Atlantic Economic Panel

Bolder Ambitions

Atlantic Canada faces a pivotal moment to boost productivity and secure long-term prosperity. The region has an opportunity to foster a cultural shift, become a hub for innovation and investment and position itself as a place where future generations of businesses choose to grow and thrive locally.

On September 25, 2026, the Atlantic Economic Panel released its independent, private-sector-led report, Bolder Ambitions: Greater Prosperity for All.

The report sets out seven core recommendations and challenges the region to think bigger, work across boundaries and act as one economy.

Take a One Atlantic Canada Approach to Regional Economic Issues
Make Faster Project Decisions a Competitive Advantage
Develop an Integrated Regional Electricity System
Fully Develop the Region's Natural Resources
Win the Competition for Talent
Develop a Business Growth Mindset Driven by Productivity and AI
Create an Atlantic Prosperity Fund

The report outlines calls to action for governments, businesses and other stakeholders to work together to advance these recommendations. Additional proposed actions are available in the full report.

About the Atlantic Economic Panel

Mandate
The Atlantic Economic Panel was tasked with identifying transformational opportunities and developing independent, action-oriented recommendations to accelerate productivity, strengthen competitiveness and improve long-term prosperity across Atlantic Canada.

Members
The panel consisted of seven prominent business leaders representing all four Atlantic provinces. Members contributed their expertise, networks and leadership to guide the panel’s recommendations and champion its vision.

The members

Don Mills (Chair) is President of Crane Cove Holdings Limited and a partner and director with CABCO Communications. He is co-founder and partner of Total Marketing & Communications in Bermuda and its affiliate Narrative Research Bermuda. Previously, he was CEO and co-founder of Corporate Research Associates (now Narrative Research), which he sold in 2018. He is currently co-host of the Insights Podcast on the Acadia Broadcasting Network and recently co-authored a book with David Campbell, Toward Prosperity: The Transformation of Atlantic Canada’s Economy.

Mills has served on more than two dozen boards over his career, including the Halifax International Airport Authority, Dalhousie University, the Halifax Chamber of Commerce, the Halifax Partnership and the United Way. In 2022, he was inducted into the Nova Scotia Business Hall of Fame.

Cathy Bennett is the co-founder of Sandpiper Ventures and former CEO of the Bennett Group. She is a seasoned board chair, director, investor and business leader with more than 3 decades of experience across energy, mining, capital markets, technology and public policy.

Her work spans major resource developments, energy transition initiatives, dual-use and frontier technologies, and scale-up strategies that strengthen regional competitiveness. Recognized for navigating complex stakeholder environments and aligning industry, government and community interests, she has consistently advanced productivity, investment attraction and long-term growth.

Joyce Carter is President and CEO of the Halifax International Airport Authority, a role she has held since 2014. Under her leadership, Halifax Stanfield’s economic output and its employment impact have doubled. The airport now supports over 24,000 jobs and generates more than $4  billion in annual economic activity, cementing its role as a cornerstone of Nova Scotia’s economy and Atlantic Canada’s global connectivity.

Carter is active in national and international aviation governance and serves on several regional and community boards related to transportation, tourism and financial services. She serves as Honorary Colonel of 12 Wing Shearwater, holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Saint Mary’s University and an honorary Doctor of Commerce, is a Fellow CPA and earned her ICD.D designation in 2015. Her honours include Atlantic Canada’s Top 50 CEOs, Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women, and a King Charles III Coronation Medal.

Mike Cassidy is the CEO of the Cassidy Group, which owns Coach Atlantic and Maritime Bus. He is one of Atlantic Canada’s most recognizable entrepreneurs, with a wide range of industry experience. Cassidy's business ownership interests over the past 40 years have crossed many business sectors, including long-haul trucking, waste management, retail automotive, tourism and hospitality, real estate development, business consulting, sales and marketing, bus transportation, climate-controlled greenhouse production, and sustainable farming initiatives. Today, the Group of Companies has close to 700 employees focusing on bus transportation, cruise ship shore excursions, sustainable agriculture, and real estate development.

J. Scott McCain is Chairman of the Board of McCain Foods Limited. He is also President of JSM Capital Corporation (a private investment holding corporation). In 2014, McCain retired as President and Chief Operating Officer of the Agribusiness Group at Maple Leaf Foods Inc., a role he had held since 1999. From 1995 to 1999, he was Executive Vice-President at Maple Leaf Foods. Prior to joining Maple Leaf Foods, McCain was Vice-President of Production, McCain Foods Limited in Canada. He joined McCain Foods in 1978 and held progressively senior positions in manufacturing and operations. McCain holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Mount Allison University. He is a director of SeaFort Capital Inc., Saint John Major Junior Hockey Club Limited, and the Fraser Institute, and is Chair of the Board of the Margaret and Wallace McCain Family Foundation Inc.

Chief Terry Richardson was elected Chief of Pabineau First Nation in April 2020, after serving as a councillor for 8 years. He previously worked as Mi’kmaq benefits manager for Trevali Mining, where he provided guidance in the development of underground mining programs. Additionally, Chief Richardson served 25 years in the Canadian Armed Forces, working within the construction engineering field in administration, finance and contracting.

He has also been an active community member, sitting on the boards of Vitalité Health and the Université de Moncton.

Anne Whelan is an entrepreneur, corporate director, and business and health-care leader based in St. John’s. As principal shareholder and CEO of Seafair Capital—one of Canada’s Best Managed companies—Whelan leads and oversees a diverse group of companies broadly organized around community health and wellness, and has enjoyed the bumpy ride of starting, growing and maturing a group of businesses, including some new and innovative health-care solutions that are gaining traction across Canada. She has received multiple regional and national recognitions for business leadership, including being named CEO of the Year by Atlantic Business Magazine, being inducted into the NL Business Hall of Fame and Startup Canada Entrepreneur of the Year. Whelan is currently lead director of the Bank of Canada, is a corporate director of several companies, including CSA Group and Nova Leap Health, and is Vice-Chair of The Gathering Place.

Consultation

The panel engaged businesses, economic development organizations, sector associations, community stakeholders, Indigenous organizations and underrepresented groups across Atlantic Canada. Its work included more than 50 written submissions, 35 in-person presentations, nearly 100 CEO conversations and public opinion research with 1,000 Atlantic Canadians and more than 400 businesses.

ACOA’s role
The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), mandated the panel’s work under the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency Act.

The panel operated independently from government, with ACOA providing only secretariat support.

Next steps
ACOA is reviewing the panel’s recommendations to inform federal efforts to increase productivity, help businesses scale, attract major investment and create new economic opportunities across Atlantic Canada.

The Atlantic Chamber of Commerce and Atlantic Economic Council are supporting continued engagement on the report’s recommendations through advocacy efforts and clear metrics.

Important links

Atlantic Economic Panel (AEP) report: Bolder Ambitions: Greater Prosperity for All
ACOA report news release: Atlantic Economic Panel unveils blueprint for Atlantic Canada’s future
AEP report news release: Atlantic Economic Panel Calls on Region to Think Bigger, Scale Faster and Compete Globally
Launch of the AEP news release: Minister Fraser launches major Atlantic growth push with top local business leaders

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2026-10-16

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Atlantic Economic Panel

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