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Research Studies

The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) represents the interests of Atlantic Canada in federal government policy making and has a mandate to coordinate federal efforts in matters relating to regional economic development. In support of this role, ACOA carries out policy research on a broad range of issues, challenges and opportunities associated with the development of the region's economy.

The Agency’s policy research efforts are strategically focussed and actively involve public and private sector partners and key stakeholders from across Atlantic Canada and outside the region.

These studies are sponsored by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency under programs such as the Atlantic Policy Research Initiative. The views expressed in these studies do not necessarily reflect the views of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency or of the federal government.

Some of the documents available on this site are in Adobe Acrobat format. To read Adobe Acrobat files, you will need to download and install the free Adobe Reader available from Adobe Systems Incorporated.

To obtain copies of the studies and reports listed on this page or to request additional information, contact ACOA at 1-800-561-7862 or by email: ris-sri@acoa-apeca.gc.ca.

For more information on ACOA’s policy research program, please contact Nadine Cormier at (506) 851-2656 or by e-mail at ris-sri@acoa-apeca.gc.ca.

Atlantic Energy Gateway
Innovation
International Business Development
Entrepreneurship and Skills Development
Community Economic Development
Economic Research
Sector-Focused Research
ACOA's Policy Outreach Activities
Public Opinion Research

Atlantic Energy Gateway

Innovation

Finding the Balance in Innovation and Commercializationby Dr. Alan Cornford; edited by Dr. Richard G. Lipsey, 2005
Innovation in Atlantic CanadaThe Canadian Institute for Research on Regional Development, March 2003.
Innovation and Commercialization in Atlantic CanadaGPT Management Ltd., Marin Consultants Inc. and Gardner Pinfold Consultants Ltd, March 2002.
Post-Secondary Research in Atlantic Canada: Institutional Profiles, August 2000Maritime Provinces Higher Education Commission, August 2000.
Report on Post-Secondary Trends in Atlantic Canada, August 2000Maritime Provinces Higher Education Commission, September 2000.
Securing our Future: A Renewal Strategy for Post-Secondary Research in Atlantic Canada, Discussion Paper, May 2000

International Business Development

A Study to Identify Key Sectors of Opportunity for Atlantic Canadian Firms in Brazilprepared by To Be Canada Inc.
Taking on the World - Atlantic Canada's Role in Global Value Chainsprepared by the Atlantic Provinces Economic Council
Atlantic Gateway Business Caseprepared by InterVISTAS Consulting Inc. in partnership with MariNova Consulting Ltd., and TranSystems Corporation.
Embracing the Future: The Atlantic Gateway and Canada’s Trade CorridorCharles McMillan for the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, November 2006
Attracting the Big Bucks: Foreign Investment in Atlantic CanadaAPEC, 2005
The Emergence of Cross-Border Regions: Interim ReportPolicy Research Initiative, November 2005
Foreign Direct Investment SurveyA survey of foreign-owned firms operating in Atlantic Canada. June 2005
The Culture Sector in Atlantic Canada: Its Economic Impact and Export PotentialIts economic impact and export potential - November 2004
A Profile of Foreign Firms in Atlantic CanadaAtlantic Provinces Economic Council, March 2003
Atlantic Canada's Exports, with a Focus on SMEs and Rural RegionsCanadian Institute for Research on Regional Development, April 2003.
Foreign Direct Investment in Atlantic CanadaAtlantic Provinces Economic Council, July 2002.
Sector Trade Study for: The Aerospace and Defence Industries of Nova ScotiaAeroinsight, May 2002
Atlantic Canada's Trade in the Post-FTA EraAtlantic Provinces Economic Council, June 2001.

Entrepreneurship and Business Skills Development

Meeting the Skills Challenge: Five Key Labour Market Issues Facing Atlantic CanadaAtlantic Provinces Economic Council, 2012.
Employment, Skills, and the Knowledge Economy in Atlantic CanadaCanadian Institute for Research on Regional Development, December 2001.
Study of Entrepreneurship Among Young Atlantic Canadians Aged 15-29: Gender IssuesCorporate Research Associates Inc. 2001.
Entrepreneurship in Atlantic Canadian University Environments Research (EUE)The Atlantic Canadian Universities Entrepreneurship Consortium, December, 2004.
A Portrait of Women Business Owners in Atlantic Canada in 2003Calhoun Research and Devlopment in association with Donna Crozier, October 2003.

