AB, BC AND SK - WESTERN ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP

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ALBERTA, B.C. AND SASKATCHEWAN AGREE TO WESTERN ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP

http://www.gov.sk.ca/news?newsId=d38710 ... 16e3f9de7d

News Release - September 11, 2009

Strengthening internal trade, innovation and international marketing, further developing Canada-U.S. relations and committing to improve pension coverage for workers highlighted the Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan joint cabinet meeting.

During the meeting, the provinces signed two key agreements, including a Memorandum of Understanding on Carbon Capture and Storage Technology and Policy, which focuses on advancing cooperation on energy research and technology.

"Collaboration in the West has best positioned our provinces to lead Canada both economically and in the development of clean energy technologies such as carbon capture and storage," said Premier Stelmach. "By joining forces with B.C. and Saskatchewan, we can better develop and deploy this innovative technology, helping to meet climate change objectives and make us international leaders in this technology."

The premiers also signed a Western Economic Partnership. The partnership will create a broad western interprovincial trade agreement to create the largest barrier-free trade and investment market in Canada. The partnership will also enhance collaboration on international marketing, innovation and procurement.

"I am pleased that we are one step closer to completing the Western Economic Partnership that we committed to at our last meeting," said Premier Wall. "This partnership will break down unnecessary trade barriers and facilitate cooperation on international marketing, innovation and procurement."

The Premiers also reiterated their commitment to develop options for a new regional voluntary pension plan for workers who do not have an employer-based plan. Premiers expressed concern that only 20 per cent of private sector workers in the three provinces are covered by employer pension plans.

"It is unacceptable that so many of our citizens are not in a position to take advantage of an employer-sponsored pension plan," said Premier Campbell. "We are all firmly committed to working together to develop an option that will provide a pension plan for those workers not currently benefiting from such a plan. We will continue to lead the country on this issue as we work cooperatively to move this matter forward."

The Premiers also discussed the submissions by Saskatchewan and B.C. proponents to the federal Expert Review Panel on Medical Isotopes. Western Canada's ability to eliminate Canada's reliance on a single source for medical isotopes to meet patients' needs and expand capacity for new research and development activities offers significant future potential for collaboration between the provinces.

Premiers expressed their concern about the impact of gangs and organized crime in their provinces and committed to coordinate a gang database by the end of 2009.

The Premiers' discussion also highlighted the importance of Canada's relationship with the US, and the need to ensure that our trade occurs in a stable, rules-based framework. A joint mission to Asia to further explore trade and investment opportunities with the western provinces will be undertaken by the Premiers in spring 2010.

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Media inquiries may be directed to:
Tom Olsen
Office of the Premier
Alberta
Phone: 780 718-3034

Bridgitte Anderson
Office of the Premier
British Columbia
Phone: 604 307-7177

Ian Hanna
Office of the Premier
Saskatchewan
Phone: 306 530-3177

Related Documents

Western Economic Partnership (2).pdf (199.5 KB)

http://www.gov.sk.ca/adx/aspx/
adxGetMedia.aspx?mediaId=914&PN=Shared

The Governments of British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan agreed at the March 13, 2009 joint Cabinet meeting to enter into a Western Economic Partnership. The Western Economic Partnership will create an unprecedented economic partnership with the three provinces representing a total western market of nine million people with a combined GDP of $555 billion.

In recognition of the strong economic foundation of the West and the benefit of cooperation in advancing the provinces’ shared interests, the Western Economic Partnership will establish the framework for collaboration on innovative ways to bolster the economy of the West to:

• improve the competitiveness and productivity of the West;

• attract business, investment and talent to the West;

• support and build capacity for innovation in the West; and,

• strengthen and diversify the economy of the West.

The Western Economic Partnership will encompass four areas:

1. internal trade;

2. international marketing;

3. innovation; and,

4. procurement.

1. Internal Trade

Building on the agreement already in place between British Columbia and Alberta, the Western Economic Partnership will include a comprehensive western interprovincial trade agreement (Agreement) to remove barriers to trade, investment and labour mobility between the three western provinces. The Agreement will cover all public sector entities and will encompass all economic sectors.

