Past Issues

For a lot of Canadians, it can be difficult not to be pessimistic or generally apathetic about what our government accomplishes. Although it’s not necessarily true, government’s reputation for passing the buck, having it too easy and taking millennia to make decisions can easily taint our ideas of how things are run. Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s recent decision to prorogue Parliament for two months certainly isn’t helping that impression.

Alas, CBJ brings good news. This month, we spent a lot of time talking to various government officials about the things they are doing, projects that are exciting and worthwhile. Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger, for example, tells us about the new foreign trade zone, CentrePort, and what it brings to the economic table. And B.C. Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources shares about how major plays are turning oil and gas investors’ heads. We also spoke with two Mayors who say their supposed “have-not” regions are heating up.

I have to say, this has been a refreshing issue to write; I was personally reminded of how great Canada really is. We hope you catch the same optimism and bring it with you as you watch our athletes showcase their talents in Vancouver.

For me and probably many of you January represents a time for reflection. After the holidays and before heading back to work, there’s just enough quiet to think about the past year and the one imminent. Whether it’s about personal goals, struggles, achievements or failures, introspection allows us to self-motivate, learn, celebrate, forgive, and to be grateful for what we have.

This year, I find myself reflecting a little earlier than I would normally would. At a time when we at George Media would have otherwise been scrambling to finalise production, we were brought to an utter standstill. On Friday, December 11, one of our cherished coworkers, Damien Evans, suddenly passed away.

As I write this note, I am acutely aware of the fragility of life and why I am grateful for it. In light of how difficult this year was for a lot of Canadians, let us use these quiet moments to remind ourselves just how fortunate we are.

I wish you all a happy and healthy New Year.

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Happy Birthday CBJ!

It was only one year ago that George Media launched its first magazine—the cornerstone B2B publication that has become a household name: The Canadian Business Journal (CBJ). To mark the occasion, I was graciously handed back the editorial page of CBJ to celebrate the momentous occasion, so I could look back on what has been a busy and fruitful year for the magazine.

With 2009 coming to a close, I’m looking back on CBJ with warm memories and an eye to the future. I remember our inaugural issue, featuring a powerful parliamentary cover, and an inside feature on what businesses are doing to “go green” in Canada. We made some great friends over the past year, and did some enlightening interviews with the likes of Brad Wall, Saskatchewan’s premier, the figureheads of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, the Honourable Perrin Beatty and Roger Thomas, and also hundreds of CEOs representing the very best in Canadian business. We spoke with Canadian celeb Arlene Dickenson and also appeared at some pretty major Canadian events—such as the 2009 Economic Edge seminar, where CBJ Editor Jennifer Sorlie and I were lucky enough to be introduced to Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Each and every story has been produced to showcase what Canada has to offer the world—and George Media has been thrilled to bring those stories home.

Our 12th issue marks a departure, as we close this year with a special double issue, dedicated to highlighting some great companies doing innovative things to “make it” in 2010, and we also offer a toast to the print and digital media industries in our cover feature. We take a look at the hopeful forestry industry and add some other good news from the manufacturing sector in our onsite coverage of the 2009 CMTS show in Toronto.

There are so many things we have to celebrate going into the New Year, and so much to be thankful for. With this in mind, I’d like to thank all of our devoted readers, and wish you all the best through the holiday season. Stay tuned—our January issue of CBJ will be out just in time for you to kick back and peruse its pages over the holidays, due out for early release in mid-December.

Canada is on top—so here’s to the future of Canadian business, and a toast to prosperity in 2010.

Sara Kopamees

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As though the economy is taking its cues from leaves, business is turning around as Canadians seem to be finding their footing once again. George Media finds itself in a similar transitional period this month, and just like market forecasts, it’s good news.

We are excited to welcome our new art directors, Vladimir Lukic and Brian Rushton-Phillips, who are responsible for the magazine’s facelift and rebranding. Their entrance couldn’t have come at a better time, as George Media just launched The American Business Journal.

In the meantime, we hope you enjoy October’s edition as we delve into freight forwarding and logistics—an understated industry that Canadians would be lost without. From giants like Lafarge, to SMEs like IPE Logistics, CBJ covers the intricacies and challenges of transporting goods into and out of the country.

