The New Social Union Framework

In a spirit of mutual respect and cooperation, the Government of Canada, nine provinces and the territories embarked on a new era of flexible federalism by agreeing on a new framework to strengthen Canada's health and social programs to better meet the needs of Canadians as we enter the 21^st century.

We are, of course, disappointed that the government of Quebec did not see fit to join us in the historic agreement.

This process has never been about government's winning and losing. It has been about delivering better services to Canadians. And there is no doubt that Canadians are the big winners today.

This is the kind of cooperation and consensus building Canadians want to see -- where governments put aside turf wars and work on the things that matter in their daily lives: health care, kids, post-secondary education, making sure they get the support they need, when they need it and no matter where they live in Canada.

The Agreement includes:

• Principles that give expression to fundamental Canadian values: the equality of every Canadian, respect for diversity, fairness, individual dignity and responsibility, and our mutual responsibility for one another.
• Commitments not to erect any new barriers to mobility in new social policy initiatives and to eliminate within three years any residency-based policies or practices that constrain access to post-secondary education, training, health and social services and social assistance.
• Commitments to strengthen accountability to Canadians and give citizens a greater voice by: monitoring and measuring outcomes of social programs, reporting regularly to constituents on the performance of these programs, and ensuring effective mechanisms for Canadians to participate in developing social priorities and reviewing outcomes.
• A new approach to the federal spending power that enshrines its essential role in the Canadian social union, assures funding predictability, makes it easier for governments to work together on shared objectives, and gives provinces and territories the flexibility they need to respond to local circumstances.
• Commitments to provide advance notice prior to implementing a major change in a social policy or program that will likely affect other governments; to consult prior to such implementation, and to promote collaborative action by sharing information on emerging social trends, problem and priorities.
• Guidelines for dispute avoidance and resolution, including the appropriate use of third parties. And,
• Provision for a review of the framework agreement within three years.

This is not the end of the process it is just the beginning. It sets the stage for all governments to work together even more effectively in the future.