Council of the Federation

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The Council of the Federation is a council in Canada made up of the premiers of Canada's thirteen provinces and territories. Its main function is to provide a united front amongst the provincial and territorial governments when interacting with Canada's federal government. It also promotes "constructive Confederation", working for Canadian unity and recognizing differences amongst the various provinces and territories within Canada's federal system of government.

The Council of the Federation meets twice annually to discuss issues relating to Canadian intergovernmental relations – those between the provinces and territories and the federal government.

Contents 1 History 2 Issues 3 Members 4 External links 5 See also

[edit] History

The idea for such a body had long been present, but it was Quebec Premier Jean Charest who suggested it in preparation for negotiations with the federal government. The idea was (for the first time) embraced by all of the premiers, and the council was formed.

The foundation of the Council of the Federation was announced on December 5, 2003 in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. This location was significant because Charlottetown was the venue for the Charlottetown Conference in 1864 (this conference was the first step towards Canadian Confederation).

The first true test of this united front occurred on September 13-16, 2004 when the premiers met with Prime Minister Paul Martin to discuss reforms to Canada's universal healthcare program. The premiers remained united, and in the end won $41 billion of federal funding for healthcare over the next ten years.

[edit] Issues

• Healthcare funding and innovation
• Economic development (especially in the wake of the BSE crisis)
• Strengthening Confederation (working for provincial input into Senator and Supreme Court Justice selections)
• Reaching out to young Canadians, getting them involved in the political process
• Helping those affected by emergencies
• Inter-provincial/territorial trade

[edit] Members

• The Honourable Danny Williams – Chair, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador
• The Honourable Shawn Graham – Vice-Chair, Premier of New Brunswick
• The Honourable Pat Binns, Premier of Prince Edward Island
• The Honourable Lorne Calvert, Premier of Saskatchewan
• The Honourable Gordon Campbell, Premier of British Columbia
• The Honourable Jean Charest, Premier of Québec
• The Honourable Gary Doer, Premier of Manitoba
• The Honourable Dennis Fentie, Premier of Yukon
• The Honourable Joe Handley, Premier of the Northwest Territories
• The Honourable Ed Stelmach, Premier of Alberta
• The Honourable Rodney MacDonald, Premier of Nova Scotia
• The Honourable Dalton McGuinty, Premier of Ontario
• The Honourable Paul Okalik, Premier of Nunavut

[edit] External links

• The Council of the Federation
• CBC News: Provinces plan 'historic' change to federation
• Maple Leaf Web: Council of the Federation

[edit] See also

• First ministers conference
• Council of Australian Governments