The Digby Institute agenda provides an overview of the upcoming conference being hosted by Maritrain Ltd. in Digby, Nova Scotia from September 26-29, 2002. It will include keynote speakers, panel discussions on topics like e-learning and workforce development, demonstrations of technology, and social activities highlighting Acadian culture. Panelists will represent organizations from across Canada and abroad involved in education, training and employment. The schedule and details are provided to help attendees prepare for the rewarding and fellowship experience at The Digby Institute.

1. The Digby Institute
Ryan MacNeil’s
Event Program
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2. The Digby Institute
It brings me great pleasure to provide you
with this advance agenda for Maritrain‟s
upcoming Digby Institute. Debbie and I,
and all the staff at Maritrain, are excited
that you will be joining us for business and fellowship at The
Pines this September. We are now in the final stages of
putting together a refreshing and rewarding experience that
I know you will love.
In the following pages you will find a preview of both the
professional and personal aspects of the event. We have
also included some details on who will be in attendance,
including speakers, delegates and panelists. Hopefully this
document will help with your mental preparations.
As the date approaches please be aware that our
conference coordinator, Ryan MacNeil, is available to help
you in any way he can. Feel free to contact Ryan at 1-902-
431-8022 or Rmacneil@maritrain.com.
See you in Digby!
Tim Alison
President, Maritrain Ltd.
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3. The Digby Institute
About Your Hosts
Vision Statement
The mission of Maritrain Limited is to make a positive difference in the lives of youth and adults,
primarily through a variety of workplace e-learning tools. These resources will assist them in
achieving their highest potential, as they grow to become confident, competent, and job
ready individuals. This will be achieved by providing leadership and standards of excellence
in sourcing best-in-class software and partnership formation with industry, government and/or
not for profit enterprises.
Mission
Prosperity through People, Processes and Products.
President Timothy J. Alison founded Maritrain Limited (Maritrain) in 1988 to assist individuals and
organizations realize their potential. With twenty years experience in e-learning, Mr. Alison
knows the products that work. He understands that a product in and of itself can be of little
value. Therefore, he is committed to sourcing the best products and working collaboratively
with individuals, governments, community colleges and not-for-profit organizations to develop
practical implementation processes designed to ensure success and maximum benefit to the
learners. He knows people make a difference and has assembled an expert team of
individuals who share his philosophy. These leadership qualities are what have earned him
and his company an international reputation.
Maritrain is recognized as an outstanding provider of e-learning applications for Adult
Education and Workforce Development programs. Clients of Maritrain know that by using the
expertise of the company their dollars will be maximized to use the available monetary
resources to get the best-in-class and best-fit products to meet their identified needs. Perhaps
most important is the confidence clients have in Maritrain based on the professional and
principled approach in business dealings.
The people at Maritrain know that the most important goal is to meet the needs of people first.
That is why they listen to the needs of their clients and tailor products and services to meet
those needs. The people at Maritrain come from varied backgrounds and work together to
assist the client from product identification to training your staff to the successful
implementation of the program. The process is ongoing in identifying products that will assist
individuals in life long learning.
A unique part of Maritrain‟s business structure is the emphasis on partnership. Maritrain does
not just sell a product. Maritrain works with you to obtain the best possible pricing and the
delivery of the best product.
The Maritrain team, under the leadership of Mr. Alison, is committed to improving individuals‟
marketable skills by providing each individual with the tools to obtain the workplace skills that
are needed to find lasting and satisfying employment in a rapidly changing world.
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4. The Digby Institute
Schedule
Thursday, September 26, 2002
12:00 - 6:00 Delegates arrive at the Digby Pines, register in the main lobby, and get settled
into their rooms
6:30 - 9:30 Welcome reception on the veranda (tons of food and a cash bar)
Friday, September 27, 2002
8:00 - 8:30 Continental Breakfast
8:30 - 9:10 Welcome Ceremony
9:10 - 10:30 Keynote: Hon. John Crosbie
10:30 - 10:45 Healthy Nutrition Break
10:45 - 12:15 Panel A
- Dr. Trent Keough, College of the North Atlantic- Qatar
- Tim Alison, Maritrain Ltd.
