
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Cape Breton Island, NS – Navigate Startup House is collaborating with the Cape Breton Partnership to present the Employment Innovation Symposium For Employers & Managers, to take place November 25 at the Holiday Inn Sydney from 9 am – 12:30 pm.
The Symposium will feature presentations and discussion on a number of topics focused on approaches to finding, inspiring, and keeping the employees that workplaces need to be successful in a post COVID-19 economy. The event will be highlighted with a keynote presentation by author, speaker, seminar leader and corporate trainer Eddie LeMoine. Through this keynote presentation and more, event attendees will learn how to apply innovation to their human resource practices as they navigate labour shortages and other challenges.
“Unemployment has been the traditional problem that Cape Breton Island used to face. That’s all in the past,” says Todd Graham, Operations Manager at Navigate Startup House. “Today, employers are now wondering where the next generation of workers is coming from and they need to learn how to find and keep the employees their companies need. The aim of this Symposium is to explore these very ideas.”
Attendees will also have the opportunity to participate in interactive breakout sessions with industry professionals who will lead discussions on navigating the immigration process for employers, human resources best practices (attraction, retention, remote working), cultural context and considerations for diverse employees, and more.
“Of the challenges facing our local business community, labour and workforce challenges have been especially recognized, worsened by the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic,” says Carla Arsenault, President & CEO of the Cape Breton Partnership. “We are proud to be partnering with Navigate Startup House on this event and look forward to engaging with Cape Bretoner – Unama’ki employers and our Symposium facilitators.”
Pre-registration is required for this event and, in accordance with public health requirements, proof of vaccination must be provided upon entry. Registration and agenda information can be accessed by visiting https://employment-innovation-symposium.eventbrite.ca.
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Media Contacts:
Todd Graham
Navigate Startup House
902.565.9004
tgraham@navigatestartup.com
Jeremy Martell
Cape Breton Partnership
902.562.0122
Jeremy@capebretonpartnership.com
About Navigate Startup House
Navigate is more than a workspace — our events and programming foster meaningful relationships that are supportive and inspiring, building an impactful entrepreneur-led community that celebrates creativity, risk-taking, and collaboration. Startup life can be lonely and challenging, but it can also be a lot of fun and immensely rewarding — and at Navigate, our founders have plenty of peers to share the ups and downs up. Our job is to help make the lows the exception and the highs the rule.
About the Cape Breton Partnership
The Cape Breton Partnership is Unama’ki – Cape Breton’s private sector-led economic development organization that supports companies and entrepreneurs by promoting our Island as a great place to live and invest; growing a culture that values and celebrates creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship; and connecting entrepreneurs and companies to the resources they need to succeed.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Cape Breton Island, NS – NextGen Unama’ki – Cape Breton and the Cape Breton Partnership are seeking nominations for their eighth annual Vital Unama’ki – Cape Breton Excellence Awards, to be presented on December 3, 2021, at the Port of Sydney’s Royal Cape Breton Room.
The Vital Awards annually recognize youth and young professionals across Cape Breton Island between the ages of 16 and 40 who have made significant contributions, or impacts to their community, school or workplace, as well as the employers who support them.
“We’re so excited to be hosting the 2021 Vital Awards in-person this year, after nearly two years of our community being apart due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Natasha Kochhar who was appointed Chair of the NextGen Unama’ki – Cape Breton Board earlier this year. “I’m very proud of the work NextGen has done over the years. It has been a catalyst for engagement and empowering young leaders to be the change in their communities. Our Board cannot wait to celebrate the excellence of youth and young professionals across our incredible Island.”
“It has been a distinct honour for the Cape Breton Partnership to have been involved in the development and evolution of the Vital Awards for the past eight years,” says Carla Arsenault, President & CEO of the Cape Breton Partnership. “Our youth are not only vital to Cape Breton – Unama’ki’s future, but to its present as well. These awards represent an important celebration and recognition of our Island’s youth, the employers that play a vital role in their development, and their achievements.”
The 2021 Vital Awards categories include:
- Vital Excellence Award – Recognizes individuals who have played a vital role in their community through volunteerism, culture, leadership, innovation, etc.
- Vital Employee Excellence Award – Recognizes employees who have played a vital role in their workplace in Cape Breton.
