The Canadian Story

Dan Pujdak is a Senior Fellow at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute and the Executive Lead of Watershed Partners' advisory team in Canada. He has worked with elected leaders, indigenous communities, and Corporate Canada to help advance reconciliation and to foster deeper collaborative relationships across Canada. Find Daniel online: https://www.macdonaldlaurier.ca/ https://watershed.co/ Find us online: https://www.facebook.com/thecadstory https://twitter.com/thecadstory https://www.instagram.com/thecadstory/ https://anchor.fm/thecadstory

Alicia Erickson was crowned Miss Rodeo Canada 2020 at the Canadian Finals Rodeo on November 1st, 2019. She will continue on in 2021 as the first ever Miss Rodeo Canada to serve a two year rein. The 25 year-old from Trochu, Alberta has graduated College with her Justice Studies Diploma, specializing in Youth, and will continue her education to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work. Seeing the influence of growth, knowledge, and positivity she could impart in youth, truly set her on the path of becoming a professional in the field. Alicia has an ultimate goal of developing specific mental health and relations programs, to implement in grade school settings. Her passion for educating youth has always been apparent through many hours of volunteer work that led to being a horse-back riding instructor, skating coach, and youth programming facilitator. Alicia finds so much joy in music, and has been honoured to sing the Canadian National Anthem on horse-back at various rodeos across Canada and the United States of America. In her spare time, she enjoys playing the guitar, barrel racing, and helping out on the ranch. The authentic cowboy lifestyle, and the influencers within it, are what shaped Erickson to be the person she is today. For that, not only does she truly value western heritage and rodeo, but wants to continue to pass down the traditional traits of integrity, hard work, and dedication. While she didn’t inherit this lifestyle, Alicia chose to live by it and will continue to do so by being a contributing member to the western way of life. Find Alicia online: https://www.facebook.com/MissRodeoCanada https://www.instagram.com/missrodeocanada/ Website: https://www.missrodeocanada.ca Find us online: https://www.facebook.com/thecadstory https://twitter.com/thecadstory https://www.instagram.com/thecadstory/ https://anchor.fm/thecadstory

Dan was elected Member of the British Columbia Legislature for Peace River North in 2017. He currently serves as the Official Opposition Critic for Social Development and is the Deputy Chair for the Provincial Special Committee to Reform the Police Act. Prior to his election to the Legislature, Dan served as a Fort St. John city councillor for 12 years, was a teacher, a reservist in the Canadian Armed Forces, and regularly worked in the construction industry. Dan has long been involved in his community, serving as chair of the North Peace Justice Society, vice-president of the Legion, and as a member of the North Peace Shrine Club to mention a few. He has served as a Canadian Forces reserve officer for the past 24 years. For his service in the community Dan received the Queen's Diamond Jubilee medal and has a Canadian Forces Decoration with clasp for his service in the Armed Forces. Dan earned his Master's Degree in Leadership and Administration from Gonzaga University and has a Bachelor of Education from Simon Fraser University. Dan is a life-long resident of Fort St. John. He and his wife Erin have two children. Find Dan online: https://www.bcliberals.com/team/dan-davies/ https://www.facebook.com/dandaviesbc https://twitter.com/daniel_davies Find us online: https://www.facebook.com/thecadstory https://twitter.com/thecadstory https://www.instagram.com/thecadstory/ https://anchor.fm/thecadstory

Mikaela Gerber is an aspiring psychologist and career researcher interested in studying the connection between food, nutrition, and mental health via the gut-brain axis. The Cambridge, Ontario native was a Canadian National Gymnastics Team member from 2006-2013 wherein she competed at various international competitions including World Championships and PanAmerican Games. She was also a Torch Runner for the 2015 PanAmerican Games hosted in Toronto. Mikaela earned a scholarship to UCLA where she completed her Bachelor's degree in Psychology and Global Health and competed with the UCLA Gymnastics team. During her final year, she worked as a research assistant with the UCLA Aftercare Research Program which studies early-onset Schizophrenia. She conducted her own independent research on the dietary habits of patients with Schizophrenia and presented her work at several research conferences in 2018. Currently, Mikaela is earning her MSc in Psychological Approaches to Health at the University of Leeds in England. Find Mikaela online: https://www.instagram.com/mikabrik/ https://twitter.com/mikkigerb Find us online: https://www.facebook.com/thecadstory https://twitter.com/thecadstory https://www.instagram.com/thecadstory/ https://anchor.fm/thecadstory

