Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston, New Brunswick Premier Blaine HIggs, PEI Premer Dennis King and Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey. Image: Government of Nova Scotia Twitter.
The Council of Atlantic Premiers wrapped up their first in-person meeting since 2019 in Halifax covering a wide range of topics including energy, healthcare and Ukraine.
A shortage of healthcare workers in all provinces was discussed.
New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs said they discussed Atlantic-based solutions to the similar problems each province faces.
“‘How can we manage a healthcare system that gives the best service to our citizens within the guise of the demands that are on the healthcare system across the country?,'” Higgs said.
Higgs said the premiers are not in competition.
“I feel a sense of camaraderie here that has only been enhanced by our shared experience in the Atlantic bubble,” Higgs said.
Higgs called the meeting atmosphere “great” adding he thinks the premiers are building on past cooperation.
Newfoundland and Labrador Premier, Dr. Andrew Furey, said they had a good conversation about how they can speak with their respective chief medical officers of health to do a post-mortem on the pandemic response.
“To look at lessons learned and perhaps build on that towards a more robust, regional approach to any future pandemics,” Furey said.
New Brunswick’s Blaine Higgs said they spoke about the shared vacancies they have in healthcare.
“What areas can we focus on where we lost ground? Can we share services? Can we develop a pattern of certification?,” Higgs said.
He said they had great discussions with Federal Immigration Minister Sean Casey on Monday about creating as similarities as possible to make it easier to work in each province.
“We are looking at simplifying the process to expedite the process,” Higgs said.
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