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ACOA had three broad goals in fiscal year 1999-2000:
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| improved growth and competitiveness of Atlantic SMEs; |
| increased economic opportunities for rural Atlantic Canada; |
| greater economic activity in Atlantic Canada through national policies sensitive to the needs of the region. |
The achievement of these three broad goals was pursued through ACOA's six strategic priorities:
entrepreneurship and business skills development;
trade, tourism and investment;
innovation;
access to capital and information;
community economic development;
policy, advocacy and coordination.
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Assist 1,000 SMEs to create jobs |
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Target Achieved |
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Increase the number of students/youth involved in venturing programs to 1,200 per year by 2000-2001 |
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Target on Track - 1,100 youths assisted in 1999-2000 |
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750 new businesses and ensuing jobs for young entrepreneurs over the period 1997-2000 |
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Target Exceeded - Over 900 new businesses assisted over 1997-2000 |
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15 new Canadian Foundation for Innovation projects |
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Target Exceeded - Over 20 new projects to support research in universities |
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$10 of economic impact for every $1 spent on Atlantic Canada Tourism Partnership marketing campaign |
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Target Almost Met - $9.40 economic returns for the region for every $1 spent in marketing |
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Annual goal of 80 SMEs as successful first-time entrants into the international market |
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Target Achieved |
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Communities' self-development and alternative employment in areas affected by the closure of the Atlantic groundfish fishery |
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Target Achieved - New fisheries adjusment initiative(CFAR)
- In NF, $19.2M in projects
- In NS, $11.2M in projects
- 400% increase in 1995-1999 in NF aquaculture clients have easier access to capital and
industry a focus of ACOA support |
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Maintain a high level of client satisfaction at the Canada Business Service Centres (CBSC) |
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Target Achieved - Client satisfaction remains above 87% despite an 85% increase in the number of enquiries |
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Increase access to CBSC information |
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Target Achieved - Presence on internet established. Service delivery partnership with Community Business Development Corporations (CBDCs) in place |
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3,000 loans by Community Business Development Corporations over the 1997 to 2000 period |
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Target Exceeded - 4,050 loans over target period |
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Promote greater understanding of the economic challenges and opportunities facing the region |
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Target Achieved - Input into the federal government’s $700 million Atlantic Investment Partnership (AIP) |
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Build Atlantic business development opportunities into procurement strategies |
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Target Achieved - $165M in industrial and regional benefits |
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Coordination of economic development activities |
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Target Achieved - The Prime Minister, the Minister of International Trade, and the Atlantic Premiers participated with over 40 Atlantic exporters in Team Atlantic 2000 mission to the US |
Employment generated by ACOA-assisted firms is a good indication of the Agency’s impact on the growth of economic activity in the region.
After five years, the survival rate for ACOA-assisted companies is two and a half times higher than for firms overall.
Reports are public overviews of departmental accomplishments. Each department of the Government of Canada must submit a report annually. They are tabled in Parliament by the President of the Treasury Board on behalf of the ministers who preside over these organizations.
