Joint Letter to New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt and Governor of Maine Janet Mills

Hon. Susan Holt, Premier, Province of New Brunswick
Minister responsible for Official Languages
Province of New Brunswick
Chancery Place
P.O.Box 6000
Fredericton, NB
E3B 5H1

Governor Janet Mills
One State House Station,
Augusta, Maine
04333

Joint Letter to New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt and Governor of Maine Janet Mills

Re: Strengthening Canada-US Relations

Dear Premier Susan Holt and Governor Janet Mills,

The Chambers of Commerce of Fredericton, Greater Moncton, and Saint John Region with the Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce write to you today to express our unwavering commitment to the robust and enduring partnership between Canada and the United States. This letter aims to highlight the importance of our relationship and the mutual benefits it brings to both nations.

A strong Canada-US relationship is in the best interest of both of our countries, as it is built on mutual prosperity and shared principles. Our priority must be to foster and highlight the long standing and beneficial partnership that has historically existed between Canada and the United States. It is vital that we work together to inform our citizens of the benefits of this partnership and to protect its values.

Most specifically, the potential consequences of imposed tariffs will cause economic harm to
Americans and Canadians alike. Through cooperative efforts, we can ensure that our shared economic and democratic values continue to thrive, benefiting both nations on a global scale. For
example, tariffs on Canadian goods will lead to increased costs for Maine businesses, affecting
their competitiveness and profitability. Businesses in the hospitality sector are equally concerned about a reduction in Canadian visitors as a result of the tariffs.

We applaud the work of you and your offices aimed at strengthening Canada-U.S. relations.
Premier Susan Holt led a delegation of New Brunswick business leaders on a three-day mission to
Washington, D.C., emphasizing the region’s shared goals and close collaboration with New England governors and eastern Canadian premiers. Governor Mills has expressed strong concern regarding the economic impact of tariffs, highlighting the intertwined nature of our economies and the reliance on Canadian energy sources.

From your positive responses to this recent series of events, we look forward to continuing our
collaboration with both of your esteemed offices to further strengthen the ties that bind our
nations and to promote the economic and democratic principles that we hold dear. The last significant disruption to our connectiveness was forced upon us by the global pandemic,which led to the closure of the border and imposed an unprecedented disconnect between our nations. This period of separation underscored the depth of our interdependence and the vital importance of our relationship. We were profoundly relieved when the border was finally reopened.

Governor Mills expressed this sentiment eloquently in her response to the decision to reopen the Canadian border, stating, “For too long, the closed border with our Canadian neighbors has made it difficult, if not impossible, for cross-border families to see one another, and it has trained our local small businesses and our state’s tourism industry. I applaud the Administration for heeding my call and that of Maine’s Congressional Delegation by reopening the border with Canada in a safe way.”

Our nations have supported shared principles in times of war, tragedy, and crisis, and we have
celebrated successes of cooperation in times of triumph and prosperity. The Province of New
Brunswick and the State of Maine are connected geographically, emotionally, and especially
economically. We work together in the security of our borders, in welcoming tourists, family, and friends who connect daily, and in supporting businesses that grow together. We have a strong history of cooperation and working together across international lines for the betterment of our economies.

Take, for example, The Madawaska-Edmundston International Bridge, over 100 years old and deteriorating, a plan was constructed in cooperation to replace it with a new bridge. The project, managed by MaineDOT with support from New Brunswick’s DTI and federal agencies, began in 2021 and includes upgrades to CBSA facilities.

We can all do our part to identify the value of New Brunswick, Atlantic Canada, the State of Maine, and all New England partners, products, businesses, organizations, and institutions. Highlighting them locally and across the world is essential. Any disruptions, based on fears, distractions, or mutually destructive tariffs, will harm the hard-earned successes and momentum of our national and local economies. We close by stating again and committing our support to foster and highlight the long-standing and beneficial partnership that has historically existed between Canada and the United States.

We present our readiness to support your efforts.

Sincerely,

Morgan Peters, CEO, Fredericton Chamber of Commerce
Deb Neuman, President and CEO, Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce
Kim Wilson, CEO, The Chamber of Commerce for Greater Moncton
Shannon Merrifield, CEO, Saint John Region Chamber of Commerce