First meeting of Federal-Provincial Ministers - Responsible for economic development

(Moncton, N.B.) � The first meeting of federal�provincial ministers responsible for economic development in Atlantic Canada was held earlier today in Moncton, New Brunswick, where ministers discussed a new approach to regional economic development.

The purpose of the meeting was to identify common priority areas for the long-term economic development of Atlantic Canada and how to address them. The meeting took place as a result of Prime Minister Paul Martin and the Atlantic Canadian Premiers directing their economic development ministers to further develop a new coordinated and cooperative approach to regional economic development.

�The Government of Canada values the relationship it has with the four Atlantic provincial governments in the area of economic development,� stated Joseph McGuire, Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. �I am pleased to see that we are moving the economic development agenda forward in key areas such as innovation, human capital, community development and the business climate in Atlantic Canada.�

�The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has developed a comprehensive regional diversification strategy that draws upon regional strengths and is complemented by government programs to help develop those strengths,� said Kathy Dunderale, Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development. �The challenges are great and it is vital that the provincial and federal governments harmonize their efforts so that we can address economic development in the most efficient manner.�

Ministers agreed to continue their dialogue and to convene again in the coming months. The meeting was co-chaired by Minister McGuire and Percy Mockler, Minister of Intergovernmental and International Relations on behalf of Peter Mesheau, Minister of Business New Brunswick.

Michael Currie, Minister of Development and Technology, Prince Edward Island and Ernest Fage, Minister of the Office of Economic Development for Nova Scotia, Nova Scotia also participated.

For more information, contact:

Val�rie Poulin
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Joseph McGuire
Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
(613) 941-7241

�tienne Allard
Senior Communications Officer
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
(506) 851-2893

Clifford Grinling
Communications
Innovation, Trade and Rural Development Newfoundland and Labrador
(709) 729-7066

2005 11 09                     4:55 p.m.