In 2014, a columnist at the Halifax Chronicle Herald noted: 'A Montreal shipyard produced a 9,000 tonne merchant ship, from start to finish, in 58 days during the Second World War. Today, we could not organize public hearings in 58 days.' Twelve years later, the question remains: has anything improved in our country? The honest answer is: not enough. But change is coming. It has to.
Nova Scotia's Economic Urgency
In Nova Scotia, we feel the urgency. Our economy ranks near the bottom in North America based on GDP per capita. We do not belong in the basement, and it is not where we are going to stay. We have faced real economic setbacks, including the loss of major industries that had lasting impacts on jobs, wages, and growth. For too long, we struggled to recover. While other regions moved quickly to develop resources and build new industries, we often found ourselves delayed by debate and uncertainty.
Removing Barriers to Growth
Nova Scotia had bans on entire industries, including uranium exploration and hydraulic fracturing for natural gas. These bans sent a message that Nova Scotia was not open for business. As a result, resource development stayed out West, and many Nova Scotians moved away to find work, either full-time or on a two-week rotation. By lifting these bans and modernizing approvals, we are showing industry that they can succeed here, providing Nova Scotians more opportunities at home.
Building on Traditional and New Pillars
Our traditional industries—fishing, farming, and forestry—will always be critical to our economy. But today, we are strengthening new pillars that will define our future. As Canada's capital of defence, Nova Scotia is at the centre of a growing sector. With the most defence spending per capita in Canada, the sector supports 17,000 private-sector jobs and contributes $2.6 billion to GDP.
Defence and Innovation
Our provincial defence leadership roundtable works closely with NATO's North American Defence Innovation Centre in Halifax, which includes over 130 innovative companies, senior military leadership, and the federal government. This collaboration helps us better understand needs, strengthen commitments, and keep Nova Scotia on the leading edge. More than $3.2 billion in investments have already been announced, including projects that will see Nova Scotia serve as an Air Force drone base and a rocket launch location. Our naval investments remain vital to national security.
Critical Minerals and Mining
In critical minerals, we see the potential to advance four new mining projects this year alone. Last summer, NexGold Mining Corp. received approval for the Goldboro Mine in Guysborough County, which could generate up to 735 jobs and contribute $2.1 billion to Nova Scotia's GDP. These developments demonstrate that our province is ready for investment and growth.
Our experiences should not hold us back—they should guide us forward. With a highly skilled workforce, strategic location, and renewed commitment to development, Nova Scotia has immense economic potential. We cannot afford to wait any longer to unlock it.
