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Prof. Criner addresses the Maine-Quebec Trade Mission February 13, 2004 Quebec City, Que.

Professor George Criner of the Department of Resource Economics and Policy, participated in a recent Maine-Quebec trade mission (February 12 - 14) in Quebec City. Other Maine participants included Governor Baldacci, legislators, private businessmen and women, and various agency representatives. Participating in one or more of the mission events were various Quebec dignitaries including the Quebec Premier Jean Charest, the Quebec city mayor, Jean-Paul l'Allier, legislators, private businessmen and women, and various agency representatives.

Professor Criner addressed the Maine and Quebec delegates February 13th at a Chateau Frontenac breakfast meeting (photo above) co-sponsored by the University of Maine, Eastern Maine Development Corporation, Maine International Trade Center and Domtar Industries Inc. Dr. Criner highlighted a project being funded by a USDA Higher Education Challenge Grant which has helped with the development of new international courses, the development of cross-border internship opportunities, cooperative agreements between universities, and increased opportunities for cross-border movement of students and faculty. Because of Maine's geographic location, and due to the language and cultural ties with Quebec and French, the initial focus has been on Eastern Canada.

There are many other universities and units cooperating with the project, including five Canadian universities (University of New Brunswick - Fredericton, University of New Brunswick - Saint John, Laval University, Dalhousie and Nova Scotia Agricultural College). At the University of Maine, cooperators include the Canadian-American Center, the Office of International Programs, the Maine Business School, the Department of Economics and the Department of Modern Languages. As part of the curriculum development, private businesses are being sought to help in developing real-world classroom case studies in all areas under the general headings of business, economics and agribusiness.

Two non-profit economic development agencies, the Maine International Trade Center and the Eastern Maine Development Corporation, are partners in the project and have assisted in determining what skills employers want new graduates to have in the broad area of business and economics including agribusiness. Another link with private business is through Thomas Howard, the Director of U.S. Governmental Relations for Domtar Industries Inc. Mr. Howard serves on the cross-border project advisory committee. Domtar is a major global corporation with lumber and other wood products operations on both sides of the Maine - Canada border, where they manage 22 million acres of forestland. Domtar involvement is fortuitous as Domtar has been recognized as being an excellent "corporate citizen," based upon community relations, diversity in the workplace, product safety and business practices. In May of last year, Domtar received the Maine International Trade Center Maine Governor's Award for Direct Foreign Investment. This past November the World Wildlife Fund of Canada signed an agreement with Domtar that commits both organizations to the long-term conservation of Canada's forests.

The University of Maine has been very supportive of the cross-border project, and in June of last year, President Peter Hoff addressed the entire project group in Montreal. President Hoff praised the group's efforts and told the audience how pleased he was that the University of Maine was collaborating with the Canadian Universities. President Hoff's remarks were made at an evening reception hosted by Domtar at their North American headquarters in Montreal.

Dr. Criner is spending this academic year in Quebec City as part of his sabbatical. He is serving as an Invited Professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics and Consumer Science, at Laval University. In addition to the cross-border project he is working on a Canadian Government Faculty Enrichment Grant, conducting research on comparative agricultural systems, international waste management and he is also improving his French language skills. As part of the Canadian Government Faculty Grant Dr. Criner will be modifying two of his University of Maine classes to include components relating to Canadian systems.

Contact information: 206 Winslow Hall, Orono, ME 04469-5782, (207) 581-3171, peggy.mckee@umit.maine.edu