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The 250th Anniversary of the first siege of Louisbourg should be a primary focus of Louisbourg 1995. This seems to be the most significant event. By choosing one primary theme, the tourists and public would better associate with the focus of the celebration.
The Louisbourg 1995 planning committee should focus most of their energy and resources on three or four major events. The other events should still take place, however, they should not receive the same focus as the main events. These main events would be spectacular events worthy of being called "world class." We are suggesting the Grand Encampment and the F�te-de-St. Louis, due to their historical themes, as central to the theme.
This function is currently being conducted with much duplication. The Tourism Unit of Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation has been the most effective group in marketing the tourism product. As a result of their expertise and industry knowledge, the Unit should have the sole responsibility for marketing and promotion. No other public organization should be funded to do marketing for tourism.
The CBTA is in place to represent the operators. Coordination will involve providing standards for tourist service amongst operators, maintaining a standardized exchange rate, and facilitating communication amongst operators.
The Cape Breton Tourist Association should be responsible for maintaining a tourist information centre. The main information centre should be located on the waterfront in Downtown Sydney. Satellite offices should be considered for the North Sydney waterfront and Louisbourg. The satellite offices should not have any administrative functions and should be devoted solely to providing information to tourists. Summer staffing could be done from students from the UCCB Hospitality Administration Program with appropriate supervision.
The CBCEDA must be involved in the coordination of activities of the ECBC Tourism Unit and the CBTA to ensure that the tourism sector develops as outlined in the ACTION PLAN. As part of this coordination, the ECBC Tourism Unit and the CBCEDA should establish a marketing committee to provide a creative voice that determines the future direction of marketing and promotion for the area.
The CBCEDA will have authority over the operations of the CBTA. The Authority will ensure that the CBTA works toward providing excellence in coordination of operators and tourist information services, as previously recommended.
Though one of the most substantive generators of employment and income in the region, there is no local facility to provide and maintain ongoing tourism marketing research. A Tourism Marketing Research Centre should be developed at UCCB which would coordinate and provide analysis of national and international tourism marketing trends. The information would be provided to operators, organizations and government bodies directly involved in the tourism sector.
It is long overdue that the second largest metropolitan area in the province and the third largest in the Maritimes had its proportional share of highway construction. Construction on the announced twining from 105 to the beginning of current twinning on 125 and the end of current twinning on 125 and Sydney River should begin this fiscal year as previously announced. Planning should begin immediately for twinning of the remainder of 125 to the Grand Lake Road interchange and for the extension of 125 to New Waterford. A second interchange, north of Grand Lake Road should be constructed to allow for the construction of a highway to run parallel to the Devco railway to provide truck access to the International Coal Piers and Sydney Steel Docks to facilitate the loading and unloading of bulk materials. Construction should begin in 1995 for a 1997 completion of this circumferential highway system. Additionally an exit/connector ramp should be constructed to Victoria Road or route 28 east of the current Sydney boundary to facilitate an alternate exit for the Whitney Pier area of Sydney.
General
Recommendation General (G)-1
The federal agency, Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation must redesign its focus and programming tools. Programs should be based upon private sector needs and employment growth potential, not a redesign of DREE programming from the 1960's. The programs must reflect the changing economy with a dramatically revamped administrative structure. Local residents should feel comfortable in their local development agency and staff should be inserviced to have their knowledge base reflect the sectoral clusters presented in this plan. Development staff should have a hands-on appreciation of the cluster and administrative staff an appreciation of the internal workings and administrative realities of the cluster. Program redesign should begin immediately.
The strategic planning function for the local economy should be entirely centralized within the Cape Breton County Economic Development Authority. This centralization of service would eliminate the continued need for the Community Futures Organization as their original purpose was to establish strategic plans for their local communities. Resultant savings of funds should, in part, be redirected into cluster analysis and marketing.
The functions of the Business Development Centres; Northside Economic Development Assistance Corporation, Oceanside Assistance Ltd., and Sydney Ventures Ltd should be centralized within the Canada-Nova Scotia Business Service Centre. Resultant savings of funds should, in part, be redirected to establish a venture capital fund for new business start-ups and expand upon the non-secured risk capital program currently offered by the Province.
