Premier Ford to Lead Council on Provincial-Federal Relations

New ministers’ council to work with the federal government to deliver on key priorities

News.ontario.ca
November 22, 2019

The Ontario government is taking positive steps to ensure that the interests of the province remain a priority in Ottawa with the creation of a new Council on Provincial-Federal Relations. Chaired by Premier Doug Ford, this council will collaborate with Ontario's federal counterparts to deliver on priorities including infrastructure, health care and economic growth.

"Our government has a Plan to Build Ontario Together, and that plan includes working with the federal government," said Premier Doug Ford. "We are ready to work with the new federal Cabinet to get shovels in the ground quickly on important projects, increase health care funding and create an environment where businesses and job creators can thrive."

The Council on Provincial-Federal Relations will be responsible for coordinating the engagement strategy with the federal government on important projects and shared priorities. The top priorities will include building critical infrastructure, from transit to broadband, faster by accelerating approvals for projects submitted through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program and by ensuring the federal government funds their fair share of Ontario's historic transit plan.

The Council will also work towards ensuring the federal government is providing increased funding through the Canada Health Transfer to end hallway health care and deliver the kind of care and treatment the people of Ontario deserve.

Additional priorities will include removing red tape and interprovincial trade barriers, attracting international investment to all parts of Ontario, including under-capitalized regions and creating the environment for workers, businesses and entrepreneurs to succeed.

"What's good for Ontario is good for Canada, and what's good for Canada is good for Ontario," said Ford. "Through the Council on Provincial-Federal Relations, my ministers and I are ready to roll up our sleeves and deliver results for the people of Ontario and the people of Canada."

The membership of the Council will include:

• The Hon. Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Chair
• The Hon. Christine Elliott, Minister of Health
• The Hon. Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Transportation and Minister of Francophone Affairs
• The Hon. Rod Phillips, Minister of Finance
• The Hon. Peter Bethlenfalvy, President of the Treasury Board
• The Hon. Laurie Scott, Minister of Infrastructure
• The Hon. Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade

Quick Facts

• The province is investing $28.5 billion for its GTHA transit expansion project, with the remainder shared between the cities and the federal government.
• In the 2019 Ontario Budget, the provincial government announced $315 million over the next five years for broadband and cellular expansion.
• Interprovincial trade is valued at $407 billion annually and Ontario exports to other provinces are worth $141 billion.
• Seniors are Ontario's fastest growing age demographic. By 2046, the number of seniors aged 65 and over is projected to nearly double.
• The federal government currently only provides for 25 per cent of Ontario’s health care costs.
• Canada’s Premiers have called on the federal government to increase the Canada Health Transfer to 5.2% annually