N.S.-Massachusetts Business Council Launched

A fifth century of economic co-operation between the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the province of Nova Scotia was officially launched in Boston today by Nova Scotia Premier John Hamm and Massachusetts Gov. Paul Cellucci.

Mr. Hamm and Mr. Cellucci spoke this morning at the inaugural meeting of the Business Advisory Council to Massachusetts and Nova Scotia.

The council is the outcome of a top-level business and academic conference of Nova Scotia and Massachusetts representatives held last May at Saint Mary's University's Sobey School of Business in Halifax. At that time the senior political leaders of the state and the province challenged the private sector in each jurisdiction to take a leading role to "promote economic growth, encourage development and close cultural ties between the state of Massachusetts and the province of Nova Scotia."

The council is made up of leaders from the business, academic and public policy areas in the two communities. From Nova Scotia, they are: Steve Parker, chairman of the CCL Group; Dan Potter, chairman of Knowledge House; Jim Gogan, chairman of Empire Group; Robert Steele, president of Steele Chrysler; Bill Black, president and CEO of the Maritime Life Assurance Co.; and Karen Oldfield, chief of staff with the Office of the Premier. Representatives from Massachusetts include: Jay Cashman, chairman of the Cashman Group; Neal Finnegan, chairman of Citizens Bank; Lucille Salany, president of JH Media Ltd.; Peter Rollins, executive director of Boston College School of Business; and Alfred C. Angelone, chairman and CEO of ASA International.

The council chairman is Robert Shea, chairman of Shea Financial Group and a successful and distinguished member of the Massachusetts business and financial community. Mr Shea received his post-secondary education in Nova Scotia.

The council will end its first session by formally signing a memorandum of understanding to share information on economic and civic issues, provide liaison and support to prospective businesses interested in investment, and to facilitate access to each others' markets.

One of the key items contained in the memorandum is a provision to collaborate in developing products and services that could be jointly marketed to the rest of the world.

Addressing the council after the signing, Mr. Hamm said: "We look to you, the members of the Business Advisory Council to Massachusetts and Nova Scotia, to give leadership to that quest. We recognize the vast reservoir of experience and knowledge you represent and on behalf of the people of Nova Scotia, I want to thank you for your selfless commitment to this promising effort."

Mr. Hamm also thanked Mr. Cellucci and former Nova Scotia premier Russell MacLellan, "for their vision in initiating the discussions that led us here today."

Meetings will be held semi-annually, alternating between Nova Scotia and Massachusetts.