Premiers United, Call for Federal Partnership and Action
TORONTO, ON, December 2, 2019 – Canada’s Premiers are united in their
commitment to work together for the benefit of all Canadians. They came together today
in unprecedented fashion to discuss challenges and opportunities facing the country;
share regional perspectives; and identify ways to better address the needs of
Canadians wherever they live and work. Premiers discussed opportunities related to the
regional jobs and economic potential in resource industries such as the energy, mining,
forestry, agriculture and fisheries sectors. They reiterated their commitment to growing
the Canadian economy and taking the necessary steps to address regional disparities
across the country.
Premiers continue to seek a constructive partnership with the federal government and
invite the Prime Minister to co-host a meeting of First Ministers early in the new year to
work together to address regional concerns and pursue shared priorities. Premiers have
written to the Prime Minister today to share this approach and look forward to his swift
response.
Premiers agreed on the need for immediate action on the following priority areas:
1. Economic Competitiveness
Premiers are committed to strengthening Canada’s economy to increase
competitiveness and create jobs in every region. Premiers’ priorities include:
• Continuing to develop resources in a responsible manner and ensure access to
markets for Canada’s products, which are among the most sustainably and ethically
produced in the world.
• Working with the federal government to pursue improvements to the federal
environmental assessment regime to ensure regulatory certainty, globally
competitive timelines, and the full implementation of ‘one project, one assessment’
by exempting projects that fall within provincial-territorial jurisdiction from mandatory
federal impact assessment.
• Expanding international trade to get our resources and products to all markets and
work to eliminate protectionist measures, such as those on softwood lumber and
Buy America provisions which negatively impact our industries.
2. Fiscal Stabilization Program
The Fiscal Stabilization Program is intended to support jurisdictions experiencing
significant fiscal challenges. Premiers call for the federal government to work with
finance ministers to strengthen the Fiscal Stabilization Program to make it more
responsive to economic circumstances and downturns in resource sectors without
compromising other transfer programs. Changes could include, but are not limited to,

 removing the per capita cap, lowering the non-resource revenue threshold and
retroactive payments over the last five years.
3. Healthcare and Infrastructure
The federation works best when provinces and territories have the autonomy and
resources to pursue their economic and social objectives. Respecting
provincial/territorial jurisdiction, Premiers reiterated their call for the federal government
to increase funding by an annual escalator of 5.2% to the Canada Health Transfer
consistent with independent analysis by the Conference Board of Canada of budget
pressures. Premiers also discussed national pharmacare and emphasized that any
program must be developed in partnership with provinces and territories.
Federal infrastructure funding should be flexible, respect provincial-territorial priorities,
and the federal approval process must be accelerated.
Federal transfers should include opportunities to opt out with full financial
compensation. Further, the federal government must respect provincial/territorial
jurisdiction and authority.
4. Northern Priorities
Tangible and significant nation-building activities are needed in the three territories. This
includes robust investment in infrastructure that will improve the lives of northerners,
and greater support for climate action that fights, mitigates and adapts to rapidly
changing environments in the North.
- 30 Media enquiries may be directed to:
Jim Billington
Director of Communications and Press Secretary
Office of the Premier
Government of Saskatchewan
(306) 787-0425
jim.billington@gov.sk.ca