ARCHIVED - RPP 2007-2008
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agencies

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Section I – Agency Overview

Minister's Message

During the first year of our mandate, our Government has committed to concrete, realistic and practical actions that improve economic growth, opportunities and choices for Canadians. Our goal is to build a Canadian standard of living and quality of life that are second to none in the world.

This year, the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) marks its 20th year of service to Atlantic Canada. Since its creation, the Agency has helped Atlantic Canada to expand its economy, generate wealth and realize its potential. In 2007 2008, ACOA will build on these efforts by continuing to foster a positive economic environment that supports the growth of Atlantic Canadian businesses and communities.

As Minister of ACOA, I have had the great pleasure of travelling throughout the region and visiting communities large and small. I have seen the positive impact of ACOA's investments – investments that help Atlantic communities improve their infrastructure so that they can support a better quality of life for their residents and spur local economic growth.

These investments help businesses in the region enhance their competitiveness by deepening their entrepreneurial skills; by enhancing their capacity to innovate and to pursue local research and development; and by assisting their efforts to export their products.

Over the next year, ACOA will continue to work within its economic development programs to focus on core priorities of enterprise development, community development, policy, advocacy and co ordination of government programs. ACOA will continue to work in partnership with key regional stakeholders to strengthen the economic foundation of Atlantic communities in order to stimulate business growth and generate new job opportunities.

Our central objective is to contribute to the development of a strong regional economy that creates and sustains more and better paying jobs for Atlantic Canadians, that attracts the energy and talent of new Canadians, and that helps us retain our talented young people whose desire to build a future in Atlantic Canada is central to our long term success.

____________________________________
Peter G. MacKay
Minister
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

Management Representation Statement

I submit for tabling in Parliament, the 2007-2008 Report on Plans and Priorities for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA).

This document has been prepared based on the reporting principles contained in the Guide for the Preparation of Part III of the 2007-2008 Estimates: Reports on Plans and Priorities and Departmental Performance Reports.

• It adheres to the specific reporting requirements outlined in the Treasury Board Secretariat guidance.
• It is based on the Agency's Strategic Outcomes and Program Activity Architecture that were approved by Treasury Board.
• It presents consistent, comprehensive, balanced and reliable information.
• It provides a basis of accountability for the results achieved with the resources and authorities entrusted to it.
• It reports finances based on approved planned spending numbers from the Treasury Board Secretariat.

____________________________________
Monique Collette, President
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

Changes in ACOA's Program Activity Architecture

Changes were made to ACOA's Program Activity Architecture (PAA) from fiscal year 2006-2007 to 2007-2008. These changes are the result of an Agency-wide performance measurement exercise, which took place during 2006-2007. ACOA's 2007-2008 strategic outcomes, program activities and their descriptions are more clearly defined and accurately reflect the Agency's activities.

At the program sub-activity level under "Fostering the development of institutions and enterprises, with emphasis on those of small and medium size", "Access to business information" has been moved to the sub-activity level because of the size of its budget relative to the other elements. Although tourism continues to play an important role in the economy of the region and within ACOA, it was the only sector mentioned in the Agency's architecture. For consistency purposes, since ACOA also supports other sectors of interest to the Atlantic economy through its program activities, ACOA's tourism efforts and initiatives are now integrated within the Agency's program activities and program sub-activities.

2006-2007 Program Activity Architecture	2007-2008 Program Activity Architecture
Strategic Outcome Program Activity Program Sub-activity	Strategic Outcome Program Activity Program Sub-activity
Enterprise Development	Competitive and sustainable Atlantic enterprises, with emphasis on those of small and medium size
Fostering SME Development and Regional Economic Capacity Building	Fostering the development of institutions and enterprises, with emphasis on those of small and medium size
Innovation	Innovation
Entrepreneurship and Business Skills Development	Entrepreneurship and business skills development
Trade	Trade
Investment	Investment
Tourism
Other Support to SMEs	Financing continuum
Access to business information	Access to business information (Canada Business)
Community Development	Dynamic and sustainable communities for Atlantic Canada
Community Economic Development	Fostering the economic development of Atlantic communities
Special Adjustment Measures	Special adjustment measures
Infrastructure Programming	Infrastructure programming
Policy, Advocacy and Co-ordination	Policies and programs that strengthen the Atlantic economy
Policy	Policy
Advocacy	Advocacy
Co-ordination	Co-ordination

