PORTLAND — Gov. Paul LePage and New Brunswick Premier David Alward have signed an agreement outlining greater collaboration between the state and provincial governments on economic issues.
LePage’s office said in a statement Monday that representatives from Maine and New Brunswick will form a new joint committee to carry out the goals of the new agreement, which include boosting employment, increasing trade and tourism and working together on issues related to transportation, energy and emergency preparedness.
A copy of the memorandum was not immediately available.
The governor said the agreement is the first of its kind signed with New Brunswick. In July 2010, then Gov. John Baldacci and Shawn Graham, then premier of New Brunswick, signed a memorandum of understanding to promote cultural exchange between the regions and to collaborate on organization of the World Acadian Congress taking place throughout the St. John Valley, western New Brunswick and the Temiscouata region of Quebec in August.
LePage signed a similar agreement to cooperate on economic issues with Pauline Marois, premier of the province of Quebec, last year.
The agreement specifies that the provincial government and Maine should discuss production of hydropower and biomass energy.
Also on Monday, Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick and Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin were to come to Maine to support Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mike Michaud.
Alward, like LePage, is up for re-election this fall.
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