Celebrating the History of Atlantic Canada

“I like to say I’m a passionate rural Canadian,” says John Bragg, CEO of the Bragg Group of Companies. “Rural life should be recognized as one of the great wonders of the world.”

John would know. While building an enormously successful business including the world’s largest blueberry processor and a pioneering telecommunications company, he’s remained a rural person through and through. He and his wife Judy live in the northwestern Nova Scotia community of 150 where he grew up, and where his grandchildren are the seventh generation to reside.

His interest in small communities extends well beyond his own. “Every time I drive through a small town or village, I ask myself, ‘Who was the entrepreneur or leader in this area?’” he says. It’s a question that led to the presentation of the first John Bragg Awards for Atlantic Canada in 2023. Each year, three winning groups receive a grant of up to $50,000 each for their efforts to highlight an inspiring person from their community. (You can learn more about the 2026 recipients and those from previous years here.)

A pilot project of the Bragg family’s River Philip Foundation and Canada’s History, the award program has already highlighted a wide range of people who did significant things in their communities, but whose stories may not be well known. The Bragg Awards are a practical way to increase Canadians’ awareness of people who have contributed so much to rural communities in Atlantic Canada. “I think it’s a very important tool in understanding Canada. I’m really pleased to be a part of it in a small way,” John says.

Trained in economics, he has long had “a sincere interest in history.” The possibility of turning that interest into something more tangible was piqued when a group in a rural part of New Brunswick wrote to him several years ago to request financial support for its plan to recognize R. B. Bennett, the only Canadian Prime Minister born in the province.

“He’s kind of a forgotten soul in Canada and yet was a very prominent Canadian,” John says. “It made me wonder how many more people there are there like that. Canada has a unique culture, and these significant people are important to it.”

He adds. “We’re all here for a short time, and some people make bigger contributions than others.” Through the John Bragg Awards for Atlantic Canada, he and his family are making their own significant contribution to helping connect us through history.

If you’re interested in discussing how you can help support the work we do to highlight the stories of Canada’s past, please contact Jill Thorp-Shepherd at jthorp-shepherd@canadashistory.ca.