Summary Information

Raison d'être

The Government of Canada is committed to "capitalizing on regional strengths, using a balanced approach in order to secure a higher standard of living and a better quality of life for all Canadians."[1] The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) works in partnership with Atlantic Canadians to improve the economy of the region through the successful development of business and job opportunities, and thus pursues its mandate "… to enhance the growth of earned incomes and employment opportunities …" (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency Act, Part I). In order to effectively pursue its mandate, the Agency has identified three strategic outcomes that reflect its mission and the benefits it strives to provide to Atlantic Canadians. These outcomes are: 1.        Competitive and sustainable Atlantic enterprises, with emphasis on those of small and medium size. 2.        Dynamic and sustainable communities for Atlantic Canada. 3.        Policies and programs that strengthen the Atlantic economy.

^[1] Canada's Performance 2006, Treasury Board of Canada (2006).

Financial and Human Resources

	2007-2008	2008-2009	2009-2010
Financial Resources ($ millions)	369.2	328.2	322.0
Human Resources (FTEs)	757	757	725

Agency Priorities for 2007-2008

ACOA's Ongoing Priorities	Type
1.  Improve the climate for business growth for small and medium-sized enterprises to help them start, expand and modernize their businesses.	Ongoing
2.  Carry out policy analysis and research to determine the areas in which ACOA can act to carry out it's mandate most effectively.	Ongoing
3.  Advocate the interests of Atlantic Canada to make new government initiatives more responsive to the needs of Atlantic Canada through Advocacy Champion files.	Ongoing
4.  Help communities build their capacity and confidence in order to identify and co-ordinate the implementation of priorities for economic development in their region.	Ongoing
ACOA's New Priorities for 2007-2008	Type
5.  Foster improved productivity and competitiveness of innovative technologies, through enhanced efforts to assure the realization of their commercial opportunities.	New
6.  Explore the feasibility and options for improved productivity and competitiveness in the renewable resource sectors.	New
7.  Conduct studies and undertake other activities targeting the Atlantic Gateway to devise a corporate strategy.	New
8.  Establish management priorities that focus on the Government of Canada's governance and accountability agenda, values and ethics, and succession planning Agency-wide.	New

Program Activities by Strategic Outcome

Program Activity	Expected Result	Planned Spending			Contributes to the priority
		2007-2008	2008-2009	2009-2010
Strategic Outcome 1: Competitive and sustainable Atlantic enterprises, with emphasis on those of small and medium size
Fostering the development of institutions and enterprises, with emphasis on those of small and medium size	Improved growth and competitiveness of Atlantic SMEs	208.6	217.5	211.5	No. 1:  Improve the climate for business growth No. 5:  Improve productivity and competitiveness of innovative technologies
Strategic Outcome 2: Dynamic and sustainable communities for Atlantic Canada
Fostering the development of Atlantic communities	Enhanced business and economic opportunities for Atlantic Canada communities Enhanced community collaborations	100.9	95.8	95.7	No. 4:  Help communities build their capacity and confidence
Special adjustment measures	Reduced impact of economic crisis	40.5	0.0	0.0
Infrastructure programming	Enhanced infrastructure in urban, rural communities, and public infrastructure	5.1	1.0	1.0
Strategic Outcome 3: Policies and programs that strengthen the Atlantic economy
Policy	Strategic, researched policy decisions reflecting the opportunities and challenges of the Atlantic region's economy, while considering enterprise and community development potential	7.7	7.5	7.4	No. 2:  Carry out policy analysis and research No. 6:  Improve productivity and competitiveness in the renewable resource sectors No. 7:  Conduct studies and undertake activities targeting Atlantic Gateway
Advocacy	Federal policies and programs that reflect Atlantic enterprise and community development needs and interests	4.1	4.1	4.1	No. 3:  Advocate the interests of Atlantic Canada (Advocacy Champion files) No. 7:  Conduct studies and undertake activities targeting Atlantic Gateway
Co-ordination	Co-ordination of other federal departments' and other stakeholders' policies and programs within the region to form integrated approaches to development	2.3	2.3	2.3	No. 7: Conduct studies and undertake activities targeting Atlantic Gateway

