EDA News Centre

May 15, 2015
Truro, Nova Scotia

Introduction

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced the new Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program, which will provide significant support for existing community and cultural infrastructure across the country as a way to celebrate Canada’s 150^thanniversary of Confederation. He was joined by Peter MacKay, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Member of Parliament for Central Nova, Rob Moore, Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency), and Scott Armstrong, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Employment and Social Development and Minister of Labour and Member of Parliament for Cumberland-Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley.

The program will provide support for the renovation, expansion and rehabilitation of existing infrastructure that provides community and cultural benefits for the public. Projects under the following categories may be eligible for funding: community centres (including Royal Canadian Legions), cultural centres and museums, parks, recreational trails, libraries, recreational facilities, tourism facilities, docks, cenotaphs and other existing community infrastructure.

The program, which is anticipated to support up to 1,800 projects in communities of all sizes across the country, will be delivered nationally through the Government of Canada’s regional economic development agencies. Eligible recipients for funding include provinces, territories, municipalities, regional governments, Aboriginal organizations and not-for-profit organizations. Applicants can submit their application online through their respective regional economic development agency. Extensive consultations with Canadians helped inform the initiative. 

Selected projects are expected to be completed by the end of the 2017 construction season to best support Canada 150 celebrations. The program is expected to boost economic activity through infrastructure investments, build community-based partnerships and modernize existing community facilities.  

The Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program will complement the $53 billion invested in infrastructure by our Government through the New Building Canada Plan, which is focused on generating economic growth, job creation and long-term prosperity. The New Building Canada Plan, which is the largest and longest federal infrastructure plan in Canada’s history, will generate benefits for the province and its citizens for years to come. The Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program will also complement the recently announced Canada 150 Fund, managed by the Department of Canadian Heritage, which will create opportunities for Canadians to participate in local, regional, and national celebrations that contribute to building a sense of pride and attachment to Canada.

Quick Facts

• The Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program was announced in Economic Action Plan 2015.
• The 150^th anniversary of Confederation provides the Government with an opportunity to celebrate Canada’s history, heritage, values and future by reinvesting in community infrastructure across the country, similar to the important infrastructure investments made as part of our nation’s centennial celebrations in 1967 which can still be seen in communities today.
• Projects that will be supported by the program will be chosen based on assessment criteria including construction-readiness, the extent to which funding is leveraged from other sources and linkages to Canada 150.
• The program will be delivered nationally through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency, the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, Western Economic Diversification and Industry Canada (Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario).
• The Government of Canada has undertaken many projects to improve infrastructure in Nova Scotia. Since 2006, significant investments under the Building Canada Fund, the Provincial-Territorial Base Fund, and the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund have helped the Government of Nova Scotia and its municipalities make infrastructure improvements for the benefit of all Nova Scotians. Municipalities in Nova Scotia have also benefited from funding provided to the province through the federal Gas Tax Fund. Combined with investments under other federal infrastructure programs, Nova Scotia has benefited from over $1.1 billion toward infrastructure improvements across the province.

Quote

“The 150^th anniversary of Confederation is a time to celebrate the places across this great country that unite and connect us – the parks, the trails, the cultural and community centres. The infrastructure program being announced today will help preserve and improve these treasured cultural and community locations, allowing Canadians and their families to enjoy moments of sport, recreation, leisure and contemplation for years to come. It is a fitting legacy for Canada’s sesquicentennial.” – Prime Minister Stephen Harper   

Related Product

• Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program

Associated Links

• Canada 150 Fund
• New Building Canada Plan

The Prime Minister's Office - Communications

EDA is holding two courses for Elected Officials in the coming weeks. One in Edmonton; the other in Airdrie. 

Gather your team and register for this day-long course to learn how you can support economic development initiatives that inspire business and vitality in your community.                 

In Edmonton:
Friday, May 29
Enterprise Edmonton
3rd Floor, World Trade Centre
9990 Jasper Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta

Register here

In Airdrie:
Monday, June 8
Council Chambers
400 Main St S, Airdrie

Register here

This course is designed to give you as community leaders, the specific information and tools you need to understand and reinforce economic development initiatives.  

