Canada-U.S. Legislators Meeting in Halifax

Representatives of governments in Eastern Canada and the Northeastern United States will meet in Halifax beginning today, Oct. 21, to Sunday, Oct. 23.

Nova Scotia is hosting the 2005 executive meeting of the Council of State Governments Eastern Regional Conference. This is the first time the meeting is being held in Canada.

Delaware governor Ruth Ann Minner, president of the national Council of State Governments, will participate in the meeting. Other participants include state legislators, state senators, members of provincial legislatures, as well as speakers of state and provincial legislatures.

"We were honoured that Nova Scotia was chosen to host this Canada-U.S. group," said Murray Scott, Speaker of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly and a conference co-chair. "The meeting allows us to highlight Nova Scotia, as well as discuss issues of importance to all governments in Eastern Canada and the Northeastern United States."

Issues to be discussed at the meeting include: energy and environment, agriculture, transportation, and trade.

Previous meetings have explored such topics as the functioning of a secure Canada-U.S. border to allow smoother travel, trade and tourism.

The sessions begin this afternoon, Oct. 21, and wrap up on Sunday morning.