ACOA Plans and Priorities

Operating Environment

ACOA's Mandate

This year will mark ACOA's 20^th year of service to Atlantic Canadians. Established in 1987, ACOA is the arm of the federal government whose mission is to work in partnership with Atlantic Canadians to improve the economy of the region through the successful development of business and job opportunities.

The Agency's mandate is derived from Part I of the Government Organization Act, Atlantic Canada 1987, R.S., c G-5-7, otherwise known as the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency Act. Its purpose is to "increase opportunity for economic development in Atlantic Canada and, more particularly, to enhance the growth of earned incomes and employment opportunities in that region."

Although the Agency's program tools and policies have changed over the past 20 years, the overall goal of ACOA has always been to help the Atlantic region realize its full potential in terms of productivity, economic growth and standard of living.

The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring that Canadians in all parts of the country benefit from a strong economy and the services that such an economy can provide. ACOA tackles economic development challenges facing Atlantic Canada by identifying and addressing structural weaknesses in the economy, helping communities and businesses overcome barriers, and finding new opportunities for growth. It is also within this context that ACOA is committed to helping the region make the transition to a more innovative, productive and competitive economy. By making the right investments and fostering favourable conditions for growth, ACOA can encourage prosperity through the creation of new opportunities in Atlantic Canada.

ACOA's Approach

The Agency takes a proactive approach to identifying opportunities and overcoming regional barriers to growth, recognizing that an economy must have a number of conditions in place in order to succeed.

Working with partners in all levels of government, the private sector, academia and non-governmental organizations, ACOA seeks to advance economic opportunities and innovation in order to serve the needs of businesses, organizations, individuals and communities in Atlantic Canada.

At the national level, the Agency carries out this mandate by advocating for Atlantic Canada's interests, priorities and concerns in other federal government policy-making decisions and investments that have a direct impact on the Atlantic economy.

The Agency also participates in several horizontal initiatives. It is the lead department for Team Canada Atlantic and the International Business Development Program. In addition, the Agency is a partner on several horizontal initiatives led by other federal departments.

At the regional level, ACOA conducts policy research and analysis that helps provide the intellectual foundation for a comprehensive and strategic approach to regional development. Furthermore, the Agency plays a key role in co-ordinating pan-Atlantic development strategies, programs and initiatives, working closely with the provincial governments, Atlantic universities and research institutes, business organizations, other federal departments, and other stakeholders in the region to reduce duplication and maximize impact.

Locally, the Agency works with its partners to provide communities with the tools and resources they need to build more self-reliant local economies. Partnerships are a major element, not only in the delivery of programs and activities, but also in the development of programs and policies. ACOA partners with the private sector, universities, non-government organizations, as well as governments at all levels.

The Agency also works locally to improve the growth and competitiveness of Atlantic enterprises through a variety of programs and services designed to increase start-ups, expansions and modernizations. The Agency ensures that a wide variety of business development tools and resources are available to Atlantic entrepreneurs throughout all stages of the business life cycle – from the time they are thinking about setting up a new business, to the time they are planning for growth and expansion.^[2]

ACOA's programs are strategically important. Recognizing the correlation between innovation and productivity, Agency programs place emphasis on fostering research and development, technology adoption, skills development, and improved access to capital required to make these kinds of investments in innovation possible. The Agency's Atlantic Innovation Fund continues to be a driving force behind the latest acceleration of research and development in Atlantic Canada.

