Government taking stock of economic growth initiatives

The Williams government is continuing to move forward with long-term planning for future economic growth and development.

"Over the past two years we have undertaken strategic initiatives that are significant planks in our economic development agenda," Premier Danny Williams said. "Now, halfway through our mandate, it is time to take stock of what has been initiated to date, and move to the next phase to ensure our development strategies are being carried out in an integrated, co-ordinated fashion, in line with our original goals."

Premier Williams said that Dr. Doug House will lead this process. Over the next year or more, Dr. House will examine all strategies already underway. This review will be undertaken to identify any gaps, any areas that need extra attention, and make a determination as to whether government�s development approach is appropriate to future needs.

"An integrated provincial development plan will ensure that all the inter-related components that comprise it are as strong as possible to provide solid economic and social benefits throughout the province," Premier Williams said. "I thank Dr. House for agreeing to take a leadership role in this."

Dr. House most recently served as deputy minister of the Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development.

Some of the economic development initiatives already begun under the Williams administration are a regional economic development strategy, a sustainable development plan for the environment, a comprehensive energy plan, an infrastructure strategy, an innovation strategy, broadband initiatives, a $10 million Small and Medium Enterprise Fund to help businesses grow, a red tape reduction initiative to remove barriers to business growth and cut government red tape by 25 per cent over three years, a $4.25 million Community Enhancement Program, and the creation of a new Department of Business to identify and foster opportunities in the province and attract investment at home and abroad.

Dr. House�s appointment is effective January 9.

William MacKenzie, currently assistant deputy minister (trade and investment) with the Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development, will be acting deputy minister.

Media contact: Elizabeth Matthews, Office of the Premier (709) 729-3960, 690-5500, elizabethmatthews@gov.nl.ca

Dr. Doug House was appointed deputy minister of the Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development in January 2004. He has been a professor in the sociology department at Memorial University of Newfoundland since 1975. During his academic career, he has served as head of sociology, research director of the Institute of Social and Economic Research, and president of the Atlantic Association of Sociologists and Anthropologists.

Dr. House holds the degrees of BA (Hons) from Memorial University, MA from Oxford University (which he attended as Newfoundland�s Rhodes Scholar) and Ph D from McGill University. He is the author of six books and more than 100 articles, papers and reports. As president of Doug House Consultants, Dr. House has been involved in several applied research projects in various parts of Canada. He has served on three national boards involved in research and development on rural, coastal and community issues: Coasts Under Stress, the Community Economic Development Technical Assistance Program, and the Ocean Management Research Network.

Doug House has had considerable public service experience. His positions have included chair of the Royal Commission on Employment and Unemployment (1985-86), chair of the Economic Recovery Commission (1989-96), chair of the Board of Enterprise Newfoundland and Labrador Corporation (1989-1993), and provincial co-chair of the Task Force on Community Economic Development (1994-95). He was a key contributor to Building on Our Strengths: The Report of the Royal Commission on Employment and Unemployment (1986), Change and Challenge: A Strategic Economic Plan for Newfoundland and Labrador (1992), and Community Matters: The New Regional Economic Development in Newfoundland and Labrador-Report of the Task Force on Community Economic Development (1995).

In 2001, Dr. Doug House was invested as a Member of the Order of Canada. He is married with three children.

William MacKenzie was appointed assistant deputy minister (trade and investment) with the Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development in November 2004.

Mr. MacKenzie has held a number of professionally responsible positions throughout government and Crown corporations. He was assistant deputy minister (regional operations) with the Department of Development and Rural Renewal from 1996-2001. From 2001-2004 he was assistant deputy minister (Government Services) in the Department of Government Services.

Mr. MacKenzie holds bachelor degrees from Mount Allison University and the University of New Brunswick and a master of arts degree from the University of British Columbia.

2006 01 05        12:55 p.m.