On this week's Insights podcast, Don and David talk with David Chaundy, President and CEO of the Atlantic Economic Council. The Council was established back in 1954 to provide research and support to economic development efforts across the region. Chaundy has been running the organization since 2018 and is passionate about its role helping the region address its biggest challenges and opportunities. We discuss everything from growth industries to demographics and the importance of regional cooperation. At times sobering (e.g. when Chaundy rattles off statistics about our health care and education systems) and inspiring (e.g. when he makes the case for a long-term vision), you will enjoy the conversation. You can learn more about the council and download public research reports at https://atlanticeconomiccouncil.ca/.

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.

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.