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

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.