There is a widespread general concern that teachers, students and administrators do not have an understanding of the local economy and the future prospects for career options. UCCB in conjunction with the Cape Breton, Northside Victoria and Eskasoni School Boards should develop a series of teacher/administrator inservices, teacher retraining programs and information services for students based upon the new economy of Cape Breton County.
The CBCEDA in conjunction with Organized Labour should develop a "Buy Cape Breton" campaign.
Cornerstone Industries
Recommendation Cornerstone Industries (C)-1
A portion of the funds allotted to the Atlantic Groundfish Strategy should be diverted to new product development. New products could be developed from underutilized species, such as mackerel or shark. A product development lab should be established at UCCB to employ a food scientist along with retrained displaced fishplant workers as assistants.
Marketing research should be commissioned by the CBCEDA to find international markets for underutilized species.
Fisherpeople and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans disagree on the size and vitality of local cod stocks; therefore, a test fishery should be conducted. Twenty test licenses should be granted to local fishermen to assess the stocks. This fishery should be monitored closely by DFO. Such a fishery would provide a limited number of positions for fisherpeople and processors, for a definitive period, without harming the stocks.
A study should be commissioned to assess potential value-added opportunities, such as canning, vacuum-packing, etc. With the exception of fish-cutting and lobster "popsicle-packing", most processing of fishery products is done off-island. This trend should be reversed. If opportunities are considered feasible, investors should be sought out to develop these projects.
Recommendation Cornerstone Industries (C)-2
The human resource development and training of displaced fisherpeople must become more effective. There is a concern amongst fisherpeople that there is a lack of accountability for programming and instruction, and that the retraining must logically prepare participants for reemployment, not more retraining. Community groups should be consulted with respect to training and programs with instructors subject to evaluation. Entrepreneurial training should become an integral part of the program.
Displaced fisherpeople could be used to collect scientific data on ocean resources. Proposals have been made to establish scientific research nodes in fishing communities and to employ displaced fisherpeople in a dockside monitoring program. This type of retraining not only provides meaningful employment in their field but could bridge the current chasm between scientists and fisherpeople.
Recommendation Cornerstone Industries (C)-3
The Corporation should complete a detailed analysis of the viability of Donkin. There should be no preconceived notions of what might constitute a viable Donkin coal operation. With the livelihood of hundreds of local families dependent upon a successful coal mining future, all production and management models should be thoroughly investigated including the possibility of private sector investment and private sector management of the site. The corporation should reach a definitive decision on the Donkin development within a year to permit for a contingency plan for the Prince employees if Donkin is not economically feasible. If the development is deemed to be viable, there is currently a sufficient block of dedicated, experienced and competent employees to form the basis of the new work force.
Nova Scotia Power Incorporated has committed itself to coal generation well into the next century. The two industries are inextricably linked in this province. NSPI should commit itself to power generation through the exclusive use of Cape Breton coal. Contracts should reflect world price with a premium for reduced inventory, handling, winter transportation, etc. paid to the Cape Breton Development Corporation.
Tourism / Heritage / Lifestyle
Recommendation Tourism/Heritage/Lifestyle (T)-1
A tourism training program should be developed by UCCB's hospitality faculty, in conjunction with Extension and Community Affairs. This program would focus on training of front line staff who are in the closest contact with tourists. It would focus on Cape Breton history, our cultural resources, and tourist amenities. The program should be made available on a flexible basis, through correspondence or evening courses. A certification should be granted that would be recognized by operators and would improve a resume. The eventual goal would be to have this certification become a requirement for any tourism-related job.
A community clean-up program should be implemented. Ireland has implemented a successful urban renewal program that offers tax incentives to property owners who make aesthetic improvements to their properties. Their model should be analyzed and implemented, if feasible.
Recommendation Tourism/Heritage/Lifestyle (T)-2
The Town of Louisbourg should be developed into a tourist town that sees tourism as not only a tangible part of its economy but at its very heart and soul like Baddeck or Cape Cod. The main street should have a new design that facilitates easy strolling, has quaint charm, and attracts craft and gift shops and restaurants. Displaced fisherpeople should be used where at all possible to participate in the reconstruction.
