Related Links:
See the Canadian Social Research Links Medicare Debate Links page

Three news releases from the
Council of the Federation:

Growing the Economy (small PDF file - 1 page)
http://www.councilofthefederation.ca/pdfs/Communique_Economy_Jan_17.pdf
VICTORIA, January 17, 2012 – Premiers emphasized the importance of growing the Canadian economy and focused on key actions to enhance prosperity [more...]

Premiers Appoint Working Group on Fiscal Arrangements (small PDF file - 1 page)
http://www.councilofthefederation.ca/pdfs/Communique_Finance_Jan_17.pdf
VICTORIA, January 17, 2012 – Mindful of both the uncertainty in the global economy and the economic value of Canada’s health systems, Canada’s Premiers committed to working together on fiscal arrangements to find solutions that will work for the benefit of all Canadians – in all provinces and territories. [more...]

Premiers Announce Health Care Innovation Working Group (small PDF file - 1 page)
http://www.councilofthefederation.ca/pdfs/Communique_Task%20Force_Jan_17.pdf
VICTORIA, January 17, 2012 – Premiers announced that Prince Edward Island Premier Robert Ghiz and Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall will co-chair a Health Care Innovation Working Group composed of all provincial and territorial health ministers. While acknowledging that Canada’s provinces and territories are pursuing innovation in their own jurisdictions, Premiers recognize that more can be done together

Source:
Council of the Federation
http://www.councilofthefederation.ca/
Version française du site:
Conseil de la Fédération
http://www.conseildelafederation.ca/

On December 5, 2003, Canada’s Premiers proudly announced in Charlottetown the creation of the Council of the Federation. It is a new institution for a new era in collaborative intergovernmental relations*. The Council of the Federation was created by Premiers because they believe it is important for provinces and territories to play a leadership role in revitalizing the Canadian federation and building a more constructive and cooperative federal system.
[ About Us:
http://www.councilofthefederation.ca/aboutcouncil/aboutcouncil.html ]

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Counsel for the Council (PDF - 32K, 3 pages)
http://www.caledoninst.org/Publications/PDF/973ENG.pdf
By Sherri Torjman
January 2012
The Council of the Federation was created in 2003 to help promote cooperation and closer ties among provinces and territories. While the Council tackles a range of issues, it has focused considerable attention in recent years on health care. Subsequent to its meeting in July 2011, the Council issued a statement on Health Sustainability. Nearly a decade ago, Premiers published an accord that preceded the 10-year Canada Health Transfer agreement with the federal government. Like the current Council of the Federation communiqué, the 2003 First Ministers’ Accord on Health Care Renewal identified primary care reform and catastrophic drug coverage as major concerns. But another area that figured prominently at the time – home care – has not appeared (at least explicitly) on the Council of the Federation’s statements. There can be no fundamental reform of health care in the absence of improved supports for long-term care, home care and informal caregivers. Community care should figure prominently when the Premiers resume their conversations at their upcoming meeting in Victoria on January 16 and 17, 2012.

Source:
Caledon Institute of Social Policy
http://www.caledoninst.org/

New from
the Health Action Lobby (HEAL):

News Release:
The Federal Role in the
Future of Health and Health in Canada (PDF - 52K, 4 pages)
http://goo.gl/mdssj
January 12, 2012
For Canada to rank among countries with the healthiest populations, we need a broadly shared vision of health and health care, sustained leadership by the federal government, as well as action and accountability on the parts of provincial and territorial governments, health care providers and the public. This is the main conclusion of the report on the role of the federal government in health and health care that was commissioned by the Health Action Lobby (HEAL) – a coalition representing 34 national health organizations. HEAL is releasing the report in advance of this month’s meeting of the Council of the Federation at which Canada’s premiers will discuss the future of health and health care.
[ Version française du Communiqué (format PDF):
http://goo.gl/mCRqz ]

The report:

