Canada-France Regional Joint Cooperation Commission between Atlantic Canada and Saint-Pierre and Miquelon highlights accomplishments at annual meeting.
November 26, 2014 – Charlottetown, PEI – Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)
Atlantic Canadian business, community and government stakeholders are meeting in Charlottetown this week with their counterparts from the French archipelago of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon to mark the 20th anniversary of formal cooperation between the two regions, highlight recent accomplishments, and identify opportunities for further collaboration.
Created as part of an agreement between France and Canada, the Canada-France Regional Joint Cooperation Commission between Atlantic Canada and Saint-Pierre and Miquelon works to identify and implement mutually beneficial opportunities for cooperation in areas including economic and trade relations, security, tourism, agriculture, aquaculture, environment, education and culture, as well as health.
Recent accomplishments underscore the increasing strength of the partnership between the two regions, including the establishment of an Economic Information Observatory at the Université de Moncton’s Shippagan campus that provides insight to businesses in both regions to support economic growth, as well as direct access to France and Europe for Atlantic Canadian entrepreneurs. In addition, the first-ever Atlantic Canada – Saint-Pierre and Miquelon Business Conference was recently held in Halifax, which helped businesses from both regions to explore new partnerships and investment opportunities in light of the upcoming Canada-European Union Trade Agreement.
The work of the Joint Commission is leading to tangible benefits beyond economic development as well, including projects to increase cooperation in the areas of pandemic preparedness, search and rescue and marine protection.
Quick Facts:
- In 1994, Canada and France signed an agreement to foster regional co-operation between the Atlantic provinces and Saint-Pierre and Miquelon. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the agreement, which created the Regional Joint Cooperation Commission between Atlantic Canada and Saint-Pierre and Miquelon. ACOA is the Canadian co-chair on behalf of the Government of Canada.
- The Joint Commission supports the goals of the Canada-France Enhanced Cooperation Agenda, announced by Prime Minister Stephen Harper and President François Hollande in June 2013, as well as the recently launched 2014-2015 Canada-France Joint Economic Action Plan.
- Saint-Pierre and Miquelon is an archipelago located 25 kilometres southwest of Newfoundland and Labrador’s Burin Peninsula. The islands are home to 6,500 inhabitants.
- In 2016, the archipelago will be celebrating the bicentennial of its return to France through activities organized by the Association Celebrations 2016.
- In 2013, exports from Atlantic Canada to Saint-Pierre and Miquelon were worth over $12.5 million, continuing an ongoing upward trend since 2006.
- France is Canada’s eight-largest trading partner.
Quotes:
“Our Government is committed to reinforcing its long-standing and historic ties with France, building on the recent successful state visit by President François Hollande. The work of the Atlantic Canada – Saint-Pierre and Miquelon Joint Commission supports these efforts by enhancing relations with our European neighbours, while also helping to provide Atlantic companies with increasing opportunities to access markets in France and elsewhere in Europe. This is especially significant in the context of the historic Canada-EU Trade Agreement, which will open new markets throughout the EU for Canadian exporters and generate significant benefits for all Canadians.”
- The Honourable Rob Moore, Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency)
Backgrounder
The Canada-France Regional Joint Cooperation Commission between Atlantic Canada and Saint-Pierre and Miquelon is mandated to examine opportunities for cooperation and to implement regional cooperation projects in a variety of areas. These files are overseen by an administrative committee and six sub-committees covering health, economic and trade relations, security, tourism, agriculture, aquaculture and the environment, as well as education and culture. The Canadian portion of the committee is comprised of members from the federal and Atlantic provincial governments, as well as from community groups.
The Joint Commission supports the goals of the Canada-France Enhanced Cooperation Agenda, announced by Prime Minister Stephen Harper and President François Hollande in June 2013. The cooperation agenda devotes a full section to regional cooperation between Atlantic Canada and Saint-Pierre and Miquelon, stating that the two countries will: “continue the new dynamic in regional cooperation between Saint-Pierre and Miquelon and the Atlantic provinces, through the engagement of federal, provincial and local stakeholders [and…] support the development of strong social and economic ties between Canadian and Saint-Pierre and Miquelon civil society organizations.”
The Joint Commission’s s efforts are also aligned with the 2014-2015 Canada-France Joint Economic Action Plan, which was launched by Prime Minister Harper and President Hollande in November 2014 and stems from the Canada-France Enhanced Cooperation Agenda. The Action plan focuses on three key objectives: supporting Canadian and French companies in business development and market access; strengthening economic cooperation in competitiveness through cooperation in science and technology and innovation; and, assisting businesses to take full advantage of the Canada-EU Trade Agreement.
Since its creation, the Joint Commission has held 16 meetings, generally once a year, to approve the selection of major projects and to update members on project outcomes. Diplomatic meetings are also held as part of the Joint Commission’s work to allow representatives from both countries to address various issues.
The annual budget for the Joint Commission’s projects is shared equally between ACOA and the Prefecture of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon, with each side investing approximately $150,000. This is in addition to funding by the provinces and other Government of Canada departments and agencies.
Joint Commission meetings alternate between the two countries. Canada hosted a meeting of the Administrative Committee from April 14-16, 2014, in Summerside, Prince Edward Island, and this week is hosting the 16th Joint Regional Cooperation Commission in Charlottetown. The Administrative Committee will meet again in the spring of 2015 to evaluate and approve new major projects.
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Contacts:
Kelsie Corey
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Rob Moore
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
613-941-7241
Ronald Levesque
A/Senior Communications Officer
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
506-851-2085
ronald.levesque@acoa-apeca.gc.ca