Reg Porter is an Islander who has devoted a significant part of his life to the study and preservation of Prince Edward Island heritage, especially its architecture. His childhood was spent in Tignish with his grandparents, where he received his early education. He then attended high school in Montreal and began his university studies with the Jesuits at Loyola College. He continued his education at Mount Allison University where he took degrees in Classical Civilisation and Education. He became Librarian and Director of the Resource Centre at Tantramar Regional High School in Sackville New Brunswick for eight years. During that time he introduced and taught the equivalent of a first-year university course in the History of Art. In 1979 he was invited by Mount Allison University to become Research Associate at the Centre for Canadian Studies, and Lecturer in Education, teaching courses in Social Studies Methodology and Audio-Visual Theory and Practice. He also began research projects in local historical topography. He returned to PEI in 1982 and until 1988 worked at the Heritage Foundation (now the PEI Museum) as Curator of Exhibits and Public Programmes. In 1989 he became self-employed as a Heritage Consultant and spent the next ten years working in museum planning, archaeological survey, and historic building restoration. From 1987-97, he was also a Sessional Lecturer at the University of Prince Edward Island, teaching courses in Art History. In 2000, in poor health, he retired to Belle River where he lives, with his cats, in a late Victorian farmhouse, which was restored and filled with the happy and inspiring accumulations of a lifetime. He planned and constructed an enclosed formal garden – a hortus conclusus – whose geometry comforts him. In the past twenty years he has enjoyed going out to give public lectures and trying to complete several manuscript projects on Island Heritage. For a number of years, he wrote about a dozen articles for RED Magazine and produced substantial manuscripts about various aspects of Island architecture. His most recent project – which he hopes will bring him to the limits of his life – is a heritage blog where he recreates the major lectures, he gave during the past fifty years. He believes that the ultimate sweetness of living is sharing one’s passions with others. Find Reg online: regporter.com Find us online: https://www.facebook.com/thecadstory https://twitter.com/thecadstory https://www.instagram.com/thecadstory/ https://anchor.fm/thecadstory

Michael was born and raised in Cambridge, ON. He went to art school for illustration when he was 25 at Sheridan College in Oakville. Michael graduated at 30 with a bachelors degree in illustration and has been doing freelance illustrating since he graduated 14 years ago. His work has been published in The New York Times, Washington post, Sports Illustrated, Men's Health, The Walrus and more. Michael lives in Hamilton, ON with his wife and two daughters. Find Michael online: Website michaelcbyers.com https://www.instagram.com/p/CLDgKxEBuxa/ https://twitter.com/michaelbyers

Rishi Sharma works in the Private Training Institutions Branch as Director, Stakeholder Engagement & Governance, Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills and training. He recently had an opportunity to work in non-profit through a BC government secondment as the Project Manager for the Builders Code – a construction workforce equity project being spearheaded by the BC Construction Association. Rishi has been a public servant for close to 21 years. He has also worked as the Director of Corporate Services and Intergovernmental Relations, Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills and Training with a focus on cross/division corporate activities (i.e. business planning, HR, communications, records management), Intergovernmental/Indigenous relations and Stakeholder Relations. His experience also includes many years working directly for BC’s Executive Council as a Chief of Staff, including the Premier’s Office. Rishi is married to his lovely wife Amy and has been blessed with three daughters. Read more about Rishi: https://www.timescolonist.com/news/local/saanich-south-candidate-in-b-c-election-target-of-racial-slurs-1.24223386 https://policyoptions.irpp.org/magazines/february-2021/diversity-and-inclusion-are-tools-for-a-political-partys-success/ https://www.straight.com/news/rishi-sharma-normalizing-uncomfortable-conversations-to-help-build-better-policy?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=hootsuite&utm_content=the+georgia+straight Find us online: https://www.facebook.com/thecadstory https://twitter.com/thecadstory https://www.instagram.com/thecadstory/ https://anchor.fm/thecadstory