If you would like to book a course in your community simply e-mail admin@edaa

April 17, 2015
Ottawa, Ontario

Introduction

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced that His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, will travel to Minneapolis and Saint Paul, Minnesota, Chicago, Illinois, and Detroit, Michigan, in the United States (U.S.) from April 26 to 30, 2015.

During his first official visit to the Midwestern U.S. and Great Lakes regions, the Governor General will meet with business, education and political leaders, including Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton and Michigan Governor Rick Snyder.

He will also deliver the keynote address to the Council of the Great Lakes Economic Forum, on April 28, 2015.

The Governor General’s visit will underscore the very deep relations between Canada and the Midwestern U.S. and Great Lakes regions, including institutions and organizations, and highlight the advantages of enhanced partnerships and cooperation.

In addition, His Excellency’s visit will serve to promote Canada’s education excellence and its leadership in innovation and research – including in science and technology – and our ongoing support for trade and investment, border security and regulatory cooperation will also be highlighted.

Quick Facts

• Canada and Minnesota have a strong, multi-faceted relationship. On the economic front, merchandise trade between Canada and Minnesota exceeds $19 billion. On its own, the state would rank fourth globally among all of Canada’s country export markets. Energy and agriculture are an important part of bilateral trade and there are further opportunities for enhanced cooperation in research, education and innovation.
• The Chicago metropolitan area is important to the Canadian economy, with Illinois-Canada bilateral trade valued at $67.1 billion. Just over 30 per cent of the metropolitan area’s international trade is with Canada, and Illinois is Canada’s third most important export destination globally.
• The state of Michigan is a key economic partner for Canada, with two-way trade estimated at $74.2 billion. An estimated 30 per cent of all Canada-U.S. merchandise trade, or approximately $190 billion, transits thru the Detroit-Windsor corridor. Construction will begin shortly on the new Detroit River International Crossing in this corridor.
• His Excellency’s visit to the U.S. will be his fourth in his capacity as Governor General of Canada. In April 2014, he visited the U.S. West Coast to meet with government representatives, business leaders, researchers and innovators with a view to strengthening bilateral relations, including commercial, educational and philanthropic ties. In May 2013, he conducted a working visit to Boston, Massachusetts, and New York City, New York, to meet with representatives from the business, financial and innovation sectors in order to further strengthen the Canada-U.S. bilateral relationship. He also visited Canadian Armed Forces members operating in Hawaii and the Pacific Ocean during the Rim of the Pacific exercise in July 2012.
• Canada and the U.S. are the world's largest trading partners with $869.6 billion in goods and services traded in 2014. This means that nearly $2.4 billion worth of goods and services crosses the Canada-U.S. border every single day, or $1.7 million every minute.

Source: The Prime Minister's Office- Communications

If you want to learn the best way to develop a web survey as part of your business retention and expansion strategy, then join EDA for our next FREE training webinar in our AlbertaBusinessCounts Program. It's over your lunch hour, it's informative, and it's completely FREE.

AlbertaBusinessCounts Training Webinar - Developing Web Surveys
Friday April 17
12pm - 1pm

Register Here

If you attended EDA's 2015 Annual Conference last week you may have attended Laith Wardi's interactive presentation on Executive Pulse and how this software enhances business retention and expansion strategies. Laith is the President of Executive Pulse and will be conducting the webinar.

EDA holds the provincial master license for Executive Pulse, a software designed to collect and analyze data on existing industries in Alberta. A special licensing agreement enables EDA to make this software available to economic development organizations at a reduced price. We have partnered with Executive Pulse for a series of webinars in 2015. 

For Immediate Release
April 09, 2015

Economic Developers Alberta (EDA) Recognizes Excellence in Economic Development in Alberta

(Kananaskis, AB): Tonight Economic Developers Alberta (EDA) presented its annual Awards of Excellence during its 2015 Annual Conference at the Delta Kananaskis Lodge. These awards honour Alberta communities and individuals for excellence in: Business and Investment Attraction (BIA); Business Retention and Expansion (BRE); and Community Economic Development (CED).

The Economic Developer of the Year Award was presented to Gerry Gabinet (Strathcona County).

The Outstanding Young Professional Award was presented to Michael Lam (Edmonton Economic Development Corporation).

