Premiers press federal government for SARS compensation and an open border for beef CNW

Kuumad uudised | 30 Jul 2003 | EWR

TORONTO, July 30 /CNW/ - Ernie Eves, Ontario's Premier, will meet today
with Saskatchewan Premier Lorne Calvert, Manitoba Premier Gary Doer and
Alberta Premier Ralph Klein, who are visiting Toronto to show their support
for Ontario in the wake of SARS. The four premiers will also continue their
efforts to open the border for Canadian beef.
"I'm pleased that my colleagues from western Canada will be here to
support Ontario and help us promote all that our great province has to offer,"
said Eves. "I'm also proud to stand with them as we call on the Prime Minister
to personally lead the charge to reopen world markets to Canadian beef."
To date, the Eves government has committed more than $1.1 billion in
health care, assistance programs and economic recovery initiatives to help
Ontario recover from the impact of SARS. At their annual meeting earlier this
month, all premiers unanimously agreed that Canadians expect the federal
government to immediately provide Ontario with the financial assistance it
needs at the 90 per cent level provided in response to crises of similar
magnitude.
As well, all premiers agree there is no scientific basis for maintaining
the ban on cattle and beef products from Canada and that it is time to
confront those who would keep the border closed for political purposes.
Premiers expect decisive action from the federal government and agree that
strong leadership is needed from the Prime Minister.
"This is about Canada showing the world that our country and food
products are safe. It's also about pressing Ottawa to do everything in its
power to get the border reopened," said Doer. "The provinces are united in
supporting Canadian cattle producers as we deal with the BSE crisis. We are
also united in supporting Ontario as it deals with SARS. We think it's
important to support our neighbors in times of need, as they have supported us
at critical times such as the 1997 Flood of the Century."
"As premiers, we must work co-operatively to rebuild Canada's image after
our battle with SARS, and to reopen our borders to the flow of Canadian meat
and livestock," Calvert said. "Canadians want and deserve a stronger nation,
with good health care and strong international trading arrangements.
Today serves as a good opportunity to renew our call to Ottawa for a
revitalized Canadian federation, founded on diversity, dialogue and co-
operative approaches to common challenges and opportunities."
"I want to thank the people of Ontario for their great hospitality at
this event and for their unconditional support of the Canadian beef industry,"
said Klein. "Today's event shows the world that Canada is bigger than SARS,
bigger than BSE. We're a country that has a great deal to offer the world. I
join with my fellow premiers in urging the federal government to do all it can
to help Ontario with its post-SARS rebuilding, and also to show leadership in
working to get Canadian beef moving around the globe again."

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