Climate Change, Trade and Federal-Provincial-Territorial Consultations

PREMIER'S OFFICE--Climate Change, Trade and Federal-Provincial- Territorial Consultations

The following communiques were released today, Aug. 2, at the 43rd Annual Premiers' Conference in Halifax.

Climate Change

Premiers had a full discussion on the subject of climate change. All provinces and territories will continue to take action on climate change and emphasized that Canadians must act together to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

They were in complete agreement on the need for a first ministers' meeting prior to any federal decision on the ratification of the Kyoto Protocol.

At that time, premiers will share their differing views with the prime minister.

Trade

Premiers discussed the key importance of international trade agreements that secure free and fair access to global markets to enable their economies to grow and prosper.

In particular, the US is, and will continue to be, Canada's most important international market. Premiers discussed important bilateral trade issues and agreed the federal government must respond to trade distorting practices of the US government by:

• working jointly with the US government to ensure secure, fair and open access to each other's market;

• vigorously pursuing appeals through trade tribunals under the World Trade Organization and the North American Free Trade Agreement;

• reaching out to American legislators and the American people to let them know that these punitive duties hurt them directly; and

• taking responsibility to addressing the damage caused by trade actions, and address the domestic economic consequences of international trade actions by providing appropriate trade injury payments to those directly and negatively affected.

Premiers are united on how to address unfair trade practices and will work together to bring their concerns directly to leaders of their neighbouring states. Premiers have raised their concerns with governors and legislators. They will raise their concerns again at bilateral and regional meetings with their state counterparts.

Premiers also called on the federal government to promote Canada's economic interests in other international trade arenas. The premiers emphasized the need to ensure a level playing field for regionally significant industries in trade negotiations with other countries.

Federal-Provincial-Territorial Consultations

Canadians expect their governments to work together. Premiers recognized the need for regular meetings with the prime minister to deal with important provincial, territorial and federal issues. Noting that it has been almost two years since the last first ministers' meeting in September 2000, premiers called on the prime minister to commit to an annual first ministers' meeting beginning this fall.