A four-member group of Atlantic Canadian members of Parliament has wrapped up a tour of the region to hear the concern of innovators and entrepreneurs from the oceans, tech, clean tech, and social innovation sectors.

Andy Fillmore (Halifax), Matt DeCourcey (Fredericton), Sean Casey (Charlottetown), and Nick Whalen (St. John’s East) sought feedback from stakeholders that will form policy recommendations for the Atlantic Growth Strategy. The MPs – who are all Liberals, given the party’s sweep of the region in 2015 – focused on the innovation sector.

One of the stops was at Volta Labs, where Nova Scotia innovation leaders shared challenges and opportunities and gave direct input intended to influence policy. The group also visited New Brunswick, P.E.I. and Newfoundland and Labrador. 

“Volta was proud to host a diverse group from the innovation community to provide meaningful feedback and share tangible ideas with the federal representatives that will influence policy,” said Melody Pardoe, Chief Operating Officer of Volta Labs, and the session’s moderator. “We hope that the Atlantic Growth Strategy will further accelerate the growth of the technology innovation sector in Atlantic Canada and provide support to the many talented entrepreneurs driving its success.”

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Discussions at the roundtable session centred on streamlining approval and project management processes for existing funding programs and creating programs to help companies scale and commercialize. Participants also identified the importance of attracting venture funding to the region and making programs less project-based and more related to the needs and speed of businesses.

“Halifax is home to many of Atlantic Canada's leading innovators, many of whom are supported by Volta, Common Good Solutions, Dalhousie and other organizations," Halifax MP Andy Fillmore said. "We are traveling across the region to hear from these innovators directly because their on-the-ground experience gives them a keen understanding of what government can be doing to better support their work. Ultimately, we believe the success of our innovators will give Atlantic Canada a leading edge, and therefore we must do everything we can to make it as easy as possible for them to succeed.”

The findings from these meetings will be formed into three to four recommendations and delivered as a report to Navdeep Singh Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.