- Vital Employer Excellence Award – Recognizes employers who have played a vital role in creating rewarding employment opportunities for youth in Cape Breton.
- Vital Newcomer Excellence Award– Recognizes newcomers who have made significant contributions to a community or communities in Cape Breton Unama’ki through leadership, mentorship, entrepreneurship, etc.
- Vital Young Leader Award – Recognizes individuals under the age of 18 who have made contributions to their community through volunteerism, innovation, or leadership.
- Vital Pandemic Leadership Award – Recognizes businesses, organizations, or individuals who have gone above and beyond to support Cape Breton Unama’ki through safety, advocacy, or relief measures during COVID-19.
Nominations for the 2021 Vital Awards can be submitted online by visiting www.cbnextgen.com/nominate. The deadline for nomination submissions is 4 p.m. on November 5, 2021.
Early bird tickets to attend the 2021 Vital Cape Breton – Unama’ki Excellence Awards are on sale now for $40.00 +HST until November 10th, with regular price general admissions tickets for $50.00 +HST until November 24th. This event will be following all current public health restrictions and requirements, and pre-registration is required. Tickets can be purchased by visiting https://2021-vital-awards.eventbrite.ca.
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Media Contacts:
Natasha Kochhar
Chair, NextGen Unama’ki – Cape Breton
nextgencb@gmail.com
902.217.7645
Jeremy Martell
Cape Breton Partnership
Jeremy@capebretonpartnership.com
902.562.0122

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
*Please note, photos follow on page 2.
(Richmond County, NS) – The Cape Breton Partnership, together with our partners at the Nova Scotia Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration, and the Workers’ Compensation Board of Nova Scotia was pleased to recognize two industry recipients of the eighth annual Safety First in Cape Breton Awards at two small in-person ceremonies which took place in late August.
The Safety First in Cape Breton Committee is pleased to offer its congratulations to Landry Brothers Limited in Louisdale who took home the Small Business Trailblazer Award, and to WINMAR Cape Breton in Lennox Passage who was awarded the Safety Culture Champion Award.
“While we were so happy to be able to recognize the recipients at this year’s virtual symposium in June, it was a special moment to be able to take the time and recognize them in-person for all that they do to keep safety at the forefront of their businesses for their employees and customers,” said Carla Arsenault, President & CEO of the Cape Breton Partnership who presented both businesses with their awards.
“Health and safety is a key priority for these two businesses, and it’s great to see the important work they are doing to promote and foster a strong and dedicated culture of safety,” added Arsenault. “It was an honour to congratulate them in person and thank them for creating a safer Cape Breton – Unama’ki, which will help to strengthen our economy.”
To learn more about this year’s winners, please watch the awards video, and visit safetyfirstcapebreton.com.
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Media Contact:
Carly Appleton
Cape Breton Partnership
902.562.0122
Carly@capebretonpartnership.com
About the Safety First in Cape Breton Network
The Safety First Network will demonstrate Leadership by providing safe work environments for employees, distributing online newsletters to share with industry about safety related topics, highlight the work of the Nova Scotia Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration and the Workers Compensation Board of Nova Scotia and showcase the safety champions in the Cape Breton region.
About the Cape Breton Partnership
The Cape Breton Partnership is Unama’ki – Cape Breton’s private sector-led economic development organization that supports companies and entrepreneurs by promoting our island as a great place to live and invest; growing a culture that values and celebrates creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship; and connecting entrepreneurs and companies to the resources they need to succeed. For more information, visit https://capebretonpartnership.com.

Carla Arsenault, President & CEO of the Cape Breton Partnership presents Paul Landry and Christian Samson of Landry Brothers Limited.
Landry Brothers Limited were selected for the Small Business Trailblazer Award for their strong safety culture, and for going above and beyond the call of safety, while fostering a culture that makes their business not only safe for their employees, but for their community.

Carla Arsenault, President & CEO of the Cape Breton Partnership presents John Whittington and Craig Marchand of WINMAR Cape Breton with their Safety First Award.
WINMAR Cape Breton was selected as the Safety Culture Champion Award winner for their strong leadership in workplace safety and the work their safety committee does to make WINMAR a safe place for all.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Cape Breton Island, NS -The Cape Breton Partnership is seeking nominations for its Board of Directors. Nominations will be accepted until Monday, September 20, 2021 at 4 p.m. To apply, visit https://bit.ly/CBPartnership-Board-Nomination-2021.
