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Strategic Outcome Three: Policy, Advocacy and Co-ordination
Policies and programs to support and promote growth in the Atlantic economy.
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FTEs |
Resources ($ millions) |
| Policy and program activities that support and promote
improved competitiveness in the Atlantic economy, including research and
analysis, co-ordination of the relevant development activities of other
stakeholders, and advocacy of Atlantic Canada's interests in national
decisions |
67 |
9.1 |
| Key Results |
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- Products involving policy research, studies, economic analysis and
other analytical exercises.
- Consultation and engagement with interested parties.
- Identification of areas of joint strategic interest, with other
federal departments and within ACOA.
- Advancement of departmental positions through participation in the
federal government's planning and decision-making structures.
- Supportive materials and input such as ministerial briefings and
input to central agencies.
- Ongoing tracking of sectoral and issue files.
- Identification and analysis of key issues, research areas and best
practices that enhance the understanding of the Atlantic economy in
order to improve ACOA's capacity to co-ordinate and plan activities
and programs that contribute to economic growth. Please refer to ACOA's
Web site under Publications - Policy Research for more detailed info
http://www.acoa-apeca/e/library/policy.shtml.
- Greater economic activity in Atlantic Canada through policies and
programs sensitive to the needs of Atlantic Canada.
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| Programs, Resources and Results Linkages |
| The Function
- The Policy function centres on improving the understanding of regional
issues and providing a basis for decision-making. It performs its
role by means of research, ongoing analysis of issues and trends,
and by events such as roundtables and conferences engaging other parties
and stakeholders.
- The Advocacy function has two main thrusts: to maximize regional
industrial benefits from major federal procurement contracts, and
to help ensure national policies and programs have due regard for
Atlantic Canada's interests.
- The Co-ordination function involves ACOA's taking the lead on major
economic issues, as well managing special projects and key initiatives
on behalf of the Government of Canada and through the engagement of
economic partners in addressing the Atlantic region's strategic economic
priorities.
Resources
- The Policy Advocacy and Co-ordination function is carried out by
Agency officials in Head Office, the Ottawa office and all regional
offices. Some of the work is often carried out
in collaboration with other key partners in economic development.
|
| Plans: Investment in policy research projects
and associated activities, including consultation and engagement with
interested parties, while undertaking internal research and analytical
exercises targeting strategic priorities and emerging policy areas. |
| Planned Results (Targets) |
Results |
| Better understanding of the Atlantic economy. |
Ongoing. |
|
- In Newfoundland and Labrador, ACOA participated in a Business Retention
and Expansion study headed by Capital Coast Alliance Regional Economic
Development Board.
- ACOA in Nova Scotia worked with federal and municipal partners to
identify an agenda of urban-related research and awareness events.
This included the Are We Urban study that serves as a foundation document
for Atlantic urban research. A forum entitled The Creative City -
Canada's Urban Challenge was presented in Nova Scotia with federal,
provincial and academic partners focussed on leading-edge urban research.
- ACOA carried out the development of PEI Community and Municipal
profiles, providing data and analysis on the sub-provincial economies.
The Agency also conducted research and policy development on provincial
economic sectors and indicators, labour force and skill development.
- In New Brunswick, regional economic profiles were completed for
the five regions of the province. These highlight the economic development
situation of each region and ACOA's role in helping support the economy.
|
| Planned Results (Targets) |
Results |
| Better ability to develop policies to design or improve
programs. |
Ongoing. |
|
- In Newfoundland and Labrador extensive consultations were conducted
in the wake of the cod closures. Twenty-seven community roundtables
were held that reached 230 stakeholders representing 95 communities,
government, education and industry.
- An urban-focussed research agenda was developed with the Greater
Halifax Partnership. Opportunities for involvement of additional partners
were identified.
- In Nova Scotia, ACOA co-ordinated an Immigration Forum in December 2003. The event featured the leadership role of the business community
to enhance immigration attraction, integration and
retention. The forum will
contribute to public-private partnership and collaboration on immigration
initiatives in the province.
- ACOA conducted an access to capital review of all programs available
in Prince Edward Island.
- ACOA participated in the development of an International Business
Development Agreement IT Export Strategy for the Atlantic IT.
|
| Planned Results (Targets) |
Results |
| Enhanced capacity for policy research in Atlantic Canada. |
Ongoing. |
|
- In Newfoundland and Labrador, ACOA commissioned a number of studies
to identify the key drivers of the Atlantic economy, including
The Economic Impact of Major Resource Projects on the
Newfoundland and Labrador Economy: 2003-2025.
- Continued support of Memorial University of Newfoundland's Public
Policy Research Centre.
