Claim OwnershipInsights with Don Mills and David Campbell- An Acadia Broadcasting Podcast
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This podcast combines the experiences of an economist, David Campbell and a social scientist, Don Mills, to explore the challenges and opportunities facing Atlantic Canada, to promote data-driven decision making among policymakers and to encourage a wider dialogue and debate leading to greater prosperity for the region. Expect to hear interviews with the top influencers, business leaders and decision-makers across Atlantic Canada to inform, educate and expand the conversations on the key issues facing the region.
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On this week’s Insights podcast, we are continuing our series of conversations with the region’s premiers. Prince Edward Island Premier Robert Lantz joins Don and David to talk about his whirlwind introduction to provincial leadership. (This podcast was recorded before Lantz stepped down as PEI's Premier in December of 2025 to run for the PC party's permanent leadership) On the job for only 10 months, Lantz has faced a number of challenging files, as well as being appointed Chair of the Council of the Federation (COF), the group that speaks for the provinces and territories. The conversation ranges from the decline in population growth and in international student numbers to his government’s efforts to boost housing development and public service access. Lantz provides insight into new economic development opportunities and his concerns related to trade with the United States. His government has made record investments into infrastructure, including the new Faculty of Medicine at UPEI. At the end of our conversation, we asked him about his political future. Listen to the podcast if you want to know his response.
On Insights with Don Mills and David Campbell, New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt shares a candid year‑one report and her blueprint to grow the province’s economy. We dig into the new Growth Office—designed to coordinate opportunities across multiple departments—and the province’s critical minerals development plan, a pillar of NB’s emerging industrial strategy.
This standout episode of the Insights Podcast takes you inside Nova Scotia’s ambitious plan to become a global energy leader. Premier Tim Houston shares his vision for transforming the province through offshore wind development—including the groundbreaking Wind West project, poised to supply over 25% of Canada’s electricity needs.You’ll also hear candid insights on:Unlocking offshore and onshore natural gas potentialStrategic mining opportunities fueling economic growthRegulatory reforms to accelerate progressBreaking down interprovincial trade barriersManaging fiscal challenges amid rising deficitsIf you care about Canada’s energy future, economic development, and bold leadership, this is the conversation you don’t want to miss. Tune in now for one of our most impactful episodes of the year!
Discover how a family-owned Nova Scotia company powers the world. On this episode of Insights, Don and David talk with Jeff Myles of Surrette Battery—Canada’s leading deep-cycle battery maker with customers in 40+ countries. Hear how Surrette is evolving from lead-acid to lithium and thriving in a rural community while planning for global growth.
Discover how Freeman Lumber—a family-owned sawmill since 1832—is reinventing rural development in Atlantic Canada. In this episode, COO Marcus Zwicker and CFO Georg Ernst share insights on tariffs, export diversification, Crown land harvesting, and innovative uses for biomass. Learn how this resilient company, which has weathered hurricanes and fires, is investing millions and leveraging AI to build a world-class mill. A must-listen for anyone interested in natural resources, sustainability, and economic growth in rural communities.
In this week's Insights Podcast, our guest is Courtney Sherlock, the Co-Founder & CEO of the Halifax Tides FC, one of the six inaugural teams in the Northern Super League, the newly formed professional women's soccer league. The Tides just completed their first season, and while their on-field performance did not secure them a playoff position, by every other measure, it was a highly successful first season. Attendance for the Tide games was among the highest in the league, averaging about 4,000 per game, and the team secured 2,000 season ticket holders out of the gate. The team had strong local sponsorship and merchandise sales, and the league benefited from a national television deal with both TSN and CBC Sports that broadcast a package of games in the first year of an initial two-year contract. In this podcast, Sherlock talks about her entrepreneurial journey building the Valley Veterinarian Group into six hospitals over a relatively short period of time, before selling to a national consolidator and then finding herself as the majority owner of the Tides. It is an exciting journey into professional sports for Sherlock, who admits her only previous exposure to soccer was as a soccer mom. Enjoy!
his week on Insights, Don and David sit down with Pierre Zundel, President and CEO of Collège Communautaire du Nouveau-Brunswick (CCNB), to explore how this French-language college network is shaping New Brunswick’s economy. From training talent for health care and construction to supporting research and rural development, CCNB is a key driver of growth. Hear how international students, housing challenges, and industry partnerships are influencing the province’s future—and why CCNB matters more than ever.
