Video & Podcasts

Energize Us – Innovating B.C.’s Energy Future

We know the future of energy doesn’t come from one single source, but a variety of sources, each offering strengths, opportunities and innovation. Our guests will describe the various sources available and how they’re innovating and adapting to those future energy needs. Expect a robust and informative discussion aimed at business, community and government leaders.

Crisis-Proofing Your Business in the Age of Wildfires, Floods and Earthquakes

This panel brings together business leaders, emergency management experts, and those who have navigated crises firsthand to share real-world experiences and actionable strategies. From risk assessment and business continuity planning to securing insurance and supporting employees, get practical insights on safeguarding operations and ensuring long-term recovery.

Clean, Green, & Blue – Ocean Energy and Marine Decarbonization in Greater Victoria

With our vast marine resources, rugged coastline and world-class ocean technology expertise, BC offers a prime case study for both the scope of the challenge and the potential for solutions. This panel offers a unique opportunity to hear both from local maritime industry leaders working to decarbonize their operations, and from institutional partners collaborating with coastal communities to devise renewable energy systems. Together they’ll share their challenges—and explore why BC might in fact be uniquely positioned to tackle them.

Demystifying AI for Business

Are you embracing AI or intimidated by its potential? Tap into the growth-boosting potential of generative AI for business with practical tips and takeaways in this fireside conversation that encourages questions from attendees.

AMA: Employment Law – Rising Economy 2025

Join Jessica Thomson and Marcia McNeil of Pulver Crawford Munroe LLP for an interactive virtual panel that will tackle your real-world questions on everything from remote work to discrimination and dismissals.

Making Greater Victoria a World-Leading Blue Carbon Hub

Marine Carbon Dioxide (mCDR) has the potential to offer significant climate benefits and support sustainable economic development for coastal communities, maritime nations and developing small-island states. Our panel explores why Greater Victoria and B.C. are poised to establish themselves as a global leader supporting the development of blue carbon technologies that can be deployed locally and exported to the world.

Demystifying AI for Business

We delve into what AI really means for the future of business, from solving complex operational challenges to increasing productivity, boosting customer service, supercharging sales & marketing, and more.

ESG for Small and Mid-Sized Businesses

Customers, employees, investors and other stakeholders increasingly expect businesses of all sizes to make more socially and environmentally responsible decisions, but many SMEs don’t know where to begin. Our panel explores practical ways for SMEs to do the right thing.

Lessons from Climate Leaders: A David Vs. Goliath Panel

Doing the right thing for the planet is essential to our future, but it isn’t always easy according to our panel of champions for climate solutions. Discover the struggles of pushing against the status quo — and the lessons of how emerging ideas can gain ground and change minds.

This fascinating fireside talk explores how innovation can solve some of our biggest urban housing challenges, infusing the way we build with imagination and innovation to counter environmental damage, soaring costs, long construction timelines, and labour and material shortages.

Recent studies show that Canadian women working full-time earn 16.1% less than their male counterparts. In this timely International Women’s Day Panel, we explore the current state of the wage gap in the private sector, strategies to successfully negotiate fair pay, and the benefits businesses realize by paying equal pay for equal work.

The Canadian government estimates 75% of SME owners will retire in the next decade. Who will take over their businesses? What about the people they employ and the local economies they are part of? This timely panel explores the innovative solutions, from co-op models to Employee Ownership, that keep businesses alive and money in the local economy.

How does a post-pandemic economy impact how our region solves many of the pressing realities, such as affordability pressures or our ability to attract and retain essential workers; not to mention looming climate risks and other trends like the growth of remote work. Eight years ago our region came together to create a multi-jurisdictional, cross-sectoral alliance called the South Island Prosperity Partnership (SIPP); how has this model been utilized to impact the region? How can it improve going forward to address the issues and opportunities that the 21st Century presents?

How Do We Close the Island’s Food Supply Gap (and Why it Matters More than Ever)?

With more than 80% of our food coming from off-Island, only 20 to 30% of our farmable land in production, and only three days of fresh food available at any given time, Vancouver Island has a major food supply gap. In this Rising Economy podcast, we talk to three people working hard to fix the system — Darren Stott, Greenchain Consulting; Tom Hyde, Mill Bay Processing; and food systems specialist Dr. Patricia Reichert.

Retail in Revolution

In this episode of the Rising Economy podcast, we talk with Darlene Hollstein, General Manager of The Bay Centre in downtown Victoria, B.C., about the challenges and opportunities facing retailers amidst urban changes, demographic shifts, a hiring crisis and a massive digital transformation.

Whether you’re an employee, an employer — or anyone interested in social and economic fairness for all genders — this episode offers insights that can spark change.

