A former New Brunswick Premier, Frank McKenna, has emphasized the urgent need for a unified economic strategy across Atlantic Canada, describing the region as a 'burning platform' that requires immediate action. McKenna, who served as Liberal premier from 1987 to 1997, spoke during the release of a detailed report by the Atlantic Economic Panel, which advocates for the four Atlantic provinces—Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Prince Edward Island—to function as a single economic entity. The report highlights significant challenges facing the region, including low productivity, labor shortages, complex regulations, and trade barriers that hinder business agility. These issues have contributed to slower economic growth compared to other Canadian regions and an aging workforce, with more seniors than children in the population. David Dingwall, president of Cape Breton University, stressed the critical need for population growth to address labor shortages, criticizing federal policies that limit international student numbers, which he argues are essential for filling workforce gaps in healthcare, education, and technology sectors. The panel's recommendations include removing trade and labor mobility barriers, creating a regional investment platform, delivering half of major infrastructure projects through regional partnerships, and doubling exports to global markets, particularly Europe. Federal Minister Sean Fraser, who commissioned the report, echoed the call for collaboration, stating that ambition should not be limited by provincial borders. McKenna expressed confidence that the proposed strategy is 'doable' but stressed the urgency of implementation, urging political and business leaders to embrace the recommendations. The report, spanning 181 pages, underscores the necessity of collective action to transform the Atlantic region into one of Canada's most prosperous areas, leveraging its workforce and resources as a cohesive unit. With ongoing provincial budget deficits and the impact of the Canada-U.S. trade war, the region faces a pivotal moment to redefine its economic trajectory. The panel warns that without immediate action, the report's recommendations will remain ineffective, emphasizing that the time for change is now.