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WATCH ABOVE: Media were invited to hear New Brunswick Premier’s address to his caucus during their summer meeting. Global’s Laura Brown reports.

SHIPPAGAN, N.B. – During a summer caucus meeting, Premier Brian Gallant laid blame, in part, on the federal government for New Brunswick’s stagnate economy.

The premier made the comments after a speech to his caucus members who were gathered for their summer retreat in Shippigan, N.B. Thursday.

The province’s unemployment sits at 11 per cent, up from 9.6 in May.

“We’re in a recession,” he told reporters. “Unfortunately, the current federal government refuses to change it’s strategy and plan. I would imagine it’s because of a 78-day campaign coming but it’s unfortunate for Canadians and it’s unfortunate for New Brunswickers.”

Gallant said the federal government has not invested enough in infrastructure, innovation or small business.

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Last month, New Brunswick saw an increase of 4,500 full-time jobs but 5,200 part-time jobs were lost, according to Statistics Canada.

The nation-wide unemployment rate sits at 6.8 per cent.

When asked what his job creation plan is, heading into his second year as Premier, Gallant said he was optimistic.

“Let me just start off with the next few months,” he said. “We’re working as we speak on other deals and other projects that could help us create thousands of jobs even as early as the fall.”

“We’ll be very happy to announce them if we can land them so we’re working very hard on doing that.”

Opposition leader Bruce Fitch said he’s concerned about what he says is a lack of job creation from Opportunities N.B.

“I know that Invest N.B. had some big I.T. projects in the hopper that should have been announced quite some time ago,” Fitch said in a statement.

Gallant reiterates importance of Energy East

Gallant also took some time to call on federal leaders to support the Energy East pipeline project. The proposed $12 billion pipeline project would enable western crude to reach refiners and export terminals in Eastern Canada.

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Gallant — who has been a major promoter of the plan — said it could create thousands of jobs in New Brunswick and provide a much needed boost to the economy.

“We have many, many New Brunswickers who benefit directly by the Energy East Pipeline,” he said. “In seven years we’d have 2,000 jobs created, we’d have $1.5 billion added to the GDP here, and we’d have $300 million added to our revenue.

“So we need the federal candidates, federal leaders and I would argue federal government to ensure that these projects move forward.”

READ MORE: Trudeau wants more public support before backing Energy East

Prior to the premier’s speech, an Ontario regulator released a report critical of the pipeline that would end in Saint John.

The Ontario Energy Board says the environmental risks of the $12 billion project outweigh the potential benefits, and warns it will drive up natural gas prices in Ontario.

The board’s report will form the basis of Ontario’s position when the National Energy Board holds hearings on Energy East, expected sometime in 2016.

With files from the Canadian Press