Former N.B. minister calls for energy collaboration in Atlantic Canada

Former New Brunswick Energy minister Mike Holland discusses collaboration in Atlantic Canada.

Mike Holland, the former energy minister for New Brunswick, is calling for more collaboration in Atlantic Canada when it comes to electricity.

“It’s a very diverse makeup of opportunity in Atlantic Canada,” he told CTV News Atlantic’s Todd Battis on Wednesday. “There are differing and complementing energy strategies.

“In this region, we have the opportunity to come together on these energy projects.”

Holland was appointed as minister of energy in 2018 and held that position until he resigned from the role and the New Brunswick legislature a few months before the 2024 provincial election.

He now serves as vice president for Atlantic Canada for Sussex Strategy Group, a public affairs firm.

In an article for Sussex, Holland noted each Atlantic Canadian province has their own energy assets, from New Brunswick’s nuclear power to Nova Scotia’s work with wind energy development, to P.E.I.’s commitment to renewable energy generation, to Newfoundland and Labrador’s hydroelectric power.

“The Atlantic region makes up the eastern portion of the country and coming together on these projects could be significant,” he said. “It naturally looks like there’s synergies there.

“I think there’s a case to be made for these jurisdictions to sit down and collaborate.”