Media Release
Fredericton To Host Atlantic Mayors' Congress October 23-25
(Thursday, October 23/08) Mayors from New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island will gather in Fredericton from October 23-25, as the city hosts the Atlantic Mayors' Congress (AMC).
"The AMC provides our mayors with invaluable insights and opportunities to work together for the benefit of the entire region," said AMC Chair Peter Kelly, Mayor of Halifax Regional Municipality. "We can and do learn a great deal from one another, and together we create a formidable force to advocate on behalf of all Atlantic Canadian municipalities."
The AMC was established by Mayor Kelly in November 2001 to provide mayors from the four Atlantic provinces a forum for working together as a united front on common issues, particularly in dealings with the federal and provincial governments.
"I'm looking forward to welcoming my fellow mayors from across Atlantic Canada to Fredericton," said Fredericton Mayor Brad Woodside. "A lot of work has gone into preparing an agenda that will engage participants in valuable discussions about issues affecting municipalities in this region of the country."
Topics and speakers include:
Thursday, October 23
· Fredericton's "Smart City" success story, Don Fitzgerald, Team Fredericton Executive Director (private function)
Friday, October 24, Fredericton City Hall (except evening function)
· Breakfast with Fredericton NHL legend Willie O'Ree and the Stanley Cup (8:30 am)
· Opening remarks, Mayor Kelly, AMC Chair, Mayor Woodside, Fredericton (9 am)
· Federal election impact on municipalities, Brock Carlton, CEO of Federation of Canadian Municipalities (9:15 am)
· 2008 election promises regarding defense and transportation, Mayor Leo Abbass, Happy Valley-Goose Bay NL (10:30 am)
· "Buy Atlantic," Warden Fred Whalen, Kings County, NS (10:30 am)
· Leading edge technology in the May 2008 municipal elections, Michael Quinn, NB Chief Electoral Officer (11:30)
· Luncheon with Bruce Howatt, Aliant Vice President-PEI (12:15 pm)
· Climate Change and Fredericton's "Green Matters" campaign, Peter Corbyn, Green Nexxus (1:45 pm)
· Portage Atlantic, Brenda Sansom, Portage Atlantic Board Member; Peter Vamos, Portage Atlantic Executive Director, and Jennifer Christie, parent of a Portage Atlantic graduate (3:30 pm)
· The importance of arts to vibrant communities, Bernard Riordon, CEO of the Beaverbrook Art Gallery (private function)
Saturday, October 25, Fredericton City Hall
· Fredericton's "Good Neighbours, Good Neighbourhoods" campaign, Joanne Thomson, Fredericton Community Liaison Coordinator (9 am)
· Additional topics arising from discussions, Atlantic mayors, (9:45 am)
Media are welcome to attend all events, excluding the noted private functions. Please note, times are approximate and subject to change.
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Mayor Peter Kelly, AMC Chair
ph: 902-490-4010
cell: 902-222-9999
Wayne Knorr
Communications Coordinator, City of Fredericton
ph: 506-460-2181
John White
Communications, Ville de Fredericton
506-460-2227