The Fortress of Louisbourg and Parks Canada have had a somewhat uneasy coexistence with the town. The Fortress is key to the economic revival of the town and is fundamental to the growth of tourism in the County. Parks Canada by its very nature and mandate must preserve the historical integrity of the site and does not view the Fortress as a vehicle for job creation. The Fortress is currently underutilized as a tourist attraction and, considering the investment in the site by the people of Canada, must be able to provide a larger positive impact on the Town of Louisbourg and the entire region. While it should continue to be a historical site, the facility must be permitted to reach its full growth potential. Discussions should be convened immediately to have the operation of the facility transferred to Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation.
The F�te-de-Saint Louis should be promoted as a major annual event. There is tremendous potential to develop this traditional French holiday into a major "must see" attraction.
Any substantial upgrading of the facility should be done through retrained fisherpeople. As was the case with displaced miners in the sixties and seventies, intensive training programs should be instituted to train the artisans necessary for reconstruction.
The Fleur-de-Lis Trail should be developed with related tourism amenities and attractions.
Louisbourg 1995. This celebration has a tremendous potential for creating interest in Louisbourg and becoming a significant tourist draw. There is potential to develop three or four major events associated with the theme that could all be spectacular and "must see" events; however, the planning of this celebration has evolved into a six month program of splintered activities. Many of the current anticipated activities would be targeted solely to local residents, rather than tourists.
Recommendation Tourism/Heritage/Lifestyle (T)-3
Downtown Sydney should be re-zoned and designed to be attractive to tourists. Sydney will remain the centre for accommodations in the County and the centre for urban attractions. The new "tourist zone" would be anchored by Wentworth Park on the south and Victoria Park on the north. On the west, the boundary would be the waterfront; on the eastern side it would be Charlotte Street from Wentworth Park to Dorchester at which point it would extend to George Street and run to Victoria Park. The zone would also include the municipality's financial and government districts, but other businesses and organizations that are not complementary should be relocated.
An expansive clean-up program should be implemented to make the downtown core more attractive to tourists. Such a program would include the dismantling of the drydocks, making store fronts on Charlotte Street more attractive, and a general clean up of any other unattractive sites.
The police station should be relocated and the lower floor of the Civic Centre developed into retail space.
The Courthouse building could be developed into a heritage/cultural centre to serve as an anchor of the tourist zone.
Victoria Park should be developed into a public park and any redevelopment for military purposes should be consistent with the tourism strategy.
There should be more events developed for the waterfront area similar to Canada Day celebrations, the Festival of Lights, the Saint John Festival by the Sea, Buskers events, etc.
A portion of Charlotte Street should be made a pedestrian zone. This zone would be designed with benches, streetlights, statues, and fountains that would appeal to tourists and revitalize the downtown area. Appropriate businesses could be attracted to this area-- cafes, boutiques, craft shops, etc. A city planner/engineer should be contracted to produce a plan that would analyze traffic flows as a result of this change and to address the need of the lost parking places.
Recommendation Tourism/Heritage/Lifestyle (T)-4
The Big Pond Festival should be developed and promoted as a major summer music festival. For example, Friday evening could be the annual concert by Rita MacNeil, Saturday could be a concert featuring other major Cape Breton acts - The Rankin Family, Barra MacNeils, Ashley MacIsaac, Natalie MacMaster, the cast from the Summertime Revue, etc. and Sunday could be the annual Scottish concert. The event could be planned as a weekend or over an entire week.
Develop a world class golf course and resort. The resort should also have a marina to provide an outlet to the Bras d'Or Lakes in Cape Breton County. Water sporting events, such as a regatta or power boat racing, could be developed from the site.
Old logging roads in the area should be developed into nature trails to facilitate recreational activities, such as cross country skiing or nature walks.
Recommendation Tourism/Heritage/Lifestyle (T)-5
The road to the Miner's Museum should be upgraded including a widening of the street, curb and gutter, and landscaping.
Dominion Beach should receive more promotion for tourists. The beach has great potential as a local attraction however, it is used most widely by local residents.
The Marconi Site should be upgraded and made more accessible to tourists.
The core of Downtown Glace Bay should be made more attractive and appealing to tourists with particular emphasis on the area surrounding the Savoy Theatre.
