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Council of the Federation

The Council of the Federation was created by the premiers of Canada because they believe it is important for provinces and territories to play a leadership role in revitalizing the Canadian federation and building a more constructive and cooperative federal system.

The Council of the Federation’s objectives are to:
  • Promote interprovincial-territorial cooperation and closer ties between members of the Council, to ultimately strengthen Canada;

  • Foster meaningful relations between governments based on respect for the Constitution and recognition of the diversity within the federation;

  • Show leadership on issues important to all Canadians.

Council of the Federation 2012 in Halifax, Nova Scotia


Premier Robert Ghiz represented Prince Edward Island at the summer meeting of the Council of the Federation in Halifax.  All provincial and territorial Premiers met to discuss growing the economy through collaboration and leadership. 

Another key component of the meeting was the presentation of the first report from the Health Care Innovation Working Group, chaired by Premier Ghiz and Premier Brad Wall of Saskatchewan.  This work focused on practical innovations that each province and territory can put to use to enhance patient care and improve value for taxpayers.  The recommendations presented include:

  • promoting the adoption of clinical practice guidelines for treating heart disease and diabetes;
  • pursuing a number of team based models to increase access for Canadians, such as the Collaborative Emergency Centres Model and other models listed in the report;
  • sharing information on health human resources management and supply;
  • improving communication about health human resources labour markets; and
  • having the Working Group monitor the progress made on the initiatives contained in this first report.

Premiers Ghiz and Wall agreed to continue leading the working group for the next phase of work, which will include:

  • expanding work on clinical practice guidelines to ensure patients are accessing the most up-to-date, evidence-informed treatments;
  • accelerating and expanding the Pan-Canadian pricing alliance work on brand name drugs;
  • identifying three to five generic drugs to include in a provincial/territorial Competitive Value Price Initiative that will result in better prices for generic drugs;
  • initiate a national competitive bidding process by Fall 2012 that would result in lower prices taking effect as soon as possible;
  • recommending three more team model approaches from across the country (potentially in the areas of seniors’ health, Aboriginal health and mental health);
  • identifying and sharing applied continuous improvement principles to achieve efficiency in the delivery of health care services; and
  • ensuring patients are receiving the best care available based on up to date information by reviewing the appropriateness of certain tests and procedures, for example, the Canadian Association of Radiologists notes that 10-20% of medical imaging tests may be unnecessary.

Council of the Federation 2012 Publications and Media Releases:





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