Podcast is the number one podcast in Canada for entrepreneurs and business owners. Established in 2016, the podcast network has interviewed over 600 Canadian entrepreneurs from coast-to-coast.

With hosts in each province, entrepreneurs have a local and national format to tell their stories, talk about their journey and provide inspiration for anyone starting their entrepreneurial journey and well- established founders.

The commitment to a grass roots approach has built a loyal audience on all our social channels and YouTube – 500,000+ lifetime YouTube views, 200,000 + audio downloads, 35,000 + average monthly social impressions, 10,000 + engaged social followers and 35,000 newsletter subscribers. Canada’s Podcast is proud to provide a local, national and international presence for Canadian entrepreneurs to build their brand and tell their story. #Alberta #business #CanadasNumberOnePodcastforEntrepreneurs #entrepreneurs #entrepreneurship #small business

Marie Chevrier, is the Founder and CEO of Sampler, the leading platform helping brands like L'Oréal and Nestlé deliver samples online and gather the insight they need to build one-to-one relationships with their customers. Sampler has reached over 50 million consumers globally in 24 different countries and its most notable clients include CPG industry giants Unilever, Pepsi, and Henkel. Marie is also a dedicated advisor to Technology and CPG startups including ScoutCanning, member of the RetailTomorrow advisory board, and Co-Founder of RetailTO – a community dedicated to growing and strengthening Toronto’s Retail ecosystem.

Click here to download a free copy of the BDC report on entrepreneur mental health and well-being.

Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Want to stay up-to-date on the latest #entrepreneurial podcasts and news? Subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter.

In this video interview, Ben McCabe, personal finance expert and CEO/Founder of Bloom Finance, discusses the results of a new survey indicating 67 per cent of Canadian homeowners over the age of 55 are concerned that their savings may not suffice to sustain their quality of life through retirement due to the increasing cost of living across Canada.

PRESS RELEASE TORONTO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Today, Bloom Finance Company Ltd. (“Bloom”) is excited to introduce an innovative payment card designed for Canadian homeowners aged 55 and above, enabling them to access their home equity in micro-sized, responsible increments each month. By enabling micro equity access on an as-needed basis, this first-of-its-kind card provides a sustainable solution to homeowners navigating financial challenges in retirement.

The Bloom Home Equity Prepaid Mastercard addresses the pressing need for innovation within the financial landscape for Canadians 55+, particularly in meeting the unique requirements of Canadian retirees who own their homes. A recent report conducted by Bloom among members of the Angus Reid Forum revealed that 67 per cent of Canadian homeowners over the age of 55 are concerned that their savings may not suffice to sustain their quality of life through retirement due to the increasing cost of living across Canada.

With three-quarters of Canadian retirees owning their homes, Bloom aims to empower this demographic to enhance their quality of life and withstand financial adversities triggered by inflation and the escalating cost of living.

Additional findings from the survey include:

Nearly half (46 per cent) of Canadian homeowners over the age of 55 are considering taking on part-time work during retirement to combat inflation and the rising cost of living. Only 29 per cent of Canadian homeowners above 55 years of age are considering downsizing or alternative living situations to access their home equity earlier than expected. 6-out-of-10 (59%) Canadian homeowners aged 55 and above agreed that accessing micro-amounts of their home’s equity would significantly help maintain their desired living standard. The Bloom Home Equity Prepaid Mastercard functions like any other payment card at the point of sale, in-store or online. However, with no required monthly payments, it acts as an addition to clients’ spending power. Leveraging Bloom’s unique home equity release structure, the card comes with no monthly bill, and amounts spent by clients do not need to be repaid until they pass away or choose to sell their home in the future. Bloom works with clients to establish sustainable monthly spending limits, promoting responsible home equity access over the long term.

“The launch of our Bloom Home Equity Prepaid Mastercard underscores our commitment to providing innovative financial solutions for Canadian retirees,” said Ben McCabe, Founder & CEO of Bloom. “In today’s economic climate, older homeowners are facing unprecedented challenges. Our mission is to provide them with a responsible and sustainable means of accessing the wealth they’ve accumulated, to live more comfortably in their latter decades of life.”

“Our clients have been clear that the ability to unlock their home equity when, where and in the quantities they need, is important to them,” explains Hasan Nizami, Head of Product at Bloom. “We’re proud to have developed a product that enables just that, assisting a demographic that historically lacked financial services innovation in Canada and globally.”

Bloom is pleased to have partnered with embedded payments firm Berkeley Payment Solutions Inc. on this innovative fintech-backed solution for Canadian homeowners. CEO of Berkeley, Lawrence Tepperman added, “Bloom is doing something really special in Canada and we are honoured to be a part of it.”

The launch of the Bloom Home Equity Prepaid Mastercard marks a significant milestone in Bloom’s mission to revolutionize the market for financial solutions for older Canadians. Available initially in Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia, the Bloom Home Equity Prepaid Mastercard will redefine how retirees manage their finances in the face of economic uncertainty.

For more information on the Bloom Home Equity Prepaid Mastercard and Bloom, visit www.bloomcard.ca.

About Bloom Finance Ltd.

Bloom is a leading Canadian fintech company dedicated to assisting homeowners aged 55 and above in accessing the wealth accumulated in their homes to enjoy more comfortable retirements. Through the integration of cutting-edge technology and innovative product delivery, the company is reshaping home equity access to be adaptable, enduring, and user-friendly. Bloom’s overarching mission is to alleviate financial stress among retired homeowners, enabling them to relish the golden years of their lives. Licensed in ON:13338, BC:MBX600455 and AB. Discover more at www.bloomfin.ca.

Mario Toneguzzi is Managing Editor of Canada’s Podcast. He has more than 40 years of experience as a daily newspaper writer, columnist, and editor. He was named in 2021 as one of the Top 10 Business Journalists in the World by PR News – the only Canadian to make the list. He was also named by RETHINK to its global list of Top Retail Experts 2024.

About Us

Canada’s Podcast is the number one podcast in Canada for entrepreneurs and business owners. Established in 2016, the podcast network has interviewed over 600 Canadian entrepreneurs from coast-to-coast.

With hosts in each province, entrepreneurs have a local and national format to tell their stories, talk about their journey and provide inspiration for anyone starting their entrepreneurial journey and well- established founders.

The commitment to a grass roots approach has built a loyal audience on all our social channels and YouTube – 500,000+ lifetime YouTube views, 200,000 + audio downloads, 35,000 + average monthly social impressions, 10,000 + engaged social followers and 35,000 newsletter subscribers. Canada’s Podcast is proud to provide a local, national and international presence for Canadian entrepreneurs to build their brand and tell their story.

#business #news #money #finances #retirement #equity #homeownership

Phil Soper, president and chief executive officer, Royal LePage, discusses why renters still want to buy a home despite the costs.

Video interview can be seen here.

Phil Soper

PRESS RELEASE TORONTO, June 20, 2024 /CNW/ – One third of Canadians live in rental accommodations, and that figure has been gradually increasing in recent years, as affordability challenges in the resale market persist. According to a recent Royal LePage survey, conducted by Hill & Knowlton, 27 per cent of Canadians who currently rent their home say they plan to purchase a property in the next two years. Among those aged 18 to 34, that figure jumps to 40 per cent. Meanwhile, 69 per cent of renters say they do not plan to buy a home in the near future. Among them, more than half (54%) do not feel their income will be sufficient to afford a property in the area where they wish to live (61% among respondents aged 18 to 34).

“The rental sector is not immune to the significant affordability challenges stemming from Canada’s acute housing shortage. High mortgage rates have made it difficult for many to purchase a home, forcing some to move into, or remain longer than planned, in the rental market,” said Phil Soper, president and chief executive officer, Royal LePage. “Despite a short-lived decline in prices and demand for rental units during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the available supply of rental properties in most major markets remains ultra low.”

Of renters who say they plan to buy within the next two years, half (50%) say they will have a down payment of less than 20 per cent. Twenty-six per cent say they will put 20 per cent down, while 15 per cent say they will have a down payment of more than 20 per cent. In Canada, mortgage insurance is required for homes purchased with less than 20 per cent down.

When asked how they will come up with their down payment, 53 per cent of respondents said they will use savings accumulated over the years, while 46 per cent said they will take advantage of the First Home Savings Account (FHSA), and 29 said they will draw on their RRSPs using the Home Buyer’s Plan (HBP). Twenty-five per cent said they will use a financial gift from family or an inheritance. Respondents were able to select more than one answer.

Forty-four per cent of renters planning to purchase in the next two years believe they will be able to afford a home in their current city of residence, while 37 per cent do not. Among those who don’t believe they can buy in their current location, 40 per cent say they will have to travel more than 50 kilometres to buy within their budget, while 21 per cent believe they will have to search for a property within a 31-50 kilometre radius and 18 per cent say they would need to look within a 16-30 kilometre radius. Only 9 per cent of respondents are confident they could buy within 15 kilometres of their current location.

According to the Royal LePage 2024 Most Affordable Canadian Cities Report, 50 per cent of people living in the greater regions of Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver, say they would consider relocating to a more affordable city, if they were able to find a job or work remotely. Among renters in these regions, 60 per cent say they’d be willing to relocate, while 45 per cent of current homeowners say they would consider it.

“We know that Canadians widely consider home ownership a worthwhile long-term investment and a quintessential part of the Canadian dream. So much so, that many are willing to relocate in order to make their home ownership dreams a reality. This is especially true for young Canadians and those who have remote work flexibility. I believe we will continue to see migration from southern Ontario and high-priced regions in B.C. to more affordable markets across the country in the future,” said Soper.

Nearly a third of renters hoped to buy prior to signing their lease

Before signing or renewing their current lease, 29 per cent of Canadian renters say they considered purchasing a property. Among them, 41 per cent say the lack of a sufficient down payment led to their decision to rent instead.

“While a third of Canadian adults are currently renting, and there are families who are perfectly content doing so, the desire for home ownership remains strong among a large portion of this segment of the population. Our latest research reveals that a material number of renters wish to transition to home ownership. Understandably, the greatest barrier to entry is the ability to drum up the initial capital for a down payment,” continued Soper.

When asked about the motivating factors behind their decision to continue renting rather than buy, approximately one third of respondents said they were waiting for interest rates (33%) and property prices (30%) to decrease. Twenty-two per cent said they are continuing to rent while saving for a down payment, and 20 per cent said they did not qualify for a mortgage. Respondents were able to select more than one answer.

“Earlier this month, the Bank of Canada announced its first rate cut in more than four years. Falling borrowing costs will lower the threshold to qualify for a mortgage, helping renters become owners. However, this creates a double-edged sword. Increased competition as they enter the market will put additional pressure on property values. While some will wait for home prices to become more reasonable, Canada’s housing shortage will leave them waiting indefinitely,” added Soper.

Rising rents and low vacancy rates

Nearly four in ten Canadian renters (36%) spend up to 30 per cent of their net income on monthly rental costs. Meanwhile, roughly the same amount of renters (37%) spend between 31 and 50 per cent of their income on rent, and 16 per cent spend more than 50 per cent. In Canada’s most expensive housing markets, Vancouver and Toronto, the proportion of renters who spend more than half of their income on rental costs increases to 27 per cent and 19 per cent, respectively. That figure dips to 10 per cent in Montreal.

According to the latest Rental Market Report by the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), the average rent nationally for a two-bedroom unit in October 2023 was 8.0 per cent higher than a year prior. Vacancy rates sat at 1.5 per cent and 0.9 per cent, respectively, for purpose-built rental buildings and condominium apartments.

“From coast to coast, Canadians are struggling with housing affordability in the wake of one of the most aggressive interest rate hike campaigns in history. Across many regions, rental demand vastly exceeds supply, making affordable housing a challenge. The housing industry and government must collaborate on innovative solutions to increase inventory, including rentals, and support those most impacted by these escalating market conditions,” concluded Soper.

