The Cape Breton Partnership is proud to share biweekly interviews with our team and programs this summer and fall, thanks to our valued Partner and Investor, The Coast Radio 89.7!
These interviews share a glimpse into our services and the team members bringing them to communities across Unama’ki – Cape Breton, hosted by The Coast Morning Show’s Bill Bradley.
This week’s interview features the Cape Breton Job Board and the annual Unama’ki – Cape Breton Job Fairs held annually in the Spring!
These interviews took place between the fall of 2024 and early 2025.
Unama’ki – Cape Breton, NS – The Cape Breton Partnership is excited to announce that nominations are now open for the 2025 Economic Impact Awards which will be presented during the 2025 Investor Summit, presented by Nova Scotia Power, on October 23, 2025, at the Inverary Resort on Baddeck Bay.
Now entering its 21st year as Unama’ki – Cape Breton’s trusted private sector-led economic development organization, the Cape Breton Partnership continues its mission to support growth, innovation, and a resilient economy across the Island.
“As we continue our work in building a strong, diverse, and future-ready economy, it’s critical that we highlight those who are driving meaningful change,” said Tyler Mattheis, President & CEO of the Cape Breton Partnership. “The Economic Impact Awards are an opportunity to celebrate the visionaries and changemakers across our communities whose work is moving Unama’ki – Cape Breton forward.”
The Economic Impact Awards recognize individuals and organizations whose efforts have had a significant positive impact on the Island’s economy over the past year. Nominees are considered based on contributions made through innovation, entrepreneurship, investment, and dedication to the region.
“If you know a business, entrepreneur, or leader making a difference and you or your organization is an Investor of the Cape Breton Partnership, I strongly encourage you to nominate them,” added Mattheis. “Let’s recognize and celebrate their success together.”
Nominations will be accepted from Cape Breton Partnership Investors until 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 28, 2025. For more information, or to submit a nomination for the 2025 Economic Impact Awards, visit: https://capebretonpartnership.com/economic-impact-awards.
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Media Contact:
Michaela Epifano, Communications & Investor Relations Specialist
Cape Breton Partnership
michaela@capebretonpartnership.com
902-562-0122
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, work, 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/.
Unama’ki – Cape Breton, NS – The Cape Breton Partnership is proud to announce that tickets are now on sale for the highly anticipated 2025 Investor Summit, presented by Nova Scotia Power, happening on October 23, 2025, at the Inverary Resort on Baddeck Bay. The Investor Summit annually brings together Unama’ki – Cape Breton’s business and community leaders for a full-day of inspiration, connection, and collaboration focused on building a more vibrant and resilient economy.
This year’s event will feature a keynote address from renowned speaker Michelle Cederberg, a powerhouse in health, productivity, and performance. For more than 20 years, Michelle has inspired audiences across North America with her dynamic, humour-infused presentations that empower busy professionals to set bold goals, recharge their energy, and elevate their performance. A newly inducted member of the Canadian Speaking Hall of Fame, Michelle’s focus is on leaving attendees feeling motivated, energized, and ready to act.
“As we continue our mission to strengthen Unama’ki – Cape Breton’s economy, the Investor Summit provides an unmatched opportunity for business and community leaders to learn, connect, and grow together,” said Tyler Mattheis, President & CEO of the Cape Breton Partnership. “We’re excited to welcome Michelle Cederberg as our keynote speaker—her message of sustainable success and peak performance complements the ambition and energy of our businesses and communities as we move forward together.”
The 2025 Investor Summit will panel discussions, networking opportunities, and engaging sessions with a focus on celebrating the adaptability and innovative approaches of the Island’s businesses and industries. The Summit’s evening includes a gala dinner, sponsored by Sydney Credit Union, and Economic Impact Awards are presented to individuals and organizations who have made significant contributions to the Unama’ki – Cape Breton economy through innovation, entrepreneurship, and new investments.
“The Investor Summit continues to be a vital space for innovation, insight, and meaningful conversation,” said Dan MacDonald, Vice-Chair of the Cape Breton Partnership Board of Directors. “Our sincere thanks to Nova Scotia Power for being our Presenting Sponsor, and to our many Investors for your continued support in building a stronger Unama’ki – Cape Breton.”
Tickets are available on a first-come first-serve basis, with early bird ticket pricing available until August 11, 2025. To purchase your ticket today, visit: https://2025-investor-summit.eventbrite.ca.
