Disruptors

AI is Disrupting Canada’s Labour Landscape

New technology has rarely led to fewer jobs, though it often impacts the way we work — eliminating old ways of doing things to create new opportunities. To mitigate workforce disruption from the rise of AI and automation, we must invest in our people to enhance the value of expertise and enable valuable work. But how do we ensure that AI is constructive and not destructive? On this episode, we’re joined by David Autor, a renowned labour force economist at the Massachusetts Institute of...

Building Blocks: Solving the Supply Shortage with Prefabricated Homes

Housing affordability has become a crisis in Canada, and we must prioritize innovative designs, building techniques, and technology to boost productivity and close the supply-demand gap. Prefabricated homebuilding promises faster, more cost-effective alternatives to traditional construction methods — and if scaled correctly, a solution to address home prices and rent relief. We’re joined by three prefab experts using technology to rethink construction; Craig Mitchell, Principle at BlackBo...

Overruled: The New LegalTech Precedent

Innovative technology continues to disrupt the service sector — where expertise is augmented by cutting-edge tools — in attempt to remove complexity and reimagine delivery. Cloud computing has transformed the legal profession and now AI stands to push that transformation even further — paving the way for a more inclusive and efficient legal system. On this episode, we’re joined by Jack Newton, CEO and Founder of Clio, a LegalTech unicorn based in Canada, to discuss how tech disruption is ...

Unlocking the Energy Transition’s Economic Benefit

The complexities of the climate transition require funding and access to capital that includes broader support nationwide — because without investment, there will be no transition. But it’s a bumpy year for innovators, with higher interest rates and consumer resistance. Our research also shows that while climate intentions are admirable, consumers are going to act with their economic benefit in mind. We must find ways to simplify sustainable solutions that lead to acceleration and scale to ...

Shattering Glass Ceilings in Canadian Cleantech

Innovative green technology is critical for driving environmental resilience and economic growth — though this tech is no stranger to obstacles. Cleantech faces challenges and persistent barriers and having a diverse ecosystem — including entrepreneurs and investors — that encourages innovation and provides access to capital is critical to scale and market acceptance. This also means women and individuals from underrepresented communities need to be part of the solution. This episode is a r...

Doubling Down: The Definitive Decade for Climate

The climate transition is complex, not just for countries and economies, but for households and individuals. Across the country, Canadians are engaging more with climate action — though we’re still not doing enough to help ourselves and the warming planet. Canada’s climate capital needs to double to $60 billion in annual investments, and if this is going to be the decade that paves a sustainable path, we’ll need to fund, scale and support innovative green technologies. On this episode, we...

Davos Discourse: AI Takes Centre Stage

The World Economic Forum (WEF) is known for its annual gathering of global leaders, policymakers, CEOs, and academics — convening to address the most pressing issues facing people and the planet. “Rebuilding Trust” was the theme this year, though the topic of the week was artificial intelligence — dominating the dialogue on the world stage and the advertisement space in the streets. The pursuit of productivity was on everyone’s mind and each AI session was jam packed. But how much of it is...

Hydrogen Horizons: Powering a Green Path Forward

The green hydrogen race is on, and billions are at stake. Countries big and small view hydrogen as an opportunity to convert wind, solar, gas and nuclear into molecules that they can sustainably ship around the world. The hydrogen promise extends beyond reducing our carbon footprint and developing cleaner sources of energy; it’s also about reimagining a new industrial model for our economy, opening avenues for economic growth and job creation. Canada is a country filled with vast renewabl...

New Year’s Promise: Pragmatic Shift to a Digitally Charged Future

2023 was a year of disruptive change, with the cost-of-living crisis, rising geopolitical tensions, the ongoing climate emergency and rapid technological transformation. Amid the murky backdrop of increasing challenges and negative outlooks, there is also hope and opportunity; a tech resurgence is brewing that’s expected to rise like a phoenix from the Silicon ashes; AI is a dynamic reality shaping the future; cleantech advancements are a driving force for progress; and innovative technolog...

Climate Crossroads: Unpacking the Dialogue in the Desert at COP28

Amid the backdrop of an increasingly polarized geopolitical landscape, growing socio-economic challenges and intensifying climate conditions, the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) hosted its largest ever summit in Dubai with 100,000 attendees. Each COP provides a global stage for nations to collectively address urgent climate issues and foster international cooperation — with the outcomes intended to shape national policies, commitments, and strategies to secure a sustain...

