The Honourable Pat Binns, Chair of the Council of the Federation, wrote to the leaders of Canada’s major political parties to receive the parties’ official position on the sustainability of the health care system and means by which the fiscal imbalance can be addressed. Binns is seeking the leaders' positions on behalf of all Canadian Premiers.
The text of the letter is attached.
The Premier believes it is important that Canadians know where the party leaders stand on these important issues.
"Health care is the number one priority for Canadians so it is critical that they are able to make an informed choice on June 28th," said Premier Binns.
On December 5, 2003, Canada’s Premiers proudly announced in Charlottetown the creation of the Council of the Federation. It is a new institution for a new era in collaborative intergovernmental relations.
One important objective of the Council of the Federation is to improve the quality of life of Canadians by exercising leadership on issues of importance to Canadians and in improving federal-provincial-territorial relations.
Text of Letter to Canada’s Major Political Parties
(Liberal Party of Canada, Conservative Party of Canada, Bloc Québécois Party and New Democrat Party of Canada) signed by Honourable Pat Binns as Chair of the Council of the Federation, Dated May 31, 2004
The Premiers of the Provinces and the Territories created the Council of the Federation to provide a forum for governments to work co-operatively and constructively in the true spirit of our federal system of government.
We believe that Canadians want a new and positive approach to federal-provincial-territorial relations. They also expect governments to ensure high quality, timely, and appropriate health care services are available for them now and in the future.
In this spirit, we believe it would be useful for the people of Canada to be informed on where the federal political parties and leaders stand on key issues for our citizens that must be jointly addressed by our respective governments, particularly during the federal election campaign. In particular, we ask you to respond to the following questions:
1. What is the position of your party on the sustainability of our health care systems, including the appropriate levels of the federal government’s long term funding for health care?
2. Will your party confirm the commitment of the Prime Minister of Canada to call a First Ministers' meeting on this issue in the months following the election of a new government?
3. What is your party’s position on the issue of the fiscal imbalance?
4. Would your party agree to a First Ministers' meeting on the issue of fiscal arrangements before the next federal budget?
We believe it is important that Canadians know your position on these matters, given the fundamental stake that we all have in preserving the quality of the public services which our citizens are entitled to expect from their provincial and territorial governments.