Why the Pay Gap for Women Persists (and Why it’s Not Good for Any of Us)

Join the Rising Economy podcast with guests Jill Climie and Sophie Warwick of The Thoughtful Co to find out why the gap persists and their change-making approach to supporting women to negotiate fair compensation and advising employers on gender equity.

Whether you’re an employee, an employer — or anyone interested in social and economic fairness for all genders — this episode offers insights that can spark change.

The Fact & Fiction of 15-Minute Cities

The urban planning concept of 15-minute cities emerged to promote convenience, sustainability and community. This city design focuses on daily necessities such as work, shopping, education, healthcare and leisure being accessible within 15 minutes through active or public transportation. However, controversies and conspiracies have emerged around the concept. Separate fact from fiction for 15-minute cities in this podcast.

We explore the perfect storm that led to today’s housing crisis – from supply chain issues to inflation, high land prices, bureaucracy and backpedalling – and we talk to panelists with bold ideas for solving the crisis.

This new podcast series is a feature of SIPP’s Rising Economy branch, which hosts our annual, award-winning Rising Economy Conference.

The pandemic heavily impacted all of us, including GenZ-ers just starting out their adult lives and careers. From the mental health strain of lockdowns to school closures and work layoffs, COVID-19 disrupted the prospects of a generation. Our panel explores how we can help this generation to deal with the economic and social fallout of the pandemic to give them the best chance of thriving.

The cost of living continues to rise on southern Vancouver Island, leaving many people to wonder how can we afford to live here? The cost of home ownership has risen exponentially. Food prices continue to climb. The cost of childcare has many parents making difficult decisions. These are just a few examples. Join our Vital Conversation, presented by Coast Capital, about how we can make life more affordable in Greater Victoria.

For Childcare Month in May, the Rising Economy Podcast talks to childcare providers and experts about the socio-economic importance of early childcare education, how $10-a-day childcare has impacted the system and what changes are still vital to ensure accessible, affordable and well-funded daycare in Greater Victoria.

In a time of sweeping societal and economic changes, accentuated by the pandemic, we host a thought-provoking discussion with the presidents of Greater Victoria’s three post-secondary institutions about how colleges and universities are evolving to address an uncertain future.

Canada’s healthcare system is facing massive pressures. A perfect storm of challenges has resulted in a lack of family doctors, ER closures and critical bottlenecks throughout the entire system. The crisis is not only impacting our health. It’s also hampering our ability to attract and keep talent in the region — and that’s causing symptoms in our economy. Our panel explores the healthcare crisis, its impact and how we create real solutions.

There has been massive growth in ESG and impact investing as conscious investors seek ways to create benefits for society and the planet alongside financial returns. Our panel tackles the big questions: How impactful is this form of investing and does it really have the power to humanize capitalism?

From time immemorial, Indigenous peoples have been creating and developing original designs, songs, artworks and products, such as the Cowichan/Salish sweater, within the context of their cultures, societies, economies and traditions. Unfortunately, too often these works have been appropriated for monetary gain by non-Indigenous people and corporations, with no acknowledgement or compensation for the creators of these works. Using the fascinating story of the famous Cowichan/Salish sweater as an example, our panel discusses the challenges and solutions for recognizing and protecting Indigenous intellectual property.

Canada is a nation flanked by 3 oceans and nearly 250,000 km. of coastline, more than any country in the world. Its potential in the ocean economy — or blue economy — is enormous. As efforts intensify to establish and grow Canada’s Pacific hub for the sustainable blue economy in Greater Victoria, we talk to a panel of local and cross-Canada experts to explore our future as a blue economy nation, from coast to coast to coast.

As the search intensifies for clean alternatives to fossil fuels — from wind power to green hydrogen — our expert panel takes a deep look at what is both possible and practical — and how we speed up innovation to meet critical net-zero goals.

COP26 and the Future of Cities

Many viewed COP26 as the world’s last chance to commit to the changes needed to avoid climate catastrophe. Join David Miller, former Mayor of Toronto and Managing Director of International Diplomacy with C40 Cities in conversation with Susan Aitken, Mayor of Glasgow and host of COP26.

The Rising Tide Of Innovation In Our Pacific Ocean Economy

In this compelling presentation, innovation thought leader and Silicon Valley native Rick Rasmussen explores why entrepreneurial ecosystems, like the newly established Centre of Ocean Applied Sustainable Technologies (COAST), are needed to drive high-value, sustainable economic prosperity in Pacific Canada.

Shifting Power: Money And Meaning In The Indigenous Economy

Economic development from an Indigenous worldview is being reclaimed within the modern economic space. This conversation will explore how prosperity is defined and how non-Indigenous people and organizations can support and respect Indigenous Nations and people and their approach to economic development.