I.J. Makan is the co-host of Kazingram Dialogue, a podcast dedicated to having open and honest conversations about the topics that matter most to our culture and society. He's a philosopher, product designer, and martial artist. He holds an M.A. in Philosophy from St. Mary's University where he specialized in philosophy of religion and ethics. He's also a first-generation immigrant to Canada. Find IJ online: https://twitter.com/ijmakan https://kazingram.com/ Find us online: https://www.facebook.com/thecadstory https://twitter.com/thecadstory https://www.instagram.com/thecadstory/ https://anchor.fm/thecadstory

Denton Wierzba is a futures trader from Red Deer, Alberta Find us online: https://www.facebook.com/thecadstory https://twitter.com/thecadstory https://www.instagram.com/thecadstory/ https://anchor.fm/thecadstory

Chris Spoke is the founder of August, a Toronto-based agency that designs and builds digital products. He's also the organizer of Blue, an event series advancing big ideas for Canada's future. Find Chris online: Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChrisSpoke Blue website: https://blueforum.ca/ August website: https://alwaysaugust.co/ Find us online: https://www.facebook.com/thecadstory https://twitter.com/thecadstory https://www.instagram.com/thecadstory/ https://anchor.fm/thecadstory

Ryan Guay is the lead singer, guitarist and primary songwriter for the reggae rock group Street Pharmacy. After a brief stint on the MuchMusic reality television show disBAND in 2009, Guay’s group went on to reach #1 on the UR11 charts the following year. Since then, Guay has been busy writing and producing music for organizations such as Tic-Tac, Electronic Arts, CBC Kids and Brock University as well as for a plethora of national and international artists through his company, Stereofolk Entertainment. Aside from participating actively on the creative side of the Canadian music business, Guay is passionate about teaching English, History, Geography and Music at the secondary school level in the Niagara Region. Find Ryan online: www.streetpharmacymusic.com www.streetpharmacyepk.com www.stereofolk.com www.facebook.com/streetpharmacy https://twitter.com/streetpharmacy https://www.instagram.com/streetpharmacy/ Find us online: https://www.facebook.com/thecadstory https://twitter.com/thecadstory https://www.instagram.com/thecadstory/ https://anchor.fm/thecadstory

Rylan Whalen was born in Burlington Ontario, January 9th 1995. In his early years, Whalen was clearly disenchanted with the music his peers were embracing. Therefore, he took it upon himself to dive deep into the sounds that truly moved his soul. His thirst for music landed him exploring a vast variety of those before him, from the 60s and 70s, classical and soul. Whether in his parent’s record collection or the infinite library of the internet. By the end of high school, he had a need to absorb every documentary regarding these mythical records, and bands he could find. Being captivated by the words of groups far his senior, the young writer developed a style of his own. Paying tribute to those he was moulded by, yet always concocting his own original, modern and honest sound. Searching for truth, yearning for the divine, otherworldly energy music can give back. Whalen left his family, friends and country to join Danny down south. Allowing for vast expansion within their musical skills, influences and counterparts. Such a risky and courageous choice allowed the then boys, to embark on a journey of ridiculous proportions. Defining their friendship, sound and journey. Finding himself back home, nearly 5 years later, it can be very well said that this man breathes melody. His lyricism and stylistic approaches to his singing is on full display. He continues searching for a way to put life into words, and further connect with all and everyone around him. Find Rylan online: Instagram.com/ryewhalen https://instagram.com/harmandease?utm_medium=copy_link https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMevQnkAg/ https://www.facebook.com/HarmAndEase Find us online: https://www.facebook.com/thecadstory https://twitter.com/thecadstory https://www.instagram.com/thecadstory/ https://anchor.fm/thecadstory

