One Atlantic region economy needed to save 'burning platform,' ex-N. B. premier says

A former New Brunswick premier says a newly proposed single economy for Atlantic Canada is needed to save a region he described as a “burning platform.”

Frank McKenna, who served as Liberal premier from 1987 to 1997, made the comment as a panel of business leaders said the four Atlantic provinces should work together on economic transformation.

The Atlantic Economic Panel in a detailed report released Friday said it could become one of the country’s most prosperous regions if it leverages its workforce and resources as one economy.

The seven panellists warned, however, that the report would be worthless unless the provincial governments, businesses and residents of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador and Prince Edward Island take action.