REGINA — Canada’s premiers are preparing to take stock of the economy in discussions that could amount to a performance appraisal of the federal government’s efforts to deal with the recession through its economic stimulus package.
The economic situation and future growth will be the focus when political leaders from 10 provinces and three territories meet in Regina this week for their annual summer meeting, according to Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall, who is hosting the event.
Wall said there will be discussion as to whether or not the stimulus package has had an affect in each province and nationally, in terms of creating jobs and helping Canada get through the recession.
There will also be questions for the future.
“Are we going to focus on the knowledge economy, on an innovation agenda that can create jobs for the longer term, create careers for the longer term?” asked Wall. “There’s a big part of the agenda that’s dedicated to the future, to engagement in terms of diversifying our trade relationship as well.”