Insights with Don Mills and David Campbell- An Acadia Broadcasting Podcast

Don Mills & David Campbell
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  • Updated Weekly

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.

  1. Driving Growth: Inside New Brunswick’s Economic Strategy for 2030

    4d ago

    Driving Growth: Inside New Brunswick’s Economic Strategy for 2030

    On this week’s Insights podcast, Don and David are joined by the Honourable Luke Randall, Minister responsible for Opportunities NB (ONB), Economic Development and Small Business, NB Liquor and Cannabis NB  and Traci Simmons, Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Small Business and the Chief Executive Officer of ONB. The topic of the conversation is the Government of New Brunswick’s new Economic Development Strategy. The government wants to boost real gross domestic product (GDP) by 10 percent by 2030. Given the current context including a return to provincial population decline, increasing trade tensions with the United States, global competition for investment, an aging workforce and the rise of artificial intelligence, achieving this goal will be challenging.  The conversation covers a wide range of issues including: how the province tends to foster a more productive economy, a return to population growth, diversification of trade, industrial opportunities including mining and energy, ‘investment-ready’ industrial sites and the new ‘Growth Office’.  Don and David also raise the issue of competitiveness at a time of rising energy and wage costs across the province.  Collaboration is another important topic including between various government departments and agencies and also with other provincial governments within Atlantic Canada. If you are looking for a primer on New Brunswick’s approach to economic development and population growth, this podcast is well worth an hour of your time.

    1h 1m
  2. Beyond the Big Four: Accounting Leadership in Atlantic Canada

    Jun 11

    Beyond the Big Four: Accounting Leadership in Atlantic Canada

    On this week’s Insights podcast, Don and David are joined by Krista Han, Managing Partner with Doane Grant Thornton in New Brunswick. Globally, the accounting industry is dominated by the 'Big 4' firms: EY, KPMG, Deloitte and PwC, but in Atlantic Canada, Doane Grant Thornton has the largest market share.   Krista discusses the major challenges and opportunities facing the firm in Atlantic Canada, as well as the top trends in the accounting sector.  We also spent some time on what is keeping Doane Grant Thornton's clients up at night.  From finding talented workers to planning for business succession, there is no one better placed than Krista to help us understand what business leaders across Atlantic Canada are thinking.

    1 hr
  3. Atlantic Canada’s $100 Billion Renewable Energy Opportunity

    Jun 5

    Atlantic Canada’s $100 Billion Renewable Energy Opportunity

    As part of a continuing series of podcasts focused on energy opportunities in Atlantic Canada, our guest on this episode of the Insights Podcast is Matt Campbell, the author of the recent Deloitte Energy White Paper that asks an important question: Is this Atlantic Canada’s energy superpower moment? Matt is the Energy Transformational Leader for Deloitte in Atlantic Canada. In our conversation, Matt outlines the major renewable energy opportunities, including offshore wind and hydrogen gas. He talks about the growing need for a more coordinated regional approach to energy development and for strengthening policy alignment, technology development, and supply chain readiness. He emphasizes the opportunity presented by wind-hydro complementarity, which has already prompted Quebec Power to express interest in Nova Scotia’s offshore wind development. With demand for electricity in Canada expected to double by 2050, Atlantic Canada can become a net exporter of electricity to other parts of the country. We discussed the importance of strengthening national energy security and grid resilience. For anyone following the energy sector, this podcast is a must-listen.

    1h 3m
  4. The Strait of Canso Has the Potential to Become a Major Industrial Hub

    May 29

    The Strait of Canso Has the Potential to Become a Major Industrial Hub

    We were asked to be the keynote speakers at last week's State of the Strait in Port Hawkesbury sponsored by the Strait Area Chamber of Commerce. During our two day visit to the Strait we were able to tour both the Everwind Fuels Marine Terminal, which can store 7.5 million litres of fuel in transit to other destinations, and the Port Hawkesbury Paper Mill, one of only three super calendar paper mills in North America. Everwind is the company pursuing the development of hydrogen gas using onshore wind as a green energy source. The area is already an important industrial hub in Nova Scotia but could become an even more important hub with an industrial strategy to leverage its year round deep, ice free harbour.

