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

On this week’s Insights podcast, we speak with Bill Labbe, President & CEO of ARC Canada, about his company’s development of an advanced small modular reactor (aSMR) in New Brunswick and about the role of nuclear energy in meeting Canada’s commitment to net zero 2050.This revealing conversation provides insight into a wide variety of issues including timing (i.e. when will construction on the first SMR begin); price competitiveness (i.e. how will the price per kWh compare to other forms of electricity production); and the potential for the development of a nuclear energy cluster in New Brunswick.For those concerned about the safety of nuclear energy, Labbe makes a strong case that aSMR technology will be a safe and reliable form of energy for decades to come.You can listen to their conversation in the player above or download the show on your preferred podcast platform.The “Insights” podcast combines the experiences of an economist, David Campbell, and a social scientist, Don Mills, to explore the challenges and opportunities facing Atlantic Canada, promote data-driven decision-making among policymakers, and encourage a wider dialogue and debate leading to greater prosperity for the region.Search for “Huddle Insights” on podcast platforms like Apple and Spotify, and follow the show so you don’t miss an episode. You can also listen to past conversations there.

On this week’s "Insights" podcast, Don Mills and David Campbell are continuing their discussions about the energy sector and the transition to net zero by 2050. In previous podcasts, we have covered renewable energy, natural gas and other topics. This week, they're talking to Stephen MacDonald, President & CEO of EfficiencyOne about the role of energy efficiency.For more than a decade, EfficiencyOne has been helping residents and industries to become more energy efficient leading to cost savings for them and a reduction in demand for electricity and other energy sources. MacDonald estimates this year alone, energy efficiency investments made since the inception of EfficiencyOne will reduce energy costs by $1.5 billion, significantly lower Nova Scotia’s carbon footprint and support thousands of good-paying jobs in construction and related activities across the province.You can listen to their conversation in the player above or download the show on your preferred podcast platform.The “Insights” podcast combines the experiences of an economist, David Campbell, and a social scientist, Don Mills, to explore the challenges and opportunities facing Atlantic Canada, promote data-driven decision-making among policymakers, and encourage a wider dialogue and debate leading to greater prosperity for the region.Search for “Huddle Insights” on podcast platforms like Apple and Spotify, and follow the show so you don’t miss an episode. You can also listen to past conversations there.

In this episode of the "Insights" podcast, we talk with Rustum Southwell, the founding CEO of the Black Business Initiative (BBI) which has developed a national reputation for its work with the black business community and has expanded its mandate to serve all of Atlantic Canada.Rustum was recently inducted into the N.S. Business Hall of Fame and named one of Canada's most influential black leaders. Through BBI's counsel, training programs and financial support, several hundred black businesses have been created since its inception 25 years ago. This podcast provides an inside understanding of the initiatives and programs used by BBI to support and develop black businesses in our region.You can listen to their conversation in the player above or download the show on your preferred podcast platform.The “Insights” podcast combines the experiences of an economist, David Campbell, and a social scientist, Don Mills, to explore the challenges and opportunities facing Atlantic Canada, promote data-driven decision-making among policymakers, and encourage a wider dialogue and debate leading to greater prosperity for the region.Search for “Huddle Insights” on podcast platforms like Apple and Spotify, and follow the show so you don’t miss an episode. You can also listen to past conversations there.

On this week’s Insights podcast, we are continuing our series of interviews with the leaders of Atlantic Canada’s post-secondary education sector. Dr. Paul Mazerolle, the President and Vice-Chancellor at the University of New Brunswick, joins us to talk about  why the “world needs more UNB.”  Mazerolle outlines an ambitious plan to boost the student population by 50 percent and double sponsored research income to $100 million per year. The university has big plans to expand experiential learning and evolve how students engage with UNB including micro-credentialing. In our conversation, Mazerolle outlines the exciting efforts on the Saint John campus to expand health education and research and other new initiatives such as the McKenna Institute.

In this week’s episode, we turn the microphone around. Don Mills was recently inducted into the Nova Scotia Business Hall of Fame - an honour he received because of his successful business career where he built a firm with upwards of 600 employees and his extensive volunteerism including stints on the boards of the IWK, Halifax Partnership, Halifax Chamber of Commerce, APEC, among many others.  Don provides insights on how he dealt with adversity, the importance of volunteerism and why he spends much of his time these days promoting a new vision for Atlantic Canada. 

