Nova Scotia Department of Economic and Rural Development
Encyclopedia
The Department of Economic and Rural Development is a part of the Government of Nova Scotia
. It was created in 2009 from the former Department of Economic Development. Its primary purpose is to stimulate the economy of Nova Scotia. The Department does this by helping Nova Scotia businesses to expand employment opportunities, and by encouraging the establishment and growth of commerce
and industry
in the province. The departmental mandate also includes designing economic development
policies, programs, and activities that strengthen economic and social conditions in the province.
The current minister is Percy Paris
.
.
Government of Nova Scotia
The Government of Nova Scotia refers to the provincial government of the Canadian province of Nova Scotia. Its powers and structure are set out in the Constitution Act, 1867....
. It was created in 2009 from the former Department of Economic Development. Its primary purpose is to stimulate the economy of Nova Scotia. The Department does this by helping Nova Scotia businesses to expand employment opportunities, and by encouraging the establishment and growth of commerce
Commerce
While business refers to the value-creating activities of an organization for profit, commerce means the whole system of an economy that constitutes an environment for business. The system includes legal, economic, political, social, cultural, and technological systems that are in operation in any...
and industry
Industry
Industry refers to the production of an economic good or service within an economy.-Industrial sectors:There are four key industrial economic sectors: the primary sector, largely raw material extraction industries such as mining and farming; the secondary sector, involving refining, construction,...
in the province. The departmental mandate also includes designing economic development
Economic development
Economic development generally refers to the sustained, concerted actions of policymakers and communities that promote the standard of living and economic health of a specific area...
policies, programs, and activities that strengthen economic and social conditions in the province.
The current minister is Percy Paris
Percy Paris
Percy A. Paris is a Canadian politician and member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. He represents the constituency of Waverley-Fall River-Beaver Bank for the Nova Scotia New Democratic Party....
.
Divisions
The Deputy Minister of the Department is Ian Thompson. The Department is made up of four divisions:Decision Support
Decision Support provides research, evaluation, and performance-measurement leadership to all aspects of the economic development, innovation, and technology system. It focuses on the "big picture," ensuring the system is effectively supporting economic growth. This section also leads overall management of relations with the department's agencies, boards and commissions.Economic Strategies & Initiatives
Economic Strategies & Initiatives provides research and support for the development of government polices and plans for economic development, innovation and technology. The work of the Economic Strategies & Initiatives Division includes the Broadband for Rural Nova Scotia initiativeBroadband for Rural Nova Scotia initiative
Broadband for Rural Nova Scotia is a government initiative intended to provide broadband services to 100% of civic addresses in Nova Scotia, Canada. The initiative is a public private partnership co-funded by the governments of Canada and Nova Scotia, and three Internet service providers...
.
Community and Rural Development
Community and Rural Development provides information, advice, and resources to support development to local organizations as well as the business community.Procurement Services
Procurement Services provide a variety of electronic tools] for businesses to use to bid or to develop business opportunities with the Province of Nova Scotia.Agencies
A number of agencies are included under the Ministry:- Innovacorp: assists IT, life sciences, and clean technology start-up companies to commercialize their technologies
- Nova Scotia Business Inc.: works to attract foreign direct investment (FDI)Foreign direct investmentForeign direct investment or foreign investment refers to the net inflows of investment to acquire a lasting management interest in an enterprise operating in an economy other than that of the investor.. It is the sum of equity capital,other long-term capital, and short-term capital as shown in...
and assists Nova Scotia companies through trade development, business financing and venture capital.
- Film Nova Scotia: oversees the development of Nova Scotia's film industry, including the Nova Scotia film tax credit.
- Trade Centre Limited: attracts events to Halifax through its venues and businesses
- Waterfront Development Commission: oversees events on the Halifax waterfront, located near Halifax PortHalifax Port AuthorityThe Halifax Port Authority is a port authority operating as a not-for-profit Crown corporation of the Government of Canada. HPA has responsibility for all federally-owned waterfront properties on Halifax Harbour in Nova Scotia's Halifax Regional Municipality.The HPA was created on March 1, 1999...
, such as the Nova Scotia Tall Ships Festival.
Former department titles
The department has undergone numerous name changes including:- Economic Development (ca 2000-2009)
- Economic Development and Tourism (ca. 1998)
- Economic Renewal Agency 1995-96