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The Strategic Partnership

The Strategic Partnership is a unique, dynamic partnership of business, labour and government dedicated to improving the quality of life of the people of Newfoundland and Labrador through sustainable, balanced economic and social development

The Strategic Partnership Council is the governing body of the Strategic Partnership. The Council comprises three partners, who each nominate four members to the Council. In addition, an independent chair is chosen by the Council. The partners are:

• Business, represented by the Newfoundland and Labrador Business Coalition
• Labour, represented by the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Labour
• the Provincial Government, represented by the:
  • Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment
  • Department of Innovation, Business and Rural Development
  • Labour Relations Agency
  • Public Service Secretariat

The Council determines the mandate, goals and objectives of the Partnership and directs the work of the Strategic Partnership Secretariat. The Council oversees the work of the committees that it establishes, coordinates linkages between the various committees of the Council and advances the work of the Strategic Partnership among its constituent members, with government and with society at large.

The Strategic Partnership Council undertakes to:

• identify barriers, challenges and opportunities to stimulate social and economic development in Newfoundland and Labrador
• set priority areas for the The Strategic Partnership
• develop action plans, including the identification of resources, committees, and timelines, to initiate high quality research on the priority areas
• strive to develop a mutual understanding of the issues and build consensus on public policy recommendations among the partners
• present recommendations based upon consensus to influence the policies and actions of government and other relevant stakeholders
• stimulate public debate and awareness of the issues and the recommended policy approaches
• become province-wide in scope

The Council establishes both ad hoc and standing Strategic Partnership Committees. Currently, there are five active committees: labour market, employment relations, innovation, population, and transportation and communications infrastructure.

The Strategic Partnership Secretariat comprises the permanent staff of the Partnership. They provide support to the Council and are responsible for the everyday operations of the Partnership between meetings of the Council. The Council Chair is also an ex officio member of the Secretariat.

The membership of the Secretariat includes the:

• the Director, Strategic Partnership and Manager, Policy and Program Planning, both of whom are employees of the Department of Innovation, Business and Rural Development
• Director of Business, appointed by and works for the Newfoundland and Labrador Business Coalition
• Director, Policy, appointed by and works for the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Labour

The members of the Secretariat also have a capacity-building function within their respective agencies, helping to further the understanding of and promote the values of the Strategic Partnership within each of its constituencies.

For information and assistance, contact: