Don Reid

Chair, Atlantic Provinces Chambers of Commerce

Atlantic Provinces Chambers of Commerce (APCC) represents over 16,000 businesses through its alliance of more than 100 local chambers of commerce and boards of trade across Atlantic Canada. APCC supports Irving Shipbuilding in its bid for the National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy because many of our members will directly benefit if the contract is awarded to our region.

Regional cooperation and collaboration are vital to the economic prosperity of our region, and Irving has exemplified this in its past use of suppliers, not only from Nova Scotia, but from the remaining three Atlantic Provinces, with a resulting economic benefit to those provinces. At APCC we’re confident a successful bid would generate much greater economic advantages for our region. In addition, the supply chain and indirect economic benefits that would be generated throughout the rest of the country make Halifax the ideal location.

The long-term benefits, possibly over the next 30 years, provide a true opportunity for stability, growth, and prosperity in our region. The potential direct and indirect benefits would have a positive and resounding impact on business, population, and communities throughout the Atlantic Provinces. APCC is an avid proponent of Atlantic Prosperity – regional collaboration and cooperation for the economic prosperity of Atlantic Canada – and our organization believes a successful bid would make great strides in helping to accomplish this.

Don Reid
Chair, Atlantic Provinces Chambers of Commerce