News Release

FREDERICTON (GNB) – Premier Brian Gallant will meet with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and federal ministers today.

Health care and the economy are among the issues to be discussed during the meetings.

“New Brunswickers want us to work with the federal government to strengthen our economy,” said Gallant. “These meetings offer an opportunity to discuss trade, population growth and health care.”

In addition to meeting with Trudeau, Gallant will meet with:

• Environment and Climate Change Minister Catherine McKenna;

• International Trade Minister François-Philippe Champagne;

• Canadian Heritage Minister Mélanie Joly; and

• Health Minister Jane Philpott.

From Ottawa, Gallant will travel to Toronto, where he will participate in meetings of the Southeastern United States-Canadian Provinces Alliance June 4-6. He will then travel to Washington for the Council of the Federation mission June 6-8. In both Toronto and Washington, the focus will be on New Brunswick’s trade relationship with the United States and building connections with other North American leaders.

“As Canada’s most export-oriented province, it is key that New Brunswick be at the table when trade and border issues are being discussed,” said Gallant. “The United States is our most important trading partner, and your government will do everything it can to strengthen that relationship.”

Softwood lumber will be a key discussion point during these meetings, as it is an important export for New Brunswick businesses. The industry contributes more than $1.45 billion to the provincial economy each year and employs more than 22,000 people.

The government recently announced actions aimed at protecting and promoting New Brunswick's forestry industry. These include calling for an immediate start to negotiations regarding softwood lumber countervailing duties; leading trade missions to targeted growth markets in Europe and China to help businesses diversify; and appointing David Wilkins, former United States ambassador to Canada, as New Brunswick’s special envoy on trade and softwood lumber.