News Release

MONTREAL (GNB) – Premier David Alward and Quebec Premier Pauline Marois held a successful meeting in Montreal today.

It was an opportunity for Alward to deal with several topics of mutual interest with Marois, including the impact of the federal government's changes to the Employment Insurance program on workers in Quebec and New Brunswick, the status of free trade negotiations between Canada and the European Union (Canada-European Union Trade and Economic Agreement), the organization of early childhood centres, and energy.

Alward informed Marois about his most recent visit to Western Canada and was eager to discuss the provincial government's support for a pipeline linking Alberta with New Brunswick.

Marois said that Quebec was not opposed to this initiative, but that more in-depth analysis was needed to ensure that everything was in place in order for the project to be able to serve both Quebec and New Brunswick interests.

"The Premier of New Brunswick spoke to me about a pipeline construction project today," Marois said. "We agreed that more information and analysis is required to ensure that all technical, environmental, and economic issues related to this project respond to the interests of Quebecers. We have agreed to form a working group on this matter."

The construction of the pipeline, assessed at over $5 billion, must clear several steps, including obtaining the approval of Quebec and the three other provinces it must cross.

"I would like to thank Premier Marois for the chance to meet once again to discuss important economic issues and opportunities to move our neighbouring provinces forward through projects like a West-East pipeline," said Alward. "I was able to report on my visit to meet with Alberta Premier Alison Redford as well as with industry leaders in Alberta, and we agreed to continue working together to learn more."

"I am looking forward to the information that will be gathered by the working group to help us better understand the scope of this important opportunity to drive job creation and innovation in our natural resources," said Alward.