Minister comments on meeting with Quebec counterpart

Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Tom Lush today said his recent meeting with his Quebec counterpart, Minister Joseph Facal, was successful in initiating an open and positive working relationship.

"In my meetings with Minister Facal, we both agreed on the importance of developing a good working relationship on matters of common intergovernmental interest," said Minister Lush. "I underlined to the minister the importance of ensuring that relations between Quebec and this government continue to be as effective and cooperative as they have been in the past few years in developing our province to its full potential."

Among the topics discussed at last week's meeting were the Newfoundland and Labrador/Quebec Labour Mobility Agreement, the Newfoundland/Nova Scotia Offshore Boundary Dispute Arbitration and the Newfoundland and Labrador/Quebec Boundary. The issue of the Labrador Hydro Project was also raised in the meeting.

"Minister Facal committed to relating to Premier Landry Newfoundland and Labrador's hope to bring a successful conclusion to the ongoing discussions on the Labrador Hydro Project," said Minister Lush.

Both ministers discussed the positive outcome of the Newfoundland and Labrador/Quebec Labour Mobility Agreement signed by both provinces in 1998. The purpose of this agreement is to mutually recognize the qualifications, skills and work experience of construction workers and contractors of both jurisdictions.

Regarding the ongoing Newfoundland/Nova Scotia Offshore Boundary Dispute Arbitration, Minister Lush expressed to Minister Facal the province of Newfoundland and Labrador's interest in a resolution on this issue. "I outlined to Minister Facal that the current arbitration is between Newfoundland and Labrador and Nova Scotia and that the decision of the tribunal will have no impact on Quebec," he said.

The meeting concluded on a friendly note with Minister Lush extending an invitation to Minister Facal to meet with him in Newfoundland and Labrador in a follow-up to their initial meeting.

Media contact: Tansy Mundon, Communications, (709) 729-1341.

2001 03 26                                         4:00 p.m.