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Media Contact:
Michaela Epifano, Communications & Investor Relations Specialist
Cape Breton Partnership
michaela@capebretonpartnership.com
902-562-0122
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, work, 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 Partnership Investor Summit: The Annual Cape Breton Partnership Investor Summit welcomes business, community, and government leaders from across Unama’ki – Cape Breton and beyond for a full day of celebrating, discussing, and growing our economy. This annual event has included insights and updates from 100+ local business and community leaders since it first began, highlighted with inspirational and engaging keynote speakers who have sent the event’s audience home with newly energized ideas and motivations to grow their businesses and communities, including celebrated business-person, leader, and star of CBC’s Dragon’s Den Arlene Dickinson (2024 Investor Summit Keynote Speaker).See recap and highlights of the 2024 Investor summit here: https://capebretonpartnership.com/recap-highlights-2024-investor-summit/.
The Cape Breton Partnership is proud to share biweekly interviews with our team and programs this summer and fall, thanks to our valued Partner and Investor, The Coast Radio 89.7!
These interviews share a glimpse into our services and the team members bringing them to communities across Unama’ki – Cape Breton, hosted by The Coast Morning Show’s Bill Bradley.
This week’s interview features the Cape Breton Connector Program and Ocean Le, Cape Breton Connector Program Coordinator for the Cape Breton Partnership!
These interviews took place between the fall of 2024 and early 2025.
The seafood industry has a long and rich history in Unama’ki – Cape Breton. The island exports an estimated $342 million dollars worth of lobster, snow crab, and other species, much of it processed by one of the island’s eleven active processing facilities. How are tariffs—both real and potential—affecting local seafood exports? How are processors navigating market uncertainty? What are the opportunities hiding in this crisis? In Episode 7 of Invest in Cape Breton, Victoria Co-operative Fisheries General Manager Osborne Burke and Louisbourg Seafoods Sales Manager Shaowei Xu lend their insights.
This episode is brought to you by Victoria Co-operative Fisheries, seafood harvesters and processors since 1955. Their progressive Cape Breton co-op works with community harvesters to bring the freshest, tastiest seafood to markets all over the world.
Listen now, or read on for a few highlights.
The Impact of Tariffs on Exports
The seafood value chain in Cape Breton is currently grappling with the looming spectres of tariffs. Since January 2025, the possibility of tariffs from the U.S. has been on the table. Meanwhile, a tangible 25% tariff from China has put a strain on the island’s fisheries.
Shaowei says Louisbourg Seafoods is heavily reliant on the Chinese market for its lobster and whelk sales, and an already-shrinking market is likely to shrink further as tariffs increase prices. Victoria Co-op Fisheries doesn’t sell directly to China but may be indirectly impacted as some of their buyers repack their lobsters and ship them by air to China. The threat of U.S. tariffs has both processors accelerating their efforts to find new markets.
Market Diversification
In response to these challenges, both Louisbourg Seafoods and Victoria Co-operative Fisheries have turned their sights toward market diversification. Shaowei says international trade shows and missions to Asia and Europe that were once part of Louisbourg Seafoods’ medium term plans have a new urgency to them. The company is also exploring opportunities in Ontario and elsewhere in Canada.
The Co-op is aggressively working to flip the 65% share of its products going to the U.S. to any market but the U.S. He sees promising opportunities domestically as well as in Asia and Europe where Canada has free trade agreements. In emerging markets like Vietnam or Taiwan with large populations and an appetite for premium seafood, Osborne says one good customer can go a long way.
Innovations in Processing and Packaging
Capitalizing on processing and packaging innovation, Victoria Co-operative Fisheries has already begun expanding its product range. From retail-friendly packaging sizes to more value-added processing, these shifts are designed to add increased value to each pound of seafood processed, compensating for potential quota reductions and market shifts.
Overcoming Operational Hurdles
Beyond tariffs, the seafood industry in Unama’ki – Cape Breton faces operational challenges at the grassroots level—from labor shortages to housing constraints for temporary workers. Both Shaowei and Osborne highlight these persistent hurdles, urging supportive government policies to facilitate immigration, workforce development, and infrastructure investments.
Resilience and Optimism
Despite these challenges, both Osborne and Shaowei express resilience and cautious optimism, rooted in the industry’s history of resilience and an adaptable workforce.
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