Action needed on Ivany Report

Recently, I attended the AIMS (Atlantic Institute of Market Studies) event in Halifax to discuss the progress made on the Ivany Report. The event was attended by many business leaders across the province, including notables John Bragg of Oxford Frozen Foods and John Risley of Clearwater Seafoods.

The event held two significant takeaway points for me.

First is the depth of frustration in the business community at the lack of progress so far implementing the Ivany Report goals. John Bragg suggested that given one year, either he or John Risley as chief executive officers of the province, could easily trim costs and deliver a balanced budget.

John Risley stated that a CEO of a company in trouble, as he likened our province too, would understand that to take no action would doom the company. Taking action would at least provide the chance of success. He expressed frustration at the lack of concrete action in the past year.

Don Mills, CEO of Corporate Research Associates, gave a particularly strong presentation about the excessive size of government, our aging population and the coming demographic crunch. He, too, emphasized the need for change. He offered a number of solutions focused mainly on keeping university graduates here in the province.

The second takeaway for me was the depth of commitment these business leaders expressed for our province. It would be easy to believe that it is all about the money for such successful business folk. But, clearly, that is not the case. They, one and all, expressed a deep love for Nova Scotia and desire to see it succeed. Their commitment gives me hope and renews my determination to see us succeed.