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

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...

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...

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 bui...

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 successfu...

 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...

 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...

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. B...

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 un...

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 exper...

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 of...

 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, work...

 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...

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 industr...

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 G...

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...

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 go...

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 b...

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 a...

Our guest on this episode of the Insights Podcast is Mike Whittaker, until recently the CEO and Co-Owner of TruCorp. TruCorp is the Truro based holding company that was owned by Mike and his partner Bill Hay until he sold his shares. Trucorp had two main holdings Bonte Foods, the federally certified meat manufacturer in Dieppe and Grinner's Food Systems, which owns Greco Pizza, as well as Captain...

On this week's Insights Podcast, veteran oil & gas executive, Jim Livingstone, the CEO of RC Energy makes a compelling case for the development of the onshore natural gas in the three Maritime Provinces, which combined have estimated reserves of more than 200 TCF (Trillion Cubic Feet), the equivalent of the natural gas in the  Permian Basin in West Texas, considered one of the most prolific ga...

On this week's Insights podcast, Don and David speak with Mark Gaddas, owner and President of Woodstock, New Brunswick-based Ironwood Manufactured Homes Inc.  The company recently announced a large-scale expansion to help it meet the demand for housing in New Brunswick, Maine and beyond.  Mark tells us his new facility will be the largest manufacturing plant in Woodstock.  We discuss the role of m...

On this week’s Insights podcast, Don and David speak with Tom Taylor, Executive Director of the Atlantic Canada Fish Farmers Association, about the state of finfish aquaculture in the region.  The industry is a significant engine for mostly rural areas in the region, supporting over 8,000 jobs and boosting gross domestic product (GDP) by over $900 million.  Over 1,300 suppliers generate $600-$700...

This week's Insights podcast addresses the challenge of growing crime across Atlantic Canada. This is a concern among business owners and the general public in all four provinces.  To talk about this issue, Don and David are joined by Mike Hammoud, Vice-President, Atlantic Canada at the Convenience Industry Council of Canada and Danny Fournier, Senior Manager with Rothmans, Benson and Hedges Canad...