On February 12, 2008, Sean Graham, the Premier of New Brunswick, addressed both the Maine Legislature and Maine Tourism professionals at the Annual 2008 Governor's Conference in Bangor Maine at the invitation of Maine’s Governor, John Baldacci.
Premier Graham’s speech emphasized that Maine and New Brunswick share similar issues relating to common cultural, demographic ties of family and communities. He stated that he has set a goal of a self – sufficient New Brunswick by 2026. He stated that to achieve this means forming new partnerships at home and beyond our borders and joint marketing initiatives in the United States market to encourage visitors in Maine to continue on to New Brunswick, and to entice those who have visited in the past, or are planning a first visit to Maine, to be intrigued by the concept of a “two-nation vacation”. Expanded linkages between business, industry, energy, education and recreational interests are goals that both Premier Graham and Governor Baldacci have been set down in a joint memorandum of understanding to increase
inter-jurisdictional co-operation between the state and province.
On a personal note, Premier Graham challenged Governor Baldacci to reach a new peak in their respective political careers by together climbing the highest mountain peaks in Maine and New Brunswick. “ We will see first-hand the highlights of the International Appalachian Trail and I am looking forward to join the Governor to climb Mount Katahdin in Maine and Mount Carlton in New Brunswick”
Premier Graham acknowledged the International Appalachian Trail (IAT) before the Maine State Legislature and Bangor Chamber of Commerce. Both the Premier and the Governor greeted and congratulated Dick Anderson as IAT/SIA founder at a luncheon for Premier Graham at the Governors mansion in Augusta.
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