Bridging the Growth Gap with AI Innovation

AI has created a dynamic landscape that presents risks and rewards for our nation, and this is Canada’s chance to reimagine its approach in a way that allows us to increase efficiency, remain competitive and enable economic growth. As a nation, we must leverage AI’s true transformative potential to foster an innovative workforce for the future — so business and society can thrive in a world of increased digital disruption. This episode of Disruptors is a recording of a recent session of th...

Navigating Canada’s Carbon Frontier

Carbon markets are at the forefront of climate action and the mobilization of carbon credits and offsets are critical — where each carbon credit holds the promise of a greener future for the Great White North. Join us as we unravel the intricate dance of mobilizing these markets — exploring the interplay of trust, transparency, and tradability — while navigating the delicate balance between economic growth and ecological stewardship. On this episode, we are discussing the hype and reality...

Mechanical Minds: Exploring the World of AI Robots

The global race to apply AI to robotics in a way that can make society better is on — offering unprecedented efficiency, precision and enhancing productivity to relieve humans from mundane tasks. Though there are concerns regarding ethical dilemmas and potential job displacement — fueling fears about the societal impact of these advancements. Striking a balance between the benefits and addressing these apprehensions will be key to unlocking a harmonious integration into our daily lives. O...

Mapping Canada’s New Greenprint with Sustainable Building Materials

Climate change and housing affordability are on a collision course, and we're going to need to think differently about how we build our communities across the country. Buildings are critical to the climate transition, whether it’s our homes, offices, hospitals or schools, these structures all have a role to play in the journey to net zero and we need a plan that changes how we design, construct and renovate to make them more sustainable. This week on Disruptors, we’re joined by two leaders i...

Soaring Toward a Greener Future with Sustainable Aviation Fuel

Flying is at the centre of our culture and acts as an enabler for economic growth and development — connecting Canadians and facilitating integration into the global economy.  Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is shaking up the aviation industry with an alternative method to power existing aircrafts, with aims of decarbonization to achieve a more sustainable sky. But can it help Canada reach new heights in the fight against climate change? We’re joined by two experts when it comes to aviatio...

Forging Canada’s path in a future filled with AI

Disruptors: Season Seven Trailer

Reboot of “Disruptors LIVE: In Conversation with Applyboard’s Martin Basiri

It’s no secret that Canada’s labour market is facing significant challenges, but heading into another school year, there’s hope that a series of regulatory changes enacted by the Federal Government could help get more international students into the workforce. That’s why we’re highlighting an episode from the past season of Disruptors, an RBC Podcast, featuring a conversation between host John Stackhouse and tech entrepreneur Martin Basiri. Basiri is the co-founder and CEO of Kitchener, Ont...

Reboot of “The Growing Challenge: Part 3: The Hidden Threat of Food Spoilage and Waste”

Summer bounties are hitting our dinner, picnic and BBQ tables, and farmers are busy gearing up for another fall harvest season. But have you ever considered how much of the food we produce in Canada never even makes it to your plate?  Or how much goes into the green bin? This year on Disruptors, an RBC Podcast, we tackled the challenge of food waste in a special series called “The Growing Challenge: How Canada Can Lead the Next Green Revolution in Agriculture.” We’re showing good progress o...

Reboot of “Investing in Climate Action: What Canada Can Learn from the US”

As another wildfire season blankets Canada and the U.S. with smoke, air quality is worsening, and the summers are only getting hotter. Some of Canada’s most populous cities even topped the rankings when it comes to the worst air quality on the planet.  That’s why we’re highlighting an important episode of Disruptors, an RBC Podcast, focused on spending on climate action. August 16th marks exactly one year since President Joe Biden signed into law the almost $370-billion Inflation Reduction ...

Reboot of “AI Helped Produce This Episode"

Few things have been more disruptive and hotly debated this year than AI as 2023 marked the potential tipping point in its mass adoption thanks to the public release of generative AI platforms like ChatGPT. From healthcare, to cybersecurity, to journalism and, now, Hollywood, AI is sending shockwaves through virtually every sector of our economy.  So, it’s a perfect time to highlight an episode of Disruptors, an RBC Podcast, where host John Stackhouse talks with one of Canada’s preeminent A...

Olivier Desmarais: How Canada Can Win In A Net Zero World

When it comes to the energy transition, we're going to need to literally rewire our economy. On the season finale of Disruptors, an RBC Podcast, host John Stackhouse sits down with Olivier Desmarais, the CEO of Power Sustainable, one of Canada’s most significant and global enterprises. The firm is a sustainable investment manager that invests in companies and projects that contribute to decarbonization, social progress and growth.        Listen as they discuss where Canada fits in the glob...