The 2024 federal budget, released on April 16th, announced several measures intended to more effectively protect tenants and strengthen their path to buying real estate. In addition to a renewed commitment to incentivize purpose-built rental buildings, a highlight was the creation of the Canadian Renters’ Bill of Rights, which proposed a national standardized lease agreement and the disclosure of a property’s rental price history. In addition, and perhaps most intriguing, this bill also proposed a recommendation for financial institutions to allow tenants to report their rental payment history to credit bureaus in order to better their credit scores, thereby strengthening their future mortgage applications.

Royal LePage 2024 Canadian Renters Report – Data Chart: rlp.ca/2024-Canadian-Renters-Report-Chart

ATLANTIC CANADA

In Atlantic Canada, 28 per cent of renters say they considered buying a property rather than renting before signing or renewing their lease. Looking ahead, 22 per cent say they plan to purchase a property in the next two years, while 59 per cent will not.

“The rental market is shifting. Construction of purpose-built rental properties has drastically increased as the city’s population continues to grow. Government programs and development incentives have encouraged the creation of new rental supply in Halifax. Newer buildings tend to attract newcomers who are not able to qualify for a mortgage right away, but want a high-quality place to live as they get established,” said Scott Moulton, sales representative, Royal LePage Atlantic in Halifax, Nova Scotia. “We saw a wave of residents from Ontario and other parts of the country come to the East Coast during the height of the pandemic. And, as was the case in the resale market, rental prices were also pushed up as demand swelled. This mass migration has since died down.”

Moulton added that institutional landlords are the predominant supplier of rental stock in the Halifax region, particularly downtown. Rising interest rates have not had a profound impact on property management companies who have been able to cope with elevated costs compared to smaller-scale or individual landlords.

According to the latest Rental Market Report by the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), the average rent in Halifax for a two-bedroom unit in October 2023 was 11.0 per cent higher than a year prior. The vacancy rate in purpose-built rental buildings remained extremely low at one per cent.

Among renters living in Atlantic Canada, 29 per cent spend up to 30 per cent of their net income on monthly rent costs, while 38 per cent spend between 31 and 50 per cent of their income, and 24 per cent spend more than 50 per cent.

“There is a desire to build rental supply in Halifax, but permitting and application approvals are both time consuming and expensive,” said Moulton. “More rental inventory is required to ease the region’s housing supply shortage, but it will take many years for such buildings to be completed.”

Royal LePage 2024 Canadian Renters Report – Data Chart: rlp.ca/2024-Canadian-Renters-Report-Chart

QUEBEC

July 1st is known as moving day in Quebec, the province with the highest percentage of renters per capita in Canada.5 Leading up to this date, 28 per cent of Quebec renters say they considered buying a property rather than renting before signing or renewing their lease. Among them, 42 per cent say they are waiting for property prices to go down, 41 per cent are holding off for interest rates to decrease, and 37 per cent say the lack of a sufficient down payment led to their decision to rent instead. Respondents were able to select more than one answer.

Looking ahead, 22 per cent say they plan to purchase a property in the next two years, while more than half (58%) will not. Of those planning to purchase, 40 per cent believe they will be able to afford to buy a property in their current city of residence. Of those not planning to purchase a property in the next two years, 51 per cent say it is because they do not believe their income will allow them to afford the property they desire.

“The results of this survey highlight the challenges faced by Quebec renters in the current context of a housing supply shortage,” said Geneviève Langevin, residential and commercial real estate broker, Royal LePage Altitude in Montreal. “However, the desire to become a homeowner persists for many, despite the financial obstacles, which is encouraging since this trend will continue to put pressure on public policy-makers to create housing that meets demand and population growth.”

According to the latest Rental Market Report by the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), the average rent in Montreal for a two-bedroom unit in October 2023 was 7.9 per cent higher than a year prior.6 Vacancy rates sat at 1.5 per cent and 1.3 per cent, respectively, for purpose-built rental buildings and condominium apartments.

While 2023 saw record low housing starts in Quebec, CMHC expects the province to see a more vigorous increase than elsewhere in Canada in 2024.7 However, new residential developments will remain too few to meet growing demand.

“The gradual easing of interest rates, which began with the first cut in the Bank of Canada’s key lending rate on June 5th, should stimulate construction in the rental market. However, this expected increase in housing starts will not have an immediate impact on the province’s housing supply,” said Langevin. “I’m pleased to see that the various levels of government have begun to think together about alternatives for rapidly increasing housing supply. Unfortunately, the results of these concerted efforts will take time to materialize.”

Royal LePage 2024 Canadian Renters Report – Data Chart: rlp.ca/2024-Canadian-Renters-Report-Chart

ONTARIO

In Ontario, 30 per cent of renters say they considered buying a property rather than renting before signing or renewing their lease. Among them, 47 per cent say the lack of a sufficient down payment led to their decision to rent instead. Twenty-eight per cent say they are waiting for property prices to go down, while 26 per cent are holding off for interest rates to decrease. Respondents were able to select more than one answer.

Looking ahead, 31 per cent say they plan to purchase a property in the next two years, while nearly half (49%) will not. Of those planning to purchase, 43 per cent believe they will be able to afford to buy a property in their current city of residence. Of those not planning to purchase a property in the next two years, 61 per cent say it is because they do not believe their income will allow them to afford the property they desire.

“For many, renting is an inevitable step on the path to home ownership, as saving to buy a home in one of Canada’s most expensive cities can take many years,” said Gillian Ritchie, broker, Royal LePage Real Estate Services Ltd. in Toronto. “In recent years, we have noticed a much-needed increase in purpose-built rental supply in the city. Currently, Toronto’s rental market is flush with one- and two-bedroom condos for lease, but does not have an adequate inventory of decent larger units or freehold rental accommodations. This has made it increasingly difficult for families to find suitable rental housing, whether they are waiting for the right time to buy a home or are looking for a temporary residence amid relocation or renovations.”

Ritchie added that young professionals and students make up a large part of Toronto’s renter demographic. Walkability is a top priority for renters attending post-secondary institutions, while others desire access to amenities, entertainment and their place of work.

According to the latest Rental Market Report by the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), the average rent in Toronto for a two-bedroom unit in October 2023 was 8.7 per cent higher than a year prior.8 Vacancy rates sat at 1.5 per cent and 0.7 per cent, respectively, for purpose-built rental buildings and condominium apartments.

By comparison, the average rent in Ottawa for a two-bedroom unit in October 2023 was 4.0 per cent higher than a year prior. Vacancy rates sat at 2.1 per cent and 0.4 per cent, respectively, for purpose-built rental buildings and condominium apartments, according to CMHC.

Among renters living in Ontario, 35 per cent spend up to 30 per cent of their net income on monthly rent costs, while 36 per cent spend between 31 and 50 per cent of their income, and 18 per cent spend more than 50 per cent.

“Many investors bought rental units at the onset of the pandemic amid the record-low interest rate environment, and took advantage of low borrowing costs by purchasing multiple properties. As mortgage carrying costs have materially increased over the last two years, we have noticed some investors offloading their units, potentially reducing available rental stock,” noted Ritchie. “Meanwhile, new developments are bringing more inventory to the rental market and putting downward pressure on prices in some communities. With rates now on the decline, we anticipate that many current renters will step into the resale market as the threshold to qualify for a mortgage begins to ease. However, further rate cuts are needed for this trend to fully materialize.”

Royal LePage 2024 Canadian Renters Report – Data Chart: rlp.ca/2024-Canadian-Renters-Report-Chart

MANITOBA & SASKATCHEWAN

In Manitoba and Saskatchewan, 44 per cent of renters say they considered buying a property rather than renting before signing or renewing their lease. Looking ahead, 36 per cent say they plan to purchase a property in the next two years, while 34 per cent will not.

“The pandemic was a pivotal turning point for the rental market. Before COVID-19, one-bedroom rentals were in high demand. Now, as working from home has become more common, renters’ need for more space has grown. However, the desire to be close to downtown and have access to conveniences both within their neighbourhood and their rental buildings remains strong,” said Laura Foubert, sales representative, Royal LePage Dynamic Real Estate in Winnipeg, Manitoba. “Winnipeg rental prices have increased over this past year as landlords and property managers aim to make up for price freezes implemented during the pandemic. Meanwhile, incentives like move-in bonuses, parking spots and top-tier amenities, are being offered on new developments to attract quality, long-term tenants.”

Foubert added that many current renters are downsizers who have sold their homes and chosen to rent to avoid the upkeep of home ownership – many have no intention of buying another property.

According to the latest Rental Market Report by the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), the average rent in Winnipeg for a two-bedroom unit in October 2023 was 4.4 per cent higher than a year prior.9 Vacancy rates sat at 1.8 per cent for both purpose-built rental buildings and condominium apartments.

By comparison, the average rent in Regina for a two-bedroom unit in October 2023 was 7.9 per cent higher than a year prior. Vacancy rates sat at 1.4 per cent and 1.8 per cent, respectively, for purpose-built rental buildings and condominium apartments, according to CMHC.

Among renters living in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, 50 per cent spend up to 30 per cent of their net income on monthly rent costs, while 36 per cent spend between 31 and 50 per cent of their income, and nine per cent spend more than 50 per cent.

“Some individuals are renting until they buy their first home, while others are renting purely because they enjoy the simplicity and convenience of the lifestyle,” said Foubert. “Demand for rentals is expected to remain strong for the foreseeable future.”

Royal LePage 2024 Canadian Renters Report – Data Chart: rlp.ca/2024-Canadian-Renters-Report-Chart

ALBERTA

In Alberta, nearly a third of renters (29%) say they considered buying a property rather than renting before signing or renewing their lease. Looking ahead, 27 per cent say they plan to purchase a property in the next two years, while 45 per cent will not.

“The rental segment has been in transition these past few years. We came out of a balanced market that had healthy vacancy levels and robust demand, and headed into a crunch starting in the spring of 2022. We are now in a scenario where multiple offers on rental properties are being seen more frequently, a new phenomenon in Calgary,” said Andrew Hanney, sales representative and property manager, Royal LePage Mission Real Estate in Calgary. “Demand for rentals in Alberta has been coming from all directions, including residents relocating from Ontario and British Columbia in search of a lower cost of living. One-bedroom apartments have some of the highest vacancy rates, as many renters are choosing to live in larger units with roommates in order to lower their monthly living expenses. This has created difficulties for families looking for multi-bedroom rental options.”

Hanney added that purpose-built rentals were common in the 1980s and 1990s, but faded from popularity as developers focused their attention on building condominiums for ownership. Now, developers are creating purpose-built rentals once again, in response to increased market demand and a series of new government incentives.

According to the latest Rental Market Report by the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), the average rent in Calgary for a two-bedroom unit in October 2023 was 14.3 per cent higher than a year prior.10 Vacancy rates sat at 1.4 per cent and 1.0 per cent, respectively, for purpose-built rental buildings and condominium apartments.

By comparison, the average rent in Edmonton for a two-bedroom unit in October 2023 was 6.4 per cent higher than a year prior. Vacancy rates sat at 2.4 per cent and 2.5 per cent, respectively, for purpose-built rental buildings and condominium apartments, according to CMHC.

Among renters living in Alberta, 39 per cent spend up to 30 per cent of their net income on monthly rent costs, while 34 per cent spend between 31 and 50 per cent of their income, and 17 per cent spend more than 50 per cent.

“Many young Albertans look at housing differently – for those who do not want the responsibility of home ownership, renting is an intentional choice, one that suits their needs and lifestyle,” noted Hanney. “However, there remains an important cohort of Albertans for whom renting makes the most financial sense, while they save up to buy a home. As interest rates continue to fall, we will see more tenants move out of rentals and into home ownership.”

Royal LePage 2024 Canadian Renters Report – Data Chart: rlp.ca/2024-Canadian-Renters-Report-Chart

BRITISH COLUMBIA

In British Columbia, 26 per cent of renters say they considered buying a property rather than renting before signing or renewing their lease. Looking ahead, 27 per cent say they plan to purchase a property in the next two years, while 52 per cent will not.

