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Section 2 : Analysis of Program Activities by Strategic Outcome

Strategic Outcome-
A competitive Atlantic Canadian economy

 

Performance Indicator:	Five-year Target: (2008-2009 to 2012-2013[1])	Performance Status and Summary:
Increase in Atlantic GDP for every dollar of ACOA expenditure in direct support of business	$4 to $5	Result of $7.20 as reported in the last five-year reporting period  2003-2008
Performance Measurement Strategy: Measuring the impact on income and employment in Atlantic Canada is a long-term, multi-dimensional undertaking. Thus, the Agency reports results every five years, based on analysis of data from Statistics Canada and internal systems, using econometric modelling.

ACOA aims to achieve a competitive Atlantic Canadian economy for the long-term benefit of all Atlantic Canadians. A competitive region will produce higher levels of income for its citizens, and will grow faster over the medium to long run. A competitive economy will increase opportunities for economic development in the region, specifically through the growth of earned incomes and employment opportunities for Atlantic Canadians.

Competitiveness is determined by the set of institutions, policies and factors that affect the capacity of firms to sell their products globally. Productivity is an important determinant of competitiveness, and, according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), it is the most important source of long-term prosperity for a region. Productivity, defined as the efficiency with which resources are used in the economy, is a key measure of how well small and medium-sized enterprises(SMEs) in Atlantic Canada are performing when compared with those in other regions of the country and elsewhere around the world.

Achieving a competitive Atlantic economy for the long-term benefit of all Atlantic Canadians continued to be ACOA's focus in 2008-2009. ACOA directed its efforts toward improving competitiveness in three key areas: productivity, international trade and infrastructure support.

To increase the performance of Atlantic Canadian SMEs, the Agency targeted key productivity drivers, including innovation, the acquisition of technology and equipment, business skills development, and access to capital for firms and communities. ACOA also focused on trade and investment to increase export capabilities and encourage international trade, and played a strategic role in supporting community infrastructure required for economic development. By concentrating its efforts in these areas, the Agency, along with its many partners, was able to link its regional economic development priorities to its goal of a competitive Atlantic economy.
 

D

The Agency's three program activities (i.e. Enterprise Development, Community Development, and Policy, Advocacy and Coordination) were directed at helping Atlantic Canadians and the region to prosper and compete on a national and global scale. In 2008-2009, the Agency continued to:

• foster improved productivity of Atlantic Canadian companies by focusing on measures such as research and development, acquiring advanced technologies and investing in business skills development;
• increase its focus on commercialization of innovative technologies, identifying and pursuing opportunities through the Atlantic Innovation Fund (AIF) portfolio;
• build on past successes in trade, by aligning its efforts with the Government of Canada's Global Commerce Strategy and the related Americas Strategy, and engaging in activities that capitalized to a greater extent on emerging markets;
• coordinate efforts to ensure that the region is well poised to benefit from the Atlantic Gateway, which offers significant opportunities for long-term economic expansion in Atlantic Canada;
• respond to changing economic circumstances, by pursuing strategies that support increasing opportunities in the region's rural and urban areas, and by investing in initiatives that provided best value for investment while addressing community priorities; and
• advocate the interests of the region in order to ensure new government initiatives are responsive to the needs of Atlantic Canadians.

A measure of ACOA's impact in Atlantic Canada is the increase in the region's real gross domestic product (GDP) for every dollar of expenditure in direct support to businesses. In the Agency's recent Five-Year Report to Parliament (2003-2008), ACOA estimated that real GDP was $1.2 billion higher in 2007 than it would have been if Agency expenditures toward direct support for the region's businesses were non-existent. Furthermore, ACOA reported that its direct support to businesses for commercial projects produced increases of over $7 in GDP gains for every dollar of ACOA expenditure.
 

Program Activity: Enterprise Development

 

STRATEGIC OUTCOME	PROGRAM ACTIVITY	PROGRAM SUB-ACTIVITY
A competitive Atlantic Canadian economy (1.0)	Enterprise Development (1.1)	Innovation (1.1.1) Entrepreneurship and Business Skills Development (1.1.2) Trade (1.1.3) Investment (1.1.4) Financing Continuum (1.1.5)

 

Expected Results: Improved growth and competitiveness of Atlantic SMEs
Performance Indicators:	Annual Targets: (2008-2009)	Performance Status and Summary:
Survival rate ratio of ACOA-assisted firms	1 to 2 times higher than comparable firms	Met all.  1.3
Number of new business start-ups that have received funding from ACOA to help them become established	50	Somewhat met.  31
Performance Measurement Strategy: Undertake analysis of data from Statistics Canada and internal systems data by comparing "ACOA clients" to "comparable firms" ― those that are of similar age, size, sector and geographic region, but that have not received a direct monetary contribution from the Agency.

