I don't recell this being on the platform of any party or being discussed by the minority Parliament or in a constitutional conference. But the deCanadianization project is now off and running:
The Harper government is prepared to let Quebec negotiate a unilateral labour-mobility deal with France, and is willing to provide each province with similar autonomy on economic issues, the Prime Minister's Quebec lieutenant, Lawrence Cannon, has announced. In the clearest indication to date that the Conservatives are willing to offer exclusive arrangements for each province, Mr. Cannon signalled the Harper government is prepared to shift the way the national government works with its provincial counterparts.
As far as I am concerned this should put the Liberal's green agenda very much on the back burner and become the #1 issue facing the electorate in a fall Federal election. But maybe I am a fuddy-duddy, thinking massive structural change to our governance should be a matter of democratic debate. You? What do you think?
Comments
Hans - July 30, 2008 10:52 am
Some would argue that Harper is merely peddling another variety of federalism while you seem to be saying that the decentralization he is proposing is tantamount to pulling the country apart in little pieces. What I think is interesting is the apathy toward this. I think it is part of apathy toward the political process generally which is caused by the overall wealth of the Canadian citizenry and the fact that whatever governments do has very little effect on this wealth. The apathy toward this initiative in particular is also caused by the numbness many Canadians feel around issues of federal-provincial relations: Having survived the drama and/or hype of 2 referenda on Quebec separation and 2 failed constitutional revisions, I think many people just want to carry on with life and are content to take an attitude of "so long as no one is voting on separation I don't care about the details of the federal system (however important they might turn out to be)". Additionally, I think there are some good things about regionalism or localism or provincialism that any appeals to nationalism cannot overcome. For example, a citizen has a much greater opportunity for participation in small-time politics than national politics. Also, a person may feel an emotional connection to the geography of say, Algonquin Park, that he won't feel about the City of Saskatoon. I think the issue of Quebec separation has had a near-ruinous effect on the Canadian identity and I think they should really go start their own country. I also think that the multicultural imperative to "celebrate our diversity" has eroded a sense of history and shared values: Never mind our differences, what the heck do we have in common, region to region, urban to rural, ethnicity to ethnicity? Is it Medicare or Vimy Ridge? I think younger generations have not had the opportunity to consider Canadian history and society enough. And then I think of my parents - both immigrants to Canada - who proudly fly the Canadian flag starting on Canada Day and all summer. They are not apathetic about the Canadian National enterprise.
sean - July 30, 2008 10:57 am
I still say Ontario and Quebec should separate, reform the nation and let the other soon-to-be-former provinces ask to rejoin.
I am a strong believer in a heavily centrist government with iron fisted rule over the provinces. Only the greedy ones seem to take issue with that.
Jay Currie - July 31, 2008 10:00 pm
The provinces have a much more acute ability to gauge their local needs than does the federal government. That is pretty basic.
So why not let them do what they think is best for their own economy. Quebec wants to cut a deal with France on labour mobility, what's the problem? Ottawa really does not have much of a clue about the sorts of labour required and any government which is committed to an immigration policy which takes family re-unification seriously is best left on the sidelines.
The faster Ottawa removes itself from all but the most basic functions the better. Ottawa's vision of Canada (whether the Blue Liberal or the Red Liberal one) bears little relation to the rest of the country's visions of itself.
I am hoping this is only the first step in the disengagement of Ottawa from as many areas as possible.
The great advantage of such disengagement is that in the areas where Ottawa no longer puts its oar in there will only be one level of governmental screw up (well, two if we count municipalities and Indian bands). I suspect the efficiency gain would be enormous.
On the other hand, I think Sean has an excellent idea - Ontario and Quebec can separate and take both halves of the National Capital Region (not to mention bilingualism, family re-unification immigration, the CHRC, CRTC, the Wheat Board, tarrifs, citizens of convenience, equalization payments and the incandescent ban with them. They can then wait for the rest of Canada to ask to rejoin.
Might be a long wait.
Alan - July 31, 2008 11:39 pm
Sure, maybe Saskatchewan could declare war on Peru as well. Maybe Alberta can revive that "local" eugenics project as well. Human health is certainly different in each province.
The dizzy idea that the nation is better off the less of a nation it is is nuts - not to mention a crack pot importation of a fifth rate states rights argument. What it really is about is soft treason, of course. Undoing the country without a bang, just a whimper, but undoing it like Parizeau would have it.