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August 5, 1997
(Executive Council)


Premier Brian Tobin is in New Brunswick today to attend the 1997 Annual Premiers' Conference, to be held from August 6-8. At the conference, premiers will discuss Jobs and Growth, Social Policy Renewal, and Rebalancing the Federation.

Premier Tobin's priorities for the Jobs and Growth discussions at the conference include ensuring a recognition of the different economic challenges faced by the different regions of the country, particularly in Eastern Canada. Premier Tobin said: "We must ensure that the federation is flexible enough to respond to the circumstances in each region. All Canadians should share in the benefits and opportunities that Canada offers."

Premiers will discuss the status of work to renew Canada's social programs. This will include reviewing the considerable progress that provinces and the federal government have made together in developing the National Child Benefit program to address child poverty. Quality health care is also a major priority for Canadians. Premier Tobin said: "I will be discussing the increasing cost of health care with the other premiers, and ways that, together with the Government of Canada, we can better meet Canadians' health care needs for the future.

"The aim of Social Policy Renewal is to serve Canadians better. Social Policy Renewal is not about getting the Government of Canada out of social programs and giving each province the power to do what it wants with social programs. The federal government must continue to play a strong role in ensuring the ability of all provinces to provide Canadians with the quality services they deserve and expect." Premiers will be reviewing options for ways in which provinces and the federal government can work together better, and more efficiently. Premier Tobin said: "All Canadians have the right to comparable health care, education, and social services. That is where Canadians want social policy to go. The best way to get there is if we all pull together. Working together is how Canada became the best country in the world."

Contact: Heidi Bonnell, (709) 685-3674.

1997 08 05 12:25 p.m.

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