Celebrate Business Excellence in the CBRM!

The anticipation has been building, and the moment has finally arrived to reveal the exceptional individuals and businesses that have emerged as finalists for the 33rd Excellence in Business Awards. These remarkable finalists have demonstrated excellence, innovation, and a commitment to our vibrant community. Without further ado, let’s celebrate their achievements!

Finalist's Announced!

We recognize achievement with 11 Excellence in Business Awards and 5 People’s Choice Awards. Inductees are nominated within the community and selected by a judging committee comprised of 10 members from local business organizations through the CBRM.

Business of the Year

Business of the Year

Sponsored by - GFL Environmental

2023 Finalists:
CBCL Engineering & Environmental Design Services
Lindsay Construction
Maskwiomin

New Business of the Year

New Business of the Year

Sponsored by - Shannon School of Business

2023 Finalists:
Bud's Speedway
Cape Breton Barks
Cape Breton Tour Company

Schwartz Family Business Person of the Year

Schwartz Family Business Person of the Year

Sponsored by - Membertou

2023 Finalists:
Brian Purchase
Janet MacDonald
Traci Breski

Jack Yazer Young Entrepreneur of the Year

Jack Yazer Young Entrepreneur of the Year

Sponsored by -

2023 Finalists:
Emily Pelley
Matt Stewart
Wesley Colford

Innovation and Advancement Award

Innovation and Advancement Award

Sponsored by -

2023 Finalists:
Carbide Secure
Eskasoni Cold Logistics
The Verschuren Centre

Beyond Borders Exporter of the Year

Beyond Borders Exporter of the Year

Sponsored by - Invest Nova Scotia

2023 Finalists:
Clearwater Seafoods
Sundaylace Creations & Bling
Trans-Atlantic Preforms

Community Impact Award

Community Impact Award

Sponsored by - Eskasoni Corporate

2023 Finalists:
Colbourne Auto
Island Dog Lodge
Tara Forgeron Psychology & Associates

Social Enterprise of the Year

Social Enterprise of the Year

Sponsored by - 101.9 The Hot

2023 Finalists:
Haley Street
Horizon Achievement Centre

Workplace Excellence Award

Workplace Excellence Award

Sponsored by - Nova Scotia Power

2023 Finalists:
Chews Local
Emerald Isle
Tara Forgeron Psychology & Associates Inc.

Newcomer Entrepreneur of the Year

Newcomer Entrepreneur of the Year

Sponsored by - Cape Breton Partnership

2023 Finalists:
Ankit Wadhwa
Guntas Bras & Parteek Pal Singh Brar
Thomas Engelhardt

Economic Development Leadership Award

Economic Development Leadership Award

Sponsored by - Air Canada

2023 Finalists:
Cape Breton Partnership
Northside BIDA
Nova Scotia Construction Sector Council

People's Choice Awards - Sponsored by Nova Scotia Association of Realtors

In July, we collected nominations for the People’s Choice Awards in the following five categories: Favourite Place to Shop in the CBRM, Favourite Place to Eat in the CBRM, Favourite Community Project in the CBRM, Best Customer Service, and Best Social Media Channel. The nominees on the list have been compiled from the nominations received from the general public. 

So, what’s next? The power is now in your hands! It’s time to rally your friends, family, and colleagues to join in and support your favourite businesses and organizations. You have the chance to cast your vote once every 24 hours until midnight on October 1. 

We will announce the finalists the first week of October and the winners will be announced on the evening of October 20, 2023, at the Excellence in Business Awards!

