Signing of a labour market development agreement with New Brunswick

I am very pleased to be here today with Premier McKenna to sign this historic agreement.

This agreement, and the agreement we signed with the Government of Alberta last week, are important steps in the right direction.

They are about getting unemployed Canadians back to work. They demonstrate how two levels of governments can work together to build cooperative partnerships for the good of Canadians.

And finally, they are examples of the Government of Canada fulfilling promises it made to Canadians.

The Governments of Canada and New Brunswick have a long history of cooperation in the area of labour markets. We have proven that this cooperation works -- with innovative programs that have helped New Brunswickers find jobs.

This agreement, and the Canada-Alberta agreement, were negotiated to provide more flexibility for provinces to develop the right programs to meet the needs of their unemployed.

They are examples of a pragmatic and innovative form of cooperation.

They pave the way for the two levels of governments to work smarter and work together, with the unemployed being the clear winners.

Over the last three years, our government has proven that Canadian federalism is flexible and dynamic. These agreements are demonstrations of our commitment to renewing the federation one step at a time.

Our government is ready to introduce new arrangements that eliminate duplication and allow us to serve Canadians better.

Last May, we made a practical offer to the provinces and territories. We invited them to design active employment benefits and measures tailored to the unique needs and priorities of their labour markets.

In November 1995, I promised that the federal government would withdraw from labour market training over a period of three years.

In the weeks and months ahead, we will continue to negotiate labour market agreements with the other provinces and territories.

We are prepared to put some $2 billion into the hands of all the provinces and territories for better back-to-work measures -- $2 billion to focus on one over-riding goal, to get Canadians back into jobs.

Canadians need to get back to work. I understand that need. Our goal at all levels of government is the same: to create an environment that provides Canadians with opportunities and jobs.

This is an era of new relationships, new partnerships between governments, to provide Canadians the services, and the results they need.

In the Speech from the Throne, the government responded to the will of Canadians with a commitment to renew the Canadian federation.

In June, my provincial counterparts and I laid down an important set of concrete, practical measures to clarify the roles and responsibilities of each level of government, and to reduce overlap and duplication. We agreed that services to citizens should be delivered by the level of government most capable of doing it efficiently.

This is an era of new relationships and new partnerships between governments, to provide Canadians with the services and the results they need.

The federal government has withdrawn from the forestry, mining and recreation sectors. A few weeks ago, Environment Ministers signed an agreement in principle on environmental harmonization which will allow us to have the highest standards in this field.

Mr. Pettigrew has also initiated a dialogue with his provincial and territorial counterparts with the goal of strengthening the social union.

These concrete gestures -- like the signing of agreements on labour market development with Alberta and New Brunswick -- demonstrate that we keep our commitments.

I am confident that these two new agreements will also help to inspire agreements all across the country over the coming months.

Together, we will help more unemployed Canadians get back to work.

Thank you.