The EDA Awards of Excellence were presented to:

 

Business Retention and Expansion (BRE):

• Small community/region (population up to 25,000) - “Whitecourt Business Support Network” (Woodlands County & Town of Whitecourt)
  
• Medium community/region (population from 25,001–100,000) -“Lethbridge@Work” (Economic Development Lethbridge)
  
• Large community/region (population 100,001+) - “Northeast Alberta Regional Labour Attraction Initiative” (Alberta HUB)
  

 

Business and Investment Attraction (BIA):

• Small community/region (population up to 25,000) - “Middle of Everywhere” (County of Grande Prairie)
  
•  Medium community/region (population from 25,001–100,000) - “Bringing Investment Home” (SouthWest Invest)
  
•  Large community/region (population 100,001+) - “Regional Data Mapping Project” (East Alberta Trade Corridor)
  

 

Community Economic Development (CED):

• Small community/region (population up to 25,000) - “Newell Network”(Newell Regional Economic Development Initiative)
  
• Medium community/region (population from 25,001–100,000) - “SMARTstart” (Airdrie Business Resource Partnership)
  
• Large community/region (population 100,001+) - “BOLT Regional Transit” (Town of Blackfalds, City of Red Deer, City of Lacombe)
  

The Alex Metcalfe Award recognizes the "best of the best" project in each of the BIA, BRE and CED categories. These awards honour three nominees for their superior work in economic development in Alberta over the past year and are judged from among the three Group winners of each Category at the Awards of Excellence level. This year, the Alex Metcalfe Awards went to:

• Business Retention and Expansion - “Whitecourt Business Support Network” (Woodlands County & Town of Whitecourt)
  
• Business and Investment Attraction - “Bringing Investment Home” (SouthWest Invest)
  
• Community Economic Development - “SMARTstart” (Airdrie Business Resource Partnership)
  

Finally, the President’s Award recognizes an individual in the Association that has made a significant contribution to the organization. This year’s Award was presented to Matt Cornall, Alberta Innovates - Technology Futures.

Media Release

Economic Developers Alberta (EDA) Announces Its 2015-16 Board of Directors 

For Immediate Release
April 10, 2015

 

(Calgary, AB): Economic Developers Alberta (EDA), Alberta's premiere professional organization for economic developers is pleased to announce its newly elected 2015-16 Board of Directors as follows:

 

Matt Cornall - President (Red Deer)

Jeff Penney - Past President (Fort McMurray)

Sara Chamberlain - Vice President (Airdrie)

Court Ellingson - Secretary Treasurer (Calgary)

Ray Darwent - Director (Edmonton)

Chris King - Director (Grande Prairie)

Karen Wronko - Director (Edmonton)

Glen Vanstone - Director (Edmonton)

Bev Thornton - Director (Pincher Creek)

Adena Cheverie - Director (Mountain View County)

Schaun Goodeve - Director (Town of Morinville)

Gary Slipp - Director (Calgary)

 

In addition, The Honorable Don Scott, Q.C., Minister of Innovation and Advanced Education is EDA’s Honorary Patron.

 

“I am extremely pleased with the experience and knowledge this diverse group of individuals will bring to our organization and look forward to working with them,” said Matt Cornall, EDA President. “Economic developers play an essential role in helping Alberta communities build, grow and diversify their economies. As an organization, we are committed to providing our members with the best training, information sharing and education possible to ensure their future success.”

 

If you didn't see the Premier's pre-budget address on TV last night, you can view at www.alberta.ca. Economic developers should be thinking about how they too can play a key role in promoting and ensuring Alberta continues to be a great place to invest, grow and expand businesses.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Economic Developers Alberta and the International Economic Development Council Sign Professional Certification Memorandum of Understanding

CALGARY, AB (March 16, 2015) Economic Developers Alberta (EDA) is the third Canadian provincial economic development association to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). The MOU commits both parties to developing and delivering training programs for Canadian economic development professionals wishing to become IEDC Certified Economic Developers.

After the signing, Jeff Penney, EDA President said, “we are delighted to be able to offer the CEcD program to our members and all Canadian economic development professionals wishing to achieve the international standard in their field.”

