News Release
Mayor Kelly To Host Economic Forum
(Friday, January 30, 2009) Mayor Peter Kelly announced today that he will host an economic forum in conjunction with the Greater Halifax Partnership on March 30th, 2009.
Over the past twelve months there has been a downturn in the global economy, a decline in stock markets around the world, a drop in commodity prices and decisive and coordinated actions by world governments to address the financial and economic crisis.
"Many people are wondering what this means for the Halifax Regional Municipality" said Mayor Kelly. He added, "I want to know how can we ensure HRM weathers this global recession, to emerge stronger, more confident and with more opportunities for those who live here and those who would like to."
At the Forum, keynote speakers and panelists will discuss the state of our economy: our priorities, challenges, accomplishments and barriers to growth. Attendees will also engage in a discussion on what is needed to ensure HRM's continued economic growth.
"We are Atlantic Canada's economic hub, the economic engine of Nova Scotia and have one of Canada's most diversified economies," explains Mayor Kelly. "I have heard economists state we will be sheltered from the worst of this economic storm, but we can't be complacent."
In October 2005, Halifax Regional Council unanimously endorsed Strategies for Success, HRM's five-year economic strategy. The majority of the actions fall with HRM and the Greater Halifax Partnership. The Partnership, through its Economic Strategy Committee, ensures alignment through its many stakeholders delivering the strategy.
On February 2nd, the Halifax Chamber of Commerce will outline the results and progress in the 2009 Economic Strategy Scorecard Report. After that information is released, the Economic Strategy Committee, chaired by Dick Miller, will convene to complete a review of the economic scorecard results, feedback from various stakeholders and the current economic environment. This review will inform the discussion at the Forum on March 30th.
"Now is the time to look at the Strategy, examine the priorities and decide where emphasis should be placed," said Mayor Kelly. "The Economic Forum is the appropriate venue for these activities."
The Forum will include an address from Glen Hodgson, Senior Vice President and Chief Economist, the Conference Board of Canada on the advantages of our strategic position as an economic hub for our region.
Other speakers include:
Mayor Peter Kelly
HRM's Economic Strategy, HRM's role and priorities
Fred Morley, Greater Halifax Partnership
The state of the HRM Economy
Dick Miller, Chair of the Economic Strategy Committee
Setting economic priorities and ensuring alignment of activity
...and a panel of business leaders
Sharing their ideas and engaging the audience in an open discussion about ensuring our continued economic growth.
The event will take place on Monday, March 30, 2009 at the Halifax Marriott Harbourfront Hotel from 11:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. For more information or to register for the event, visit www.greaterhalifax.com
<http://www.greaterhalifax.com/> .
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For more information, contact:
Mayor Peter Kelly
(902) 490-4010