ACOA also recognizes the correlation between stimulating the growth of entrepreneurship and business skills development with economic development, as illustrated by the fact that in the 1990s, 70% of the jobs created by new firms in Atlantic Canada were attributed to small businesses.^[3]  The Business Development Program and other ACOA programs are helping entrepreneurs to start up and expand businesses, optimize trade and export opportunities, develop new tourism products, and improve business management practices to grow and compete in the global economy.

Atlantic Canada's Challenges, Risks and Opportunities – ACOA's Response^[4]

ACOA operates within the changing economic landscape of Atlantic Canada. The Agency's broad-based approach to regional economic development addresses the underlying structural challenges in the economy.

Being proactive in identifying opportunities requires the Agency to assess external economic factors that can affect departmental plans and priorities or the delivery of its programs and services.

Economic Performance

In recent years, economic performance in Atlantic Canada has been influenced by a number of factors that have constrained economic growth. The Atlantic economy grew at an annual average rate of 1.5% over the last three years, in comparison with 3% growth for the Canadian economy. Restructuring in the resource industries, out-migration and a strong Canadian dollar have contributed to the weak growth. Rural areas in the region have been particularly hard hit due to rationalization in some resource industries. Urban areas, however, continue to register solid economic gains as their economies diversify into new and emerging sectors. These economic conditions will have an impact on ACOA's activities, as the Agency - by way of strategic planning - continues to effectively respond to changing regional circumstances.

Following weak growth of 1% in 2005, the Atlantic Canadian economy did pick up somewhat in 2006, with real gross domestic product (GDP) estimated to have increased by 2.3%. The Canadian economy is estimated to have grown by 2.8% in 2006. Growth resumed in the Atlantic region's goods-producing industries (1.1%), led by a significant increase in the mining and oil and gas sectors, due to increased production at the Voisey's Bay mine and the White Rose offshore oil field. The construction sector registered good growth, mainly from projects in the energy and transportation sectors. Activity in the manufacturing sector declined for a second consecutive year, affected by a strong Canadian dollar and the closure or temporary shutdown of several wood and paper mills and fish processing plants. Growth in the services-producing industries (2.9%) was led by gains in the retail and wholesale trade, finance and insurance, and public sectors.

Labour Market

Atlantic Canada's labour market improved slightly in 2006, yet continued to perform below the national average. After increasing by only 0.2% in 2005, employment in the region rose by 0.5% (or 5,600 individuals) in 2006. Employment in Canada increased by 1.9% in 2006. Employment in the major urban areas in the region increased by 1.4% in 2006, while it fell by 0.4% in the rest of the economy.

Improving weak economic performance in rural areas of the region represents a major challenge, as many small communities face significant impediments to developing their economies, such as declining population and employment opportunities.

The unemployment rate for Atlantic Canada fell from 10.4% to 9.9% in 2006, its lowest level in over 30 years; however, part of this decline was due to a drop in the labour force, as numerous individuals left the region in search of better employment prospects. The unemployment rate for the major urban areas was 6.8% in 2006, compared with 12.9% for the rest of the region.

Employment gains in Atlantic Canada occurred in the services-producing sector, mainly in management services (e.g. call centres). Gains also occurred in public administration (e.g. municipal) and finance and insurance, while employment fell in transportation (e.g. trucking and scenic and sightseeing), professional services (e.g. architectural and engineering services) and wholesale trade. Employment fell among the goods-producing industries, due mainly to continued job losses in the manufacturing sector and ongoing challenges facing the forestry and fishing industries in the region. Employment also declined in agriculture and utilities. Job gains in the mining and oil and gas extraction sector resulted from higher commodity prices and the addition of capacity from the Voisey's Bay and White Rose projects.

