FREDERICTON — Building on Atlantic Canada’s recent immigration successes will top the agenda as East Coast premiers and federal ministers gather Friday in Halifax for their latest Atlantic Growth Strategy summit.
Internal Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc said immigration was the first issue addressed when the strategy was launched three years ago, and it continues to help grow the region’s economy.
“Within a few months we came up with a unique and precise immigration model focused on businesses — the Atlantic immigration pilot,” he said.
LeBlanc said the federal immigration minister will talk about expanding on the success.
“We’re going to take stock of how successful it’s been. Ahmed Hussen will have some words on how it can be extended and renewed again or expanded because it has been very successful,” he said.
“It is a good thing. Why wouldn’t we continue it and expand it?”
On Wednesday, the Conference Board of Canada predicted rising growth for all four Atlantic provinces, led by P.E.I., which is expected to lead the country with 3.2 per cent growth this year thanks in part to increased immigration.
As well, Nova Scotia set a new immigration record last year.
LeBlanc said the Friday meeting will also talk about improving the regional energy grid to give greater access to new greener power sources.
“Newfoundland and Labrador has a huge opportunity for clean, green electricity and the premiers and federal ministers I hope will come up with a concrete plan on how we can improve access to this clean, green energy all over Atlantic Canada,” he said.
However, LeBlanc said they also need to ensure rates are kept at a reasonable level.
“We think there’s an opportunity to work with the provinces including looking at a way the Government of Canada can partner with them around some of these interprovincial ties,” he said.
LeBlanc said the group will also discuss upgrading high-speed internet access for rural areas, and efforts to remove barriers to interprovincial trade.
Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil has been pushing for more standard regulations for things that impact interprovincial trade. LeBlanc said truckers face different rules on things like their tires, and even on what kind of first-aid kit they must have in their truck.
LeBlanc gives an example of an apple producer in his New Brunswick riding that makes apple wine and cider for export to other provinces.
“There are ways the provinces and federal government can make it easier for them to grow their business,” he said.
