Each cluster was represented at the summit by one to three co-chairs. These co-chairs offered
enthusiastic presentations expressing the importance and future direction of their respective
cluster.
The Tourism/Heritage/Lifestyle Cluster focused on how to sell Cape Breton as a destination;
opportunities for music, film, and performing arts development; the linkage and marketability of
crafts, culture, heritage, and our lifestyle. Joella Foulds, a cluster co-chair, making some
suggestions for the music industry, "....we have to endorse entertainment as a full-fledged
industry. It creates real jobs, the dollars are real dollars, and the spin-offs are real.
We have to look at artists and musicians as business people. Their collateral is their talent, their
training and their drive; and many of them have ten to twenty years invested in training. We
have to support the sectors of the industry that are underdeveloped that are causing our artists to
leave the area and take the money with them."
Agriculture/Aquaculture/Forestry Cluster addressed increased competition, implications of Free
Trade, the need for cluster support for training and research and development. Opportunities for
new business start-ups were explored in the Knowledge Based Cluster along with the integration
of technology into "everyday" life.
Ken MacLeod for the Knowledge Based Cluster noted, "How can we (Cape Breton County) get
a bigger slice of that huge economic pie? Cape Breton County will need development in three
areas - technological infrastructure, the educational environment, and the knowledge based
business environment."
In relation to the Knowledge Based Cluster, Dr. Jacquelyn Scott spoke on the role of the
University College of Cape Breton in economic development. Dr. Scott said, "UCCB, with
additional investment in science and technology infrastructure, will have the ability to provide
the necessary support to encourage job creation in Knowledge Based Cluster."
Mr. Stephen Drake, Chair of Organized Labour, emphasized the importance of supporting the
local entrepreneurs while continuing to work to maintain our traditional industries such as coal
steel. He spoke about labour's buying power and its skilled, reliable work force.
Private sector spoke of Globalization/Trade along with Technical and Traditional Infrastructure
and explored how it fits into the "new economy."
Education and Youth shared their views on the role of entrepreneurship, integration of science
and technology and how they must prepare for the new economy. Mr. Mark Frison, Chair for
Youth, stated, "Given the long-term nature of the process, I believe that there should be a strong
role for youth in the development of any strategy.
The youth of this area will eventually be the individuals who will either suffer the consequences
or reap the benefits of whatever strategies we adopt or plans we develop."
After the cluster presentation concluded, an open forum of discussion took place allowing the co-chairs to direct questions from their support groups to other cluster co-chairs or directly to either
Minister Dingwall or Minister Boudreau.
The highlight of the day was the Key Stakeholders (Federal, Provincial, Cape Breton Regional
Municipality, UCCB and CBCEDA) speaking specifically to their roles and the
recommendations they have assumed responsibility for in support of the Strategic Economic
Action Plan.
It is this Strategic Economic Action Plan that will blend recommendations and partners
together to create job opportunities for the citizens of Cape Breton.
A response from the Private Sector concluded with their support of the initiatives and
commitment to partner. Mr. Martin Chernin concluded, "I think we have it right this time. You
have asked our opinions and have told us we should hold you accountable to deliver on the
recommendations. If the recommendations are endorsed, we will see a more varied and more
productive economy."
Announcement of the Authority's new Board Structure was presented. The "Economic
Summit" closed with a summation by co-chairs, Minister Bernie Boudreau and Minister David
C. Dingwall.
![[Image: Mark Frison and Joella Foulds]](../graphics/joella.gif)
