Premier Pat Binns is in Halifax today attending the Annual Conference of the New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers. The Conference affords an opportunity to discuss issues which are of mutual interest to Premiers in Atlantic Canada and Quebec and their colleagues from Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Vermont, Maine, Connecticut and New Hampshire. Meetings will conclude tomorrow afternoon.
The 25th annual Conference will include a number of important agenda items which have significance to Prince Edward Island, including trade, energy, emergency assistance and air quality. The Conference also provides a chance to exchange perspectives on emerging social, economic and regulatory issues which affect the region, and to share examples of best practices of governance on these issues.
"Twenty five years of cooperation through this forum is a significant accomplishment which reflects our collective efforts in building on the historical ties which connect the Northeast region," stated the Premier. "Our Island philosophy of bridging tradition and technology for the benefit of economic and social development fits very well with the objectives of these meetings."
For the first time, a Business Forum, which will include participation from the private sector, will be a formal part of the agenda. The aim of the Business Forum is to engage in a dialogue with business persons on how to improve cross border trade, particularly related to the conference themes of transportation, energy and the knowledge economy. Several business leaders from each jurisdiction will be present.
A Memorandum of Understanding on International Emergency Assistance will also be discussed in Halifax. The compact will create a process whereby participating jurisdictions may request and receive assistance from other parties during an emergency or disaster. Prompt and effective utilization of collective available resources from other parts of the region will become available to the requesting jurisdiction. Premier Binns notes, "It only makes sense that available resources from other areas can be easily utilized for the safety and welfare of people in the event of an emergency-- this agreement should provide for that."
The environment will also be discussed over the next two days. The Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers, beginning in the 1980s, was a leader in addressing acid rain, adopting a pioneering and influential reduction plan and inspiring action by provincial, state and federal governments in Canada and the United States. Delegates to this years conference will also continue work on tackling mercury deposition.
"It's a full agenda with many issues important to Prince Edward Island and Atlantic Canada," stated Premier Binns. "It is nice to have an opportunity to effectively advance bilateral issues, while promoting cooperation and good will with our neighbours in other parts of eastern Canada and south of the border."