Hamm Invites Counterparts to Visit Port

Premier John Hamm today closed the 24th annual Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers with an invitation to visit Halifax Regional Municipality, which will host the next conference July 16-18, 2000.

In his remarks to conference delegates, the premier said next year's gathering will be an ideal opportunity for governors and premiers to closely examine the benefits of a post-Panamax facility in Halifax for New England and Eastern Canada. He noted that world container traffic is expected to triple in volume by 2020. Moreover, within the next 10 to 15 years, about 60 per cent of all seaborne container traffic will be in post-Panamax vessels.

"The deep water of the port of Halifax can already accommodate fully loaded post-Panamax vessels -- no dredging required," said Premier Hamm. "Post-Panamax traffic in Halifax will benefit every single jurisdiction in this room. We can give your products access to the world. In addition, our feeder traffic, due to enhanced capacity next year, will benefit your ports and ours."

The premier said he is pleased with the co-operation demonstrated at this year's conference in Rockport, Me., toward building a stronger trade relationship between Eastern Canada and New England. Governors and premiers passed resolutions:

• calling on the U.S. government to repeal Section 10 of the U.S. Illegal Immigration Action to prevent the creation of costly and harmful barriers to trade and free movement of citizens

• establishing a conference committee on trade and globalization, with a task force assigned to define the terms of reference for the committee in time for next year's meeting

• confirming the steady implementation of the acid rain and mercury resolutions agreed upon last year

• renewing the commitment to study the development of new energy resources in our region, as well as energy reliability

Premier Hamm also noted that having all Atlantic premiers in one location facilitated pressing the prime minister and the federal fisheries minister for intervention in the aftermath of the Marshall court decision.