28th Annual Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers

WHEREAS, the Eastern Canadian Premiers share the concern of the United States regarding security of our two countries and understand its importance to the safety and security of our citizens; and

WHEREAS, the tragic events of September 11, 2001, are a reminder of the growing need for cross-jurisdiction collaboration in the area of security and that the New England Governors and the Eastern Canadian Premiers are eager to coordinate efforts in order to better protect our common border and to ensure the security of the population; and

WHEREAS, cooperation between federal governments must be reflected at the State and provincial level in matters related to counter-terrorism and natural disasters, as well as with the municipal level considering the strong roles that they play in policing and emergency management; and

WHEREAS, New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers have signed an International Emergency Management Assistance Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to expand their collaboration and capacity for mutual assistance in the area of emergency preparedness or have expressed their intention to do so; and

WHEREAS, the Northeast Homeland Security Directors held a successful meeting in Burlington, Vermont, on July 24-25 and are determined to increase the existing productive cross-border dialogue.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers reaffirms its support for the work of its International Emergency Management Group mandated to implement the MOU;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the New England Governors and the Eastern Canadian Premiers direct their respective directors of public security to participate in the Northeast Homeland Security Directors meeting to be held in Québec in 2004;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers direct their public security, police and emergency management officials t

   
• Work closer together to share information and intelligence on security, terrorism and organized crime, to share best practices, strategies and expertise, to combine resources to fight terrorism, protect infrastructure, conduct joint exercises and training, better coordinate emergency plans, as well as preventing or responding to terrorist attacks or other large-scale catastrophes.
   
• Respect any MOU or agreement between the various judicial, municipal, provincial, state and federal levels of jurisdiction;
   
• Report to the NEG-ECP on progress accomplished in 2004.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Northeast Homeland Security Directors be invited to report on their efforts and initiatives at the 29th annual Conference in 2004.

Adopted at the 28^th Annual Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers, September 7-9, 2003.

John G. Rowland
Governor of Connecticut
Co-chair

Bernard Lord
Premier of New Brunswick
Co-chair