How Indigenous Business Can Accelerate Canada’s Net Zero Transition

If Canada is going to transition to clean energy, we’ve got to involve and engage our Indigenous communities for economic development and reconciliation. On this episode of Disruptors, an RBC Podcast, host John Stackhouse speaks to two leaders working to make a meaningful partnership happen: Annette Verschuren, CEO of NRStor and Matthew Jamieson, the CEO and President of Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation.  Listen as John and guests dissect the makings behind the recent...

Building Green Part 2: Harnessing High-Tech To Lower Emissions

It all starts with the envelope—a building’s envelope, that is, to create more sustainable, comfortable homes and offices. Then the power of innovative materials and software comes together to create Net Zero buildings.  In Part 2 of a special two-part series of Disruptors, an RBC Podcast, focused on greening Canada’s build sector, host John Stackhouse chats with three experts dedicated to building Canada’s next generation of sustainable buildings: Brad Carr, CEO of Mattamy Homes; Carol Phi...

Building Green: Fixing Canada’s Leaky Homes

Canada is a nation of builders—but buildings are our third biggest source of greenhouse gases and release some 90 million tonnes of C02 annually. On Part 1 of a special two-part series of Disruptors, an RBC Podcast, focused on greening Canada’s built sector, host John Stackhouse chats with three experts committed to decarbonizing our buildings. Together, they explore the question, “how can retrofitting old buildings help get us to Net Zero?” We hear from Kent Peterson, owner at engineering ...

Innovation Nation: 3 Canadians Share Their Secrets

Have you ever wondered what qualities make up a true innovator? How do they approach problems and create new solutions? Is it nature or nurture? On this episode of Disruptors, an RBC Podcast, host John Stackhouse goes inside the minds of three Canadian innovators, all recipients of this year’s Governor General Innovation Awards: Gary Agnew, Co-founder and CEO, Ideon Technologies; Paulette Senior, CEO and President, Canadian Women’s Foundation; and Dr. Mark Stradiotto, Professor of Chemistry...

From Ship to Shelf: Vancouver’s Port of the Future

The COVID-19 pandemic, extreme weather events and record e-commerce demand have shone a spotlight on the world’s supply chains. The journey of how we receive “stuff” is quite complicated—and fragile. Luckily, the power of technologies such as automation, renewable energy and data are helping to both streamline and “green” Canada’s supply chains. Goods valued at more than $275 billion pass through the Port of Vancouver every year, making it the fourth largest logistics hub in North America a...

Ten Questions on Climate for Earth Day

On this episode of Disruptors, an RBC podcast, host John Stackhouse is joined by a special guest co-host: Lindsay Patrick, Head of Strategic Initiatives & ESG at RBC Capital Markets, where she leads the Sustainable Finance Group. As the world marks Earth Day on April 22, John and Lindsay explore various questions on climate and call on a cross-section of Canadian experts to help answer them. Listen in to find out what exactly is a nuclear Small Modular Reactor (SMR), and whether electric v...

Soil: An Unexpected Climate Change Champion

Soil. We have a lot of it here in Canada, with the 12th largest agricultural land holding in the world. Our vast land presents a large opportunity to help combat climate change with sequestering carbon, as well as helping farmers’ bottom lines. Traditionally, agriculture has been all about yield: the more bushels, the better. But there’s a growing push to pay farmers for what they produce and what they preserve. Canada’s soil can help grow food for an increasingly hungry world, but is also ...

Cyber Wars: A Good Offense Is the Best Defense

Cyber threats have been around as long as the Internet, but attacks have ramped up in the last few years, with the pandemic dramatically shifting more of our work—and our lives—online. Organizations also moved more of their operations to the cloud, creating a new potential liability.  Recent high-profile security breaches have crippled some of Canada’s largest companies such as Empire Foods, Indigo, and Maple Leaf Foods, with costly impacts to the tune of tens of millions of dollars. Organi...

Views from the Valley: Is The Worst Over for Tech?

It’s no secret that 2023 hasn’t exactly started on a high note for the tech sector. With more than 100,000 workers laid off already this year, looking in from the outside, the industry seems to have lost some of its momentum. But what are insiders saying? In the short term, large scale layoffs may not be over, but they’re slowing. And a look back in time offers insights into the kind of mega companies that got their start during economic downturns. On this special, on-location episode of D...

