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Nadya Marwah is an Indian-Canadian photographer, film production professional, and founder of the Photo Poet Society, a mindful wedding photography company. She began her career journey in Mumbai, India, before relocating to Toronto, She left her hometown of Meerut, India at the age of 19 to pursue an education in Communication Design at MIT Institute of Design and later completed a post-graduate program in Film Production at the Vancouver Film School.
The profound experience of deep meditation shifted her perspective on life. She is now a mindful visual creator, specializing in both photography and film. Alongside wedding and occasion photography, I have collaborated with musicians and film professionals, including three-time Juno-nominated musician Alysha Brilla and Canadian actor, director, and musician Steven McCarthy. Additionally, I have had the opportunity to work with businesses and not-for-profit organizations such as Compass Digital Ventures at SXSW in Austin, North Shore Restorative Justice Society (North Vancouver), Arvorei Communications Group (Vancouver), and Hawkeye Pictures (Toronto).
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In this video interview, Beatrix Abdul Azeez, Policy Analyst with the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, discusses a new report outlining the consequences of a government mandated $20 per hour living wage.
Beatrix Abdul Azeez
PRESS RELEASETORONTO, May 15, 2024 /CNW/ – Mandating a $20 per hour living wage in each province would cost the Canadian economy $44.9 billion in extra wages and put almost 600,000 small businesses at risk of becoming unprofitable, finds a new report by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB).
The report, entitled “Affordability, minimum wages, and living wages: Striking a balance for small businesses,” analyzes the impact of a $20/hour living wage, a proposal under consideration by several organizations. The report finds that governments need a new approach to address affordability challenges as traditional minimum wage and living wage policies fall short in addressing the root causes of the rising cost of living while simultaneously increasing costs on small businesses.
 
“Minimum wage and living wage policies often miss the mark when it comes to truly supporting the most vulnerable workers. Governments are setting these wages with no anchor in economic reality, relying on subjective and unpredictable criteria,” said Beatrix Abdul Azeez, CFIB policy analyst. “Governments should shift away from relying on these blunt tools and instead adopt a new approach to ensure workers can cope with the rising cost of living, while also guaranteeing that small businesses aren’t unfairly burdened.”
The cost of adopting a $20/hour living wage in each Canadian province
Province
Cost (millions)
Small businesses at riskof unprofitability
Newfoundland and Labrador
$943
10,653
Prince Edward Island
$332
3,100
Nova Scotia
$1,933
14,048
New Brunswick
$1,543
12,519
Québec
$10,255
141,927
Ontario
$16,741
200,387
Manitoba
$2,748
23,485
Saskatchewan
$1,823
18,432
Alberta
$4,309
73,181
British Columbia
$4,325
75,495
Canada
$44,900
572,499
The unintended consequences of minimum wage increases
Recent minimum wage hikes forced 60% of small businesses to raise wages for other workers and 59% of them to raise prices, contributing to current inflationary pressures. In addition, 31% of small businesses had to cut back on hiring young and unskilled workers, with 25% of them reducing overall employment. These findings underscore the need for a more nuanced approach to wage policies that consider the diverse impacts on both workers and businesses alike.
“Canada’s cost of living crisis requires a more effective framework: making sure rent, food, and gas prices are affordable and stable while extending support to workers and small businesses through tax reductions,” added Jairo Yunis, CFIB’s director for BC and western economic policy. “This would go a long way in addressing Canada’s affordability shock.”
CFIB recommends that governments:
Alleviate the impact of rising minimum wages on small businesses by reducing other taxes and payroll costs (such as small business tax rate, CPP, EI, health/education payroll taxes, etc.)Establish a minimum wage setting process that is predictable, transparent, reflective of market conditions, and mindful of economic impacts.Link minimum wage adjustments to private sector wage growth or a predetermined percentage of the median wage.Address the root causes of the affordability crisis by enacting policies to increase the supply of housing, reduce energy taxes, and remove interprovincial and international trade barriers.Provide targeted fiscal support for vulnerable workers through reduced personal income tax rates, increased basic personal amounts, and expanded tax credits.Read the full report here.
About CFIB
The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) is Canada’s largest association of small and medium-sized businesses with 97,000 members across every industry and region. CFIB is dedicated to increasing business owners’ chances of succ

n this video interview, Steve Mesler, Co-Founder of Classroom Champions, and Seth Rosenzweig, the organization’s new CEO, discuss what the organization does and the recent change in leadership.
 
