PROVINCE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA MINISTRY OF INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS FIRST ANNUAL REPORT NOVEMBER 23,1979 to MARCH 31,1981 1 British Columbia Cataloguing in Publication Data British Columbia. Ministry of Intergovernmental Relations. Annual report—1st (1979/81)— Report year ends March 31. First report covers Nov. 23, 1979 to March 31, 1981. ISSN 0713-2751 = Annual report—Ministry of Intergovernmental Relations (Victoria) 1. British Columbia. Ministry offiritergovernmental Relations—Periodicals. JL432.Z57 354.71108 IE June 5,1981 ^Honourable Henry R Bell-Irving, D.S.O., O.B.E., E.D. I-Stenant-Governor of British Columbia <\Y IT PLEASE YOUR HONOUR: ISvith I respectfully submit the First Annual Report of the Ministry of Intergovernmental Iffifions for the year ended March 31,1981. This report also covers the period from the IBRy's formation on November 23, 1979 to March 31, 1980. Garde B. Gardom Minister ■ June 5,19 The Honourable Garde B. Gardom Minister of Intergovernmental Relations Parliament Buildings Victoria, B.C. Sir: I have the honour to submit the First Annual Report of the Ministry of Intergovernmental! Relations for the year ended March 31,1981. This report also covers the period from thta Ministry's formation on November 23,1979, to March 31,1980. Yours truly, TABLE OF CONTENTS Highlights 7 Background ..... 11 Report of Deputy Minister 17 Report of Deputy Minister 19 (Constitutional Affairs) Law of the Sea Conference 20 B.S.-Canada Maritime Boundaries 21 Cabinet Committee System 23 Eabinet Committee Tours and Meetings 24 Visits and Conferences 27 B.C. House, Ottawa 29 B.C. House, London 31 Directory Minister Honourable Garde B. Gardom, Victoria Agent General Alexander H. Hart, London, England Executive Committee James Matkin, Deputy Minister, Victoria Melvin H. Smith, Deputy Minister (Constitutional Affairs), Victoria Mark Krasn^ff Secretary, Cabinet Committee on Planning & Priorities • The Ministry of Intergovernmental Relations for the Province of Columbia was formed on November 23, 1979. • British Columbia strongly opposed Premier Levesque's plan foi sovereignty-association for Quebec, In May of 1980 Premier Bei travelled to Montreal and delivered a speech urging Quebec*!! with the other provinces in working out within the context of a i federal Canada satisfactory constitutional arrangements. • During the intensive four-week round of meetings preparatory ll First Misters' Conference in September 1980, our provinceWI hard to develop federal-provincial agreement. British Columffll demonstrated flexibility in the interest of reaching an accoraMl moving from some positions previously taken. However, althou' provinces concurred on a large range of issues, the Federal f Government did not. • British Columbia strongly opposed the proposed federal unilSI resolution of October 3, 1980, to the United Kingdom ParliaHl the Constitution of our country. The making of the proposed cn without provincial concurrence is contrary to the spirit of fedena serious erosion of existing provincial rights, and a violation of v established constitutional practice. • The Government of British Columbia prepared and presenterffll later, a well documented submission to the Foreign Affairs Com ("the Kershaw Committee") of the U.K. Parliament in LondonSll subsequent report, that committee agreed that substantiati^l provincial consent was necessary before the U.K. ParliamentI enact the federally proposed changes to the B.N.A. Act. • On December 11, 1980, the Legislature of British Columbia pass following resolution: "That We, the Members of the Legg|ative Assembly of the Pro'i' British Columbia, re-affirming our allegiance to the Crown, our commitment to a united Canada within the Canadian FederMI asserting the sovereign status of Canada as a free and indtSI nation, support (i) early patriation of the Constitution of Canada from the Und Kingdom, (ii) a formula for the amendment of the Constitution of Calaj j respect of matters affecting federal-provincial relationship! with the consent of the Legislatures of all the Provinces anog] Parliament of Canada." • During 1980 the Ministry also assumed its responsibility to prolj cabinet secretariat services to 11 statutory, standing and spec comittees of Cabinet with the exception of Treasury Board. I • Beginning January 1, 1981, the Honourable Garde Gardom initd action by British Columbia to lead the way in having six, theM! then eight provinces reach agreement on a positive constitwffl proposal. The action was concluded at the historic meetingjBD on April 16, 1981, at which eight premiers committed the previa they represented on alternate route to patriation, in accord^D the spirit of federalism, which would have all changes to thjS| Constitution made in Canada by Canadians. J • On January 9, 1981, Premier Bennett made a comprehensive submission to the Special Joint Committee of the Senate and House of Commons on the Constitution of Canada urging the Federal Government to abandon its unilateral approach and return to the conference table to resolve our differences in the