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News Releases

Cabinet Committee on Jobs to Drive Economic Growth with the Provincial Technology Sector

Posted Wednesday, June 28, 2017

The diverse companies and industry associations that make up Newfoundland and Labrador's dynamic technology sector are partnering with the Provincial Government to foster private sector employment and economic growth throughout the province. The Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, was joined today by the Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation, and industry representatives to announce the partnership.

The industry associations leading this partnership are:

The Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Technology Industries (NATI), which supports the growth of a provincial advanced technology sector that currently includes more than 165 businesses and employs approximately 4,000 people;
The Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Industry Association (NEIA), which represents over 200 member businesses that are developing clean technology and the growth of the green economy in Newfoundland and Labrador;
The Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters (CME), which represents the almost 700 provincially-based manufacturing companies achieving total sales of approximately $6 billion; and
The Atlantic Canada Aerospace and Defence Association (ACADA), which supports the development and promotion of the 200 member organizations comprising the aerospace, defence, marine and security industries in Atlantic Canada.

Working collaboratively via the Cabinet Committee on Jobs, the Provincial Government and technology industry have set a goal to support the scaling of 20 firms in the technology sector per year. While industry advocates across Canada agree conditions are in place to support new startups, more support needs to be directed towards the early expansion stages of growth for new technology firms.

This announcement builds on the industry partnerships established with the aquaculture and agriculture sectors, with a focus on diversifying the economy and creating new employment opportunities for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. Through these partnerships, government and the business community will address opportunities and challenges for those sectors, and achieve the economic targets outlined in The Way Forward: A vision for sustainability and growth in Newfoundland and Labrador. Achieving the targets outlined in the vision will support approximately 14,000 person years of employment annually in the province.

Quotes
"Success in the technology sector is based largely on culture, creativity, and confidence - three areas where Newfoundland and Labrador's entrepreneurs excel. This partnership with industry via our Cabinet Committee on Jobs will leverage our natural strengths into new business activity and employment that will strengthen our economy."
Honourable Dwight Ball
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador

"The technology sector in our province is impressive, and the ecosystem that's been built around innovation has set the stage for new growth and development in the years to come. By focusing our support on helping technology firms grow, we will build on the number of companies doing exciting work in our province, and attract and retain bright young minds from our province, and around the world."
Honourable Christopher Mitchlemore
Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry and innovation

"Local tech companies are putting Newfoundland and Labrador on the map with many internationally recognized technology innovations, ranging from sonar to data security. NATI is very pleased to see the Provincial Government helping these home-grown companies to generate wealth and grow the local knowledge-based talent pool, and we look forward to greater collaboration in the future through this new partnership."
Ron Taylor
CEO, NATI

"Canada's aerospace industry contributes billions to national GDP, generates billions in revenues, and supports hundreds of thousands of jobs in the Canadian economy. ACADA is pleased to see the Provincial Government partnering directly with local companies to pursue the tremendous economic opportunities within this sector, and we look forward to supporting collaboration and partnership that promote the success of our pan-Atlantic members, and the province."
Jim House
Provincial Director, ACADA

"Every industry has an impact on the environment in one way or another, and clean technology can be applied and found in all of them. From oil and gas, to mining, to aquaculture, to energy, to fisheries, there are always ways to find new efficiencies and reduce environmental impacts. This presents enormous opportunities for the creation of new products, processes, and services within our industries here in this province that can be exported worldwide. NEIA is looking forward to working with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador towards the development of a plan to pursue those opportunities."
Kieran Hanley
Executive Director, NEIA

"Manufacturing is responsible for 32 per cent, or $2.7 billion worth of exports from the province, and makes up 22 per cent of private sector research and development. Given the importance of technology adoption for the long-term competitiveness of manufacturers, it is vital that government and the private sector work together to accelerate the adoption of a range of advanced manufacturing technologies. The CME is pleased to be a partner in advancing this important work."
David Haire
Regional Vice-President, CME

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Learn More
They Way Forward - thewayforward.gov.nl.ca/

Media contacts
Michelle Cannizzaro
Office of the Premier
709-729-3960
Michellecannizzaro@gov.nl.ca

Eric Humber
Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation
709-729-4918, 725-9655
erichumber@gov.nl.ca

Ron Taylor
Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Technology Industries
ron@nati.net
709- 772-8324

Jim House
Atlantic Canada Aerospace and Defence Association
902-425-0070 Ext.7
jim@ac-ada.ca

Keiran Hanley
Newfoundland Environmental Industry Association
709-237-8190
kieran@neia.org

David Haire
Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters
709-685-5820
david.haire@cme-mec.ca

http://www.releases.gov.nl.ca/releases/2017/exec/0628n02.aspx