Points of Order: Recent Episodes
Kody Blois
When you have something to say in the House, you say it on a Point of Order. Join me as I discuss the important issues of the day with leaders from across Canada.
On Episode 15, I sit down with Jack Graham, Chair of the Board of Directors at McInnes Cooper and a member of the International Tennis Federation. We discuss current affairs in both the practice of law and the sport of tennis, and how both industries were affected during the pandemic.
On Episode 14, I speak with Falmouth resident, and one of Nova Scotia's all-time top athletes, Mark Smith. We talk about Mark's background and his impressive career as a softball coach and athlete and his recent Olympic Bronze medal. In recognition of Black History Month, we also discuss barriers for people of colour in sport and the ongoing work Mark is leading at Sport Nova Scotia to increase equity, diversity and inclusion.
In Episode 13 of the Points of Order Podcast, I'm joined by the Honourable Anne McLellan. We talk about Anne's upbringing on the Noel Shore, her time in politics and her current work as Co-Chair of the Coalition for a Better Future, which you can learn more about at canadacoalition.ca.
On Episode 12, I chat with Sarah Anderson, Owner and Operator of East Coast Pop Up Weddings and the Wolfville Wedding Chapel. We talk about Sarah's background, what led her to start these businesses and how she's changing the wedding industry in Nova Scotia.
On Episode 11 of Points of Order Podcast, I’m joined by Don Bureaux, who lives in Hantsport, and is the President & CEO of the Nova Scotia Community College, to discuss the role NSCC plays across our province, particularly in rural communities. Don also shares how NSCC adapted through the COVID-pandemic and a little bit about his background and what led him to his current role.
On Episode 10, I have a conversation with former premier Stephen McNeil. We spoke about his upbringing, his journey in politics, and how he hopes his time in office will be remembered in the years ahead.
Today, I had the opportunity to talk with Werner Barnard. Werner is the President and CEO of Eden Valley Poultry. He is a new immigrant from South Africa who moved here with his family during the Covid-19 pandemic. In this episode, we discuss Werner's journey to Canada and why he choose the Annapolis Valley to bring his family. We also go over how Covid-19 has affected the Eden Valley Poultry business.
Today I sit down with Patrick Crabbe of Bird Construction to talk about his lifelong experience in forestry, the future of the sector and the new possibilities of mass timber, a revolutionary construction technique.
On this episode of Points of Order, Kody Blois sits down to talk with Brian Urquhart, president of the Halifax Mooseheads. Brian talks about growing up in East Hants and his involvement in sport and fast pitch softball, and how came to work for the Mooseheads. Brian talks about how the Mooseheads have grown to be a beloved franchise in Nova Scotia, how the pandemic has impacted them, and their future aspirations.
This week on Points of Order I have a chat with Kings county Deputy Mayor Emily Lutz about her experience as councilor and president of Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities. We get into what it means to represent a rural community, her background from family of farmers, and what is attracting so many people to rural Nova Scotia.
On today's episode I'm joined by Hanspeter Stutz, a pioneer of Nova Scotia's wine industry with Domaine de Grand Pré winery. An immigrant from Switzerland, Hanspeter talks about what brought him to Nova Scotia and how his entrepreneurial spirit is bringing his new product from the Annapolis Valley - Viveau to all corners of the globe.
Join me as I sit down with Kirk Havercroft, CEO of Sustainable Blue in Centre Burlington, West Hants to discuss sustainable salmon farming, why he chose Nova Scotia, and the future of the environmentally friendly seafood industry.
Sustainable Blue raises their Atlantic Salmon in a saltwater closed-loop land-based facility unlike any other. Just like wild salmon, their fish start their life in fresh water and then graduate to saltwater to mature. Swimming in large tanks that replicate the natural water flow of ocean currents, their salmon fishery is designed to mirror the ocean ecosystem, but on land – protecting wild salmon populations from both disease and overfishing.
Their salmon is sustainably fed, saltwater raised, and uses a unique closed-loop system that emits no wastewater.
To learn more about Sustainable Blue, click here.
Join me as I sit down with Dr. Peter Ricketts, President and Vice-Chancellor of Acadia University to discuss his academic voyage, how oceans can help solve climate change, and his leadership of Acadia University during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr. Peter J. Ricketts was appointed Acadia’s 16th President and Vice-Chancellor in April 2017, beginning his six-year term in July 2017. Born in Harrogate, Yorkshire and raised in Bournemouth on the south coast of England, Dr. Ricketts earned his BA (Honours) degree in Geography at the University of Nottingham in 1974 and his PhD from the University of Southampton in 1982. He is internationally-recognized for his expertise in coastal zones and ocean management.