The purpose of the Western Economic Partnership’s western interprovincial trade agreement will be to:

• establish an open, efficient and stable market encompassing British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan;

• enhance competitiveness, economic growth and stability;

• increase opportunities and choice for workers, consumers, investors and business;

• reduce costs for consumers, businesses and governments;

• promote development that is sustainable and environmentally sound, high levels of consumer protection, and health and labour standards; and,

• support ongoing trade and investment liberalization both nationally and internationally.

The outcomes of the Agreement will be to:

STRENGTHEN THE REGION – The Agreement will demonstrate that British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan are aligned as a single economic region in western Canada. As such, the region will provide a more attractive location to build and grow businesses and create jobs, and a platform to access the Canadian, North American and global markets. The Agreement will provide a level playing field for workers and businesses across the region. Business will benefit from open and non-discriminatory procurement opportunities.

IMPROVE COMPETITIVENESS – The Agreement will remove unnecessary barriers, reduce costs and improve the competitiveness of businesses operating across the region, which will benefit consumers. Improving business competitiveness will further strengthen the region both domestically and internationally.

PROVIDE EFFECTIVE REGULATION – The Agreement will address the differences in government measures that are creating unnecessary barriers to trade. The Agreement will ensure that, going forward, the three provinces work together when developing new measures so that they do not create impediments to trade within the region.

ENVIRONMENTAL AND CONSUMER PROTECTION, WORKER AND PUBLIC SAFETY, HEALTH AND LABOUR STANDARDS – The Parties recognize the importance of such measures and the Agreement will provide for the ability of each Party to maintain and enact legislation and regulations in these areas.

The Parties further agree that negotiations will recognize the particular needs of Saskatchewan.

2. International Marketing

The Western Economic Partnership will include an international marketing Memorandum of Understanding to develop joint initiatives that will result in the delivery of high quality, cost-effective activities in areas of common interest.

This international marketing Memorandum of Understanding will set the context to explore and identify specific bilateral and trilateral initiatives that create long-term economic benefits for the citizens of each province.

The provinces will, where appropriate:

• cooperate on trade and investment missions to international markets;

• undertake joint marketing and trade activities in sectors of agreed interest;

• share market intelligence on sectors of agreed interest; and

• explore models for making in-market resources available to advance the joint interests of the provinces.

The outcomes of the Western Economic Partnership’s international marketing agreement will be to:

ENHANCE COOPERATION ON TRADE MISSIONS AND MARKETING – The Memorandum of Understanding will support coordination of international trade, investment missions, or marketing activities which highlight the strength of the western provinces.

IMPROVE SHARING OF MARKET INTELLIGENCE – The Memorandum of Understanding will encourage the sharing of, or collaboration on, international market research activities.

ENCOURAGE OPPORTUNITIES TO JOINTLY UTILIZE IN-MARKET RESOURCES – The Memorandum of Understanding will encourage provinces to share resources and infrastructure in international markets in order for provinces to establish an effective and efficient presence in priority markets.

3. Innovation

The Western Economic Partnership will encompass an innovation Memorandum of Understanding to coordinate provincial investments in research and development (R&D) activities in the West in order to:

• enable the three governments to use resources more efficiently and strategically;

• build critical mass of R&D activities in the West;

• attract investments and talent; and,

• strengthen the West’s ability to compete in the world.

The outcomes of the innovation Memorandum of Understanding will be to:

IMPROVE INFORMATION-SHARING – The Memorandum of Understanding will ensure provinces share information and analysis on innovation activities and investments taking place in each province.

STRENGTHEN REGIONAL INNOVATION CAPACITY – The Memorandum of Understanding will provide for provinces to undertake joint activities that will strengthen or build regional innovation clusters in collaboration with industry, governments and other stakeholders.

4. Procurement

The Western Economic Partnership will include a Memorandum of Understanding in the area of government procurement of goods and services. By combining the common requirements of all three governments, efficiencies and significant savings to taxpayers will be realized.

THE GOVERNMENTS OF BRITISH COLUMBIA, ALBERTA AND SASKATCHEWAN AGREE TO:

Conclude, by January 1, 2010, all elements of the Western Economic Partnership Agreement.

This Western Economic Partnership has been signed by British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan at Calgary, Alberta, this 11th day of September, 2009.

