Episode 5: Supporting Main Street

08/16/22 • 56 min

This episode of the Designing a Humane Future podcast is dedicated to small businesses - to exploring the future of our Main Street shops and understanding ways to ensure they can continue to be part of our communities and our lives now and looking ahead. In this episode, we explore possible future trends and learn from those involved in running and championing small business every day. We’ll look at the challenges facing small businesses and some of the solutions that are helping them to navigate the uncertainties now and that can allow them to thrive into the future.
Learn more about those interviewed by visiting the following links (in order of appearance):
Judy Morgan
Judy Morgan Consulting
https://www.linkedin.com/in/judy-morgan-7b47992
Anita Agrawal
Co-author, “Out of Control”, Commercial Rent Report, February 2022
https://betterwayalliance.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/BWA_Out-of-Control_-Why-Small-Businesses-Need-Urgent-Action-on-the-Commercial-Rent-Crisis.pdf
CEO, Best Bargains Jewellery
https://bbjw.com/
Aaron Binder
Director, Better Way Alliance
https://betterwayalliance.ca/
Chief Experience Officer, Segway Ontario
https://segwayofontario.com/
Chief Experience Officer, Go Tours Canada
https://www.gotourscanada.com/

John Kiru
Executive Director, Toronto Association of Business Improvement Areas
https://www.toronto-bia.com/

John Kiru
Executive Director, Toronto Association of Business Improvement Areas
https://www.toronto-bia.com/

Previous Episode

Episode 4, Part 2: The Future of Work

In this two-part episode, the focus is the future of work. In part one, we’ll explore how technology and the economic impacts of the pandemic are shaping jobs now and the opportunities in the future. You’ll hear from experts who help us unpack the current trends we are seeing in the labour market.
In part two, we will focus on universal basic income as an innovation that can address uncertainties in the labour market and ensure everyone has the basics they need to live. We’ll look at the impact of Ontario’s Basic Income Pilot and learn about how a proposed basic income plan can contribute to the Canadian economy.

The episode explores ways to build a post-pandemic economy that centres on making work more equitable, inclusive, and dignified. Learn more about those interviewed by visiting the following links (in order of appearance):

Creig Lamb
Co-Founder & Principal, Shift Insights
https://www.shiftinsights.ca/
Floyd Marinescu
Executive Director, UBI Works
CEO and Co-founder, C4Media
https://www.ubiworks.ca/
Anjum Sultana
Fellow, Public Policy Forum
Contributor, “Skills for the Post-Pandemic World: Scoping Report”
Co-Author, “A Feminist Recovery Plan for Canada”
https://www.anjumsultana.com/
Jessie Golem
Entrepreneur, professional writer, photographer, pianist, and activist
Creator, Humans of Basic Income portrait series
https://www.jessiegolem.com/
Wayne Lewchuk
Professor, School of Labour Studies, Department of Economics, McMaster University
Co-author, “Southern Ontario’s Basic Income Experience” report
https://socialsciences.mcmaster.ca/people/lewchuk-wayne

Next Episode

Episode 6, Part 1: What the World Needs Now...Feminine Leadership

This two-part episode examines the body of research on women, leadership, and systemic barriers that remain for women to reach parity with men. The aim is to find a working definition and understanding of how feminine leadership can help us tackle the looming issues of economic and social justice, and climate change that lie ahead. You will hear from stakeholders and emerging leaders engaged in the work of championing more inclusive and equitable leadership.
Learn more about those interviewed by visiting the following links (in order of appearance):
Stephanie Kwan
Foresight Lead, Trends and Implications Section, Canada Revenue Agency
Graduate, Strategic Foresight and Innovation Graduate Program, OCAD University
http://openresearch.ocadu.ca/id/eprint/3402/1/Kwan_Stephanie_2021_MDes_SFI_MRP.pdf
Laurissa Barnes-Roberts
Service Design Lead, Government of British Columbia
Graduate, Strategic Foresight and Innovation Graduate Program, OCAD University
https://www.laurissa.me/mrp-research-study
Patricia
Graduate, Strategic Foresight and Innovation Graduate Program, OCAD University
Angie Fleming
Data Humanist, Coeuraj
Graduate, Strategic Foresight and Innovation Graduate Program, OCAD University
https://openresearch.ocadu.ca/id/eprint/3768/1/Fleming_Angie_2022_MDes_SFI_MRP.pdf
Karen Campbell
Director, Community Initiatives & Policy, Canadian Women's Foundation
https://canadianwomen.org/
Steph Jeremie
Project Director, In Good Company, YWCA Canada
https://igcompany.ca/
Barb Wallace
Executive Director, Girls Inc. of York Region
https://girlsincyork.org/
Sarika Sinha
Program Teaching Staff, Feminist Leadership For Justice, Equity and Ecology Program, Coady Institute, St. Francis Xavier University
https://coady.stfx.ca/feminist-leadership-for-justice-equity-and-ecology/