New projects, especially in eco-tourism and soft adventure, should be encouraged for the Marconi Trail. These could include boat tours of the coast, scuba diving, nature trail development, etc.
Access to beach areas along Route 28 should be improved.
Recommendation Tourism/Heritage/Lifestyle (T)-6
Develop the downtown area of North Sydney to make it more attractive for tourists. With a developed boardwalk and an aesthetically appealing Commercial Street, more ferry passengers would be encouraged to go there, rather than wait at the docks. This would create more business for shops and restaurants in the area.
The waterfront development and downtown North Sydney area should be easily accessible to ferry passengers to ensure that these people visit the downtown area. The cars are lined up in a first-come, first-served basis for the ferry, so the passengers will not take their cars downtown. If this area cannot be clearly marked and easily accessible, a shuttle service should be developed.
The Northside area, as well as the entire County, should be promoted on the ferry coming from Newfoundland. Promotional alternatives should be analyzed.
New tourism developments for the Northside, such as the Chapel Point Battery development, should be encouraged if economically feasible or if deemed to be a piece of requisite infrastructure.
Recommendation Tourism/Heritage/Lifestyle (T)-7
The function of the Sydney Harbour Ports Board should be amalgamated with ECBC's Tourism Unit hiring a person to specifically market the area as a cruising destination. Closure of the Harbour Board's office would reduce operating expenses and concentrate tourism marketing in the ECBC Tourism Unit.
The concept of developing cruises to the Labrador coast or the Greenland coast with Sydney established as the point of embarkation/debarkation should be analyzed further to see if it is actually feasible. If it is, it should be pursued through cruise ship companies.
Recommendation Tourism/Heritage/Lifestyle (T)-8
As with the Sydney Harbour Ports Board, the function of Convention Cape Breton should be amalgamated with the ECBC Tourism Unit with proper support staff. This would result in a concentrated tourism marketing effort.
Recommendation Tourism/Heritage/Lifestyle (T)-9
The Centre 200 Box Office should be developed to serve as a Central Box Office for the County. All entertainment events (concerts, plays, sporting events, etc.) would register with the box office to sell their tickets. The Centre 200 Box Office would charge the promoter a percentage of ticket sales. The Centre should also provide a 1-800 number for the Province.
The managers of the local entertainment venues (Centre 200, Savoy, Boardmore Playhouse, and Lyceum) should establish a planning committee. This committee would discuss coordination of facilities, avoid scheduling conflicts, engage in knowledge-sharing, etc. to ensure the maximization of our entertainment venues. The committee would be monitored by the CBCEDA.
The development of managers, agents, promoters, etc. should be encouraged to ensure that the business side of the sector develops in concert with the talent.
UCCB has a wealth of resource material in Celtic music at the Beaton Institute. Given our Celtic heritage and musical culture, it appears to be natural for UCCB to offer a fine arts or ethno-musicology program. This may mean that it is an option in an existing degree; however, the resources and demands are there. This program could attract international students from Scotland, Ireland, Wales, etc.
Local radio stations must give more support to Cape Breton talent. CJCB/CKPE sponsor the Music Spirit East and Country Challenge competitions which are very good for promoting our talent; however, the radio stations must follow the lead of CBC's "Main Street" and introduce more local talent into regular programming.
ECBC should sponsor an annual compilation CD of Cape Breton musicians. This CD would be distributed to record company executives at the East Coast Music Awards each year, and possibly at the Junos. The CD would be a marketing tool for up-and-coming talent. It could also be distributed to radio stations.
UCCB should investigate introducing music/film/television production into its technology programs. The program could be a feeder system for the growing entertainment sector in Cape Breton County. As well, the development of film/television production talent would create a core of expertise that would help to attract more films and television productions to the area.
Recommendation Tourism/Heritage/Lifestyle (T)-10
A film/television marketing specialist should be hired or trained by the ECBC Tourism Unit to actively promote the area as a location, to handle inquiries from interested parties, and to act as a liaison between film crews and local businesses and government officials.
A database of local services, technical people, film locations, etc. should be compiled to be accessed by the marketing specialist and/or film crew.
