Executive Council
January 24, 2007
Atlantic Premiers Trade Mission to Alberta

The Council of Atlantic Premiers will begin a three-day mission tomorrow to promote trade and investment opportunities between Alberta and Atlantic Canada. The premiers of Canada's four Atlantic provinces will lead a delegation of 30 companies from their region to explore potential partnerships with Alberta firms.br> Premiers Shawn Graham, Danny Williams, Rodney MacDonald, and Pat Binns will travel to Edmonton on January 25, where they will have a private meeting with Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach, and host a reception for local business people. The premiers will speak to the Leduc-Nisku Economic Development Authority on January 26, and then depart for Fort McMurray, where they will tour the Syncrude oil sands operation, and meet with executives in that city.

"We are in Alberta because we have great respect for this market and believe there are many opportunities to explore," said Premier Binns. "Given the success of our recent Alberta trade missions, Prince Edward Island companies have discovered the value of building direct working relationships with affiliates in this booming western region. Alberta has shown a keen interest in Prince Edward Island's quality workmanship, productivity and services, and our companies have been able to successfully exceed their expectations. It is important we continue to explore these business partnerships to foster more business leads and create further wealth for Prince Edward Island."

"This visit provides Newfoundland and Labrador companies a wonderful opportunity to strengthen the relationships we have with the Alberta business community and also a chance to build new partnerships," said Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, Danny Williams. "Our province is home to three world-class industrial fabrication facilities, and several companies with internationally recognized expertise in oil and gas manufacturing and technology. We already have strong ties with companies in Alberta as a result of our own strong offshore industry, and we want to show that Newfoundland and Labrador has a strategic role to play as we move the energy sector forward in this country."

"Our government has placed a priority on developing a strong relationship with Canada's fastest-growing province," said New Brunswick Premier Shawn Graham. "This mission is yet another step in our goal to provide Alberta with New Brunswick-made products and services, and demonstrate that our firms are flexible and willing to meet their unique needs. The partnerships that we form over the next three days are integral to New Brunswick's continued growth and efforts to become self-sufficient by 2026."

"The business community in Nova Scotia and across Atlantic Canada is diversified with a skilled and capable workforce," said Premier of Nova Scotia Rodney MacDonald. "We're well aware of the demands being placed on Alberta companies, and if there are ways that Nova Scotia companies in fabrication, engineering and design, and environmental services can help meet that demand, then everyone benefits. A booming Alberta economy is good for Alberta and good for Canada, and we believe there is an opportunity for both Nova Scotia and Alberta companies."

The Council of Atlantic Premiers (CAP) was formed by Memorandum of Understanding between the four Atlantic provinces in May 2000 and is committed to identifying and pursuing opportunities for joint action among the region's provincial governments. This commitment builds on a strong foundation of regional unity and intergovernmental cooperation spanning more than three decades.

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Media Contacts:

New Brunswick:
Marie-Andree Bolduc, Office of the Premier, 506-444-2286, Marie-Andree.Bolduc@gnb.ca
Sarah Ketcheson, Communications, Business New Brunswick, 506-470-1516

Nova Scotia:
Joe Gillis, Office of the Premier, 902-497-7263, gillisj@gov.ns.ca

Prince Edward Island:
Dennis King, Office of the Premier, 902-368-4402, mdking@gov.pe.ca

Newfoundland and Labrador:
Elizabeth Matthews, Office of the Premier, 709-729-3960 or 709-351-1227, elizabethmatthews@gov.nl.ca

Council of Atlantic Premiers
Glenn Davis, Communications Officer, 902-478-5810, gdavis@cap-cpma.ca

 

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