Exports

Foreign exports of commodities from Atlantic Canada fell by 3.7% during the first 11 months of 2006. Losses in the region were significant in seafood, pulp and paper, wood, and natural gas. Although aquaculture exports registered gains, mainly from farmed salmon, lower landings and prices led to a decline in shipments of crab products. Exports of unprocessed lobsters fell due to lower prices. Market conditions in the forestry sector remained poor, as lower lumber prices and reduced demand in the United States affected exports of wood products. The strength of the Canadian dollar led to a reduction in exports of pulp and paper products. While exports of crude oil increased due to higher prices, foreign shipments of natural gas declined due to lower prices and reduced volume. Atlantic Canada's exports to the United States, the destination for over 78% of the region's foreign shipments of goods, fell by 4.8%. Exports to China, the second largest destination for the region's products, rose by 3.6%.

Population

Between October 2005 and October 2006, the population of Atlantic Canada fell by 0.4% (or 9,242 individuals) to stand at 2,330,162, its lowest level in nearly 20 years. Within the region, the population increased in Prince Edward Island (0.2% or 315 individuals), while it fell in Nova Scotia (-0.2% or 2,194 individuals), New Brunswick (-0.4% or 2,779 individuals), and Newfoundland and Labrador (-0.9% or 4,584 individuals). The decline in Atlantic Canada's population is mainly due to an increase in migrants to Alberta. The Agency continues it's efforts in responding to the challenges from Atlantic Canada's population shift by collaborating with provincial and federal partners to develop joint initiatives

Economic Outlook

Economic performance in Atlantic Canada will be mixed in 2007. In Newfoundland and Labrador, the economy is expected to grow by 5.7% due to increased production in the oil and mining sectors. Despite the strong increase in real GDP, growth in the rest of the provincial economy is expected to be hampered by a declining population and weak consumer spending.

For the other three provinces in the region, economic growth is expected to be below the national pace. A slower U.S. economy is expected to dampen economic growth prospects for major exporters. In Prince Edward Island, real GDP is expected to increase by 1.5% with increased production anticipated in the agriculture and manufacturing sectors. The Nova Scotia economy is expected to grow by 1.9% in 2007. Increased output in the manufacturing sector and higher natural gas production will be offset by weakness in the construction industry and difficulties in some of the primary sectors. In New Brunswick, real GDP is expected to increase by 2.4% due to increased activity in base metal mining and pulp and paper sectors.

The transformation of the Atlantic economy is expected to continue with new, high-knowledge industries being developed and primary industries adapting to new, technology-driven competition. The region's knowledge-based economy has broadened, with the development of industries such as information technology, life sciences, bioscience, ocean technologies, aerospace and defence. The response to ACOA's Atlantic Innovation Fund has emphasized many of these areas, which are now of strategic importance since they offer the most potential for future growth in the region.

At the same time, Atlantic Canada has continued to diversify its traditional economic base with the expansion of value-added activities in the resource-based industries, while the oil and gas industry is helping to underpin economic growth in the region. ACOA will continue to provide support to community development and enterprise development in order to help resource industries diversify into high quality, value-added products and services.

Factors Affecting Economic Performance 

The risks to Atlantic Canada's economic outlook are largely external. The correction to the U.S. housing market and its impact on consumer spending could be more severe than expected, resulting in a more pronounced slowdown of the U.S. economy. There is also a risk that the U.S. dollar could depreciate further against floating currencies, such as the Canadian dollar, in response to global current account imbalances. These occurrences would pose additional challenges to the region's export sector.