Jeff Callaway comes from a dairy farm background and was in finance for 20 years. He has been involved in founding, financing, taking public, and supporting the development of a number of natural resource and cannabis companies. He is currently the CEO of High Ground Medica and Blacksteel Energy. Jeff was the President of a start up political party that grew to be one of the founding 2 parties of the governing party of Alberta today. Find High Ground Medica online: https://high-ground.ca/ Find us online: https://www.facebook.com/thecadstory https://twitter.com/thecadstory https://www.instagram.com/thecadstory/ https://anchor.fm/thecadstory

Keith Matthew is a member of the Simpcw First Nation and is a former chief of the Simpcw First Nation. He served for five years as chief and five years as Councilor up until December 2010. As a Councilor and Chief with his community he was responsible for economic development and was instrumental developing a business relationship with Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing and helped negotiate ownership in a $7 million heli-skiing lodge. He was the chief negotiator with Kinder Morgan Canada and Canadian Hydro Developers and delivered impact benefit agreements to his community with those companies. He also led discussions on a forest and range agreement that provides fibre and resources for the Simpcw First Nation and its legal entities. More importantly these agreements have provided employment and training opportunities in major projects that the community members wouldn’t normally have an opportunity to compete for and work with companies that were formerly beyond their capacity. As chief he also was responsible for negotiations but also oversaw the successful delivery of the impact benefit agreements referendum and benefits to his community. In order to take advantage of the opportunities there was also the creation of Simpcw Resources Group Ltd. and the creation of Simpcw Heritage Trust to manage own source revenues into the future for the upcoming generations of Simpcw youth and their grandchildren. This legal instrument will allow the building of wealth for the children of our community well into the future. The vision to create opportunities for Simpcw First Nation was understanding the Haida and Taku River Supreme Court of Canada decisions on the duty to consult First Nations communities. Shuswap Nation Tribal Council was instrumental in helping draft consultation and accommodation policies with the assistance of the West Coast Environmental Law. The building block for this was started with a consultation and accommodation framework that was passed by a majority of the Simpcw membership in a community referendum. Additional pieces to this policy framework were later developed with a map of the traditional territory and a heritage and culture policy addendum. Currently Mr. Matthew is serving on the following committees as volunteer: President of the Community Futures Development Corporation for Central Interior First Nations; President of Council for the Advancement of Native Development Officers; Director of the Simpcw Health Board President for the National Aboriginal Energy and Power Association; Director for the Tulo Centre of Indigenous Economics, Thompson Rivers University. He has his own company Seklep Business Services and works with First Nations’ communities to negotiate agreements with companies that require certainty of tenure from major projects on unceded traditional territory. As well he has two joint venture companies and is a principal with both Skeetch Arrowhead Contracting Ltd. and Skowtum Services Ltd. He is also one of the principals of Dynamic Microgrids and looks forward to helping First Nations communities develop their own renewable sources of energy and being partners with Canada in reducing greenhouse gases. He was awarded his Certified Aboriginal Economic Developer certification by the Council for the Advancement of Native Development Officers at a ceremony in Winnipeg at their annual general meeting in 2013. He also successfully completed BCIT’s Associate Certificate, Venture Program, in 2012. Find us online: https://www.facebook.com/thecadstory https://twitter.com/thecadstory https://www.instagram.com/thecadstory/ https://anchor.fm/thecadstory

