“Something needs to be done and all of us here need to be a part of it. Government can’t do it alone,” d’Entremont told local businesspeople gathered at the Annapolis Valley Chamber of Commerce business awards gala Nov. 5.
“All of you in this room, with your business achievements, are going to be the ones that get it done.”
d’Entremont, who was the guest speaker at the chamber’s annual event, said the group gathered to complete the One Nova Scotia report quickly saw that changes needed to be made as they began their work. Nova Scotia faces many challenges: a declining population, including young people leaving the province and an increasing number of seniors and a lack of economic growth. According to d’Entremont, between 1990 and 2009, Nova Scotia had 40.6 per cent economic growth – coming last of all provinces in Canada.
“So, you see, we have a problem,” she said.
Immigration could be key to addressing Nova Scotia’s population problem, which is expected to stagnate by 2021 at an estimated 948,000, and then begin to decline.
“Nova Scotia needs more working population to grow the economy and contribute to taxes,” she said.
In 2012, the total number of landed immigrants in Nova Scotia was 2,370. Changes to federal laws surrounding immigration, expected next year, could make it easier to attract immigrants.
“Nova Scotia can’t tackle its problems alone; if we find regional solutions, we have a far better chance of success,” d’Entremont said, while pointing out the other Maritime provinces are in similar situations.
There are indications already that things are beginning to turn around – the micro economic climate is improving and, on Nov. 3, the Atlantic Provinces Economic Council (APEC) indicated that moving forward with the Irving shipbuilding contract in Halifax would create a significant economic boost.
Key, however, is a change in culture.
“There has to be buy in from all areas,” d’Entremont said as she gestured around the room, adding that businesses played a key role in this.
“We can do it together. We need to decide where we want to be in 10 years and start working together.”
The AVCC fully supports the recommendations contained in the report, president Sue Hayes said.
“We are totally engaged,” Hayes said. “We really believe the One Nova Scotia report is speaking to us.”
The AVCC also recognized the best in local business at the event, including celebrating local businessman Don Wallace, this year’s recipient of the lifetime achievement award. Wallace, who was unable to attend due to health reasons, was feted for his nearly 50 years in business. Although he began his career in construction, Wallace soon expanded into the accommodations sector after he built the Old Orchard Inn.
Other winners included:
Outstanding New Business of the Year – Edible Art Café
Outstanding Micro Business of the Year – Equilibrium Engineering Inc.
Outstanding Small Business of the Year – Canning Village Meat Market
Outstanding Large Business of the Year – The Destination Experts
Outstanding Innovator of the Year – Hutchinson’s Maple Syrup
Outstanding Exporter of the Year – Randsland Farms Inc.
See a slideshow of the 2014 AVCC Business Awards winners.
“Something needs to be done and all of us here need to be a part of it. Government can’t do it alone,” d’Entremont told local businesspeople gathered at the Annapolis Valley Chamber of Commerce business awards gala Nov. 5.
“All of you in this room, with your business achievements, are going to be the ones that get it done.”
d’Entremont, who was the guest speaker at the chamber’s annual event, said the group gathered to complete the One Nova Scotia report quickly saw that changes needed to be made as they began their work. Nova Scotia faces many challenges: a declining population, including young people leaving the province and an increasing number of seniors and a lack of economic growth. According to d’Entremont, between 1990 and 2009, Nova Scotia had 40.6 per cent economic growth – coming last of all provinces in Canada.
“So, you see, we have a problem,” she said.
Immigration could be key to addressing Nova Scotia’s population problem, which is expected to stagnate by 2021 at an estimated 948,000, and then begin to decline.
“Nova Scotia needs more working population to grow the economy and contribute to taxes,” she said.
In 2012, the total number of landed immigrants in Nova Scotia was 2,370. Changes to federal laws surrounding immigration, expected next year, could make it easier to attract immigrants.
“Nova Scotia can’t tackle its problems alone; if we find regional solutions, we have a far better chance of success,” d’Entremont said, while pointing out the other Maritime provinces are in similar situations.
There are indications already that things are beginning to turn around – the micro economic climate is improving and, on Nov. 3, the Atlantic Provinces Economic Council (APEC) indicated that moving forward with the Irving shipbuilding contract in Halifax would create a significant economic boost.
Key, however, is a change in culture.
“There has to be buy in from all areas,” d’Entremont said as she gestured around the room, adding that businesses played a key role in this.
“We can do it together. We need to decide where we want to be in 10 years and start working together.”
The AVCC fully supports the recommendations contained in the report, president Sue Hayes said.
“We are totally engaged,” Hayes said. “We really believe the One Nova Scotia report is speaking to us.”
The AVCC also recognized the best in local business at the event, including celebrating local businessman Don Wallace, this year’s recipient of the lifetime achievement award. Wallace, who was unable to attend due to health reasons, was feted for his nearly 50 years in business. Although he began his career in construction, Wallace soon expanded into the accommodations sector after he built the Old Orchard Inn.
Other winners included:
Outstanding New Business of the Year – Edible Art Café
Outstanding Micro Business of the Year – Equilibrium Engineering Inc.
Outstanding Small Business of the Year – Canning Village Meat Market
Outstanding Large Business of the Year – The Destination Experts
Outstanding Innovator of the Year – Hutchinson’s Maple Syrup
Outstanding Exporter of the Year – Randsland Farms Inc.
See a slideshow of the 2014 AVCC Business Awards winners.
