Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development
November 22, 2016

Expanding Our Economic Potential

Province Launches Business Innovation Agenda Engagement Process

Today, the Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore, Minister of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development, launched the engagement process for the province’s new Business Innovation Agenda.

“Innovation is a key factor in the province’s future prosperity. A fundamental step in developing a new Business Innovation Agenda is ensuring we seek the advice of our innovation stakeholders. We are very pleased to launch the engagement process today and look forward to working with the business community and others as we forge ahead on the path to advancing innovation and technology in Newfoundland and Labrador.”
- The Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore, Minister of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development

The Provincial Government will be hosting a series of discussion tables across the province through the department’s 17 field offices, including stakeholder engagement sessions planned for:

  • Gander – December 1
  • Clarenville – December 2
  • Labrador City – December 7
  • St. John’s – December 8-9
  • Corner Brook – December 12

The province’s development of a new Business Innovation Agenda will be guided by a Private Sector Advisory Committee made up of innovation leaders in their respective fields. Members represent both traditional and non-traditional industries located throughout the province, including start-ups and established businesses. A complete list of the committee’s membership can be found in the backgrounder below.

“NATI is pleased to be part of the Public Sector Advisory Committee and is excited to see the province move forward with the development of the Business Innovation Agenda. Collaboration between the private and public sector is critical to strengthening our innovation culture and our ability to leverage technology to create new solutions and approaches that allow us to build a stronger and more diversified Newfoundland and Labrador.”
- Kendra MacDonald, Vice-Chair, Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Technology Industries (NATI)

Aside from the scheduled sessions, the engagement process will offer a number of other ways for stakeholders to effectively participate. These include discussion tables, focus groups, an online presence and other mechanisms for dialogue on the kinds of tools, resources and investments required to expand the pool and capacity of the province’s growth-oriented innovation-driven businesses. Industry, business and academic organizations are also encouraged to host their own sessions with their members or organizational colleagues.

For more information about the Business Innovation Agenda engagement process and details on hosting a session, visit: www.NLinnovationagenda.ca external

“The Solace Power team is excited by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador’s initiative to put a greater emphasis on growth and innovation in the province. The growing local startup community and the broader technology sector will certainly benefit from the increased support and awareness of innovation that is happening right here in Newfoundland and Labrador.”
- Kris McNeil, President and CEO, Solace Power

This initiative is one of more than 50 included in The Way Forward: A Vision for Sustainability and Growth in Newfoundland and Labrador, available online at www.gov.nl.ca. The vision guides Provincial Government actions to achieve greater efficiency, strengthen the province’s economic foundation, enhance services, and improve outcomes to promote a healthy and prosperous province.

QUICK FACTS

  • The Provincial Government launched the engagement process for the province’s new Business Innovation Agenda today.
  • The province’s development of a new Business Innovation Agenda will be guided by a Private Sector Advisory Committee made up of innovation leaders in their respective fields. Scheduled engagement sessions will be held in Gander, Clarenville, Labrador City, Corner Brook and St. John’s.
  • This initiative is one of more than 50 included in The Way Forward: A Vision for Sustainability and Growth in Newfoundland and Labrador”
  • The new Business Innovation Agenda is expected to be released in spring 2017.

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Media contacts:

Eric Humber
Media Relations Manager
Department of Business, Tourism, Culture
and Rural Development
709-729-4819, 725- 9655
erichumber@gov.nl.ca 		Ron Taylor
CEO
NATI
709-757-3252
ron@nati.net
Kris McNeil
President and CEO
Solace Power
709-745-6099
kris.mcneil@solace.ca

BACKGROUNDER
Business Innovation Agenda Private Sector Advisory Committee Members
(Listed in Alphabetical Order)

Richard Allen
Vice President
Allen’s Fisheries Limited

Adam Anderson
President, CEO
Resource Innovations Inc.

Moya Cahill
President & Co-founder
PanGeo Subsea Inc.

Brent Chaffey
Owner
New World Dairy Inc.

Neil Chaulk
Vice President of Business Development
Solace Power

Allan Cramm
Vice President & General Manager of the Point Rousse Project, Baie Verte
Anaconda Mining

Catherine Courage
Vice President, Design (Ads and Commerce)
Google

Mark Dobbin
President & Founder
Killick Capital Inc.

Fraser H. Edison
President & CEO
Rutter Inc.

Kendra Macdonald
Partner
Deloitte

Leroy Metcalfe
Partner, President & Chief Financial Officer
Sikumiut Environmental Management Limited

Jason Muise
Managing Director
Technip Canada Limited (Canadian Subsidiary of the Technip Group)

Andy Turnbull
Chief Executive Officer
Nunacor Development Corporation

Dr. Tyler Wish
Cofounder & CEO
Sequence Bio

Mandy Woodland
Partner at MooresWoodland
Co-Founder at Cætum

2016 11 22                              11:25 a.m.