Vincenzo Guzzo is a Canadian entrepreneur, philanthropist and television personality. He currently serves as CEO of Cinémas Guzzo, Groupe Guzzo Construction inc., Guzzo Medical and Guzzo Hospitality. He is also a restaurateur with the opening of a chain of Neapolitan pizzerias called Giulietta in Montreal. He and his wife raise money for charities through the Guzzo Family Foundation. Find Vincenzo online: https://twitter.com/Guzzo_Vincenzo https://www.instagram.com/lordguzzo/ Find us online: https://www.facebook.com/thecadstory https://twitter.com/thecadstory https://www.instagram.com/thecadstory/ https://anchor.fm/thecadstory

Rob currently operates a cottage business in PEI and works in sales for an import consulting company. Prior to moving to PEI in 2019, Rob lived in Ajax, ON and worked as an account executive for a Toronto based company specializing in import/export software, customs brokerage and customs consulting. Between 1995 and 2003, Rob lived in Massachusetts and Arizona where he worked as a software developer and team manager for a US military contractor and also taught college level courses in computer programming. Before moving to the USA in 1995, Rob was a computer games and multimedia developer for a Toronto based company where he also managed a team of programmers. After completing his university degrees, he worked as a programmer for a software company that specialized in automating legal documents. Academically his background is history, philosophy and computer science. He earned an Hons. B.A. at McMaster and an M.A. at Waterloo University. Rob is an avid motorcyclist and amateur photographer with a passion for long road trips. He has motorcycled all over the USA as well as across Canada. Find Rob online: www.robfaucher.com www.tracadiecottages.com www.philosophycrush.com Find us online: https://www.facebook.com/thecadstory https://twitter.com/thecadstory https://www.instagram.com/thecadstory/ https://anchor.fm/thecadstory

Founding members Danny Lopez and Rylan Whalen originally met their first year of high school. In the predictable suburbs of Burlington, Ontario is where they swiftly began a musical relationship. Harm & Ease was officially formed in 2010 as an acoustic project. Allowing them to explore a more melodic vibe, not present in the metal scene currently enveloping the area. Eventually fate would find Lopez, along with his family, being uprooted with little warning. Finding themselves in Buenos Aires, Argentina. However this wasn’t enough to separate the songwriting duo. Dedication, sacrifice and a hell of alot of plane rides kept the artistic pair inseparable. In fact, it propelled them into their next stage. Danny Lopez was born in Cali Colombia, September 19th, 1995. Unlike so many musicians, whose high school years are spent enthralling themselves in the on and off of attempted bands. Lopez and Whalen took too each other young and fast. Harm & Ease being their adolescent project, it was obvious Lopez had found his counterpart. He knew what he wanted since day one of starting the group, and has dedicated his time and craft to creating and performing exciting and innovative music. Adoring sound from a young age, its no surprise he’s found himself defying odds. Effortlessly following the footsteps of titans before him. Embodying strength, its this drive that pushes the band forward, surpassing any obstacle. Playing both lead guitarist and manager, friend and brother has allowed this small duo from Burlington, Ontario to be so much more. For such a young man, he has lived quite a life. Existing and creating in several countries around the world, with a guitar and a truckload of songs as his tools of choice. With his distinctive glasses, hat and dreadlocks, he’s not hard to spot and is always willing to say hello. Find Danny online: https://www.instagram.com/Harmandease https://www.twitter.com/Harmandease https://www.facebook.com/Harmandease www.Youtube.com/Harmandease Tiktok.com/Harmandease Find us online: https://www.facebook.com/thecadstory https://twitter.com/thecadstory https://www.instagram.com/thecadstory/ https://anchor.fm/thecadstory

Jonathan Hamel is the CEO of Bullion Gold Resources Corp (TSX-V : BGD), Director of Vanstar Mining Resources Inc (TSX-V : VSR), Board Member of the Montréal Economic Institute, Guest Lecturer at HEC Montréal (Business Faculty of the Université de Montréal) and Founder of Académie Bitcoin. Jonathan is the go to voice on all things bitcoin, blockchain and cryptocurrencies in Québec and is a sought after media commentator on this subject in particular. Find us online: https://www.facebook.com/thecadstory https://twitter.com/thecadstory https://www.instagram.com/thecadstory/ https://anchor.fm/thecadstory

