NEWS RELEASES
GOVERNMENT OF CANADA CONTRIBUTES $290,000 TOWARD GREATER SAINT JOHN GROWTH STRATEGY
August 1, 2002
GOVERNMENT OF CANADA CONTRIBUTES $290,000 TOWARD GREATER SAINT JOHN
GROWTH STRATEGY
The Government of Canada today announced $290,000 in funding, through the Program for Export Market
Development Investment (PEMD-I), toward the Growth Strategy for Greater Saint John, an assessment of how
the region's long-term economic potential can best be achieved.
The PEMD-I program was designed as a partnership between the Government of Canada and Canadian
communities, to increase employment by facilitating the attraction and retention of foreign direct investment.
Enterprise Saint John will be organizing, coordinating and implementing the strategy with the strong support
and expertise of community leaders from the City of Saint John, Town of Grand Bay-Westfield, Town of
Rothesay, Town of Quispamsis, and the Village of St. Martins.
"In such a competitive marketplace," said Minister for International Trade Pierre Pettigrew, "well-planned
regional economic development can provide huge returns over time. By moving forward together, the five
communities targeted by today's announcement are taking a key step toward ensuring a brighter future for their
business people, and for their workers and families."
"Communities and regions that set a course for their development are often energized by change and quicker
to seize opportunity," added Industry Minister Allan Rock. "This is why we are strongly supporting Greater Saint
John's efforts to establish a vision for its future."
"The Greater Saint John region is host to a diversity of business interests, and holds enormous potential," said
Senator Joseph Day. "We are enjoying an increasing balance between traditional sectors, such as
manufacturing, and more recently-developing areas such as information technology and E-commerce. This
PEMD-I funding will allow us to set our agenda for long-term growth and prosperity."
In order to be successful in securing funding through PEMD-I, communities must demonstrate significant
support from the provincial and municipal governments as well as the business community.
"We believe in supporting innovative projects that foster growth and sustainable development in communities,"
said Minister Norm McFarlane, Department of Training and Employment Development. "Working in conjunction
with all levels of government is the way of the future. ACOA working with Business New Brunswick, working
with our municipalities will produce amazing results."
"Enterprise Saint John is pleased to coordinate this blueprint for our future on behalf of the Greater Saint John
community," said Raymond French, Chair, Enterprise Saint John. "We will be working closely with our
municipalities and business community not only to complete the planning process but also to move quickly to
an implementation strategy."
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A backgrounder is attached.
For further information, media representatives may contact:
Sébastien Théberge
Office of the Minister for International Trade
(613) 992-7332
Media Relations Office
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(613) 995-1874
Selena Beattie
Office of the Minister of Industry
(613) 995-9001
John Hobbs
Investment Partnerships Canada
(613) 946-2182
Diane Huestis
Enterprise Saint John
(506) 632-6114
This document is also available on the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade's Internet site:
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca
Backgrounder
PROGRAM FOR EXPORT MARKET DEVELOPMENT - INVESTMENT (PEMD-I)
Instituted in January 1999, PEMD-I is the Government of Canada's Team Canada approach to helping
Canadian communities attract, retain and expand foreign direct investment and to increasing total Canadian
employment.
PEMD-I is made up of two parts.
PEMD-I projects between $50,000 and $300,000
• Aim directly at attracting investment to Canada;
• Complement ongoing community economic development programs;
• Work on a cost-shared basis (applicants are eligible for Government of Canada support of up to 50 percent of
the cost of their activities);
• Are developed by larger communities and regional coalitions;
• Involve a national approval committee; and
• Work with a total budget of $1.4 million per year.
PEMD-I projects up to $50,000
• Help communities become investment-ready;
• Assist in the implementation of modest program delivery (cover training, database development, studies,
development plans, and implementation of investment attraction initiatives);
• Work on a cost-shared basis (applicants are eligible for Government of Canada support of up to 50 percent of
the cost of their activities);
• Involve regional approval committees and International Trade Centres across the country; and,
• Work with a total budget of $3.4 million per year.
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