Office of the Premier

Greater co-operation between New Brunswick and Manitoba (03/10/23)

NB 962

Oct. 23, 2003

FREDERICTON (CNB) - New Brunswick Premier Bernard Lord and Manitoba Premier Gary Doer met today to discuss progress and new ways to improve services to their citizens and save money for taxpayers. This meeting is a follow-up to their January 2002 agreement that has increased co-operation between Manitoba and New Brunswick.

• Lord and Doer announced they would open a joint Manitoba-New Brunswick office in Ottawa within the next few months.



• The premiers also signed a new mutual assistance agreement to manage any emergency or disaster, whether arising from natural or man-made causes.



• The premiers agreed they would undertake at least one joint trade mission in the coming year. They will announce details of the timing and location early in 2004.



• Lord and Doer further agreed that staff would develop a reciprocal youth exchange program and find additional ways to share expertise to enhance e government services.

New Brunswick Premier Bernard Lord and Manitoba Premier Gary Doer. (Large photo.)
Video: (WMV) Audio: (WMA) - (more audio/video)

"Manitoba already has a small office in the nation's capital, but co-location with New Brunswick will allow our provinces to continue to promote our mutual interests on a federal-provincial basis, while reducing costs overall," Doer said.

"A joint office in Ottawa is just another example of the strong collaborative relationship we have with Manitoba," Lord said.

"Our first responders are very important to us and we are working together to support each other's efforts," Lord said. "We hope our agreement on mutual aid during disasters will act as a model for all provinces."

"Given every governments' increased focus on security and emergency preparedness and response, the new mutual assistance agreement will facilitate co-operation between our respective emergency management personnel in the case of any natural or other emergency," Doer said.

The premiers work closely to promote intergovernmental co-operation generally - both with other provinces and with the federal government.

"Premiers are working together to promote a stronger federation and we will continue our discussions at our meeting tonight and tomorrow in Québec City," Doer said. "Canadians want their governments to work together, and ongoing discussions between our governments on a bilateral and multilateral basis will serve to strengthen the nation as a whole."

"One of my primary objectives as the Premier of New Brunswick is to strengthen inter-provincial collaboration," Lord said. "We have a very good relationship with Manitoba and tomorrow at the first meeting of the Council of the Federation, I will be pursuing that objective with the other provinces and territories."

03/10/23

MEDIA CONTACTS: Chisholm Pothier, Office of the Premier, Government of New Brunswick, 506-453-2144; Riva Harrison, Director of Communications, Executive Council, Government of Manitoba, 204-945-1494.

03/10/23