SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. - Efforts by the federal government to stimulate the country's slumping economy must accelerate programs already announced and invest in projects being started by the provinces, the Atlantic premiers said Monday.
"Rather than creating some new national program that may take a year for the dollars to start flowing, there's an opportunity now to be flexible and to dovetail into our existing programs and allow that accelerated investment immediately," said New Brunswick Premier Shawn Graham.
Prince Edward Island Premier Robert Ghiz, New Brunswick Premier Shawn Graham, left, and Nova Scotia Premier Rodney MacDonald, right, share a laugh at the start of a news conference during a meeting of Atlantic premiers in Summerside, P.E.I., on Monday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan
His comments came as three of the four Atlantic premiers wrapped up a one-day meeting in Summerside that focused on the state of the economy.
"Let's respond as quickly as we can," said Shawn Skinner, minister of innovation, trade and rural development for Newfoundland and Labrador.
"People need it. We need to restore confidence in our people, in our economies, and one of the best ways to do that is by governments investing in our infrastructure."
Newfoundland Premier Danny Williams was unable to attend the meeting because of a snow and wind storm that lashed the region.
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