“With a boost in rental supply in Vancouver, competition in this segment is improving, although affordability remains a challenge for tenants facing some of the highest rental prices in the country. Still, demand to live in one of Canada’s most popular cities remains consistent,” said Nina Knudsen, property manager,11 Royal LePage Sussex in North Vancouver. “Empty nesters and working professionals make up a significant portion of our renter demographic, as do tenants who are landlords themselves. It is not uncommon for renters to buy an investment property in a less expensive market and lease it out while they continue to save towards the purchase of a primary residence.”

Knudsen added that tightening provincial legislation on rentals has caused some would-be landlords to step out of the market, a potential challenge for the creation of rental supply.

According to the latest Rental Market Report by the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), the average rent in Vancouver for a two-bedroom unit in October 2023 was 8.6 per cent higher than a year prior.12 Vacancy rates sat at 0.9 per cent for both purpose-built rental buildings and condominium apartments.

By comparison, the average rent in Victoria for a two-bedroom unit in October 2023 was 7.9 per cent higher than a year prior. The vacancy rate in purpose-built rental buildings sat at 1.6 per cent, according to CMHC.

Among renters living in British Columbia, 23 per cent spend up to 30 per cent of their net income on monthly rent costs, while 42 per cent spend between 31 and 50 per cent of their income. Twenty-five per cent of renters spend more than 50 per cent of their net income on rent, well above the national average of 16 per cent.

“As interest rates have increased over the past two years, higher monthly carrying costs have put considerable strain on entrepreneurial landlords, prompting some to offload their units onto the resale market,” said Knudsen. “With rates now beginning to trend downward, some investors may be seeing a light at the end of the tunnel. However, the most recent rate cut by the Bank of Canada will not be enough to encourage those landlords from selling their properties if further cuts are not made in the near future.”

Royal LePage 2024 Canadian Renters Report – Data Chart: rlp.ca/2024-Canadian-Renters-Report-Chart

Royal LePage resources for aspiring homeowners:

To help aspiring homeowners, Royal LePage has published a number of online resources available at the following links:

From renter to homeowner: Your complete guide to home ownership in a competitive real estate market 8 new housing policies announced in the 2024 federal budget Real estate terminology 101 Expert Q&A: What you need to know about buying a property pre-construction 6 tips for a seamless moving day Saving for your first home? Here’s what you need to know about Canada’s First Home Savings Account (FHSA) What is the Home Buyers’ Plan? Get matched with Your Perfect Neighbourhood! About the Survey

Hill & Knowlton used the Leger Opinion online panel to survey 1,506 Canadians, aged 18+, who rent their primary residence. The survey was completed between June 7th and June 10th, 2024. Representative sampling was done across all provinces (Atlantic provinces were aggregated). Weighting was applied to ensure representation between and within provinces, according to 2021 household renter census figures. No margin of error can be associated with a non-probability sample (i.e., a web panel in this case). For comparative purposes, though, a probability sample of 1,506 respondents would have a margin of error of ±3%, 19 times out of 20.

About Royal LePage

Serving Canadians since 1913, Royal LePage is the country’s leading provider of services to real estate brokerages, with a network of approximately 20,000 real estate professionals in over 670 locations nationwide. Royal LePage is the only Canadian real estate company to have its own charitable foundation, the Royal LePage® Shelter Foundation™, which has been dedicated to supporting women’s shelters and domestic violence prevention programs for 25 years. Royal LePage is a Bridgemarq Real Estate Services® Inc. company, a TSX-listed corporation trading under the symbolTSX:BRE. For more information, please visit www.royallepage.ca.

Mario Toneguzzi

Mario Toneguzzi is Managing Editor of Canada’s Podcast. He has more than 40 years of experience as a daily newspaper writer, columnist, and editor. He was named in 2021 as one of the Top 10 Business Journalists in the World by PR News – the only Canadian to make the list. He was also named by RETHINK to its global list of Top Retail Experts 2024.

About Us

Canada’s Podcast is the number one podcast in Canada for entrepreneurs and business owners. Established in 2016, the podcast network has interviewed over 600 Canadian entrepreneurs from coast-to-coast.

With hosts in each province, entrepreneurs have a local and national format to tell their stories, talk about their journey and provide inspiration for anyone starting their entrepreneurial journey and well- established founders.

The commitment to a grass roots approach has built a loyal audience on all our social channels and YouTube – 500,000+ lifetime YouTube views, 200,000 + audio downloads, 35,000 + average monthly social impressions, 10,000 + engaged social followers and 35,000 newsletter subscribers. Canada’s Podcast is proud to provide a local, national and international presence for Canadian entrepreneurs to build their brand and tell their story

#business #CanadasNumberOnePodcastforEntrepreneurs #entrepreneurs #entrepreneurship #Homeownership #Homes #Housing #RealEstate #small business

Faisal Karmali is an author, business expert and media personality, business and market expert for 770CHQR and CTV Morning Live in Calgary, and an entrepreneur. He brings his passion for helping people succeed in their businesses to his interviews and advice straight to you.

The Karmali Exchange with Faisal Karmali is a monthly web show and podcast, featuring successful entrepreneurs sharing their stories about how they achieved their goals, some of the challenges they have had along the way, and their advice that can help other business owners learn and grow their own companies.

He describes his mission this way:

"No entrepreneur does it by themselves. Every day, I speak to entrepreneurs about their businesses, and analyze and report on dozens of companies for thousands of people. I've noticed a pattern: what makes the basic building blocks of a successful business.

"I also know that entrepreneurship is a difficult, and often lonely endeavour. The best way to find solutions for your business is to talk to other entrepreneurs for insight and unique perspectives. But it's hard to find those people to talk to when you are working so hard.

"That's why I've decided to create a community to share advice, ideas and insights from experts, as well as the things I've learned from decades of studying successful businesses. Join us today to get the help you need to take your business to the next level."

Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Want to stay up-to-date on the latest #entrepreneur podcasts and news? Subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter

Steve Mesler, CEO and Founder of Classroom Champions, a non-profit that brings together children and the world’s best to mentor and teach kids the skills they need to succeed in and out of the classroom. After winning an Olympic Gold Medal in bobsled at the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games, Steve was inspired to bring the values, lessons, and experiences he and his fellow Olympic and Paralympic athletes had gained through sport into classrooms. Since creating Classroom Champions, over 180 athletes have taught more than 1 million students about goal setting, perseverance, and teamwork to support their mental health, wellness, and academic achievement. Listen in as we chat with Steve about being a social entrepreneur!

Dr. Laura Hambley is a Workplace Psychologist, Speaker and Author. She describes herself as a serial entrepreneur with businesses including Calgary Career Counselling, Canada Career Counselling, Synthesis Psychology and WorkEvOHlution. Hambley talks about being an entrepreneur and how to cope with the COVID-19 crisis.

In this interview, Phil Soper, President and CEO of Royal LePage, discusses the real estate company’s latest housing report.

Soper talks about where home prices are headed in 2024, what to expect in sales, the impact of increased mortgage rates, the challenge of supply in Canada and affordability.

PRESS RELEASE

TORONTO, Dec. 14, 2023 /CNW/ – After years of unprecedented irregularity, Canadians may see the real estate market return closer to normal in 2024. According to the Royal LePage Market Survey Forecast, the aggregate1 price of a home in Canada is set to increase 5.5 per cent year over year to $843,684 in the fourth quarter of 2024, with the median price of a single-family detached property and condominium projected to increase 6.0 per cent and 5.0 to $879,164 and $616,140, respectively.2

“Looking ahead, we see 2024 as an important tipping point for the national economy as the majority of Canadians acknowledge that the ultra-low interest rate era is dead and gone,” said Phil Soper, President and CEO, Royal LePage. “We believe that the ‘great adjustment’ to tolerable, mid-single-digit borrowing costs will have a firm grip on our collective consciousness after only modest rate cuts by the Bank of Canada.”

Home prices are expected to rise next year in all major markets across the country, with Calgary forecast to see the greatest gains. Throughout the second half of 2023, while prices have been declining in other cities, the Calgary real estate market has bucked the trend continuing on an upward price trajectory.

Royal LePage’s forecast is based on the prediction that the Bank of Canada has concluded its interest rate hike campaign and that the key lending rate will hold steady at five per cent through the first half of 2024. The central bank is expected to start making modest cuts in late summer or fall of next year. Meanwhile, several major financial institutions have already begun offering discounts on fixed-rate mortgages.

“For the last year, many Canadians have been fixated on the idea of interest rates needing to come down significantly before they can afford to enter or re-enter the housing market. Acceptance that a mortgage rate of four to five per cent is the new normal should untether pent-up demand as first-time buyers, flush with savings collected during the extended down market in housing, regain the confidence to go home shopping. And, with the return of first-timer demand, we expect families who have put off upgrading their homes to begin to list their properties in much greater numbers,” continued Soper.

How we got here Over the last eighteen months, sales activity in most of Canada’s major real estate markets has been on the decline, while inventory levels have gradually increased. While transactions are down as much as 20 or 30 per cent in some regions, home prices have only declined modestly during this time, due to a simultaneous drop in demand as buyer hopefuls continue to hold out for lower interest rates. Still, prices remain above 2022 levels.

“Canada’s real estate market has been on a roller coaster ride for the last four years. A global pandemic briefly brought market activity to a grinding halt in early 2020, followed by a rapid, widespread spike in demand and price appreciation as Canadians sought safety and greater living space in their homes among a world of uncertainty. By the spring of 2022, home prices had reached unprecedented highs, but when interest rates started rising quickly and steeply to combat inflation, the extended market correction began,” said Soper. “Markets take time to adjust. We see a move toward typical home sale transaction levels in 2024, and as the year progresses, appreciating house prices.”

Quarterly forecast Nationally, home prices are forecast to see modest quarterly gains in the first two quarters of 2024, with more considerable increases expected in the second half of the year, following the anticipated start of interest rate cuts by the Bank of Canada. The aggregate price of a home in Canada is forecast to be 3.3 per cent higher in Q1 of 2024 compared to the same quarter in 2023, reflecting a 0.5 per cent increase over the fourth quarter of 2023. In the second quarter of next year, the national aggregate home price is forecast to be 0.2 per cent higher year over year and 0.9 per cent above the previous quarter. In the third quarter, home prices are expected to be 3.3 per cent higher year over year and 2.3 per cent higher on a quarterly basis. And, in the fourth quarter of 2024, the national aggregate price of a home is expected to land 5.5 per cent above the same quarter in 2023, an increase of 1.7 per cent quarter over quarter. Based on this forecast, by the end of next year, home prices will have essentially climbed back to their pandemic peak, reached in the first quarter of 2022.

Supply shortage and affordability challenges Canada continues to struggle with a chronic housing supply shortage. According to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, the country needs about 3.5 million additional housing units by 2030 to restore affordability, with the greatest need concentrated in the provinces of Ontario and British Columbia.3 At the current pace of housing construction and considering the rate of new household formation and immigration projections, inventory will remain out of step with projected demand for years to come.

“For many years, condominiums have offered an affordable opportunity for entry onto the real estate ladder, in addition to their ‘lock and leave’ lifestyle that is typically attractive to young people. Of late, however, this segment of the market has also become out of financial reach for many in major cities like Toronto and Vancouver, where new construction cannot keep pace with growing demand. And, the elevated cost of construction materials and labour are adding additional pressure on builders,” said Soper. “What’s more, with ultra-low vacancy rates, the rental market is not the escape route many would-be buyers hope it could be, with monthly lease rates on the rise from coast to coast.”

