Today is also a moment for reflection: How we came together to fight COVID-19; how our lives have changed; what we’ve lost and what we’ve gained. It’s also a time to look forward, towards recovery and to what kind of economy we build for the future. Each of us probably remembers where we were the moment life changed. I was at the Victoria airport on March 11, 2020. I’d checked in and was waiting for my flight to Ottawa for a conference and minister meetings. My phone rang and it was staff at City Hall suggesting I reconsider travelling.
Norris said the group, which also named its initial 15-member board Wednesday, hopes to land some operational investment for its activities from industry and other sources, after being funded so far by government.
The goal is also to establish a physical location for the marine innovation hub, providing not only a home base but amenities such as research facilities and manufacturing and creative space for what could grow into a large marine industry.
The plan is to develop new companies focused on the water and create as many as 1,000 new jobs.
The hub will support businesses in commercializing products and services, developing new technologies and growing into new markets.