MDR Strategy Group Ltd.

Happy long weekend, Canada!

Whether you're celebrating Civic Holiday in Ontario, Natal Day in Nova Scotia, or simply enjoying a well-deserved long weekend, we hope you have a fantastic time!

At MDR Strategy Group, we’re taking a moment to appreciate our journey and recharge for the exciting times ahead.

Wishing you a relaxing and joyful time off, wherever you are!

Today marks Emancipation Day in Canada, a significant moment in our nation's history.

On August 1, 1834, the Slavery Abolition Act came into effect and freed over 800,000 people of African descent across the British Empire.

We honour the resilience and contributions of Black Canadians, reflect on the struggles for freedom and justice, and continue the fight against racism and inequality. At MDR Strategy Group, we are 100% Black-owned and embrace the values of Afrocentric leadership. Our role is focused on community-driven leadership to proactively serve the public with the intent to drive social impact.

Learn more about Emancipation Day:

📢 We’re excited to introduce Toyin Aguda as MDR’s new Junior Associate, Digital Media!

Toyin will support MDR’s digital media initiatives, ensuring our clients’ online presence is impactful and engaging. She brings more than a decade of experience in journalism, content creation, and social media management.

Throughout her career, Toyin has successfully implemented strategies that creatively showcase organizations’ work and she has a proven track record of aligning content with organizational goals and delivering measurable results.

We look forward to introducing Toyin to our current and future clients!

📧 Want to enhance your organization’s online presence and communication strategies? Connect with Toyin and the rest of the MDR team by sending us a message or emailing [email protected] to learn how we can help.

We're excited to share the incredible success of our newly launched RegulatoryJobs Executive Recruitment service!

In just five months, we've filled five significant roles, partnering with several organizations eager to collaborate with us. This achievement underscores our deep-rooted presence in the Canadian regulatory sector as advisors, partners, and friends.

If you're looking to add senior-level talent to your organization, from managers to CEOs, contact us at [email protected] and follow us on our LinkedIn Page for regular updates. We're here to help strengthen your team.

Happy Pride Season! 🌈

This month, we celebrate love, acceptance, and the diversity from 2SLGBTQI+ individuals, and their invaluable contributions to society. No matter what your background is, let's unite to support equality, honour our shared humanity, and spread kindness! 🫶

June marks the beginning of National Indigenous History Month.

It's a time where we recognize the rich history, heritage, resilience and diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis.

MDR’s team is privileged to work from Mi’kma’ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq People, and from the traditional land of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabe, the Chippawa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat people.

We are grateful to work on these lands and thank the generations of people who have taken care of it and continue to do so.

Today, on International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia, we stand together against hate and discrimination of all kinds.

At MDR Strategy, our resolve to work towards a world with safer, healthier, greener, and more equitable communities remains firm. Let's continue to celebrate diversity, promote acceptance, and work towards a more inclusive world for all.

🌍 Happy Earth Day! 🌱

Today, we celebrate the planet all of us call home and reaffirm our commitment to making individual, community, and organizational positive changes for a sustainable future.

At MDR Strategy, we have an unconditional resolve to make our planet better day-by-day day through work with a social impact.

By working together, we can make a difference and ensure our planet remains strong for generations to come.

Here’s to another successful Fraud Prevention Month! ✅

As wraps up, we’d like to express appreciation to campaign partners and consumers across Canada who’ve participated and spread awareness about fraud. The campaign’s official hashtags were reached by over 16 million people on X (Twitter) alone!

Watch Competition Bureau Canada’s new video on cryptocurrency investment scams: https://lnkd.in/edzUqhQC

: Remain vigilant and only engage with trusted sources that are verifiable! 🤝

Considering crypto investing? Make sure to vet the organization thoroughly beforehand.

In 2023, cyberscammers pilfered an estimated US$3.8 billion from digital currency companies, as per the Canadian Securities Administrators' Annual Report on Capital Markets.

: Steer clear of digital solicitations from unverified sources. 🚫 Confirm your partners' legitimacy by checking regulator websites or public registers like the Ontario Securities Commission.

