John Bragg: businessperson, philanthropist and regional enthusiast

Honorary Dal degree holder John Bragg (LLD’08) has been promoted from an Officer of the Order of Canada to Companion.

A man wearing a blue sweater stands in a field

Posted: April 26, 2023

By: Christena Copeland

With a focus on community betterment, academic advancement and honouring one’s roots, John Bragg (LLD’08) is credited with positioning Nova Scotia as a global leader in agriculture and beyond. Bragg has spent decades inspiring citizens, community leaders and students alike. In recognition of his business acumen and philanthropy, earlier this year he was promoted to the highest rank in the Order of Canada—Companion.

“The future of our province, both economically and environmentally, requires the ability to utilize our natural resources in the most effective and responsible manner,” says the dean of Dalhousie’s Faculty of Agriculture, Dr. David Gray. He says Bragg has done that with Nova Scotia’s blueberries.

Bragg owns Oxford Frozen Foods, based in Oxford, N.S. Although the population of Oxford is less than 1,200, Bragg’s is the largest fruit farm in the world, processing millions of pounds of blueberries each day. The region has sustained his family for over 180 years, and Bragg has earned the moniker ‘the rural entrepreneur.’

Beyond blueberries

Bragg has expanded beyond blueberries into telecommunications, founding a television cable company that would go on to become Eastlink. He’s employed thousands of people, plus he’s given generously through numerous acts of philanthropy.

“John’s support of research at Dalhousie’s Faculty of Agriculture has been a gamechanger,” says Dr. Gray.

Since 1976, Bragg has invested millions of dollars into wild blueberry research at Dalhousie’s Faculty of Agriculture, believing that while wild blueberries are a crop well suited to this region, efficiency and best practices at all levels are needed if Nova Scotia is to remain competitive. Today, you can still find Bragg driving through his blueberry fields; roads he has driven up and down since he was 15 years old.

“John’s support has helped us educate past, present, and future leaders in this region and for that we are immeasurably grateful; indeed, he has transformed the blueberry industry in Nova Scotia,” says Dr. Gray.

Bragg has been honoured with many awards during his career. These have included a ��ϳԹ��Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, in 2008, making him an alum of the university. In 1996 he was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada and this winter, was promoted to Companion. The Order cited Bragg for his “exceptional contributions to the prosperity and well-being of Atlantic Canadians and for his legendary commitment to the development of rural communities.”

“This is an honour that is well-deserved,” says Dr. Gray.

A man wearign a set of red graduation robes poses in a room with wooden finishes

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