Federal-Provincial-Territorial Council on Social Policy Renewal

Toronto, March 13, 1998 -- The Federal-Provincial-Territorial Council on Social Policy Renewal met today to launch the negotiations for a framework agreement for Canada's social union. The Council also reviewed progress made on the commitments in various social sectors agreed to by First Ministers at their meeting in Ottawa in December 1997. The meeting was co-chaired by the Honourable Russell H.T. King, M.D., Minister of Health and Community Services for New Brunswick and the Honourable Pierre S. Pettigrew, Minister of Human Resources Development Canada.

"In launching the negotiations for a framework agreement, we have taken a significant step forward to renew Canada's Social Union," said Minister King. "We are also pleased with the progress being made by the Council to address the pressing social needs of Canadians in the areas of child poverty, persons with disabilities, youth employment, student debt and health."

At their meeting in December, First Ministers acknowledged the importance that Canadians place on social programs and agreed that governments should work cooperatively to address the social needs of Canadians. They directed that work begin, under the auspices of the Council on Social Policy Renewal, to develop a framework agreement on Canada's social union. Such an agreement would define a new partnership approach between governments in the planning and managing of Canada's social union, and focus on principles, collaborative approaches on the use of the federal spending power, ways to manage and resolve disputes, ground rules for cooperation and processes to clarify roles and responsibilities within various social policy sectors. First Ministers agreed that this framework agreement would respect constitutional jurisdictions and powers.

At today's meeting, the Council reaffirmed the commitment of participating governments to develop a framework agreement on the social union by July 1998, the target date set by First Ministers. It officially launched work on this agreement by announcing that the Honourable Anne McLellan, Minister of Justice for Canada, and the Honourable Berny Wiens, Minister of Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Affairs for Saskatchewan, would Co-Chair discussions amongst participating jurisdictions on a framework agreement. All Ministers agreed that the framework agreement on the social union is about doing what works for Canadians, about how governments are going to work together to modernize and renew the social union, improve accountability to the public for social programs, and ensure that programs are efficient, effective and adequately funded in the long term.

A framework agreement on the Social Union must adequately reflect the values, views and concerns of Canadians. Ministers affirmed their commitment to ensuring that Canadians' views are reflected in the framework agreement and that the process will be transparent.

Ministers also reviewed First Ministers' commitments in a number of sectors. Minister Pettigrew said, "Societies develop when trust exists. Today's meeting is another step toward cementing partnerships among governments to help Canadians by renewing social programs. Whether we are looking at children, persons with disabilities, young people or Canadians in need of health services, our citizens are best served when their governments work collaboratively. A common commitment to respond to the needs of Canadians is what has brought our governments together today."

First Ministers identified the National Child Benefit as a model of cooperation that commits all governments to action. The Council also reviewed the progress to date on the development of a policy framework to guide new cooperative approaches to promote the well-being of Canada's children. The Council discussed ways to expedite development of a National Children's Agenda.

The Council acknowledged the work by Ministers responsible for Social Services to develop a vision and framework for persons with disabilities. The Council was provided with a status report on collaborative work in the health sector. The Council emphasized the importance Canadians place on high-quality health care and agreed that all governments must ensure that sufficient resources are devoted to health care. The Council also emphasized that it is important to achieve broad agreement around future priorities. The Council acknowledged the particular concern of provincial and territorial governments for adequate funding for core health services.

The meeting provided the opportunity for the Council to address the issues of youth employment and student debt. With respect to youth employment, the Council reviewed work to date made by Labour Market Ministers in developing an agenda for action to tackle youth employment. On student debt, the Council recognized that further federal-provincial-territorial cooperation will be needed to address student debt issues.

Quebec was represented by officials as observers. As indicated in the communiqué from the First Ministers' Meeting, while sharing the same concerns, Quebec does not adhere to the federal-provincial-territorial approach.

In conclusion, the Council underlined the importance of meaningful federal-provincial- territorial cooperation to develop effective measures in all these areas.

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For information:

                                               

Anna Kapiniari            Office of Minister Pettigrew            Human Resources Development            Canada            (819) 953-2353

Gerald Weseen            Office of Minister King            Ministry of Health and            Community Services            (506) 453-2536