Develop a television production from Cape Breton. A possible topic could be the many and varied characters of Bette MacDonald in conjunction with a showcase of other talent.
Recommendation Tourism/Heritage/Lifestyle (T)-11
Marketing and Promotion - ECBC Tourism Unit
Coordination of Operators - Cape Breton Tourist Association
Tourist Information Assistance - Cape Breton Tourist Association
Strategic Planning - Cape Breton County Economic Development Authority
Tourism Marketing Research - University College of Cape Breton
Recommendation Tourism/Heritage/Lifestyle (T)-12
A craft marketing agency should be established to develop markets for Cape Breton County produced, handcrafted products. The CBCEDA should be responsible for ensuring this agency is implemented.
A craft discovery centre should be established in downtown Sydney. The centre would be a high profile, centrally located, craft awareness and public promotional centre that would showcase Cape Breton County's crafts. The centre would have a viewing gallery, a retail centre, and craft demonstration studio space. This centre should be in close proximity to the Boardwalk in an existing or proposed building, rather than as a free-standing structure.
The programs at the Cape Breton Centre for Craft and Design should be expanded to focus on design, quality control, marketing, business management, and advanced craft techniques.
Recommendation Tourism/Heritage/Lifestyle (T)-13
Provide financial support to an existing year-round museum to focus on Cape Breton's heritage and developments in science and natural history. The museum should have travelling exhibits and be accessible for school visits. The museum should be equipped with multimedia displays.
The new regional government should have a cultural officer on staff. The officer could play a coordinating role within the cultural sector and act as a liaison between the cultural sector and other sectors.
Cape Breton, possibly through the Beaton Institute, should become more involved in the world Celtic community. For example, there is an annual Pan-Celtic Festival which is rotated among Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Isle of Man, Cornwall, and Brittany. Cape Breton could participate and eventually host this festival. Becoming more involved in the international Celtic community would forge closer ties with the areas of Europe and would likely draw more international visitors.
Recommendation Tourism/Heritage/Lifestyle (T)-14
A thorough market study should be conducted to analyze the size, value, and characteristics of the potential target markets.
The CBCEDA should develop a marketing strategy for retirement relocation based on the research compiled in the marketing study.
Recommendation Tourism/Heritage/Lifestyle (T)-15
Home-care services should be expanded in the region in line with service currently operating in the Halifax/Dartmouth area.
Legislation should be amended to permit walk-in access to professional services without a physicians referral.
Private sector investment in seniors housing and alternative housing for seniors should be encouraged by the three levels of government.
Human Resource Development
Recommendation Human Resource Development (H)-1
CBCEDA, in concert with HRD, should commission a comprehensive study that will analyze the future human resources needs of the County as a result of the ACTION PLAN, compare these needs to current human resource development programming, and suggest appropriate forms of training that will prepare the labour force for the new economy.
Using the recommendations of the human resources needs assessment, the education and training bodies resident in the County (e.g. UCCB, Community Colleges, Public School System, HRD, private training firms, etc.) should be strongly encouraged to incorporate the appropriate training concepts into their respective curriculums.
Using the recommendations of the human resources needs assessment, the CBCEDA should develop a public awareness campaign to educate the general public, especially youth, on the potential future positions that the new economy will require.
Infrastructure
Recommendation Infrastructure (I)-1
The Federal infrastructure program and current Federal Provincial subsidiary agreement on highway construction should be combined for the purposes of an immediate start on the twinning and extension of Highway 125. Highway 125 is to become the circumferential highway for the new regional city. Residents must be able to quickly and safely travel from all sectors of the region. The mainland of Nova Scotia generally, and the Metro Halifax area in particular, is ablaze with road signs noting the new highway construction is the result of "your fuel tax working for you."
Inner city reconstruction should be targeted specifically for high traffic thoroughfares and connector roads before that of residential streets. The reconstruction of Kings Road and Prince Street/Welton Street in Sydney should be given immediate priority as these streets accommodate the highest traffic flows in the new city and have the highest concentration of commerce in their immediate environs. Main entrances to commercial nodes within the new city should be given second priority. This model would use Glace Bay and Dominion as the exemplar, citing the reconstruction of Reserve Street and Main Street respectively.
