Message from the Minister of State for Intergovernmental Relations and
Accountability Statement

As Minister of State for Intergovernmental Relations, I have the responsibility to coordinate British Columbia’s relationships with other provincial governments, the federal government, Western U.S. states, and with international governments to advance progress on British Columbia’s Five Great Goals on behalf of government.

Free trade with the United States is vital for British Columbia’s economy. An effective working relationship with the United States is critical to the free flow of goods and services, to increase the level of investment and tourism, and to tackle incidents or disagreements before they become international disputes.

In my first year as Minister of State for Intergovernmental Relations I have focused on promoting strong and effective working relations with the U.S. in order to advocate British Columbia’s priority issues and achieve the mutual benefit of maintaining an open border for legitimate trade and travel. I have represented British Columbia at meetings of the Pacific Northwest Economic Region (PNWER) on a variety of issues of mutual interest, such as economic development, energy, health and wellness initiatives, tourism, climate change and the environment. I am serving as PNWER’s Second Canadian Vice President in 2005/06 and in 2006/07 will serve as First Vice President. I have worked closely with Montana, Washington and Alaska to promote a greater understanding of British Columbia’s sustainable environmental management practices and other border issues such as the potential impact of the proposed U.S. passport requirement on cross-border tourism and trade. I will continue to advance these cross-border advocacy issues in 2006/07.

I will also continue to work to strengthen relations with British Columbia’s Consular Corps to assist our government in the promotion of trade, investment and cultural relations.

Strengthening relationships with the other provinces and territories is key to enhancing British Columbia’s role in the Federation. An agreement between Quebec and British Columbia signed last year strengthens existing relations and allows for further cooperation between the two provinces. Relations with our neighbouring province of Alberta through the BC–Alberta Protocol of Cooperation is another key means to improving services for British Columbians and advancing BC’s priorities.

I will continue to advance British Columbia’s partnership with the Government of Canada to promote an equitable distribution of federal spending and benefits for British Columbia. Initiatives for which federal support is vital are Pacific Gateway and the national transportation strategy, Mountain Pine Beetle, immigration, a pan-Canadian skills partnership, and the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

In my responsibilities for the Francophone Affairs program, I will continue to work with the Government of Canada to further support the development of British Columbia’s French language community and increase federal contributions to provincial programming through the renewal of the Canada–BC cooperation agreement on Francophone affairs.

As the Minister of State for Intergovernmental Relations, and under the Balanced Budget and Ministerial Accountability Act, I am accountable for achieving the following results for 2006/07.

Promote an equitable distribution of federal spending and benefits for British Columbia by working with ministries to present proposals to the Government of Canada for federal funding under existing or new national programs and/or policy changes. Proposals will be presented to the Government of Canada in the following areas: Pacific Gateway investments; policy changes and a federal commitment to a national transportation strategy; Mountain Pine Beetle, national training strategy; immigration and the Francophone Affairs Program. These proposals shall be presented to the relevant Government Caucus Committee.

Develop and present to Cabinet proposals for additional cooperation:

• between the Province of British Columbia and the State of Washington under the recently signed Memorandum of Cooperation;
• between British Columbia and the State of Alaska under the recently signed Memorandum of Cooperation;
• between British Columbia and the State of Montana and other neighbouring states;
• with the Pacific Northwest Economic Region (PNWER);
• between British Columbia and the Province of Quebec; and
• with the Province of Alberta under the Protocol of Cooperation.

Honourable John van Dongen
Minister of State for Intergovernmental Relations

February 16, 2006