The Cape Breton Partnership is Unama’ki – Cape Breton’s private sector-led economic development organization that supports companies and entrepreneurs by promoting our Island as a great place to live and invest; growing a culture that values and celebrates creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship; and connecting entrepreneurs and companies to the resources they need to succeed. Central to its governance is a skills-based Board of Directors that oversees the Partnership and guides its work in supporting Cape Breton – Unama’ki’s economy.
As Cape Breton Island’s economic development organization, it is significant that the Cape Breton Partnership’s Board of Directors are from diverse sectors with a variety of backgrounds, expertise and experiences.
Requirements to become a member of the Cape Breton Partnership’s Board of Directors include:
- Commitment to the vision, mission and goals of the Cape Breton Partnership;
Serve on the Board and its committees for a three-year term, attend meetings (quarterly https://bit.ly/CBPartnership-Board-Nomination-2021
- Board meetings, one strategic planning session) and represent the Cape Breton Partnership when requested;
- Demonstrate leadership in the Cape Breton – Unama’ki business community;
- Provide guidance and direction to the organization based on knowledge and experience;
- Be an Investor with the Cape Breton Partnership.
The Partnership’s Board Governance Committee will review nominations to select individuals. Those selected will be contacted in advance of the three-year-term start date set for October 2021. The Cape Breton Partnership is committed to equity and diversity in all its appointments and activities.
The Cape Breton Partnership Board is comprised of 20 members from across Unama’ki – Cape Breton, and represents a wide range of sectors and regions. The current Board of Directors list can be found at https://capebretonpartnership.com/about/board-of-directors/.
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Media Contact:
Carly Appleton
Cape Breton Partnership
902.562.0122
Carly@capebretonpartnership.com
About the Cape Breton Partnership:
The Cape Breton Partnership is Unama’ki – Cape Breton’s private sector-led economic development organization that supports companies and entrepreneurs by promoting our island as a great place to live and invest; growing a culture that values and celebrates creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship; and connecting entrepreneurs and companies to the resources they need to succeed. For more information, visit https://capebretonpartnership.com.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sydney, NS – The Cape Breton Partnership, together with the Cape Breton Farmers’ Market, is excited to introduce the “Pop-up Bistro”, a new initiative that will offer food and beverage vendors the opportunity to participate in the weekly Saturday Market’s food-court area and make their tasty creations available to market-goers.
“We are excited to partner on this initiative and give local vendors in the food and beverage industry a chance to connect with their community, while promoting and marketing their business in a new and different way,” said Carla Arsenault, President & CEO of the Cape Breton Partnership.
The “Pop-up Bistro” is curated with the goal of showcasing a variety of vendors over the next several weeks while giving customers a chance to experience a variety of cuisines and products.
“This is a terrific offering for the Market and its customers and we hope to bring an array of vendors and flavours to customers in the local community,” said Brenda Donahue, Chair of the Cape Breton Farmers’ Market.
The “Pop-up Bistro” takes place weekly on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Cape Breton Farmers’ Market in Downtown Sydney, and is available to the local business community in the food and beverage industry. The $100+HST fee includes a booth, signage, access to the commercial Market Kitchen and marketing/promotion.
For more information, including food safety requirements, and to apply and participate, please visit: https://capebretonpartnership.com/farmersmarket.
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Media Contact:
Jeremy Martell
Cape Breton Partnership
902.562.0122
Jeremy@capebretonpartnership.com
Jess Fraser
Cape Breton Farmers’ Market
902.564.9948
cbfarmersmarket@bellaliant.com
About the Cape Breton Partnership:
The Cape Breton Partnership is Unama’ki – Cape Breton’s private sector-led economic development organization that supports companies and entrepreneurs by promoting our island as a great place to live and invest; growing a culture that values and celebrates creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship; and connecting entrepreneurs and companies to the resources they need to succeed. For more information, visit https://capebretonpartnership.com.
About the Cape Breton Farmers’ Market
The Cape Breton Farmers’ Market (CBFM) aims to facilitate economic growth and sustainability for local food and craft producers encouraging more people to live, work and grow in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality. The CBFM is a not-for-profit co-operative that has been in operation for almost thirty years.