Region neglected no more

There’s something happening in Atlantic Canada

Almost 40 years ago, I was proud to lead a government that recognized the importance and potential of Atlantic Canada. At that time, this was a have-not region, defined by high unemployment and struggling against a perception of despondency and malaise.

I had lived here, gone to high school and university here, and worked in this region. For a time, I represented the hard-working citizens of Central Nova in the House of Commons.

I often thought this region was given short shrift. It was time to address it.

ACOA CREATED

Together with the four provincial governments and the citizens of this region, we created the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. Since its inception in 1987, it has supported the ingenuity, innovation and entrepreneurial drive of the people of these provinces.

ACOA was a game changer, and it made us all realize the importance of never again being put in a position where there is a degree of indifference from Ottawa.

Indifference would have meant no support for Newfoundland and Labrador and the Hibernia oil fields, or the Confederation Bridge linking Prince Edward Island to the rest of Canada. The economic and social impact those projects provided to the two provinces, and the region, were, and continue to be, significant.

ACOA proved that if you provide Atlantic Canadians with the necessary assistance, they will accelerate change.

That acceleration is continuing — so much so that a new day for Atlantic Canada is just upon us. I’m excited about what it will look like.

ECONOMIC FORUM

Later this month, we are capitalizing on this energy by convening the Atlantic Economic Forum, a major conference at the Mulroney Institute of Government at St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish.

Business leaders, Indigenous leaders, the four provincial premiers, academics, entrepreneurs, union officials and officials from all levels of government are coming together. Everyone is welcome.

These are people who live here, work here and know this region. There will also be people from outside Atlantic Canada, such as American philanthropist and businessman Ken Langone, an original investor in Home Depot, who knows what it takes to attract investment. That’s what we want to see and need more of here in the Atlantic region.

My hope is the players at this conference may be able to articulate a new vision for the region. My hope is new investments will be made and partnerships formed.

The opportunities are here. Atlantic Canada is rich with postsecondary institutions, including 16 universities, leading nearly $200-million worth of research and development in the region and graduating top talent and skilled workers, according to the Association of Atlantic Universities.

The population is growing, as we’ve seen newcomers settle here. From 2008 to 2015, about 7,000 immigrants came every year, but between 2015 and 2022, we’ve seen about 15,000 immigrants annually.

QUALITY OF LIFE

Canadians from outside the region are choosing to move here because of the quality of life and opportunities. In 2021, 22,000 more Canadians arrived in Atlantic Canada from other provinces than left it, a 40 per cent increase from 2016 to 2020 combined, says a recent RBC report.

Statistics Canada data shows that Moncton was the fastest-growing urban region in the country in 2022; Halifax was second.

Recently, ACOA’S president, Catherine Blewett, outlined just some of what is happening here. She spoke about the economic importance of the ocean sector, which is estimated to grow to over $25 billion by 2030. The region’s startups continue to increase, and we are known to have one of the best early stage startup communities in the world. Aerospace is a big sector in this region, with as many as 50 firms employing 4,000 people. And P.E.I., with recent investments, is becoming a frontrunner in the biomanufacturing industry.

“This is not your grandparents’ Atlantic Canada,” Blewett said.

“While some old biases run deep, we are seeing a shift in the federation and an opening in the narrative. And that presents us with opportunity. To shift the perspective of Atlantic Canada, we have to start talking about our value proposition and start advocating for it.”

I wholeheartedly agree. However, the talk is already starting; the advocating, too.

That’s what is happening at the Atlantic Economic Forum. It is convening this important conversation and providing the platform for discussion, strategy, investment and implementation as we let the rest of Canada in on one of the country’s best-kept secrets.