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 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 first Economic Forum. 

The Forum will showcase a positive, realistic, and optimistic narrative of where Nova Scotia’s economy is heading post-recovery and how best to navigate the pitfalls while capitalizing on the opportunities.

Join us on May 9th 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. 
 

Robert Bernard
Founder, Indigenous Guide Consulting Services
​Panelist, Indigenous Business Panel 

Robert Bernard is a Mi'kmaw entrepreneur and cultural advocate dedicated to promoting and preserving the heritage of his people. He currently sits on the Nova Scotia Indigenous Tourism Enterprise Network Board of Directors and has recently served as the Atlantic Canada Regional Coordinator for the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada.

He has founded successful businesses such as One Sky International Environmental Services and Indigenous Guide Consulting Services, providing capacity-building opportunities for Indigenous people across Canada and beyond.

Robert believes in community-oriented and inclusive processes for positive growth, and he emphasizes the need for Indigenous people to lead the way in Reconcili-ACTION initiatives.

Michael Maracle-Polak (Ken'niwahkwarita) (he/him)
Executive Director, Pictou Landing First Nation Band
​Panelist, Indigenous Business Panel 

Michael is Mohawk, Bear Clan with Ancestry in Tyendinaga on his Mothers side and Polish on his Fathers side. He is also referred to as Ken’niwahkwarita (Little Dipper). He currently serves as the Executive Director of Pictou Landing First Nation, President of Akwekon Enterprises, a Board of Director for Glooscap Ventures, and is a co-founder of Starberry Drink Co.

Michael has Bachelors of Commerce from Saint Mary's University and a Masters of Innovation, Management & Entrepreneurship from Queen's University and a Certificate of Disruptive Technology. Michael is a person of principles, passionate about solving problems, innovation, design and traditional Indigenous teachings. 

Persistently curious, Michael enjoys attempting to understand the mechanics of human made systems and how to align them better with nature made systems.
 

George Tex Marshall
President, NAIG 2023 Host Society
Panelist, Indigenous Business Panel

Tex is a member of the Bear (Muin) Clan of the Mi’kmaq Nation and is from Eskasoni First Nation. Tex has had a lifelong passion for sport and opportunities for Indigenous youth. He has worked diligently over the years, to create and deliver a Mi’kmaw Sport Delivery System in Nova Scotia.

Tex Graduated from CBU with Honors in the Degree of Bachelor of Arts Community Studies (BACS), despite having two Learning Disabilities. He also earned a Masters of Education Degree (Honors) at St.FXU. He is the Mi’kmaw Co-Chair of the Nova Scotia Tripartite Sport & Recreation Committee since inception, representing the Assembly of Nova Scotia Chiefs.

He was the Lead for Nova Scotia’s Bid for NAIG 2020 and is currently the President of the NAIG 2023 Host Society. Tex takes pride in the fact that he is instrumental in the creation of Sports opportunities for Mi’kmaw youth in Nova Scotia and the creation of a Mi’kmaw Sport delivery system. His moto in life is simply, “There is tremendous potential among Mi’kmaw youth, however potential remains dormant without opportunities.”
 

Martina Kelades is a multi-passionate Artist in Halifax. She is a Vulnerability Speaker in the area of Mental Health, an Actor, Author, Podcast Host on the Life Out Loud Podcast, and CEO & Founder of Life Out Loud — Mental Health Consulting & Creatives, a unique service promoting mental health and wellness in workplaces and life in general. Martina’s roots are grounded in sharing stories that have been silenced to serve communities and individuals in living a life on purpose - using various platforms to tell life stories to educate and support personal awareness for individual and organizational mental health and wellness.

Martina has been an active member of the Halifax Chamber of Commerce since 2018; she was a Business Leader of the Year finalist (2018) for the Halifax Business Awards and has served as a judge for the Business Awards over the past three years.
 

Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray
President and Vice-Chancellor, Saint Mary’s University 
Moderator, Public vs Private Healthcare Solutions

A respected academic, educator and administrator, Robert Summerby-Murray was appointed Saint Mary’s University’s 34th President in July 2015. Originally from Christchurch, New Zealand, Dr. Summerby-Murray holds a PhD in geography from the University of Toronto, is a Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society and holds an associate’s diploma in pipe organ performance from Trinity College of Music, London. Before joining Saint Mary’s, Dr. Summerby-Murray served as the Dean of Social Sciences at Mount Allison University (2003-2010) and as the Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at Dalhousie University (2010-2015).   

Dr. Summerby-Murray serves a vibrant, diverse community of more than 7,500 faculty, students and staff and is an enthusiastic champion of Saint Mary’s University.  He spearheaded the development of the university’s 2017-2022 strategic plan and currently leads initiatives to build on Saint Mary’s strengths of entrepreneurship and innovation, accessibility, community engagement, research achievement, philanthropy and global connectedness. In 2018, he was named one of Atlantic Business Magazine’s ‘Top 50 CEOs’ and in 2020 was renewed as Saint Mary’s president for a second five-year term.

Paula Minnikin (she/her)
Consultant and Commentator 
Debater, Public vs Private Healthcare Solutions

Paula Minnikin, ICD.D is an experienced governance and technology leader working in Canada, the US and Europe. Paula’s governance thought leadership has been published in Director magazine, the Globe and Mail, and several other publications. She has provided expert commentary on governance on national television and radio, and, notably, was the New York Times quote of the day on the subject in June of 2017.

