This week's meeting of the Council of Maritime Premiers will provide special opportunities for Maritime Premiers to discuss regional cooperation and issues of common concern, says Premier Pat Binns.
The Premier says that the Wednesday meeting will be the first gathering of the Council since the recent elections in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. "I am optimistic that a new spirit of regional cooperation will emerge from the discussions and that the Premiers will confirm that the future of Maritime provinces is linked to greater regional cooperation."
Premier Binns notes that in their recent provincial election campaigns, both Premier Lord and Premier Hamm expressed strong support for enhancing regional Maritime cooperation. "By working together we can achieve a number of benefits, including presenting a stronger voice to Ottawa in discussions about national issues that affect our region."
The Premier emphasizes that the on-going discussions through the Council have led to greater collaboration between Maritime provinces. "Through dialogue and cooperation, we can reduce program delivery costs, enhance the quality of services to the public, make available some province's specialized programs to other provinces, and work to create jobs and generate economic growth." It is expected that a work plan will be adopted to guide the Council's progress in the coming years.
The Council also provides Maritime Premiers opportunities to speak with a united voice when trying to influence the federal government's budget decisions and spending programs for the Maritimes. In addition, several regional agencies operate under the auspices of the Council, including the Maritime Premiers Higher Education Commission, the Maritime Premiers Harness Racing Commission and the Maritime Municipal Training and Development Board.
The Council of Maritime Premiers was created in 1971 and seeks to provide a regional forum for Maritime Premiers to meet to achieve mutual gains through formal cooperation. Meetings are rotated among each Maritime province, with the next Council meeting to be hosted by Prince Edward Island and chaired by Premier Binns at a date to be determined. The Stellarton meeting is the 98th meeting of the Council of Maritime Premiers since its inception 28 years ago.