Remember, regulators are here to safeguard your financial journey and the public interest. ✅

According to Statistics Canada, fraud cases in Canada doubled over the past ten years, from 79,000 in 2012 to 150,000 in 2022. 📈

The large increase in scams can partially be equated to the misuse of AI. To protect yourself, particularly from fraudulent AI generated content, it’s vital to:

🔎 Scrutinize the audio, video, and/or text-based content for anything suspicious or inconsistencies
🚨 Recognize messages of urgency, which usually indicate fraud
🛜 Examine website information for inaccuracies

: Stop engaging immediately and report misleading AI generated messaging or content to the Canadian Anti-Fraud CentreCompetition Bureau Canadanada.

Stay informed and protect yourself from evolving threats.

👉 Learn more: https://buff.ly/3KDyZgH

Beware of mass marketing fraud! Job scams prey on anxieties, offering fake employment or roping you into money laundering schemes. They may even ask for payment and personal info before providing details.

🚫 Remember: Guaranteed income promises are likely scams.

: Stick to trusted job boards like RegulatoryJobs.org for safe searches. Never share financial info with suspicious sources. Stay savvy and secure! ✅

In 2023, the misuse of artificial intelligence (AI) in scams, particularly through deepfakes, resulted in over $309 million lost to scammers. ‼️

While investment scams aren't new, they've evolved to exploit consumers digitally.

Cyberscammers now leverage generative AI platforms like DALL-E to create altered images or videos of known individuals.

Digital investment scams involving deepfakes often lead to financial loss or the theft of sensitive information. But the proliferation of manipulative AI platforms also poses broader societal risks, with bad actors potentially impersonating government figures, particularly during elections. 🗳️

: Never disclose sensitive or personal banking information to online users requesting money from you. 🚫💳

Be proactive: Record and document instances of fraud, and promptly report them to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre or your local law enforcement agency. Additionally, ensure you activate multi-factor authentication and other digital protections on your devices to stay ahead of scammers.

Stay informed and protect yourself from evolving threats. Learn more: https://buff.ly/3KDyZgH

Happy Consumer Rights Day!

Today is a United Nations recognized day of awareness, where we celebrate the rights of every consumer to fair treatment, transparency, and protection in the global marketplace.

It's a day to raise awareness, advocate for change, and empower individuals to make informed choices. 🤝💼

A special thanks to all regulators globally, whose mandate is to protect consumers and service users from harm. 🌍

By working together, we can contribute to a society that works for every individual and community.

Learn more: https://buff.ly/2u1czRd

Did you know that a staggering 79% of sextortion crimes take place on popular social media platforms like Snapchat? 📱

Sextortion, a growing form of social media fraud, involves coercing something from victims, often money, by threatening to expose their n**e or explicit content online.

According to 2023 data from cybertip.ca, reports of sextortion peaked between June and September of that year, highlighting the urgency of addressing this issue. 📊

: If you ever feel unsafe on social media, prioritize your well-being by using all available security measures. ✅

Remember, the most effective response to sextortion is to cease communication immediately and report all interactions to both local law enforcement and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.

Over the past two decades, fraud tactics have evolved, becoming increasingly targeted and sophisticated.

Despite these advancements, fraudsters continue to exploit psychological manipulation and crafty language to financially deceive victims or pilfer sensitive information. 🧠💸

Stay vigilant for suspicious language from unfamiliar sources, particularly those employing:

🔹 Authoritative demands
🔹 Building trust through consistent communication
🔹 Offering quid pro quo arrangements

Remember: ! As a consumer, prioritize verified resources that guarantee safety and security. ✅

Here are more insights on how to report fraud: https://buff.ly/3IkmBDd

Ramadan Mubarak!

Wishing all who are observing a month filled with peace, spiritual growth, and an abundance of blessings during this holy period of time. 🌙💫

🌍👩‍🤝‍👩 Happy International Women's Day!

Today, we celebrate the strength, resilience, and achievements of women in our communities and globally. From breaking barriers to shattering stereotypes, women continue to pave the way for progress and equality in every aspect of our lives.

Let's continue to break barriers, uplift each other, and strive for equality in every corner of the world. 💜

Over 500,000 newcomers are expected to immigrate to Canada in the next two years. 🇨🇦

Unfortunately, fraudsters may see this as a chance to prey on newcomers who often face an increased risk of scams, especially with the prevalence of immigration and citizenship fraud.

Be aware of fraudsters who may:

🌐 Pose as representatives from Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada
👔 Pretend to be reputable immigration consultants
📧 Use formal language to misinform and later demand personal banking details via phone, text, email, or your preferred mode of communication.