  1. Beyond Borders Exporter of the Year Award sponsored by Nova Scotia Business Inc

    • CoPol International

    Innovation & Advancement Award sponsored by Eskasoni Corporate

    • Nova Scotia Power Makerspace

    Social Enterprise of the Year Award sponsored by The Hot 101.9

    • New Dawn

    Newcomer Entrepreneur of the Year Award sponsored by Cape Breton Local Immigration Partnership

    • Kalie Wang – Urban Grow Farms

    Community Impact Award sponsored Award by Membertou

    • Eltuek Arts Centre

    Charitable Committee or Organization of the Year Award

    • Membertou Men’s Society

    Workplace Excellence of the Year Award sponsored by Nova Scotia Community College

    • Anchored Ideas

    Jack Yazer Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award sponsored by Northern Contracting Limited

    • James MacDonald & Joseph Matheson

    Schwartz Family Business Person of the Year Award sponsored by Scoitabank

    • Michelle Aucoin – Learnability

    Economic Development Leadership Award sponsored by Air Canada

    • Eskasoni Corporate

    New Business of the Year sponsored by GFL Environmental

    • Island Dog Lodge

    Business of the Year Award

    • Membertou Corporate

     

    People’s Choice Awards sponsored by Air Canada

    Favourite Place to Shop in the CBRM

    • Lillian Company

    Favourite Place to Eat in the CBRM

    • Commercial Street Deli

    Favourite Community Project

    • Caleb’s Courage

    Best Customer Service in the CBRM

    • Dominion Pharmasave

    Best Social Media

    • MacRae Home Hardware
  2. Beyond Borders Exporter of the Year Award sponsored by Nova Scotia Business Inc

    • 45Drives

    Innovation & Advancement Award sponsored by Membertou Development

    • Protocase Inc.

    Social Enterprise of the Year Award sponsored by CBU Shannon School of Business

    • Breton Ability Centre

    Immigrant Entrepreneur of the Year Award sponsored by Cape Breton Local Immigration Partnership

    • Athar Ahmad – Mian’s Restaurant

    Community Impact Award sponsored Award by Coldwell Banker

    • Community Cares Youth Outreach

    Charitable Committee or Organization of the Year Award sponsored by Colbourne Cares

    • Hospice Cape Breton

    Workplace Excellence of the Year Award sponsored by HOT 101.9

    • NSCC – Marconi Campus

    Jack Yazer Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award sponsored by Sampson MacPhee

    • Mariah Battiste – Sundaylace Creations & Bling

    Rose Schwartz Female Business Person of the Year Award sponsored by Scotiabank

    • Charlene Anderson – Charlene’s Nutrition Centre

    Irving Schwartz Male Business Person of the Year Award sponsored by Nova Scotia Community College

    • Bob Pelley – Innovacorp

    New Business of the Year Award sponsored by Cape Breton Regional Chamber of Commerce

    • Island Folk Cider House

    Business of the Year Award sponsored by Northern Contracting Limited

    • NovaStream

     

    People’s Choice Awards sponsored by Air Canada

    Favourite Place to Shop in the CBRM

    • Emerald Island Gift Shop

    Favourite Place to Eat in the CBRM

    • Commercial Street Deli

    Favourite Community Project

    • Coats for Kids

    Favourite Thing to Do/Experience in the CBRM

    • Two Rivers Wildlife Park

    CBRM Citizen of the Year

    • Alyssa Rose
  3. Business of the Year

      Northern Contracting Ltd.

    Rose Schwartz Female Business Person of the Year

      Shannon Forrester – The Forrester Production Group

    Irving Schwartz Male Business Person of the Year

      Chris Robertson – Home Instead Senior Care

    Jack Yazer Young Entrepreneur of the Year

      Andrew Morrow & Bryan MacDonald – Breton Brewing Co.

    New Business of the Year

      Fired Creations Painted Pottery Cafe

    Innovation & Advancement Award

      Cornerstone Research Group

    Social Enterprise of the Year

      The Best of Cape Breton Gift Shop

    Community Impact Award

      The Highland Arts Theatre

    Workplace Excellence Award

      Seaside Communications

    Beyond Borders Exporter of the Year

      Protocase

    Charitable Committee or Organization of the Year

      Cape Breton Regional Hospital Foundation

    People’s Choice: Favourite Place to Eat in the CBRM

      Commercial Street Deli

    People’s Choice: Favourite Place to Shop in the CBRM

      Get Nauti

    People’s Choice: Favourite Community Project in the CBRM

      Rotary Sydney’s Ribfest

    People’s Choice: Favourite Thing to Do/Experience in the CBRM

      The Highland Arts Theatre

    People’s Choice: CBRM Citizen of the Year

      Austin Chapman