Functional Federalism and the Future of Medicare in Canada 
-  A Report to the Health Action Lobby (HEAL)  (PDF - 1.5MB, 138 pages)
By Bill Tholl and Guy Bujold
January 2012
http://goo.gl/KFfXY
This project is a response to concerns about quality, access and the sustainability of Canada’s health and health care systems, an attempt to spark the public discussions needed as the 2003 First Ministers’ Accord on Health Care Renewal, and 2004 First Ministers’ 10­year Plan to Strengthen Health Care (which we refer to here as “the health accords”) come to an end in the Spring 2014. There are critical discussions to be had and decisions to be made if we are going to make the right choices — especially since how engaged the federal government will be in leading those discussions is uncertain.
[ NOTA : L'étude complète n'est pas disponible en français.]

Executive summary (PDF - 236K, 8 pages)
http://goo.gl/lbWce

[ Version française du Sommaire (format PDF):
http://goo.gl/AqnaC ]

Source:
Health Action Lobby (HEAL)
http://www.healthactionlobby.ca/
The members of the Health Action Lobby are committed to sustaining and enhancing the health of Canadians, and in the continuous improvement of fair, equitable, efficient and effective health services and system(s).

HEAL Publications
http://www.healthactionlobby.ca/en/publications.html

------------------------------------

Related link from the
Council of the Federation:

Final Details of Council of the Federation Meeting in Victoria on January 16-17, 2012 (2-page PDF file)
http://www.councilofthefederation.ca/pdfs/Media_Advisory-COF_Victoria-Jan9.pdf
January 9, 2012 – British Columbia Premier Christy Clark will host a meeting of the Council of the Federation on January 16 and 17 in Victoria at the Inn at Laurel Point. Premiers’ discussions will focus on health care and fiscal arrangements.
Source:
Council of the Federation
http://www.councilofthefederation.ca/
Version française du site:
Conseil de la Fédération
http://www.conseildelafederation.ca/

On December 5, 2003, Canada’s Premiers proudly announced in Charlottetown the creation of the Council of the Federation. It is a new institution for a new era in collaborative intergovernmental relations*. The Council of the Federation was created by Premiers because they believe it is important for provinces and territories to play a leadership role in revitalizing the Canadian federation and building a more constructive and cooperative federal system.
[ About Us:
http://www.councilofthefederation.ca/aboutcouncil/aboutcouncil.html ]

------------
* NOTE: I crack up every time I read the Council's About Us statement re. "...a new era in collaborative intergovernmental relations". The Council of the Federation was set up by provincial-territorial Premiers *specifically* to exclude federal representation and to gang up on Stephen Harper's evidently uncollaborative federal government, notably on the subject of health care funding in Canada.
Gilles

Three releases from the
annual meeting of the Council of the Federation:

(That's the provincial and territorial Premiers only - no federal participation)

Council of the Federation tackles Health Sustainability
in preparation for discussions with the federal government ( PDF - 81K, 2 pages)
VANCOUVER, July 22, 2011
As in many countries around the world, Canada’s health care systems are facing increasing pressure as a result of changing demographics and more advanced treatments, as well as the evolving needs and expectations of its users.

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Premiers support national disaster mitigation funding program (PDF - 119K, 3 pages)
VANCOUVER, July 22, 2011
Premiers began their final day of meetings by discussing the natural disasters that Canada has experienced recently. Premiers also discussed the upcoming Investment Canada Act Review; the importance of citizens’ engagement, and announced a new online initiative to enhance the sharing of information on water quality and conservation.

---

Premiers Focus on Families (PDF - 263K, 8 pages)
VANCOUVER, July 21, 2011
Premiers today lent their collective voice to emphasize the importance of families in the decisions their governments make and discussed how to address some of the many challenges Canadian families face. Premiers released a backgrounder showcasing some initiatives launched in their jurisdictions to promote wellness and stronger families.

