How Economic Development Organizations Help Canadian Small Businesses Grow, Export, and Attract Investment

Just Good Business Digest: April 2026 Edition Chapter 1:  How Economic Development Organizations Help Canadian Small Businesses Grow, Export, and Attract Investment Al speaks with Traci Simmons, CEO of Opportunities New Brunswick (ONB), a provincial economic development agency, about how economic development organizations across Canada support small and mid-sized businesses. They explore how these agencies help companies scale and grow, navigate permits and regulations, expand into export markets, and attract domestic and international investment. They also discuss common success measures like job creation, productivity, GDP growth, and export wins, as well as challenges facing Canadian businesses today—including labour shortages, affordability pressures, and changing immigration dynamics. Chapter 2:  Energy Efficiency Made Easy for Small Business Owners In the latest Just Good Business episode, Al explores how Ontario’s Save on Energy program helps small businesses cut costs and operate more sustainably. He is joined by Tam Wagner, Director of Demand Side Management at the IESO, to break down practical ways energy efficiency can make a real impact on your bottom line — and the planet. 🌍 🎧 Listen now to learn what support is available and how your business can start saving today. Chapter 3: 🔍 Insights Alert: Canadian Consumer Spending — Q1 2026 What’s driving Canadian consumer behavior in Q1 2026? How does your region compare to the rest of the country? In our latest podcast episode, Sean McCormick breaks down current consumer spend trends, regional performance differences, and the economic pressures shaping purchasing decisions. Learn what these insights mean for businesses and how to adapt your strategies for growth in 2026. Links of Interest: Opportunities New Brunswick Save On Energy Moneris Data Services FIFA Dream Contest Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:00:57 - Chapter 1: How Economic Development Organizations Help Canadian Small Businesses Grow, Export, and Attract Investment 00:13:14 - Chapter 2: Energy Efficiency Made Easy for Small Business Owners 00:23:55 - Chapter 3: 🔍 Insights Alert: Canadian Consumer Spending — Q1 2026 00:33:54 - Outro Subscribe now!If you have a payment-related or business question you’d like to submit to one of our experts, you can email us at [email protected] Good Business is a Moneris podcast production hosted by Al Grego.