Executive Council
May 27, 2014
Partnering To Support Economic Growth and Social Well-being
Council of Atlantic Premiers Working Together on Regional Issues
The Council of Atlantic Premiers met this week in Port Saint John, New Brunswick, to discuss key issues which affect the Atlantic Provinces. Items on the agenda included energy, marine safety, meeting labour force demands and follow-up activities from the recent employment insurance (EI) consultations.
“We have a variety of ongoing projects across the region, and by supporting and cooperating with each other we will build national capacity for a unified energy strategy, and strengthen our economy. Through this cooperation, we will work towards the open and non-discriminatory cross territory transmission and transportation of energy, for all Canadians.”
- The Honourable Tom Marshall, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador
During the meetings, Premier Marshall updated his colleagues on energy developments in the Newfoundland and Labrador offshore industry as well as the Muskrat Falls development. Atlantic Premiers agreed on the importance of the ability to transmit and transport energy resources to markets across Canada and into the New England states.
Premier Marshall also sought and received support from his Maritime colleagues to call upon the Federal Government for a comprehensive review of marine safety.
“I was pleased to be able to present this weekend to my fellow Premiers regarding marine safety in particular as this issue affects Newfoundland and Labrador, but also as it relates to all of us in this region. While we commend the efforts of the Federal Government to improve marine safety through legislation such as the Offshore Health and Safety Act, we will continue to advocate for a comprehensive, holistic review which takes into account regional differences and improved response times, both of which will ensure the safety of all Canadians.”
- Premier Marshall
A number of other economic and social files were also on the table during discussions. This included updates on progress of the Atlantic Workforce Partnership as well as a signing ceremony for a Memorandum of Understanding on the harmonization of apprenticeship requirements.
Also, during the meeting, Premiers had a presentation by the Council of Atlantic Premiers Employment Insurance Panel Chair, Marcel-Pierre Desjardins, regarding the recent EI consultation results. A final report on this activity will be released in the coming weeks.
QUICK FACTS
- The Council of Atlantic Premiers met this week to discuss key issues which affect the Atlantic Provinces including energy, marine safety, meeting labour force demands and follow-up activities from the recent EI consultations.
- Dialogue regarding energy transmission in the region pointed towards the importance of open and non-discriminatory cross territory transmission and transportation of energy, for all Canadians.
- Premier Marshall received support from the Atlantic Premiers to call upon the Federal Government for a comprehensive and holistic review of marine safety which takes into account regional differences and improved response times.
- For more information regarding the Council of Atlantic Premiers, visit //www.cap-cpma.ca/. .
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| Media contacts: Milly Brown Director of Communications Office of the Premier 709-729-3960 millybrown@gov.nl.ca |
2014 05 27 2:45 p.m.