From legislative changes to workplace policy trends, staying compliant is more complex than ever. This session with an Kelly VanBuskirk of Buskirk Law is designed for HR professionals and operational leaders in manufacturing—covering what’s new, what’s changing, and what to watch out for. Feel welcome to bring your questions and gain practical insights to protect your people and your business.

Key Updates for Manufacturing Leaders & HR

Get the legal clarity you need to lead with confidence in today&#8217;s manufacturing workplace.

Navigating Workplace Law

New Brunswick

Nova Scotia

Prince Edward Island

Newfoundland

Key Focus Areas:
<ul>
<li>Building a Strong Compensation Strategy – Stay competitive with structured pay models.</li>
<li>Pay-for-Performance Models – Reward employees based on contributions.</li>
<li>Salary Benchmarking &amp; Market Analysis – Understand industry standards for fair compensation.</li>
<li>Employee Benefits Customization – Explore traditional and non-traditional benefits tailored to workforce needs.</li>
<li>Effective Communication – Maximize the impact of benefits through clear communication.</li>
</ul>
What You&#8217;ll Gain:
<ul>
<li>Practical strategies to create attractive compensation packages.</li>
<li>Insights on aligning rewards with performance.</li>
<li>Tools to benchmark salaries effectively.</li>
<li>Best practices for enhancing employee engagement through benefits.</li>
</ul>
Participants will leave with actionable tools to refine their organization&#8217;s approach to compensation and benefits, ensuring they remain competitive in today’s evolving job market.
This event is supported in part by Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.

A fully funded MRSP activity

Join us for an interactive workshop designed to help leaders develop competitive compensation and benefits strategies that attract and retain top talent.

Compensation & Benefits Strategies Workshop

With Government of Canada’s new fiscal year underway and rising uncertainty around tariffs and global trade, manufacturers in Canada are entering a challenging and fast-evolving funding environment. Government programs are shifting to respond—but staying on top of what’s available, what’s changed, and what you’re actually eligible for can be overwhelming. If your team is focused on day-to-day operations, it’s easy to miss out on valuable support that could help offset rising costs and drive growth.
Join NorthBridge Consultants for a practical, insights-packed session designed to help you:
<ul>
<li>Understand the latest updates in government funding</li>
<li>Match current programs to your business goals</li>
<li>Learn strategies for stacking and timing funding</li>
<li>Improve your applications with actionable tips</li>
</ul>
Whether you&#8217;re new to funding or looking to sharpen your approach, this session will help you find opportunities and make every dollar go further.

Funding Insights for Manufacturers

Join NorthBridge Consultants for a practical, insights-packed session regarding government funding supports.

Government Funding for Today's Manufacturing Challenges

Alberta

British Columbia

Manitoba

Saskatchewan

Central Ontario

Eastern Ontario

Food and Beverage

Golden Horseshoe

Greater Toronto Area

Grey Bruce Counties

Northern Ontario

Southwestern Ontario

Join us for a Human Resources Roundtable discussion designed specifically for manufacturers across Nova Scotia. This is a great opportunity to connect with fellow HR professionals, share challenges, exchange best practices and explore practical strategies to strengthen your workforce.
What to Expect:
Open discussion on HR trends and challenges in manufacturing 
Recruitment and retention strategies 
Workforce planning and employee engagement 
Peer-to-peer knowledge sharing

Best Practice Sharing for Nova Scotia Manufacturers

Whether you manage HR full-time or it’s just one of many hats you wear, this roundtable for Nova Scotia manufacturers is a chance to connect with others, talk through common challenges, and walk away with practical ideas you can use right away.

