Atlantic Canada needs single economy to save 'burning platform', panel says
A new report calls for the four Atlantic provinces to function as one economy to address labour shortages and boost growth.
RIVERVIEW — A panel of business leaders says Atlantic Canada must unite as a single economy to become one of the country's most prosperous regions.
The Atlantic Economic Panel released a detailed report Friday calling for the four provinces to work together on economic transformation.
Former New Brunswick premier Frank McKenna said the region is a "burning platform" that needs saving.
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"We have a burning platform that will ensure there’s broad-based public support for really ambitious initiatives," McKenna told The Canadian Press.
The seven panellists warned the report would be worthless unless the provincial governments, businesses and residents of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador and Prince Edward Island take action.
The report says the region's economy suffers from low productivity, labour shortages and complex regulations and trade barriers.
As a result, the Atlantic region is not growing as quickly as other parts of Canada and has the country's most rapidly aging workforce.
David Dingwall, president of Cape Breton University, said population growth is the single most important issue facing the region.
"We have an aging population, more deaths than births, and nearly twice as many seniors as children," Dingwall said in a statement.
Dingwall criticized the federal government's move to limit the number of international students let into Canada over the past two years, saying they are needed for economic growth.
"They become health care professionals, educators, entrepreneurs, engineers, and technology leaders who strengthen our communities and help meet critical workforce needs," he said.
The 181-page report says the goal is to bring the provinces together to function as one economy for its 2.7 million residents while maintaining their own governments.
Each Atlantic province would be required to remove all trade and labour mobility barriers and present every major investment opportunity through a single regional investment platform.
The panel's one-economy strategy calls for delivering at least half of all major infrastructure projects through regional partnerships.
It also recommends creating a regional independent operator to run an integrated electricity system, doubling the number of businesses exporting to global markets and doubling exports to Europe.
McKenna said the plan is "doable" but urgent, adding he will push for political and business leaders to see the recommendations through.
"They’ve got a bit of a gift here, and it’s up to them to accept the baton that’s been passed to them and finish the race," McKenna said.
Sean Fraser, the federal minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency who commissioned the report in November 2025, agreed the time for change is now.
"Our ambition can’t be limited by our provincial borders. We have an opportunity to transform our enormous potential, at a time when the world is changing, into prosperity," Fraser told reporters Friday.
McKenna said the premiers should be motivated for change due to ongoing provincial budget deficits and damage from the Canada-U.S. trade war.
With files from The Canadian Press, CityNews and Global News