Looking to shore up border relations, Mills plans Canada visit

Photo / Courtesy of Adobe Stock Gov. Janet Mills will travel to Canada next week to strengthen cross-border relationships.

Write a Comment

By Alexis Wells

Amid the U.S. trade war with Canada, Gov. Janet Mills announced plans to travel to Canada's Atlantic provinces next week to strengthen cross-border relationships.

Mills made the announcement at Monday's summit between Northeast governors and Canadian premiers at the Massachusetts State House in Boston.

Plans call for Mills to stop in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.

Mills plans to promote Maine as a destination for Canadian tourists and to strengthen relationships and economic ties.

Details regarding the governor's trip, including meetings with New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt and Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston, will be released by the governor's office later this week.

"Maine has long enjoyed a special relationship with our Canadian neighbors," Mills said in a statement. "As summer begins, I look forward to visiting New Brunswick and Nova Scotia to showcase everything Maine has to offer — from our beautiful coastline and vibrant downtowns to our world-class food, outdoor recreation and welcoming communities. We want Canadians to know: Maine is open and excited to welcome you."

Canadian visitors are an important part of Maine's tourism economy. According to the Maine Office of Tourism, an estimated 800,000 Canadian visitors spent $497.7 million in Maine last year.

In March, hotel owners in Old Orchard Beach, a popular destination for Canadian tourists, told Mainebiz that they were already seeing the impacts of fewer Canadian visitors. Several hotels reported lower booking numbers.