Canadian way through co-operation and compromise. • Also early in 1981, British Columbia intervened in the courts of Manitoba, Newfoundland and Quebec and subsequently in the Supreme Court of Canada in support of those provinces that successfully challenged the validity of the unilateral federal resolution. - The historic "Constihfffonal Accord" signed by the premiers of Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Quebec and Saskatchewan on April 16, 1981, provided for: - adoption of a new amending formula for the constitution; - intensive constitutional negotiations over the next three years; and - the discontinuance of all court action on this matter. • The Constitutional Accord was conditional upon the Government of Canada withdrawing its proposed resolution on the Constitution. • Following the signing of the accord, Premier Bennett and the Minister continued to call for a greater measure of goodwill and willingness on the part of the Federal Government to return to the conference table to renew our Constitution in Canada. • During the 16 months since the Ministry's formation, British Columbia's increased activities in the national and international sphere and its growing reputation as a producer of energy resulted in a busy period for the Ministry in arranging conferences, meetings and visits. Prior to the formation of the Ministry of Intergovernmental Relations in late 1979, a department of the Office of the Premier held the responsibility for the B.C. government's intergovernmental relations, executive council administration and reform of the Constitution. This Department of Intergovernmental Relations consistently played an active role for British Columbia in the areas of intergovernmental relations and the constitutional reform proce^i^B The department advanced the Government of British Columbia's position that advocated patriation of the Constitution either with or without an amending formula, provided the consent of ail the provinces was obtained. This government has always believed that major changes to our Constitution must only be made by all governments working together. Since 1976 British Columbia's constitutional objectives have stressed: - British Columbia's commitment to a united Canada and to the basic principles of federalism. - Our desire to design a new framework which will meet the contemporary needs of the people of Canada and serve the demands and aspirations of the future. - The preservation of the Monarchy in Canada. - The strengthening of the Canadian federation through a new second chamber of the Federal Parliament which would act as a mechanism whereby the national administration could be adequately informed of, and properly take into account the needs and aspirations of the various provincial governments and laws, policies and programs that deal with crucial matters of joint federal-provincial concern. - Greater provincial representation in central institutions such as the Bank of Canada, the Canadian Transport Commission, the Canadian Radio and Television Commission, the National Harbours Board, the Canada Development Corporation and the Foreign Investment Review Agency. - The patriation of the Constitution either with an agreed amending formula .or without an amending formula if accompanied by express safeguards to provide for unanimous approval until an amending formula is agreed upon. - An amending formula for the Constitution based on a fair representation from the five regions of Canada - Atlantic, Quebec, Ontario, Prairie and Pacific. Among the major initiatives taken by Britisil Columbia on the constitutional front over thij five years are the following: - In the spring of 1976 British Columffll offered to support simple patriationffil without an amending formula, provide approval of all governments was obtEi - Since 1976 the province has chaire-wl Western Premiers Task Force on i constitutional trends monitoring Fedel Government intrusions into areas of provincial jurisdiction. - In November 1976 Premier BennettM published a document restating the province's willingness to accept patri with or without an amending formuSI advocated that if there were any ame formula, it must recognize the realiffll contemporary Canada. - In February 1978 Premier Bennett ma formal submission to the Pepin/Robarf Force on Canadian Unity developing theme of B.C.'s constitutional proposa the central institutions of our country restructured to effectively recognizest! address the concerns of all regions o Canada in the central decision-makin process. - in September 1978, in advance of the Ministers' Conference on theConsujSI British Columbia published a compreh set of proposals on the ConstitutioSI for: (a) A reformed Senate with members appointed by the provincial governments to play a strong roll crucial federal-provincial issues; (b) Equal regional representation irafl Senate from the five regions of C - Atlantic, Quebec, Ontario, Prgrl Pacific; (c) Embodiment of the Supreme Cot Canada in the Constitution, with j drawn from the five regions and appointed by the reformed Senal (d) Improved mechanisms to elimina present ad hoc federal-provincial arrangements; (e) Principles for restructuring the distribution of powers between b levels of government; (f) An amending formula for the Car] Constitution, based on afive-regj Canada. (g) Maintenance of the role of the Monarchy in Canada. 