Canada And The U.S. : The Future Of Borderless Talent And Innovation

Join Matt Morrison, CEO of the Pacific NorthWest Economic Region (PNWER), as he leads a panel exploring trends that will shape our Pacific NorthWest region on both sides of the Canada/U.S. border. Topics include talent mobility, cluster development, and how savvy companies can simultaneously optimize their strategic growth on both sides of the US and Canadian borders.

We talk to Emilie de Rosenroll, Startup CEO of COAST. COAST is an exciting economic development initiative to create Canada’s next Pacific ocean and marine hub right here in the Greater Victoria region and to put us on the map as a major player in the $3-trillion global sustainable blue economy.

zWhat does rowing across the Atlantic have in common with building Pacific Canada’s hub for the sustainable blue economy? A lot, actually. Join National Geographic adventurer, scientist and bestselling author Julie Angus of Open Ocean Robotics for a candid talk on the vision, grit and entrepreneurial spirit it takes to accomplish a dream. Julie explores what’s possible when we harness the innovation and drive to make our coastal region a global blue economy leader.

Work, as we know it, is rapidly changing, with all sectors experiencing major shifts and unprecedented labour shortages. Join Cynthia Leach, RBC’s Senior Director, Economic Thought Leadership in conversation with Andrew Petter, President Emeritus, Simon Fraser University and Chair of Innovate BC, for an in-depth look at what it will take to develop, attract and retain the workforce we need now.

The pandemic has disrupted the workplace, with major impacts on job satisfaction and retention as employees cope with health concerns, lifestyle epiphanies and uncertainty about the future. This panel explores how massive societal and workplace changes have highlighted the need for a new kind of leadership that puts employee wellbeing as a priority — and why that’s a good thing for companies and employees alike.

We talk to Mark Collins, President and CEO of BC Ferries, about ambitious plans to turn the publicly owned company into the biggest electrified ferry fleet in the world and why this is good for mitigating climate change, helping the whales and building B.C.’s innovation economy.

From e-com and automation to AI and quantum computing, we’ve entered an age of deep technological disruption that leaves no sector — even the primary industries — untouched. In this high-energy panel, learn about recent business trends and how B.C.’s traditional natural resources sector is embracing many technological disruptions to increase resilience, profitability and sustainability.

The science is clear — human-made CO2 emissions must drop by 45% by 2030 from 2010 levels and reach ‘net zero’ by 2050 to give the world a good chance of limiting warming to 1.5C and avoiding the worst impacts of climate change. Our panel of global experts tackles critical questions such as: Where do we find the leadership and resolve to do what needs to be done to shift our economy to a greener future?

Local communities are on the front line of addressing complex environmental and social challenges. This session will explore integrated and innovative models that bring capital to support and strengthen local solutions, whether structuring business succession into community ownership, developing financing models that connect local capital into local economies or mobilizing the power of procurement for social impact.

Today, CHEK Spotlight Live on Facebook features Raghwa Gopal, President & CEO of Innovate BC about the state of B.C.’s tech sector and how Innovate BC is helping to reboot BC’s economy by assisting innovators across the province to build great companies.

How to Reboot Our Economy

In-depth talks on economic recovery with Emilie de Rosenroll, South Island Prosperity Partnership; Matt Morrison, PNWER; Mary Rowe, Canadian Urban Institute; and Christina Clarke, Songhees Development Corp.

Cascadia’s Next Economy

As population growth, trade patterns and economic and cultural links strengthen between cities in the Pacific Northwest, there is a growing recognition of the importance of the Cascadia mega-region on the world stage.

Bring Forward Mainstreet

With the commercial districts of our downtowns heavily impacted by the pandemic, the CHEK News Spotlight talks to two urban development experts about how to bring our mainstreets back to life — and back to prosperity.

The Skills Revolution

John Stackhouse interprets trends for RBC’s executive leadership team and board with insights on how these affect RBC’s clients and our society.

Mary Rowe is a leading urban advocate and civil society leader who has worked in cities across Canada and the United States. In this talk, Mary explains how vital mainstreets are to the fabric and soul of a city and how we can help them recover from the pandemic.

From e-com and automation to AI and quantum computing, we’ve entered an age of deep technological disruption, and COVID. Our panel explores which industries are most impacted, which trends are emerging and how companies can pivot and thrive as part of the new resilience economy.

From e-com and automation to AI and quantum computing, we’ve entered an age of deep technological disruption and COVID. Our panel explores which industries are most impacted, which trends are emerging and how companies can pivot and thrive as part of the new resilience economy.

In this critical keynote presentation, Dr. Myles Druckman, SVP and Global Medical Director at International SOS — the world’s leading global health, security and logistics company — discusses black swans, global health security and crisis management in an era of increasing uncertainty.

