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I
25 YEARS: THEN AND NOW
A Special Feature of the Nova Scotia Business Journal, July 2010
“Past and present” portrait of key sectors in Nova Scotia Continued from page 17 Back then, it was an active industry with a number of operations across the province, most with a primary sales market in the United States. “Since that time, we have seen world markets change, competition increase on a global scale, and a dramatic decrease in demand from that ‘historical’ United States market for local producers,” says Steve Talbot, executive director of the Forest Products Association of Nova Scotia. “As a result, a number of industry businesses such as mills and harvesting contractors have closed their doors.” A real awakening over the last 25 years to environmental concerns in our society has also led to major changes to forest management in the industry, says Talbot. Most recently, the forest industry has been drawn into the political arena in Nova Scotia, with legislation like EGSPA (Environmental Goals and Sustainable Prosperity Act) being put in place. “Our industry agrees with the overall goals of EGSPA — as the title suggests, ensuring a balance of environmental and sustainable prosperity goals,” he says. “But, we are very concerned that the provincial government must not make moves to destroy existing industries if there is to be a true balance of these two goals, and the bright future we know exists for our industry in our province.”
Manufacturing Flashback 25 years over the history of Nova Scotia’s manufacturing success and it’s easy to
identify visible changes: the Internet, computerassisted design, new methods of distribution, inventory management, etc. “The changed ‘things’ are obvious,” says Ann Janega, vice president of the Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters, Nova Scotia Division. “Less obvious is the major change in the way people work together and how the workplace culture has changed.” Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters in Nova Scotia, the CME, has helped to be a change agent in such areas as the culture of safety in the workplace. In previous decades, safety was only a matter of regulation and viewed by insiders as an added cost of doing business. “Today, in modern manufacturing operations in Nova Scotia, labour, employees and management work together in a culture of safety,” says Janega. “The emphasis on personal and workplace safety is a starting point for most progressive firms. The added benefit is a new and strong team approach that helps our firms to be productive.” A second key change in this new century is an emphasis on continuous improvement. “These words have a particular meaning in a manufacturing environment and they spell ‘productivity’ in a big way,” she says. “Continuous improvement or ‘lean’ management techniques provide the secret ingredient that allows our industry to continue as a major contributor to Nova Scotia’s economy. A visit to a Nova Scotia ‘lean’ industry will also surprise one with a snapshot of team work, collaboration and problemsolving, shared by all members of the firm’s team.”
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Energy Much has changed in Nova Scotia’s electricity generation over the past 25 years. “In 1985, we were completing a transition to coal-based generation from oil in response to the OPEC crisis,” says Rob Bennett, president and chief executive officer of Nova Scotia Power. “In 1992, the legislature approved the privatization of our organization. Since then, we have embarked upon a clean energy transformation in response to the priorities of our customers and the government. Natural gas from Nova Scotia’s offshore is one of those options that have helped us reduce emissions.” The province is also known for its tremendous wind resource. NS Power installed its first turbine in 2003 and now, along with independent power producers, it has 275 megawatts of new wind power on-line or coming on-line by the end of this year. Exploration of the energy potential in the Bay of Fundy continues as well. “Twenty-five years ago, NS Power built the first tidal plant in North America and we are among several companies involved in an instream tidal test project that will help us make decisions about future tidal energy options,” says Bennett. Partnered with leaders in sustainable forestry, NS Power is also looking to use a Nova Scotia resource — biomass — and create 150 jobs in the process. “Investing in renewable energy will help us create a shield against the price volatility of rising foreign fossil fuels, and spend more of our
fuel dollars here at home in Nova Scotia,” he says. “Nova Scotians are doing their part too in this transformation by embracing conservation and efficiency to reduce their electricity usage. “Looking ahead, we see continued growth in renewable energy and the need for better regional cooperation and enhanced regional transmission interconnection, providing Atlantic Canadians with energy that is clean, secure and stable in price.”
Tourism The tourism industry in Nova Scotia generates over $1.8 billion in revenue annually, supporting approximately 40,000 jobs. Tourism-related businesses, primarily small enterprises, are spread throughout the province. Over the past 25 years, tourism has seen significant changes in the industry and the way people travel. “Technology has had a profound impact on travel decisions,” says Darlene Grant Fiander, president of the Tourism Industry Association of Nova Scotia. “The way we plan and execute travel will continue to evolve, as will the way we attract visitors. Travelers will continue to seek out new destinations and experiences, using technology to research available product. They will take more trips to more, and different, destinations than ever before.” Nova Scotia’s current market share is small and the competition is strong. Affordable air travel and the Internet mean that the province is competing daily in a global marketplace. Continued on page 19