12 J Horn September 1978 to November 1979 | the ministers responsible, Honourable Rafe Mair and Honourable G. Gardom, Mficipated in the numerous meetings of the Continuing Committee of Ministers on ra Constitution and made a concerted effort toward agreement on a wide range of constitutional subjects. Ifflation of the Ministry of Intergovernmental pns was announced by Premier William R. [rain Victoria on November 23, 1979, to take he responsibilities of the Department of bvernmental Relations. A special reference [Rlined the following purpose and pns for the new Ministry: To co-ordinate and develop policies, [ strategies and activities regarding British f Columbia's relations with other I governments by: i (a) Monitoring activities and relationships ■ of other governments among I themselves and with B.C.; I (b) Co-ordinating relationships of B.C I ministries with other governments; (c) Maintaining a thorough knowledge of ■ Executive Council policies in ■intergovernmental areas; (d) Analyzing issues and advising on I appropriate strategies for B.C.'s approach to consultations on I intergovernmental matters; (e) Maintaining effective contacts with ■ other governments and with B.C. House in Ottawa and B.C House in London; (f) Representing B.C. at meetings with I other governments held for the I purpose of preparing for and co- ordinating discussions of ■intergovernmental matters, and I attending intergovernmental meetings as necessary; R Co-ordinating preparations and preparing briefing material for the ■ Premier and the Minister of ■ Intergovernmental Relations at ■ intergovernmental meetings; [h) Organizing and administering ■arrangements for intergovernmental ■ meetings hosted by the Premier or B the Minister of Intergovernmental I Relations; I™ Ensuring that submissions to Cabinet ■- including submissions to the five ■policy committees of Cabinet (Planning and Priorities, Treasury Board, Economic DeveloDment. Social Services, and ELUC) - take into account implications for intergovernmental relations; I (j) Co-ordinating and administering arrangements for visits to B.C. by foreign and Canadian representatives (other than those arranged by the Ministry of the Provincial Secretary and the trade liaison office), and by co-ordinating arrangements; (k) Providing secretarial services to ongoing intergovernmental mechanisms such as the Alaska/B.C./ Yukon committee of heads of government, and participating as B.C.'s representative in management meetings of the Canadian Intergovernmental Conferences Secretariat; (I) Providing appropriate staff and services to support the special representative of the Premier in Ottawa. 2. To co-ordinate and develop B.C.'s policy on proposals to reform federalism by: (a) Advising the Minister of Intergovernmental Relations and through him the Premier and Cabinet, on B.C.'s position and proposals on the reform of the Constitution of Canada and federal-provincial arrangements; (b) Analyzing information and circulating it in appropriate formats on issues and events affecting the review of the Constitution and federal-provincial arrangements and their impact on B.C. as a member of the Canadian federation. 3. To facilitate the functioning of the Cabinet's committee system by: (a) Advising the Premier on the structure and functioning of the Cabinet committee system; (b) Providing secretariat services to all standing and ad hoc committees of Cabinet other than Treasury Board; (c) Recording minutes and decisions of committees for appropriate circulation to Cabinet and to ministries; (d) Administering records and publications of orders-in-council approved by the Executive Council and its committees; (e) Preparing agendas for all meetings of Cabinet committees other than Treasury Board and providing for appropriate circulation of agendas and submissions. 13 4. To ensure adequate consultation and co-ordination regarding all submissions to Executive Council by: (a) Reviewing all submissions to Executive Council committees and Treasury Board to determine whether ministries with an interest in a submis^n have been adequately consulted by the sponsoring ministry; (b) Providing for interministerial consultation on submissions as appropriate; (c) Briefing the chairmen of all Cabinet committees other than Treasury Board in interministejial implications of submissions to Cabinet; (d) Maintaining a continuing, thorough knowledge of the policy approaches and priorities of all ministries. 5. To advise the Premier on the allocation of responsibilities to Cabinet committees and ministries by: (a) Analyzing the workload, responsibilities and inter-relationships of Cabinet committees and ministries; (b) Advising on means to ensure adequate consideration of the social, economic, environmental and other policy objectives of government. Bill 63, Ministry of Intergovernmental Relations Act, passed third reading in the Legislative Assembly on August 22, 1980. IBafufied correct as passed Third Reading on the 22nd day of August, 1980. |®N D. IZARD, Law Clerk. .63] MINISTER OF INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS. BILL Ministry of Intergovernmental Relations Act "1980 R MAJESTY, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the i^Since of British Columbia, enacts as follows: Hmistry of Intergovernmental Relations • 1.(1) There shall be a ministry of the public service of the Province called the Histry of Intergovernmental Relations. [ (2) The minister shall preside over the ministry and be responsible to the Lieutenant IWernor in Council for the direction of the ministry. Ileputy minister 2. One or more deputy ministers of the ministry may be appointed under the Public twice Act. urposes and functions of the ministry B 3. The purposes and functions of the ministry are, under the direction of the I mister, (a) to coordinate the activities of, to make recommendations to and to develop programs and policies for the Executive Council in relation to federal- provincial, interprovincial and extraprovincial affairs, and (b) to act as secretariat to the Executive Council and its committees and to coordinate policy development among the ministries. h greements with other governments ■ 4. The minister on behalf of the government may, with the approval of the Lieutenant Governor in Council, enter into agreements with the government of Canada, :; e government of a province of an agent of the government of Canada or a province. ii inual report 5. The minister shall each year submit to the Lieutenant Governor in Council a • port for the fiscal year ending March 31 respecting the work performed by the Hffitry, and the minister shall lay the report before the Legislative Assembly as soon as Hafticable. Queen's Printer for British Columbia <i Victoria. 1982 The Ministry of Intergovemment Relations, under its mandate, is charged with responsibility to the Government of British Columbia in four main areas: - Cabinet secretariat - Constitutional reform - Federal-provincial and interprovincial relations - International relations The Ministry, since its formation, has been instrumental in improving the document flow of the Cabinet committee system. The secretariat function of the Ministry and Cabinet committee system, in particular the Legislation Committee, has been a primary activity of the Ministry during its first year. An important change planned in the coming year is the establishment of the Document Control Centre for the Cabinet committee processes. Also since its formation, the Ministry under the continuing leadership of its deputy minister (constitutional affairs) J^mss a leading position rStoss Canada in the area of constitutional reform. A primary challenge for the coming year will be the patriation and amendment of the Canadian Constitution and it is anticipated that the Ministry will play a key role in this important exercise. In the area of federal-provincial and interprovincial relations, the establishment of the British Columbia House in Ottawa with David McPhee and Ann Vice has greatly improved our ability to fulfill our Ministry's mandate in this area. During the coming year, the Ministry plans to improve British Columbia's profile in international relations, in particular with its bordering states of Alaska and Washington, as well as Japan. Important visits in the future are planned with the Governor of Washington and the Prime Minister of Japan. International relations will be developed as part of our federal-provincial responsibility within Canada. British Columbia House, London, provides an important contact with Great Britain and Europe under the control of the agent general, Alexander H. Hart. "The future is purchased by the present," and we therefore have every expectation of a vital and exciting future for the Ministry of Intergovernmental Relations. 18 Part of the mandate of the Ministry is to develop, co-ordinate and advance the position and proposals of the government in the area of the reform of the Canadian Constitution. ^TnifConstitutional Affairs Division is headed up by the Deputy Minister of Constitutional Affairs, Melvin H. Smith, the official within the Ministry charged with these responsibilities. The section monitors all federal-provincial developments affecting constitutional discussions, advises the Minister and the Premier on the issues and provides the expertise and resources necessary for policy development to effectivey conduct constitutional negotiations. The Deputy Minister of Constitutional Affairs acts as secretary to the Cabinet Committee on Confederation and supervises the activities of the Academic Advisory Group comprised of six leading academics from the University of British Columbia and the University of Victoria drawn from the disciplines of law, economics and political science. The year was an exceedingly busy one on the constitutional side requiring the development of the province's position in the comprehensive federal-provincial constitutional talks commencing in June and extending through to mid-September, 1980. The