30th Annual Conference of the New England Governors and the Eastern Canadian Premiers

WHEREAS, the cooperation between the governments of Canada and the United States and regionally, between the governments of New England and Eastern Canada ensures our continued good relations to embrace enhanced cross-border security initiatives essential to continuing and increasing our exchange of goods and services; and

WHEREAS , for each New England state and the region as a whole Canada represents the largest trading partner, with bilateral trade valued at CAD$25 billion in 2005 between New England and Canada, and an estimated 280,000 jobs in New England are supported by trade with Canada; and

WHEREAS, in March, 2005 the leaders of the governments of Canada, the United States and Mexico established the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America (SPP), an unprecedented example of continental cooperation over a wide variety of subject areas, focusing on security and prosperity (trade), and subsequently, the promulgation of SPP action plans that will fundamentally influence our cross-border trading relationships; and

WHEREAS , at the 29 th Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers and pursuant to Resolution 29-1, the governments of Canada and the United States were informed that while governors and premiers support the objective of the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America (SPP), it is important to involve the states and provinces in the preparation of measures to support the SPP; and

WHEREAS , at the 29 th Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers and pursuant to Resolution 29-1, the Standing Committee on Trade Cooperation was tasked to prepare a draft action plan aimed at strengthening cooperation between the members of the Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers in areas targeted by the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to Resolution 29-1, the Standing Committee on Trade Cooperation met January 12, 2006 in Boston, and reviewed the preliminary report on the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America (SPP), prepared by Quebec, and have incorporated this work into the preparation of a draft regional action plan aimed at strengthening cooperation between the members of the Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers in areas targeted by the SPP; and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers mandate the Standing Committee on Trade Cooperation to implement the Committee’s 2006 work plan to enhance trade relationships between states and provinces, and most particularly and as a priority, to mandate the Committee to complete the document entitled Regional Action Plan on the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America and report back to the next meeting of the Conference on the progress made in implementing this regional plan.

Adopted at the 30 th Annual Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers, Newport, Rhode Island, May 13, 2006.

Donald L. Carcieri
Governor of Rhode Island
Co-chair

Patrick G. Binns
Premier of Prince Edward Island
Co-chair