August 14, 2025
In this Q&A, Mariner Innovations shares how it’s driving digital transformation in Atlantic Canada while staying true to its community-focused roots. We sit down with Vice President Mike MacPhail to discuss Mariner’s impact on healthcare, public services, and regional economic growth, its bold commitment to becoming an AI-first company, and its mission to build globally competitive capabilities right here at home.
DNS: Tell us about yourself and your role at Mariner?
Mike: I lead Advisory, Channels, and Business Development for Mariner Innovations. In many ways, I see myself as an enabler of innovation – bringing together the right people, ideas, and partnerships across the Mariner group of companies, our clients, community, and our channels to create the conditions for bold ideas to thrive and deliver impact.
I’ve always been a staunch supporter of building up our local tech community. I believe we can – and should – be competing, and winning, against global leaders. We have all the ingredients to make that happen. In my role at Mariner, and as a board member of Digital Nova Scotia and Chair of its Strategy Committee, I’m fully committed to helping shape that future.
DNS: What excites you most about working at Mariner?
Mike: Mariner’s success isn’t just measured by projects delivered – it’s measured by the impact we create in our communities. Every dollar spent with Mariner is reinvested into local capacity building, regional innovation, and the longterm sustainability of Nova Scotia’s digital ecosystem.
That ethos is true to our founders – Gerry Pond, Curtis Howe, and Bob Justason’s – bold mission set in 2003: to leverage technology innovation to drive prosperity and economic development in Atlantic Canada, while building a high performance, long-enduring consulting company.
Mariner Innovations consulting revenue helps fuel early stage Atlantic Canadian startups through our sister company East Valley Ventures. With over 40 startups in our portfolio, we’ve been fortunate to support some of the region’s biggest risk takers and entrepreneurs. And just this summer, we’ve introduced the Mariner Innovation Fund, where qualifying engagements include a 2.5% reinvestment to co create solutions with our clients that drive innovation and improve outcomes. We believe this fund will be a force multiplier.
It’s an incredible business with a tremendous legacy of impact over more than 20 years – and we truly feel like we’re just getting started. There’s a real sense of excitement about what’s ahead.
DNS: What are some projects Mariner is most proud of?
Mike: We’re proud to be part of initiatives that make a real difference for Nova Scotians – not just through technology, but through meaningful change that improves people’s lives. A few examples that stand out:
- Reducing wait times for driver tests. We partnered with the Province of Nova Scotia to create CaRT (Capture a Road Test) – a first of its kind mobile solution in Canada that has shortened wait times for drivers tests and improved the citizen experience. It’s exciting to see something we helped build become a model for digital government services.
- Playing a part in Nova Scotia’s health data journey. We supported the Department of Health and Wellness in developing foundational health data infrastructure that now underpins several key initiatives across the health system. One example is our work with Physician Services, where we’re helping modernize their performance analytics. Knowing we can play even a small part in better decision making, improved outcomes, and greater access to health information is deeply rewarding.
- Contributing to One Person One Record (OPOR). We’re fortunate to provide clinical, technical, and project management expertise to help the One Person One Record (OPOR) undertaking – which is standardizing clinical workflows and patient care across our IWK Health and Nova Scotia Health sites, while implementing a provincial Clinical Information System. It’s an honour to play even a small role in this massive, transformative undertaking!
- Helping strengthen healthcare cybersecurity. Our work with a very large health authority in western Canada has ranged from security and privacy risk assessments for clinics connecting to their CIS to modernizing their risk management policy framework. It’s a great example of building capability here at home and bringing that expertise to the national stage.
- Leading change management that makes transformation stick. Technology change is accelerating, especially with AI, and success depends on people being ready for it. Our change consultants support everything from Nova Scotia’s Action for Health initiatives & the Health Transformation Office to strategic change programs at Health Canada – focusing on building Change Capability within organizations to accelerate adoption of new systems and ways of working so that change isn’t just implemented but embraced.
