Thu 22 Dec 2005
Harper’s Federalism
Posted by kaqchikel under democracy , elections , federal politics , general , political partiesBy STEPHEN HARPER
Following my recent speech on open federalism in Quebec City, The Globe and Mail wrote an editorial asking for more information. I am happy to elaborate on the concept of open federalism, which has been welcomed by all mainstream federalists in Quebec and across Canada.
“Stand up for Canada” is the title of our platform, and that is what we are going to do. We are going to make Canada work better, not by transferring federal powers to the provinces, but by co-operating with the provinces in the exercise of their legitimate constitutional jurisdiction. (my emphasis)
A Conservative government will put an end to the Liberal scandals that have so damaged the cause of federalism in Quebec. Paul Martin’s party has been held responsible in a judicial inquiry on corruption. Mr. Martin should have known and acted against this corruption when he had the chance. If Quebeckers face only a choice between the tainted Liberals and the Bloc Québécois in this election, the majority will opt for the Bloc. That is why putting forward a Conservative federalist alternative is so important to Quebec and, indeed, to all of Canada.
As Conservatives, we do not believe national unity and federalism itself should be punished as a consequence of the actions of one party. A Conservative government will offer a complete departure from the approaches of both the federal Liberals and the Bloc Québécois. Instead of the old paternalistic and arrogant attitude of the federal Liberals, and the blind and sterile obstruction of the Bloc, a Conservative government will practise an open federalism.
Our commitment is to establish a new relationship with the provinces, while clarifying the roles of both levels of government within the division of powers of the Constitution. That means working constructively with the Council of the Federation. For example, we will support the creation of practical mechanisms to facilitate provincial involvement in the development of the Canadian position in areas of federal jurisdiction where provincial jurisdiction is affected.
We also recognize that Quebec has certain linguistic and cultural responsibilities that are of less interest to the other provinces. We will invite Quebec to participate in UNESCO in the same way it has participated in la Francophonie — an arrangement that has worked well for Canada as a whole, as well as for Quebec.
These are mainstream positions of federalists in Quebec and across Canada. They have been welcomed by Quebec federalists, including Premier Jean Charest and Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Benoà ®t Pelletier, as well as Action Démocratique du Québec Leader Mario Dumont, who opposes holding another referendum on sovereignty. They have also received support from the Council of the Federation, which represents all provinces. And, until very recently, they were positions that Mr. Martin himself supported.
In contrast to the Liberals, the Conservatives have openly acknowledged that a fiscal imbalance exists in this federation. Again, this is the mainstream position of all federalists in Quebec. And it is the position of the Council of the Federation. Only Mr. Martin finds himself outside this mainstream national federalist consensus.
It is common knowledge that the federal government enjoys large and growing surpluses — estimated at $83-billion over the next five years — even as most provinces are struggling to balance their budgets while maintaining indispensable social services, such as health care, public education, highways, and municipal infrastructure. Correcting the fiscal imbalance means ensuring that the provinces can deliver on these responsibilities.
The Conservative Party has proposed realistic measures in this campaign and has offered to bring integrity and political accountability to Ottawa, to reform federalism, and to help taxpayers. It is a balanced approach that strengthens the federal role in areas of its own jurisdiction and works with federalists from coast to coast to address the concerns of all Canadians.
By its corruption, the Liberal Party has gravely damaged federalism in Quebec. Nonetheless, Mr. Martin has spoken recklessly and repeatedly of a referendum in Quebec ever since the campaign began. He has said nothing constructive about working with Mr. Charest, the most federalist Quebec premier in a generation, to head off separatism. And yet he attacks Conservative positions designed to rebuild federalism in Quebec. It is time for a new hand at the tiller.
Stephen Harper is Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada.
