Support regional economic growth strategies.

What success looks like

Inclusive growth and economic diversification in all regions through improved programs and strategies.

Government's narrative on progress

The Atlantic Growth Strategy was launched in 2016 and has set an ambitious vision to grow Atlantic Canada's economy. The strategy targets joint areas of priority including: innovation, trade & investment, skills/immigration, clean growth and infrastructure. The Atlantic Growth Strategy Year 2 Report was released in July 2018. Both levels of government reaffirmed their strong commitment to work together to build on the initiatives that are already producing real results for Atlantic Canadians. The Committee also agreed on the importance of pursuing new, targeted actions to stimulate the region’s economy. In Budget 2018, the government identified regional development agencies as one of four key platforms which will help to grow Canadian businesses and advance the Innovation and Skills Plan across all regions of Canada (with the other three key platforms being: the Industrial Research Assistance Program, the Strategic Innovation Fund, and the Canadian Trade Commissioner Service). Starting in 2018–19, the government is providing more than $500 million over five years to regional development agencies to foster economic growth, including regionally tailored funding for women entrepreneurs as part of the new Women Entrepreneurship Strategy. The government is also extending core funding of the regional development agencies that is currently time-limited: • $20 million per year, starting in 2018–19 and ongoing, to the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency; • $920 million over six years, starting in 2018–19, to renew the funding for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario. On April 9 2018, the government unveiled a regional economic development strategy for Northern Ontario that is centered on supporting innovation, growing companies, building stronger communities and ensuring communities have the necessary skills for the middle-class jobs of tomorrow. Public engagement towards a growth strategy for Western Canada was completed in November 2018. A What We Heard report and the growth strategy will be released in 2019. On November 9 2018, the government launched its Federal Strategy on Innovation and Growth for the Quebec Regions, focused on innovation and clean tech, growth and exports, entrepreneurial talent, and growth in all regions of Quebec. On March 29, 2019, the government concluded its consultations with territorial and Indigenous governments, industry, Indigenous communities and organizations, and academia towards the development of a Pan-Territorial Growth Strategy. On February 27, 2019, the government announced it would be holding consultations with business, industry, academia, Indigenous communities and organizations to maximize the impact of new investments and best support the needs of the Southern Ontario region. Roundtables, in urban and rural communities, are underway. Stakeholders are also invited to provide online feedback up until April 30, 2019.

Note: this is the government's own description, not an independent assessment.