ST. ANDREWS - Atlantic Canada has trapped itself by trying to hold on to what it has and not looking to the future, a senior public policy researcher says.

That mindset will be the death of the East as bright minds will continue to head westward, Jeremy Leonard, senior fellow at the Institute for Research on Public Policy, said Friday.

Leonard was speaking on the third and final day of the Ideas Festival in St. Andrews.

The conference sought direction in a final panel discussion.

"My view is that Atlantic Canadians are very insular in the sense that they feel their way of life is threatened," Leonard said. "The natural reaction to that is to look inwards and hold on to what you've got.

"But there is no shortage of ideas in Atlantic Canada and Canada in general. There is no reason to not move forward with it either."

Leonard was co-editor of "A Canadian Priorities Agenda: Policy Choices to Improve Economics and Social Well-Being", published in 2007. His institute seeks to improve public policy in Canada by generating research, providing insight and sparking debate that will contribute to public policy decisions made by Canadian government.

David Campbell, a New Brunswick blogger and Telegraph-Journal columnist, said Atlantic Canada has that inward protective nature because of a history of economic challenges.

"It seems to me that we need to get back to the 1950s, glamourous view of going into public service," he said. "I would like to see our best and brightest young people with a passion for public service, be it regional economic development, working in government or working in community development.

"It's easy to go to Bay Street and make $200,000 selling derivatives to old people. It's hard to figure out how to make sure Woodstock, New Brunswick is on a strong economic footing for the future."

Leonard believes it's the opportunity for change in the province that will attract younger people and new ideas.

"One thing that has been lacking in Atlantic Canada is the ability to provide people who are on the edge of new ideas and success and want to take that step, but don't have that support," said Tim Coates, executive director of 21 Inc., a conference organizer. "I have seen a lot of confidence be gained at this event.

"That is one of the things we have to be working on."