The Innovation Speaker Series, presented in collaboration with the Canadian Environmental Network, is a dynamic platform showcasing cutting-edge, climate-focused technologies and social enterprises making a difference in Atlantic Canada and beyond. These events highlight passionate innovators and create opportunities for collaboration and education, with the goal of advancing community-driven climate solutions. Featured Initiative: Paper Trail Paper Trail is a zero-waste social enterprise transforming otherwise discarded paper waste—such as old textbooks, novels, and magazines—into eco-friendly fuel bricks. This initiative offers a sustainable alternative to firewood, reducing landfill waste and providing a cleaner-burning, longer-lasting energy solution. Paper Trail is powered by students at Enactus Okanagan College.​ https://www.papertrailok.ca/ The process diverts unrecyclable books and paper from landfills, using natural beeswax to bind the material.​ These eco-bricks are now available at several Co-Op Store locations in the Okanagan Valley.​ The project was awarded $3,000 from the Canadian Tire Environmental Sustainability Challenge, winning national recognition for its innovative approach to sustainability and circular economy principles.​ "Fueling sustainability, brick by brick." Why Paper Trail? Significantly reduces landfill waste by upcycling materials that are otherwise difficult to recycle.​ Provides a cleaner, longer-burning alternative to firewood, benefitting both the environment and local communities.​ Exemplifies circular economy thinking by turning waste into a valuable energy product.​ Supports local partnerships and educates others in climate action through social enterprise.​

Innovation Speaker Series: Revolutionizing Potato Farming in PEI with 360 Rain Featuring Emily Cowin Entrepreneur | Engineer | Sustainability Consultant | Yoga Teacher | Life CoachCo-founder, Boxing Rock Brewing Company & 46 AG Agricultural Technology Meet Emily Cowin Emily Cowin embodies the spirit of innovation from Atlantic Canada. With her diverse expertise and passion for sustainable change, she brings a groundbreaking story to our October stage. A First for Potatoes — Right Here in PEI 46 AG is leading the charge as Atlantic Canada’s dealer for 360 Rain — an advanced, adaptive irrigation system. Emily and her team are the first in the world to adapt 360 Rain for potatoes on industrial-scale farms here on Prince Edward Island. The Innovation: 360 Rain Irrigation System What Is 360 Rain? An autonomous, computer-guided machine designed to deliver water, nutrients, even manure directly to each plant’s base, day and night. Provides full field coverage, optimizes resource use, and works on irregular-shaped fields that traditional pivots can’t reach. Smarter, Sustainable Farming Cuts Water Consumption by Half: Early results show that 360 Rain uses significantly less water than traditional irrigation—helping farmers conserve our most precious resource. Supports Yield & Quality: By spoon-feeding potatoes right at the root zone, crops stay healthy and uniform—improving overall yields and quality. Boosts Local Innovation: 46 AG isn’t just importing technology—they’re pioneering new approaches that make industrial farming more sustainable and efficient. Why This Matters Not just a fairy tale: This technology is transforming how industrial-scale potato farms work—making what they do better, greener, and more resilient. Fits the Innovation Speaker Series: Real-world, scalable solutions for sustainability, made and tested right here in Atlantic Canada. Why Attend Emily Cowin’s Talk? Hear how one entrepreneur is changing the food system from the ground up. Discover hands-on insights from adapting leading-edge technology for local conditions. Connect with changemakers dedicated to regenerative, practical solutions for industry and environment.

Innovation Speaker Series: Inspector in a Box Did You Know? In Canada: More than 80,000 Indigenous homes need repairs, and over 14,000 require full replacement. In the U.S.: Over 68,000 Native American homes are classified as substandard—many have never even been inspected. The Problem Access to safe, quality housing in Indigenous communities has been blocked by reliance on outside inspectors. This process is costly, slow, and often leads to poor results. Critical funding is delayed and families are left in unsafe conditions. The Solution: Inspector in a Box Inspector in a Box: Developed For Indigenous, By Indigenous Provides your community with cutting-edge tools, training, and technology—empowering local members to inspect homes themselves. Build Local Capacity: Become the experts your community needs. Strengthen Your Housing System: Reliable, culturally-aware inspections lead to smarter repairs and better outcomes. Get the Funding You Deserve: Fast-tracked, trustworthy inspections unlock critical housing dollars. Why Attend Stan Knight’s Talk? Discover how Indigenous communities are flipping the script on traditional inspection systems. Learn about actionable steps you can take to improve housing—and lives—across Turtle Island. Connect with leaders and changemakers invested in sustainable, community-driven solutions. Join Us | September 24th @ 1 PM AT. Empower your community. Advocate for dignified housing. Be part of transformative change. Ready for Action? Explore Inspector in a Box — Learn More: http://zacharyknightenterprises.com/inspector-in-a-box/

