2018-19 Departmental Plan
Minister's message

The work of the Innovation, Science and Economic Development Portfolio is as diverse as it is expansive. We are involved in many important areas of our economy, including making critical investments in innovation and science; supporting the commercialization of research and ideas; providing Canadians with the skills to excel in the digital economy; helping small businesses grow; promoting Canada as a world-leading tourism destination; and integrating science into our investment and policy decisions.

2018-19 will be an exciting year for all of this important work as we seek to make Canada a global innovation leader. We are continuing to implement the next steps of the Innovation and Skills Plan, which will build an economy that works for everyone. Through Budget 2018, we are making the single largest investment in science in Canadian history to ensure that Canada remains a world leader in research and commercialization. And we are delivering Canada’s first Women Entrepreneurship Strategy, to support women entrepreneurs as they start, grow and scale their businesses.

We believe our economy should work for all Canadians. We want to see Canadian businesses, large and small, create high-quality jobs, and we want them to compete in the knowledge economy, driven by creative, boundary-pushing ideas.

The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) will continue to support and promote innovation, business growth, tourism and community development in Atlantic Canada. The Agency will work with its partners to support communities facing changing economies and to promote growth in Indigenous communities. ACOA will also continue to help small and medium-sized enterprises to start up, enhance skills, increase commercialization and acquire technologies that will help them boost their productivity and strengthen their position in global markets. ACOA will work with federal and provincial government partners to advance the Atlantic Growth Strategy. Under this strategy, ACOA and its partners will continue to propel the growth of high-potential start-ups and established firms, help businesses and key industry sectors expand trade, attract foreign investment to the region, position the region as a top tourism destination, promote clean technology development, and attract and retain qualified and skilled newcomers.

It is my pleasure to present the 2018-19 Departmental Plan for ACOA.