SUMMARY

Now or Never: An Urgent Call to Action for Nova Scotians

An aging/shrinking population and low rates of economic growth has Nova Scotia on the brink of an extended period of decline.
What is true for the province as a whole is doubly so for many rural Nova Scotia communities. Where will employment come from, who will our workers be, who will run our businesses?

Game Changer Strategies

A much more efficient deployment of resources combined with changes in attitudes, policies, and practices is necessary. Strategies: o strong cross-party political leadership o a commitment by all sectors to grow the economy and the population o the need to break down misunderstandings between urban and rural economies o economic programs that include greater integration and coordination, and, o a strong partnership with the federal government on labour force development, immigration, fisheries, ocean management, energy development and health services

We have the real possibility of a better future if we make needed changes.

The macroeconomic climate is improving with a lower dollar, significant major projects, and new trade relationships. We have the capacities and people to build a positive future, but

Nova Scotia needs a shared vision to come together in a province-wide project using our assets and opportunities.
Change needs to be made on a cultural level as much as in economic structures, and government policies and programs. Buy-in from all sectors business, labour, leading institutions, the voluntary sector and communities along with government is essential.

Its about us our courage, imagination and determination to do better.

The Commission supports key economic initiatives already underway. Its time to believe in Nova Scotia.

We Can Do It. Together. We need to decide where we all want to be in 10

Goals for Growth and Renewal

The Commission has laid out goals; concrete, measurable outcomes that require participation in every sector, along with creative entrepreneurialism.

years from now; and work on the things that will get us there.

Its Now or Never, Nova Scotia Find our full report at www.NowOrNeverNS.ca

GOALS
1. Interprovincial Migration: a net gain of 1,000 working age persons per year (reversing a trend that sees an average of 800 people leave annually) International Migration: triple the average number of new permanent residents annually to 7,000 International Students: retain 10 per cent of foreign students who complete studies in Nova Scotia annually (double current rate) Start-ups: increase the number of new business starts to 4,200 annually (50 per cent more than current) Export Value: increase value of international and inter-provincial to $20 billion (50 per cent more than current) Export Trade: increase the number of Nova Scotia firms participating in export trade by 50% over the current level of 850 Labour Force: raise participation to Canadian rate or higher (bringing more than 25,000 Nova Scotians into permanent attachment to the labour market) First Nations and African Nova Scotians employment rates: raise to parity with provincial average Youth Unemployment: lower rate to national average 14. Tourism: revenues from Nova Scotias leading service sector export will reach $4 billion (nearly double current) 15. Fisheries and Agriculture: double export value of both on a sustainable basis 16. Domestic Agriculture: double the value of products produced and consumed in Nova Scotia 17. Government Policy: the province, in collaboration with municipalities, will create a plan by the end of 2015 to meet these goals 18. Administration: provincial review of municipal government and regional service structures 19. Fiscal Health: decrease Nova Scotias net debt to GDP ratio will drop by nearly 7 points to 30 per cent or less GAME CHANGERS A new politics Attitude shift a shared commitment Strategic priority on start-ups and growthoriented enterprises Renew rural industries A shared commitment to sustainable development and regulatory excellence Rebuilding our trade economy Excellence in education and training Becoming a more inclusive and welcoming province Promoting entrepreneurship Integrating economic development services Better management of economic development funds Finding a committed federal partner

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10. Post-Secondary Training: increase population of adults who complete a certificate, diploma, degree, and/or apprenticeship completion from 55 to 65 per cent 11. University R&D: double research funding to $360M annually 12. R&D Partnerships: double number of R&D partnerships between industry and post-secondary institutions to 2,000 per year 13. Venture Capital: increase per capita investment to national average (up at least 60 per cent)