Competing public policy objectives In the federal government’s Fall Economic Statement released last month, billions of dollars were committed and reaffirmed towards increased levels of new housing construction. This includes favourable loan agreements and tax benefits for developers of purpose-built rental buildings and public housing projects, as well as financial assistance for municipalities to crack down on short-term rentals in an effort to push more supply onto the resale market in urban centres.4

“It is encouraging to see policy makers tackling Canada’s housing affordability issues and supply shortfall, yet there remains a large accessibility gap for first-time buyers and middle-income earners. Those that have salaries or wages that have not kept up with the cost of living find it difficult to achieve the dream of home ownership. Thankfully, many have received financial help from family or friends, yet this is not something Canadians should have to rely upon,” said Soper. “With competing policy objectives – record-high immigration to combat labour shortages, for example – I see little hope that housing construction will meet that need this decade. The demand/supply imbalance will put further upward pressure on home prices.

“While uncomfortably expensive housing in our major markets is inevitable, it is imperative that governments adopt quick and extraordinary measures to mitigate affordability challenges and address the housing supply crisis,” concluded Soper.

Royal LePage 2024 Market Survey Forecast Table: rlp.ca/table_2024forecast Royal LePage 2024 Quarterly Forecast Table: rlp.ca/table_2024quarterlyforecast

MARKET SUMMARIES Greater Toronto Area In the Greater Toronto Area, the aggregate price of a home in the fourth quarter of 2024 is forecast to increase 6.0 per cent year over year to $1,198,012. During the same period, the median price of a single-family detached property is expected to rise 7.0 per cent to $1,481,950, while the median price of a condominium is forecast to increase 5.0 per cent to $754,845.

“There is a lot of uncertainty surrounding Canada’s economy and the real estate market these days, and that is especially true in the major centres like Toronto. What is certain is that Canadians need housing, they value home ownership and most are willing to prioritize buying a home over just about anything else,” said Karen Yolevski, chief operating officer, Royal LePage Real Estate Services Ltd. “We know there are still buyers on the sidelines waiting for interest rates to come down. What is unclear is how many can afford to jump back into the market at the first sign of a reduction, and how many truly cannot afford to transact in this environment.”

Yolevski added that a lot of future activity will be dependent not only on reduced interest rates, but the timing of mortgage renewals. Many would-be move-up buyers who have enjoyed ultra-low rates for the past few years will be willing to make a move as their current loan terms expire. No longer bound to their current property because of the interest rate, more of these owners will put their properties on the market and begin their search for a new home.

“The GTA is Canada’s most densely-populated region and continues to be the top destination for newcomers. Despite a temporary drop in sales, there remains a huge gap in the number of homes available and those needed to satisfy demand from middle-income earners. This continues to put significant pressure on the already-tight rental market.”

Yolevski also noted that investor-owned properties, namely condominiums, could add supply to the market over the next year or two, as mortgages come up for renewal and owners choose to sell rather than renew at a higher rate.

“If tenanted properties are not producing positive cash-flow, investors may choose to sell rather than renew their mortgages in this higher-cost borrowing environment. This, in addition to new legislation that incentivizes the development of purpose-built rental properties, could add some much-needed inventory to the entry-level market,” said Yolevski. “It will not be enough, however, to put downward pressure on prices.”

Royal LePage 2024 Market Survey Forecast Table: rlp.ca/table_2024forecast Royal LePage 2024 Quarterly Forecast Table: rlp.ca/table_2024quarterlyforecast

Greater Montreal Area In the Greater Montreal Area, the aggregate price of a home in the fourth quarter of 2024 is forecast to increase 5.0 per cent year over year to $610,260. During the same period, the median price of a single-family detached property is expected to rise 4.5 per cent to $684,998, while the median price of a condominium is forecast to increase 6.0 per cent to $471,912.

“The real estate crystal ball prediction will be made up of many factors in 2024, but the thing to remember is that the reduction in inflation closer to the target rate will not have been enough to curb the increase in real estate prices for very long, due to a chronic lack of supply,” said Dominic St-Pierre, vice-president and general manager, Royal LePage, Quebec region. “Housing is an essential need, and the still-critical shortage of units required to meet demand and population growth is destined to persist, as long as investments by all levels of government fail to materialize in the urban landscape. However, even if interest rates are expected to start dipping next year, consumers will have to adapt to a new reality, as the days of ultra-low rates are over. In the short term, this should keep property price increases in check while households adjust their purchasing behaviours.”

In its fall economic update, the Quebec government pledged $1.8 billion over five years to improve access to housing in the province.5 This investment will include actions to accelerate the construction of affordable housing, as well as assistance to municipalities in the form of increased flexibility in urban planning bylaws, measures to facilitate the construction of secondary suites, and support for the training of the construction workforce.

“We welcome any initiative aimed at reducing the gap between supply and demand, and applaud the creativity of the various levels of government in multiplying solutions,” said St-Pierre. “However, the challenge is massive, since Quebec requires the addition of more than 1.2 million units by the end of the decade in order to regain some semblance of affordability.”

What’s more, Montreal is the Canadian city where housing starts fell the most in the first six months of 2023, a 26-year record, and the prognosis for 2024 is not optimal.6 Rising borrowing costs have taken a heavy toll on builders’ and developers’ portfolios over the past year. For this reason, it is expected that when interest rates start to decline, the pent-up demand will unleash on the condominium segment in the Greater Montreal Area, which will see an appreciation rate slightly higher than that of single-family homes.

“In addition to condominiums, the market for single-family homes priced at $1 million and higher should also see an upturn as expectations of lower interest rates materialize,” said Marc Lefrançois, chartered real estate broker, Royal LePage Tendance in Montreal. “For this category of buyers, moving from one property to another is often not an immediate necessity. Many have therefore preferred to wait in order to take advantage of more favourable financing conditions, but could return to the market quickly when the central bank announces the start of a downward cycle in interest rates.”

Economic conditions in the province were heavily weighed down at the end of the year by the outbreak of strikes in the public sector, as well as numerous layoffs across a myriad of industries, which could influence consumer confidence regarding large purchases such as a property in 2024, despite a widely expected drop in interest rates.

“Savings accumulated by households during the pandemic have begun to run out, keeping pace with inflation and interest rate hikes over the past 21 months,” noted St-Pierre. “Quebec households have a high level of debt, and despite signs of relief in borrowing costs on the horizon, their purchasing power will remain limited. The downward adjustment of the Bank of Canada’s overnight rate, even by a quarter per cent, could send a strong message to consumers about future economic conditions. The pace at which interest rates rebalance will also play a big part in the equation,” he continued.

St-Pierre added, “The start of 2024 could see the Greater Montreal Area’s real estate market get off to a slow start, following a similar trend to the last quarter of 2023. But, we expect the recovery to get underway quickly once interest rates start to fall. Next year is likely to be more active than 2023 in terms of property sales,” he concluded.

Royal LePage 2024 Market Survey Forecast Table: rlp.ca/table_2024forecast Royal LePage 2024 Quarterly Forecast Table: rlp.ca/table_2024quarterlyforecast

Greater Vancouver In Greater Vancouver, the aggregate price of a home in the fourth quarter of 2024 is forecast to increase 3.0 per cent year over year to $1,281,732. During the same period, the median price of a single-family detached property is expected to rise 2.5 per cent to $1,778,785, while the median price of a condominium is forecast to increase 4.0 per cent to $795,808.

“Activity has slowed in recent months allowing some inventory to build, as buyers hold out for a deal or for interest rates to drop, and sellers continue to expect 2021 values for their homes. While this has resulted in a market slowdown, Greater Vancouver could see a brisk spring if interest rates remain steady or dip even a little,” said Randy Ryalls, managing broker, Royal LePage Sterling Realty. “There is still plenty of demand waiting in the wings, and a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel could easily heat up the market again. Some buyers will rush to transact before the competition gets too tight. Others will wait for multiple rate cuts.”

Ryalls noted that while many sidelined buyers are likely to jump back into the market next year if lending rates come down, competition will not be as aggressive as it was two years ago when borrowing costs sat at record lows.

“Purchasing power has been deflated. With the rising cost of living and interest rates five or six times higher than they were a few years ago, buyers have less capacity to outbid their competitors. This will keep a lid on price appreciation, even as activity picks up,” said Ryalls. “Some banks have already begun to offer discounts on fixed-rate mortgages, incentivizing some buyers back to the table. Eventually, everyone will have to adjust to the new realities of the market.”

Royal LePage 2024 Market Survey Forecast Table: rlp.ca/table_2024forecast Royal LePage 2024 Quarterly Forecast Table: rlp.ca/table_2024quarterlyforecast

Ottawa In Ottawa, the aggregate price of a home in the fourth quarter of 2024 is forecast to increase 4.5 per cent year over year to $771,942. During the same period, the median price of a single-family detached property is expected to rise 4.0 per cent to $884,000, while the median price of condominium is forecast to increase 5.0 per cent to $407,190.

“The Ottawa market is heavily influenced by interest rates. Even if we see only a modest decrease in rates by the Bank of Canada mid-way through 2024, this move could spark a flurry of buying activity leading into our late summer and early fall market,” said Jason Ralph, broker of record, Royal LePage Team Realty. “These days, only those homeowners who must move for personal reasons are listing their homes. In many cases, those with the luxury of time are staying on the sidelines, waiting for interest rates to come down. This is creating pent-up buyer demand, especially in the always desirable single-family detached segment.”

Ralph noted that many first-time homebuyers have been renting as they wait for lower interest rates and improved purchasing power. This is creating a competitive rental market, especially as newcomers relocate to Ottawa for opportunities in the city’s thriving public service job market, adding to the already high levels of renter demand.

“Though we have returned to a more normalized market post-pandemic, we are not quite in balanced territory yet as demand continues to outweigh supply. As a result, we are expecting a brisk spring market next year,” said Ralph. “Should we see a drop in interest rates, market activity will intensify, resulting in an incline in home prices in the later months of the year and into 2025.”

Royal LePage 2024 Market Survey Forecast Table: rlp.ca/table_2024forecast Royal LePage 2024 Quarterly Forecast Table: rlp.ca/table_2024quarterlyforecast

Calgary In Calgary, the aggregate price of a home in the fourth quarter of 2024 is forecast to increase 8.0 per cent year over year to $711,612, the highest of all forecast regions. During the same period, the median price of a single-family detached property is expected to rise 6.0 per cent to $803,692, while the median price of a condominium is forecast to increase 9.5 per cent to $286,562.

“Although activity has slowed in Calgary, home prices have not dipped like they have in other cities across Canada, due to a sustained shortage of supply,” said Corinne Lyall, broker and owner, Royal LePage Benchmark. “If rates start to come down in the second half of 2024 – as they are predicted to do – it will motivate buyers to jump into the market as their borrowing power improves. Many homeowners will see their mortgages come up for renewal next year, and will be forced to take a higher interest rate. This may push some more inventory onto the market, as overleveraged borrowers downsize in an effort to get some relief from higher monthly payments.”

Lyall noted that Calgary has seen a slowdown in the number of interprovincial buyers relocating to the city compared to the past few years. However, investors from other provinces continue to look for real estate opportunities in the Prairies, driving demand in the multi-family segment.

“We expect that home prices will rise over the next year, and will outperform other major cities as Calgary’s relative affordability continues to attract buyers to the city. A shortage of supply remains a challenge, which will keep prices on an upward trajectory for the foreseeable future as buyers compete for the few homes available,” said Lyall. “Heading into the new year, I predict that we will see a slow start to the market in January and February, a similar pattern to what we saw in early 2023. Once March arrives, buyers and sellers will move off of the sidelines as a brisk spring market begins and consumer confidence strengthens.”

Royal LePage 2024 Market Survey Forecast Table: rlp.ca/table_2024forecast Royal LePage 2024 Quarterly Forecast Table: rlp.ca/table_2024quarterlyforecast

Edmonton In Edmonton, the aggregate price of a home in the fourth quarter of 2024 is forecast to increase 4.0 per cent year over year to $443,248. During the same period, the median price of a single-family detached property is expected to rise 7.0 per cent to $493,805, while the median price of a condominium is forecast to increase 2.0 per cent to $192,678.

