2019 State of the Strait Business Update Event Highlights Opportunities!

State of the Strait Business Update:  March 13, 2019

The annual State of the Strait Business Update on March 13th at the Port Hawkesbury Civic Centre was a huge success!  This event is a great local networking opportunity that is hosted by the Strait Area Chamber of Commerce and offers local businesses from a variety of sectors an opportunity to share with the audience their plans for 2019 and highlight 2018 accomplishments. Panelists spoke about upcoming projects, accomplishments and/or future developments – the event is designed to develop business-to-business connections, and it truly sets the tone for the region’s business climate over the course of the upcoming year.

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For more information on this event, check out our press release.  For pictures, click here.

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PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

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Lunch Keynote:  Fabian Henry

Founder of Marijuana for Trauma, Veterans for Healing, and Breton CannaPharms
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In 2013, Fabian Henry founded Marijuana For Trauma, a chain of medical Marijuana clinics across Canada with over 12,000 registered patients. After completing an RTO with Licensed Producer Abba Medix in 2016, Fabian donated 100% of his ownership to a charity for veterans called Global Alliance Foundation Fund(GAFF). It was created in order to bridge the gap in care from when a soldier is released from the Canadian Forces to getting back a quality of life that is manageable, the GAFF is currently valued at $12,000,000.
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In 2017, Fabian moved toward becoming a licensed producer by acquiring a 75,000 sq ft building with 14 acres on Canadas #1 Island, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. The Breton CannaPharms team is poised for huge success and set to produce 12,500kg at full production. Mr. Henry was instrumental in building HUGE value in the early days by educating, selling product and assisting LP’s like MedReleaf, Aphria, Peace Naturals, and WeedMD on the processes associated with a comprehensive treatment plan for veterans by gaining approved coverage under Veterans Affairs Canada.
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Fabian has now taken the approach of compiling multiple craft cannabis micro growers to become experts in delivering top quality medicine to Breton CannaPharms complimenting our in-house barrage of offerings upon licensed approval. Fabian plans to become the largest Nova Scotia producer of high quality craft cannabis and has the background and reputation of getting the job done!

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Breakfast Remarks:  Danny Graham

Engage Nova Scotia – Quality of Life Initiative
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Over a thirty-year period, Danny Graham has held senior positions in business, law, government and politics. He is credited with starting the Nova Scotia Restorative Justice Program, and has worked to advance justice reforms with the United Nations and various countries spanning four continents.
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He is best known for his public life as the former MLA for Halifax Citadel between 2002 and 2005. For the 10 years after that he was Nova Scotia’s Chief Negotiator on Aboriginal Rights. He has been a board member of many organizations including The ONE NS Coalition, the St FX University Board of Governors, and the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Public Affairs.
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He is currently the Chief Engagement Officer for Engage Nova Scotia. In collaboration with the Nova Scotia Community College and the Canadian Index of Wellbeing, Engage is leading the Nova Scotia Quality of Life Initiative.

Creative Economy Panel

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Creative Island – Morgan Murray, Cape Breton Partnership

Morgan Murray was born and raised on a farm near the same backwoods west-central Alberta village (Caroline) as figure-skating legend Kurt Browning. He now lives, works, plays, writes, and builds all sorts of crooked furniture in Cape Breton. In between, he has been a professional schemer, a farmer, a rancher, a roustabout, a secretary, a reporter, a designer, a Tweeter, and a student in St. John’s, Calgary, Prague, Montreal, Chicoutimi, and Paris. He holds a bachelor of arts in Canadian Studies, with Honours, from the University of Calgary, a Certificate in Central and Eastern European Studies from the University of Economics, Prague, a Master of Philosophy in Humanities from Memorial University of Newfoundland, and a participation ribbon for beef calf showmanship (incomplete) from the Little Britches 4-H Club, Caroline, Alberta.

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Friends United Cultural Centre – Jay Bell Redbird

Jay Bell Redbird is an Ojibway First Nation self-taught artist. Growing up he was influenced by and painted together with world-renowned artists such as Norval Morrisseau, his uncle Leland Bell and his father Duke Redbird. As a teenager, Norval Morrisseau taught Jay about colours and their meanings and how they relate to Aboriginal language, history and culture. Jay’s uncle Leland Bell showed him techniques and shared traditional teachings and stories, explaining the meanings of the animal spirits. His father Duke Redbird taught him how to express his pride as an Aboriginal artist. Following those forming years, he continued to paint, learning more and finding his own voice in stories and meanings. Jay has collectors all over the world, in films and magazines. He also sold many paintings to Hollywood actors as he worked in the film industry in Toronto for 8 years. Many actors encouraged him to further pursue his painting career, as they saw Jay’s talent. He met Rolf Bouman in 2012 and has become a mentor for many of the Aboriginal artists of the Friends United initiative. He also has collaborated on some paintings with his partner Halina Stopyra and Rolf Bouman.
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Sara Rankin Creative Company – Sara Rankin

