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.


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