Why NS needs a ‘national project’ ?

I received an email from my old school friend, Andrew, in England.

‘I’m expecting you to come up with your great plan for the future of NS……. Put your ideas, knowledge and vision forward……..Andy.’

Co-incidentally, as I was tidying up my papers in the basement ( a year after the move) I came across a saved copy of The Chronicle Herald, Saturday, February 15, 2014, Section E. Why NS needs a ‘national project’ by Ray Ivany.

Besides a map by Michael de Adder showing One Nova Scotia, Shaping our Economy Together. It includes commentary from Jim Meek, Gail Lethbridge and Bob Howse.

Without getting into the details, the important point is that it is almost twelve years since the publication of the Ivany report ‘Now or Never, an urgent Call to Action for Nova Scotians’.

Live Here and Prosper. Jim Meek

To prosper overall, Nova Scotia has to find a way to stack the odds in favour of economic prosperity, to make success stories a norm rather than an anomaly.

Hellfire and Damnation. Gail Lethbridge

Ivany report is just what laid back Nova Scotia needs : a proverbial boot up you-know-what to push us out of our comfort zone.

Make World Our Oyster. Bob Howse

Nothing is going to fall in your lap. You have to seek it out and you have to have excellent skills, and, preferably, a service with a bit of a unique edge, to sell.

Where are we today ? Almost twelve years after the Ivany report. What is Tim Houston’s, (current Premier of the Province), concept of a National project ?

Sunday afternoon. Heather and I attended Dykelands Community meeting at the Lower Granville Hall. We were interested in what was happening with Dykelands along the Granville Road and Alain’s Dyke. We were also interested in future community collaborations that could take place, including potential land acquisition for the purposes of environmental protection or recreation. The meeting was well attended, demonstrating Nova Scotian’ concern for their landscape.