Edward Wedler suggested this title within the context of a CBC article on Canadians moving back to the province to work remotely from home. Another candidate title would be Making Lemonade. This relates to the latest AIRO newsletter on opportunities arising from the COVID pandemic.
These discussions take me back to the 80’s. As we developed new technology programs, we worked closely with the vendors to ensure that our graduates would find employment in the industry. This resulted in a steady flow of GIS graduates to California and Toronto, and a similar migration to Ottawa in Remote Sensing. Over the last four decades, there has been a return flow back to Nova Scotia.
Given the new economy, it would be in the interest of COGS, NSCC and the provincial government to revisit our previous model.
For example, all students in the programming diploma programs completed a co-operative project with industry and/or government. As we introduced new technologies, we would make sure our graduates had the appropriate software development tools. Then, as we delivered these programs and gained co-op expertise, we transferred the curriculum to other countries, e.g. Indonesia, China, and Argentina.
Now, in 2021, we see companies willing to allow employees to work remotely. We also have a new facility on the COGS campus that will allow short residential courses. To build the technology community in the Annapolis Valley we need to reflect on our history, as well as take advantage of these new opportunities. As part of the effort, we should look to apply technology solutions to the resource management issues of Nova Scotia, then migrate these solutions to other jurisdictions — building a technically-creative economy.
Edward Wedler and Jane Nicholson are both correct. We can apply the science of where to the geography of here. We do have the capacity to make lemonade, even when dealt a handful of lemons.
We have a long history of partnerships with the GIS, Remote Sensing and Geomatics industry and government. It is time to revisit these relationships, readying Nova Scotia for the post-COVID world.
Postscript
Monday afternoon. After shovelling 18” of snow out of the driveway in the morning, went for a cross-country ski down through Andrew’s fields. It was hard work.
Acknowledgements
Edward Wedler and Jane Nicholson for their entrepreneurial energy. Dave MacLean and David Colville for keeping open the communication channels to COGS. Heather for supporting the Geography of Here.
References
AIRO newsletter, “We’ve got to do something with our lemons”, February 5, 2021.
CBC post on Canadians returning to Nova Scotia to work remotely from home.
Ernest Blair Experiment 
The CBC and AIRO are sadly still thinking an increasing GDP is a good thing. Climate disruption and plummeting biodiversity indicate otherwise. NS is a good place to work and die and it’s because of the quality of life that should be measured with the Genuine Progress Index.
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