The Hadhad family left Damascus after their home and business were destroyed with nothing. In this fascinating two-part podcast, we follow the family's journey as refugees from Syria to Lebanon and then to Antigonish, Nova Scotia.The conversation with Tareq Hadhad, the young and dynamic CEO of Peace by Chocolate is nothing less than inspiring, providing a better understanding of the value that immigrants bring to Canada. With strong support from their community and Sobeys, the Hadhads have a growing national business and are creating significant employment in Nova Scotia. Equally impressive is their focus on social causes related to peace around the world. It's a compelling story that is worth hearing.Last week, we shared the first part of the conversation between Tareq, Don Mills and David Campbell. It focused mainly on the Hadhads journey to Canada and their efforts to build a new life here after a war that destroyed their home and chocolate factory.In the latest episode, Tareq tells the story of how they established a new chocolate business in Antigonish and initiated charitable programs that support initiatives across the country.You can listen to part one of their conversation in the player above or download the show on your preferred podcast platform.The “Insights” podcast combines the experiences of an economist, David Campbell, and a social scientist, Don Mills, to explore the challenges and opportunities facing Atlantic Canada, promote data-driven decision-making among policymakers, and encourage a wider dialogue and debate leading to greater prosperity for the region.Search for “Huddle Insights” on podcast platforms like Apple and Spotify, and follow the show so you don’t miss an episode. You can also listen to past conversations there.

The Hadhad family left Damascus after their home and business were destroyed with nothing. In this fascinating two-part podcast, we follow the family's journey as refugees from Syria to Lebanon and then to Antigonish, Nova Scotia.The conversation with Tareq Hadhad, the young and dynamic CEO of Peace by Chocolate is nothing less than inspiring, providing a better understanding of the value that immigrants bring to Canada. With strong support from their community and Sobeys, the Hadhads have a growing national business and are creating significant employment in Nova Scotia. Equally impressive is their focus on social causes related to peace around the world. It's a compelling story that is worth hearing.You can listen to part one of their conversation in the player above or download the show on your preferred podcast platform.The “Insights” podcast combines the experiences of an economist, David Campbell, and a social scientist, Don Mills, to explore the challenges and opportunities facing Atlantic Canada, promote data-driven decision-making among policymakers, and encourage a wider dialogue and debate leading to greater prosperity for the region.Search for “Huddle Insights” on podcast platforms like Apple and Spotify, and follow the show so you don’t miss an episode. You can also listen to past conversations there.

Don Mills and David Campbell are in Cape Breton for a special edition of the "Insights" podcast this week. The Cape Breton Partnership is having its annual Investor Summit and the guys took the opportunity to chat with CEO Tyler Mattheis about the potential of an economic resurgence in this important region of Atlantic Canada.Since its heyday as an industrial powerhouse in the 1960s and 1970s, the region has struggled to reposition itself and that has led to slow but steady depopulation. Now, according to Mattheis, a new Cape Breton could be emerging leveraging key assets such as Cape Breton University and Sydney Port, new industries such as clean energy, and a significant increase in the number of newcomers moving to the Island.Cape Breton is a test case for economic renewal in Atlantic Canada. Everyone should be paying attention.You can listen to their conversation in the player above or download the show on your preferred podcast platform.The “Insights” podcast combines the experiences of an economist, David Campbell, and a social scientist, Don Mills, to explore the challenges and opportunities facing Atlantic Canada, promote data-driven decision-making among policymakers, and encourage a wider dialogue and debate leading to greater prosperity for the region.Search for “Huddle Insights” on podcast platforms like Apple and Spotify, and follow the show so you don’t miss an episode. You can also listen to past conversations there.

Under the leadership of hospitality veteran Glenn Squires, the CEO of Pacrim Hospitality Services, Digby Pines Golf Resort and Spa is being transformed to become one of the top 10 resorts in Canada.In partnership with the Bear River First Nation, the ownership group has already invested $10 million on basic infrastructure. It's now open year-round as a result of these initial investments, with ambitious plans to spend another $125 million over the next five years or so.In a wide-ranging conversation with Squires, Don Mills and David Campbell learn more about the capital investment plans that include condos on-site and the challenges of turning the Pines into a year-round resort.You can listen to their conversation in the player above or download the show on your preferred podcast platform.The “Insights” podcast combines the experiences of an economist, David Campbell, and a social scientist, Don Mills, to explore the challenges and opportunities facing Atlantic Canada, promote data-driven decision-making among policymakers, and encourage a wider dialogue and debate leading to greater prosperity for the region.Search for “Huddle Insights” on podcast platforms like Apple and Spotify, and follow the show so you don’t miss an episode. You can also listen to past conversations there.

With the exception of Newfoundland & Labrador, the rest of Atlantic Canada is enjoying unprecedented population growth at rates well above the national average. In this episode, we take a look at the sustainability of the current pace of growth.This special interest podcast begins with a look at the latest population data and the impacts that rapid population growth is having on the labour market, the housing market, education and health care. We are clearly in transition to a faster-growing population than has been the case in the past for the region and we will need to quickly learn how to adapt to different economic and market pressures to take advantage of that growth.