News release

Province Invests in Jobs, Economic Development in Cape Breton Region

Premier's Office

The province is investing $198,000 to help launch the Cape Breton Strategic Framework Advancement project, an initiative aimed at creating good jobs and tapping into the enormous economic development potential in the Cape Breton region.

The project is a joint venture with the Cape Breton Partnership and the federal government, through the Enterprise Cape Breton Corp.

Premier Darrell Dexter announced the province's contribution in Sydney today, April 20.

"Cape Bretoners are talented, hardworking people who deserve the same access as all Nova Scotians to the opportunities on the horizon for this province," said Premier Dexter. "This investment will help the Cape Breton Partnership work together with the community and businesses to guide and co-ordinate the region's economic development over the next three years, when those opportunities are expected to start hitting their stride.

"The creation of an overall framework is also part of a larger focus of putting jobsHere, the province's plan for economic growth, into action in Cape Breton."

The project will build on the capabilities of the region's business community, infrastructure, public sector and not-for-profit organizations, along with the labour force. It will include and integrate the input and vision of many community stakeholders, and will use existing resources as a starting point.

"The economy in Cape Breton has been going through a number of changes in recent years. This strategic framework will build an overarching blueprint for economic development opportunities for the region," said Keith MacDonald, executive director Cape Breton Partnership. "The time is now to build ownership, confidence and pride to enhance prosperity and grow the economy of Cape Breton."

Right now, Nova Scotia is on the brink of several game-changing opportunities, including the $25-billion federal shipbuilding contract, the Lower Churchill project and construction of the Maritime Link, and Shell Canada's commitment to spend hundreds of millions of dollars exploring Nova Scotia's offshore.

The shipbuilding contract alone will generate millions of dollars in economic spinoffs for the Atlantic region, and create more than 11,000 jobs during peak production. Electricians, metal fabricators, sheet metal workers and many other skilled tradespeople will be needed, not to mention the engineers, business leaders and innovators necessary to turn contracts and concepts into finished products.

"Businesses and workers in Cape Breton can take great advantage of these opportunities by getting ready now," Premier Dexter said. "There is absolutely no reason Cape Breton cannot compete to win work associated with these projects."

Through jobsHere, the province is already helping companies become part of the growing Irving Shipbuilding supply chain. The plan also helps identify and support companies aligning with the jobsHere priorities of productivity, competitiveness and innovation.

"We have a diverse economy, from natural resources, to innovative and knowledge-based companies, to tourism, trade and services. This is the future of our region," said Chad Munro, president and CEO of Halifax Biomedical, based in Mabou. "This strategic framework provides an excellent way to focus government and private enterprises on what needs to be done to further Cape Breton's strengths and diversify into other high-margin sectors to ultimately build a sustainable and prosperous economy."

This announcement builds on other recent provincial investments and initiatives in Cape Breton, including:

  • more than $27 million since 2011 to protect jobs, extend the Forestry Infrastructure Fund and keep the former NewPage mill re-sale ready
  • $15.2 million toward the dredging of Sydney Harbour
  • a federal commitment to help fund the dredging project, secured by Deputy Premier Frank Corbett
  • more than $1.8 million to support 29 businesses in the Cape Breton region through the Productivity Investment Program
  • $3.3 million for much-needed repairs and maintenance to the Cape Breton and Central Nova Scotia Railway

For more information on the Cape Breton Strategic Framework Advancement project, visit the Cape Breton Partnership's website at www.capebretonpartnership.com.