---

Source:
Council of the Federation
On December 5, 2003, Canada’s Premiers proudly announced in Charlottetown the creation of the Council of the Federation. It is a new institution for a new era in collaborative intergovernmental relations*. The Council of the Federation was created by Premiers because they believe it is important for provinces and territories to play a leadership role in revitalizing the Canadian federation and building a more constructive and cooperative federal system. [ About Us ]

* NOTE: I crack up every time I read the Council's About Us statement re. "...a new era in collaborative intergovernmental relations". The Council of the Federation was set up by provincial-territorial Premiers *specifically* to exclude federal representation and to gang up on Stephen Harper's evidently uncollaborative federal government, notably on the subject of Medicare funding in Canada.
Gilles

Related link:

A primer on the premiers
July 22, 2011
By Susan Riley
Every summer about this time they emerge from obscurity to fill the news vacuum left by vacationing federal politicians. They are usually spotted near a luxury golf course - tieless, sporting bold checks and affecting an air of seasonal informality.
Source:
Ottawa Citizen

Council of the Federation Website
[ Conseil de la fédération - version française ]
Official website of the Premiers' Council of the Federation
"On December 5, 2003, Canada’s Premiers proudly announced in Charlottetown the creation of the Council of the Federation. It is a new institution for a new era in collaborative intergovernmental relations. The Council of the Federation was created by Premiers because they believe it is important for provinces and territories to play a leadership role in revitalizing the Canadian federation and building a more constructive and cooperative federal system.The Council of the Federation’s objectives are to:
* Promote interprovincial-territorial cooperation and closer ties between members of the Council, to ultimately strengthen Canada;
* Foster meaningful relations between governments based on respect for the Constitution and recognition of the diversity within the federation;
* Show leadership on issues important to all Canadians."
- incl. links to : About the Council - Meetings - Key Initiatives and Workplan - Newsroom - Contact Us - Useful Links

Selected site content:

Premiers Protecting Canada’s Health Care Systems (small PDF file - 1 page)
August 6, 2010 – Premiers remain focused on providing quality health care, including improving patient outcomes and the training and retaining of health care professionals. They also agreed on the need to work together to bring the growth of health care costs to a more sustainable level. [more...]

Strengthening International Trade and Relationships (small PDF file - 2 pages)
August 6, 2010 – Premiers feel very strongly about the need to open and deepen international trade relations particularly in Europe and Asia. Premiers reiterated the need for provinces and territories to be able to fully participate in Canada’s international negotiations and forums that impact their jurisdiction. [more...]

Premiers Endorse Water Charter (small PDF file - 2 pages)
August 6, 2010 – Premiers today endorsed the Council of the Federation Water Charter recognizing the collective obligation of Canadians and their governments to be responsible water stewards. [more...] Water Charter

Premiers Support Bay of Fundy in 7 Wonders of the Natural World Campaign (small PDF file - 1 page)
August 6, 2010 – The Bay of Fundy has the highest, most extreme tides in the world. One hundred billion tonnes of sea water rushes in and out of the Bay twice daily – more water than all of the world’s fresh water rivers combined. It is also a wondrous area of marine bio-diversity, and the feeding area for half of the world’s population of endangered North Atlantic Right whales, along with 12 other whale species.

Harper's "Poopyhead Decision" on the Long Census Questionnaire Trashed by Premiers
August 6, 2010 - It's probably a good thing that Prime Minister Harper is on vacation and couldn't attend the Council of the Federation meeting (What do you mean he wasn't invited?...) , because he would have heard an earful from Premiers who are mad as hell and who won't take it any more.

Source:
Council of the Federation
On December 5, 2003, Canada’s Premiers proudly announced in Charlottetown the creation of the Council of the Federation. It is a new institution for a new era* in collaborative intergovernmental relations. The Council of the Federation was created by Premiers because they believe it is important for provinces and territories to play a leadership role in revitalizing the Canadian federation and building a more constructive and cooperative federal system.

