Working with businesses and communities to diversify local economies and showcase the strengths of Atlantic Canada, the organization seeks to create conditions conducive to the emergence of new business opportunities.
Whether in emerging or traditional sectors, the possibilities for innovation are numerous, with some remaining untapped.
According to Jennifer Cormier, General Manager of Regional Operations (in Nova Scotia) at ACOA, the rapid transformations of the global economy open up new perspectives for businesses, communities, and organizations in the region. As Canada develops new commercial partnerships, local businesses can expand their networks, explore new markets, and strengthen their resilience while continuing to build on their existing strengths.
She highlights several sectors to illustrate this potential.
For example, in the energy sector, the demand for sustainable solutions is growing rapidly, both regionally and nationally. Atlantic Canada has considerable assets to contribute to this energy transition, particularly in wind energy potential, green hydrogen development, and essential minerals for these clean energy systems.
She also sees promise in the housing sector. The region has solid expertise in prefabricated home manufacturing, which could help make housing more affordable while stimulating the growth of a modern construction industry through partnerships between the public and private sectors.
In traditional sectors like agriculture and fisheries, innovation involves the adoption of modern equipment and the development of value-added products. These transformations could generate new sources of revenue while supporting long-term sustainability.
Cormier also points out the largely untapped potential of research and development partnerships. The universities and research centers in Nova Scotia offer expertise that could benefit small and medium enterprises, especially in rural areas.
Strengthening connections between researchers, businesses, and international partners — including in francophone markets — could promote growth and innovation in multiple sectors, as well as the development of dual-use civil and military technologies in the defense industry.
In a changing economic context, innovation appears more than ever as a lever to ensure growth, resilience, and prosperity for the communities of Atlantic Canada. The challenge is to fully transform this potential into concrete and sustainable projects.
An excerpt from an interview with Jennifer Cormier will also be published in the fourth issue of Avant-Garde, the Acadian and Francophone business magazine of Nova Scotia.