“Next year, we expect similar activity to this year, but home values will likely increase as price appreciation falls in line with historical trends. Edmonton continues to experience a shortage of homes relative to demand, which will keep home prices trending upward in 2024. This will only be intensified by the number of residents moving into the city, searching for affordability and work opportunities,” said Tom Shearer, broker and owner, Royal LePage Noralta Real Estate. “We continue to see a gap between buyer expectations and the reality of how far their dollar will stretch. Until they feel that they’re getting their money’s worth, some buyers will continue to wait on the sidelines, building further pent-up demand.”

Shearer noted that Edmonton home prices are largely tied to the oil and gas sector, which continues to be a major driver of employment opportunities. Edmonton has seen a surge in newcomers over the past few years, in addition to Canadians moving to Alberta from other provinces – namely Ontario and British Columbia.

“The city’s fast-growing population has put upward pressure on home prices,” said Shearer. “In recent years, the province has seen a notable surge in activity and home prices in the city of Calgary, and we believe similar trends are on the horizon for Edmonton.”

Royal LePage 2024 Market Survey Forecast Table: rlp.ca/table_2024forecast Royal LePage 2024 Quarterly Forecast Table: rlp.ca/table_2024quarterlyforecast

Halifax In Halifax, the aggregate price of a home in the fourth quarter of 2024 is forecast to increase 3.0 per cent year over year to $521,592. During the same period, the median price of a single-family detached property is expected to rise 5.0 per cent to $602,490, while the median price of a condominium is forecast to increase 1.5 per cent to $431,375.

“Looking ahead to the 2024 housing market in Halifax, we are feeling quite positive. It is likely that interest rates will be reduced mid-year, which will cause some hesitant or sidelined buyers to jump back into the market,” said Matt Honsberger, broker and owner, Royal LePage Atlantic. “Those in the rental market – who are currently paying higher-than-normal prices due to tight competition in this segment – will be especially motivated to transition into home ownership. Many move-up buyers, who have patiently been biding their time until borrowing rates improve or their mortgages come up for renewal, are also expected to re-enter the market in the new year.”

Honsberger noted that investors from Ontario and Alberta are an active buyer group in Nova Scotia. This demand is not exclusive to the investor-friendly condominium segment, but is also present in the single-family and new construction markets as well, despite the non-resident tax applicable to all transactions by out-of-province buyers.

“Though we will experience the typical seasonal slowdown in the first weeks of the new year, I expect January will still be up in terms of prices and activity compared to the same time this year. Sales are likely to begin increasing in February and March, as more inventory comes online. And, if we see one or two rate cuts in the fall, a boost of activity will follow,” said Honsberger.

Royal LePage 2024 Market Survey Forecast Table: rlp.ca/table_2024forecast Royal LePage 2024 Quarterly Forecast Table: rlp.ca/table_2024quarterlyforecast

Winnipeg In Winnipeg, the aggregate price of a home in the fourth quarter of 2024 is forecast to increase 3.0 per cent year over year to $396,447. During the same period, the median price of a single-family detached property is expected to rise 4.0 per cent to $440,232, while the median price of a condominium is forecast to increase 2.0 per cent to $263,568.

“Every year, the Winnipeg real estate market follows a similar pattern – slow through the winter months with a rise in activity in the spring, followed by a quieter summer and then a slow decline for the remainder of the year. We expect 2024 will look much like a typical year, resulting in modest price increases as consumer confidence strengthens,” said Michael Froese, broker and manager, Royal LePage Prime Real Estate. “Single-family detached homes will likely see the majority of next year’s price growth, especially in the highly-sought-after $300,000 to $400,000 price range.”

Froese added that he is not overly concerned that the expected wave of upcoming mortgage renewals will force many homeowners to have to list their homes due to higher monthly costs.

“As has always been the case, Canadians value home ownership. When faced with financial strain, most people will cut back on discretionary spending and make other concessions before resorting to selling their homes,” he added. “While it may not be as strong of a seller’s market as it was two years ago, prices are anticipated to remain buoyant as buyer demand is expected to continue outweighing available home supply, even in the slower months.”

Royal LePage 2024 Market Survey Forecast Table: rlp.ca/table_2024forecast Royal LePage 2024 Quarterly Forecast Table: rlp.ca/table_2024quarterlyforecast

Regina In Regina, the aggregate price of a home in the fourth quarter of 2024 is forecast to increase 3.0 per cent year over year to $381,306. During the same period, the median price of a single-family detached property is expected to rise 4.0 per cent to $417,456, while the median price of a condominium is forecast to increase 2.5 per cent to $228,063.

“Like many cities across Canada, higher interest rates have prompted buyers to hit pause as their borrowing capacity has diminished. As a result, demand is building on the sidelines as consumers wait anxiously for borrowing costs to come down,” said Shaheen Zareh, sales representative, Royal LePage Regina Realty. “Although it is highly unlikely we will see rates as low as one or two per cent again – at least not anytime soon – I do believe some of that sidelined demand will re-enter the market once rates are cut, even if only by a small amount.”

Zareh added that rental prices have climbed in Regina as higher mortgage rates have kept would-be buyers in leased properties for longer. This has constrained rental supply and pushed prices up, making the cost of monthly rent comparable to a mortgage payment in some cases.

“Overall, supply remains constrained. I expect prices will see a modest increase in 2024, not only in the detached segment but in the condo market as well. There has been a lot of activity in the condominium segment as of late, despite the property type not being particularly popular in the region, historically. We have seen an uptick in condo sales thanks to first-time buyers who are seeking a more affordable option that will allow them to get a foot on the property ladder sooner.” said Zareh. “Many young buyers would much prefer a new condo for $200,000 over a detached fixer-upper that costs $100,000 more.”

Zareh noted that many short-term pandemic-era mortgages are expected to come up for renewal next year, which could have an impact on supply as homeowners weigh the decision to renew or sell their homes and downsize into a more financially manageable property.

About the Royal LePage Market Survey Forecast The Royal LePage Market Survey Forecast provides year-over-year and quarter-over-quarter price expectations nationally and for Canada’s nine most prominent real estate markets. Housing values are based on the Royal LePage National House Price Composite, produced quarterly through the use of company data in addition to data and analytics from its sister company, RPS Real Property Solutions, the trusted source for residential real estate intelligence and analytics in Canada. Additionally, commentary on housing market trends and data on price and forecast values are provided by Royal LePage residential real estate experts, based on their opinions and market knowledge.

About Royal LePage Serving Canadians since 1913, Royal LePage is the country’s leading provider of services to real estate brokerages, with a network of approximately 20,000 real estate professionals in over 670 locations nationwide. Royal LePage is the only Canadian real estate company to have its own charitable foundation, the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation, which has been dedicated to supporting women’s shelters and domestic violence prevention programs for 25 years. Royal LePage is a Bridgemarq Real Estate Services Inc. company, a TSX-listed corporation trading under the symbolTSX:BRE. For more information, please visit www.royallepage.ca.

Mario Toneguzzi is Managing Editor of Canada’s Podcast. He has more than 40 years of experience as a daily newspaper writer, columnist, and editor. He was named in 2021 as one of the Top 10 Business Journalists in the World by PR News – the only Canadian to make the list

About Us

Canada’s Podcast is the number one podcast in Canada for entrepreneurs and business owners. Established in 2016, the podcast network has interviewed over 600 Canadian entrepreneurs from coast-to-coast.

With hosts in each province, entrepreneurs have a local and national format to tell their stories, talk about their journey and provide inspiration for anyone starting their entrepreneurial journey and well- established founders.

The commitment to a grass roots approach has built a loyal audience on all our social channels and YouTube – 500,000+ lifetime YouTube views, 200,000 + audio downloads, 35,000 + average monthly social impressions, 10,000 + engaged social followers and 35,000 newsletter subscribers. Canada’s Podcast is proud to provide a local, national and international presence for Canadian entrepreneurs to build their brand and tell their story.

#business #CanadasNumberOnePodcastforentrepreneurs #entrepreneurship #Homes #Housing #smallbusiness

Nathasha Vandenhurk is CEO and co-founder of Three Farmers Foods Inc., a privately held corporation based in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, which is a trusted brand known for providing foods with natural goodness. Functioning as an integrated organization, Three Farmers delivers nourishing food in a sustainable manner, adhering to the principles of Canadian farming. Their products are minimally processed to showcase their inherent nutritional value and taste, ensuring that consumers can enjoy delicious food that is genuinely wholesome. Dedicated to promoting healthier lifestyles and encouraging better food choices, Three Farmers Foods is a forward-thinking food manufacturer with a strong focus on utilizing locally sourced ingredients to enhance food security within Canada. Driven by a vision of a more nutritious future, the company remains committed to crafting minimally processed snacks that empower consumers to prioritize their well-being.

Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Want to stay up-to-date on the latest #entrepreneur podcasts and news? Subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter

A serial entrepreneur and business leader, Joel Sherlock is a born connector who has been building great teams and delivering the expertise to execute. Joel has been at the helm of 9 successful start-ups and corporate exits, including one of BC’s top private real estate brokerages, a national first action sports e-commerce company, a successful corporate consulting firm and a few private equity funds. Joel’s time is now focused on Kelowna, BC-based Vitalis Extraction Technology, an industry leader in manufacturing industrial supercritical CO2 extraction equipment, where he is Chairman and Co-Founder, as well as on Spectrum Asset Leasing and Doventi Capital. Doventi Capital in Vancouver is the private equity fund he co-founded to support professionals in the growing legal cannabis market. Spectrum Leasing in Toronto is an asset backed lender designed to support entrepreneurs and manufacturers in the world’s fastest growing market. Born in Winnipeg Manitoba, Joel’s early years were on the farm, that all seems a far cry from studying finance at UBC and Harvard Business School and offices in Vancouver, Kelowna and Toronto. Joel still loves to balance all this travel with a few days on the farm, with no phone or internet.

Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Want to stay up-to-date on the latest #entrepreneurial podcasts and news? Subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter.

Révolutionner la réadaptation physique à domicile, voici la mission de Sarah Lambert, Présidente et Cofondatrice d'Ora Médical. Durant ses études en physiothérapie, Sarah a observé le manque dans l'accessibilité des soins pour ces patients avec des difficultés à la marche. Elle a ensuite poursuivi ses études en génie mécanique afin de développer des outils connectés de nouveau genre qui permettent aux patients de s'exercer à la maison, tout en restant en communication avec leur personnel de soins. Aujourd'hui, l'équipe d'Ora Médical est composée de 8 professionnels déterminés à avoir un impact positif dans la société.

Les entrepreneurs sont l’épine dorsale de l’économie canadienne.

Pour soutenir les entreprises canadiennes, abonnez-vous à notre chaîne YouTube et suivez-nous sur Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn et Twitter.

Vous voulez rester au courant des derniers podcasts et actualités #entrepreneur? Abonnez-vous à notre newsletter bimensuelle.

With over 20 years in the fitness industry, Chris Smith has watched the industry grow, becoming an essential part of peoples’ lives year after year.

Starting his career early in the fitness industry, Chris has been involved in the operations and logistics of many clubs — from sales to managing and everything in between. With a Bachelor of Science degree in Community Health and Promotion from Portland State University, Chris has brought his passion, dedication and perseverance to many clubs throughout North America. Based in Vancouver, BC, Chris now acts as the Chief Executive Officer and President of Fitness World, leading the charge to launch 15 clubs across B.C. in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Fitness finds its way into all aspects of Chris’ life — from his career to his personal life and staying active with his five kids in tow.

Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Want to stay up-to-date on the latest #entrepreneur podcasts and news? Subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter

Chanelle Belliveau's Farm-to-Table NB was a beautiful project built out of her work experience and a growing passion for gathering around the table.

With a background in holistic nutrition and culinary nutrition, Chanelle was deeply passionate about making the connection between where our food comes from, and how it got to our plate. This lead her to work on an organic farm, to make that connection, learn, and finalize the cycle of farm-to-table.

Chanelle has been teaching cooking classes locally in Moncton and Cap-Pele, NB, since 2016.

Cooking classes themes and recipes varies from month to month, all with the purpose of highlighting local ingredients, farmers and producers.

