Executive Council OfficeHOME / GOVERNMENT / Mobility Report to the F/T/P Council on Social Policy Renewal Province of Prince Edward Island  Purpose The Province of Prince Edward Island has prepared its first annual report on mobility as part of the obligations under Section 2 of the Social Union Framework Agreement (SUFA), thus fulfilling its commitment to report annually to the Ministerial Council on Social Policy Renewal on progress in this undertaking. Background The Framework Agreement to Improve the Social Union for Canadians, otherwise known as the Social Union Framework Agreement (SUFA), was signed on February 4, 1999 by First Ministers, except of the Premier of Quebec. The agreement promotes principles affirming the equality of Canadians, freedom of movement, principles of Medicare, access to essential social programs, sustainable funding and a non-derogation clause with respect to the rights of Aboriginal peoples, and sets out intergovernmental arrangements for developing and financing Canada-wide social programs. The agreement commits all governments to certain actions and collaborative relationships over the three-year term of SUFA. The overall responsibility for the implementation of the agreement was given to the Federal/Provincial/Territorial Council on Social Policy Renewal, comprising of Ministers designated by each jurisdiction. Section two of the SUFA, Mobility within Canada, sets out specific obligations of governments to improve mobility for Canadians:
Progress To Date The Coordinating Committee on the Social Union has initiated a review of the sector departments' policies, practices and programs within the four areas identified in section two of the SUFA: post-secondary education, training, health and social services and social assistance, to determine what, if any, mobility barriers exist that constrain access. The first step taken by the Committee has been to request that sector departments examine their policies and practices for obstacles to mobility and if where necessary, provide the rationale for the existence of such policies and practices. As part of the review process, the Committee is considering the appropriate conditions that would demonstrate if a social policy or practice was reasonable and consistent with the SUFA principles. The review process will also consider the cost and feasibility of changing inconsistent practices, if any, where necessary. In the course of its work, the committee has been challenged by the lack of criteria in the SUFA to define terms such as "barrier to mobility", "residency based policies or practices which constrain access" and "reasonable and consistent with the principles of the Social Union Framework". There may be merit in discussion by councils of sector ministers to promote consistency of approach in addressing mobility issues. The Council on Social Policy Renewal could also provide guidance in establishing common interpretations of terms within the mobility section of the SUFA. Progress is being made to ensure that the mobility provisions of the Agreement on Internal Trade are achieved by July 1, 2000. The Province is working actively with other governments, regulatory bodies and other groups to complete this obligation. It is anticipated that the results of this review process will form the basis of the next annual mobility report by Prince Edward Island. | ||||||
