Nova Scotia, New Brunswick Partnership Agreement to Reduce Barriers
Premier's Office
February 24, 2009 9:05 AM
NOTE: A social media release, with image and sound files, will be available later today, Feb. 24, www.gov.ns.ca/news/smr/20090224001PRE.asp
Nova Scotia Premier Rodney MacDonald and New Brunswick Premier Shawn Graham signed an agreement that will strengthen the economies of both provinces by reducing barriers to business, trade and skilled labour.
The premiers signed the Partnership Agreement on Regulation and the Economy in Halifax today, Feb. 24, before travelling to New Brunswick to outline the agreement at a luncheon in Fredericton.
"Removing obstacles to business and the movement of skilled workers makes good sense any time, and even more so during a period of world-wide economic challenge," said Premier MacDonald. "We are working hard, with a number of measures, to strengthen our economy, and this agreement with New Brunswick is another step in the right direction. It will help make it easier for businesses to operate and grow in both of our provinces."
The agreement involves improved, standardized and harmonized regulation; mutual recognition of professional and trade credentials; and clear, consistent requirements for business. New initiatives will be added as opportunities are identified.
"As the list of co-operative ventures grows, we will start to see more and more common rules for both provinces, reducing the administrative time taken to understand and comply with the differences," said Premier Graham. "The agreement is also about co-operation between the two provinces and systems -- and projects that will help us spend taxpayers' dollars more efficiently and provide better services to citizens."
The agreement was initiated when the Atlantic provinces invited a group of small to medium-sized business representatives to attend a roundtable consultation on regulatory reform in Moncton in April 2007. Views at the event focused on the impact regulatory systems have on business operations and on economic growth potential of the region.
At the last Council of the Federation meeting in Ottawa, the premiers reaffirmed their commitment to reduce barriers to trade and labour mobility among the provinces.
Copies of the agreement are available on both provinces' websites and in Nova Scotia at www.gov.ns.ca/iga/.
FOR BROADCAST USE:
Nova Scotia Premier Rodney MacDonald and New Brunswick
Premier Shawn Graham signed an agreement today (February 24th)
that will help strengthen the economies of both provinces by
reducing barriers to business, trade and skilled labour.
The agreement involves improved, standardized and harmonized
regulation; mutual recognition of professional and trade
credentials; and clear, consistent requirements for business.
New initiatives will be added as opportunities are
identified.
Premier MacDonald said making things easier for business to
operate makes good sense at any time, and even more so when the
world economy is in such tough shape.
Premier Graham said that the agreement to grow to include
new initiatives as time goes on.
-30-
Media Contacts: Paul Palmeter
Premier's Office
Cell: 902-225-6327
E-mail: palmetpr@gov.ns.ca
Marie-Andrée Bolduc,
Office of the Premier,
506-444-2286
NOTE: A social media release, with image and sound files, will be available later today, Feb. 24, www.gov.ns.ca/news/smr/20090224001PRE.asp
Nova Scotia Premier Rodney MacDonald and New Brunswick Premier Shawn Graham signed an agreement that will strengthen the economies of both provinces by reducing barriers to business, trade and skilled labour.
The premiers signed the Partnership Agreement on Regulation and the Economy in Halifax today, Feb. 24, before travelling to New Brunswick to outline the agreement at a luncheon in Fredericton.
"Removing obstacles to business and the movement of skilled workers makes good sense any time, and even more so during a period of world-wide economic challenge," said Premier MacDonald. "We are working hard, with a number of measures, to strengthen our economy, and this agreement with New Brunswick is another step in the right direction. It will help make it easier for businesses to operate and grow in both of our provinces."
The agreement involves improved, standardized and harmonized regulation; mutual recognition of professional and trade credentials; and clear, consistent requirements for business. New initiatives will be added as opportunities are identified.
"As the list of co-operative ventures grows, we will start to see more and more common rules for both provinces, reducing the administrative time taken to understand and comply with the differences," said Premier Graham. "The agreement is also about co-operation between the two provinces and systems -- and projects that will help us spend taxpayers' dollars more efficiently and provide better services to citizens."
The agreement was initiated when the Atlantic provinces invited a group of small to medium-sized business representatives to attend a roundtable consultation on regulatory reform in Moncton in April 2007. Views at the event focused on the impact regulatory systems have on business operations and on economic growth potential of the region.
At the last Council of the Federation meeting in Ottawa, the premiers reaffirmed their commitment to reduce barriers to trade and labour mobility among the provinces.
Copies of the agreement are available on both provinces' websites and in Nova Scotia at www.gov.ns.ca/iga/.
FOR BROADCAST USE:
Nova Scotia Premier Rodney MacDonald and New Brunswick
Premier Shawn Graham signed an agreement today (February 24th)
that will help strengthen the economies of both provinces by
reducing barriers to business, trade and skilled labour.
The agreement involves improved, standardized and harmonized
regulation; mutual recognition of professional and trade
credentials; and clear, consistent requirements for business.
New initiatives will be added as opportunities are
identified.
Premier MacDonald said making things easier for business to
operate makes good sense at any time, and even more so when the
world economy is in such tough shape.
Premier Graham said that the agreement to grow to include
new initiatives as time goes on.
-30-
Media Contacts: Paul Palmeter
Premier's Office
Cell: 902-225-6327
E-mail: palmetpr@gov.ns.ca
Marie-Andrée Bolduc,
Office of the Premier,
506-444-2286