Meeting of Premiers on the Council of the Federation

Quebec City – October 24, 2003 – Premiers from eight provinces and three territories met in Quebec City to take the next steps in the creation of the Council of the Federation and to set their agenda for the November 16 meeting with Paul Martin. Premiers noted that new and renewed mandates in a number of provinces and the federal transition offer a unique opportunity to forge a new spirit of cooperation to modernize the federation.

Council of the Federation

Premiers made good progress in developing a founding agreement for the Council. They are working to establish a new and innovative institution that will be efficient, adaptable, and flexible in order to make the federation work better for Canadians. They will meet again in Charlottetown on
December 5, 2003 to complete work on the Council when all Premiers are in attendance.

The objective of the new Council of the Federation is to provide leadership in addressing issues that matter to Canadians. The Council, a non-constitutional body, is aimed at making the federation work better for Canadians through a more constructive, and cooperative approach in intergovernmental relations. By reinforcing ties among provinces and territories, the Council will contribute to ensuring that they are full partners within a strong federation.

Meeting with Paul Martin

Premiers view their November 16 meeting with Paul Martin as a positive step in improving federal-provincial/territorial relations. Premiers welcomed Mr. Martin’s recognition that Federal-Provincial-Territorial Relations need to be improved for the benefit of Canadians.

Premiers look forward to hearing Mr. Martin’s position on health care, Canadians’ number one priority. Premiers agreed to invite the next Prime Minister to a special meeting of the Council of the Federation in British Columbia in early 2004. Premiers are pleased by Mr. Martin’s commitment to annual First Ministers’ Meetings, and expressed the view that agendas should be co-determined by the Chair of the Council of the Federation and the Prime Minister.

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For information:

Leo Walsh
Deputy Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs
Prince Edward Island
Tel.: (902) 368-4502