Economy

January 12, 2026  by

MEDIA: CBC News Network Weekend Business Panel (January, 2026)

Pleased to join the CBC News Network Weekend Business Panel, alongside Sherena Hussain, Mark Warner, and Marianne Dimain, talking Venezuela and the impact on Canadian oil, the impending decision on Trump’s tariffs, and Prime Minister Carney’s trade travels, including to China; you can watch our segment here.

This week’s Business Advisor Highlight:

Canada sometimes has a reputation for being underestimated, in terms of being a relatively small country with, perhaps, limited potential and impact.  Our country, however, is relatively stable, reliable, diverse, and has the potential to significantly increase its productivity in a number of areas; these are meaningful benefits, especially when compared to countries with attributes such as volatility, risk and uncertainty.  From a business perspective, companies seek to minimize risk, wherever possible, to avoid negative impacts and uncertainty to their own operations and customer base.

Our Prime Minister has had discussions with numerous countries over the last several months, and has been successful in bringing together a diverse group of provincial leaders and keeping them there.  Doing so requires the skills of an experienced senior business leader and the ability to build and maintain relationships.  Although PM Carney is within his first year of tenure, this business oriented approach is a good foundation for promoting Canada’s potential to the world, and given the current friction from our largest trading partner, it is an opportune time to do so.

Thanks for watching, and all the best in 2026 (it’s going to be a busy business year)!

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October 1, 2025  by

MEDIA: CBC News Network Weekend Business Panel (September 27, 2025)

Pleased to join the CBC News Network Weekend Business Panel, alongside Sherena Hussain and Marianne Dimain, talking significant changes at Canada Post, more US tariffs, Canadian GDP growth, and Tim Hortons gear; you can watch our segment here.

This week’s Business Advisor Highlight:

Meaningful change at Canada Post is long overdue, given the decline in letter volume to less than one-half of 2006 levels, years of significant losses, and the current year’s loss projected at over $1 billion.  If Canada Post was a “regular company”, it would not be in business, as this scenario is not viable.  Infrastructure levels that are consistent with consumer demand of years ago, including staff, services, and facilities, are simply not sustainable, in the current reality, but also in terms of future needs.  It is unhelpful for anyone involved in this matter to perpetuate unrealistic demands, and doing so may result in others stepping up to make the necessary structural changes.

This brings to mind an age-old consultant question, in times of change: do you want to have a role in defining the changes that will impact you, or have others make the decisions on your behalf?  This reality is one that should be considered carefully, and a better indication of next steps at Canada Post should be announced in 45 days or less.

Thanks for watching!

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September 15, 2025  by

MEDIA: CBC News Network Weekend Business Panel (September, 2025)

Pleased to join the CBC News Network Weekend Business Panel, alongside Danielle Park and Marianne Dimain, talking Canada’s nation building projects, increases in household debt, and the upcoming Bank of Canada rate decision; you can watch our segment here.

This week’s Business Advisor Highlight:

As an implementer at heart, it’s exciting to see this week’s announcement of the top nation building projects, as well as the second tranche that is expected to be confirmed in a couple of months.  Implementation is extremely challenging, and is often fraught with unexpected hurdles to resolve; however, it is critical that Canada is able to complete the necessary tasks to diversify markets and increase the supply of high potential goods and services.

On a personal level, I was watching to see if either the Wind West (Atlantic Canada) or Port of Churchill (Manitoba) projects would be on the list (both are included in the second tranche), as regional diversity of qualified projects represents an opportunity to further enhance engagement and progress.  Regardless, it’s great to see the process beginning, to bring Canada’s potential to both our own country and the World.

Thanks for watching!

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February 9, 2025  by

MEDIA: CBC News Network Weekend Business Panel (February, 2025)

Pleased to join the CBC News Network Weekend Business Panel, alongside Elmer Kim and Marianne Dimain, talking Trump tariff threats and the future of Canada Post; you can watch our segment here.

This week’s Business Advisor Highlight:

Emotions are understandably running high, as it goes without saying: Canada is nobody’s state.  Regardless of what actions are taken by the US, Canadians must take immediate steps to strengthen the position of our country.  This includes diversifying Canada’s global trade relationships and making it easier for Canadian companies to do business both globally and across the country.  While ideas are a helpful starting point, it is critical that the implementation aspect be well designed, recognizing that Canadian businesses require capital and practical advice to successfully develop and execute growth strategies.