Semiconductor Showdown: Canada Enters the Chip Race

Is the hustle to build a reliable, domestic supply of semiconductors the new space race? Semiconductors are small computer chips the size of a fingerprint that contain hundreds of millions, if not billions, of tiny transistors. And they’re essential for today’s electronics—from coffee machines to data centres that run the Internet. The world needs a lot of them to function. But the world is a complicated place, filled with even more complicated supply chains. Nations worldwide are announci...

Canada’s Quest for Quantum Dominance

Imagine a mathematical problem so complex, it would take today’s most sophisticated supercomputer 9,000 years to solve. Now, imagine a new type of computer that could solve the very same problem in just a fraction of a second. That’s the promise of quantum computing—and it turns out, Canada is well on its way to becoming a global force in the research, development, and implementation of that cutting-edge technology. On this episode of Disruptors, an RBC podcast, host John Stackhouse is join...

Davos 2023: “Things could be a lot worse”

After a three-year hiatus, the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland, came back with a vengeance, just as a fragmented world confronts a confluence of crises.  The global meeting of government, business and community leaders—the first in three years—can’t quite be described as optimistic, among the 600+ CEOs, 200 cabinet ministers, 50 heads of government and 20 central bank governors who attended the event. But after a year marked by war, inflation, energy shortages and ...

Investing in Climate Action: What Canada Can Learn from the US

As we begin a new year, we’re creeping ever closer to the point of no return in the fight against climate change. Sea levels are rising, the earth is warming, we’ve seen thawing permafrost and large scale die-offs in coral reefs, and parts of the Amazon are experiencing increased instances of drought and deforestation.  Thankfully, the world is taking notice and more money than ever before is on the table. The U.S. is making its largest investment ever in green technology in the form of th...

Biodiversity 3.0: How to Leverage Nature as an Asset

WTF: where’s the finance? It was a hot topic at COP27, the UN Climate Conference in Egypt in November, and it continues to be a source of debate at the 15th Conference of the Parties (COP15) of the Convention on Biological Diversity, which is just wrapping up in Montreal. In 2011, 20 targets were set at the Convention on Biological Diversity. A study done nine years later showed that the world had failed to fully achieve a single one. This is not an opportunity we can afford to waste again....

AI Helped Produce This Episode

AI was expected to revolutionize the way we do just about everything, but the changes that were promised haven’t materialized as quickly as expected. What’s holding AI back? On this episode of Disruptors, an RBC podcast, host John Stackhouse sits down with Ajay Agrawal to dig into this question and more. Ajay is a professor at the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management; he was named to The Order of Canada this year for his contributions to enhance Canada's productivity, competi...

COP27: Turning Talk into Action?

Amidst a backdrop of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, rapidly rising inflation, ever-lingering COVID, and near constant political convulsions, this year’s COP27 took on an unprecedented weight.  In this episode, let John Stackhouse walk you through the recently wrapped COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. With his special guest co-host Naomi Powell, Managing Editor of RBC Economics and Thought Leadership, get John’s front row seat perspective on the United Nations Climate Change Conference, also k...

The Growing Challenge Part 3: The Hidden Threat of Food Spoilage and Waste

It’s an issue that’s estimated to cost Canada more than $21 billion per year -- nevermind the environmental impacts. But how much thought have you really given to the problem of food waste and spoilage, and how it could be hampering our country’s effort to reduce emissions? Whenever wasted or spoiled food ends up buried in a landfill instead of decomposing while exposed to air, it generates methane — a potent greenhouse gas with 86 times the warming power of carbon dioxide. And it just so ha...

The Growing Challenge Part 2: Beef, biogas, dairy, and data.

When people are asked to name the most innovative industries in North America, Canada’s beef and dairy sectors probably aren’t the first ones to come to mind. But it turns out the agrifood business in our country has been undergoing a rapid and dramatic evolution for a number of years now -- and it’s going to need to keep on innovating if it’s going to meet one of the most pressing challenges of our time; climate change. Because while the beef and dairy industries contribute more than $40 bi...

The Growing Challenge: How Canada Can Lead the Next Green Revolution in Agriculture

Extreme weather and geopolitical turmoil have placed the world’s food systems under tremendous stress. At the same time, climate change is slowing agricultural productivity among major producing nations, there’s a growing need for more food: globally, over 800 million people are food insecure — meaning that they don’t have access to enough safe and nutritious food to meet their daily needs. In Canada, one-in-six people are food insecure. As a top agricultural exporter, Canada has both a res...