- Veronica Lacey, The Learning Partnership
12:15 - 1:15 Lunch
1:15 - 2:45 Panel B
- Dr. André Roberge, Université Ste-Anne
- Pierce Quinlan, Learnscape Corporation
- Dr. John Price, Conference Board of Canada Skills Forum
- Break -
Acadian Adventure (casual dress)
4:15 - 4:30 Board buses in front of main building
4:30 - 6:00 Driving Tour of Nova Scotia's Acadian Shore
6:00 - 7:00 Cash Bar Reception
7:00 - 8:30 Lobster Dinner
- Guest Speaker: Hon. Robert Thibault, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans
9:00 - 10:30 Entertainment by "La Baie en Joie" dancers and local musicians
10:45 - 11:30 Travel back to The Pines
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5. The Digby Institute
Saturday, September 28, 2002
8:30 - 9:00 Continental Breakfast
9:00 - 10:30 Panel C
- Janice Wismer, Canadian Tire
- Allister Surette, Collège de l'Acadie
- Al Norman, Connect-NB-Branché
10:30 - 10:45 Healthy Nutrition Break
10:45 - 12:30 Demonstrations of Best Practices in e-Learning Technologies (choose 3 of 4)
- Learnscape
- Employability Skills Toolkit
- Mediaclick‟s Beginning Level Literacy
- VuBiz.com
12:30 - 1:30 Lunch
1:30 - 3:00 Panel D
- Gordon Michael, Halifax Inner City Initiative
- John Henry, Workplace Skills Training Partnership
- John Bulloch, VuBiz
- Break -
6:00 - 10:00 Gala Banquet (semi-formal dress)
- Keynote: Tim Alison, President, Maritrain Ltd.
- Concert by Laura Smith
10:00 - ? Social Time
Sunday, September 29, 2002
9:00 - 11:00 Workplace Skills Training Partnership Working Breakfast
(for members of the partnership and advisory committee)
11:00 - 2:00 Tee Times for those who are interested
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6. The Digby Institute
Keynote Speaker
The Hon. John Crosbie
Former Federal Cabinet Minister
A knowledgable and commanding speaker, John Crosbie treats his
audiences to a combination of world-class acumen and homespun
wisdom.
John Crosbie is known throughout Canada as a man who speaks his
mind, with the result that he is often found at the heart of an issue or debate.
During his 28 years in political life Crosbie was Federal Minister of Finance, Justice,
Transportation, Fisheries and Oceans, International Trade, as well as Attorney General. As
Minister of International Trade, he was responsible for directing Canada's global trade
activities, including the Canada-US Free Trade Agreement and the entry into the NAFTA
negotiations.
John continues to speak out on the issues of the day with a lethal combination of candor,
devastating wit and an unwillingness to yield to the dictates of political correctness of the
day... something that Canadians have come to expect and appreciate.
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7. The Digby Institute
Entertainment
Friday’s Acadian Adventure
On Friday, September 27, conference delegates will be transported to Clare for an
extravagant glimpse at Acadian culture. Master of Ceremonies for the evening will be the
Hon. Robert Thibault, Canada's Minister of Fisheries and Oceans. Starting at "Le Chateaux", the
student pub at Université Sainte-Anne, delegates will mingle at a cash-bar reception. A full
course lobster dinner with traditional Acadian cuisine will follow. After dinner the group will
walk across the road to the university theatre for an evening of traditional Acadian
entertainment featuring "La Baie en Joie" dancers, and Acadian performing sensations
Chrystal Thibault and René Leblanc.
Guest Speaker
On January 15, 2002, Prime Minister Jean Chrétien announced the
appointment of Robert G. Thibault, as Minister of Fisheries and Oceans.
Robert G. Thibault was first elected to the House of Commons in November,
2000. Before becoming Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, he served as
Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency). He has been
active in municipal government, serving the District of Argyle as Clerk-
Treasurer, and the region of Clare, Nova Scotia as an elected municipal councilor.
Mr. Thibault has also been an involved member of his community. He was Chair of the Board
of Governors of Université Sainte-Anne, and is a past president of a number of associations,
including the Association of Municipal Administrators, the Acadian Federation of Nova Scotia
and the Clare Chamber of Commerce. He has been a small business owner, and has worked
as an economic advisor and regional coordinator for the Acadian Federation of Nova
Scotia. He is the Regional Minister for Nova Scotia.
The Entertainers
La Baie en Joie is a troop of young Acadian dancers
that uses lively color and rhythm to showcase the
traditions of their ancestry. With the rhythmic step of
“la gigue”, la Baie en Joie uses accessories such as
wooden spoons, fishing net and the Acadian flag to
evoke their culture.
