Thursday, February 4, 2010

Saint John Board of Trade supports the revised agreement on energy between the governments of New Brunswick and Quebec

On January 12th, the Saint John Board of Trade identified six recommendations which it would like to see incorporated into the final agreement concerning the proposed sale of NB Power to Hydro Quebec. Since its release, a number of the concerns have been substantially addressed in the revised agreement released on January 20th (including Heritage Pool Supply, NB Power Service and Maintenance Levels, and Municipal Utilities).

With the Saint John Board of Trade’s mission statement and mandate as their guiding principles (To contribute to a productive economic environment for business in Saint John. To provide encouragement, assistance and guidance for established enterprises, or those aspiring to become established in business) the Board of Trade’s Energy Task Force undertook a review of the revised agreement. “As part of our review the Task Force and members of the Board of Directors considered the report and recommendations made by the Advisory Panel and met with Minister Keir and members of the Advisory Panel” said J. Michael Murphy, Chair of the Saint John Board of Trade’s Energy Task Force.

The Saint John Board of Trade supports the revised agreement and believes it is in the best interest of its members.

“The Saint John Board of Trade strongly encourages the Government of New Brunswick to consider the recommendations made by the Advisory Panel in its Report, specifically regarding the investment in energy efficiency and demand side management, the strengthening of the regulatory framework, and the creation of a comprehensive Energy Policy for the Province of New Brunswick” stated Imelda Gilman, President of the Saint John Board of Trade.

The Saint John Board of Trade is a nationally accredited business organization dedicated to fostering an economic climate that enhances growth, prosperity, and an improved quality of life in the community. With more than 1,000 members, representing 600 small, medium, and large businesses and organizations and therefore, the interests of more than 30,000 citizens, the Board is a dynamic advocate and the principal voice for the business community of Greater Saint John. The elected Board of Directors is representative of the diversity of the membership and their concerns.