Good afternoon and thank you for inviting me here today to celebrate your terrific news.

Today’s announcement of a $45 million investment in the Oland Brewery plant ensures the continuation of a tradition that began in 1867. One hundred and forty years later, a business started by the well-known entrepreneur and politician, Alexander Keith, continues here in Halifax.

The Nova Scotia Government, through its Industrial Expansion Fund, will contribute $4.5 million to this project. This is an investment in a key, historic Nova Scotian manufacturing company that will help maintain 255 high paying jobs, right here in Nova Scotia.

The upgrade to this plant will result in a state-of-the-art facility that uses technological innovation to increase exports and become more competitive. In today’s global marketplace, innovation can increase productivity and strengthen the economy of this province.

We are investing in a company that has, itself, invested about $60 million in the Halifax operation since it began exporting Alexander Keith’s outside of the Maritimes in 1996. Over the past five years, the volume of that export has increased by 125 per cent and the overall production at the plant has increased by 15 per cent. Those are impressive numbers in a very competitive business.

Ladies and gentlemen, this plant exports 65 per cent of its product outside of the Maritimes. That’s remarkable considering how we live in a fiercely competitive world. Nova Scotia is a small province and now, more than ever, our businesses need to accelerate the search for new markets outside of the province if they are to thrive.

Our success as a province is closely linked to our ability to increase exports and bring more dollars into our economy. We need to increase awareness of the importance of trade and create, and maintain, an environment that supports export growth.

In order to meet the challenges of growing Nova Scotia’s economy in a highly competitive environment, we must support our businesses in their export initiatives so we can all thrive in an economy that is diverse, competitive and resilient to outside pressures.

I want to acknowledge the skill and dedication of the workforce here at the Oland Brewery. You are producing quality products. In fact, Keith's India Pale Ale is currently Canada's number one premium domestic brand. Congratulations on a job well done.

I also want to pay tribute to Labatt’s, who have been involved with the Oland Brewery for 36 years. Obviously, this is a company that respects tradition in a province that is steeped in history. Your restoration of the original Alexander Keith’s brewery is a welcome addition to the living history of this city and province.

The Alexander Keith brand is also a charter member of Nova Scotia’s Come to Life initiative, which promotes the province’s beauty, quality of life, educational benefits, business opportunities and culture, to the world.

To put a little perspective on that contribution consider this: last year, the equivalent of more than 140 million bottles of Alexander Keith’s were exported across Canada. Every bottle, bottle case, can and keg proudly displays the Nova Scotia flag and the words, Imported from Nova Scotia.

Today’s investment announcement also involves a joint marketing and promotional package that has even more potential benefits for the province. Going forward, the Oland Brewery will renew its partnership with the province in support of the Provincial Tourism Strategy. We will also explore other possibilities that can take advantage of a true made-in-Nova Scotia product.

Before I close, I want to mention again Alexander Keith, one of Nova Scotia’s best known politicians. He served three terms as the Mayor of Halifax and he sat in the provincial legislature for three decades. Even Ron Russell would be impressed with that record.

But Alexander Keith was more than a politician. This Scottish immigrant was also a successful businessman and a generous philanthropist. And he was a dedicated citizen of Halifax and Nova Scotia. Thank you to Oland Brewery and to Labatt’s for ensuring he is not forgotten and for continuing a great Nova Scotia tradition.

Thank you.