Gervan Fearon accepts new role in Toronto, Provost Lynn Wells named Interim Brock President

Brock University President Gervan Fearon has accepted a new role as the next President of George Brown College in Toronto. The Brock University Board of Trustees is appointing Provost Lynn Wells as Interim President for a period of up to two years while a search for a successor is completed. Wells will continue as Provost as well during this time.

Ontario carrying out more inspections at workplaces in hot-spot regions

Approximately 100 provincial offences officers are expected to visit about 1,500 workplaces in Toronto, Hamilton and regions of Durham, Halton, Peel and York between May 10 and May 28 to uphold the encouraging results previous inspections have delivered.

No inspections were announced for Niagara.

Ontario government training manufacturing workers and apprentices

The Ontario government is investing nearly $690,000 to train 260 manufacturing workers and apprentices on how to improve productivity, keep them safe on the job and strengthen our supply chains. This program, led by the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters (CME), will help the sector quickly adapt to new challenges, such as the ones brought about by COVID-19.

Courses will be offered in person or virtually, and available to employees in any manufacturing company in the province at no cost. The program aims to connect manufacturing businesses across the province to create peer-to-peer mentorship opportunities through work councils and networking groups, so that manufacturing organizations can share knowledge, identify challenges facing the industry and generate solutions.

The first round of training will begin in early summer. Companies interested can get more information and apply by contacting John.Rodic@cme-mec.ca.

Business groups across Canada call for a plan to reopen the economy

As Canada nears a major milestone in the vaccination campaign, business groups across the country are calling on the Prime Minister to take a leadership role in developing a clear and consistent roadmap out of lockdown.

“A clear and predictable plan for a gradual and safe return to a more normal life would instill public confidence while demonstrating concern for the physical, mental and economic health of Canadians,” the business groups said in a letter to the Prime Minister today.

The letter – copies of which were sent to the premiers – is signed by the heads of more than 60 business organizations representing companies of all sizes, in all regions of the country, employing millions of Canadians.

Read the full letter here.

Minister LeBlanc addresses questions about border restrictions

The Government of Canada has imposed some of the strictest international border measures. On April 22, 2021, we suspended direct flights from India and Pakistan due to high positivity rates, and changed testing requirements for anyone flying indirectly from those countries.

Breaking down the small percentage of foreign nationals actually entering Canada demonstrates essential workers, such as health care and supply chain workers (57.7%), students (22%), family reunification (14.6%), and immigration (5.9%).

The majority of individuals crossing at the land ports of entry are essential service providers, such as truck drivers and nurses. While air travellers arrive at four international airports, there are 117 different land points of entry. In land mode, over 99% of travellers entering Canada since February 22, 2021, either complied with the pre-arrival testing requirement or were exempt from this requirement. The Government of Canada regularly follows up with travellers to ensure compliance, and local law enforcement is responsible for cases of non-compliance.

Government of Canada invests in skills training

Today, during a virtual meeting with stakeholders, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, Carla Qualtrough, launched Skills for Success, a new skills training program to help Canadians improve their foundational skills so they can find and keep good jobs. The program will provide training to nearly 90,000 Canadians and help get them back to work.

Later this year, the Government will launch a call for proposals to fund organizations to design and deliver this training. The program will respond to Canada’s immediate and long-term training needs, particularly for under-represented groups in the labour market, including Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities and racialized Canadians. It will also build the capacity of organizations and employers, and support the work of provinces and territories as the economy recovers.

Reading Recommendations

National vaccine advisory panel recommends Pfizer shot for anyone 12 and up: Tam

CBC News

Canada’s national vaccine advisory panel is now recommending Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine for anyone aged 12 and up, according to the country’s chief public health officer, backing up recent provincial efforts to start vaccinating younger Canadians.

Dr. Theresa Tam made the announcement during an update Tuesday from federal officials, noting that the National Advisory Council on Immunization (NACI) now recommends a standard two-dose vaccination schedule of the Pfizer shot for any eligible Canadians between 12 and 18, following an earlier Health Canada authorization for younger teens.

Even before NACI’s stamp of approval, various provinces began opening up vaccination appointments to younger teens.

How midsize B2B sales teams can punch above their weight

Harvard Business Review

Product differentiation and timeliness create the foundation for sales success. (Zoom’s takeoff is a visible example.) But today, customer buying processes are in flux. As buyer preferences for digital, virtual, and in-person interaction evolve, sales organizations must adapt. Success requires combining the power of salespeople with digital assets that arm, supplement, and sometimes replace salespeople.

Large organizations can rise to the occasion by leveraging their scale. Midsize organizations can punch above their weight by countering with speed and flexibility, while supplementing their own capabilities with outsourced digital resources.