APEC webinar presentation (PDF)

This third free webinar in APEC’s series on the economic impacts of COVID-19 on Atlantic Canada assessed the effects on businesses, labour and investment. APEC’s research staff highlighted key findings from Statistics Canada’s surveys and APEC’s Major Projects Inventory. Leaders in the region’s construction industry described the effects on the ground for labour, business and investment activity. APEC President & CEO, David Chaundy, lead a discussion with panelists on what the recovery may look like.  

Presenters

• Fred Bergman, Senior Policy Analyst, APEC
  The effects of COVID-19 on Atlantic Canada’s businesses and labour markets
   
• Patrick Brannon, Director of Major Projects, APEC
  The effects of COVID-19 on investment spending in Atlantic Canada in 2020 and beyond
   
• Brad Smith, President, Build Right NS
  How construction firms and workers are adjusting to COVID-19 in the Maritimes
   
• Darin King, Executive Director, Building Trades of NL
  How Newfoundland’s construction and offshore oil industries are coping with COVID-19

Panel moderator

• David Chaundy, President and CEO, APEC
   

Presenters

Fred Bergman
Senior Policy Analyst, APEC

Fred Bergman is a Senior Policy Analyst with the Atlantic Provinces Economic Council. Since joining APEC, Fred has contributed to APEC’s publications and research, as well as given presentations on the economic outlook. Fred is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CMA) who also holds a Masters of Business Administration (Dalhousie), Master of Arts in Economics (Guelph), and a Bachelor of Business Administration (St. Francis Xavier).

Patrick Brannon
Director of Major Projects, APEC

Patrick is the Director of Major Projects for the Atlantic Provinces Economic Council and has been active in economic and business analysis for over 20 years. Patrick oversees APEC’s annual capital investment forecast for Atlantic Canada and the associated events held in Atlantic Canada. Patrick also plays a lead role in many of APEC’s other research projects and is a writer for APEC’s publications which gives him a strong understanding of the issues currently affecting the economy of Atlantic Canada. He is a frequent speaker on the issues important to Atlantic Canada and is passionate about the continued success of the region. 

Brad Smith, ICD.D
Executive Director, Mainland Nova Scotia Building Trades
President, Build Right Nova Scotia

Brad joined the Mainland Nova Scotia Building Trades Council as Executive Director in June 2012. A champion for economic development, Brad brings extensive experience in both the private and not-for-profit sectors as well as familiarity in working with all levels of government.

Mr. Smith holds various volunteer positions with community organizations. He is President of Build Right Nova Scotia, Chair of the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency, and also sits on the Board of Directors for United Way Halifax, Construction Safety Nova Scotia, and the Nova Scotia Construction Sector Council. Brad is a holder of the Institute of Corporate Directors designation.

Darin King
Executive Director, Building Trades of NL

Darin King has a strong record of public service as an educator, cabinet minister and member of the legislature in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. He retired from politics in 2015, and subsequently assumed the position of Executive Director with Trades NL, Newfoundland and Labrador’s Building Trades Unions, with 16 construction unions and more than 15,000 members.

Previously, Darin served as a member of the Provincial Legislature and Cabinet Minister in the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. He held numerous senior cabinet portfolios, including Government House Leader, Education, Justice and Public Safety, Human Resources; Business; Tourism; Rural and Economic Development; Fisheries and Aquaculture; Advanced Education and Skills; Labour; and Housing.

Prior to entering politics, Darin was the Chief Executive Officer of Eastern School District. He also worked as a classroom teacher and school administrator prior to moving to the school district office.

Darin has earned a Ph.D (Business), Master of Education (Administration and Leadership), Bachelor of Education, Diploma in School Resource Services. and Certificate in Labour Relations. He has also completed the Directors’ Education Program from the University of Toronto, and the Foundations of Trust Management Standards (FTMS) program from the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans.

Darin sits as a trustee with the Newfoundland and Labrador Building Trades’ Member Family Assistance Program, and is a member of the NL Construction Safety Association board of directors.

Moderator

David Chaundy
President and CEO, APEC

David Chaundy was appointed President and CEO of the Atlantic Provinces Economic Council (APEC) in November 2018. Mr. Chaundy joined APEC as an economist in 1999, taking on increasingly senior roles, with responsibilities for APEC’s research projects, its member-only publications on Atlantic Canada’s economy, and APEC’s annual business Outlook conference. He provided analysis and insights during the 2008/2009 economic and financial crisis. 

Mr. Chaundy has directed research projects on a wide variety of topics including international trade and global value chains, international investment, demographics and immigration, labour market issues, regulatory trade barriers, and policies to promote clean growth and the expansion of clean technology firms in Atlantic Canada.

Mr. Chaundy is a member of the Canadian Statistics Advisory Council and the National Stakeholder Advisory Panel for the Labour Market Information Council. He is Vice-President of the Canadian Association for Business Economics, a Director and Past-President of the Atlantic Association of Applied Economists and a Director of the Atlantic Canada Economics Association. He holds a B.A. in economics from the University of Cambridge and a M.Sc. in economics from the University of York, England.