19 July 2011
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
The Honourable Bernard Valcourt, Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and La Francophonie, hosted today a roundtable discussion with local business and community leaders to exchange views on the economic challenges and opportunities facing the province and Atlantic Canada.
“This summer, I am attending a series of roundtables throughout Atlantic Canada with business and community representatives,” said the Minister. “With our Government now implementing the next phase of Canada’s Economic Action Plan, it is very important for me to hear the concerns and ideas of our community leaders on how we can best stimulate growth, jobs and long-term prosperity in this Newfoundland and Labrador and Atlantic Canada as a whole.”
The next phase of Canada’s Economic Action Plan is designed to help create the right conditions for jobs and growth: a stable, predictable, low-tax environment; a highly skilled and flexible workforce; support for innovation and new technologies; and wider access to markets abroad.
ACOA is helping deliver the Economic Action Plan in Atlantic Canada by focusing on improved business skills and productivity, innovation, commercialization and adoption of new technologies, increased access for businesses to international markets, and stronger communities.
“The next phase of our plan builds on our last five years of hard work to help Canada weather the recession better than most countries in the world and position us for future growth,” Minister Valcourt added. “However, Government cannot do this alone. We need a strong private sector and vibrant communities led by people such as those I met today in St. John’s to ensure a prosperous future for Atlantic Canada and the country.”
INFORMATION:
Andrea Richer, Press Secretary
Office of Minister Valcourt
613-790-3637
Andrea Richer
Attachée de presse
Cabinet du ministre Valcourt
613-790-3637