Human Resources Roundtable

As new and evolving U.S. tariffs take effect and Canada prepares its policy response under a new government, join us to learn more about programs and resources that can assist manufacturers in solving their trade challenges.
<ol>
<li>EMC: Introduction / Overview</li>
<li>EDC: (20 minutes) Andrew Verlaan, Regional Director, Southwest and Northern Ontario</li>
<li>BDC: (20 minutes) Lance McLellan, Vice-President, South West Ontario</li>
<li>Q&amp;A (20 minutes)</li>
</ol>
Overview:
As the manufacturing sector faces new and evolving challenges from the recently imposed tariffs and shifting global trade dynamics, access to timely financial and risk management support is critical.
Join EMC, Export Development Canada (EDC), and the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) for a focused discussion on the tools, programs, and strategies available to help manufacturers navigate this evolving trade environment.
This timely session will explore:
<ol>
<li>EDC’s risk management and trade finance solutions to support exporters managing market uncertainty</li>
<li>BDC’s financial and advisory supports designed to strengthen the resilience and competitiveness of Canadian SMEs</li>
<li>Practical examples of how manufacturers are using these resources to offset trade disruptions, protect cash flow, and diversify markets</li>
<li>Key considerations for manufacturers developing export strategies in a high-tariff climate</li>
</ol>
Who Should Attend: 
Manufacturers and SMEs, exporters, supply chain managers, trade specialists, policy professionals, and anyone with a stake in Canada-U.S. trade or international market development.
About Our Presenters:
BDC: Lance McLellan, Vice-President, South West Ontario &#8211; Based in Kitchener, Lance oversees BDC’s financing and advisory services in South West Ontario, which includes Business Centres in Kitchener, St. Catharines, London, Windsor as well as the Bank’s Automotive Sector strategy. He leads a team of seasoned professionals dedicated to providing essential financing and strategic advice to business owners, facilitating their growth.
Since joining BDC in 2010, Lance has taken on roles of increasing responsibility including Account Manager, Team Lead, Manager-Ontario Automotive and Aerospace Sectors and Business Centre Manager. While he has gained skills and experience supporting entrepreneurs across diverse industries, his true passion is the support and growth of Ontario’s automotive industry supply chain.

In the wake of the federal election – for the next event in our series on trade and tariffs, EMC will be joined by Export Development Canada (EDC) and Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) for a timely discussion on the resources and supports available to help deal with tariff implications for Canada’s manufacturing sector.

Supporting Canadian Manufacturers Amidst Tariff Pressures

For more information or inquiries, please contact Steve Holmgren, MCM &#8211; <a href="mailto:sholmgren@emccanada.org" rel="noopener">sholmgren@emccanada.org</a>

Location: Kingston, ON (exact address to be disclosed upon registration)
<h2>Agenda:</h2>
8:00am &#8211; Registration &amp; Networking Breakfast
8:45am &#8211; Welcome
9:00am &#8211; Creating a Culture of Usefulness &#8211; Glenn Bostock
9:45am &#8211; Networking Break
10:15am &#8211; Energy &amp; Sustainability Presentation by EMC
11:00am &#8211; Panel Discussion &#8211; CI / Productivity
12:00pm &#8211; Lunch
1:00pm &#8211; Plant Tours (SnapCab or Haakon)
<h2></h2>
<h1>More Info</h1>
<h3>Glenn Bostock | CEO &amp; Founder of SnapCab</h3>
About the Speaker 
Glenn Bostock&#8217;s story is one of remarkable success, shaped by his experiences with learning disabilities and adversity during his school years. Glenn went on to found SnapCab which manufactures simple-to-install elevator interiors and award-winning custom privacy pods.
Bostock&#8217;s unique philosophy of embracing failure and seeing challenges as opportunities for growth has been instrumental in creating the workplace environment he has built. His ability to foster a culture that follows the company&#8217;s values of being kind, authentic, and useful has helped propel SnapCab&#8217;s impressive growth and success across two manufacturing facilities located in the United States and Canada.
<h3>Facility Tours</h3>
SnapCab
Haakon Industries
&nbsp;
<h2>Sponsorship / Partnership Opportunities</h2>
Please <a href="https://partners.blackbean.marketing/emc/wp-content/uploads/sites/21/Sponsorship-Package-2025.pdf">click here</a> to review opportunities for sponsorship.  We look forward to hearing from you!

Join us for a dynamic in-person event tailored to tackle today’s manufacturing challenges while unlocking opportunities for future growth. Designed to spark ideas, foster collaboration, and drive innovation, this forum will leave you energized, informed, and ready to lead with confidence.

Manufacturing Excellence Forum - Kingston

Focus on what is needed to stay viable in today&#8217;s manufacturing environment.

Open Discussion

Quality, Production and CI Strategic Interest Group

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