Stronger relations between Canadian and United States jurisdictions – and new opportunities for growth in Island companies – are just a few of the direct results of the New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers Conference held on Prince Edward Island.

Co-chaired by Premier Wade MacLauchlan and Vermont Gov. Philip B. Scott, the New England governors and Eastern Canadian premiers concluded their 41st meeting on Monday in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, after numerous discussions surrounding topics of regional importance such as renewable energy and food innovation. The premiers and governors heard from a wide range of experts, including Hon. Frank McKenna, deputy chair of TD bank group, Jim Irving, co-CEO J.D Irving Ltd, and Elizabeth Moore Aubin, Chargé  d’Affairs, US Embassy in Ottawa.

“Prince Edward Island’s consistent growth requires us to build and foster our national and international partnerships,” said Premier MacLauchlan “This conference presented an opportunity to showcase all our province has to offer – our food, our hospitality, and most of all, our thriving business community and diverse economy.”

Governors and premiers continue to provide cooperative leadership that focuses on regional opportunities and regional challenges. Past measurable achievements include reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, as well as commitments to freer trade within the region.

For the first time, the 2017 conference added a new component designed to bring companies from the member states and provinces to have an opportunity to engage in one-on-one business meetings. More than 60 companies representing all jurisdictions participated in over 400 meetings throughout the conference. These business meetings are made possible thanks to a partnership between the Government of Canada and the four Atlantic provincial governments, as part of the Atlantic Trade and Investment Growth Agreement, which aims to increase exports and attract international investment to the region.

“ADL is more than thrilled to be part of the business to business portion of the 2017 NEG-ECP conference,” said Chad Mann, business development manager for ADL. “As an Island-based company we are always looking for ways to build connections across the region and have had receptive meetings with potential partners.”

The New England governors and Eastern Canadian premiers approved the following resolutions:

• RESOLUTION CONCERNING TRADE INTEGRATION AND THE BENEFITS OF CROSS-BORDER TRADE;
• RESOLUTION CONCERNING THE REGIONAL CLIMATE CHANGE ACTION PLAN;
• RESOLUTION CONCERNING RESPONSE TO EMERGENCIES IN A CHANGING CLIMATE; and
• RESOLUTION CONCERNING TRANSPORTATION.

These resolutions can be found at http://www.scics.ca/en/conference/41st-conference-of-new-england-governors-and-eastern-canadian-premiers/ (link is external).