Conférence des Premiers ministres de l’Ouest, 2001

MOOSE JAW, June 1, 2001 -- Western Premiers recognize the ongoing and growing importance of the economic partnership that exists between the United States and western provinces and territories. The volume of goods, services and income from investment flowing between Canada and the United States constitutes the largest bilateral exchange in the world. Premiers noted the significant new and enhanced market opportunities in the US and their interest in taking advantage of them.

At the meeting between Western Premiers and the Western Governors' Association at the International Peace Garden on the Manitoba/North Dakota border on May 25, 2000, Premiers and the Western Governors' Association formally endorsed a framework to establish an ongoing co-operative relationship between western provinces/territories and states. Under this framework, Premiers and Governors discussed border issues, trade, justice, and crime prevention and requested that they receive status reports on progress made on these matters at their next meeting in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho on August 11-14, 2001.

Premiers look forward to the opportunity for continued communication and information sharing with the Western State Governors at the Coeur d'Alene meeting. They expressed their intent to discuss and share information on matters of mutual concern, including energy, transportation and trade corridors, trade, animal health, building relations between Western Premiers, Western US Governors and Mexican Governors, as well as their trade mission with the Prime Minister to the western United States in the fall.

Note: Mr. Gordon Campbell, Premier-elect of British Columbia, attended the 2001 Western Premiers' Conference. However, in his current role as Premier-elect, Mr. Campbell was unable to give the official endorsement of the Province of British Columbia to the positions and commitments outlined in this Communiqué.

- 30 -