Minister was the leading spokesman for the province on the Continuing Committee of Ministers during those meetings and the staff work was the responsibility of Mr. Smith who coordinated the work of a group of senior officials from several ministries in the preparation of British Columbia's position on all items on the constitutional agenda. It was gratifying to see during these disgffilsions that many other governments began to share the view first put forward by British Columbia in 1976 that substantial reform of the Senate of Canada is necessary so as to properly bring to bear the regional and provincial point of view in national decision-making on crucial federal-provincial issues. British Columbia developed in detail such a view in its constitutional proposals of 1978 which have subsequently been followed with proposals of striking similarity put forward by the Pepin/ Roberts Task Force, the Canadian Bar Association, and the Claude Ryan Proposals. The province prepared a soundly researched brief to the Foreign Affairs Committee of the U.K. Parliament (the Kershaw Committee) which was examining the role of that Parliament if a re to patriate the Canadian constitution wasra before it by the Government of Canada. Subsequent to the First Ministers' Conferersj September 1981, this section of the Ministry been heavily engaged in extensive efforts*! initiated by the Premier and the Minister to | governments back to the negotiating table J that we might reform our Constitution in Cail by Canadians. This section also worked on an ongoing ba: the intergovernmental aspects of some crijl federal-provincial issues such as offshore resources, western Canadian boundary anOi fishing matters, the Law of the Sea Confers! and the Western Premiers' Task Force on Constitutional Trends. LAW OF THE SEA CONFERENC The latest session of the United Nations La'J the Sea Conference was held in New York between March 9 and April 24, 1981. Of the several issues relative to the law of tn sea, the focus of British Columbia's interest)] date has been limited to Articles 74 and 83 >| draft text of the treaty which have to do witlj principles that are to be followed in delimffijl boundary between adjacent states out to tl 200-mile limit. This has, of course, direct ■ relevance to British Columbia in the west cca boundary negotiations (presently suspend© ll pending determination of the east coast ■ interest). With the advice of international law experts! the University of British Columbia and Camba University, the province has taken the po^ll that the delirnttation of our boundaries off tt west coast ought to be based on "equitiSI principles" rather than on the "equidistances principle. On the other hand, Canadian interests on tl east coast support the application of the equidistance line principle, hence the possili of a trade-off of west coast interests in favo < east coast interests was early recognized a hence the province made a detailed submisa on these issues. From a British Columbia perspective, the lati| session of the conference proved to be largdJ unproductive. President Reagan replaced tf whole U.S. negotiating team and ordered a complete review of the U.S. position. Becau^ the complexity of the issues, such a review ju expected to be completed for many months This was to be the last working session priofl 20 i^ffijning in caucus later in the year. ver, in view of the U.S. position, another Btession is planned for Geneva in st. It is not certain that the U.S. will have Red its review by that time. - canada maritime Idaries roclamation by Canada of the 200-mile limit Ire requires the settlement between the nment of Canada and the Government of lited States of boundary lines between the Kitries on the Pacific coast, off the Strait n de Fuca, to the south, and off the Alaska ndle, to the north. Since fish know no Iffies, it is also necessary to work out a I agreement between the two countries in ;t of sharing and managing those species equent both sides of the boundary areas, st negotiations on these matters were cted between the two countries by ssador Cadieux for Canada and >sador Cutler for the United States. Columbia prepared an extensive bsion on the subject and pressed our case ie Federal Government. ISotiations on the Pacific coast issues |to reach agreement and discussions broke IB two years ago. Iratlantic coast, tentative agreement was Id between Canada and the United States leries resources and also on an agreement Imit the boundary issue to third party jt|ln. That tentative agreement required broval of the United States Senate. Senate Ition, however, was not forthcoming, and in Ly of this year the Reagan administration pd the package and withdrew from the U.S. fe'the fishing agreement, although it Isd its intention to proceed with the third Rirbitration on the boundary issue. Canada <en aback by this move and is at present Bidering its position. Meantime, the Pacific Coast boundary Kttions are in abeyance, which is in keeping is best advice we have which indicates feColumbia should await some decision on I boundaries before settling the Pacific boundaries. BiErim, fishermen