Promoting Jobs and Growth for Nova Scotians

Premier John Hamm promoted Nova Scotia to hundreds of delegates at a major energy conference today, Oct. 25, in Boston.

In a speech to the 10th annual United States-Canada Energy, Trade and Technology Conference, the premier cited many of the province's advantages to investors: a well-educated workforce, competitive labour costs, a fully integrated telecommunications network and several ice-free natural harbours, including one of the deepest in the world.

"Nova Scotia's home-field advantage is tough to beat and is attracting some of the most cutting-edge companies in the world," said Premier Hamm. "These corporate success stories are part of Nova Scotia's success story. Last year, Nova Scotia had the second-highest rate of economic growth in Canada. We had our first trade surplus in decades."

More than 20,000 new jobs have been created in Nova Scotia since the summer of 1999. Two years ago, after broad consultation, the Nova Scotia government released Opportunities for Prosperity, the province's first growth strategy in a decade. Last year, the government released Seizing the Opportunity, Nova Scotia's first comprehensive energy strategy in almost a decade.

"A key goal of our strategy is to encourage as much exploration in our offshore as possible because exploration can result in product, which in turn results in export sales to the United States and benefits and jobs for Nova Scotians," said the premier.

Premier Hamm is also using his visit to Boston to advance other Nova Scotia priorities with senior government officials, business leaders and potential investors. On Oct. 24, the premier met with Canada's Ambassador to the United States, Michael Kergin. Later today, he will meet with Canada's Consul-General to New England, Ron Irwin. Softwood lumber and securing pre-clearance rights for the Halifax International Airport are among the issues on the agenda.