You could potentially find unique programs like these at all of our universities, but we need to focus our attention on our strengths or creating centres of excellence. That goes back to what I said about picking winners over losers, but it is vital that we highlight and spotlight our successes if we are going to make headway as a region.
Q: Are you optimistic we can make progress on this front, this idea of supporting the best ideas?
A: I believe we can, but that legacy of wanting to see everyone win is a difficult one to change. I recognize that there is a drive to ensure every area of our region is successful in some way, and I think we are doing a lot of the right things in that regard, but what scares me is that we are not doing it fast enough to keep schools open, to maintain our hospitals, or to retain professionals. Look at how business is able to pivot and seize on new opportunities. We need to be able to do that publicly. But business is only one voice and we need more people speaking to the importance of change if we want to make that happen.
Maybe we need a new approach. Maybe leaders need to talk more about the necessity of making this change and backing our winners. There is nothing wrong with telling it like it is. I know it’s scary, but if we start being frank, then people can understand and adjust to the new way of things. When we don’t do that, people get left behind. And that’s not fair.
Q: You mentioned pivoting and I wondered, given your involvement with Saint Mary’s, are there ways in which Atlantic Canada’s postsecondary institutions should be preparing for the future? Are there roles they should play, or steps they should take to maintain relevance and help us tackle the challenges we face?
That is something I am consumed with every day. I try to envision what the university of the future will look like. For example, will it be all virtual? Likely not, but every university has to come to terms with the fact that anyone can go online now and take a course from any professor or institution. At the same time, we also need to look at how we keep our professors current with rapid changes in technology and satisfy our students’ demands for the newest, greatest, and best tech there is.
Ultimately, I think our university business model needs a serious review. In Nova Scotia, for example, a lot of tax dollars go into our universities and yet that is not enough to make ends meet, which means we need to look at other sources of income if we want to take our institutions, and by extension our province, where we need to go. We need to have a frank discussion about this, the role our universities will play, and how the degrees we offer add value in an era when people can learn at home using a machine.
Q: You have also served as president of the International Women’s Forum of Canada. Have you noticed that more women are participating in business and Canada’s economy? Is there still more work to be done here?
A: On the whole, I think we’re making great advances. I look at women leaders in this city, the province, and across the region and I see a lot of great people of all ages with really good energy. There seems to be more emphasis on gender diversity in leadership, which is good.
At the same time, there is a sense that once we reach the c-suite, for example, a whole new set of challenges emerges that keeps us from going further. Look at male politicians. They have much more ability to attract corporate board interest than women politicians, who often have to work twice as hard to secure those invites. As senior leaders, we need to double down and ensure women who have done a great job have opportunities and are able to land somewhere else in roles that take them forward in their careers.
Q: What parting advice do you have for other leaders or our region?
A: Let’s speak truth to power. But let’s go beyond that. We have talked a lot about what we need to do. Now, we need to focus on action. This is not new. Ray Ivany was saying this five years ago. We need leaders who will bring people together and make this happen. It does not have to be politicians. If anything, it should be business leaders and elected officials, but regardless, I think people are ready for this. I think they want frank talk, a vision to aim for, and an end to the ‘everyone is a winner’ mentality. People are very smart. They want to be given a fair chance, to work hard, and to go for it. We talk about doing that. Now let’s do it.
About Atlantic Leader Insights
Atlantic Canada’s economy is fueled by a diverse array of private and public sector entities that employ thousands of people and contribute to our region’s growth and prosperity. But how are these organizations optimizing the potential of their people, and what insights have they gained about the future of our economy from their innovative initiatives?
KBRS recognizes the critical importance of attracting, developing, and retaining inspiring leaders and top talent within Atlantic Canada. We sat down with leaders at several high-impact Atlantic Canadian organizations to talk about our region’s opportunities and challenges. This article is one in a series that aims to collect these leaders’ insights on how we can enhance our economic outlook by strengthening our workforce.
