Premier McNeil Meeting with New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers in P.E.I.

Premier Stephen McNeil is joining New England governors and Eastern Canadian premiers in Charlottetown, P.E.I., on Monday, Aug. 28, to discuss Canada-U.S. trade, energy policy, transportation, climate change, and Canada-U.S. relations.

"This year's Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers presents a timely opportunity to advocate for Nova Scotia and New England's mutually beneficial trading partnership," said Premier McNeil. "We are committed to strengthening our relationship with New England, particularly in light of NAFTA negotiations. It is important to maintain a strong relationship with our closest trading partners and state governors."

The value of Nova Scotia exports to New England is about $1.1 billion annually - almost one-third of the province's total exports to the United States.

For the first time, the conference includes business-to-business meetings. Six Nova Scotia companies are participating.

"The business-to-business component of the conference offers an opportunity for companies to meet and develop relationships with their American counterparts, a key step in increasing exports from Nova Scotia," said Premier McNeil. "Growing our exports will strengthen our economy, creating jobs for our young people and more opportunity for the middle class."

The conference also includes energy and food innovation forums on Sunday, and tours of renewable energy facilities and food companies on Tuesday.

The Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers was established in 1973 in recognition of the special bond that exists between the six New England states and the five Eastern Canadian provinces.