Discover why Nova Scotia is leading the solar revolution in Atlantic Canada. In this episode of Insights Podcast, we sit down with David Brushett, Chair of Solar Nova Scotia and Manager of Energy Management Services at Efficiency One, to explore the province’s rapid growth in solar adoption. From 13,000 residential installations to commercial projects making up 35% of the market, Nova Scotia now accounts for 75% of all solar energy in the region. We also dive into cutting-edge battery research at Dalhousie University, Tesla’s involvement, and what it means for the future of renewable energy. Plus, learn why solar is projected to hit 1 GW by 2035 and how the upcoming Solar Summit in Halifax will shape the industry. If you care about clean energy, innovation, and sustainability, this episode is a must-listen.
Discover the remarkable story of David Ganong, one of New Brunswick’s most influential business leaders. In this episode of Insights, we dive into his five decades of leadership at Ganong Bros., Canada’s oldest candy company. Hear how David guided the company through international expansion, innovative product development, and the unique challenges of being the largest employer in a small town.Beyond business, David shares his experience serving on major boards—from Air Canada to Sun Life—and his impact on organizations like the Atlantic Provinces Economic Council and the Conference Board of Canada. Gain practical advice for emerging leaders, learn what it takes to build a lasting legacy, and find out which Premier of New Brunswick tops his list.If you’re passionate about business growth, leadership strategies, and Canadian success stories, this episode is a must-listen.
Join Don and David as they speak with Victoria Belbin, CEO of ACADA, about Atlantic Canada’s booming aerospace and defence sector. With over 11,000 jobs and $1.25B in GDP, the region is home to major players like Lockheed Martin, General Dynamics, and Irving Shipbuilding, plus emerging defence tech firms.Learn how the federal government’s plan to boost defence spending to 5% of GDP could unlock massive growth in shipbuilding, MRO, cybersecurity, and more.
This week's episode of the Insights Podcast features a candid, wide-ranging conversation with Andy Fillmore, who recently celebrated one year in the job of Mayor of Halifax. He talks about the challenges of delivering on the mandate he was elected on with the current council governance format and the weak mayor powers. There have been few past mayors elected who have had the kind of relevant experience that Fillmore brings to the job. He was the first urban planner hired by the municipality after spending more than a decade in the US doing urban planning. While at the municipality, he led HRM by Design, the blueprint for the city's development. He was also the Vice President of the Waterfront Development Corporation and played a leading role in the plan to develop what is now Halifax's extraordinary waterfront. He served for nine years as Halifax's MP, during which he transformed Halifax from among the lowest recipients of federal investment to one of the highest, helping attract NATO's DIANA to Halifax and opening up Georges Island to tourism. He brings ambition and big-picture thinking to the job. He has a focus on housing & homelessness, affordability, transit & congestion, urban growth & planning. And he offers his views on the current debate about bike lanes. Don't miss this conversation.
In this episode of the Insights Podcast, we sit down with Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston to explore the province’s bold energy ambitions. Premier Houston shares his vision for transforming Nova Scotia into a leading energy producer through offshore wind development—highlighting the Wind West project, which could supply over 25% of Canada’s electricity needs.We also dive into the potential of offshore and onshore natural gas, the strategic importance of unlocking Nova Scotia’s mining resources, and the regulatory reforms needed to accelerate progress. Premier Houston discusses his efforts to reduce interprovincial trade barriers and his government's approach to fiscal management amid growing deficits.This conversation aligns with the themes of bold leadership and national energy strategy outlined in our book Toward Prosperity. If you're interested in Canada's energy future, economic development, and policy innovation, this episode is a must-listen.
In this episode of the Insights Podcast, we sit down with Ramsay Duff, CEO of MacLeod Group, to explore how this Antigonish-based company is reshaping long-term care across the Maritimes. With 14 facilities, over 1,400 employees, and a strategic focus on smaller communities, MacLeod Cares is addressing a critical shortage of 6,000 beds in the region. Duff shares insights on expansion plans, workforce challenges, and why demand for long-term care won’t peak until 2042. Whether you're in healthcare, policy, or business, this episode offers a powerful look at the future of elder care in Atlantic Canada.
Discover the extraordinary journey of Barb Stegemann, a Canadian changemaker who turned a mission of peace into a multimillion-dollar fragrance brand. In this episode, Barb shares how her pitch on Dragons’ Den led to a life-changing investment, how she empowers farmers in war-torn countries through ethical sourcing, and how she became the first Canadian perfumer in Sephora, now selling in over 2,000 stores across 19 countries. With her bestselling book The 7 Virtues of a Philosopher Queen, a new Atelier in Halifax, and plans to double her business, Barb’s story is a masterclass in purpose-driven entrepreneurship. Tune in for powerful insights, unforgettable storytelling, and a behind-the-scenes look at her upcoming return to Dragons’ Den—this time as a guest dragon.