 

Financial Resources ($ millions)				Human Resources (FTEs)
Planned Spending	Total Authorities	Actual Spending		Planned	Actual	Difference
214.2	219.3	215.0		446	424	22

 

Program Activity Summary

ACOA works in partnership with Atlantic Canadian enterprises, stakeholders, industry and institutions to improve the growth and productivity of Atlantic Canada's economy, leading to increased competitiveness, earned incomes and job creation.

Results are achieved by assisting SMEs to start, expand or modernize their businesses, or to establish and expand their export activities; by partnering with universities and other institutions to increase the region's research and development capacity, commercialization and productivity; and by promoting and participating in the region's transition to a knowledge economy.

Performance Analysis

One measure of ACOA's performance on SME competitiveness in Atlantic Canada is business survival rates. A company's survival depends on many factors, including the age of the business, location and size. The five-year survival rate[2] for ACOA-assisted firms in the small and medium-sized category (i.e. fewer than 100 workers) is notably above the rate for comparable firms. In fact, the business survival rate for ACOA-assisted firms is 47% after the crucial fifth year following start-up, compared with 35% for comparable firms. In other words, 47 of 100 start-up firms supported by ACOA are still in business after five years, 12 more than those not supported by ACOA.

The health of an economy can also be measured by the number of business start-ups - the more new establishments, the better the economy. This year's lower performance on the number of ACOA-assisted new business establishments may be reflective of the economic downturns in the latter half of the fiscal year.

In the priority area of innovation, the Agency approved the funding of 25 new projects under the Atlantic Innovation Fund (AIF), committing over $53 million and leveraging an additional $52 million from other sources such as universities and other research institutions, provincial governments, the private sector and national R&D programs. Since the advent of the AIF in 2001, increased capacity for innovation has been built in the region's various universities and community colleges. The AIF has also led to an increase in the level of privately funded R&D being carried out in Atlantic Canada. Although still below the national average, private funding for R&D has been increasing. In Atlantic Canada, ACOA has worked to contribute to this increase by focusing on growing the participation of commercial entities. For example, the percentage of approved AIF projects from commercial proponents was 56% in 2008-2009, while fully 100% of institutional projects approved have private sector partners (up from 92% in 2007-2008).

In addition to the AIF, ACOA funds research and development, technology adoption/adaptation, and productivity improvement projects under the Business Development Program (BDP). During 2008-2009, a further $38 million was approved for projects related to innovation.

Atlantic Canada's ability to be competitive and maintain prosperity is a direct outcome of productivity. Productivity improvements in the region can be achieved by ensuring that entrepreneurs have the right business skills to be successful. ACOA's investments in business skills development activities have enabled Atlantic Canadian entrepreneurs to acquire the skills relevant to enhancing the start-up, survival and growth of their businesses. Doing so has helped to build SMEs' skill capacities and ultimately improve productivity. In addition, the Agency has invested in projects that help increase the pool of Atlantic Canadians who have the motivation and skills to plan and start new businesses in the region. Fifty-seven percent of participants in entrepreneurship awareness and promotion activities indicated that the activity increased their intent to start a business; and 79% of participants in business skills development activities indicated that they improved their business skills.

The Agency's activities in the area of trade are not only intended to help SMEs improve their export readiness potential, but also to bring them to a point where they can start exporting actively. According to information collected through International Business Development Agreement (IBDA) surveys, Team Canada Atlantic exit surveys, client and project reports, and Business Development Program exporters surveys, it is estimated that in 2008-2009 approximately 75 new exporters were supported by means of trade activities. These efforts were mainly direct financial support to SMEs with the objective of allowing them to undertake marketing activities outside Canada, in markets that have the potential to become fertile for the enterprise[3].

In response to the priorities stated in the Government of Canada's Global Commerce Strategy and the Americas Strategy, ACOA increased its efforts in emerging markets by contributing to initiatives such as ExpoNaval in Chile, The Caribbean Development Bank annual general meeting in Halifax, the Atlantic Provinces Economic Council study, as well as a trade mission to St. Lucia and Jamaica. The Agency also continued to build connections in existing markets, like the U.S., for export, investment and technology opportunities.

