True partnerships and regional strategies guide and stimulate local economic growth

During his lunchtime address to North Atlantic Forum 2000 delegates Tuesday, Beaton Tulk, Minister of Development and Rural Renewal, explained how Newfoundland and Labrador�s approach to economic development has helped the province reshape its economy in a coordinated and strategic manner.

The traumatic closure of the ground fishery in 1992 forced the province to reconsider its future as never before, said the minister.

"The results of our economic zonal efforts over the past five years tell us that while challenges remain, we are on the right track to revitalizing our economy, particularly in the rural areas of our province," said the minister.

Mr. Tulk said he is confident that this growth will continue. "However," he said, "we will all - collectively - be challenged to ensure that all regions share the benefit of economic growth."

A community economic task force made some 29 recommendations in 1995, which were based on two "pillars of belief:"

• That all development agencies and interests within a particular geographic region must cooperate fully in the development, coordination and implementation of policies, programs and development initiatives in order for maximum benefit to be derived by the region, and

• That a more open and accountable partnership between government and non-governmental agencies must be developed, resulting in government being less directive and more supportive of development initiatives identified at the regional level.

The major outcome of the task force was the formation of 20 economic zones and the creation of regional economic development boards, one for each zone.

The elected boards were mandated to develop and coordinate strategic economic plans, coordinate business development support, provide support to organizations and communities within the zone for development activities consistent with the strategic plans, coordinate social and economic initiatives relating to economic development and promote public participation and community education related to economic development.

Today, these boards are in the process of implementing the strategic economic plans that they developed through consultation and dialogue with the general public and other stakeholders. Mr. Tulk said challenges remain, but valuable lessons have been learned.

"We have come to realize that effective development cannot occur with either a top-down or a bottom-up approach," said Minister Tulk. "Efforts that are centrally driven or efforts not linked to overall provincial policies and priorities do not work and will not produce the desired results. What will work is a true partnership which focuses on regional strategies."

Of course, establishing any new approach is never without its growing pains and challenges, he said.

"But without a doubt, creating the 20 economic zones and 20 dynamic regional economic development boards - comprised of volunteer community leaders - was the right decision," the minister said.

He noted that on Monday, he met with economic development ministers from islands facing similar economic development challenges - Ireland, Iceland, the Faroe Islands and Prince Edward Island.

In particular, he remarked that Newfoundland and Labrador is not alone in making the decision to regionalize government services. He noted that Ireland has recently launched a program to regionalize its government services that will involve moving some 10,000 jobs to rural areas as a means of helping revitalize rural communities. Iceland is considering a similar program.

"The islands of the North Atlantic have a proud history and a prosperous future," said Minister Tulk. "Each of us, although quite separate and distinct, has fostered a culture of resilient and noble people, unafraid to tackle new challenges laid before us."

North Atlantic Forum 2000 - an initiative of the North Atlantic Islands Programme - is the second in a series of international forums examining innovative approaches to economic development at the community, regional and national levels around the North Atlantic rim. It will bring together government, labour, business, and educational stakeholders from the Aland Island, Bermuda, Canada, the Faroe Islands, Greenland, Iceland, Ireland, Isle of Man, Malta, Scotland, and Sweden.

Co-hosted by the College of the North Atlantic and Memorial University of Newfoundland, in partnership with the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Municipalities and the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Labour, and the federal and provincial governments, the event provides countries with similar challenges an opportunity to share ideas and successes.

North Atlantic Forum 2000 is being broadcast live on the web; to access webcast or for more information about the forum, check out the website at www.naf2000.org or contact:

North Atlantic Forum 2000 Office
College of the North Atlantic
141 O�Connell Drive
Corner Brook, NF
A2H 6H6
Telephone: (709) 639-1062
Fax: (709) 639-1092
Electronic mail: Inquires@naf2000.org
World Wide Web: www.naf2000.org

Media contact:
Josephine Cheeseman
Communications Committee
North Atlantic Forum 2000
(709) 729-4570 (office)
(709) 687-3353 (cell)

2000 09 26 4:35 p.m.