Dr. Ricketts’ appointment at Acadia brings him back to Nova Scotia, where he began his full-time academic career as an Assistant Professor of Geography at Saint Mary’s University in Halifax in 1979. Before his appointment at Acadia, Dr. Ricketts served as Provost and Vice-President (Academic) at Carleton University in Ottawa from 2009 to 2017, where he was also Professor of Geography and Environmental Studies. He has extensive experience as a senior university administrator, having also served as Vice-President (Academic and Research) at Nipissing University, in North Bay, ON (2006-2009); Vice-President, Academic and then President of Okanagan University College (2000-2005) in Kelowna, BC; Dean of Graduate Studies at Dalhousie University (1995-2000) in Halifax, NS, and the first Director of Research at Saint Mary’s University (1989-1994). Ricketts served two terms as President (1998-99 and 1999-2000) and one term as Vice-President (1997-1998) of the Canadian Association of Graduate Studies.
Dr. Ricketts also has an academic appointment at Acadia, as Professor of Earth and Environmental Science. He has published extensively in the fields of coastal and ocean management, strategic environmental assessment, the applications of geographic information systems and information technology to support decision-making in coastal and ocean resource management, maritime boundary delineation, international coastal and ocean issues, and the management of coastal erosion. He has acted as a consultant for the Departments of Foreign Affairs, Fisheries and Oceans, and Environment of the Government of Canada and for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) of the US federal government. From 1990 to 1998, he served as a ministerial appointed member of the Nova Scotia Environmental Trust. Dr. Ricketts worked as part of Canada’s scientific team during the Gulf of Maine boundary dispute in the United States that was adjudicated by the International Court of Justice in 1984.
In 1993, Dr. Ricketts co-founded the Coastal Zone Canada Association (CZCA) and served as its President from 2002 to 2008, and again from 2012 to 2016. The CZCA is Canada’s major organization for researchers, public policy practitioners, and community stakeholders in coastal and ocean management. In June 2016, Dr. Ricketts was awarded the H. B. Nicholls Award by the CZCA in recognition of his leadership and significant contribution to integrated coastal and ocean management in Canada. He remains active in his areas of scholarly interest, and is currently a member of the Global Oceans Forum, which works to develop ocean and coastal policy options in the implementation of the United Nations Paris Agreement on Climate Change and the Sustainable Development Goals.
Learn more about Acadia University by clicking the link here.
Join me as I sit down with Chris and Melissa Velden of The Flying Apron to talk about their restaurant, how it got started, where it's going, and how they're putting Nova Scotia as a destination on the international culinary scene.
The motto of The Flying Apron is We Do Local! Their local food menu is seasonal and changes weekly (or more) to feature what's being harvested by nearby farmers and to account for the use of whole animals. The majority of their menu ingredients come from within 15 minutes of the restaurant; including sustainable fish, organic produce, organic fruit and lamb and pork raised just down the road on their Partner Farm: Ironwood Farm.
Chris and Melissa opened The Flying Apron barely five years ago, and since it has exploded in popularity. Dining on the Ocean Floor at Burntcoat Head Park has proven especially popular, with tickets selling out in less than 2 minutes for a seven course meal served on the Bay of Fundy, home to the highest tides in the world.
The Flying Apron can be found at 3 Summerville Wharf Rd. in Summerville, a 25 minute drive from Windsor, Nova Scotia.
Join me as I sit down with Joyce Carter of the Halifax International Airport Authority to talk about her work as CEO, the effects of COVID-19 on air travel, and airports as part of Canada's economic recovery.
Joyce Carter is President & Chief Executive Officer of Halifax International Airport Authority (HIAA). Joyce joined HIAA in 1999 and has been integral in HIAA’s growth and development since then, becoming Chief Financial Officer in 2006, Chief Strategy Officer in 2008 and President & CEO in 2014.
Prior to joining HIAA, Joyce worked in audit and assurance at Deloitte before accepting positions in real estate development, as Vice-President Finance at Ryco Atlantic Limited and then as Vice-President Finance, Administration and Asset Management at The Hardman Group.
Joyce is well-known for paving the way for women leaders in the aviation industry. Earlier this year, she was the first woman to be appointed Chair of the Canadian Airports Council. She is also a board member of the Airports Council International (ACI) World Governing Board, ACI-North America Board of Directors, and Board Member and past President of the Board of Directors for the Atlantic Canada Airports Association; these roles connect her with airport CEOs internationally, nationally and regionally respectively, and provide a holistic industry perspective that she uses to ensure Halifax Stanfield is well positioned for change and innovation. She’s also a member of Women in Aviation International and Women in Aerospace Canada – Atlantic, and continually promotes the integral role women play in the transportation and aviation/aerospace industry.
Joyce holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Saint Mary’s University and is a graduate of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nova Scotia. In 2012, she was awarded the prestigious designation of Fellow Chartered Accountant (FCA), and she obtained the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD.D) designation in 2015.
Well known for her strong leadership, she was named one of Atlantic Canada’s Top 50 CEOs by Atlantic Business Magazine in each of the last three years and received the Gold Award in the Business Leader of the Year category at the 2019 Halifax Business Awards, hosted by the Halifax Chamber of Commerce.
Welcome to my new podcast, Points of Order! Every two weeks we'll hear from leaders, innovators, and those driving positive change in our communities.
Join me for Episode 1 of Points of Order on October 13th where I sit down with Joyce Carter, CEO of the Halifax Stanfield International Airport Authority, to discuss airports and Canada's economic recovery.