One of the best realities about Trump’s threats is that everyone in Canada can play a role in the response, including all levels of government, businesses, and consumers.  Canada is and will always be stronger together, so let’s step up and proudly support our great country!

Thanks for watching and see you again soon.

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September 15, 2024  by

MEDIA: CBC News Network Weekend Business Panel (September, 2024)

Pleased to join the CBC News Network Weekend Business Panel, alongside Sherena Hussain and Marianne Dimain, talking Air Canada’s labour dispute, the ongoing housing market slump, and new cashier kiosks at McDonald’s.  You can watch our segment here.

This week’s Business Advisor Highlight:

In a competitive marketplace, businesses must be able to attract and retain customers on an ongoing basis, otherwise, the company’s future is at risk; this simple fact is obvious to anyone with business experience.  Contrast this reality for most businesses, with Canada’s air travel industry, that is dominated by a small number of large companies (Air Canada and Westjet, in particular).  Service disruptions and shutdowns that arise from labour disputes impact the customer more than anyone, as they are not directly involved in the dispute, but are inconvenienced by it the most, as carefully made travel plans going out the window, with what seems to be little concern from either the company or the labour group.  Anyone who has been in this situation is familiar with the uncertainty, challenges, frustration, and costs that tend to arise, with little meaningful assistance available (and if any recognition of the significant negative impact on customers is given, it tends to come across as insincere, at best).

The irony is that it is the customer who effectively pays the salaries or both staff and management, by way of the flights that they purchase; too bad that there seems to be so little given in return to get to a solution in times like these.

Thanks for watching; enjoy these last few days of Summer weather!

Footnote:  The impending labour dispute at Air Canada was reported as a tentative agreement having been reached by the end of the day when our segment aired.

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August 26, 2024  by

Celebrating 7 Years on the CBC News Network Weekend Business Panel (August, 2024)

Extremely grateful to celebrate seven years on the CBC News Network Weekend Business Panel; there is nothing like live TV!  It started with two and a half years of appearances on set in CBC’s flagship studio, followed by a longer period of remote work, covering a wide range of business stories.  Below is a sample of topics where I have provided commentary over the past seven years (over 130 lines and counting!), all of it live:

Stories of particular interest to me are those that can bring in a range of factors, such as demographics, changing consumer preferences, global business trends, and even the political landscape.  Thanks for watching; it is a privilege to bring the news to you!

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August 19, 2024  by

MEDIA: CBC News Network Weekend Business Panel (August, 2024)

Pleased to join the CBC News Network Weekend Business Panel, alongside Elmer Kim and Marianne Dimain talking Canada Jetlines stops flying, growth in Canadian housing starts, and the membership crackdown at Costco.  You can watch our segment here.

This week’s Business Advisor Highlight:

I’ve seen many situations where entrepreneurs and potential business leaders are keen to get their new venture up and running.  Although this type of excitement is understandable, they tend to underestimate the problems that are likely to occur after launch, with some of these being issues that were identified in the planning stage, but not resolved, while others are challenges that might not have been anticipated.  Either way, problems that occur during operations cost “real money”, while those identified in the planning stage occur “on paper”.  This is why it is so critical to delay launch until these issues have been resolved.

Starting a company with insufficient capital is likely to result in strained operations, including cashflow problems and the inability to operate; this does little to raise confidence in the marketplace, something that is of critical importance to new ventures.  It is difficult enough to operate a company during periods of insufficient capital, much less a growing business, as growth requires money for various reasons.  The tip?  Keep the company parked in the planning stage until such time that critical issues are resolved.

Thanks for watching, and see you again soon!

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July 8, 2024  by

MEDIA: CBC News Network Weekend Business Panel (July, 2024)

Pleased to join the CBC News Network Weekend Business Panel, alongside Jeanhy Shim and Marianne Dimain talking Hudson Bay Co’s deal to purchase luxury retailer Neiman Marcus, home sales plummeting, and the abundance of vacant downtown office space.   You can watch our segment here.

This week’s Business Advisor Highlight:

One of the typical statements that is made when a merger or acquisition occurs is the expectation that “synergies” will be realized; these are often touted as being “significant”.  Types of synergies may include decreasing staffing levels, office or warehouse space, and combining technology systems.  It is important to remember that synergies are theoretical until they are achieved, and doing so is typically a difficult and lengthy process.