The Honourable Gordon Campbell Premier of the Province of British Columbia

The Honourable Ed Stelmach Premier of the Province of Alberta

The Honourable Brad WallPremier of the Province of Saskatchewan



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BRITISH COLUMBIA – ALBERTA – SASKATCHEWAN

Memorandum of Understanding Carbon Capture.pdf (188.1 KB

http://www.gov.sk.ca/adx/aspx/adxGetMed ... &PN=Shared


Collaboration on Carbon Capture and Storage Technology and Policy

This Memorandum of Understanding executed this 11th day of September 2009.

Between: Government of British Columbia (as represented by the Premier of British Columbia) and

Government of Alberta (as represented by the Premier of Alberta) and

Government of Saskatchewan (as represented by the Premier of Saskatchewan)

The Government of Saskatchewan, the Government of Alberta, and the Government of British Columbia (hereinafter collectively referred to as “the Provinces”) agree to collaborate in the development of carbon capture and storage technology and policy as follows:

I. PURPOSE

The purpose of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is to establish a process whereby the Provinces will work collaboratively to coordinate and advance research, policy and communications activities related to carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies and policies to facilitate achievement of climate change and economic development priorities.

In so doing, the Provinces will:

1. share non-confidential CCS project information, evaluation and analysis;

2. participate in and jointly support CCS projects or programs of mutual interest;

3. engage other governments and industry in CCS projects or programs;

4. undertake any other activities that reduce overlap and duplication and ensure a complementary approach to CCS research and innovation;

5. discuss common messaging regarding CCS; and

6. determine opportunities to jointly collaborate with industry, governments and other stakeholders on CCS.

II. OBJECTIVE

The objective of the MOU is to facilitate the pursuit by the Provinces of innovative research, policy and communications activity related to the development and deployment of CCS technology.

The MOU will encourage multiple CCS demonstration projects to increase existing CCS research expertise and capacity in the Provinces.

III. ACTIONS

To meet the objective of the MOU, the Provinces will jointly:

1. engage industry, research providers, and other jurisdictions to accelerate the development and deployment of CCS technologies and policies;

2. support CCS projects or programs of mutual interest;

3. exchange information on planned CCS projects to avoid duplication and overlap of initiatives and to identify research gaps;

4. exchange updates and nonconfidential results of CCS projects and technologies to improve technology transfer, facilitate deployment of successful technologies, and hasten the identification of cost reduction opportunities;

5. exchange information in regards to developing CCS policy;

6. engage in public advocacy and external communications related to CCS; and

7. build trust, create synergies and a win-win approach that will benefit all participants.

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IV. COORDINATION AND IMPLEMENTATION

The implementation of this MOU will be overseen by a Steering Committee which will:

1. approve initiatives to be pursued under the MOU;

2. review and analyze the progress of previously approved activities under the MOU;

3. identify potential new initiatives to be developed for future consideration under the MOU;

4. establish processes to develop proposed joint future initiatives, manage approved initiatives, and monitor and report on progress of approved initiatives;

5. discuss issues related to CCS; and

6. provide joint reports on the results of work conducted under the MOU, as requested by the Premiers of each of the Provinces.

The Steering Committee will consist of the Assistant Deputy Minister responsible for CCS for each of the Provinces or their designate.

Other officials from the Provinces or from other organizations may be invited by mutual agreement to attend all or portions of Steering Committee meetings to assist the Steering Committee in its activities.

The Steering Committee will convene at least twice annually.

Any of the Provinces may identify initiatives to be considered by the Steering Committee.

Initiatives must be unanimously approved by the Steering Committee in order to proceed under the MOU.

V. NO LEGAL OR FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS CREATED

This MOU is not a legally binding agreement, but is only a definite expression and record of the purpose and intention of the Provinces.

Nothing in this MOU shall be construed so as to affect the jurisdiction of any of the Provinces.

VI. DURATION

This MOU shall take effect upon signature by all three of the Provinces.

This MOU shall be in effect for a period of three (3) years or until terminated by any of the Provinces with six (6) months notice.

VII. AMENDMENT

This MOU may be amended by mutual written agreement by all three of the Provinces.

Signed:

for Government of British Columbia

for Government of Alberta

for Government of Saskatchewan