- ACOA facilitated and contributed to the establishment of the Atlantic
Metropolis Centre in Nova Scotia through advocacy and funding.
|
| Plans Effective defence of Atlantic Canada's
interests and promotion of the Atlantic economy by influencing national
decisions. |
| Planned Results (Targets) |
Results |
| Better understanding of Atlantic position in national
decision-making. |
Ongoing. |
|
- One of the most critical functions for the policy, advocacy and
co-ordination role is to inform the central agencies (Privy Council
Office, Department of Finance, and Treasury Board Secretariat) on
economic development opportunities in Atlantic Canada. For example,
the Agency provided input to the 2004 Speech from the Throne and the
2004 Budget.
- ACOA played a major role in the planning and research required for
the Atlantic Energy Roundtable, including the establishment of a Task
Force on Industrial Opportunities. Substantial efforts focussed on
securing duty remission for Husky Energy's White Rose Project, entailing
close collaboration with the federal Department of Finance, Industry
Canada and Natural Resources Canada.
- A position paper was prepared on ACOA's role in supporting the town
of Happy Valley-Goose Bay following cutbacks in training flights at
5 Wing Goose Bay.
- Funded a "lessons learned" tour of other places where bases have
successfully adjusted to closure or reduction, in order to build capacity
for diversification in Happy Valley Goose Bay.
- ACOA brought an Atlantic Canada perspective on the impact of the
U.S. trade decision on softwood lumber.
|
| Planned Results (Targets) |
Results |
| National policies and programs that better reflect Atlantic
circumstances. |
Ongoing. |
|
- ACOA, in Newfoundland and Labrador worked
with other federal departments to refine and implement Canada's Ocean
Action Plan, a major initiative to advance Canada's sovereignty over
its continental margin, health of the oceans, integrated management
and ocean technology development. Work is underway with the National
Research Council Canada, Industry Canada and the Canadian Centre for
Marine Communications to build a strong business case for development
of Atlantic Canadian marine technologies in support of oceans.
- Maintained regular liaison with the Privy Council Office (PCO) to
ensure that the implications for Atlantic Canada are considered
when planning major policy decisions or programs.
- ACOA helped organize roundtables on urban issues in St. John's,
Newfoundland and Labrador, as well as public consultations in Prince
Edward Island, for the Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister
(with special emphasis on cities).
|
| Planned Results (Targets) |
Results |
| Tangible benefits for Atlantic Canada in national procurement. |
Ongoing. |
|
- Together with the Canadian Space Agency, ACOA co-funded capacity
studies in the areas of Satellite Communications and Earth Observation.
These are part of a joint effort to develop the capacity of space-related industry in Atlantic Canada. ACOA worked to increase awareness
of Atlantic businesses with respect to federal procurement opportunities
by providing speakers and facilitators at numerous industry
association shows, conferences and seminars (TEXPRO in New Brunswick,
New Brunswick Aerospace and Defence Association Education Days, and
the Halifax Regional Air Show).
- ACOA led industry visits to Atlantic businesses that
could become potential suppliers to the prime contractors in upcoming
Major Crown Projects such as the Maritime Helicopter Program, Fixed
Wing Search and Rescue Program, and the Mobile Gun Systems program.
|
| Plans Co-ordination of PAC activities between federal departments in Atlantic Canada, and with provincial
governments in Atlantic Canada. |
| Planned Results (Targets) |
Results |
| Identify areas of joint strategic interest. |
Ongoing. |
|
- Funded and participated in an ongoing pre-feasibility study of a
fixed link between Labrador and the island of Newfoundland.
- With a view to building a shared understanding on issues, ACOA and
the Nova Scotia Federal Council funded a session on governance
that included an overview of a new management and accountability framework
modeled after the Crossing Boundaries National Council.
- ACOA worked with the PEI provincial government and Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) on the
labour force and skills agenda of the Province's Labour Market Development
Agreement.
- In New Brunswick, tourism and IT have been identified as priority
sectors to be developed with the Province.
|
| Planned Results (Targets) |
Results |
| Develop common and/or compatible and/or complementary
positions on defined issues. |
Ongoing. |
|
- In Newfoundland and Labrador consultations were carried out with
federal departments and the provincial government on possible responses
to the closure of the cod fishery.
- An information-sharing session was held with other federal departments
dealing with Aboriginal issues in Newfoundland and Labrador.
- In Nova Scotia, ACOA is an active participant on the Tripartite Economic
Development Committee, Canada/NS Skills and Learning Framework, and
the Sustainable Communities Initiative.
- In Prince Edward Island, ACOA led sector development strategies
in wind energy, aerospace, diversified manufacturing and industrial
training. It also implemented a wood products sector strategy.
- In New Brunswick, ACOA is developing a value-added wood policy and strategy with community colleges
and industry.
|
| Planned Results (Targets) |
Results |
| Develop strategic initiatives that reflect commonly
held positions on defined issues. |
Ongoing. |
|
- In Nova Scotia, new collaborative initiatives have been initiated
on a Canada-NS Innovation Team and a Climate Change Working Group.
- In Prince Edward Island, ACOA continued to work closely with the
National Research Council Canada, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada,
the Province of Prince Edward Island and the University of Prince
Edward Island (UPEI) in the development of a broadly-based bio-resource
cluster with, among other efforts, the establishment of the Institute
for Nutrisciences and Health on the UPEI campus.
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