2016-17 Departmental Results Report - results at a glance

In 2016-17, the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) invested in strategic projects across Atlantic Canada. Priority initiatives include the following:

• The Agency worked closely with other federal departments and provincial governments to implement actions under the Atlantic Growth Strategy, with a focus on innovation, clean growth and climate change, tourism, and trade and investment. ACOA played a key role in launching the Accelerated Growth Service in the region, and met its target of helping 30 high-impact firms propel to a world-class level.
  • For example, ACOA helped Bluedrop Performance Learning Inc., of St. John’s, N.L., undertake product development, market expansion and contract fulfillment activities for its award-winning computer-based simulation, training and e-learning solutions.
• The Atlantic Trade and Investment Growth Strategy (ATIGS) was launched. This long-term approach to sector and market development will help firms achieve their full export potential. Central to ATIGS are ACOA’s partnership with the four Atlantic provincial governments and close collaboration with industry associations and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). A new $20-million federal-provincial agreement supports the implementation of ATIGS.
  • For example, investments in New Brunswick’s seafood sector, essential to the economies of its coastal communities, will help diversify international markets beyond North America to Europe and Asia.
• ACOA invested over $34 million in 143 clean technology projects across the region, helping Canada’s regional development agencies (RDAs) achieve their collective target of investing $100 million in clean economic growth.
  • For example, ACOA helped Mara Renewables Corporation, of Dartmouth, N.S., further the development of clean, green and biodegradable algal-based biofuels, which have the potential to eventually replace petroleum products, including jet fuel.
  • ACOA invested in Island Water Technologies Incorporated, of Montague, P.E.I., to help design and commercialize a state-of-the-art decentralized waste-water treatment solution to meet the needs of rural and remote communities.

For more information on the Agency’s plans, priorities and results achieved, see the “Actual results: what we achieved” section of this report.