Friday, September 11, 2015
Québec-Ontario Partnership Yields Results
Energy, Economic Development Among Highlights of Fifth Joint Meeting of Cabinet Ministers
Québec Premier Philippe Couillard and Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne chaired a joint meeting of cabinet ministers today in Québec City. At the meeting, the Premiers signed two new Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs), as well as an amendment to the Ontario-Québec Trade and Cooperation Agreement. The two provinces also agreed to take action in several key areas, including economic development, energy, pension administration and climate change.
Ontario and Québec committed to collaborate on economic development and agreed to a series of economic roundtables, which will include leaders of the business communities from both provinces. These roundtables will aim to identify initiatives that would support business development, strengthen regional economic growth and job creation, and facilitate action on issues related to investment and the environment. The roundtables will also enable increased information-sharing on fiscal matters.
On energy, the provinces took another significant step in their partnership by signing an MOU that will explore the potential for increased trade in electricity to provide savings to Ontario ratepayers and help meet Ontario's energy needs through Québec's clean and renewable electricity supply.
Ontario and Québec agreed to collaborate to share best practices and information relating to pension administration.
Continuing their leading work in the fight against climate change, during the meeting Québec and Ontario signed a new MOU that includes collaboration on the intention to link Québec's cap and trade system with the one under development in Ontario. Premier Wynne and Premier Couillard also committed to attend the UN Climate Change Conference (COP21) in Paris this December, where they will promote the leadership of their provinces in the fight against climate change.
Both governments also agreed to convene a joint summit on housing and homelessness in the year ahead. The summit, to which all provinces and territories will be invited, will be an opportunity for a productive exchange of ideas by sharing best practices and presenting key research projects and findings, as well as to map out potential areas for future collaboration.
Background Information:
Quotes:
"Québec and Ontario have a rich history of working together, and Premier Couillard and I are committed to building on that partnership for the benefit of the people of both provinces, as well as the country as a whole. The agreements we reached today take concrete action on the environmental, economic and social issues that unite us, and will help our region and Canada as a whole thrive, both now and in the future. We are committed to concluding a long-term agreement to purchase clean and affordable energy from Québec. Energy collaboration is a key element of the Ontario-Québec partnership."
— Kathleen Wynne, Premier of Ontario
"Our two governments often deal with similar issues. By combining our efforts, we greatly enhance our chances of finding solutions to the challenges we face. This is one of the invaluable advantages that come from strong relations within the Canadian federation: that our actions can be aligned and well-informed. We have been able to take advantage of our common ground to become partners in building our future prosperity. The gains obtained are substantial, whether in the area of economic development, energy, culture or environment. Our cooperation leads to great results, and Québec is committed to continuing with this partnership."
— Philippe Couillard, Premier of Québec
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