A strong advocate of trade initiatives that benefit Atlantic Canada and influence national and regional policy, in consultation with its federal and provincial stakeholders, ACOA continued to work toward the establishment of the Atlantic Gateway Strategy. In the past year, a short-term, pan-Atlantic business plan was established, six promotional activities were organized and, in December 2008, informal consultations with Atlantic Gateway stakeholders resulted in a market-driven business plan for 2009-2010.

The Agency promotes Atlantic Canada as a profitable location in which to do business. The Agency's investment-dedicated website, www.acoa.gc.ca/invest, experienced significant traffic, with more than 35,000 visits made to the site during 2008-2009.

Foreign direct investment is recognized as a significant catalyst to increasing innovation, productivity, trade and wealth creation for the region. In 2008- 2009, ACOA and its partners, through the Pan Atlantic Investment Coordination Committee, adapted their strategies in order to ensure the optimal use of financial and human resources toward attracting foreign players to Atlantic Canada.

A number of financing gaps still exist in Atlantic Canada and the Agency aims to address these gaps, which are more prevalent in rural than in urban areas. Through the Financing Continuum sub-activity, ACOA provided financial support of $12.6 million to SMEs to support new business establishments, expansion and modernization projects. This funding, which is generally not otherwise available to these businesses on reasonable terms and conditions, is critical for their growth and survival.

During 2008-2009, the Agency continued to foster the development of financial markets in Atlantic Canada. ACOA aims to be a catalyst in developing the availability of capital, whether it is debt or equity, so that all SMEs have reasonable access to the money needed to finance growth throughout their life cycles. The Agency's efforts in this area are best illustrated by the support provided to two established angel networks that supplied much-needed equity financing to deserving early-stage enterprises.

Lessons Learned

The Agency will continue to actively support the development of business skills and help Atlantic Canadian SMEs to attract skilled employees, as both activities were identified as priorities of the region's SMEs in a survey conducted in 2008[4].

With respect to innovation, through market intelligence provided by account managers, partners and stakeholders, ACOA recognized the need to focus attention on fostering improved commercialization of innovative technologies by identifying and pursuing commercialization opportunities within the AIF portfolio. In addition, ACOA recognized the need to find solutions to the early stage capital gaps in the region, i.e. equity financing to support high-risk and high-potential commercialization.

In 2008-2009, two internal audits were completed, one for each of the two sub-activities of Trade and Investment. It was concluded that, in general, the Agency exercised due diligence in the delivery of the trade and investment elements of the Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, International Business Development Program, the Enhanced Representation Initiative/North American Platform Program, and the Business Development Program. However, recommendations were made to address areas such as coordination of trade and investment activities, and improvement of the assessment and monitoring processes. The importance of formally documenting project achievements was stressed. In order to address the audit recommendations, an elaborate action plan was put in place, which included training, best practice sessions, new processes and procedures, templates and quality control assurance.

Benefits for Canadians

The Agency's mission is to develop all regions of Atlantic Canada through the strengthening of SMEs and its partnerships. Through its program activity Enterprise Development, ACOA helps SMEs to become more innovative, productive and competitive, thereby helping businesses and communities of Atlantic Canada to become stronger, which in turn fosters prosperity for Atlantic Canadian communities and their citizens.

Program Activity: Community Development

 

STRATEGIC OUTCOME	PROGRAM ACTIVITY	PROGRAM SUB-ACTIVITY
A competitive Atlantic Canadian economy (1.0)	Community Development (1.2)	Community Mobilization (1.2.1) Community-based Business Development (1.2.2) Community Investment (1.2.3) Infrastructure Programming (1.2.4)

 

Expected Results: Dynamic and sustainable communities for Atlantic Canada
Performance Indicators:	Target:	Performance Status and Summary:
Increased capacity in community decision making, planning and delivery	Evidence of impact, resulting from evaluations, and supported by data	Evaluation currently underway; results will be published in the 2009-2010 Departmental Performance Report.
	Annual Targets: (2008-2009)
Number of new business start-ups that have received funding from CBDCs	753	Mostly met.  713
Number of businesses that have received funding from CBDCs to stabilize or expand operations	804	Exceeded.  861
Performance Measurement Strategy: Undertake analysis of evaluations and CBDC e-reports.