PRESS RELEASECalgary, AB – Classroom Champions, a leading global charity empowering students socially, emotionally and academically through the mentorship and mindset of World Class Athlete Mentors, today announced a significant leadership transition. After over a year of planning, Steve Mesler, co-founder and Olympic gold medalist, will be stepping down from his role as CEO after 15 years and will take on a new position as Chair of the Board of Directors. Concurrently, Seth Rosenzweig, a seasoned nonprofit leader and former CEO of Team IMPACT, will assume the CEO role at Classroom Champions and guide the organization into the future.
Mesler, a renowned U.S. Olympic bobsledder who broke the country’s 62-year draught when he won a gold medal in the four-man event at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, co-founded Classroom Champions in 2009 with his sister Dr. Leigh Parise. Under his leadership, Classroom Champions has transformed the lives of hundreds of communities by connecting thousands of children with over 350 Olympic, Paralympic, NCAA, and professional Athlete Mentors who inspire and motivate them to achieve their goals in the classroom and beyond. Mesler has been instrumental in the organization’s development and growth, expanding its reach to serve millions of students across North America and around the globe through powerful partnerships such as NBC Olympics, the NHL, Airbnb, Canadian Tire’s Jumpstart charity, the Bualo Bills, Team Canada, Google, GoNoodle, and many more.
Through his work building Classroom Champions over the past 15 years, Mesler has been recognized as a finalist for the International Champion for Peace, one of Sports Illustrated’s “Athletes Who Care,” and was recently awarded the Government of Canada’s second highest civilian award, the Meritorious Service Medal from the Governor General of Canada, for Classroom Champions’ contributions to educational opportunities for Canadian children. As Chair, Mesler will remain deeply involved and work with Rosenzweig to propel Classroom Champions into thousands more schools to reach millions more children.
Reflecting on his transition, Mesler said, “Seeing Classroom Champions evolve into what it is today is both exciting and humbling. I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved for so many children and look forward to continuing to support the organization’s mission in my new role as Chair of the Board of Directors. From the moment I met Seth, I recognized that his personal character, combined with his incredible experience building organizations leveraging athletes to help kids, meant that he could be the ideal leader to usher Classroom Champions into its next phase of growth and impact. I feel fortunate and excited he’ll be putting on the Classroom Champions jersey.”
Seth Rosenzweig brings a wealth of experience in nonprofit leadership and a passion for youth empowerment to his new role as CEO of Classroom Champions. As the former CEO of Team IMPACT, Rosenzweig spearheaded the organization’s eorts to connect children facing serious and chronic illnesses with college athletic teams, fostering impactful relationships that provided crucial emotional support and inspiration. In his eight years stewarding Team IMPACT, Rosenzweig led the organization to unprecedented growth. Among Rosenzweig’s core objectives in the role is to expand Classroom Champions’ footprint across North America.
Rosenzweig said, “I am honoured to join Classroom Champions as CEO and to work alongside such a dedicated team making a tangible dierence for students. I am deeply inspired by the organization’s mission to empower students through mentorship, and I am excited to begin advancing our impact and reach. I look forward to collaborating with our athlete mento

