WHITEHORSE – Premier Dennis Fentie is looking forward to discussions on common priorities when he meets with his provincial and territorial counterparts later this week.
Fentie will travel to Quebec City for a meeting with Canadian premiers for a Council of the Federation (CoF) meeting July 17–18.
“Meeting with Canada’s premiers provides an opportunity to bring forward issues that are important to Yukon and to the North overall,” Fentie said.
Prior to the CoF meeting, Fentie and the other premiers will meet with leaders of Canada’s national Aboriginal organizations on July 16. Agenda items include a discussion on trends in Aboriginal policy as well as education and lifelong learning.
The main themes of this year’s CoF meeting are labour market, trade, and climate change. Yukon will co-lead a discussion on Canada-U.S. relations.
“Canada’s relationship with the United States is an important issue for all of Canada, including Yukon,” Fentie said. “Highways through the Yukon to Alaska are the main economic arteries and supply routes for the northwest. With such a large number of people and goods travelling through the territory, Yukon’s priorities include Canada-U.S. border safety and free flow across the border.”
Labour market discussions will focus on efforts to create a stronger labour force in Canada, and discussions on trade will include relationships with the United States, China, and the European Union. Premiers will also review ongoing progress on the climate change declaration signed last year.
The Council of the Federation comprises all 13 provincial and territorial premiers. It enables premiers to work collaboratively to strengthen the Canadian federation by enhancing relationships among provinces and territories and with the federal government.
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Contact:
| Roxanne Vallevand Cabinet Communications 867-633-7949 roxanne.vallevand@gov.yk.ca |
Rebecca Johnson Communications, Executive Council Office 867-667-5339 rebecca.johnson@gov.yk.ca |