Partnership for Growth enters next phase of economic action plan development

CHARLOTTETOWN – Nov. 14, 2019 – The alliance of 21 business organizations and industry associations known as the Partnership for Growth, has entered the next phase of developing an economic action plan for Prince Edward Island. In the coming months, the Partnership will conduct research and seek input from Islanders to support the creation of the plan.

“We’re excited to take the next step in developing an economic action plan that will serve as a roadmap for Prince Edward Island’s economy,” said Partnership for Growth Steering Committee Chair, Dawn Binns. “The Partnership for Growth was founded on a vision where PEI is a leader in entrepreneurship and sustainable economic growth – attracting technology, capital, and human resources in an economy designed to help businesses and Islanders succeed. Gathering the right information and broad consultations is the first step to making this vision a reality.”

The Partnership for Growth will establish a baseline of PEI’s current economic situation using existing publicly available data and key indicators including but not limited to GDP, export growth, population growth, unemployment rate, innovation, productivity, entrepreneurial activity, and wage growth. The baseline will acknowledge and present regional differences. Following this, the Partnership will conduct secondary research and host targeted discussions and Island-wide public consultations during the 2020 winter months. Using these findings, Partnership aims to develop and present the economic action plan by late spring 2020.

“The Partnership is eager to move into next the stage of the plan’s development,” said Binns. “This is an unprecedented collaboration among industry stakeholders, and we are ready to work together to ensure our economy continues to thrive, and all Islanders’ overall quality of life improves.”

During the 2019 provincial election, the Partnership for Growth called for all political parties to commit to working with the private sector to establish an economic action plan that will help realize the Partnership’s vision and move the Island’s economy forward. All four political parties responded in writing with a commitment to do so. Following this, in the 2019 provincial budget, government allocated funds to assist with the plan’s development. The Partnership has been pleased with the all party support and that the provincial government has provided the funding necessary to proceed to the next phase.

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Media Contact:
Sheryl MacAulay
Director, Policy and Communications
Greater Charlottetown Area Chamber of Commerce
W: 902-628-2000, ext. 224
C: 902-940-6802