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Economic and Rural Development

News Releases

Council To Help Expand Innovation in Nova Scotia

June 26, 2003

The outgoing president of Acadia University, Kelvin Ogilvie, will
head up the newly appointed Premier's Advisory Council on
Innovation.

In announcing the 16-member council today, June 26, Premier John
Hamm said it will provide government with independent expert
advice on how to stimulate the best conditions for innovation in
Nova Scotia.

"Nova Scotia's health and competitiveness depend on our ability
to innovate," said Premier Hamm. "Innovation spurs productivity,
which in turn drives sales, income, and employment and,
ultimately, improves our quality of life. This council will
improve our ability to innovate in products and services by
sharing knowledge and resources and fostering a more advanced,
closely linked innovation system."

Dr. Ogilvie says Nova Scotia is already on the right track. "With
the challenges of global competition and changing traditional
industries, Nova Scotians in all sectors are adapting to the
times through innovative approaches to the work of their
organizations," said the council chair. "I am confident that with
the exceptional calibre of professionals and expertise on this
new council, we can identify a focus for Nova Scotia that will
increase our level of innovation and enhance the quality of life
and sense of well-being of all Nova Scotians."

Economic Development Minister Cecil Clarke said the key is
putting new ideas to use. "Whenever we come up with a better
production process, or create or improve a product or service to
take to market, we expand our economy. That is why our growth
strategy recognizes innovation as key to economic progress."

The province's growth strategy identifies a leading role for the
premier's council in helping to build a more robust culture of
innovation in Nova Scotia.

The council's high-level guidance will assist government's
implementation of Innovative Nova Scotia, a new policy also
released publicly today. The policy's objective is to expand the
use of knowledge-based innovation to levels that match or exceed
those found in the leading regions of the nation. The policy is
available on line at www.gov.ns.ca/econ/ .

Other members of the Premier's Advisory Council on Innovation
are:
Malcolm Fraser, president ISL Internet Solutions
Bill McMullin, CEO InfoInteractive Corp.
Steven Ashton, director, careers, Aliant Inc.
Stephen Plummer, president and CEO, IMP Group International
Inc.
Lawrence Paul, band chief, Millbrook First Nations
Louis Deveau, president, Acadian Seaplants Ltd.
Mary Anne White, professor of chemistry and physics, Dalhousie
George Iwama, director general, National Research Council
Jacqueline Thayer Scott, president and chair, University
College of Cape Breton (UCCB) Foundation, former president and
vice-chancellor of UCCB
Sandy MacEachern, department of mathematics and computer
science, St. Francis Xavier University
Eric Whyte, senior partner, AG Research Inc.
Myrna Breen, principal, Nova Scotia Community College
Hugh Roddis, president and chief engineer for Orion
Electronics Limited
Wendy Paquette, senior vice-president, customer service,
Aliant Inc.
J.D. (Jim) Eisenhauer, president, ABCO Group Limited


FOR BROADCAST USE:

The outgoing president of Acadia University, Kelvin Ogilvie,

is heading up a new council of independent experts that will

advise government on how to stimulate the best conditions for

innovation in Nova Scotia.

Premier John Hamm announced the composition of the Premier's

Advisory Council on Innovation today (June 26th). He says

innovation spurs productivity, which drives sales, income, and

employment, and improves our quality of life.

The council links key innovation and technology leaders,

boosting Nova Scotia's ability to create new products, processes,

and services.

-30-

For more information, please contact:

Meddy Stanton
Economic Development
902-424-8922
E-mail: stantonm@gov.ns.ca

Rob Batherson
Premier's Office
902-424-6601
Cell: 902-478-1685
E-mail: batherrk@gov.ns.ca


kjd June 26, 2003 2:03 P.M.