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 podcast@moneris.com.

Just Good Business is a Moneris podcast production hosted by Al Grego.

Chapter 1: Trust in Canadian Business: Key Findings from the CanTrust Index and Insights from Bruce MacLellan

Building trust isn’t just a goal—it’s a business strategy. 🏆 Al welcomes Bruce MacLellan back on the podcast to discuss the 2026 CanTrust Index and explain how small businesses can leverage trust to drive growth. Do you know your trust strategy?

Chapter 2: AI Driven Fraud in Canada: How Small Businesses Can Detect, Prevent, and Fight Back — Expert Insights from Yale Holder

Is AI making fraud harder to detect for businesses? In our latest episode, Allan speaks with Yale Holder from Moneris about how scammers are using artificial intelligence and advanced technology to target organizations—and the practical steps businesses can take to stay ahead of AI driven fraud.

Learn how fraud tactics are evolving and what leaders need to know to protect their operations.

Links of Interest:

• Proof Strategies
• CanTrust Index
• Fraud Prevention Tools

Chapters:

• 00:00:00 - Introduction
• 00:01:04 - Chapter 1: Trust in Canadian Business: Key Findings from the CanTrust Index and Insights from Bruce MacLellan
• 00:17:10 - Chapter 2: AI Driven Fraud in Canada: How Small Businesses Can Detect, Prevent, and Fight Back — Expert Insights from Yale Holder
• 00:23:58 - 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 podcast@moneris.com.

Just Good Business is a Moneris podcast production hosted by Al Grego.

Chapter 1: Music Licensing for Your Business Demystified: A Conversation With SOCAN

🎶Dive into the world of music rights with SOCAN's Kit Wheeler! Discover why music licensing matters for businesses and how it supports artists.

Chapter 2: Is Valentine’s Day A Bigger Shopping Event Than Black Friday?

Dive into the numbers behind this year's Valentine's Day spending! 📊 Discover why it outshone even Black Friday in consumer impact. Find out why Canadians splurged more this year and what it means for our economy.

Links of Interest:

• Moneris Data Services
• SOCAN
• Entandem Licensing

Chapters:

• 00:00:00 - Introduction
• 00:01:19 - Chapter 1: Music Licensing for Your Business Demystified: A Conversation With SOCAN
• 00:11:57 - Chapter 2: Is Valentine’s Day A Bigger Shopping Event Than Black Friday?
• 00:24:40 - 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 podcast@moneris.com.

Just Good Business is a Moneris podcast production hosted by Al Grego.