What can we do better?

Here are some of the creative solutions that workshop attendees said could increase economic growth and prosperity.

What do you think? Join the conversation: @AtlanticBus; #ThinkBIG

Newfoundland and Labrador

• Create an InvestNL incentive program to encourage local investment
• Launch public education campaign about debt and deficits
• Build infrastructure for future needs
• Find a way to transform tourists/visitors into residents

New Brunswick

• Buy local, spend local, support local
• Networking is important. Show up!
• Identify (and fill) gaps where people aren’t meeting their potential
• Set up small business forums for SMEs
• Combine English and French wherever possible
• Create personal “dashboards”—you can’t improve what you can’t measure!
• Implement student-centric learning that promotes individual success
• Centralize services and reduce the number of airports

Nova Scotia

• Create a made-in-N.S. growth strategy with localized solutions
• Partner students with business mentors
• Think outside the 40-hour week with flex hours and work arrangements
• Teach youth it’s ok to fail
• Focus on becoming an investment-friendly destination
• Make post-secondary education mandatory for all citizens
• Host trade shows. Encourage exports by bringing potential clients to Nova Scotia

Prince Edward Island

• Island-wide high speed Internet!
• Institute a branding program that promotes Atlantic Canada as a great place to do business (not just a tourist destination)
• Create an attitudinal change—there’s nothing wrong with being successful
• Be creative with public transit: buses, vans, taxis, car pools
• End the bridge toll

Where they overlap

• Fully-funded free child care
• Take ownership of issues and problem solving (stop looking for government to fix everything)
• Lengthen immigrant attraction programs to five years; give them a chance to put down roots
• Market more, advertise more and promote local success stories
• Create a strategy to encourage international students to stay after graduation
• Find ways to promote regional cooperation
• Learn to sell and export more effectively
• Simplify and lower taxation