One of four co-founders of the Atlantic Chapter of the Institute of Corporate Directors, Paula has served on Private, Family, Crown Corporation, Foundation, Not-For-Profit, and Community Boards. Paula writes a weekly column for AllNovaScotia.com and continues to be very involved in governance, start-up, volunteer, music, basketball and sailing communities. 

William Black
Consultant
Debater, Public vs Private Healthcare Solutions

William A. Black is a highly successful business leader and community member in Halifax. He spent 34 years at Maritime Life, becoming President and CEO in 1995. The company grew significantly under his leadership, with 3,000 employees and $15 billion in assets under management by 2004. Mr. Black prioritized strong employee relations and customer satisfaction, leading to Maritime Life's regular inclusion among the top 50 employers in Canada.

He has served in leadership positions on various boards, including the IWK Health Centre, Symphony Nova Scotia, and the Bank of Canada, and was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada in 2015.
 

Don Mills 
Debater, Public vs Private Healthcare Solutions

Don Mills is currently the President of Crane Cove Holdings Limited, his family investment firm, a partner and Director with CABCO Communications, an IT infrastructure company and Total Marketing & Communications, a Bermuda based company he co-founded. He is the co-founder and former owner and CEO of Corporate Research Associates (now Narrative Research).  He is a regular columnist with both the Saltwire Network and Brunswick News, as well as being a frequent media commentator on public affair issues. He is also the Co-host of the Insights Podcast on the Huddle Network.

He is recognized as a public opinion expert by various judicial bodies and is a Certified Research Insights Professional. He was recognized as a Fellow in the market research industry in 2008 by the national association, the only Atlantic Canadian to be so recognized. He was chosen as Business Person of the Year in 2001 and as a runner up in 2007 by the Halifax Chamber of Commerce. He continues to be passionate about Atlantic Canada and an advocate for change in the region

 

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David Tarrant 
Vice President, Atlantic Canada and National Strategic Communications, Enterprise Canada
Speaker, The Business of Politics

A native of St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, David came to Enterprise Canada from the Office of Ontario Premier Doug Ford where he was Executive Director of Strategic Communications responsible advertising, branding and public opinion research activities. David co-authored Ford’s 2018 election platform and wrote the communications strategy and narrative for both of Premier Ford’s winning campaigns (2018, 2022). 

He reprised that role in Nova Scotia, crafting Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston’s 2021 election campaign narrative and served key roles in the Premier’s issues management and debate preparation teams. He served as speech writer to former Premier Dr. John Hamm and as a Communications Strategist in the Office of Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

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Jason Lietaer
President, Enterprise Canada
Panelist, The Business of Politics

Jason has extensive experience in senior government roles and inside campaign war rooms during federal and provincial elections. He worked in the Prime Minister’s Office under Stephen Harper, served as Executive Director of the Conservative Resource Group, and held senior roles in the office of former Ontario Premier Mike Harris. 
 
Jason is a regular commentator for several media outlets including CBC, CTV, Macleans, and The National Post.

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Laura D’Angelo (she/her)
Vice President, National Strategy & Public Affairs, Enterprise Canada
Panelist, The Business of Politics

Laura leads Enterprise Canada’s Ottawa office and federal government relations practice. Previously, Laura was a senior team member of the Prime Minister’s Office for the Trudeau government providing high-level strategic advice, and held key leadership roles on the 2015 and 2019 elections campaigns. 
 
Prior to joining Enterprise Canada, Laura was the general manager of the largest feminist investment fund in the world, the Equality Fund. She oversaw operations and advised the Co-CEO’s through the fund’s design and build after a $300-million investment from the Government of Canada. Laura is a regular commentator and panelist on the CBC’s Power and Politics.

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David Sommer
Vice President, National Strategic Communications, Enterprise Canada
Panelist, The Business of Politics

Dave has decades of combined experience in communications, politics, and digital strategy, focused on helping brands and institutions develop an impactful online voice that resonates with their audience. Dave was Head of Politics and Government at Instagram in Washington, DC, where he advised global political leaders, government agencies, NGOs and IGOs. 
 
He served as Deputy Director of Communications, Digital, for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Ottawa. From the history-making 2015 federal election campaign to 2019, Dave led the team responsible for all of the Prime Minister’s video, web and social media properties, conceiving, writing and producing all digital products in the PMO. He worked as a reporter, editor and producer in various Canadian radio and TV newsrooms, including CTV National News. 

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Dennis Matthews
President, Creative Currency
Moderator, The Business of Politics

Dennis Matthews is the President of Creative Currency, an advertising agency and content studio in Toronto. Dennis leads a team that works with major leaders, brands and causes to tell their story and move public opinion. He was an advertising advisor to Prime Minister Stephen Harper, a veteran of numerous political campaigns, and remains a frequent media commentator on advertising, digital and political issues. 
 
He was recently recognized as an Adweek Magazine Toronto Brand Star and is a member of the Board of Directors of Destination Ontario and the Marketing and Communications Committee of the Michael Garron Hospital. Dennis is also a partner at Enterprise Canada, a national strategic communication firm.