    1h 1m
  5. Exclusive Interview with Robert K. Irving - Rebroadcast

    May 21

    Exclusive Interview with Robert K. Irving - Rebroadcast

    In December 2024, Don Mills and David Campbell had a rare and exclusive opportunity to interview Robert K. Irving on the Insights podcast. Mr. Irving passed away on May 19, 2026. This is a re-release of that Insights podcast.   In the podcast, the Co-CEO of JD Irving shared information about the companies under his direction, their continued growth, major recent capital investments and succession.  Robert, along with his brother Jim Irving, oversaw Midland Trucking, Midland Courier, Irving Tissue and Cavendish Farms, amongst others.  They are operated out of a head office in Dieppe and employ more than 2,000 people in the Moncton area alone, including 700 head office jobs.  JDI may not be a household name for all Canadians, but it's the largest vertically integrated conglomerate in Atlantic Canada and one of the biggest in Canada, with more than 20,000 employees.  This is a surprisingly candid conversation with one of the region's most important yet reticent business leaders, who shared many facts not previously known publicly.

    56 min
  6. The Power of Partnership: Reimagining Energy in Atlantic Canada

    May 14

    The Power of Partnership: Reimagining Energy in Atlantic Canada

    On this week’s Insights podcast, Michelle Robichaud, President of the Atlantica Centre for Energy and Heidi Leslie, CEO of Crux Energy Consulting join Don and David to discuss a new report prepared for the Atlantic Energy Collective. Entitled An Atlantic Canadian Energy Future, the report outlines the state of the energy sector in the region. There are many important energy projects on the drawing board from Gull Island in Labrador to offshore wind in Nova Scotia.  Robichaud and Leslie make a compelling case that the region would be better off if there was greater collaboration within Atlantic Canada among governments and energy utilities.  From the importance of natural gas to the potential of ‘behind the meter’ electricity production, they go deep but explain things in a way that is relatable to a general audience.

    1h 1m
  7. Keeping the Lights On: Inside the Renewable Integration Grid Security Project

    May 8

    Keeping the Lights On: Inside the Renewable Integration Grid Security Project

    On this week’s Insights podcast, we speak with John MacIsaac, President of ProEnergy Global Solutions Canada Ltd. and Brad Coady, Chief Commercial Officer, NB Power, about an important new initiative, the Renewable Integration Grid Security Project (RIGS).  In recent years, more of the region’s electricity demand has been supplied by wind, solar and other renewable sources. The challenge is that this electricity is only produced when the wind is blowing or the sun is shining.  The RIGS project is meant to ensure the grid has enough electricity to meet demand, even on the coldest day in February.  RIGS will provide up to 500 MW of electricity as needed, support grid stability in New Brunswick, and provide benefits to Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.

    1h 2m
  8. NexGold Could Become one of Nova Scotia's Largest Exporters

    May 1

    NexGold Could Become one of Nova Scotia's Largest Exporters

    This episode of the Insights Podcast features an exclusive conversation with veteran miner Kevin Bullock, the CEO of NexGold, the mining company that is close to making a final decision to develop a gold mine near Goldboro in Guysborough County, Nova Scotia. There are 1.15 million ounces of proven and probable gold reserves at the Goldboro site that will be open-pit mined. Based on current reserves, the company expects to mine 100,000 ounces per year for at least 11 years, with the expectation that the mine's life will be considerably longer with further exploration. The construction of the mine will cost between $400 and $450 million, take two years to complete, and create more than 300 direct construction jobs. Once operational, more than 200 full-time employees will work at the mine. At today's gold prices ($4,800 US an ounce), the mine is expected to contribute more than $600 million (in Canadian dollars) to the province's exports over its current expected life span. The company has the financing in place to complete the construction phase and will make a final decision to proceed towards the end of the summer, and may begin construction later this year. The project will generate more than half a billion dollars in tax revenue over its life, with 60% accruing to the provincial government. Mining jobs are high-paying and create many opportunities for local suppliers.

    55 min
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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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