Executive Council
November 23, 2006
Summer Meeting of Council of the Federation
Provides Economic Benefit to Newfoundland and Labrador
The Province of Newfoundland and Labrador
showcased itself to the national and international community this past
summer and received significant economic benefit as hosts of the Summer
Meeting of the Council of the Federation.
�Our province was able to highlight to the world the amazing talent that
we have, our beautiful scenery and the world class tourist attractions
that rival any place on the globe,� said the Honourabale Danny Williams,
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador. �As Chair of the Council of the
Federation I was extremely proud to demonstrate to my colleagues, the
national and international media and all conference delegates what we
have to offer. This included our incredible entertainment and our
extraordinary crafts and provincially made products.�
Each member province of the Council of the Federation (COF) hosts the
conference when the respective premier of the jurisdiction serves as
chair, an opportunity that comes around every 10 years. In 2006, the
Annual Summer Meeting of the Council of the Federation was held in St.
John�s on July 27 and 28 and approximately 350 delegates attended. A
pre-conference meeting between premiers and Aboriginal leaders was also
held in Corner Brook on July 25.
Along with providing an international showcase for Newfoundland and
Labrador the conference provided substantial economic benefit to the
province. Through both corporate partnership and support from the COF
Secretariat the cost to the Provincial Government was just over
$482,000. This represents a substantial saving when compared to the
projected budget for 2006-07 which was $1.5 million. Furthermore, the
conference generated approximately $1.4 million in economic spin-off
throughout the province.
�Delegates to the conference came to our province and spent significant
amounts of money here, as is usual practice for these events. Many of
those in attendance came early and stayed later than the program
schedule in order to experience our province as part of their vacation,�
continued Premier Williams. �I was also very proud to showcase the
magnificent cultural talent of our province. Artists from all regions of
Newfoundland and Labrador performed to audiences who were simply amazed
by the level of entertainment. As well, delegates received tokens of our
hospitality that were creations of artists from rural regions of the
province. As Premier, I was extremely delighted to purchase these items
in support of our cultural community and even more proud to see the
gratitude of delegates who received these items.�
The Council of the Federation comprises all 13 provincial and
territorial premiers. It enables premiers to work collaboratively to
strengthen the Canadian federation by fostering a constructive
relationship among the provinces, territories, and with the federal
government.
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Media contact:
Elizabeth Matthews
Director of Communications
Office of the Premier
709-729-3960, 351-1227
elizabethmatthews@gov.nl.ca
2006 11 23
4:30 p.m. |