Premier Tim Houston and Economic Development Minister Susan Corkum-Greek hold up local honey during the Nova Scotia Loyal announcement at the Masstown Market. Photo: NS Government
During his election campaign last Summer, Premier Tim Houston promised to establish an incentive program to encourage businesses and residents to buy more local products.
The program being developed is now called Nova Scotia Loyal and this summer the government will be seeking data, feedback and other types of information to develop a system that works best.
In the prototyping phase, the government has contracted consulting firm Davis Pier to lead research on consumer behavior and get Nova Scotian’s feedback.
“Nova Scotia Loyal will be a buy local program like no other – a compelling call to action, highly visible and supported by a rewards program,” said Premier Tim Houston. “For it to have the greatest impact, we need Nova Scotians to buy in and help build it with us. The prototyping phase will give people an opportunity to tell us more about what it means to be Nova Scotia Loyal.”
As mentioned by Houston this program is unlike any others, meaning there isn’t much precedent to imagine what it might look like when implemented.
During the prototyping phase the province will also be seeking feedback from businesses. The government will be working with retailers of all sizes and has also launched an engagement campaign to hear from people about Nova Scotia Loyal branding, including the creative look and feel. There will be a variety of ways to provide feedback, including in person, on the Nova Scotia Loyal website and on social media.
“We’re establishing Nova Scotia Loyal to build on everything that’s great about our province – and make things even better. This is about fuelling our local economy and boosting provincial pride,” said Susan Corkum-Greek, Minister of Economic Development. “We are eager to hear from Nova Scotians about what they value most when it comes to motivating them to use their buying power here at home. This direct feedback will help us shape Nova Scotia Loyal.”
In the mandates given to Minister Corkum-Greek when she was appointed to her ministerial role, the first mandate was to create a timetable for all other items on the mandate to be completed within the next four years, the second mandate was “implement the Nova Scotia Loyal program – including a seal, and a marketing campaign”.
So although that timetable has yet to be set, we know if the program is not delivered in under four years, the government will have failed the goal it set for itself.
