SiriusXM Canada in partnership with the Canadian Country Music Association® (CCMA), announced the eight semi-finalists vying to be named the 2023 winner of SiriusXM’s Top of the Country competition. The stakes are high as each of the semi-finalists begin recording original tracks in-studio, which will later be shared with Canadian country fans to vote for their favourites. The field will be narrowed down to the top three, but only one will eventually be crowned the winner, receiving $25,000 and the title of the SiriusXM Top of the Country champion.

From across Canada, the 2023 semi-finalists are:

• Hailey Benedict – St. Albert, Alberta
• Noah Derksen – Winnipeg, Manitoba
• Teigen Gayse – Kelowna, B.C.
• Amanda Jordan – Smiths Falls, Ontario
• Mark Ledlin – Vancouver, B.C.
• The Prairie States – Edmonton, Alberta
• Dayna Reid – Elmvale, Ontario
• Lydia Sutherland – Montréal, Québec

To learn more about the artists, please visit www.siriusxm.ca/topcountry. For high resolution images of the eight semi-finalists, please click HERE.

“As a champion of Canadian artists, the Top of the Country competition is a highlight for us at SiriusXM Canada, as it helps spotlight new talent and provides unparalleled support and development opportunities,” said Michelle Mearns, VP, Programming & Operations, SiriusXM Canada. “Now in our fifth year, we’ve seen how the program helps to propel careers and it’s exciting to watch previous winners like SACHA and Tyler Joe Miller achieve such success.”

After the public shows their support by voting for their favourites, the finalists will head to Nashville for industry mentorship opportunities and a performance spot at the 2023 CMA Fest. They’ll close out the summer with a festival performance at Lasso Montréal in August, followed by the Top of the Country Finale at Country Music Week in September where the winner will be crowned. In addition to the $25,000 grand prize, SiriusXM is awarding both runners-up $10,000 and all will receive a SOCAN song writing camp experience in Nashville following the competition. The Finale will air live on SiriusXM’s new Top of the Country Radio (ch. 171).

“The Canadian Country Music Association is proud to continue cultivating the immense talent the SiriusXM Top of the Country competition brings forward each year,” shares Amy Jeninga, President, CCMA. “This program is one of the many ways that the CCMA champions and elevates Canadian artists and we’re thrilled to see this new batch of semi-finalists shine and embrace this exciting opportunity.” 

SiriusXM’s Top of the Country in partnership with the CCMA is part of SiriusXM’s ongoing tradition of promoting and elevating the best emerging Canadian music. SiriusXM continues to offer a leading platform for Canadian artists through its significant financial contributions and North American-wide reach.

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The Canadian cannabis producer, based in Smiths Falls, Ontario, said on Feb. 9 that the reduction represents 35 per cent of its total workforce, and will occur over the next few months.

CEO David Klein told The Canadian Press that the decision was made due to concerns about the company’s profitability and long-term growth.

“Canopy must reach profitability to achieve our ambition of long-term North American cannabis market leadership,” said Klein.

The move comes a few months after Canopy Growth announced that it was cutting 55 jobs as it restructures its Canadian operations.

According to LinkedIn, the company currently employs more than 1,100 people.

Major layoffs continue

The reduction at Canopy Growth comes amid a flurry of layoffs to kick off 2023.

Big names, including Alphabet, Dell, Best Buy, Hudson’s Bay, Microsoft, Amazon, and Salesforce, are scaling back their staffing levels as they continue to monitor market conditions.

The following facilities will be affected by Canopy’s announcement:

• 1 Hershey Drive in Smiths Falls, Ontario, the company’s headquarters and main site for flower and edibles production, will be closed.
• 99 Lorne Street, across the street from 1 Hershey, will take on flower activity and continue to serve as a regional distribution centre.
• Canopy will no longer source flower from a Mirabel, Quebec facility, which is owned by Les Serres Vert Cannabis.
• Cultivation will be consolidated at its Kincardine, Ontario and Kelowna, B.C. locations
• The cannabis company’s genetics program will now be managed by Quebec-based EXKA, which hosts the world’s biggest cannabis library.

Source: Samfiru Tumarkin LLP

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Crowder, who was born and raised in Smiths Falls, has since lived in the Simcoe-Muskoka region and brings more than 20 years of skills and experience in the public and private sectors to the role in Smiths Falls.

Professionally, Crowder’s experience stems from more than a decade spent working within all levels of municipal government for the City of Orillia, Town of Gravenhurst and District of Muskoka in the departments of Planning, Building, Infrastructure, and with nine years spent in Economic Development.

“We are thrilled to announce the appointment of such an experienced and highly qualified candidate for the position of Manager of Economic Development & Tourism,” said Chief Administrative Officer, Malcolm Morris.  “Julia’s education, experience and deep commitment to economic development will be invaluable in her new role. We are delighted to be able to welcome Julia home to Smiths Falls.”

Crowder studied at the University of Waterloo in their Economic Development Program, is an active member of the Economic Development Council of Ontario (EDCO) and the Economic Development Association of Canada (EDAC) and is currently in the process of obtaining her Professional Designation in Economic Development.

Crowder brings to the role in Smiths Falls a passion for community and economic development and the ability to collaborate with stakeholders to assist businesses and communities in meeting their goals of continuous economic improvement and growth.

“I am really excited and grateful for the opportunity to be part of the Smith’s Falls’ team and reconnect with the community,” Crowder said. “I believe that positive growth and change is never by chance but is the result of hard work and people coming together. My goal is to continue to build on the many economic development successes the Town has achieved thus far and be part of our Town’s bright future.”

Crowder will begin work in Smiths Falls on July 19, 2021, at which time she may be reached at jcrowder@smithsfalls.ca.

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