Her team's farm-to-table outdoor dining experiences only started last year, but with a bang! They hosted our first dinner in beautiful Cocagne, NB, with a small intimate group of 25 people. The goal with the outdoor dining experiences is really to show guests directly where their food comes from, and then experience the ultimate farm-to-table meal, enjoying the ingredients collected from the farm during dinner.

Farm-to-Table NB is focused on serving New-Brunswickers – currently in the Greater Moncton area and surroundings – but looking to expand to various locations all across New Brunswick in the new year!

Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Want to stay up-to-date on the latest #entrepreneur podcasts and news? Subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter

In this video interview, Beatrix Abdul Azeez, Policy Analyst with the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, discusses a new report outlining the consequences of a government mandated $20 per hour living wage.

Beatrix Abdul Azeez

PRESS RELEASE TORONTO, May 15, 2024 /CNW/ – Mandating a $20 per hour living wage in each province would cost the Canadian economy $44.9 billion in extra wages and put almost 600,000 small businesses at risk of becoming unprofitable, finds a new report by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB).

The report, entitled “Affordability, minimum wages, and living wages: Striking a balance for small businesses,” analyzes the impact of a $20/hour living wage, a proposal under consideration by several organizations. The report finds that governments need a new approach to address affordability challenges as traditional minimum wage and living wage policies fall short in addressing the root causes of the rising cost of living while simultaneously increasing costs on small businesses.

“Minimum wage and living wage policies often miss the mark when it comes to truly supporting the most vulnerable workers. Governments are setting these wages with no anchor in economic reality, relying on subjective and unpredictable criteria,” said Beatrix Abdul Azeez, CFIB policy analyst. “Governments should shift away from relying on these blunt tools and instead adopt a new approach to ensure workers can cope with the rising cost of living, while also guaranteeing that small businesses aren’t unfairly burdened.”

The cost of adopting a $20/hour living wage in each Canadian province

Province

Cost (millions)

Small businesses at risk of unprofitability

Newfoundland and Labrador

$943

10,653

Prince Edward Island

$332

3,100

Nova Scotia

$1,933

14,048

New Brunswick

$1,543

12,519

Québec

$10,255

141,927

Ontario

$16,741

200,387

Manitoba

$2,748

23,485

Saskatchewan

$1,823

18,432

Alberta

$4,309

73,181

British Columbia

$4,325

75,495

Canada

$44,900

572,499

The unintended consequences of minimum wage increases

Recent minimum wage hikes forced 60% of small businesses to raise wages for other workers and 59% of them to raise prices, contributing to current inflationary pressures. In addition, 31% of small businesses had to cut back on hiring young and unskilled workers, with 25% of them reducing overall employment. These findings underscore the need for a more nuanced approach to wage policies that consider the diverse impacts on both workers and businesses alike.

“Canada’s cost of living crisis requires a more effective framework: making sure rent, food, and gas prices are affordable and stable while extending support to workers and small businesses through tax reductions,” added Jairo Yunis, CFIB’s director for BC and western economic policy. “This would go a long way in addressing Canada’s affordability shock.”

CFIB recommends that governments:

Alleviate the impact of rising minimum wages on small businesses by reducing other taxes and payroll costs (such as small business tax rate, CPP, EI, health/education payroll taxes, etc.) Establish a minimum wage setting process that is predictable, transparent, reflective of market conditions, and mindful of economic impacts. Link minimum wage adjustments to private sector wage growth or a predetermined percentage of the median wage. Address the root causes of the affordability crisis by enacting policies to increase the supply of housing, reduce energy taxes, and remove interprovincial and international trade barriers. Provide targeted fiscal support for vulnerable workers through reduced personal income tax rates, increased basic personal amounts, and expanded tax credits. Read the full report here.

About CFIB

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) is Canada’s largest association of small and medium-sized businesses with 97,000 members across every industry and region. CFIB is dedicated to increasing business owners’ chances of success by driving policy change at all levels of government, providing expert advice and tools, and negotiating exclusive savings.

Mario Toneguzzi

Mario Toneguzzi is Managing Editor of Canada’s Podcast. He has more than 40 years of experience as a daily newspaper writer, columnist, and editor. He was named in 2021 as one of the Top 10 Business Journalists in the World by PR News – the only Canadian to make the list. He was also named by RETHINK to its global list of Top Retail Experts 2024.

About Us

Canada’s Podcast is the number one podcast in Canada for entrepreneurs and business owners. Established in 2016, the podcast network has interviewed over 600 Canadian entrepreneurs from coast-to-coast.

With hosts in each province, entrepreneurs have a local and national format to tell their stories, talk about their journey and provide inspiration for anyone starting their entrepreneurial journey and well- established founders.

The commitment to a grass roots approach has built a loyal audience on all our social channels and YouTube – 500,000+ lifetime YouTube views, 200,000 + audio downloads, 35,000 + average monthly social impressions, 10,000 + engaged social followers and 35,000 newsletter subscribers. Canada’s Podcast is proud to provide a local, national and international presence for Canadian entrepreneurs to build their brand and tell their story

businessCanada's Number One Podcast for EntrepreneursentrepreneursentrepreneurshipLiving wagesmall businessWages

Don Ludlow, Vice-President of Small Business, Partnerships & Strategy, RBC, provides strategic oversight and leads a team that is responsible for delivering marketing-leading solutions, partnerships and client experiences that go beyond traditional banking to help Canadian entrepreneurs successfully start, manage and grow their business.

He also manages the development of RBC’s strategy for the broader Business Financial Services portfolio, including the group’s client experience, CRM, and data analytics strategies.

Don joined RBC in 2001 and has 20 years of experience within the financial services and banking sector. Prior to joining RBC, he served as an Infantry Officer in the Canadian Army where he led soldiers on a number of domestic and international operations and worked in both staff and training roles.

Overview of Key Data Points

Led by the younger millennial and Gen Z generations, a ‘micro-entrepreneur’ economy is emerging across the country, as Canadians look to adapt to a changing landscape dominated by rising inflation and digitization

• 74 per cent of Canadian small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs are motivated to start a small business or side-hustle due to the increasing cost of living - With this number rising to 84 per cent among Gen Z respondents
• A strong majority (77 per cent) of current and aspiring entrepreneurs report that their chief aim is to create a source of income to support themselves - Millennials (86 per cent) are even more likely to cite this as their main reason for starting a business

Key factors supporting the emergence of the micro-entrepreneurship economy.

• Emerging technologies allow them to reach new markets and explore new ways of doing business (47 per cent)
• Being able to conduct their business or "side-hustle" online remotely lowers the overhead costs associated with starting and running a business (47 per cent)
• Digital solutions reduce the efforts for administration and back-office aspects of running a business (42 per cent)

A shift in customer preferences is also creating fertile ground for small and micro-businesses.

• 89 per cent of those surveyed agree that small businesses are able to provide products and services tailored to local needs
• Another 72 per cent stated that they believe small businesses have the ability to innovate at a more rapid rate than larger organizations
• Moreover, 71 per cent were more likely to support businesses with an active presence in their local community
• For current and aspiring business owners, the rising preference and increased willingness of Canadians to shop local has contributed to their overall desire to become an entrepreneur, with 39 per cent of those surveyed stating that this shift has motivated and made it easier for them to start a business.

Read more on Newswire

Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Want to stay up-to-date on the latest #entrepreneur podcasts and news? Subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter

Dragons’ Den and Canada’s Podcast have partnered to give away 3 golden tickets to pitch to the dragons! Get your golden ticket to Dragons’ Den today by uploading your 60-second video pitch to our entry page at https://canadaspodcast.com/dragonsden. The best 3 elevator pitches will get a golden ticket to audition to the Dragons’ Den producers.

Wes Hall is Executive Chairman and Founder of Kingsdale Advisors. He is the newest Dragon to the Den - Canada’s first Black Dragon. He has been married for 30 years and is father of five kids. Wes was originally from St. Thomas, Jamaica and he immigrated to Canada at 16 years old. Raised by his grandmother in a tin shack with 13 siblings and no running water, Wes is truly a self-made Canadian dream success story. His favourite sports team: the Toronto Raptors. Wes is very into fitness (yoga, pilates, peloton, treadmill, weights, all sports). Wes is known for his generosity, leveraging his business success to benefit others with a number of impactful charitable initiatives, and serves as a Board Member of the SickKids Foundation, Pathways to Education, Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and The Black Academy. He is also a Member of the Board of Governors at Huron University College. Wes is Founder and Chairman of The Canadian Council of Business Leaders Against Anti-Black Systemic Racism and the BlackNorth Initiative, committed to the removal of anti-Black systemic barriers negatively affecting the lives of Black Canadians. He has also changed the lives of thousands of children in the Caribbean and Canada, donating both his money and time. In 2015, Wes was the recipient of the Vice Chancellor’s Award and in 2017 received an Honorary Doctorate, both from the University of the West Indies.

Maybe you can join him and begin your success journey. Take a listen to the podcast. Give us your 60-second video pitch and who knows, you might get to meet the Dragons. The best 3 elevator pitches will get a golden ticket to audition to the Dragons’ Den producers. Go to https://canadaspodcast.com/dragonsden and make your pitch.

Milena Radakovik is the President and owner of Nexus Exhibits Ltd, where she leads through engagement, education, and empowerment. She has over 25 years of professional experience, a passion for supporting women in business. She holds an MBA from H. Wayne Huizenga School of Business and Entrepreneurship and has a B. of Commerce degree from the University of Calgary Haskayne School of Business. She is the Board Chair of WEDO Canada, is a member of Entrepreneurs Organization (EO) and sits on their Global Subcommittee. Currently she is the Ambassador of both WEDO and the Women in Leadership Foundation (WIL), dedicated to advancing women in leadership roles and women entrepreneurs. She was awarded "Presidents Volunteer Champion" Award by the WIL in 2015, a winner of University of Calgary’s WRC Distinction Alumna award, the 2018 "Business Leader in Calgary Award, and in 2020, she was honoured with the Calgary Influential Women in Business Award, for her professional accomplishments, influence and business community involvement.

Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Want to stay up-to-date on the latest #entrepreneur podcasts and news? Subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter

Alex Simonelli is a 25-year-old Toronto-based entrepreneur who founded Daydream, a hemp & adaptogen-infused sparkling water. With a background in sales & entrepreneurship since the age of 17, Alex has always been a free thinker, and most importantly someone who lives by his own ideals. His previous intrapreneurial experiences have taken him through different organizations where he led teams, drove revenue, and witnessed other founders exit their startups as different markets immerged for growth.

Daydream is an accumulation of his own personal growth, and his first step into full business ownership. Alex saw a gap in the market for "better for you" hemp & adaptogenic beverages in Canada and has not looked back since. Daydream’s branding is just as calming as the ingredients inside. Alex refers to this as his art to the world.

Outside of the office, you can find Alex playing his piano, or traversing across Toronto for the city’s best takeout restaurants!

Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Want to stay up-to-date on the latest #entrepreneur podcasts and news? Subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter

Thomas J. Sandrin is a highly experienced marketing and branding professional in the luxury watch industry with over 15 years of expertise. Originally from Paris, he relocated to Canada almost two decades ago and established himself as the Canadian Brand Manager for Hamilton Watches, part of the Swatch Group, where he developed a strong reputation and a deep understanding of luxury brand requirements. Thomas further enhanced his skills by pursuing an MBA with the prestigious Australian Institute of Business.

As the Founder and President of Northern Watch Services Inc. (NWS), Thomas empowers authorized jewellers and luxury brands to enhance their brand presence through various services, including e-commerce, social media support, and marketing consulting. His latest venture, WatchDNA.com, aims to connect jewellers with watch enthusiasts. This platform bridges the gap between watch enthusiasts, jewellers and brands, uniting those who share a passion for timepieces and the unique stories behind them.

Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Want to stay up-to-date on the latest #entrepreneur podcasts and news? Subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter

Jayson Krause is an award-winning jack of all trades. As an author, leadership strategist, speaker, executive coach, and the founder of Level 52, Jayson is disrupting the industry and elevating meaningful leadership to an unforeseen territory.

