Flu planning a focus of premiers, governors

Atlantic premiers and New England governors are expected to revive a cross-border committee on public health emergencies to discuss regional responses to a possible swine flu pandemic.

The committee, originally formed to develop a system to prepare for events such as a flu pandemic, has been inactive in recent years.

"We're bringing that committee back into action again because of the H1N1 virus outbreak," said New Brunswick Premier Shawn Graham, who will co-chair the New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers conference, being held in Saint John.

"We know that the pandemic preparedness that's being undertaken, information must be shared on both sides of the border. The virus doesn't stop because of the Canada-U.S. border."

New Brunswick public health officials said last week that they expect the virus to hit the province earlier and harder than originally anticipated.

An estimated 30 per cent of New Brunswickers will be infected.

Energy, environment also key topics

The annual meeting will also focus on energy and environmental issues.

One issue that will be raised is the plan by New Brunswick and Maine to develop an energy corridor that would move electricity and natural gas from Atlantic Canada to the power-hungry states of New England and New York.

Graham and Maine Gov. John Baldacci first announced in March their plan to explore the energy corridor idea.

Graham said in an interview that he expected there would be opposition to these plans.

But he said he believes high-level meetings, such as the ones this week, can make things happen.

"Our connectivity to the New England market is critical. And to have a number of these influential decision-makers in our province and in our Port City can only bring positive results in the future," Graham said.

David Coon, the policy director of the New Brunswick Conservation Council, said the conference has also been a forum where leaders have made substantive policy announcements to tackle climate change. 

"Last year, they all committed to double the use of public transportation in their jurisdictions," Coon said.

The premiers of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador and Quebec will be attending, along with the governors of Maine, Vermont and Rhode Island.

Mass. Gov. Deval Patrick is recovering from surgery, but Lt.-Gov. Timothy Murray will represent him.

The governors of New Hampshire and Connecticut will not attend this year's conference.