The traffic authority for the regional city should be given the immediate responsibility for new signs for the highway system. All major intersections should have clear signage that easily leads commercial traffic and non-resident tourists to areas of interest within the County.
Recommendation Infrastructure (I)-2
Planning should begin immediately for the installation of collector sewer lines in the communities that have numerous sewer outfalls in the harbours of Sydney, Glace Bay, New Waterford and Louisbourg. Simultaneously, environmental and engineering plans should be finalized for the construction of a series of sewage treatment facilities within the County. The Town of New Waterford's collector system permits an immediate start on that localized system. The goal for the city by the year 2000 should be to either have zero untreated sewage entering the coastal waters or be well underway with the construction of a regional system.
The current controlling depth for Sydney Harbour is 11.3 metres. The Harbour should be dredged to a controlling depth of 14 metres to allow for full loading of Panamax size vessels. The dredging would permit full loading of vessels in excess of 60,000 tonnes. This dredging increases the economic viability of exporting Cape Breton Coal as well as increases the potential shipment of other bulk commodities.
The government wharf in Sydney should be dredged and expanded southward to accommodate larger vessels or more than one at a time.
The Sydney Boardwalk should be extended north to the expanded Government wharf and south to Wentworth Park.
The North Sydney waterfront redevelopment should proceed.
The inner harbour of Glace Bay should be dredged and designed as an extension of Renwick Park, south of the Commercial Street Bridge.
The land situated on or near the boardwalk of Louisbourg Harbour should become the focal point for a redesigned inner harbour which focuses on tourism.
Recommendation Infrastructure (I)-3
The Municipal Government should indicate its immediate intention to own and operate the Sydney Airport following the federal release of the operation. The Municipal Government should investigate and implement a user pay surcharge, similar to that now in operation in Vancouver International Airport to permit operation at or above current levels. This early statement of intent would provide a positive signal to the carriers currently operating from the facility and others indicating interest to begin service.
The regional carriers currently service other Atlantic centres--St.John's, Saint John, Fredericton, Moncton and Halifax--with jet service connecting them to Montreal, Ottawa, and Newark. If the convention industry is to grow within the region, Sydney must have access to larger aircraft. The carriers should be petitioned to operate a same-plane jet service from Sydney to Montreal or Ottawa. The regional Municipality should indicate the importance of this service for the growth of the tourism cluster and its intention to pursue all reasonable means to acquire the service.
Recommendation Infrastructure (I)-4
The Regional Municipality should do whatever is reasonably within its powers to ensure that the Cape Breton and Central Nova Scotia railway remains successful. A continued rail link is vital to current and future economic growth and development.
The traffic Authority for the Regional Municipality should encourage the Railway to operate its main freight service outside of peak traffic times within the Sydney corridor.
Knowledge Based
Recommendation Knowledge Based (K)-1
Due to its strong technological base, facilities, support staff, management expertise and links to industry, UCCB might be able to introduce an engineering degree program in Manufacturing Engineering.
All levels of government should recognize UCCB as the preeminent catalyst to economic development in the technology sector. The campus expansion should begin immediately to alleviate congestion and provide increased services. A study should be commissioned to determine the science and technological needs of the campus and either recommend a complete refurbishing of existing plant or the construction of a new science/technology building.
Research and Development Centre. This centre would conduct research and provide research services in the areas of technological manufacturing, robotics, software development, artificial intelligence, marine biology, agricultural science, genetic engineering, and environmental technology. The costs associated with the construction and operation of such a facility should be the responsibility of government. However, some costs would be offset by charging private sector companies for services.
Innovation Centre. This centre would be put in place to do something which some people would argue is impossible - to train inventors and entrepreneurs. Courses would be offered to instill inventive creativity and the necessary business skills to turn inventions into business opportunities. It is imperative that this type of facility is an integral and integrated part of the University College community. While operating as a stand alone Centre, the Innovation Centre must have total access to engineering, trades and CAD/CAM functions. The model, to be developed, would pattern a portion of its programming based upon the Van Auken experiment in North Sydney, the YMCA Enterprise program in Glace Bay, and Marketing Research resident in UCCB. Inventors will be cultivated and provided incubator space and continued technical support until such time as they are capable of establishing in their own facility. This space could be in newly constructed facilities or refurbished facilities within the current Campus area.
