Reader Endorsements
The Macdonald Notebook is read by business titans and politicos – and each week, 1,500-plus folk visit our website. Here are some Reader Endorsements – we have just entered our seventh year of Independent publishing.
Donna Harding realtor/broker with Engel & Völkers says of The Notebook:
“Andrew, I feel we are so fortunate to have your publication to read each week as you provide us with up-to-date, unbiased, honest and fair journalism that speaks to the key topics of the day whether in business, politics, real estate, or philanthropy in our region.
Your publication has become a “must-read” for me to stay current on what is happening in our beautiful part of the world!
Thank you for all you do!”
Donna Harding and her husband Sebastien Latulippe own Engel & Völkers Halifax-NS. They are Notebook Readers and Advertisers, tapping into my robust audience of Business Leaders and Politicos.
Alex Whalen
Senior Economist & Development Manager, Atlantic Canada, The Fraser Institute, Atlantic Canada Prosperity Initiative writes:
“I wanted to congratulate you on the success of the Macdonald Notebook. I recently returned as a subscriber and I find it refreshing to read the original reporting, engaging stories, and a strong mix of business and politics.
The Macdonald Notebook provides much-needed original reporting with a strong mix of business and political coverage. It has become a must-read in the media landscape, and I learn something from every edition. Continued success!”
Chester-Halifax’s Tim Moore, founder of two national moving companies, and two national extended-stay businesses, and a real serial entrepreneur writes”
“Andrew, being able to observe and experience your elevation to so many successes I really want to congratulate you on you inner toughness, your creativity and your innate ability to provide incredible journalism to your readers, Keep up the great work”
Tim Moore really likes reading The Macdonald Notebook.
Steve Parker, founder of CCL Group (Corporate Communications Ltd.):
“It is remarkable to see what you are doing with The Macdonald Notebook. More content, high quality, “Breaking News”…The Notebook has exploded from startup to “Must Read”.
What’s next?”
Mr. Parker’s spouse, Shirley Parker, reads me, too:
Jim Vibert: retired Halifax Herald political columnist, writes on my Journalism:
“Hi Andrew: I just wanted to send along a note to say that I’m more than impressed with the continued success of The Macdonald Notebook, and by your incredible proficiency. The quality and number of great stories you deliver week after week tell me you must be doing well”.
The great former Halifax Herald Political Journalist loves reading The Macdonald Notebook.
Louie Lawen, property developer:
“Keep up the great work. Your news reporting is informative and exceptionally current.”
Tim Olive, former Nova Scotia Cabinet Minister:
“Folks: If you are a subscriber then I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I do. If not I recommend that you give it a try. In this day of selective political reporting, in the regular media, The Macdonald Notebook’s online publication has evolved as the leading news outlet for anyone with a keen interest in what is really going on regarding the major political and economic issues of the day in Nova Scotia and the Maritimes.
Veteran political journalist, Al Hollingsworth, who at 82, now goes to work every day at a Lower Sackville community radio station:
“The Macdonald Notebook has a nice mix of news and even news scoops!”
The Hon. Tim Olive is a former NS cabinet minister and former Dartmouth South MLA. He loves reading The Macdonald Notebook.
Noted Halifax realtor Carolyn Davis-Stewart:
“I do very much enjoy reading your in-depth coverage of so many varied topics. Glad you called me that day for info so I could subscribe once again! Love to read your news the minute your reports come out. Amazing the knowledge you glean!!”.
Carolyn Davis Stewart is one of Halifax’s most prolific listing and selling realtors. She loves reading the weekend editions of The Macdonald Notebook.
Erin O’Toole, a former federal Tory leader:
“The movers and shakers read you, Andrew”.
Former federal Tory leader, Erin O’Toole, says “the movers and shakers” read The Macdonald Notebook.
Don Mills, leading Atlantic and Halifax pollster, says:
“Anyone interested in good reporting about what is happening in Nova Scotia might want to read the Macdonald Notebook, which is published on Saturdays, Sundays and Wednesdays”.
Halifax-South Shore business leader Don Mills recommends reading The Macdonald Notebook.
Chester-Halifax business person, Stephen Mader:
“I love The Notebook, always interesting. Well written, with tremendous insight. Keep up the great work!”
Chester’s Stephen Mader likes reading The Macdonald Notebook.
Robert Zed, Chair, Triangle Strategies, Founder ZedEvents Executive-in-Residence, Dalhousie University. Halifax/Toronto writes about my journalism:
“The Macdonald Notebook nails it, every edition, every time. Andrew, you’re a great storyteller and journalist of hard facts and informative well-researched news. I am happy to continue to support and promote your great leading-edge news and The Notebook. I look forward to your great coverage. Congrats”.
Robert Zed is a serial entrepreneur. He reads The Macdonald Notebook.
Serial entrepreneur Tim Moore of Chester-Halifax, founder of national moving van lines AMJ Campbell, and Premier Van Lines, founder of Moore Executive Suites and founder of Premier Executive Suites, says of my journalism:
“Keep up the good journalism work, very impressive”.
Billy Joe MacLean, leading Port Hawkesbury politico writes:
“I am really enjoying your Macdonald Notebook. You have not only captured an audience of followers, but you also have the experience of years behind you to dig out your contacts. So keep up the interesting news items”.
Layton Dorey, Halifax Southend raised, and now Toronto based Senior Vice President at Northstar Research Partners, says:
“The Macdonald Notebook provides the colour between the lines that allows news to become information. In a time when too many media organizations essentially reprint press releases, Andrew has personal conversations with the newsmakers. Not satisfied with simply the ‘what’, The Notebook goes further, to enlighten on the ‘why'”.
