Nova Scotia's Lost Century — Can We Change Course?

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We're not a playground. Prosperity won't come from a playground — it comes from innovation, confidence, hard work, risk-taking, competitive zeal and ambition.

— Ian Thompson, from the closing pages of the book

About the Book

For reasons rooted in the nature of Confederation, and in our own self-sabotage, generations of Nova Scotians have not achieved their full potential. Ian Thompson argues that an opportunity to build a prosperous, independent economy — and to control our own destiny — has finally arrived. All we have to do is seize the moment.

The book's central theme is that, over a century, Nova Scotians lost ambition and confidence — both of which are now in ascendancy. Moving from a "have not" province toward a "have" province is a long, steep climb that won't be easy. But if we commit to it, it can be done.

Thompson makes the case that the structural challenges holding the province back can be overcome, and that a rare window now exists to build something more prosperous and self-directed — if Nova Scotians are prepared to recognize it and act.

About the Author

Ian Thompson

Ian Thompson brings more than 40 years of experience across media, business, and government in Atlantic Canada. He began his career in journalism, spending nearly 15 years in news media before moving into the energy sector with two utilities.

He later co-founded MT&L with Bill McArthur, building it into a leading advertising and public affairs firm over nearly two decades. He also served with the Government of Nova Scotia in Ottawa and as Deputy Minister of Economic and Rural Development and Tourism, where he helped advance economic policy and regional growth.

In his writing, Thompson draws on this experience to examine Nova Scotia's economic trajectory — and to argue that a rare opportunity now exists to build a more prosperous, self-directed economy, if Nova Scotians are prepared to seize it.