The emergence of economies such as China and India creates both challenges and new opportunities for Atlantic Canada. In the near term, emerging economies have increased the competitive pressure on labour-intensive sectors and, over the medium term, the ability of developing countries to compete in higher-value-added activities will also increase. It is, therefore, imperative that Atlantic Canada continues to innovate and shift to higher-value-added activities in order to maintain a competitive advantage. During 2007-2008, the Agency plans to work with other federal and provincial partners and industry in the renewable resource sectors in order to develop approaches to respond to the various challenges facing these industries' abilities to grow and compete.

Increased emphasis must be placed on enhancing productivity in the region. Raising productivity levels requires higher rates of business investment in machinery and equipment, greater levels of research and innovation, more effort placed on developing a skilled and educated workforce, and more spending on infrastructure. This is why ACOA will continue its efforts with targeted activities that focus on investment, innovation, and business skills development.

The overall population decline in the region is hindering economic growth, although urban areas are gaining population while rural areas are losing people. The lack of employment opportunities contributes to out-migration of the region's educated youth, with little offset through foreign immigration. At the same time, labour shortages are beginning to appear in some areas. The continued transition to a more dynamic Atlantic economy, supported through joint initiatives related to population and immigration, should help meet the challenge of generating more employment opportunities to attract and retain skilled workers.

Further information on specific challenges facing individual provinces can be found in Section IV of this report.

^[2] For more information on ACOA's activities and services, visit the Agency's website at
http://www.acoa-apeca.gc.ca/e/en/index.asp.

^[3] The State of Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Atlantic Canada, Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency(2005).

^[4] Statistical data presented in this section are from the following sources:

• Conference Board of Canada – Gross Domestic Product, October 2006 Provincial Forecast
• Statistics Canada – Labour Market, Labour Force Survey Custom Tabulations, 2007;
• Statistics Canada – Population, Quarterly Demographic Estimates, #91-002-XIE;
• Industry Canada – Exports, Trade Data Online, Strategis, 2007.

Program Plans and Priorities

Strategic Outcome Competitive and sustainable Atlantic enterprises, with emphasis on those of small and medium size

Key Priorities: Improve the climate for business growth for small and medium-sized enterprises to help them start, expand and modernize their businesses (ongoing). Foster improved productivity and competitiveness of innovative technologies, through enhanced efforts to assure the realization of their commercial opportunities (new).

ACOA's mandate to lead the economic transformation of the Atlantic region is principally executed through enabling the development of sustainable enterprises providing goods and services into the global marketplace. This development leads to employment growth and wealth creation for the benefit of all the residents of Atlantic Canada.

By helping individual small and medium-sized enterprises succeed, the Agency subscribes to the notion that success breeds success. The increased level of economic activity generated by successful SMEs leads to new SMEs being created and to the expansion of existing SMEs, whether this is done within an economic cluster or within an industry sector such as aquaculture, manufacturing, tourism or knowledge-based industries. Thus, ACOA is tasked with delivering constantly evolving and adapted programs that support the development of SMEs and that better the business environment.

In 2007-2008, ACOA will continue to work toward improving the climate for business growth for SMEs to help them start, expand and modernize their businesses. Furthermore, as significant investments are being made in developing new technologies in Atlantic Canada, ACOA will pursue enhanced efforts to assure the realization of commercial opportunities for these developments. Through targeted investments, ACOA will continue to help companies improve their productivity and business skills and thus their innovation capability.

Strategic Outcome Dynamic and sustainable communities for Atlantic Canada

Key Priority: Help communities build their capacity and confidence in order to identify and co-ordinate the implementation of priorities for economic development in their region (ongoing).

The Agency's vision is to create dynamic and sustainable communities for Atlantic Canadians; communities that have the resources and capacity to take full responsibility and accountability for their own economic development. The Agency works as an agent of change to empower and help communities to achieve their economic development goals, and to ultimately increase economic opportunities for Atlantic Canada. The Agency works in partnership with other levels of government, other federal departments, non-government organizations, and community groups to leverage support and co-ordinate economic development efforts.

