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International
and Intergovernmental Relations
Business
Plan 2006-09
March
22, 2006
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PDF
version
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ACCOUNTABILITY
STATEMENT |
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The business plan for the three years commencing April 1,
2006 was prepared under my direction in accordance with the
Government Accountability Act and the government's
accounting policies. All of the government's policy decisions
as of February 23, 2006 with material economic or fiscal implications
of which I am aware have been considered in preparing the
business plan.
The Ministry's priorities outlined
in the business plan were developed in the context of the
government's business and fiscal plans. I am committed to
achieving the planned results laid out in this business plan.
[Original Signed]
Ed Stelmach, Minister of
International and Intergovernmental Relations
March 1, 2006
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THE
MINISTRY |
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The Ministry of International and
Intergovernmental Relations consists of three main sections:
Canadian Intergovernmental Relations, International Relations,
and Trade Policy. Collectively, these sections seek to ensure
that the Alberta government's relations with other governments
in Canada and abroad are coordinated and consistent with the
government's priorities. The Ministry is a single entity and
does not have any agencies or boards as part of its operations.
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VISION |
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A strong Alberta, active in an open world and in a prosperous,
united Canada.
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MISSION |
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To lead the development of government-wide strategies and
policies for Alberta's relations with international governments
and organizations and with federal, provincial and territorial
governments in Canada.
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LINK
TO THE GOVERNMENT OF ALBERTA STRATEGIC BUSINESS PLAN |
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All
of the Ministry's goals and strategies contribute directly
to Goal 9 of the Government Business Plan: Alberta will have
strong and effective partnerships with local, provincial,
territorial, federal and foreign governments. Strengthened
international relations and greater trade and investment liberalization,
combined with strategies on a wide range of intergovernmental
issues and processes, also contribute to a diversified and
prosperous economy and to international competitiveness.
The government's strategic business
plan sets the course for the Alberta government for the next
20 years. International and Intergovernmental Relations contributes
most directly to achieving the fourth strategic opportunity
identified in this plan: Making Alberta the best place to
live, work and visit.
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SIGNIFICANT
OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES |
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- Continue to lead and participate
in initiatives within intergovernmental institutions and
frameworks, such as the Premiers' Council of the Federation
and the Alberta-British Columbia Protocol of Cooperation,
along with annual First Ministers' Meetings and the Western
Premiers' Conference, that provide opportunities for Alberta
to work collaboratively with other provinces to influence
the national agenda.
- Continue to pursue opportunities
and rise to the challenges in representing Albertans' priorities
and expectations with the federal government, and its place
in Confederation and jurisdiction over areas such as its
natural resources.
- Deepen relations with key
U.S. decision-makers by building on the initial achievements
of the Alberta Office in Washington, D.C.
- Build Alberta's reputation
in the world, open new markets, and attract investment through
Premier's international missions.
- Raise the profile of the province
in the U.S. through participation in events such as the
2006 Smithsonian Folklife Festival in Washington, D.C.,
and the Pacific NorthWest Economic Region's annual meeting
in Edmonton.
- Pursue opportunities to make
progress in areas of priority to Alberta such as agriculture,
and disciplines on trade remedies and services stemming
from the World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference
in Hong Kong in December 2005, and the free trade negotiations
underway between Canada and Korea, the European Union and
other countries.
- Improve and broaden the Agreement
on Internal Trade. This will depend on commitments of the
other provinces and the federal government to implement
fully the initiatives directed by the Council of the Federation
process. The establishment of a trade and investment enhancement
agreement between Alberta and British Columbia represents
an opportunity to advance Alberta's domestic trade priorities
on a bilateral basis.
- Participate in Canada and
U.S. legal proceedings and negotiations to bring about U.S.
compliance with North America Free Trade Agreement and World
Trade Organization dispute resolution panel rulings in the
softwood lumber dispute, and seek resolution of the dispute
in an attempt to prevent future litigation.
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STRATEGIC
PRIORITIES 2006-09 |
Through
the Ministry’s review of external and internal challenges, the
strategic priorities described below have been identified. These
are in addition to the important ongoing core activities of
the Ministry. |
1.
Canadian Intergovernmental Relations
Linkage:
Goal 1 |
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Successfully conducting, coordinating, and participating in
intergovernmental negotiations and discussions to advance
Alberta's interests in Confederation.
Important federal-provincial
negotiations and discussions will include such issues as health
care, energy, resource policy, post-secondary education and
skills development, transportation, infrastructure, and fiscal
arrangements, including the fiscal imbalance. |
2.
Canadian Intergovernmental Relations - Council of the
Federation
Linkage:
Goal 1 |
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Supporting
the Premier in his participation on the Council and ensuring
successful follow-up on Council activities.
