Contents | Previous | Next  What We Heard Our work must be transparent, fiscally and socially responsible, economically, socially and environmentally sustainable, consistent, inclusive, and equitable. Many participants at the consultation sessions spoke about how Nova Scotia should approach economic growth. Citizens said our work must be transparent, fiscally and socially responsible, economically, socially and environmentally sustainable, consistent, inclusive, and equitable. People stressed the need for all governments to help communities take charge of their economic development. They recognized the limits on government resources but expressed a desire to be part of the decision making concerning use of those resources. They suggested government respect several key principles: Collaboration. Government alone cannot cause economic growth. Government must work closely with citizens to build the economy. It must work with businesses to smooth the way for their development and expansion. It must work with communities, citizen groups, and labour to ensure they participate in economic growth. The provincial government must work closely with the two other orders of government—federal and municipal—to ensure the public sector offers a supportive climate for business and a regulatory level appropriate for the public good. Market focus. Government must accept the need to be attentive to the external pressures that shape Nova Scotia’s economy. We are a small economy, comprising less than 3 per cent of the Canadian economy. We need to do what an earlier generation of Nova Scotians did: seek to know and exploit the opportunities all around us. Clustering. geographic concentrations of competing, complementary, and interdependent firms and industries that create wealth in regions through exports of their goods and services. Regions such as Boston and Silicon Valley have built vibrant industry clusters. Over the years, Nova Scotia has built significant and sustainable clusters in fisheries and food processing, tourism, wood products, and other “foundation” industries. We need to do better at building and expanding clusters, not only in these foundation industries, but in our emerging industries like gas and oil and life sciences. Accountability. Reporting clearly and honestly to the people of the province on what government sets out to do and how it is doing is crucial to restoring faith in its role in economic growth. Government intends to be open about how it works, making the Nova Scotian economic growth process as transparent as possible, laying out the policy framework for action, and describing how it is moving ahead. People told us that only an approach based on the above principles has a chance of success. Contents:   Contents Premier’s Message Minister’s Message Introduction What We Heard What We Learned Where We Want to Go How We Will Get There  Strategic Directions    - Business Climate    - Infrastructure    - Innovation    - Labour Force    - Investment    - Exports    - Regional Capacity  Vital Economic Sectors    - Foundation Industries    - Growth Opportunities Making It Happen  Nova Scotia Business Inc.  Nova Scotia Economic Development Agency Measuring Progress Home Highlights | Strategy | News Release | Background | Feedback Form  Comments to comm@gov.ns.ca | Privacy Statement Copyright © 2006, Government of Nova Scotia, All Rights Reserved.