 

Financial Resources ($ millions)				Human Resources (FTEs)
Planned Spending	Total Authorities	Actual Spending		Planned	Actual	Difference
101.8	114.3	113.1		201	204	(3)

 

Program Activity Summary

The Atlantic economy is built on the region's many geographic, linguistic and cultural communities. From small remote villages to larger urban centres, the opportunities and challenges vary significantly. ACOA recognizes the importance of these communities in an economic development framework, and supports their efforts to assume full responsibility for their own economic development. ACOA believes that effective community development is a bottom-up process, and that many communities require help to develop the tools, resources and initiatives that support individual and unique strategic development. This kind of development requires a flexible approach, based on the particular realities of the communities being targeted. Working in close co-operation with communities and community-led organizations involved in economic development planning and mobilization efforts, ACOA provides strategic funding that enables communities to strengthen their economic base and increase prosperity for their citizens.

ACOA uses its various programs, in particular the Business Development Program, Innovative Communities Fund and the Community Futures Program, to stimulate community economies. In addition, ACOA works with Infrastructure Canada, and the provincial governments, to oversee and ensure the flow of federal funds allocated to each region through the various federal and provincial infrastructure funding streams. These programs serve to provide significant economic stimulus, while ensuring the maintenance of quality public infrastructure and services, which are essential building blocks to the future economic well being of communities. These investments are a key in laying a foundation for addressing the region's productivity and competitiveness issues.

Performance Analysis

In 2008-2009, ACOA continued its lead role in economic development, working with the many communities to create greater employment opportunities and economic growth in the Atlantic region.

ACOA's primary program tool for investing in community development priorities is the Innovative Communities Fund. This fund provides non-repayable investments to not-for-profit organizations, such as local development associations, municipalities and their agencies, business and technology institutes, industry sector associations, economic development associations, local co-operatives, universities and other educational institutions. In 2008-2009, ACOA invested $32.2 million toward 94 projects having total project costs of $119.4 million, thereby leveraging $87.2 million from other sources.

Atlantic Canada's CBDCs continued to provide an essential source of capital to assist Atlantic Canada's rural businesses to start up or expand, and to enhance the balance between rural and urban development. In 2008-2009, $56.2 million in financing was provided through these 41 community-based organizations.

ACOA partnered with many Aboriginal organizations and federal and provincial departments to assist in building the economic capacity of Aboriginal communities. The Agency continued to support a variety of projects in the areas of accessibility to business information, business support, procurement, tourism, business and workplace skills, economic diversification, and business and strategic planning. For example, ACOA supports the Atlantic Aboriginal Economic Development Integrated Research Project, which is a four-year systematic program of research for economic development in Aboriginal communities.

ACOA partnered with Francophone communities in each province to address economic priorities, such as its ongoing dealings and joint committee relationship with the Réseau de développement économique et d'employabilité in Atlantic Canada. Acadians and Francophones in Atlantic Canada constitute approximately one third of Canada's minority Francophone population.

Several projects showcased the unique cultures of Atlantic Canada's Acadian and Aboriginal populations. To foster the economic development of Francophone communities in Newfoundland and Labrador, the Fédération des francophones de Terre-Neuve et du Labrador produced a French tourist guide, showcasing tourism attractions in the province and its Francophone communities in order to draw the attention of and inform French visitors. The Metepenagiag Heritage Park interpretation centre in Miramichi, New Brunswick, will exhibit over 3,000 years of Aboriginal (Mi'kmaq) culture and artifacts, and will be the only one of its kind in Canada.

The Recreational Infrastructure Canada (RInC) program announced on February 7, 2009, and the Community Adjustment Fund (CAF) announced on May 11, 2009, are part of a range of key programs contained in Budget 2009 designed to help stimulate economic activity across the country. RInC provides an immediate, targeted stimulus to the economy, and helps to mitigate the impacts of the global economic recession by increasing construction activity in the recreational sector. CAF targets communities that are hardest hit by the global recession to pursue new economic opportunities.

