October 25, 2005
Ottawa, Ontario
The Honourable Joseph McGuire, Minister of the Atlantic
Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), talked about the
economic transformation taking place in Atlantic Canada to
an audience of key decision-makers in Ottawa today.Minister McGuire delivered the opening address at the
Public Policy Forum Conference this morning before a
national audience of approximately 200, comprised of
economists, industry CEOs, senior level public servants,
and academics. The aim of the two-day conference is to
inform participants of the economic transformation taking
place in Atlantic Canada."Innovation in wire technology, aerospace, agriculture,
wind energy - these are the success stories of Atlantic
Canada. And these stories are literally changing the world
in which we live," said Minister McGuire. "With policies
that support innovation, people, infrastructure and a
positive business climate, we have become stronger and are
now in a position to contribute even more to the nation's
overall prosperity."He emphasized that what Atlantic Canada needs to succeed is
already in place - a stable and well-educated workforce,
the most post secondary institutions per capita in Canada,
and the most competitive business costs world-wide,
according to the international consulting firm KPMG.The Minister also announced that he will undertake a cross-
Canada speaking tour over the next few months. He will be
speaking to business stakeholders, associations and
students to raise awareness of the potential Atlantic
Canada holds. "We must educate each other about our
respective regions, on the benefits and challenges we all
face," he said. "Only through the sharing of information
will we be able to break down whatever barriers may still
exist, and, as a result, continue to bring all of Canada
together."Minister McGuire acknowledged that challenges remain which
are affecting the region's productivity and
competitiveness, such as the need for more private sector
investment in research and development, attracting more
skilled people to the region, as well as retaining talented
Atlantic Canadians, particularly its young people."In order for Atlantic Canada to truly prosper, there must
first be a recognition that the stereotypes are flawed and
that the perceptions that some hold are inaccurate,"
indicated Minister McGuire. "Atlantic Canadians are
competing on the world stage and winning."The opening address was designed to set the stage for the
second day of the Public Policy Forum Conference where
discussion will center on human capital to support economic
transformation, the drivers of Atlantic Canada's
transformation, and the promotion of trade and investment.Established in 1987, the Public Policy Forum is an
independent, not-for-profit organization aimed at improving
quality of government in Canada through better dialogue
between the public, private and voluntary sectors.- 30 -
For more information, please contact:
Valérie Poulin
Director of Communications
Office of the
Honourable Joseph McGuire
Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
(613) 941-7241
Debbie Corey
Director of Communications, Policy and Programs
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
(506) 851-2133
