CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — Liberal MP Mélanie Joly likes to think of herself as the minister of "the economic reality of people".
In reality, she was appointed as minister of Economic Development and Official Languages in Nov. 2019, following the federal election.
Her self-coined position is simply a reflection and a reminder of what’s most important. Business owners are facing real, tangible problems when trying to grow their business, she said.
“At the end of the day, we are defending people.”
The Quebec MP is tasked with overseeing Canada’s six regional development agencies, which includes the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) for the eastern provinces. She’s been touring across Canada to hear from agency workers and some of the businesses they’re working to fund.
“And at the same time to tell workers I have their back,” she said.
Joly stopped by P.E.I. from Jan. 10 to 11 and said ACOA is considered the gold standard by some of Canada’s other agencies, partly because it’s more present and engaged on the ground level.
“The rest of the country looks (to) ACOA.”
However, Joly acknowledged growth was minimal for ACOA during the 2010s. This may have been due to the series of cuts it underwent under the decade’s previous government, as well as a low amount of investments, she said.
Under the Trudeau government, ACOA’s Immigration Pilot Program was put together, as well as the Atlantic Growth Strategy, in affiliation with Atlantic Canada’s premiers. Making more even investments across Atlantic Canada’s key businesses is one of the goals moving forward, Joly said.
One criticism has been the decision to compile all regional agencies under one MP’s jurisdiction. The result is that an MP from outside Atlantic Canada has been tasked to oversee its economic growth, as opposed to local MP’s looking after the regions they’re already familiar with.
Joly said this decision was to ensure there’s a more equal distribution of funding across the provinces, and partly to prevent the possibility of a local MP prioritizing their own riding’s growth.
“The idea is to make it non-partisan and fair,” she said. “How do you make sure people have access to equal opportunities?”
One of the obvious risks ACOA faces is loaning taxpayer money. Joly said this it just the nature of their job, and they’ve received positive feedback on their funding process, with records showing they’re helping to create jobs.
But there’s always room to improve the system by making it more efficient, she said.
“Obviously, this is taxpayers' money, so we want to make sure that we do it right.”
Joly has visited P.E.I. about eight times and expects to be visiting Atlantic Canada quite often, thanks to her new role in cabinet. She admires Islanders for their record of innovation and entrepreneurship, she said.
“Islanders are keen at creating good opportunities.”
Steady growth
ACOA continuing to help boost international business on P.E.I.
P.E.I. business has seen steady growth in international markets, MP Mélanie Joly said.
During her visit to the Island from Jan. 10 to 11, the minister of economic development and official languages was scheduled to visit P.E.I. Mussel King in Morell. In 2019, the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) approved the seafood company for a $500,000 repayable loan, she said.
“To make sure that they could continue to expand on their projects.”
Many of P.E.I.’s growing industries rely heavily on exporting goods, with the seafood industry being a clear example. About 80 per cent of all the mussels in the market are coming from P.E.I., she said.
“(So) we need to have strong business to really benefit from what the market can offer.”
Over the past few years, the P.E.I. government has taken measures to boost international business, namely with China, where Island seafood is in demand.
“We believe the demand will continue to be strong, particularly from South Korea and Asia,” she said.
While there have been political tensions between Canada and China in the past few years, such as with the Huawei security scandal, it’s in ACOA’s interest to continue fostering a healthy business relationship with China so that both countries can grow.
“We want to make sure we have strong commercial ties,” Joly said.