Layton Dorey writes The Macdonald Notebook is a must-read.
John MacDonell, a product of Nova Scotia, who later became the province’s most powerful backroom operator in the Harper Ottawa regime, says of my politico coverage:
“Your political coverage is awesome for political junkies like me. Good on you and kudos for excellence. You have a way of explaining things so that readers understand that those involved in partisan politics are human just like everyone else”.
This is Tory toiler John MacDonell’s 1985 Grade 12 Christmas card, created by his brother-in-law cartoonist Bruce MacKinnon. John likes The Macdonald Notebook.
Liberals like former John Savage minister Robbie Harrison, also have been appreciative of my journalism style:
“Your well-crafted journalism style is ‘down-home – high quality’ reporting – concise, informative, diverse, historically accurate, objective, humorous and pleasantly intimate”.
A Nova Scotia Judge writes about my journalism:
“Andrew, congratulations. I look forward to your new work . I am sure it will be of the highest quality and standard you have exhibited throughout your career. Journalism is becoming a dying art I am glad there are people like you who are keeping it alive”.
Noted Halifax real estate developer, Wadih Fares, who is also Honorary Consul General in the Maritimes for Lebanon reads my news copy:
“I have been reading Andrew’s stories for 20-years. I am always curious to see what he is going to write about and he is very curious himself but honest”.
“He is passionate about journalism and above all he is trustworthy”.
“We live in a very small, tight-knit community. Media has a big impact on our lives and it helps to talk to a journalist you can trust and that’s Andrew Macdonald. He is experienced, his stories are fair, balanced and very professional. That’s what good journalism is all about!!”.
Wadih Fares loves The Macdonald Notebook’s many news scoops.
Prominent Chester-Halifax realtor, Piers Baker remarks:
“Andrew is a very fine writer and has oodles of information on the local real estate scene. He is probably the most tapped-in person in this part of the world”.
Chester-Halifax realtor Piers Baker reads The Macdonald Notebook. he is also a Notebook advertiser.
Betsy Macdonald, NDP caucus toiler:
“Andrew’s interest in Nova Scotia’s people, politics and culture leads him to tell stories that otherwise would not be told. He is at once fair and thoughtful, bold and investigative. When something’s brewing, The Macdonald Notebook is often where you hear about it first!”
Betsy MacDonald reads The Macdonald Notebook.
A grade 10 student (our youngest subscriber) on Nova Scotia’s North Shore:
“I really enjoy your weekly publication.”
Victoria Hines, Realtor, Royal LePage Atlantic.
“Your news is addictive”.
Mark Boudreau, director of Corporate Affairs for Loblaw Halifax:
“Andrew is quintessentially Nova Scotian. He is a tough but fair reporter–and he cares about his readers. His columns are always insightful, and with him, you always get insight that you don’t in any other business reporting in the province.”
Mark Boudreau loves reading the weekend editions of The Macdonald Notebook.
Here’s how former NS PC leadership contender John Lohr describes The Notebook:
“Nova Scotia’s Political Publication”.
New Resident Of Nova Scotia & A New Notebook Subscriber:
AllnovaScotia.com co-founder David Bentley: “Andrew’s big strength is his interest in other people and the contacts he has to tell stories that connect with other people.” I helped Bentley re-launch allNovaScotia.com in 2002 – and stayed there until 2017, when I left on great terms to become a media entrepreneur founding The Macdonald Notebook.
Banking and insurance entrepreneur, Jonathan Meretsky says of The Notebook:
“Thanks for everything you do and your excellent journalism (that is informative and fun to read).”
Renaud Brossard, Atlantic director Canadian Taxpayers Federation:
“The stories you put out and the work you do covering Nova Scotia politics is second to none.”
Rotarian & Charter Liberal Supporter Valerie Bobyk Really Likes The Macdonald Notebook!
Editor’s Note: Following is the introduction Halifax Harbourside Rotary Club’s Valerie Bobyk provided for my talk to the Rotarians in Feb. 2023. I was humbled by her kind comments. (We might just hire her as our marketing guru.)
Valerie Bobyk:
Andrew Macdonald can best be described as the last bastion of investigative journalism in Nova Scotia. For over 35 years, the blood of print ink has figuratively pumped through a heart of a man who has devoted his life to the sharing of information, providing all the details and important analysis, ensuring we, the reading public, knew everything there was to know about any story, any deal, any individual in our province.
In 2017, Andrew, with a steady hand, a gloriously inquisitive attitude, an unerring sense of the true story, an eye for journalistic truth and an incomparable network, launched the incredibly popular Macdonald Notebook, a twice-weekly online publication which quickly became a must-read for political junkies, titans of business, the proverbial movers and shakers in our province, politicians of every level and of every stripe, and people who really want to know what is going on.
Andrew provided a little bio, but I wanted to go beyond that to give you an image of a true newsman.
Andrew has done something else that is truly remarkable. Throughout his long and varied career in journalism, Andrew has been quite open regarding his struggle to maintain his mental health. We applaud that courage, are thankful for his determination to share his story, helping eliminate the stigma often associated with mental health struggles.
For a guy who started out as a kid with a paper route in Antigonish, I ask that you give a warm Rotary welcome to the very Hali-famous Andrew Macdonald.
Valerie Bobyk is of Ukrainian extraction, raised in a robust Ukrainian community in Cape Breton and a long-time Halifax resident, person about town and mover and shaker. She is pictured with Tim Halman, PC MLA for Dartmouth East, left, Monsignor John Williams of St. Mary’s Basilica, and Tim Houston, PC leader and Premier. At the time The Notebook took this picture years ago, I thought Valerie was a big Tory. She is a charter member, of course, of the Liberal party. The Notebook photo
