Pearson-Shoyama Institute
Archives
In the Aftermath by Robert Fontaine
In the aftermath of the referendum, I heard a farmer from Manitoba ask ( yet again) THE
QUESTION:
"What do they (meaning the Quebecois) want?"
I voted "NON" on October 30th, but I have grave concerns about the course
that Canada seems to be on. It is obvious that a majority of French-speaking Quebecois
feel a profound dissatisfaction with the status quo). Even those like myself who still
believe in Canada will not be convinced by symbolic gestures or empty declarations of
" Distinct Society " without some meaningful transfer of constitutional powers.
Preston Manning says: "NO special status for Quebec", but the fact remains
that Quebec IS SPECIAL. . Many have used the analogy of the " constitutional
family " to represent Canada. Think of Quebec as a "Special child" with
special problems. The Quebecois are very proud Of their heritage. It is a heritage that
they wish to pass on to their children. Many of them feel threatened and feel that the
repatriation of the constitution, the loss of their veto and the failures of the
Charlottetown and Meech Lake accords have left them vulnerable. They only wish to possess
the tools that they feel are needed to ensure that their children and their children's
children will be able to live and work in French in Quebec.
"Special status" for Quebec poses no threat to the rest of Canada. No matter
what some politicians say! , IT IS NOT A BIG DEAL. "Distinct" doesn't mean
"better" or "superior", it only means different. Surely Canada Was
built on the respect of cultural differences. Surely English Canada can afford to make
some constructive concessions in the name of constitutional peace and unity. Furthermore,
a move to decentralize Federal powers would certainly benefit other provinces as well who
have their own legitimate concerns and special problems.
I believe that the only thing that will save this country is a positive spirit of
compromise. But compromise is not a one-way street. There will be no social peace in
Quebec if committed sovereignsts are unwilling to even listen to proposals of change. I
feel disheartened when I hear Lucien Bouchard dismiss Federal proposals as " too
little ". I feel disheartened also when I hear others at the opposite end of the
spectrum reject them as being " too much ".
The most recent referendum proved once again, albeit by a very slim margin, that Quebec
does not fundamentally want sovereignty. However, any politicians who interpret these
results as being an excuse to harden their positions vis a vis Quebec's legitimate
constitutional concerns are doing the cause of National Unity great disservice. There is
an expression in French: "Mettre de l'eau dans son vin". It means to "Put
water in your wine". It Means to give and take a little. Keep an open mind.
Compromise. It's the Canadian way. Canadians from Coast to Coast should not be held
hostage by politicians who are unwilling to put forward and seriously consider
constructive proposals for change which are based on compromise and good will.
| 
