News Release

FREDERICTON (GNB) – Premier Brian Gallant has released New Brunswick’s Economic Growth Plan, setting out a framework for stimulating the economy by ensuring there is a co-ordinated effort when pursuing opportunities.

“Our government knows how important creating jobs, growing the economy, and securing health care and education are to New Brunswickers and their families. We are working hard on these priorities and, with your support, we are getting things done,” said Gallant. “There is a spirit of innovation, inventiveness and entrepreneurship that has thrived here for hundreds of years. We want to build on this proud tradition and provide a strong economic foundation for future generations into the future by supporting our traditional industries and taking advantage of new technologies and new market opportunities.”

The economic growth plan is the outcome of consultation with hundreds of community and business leaders across the province. Over the past year, government hosted 22 economic opportunity summits to engage and work with youth, entrepreneurs, academia, community, business, and aboriginal leaders to get their ideas and thoughts on the challenges and opportunities before us. Throughout those summits, there were recurring themes which have become pillars of the Economic Growth Plan:

• People – strengthen the province’s workforce;

• Innovation – expand the capacity for the generation of ideas and innovation;

• Capital – increase private-sector investment;

• Infrastructure – foster investment from the public and private sectors in strategic infrastructure; and

• Agility – foster agility and nimbleness in the public sector and across the economy.

The plan outlines an innovative and value-added model for economic development that is focused on collaborating with private-sector and public-sector partners to develop new opportunities.

“This plan sets out the framework for driving the New Brunswick economy forward. It is a directional plan outlining how government will mobilize to ensure there is a co-ordinated, complementary effort to improve New Brunswick’s economy and realize maximum benefits. Within the framework of this plan, specific policies, programs and projects will be developed and implemented,” said Gallant. “The plan is also designed to be a guide for both government and the private sector to channel and synergize our efforts for greater success.

The plan also outlines a number of opportunities and areas that are currently being pursued including: cybersecurity, smart grid, business support services, home-based work, local food and beverage, boosting new farmers, blueberry development, maple syrup, marijuana, tourism infrastructure succession plan, and Energy East.

“This plan holds the key to creating significant growth across all regions of our province and producing benefits for generations to come,” said Gallant.