The Council of Maritime Premiers created in the wake of the Maritime Union Study (1968-1970), is a unique intergovernmental body which fosters greater cooperative effort amongst the Maritime governments, institutions and peoplesof New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. The three premiers act unanimously when taking decisions or not at all. The Council has been influential in the promotion of better exchanges of ideas in many areas.

The Council's Oral History Project to interview twelve persons who were closely involved with the establishment of the Council was commissioned by the Council of Maritime Premiers at its December meeting in 1986 to commemorate its fifteenth anniversary.