Lessons Learned

A summative evaluation of the Community Futures (CF) Program concluded the following: that there is a continuing need for the CF Program, that the activities and objectives of Atlantic Canadian CBDCs closely align with the national CF Program, and that the CF Program aligns well with ACOA's priorities. Similarly, a summative evaluation of the Strategic Communities Investment Fund (SCIF) found the program to be relevant to the needs of communities across Atlantic Canada. It addressed the needs of communities and enhanced their capacity for economic development initiatives. It produced the intended results in terms of infrastructure, and benefited businesses and residents in those communities from an economic and social perspective. On a go-forward basis, ACOA will implement an approach to systematically monitor the longer term impacts of its range of community economic development programs, for example, through case studies.

Benefits for Canadians

Atlantic Canada remains one of the most rural regions in Canada, with more than 40% of its population located in rural communities. The region did not escape the impacts of the worldwide economic downturn that began in late 2008, notably, tightened lending conditions in the banks' approach to providing capital. Through ACOA's programs and networks (largely rural community development organizations), businesses were able to access capital and adjust to the changing economy and thus retain jobs that would have otherwise been at risk. ACOA was well positioned to implement Government of Canada's stimulus funding programs established in response to the recent economic challenges. Through these efforts, Atlantic businesses will be better equipped to recover from the downturn.

Program Activity: Policy, Advocacy and Coordination

 

STRATEGIC OUTCOME	PROGRAM ACTIVITY	PROGRAM SUB-ACTIVITY
A competitive Atlantic Canadian economy (1.0)	Policy, Advocacy and Coordination (1.3)	Policy (1.3.1) Advocacy (1.3.2) Coordination (1.3.3)

 

Expected Results: Policies and programs that strengthen the Atlantic economy
Performance Indicator:	Annual Target: (2008-2009)	Performance Status and Summary:
Atlantic regional economic policies and programs that respond to regional development opportunities.	Continued government support to Agency priorities, collaboration with other federal departments, and engagement with other partners in Atlantic Canada in areas that will contribute to increasing the competitiveness of Atlantic Canada's economy.	Successful collaborative efforts with other government departments, as well as the four provincial governments of the region and other partners, on key issues pertaining to ACOA's priorities.
Performance Measurement Strategy: Undertake analysis of information from ACOA's Policy Network and key informant surveys, evaluations and qualitative reviews, as well as indicators from the federal government's budget speech, the Speech from the Throne, and decisions by central agencies.

 

Financial Resources ($ millions)				Human Resources (FTEs)
Planned Spending	Total Authorities	Actual Spending		Planned	Actual	Difference
12.2	13.9	13.3		110	95	15

 

Program Activity Summary

ACOA's Policy, Advocacy and Coordination (PAC) program activity is central to identifying and effectively responding to opportunities and challenges facing the regional economy. PAC provides intelligence, analysis and well-grounded advice on a broad range of issues and topics, and informs and supports decision making by the Agency and the minister. PAC helps to carry the Agency's agenda forward and ensure that ACOA remains relevant and responsive to the opportunities and challenges in Atlantic Canada. PAC offers strategic, researched policy positions that reflect the region's potential. It also influences national policies and programs that affect Atlantic Canada's development and interests, and coordinates other policies and programs within the region to form integrated approaches to development.

Performance Analysis

In 2008-2009, ACOA developed policy advice and research, provided economic and fiscal analyses, and engaged stakeholders. The Agency's policy and research work focused on the Atlantic Gateway and international trade; skills development; regional productivity and competitiveness; natural resources; rural/urban issues; and population strategies. Emphasis was also placed on areas such as natural gas development, productivity in the manufacturing sector, and community development. ACOA prepared and distributed regular reports on the region's economic situation. A senior Agency official, supported by PAC staff, assumed the role of Canada's lead representative on the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's (OECD) Territorial Development Policy Committee. The Agency engaged with the private sector and academia through entities such as the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Board, Atlantica, and Metropolis. In addition, the policy function offered support and analysis to the process that was initiated to renew ACOA's programs.

ACOA ensured that Atlantic Canada's needs are reflected in federal policies and programs. The Agency's advocacy function aimed to advance Atlantic Canadian interests in national policy and program development, so that government initiatives were responsive to the needs of the region. The Agency ensured that the implementation of measures included in Canada's Economic Action Plan reflected the economic challenges of Atlantic Canada. A core consideration for ACOA advocacy activities in 2008-2009 was to seek out ways in which federal initiatives could assist Atlantic Canada in facing current global economic challenges. The focus of advocacy was accelerated infrastructure investment and the Atlantic Gateway; aerospace and defence industries' bolstering of the Atlantic Canada economy through federal IRB policy advocacy; federal facilitation of Atlantic Canada's energy potential, including tidal energy; as well as increased emphasis on the future commercialization needs of Atlantic Canadian businesses in federal science and technology investments. Advocacy also addressed areas such as bioscience, climate change, labour market issues and ocean technology.

