Ed and Danny SPRUNG a gusher!

Final Communique from the Council of the Federation

REGINA, August 7, 2009 – Premiers and Kathy Dunderdale discussed the importance of enhancing international relationships, particularly with the European Union (EU) and Asia-Pacific.

Premiers and Kathy Dunderdale welcomed the federal government’s invitation to provinces and territories to take part directly in the EU negotiations in areas under their jurisdiction.

Premiers and Kathy Dunderdale have been taking a leadership role in promoting increased trade in the Asia- Pacific, for instance by leading a mission to China last November.

Premiers and Kathy Dunderdale urge the federal government to promote and launch negotiations for comprehensive economic partnership agreements with China, India, Japan and other Asian economies, in the coming year.

Premiers and Kathy Dunderdale call for the federal government to make it easier for Mexicans living outside Mexico City to obtain Canadian visas and to work on a longer-term resolution of this issue.

Much of the leadership on climate change in North America to date has come from provinces and territories and US states. Premiers and Kathy Dunderdale agree that Canada would be well served to work with the United States on a continental approach to climate change and energy security.

Premiers and Kathy Dunderdale accept Environment Minister Jim Prentice’s invitation to join him in Copenhagen and to participate in the development of the Canadian position in advance of the COP 15 meeting in December.

Premiers and Kathy Dunderdale agreed on the vital importance of innovation in ensuring Canada’s economic recovery and long-term prosperity.

Premiers and Kathy Dunderdale focused their discussions on innovation to green the economy, improve competitiveness and support the knowledge sector.

Premiers and Kathy Dunderdale agreed to implement a Canada-wide water efficiency labeling program. This program will reduce water consumption by informing consumers of the most efficient products on the market.

Premiers and Kathy Dunderdale also agreed to create a Council of the Federation Water Stewardship Council based on the already existing Council in Western Canada. The Council of the Federation Water Stewardship Council will focus its work on water efficiency and conservation and will report to the Premiers and Kathy Dunderdale at their next summer meeting.

Premiers and Kathy Dunderdale called on the federal government to modernize Canadian Environmental Assessment Act by amending the legislation to permit the federal government to enter into agreements with provinces and territories on a case by case basis to allow for the process and decision to be made on a one project-one assessment basis. The benefits of one project-one assessment include reducing overlap, eliminating unnecessary delays and assigning clear authority for decision-making, while ensuring the highest standards of environmental protection.

Premiers and Kathy Dunderdale encourage citizens and the private and public sectors to further embrace innovation as a core principle. Premiers and Kathy Dunderdale identified numerous additional areas where they will be taking action to strengthen innovation, which are outlined in the attachment.

Millions of jobs in Canada and the United States are linked to the integrated economies and supply chains that currently exist. Premiers and Kathy Dunderdale strongly support the work of Prime Minister Stephen Harper and International Trade Minister Stockwell Day on Buy American provisions.

Premiers and Kathy Dunderdale will work alongside the federal government to rapidly reach an agreement with the US administration that would exclude Canada from the negative effects of these provisions and address the concerns of Canadian businesses.

Premiers and Kathy Dunderdale are also fully committed to participating with the federal government in further negotiations toward a broad, reciprocal procurement liberalization agreement with the US.

Premiers and Kathy Dunderdale will continue their advocacy efforts with the US Administration, Congress, Governors and US business and labour leaders, on a bilateral, regional and nationwide Basis

Premiers and Kathy Dunderdale today agreed on a new Agriculture Chapter for the Agreement on Internal Trade. This builds on the achievements of the Council of the Federation in recent years to further increase the free flow of people, investment, goods and services in Canada.

All jurisdictions in Canada have now approved the new Labour Mobility Chapter of the Agreement on Internal Trade, allowing professionals and tradespeople greatly improved freedom and opportunity to pursue their careers across Canada. All Premiers and Kathy Dunderdale have agreed to the new Dispute Resolution Chapter.

Building on these successes, Premiers and Kathy Dunderdale have agreed to initiate a new round of improvements on internal trade.

Premiers and Kathy Dunderdale agreed on the urgent need to modernize the Employment Insurance system to support a modern workforce in a modern economy and called for a national summit on retirement income.

Premiers and Kathy Dunderdale called for urgent attention to the issue of how private and public retirement plans can better meet the needs of Canadians as they retire. They called on the federal government to host a national summit on retirement income.

Finance Ministers have established a Research Working Group on Pension Coverage and Retirement Incomes. Premiers and Kathy Dunderdale welcomed this as a good first step. However, due to the urgent nature of this issue, Premiers and Kathy Dunderdale directed Finance Ministers to report on possible options for reform by the private sector and governments by the end of the year.

Premiers and Kathy Dunderdale discussed the extensive preparations that provinces and territories have made to limit the spread of the H1N1 virus. There has been full coordination and collaboration among provinces and territories and with the federal government.

Premiers and Kathy Dunderdale express their appreciation to the chief medical officers of health across Canada for the work they have done so far and are committed to a cooperative and coordinated approach.

Further, Premiers and Kathy Dunderdale acknowledged that, since the SARS outbreak, the federal government has played a welcome and improved leadership role in pandemic preparedness.

