Nova Scotians have the opportunities, assets and talent to achieve a better future, provided we work together like never before.
That message was delivered by the ONE Nova Scotia Coalition today, Nov. 6, as interested groups gathered to discuss the 60 measurable actions recommended in response to the Ivany Report.
“The Collaborative Action Plan is a playbook for all Nova Scotians,” said coalition member Henry Demone. “It is designed to help us seize our best short-term opportunities for economic growth in ocean industries, ICT, and exports, while making long-term investments in youth, career development and immigration to create sustainable change and demographic growth over time.”
The plan outlines seven action areas that hold the greatest promise for change, plus a comprehensive accountability framework. Progress will be measured and reported by an independent organization or all-party committee of the legislature, with regular updates online.
The action areas are:
— Early Years: Starting Strong
— Our Future is Young
— Universities and NSCC as Innovation Hubs
— Immigration and Welcoming Communities
— Our ICT Momentum
— Going Global
— Nova Scotia’s Ocean Advantage
— Ensuring Accountability and Sustaining Momentum
“We believe this plan is different from other reports that have come before,” said Jevon MacDonald, coalition member. “It is not a traditional economic development plan. It is not designed to be static. This is another important step in an ongoing process to change our future and the future of our children.”
“I am grateful for the hard work of the ONE Nova Scotia Coalition to develop a plan with a wide spectrum of recommendations to help move our province forward,” said Ray Ivany. “I believe that the people of Nova Scotia will also choose ‘Now’ and together we will pursue, with urgency and courage, a path towards a more vibrant, prosperous and unified Nova Scotia.”
The plan calls for unprecedented leadership from, and collaboration among industry, business, institutions, communities, First Nations, labour, post-secondary schools, and all levels of government in order to effectively tackle the problems the province faces and realize sustainable change.
“There are no silver-bullet solutions and there is a lot of work ahead for Nova Scotians, but with focus in these strategic areas we can reset our trajectory and realize our potential,” added Kent MacDonald, special advisor to the coalition.
The Ivany Report projected extended economic and demographic decline. The Collaborative Action Plan: A Playbook for Nova Scotians, outlines the action Nova Scotians can take to achieve the Ivany goals over the next 10 years.
The full plan is available at http://wechoosenow.ca .