Sara Rankin is creative graphic & web designer from Mabou, Nova Scotia. In 2018, she took home both a Gold Ice Award & WOLDA Award (Worldwide Logo Design Award), tripled her clientele and successfully branched out into the US and UK markets. She has diligently worked with over 92 happy clients on various profitable projects and continues to focus on providing world class branding solutions to help businesses thrive in today’s market.
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Industry Panel

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Innovation & Industry Engagement – Mike Kelloway, NSCC

Mike is the Community Innovation Lead at NSCC. Mike works closely with business and community regarding workforce development and applied research. Mike has worked in post-secondary and private business for 25 years. He donates his time working with community groups in Cape Breton and North Eastern Nova Scotia to create new opportunities for and with community stakeholders. Mike is a founder of the community groups: Bay It Forward and ARC of the East Coast – groups that are taking lead roles at creating a new narrative and new day for Cape Breton. Mike has played a lead role in new initiatives such as the expansion the Cancer Centre in Cape Breton.
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Goldboro LNG – Mark Brown, Pieridae Energy

Mark is a senior level energy executive with over 35 years’ experience in all commercial areas of the natural gas supply chain throughout North America, specifically in the areas of supply and market origination, pipeline transportation, regulatory, HSE, government relations, public relations and project management.

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Gold Mining Development – Gordana Slepcev, Anaconda Mining

Gordana Selpcev is the Chief Operating Officer of Anaconda Mining and is responsible for managing all operational aspects of the company and plays an integral role in tactical matters such as permitting and mine development of the Point Rousse and the Goldboro Project. Prior to her promotion, she was the Vice President of Technical Services and was directly responsible for overseeing the mining and geology departments at the Point Rousse Project in Newfoundland. In addition to a focus on delivering long- and short-term planning and geological support of the mining operation, she is also heavily involved in strategic planning and project expansion evaluations. With a Master’s Degree in Science and a Bachelor’s Degree in Mining Engineering from the Yugoslavia (Belgrade) Faculty of Mining and Geological Engineering, combined with more than twenty years of experience in mining base metals, coal and gold, Ms. Slepcev brings invaluable industry expertise to the project. In addition to Anaconda Mining, she has held senior roles at Labrador Iron Mines Holdings, Agrium Inc. and Western Coal Corp. Ms. Slepcev is a registered professional engineer in the provinces of Ontario, Newfoundland and Labrador and Nova Scotia. She has been volunteering at CIM Toronto Education Committee, West Toronto Professional Engineers Executive Committee and at a board of Mining Association of Nova Scotia.

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New Investments Panel

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Revitalizing the Arichat Main Street – Kent MacIntyre, Municipality of the County of Richmond

Kent has established a progressive 25-year career in senior/executive management and business development both nationally and internationally. Before arriving in Richmond County Kent was the General Manager, Saint John Development Corporation. He is the former President and CEO, Seagull Pewter Ltd., Canada’s largest giftware company and the former CEO Novapet Inc. – Atlantic Canada’s largest processor of post-consumer/industrial plastics. In his career, he has served on several Government Boards and Commissions relating to economic development, social services, business and tourism development, and waterfront developmentKent is the past-Chair of the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters for Nova Scotia, former Commissioner, Halifax Regional Water Commission, and past President of the Saint John Waterfront Foundation. Kent has an MBA, Sobey School of Business, Saint Mary’s University and is a proud resident of Arichat, Richmond County.

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Cabot Shores Wilderness Resort & Retreat – Dr. Paul Weinburg, Owner

Cape Breton Island and Cabot Shores is my focus, and it seems that my life to date has been good preparation. Trained as a teacher and psychologist, I worked in schools, clinics, started a consulting firm and later became a “road warrior” for software companies, while starting a non profit in the USA called Youth Adventure Corps that helped form the vision for Cabot Shores: developing young people and adults through guided adventures with mentors of all ages and across diverse cultures. My partner and wife, Barbara, trained as a nurse and acupuncturist, meditator and master gardener. Barbara adds a “wellness” and an eco-friendly touch to all we do. Together we have been evolving Cabot Shores from primarily hospitality services to a place for retreats and adventures for local and worldwide guests.

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Cape Breton Cultural Experience Resort in Margaree – Sean Sturge, Project Manager & Co-Founder

After a progressive 16-year career in the technology & industrial sectors, with leaders such as Bell Canada and J.D. Irving Ltd., Sean now pursues entrepreneurial projects that express the uniqueness of Atlantic Canadian communities, with a particular interest in sustainable, culturally-inspired tourism sector project. Before providing on-the-ground leadership for the Margaree project, Sean’s most recent endeavours include providing advisory services and real estate guidance for Cabot Links Resort in Inverness, NS, and feasibility advisory services for the proposed $25M Arts and Cultural Centre in Yarmouth, NS.
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