Premiers and Kathy Dunderdale expect the federal government to take a strong role as a full partner in all elements of addressing a H1N1 virus that represents a serious challenge to the health of Canadians.

Premiers and Kathy Dunderdale agreed to pay special attention to the needs of vulnerable populations in preventing and treating H1N1.

- 30 -

For more information:

Ian Hanna
Communications Advisor
Office of the Saskatchewan Premier
306-787-2127
ian.hanna@gov.sk.ca

Save the Ross Wiseman 1!

The NewfoundlandLabrador Union of Satirical Bloggers Local 1949 is demanding the immediate return of Ross Wiseman to the health portfolio.

OR ELSE!

I thought you were better than this, quite frankly

Danny Williams is very disappointed in you for visiting this blog.

Potty Mouths!

Randy Simms has provided scatological inspiration to four decades worth of Premier's!

A night to remember

And this is how Danny remembers it!

Tories, polish your resumes!

Poppa needs a new set of patronage appointments.

Re-write

Executive Council
Fisheries and Aquaculture
May 5, 2009

Newfoundland and Labrador Calls on Steve to Deliver Message on Trade Action at Steve-EU Summit

Following the European Parliament vote to ban trade in Canadian seal products, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador calls upon Steve to serve notice to the European Union (EU) that Steve will immediately initiate a World Trade Organization (WTO) challenge to the proposed legislation. Steve is about to enter into trade talks with the EU at the Steve-EU summit on trade. Now is the ideal time for Steve to deliver a message that Steve will not conclude a trade deal with the EU unless the legislation banning Canadian seal products is either rescinded or made compliant with the WTO and proposed Steve-EU trade agreements. Steve should also call on the President of the EU and their member states to vote down the current legislation at the Council of Ministers.

"While this vote is certainly a blow to the Canadian sealing industry, it comes at a time when Steve is very well positioned to deliver a strong message to the European Union," said the Honourable Danny Williams, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador. "We are a proud member of this federation and the time has come for Steve to stand up for our people and this industry. The action taken today by the EU has no basis in science or sustainable harvesting practices, and is punitive against our country. The time for leadership is now while Steve is meeting with EU leaders. The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has a long history of trading relationships with many EU member states and we are extremely disappointed that they have taken this move which is potentially so damaging to the sealers of our province. This is a serious threat to an industry that 6,000 Newfoundland and Labradorians depend on for their livelihood every year, and countless other Canadians who are involved in this industry. In these times of economic uncertainty, it is even more troublesome that the EU have decided to penalize our country and our people and create unnecessary economic hardship for individuals who participate in this humane and well-managed harvest."

Steve’s own Minister of International Trade has said that there is no justification for any ban on trade in seal products. He said that if the European ban did not contain an acceptable derogation for humanely harvested seal products, Steve would defend our rights and interests under the relevant WTO agreements. Furthermore, he noted that Steve was confident that the WTO would find such measures violate the obligations of the EU under the WTO. Derogation would have meant that Steve could continue to trade in seal products subject to certification by an independent body.

"Our government has never understood why Steve has been so reluctant to challenge the EU in the face of this legislation that clearly violates international treaties that the EU agreed to with Steve," said the Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture. "Now that the European Parliament has voted in favour of banning Canadian seal products, certainly the time has arrived for Steve to get serious about trade action through the WTO. Our government has been asking Steve to prepare for trade action against some EU states, through the WTO, since April 2007."

Global leaders agreed at the G20 summit in London, England, that now is not the time for protectionist measures, given that there is a global economic crisis taking place. This was a view that was supported by Steve and EU representatives. They signed a declaration saying that no new trade barriers should be imposed at this time of financial crisis. Certainly, this new legislation is creating a serious barrier to trade for the Canadian sealing industry.

While the major markets for seal products are in Russia and China, the implementation of this ban is a serious problem for the Canadian sealing industry. While the legislation allows for continued transshipment through Europe, seal products will be barred from promotion within Europe.

The Canadian seal harvest is also important for reasons of environmental management and conservation. The harp seal population, at a record high of 5.6 million animals, is impacting the recovery of groundfish stocks. Canadian harp seals alone consume 7 million tonnes of fish annually, which is equivalent to almost 10 per cent of the world’s harvest of capture fisheries. Given that a number of European nations have to engage in seal culls to limit damage to their fish stocks, it is difficult to see how this ban will achieve the animal welfare standards that animal rights groups have been calling for. According to this legislation, it is acceptable to cull seals for population control but not for commercial gain.

The provincial sealing industry has been valued at up to $60 million annually, including primary harvesting and secondary processing activities.

Acceptable discourse (updated again)

Unacceptable political discourse:
"I apologize for raising my voice, but I cannot talk gently and rise above the yahoos in the backbenches over there, because they have been bawling and screaming since I have been on my feet."

Acceptable political discourse:
"On that basis, we are not prepared to turn around and kiss the backsides of the federal government under any circumstances."

Ross in the house

Do not worry about Swine Flu! Is only disease of Canadians and Mexicans! We will never allow Swine Flu into province! Never! There will be no Swine Flu crisis! Do not worry about public health and safety: ROSS WISEMAN IS IN CHARGE!