G.I. Smith and economic development in Nova Scotia

Abstract

In Nova Scotia during the 1960s, the provincial government employed two main tools to promote economic growth, jobs and industrial investment. The first was Industrial Estates Limited, and the second was Voluntary Economic Planning. G. I. Smith, in his capacity as Minister of Finance and Economics and later as Premier, was a major political player during the creation, implementation and decline of these two bodies.

G. I. Smith, through his roles in these activities, left an indelible mark on the economic and political history of Nova Scotia. The solution to regional disparity and inequality has long eluded federal and provincial governments before and since that of G. I. Smith endeavoured to address the problem. Given the universal lack of an apparent solution, Premiers Stanfield and Smith and their governments provide a window through which the difficulties of addressing the issue of regional disparity and underdevelopment can be examined and evaluated. Smith's part in Nova Scotia's economic planning through the 1960s provides some understanding of the complexity and nature of the difficulties confronting those elected to formulate, administer and ensure economic development in the face of a long history of regional disparity and inequality. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)