Keith Ashfield, Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), announced the funding accompanied by West Nova MP Greg Kerr while on a working tour of the South West shore.
The university plans on developing a strategy involving public and private sector partnerships to foster the growth and development of the knowledge economy in Atlantic Canada’s Acadian and francophone communities.
Key elements of the project will include a diagnostic of the current state of the IT industry in official language minority communities, an Atlantic-wide forum focusing on the knowledge economy, the development of tools for private sector businesses transitioning into the industry and the development of the pan-Atlantic strategy.
“This investment will help Acadian and francophone businesses build economic development capacity that will benefit our region for years to come,” said Dr. André Roberge, president of Université Sainte Anne.
“This university is pleased to partner on this forward-thinking initiative.”
The $320,813, Business Development Fund investment stems from the Economic Development Initiative, a component of the 2008-2013 Roadmap for Linguistic Duality. ACOA is responsible for implementing the initiative in Atlantic Canada to strengthen linguistic duality, reinforce Canada’s national identity and provide economic benefits for all Canadians.