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Globe and Mail, Thursday 22 December 2005. Page A21
Thanks for posting this
Let’s make one thing perfectly clear. The double-speak of the Liberal party makes me want to lose my lunch. I don’t understand why, exactly, the people in MY province (Ontario) keep falling for the same old political tricks. Did you see Martin try and pull a Mulroney vs. Turner in the English debate with that “you’re not going to take my country away” stuff? He even had Brian’s finger pointing down to a tee. And it’s working!! How soon we forget, I guess it’s okay if you do that when you’re a Liberal, but if you’re a Conservative you’re “too American” or “have a hidden agenda” or are “too angry” or whatever the accusation of the day is. At least Mr. Mulroney was doing things for the better of the country, not some vote-getting tactic in Ontario where separatism isn’t even an issue!! The point is this, Harper is right on the money. The federal government has no business “centralizing” and telling the provinces what they can and can not do. Has anyone here actually READ the Constitution? Do we not understand how Canada was designed to work?!? Isn’t the federal government responsible for the military, trade and the post office? I mean come on people. These guys keep wrapping themselves in the Canadian flag, stating they’re the only party who can save Canada, and Ontario keeps gobbling it up and asking for more. We need to send the message that CORRUPTION IS NOT OKAY! Paul Martin said so himself!! So let’s take him up on it. I mean boy, they really saved Canada in 1995 didn’t they with their HUGE win over the separatists. What was it, 50% - 49% or something like that? Saviours my foot. This debate of separation wouldn’t even be an issue right now if the Liberal party hadn’t squandered taxpayer’s money and lined the pockets of the Quebec wing of the Liberal party, and certain Liberal friends of theirs. The Bloc was out in the political wilderness for goodness sakes! What Harper is suggesting is the best idea I’ve heard on the separation issue yet. Quebec will benefit, but not only that, ALL provinces will benefit. I have no problems with tax cuts, or fixing the “fiscal imbalance” as it stands right now. I feel the federal government is running surpluses because I’m overtaxed, and the provinces have had their transfer payments slashed and slashed again. The fact is this, it was the Prime Minister who originally mentioned this idea for Quebec in 2004! And now he’s allowed, by us, the Canadian people, to change his stance whenever it suits him? It’s time for REAL change, and once Quebec is shown the respect it deserves…(and Alberta for that matter, and even Ontario..] the threat of separation seems unlikely. The sad thing is this…all of this could have been avoided if Meech had passed…which it initially did. But we don’t want one Prime Minister succeeding where another failed, do we? This may sound partisan, but it’s not intended to. If you stop, put all of the rhetoric and hyperbole aside, the Liberals are desperate and scrambling. We cannot allow them to win again! National unity is NOT their strong point, look at the polls in Quebec and that will show you how well the Liberals’ “federalist cause” is going. Is this how we keep Canada together, by telling Quebec what to do, how to do it, and then stealing money to reward our friends? The provinces need to look after their own affairs and let Ottawa take care, once again, of what’s important. We were transformed from a Parliamentary democracy into a Constitutional democracy without the proper checks and balances, and all of this, as far as I’m concerned, with the centralization of power in Ottawa is alienating ALL provinces beyond repair. I certainly don’t want my children growing up in a Canada that I don’t recognize. Good for Stephen Harper in announcing a solution that just may work.
My apologies, I didn’t realize it was Mr.Harper who wrote this. I apologize if it seems like a bit of a rant, but I’m severely passionate about the direction in which the Liberal party seems to want to take this country. Just know, Mr.Harper, there are those out there who share your vision of a better Canada, and will support you in your attempt to clean up the mess we find ourselves in. I have already voted to stand up for Canada.
Finally on Jan 23rd we will have a PM that recognizes that a fiscal imbalance exists also one who will bring a new and fresh approach to Federalism. If people some how relect this tired old Liberals Government than we are assured that both Quebec and Alberta will separate. I conclude in saying a vote for the Liberal party is a vote for separation.
The Canadian Constitution Committee has pounded years to finally here these utterances from a leader of a federal party. Now to convince the rest of the centralist sucklings that there is a better and more prosperous way than to be neutered annuitant to Ottawa.