38th Annual Premiers’ Conference

ST. ANDREWS - August 8, 1997 — Premiers discussed the challenges faced by Canadian shipbuilders in their effort to become internationally competitive. They noted that foreign shipbuilders have a pricing advantage over Canadian shipyards because of support programs provided by their governments.

Recognizing the importance of shipbuilding to the Canadian economy, Premiers called on the federal government to review its shipbuilding policy with the objective of finding appropriate means to assist the Canadian industry in meeting its international challenges. Premiers asked that consideration be given to measures such as export financing, as mechanisms for enhancing the competitiveness of the Canadian industry. In conducting its review, Premiers recommended that the federal government consult both industry stakeholders and provincial governments.

Finally Premiers called on the federal government to continue its efforts to negotiate an effective international agreement that would eliminate the provision of government subsidies to shipbuilders.