Lindsay Coulter is a entrepreneur and professional photographer from Waterloo, Ontario. Lindsay also recently created the "End the Lockdown of Ontario Small Business" petition which has garnered over one hundred thousand signatures so far in hopes to create a more fair treatment of small businesses in Ontario during the lockdown. Sign the petition here: https://tinyurl.com/n4utbx88 Find Lindsay online: https://www.instagram.com/lcoulterphoto/ Find us online: https://www.facebook.com/thecadstory https://twitter.com/thecadstory https://www.instagram.com/thecadstory/ https://anchor.fm/thecadstory

Eric Silveira is Creative Director at LDM and Founder of Galt Collective, a co-working and event space. He grew up in Cambridge Ontario and has chosen to make it home. Husband and father of three, Eric is passionate and committed to community. Seeing challenges as opportunities, he enjoys nothing more than sitting down over a pint or a meal to talk and enjoy a laugh. Find Eric online: Lucid Digital Media https://www.instagram.com/luciddigitalmedia/ www.ldm.ca Galt Collective https://www.instagram.com/galtcollective/ https://galtcollective.ca/ Find us online: https://www.facebook.com/thecadstory https://twitter.com/thecadstory https://www.instagram.com/thecadstory/ https://anchor.fm/thecadstory

Born and raised on a tiny island in the Caribbean, Louis moved to Canada days before his 15th birthday. Since then he has been figuring out how to maneuver his life in the north. Louis went from wanting to be a medical doctor while he was in university to pursuing a career as a Rap artist. This is far from a typical path and he admits that when he began on this path that he had his doubts. Now he is at the point where the uncertainty has been eliminated leaving room for positive vibes to flow. Louis is Big Lou and Big Lou is the Happy Rapper. Find Big Lou online: https://www.bigloucrew.com/ https://www.prevailmg.com/welcome https://www.instagram.com/bigloucrew/ https://www.instagram.com/go.produce/ Find us online: https://www.facebook.com/thecadstory https://twitter.com/thecadstory https://www.instagram.com/thecadstory/ https://anchor.fm/thecadstory

Studio Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/hardcoremusicstudio Find us online: https://www.facebook.com/thecadstory https://twitter.com/thecadstory https://www.instagram.com/thecadstory/ https://anchor.fm/thecadstory

Scott Kvasni is the lead singer and guitarist of Hamilton enchanted rock band Mucho Disaster. He describes Mucho Disaster as "a dance beat drop played by a rock band playing the blues", and thats all you need to know. Find us online: https://www.facebook.com/thecadstory https://twitter.com/thecadstory https://www.instagram.com/thecadstory/ https://anchor.fm/thecadstory

Brandon Tozzo is a Lecturer at Trent University where he teaches methodology, US politics and international security . He is a consultant for several media outlets in Canada, including CBC, CTV and Global Television. His book "American Hegemony after the Great Recession" traces the increase in partisanship in the wake of the financial crisis. He has also worked with the US Department of State as an international observer for the 2016 election. Find us online: https://www.facebook.com/thecadstory https://twitter.com/thecadstory https://www.instagram.com/thecadstory/ https://anchor.fm/thecadstory

Owner and founder of Aria Music Academy, Natalia has special interest in vocal health and rehabilitation. Primarily focusing on contemporary music and musical theatre. At the age of 23 Natalia has already taught over 74 students since graduating from Randolph Academy for the performing arts. In addition to teaching, Natalia dedicates her life to the study and creation of the arts across many different industries be it acting on the stage, film/TV, song writing & composition, dance, and playing instruments. Find Natalia online: https://www.ariamusicacademy.ca https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOHjX6YDWiJjPngYdyz8aNQ https://www.instagram.com/nataliazuk/?hl=en Find us online: https://www.facebook.com/thecadstory https://twitter.com/thecadstory https://www.instagram.com/thecadstory/ https://anchor.fm/thecadstory