2025 ANNUAL SPRING DINNER
2025 Annual Spring Dinner
In Our Own Backyard: Celebrating Nova Scotia's food economy
With the persistent uncertainty of recent geopolitics and tariff wars, businesses and communities are feeling overwhelmed and fatigued about where to focus their energy. One message remains clear throughout the noise: we have to stick together.
During the Halifax Chamber’s annual Spring Dinner, we invite you to take part in an evening of celebration of something we can all be proud of as a region: our food. Visitors from around the globe come to Halifax and Nova Scotia to enjoy the world’s finest seafood, fresh blueberries, and world-class wine. In an era when exports and trade are on unsteady ground, it’s time to look inward: let’s take a moment to celebrate Nova Scotian food and beverage producers, the impact they have on our economy, and the opportunity that lies in our uniquely Nova Scotian offerings.
To maximize our impact during the event, join us for a tasting reception of all Nova Scotia has to offer. Be part of the community-focused and community-led Buy Local movement by enjoying local delicacies and meeting the organizations and individuals behind our local scene. Sit down for a delicious dinner, crafted by local chefs, while learning about the Nova Scotia food economy.
President & Chief Executive Officer, High Liner Foods
Paul was appointed as President & Chief Executive Officer in December 2023. Previous to that he served as the Company's Chief Financial Officer, since February 2014.Prior to joining High Liner Foods in 2014, Paul was CFO with Sobeys Inc., a leading Canadian grocery and food distributor. He is a Fellow Chartered Professional Accountant (FCPA) and began his career with Ernst & Young LLP providing audit, tax, valuation and business advisory services for a variety of clients in various business sectors. Prior to joining Sobeys Inc. in 2003, he held a number of progressively senior finance positions in the technology sector.
Paul graduated in 1994 with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Acadia University. In 1997 he received his Chartered Accountant's designation. He is also a graduate of Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Program. He is currently Treasurer of the Groundfish Forum, a member of the executive of the National Fisheries Institute, a board member of Norcod, and a board advisor to Andfjord Salmon. Paul is also Chair of Sport Nova Scotia and a member of the Advisory Board of FM Global Canada.
Paul is an Honorary Governor of the Board of Governors of Acadia University, having completed a seven-year term
Executive Vice Chair, Eastlink
Lee began his career in the telecommunications industry in 1983.Prior to entering the telecommunications business, he honed his management skills within the Bragg Group of Companies, as maintenance manager of the world’s largest wild blueberry processing facility and plant manager at one of six food-processing facilities.
From there, Lee brought his operational experience and empowering leadership style to Eastlink where he successfully managed the transition of 12 independent cable operations to one centralized management and operational structure. Supported by a strong executive team and a staff of more than 1,800 across Canada, Lee has nurtured Eastlink’s growth from a small, regional cable company to the largest, family-owned telecommunications company in the country.
Lee, and the entire Bragg family, also play a significant role in supporting charitable and non-profit organizations and activities, enriching the communities where they operate and helping to make a positive difference in the quality of life where their employees and customers live, work, and play. He sits on the Board of Directors for Nova Scotia Power, and Advisory Board Member for the Faculty of Management for Dalhousie University.
Lee is a sports enthusiast and proud alumnus of Mount Allison University and the University of New Brunswick. Father of three boys and four grandchildren, he lives in Fall River, Nova Scotia, with his wife Amy.
Heather Rankin
Co-owner, Obladee
Heather Rankin is a CAPS certified Sommelier, and co-owner/founder of the award-winning Obladee, a Wine Bar in Halifax, NS. She is a wine and spirits educator, writer, and judge with the National Wine Awards of Canada and various wines and spirits competitions at the provincial level. She sits on multiple regulatory tasting panels and is a frequent speaker/panelist at conferences featuring wine, spirits and hospitality. 
Dr. Sylvain Charlebois
Professor, Food Distribution and Policy - Faculty of Management, School for Resource and Environmental Studies
Senior Director, Agri-Food Analytics Lab - Dalhousie University, Canada
Dr. Sylvain Charlebois is a Professor in food distribution and policy in the Faculty of Management at Dalhousie University in Halifax. He is also the Senior Director of the Agri-food Analytics Lab, also located at Dalhousie University. Known as “The Food Professor”, his current research interest lies in the broad area of food distribution, security and safety. He is one of the world's most cited scholars in food supply chain management, food value chains and traceability with over 775 published peer-reviewed journal articles. Dr. Charlebois is also an editor for the prestigious Trends in Food Science Technology journal. He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada. Every year since 2012, he has published the now highly anticipated Canadian Food Price Report, which provides an overview of food price trends for the coming year.
Furthermore, his research has been featured in several newspapers and media groups, nationally as well as internationally. He has testified on several occasions before parliamentary committees on food policy-related issues as an expert witness. He has been asked to act as an advisor on food and agricultural policies in many Canadian provinces and other countries.
THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS
Presenting Partner
Celebration Partner
Advocate Partners
Exclusive Home & Auto Insurance Partner
Please contact Josh Creighton, Corporate Partnership Specialist to discuss - (902) 481-1229 or josh@halifaxchamber.com
Date and Time
Wednesday Apr 30, 2025
5:00 PM - 9:00 PM ADT
Agenda
5:00pm - Networking Reception
6:20pm - Opening Remarks
6:40pm - Dinner
7:40pm - Main Presentation
9:00pm - Dinner Concludes
Fees/Admission
Members - $220 per ticket / $2,200 per table of 10
Future Members - $330 per ticket / $3,300 per table of 10
A 25% discount rate is available for Not-for-profit/Student Members upon registration
**Please note: your registration gives the Halifax Chamber permission to use the photographs taken during the event for any legal use.
Contact Information
Sandra Thomson - Event Manager (902) 481-1230
Send Email
Printed courtesy of www.halifaxchamber.com – Contact the Halifax Chamber of Commerce for more information.
32 Akerley Blvd Suite 100, Dartmouth, NS B3B 1N1 – (902) 468-7111 – info@halifaxchamber.com