Jayson caters to a wide range of clients. Businesses want him to train their leaders and leaders tap into his expertise to elevate their abilities. In the last year, Level 52 has had to pivot along with their clients, but Jayson and his team work closely with their clients to create some certainty in such uncertain times.

Want to make sure your #smallbusiness is protected in case of the unexpected? The Co-operators Can Help! To find a Cooperators advisor and get started today go to lp.cooperators.ca/canadapodcast

Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Want to stay up-to-date on the latest #entrepreneur podcasts and news? Subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter.

Thierry Joubert, investisseur immobilier détenant 32 millions d’actifs et 245 logements en partenariat, est reconnu pour son expertise en création de valeur dans la détention d'actifs immobiliers à long terme. Travailler c’est bien, mais collecter c’est mieux. L'entrepreneuriat est avant tout un véhicule qui lui permet de poursuivre son plus grand projet : un système d’éducation adapté à la réalité d’aujourd’hui. Comment inspirer des ACTIONSSS pour la prochaine génération? 1800 industrialisation, 2023 informations, pourtant notre système d’éducation n’a pas évolué. Il met actuellement tout en place pour créer une nouvelle école où on apprend à se tromper et s’entraider pour se relever. Il rêve d’une société qui développe des citoyens heureux d’apporter une valeur à la communauté.

Karen Barry is Founder/CEO of the Beltline Cannabis retail store as well as owner of Barry Commercial Real Estate in Calgary.

Nutrition Coaches, Marjie Richardson and Kelan Smith are co-founders of High Peak Nutrition. High Peak Nutrition is a Canadian nutrition coaching company rooted in food psychology. Empowering people with a customized one-on-one approach to supporting responsible weight management, High Peak Nutrition’s programs are built to reduce inflammation and create hormonal balance to promote long-term wellness.

Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Want to stay up-to-date on the latest #entrepreneur podcasts and news? Subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter

Nakula Das’ semen retention lifestyle made international news during his run for office in the 2021 Canadian Federal Election. For most North Americans, this ancient practice was unheard of and elicited a wide range of reactions. While there was no correlation between his political campaign and his semen retention practice, it brought international awareness to the population's lack of sexual knowledge and current battle with porn addiction.

Nakula has declared #WarOnPorn and is making sex education and semen retention mainstream.

With the rise of internet pornography and the over sexualization of modern culture, Nakula is challenging the mainstream narrative and culture on its views and understanding of sex and sexuality.

He is the creator of the ‘Semen Retention Army’, a full training and accountability program dedicated to helping men quit porn, regulate their ejaculations, become better lovers for their partners and become more focused and disciplined. His program teaches men how to use breath-work, muscle control and meditation to develop a new relationship with their sexual energy and redirect those urges into healthy pursuits.

Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Want to stay up-to-date on the latest #entrepreneur podcasts and news? Subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter

Amar Singh, the CEO and co-founder of Elevated Signals in Vancouver, began his entrepreneurial path at the LaunchPad tech accelerator where he met co-founders Benn and Hardeep. Their shared passion for cleantech and agtech led them to establish Elevated Signals, aiming to modernize manufacturing software for emerging sustainable industries. Amar brings a decade of experience managing multi-million dollar projects, including notable research facilities like the Biotron Experimental Climate Change Research Centre and the extraterrestrial Autonomous Robotic Greenhouse. His work is driven by a commitment to enhancing global health and societal well-being, focusing on food security and environmental sustainability.

Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Want to stay up-to-date on the latest #entrepreneur podcasts and news? Subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter

Matthew Boswell was appointed Commissioner of Competition on March 5, 2019, for a five-year term. He first joined the Competition Bureau in January 2011 and served in various senior management positions throughout the organization, leading merger reviews and directing major investigations targeting criminal cartels, abuse of dominance and deceptive marketing practices.

Before joining the Bureau, Mr. Boswell worked in a private practice in Toronto, served as Assistant Crown Attorney with the Ministry of the Attorney General of Ontario, and was a Senior Litigation Counsel at the Ontario Securities Commission, where he primarily prosecuted securities fraud and related matters.

Hear about competition and marketing rules every business should know.

To learn more about creating an effective compliance program, visit http://www.competitionbureau.gc.ca/eic/site/cb-bc.nsf/eng/h_04456.html

Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Want to stay up-to-date on the latest #entrepreneur podcasts and news? Subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter

Emily Ward is the co-founder of Canada’s leading global influencer talent management agency Shine Talent Group. Emily transformed her PR agency (which she had for 10+ years) into a full influencer talent management agency. In this session we discuss, knowing when to make a change, knowing when it's time to bring on a business partner, and how to find the right person.

Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Want to stay up-to-date on the latest #entrepreneur podcasts and news? Subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter

Pourquoi c'est important de bien cerner et appliquer les valeurs de l'entreprise? Notre host Sylvie Bougie s'entretient sur ce sujet avec le fondateur de Buddha-Station, Monsieur Christian Genest. On y aborde aussi des sujets comme les récents défis d'opérer dans l'industrie alimentaire en temps de pandémie, le succès de Sushitaxi et l'importance d'être authentique! Christian, merci pour ta grande générosité!

Christian Genest, 45 ans, père d’une adolescente, amateur de gin-tonic et maniaque de boxe à en avoir fondé un OBNL. Il a fondé le groupe Sushitaxi en 2000 avec 500$ sur sa carte de crédit et revendu en 2016 alors qu'il comptait 19 restos et plus de 350 employés. Il collabore comme enseignant à l’école d’entrepreneurship de Beauce et à l'institut du leadership de gestion. Sa mission est de changer la façon dont les gens mangent en entreprise avec son nouveau projet Buddha-Station.

Les entrepreneurs sont l’épine dorsale de l’économie canadienne. Pour soutenir les entreprises canadiennes, abonnez-vous à notre chaîne YouTube et suivez-nous sur Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn et Twitter.

Vous voulez rester au courant des derniers podcasts et actualités #entrepreneurial? Abonnez-vous à notre newsletter bimensuelle.

David Tiefenbach, Owner, Atta-Boy Property Inspections, grew up in a small town just east of Regina and spent a lot of time at his grandparents' grain farm. It was an integral part of his life at a young age. After high school he went into the plumbing and gas fitting trade, moved to Edmonton 2005 and started his plumbing business in 2006. In 2017 he was excited to get into the cannabis business but "ended up losing my shirt." In 2018 he got his home inspector licenses and started Atta Boy Property Inspections early 2019. His intent was always to sell Atta-Boy franchises and help others in the trades to find something different and easier on the body.

"I have a strong belief and I have the determination to make this successful for trades people and any other with a good work ethic who are interested. I know my support system on the business side is what really matters for the franchisees to become and stay successful. This isn’t about home inspections this is about learning the business about home inspections. This is about building relationships for success. That's why I call it Inspection Success," he says.

In February 2023, Atta-Boy will start taking applications from any teenagers from 15 to 19 who may think they might be interested in Home Inspecting and seeing other trades in action from framers, electricians, plumbers, HVAC guys and insulators. He has set up a summer school holiday program from July 1 to Aug 31 for teenagers to have an opportunity to shadow these trades in action and to spend the last remaining 2 weeks with him shadowing him doing home inspections. It’s all free and the intent is to spike interest and possibly look at a trade school and possibly maybe a future Atta-Boy franchisee owner after learning their trade of choice.

Tiefenbach also has a goal to build an acreage just east of Sherwood Park with a picture in his head of a couple of Clydesdales roaming around.

Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Want to stay up-to-date on the latest #entrepreneur podcasts and news? Subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter

Dr. Jim Feng is a mission-driven serial entrepreneur located out of Markham, Ontario. In 2009, Dr. Feng founded Form & Function: Health which has transformed into one of the first truly integrated health models. Not only does Form & function host a repertoire of integrated health care services, it also created a business model that has been paying high dividends to its investors and franchisees year after year. This insight into healthcare and his love for technology-based companies has incubated several start-ups in disruptive healthcare technologies, content aggregation and real-time language translation. Seeing pain points in the physical injury and insurance industry, Dr. Feng has recently founded Phyxable Inc. Phyxable is an end-to-end virtual pain and prevention platform that uses machine learning, augmented reality and gamification to coach people out of pain, while empowering them with better human performance. Alongside his Chiropractic degree, Dr. Feng is also a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist and Medical Acupuncturist, and has directed medical teams for world championships, professional and Olympic Level sporting events in the MMA and Wrestling. On a personal level, Dr. Feng enjoys high-performance individual sports, extreme adventures, diving deep into health-tech & lifespan solutions, Aquascaping, and giving back to what matters.

The Silicon Valley Bank team in Canada can help you take your next step. Find out more about the bank that has nearly 40 years of global experience supporting venture-backed tech and life science companies and their investors. We’re in Canada to help leading innovators reach the next stage, faster. Visit www.svb.com/canada/connect. Silicon Valley bank, helping you move your bold ideas forward, fast.

Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Want to stay up-to-date on the latest #entrepreneur podcasts and news? Subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter

Krysta Francoeur has worked as a designer and brand-builder for 14 years. In 2014 she moved to Malaysia to work for the famous transformational education company Mindvalley, and has since supported some of the biggest names in personal development such as T. Harv Eker, Deepak Chopra, The Shift Network, the authors of Stealing Fire, and more – all well building her own health food company, Wild Remedies.

Known for her ability to create beauty in everything she sees, the founder of Wild Remedies, Krysta Francoeur, is a Modern Magick Maven who has used the physical and emotional she has experienced, to facilitate healing, awareness, and balance with herbs and nutraceuticals to the marketplace in a unique way.

Seeing an opportunity in the market for better-for-you functional beverages, Krysta was inspired to use her years of creative expertise to create a product line that uses the medicine of botanicals (natural healing), the beauty of art and design (packaging), and the creativity of cooking (flavour), to create a product line that’s forging a new path in the wellness space by merging supplement with beverage.

By utilizing therapeutic-grade botanicals, super-shrooms, and nutraceuticals, as well as planting a tree for every product purchased, Krysta hopes to encourage everyone to consider the use of healing plants to correct imbalances, reconnect with nature, reignite the beauty within themselves, and help to heal our home on planet earth.

Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Want to stay up-to-date on the latest #entrepreneur podcasts and news? Subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter

Chau Lui is co-owner of Paris Jewellers, which began as a small location in St. Albert, Alberta and today has stores across Canada. Lui talks about the company's humble roots and how it has become a national retail success story.

Ellen Parker is a pillar in the Calgary community as a leader and an active volunteer - serving on a variety of Boards and Committees.

Ellen Parker is the founder and CEO of PARKER PR, the public relations firm based in Calgary with clients across Canada and in New York City. She has a proven track record of strong leadership and helping businesses thrive through creating and implementing thoughtful communication strategies.

Prior to founding PARKER PR, Ellen worked in New York City for the Institute for Children and Poverty and for boutique PR firms representing a variety of celebrities, hotels and small businesses. In Canada, Ellen has worked for the Alberta government, Word Fest: Banff Calgary International Writers Festival, the Calgary Food Bank and the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra.

Ellen sits on the Board of Directors for the Famous 5 Foundation, the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra Foundation Board of Trustees, the Chair of the Hillhurst Parent Council, the Mount Royal University Public Relations Advisory Committee and an ongoing volunteer for the Brenda Strafford Centre, a home for women and children fleeing domestic violence.

Ellen is one of Avenue Magazine's Top 40 Under 40 Alumni and a recipient of the Mayors' Excellence Award for her work as the Manager of Education and Outreach with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra. Ellen is most proud of her family - including her parents, husband and her two boys, her team at PARKER PR, and her commitment to volunteerism.

Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Want to stay up-to-date on the latest #entrepreneur podcasts and news? Subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter.

