Discover Halifax Names The Canteen Co-Owner Chair of Board
HALIFAX — The co-owner of one of the HRM’s best-known restaurants is taking the helm at Discover Halifax.
Doug Townsend co-owns The Canteen on Portland Street in Dartmouth, along with his partner Renée Lavallee. The pair opened the eatery in 2014.
Townsend was born in west-end Halifax and studied marketing management at Dalhousie University. Before dedicating full-time to the restaurant, Townsend worked as a director of marketing for Wines of Nova Scotia, and then Taste of Nova Scotia.
He also serves as the chair of the board of directors for the North Grove and has in the past served as board chair for the Downtown Dartmouth Business Commission. Prior to being named chair of Discover Halifax’s board, Townsend sat on the board for five years.
“As Vice-Chair of the Board for the last two years, Doug has been a part of the leadership structure, and has been active in steering the organization toward milestones and achievements. I look forward to continuing to work with him in the years to come as we expand our mandate and take on new responsibilities,” Discover Halifax president and CEO Ross Jefferson said in a news release.
Townsend takes over from retiring chair Jennifer Angel, who spent the last three years in the position helping guide the non-profit through the creation of Halifax’s first integrated tourism mobility plan, as well as planning and recovery through Covid-19.
“I’m excited to lead the impressive group of community champions that make up the Board of Directors of Discover Halifax, and for the opportunity to contribute to the economic and social success of our region,” says Townsend. “And I want to thank Jennifer for her leadership and dedication over the last eight years. She is a friend, a mentor, and has left big shoes to fill – but I’m up for the challenge.”
Townsend was named to his new position at Discover Halifax at the organization’s annual general meeting on May 31. At the meeting, the organization also released its 2022 annual report, chronicling the record-breaking year for tourism in the HRM.