Later this week, through our government’s throne speech, we will outline some of the things we have been able to accomplish thus far in our mandate for Nova Scotians. We will also articulate our direction for the future of our province. I won’t get into any of the specifics in this column, but I will say much of what we have done and plan for the future is possible because of our strong economy. I believe its strength is the key enabler for our success.

The easy indicator of the strength of our province’s economic engine is our unemployment rate. During the past 12 months, the rate has consistently fallen at or below eight per cent, marking the strongest and most stable job strength this province has had in 30 years. This, despite the fact that challenges to our resource industries and the rise in the Canadian dollar have created challenges for our manufacturing industry and exporters.

Granted, some of the pressures from the rise of the dollar have yet to be played out completely. That is why I joined other provinces in a call for a First Minister’s meeting with the Prime Minister on the impact of the dollar on our companies. Yet, I am confident in saying the flexibility, resiliency and determination of our businesses will help us to maintain that employment consistency in the long term.

I am confident because Nova Scotia’s economy has been going through somewhat of a transition over the past eight years. We are moving from being solely dependent on our natural resource-based industries to a more diversified, knowledge-based economy that is ideally suited to our strengths – 11 universities and strong community college system, the most educated workforce in Canada, and a low turnover rate.

This transition makes for a more flexible economy that can respond to fluctuations in the global environment, and makes our province attractive to other leading-edge companies interested in coming to our province. So, despite the rise of our dollar, I believe our job strength will remain relatively stable.

Obviously many groups and forces have been involved in this success and strength - from the aggressive business development efforts of our departments, agencies and partners around the province, to the tenacity and confidence of our province’s companies, business owners and entrepreneurs. Our government has also played a key role in setting the conditions for growth – balanced budgets, reduction of red tape, and ongoing support for businesses.

In the past year alone companies like Michelin, Protocase Incorporated, and C-Vision have announced growth plans, the Deep Panuke project is becoming reality, Labatts is growing, and a number of leading financial services companies are growing roots here in Nova Scotia.

We should be optimistic about that growth – our growth. And the Throne Speech this week will set the direction for much more of it.