Augustine Wong (www.augustine-wong.com) grew up in Vancouver, BC and worked as a computer engineer for almost 10 years. 6 years ago, he started investing in real estate after attending a Keyspire real estate investing seminar. Over time, he built up a portfolio of 3 income properties and used different real estate investing strategies to generate 5-figure passive income annually. At the same time, he slowly realized that all of the hard work and dedication to his full time job translated very often into being passed over for promotions and long nights spent staring at a laptop. He realized that being smart and hard working meant little in the corporate world. But being smart and hard working when investing your own money translated into success.

Because of his bitter experience working as an employee for someone else and his success being a real estate investor, Augustine is on a mission to show people that they too can be real estate investors so that they do not need to feel so dependent on their full time jobs to survive. When working with his clients, his goal is not to help them earn more money but to help them make investments which will empower them to pursue the lives that they truly desire.

Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Want to stay up-to-date on the latest #entrepreneurial podcasts and news? Subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter.

In this video interview, Phil Soper, President and CEO of Royal LePage, discusses the current housing market in Canada and what to expect in 2024.

#business #homes #housing #realestate #royallepage #MLS #entrepreneurs #entrepreneurship 

Mario Toneguzzi is Managing Editor of Canada’s Podcast. He has more than 40 years of experience as a daily newspaper writer, columnist, and editor. He was named in 2021 as one of the Top 10 Business Journalists in the World by PR News – the only Canadian to make the list

Help support the channel by connecting with #canadaspodcast

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/canadaspodcast Website: https://canadaspodcast.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/canadaspodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/canadaspodcast Twitter: https://twitter.com/canadaspodcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/canadas-podcast

Want to stay up-to-date on the latest #entrepreneur #podcast and news? Subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter at https://www.canadaspodcast.com/newsletter-signup

Jamie Salé, former Olympic gold medalist and world champion in figure skating, is a motivational coach and speaker in Edmonton. She talks about being an entrepreneur, the connection between sports and business, and dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mark Genuis, Ph.D, is President and CEO ICE Health Systems, based in Calgary, Alberta. With a healthcare background including providing work as a practicing psychologist and leading a research institute for five years, Dr. Genuis is passionate about excellence in healthcare, knowledge transfer and learning. Combined with a healthy addiction to technology, he leads the conceptual and practical development of ICE, an entirely new generation of electronic health record and management systems.

Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Want to stay up-to-date on the latest #entrepreneurial podcasts and news? Subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter.

Justine Sones (www.justinesones.com) is a writer and stress management coach who loves drinking coffee, helping burnt-out humans set boundaries, and talking about things that hurt. During her career as a massage therapist, Justine’s practice was dedicated to exploring the roles that stress, pain, and relaxation play in healing the physical body. She came to realize that the support her clients needed required more than a massage, and made it her mission to help them. Justine now spends her time writing about feelings and coaching other over-functioning humans develop healthy boundaries and practice sustainable self-care as they navigate the messy intersections of partnering, parenting, -preneuring, and pandemicking.

Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Want to stay up-to-date on the latest #entrepreneur podcasts and news? Subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter

Cette entrevue a été réalisé avant le départ de François Gilbert à titre de président-directeur général d’Anges Québec.

C’est avec passion et conviction que monsieur François Gilbert assure depuis 2008, le rôle de président-directeur général d’Anges Québec ainsi que d’Anges Québec Capital depuis 2012. Il est également depuis 2005, président-directeur général chez FIER Succès, un fonds de capital de risque basé à Québec.

Ayant personnellement ou de concert avec ses associés participé à réaliser plus d’une centaine de placements privés au cours des dernières années, son engagement envers les entreprises en démarrage est reconnu au sein du milieu.

Merci à Ebay, notre partenaire financier Allez au cafr.ebay.ca/toujoursenmarche Les entrepreneurs sont la colonne vertébrale de l’économie canadienne.

Pour supporter les entreprises canadiennes, souscrivez à notre chaine Youtube et suivez nous sur Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn et Twitter.

Linda Valade, Consultante, conférencière et formatrice agréée.

Sa passion ? La communication et les compétences relationnelles Linda Valade est auteur, synergologue, spécialisée en communication non verbale, enseignante en programmation neurolinguistique et spécialiste de la technologie des préférences cérébrales Herrmann depuis 2011, ce qui lui octroie une vision élargie de la communication.

Une professionnelle détenant plus de vingt années d’expérience en accompagnement et développement des affaires institutionnelles. De 1988 à 2013, elle a œuvré dans le secteur de la sécurité financière où elle a su se démarquer et recevoir des mentions d’honneur pour avoir accompagné ses équipes de ventes à atteindre les premiers rangs. En 2013, elle a fondé son école de formations corporatives, l'Institut VERUM inc. Ses services se sont rapidement offerts du Québec jusqu’en France.

Finalement Linda a été reçue par plusieurs médias notamment, la radio, la télévision, plusieurs journaux dont Le journal des Affaires dans le but de démystifier la communication non verbale.

Les entrepreneurs sont l’épine dorsale de l’économie canadienne.

Pour soutenir les entreprises canadiennes, abonnez-vous à notre chaîne YouTube et suivez-nous sur Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn et Twitter.

Vous voulez rester au courant des derniers podcasts et actualités #entrepreneur? Abonnez-vous à notre newsletter bimensuelle.

Justin Hartzman is returning to Canada's Podcast to give us an interesting update on his entrepreneurial journey. And seeing as he snow now running CoinSmart a public company in the cryptocurrency sector -- he is going to give us insights on the crypto market as well.

Justin Hartzman is the CEO and Co-founder of CoinSmart, a crypto asset trading platform exchange based in Toronto that simplifies cryptocurrency investing for participants of all experience levels through a simple interface, education and customer support. Justin founded CoinSmart on the basis of making cryptocurrency accessible to all. Justin strongly believes in the promising future cryptocurrency has to offer and the importance of it being a part of any well balanced portfolio of investments. As a seasoned business leader and entrepreneur, Justin has led numerous companies from start-up to successful exit. His proven track record of entrepreneurial success includes founding the first website brokerage exclusively serving online businesses, pioneering the industry and achieving over $100M in transactions to Fortune 1000 companies, PE firms, family offices, and venture funds.

Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Want to stay up-to-date on the latest #entrepreneur podcasts and news? Subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter

Julie Blais travaillait en comptabilité depuis 15 ans, lorsque l'idée de fonder sa propre entreprise lui est apparue nécessaire. Elle adore relever des défis et est motivée par le dépassement et l’accomplissement de soi. Elle a développé les nappes éducatives à colorier BiMoo pour enfants et maintenant pour répondre aux besoins des adultes et des aînés.

Sa mission est d’offrir aux parents et aux professionnels un outil pédagogique novateur et ludique ainsi qu’une alternative à la médication et au numérique. Je considère l’humain comme étant le cœur d’une entreprise, et je vois la mobilisation, l’écoute et la collaboration comme des éléments essentiels à la force d’une équipe et de l’entreprise en soi.

Les entrepreneurs sont l’épine dorsale de l’économie canadienne. Pour soutenir les entreprises canadiennes, abonnez-vous à notre chaîne YouTube et suivez-nous sur Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn et Twitter.

Vous voulez rester au courant des derniers podcasts et actualités #entrepreneur? Abonnez-vous à notre newsletter bimensuelle.

Matthew von Teichman is a serial entrepreneur and one of the country's biggest leaders in the Natural Products category (founder of Spore Wellness, GreenSpace brands, Life Choices, among just a few). He's started 9 companies and it's obvious he loves the energy and innovation of a startup! and he's made his entrepreneurial drive pay off. He's now going back to his roots and doing startups in the e-commerce and food space, as well as helping entrepreneurs with their businesses as an investor, mentor, and advocate to help them avoid some of the many mistakes I've made. Check out his latest venture at Purplesful.

Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Want to stay up-to-date on the latest #entrepreneur podcasts and news? Subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter

S'investir dans des projets en lien avec ses valeurs, vouloir changer le monde et être une girlboss pour Végane, mais pas plate! Voici quelques éléments abordé par Jessie Nadeau avec notre host Sylvie Bougie. PS Un scoop se retrouve dans le balado, vous voulez pas manquer cela :)

Jessie Nadeau a grandi en Beauce avant de déménager à Québec pour ses études en cinéma. Elle a poursuivi son parcours en psychologie à l’université, pour renouer ensuite avec son amour des arts en suivant plusieurs formations d'acteurs à Montréal, Vancouver et Los Angeles, ainsi qu’une formation intensive en Filmmaking à New-York.

Après une grosse prise de conscience concernant les impacts de l’agriculture animale sur la planète et des habitants, elle a entamé une transition vers un mode de vie plus écolo et est devenue une fervente défenderesse des droits des animaux. Elle a décidé d’allier sa passion pour les arts à ce mouvement qui l’anime. Son désir d’un monde plus juste l’a aussi motivé à faire tout en son pouvoir pour faire avancer plusieurs autres combats de justice sociale et environnementale. Elle a réalisé des courts-métrages et vidéos engagés qui façonnent son activisme, en plus d’oeuvrer en tant que scénariste, metteure en scène, animatrice, réalisatrice et actrice sur plusieurs autres projets.

Après sa participation à Occupation Double, Jessie a eu la chance d’obtenir une belle tribune et une communauté grandissante. Trouvant important d’utiliser cette nouvelle visibilité au profit des causes qui lui tiennent à coeur, elle a co-fondé l’entreprise « Végane, mais pas plate! » afin de rendre l’alimentation végétalienne plus accessible.

Les entrepreneurs sont l’épine dorsale de l’économie canadienne. Pour soutenir les entreprises canadiennes, abonnez-vous à notre chaîne YouTube et suivez-nous sur Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn et Twitter.

Vous voulez rester au courant des derniers podcasts et actualités #entrepreneur? Abonnez-vous à notre newsletter bimensuelle.

Kevin Harrison is the Principal at Sturgess Architecture, a locally based firm that has completed some of Canada’s most recognized projects. They created the Glacier Skywalk, and are working on a Flyover Canada project in Toronto, as well as being in charge of the new Green Line in Calgary.

Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Want to stay up-to-date on the latest #entrepreneurial podcasts and news? Subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter.

Teresa de Grosbois (say "de-Grow-bwah") based in Costa Rica. Teresa is on a mission to change the planet, one grass-roots movement at a time. She is the #1 international bestselling author of ‘Mass Influence – The Habits of the Highly Influential’, which has been on the bestseller lists in 7 countries since 2015.

A 4x international bestselling author, Teresa teaches marketing courses around the globe to business leaders and entrepreneurs on how to create massively successful word of mouth campaigns. Teresa heads the international Evolutionary Business Council, a membership-based organization which empowers change-makers to create profitable, impactful businesses that have a lasting and transformational impact on the individuals that they serve.

Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Want to stay up-to-date on the latest #entrepreneur podcasts and news? Subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter

Future Thinkers Mike Gilliland and Euvie Ivanova are entrepreneurs, futurists, strategists, designers, podcasters, blockchain enthusiasts focused on evolving technology, society, and consciousness to create a more sustainable future for all of humanity.

To survive and thrive in rapidly changing times, Mike & Euvie are adapting to the changing world, redesigning systems to be regenerative (returning living systems to health and full capacity), and building a #futurproof village.

Their Future Thinkers Smart Village is a regenerative living lab and education center located in the beautiful Wells Gray country, BC, Canada. The living lab will work to prototype innovations in the areas of affordable housing, permaculture and food production, health & wellness, regenerative business and economy, decentralized technology, community organization, new forms of governance, and whole systems design.

Part of their aim is to create processes and templates that other communities can use to regenerate the health of the bioregional ecosystem, the local communities, and the people living in them.

This podcast is brought to you by Schneider Electric. Supporting Canadian businesses with innovative energy management and automation solutions. Schneider Electric...your digital partner for Sustainability and Efficiency. Click here to learn more.

Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Want to stay up-to-date on the latest #entrepreneur podcasts and news? Subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter