Scotiabank and Canlan Create Exciting New Relationship

Burnaby 8 Rinks renamed Scotia Barn

BURNABY, BC, Nov. 8, 2019 /CNW/ - As part of a new relationship between Scotiabank and Canlan Ice Sports, Canlan Ice Sports - Burnaby 8 Rinks has been renamed Scotia Barn – a name synonymous with old time hockey, but operated with a modern-day approach. 

As the Official Bank of the NHL® and NHL Alumni Association, Scotiabank is a committed supporter of hockey at all levels across the country, particularly kids' community hockey. Since 2008, Scotiabank has supported one million kids and counting through the Scotiabank Community Hockey Sponsorship Program. 

Similarly, grassroots hockey is at the heart of Canlan Ice Sports that services over 80 minor hockey associations across North America and delivers instructional programs, youth and adult leagues, camps and tournaments to more than 200,000 hockey enthusiasts annually. 

"Hockey matters to Scotiabank because it matters to Canadians," says Lesly Tayles, Regional Senior Vice President, BC and Yukon Region, Scotiabank. "On or off the ice, we know that being part of a team is a living example of how we're better together. Scotia Barn is an exciting opportunity for Scotiabank to demonstrate our commitment to the Lower Mainland community and share our love of the game of hockey with fans of all ages, for every future."

"A positive culture, loyal community, and deep love of hockey are just a few distinguishing characteristics that we at Canlan Ice Sports share with Scotiabank," says Joey St. Aubin, President & CEO, Canlan Ice Sports Corp. "We are very pleased to announce our naming rights arrangement with Scotiabank to create Scotia Barn. This represents two cornerstone companies in the hockey community coming together to support the health and longevity of grassroots hockey in the lower mainland." 

Work will begin in late 2019 on new signage at Scotia Barn, with details of a community celebration happening in early 2020.

In addition to the naming rights of the facility, Rink 2 will also be named Scotiabank Rink and Scotiabank will have exclusive title sponsorship of both Public Skating and Winterfest programs, as well as Scotiabank community programming and events throughout the hockey season, such as Scotiabank Girls HockeyFest on March 29, 2020.

Through Scotia Barn, Canlan and Scotiabank will help expand community hockey programs for young people in Burnaby and the surrounding neighbourhoods. 

About Scotiabank Hockey

Scotiabank is the Official Bank of the NHL®, NHL Alumni Association, Toronto Maple Leafs (who play at Scotiabank Arena), Winnipeg Jets, Calgary Flames (who play at Scotiabank Saddledome), and Edmonton Oilers. The Bank also supports the Montreal Canadiens. Scotiabank's Community Hockey Sponsorship Program has supported over one million kids and counting through its involvement with minor hockey teams in communities across Canada. To find out more about Scotiabank's hockey programs, please visit www.scotiabankhockeyclub.com.

About Scotiabank

Scotiabank is Canada's international bank and a leading financial services provider in the Americas. We are dedicated to helping our more than 25 million customers become better off through a broad range of advice, products and services, including personal and commercial banking, wealth management and private banking, corporate and investment banking, and capital markets. With a team of more than 100,000 employees and assets of over $1 trillion (as at July 31, 2019), Scotiabank trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: BNS) and New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: BNS). For more information, please visit www.scotiabank.com and follow us on Twitter @ScotiabankViews.

About Canlan

Canlan Ice Sports Corp. is the North American leader in the development, operations and ownership of multi-purpose recreation and entertainment facilities. We are the largest private sector owner and operator of recreational ice sports facilities in North America and currently own and/or manage 20 facilities in Canada and the United States with 53 ice surfaces, as well as five indoor soccer fields and 15 sport, volleyball and basketball courts. Canlan trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: ICE). To learn more about Canlan please visit http://www.icesports.com.

SOURCE Scotiabank

SpeakEasy Awarded Cultivation, Processing and Cannabis Sales Licence by Health Canada

B.C. producer of high quality, small-batch cannabis expands to recreational and medicinal market

VANCOUVER, Nov. 12, 2019 /CNW/ - SpeakEasy Cannabis Club Ltd. (CSE: EASY) (Frankfurt: 39H) ("SpeakEasy" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has received Health Canada's coveted licence for cultivation, processing and medical sales. The Company, situated on 290 acres of fertile land in the Okanagan's renowned Golden Mile, has demonstrated adherence to the industry's rigorous compliance standards, and can now grow and provide its high quality, small-batch cannabis to the burgeoning recreational and medical markets.

With the receipt of the licences, the Company has immediately begun cultivation of cannabis in its 10,000-square-foot, purpose-built, state of the art facility. The Company has aquired an extensive library of unique genetics that will be used as starting material for the cultivation of cannabis at the facility.

SpeakEasy's outdoor cultivation site has also been completed and stands ready to receive these genetics for the 2020 growing season. SpeakEasy plans to submit its evidence package for the outdoor field and amend its licence to allow outdoor cultivation on its 60 acre field. "Receiving our licence at long last, is a dream come true for all of us in the SpeakEasy family. The support we have received from shareholders, employees, family and friends has been overwhelming and I appreciate you all more than I can say," says Marc Geen, founder of SpeakEasy. "When it comes to producing phenomenal craft cannabis, farms will always be superior to factories and culture will always speak louder than corporations. Real people recognize authenticity and SpeakEasy intends to lead by example, sharing the story of our people through the excellence of our product." With the anticipation of receiving its outdoor licence, SpeakEasy is positioned to become one of the largest cannabis producers in Canada with extremely low cost per gram outdoor grown flower and extremely high quality small batch indoor flower. 

SpeakEasy recently completed the transformation of a 60 acre orchard into a custom built outdoor cannabis cultivation environment. The fertile agricultural land is expected to enable the farm to produce up to approximately 70,000kg of cannabis flower and the Company plans to double the output to up to approximately 150,000kg, pending approval of its outdoor cultivation licence.

Construction commenced in the fall of 2017 on the 80,000-square-foot SpeakEasy campus in anticipation of demand for SpeakEasy's craft cannabis flower and value added products. Buildings two and three were completed to lock-up in the second quarter of 2019 and building four, another 26,600-square-foot facility commenced in the spring of 2019 and is also at the lock-up stage of its development. The anticipated use of building four is the processing of sun grown outdoor flower and biomass for extraction. SpeakEasy has accumulated an impressive library of unique genetics from sources outside existing licence holders, empowering the Company to develop new strains, unique to SpeakEasy, for both indoor and outdoor cultivation.

SpeakEasy founders and team members are long standing advocates for the value of community and harnessing the power of combined expertise through successful farming cooperatives. SpeakEasy now plans to apply the same values for cannabis farming. SpeakEasy's innovative business model is designed to support industry-leading talent through shared knowledge, resources and passion, with a commitment to maintaining exceptional quality standards and developing unique cannabis strains. The Company empowers experienced growers and geneticists to operate independently with the freedom to develop each cultivar to perfection. 

Other Corporate Updates

The Company has changed its auditors to Davidson and Company.

In connection with the receipt of the licences, and pursuant to a performance agreement entered into on March 28, 2018, the Company will be issuing 10,000,000 common shares to Marc Geen of Rock Creek, British Columbia. As a result of the issuance, Mr. Geen will own 14,494,239 of common shares, representing approximately 14.96% of the outstanding common shares of the Company.  The Company has also reserved for issuance up to an additional 2,000,000 common shares, which may be issued pursuant to a finder's agreement dated July 4, 2017 and amended on November 28, 2017. 

The Company's Board of Directors has also approved the grant of options to 10 employees for up to 440,000 common shares of the Company with an exercise price of $0.70/share. The options will expire 5 years from the date of grant.

About SpeakEasy Cannabis Club Ltd.:

SpeakEasy Cannabis Club Ltd. is a licenced cultivator and processing Company. SpeakEasy leverages three generations of farming experience in B.C. to produce high-quality, small-batch cannabis products. The Company currently owns 290 acres of land in Rock Creek, British Columbia. SpeakEasy cultivates small batch, high quality cannabis in its 10,000 square foot indoor facility and has recently transformed a 60 acre orchard into an outdoor cultivation area with the intention, upon receipt of the amendment to our current licence to include the outdoor cultivation area, to produce up to approximately 70,000kg of outdoor, sun grown flower and biomass per year.

For more information about SpeakEasy, visit speakeasygrowers.com.

This news release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking statements." Such forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause SpeakEasy's actual results, performance or achievements, or developments in the industry to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "could" or "should" occur.

Forward-looking statements in this document include statements concerning SpeakEasy's intent to submit an evidence package and amend its licences to allow outdoor cultivation, its intent to produce and sell high quality craft cannabis, its expected production output, its anticipated use of its facilities, and all other statements that are not statements of historical fact.  

Although SpeakEasy believes the forward-looking information contained in this news release is reasonable based on information available on the date hereof, by their nature forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. By their nature, these statements involve a variety of assumptions, known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual results, levels of activity and achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements.

Examples of such assumptions, risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, assumptions, risks and uncertainties associated with general economic conditions; adverse industry events; future legislative and regulatory developments involving cannabis; the Company's ability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources, and/or inability to access sufficient capital on favorable terms; the cannabis industry in Canada and generally; the demand for cannabis and cannabis related products, the ability of SpeakEasy to implement its business strategies; competition; the ability of SpeakEasy to obtain and retain all applicable licences under the Cannabis Act and other assumptions, risks and uncertainties.

THE FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS NEWS RELEASE REPRESENTS THE EXPECTATIONS OF THE COMPANY AS OF THE DATE OF THIS NEWS RELEASE AND, ACCORDINGLY, IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AFTER SUCH DATE. READERS SHOULD NOT PLACE UNDUE IMPORTANCE ON FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION AND SHOULD NOT RELY UPON THIS INFORMATION AS OF ANY OTHER DATE. WHILE THE COMPANY MAY ELECT TO, IT DOES NOT UNDERTAKE TO UPDATE THIS INFORMATION AT ANY PARTICULAR TIME EXCEPT AS REQUIRED IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE LAWS.

The Canadian Securities Exchange has not approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release.

SOURCE Speakeasy Cannabis Club Ltd.

Lace up your skates and grab your camera! Scotiabank wants to put you on the big screen

Scotiabank presents Hockey 24: A film by Canada

TORONTO, Nov. 12, 2019 /CNW/ - On November 17, Scotiabank is inviting Canadians everywhere to submit their footage to be part of Hockey 24, a unique documentary that will capture a day in community hockey in Canada. 

This documentary is an amazing opportunity for Canadians to share their personal experiences with community hockey and be a part of the legacy of hockey in our country. Using only footage and photos taken on Sunday, November 17, globally-renowned, awarded and recognized documentary filmmakers will compile the contributions submitted from Canadians across the country to create a unique snapshot of life on a single day in Canada. 

Whether it's on or off the ice, Canadians are encouraged to record their personal experiences with community hockey to be part of the story. Share your videos and photos showing your favourite pre-game routine; coaching or volunteering at the rink; hitting the road or watching the game with your friends. We want to see it all! Those who submit their footage will also be entered for a chance to win up to $24,000 for your local community hockey team or league, and a trip to the 2020 Honda NHL® All-Star Game.*

As the Official Bank of the NHL® and NHL Alumni Association, Scotiabank is a committed supporter of hockey at all levels across the country, particularly kids' community hockey. Since 2008, Scotiabank has supported one million kids and counting through the Scotiabank Community Hockey Sponsorship Program. 

"Scotiabank is very excited to be a part of this incredible film," says Clinton Braganza, Chief Marketing Officer at Scotiabank. "Hockey matters to Scotiabank because it matters to Canadians. As fans, coaches and players ourselves, community hockey is an important part of who we are. We can't wait to see how Hockey 24 weaves the country's individual hockey experiences together into one story." 

Canadians can spot themselves on the silver screen, TV and online beginning in the spring of 2020, following a world premiere screening taking place during Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival in Toronto. 

Scotiabank Teammates Lanny McDonald, Cassie Campbell-Pascall, Darcy Tucker, and Coach Jeremy of "How to Hockey", will be participating in the making of Hockey 24, in various locations across the country. 

For more information, including filming tips, submission guidelines, contest details and to upload your footage, visit hockey24.film.

About Scotiabank Hockey

Scotiabank is the Official Bank of the NHL®, NHL Alumni Association, Toronto Maple Leafs (who play at Scotiabank Arena), Winnipeg Jets, Calgary Flames (who play at Scotiabank Saddledome), and Edmonton Oilers. The Bank also supports the Montreal Canadiens. Scotiabank's Community Hockey Sponsorship Program has supported over one million kids and counting through its involvement with minor hockey teams in communities across Canada. To find out more about Scotiabank's hockey programs, please visit www.scotiabankhockeyclub.com.

About Scotiabank

Scotiabank is Canada's international bank and a leading financial services provider in the Americas. We are dedicated to helping our more than 25 million customers become better off through a broad range of advice, products and services, including personal and commercial banking, wealth management and private banking, corporate and investment banking, and capital markets. With a team of more than 100,000 employees and assets of over $1 trillion (as at July 31, 2019), Scotiabank trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: BNS) and New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: BNS). For more information, please visit www.scotiabank.com and follow us on Twitter @ScotiabankViews.

SOURCE Scotiabank

MILA UNVEILS SMART AIR PURIFIER THAT MAKES MAINTAINING YOUR HOME’S AIR QUALITY AS INTUITIVE AS SETTING YOUR THERMOSTAT 

Mila solves a fundamental problem with all air purifiers -
nobody knows if they’re actually working. 

SAN FRANCISCO, CA –– November 12, 2019 –– Mila, a San Francisco based startup, today announces the launch of its smart air purifier on Tuesday, November 12.  

At a time when air pollution has emerged as the world’s single largest environmental health risk, Mila solves the fundamental problem found in air purifiers - nobody knows if they’re actually working.

“With Mila, we wanted to empower every family to know and do more about the air they’re breathing,” said Grant Prigge, co-founder and CEO of Mila. “We live in a world where more than 9 in 10 children around the world are exposed to air that puts their health at risk — yet we know less about what’s in our air than in our morning bagels.  We set out to change this.”

Mila has reimagined the air purifier as an essential, affordable device for today’s home, and makes maintaining clean and healthy air as simple and informative as setting your thermostat. Mila starts at $199 and is available for international shipping through its Kickstarter campaign. 

Mila introduces a series of industry firsts including:

• The first air purifier to show you a “time to clean” to achieve your target air quality.
• The first purifier to detect room presence. Mila knows to quiet down when you enter the room and kick into high gear to deep clean when you’re gone.
• The first purifier that learns the size of each room, ensuring you get the same level of performance whether Mila is placed in a 400sq ft living room or 150 sq ft bedroom. 
• The first purifier with personalized filters (e.g., addressing allergies, pet odors, home renovation, urban smog). 
• The first purifier with an aerospace-grade control system built around the underlying physics of air filtration. 
• The first purifier to include a life-saving carbon monoxide sensor. Accidental CO poisoning sends over 20,000 individuals to the ER each year in the US alone.
• The first purifier to warn you if you’re at risk of mold growth. 
• Mila tracks you outdoor air quality, and monitors how protected your home is. 
• Mila comes with a full color display and a smartphone app that enables real-time monitoring and control.

Despite its small size (12" x 12" x 14"), Mila boasts a clean air delivery rate (CADR) of 411 m3/hr, twice the performance of leading purifiers at half the price. Its patent-pending dual-flow filter includes 45 sqft of HEPA, the gold standard for ultrafine particle filtration, and the option to add up to one pound of granular activated carbon for gas-phase filtration of household odors and harmful VOCs.  

Originally beta-tested in China and backed by Electrolux, Europe’s leading home appliance company, Mila has spent the last couple of years perfecting its latest debut.  To learn more and back Mila on Kickstarter, please visit: http://prelaunch.milacares.com/press.

About Mila
As three dads living in Shanghai, we came face to face with the effects of poor air quality. We wanted (and needed) clean air for our kids but saw major flaws in the air purifiers that dominated the market. So we set out to build the first air purifier worth owning. We named it after one of our own daughters to remind us not only of our commitment to our own families, but to families around the world.

Her name is Mila and she’s the smartest, most thoughtful air purifier ever made. Get to know her at: www.milacares.com.

From trying Keto to vitamin IV drips, the “blood-type diet” or eating bee pollen, a quarter of Canadians have followed a fad diet that did more harm than good, according to new research commissioned by Advanced Orthomolecular Research and conducted by OnePoll.

And data secured in that same study suggested that Canadians were likely to use the same platform to discover nutrition advice as they were their new skincare routine. From gummy vitamins to CBD to celery juice, 41% of Canadians learn about their next nutrition trend from social media and only 26% responded that they utilize their healthcare provider to discover new trends . But results revealed that the trendiest diet advice on your feed doesn’t always have the desired results – when asked, only 10% of respondents said a trend “often” helps them achieve their goals!  This is of particular interest as the average responded that they spent $106 in the past year on nutrition products that didn’t work or produce the desired result – which adds up to over $6k in the course of a lifetime!

The survey, which polled 2,000 respondents, looked at both the nutrition trends Canadians are trying and also at how they’re finding these fads, with some of the most notable findings below:

• Respondents were much more likely to find out about new nutrition trends from the internet (52%) or social media (41%) than from a doctor or health care professional (26%). 
• The internet might not be the best way to find out about health and nutrition trends – in addition to the 27% who’ve had a diet go wrong, others have taken a vitamin or supplement that caused more harm than good (16% and 17%, respectively). 
• Top nutrition trends that respondents have tried before include gummy vitamins, “clean” eating, and intermittent fasting. That’s in addition to CBD products and personalized vitamins. Top results:

1.       Gummy vitamins: 50%

2.       “Clean” eating: 45%

3.       Intermittent fasting: 42%

4.       CBD products: 37%

5.       Personalized vitamins: 37%

6.       Weight-loss supplements: 37%

7.       Weight-loss tea: 34%

8.       Drinking celery juice: 34%

9.       Ketogenic diet: 29%

10.   Bee pollen in smoothies: 27%

Would you be interested in featuring data from this survey? I’d be happy to connect you with Advanced Orthomolecular Research Founder and CEO, Dr. Traj Nibber, who can speak to nutrition trends and provide insight into what consumer should be doing to ensure they avoid potentially dangerous or ineffective nutrition trends or fad diets. In the meantime, please let me know of any questions and I’m happy to provide any additional information. 

Thanks,

Loren

Sudbury Permanently Loses Jobs Under Anti-Union, Private Home Care

SUDBURY, ON, Nov. 12, 2019 /CNW/ - Failing to break the resolve of a group of low-paid workers during a five-month lockout, for-profit health-care provider CarePartners has decided to permanently eliminate dozens of jobs in Sudbury.

CarePartners, a private corporation that profits from public tax dollars, locked out 29 Sudbury employees on May 31 after they refused to accept the company's concession demands at the bargaining table.

"For more than five months, this for-profit operator tried to break the resolve of these workers – all but one of whom are women – who were seeking modest improvements to their low wages and difficult working conditions," said Marty Warren, Ontario Director of the United Steelworkers (USW), which represents the locked-out employees.

"They tried to put the squeeze on a group of low-paid women, but failed. These workers stood strong and refused to be bullied. So the company decided to shut down this operation and permanently take these jobs out of the community," Warren said.

The affected employees co-ordinated and scheduled the delivery of home-care services to patients in communities throughout northeastern Ontario. During the lockout, other home-care workers who provide front-line care to patients also raised concerns over the impact of private, for-profit delivery of services that is funded by public tax dollars.

"The employees demonstrated why issues such as low wages, sick leave and staff turnover were significant problems that affect workers as well as the services delivered to patients," said Warren.

"Rather than addressing these issues with its employees, CarePartners decided to take these jobs out of the community, presumably to a low-wage, non-union environment where it can impose its will on workers," he said.

As a result of the decision by CarePartners, the USW has negotiated a severance package for the members who were locked out for the last five months.

In addition to the 29 unionized employees whose jobs are disappearing, the company's decision also will eliminate a number of non-union jobs in the community.

"This appalling turn of events exposes the dark side of privatization in our health-care system. It's a system in which our government, that claims to be 'for the people,' allows private corporations to put profits before patients and workers," Warren said. He noted that, throughout the lockout, Doug Ford's Conservative government ignored repeated calls to help achieve a negotiated settlement.

"This government clearly supports privatized health care and sanctions for-profit operators making money on the backs of low-paid workers and at the expense of patient care," he said.

SOURCE United Steelworkers (USW)

Joe Mimran, Michele Romanow and Vincenzo Guzzo to Judge Angels Den 2019, Which Will Award $500,000 for Health Innovation

Presented by St. Michael's Hospital Foundation, the fifth annual Angels Den will showcase the projects of eight finalists as they compete for funding to bring their ideas to life. 

The most exciting health-care research competition in Canada, Angels Den will be available for viewing via Facebook Live Stream, where viewers can vote for the 2019 People's Choice Award.

TORONTO, Nov. 6, 2019 /CNW/ - On Wednesday, November 13 at 5:30 p.m., St. Michael's Hospital Foundation will host the annual Angels Den health-care research competition at Koerner Hall in Toronto. Now in its fifth year, Angels Den 2019 will see eight teams of world-leading scientists from St. Michael's Hospital pitch their game-changing research ideas to a panel of three celebrity judges for the chance to win $500,000 in project funding.

Beginning in a small classroom at St. Michael's Hospital, Angels Den has grown to become the hottest health-care research competition in Canada. The event allows St. Michael's Hospital, a global leader in medical research, to shine a spotlight on pivotal health innovations while raising critical research funds. 

"St. Michael's Hospital is home to more than 250 scientists and close to 1,000 research technicians and students who work daily to find new and innovative solutions for some of the world's toughest health challenges," says Dr. Ori Rotstein, Vice President, Research and Innovation, Unity Health Toronto. 

This year's competition began with over 40 applications from St. Michael's Hospital's top researchers. After rigorous scientific review, the field was narrowed down to eight finalists (individuals or teams) who will battle to win access to funding, including two top prizes of $150,000: the Keenan Biomedical Innovation Award and the Odette Social Innovation Award. 

The Keenan Biomedical Innovation Award will be presented to the top concept for a new scientific tool, drug or machine that will improve patients' lives. The Odette Social Innovation Award will be given to the finalist whose research best demonstrates how health-care organization and delivery can be influenced through new technologies and tools that ensure all patients have access to high-quality health care. 

Determining the winners will be up to 60 jurors and three celebrity judges: 

• Joe Mimran, retail fashion and business pioneer and founder of brands like Joe Fresh; 
• Michele Romanow, tech titan and Dragons' Den star; and 
• Vincenzo Guzzo, President & CEO, Cinemas Guzzo and Dragons' Den star

This year's host will be Maureen Holloway of Darren and Mo on Toronto's 98.1 CHFI.

Audience members and viewers of the Facebook live stream will also have the opportunity to award funding to one team by voting for the People's Choice Award, sponsored by Canada Life. To view online and cast a vote, interested parties can visit the Angels Den Facebook Event.

Joe Mimran & several previous winners will be available on Tuesday, November 12 in advance of Angels Den, to speak about the competition and the medical advances previous winners have been able to make.

Full event logistics and details on past Angels Den winners are available below. Media are invited to attend the event to capture photo or video content and are asked confirm their attendance by November 12, 2019. 

EVENT DETAILS:

PREVIOUS RECIPIENTS OF ANGELS DEN FUNDING:

• In 2015, Drs. Jennifer Beck and Doug Campbell won funding for NeoVest, a vest to help sick babies breathe without debilitating tubes and wires, now in clinical trials. 
• Also in 2015, Dr. Teodor Grantcharov unveiled a black box for operating rooms – inspired by the airline industry – to identify errors in surgical settings. It is now changing surgical safety in hospitals around the world. 
• In 2016, Drs. Karen Cross and General Leung won with a device that enables people to detect life-threatening diabetes-related foot ulcers, called MIMOSA. Millions of patients may soon have access. 
• 2017 winners Drs. Michelle Sholzberg and Andrea Lausman received funding for a toolkit to help pregnant women at risk of anemia get the iron they need. Iron Mom is a set of digital tools for women and their doctors to keep expectant mothers, and their unborn babies, healthy. 
• In 2018, Dr. Muhammad Mamdani won funding for fAIth, which uses artificial intelligence tools to improve health-care efficiency. In addition, Drs. George Yousef and Michael Ordon received funding for the Prostate Predictor, a blood test to predict the aggressiveness of prostate cancer thereby avoiding painful biopsies. 

St. Michael's Hospital Foundation 
St. Michael's Hospital is a global powerhouse in research and patient care. Its world-leading physicians, surgeons, scientists and staff take on the toughest health challenges. They dig deep to find solutions to intractable medical problems. They advocate on behalf of those whose health is complicated by life circumstances. They stop at nothing. 

Through its philanthropic activities, St. Michael's Hospital Foundation assists St. Michael's in attracting the resources required to fulfill and enhance its mission. Led by a volunteer Board of Directors, the Foundation raises funds for patient care, equipment, building projects, research and teaching programs. Funds are raised through annual and mid-level giving, special events, major gifts and planned giving.

More information can be found at www.stmichaelsfoundation.com and www.angelsden.ca.  

SOURCE St. Michael’s Hospital Foundation

For further information:

For interviews or additional details, please contact: Erin Del Giudice, Mosaic North America, erin.delgiudice@mosaic.com, (416) 347-9698

U.S. Army Veteran Explains His Journey to Becoming a Successful Fitness Together^®Franchise Owner

Rick Coe, owner of two DC-Metro Fitness Together^®studios, explains why his U.S. Army service enabled his success as a small business owner, and why the fitness industry helped retain his military identity.

The Fitness Together brand has 23 years of franchising experience and is a nationwide, one-on-one personal training concept that offers private suites, utilizing some of the most educated and experienced trainers in the industry.

WASHINGTON, DC (November 6, 2019) – Veterans transitioning from active service to the civilian workforce are often challenged by a lack of career structure in Corporate America and a sense of no personal purpose without a clear mission. Rick Coe, former U.S. Army officer and a graduate of West Point who owns two Fitness Together^®studios in the DC-metro area, says franchising helps provide veterans the opportunity to create their own sense of purpose and career track by owning their own business, while relying on their military background to learn the skills necessary to be successful small business owners.

Rick translated his military experience – as a Tank Commander – to the corporate world after leaving the Army. After his third job in 2007, Rick became dissatisfied with the corporate structure and decided to open his first Fitness Together studio. “It was a no-brainer. As I had never owned a fitness studio before, I decided to buy into a franchise with a solid brand name at an affordable rate,” says Rick. “Leveraging the Fitness Together franchise system and years of experience enabled me to help get my studio to be profitable, quickly.”

For Veterans Day, Rick wants to get the word out on why veterans are uniquely qualified to find success opening franchises, particularly in the fitness industry. 

Why the fitness industry?

“For me, the fitness industry helped me retain my personal and military identity. Many veterans can lose themselves while transitioning to civilian life and need a life mission to keep their minds focused and valuable skills fresh. Transition is traumatic. As a veteran, you’re likely in fantastic shape and may find a home in the fitness industry helping people achieve their fitness goals. People value my background as their coach, and you can capitalize on your experience.”

Why is a veteran’s military background helpful to becoming a successful business owner?

“Depending on the rank and branch of service, some veterans may have difficulty in entrepreneurship, business development, and new skills development including learning how to run payroll, hiring staff, and administering health care. However, veterans are often masters of task delegation, thanks to their military background. If they themselves are not the expert at handling normal business operations, they are the experts at helping build a trustworthy team to get the job done.”

How can veterans find success as small business owners?

“Finding success is not aboutprofit or income. First, find something you enjoy and master it. Second, never be distracted. Opening a small business is hard financially, emotionally, and can put pressure on your marriage and family - but you’re a U.S. veteran. You are light years ahead of anyone at enduring tough challenges. As you were taught in active duty, ignore the noise. Repetitively train for upcoming challenges. Identify your overall mission, build your strategy to achieve success, and execute.”

This Veterans Day, encourage a veteran to chase their entrepreneurial bug. Like Rick’s successful small business owner story, encourage a veteran to identify what they enjoy and explore any franchise opportunities available to them. As the fitness industry continues to grow and is a natural fit for veterans, learn more about Fitness Together franchise opportunities at fitnesstogetherfranchise.com

Experienced professional trainers at Fitness Together^®studios are dedicated to creating personalized fitness routines that are tailored to each client's specific health and wellness goals. Fitness Together studios utilize some of the most educated, experienced trainers in the industry along with real-world fitness experience to help clients achieve optimal health through a customized, industry-leading fitness program. Sessions take place in a private workout suite, which means no distractions and no waiting for equipment so clients can focus on producing results. To begin your journey with an Fitness Together professional trainer, please visit fitnesstogether.com to locate one of the nearly 140 locations nationwide to find the one nearest you. 

About Fitness Together

Fitness Together^®is a one-on-one private, personal training franchise focused on changing clients’ lives with improved fitness and health. Whether the aim is to lose weight, tone and tighten muscles, or simply achieve better health, Fitness Together trainers’ pair clients with a personal trainer and a workout plan tailored for the individual’s goals, and focused on results. Clients receive the accountability they need and the privacy they desire with the Fitness Together brand.

Fitness Together Franchise, LLC began franchising in 1996 and has approximately 140 locations across the United States with additional locations planned for 2019. To learn more about the brand and owning a Fitness Together® franchise, visit www.fitnesstogetherfranchise.com. Each Fitness Together^®is independently owned and operated.  Fitness Together^®and Fitness Together + design are registered trademarks owned by Fitness Together Franchise, LLC.

5 Kinds of People Most Likely to Get the Holiday Blues and How to Help

                             www.comprehendthemind.com

With the holidays upon us it’s easy for us to get caught up in the rush of it all. While we may be cooking, shopping, enjoying holiday events there are others, many of whom are in our very own circles, having a tougher time. Dr. Sanam Hafeez, a NYC based licensed clinical psychologist, teaching faculty member at the prestigious Columbia University Teacher’s College and the founder and Clinical Director of Comprehensive Consultation Psychological Services, reveals who are most likely to have the holiday blues and how we can help them make it through. 

1. The newly divorced or widowed. 

Loss is a sad, life-changing event at any time of the year.  However, it tends to be harder when everyone around you is joyful celebrating the holiday’s and you feel it’s an effort to get out of bed.  If someone in your circles is going through a major loss and life transition be supportive and understanding. “They are grieving and mourning and are especially sensitive around the holidays. It’s important that they feel included but don’t be offended if they choose to opt out of certain events,” advises Dr. Hafeez. She suggests checking in and offering them the option to participate in whatever they want, when they want. Love them through it. 

2. The busy entrepreneur.

The holidays could be stressful for small business owners because so much rides on the end of year. They may be fretting over their profits (or lack thereof), the goals they didn’t reach, and the many things still to do. They feel overwhelmed and when they are expected to shop, entertain and be present for their families, they may be short tempered and anxious. “The best way to help the busy entrepreneur is to make their life easier in any way possible. If they can’t make it to a family dinner, tell them your door is open for dessert. Oftentimes they feel guilty and obligated which only adds to their frustration,” explains Dr. Hafeez. Also consider that these worker-bees are conflicted. When they are working they miss their families and when they are with family they are thinking of work. 

3. The caretaker of an elder parent or relative.

Adults who are now caretakers to their elderly parents are incredibly overwhelmed and often overlooked. As a caretaker, they always have to consider the well-being of their parent. They can’t just get up and go,” explains Dr. Hafeez.  Caretakers may feel resentful, isolated and stuck during the holidays which leads to conflicted feelings of resentment and guilt. They also believe they have to be hands on managing everything. It’s important to lighten the caretakers load by offering support even if it means asking them how they are doing. Be patient and ask the caretaker what they need. It could be something as simple as having food delivered to their home to free up time for other tasks, Dr. Hafeez recommends. 

4. The recovering substance abuser.

Recovering from addiction is hard.  Period.  But it’s harder when holiday festivities are filled with friends and family drinking everything from eggnog to champagne.  “Understand that those in recovery from substance abuse are hyper-sensitive about being judged. They feel as if all eyes are on them and that pressure may trigger the desire to use drugs or alcohol to soothe their anxiety. When they aren’t fully recovered, they may anticipate possible “landmines” and avoid them. They may choose to stay to themselves and observe more and participate less. They might opt out of larger family gatherings that are too overwhelming,” cautions Dr. Hafeez. Offer an open invitation and remind them they are welcomed when they are ready. A balance of love, support and acceptance is what they are in most need of, suggests Dr. Hafeez.

5. The children of divorce. 

Divorce means two separate holidays at two different places and kids feel overwhelmed having to double up. It’s incredibly important for parents to agree on where the kids are going during the holidays and all logistical details. “Kids want to feel safe and secure. They don’t want to feel as if they are the expected to be rushed here and there because their parents chose to divorce,” says Dr. Hafeez. It could be unsettling to younger kids and teens may isolate and rebel against any family events as they are sorting out their own emotions as they get used to a new normal. You really want to establish a game plan for the holidays and if possible, stick to it every year, advises Dr. Hafeez. 

About the Doctor: 

Dr. Sanam Hafeez PsyD, a NYC based licensed clinical psychologist, teaching faculty member at the prestigious Columbia University Teacher’s College and the founder and Clinical Director of Comprehensive Consultation Psychological Services, P.C. a neuropsychological, developmental and educational center in Manhattan and Queens. 

She can certainly provide answers to specific questions regarding the connection between grief and anxiety. Feel free to send them to me. 

Dr. Hafeez masterfully applies her years of experience connecting psychological implications to address some of today’s common issues such as body image, social media addiction, relationships, workplace stress, parenting and psychopathology (bipolar, schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, etc…). In addition, Dr. Hafeez works with individuals who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), learning disabilities, attention and memory problems, and abuse. Dr. Hafeez often shares her credible expertise to various news outlets in New York City and frequently appears on CNN and Dr.Oz.

Connect with her via twitter @comprehendMind or www.comprehendthemind.com 

A commitment to healthy lifestyles in our community: Calgary Co-op acquires Community Natural Foods

CALGARY, Nov. 4, 2019 /CNW/ - Calgary Co-op and Community Natural Foods are pleased to announce that effective today Calgary Co-op has acquired the retail business of Community Natural Foods. The sale is part of the succession plan for Community Natural Foods' owner and represents a coming together of two long-time community-focused Calgary retailers. 

"As representatives of our 440,000 members, Calgary Co-op's Board is pleased support the expansion of Calgary Co-op's commitment to health and wellness, while providing Calgary Co-op members with the benefit of annual net earnings from the Community Natural Foods business," said Patricia McLeod, Board Chair for Calgary Co-op. 

With more than 100 years of combined community presence and a similar value set, both Calgary Co-op and Community Natural Foods are looking forward to learning from each other and taking the Community Natural Foods brand further as part of the Calgary Co-op family. 

"I really want to thank Calgarians for their loyalty and the Community Natural Foods team for their passion to provide our city with natural and organic food," said Garry Wilkes, Community Natural Foods founder and owner. "It's been an amazing 42-year journey and it was my personal wish to sell to a buyer who would steward the Community Natural Foods business and brand carefully and thoughtfully. I believe the Calgary Co-op team is the perfect fit as our two organizations share similar values and a deep connection to this community," he added. 

"For Calgary Co-op's food business to survive and thrive in the long term, we must work locally to increase the relevance of our unique offering of products and services to members' lifestyles," said Ken Keelor, CEO, Calgary Co-op. "We must also deliver steady financial performance for our member-owned co-operative. This acquisition is an important step in that direction."

Calgary Co-op plans to operate Community Natural Foods as an independent, wholly owned subsidiary - with the same commitment to local and organic products and the current staff and management structure in place. "Our entire team looks forward to connecting with the passion and expertise of our Community Natural Foods colleagues," said Keelor.

As the market and demand for local, healthy and convenient products continues to grow, Calgary Co-op is committed to sourcing even more products directly from local producers and farmers. A key part of that will be maintaining and growing the relationships Community Natural Foods has built with its vendors over the years, many of them local. 

Community Natural Foods would like to thank CIBC Mid Market Investment Banking for acting as its exclusive financial advisor.

About Community Natural Foods 
A well-established organic and natural food retailer, Community Natural Foods was started in 1977 by the Wilkes brothers. It soon grew out of its original location on 11th Avenue SW, moving to its current 10th Avenue Market and Café location. It expanded in 2000 (Chinook Station Market) and again in 2013 (Crowfoot Market). 

About Calgary Co-op 
Owned by members, Calgary Co-op is one of the largest retail co-operatives in North America. Our locations in Calgary, Airdrie, Cochrane, High River, Okotoks and Strathmore include: food centres, pharmacies, gas stations, car washes, commercial cardlocks, home health care centres, wine, spirits and beer locations, and cannabis. With over 400,000 members, 3,850 employees, assets of $627 million and annual sales of $1.3 billion, Calgary Co-op was recognized as one of Alberta's Top 75 Employers of 2019, and is committed to delivering an exceptional customer experience through inspired team members. For more information please visit www.calgarycoop.com

SOURCE Calgary Co-Operative Association Limited (Calgary Co-op)