A $1 million non-repayable contribution to support the creation of Stella Maris, a multi-user marine testing platform at COVE, has been announced by Darren Fisher, parliamentary secretary to the minister of health and member of parliament for Dartmouth—Cole Harbour.
“COVE is helping ocean technology entrepreneurs and companies bring their breakthrough ideas to market, bolstering the sector’s worldwide reputation for innovation and quality,” said Darren Fisher, parliamentary secretary to the minister of health and member of parliament for Dartmouth—Cole Harbour. “By building on this sector’s potential, we are creating more skilled jobs, diversifying our economy and positioning our region to come out of this pandemic stronger than before.”
The announcement was made on behalf of the Mélanie Joly, minister of economic development and official languages. Bernadette Jordan, minister of fisheries, oceans, and the Canadian Coast Guard and member of parliament for South Shore—St. Margarets, also participated in the virtual announcement.
“We want Atlantic Canada to seize every opportunity it can in the post-pandemic world,” said Minister Bernadette Jordan. “We know that the greatest potential for job creation and revenue lies in the sustainable blue economy. When we invest in sectors like ocean tech and science, we are positioning our coastal communities to build back even better in the long term.”
The COVE project will help Canadian ocean sector firms develop, test, and commercialize new marine sensor technologies more quickly and cost-effectively. It will also foster collaboration and facilitate data sharing to support product research, development, and demonstration. The Province of Nova Scotia is also contributing $325,000 to the project.
“Nova Scotia is building on its natural advantages to create a leading-edge ocean industries cluster,” said Geoff MacLellan, Nova Scotia’s minister of business. “Multi-purpose marine infrastructure is a key piece of the value proposition at COVE.”
“The addition of the first multi-user undersea sensor platform in Eastern Canada will further support the ocean innovation that COVE is becoming known for around the world,” added MacLellan. “With the province’s investment, we’re supporting close to 60 companies with enhanced access and opportunities for collaboration at the water’s edge, growing their business and this critical sector now and for the future.”
