May 31, 2004, CHARLOTTETOWN, PEI – The Honourable Pat Binns, Chair of
the Council of the Federation, wrote to the leaders of Canada’s major
political parties to receive the parties’ official position on the sustainability
of the health care system and means by which the fiscal imbalance can be addressed.
Binns is seeking the leaders' positions on behalf of all Canadian Premiers.
The text of the letter is attached.
The Premier believes it is important that Canadians know where the party leaders
stand on these important issues.
"Health care is the number one priority for Canadians so it is critical
that they are able to make an informed choice on June 28th," said Premier
Binns.
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.
One important objective of the Council of the Federation is to improve the
quality of life of Canadians by exercising leadership on issues of importance
to Canadians and in improving federal-provincial-territorial relations.
Text of Letter to Canada’s Major Political Parties
(Liberal Party of Canada, Conservative Party of Canada, Bloc Québécois
Party and New Democrat Party of Canada) signed by Honourable Pat Binns as
Chair of the Council of the Federation, Dated May 31, 2004.
The Premiers of the Provinces and the Territories created the Council of the
Federation to provide a forum for governments to work co-operatively and constructively
in the true spirit of our federal system of government.
We believe that Canadians want a new and positive approach to federal-provincial-territorial
relations. They also expect governments to ensure high quality, timely, and
appropriate health care services are available for them now and in the future.
In this spirit, we believe it would be useful for the people of Canada to
be informed on where the federal political parties and leaders stand on key
issues for our citizens that must be jointly addressed by our respective governments,
particularly during the federal election campaign. In particular, we ask you
to respond to the following questions:
- What is the position of your party on the sustainability of our health care systems,
including the appropriate levels of the federal government’s long
term funding for health care?
- Will your party confirm the commitment of the Prime Minister of Canada to call
a First Ministers' meeting on this issue in the months following the election
of a new government?
- Whatmis your party’s position on the issue of the fiscal imbalance?
- Would your party agree to a First Ministers' meeting on the issue of fiscal arrangements
before the next federal budget?
We believe it is important that Canadians know your position on these matters,
given the fundamental stake that we all have in preserving the quality of
the public services which our citizens are entitled to expect from their provincial
and territorial governments.
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