Annual Premiers� meeting results of significant benefit to Newfoundland and Labrador

The outcomes achieved at the summer Council of the Federation (COF) meeting of all provincial and territorial premiers are some of the most productive and positive results ever achieved for this province. The country�s health care system was the main focus of the meetings which were held in Niagara On The Lake from July 28 - 30. The main objective of the meeting was to develop proposals to bring forward to the Prime Minister at September�s First Ministers Meeting. Newfoundland and Labrador�s Premier Danny Williams attended the COF along with all other premiers.

"This was an historic meeting in many ways, not the least of which was that we achieved consensus on a new and innovative proposal on a national pharmacare program which will greatly benefit Newfoundlanders and Labradorians," said Premier Williams. "A national pharmacare program would provide people of this province more comprehensive drug coverage. We will meet national standards and be able to offer drugs that we currently cannot afford to offer residents of our province. The result would be universal and equal drug coverage right across this nation which I believe lives up to the spirit of the Canada Health Act."

The premier said the fact there was consensus from all premiers, including those from Alberta and Quebec, is historic given the differing priorities and views of the provinces on issues related to health care. The provincial drug program in this province currently costs approximately $110 million a year and Premier Williams says having the federal government take over this program would free up that money for other priority areas.

The Premier also met with Debbie Forward, President of the Newfoundland and Labrador Nurses Union and Linda Silas, President of the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions to discuss their proposal on the federal government taking on the costs and coordination of provincial drug programs. "I listened to their proposal and thought it made a great deal of sense, especially given the discussions that were taking place around the Council of the Federation table. I was pleased to be able to take that proposal back to my fellow premiers with my endorsement."

"A national pharmacare program makes great sense," added the premier. "The federal government already has responsibility for many of the regulatory issues related to drugs, and this new approach would result in one-stop shopping, potentially better prices on drugs and most importantly, a comprehensive drug program for all Canadians."

The Premier was also extremely pleased that he was able to raise the issue of high travel costs for the residents of Labrador at the meeting with his colleagues. "There were lengthy discussions around the high travel costs associated with the delivery of health care for people living in northern and remote regions. Labrador was originally excluded from the dialogue; however, I insisted that any discussions on travel costs related to health care include Labrador and my fellow premiers agreed," said Premier Williams. "We agreed as premiers that this issue needs to be addressed and we will be bringing it forward to the Prime Minister when we meet with him on September 13. Geography should not impact an individual�s ability to access health care. Our province�s fiscal situation does not allow us to deal with all of these problems on our own, but with the assistance of the federal government we can start to address some of these important issues to the people of the province." The premiers also agreed to discuss with the Prime Minister the serious aboriginal health care issues which must be addressed, including those aboriginals living in Newfoundland and Labrador.

The premiers also agreed that the federal government has an obligation to increase its base cash funding under the Canada Health Transfer to 25 per cent of total health care spending by the provinces and territories, and that this level of funding should be maintained and not come at the expense of other social programs and equalization.

Premier Williams also commended the two youth delegates who attended the COF meetings as a part of a special Youth Forum. Two youths were selected from each province and territory based on a essay writing contest to participate in separate meetings that ran parallel to the premiers meetings. The youths from Newfoundland and Labrador were Kaila Mintz from Corner Brook and Zoiey Cobbs from Mount Pearl. "I was so impressed with the representation from our province. Zoiey and Kaila were engaging, articulate and all around great ambassadors for our province," said Premier Williams. "I would like to thank them publically for their interest and participation and most especially for being such great representatives of the youth of Newfoundland and Labrador."

Media contact: Elizabeth Matthews, Office of the Premier, (709) 729-3960 or (709) 690-5500

2004 08 02                                       11:10 a.m.