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MINISTER DION ANNOUNCES FUNDING TO
SUPPORT THE FORUM OF FEDERATIONS
OTTAWA, ONTARIO, October 8, 1999 – The
Honourable Stéphane Dion, President of the Privy Council and Minister of
Intergovernmental Affairs, announced today that the Government of Canada will
provide funding to support the establishment of the Forum of Federations as an
ongoing organization.
Mr. Dion said that "the high quality of the
conference concluding at Mont Tremblant today and the great interest in
maintaining links between federations demonstrates the value of the Forum of
Federations. The Government of Canada is pleased to be able to provide support
to permit the Forum to become established over the next three years."
The Government's support for the Forum of
Federations over the next three years will total $10.5 million. It will provide
$2.5 million annually in core funding -- $2 million from the Department of
Foreign Affairs and International Trade and $500,000 from the Privy Council
Office. In addition, the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) will
provide program funding of $1 million per year for the Forum's activities in
developing federations.
The Forum of Federations, a non-governmental
organization with an independent, international board of directors, will be a
clearing house and resource on federalism. The Forum will focus on involving
practitioners and on the exchange of research and information for the challenges
they face. The Forum will provide assistance to established and emerging
federations and encourage the interest of youth in federalism.
"The Forum of Federations will play an
extremely valuable role by helping practitioners compare experiences and best
practices in order to improve the practice of federalism in a wide range of
countries," suggested Mr. Dion. "We, as Canadians, have much to learn
from other federations."
The Honourable Lloyd Axworthy, Minister of
Foreign Affairs, noted that there is considerable interest in federalism in many
developing countries. According to the Minister, "the objectives of the
Forum are very much in keeping with Canada's support for safeguarding human
security and promoting democratic development."
The Minister for International Cooperation, the
Honourable Maria Minna, noted "the importance of this contribution in
strengthening civil society" and welcomed "the creation of an ongoing
forum on federalism."
In conclusion, Mr. Dion expressed his gratitude
to the Committee for a Forum of Federations and the conference co-chairs, the
Honourable Bob Rae and Dr. Henning Voscherau (former Premier of Hamburg,
Germany). "Mr. Rae, Dr. Vosherau and their collaborators deserve full marks
for their excellent work in organizing the Conference and in building
international support for the Forum itself."
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For information:
André Lamarre
Special Assistant
(613) 943-1838
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