Chase worthy: edition 003
Welcome to the third edition of Chase Worthy! Spring has sprung — and this week, perennial news stories are in full bloom, from the economy and immigration to the increasingly ubiquitous AI-of-everything stories. We've pulled together three exceptional experts — all great speakers who offer unique and interesting insights.
RECESSION FEARS IN CANADA
All eyes will be on Tuesday, March 31, when Statistics Canada releases its January GDP report — the first snapshot of 2026, and the first since the economy contracted in Q4 of last year. It could be an early signal of whether that slowdown is continuing or starting to reverse.
Chase-Worthy:
Andrew Kemper
Partner, Capital West Partners
Why?
As a partner at Vancouver-based Capital West Partners, one of Canada’s leading independent M&A advisory firms, Andrew has a unique view on the health of the Canadian economy. Just so happens, M&A activity is historically one of the first areas to react when economies slow and confidence shifts. With fresh GDP data about to land, Andrew can speak to what he’s seeing on the ground and what it suggests for the months ahead.
Hooks: M&A Activity • Canadian Economy • GDP • Recession Signals • Business Confidence
AI LEADERSHIP GAP
As Canadian companies race to adopt AI (and everyone else tries to predict the consequences), an emerging gap will be the focus of an upcoming Montreal conference. QBITS, Quadbridge’s flagship event for tech leaders, is happening April 7–9. This year’s theme is Transform — and for good reason. Tech leaders are gaining influence at the executive level, thanks to AI. 52% of IT leaders say they are involved in shaping corporate strategy, but many feel unprepared for the leadership demands being placed on them.
Chase-Worthy:
Steve Leslie
CEO, Quadbridge
Why?
Quadbridge is a leading North American IT solutions provider in Canada, and as its CEO, Steve Leslie, has a front-row seat to Canada’s AI push. He can speak about Quadbridge’s research that shows most organizations are actively developing AI strategies, why Canada is lagging internationally in AI adoption, and the fast-evolving role for tech leaders in Canada and beyond.
Hooks: Artificial Intelligence • Corporate Strategy • IT Leadership • Digital Transformation • Workforce Readiness • QBITS Conference
THE IMMIGRATION DIVIDE
A new Statistics Canada reportpaints a nuanced picture of wealth and immigration in Canada. While it finds a growing wealth gap between recent immigrants and Canadian-born families, it notes that, on average, established immigrant families are faring better financially than their Canadian-born counterparts. Immigration is one of those perennial news stories. Having strong, versatile experts with a fresh perspective is a newsroom essential.
Chase-Worthy:
Brooke Finlay
Founder, Navio Immigration
Why? Brooke Finlay is building at the intersection of immigration policy and real life. Through Navio Immigration, she sees how systems are working, and where they’re falling short, for both newcomers and employers. She can break down what’s behind the latest data, and what it signals for Canada’s workforce, economy, and immigration strategy.
Hooks: Immigration • Family Sponsorship • Temporary Foreign Workers • Skilled Labour Shortage • Economic Impact of Immigration