The Strategic Partnership Initiative is a mechanism to improve communications and identify opportunities for collaboration among business, labour and government on the strategic economic challenges facing the province. The approach to strategic partnership in Newfoundland and Labrador has three elements:

• a high level forum for government, labour and business to discuss the state of the economy and emerging issues;

• a tripartite steering committee, including the Deputy Ministers of INTRD (Chair), Finance and the Labour Relations Agency, conducts preparatory and follow-up work for the forum, as well as representatives of the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Labour and the Newfoundland and Labrador Business Caucus; and

• a capacity building process that supports the development and evolution of the dialogue. This element includes a Secretariat to provide organizational and analytical support to the partnership and build capacity to implement the partnerships in government, business and labour organizations.

The Forum is chaired by the Premier. Government, business and labour each have nine seats at the table. Government has been represented in the past by the Ministers of INTRD, Finance, Human Resources, Labour and Employment, as well as the chairs of various advisory committees.

Business and labour organizations each select their own representatives to the Forum. The Forum provides the opportunity for the Premier and key ministers to engage with business and labour in discussions of a strategic nature on critical issues.

The Partnership is seen by business and labour organizations as operating in a nonpartisan manner. The bulk of its work occurs at an official level in the Strategic Partnership Steering Committee and a small Secretariat. Besides the main departments involved, other line departments are engaged in the work of the Partnership as necessary.

To Find Out More
For information and assistance, contact:
   Derek Staubitzer, Director
   Strategic Partnership Secretariat
   Dept. of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development
   Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
   P.O. Box 8700 St. John’s, NF A1C 4J6
   Phone: 709-729-7043  Fax: 729-7087

OR contact the INTRD office nearest you.

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