The opportunities for economic growth, and the challenge of globalization and international competitiveness, factor into daily decision making. Innovation and creativity in communities can lead to significant development opportunities. Results are strongest in transitional communities where stakeholders are involved. ACOA provides continued support to enhance or improve the economic base of these communities by building on their assets, and increasing their capacity to be competitive.

To achieve its vision for Atlantic Canada, the Agency will focus on fostering economic development by continuing to help communities build their capacity and confidence thereby enabling them to identify and co-ordinate the implementation of priorities for economic development in their region. This will be achieved by working with communities and community organizations to identify, develop and support projects that will improve areas of productivity and competitiveness in communities and their resource sectors. To the greatest extent possible, ACOA will aim to support strategies that obtain the best value for its investments in the community economic development organizations.

Strategic Outcome Policies and programs that strengthen the Atlantic economy

Key Priorities: Carry out policy analysis and research to determine the areas in which ACOA can act to carry out its mandate most effectively (ongoing). Explore the feasibility and options for improved productivity and competitiveness in the renewable resource sectors (new). Conduct studies and undertake other activities targeting the Atlantic Gateway, to devise a corporate strategy (new). Advocate the interests of Atlantic Canada, to make new government initiatives more responsive to the needs of Atlantic Canada, through Advocacy Champion files (ongoing).

ACOA's legislation provides the mandate for the Agency's policy, advocacy and co-ordination roles. As the federal agency responsible for economic development in Atlantic Canada, ACOA plays the lead role in identifying the challenges and opportunities facing the development of the Atlantic region, while developing strategies and approaches for addressing these.

The policy function at ACOA undertakes research and analysis forming a basis for authoritative advice on a broad range of topics and issues. This information supports the decision making of the Agency and the Minister. The advocacy function, in turn, works to influence national policies, programs and initiatives to reflect the interests of Atlantic Canada. The Agency is also mandated to co-ordinate policies and programs of the Government of Canada and, increasingly, of provincial governments in relation to economic development.

In 2007-2008, ACOA will pursue its policy, advocacy and co-ordination objectives with emphasis on such priorities as the Atlantic Gateway and resource renewal. Developing effective strategies, policies and options that reflect the realities facing the Atlantic economy in priority areas such as these can only be done through engaging other key stakeholders: therefore, ACOA engages these stakeholders and builds partnerships, making it possible to achieve ventures that otherwise would not be feasible.  ACOA will also advocate the interests of Atlantic Canada, to make new government initiatives more responsive to the needs of Atlantic Canada, through Advocacy Champion files - namely aerospace and defence, aquaculture, science and technology, commercialization, energy, population and immigration, Atlantic Gateway, bioscience, environment, and resource industries.

Management Plans and Priorities

1 - Excellence in Management

ACOA is committed to building management excellence and strong governance to ensure that its resources are efficiently and effectively managed, and that systems and services are in place to support management decision making, accountability and operational controls. In approaching this agenda, the Agency will focus on three strategic objectives.

• Support ACOA's program delivery and policy development by putting in place the necessary tools, processes and frameworks for management excellence, leading to a more effective and efficient organization.
• Ensure public money is spent responsibly, according to Treasury Board of Canada rules and regulations, by putting in place the necessary control functions and support mechanisms that help manage corporate risks.
• Strengthen corporate governance by ensuring ACOA is focused on achieving results, its programs and policies remain relevant, and that proper decisions are being made that will ultimately lead the Agency in the right direction.

2 – Integrated Human Resource Planning

An integrated planning process has been designed to improve linkages between the Agency's strategic outcomes – as defined in ACOA's Program Activity Architecture (PAA) – and the more detailed operational plans containing program delivery goals and expenditures. This integrated planning process includes a solid human resource planning component. ACOA program and policy managers must now align their operational activities (including financial and human resource requirements) to each of the Agency's three strategic outcomes.

The results of this integrated human resource planning have provided ACOA with valuable information for 2007-2008 in the areas of learning, capacity building, succession planning and employment equity.