Community Economic Development

A Socio-Economic Profile of Atlantic CanadaCharacteristics of Rural and Urban Regions, with Implications for Public Policy, by Pierre-Marcel Desjardins, June 2005.
Rural Youth Migration: Exploring the Reality Behind the MythsR. A. Malatest and Associates Ltd, August 2002.
Peripheral Regions in the Knowledge-Based EconomyInstitut national de recherche and the Canadian Institute for Research on Regional Development, July 2002.
Community Economic Development in Atlantic Canada: False Hope or Panacea?Canadian Institute for Research on Regional Development, October 2000.
Rural Youth : Stayers, Leavers and Return MigrantsStatistics Canada, March 2000.

Economic Research

The Economic Impact of Universities in the Atlantic Provincesprepared for the Association of Atlantic Universities by Gardner Pinfold, February 2006.
The Role of Universities in the Economic Development of Atlantic Canada: A Focus on ImmigrationFinal Draft, January 2006
Are We Urban? The Urban Growth Agenda in the Atlantic Canada ContextShiftCentral, 2003
Urbanization and the Aging Population: What's Ahead for Atlantic Canada?By the Atlantic Provinces Economic Council, February 2003

Sector-Focused Research

South West Nova Scotia Transportation StudyCPCS Transcom Limited, June 2010
CIFPAC Report on Atlantic Canada's Forest IndustryCanadian Institute for Forest Policy and Communication (CIFPAC), Donald Floyd and Rajendra Chaini, May 2008
The Changing Global EconomyThe Implications and Opportunities for Transportation in Atlantic Canada, by the Atlantic Provinces Economic Council, November 2006.
The Ocean Technology Sector in Atlantic Canadaby the ACZISC Secretariat and Canmac Economics Ltd., February 2006
Accelerating Growth: Fostering Environmental Technology Innovation in Atlantic CanadaA Report for the Atlantic Environment Technology Advancement Network (AETAN) By ÆGIS Management Consulting Group (2004) Inc., In association with Lorne Ferguson Consulting, August 2005.
Fostering a Sustainable Salmon Farming Industry for Atlantic CanadaApril 2005
The Agri-Food Industry in Atlantic Canada: Recognition and Developmentby Maurice Beaudin, June 2005
Atlantic Canada Fish & Seafood Tracking and Traceability AssessmentRon Bulmer Consulting Inc., October 2004
Comparative Review of HSE Requirements for Specified Offshore Fabrication ActivitiesLloyd's Register, May 2004
Exploring Issues Related to Local Benefit Capture in Atlantic Canada's Oil and Gas Industryby Wade Locke and Strategic Concepts Inc., prepared for Petroleum Research Atlantic Canada, April 2004
Potential Supply and Costs of Natural Gas in CanadaJune 2003.
Natural Gas and Its impacts on Greenfield AreasGardner Pinfold Consultings Economists Ltd, September 2002.
Towards Greater Value: Enhancing Eastern Canada's Seafood IndustryCanadian Institute for Research on Regional Development, June 2001.
The Wood Industry in Atlantic Canada: A Focus on Value-AddedAtlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, November 1998.

ACOA's Policy Outreach Activities

The Emergence of Cross-Border Regions Between Canada and the United StatesRoundtable Synthesis Report, Policy Research Initiative, May 2006.
34th Annual Conference of the Atlantic Canada Economic AssociationHalifax, N.S., October 2005 – Final Report
Atlantica Growth Network: Transforming Vision into Reality2005
Growing Technology Business in Atlantic Canada: The First Atlantic Regional Research Money ConferenceMoncton, New Brunswick, October 6, 2005: Conference Proceedings, Research Money Inc.
National Rural Think Tank 2005: Immigration and Rural Canada: Research and PracticeCanadian Rural Revitalization Foundation (CRRF) and Rural Development Institute (RDI).
Roundtable on Improving Competitiveness and Productivity in Atlantic Canada, Final ReportCollege of the North Atlantic – December 2005
The 33rd Annual Conference of the Atlantic Canada Economics Association2004
Aboriginal Voice -- Atlantic Roundtable Summary of ProceedingsHalifax, September 21, 2004, by Crossing Boundaries
Atlantic Metropolis Atlantique ConferenceHalifax, November 18-19, 2004
Submission to the Atlantic Energy Roundtable IIFrom Regulatory Issues Steering Committee and Industrial Opportunities Task Force, October 31, 2003
Adding Value to Wood Products in Atlantic Canada -- A Stakeholder's View of the IssuesUniversity of New Brunswick, February 28 - March 1, 2001.

Public Opinion Research

The Government of Canada conducts Public opinion research to better understand Canadian society and to identify citizen needs and expectations. The research helps assess the public's response to proposals and initiatives; to assess the effectiveness of federal policies, programs and services; to measure client satisfaction; and to evaluate the effectiveness of its communications with Canadians.

ACOA’s Public Opinion Research reports can be accessed through Library and Archives Canada.