The pressures of COVID-19 have hit women disproportionately hard — a third of Canadian women are considering quitting jobs and 1 in 4 U.S. women are reducing hours due to COVID-19 pressures. Our panel discusses why women’s advancement is backsliding, the serious impact of the “she-cession” and how we can create greater economic social equity.

The past four years have been a challenging time for the U.S./Canada relationship, with the recent border closures further impacting our strong ties. In this fascinating session, Dr. Christopher Sands explores how the outcome of the U.S. election will impact our cross-border relationship and affect the future of bilateral cooperation, policy priorities and trade.

Avery Shenfeld is one of Canada’s leading economists, known for his perceptive analysis and insight on economic development. In this insightful keynote, he expands upon projections for our region (and country’s) recovery for 2021 and beyond.

This timely panel explores how we can expand border cooperation and use improvements in technology, processes, facilities and innovation to drive economic recovery and prosperity and ensure the safe and secure flow of goods and people across the Canada/U.S. border.

The Honourable Lana Popham, Minister of Agriculture discusses how implementing resiliency-based policies will benefit the agricultural sector in our region.

Recent research suggests the pandemic is having a disproportionate impact on Canadian women when it comes to going back to work — and the gender gap is widening. In this CHEK News Spotlight we talk to a researcher and a local working mom and professional about the problems and solutions of the“she-cession.”

Airlines and airports have struggled mightily during the COVID-19 pandemic as passengers stayed home and air travel slowed. Hear from policy experts, airline CEOs and electric plane manufacturers on the role decarbonization can play in saving and reviving small airports across the region, maintaining vital links between communities

Cleaner air, healthier water, enhanced carbon management and broadened biodiversity not only reduce the vulnerability of communities to pandemics but have the potential to boost economic activity in new directions. Our panel discusses the widespread potential of a clean, green approach to the future and the areas of our economy we need to start nurturing and investing.

A recognized First Nation’s business leader and adviser, Carol Anne Hilton led the establishment of a line of thought called #indigenomics — the building and strengthening of Indigenous economies.

With the rise of virtual platforms like Zoom, many knowledge workers are flocking to new frontiers known as “Zoom Towns,” where they can live more inexpensively and achieve a work/life balance which many never dreamed of achieving. Our panel explores how this workforce migration is changing both the cities they are leaving — and the towns they are choosing on both sides of the US-Canada border.

Tourism is a key economic driver for Greater Victoria, averaging $2.3 billion in economic impacts in 2018. The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted this vital industry in a major way and highlighted the value of cross-border travel and tourism to both local jurisdictions and the Pacific Northwest region.

Throughout the pandemic, we’ve seen resilient companies fare better than non-resilient companies. With record liquidity, we’ll cover what this means for the investment community and the businesses in the highest demand. As we shift to designing our recovery, we’ll explore how investment can be directed for a more resilient future.

Tourism is a key economic driver for the Pacific Northwest (PNW) region, averaging $71.4 billion per year in visitor spending. The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted this vital industry in a major way and highlighted the value of cross-border travel and tourism to both local jurisdictions and the PNW region.

As Greater Victoria focuses on creating the Ocean Futures Innovation Hub, our panel explores how the West Coast can accelerate its Blue Economy to compete both nationally and with ocean nations like Norway, whose ocean industries account for about 70% of the country’s export earnings, and our own East Coast.

Tim Moonen heads up The Business of Cities, a U.K.-based urban intelligence firm that helps organizations make the most of the changing 21st-century relationships between businesses and cities. Tim has advised city and business leaders in Amsterdam, Auckland, Brisbane, Helsinki, Oslo, Philadelphia and 20 other city-regions globally on long-term strategies, governance, investment and development.

As Greater Victoria focuses on creating the Ocean Futures Innovation Hub, our panel explores how the West Coast can accelerate its Blue Economy to compete both nationally and with ocean nations like Norway, whose ocean industries account for about 70% of the country’s export earnings.

COVID-19 has been both a disruptor of the status quo and a driver of innovation for colleges and universities. Our panellists explore how higher education is responding to challenges of the 21st century, from rethinking skills development to reimagining online learning.

Featured Presentation with Melanie Joly

The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages discusses how the federal government is helping to craft a British Columbian specific recovery strategy and how different sectors can move forward out of the pandemic.

In this virtual, moderated listening session, Ambassador to the United States Kirsten Hillman and US Acting Ambassador to Canada, Chargé d’Affaires Katherine Brucker will listen to a series of 2- to 3-minute presentations from up to 10 sector stakeholders on topics related to border issues, supply chains, trade (including USMCA implementation) and bilateral collaboration during COVID.

Wrapping Up #RisingEconomyWeek2020

As Rising Economy Week comes to an end we would like to thank all of the panelists, keynotes, sponsors and anyone else who came together and made this event possible. For a copy of Reboot, Greater Victoria’s Recovery Plan please see here.