Atlantic Business Summit keynote speaker John Risley remains optimistic about current challenges facing his business in Nova Scotia. ABS panellist and journalist for the Globe and Mail, Gordon Pitts, spoke with the business titan shortly after his dissertation at this year’s ABS to discuss how he will face the falling dollar, economic collapse and the new NDP government.

On the subject of the new NDP government and their new cabinet, Mr. Risley offers a welcoming but cautionary message.

“The new premier-elect, Darrell Dexter, seems to be quite intelligent, a good listener. He seems to understand now is not the time for all sorts of expensive new socially oriented programs. I am comforted by that.

But I'm not sure what sort of bench strength there is in the NDP. Because they have never been in government, there is nobody with any experience.”

When asked if he had any advice to offer Darrell Dexter, Mr. Risley noted that efficient spending and reducing health care costs through prevention will be the keys to the new government’s success.

In a video interview on the same page, Mr. Risley remarks that in order to attract new and innovative businesses, Atlantic Canada will not survive by maintaining the status quo. “This is a super place to live and we need to figure out what we can to attract ‘neat’ people to a ‘neat’ place.”

To pull people in Mr. Risley suggests that strong leadership in the business community should come first rather than government and they should be prepared for risk. “The business community has to share responsibility and share in the blame when mistakes are made and they are inevitable when you are trying to create change.”

Click here to read Gordon Pitt’s full article at the globeandmail.com
Click here to see the video interview.