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.

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 offshore and onshore natural gas, the strategic importance of unlocking Nova Scotia’s mining resources, and the regulatory reforms needed to accelerate progress. Premier Houston discusses his efforts to reduce interprovincial trade barriers and his government's approach to fiscal management amid growing deficits.

This conversation aligns with the themes of bold leadership and national energy strategy outlined in our book Toward Prosperity. If you're interested in Canada's energy future, economic development, and policy innovation, this episode is a must-listen.

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, workforce challenges, and why demand for long-term care won’t peak until 2042. Whether you're in healthcare, policy, or business, this episode offers a powerful look at the future of elder care in Atlantic Canada.