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8. The Digby Institute
Saturday’s Gala Banquet and Concert
Saturday evening‟s festivities will kick-off with the conference‟s Gala Banquet. This four course
meal will be a true taste of dining luxury. Digby Pines Chef Claude Aucoin is a three-time gold
medalist and a senior member of Nova Scotia's Culinary Team. The team won a gold medal at
the 1998 Atlantic Provinces Culinary Exhibition and a silver medal at the Cup of Nations
Culinary Exhibition in 1999. Delegates are in for quite a treat.
A spirited performance by Laura Smith will follow dinner. A Juno Nominee, Gemini winner, and
two-time ECMA winner, Smith‟s moving lyrics and amazing voice will make for a great evening.
Laura Smith
Laura Smith's music is direct and honest. Fiddles and
guitars gently lift and carry her spirited vocals, while her
melodies and careful poetry dig deep.
Her 1994 album “b'tween the earth and my soul”
elicited unbounded critical acclaim, enormous airplay,
national television appearances and a hungry
demand for live performances. From the stages of
Denmark to Newport Rhode Island to Vancouver to the Yukon, Smith has shared the secrets of
her soul, laying out for rapt audiences her private, yet ultimately universal experiences.
In 1996, she won two East Coast Music Awards (Female Artist, Album of the Year) and two
Juno nominations (for Best New Solo Artist and Best Roots and Traditional Album). In 1995, her
song "Shade of Your Love" was the most played AC song in Canada. In 1997, she won a
Gemini Award for Best Performance in a Performing Arts Program or Series. At the request of
CBC radio personality, Peter Gzowski, who was receiving a Governor's General Award, she
performed "My Bonny" at the prestigious Ottawa ceremony. Her heartbreaking adaptation of
the Scottish chestnut, on “b'tween the earth and my soul,” had haunted the broadcast host
since he first heard it. Of the evening, she recalls, "It will always stand as one of the great
honours of my career."
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9. The Digby Institute
Sunday’s Conference Golf Round
On Sunday Maritrain will be hosting a round of golf as a final farewell to conference delegates
and guests. This is sure to be a great time for golf-addicts and newbies alike. Sign up when you
register, or by contacting the conference co-ordinator.
The Course
Digby has been blessed with one of Canada's finest golf courses designed by Stanley
Thompson, the famous Canadian architect who was responsible for such world-class courses
as Banff Springs, Jasper Park and the Highlands Links in Cape Breton.
The challenging 18-hole championship layout winds it way
through picturesque pine trees and over a winding brook
which widens into ponds on holes 2 and 16. The true beauty
of Nova Scotia has been captured and retained for our
golfing pleasure.
When golf writers across Canada were asked to select two
of the most picturesque and challenging golf holes in the
country, the par-3 second hole was one of their choices. This
often-photographed hole has been the scene of many thousands of golf balls splashing in the
pond and lots of frustrated golfers.
The Toronto Star once ranked our number 7 hole thirteenth in a selection of Canada's toughest
eighteen, noting that few golfers ever make par. Back in 1968 our club pro, Nick Nickerson, the
current pro, Bill Nickerson's father, confessed to a 14 on this hole. Until recently this was a par 6
for ladies however it is now 75 yards shorter and they can play to the same par as the men. So
enjoy this piece of golfers heaven and smell the pine needles as you experience a course of
which we are very proud.
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10. The Digby Institute
Panelists
Outside of the two keynote addresses, the remainder of the professional agenda at The
Digby Institute is spent in Panel Discussions. Unlike other conferences, at the Digby Institute
delegates help determine the agenda! We have chosen panelists from our list of invited
guests.
Panel discussions feature brief presentations from each panelist. Each presenter will share
what his/her organization has accomplished and the opportunities s/he sees for future
partnerships. These presentations aim to stimulate the extensive discussions that will take
place throughout the three days. Following each set of three panel presentations, delegates
on the floor will disperse into breakout areas where they can become actively engaged in
one of the topics: making comments, posing questions, and sharing their own experiences.
The focus rests squarely on current and future innovations -- at The Digby Institute we are in
search of solutions, not problems.
Panel A (Friday 10:45 - 12:15)
Dr. Trent Keough, President
College of the North Atlantic – Qatar
Doha, Qatar
The College of the North Atlantic - Qatar is being established as a
comprehensive post-secondary institution offering internationally
recognized Canadian Engineering Technology Programs as well as
a range of other programs and services in the country of Qatar.
