Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston is meeting with New England governors in Vermont this weekend while New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt is staying close to home. Houston said he will attend the 47th annual Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canada Premiers (NEG-ECP) on Sunday and Monday. The conference will focus on economic cooperation and regional resilience. The conference has 11 member jurisdictions, including New Brunswick, but Premier Holt will not be in attendance. “Premier Holt will remain in New Brunswick on August 9 and 10 to focus on priorities here at home,” said Bruce Macfarlane, senior director of communications and marketing with the New Brunswick government, in an email. “Serge Breau, Executive Director of Trade Policy, will lead New Brunswick’s delegation in Vermont at this year’s NEGECP conference. “New Brunswick’s objectives at the conference do not change. GNB’s Head of Delegation will champion the province’s role as a regional energy hub and advance shared priorities including energy security, economic growth and emergency preparedness. New Brunswick will be at the table for those discussions.” Houston said it is a “critical time” for Nova Scotia and New England to strengthen their existing ties. “Nova Scotia has a lot to offer – from energy and critical minerals to our world-class products,” Houston said in a news release. “As Premier, I’m committed to diversifying our trade relationships, becoming more self-reliant and planning for the future with one of our closest trade allies.” Last February, Houston and Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey signed a deal to potentially have Nova Scotia supply the state with clean energy from offshore wind. Houston travelled to Massachusetts multiple times last year for energy and seafood conferences.
