Meeting of the Southeastern United States – Canadian Provinces Alliance

Provincial  and State Leaders Work to Enhance Cooperation

Charlottetown, June 29,  2015 – Provincial and state leaders from thirteen jurisdictions across Canada  and the United States met today to discuss opportunities for enhanced trade and  economic cooperation at the annual meeting of the Southeastern United States -  Canadian Provinces Alliance in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.

“There are  tremendous opportunities for collaboration among our member jurisdictions and  their respective business delegations,” said Prince Edward Island Premier and  Conference Chair Wade MacLauchlan. “This week’s meeting was an excellent forum  for sharing ideas about how we can work together to strengthen our economic  ties, benefit from emerging science and technology, expand trade and explore  new opportunities.”

The seven  member provinces (Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia,  New Brunswick, Québec, Ontario and Manitoba) and the six member states  (Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee and Mississippi)  heard presentations from a variety of international experts and business  leaders who shared their experiences on the opportunities and challenges of  cross border investment and trade.

Robert Irving, Co-Chief Executive Officer, J.D. Irving, Limited provided  a keynote address to delegates in which he profiled his company’s business  relationships in Canada and the United States. Irving stressed the importance  seizing opportunities and capitalizing on emerging trends. He also focused on the  importance of cooperation among jurisdictions given the high level of trade  between the United States and Canada.

As part of  the conference, business delegations from each jurisdiction held over 500 business  to business meetings to explore possible partnerships, investment opportunities  and best practices.

Alliance  members unanimously passed a resolution aimed at strengthening ties between  jurisdictions and exploring further enhancements to the annual conference ahead  of next year’s meeting in Tennessee.

Media  Enquiries:

Amber Nicholson
Senior Communications Officer 
Government of Prince Edward Island
amnicholson@gov.pe.ca 
902-316-1323

8th Annual Meeting
Southeastern United States and Canadian Provinces Alliance
Charlottetown, Prince  Edward Island, Canada – June 29, 2015

Resolution Recognizing the  Importance of Economic Development Cooperation

WHEREAS the Southeastern United States and Canadian  Province Alliance was created through the signing of the Alliance Joint  Declaration in Montréal, Québec, on November 16, 2007, including the states of  Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee,  and the provinces of Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia,  Newfoundland and Labrador, Québec, Ontario, and Manitoba; and

WHEREAS the goals of the Alliance are: to present  opportunities for participating members to enhance trade, promote business  alliances and encourage technological and scientific exchanges between and  among the States and Provinces; to bring focus to these relationships and to  expand opportunities in industry-specific sectors and markets through new  partnerships; and to provide a forum for Governors and Premiers to share their  views on ways to expand commerce between members of the Alliance and exchange  on other subjects of common interest; and

WHEREAS the member Southeastern United States and  Canadian Provinces value  the significant trading relationship between the Southeastern United States and  the Canadian Provinces; and

WHEREAS there is an interest in each of our  jurisdictions to foster a business environment that draws on the successes of  Alliance members and our individual initiatives by sharing experiences and best  practices; and

WHEREAS there is a desire to explore opportunities to  establish trade and business partnerships, building on recent renewed growth in  North American production and other priority sectors; and

WHEREAS the member jurisdictions seek to  strengthen the Alliance’s economic competitiveness in the global marketplace by  jointly promoting products, and collectively advocating for policies which will  benefit the Alliance; and

WHEREAS the Alliance has successfully convened annually  since 2008; and

WHEREAS the members  of the Southeastern United States and Canadian Provinces Alliance have expressed mutual interest in utilizing the  Alliance to further explore the opportunities and challenges associated with expanding  commerce between the members of the Alliance;

NOW BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Alliance directs the Steering Committee of coordinators  to examine ways to  enhance the annual Alliance meeting and increase the region’s intergovernmental,  trade and business relationships; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Steering Committee will report its findings  at the next meeting of the Alliance in Tennessee in 2016.

Adopted at the 8th Annual Meeting of  the Southeastern United States  and Canadian Provinces Alliance, Charlottetown, Prince  Edward Island, Canada, June 29, 2015.