Entrepreneurship takes resilience. For Theresa Bailey, it also took Play-Doh.

In this episode we sit down with Theresa, founder of Starfish Synergies Inc. and winner of this year’s Export Plan of the Year Award from the World Trade Centre Toronto. She shares how a cancelled contract during the pandemic sparked an unexpected pivot, from team-building workshops to a North American licensing deal with Hasbro.

Theresa talks with World Trade Centre Toronto’s VP Jon Worren about starting a business in a crisis, building emotional intelligence into corporate strategy, and scaling internationally with the help of our Trade Accelerator Program.

Canada sits on 150 years of natural gas reserves, yet we watched helplessly as Europe begged for energy we couldn't deliver. 

In this episode, Michele Harradence, Executive Vice President and President at Enbridge Gas, reveals how Canada's energy infrastructure challenges are costing us billions and why the time to act is now.

Michele and the Board's President and CEO, Giles Gherson explore:

• How Enbridge's $350 million PREP project unlocked $4.5 billion in potential investment opportunities in southwestern Ontario
• Why Ontario's 300 billion cubic feet of natural gas storage helped stabilize prices during Winter Storm Elliott while other regions faced crisis
• The productivity gains from utility integration, including how Enbridge returned $100 million in savings to Ontario customers
• How renewable natural gas and hydrogen can work within existing infrastructure as part of Canada's net-zero transition
• Why declaring energy as a national interest and streamlining regulations could position Canada as a global energy leader

Michele also shares how generative AI is transforming customer service, why natural gas provides the flexibility needed for a 24/7 economy, and what it will take for Canada to capitalize on growing global demand before other nations capture these markets.

At the Toronto Region Board of Trade’s 2025 Annual Lunch, the message was clear: it’s time to create the conditions for growth.

This episode brings you into the room as we launched our bold new campaign, Stronger Starts Here, and heard directly from Mayor Olivia Chow about how Toronto is tackling congestion, accelerating housing, and preparing for the future.

In conversation with our president and CEO, Giles Gherson, Mayor Chow lays out her vision for a more affordable, connected, and prosperous city—including a new “traffic czar,” a second New Deal with the province, and coordinated efforts across all levels of government and business.

Join the movement at StrongerStartsHere.ca

Canada’s clean energy future depends on more than just minerals, it needs meaningful partnerships with Indigenous communities.

In this episode, Tabatha Bull, President and CEO of the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business, explains why Indigenous-led innovation is essential to the success of Canada’s energy transition and what needs to change for that potential to be fully realized.

The Board's SVP of Marketing and Communications, Jennifer van der Valk,  and Tabatha touch on:

• Why Indigenous equity in energy projects reduces risk and accelerates progress
• The persistent barriers to capital, procurement, and opportunity
• How social capital—and a single connection—can change everything
• What every business leader can do right now to support a more inclusive economy

Tabatha also shares how CCIB’s new Connects Program is working to close the gap between Indigenous entrepreneurs and Canada’s business networks, one conversation at a time. Learn more about the program at https://www.ccab.com/connects/.

This episode is supported by Imperial. Learn more at imperialoil.ca.

In this episode of Toronto Talks, Giles Gherson sits down with Gordon McCauley, President and CEO of AdMare BioInnovations, to explore what it will take to turn the Toronto Region into a global life sciences powerhouse. From talent gaps and capital constraints to scaling barriers and regulatory inefficiencies, they get candid about the roadblocks—and how to overcome them.

This conversation coincides with the release of the Board's new report, The Winning Formula: A Playbook for Ontario’s Life Sciences Sector, which offers practical solutions for building anchor firms, attracting global capital, and driving biotech breakthroughs right here at home.

Downsview is no longer just a part of Toronto’s past, it’s about to define the city’s future. In this episode, Derek Goring, CEO of Northcrest Developments and Chair of the Business Council of Toronto’s Climate and Energy Transition Council, joins Giles Gherson to reveal how the YZD project will transform 370 acres of land into seven new, complete communities. Hear how Northcrest is creating a connected, climate-smart, and vibrant destination with space for thousands of residents and jobs, and a new vision for sustainable urban living.

