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Honourable John F. Hamm - Premier of Nova Scotia
Remarks by the Honourable
John F. Hamm
Premier of Nova Scotia
PharmEng Announcement
December 3, 2004
Thank you very much.
I'd like to thank Minister McGuire. Minister Clarke. Mr
Kwong. And each of you for joining us today.
As we celebrate—the next big investment in the CBRM—and
demonstrate, once again that when business government and
community leaders work together—the people of Cape Breton
can compete anywhere in the world.
Today, as you've already heard—we're happy to announce that
PharmEng Technology Inc. are investing in the CBRM
workforce—with a state of the art pharmaceutical
manufacturing business—with the potential for as many as
three hundred jobs through NSBI's payroll rebate.
Working in partnership with the federal government as well
as local community leadership. Again, our government—through
NSBI—is pleased to assist this investment through a payroll
rebate contingent on the number of jobs created. The
Government of Nova Scotia is also a partner as a funding
contributor to the Cape Breton Growth Fund.
I would like to take a moment to thank the partners who have
shown so much vision in bringing this new opportunity home.
Nova Scotia Business Inc. Our Office of Economic
Development. ECBC. UCCB...and of course...the commitment of
PharmEng leadership...there has been tremendous vision...co-oporation...good
faith...and dedication in realizing that PharmEng provides a
great opportunity for Cape Breton. And Cape Breton is the
right fit for PharmEng.
This investment is an important sign of faith—in the local
labour force. It's a tremendous sign of confidence—in the
skills and education available through UCCB.
It is also a signal that extends past the borders of the
CBRM. A signal that—if your business is innovation—that Nova
Scotia has the right infrastructure...the right business
culture...the right investment climate—to turn good ideas
into business success.
Our Economic Growth Strategy, Opportunities for
Prosperity—is clear. Our future prosperity...our future
success...will largely depend on our culture of innovation.
When we support new business—and support emerging
industries...we are laying the ground work not just for a
few hundred jobs today...but future investments...for
thousands more jobs in the future.
This is the example that people from urban Cape Breton are
setting for the rest of Nova Scotia. This is the
example—that the workers here at PharmEng—will set for their
counterparts province wide.
This [is] simply the latest example—in what is already a
remarkable story of success.
Five times this year Nova Scotians have set or tied our
province's all time employment record. Twelve thousand seven
hundred new jobs have been created in the past year alone.
Since 1999—thirty-eight thousand nine hundred new jobs have
been created. When given an opportunity Cape Bretoners have
proven themselves ready. Where ten years ago the
unemployment rate stood at almost thirty percent...today it
has been cut almost in half. In 2004, Nova Scotia had the
third highest job growth rate in Canada.
And when KPMG studied thirty nine Canadian municipalities
for competitiveness—the found the Sydney area the seventh
most competitive location nation-wide. This was not a study
of potential—as much as it was a study of results. Of the
commitment, in action, on the ground, to bring new and
better jobs home.
Some might say this is a good record. I say it's a good
start.
Because—there's always more we can do. So much potential
that remains untapped. I look forward to working with each
of you. With all of you. Including PharmEng—our newest
partner—and great example for others. As we demonstrate
together—that an investment in Cape Breton—an investment in
Nova Scotia—is an investment well made.