Extreme athlete and motivational coach Andre Belibi Eloumou is going to tackle his toughest challenge yet, for a worthy cause that is very close to his heart.
On May 24, the opening day of the 2024 Servus Calgary Marathon runners’ expo, Belibi will attempt to break the Guinness World Records title for the longest time for a man to be packed in ice. He is undertaking this mission to raise awareness and support for the millions of other people around the world, including his daughter Kira, with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
The world record is four hours and two minutes.
Andre is in the final stages of more than one-year of training and preparation for the world record attempt. Last Saturday (May 11), he undertook a test run being packed in ice for two hours outside The Fitness Guy Pete Estabrooks’ gym in Calgary’s historic Inglewood neighbourhood.
Andre’s project is being generously supported by Run Calgary, Arctic Glacier Premium Ice, Spolumbo’s Fine Foods and Deli, The Home Depot, Ian Boyd – Central Calgary REAL Broker, Primextate Ltd., and a long list of other donors and supporters.
Full Video can be seen here.
Donations and sponsorships to the Ice Bath World Record for Autism project can be made on Audre’s GoFundMe page: https://gofund.me/21509e26Tax-deductible donations to Autism Canada can be made through Andre’s Calgary Marathon charity fundraising page: https://raceroster.com/…/pledge/participant/24936493For more information about Andre Belibi Coaching programs and services, visit: www.andrebelibicoaching.com 
Mario Toneguzzi
Mario Toneguzzi is Managing Editor of Canada’s Podcast. He has more than 40 years of experience as a daily newspaper writer, columnist, and editor. He was named in 2021 as one of the Top 10 Business Journalists in the World by PR News – the only Canadian to make the list. He was also named by RETHINK to its global list of Top Retail Experts 2024.
About Us
Canada’s Podcast is the number one podcast in Canada for entrepreneurs and business owners. Established in 2016, the podcast network has interviewed over 600 Canadian entrepreneurs from coast-to-coast.
With hosts in each province, entrepreneurs have a local and national format to tell their stories, talk about their journey and provide inspiration for anyone starting their entrepreneurial journey and well- established founders.
The commitment to a grass roots approach has built a loyal audience on all our social channels and YouTube – 500,000+ lifetime YouTube views, 200,000 + audio downloads, 35,000 + average monthly social impressions, 10,000 + engaged social followers and 35,000 newsletter subscribers. Canada’s Podcast is proud to provide a local, national and international presence for Canadian entrepreneurs to build their brand and tell their story
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In this video interview, Ryan Gubic, a Certified Financial Planner and Founder of MRG Wealth Management in Calgary, discusses the increasing financial stress Canadians are experiencing these days.
PRESS RELEASETORONTO, May 23, 2024 /CNW/ – From high grocery and gas prices to elevated inflation and housing costs, Canadians are grappling with money-related stressors that negatively impact their financial well-being. However, the 2024 Financial Stress Index, a national survey of 2,000+ Canadians conducted by Leger on behalf of FP Canada, shows that Canadians are prioritizing their financial health and feeling more hopeful about their financial futures than they did a year ago.
FP Canada's 2024 Financial Stress Index finds money remains the leading source of stress for Canadians. (CNW Group/FP Canada)
FP Canada’s 2024 Financial Stress Index finds money remains the leading source of stress for Canadians. (CNW Group/FP Canada)The survey reveals that while Canadians continue to grapple with financial worries, most are embracing strategies to reduce financial stress in the face of persistent economic pressures.
While financial stress is on the rise, so is optimism, and the data speaks volumes: Canadians are recognizing the power of proactive financial management. The most striking revelation? Year-over-year findings continue to show that Canadians who work with a financial professional are less prone to money-related stress, more hopeful about their financial futures, and better positioned to navigate financial uncertainty with confidence.
Financial Stress on the Rise as External Pressures PersistAccording to the 2024 Financial Stress Index, money remains the top source of stress for Canadians, with 44 per cent citing it as their primary concern. This number represents a steady increase from 2023 (40%), 2022 (38%) and 2021 (38%). External factors are a key piece of the puzzle, as Canadians cite elevated grocery prices (69%), inflation (60%) and housing-related costs (52%) as leading causes of financial stress. Amid widespread discussions about the impact of these pressing challenges, the data reaffirms the hurdles posed by the current economic environment.
Financial stress continues to affect the mental health of Canadians. Nearly half (49%) have lost sleep over financial worries, and more than half (54%) report negative effects such as anxiety and depression (38%), disruptions in workplace productivity (16%) and strained personal relationships (16%). However, Canadians who work with a financial professional are less likely to lose sleep due to financial stress (42%) than those who do not (52%).
“There’s no denying that persistent affordability concerns can cause significant financial strain, so it’s no surprise that Canadians are continuing to feel the impact of these difficult conditions,” says Meghan MacPherson, a QAFP® professional at Impact Financial Group Inc. “While thoughtful planning and proactive measures can help reduce financial stress caused by economic factors beyond our control, the Financial Stress Index shows that working with a financial professional can help Canadians create a sense of confidence and control in the face of uncertainty.”
Impact of Financial Stress More Severe for Young Adults, Interest in Financial Planning GrowsYounger generations are experiencing the highest levels of financial stress, with half (50%) of Canadians under the age of 35 citing money as a top stressor, compared to 42 per cent of those over 35. The survey also shows that financial stress weighs more heavily on the minds of younger Canadians, with nearly three-quarters (72%) stating that financial stress has had at least one negative impact on their lives, compared to less than half (48%) of Canadians over the age of 35. This cohort is also more likely (50%) to say they’ve experienced anxiety, depression, and mental health challenges due to financial stress than those over the age of 35 (34%).
Although financial str

Darby Lee Young, Founder and Principal Accessibility Strategist, Level Playing Field and a designated Rick Hansen Foundation (RHFAC) Professional.
Darby’s ultimate goal has been to combine her lived experience with her professional life as an Accessibility Consultant. As a person born with mild cerebral palsy, Darby has been able to utilize this unique experience to her advantage, and her previous political appointments and competitive career as a para-alpine skier have provided her with an impactful perspective when approaching projects.
Darby’s previous political appointments and achievements include serving on the City of Calgary’s Advisory Committee on Accessibility (ACA) from 2011-2015, serving as the co-chair for two years. Darby also represented the City of Calgary at the International Summit on Accessibility in 2014. From June 2017 to June 2020, Darby was a member of the Premier’s Council on the Status of Persons with Disabilities.
Over the last five years, Darby has been honoured with numerous awards and achievements. In 2018 Darby was selected as one of Canada’s top 40 under 40. In February 2020, John Fluevog Shoes released the "Darby" Shoes. They are now available in multiple colours. In 2021 Darby was named one of the Top 25 Women of Influence 2021. Darby continues to break down barriers for persons with disabilities not only professionally but also personally in hopes that one day it truly makes a difference.
LPF has allowed Darby to offer her expertise to a wider range of clients. By incorporating universal design features in new builds and conducting accessibility reviews on proposed and existing facilities, Darby’s work continues to make a significant difference for many people living with disabilities and puts her team at the forefront of accessibility consulting. Through this work LPF has successfully contributed to the removal of barriers at the municipal, provincial and national levels, ultimately establishing inclusive environments.
In her spare time, Darby can be found at most sporting events, especially Hockey, Tennis and Chuckwagon Racing! She enjoys travelling and exploring new places for accessibility. Darby will always be seen on the sidelines cheering on her friends and family in all their adventures.
Entrepreneurs are the backbone of Canada’s economy. To support Canada’s businesses, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.
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