Atlantic Canada and the New England states share a bond that has united the two regions in the past, and will continue to do so into the 21st Century as new trade opportunities are explored, the Chancellor of Dalhousie University told the Team Atlantic trade delegation last night.
International business leader Sir Graham Day gave the keynote address at a dinner in Boston. Close to 200 people were on hand for the event, which closed the first day of the four-day Team Atlantic New England trade mission.
Sir Graham spoke about the shared history between Atlantic Canada and New England, and he said that history has always included trade.
"Our relationship, founded on both shared history and geographical proximity, is a comfortable one," he said. "Let me tell you that being comfortable with your trading partners is a significant plus."
Team Atlantic is a four-day trade delegation representing the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Prince Edward Island. The purpose of the trade mission is to establish new business partnerships, increase trade and investment, and build strategic alliances between businesses in Atlantic Canada and companies located in the New England region.
Delegates arrived in Boston Sunday night, and will travel to Burlington, Vermont; Manchester, New Hampshire; and Portland, Maine in the coming days.
Team Atlantic is an initiative of the Conference of Atlantic Premiers and is being funded by the Canada/Atlantic Provinces COOPERATION Agreement on International Business Development, a pan-Atlantic trade agreement between the federal government represented by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade and Industry Canada and the four provincial governments.
Sir Graham said that there is great potential to enhance the trade opportunities between Atlantic Canada and New England, saying the two regions have a great deal in common. "There appears to be more that links them than separates them."
For example, he said, both regions suffered through an economic downturn in the early 1990s, and have since rebounded from the recessions. And both areas have branched out and diversified their local economies.
"In my opinion this is good news. I believe we have learned that reliance on a fairly narrow economic base is risky and, over time, is not sustainable."
With the emergence of new industries and sectors in the two regions, Sir Graham said he is witnessing a revival of two-way trade between Atlantic Canada and the New England states.
The night ended on a lively note, with a showcase of Atlantic Canadian musical talent. "A Coast of Difference" closed the evening with a musical number highlighting the natural beauty and cultural diversity of all four Atlantic Canadian provinces.
Today the Team Atlantic delegation travels to Burlington, Vermont to continue matchmaking sessions between Atlantic Canadian and New England companies.