H1N1, Employment Insurance, Economic Mission to Washington Highlight Meeting of Council

Premier Darrell Dexter spoke out on several key issues, including H1N1 (human swine influenza), employment insurance and Canada-United States relations, at the 2009 Council of the Federation meeting which wrapped up today, Aug. 7, in Regina, Saskatchewan.

Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall chaired the meeting attended by most of Canada's provincial and territorial leaders.

"I am pleased and encouraged by the significant progress achieved on issues of importance to all Canadians at these meetings over the past few days," said Premier Dexter.

Economic Mission to Washington Premiers and territorial leaders agreed to the proposal made by Nova Scotia for a Council of the Federation mission to Washington D.C., to help raise awareness of Canada's concerns and advance its priorities with members of the Obama administration, Congress, state legislators and the American business community.

"The U.S. is Canada's most important trading partner, and premiers have an important role to play in promoting bilateral trade and enhancing cooperation," said Premier Dexter.

"I look forward to playing a lead role in co-ordinating a successful economic mission in February on behalf of the council, one that reaches out with an agenda that appeals to their strategic economic, energy and security concerns."

He said the mission is also a priority because many jobs in Nova Scotia, and the rest of Canada, depend on a strong and stable relationship with the Unites States.

H1N1 (human swine influenza) Nova Scotia initiated the inclusion of HIN1 (human swine influenza) planning on the council agenda and Manitoba agreed to help lead discussions during the meeting. The issue developed into one of the larger discussion items throughout the two-day gathering.

"The health and safety of our citizens is our number one priority," said Premier Dexter. "We're pleased to see premiers and territorial leaders on side with our call to order supplies now and worry about the costs later. We need to manage this with a sense or urgency. I am relieved that the federal government has announced it has placed the order for the necessary supplies.”

Employment Insurance Premier Dexter is also pleased that premiers and territorial leaders agreed to a proposed move to uniformity in employment insurance which should not result in any part of the country becoming more negatively impacted than it is today.

"Atlantic Canadians will not face reduced access or benefits to employment insurance under an amended system," said Premier Dexter. "It was also particularly important to me to ensure provinces like Ontario, which have been hard hit by the recession, maintain current employment insurance standards. I am pleased that this has been achieved. Atlantic Canadians will not face reduced access or benefits to employment insurance under an amended system if the federal government agrees to the employment insurance proposal."

Skills training Premier Dexter was also encouraged that premiers and territorial leaders agreed to push the federal government to increase funding for skills development and training under the employment insurance fund.

"Nova Scotia is a learning province and works hard to ensure a seamless and continuous learning system that meets the needs of all individuals," said Premier Dexter. "It is vital that we have the right supports to train and retrain Nova Scotians for the jobs they want to pursue, particularly in light of the current economic downturn."

Premiers and territorial leaders agreed that the federal government should increase the amount of dollars going to part two of the employment insurance fund to 0.8 per cent from 0.6 per cent. The 0.2 per cent increase will mean more dollars for training.

Premier Dexter was also encouraged by progress made on other topics such as the greening of the economy. Nova Scotia led this discussion which resulted in agreement on the need to encourage further talks with the federal government and other partners, on moving the green economy forward. This sets the stage for regional co-operation in specific areas such as developing a regional grid to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and allow provinces to access more renewable energy.