Welcome to BizBash's newest column, covering Canada’s biggest event news from coast to coast. Got a tip? Get in touch!
Provincial News
Alberta: The 21st annual Banff Global Global Business Forum took place last Thursday, with half of the attending business executives, academics, and government leaders traveling to the conference at The Fairmont Banff Springs, and half connecting virtually. This year’s theme, “The Climb Ahead,” explored trends and challenges surrounding environmental sustainability, energy consumption, and food security—plus insights into the opportunities revealed by the pandemic's global disruption. Guest speakers at the hybrid event included Canada’s Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China Dominic Barton, Chan Zuckerberg Initiative director Elizabeth Caley, and The Global Institute for Food Security board chair Alanna Koch.
British Columbia: In lieu of its annual haunted houses, the Playland at Vancouver’s Pacific National Exhibition (PNE) is hosting a Halloween walk-through paying tribute to themes from past seasons. From Oct. 9-31, “Slayland: Night of a Thousand Screams” invites guests to enjoy 20 rides in the park and, for the first time in the event's history, come in costumes—provided they don’t include face coverings, as masks are required to be worn. And from Oct. 30-31, a drive-through edition of the “Taste of PNE” will provide trick-or-treat bags with mini candy apples, popcorn, cotton candy, doughnuts, and candy packages served by spooky characters.
Nova Scotia: On Sept. 24, competing architecture firms presented design proposals for Halifax’s up-and-coming Art Gallery of Nova Scotia and waterfront arts district, after a six-month design contest narrowed it down to three finalists. Viewers watching the presentation's livestream were invited to submit feedback, and a jury of architects, landscape designers, artists, and museum professionals will select the winning submission in October. A total of $100 million dollars has been put towards the project by the federal and Nova Scotia provincial governments.
Ontario: “Fright Fest” at Ottawa’s Saunders Farm returned on Sept. 25, with a “We All Wear Masks” theme mandating that guests physically distance, follow a guided pathway, and keep their mouths and noses covered. In addition to mazes and a funhouse, exhibitions this year include “The Coven," a Salem Witch Trials-inspired show; “The Haunted Hayride” touring the 60-acre orchard; and “The Shambles,” a slaughterhouse full of mutated livestock and beasts. The farm also offers a food market and patio with burgers, poutine, beer, wine, cider, and cocktails.
Quebec: Following its stop in Laval last month, Le Grand Poutinefest hosted another drive-through market of fries, cheese, and gravy-inspired creations from Sept. 24-27 at Repentigny’s Parc Saint-Laurent. Five food trucks and 13 vendors served specialty poutine dishes, while customers in line were entertained by a circus troupe and Montreal-based DJ Kleancut performing over Poutine FM. Event proceeds went towards La Fondation Animo, which supports emergency veterinary services for pet owners who need financial aid to take care of their animals.
Coast-to-Coast
Canadian Pacific (CP) is conducting a virtual presentation of its holiday train, which annually is adorned with Christmas lights and travels across the country raising money for local banks beginning in late November. Details for a livestreamed benefit concert and presentation on food security issues in Canada are expected closer to the holiday season, while all donations will be directed to food banks that would otherwise receive them in person. "We are very excited that CP has chosen a safe way to keep the spirit of the CP Holiday Train rolling in support of local food banks like ours in these challenging times," said Calgary Food Bank president and CEO James McAra. "The need for food bank services has risen substantially over the course of this year and heading into the high-demand winter months. We hope CP's concert will prompt the train's supporters to give as generously as they're able."
Interior Designers of Canada (IDC), an association representing more than 5,000 decor professionals, held a virtual award ceremony on Sept. 23 with presenters in Toronto and Winnipeg sharing the stage. Twelve Canadian design firms, including Laval’s Folio Design Inc., North Vancouver’s Square One Interior Design, and Toronto’s Figure3, were recognized for their innovative design work in the residential, workplace, retail, hospitality, and institution spaces. The virtual show replaced the annual in-person IDC Symposium, which had been set to take place in Toronto on Sept. 23.
Overheard
“Just to be the tiniest part of her extraordinary legacy that she has left for us to all carry on is honestly the most humbling thing in my entire life. It occurred to me while I was painting that, had she not had the law passed back in the '70s that made it illegal to discriminate on the basis of gender, I, as a woman, wouldn't even be painting a front cover for Time magazine. The most important thing we can do right now is to use our voices and our actions to carry her torch.”
—Edmonton-based artist Shana Wilson, speaking to CBC about the portrait of the late Supreme Court justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg she painted for Time magazine. The portrait is currently on display at the Peter Robertson Gallery.
On the Scene
The Granary Road Apple Fest took place outside of Calgary from Sept. 26-27.