Opening in September 2002, program options will include
Petroleum, Mechanical, and Electrical (Industrial Controls); Office
Administration; Business Management; and Information
Communications Technology. Dr. Keough brings a perspective
uniquely influenced by the cultural challenges facing the college,
as well as extensive work in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Veronica Lacey, Executive Director
The Learning Partnership
Toronto, Ontario
The Learning Partnership is a not-for-profit organization
dedicated to bringing together business, education, labour,
policy makers and the community to develop partnerships
that strengthen public education in Canada. More than
one million students and teachers have participated in one
or more TLP programs since its inception in 1993. Ms. Lacey
will relay some of TLP‟s successful experiences while
discussing the challenges and opportunities that relate to e-
learning in Canada‟s public education systems.
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11. The Digby Institute
Larry Wucherer, Executive Director
The Centre for Aboriginal Human Resource Development
Winnipeg Manitoba
The Centre for Aboriginal Human Resource Development (CAHRD)
is a community-driven, non-profit human resource development
organization serving Winnipeg's Aboriginal community. Its vision is to
share the responsibility of self-determination for all Aboriginal people
in Winnipeg by providing quality education, training and
employment opportunities through partnerships with community,
educational institutions, business/industry and government. Mr.
Wucherer will speak to this vision and the associated challenges.
Panel B (Friday 1:15 - 2:45)
Pierce Quinlan, Chairman & CEO
Learnscape Corporation
Landover, Maryland
Learnscape Corporation offers a complete range of computer-
based training products and services including self-paced,
computer-based basic reading and math skills, employment and
life skills and specific job skills. Learnscape also provides privatized
services to state, provincial and local governments in managing
welfare-to-work, dislocated worker, and school-to-work programs.
Mr. Quinlan has held senior management positions in both the Not-
for-Profit and Private sector. Currently founder and Chairman of
Learnscape Corporation, Pierce brings a wealth of experience in
the publishing sector to the institute.
Dr. John Price, Chair
SKILLS FORUM, Conference Board of Canada
Burlington, Ontario
Dr. Price will provide an update on the new on-line version of the
Employability Skills Toolkit. Building upon the contributions of the
many members of the CBoC Skills forum, the on-line version of the
Employability Skills Toolkit was designed to help people understand
and develop the eleven skills and fifty-six subskills that have been
identified through CboC‟s extensive labour-market research.
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12. The Digby Institute
Dr. André Roberge, Recteur et Vice-chancelier
Université Sainte-Anne
Pointe-de-l’Église, Nova Scotia
University Sainte-Anne, the oldest French language university in
Atlantic Canada, offers its students programmes in arts, education,
businesses administration and science. The university is praised for
maintaining more than one professor for every 10 students, and a
graduate placement rate of 98%. Dr. Roberge will discuss his
thoughts on solving the challenges faced by a French language
institution and society on an English continent.
Panel C (Saturday 9:00 - 10:30)
Janice Wismer, Vice President Human Resources
Canadian Tire Corporation
Toronto, Ontario
In mid-2001, Canadian Tire Corporation launched its web-based
„learning on demand‟ network. Through this initiative, 100 modules
of product knowledge and customer service training are available
in English and French to front-line store employees across Canada.
To date 5,000 employees in nearly 400 stores have completed e-
learning modules. Ms. Wismer will discuss, in very real terms, the
power e-learning has to address the challenges that face retail
operations across North America.
Allister Surette, Président - directeur général
Collège de l'Acadie
La Butte, Nova Scotia
At Collège de l‟Acadie, students and teaching staff utilize user-
friendly leading edge technology for courses, assignments and
communication. To bring students and staff together every day
despite the great distances that separate various Acadian regions
of Nova Scotia and P.E.I., Collège de l‟Acadie relies on various
audiographic, videoconferencing and interactive document
exchange systems.
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13. The Digby Institute
Al Norman, E-Learning Coordinator
Connect NB Branché
Upper Cloverdale, New Brunswick
Connect NB Branché is an agency of the New Brunswick
Department of Education that coordinates community based
activities and strategies to encourage the use of the information
highway. It is an organizing body representing a network of 200
Community Access Centres across New Brunswick. The organization
has successfully leveraged its C@P sites to deliver the first-ever
virtual GED program as well as basic and certified online computer
training courses.