of each country must H ihind their own country's published lniry lines, except where there are separate pients which permit otherwise. Nle talks are continuing between the two fn58 on the negotiation of a salmon interception agreement which would deal with Canadian salmon caught by U.S. fishermen in U.S. waters, and U.S. salmon caught by Canadian fishermen in Canadian waters. As a part of its mandate, the Ministry of Intergovernmental Relations has responsibility to provide Cabinet secretariat services to all statutory, standing and special committees of Cabinet with the exception of Treasury Board. This function involves, at an operational level, arranging meetings, setting agendas, circulating documentation, recording decisions and necessary follow-up to ensure that decisions taken are implemented. In fulfilling these duties, the Ministry may advise the Premier and other ministers on the structure and functioning of the Cabinet committee system so as to ensure that adequate consideration is given to the policy objectives of the government. The Ministry also attempts to ensure that adequate consultation and co-ordination regarding all submissions to the committees have taken place prior to the item being considered. This may involve providing for interministry consultation on submissions and briefing the chairmen of the committees on any inter-ministry implications of submissions. Attached to the three major standing committees —Economic Development, Social Services and Environment and Land Use Committees— are committees of the appropriate deputy ministers who consider the materials prior to their presentation to these Cabinet committees. Since the Ministry assumed responsibility from the Premier's Office for the Cabinet committee system in November 1979, the Ministry of Intergovernmental Relations has organized and served as secretariat for 279 meetings to March 31, 1981, at the minister or deputy minister level. At these meetings a total of 1,027 items has been considered. These figures refer to the main committees only and do not take account of the many sub-committees which are formed from time to time, as required, under the umbrella of the deputies' committees to examine specific policy issues in greater depth. Examples of such specific issue committees would be the interministry committee on pensions or the working group on federal-provincial relations in the social services. The number of Cabinet committees for which the Ministry is responsible has grown since November, 1979. The Cabinet Committee on Social Services established a deputy ministers' committee in January, 1980. In September 1980, the Ministry was given secretariat responsibility for the Environment and Land Use Committee and the attached deputies' committee, the environment and land use technical committee. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Development undertook several new initial 1980 which required additional secretarial! support. These include the holding of mee and seminars in different parts of the prov: examine various economic and industrial An example of this is the seminar on laboi shortages held in Prince George in Octobe 1980. Another committee requiring considerable Ueicretariat support is the Cabinet Commit Legislation. In 1980 this committee met 91 The Ministry has helped to organize a syMI preparing legislative proposals well in advs each session of the Legislature. This syste allows for more efficient consideration of tl proposals at the Cabinet committees and Cabinet levels, and for the establishment < priorities for drafting by thelegislative cou office. The Ministry also ensures that draft legislation is presented in an organized m< to the Cabinet Committee on Legislation ai any necessary summary material is providl major policy or inter-ministry implications c proposed bills. With the addition of new committees and growing work load of each committee, it is expected that the secretariat function of til Ministry will continue to expand. CABINET COMMITTEE TOURS MEETINGS The Cabinet Committee on Economic J Development took the initiative in Octobeil to hold a series of publid meetings in varkij parts of the province. These meetings we organized by officials of the Ministry of Intergovernmental Relations. In October 1980 the committee and apPKl deputy ministers toured northeast BritishI Columbia, meeting with local councils, ■ organizations and individuals on econcffljj development and industrial issues. TheM opportunity was used to tour major inoB| sites. The committee concluded the trip vl" full day seminar on skilled labour shortSI Prince George on October 24, 1980. ' This was followed in February, 1981, vim\ to southeast British Columbia, where tfflj committee met with regional and munraffi governments, chambers of commerce am individuals on economic development anc industrial issues. This program of holding meetings in vancM regions has been successful and well rec/- 24 JM2) ie public, media and the ministers and [ties involved. The concept of "taking rnment to the people" and the disMssion Imsters and officials of issues and ► opments in various regions is very jiwhile. t is continuing to follow up on these trips ihe many briefs that have been presented. iiing will commence in the summer for ■Mtrip in September 1981. t may arise from these initiatives for our Hry are: Increased workload in planning, Iffiipating and follow-up; Ijwicreased visibility and awareness of the Ifflnittee and this Ministry as secretariat to Iffliet (it is now a major contact point for |o|c dealings with government). |®ilitating of these initiatives will continue to tindled by the Cabinet secretariat staff and, |ffi;ular, the secretary to the Cabinet pnittee on Economic Development. 