Also thrown into the mix are engaging articles about wine, clean technology and white-collar crime—all with a Canadian twist.

Thanks for reading and Happy Thanksgiving.

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Happy Birthday George Media!

If we had any idea George Media was going to be This well-received, we would have baked a bigger cake!

On September 4th, George Media Inc. turns one year old. And over the past year, we’ve reached some fabulous milestones that we’re so happy to share with the world.

On November 4th, 2008, we launched our cornerstone publication – The Canadian Business Journal (CBJ), and the CBJ has since become a household name. Since our launch issue of the CBJ, we’ve interviewed a long list of VIPs including: Arlene Dickinson (Dragon’s Den), Brad Wall (Premier of Saskatchewan), and Doug Beeforth (President of Sportsnet). We’re so fortunate that these individuals have given us our five minutes of fame – and we can’t wait to interview even more influential Canadians!

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This month, CBJ is giving a nod to our wet summer with a wet issue. We spent a lot of time underwater—from municipal water facilities to the oceans that drive our fishing industry—discovering what lies beneath.

First, we talked to an expert from the Canadian Water and Wastewater Association and got the real story about water quality and how politics affect industry standards. We also checked in on a couple municipalities to see how they are upgrading water treatment plants to better serve their communities and lakes. Last but not least, CBJ interviewed fishers from the East and West Coasts to learn why they are serious about sustainability.

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This issue brings stories about what’s coming. We talk to experts about where the North American auto industry is heading; what the next generation of professionals will bring to the workplace; and what Canadians can expect from medical technology and research. Granted, by its very nature, the future is uncertain, but our outlook at CBJ is hopeful. We think the idea of possibility is exciting.

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Is it really spring? Hard to believe, after the scary winter we’ve had (economically and of course, ahem, with our ridiculous Canadian cold). Nevertheless, new developments are in bloom, and indeed, The Canadian Business Journal has got plenty ahead in the way of interesting business news, issues, and trends for the rest of the year.

This month we’ve focused on construction once again, because there’s so much going on in infrastructure around the country it’s hard to ignore. We’ve also got a contributing article about the legal implications and concerns surrounding alcohol and drug testing in construction, and we got to speak with the founders of some great Canadian contracting companies.

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It’s finally time to put away your parkas and mukluks and don your favourite yellow, polka-dot...hard hat. That’s right; CBJ is all about building and construction this month.

From industrial to commercial specialties, we were excited to have the opportunity to talk to a range of professionals who are literally responsible for building Canada’s future.

Equally exciting this month is the carry-over of the Saskaboom energy from last issue. We had the honour of attending the Saskatchewan Government Lunch a few weeks ago and also got to interview Jim Hopson, President and CEO of the beloved Saskatchewan Roughriders.

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Saskatchewan – Creating a New Canadian Economic Nexus

In a recent issue of a Saskatchewan business magazine, a columnist wrote that editors and writers alike in the Toronto-Ottawa media hubs “haven’t a clue what is happening” in Saskatchewan, because in the East, we simply think of Western Canadian provinces as the affectionately termed “boonies”.

We’d like to argue that point, and as such have put together some great stories about our neighbours to the west. This month, we feature an in-depth look at Saskatchewan and its business climate.

March may have come in like a lamb—albeit a cold lamb—but for George Media, we’re roaring into the month with more growth and a big move into a new office space. Amidst economic strife, we find ourselves excited about what’s happening here, and so we present this month’s issue of The Canadian Business Journal.

Speaking of growth, we’re not the only Canadian company who has good news. Gold prices have kept Detour Gold Corporation well into the black; Byblos Bakery is continuing to fill empty stomachs; and Ed Brunet & Associates keeps catering to their niche market—to name a few.

Here comes February... Not every Canadian’s favourite month, but often a time when business starts to level out, after the panic of January dies down and we gear up for the rest of the year.

Fortunately for George Media, things have been moving along at light speed. We had record traffic to our website last month, and received an overwhelming response to January’s magazine. February’s issue is definitely our biggest and best issue yet. This month we’ve got coverage of the Vancouver Resource Investment Conference (and stories about many companies that attended), an interview with Arlene Dickinson, who you may know from watching CBC, and lengthy discussions with companies like Pacific Western Brewing, Koss Aerospace, and Sunny Crunch Foods.