Mental Health Week Activities, Small Business Drought, Alberta Fast-tracking Teachers

In this episode: small business drought in Canada, expansion of Microsoft in Ontario, workplace activities during the Mental Health week, provincial employment updates  and other topics.Follow us on: X @cadHRnews; LinkedIn @ Canada HR News Podcast to get the latest HR updates.Canada is experiencing what experts call an “entrepreneurial drought,” with more businesses closing than opening for six consecutive quarters | More businesses have been closing than opening in Ontario and Canada: We’re in an entrepreneurial drought Ontario is welcoming a major investment from Microsoft as part of its broader $19 billion commitment to Canada, expanding cloud and artificial intelligence infrastructure across the province | Ontario Welcomes Microsoft’s AI Infrastructure Expansion | Ontario NewsroomSaskatchewan Polytechnic is laying off 30 more employees | Sask. Polytechnic announces more layoffs, bringing total staff cuts to 154 since July Alberta is introducing new expedited teaching certificates to address a growing teacher shortage |  Strengthening Alberta’s teacher workforce | Renforcer le corps enseignant de l’Alberta | alberta.ca Mental Health Week 2026 takes place from May 4 to 10, and this year’s theme is Come Together, Canada | Mental Health Week A new report from O.C. Tanner highlights that only 27% of Canadian companies have recognition champions | Only 27% of Canadian companies have a recognition champion: report | Benefits Canada.com If you would like to be a guest on the podcast, send us a message at LinkedIn or X @CadHRNews