Through the Council of the Federation,
Premiers are embarking on a significantly expanded intergovernmental
agenda in a wide variety of areas. Alberta will be the chair
of the Council of the Federation until mid-2006. The work
of the Council and outcomes from Western Premiers' Conferences
set the stage for regular First Ministers' Meetings. |
3.
International Relations
Linkage:
Goal 2 |
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Successfully
expanding Alberta's influence globally by strengthening international
relationships with key decision-makers. Major initiatives
will include:
- influencing the federal government
toward more positive Canada/U.S. relations;
- enhancing bilateral relations
with key trade partners through Premier's missions, incoming
delegations, and major events (Pacific NorthWest Economic
Region's annual meeting in Edmonton).
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4.
International Relations - Washington
Linkage:
Goal 2 |
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Successfully
expanding Alberta's influence in the U.S. by strengthening
relationships with key decision-makers. Major initiatives
will include:
- developing networks of influence
by the Washington, D.C. office;
- raising Alberta's profile
in the U.S. by participating as the feature region at the
Smithsonian Institute's 2006 Folklife Festival.
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5.
Trade Policy - International
Linkage:
Goal 3 |
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Successfully
participating in international negotiations (e.g., World Trade
Organization negotiations, bilateral negotiations) to advance
Alberta's interests with key trading partners (e.g., United
States, Korea).
Expanding trade liberalization
and foreign market access for Albertans through international
trade and investment agreements. Under the auspices of the
Council of the Federation, developing a federal-provincial-territorial
agreement on the provincial/territorial role in international
negotiations, agreements and forums. |
6.
Trade Policy - Domestic
Linkage:
Goal 3 |
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Successfully
representing, advancing and defending Alberta's interests
under the federal-provincial Agreement on Internal Trade.
Expanded Canadian internal trade
liberalization promoting the free flow of goods, services,
capital and labour across Canada, through bilateral discussions,
through the Council of the Federation and Committee on Internal
Trade and defending of Alberta's interests in Agreement on
Internal Trade disputes. |
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CORE
BUSINESSES, GOALS, STRATEGIES & PERFORMANCE MEASURES |
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Core Business One: Canadian Intergovernmental Relations |
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Promoting the interests of, and securing benefits for, Alberta
as an equal partner in a strengthened, united Canada |
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To achieve this
goal, the Ministry promotes: effective participation by Alberta
in the Canadian federation; a federal system that better serves
the needs of Albertans and Canadians; and effective leadership
by Alberta that supports a strong, united and secure Canada. |
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1.1 Work with
Alberta ministries to develop coordinated and consistent government-wide
strategies that advance Alberta's interests in intergovernmental
issues and processes, and ensure that Alberta's priorities
are addressed at intergovernmental meetings of First Ministers,
Ministers and officials.
1.2 Assist Alberta ministries
in the development of intergovernmental agreements. Review
and approve the agreements to ensure that they reflect Alberta's
intergovernmental objectives and priorities.
1.3 Develop strategies and policy
options in conjunction with Alberta ministries, with respect
to key intergovernmental policy issues such as health care,
skills training, education, energy, immigration, municipal
issues, climate change, Aboriginal issues, and social programs.
1.4 Chair the Premiers' Council
of the Federation and Western Premiers' Conference through
mid-2006.
1.5 Provide policy analysis and
strategies, and coordinate input from other Alberta ministries,
for Alberta's participation in First Ministers' Meetings,
meetings of the Council of the Federation, the Western Premiers'
Conference, joint meetings of the Alberta and British Columbia
Cabinets, and ministerial meetings.
1.6 Work with Alberta ministries
to implement the Premiers' Council of the Federation outcomes.
1.7 Promote both interprovincial
and federal-provincial solutions to improve the efficiency
and effectiveness of the federation through the reduction
of overlap and duplication between governments, the reform
of institutions (e.g., the Senate) and the reform of federal-provincial
fiscal arrangements.
1.8 Promote provincial solutions
to redesign federal-provincial fiscal arrangements including
the Canada Health Transfer, the Canada Social Transfer, Equalization
and cost-sharing arrangements.
1.9 Develop policy recommendations
and strategies on national unity and other related issues
as they emerge.
1.10 Work with the federal government,
other provinces, the private sector and other key stakeholders
to update and strengthen coordinated policy responses to issues
relating to the security of the province and people of Alberta.
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Core
Business Two: International Relations |
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Promoting the interests of, and securing benefits for, Alberta
from strengthened international relations |
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To achieve this
goal, the Ministry works across government to: facilitate
the two-way flow of goods, services, people and investment
between Alberta and the United States; provide a strategic
approach to Alberta's international relations that effectively
promotes Alberta's interests and priorities to foreign government
decision-makers; and contribute to international development
in the area of governance. |
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2.1 Work with
other ministries, other provinces, the private sector and
the federal government to promote more positive Canada/U.S.
relations and greater North American integration.
