Focus: The focus of the session was on approaches to strengthening corporate and public sector support for a more vibrant entrepreneurial community in Atlantic Canada.

Partner: Saint Mary's University (SMU)

Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia

Date: August 12 and 13, 1996

Co-Chairs: Dr. Colin Dodds, Vice-President - Academic SMU, and Martin Abrams of ACOA

Comments:

The roundtable built upon recent work in the area, most notably a series of provincial entrepreneurship roundtables held in June 1996 and a major research paper on implementation of an Entrepreneurship Development Strategy by Lois Stevenson, presented to the OECD in June. Participants included a broad cross-section of business and business associations, government, academia and business support organizations.

Issues Summary:

Attendees expressed a wide range of viewpoints and opinions, and throughout, there was a strong sense of commitment to the goal of furthering entrepreneurship. Some of the main areas of concern and of general consensus which emerged from the discussions were:

• The business environment in Atlantic Canada, particularly the tax and regulatory systems, is not conducive to business investment and growth. While progress has been made in some provinces more than others, there was a clear call for more focus on this by governments, and for effective action.

• The need for support to existing businesses who are in the "survival" phase. It was argued that many entrepreneurs feel isolated in dealing with problems in a new small business and have a need for counselling and mentoring services, improved management skills and training. Varying models were suggested to deliver this support, and it was argued that the role of government is to support and facilitate, but not direct delivery.

• The need for support services to be tailored to meet the needs of target groups, including physically challenged, women, youth, blacks, First Nations, redundant employees, etc.

• Responsibility of all stakeholders - government, education and business - for rethinking their roles and committing themselves to framing policies to operationalise entrepreneurship and its role in economic development.

• Entrepreneurship education has made significant and exemplary progress in this region, especially at the school level. However, it was felt that at the post-secondary level there is still a need for wider recognition of the validity of entrepreneurship education and a need for a more cooperative approach between universities and other post-secondary institutions.

• Support for a strengthened emphasis on raising awareness of entrepreneurship. There is perceived to be an anti-entrepreneurial attitude in certain areas and it was proposed that this be addressed through more recognition of local successes/heroes and an effort to increase people's identification with entrepreneurs.

• Reference was made to the plethora of programmes and support services available and the need to co-ordinate these through partnerships and sharing of experiences.