It’s time for Atlantic Canada to embrace a new economy

Innovation is key to survival and progress. First, let me explain what I mean by innovation. It’s not invention; rather, it’s the successful implementation of new ideas—and new ideas are needed now.

Atlantic Canada faces critical challenges in order to evolve and thrive. Our population is small and, at best, static in numbers. Our citizens are aging, and high numbers of them aren’t equipped to meet job requirements in a knowledge economy. Our post-secondary education institutions are small by any comparison.

Educational excellence, top-notch health care, and other strategic infrastructure developments require a prosperous economy. Yet for three decades Atlantic Canadian economies have declined, relative to all regions we consider our peers. Our standard of living is below the national average. Surely we must strive to be, at the very least, “average Canadians”—indeed, why wouldn’t we want to strive to be above-average Canadians? A coherent and strategic focus on creating a culture of innovation is a good place to start.

The world is moving into an era in which environmental concerns will drive economic direction. Atlantic Canada is uniquely gifted with natural resources and physical landscapes. Yes, we have some challenges, such as dealing with past excesses (polluted lakes, rivers, harbours, and so on), but they’re manageable. It’s important to look at our biggest opportunity: We have green sources of energy that remain largely untapped.

Consider Nova Scotia’s opportunity, which I know well: The tidal power of the Bay of Fundy offers potential for green energy far beyond the levels currently being discussed. The successful development of this energy source alone, if managed properly, could be the basis of green economic development, including eco-tourism, for decades to come. Nova Scotia should immediately begin to develop infrastructure and R&D tax incentives to build a green innovation development zone both in the Cape Split to Cape Blomidon headland and across the channel on the Parrsboro shore.

In a 2005 report to the premier of Nova Scotia, the Council for Innovation urged the government to adopt a strategic plan to begin rebuilding its economy, one that offers long-term hope to citizens. The council, which I chaired, analyzed the province’s existing entrepreneurial strengths, key infrastructures (including education), and demographics. It identified vast economic opportunities offered by the evolving world focus on the environment and urged Nova Scotia to adopt an “environmental economy.” While to a certain extent this recommendation has been adopted in principle in the province’s economic development agenda that is framed around sustainable prosperity, and some tangible steps have been initiated, it must be moved forward with enthusiasm and leadership into an action plan for the province.

In an environmental economy, government policy would encourage and support environmentally progressive businesses. A company might manufacture green products, provide green services, employ green processes, or create products that help remediate environmental degradation. Such an economy would provide competitive incentives for these firms to locate here and develop innovative technologies. These products and know-how would be marketable worldwide.

Nova Scotia has the existing strengths needed to support a predominately green economy. The other three Atlantic provinces also have many of the qualities required to move more overtly in this progressive direction. And with this sharpened focus, our relatively small post-secondary institutions would be perceived not as a weakness but as a potential strength.

In order to strengthen our economies and create an above-average standard of living, we must make innovation the essential component of everything we do, including how we govern ourselves, how we conduct our daily lives, and how together we build a sustainable economy.

Atlantic Canada has much to be proud of, and it could have a great deal to look forward to. We have produced some of the world’s most recognized innovators and business leaders. Indeed, our pioneering and world-trading ancestors have been innovative throughout history. Now we must focus our energy on building a regional economy worthy of the bounty nature has provided. There is no room for excuses—we can, must, and will move forward.

Kelvin Ogilvie is a former president and vice-chancellor of Acadia University, a member of the Order of Canada, an expert in biotechnology and genetic engineering, and was named an outstanding contributor to innovation by the Manning Awards Foundation. He can be reached at kelvin.ogilvie@acadiau.ca