NLIS 4
July 25, 2006
(Executive Council)
 

Corporate partner participation at the Council of Federation Conference a success  

Premier Danny Williams says he is pleased with the success of this year�s corporate partnership participation in the Council of Federation (COF) conference, which has generated $510,000 in partnership revenue and reduced the costs of hosting a conference to taxpayers.  

�As anyone who has been involved with conference planning knows, hosting a conference can be a costly undertaking; however, it also gives us an incredible opportunity to showcase the province to a large delegation from across the country,� said Premier Williams.  �The monies generated from corporate partners help alleviate the financial costs to taxpayers and we are pleased to have them participate.�  

Corporate partnership is not uncommon for any large conference, including past COF conferences hosted by other provinces.  

�These partners are good corporate citizens and I am pleased to attract so many to our conference.  It is indicative of the high level of interest in COF and in our province, in general,� said Premier Williams.  �It is not a fair assessment from any outside organization, in my view, to criticize their participation as �buying time.�  As Premier, I spend much of my time throughout the year meeting with special interest groups and not-for-profit organizations, as do all of my ministers.  Complaints raised by the Federation of Labour are unfortunate and not a fair assessment of how corporate partnerships work.  As well it is important to note that contrary to reports, we have extended invitations to several not-for-profit organizations to the conference�s opening reception at The Rooms and we look forward to seeing them attend.�  

The Premier reiterated that this is a tremendous opportunity that only presents itself once a decade for Newfoundland and Labrador to showcase all our province has to offer. With close to 350 delegates including premiers and their families, government officials and national media, the conference is expected to generate approximately $1.4 million in economic spin-off for local businesses.  

As well, several organizations that have requested meetings with the premiers, will be meeting with ministers who will be pleased to have the opportunity to meet and discuss issues.  

�It is unfortunate that the Federation of Labour has made a choice to distract from the good work being done at the conference and the wonderful opportunity to host so many guests from outside the province.�  

As presented on the Council of Federation conference�s public web site (www.gov.nl.ca/cof), the conference has attracted 12 corporate partners. Diamond-level partners contributing $75,000 each are: Aliant, TransCanada, INCO and ING.  Platinum level partners contributing $50,000 each are: Canadian Renewable Fuels Association and Amgen.  Gold level partners contributing $25,000 each are: Fortis Inc., Rogers Communications, Labatt Breweries of Canada and Molson. Sterling partners contributing $5,000 each are: Jansen-Ortho and Provincial Aerospace Ltd  

Media contact:  Elizabeth Matthews, Office of the Premier, (709) 729-3690 , 351-1227 , elizabethmatthews@gov.nl.ca

2006 07 25                                                        3:45 p.m.