Premiers Commit to Regional Co-operation

At a meeting of the Council of Maritime Premiers today, premiers John Hamm, Bernard Lord and Pat Binns confirmed their commitment to regional co-operation to build on the goals of the Maritime Economic Co-operation Act and to ensure a stronger, united voice in dealings with the federal government.

Meeting in Stellarton, N.S., Maritime premiers agreed that there are many areas in which co-operation will be mutually beneficial and feel that more frequent meetings of the premiers are necessary. The premiers want to use this mechanism to ensure an effective voice for Maritime and Atlantic Canada, to build common positions on key issues, to identify better service delivery at lower costs and to streamline regulations and acts to allow business to flow from province to province.

"We will establish a process, with input from inside and outside government, to identify and implement co-operative projects for programs and services for the people of our region," said Premier Hamm, chair of today's meeting.

In addition, premiers have directed their steering committee of senior officials to identify further opportunities to enhance strategic linkages in co-operation with their respective governments and the private sector.

The premiers have issued a formal invitation to Newfoundland and Labrador to join the council as a full partner.

Co-operation in Health

Based upon discussions today, the three premiers will direct their departments of health to vigorously consider regional solutions to achieving cost-efficiencies in the delivery of services.

"We are committed to ensure our citizens continue to receive superior health care in a cost-effective manner. The health sector is an area where we believe regional co-operation will offer new co-operative opportunities," said Premier Binns.

Premiers congratulated federal, provincial and territorial health ministers in approving the establishment of a Council on Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation in Canada and agreed to direct their ministers of health to continue to work together on a co-ordinated approach to improving organ/tissue donation rates in this region.

The premiers reaffirmed the decisions taken at the Annual Premiers' Conference regarding health issues and funding the health system and call upon the federal government to respond accordingly.

"It is necessary that the federal government fully restore the Canada Health and Social Transfer funding and ensure funding keeps pace with cost and demand pressures, in accordance with agreements reached by all premiers at the recent Annual Premiers' Conference," said Premier Lord. "Existing social-program funding must be restored before new social programs are put in place."

Premiers called upon the federal government to improve the equalization program to fulfill its constitutional mandate. Specifically, the federal government should remove the cap on equalization payments and ensure more comprehensive revenue coverage, including a ten-province standard.

Co-operation in Trade

Co-operation in the area of trade continues to offer positive results by way of new job opportunities. The recent Atlantic Trade Mission to New England resulted in orders worth more than $28-million over the next two years.

"Based upon our experience with the Atlantic Trade Mission to New England, held in April of this year, we must continue to build upon these types of successes to foster trade links and enhance opportunities for this region," said Premier Binns.

Federal Issues

By speaking with a common voice, the Maritime premiers can exert more influence on Ottawa on matters of concern to the region.

During the discussions today, Maritime premiers committed to continuing dialogue with the federal government to protect our interests on World Trade Organization issues and to working together on a regional basis to monitor World Trade Organization developments and jointly influence negotiations.

The upcoming round of negotiations at the World Trade Organization will address trade rules for agriculture. The premiers urge the federal government to maintain the effectiveness of Canada's supply-management system, which provides for the orderly marketing and availability of high-quality dairy and poultry products at reasonable prices for Canadian consumers and minimal disruption of international export markets where there are large quantities of surplus.

Premiers reiterated the importance of shipbuilding jobs in this region. Maritime premiers reacted positively to recent statements made by Pierre Pettigrew, federal Minister of International Trade, that "Ottawa will attempt to help Canada's ailing shipbuilding industry at world trade negotiations." Currently, foreign competitors have a pricing advantage over Canadian shipyards, in Canadian and international markets, due to support programs provided by their governments. Premiers look forward to working collaboratively with the federal government in ensuring a positive result for the Canadian industry. As well, Maritime premiers will be seeking immediate federal domestic policies to counter the pricing advantages of Canada's major shipbuilding competitors.

With regard to softwood-lumber trade with the United States, premiers reaffirmed their ongoing support for the long-standing Maritime/Atlantic exemption from export restrictions. They directed their ministers and officials to work collaboratively with the lumber industry as the federal government conducts stakeholder consultations.

The premiers have been calling upon the federal government for a new, long-term National Transportation Investment Strategy in order to enhance safety and improve competitiveness of our people and industries and are pleased to see the federal government's commitment in its Throne Speech to building a five-year plan for improving physical infrastructure. However, "We must ensure that the plan ultimately allows us to meet our priorities for building transportation infrastructure in this region," said Premier Lord.

Premier Binns said that every province in Canada has called for a federal commitment to highways, given that Ottawa collects more than $5 billion annually in fuel-tax revenue, but currently reinvests only $300 million a year in highway construction. Premier Hamm said the federal government needs to move quickly, so that funding agreements with provinces can be completed and money allocated for highway construction next year.

"Waiting is not an option. In Nova Scotia we have an urgent need for significant highway improvements, including twinning Highway 101," said Premier Hamm. "Our situation is not unique. This region, indeed this country, needs a national highway improvement plan."

In adjourning the session, Premier Hamm said: "My colleagues and I had very positive and rewarding discussions today, and look forward to a continuing dialogue on these and other important matters to this region and country."

In order to ensure that progress continues, and to demonstrate their commitment to greater co-operation, the premiers will meet again in January.

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