25 British Columbia's increased activities in the international sphere and the province's growing international reputation as a producer of energy have resulted in a very active interest in British Columbia on the part of foreign countries and governments. Numerous visits to British Columbia in the reporting period were undertaken by foreign diplomats, businessmen, officials, journalists, and other interested individuals and groups to discuss such topics as trade, agriculture, energy, technology, culture, and education. Tours to many areas of the province including visits to the Hat Creek coal project, Port of Prince Rupert, copper mines, ranches, and cultural events are an important part of these visits. During 1979-1980, the number of foreign visits, missions, and delegations which involved this ministry totalled seventy-three. The breakdown by countries includes Japan - 7, United States - 6, Australia - 5, Great Britain - 4, China - 3, and New Zealand - 3. Other countries fjjgiting British Columbia included Tibet, Kuwait, Zambia, Israel, Honduras, Norway, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Uganda, Switzerland, Netherlands, Belgium, Algeria, and Italy. Our Ministry also co-ordinated a number of high level visits including federal and provincial cabinet ministers meeting in Victoria to discuss economic development issues, and a joint British Columbia and Alberta Cabinet meeting. In May, we co-ordinated the visit of the late Masayoshi Ohira, Prime Minister of Japan. 28 On September 9, 1981, the Government of British Columbia opened an office in Ottawa. British Columbia House is located in Suite 506, 90 Sparks Street, Ottawa, Ontario. British Columbia is the second province to open an officSin the national capital. The Province of Alberta has had an office in Ottawa for some years. Following the opening of British Columbia House, the Government of Saskatchewan announced its intention to open an office and subsequently has done so. The concept of a provincial government having an office in the national capital is not new. In recent years the nature of the relationship between the Federal Government and provincial governments has grown increasingly complex. As a consequence British Columbia developed specific mechanisms to enable it to ensure a comprehensive and co-ordinated approach to dealing with its relationship with the federal government. British Columbia House in Ottawa is an integral component of these initiatives. British Columbia House has three primary responsibilities: administrative support services, public information and inquiries, and intergovernmental relations. Administrative support services: The offices have the capacity to assist in the preparation and administrative arrangements for federal-provincial meetings. The working and board room facilities, stenographic and communications services at British Columbia House are available for the use of British Columbia Government representatives while in Ottawa. Public information and inquiries: One of the responsibilities of British Columbia House is to establish a "presence" in Ottawa. It is the responsibility of the staff to ensure that individuals working with the Federal Government are aware that should they require assistance or information pertaining to British Columbia that it is available to them. With the announcement of the opening of the office, a good deal of public interest was generated and a significant volume of inquiries relating to tourism, business development, ii^restment, government policies and requests for other general information have become part of the ongoing function of the office. Intergovernmental relations: One of the responsibilities of the office is to ensure that Victoria is aware of the activities of the Federal Government in matters which may directly or indirectly impact upon Provincial Government programs or policies. Bgpsh Columbia has been represented in London for over 109 years. The period since the formation of the Ministry of Intergovernmental Relations has been a busy one for B.C. House. One of the highlights of the 1979-80 year was the excellent art exhibition of 15 of the province's outstanding artists, titled "British Columbia Through the Eyes of the Artist". This exhibition was featured at several European locations, starting off in London then on to Edinburgh, Scotland, Birmingham, Paris, Brussels, Bonn and Kiel in West Germany. Agent General Laurie Wallace completed his term of office in 1980. Mr. Wallace served in this post