Following a meeting with the prime minister, Quebec Premier Jean Charest said his province has entered a "new era" in its relationship with the federal government.

The Liberal premier met with Prime Minister Stephen Harper on Wednesday, marking their third such meeting since Harper took office.

Charest called the meeting "an opportunity for us to look at our relationship and how we will work together on a number of issues of common interests where we share common values."

At the top of their agenda was the sharing of federal tax dollars to address the so-called fiscal imbalance, and international relations.

Harper harkened back to a speech he gave on Dec. 19 in which he promised to adopt a brand of "open federalism" and invite Quebec to participate in any future international forums -- specifically the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

"I'd like to announce today that Premier Charest and I have agreed to task our ministers to move forward on ensuring that Quebec's unique voice be heard at UNESCO," said Harper in a joint press conference with Charest in Quebec City.

"As prime minister, I intend to work with Mr. Charest to ensure that this commitment becomes a reality."

Harper also announced that he will attend the 2006 Francophonie summit in Bucharest, Romania in September.

Describing La Francophonie as an organization that plays an "important role the promotion of the French language and human rights," Harper said he'll work closely with Charest to organize the 2008 summit, which will be held in Quebec City.

"What I am announcing today reflects my strong commitment towards an open federalism that will help us take tangible measures that respect our governments' priorities and benefit all Quebecers and all Canadians," Harper concluded.

Despite the positive feelings expressed by both leaders, no agreement has been reached on the Tories' controversial child care deal or on equalization payments.

Harper's intent to scrap the previous Liberals government's $5-billion child-care plans in favour of his plan to send $1,200 baby bonus cheques to parents has many premiers worried.

As for the fiscal imbalance, the premiers are expected to release a study in April addressing the issue -- a move that could set the stage for a meeting between Ottawa and the provinces.

The federal government is also expected later this year to release a report on changes to equalization payments to the "have-not" provinces.

Harper, who needs to build on the 10 seats he won in Quebec to help win a majority in the next election, has shown a keen interest in the province since the recent election campaign.

But the relationship goes both ways. Charest also needs the prime minister to keep his election promises to Quebec in order to give him a better chance at winning a second mandate.

Reaction

Stephane Dion, a Liberal MP and one-time national unity minister under prime minister Jean Chretien, said on CTV Newsnet's Mike Duffy Live that there was no content to the meeting.

Sen. Hugh Segal, speaking for the Conservatives on the show, said it's too soon to expect any formal agreements.

"The respective ministers have been asked to work out the details as it relates to UNESCO," he said.

Segal also argued that former Liberal prime minister Paul Martin talked about the same opening of federalism that Harper is now implementing.

"... What Mr. Harper created as an expectation is much more than that -- that Quebec, at the international level, as a province, will speak as a state in many, many forums," Dion said.

"Nobody said to Quebecers (during the campaign), and we should have said that, and that only states speak at UNESCO," he said, adding Canada could allocate its time to speak as it liked.

On the fiscal imbalance, Segal said the federal government is awash in money because of "Liberal overtaxation."

That money is then used to launch "boutique programs" that violate provincial jurisdiction and that provinces don't have the money to sustain, he said.

NDP Leader Jack Layton said his party supports the idea of making federalism flexible.

However, he said Charest and Harper "seem to be working hand in glove to support the privatization of our health care," noting the topic didn't even come up.

"There's some things going in this relationship between Mr. Charest and Mr. Harper that should concern Canadians," Layton said.