Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister officially assumed his new role as chair of Canada’s Premiers and the Council of the Federation for 2021-22, following a virtual meeting of
premiers Thursday (June 17) to discuss reopening plans and COVID-19 vaccination efforts.
As chair, Pallister will lead premiers in their ongoing work to strengthen the health-care system for all Canadians and prepare for the economic recovery to come.
“COVID-19 has produced a pandemic pileup in wait times for needed surgeries and procedures. Over one million Canadians are waiting in pain every day for a diagnosis,
test or treatment and these wait times will only get worse,” said Pallister. “Never has the need for health care been greater, never has the federal share of funding those needs
been lower. The urgency to act is clear. The time to act is now.”
The premier announced that Manitoba will host the first in-person meeting of Canada’s premiers in over 18 months when the Council of the Federation convenes in Winnipeg
from October 5th to 7th.
“I look forward to safely welcoming my colleagues to friendly Manitoba as we reopen our borders and economy for growth and jobs,” said Pallister. “I am proud to showcase
our beautiful province to the rest of Canada as we gather in Winnipeg to also mark more than 150 years as a proud Canadian province.”
The premier thanked the outgoing chair, Québec Premier François Legault, for his leadership of the Council of the Federation over the past year during this unprecedented time.
