CANADIAN
PARLIAMENTARIANS ATTEND MEETING
OF THE SEUS-CP ALLIANCE
From 28–30 June 2015, the Honourable Wayne Easter,
P.C., M.P., Vice-Chair and Senator Paul Massicotte, Vice-Chair led a delegation
from the Canadian Section of the Canada–United States Inter-Parliamentary Group
(IPG) to the 8th annual conference of the Southeastern United
States-Canadian Provinces (SEUS-CP) Alliance in Charlottetown, Prince Edward
Island. The other member of the delegation was Mr. Tarik Brahmi, M.P.
“I was very pleased to attend this important
gathering of government officials and business representatives,” said Mr.
Easter. “The address by Robert Irving, which focused on keys to business
success, and discussions on such issues as building the economy of tomorrow,
opportunities and challenges when doing business in Canada and the United
States, and clusters and private-public collaboration in the context of
regional economic development are important as legislators identify the actions
needed to enhance the nation’s prosperity. It was also encouraging to hear
about opportunities for Canadian businesses in the U.S. marketplace.”
Senator Massicotte concluded: “As well, the more
than 600 business-to-business meetings held during the course of the conference
will lead to new partnerships and enhanced business prosperity in both
countries. Certainly, there is a range of sectors in which our two countries
are already collaborating, but – undoubtedly – there are areas where more can
be done. The Canadian and American economies are highly integrated, and North
American supply chains can contribute to reduced costs and improved efficiency.
Efforts currently under way between our countries through the Beyond the Border
and Regulatory Cooperation Council initiatives are also valuable.”
The SEUS-CP Alliance is a trade- and
investment-focused partnership among six southeastern U.S. states – Alabama,
Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee – and seven
Canadian provinces – Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova
Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island and Quebec. The group was established in
2007 to serve as a forum through which common interests in enhancing economic
ties between the two regions could be advanced. Additional information can be
found at: www.seuscp.org.
It should be noted that the views expressed in
this news release are specific to the Canadian Section of the IPG and, as such,
may not reflect the views of our United States counterparts.
The IPG aims to find points of convergence in
respective national policies, to initiate dialogue on points of divergence, to
encourage the exchange of information, and to promote better understanding
among legislators on shared issues of concern. Additional information on the
IPG can be found at www.parl.gc.ca/iia/us.
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For further information:
Hon.
Janis Johnson, Senator, Co-Chair
Canada-U.S. Inter-Parliamentary Group - 613-943-1430
Mr. Gord Brown, M.P., Co-Chair
Canada-U.S. Inter-Parliamentary Group - 613-992-8756
Mrs. Miriam Burke, Association Secretary
Canada-U.S. Inter-Parliamentary Group - 613-944-4238