ACOA played its coordination role in federal-provincial initiatives by supporting the Clerk of the Privy Council's meeting with counterparts from Atlantic Canada's provincial governments, by participating in the Regional Officials Committee for the Atlantic Gateway, and by supporting federal-provincial initiatives such as the Atlantic Population Initiative. Another example of its work was the signing of an accord with the Nunatsiavut Government to coordinate support for developing the Torngat Mountains National Park, and associated economic development opportunities. The Agency collaborated with the provincial governments on issues such as tourism, skills development, climate change and renewable energy, and provided leadership with universities, colleges and hospitals in developing a coordinated approach to medical research and technology commercialization in Nova Scotia. The Regional Federal Councils addressed an array of topics relevant to the region, including Public Service Renewal, official languages, and emergency and risk management. ACOA coordinated efforts with federal departments such as the other regional development agencies for the development, implementation, and analysis of the Community Adjustment Fund and the Recreational Infrastructure Canada program. Another example of coordination with federal departments is the cultural tourism working group set up in Newfoundland and Labrador involving ACOA, Canadian Heritage, Service Canada and Parks Canada.

Lessons Learned

During the past year, lessons have been learned about the types of results that can be achieved through policy, advocacy and coordination efforts. Conferences such as the 5th Annual Conference of the Technopolicy Network, held in Halifax in September 2008, clearly show certain types of results that can be achieved through PAC activities. In this case, the Agency was instrumental in attracting the conference to Canada. This was the first time the Technopolicy Network had held an event in Canada. In addition to ACOA, event partners included the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), the National Research Council (NRC), Dalhousie University, inNOVAcorp, and the Greater Halifax Partnership. The theme of the 2008 conference was Implementing Regional Innovation Strategies. During this conference, ACOA had the opportunity to learn from other countries' regional approaches to innovation. As well, the conference served as an occasion for the Agency to receive positive feedback from international experts on its role in Atlantic Canada's innovation system.

The Atlantic Gateway is another area where the Agency has learned from research and recent experience. In 2008-2009, ACOA continued to play a key role in strengthening partnerships and mobilizing stakeholders around the Atlantic Gateway. The close working relationship between the Agency, Transport Canada and the four Atlantic provinces has allowed the Agency to undertake collaborative research to deepen its collective understanding of issues related to the development of a gateway-centred transportation network in Atlantic Canada. These initiatives were built on previous research such as the Atlantic Gateway Business Case and other contracted studies. The Agency also expanded its engagement with the business community and other government departments on issues ranging from infrastructure to regulatory issues, as well as the trade development and economic benefits that the gateway can potentially bring to Atlantic Canada.

Benefits for Canadians

The Agency's PAC activity assisted ACOA in carrying out the Government of Canada's priorities. PAC efforts in areas relating to the Atlantic Gateway, human capital development, the resource sectors, urban and rural issues, the competitiveness of businesses, and the overall economic expansion of the region benefited Atlantic Canadians by ensuring the coordination of federal initiatives in the region. Through its PAC activities, ACOA continued its collaborative efforts with other government partners and various stakeholders to ensure the Agency's approach corresponded to opportunities and challenges facing businesses in the region.

During the year, ACOA ensured that government initiatives were responsive to the challenges and opportunities of the Atlantic Canadian economy. ACOA continued its procurement advocacy efforts that have helped secure over $1.5 billion in industrial and regional benefit commitments for Atlantic Canadian firms over the past five years, and that have helped contribute to a strong and thriving aerospace and defence industry in the region. ACOA also advocated for the interests of Atlantic Canada in other key horizontal and sectoral files to make government initiatives more responsive to the needs of Atlantic Canadians.

In 2008-2009, ACOA's PAC activity assisted the region in facing challenges affecting Atlantic Canada's overall economic vitality. PAC supported the Agency's broad-based approach to economic development by addressing key policy issues impacting the growth of the region, by advocating for the interests of Atlantic Canada to ensure that government initiatives are responsive to the needs of the region, and by coordinating federal policies and programs within the region to form integrated approaches to development.

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