As Toronto City Council prepares to debate the Board's Congestion Action Plan, business leaders are urging immediate action. In this episode, Sal Iacono, President and CEO of Cadillac Fairview and a member of the Board’s Congestion Governing Council, shares real-world examples of how gridlock is hurting business and why waiting to act is no longer an option.

The TTC’s interim CEO, Greg Percy, joins our President and CEO Giles Gherson to talk about how we restore public confidence, build a stronger customer experience, and rethink the financial model that powers our city’s transit. This episode was recorded during the Board's 10th Annual Transportation Symposium: From Gridlock to Growth.

What takes a supercomputer 7 million years, Christian Weedbrook’s Toronto-based quantum computer did in just two minutes.

Christian Weedbrook, CEO and founder of Xanadu, sits down to explain quantum computing in plain English and why it matters for industries like health care and clean tech, what makes Toronto a global hub for talent, and why this moment is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for Canada to lead. 

Canada is a leader in AI research, but are we applying that technology to boost our own industries? Greta Cutulenco, CEO and co-founder of Acerta Analytics, joins us to discuss how we need to do a better job using AI to transform this country’s manufacturing sector. This episode is being released shortly after International Women’s Day, highlighting a trailblazer shaping our economy. As a female founder in a traditionally male-dominated industry, Greta shares her perspective on leadership, breaking barriers, and building a global tech company. 

Canada is facing a new trade war, and businesses are bracing for uncertainty. How can we defend our economic interests, secure investment, and navigate the unpredictability of U.S. trade policies? In this episode, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada, the Honourable Mélanie Joly, joins Toronto’s business leaders for a frank conversation on the future of trade, the impact of tariffs, and what Canadian businesses must do to stay competitive.  

From electrification to Industry 4.0, Ontario’s manufacturing sector is undergoing a seismic shift. Frank Voss, President and CEO of Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada, shares how innovation in technology, workforce development, and global partnerships is reshaping the industry.  This conversation was recorded during the Board's Manufacturing Symposium in October. 

Toronto’s gridlock has reached crisis levels. To get our region moving again, the Board is preparing to release a bold Congestion Action Plan. John Kiru, Executive Director of the Toronto Association of Business Improvement Areas, joins our President and CEO, Giles Gherson to discuss how better coordination, smarter policies, and decisive action can finally get Toronto moving. 

Ontario’s advanced manufacturing sector is skyrocketing, with $50 billion in investments driving innovation in EVs, green steel, and aerospace. MDA Space CEO Mike Greenley discusses how technologies like robotics, 3D printing, and augmented reality are reshaping manufacturing—and how these advancements are paving the way for a new industrial frontier in space.

Toronto is at a financial crossroads. Councillor Shelley Carroll, Budget Chief for the city, joins the Board to discuss tackling the city’s $1.8 billion budget shortfall. From structural fiscal challenges to the need for predictable funding and smarter spending, hear how Toronto can rebuild its financial foundation and ensure a thriving future.

Canada’s productivity crisis is catching up to us. Giles Gherson and Jon Ramscar, CEO of CBRE Canada, unpack why the Toronto region is falling behind and what it will take to turn things around. From unlocking employment lands to cutting red tape, discover actionable solutions to boost economic growth and reclaim our competitive edge.

Toronto Talks is a new podcast from the Toronto Region Board of Trade bringing the voice of our business community directly to your ears.
 
Each episode will feature a conversation about how innovation is reshaping industries, how CEOs are addressing productivity challenges, and why Toronto is poised to grow across key sectors of our economy.
 
Toronto Talks will cover the issues that matter most to our members and the broader business community - from congestion, to productivity, to manufacturing, and more! Subscribe today and listen to the conversations driving our region forward.

Visit our website to learn more about the Board's events, advocacy initiatives, and new reports: https://bot.com/home