During the 2006 APEX Symposium, the Clerk of the Privy Council stated that Public Service Renewal is a priority for government. The federal government is currently experiencing the phenomenon of an aging population and has limited human resource capacity for replacing key leaders of the public service. Similarly, succession planning is a priority area for the whole Agency. It is imperative that ACOA explore avenues for enhancing and strengthening the leadership competencies of its future leaders. In order to meet this challenge, ACOA senior officials will work on the Public Service Renewal Initiative.

The Agency often uses other innovative means of addressing the renewal of its workforce. These include student bridging and co-operative education programs, which can rejuvenate an organization. In addition, ACOA actively participates in the Public Service Management Trainee Program and the Career Advancement Program. Management development initiatives are being explored as a way for the Agency to enhance its current workforce's leadership competencies. For example, in New Brunswick ACOA has launched a developmental plan for aspiring managers, and the Agency's Head Office is currently developing a similar program. Another example is the development of an internal program for commerce officers within the Agency, which has been requested by most regional offices. The intent of these programs is to provide employees who have the aspiration and potential to become managers with opportunities to acquire leadership competencies.

3 – Values and Ethics

The respect of values and ethics within ACOA is central to its ability to effectively deliver on its mandate. ACOA's Executive Cadre has committed to demonstrating and promoting the proper behaviour/judgement to the larger management team and to all staff. ACOA will also focus on strengthening internal communications and employee feedback processes related to values and ethics, and developing a new communications strategy. In addition, the Agency will be reviewing the Roadmap to Results strategy, and tools being developed by the Office of Public Service Values and Ethics, to assess their applicability to the Agency environment.

Linking ACOA's Outcomes/Activities to the Government of Canada's Outcomes

The Government of Canada's annual report on performance, entitled Canada's Performance 2006^[5], provides an overview of how the performance of individual departments and agencies contributes to broader, government-wide outcomes in the following key policy areas: economic affairs, social affairs, international affairs and government affairs (federal organizations that support all departments and agencies).

ACOA's program activities and strategic outcomes are complementary and support the Government of Canada's contribution to strong economic growth. ACOA's sub-activities, which are more specific in nature, also support and contribute to a number of other federal government outcome areas such as: an innovative and knowledge-based economy, income security and employment for Canadians, a clean and healthy environment, a vibrant Canadian culture and heritage, as well as a diverse society that promotes linguistic duality and social inclusion.

The Government of Canadas's "Strong economic growth" outcome area includes initiatives aimed at strenghening economic development in all regions and sectoral competitiveness. The government recognizes that regional development policies are important components of a comprehensive strategy to help the regions of Canada exploit the opportunities in a global economy. Furthermore, the Government of Canada is dedicated to pursuing a strategy that invests in skilled knowledge workers, cutting-edge research and innovation. ACOA, through its program activities and sub-activities, supports these government outcomes, which in turn foster an environment where citizens can prosper.

The following table depicts the relationship between the Government of Canada's outcomes and ACOA's contribution toward them, through its program activities.

ACOA's Strategic Outcome	ACOA's Program Activity	Link to the Government of Canada's Outcome
1.  Competitive and sustainable Atlantic enterprises, with emphasis on those of small and medium size	Fostering the development of institutions and enterprises, with emphasis on those of small and medium size	Strong Economic Growth
2.  Dynamic and sustainable communities for Atlantic Canada	Fostering the economic development of Atlantic communities	Strong Economic Growth
	Special Adjustment Measures	Strong Economic Growth
	Infrastructure programming	Strong Economic Growth
3.  Policies and programs that strengthen the Atlantic economy	Policy	Strong Economic Growth
	Advocacy	Strong Economic Growth
	Co-ordination	Strong Economic Growth

^[5] To view Canada's Performance 2006 visit http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/report/govrev/06/cp-rc-eng.asp

ACOA 2007-2008 Program Activity Architecture

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