News Release

FREDERICTON (GNB) – Treasury Board President Roger Melanson, who is also the minister responsible for Trade Policy, will visit Boston on April 19 and 20 with company representatives to promote the province’s trade relationship with the United States.

Melanson will host a travel trade and travel media luncheon with New England business leaders. He also hopes to meet with officials of the Massachusetts state government to discuss the mutual benefits of trade and co-operation as well as with Canada’s Consul General in Boston, David Alward.

“Fostering positive relations with the United States and enhancing trade between New Brunswick and New England is important,” said Melanson. “I am happy to travel with a group of New Brunswick business leaders to promote what our province has to offer and to talk about the advantages of trade for both of our jurisdictions.”

Opportunities NB recently signed a formal partnership with Canadian Entrepreneurs in New England (CENE), a Boston-based organization comprised of over 300 Canadian expatriates from multiple sectors. New Brunswick is the first Canadian province to form a strategic partnership of this kind. Access to this network of entrepreneurs and experts is intended to help New Brunswick entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses and may provide accelerated access to capital and investment in New Brunswick companies.

“New England is already a significant export market for New Brunswick, and this opportunity represents a new way to strengthen our province’s ties to that region,” said Economic Development Minister Francine Landry who is also minister responsible for Opportunities NB. “The Canadian executives, entrepreneurs, and investors who make up CENE share a passion for their Canadian heritage and a desire to give back to Canada. This partnership expands our entrepreneurial ecosystem.”

Trade between the United States and Canada is responsible for millions of jobs in both countries. The United States is New Brunswick’s largest trading partner, and New England is New Brunswick’s largest regional market. Reciprocally, Canada is also the largest customer for the United States and New Brunswick is the fourth largest Canadian export market for Massachusetts.

New Brunswick exporters shipped $1.4 billion worth of goods to Massachusetts last year, primarily lobster, petroleum oil, natural gas, crab, lumber, and salmon. Massachusetts shipped $125 million worth of products to New Brunswick in 2016, primarily kraft paper, lobsters, coated netting, and crab.

New Brunswick is an active participant in regional cross-border forums such as the Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers and the Southeastern United States – Canadian Provinces Alliance. These groups provide opportunities for exchanges with North American political leaders.