The focus of the department of Economic and Rural Development and Tourism is on productivity and innovation, investment, workforce development, tourism, procurement, international commerce, and the provincial gateway as core economic drivers. The department develops and advances corporate policies and strategies in these areas of focus. The department leads key initiatives, delivers programs, makes strategic investments, builds regional and community capacity, and manages government's procurement governance framework.

Economic and Rural Development and Tourism leads the implementation of Nova Scotia’s economic growth strategy – jobsHere: the plan to grow our economy. The department works closely with its economic development agencies, partners within and outside government to achieve the three priorities of this plan:

• Learning the right skills for good jobs
• Growing the economy through innovation
• Helping businesses be more competitive globally

Nova Scotia’s economy is strong. Our businesses are innovative and compete successfully in local and global markets. Our people have the right skills for good jobs here in Nova Scotia.

Learning the right skills for good jobs
ERDT, in partnership with Labour and Advanced Education, is developing a new workforce strategy. This strategy will align labour force development policies and programs more closely with the economic agenda. It will help workers build new skills, learn new technologies, maximize career opportunities and earning potential, and better understand employment options. Implementation of the strategy will begin in 2011-2012.

Growing the economy through innovation
To grow the economy, we must be innovative and open to change. Economic and Rural Development and Tourism and its partners will undertake initiatives and programs to improve productivity and encourage more private sector investment in research, new processes, new equipment and new ideas.

Helping businesses be more competitive globally
An International Commerce Strategy will help Nova Scotia companies build international capacity. The strategy will help to increase international economic activity in Nova Scotia, strengthen Nova Scotia’s access to international markets and networks, and build an integrated approach to international commerce.

• Minister's Information

• Deputy Minister's Biography
• Deputy Minister's Office

A number of agencies are included under the Ministry of Economic and Rural Development and Tourism:

• InNOVAcorp
• Nova Scotia Business Inc.
• Film Nova Scotia
• Trade Centre Limited
• Waterfront Development Corporation Limited

We also work with other partners to make Nova Scotia the best place in Canada to do business. They include provincial government departments; regional development agencies; regional tourism associations; federal, provincial and municipal agencies; and private sector businesses and organizations.

Key government policy documents govern the development of policies and initiatives within ERDT's core business areas:

• jobsHere - the plan to grow our economy