Halifax and Nova Scotia are experiencing record growth in population, GDP, new businesses starting up, and attracting university talent. With a provincial goal of doubling the population to two million people in the coming years, how do we begin to shift our goals and define the future of Nova Scotia?

The Halifax Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce our second Economic Forum. 

The Forum will showcase a positive, realistic, and optimistic narrative of where Nova Scotia?s economy is heading and how best to navigate the pitfalls while capitalizing on the opportunities. The Forum will cover a broad range of topics related to Nova Scotia?s economy, including the most pressing issues impacting our current and future economic prosperity.

Join us on February 28th to discuss how governments and businesses need to react and respond to ensure they steward the economy in a way that maximizes the potential for all Nova Scotians. 

Featuring topics including:

• Live podcast recording with Insights'  Don Mills ft. Premier Tim Houston
• The Black Economy in Nova Scotia Panel moderated by Matthew Martel, Black Business Initiative
• Keynote with Andrew Mutch, President, Michelin North America (Canada) Inc
• Indigenous Business Impact report with John G. Paul, Executive Director, Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nations Chiefs Secretariat
• Fireside Chat with Mayor Mike Savage and Cathie O'Toole
• Keynote with Hon. Sean Fraser, Minister of housing, infrastructure and communities
• Business of Politics Panel 

John G. Paul
Executive Director, Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nations Chiefs Secretariat in Dartmouth

Mr. Paul is from Membertou First Nation and the Executive Director of the Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nations Chiefs Secretariat in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. Taking direction from the Chiefs through frequent All Chiefs Forums and Executive Chiefs Board of Directors and Co-Chairs.  Mr. Paul provides policy analysis and strategic advice on a wide range of policy issues facing First Nations in Atlantic Canada and Eastern Quebec. The APC Secretariat?s mandate is to research, analyze and develop alternatives to federal policies affecting its member First Nation communities. 

Moderator: 

Matthew Martel
CEO, Black Business Initiative (BBI)

Matthew James Martel exemplifies leadership that blends entrepreneurial acumen with a commitment to social impact. His educational background, including a master?s degree from the Sobey School of Business at Saint Mary?s University, complements his diverse professional experience in human resources and recruitment. 

At BBI, Matthew steers the organization through an ambitious expansion, extending its reach and influence across Atlantic Canada. BBI under his leadership focuses on providing specialized programs, support, and training to the Black community, with an emphasis on financial literacy, entrepreneurial funding, and advocacy. 

Aside from his role at BBI, Matthew holds significant board positions with the Halifax International Airport Authority, HCI3, and Efficiency One. These roles underscore his versatile impact across different sectors. His involvement with the Halifax International Airport Authority contributes to the strategic growth of one of Canada's key airports. His role with HCI3 reflects his commitment to investment into sustainable development, while at Efficiency One, he advocates for sustainable energy and environmental stewardship. 

Matthew?s journey from a modest upbringing to his current roles illustrates his dedication to fostering equitable opportunities and advocating for systemic change. His leadership not only drives BBI?s mission but also reflects his broader vision for an inclusive and empowered community.
 

Panelists:

Barrinique N. Griffin, CAPM
Program Manager, Dalhousie Emera IdeaHUB

Natalie Frederick-Wilson
Business Advisor, Centre for Women in Business

Natalie joined the Centre for Women in Business team in 2019. As the CWB business advisor focused on student engagement, start-up level businesses, and the program lead of the Specialized Program in Cooking Entrepreneurship (SPICE), her goal is to propel and inspire women and students along the continuum from idea, to start up, and beyond by connecting them to the right business advice, tools and training.

As a prior business owner herself, Natalie has awards from the Halifax Chamber of Commerce for New Business of the Year and Small Business of the Year. She was also recognized as Entrepreneur of the Year by the Black Business Initiative, and Invisible Champion by United Way Halifax and The Bhayana Family Foundation for her work building and leading SPICE.

Natalie, who was recently recognized as one of the ?Top 25 Immigrants in the Maritimes?, holds certificates in Business Development and in Leadership and Innovation from Dalhousie?s Rowe School of Business, Faculty of Management. She has extensive training and experience in business automation, customer service management, food businesses, and helping small business owners use technology to boost productivity.

An American immigrant of Afro-Caribbean descent, Natalie believes that helping others succeed is the greatest form of service. She encourages other small businesses to take calculated risks, mentors international students and newcomers through the process of settling in Nova Scotia, and enjoys speaking on panels and at networking events. Natalie understands that being a champion for underrepresented women in business requires stewardship commitment and care. In her spare time, she documents her families? adventures on social media with the message that adventure is for all.

Josh Creighton is a lifelong resident of Nova Scotia. Being a former resident of Uniacke Square ?where many who reside there are descendants of the historic community of Africville ? has instilled in him a passion for social justice. 

Josh joined the Halifax Chamber of commerce in 2021 to help support their DEA&I action initiatives as the Community Engagement Specialist before moving into his current role as Corporate Partnership Specialist.

Josh's introduction into entrepreneurship was initiated via community development work after witnessing many in his community overcome challenges underpinned by systemic racism. Josh currently owns two companies, JC consulting, and Fumes Rolling Papers. He hopes to contribute to the overall economic state of the community here in Halifax while also advocating for diversity and Inclusion across sectors.

Josh also sits on CBC's African Nova Scotian community advisory board. In his spare time, Josh enjoys reading, cooking, hiking and practicing martial arts.  

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Keynote: Hon. Sean Fraser, Minister of housing, infrastructure and communities

In order to solve Canada's national housing crisis, we need to adopt an all hands on deck approach. Working with every community, and every level of government we can and will overcome this challenge.

