44th Annual Premiers’ Conference

CHARLOTTETOWN, July 10, 2003. The Premiers have adopted a plan to revitalize the Canadian Federation and build a new era of constructive and cooperative federalism for Canadians. This will be based on strength through diversity, dialogue and cooperative approaches to common challenges and opportunities.

The five point plan includes:

   
• Agreement in principle to create a Council of the Federation
     
   
• Annual First Ministers’ Meetings
     
   
• Provincial/Territorial consultation on federal appointments
     
   
• Devolution of powers to the territories
     
   
• Establishment of federal provincial territorial protocols of conduct

The plan is aimed at making Canada work better for Canadians through a more constructive, cooperative approach among provinces and territories, and with the federal government.

The new era will be built through practical improvements to the federation, while respecting the Canadian Constitution. Canadians expect their governments to work together on their behalf and to pursue flexible solutions and arrangements that will strengthen Canada and improve the delivery of services to Canadian citizens.

The current dynamic of Canadian federalism is not working well enough for Canadians, as demonstrated by recent experiences in areas such as health care issues, public health emergencies, international agreements and relations, internal trade and the fiscal imbalance.

Council of the Federation

The new Council of the Federation will provide leadership in tackling the issues that matter to Canadians and are crucial to the future of their country. It will comprise the 13 Premiers, who will meet on a regular basis. The first meeting will be held on October 24, 2003, in Quebec City. At that time, Premiers will finalize the mandate and the structure of the Council. The Council will strengthen provincial and territorial collaboration by initially focusing on areas of common interest such as health care issues, internal trade and the fiscal imbalance. As a first step Premiers have agreed to establish a Secretariat for Information and Cooperation on Fiscal Imbalance that will be under the umbrella of the Council. The Secretariat will be located for the first two years in Quebec City and will be jointly funded by all provinces and territories. The Premiers’ Council on Canadian Health Awareness will also fall under the mandate of the Council of the Federation, as will similar provincial/territorial coordinating bodies.

Annual First Ministers’ Meetings

The Premiers agreed on the need for Annual First Ministers’ Meetings, co-chaired by the Prime Minister and the chair of the Council of the Federation. Agendas will be jointly determined, with standing items on health, trade, finance, justice and the economy.

The Premiers welcome the opportunity to invite the next Prime Minister to meet with them at the earliest time possible.

Consultation on Federal Appointments

Provinces and territories should be consulted on key federal appointments, especially those affecting the citizens of their provinces and territories, such as Senatorial appointments.

Devolution of Powers to the Territories

Premiers agreed on the need for northern devolution agreements with the Northwest Territories and Nunavut to arrange for the transfer of powers over northern lands, water and resources. They also agreed that this transfer, as well as the recent transfer to Yukon, must include a fair share of resource revenues.

Establishment of Federal/Provincial/Territorial Protocols of Conduct

To ensure effectiveness and efficiency, Premiers believe that relationships between the federal government and provincial/territorial governments in Canada should not be conducted on a unilateral basis. Accordingly, protocols in keeping with the spirit of federalism should be established.

Premiers believe that this plan will strengthen Canada and make governments more responsive and accountable to Canadians by ushering in a new era of constructive, cooperative federalism.

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For information:

Patrick Dorsey
Office of Premier Pat Binns
Tel: (902) 368-4402