Legislative Electronic Publications -- Province Hosts Round Table Meetings On Social Union Framework Agreement

Manitoba Government News Release:
Information Services, Room 29, Legislative Building, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 0V8 Telephone: (204)
945-3746 Fax: (204) 945-3988

September 13, 2002

PROVINCE HOSTS ROUND TABLE MEETINGS ON SOCIAL UNION FRAMEWORK AGREEMENT

Manitobans are being encouraged to be a part of a review of the Social Union Framework Agreement, which guides funding, co-operation and action on key social programs such as health care, social services, post-secondary education and training, and labour market development.

The views of Manitobans will help shape changes to this framework agreement which commits governments to work closely together and with Canadians to address improvements to social programs, said Family Services and Housing Minister Tim Sale, minister responsible for persons with disabilities and Manitoba’s representative on the Federal/Provincial/ Territorial Council of Social Policy Renewal.

"This is an opportunity to affect the design of future social programs for our children, our families and our communities," said Sale. "Over the last three years, the framework agreement has resulted in governments working more closely together to ensure social programs and services are as strong and sustainable as possible. Additional input from Manitobans at the round table meetings will further help guide adjustments to the agreement."

A Canada-wide consultation process is one of the commitments of the framework agreement signed in 1999 by the first ministers of all governments, except Quebec.

Manitoba will host public round table meetings in Winnipeg on Sept. 16 from 1 to 4 p.m. in the Auditorium of the Norquay Building, 401 York Ave.; in Thompson on Sept. 18 from 7 – 9:30 p.m. in Room 103 of the Provincial Building, 59 Elizabeth Dr.; and in Brandon on Sept. 19 from 1 – 4 p.m. in the Auditorium of the Agricultural Extension Centre, 1129 Queens Ave.

The results of the Manitoba round tables will be fed into the national review process.

To register for a round table meeting in Manitoba or to obtain more information, people can call 204-945-1763 (those calling long distance can call collect). Those wishing to make a written submission can visit www.sufa-review.ca on the Internet or can call 1-800-622-6232 to receive more information.

- 30 -

RETURN