Press Room

MINISTER DION SIGNS A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING ON COOPERATION ON FEDERALISM WITH MEXICO

OTTAWA, ONTARIO, January 20, 2003 – The Honourable Stéphane Dion, President of the Privy Council and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, today signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation on federalism with Mexico’s Interior Secretary, Mr. Santiago Creel.

"This memorandum of understanding," stated Mr. Dion, "confirms the common objectives and values shared by our two countries. It marks not the beginning, but rather the continuation of a process of cooperation that has been growing quickly between Mexico and Canada in this field since 2000, thanks in particular to the Forum of Federations."

The objective of the memorandum of understanding is essentially to establish a general framework to guide the governments of both countries in establishing and implementing joint measures on federalism. These activities for cooperation will take the following forms:

1. government-to-government discussions and information exchange on federalism and other matters of mutual interest;

2. promotion of technical cooperation, including the contribution of expertise, the design of information and the execution of studies, projects and programs, the undertaking of joint investigations, as well as the holding of workshops in the areas of cooperation determined by the participants;

3. encouragement of ever more fruitful relations among the state governments of the United States of Mexico and the provincial and territorial governments of Canada.

The areas for cooperation set out in the agreement include decentralization, constitutional and institutional design for federalism, distribution of government responsibilities, fiscal federalism, intergovernmental relations, citizen involvement, transparency and accountability, training and professionalism, and other areas for cooperation decided upon between the participants. The agreement also provides for the establishment of a follow-up mechanism staffed by a representative appointed by each participant.

Minister Dion said he was especially pleased that the cooperation established between Mexico and Canada will help both countries address the particular challenge facing intergovernmental relations in a context of globalization.

"An event like this speaks not only to the vitality, but also to the depth of our bilateral relations. Mexico is currently committed to major governance reforms, and we believe that strengthening ties with other federations is bound to be an important asset for each of us. We have much to learn from each other, to our mutual benefit," Minister Dion concluded.

-30-