from June, 1977 until Aprji|l8, 1980. Mr. Ronald Smart, administrative officer at B.C. House, was appointed acting agent general from April 19, to Dec. 31, 1980. Premier William R. Bennett announced the appointment of Alexander H. Hart Q.C. as agent general for British Columbia commencing Jan. 1, 1981. Mr. Hart had previously held the position of senior vice president, Canadian National Railway. He was described by Premier Bennett as an outstanding British Columbian. Mr. Hart is the 20th agent general to serve Canada's most westerly province. B.C. House won a bronze medal in 1980 for a floral display above the Charles II Street entrance which was part of a renovation program. The bronze medal presented by the Lord Mayor of Westminster is now on display at B.C. House. The year 1980 could be described as the year of the "totem pole". Agent General Wallace presented 10-foot totem poles to the Canadian Cultural Centre in Paris and Canada House, Trafalgar Square, London, as well as receiving one for B.C. House, London. A forestry mission from our province visited B.C. House during the month of June, on its travels to other areas in the U.K., France, Belgium, Holland and West Germany. The purpose of the mission, made up of senior members from the forest industry, senior union representatives and senior government officials, was to allow British Columbians involved in the production of lumber and plywood to see the areas into which the products were going and to assist the province to better produce what the marketplace wants. The month of August, 1980, was a sad month for B.C House as one one of its best liked agents general passed away at his home in Nanaimo. Earle Cathers Westwood served as agent general from October, 1964, to September, 1968. Because 1980 was such a bumper crorWI B.C. apples, B.C. Tree Fruits Ltd. and the l< based Glass-Glover group put togethetisfflI promotion that saw thousands upon tholill boxes of Mcintosh, Red Delicious, Sparfflj Golden Delicious hit the U.K. market foS time in 16 years. Many receptions were he J B.C. House and the agent general wasfflRI promoting British Columbia. Official callsBH made to embassies and businesses all ovd U.K. and Europe. B.C. House had many visitors over the yeai several government officials visited No. 1, I Regent Street. B.C. House was also great! honoured to welcome the Lieutenant-Gove: B.C., the Honourable HP. Bell-Irving. TlgB] Lieutenant-Governor was honoured in j^BI during May. As commander of the Seaf^ffil landers, he was the first Canadian offiCMnl Amsterdam when the enemy occupaticnMI were driven out during the Second World \\ The year 1980 ended with a most success!! tourist promotion in London. "Canada Wes I Ministries of Tourism from Alberta and B.C.! several joint functions in London. This 91 designed to coincide with the world tra^Jj being held December 1 to 7. A long-time maintenance employee of B.C. House, Cyril Day, was honoured in VictgBI December 1980, when Premier William^BI Bennett presented Mr. Day with his 25-SI award. The British Columbia monthly newslettsfmij is distributed free of charge from B.C. How throughout the United Kingdom and Europj businesses, financial organizations and individuals with interest in the province, continues to be a most interesting and worthwhile publication. This newslettetraij| the latest industrial, financial, tourism and j developments in the province. The film and slide library continues to rece-j many requests. Travel agencies and schocl along with British Columbia House's own promotional program made up the greates I demand. In addition, full co-operation in preparation of trips to British ColumbiaSral given to British journalists and broadcaste J Queen's rimer for British Co Victoria. 1982
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MINISTRY OF INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS FIRST ANNUAL REPORT NOVEMBER 23, 1979 to MARCH 31, 1981 British Columbia. Legislative Assembly 1982
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Title | MINISTRY OF INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS FIRST ANNUAL REPORT NOVEMBER 23, 1979 to MARCH 31, 1981 |
Creator |
British Columbia. Legislative Assembly |
Publisher | Victoria, BC : Government Printer |
Date Issued | 1982 |
Genre |
Legislative proceedings |
Type |
Text |
FileFormat | application/pdf |
Language | English |
Identifier | J110.L5 S7 1982_V01_18_001_032 |
Collection |
Sessional Papers of the Province of British Columbia |
Source | Original Format: Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. Library. Sessional Papers of the Province of British Columbia |
Date Available | 2018-09-19 |
Provider | Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library |
Rights | Images provided for research and reference use only. For permission to publish, copy or otherwise distribute these images please contact the Legislative Library of British Columbia |
CatalogueRecord | http://resolve.library.ubc.ca/cgi-bin/catsearch?bid=1198198 |
DOI | 10.14288/1.0372124 |
AggregatedSourceRepository | CONTENTdm |
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