Dan Hendry is the co-founder and driving force behind the Get on the Bus movement, driven by Small Change Fund. A passionate advocate for public transportation and youth empowerment, Dan has spent over a decade promoting public transportation options and engaging young people in their communities. Dan's work on the Kingston Transit High School Bus Pass program inspired the Get on the Bus movement, and his dedication and leadership have been instrumental in its success. In this session, Dan will share insights on: ✅ The power of youth-led climate action ✅ How public transit can drive sustainability and economic resilience ✅ Strategies to build stronger connections between communities and government

Join us for an insightful discussion with Dr. Andy Hira, Professor and Chair of Political Science at Simon Fraser University, as he explores the role of the Clean Energy Research Group (CERG) in advancing climate solutions. Since 2019, CERG has been bridging the gap between researchers, engineers, and policymakers, translating complex technical issues—like LNG emissions and nuclear energy—into actionable policy insights. Dr. Hira will share the evolution of CERG, its impact on climate policy, and future opportunities for collaboration. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how independent research can shape the green transition and circular economy. Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with a leading expert in global energy policy! Andy Hira is a Professor and Chair of Political Science at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, BC. He specialises in Global Political Economy, Energy Policy, and International Development. He runs the Clean Energy Research Group, a community of practice around green transition and circular economy policies (https://www.sfu.ca/politics/CERG.html). The author of over 100 peer-reviewed publications, his most recent include: a book on ESG reporting https://anthempress.com/the-smoke-and-mirrors-game-of-global-csr-reporting-pb; an article on solar policy https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772940024000304, and an article on plastic upcycling experiments https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772912524000630?via%3Dihub

Join us for a captivating presentation by Jake Arsenault, a serial high-tech entrepreneur and co-founder of The Black Arcs. Jake will delve into the world of digital twins and their transformative potential in land-use planning. Discover how interactive digital twins can provide valuable insights into the benefits and drawbacks of different land-use decisions. By modelling the relationships between housing, amenities, transportation, and other factors, these digital tools empower communities to make informed choices about their future. This talk will showcase a made in NB civic innovation - advanced and on-the-spot analysis using interactive digital twins of specific communities. Interactive digital twins can help most people better understand the benefits and potential blow-back of land-use decisions. For example, once can easily model the relationship between new housing, amenity placement, vehicle emissions and changes to transit. The initial concept was to make data more meaningful through interactive predictive data analytics presented much like a video game. This idea is now a reality. The talk will demonstrate the interactive digital twin of the City of Peachtree Corners currently on display in the Smart City facility Curiosity Labs in Georgia USA. Learn about: The power of digital twins in land-use planning The benefits of interactive data visualization Real-world applications of digital twins The future of civic innovation Speaker Bio: Jake Arsenault is a serial high-tech entrepreneur with a PhD in engineering from the University of New Brunswick (UNB). He co-founded The Black Arcs in 2014 to address unmet needs in land-use planning. Jake has a proven track record of bringing together people, ideas, and technology to create innovative solutions. Don't miss this opportunity to gain insights into the future of urban planning and the transformative power of digital tools.

Join us for a captivating presentation by Andrew Murray, CEO of Aslan Renewables, as he shares his groundbreaking approach to revitalizing abandoned hydro sites across North America. Discover how Aslan is harnessing the power of the past to create a sustainable energy future. Event Description In this thought-provoking session, Andrew will delve into the untapped potential of abandoned hydro sites, exploring their historical significance and their role in powering communities throughout the region. He will discuss Aslan's innovative technology and strategies for reactivating these sites, highlighting the environmental and economic benefits of restoring these renewable energy sources. Learn about: The untapped potential of abandoned hydro sites: Discover the vast reserves of clean energy hidden within these forgotten structures. Aslan's innovative technology: Explore the cutting-edge solutions Aslan is using to revitalize these sites efficiently and sustainably. The benefits of community-owned energy systems: Understand how Aslan is empowering communities to take control of their energy future. The role of sustainable energy in addressing climate change: Learn how Aslan's work contributes to a cleaner, greener planet. Speaker Bio Andrew Murray is a seasoned entrepreneur and sustainability advocate with a passion for renewable energy. As the CEO of Aslan Renewables, he has led the company's mission to revitalize abandoned hydro sites and promote sustainable energy solutions. With a background in scientific research and a successful track record in technology, Andrew brings a unique perspective to the field of renewable energy. Don't miss this opportunity to gain insights into the future of sustainable energy and the positive impact it can have on our communities.