2.2 Work with other ministries
and the private sector to enhance international understanding
of Alberta as a secure, reliable and increasingly important
supplier of energy.
2.3 Build and maintain alliances
with key regional U.S. decision-makers and organizations (e.g.,
Alaska, Montana, Canadian/American Border Trade Alliance,
Western Governors Association, Pacific NorthWest Economic
Region, Council of State Governments).
2.4 Provide leadership and coordination
for missions by the Premier and the Minister; advise on other
ministerial missions; assess international travel risk for
all Government of Alberta employee travel.
2.5 Provide strategic and policy
advice to ministries and stakeholders on Alberta's international
strategies for key countries and influence federal policy
in these areas.
2.6 Provide leadership on initiatives
with Alberta's 15 sister provinces (twinnings), including
support to the Advisory Council on Alberta-Ukraine Relations
to enhance bilateral relations with Ukraine.
2.7 Develop strategically focused
programs that showcase Alberta's strengths to foreign visitors
to Alberta.
2.8 Advise Alberta ministries
on the development of international government-to-government
agreements that reflect Alberta's international objectives
and priorities.
2.9 Design, implement and manage
governance projects, particularly in priority countries, working
with ministries, educational institutions, and private sector
partners.
Washington Office
2.10 Raise Alberta's profile
and stature among key U.S. decision-makers and influence-shapers
and influence policy and legislative development by positioning
Alberta as a key partner in economic cooperation and North
American energy security.
2.11 Showcase Alberta's advantages
as an excellent place to trade, invest and travel.
2.12 Contribute to the management
of emerging issues related to Canada/U.S. integration. |
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Core
Business Three: Trade Policy |
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Promoting the interests of, and securing benefits for, Alberta
from greater trade and investment liberalization, internationally
and domestically |
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The Ministry
strives to expand trade liberalization and foreign market
access for Albertans through international trade and investment
agreements, and to expand Canadian internal trade liberalization
to promote the free flow of goods, services, capital and labour
across Canada. |
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3.1 Remove or
reduce barriers to international trade and investment through
direct negotiation. Participate with the federal government
in international negotiations to ensure Alberta's objectives
are addressed.
3.2 Remove or reduce barriers
to internal trade, investment and labour mobility through
direct negotiation with the federal government and other provinces
and territories.
3.3 Pursuant to the direction
of the Council of the Federation, develop a formal federal-provincial
agreement that stipulates full provincial participation in
Canada's negotiation of agreements affecting provincial jurisdiction
or interests.
3.4 Pursuant to the direction
under the Alberta-B.C. Protocol of Cooperation, develop a
comprehensive bilateral trade, investment and labour mobility
agreement with British Columbia.
3.5 Manage government-wide implementation
of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), the World
Trade Organization agreements, the Agreement on Internal Trade
and other international and domestic agreements. Anticipate
and prevent disputes.
3.6 Manage disputes and defend
Alberta's interests under the North American Free Trade Agreement,
the World Trade Organization agreements, the Agreement on
Internal Trade and other domestic and international agreements.
Lead Alberta's defence of and participation in softwood lumber
negotiations to ensure Alberta's interests are preserved.
3.7 Coordinate Alberta's approach
to deeper integration of North American trade policies (e.g.,
"NAFTA-plus", streamlined NAFTA rules of origin, customs area).
3.8 Coordinate Alberta's participation
in the Agreement on Internal Trade and other domestic bilateral
trade initiatives.
3.9 Coordinate Alberta's participation
in World Trade Organization negotiations on issues affecting
provincial jurisdiction (e.g., environment, labour, agriculture,
competition and business regulation, trade remedies, and services)
and in other regional and multilateral negotiations (e.g.,
Free Trade Area of the Americas, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation).
3.10 Work with other Alberta
ministries to implement the trade policy component of Alberta's
international strategy in a targeted, coherent manner.
3.11 Work with other Canadian
governments to enhance domestic trade through bilateral and
multilateral negotiations and other regional agreements, including
through the Council of the Federation internal trade initiatives.
3.12 Consult and work with private
and public sector organizations to promote and pursue the
benefits of free trade. |
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MINISTRY
SUPPORT SERVICES |
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The Ministry's core businesses are enabled by an infrastructure
of essential services that support department staff and business
processes. Support services include information technology,
information management, finance, human resources, communications,
and administrative services. In some cases, staff providing
these services are employed by other ministries or entities,
but work under arrangements to provide services to the Ministry.
The Ministry also provides financial, information technology,
and administrative services to the Ministry of Aboriginal
Affairs and Northern Development.
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EXPENSE
BY CORE BUSINESS |
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MINISTRY
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS |
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CONSOLIDATED
NET OPERATING RESULT |
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Go
to: Justice Business Plan
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