Premier Robert Ghiz will host his counterparts throughout the region as the 31st Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers is held June 25-26 in Roseneath. This is the same location that the region’s premiers and governors first met in 1973.
The theme of this year’s conference is Building on Tradition – Our People, Our Environment, Our Future. Premier Ghiz will co-chair the meeting with Governor James Douglas of Vermont.
“I look forward to meeting with premiers and governors to discuss our region’s shared interests, as well as common challenges we face,” said Premier Ghiz. “The New England states and Eastern Canadian provinces have a strong history of co-operation that has benefited our citizens. Over the years, this premiers’ and governors’ forum has resulted in significant progress on many important issues from trade to our environment. I expect this will be another productive meeting.”
Key topics on the premiers’ and governors’ agenda this year include energy and the environment; the region’s changing demographics and implications for state and provincial economies; and discussion on Canada-US relations, including the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative.
The Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers consists of the six New England states (Rhode Island, Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Connecticut) and the five eastern Canadian provinces (Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick and Quebec). The premiers and governors generally meet annually.
Close to 200 people will be attending this year’s conference at Roseneath. Outside the meeting room, they will have an opportunity to enjoy PEI hospitality and the Island’s beautiful natural environment through activities such as a tour of eastern PEI. Premier Ghiz noted that special efforts have been made to make the conference a “green” event. Among the highlights, trees will be planted to offset carbon emissions from travel associated with the conference; efforts have been made to reduce waste; and through the Green Power Program, the electricity consumed during the conference period will be supplied by wind energy from the Eastern Kings Wind Farm.
RESOLUTIONS RESULTING FROM CONFERENCE
Resolution 31-1: Resolution Concerning Energy and the Environment http://www.scics.gc.ca/cinfo07/850107004_e.pdf
Resolution 31-2: Resolution Concerning the 400th Anniversary of Quebec City www.scics.gc.ca/cinfo07/850107005_e.pdf
Resolution 31-3: Resolution Concerning the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative http://www.scics.gc.ca/cinfo07/850107006_e.pdf
Resolution 31-4: Resolution Concerning the Economic and Social Impact of Demographic Issues http://www.scics.gc.ca/cinfo07/850107007_e.pdf
Resolution 31-5: Oceans Resolution http://www.scics.gc.ca/cinfo07/850107008_e.pdf