Those with significant implementation experience know the many pitfalls of achieving synergies, including:

  • System and information requirements that do not combine well, service providers who cannot get the job done, user backlash, and excuses (so many excuses);
  • The challenges of downsizing staff groups, often fraught with meddling from senior managers and executives, in terms of who should depart and who should stay (i.e., “not my people; those people over there should go”, etc.); and
  • Redundant space that is leased or owned, which takes time to divest.

This scenario can go on for years, while costs continue to be incurred, and it is not uncommon for synergies to not be realized at all.  When this happens, “duplication” results, an expensive, if not fatal, outcome.  Time will tell if the intended synergies can be realized in this particular situation.

Thanks for watching!

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January 15, 2024  by

MEDIA: CBC News Network Weekend Business Panel (January, 2024)

Pleased to join the CBC News Network Weekend Business Panel, alongside Mark Warner and Marianne Dimain, talking the CEBA repayment deadline, Hertz selling one-third of its EV fleet, and the SEC’s bitcoin decision; you can watch our segment here.

New year, new approach!  Going forward, my blog posts on media appearances will feature one “business advisor highlight” related to our discussion.  For this segment, the highlight is something that is straightforward, but very important:

If you’ve never run a small business or been in business for yourself, chances are, it is much more difficult than you realize.  Although some might be wondering why some small businesses are not currently in a position to repay their CEBA loan, it is important to recognize that many are facing a “snowball” effect of inflation, high interest rates, supply problems, and an ongoing tight labour market.  These factors combine to make generating revenue (and cashflow) much more difficult, which means that money simply doesn’t go as far as it used to.  When small businesses can no longer afford to operate, jobs are lost, which has a tangible impact to the local community.  When closures accumulate, the economic and employment impacts can be very significant.

Thanks for watching!

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November 7, 2023  by

MEDIA: CBC News Network Weekend Business Panel (November, 2023)

Pleased to join the CBC News Network Weekend Business Panel from sunny Nova Scotia (yes, it’s bright!), alongside Mark Warner, Cristian Bravo, and Stephanie Skenderis, talking Alberta’s musings to leave the CPP, FTX’s Sam Bankman-Fried’s fraud conviction, and changes at the helm at Blackberry; you can watch our segment here.  Some thoughts on our discussion.

Alberta’s Premier has gotten some attention with talk about Alberta leaving the Canada Pension Plan (CPP), however, the practical reality of this occurring is uncertain for a number of reasons.  The most obvious is the uncertainty around the portion of CPP assets that would apply to Alberta, as well as the practical mechanics of how a departure would happen.  In general terms, risk is mitigated through size, as smaller pools can be subject to increased volatility; there is also a lot riding on the expertise and strength of senior management and governance.  Fund results indicate that the CPP has performed very well, in comparison to other pools, while the majority of surveyed Albertans view leaving the CPP as either a “bad” or “very bad” idea.  Time will tell, as to whether this is simply more of the same narrative from the current party in charge, but don’t expect any big decisions anytime soon.

Sam Bankman-Fried’s fraud conviction is a reminder of a couple of things, with the most notable being “if something is too good to be true, it probably is”.  It is also notable that new or emerging industries tend to be associated with an “anything goes” rationale, which couldn’t be further from the truth.  Just because an industry or product is new does not mean that laws and basic business guidelines don’t apply (they do), and those who are regarded as “wunderkinds” or “geniuses” are probably in over their head.  One of the most important aspects of business is experience, and a new or creative idea alone does not equate with the necessary skill to build a sustainable business, and to fully appreciate the risks and guardrails associated with doing so.  In my experience, as a business advisor and former venture capitalist, those who ignore these realities also tend to be poorly advised, as anyone with expertise has probably also been ignored (and has long since moved on, as a result).

And, finally, as Blackberry’s CEO retires, there are questions around what the Company’s future could look like.  From my perspective, the next CEO needs to be strong in the finance chair, as results haven’t been great, and also needs to understand how to tap into the right markets in order to build a sustainable business.  Doing this requires a different skillset than that of “product” or “development” people, and who is next at the helm will be crucial for Blackberry’s future.  It is also high time that there is gender diversity in this role, as all qualified candidates should be fully considered.

Thanks for watching and see you again soon!

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