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Conference of Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Governors and Premiers Newsletter Available

The Conference of Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Governors and Premiers is pleased to announce that the November 2016 edition of its newsletter, THE COMPASS, is now available for download at http://www.cglslgp.org/newsletters/

Highlights in this issue of THE COMPASS:

* A Message from Conference Chair Michigan Governor Rick Snyder
* Conference Awarded for Maritime Initiative
* Conference to Lead Trade Missions to Southeast Asia and Mexico
* Regional Body and Compact Council to Hold December Meetings in Columbus
* Ontario Invasive Species Act Boosts Regional Protection
* Great Lakes USA Holds Annual Meeting

First-Ever Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Maritime Strategy Released

On June 15, the Conference of Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Governors and Premiers released the first-ever regional strategy to jumpstart the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence maritime transportation system. Once fully implemented, the strategy will help grow the region’s maritime sector, which already contributes more than US$30 billion to the US and Canadian economies and accounts for more than 220,000 jobs.  The States and Provinces will work with other levels of government, industry and other stakeholders to advance implementation of the strategy.

Final Strategy for the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Maritime Transportation System

Full Press Release

Communiqué de presse complet en français

Economy of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Region Set to Continue Expansion in 2016

A special report released on June 16, 2016 finds that the economy of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence region will build on 2015 growth of over 2% and continue its expansion in the current year.  Growth will be fueled by bright spots in manufacturing, housing and consumer expansion, among others.  Still, some longer-term issues remain for the region’s economy.  Labor costs are in focus as the factory sector seeks to remain competitive, while productivity growth has slowed; demographic headwinds are blowing; and policymakers are working to keep finances in order, as well as facilitating cross-border trade flows.

The Conference of Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Governors and Premiers and BMO Capital Markets jointly developed the report to assess the regional economy and its competitiveness.  This is the first assessment of its kind for the region which includes the eight U.S. States of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin and the two Canadian Provinces of Ontario and Québec.  The region’s economic output is estimated at $5.8 trillion which would rank as the third largest economy in the world if it were a country.

2016 Special Report on the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Regional Economy

Full Press Release

Conference of Great Lakes & St. Lawrence Governors and Premiers Recognized for International Trade Efforts

On April 8, 2016, the Conference of Great Lakes & St. Lawrence Governors and Premiers received the prestigious National Association of Small Business International Trade Educators (NASBITE) Advancing International Trade Award at the organization’s annual conference in Newport, Rhode Island.  The award recognizes the dedication and service of those who are advancing international trade in each State in the U.S. as well as Canada and Mexico.

In partnership with its Member States and Provinces, the Conference has developed a creative, innovative and successful international trade program that is uniquely boosting regional exports.  For more information on the trade program, click HERE.

 
The Conference's Zoë Munro & David Naftzger accepting the NASBITE Advancing International Trade Award in Newport, Rhode Island

2015-2016 Conference Annual Report Available

The Conference's 2015-2016 Annual Report is now available.  In 2015, our region’s Governors and Premiers launched a new era of collaboration by creating the Conference of Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Governors and Premiers. The ten chief executives are now united as equal partners to grow the region’s $5 trillion economy and protect the world’s largest system of surface fresh water. This new structure fully integrates the Premiers of Ontario and Québec, and builds on more than 30 years of work by the Council of Great Lakes Governors.

Over the past twelve months, the Conference has tackled a diverse and ambitious agenda. This work began with the Governors’ and Premiers’ 2015 Leadership Summit in Québec City and the unveiling of the Conference’s new brand and website. Since then, the Conference has led regional partnerships to grow our economy by expanding international trade and tourism, and clusters including maritime commerce. The Conference has also led the region’s work to protect and restore the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence, protect our water supply and combat non-native aquatic species.

Upcoming Trade Missions Set to Propel Regional Exports

The Conference will be leading multi-State/Provincial trade missions to several exciting markets in coming months:

• Indonesia and Vietnam: February 27-March 3, 2017
• Mexico: April 3-7, 2017

More information on the trade missions can be found HERE.