The Honourable Sean Fraser was first elected as the Member of Parliament for Central Nova in 2015. He now serves as the Minister of Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities. He has previously served as Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance and to the Minister of Middle Class Prosperity and Associate Minister of Finance, and as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change. In 2021, he also served concurrently as Parliamentary Secretary to the Deputy Prime Minister.
 
Prior to entering politics, Sean built a successful legal practice as a commercial litigator with one of Canada?s top-ranked law firms, and studied international law under a Judge of the International Court of Justice and a Former Secretary-General of NATO as part of his Master?s Program in The Hague in the Netherlands. He also spent time working as a human rights lawyer for marginalized groups and individuals in Johannesburg, South Africa.
 
Minister Fraser grew up in Pictou County Nova Scotia, where he and his wife, Sarah, are raising their young family.

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Trevor Floyd, MSc
Partner, Iris Communications

Trevor is a founding Partner of Iris Communications, a strategy and communications advisory firm based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Iris Communications' senior communications, business, and government advisors work with private and public sector organizations operating at the intersection of business, government, and society.

Trevor has a strong knowledge of government and political processes acquired through over a dozen years of providing research, analysis, and strategic advice to senior government leaders on highly sensitive issues. Before founding Iris Communications, he was Senior Director for the largest integrated communications firm in Atlantic Canada, providing public affairs counsel to clients across the Atlantic region.

Trevor has held key leadership roles in the Office of the Minister of Finance and Treasury Board and the Office of the Minister of Environment for Nova Scotia, where he provided strategic counsel and a respected voice on fast-moving, complex, and politically charged issues.

Before joining the provincial government, he spent nine years with the federal government at both the political and bureaucratic levels in Ottawa and Halifax, gaining expertise in a variety of areas, including fisheries management, aquaculture, public policy development, climate change, and clean energy; environmental assessment and permitting; and government, stakeholder, and First Nation consultation.

 
Trevor is a St. Francis Xavier University graduate and lives in Halifax with his wife, Jennifer, and three children.



Kristan Hines
Senior Vice President, Corporate and Public Affairs, NATIONAL Public Relations
 
Kristan is passionate about helping people achieve their goals ? and this is evident in everything she does. For over 20 years, she has tackled some of Atlantic Canada?s most compelling challenges and provided counsel to senior leaders in government and industry across Canada. 

As NATIONAL?s Senior Vice President of Corporate and Public Affairs, Kristan brings together experts in strategic communications, government relations, crisis management, and public engagement from across the NATIONAL network to navigate complex issues and position clients for success. 

A trusted advisor and problem-solver, Kristan brings perspective to the conversation ? drawing on her understanding of the Atlantic Canadian landscape, her vast network, and her experience as a political advisor on Parliament Hill and Chief of Staff to a former Premier of Nova Scotia. 

A proud graduate of Acadia and Dalhousie, Kristan is currently the Vice Chair of the Dalhousie University Board of Governors. In addition, she serves on the Executive Committee of Phoenix Youth Programs, and the Downtown Halifax Business Commission Board of Directors.
 

 

David Tarrant
Vice President National Strategic Communications, Enterprise Canada

David Tarrant is Vice President of National Strategic Communications at Enterprise Canada.  David also leads Enterprise Canada?s Atlantic Canada Office providing strategic communications, government relations advice and writing services to public, private and not-for-profit sector clients throughout the region and across Canada. David also serves as a Strategic Advisor to Creative Currency, Enterprise Canada?s wholly owned advertising agency and content studio. 
 
David joined Enterprise from the Office of Ontario Premier Doug Ford where, as Executive Director of Strategic Communications, he was responsible for all Government of Ontario advertising, branding and public opinion research activities. He was co-author of Premier Ford?s 2018 election platform and wrote the communications strategy and narrative for both of Premier Ford?s winning campaigns. 
 
Closer to home, David served as a senior strategist on the campaign team of Premier Tim Houston where he supported narrative and message development.  Earlier in his career David also worked as communications advisor and senior speechwriter in the office of former Premier John Hamm.
 
David is also experienced in federal politics. As Communications Strategist in the Office of Prime Minister Stephen Harper, David oversaw all communications activities involving Natural Resources Canada, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. 
 
David?s private sector experience includes seven years working on Bay Street for BMO Financial Group where he served a Director of Strategic Communications.  Prior to that role David was the senior communications partner for executives in BMO?s Risk, Compliance and Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing groups. 
 
A native of St. John?s, Newfoundland, David today lives with his wife and three children in Bedford.

 

 

Chris Lydon
President, M5 Public Affairs

Chris joined m5 Public Affairs in 2017 and has led its growth as the now largest government affairs practice in the region. An expert at building and maintaining strong relationships and translating the language of the industry to that of Government, and vice-versa, Chris honed his interest in public affairs and the motivations of populations and political decision-makers through his 8 years in the Office of the Premier where he served as a senior communications advisor and policy lead on many contentious files. Most recently, he was a member of the Transition Team for incoming Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston when his Party assumed office in 2021. He has additionally advised the Premier?s Offices in Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador on strategic communications matters.
 
As a consultant he has worked in the private sector, representing many of the largest employers in Atlantic Canada including those in the government, medical, pharmaceutical, energy, financial, legal, gaming, Indigenous, and non-profit sectors. He has also served as lead in-house counsel on government and stakeholder relations to Atlantic Lottery, playing a significant strategic role in increasing both corporate reputation and social license.

His national government and political experience are robust after serving as Chief of Staff to the federal departments of Labour and Status of Women Canada. His organizational and communications skills earned him a national assignment in the Regional Emergency Operations Centre leading the on-the-ground crisis communications and coordinated response of Canada?s insurance industry to the Fort McMurray wildfire and he also served as the Campaign Director (2016) and Campaign Chair (2020) for the successful re-election of the Mayor of Halifax. 

 

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