: If something seems too good to be true during the immigration process, it might be! 🚨

Empower yourself by using the Regulatory Guide to understand how licensing and professional regulations protect consumers from unqualified individuals: https://buff.ly/48mtVsc

Did you know that a staggering 5-10% of fraud cases actually get reported?

As March kicks off Fraud Prevention Month, the Competition Bureau Canada and its partners, including MDR Strategy Group, raise awareness about the ever-evolving landscape of fraud and scams. 🚨

Understanding the tactics used by fraudsters and knowing how to respond safely is paramount for everyone.

: Remember, buyer beware! Equip yourself with the knowledge to stay vigilant against fraud. 💡

Stay informed by following us on our social media! We’re diving deeper into specific instances of fraud this to help you learn how to protect yourself and your loved ones.

- buyer beware!

As a consumer, it's vital to know:

🗣️ Who you're communicating with for goods and services
💡 How to inform yourself before communicating with unknown sources
📋 Where to report scams once they are discovered

👉 Follow us on our social media channels to learn more about Fraud Prevention Month, and what actions you can take to stay safe. Knowledge is your key weapon against scammers - educate yourself and those around you to stay safe!

Wishing all our incredible colleagues and valued clients a fantastic long weekend ahead!

Take this opportunity to unwind, spend quality time with loved ones, and recharge your batteries.

Every February, we honour the legacies and accomplishments of Black people in Canada, and the communities they have built and served.

This year, we celebrate Black Excellence: A Heritage to Celebrate; a Future to Build. It is a time to appreciate the past, while continuing to build towards a more equitable and inclusive future that recognizes the achievements and legacies of Black leaders across the country.

Read more about the history of Black Excellence in Canada, and learn about the men and women who drove impact in their respective communities:

https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/black-history-month.html

2024 is shaping up to be a great year for MDR and we're excited to reintroduce our team and shine a light on how we support our clients.

Daniel Roukema is MDR Strategy’s CEO and a recognized facilitator, speaker and instructor with an unwavering commitment to social impact. As CEO, Daniel is the driving force behind MDR and he provides executive oversight to support all our clients in the in the licensing and regulation, housing, and ESG sectors.

Want to learn how our team can support your organization’s goals? Visit our website at mdrstrategy.ca or connect with us at [email protected].

2024 is shaping up to be a great year for MDR and we're excited to reintroduce our team and shine a light on how we support our clients. Allison Wedler is our Director, Creative Services and Web Solutions.

Allison’s creative talents take our clients’ brand to the next level as she leads several design, branding and web projects.

Want to learn how our team can support your organization’s goals? Visit our website at mdrstrategy.ca or connect with us at [email protected].

2024 is shaping up to be a great year for MDR and we're excited to reintroduce our team and shine a light on how we support our clients. Collette Deschenes is our Director, Communications Strategy.

Collette leads MDR’s strategic communications projects and initiatives from development to deployment. She expertly supports clients to deliver communications to their audiences with purpose and impact to ensure success.

Want to learn how our team can support your organization’s goals? Visit our website at mdrstrategy.ca or connect with us at [email protected].

2024 is shaping up to be a great year for MDR and we're excited to reintroduce our team and shine a light on how we support our clients. Nawaz Pirani, MSc, MBA is our Managing Director, Licensing & Regulation.

He’s our regulatory expert with over 14 years of diverse experience in the non-profit, health care, and regulatory sectors. Nawaz has a proven track record of addressing complex issues and driving innovative solutions for our clients in the licensing and regulation sector.

Want to learn how our team can support your organization’s goals? Visit our website at mdrstrategy.ca or connect with us at [email protected].

Welcome to the MDR team Melissa Peneycad!

We’re excited to introduce Melissa Peneycad MES, B. Com, MDR’s interim Managing Director, Operations.

With over 20 years of experience in the non-profit, private, non-governmental, and academic sectors, Melissa is a seasoned business leader with significant experience in organizational design, operations management, management consulting, business development, and sustainability, which she has acquired in Canada, the United States, and abroad.

Throughout her career, she has managed hundreds of projects, both small and large, the combined value of which totals more than US$200 billion. She is a passionate advocate for advancing social equity and justice, and empowering women in business and STEM through education and mentorship.

Melissa’s expertise will support MDR’s growth as we continue to provide management consulting and strategic communications clients non-profit and public sector organizations in the licensing and regulation, ESG, and housing sectors.

Learn more about how the MDR team can support your organization: https://mdrstrategy.ca/