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

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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

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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

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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: Economic Forecast 2026: Insights from BMO's Chief Economist

Al sat down with Douglas Porter, Chief Economist at BMO, to unpack the top 3 economic stories of 2025, and to look at the year ahead in Canada’s economy. He also offers some helpful insights for Canadian small business owners.

Chapter 2: Reflecting on 2025 with Sean McCormick: A Flat Holiday Spend and Its Implications

Data Expert Sean McCormick joins Al to break down the latest holiday consumer spending trends. Was spending up, down, or flat this year? Which provinces came out on top? Which days were the busiest—and has Boxing Day lost its traditional shopping momentum? Get these answers and more insights in the full conversation.

Chapter 3: AI and Retail Evolution: Preparing for 2026 with Mastercard’s Benjamin Jacob

Don't miss our chat with MasterCard's Benjamin Jacob on the evolving consumer behavior and adaptive economies. Discover how AI and strategic spending are revolutionizing the way Canadians shop!

Links of Interest:

• BMO
• BMO Capital Markets
• Moneris Data Services
• Mastercard
• Mastercard Small Business Resources

Chapters:

• 00:00:00 - Introduction
• 00:01:13 - Chapter 1: Economic Forecast 2026: Insights from BMO's Chief Economist
• 00:11:34 - Chapter 2: Reflecting on 2025 with Sean McCormick: A Flat Holiday Spend and Its Implications
• 00:19:13 - Chapter 3: AI and Retail Evolution: Preparing for 2026 with Mastercard’s Benjamin Jacob
• 00:28:08 - Outro

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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: Small Business & Charity: How Communities Support Ronald McDonald House

Al is joined by Kate Horton from Ronald McDonald House Canada. She shares stories of how the organization supports families during their child's medical treatments. Ronald McDonald House Canada has supported more than 500,000 families across Canada since inception in 1981.

Learn how you can help make a difference.

Chapter 2: Inside Black Friday 2025: What the Data Tells Us

Join Al as he dives into the results from Black Friday 2025 with resident data expert Sean McCormick. Despite high hopes, spending was down 4% year-over-year, revealing intriguing regional differences and consumer behaviors. Discover key insights into the holiday shopping season, economic pressures, and strategic tips for merchants.

Links of Interest

• Roncy Packs
• Ronald McDonald House Canada / Instagram / LinkedIn / Facebook
• Moneris Data Services

Chapters:

• 00:00:00 - Introduction
• 00:00:52 - Chapter 1: Kate Horton on Small Business & Charity: How Communities Support Ronald McDonald House
• 00:11:16 - Call For Small Campaign Winners
• 00:11:50 - Chapter 2: Sean McCormick on Inside Black Friday 2025: What the Data Tells Us
• 00:21:22 - 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: Maximizing Your Restaurant’s Profitability: Insights from David Hopkins

Canada's restaurant industry is grappling with rising food and labor costs, shifting consumer habits, and economic uncertainties. David Hopkins, President of The Fifteen Group, discusses how restaurants can maximize profits and create new concepts. Hopkins emphasizes the importance of detailed business planning for new restaurants and strategizing for peak seasons like the holidays. He also touches on trends and the cautious use of technology and Ai in the industry.

Chapter 2: Tech to Table: How Moneris Go Restaurant Elevates Your Business Operations

Al dives into the latest technology to streamline restaurant operations with Gad Elharrar, VP of Product, and Michael Monaghan, Director of Product at Moneris. They introduce Moneris Go Restaurant, a commerce solution designed for small and micro-merchants. Learn how this solution is exceeding expectations and meeting the evolving needs of Canadian restaurateurs.

Chapter 3: Putting a bow on consumer spending during the Toronto Blue Jays’ epic post-season

The World Series has wrapped up, and unfortunately for Canadian baseball fans, the Toronto Blue Jays came up short. While the on-field results weren’t what we hoped for, the story at the cash register tells a different tale for small Canadian businesses. Al sits down with consumer spending data expert Sean McCormick to break down the numbers from Toronto’s postseason run. The conversation even takes a therapeutic turn as Sean helps Al process the loss.

Links of Interest

• The Fifteen Group
• Moneris Go Restaurant
• Moneris Data Services

Chapters:

• 00:00:00 - Introduction
• 00:00:48 - Chapter 1: David Hopkins on Maximizing Your Restaurant's Profitability
• 00:13:54 - Chapter 2: Moneris' Product Team on How Moneris Go Restaurant Elevates Your Business Operations
• 00:22:09 - Chapter 3: Sean McCormick Putting A Bow On Consumer Spending During The Toronto Blue Jays’ Epic Post-Season
• 00:30:58 - Outro

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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.

October Baseball’s Economic Impact On Spending Across Canada

Al is joined by Sports Expert and VP of Business Development at Moneris Data Services Sean McCormick to discuss the excitement of October baseball as the Toronto Blue Jays enter the postseason, examining the impact on local and national spending. Sean shares insights on how playoff rusns boost restaurant and bar revenue, referencing data from previous NHL and MLB events.

Introducing Moneris Go Retail: New Features For Modern Retail Needs

Last month, Moneris launched significant enhancements to its Go Retail solution, addressing the evolving needs of modern retail. Al is joined by VP of Product Gad Elharrar and Director of Retail Products Alexandra Silverberg to discuss the new features designed to streamline operations for small and micro businesses.

Links of Interest

• Moneris Data Services
• Moneris Go Retail

Chapters:

• 00:00:00 - Introduction
• 00:01:01 - Featured Interview: Sean McCormick with October Baseball's Economic Impact On Spending
• 00:09:57 - Ask An Expert: Moneris' Product Team Introduces Moneris GO Retail
• 00:15:37 - 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.

Discover how Canadians are embracing domestic tourism more than ever before! In this insightful episode, Al sits down with Sean McCormick, VP of Business Development at Moneris Data Services, to discuss his findings.

Learn about the reasons behind the increased focus on local travel, how the exchange rate and political factors are influencing travel decisions, and get a sneak peek into the upcoming Elevate Festival in Toronto.

Whether you're in the tourism industry or just curious about travel trends, this episode is packed with valuable information you won't want to miss!

Also in this episode:

• Amanda Ibrahim, Senior Events & Sponsorship Specialist at Moneris talks about the upcoming Elevate Festival

Links of Interest:

• Moneris Data Services
• Angus Reid Institute
• Elevate Festival

Chapters:

• 00:00:00 - Introduction
• 00:01:16 - Featured Interview: Sean McCormick with Insights On Domestic Tourism
• 00:12:07 - Save the Date: Amanda Ibrahim with September's Events Calendar
• 00:14:25 - 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.