Council of the Federation

For the upper chamber of the Russian parliament, see Federation Council of Russia.

The Council of the Federation (Template:Lang-fr) is a congress that meets twice annually and comprises the premiers of each of Canada's 13 provinces and territories, the main function of which 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.

History

The idea for a body akin to the Council of the Federation had long been present, but suggestions did not come to fruition until after Quebec Premier Jean Charest raised the concept again during preparation for negotiations with the federal government. The idea was for the first time embraced by all the premiers and the council was formed, its foundation being announced on December 5, 2003, in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. This location was significant because Charlottetown was in 1864 the venue for the Charlottetown Conference (the first step towards Canadian Confederation).

The first test of the council's united front occurred between September 13 and 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.

The 2008 meetings of the Council took place in Quebec City, which was celebrating its 400th birthday as a settlement. At the meeting all premiers agreed to amendments to the Agreement on Internal Trade which will create greater labour mobility between the provinces and territories, and will come into force on January 1, 2009.

The 2009 meetings of the council took place in Regina, Saskatchewan. The agenda was dominated by economic matters including trade issues with the United States and formulating a post-recession interprovincial economic strategy.

On February 20, 2010, the council met with their American counterpart, the National Governors Association, in a Washington, D.C. hotel, for an hour-long session entitled "Common Border, Common Ground" to talk about issues such as environment and trade. Also attending this meeting were Lisa P. Jackson, of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Larry Summers, U.S. President Barack Obama's economic advisor. The Canadian Premiers commented on how much more open the Obama administration was to confronting and solving problems, compared to his predecessor, George W. Bush.

Issues

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

Members

• Blaine Higgs, Premier of New Brunswick, Progressive Conservative
• John Horgan, Premier of British Columbia, New Democratic
• François Legault, Premier of Quebec, Coalition Avenir Québec
• Dennis King (Canadian politician), Premier of Prince Edward Island, Progressive Conservative Party of Prince Edward Island
• Dwight Ball , Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, Liberal
• Bob McLeod, Premier of the Northwest Territories, non-partisan
• Stephen McNeil, Premier of Nova Scotia, Liberal
• Sandy Silver, Premier of Yukon, Liberal
• Jason Kenney, Premier of Alberta, Conservative
• Brian Pallister, Premier of Manitoba, Progressive Conservative
• Joe Savikataaq, Premier of Nunavut, non-partisan
• Scott Moe, Premier of Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan Party
• Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario, Progressive Conservative

See also

• First Ministers' conference
• Politics of Canada
• Political culture of Canada
• Council of Australian Governments
• National Governors Association

External links

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