Written by CBC News Online staff

Martin, premiers begin 'new era' with pledge

Last Updated Mon, 17 Nov 2003 0:12:09

REGINA - Canada's premiers and territorial leaders will have a larger role
in shaping the country's national policies, new Liberal Leader Paul Martin
said Sunday.

Martin promised to meet with them every year, starting in a few months.
Everyone at the table will have a say in the agenda, he added, and the
first meeting will focus on health-care reform.

"I have always been in favour of regular meetings with the
provinces," told reporters after an informal get-together with
provincial and territorial leaders in Regina. They sat down for about two
hours before the Grey Cup game. "If you're going to establish national
objectives and national priorities, you've got to establish it jointly. And
that's exactly what I am looking forward to."

Martin made the promises two days after getting the new job as Liberal
leader, and two days before finding out when he will become prime minister.
He's scheduled to meet Jean Chretien on Tuesday to discuss the transition
of power. Chretien has recently hinted he may retire in January, one month
earlier than previously announced.

Martin told the premiers he hopes he'll be able to give them the extra $2
billion for health care recently promised by Chrtien's government. But the
former finance minister warned that the increased funding will depend on
whether Canada posts another surplus, as projected. "If we can deliver
on it we will deliver on it. But we're not going to go back into
deficit," Martin said.

Sunday's meeting touched on everything from making sure previous plans for
a national health council go ahead, to improving Canada-U.S. relations.
They also talked about ways to include municipalities more directly when
drafting a range of policies, including immigration programs and
infrastructure investment. "I think that we made considerable progress
 in terms of how we should work together, and how we can build on
that," Martin said.

In recent weeks, several premiers have said they're looking forward to
working with a new prime minister. They've predicted improved
federal-provincial relations once Martin moves into 24 Sussex Drive. Prince
Edward Island Premier Pat Binns called Sunday's meeting before the CFL
championship "quite successful."

"Obviously we wanted to establish a spirit of co-operation together,
beginning now," said Binns, who spoke on behalf of the other premiers.
He chaired the last meeting of provincial and territorial leaders in
Charlottetown in July. "To use a football analogy, I believe we've
moved the yardsticks somewhat," Binns said. "I think it's a new
era," said Alberta Premier Ralph Klein. "There is more goodwill
around that table today than there's been in a decade," agreed Ontario
Premier Dalton McGuinty.


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