The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway, today announced the Government of Canada’s investment of $519,100 to support the work of the Atlantic Gateway Advisory Council over the next two years.
“The Atlantic Gateway Advisory Council is a key part of the strategic development of Canada’s Atlantic Gateway,” said Minister MacKay of the council, which is made up of business leaders who advise governments on the ongoing development of Canada’s Atlantic Gateway. “Their private sector perspective is fundamentally important to informing the work that we in government are doing to develop Atlantic Canada’s competitiveness.”
The funding from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency supports the strategic goals of the council, including informing government with private sector views and experience, identifying competitiveness issues to encourage growth in trade, and providing private sector input into the implementation of the Atlantic Gateway Strategy
“We will continue to work with Minister MacKay, the other gateway councils in Atlantic Canada, and gateway stakeholders to improve the competitiveness of the Atlantic Gateway,” said Wes Armour, Chair of the Atlantic Gateway Advisory Council and CEO of Armour Transportation Systems. “This funding will help us to carry out this important mandate. From a private sector perspective, it is refreshing to see governments working in such close collaboration with business.”
The Atlantic Gateway is an integral part of Canada’s international trade and transportation system and offers opportunities for promoting economic growth in the Atlantic region, and for boosting Canada’s access to, and competitiveness in, global markets.
FOR BROADCAST USE:
The Minister of National Defence and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway, Peter MacKay, today announced over $519,100 in federal government funding to support the work of the Atlantic Gateway Advisory Council. Minister MacKay called the Council a key part of the strategic development of the Atlantic Gateway whose private sector perspective informs the work governments are doing. The funding from ACOA supports the strategic goals of the council, including informing government actions with private sector views and experience from across the region.
Chris Brooks
Senior Communications Officer
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
902-426-4790
David Oxner
Executive Director,
Atlantic Gateway Advisory Council
902- 482-7094
