Atlantic Canada and its neighbours in the New England states share a long history of important trade relationships and economic partnerships that create opportunities for businesses and workers on both sides of the border.
This week, the Honourable Gudie Hutchings, Minister of Rural Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA, led a visit to New England to strengthen economic ties between the two regions and promote Atlantic Canada as a leader in the fish and seafood industry, the blue economy and renewable energy.
Over the weekend, Minister Hutchings attended the Seafood Expo North America (SENA) 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. In line with the Atlantic Growth Strategy's push for increased productivity and competitiveness, the Minister joined other federal ministers and Atlantic Canadian provincial premiers and ministers for the official opening of the Canada Pavilion, where 25 Atlantic Canadian fish and seafood firms and organizations were exhibiting.
While at SENA, she met with Atlantic Canadian businesses to take stock of Atlantic Canada's competitive advantage in the global fish and seafood industry. They explored cutting-edge ways to expand sales through the introduction of new products and packaging, and boost competitiveness through processing innovations, food safety, and sustainability practices necessary to bring the region's fish and seafood products to tables worldwide.
Last year alone, global fish and seafood exports from Atlantic Canada stood at $5.7 billion, with nearly two-thirds of those exports destined for the United States. The region's fish and seafood industry employed nearly 24,000 workers, many in rural, coastal communities.
The Minister met with the Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC), a federal-state partnership for economic development in the New England region, with a mandate similar to ACOA's. This collaboration is an avenue to deepen the long-standing ties between Atlantic Canada and New England.
Minister Hutchings also traveled to Providence, Rhode Island, and New Bedford, Massachusetts, to advance the Atlantic Growth Strategy's commitment to achieve a net-zero economy by promoting Atlantic Canada's economic strengths in the blue economy, ocean technology, and renewable energy, including offshore wind. The Minister engaged with business leaders, investors and government representatives to develop collaborative ways to build on the strong, long-standing trade links between Atlantic Canada and New England, and maximizing both region's competitiveness in the blue economy and renewable energy.
Minister Hutchings concluded her visit meeting with Yvonne Hao, Massachusetts State Secretary of Economic Development, and Anne Gobi, Director of Rural Affairs.
The Government of Canada continues to demonstrate its commitment to building on Atlantic Canada's economic momentum by strengthening ties with the region's most important trade partners to develop innovative collaborations that boost Atlantic Canada's significant advantages in the blue economy and renewable energy.
