Prime Minister Justin Trudeau arrived in St. Andrews late Sunday afternoon to warm welcome from the community.

A working dinner Sunday night kicked off a retreat for cabinet ministers who will meet for the first time in 2016 after a short sitting of the House of Commons in December.

Cabinet ministers will have a full day of meetings Monday before Trudeau and a handful of ministers travel overseas to Davos, Switzerland, for the World Economic Forum.

The economy will be on the agenda for the cabinet meeting with a slumping loonie, declining oil prices and disappointing job numbers.

Finance Minister Bill Morneau has been hearing concerns about the economy from Canadians during his pre-budget consultations and has tried to calm frayed nerves by pointing to the Liberal election platform.

Anticipation has been building in the region for Trudeau’s first cabinet retreat. Kim Haun doesn't usually open her downtown shop anytime during the winter

“On a typical winter's day there wouldn't be much traffic, very few people out on the street,” said Haun.

But with a flurry of activity all around, the town is doing all it can to show that it's open.

“Everybody is just abuzz,” said Haun. “Everybody’s excited and thrilled to death they're coming here, and it’s going to be an awesome experience for St. Andrews.”

Security was high around the Alognoquin Resort, where the retreat will be held.

Media reports say the Liberals have booked about 70 of 233 rooms, but are barring the media from staying there. Other accommodations in St. Andrews are fully booked.

“For staff, it’s great for them because they’re actually working more now than they're used to,” said Inn general manager Melanie Wright-Hall.

Tourism operators are happy to show the town off on a national stage – especially at this time of year.

“St. Andrews has really started to come together as a small community for having events year-round and not just in the summer,” said Wright-Hall.

Prior to the prime minister's arrival, Environment and Climate Change Minister Catherine McKenna announced $21 million for several Parks Canada sites in the southern part of the province, including the long-term restoration of the Carleton Martello Tower in Saint John.

The Liberals had vowed to run deficits of no more than $10 billion this year and next, but have since shifted to calling the figure a target.

The federal budget is expected to be delivered in mid- to late-March.

With files from CTV Atlantic’s Nick Moore and The Canadian Press.