April 3, 2025 — In light of the April 2, 2025 tariffs imposed by the United States, Maritime provinces have begun looking domestically for new trade partners.
A significant step toward regional economic collaboration is the Chambers of Commerce representing Atlantic Canada’s four capital cities (New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland, and Novascotia).
Just a day later on April 3, 2025 each convened virtually to address interprovincial trade barriers.
Co-hosted by the Halifax Chamber of Commerce, Fredericton Chamber of Commerce, Charlottetown Chamber of Commerce, and The Board of Trade (St. John’s), the virtual roundtable underscored the importance of joint consultation to:
- Identify current regulatory obstacles
- Emulate proven best practices
- Implement operational efficiencies
With the overall aim of the meeting to explore strategies for regulatory harmonization and enhanced economic competitiveness across the region.
Participants represented a range of sectors—including construction, transportation and logistics, hospitality, post-secondary education, and alcohol production—all directly impacted by interprovincial regulations.
Through ongoing collaboration, the Chambers aim to:
- Address unnecessary regulatory barriers
- Share and implement effective policy models
- Improve operational efficiencies region-wide
The roundtable featured prominent voices from across the region, each contributing unique insights into the challenges and opportunities facing their respective sectors.
A key topic of discussion was how harmonization can directly benefit students and recent graduates across Atlantic Canada.
The Brunswickan reached out to Morgan Peters, CEO of the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce and UNB Alumni.
When asked, “how do you see this interprovincial trade initiative creating new opportunities or for students and recent graduates?
Peters responded, “our provinces have yet to stabilize population growth, so attracting and retaining people is essential for today’s and tomorrow’s workforce.”
He iterated Fredericton’s potential, “the knowledge industry underpins every other industry, supported by post-secondary institutions that drive societal progress, population retention, and workforce innovation.”
In Canada, there are two tiers of knowledge industry.
Tier I – a narrow band of science and technology-based firms, composed of knowledge
producers; and
Tier II – a broad band of “high knowledge” firms which, based on measures of research and development and knowledge worker inputs, could be considered to be business innovators and high-knowledge users.
Specifically in Fredericton as the ‘knowledge capital’ and one of the world’s top seven Intelligent Communities, we hold a responsibility to not just share knowledge, but, also, leverage our unique position as a city backed and fueled by the numerous local academic institutions in order to best navigate current challenges imposed by tariffs.
Peters elaborated, “attracting students, providing them with high-quality education and support, and helping them find meaningful employment—during and after their studies—aligns with broader goals for growth.”
Roundtable Participants in Full
New Brunswick
- Fredericton Chamber of Commerce
- Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of New Brunswick (APEGNB)
- Bella Hospitality Group
- AV Group NB
- Picaroons Brewing Company
- New Brunswick Community College
Nova Scotia
- Halifax Chamber of Commerce
- Construction Association of Nova Scotia
- Wineries Nova Scotia
- Lighthouse Transportation Inc.
- Atlantic Economic Council
Prince Edward Island
- Charlottetown Chamber of Commerce
- PEI BioAlliance
- PEI Construction Association
- Amalgamated Dairies Ltd.
Newfoundland & Labrador
- The Board of Trade (St. John’s)
- Ocean Choice International
- PF Collins International Trade Solutions
- Newfoundland & Labrador Construction Association
- East Can Transport Services Ltd.
- Crosbie Group
As the Chambers continue this cross-provincial collaboration, future discussions are expected to build on the momentum of Thursday’s meeting.
The shared goal remains clear: to cultivate a unified Atlantic economy that is well-positioned for sustainable growth, innovation, and long-term success amid these uncertain economic times.