The Growing Challenge (Trailer)

It may not be top of mind for most Canadians -- or the top issue in most public opinion polls -- but it’s one of the greatest challenges our world has ever faced; climate change. And did you know that 10% of Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions can be traced back to the very food we eat? This fall on Disruptors, an RBC podcast, hosts John Stackhouse and Theresa Do will tackle a critical question for the 2020’s -- how can Canada feed its growing population, and potentially the world, while simu...

Disruptors LIVE: In Conversation with ApplyBoard’s Martin Basiri

Despite the economic storm clouds on the horizon, there is little doubt that Canada’s labour market is in desperate need of talent — and will be for many years to come. In this special LIVE episode of Disruptors, an RBC podcast, host John Stackhouse speaks with tech entrepreneur Martin Basiri about immigrant and employment — specifically, how Canada can build a pathway to citizenship for immigrants, and how companies can do a better job of attracting and retaining this global talent.  Basi...

Disruptors LIVE at ELEVATE Festival: In Conversation with John Ruffolo

Inspiration is something that fuels every entrepreneur’s journey — and few stories are as inspiring as John Ruffolo’s. In this special LIVE episode of Disruptors, an RBC podcast, host John Stackhouse speaks with Canadian tech investing legend John Ruffolo at the ELEVATE Festival in downtown Toronto — the largest gathering of creative thought leaders in Canada.  Ruffolo is the founder and managing partner of Maverix Private Equity and previously founded OMERS Ventures, where he made several...

New School Rules: How International Students Could Ease Our Labour Crunch

Despite economic turmoil in 2022, Canada continues to experience a very tight labour market. And in many professions — from healthcare to engineering — jobs continue to go unfilled. The answer to this challenge, according to many: Strengthen the pathways from classrooms to citizenship, and leverage the growing presence of international students — now totalling some 600,000 — to meet Canada’s pressing labour needs. In this episode of Disruptors, an RBC podcast, hosts John Stackhouse and Trin...

Disruptors Revisited: Indigenous Leadership and Canada’s Energy Future

From the invasion of Russia to soaring inflation, the rising cost of energy has forced many countries to delay or scale back their climate ambitions. Suddenly, many are also looking to Canada — and its abundance of energy — for desperately needed supply. But in the wake of yet another summer of record heat and forest fires, the need to balance climate and energy security has never been more apparent. That sort of balance — a more holistic approach to energy development — is something that C...

The 10-Minute Take: Are Carbon Offsets Actually Effective?

Carbon offsets could counterbalance some of the environmental damage of human activities, including that of short and long-haul flights. But do they actually deliver on this promise? In this edition of Disruptors: The 10-Minute Take, co-host Trinh Theresa Do casts a critical eye on the voluntary carbon market, specifically, carbon offsets. She’s joined by Suha Jethalal, President of Bullfrog Power, who explains how these credits work, and what consumers should think about when buying them. ...

The 10-Minute Take: How Vehicle Shopping Changed Overnight

Are you looking to buy a new or used vehicle this year? You may be in for a long wait. In this edition of Disruptors: The 10-Minute Take, co-host Trinh Theresa Do dives into how global chip shortages, rising fuel costs and the summer travel season have upended the market. She’s joined by Cody Green, founder & CEO at Canadadrives.ca, who describes the challenges today’s consumers face when buying or selling vehicles and how tech is helping address them. To learn more about Canadadrives.ca, v...

Disruptors Revisited: The Travel Sector’s Long-Anticipated Comeback

Are you planning to take a trip this summer? After two long years of COVID-related complications, Canadians are finally traveling freely again. The cruise sector is back in business, outdoor festivals and other big public events have returned, and of course, air travel is booming, leading to long lines at Canadian airports, thanks to all the pent-up demand from people forced to spend most of the pandemic on the ground. Thankfully, there are technological solutions to some of the headaches as...

Disruptors Revisited: The Travel Sector’s Long-Anticipated Comeback"

Are you planning to take a trip this summer? After two long years of COVID-related complications, Canadians are finally traveling freely again. The cruise sector is back in business, outdoor festivals and other big public events have returned, and of course, air travel is booming, leading to long lines at Canadian airports, thanks to all the pent-up demand from people forced to spend most of the pandemic on the ground. Thankfully, there are technological solutions to some of the headaches as...