Federal-Provincial-Territorial Meeting of Ministers of Social Services

TORONTO, October 27, 1998 -- Federal-provincial-territorial Ministers responsible for Social Services held their annual meeting in Toronto today. Ministers discussed issues in the social services sector, with particular emphasis on initiatives for children and persons with disabilities. Overall, the meeting was characterized by a willingness to work together to better serve the needs of Canadians. The meeting was co-chaired by the Honourable Pierre S. Pettigrew, Minister of Human Resources Development Canada, and the Honourable Janet Ecker, Minister of Community and Social Services for Ontario and Lead Provincial/Territorial Minister.

Ministers released In Unison: A Canadian Approach to Disability Issues, a policy framework to guide future government action in the area of disabilities. At the request of First Ministers, federal, provincial and territorial governments have been working together over the last two years to develop a common vision aimed at promoting greater equality and inclusion of persons with disabilities in all aspects of Canadian society. Discussions were held with members of the disability community during the development of In Unison; the document was revised to reflect this input.

In addition, Ministers supported the development of an accountability framework for In Unison and the creation of Disability Links, a web page that will allow clients to access information on disability-related programs and services.

"In Unison breaks new ground for governments in this country," said Minister Pettigrew. "For the first time, we have a common vision on disability issues. This document will be the focus of our ongoing work promoting greater equality and inclusion for Canadians with disabilities."

"In Unison provides a framework for future policy direction that will guide jurisdictions as they move from vision to action in ways that are consistent with local priorities for persons with disabilities," said Minister Ecker. "This framework acknowledges our commitment to supporting persons with disabilities in achieving lives that are as fulfilling and independent as possible."

Ministers continued to make progress on the National Child Benefit (NCB). Ministers reviewed the successful launch of the NCB in July 1998. As part of the NCB, the new Canada Child Tax Benefit is providing monthly benefits to low-income families with children. Provincial and territorial governments have put in place reinvestment programs, which provide a wide range of new benefits and services to meet the common objectives of promoting attachment to the labour force and preventing and reducing the depth of child poverty.

Ministers also discussed plans for the next phase of the NCB. The Government of Canada has committed an additional contribution of $850 million to increase the Canada Child Tax Benefit, $425 million in 1999, and $425 million in the year 2000. Provinces and territories will continue to make complementary reinvestments in the NCB. Ministers confirmed their intention to release the first public report on the NCB over the coming months. Ministers recognized the need to ensure that Aboriginal children benefit from the NCB, like other Canadian children, and that Aboriginal people and communities should have input on the ongoing work of the NCB. The federal government will continue to work with First Nations in this regard.

Ministers reviewed progress to develop a comprehensive approach to a National Children's Agenda, and indicated their support for future work to advance this Agenda.

Quebec Minister Pauline Marois affirmed that, while sharing essentially the same goals, the Government of Quebec does not intend to adhere to the federal-provincial-territorial approach to social policies. The Government of Quebec reaffirms its will to exercise fully its control over the development, planning and management of social policies in its territory, in full accordance with its exclusive jurisdiction in this field. Consequently, any reference to joint federal-provincial-territorial positions does not include the Government of Quebec.

Provincial/territorial Ministers, with the exception of Quebec, also signed an information sharing agreement today to establish a framework for the bi-lateral sharing of social assistance information between provinces/territories, within the context of existing privacy legislation. Due to its own legislation, Quebec will sign individual agreements with each province, as required.

All Ministers agreed that this has been a year of real progress on issues affecting children and persons with disabilities in the social services sector, and they look forward to continuing this work over the coming year. At the conclusion of the meeting, Minister Ecker welcomed Dr. Lyle Oberg, Minister of Family and Social Services, Government of Alberta, as the incoming 1998/99 Lead Provincial/Territorial Minister.

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For more information:

                                               

Anna Kapiniari            Press Secretary            Office of Minister Pettigrew            (819) 994-0325

Rebecca Dial            Special Assistant (Media Relations)            Office of Minister Ecker            (416) 325-5215