* NOTE: I crack up every time I read the Council's About Us statement re. "...a new era in collaborative intergovernmental relations". The Council of the Federation was set up by provincial-territorial Premiers *specifically* to exclude federal representation and to gang up on Stephen Harper's evidently uncollaborative federal government, notably on the subject of Medicare funding in Canada.
Gilles

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Successful Fifth Annual Summer Meeting for the Council of the Federation (PDF - 65K, 3 pages)
Québec City, July 18, 2008 – Premiers concluded the fifth annual meeting of the Council of the Federation. “This meeting gave us the opportunity to make progress on major issues affecting all of our citizens, including labour mobility, internal and external trade, and the environment while also celebrating together the 400th anniversary of Québec City,” declared Jean Charest, Premier of Québec.
NOTE : includes links to four more news releases from the meeting.

Premiers’ Meeting to Focus on Labour Mobility and Climate Change (PDF - 44K, 1 page)
July 11, 2008 – Premiers from all 13 Canadian provinces and territories will be in Québec City from July 16 to 18 for the 2008 Council of the Federation summer meeting.

Related links:

It will take a nation to lift a generation out of poverty
Premiers need to put plight of poor children on their sustainability agenda this week
By Laurel Rothman, Phil Fontaine and Vera Pawis Tabobondung
July 16, 2008
We are writing to urge the country's premiers to make poverty reduction central to their discussions in Quebec City this week on environmental and economic sustainability.Canada's ongoing success relies upon a healthy population that can sustain itself and flourish. Our premiers are in a strong position to ensure that all of our young people thrive, not merely survive. The premiers, with their federal counterparts, need to use their individual and collective positions to ensure that no child or family suffers the debilitating effects of poverty.
Source:
The Toronto Star

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Communiqué (PDF file - 75K, 6 pages)
BANFF, August 12, 2005
"The Council of the Federation concluded its meeting today in Banff, Alberta, as Premiers agreed to take historic steps towards strengthening Canada’s social and economic fabric. The Council of the Federation today unveiled several additional key initiatives including priorities in the areas of skills training and post-secondary education, pharmaceuticals, prevention and treatment of drug addiction, and fiscal imbalance."

Communiqué (PDF file - 69K, 6 pages)
BANFF, August 11, 2005
"The Council of the Federation met today in Banff, Alberta in celebration of Alberta’s Centennial. Premiers unveiled the first components of their comprehensive strategies to enhance the overall competitiveness and prosperity of Canada. The Council of the Federation’s priorities for strengthening Canada include transportation and infrastructure development, energy and trade. Premiers also met with U.S. Ambassador David Wilkins to discuss Canada – U.S. relations."

Council of the Federation Summer 2005 meeting - from the Alberta Premier's website

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From Canada.com:

Premiers calling for fall summit
Canadian Press
August 13, 2005
"BANFF, Alta. -- Canada's premiers are calling for a first ministers conference this fall and an immediate infusion of federal cash for post-secondary education and skills training to prepare the 21st century workforce. At the conclusion of three days of meetings, the provincial and territorial leaders called on Ottawa to restore $2.2 billion cut in 1995 as the first step in a new productivity strategy."