Panel D (Saturday 1:30 - 3:00)
John Henry, Executive Director
Workplace Skills Training Partnership
Truro, Nova Scotia
The Workplace Skills Training Partnership is a dynamic partnership
initiative with national scope that is working to build, test and
evaluate a technology-based model for skills development.
Responding to Canada‟s skills shortage challenge, the Partnership
seeks to increase the use of e-learning technologies for delivering
the workplace skills training needed to help individuals maximize
their opportunity to participate in the workplace. John will share his
thoughts on the pros and cons of e-learning and explain how a
dedicated network enhances the likelihood of success for
adopters.
John Bulloch, Founder & CEO
Vubiz
Mississauga/Toronto, Ontario
John F. Bulloch is the Founder and Past President of the Canadian
Federation of Independent Business, an organization founded in
1971, that represents the interests of small and medium-sized
Canadian owned enterprises. He is now founder and CEO of Vubiz,
an e-learning company that provides clients with a full range of
services - from customized courseware production to distribution
and management. Mr. Bulloch will discuss the two unique strategies
that make up the Vubiz e-learning distribution model.
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14. The Digby Institute
Delegates and Guests
Tim Alison John Henry Ryan MacNeil
President Executive Director Event Co-ordinator
Maritrain, Ltd. Workplace Skills Training Maritrain
Guest: Debbie Alison Partnership Guest: Amanda Dwyer
Guest: Bente Kristensen
Trudy Amirault Gordon Michael
Director Sharon Horne Coordinator
Western Counties Regional Executive Director Halifax Inner City Initiative
Library Rural Community Learning
Inc. David Nobbs
Steve Ashton Owner
Director, Aliant Careers Charlotte Janes Resort to Work
Aliant, Inc. Systems Manager/Special Guest: Louise Mailloux
Projects
Karen Bradford Annapolis Valley Regional Al Norman
Adult Educator Library E-Learning Coordinator
Corrections Canada Connect NB Branché
Donald Kasta Guest: Carolyn Norman
John Bulloch Director, Distance and
Founder & CEO Continuing Education Guy Poirier
Vubiz University of Waterloo Regional Director, Atlantic
Guest: Mary Bulloch Corrections Canada
Tim Kavanagh
Gérald Comeau Department of National Tom Porter
Senator Defense VP Business Development
The Senate of Canada Maritrain, Ltd.
Dr. Trent Keough Guest: Lois Porter
Bob Crockett President
Coach College of the North Atlantic- Dr. John Price
Qatar Chair
Patrick Cummins Skills Forum, Conference
Consultant Rafiq Khan Board of Canada
Senior Director, Strategic Guest: Carol Price
Collène Cyr Development
Smart Community Project Canarie Inc. Pierce Quinlan
Manager Chairman & CEO
Maritrain, Ltd. Guy LeBlanc Learnscape Corporation
Directeur Général
Gary Fehr Conseil scolaire acadien Jim Rapino
Director of e-Learning provincial President
CDI Corporate Education Vubiz
Services Mary Jo Lynch Guest: Rosemary Miklitsch
Guest: Maureen Fehr Senior Commerce Officer,
Service Industries Brian Reid
Basil Haire Industry Canada President & CEO
Consultant Britech Information Systems
Basil Haire Associates Bob MacKay
Guest: Mary Haire Deputy Minister
Nova Scotia Technology &
Science Secretariat
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15. The Digby Institute
André Roberge Mr. Paul Toupin Cairine Wilson
Recteur et Vice-chancelier Director, Organizational VP Innovation
Université Sainte-Anne Learning Canadian Institute of
United Way of Canada Chartered Accountants
Murray Shukyn Guest: Heather MacDonald
The Training Renewal Janice Wismer
Foundation Joel Ward Vice President Human
Guest: Beverley Shukyn Associate Dean, School of Resources
Bus. Canadian Tire Corporation
Allister Surette Sheridan College
Président-directeur général Gary Wood
Collège de l'Acadie Bruce Wilcox Connect NB Branché
Guest: Jill Surette Vice President of eBusiness
Harcourt Education Larry Wucherer
Ev Surgenor Guest: Leslie Wilcox Director, Programs &
Superintendant, SD20 Development
British Columbia Michael Williamson Centre for Aboriginal Human
Special Advisor on eLearning Resource Development
Skills and Learning Task Force,
HRDC Roy Zabierek
President
Bards More Services
Guest: Mary Zabierek
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16. The Digby Institute
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