In this episode, Don Mills moderates the final plenary panel at the ACG Atlantic Network Conference, a premier event focused on investment opportunities in Atlantic Canada. With over 200 investors from across Atlantic Canada, Central Canada, and the U.S. in attendance, this dynamic conversation explores the region’s economic transformation and future growth.Featuring an all-star panel of industry leaders—Cathy Bennett (Sandpiper Ventures), Lauren Ledwell (PEI BioAlliance), Greg Wanger (Oberland Agriscience), and Michelle Robichaud (Atlantica Energy Centre)—the discussion dives into key themes from the book Towards Prosperity: The Transformation of Atlantic Canada's Economy, co-authored by Don Mills and David Campbell.Topics include:Energy development and innovationEconomic clusters and regional collaborationCapital attraction and investment strategyBuilding a prosperous future for Atlantic CanadaWhether you're an investor, entrepreneur, policymaker, or economic development professional, this episode offers valuable insights into the evolving landscape of Atlantic Canada's economy.
This week on Our Insights Podcast, we sit down with Lori Clark, the first-ever female CEO of NB Power, to explore the future of energy in New Brunswick. Appointed in July 2022, Clark brings nearly 30 years of experience within the utility to a leadership role marked by major infrastructure and sustainability challenges.🔊 Listen now to gain insights into:The future of Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station, whose license expires in 2032, and the critical decision to refurbish or replace the plant that supplies 700 MW to the provincial grid.The urgent repair needs of the Mactaquac Dam, which provides 20% of New Brunswick’s renewable energy and faces a $7.6–$9 billion overhaul due to premature cement issues.Plans to transition the Belledune coal-fired plant to biomass by 2030, with a projected cost of $100 million.The development of a new natural gas generation facility by the private sector to support renewable energy reliability.NB Power’s strategy to balance affordability, sustainability, and reliability for ratepayers amid these major shifts.🎙️ Clark offers a candid and comprehensive overview of NB Power’s roadmap, the challenges ahead, and the leadership required to navigate a rapidly evolving energy landscape.
This special Insights podcast is the last of a three-part series of interviews with exciting entrepreneurs building bioeconomy companies in Atlantic Canada. You will find the first two interviews with Vyterra Renewables Inc. and Oberland Agriscience in the Insights podcast feed. This series is sponsored by Greenspring Bioinnovation Hub and Bioindustrial Innovation Canada. This week we talk with Mark Masotti and his exciting new company, alterBiota. Mark ‘fell in love’ with anaerobic digestion and has a new technology that uses wood byproducts to create a product that strengthens concrete and at the same time reduces its carbon footprint. The Verschuren Centre in Cape Breton lured Masotti from Toronto and he raves about the support he received after arriving. He believes Nova Scotia is an excellent place to build a successful bioeconomy company and he tells us all the reasons why in this podcast.
On this week's Insights podcast, David speaks with Matt Symes about the potential of artificial intelligence (A.I.) in our region. Matt is a leading strategic thinker in our region, helping firms and organizations, and has integrated A.I. into his consulting practice. We discuss practical ways to use A.I. in health care, education, business services and even construction. We also discuss how government policy could support wider adoption of this transformative new technology.
This episode of the Insights Podcast features an interesting conversation with Mike Cassidy, the CEO of the Cassidy Group which owns Coach Atlantic, Maritime Bus and T3 Transit. The Cassidy Group is the largest family-owned motorcoach company in Canada and has more than 250 pieces of equipment in its fleet of buses and more than 800 employees. Coach Atlantic is a dominant player in the chartered bus sector in the region, while Maritime Bus provides regularly scheduled bus service on 14 routes to 40 communities across the three Maritime Provinces. If you noticed any of Coach Atlantic or Maritime Buses, the fleet is virtually new, with most buses in their fleet being less than five years old. This is part of the company's strategies to manage capital efficiently. To that end, in 2024, Cassidy committed to buying 100 buses from Prevost, the Quebec based bus manufacturer. The cost of each bus today is $800,000. Cassidy also serves the cruise ship business in both Charlottetown and Halifax, has interests in agriculture through Van Kampen Nurseries and real estate development in Charlottetown. His entrepreneurial story is very interesting as a Halifax born, Saint Mary's graduate who began his career as a chartered accountant in PEI. Enjoy!
This week on the Insights podcast, Don and David spoke with Dr. Wendy Rodgers, the President and Vice-Chancellor at University of Prince Edward Island. Dr. Rodgers discusses the important role the university plays in the Island economy as well as the direction of the new strategic plan. She talks about the federal changes to international student attraction and how that damaged Canada's brand as a destination for international education. UPEI has a new Faculty of Medicine and other interesting initiatives underway. To get a good primer on UPEI and its future listen to this week's Insights episode.
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