Full Premiers' Conference Coverage

Constructive and Co-operative Federalism?: A Series of Commentaries on the Council of the Federation
On December 5, 2003 the provincial premiers gathered in Charlottetown to finalize the mandate and structure for the Council of the Federation, a new mechanism designed to improve intergovernmental relations. In order to explore the new Council, the Institute of Intergovernmental Relations (IIGR) at Queen's University and the Institute for Research on Public Policy in Montreal have published a series of essays by leading experts on federalism and public policy. The papers are intended for journalists, policy-makers and the public.
[Click on the link above to access any of the papers in the list below; only the first two have live links]
* Overview (PDf file - 121K, 3 pages) - October 15, 2003
* A Short Path to Revitalized Federalism - by Tom Kent (January 2004) - PDF file - 118K, 5 pages)
* Counsel for Canadian Federalism: Aboriginal Governments and the Council of the Federation - by Frances Abele and Michael J. Prince (November 2003)
* Some Personal Reflections on the Council of the Federation - Bob Rae (November 2003)
* Getting Things Done in the Federation: Do We Need New Rules for an Old Game? - by Douglas M. Brown (October 2003)
* The Council of the Federation: From a Defensive to a Partnership Approach - by André Burelle (October 2003)
* The Council of the Federation: Conflict and Complementarity with Canada's Democratic Reform Agenda - by Roger Gibbins (October 2003)
* Managing Interdependencies in the Canadian Federation: Lessons from the Social Union Framework Agreement - by Harvey Lazar (October 2003)
* The Health Council of Canada Proposal in light of the Council of the Federation: A Test of Constructive Intergovernmental Relations? - by Greg Marchildon (October 2003)
* Council of the Federation: An Idea Whose Time has Come - by J. Peter Meekison (October 2003)
* The End of a Model? Quebec and the Council of the Federation - by Alain Noël (October 2003)
* Quebec and Interprovincial Discussion and Consultation - by Claude Ryan (October 2003)
* Expanding the Partnership: The Proposed Council of the Federation and the Challenge of Glocalization - by Hamish Telford (October 2003)
* Intergovernmental Councils in Federations - by Ronald L. Watts (October 2003)
Source:
Canadian Network of Federalism Studies
Institute of Intergovernmental Relations [IIR] (Queen's University)
Institute for Research on Public Policy (IRPP)

Council of the Federation Series
October 15, 2003
"As part of a joint initiative with the Institute for Research on Public Policy in Montreal, the Institute of Intergovernmental Relations is launching a series of twelve commentaries on the Council of the Federation. The series title is “Constructive and Co - operative Federalism? A Series of Commentaries on the Council of the Federation”. The papers, prepared by leading federalism and public policy experts across Canada, can be downloaded in PDF format."

2003 Special Series on the Council of the Federation - on this page, you'll find links to the following reports:
- Getting Things Done in the Federation: Do We Need New Rules for an Old Game?
- The End of a Model? Quebec and the Council of the Federation Alain Noël
- Counsel for Canadian Federalism: Aboriginal Governments and the Council of the Federation
- Some Personal Reflections on the Council of the Federation Bob Rae
- A Convention on the Canadian Economic and Social Systems
- Council of the Federation Founding Agreement Provincial and Territorial Premiers
- Intergovernmental Councils in Federations
- The Council of the Federation: From a Defensive to a Partnership Approach
- Expanding the Partnership: The Proposed Council of the Federation and the Challenge of Glocalization
- Managing Interdependencies in the Canadian Federation: Lessons from the Social Union Framework Agreement
- The Council of the Federation: Conflict and Complementarity with Canada’s Democratic Reform Agenda
- Quebec and Interprovincial Discussion and Consultation
- The Health Council of Canada Proposal in light of the Council of the Federation
- Council of the Federation: An Idea Whose Time has Come
Source:
Canadian Network of Federalism Studies
Institute of Intergovernmental Relations [IIR] (Queen's University)
Institute for Research on Public Policy (IRPP)

Related Links:

Provinces plan 'historic' change to federation
July 11, 2003
Source: CBC

More info about the Council of the Federation
(Excerpt)"The new Council of the Federation will provide leadership in tackling the issues that matter to Canadians and are crucial to the future of their country. It will comprise the 13 Premiers, who will meet on a regular basis. The first meeting will be held on October 24, 2003, in Quebec City."
Source:
Premiers announce plan to build a new era of constructive and cooperative federalism (July 10, 2003)
Press Release from the 44th Annual Premiers' Conference (July 9-11, 2003)
Home Government (PEI) News Release
"The five point plan includes:
- Agreement in principle to create a Council of the Federation [bolding added]
- Annual First Ministers’ Meetings
- Provincial/Territorial consultation on federal appointments
- Devolution of powers to the territories
- Establishment of federal provincial territorial protocols of conduct."
[ Canadian Intergovernmental Conference Secretariat ]