JoAnn Crary, CEcD, IEDC Chairman and President of Saginaw Future Inc. in Michigan added that “IEDC is really pleased that we are able to partner with EDA on education and certification. Both of our organizations share the common goals of unifying, standardizing and professionalizing the practice of economic development through high quality education that offers professionals an internationally recognized curriculum to prepare them for the CEcD designation.”

Jeffrey Finkle, President and CEO of IEDC, added that “this is an important step in our continuing process to reach out to a globalizing economic development profession. We are committed to refining our educational materials and certification examination to be relevant to Canadian practitioners, and to represent the high standards expected of all our CEcDs.”

Leann Hackman-Carty, EDA Chief Executive Officer says, “our organization is always seeking to offer additional professional development opportunities for our members, we are pleased to provide them with the ability to obtain this new certification. In doing so, we will continue to advance the economic development profession in Alberta, and increase the knowledge and capability of our practitioners.”

About the International Economic Development Council

The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is a non-profit membership organization serving economic developers. With more than 4,400 members, IEDC is the largest organization of its kind. Economic developers promote economic well-being and quality of life for their communities, by creating, retaining and expanding jobs that facilitate growth, enhance wealth and provide a stable tax base.  From public to private, rural to urban, and local to international, IEDC’s members are engaged in the full range of economic development experience. Given the breadth of economic development work, our members are employed in a wide variety of settings including local, state, provincial and federal governments, public private partnerships, chambers of commerce, universities and a variety of other institutions. When we succeed, our members create high-quality jobs, develop vibrant communities, and improve the quality of life in their regions.  www.iedconline.org

About Economic Developers Alberta

Economic Developers Alberta (EDA) is the province’s premiere economic development network. For over 40 years, they have been committed to advancing the economic development profession by providing resources, professional development and networking opportunities. As a non-profit organization, they are governed by a volunteer board of directors that represent the interests of their membership. Their varied membership includes: municipalities; towns; regions; tourism groups; financial institutions; Crown Corporations; businesses; Regional Economic Development Authorities; Community Futures Development Corporations; federal, provincial, regional and municipal government agencies; students; NGO’s; and other groups and individuals that are either involved or interested in economic development. www.edaalberta.ca. 

For Information on Certification visit EDA's website. 

For more information please contact:

 

Leann Hackman-Carty, EDA CEO Email: leann@edaalberta.ca Tel: 403-807-7746

Emily Bell, IEDC Director of Professional Development Email: ebell@iedconline.org Tel: 202-942-9452

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Tomorrow is the deadline for submissions for EDA's Awards of Excellence. Don't miss this opportunity!
You and your community will have an added bonus just by submitting an entry. Your community and the project you submit will be profiled on EDA's Website AND you will receive publicity at the EDA Conference April 8-10.

That means whether or not you win, you will have access to the unlimited audience that our Website provides plus be in the spotlight among your economic development colleagues at the Conference.
Don't forget the submission process is online on the EDA website.


CATEGORIES:
Economic Developer of the Year
Outstanding Young Professional
Alex Metcalfe Awards
Awards of Excellence

2015 TIMELINE:
Submission deadline- Friday, February 27
Judging complete- Friday, March 20
Awards presentation- Thursday, April 9 at the Minister's Dinner during EDA's Annual Conference.

Follow us on twitter: @edaalberta #EDA2015
See you at the Conference! And good luck with your award submission!

The clock is ticking. The deadline for submissions for EDA's Awards of Excellence is this Friday.
Avoid the last minute rush by entering your submission before the deadline.

Don't forget the submission process is online on the EDA website.

You and your community will have an added bonus just by submitting an entry. Your community and the project you submit will be profiled on EDA's Website AND you will receive publicity at the EDA Conference April 8-10.

That means whether or not you win, you will have access to the unlimited audience that our Website provides plus be in the spotlight among your economic development colleagues at the Conference.

CATEGORIES:
Economic Developer of the Year
Outstanding Young Professional
Alex Metcalfe Awards
Awards of Excellence

2015 TIMELINE:
Submission deadline- Friday, February 27
Judging complete- Friday, March 20
Awards presentation- Thursday, April 9 at the Minister's Dinner during EDA's Annual Conference.

Follow us on twitter: @edaalberta #EDA2015
See you at the Conference! And good luck with your award submission