Ultimately, these aren’t just “projects” – they’re examples of how our people and partners come together to make life better for Nova Scotians. And I’m equally proud of the public servants and leaders we work alongside – at CSDS, Service NS, Public Works, DHW, and NS Health – because Nova Scotia is truly setting the pace nationally for digital transformation.
DNS: How is Mariner approaching AI?
Mike: We’re committed to becoming an AI first company – embedding AI across our operations and in every service we deliver.
A critical part of this journey is empowering every Mariner employee. We’ve made AI tools accessible to all staff, encouraging experimentation, continuous learning, and innovation in day to day work.
Our work with platforms like Microsoft Fabric and generative AI helps organizations build the right data foundation to unlock AI’s potential – using data responsibly to solve real problems, from predictive analytics in healthcare to AI enabled citizen services. Earning and keeping public trust is essential, and we believe responsible use of citizen data and AI is a fundamental obligation in every solution we deliver.
But for us, AI is more than just technology. We’re building capability here in Atlantic Canada so that the jobs, expertise, and innovation stay local – fuelling longterm economic growth and reinvestment in our region.
We see this as a watershed moment for Mariner – and for the region.
DNS: How does Mariner’s approach align with Digital Nova Scotia’s goals?
Mike: Digital Nova Scotia exists to grow our province’s digital economy by supporting local companies, developing talent, and making Nova Scotia globally competitive.
At Mariner, that mission is built into everything we do – from our economic development flywheel to deep partnerships with universities, innovation hubs, and Digital Nova Scotia itself – to our steadfast commitment to hiring and growing local talent. When companies like Mariner thrive, it creates a ripple effect – opening opportunities for students, startups, and communities.
For Nova Scotia to compete globally, we need to connect the dots between public sector modernization, strategic procurement, and regional productivity. When public investments stay in province, they create a compounding effect – building capability, creating high value jobs, and improving overall economic output. Public sector procurement isn’t just about buying services; it’s one of the most powerful levers we have to drive longterm prosperity – and when done strategically, it builds capacity and positions Nova Scotia as a global leader.
DNS: What advice would you give to those looking to grow in Nova Scotia’s tech sector?
Mike: Stay curious, take risks, collaborate widely, and invest in relationships. The companies that succeed here are the ones that partner, share knowledge, and lift each other up. We’ve proven that you can build a globally competitive company from right here in Nova Scotia – and that by reinvesting in our region, we all rise together.
DNS: What’s next for Mariner?
Mike: Mariner is doubling down on AI and digital transformation in sectors that matter most to Atlantic Canadians – healthcare, public services, education, and energy. Our focus is on practical innovation, harnessing AI responsibly while creating lasting economic impact in our region. We’re building world class capabilities here at home, innovating locally to create impact regionally, nationally, even globally. Our goal is to lead in these areas and expand, exporting that expertise far beyond our region.
A Final Word – Let’s Build This Together
This lift will take a village – and if we’re aligned, we can move mountains. Even firms that sometimes see each other as competitors have a role to play in growing our sector together.
To local talent: if you want to do work that truly matters, right here at home, there has never been a better time. Nova Scotia has the ingredients to compete – and win – on the world stage. Mariner is ready to partner with government, industry, and community to deliver results that strengthen both our economy and our public services.
Meet Mike MacPhail – Vice President of Advisory, Channels, and Business Development at Mariner Innovations.
With over 25 years at the intersection of technology strategy, innovation, and market development, Mike is an entrepreneurial leader who embraces bold, forward thinking approaches to solving complex challenges. He has held senior roles at Mariner, T4G, MNP Digital, and Maritech Software – consistently uncovering opportunities for innovation, designing new futures, and driving meaningful results for clients and communities.
As a Digital Nova Scotia board member and Strategy Committee Chair, he is a staunch advocate for building a globally competitive tech sector from right here in Nova Scotia – believing that this is our moment, and we need to be bold in meeting it.
Learn more today at https://marinerinnovations.com/