Dexter: Regional cooperation underway

1/14/2013

I read with interest the Jan. 4 editorial “Maritime Union: Start small.” Many of the so-called small steps that are suggested are already underway, and have been for some time.

I maintain that uniting the Maritime provinces is not in the best interest of Nova Scotians. That said, I actively support regional co-operation and the benefits that working together can bring all Atlantic Canadians.

Topping the list is Nova Scotia’s partnership with Newfoundland and Labrador to develop the Lower Churchill project and the Maritime Link, which will create good jobs, ensure lower, more stable power rates in the long term, and deliver 35 years of clean, reliable energy. Nova Scotia has also signed a memorandum of understanding with New Brunswick to explore opportunities for transmission upgrades to benefit both provinces. These commitments are testament to what can be accomplished through regional co-operation.

The Nova Scotia-New Brunswick Partnership Agreement on Regulation and the Economy is another example. This initiative has streamlined collaboration in areas like transportation, trade and energy. PARE has made it safer for trucks and cars to travel between the two provinces, harmonized building codes, and made it easier for workers to move between Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.

There is the Atlantic Workforce Partnership, an initiative that is helping ensure the Atlantic region has the labour force needed to drive economic growth and is a natural choice for growing businesses and large, labour-intensive projects. The Atlantic premiers have also initiated a review of the Council of Atlantic Premiers organization to ensure that we are well-positioned to maximize regional opportunities.

I helped lead the charge to establish a Regional Venture Capital Fund to invest in emerging companies across Atlantic Canada that are having trouble accessing the capital they need to get started — businesses in areas like life sciences, information technology and other high-growth sectors that create good jobs. Nova Scotia has committed $15 million to the fund, and that investment has been leveraged to almost $50 million of total commitments to date.

These regional partnerships are saving taxpayers money. By working together, the four Atlantic provinces have saved $28 million over four years on school bus purchases, and Nova Scotia recently announced a similar initiative with New Brunswick on light-duty vehicles.

Such co-operation is not limited to the Maritimes. As chair of the Council of the Federation, I am working with Canada’s premiers to champion joint purchasing of generic drugs to save millions that can be better invested in health care. This year, Nova Scotia expects to save $7 million through our own fair drug-pricing initiative.

There are also opportunities through the pan-Canadian Oncology Drug Review, which Nova Scotia entered into in 2011. The review was established to provide a consistent process across the country for reviewing oncology drugs for funding, enabling a more consistent standard of care for patients. Within this review is a cost-shared joint arrangement among the Atlantic provinces, where one province represents the position of all four — it is, in fact, all about Atlantic co-operation.

As our province starts to turn the corner toward a bright and prosperous future, my government will continue to work with our Atlantic neighbours where it makes sense to deliver results for Nova Scotians and their families.

(The Chronicle Herald)