Environmental Technology. UCCB currently offers the only Bachelor of Technology in Atlantic Canada and one of the premier programs in Environmental Technology in the region. These programs in concert with the Environmental Laboratory should be the starting point to develop a Research Centre of excellence. The focus would be on the current environmental problems within the County and the program would be marketed nationally and internationally.
Information Technology. Immediate funding should be provided for the development of an integrated program in Information Technology. The program would attract key instructors and researchers from the country as well as a broad student base. These students would be encouraged to continue their studies at the Innovation Centre, spawning new enterprises.
The Cape Breton County Economic Development Authority in concert with ECBC should begin an immediate campaign to raise local awareness on technology, UCCB'S technology programming and areas of growth potential.
The Ventureship Program at UCCB should be expanded to attract a broader cross section of Cape Breton County's youth. A new program should be developed and made widely available in concert with the Cape Breton District School Board, Northside Victoria and Eskasoni School Boards, to inform and entice students into the study of science and technology.
Recommendation Knowledge Based (K)-2
ECBC and the Province of Nova Scotia should invest in interactive multimedia kiosks to inform, explain and streamline program information and delivery to the client base. This application will increase efficiency for the programmers, entice clients to consider investing in their own business and most importantly allow local Multimedia entrepreneurs to showcase their talents.
Other multimedia uses, such as tourist information kiosks, should be examined and, if feasible, converted to this technology.
Recommendation Knowledge Based (K)-3
Local firms should be encouraged to partner and pool their respective resources to enable them to bid successfully on large environmental reclamation projects.
The federal, provincial and municipal governments should enter into a long term funding commitment for analysis, study, planning, implementation and funding of the clean-up/reclamation for the remainder of the Sydney Tarponds site,
Coke Ovens site, and
the Kilkenny Lake Tailings Pond.
Recommendation Knowledge Based (K)-4
A complete inventory of the Cape Breton County technology infrastructure should be completed with a detailed analysis of what deficiencies must be corrected and who is responsible to enable the cluster to grow. The study, among other things, should detail the needs for fibre optic links and affordable access to the Internet.
Agriculture \ Aquaculture \ Forestry
Recommendation Aquaculture/Agriculture/Forestry (A)-1
The Cape Breton County Economic Development Authority should assume responsibility for marketing and marketing research for this cluster.
The research centre proposed for UCCB should be actively involved in conducting technical research for the cluster. Genetic research will provide benefits for all three sectors; a marine biologist could greatly help Eskasoni Fisheries' struggle for stability.
Recommendation Aquaculture/Agriculture/Forestry (A)-2
The planned UCCB expansion will provide an ideal opportunity to investigate the feasibility of a pilot project that uses wood chips as fuel. This would provide a value-added opportunity for a by-product that is currently under-utilized. The creation of this new market would also enhance the suppliers abilities to economically supply specialty woods for processing and export. This project could serve as a model for other government buildings to be constructed (e.g. buildings to house decentralized government offices).
Government agencies (ECBC) should support this cluster only in projects that have a clearly discernable value-added component, are innovative, or export (or import substitution) oriented. This sector must look beyond its traditional methods of operation and marketing if it is to survive in a rapidly globalizing economy.
Several millions of dollars have been invested in aquaculture in Cape Breton in the past 25 years, without the industry reaching commercial viability. Eskasoni Fisheries was on the verge of reaching commercial success until the algae bloom disaster in Whycocomagh. This suggests that aquaculture could have a future in Cape Breton; however, the sector is seriously lacking in scientific and technical expertise. This expertise must be resident at the proposed UCCB research centre. If the sector does not receive the requisite scientific or technical support it cannot be expected to reach commercial viability.
The operation of ECBC's Point Edward Demonstration Farm should be reevaluated. In the 1993 Evaluative Audit of the ECBC Agriculture Unit, the survey showed that less than half of the respondents used the farm frequently, citing "no need" or "too far away" as reasons, while most of those who did use the farm, used it for applying for funding or as a meeting place. An advisory board of successful farmers should be established to determine the future direction and purpose of the farm and to ensure it supports only innovation, value-added and export or import substitution.